Happy New Year - Here we go!

Happy New Year everyone...I hope everyone is safe and sound for their partying...we are having a pajama poker party at the Wecker household!

I am "blowing it out" tonight and then really getting tough on my nutrition, eating habits and training! No more sugar...soft drinks... sweets...anything good! After really not training too hard for about 3 months, it is now time to kick it in and concentrate on this Iron man event! I want to finish strong and not embarrass myself at this event!

Anyway...enough about me...Christmas was awesome at the Wecker household...Santa was disgustingly generous this year, with our biggest present being a baby grand piano for the family.
This has always been a dream for me...so now it is on to piano lessons!

I'll check in later after the hang over wears off!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Hey Everyone...

I hope everyone is enjoying their families and loved ones for the next few days! Go ahead...eat like a pig...sleep in (unless you are under the age of 10) and drink way too much! Forget about that training ride, run or swim...next week will come soon enough!

Lots going on at the Wecker household...anyone reading this blog is welcome to stop by for some holiday cheer... the door is open! We will be starting with wine and cocktails tonight, followed by Mimosa's in the morning...and the some great food, and hopefully a Cowboy victory!

News and pics to follow--- I need to start tracking Santa!!!!!

White Rock 2006 Was Awesome

It was a great day at the White Rock marathon. The weather was perfect and people were breaking records all over. Some of the people who hit their marks were:

Me!!! (ran the 1/2 -can you believe it - they won't get this horse to the glue factory just yet!)
Diana Stonecipher - personal best in the marathon!
Candy Sheehan - first marathon!
Jim Luchanich (1:28 half...second in age group!)
Cindy Coronado
Jeff Bennett - 3:05 marathon!!! Place 73 over all!!!

I am sure there are more...but just can't remember this morning!!

Some pictures below of the fun and love at the event!!!


Then we wrapped it all up with the Dallas Athletes Christmas party - lots of fun and a great way to send off the year!

Today really starts the Ironman IMCDA training...I must make it to the pool! I have gained a few pounds of the last few weeks and that will only make all this upcoming training worse - so it's back to the grind stone for my waist line!

I'm am finally feeling rested and getting ready to take on this challenge...I should, heck I haven't been the pool or on a bike since August! So here we go...and stay tuned..more to come over the holidays!

Proud Papa...two great girls!

Both my girls..."Moo" and "Bug" had athletic competitions over this last weekend. I am so proud of both of them....

"Moo" is State Champion for Vault at Level 5 (placement) and placed third on uneven bars in the same competition!



"Bug" had a cheer competition at the Dallas Convention Center...their team struggled a little bit, but "Bug" was terrific!


There is something special about seeing your kids doing something they enjoy and have fun at. I also think it is important that they get out in front of people and "do their thing" - it somehow opens them up and makes them better people in the end!

I am one "sappy" guy when it comes to my girls...you would of thought they won the Olympic Gold medal ...my eyes tear up and I get so proud of them. I am very blessed with two great girls and that is my "reason for the season" during the holidays!

Run,Turkey, Run...

Thanksgiving is only a few days away...I can taste the birf, dressing and pumpkin pie right now! We are headed down to Tracey's brother's ranch which is between Corsicana and Hillboro (in Navaro county). The girls have lots of fun because they get to hang out with all their cousins and play the entire visit. All the kids area about the same age and there is horse back riding, four wheelers and a big bunk house where 5they all sleep.

As for us adults, we chat, drink wine and relax - amid the cows, horses and open fields. It's a great place to relax and the Wecker's thoroughly enjoy our get await. We leave on Wednesday afternoon and will be back on Friday night.

I am hoping to get in a run or two - especially if I eat a much as I am planning! I have some work to do for the Dallas athletes Membership database - which is a blessing...it gives me a reason to run and hide in cse the "in-laws/natives" get restless!

I hope everyone who reads this has a great Thanksgiving and relaxes....

Day 2...how's your breakfast?

Day two has arrived and I went for my first run since the NYC marathon. It felt surprisingly good -only did 5 miles though. My legs feel great and there seems to be no real good excuse for me to continue my "lazy ways"...which brings me to my favorite picture of the day ...having to train and exercise is like eating my breakfast above....all the experts say you should start you day with a good breakfast, but mine has been tasting funny ever since I started this training crap! I wonder why.....

