Game Over (Part 3: I think)

Dad calls me last week and unfortunately suffered an injury and won't be able to race this year.  I'm so sad for him and disappointed.  He was 80% ready and on track.

I originally planned to race on my own, but once he signed up I was committed to racing next to him and finishing by his side.  Over the past few months, I've wanted to quit to focus on bodybuilding, but didn't want to bail on Dad.  

Today is the last day to withdrawal from the race and get a partial refund.  I've been weighing my options going forward.  

Ironman

Good

• Awesome Race Day experience....like no other
• Admiration and respect of family/friends
• Cool accomplishment to reflect on
• Already signed up, been training 10 months

Bad

• Behind on my training
• Pain in hips, knees, IT band
• Do not enjoy biking or swimming
• Do not look forward to training each day
• Find myself skipping SBR workouts to lift
• Time consuming, especially on the weekends

I think the bottom line for me is that I should enjoy and look forward to the training and the race....and I don't.  So I don't think it makes sense to race the Ironman next month. I plan to step away from endurance racing for a few years to refocus on Bodybuilding.  

As I read through previous blog posts here and at beniger.blogspot.com it becomes clear to me that neither Triathlon or Bodybuilding are a perfect fit for me.

5 Months to Go!

Ironman Chattanooga is only 5 months away....yikes!  I've been training, but not swimming, biking, and running weekly.

Training Highlights from April

• 4/18/2015 Bike for Heroes Ride - 58 mile ride on Time Trial
• 8 mile run in San Diego

Dad is still on track with training and doing really well.

We are on track to race together.  I plan to catch up to him at some point on the bike and stay with him to the finish line.  

I'm getting very excited!

Hot Yoga?

I learned about Hot Yoga several years ago from reading Dan John's book.  I was self-aware...tight, stiff muscles needing serious attention.  The fear of sweating too much and not being able to do most poses kept me away until today.  I bought the 10 session Groupon and jumped in.

It was incredible.  I sweat 4lbs all over the place.  But I experience stress relief and deep stretching.  The heat was great to help me stretch and I didn't feel awkward with everyone else sweating too.

I think this should be a good off-season plan to improve my strength and flexibility that will hopefully keep me injury free next year.

Dad's racing??!?!?

My 62 year old father is crazy like me.....makes sense, must be where I get it.  Last night he called and was about to hit submit on his Active.com registration for Ironman Chattanooga 2015.  I mentioned it to him as a fun thing to do together, but he dismissed it as "too old" to finish.  He's not too old, I certainly believe in him and know he'll do it.

This journey keeps getting better!

2015 Ironman Chattanooga

Well I'm in.  After failing to get in for the inaugural race in 2014, I took all of 90 second to register for the 2015 race.

I haven't been swimming, biking, or running much since IM Branson 70.3 2012....so this will be a fun journey.  I can't wait!