best run in 5.5 years

Today I went out for my prescribed 50 minute endurance run. My HRM was being a PITA so I put the read out on min/mile. I know it needs calibration to be a little more accurate but I calibrated it for walking before I was able to run for more than 3-4 min at a time. In general, it is pretty close because when I run on the Heritage Trail, I have mile markers to guage things by. Anyway, I got adjusted just before my run and I had a massage last Thursday and I think that made all the difference in the world. I busted out my first sub-12 minute mile in years and was able to keep up the pace for another two after that. I was able to do 3.9 miles in 50 minutes. Not bad if I might say so. I actually did a 10:50 for my last mile. I must admit, I was "husky assisted" on that last mile as I let the leash out a little more than I usually do and Koda pulled me to my fastest mile ever, or at least since 2002. I think my best 5K was around 29 minutes in a sprint triathlon. I must check the results to verify that. Anyway, Im happy to report I am getting faster and I might be able to do Beaver FReezer in around 1:18 or so, Im hoping.

Return to OHSU

For the first time since I left the hospital on November 3, 2002, I returned to OHSU. We had to take Taggy there for an appointment with a specialist at the children's hospital (everything is normal). While we were waiting for his appointment, Stacey and I were sitting reminiscing about the last time we were there. I got kind of teary eyed and of course, being a man and all, I didnt want my wife to see me doing that so I got up and went and played with Taggy. We finished his appointment and he and Stacey wanted to ride the tram down the hill so I got the car and met them at the terminal. Later, after the kids went to bed, Stacey and I sat down and she told me about how surreal it felt to walk from where Taggy's appointment was up to the tram. She had to walk through the area where she waited for the hospital staff to take her and Taguen, when he was only 3 months old, to my room on the day of my injury. It was very emotionally draining for her and I wish I could have been there with her. I vividly remember everything about the rehab center but was unable to recall much about OHSU except for the homeless person they put in my room and she said the same thing until walking through the ward today. She is an exceptional woman and I am lucky to have her in my life.

New training program, dreams, Kona

Yesterday, I started on the latest installment of my triathlon training. With a new goal, the Canadian Paralympic Cycling Team, I had coach Scott (www.f9tc) design a program with early season time trials as the focus. The times for the national team in the 20k were in the low 30 minute range. My best 20k without doing much training was 36 minutes. As I said, with proper training, I think I can do much better. I have great equipment in my bike and race wheels, I have one good leg, so I think I can power to a low 30 minute finish. My friends Jen and Dean at Bike Central have offered to help me learn to ride on the track as this is something else I think I could excel at. Although the 2008 Paralympics are out of reach, the Pan Am games and World Championships are not. I am looking into going to Montreal in May to be classified and race for the first time against other physically challenged athletes.
I emailed NA Sports for the second time in as many years about adding an additional category to their PC division. The ITU, International Triathlon Union, has a category that I fit into and I am lobbying for NA Sports to adopt it as well. Last year they basically said I wasnt PC enough to compete in the PC division. Granted, I am not going to be breaking any land speed records but at least I might be able to get the elusive Kona spot without having to go the lottery route. Wish me luck

More goals, future paralympian??

Ever since my life was changed by a surgical procedure gone awry, I have been trying to find things that I can be competitive in with people that have like injuries. This is how I found the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Recently, just for fun, I was looking at the results for the World Paralypic Cycling Championships. Im not sure what my classification is just yet (Im working on that detail), but I think I could be competitive with the class I think I am in. With proper coaching (thanks Scott), I know I can achieve this new goal of mine-making the Canadian Paralympic Team. I have been talking via email to the Canadian Cycling director for the Paralympic program and he has been very positive about the possibility of me competing for my country. First thing I have to do is get classified, then start earning points via UCI registered events. The only problem with that is the cost of traveling to events. At age 41, I am excited about the prospect of becoming a member of the national team but I am not getting my hopes up just yet. I have to be diligent about my training while maintaining a good relationship at home. Its a delicate balance but I think I can do it.

Turkey Trot and feeling old

Well, its official, my son is better than me at something. Its only a matter of time before he overtakes me in other things. Im not giving in though. He is going to have to earn it.
On Turkey Day, we got to the gym and he was real excited. I was still trying to stay awake, it was only 645am afterall. We said hi to friends and Kelton overheard one of my buddy's asking his son if he wanted to ride his bike 8.5miles with him running or if he wanted to run 3.5miles with one of the his own friends. He chose to ride with Dad but then Kelton turned to me and asked if we could run the 8.5 mile route to which I replied "um, HELL no!". Just before the proverbial gun (it wasnt a race), I ran to the truck to get the dog and then we were off. I had made sure Kelton brought his gloves and he was wearing his soccer warm ups so he was toasty but before long, he had the gloves off and his top was unzipped. Sure as clockwork, the dog had to do his business and without warning, he let loose in the street right in front of probably the only person that wasnt running. She was coming out to get her paper as I was in front of her house trying to scrape dog poop off the street. A whole bunch of people were still behind us and as they passed, Kelton and I were trying to make sure they didnt step in it. After we cleaned it up, we started running again. Kelton made a comment about his not even training for this run. A few minutes later, he asked if we could go faster, once again, I replied with a resounding, "Hell no!", but I said he could go on if he wanted and just to follow everyone else. I expected him to want to walk a bit but he just started running a little faster, then before I knew it, he was out of sight. Bob, the gym owner, and his wife, Patti, were at the only turn Kelton had to make, serving your choice of champagne or water. I jokingly asked which one they gave my kid. They were very impressed that he had was doing so well and that he was kicking my ass severely. I think he probably finished close to ten minutes before I did and he was back at the gym enjoying hot chocolate while I was walking the last half a mile or so. I am so proud of him, he did the entire thing without having to walk AND he wanted to do more. Well, at least at the time he did. Not long after that he was walking funny because his legs were sore.