tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62503952009-02-21T00:55:06.530-08:00Getting a Life: "From Couch to Competition"Stories of lifestyle transformation, news, tips, information and general chatter about fitness as a door to genuine wholeness. [Go to beginning of archives to trace this story from the beginning.]Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1104447544821144512004-12-30T14:40:00.000-08:002004-12-30T15:10:37.940-08:00The First Triathlon season was over a while back. Actually took a first and a second in my age group (not much competition for "old guys" - but it felt great. I was blown away by the experience of cycling. Did a day of the RAGBRAI (Ride Across Iowa) and four other organized rides. Awesome - I love it! For a while I thought I might actually become a serious cyclist and give up triathlon. However..Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1103757847544703332004-12-22T15:14:00.000-08:002004-12-22T15:27:24.953-08:00Where have I been? Well - way too darned busy. The good news is that I've managed to hang on to basic workout routines while going through lots of job stuff. Main thing is that I finished two triathlopns, fell in love with cycling and spent most of the end of the season doing organized bike rides. Another birthday has rolled around and life getts better... the last two years have been an amazing Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1093526778458644972004-08-26T06:15:00.000-07:002004-08-26T06:33:05.590-07:00The Season is Alomost Over! Going to a century bike ride this weekend with Psycho Bike Club in Illinois. Then it's another sprint triathlon in Hudson, WI to finish this first year. What a blast it has been. Now it will be time to plan for next season. A Great Find! I found a new web site that really hit home. If you are a Master's category athlete or wannabe - it's for 40+ athletes. (40+ is Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1090371588906837012004-07-20T17:59:00.000-07:002004-07-20T17:59:48.906-07:00beginnertriathlete.com - Triathlon training for beginners This is where you go to discover a great community dedicated to helping the average Joe or Mary get into a great lifestyle. Check it out and get yourself an account - it's worth the trip!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1090371238517095042004-07-20T17:31:00.000-07:002004-07-20T17:53:58.516-07:00 My Super Motivator! "Go Dad!"    My Other Super Motivator! Yikes! Chapter Two The first part of the journey to fitness is over and now chapter two begins.  I've completed two sprint triathlons and it has been absolutely wonderful to get to this point. Work - but wonderful. Working with Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1085849798961877892004-05-29T09:54:00.000-07:002004-05-29T09:58:12.600-07:00My first tri is one week away! Yeah! Yikes! The psych part of the preparation is as big as the physical. It is a rainy, nasty, windy day today and Janell asked if they cancel these for bad weather. "Rain or shine we go!" I told her. So it seemed good to get on the bike and go for a ride - haven't done a "nasty day" ride 'til now. The rain stopped, but the road was wet and the wind was pretty Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1085591243289742622004-05-26T10:02:00.000-07:002004-05-26T10:07:23.290-07:00The gremlins and psych demons are trying to sabotage my program:) My swim, bike, and run are being dogged by my knee, back, and heel. BUT - we press on. Less than two weeks to go and the BIG GOAL is to finish a triathlon! Really. My type A guy is fussing about that - trying to suck me into worrying about times and all that. I'm just happy that last night's 3.3 mile run went well without any Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1084845479134671132004-05-17T18:53:00.000-07:002004-05-17T18:57:59.133-07:00Just Under Three Weeks To Go! Yikes - the swim isn't quite there and I'm dealing with old back issues. But - we stay at it! Met with Carrie and family at the Pigman Tri site for a workout. It was a great day and I am really beginning to look forward to, dread, and anticipate this first triathlon! Somewhere inside I hear a voice saying, "Act your age." that is get a rocking chair, retire and waitJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1083203034316385092004-04-28T18:43:00.000-07:002004-04-28T18:48:10.420-07:00  April, 28, 2004 - More on running:  3.2 miles again today - awesome run on Heritage trail. It was 83 degrees and winds are high (gusting to 50) - but it is gorgeous. Here are some things that came home today: Did not wear my watch or heart rate monitor. Did not want to push time or worry about anything but enjoying the run. Time was actually improving in all likelihood and the Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1082835559465092192004-04-24T12:39:00.000-07:002004-04-24T16:47:46.030-07:00 Can't Be Me - Can It?  April, 24, 2004  Geez... this guy on the left can't be me can it?  A gift from my darling wife who swears it's a spittin' image! Some Lessons on running:  Today's run was great - 3.2 miles time was a bit under 11min miles, but time is not the issue right now. Years ago when I did regular running, I was out with back injury twice - here are some really important Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1082338806097249602004-04-18T18:40:00.000-07:002004-04-18T18:44:08.326-07:00 New duds! Sure Fire Blah fighter!  April 12 - 15  was an enforced recovery time.   Work was one of those day and night things so training was out for three days. Back to it Friday right?  Nope - it was a busy day - but not that busy. So...whazzup? I could see a case of the "blahs" trying to get a foothold.  That's scary stuff for me. I know that the guy who used to live in me - the Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1082250828899499422004-04-17T18:13:00.000-07:002004-04-17T18:26:45.216-07:00 Xterra Vortex Wetsuit Now I Won't Drown Ay?     April, 12, 2004  After trying an Xterra Ventilator which was a tad small, decided to upgrade and get this suit. Fits great and can't wait to try it out. Swimming will be my weakest event - but looking at this triathlon thing as a long term venture, this year is a learning season.  