Joe? Is this Joe XXXX?

For the second time since I've been doing this blog, I've been "found" by an old buddy. Since I joined the Marines at 17, I've pretty much lost contact with everyone from my high school. For a brief period of time I hung out with an old high school buddy I ran into in a bar in Washington, DC, but since then, nada. My most recent finding resulted in a phone call yesterday and plans to meet up at the very least our high school's 20-year reunion later this year.

Outside of Jay, who "lost his eye in a gangfight", I would hope to be "found" by only one other person from my past: Pvt. I. He was one of my best buddies from the Marines. "Pvt. I" is the nickname he received at boot camp since he is Thai and his last name is like thirteen letters in a row, most of them consonants.

Okay... what am I doing, I've wasted an hour this morning reminiscing and I need to train. Duh!

See ya.

Tempo Run: Glad I'm Not in Boulder

Ran at lunch today for 1:15. 15 minutes warm-up, then 12 minutes tempo, 3 recovery. Did that 3 times, then 15 minute cool down. Felt good. Hotter than Hell out here today. 70 degress!!! Can you believe that? Good thing I don't live in Boulder where it's like in the 40's or something and will probably snow tomorrow. Hope Justin England can fit some training in with all that bad weather out there.

The Carrboro Classic Duathlon

In a round about way while working with the local town council Endurance Magazine has decided to produce our very first duathlon on the same weekend and pretty much the same course as the old Powerman event.

Having done Gordo's HIM Sim last year in preparation for the White Lake Half, I have to tell you that duathlon's are HARD. Way tougher than a triathlon. I don't typically have problems transitioning from bike to run, but from run to bike to run... big difference. It felt so strange running for 40 minutes after already running for 40 minutes then riding for 2 hours.

Anyway, it will be an 8K run, 53K bike and 8K run. We'll also offer a shorter distance and promise not to call it the "Mini-man" like the shorter course was called last year. Seriously, what guy is going to walk around in a shirt called the "mini-man"?

So, if you've never done a duathlon before. I recommend you try it. It's tough.

Now My Shoulder Hurts

Maybe it's because I was injured for the first time last year and now my body thinks it's okay to be hurt. Maybe it's because my son was sick and I had to carry him around for him not to lose his mind much of the past week, not to mention wrestling his little butt in the glider rocker while trying to read him a book every night for the past week. Maybe it's a crappy mattress. But now my shoulder is hurt and I can't identify the actual cause of it... it just hurts soooooo freaking bad. There is like only one way I can lay with my arm propped up on a pillow so that it doesn't hurt. I'm now on my third dose of 4 ibuprofen since 3 am when the pain woke me up. For those enlisted or prior enlisted people out there the pain is right where they pin your stripes on but a little more to the front.

Tridaddy's Top 12 Movies

Flipping through the channels, I stopped on "Glory", one of the greatest war movies of all time. It made me think of my favorite movies of all time, you know, the one's I'll watch on regular TV, commercials and all, if I happen to come across them while channel surfing. Here they are:

1. Glory (Give 'em Hell 54th!!!)
2. Jaws (We're gonna need a bigger boat.)
3. Rocky (Adrienne!!!)
4. Unforgiven (Best Western, ever)
5. Shane (Great western)
6. Goodfellas (Best gangster movie, ever)
7. The Silence of the Lambs (Drama, horror, gore, suspense... )
8. The Natural (Hey, what can I say, I love baseball.)
9. Hoosiers (Great underdog movie)
10. The Godfather Part II (Just as great as Part I, but DeNiro gets the nod over Brando any day)
11. Shawshank Redemption (Get busy living, or get busy dying.)
12. IM Florida (Taconite Boy Director’s Cut)

Change in Perspective

In 2004, I trained a few weeks to see if I could do the Mission Man Sprint Triathlon. In 2005, I bought a road bike and trained to see if I could do an Oly (I did two) and see if I could do Mission Man faster (I did!). In 2006, I trained to see if I could do a Half IronMan (I did two) and an Ironman (I did!). In each of these seasons I rarely, if ever, exceeded race day distances in my daily training. The goal was "to get there" and most typical beginner plans, like marathon training, leave the full distance accomplishment for race day.

But this year is different, my "A" race is the Mission Man Sprint and after wrapping up my first full week of training, I realized each training session I completed was longer in time and/or distance than I will face on race day, but shorter than it would be if I were training for another Ironman, where my goal would be to see if I could do it a second time. With IM, I don't think completion is a given just yet, but with a sprint, it's a given I will finish. I just have to do it faster.

So, the change in perspective is that I have a super huge goal (winning Mission Man) ahead of me, but that I can accomplish it in less training and less burden on my career and family. Where training for Ironman Florida sometimes felt like training alone in a frozen cabin in Siberia, winning Mission Man is more integrated with my "other" life.

It's nice.

ews Leak *** News Leak *** News Leak **

The Cupid's 2.2 Miler was a big success and now the magazine is moving on to produce even more races. While I can't say anything specific at this point, I can say this, if your name is Cagey you just may want to keep your schedule open on April 21st and make sure you put some time in running and cycling. More later.

