It had to finally happen someday.  Today, I purchased the classic sleeveless tri-top!  If you have never packed yourself into one of these, it is certainly motivating.  Generally, there is nothing flattering about them.  Any excess anything on your body now is amplified.  Any tan lines you have acquired through training with any type of…

It was over 100 degrees today so I decided to get my swim in while the big, hot, fireball in the sky went to sleep.  There is always something calming about a night time swim.  Usually, there is nobody at the pool and a warm evening makes it even more relaxing. Both of my 1000…

It has been a long road back from the foot injury in March.  Additionally, I have been going through major struggles with my new shoe orthotics which are intended to alieviate future foot irritations and injuries.  Unfortunately, I am now in my sixth adjustment of those orthotics that have been actually making my feet hurt…

This weekend was Labor Day which means sales on gear.  I had yet to purchase any triathlon clothing so the retail offers that flew past my emails and facebook ads were appealing to say the least. One in particular spoke loudest from the Pearl Izumi outlet store in San Clemente.  25% off all marked prices…

My wife always remembers a famous saying for athletes of my caliber racing in events like this.  We are “Racing Towards Mediocrity.”  There is no way we are going to win.  We are simply trying to do something previously we have never done before.  Thus, this entry is all about calculating if I can simply…

The past month has been nothing short of a miracle in regards to my ability to get back on the bike and attain significant mileage again.  However, all of that mileage has been mostly on flat terrain.  With my confidence bank feeling fatter with the deposits of cycling success, I began eyeing bigger game and…

Let’s start with the bad news.  I am now over a month into trying to get the left orthotic to be adjusted correctly.  I will not go into the details, but the orthotic has been bringing the pain of the injury back instead of supporting the foot in a way that prevents it from happening…

Following nursing my foot injury for over 4 months, I started on July 13th with a flat 10 miles.  Then, on 7/15 increased it to 23 miles.  7/22 and 7/29 featured 30 and 40 miles respectfully with the Tri Club San Diego group.  Amazingly, in just over two weeks I am back to some serious…

The maiden 10 mile ride complete!  23 mile ride with the Tri Club San Diego Beginners group done!  Cardio was challenged, but legs were in a happy enough place to think I could do more.  Time to step it up a little bit more I thought.  So, back to the Tri Club San Diego training…

The author of “The Pursuit of Happyness”, Chris Gardner, also wrote a book titled “Start Where You Are: Life Lessons In Getting From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be.”  Following my successful 10 mile test ride of my foot, I was very aware of the need to come to grips with how…

The last day on my bike was March 29th.  We are now 4 1/2 months into the injury odysey that introduced me to a boot, crutches, and the infmamous kneeling scooter that I mastered as almost a new sport.  No running and no cycling has taken place since March 29th.  Only cycling sadness.  However, following…

I am now four months into the injury to my Sesamoid bone in my left foot.  No cycling and no running for four months.  Only swimming.  I have/will miss all three of the triathlons that I signed up for.  I was definitely derailed from my original 70.3 Ironman Canada target, but have great hopes of…

A goal is a goal!  I’ve learned how to do the 1.2 mile swim below the cut-off time and my foot injury is almost healed.  Here I come Ironman 70.3 Austin on October 29th!  We will check this box yet this year!  

First, congratulations to my swim coach Julie Dunkle.  This past weekend she competed in Ironman Boulder in the 50 to 54 age group.  Coming out of the water she was third among all women including the pros!  In the end, she placed second in her age group.  Very impressive. My own accomplishment this week came…

I am now 2 1/2 months into no running or cycling thanks to what my Orthopedist calls “bone edema” on my outer Sesamoid.  Since this is taking a long time to heal, she suggested I get a “bone growth stimulator” to speed up the process.  This morning I started the once a day treatment. A…

This weekend I was visiting relatives in San Luis Obispo and wondered if there was a pool I could swim in while I was there.  I called ahead and learned that the answer was yes, and it was right down the street from the first condo we bought back in 1992.  I remember the pool, not…

Traded in my Mustang and bought Michelle a Prius.  That means I get the hand-me-down family van which will now become my Sportsmobile!  The transformation started today by stickering it up.  Looking forward to adding an Ironman sticker later this year!  Gotta earn it first though.  

After a couple days of personal record 500-yard intervals in the home pool, I traveled across the country to visit family in Michigan.  Again, with a boot on my fractured foot, I can’t run or cycle.  But, I can swim and focus on my weakest skill. The swim distance at 70.3 Ironman Canada is 1.2…

With my foot in a boot, running and cycling is out of the question.  However, Mr. Glass Half Full looks on this setback as an opportunity to focus on my weakness which is swimming.  It is all I can do. Today, I ventured back into the pool after an incredible session with my new coach…

I got the email last week. My swim coach dropped me. Something about needing time for his other clients as the season got serious and he was heading off to run the Boston Marathon. Not exactly motivating as I was just thinking I was getting somewhere.

The clock is ticking. My first tune up race is only four weeks away at the San Diego Sprint Triathlon. Today, I decided to jump in and give open water swimming a try.

This week I definitely turned the corner. Distance and improvement have been steady. I seem to have found competence with the reach, catch, stroke, and most importantly taking the breath.