Race Report - 2015 Ironman 70.3 North American Pro Championship St. George

Forgive the ridiculously long delay in sharing my race report.  Truth be told, this whole journey often opens doors inside that are far easier and more comfortable when left closed.  Each time I started to write...I couldn't seem to pull it together.  Sorta like that IMLT 2014 race report; ya know...the one that didn't happen.  So here it is.  Hopefully amusing, but always sincere.

St. George is a phenomenal host.

First and foremost, I need to say that as my little family drove away from St. George, there were four huge smiles on our faces.  Those smiles wouldn't be there if it weren't for my wife, Adrianne.  She's shown support that I've never really known before.  We had a great little getaway, and although the race itself sort of laughed at me...I couldn't be happier.  Ironman St. George 70.3 is an absolute must do race. I actually think I might want to do it again.

My favorite time of day on race day.  Always beautiful.

Swim:

Goal - Under 40 minutes

PR - 38:48

Actual 38:30

The swim felt OK.  Not great, but comfortable.  I actually was in such a different place, emotionally, that I just swam. I didn't think about the bike, but really enjoyed the morning; the water; the other racers. I found that it was pretty congested and I never really did find a rhythm because I was either being passed by someone or running into someone from three waves up who was swimming perpendicular with the course.  Man...for some I think they swam 1.5 miles, not 1.2  Ultimately I did OK. When I rounded the little island and could site the finish line I went far far to the right and just cruised in knowing that I had a long day ahead.  Beautiful, crisp, and clean.  Swim done.

T1: They had a "Clean Transition" set up?  Nothing on the ground.  It was awesome!  I just put my stuff in a bag and headed off!  Probably my best transition ever.

Bike:

Goal - Don't blow up. 3:45 would be OK.  3:30 would be a good day for me.

PR - 3:28.41

Actual - 3:33.58

This was a really pretty course.  It made the suffering tolerable.  I decided that for this race I'd ride my road bike instead of my...  Wait... I rode the only bike I own: my ten year old Felt F3.  Its often a better bike than I am rider.  I put a compact up front and a 12/32 in the back for Lake Tahoe last year and knew that St. George would destroy my legs if I'd gone back to standard gearing, so I left it alone.  Mechanically, this old gal worked perfectly throughout the whole bike leg.  The big climb out of Snow Canyon was as hard as people warned me that it was going to be.  I think it started at 41 miles in.  To me it's one of those climbs that doesn't matter if it's at the beginning or the end.  It's just gonna hurt.  It wasn't as long as I though, but it was steep. That climb was the only time of the day that got pretty dark for me.  You know the dark when you say, "Why the F#@K do I do this? This is stupid."  But I bounced back and finished last 10 miles or so really strong.  I was actually really happy comin' into T2.  I knew that I did a better job with nutrition throughout the bike leg and I could feel it in my energy and attitude.  When I later discovered that I was 5 minutes off of my PR, but on a much tougher course, I was pretty happy with that.  Again...smilin'.

T2 - Clean and Simple

T2: Another clean transition.  Nothing lightening fast, but just smooth and easy.  Hit the lou on the way out which made me think I must have taken on enough fluids on the bike.  I think all is good heading out for the run.  

Run:

Goal - Don't Walk; 2:30 would even do.

PR - 2:33.15

Actual - 3:00.59

I was in great spirits coming out of T2: Cautiously optimistic.  I had just put in my best, most consistent bike performance ever.  Now I could enjoy the run. All those hours in the trails above our new Southern California home would make this course easier to bear. It wouldn't be easy, but it would be easier.  Before those thoughts could finish developing in my mind...BOOM!  STOP!  My left quad completely locked up.  I'd never ever felt even a twinge of cramps in my quads before so I had no idea what was happening.  I'd take 1 step; perfect. The next step; ouch. Next one...AHHHHHH!  DONE!  I wasn't even close to being able to walk.   I did big stretches.  BIG stretches.  Then one little baby step.  Locked up again.  I just stood there thinking, "This can't be it. Can it?  My kids and my wife are 3 miles away waiting for 'Daddy' to come by!  Really?  DNF?  I'm gonna DNF?"

