No money, no go for my charity event.

So I waited to hear from the foundation about winning the $1000.00 so I can do my event Well I wasn't one of the short Lister's and didn't win, but apparently they keep all entrees and could award the money next month or the month after and so on. Anyway I won't keep my hopes up and will have to either find the money I need to enter my event or just put off my event until next year and hopefully with more time and saving I can come up with the money......

So you want to know what my charity event is?.... well I'll tell you if you have $1000.00 and want to sponsor me. :)

For now it's just a dream, and with that I will just continue on with my "less is more" training.



:)

My pitch for $1000.00 to secure my Athletic/charity event this summer.

I mentioned how I have something in the works for a charity event for this summer if I get the financing? Well I found a unique foundation that is giving $1000.00 to anyone who has an adventure/ plan that is worth getting $1000.00 for and they can use the money to do it.
So I submitted my application with a video with my pitch ( my story of what I would use the money for)
If picked, they will contact me and some other applicants who made the short list and will be invited to a party to give a last ditch pitch of our event or what ever I or the other candidates want the money for in front of a panel of the foundation members. After which, whoever is selected will then be contacted a few days later and presented with the cheque! How awesome is that!
I really hope I get picked to have my chance at winning the $1000.00 because it just so happens that for me to register for my event, it costs exactly $1000.00 and if I get the money I will be well on my way to setting off and completing my Athletic/charity event and maybe a little piece of history!?!

:)

January was a right off, but things are getting better

It's been a while I know, I was sick most of January with the flu and was caught up again with anxiety attacks and insomnia while I was sick with the flu. I saw my doctor and he put me on meds again and after a few more weeks of coughing and sniffling I finally starting to feel better.

I got back to training, (mostly swimming) a couple of weeks ago, and am slowly building up my strength.

Good news!! Joanne finally found a job! but it will be a while before we get our feet back on the ground catching up with bills, so as it stands now I haven't entered any competitions, but I do have something in the works that will be big!! if things work out? but I can't say anything about it yet? except it will be a charity event.

This past weekend was the annual Barrie winterfest and of course I did the polar bear dip and also made the A-channel news clip.

Here is the link to my movie clip I made with my camera of my polar bear dip ....enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEqd4uQuWVU



Here is the Polar bear clip from the A-channel news that I starred in! ...

Happy New Year

A look back at my races in 2010.....May next year bring health and prosperity to all.

2010-03-28 Around the Bay 30 km Run 4:18:49.1
2010-05-16 Ironman Florida 70.3 7:27:51
2010-06-13 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Binbrook sprint 1:53:31
2010-06-19 Niagara Ultra Half Marathon 2:42:01
2010-06-26 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Welland half Iron distance 7:29:53
2010-07-10 Muncie Endurathon half Iron distance 6:50:15
2010-08-08 Barrie Sprint tri 1:16:17
2010-11-21 Ironman Arizona 15:59:45

As we are feeling the pinch with Joanne out of work still I won't be doing as many races in 2011 unless Joanne finds work in the new year, but I will try to get in at least one half ironman distance race.

As for my long awaited Ironman Arizona race report, I have decided not to write it. I did try, but felt all I was writing about were excuses in my race with "if I" or "I could haves?" but in all truth I gave the best I could for the day and was happy with finishing, I just was not happy with how my body worked for the day...But I can give a short glimpse of how my day went....

Swim...1:18:39...My swim was slow because of over crowding I picked the wrong line to swim and I swam passively sitting back so as not to be an asshole like the others who swam over me rather then pulling back as I did.

My Bike...6:42:39...The cold had a real effect on my peddling as did the high winds reported to being around 37mph rain, hail and sandstorms sometimes all at once!! which didn't result in me having slower then expected bike split as my bike split would have been better had i not stopped to help and stayed with an injured woman rider who was blown off her bike breaking a few bones I suspect? until the ambulance and paramedics came. And to the fact I was having bike seat issues with numbing of my groin so I had to take a few breaks getting off my bike, one of which to adjust my seat and another at special needs stop on my third loop getting off my bike to have a sitdown picnic while watching all the bikers I passed pass me.

