The Dream-Day 140.7

Dream Recap:
12/11/10: While channel surfing, I stumble upon NBC's presentation of 2010 IM Kona. I'm moved beyond belief. I recall watching it years ago and seeing the Dick & Rick Hoyt story and blubbering like a baby. I ask myself whether I think I could do this.
12/31/10: Aggravate 3 herniated discs in my lower back skiing in Sun Valley, ID.
1/3/11: Consider 2011 goals, remember it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and decide I want to do something big to set an example for my children.
1/5/11: List my goals for 2011 in my iPhone. #1: Do 1/2 IM for the 3 reasons listed above.
1/11/11: Look for a race on Ironman website. Instead of registering for the 1/2 IM as planned, I stare at the full distance event in Florida for 45 minutes before saying WTF and registering (I learn fast that this is an expensive sport...only way in was to get a charity spot and pay double).
1/14/11: First of 6 private swim lessons with Joe Petrush. Best money I've ever spent.
1/14-3/29/11: Swim only and go through multiple back modalities including last chance cortisone injection that kicks in on 3/27 just days before my personal cut off of 4/1.
4/1/11: Hire Joe as my Tri coach.
4/3/11: First time I ever put on running shoes.
6/5/11: Sprint-my first Tri (Great South Bay-Long Island) 1:13:25. Place 9th in age group.
7/17/11: 1/2 IM (Musselman-Geneva, NY) 6:14:48. Major problems with food & heat. Last hr on bike & entire run was torture.
7/24/11: Get hit by car. Nobody, including the ass that pasted me, stops. Road rash central.
8/7/11: Olympic (NYC) 2:38:25. My favorite distance.
8/14/11: Injure right ankle (tendonitis) on 2 hr run in Punta Cana. Last run longer than 6 mi until IM.
9/11/11: 1/2 IM (Toughman-Westchester, NY). DNF (on purpose). Stopped after 4 miles. Hardest decision I had to make during training. Event was aptly named.
10/1/11-11/2/11: PT, accupuncture, and ART to help with various injuries (ankle, quad, and neck).
11/3/11: Leave for FL tapered and ready to do my best.
11/5/11: Dream becomes reality at 7:46pm 12:46:45.

Totals: 4/3/11-11/2/11
Swim: 115.72 miles
Bike: 3,089 miles
Run: 425.5 miles
345 hours
Gobs of money

Top 4 Take Aways
* Lived up to my commitment to never miss a workout, give it my best effort, and finish what I set out to do.
* Met and developed friendships with many other athletes that are as connected to others as much as they are dedicated to their training.
* Knowing that people care about me. The texts, emails, and FB messages blew me away.
* Heard from so many that I inspired them...The greatest gift of all.

For pics:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.163290307101068.37266.100002603002364&type=1.

For videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnsziKGNCVs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmZwhHsSA1c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoYU1IS-0G0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71sH0V5_4ts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuCbk7q7jPw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzcDecwDAKE

The Dream-Day 140.6

This has been taped to my mirror since Day 1. Thought it deserved to make the trip across the finish line with me. I did the modifications after the race.



The Dream-Day 140

Hmm, should I consider it a coincidence that the last post before IM is #140?

Several weeks ago, I rode 100 miles with new tri buddies Kasia Doherty and Joana Bekerman. During the ride, Kasia told me how she dedicates part of her races to certain people. What a great idea (that I'm copying).

So, here it is. My dedication list. Each name will be written on my forearms and my thoughts will focus on them as a tribute to their love, inspiration, and outstanding support. Couldn't have done it without them.

SWIM
Cynthia, my Controller, who's battling Cancer and is the bravest person I've ever met. 2.4 in the Gulf under the worst conditions is nothing by comparison.

BIKE
Mile 0-19       Gail, my wife.
Mile 20-39     Shane, my son.
Mile 40-59     Kendall, my daughter.
Mile 60-79     Madison, my youngest.
Mile 80-99     Mom
Mile 100-112 Dad

RUN
Mile 0-4         Phyllis, my mother-in-law.
Mile 5-9         Friends & Family.
Mile 10-14     Dominique Caramagno.
Mile 15-19     My coach, Joe Petrush.
Mile 20-24     People that inspire me.
Mile 25-26.2  People who never got the chance to dream.

