I hope he has not jinxed himself! I don't know what the filling was (strawberry or raspberry) but it was delicious!
Showing posts with label Special. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Special. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Ironman Wedding (Grooms) Cake
I do have some other posts I am working on right now, however, I wanted to get these pictures up for you to take a gander at and maybe comment on. Mike got married this last weekend to his wonderful wife Melissa and this was his groom's cake at the wedding. He is off for two weeks and it will be on like Donkey Kong for his IMFL training!!! For those of you who don't already know, Mike and I are doing IMFL together this November. Here you go!
I hope he has not jinxed himself! I don't know what the filling was (strawberry or raspberry) but it was delicious!
I hope he has not jinxed himself! I don't know what the filling was (strawberry or raspberry) but it was delicious!
Monday, February 21, 2011
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!
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!
Friday, December 03, 2010
What's your Opinion? The meaning of Ironman vs. the Ironman brand
Good Morning!
So I have missed some workouts this week, and I am sure I will miss a few more between now and next Thursday. Reason? I have two finals next week, Tuesday and Thursday, and I had some quizzes and a paper due last night as well. Starting next Friday (for me) is winter break, and that lasts until January 4th. I should be able to really ramp it up during those three and a half weeks. Always trying to be the glass is half full type of guy :) Not much else to talk about in my life (tri life as well), so let's move onto the topic I really wanted to talk about!
On Wednesday this week, Bloomberg's "Taking Stock" show hosted the CEO of the World Triathlon Corporation, Ben Fertic. Ben was on to not only talk about the sport of triathlon and its strong long term growth, but the World Triathlon Corporation's brands. These include Ironman, Ironman 70.3, and the 5150 triathlon series. In short summary, this interview was really great and informative, and Ben was also to give us a backdrop about how triathlon formed (for those of us who don't know) and also how the Ironman really got ramped up from 15 crazy guys racing to the hallowed world championship event that it is today.
The part of the interview that really hit me was the branding of these events. We all talk about Ironman, whether you have done one, you are going to do one, or just throw it around in casual conversation with your tri (or non tri) buddies. I guess what is really obvious, Ironman as a brand, is also really elusive. Although Ironman is not technically a monopoly in the Ironman market (Beach 2 Battleship, Rev3 Long Course, Silverman, etc), the long (or ultra long) triathlon distance is akin to monopolistic competition. I guess the best analogy is Microsoft. Sure there are other OS software systems (Apple's Mac OS, Unix, Linux, etc), but Microsoft dominates the market by a very large margin, hence monopolistic competition.
Another way to look at this issue. What do you call a short sleeved 2 or 3 button cotton shirt with a collar? (No I am not gonna hit enter 500 times and make you forward this to 10 friends to find out the answer). Polo shirt. While everyone makes this type of shirt, the phrase "Polo Shirt" has successfully been in our vernacular for years. Another one.... Tissue that you blow your nose with? Kleenex! You don't ask for a tissue, OK I guess a few people do, but most people I know ask for a Kleenex.
So bringing this back to triathlon. I have been thinking of getting a new tattoo. My first tattoo is my fraternity letters and my badge number from the chapter I was initiated at. This is located on my right shoulder blade, and was crudely done on purpose because I wanted to make it look natural and like it was hand done, not with some fancy font template. My fraternity is really important to me, and I am still really involved over ten and a half years after I was initiated.
On a side note, for those of you who say you "were" in a Greek organization, you signed up and took an oath to be a member for like, so quit saying when you "were" in a fraternity/sorority. And go back and say hey to the new guys/girls that are there now, or whichever university is closest to you, they will appreciate it.
Back on Track.... Triathlon has been really important in my life as well. I have finished my 6th full season (since 2005) and I don't plan on stopping. I also completed my first Ironman in 2009. At that point I felt that was important point in my life (re: triathlon) and wanted to mark it with something memorable. I thought I would get a "m-dot" tattoo on my left shoulder blade to mark the completion with my Ironman. Just like my first tattoo, I have sat on the issue for a really long time to make sure it was I really wanted. Yes I know there is technology to remove tattoos now, but for all intensive purposes it is permanent.
After listening to this interview, I now don't think I want to get one. It would be similar to getting a Delta tattoo because I love to fly delta, or a Zaxby's tattoo because I really love their chicken finger plate. Instead I think I would get a tattoo similar to one of those car stickers that just says "140.6" or 70.3" (half iron distance). I want to mark and commemorate the event that was completing a triathlon of that distance, however I don't want that necessarily to be related to a brand.
