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Training News
May - June 2007 |
May 6, 2007:
Great things cannot be achieved by just one individual, but by a group of people committed to the same cause. So many have contributed to help my journey to swim the English Channel in many ways. I wanted to mention four girls that have hearts twice the size of mine. A couple of Saturdays ago, these athletes ran in a road race to raise money and awareness about ALS. They ended up wearing Swim The Channel t-shirts and winning the "Costume Contest."
So thanks ladies, for all of your help. Your kindness has pushed me even more.
May 15, 2007:
Adventure races are pure craziness. You partake in several activities that you wouldn't do in a normal day. Running next to your teammates hooked together by carabineers, hanging upside down over a river with your mountain bike dangling below you. Or how about climbing a water tower and then rappelling off it. Pure craziness. But as Brett says, "Love the Madness," and I couldn't agree more.
What an amazing day of fun filled activities. Mountain biking through southern Indiana took up a huge part of the morning and afternoon. Shoving triple decker PB and Banana sandwiches and then washing it down with a cool cocktail of Gatorade, water, and Gu is not what I call the best dinner. But salsa and curry rice is not the best mid morning snack either.
You have many moments of highs and lows in adventure races. Not being able to find your checkpoint can really put a damper on your determination to finish. But being with two other teammates, it helped a lot. Both of them with some type of wild animal in their blood I'm sure. There were some many times during the race where the Doudican brothers were sniffing out these checkpoints and I was just following behind, watching them work. I think it would have to been the two hours we spent running in the pitch black to get our last 4 checkpoints through the woods with nothing but headlights that I realized these guys were born and raised in the forest.
You put yourself in some uncomfortable situations. Maybe it was the field of neddles we ran through that made me feel like I had dipped my legs in gasoline and someone light them on fire. Maybe it was the cliff we tumbled down filled with scrap metal and mud. Maybe it's the poison ivy I'm noticing in different spots all over my body (here comes the cortisone shot!). Whatever it is, whatever you call it, it's crazy, it's mad, it's insane...I call it wonderful.
 
 
May 30, 2007:
In 3 weeks I will be swimming, biking, and running 140.6 miles for The Blazeman. An individual with fantastic courage. Someone whom even though I never met, had pushed me to become somebody I thought was not possible. My heart filled with sorrow on Sunday when I found out Jon Blais had passed. However I remained content to know that he was okay and that I would see him some day. And that he will be looking down on me on June 24th.
Thank you Blazeman, for your love, passion and strength.
The passion to swim The English Channel grows with every passing day. From the closest of friends and family and mentors to the strangers that I meet. I look forward to hearing from everyone. And I hope today finds you well.
Your friend,
Dave
June 15, 2007:
High Altitude Training and Cold Water Swimming in Salt Lake City.
On my way to the OC Blazeman, I made a quick stop in Salt Lake City for a few training sessions. Finding myself running with Bison on Antelope Island, climbing Mt. Olympus just outside of the city, or even swimming in the 50 degree waters of Echo Canyon. Truly a great time getting prepped for the challenges to come ahead. With about a week out, I am extremely excited to once again push the limits of the human body for a cause much greater than I can comprehend.
Someone once told me that every Ironman race you complete, a piece of you is taken away. I believe it. But I also believe that you gain so much. From the other racers you meet and the stories they tell. It's enough to give you more determination and motivation for what you believe in.
I also believe that there is a Blazeman in all of us.
Find yours.
June 25, 2007:
OC Blazeman
Yesterday was intense. Physically, mentally, emotionally. I was exhausted with all by the end. Yesterday reminded me a lot of why I do these things. Maybe it was surrounded by 3 of my great friends. All which I had not seen in over a year.
As always, an emotional start began the day and then right into the swim around Huntington Beach Pier. The bike cruised along the Pacific and then headed inland roughly 25 miles before heading back to the coast. After getting lost for the first lap, the second time around was better.
Right before the run food ingested: triple decker peanut butter, banana, honey, raisin and oat sandwich (thanks scotty). Half a bag of 1 week old pasta. Rinse that down with what? Pepsi and honey beverage of course.
First 10 miles of the marathon were terrible. Dry heaving from the food. Dehydrated from the bike and wanting to throw the towel in. At this point you get delirious, and the Mohawk I was sporting probably fit my attitude. But once again I was reminded of why I was doing this and all of the people I was doing it for. The pace changed, the attitude changed. And I was ripping off the miles.
Log rolling across the finish line with my Buddy Ryan, it was a great time. And I was all smiles.
People give you drive. They give you go. Everyone has one, or more than one.
From the sunny Pacific...Mohawks and GooBalls.
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