So as promised, July has been a difficult month in terms of races, however, through your generous support and with pending matching gifts we are over $12,000. $12,000! That is truly amazing. As noted, I have secured Karhu (www.karhu.com) as a supporter and through the amazingly generous support of a fellow TnT'er who transferred nearly $1,800 dollars from her fundraising efforts for another TnT event she was unfortunately unable to complete, we have exceeded $12,000. Absolutely amazing and incredibly generous of all of you.
Thank you all. Also - I have recently downloaded Skype, for those of you on Skype (it's free and an easy way to chat, www.skype.com) I will be available for chats. emails, etc on there from time to time....we're sean.n.sheila.mullen..I still don't know what you need to communicate in specific terms, but it should be fun.
Thank you all....Let's race!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
My most recent sponsor and supporter - Karhu
I am proud to announce that Karhu (www.karhu.com) has officially become a supporter and sponsor of the 40 in 40 Challenge and I am a member of "The Karhu Explorer Challenge". An explorer embodies the spirit of Karhu and promotes it world wide as not only a supporter of runners worldwide but of all athletes from all disciplines and endeavors.
Do You Karhu?
Sean
Do You Karhu?
Sean
Running in silence
With a challenging week at work, training has been local and from home base - literally...runs from home versus going to the gym, rides on the trainer...and a few laps in the tub - ok maybe not the last one. But I did get to experience something I hadn't in a long while.
at 4:45 AM I got up to run - as I had an 8 AM meeting and could NOT be late (run an hour, cool down, stretch do some core work and light lifting) and then get cleaned up = about 90 minutes as it takes me FOREVER to get my hair right so I had to account for that. So out the door I go. I decided that despite my puppy dog's insistence (she lollygags - and every sign post, firehydrant and mailbox in the neighborhood "knows" her), I needed to run alone this morning.
No iPod, no headphones, no nothing...me, the street and Anu (Gaelic), Gaia (Greek), Kali Ma(Hindu), or Mother Nature...however you choose to name her...
It was spectacular. As I ran, the day awoke around me. Birds chirping, peepers (frogs) up and about, beavers off to knock down trees for their dams or just to knock them down because they have big honking teeth and can do that, deer in the open areas in my neighborhood looking at me like "you don't see me, i don't see you - we're good". As I ran - I witnessed the day awakening before me. Houses came alive as folks got up for their own daily routine, the flowers began to open as the sun began to rise, the birds awoke and started their songs, the deer were out and about - and none too happy to see me plodding by them, the lake was still but there were gentle waves lapping up to the shore, either from the wind or early morning fisherman (ahem) fisher people out trying to ply the fish from the lake...i didn't see or hear that M-80 go off I swear...
Reminded me of days many (many squared) years ago when I would run in VT, WAAAAY long ago before music devices became so compact that one could carry them everywhere they went with thousand of songs at their fingertips - or the random draw the iPod chose - when one could experience the splendor around them, undisturbed by anything...
shoes hitting the pavement, breathing in rhythm with the pace, eyes and ears open to the world around you.
I had one of the best runs I had experienced in a long time. I know many are die hard "must run with music" folks...and I am one - especially indoors on a treadmill - but try it. One day, early morning or midday, late afternoon or early evening...hell - in the middle of the night - just wear reflective apparel please...
One day or night - leave the iPod or whatever MP3 player you have at home - let it rest and charge for the next run or workout. When you do - listen, look...the world is an amazing place even if it is right outside your front door, down the street and around the bend.
This is true at the gym too...I mean - come on - there are hundreds of folks working out around you - for their own reason...weight loss, training for an event....a life changing chapter has begun...or they are just there because - everyone has their reasons - hearing about it even surreptitiously - makes the world and potentially everybody's life fuller...and funnier - some of the crap people say and do at the gym is just downright hilarious.
