Tagged.......

I guess I got tagged too. Hmmm.....

1. I found that finding 5 interesting things about me very difficult to come up with. You don't want to sound too much like a braggart or too boring......Yup there's one fact.

2. Along with triathlon I love to shoot competition and train for MMA. The shooting has been a lifetime sport for me. If its a shooting game I probably have tried it and liked it. Right now I shoot action pistol/3 gun matches (basically shooting steel and paper targets as fast as you can with a pistol, rifle, and shotgun) The MMA thing started when I was in my early 20's and was teaching self defense. The competitor in me came out in a big way and I started grappling and boxing as well. Now I don't fight in the cage much anymore...(something about being 40.....) but I still like to train and teach.

3. I put a purple ribbon on my race jersey. Not as a fashion accessory but as a show of support for victims of domestic violence. Hits way too close to home for me.

4. I invaded France once.....Way to much German beer, testosterone, and willing friends resulted in a snowball attack on the border checkpoint.....followed by a somewhat prolonged footchase through the woods.

5. I built a sailboat. Several months of evenings in a very cramped one car garage, lots of cursing, and some good luck, and I am the proud owner and Captain of the Sailing Vessel Lo-Tan. (check out my myspace page for pics of the boat and her christening www.myspace.com/tclark505 )

Running to the sound of my feet.

I have worn an MP3 player or walkman or discman or whatever during my runs forever. Hard hard music always seemed to make the runs go a bit easier. But a couple of weeks ago I was out of batteries and just took off running sans tunes. I ran almost a minute faster at the same heart rate as the week before. I guess it made it easier to concentrate on running with better form.

When I started tri's the run just sucked for me. I have never been fast.( well I ran an 11:17 2 mile when I was in the Army but that was 22 years ago) So this winter is dedicated to getting a running form that is more efficient and thus somewhat faster. Running with a shorter stride, landing midfoot, at a 90 cadence, relaxed upper body, etc... I think I just might be on to something!

Thanksgiving

For years Thanksgiving has been a day of gluttony, football, and naps in my house. This year things were just a tad different. Yeah we ate well. But no overeating. I did take a little siesta after dinner...but just a little one. But, for the first time in years I was truly thankful.

For the last seven months my son has been in downtown Ramadi, Iraq. He is a Marine infantryman. The day before thanksgiving he landed back at 29 Palms, California...with all of his body parts intact. I am damn thankful.

This past summer a sudden medical emergency almost took my wife from me. I got to look across the dinner table and be incredibly thankful.

One of my best friends has been dragged through hell in recent weeks by his 18 year old daughter. I looked at my 15 year old and realized that the worst problems I have had is she forgets to do the dishes sometimes. She is 4.0 in school and a great kid. I am thankful.

I woke up and went for a run in the predawn cold on black Friday. As I ran through the inky darkness, the only sound was my footfalls and breathing. Then it came to me. This is what life is about. I spent a very special Thursday in November being thankful for things that I should be much more thankful for everyday.

So today when instead of being bummed that the pool was closed for emergency maintanance, I just went for a run instead...and ya know what? I'm damn thankful that I am able to do it.

Stuff on the side of the road!?!?!?!?!

Some days on the bike are intense and focused. This time of year I am out doing what Davis Phinney called "guilt inducing easy miles" on the bike. The HRM alarm keeps me on track so all I have to do is ride......and notice the bizarre things people throw on the side of the road.

I'm not talking about the normal stuff like beer cans and garbage...but more like the collection of single shoes. Why are there so many single shoes out there? Not that many people ride with there feet out the window do they? Then there are tools. Over the years I have collected nearly a complete socket set, misc wrenches, and at least a dozen screw drivers. Sun glasses, ball caps, and a few pairs of pants make you wonder what some folks do while driving......which leads me to Sunday's ride. I was 20 miles north of town just about to turn around and saw.....something...laying up ahead on the shoulder. As I approached a very realistic albeit dramatically sized phallic "toy" was just laying there...................what on earth did the owner do to forget her/his toy on the side of US285? I mean you would think that would be something you might just keep track of........I remain just a bit flabergasted and perplexed. (MG ya missed it man). You know how hard it is to keep your heart rate down while riding a bike and laughing deep and long? :-)

Ever have one of those runs?

Yesterday was a gorgeous fall day. The leaves are turned and colorful, the breeze was gentle and comforting, and I was on an aerobic run. Now I have never been accused of being a runner. (My shuffle allows me to compete and thats about it.) Since my biggest limiter has been identified in bright shining neon, I have dedicated the winter to improving my run. The base being the foundation fitness is based on I have been adding 10% per week to the time and really starting to enjoy my long "run". I have been concentrating on a fast turnover and neutral footfall. It feels weird but it seems to be working. I turned the last corner on my run and realized that I was several minutes faster than I anticipated, was completely aerobic and breathing easy. I finished 5 miles with a smile and no discomfort.

Now.....about that HIM run.......

Well, here I go.

I am about 5 or 6 weeks into my reentry into triathlon. I love to train for and race triathlons. I took a couple of years off and just about reverted into a couch tubor. I made a decision that I liked the fit me better than the fat drunk me. So here I go.

I started by kicking alcohol out of my life. I let it have way to big a hold on me anyhow. Add to that all of the empty calories and tendency to make me lazy........ Then I got ahold of my diet. I love to cook. I really do. The Food Network is my favorite TV to watch. I get great ideas and try some of the recipes that the flamboyant hosts prepare for the couch born masses. But now I have been using those recipes....but making them low fat and healthy. I watch my portions and keep a diary of everything I eat.

So far its working. On October 1st I weighed in at an all time high of 255 pounds. Today, I weighed in at 227.

I'm up to 4o mile rides on Saturdays and 5 mile runs on Sundays. I don't want to increase too fast and risk an injury but I am loving the longer workouts.

I have an "A" race planned on June 29, 2008 at Buffalo Springs Tx. The 1/2 Ironman...er I mean Ironman 70.3 (when did that change?). I did 6:40:40 in 2003. I want to beat that time in 2008. I can do it. I have a workout plan in place and I am on track. More importantly I have a commitment to living my life my way........without the negatives and without regrets.