More Volume Less Cowbell

I feel like a couple of guys were up to no good and started making trouble in my neighborhood. Fresh!

More Volume:

Bike:

2008 hours leading up to Ironman Hawaii: 207hr 15m

2010 hours leading up to Ironman Cozumel: 244hr 43m

+18% increase in bike volume

Swim:

2008 Yards leading up to Ironman Hawaii: 98,960

2010 Yards leading up to Ironman Cozumel: 242,950

+145% increase in swim volume

Run:

2008 miles leading up to Ironman Hawaii: 981 mi

2010 miles leading up to Ironman Cozumel: 1302 mi

+33% increase in run volume

The goal at Cozumel is simply to better each split from Hawaii. Although just about nothing is predictable over the course of 140.6 miles, I feel the benchmarks in parentheses are realistic and attainable. Out of reach, but not out of sight.

Kona splits...

Swim: 1:12:03 - (1:04:00)

Bike: 5:44:01 - (5:20:00)

Run: 3:29:18 - (3:08:00)

The vast majority of training this year has been somewhat cavemanesque. Taking into consideration my lack of gadgets on race day, I trained this year in a similar fashion, by feel. No bike computer, Powertap (until the final build, thanks to Fix and Fix), HR monitor, no big weird clock in the pool and only about 5 timed track workouts on the year with the men of York.

This year I cut gluten out of my diet, and tried to stick to a paleo as much as possible (hence my fire academy alias: birdseed). The firehouse proves to be the most difficult place to resist temptation, especially Saturdays. My moniker at Engine 13 poorly represents my food choices yet epitomizes my not so stereotypical firefighter stature: "Hotdog".

As opposed to 2008, I experienced absolutely no abnormal fatigue. In hindsight, 9 weeks of 2008 run mileage was at 10 miles or less. In comparison only one week in 2010 was under 10mi running, and was an active recovery week, not due to fatigue. Three weeks in 2008 were spent completely off the bike, worse yet, all of which during the build to IMOO / Hawaii.

The build to IMCOZ has been quite smooth. With Mary T already qualified, and more good news today of Lapinski's Kona qualification presents even more motivation for Sunday.

Today was a quick 1700 yards in the pool, with a race simulated fast initial 500 and some sighting then a 6 mile run (7:00, 6:40, 6:38, 6:25, 6:25, 6:18) held back, super relaxed. Tomorrow 1:30 easy at CT class and a flop. Fly out Thanksgiving morning and spend my first night in Cozumel at the Wyndham with some random guy from Idaho. A Larabar / Quinoa / coconut water thanksgiving feast will be had. *note to self 112 miles = 180.25 K (so I don't get mind F'd when all they post on the bike course are km markers. ** El Nino = The Nino

Great Van's Waffle Crisis of 2010

Chicago, IL - It is believed that earlier today in Lakeview, a northside chicago neighborhood, a Van’s waffle shortage may have sparked what may potentially lead to the greatest waffle drought in at least the last 5 months. The waffle supply at 3806 N Fremont was hovering near record lows for several days until late Thursday morning when the waffle supply hit an all time low at zero waffle per capita.

This comes at percarious times, the stockades and pantry are booming with almond butter and jam reserves. The refrigerator contains at least 32oz of maple syrup. Economists and breakfast enthusiasts fear this imbalance in commodities could prove fatal for celiacs and blokes alike. The frivolous eating habits of the 3806 residents may have triggered an ireversable onslaught of unfathomable economic times for hours, even days to come.

The nearest Van’s retailer is an unthinkable 3-4 blocks from waffle crisis ground zero. Literally Zero. No waffles. Some analysts are comparing this waffle crash to the early 1990s when Bubble Tape and Big League Chew were overcrowding grocery store, 7-11, and gas station shelves. All of a sudden some time around June of 1993 the symbolic and literal bubble burst and these fun gums were nowhere to be found.

Newly elected FWRC (Federal Waffle Reserve Chairman) Joe Munn stated today, “In these difficult economic times gulten free goodness isn’t always a given.” He added, “ Adversity makes the man; albeit a hungry man... Van’s make the man full and jolly. What was your second question, Am I an optimist? No I don’t think so, I just want to know why I can’t produce and distribute rice flour for profit out of my bedroom... this is America isn’t it?”

While the many regretful registered voters are unsure how long Munn will remain in office, others are already petitioning to impeach him from it. Aunt Jemima’s great grandson Jerimiah Jemima is Munn’s likely successor.

If waffle stock is not replenished with by day's end a violent backlash of angry residents will sure ensue. One can only have hope. Godspeed.