The Road begins...

Yesterday was day 1 of my Iron Man training. I have not been in the water since August 6th (River Cities Triathlon) and last night I went for a swim workout. AS sore as my shoulders are today, I learned one valuable thing...never take that much time off!!!!

I swam about 1,000 yards - and died the whole way. Tom had me working on lengthening my stroke and relaxing (which is completely not in my vocabulary) when I am in the water. At the end all Tom had to say was "welcome back to the pool!".

I will have the same issue with the bike - which I have not done since HHH100 in late August - so Saturday is going to hurt. But, you have to start somewhere! I also need to start lifting weights - bit with Thanksgiving coming next week, I think I'll wait until until the following Monday to start.

They say the journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step...who is the dumb A#@ who said that - they never mentioned the PAIN in the first step!!!!

Well, I'm off to the pool for workout number 2 - I can already feel the panick and pain coming...

From NYC to Oklahoma...

Princess campout - Archery, campfires, cookouts and fun!

My Victory Hugs!

NYC Photos...more to come!

 

NYC - Unbelievable!

What a trip - great weather (perfect for a marathon!), tons of fun with my girls and one of my top 3 cities in the world - New York was awesome! I took about 800 pictures - which is going to another day or two to label and post. Here is a sampling of our trip - much more to come.
Oh and for your serious athletes who are chortling about a 5 hour marathon - I ran for fun and took about 100 pictures during the run - time wasn't my goal on this marathon - just living the experience was! As the back of my t-shirt said during the run: "In my mind, I'm a Kenyan....In my legs I'm a slow white boy!"

More later!

NYC here we come...

Well,

The Wecker family leaves for New York City on Friday morning with the family. Lots planned for the kids...while I'm at the Marathon Expo, they are going to the American Girl Doll Store for tea, hairdo's, lots of money spending fun! Then following this, we are going to the Broadway show "Wicked" - my personal favorite! great seats, and if the girls can sty awake after catching a 6:30am flight from Dallas, they should love the show. The Broadway theaters are so small and intimate!

I am as under trained for a marathon as I have ever been. Getting ready to run this one has been the most difficult - just don't have the "eye of the tiger" in me over the past three months. I am sure I will get through it, but it probably won't be pretty. If I feel like dropping out, I will just think of Curt Leonard who just ran the Marine Corp marathon in DC with a stress fracture in his pelvis...and still qualified for Boston! Incredible! So, I'll finish for sure....


I am running with a camera, so I'll post pictures following the race! Can't wait to get this one over...then I get to start training for my Ironman in June -yahoo? I think?. Maybe I'll get some motivation with this new focus!

See ya from NYC...!

New Layout...Komen race...NYC Marathon

Well, I've changed some stuff up again, just to keep it interesting! Blogger has come out with a new "beta" version and I am jumping in - only because it is a lot easier! Hopefully this will make it more fun to post and read this "mind numbing, rhetoric, and utterly incomprehensible" banter posted here!

Other news...big Susan Komen race tomorrow. I want to thank everyone who supported me with donations - that was so inspirational and uplifting for me! I'll put my heart into this race tomorrow and hope that the money helps toward ridding this ugly disease.

Started the taper for my New York marathon race on November 5th. Feels great to "backer down" a little..only doing a 12-15 miler this weekend on Sunday. I need to start riding my bike and swimming again as base training for the Iron man training which will kick into high gear in December / January! My NYC marathon isn't going to be for time..I am carrying a camera and cell phone to enjoy the experience, take lots of pictures on the run have tons of fun! More coming on that as I get closer!

Race for the Cure - I'm in!

Side bar...

a little 3 mile race for the Susan G Komen foundation is this coming Saturday and I signed up just in time. I am not one to ask for help or money from my friends, but it seems that A LOT of my friends are dealing with cancer themsleves or with family members! So I decided to try my hand at fund raising...and my wonderful friends at responding unbelievable! There are lots of fantstic people out there and it is times like this when you realize how special they are!

Update on the race and fundraising after Saturday!