After about 5 minutes of drinking, eating, stretching, praying...I could slowly walk.  10 steps, maybe 20...then stretch.  A slow walk turned into a stronger walk.  I threw in a little shuffle, then walk, then jog, then cramp.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  It was a funny game I was playing with myself.  I thought I had it sorted out about the 3 mile mark, just in time to see my boys and my wife.  They deserved to see Daddy running.  It wasn't graceful, but I was running.  4 mile mark, right turn...then UP UP UP UP!  I actually laughed out loud.  The road went up so steeply I couldn't believe it was part of the course. then I remember seeing Rachel Joyce and Miranda Carfrae from my bike. They were really suffering up this part of the run.  Oh MAN this course is for real!  I saw 150 people or so just walking ahead of me.  As the road continued its course up the hill, my quads were not happy one little bit.  I walked like an invalid for several hundred yards but finally made it to the top.  "OK Blasquez...you  did it.  Let's consider this the start of the run, OK?!?!?!?!?" I started a slow jog, just rounding a wide curve and cresting the top of the climb.  To my delight, there was an aid station at the top.  Ice, water, a sip of flat coke, then down the other side of the hill.  Yes, that's right.  Down.  The second the grade went down I felt exactly the way I did at the beginning of the run; completely locked up.  Each step I took down the hill just locked up my quad again.  I tried walking backward.  I tried walking sideways.  I even laughed to another racer (also tied in knots on the side of the road) telling him that  I was "crabby" because I was actually walking sideways like a crab.  The day pretty much stayed just like that for most of the run.  By the time I had things sorted out I was 2 hours and 15 minutes into the run with 4 miles to go.  That part was memorable.  I reminded myself to remember where I was and how fortunate I was to be doing it.  I was 4 miles away from finishing what's been a pretty tough trip.

I had struggled with 10 or so other runners for the past half hour.  Now I was running though.  I must have passed 30 people in the last half mile.  Running down the shoot I saw my kids and my wife for the 4th time throughout the day!  The clock went out the window and I ran to the edge of the mat for a couple heart felt hugs and sweaty kisses.

I have to sincerely thank ROKA wetsuits, Felt Bicycles, and Brooks Running for keeping me going.  All three products worked perfectly.  I've come to expect nothing else from each of them.  My 2015 Ironman 70.3 North American Pro Championships St. George was not fast...but I'm really, really happy...and it's in the books.  Unforgettable.

A few snapshots

Two days before we left for St. George I couldn't turn my head from one side to the other; neck & back spasms. Found a magician who did some voodoo!  I learned what "cupping" is.  Heck...I think it worked!?!?!?!?

The boys love the travel element.  Always something new.  Jeffrey (7, on the right) just asked. "Daddy....are there Ironmans in France?  I want to go! 

Jeffrey and Michael happy to finally be in Utah!

Left to Right: Brad Stegge (MaccaX) 6:31
Bryan McNabb 5:33
Jeff Geiskopf 5:37
Glen McCauley 6:12
Ryan Borrowman (MaccaX) 5:31
Andy Blasquez (MaccaX) 7:23

Mommy takin' great care of the boys!  I love you babe!

Sorry it wasn't Tahoe buddy.  We'll finish that one some day.

Ready to run! 1st Ironkids Run

Great job Boys!

All this is the reward.

Beautiful morning, and well organized. The moon made the morning really beautiful.

Let's go cousin.

you too, Tim Pickering.  Keep up the great work, mate!

Well earned chill time.  Mom and Dad resting...kids...have at the XBox!

Thanks to the MaccaX team.  Couldn't do it without you! Definitely more to come.

Hugs.

