The Little Things ...

When I was a kid, we would go to JC Penneys at Arborland to get new shoes. I loved it.

Same holds today...Picked up two pairs of Nike Structures over the weekend half-off. Isn't that great!? I do not need new shoes yet, but the current pair have all of that blood from the Boston Marathon...they can be the rainy day/trail shoes. :-)

Ironman Training - Week 3

Last week's totals:

Swim:  4400 yards, 1:27

Bike:  117 miles, 6:27

Run: 14.2 miles, 2:02

Total time:  9 hours, 56 minutes

Total TSS: 515 

Updates/reminders otherwise:
- 7 weeks from Ironman Muncie 70.3
- 10 weeks from Ironman Boulder

- Started thinking about how things went in 2012 at Ironman....always helps to re-read the race report.  if you are interested, check it out: 2012 Ironman Mont Tremblant Race Report 

- Hamstring is responding well to MedSport recommendations.  Sunday's run was almost pain free.

- The weekend workouts are beginning to get long.  I felt strong this weekend and pushed it.  Next weekend is a step up in terms of time/distance.  All of this is a lot of fun...that's the truth. I'm lucky to have the opportunity. Just have to stay healthy....

- Loved the three day weekend. Hope you did too.

Monday Swim Day

2800 yards and double nonfat cap reward. #goodday
Hope you are in the same place!

PS to swimmer friends...yes still slow but I am not injured! Also, loving the Roka Sims.

Weekend Great Start!

	Kevin Karr (@tri_4ever)
5/23/15, 12:17 PM Hit up Hines today with @RyanKarr23 and @natekarr! #FamilyTime #trilife pic.twitter.com/NR2PjJ0HhP

I Think I Love my PT - AND Ironman Training - Week 2

Today was the day I've been waiting for.  It is a day I should have scheduled three months ago. It was MedSport day.  

I arrived at 7:15 AM to meet with Renita, a physical therapist, at the runner's clinic.  I hadn't met Renita before. In the past I've worked with Ernie and like him a lot. However, Renita made a great first impression, and it didn't take long for me to be comfortable with her.  She's got a calm and friendly style, and she shared her expertise clearly. Renita is definitely a good person to see if you are heading to MedSport and need a PT consultation.

I spent just over an hour with Renita talking over my "issues", evaluating my gait, looking at my current running shoes, having her test/evaluate my functional strength, and practicing strengthening routines that are going to HEAL ME!  I left with a set of exercises that I am to do once a day.

I'm happy to report that Renita does not see my injury as being limiting long-term.  I do, however, need to create some strength balance between my left and right hamstrings to take care of things.  So, mostly good news.  I'm hopeful.  Thanks for your help, Renita.

Updates/reminders otherwise:
8 weeks from Ironman Muncie 70.3
11 weeks from Ironman Boulder

Last week's totals:

Swim:  4000 yards, 1:17

Bike:  111 miles, 5:52

Run: 17 miles, 2:31

Total time:  9 hours, 40 minutes

Total TSS: 400 (interesting that this is more than 100 lower than last week..how did that happen.)

It was a tough week to fit it all in.  I missed one swim and one run.  It is what it is....

I was clearly reminded this week that Ironman athletes who work (far more than) full time require balance. For me, this comes mostly by working out very early and/or late.  I also keep in balance from the consideration I get my family.  This past weekend was a great example.  I had company during most of my Saturday ride, and I had company during part of the long run on Sunday.  It would be tough to do completely alone---and that is at under 10 hours of working out.  Don't get me wrong....I'd do it alone, but I always appreciate connections around exercise. It is motivating to be supported/connected.

Cool moment of the weekend: During Sunday's run, I found myself envisioning the last 10K of the Ironman marathon and what a cool moment that is going to be.  I'm hoping to hear Mike Reilly say again, "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN KEVIN!"

Other updates:

- Today was the first run intensity I've done since Boston...and it was only at a pace slightly faster than I ran 26.2 miles at just a few weeks ago. I'll do more if the hamstring starts to feel better.

- I ate so much food this past weekend. I just kept eating. I didn't stop.  EAT EAT EAT.

PHOTO: Ironman Texas Trainer Party

Clean bikes + forecasted rain + 3.5 hour ride = Trainer Party 🎉🚴🏾💥

Ironman Training - Week 1

Now nine weeks from Muncie 70.3 and three months out from Ironman Boulder, I've completed the first week of full tri training....here it is:

Swim:  5000 yards, 1:35

Bike:  100 miles, 5:11

Run: 17.6 miles, 2:24

Total time:  9:10 minutes

Total TSS: 502.5

Big first week relative to run only training.  9 hours, 10 minutes last week exceeds the peak of run only training by an hour.  Looking at the week ahead, it is daunting when overlaid with the work/family schedule.

I will find the balance one day at a time....and I'll be in the water at 5:30 AM tomorrow.

Other relevant updates and tangents:

- Hamstring.  MedSport, here I come.  

- Swimming is soooo therapeutic.  Pain to get up and get there, but once I get going it is a great start to the day.
- Today = first day off in 10.

- Young Karr = awesome to have him home for the summer...and not just because he is a good workout partner.  

- Cappucino @ Babo = Yes!

Idea for a future post:

- Title: The Pros and Cons of Semi-adult Children Living at Home.  It would be a post that includes the topics of gas money, the lack of completed yard work, how to not stay awake until someone comes home at 2 AM, young man braggadocio, and happiness of having everyone under one roof.

Ryan @ USAT Collegiate Nationals, Clemson, South Carolina
Kid is looking ready to drop the hammer this year.  #strong

Ryan the Fish

@RyanKarr23 the fish on the left and the guy in second place in the right. Getting hard to keep up. #stillclosetho #sorta

Sounds Good

April 2012-15 Totals and iPhone Video Debut

Totals for the last four years...including race month for Boston 15.  

Reminder: top line shows hours working out for the month. Other totals for previous months:  Jan 15, Feb 15, March 15. 

It is a starting point for Boulder 15.  Next month will look a lot different (if I can figure out when to do the workouts).

And last, for your viewing pleasure, my iPhone cinematic debut video.  Listen for the part when Mike Reilly, the voice of Ironman, says "Kevin Karr from Canton, Michigan.  YOU ARE AN IRONMAN, KEVIN!" Hopefully I'll hear it again on August 2.