Enjoy the day - and get out and run or walk or ride or Tri. Allow the world to give you experiences versus trying to own it...that is a hefty bill to pay and experiencing it is a hell of a lot more fun. Besides - watching a deer pretend not to notice you, or a bird, squirrel, rabbit or whatever - as the sun rises or sets, or the moon crests over your head and the world evolves with time helps one realize how simple and wonderful the world around us is.
Run, Ride, Tri and Train well my friends.
at 4:45 AM I got up to run - as I had an 8 AM meeting and could NOT be late (run an hour, cool down, stretch do some core work and light lifting) and then get cleaned up = about 90 minutes as it takes me FOREVER to get my hair right so I had to account for that. So out the door I go. I decided that despite my puppy dog's insistence (she lollygags - and every sign post, firehydrant and mailbox in the neighborhood "knows" her), I needed to run alone this morning.
No iPod, no headphones, no nothing...me, the street and Anu (Gaelic), Gaia (Greek), Kali Ma(Hindu), or Mother Nature...however you choose to name her...
It was spectacular. As I ran, the day awoke around me. Birds chirping, peepers (frogs) up and about, beavers off to knock down trees for their dams or just to knock them down because they have big honking teeth and can do that, deer in the open areas in my neighborhood looking at me like "you don't see me, i don't see you - we're good". As I ran - I witnessed the day awakening before me. Houses came alive as folks got up for their own daily routine, the flowers began to open as the sun began to rise, the birds awoke and started their songs, the deer were out and about - and none too happy to see me plodding by them, the lake was still but there were gentle waves lapping up to the shore, either from the wind or early morning fisherman (ahem) fisher people out trying to ply the fish from the lake...i didn't see or hear that M-80 go off I swear...
Reminded me of days many (many squared) years ago when I would run in VT, WAAAAY long ago before music devices became so compact that one could carry them everywhere they went with thousand of songs at their fingertips - or the random draw the iPod chose - when one could experience the splendor around them, undisturbed by anything...
shoes hitting the pavement, breathing in rhythm with the pace, eyes and ears open to the world around you.
I had one of the best runs I had experienced in a long time. I know many are die hard "must run with music" folks...and I am one - especially indoors on a treadmill - but try it. One day, early morning or midday, late afternoon or early evening...hell - in the middle of the night - just wear reflective apparel please...
One day or night - leave the iPod or whatever MP3 player you have at home - let it rest and charge for the next run or workout. When you do - listen, look...the world is an amazing place even if it is right outside your front door, down the street and around the bend.
This is true at the gym too...I mean - come on - there are hundreds of folks working out around you - for their own reason...weight loss, training for an event....a life changing chapter has begun...or they are just there because - everyone has their reasons - hearing about it even surreptitiously - makes the world and potentially everybody's life fuller...and funnier - some of the crap people say and do at the gym is just downright hilarious.
Enjoy the day - and get out and run or walk or ride or Tri. Allow the world to give you experiences versus trying to own it...that is a hefty bill to pay and experiencing it is a hell of a lot more fun. Besides - watching a deer pretend not to notice you, or a bird, squirrel, rabbit or whatever - as the sun rises or sets, or the moon crests over your head and the world evolves with time helps one realize how simple and wonderful the world around us is.
Run, Ride, Tri and Train well my friends.
Friday, July 10, 2009
A few days off and a brief respite from racing
Hard to believe Kure Beach was almost two weeks ago! I took some much needed time off to spend time with Sheila - we went to Yadkin Valley for the fourth - more to get away and relax than anything. Got in a 5 mile hike - which was much more strenuous than it initially appeared - up and over Stone Mountain. I think the most strenuous part was climbing the 200 +/- stairs on the back side of the hike up and over the waterfall.. I don't care what level of shape you're in - stairs just suck. Also got to visit a couple of really nice wineries (Raffaldini and Shelton Vineyards) and had a great meal at Shelton (Harvest Grill)
So - got back into training mode this week - with work, had to move training times up to 5AM - and races will be few and far between this month, but I am looking at a few. Possibly one tomorrow AM, if I think I can swing it and get into work "on time".
