Iron Newsman - August 25, 2010
Iron Newsman
"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally." -David Frost
A much-needed rest day! That's my Ford Ironman World Championship training for today. Why even mention it? Why even blog? The rest day comes on the heals of one of, if not the toughest, single days of training for me this year! Yesterday I rode 120-miles and then immidiately ran 4-miles. Whenever you spend seven hours exercising it's something to be proud of. However, at least half of that training time was spent in 90-100 degree temps. That's crucial for my Ford Ironman World Championship preparation (gusting winds during the bike, extremely hot and humid during the run).
Making my ride more challenging, two flat tires! The first flat happened when I unknowingly ran over a piece of truck tire debris with small pieces of metal sticking out. I fixed it in 5:02 and thought, "No big deal." That first flat came at 50-miles into my ride. My SECOND flat came 20-miles later when I was flying down a hill and noticed a rock too late. I avoided it with my front wheel but I nailed the rock with my rear wheel! It flatted immidiately and even damaged my wheel. It's slightly wharped and the bike shop I use is going to "true" the wheel, if possible. I fixed the second flat in 5:24 (I learned to time it for race day planning to estimate a flats effects on my time) I had my coach Craig Moss on standby in case I flatted again. I only carry two tubes when I ride and my patch kit... well, let's just say I'm not skilled at using it yet. Thankfully, luckily, I avoided a third flat and finished the solid ride.
Yesterday's training was a real confidence booster. In addition to the fitness I gained, I practiced hydration and the use of salt tablets. As I got off my bike, I remember thinking, "I'm almost there." With THE Ironman race less than six weeks away, I feel I should peak at just the right time!
The remainder of my week will be recovery oriented. I have my base Ironman fitness established. Over the next three weeks I'll be extending that endurance. More century (plus) rides await along with 18, 20, 22-mile runs. The swims? Yup, 4,300-yard full distance swims. As I zero in on Kona... I'm finalizing my travel plans, my TV news coverage plans, and smiling about a familiar feeling that comes with the extreme training just before Ironman!
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-Chris
My race schedule (so far) for 2010:
13.1 Los Angeles (Half) Marathon
Students Run LA Friendship Run
Wildflower Triathlon (long course)
IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!
Los Angeles Rock N Roll Marathon
Why blog? To inspire others.
Simply put, three years ago I was overweight! At 6’1” I weighed 252, and wore size 40 pants. Few people really noticed, but I did. In pictures, on TV, I was not happy with my appearance. Covering the 2007 LA Marathon for NBC4 was the last straw. Every picture I was in highlighted just how out of shape I had become.
No more! Since that time, the guy who could barely run around the block has slowly built-up his endurance and completed numerous events. Among the big ones: the 2008 Long Beach International Marathon , 2009 & 2010 Surf City Marathons in Huntington Beach, 2009 & 2010 LA Marathons, 2009 Vineman Ironman 70.3, 2010 Wildflower Long Course and 2009 Ironman Arizona!
I invite you to share this journey with me.
