Loco en la cabesa

I've struggled with this doubt since last Thursday. I'm not making noticeable progress swimming and have had a few great weight training workouts.

Sometimes I feel that I should go back to Bodybuilding. It's cheaper, I already know what I'm doing and see results quickly with each workout.

The other side of me asks what God wants me to learn through my struggles with swimming and trying this sport of Triathlon. How a man deals with adversity says a lot about his character and his faith in what the Lord can do through him.

I don't want to be a quitter, but if I can't swim, I can't Tri. Have I exhausted all my resources and efforts to swim....NO.

First bout with doubt

No, I'm not talking about doubt that I can finish this IronMan adventure I started 10 weeks ago.

Yesterday was the first day since I started that I really missed bodybuilding. I missed lifting, feeling a good pump in my muscles, and just the lifestyle of it. I started doubting my committment and desire to complete this IronMan journey.

This morning I was leaning towards bodybuilding and decided to walk the Alcon track for some Low Intensity Cardio, then at lunch I would lift legs. Well, I walked for 5 min or so, then just wanted to run. I ran another 2.5 miles and LOVED it.

I expected to second guess myself. Anytime you step outside your comfort zone, it's difficult and you may want to quit. I'm going to press on to see how this swimming comes along.

New Toy

Brenda got me the new Garmin Forerunner 405 for my birthday a few weeks ago. It's a watch GPS and heart rate monitor. I love it (thanks honey!) It updloads my workout info wirelessly.

Here's a few links to my recent training sessions:

Benbrook ride
Alcon 5k
Sunday Long Run 40m
Trinity River Bike Ride HOT

Weight loss...

EDIT: LADIES, PLEASE DO NOT READ OR YOU WILL HATE ME!

I used both scales at the gym today after my 5k this morning and weighed in at 209.5lbs. Now I might have been a little dehydrated from the run, but I drank well over 25oz of water during and after the run.

To put this number in perspective, last fall I was very serious with my bodybuilding and had bulked up to 242lbs and was LEAN. In less than 9 months I have lost 33lbs without dieting at all. I quit force-feeding myself meat and protein and the weight has just fallen off.

This is the first time in my life I have wanted to lose weight. I have always fought to keep weight on, to keep my hard earned muscle. It's hard to watch it melt away, but I hope it's lots of fat I'm losing.

Bottom Line:
I'm quite pleased with my physique progress thus far in my IronMan journey. I want to slowly lose weight and over the past 11 weeks I've dropped about 12lbs.

PS....Dad, please race IMFL 2009 with me! It would be an honor and privilege to go through the 16 month journey with my dad and my friend.

Swimming update

I took 5 lessons at TCU. It helped correct my body position and improved my swimming immensely, but I still have so far to go.

I ordered Total Immersion, it's a book, dvd, and drill cards to reduce drag and improve balance and comfort in the water. It's a very popular system, especially for triathletes. Like I mentioned above, I have improved, but still feel like I muscle my way through the water and am breathless at the end of 2 lengths of the pool.

Right now the first few drills are just doing a superman or just floating through the water to feel the water support you. This is quite humbling, but I am optimistic about the future results I hope to have. I don't care to get faster, I just want to be able to swim far without using much energy.

Sometimes, I suppose, you have to take a step backwards to ultimately move forward.

BRICK

Today I completed 2 different sports back to back....or what triathletes call a brick. I biked 50min (15 miles) and ran 15min immediately afterwards (1.5 miles). My transition time (time it took me to get off bike, switch shoes, and start running) was about 45 seconds.

My legs felt fine off the bike. I was even able to pull my feel out of my shoes before I stopped to make the transition quicker.

I'll probably try to add a weekly brick to my training from this point on.

Check out my training on the map: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/363162

Confidence

Many say that conquering a big feet or fear, like a marathon or climbing a mountain, can help build confidence. Anytime you step outside of your comfort zone and stretch yourself...you grow.