So we're at 12 races - but - am quickly approaching $11K in donations. With matching gifts and a couple checks I just received - we'll be OVER $11K! How awesome is that?
Thank you all for your support. Off to watch the Tour and see how "the big boys" ride their trikes...they're insane..they average close to 30 MPH over 120+ miles - with massive climbs. well, OK they're not going 30 up the Pyrenees or the Alps - but still...
So - got back into training mode this week - with work, had to move training times up to 5AM - and races will be few and far between this month, but I am looking at a few. Possibly one tomorrow AM, if I think I can swing it and get into work "on time".
So we're at 12 races - but - am quickly approaching $11K in donations. With matching gifts and a couple checks I just received - we'll be OVER $11K! How awesome is that?
Thank you all for your support. Off to watch the Tour and see how "the big boys" ride their trikes...they're insane..they average close to 30 MPH over 120+ miles - with massive climbs. well, OK they're not going 30 up the Pyrenees or the Alps - but still...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Race # 12 Kure (pron Curry) Beach Double Sprint Tri Sunday June 28
1st double sprint, 1st ocean swim tri, 1st time consuming approximately 1/2 gallon of ocean water...well maybe not QUITE that much.
Another great event run by Setup Events. This one, down just south of Wilmington, NC was a double sprint. The race format was as follows:
375 M swim
1.55 mile run
12.4 mile bike (2 consecutive 6.2 mile rides)
1.55 mile run back to the swim
375 M swim
As noted, there is a reason - especially for folks like me - why the swim is first. But more on that in a bit.
It was a beautiful day - 6AM wake up to get to the two transition spots and get ready. Sheila got herself set up on a primo spot on the beach between the finish line and the swim start. One thing I noticed early on...man there is a lot of sand on the beach (DUH!?!?!) ...I'm gonna have a lot of sand on my feet for the run and ride...
Note to self, there is a reason experienced folks bring buckets to fill with water, so you can clean your feet off effectively. Scrubbing them with a dry towel is like a serious pedicure exfoliation - and not at all effective..but at least I thought to bring the towel.
The ocean was angry on this day, but not as angry as it reportedly had been in the past. And - no jellyfish. One of the guys from Setup Events provided that little bit of commentary as I made my way to the beach to set up my swim to Run 1 transition. That's reassuring.
Big waves, but only about a 65-70 M swim against the tide to the first turn buoy. I had done a prep swim on Saturday to get used to the water (salty, murky, angry) and to make sure I didn't try to breathe underwater like I have been known to do. Just past the first turn was a Coast Guard cutter...more for photo ops purposes than for anything else I suppose. Make the 1st turn and 250M to the next turn which is in to shore. The tide helped keep me relatively straight - as I tend to stray to my right when I swim, so there was that. Seemed like it was fairly quick, but - hard to tell actual time.
Jog to transition and to get ready for the run, scrub my feet - no dead skin left that's for certain - and strap on the shoes. Make my way out and rinse out what little salt water is left in my mouth. Good, easy to follow flat course 1.55 miles to the bike...great support and awesome folks out there for 8:30 AM on a Sunday.
Get to the bike and notice - there aren't a lot of bikes left on my rack...hmmm apparently my swim was slower than I thought. Oh well - the bike is flat and only 12.4 miles - good transition and I am off. Use the first mile + to spin out the "run" from my legs and then shift into the big ring. Thanks TrySports - it shifts perfectly, smoothly and I pick up the pace. My legs took longer to get up to "speed" but I get going indeed. Do the two laps and head back in for run, part deux.
Changeover again - bike shoes off, run shoes on and head out to run. Course seems flatter, and familiar - well of course it is - I just ran it the other way...so it goes by quickly. Get to the run to swim transition, change up - take off the garmin (it is NOT waterproof and I would be so unhappy if I dove in with it on) and make my way over the beach 250 M to the swim start again
Running on sand, in any situation is more difficult than on pavement or packed gravel, doing so after running 3.1 miles and biking 12.4 (and having swum 375M before that) well...it was interesting. I almost fell down more than once due to my grace and coordination.
