Want More Power!

I can say that I’m not the only crazy person living in Chicago right now that has signed up for an Ironman Race, which forces one to train all winter. I’ve recently met six people who are doing IM-CDA and some of the bike and functional training classes too. Yes we are all crazy for wanting to do a summer IM race, forcing us to train 70% of the time on a trainer…ahhhh.

Meeting these new people has been enjoyable and will help push me along during those long winter mornings when one just doesn’t want to go any harder or further.

Having been to a couple weeks of the Compu-trainer classes, I feel better about knowing my Power and Wattage. I was surprised to see how I stacked up in a good way to some of the others in class. I had not been riding for sometime and having lost so much weight from my body’s frame, I was proud to see the watts that I had put out. My end of class goal in 6 week is to max out my average wattage to over 300. That is an obtainable goal and one that I will have to work at and look forward to. Another goal by the end of the session is to weigh in for the last test at 150-152. I am finding that consuming 5000 calories is so flipping hard. I had to go and buy some weight gainer powder which contains 860 calories per serving (16oz glass). I’ll have to drink the sludge 2-3 times a day to help reach my calorie intake. I’m also moving towards more complex carbs. More bread and pasta…Not so many cookies, but I can still afford to indulge a little.

Thanks, and a big shout out to Mitch and the boys at Vintesse down in Norman, IL; for helping me and hooking a brother up with a new toy (bike). I purchased the bike I had an eye on during the summer. The Quintana Roo Seduza (sex on wheels, their name not mine). I made sure to upgrade a few parts from the stock model and with the addition of the Zipp 404’s I own, this bike will be fast and hot! It is sleek and sexy and I do make it look good. I love the feel and response of the bike while in the aero position and the Carbon frame is extremely light under my feet. Now, all I have to do is put some good miles on the trainer and dial in the small adjustments from the angle of the seat and aero-bars in the next couple weeks as I become more comfortable with the bike. Having been on the bike for a good ride yesterday, I can feel the difference in the slight geometry of the frame compared to that of my old Trek. I was able to utilize more power in my legs and my position is more compact which helps me to generate power, longer. I hope to keep this trend going as the class’s progress.


Starting this weekend, I find myself on the road for ten days straight. My goal is to run a couple times while gone and continue my core work too. I can’t get my spare tire back while away from home…I’m sure that my co-worker Andy will try and help me gain one, while in Tampa on the beach for the 70.3 championships, starting monday after arriving from San Diego.

I hope that everyone had a good Halloween and you didn’t eat all the candy for the kids.

Fire in the belly

Well the more time passes the more my body and mind heal. Everyone told me that time heals all wounds and that is true, not to mention the mental toughness to see things for what they are and where in ones life. Now I’m taking the energy and placing it back into my training. I hope in the right healthy way.

My running is sporadic at best, but steady (pace) and enjoyable. Like I’ve mentioned before my 10k times have dropped and have stayed there. Lots of that I attribute to losing 26lbs (again, not that I needed to lose it)running with less weight. Now I’m force feeding myself to gain the weight back. I’m getting there and knowing that gaining weight is much harder then losing it. But now when I gain the weight, I’ll have a great base to build on. So the weight gain journey now begins, slow and steady and I’m ready.

Recently I’ve taken steps to have fun for myself and to treat myself. Like getting a much needed /deserved massage! I’m also staying busy and working on my bike power/wattage while riding with a coaching service here in Chicago for eight weeks 2x a week. With that in mind, I am going to have to eat close to 5,000 calories a day to maintain and gain some weight. So force feeding myself really isn’t a joke. The more I’m working out the better I’m sleeping and eating, which is a great side effect.

The major hurdle that I’m starting to see is that physically I’m able and capable of doing this race. My mind and mental toughness has to get stronger and my focus has to be there 24/7 when I’m training on the bike indoors for 2+ hours at a time and getting outdoors to run when the temps are in the low 30’s. While I run outdoors and take in the clean (as clean can get in Chicago) and crisp air of early winter with Devin, I feel light on my feet and a sense of clarity that this race is going to be fun and having a new group to train with is great. Not to mention getting other friends in-shape and motivated to stick with running is rewarding too. We’ll see if we can’t get Devin to do a half marathon by the summer as we keep running together.

Well before I sign off, I have to plug the family business as the holiday season is now upon us. If you wish to order some of the best cheese in the country, please visit www.lighthousecheese.com. When you place an order be sure to mention the blog and you’ll receive 10% off your order, which is a great deal.

Thanks again for reading my ramble and progress as my training is concerned. Every day is getting better and I’m getting stronger. Just being able to finish the race is the main objective, but for those that know me, a personal goal will be set soon and it maybe lofty but a goal it is.

Take care everyone and I’ll be sure to update this more often as I had originally stated when I first started this journey.

The roller coaster ride

Well as I said a month ago that I have to get back on the bike, literally. Well that hasn't quite happened. I've had my moments of ups and downs, and now I can say that my ups are more frequent then my downs. That is good, as I feel that I've reached the bottom of the lows after my last entry, having lost enough weight for anyone that can't afford it. I'm now starting to gain it back, slowly but surely. I come in today at 141 pounds and that is effecting my training style and duration. The runs are short and easy and today I am getting on the bike trainer to get a few miles on my skinny legs to make sure I get hungry and eat. Which I am doing, just that my body is starved for calories and once I eat they are consumed ASAP.
I have still had my moments of doubt about doing this race here and there. However I know that it will be the most rewarding experience once I've finished and my close friends and family are there to cheer me on. I also found out that a friend of mine is doing the race now too that I had lost touch with and that is very exciting to know. Originally I had hoped to break 11 hours (lofty I know), but now, just finishing the race is on the mind, even with my mile times on average of 7:30 for training runs and that seems effortless at times too. I think a lot of that is due to the lose of 27 pounds LOL.
I know this may seem redundant but please bear with me as I am moving forward and healing myself on the inside still, but the baby-steps are turning into normal strides and soon, a light jog I'm sure. Most of you whom I talk too, see this and so do I!

During the race I plan on using one of the most advanced wetsuits on the market, new Zenith by Zoot Sports. I was lucky enough to try it on and model it at the Chicago Tri for my friend Karen (genius mind behind the new suit) The comfort and flexibility of it, behind the knees, shoulders and arms is unmatched by any that I have tried on for a full length suit. Now I can't wait to try it on in the pool and open water! With this Zenith I predict that a 2.4 swim can be completed under 50 minutes! NO JOKE! So Karen, great job on the suit and I know that it will give any swimmer who wears it an advantage. To find out more on the suit, check out the link to zoot sports.

Ok, I need to get my bike on the trainer now and force myself to get going and moving.

Until the next entry, thanks for your time and patience folks in waiting this time out with me.

Enjoy the image of me in the Zenith too. We're not sure if I make the suit look good or if the suit makes me look good.