A

There's no such thing as Race Nutrition: Beginning Triathlon Tips

As a beginner triathlete, it took me a long time to learn this one:

There is no magical sports supplement, gel, sports drink, or pill that works on race day. Nothing you find in your SWAG bag is the answer.  There is simply nutrition that works, and nutrition that doesn't, and nobody can figure that out for you...but you.

If you're training and racing regularly, daily nutrition and sports nutrition become one.  If you're training 3 or more times per week, you should be...

• ...fueling your body with whatever it's going to need for optimal performance
• ...fueling your body with whatever it needs while performing
• ...fueling your body with whatever it needs to recover
• Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Note the ever present box of coconut water in my hand.

My long, yet unsuccessful history of involvement in endurance sports has been decorated, not with trophies and medals, but with glaring weaknesses, mistakes, and unnecessary suffering. However, since my involvement with the MaccaX group, and Chris McCormack's extended family of coaches, trainers, and mentors, every previous weaknesses is being turned into a strength.  Nutrition is no exception.  

Nutrition has always been a huge area of concern for me.  In fact, the 'concern' itself was undermining my GI system, preventing my body from getting what it needed...when it needed it.  Now, with ample help and guidance of Ben Greenfield and Rich Roll's program on MindBodyGreen.Com I'm completely dialed in. My day to day nutrition and my performance nutrition have become one.  I am truly an expert in what my body needs in order to perform optimally.  I don't mean sometimes, or pretty often, or this week, or over my last few rides.  I mean ALWAYS.  I mean, if it's a 45 minute run or a 6 hour bike session, my nutrition is nailed.  I know WHAT to take in, HOW MUCH to take in, WHEN to take take it in, and even IF I need to take in anything during my race or training session. 

And how do I feel about that?

I am Spartacus!

I've come to learn that for almost any weakness or misstep, the solution tends to be a simple one. Sports nutrition is no exception to that.  Now, don't let the word "simple" be confused with "easy."  Heck, winning Kona is simple. You just have to go faster than everyone else, right? That's pretty simple! Anyone who's tried it, however, will tell you it's not easy.  Now, although the solution to our sports nutrition problem is actually a simple one, the challenge in solving it is typically a mental/emotional one rather than a physical/nutritional one. If we don't have it worked out already, many of us blur the line between food as nutrition and food as fuel. In fact, many of us still see food as entertainment. If you're going to be your very best, you've got to buy into that.

We have to change our view of what food actually is! If we're going to race, food is fuel.  It's not called "fun." It's called food; it's fuel. It has a purpose. That's where the mental/emotional part becomes so hard.
Q: So you mean, if I'm going to be my absolute best, I can't be drinking booze and eating socially, with friends? 
A: How would I know!  I'm not you! Maybe nachos and Corona's work great for you.  However, I'm virtually certain that Krispy Kreme Donuts and Kettle One aren't ideal fuels to aid in preparation, performance, and recovery.  

How did it work for me, after all these years?  Ask yourself the following four questions:

1. Do I actually need to take in fuel (nutrition and/or hydration) during this training session or race?
2. What kind of fuels do I need? 
3. How much fuel to I need?
4. When should I take these fuels?
• Before your event
• During your event
• After your event

How do I know what to eat and drink during a race or training session?

1. Identify one nutritional elements that you know your body needs in order to perform optimally.
2. Isolate the single element you are going to focus on, then determine what works for you.
3. Lock that element down; it's fixed!  It's dialed!
4. Move on to another element: Electrolytes, calories, salt, etc. and repeat the process.

Example:

1. How much water should I drink? 
2. Test it during training: Try 1/4 of a bottle of water every 15 minutes. Whatever you're trying, be consistent. While drinking 1/4 of a bottle of water every 15 minutes...do you have to pee, or are you dehydrated?  Now adjust your intake as needed.
3. On your next session, don't change your intake of water.
4. Do you need more electrolytes? Start the process over with your focus on electrolytes. 

