Bye Bye 2007 - Hello 2008

It is finally the end of another year! I look back and reflect. In retrospect, it was an interesting year where personal/ professional stuff overshadowed athletics. I use the analogy of having a number of curve balls thrown at me on the personal/ professional side that at times distracted me from my training. Most pronounced was the challenges I faced in June while in my final build phase of Ironman training. Some people really don't get it on how being on a bike for 5 hours running for 3 hours and the solitude of training is fulfilling. While most of my supporters were very understanding and encouraging, some just don't get it. This effected me as I was presented with an issue of how training impacts the time spent with my family, my work, and my life. I found during my final preparation, I am typically more strong minded, I slipped and doubted myself at the worst time. In training for Ironman, I often wake up at 4 am to complete my workouts during the week and long days during the weekend I often finished by noon. Was my training for Ironman effecting those things that are meaningful in life like family and work? Ironman is a race that requires balance and full commitment. Not the 90-95% I felt I was going in to Lake Placid. I have concluded that some people just don't get it! That is going to be ok. I am looking so forward to 2008. This is a significant year to me- I turn 40, I am racing Ironman again, and I am part of Triabetes. My family gets it, and I will be able to share in the experience with my Triabetes teammates! As I am sure that as we prepare for Wisconsin, we all will get it!

More '08 Musings

Met with Coach Dave yesterday. It is always good to see him and talk to him as he has a great way to keep everything in perspective. We discussed the '08 season and training for Ironman again. Sometimes I go back and wonder what it would be like again not knowing what is ahead of me, but our plan is solid. Last season, I felt was successful in may regards, more about this next week when I post 2007 in review. Two areas that I am working on is getting my body weight in check and improving my strength. I will be doing a consult with Coach Dave next week to re-structure my strength training routine. With body weight, being close to 40, metabolism seems to "stopped" and I am targeting my race weight at a more reasonable 178 as opposed to my 184 at Lake Placid. Additionally, I will be getting into the pool (ugh) but working on some improving my swim technique with Coach Dave. I am hoping to be at 1 hr 25 minutes come September 7th., but more importantly trying to come out of the water feeling good. We also discussed my nutrition plan and more importantly my recovery nutrition plan after workouts and the diabetes aspect of this. What is a challenge is when exercising especially in long endurance sessions, the liver excretes glycogen, thus post-exercise highs I have experience. I am taking this information to my endo and educator to see what if anything I can do to mitigated this issue. Anyway the next 2 months will be a build, technique, and strength block.