Sky Ranch Field trip

 
 
 
 

More to come....been busy with kids and job hunt! Was a charpone for my 5th grader at Sky Ranch...great fun...but now I know who my daughter can not date until she is 30!!!! 

HHH100 - Hot, Hot, Hell!!!

Holy... Hot...Hades!!!!

Well, after triathlons, marathons, and child birth...this was the hardest event I have ever done! Really, before my ranting goes any further, it was a great experience - but I never expected the body strain due to dehydration that I had. After consuming over 350 ounces of liquid and over 30 Endurolyte pills, I still had muscle cramps starting at the 85 miler marker - all the way in. It was interesting managing your body when it wants to quit (because the cramping doesn't stop), and still trying to drive the pedals forward! I learned about my body in this race more than any other race I have ever done! After reviewing my situation, it became apparent that I did not start my fluid intake early enough - hence I was always trying to catch up to my body and that wasn't going to happen with temps approaching 110F on the blacktop! Enough complaining Weckinator....on with the review and some pictures!!!




David Stoncipher (Cycling God) and I arrived at 5:00am to get in the starting grid. This was a great move because we were about 50 yards from the start-line and only had a 7 minute delay between the start of the race and our actual crossing of the start line. We chilled for a couple for hours taking in the sites and crowd!







The mass of cyclist is really something to see. There were about 12,000 participates in this year's 25th anniversary race. It took some of the people up to 1 hour to cross the START line once the race began. It takes a long time to get that many people with bikes headed down the road.

The longest ride I had done prior to this rally was a 78 miler in Dallas. We did this in the morning when the temps were in the low 80's. I think if I EVER do this race again, I would change my training regime. You really need to do some long, long bike rides in the heat. I had no idea that I would fall so far behind in my hydration. The picture below is right after crossing the finish line - I have even gotten off my bike yet. It looks like I am happy and smiling (which I was), but really it was wincing from the muscle cramps in my legs!




But...all's well that ends well! David and I had a great dinner and a few beers to begin the rehydration process! I know a bunch of HHH100 riders from Dallas didn't make the cut off at Hell's Gate (60 miles into the race). They closed this due to the heat and wind conditions on the course - their reasoning was good, but a lot people were not happy. I got lucky...my first 50 miles went by quickly, but I pay for it in the last 10.

More pictures coming, once I get them developed - yes I took a disposable camera on the ride with me. Until then, I would rather remember this portion of the day!



Here is my time info...

Chip time 6 hours 40 minutes - place was 78 in age group (although LOTS of riders did not wear timing chips.) My Garmin registered 5 hours 40 minutes of true ride time (average 17.8 miles per hour). The difference between these two times is the time I spent at the rest stops during the race. I didn't stop at all within the first 50 miles, but then stopped at 50, 70, 80, 90 mile rest stops. All-in-all it was quite an experience!

River Cities - A blast!!!

River Cities was great this year - and even more impressive if you were there the night before. During our pizza party at the race site, a huge thunderstorm blew over the lake with 50mph winds. This absolutely destroyed the race site preparation and blew over every tent, table and speaker in sight! The PA system was completely destroyed and it is a miracle how the race director and volunteers worked through the night and got it ready for the 1,500 competitors the next morning.

The Dallas Athletes had a great turn out and once again proved to be the club which outshines everyone else! Danny, Tom, Edward, Kuay and crew did a great job setting up our tent and getting everything ready for us! Our pizza party - albeit a bit wet - was terrific.

All that I spoke with had a great race - Tom came close to beating Jim Lukanich - the CT group did great and once again I am sure Candy was close to the top in her age group! My success came in the form of beating Danny Jones by 20 seconds...hey, when you are as old as I am, you take very little chance to brag!

Mt race was so-so...my swim was terrible, my bike was pretty good and my run was slow...I need to change my training goals. I haven't improved at all over the summer and I need to refocus on my technique and L/T threshold training. Since I only have three races left this year (HHH100, Texas Man Triathlon, NYC Marathon) I am going to begin a long period of base training to improve these facets. All of this is in preparation of next year's full Ironman in Cour D'lene, Idaho! Oh well, enough about me...take a look at the pictures below...River Cities was fun!

