Oh How I Long For Race Day...

Wow! A lot has changed since my last post. I apologize for the hiatus and will promise more commentary to come. The biggest change for me has been work. I now promote our company's insulins. I have always wanted to be in the diabetes market for work. It has been truly a wonderful experience discussing this disease with health care professionals. My own stories have been met with open arms to date!
Enough about work, here's where I am with fitness. As usual, I will be honest. A few weeks ago on my 3rd week of continuous training in the basement, the treadmill broke. The deck split in half. Thankfully I was on it at the time and not more precious cargo like the 3 women I live with. So with that malfunction and 2 feet of snow on the ground I have taken up nothing!! Except for a few days on the wind trainer. I really long for a good hill ride on Madonna when the weather breaks. I'm not such a tough guy to bike in the cold. We joined a local fitness center for the equipment. Tonight will be our first venture into that big unknown. My plan is to drag Missy with me as much as possible. We tend to do well when we know we can do something together.
My diabetes has been pretty solid. The omnipod and my Ralph have really provided some great convenience for such an hour by hour disease. I just added a continuous glucose monitor to help me get tighter control of my numbers. It's only been a week but the people at that company have been as nice as the omnipod people. I can already see a difference. Tonight will be a good test for the monitor when I am at the gym.
I hope I can grab an audience again for this site. I felt like I was much more accountable to workouts when I was sharing my thoughts a couple of times per week. My next post will be to let you know my goals for the year and hopefully commit to a few events. I know it will be a challenge to compete with Facebook! Without momentum and the lack of a big "army", I need some Go Big Tones again. My ears are open...

Early to Bed and Early To Tri

Today was the Marshman Creek Triathlon. A 1/4 mile swim in Marsh Creek State Park Lake, a 12.5 mile bike up and down the hills of Chester County, and a 2 mile trail run up and back. Sounds simple. Actually, by comparison, it was!
This was Kiki's big day. She was "inspired" at the Philly Tri to complete an event like a tri. She was so enthusiastic. She started swim class, borrowed a bike from Uncle Kip, and swore she was never running again. The J Clan Van rolled into town around 8PM and Missy had dinner just about ready. Shrimp pasta for our carb load. They brought a marianted London Broil which was great. Our plans to be in bed asleep by 10 with a full belly was delayed a little bit but definitely in bed by midnight. Great news unless you were meeting everyone for the caravan to the tri at 5AM! Missy and I loaded into their car and met the ever supportive Big Tone's Mom and Dad who dragged Missy's parents along this time. They seemed sure a triathlon would be an event worth watching! The reason for leaving so early was to avoid walking the 1.5 miles from overflow parking down to the lake where the tranisition area as located. My biggest conern for the morning.
Upon our arrival the air temperature was around 50 degrees and the lake was shrouded in fog. With the fishing piers and the fog, Missy likened the scene to a horror flick. She's always coming up with those "comforting" thoughts. Thanks, honey. Ha Our first obstacle was the fact that Kiki did not bring her ID to check in. I had to vouch for her with the event people. I told them almost everything about her that I know! They gave her the race packet anyway. She seemed calm but surely was a bit nervous. Our next concern was getting in line for our "biologic stop". A line of 2 dozen port o potties is a great place to bond with other triathletes. The looks of nerves, the odd pre race routines, the smell of said port o potties, and the sounds of racers vomiting to ensure they are at proper race weight. I chose to pick a different stall than vomit boy in front of me!
The National Anthem was great. I just absolutely love hearing that song before any workout or race. I know I've said that before... I eased into the water with a little trepidation. The water temp was actually warmer than the air temp which was kind of weird. The last thing I heard from our crowd was from my dad. He said, remember, one stroke at a time. I was just hoping and telling myself not to panic, breath too quickly and enter into the same state of mind and body as the near death experience as my last tri. Well, he had a point. When I started, I just kept telling myself to find a rhythm and take one stroke at a time. I got out to the first bouy and wasn't breathing hard or feeling like I would need a kayak break. As I turned at the first bouy towards line towards the swim out, I spotted Missy's PSU sweatshirt and my mom's breast cancer fleece. I tried to wave big enough for them to see me but small enough so I wouldn't seem like I was in distress to the life guards. They saw me and I felt pretty confident. I spotted a blow up light house by the swim out and just "Ashley B"-coached breast stroked to the end. My goggles were very foggy and I could barely see the swim out. Despite my visual impairment, I could still make out the outline of Big Al on the shore! He's really not that hard to spot! I called out to him just so he could see me since they really had no idea where I was and I saw him turn around and look back. Later, he told me I thought something happened and I had to quick the swim and I was behind him. Silly, Al, there's no quit in Big Tone.
I waited in the transition area for Kiki to finish. She did great! She finished her swim in just about a minute quicker than me. We headed out on the bike together and were determined to finish as a team. Our biggest obstacle on these hills was not the incline but the cold. Wet and in the shade, our fingers felt fronzen and cold toes in wet socks made it a bit uncomfortable. We pressed on. Except for Kiki chatting it up with other cyclists on the first of the return hills we pushed on to slice 10 minutes off our bike time from last weekend where we gave it a good dry run. The run came and went without a hitch. We ran to the hill, walked up the hill, got some water at the turn, and ran to the finish. It felt great. We were very happy. The fans were absolutely great. We got high fives from everyone. I couldn't believe how much better I felt compard to the last time. My only goal was to be strong enough to help Kiki on her first tri adventure and I think I did that. As for the diabetes, my blood sugars were great too. 183 after the swim and 146 after the bike. No worries there. I had some sports beans on the way out to the run just for good measure. My mom was there to take my trash. Just like I was 8! Ha
So thanks for all the pre race well wishes. Thanks to our crew at the race. It means a lot to see familiar faces when you are streaming by. And thanks Kiki for making my tri year fun, challenging, and rewarding.
So, what's next for Big Tone? Stay tuned...Go Big Tone.

