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Should I pack a poncho?

My Mama Says...

My Mom recently said to me that of all the people she knows, if ANYONE can do an Ironman, it is me.

Mothers can be very comforting.

What is not comforting about my Mother, I know how many triathletes she knows.

Sweatin To The Oldies

On a run, if I think of sweat as a weakness, a virus, leaving my body, I find that I will feel more tough than tired.

Pros vs. Joes

One of the biggest differences between traditional sports and triathlon is that on game day you actually compete with the pros - Preston vs. Multiple Ironman World Champions. I actually have a chance to win the race on Saturday, which is probably remarkably better odds than me winning the Super Bowl. Though, both of those odds would involve about as many digits as the number pi. 

While I am not anymore star struck than the average person would be when I mention the name Tim DeBoom, this weekend I will be racing against a 2x Ironman World Champion. Also, the women's side has 2x Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington. She is like the female Usain Bolt.

Cool Bands Not on Guitar Hero, My Iliotibial

I was given this crazy system of tubing and portable cooler that pumps cool water to a pack after I had knee surgery a while back. I brought it out of the closet and put it to work on the IT band. Not sure if it works or not, but it does makes me look like half man-half machine, and I like that.

Kansas 70.3

Next weekend, I am driving to Kansas to do the Ironman 70.3. I have done this distance only one other time, last October. I remember being nervous about the distance. While I wouldn't call it a warm up, let's just say I am excited. I haven't done a race since February. I can't wait.

A Side Note: The YouTube video 3 brothers has over 300 views. Just to clarify, that is about 292 more than I thought it would have.

***HIDDEN*** The Leg!!! 4-11-10

My Guts

I think it is important to note, I often look at myself and my body and think I don't look strong enough and wonder just how my body could be able to do the things, the distances, that I describe to someone when talking to them for the first time about the Ironman.

So far, everyone seems impressed that I would sign up. It is open registration, anyone can sign up - for the beating of a lifetime.

My fear and excitement is that soon, we will know just what I can do.

Lazarus

I lost a valuable training friend on this journey of mine... but gained two new ones. Thanks Mothar.

Bye Bye BBall

In the final weeks before a race, you really put a premium on your health and wellness. As such, I have given up pick-up basketball. It is a lot of fun, but it is also the one sport that I have visited the emergency room after playing. A couple years ago, I caught an elbow right below the eye and had to have stitches to sew up my face. I remembered this yesterday, as I delivered the elbow.

I boxed this guy out, who was trying to big body me up down low, and he came around after I went up for the rebound and his nose met my elbow. His nose was bleeding. I had not Kobe-bowed him and I didn't break his nose, but I was glad it wasn't my nose.

Tennis anyone?

A First

So, after you consider all of the bike rides and triathlons I have done, you might find it difficult to believe that this weekend I changed a bicycle tire for the first time ever. The back tire on my spacebike has been flat for about a month after a ride around Houston busted it up.

Good as new.

BUYARACK of ALBAMA shirts

If you don't know, I am raising money for my brother Alan. We have a YouTube video and a fake email scam we forwarded, hopefully, both circulating around on the internet.

Did someone say t-shirt fundraiser?

Biking Nowhere

Eventually, training will "create" extra hours during the day. Today, 4:30 a.m. wake up call. On the bike from 5-7 a.m., then a 30 minute light swim. It makes you start to think the sun has bankers' hours.

The real challenge? Trying to take a picture of myself on the stationary bike. I thought my "dashboard" shot would be best. Skillfully achieved by placing my phone in my mouth and pressing the photo button with my teeth.

Did I get bored? No. Why do you ask?

DJ Merman

My wife gave me an amazing present. Basically, technology has made her once just a dream come true - swimming while listening to music. Thank you Speedo Aquabeat. How I don't get electrocuted, I do not know. I don't listen to music when I run, mainly because I like to try and take in the sounds around me, and to try and not get murdered by cars. However, swimming for any long periods of time is like being trapped in an aquarium. The drum of water rushing in and out of your ears is mind numbing. Removed from the threat of being run over by a semi and eaten by a shark, I can now listen to everyone's favorite hit songs from both the Rocky and Karate Kid soundtracks and all the old Nintendo classic theme tunes like from Mega Man and Castlevania.

Those songs are on everyone's iPod right?

Doctor's Appointment

One thing that has been confirmed is that things are in motion, even if I am not. I love big events, and I'm not just talking about races. With it comes a date that people know about and plan around and at that time and place, things come together. They have to, because of the event. It can go well or poorly, but the event happens. July 26 is coming.

Here is a list of recent happenings:

My left knee has been being weird. I had a doctor's appointment this morning. Diagnosis: inflamed IT (Iliotibial) band. It is typically called "runner's knee," that goes well with "golf elbow" I hear. The good thing is, I am not broken and can now work toward healing it.

I feared/nervously welcomed the idea of my doc looking at my knee, shaking his head, saying there was no way he would advise a normal human to continue to train and participate in such an event. And, I defiantly crawling to the Ironman finish. I am glad I don't have to entertain that scenario any longer. 

One of my doctors (they know me well there) said she thought she had seen me running around the Bayou. Houston is large, I run a lot, but it is just encouraging to know when someone notices.

3 brothers has been viewed almost 200 times on YouTube. (We are coming for you 'Chocolate Rain' and your 37,281,636 views.) Thank you to everyone who has passed the link along, posted the link on blogs, and especially to everyone who has donated.

My brother, Alan, left for Africa yesterday. His initial trip is about 3 months and will still be in Africa during the Ironman in late July. I think it would be funny if I run the Ironman holding a picture of him. Though, that is a little dark because he is not dead. Also, I was thinking the picture would be like an 8 x 10.

I received an email yesterday from a writer wanting to do an article for Ironmanlive.com that highlights athletes who are making Ironman, which is generally a solo sport/effort, a family affair via racing and/or fundraising together through the Janus Charity Challenge. Because of my brother being a source of motivation for the fundraising, they were going to try and do an interview. Pretty cool.