254 Days

Whoa big guy. Let's not book the tickets to AZ yet.

This is the quarterback for the team we barely beat last night. Are you still as confident?

"Super Bowl, Homeboy!" - Randy Moss

Best. Wife. Ever.

Whenever I see the commercials where the husband or wife surprises their spouse with a vehicle I think...yeah right.

Apparently, it can be done, this truck was in my garage last night (huge red bow not pictured.)

6 months later...

Seen the New Bri Tri photos? 6 months later but some good shots. Get a load of this studd? Who needs motivation when you're dieseled?

More Power for Christmas

I'm thiking of following the Cronz into world of watts. Any thoughts on getting the Power Tap and which one? My IT guy says it will bump you up 3mph come game time.

Motivation Please

Crew,

I think I need some motivation. In the last week, I've done 1 spinning class, one 3.4 mile run, and swam 1700 yds. that in and of itself doesn't sound so bad, however, those are also my totals for November. Had a strong October. Averaged 4-5 workouts a week, but then had some injury issues which required me to take about 2 weeks off, and a holiday so November pretty much was a bust.

I put together a plan that would get me to running 26 miles by mid June, and that plan calls for me to do a 7 mile run this weekend, which scares me.

Help.

BG

This is nice. Tracy just came over here and read what I wrote, and she is laughing in my face. She thinks I'm a pile, doubts my injuries, and thinks that i'm a 50/50 DNF at this point. What an awesome cheerleader. So, I need you guys.

Guys – (This is Tracy) I think the lack of motivation comes from the 2-beer a night pilsner habit that Bryan leisurely drinks in his gray sweatpants, white T-shirt and black socks. Lance Armstrong? Not so much... I have the utmost belief that he will finish the race, and I will be there to cheer him on every step of the way. I really am a nice person at heart. :) (p.s. - I laugh about the injuries, because this is the first I have heard of these mysterious ailments - hmm

Fellas - BG again - Nice. Very nice. Help.

Congrats to Ace...

With his watch time of 3:37 at today's Philly Marathon, he was obviously making a huge statement to Lance at next year's NYC marathon. "Objects in your mirror are closer than they appear".

On another note, it seems like Ace cannot run Friday, he will be in Austin. But my family and I are again doing the Turkey Trot at the Target Center on Thursday morning. Ace said he would do it if there is others interested, but I don't know if out of town Thanks plans are in the works for everyone. Doubt it will be able to work for anyone, but just thought I would throw it out there.

Liberty Tri - 6/14/08

Uncle Sam says you're either with me or against me. Who's in?

A Mystery?

We have a comment from "Sideline Cheerleader," on the site. Who is this mysterious comment-dropper? Anyone?

Weekend Workouts

I'm curious about where people are with training and since I haven't started a formal plan yet I'm wondering if I'm doing enough. My weekend was:

Friday: Swim 25 laps
Saturday: Bike 90 mins (10 min. warm-up, 70 min. in biggest gear, 10 min. cooldown)
Sunday: 3.5 mile run

y tu?

Vegas baby, vegas

Fellers, sorry I've been off the grid for a while. Went deer hunting last weekend, and have been in vegas all week. You think that would be followed up by spearmint rhino this, voodoo lounge that, room service, late night calls home for Tracy to mellow me out, etc, but sadly, I've been stuck in conferences and workshops pretty much the whole time. It was 80 today here, but I spent a total of about 1 hour outside today, 45 minutes of which was a walk home to the Hilton from the mirage tonight after dinner with a 60 year old sales rep from So Cal, and one of my bosses. Ate fillet and alaskan king crab at Kokomo today (mirage), and lost $60 playing 3 card poker with my other boss. I figure the fact that I ate probably a $120 dinner for free this evening balanced out the $120 I've lost on the tables in the last 2 days.

Deer hunting was a great nature experience, but got blanked on the deer tip. Saw plenty, but only took 1 shot which was through some underbrush up a hill across a dirt road. Looked around in the woods for 1/2 hour, but didn't see any blood, so guess that one got lucky.