Raise your hand if you missed the blog.

Tri day has come and gone and so have many many days of summer fun without working out. The day after the Philly Tri I committed to compete with Kiki in the Marshman Creek Tri on Sept 20. I thought I could get 8 weeks of swimming workouts in, plenty of biking with Don, a few more 5K's, and lose 20 pounds to look good in my wetsuit. Here's what actually happened. I got Ashley B(my official favorite B) to give me some stroke tips and only really worked in the MSA pool about 6 times in those 8 weeks. I biked with Don a few times. He started biking to work(way to go Don. Good for you and good for the green cause) and I got a flat the first time out on an early morning ride. Missy came to pick me up in her pj's around 6:30AM. She is a trooper. I ran a few 5K's, including one for Crohn's Disease that was held at the beach in OCNJ. See pic. This was special because of the cause and the beach. I ran for my mom, sister, and Lil Patty. They struggle with a disease that can really keep them from running a 5K day on sick days. I loved smelling the sea air for the entire run. It was on that weekend we spent the last of the summer with Sports and we all had a great family weekend. Thanks for coming Mom and Dad. My mom got the race shirt and she has worn it a few times with pride, as she should. I also ran a 5K called Thirsty Thursday. You run a flat 5K on the trail and finish at a bar and your number gets you one free beer. That's all we needed to hear for Don and I to run. Well, he ran, and did well in the 90+ degree heat and humidity. I mostly ran, walked a bit, and was glad not to pass out from the over exertion. The beer was good and cold though! That pretty much sums up my training so far.
Sept 20 is rapidly approaching and I need to be strong to support my long time friend, Kiki. She was moved to register for this event while watching the Philly Tri with the Big Tone Tri Army. She is a solid woman with a great family. Patrick and the kids are huge fans and they will get a good show next weekend in Downingtown. So, I staked out the bike course, which I heard was "hilly", so I could tamp down Kiki's fears. Well, her fear is real. These hills are way more than the Cecil to Chestertown ride she has the ability to train on. I get to ride through some valleys to prepare so they weren't as shocking. Plus, although I set no land speed records, my absolute favorite part of swimming, biking and running is climbing a good steep hill on Madonna. I don't know why, it's just gives me a rush. I made the loop a week or so ago and found myself smiling pounding the pedals up the mile 9 of 11 climb. I hope I can provide Kiki the same support she gave me on the day of the Philly Tri.
Oh, and I didn't lose the 20 pounds either. We have been to the beach so many times, happy hour'd a bunch and survived a week with Aimee in town that included a world tour of restaurants of home where we had to have consumed 25000 calories! My pants still fit but I doubt I will be included in Tri Magazine calendar shoot in my wetsuit.
The Bean started high school, Sports is on the downhill side of college, the NFL is officially started and Missy has already pulled her winter muckluk pj's from the attic so training time will be limited. Remember everyone, don't let "life" get in the way of exercise. Set winter goals. Football and holidays are most definitely going to include calories so put burning calories in your day.
And when you wake up next Sunday, give a little shout out the window for Go Big Tone and Kiki...

