Becoming an Ironman

I am Triathlete !!!

2010-10-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

I completed my first ever Sprint Triathlon couple of hours ago.
1:52:08
I will write more when I recover.

Combined practices

2010-09-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

The more we get closer to our target date (November 12 - Eilat Triathlon). It seems that the practices get more challenging.
It's no more just a swim/run or bike, every 2nd session is now a combined practice swim/run, bike/run etc.

It's very challenging, and I love it, I love the running and biking sessions. Swimming is still hard for me, but lately I have figured some of it's secrets: Take on water !!!! Don't just 'move' your hand in the water (which is what I initially did), PULL water, work for it !!!

on October 2nd there is a sprint race, my first one I will compete in. I am not sure I will do a complete one, and the coach is not sure we need to do it yet, I am still looking for a partner to do this with me.

Until next time,
Saar

9/11/2001 - A day to remember

2010-09-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

Another year has passed, and the date keeps rise up only on it's annual calendar date. However, for 2977 families, this is not so. A brutal terror attack hit the US on that day, claiming the lives of 2977, but even more than that, marking a new corner stone in the way the world looks at Islamic Jihad.

This day was due to be marked in the history pages as the day the world woke up to a new morning, and it has.

I wish for the families, may their lives, as they know it today, will try to aspire, and honor the dead. There are no easy words to say, but be strong.

Salty water

2010-09-07T05:15:00.000-07:00

Oh what a great morning. We had a open water practice today, I always knew that sea water are salty, but oh boy, when you swallow them it hurts :-)

There weren't many waves, but it's still one of the first open water swims that I had, so it's still needs a lot of getting around to.

I know I need to improve my grip, I think it's awful. I found a great tip to exercise gripping in front of the computer, and I will try to adopt that.

After the swim we had another run brick, that was great !!! I really enjoy the biking and running, and I think this sport is really for me.

Another brick in the wall

2010-09-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

OH boy. I had today a combined practice, 20km bike and 1km running. It was the first time that I had such a practice. I am still uncomfortable with the change, but running after biking - OMG !!!

Ignoring the HR the was around 80%, and I couldn't take it down, it's a whole new experiance running with the biking pants. :-)

I also got another pair of bike to try, they are 2007 Trek 1000, they are a bit old, but they fit my poor budget of 200 USD. spending another 100 dollars, bot me a new pair of shoes, cleats and a couple of GU Energy Gel, 6-Pack Lemon Sublime. OMG, the lemon is soooo sour !!!!

I need to find my favorite taste, so I can feel free to use it.

I don't know if I want to use the PowerBar Performance Recovery Drink Orange 1.94-Pounds, but again, I will need to start and get used to such things.

After a week of doing nothing !!! today's practice was great. Already looking for tomorrow's run !!!

Week update + possible bike

2010-09-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Wow what a week. Summer vacation has ended, and the kids went back to school and the kindergarden. This has kept me busy, with no option to practice.
I think that the major thing is that I am still not fully committed. I am trying to help the wife, as she already pointed out that: It started with 2 practices a week, and now it's already 5. I can read between the lines, and I need to be there more for her, help with the kids, and the house.
As I am me, the family is first for me, so this has caused a delay in the practices.

Anyway, since Saturday's run, I didn't do anything yet, and I feel bad. Bad in the sense of weak, hurt, can't point out exactly, but I feel I need to do something.

Amongst all other things, I have been trying to find for me a pair of bikes. I am a tall guy (193cm) so the size that I need is 61-63, and these are rare as 2nd hand.

Some shop has given me the following pair to try, and I don't know if I should or not take them. They are not cheap, as it's an old style and version, and this bugs me.

It's Trek 1200, I think they are old, 5-6 years old?
There are Ultegra, Shimano 105, San Marco seat, but I don't know if these are good or not.
I also don't want to wait too long for another pair.

I would love to know what you think, thanks.

Gilad Race - Start movie

2010-08-30T00:30:00.000-07:00

You see me hopping around 1:05, black suit with white hat, water bottle in hand.

Future event - October 10 2010 - 10k Night Run

2010-08-29T05:08:00.001-07:00

This is a superb event. About 20,000 runners, all with the same shirts (or you can't run) are running at night in Tel Aviv, for 10k.

This is the 4th year it will happen, while last year there were as many as 15000 runners.

I have set the course for this run: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=782153

My first ever finish !!!

2010-08-28T02:09:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, I have completed my first ever race. It's a 5km test race, and I arrived in the last 10, but damm, I did finish it!!!

It's hard for me to believe I did it. I didn't stop running the entire length - and this is all that is important for me.