Laundry Chicken

In a perilous game of laundry chicken, I did what I said I would never do. I wore my Little River Trail Run socks. So, while it was a defeat in terms of my vow never to wear DeFeet socks, it was a small victory in terms of turning the screws tighter on Sandi and the ever growing pile of laundry. Who will crack first and do the wash! Stay tuned...

Winning Mission Man: Bricks

Did my first brick since April of 2006 last night. 45-minute spin and 30-minute recovery run. No issues. Did I ever mention that I didn't do a single brick in preparation for IM Florida? It's true. Bricks are totally unneccesary for the typical age grouper attempting their first Ironman. For many people, I think bricks are totally unneccesary all together. If you have tightness or pain coming off the bike, you need to re-evaluate your bike fit. If you don't have that pain or tightness coming off the bike and want faster transitions, go ahead and hit the bricks. Which is why I am reinstituing bricks into the workouts this year. I'm gunning for sub 50 second transtions at Mission Man. Last year I was 1:29 coming out of the water and 1:13 coming off the bike. Shaving 62 seconds off my transition times would have bumped me up 5 places (14th from 19th) in my Age Group.

AFFIRMATION: I will win my Age Group at Mission Man this year.

Oops! Almost Forgot

I officially start training today for the White Lake Half IM on May 5th. I really wanted to do Wildflower with everyone, but I knew I had 1) My daughters birthday, 2) the White Lake Half, and 3) something else which eludes me right now, but will certainly resurface should White Lake fall through. I'm off for 45 minutes on the trainer!

Race Report: Cupid's 2.2 Miler

Early yesterday morning I took Claudia out to her first race, the fun run portion of a family-friendly event my magazine was putting on. Before she was even a year old, Claudia has been going to my triathlons and almost as long she has been asking for her own "number". Running it seems, unlike biking or swimming, just comes natural for Claudia. She is fast and focused. Where other three-year-olds get distracted, she maintains focus and keeps on running. On one occassion, just after receiving an electric car from my sister, we drove it to the end of the driveway when Claudia jumped out and said, "Dad! Let's run!" And we ran. We ran 1/2 mile around the block, almost non-stop, at a very fast pace for a kid her size.

After playing around the kid zone yesterday morning, where she also excels as an excellent climber, we warmed up a bit at the indoor registration desk and pinned her first number on her sweatshirt. She and Steve's daughter toed the line together at the start while Claudia laughed and smiled as I took pictures. Much of the night before she told me how fast she was going to run and I couldn't wait to see how fast she was compared to the rest of the field, seemingly older than she was.

The crowd chanted, "ready... set... go!" and the kids took off. I took a few pictures, but to my surprise, Claudia was quickly left behind. But she ran on... looking determined... until the turn. She rounded the turn and there were very few, if any, kids still in sight. Not realizing how she must have felt, I sprinted ahead to get her picture, and then I saw her face. She looked shocked. I cheered for her. I told her she was awesome. And she came around... she sprinted again. But ALL the kids except the one boy smaller than her had long passed and he was being carried by his mother. Soon, she faded and I thought she was going to cry. I scooped her up and said "Come on girl! Let's run together!" but after a few steps she yelled, "Daddy! Put me down! I want to run!" So, I did... and she ran.

Smiling once more, she neared the finish, where parents were running out to their kids and scooping them up. I scooped up Claudia and hugged her and kissed her and told her how awesome she was. She got a huge grin as she received her ribbon and we smiled at each other and headed over for a balloon. The circumstances of the race evaporated as she ate some candy hearts with inspiration sayings on them (my marketing idea for the race!), got her balloon and talked about how she was going to tell mom all about her cool ribbon and balloon. We had a great time the rest of the morning.

After telling mom all about the race and after eating lunch, Claudia settled into her room for her afternoon "break" as she is starting to skip her nap. We still require that she takes it easy in her room looking at books or drawing or some other quiet activity. During this time, she often changes into fancy dresses and eventually falls asleep for a brief nap. Today, she changed into her wetsuit before falling asleep!

When Sandi woke her is when she found it. A picture. In Claudia's own words, it is a picture of the race track, a cat, a smiling girl who is winning the race, and a girl who isn't smiling, who is Claudia. Sandi doesn't address the issue, but only listens and leaves it at that before telling me. Of course, I want to problem-solve. I want to figure out what I or we did to make her think she had to win. Obviously, I am not a winner of races. I'm a back of middle of the pack at best. I never talk about winning, only racing, though I often tell Claudia she is fast, because among her own friends, I think she is. Sandi explains a myriad of things that it could be attributed to including special priveleges kids get at school for various things. These previeleges usually involve being first for various activities, etc.