Party First.....Train Later!

It's official...the $450 has been sent and Idaho is the scene of the upcoming medical emergency - I have officially entered my first full Iron Man Event. I am assuming that, the deposit is the easiest part of this whole deal. I even think my family will be there to cheer me on!!! I guess the official training starts in November - right when I finish my NYC marathon. For sure the swim is going to be the toughest part - but like they all say - it all comes down to the run!

Just got back from a little weekend fun at lake LBJ Houston - down by Horseshoe Bay. This is about 1 hour west of Austin. We had five families in a very large house (slept 36 people) and had a great time with the kids on the water! The picture also shows the adults had some fun as well. I'm on the far left looking fairly concerned about the amount of working out I will have to do to get rid of all the "adult beverages" I consumed....oh well...I consider this my kickoff party for my ironman.

So bring it on....(I may regret I just made that statement!)...I gotta go work out!

Dave Scott ... I apologize!!!

Well...I owe Dave an apology...what a nice guy and how helpful he is. My first impression last year with Dave were all wrong! He is a very patient, understanding and knowledgeable guy who relates to accomplished as well as first time triathletes. I thought the clinic was terrific - and Tom can bring him back into Dallas for another one soon.

Latic Threshold training was probably the most beneficial part of my two days with Dave. Although, the swim clinic was extremely valuable as well! One of Dave's comments during his Q&A sessions was that "most normal" people do not push themselves hard enough during training. By using a "Borg Scale" of perceived exertion which places values from 6 - 20 (very easy to total exhaustion), we tend to think we are pushing the limit much sooner than we really are. Dave's main point is that we should be racing at a heart rate level 10 beats below out L/T threshold! That is much higher than my average workout or race, thus I have I need to get much more serious in my training efforts and goals. One of the main concepts I carried with me from his clinic was that I need to focus on each workout and set a goal for each one. It may be a little goal, but is it something to improve upon each and every time I "get sweaty!". If you are reading this blog and have the chance to attend another clinic of Dave's - please, please do yourself a favor and go! Don't let the price tag hold you back...he is an incredible teacher.

I am headed out of town this weekend for fun at lake LBJ Houston (Horseshoe Bay). I'll be doing some swimming in the lake and long runs...so until next week - keep pushing - but do it a little harder than you use to!

Peach Pedal, Disco, Fun!!!

Well, busy weekend....Saturday I did the Peach Pedal Bike Rally in Weatherford Texas - lots of fun. A few other members (Andy, Dan, Jeff, Greg) from Dallas Athletes came along and we had a great time. The course was terrific - hilly - and the volunteers were wonderful. If you have never done this rally it is a good one! The best part was the fresh peaches at every aid station!!!

Sunday was the Disco Triathlon - what a great race. The site at Lake Ray Roberts is the best race site I have been to. All three courses (swim, bike, run) were terrific! And Danny, Edward and the entire set up and volunteer crew did an unbelievable job! Tom looked great in his disco attire and my "introduction" as the Adult Film star has solidified my reputation...I needed that!

My performance was a little below my expectations, but I think the bike rally on Saturday had something to do with it (that's my story and I am sticking to it!). Didn't feel too bad yesterday - my rest day - so I must be getting acclimated to a higher work load. Thanks a good thing. I am starting a lifting program this week so I can keep the metabolism high and get my core a little stronger.

I appreciate all you who have left comments...thanks so much. As I get more educated on this "blogger thing" - these should get a little more entertaining...you know, stupid videos, great pictures, and more of my "ever mind numbing commentary!"

Here's to a great week of training...and trying to not let the heat win!

Slow on the updates...

Hey everybody...

Hope you had a great 4th of July - whatever you did. We here in Texas got rained out - but it was very nice to see something fall from the sky!

Been doing lots of workouts over the holiday - 50 mile bike ride, practice triathlon, White Rock lake run, track workouts...you get the drift! Too much sweating and not enough updating.

This weekend has two events for me - Peach Pedal Bike Rally, Weatherford Texas (62 miles on Saturday) and then the Disco Triathlon (Sprint) on Sunday. Both events should be lots of fun - but the bike rally will certainly effect my triathlon race.

