ChesapeakeMan Aquabike – Interested in challenging yourself but don’t want to run the marathon? Then the Aquabike is for you! The Aquabike encompasses the 2.4-mile Swim in Hambrooks Bay and the 112 miles of cycling through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The race finishes at the transition area where the full distance ChesapeakeMan competitors will continue on with the run.

Skipjack 75.2 Triathlon – The Skipjack Triathlon will start at 8:10am with one loop of the 1.2 mile ChesapeakeMan swim course in Hambrooks Bay. After a quick transition (skipping the changing tent) and saddling up for the 64-mile first loop of the ChesapeakeMan bike course, there will be an out and back 10-mile run. The Skipjack Triathlon is the perfect event to end your season or to use as training for a long distance event.

Bugeye Sprint Triathlon – The Bugeye Sprint Triathlon will start at 9:45 am with one 800 yard loop of in Hambrooks Bay. Skip the changing tent and begin the 15 mile first leg of the Ultra and Skipjack bike routes. Transition at Cambridge South Dorchester High School and begin the 3.1 mile out and back run on Egypt Road. The Bugeye Sprint is a fabulous way to conclude a summer of training for your first triathlon, or to have some fun while friends or family are participating in the longer events in the festival.

CLICK FOR MORE AND TO REGISTER.

2012 is starting to come into focus a little more clearly. I may also add the Ocean Drive marathon in March since I will already be in 26.2 mile shape. The spring will bring a number of sprint triathlons. Then of course EagleMan IronMan 70.3 in June. Followed by a few charity/training bike rides to support LIVESTRONG and the American Cancer Society in July and August. Then I will be back in Cambridge again for ChesapeakeMan ultra distance triathlon in September. Before I know it, I am back where I started with NYC again next year.

Add to that my usual support and “working” races such as Avalon Islandman, Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon, SheROX, and it should be another full and rewarding year. Much more to follow! Stay tuned.

More info HERE

Decent swim. Crashed on the bike. Pulled out of the race. Checked into medical tent and was rushed to Dorchester ER in Cambridge MD. Head and neck CT and X-ray were negative. Walked out disappointed with wounded pride and a concussion. I’ll be back. Sorry, no long winded race report this time around. Need to look ahead.

All that being said, and now that a week has passed, I can actually say that I still had a decent time in Cambridge. My family was there. And while it can be even more disappointing when things go wrong in front of loved ones, you realize how deep their love and support is in times like that.

It was also exciting to hang out with friend and first timer Laura Pyott as she realized her ironman dream. I love feeding off of the energy and nervousness of those newbies.

And I also went into the race with a clear(er) head now that I have landed a good job with JPMorgan Chase in Wilmington. Oh and the shower in my building is about 20 yards from my desk making for very accessible noon time runs!

So now I look ahead to the NYC marathon, the Philly half marathon, and a couple of other races I may try to squeeze in there. But first I am off to East Stroudsburg PA for the Pocono Mountain Ironman 70.3 where I will coach and cheer our Team in Training athletes in tomorrow’s race. I’ll try to post some things on the fly.

Have fun, race safe, and thank the volunteers.

Self: You do know you are racing an ironman in 3 days, right?

Other self: Yes, I do recall such event.

Self: And why do you continue to do this again?

Other self: Hmmmm…. I DON’T FRIGGIN KNOW !!!

Self: Have you been training?

Other self: I’m sorry. Could you repeat the question? No, don’t. I heard you (me). Yes and no. I have been training. I have a good base and my health is excellent. The problem is I have been so preoccupied in recent months with my job search that I haven’t had time to do the necessary mental preparation that this race requires. And I may be a tad undertrained.

Self: I see. So what are you going to do about the situation?

Other self: Well, for starters, I landed a good job at JPMorgan Chase and will start on 9/30. So I can at least race without that hanging over my head. So the last couple of days have been a mad scramble to get things ready for the race…. bags packed….. nutrition nailed down….. travel logistics finalized…. etc etc. So now I guess I can close my eyes a little and envision how the next few days will play out.

Self: It sounds like you have a handle on it more so than you realize.

Other self: I guess so. It’s funny but I spend so much time talking other athletes off of their own ledges before a race, I sort of left myself out there and exposed on this one!

Self: You will do fine. Control the things that you can control and give the rest up. Race safe, race smart. Pay attention to your hydration and nutrition. Thank the volunteers and embrace the fact that you are even doing this race. Don’t set the bar too high as the weather forecast doesn’t look great. Just enjoy the day and race for the many people who are struggling or are no longer with us. You’re only goal should be to finish – and be happy.