Sticking with the basic Total Immersion method and trying to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1081298828629012372004-04-06T17:47:00.000-07:002004-04-06T17:50:54.250-07:00It's April 6th - two months to go! First event is the Pigman Sprint Tri on June 6th. Learning something everyday about at least one of the sports. I'm still very new on a road bike and fortunately there is a great place near our home to get some miles on the bike. Two key lessons riding the past couple of days. [1] Don't turn in sand or loose gravel - much wobbling, but managed to avoid my Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1080681695522624902004-03-30T13:21:00.000-08:002004-03-30T13:25:11.623-08:00Got to catch up - been away too long. Taining is coming along nicely. The distances are all within reach on the sprint tri coming up June 6th. key isue has been keeping the discipline. You know you are on track when you get "edgy" whenever you have to miss workout days. New tule - when traveling, never stay at a place without a fitness center. Spent a few days in Phoenix at South Pointe MountainJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1078625280644280272004-03-06T18:08:00.000-08:002004-03-06T18:11:04.326-08:00 Off the trainer and outside at last. YEAH!  It is still cold in Iowa! But - just had to get off the trainer and out onto the road with this new bike. So far I've avoided the old "timberrr!" off the bike when you forget that you are hooked to the bike with clipless pedals. Took a short 11 mile ride in the 43 degree 25 mph wind - but this is sweet. Three sports is better than one! The Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1076730550017608472004-02-13T19:49:00.000-08:002004-02-13T19:51:42.996-08:00 Total Immersion swimming is Awesome!  The workshop in Chicago on Feb. 7-8 was amazing in that 16 who came to learn went home with amazing progress. Here's a bit of a review especially geared to triathletes or triathlete "gonnabes." Here's a brief summary of why I think almost anyone and most certainly beginners would benefit from a TI workshop. (The cost of the workshop is way Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1075516660166978382004-01-30T18:37:00.000-08:002004-01-30T18:42:01.170-08:00 Finally Here and Set Up!  Boy it was good to get this thing home all set up and in the trainer. (Now I wistfully look out at that -30 below wind chill in central Iowa as I spin away. Couple of important notes about set up. [1] Get someone who knows what they are doing, seat height, position back and forth, up and down are crucial. Also the precise position of the pedal at the bottom of Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1074713499413100512004-01-21T11:31:00.000-08:002004-01-21T11:33:40.483-08:00 It's Here!  It has been 25 - 30 years since I had a decent bike - and not this decent. The technology has really changed. This didn't come with any "how to" papers. I guess they figure by the time you buy a bike like this you know what you are doing. (I don't!)  Fortunately, I have a good friend who knows all about this stuff. Tonight we go to his house and get it set up. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1074312660841824072004-01-16T20:11:00.000-08:002004-01-16T20:12:55.826-08:00 Swimming!  It's been lots of years since I was in the water in any serious kind of way. Did lots of water skiing, recreational swimming and am pretty comfortable in the water, But I never did have a decent freestyle form or get the breathing right. Time to get serious - Just signed up for the Total Immersion weekend in Chicago for Feb. 7-8. So the bike is one the way and the running Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1074129920620328402004-01-14T17:25:00.000-08:002004-01-14T17:27:12.590-08:00 Committed!  Well... I've been going back and forth on the bike thing. Used, mountain - clunker until I know for sure where this "tri" thing is going, but this was too good to pass up and now I'm committed. After a lively "discussion" with my wife, I went for this road bike from Colorado Cyclist. Bicycling magazine rated this a "Best Buy." Colorado Cyclist is closing out their Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1073861602260480602004-01-11T14:53:00.000-08:002004-01-11T14:57:09.780-08:00Check Malvey's Great Recipes Page. New recipes (Power House Bread) and new nutritional information!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1073786512795753502004-01-10T18:01:00.000-08:002004-01-14T17:28:41.216-08:00  A Few Notes About nutrition:   If you've seen the Stuart Little II you may remember Snowball, the family cat. Snowball pounces on this fly, eats it, then belches and says, "No matter how hard I try, I still get bloated." My wife and daughter almost fell out of their seats laughing. The stinkin' cat had my line. For the two years or so prior to my wake up call, I felt bloatedJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1073532866885198412004-01-07T19:34:00.000-08:002004-01-07T19:39:27.690-08:00 One of the weight rooms at the Indiana University Sports Complex 1/7/04 - When the schedule gets fried,  it is difficult to keep your training schedule. I had to travel to Indianapolis Jan 5-7 and the travel was terrible. Indy is a 5 1/2 hr. drive from Dubuque. Our flight took us from 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. because of weather related problems at O'Hare. Got to Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1072995195417700962004-01-01T14:13:00.000-08:002004-01-01T14:19:55.820-08:00 Me and Shania on Heritage Trail - She's in the headset singing to me. (Up!) 1/1/04 - New Year's Day Run:  Today was a great day. Not setting any speed or time records, but managed 20 min. running and 14 min. walking. Yesterday it was 18 min walk and 12 run - jumped a month in non-aggressive training program. (So being in shape does help) Big thing though is that Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250395.post-1072843731301237682003-12-30T20:08:00.000-08:002004-01-01T14:10:15.686-08:00 Training Note: Shoes  It's the shoes stupid! Yup I started my newbie running training with walking shoes and concrete roads. (Dumb and Dumber - right?) Anyway - I did go to a really good shoe shop for some running shoes. (If you are in the Dubuque, Iowa area you will find great service and knowledge at the Shoe Shack.) These puppies are Brooks, but the brand doesn't matter. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01294940936853358033noreply@blogger.com