As we near the start of the swim area a volunteer says, "go past the start buoy before you head out to sea"...out to sea? I'm not going out to sea, nor do I intend to go out to sea I'm going out to that turn buoy - or at least I hope - turning left and swimming to the next turn buoy - no out to sea! What's with the out to sea?!?!!
So - interestingly enough, it is quite possible I should have paid a little more attention during my "Oceanography" class sophomore year of college. While the tide was "going out" as we hit the water the second time, the waves were bigger, steeper, breaking earlier and more often and seemingly saltier. I SWEAR the first turn buoy was moving away from me, but it wasn't, the arms were tired and I was a little bit as well.
Make it to turn one and sight the next buoy - 250M, 5 laps in the pool is what I tell myself - a technique called "chunking" breaking the race into manageable "chunks" - and I make my way across to the final turn, in towards shore...woo hoo!!! as I turn, I take a couple strokes and turn to breathe. Apparently I ordered one mouthful of Atlantic Ocean water with that breath - which due to the volume and unexpectedness of it, I swallowed...sputtering and coughing, I flip over to catch my breath...as I do - I notice a lifeguard to my right...STANDING IN THE WATER...not treading water, not on a surfboard....STANDING. The water is about 4-5 feet deep (tide was going out remember) but running through the water is a waste of time (slower and much more draining) so I regain my breath and get swimming. I wish I had the wherewithal to time my swimming with the waves a bit better, a little body surfing right about now would be great.
Make it in to 2 feet of water - yes I was swimming in 2 feet of water - and stand to run in the final bit to the finish - well slog through the water and then start running.
What a great event! Seriously. This will go on the permanent list of races to do - just need to not drink ocean water - or at least a little less.
Also important to note, we saw Sandra and Matt Clancy at the race - they both had an awesome race - Matt who was in my age category crushed it and did awesome - even after having to run and get a spare set of goggles - Sandra - I believe this was her first tri after giving birth to their first child last year did awesome as well...always good to see familiar and friendly faces.
Time was 1:23:17...both swims took me almost twice as long as I expected them to - but the run(s) and the bike were right on track. It was a blast. Will add some pics to this blog over the next day or so.
12 down - 28 left, nearly $9K raised for LLS.
Another great event run by Setup Events. This one, down just south of Wilmington, NC was a double sprint. The race format was as follows:
375 M swim
1.55 mile run
12.4 mile bike (2 consecutive 6.2 mile rides)
1.55 mile run back to the swim
375 M swim
As noted, there is a reason - especially for folks like me - why the swim is first. But more on that in a bit.
It was a beautiful day - 6AM wake up to get to the two transition spots and get ready. Sheila got herself set up on a primo spot on the beach between the finish line and the swim start. One thing I noticed early on...man there is a lot of sand on the beach (DUH!?!?!) ...I'm gonna have a lot of sand on my feet for the run and ride...
Note to self, there is a reason experienced folks bring buckets to fill with water, so you can clean your feet off effectively. Scrubbing them with a dry towel is like a serious pedicure exfoliation - and not at all effective..but at least I thought to bring the towel.
The ocean was angry on this day, but not as angry as it reportedly had been in the past. And - no jellyfish. One of the guys from Setup Events provided that little bit of commentary as I made my way to the beach to set up my swim to Run 1 transition. That's reassuring.
Big waves, but only about a 65-70 M swim against the tide to the first turn buoy. I had done a prep swim on Saturday to get used to the water (salty, murky, angry) and to make sure I didn't try to breathe underwater like I have been known to do. Just past the first turn was a Coast Guard cutter...more for photo ops purposes than for anything else I suppose. Make the 1st turn and 250M to the next turn which is in to shore. The tide helped keep me relatively straight - as I tend to stray to my right when I swim, so there was that. Seemed like it was fairly quick, but - hard to tell actual time.
