A little heavy...

In the past four years I've accomplished more than I ever imagined was possible. I couldn't have written a better script.

By getting back into triathlons in 2007 after a 16 year layoff was the best thing I ever did. I felt like I got my life back again and became the true person I am in my heart.

As much as I've accomplished in triathlon, I've accomplished more in my personal life because of it.

In 1990, I stopped doing triathlons and started a business. I put all my attention and energy into the business, it was my number one priority for 16 years. Eventually, and it didn't take long, maybe 6 months, I lost all perspective.

People constantly ask me how my family feels about me "training all the time". Frankly speaking, my family sees more of me now than they ever did in my "business-only years" and I'm now much more pleasant to be around.

In those work-only years, I was so focused on success that I didn't care about anything else. All that was important was working and trying to make money. Everything else was secondary. For the first 10 years the business grew organically at over 30% per year, year over year. It kept me busy.

Looking back, it took it's toll, I wasn't a good husband or father in my eyes. I was working all the time, I would never call Alice to tell her I'd be coming home late and most times she'd end up calling me to see where I was. If I was at work, or out with a customer, I'd be "short" with her for interrupting "the important things in life".

I was so focused on success, I had absolutely no balance in my life. The worst part was I felt that my "business mission" was more important than anything, including family. My thoughts were along the lines that, "the work I put in today will benefit ALL of us tomorrow and it's just a short term sacrifice we all need to make".

One of the reasons we moved to Toronto was because I was missing my kids grow up. I travelled a lot. Shortly after the Toronto Plant was purchased, it needed my full-time attention. I ended up commuting from Winnipeg to Toronto every week for well over a year.

I had a nice waterfront condo in downtown Toronto and would fly out early Monday morning and return late Friday evening. My kids only saw me on weekends and when I did get home for the weekend, all I wanted to do was relax and was "unhappy about being fat and the struggles the business was facing". My only "release" was staying up late on the weekends partying, it masked the pain.

I'd then repeat the entire process the following week. It was like the movie "Ground Hog Day".

Prior to purchasing the operation in Toronto, I spent many years commuting between San Francisco, Denver, New York and Toronto. I was typically out of town three weeks a month and again, only home on weekends.

The one thing I'm blessed with is intuition. Often I don't know why I'm doing something, to others it may not be logical, but I know it's right in my heart. Moving to Toronto was one of those "intuitive moves". In fact, buying the business in Toronto was move of "an intuitive move" than "logical".

At the time we moved, Reid was 6 years old and was giving Alice a lot of problems, especially after his idol, Alice's father, died. Reid needed a man in his life. I wasn't there and I remember Alice telling me at one point "that the kids don't even know you". That blew my hair back, even though I didn't want to believe it.

Alice didn't want to move out of Winnipeg and her dream house. Eventually she gave in and we packed up the U-haul with the stuff we'd need while our house was being built and moved to Toronto.

Since moving to Toronto, being present with the family everyday and getting back into triathlons, changed my life and the families life for the better. Surprisingly, Alice adjusted to the Ontario lifestyle much quicker than I did and neither of us would now ever go back.

I look back and realize one of the worst mistakes I made was quitting triathlons after starting the business. As strange as this sounds, doing Ironmans gave me a balanced perspective and kept me fit. I know I can never turn back the hands of time, but I often wonder "What would my past and current life have looked like if I had never quit doing triathlons?"

At the time, I sacrificed triathlons to achieve my financial goals. I wanted to be a "billionaire" and I wasn't afraid to let others know. I had grandiose ideas. I tried hard for 20 years and it didn't happen.

When I officially quit triathlons in 1991 at 24 years old, I accomplished a lot in the triathlon world. It was like quitting on top. I had done 3-Ironmans when very few would even attempt them and one of those Ironman was in Kona. I had been Vice-President of Ironman Canada and President of Triathlon Manitoba and was the driving force that got triathlons into the Provincial sports federation before it was a federally recognized sport.

Fast forward to present. I'm in a similar circumstance. I've again accomplished a lot in the triathlon world. I lost 50 lbs, have done 4 3/4-Ironmans, 10-Half Ironmans and qualified for Clearwater and Kona in the process.

