The KodaFit Blog

I’ve used Ibuprofen once since Ironman, and that wasn’t even running related.  Prior to IronMan however, I was pounding at least 800mg everyday.  It’s been about 2 or 3 years and started when I got shin splints and then IT Band problems.

I think it helped, but I’m sure it hasn’t been kind to my digestive tract, and I learned a few weeks ago that Ibuprofen can cause your blood pressure to elevate, and my readings even since I’ve been exercising have not been good.

I wonder if my results at the Shark Attack last week could possibly be linked to this - details to come, but I WON MY AGE GROUP!!

I feel like my body is running better, and I feel cleaner inside, but at the same time…  It hurts a lot more when I push myself now, and my body isn’t recovering as quickly - or perhaps it is, but the pain isn’t being masked any more.

I think I need to increase my intake of Omega 3 oils, and anti-inflammatory berries.

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For my first triathlon, way back when, I didn’t own a decent bike nor did I possess a pair of cycling shoes.  I borrowed a bike, and purchased a pair of pedals with clips.  You know, the type with the plastic toe cap and straps around the sides.

That first race I think my T2 time was likely less than 10 seconds.  I ran in, racked the bike and since I was already wearing my running shoes, I was gone - if only the run itself had gone better!!

I got my bike back in 2008.  It’s a beautiful road bike with a full carbon frame.  At the same time, I also purchased a pair of cycling shoes.  They’re really nice shoes, and since I paid about $20 more than I pay for my running shoes, they had better be!

They’re well vented and very streamlined.  They are however rather uncomfortable.  They’re great for a ride less than 30 miles when the air temperature is reasonably, but if there is any chill in the air, my toes usually go numb.  And the point of contact with the pedal, usually gets tender after a while.

With IronMan approaching, and money not being very plentiful, I had an idea this morning, which I’m considering…

What if I replace the pedals on my racing bike with the old squirrel cages for IronMan.  That way I can bike in an older pair of very comfortable running shoes, and hopefully arrive at T2 with less pain.

What do you think?

Edited to add:

Thanks for the comments so far…  I went online early this morning to see about getting a new pair of shoes, in case this idea doesn’t pan out.  And if found the following on this site …

The most common problem (and hardest to avoid) with cycling specific footwear is buying it too big. Movement is the enemy. In a strange irony the symptoms of cycling shoes being too big makes you think they are too small. Numb feet, hot spots under the ball of the foot, blackened toenails and even blisters are symptoms of cycling shoes that are allowing minor movements of the foot inside the shoe. If the shoes were tighter and restricted the movement some or all of these symptoms would disappear.

I’ve been loosening my shoes to try and fix the numbness and hot spots…  Perhaps I’ve been exacerbating the problem…

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And I can’t think of a better time to say it, so…

MY TRI-CLUB FREAKIN’ ROCKS!!

Now my experience may have some unique little extra’s that may not be 100% typical of the regular member, but for the most part, if you’re a resident of the Wasatch Front and interested in triathlons, the Desert Sharks could likely offer you some of this as well.  I initially started looking into starting my own club in Northern Davis county, but it seemed like a rather daunting task, plus I didn’t have much time.  My primary motivation was to find others to work-out with and so that on race day, I could at least know a couple of the faces of those amongst whom I was racing.  I finally bit the bullet and joined the Sharks towards the end of last year.

Here’s what the last 6 months or so of being a Desert Shark has given me:

1.  Had my butt kicked at an evening hill run workout last November.  Unfortunately these sessions are difficult to attend because of where I live and trying to balance work, training and family, but I think I’m going to have to attend more this year - Nothing like a good butt kicking to increase your speed and all around performance.
2. Got to volunteer at a Winter Triathlon - Quite the experience for me and my son, and yes, I am still working on putting together a review.
3. At the annual banquet last year, I won some funky grip tape which now graces my aero-bars.  I’m not sure it I’ll ever lose my bike in transition!
4. Also at the banquet, I lucked out and won the annual wetsuit drawing (results not typical!).  Not only that, but I got to meet with fellow South African and pro triathlete Brad Gale for a fitting session. I am really excited to try it out at Rage in a couple of weeks time.  I rented a really high end suit for a race last year, and this new one just felt sooooo much better!
5. The club put on a swim clinic earlier this month.  $10 for club members, and it included a pair of goggles, and hour of classroom instruction and then a couple of hours in the pool being coached and video taped.  Not only did I get some excellent advice, but last Friday, a customized DVD arrives from the club with my swimming session on it.  I may try and see if I can post it here sometime.  I can see areas and need to improve on, and perhaps my readers may be able to offer some advice as well.
6. Great group ride up Emigration Canyon last Saturday, great group ride out to Antelope a couple of weeks ago and all round, just a great group of guys and gals, who are always will to share advice, a funny story, or just provide the perfect level of motivation.

