Race Week - Some Thoughts...

Hey Everyone!

I feel like a friggin five year old on Christmas week.  This is my seventh season competing in triathlons, and if I was to pick the top 5 moments that I have enjoyed over the past six seasons, I would say that this week would have to rank up there as number two or three.  I know, weird, right?  I would have to say number one would be finishing my first Ironman in 2009, followed up by completing my first triathlon in 2005.  And then I guess my excitement about this week would come in at number three.  Why?

I feel that I have had a "Renissance Movement" with regards to triathlon.  While I have had some fairly structured years (2007 and 2009) and I have had some great memories with friends, family, and the sport, I have been in a tri funk since my Ironman.  I guess I am a person who likes to try new things all of the time, and in doing so, I hit what I thought to be the peak of triathlon.  I finished an Ironman and thought to myself, "what's next?" 

Life also tends to get in the way, but I have learned now that it only gets in the way if you let it.  During this off season, I have had an awakening of sorts.  I remembered all the good times I have had in this sport, all of the great relationships I have developed, all of the stories I have told and listened to.  I am not sweating the small stuff, missing an occasional workout due to school, etc.  I am taking more time to enjoy life in general.  I cannot believe it has taken me this long to do this!  It is such a refreshing feeling, that I am ready and raring to go this year. 

I have no idea what is gonna happen on Saturday.  I know what I would like to ideally happen, and I know what realistically should happen.  But I am not gonna worry about it.  I am just gonna get up, like I do every day now... Bust my tail, enjoy it, and be me :)

My Christmas is Saturday, and under the tree is gonna be a glorious 1.5K swim, 42K bike, and a 10K run.  And for those of you who might be there and see me cross the finish line, if you see a big smile on my face as I "hit the tape," just think back to this post and you will know why.

Bring it Santa, I am ready ;)

Murtha's Triathlon Blog Listed in Top 50 Athlete Inspirational Blogs!

Don't even ask me how this happened!  But I will accept it nonetheless.

So I don't know if you guys do this with your blogs (be it wordpress, blogger, etc), but I will go one every couple of days and check my stats to see how much traffic I get, where it is coming from, and if anyone else is linking to my blog.  I think it was this past Friday I was looking first thing in the morning, and I saw this website/blog that my blog was linked through, Sports Psyche.  The site/blog is dedicated to the study and communication of sports psychology to the masses, they also have other resources on their site if you are interested in this field of study. 

They have a post from February 8th, entitled "Top 50 Inspiring Blogs by Athletes."  I clicked on the link and it has 50 blogs from both pros and amateur athletes that they feel can inspire others.  I go through the first three sports, basketball, football and baseball.  There were some pretty big names in there.  My next thought is, what does this have to do with me?  I keep scrolling down, where I hit the Running/Triathlete section, and who do you suppose is listed at Number 29?  That would be yours truly!  Also, one of my blogging buddies, Rachel, was featured as well coming in at Number 28.  Here is her blog if you are interested in checking it out.  I know this is probably not some high ranking sports psychologist that is world renowned or anything, and this list is far from Triathlete Magazine or Sports Illustrated Top ## Athlete blogs of all time, but I thought it was still pretty cool!

Take a gander at the post here.

Hope all of you had a great weekend!

The meaning of Ironman vs. the Ironman brand (Part 2: From a Pro's Perspective)

Hey Everyone!

I got a bit inspired this morning from one of our local pro triathletes here in Atlanta, so I wanted to get this on the blog today!  April Gellatly-Burkey resides in Atlanta and has been a pro for a number of years now, while also coaching on some of the local triathlon teams, private training sessions, and consulting with local news media on all things triathlon.  I have been to a few of her open swim sessions with Tri-PTC, and have seen her at the Southeastern Multi-sport Expo, as well as a few other places.  She is a great person, and a great representation of our sport.  Here is a photo of her from Rev3 Cedar Point.

In December 2010 I posted a blog titled: "What's your Opinion? The meaning of Ironman vs. the Ironman brand" (click on the link to read)

Today April was inspired by a blogger talking about "Fighting the Good Fight" and is trying to apply it to her endeavours of furthering her career in triathlon both on the WTC circuit as well as other national triathlon circuits.  All coming from the perspective of a pro-triathlete.  I think you will like both her post and the post that inspired her.  I like it when people think with the glass half full :)

AprilGellatly.com: We Must Never Stop Dreaming


Paul Coelho's Blog:  The Good Fight


Enjoy!!!

Taking the Thanksgiving holiday in stride

First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving holiday.