Emma turns 3 on saturday, and the last thing she asked me before I left was if I was coming home for her birthday. kind of pulled at my heartstrings a little bit. I told her I'd be home on Friday, in plenty of time.

Tray is seriously considering an early retirement at the moment, which on the one hand makes me a little nervous, but on the other hand could really even out our ultra rat race lifestyle. We'd have to make some changes I think, but could probably pull it off. More to come on that.

My brother in law came home from Iraq a week ago too which was cool. Went to the homecoming at some school in woodbury. That was really something. a whole motorcade of vietnam vets on harleys led the way, with troopers and squads leading the way. Got some great pics, which I'll share.

Now I sit watching ESPN and highlights of KG and Carmello kicking the shit out of the nuggets. 72/38 at half? Wow. Still can't name you one T-Wolf. Sorry Slim.

Catching a 2:30 flight tomorrow, and should be home by 8:00.

Anyway, sorry to pollute the blog with non-tri related banter, but thought I'd give you the 411 on the off the grid life and times of the G-man. By the time most of you read this, I'll be MN bound so wish me safe travels.

Be well.

BG

I need to be in this age group...

As I was doing some business in the home office, I was skimming the newest issue of Endurance news. Usually, not very interesting, but found this little nugget. I don't know what age group he was in, but my spirits soared! I would have obliterated this age group! (unfortunately, it is probably the 75-79 age group).

Completed Timberman, came in first in
my age group and had a fabulous time
during the entire race. My goals were to
finish in less than 8 hours and to enjoy
the race. I finished in about 7:40 and
pretty much cherished every mile of the
experience.

I followed your nutrition plan and
my energy was consistently good
throughout. No stomach issues. I made
up an 8-scoop bottle of Perpetuem for
the bike and used my Camelback with
water in it. Took an Endurolyte about
every 30 to 45 minutes on the bike and
every 30 minutes on the run. Ran with a
flask of Hammer Gel which I took small
swallows of, periodically chased down
with water.

Anyway... just wanted to thank you for
helping to make my first 70.3 an ecstatic
experience.

SB

My Egg got Hatch(ed)!

One of the worst parts of training has to be the repetition. Swim in the same pool, at the same time, in the same lane if it's open. Run the same course, and the trainer, well, we won't go there.

On Saturday afternoon before Ceci's party I was heading out for a short 3 or 4 mile jog. I got out to 109th Ave. and saw two guys, one running the other biking, headed towards me. I knew right away the runner was Brent Hatch, an amazing teacher and runner I used to work with. So, he catches me and I ask him what he's doing. Turns out he's training for the Las Vegas marathon and we bumped into each other at mile 7 of his 22 miler. I decide I've got time to hang with him for awhile, so I pick up the pace and we start chewing the fat.

His story is amazing, I included the link from when he was in Runner's World a while back, we talked a little bit about his cancer and he said it's a bummer because his meds cause cramping during longer runs. (Makes my complaints seem a little immature, I realized I almost complained to the bartender the night before about not putting enough ice in my Brandy 7, sad.)

Anyway, the guy on the bike was one of Brent's buddies, everyone is Brent's buddy, and there is no way I could do justice to the entertainment these two provided during this run. Keep in mind the buddy is on a bike. Anyway, this dude was a NCAA D-1 cross country skiier, 2:25 marathoner and competitive kayaker who gave up endurance sports to hunt for Bigfoot, "with a camera, not a gun." (His words.)

Anyway, long story longer, by the time there's a break in the conversation I'm more than 4 miles from home and still going the wrong way. Realized I was going to have to head back, used Cecilia's party as an excuse because I didn't want to admit I was completely out of gas and barely got home in time to shower and head out the door.

What was supposed to be a slow 4 miles turned into 9 miles at a pace I'm still feelin'. But it was the most unique run I've had in a long time, certainly one I will smile about whenever I see it in the training journal.

Carry on.

Celebrating Movember

I don't think there is any better way to celebrate our upcoming Triathlon journey than celebrating Movember. With any luck, we can look like these guys.

Experimental Training Program P. 2

Sick of the trainer and pool, going with Ace's pheasant chasin' workout tomorrow. Wish us (me and Chewy) luck.