My run...7:28:40... After I took my time in T2 to change and warm up and get some feeling in my groin, I ran the first 13miles at a slow pace but I was running! doing 7min run with a 3min walk all the while with my knee pain, getting a half marathon split in ruffly 3hrs, and then knowing I couldn't keep up this pace to meet my 14hr goal with my knee pain, I decided to walk the second half of the marathon, which took me aprox 4.5hrs.

The finish I ran out the last 100-300ft of the chute after pausing to take a stone out of my shoe when I could see the finish and hearing Mike Riley announcing " come on you can make it under 16hr" to which I was actually trying to drag out the time to get a closer finish to be under 16hrs. I then sprinted out the finish chute giving hi fives along to way to finish strong at 15:59:45.

Happy New Year.

IMAZ, still riding the high

BTW, I had a great time in Tempe doing Ironman Arizona, I did finish my race! so no DNF to report. lol

I've been procrastinating on writing my Race report, but I will get it done soon. I'm just basking in the glory or my race and basically been lazy to sit down an write, but truthfully have been to busy getting back into my normal routine of work and every day life's adventures and continuing on with my "less is more training" of swimming Monday, weds and Friday's so far. I haven't run but will run this Sunday for the first time since IMAZ ( which you will find out wasn't much of a run. lol) and I don't think I'll be do any riding until the new fallen snow of this winter melts away come next April, so for now it's mostly swimming with some weight training over the winter to get ready for next years tri's.

Here is a sample of one of my highlights of my time in Tempe.....

I am as ready as I'll ever be but not without a long battle

Last year at this time I was debating whether to enter Ironman Arizona for my 3rd time, the first two times, the inaugural race in 2005 and my second Ironman/06 were held in the spring(April) where I did all my training indoors and pulling of what I thought were good races with a time of 14:04 and 14:29 considering the problems I had in both cases. But as they say if it wasn't easy it wouldn't be Ironman.

Since that time I did many more triathlons from sprints to half Ironman, including my last Ironman at Lake Placid in 2008 which this blog is titled after, "my Journeys since then".

My debate was do I want to do Arizona Ironman again? with the big answer YES! I love the venue and the climate! Plus Ironman Arizona moved it's venue to November making my training easier with having all summer and fall to train outdoors as it is ment to be. At this time things were starting to go my way. I did all of the last three Ironmans being in hard times with my wife out of work each time unexpectedly. So now is the time to sign up again with my wife working full time again and with us starting to catch up with our debt. So with her job secure now, I pulled the plug and signed up for Ironman Arizona 2010.

Now my challenge was to get myself into shape. My first Ironman I got myself into shape and started the race weighing 198lbs. then the following year I let my weight slip, I gained weight up to around 240lbs but got it back down to 210 for race day in /06. From the time of Ironman Arizona /06 to Ironman lake placid I again gained weight, mostly because of life stresses with my wife being out of work again and with my foot injury with my torn PF and wasn't able to run. I only managed to maintain a weight of 240lbs for the start of IMLP. but all things considered I was happy with that result on a very tough course on a very tough rainy day.

From before and after Ironman lake placid to now, I went through some emotional tough times to, coping with alcohol and depression. I continued on with my athletics, pursuing my diving in which I entered and won my masters age group division at the Provincial championships in 2009.

After my diving endevor finished for the season, I turned back to doing triathlons and my next Ironman which will be this Sunday. But with on going stresses, I gained a lot of weight sinking into deeper depression and drinking. That is when I decided I had to stop my over indulgence before it goes spiralling out of control, but not knowing how depressed I was when I quit drinking cold turkey on Jan 18, (which I have done on many occasions before when I felt I was over indulging,) I soon had a major set back! I had bad panic attacks or anxiety attacks and insomnia, something I have never faced before. I knew my drinking was bad but didn't realized it was that bad. I also realized all I needed to do was grab a beer and I would soon be ok, but I didn't! I didn't want to give into my crutch, which I soon realized my drinking was.

After not sleeping for two day's and turning out to be a total wreck, I quickly went to see my doctor. After talking with my doctor and soon realizing what was happening to me and finding out I was covering up my depression with alcohol. The doctor helped me with my sleep deprivation and prescribed anti-depressants for me to help me out of my depression. I snapped out of my depression within months and now was able to focus on my training and races.

As I beat down my depression, I put my focus on losing weight. My start weight was 265-270lbs thanks to all the over indulgence and eating I did to satisfy my need to cover my depression. Now on the right path I slowly started to lose weight.


