Sitting still and not training has been hard, especially today. I should start a TA chapter. I'd start of by saying "I'm Bryan, I'm a Training-olic and it's been 12 days since my last workout".
Alice and I were shooting pool and I told her that if it's warm out tomorrow, I may go for a ride. I'm going crazy and my legs are feeling like they are atrophying.
I know the time off is doing my body well. The cyst I had in my groin area is almost gone and my legs are feeling, well, like legs. I don't notice the daily soreness. In a strange way, I miss that soreness, it doesn't feel normal without it.
I'm trying to take it easy. I even left work early and went for a few of beers with Johnny. I had a few more with Alice when I got home. But I'm not going overboard. I don't want gain weight. With IMSG not far away and with all the climbing on the bike, carrying less weight is a good thing.
Today, as I was driving I got a call from my buddy Gord Brauer in Winnipeg. He's an ex-Ironman and started our conversation off by telling me that not finishing IMChina was my own fault. That I shouldn't be upset that I didn't finish, instead, I should be upset that I didn't take proper care to eat well beforehand.
Although he was gentle with me, he only repeated it 5 or 6 times, I agreed 5 - 6 times and then I had to stop him. Had he not stopped, I would have had no choice but to turn into oncoming traffic.
Then, as a true friend, he said he wants to join me in Utah. Providing he can get a cheap flight. Gord wants to support me and make sure I don't make any pre-race errors. I wouldn't put it past Gord to "taste" my food before I eat it. He was telling me that travelling with a "hot plate" is a very workable option, and he was deadly serious.
I've never really seen myself as a "hot plate" travelling kind of guy. It seems a little weird. Neck roll yes. Hot plate no.
Essentially, he wants to make sure I'm 100% at the start line. Gord 's a knowledgeable guy when it comes to Ironman training and diet. Prior to China. he was upset that I quit drinking beer. He told me my body is used to it and needs it. He didn't look at beer as a negative. He even felt that had I been drinking it, the alcohol would have probably killed my "food bug".
It's funny he said that, because on the run during Ironman China, I thought that all I needed was a beer. I envisioned myself stopping at a roadside bar, sitting down and having a beer or more. Then, when I felt better, get back on the course and finish the run.
I was serious about that thought. Unfortunately, I realized it wasn't an option, I had no money. For my next Ironman, I'm putting some money in my special needs bag or I'm going to figure out a way to sew a money pocket in the top of the Captain's hat. I want to be prepared this time around.
Changing subjects, Alice was telling me a funny story about Reid's foot. After I left to China, the doctor removed a wart from Reid's foot. To allow it to heal, he was told not to let his foot get wet. He had to take showers and baths with a plastic bag over his foot to keep it dry.
He was telling Alice that he couldn't wait to wash his foot. That it was smelling. Even when he was at school, he was paranoid about it being stinky. This went on for days. Then one day, Alice walked into Reid's room and the smell was unbearable.
She asked Reid what "stinks so bad?" and he said, "oh, it must be my foot, I don't even notice the smell anymore". The smell was so aweful, Alice couldn't believe it was his foot. She looked around and saw the hamster cage and didn't see Reid's hamster Roxy.
Turns out Roxy had been dead for days. The smell wasn't Reid's foot.
Rest & Recover Day - No Training
178.2 / 21.5% BMI
9
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6 comments:
Bryan,
Not to " flog the dead horse " but reading your prior post was eerie. As we just went thru and back China - I concur every word you wrote. We were lucky not to have to eat too much on our stopovers - but even ordering a pizza at a Pizza Hut WITH illustrations was strained, difficult, frustrating. This was in the Beijing airport ( nothing else was open ). Nuff said.
Hey - I do not want to be a soothsayer here - as you're probably going to get extra advice going into St. George. I've a mate in Provo UT that is doing the race as well. I've asked him at least 3 times if there's a 2km long hotspring fed lake there. He's laughed and said that the lake will be okay. I call bullshit - and my advice is get your arse into a local outdoor lake a couple of times ( double headcaps ) to get used to the cold water shock.
My advice anyways - as I know you'll be on top of it all. Cheers and good luck not training....
Brent
OK It's a little off topic but I have to say it:
ex-ironman? sorry but I would like to think there is no such thing. Once a finisher, always an Ironman even when I'm 250lbs :) I know what you mean... maybe x-competitor? x-participant? I dont know what would be better but I do think that x-ironman don't sound right :) Even when I get fat and old lol
Oh - don't over think it. It sounds like you're in advice overload. As a cyclist I like to say 'Just shut up and ride'. Or even better, as epic Bill would say 'show up and suffer'.
Be smart, but don't go control freak eh.
B, thanks for the advice on ST George. I never even heard of the water being cold. Now I know what to expect, Ironman Canada conditions. Check.
Interesting about the Beijing airport. I could visualize what your going through.
J, .don't worry, I'm not going to heavy lecture you or get my freak on. I'll limit my advice to 10,000 words or less. haha.
I believe there is such things as an x-Ironman, just like we refer to our x-Olympians. However, I do agree, you'll never lose the title of Ironman Finisher.
If I was to start the Ironman Club, to keep your card and proudly wear and announce yourself with the title IRONMAN, this would be the criteria.
1. Go for a re-certification at least every 5 years.
Don't take this personal, it's not meant in that vain, but I'm not big on taking advice from cyclists in general. You highlighted the advice from a cyclists perspective, "Just shut up and ride". You forgot to add "and don't be friendly and wave to anyone when your out riding". Not your supportive triathlete types.
I'll most definitely listen to "Dollar Bill Bradley", utmost respect!!! But a cyclist??? Come on. Your killing me. haha.
Sincerely,
x-fat guy.
J, oh I almost forgot about your comment "It sounds like you're in Advice Overload". You think I've been in advice overload? You got to be kidding!!!
Obviously you haven't been reading my blog for very long. I"M ALWAYS IN ADVICE OVERLOAD!!! It just goes without saying. haha.
B
Lol! :) Well point definitely taken on the whole taking advice from a cyclist perspective lol :) What do they know eh? hehe
You tri-dorks tend to overthink things and spend too much money on performance toys when it's the engine that counts most. :)
Regardless, I concede to your invaluable experience as I am in no place to truly be handing out advice as I haven't done my IM yet lol.
On the other hand you add fuel to the fire. I look forward to schooling you out on an IM course. Big words from a rookie, yes, but dream big baby :)
Oh and I wouldn't identify myself as a stuck up road-weenie. I am just one of those knuckle dragging mountain bikers that think this whole road riding thing is too easy. I'll show you!
:)
J, I NEVER would even think of putting you in those the Road-Weenie catagories. . Knuckle dragging, yes....for sure. haha.
I'll love a little schooling. Before you can teach it, you got to have the "guts" to sign up for it. haha.(If that doesn't get the hair standing up on the back of your neck, nothing will).
Do IM Canada this year. Do the Muskoka long, get a spot, won't be hard, I think anyone that hangs around afterwards will get one. Then I'll sign up for IM Canada this year on a community entry and "the race is on"!!!!
I'm not that good of a student, so make sure you bring your yardstick.
x-student
P.S. Oh, yeah on my run today, I think it should be every 4 years you have to do an Ironman to refer to yourself as an Ironman. Just like the Olympics, every 4 years.
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