Back on track

I had a good solid week of training this week. These next few weeks will really be focused on long runs and long rides. I feel like my base is really strong. I just need time doing long slow rides and runs each week for the next month+ before taper starts.

Dad came in to town by train on Thursday and MK and Peter joined us for the weekend. It was a beautiful weekend and we spent Sunday at the zoo checking out the new baby elephant. We had to wait over an hour in line. (Of course LWR found someone he knew from Dayton as he always does.) October is looming and time is growing short...

New video clip is actually from a man from our church. He came up with this Christian Creed on his own in about 20 minutes. The words just fell in place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwRYTsfHapE

Big Rocks!

I took a bit of time off this week, recovering from the 70.3 race. I physically felt a little spent and felt a few recovery days were in order.

The highlight of the week was the Glenwood Community Church Mens's Retreat. It was a great weekend event that challenged us to seek the mind and heart of Christ. Craig Hasselbach, the senior associate pastor at Glenwood presented us with many questions and challenges about seeking the mind of Christ. (Craig is an Ironman as well, completing Ironman Coeur d' Alene in 2005). It is really a blessing to have someone like him who has such a deep love of Christ, and also a personal understanding of the Journey to Become an Ironman. I will continue to pick his brain for any mental, physical or spiritual tips he feels free to share.

Big Rocks... This was an illustration from the past weekend. Each of us got a rock when we checked into the retreat. We carried them around all weekend, not knowing the significance. One of Craig's final messages was a story about a professor who challenged his class. He placed some larger stones (Big Rocks) into a mason jar. He asked the class if the glass was full. The class responded, "Yes, it is full of rocks." He then added gravel to the jar, letting it fill in the cracks between the big rocks. Again, he asked, "Is the jar full now?" The class responded, "No." He then added sand and eventually water to the jar to make the point more clear.
The message the professor was conveying is this: "In life, take care of your "big rocks" first. If you don't, and continue to worry and focus on your "little rocks" you will never be able to get your big rocks into the jar at all." My "Big Rocks" should always be Christ and the Word, my wife Audrey, my children (Kaden, Alek and Rylan) and my family and friends. Sadly, that hasn't been the case for much of the past few months. Ironman training can easily become a "big rock" and it does become an all consuming task. It should be more like a grain of sand.

My lesson from this weekend and my challenge over the next two months is to pay attention to my "big rocks" in life and not forget what is truly important to me. My journey and my training continue. God willing, I hope to see the finish line in Tempe because:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13


Here is a new link to a great video clip. Hope you enjoy.

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.'To which, his father said 'Yes' . The father and son went on to complete the race together. View this

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

Black Diamond Half Iron

I raced the Half Iron this week at Black Diamond. I think it went very well overall. The swim was great and I finished in the top 20 overall. Biking was also very good for me as I averaged 19.5 mph. Most importantly, I had no cramping on the run. I was really hot as we were running from 1-3:00 pm. I felt pretty good at the end and only had a little soreness the following day. The link for my race report is:


http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=132597

Now I just have to figure out how to go twice as far in a single day...

Taper Week for 70.3

AHHH, taper week. I kind of ran out of gas last week and didn't finish my long run. This week is a taper down to prepare for the Black Diamond Half Ironman that I am running this weekend. It should be a good test to see where I am physically.
I had a good solid ride this past weekend with Brett, Dr. Wong and Dr. Southerland. Felt fine after 47 miles.
Next week will be a bit of recovery and then hitting the final 10 weeks of peak training. Tick, Tick, Tick goes the clock, ever closer...

Back to School

It was a busy week for the Richters. We headed off to Whidbey Island for one last get away over the long Labor Day weekend. One last outing before Kaden starts the SECOND GRADE! Kaden, Alek and I went back to Seattle on Saturday for the Coug game against Oklahoma State. UGLY. Cougs looked pretty sad in most areas. I predict a long season ahead of them.

Training went well this week. No nails in my feet! I got a long run in while upe at Whidbey Island. (11.5 miles). The rolling hills reminded me of the 1/2 Mary that I ran in April. (Wow, that seems like forever ago. I know my base is getting stronger. I really had no soreness or fatigue after that easy but long run. I guess that is progress. This next week ramps up even more with longer rides and runs. The following week will be a nice taper as I race a 1/2 Ironman event on the 13th.