Another Thursday- Another Rant

Just finishing another non-Thursday workout morning and really enjoyed the rest and waking up a tad later this morning. Anticipation of getting Bri and Tommy off to school and getting ready for another day of work only to be pleasantly interrupted by coming home for Bri's track practice makes the day much more palatable. Up til today, hit 100% of workout plan from Coach Dave notwithstanding the broken toes on my right foot that is causing a bit of discomfort, yet manageable pain. I am thankful to God for giving me the ability yo continue to do this stuff day and day out. Also, I am fortunate that a contact I made about a year ago is allowing Triabetes and IronKidz to be in the Capitol Chapter of JDRF! Thanks Jonathan, a future Triabetes hopeful! Just heard Bri's alarm going off so the sun is really about to shine on today!

Winfield Mile- 2008 Season Begins

We made it a family affair at the annual Winfield Mile race. This marks the beginning of a New Year and comes with the anticipation of good season results. This year the whole Chop family ran. Denise and Bri ran just ahead of Tommy and me as Tommy out sprinted Dad in the final 50 meters. I enjoyed this race more than ever this year. While at the start line, my wife and I were asked about our t-shirts, by a father of twins who have been diagnosed with t-1, and what is Triabetes? We explained what we are doing how she supports me as a t-1'er and how I train and race endurance sports. This fellow introduced us to his son who was diagnosed a year ago with t-1 and was racing as well. After the race we chatted a bit, with me sharing my trials and tribulations of racing with diabetes and my finishing 2 Ironmans. During the conversation, I noticed the father's facial expression and the sense of "relief" he seemed to experience in knowing that if his son and daughter wanted to do something crazy like Ironman that it is possible to do with diabetes. What occurred to me, after we left the race, is that I would not have this type of conversation if I was not connected to the Triabetes cause! Wow, just by wearing our team shirt and this starting a conversation that seemed to help this father. A pretty good start to 2008!

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!

Why am I doing this?

I was going to post something witty but really have no energy to do so. I swam and rode with no real punch, but it gave me time to think. In my mind I recounted the year. I thought about the Triabetes project and checked my reasons for wanting to be involved. I needed only to look at some comments my team members left on my tough day post. Thanks Michelle and Ann, you words really helped.

For years I trained and raced in isolation as I am not a real social person. I tended to keep my diabetes silent but loved the competition. I guess I wanted to be a voice but didn't know how. As I rode, I kept thinking to myself, racing Ironman, doing a documentary is really secondary to the legacy this team will leave. After the final finsher's medal is awarded, the chronicle of this experience will live on. I probably go overboard about my children, they are worth it, but I look back on the possible impact our project will have and settle in to think that someday my children will be proud of this. Also this will give hope to those parents who worry about their newly diagnosed diabetic child future. That is something I can get stoked for, as my energy level kicked up for the final part of the ride!

Triabetes

Wow, triabetes! As I am working out this project is alwasy finds its way into my brain. Before I got involved with venure, I always trained and raced in isolation. I would talk about racing with diabetes as folks at the transition racks would ask what that, pointing to my insulin pump, was for in the race. Now, we can tell a story. How cool is the finish line photo going to be with the team!

Trianing continues to be less structured. In 2006, I trained and peaked too early and was toast fot the Great Floridian. So, Coach Dave and I are planning the season around 2 A races, Eagleman and IM Wisconsin. Along the way, some B-races will be good tests to see where IM training is going. In years past, I like to do some road races in the winter and early spring, but may decide to bypass again this year with my plantar problem and pain finally discipating. So with that said...

Swim- What pool? I haven't been in the pool since October, but have been working out ont he Vasa Ergometer, a swim treadmill, and doign about 1 to 2k per week. My thoughts, paired with Coach Dave is to build functional strength now and the erg helps with that. I hope to be back in the pool soon, or maybe not

Bike- I am fortunate that my wife is a tri-geek too so we treated ourselves a few years ago to Computrainer. I have ridden Ironman Wisconsin a few times already and have the 2 loops through Dane County as my target courses now. Also doing a bit of ATB'ing and feeling that my endurance is low, but leg strenght is building with ATB'ong, not to mention is is fun.

Run-Doing 2 runs per week and will incorporate some bricks come January. SLD (Slow Long Distance) on Sundays keeping heart rate under 155. Attempting to teach my body to burn my excess fat. The weekday run is about 45 minutes same type of pace.

Overall- Keeping body moving and that's my primary goal. Moving toward 40 and racing Iroman again, can't let thing be on shut down mode for too long. It snowed yesterday and hope it stays around to do some X-Country Skiing.