"Tri" to get out and exercise today!

After a week off and trying to underwhelm my calendar, I was back in the pool last week. I think I may have a target for a swim instructor. I wear the family swim cap to try and channel their energy so I think I'll try to trick them into thinking I could teach them to bike if they teach me to breath in the pool! We went south for a quick trip. Mom and Dad got to meet all our MD friends. Even went on the boat and picked crabs. While we were there, our tri team grew in size. Kip, Karen, and Meg are now interested in competing. I think that sounds like a need for a team jersey!! I'm thinking Red and Black (both our girls college colors; ha ha Beaner!!).

In case you were thinking you should quit worrying about how you might look in a bathing suit and just picked cookouts as your event of choice, read this entry by Peter, another diabetic triathlete from Canada. He volunteered to be a guide for blind participants in a triathlon recently. I guarantee you that if you cut and paste the link into your browser and read the entire post, you will most certainly find time to do some sort of athletic activity today and the rest of this week. Thanks Peter.
http://petermcdrunning.blogspot.com/

Go Big Tone and the Tri Team!!

There's no "I" in TEAM and no "QUIT" in BIG TONE

Saturday in Philadelphia brought the end to part of my journey. I finished the Philadelphia Insurance Companies Sprint Distance Triathlon in 2 hours 46 minutes. That is how the story ends. Let me help you all understand how it went.
Friday was a busy day. Lunch with the girls and my mom before Kiki, Missy, and I went to pick up numbers. Traffic and a market stop only allowed us to get there around 5. I was hoping for 3. My numbers were ready along with the other 1800 racers (I was one of 1800. Not sure how many others had a blog and as big of an army behing them!). I thought this scene would make me nervous but I officially got excited for the race. We saw Ralph and his family. They seemed ready, too. We were supposed to get home in time for a nice pasta meal. That turned into a 9:30 pick up of Victor's pizza. It was good but not what I planned. Only then did I start to gather my gear for the race. I stuffed my backpack with as much gear as I thought I would need. Then out to attach the bike rack on Kiki's car, in the dark. So much for a relaxing evening before the big day. Bedtime turned out to be around 11:30. I was shooting for 9...
Saturday's alarm sounded at 4:30AM but Missy and I were already awake. I put the bike on the car, my parents arrived around 5 and we all piled into Kiki's car on our way by 5:30. Smooth ride to the event with a bit of a wait to park. I listened to a playlist I created the day before. My parents caught me listening and going through my swim bike run routine. I even removed my hat for the star spangled banner. Everyone was loose as we walked down to the transition area. I had to use the facilities no less than 3 times pre race. I still wasn't nervous. About 1 hour before I would set out for the swim I got my wetsuit on. I got in the river for a warm up. The water was pleasant but the current was more swift than it looked. I still felt good. I said my goodbyes to my team/confidence/fan club. All the racers gathered by wave, off to the side of the transition area, each in their different colored swim cap. I was in the bright yellow group, a bunch of over 200lbs guys aged 40 or more wearing wetsuits. Quite a sight to say the least!! Pre race national anthem was next. It was at this point I thought I was receiving my last bit of motivation. The singer was a 12 year old girl named Emily who had just kicked brain cancer. She sang live and beautifully. I nearly cried, of course, but I added the Let's Go Muhls at the end and I figured that if a 12 year old girl could beat cancer then sing to a couple thousand strangers, I could certainly finish this race. It was about an hour wait til our group was next. As I entered the water, the timer warned us to be careful because they were pulling people out more than other years and that the lifeguards were saying it seemed like you were swimming uphill. Thanks for the motivation... I got off to a decent start, for about 50M. I got tired almost immediately and switched from breaststroke to side stroke. The current was way stronger than I initially thought. Also, I really wasn't prepared for the bumping, kicking and groping by all the other swimmers. It prevented me from finding any kind of rhythm. It took all I could muster just to advance myself on the course. I flipped over to my back in a sculling stroke. From that position, at least I felt myself catching my breath. I was taking in water the whole time, too. My breathing was labored. I was only around the 200M mark and I was spent. I looked around at all the other swimmers having trouble, too. There were a few being pulled out by the lifeguards. Some were hanging on to kayaks which is legal as long as you don't advance yourself on the course with aid. I alternated between sculling on my back and side stroke and I felt the end coming. This blog, my sister from far away, the fundraising people, and the entire community went through my mind. I thought, at least I tried. Everyone would understand that it was very hard and at least I tried. But just when I felt like I was getting no where and it might be time to admit defeat, I spotted a look out area by the bridge. There were a lot of spectators standing and watching. The area kind of looks like the Kelly's Lock lookout, if you're from here you know what I mean. Sports and Bean surprised me that morning by making brightly colored t shirts and used paint to make them say Go Big Tone. Out of the corner of my foggy wet goggles, I spotted them. Then I saw my mom in the bright pink shirt she was wearing. From there I could piece together the rest of the group(Missy was wearing a new grey underarmour tank; strangely, although I was nearly drowning and ready to quit a race I've prepared for nine months to do I remembered everyone's wardrobe!). It was then that between deep gasps for air I could hear a familiar chant. One that has been self created and necessary. There were at least a dozen people yelling "Go Big Tone!!" They somehow spotted me with binoculars. They even got another family there to support their triathlete to yell for me too. I gave them half