Happy Hour Strategy Session

Alright team I've got the 2007 Ironman Madison and BT World Championship saved on my DVR. When do we want to get together and check them out? Does tomorrow (Thurs. 10/25) or next Tues, Wed. or Thurs. work?

Miscellaneous... Check out these videos.

This guy took video of the swim, bike, and run courses. They are pretty long, so look at them when you have a free hour or two (which is around 2-4am around these parts.) I started them but haven't watched them fully, will when we are closer to game day.

1. Looking at a easy ride for about 90 minutes (or 60 minute run) next Sunday for those who are interested. I will just put it out there from now on, and if someone is up for it great, if not, so be it.

2. For those interested, P2 is going OK, it is really hard right now, there are 3 sessions a week, and consist of either run- bike-run or bike, but with many hills, stairs, etc. I missed this week cause I was out of town, tried to replicate in DC, and it really hurt on Saturday.

3. Does anyone have Trail running shoes? Does anyone use them in the winter when it is icy/slippery? Thoughts on this controversial subject?

4. Nice job getting the trainer Slim, welcome to our world. If I were you, this is what I would do. First, go over to Mills Fleet and pick up a cow mat, it is a thick rubber surface that would protect your carpet (it is the poor mans weightlifting floor) Two, put it right downstairs in front of your flat screen, wait until the kids are to bed, and hit it for an hour (or in the morning).

5. Vikings, Gophers, Timberwolves, Gopher hockey. What do they all have in common? They should be looking for new coaches.

6. Ace should be hitting taper right about now, remember, taper means same intensity, just less miles. (Tip brought to you from Coach Speed Demon)

7. Cronz was telling me that he does some drills in the pool. Does anyone else have any drills they do? Gilbs, did you have a preference on the Swim Coach, are you interested?

Unilateral breathing preventing swimmer's shoulder.

Dudes,

I was going to post something on swimmer's shoulder because I've been a little sore lately (see link if you want), but in the vein of humor (holla at ya slim) and since I'm about 3 drinks into it right now, I'm going to post a funny e-mail I sent to some freinds this morning detailing my night last night, and morning. Click the link if you want to read about swimmer's shoulder, but read on if you want to hear what I've been up to the last day or so....

BG

***********************************************************************************
Sent at 8:55am, Thursday, 10/18/07....

OMG, check out my last 24……actually 21.5 hours…..

So last night, I get a call from Tracy at about 5:10 at my desk (I usually leave between 5 and 5:15), and meet the girls at home. She has blown a tire, and is sitting in the Ridgedale parking lot. I tell her that I will go pick up the kids, and that she should go to Big Bowl, and have a glass of wine, and wait for us. So, not a big deal. It was raining out pretty hard at this point, but it only took me about ½ hour to get the kids, and meet her at Big Bowl. We do dinner, and then I go out to change the tire. I am thinking that this will take me about 20 minutes…….terrible estimate. I decide to change into my workout clothes I have in my bag, because I think that changing a tire in my work clothes is dumb, especially in the rain. It ends up taking me close to an hour to jack this mo fo up, change the tire, and get all the shit back in the car. Visual**** Bryan in a white t-shirs and running tights, and running shoes, laying on the ground in the rain FOR ONE HOUR jacking up the family truckster. Nice. I am surprised, but not entirely, that nobody stopped to even ask if I had everything I needed. More surprised actually, that mall security didn’t come out and give me a ticket for indecency.

So, soaked, I go home. Thankfully, there is a Chrysler dealership 3 blocks from my house, so I go home, kiss the wife and kids, and head out to the dealership to get a new tire. I’m thinking 100-150$ max, right? Terrible estimate. $325 later, I walk out of the dealership with a new P235/6517R. For those that don’t know, the Chrysler Pacifica has 17 inch wheels – translation – hella expensive to replace.

