Have you ever had that sense that something is not going well and your Spiderman (Spidey) senses warn you of impending danger? That's what it was like for me on Sunday around mile 33 during the Rev3 Williamsburg Half Iron bike leg. A group of four riders were jockeying around for position and generally being unsafe when …
Peeing in the shower – Pro or Con
The question is simple enough…it has to do with what you do in the shower. Do you or don’t you? …I’ve wondered what women talk about on a “Ladies night out”… But, I would never have imagined that peeing in the shower would be high on that list, although it seems last night this was …
I’m in the Hot Seat (updated)
I’m in a tailspin, off the rails, unfocused and lack significant motivation….. I was supposed to be racing my season opener this past weekend however, when I showed up for early packet pickup I found that I wasn’t even registered…What? Hold on, you are kidding right??? You don’t have my name down? WTF! Hold on …
Exhale – 2016 1St Open Water Solo Swim
It’ is 05:30 AM and about 57 degrees on a very cool misty New England morning. Today will be my 1st open water swim of the season. I’m nervous…. but I’m nervous every year on the 1st day… The parking lot is empty of course, what nut-bag in his right mind would be at …
For me..Its about the Cake
We learn things growing up that stick with us into our adulthood. I grew up in a house full of boys who loved to eat…. We ate a lot and often. Financially I don’t know to this day, how a single mother ever managed to afford feeding five growing boys. She cooked large quantities of …
Surrounded by beautiful women.
In a man’s world of honors there are not many titles that can beat “Dad”… until you get a field promotion to the rank of Grampa. I now have my third star promotion to Grampa-Don same pay as before, but I get to work remote. Many guys brag about the tough things they have done… …
Mother Nature is listening….
Be careful what you say about the day, Mother Nature might be listening This morning started out cold, dark and rainy …. Not the kind of day I was hoping for but, then again this is a typical spring in New England … Days like these are perfect pool workout days. So I'm off to the …
Vulnerabilities & Strengths
This is one of the scenes from the Boston Marathon Bombing three years ago. Growing up in the area I guess has influence me to become a life long runner.. Even as a middle school-er I can remember running bridge to bridge along the Charles, before school past Harvard, MIT and BU. Running …
Someday I’m gonna write a Biography
Authors Note: I just learned that Dave Orlowski and the other 11 original Ironman competitors are the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductees for 2023. Ironman as we know it today all started with a question among these 12...who among us is the fittest athlete, is it the swimmer, the bicyclist or the runner? The rest …
Seven Deadly Tri-Sins
Triathlon and the Seven Deadly Sins I think at some point every triathlete suffers from one or all of the Seven Deadly Sins.. The sins are Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed and Sloth. As sins go they may not be big ones per se, but sins none the less. Fear not sinners, forgiveness is near. …
Perception
Wait what just happened? Sometimes during a workout we see something that totally changes our perception. Like cresting the ridge on a mountain road to witness a breathtaking view…where minutes before your thighs were burning and your chest was pounding as you labored towards the summit. In an instant you switched from I’ve had enough …
When life trumps your training schedule
All last year I struggled with maintaining a schedule when more important priorities take precedence over my triathlon training. I had many discussions with my coach about ways to balance the stresses of everyday life with that weary tired feeling from training. I found myself apologizing over and over again for not keeping up, measuring …
An Epic Journey
Epic journeys like the Wizard of OZ, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings or The Never Ending Story all tend to follow a basic pattern commonly referred to as the Hero’s journey. It describes the typical adventure of a Hero, who goes out and achieves great deeds. I believe the stages of a Triathlete’s Journey …
A Positive Habit Pattern
Some years ago I developed a habit of saying “Good Morning” to just about everyone I pass on my morning bike and run sessions. I’m always pleasantly surprised when I actually get a response. Lately, I have even tried to squeak out a smile if I can because I have noticed runners never do a …
Fighting the Crypt Keeper Look
Fighting the Crypt Keeper Look – Thinking about implementing some Strength Training into the plan. So what’s wrong with being leaned down??? On the plus side being lean enables me to cruise along on runs, knife through water on swims and climb hills like a Billy goat on bike rides, so from a performance perspective …
Father Kinda Knows Best
Over the weekend my daughter and I had a father / daughter chat about want… She mentioned several times about wanting new things to replace some of the things she had but did not “like” any longer. My coaching to her was to learn to be happy with the things she had and to not …
When Eagles Soar and Bulldogs Growl
Today I celebrated the Marine Corps 240th birthday at zero dark hundred with an early morning run. As I moved along the coastline in the dark I thought about my brother Marines and our connection to three main symbols: the Eagle, the Globe and the Anchor. As Marines we know that the Eagle represents the country …
To be the Old Man…or the Iron Lady,
The “Old Man or Iron Lady” or the “Seasoned Veteran” as I prefer to be called refers to someone who has been in the game long enough to have experienced just about everything that could happen. He / She could be that person who is less likely to make mistakes when the stakes are high or …
Beyond the cubical, on an Autumn afternnon
Autumn lunch break bike rides in New England are a feast for the eyes, that nourish the soul. The buzz of the gears and the mashing of the pedals break the spell these country roads casts on each and every beholder. Today I had the good fortune to ride with the "Boys" and collectively we …
Lights! Frontal Cortex! Action! –
Have you ever wondered what turns on that positive light bulb in your head? You know that idea that motivates you to tears and pushes you forward when you thought there was nothing left in the can. Well those thoughts, idea, visions and inspirations happen in the front part of the brain. The frontal lobe is highly …
Advice from Leonardo Di Vinci
Imagine for a minute if Leonardo Di Vinci was your Tri coach / advisor.............What words of wisdom might he offer? Would they apply to us today and especially to a sport that did not even exist in his day? Here are a few quotes Leo offered for us to think about. Get out there and …
The Fall of the Fool
A Poem: "The way through the woods" by Rudyard Kipling Shamelessly altered to capture my fall in the pitch black woods! There is a road through the woods Built many years ago. Rocks and roots hide along this trail, Just where you never know. Yet, if you enter the woods, On a summer morning dark, You …
You Know your a TRI-Borg when… when your Electronic Devices do more talking than you do.
The other day someone asked ….what do you listen to on long run or ride days?.. my reply, nothing… Nothing …??? he said, “I could never do more than an hour without some tunes, podcasts, audio books or something to break the boredom” … This got me thinking… what the hell do I do out …
Triathlete’s need a laugh? Look in the mirror
How many of us struggled through Anatomy and Physiology in High School yet now we are aces when it comes to Lactic Acid, Sodium Intake, Urine Analysis, Proteins and Carbohydrates… And speaking about High School ……why is it … I could never work through unlatching a dates bra strap …..yet I can clip on my helmet …
Continue reading Triathlete’s need a laugh? Look in the mirror
Dethrone Yourself and Listen
What’s your natural inclination when in conversation with others? Is it to engage quickly and share your perspective on the topic? …do you find yourself getting anxious when others are speaking because you are waiting to add your anecdotes? Or do you listen more than speak? My tendency is to get in there and converse …
The Bow Legged Blogger 