I am looking forward to a training clinic coming later this month with Dave Scott (6 time Ironman Hawaii winner). I have met him before - a bit of an arrogant jerk, but full of great information!

I'll get another one out very soon...gotta run!

Wake up! - NYC 19 weeks out!

From last Sunday, the New York City Marathon is only 19 weeks away! I guess, in the middle of triathlon season, it's time to begin training for the NYC marathon. My goal if to have fun with this race - I think I am even going to carrier a camera while running! I have heard it is a fairly tough course, but most of the people run this for the event and fun - sounds like a plan to me!

Got this week started off to a great start for training...let's see if it keeps going!

Great Podcasts - Zen and the Art of Triathlons

Back from Chicago....great town!!! Love Michigan Avenue at night! Did some networking at the show so hopefully some job interviews are not too far off in the distant future! Didn't get much time to run however...so this week is a little light in the workout totals.

On the plane trip up and back however, I have been listening to "Zen and the Art of Triathlon" podcast! Brett and Emily (who run this as well as www.Triscoop.com) are great. They have a couple good coaches on their show who talk about everything triathlon - recovery, taking Advil or Tylenol before racing or after a long work out, ice baths, nutrition...very, very informative. If you are interested the web link is below under my links section.



Still searching for some workout motivation...I really need to lift weights and start pushing some bricks for the Disco coming up on July 9th. For some reason I can't get it in gear!!! The group thing is gone and left to my own devices, it ain't workin! I'll find it soon...just waiting for the gestation period to get over!

The Hotter Than Hell (HTH) training is starting - so I am sure the bike volume will pick up shortly. Suppose to do a 40 miler this weekend and 50 miler next weekend.

Keep on trucking everybody!

Tour d'Italy...i.e. "Hotter Than Hell" Preparation!

Yesterday, David Stoncipher and I rode the Tour d"Italy (Texas). It was a great ride if you like 58 miles of rain and crowds....the route is great and this would have been a lot of fun in dry weather. We did the 100K (62 miles for you Americans) and also saw Cathy Money and a few other Dallas Athlete friends!

There was a great turn out for this race...I would guess 800 - 1,000 cyclist! The volunteers were terrific and the rest stops well stocked. I would encourage anyone who wants a fun "country" ride to give this one a try next year.

David and I averaged 18.7 miles/hr and did the 62 miles in 3:24. Not too bad for the terrible conditions.

Off the Chicago to find a job. Will run this week along the lake front in Chi-Town -should be a great change of scenery from the Coppell loops - thank god!

Killer Website; Musing...Go Mavs!

Well...in order to entice anyone to read this, I need to keep it up to date...so here goes. Found this great website "Crossfit.com" - they provide a workout each day, which is a mixture of cardio, gymnastics, weights, and killer cross training. My favorite is one called "The Murph" - named after a marine in Iraq who did the following (all for time): 1 mile run, then 100 pullups, 200 push ups, 300 squats, the another 1 mile run - all in a 20 lb. bullet proof vest! take a little walk through this site and understand their philosophy - I think trying any of these would help any fitness level you want to be at. (Link provided below)

Not a great week last week, but picking it up this week. First time swimming in a few weeks - boy it doesn't take long for that fitness to fall off. This weekend I am doing the " Tour of Italy" (Texas - that is) with David Stonecipher - he'll kick my ass, but I here the T-Shirt is worth the race. It is 100k (62 miles) - should be lots of fun.

Gotta start kicking the marathon program for NYC into gear. Made my reservations, so now I am committed to this race. Tom Ryan says he is trying to buy his way in (he knows the race director)...that's great to see him getting back into racing instead of teaching all us newbies!

Mavs - game 4 tonight...hope the kick Shaq's butt! My girls are big into this - it's become family fun!

Headed to Chicago on Sunday - going to network the National Plastics Exhibition - in search of a new job. This has become the largest show that McCormick Place handles now - about 100,000 in attendance. I know lots of people from my old industry - so getting some interviews should not be a problem. I need to get going...my tan is about a great as it is going to be and I am caught up on every soap there is!!!

Until next post...Go Mavs!