It was hard, as it's the first time I run this distance with no breaks. But I did it !!!

That's me finishing with 2 of my kids (I have a 3rd one as well)

As always, here is a link to the route Workout Details - SportyPal

I didn't think I will eat so much after it, but I did !!!

Update on my HR stats during the race

1km - 78%
2km - 85%
3km - 93%
4km - 97%
5km - 100%

*max HR set: 181
Ave HR = 90%
Peak HR = 102%
Z1 - 00'15
Z2 - 7'06
Z3 - 11'28
Above Z3 - 22'15
Below Z1 - 00'09

First chest number

2010-08-26T03:16:00.001-07:00

OH Yea,

Just found the my first ever chest number will be '233' on the 28th 5km race.
http://www.realtiming.co.il/events/2010/gilad/
http://img2.tapuz.co.il/CommunaFiles/43813127.pdf

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Future events and future equipment

2010-08-26T03:12:00.000-07:00

Today we were notified of the next events we need to register to:
October 2nd, Sprint Triathlon: No link yet
The 2nd one, that I think is a more important one, is the famous Eilat Triathlon, on November 12th, again, Sprint Triathlon.

I still need so much equipment, I have nothing yet. This is one expensive habbit.

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Workout Details - Bike practice

2010-08-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

It was a nice and easy practice (remember we have a 5k test race in 2 days). We strolled on the sea boardwalk, and it was kewl.

Workout Details - SportyPal

Today it's a rest day, need to do 45 minutes of stretching and race expectations, I guess I expect to finish :-)

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A day in the pool

2010-08-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

WOW, you know these days you jump in the water and you fell, hmm, divine !!! Hell yea, that's how I felt tonight.
Swimming was SUPER !!! I felt great in the water, breathing, stroking and everything was just smoooooooth. It all ticked like a Swiss watch.

If I had to grade tonights practice, it definitly gets a '10' !!!

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August 28th - 5K Race

2010-08-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

6 days to the race. According to the training plan, today is a rest day, so I took full advantage of it.
I am also on a week holiday from work, as the kids are all at home, and the entire family is working to keep us all in the sanity of life.

I bought new pair of training fins today: Mares Volo, to help me in the swimming practice (remember - that's the hardest part for me for now).
I will get a chance to test them tomorrow during practice (according to the plan, it's a 2.2k total swim)

good night for now.

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Workout Details - 20-08-2010

2010-08-20T22:31:00.000-07:00

Last night I had a running session.

It was a 50 minute

8 WU, 3 X (7R, 3W), 12CD -under tz3

I made a total of about 5k, but I really felt good. I have a feeling that if I keep my HR under 77% I can run forever...

Our group target is a mini triathlon on October 2nd (I will post a link when it's available), and next week we have a 5k race. Just running (http://www.realtiming.co.il/events/2010/gilad/)

Here are the details of last night run: Workout Details - SportyPal

Not completing a practice

2010-08-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

Of the 3 fields, the swimming is the hardest for me.

I don't know if it's because I am a big person (192cm, 120kg), or simply because of the reason that you can't just stop and rest.

I have a feeling that my strokes are not strong enough, or whatever, but last night, I could not finish my practice. I went to swim at 1900, but did not complete the entire 2k.

I am not sure it's a good thing, or bad thing, but I hope that this will gradually stop in the future.

Thanks

First sea swim practice

2010-08-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

Today was our first swim practice in the sea!!

I must say it's nothing like swimming in the pool. It's salty, there are waves and you totally loose your direction. I am not the best swimmer, so keeping the pace in the sea was even harder. I had to raise my head every 3rd stroke. I am sure it's also connected to the fact that this was our first time, but again, it was strange.

The water was great, there were no waves so it was very great for a 1st swim.

Tomorrow's practice is a 2k pool swim. hoorah !!!!

Inspriational Movie - Jason Lester

2010-08-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

I have been inspired by many people. One of them is Jason Lester.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMCnjMbUOFg

What happened to me

2010-08-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

On March 27th 2010, on my 39th birthday I have decided I need to better take care of my self. My name is Saar, and I am a father of 3 adorable kids, partner to a great supporting wife.

I have been an athlete in my youth, but time, life and nature have changed that.

So what did I do? Answering a call of some friends, we have teamed up, and we are now practicing. Our main target can be considered as health and fitness. But the more I practice, the more I feel that I want more.

My 1st goal is a mini triathlon, that will be held on October 2nd 2010. And I am very anxious already. I did not know that this "sport" is so expensive, and the requirements are only growing (I don't see anyone sponsoring me in the near future, so I need to do these purchases on my own. - and having 2 kids with CP isn't helping).