What has been Happening- Getting back on my Horse (or Bike)

As I noted before, I am fat and happy. Over the past 2 years since Ironman Wisconsin, I have had a rough go of it. First, my Dad passing really threw me in a tailspin that I felt was overcome with finishing Ironman Rhode Island 70.3 (very slowly I may add), but have dealt with the death of Denise's Mom as she succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer. What little light seemed to seep in was fellows like those in this picture (The 1st Place Fall Ball Minor League Sykesville Yankees). As I reengaged in non-Ironman life, I had the pleasure of coaching a number of teams, more specifically my son's baseball and daughter's softball teams. That has been a blast and a welcomed escape from the drudgery of the past 2 years. I have spent a professional career trying to help disadvantaged youngsters as a therapist and administrator, being a coach is quite a fulfilling role. Seeing my boys and young ladies, as my daughter is now 13, get a hit during a game and the look on their faces is priceless! My take-away lesson is to begin re-engaging in my true passions of triathlon, cycling and running. As I reemerge, I hope to update my blog to chronicle the journey back to life!

Fat and Happy

Well semi-retirement is nice and relaxed! Been fat and happy for a while and getting the itch to ride, run and even swim. Been doing some riding, very minimal mileage, but it is nice to get out even in the blistering heat. I am getting on the P90X bandwagon (again) modified until November, when I will do the full program as my off-season or return-to-racing preparation for next summer. What has happened since my last entry is quite astounding. Without the pressures of race preparation and relaxed nature of working out 3 to 4 times per week, I am finding that some "fun" is beginning to enter back into exercise. I also visited the Endo and my A1C is coming back into line (7.3 sown from 8.3) Still a YIKES, but moving in the right direction! Finally, as I continue in my semi-retirement, I will be passing along my best wishes to those who are passing me on the road as the prep for their upcoming races.

Semi-Retired

Well it is time to day good-bye to racing for now. Over the past 2 seasons, I haven't been able to muster the strength and motivation to train seriously for a race and I decided to retire from competitive racing for the time being. As I enter into semi-retirement, I am committed to making a comeback in the future. I will be updating this blog from time to time just to waste some of my new found free time.....

Kickin it Out

Moving slowly with base training and working it out. I have 8 more pounds to lose to get at a respectable racing weight and sore muscles to prove that it is hard to start back up after a year of minimal working out. I finally got outside and ran the other day and remembered how nice it is to be able to do this stuff. I am fortunate. During the past 2 weeks, kickin the base has been my focus and will be for a few more weeks/ months. My 2010 racing season will be sort of a comeback season and looking forward to see what is possible. What I do recall from my Triabetes experience is that anything is possible. Looking forward to more sore muscles, exhaustion and the exhilaration of finishing a race. More on that later!

It Has Been A LONG time

I found my way back. I have been in a fog since April when I lost my Dad to diabetes complications and found myself kicked in the gut again after hear about Michelle's son. This disease sucks, yet I go back to the Triabetes days and revisit the life that the group inspired, I get pumped to work harder at control and limiting the potential complications. But in the end, we never know. Since my 09 season was more a less a wash, I am not sure what 10 brings. I know that my base training is at the forefront of my efforts now and to get back to my previous levels of performance, I am changing my approach to 10. Have fun first, and put in the base miles second.

I often ponder what lies ahead for me. I wonder how much longer can I train and race. I often think about a 4th Ironman finish, another Sprint or OLY race. Can I go faster despite being a year older. How much more can I give to triathlon. But in the end, we never know what is in the future, I realize I can only control today...and today, I am committed to controlling by blood sugar! Maybe, just maybe I can hold off the Grim Reaper a little bit longer. Who knows.

Racing Again!

After some time to reflect and recompose myself, and with Denise racing as well, we completed the Marathon Sports (St. Andrews Sprint Tri) Tri. Although not my best time at this race, I raced it 5 time before, I was happy to be in the water, on the road, and in the muddy woods competing. As I reflected on this with Coach Dave, and noted that I transformed my memories of my Dad which have brought me to an abysmal place to motivation to compete! I was extremely happy to be racing again and will compete in a limited fashion the remainder of the season.

Tour of South Carroll

I did my first club/group race with limited participation though this past weekend. Finished a grueling 35 mile road race and 15 mile time trial on familiar roads. I was great wearing the Triabetes colors this weekend and hammering down despite my lack of consistent training. I felt good once the inital pain wore off and was happy to be on the road again. My group is planning a longer stage race this season taking about 150-200 mile across my home county and I hope that in September my form comes back while my weight goes down. Surprisingly my blood sugar reamined in acceptable 120-200 range and felt a difference using the Dexcom Seven Plus system to monitor.