So, go home right – Clara has thrown up in her crib. For the next 4-5 hours, get up virtually every hour because she is either crying or gaging. At one point (about 2:30 in the AM), I wake up in the chair, rocking her, and can’t remember getting up. I must have….but still don’t remember. Must be a reflex. Go back to bed at about 3:00. Wake up at 4:00, because tracy has got up with her, and is calling me from the other room. I walk in, and tracy is holding her legs up in the air, and there is an extraordinary amount of poop all over the changing table. So, I hold clara’s legs up in the air, while tracy cleans all the poop off of her legs / butt / changing table. I think that she will go back to sleep, but all she wants to do is play now. Struggle with her for the next hour and ½, and finally give up at about 5:30 when Tracy gets up.

Normal morning routine – give the kids breakfast, get clothes on, put ponies in Emma’s hair. Feel like a bad dad, because I plunked clara in the exersaucer, and turned on cartoons, while I sat next to her, and finished Emma’s ponies.

Finally, get to loading everyone up. Go outside, and it is pouring like crazy. Get Clara in the car, while Emma watches from the house. Get moderately soaked. Run back to grab Emma, who promptly runs away from me, laughing like crazy. She has taken off her shoes and socks. Mind you, Clara is sitting in an unlocked car in my driveway. Check to make sure that nobody is stealing Clara. Run back outside. Lock the car to make sure. Run back inside and corral my crazy little laugher with again no socks and shoes on. Pick her up finally, and get her into the car. It is pouring harder now, and in the mix, I’ve forgotten to put on my raincoat. Emma gets in her carseat, and won’t let me buckle her in for about 20 seconds, in which time, I get completely soaked. Run back in the house, grab my raincoat (really wondering what the point is now), and get in the car. This is what I hear: “Daddy, I need a cheerios snack!!!!” I try to reason with her, and she starts crying, because normally, I give her a little cereal in the car on the way. I pull out of the driveway, and try to convince myself to ignore the minor tantrum in the back seat because she has already eaten cereal, banana bread, and juice this morning, and is ultimately the reason I’m soaked to the bone. She calms down after about 2 miles.

Get to daycare, don’t tell the infant teachers that Clara threw up the night before, but do tell her that she did not sleep well at all. They tell me “oh, there has been a bug going around – 4 kids have got it – vomiting and diarrhea.” Nice, so I’ve got that to look forward to I guess.

Anyway, finally got the kids dropped off, and got to drink my coffee on the ride in. I’m probably not going to dry out until noon, which in my estimation is just about the time that daycare will call me to go pick up Clara because she is throwing up and pooping all over.

The thing is, you really have to laugh, because you can’t make it up. And I know that in 25 years, I’ll look back on this, and think these were some of the best days of my life. However, at the moment, I’m soaking wet, and tired as hell.

…..A good 21.5 hours…..

The Old Switcheroo!?!

Has this ever happened to you?

The last two times I have bought running shoes (different stores, Running Room Woodbury and Run n' Fun) I have experienced a customer service quirk. I ask the person if I can try "these," (Nike Air Zoom Vomero 2, both times) in a 10.5. They say sure, go to the back, and return with the shoes in a different color than the one I pulled from the wall.

Is this some type of secret test?

Like, if I say, "um yeah these, but do you have the blue ones?" they are going to snatch back the shoes, call me a poser for caring about something other than arch support and send me to FootLocker amidst a roar of laughter.

Anyway, next time we run together don't ask me if I have jumped on the Cleveland Cavalier bandwagon. I just ended up with the magenta and gold because I didn't want to blow it.

3 Blind Mice

Experiemental Training Program

I'll be doing "chase the pheasant" repeats this weekend in North Dakota. I hope to combined this program with some road side running workouts. Any thoughts on nutrition?

IMMOO Blog Race Report

I know none of you care (maybe Ace),

BUT THE SEASON HAS BEGUN! Can you remind me again why I live here?

Training Thoughts - 4 Your 1st

Day 1

I know you are all dying to know what my first day of training was comprised of. Basically, go run stairs for 80 minutes and you will do the same workout. It was fun though, running around DT St Paul at night. Met Gilb's brother in law, nice guy. I was floored by the number of people there that ran the marathon on Sunday and were up for a stair workout on Tuesday, nuts.

Swim lessons?