I'm now at a crossroads. Do I once again sacrifice all my triathlon hard work and focus on my career. It would seem a responsible choice to immerse myself in my career, after all, Toronto is expensive and making money is critical, especially if you want to enjoy the finer things in life.

Fortunately, I've seen this "movie" before. Here's what would happen if I quit doing triathlons. For the first couple of years, you can rest on your laurels. I'd still be recognized by others as being an Ironman and to myself I'd even think I was still one.

In the process, I turn my energies to my career and family and I'd get out of shape. As hard as I would try not to, I'd gain weight and eventually start feeling bad about myself. I'd be disgusted that I lost all my fitness, and eventually my perspective and confidence would wane. I would no longer feel good about myself and the downward spiral would begin.

I remember in my 20's when I was doing triathlons, I planned on doing one Ironman each year for the rest of my life. I remember thinking at 40 years old, I'd have done 20 Ironmans and at 60, I'd have done 40 and doing that would always keep me in shape and happy.

If I can give myself any advice, it's "not to go to the darkside". The darkside is the land of "not being the person you are capable of being and living life to the fullest". It's the land of "the path of least resistance". Essentially, it's "the road MOST travelled".

As I mentioned earlier, I'm at that crossroad, even though it's being only a couple of weeks since Kona and my training has been sparse, it's easy to get used to not training. Taking well deserved time off I understand, but my fear is that it becomes a slippery slope and before I know it I'm back to that pre-Ironman person I used to be.

I've been asking myself, " How do I stay motivated to train while focusing more on some unfulfilled career goals and still keep a healthy family life AND continue to have fun TRAINING PAYNE STYLE? How do I not let history repeat itself? Is it even possible?"

The best answer I've come up with, "Is it's not a question of WHETHER your going to do it, it's a question of HOW your going to do it". Not doing it, is NOT an option. Oh how I wish Mark Allen Online had the formula.

I think others in my "Blog and Twitter Sphere World" are experiencing the same challenges. I see people that were "into it", "waning from it". They entered "the Ironman or Triathlon World", worked hard and accomplished a BHAG (Big Hairy Ass Goal) or many. They got the finishers medals, hats, T-shirts, maybe even the tattoo, and are now changing focus.

Speaking for myself, "That's were I'm at".

My next, and perhaps toughest challenge, "is achieving my triathlon, weight, career, family and fun goals without losing a balanced perspective or sacrificing one over the other".

My goal my be unrealistic, I don't know. I don't want to believe it can't be done. However, I do want to warn my blog followers, you may see a shift in my focus and challenges I face. Although, for some of you, don't worry, you can still come to expect my "politically incorrect, tasteless humour and party lifestyle".

To help with "Culling of the my followers herd" (I'm at 159 and wonder how much it will go down), I've included a video I've been saving for just the right moment. I hope it brings a smile to your face and lightens up your day and this blog posts serious subject matter. Enjoy. And Matty O and Simon, you wish!!! And your wives wish you could last so long!!!

Contemplating over Coffee...

I may not do the NYC Marathon. I've been doing some Internet research and think my injury may be worse than I thought. I'm on the fence.

Based on the symptoms, it may be High Hamstring Tendinopathy and it sounds like it could be serious. One online article even said it could get to the point where you need surgery to fix it. Reading that scared me, big time.

One of the forums say Active Release Techniques may be the answer. I'm not sure what it is but I've decided it's time to get some medical advice.

I also emailed NYC Marathon to see if the spot can be transferred to next year's race. It can, but I will lose my $265 entry fee for this year and have to pay another $265 for next years race.

I'm concerned about injuring my tendon to the point it needs surgery. Assuming it is a tendon problem, I'm told tendons take longer to heal because they don't get as much blood flow and oxygen as muscles, making it harder for them to repair.

I'm really uncertain of what I should do. I think I'm going to wait until I get professional advice and go from there. I found an expert in A.R.T in Toronto who works with the Canadian Olympic Team and emailed him. The only downside is the commute to get therapy.

