Here we go again

signed up

2012-01-30T12:43:00.000-08:00

It does not matter what it is, without commitment, it is nothing. So in order to commit I have signed up. No only for my second world major which will be held in September of this year, but the Irishman as well. I have always like to wait to sign up. It may cost a couple of dollars more, but I always tell myself, that in my job something could come up and I would be out the entire registration. What I have found is it is easy to say well I'm not signed up-I'm tired, it was a long week or night of work... and the excuses continue and I do not go. So in 2012 I've made my commitment to the races I know I want to do. Of course there will be more as summer and warmer weather approaches. But for now I signed up to the Irishman, even though last year I thought, next year I may skip this one. Well March 17 is just over 45 days away. The Irishman is a little different. You can do a five mile, a 5K or one mile race on that day, or you can do all three. Last year there was just couple of committed to all three in the same day. This year, the Webster-ewangen Team may have as many team members doing all three events as we have team members doing any one of the others. But the big thing is, is having fun and getting another shoe for the showcase in city hall. Yes, you get a green shoe on a plaque for the team with the most members. It might seem a little odd to have an Irishman award in the German show case, but that is what makes it so fun. But that plastic does make a drinking item after the win.
I did make a another commitment as well. I'm in a lottery for the ING NY City Marathon and if I get in I should be in good shape, it's four weeks after my other, but that would leave me just two to go-London and Boston.

Disapointments

2012-01-25T13:51:00.001-08:00

A lot of people congratulated and asked me a ton of questions after the Chicago Marathon last year. When I saw the finish line and for that matter when I hit the 1/2 marathon mark, the only thing that came to me was disappointment. For the 18 weeks leading up to the Chicago Marathon I followed an aggressive training plan. I never worked that hard in high school, now I'm an old man. Cold, heat or South Dakota wind I was out there putting in the miles. It was the most I've run for any type of training. I kept telling myself of my time I wanted to do it in. I was like the little train. I know I can... and then I saw my spit at the half way point. Disappoint set in. It was heartbreaking to cross the finish line, yet I just run 26.2 miles and was in the top 1/3 of the race. Since Chicago I ran another full marathon did less training and less stress and did better and was happy. Next week you will find out on plans for 2012 and the second world major. Never give up. I know I can.

2012 resolutions

2012-01-17T06:10:00.000-08:00

While I missed the first two weeks of my goal, I hope this week gets me back on track. In 2011 I set out to do a marathon. The first in five. The five world majors that is. Well I hit it hard. I looked up Hal Higdon's marathon training plans. While a novice, I skipped it. I'ver run a few half marathons, so it is like running two of them back to back. Twenty-six one mile runs and an 800 meter dash at the end. Hal also had some intermediate plans, but I did not even look at those. I had a grand idea, a goal. Train hard and qualify for Boston. The second of the second of the big five. Well I trained hard, and missed only two days in 18 weeks of his advanced training plan. I ran all my 20 mile runs easy and all under three hours, all but one under 2:50. I did the hills, the long runs, the pace runs. For the first 10 weeks I hit Pereboom's gym for some weight training and core workouts. It didn't matter how I felt, or how the weather was, I was out there. Remember I'm talking South Dakota weather. I thought I was prepared for the cold, wind, rain and that stuff in between. But during my 18 weeks we never really had heat. When I finished Chicago it was 80. I felt good from the start, but I'm sure the other 45,000 plus runners thought the same. I was in the C corral. I was in the top 12,000. If I stood on my toes I could see the front with a spotting scope. No it was not that bad, but when the elite runners took off they looked small. At mile five I had to make a pit stop, and stepping off the course rolled my ankle. I finished and worked through it and by mile seven I was back where I left off, behind two guys I started with. At the 10k I was doing good. At the half I thought I was doing good. I forgot to subtract off the gun time and when I crossed the line. I was depressed. No way could I make up that time. I was so down on my self, but I was here to finish and I did in 4:06 and just over 10,000 across the finish line. I missed my time by a half hour plus. Later I looked and realized what I had done. But the first major was over. now four majors left–Boston will have to wait, NY, London and Berlin. FYI-I'm in for Berlin in 2012.
I did the LasVegas marathon eight weeks later. LeAnn was doing her first half marathon and did a great job. I was going to finish. At the end I beat my time a new PR.
In 2012 I set out for some New Year's resolutions. The first was to blog each week and tell you on how my training is going. Plus I have some other goals not related to running or fitness, so for now I will not bore you with those. My goal besides Berlin is to stay in shape. Tell you the truth after Christmas and New Year's I really lost interest. Both of our kids were home for the holidays and it was more import to see them than run. Well, they are both gone and so were my excuses. I am back in running mode-sort of.
If the weather holds and the May wedding plans do not get overwhelming I will try to do a marathon between the end of April and early June. Then the training will start for Berlin. History and cobblestone streets. Until next week. Take it easy and there is still time to get back to your New Year's resolutions.

