Lone wolf with a solitary focus

Training for your first Ironman is a monumental task. You devote all of your energy to the process. Mostly everybody around you understands and provides support. Good bosses, friends, family, spouses, children, pets, bills, chores, guitars all are neglected to a degree. Nobody does Ironman alone. The energy given by those around us is ultimately what gets us across the finish line.

Having just read Jodi's TTT race report I am impressed by the spirit of team work that race emphasizes. Congrats to those of you who took on this race.

Training for my second Ironman has a different set of challenges.I am accustomed to the workload. I am more creative with time management. I am able to enjoy many other things in life that I would have sacrificed last year.

Sometimes I worry that I am not training enough. Mostly I have confidence in my training.

With IMKY within 100 days I begin to feel the juggle of life taking on more bowling pins and chain saws. Mid June will include a wedding and a memorial service on consecutive weekends. The service is for my child hood Friend Patrick who has been missing for a few years. I plan to do Deer creek Oly, but may let it go for a chance at a long ride instead. I have the Open Mic, but other gigs will wait until taper time. I have been seeing some one for about three weeks. This has only been a positive so far and I have been more then willing to work my schedule around this new development. I am very fond of her.

Somehow I am actually living a normal life right now while training for Ironman. My minds focus is much more evenly distributed then it was last year. I am training with others more often. I am relaxing with others. I am no longer the lone wolf with a solitary focus.

As I include others into my life and open my heart once again, I find that the sacrifices I make in training to spend time with good people has given me focus once again on what is really important.
I think I know why the wolf howls at the moon.

Why do you'll bike so much?

This morning a whole bunch of multisport nuts headed out to Headlands State Park for a day of training on Lake Erie. The event was hosted by Mickey Rezmic, RD of the Greater Cleveland Triathlon.
I went out with the first group. All dudes. So of course every one was hammering away. About halfway thru the first loop Bbop had a mechanical problem. I hung back with him as the others rode away. I will let him tell you the details in an attempt to get him to post to his blog.
After some time I jumped back in as the group came around on the second loop.
Following the ride, Jack and I added 3.5 on the GCT run course.

The weather was great. Still cold in Cleveland, but sunny. If you are not aware, Cleveland feels as though it is on the north shore of Lake Erie. If the Canadian like temps continue, I am going to demand dual citizenship.

Any how, it was a nice day of training with some good folks.

Cat gave me a ride. As she dropped me off, a young teenager stopped to ask, "Why do you'll bike so much?".
My first instict was to look at the kid cross eyed as I proclaimed "because I have an Ironman to do!"
Well I thought better of this idea and just told him
"It's Freedom".
He shrugged and said "OK".

Ironman Lodging

Last August I sent an email to a farmer to secure my lodging for Ironman. When we arrived at Sherbourn Castle, we handed over 45 GBP for a week of camping. This worked just fine. It was fun, and it was a unique Ironman experience. The major expense was airfare to London.

This year, I have fewer travel costs, so I thought I would splurge on my accommodations for Ironman. I just booked three nights at the host hotel, The Galt House. It has free WI FI and a swell pool.

As the financial investment mounts, I figure I should mount my bike a little more often. Saturday I will be doing the GCT training.

Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon Recap

The weather was identical to the '06 edition of this race. I rode down with my neighbors Brendon( Doing IM Lake Placid soon) and AJ (Took 13th overall in the 1/2). The rain was heavy at times, but no body seemed to concerned. Along the way we saw a few Cleveland Police and an SUV that had been riddled with bullets.

Once we arrived I saw JT Tri guy and began searching for Zac and Nichole. The crowd was good and the line for the morning chore moved quickly. We lined up near the rear and waited.For some unknown, the race started late. With the rain, this kind of sucked. Once we got going the rain was a non issue.



For most part I ran steady and moved through the crowd. I remained focused most of the way so I have little to report. I finished in 1:53.53. Following the race I chatted with Jack and JT.

Nicole did great and is now a marathoner. We had Indian food for lunch.

Following the race I went to watch another game 7 vs Boston on a marathon day. Same result. Arggggg.

All in all it was a good day.

Mind the gap

" Mind the gap" was the message coming from the womens voice over the public address system aboard the London underground. Zac grabbed the front end of the case that held my bike while I took hold of the other. We lifted the case from the train and proceeded toward the stairs leading to the street level.

As we passed others, some would stop and wonder what it was we were carrying. Most would just try to navigate around our over abundance of baggage. Nicole and Zac made it possible for me to move through the UK with so much luggage. Without them, I may still be trying to get off of that subway car.