At least I had a great year and the injury didn't prevent me from reaching any of my goals. That's an upside. My off-season plan was to diet and lose weight and if I can't do the marathon, I'll begin that program sooner. Although, that means I'd have to abstain from beer. It's very hard, if not impossible to lose weight and drink alcohol.

Everything happens for a reason and rather than be down about my injury, I'm going to think this is a blessing and it was meant to be. I must say I've been VERY lucky in the past 4 racing seasons, I have not had any serious injuries that have prevented me from training for any lengthy period of time.

I guess 4-Ironman's, 3-Half Ironmans, and 12-months of hard training in one year is bound to tear the body down.

Also, just a reminder, if you want a FREE PHOTOBOOK from Picaboo, the deadline to order is 11:59 PST. Just click the banner ad on my blog. Oh, and today's video is specifically for Heather regarding Matty-O.

No Training

10

Stupid dream...

I didn't wake up until 3:30 pm today, 11 hours of sleep. Wow, I couldn't believe it, I guess I my body needed it.

Rarely do I remember a dream, but I had a "nightmare". It was one of those that feels real. I was at the Ironman in Kona and didn't take my pre-race gear preparation too seriously.

Moments before the swim start, which I didn't know where it was, my bike wasn't checked in and I wasn't sure if I even my running and biking gear was at the transition zone. Oh, and I didn't have my timing chip.

The gun went off and I had to get my chip and find the race start area and was asking everyone where it was. As I was going over a hill and saw the start in the distance, my rear tire "blew".

I wasn't too worried, I figured the swim cut off is 2:20 and I can do the course in 1:15, so that gave me just over an hour to get things ready.

As I was trying to get a replacement chip, guys were swimming and I was jealous. The chip was not your standard chip, it was an old ladies big rubber bathing cap with a glass chip attached to the top. It was very expensive and I had to leave a credit card number, in case I didn't return it, before they would release it.

I never did get into the water, time was running out and I now started wondering how I could "cheat" and cut the course short and still make the cut off. I was now devastated, I was blowing my chance at finishing the Ironman World Championships.

At that point, I semi-woke up and realized, I've already done Kona. I finished and it all worked out. I was so relieved to find out it was a dream.

Even though I've been partying, I'm proud to say I haven't been overeating. I'm also finding my upper body is getting stronger. It's the weirdest thing, I'm not training, yet I can feel the muscles in my arms "peaking", which is telling me about the "power of recovery".

I was checking out Davis's blog today and saw a timely video he posted and I've included it below. I also found out "The Captain" made it to www.firstoffthebike.com's Kona video. I'm 1:13 into the video. Lucky number 13.

Today I took it easy, writing my blog, catching up on other's blogs, editing some final video, building a FREE Picaboo photo book and generally doing nothing other than barbecuing an nice steak dinner, with a beer in hand. It's become a Sunday tradition that we have steak and if there is one good thing I'm good at, it's cooking steak.

There is nothing like bloody red meat, yum. I'm proudly a "meat-etarian".

I decided not to train today, I'm just to beat up and I'm not going to sweat it. It was also one of those cool, foggy days that you want to stay inside on.

I've decided my plan is to go to NYC and have some fun in the City before the race, and during the race, enjoy the atmosphere and sights and sounds. If I feel good that day, I'll push it and if I don't, I won't. I'm not going to make qualifying for Boston a goal in New York. Other than saying I did the Boston Marathon, it's never been a goal I've been motivated to pursue.

I got my Ironman Kona race photo's and posted them with my Race Report, if you want to see them click here.

Finally, I HAVE to get Reid off my back. All he's doing is "hammering" me on getting him his new video camera, a Canon 7 D. He's written a script and wants to film it. If he was asked to write a script as a school project, he wouldn't want to do it. Yet, on his own he's into it. I called him "Reid Speilberg" and he said, "no, my favorite director is Alfred Hitchcock".

No Training

18

Live yourself to Death...

I drink a lot of beer and it's not because I'm an alcoholic. I drink because it's FUN.

In my world, I'm a mature 17 year old and "what should be the priority of a 17 year old be?"

It's to have fun, to party, to enjoy life and not get too serious.

Training is also fun. I can't think of a better balance than training hard and partying hard. Who says you have to have regular diet and sleeping patterns. Frankly, I have so much fun I'm surprised my lifestyle isn't the norm.