Here's what works for me:

• 60 minutes or less: In my experience, if my session or race is going to be 60 minutes or less, I don't actually need any fuel during my race or session.  Fuel up before. Recover afterward. 
• 60-90 minutes: I find that regardless of temperature, anything beyond 60 minutes requires hydration during my sessions.  Water or Coconut water is the only thing that works for me.  Gatorade, Powerade, etc. might as well be Kryptonite. It ties up my gut, spikes my glucose, and leads to me bonking shortly afterward.  My body can process enough 'sports drink' to keep me from bonking, leaving me completely bloated and often in pain.
• At the 2 Hour mark: I know that if I'm not taking in calories during my session, I will bonk at the 1:45 to 2 hr. mark.  Knowing that, I tend to start taking on easy-to-digest calories at the 60 minute mark, alternating water and coconut water with that, as needed.
• Anything over 2 hours is a long session for me: If I know I'm going out for more than 2 hours, I tend to keep my hydration consistent throughout, as noted above. I tend to start eating dates at about 60 minutes (maybe 2 dates every 30 minutes) and at the 2 hour mark I add roasted/salted almonds as well.  I appreciate that roasted almonds are not a healthy as raw, but the salt seems to help.  
• Hours three, four, and beyond might look like this.
• 3:00 - Water
• 3:15 - Coconut Water
• 3:30 - Water & Two Dates and 4 or 6 almonds
• 3:45 - Coconut Water
• 4:00 - Water & Two Dates and 4 to 6 almonds
• ...continue

I've yet to finish a session or event that was so long that I was  left feeling flat, dehydrated, out of gas, or anything but well.  I have certainly been on 3 and 4 hour rides when my legs have been shattered, but I know that's because I'm pushing myself, not because my nutrition is off. 

I'm workin' on that one now.  One victory at a time!

Hugs

Andy Blasquez

 

I'd love to have you follow me on my journey to Ironman Lake Tahoe 2014

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Triathlon Training With Purpose: Stop exercising and start training!

~By Andy Blasquez

You may be asking, "What's the difference between Exercise and Training?" Well, my lack of understanding of these two terms is yet another in a long line of wrongs that I've had to right on my journey toward my first "Full"...                              

...Ironman Lake Tahoe 2014. 

Once I put my first full Ironman distance race on the calendar, I absolutely had to get serious.  I had to get real with myself.  It's kinda funny really...within this quirky little community...athletes often tweet or post the following phrase: "S*** just got REAL!"  as soon as that registration confirmation e-mail comes through. That post is typically closely followed by nausea and a bit of a lump in the throat. So, as soon as I received my confirmation of registration e-mail I knew that my training and the results of my training needed to improve dramatically.  I knew that if I was going to finish my first Ironman Triathlon, especially this Ironman Triathlon...I would have to stop dreaming and start doing.

At this point, the training schedule becomes crucial. It's easy to say, "I'm gonna do this! I'm gonna do that!" But when you document it; when you hold yourself accountable...Yes, the S*** does get very, very real.

Every session needs to have a specific purpose.  There's no more time to 'go for a ride' or 'head to the gym'. Unless you've got endless time at your disposal, each and every training session must have a clear, strategic, and specific purpose. Are you going for an LSD Run (Long Slow Distance) or looking to improve your body's ability to Flush Lactic Acid? Is tonight's goal to Increase Strength or Improve the Back End of the swim, bike, or run? Will you focus on Increasing Power or do a Negative Split session? Active Recovery? Hip and Leg function?  A Benchmark Test? The list goes on and on.

Personally, I'm still very much a rookie!  My training goal is simple: 

• To create a routine...
• that I can stick to...
• that focuses on my weakest elements (of triathlon and fitness)...
• without leaving me injured... 
• and doesn't make my life a part of triathlon, but leaves triathlon where it needs to be for me...a part of my life.

There are many, MANY pitfalls associated with social media.  However, when used effectively, the internet and social media can...and does...improve our lives. I'm a strong advocate for associating yourself with a group of people you enjoy...AND...people you respect and admire.  Posting your sessions in an arena where your mentors can give you praise and constructive criticism is a really effective way of upping your game.  Think about it!  Weight Watchers is all about that.  Getting together and keeping each other motivated and accountable.  Improving your athletic performance works just the same way.  Post your sessions. Show your peers and mentors what you're doing. The data doesn't lie, and they can provide guidance and inspiration along the way.

