Friday, October 19, 2007

Arriving

It was shortly after that incident that Cassidy began noticing something very strange in his training: it was nearly impossible to make himself hurt. His ten miles in the morning left him only flushed and hungry; in the afternoon he thrashed himself through his distance run or interval workout and finished feeling somewhat itchy, as if something were up. This night he told Denton about this strange sensation of invulnerability. Cassidy admitted to being very puzzled.

But the Olympian just settled back against the porch step, sipped on his coffee and smiled warmly at the miler.

“How nice,” he said, “for you to have arrived right on time.”

The words above are an excerpt from Once a Runner by John L. Parker, Jr.

While I most definitely do not mean to equate my speed and/or fitness to that of this world class, albeit fictional character, I did reach this point on a number of occasions during last winter’s preparation for IM CDA 07.

And as my running begins to return and the other pieces start to fall in place, I hope for that same feeling during this upcoming winter as I prepare for IM CDA 08.

See you there.

Thank you for reading.

Monday, October 15, 2007

THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT




Hello All! I am so excited to be heading to C D'A for Ironman 2008! This one event is really the culmination of a couple life changing years for me.

It all started at the beginning of 2006. One day my wife came home from a short run with her sister and said, "Hey honey, how about we run a half-marathon in the spring?" I just looked at her like she was absolutely crazy and replied, "No, but just how long is that?" You have to first understand that I had quit chewing tobacco the spring before and had only quit drinking about two months prior to this conversation. Lifestyle wise, a half-marathon sounded like taking a trip on a yellow submarine to the moon. But, I have to say, my wife and I started doing some short runs and I realized that I just MIGHT be able to make it 13.1. I like to think that this journey was all meant to be and written in the stars, since my first half-marathon and the event that started me on the road to my first Ironman, took place in no other than, Coeur D'Alene.

So, my wife and I ran our first half-marathons and I decided then and there that I wanted to do a full. That same fall I completed the Portland Marathon and again, wanted something more. It was at that point that I decided to start tri'ing. I jumped right in and completed a half-iron tri in Sun River, Oregon last June. Since then I have done a couple Oly's and another half-iron. I will be running the full marathon in Seattle over Thanksgiving weekend and am currently anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new baby - the 2008 Felt B2!

I am looking forward to hooking up with pals from the TriScoop gang in Coeur D'Alene this spring. I know that it will be an experience that will never be forgotten.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

IMCdA Locater

In case you know of anyone still looking for a place to stay, the house of Bigun, Di, Johnny Tri and Duane still have an opening for a couple to stay with us. It's a 4 bedroom and we just have 3 of the rooms occupied so far. Here is the link, http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/30667.html and please let me know if want some more info.

Bigun............................ Di
Johnny Tri
........................Duane
Momo ..................................Big J
Iron Jenny
........................Daniel
Tri-dogmom ....................Iron Shane...........................Scottie
Iron Eric ............................Tea
TShirtguyJ....................
Fe-Lady
Blink
....................................Yeti
Boomer
................................Neoprene Wedgie
Sweet Baboo (Outlaw Hideout)
Geek Girl (Outlaw Hideout)
SW Tri Girl (Outlaw Hideout)
Dread Pirate Rackham (Outlaw Hideout)
21'st Century Mom (Outlaw Hideout)

Train Hard!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Iron Eric to Become Real IRON

I have always been active throughout my life. I played little league baseball, pee wee football, and tae-kwon-do. I started getting serious around high school. I joined the track and cross country teams. By my sophomore year, I made varsity. I won my first 2-mile track event in cold rain/snow conditions. I joined the Marching Band and stuck with it for 4 years.


College came and went. I decided to train for a marathon my second year. I trained some, marched in the band, studied, and enjoyed college. I don't know where I found time to train?? Looking back, I would rate my training "fair". I had a few good long distance runs and some track workouts. I called myself a seasonal runner (Mar-Oct). I never ran during the cold season. I finished my marathon and couldn't nearly walk for a couple of days.


I ran another marathon in 2005. I joined a running club and trained better. I learned more about nutrition, training, sleeping, managing my time, etc. Long story short, I finished my marathon 50 minutes faster. I did the same marathon in 2006 and improved by a minute.


I started Triathlon in 2006. I decided that running 4-5 times per week was hard and too much. I wanted a new challenge and triathlon was it. I borrowed my aunt's bike and got swimming lessons from her. This was the first time I've been on a rode bike and swam laps in a pool. I was starting from scratch, except for running.


I have learned so much in the short time I have been doing the sport. I have read books/magazines, watched movies, taken classes, lessons and more. After I finished my first race, I was hooked. I did some research and bought my first bike. I eventually obtained more equipment, wetsuit (from ebay), race entries, and more. I think it's worth it!


I have done 2 half-ironmans, 1 sprint, 1 Olympic, 1 century ride, 3 winter duathlons in just 2 years. That is awesome.

My next adventure is my journey to Ironman! This will happen at Couer d'Alene in 2008. I am very excited. My wife plans on going with me. She is the best! My parents are still thinking about it, but I booked a hotel room for them just in case.


My blog is different then many of you. I post my workouts. I keep good track of what is what and my distances. Thanks to all who have stopped by and experienced triathlon with me!


Iron Eric
http://www.ironeric.blogspot.com/
"One full year of Happiness"

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Ironman USA on Verses Sunday

See the schedule on Verses:

You may have missed your chance to see last year's IMCdA, but you can still catch IMUSA:

Sunday, October 28, 20074:00PM - 5:00PM
IRONMAN TRIATHLON (TV-NR)Lake Placid, NY The all pro women's format showcases the top professional triathletes from around the world battling each other and the Adirondack Mountains at one of the toughest Ironman courses anywhere in the world.

Wednesday, October 31, 20073:30PM - 4:30PM
IRONMAN TRIATHLON (TV-NR)Lake Placid, NY The all pro women's format showcases the top professional triathletes from around the world battling each other and the Adirondack Mountains at one of the toughest Ironman courses anywhere in the world.