Last night, I invited Jamie and Barb over to watch the UFC. I also sent an email to my neighbour John to join us when he got back from out of town. He was coming back from watching his daughter play college hockey in the United States. She goes to RIT.

It turns out the UFC at "The House of Payne" didn't happen.

Cogeco, our cable provider, wouldn't let us order it. They said our bill was past due by a few days and because we owed them over $250, the computer automatically shuts down our ability to order Pay-per-View.

It was ridicoulus. Alice had paid the bill online earlier in the week and Cogeco said it takes 3-5 days for the payment to be recieved.

I was freaking and asked to talk to a supervisor and when I didn't get the answer I wanted I asked to speak to the supervisors supervisor. I told them we've never missed a payment, the payment was sent already, we were away on vacation, we're one of their best customers spending about $250 per month. I told them they are treating me poorly and with guests over to watch the UFC, it's an embarrassing situation.

I even offered to pay by credit card "on the spot", but they told me it would take a day to process and they still couldn't activate the fight tonight. The supervisor said "the computer system won't allow me to over-ride it's credit policy" and no matter how high I push up the chain, nothing can be done. She apologized and then offered me a FREE pay-per-view credit for the next event.

Needless to say, I was pissed off. On Monday I'll be calling "the powers that be" at Cogeco and I'm not talking some supervisor or manager. I want to talk to "the bonehead" that set up such a stupid system that exercises "no common sense or flexibility". I'm even considering my options to drop Cogeco altogether.

Around midnight, after Jamie and Barb left, John and his son Alex showed up. It was a lot of fun. I haven't seen Alex for a while, he's away at University in downtown Toronto and is in his third year of pre-medicine.

Alex is having the time of his life. He was telling me about all the partying and fun he's having and how much tougher school is finally becoming this year. I asked him, "how do you maintain your grades while living in a party house with other room mates and hosting lots of parties?"

He explained he does all his studying at school with no distractions. He works hard at school and when he comes to "the house" it's all relaxation and party. Alex is twenty-years old and I liked his "no apologizes about wanting to get drunk and party". Right now, Alex "is living the dream". He loves my Kegerator and wants to get one and said my "beer bong" was the biggest he ever saw.

You can tell the kids talk about their partying ways and possible long-term repercussions among themselves. Alex explained to me that partying hard is proven to only take 5 years off your life. I said I have a double whammy because I'm an endurance athlete and I'm told that too takes years off your life.

Then "out of the mouth of drunken babs" I told Alex if your going pick a way to die, it's best to "LIVE YOURSELF TO DEATH". Alex loved the phrase and could see it on a shirt. From experience, I knew I better note it on my iPhone or I won't remember it in the morning, which I did. I'm definitely getting a shirt make up with that saying.

Alex is also getting his dad John into "partying with him". They've been on some road trips to the U.S. and have been having "college fun" together. To me that is a dream, I can hardly wait until Reid becomes of drinking age.

It's really cool to see that type of relationship between a father and son. Even the discussions around the bar in the Man Cave where completely open between the two. We covered it all, sex, drugs and rock'n roll. No uncomfortableness.

I've told Reid many times that when he turns twenty-one, we are going to go on a Route 66 road trip and are going to stop at all the little towns and bars along the way. He asked if mom could come, I said "of course".

We're also going to do Las Vegas one day and I told him it's going to be "CRAZY". Reid wanted to know if he could bring friends, I said, "sure". I don't think we wants to be left "alone" with his "crazy dad" and knows if his friends are there, they'll have lots of material to laugh about.

I also talked to Alex about some of his courses and he was telling me about some that are "the toughest". He started to explain to me "the theory's" they're learning and I was fascinated. He was describing cell mutation and how they figure humans started as a "stomach" and grew from there. Very cool stuff.

By 4:30 am, I had to "tap out" and said good night to Alice, John and Alex. This had been my third night in a row getting to bed at 4:30 am and couldn't stay up any longer. It was another full clothing sleep. I feel like my sister, she gets dressed the night before and sleeps in her clothes so it saves her time in the morning.