Since I have known my good freinds, they have always been willing to help me with my baggage. Their support has not only enabled me to move along with so much baggage, but it has also aided me in shedding much of what I did not need. Freinds like these two are rare. I value them greatly in my life.

As I began readying myself for the GCT 1/2 iron distance back in '05, I asked Nicole if she would train for a marathon with me. She gave it a shot, but was not really into it. I never buged her about it again.

After returning from the UK, nicole told me she had been running since our trip and wanted to try a 1/2 marathon. The Ironman finish line has an amazing effect on spectators. As you cheer, you can't help but to visualize your own finish. She had been inspired.

Following her 1/2 in Columbus, she was hooked. The marathon goal was now in focus. We mulled over the race choices and settled on Cleveland. Over the past three months, she followed the plan we put together. Sunday she will step to start of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.

I am very excited for her. Marathons are not easy, but she is ready.
Go Nichole!

I will be running the half. I hope to match my time from last year. I will not be dissapointed if I don't. I know I have trained well. I have taken a very easy week and should feel fresh and healthy. Most importantly I will be ready to start the next stage of my IM training.

If you have a moment.....

Well, that moment is gone now. But as long as I have your attention.........,Life is changing around me. I am not sure that I am changing with it. I keep doing what I am doing and good things just start happening.

When I began this current phase in my life four years ago, I was a beaten man. Who I was, had come to an ending. My hopes and dreams had been resolved in a not so happy way. Some of the things I had to accept were difficult. My life changed abruptly. I got a bit disoriented before regaining focus enough to move forward.

My forward motion was motivated mostly by the Ironman dream. Having become disillusioned by romance, politics, and the recording business I needed something to work towards. Ironman gave me this. I had my friends and family, Ironman gave me a mission.

Having finished my first race of 140.2 miles, my mission was complete. The moment at the finish line had passed. Not knowing what to do next, I just kept on with what I was doing. I signed up for IMKY and Steelhead.

I am not sure whether I race to train or train to race. The moment at a finish line is often unforgettable, but the memories acquired throughout my training will always be with me and serve me well. Finish chutes are places of great celebration. Training day in and day out is living. On completion of a long race, you receive a medal, some food, and a smile that won't quit. While training I quietly grow in every moment closer and closer to the becoming the me as I see myself . A me I am proud of. Not for my accomplishments, but for my discipline and dedication in becoming not only an Ironman, but becoming a good man.

Somehow overtime the things I had lost became unimportant. New opportunities arise and I am able to give those things my attention. The present is what is important now. I just keep doing what I am doing, and I seem to find inner happiness.

Moments come and go. Each one is important. We can't dwell on the moments past or wait on new ones to come and expect to enjoy the present one. These are moments lost. So, if you have a moment, pay attention to it.

Open Mic recap

I am a little slow with this post. I had a good brick workout yesterday before joining the gang across the street on Panini's patio for a poorly played basketball game. Fortunately for me, I had my attention turned toward the 8th inning for the three run homer off the Yankees. As for the CAVS Celtic series, Lebron, Pierce, and Ray Allen all sucked. I don't think the series has begun. Boston just happened to have the lead at the right time to start the series tomorrow with a head start of one game.

Anyhow, I am actually posting about the Open mic this past Monday.

I live a block from the phoenix, so I just carried my PA to the cafe and set up. After getting the stage set, I put out the sign up sheet along with a list of guidelines for the performers to remember. The list filled quickly. I had to create an overflow list for additional performers. At 8:00, I sauntered up to the stage, picked up my guitar, introduced myself and began singing my song "Who here will lead us". At that point, I felt I had the focused attention of the room. I was now ready to turn the stage over to the next performer.

We had a good mix of seasoned pros and newcomers to art. Everyone was so nice and respectful of each others music. The audience was really cool. It was the first time I have seen the coffee shop filled with people that were not staring at laptops. Every one seemed to have a good time. I expect similar responses in the future.

For me the best part of the evening went against my rules for myself. My number one rule as an open mic host is, "It is not about me". My goal is to create an event that allows others to shine. I will give everything to my own performance, but my priority is to the other players and the audience. If this goal is met, we have a successful evening. I mostly lived by this rule Monday. however, I had so much fun and felt my self returning to normal. I was doing, what I do best. I felt whole once again. I didn't bother anyone else with how much self gratification I was taking from the evening, but I very much enjoyed what I was doing. I needed this back in my life as much as any one. At least for one show, It was about me.

The Phoenix was happy. Number goals were met. They are a good bunch of folks at the cafe. This is the ultimate key to success. The support was awesome. Two staffers performed. They really helped in creating excitement.