What did I do, and why did I do it?

Now it's time for me to toe-the-line.The first thing I want to note about my last few weeks is the sad volume of training I've completed. About 5 1/2 hours per week. See!  This is what happens when you get 'real' with documenting

your sessions.  The truth comes out!  10-12 hours per week is what its going to take to get this done.  I'm barely half way there.  We'll see how things go from this time forward..  It's sad, but it's true, and I'm putting it out there. No room to hide!

Week of February 9 ~ 5 hours 45 minutes:

Swim: 0 Minutes:

• At this point, I'm comfortable with my swim.  I'm not fast, but I'm not fast at anything.  I'm comfortable swimming a mile SCY (Short Course Yards) in under 30 minutes.  I figures that puts me at 35 minutes or so for a 70.3.  I'm OK with that.  BUT...I needed a bike trainer, so I put my payment into my Cyclops Fluid 2. I LOVE it.  Quiet, stable, easy to use and put away, and ultimately effective. I head back to the pool this month. Looking forward to the Zen that the pool brings.

Bike: 270 Minutes:

• Schedule only allowed me to ride at night this week, so there it is.  Trainer sessions: 
• 120 min. Zone 2 session to build the aerobic engine.
• 60 min. session is called "The Classic" and is part of the MaccaX program, which I use virtually exclusively.  This session is designed to help keep your output consistent as you hit the back end of the bike leg.
• 90 min. Hill Repeats. Designed to increase climbing strength.

Run: 75 Minutes.

• Severe Plantar Fasciosis pain. 
• 60 min. Treadmill session at LSD pace to see if I'm recoverying
• 15 minute session to video record my gait, to send it over to James Dunne at Kinetic Revolution for analysis. I've never been coached by a run coach.  It shows in every step I take.

Week of February 16 ~ 5 hours 30 minutes:

Swim: 0

Bike: 330 minutes

• 120 min. Zone 2 session to build the aerobic engine.
• 180 min. Zone 2 session to start understanding my nutrition and lactose levels beyond the 2 hour mark.
• 30 min. attempt at "The Wolf", another MaccaX session that not only laughed at me, but was interrupted by 'the real world'.

Run: 0

• Orthopedic specialist who did my Achilles replacement a few years back gave me a cortisone shot
• No running for another two weeks at least.

Week of February 23 ~ 5 hours 15 minutes

Swim: 0

Bike: 315 minutes

• 120 min. Zone 2 for 1st 40. Then, 2 minutes at Z5 with 8 minutes at Z3. Repeat every 10 minutes through the 120 minute mark. This helps my body learn to flush lactic acid while still performing, rather than recovering.  In a race, I may unintentionally get above where I want to be with regard to heart rate and/or perceived exertion.  This session helps me get my body back under control while staying at more or less race pace.
• 90 Minutes Outdoors!  Happy to finally get outside. Hill Repeats. Seated at a high cadence - 95-100.  I tend to really fall off in cadence as the ride goes on.  I wanted to put in 10 5 minute climbs without dropping my cadence.
• 105 min.  "Stackers", another MaccaX session designed specifically to improve strength & power.

Run: 0

Not pretty.  Nope!  Not proud either, but it is what it is.  I can't let my self get be down about it. That's all the time I had in the schedule.  Sure...I can be upset, disappointed, or aggravated, but as cliche as it sounds, those feelings don't help.  The training hours aren't enough. They were, however, well executed, and on purpose.  This in great thanks to Chris McCormack's MaccaX program, and the MX12 VIP group on Facebook. There were no wasted moments in my weeks or in my training. My sessions were strategic and effective, and I can't really ask for more than that.

