Running and Grandma Hanley

As I start marathon training, most of my runs go through the parks, peaceful, interesting, always different, and always fun. Kinda like Grandma.

Ever since February, the last part of my runs have always reminded me of my Grandma.

It's ~.3 miles, a slow uphill incline to a stop light. Regardless of what song comes on, or who I am talking to, I am always reminded of Grandma. It's just been my thing....

And running towards the stop light at the end reminds me of how Grandma would talk to me, live her life, our constantly inspire us to live our lives:

Blocked by trees= no worries, you know where to go, just follow your feet and keep living life to the fullest

Red = hurry up so you can catch it turning green again, don't rest and live the moment to the fullest.

Yellow = "nuts to the squirrels" or, learn to adjust life accordingly

Green = you can see the finish, I'm proud of you regardless of how you finish, or if the finish line changes.

Or, I can skip the light and make a left turn instead. But, then have a short/steep challenging hill, reminding me to keep pushing.

People come and go in our lives. But Grandma came, and still lives within each of us she touched throughout our daily lives.

Regardless of when I run (light/dark/cold/wet/hot), this light is always there, a constant reminder.

Weeks 18 and 17

I'll post some weekly running summaries, to help keep me honest during Disney Marathon Training:

• Week 18:

Total Mileage = 27.51
Longest Run = 7.5

• Week 17

Total Mileage = 18.08
Longest Run = 6

Weight Change since 9/5/2011 = 0 lbs. (this will get better)

IMKY 2011

What an amazing day of watching people do something amazing and volunteering! It's true, volunteering at a race gives you the other perspective of races and how to be appreciative

The finish line is definitely the highlights (interacting or catching the following people):

- a lady from Arkansas telling me her story for 20 minutes
- A Grandpa on his 60th birthday
- a man on completing 50th Ironman
- a brother that had to race and beat his younger brother's time
- a guy with a make-shift splint from a nasty bike spill
- a man from Cinci who gives all his race swag to his elderly mother who comes and watches every race

- Uproar for a man that was 100-200yards away and not going to make it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n8h0M7uOA8) without the crowd.
Same person, different view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e2pOmaaAOQ

- And the final person to cross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kqIYowAIu4), simply amazing!

Probably the coolest people to see at the finish line were two friends, who decided to change their lives and others through 140.6miles.

IMKY 2011 is this weekend!

• What is an Ironman? (Not Me....maybe sometime in life)
  

Countless hours/miles of training all to get to the starting line of:

Swim - 2.4 mile
Bike - 112 miles
Run - 26.2 miles

All in less than 17 hours. In hopes to get across that finish line and party: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrlujEcsxxI

• What is an Ironman Volunteer? (Me!)
  

Helping support as much as possible...endless hours of NOT excercising and watching while motivating

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fKF5UxZPkI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Gives you chills

• And finally, who are these Ironmen triathletes?

Running and biking buddies
Hockey friends
Life supporters and motivators
Maybe a little crazy
Someone to talk and share life's best and challenging moments with
Shoot the breeze and laugh

Most importantly, Ironmen (or future Ironmen) are some of the best friends you could ever have!

They have inspired and motivated me to attempt my first Half Ironman 70.3 Muncie in 2012 (already signed up buddies!)

And my first Tri official results!

Swim = 21:52
T1 = 4:29
Bike = 51:14
T2 = 1:27
Run = 29:42

Total = 1:48:46

I was not last :)

Tom Sawyer Triathlon Re-cap

#406 out of ~430, it's nice to be at the back of the pack with like-minded people

• Pre-Race

- 4am wake-up, radio up, dancing, singing, loving the pre-race feeling
- Especially hearing this as the first song on the radio again, and signing along: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w
- Bike Set-up takes a while to make sure everything is there. There is a lot of stuff to remember to pack.

• Swim (~20-24min)

- First person went in ~6:50, so I waited 30 minutes and saw an awesome Sunrise before my turn
- The first 50m were AWESOME!!! Bi-lateral breathing, Free-style, fast....um.....TOO Fast
- 50m-400m - Why did I start so fast?!?!
- 400m-800m - Breast Stroke, toe touch the pool, why did I start so fast, I'm an idiot!
- Passed 1 person, passed by 3

• T1(<5min?)

- Did I remember everything?

• Bike (~52min)

- "Ugh what a crappy swim" Ok, time for some rolling KY hills
- Hit the speed limit of 25mph at one point, and guess what?! Speed bumps were in the way
- Passed 3-4 people, passed by 2 (including my buddy John #407)

• T2 (<2 min)
  

- Just put on running shoes, and I'm good!

• Run (~<30 min)

- Solid!!!!
- Gave plenty of encouragement to others, just keep running!
- Passed plenty of people, passed by 0!

• Post-Race (~1:50-2:00)

- I did it!


My version of "The good, the bad, and the ugly" in reverse order and much more positive:

• The "Much needing improvement" (it can only get better from here)

- The Swim (enough said)

• The "Needs some improvement":

- Biking speed and consistency
- On the Bike, because of the staggered start, you can be alone out there. Maybe see some people, maybe not. Make sure not to let my mind race.

• The "Good":

- Nutrition - Finally figuring it out
- No Chaffing

• The "Better and Best":

- The Run = AWESOME! I could have kept going. 3 years of running is paying off!
- About mile 8 of the bike, I remembered this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIT0hkM8i4Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player and began to JRA (Just Ride Along) and enjoy it!
- Telling people that already finished to come for the run with me
- Passing people and supporting them to keep going
- Post race shopping at Swag's and Border's for Sale items to reward myself and Heine Brother's Coffee
- Which triathlon do I do next?!?!?!?!?! (Of course, once I figure out swimming)

In closing, the motto that I have come up with for today:

- You Live, You Learn, You Tri again

Tomorrow is A New Chapter

Tomorrow begins a new phase of life.
Tomorrow is my first Triathlon:

Tomorrow is an 800m swim
Tomorrow is a 14 mile bike ride
Tomorrow is a 3.1 mile run.

Tomorrow is FUN!
Tomorrow I start a new chapter in life by crossing that Starting Line.

Tomorrow is Swim Bike Run, Swim Bike Run, Swim Bike Run!