How I Reason Things (My Big News)

>> Monday, November 03, 2008

Well folks, here it is: my 300th post. Thought I’d make it big. So here are the 6 steps that recently got me from “Point A” to “Point B.”

1. Pharmie had registered for it months ago.

2. I already had a plane ticket, as I was planning on going to cheer.

3. It looks like one of the most spectator-UNfriendly courses that I’ve ever seen. I’d have a hard time cheering. The swim is a 1-way swim. The bike is a normal out-and-back. And the run is a point-to-point, so the runners finish MILES away from transition and the start of the race.

4. I’m turned on at the thought of 3-4 hours in the basement on the trainer on a cold February evening. Oh wait, no I’m not. I’m really, really not. Damn it.

5. I found out my ART Chiropractor, Dr. Folkse, was heading south to compete as well. And he was going with a group from Lifetime Fitness, so there’s the possibility of winter training rides. Jeez, just the thought of that sends chills through me. And they’re not “good chills” (like the kind I get from watching movies starring anything with boobs).

6. “Hey Pharmie, what’s the bike course like?” “It’s pancake-flat, Steve.”

That last one sealed the deal. Well, if I’m going down there anyway, I might as well bring my bike and compete in the damn thing:



That’s how I went from a spectator to an athlete at the Ironman 70.3 New Orleans on April 5th of next year. I’ve done 2 other “half-iron distance” triathlons, but this will be my first official Ironman 70.3. And we’ll know a lot of Evotri friends that will be down there doing it, too! Should be fun! And by “fun,” I mean “a mid-spring torture fest.”

Seriously though, I’m looking forward to it! And check out Borsch’s and my great 5K run below! Happy Monday!

50 comments:

Shannon 5:12 AM, November 03, 2008  

You and me training!

I"m doing Eagleman in June. Kudo's to signing up.

duchossois 5:44 AM, November 03, 2008  

I have a recommendation to help avoid all of those hours on the trained in the basement. Go down to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras (February 24th), then stay until your Ironman on April 5th.

Zoomy 6:07 AM, November 03, 2008  

Uhhh...damn. Training for a Spring Ironman when one lives in the Upper Midwest. You're brave! *cough* nuts *cough*

joyRuN 6:20 AM, November 03, 2008  

Wow - your first 70.3? Have a great training season :)

Anonymous,  6:41 AM, November 03, 2008  

Sounds like you are up for the challenge. What else is there to do during the winter anyway?

Glaven Q. Heisenberg 6:41 AM, November 03, 2008  

Good luck in NOLA.

Remember: Whatever NOLA wants, NOLA gets. And NOLA wants Steve to bring home some 1st place hardware!

Darcy Franklin 7:03 AM, November 03, 2008  

Good luck! Actually, I am trying to put together an endurance ride over at LTF Crosstown for folks training for any longer events starting the first weekend in January. We will be showing movies or tv series in the studio. Might be perfect for you and Pharmie!

Jess 7:08 AM, November 03, 2008  

Good luck with the training this winter! I'm sure you will rock it.

Mel-2nd Chances 7:11 AM, November 03, 2008  

that's great! given the way the course sounds, you're right, you might as well compete anyway... at first i thought you were serious about the hours on the trainer, then i remembered that i'm reading *your* blog, the one dancing in the grim reaper youtube videos LOL

Unknown 7:44 AM, November 03, 2008  

This still sounds kind of like a spur of the moment kind of desicion. And a spur of the moment choice to run an IM is close to crossing the line of insane. Have fun! It stinks we will have to wait April for the race review.

Charlotte 7:57 AM, November 03, 2008  

Wow, that's huge! Congrats. Can't wait to hear all about it!

CoachLiz 8:06 AM, November 03, 2008  

Way to go! You will need to take precautions to out swim alligators and water bourn snakes. Learn how to get on your bike with your shoes already clipped in on your pedals so that fire ants don't crawl in your shoes. Because of sudden changes in weather, practice using Endurolytes or S-caps on the bike and on the run. April can get HOT in the Deep South!

Oh, and buy all the M-dot stuff you can! I would do this race, but I have the Lone Star Triathlon festival in Galveston that weekend and my coached athletes will be racing the sprint and Oly race and I will be racing the 1/2 IM distance.

Steve Stenzel 8:08 AM, November 03, 2008  

Liz, your first paragraph doesn't make me feel any better about this....

....

....

....gulp...

Felice Devine 8:09 AM, November 03, 2008  

Wow -- "mid-spring torture fest" -- terrific!

Anonymous,  9:27 AM, November 03, 2008  

Yay! You'll love it down here! Swim is nothing to worry about, bike course is flat and nice, and there will be a ton of people on the run course cheering you on...it's really amazing, and you will have a great time! I promise!!!

Kelly 9:28 AM, November 03, 2008  

Firsto official half? Does this mean no grim reaper outfit?

Sad day for the orleanians.

Sarah 9:53 AM, November 03, 2008  

Fun! Congrats :) Happy training.

Jamie 9:59 AM, November 03, 2008  

Damn Steve. Way to go! Get ready to kick some ass this winter!

GoBigGreen 10:38 AM, November 03, 2008  

Steve, if you want to ride outside at all ( and since we live kinda near each other) I will drop you a note when we are riding. You need fenders if it is wet/icey but it is soooo much better than riding indoors. Ie ride outdoors for 2 hours freeze your "stuff" ( generic,we all have stuff that freezes!) and then finish up at the Y on the spin bike or your own trainer for another hour thawing out.
Ok you get the idea..i dont go if it is too much below 20 or the wind is too bad. But just a thought...outdoors is soooo much nicer than indoors...stock up on toe and hand warmers at menards before all the hunters buy 'em!
Julia
PS pharmie too.. of course!