If you're going to be the very best "You," that you can be, then stop exercising and start training.  Give yourself ample warm up and cool down time.  Make sure you're nailing your nutrition; not just for today's session but proactively, getting ready for whatever tomorrow brings.  Once you make that change in mindset, then, make every session count.  Find your weaknesses and go after 'em!  Target them specifically and train on purpose! 

Hugs,

Andy Blasquez

"I'm Here To Win": The Book That Gave Me Hope

For me, here's where it truly started.  Finally, I believed I could do it!

Dedicated to the friends and family of JJ Gabellini.

Your candle burned out, but your light still shines.

~ By Andy Blasquez

The book that made me believe.
A MUST READ for any Triathlete

After years of dreaming, and quite frankly kidding myself, that I was going to do 'The Ironman', something finally clicked. A switch was flipped in my head; in my gut, that made me honestly believe that I could do it.  The catalyst? I read a book; a phenomenal book.  This wasn't long ago. In fact, it was only back in October of 2012.  The vivid descriptions of the efforts, the struggles, the doubts, and ultimately the successes that Chris "Macca" McCormack experienced flipped that switch in me.  It gave me hope. I'm sincerely, forever indebted.

After years of struggling with poor results in various mountainbike races, half marathons, gran fondos, and even just organized morning rides, Macca's I'm Here To Win shone a bright light on the self defeating mindset that I owned for so long.  I don't know where it came from, but I owned it, and it was in deep.  In addition to shining a light on that mindset, the book helped me see how little I actually knew about the human body; my body.  Why was I untouchable on some days, and worthless on others?  Why could I crush 'em in the wind and rain, the suffer at the back of the pack on other picture-perfect days? Finally, and to me most importantly, I'm Here To Win candidly and openly shared how this man did something that the greatest experts and scientists in the sports arena said was physiologically impossible. Chris "Too big to win in Kona" McCormack won in Kona. In fact...he did it twice!  If Macca could prove science wrong, then maybe I could prove myself wrong. Maybe I could become and Ironman; something I'd dreamed about with, tears of hope, for over 30 years.

One night, after listening to the book on the trainer at the gym, I felt so moved and compelled to express my gratitude to Macca that I sat down at my laptop and poked around on the internet until I found out how to reach him.  Ultimately, I found MaccaX.com. I drafted an e-mail to whomever was going to receive it.  It wasn't so much that I needed him to know how much he'd helped me, but I needed to distill my thoughts through writing, and to send my gratitude, even if he'd probably never see it. To my surprise, it wasn't a day later when I received an e-mail from Chris himself.  I was in shock, sitting at the computer with what had to be a ridiculous look on my face.  This guy; this icon, wrote back....to me?  He was incredibly kind and supportive, offering me an opportunity to join a group of like minded folks that he'd drawn together online.  I quietly asked to be admitted and was immediately welcomed by the most amazing group of people I've ever known.  Ask...anything...about anything...anytime...from anywhere in the world...and you'll have answers absolutely immediately.  Better still, you'll have the right answer; several right answers.  Which one applies to you, you'll have to figure out on your own.

Jumping in with both feet

As part of this group, I received access to 15 phenomenal sessions; real session, that a guy I completely trusted and admired used to knock down walls, and to crush the competition and his nay-sayers.   Now I'd seen dozens of videos, YouTube channels, DVDs, and websites telling me how I can become a better triathlete.  NONE of 'em helped.  Maybe it was all me...but they were all virtually worthless.  Macca's MaccaX program is different.  Not only does he make suggestions for what to do, but he tells why as well.  He tells you how to do it, and what it will do for you.  Even though the level of performance of the athletes in the group vary tremendously, the sessions all came with .pdf  files that outlined each of the 15 session as they applied to a beginner, an intermediate, and/or an expert triathlete.  For me, they were and are both timeless...and priceless.  They're their for the whole journey and beyond.

