Found My Confidence

I've been feeling better the last week or so. Starting to exercise again really helped. I'm a regimented person. I have my schedule, I do not like it when things come out of no where and my schedule changes. I restarted my run streak. Today is day 8 of running at least 1 mile a day outside. The last streak ended at 283. I aim to beat that. My body seems to remember running every day and my brain seems to think we're back on track. I've been swimming and cycling. I took Thursday off work so I could attend the Team RWB Track Meet. With the extra time during the day, I decided to see if I could ride for 3 hours. I got it done. It went well, but not great. After the training I've done, just staying on the bike path, by myself, got a little boring. At the track meet, we did 5 events. The 400, 800, the mile, shot put and discus. When I first saw this, my first thought was I am a ringer for the discus throw. I threw disc in junior and senior high school. I would participate in all the events, but my focus was the discus. After riding my bike for 3 hours, I was able to run pretty well. I won the 400, then the 800. I then ran the mile in 7:20 and won the mile. 7:20 isn't my fastest mile ever, but after 3 hours of cycling and 2 short faster races, I was pretty happy with it. Then the shot put. When I was handed the shot, it took me back to high school. I threw the shot and it felt amazing.

It wasn't a world record throw, but it was fun. Thats the key why I took off work, FUN. When you get hit by a car, or hit a car, while on your bicycle, your perspective changes. At least mine did. I had the opportunity to use 10 hours comp time to enjoy a day. Go to an event that I got to relive a little bit of what I enjoyed in high school. funny thing is, I was never in this good of physical shape in high school. I just had a lot of experience throwing discus. Well, I won the shot put competition. Then the discus was brought out.

I contain my excitement. I said, "Now THIS is what I came for!" I showed the other athletes how to throw. I even attempted a spin. I fouled. No surprise since its been over 18 years since I've thrown. But man was it fun! I did get a good throw of 77 ft in. I won the event that seriously caught my attention. I was happy to win but was more satisfied to compete with Team RWB Eagles who inspire me every day with their hard work and team first spirit!

I happened to find out that 1 of my main training partners Kevin (The Machine)  was doing a long training ride on Friday. We worked it out so that I could ride with him from Xenia to London and back. Riding 57 miles after 54 miles the day before taxed my legs, but Friday went so much better. When I ride with others, it takes my mind off my legs. I don't pay as much attention to distance or speed. Just putting in the work. Plus its a blast. We joke, talk and push each other to go faster. (Kevin pushes me, the dude is just fast on 2 wheels!) I had woken up with quite the sore throat. Just what I needed 2 weeks before Ironman. What else can happen I thought. I tried to shake it off and completed the ride. I did fine through 50 miles but felt awfully sluggish the last 7. Saturday morning was Brittney's long run day. The girl crushed a 22 mile run! Im so proud of her. When she got home, I went for my run. My sore throat and head just not feeling right limited me to 2 miles. I just wasn't feeling it. I had set up a few training partners to meet up at Cesar's Creek at 7 am Sunday. I prayed I felt better in the morning. I slept ok but kept feeling my scratchy throat. Alarm went off, TIME TO TRAIN. Or not, I briefly thought. The brain said "Hey man, were not feeling great." I said, "Hey brain, we got an Ironman in 2 weeks, we gotta go give this a try." The drawer under the stove refused to open so I couldn't get to my pan that I boil my oatmeal water with. My day was not starting off right. I know the doctor at Waynesville Urgent Care, I sensed I may be visiting her if I didn't start feeling better. I got to Cesar's Creek late.  Thats not like me. I've been dedicated to this training. My morning was just off. I was about 10 minutes late and the sun hadn't risen yet. Wetsuit on and down to the water we went. I swam 3 laps, just a little over 2500 yards. The start of the swim I felt bad. Negative thoughts crept in. Triathlons mental game was on. I told myself to go back to positive thoughts and just swim. The rest of the swim went good. The wetsuit helps me so much its not funny. After the swim, Kevin, Kalen, Paul and myself got the bikes ready. I took a cough drop which helped. The ride began and I was feeling pretty good. Today I had to face the uncertainty of riding on roads. I tensed up a few times. 2 cars turned, with plenty of room and time, in front of me. No close calls. No collisions. But I was still a little jumpy. Then a dog barked and started chasing, from its enclosed yard. I jumped at that also. I apparently have a lingering "cop eating dog" fear. I chilled out. I reassured myself all would be fine. If I heard a car coming from behind me, I slowed a little and sat up to make myself more visible. I practiced my race day nutrition today. I usually don't use as much on a training ride, but I wanted to see if my plan worked today. I felt great! Never crashed on energy. Was able to climb the hills and finished strong. 4 hours, 69.5 miles crushed. I was back! A swim then long bike, I completed a training session like normal! I rode that high all evening taking my family  out to play putt putt and dinner with my in-laws. 