Resolutions

2011-02-22T18:50:00.000-08:00

When I first began to exercise I had no idea I would stick to it. The biggest thing was setting a goal and trying to reach. The first was the most difficult, while sounding like the easiest. My goal after being talked into doing a 5K race was to run it without stopping. Did I mention I ailed. I did not even run parts slow, I stopped, but finished running and walking the rest of the three miles. In 2010 one resolution was to do some races I thought would be fun. Not to say I did not enjoy those I did in 2010. Most were fun, one was even painful, but I would do the Extera Triathlon if it works out. What to challenge yourself, this is the event. Another resolution was one to complete in the next two year, run a marathon. A week ago I made a commitment and part of the resolution. Run a fun race and one that is also a marathon. In October I will be heading to Chicago and participating with 40,000 others running the Chicago marathon.

wow, I forgot how to swim

2010-08-02T06:17:00.000-07:00

I entered my second tri, an Exterra. It is still a swim, bike and run, but just a little different. It was an 1,100 meter swim, approximately 550 get out out of the water run a few yards and back in for the swim. Friday night I did a test run in the local pool. Swam 550 yards got out walked around the pool and back in and swam the remainder. I was happy. It was the best I have swam. Sunday was a totally different story. I freaked seeing the red markers which seemed to stretch forever. I got in forgot how to breath, stroke and all the other important aspects of swimming. I flipped to my back to try and rethink. I must have been rethinking what the heck am I doing. I did need some breathers, but I finished it and was upset with myself on how bad I swam. It was like the first day I hoped in the pool and the life guard thought all their skills would be tested today. On the way back to the transition area I hard to get my head into the game, because it was only the day before that I rode a mountain bike for the first time. The rain from the night before was sure to make the course a hole new challenge. It was. Even after one spill I thought took me and the bike out, we straightened out and got going again. Could I have road faster, maybe on the straight a ways, but after the spill my only goal was to finish. Back into the transition area it was on to the running shoes, but my body was wondering where do you think you are going. I was taking in a lot of fluids, but I must have been light headed, because I took off running. The only thing at this time it did not feel and probably even look like running, but maybe power walking. 4.5 miles and 3 plus hours I was done. I'm glad I did it. It was good challenge of where I'm at today in my fitness. A long way to go. Think you are fit, try an Exterra. Would I do it again, I probably would, next weekend no way. My body needs time. I will still run, bike and swim during this time, but not all three in any one day. If it was not fun, I would never consider it again, but the slipping through the mud on the bike except the one instance was wild, the trail run if I would have remembered my tunes and not totally wiped out would have been greatest type of run I think I have done. The swim we will leave it at that. It is over and now I have to get my mind to not be intimidated.

tri, tri again

2010-07-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

I completed my first tri, while a mini, the fear of water was still there. I finished the Watertown Tri in 37th place with a time of 1:22.32. My goal was 1:30. I was pleased and learned a lot. What did I learn? What it feels like to get kicked or hit by an arm swinging. But that pain was nothing. The real pain was walking across the rocks to get into the water and then to have to do the same getting out. Getting in I was not concerned, because the clock had not started yet. Getting out the clock was ticking away. Seconds turned into what felt like minutes, and listening to my wife and daughter, that might have been the case as I tried to walk out of the water and into the transition area. My feet are tender. But all in all it was OK. If it works I will try another tri before summer ends.
If I had tougher feet, it might help in my time not only getting into the transition area, but out I had to make sure ever grain of sand was off the bottom of my feet, socks on and straight and shoes tight so they did not blister.
Walking back and forth on our gravel driveway might help, but just thinking of taking of my shoes in house makes my feet hurt.
Knowing swimming is my weakest, I've devoted more time to that than either the biking or running, so much so I was worried that I may have lost a step on my running. Not that running is my strong suit. Biking is not either.
For biking, LeAnn and I have been doing one ride in Aberdeen with a group of experienced riders. Oh and did I forget to mention they like to ride, let's say not not a Sunday ride pace. It has been good, now if the wind was always at he back it would even be better for me.
I will be keeping up my swimming, but because the pool is outdoors and once school starts, its back to on the road, adding time to already shorter days.
Will I be able to get in the mile swim, who knows, but one day the Titanic even needed to head out of dock on her maiden voyage. I just hope the same thing does not happen to me.