So we are set for a show every Monday. The women Felisha that has been asigned the roll of Phoenix point person for Open Mic said she will prepare vegan treats for Monday nights. So very cool.

See ya Monday.

A major step.

Recently I have left the confines of Microsoft for the user controlled world of Linux.At first I was concerned that I was going to be limited by incompatibility issues with windows software. I have found things to be quite the opposite. Linux has a windows software emulator called wine. I have yet to use it as the open source software seems to work much better. My hardware is working much faster. I no longer view the Internet as an unrelenting advertising portal into my brain. My move toward Linux has been huge step . My perception has changed. I have been released from the mental restrictions that plagued me as a windows user.

These sifts in my growth are exciting. Big ones include my choice to go vegan, Ironman, living car free, Buddhism, and my first marathon. Each of these things has completely changed my perception of the world and myself. My path to personal freedom is marked by these moments that I let go of the limitations I had imposed on myself.
Ten years ago today I took two of my biggest steps toward becoming the person I hope to be. these steps were near East 22nd and Euclid in front of CSU.
The first of these two steps was toward the west as I crossed the starting line of the CVS Cleveland Marathon. This step symbolized my belief that I could run 26.2 miles. I had stuck to a training plan and was on my way. The race was not easy. The first two miles my calves felt as though they would explode. By mile 16 my quads were screaming. Getting through the final 6.2 miles was as difficult a personal struggle as I have ever known.
My family was ever present on the course. They were decked out in t shirts that said "Run Charlie Run" my sister Nancy and niece Morgan had made. My brother delivered a cliff bar to me out in Lakewood as he peddled along side of me. My sister Susie drove to the race with me and helped me calm my nerves. My Parents awaited my finish with cameras and hugs. I cried after I finished. Finishing things had been an issue for me, so this was a huge deal. I was fundamentally changed. I was a marathoner. I often remind myself of this when self doubt arises. Finishing was my second major step that day.
The days that followed were painful. The marathon beats you up. But since then, I have grown stronger and stronger.

Part of me really wants to run the full 26.2 in Cleveland in two weeks. I am trained for it. But common sense tells me to train through for Ironman. So I am content to race the half and wait for Nichole to finish her first full. Being a part of her progression as a runner means more to me then anything I could accomplish on the course at this time.

I have run 8 marathons since this day ten years ago, but none have meant as much as the first. Over the last three springs I have helped Sheila, Dane, and now Nichole with the marathon training. This has helped me to enjoy a first marathon spring after spring.

Today the things that seem most important, are no longer just about me. Knowing that together we can accomplish great things has become a much more important theme than my personal accomplishments. Sharing our knowledge and enthusiasm gets us all a little bit further.

Consistency

My empathy for the Washington Wizards fan is strong. As the Cavs finished out the series, I thought of Jordan and Elway. It sucks when you think your team is pretty good and you can't get past a legend. One day they will come to appreciate the player Lebron James is. I found this peace with MJ. Elway I have not.

It was nice to see the trade pan out the way I originally envisioned. With Sasha returning, the two spot is deep. The concern for me is consistency. The Cavs continue to get that from only one.

Consistency has been a greater struggle for me this year. The cold I got last week has been hanging on. It hit like a ton of bricks and has been as annoying as the aforementioned basketball series. I think it is almost gone, but I expect to wake again with a chest and head full of gunk. I would like to spend a four hours on the bike, but if the weather sucks, it is back to the trainer. last week I totaled 9 miles on the run, while this week I will top 30. Swimming has been work. I need to swim out side. My stroke is clicking. I am getting faster, but I want to swim out side.

I have a new work schedule. 7-3 Monday through Friday. This is perfect for my summer training. I tend to do a lot of back to back sessions with 1/2 hour breaks. this gives me 6 hrs to work with. I really like the consistency. It also makes getting a workout in before a gig a lot easier. I do not like to feel rushed. My race times reflect this issue.

I am really starting to get focused on Ironman. My attention is pointed in the direction of Louisville. Every choice I am making is beginning to reflect this. I have not had a drink since opening day. And that was just a shot.....at 11am. I have also suspended actively seeking romance. I don't have time right now. I am OK with this. I am now chasing a man...IRONMAN.

Saturday is the tenth anniversary of my first marathon. I will post tomorrow on my memories of this major step in my life.

Back to consistency, Cliff Lee is one of the best sports stories going on right now.

Anyhow, time to be consistent. I have a lot on my plate. I have some things I have to do. I have big plans...

Go Cavs!