I've been so fortunate in my up-bringing to have parents who nurtured me and brought me up to believe I can do anything I want. I can be any profession, conquer any task, and be a success at anything. I was raised to believe I didn't have limits and am forever grateful to my folks for this.

Before the age of 30, I have already had so much success in life. I truly believe I can do all things through Christ. All my strength and ability is a gift from Him. I have and will continue to honor Him through how I use these gifts.

Learning to swim and improving my health through IronMan training is VERY difficult, but I have the confidence already....I know I can do it. I hope to inspire and encourage others and build their confidence through the process. I want people to see me doing this and be inspired to run a 5k or workout or "go for it". Whatever "it" is.

We are all capable of doing more than we think we can.

Run fat boy run

I'm now in my 10th week of training for IMFL. Well not direct training, more off season "get in shape" training. I've increased my aerobic training to over 5 hours a week now. I'm injury free and feeling good. My swimming has vastly improved, but still have a long way to go.

This post is about weight....as in body weight. I'm a lean 219 right now....down 24lbs from last winter. I haven't tried to lose weight yet, but it has happened due to not forcing myself to eat so much to maintain all the muscle. While bodybuilding over the past 12 years, I worked 24 hours a day to gain muscle and weight. It is so nice and refreshing to put the fork down when full and not force feed. I'm sure it's much healthier too. I include more fruits and veggies now, and less meat and much, much less red meat and pork.

I feel that I will race fast and reduce my chances of injuries by losing 10-30lbs. I've never dieted or tried to lose weight, so I'm not sure how this will work. I plan to continue to eat by feel and train, while my body weight changes to a natural level. If it's still too high in 4 months, I may actually cut calories on purpose. A lighter, leaner Ben is just what the doctor ordered...

Morning Training

Over the past 8 weeks I have really fallen in love with morning workouts. Here in Texas, there is a HOT 4 months of the year and how do I beat the heat? I train before work when it's in the 70's instead of after work in the 90's. Another benefit is sun exposure, the sun is not as intense at this time of day, sparing my sensitive skin from damage.

Now is getting up at 6am or earlier easy....? Now way, but you get used to it. I prepare all my clothes, etc the night before, then roll out of bed and take off. I do 90+% of my training before 8am daily....yes, even on the weekends.

I've noticed increased energy throughout the day and a sense of accomplishment by checking it off my "To Do" list so early. At my work it's a great time to network with VP's of the company...the morning workout crowd typically consists of your Type A / Go Getters.

Ok, just my plug for morning workouts. But if you find yourself too busy to train later in the day, try morning workouts and plan ahead.

Time...

I am 16 months out from my first IronMan race. It's just enough time to train smart and gradually change my body to finish the race injury free. But 16 months also seems like forever....one could easily lose motivation to train and stay focused. I have such a long way to go with swimming and total endurance. I mean, I'll be on the course for 12-14 hours, most likely.

One could get lost in a 16 month training program. In fact, most training programs for an IM race are only 30 weeks or about 7 months. This gives me 9 months to build up a cardio base, stregthen my tendons and ligaments for the intense training next year. My plan is to divide up the 16 months into different "phases". This should keep my focus and attention, while building towards to final goal.

Key Point: Take consistent, small steps.....and before I know it, I'll be on the beach in Florida on race day.

Training update

Today I went out for my morning 1 hour ride....18 miles or so. Well 15 minutes into it, I got the dreaded flat tire! I didn't have a spare tube with me, so I had to wake my lovely wife to come rescue me. Today I plan to order something to carry spare stuff with me.

This week is week 8 in my IronMan Base Phase Training.

• I've put in 38.6 hours so far.
• Last week I hit 6 hours and plan to get around 7 this week.
• Swimming is 200% better. Yesterday I had my 4th lesson and I've come so far already. I am swimming flat now, can breathe, have decent form. I just have to work on my lung capacity and my efficiency.

All and all, things look great. Sometimes I struggle with the gradual adaptation (only increasing training volume 10% max per week). I am working on resting and stretching to really recover from the training.

I'm thrilled about IronMan Florida 2009!