Swim, bike, run another day

2010-06-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

For personal reasons at this time my July tri is or was just that a tri. But I do plan on trying to keep up with swimming, biking and running, but at this time I have left the training plan and need to take care of other matters.

sometimes you just go

2010-06-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

There are times you just go and do it. It is not a matter of time concern, heart rate, distance and any factor, but if someone is willing to do a training day you take them up and go. So speed, heart rate and all that is thrown out the window, even if a one hour training ride day is just shy of two hours. So when an opportunity arises, jump on it.

It's all about finishing

2010-06-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

I know I have talked a lot about swimming, but really it is all about finishing. I bike and run, even mix the two together and I feel fairly comfortable about those two events right now. By no means are they at first place times, but my goal is to finish, not first, but in order to that, I must complete the swim. Once I start swimming in Webster and get more comfortable, it will easier to add in biking and running into the swimming mix. If I'm unable to complete the first event, it will be impossible to finish. Swimming is first, than biking and last the run. I classify it is as the most dangerous to least with the ability finish by walking.

water levels

2010-06-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have been patiently waiting for the pool to open so I do not need to drive an hour to drink chlorinated water. I still am amazed that the day after swimming if I'm running, I smell chlorine. It's not from my hair or that I did not shower good enough after swimming, it is from the intake. Remember my breathing, I'm a land animal. So after June 7 I will appreciate that I will not have to drive an hour, but just a couple of blocks. There have been reports that Webster pool loses large amounts of water, but nothing after I get in. No I don't do the cannon ball or belly flop any more, I'm to old for that. I slowly get in and get accustom to the water and temperature. The water stays in Webster, at least for awhile, but the level may even go down more. It's just my attempt at breathing. I call it the suck swim. As I swim I suck in the water along with a little air that gets into my lungs. But serious unless you are swimmer, get use to the taste of chlorine. I know a lot people would rather see me swimming in Blue Dog and knowing each time I leave the water, a good portion of the lake would go with me. I know one of these days I will need to head to open water, but don't worry I plan on bringing an experienced swimmer along, in a boat, with a life jacket, cell phone with ICE programmed in as well as emergency personnel.

it seems to work

2010-05-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

The tips Nikki gave do seem to work, but it be the fact that all the stars and planets are aligned again and for the third time I was able to swim sine I was 12 years old. It is bound to happen a couple of time in 35 years. She even gave a pointer on open water swimming on how to hold the head up to see where I'm going. I'm hope the lake is crystal clear like the pool. Do you know of any like these? I have experienced panic. Not only the first time getting into a pool after so many years, the lack of swimming ability and did I forget to mention you need to learn to breath. Breathing in the water is where panic can set in. The first time I suck in what felt like a 1,000 gallons of water, I thought that was it. I was going down and did not follow my wife's advice. Don't drown tonight. Then I realized I sucked up that much water I can touch the bottom in the deep end. It has happened a few times since and first is panic and then I over come and keep going.

tips from coach

2010-05-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Webster has a new swim coach for the swim team and just the short time she watch me swim. OK paddle through the water, she was able to give me some help. First tip, stick to running and biking. No she didn't say that, but maybe thought it. Ok for real. The advise she gave seemed to pay off, but I did not realize I had to think. When I run it one foot in front of the other, breath and pump my arms. Biking. It's clamp in my feet, peddle and when I see a hill shift... Swimming is much more than a sport. It takes thought. Are my fingers to far apart, to tight, does my hand go back to far, not far enough out front, don't kick like I'm running in the water, but kick from the hips, look down into the water and turn the head to breath. Each one of these by themselves is no problem for me, but pt it all together takes a lot of thought. While I'm going to give a little more to see if it is still working and go back to see what else I may have forgotten. Everyone needs a good laugh.