Other self: Thanks, got it. But do I have to be happy the entire race? Because….. that ain’t reality!!

Self: Shush. You’ll do great. Try to keep people posted. It was nice chatting with you, now give our brain a rest.

For the last several weeks I have had this sad and recurring thought. I guess it’s more of a wish than anything else. I wish I could have a catch with him. I wish I was standing on our front lawn on Malvern Road in Ardmore Pennsylvania throwing a baseball with my dad.

It’s something we did all the time. It seems like we did it every night when I was a kid. In reality we probably did do it any night that I didn’t actually have a baseball game … that he coached. He was a good man, and was loved by many people…

I am recycling something I wrote shortly after he passed …

Up until recently, I had a pretty good understanding of what it meant to be an “Ironman”. I knew they came in all ages, shapes and sizes but after all was said and done, at the end of the day, I knew an ironman to be someone who crossed the finish line after 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running.  And whether you cross that line in 8:30, or 16:59:59, an ironman is an ironman. This definition changed for me in the summer of 2005.

My dad was 82 years old and never competed in a triathlon. My dad had only a very basic understanding of what a triathlon even is. But he knew that I loved the sport, and for that reason, it interested him. He probably hadn’t done any running since his days in WWII. He probably only biked as a kid for transportation and fun. And I’m sure he, like most people, believed that man was not born an amphibious creature and pools were meant for relaxing and cooling off – not for laps. Still, my dad was more of an ironman than I will ever be.

My dad had undergone surgery to remove a tumor in his chest cavity. Surgery itself was successful, but recovery had been a long, rough road. ICU became our base camp for two months.

With each visit to the hospital, I stared at him in amazement. He had his share of ups and downs. Additional procedures were required to handle multiple postoperative complications. Dad did not like hospitals and did not like to be dependent on anyone. So, you can imagine his frustration being in an intensive care unit for so long with all kinds of tubes running in, out, and all around him. He continued to press on. He continued to fight. Even in his times of frailty and weakness, his strength was apparent. He continued to press on even while he was resting. I could feel his determination to get the heck out of that hospital.

Dad fought an amazing fight. But all great fighters and superstars must reach the twilight of their career. It’s a part of the cycle.  Although dad’s will and determination remained as tough as nails until the end, the physical body knew that it was time.  And on Friday, August 5, with a room full of family by his side, dad was finally able to get his rest, and his peace, with the dignity that he deserved. He crossed the eternal finish line. He crossed a finish line with far greater rewards and a much bigger celebration than I’ve ever seen. And I know when it’s my turn to cross that same finish line, dad will be there to lead the cheers of the crowd and bring me home.

I learned more about my dad in those two months than I had in the 45 years that I’d known him. I have always known him to be strong, yet very caring and sensitive. But it wasn’t until recently that I began to fully understand the depths of his strength. I now have a better understanding of the man who earned a Purple Heart in the War, and the man who always remained loyal and committed to family.  I better understand the man who always did everything within his power to provide a safe and happy existence for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

I saw a man whose credo was the same as that of the ironman – “To fight…to finish”.

CLICK ME for the full story.

I, like many, was once practically enamored with the highly recognizable M-Dot ironman logo. There was a time when I thought that logo stood for something meaningful. There was a time when that logo stood hand-in-hand with words like strength, pride, and endurance. There was a time when that logo, and the organization behind it, was about the accomplishment itself, and not about the production of that accomplishment. And not about the corporate brand behind the accomplishment.

Something has happened that has turned the once respected logo into a veiled symbol for status and greed. M-Dot branding has reduced the logo to be nothing more than a status symbol that says “I can afford to do triathlons”. Walk through any WTC expo and you will see product branding that practically requires a co-signer to purchase. The logo can now be found on some of the most bizarre household and personal products that speak very little about strength, pride, endurance, and accomplishment. But speak loud and clear to the fact that someone; several people, are getting quite fat on our love of what was once a pure sport.

The inaugural New York City Ironman opened for registration a couple of weeks ago. The general registration entry sold for $895. At first I was furious at the thought that the World Triathlon Corp would gouge that deep. But here is the sick part – the race sold out in less than 20 minutes. So, while I know for a fact that I am not alone in my beliefs, how can we control anything if we continue to feed the machine and agree to fight tooth and nail for the “opportunity” to spend $895 to race? If we keep spending, the prices will continue to skyrocket. This is about business, right?