A few thoughts from today:

Triathlon is so much more than swim, bike, run. Nutrition, what you eat 2 days before can make a difference on race day. Mental toughness, Your own thoughts can lead you to failure or success. Training, I've spent a lot of time, especially this summer, training. When you're training for an event that can take up to 16 hours, you better put in the time to prepare. I'm lucky to train with such amazing athletes. People who have gone the distance, and athletes who are going for their first 140.6 finish. 

Trail Closed sign actually means, "Bicyclists slow down! There's a part of the trail up ahead where you're going to have to walk around heavy construction equipment to get to the other side." Walking around the equipment was no problem. Can't keep us from completing our ride! 

Finally got my confidence back that I can complete this Ironman dream. I know I will see a dr if this scratchy throat doesn't disappear. Today showed my swimming and biking are where they need to be to get me to the run. Thats where I'm the most experienced. 2 weeks from right now, I should be finished. The announcer should say my name and tell me I've earned the title I've worked so hard for. I watched another training partner, Jonathan, cross the finish line of Ironman Chattanooga tonight. It was inspiring and very cool to know I've trained with that guy! The days are screaming by, final plans are being made. 13 days, tick tock...

Air Force 5k .... at Heidi's speed

Today was a fun day. Started off getting kids ready and off to babysitters. Got to the Y for my first swim in 2 weeks. Felt amazing to get back in the water! I was a little slower than usual, but I swam for an hour. Nothing hurt or felt tight. No dizziness! I believe I will finish this Ironman now. I have proven I can swim bike and run. 23 days I get to prove it. I got some other stuff done and noticed a Facebook post from Fireman Frank.

Frank travels around running races in FULL FIREMAN GEAR to honor his brother firefighters. He has added an American Flag with the Thin Blue Line in honor of all Police Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Frank is a member of Team RWB and supports our military. I've followed Frank on Facebook and watched how many people Frank has inspired. Well, Frank's car died on him today. In Columbus, on the way to the Air Force Marathon expo. He had someone drive him here with as much gear he could bring. He needed a ride from the 5k to his hotel. I was honored when he called me and we worked it out for me to help him out. This guy helps so many, it was a no brainer for me. I was looking forward to running with Heidi. The girl might not train to run, but she likes to participate. She's been around the Air Force Marathon events for the last 6 years now. When she found out they had a 5k, she wanted in. She ran it last year. I knew it would be good for me to have another run that was nice and easy. Heidi ran almost 4 minutes before she asked for our first walk break. 20 seconds passed and I got us running again. I told her lets try to run 2 minutes then take another break. She liked that idea. And that got us through 1.3 miles. run 2, walk 20. then I heard the undeniable about to cry sound. Tough love daddy kicked in. "Don't cry. Just work through it." We walked a little more often. But she didn't cry! The running community, as always, kicked in and helped a runner in need. "Get it girl!" "Go Little Eagle!" "Your dad is old! you can beat him!" Heidi fed off of the other runners cheers to her. She would perk up and take off. My thought, "Pacing!! Gotta learn to pace!"  I was proud of her. Then we hit mile 2. I said we only have 1.1 mile to go. The pre-teen eye roll was precious.