Wonder waves

2010-05-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

While last night made me feel good in the pool, on the way made me wonder. It was a South Dakota breeze. The white caps on Lake Kampeska made me wonder. Do they even hold an event when it looked like the waves from Deadliest Catch. I never imaged them pulling in a crab pot and finding me, but the waves had me wonder. It's like riding a bike into gale force winds, but it great coming back. Do they start the swim at another point in the lake so the waves help carry you or is it the chips fall where they may. No matter what, this has been an experience, but last nights waves made me wonder if their would be another post if I had to attempt them last night.

It's happened twice

2010-05-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know if all the stars and planets were aligned last night and a month ago or so, but for me I was able to swim, twice. It may not have been pretty, but it could have worked. The problem is it needs to be regular, a little faster and let me out of the water without being exhausted. For swimmers reading this congrats. It was something I could do as a kid, but after being a land breather and for most part, a couch potato the last 25 year, I think I've come a long ways in 16 weeks and for the swimming aspect, 32 hours. That could be even stretching it as the first couple swims did not last for an hour. I'm not sure if I stop because I was completely out of breath, the life guard thinking they were going to be able to use their training after all, or the other swimmers wondering what in the world I was doing. I'm sure they knew it was not swimming, but did not what to call it. I'm hope in the next weeks I can get control of my swimming, hop on a bike and then take off on foot. The other alternative is not good. Have you ever tossed a rock into the lake and seen what happens to it. You have the picture.

Back to Back

2010-05-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

It is so much easier doing back to back than doing one training and later in the day yet another. It is easy to talk yourself out of them and find yourself exhausted as the day is extended. What is equally hard is finding time to participate in actual events as most weekends there are many commitments. A number of those work related and then other activities calling for attention and then add in weather. With nine weeks to go, I begin to question time and commitment. I know I'm going to be first and with a goal to finish some might think it is a piece of cake. Finishing and finishing that I want to do it again are two different items.

It's easy

2010-05-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

It's easy to skip a workout, but I fear to many skipped workouts will mean a long day on the course. Swimming just knocks it out of me, or maybe it is the hour ride home. The book says to get up at 5 a.m. and knock out one of the workouts for the day and the second at the end of the day. I tried the 5 a.m. start and did it for a couple weeks during the winter months, but I like my sleep. As much as I like my sleep it might be time to get back early mornings or change something around. Wednesday when I got home from the pool, it was supper and relaxing on the couch, not the hour run. We'll see about tonight's bike and run brick. Hopes it goes better.

the countdown

2010-05-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

I do not think I'm going to be able to bring my history up to date, so I will start with the countdown. Sixteen weeks ago I started training for a 1/2 ironman. Keep in mind I hated to run in high school 30 years ago and loved to eat, drink and not get off the couch just a couple years ago. The last time I rode a bike, other than a kid was in Custer State Park when one of two bicyclists abandoned their ride and hoped into one of our vehicles. It was better than getting trampled by some pissed off buffalo that day. Grabbing the bike and holding on to it out the window until we were clear of the buffalo and then getting on it and riding it down to safety was it. Maybe it was a 1/4 mile. My wife inspired me as she is training for a six day ride over 470 miles on her bike, so I should be able to do 56 in a day. I've ran a few half marathons, so I told myself I can do that. Putting the bike ride together with the run has been work, but doable. OK you might remember it is a triathlon. Biking and running are the last two events. The first is how much lake water can I drink. Actually that to swim 1.2 miles. For swimmers, you are thinking a piece of cake. My fear other than drowning is finishing the swim, exhausted and dead to the world, then heading to the bike rack and seeing only my bike, or worse yet, someone parking their bike and heading out on the run. I've been hitting the pool and can now swim more than 25 yards without being completely out of breath, but not a 1.2 miles yet non-stop, but I can do a mile plus. June 1 the local pool opens and I'm plan on a little more time and seeking some more help so in 10 weeks my fears don't become a reality.

past updates coming

2010-03-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

This is new to the web site and will be updated from my journal, please watch for updates.