a wave and turned towards them for the side stroke. It was at that moment I realized I was not in this alone. I didn't deserve to decide to remove my swim cap and get pulled out by the emergency people on boats. That wasn't fair to them, to you, to anyone who has said Go Big Tone in the last 9 months. Yes, I was struggling but with their cheers I knew I had to finish the event. I wish I could say that the rest of the swim was easy and I flew to the finish but that was not the case. The current was strong but I used their enthusiasm to fuel my determination. As I passed under the bridge towards the turn bouy, I could even hear my dad yell, "You're almost half way there!" It brought me back to when I could hear his voice at the playground across the railroad tracks when he would yell for me to come home for dinner. I got to the bouy expecting it to get easier with the downstream. There was another guy who looked stronger than me but quite disoriented. He was swimming dangerously off course around the turns. I stopped to flag down a guard in a kayak to let him know I thought he was asking for help. I got into a decent downstream kick which lasted for about 200M. I was breathing hard but at least I was advancing. I peeked a few times to make sure I was still on course. Then the current stopped helping me. Throughout the whole time, I think I must have been taking on water more than I thought. By the time I got to the J turn with nothing left but a 100M cross river to the finish, it became difficult to breath and I felt like I could vomit. I summoned a kayak and treaded water with a float to catch my breath. Two other swimmers did the same. The female athlete said to us, let's swim to the next kayak 50M away and then surge to the finish, which was another 25M. We set out together. I guess we all felt like there was a strength in numbers! I had a decent breastroke rhythm going cross stream. The other two were headed to the kayak but I didn't want to stop. I just wanted out of the water. I got to about 25M from the finsish. That is the distance from one side of the pool to the other. One lap! I was out of breath and starting to panic again. I actually had a thought that I now understand how people who know how to swim drown. A guard on a kayak spotted me and threw me a line. She was able to put me back into a straight line to the finish. I stayed there for a few minutes. She told me I only had one surge and that I could do it. I set off and focused on the volunteers waving everyone in. To the very last stroke, it was hard. Very hard. I longed for the black stripe at the bottom of the pool.
My next worry was the folks watching for me to emerge. Missy told me she was worried and a little confused. Confused meaing how could it possibly take that long to swim that short loop?? Ha ha. When I got out, I saw her. I gave her what I though was a big smile and a hearty thumbs up just so she knew I was ok. The pictures we reviewed afterwards revealed a different story. She told me later that I looked spent. I found my bike, checked my blood sugar (it was on the high side which is exactly how I wanted it), and changed for the ride. I was in no hurry. I forgot a towel to do some drying off but since I was nearly alone in the transition area, the guy next to me had a towel out. I'm sure he didn't mind me using it! I got Madonna and headed to the right out of transition. Too bad for me that the bike out portion was to the left of transition. Once my disoriented self figured out I was going the wrong way I was ok. I got to see everyone when I started the bike. I kept telling them I was ok and I could still get this done. They were cheering loudly and giving me confidence the whole way. Taking pictures like I was Jordan or Armstrong. It, once again, fueld me. I heard Missy say there were more fans further along. After a block or so I saw my parents sitting with Patty and Bon Bon. They, too, fueled me with some Go Big Tone's. The first two miles of the ride were slow and I needed to shake that swim. Once I made the first turn up and over the bridge, I found a groove. I loved the ride. I took in the sights and even got up over 30mph on the downhill. I spotted the girls and gave them a high five before I made the turn to the second loop and told them I was having fun. The second loop was fun, too. I dismounted with my group right there for more encouragement. I got my running shoes, grabbed some water and found my way to the run.
Here's where I thought it would be easier. Just a flat 5K in the sun seeing the city nearly the entire time. Once I got my legs under me I started to pick up speed. However, when by breathing accelerated, I began to cough and that vomit feeling came back. I will spare you all the details of the items I was eliminating with those coughs. So, I ran, then walked. Actually, Marcy, you would have said it was a jog. I did this to the turn and then some. Every time I started to run, I would have to cough up more river water. My legs felt great and my mind was positive. It was my lungs that were preventing me from going faster. Then I spotted the familiar stride of our good friend, Kiki. She hopped onto the course to walk with me. She was concerned because of the time. I told her about the coughing and the water. She guided me in, like the air traffic controller would talk in a plane full of people. She pointed out a spot where I could finish with a good stride and everyone was there to receive me. I got to the spot and took off.
Nine months of training, over 60 blog posts, 2 successful fundraisers, and a whole lot of Go Big Tone's were behind me and only the finish was in front of me. I finished a triathlon! That was my goal, for me, for the girls, and for everyone who supported me. I told my group that the ONLY thing preventing me from giving up after about 200M in the water was their presence and support. I meant it. I hope they all realized that.
Cold water and a change of clothes made for an easy tranisition back to normal. We made the trek back up to the Expo area in the park. I had a couple of ice cold Amstel's and the triathlon experience was over. A great celebration dinner at Austin's and an early turn in. The only injuries were sore feet and a few blisters.
Once again, thank you to everyone. For everything. From beginning to end. I truly appreciate it and want to share my accomplishment with you all.