The problem is that Ironman has become synonymous with long distance triathlon. If one is trying to describe a ultra long or long distance course to a newbie triathlete or someone who does not know what triathlon is then you will almost always reference "iron distance" or "half iron distance" race. Or if you are having trouble explaining the race, you might throw up your hands and say it is an "Ironman" or "Half Ironman."
On the other hand, the Ironman brand is a great brand. Expensive as it may be, I have never had a complaint regarding a race when I have completed an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 3event. Ok I did just think of one... And WTC I hope you are taking notes :) There was nowhere in the race info packet about having reflective material on your running gear, and then on Friday evening (race was on Sunday) they say this in the meeting. Thank goodness there was a Sports Authority nearby. I grabbed the next to the last pack of reflective stickers and the cashier made a point of saying that happened to be a popular item that day. I cannot say the same thing for other races that I have completed. The Peachtree City Tri Club puts on a world class show just south of Atlanta, but MANY of the other race companies leave MUCH to be desired.
That being said, I think that the WTC needs to be careful. Like Microsoft, straying away from what the public really wants, at the price they want it at, can create great unrest and fierce competition. Hence events such as Beach2Battleship, Rev3 Long Course, Silverman, Great Floridian, etc... I think though there is going to have to be someone with a vision like the WTC to create a competitive brand that can compete with the WTC. Also I think this will drive better quality races out of the WTC and the competing firms, as well as keep the prices down.
Other than inflation increases, I don't think that WTC can raise its prices too much higher or it will have a great amount of falloff from the general age group athletes. Many of these Iron-Distance events can be at least $100-200 cheaper than the Ironman Branded races. I have heard that Silverman is a top notch event, it is close to my parents in Nevada, and it is $200 cheaper if I pay early. With my service fee through Active.com, I paid $603.75 for Ironman Florida 2011, $575 of which was the actual entry fee. When I think about what I receive over the 4 day weekend when I am there, I can directly attribute about $200 of that to what I can see and experience, and the other $375 I don't really see or I am not aware of (obviously some of this portion is for staff salaries, website maintenance, building rent for HQ, renting police for the bike course, etc...).
However, with all of the volunteers that participate, I wonder how much they could drive their costs down if they better managed the volunteer process. I volunteered at Ironman Florida '10, and while I had a great time and WILL volunteer again, I was less than impressed with the management of the Volunteer process. Volunteers not knowing what to do, where to go, too many volunteers in some areas and not enough in other areas. I think if they spent a small amount of human investment in better training and organization of the volunteers, then they would yield much better results on pre race/race/post race events. That and they could afford to allocate resources to more important areas thus saving both human and investment capital. They could then pass this as savings back to the age groupers that sign up in long lines to compete in their events. If you look at the competitors to Ironman, there is a $200 or more price discrepancy. Maybe then again, Ironman is the Louis Vuitton of ultra long triathlons, and events such as Silverman are the Target of ultra long triathlons (not a knock on Silverman, I love Target and I love Silverman).
This is also not a knock on the WTC or the Ironman brand, just my thoughts on the topic. I will say though, as a free market economist, if someone comes up with as good as or better brand than the WTC for cheaper, then I will be the first in line. However, I am still waiting... and so is the tattoo.
Have a great weekend! Train hard, train smart,
Murtha...
So I have missed some workouts this week, and I am sure I will miss a few more between now and next Thursday. Reason? I have two finals next week, Tuesday and Thursday, and I had some quizzes and a paper due last night as well. Starting next Friday (for me) is winter break, and that lasts until January 4th. I should be able to really ramp it up during those three and a half weeks. Always trying to be the glass is half full type of guy :) Not much else to talk about in my life (tri life as well), so let's move onto the topic I really wanted to talk about!
On Wednesday this week, Bloomberg's "Taking Stock" show hosted the CEO of the World Triathlon Corporation, Ben Fertic. Ben was on to not only talk about the sport of triathlon and its strong long term growth, but the World Triathlon Corporation's brands. These include Ironman, Ironman 70.3, and the 5150 triathlon series. In short summary, this interview was really great and informative, and Ben was also to give us a backdrop about how triathlon formed (for those of us who don't know) and also how the Ironman really got ramped up from 15 crazy guys racing to the hallowed world championship event that it is today.