Like I said before my Tri-Club Rocks!!  I’m excited about donning the club uniform for my first big race of the season next month and racing alongside (or most likely behind!), some of the nicest people I am privileged to associate with!

Finally a funny story on the swimming video…  So I have it loaded in the player last week, and my kids are all gathered around with me, as I’m analyzing myself.  My 4 year old Lily, starts asking… “Is that really you Dad?”.    I tipped my head in her direction and her response was “It is you!!”.   Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the video, was how much my hair has thinned on top.   Looks like I may be just a season or two away from bic’ing it for the summer!

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I promised someone I’d get a post or two done today.  The day is almost over, and I don’t want to do an injustice to the couple of idea’s I’ve been thinking about, so let me give you a summary and then hopefully, I can fill in the details in the coming days…

1.  I had my first race of the season 2 weeks ago.  It was an indoor sprint tri.  Good experience, fun event, and I believe they’ll have a video and the results posted really soon.  If you want to see what it was, check out the home page video at elevateutah.com.
2. I’m on a wellness council at work.  We did a Biggest Loser contest last year which was great to be a part of.  The only problem was tracking stats.  This year, I’m writing an application to manage it all online.  I’m pretty excited.  It should be ready for initial testing this weekend, if any of you want to be beta testers, just let me know (You don’t even have to be honest about your weight ).
3. Went to an awesome swim clinic on Saturday.  Figured since my head position and body position are great, I could get some tips on my stroke.  The biggest lesson I learned is that what you think and reality are often not the same.  My stroke is pretty good actually, but my head and body positioning could use some work - Aha!!  More to come on that!
4. I usually reserve my religious and political views for elsewhere on the web under a different name.  They tend to annoy people - actually anyone who follows me on FaceBook may have seen some of that last year!  But that aside, I’ve come to see there is a spiritual side to running.  Don’t worry, I’m not going to get all preachy and hallelujah like - it’s not that kind of spiritual - but it is something I wanted to share.

There may be more stuff too, especially since my training really took off over the past 2 weeks and I’m excited for the coming season.

Feel free to vote on which topic you would prefer to hear about first, if you care, and hopefully you’ll hear from me soon.

Also I just entered a contest for some free socks over at Speedo Steve’s blog (He’s not sponsored by Speedo, but I think he should be!)  Anyway, that’s beside the point.  The contest was entitled Tales of a Virgin Athlete. You can read more about it on his blog - here. You could probably also leave comments saying that you really think my entry should be considered!!

I’ll probably post my tale of being a virgin athlete this weekend as well!

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I have a Race Face crank on my road bike.  From what I’ve heard, it’s a pretty good one, but that’s no what this post is all about!

So my last post was pretty boring - I mean, I couldn’t even proof-read it without wanting to surf the web elsewhere.  So as promised I’m hoping this one will be a little more exciting, and I’m even going to include a picture.

First things first…  I’m feeling almost 100% better.  I say almost because I’ve started pushing my training again, and so my legs ache, my shoulders are tight and I’m feeling fatigued, but all in a good way.  Shirley (of Humble Triathlete fame), did point out after my last post that the fact that I have been sick, and was still medicated may explain some of my changes, so you can expect more testing and analysis of my performance in a month or two.

Next on the list, IronMan St. George.  St. George is in Southern Utah.  It was the location of one of my sprint tri’s last year, and my first marathon.  It’s a beautiful city and right now, a whole lot warmer than Salt Lake.  Rumors have been circulating about the city hosting an IronMan event, and from what I read yesterday on EveryManTri that it looks like it will be official announced next month.

I think I’d like to make from first IronMan and official M-dot one, so this would work nicely, without me having to drive more than a couple of hours away, plus being somewhat familiar with the area may help with nerves - Whom I kidding though… It’ll be my first Iron Distance event… I’m going to be terrified no matter where it is! But if for any reason I can’t get in, I’m thinking it’ll be the Silverman Full Iron in 2010 (Actually depending on how this season goes and my training next winter, maybe I’ll give both a whirl, thereby confirming peoples assertions that I am completely 100% insane!)

So back to the Race Face… For some crazy reason I decided to grow facial hair after Thanksgiving in 2007, and didn’t shave it off until my first race in 2008. With Thanksgiving 2008, I decided to do it again. Partly as a tradition thing, and then partly because it bugs certain types of people, that really just need to be bugged - and I’m not talking about my dear wife!!

So here is a picture of my ‘Training Face’.

I took this after an 8 or 9 mile run last Saturday day.  I’m in my car, because the wind was freakin’ cold and I was sick of standing in mud.  Beneath my hat, lies 1-2 inch hair that in recent weeks has taken on a mind of it’s own.

To be honest, while I like the look, the feel of the beard is starting to bug me, but it takes some much effort (and intense itching) to grow that it seems a shame to just shave it off.  So I’ve been feverishly trying to find a race, so I have an excuse.

February 28th I shall be returning to my ‘Race Face’, clean shaven with very little hair on top.  More photo’s will follow then…

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