Paulette, Oceanside 70 miles of thinking of you!!!

I’d like to keep my comments to a minimum because I don’t want to take away how amazing the world can be and more importantly the power of love that is obvious between mother and daughter (see below). Also, I feel kind of selfish; after I get the honor of writing the name of someone like Paulette on my shoes and literally feeling lofted the instant my feet hit the pavement just does not seem fair. Paulette, my next race this weekend at Oceanside 70.3 is dedicated not only to your strength and purpose, but also Sheryl who is equally amazing! Your love is contagious!

Sheryl: “My mom has always been my ROCK!! It was always her and I growing up!!! At times in my life she has given me everything she has had to provide for me. She is the most loving, giving, caring person that I know. She is the kind of woman who has love in her heart for everyone and has never said an unkind word about anyone. My mom's diagnosis seriously was unexpected and out left field. One day she is perfect and then stage 4 Ovarian. She has been so positive about her diagnosis. She has never once said anything negative about it. She is always so worried about my happiness and me and would never want me to hear anything that would make me unhappy or feel sad. I honestly don't know another person like her!! She has been such a good example to me. I don't think that in my lifetime I will ever be able to be that great!! My mom is a fighter!!! She has been through Chemo.. She never once complained! I thought I would be able to take care of her but instead she was wiping away my tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. She is trying a breast cancer drug now to stop the female hormones. It was actually helping for a few months but she went in for her monthly checkup and her tumor markers are up again. She is having another scan soon. I can only hope for the best. She has impacted so many people in her life with her positive attitude, love and compassion.. She is my best friend. I am honored that she is my Mother!!!

Sheryl W.”

2009 Season Goals

Below is my Race Schedule and 2009 season goal's:

Race Schedule:
Disney 13.1
New Orleans Half
Devilman Half
Mooseman Half
Lake Placid IM
World Championship in Kona, Oct 2009???????

2009 Season Goals

Complete all lifting sessions as prescribed.
250 Watt TH power at the end of base phase.
15% By the end of the base phase @ 146 pounds.
260 Watt TH power at the end of 1st build phase.
14% By the end of the 1st build phase @ 145 pounds.
Sub 1:30 @ Disney Half.
Sub 4:49 at New Orleans with a 2:30 bike and 1:42 run.
Sub 4:37 at Mooseman Half.
Sub 19:00 5K before lake placid.
265-270 TH Test power before Placid.
12% By Placid @ 142 pounds.
Sub 10:30 @ Lake Placid with a 5:25 bike and 3:46 run.

When in Rome, do what the Roman's do

In sum and substance, this is the e-mail response I received from my coach after his viewing of my running log upon my return trip to Italy.
“Mark, great job on completing your runs while you were away. I see that you enjoyed your eating….Now it’s time to get down to serious work”. Jesse K
I laughed when I read that, and then took a big “gulp”. I actually thought I was working pretty hard prior and during my vacation. Oh no!!!!!
In fact, I got out of bed almost every day after eating and drinking in Italy to me was a mini-version of a finish line!! Truth be told, I did gain 4lbs in ten days after running in excess of 54 miles and walking God knows how many miles after every day!
As to ”when in Rome and do what the Romans do”, actually, I did what they don’t. For some reason people in Rome, Florence and Venice regardless of the time of day are not into running in their very beautiful cities. I can understand why many would be deterred from running in the city. During my ten days in Italy, every time I ventured out to run, the locals stared at me as if I was from another planet! One of my runs was at 6 pm and the sun sunk very rapidly. I found myself running against massive waves of scooters and oncoming buses. I never felt comfortable with the cobble stone footing or assault of cars, scooters and masses of people. You certainly have to be either nut’s or fearless. In my case some would say both!
During the vacation, I did my best to complete the prescribed workouts as early as possible as to not impact our vacation as much as possible. I wanted to make sure Mary did not feel that my Ironman year had made even vacations seem tedious. Whenever possible I try to minimize the impact that 3 or 5-hour workouts can make.
Having completed the week’s workouts early in the morning, the rest of the day was spent walking many hours, as one would expect a typical vacation to encompass. I was really happy about that because it was another test in endurance and another way to recover after hitting it hard in the un-even streets of Italy and then climbing stairs in the Medici Palace, jumping steps in Florence and jumping boats in Venice as a true vacationer.
I’m getting better at fitting this all in and I’m so pleased about not missing any volume in training, and having the time of my life with my best friend Mary. In closing, Jesse my coach said, “I’m so glad a trip like this came so early in the training protocol and not later near Lake Placid. With that, I totally agree! However I will have Italy engrained in my memory for all my days.