Then another setback, my wife gets laid off again, just as we were getting back on our feet. But with this setback I continued with my training and weight loss. I did my prepaid races over the summer, but slowly our lifestyle was losing ground with the big cut in income. I started worrying again, will I be able to go to Ironman Arizona? All I could do was stay possitive and hope for the best.

Fast forward to now, My wife is still out of work, and up until last month I was sure I wouldn't be doing Ironman Arizona, but thanks to my daughter using her credit, I secured my flight and hotel, but still had to come up with money for travel to get my bike there and other incidentals? after selling a few prized possessions I had the money, but as usual when things get good, other things happen, and I had to use my travel money to pay for that. I can't win!! Why is doing an Ironman such a struggle for me??? Oh I forgot, if it wasn't easy? it wouldn't be Ironman! lol

I managed to scrape up the bare minimum cash this week for my travel,incidentals and to get my bike to Tempe and back. (Nothing like down to the wire in will I or won't I go? NO stress here!! )

Now here it is, come this Thurs morning. I drive to Buffalo for my fight out to Tempe AZ. My weight is down, not to where I would like it? but down to about 210lbs after losing 55lbs since Jan 18. I have the fitness, I feel strong! My bike is packed in a bike box that I was able to borrow from a friend, thanks Jamie, and my travel bag is packed and I'm ready to go, to become an Ironman for the fourth time!

Wish me luck!

:)

IMAZ Update

I guess it's about time I update my blog on what is going on with IMAZ?



I AM GOING!! WOO HOO!!



I was able to book a fight and hotel cheap and with the help of my daughter and her credit card, which I will pay her back cash, and I secured my reservations. I leave for Phoenix on Nov 18th fling out of Buffalo and return on Nov 22nd the day ofter my race on Nov 21st.

Last Sunday I ran a half marathon with my wife Joanne who has been training with a half marathon clinic for the last 16 weeks, but because of our financial difficulty's she couldn't and didn't enter the Scotia Bank half marathon which was held last Sunday in Toronto, so instead her clinic instructor made a special half marathon route for her to run, Which I named the Barrie Ridge road half marathon. So on Sunday I went out with her in support running the route with her as well as documenting the faux race carrying my camera and taking pictures and video of her race. Joannes goal was to finish her race under 3 hours, and by the end of our faux race she did it! She finished in 2:49. Congrats Joanne, I knew you could do it!!

:)

IMAZ Withdrawal

Times are tough, creditors are knocking and I had to pull out of Ironman Arizona. I hated to do it, but I'm falling behind on bills so I requested to Ironman to withdraw from my Ironman Arizona race.

Joanne has been off work now for three months and times are getting tough. Sure she is getting unemployment but it doesn't cover near enough of our lifestyle. We have cut back on everything we can including food, but it's still a struggle with my visa maxed out and no extra cash, so it's a no show for me in Arizona to do my Ironman. I requested my withdrawal last night via e-mail to Ironman and hope to get my partial refund of $150.00 out of the $550.00 it cost for me to enter the event soon.

My next Ironman will have to wait another year or two when hopefully things get better and Joanne finds a decent job so we can get back on our feet and I can afford to do another Ironman race.

I did however have a good tri season with doing 3 half Ironman races as well as other races and I had a good summer of training to with my tri club friends, so all was good. Here is a list of all my races I did or planed to do this year.

2010-03-28 Around the Bay 30 km Run @4:18:49.1
2010-05-16 Ironman Florida 70.3 @7:27:51
2010-06-06 Subaru Series Milton Tri @DNS
2010-06-13 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Binbrook sprint @1:53:31
2010-06-19 Niagara Ultra Half Marathon @2:42:01
2010-06-26 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Welland half Iron distance @7:29:53
2010-07-10 Muncie Endurathon half Iron distance @6:50:15
2010-08-08 Barrie Sprint tri @1:16:17
2010-11-21 Ironman Arizona @Withdrew

Until next year I'll try to maintain my normal "less is more training" and hopefully do a couple of half Iron distance races in my area next year if I can afford to, if not maybe a few sprints in my area, and continue with some recreational diving for fun.


:)

Another Barrie tri in the...

Another Barrie triathlon in the books. Yesterday I did the Barrie Tri and did it with a personal best!