Jog to transition and to get ready for the run, scrub my feet - no dead skin left that's for certain - and strap on the shoes. Make my way out and rinse out what little salt water is left in my mouth. Good, easy to follow flat course 1.55 miles to the bike...great support and awesome folks out there for 8:30 AM on a Sunday.
Get to the bike and notice - there aren't a lot of bikes left on my rack...hmmm apparently my swim was slower than I thought. Oh well - the bike is flat and only 12.4 miles - good transition and I am off. Use the first mile + to spin out the "run" from my legs and then shift into the big ring. Thanks TrySports - it shifts perfectly, smoothly and I pick up the pace. My legs took longer to get up to "speed" but I get going indeed. Do the two laps and head back in for run, part deux.
Changeover again - bike shoes off, run shoes on and head out to run. Course seems flatter, and familiar - well of course it is - I just ran it the other way...so it goes by quickly. Get to the run to swim transition, change up - take off the garmin (it is NOT waterproof and I would be so unhappy if I dove in with it on) and make my way over the beach 250 M to the swim start again
Running on sand, in any situation is more difficult than on pavement or packed gravel, doing so after running 3.1 miles and biking 12.4 (and having swum 375M before that) well...it was interesting. I almost fell down more than once due to my grace and coordination.
As we near the start of the swim area a volunteer says, "go past the start buoy before you head out to sea"...out to sea? I'm not going out to sea, nor do I intend to go out to sea I'm going out to that turn buoy - or at least I hope - turning left and swimming to the next turn buoy - no out to sea! What's with the out to sea?!?!!
So - interestingly enough, it is quite possible I should have paid a little more attention during my "Oceanography" class sophomore year of college. While the tide was "going out" as we hit the water the second time, the waves were bigger, steeper, breaking earlier and more often and seemingly saltier. I SWEAR the first turn buoy was moving away from me, but it wasn't, the arms were tired and I was a little bit as well.
Make it to turn one and sight the next buoy - 250M, 5 laps in the pool is what I tell myself - a technique called "chunking" breaking the race into manageable "chunks" - and I make my way across to the final turn, in towards shore...woo hoo!!! as I turn, I take a couple strokes and turn to breathe. Apparently I ordered one mouthful of Atlantic Ocean water with that breath - which due to the volume and unexpectedness of it, I swallowed...sputtering and coughing, I flip over to catch my breath...as I do - I notice a lifeguard to my right...STANDING IN THE WATER...not treading water, not on a surfboard....STANDING. The water is about 4-5 feet deep (tide was going out remember) but running through the water is a waste of time (slower and much more draining) so I regain my breath and get swimming. I wish I had the wherewithal to time my swimming with the waves a bit better, a little body surfing right about now would be great.
Make it in to 2 feet of water - yes I was swimming in 2 feet of water - and stand to run in the final bit to the finish - well slog through the water and then start running.
What a great event! Seriously. This will go on the permanent list of races to do - just need to not drink ocean water - or at least a little less.
Also important to note, we saw Sandra and Matt Clancy at the race - they both had an awesome race - Matt who was in my age category crushed it and did awesome - even after having to run and get a spare set of goggles - Sandra - I believe this was her first tri after giving birth to their first child last year did awesome as well...always good to see familiar and friendly faces.
Time was 1:23:17...both swims took me almost twice as long as I expected them to - but the run(s) and the bike were right on track. It was a blast. Will add some pics to this blog over the next day or so.
12 down - 28 left, nearly $9K raised for LLS.
Friday, June 26, 2009
What a tune up!
Hats off to the folks at TrySports on my tune up (on the bike, me personally - I am beyond repair). Took the trike out for a 13 mile ride today to burn off some energy...and it handles beautifully, shifts like a dream (no dropped chain) and is as smooth as silk. All prepped for Kure Beach on Sunday. Thanks TrySports team....you guys rock!
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