The part of the interview that really hit me was the branding of these events. We all talk about Ironman, whether you have done one, you are going to do one, or just throw it around in casual conversation with your tri (or non tri) buddies. I guess what is really obvious, Ironman as a brand, is also really elusive. Although Ironman is not technically a monopoly in the Ironman market (Beach 2 Battleship, Rev3 Long Course, Silverman, etc), the long (or ultra long) triathlon distance is akin to monopolistic competition. I guess the best analogy is Microsoft. Sure there are other OS software systems (Apple's Mac OS, Unix, Linux, etc), but Microsoft dominates the market by a very large margin, hence monopolistic competition.
Another way to look at this issue. What do you call a short sleeved 2 or 3 button cotton shirt with a collar? (No I am not gonna hit enter 500 times and make you forward this to 10 friends to find out the answer). Polo shirt. While everyone makes this type of shirt, the phrase "Polo Shirt" has successfully been in our vernacular for years. Another one.... Tissue that you blow your nose with? Kleenex! You don't ask for a tissue, OK I guess a few people do, but most people I know ask for a Kleenex.
So bringing this back to triathlon. I have been thinking of getting a new tattoo. My first tattoo is my fraternity letters and my badge number from the chapter I was initiated at. This is located on my right shoulder blade, and was crudely done on purpose because I wanted to make it look natural and like it was hand done, not with some fancy font template. My fraternity is really important to me, and I am still really involved over ten and a half years after I was initiated.
On a side note, for those of you who say you "were" in a Greek organization, you signed up and took an oath to be a member for like, so quit saying when you "were" in a fraternity/sorority. And go back and say hey to the new guys/girls that are there now, or whichever university is closest to you, they will appreciate it.
Back on Track.... Triathlon has been really important in my life as well. I have finished my 6th full season (since 2005) and I don't plan on stopping. I also completed my first Ironman in 2009. At that point I felt that was important point in my life (re: triathlon) and wanted to mark it with something memorable. I thought I would get a "m-dot" tattoo on my left shoulder blade to mark the completion with my Ironman. Just like my first tattoo, I have sat on the issue for a really long time to make sure it was I really wanted. Yes I know there is technology to remove tattoos now, but for all intensive purposes it is permanent.
After listening to this interview, I now don't think I want to get one. It would be similar to getting a Delta tattoo because I love to fly delta, or a Zaxby's tattoo because I really love their chicken finger plate. Instead I think I would get a tattoo similar to one of those car stickers that just says "140.6" or 70.3" (half iron distance). I want to mark and commemorate the event that was completing a triathlon of that distance, however I don't want that necessarily to be related to a brand.
The problem is that Ironman has become synonymous with long distance triathlon. If one is trying to describe a ultra long or long distance course to a newbie triathlete or someone who does not know what triathlon is then you will almost always reference "iron distance" or "half iron distance" race. Or if you are having trouble explaining the race, you might throw up your hands and say it is an "Ironman" or "Half Ironman."
On the other hand, the Ironman brand is a great brand. Expensive as it may be, I have never had a complaint regarding a race when I have completed an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 3event. Ok I did just think of one... And WTC I hope you are taking notes :) There was nowhere in the race info packet about having reflective material on your running gear, and then on Friday evening (race was on Sunday) they say this in the meeting. Thank goodness there was a Sports Authority nearby. I grabbed the next to the last pack of reflective stickers and the cashier made a point of saying that happened to be a popular item that day. I cannot say the same thing for other races that I have completed. The Peachtree City Tri Club puts on a world class show just south of Atlanta, but MANY of the other race companies leave MUCH to be desired.
That being said, I think that the WTC needs to be careful. Like Microsoft, straying away from what the public really wants, at the price they want it at, can create great unrest and fierce competition. Hence events such as Beach2Battleship, Rev3 Long Course, Silverman, Great Floridian, etc... I think though there is going to have to be someone with a vision like the WTC to create a competitive brand that can compete with the WTC. Also I think this will drive better quality races out of the WTC and the competing firms, as well as keep the prices down.
Other than inflation increases, I don't think that WTC can raise its prices too much higher or it will have a great amount of falloff from the general age group athletes. Many of these Iron-Distance events can be at least $100-200 cheaper than the Ironman Branded races. I have heard that Silverman is a top notch event, it is close to my parents in Nevada, and it is $200 cheaper if I pay early. With my service fee through Active.com, I paid $603.75 for Ironman Florida 2011, $575 of which was the actual entry fee. When I think about what I receive over the 4 day weekend when I am there, I can directly attribute about $200 of that to what I can see and experience, and the other $375 I don't really see or I am not aware of (obviously some of this portion is for staff salaries, website maintenance, building rent for HQ, renting police for the bike course, etc...).
