Manatee Express Mentor Group - closed (Page 14)

Ken,

Looks like you've got you goals planned out and I am pretty sure you will meet them - most importantly - like you said - remember to have fun! With this type of planning you should be ..as Chappy and I would say " locked and loaded"  I was watching some of the IM FLA from last year on YouTube last night at work...that was quite impressive watchin these folks run that.  IM is the Everest of tri's in my book.  I know I could prob do a HIM - maybe next year..that would be my Everest....I hope you have a great race Ken.  I am sure you will have a good time and I look forward to you rr when it's all said and done...I'll raise my beer and give you a toast when you do.....someday...I may actually be down there...Chappy..as well.  The more I think about it...the more I could see me doing this...ahh..this crap IS addictive!!!

Hey everyone,

I went down to PCB to watch Mr. and Mrs. Manatee today.  They both finished with flying colors!  There is a celebration going on, so I'm sure Ken will do his race report at a more convenient time.  But I thought I'd copy my thoughts here that I wrote in my blog, in case you don't stop by and read...

What a day!  I got up very early and drove down to Panama City Beach to watch the Gulf Coast HIM Triathlon.  I'm hooked -- those people were so inspiring.  It's not just elite athletes who do this, it's people like me!  I stood on the beach and watched wave after wave of people take off and swim in the very rough Gulf of Mexico (and there was another tragedy which we saw unfolding ).  There were big people, little people, wetsuits, bathing suits, but all had one idea -- face this thing head on!  Then I saw all kinds of people on all kinds of bikes, but everyone was exhilarated going out and coming in, most smiling widely.  Then there was the run -- it was hot just watching, so it must have been brutal out there -- but I didn't see anyone give up.  I stood behind the finish line, watching how people felt when they were finished.  Some were wobbly, some needed wheelchairs, but most just pressed on -- got their medal, grabbed a bottle of water, turned in their chip, and headed on for a celebration!

It's not like watching it on tv.  I think it gets in your blood.  I had a friend go with me, and she doesn't do any of this stuff (although I did convince her to do her first half marathon this year, at age 54, which she power walked and did fabulously!).  She was almost as inspired as I was, cheering everyone on and reveling in the moment.  We chatted with so many wonderful folks -- an all girl relay team from Mobile who were excited because they were probably in first, a 58 year old breast cancer survivor who was waiting for her cousin to finish, and of course my mentor, Manatee Express, who is incredibly inspiring.  He's just normal people like me too, but goes out there and gives it his all!  I think it's the thrill of the challenge that inspires him.  I can and will learn a lesson from this.

So now I'm publicly stating that I intend to do this race next year.  I have a year to get ready.  I'm proficient at half marathons, I've "conquered" the century ride, so as soon as I'm allowed I need to tackle the swimming.  Not sure how or where to start, and after what I saw today I want to be very sure that I'm comfortable with the distance and conditions.  But what  joy it will be to cross that finish line!!!

So, the challenge continues guys.  If you had been there, you probably would have felt like me.  I actually felt like a slug -- why should they all be out there and I'm just here snapping pictures with my camera?  Next year -- Panama City Beach!

Fellow Manatee's,

     I see the future and it should it come true we will see Ken, Sledge, Rusty, and I at the Gulf Coast HIM next year.  With a year to prepare I can see a grand celebration next year as we all cross the finish line next year.  See you there and if any one else is up for the challenge then please come join the fun.
 

Ken,

       I hear the temp's for the run were brutal but I take my hat off for you and congratulate you on finishing.  Hopefully next year the temp's won't be so high as I absolutely crumble under the heat.  I look forward to seeing the race report and don't be too hard on yourself for the time as none of us can predict what Mother Nature is going to throw at us.  Congrats again.
 

I second what Chip said.  Ken, don't beat yourself up about this.  The surf was very rough, so you had to battle that.  Then it was windy on the bike, so that took it's toll.  Then when it came time for you to run, the sun, heat, and humidity came out in all it's glory.  I take my hat off to you -- you did great!  You didn't quit.  Everyone who is struggling in a race has those thoughts, yet you worked through your hardest part.  I'd call that a successful mental job!

Ken,

 I can write it for you!!! LOL - I read your rr - so if you want the more "detailed" version you let me know...all copyrights belong to you of course!!  BTW = WAY 2 HANG IN THERE !!! for a tough race...even at the end, you pressed on and that is what this sport is truely about....spirit.  It's what drives us when our bodies say no, it's what binds us, when we feel we are alone, it's what makes this all worthwhile, when you see how many others have shared this same road.....you inspired us all Ken with this race!!  Now - rest, relax, and soak it all in.  I think Chappy and Sledge are right....we all will be in this race next year.....Half Ironhawk!!! 2009!!

