Round two, coming up!

Saturday is kickoff for Ironteam 08. Somehow, this freaks me out a little. I can't believe that we've already completed the 07 Ironteam season, but yeah, that little ironman I completed on August 26th was not a figment of my imagination. Crazy I may be, but I already can't wait for Canada 08. Watch out Penticton, I'm coming at you with more strength and knowledge this year- I'll remember to ...

Whenever I get a package of plain M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.

Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That is the "loser," and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.

I have ...

So I have finally digested the season and all of its good and bad points... I think.

My plans for this year:
1) I am applying to be a Mentor for the TNT Winter tri season. That would mean a trip to Kona in April for Lavaman in addition to helping a bunch of first time triathletes experience this wonderful sport of ours. The competition for these mentor spots is very tough ...

The whole feeling of Ironman this year was different than last year. Of course, I was no longer an ironman virgin so the level of excitement was initially lacking, but this did change. I got to Penticton still stressed about work. I left my 2nd grade classroom without carpet, furniture, etc. due to flooding in the main building a few weeks prior. I ...

Checking my bike and loading race food into the Bento Box on my bike.

Pre-Race: lots of nervous energy! We were up at 4:00 am for breakfast and taking the shuttle down to the race start. After dropping off my special needs bags, body marking (getting my race number written all over me in black felt pen), I checked over my bike, pumped the tires ...

Canada was a wonderful experience as was Ironteam. I started the season with huge and seemingly unattainable goals and I achieved almost all of them. I achieved all of them except actually crossing the finish line in Canada. Naturally I was disappointed to not finish the race but I managed to keep a pretty good attitude about everything. Well, maybe not right at the moment, but shortly afterwards.

For those ...

I did it! I finished Ironman Canada in 16:51:19.

Short Version:

It was a great day, long but great. I felt strong, albeit slow, throughout the entire day. My nutrition plan worked, I stayed hydrated and didn't have any muscle cramping or distress at any time other than minor issues. I had some choice words for the headwind from mile 50 to mile 90, but other than that I enjoyed the entire experience....

A year of preparation and today was finally the day! It is hard to even try to put in day into words, the anticipation, excitement, fear and yes plenty of Gatorade.
I while managed to sleep a fair number of hours, I was restless with anxiety mainly of over sleeping and not the actual race. I awoke 4:15am and gather up all my ...

I thought there would be plenty of time get everything done, but sure enough things happen and I'm off a nicely organized schedule. Firstly my bike was making a awful squeaking sound which surely would made all the participants in race take notice and get out of my way, while it had that benefit it was caused by the wheel rubbing against the frame. ...