Twenty-two years and two hours difference...

When I last finished Ironman Kona twenty-two years ago, I was two hours slower than this years race.

At the rate I'm going, I figure in twenty-two more years, when I'm 66 years old, I should be pulling off around 9 hour Ironman times. I think I may change my name to "Bryan Button".

It's pretty cool to know I'm fitter now at 44 years old, than I was at 22 years old. It's also cool to know I've beat every triathlon distance PB I set in my twenties in my forties. The only PB's I have not beaten are running races, which include a 5 km (unknown), a 10 km (38:18) and marathon (3:07:57). I was able to beat my half marathon PB last year.

With NYC marathon coming up in 17 days, I was trying to think of what my goal time should be. I've determined there is three options. The first option is to race it easy, like a training run and shoot for a sub 4 hour marathon. The second option is to run harder and do a sub 3:30 and qualify for Boston. The third option is to go to break my 3:07:57 PB I set 24 years ago and twenty 25 lbs lighter.

What to do, what to do. I'm going to decide at the start line on race morning.

New York should be fun, it looks like Jamie and Barb are going to join Alice and I. Were going to rent a two bedroom apartment. I was referred to a couple of sites that have a large selection of places for us to chose from. With the kids not going, I think we may fly and go out of Buffalo. I can get one way flights for as low as $59 with Jet Blue.

I had a "rough" feeling head today. I wish I had an off switch and could end partying at a responsible hour. I guess there is no use complaining, it's NEVER going to happen, it's not in my nature. I ended up running around 5 pm tonight.

It was my first real run since Kona. Other than running with a "party induced" higher than normal heart rate, I maintained a decent pace. I also had some excitement. A "dumb mom" almost drove into me in her big Expedition in front of the intersection in front of Jamie's house.

She saw me at the last minute and stopped mid-turn. Without thought I gave her "the middle finger". It's my "de-facto" gesture and it's involuntary. I feel like I'm a "Finger slinger". After I gave her the "FU sign" and continued on my way, I noticed she had a young kid in the car and wondered what the "finger etiquette" is when children are present?

When I got home, my buttocks and hamstring were hurting slightly again. It may get worse before it gets better. Unfortunately, I won't be able to rest it until after the marathon.

As I ran I was thinking how great the last four years have been and how much I've improved. In that time, I've qualifyed for Clearwater, Kona and the NYC marathon. It's been a cool ride so far.

I've been thinking about Kona and my final time and what I'd do differently next time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy in the least about my performance, I just want to learn from this experience and what I'd do differently if I was ever to return and race it again.

The first thing I'd do differently is not do 3 Ironmans prior to Kona. It would be best to qualify well in advance of Kona and recover fully before starting another Ironman training program.

The second thing I'd do is show up to Kona 10 lbs lighter and I'd taper more. This year I ran, biked and swam 7 hours the week of the race. In 5 days, I did a total of 16 hours of training and racing. I was strong on the bike earlier in the week and flat on race day.

The third thing I'd do is mentally prepare to go hard. I think I could cut at least 40 minutes off my time and do a ten-something race if I was prepared to go into the hurt locker.

At the fitness level I'm at right now, I could race 11 hour Ironmans all day long. It is a very "civilized race pace" and even "flat" I'm able to do it comfortably. Over the long-term, that may be my Ironman race pace, breaking PB's is no longer a priority.

This evening I spent more time editing my Ironman Kona Journey Video. I just finished Part three and I'm up to 30 minutes of fully edited video. Until I get all the video edited, I don't feel like I can relax or put Kona behind me.

I'm also trying to get myself into a rest and recovery mode. When I was talking to a Seventy Seven year old age-group Ironman athlete, he told me the biggest difference he's noticed over the years is he needs more time for recovery. Basically, more rest days. I found that interesting, it just shows how important recovery is. Younger athletes don't seem to notice the importance of rest and recovery like the older athletes do.

I ate fairly light and well today. I was trying to do "all fruit cleanse" but broke down in the evening. Although I didn't over eat, I just ate non-fruit. Even though last night was a "diet write off", I figured I may as well get back on the "eating well track" and not "dwell" on what I didn't do right.

Tempo Run - 55:19 / 11.15 km / 4:57 per km avg / 148 avg heart rate