However, with all of the volunteers that participate, I wonder how much they could drive their costs down if they better managed the volunteer process. I volunteered at Ironman Florida '10, and while I had a great time and WILL volunteer again, I was less than impressed with the management of the Volunteer process. Volunteers not knowing what to do, where to go, too many volunteers in some areas and not enough in other areas. I think if they spent a small amount of human investment in better training and organization of the volunteers, then they would yield much better results on pre race/race/post race events. That and they could afford to allocate resources to more important areas thus saving both human and investment capital. They could then pass this as savings back to the age groupers that sign up in long lines to compete in their events. If you look at the competitors to Ironman, there is a $200 or more price discrepancy. Maybe then again, Ironman is the Louis Vuitton of ultra long triathlons, and events such as Silverman are the Target of ultra long triathlons (not a knock on Silverman, I love Target and I love Silverman).
This is also not a knock on the WTC or the Ironman brand, just my thoughts on the topic. I will say though, as a free market economist, if someone comes up with as good as or better brand than the WTC for cheaper, then I will be the first in line. However, I am still waiting... and so is the tattoo.
Have a great weekend! Train hard, train smart,
Murtha...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
TRI PTC Hosts Pro Triathletes Desiree Ficker & April Gellatly Fri Jan 29, 2010!!!
Peachtree City Tri's - January Update
Pro Triathletes Desiree Ficker and April Gellatly host Triathlon Clinics!
DETAILS BELOW!
Join the TRI PTC Club as we host two of Triathlons best women triathletes for a weekend filled with information, training and fun! Desiree Ficker http://www.desireeficker.com/ and April Gellatly http://www.aprilgellatly.com/ have agreed to spend the weekend answering your training questions and training side by side with you for the weekend of January 29th - 30th. Come join us to kick off the 2010 season in style!
WEEKEND DETAILS!
Friday - January 29th:
Dolce Atlanta Peachtree
201 Aberdeen Pkwy, Peachtree City, GA 30269, 770-487-2666
7pm - Meeting in Auditorium - Keynote Speaker, USAT Professional Triathlete (2nd Place IM World Championships, Multiple 70.3 Winner) and Accomplished Runner (2:39:30 Marathon PR) - Desiree Ficker.
8pm - Informal Meet and Greet/Cash Bar
Free to TRI PTC Club Members/$20 for Non-Members
Saturday - January 30th:
Various Locations
Run and T2 Clinic
Riley Field - Wisdom Rd, Peachtree City, GA 30269, http://www.peachtree-city.org/index.aspx?NID=312
9:30am
Free to TRI PTC Club Members/$20 for Non-Members
Bring your running shoes, drinks, dry clothes and all items needed to practice your transition!
Bike Clinic
World Gym - 1300 Commerce Dr, Peachtree City, GA 30269, 770-631-8004
11:30am
Free to TRI PTC Club Members or World Gym Fayette Members/$20 for Non-Members
Bring your water bottle and dry clothes - this class will be on spin bikes.
Please drop off your bike and trainer in the back lot and park in the front lot.
Get there early to ensure your spot - only 35 bikes available!
Swim Clinic
World Gym Fayette - 1964 Highway 54, Fayetteville, GA 30214, 770-487-4273
2pm
Free to TRI PTC Club Members or World Gym Fayette Members/$20 for Non-Members
Bring your swim suit, goggles, pool toys and towel!
It is $25.00 to renew your TRI PTC Club Membership. Applications will be available at all of the clinics or you can register on-line via active.com - http://www.active.com/triathlon-membership/peachtree-city-ga/tri-peachtree-city-triathlon-club-2008
It is $75.00 for all new TRI PTC Club Memberships, which include a club racing jersey (a $65.00 value).
It is $50 for the weekend if you are a non-club member and want to attend all of the clinics.
Registration is open for each clinic 30 minutes prior to each clinic.
Please email Anne @ adchrzanowski@gmail.com for any questions regarding the weekend activities!
The TRI PTC Club will have jerseys, shirts, hats and some limited supply jackets available for purchase. These are first come, first serve!
Pro Triathletes Desiree Ficker and April Gellatly host Triathlon Clinics!
DETAILS BELOW!