I see Thanksgiving (from a triathlon perspective) as the beginning of a season where there is lots of partying, eating, staying up late night, couch surfing, tons of football (for you football fanatics), traveling, family/friend/significant other obligations... In short, lots of stuff to distract you from your off season training.  As for my training, I definitely missed some workouts over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but I don't really mind.  I know that this is going to happen throughout this holiday season, so I am just going to do my best to stay the course and if I miss or need to move a workout here and there due to some sort of holiday season shenanigans, then so be it.  No need to stress out about missing a work out here or there for an event that is almost a year away.   :)

I feel that taking this attitude takes away most of the stress of training during this time of year, and lets you focus on the more important things in life.

Back to a normal week this week.  Tonight I have my short run of the week, and then tomorrow it is a 2x day of swimming and cycling.  I am trying to get back into the spin class gig, but since I don't have a LAFitness right next to me anymore, I have lost the motivation to go.  Same goes for swimming as well, since that is also the place where I do my laps at.

I also want to get some strength training in this winter.  This will help with my weight management, as well as overall interval training.  That's pretty much it for today, short and sweet.  Will have more for all of you later this week!


Murtha...

The end of one season, and looking to the beginning of the next...

Good Morning Everyone!

     The first thing I did this morning was go to my blog, and noticed that the last post that I put up was on May 12th, 2010.  Wow, what happened to all those asiprations of going to back to the old days of blogging, reporting, and changing?  Life, I supppose, is the easiest and most accurate answer.  Between losing my job Memorial Day weekend and coming to where I am now in my career, beginning an accelerated graduate school program in accounting so I can take the CPA next year, girlfriend moving away and doing the long distance thing, triathlon definately took a back seat.  This was somewhat disheartening since I was committed to get back into the sport, give to the sport, do some charitable activites while I was at it, and tell my story just like I have always had.  It got so bad that I have now successfully completed a sprint, olympic, and now half iron distance event without any training.  I don't think I am going to try to catch up on any blog posts, except I may do the race reports for Chattanooga, Peachtree City, and Augusta, just so that I have them logged on my blog for my records. 

     However, there is always a new day, and a reason to begin anew.  The year is fast coming to and end, and one looks to the future to see what is in store for them.  I have a "golden ticket" for Ironman Florida next year via volunteering with my friend Mike this year.  This was also my first time really spectating at an event as well as volunteering as a wetsuit stripper.  For those of you who have been on this side of the fence (outside looking in), as well as triathletes that have sat on the sidelines for one reason or another, I have a complete new respect for this perspective.  I just plod along in my races, maybe have had a few GI issues and cramping, but no problems with my equipment, no injuries, no potential death.  I witnessed all of this and more while spectating the event this past Saturday. I saw the full range of emotions that occur during this race, and then thinking myself of when and where I was when those emotions overcame me while racing.

     I spent the weekend (when I got home) sleeping and reflecting on my triathlon career.  I mean, I am not making any money off of it, but it is the longest standing activity that I have undertaken (and plan to continue).  Longer than any job I have had, relationship I have been in, and has been about a 1/5th of my life.  It has been my drug, my therapy, my escape, my joy, my sorrow, in essence, the sport has in one way or another embodied me.  Few other people and things have affected me in this way, and I am thankful for all of them.  I mean taking the two weeks up to November 6th, I was actually sleeping in the evenings so that I could pull all nighters for grad school to complete 2 exams, 1 final exam, a paper, and a project, and then head straight to Panama City on 3 hours of sleep so that I could be at a mandatory meeting for volunteers. Yet.............. that damn stupid grin reared up and showed itself on my hotel room  balcony Friday night and followed me through the rest of the weekend.  All of you know this grin.  It's unexplainable, yet makes complete sense when it comes out from hiding.  This is why I am here, and this is why I love doing what I do.

     Looking forward to 2011 brings me lots of opportunities.  Graduating with a Master's Degree, hopefully having a job in accounting, taking the CPA exam, potentially living in a new city and state, and what I would like to accomplish as a triathlete.  For a change I have begun winter base training/maintenance, something I have never done before.  I am also rekindling some old tri-friendships that I have let go astray, as well as foster new ones.  I hope all of you have had a great 2010 (and season), and I hope that all of your dreams, aspirations and visions for 2011 come to light! 

Murtha...

The "Week - end" Report

Good Afternoon All!

