Ironman Lake Tahoe Race Report: Eye of the Survivor

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Bewilderment.

That is what I feel three days removed from the physically hardest and most mentally draining sporting event I've ever completed.  Of course, I'm talking about Ironman Lake Tahoe.  And yes, I finished Ironman St. George in 2012, when I felt like the Wilson volleyball from Castaway during the tempestuous swim and bike portions.  There is no debate for me -- Tahoe was tougher.  I never wanted to quit in Utah.  I'd sign up for St. George in a heart beat if the World Triathlon Corporation re-instated the full-distance triathlon.

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I've Been Ready For This My Whole Life

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I read an article yesterday from a pro triathlete whom I admire, Jesse Thomas. He's super freaky fast (a former Stanford steeplechase racer) and he's an entrepreneur. Not easy to juggle both, along with being a new father.  The gist of the story was about how he uses mantras to help him perform better. I'm no stranger to mantras.  I used one to get through the marathon at Ironman Coeur d'Alene, in fact.  But what would my mantra be for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas next weekend?  I've been thinking about this while training the past few days, now that my attention is solely focused on this monumental triathlon.  The theme I can't get out of my head is the usual one -- overcoming the odds to hang alongside the elite.  And there's no better movie for me to visually express my feelings than Rudy. 

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True Brotherhood

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When I was in a college fraternity, "brotherhood" largely meant drinking and doing stupid things together, and having your buddy's back in a barfight. Nearly 20 years later, on a picturesque Santa Barbara morning, "brotherood" took on new meaning. Certainly something more special, and far more real than the concept we thought we understood it to be during chapter meetings.

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One Moment in Time

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I have a Whitney Houston song stuck in my head.

Seriously.

When my sister celebrated her bat mitzvah, "One Moment in Time" was the song she chose as the theme music for her childhood photo montage during the reception.  I never told her, or anyone, but that song -- that moment -- struck a chord with me...no pun intended. Maybe it was the cute photos on the screen as the music played. Or the words themselves.  But I've never forgotten how I felt when I watched my sister's video more than 20 years ago. It made Dana seem larger than life. And the power of the lyrics and Houston's voice made me feel invincible even though it wasn't even my special day.

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June Lake Triathlon Race Report

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I had no idea what to expect driving to the Sierra Nevada range for the June Lake triathlon.  Expectations got me in trouble for Ironman 70.3 Boise.  I've since learned that when coming back from an injury of any type, expectations are fairly meaningless.  Data can tell you one thing -- or maybe what you want it to tell you, but unless you're racing exactly where you train in the same weather conditions, anything is possible.  Expectations just cloud the truth, which is this: Your body and mind are either ready to race...or they're not. I made a decision after Boise to stop worrying about how I'd race and just focus on the training.  Focus on one workout at a time, that is. The upside of that is that every day brings a new chance for growth and improvement.  The downside is that you can forget to see the metaphorical forest while you're lost amidst the trees. In this case, the very large pine trees near the Nevada border up at 8,000 feet.

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Ironman Boise Recap Part II: Reality Bites

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T1: Upon exiting the water, I ran to the carpeted ramp towards the bikes to have my wetsuit stripped.  And was dragged along the carpet at least five feet by two teenagers who couldn't get the suit off my feet! I don't have particularly large feet either.  The spectators roared with laughter and I did too. Hilarity amid total intensity. Perhaps this is the final sign though that I need to trim my wetsuit at the calves to make it easier to remove.

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Ironman 70.3 Boise Race Recap: Part I

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It's one thing to write about the Ironman Blues for triathlon websites. It's another to experience them in gruesome detail. Such were the past few days following what I had perhaps erroneously concluded was a disappointing Ironman 70.3 Boise.

When I define "disappointing," I mean failing to realize either an objective, an understanding or an achievement where all signs pointed to being able to do so.  In the case of Ironman 70.3 Boise, the latter part of my definition is key, as you'll see.  As a result of grasping that distinction, I'm no longer as bummed about Boise.

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Comeback Race Perspective

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I've conveniently used my attorney as an excuse why I haven't been writing since my accident this past December.  Basically, I'm not supposed to comment on "that" until all the paperwork is complete. And there's a lot of "that" to talk about, let me assure you! Finally though, I've found something worth writing about that doesn't directly involve "that."

So instead, I'm going to write about this.

I was with my coach this morning for only my second trail run since "that" occurred.  We were talking about my comeback race, the first race of 2013 for me, Boise 70.3.  Up until our conversation, I had every intention of unleashing THIS on the race course.

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A New Kind of Countdown

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A little less than a week ago, I received the results of my MRI report.  And I began a new kind of race countdown. Previously, I was gearing up for the Lake Piru TT on January 6. Followed by the Bandit 30k trail run on February 17.  Then, in March I'd have the Cheseboro Half Marathon.  April would bring the ITU Club Championship, all building for a shot to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships at Ironman St. George 70.3 on May 4.

Those countdowns all ended with one phrase from my orthopedist: "You've got the Blake Griffin injury."

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Now That I Have Some Time...

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Perhaps I'll be writing a bit more. Besides, you know the old saying, "Those who can't do, blog."

It's Saturday night. Steph and I are home, blissfully crossing off longstanding to-do list items. Primarily the fun kind. Well, at least mine are.  Write more.  Read more -- just finished Tyler Hamilton's Secret War about the rampant corruption in cycling during the height of the Lance Armstrong Years.  Visit more -- hung out with my buddy TJ and new neighbor Ruben at my favorite local bar.

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