The Dream-Day 139

Had my last run before leaving for FL tomorrow. A strong 3 1/2 miler around my neighborhood. Starting to think about my journey. How fast 10 months can go by. Everything that's happened to me along the way. All the great people I've met.

Came into work and the girls decorated the office and gave me a card wishing me well. I'll let the pics do the talking.

My office. My race mantra.

View from the outside of the building showing my race number.

The Dream-Day 138

Weekend wrap up edition:

Nice and easy 45 min bike ride Friday afternoon. I was delayed 10 mins because I couldn't find my sunglasses that I felt the need to put in a shoe in my closet. Am I kidding me? (more on losing my mind later). On a positive note, I dig this taper thing. Not nearly as crushed as with the long training sessions. As a result, my swimming is definitely stronger. Hate to admit it, but tonight was probably the most enjoyable swim I've had to date. It was still a difficult workout, but the fork would have to wait for another day.

Dom picked me up Saturday at 6:30am and we drove to the Heck for a 35 mile ride hoping to stay ahead of the rain and snow. The wind beat us out of bed and, judging by it greeting us with 18mph and a 30 degree wind chill factor, it apparently had a good night's sleep. Right before we started, I went to turn on my PowerTap which I left at home (starting to see a pattern?).

We took a few laps around the 3.75mi oval and then bailed for Union Ave. Great call on Dominque's part as the wind was less fierce. But, as we soon found out, nobody puts rain in the corner. With about 50 mins to go it started and quickly escalated. My Raynaud's rendered my thumbs useless and my other fingers weren't much happier. It was as if someone mashed them with a hammer.

We were almost finished (my frozen face tried hard to smile but couldn't) when I heard a sound like broken glass. I pulled over and didn't notice anything peculiar and rode the last mile to the car. After the ride, we went to Sunrise Tri to drop off my bike so TriBike could pick it up later to ship it to FL. Oh, the sound? That would be a broken spoke. Just happy it happened today. Dom treated me to a great diner breakfast. As we watched the snow come down heavily we sipped on our 2nd cup of coffee with relief that at least we didn't have to ride in that.

On the way home it hit me that I forgot to pick up my other bike at Sunrise Tri. There ya go. Scott's brain has left the building. Goodnight, folks. You've been a great crowd.

Saturday night, we had our annual Halloween party at the Kennedy's house. Their party is always off the charts. This years' theme was School Of Shock. I went as the Mdot and got plenty of stares. Translation: "WTF are you"? Given the departure of my grey matter I told them I'd have to think about it and promised to get back to them.

Today, another great swim, a quick shower, then a 2 mi run around Suffolk Co College and some trails covered with snow. Visited Cynthia (my Controller) in the hospital, watched a quarter of the Giant game and had to do my second 2 mi run before I barfed up my gall bladder.

The Dream-Day 137

I have made it quite clear how much I loathe running. It really is one of the most boring, non-pleasureable things I've ever done. Glad years 0-47 didn't involve this orthopaedically stressful snoozing activity. Still, vowing to never miss a workout, I hit the crappy weather incredibly grateful I only had two 2 1/2 mi runs.

The evening run simply sucked, but mercifully ended quickly. It was dark, raining, and cold...the trifecta of misery. Oh, and it involved running. So, I'm scratching my head in search of a word representing 4 things.

Pace was still pretty strong (for me). On both efforts, I added more hill work and averaged 8:10 (am) & 8:08 (pm).

Here are myy kicks for IM. Hideous for sure, but not nearly as fugly as the others.



The Dream-Day 136

Tuesday's runs were short (2 mi am & 2 mi pm). Felt strong and definitely held back. Short & fast is right in my wheelhouse. Good thing I've got a marathon coming up after a swim/bike "warm up" => not short.

Pace (am):
Mi 1 8:13
Mi 2 7:41

Pace (pm)
Mi 1 7:55
Mi 2 7:23

Today, back at the Heck for a 7-8 out of 10 effort. I bundled up more than I had to in order to simulate the heat that awaits. Not expecting 48 degrees with no humidity in FL.

Post training pic courtesy of timer, propped up camera on glove, and hatch. I am so ready to ditch the bike for my boards.