I hope everyone had a great week this week!  My "year" started on Saturday by going to the gym in the evening and running for 30 minutes.  I wanted this to be base training, and although I am not strictly focusing on heart rate, I am paying close attention and allowing it to govern how fast/far I go.  As for anyone who has been off training for any discipline (for any reason), it is hard to get back into the "groove."  But when you do, it feels great! My mental attitude the past two days has been amazing, regardless of what has been going on.  Even looking at personal issues such as my weight, etc, is not a big deal anymore, because I know there is a process that is going to lead me to something better (great things, hopefully).  I will go so far as to borrow a word from Joseph's Blog, resolve.  I think by having some sort of resolve in one's life creates the opportunity to bring everything else into balance.  In just a few short days, I am seeing things in a new, refreshed manner, and a clarity that has not been there for quite some time.

I spent some time getting my training notes and my training log back in order this weekend.  I am using a Microsoft Excel worbook I created for my Ironman in 2009.  It got abandoned after a month or so, but I kept it nonetheless.  I dusted the cobwebs off of the workbook this weekend, added some more information, formulas, and a few tables for end of week/end of month results.  While I am sure it is not as complete as some of the training websites and other, more advanced logs, It works for me now :)  I can always borrow new material to add to my log as I go along.

Well, my totals for the end of the week are not that great, but at least there is something to report! 

Swim:     0 meters
Bike:      0 miles
Run:       5.5 miles

I will get something up on the sidebar of my blog here pretty quick with weekly/monthly/annual totals.  That way you all can hold me accountable ;)  This week I am attempting to get at least a couple of swim and bike workouts in with my runs.  I am also focusing on stretching more (I am usually pretty lax in that department) because I feel I am way too inflexible.  I have some yoga class passes from my birthday last year I need to cash in, I think I am going to schedule those in the next 30 days or so.  I know Yoga is actually an art and a discipline in its own right, but for my purposes, I am going to log it under stretching, since that it what I am going for, to improve my overall flexibility.  Another area that has seriously fallen by the wayside is strength training.  I can contribute one of the most fit times in my life to strength training (the other is to my 2007 triathlon season).

For now though, I have signed up for the ING Georgia Half Marathon and the Rev 3 Triathlon in Knoxville, TN.  I am also going to be signing up for the Atlanta Track Club, as they have some pretty sweet member benefits and they sponsor some of the road races that I would like to participate in this year.

I hope that everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!  I'll be on blogging sometime this week!

What motivates you...

Hey Everyone...

I have fallen off the face of the tri world. I have also fallen off the face of the tri world. It is interesting that so much has happened since my last post (March 25th) and yet I come full circle to where I was earlier this year. Once again trying to find my motivational drive to push on and do something I love, or thought I loved. We will get to all of this in just a minute.

I got out and went swimming yesterday! About damn time! I swam for about a half an hour at Gault's Ferry in Lake Allatoona. Nice to see it about full pool. Last year I was swimming in a shallow mess, and I would get a sinus infection everytime I got in that lake (GA drought last year that we are still kinda in). Anyways, the lake is pretty much back to full pool and it was sweet. Except for the kids. This one 13 yr old kid teasing me about my speedo. I just gave him a dirty look, considering his parents were sitting right there on the shore. ; )

My workouts have been few and far between as of late, heck let's be honest. All year long. I have not competed or signed up for one event of any type this year. Back up on weight, but not breaking 180..... yet. I mean I have not even gone out for a run/ride yet today, and to tell you the truth, I am not really in the mood. Just had one of my friends stop by for about half an hour and told him the whole story. He said I just need to figure it all out. The problem is that I don't know what "it" is.

Well yesterday was a start. I know I have not done anything today, and if I am going to do anything tomorrow or Tuesday, it will have to be in the morning, since I work both jobs at the beginning of the week. That is fine, get it out of the way.

Ironman CdA is this coming weekend. I am thinking about signing up on Sunday when online begins, yet I will not put too much thought into it. After not getting online signups last November with IMFL, which is a less popular event, I don't think it will happen this year. NA sports even issued an official statement in December stating that at the Full Distance level, you will pretty much have to sign up in person, volunteer then sign up, or pick a community slot, which is not necessarily a bad deal compared to volunteering (depending on where you volunteer at).

Good news that the 70.3 series is going to have a race in Augusta, GA next year. Same city as The Masters for those of you not very familiar with golf. I am excited about that one... for once a Ironman event that is not a 7-8 hour drive away (closest one without having to hop on a plane). I can feasibly take one day off work and then mosey on over to Augusta, rack my bike, hang out for the afternoon, and then get ready for race day, even hang out the day after (depending on Saturday/Sunday race).

I will get motivated again, I just need to figure everything out in my head. As much as this sport punishes your body, 80% of this game is mental. Period.


Murtha...

On the Eve on an Eventful (and long awaited) Weekend

This weekend is going to be good.... real good.