On the training front, I don't think I could be "a runner". I started as "a runner" in the beginning and ended up becoming "a triathlete" soon thereafter.

Training for the NYC marathon, is all running and it's too one dimensional and dangerous. In less than a week I'm already missing the intermixed bike rides and swims. I could also feel my body getting more physically stressed and am always concerned because most endurance injuries are running related.

In fact, I feel sorry for Jamie, he has a major heel injury he got while running recently. I saw it first hand yesterday, he walks like he has a broken leg. Something in his heel is so painful he can't put pressure on it. His walk is the, "lift one leg and hop on the other" technique.

The running program I'm following has runs scheduled almost everyday. I'm not following it to the letter of the law, I feel running everyday, especially in my "worn out body state" is too dangerous.

No training - Rest day

19

The real deal...

If you want a FREE photo book from Picaboo, you need to order it within the next three days.

Click the link on the side of my blog, enter your email and you'll receive a coupon code.

Picaboo is one of my customers and this is an incredible deal. As many of you know, I'm a big believer in photo books, I've created many of them and they are way better than prints and photo albums.

For us endurance athletes, they are a great way to put a book together of a "Year in Review". I do one every year.

Yesterday, I was out with the owner of Picaboo for beers and he told me if I put this banner on my blog that all my readers will be offered a FREE photobook, providing they are a new customer.

This is a real offer, "no strings attached", other than you pay shipping. The only downside is the books have to be ordered by 11:59 pm on Monday, October 25th. They also ship internationally. I'm building a "Kona" book right now and the software is very easy to use.

On the training front, I made a "firm decision" during todays run. After the NYC marathon on November 7th, I'm taking one-month off of all training. Period. My body is "toast" and is breaking down.

I remember hearing how many of the pros, like Craig Alexander, do the same. I also want to allow the callouses on the palms of my hands heal from holding on to my aerobars.

During today's run, for the first 8 kms my hamstring and lower buttocks was killing me. I was even wondering if it was my sciatic nerve. The longer I run, eventually the endorphins kick in and the pain dissipates.

Prior to today's run, I was thinking of doing the Niagara Falls Half Marathon on Sunday as a tempo training run. After this afternoons run, there's no way I'm doing it. I'm certain I'll injure myself. I also need to get my aerobic engine working well again.

I've noticed that my heart rate is much higher than normal. I did an easy run and still had to walk a few times. On yesterdays speed run it got as high as 178 bpm, it's been years since it's been that high. The high heart rate is a sign I need to get back to basics.

I choose the wrong time to go for a run. I went at the same time the kids get out of school. The sidewalks were filled with students and I had to continuously "bob and weave" around them. The worst part is some of the kids think "their tough" and when they walk towards you they don't move and you have to run onto the grass to get around them.

One kid was a "real dick" and I almost took him out with my shoulder. It was a "game of chicken" and at the last minute he moved and I clipped his nap sack. If my shoulder would have hit his, he would have thought he got hit by a truck.

I easily had to pass 75 kids over a 2 km stretch. One other kid just missed getting "nailed" as he had his head down and was texting and didn't see "The Payne Train" coming. I cut him some slack and moved out of the way not to hit him.

In Burlington, they have adult crossing guards. Most are retired and they monitor the intersections with there little hand-held stop signs. I think that is great for kids, but it's a bit embarrassing when they treat me like a kid and make me stop until the intersection is clear. I'm not 5 years old.

Most of the time I don't even pay attention to the guards, I just run through the intersections. Today one of "grey haired Grampa" guards started yelling at me for crossing on a "red hand", even though the lights were green.

I didn't hear him at first and took out one of my earphones and could hear him "bitching". I passed him and yelled back, "I don't follow rules" as he kept "barking" away. Finally I just said, "see ya Grampa". Next time, I'm going to tell him I'm a diplomat and have diplomatic immunity.

The one thing about running on a Friday is it's dangerous. It seems that everyone is tired and in a rush to get home. I can't tell you how many driveways and intersections I had to stop at because the driver wasn't looking and I won't pass in front of a vehicle unless I make eye contact with the driver.