Now, for the first time in my entire life, I was at peace with my goals and with my path toward Ironman.  I did a few key sessions and felt so damn good about 'em that I immediately entered the San Jose Rock & Roll half-marathon.  I ran exactly 4 times, then completed my 13.1 mile race.  No, not a recommended plan of attack, but I smiled the whole time!  I finished that day with a very slow 2:13.  Aching, but the aches went away.  The smile still hasn't.

On the drive home, I rang my brother Tim and shared how the day went.  We roadraced motorcycles together for years, and we're truly the best of friends.  He reminded me of a phrase that we used to inspire each other before we went out on the track.  "Always ride over your head!"  It may sound irresponsible, but we both learned early that our abilities are far above our belief in ourselves.  So, with aching muscles, I went home and registered for Ironman California 70.3. It was scheduled for March 31st, 2013.  This was, well and truly, over my head. The event was virtually sold out, so I cut the sizable check to cover the Ironman Foundation entry fee.  I simply didn't care.  I was going to take the next step; the next leap.  I wasted too much time; too many years; decades...doing the wrong things.  Thanks to Macca and the support of his band of experts and age groupers, I thought to myself, "I'm going for it...now."

I spent nights in the pool; cold nights.  I remember it being 29 degrees one night when I got out of the pool at 10:30 PM.  I put in some long days on the bike; long for me.  100k here, 50 miles there.  95 miles and nearly 9,000ft one day, and loved it all.  I ran 10k, 3 nights each week for a couple of months.  I did hill repeats (which I'm still horrible at).  I learned about race nutrition.  I found some great podcasts and other great contacts and resources, like Rich Roll, and Ben Greenfield. All of this was new.  All of it was right.

Depending on friends, near and far, for support

After recruiting the support of my good friend Jon (left: a very strong cyclist) to help me grind through some of my longer rides, I felt that I was ready for Oceanside.  Really, seriously...I pretty much had no business going, but "Always ride over your head!" was still ringing out!  I was on the right path, but certainly didn't have the base built yet.  I was still very new, and very naive.  It's not like I was hopping over to the next town for a weekend sprint triathlon.  I was driving 400 plus miles with my family in tow.  Hotels, restaurants, family outings, and I was going to be in the same race as Andy Potts, Frederik Van Lierde, and Luke McKenzie, Miranda Carfre?  What the hell was I thinking?  Or, as my middle school students might text, "WTF Mr. B?"  (Full Race Report Here) 

Remembering to enjoy the journey

What do I hope you take away from this blog post?  I can't tell you how much "belief" and "commitment" play in this game.  Macca gave me the belief. Registration...yes, registration gave me the commitment to see it through.  There's a great gal in our MaccaX group (there are countless great folks in our group) who summarizes the idea of commitment perfectly with four simple words.  Evelyn aka "Cheeks" (ya gotta be part of the crew to know that one) simply says this after she resisters and picks up her race packet: "Shit just got real!"  That's exactly what I was feeling when I registered for Oceanside.  I printed my receipt, and sort of went numb.  I vividly remember the next day, picking my son Jeffrey up from Kindergarten and this emotion came over me like I was hit by a bus, "Oh my God.  What have I done?"   Yep, 'things' in deed just got real.
My diet changed IMMEDIATELY.  There came this feeling of finality.  Along with my registration came this palpable emotion and idea that literally anything I did that was out of line with my training would rear it's ugly head on race day.  THAT is a truth that you cannot escape from in the world of middle and long distance triathlon.  If you stray, not only does your body know, but more importantly, your mind does, and I promise that doubt can be the devil in this sport.

Let me end this post with these two simple ideas:

• Believe in yourself.  Go onto YouTube and watch the stories of Ironman racers, champions, and finishers.  See who does it.  See what folks have overcome. Believe that you can do it!  
• Next, commit to it!  Find an event, and if you're a little warped (and you must be if you're interested in triathlon enough to read this blog) find an event that is well over your head and get registered. Go for it.

Go for it...now.

Hugs

Andy Blasquez

I'd love to have you follow me on my journey to Ironman Lake Tahoe 2014

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter