Wow! At this rate my third update will also be a race report! I will try to do better. I have had two significant events that have had an impact on my training.
The first was the return of Chris. Chris has been my training partner for past shorter distance triathlons and two half marathons. Chris also has a tendency to go faster than I normally would. I am glad I had the last 8 weeks to train while he was in New Zealand. It has given me time to build fitness to match his speed. His return has had a significant impact on the intensity of the training...I am going faster now.
The second event was Amanda beginning her job as a teacher. Being extremely motivated to do well and be prepared, she felt like she needed to get up to the school extra early before the kids arrived. This means I have had to get up at 5:00 on several occasions this week just to get my workout in before she leaves. It is difficult to feel good about your workouts when you know you will be tired all day.
So what does a week look like for me?
Last Saturday Chris and I rode about 40 miles, then immediately ran 2 miles fast (by fast I mean we averaged under 7 min per mile for both miles).
Sunday was a recovery 5 mile run.
Monday was an hour on the bike.
Tuesday was a 5 mile run.
Wed - I skipped my workout but should have biked an hour
Thursday was a 5 mile run followed by 30 min on the bike
Today I am taking off.
We will increase our weekend distances until we have ridden the full 56 miles and at least will have run 13.1 miles.
Overall the workouts are going well...meaning I am not feeling too tired, I have no injuries nor chronic areas of pain, and I am able to meet the speed of my workouts with the goals I have in mind for the race.
An additional benefit to increases in distance is related to weight loss.
About 5 years ago I started jogging, inconsistently, but I was still trying to be more active. I also stopped eating McDonalds and replaced it with Chik-Fil-A. The result...I dropped 10 pounds in about 6 weeks. Since taking up the sport of triathlon two years ago I lost another 15.
Recently with the increases in this training and a change in my diet (I increased my protein/fat intake and decreased the amount of foods high in the glycemic index) I have lost another 5 pounds. I don't necessarily want to be "small" (It was a little embarrassing to go buy pants recently and see more of my size in the "young men's" section than the "men's" section), but it does feel good to be fit and know that you are taking care of your body. I am trying not to take my health for granted. I know that it is a blessing and I won't always be able to go out and do the things I can do now to enjoy the physical freedoms with which I have been blessed. I just hope "Super Teacher" decides to go in a little later next so I can at least get an extra 30 min sleep.
Keep checking back for more updates! Thanks for reading!
Paul
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Edward's Story
My wife's grandfather died of cancer in August of 2003. My sweet mother-in-law took the time to write down his story.
Again, I am passing along these stories to raise awareness and funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation while I am training to compete in a half Ironman triathlon in October. You can support me and make a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation here http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2009/paulaslinlonghorn09.
Following this story I have added a brief perspective. This is Edward's story as told by his daughter (my mother-in-law), Angela Mallette.
"My Dad was Edward Siltman. He was a lifelong educator, mechanic and all-around fix-it guy. He was a wonderful Christian man; an elder at church, a Bible teacher and counselor. My parents were married 54 years with 3 kids, 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren to their credit. He always told us to do our best in how we lived and at whatever we tried. He encouraged us and told us how proud he was of us. We were always loved.Daddy was diagnosed with something called adeno carcinoma in August '02. He had several tests and procedures that summer because of esophageal problems. The biopsies kept coming back negative because they were going from the inside of his throat and the cancer was attacking from the outside.I was talking to him on the phone and telling him how sorry I was that he was having to go through this. He said, "Honey, you know that whichever way this goes, I'll be alright." His faith ran true throughout the year he suffered. I do believe God limited his pain as he never complained.When they tried another procedure, his esophagus ruptured and he had to endure a terrible surgery. He was touch and go for 3 months. Daddy spent time in a nursing home and was able to spend his last months at home with home healthcare helping Mother. My brother and I visited as much as we could from out of state and kept in contact pretty much daily. Our sister lives locally and was there for my parents daily. I made it a point to be sure and say and do things for Daddy so as to have no regrets. Daddy passed away August 9, 2003. Caleb, our son, and his girlfriend (now wife)and I had driven all night from TX to IL. Caleb wanted his grandpa to meet Sandra. We arrived at 5 AM and Daddy met Sandra. He was not doing well, but responded. Mother woke me up later and told me to go in with Daddy...she knew he was dying. I held his hand and told him it was OK to go... Our family coped with Daddy's illness through our faith and knowing with confidence that he would be with Jesus if the cancer prevailed. My family had a huge support of friends and extended family as well. Prayer was offered on our behalf and we claimed God's promises of strength, hope,& comfort. Daddy showed great endurance and perseverance and faith through his battle with cancer.He never complained or questioned, "Why me?".I would advise people to go to the doctor soon if you suspect something is physically wrong. If you feel you're not getting the right answers, go get another opinion. Daddy tended to put off doctoring...thinking nothing was too serious. I don't know if it would have turned out differently with this particular kind of cancer had it been diagnosed sooner, but it may have. God blessed us with a year with Daddy. It helped us get used to the idea of him leaving...I'll never get used to him being gone...the comfort is in knowing we'll see him again!"
Amanda and I also had the opportunity to drive to Illinios that summer and see him. It was good to be able to say goodbye. I remember when we were about to leave, I knew it was probably going to be the last time I would get see him. As I bent to to hug him goodbye I also gave him a kiss. That was not standard custom for us but it was the most appropriate way for me to tell him goodbye and that I loved him.
Something else I remember is going to his funeral. During the handful of times I spent with Mr. Siltman I saw how he lived. I married into his legacy. I remember coming to the understanding at his funeral the difference between just knowing Christ and following Christ as I heard my father-in-law, Kim, give his eulogy. Edward Siltman was a follower and we will definitely see him again!
Special thanks to my mother-in-law, Angela Siltman, for taking the time and tears to share this story. It was an honor to have known your dad and I am proud to share in his legacy!
Again, I am passing along these stories to raise awareness and funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation while I am training to compete in a half Ironman triathlon in October. You can support me and make a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation here http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2009/paulaslinlonghorn09.
Following this story I have added a brief perspective. This is Edward's story as told by his daughter (my mother-in-law), Angela Mallette.
"My Dad was Edward Siltman. He was a lifelong educator, mechanic and all-around fix-it guy. He was a wonderful Christian man; an elder at church, a Bible teacher and counselor. My parents were married 54 years with 3 kids, 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren to their credit. He always told us to do our best in how we lived and at whatever we tried. He encouraged us and told us how proud he was of us. We were always loved.Daddy was diagnosed with something called adeno carcinoma in August '02. He had several tests and procedures that summer because of esophageal problems. The biopsies kept coming back negative because they were going from the inside of his throat and the cancer was attacking from the outside.I was talking to him on the phone and telling him how sorry I was that he was having to go through this. He said, "Honey, you know that whichever way this goes, I'll be alright." His faith ran true throughout the year he suffered. I do believe God limited his pain as he never complained.When they tried another procedure, his esophagus ruptured and he had to endure a terrible surgery. He was touch and go for 3 months. Daddy spent time in a nursing home and was able to spend his last months at home with home healthcare helping Mother. My brother and I visited as much as we could from out of state and kept in contact pretty much daily. Our sister lives locally and was there for my parents daily. I made it a point to be sure and say and do things for Daddy so as to have no regrets. Daddy passed away August 9, 2003. Caleb, our son, and his girlfriend (now wife)and I had driven all night from TX to IL. Caleb wanted his grandpa to meet Sandra. We arrived at 5 AM and Daddy met Sandra. He was not doing well, but responded. Mother woke me up later and told me to go in with Daddy...she knew he was dying. I held his hand and told him it was OK to go... Our family coped with Daddy's illness through our faith and knowing with confidence that he would be with Jesus if the cancer prevailed. My family had a huge support of friends and extended family as well. Prayer was offered on our behalf and we claimed God's promises of strength, hope,& comfort. Daddy showed great endurance and perseverance and faith through his battle with cancer.He never complained or questioned, "Why me?".I would advise people to go to the doctor soon if you suspect something is physically wrong. If you feel you're not getting the right answers, go get another opinion. Daddy tended to put off doctoring...thinking nothing was too serious. I don't know if it would have turned out differently with this particular kind of cancer had it been diagnosed sooner, but it may have. God blessed us with a year with Daddy. It helped us get used to the idea of him leaving...I'll never get used to him being gone...the comfort is in knowing we'll see him again!"