It's getting cooler outside and I "hate" it. When I got home I told Alice we need to move to a warmer climate for the winter.

Today I got a completely unexpected phone call, it was from Johan Stemmet, all the way from South Africa. At first I saw the caller ID and thought it was a telemarketer out of India, it was a weird number. I answered it and was looking forward to giving this "Indian" a bad time.

When I found out it was Johan, I was pleasantly surprised. After following his blog for at least the last two years, it was cool to finally hear what his voice sounded like. He called to thank me for my donation to his Charity bike ride. What a class guy.

The long distance call probably ate up all the money I donated. Although I gave a decent amount, his request caught me at the perfect time. It's not that it came when I was feeling generous, it came when I was about 15 beers into the night. I'm always more generous when I'm "feeling no pain". If you also want to donate to his cause you can donate by clicking here. I'm sure he'll prefer if you do when drinking.

It's a good thing I haven't been training the volumes I was pre-Ironman. Creating my Kona journey video series has taken up all my spare time. Each video is at least 4 hours of work and I just finished the 6th and final video. Now I can use my spare time to catch up reading the blogs I follow.

Mod Run - 1:45:20 / 18.68 km / 5:38 avg km pace

18

Ironman Everything...

I'm wondering if I should paint Ironman Logo's on the garage doors of our house?

Alice, don't freak out, I'm just kidding. Unless you like the idea.

I will say that I am Ironman crazy. I can't tell you how much Ironman logo'd clothing and products I have. Last year it was Clearwater 70.3 World Championship stuff and this year it's Kona Ironman World Championship stuff.

I use the word stuff, because it's more than clothing. I have glasses, mugs, magnets, license plate holders, stickers, watch, bottle opener, bento box, back pack, swim bags, finisher hats and even a cookie cutter. Yes, you heard correctly, we have a cookie cutter shaped like the Ironman logo.

Today I had a meeting with a client and friend, among other things, we talked about my Ironman journey and he asked if I was wearing Ironman underwear to go with the Ironman shirt and light jacket I had on.

We went for beers and I showed him my Ironman arm band tattoo and my new ankle band tattoo. In total, I have 3 Ironman logos' tattoo's on my body. Some may ask, "why do you wear so much Ironman stuff and have Ironman tattoo's?" and that would be a great question.

The reason I proudly wear Ironman clothing and have the tattoos is because "it's who I am". I don't wear it to show off, or start conversations, I don't even have to leave the house to wear Ironman clothing".

Ironman is a lifestyle and when I get up in the morning, after I evaluate if I've gained any weight by looking in the mirror, I look at my tattoos and feel good about myself. It shows what I've done and what I can do.

The Ironman logo to me stands for "superior mental and physical strength". It's a badge of honour. It is a constant reminder that "anything is possible".

It also keeps you honest. When I got my first tattoo in 1987, it was a red maple leaf. It was to represent the completion of my first Ironman in Canada. When I got it, it was perfectly symmetrical. I distinctly remember telling others that, "if it ever becomes skewed, I need to get back in shape and when it's back in proper symmetry, then I know I'm back in shape.

I intentionally had my first Ironman-comeback tattoo put on my arm, near my bicep. I wanted to be "bold". If I ballooned back up to 229 lbs, it would look ridiculous on my arm. It would be embarrassing to show it in public. I imagine that an Ironman logo would look terrible on a "fat guy's arm" or an arm with no shape.

Clothing is different. If I got fat, it wouldn't fit and I wouldn't be identified as being "a has been". With a tattoo, you're "marked for life", the truth is always present. If your in good shape, people respect you and if your in bad shape, people will feel sorry for you at best and "chuckle under their breath" at worst.

My Ironman tattoo armband motivates me "NOT" to gain weight and "TO" lift weights. Now with two more Ironman man logos on my body, the pressure is even greater to stay in shape. Which I think is a good thing. I don't mind the added pressure. If it keeps me on "the straight and narrow" I see NO DOWNSIDE.

Some may argue it's "a corporate brand" and your promoting World Triathlon Corporation. Their right, it is a corporate brand, but I don't view it that way. To me it's a symbol first, I don't see the brand. All that matters is when I look at it, I'm motivated to stay in shape or get back in shape. If wearing a McDonald logo would do the same, I'd have no problem tattooing Ronald McDonald somewhere on my body.