September 20, 2009. Downingtown. With Kiki. Go Big Tone (times 2)!!

The final leg, the very wet US Open, and a day for dads

I pretty much acted like I deserved some kind of day of doing nothing. I started the day by having coffee and bagels with the paper and all four of us at the dining room table. That, by far, is my favorite thing to do. We chatted about the movie we saw yesterday, how good the french toast bagel was, and whatever it was that Sports does on a Saturday night. No thoughts or talk of a triathlon. Went to see my folks before lunch. More Sunday talk and off to our favorite restaurant. I had the pulled pork and a couple of IPA's. Good stuff. Hardly the meal of any athlete. We visited with Missy's parents to watch some golf. That was fun with no running water (funny story for another time. Just ask and I'll tell it to you sometime). Barely a mention that there was some great feat of endurance only 6 days away. I did get to tell my dad why I think he's the greatest one on the planet. I told him he ALWAYS made himself available to me as a dad and that, above any other quality, is what I hope to come close to in fatherhood myself. That quality should be considered by any dad who might read this. Thanks, Dad.
My point here is that some of my own training and a whole lot of encouragement from you soldiers in the Big Tone Tri Army is what got me here. This will be my last post before the race. I plan on 3 days of workouts, 2 days of rest, and one of complete fun and accomplishment for all of us. To remind you all, I know I will be one of over 2000 people to complete a triathlon in Philadelphia Saturday morning and I will not set any records. But my goal of being a triathlete and teaching our two daughters to set goals and reach them, no matter how far out they seem, is the most important thing of the day!
For a few thank you's; Mom and Aimee, thank you for all the constant posts. As I have said, I read them always and sometimes more than once. It has made a bigger difference than you will probably ever realize. For all the non-posters but true readers, your comments of "I read the blog today. Great job" or "I just caught myself up with the website. Keep it up" have added fuel to my fire. For my Missy, you complete me (no sappy Jerry Maguire jokes here, please). You defintiely propel me through everything I do. And lastly, Sports and Bean. More than anything, I hope to inspire you to be the greatest you can be and that is defined not by money, trophies, or conquests but getting out and just making a difference in the world. No matter how small or large. I've always got your back.
I will update after the event and hope the story will be grand! Remember, they call the person who finishes the triathlon last a triathlete.
Go Big Tone.

Rounding third...

Less than two weeks away from the big event and I'm still feeling nervous and excited. I have been on a steady bike, run, bike/run workout schedule for the last few weeks. I still haven't gotten down to see the actual swim start but I will before the big day. Finally I have entered and begun using a temporary basal profile for my omnipod while I am working out. This seems to make for better Type I results. Also, I really think my blood sugar needs to be around 200 the morning of the race at start. That will really keep having a low off my mind.
Once I get through this week, I will have to begin somewhat of a taper. I will put Thursday and Friday of next week in as rest days with short workouts for the beginning of the week. I will be expecting some Tri mail this week. My "Athlete Information Packet" should come today or tomorrow hopefully answering some logistical questions.
Other than that, keep the cheers coming. Go Big Tone.