Fourth of July

2008-07-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July. Time for BBQs and fireworks. See the emphasis on the BBQs as food was and continues to be an item I enjoy. I may not not eat the Big Fatty's like they going out style, but this July would have a new event. We went to LaCrosse and were joined by my brother and his family. I did I mention LaCrosse does a 5K run on the 4th. We signed up and did it. I ran with his one daughter for most of the race while my brother and his other daughter were off. He taught me one thing, get up to the front. It is easier for fast runners to pass than a runner like myself weaving in and out of a pack of walkers. I just did not feel like a runner and should be in the back. I completed my first 5K running. Now what?

Bag a moose

2008-05-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

The one night I working out at the gym, another person asked what my goal was to working out. I told him about hunting and joking said if I ever made to under 200 pounds it would be a moose hunt. I still had a long, long ways before I hit that mark. One to this day I did not think was obtainable. I kept up on the treadmill, elliptical and sometimes the weights. I never thought of losing over 55 pounds. I continued to get a little better, but weight lose was slow, like my first 5K. Down the road I hit that mark, but missed the opportunity for the moose, but feel better even with out the trophy on my wall.

The cats out of the bag

2008-03-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to keep the race a secret. But when the ambulance and undertaker are right on your heals its hard to do. I was going to try to improve and the next time my brother and I got together and he went running with his daughter and asked me if I wanted to go, I would say sure, just to see the expression.

But the race got out and he found out, so now I needed to improve. My new goal, run 3.1 miles with stopping. No time nothing. In doing this I began to lose a little more weight and got in a little better shape. No more 38 pants, but 36s were plenty long. I mean tight.

Running - I only...

2008-03-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

It was late February when a few people at the place I was working out wondered if I was going to do the St, Patrick's benefit run for Cody. Run? That is something my brother does, not me. After a couple weeks and knowing a few other people who were going to do the run, I gave in and said yes. Off the elliptical and on the treadmill. It was not a run, maybe a fast walk, but I thought after a couple of weeks and that I had been working out for almost two months, I should be able to run 3.1 miles.

My goal was to run without stopping and finish the race. I finished, but I could not run the entire 5K without walking. I could not believe I could not run 3.1 miles without stopping. It was easy in wrestling practice, 30 plus years ago. Why not today.

Better shape not weight loss

2008-02-15T11:22:00.000-08:00

My goal was never to lose weight, just be able to walk and shoot. For me a work out was on an elliptical and some days weight machines. Low and behold in February I notice a little weight loss. I had grown to be a fairly good size guy. I personally classified myself as a broad shoulder's type of guy. I stopped weighing myself at 255 pounds. I can't remember when I wore 32 pants and I'm not talking length, although I prefer to think that way. I was into 38s and some well worn ones and a snug fit 36. So shedding a few pounds was not a bad thing.

Make it 28

2008-01-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

In 2008 when I began my New Year's Resolution, I thought I better figure out a way to best accomplish it. All the things I found out on keeping a resolution was to work toward it for 21 days straight. My resolution was to get in better shape. Back in 2008 it meant being able to carry a shotgun a 1/4 mile and shot without being winded. You might think not a real big goal, but for a guy who had not exercised since freshman year or so of college, it was. I had along ways to go. While I was worried about sticking with the whole ordeal, I thought I better make it 28 days straight. It was a long 28 days, but I did it. When it was over, it was easy to head back in for workouts, now not on a daily basis. I even found some others who took up the challenge of working out. Some have come and gone, but a number are still at it.

John's First Workout

2008-01-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

The best way to stick to any exercising is goal is to put the pressure on by telling people what you are trying to accomplish. The other thing I found helpful when I first began to exercise was doing it for 21 days straight. Follow me as I give some background on me and take you up to what I am doing today. Sometimes I think it should be What am I doing?

How it began

2007-12-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

In December of 2007 a friend asked me if I wanted to go pheasant hunting. It had been awhile, but I was looking forward to it. We parked by the abandon farm house and I was told about all the pheasants we would be seeing. In less than a quarter mile, the birds started to run and take off. We took off running, but when we got close enough to shoot, I needed to catch my breath. My friend was right. There were so many birds, by the time it took me to catch my breath and pull up the gun to shoot, I was still able to bag two of the three bird limit. On what seemed to be the long walk back to the truck. As I was still a little short of breath, a third bird filled out the limit.

I thought what a day. I never saw so many birds, but I also thought, WOW was I out of shape.