As crazy as this sounds, when I die, I'd like to have my ashes put in an urn with an Ironman logo on it and put on the mantle of our house as a reminder to our kids or possible grand kids that "anything is possible".

When Alice dies, the kids could keep the urn or get rid of it. If they do get rid of it, I want them to spread my ashes in Kona; some in the water at the pier, some on the bike course and some on the run course.

Now, with all that said, when I'm dead, I'm dead and if Alice and the kids don't want no "Stinking Ironman Urn" hanging around the house, I'm cool with that, who am I to ague. I'm dead. In that case, just get rid of the ashes in Kona, and make a vacation out of it, and come back to visit me often.

"Ironman isn't what I do, Ironman is what I am".

Today I wasn't 100%. I didn't get to bed until 4:30 am, I was having too much fun, but I'm not sure what I was doing, but it was fun, I think. I was back up and working at 8:30 am, with not a lot of sleep, and a little dehydrated.

I still managed to do a speed work session at lunch time. I almost didn't. I stepped out the door and it was cool and starting to rain. I was debating if I should run after work instead. I almost convinced myself until "I kicked myself in the a$$" and said, "don't be a pussy, remember you're an Ironman" and that's all it took. Off I went.

Speed Run - 29:12 / 6.71 km / 4:21 per km avg pace

19.5

Dropping loads...

I stepped on the scale this morning and was down to 185.8 lbs. Yesterday I was 187 lbs and at Kona I was 190 lbs at the pre-race weigh in. The big 1-9-0 depressed me at the time.

Alice and I went to the movie "Red" tonight with Jamie and Barb at the Cineplex VIP theatre. They serve alcohol and deliver it to your seat. How civilized is that?

Although, I must say the "in-theatre service" wasn't that great. Our next movie will be "Jackass 3" and I plan on bringing in my own 6-pack. If I get caught, I'm going to tell them, "I had no choice, you need to improve your service". I doubt I'll get caught. I AM a professional.

Jamie was telling me that after his Ironman race's he found that he lost weight as well. Losing weight must be part of the recovery process. I know when I came back from Ironman China I dropped a lot of weight. I attributed that to "food poisoning", but I think there is merit to "post-ironman" natural weight loss.

I didn't train today. I was going to do some running speed work, but was too busy working. I'm really liking this of season thing. In fact, "I want to train" and I'm forcing myself not to, I'm trying to do the responsible thing and let my body recover and rebuild. It's only been a week and not high volume training is "taking me out of my comfort zone".

I know I need to rest. It's still tough to walk down the stairs in the morning and my buttocks/hamstring is sore after yesterday's run. The one area I want to focus on in the very near future is weight lifting. I really need to work my upper body, it's feeling weaker than normal.

My tattoo is now starting to "crack and scab", which is a good thing. The sooner it heals, the sooner I can get back in the pool. Now that it's the off-season, I want to see if I enjoy swimming in 30-40 minute blocks as opposed to 60 - 120 minute blocks.

Today I couldn't resist setting up my Ironman Maintenance training schedule on Mark Allen Online. I was happy to see the volumes of training were still decent, but not over the top. A long ride of 2:30 is like a walk in the park.

Last month I signed up with Netflix. Less than 30 days ago they started up in Canada. For $7.95 per month I can watch as many movies as I want On-demand via the Internet. Last year I can't tell you how much time and money I spend going to Blockbuster to rent movies to watch while I was on the indoors training for Ironman China. Those 7-hour bike rides cost me a fortune.

Also, today, my NYC Marathon Official Handbook arrived in the mail. Getting the book reminded me I better get my head in the game and I booked our flights out of Buffalo, it's much cheaper to drive to and fly out of Buffalo.

Now I just have to read the handbook and figure out what I need to know to get to the start line. I think there is some busing logistics involved. I'm looking forward to visiting NYC and it wouldn't surprise me if I run the marathon hungover or drunk.

For an "Ironman Triathlete", a marathon should be nothing. Famous last words.

No Training - Off Season

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