Thursday, February 12, 2009

Training,sponsors, bruised egos and other various musings...

So far so good on the training front. Currently I am doing about 9-10 hours a week. Usually 2-3 swims, 2-3 runs and 3 time a week on the bike. This is really in preparation for the Memphis in May event as well as building a base for Louisville. I have a swim lesson in a couple of weeks. I am looking forward to this since I am a self taught swimmer. I am sure I am doing all kinds of things wrong so I would like to get that corrected before race season. Michael Phelps I am not!

I have a sponsor! I have teamed up with Trakkers GPS for this year. The company has a product that will allow others to follow me through training and races via google map. They are still in the testing phase which is where athletes (no laughing, that is what I call myself) like me will be using the product in various races and offering feedback. The idea seems like a very useful one. I know there have been many times in training when my wife wondered where I was. It would also allow friends and family to know where to look for you during races. An added bonus of the product is that the user can chart his workout stats after the fact. The device is worn like a watch and the user will have to subscribe to a monthly service (I believe). I am looking forward to using the device and will provide updates and facts as I learn more.

I am also raising money for the children of St. Jude in conjunction with my Ironman race. I hope to raise $10,000 by race day. No children are ever turned away for lack f funds and the hospital uses donations to help fund the treatment and to look for cures for childhood illnesses and diseases.

On to some self humiliation of the day. So tonight, I was doing a 5 mile run. About 4.5 miles into the run, I came up on a driveway that had a drop-off. So obviously I look down to make sure I don't trip, roll an ankle, etc. as any normal person would do. As I was doing this, all of a sudden I was knocked onto my keister. You guessed it...I had run smack dab into a ginormous tree limb. As I sat on the sidewalk (it was on one of the busiest streets in town, so I am sure many motorist got a kick out of it), my ears were ringing and my head and pride were in serious pain. I now am sporting a big knot on the top of my noggin. Just another day in the life of an athlete:)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Greetings

I wonder if this is how Doogie Howser felt? So, my name is Josh and I am a triathlete. No, really, I am. I am not the fastest swimmer...or biker...or runner, but I am a triathlete. And hopefully on August the 30th, I will be an Ironman.



Today, I rode the spinning bike for an hour and followed that up with a quick 15 minute run. Doesn't that sound like a grand time? While pedaling in a dark room at the gym, I followed along on my cell phone as my Memphis Tiger's beat the Mighty Mustangs of SMU (well maybe not so mighty). Currently I am training about 10 hours a week in preparation for the Memphis in May triathlon. As we get closer to August, that training number will go way up.



This triathlon "thing" started for me last year. I would like to thank my friend Erik for that. What started out with me buying an entry level bike and to see if I liked this triathlon thing, has ended up with the purchase of a new bike, along with numerous other toys, and an entry into the Louisville Ironman. What a leap huh? Man is it addicting though!



I will be using this page to update my training as well as share other triathlon and non-triathlon stories. I will do my best to keep it light and fresh, but I won't make any promises. Good night all.