I know I have talked to Cronz and Slim about this, but this guy is a Total Immersion coach in MPLS. His masters program doesn't fit my schedule, but this private lessons deal I think would be good to get some drills to ensure that our stroke is most efficient on game day. I was thinking about getting this rolling sometime in the winter, wondering what you guys think about it? Check out his website and let me know what you guys think, if all four of us did it I think it would be about $85/person.

Ace should really look at doing this socialogy experiment

I think it would be awesome for Ace to show up in Philly with a mustache, knee high tube socks, headband, short shorts, and a iron-on ring t-shirt.

And yes, Ace, I think pure marathon training hurts much more than the triathlon training. My one suggestion that helped me last year was to replace your easy days of running with biking or swimming. I think you need active recovery, but I don't believe that you need to do it running. That helped me save my legs for the long and hard runs.

I know that it may be controversial, but my belief is who cares what your easy days are, just move your body for 30-60 minutes, and you will get the same benefit that easy runs do.

JPK

Wait for it... this guy is living our dream!

More Timber

Timber 2007

Cocktails and Spandex

wmode="transparent" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" >

Will this man ever blog again?

Becoming Ironman Part 1: Prologue

Kind of felt like I was making out with this guy by the end of it but it was pretty good. Is this LifeTime MPLS?

Face the Bike: Baby Steps

Alright team, my sprint triathlon training plan has always been swim and run whenever possible, and try to remember to bring my bike to the races. I'm excited to figure this bike business out but I need some guidance on where to start. Specifically, I'm looking for any input you have on trainers, clip on pedals/cycling shoes and aerobars.

Ironman TV Schedule

Dudes,

Here is a list of Ironmans that are going to be on Versus some time soon. Cool.

DATE TIME (EASTERN) RACE
9/16/07 4 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Arizona
9/19/07 4:30 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Arizona
10/7/07 4 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene
10/9/07 4 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene
10/28/07 4 pm 2007 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid
10/31/07 4 pm 2007 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid
11/18/07 4 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Louisville
11/21/07 4 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Louisville
12/2/07 5 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Wisconsin
12/5/07 3 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Wisconsin
12/16/07 4 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Florida
12/29/07 3 pm 2007 Ford Ironman Florida
12/23/07 4 pm 2007 St. Croix Ironman 70.3
12/26/07 4 pm 2007 St. Croix Ironman 70.3

Team Training Gear

Get yours today, I did...

Not exactly Gilbs in the 2001 Lifetime Olympic...

but close. I think we could use a reenactment for IMMOO! What do you say, Gilbs?

Have you guys seen the new route for the 10 mile?

They are going down 4th avenue to the river parkway, which is super steep down, and then you have the hill coming back up to the Franklin Ave Bridge. It will be tough!

Good deals on road bikes?

Here is a bike shop in NYC, the service is terrible but the selection and prices are good!

IMWI Recap

--This recap got a bit long for me but I thought the opening quote and following paragraph were solid. Chubby's has decided it is time for it to happen.--

"There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come." ~ Victor Hugo

(article author): As profound as it may seem otherwise, remember that's all it was - time for it to happen. We can't forever go in the direction of something without arriving, after all. I'm also neither so much stronger nor more courageous than any others out there who struggle to shed their fears and doubts and baggage and then simply begin fighting more efficiently in the endeavor of being free. I believed, people loved me, and that's all it was, really.

This was the article I was looking for

Are elite athletes just lucky genetic mutants?

Are elite athletes just lucky genetic mutants?


Some definitely are, but while Michael Phelps's giant wingspan and Ed Viesturs's monster VO2 max may seem freakish to an average athlete, their gifts would hardly qualify them for the X–Men. Like most other sports stars with genetic gifts, their physical advantages only register on the high end of normal. But every once in a while an athlete comes along whose extraordinary congenital assets are truly off the chart. Take the case of Finnish cross–country skier Eero Mäntyranta, who pocketed two gold medals at the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics and discovered decades later that a mutation in his receptor for the hormone erythropoietin increased his number of oxygen–carrying red blood cells by at least 20 percent. But don't point—you're a mutant, too. Armand Marie Leroi, professor of evolutionary developmental biology at Imperial College London and author of 2003's Mutants, estimates that, on average, newly conceived human embryos have some 300 mutations, most of them detrimental, although to widely varying degrees. Writes Leroi, "Some of us are more mutant than others."

