It has been some time since I last posted(2013). During that time I have been busy with music. I have released a few records and been on tour from time to time as it is allowed. My fitness goals got a little off track. Not that the goals had swayed, but they were not the priority I hope them to be.
Cleveland is a tough place to live and train with disability. The summer months are great, but the winters are brutal. Using a handcycle or racing chair in the snow is not practical in anyway. The past two winters made leaving the house near impossible, let alone any kind of outdoor training. This year we have memberships at the Cleveland State University Rec center. They have all kinds of machines and an amazing pool to help me get through the tough months while maintaining my fitness.
This year I received my 2nd grant from CAF in the form of the racing chair. With it I have all the tools needed to compete as a para triathlete. The chair has rejuvenated my spirit and helped me to keep up consistent workouts.
More than anything this year, a health issue in the spring caused me alarm as I was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure and High cholesterol. I also climbed on a scale and weighed in at 247 back in March. My reaction was to get my diet back under control and to start training with goals once again.
I also had to finally understand that despite my positive outlook, I was probably dealing with depression due to the injury. While I was not moping about, I was over indulging in many ways. It was time to reign it in and take more control of my body. My injury was not an excuse to live the way I had been living.
So here I am in early fall of 2015. My weight is down to 219. A loss of almost 30 pounds since March. I am training daily on the hancycle, racing chair and in the pool. In some ways I feel that my swim is as strong as ever.
I did a 5k on the chair last month and am signed up for the Cleveland Marathon this coming spring. My big race goal is Ironman Maryland in 2017. The race is flat and is only a 7 hour drive from Cleveland. I am currently looking at a few races to help keep the training focused until then. The Twinsburg DU and The Greater Cleveland Triathlon will be on next years schedule. There is also a new Ironman 70.3 here in Ohio that may be promising. The course has not been finalized though and I am not sure if it is a handcycle friendly race yet. Time will tell.
So anyway, I will try to keep this blog updated. I know that it was a big help to me in training for IMUK and IMKY. It kept me honest and accountable. If it inspires you, cool. if no one reads it, that is fine also. This is my journey.
Cleveland is a tough place to live and train with disability. The summer months are great, but the winters are brutal. Using a handcycle or racing chair in the snow is not practical in anyway. The past two winters made leaving the house near impossible, let alone any kind of outdoor training. This year we have memberships at the Cleveland State University Rec center. They have all kinds of machines and an amazing pool to help me get through the tough months while maintaining my fitness.
More than anything this year, a health issue in the spring caused me alarm as I was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure and High cholesterol. I also climbed on a scale and weighed in at 247 back in March. My reaction was to get my diet back under control and to start training with goals once again.
I also had to finally understand that despite my positive outlook, I was probably dealing with depression due to the injury. While I was not moping about, I was over indulging in many ways. It was time to reign it in and take more control of my body. My injury was not an excuse to live the way I had been living.
So here I am in early fall of 2015. My weight is down to 219. A loss of almost 30 pounds since March. I am training daily on the hancycle, racing chair and in the pool. In some ways I feel that my swim is as strong as ever.
I did a 5k on the chair last month and am signed up for the Cleveland Marathon this coming spring. My big race goal is Ironman Maryland in 2017. The race is flat and is only a 7 hour drive from Cleveland. I am currently looking at a few races to help keep the training focused until then. The Twinsburg DU and The Greater Cleveland Triathlon will be on next years schedule. There is also a new Ironman 70.3 here in Ohio that may be promising. The course has not been finalized though and I am not sure if it is a handcycle friendly race yet. Time will tell.
So anyway, I will try to keep this blog updated. I know that it was a big help to me in training for IMUK and IMKY. It kept me honest and accountable. If it inspires you, cool. if no one reads it, that is fine also. This is my journey.
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