I need to call Jenny...

I woke up this morning and reluctantly stepped on the bathroom scale. I predicted 185 lbs and I was close, 184.8 lbs and 20.8 BMI. I cringed when I saw that. Twenty days ago I was 7 lbs lighter at 178 lbs and a 22.2 BMI. The damage started July 11th and went on for 17 days. In that 17 days I've eaten very unhealthy and have drank a lots of beer. I mentioned in previous blog postings that I've eaten more wings and deep fried foods in the last few weeks than I have in the past 6 months.

It started in Winnipeg, while on holidays, eating all those great soul foods. And when we got back home from Winnipeg, sans kids, it didn't stop, Alice and I went to more restaurants and I was also eating junk food at home. Even last night on my way back from Lake Placid I had some ice cream and had a greasy burger from Dairy Queen. The worst, and I mean the worst, is my beer consumption. In 16 days I drank 134 beers. I was thinking that I was "bloated" from the anti-inflammatory pills I was taking. In hindsight, I don't think that is the real reason. It's obvious my diet has been atrocious over the last two and a half weeks. Hence, the 7 lb weight gain, although my BMI is lower? Strange.

This month has been a good training month, even with all the eating and drinking, I've still maintained my training. Thank goodness. If I didn't, I'd hate to see how much weight I would have gained. Since my first race in Muskoka this year my performance has declined. I started the year with a pb half marathon of 1:27, then I had the best triathlon race ever in Muskoka and since then I've been flat and feel like I'm going backwards. I went so hard in Muskoka I had trouble moving for a week. I was sore and exhausted. I've noticed that my running training pace is much slower than it was and I'm not sure why? Was it the expenditure I made at the race or is it the new shoes I have that are causing me to use a new set of muscles that need to be developed. Or is it something else, like diet or illness?

Yesterday I had a terrible bike ride in Lake Placid and today I had a good ride. I don't get it. The only thing consistent is my reduction in running speed. I was doing 7:40's as a moderate run back 3 months ago and now I'm around 8:15's and I don't know why. Most likely it's the abuse I put on my body.

For the past few weeks I've been thinking about setting some new goals and making some lifestyle changes. I'm not going to disclose what they are, at least not yet, but I'm in the process of finishing a road map that will help me achieve my physical, mental, financial, relationship and business goals within the next 24 months. I figured that I went from "fat to fit" in 18 months and I should have no excuse to do the same in other parts of my life. I've never been more excited about these new challenges and the new direction they are going to take my life. Setting and achieving my triathlon goals has given me a renewed sense of confidence and ambition. I feel like I've got the energy I did in my 20's, the only difference is I've now got wisdom rather than blind ambition.

I got a message from Carlos today that he and Hans and are also doing Lake Placid next year. It turns out that the Lake Placid Ironman did not sell out on site and it briefly went online and they were able to get in. I'm glad they got in. At first I thought, damn, I didn't have to go and spend a couple of days away from home. But then I thought back to those two days and I really enjoyed myself. I was able to formulate my goals and plans during the drive, experience the course, the race and have some fun experiences along the way. I'm glad I went, no regrets.

Speed Bike - 56:32 / 30.3 km / 32.0 kph

Speed Run - 43.38 / 5.57 miles / 7:49 / 146 avg hr