A few turns, and a Runner's High

It had been years since I had skied, and with Dr. Stone's okay, I strapped on the boards (actually a nice rented set of shaped skis), and hit the slopes for a few days last year. The new equipment is awesome, and I felt very little pressure on my MT knee. I wear a Breg Fusion knee brace, and it makes a big difference for me. I had so much fun last year, I bought a pass for Squaw Valley in April for the 2010 season. On Sunday, I spent 2/3 of a day on the slopes having a blast. This is the view from way up high at Squaw.

Also, last week I experienced a runner's high on the treadmill. It was a bizarre feeling like I wasn't even running and that I could go forever. It was the first time for me, and it was awesome. I could have gone forever, but I followed my plan and got off at 45 mins. It was a great run. I hope it happens again during my training.

Swimming and biking are going well, but I'm a long way from being ready for the formal training. I'll continue my base building until February.

If I can only stay away from the holiday baskets!!! Merry Christmas.

Here We Go!!! On to 70.3

So, while sitting in bed a few months ago, I decided I was going to do it...my second attempt at a Half-Ironman. When my wife jokingly/mockingly asked if I was interested in going for it next year, I replied "sure." She was shocked to say the least, and with one word my mission for a 70.3 was on (A Half-Ironman is a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 run = 70.3)

After a lot of consideration, I decided to go back to my goal of racing a Half. Two years ago, I had the Deathride, and it was a brutal 129 mile sufferfest like nothing I have ever experienced before with an incredible reward for finishing. Last year I played a lot of golf, boxed, trained Muay Thai, and ultimately gave up basketball due to a knee injury I had in my "good" knee. However, I had nothing big to look forward to, and my boredom led to complacency. After a few months of just lifting and boxing, I also started having problems in by MT knee. I decided to get on the bike, do my rehab again, and start swimming a few laps just to tighten up the ol'knee. I rode and swam, and my old nemesis, the swim, was coming along swimmingly (couldn't resist). The thoughts of the feeling I would have crossing the finish line at a Half started to take over my swims. I had watched an hour's worth of finishers during the summer waiting for my wife (who kicked butt) at a Half last year, and I was inspired to say the least.

So here I am, almost two months into training, and feeling great so far. I hadn't run in almost 3 years (since my surgery on 12/17/08), and I no longer even owned a pair of running shoes. I picked up a very good pair of shoes at my local shop and started with a 20 minute jog. While my 38 year old body creaks a little bit more than it used to, I'm up to 40 minutes of "running" and so far I'm pretty much pain free. I'm running mostly on the treadmill to minimize the impact, and that's my plan for most of my training. Only my knees will stop me, and if they start to get painful the trip will come to a quick end.

This adventure will be interesting, and I'm just hoping I don't get any knee hiccups to screw it up. Three years ago I was on a 8 mile training run preparing for a half when I stepped in a hole and tore the last bit of my medial meniscus which resulted in the MT. After a 3 year hiatus, I'm back on track, with a new knee and drive like never before. I have literally hundreds of training hours ahead of me, but this should be a great trip. I'll keep you in the loop!