The other piece of this that irks me is that fact that so many first time ironmen and women rush out to get that beautiful M-Dot tattooed on their body. I see many displayed on the lower leg or shoulder blade to make sure that they are visible to more people while people are out racing and training. It’s their own little sign that says “Hey, look at me!! I am really an amazing athletic specimen…. I did an ironman …. And you didn’t”.

Folks can’t wait to emblazon  that corporate logo on their bodies. Which is actually kind of comical since that logo is not public domain, it’s only a matter of time before WTC finds a way to tax or charge for its usage. But why not also get a tattoo of the Pepsi logo? Or Dominos Pizza? Or some of the other corporate monsters whose wealth you contribute to…. I do have to say this, I have MANY good friends with M-Dot tattoos who do “get it” and who do understand. I don’t want to lump everyone together in this rant. Only you know why you got that tattoo and what it means. I still wish you weren’t feeding the corporate monster with your advertising, but I mean no personal disrespect to many of you.

The fact of the matter is that you don’t need to hang a banner to tell everyone of your athletic accomplishments. Be proud, but for God’s sake, please be humble. I know my opinions are strong, and I know you are good people. But… come on…. At least try to create a tattoo that is personal and unique and can serve as a reminder to yourself without being a flashing neon sign.

In my mind, the solution(s) are simple. In a perfect world, the WTC would take a deep breath and attempt to get back to basics. But they will first have to realize that chasing the almighty dollar is not what this sport should be about. The WTC can still redeem themselves if they can find a way to reduce pricing and also find a way to de-saturate the brand and make it mean something again. They seem to be of the understanding that if M-Dot is good, then more M-Dot and higher priced M-Dot must be better; and that’s not true.

We can do our part as well by supporting our local race directors. The ones who pour their own dollars and sweat equity into events and do so for the athletes. There are plenty of independent ultra distance (a.k.a. “ironman”)  races out there as well that are fantastic events, and cost a fraction of the price.

Thanks for reading. I’ll echo my thoughts that I opened with… I am still loyal to the sport of triathlon and to ironman. And I am not bashing anyone personally or professionally here, but I am raising my hand and making a little noise with the hope that the powers that be might bring it down a few notches and return to the basics that made this sport and ironman so great.

I also have to say that WTC DOES put on one hell of a race. Their productions are big and memorable. There is no question in my mind that hearing Mike Reilly call your name as you cross the finish line is among the greatest moments you may ever experience. And when people ask me how I feel the branded events compare to the indies, I tell them they should experience both because each carries their own set of pros and cons. But if we don’t control this runaway freight train now, there won’t be anything left to appreciate and the M-Dot and all that it could stand for will fade away into oblivion.

Maybe I shouldn’t care so much, and perhaps tomorrow I won’t. But today, I do.

I have settled into a great 5 AM running routine but I bailed this morning. It was just too gross when I stepped outside. Training is going well though. I feel pretty focused for ironman on September 24^th. Generally speaking, things are progressing nicely. And of course the NYC Marathon with Ethan is set for November. I still need help with our cause. Donations can still be made HERE. NO donation is too small. Got that? NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL.

I have also decided to make the trip to Virginia in October to help out the USA Ultra Triathlon group with the double, and triple ironman.

There is a reason.

I have mentioned before that the double ironman has piqued my curiosity for quite some time now. I was close to racing it this year but I vetoed myself. I have been in regular contact with race director Steve Kirby and it was his idea to invite me down to really get the true flavor for this year’s race, which will better prepare me for attempting this in the fall of 2012. I’ll write a feature article on the event as well.

I’m not sure why but I have always had a burning desire to set myself apart. Not above anything or anybody. Just “apart”. Ironman is yesterday’s news and has become way too popular – and too commercial. I hate that….. or I at least dislike it. I feel it’s time to again do something that others are not doing. Much more to come on this. I’ll also need a full blown support crew … so I will be recruiting!

As a reminder, I will be meeting my buddy Todd Crandell tonight for the screening of his new documentary film Running With Demons. It will be good to catch up with him and a couple of his partners on this film.

All else is good. I’ll try to get some pics posted from the film screening tonight.

Stay cool everyone.

A true story of how one triathlete copes with his Leukemia diagnosis and uses his training as a weapon against cancer. Journey with him as he goes from diagnosis, through chemotherapy treatment, and across the finish line of an ultra distance triathlon in 7 short months with his family by his side. Portion of proceeds to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

My other titles are presently being coverted as well.