Mmmmm, Chlorine

There is one drawback to swimming a lot in the pool at Ballys. They use a lot of chlorine. I normally don't notice it. Others that come close to me sometimes catch a whiff of it though. But when it really kicks in is when I go to get my hair cut. As soon as the hairdresser wets my hair the smell of chlorine is almost overwhelming! haha The last time I was there they sold me some special shampoo that's supposed to remove the chlorine from my hair. We'll see how it goes, but all I care about is that my hair doesn't turn green!

My ride with Steve

My brother Steve and I FINALLY got to go for a bike ride together. Okay, before you go "Whoooo! That's impressive! No one EVER gets to go on bike rides with their brother! That's amazing!". YOu have to understand that Steve and I see each other maybe once a year. Also, Steve hooked me up on the fabulous bike I now ride; a Schwinn Peloton. This really was a special ride. Just me and him doing what we love to do. The ride was from Chassell to Calumet! Wide shoulders, cool breezes and good friends. It was a great ride! We headed into Houghton buzzing through downtown like nothing. Then across the lift bridge to Hancock. Like Houghton, not a big deal. But then came the hill. It's a doozy, about a mile of steep never ending hell. Steve cruised up it like nothing. I, on the other hand, wheezed my way up. I'm sure I left a lung somewhere on that hill! After we got to the top is was pretty flat to Calumet. One section of the road had a very narrow shoulder and Steve was a bit aprehensive about continuing. I told him to just stick to the side and we'll be fine, it widens in a bit anyway. We got to Calumet in no time chatting the whole way. I was a bit bummed when we got there because that's when I realized I had forgotten my camera. Oh well. The way back was no big deal. More cruising with some good conversation. But when we got to the hill, just before Hancock, the ride got a lot more exciting. We got into our tuck positions had bolted down the hill. 40 mph, eyes watering, wind blowing, it was great!!! We also learned that some people do not like be followed by bicycles at 40 mph. Weird huh? As before, we meandered through Hancock, Houghton on made our way back to Chassell. It was a great day. I truly look forward to when he and I can ride again.

Oh how I love da U.P.

In northern Michigan time stops. Or at least it moves substantially slower. My folks live in Chassell which is a small town outside of Houghton. They built a beautiful home on Portage Lake. Just an amazing place. When we go there it's as if we never left. Everything seems to be the same as it was last we were there. If there is one thing I notice when we go there is that no one is in a hurry. Everything is VERY slow paced. No sense of urgency. This is a good thing! I really learn to relax when I'm there. When I was in school there was no relaxing. Houghton was a place of anxiety for me. Now I can go there and not worry about anything. Just take in the fresh air and great scenary. Oh how I wish I could go there more often!

To be an Ironman

Why not start with a half marathon, or a full marathon, or a duathlon??? But no, I had to go for a full Ironman. Swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.3 miles. Why? What in the heck is wrong with me? Before I started training, before I was diagnosed with high cholesterol, before any of this I weighed in at 201 lbs. I was a pasty doughboy. I now weigh 168 lbs, cholesterol is kinda in control, I train 10+ hours a week. I can finally swim (that'll be it's own blog), I can now bike (Thank you Steve!!!), and I can now run (Thanks Rich for the inserts!). And most importantly, I can now train (Thank you to my Wife!!!). The rest is all up to me. I can do this. I have the tools and support. I just need to do this.
July 15th is the date. I have a lot of work to do until then. More swimming. More biking. More running. I can do this. I just need to focus, train, stay healthy and dedicated.

Been a while...One Year

Lot's has happened. Some good, Some not so good. But with all that, an end. A fresh start. A new horizon for which to look to. And with some patience and planning, a bright horizon it will be that we strive toward...for me, my wife...and especially, our Sarah.

In this time, I've lost 32 lbs, 3" from waistline, 1 court case, and about 1/4" of hairline.
Of all that the court case caused the most pain. But like the girth, it's behind me... I hope.