Crandall...

Please provide an update on the training for the Philly marathon. Will you be stopping in South Philly to pick up a cheese steak at Gino's? Will you run up the stairs like Rocky? Will you reenact Moustache Monday in dedication to your favorite Philly icon, Mike Schmidt? Please provide details.

I am back..

Overall thoughts on the blog so far.

1. I don't want to sound like a woman here, but why do I look like a linebacker every time I am on a bike? Geez, I weighed 175 pounds on game day, but that picture makes me look like I was 230.

2. Crandall's tri outfit is multi purpose, he can wear it on race day or to a NYC club, it is fantastic.

3. Cronz may have taken his "Remember to smile" advice too far with his picture.

4. Am I getting a new bike? Dunno. I am really not concerned with speed as much as being comfortable for a 7-8 hour trek. My aluminium frame beats me up pretty good after 4 hours, so that is why I am considering it. I definitely think it is doable on any of our bikes. Slim, Cronz and I were talking, and we think that you may need to go and get fitted on your bike again, your position seems off and appears pretty uncomfortable to the casual observer.

5. Am I getting a coach? Dunno. I need more structure out of a training plan than what I have had in the past. I tend to let fear of not finishing drive my training if I do it by myself, and end up doing endless long workouts that do nothing but increase overall stamina, and need the accountability aspect. If we all worked out together all the time, maybe I wouldn't need one. But with Fisch, dog, wife, house, and everything else, I can't go about this the way I have in the past. I need structure and to make sure that I get quality workouts in in a reasonable amount of time. I was going to meet with the guy in St Paul this week, but can't so I will be looking at the weekend or next week. Cronz may have already met with him, but from his post it sounds like he was dissapointed and or not what he was looking for.

Does it hurt that bad?

This Morning's Run

Gents - this was a stop on this morning's run in Tokyo, the Tsukji Fish Market. All I have to say is can a brother get some sushi?

Checklist: 20 Items for Faster Racing

I came across this list in a podcast this summer and I enjoyed it. Here's the print version.

Tips for blogging

Here is a blogging tip....
Use this fomula- HERE
To link your text to cool stuff.
please share as we learn more-

Do you think Cronin will Blog?

Anyone heard from Jack?

Self Coached, Self Delusional?

I like to think of myself as a do-it-yourselfer. When there's a project to do, I do it, right after my Dad shows me how.

My Dad doesn't do Triathlon.

So....what are people doing for training plans? I know some of us are considering coaches, local or online. Right now I'm leaning towards buying a customized online plan. (Ouch, try typing that phrase with a straight face knowing your marketing/ad buddies are reading it.) Anyway, plan on me looking to beg, borrow and steal your good workouts. I hate that feeling of wondering if you're doing things, "right."

Every once in a while I'll be in the pool doing a few laps and I'll look around and see kids on waterslides, and seniors doing water aerobics, and teenaged lifeguards flirting with each other, and who the hell knows what that guy is doing, and I just feel like Hunter Kemper's workouts probably aren't like this. Maybe, but probably not.

The Road Begins

I can't tell you how excited I am that we are doing this. Even more so that we are all doing it together. This will most likely be the crowning achievement in my athletic career. It will be great to share this experience with all of you. The road to IMWI starts now.

I know you all just got done with Timberman, but I'm pretty much starting all over right now. I ran about 4 miles on Tuesday, and 3 today, and it feels like someone hit me in the thighs with a sledge. Work it out. Work it out. I weigh 192 today. This will be fun to look back on when I am a well oiled ironman machine.

This is gonna be sweet.

Try here for reviews

Bike Review

Here is a 2007 review with prices from Outside Magazine

Bikes for IMWI

I'm looking for some good bike reviews? Jack any thoughts on bikes?

Video of IMWI

Here we go. Found this video on youtube!