This is not to say that my three day weekend last weekend filled with the first weekend of college football (and heading to my alma mater, UGA, for the first game of the season) wasn't great either ;)

I remember just about a year ago (maybe a bit less), there were 3-4 Bloggers (Wil, Stu, Kahuna, Everyman and a few others) that decided to create an organization that focused on the seeming "Everyday Age Grouper."

Team raceAthlete

Anyone could sign up, and share memories, input, tri philosophy, etc. I will quickly admit that I am a tri geek, and an information tri geek at that! I cannot get enough of it. If they were to create a triathlon channel on TV, I would either apply for a job or pay for whatever TV package covered the channel.

Fast forward through the raceAthlete blog archives (as well as coverage on the Tri Geek Dreams PodCast), and there was to be a huge announcement. We all waited in anticipation as the time went by and then it happened. Team raceAthlete was to fully sponsor eight age group triathletes and send them to Ironman Wisconson. People entered, and peeps were selected!!! The eight of you (Stu, Roman, Bolder, Tracy, Brett, Michelle, Tyler, and Chris) have shared your journey and experiences with us since that fateful week, and I for one have thoroughly enjoyed reading/listening to your journey(s). From sponsored schwag and gear to team training trips and group race events, we were able to watch the progression of eight age groupers and what their potential would be come race day.

Well, race day is upon us folks!!! I for one am super exicted. I for one will be out of commission for the best part of the race (the bike portion), and so I will catch all of you on athlete tracker during the swim and the marathon. Good luck to all of you this weekend, we are rooting for you.

I too have a race this weekend. This is the third year in my participation of the Tri-PTC, a sprint distance event. This was my very first race. Although there are some really other good races around, I have an attachment to this race for nostalgic and sentimental reasons. I have improved year after year in this race, and some of my closest friends usually attend. Last year I had almost 15 people show up to cheer me on, it was really fun! Maybe down the road, I will switch up to a bigger race either in or out of town, but until my life changes gears, I will be competing in this race for the time being.

I am contemplating signing up for one more race, a race that I competed in last year (Emerald Pointe Tri - Sprint).

After that, it is the off season and training for the Atlanta Half - Mary on Thanksgiving Day.

Just under 23 hours to go. I geeked up for the weekend, how about the rest of team raceAthlete???

Murtha...

A little inspiration...

Good Morning,


Yes, I have been a slacker this week. Between Christmas parties, Christmas shopping, and whatever else I was doing at the time, it kept me from working out. No, that is not an excuse.

I am going out for a ride with my Georgia Tech cycling buddy today. Weather is nice it is going to be about 65 degrees this afternoon.

I have had a post that I have been wanting to put up on both my sites, due to the fact it is both sports related and a good post in general. For some reason I never got around to doing it. Since it is slow today, I thought it appropriate.


My best friend Matt is a Police officer with the Peachtree City (GA) Police Department. I have known him for about 12 years now, longer than any other friend I have known AND kept in touch with. We have always been there for each other, and inspired each other with lots we have done. When it comes to sports, Matt was very involved with martial arts when he was younger, and is still involved with weightlifting, although not at the same intensity that he used to. Due to the physical problems that have developed from weightlifting, he does not really get involved in sports where there is a lot of running or long term physcial stressors involved (unless their are breaks, timeouts, etc...). I on the other hand, have been doing some sort of physical sport, whether organized or personal, since I was about eight. The triathlon phase of my life (which I hope will now continue until I die) has now been in full swing for almost two years now, and he has seen me and supported my efforts. I always nag him, that he should get involved in running or triathlons, but he always says he could not make it the first mile. Whenever we used to work out at the same gym, I would sometimes get there just a bit earlier so I could run for a longer period of time than him, before we worked out. Recently his wife has gotten involved with running and has now completed a couple of 5K road races that were local ones in Peachtree City.

Weeks ago, I was working on Saturday morning, and I got a phone call on my cell around 10:30a or so. I called Matt back on my work phone and asked him what was going on. Right now he works the night shift, so he usually does not call me in the morning unless it is something semi-important. He called to tell me that he had just completed his first 5K event! He did admit that he walked and ran the event, but that he finished. It also happened to be the weekend when it was 18 degrees outside that Saturday morning. For those of you who have never lived in the SE United States, 18 degrees is damn cold for us. But he completed the event anyways. He said it was a really good experience, and that he would like to repeat so that maybe one day we could both run together in one.

I do not know all of his reasons for completing this event, whether it was solely for health reasons, wanting to do one with his wife, etc..., but I would like to think I had some small part in him completing his first event. Needless to say that I am very proud of him, that he was motivated enough to complete something he did not think he could do, and did anyways.

I will post some more later today with my bike stats for the day, so I am not quite done yet...