Just precious. I had to laugh. "Are you ready to run?" I would ask, "No!" she replied. "Great, Lets go!" If I ran she would run also. Then she'd walk. I gave her a few seconds and again, eye roll, "Let's go!" So we turn the final corner and see the finish line. We see Brittney and Savvy waiting for us and what do you know, Heidi can run and smile! This is not a face I saw much during the race. But I was proud of her for finishing strong! 

I waited at the finish line for Frank to finish. I got a little worried after time went by and no Frank. Lightning and rain had started. Frank finally arrives at the finish line. Turns out Frank was out doing his thing, HELPING people. 2 Veterans needed Frank's help and encouragement. 1 double amputee Veteran was in the race and this was his first 5k with his prosthetic legs. Which kept falling off. I can't imagine, going through a race and your prosthetic legs falling off. Frank helped pick up a leg and handed it back to the veteran. Another Veteran, around 75 years old was told he wasn't supposed to ever walk again. This guy had a walker and was walking his first 5k. Now this isn't a "hilly" course, but it has some elevation change. Enough to throw off a guy pushing a walker. This veteran fell down before mile 1, but refused medical help. Frank helped this veteran up who would again fall down before mile 2. Frank stayed with this man until the SAG Wagon picked them up due to weather conditions and drove them to Finish Line. On our way out, we saw the double amputee finish the race. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. We dropped Frank off at his hotel and wished him luck for tomorrow. This experience, being with a different pace group than what I'm used to and seeing Frank give up his race to make sure others finish safely, has brought up a lot of thoughts. There were some people who were giving it their all and struggling to cover 3.1 miles. But they did it. They made a decision to try. To better their life, better their health. I was super proud of my daughter! She has been shown you have to work, you gotta push yourself. Medals don't come easy and they're not given to quitters. She has learned twice this week, you don't cry, you work through a problem. That life lesson is invaluable. I'm proud Brittney and I give her this opportunity to try. Parents set the example kids follow. Frank's personality to help others all the time is admirable. We should all be a little more like Frank. I offered to bring him anything else he needed, but said he was all good. The veterans who struggled mightily today, I will think of when I think I'm struggling in Louisville. So many of us take our health for granted. Eminem has a famous song that says "Till my legs fall off", well guess what...That didn't stop a veteran today. He pushed through. He accomplished his goal. Final thought, this should be my 6th year running either the half or full AF Marathon, and its killing me to bow out knowing I have a bib. I remain calm knowing my goal lies ahead in 23 days. Good Luck to all runners tomorrow. I pray the weather forecast changes overnight as its looking ugly. 

"Your cycling is never dull"

Wednesday September 14, 2016

Today was another step toward recovering from the crash. I got the phone call last night that my bike was ready to be picked up. I was ready to ride. I've missed my bike. For those who don't know, her name is Misty. When I first got her, I knew I'd be spending a lot of time with her. I joked that Brittney would be jealous of the time I spent with Misty. Like a Mistress, of Triathlon. Mis-T. Misty it was. Once I got to the bike shop I was excitedly nervous. Then I saw her. All cleaned up, new chain, new bar tape, tires and wheels looking good! What a relief!

Off to the bike path I went. First ride back and I was still pretty sketchy about cars. Especially silver cars! But I put on my gear, including my new helmet!