I had a good race with a PR finishing with a total time of 1:16:17... 92/255 overall22/41 in 45-54 AG.... 700m swim;11:50 1:42/100m ...20km bike:35:46 /33.6 avg ...5k Run; 28:43 5:45min/km

The morning started out overcast with threats of rain. by the time I got to the beach which is 5 mins from my house it started to rain. I set up my transition, i put my tri gear in a plastic cooler bag to keep my shoes and close from getting wet, it turned out pretty good keeping my stuff dry as the skies opened up with torrential rains. The heavy rain started during the kids of steel races and kept up all through the adults sprint race. my wave was the 6th, and with the sound of the horn away we went. I started out easy and on the outside keeping my eye on everyone on the right. as I made the first turn buoy I soon found my pacing and just turned over my strokes nice and easy. I ended up 8th fastest swim time in my AG of 41.

I ran up to T! and had a quick change. I actually had a dizzy spell as I was putting on my bike shoes, but caught myself before I fell over. ( a result of the cold water and fast swim pace)

The rain was still coming down hard. The bike course was a 4 loop course around the beach front and up around the lake heading uphill one way on a false flat and down hill back. The first loop I went hard but was also cautious around the turn around and corners. I managed to keep my pace up for the 4 loops, but not really going as hard as I could being afraid of slipping and wiping out.

When I finished my 4th loop I transitioned into T2 racking my bike and pulling off my bike shoes. I reached into my cooler bag to slip on my nice dry running shoes, the cooler bag kept every thing dry. I started out on my run and was determined to run the whole 5 k with out walking, but knew it would be hard as the running path around the lake goes up hill on a long steady grade of 2% to the top of the turnaround after the first km being flat, so I went easy, trying to get my legs and moving along at my slow pace.

To my surprise I was actually keeping up with some peeps who were ahead of me, and felt even better when I passed some peeps who had to stop and walk. But at the same time there were alot of peeps passing me.

As I came to the end of the flat section of the run, I kept on my pace pushing forward climbing upward and on. I made it to the turnaround without stopping or walking and I knew the easy part and the end was near. I started to pick up my pace as the run was easyer on the downhill, but not to over step and go to fast I kept pacing myself not to push to hard.

As I neared the flat section coming off the steady down hill I knew I had about 1 km left, I pushed my pace a little harder and I finally reach the finish line running in on a sprint making this a good run day for me finishing my race in 1:16:17 for a personal best on the Barrie Tri course.

:)

Muskoka group ride

I set up a group ride sending out invitation to friends to join me on a ride of the Muskoka 70.3 bike course, as a few on my friend doing the Muskoka 70.3 race this year have never ridden the course and wanted to see what all the hype was about? It was a perfect day for riding with sunny sky's and temps around 25C and not much wind. You couldn't ask for a better day!

We all met at the Deerhurst resort where the Muskoka 70.3 race will be held at 8am to start our bike ride from the start of the course.We had a great turn out with 12 people showing up. and we started out as I planed by 8:30.

To my surprise we had a faster then what I thought we would ride, ride. I was planning just to go easy and tour, show the course for what it is, hard! with lots of hills and steep climbs, but being what most triathletes are? (A typical personality's! lol) some pushed on faster then what I had planned, sort of testing out the waters so to speak, making me worry that the weaker riders might get left behind.

As it turned out, it all worked out in the end, because as the faster riders took off, they waited at the turns on the course or stops, letting the rest catch up. For me it was a easy ride taking pictures along the way for the first half of the ride, sitting up most of the way, but not to suggest that the course was easy for me? it wasn't, the hills took it's toll on me to, even going at a slower pace going up those steep hills was tough!!

For the others they felt the challenge of what the course will give them on race day. Everyone was happy in the end and gave a big sigh of relief at the end of the ride. Some were actually saying after in the parking lot; WTF did I get myself into? lol and realize they have some work to do.

We ended up taking 4+hours on the course but actual riding time was approx; 3:19 by my computer with an average speed of 28kph as a group! not bad for a planed touring ride. :)

After the ride some of us went into Huntsville for some food and beer and discuss the days ride.

Here is a video I made up of our ride with Video and pictures mostly taking during the first half of the ride. I had to put my camera away for the second half, the hard hilly part!!!

:)