2 weeks...

Wow, when I was looking down Sand Canyon this morning I glanced down to my HR monitor. I monitored my HR hovering just above 150 BPM (good). I was feeling like my warm up was almost half-way done, breathing through the nose. I just so happen to see my pace at a comfortable 8:40 min per mile. Now......... what! 8:40?. ok, well I was running slightly with the breeze, however, to be able to look down and see those numbers just before 8:00 this morning made me think. I feel great. My life is in totally harmony. I have a wonderful wife who loves me, a beautiful daughter growing in health daily, and I have never run this fast this early, and felt this good. I am ready.
My Ironman is coming in 2 weeks. I will soon be departing. I am very fortunate to be able to dedicate enough time to this race. My wife has hated the lasts minutes on the trainer, last, "only a one hour run honey..." and the smell of the Tiger's Balm for at least 2 life times. She has been great!. I love you sweetheart.
So I have come to terms with things in a very healthy and focused effort to acknowledge my fitness; what should ones goals be of a race of this size. How are you feeling there clou? What is realistic. Here is what is important. Enjoy life, I am healthy enough to be racing this venue. Success is finishing. Second, with out injuries. Third, one sport PR, (meaning if I PR the swim, and/or the bike, and/or the run). And finally number four, under 12 hours? Bliss. I think all are possible. But I will not try to get greedy.
I know that a healthy mind does wonders, but at least for now I can't help catching wind in the cheeks from smiling all the way down Sand Canyon this morning. More later..

Recent pic from a friend that took these in her home. Thanks Les!

Me and my princess.

on schedule....

My wife just informed me to let you all know that "if you want a life, don't have a baby."
As for me I am doing ok, just feel bad that I can't do more. But I'll pick up more slack as she ages.

Today went as scheduled; 20 mile ride, to the pool. 3050m total. FELT GREAT!
Did a stacked raise/ pyramid. 100, 200, 350, 450(paddles), 600, 500(paddles), 350, 200, 100, 200(paddles). Otherwise my times all improved my nearly 3-5 sec per 100. Important thing was I felt like the longer pieces were cake after the first 200m.

Then 20mile ride home. Wind was up so I got HAMMERED all the way back. Decided to take it down to keep the HR in zone specific. But by the time I got home, time had run out. so no tempo run.
No prob. I felt overall pretty good for where I am.

Tomorrow taking off, and moving the run to Sunday.

Quote for the day: "Love is the life of man" Emanuel Swedenborg

Well the last three days have been productive.
Tuesday I knocked out 1 1/2 hour spin on the trainer. Felt like a quick 30 minute WO. (I'll take that as a good sign) Hr was cooperative, stayed in the norm gears with good hr balance. Even added a gear towards the end with a slight increase in hr but for the most part felt a better return on how the 'bod' was acting. More relaxed I guess, could be also just totally felt warm. It has taken a while at times to warm up at times. I hear that is a good sign for all the training I have done.
Wednesday was a nice easy 5 mile jog. first 3 was pretty hard, but felt like a trot that was quite manageable when I got to my race pace of 9:45. HR again was cooperative.
Today was a spin, 20 Miles to my friends house. Hey Spence!.. then a 20 mile ride back. 2:05 total. Felt easy at the end of the 2nd half. HR was right where I want it, even a tad higher with no probs, I added a gear to see if I could post a good average. Felt strong overall.
Tomorrow is a last 40 mile bike, in-between that a 2500-2900m swim, with a small 10min tempo run.
Sat, last 10 mile trot.
Commin down to the last leg! THANK GOD!! I am getting a little tired with all of this structured crap, it would be nice to just ride to have some fun. (not paying attention to hr, speed, effort, etc) I think you get the point. I am sure my wife will agree with that one too!!
Thanks honey! ;)
More soon.

My favorite pic. less than 5 minutes after being born. My princess.

Back in action, cont.

Today: Had a decent amount of sleep, still not really feeling the ‘engine’ on all cylinders. Easy hill WO 1 hour. Nap in the early afternoon, after my ART appointment. Saddik is the shit!
Hurts like a bit*#! But really makes a difference.
PM WO 1 hour treadmill run. HR was more cooperative, felt good, took a bit to warm up, almost 25 min. Can’t figure out if I am just tapering correctly or I am still recovering from some sleep issues. Glad to know I still have 2.5 weeks and change.

Saturday and Sunday off!
Needed some rest after my 2x14 hour shifts.


Friday:
Didn’t really sleep all that well; baby stuff. Went riding for an hour to my swim WO. 20 miles. HR was slightly elevated. Swim was good, felt strong. 8x300 plus warm up and cool down. Biked back 20 miles. Was going to run but decided rest would be better.

CATCHUP!!!!

ok, so training has been going well with all regular 'hick-ups' that usually become an obstacle. Including the birth of our first child. Kayden Lois Clousing.Born 10/09/08. She was 7 pounds and around 20" in length. Kris did well and a heck of a job pushing. For a first delivery, 5 hours is pretty damn impressive. It is real a amazing thing to be apart of the 'fatherhood' clan, and have had an amazing time just watching her. Things have a new look to them, just cant figure out if they really look differently or that I simply am so tired I have forgotten what they looked like to begin with?

IM AZ is roughly 3 weeks and 3 days away. I feel ready and have been pushing myself to keep the IM pace during specific WO's without getting over eager. I keep wanting to keep my heart rate in the range, but have this enormous urge to just GO!!!! I will take that as a good sign. I ride with my buddy Matt and he and I change positions depending on what side of the hill we are on. Love going down, right on by, no effort needed. (sorry Matt) Just don't ask what my HR is compared to him on the way up! too embarrassing!

Just a little thanks to Jeff, and Matt. Both of whom have given advice that has saved not only frusteration but have given results, noticably!
Thanks guys!!

Ill be sure to keep on it!