Julianne 10:39 AM, November 03, 2008  

Wow!! That is exciting!!!! A full Ironman... Woohoo! Let the training begin!

Kelly 11:40 AM, November 03, 2008  

For some reason I really thought you were going to announce that Pharmie was pregnant. I should have known it was going to be something sportsy though. Good luck!

Maggs 11:46 AM, November 03, 2008  

I was just wondering about the course for that race. I signed because my parents live near there,I guess they'll get a workout just chasing me all over the course. Good luck training through the winter...brrrr...

Calyx Meredith 11:54 AM, November 03, 2008  

I have no worries about you and winter training. What I DO worry about is your pre-race nutrition in New Orleans! It's a fantastic place for food but you eat the weirdest shit right before a race and NOLA could be a dangerous place to do that!! (You and Gaston the Cajun Gator may both be saying, " E is for etouffe which I et too much!) Good luck!

Tracy 1:16 PM, November 03, 2008  

Alligators and snakes in the water, and effing FIRE ants? WHAT!? No one told me about that stuff. Um... yeah you and I will have to talk.

Sonia 1:32 PM, November 03, 2008  

I think your reasons are real good! I thought you were registering for a full IM when I started to read LOL

Anniversary Moments 3:09 PM, November 03, 2008  

well, that's one way to make some plans for the winter!

Trisaratops 4:01 PM, November 03, 2008  

PARTY PARTY PARTY TIME!

And a race, too. ;)

Gonna be a BLAST!

Stef0115 4:52 PM, November 03, 2008  

Nice move! It will be SO MUCH FUN since the Evo Tri folks are racing too. I'm sure you will smoke the course. Have fun in the basement!

Run For Life 5:16 PM, November 03, 2008  

At least you and Pharmie can enjoy the winter training together. (Clearly by "enjoy" I mean bitch about it.) Have fun!

Chris 6:08 PM, November 03, 2008  

Grats on entry into NO! I wish I could be down there with you all, but I have a vacation scheduled during that time. Make us Minnesotans proud!

Trishie 6:17 PM, November 03, 2008  

Ah, don't you love hitting SUMBIT?! (and then bye bye $225+) ;)

Amytrigirl (aka Amybee) 6:42 PM, November 03, 2008  

How fun, fun fun!

Just think of all the great food you can have after the event!

(The person who blogged above about the alligators and snakes got me going though... yeeech).

I'm looking forward already to getting inspired by your training blog updates that will hopefully motivate me during the dead of winter.

Michelle 7:27 PM, November 03, 2008  

So i just googled it because i had no clue what ironman 70.3 meant!!!

1.2 mi. swim • 56 mi. bike • 13.1 mi. run

Now i know...

I am in awe dude!!! Really i am!!! Good luck!!!

KK 8:26 PM, November 03, 2008  

good decision. good luck!

nwgdc 9:28 PM, November 03, 2008  

I'll be honest...I absolutely LOVE the idea of creating a race simply for the two of us. Costumes obviously a must. Ha Ha, time to call the sister and figure out a time to visit!

Marathon Maritza 10:12 PM, November 03, 2008  

Awesome!!!! I'm so excited for you! Can't wait to follow you through training!

Chad 10:33 PM, November 03, 2008  

Personally, I am more worried about the Fecal Chloroform levels in Lake P then I am the Gators and snakes. We eat those things down here, the snakes and alligators that is...Going to be awesome having all you guys come down and experience some of the best food in the world.

Good luck with the training all winter. I'll be right there with you. Our BRTri group will be there in full force.

Ordinarylife 2:24 AM, November 04, 2008  

I will spare a thought for you on that day if you will do the same for me.

I am doing Ironman South Africa which is also on 5 April. At least I can train in summer!

BreeWee 3:17 AM, November 04, 2008  

way to sign up dude! Now let the FUN begin! Stay warm :)

Marci 7:12 AM, November 04, 2008  

Enjoy it... that will be so much fun!

Anonymous,  7:24 AM, November 04, 2008  

better you than me.

Im such a fab spectator Id hate to let people down and participate.

cant wait to follow your training!

Anonymous,  9:30 AM, November 04, 2008  

Nothing to worry about with the gators and snakes and fireants...it's not that bad down here! And the food is absolutely wonderful...and we'll have plenty of it...before, during and after the race!! Just don't drink a hand grenade the night before!

Jess 10:04 AM, November 04, 2008  

Sweet! I'm super excited to follow your training for it!

J~Mom 11:26 AM, November 04, 2008  

I just put one more notch next to that 70.3 for me next year. Oohh I have to decide soon! That is sooo cool that you are doing it!

Congrats on your 5K finish!!

J~Mom 11:47 AM, November 04, 2008  

YEP! It's on my list!! Oohhh can't decide! Now you have me thinking!

Born To Endure 12:01 PM, November 04, 2008  

Congrats on the making top 10..like here was any chance you wouldn't..:-)) Congrats on the whole 70.3 race too..that will be a blast for sure!

Alisa 6:42 PM, November 04, 2008  

Wow! You know you'll rock it!

triguyjt 8:58 PM, November 04, 2008  

enjoy nawlins!!!

enjoy the race..
I can only imagine the pics you'll bring back from bourbon streets...etc!!!

Viv 9:32 AM, November 05, 2008  

Awesome, Steve! I am registtered as well. Now I have a rabbit to chase aka bowl of sunshine. LOL!

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