Join the TRI PTC Club as we host two of Triathlons best women triathletes for a weekend filled with information, training and fun! Desiree Ficker http://www.desireeficker.com/ and April Gellatly http://www.aprilgellatly.com/ have agreed to spend the weekend answering your training questions and training side by side with you for the weekend of January 29th - 30th. Come join us to kick off the 2010 season in style!
WEEKEND DETAILS!
Friday - January 29th:
Dolce Atlanta Peachtree
201 Aberdeen Pkwy, Peachtree City, GA 30269, 770-487-2666
7pm - Meeting in Auditorium - Keynote Speaker, USAT Professional Triathlete (2nd Place IM World Championships, Multiple 70.3 Winner) and Accomplished Runner (2:39:30 Marathon PR) - Desiree Ficker.
8pm - Informal Meet and Greet/Cash Bar
Free to TRI PTC Club Members/$20 for Non-Members
Saturday - January 30th:
Various Locations
Run and T2 Clinic
Riley Field - Wisdom Rd, Peachtree City, GA 30269, http://www.peachtree-city.org/index.aspx?NID=312
9:30am
Free to TRI PTC Club Members/$20 for Non-Members
Bring your running shoes, drinks, dry clothes and all items needed to practice your transition!
Bike Clinic
World Gym - 1300 Commerce Dr, Peachtree City, GA 30269, 770-631-8004
11:30am
Free to TRI PTC Club Members or World Gym Fayette Members/$20 for Non-Members
Bring your water bottle and dry clothes - this class will be on spin bikes.
Please drop off your bike and trainer in the back lot and park in the front lot.
Get there early to ensure your spot - only 35 bikes available!
Swim Clinic
World Gym Fayette - 1964 Highway 54, Fayetteville, GA 30214, 770-487-4273
2pm
Free to TRI PTC Club Members or World Gym Fayette Members/$20 for Non-Members
Bring your swim suit, goggles, pool toys and towel!
It is $25.00 to renew your TRI PTC Club Membership. Applications will be available at all of the clinics or you can register on-line via active.com - http://www.active.com/triathlon-membership/peachtree-city-ga/tri-peachtree-city-triathlon-club-2008
It is $75.00 for all new TRI PTC Club Memberships, which include a club racing jersey (a $65.00 value).
It is $50 for the weekend if you are a non-club member and want to attend all of the clinics.
Registration is open for each clinic 30 minutes prior to each clinic.
Please email Anne @ adchrzanowski@gmail.com for any questions regarding the weekend activities!
The TRI PTC Club will have jerseys, shirts, hats and some limited supply jackets available for purchase. These are first come, first serve!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Small Adjustments = Improvements, and Messed up New Shoes
Hey!
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Murtha...
This is going to be a short post, mostly due to the fact that I don't feel like putting in all of my workout data today, and I am going to try and update my blog tomorrow to update my sidebar to include new blogs I visit, training data, etc...
Swam once for 1500M (bad Andy, more swimming), rode my bike twice (once being a brick) and ran once with James. My "small adjustment," which I eluded to in my title, was to move my seat forward as far as possible on my bike, and then bring the seat up about a quarter inch. Now I am by no means a professional bike fitter, but the results were awsome! My legs felt better on the bike (especially when aero), and on my brick workout, I was having to force myself to slow down and run 8:30/mi splits!!! No cramping or problems getting going on the run!!!
Speaking of running, which leads into my new shoes.
I bought new shoes. I think they are the Saucony Progrid Trigon Guide. Tuesday I was out with James for a 5 mile run, and here is what happened (when you have new shoes paritally broken in with no socks.....
Murtha...
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ford Ironman Florida 70.3...........NO MORE
Hello Everyone,
So I told you that I would have an announcement to make pending an email that I was supposed to be receiving. Well, I never received the email from NA Sports, so I decided that I would go ahead anyway, and inform all of you what is going on.
During the last mile of my race this past Saturday, I realized that if I was completing the Ironman Florida 70.3, I would have to do what I was doing then 4 more times (to equal the 70.3 distance, roughly). I then thought to myself, "Andy, if you really drive your butt all the way down to Orlando and attempt to do this upcoming race, you are either a) going to be in the medical tent DNF with multiple IVs in you, b) in one of Orlando's finest Hospitals, or c) possibly worse than the first two."
Nice positive mental attitude while attempting to finish a race, eh? I thought so too. On the car drive home, I told Jackie of my intentions, and she was in full support of me no matter what I decided. On Sunday I composed an email and sent it to NA Sports (after reviewing their NEW cancellation policy), and my heart sunk just a bit further knowing there would be NO REFUND, and most likely NO RACE TRANSFER. I have yet to hear from NA Sports concering this matter.