Ken & Manatees,

 I had a good week finally - back to a full regime of training since Cooper and since gettin over that nasty stomach virus the Hawkins household all went thru.  I had 2 bike rides  = total about 32.5 miles total for the week - I know that sounds weak - but these were my inagural rides on "Black Beauty" so we are gettin along well now after that 2nd ride = 17 miles.  I had a great week in the water - Master class is really pushin me and that is what the doctor ( gygyhawk ordered - my distance and endurance are growin...I swam over 2300 yards in just over 1 hour this week!! - thats on one day !!!.  ....needless to say - my swim for my next race in June ( 750 meter ) will not be as challenging since I am puttin in some serious yardage in Masters...even though it will be my 1st OWS - I should be on point for this part of the race...I hope    Running - well - that has been the low point of my week - I managed a couple of runs this week total mileage about 6 miles - my left calf seems to still have a issue - I am starting to think I may have pulled a tendon or Achilles now - and I also may be in order for some new shoes.....so ...I am cutting back on the run's - I plan on still running ..just to keep the base built up - I know I can run the distance for the race - it's my goal to be injury free come June ...so...that's most important now.  Other then that - I am movin on up - swimmin is really coming on strong and bikin - well - it's a whole different ball game now with the new bike - I am planning on ridin 27 miles on Wednesday with one of my tri club members...that's gonna be a real test for me for sure.....farthest I have ridden was about that distance a few years ago - on my old bike!!!..so..I hope that it goes easier on my new one...I am hoping it will.  ..I figure-..I did 17 the other day in just over an hour - and I still had some fuel left in me...I can go another 10.

Cheers!

Hey...what happenned to everyone??? I am takin a bike ride today - no 27 miler ...not enough time to drive out there and ride and get back in time for work so we are just ridin the same 17 miler I rode last week...hopefully I can improve my time a lil bit!  Hope you all are doing well..

WAKE UP MANATEES!!! 

Ok, you woke me.

Nothing much to report here.  It's a very boring life when all you get to do is run on a treadmill or ride on a stationary bike or trainer.  UGH!

Ken & fellow Manatee's

Just wanted to let you all know I will be out of town after today - headin to Myrtle Beach, SC to hang with my brothers and buddies for Bike Week - this week is the Harley Rally down there...I have never been so I decided to just take a few days instead of the whole week...I have a feelin that will be all I need!  So  - no postin for me after this - I have my Masters swim this afternoon then more then likely I will be headin to da beach with my buddy - 2 dudes 2 bikes - and the open road.   Anyway - hope you all have a great weekend and chat with you all when I get back!! Ahh crap - I did it again - I thought I was logged in and of course this is not me....that's my wifey's avatar!!  Well...most of you know I have done this before...LOL.....it's me going to the beach not her..she hates motorcycles!!  hehe  - PAPAHAWK

Cheers & Salutations!

Fellow Manatee's,

      Looks like it might be a quiet week for all.  I have completed my tour here in Okinawa and will fly back to Atlanta on Saturday before heading off to Cincinnati.  A small request would be for all of you to wish me luck and patience as I travel for around 24 hours with 4 kids, 8/6/2/1, and a grumpy English Bulldog.  Take care all and I will catch up once I get settled in.

Here's a weak Weekly Recap:

Between travel and doctors restrictions, I didn't get much training in this week.  I did 4 very boring trainer/stationary bike rides, 2 treadmill runs, 1 walk and run, and 1 run. 

I did cap off the week with a confidence booster -- I did a bike/run brick with distances a little longer than the tri I'm going to do on June 21st.  It wasn't much, but with this forced down time I am starting to get a little nervous.  So the confidence part is showing myself I can do the distance.  Hopefully soon I'll get the bike back on the road and get into the swimming pool. 

I'm traveling again this week, so I'm going to be stuck with hotel fitness rooms.  I guess that will make the doctor happy!

Hey everyone, my cousin's husband is biking across the US, and I'm very jealous!  It's something I'd love to do, but it probably won't ever happen.  I think he'd love it if you'd like to leave him a message -- he's journaling his progress at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/carpediem.  Just go to his guestbook and send some encouragement, and thanks!

Weekly recap, and it's pretty lame.  I did 4 runs and 2 bikes, mostly on inside equipment.  I also walked a little.  But I hope to change all of this very, very soon.

I ran a race today, and I think I learned a pretty important lesson.  I've always been pretty strong willed, but today I had to pull on my mental toughness more than I've done before in a race.  After finishing two miles, my breathing felt like it was gone although my legs still felt fine.  But I still had 2.4 miles to go, and I could have easily started to walk.  But I did the math in my head and said that I KNEW I could run for another 15 minutes.  That was so very, very important!  I didn't stop, I kept going, and I found out that physical strength doesn't always do it for you.  My brain played an important factor today, and the brain won!

I think that is important in the longer distances we are talking about here (HIM?).  Do you agree?  Perhaps facing these types of challenges makes us stronger?  Gee, some philosophising and I haven't even had a glass of wine!

Hey Folks!!!,

 Happy Memorial Day!  I hope you all had a great weekend!!  I spent most of mine stuffin my face with some good ole Southern cookin and man...I am soooo done with piggin out!!  Ugh...but it was good eating for sure.  We spent the weekend with friends and family, out in the sun and at the pool at the YMCA...the Y here has water park for the kid's and they love it.  So...it was good weekend...but now it's back on the train for gettin ready for my next race.  Thanks to all the veterans out there for our freedom and our way of life they have provided us and continue to protect....from one vet to another...thanks!  Remember.....never forget....and be thankful. God Bless you all....

Papa