So, I leave the problem-solving go. Claudia hasn't mentioned anything about the picture or the race to me. She's been her typically self around everyone. But I'm sad and amazed that such intricate workings of pride and humility are going on in the head of my three-year old. I'm amazed that there are things she probably keeps from both of us. I'm amazed that winning is important to a three-year old when it's just not something we ever talk about at home. I wonder if I am somehow unknowingly setting a bar that she feels she must live up to. I'm amazed that she is socially saavy enough to hide her feelings from me. As I said, nothing seems to be different with Claudia. The picture she drew, however, was just another reminder, a big reminder, of how much goes on inside the head of a child.

Painting My Bike

I want to paint my old bike. I decided this today while perusing the feature on Dario Pegoretti in the latest Bicycling magazine. I kind of like the paint job on the frame on page 30 -- something old school. Rather than sell Alex for 1/3 the price of half a wheelset, I should pay homage to the low-end road bike that got me through IM Florida with some type of commemorative paint job. Maybe inlcude some words about my friends and family who helped get me there.

I will probably never read Bicycling again, though. In their "Come Climb with Us" piece, they covered climbs in 44 of 50 states (including pancake flat Delaware), but omitted North Carolina from their list of the 100 Best Climbs in America. Guess they somehow overlooked this: Blood, Sweat and Gears. Or this: Assault on Mt. Mitchell (it's only the highest point on the east coast).

Starbucks: The Dark Master

Crashfistfight is not the only one whose Dark Master is coffee. Since early December, I burned through $150 in Starbuck's giftcards. That's not fufu drinks either, usually just a Grande Americano (no cream), which costs like $2.13. You do the math... okay, a few slice of pumpkin bread in there, I'm only human. Interesting to note, an Americano in France is regular coffee with milk. Here, it's espresso and enough hot water to make a full cup.

I Feel Like I Should Post Something

I hate Nebraska. Not the state, but the football team. As a child, I always got my haircut at a real barber shop where only men were allowed, including the barbers. After my cut, my pre-teen self reclined in the chair with a hot towel on my face while the men talked the latest college hoops or football. After a cool towel and a splash of Aqua Velva, my dad and I were out the door enroute to a "quick" stop at the bar next door. After eavesdropping on the sports talk at the barber, I felt confident enough to give up my roll of quarters not for pinball or the jukebox, but for a ticket in the pool. I did pretty well for a kid my age and in 1980 returned from an "educational" (read: fishing) trip with a wad of cash from winning several pools on our three-day excursion to Gloucester, MA.

But that was the exception. Usually, I got creamed by Nebraska. I was a sucker for the 42-point spread. No way Nebraska would win by 42 points. 72-0. 44-0. 63-14. You name it and Nebraska covered it. Irrationally, I still hate Nebraska for the huge point spreads they covered in the late 70's and early 80's. I was a sucker for the 42-point spread. Likewise, I am a sucker for $7.00 off bottles of wine at Harris Teeter. Will I ever learn? Specifically, I do not recommend Belle Brook Merlot for $7.99 (with your store discount card). That's not to say I don't enjoy the 13.5% alcohol content. Being injured does have its advantages... always remember R.I.C.E.W. - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, and Wine.

Uwharrie Race Report

I wasn't really prepared for this 20-mile race and it showed. I felt okay through the first 8 miles but the trail, at some places so completely covered with rocks that you had to run on them, soon got the better of me. I couldn't keep picking my feet up to dance around the rocks and started tripping and overturning my my ankle. Acents became unbearable on my hamstrings and descents unbearable on my knees. Soon, my old friend from the Duke HIM, my achilles tendon injury, reared its head and made it impossible to run. I walked most of the way from the 11 to 14 mile aid station and for most of it felt quite naseaus and cold (the temps were in the low 30's and while I was dressed adequately for running, I was not for walking). The sight of the 40-mile runners coming through the aid station motivated me. After some coke and a 1/4 pb&j and a lot of stretching, I felt recovered and set out down the trail only for my achilles to seize up really bad. I walked back to the aid station and for the first time ever, I withdrew from a race. No pottery for the Tridaddy.

I felt good about the decision until I was taken back to the trailhead and heard the cheers for people finishing. Still, I started thinking that I probably wouldn't attempt the 20 again. Then on the way home I entertained the thought of wrapping up the tri season earlier and going straight for the 40-mile race next year as redemption. Probably won't do that, but I will run at least the 8-mile next year. It's too good of a race, not to mention they give out technical t's rather than socks!!

On the positive side, I was recognized from my blog by a local athlete, Ken Haney, who did IM Florida in 2001. I also saw the first person who ever recognized me from my blog, Peter Clark. I met Eddie Burgess, a friend of my buddy Jamie Williams. Eddie just happens to be the son-in-law of the people who let me and Jamie swim at their private lake to test out our wetsuits last year before White Lake. I also met Brian from Middle Ring Cycles in Albemarle. Brian is the guy who helped bring XTERRA to North Carolina. Check out his shop... Middle Ring Cycles. Lots of great people and special thanks to Sally Edwards, Kim Jones, and Robin who as always put on a great race and found me a place to stay for a little bit of volunteering and kitchen help Friday night. I also met the creator of the great Uwharrie Trail Cookies and discovered that the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies were just as good!!