Amanda and I also had the opportunity to drive to Illinios that summer and see him. It was good to be able to say goodbye. I remember when we were about to leave, I knew it was probably going to be the last time I would get see him. As I bent to to hug him goodbye I also gave him a kiss. That was not standard custom for us but it was the most appropriate way for me to tell him goodbye and that I loved him.
Something else I remember is going to his funeral. During the handful of times I spent with Mr. Siltman I saw how he lived. I married into his legacy. I remember coming to the understanding at his funeral the difference between just knowing Christ and following Christ as I heard my father-in-law, Kim, give his eulogy. Edward Siltman was a follower and we will definitely see him again!
Special thanks to my mother-in-law, Angela Siltman, for taking the time and tears to share this story. It was an honor to have known your dad and I am proud to share in his legacy!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Training Update #1
This is a little overdue because I am 6 weeks into my training for a 1/2 Ironman I am going to do on October 25th. There are two different types of training in triathlon...training to compete and training to complete, I am training to complete since this is my first 1/2 Ironman race.
On shorter distance races I can train at or above the distance of the race. In other words if my race is 18 miles on the bike and 3 miles on the run, I would train by riding 20+ miles on the bike and 4 miles on my runs. Not so with this race!
Since I am taking care of 3 girls during the day, my training is limited during the week to about an hour before they wake. I have to rely on my weekend workouts to get me up to the distance where my race will be. It's getting harder!
I am pretty much constantly building my training distances up to October 25th. This past Sunday I rode 2 hours on the bike, about 36 miles. The day before I ran 8 miles. At this point it is weird to think I am going to add 1/3 on to both of those and then stack them together, but I know with consistent training my body will adapt.
Another thing I am excited about is the return of my training buddy, Chris Bell. He has been in New Zealand for the last 8 weeks. He completed a 1/2 Ironman in Kansas just before he left. I am hoping he has lost some of his fitness and I have increased mine so we will be about the same in fitness (Actually I hope I am more fit and can stay ahead so I can beat him in October!) He is really good at pushing me, something I need right now as I am increasing my intensity.
Anyways I have been staying consistent training about 6 days a week. I started at about 40 min running and 1 hour on the bike. I have doubled that in the last 6 weeks.
Keep checking back for more stories about people and their battles with cancer as well as training updates.
On shorter distance races I can train at or above the distance of the race. In other words if my race is 18 miles on the bike and 3 miles on the run, I would train by riding 20+ miles on the bike and 4 miles on my runs. Not so with this race!
Since I am taking care of 3 girls during the day, my training is limited during the week to about an hour before they wake. I have to rely on my weekend workouts to get me up to the distance where my race will be. It's getting harder!
I am pretty much constantly building my training distances up to October 25th. This past Sunday I rode 2 hours on the bike, about 36 miles. The day before I ran 8 miles. At this point it is weird to think I am going to add 1/3 on to both of those and then stack them together, but I know with consistent training my body will adapt.
Another thing I am excited about is the return of my training buddy, Chris Bell. He has been in New Zealand for the last 8 weeks. He completed a 1/2 Ironman in Kansas just before he left. I am hoping he has lost some of his fitness and I have increased mine so we will be about the same in fitness (Actually I hope I am more fit and can stay ahead so I can beat him in October!) He is really good at pushing me, something I need right now as I am increasing my intensity.
Anyways I have been staying consistent training about 6 days a week. I started at about 40 min running and 1 hour on the bike. I have doubled that in the last 6 weeks.
Keep checking back for more stories about people and their battles with cancer as well as training updates.
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