I have now had plenty of time to let this marinate in my head. I know I made the right decision, but it has led me to view my 3rd year in the sport as uncertain. Just yesterday there was an incident at work that prevented me from getting in my afternoon workout (on top of the fact I did not get up early enough to go swimming), and then my other job called me to try and pick up a shift someone dropped. Being the nice guy (sucker) I am, I said yes instead of going home and "taking care of business."
Training is spotty, motivation is not there everyday, etc...
I have seen a few other posts from people's blogs having this same situation occur. I would like to see how they panned out.
I am still going to complete the NY Bike Tour this weekend (due to the fact that I will probably be riding 12-15 mph for 42 miles will not be a problem for me), but the rest of the season is really up for grabs. I still want to do the South Carolina HIM in October, but I am not sure about my race schedule for the rest of 2007, and if I do complete any other races, they will probably only be sprint races to save my sanity.
One phrase, mental turmoil, describes it all.
One person cannot do it all, and like the prelude to my race report in my previous post, triathlon has definately not been my priority of any sort this year.
I am working on a schedule (about 22 weeks to South Carolina HIM) that should have me ready for the race, but the problem can and will most likely be the execution.
Now I am just ranting... I will leave this subject for now, I know it is a downer for the rest of you and I want this blog, as well for all you reading it, to be a most enjoyable reading experience. And while reading both the ups and downs are great, it seems as of late there have been more downs than ups.
Good Luck training/racing,
Murtha...
So I told you that I would have an announcement to make pending an email that I was supposed to be receiving. Well, I never received the email from NA Sports, so I decided that I would go ahead anyway, and inform all of you what is going on.
During the last mile of my race this past Saturday, I realized that if I was completing the Ironman Florida 70.3, I would have to do what I was doing then 4 more times (to equal the 70.3 distance, roughly). I then thought to myself, "Andy, if you really drive your butt all the way down to Orlando and attempt to do this upcoming race, you are either a) going to be in the medical tent DNF with multiple IVs in you, b) in one of Orlando's finest Hospitals, or c) possibly worse than the first two."
Nice positive mental attitude while attempting to finish a race, eh? I thought so too. On the car drive home, I told Jackie of my intentions, and she was in full support of me no matter what I decided. On Sunday I composed an email and sent it to NA Sports (after reviewing their NEW cancellation policy), and my heart sunk just a bit further knowing there would be NO REFUND, and most likely NO RACE TRANSFER. I have yet to hear from NA Sports concering this matter.
I have now had plenty of time to let this marinate in my head. I know I made the right decision, but it has led me to view my 3rd year in the sport as uncertain. Just yesterday there was an incident at work that prevented me from getting in my afternoon workout (on top of the fact I did not get up early enough to go swimming), and then my other job called me to try and pick up a shift someone dropped. Being the nice guy (sucker) I am, I said yes instead of going home and "taking care of business."
Training is spotty, motivation is not there everyday, etc...
I have seen a few other posts from people's blogs having this same situation occur. I would like to see how they panned out.
I am still going to complete the NY Bike Tour this weekend (due to the fact that I will probably be riding 12-15 mph for 42 miles will not be a problem for me), but the rest of the season is really up for grabs. I still want to do the South Carolina HIM in October, but I am not sure about my race schedule for the rest of 2007, and if I do complete any other races, they will probably only be sprint races to save my sanity.
One phrase, mental turmoil, describes it all.
One person cannot do it all, and like the prelude to my race report in my previous post, triathlon has definately not been my priority of any sort this year.
I am working on a schedule (about 22 weeks to South Carolina HIM) that should have me ready for the race, but the problem can and will most likely be the execution.
Now I am just ranting... I will leave this subject for now, I know it is a downer for the rest of you and I want this blog, as well for all you reading it, to be a most enjoyable reading experience. And while reading both the ups and downs are great, it seems as of late there have been more downs than ups.
Good Luck training/racing,
Murtha...
Monday, March 26, 2007
Congratulations!!! Two Tri-Geeks Unite!!!
I thought you might like this. It happened on Feb 20th, 2007, a day after it was scheduled to happen. Needless to say my Tri-partner in crime was very suprised!!! I had to ask her twice, since she did not believe me the first time. See if you can guess where it is at.... I will give you a hint at the end of the post.
Hint: One of the final scene's from Ocean's Eleven.
Murtha out....
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