I was ready to face this. No specific mileage or time goal. Just get a good ride in and make sure there were no lingering effects. I promised myself if I felt bad at all, I would stop. No reason to push things today. The started off great. Legs felt good. Air was warm, sun was bright! Not to many other people on the trail. Life was good. I was a bit more cautious at intersections today though. I completely stopped more often than usual. I made sure there were no cars going to hit me. I got to Xenia Station and continued south. Thats my favorite route. Plenty of shade. Fast going south, gotta work a little harder coming back. I figured an hour out and turn around. I just so happened to be close to mile 18. I'm a numbers guy. Numbers run through my head all the time. Not sure if thats a blessing or a curse, but its me. My Ironman bib number 1836, came to mind. 18 miles out and back equals 36! PERFECT! So at mile 18, I turned around and headed back. About mile 22, Brittney sends me a text message. My Garmin will show me the message. I saw "I hope you're not riding.."  Now I had a decision to make. Stop and read the entire message. Continue riding toward my car. Or continue a little bit to a stop point then read the message. I know my wife. We've been together for a long time. I know how supportive she is. I remembered the forecast said possible rain showers. I put 2 and 2 together and guessed the message stated something like, "I hope you're not riding toward the rain storm" or "I hope you're not riding in the rain." The sky was clear where I was. The sun was out. I made it back to Xenia and noticed the sky looked a little darker toward Beavercreek. I figured I had 9 miles to go and I would beat the storm. This section from Xenia to Beavercreek is downhill, but almost a false flat. So not a hill where you just coast, but a little effort carries you a long way. I passed 2 riders and started really pedaling. I checked my watch at 1 point and saw 23 mph. I was having fun! I slowed way down and stopped at an intersection. one of the guys I passed, rolled right up after I stopped. He thanked me for the ride. I was caught off guard at first. Hit me pretty fast he drafted off me. I said that was fun! He agreed. I said lets do it again! I took off. I heard him say he would try and keep up. I started flying. Loving the speed. Loving that free feeling. Then I felt the rain drops. Then the cloud burst! Holy rain was falling on me and soaking my socks, my shorts. My tires didn't stop as fast at the next intersection. I was glad I slowed down way before I usually do. The other cyclist caught up to me. We talked as we rode through the storm. His name was Ray. 30 years in the Air Force. Just retired. Has done 30 marathons. Injury led him to cycling. Nice guy. Sure enough, when I reached my car, the sky cleared up. Sun came out. Nice. Oh well, it may rain in a race, so good to practice. Got to my car and hit my watch. 36.36 miles. Perfect. So I check my messages. "I hope you're not riding in the rain." "Are you ok?" Brittney may have been slightly worried about me and my cycling. I offered back that I was soaking wet, but feeling great. She texted "Your cycling is never dull!" She isn't wrong. Then I checked another message. Katie found a 

video of the first "Airbag for cyclists".  No this is not a joke. Hovding. From Sweden. The video is pretty cool. I haven't researched this much, but I may be the perfect candidate for it. I'm super happy that Misty is back and that I had a good ride. I'm not sure that qualified as "easing back into it" but I feel fine. I needed that. 25 days till Ironman Louisville...tick tock

I'm Back!!

After a 9 day recovery period of no exercise, no work, very little activity. I finally laced up the running shoes. The past few days I've wondered if my balance had been restored. If I got off the couch to soon, was I dizzy? Does everyone feel that way after sitting for to long then getting up to fast?? The mental demons asked, are we losing fitness? are we getting fat? is this screwing up a years dedication? The angels, real life people, kept me sane. Told me that recovery was best and may be even better than training. I knew deep down  I had to recover from the crash. Today was the day, I finally got to test out my body. I was nervous that an easy run would hurt, my world may start to spin. Was I actually ready? I knew I had to take it easy. I considered a run walk run interval just to get through. The Lord provided a beautiful day outside. I started my Garmin and off I went. Usually the first mile is a liar, everything hurts and you think its harder than it is. Well not today! Today I leaned forward and the run felt amazing! My tail bone is still bruised from the crash and was the only thing that hurt. It didn't hurt that bad, but I felt it. I didn't have a set route, or set distance. I knew I shouldn't push my pace or run to far. If I started feeling bad, I would shut it down immediately. First mile beeped on my watch and you couldn't remove the smile on my face. 9:22. First run back from time off and this felt great. I gave my feet a challenge to pick it up a little. Not much, but a little. 9:08 2nd mile. I ran inside and grabbed Weasley and his leash. Little puppy was thrilled out of his mind to go run with Dad again! He and I ran another mile. at 5k I stopped. Feeling amazing, sweat starting to roll. I knew I shouldn't over do it. I looked around. The world wasn't spinning. I went inside and got Sloopy and walked both dogs about a quarter mile. Slope's back legs and hips limit her distance. Got back home and stretched out. I was hungry. Thats normal. No dizziness!!

So I'm back. I feel so relieved. I'm hoping my bike gets finished at the shop today so I can ride tomorrow. That will be another relief. But I will take todays success! As I was typing this, I get a message, the bib numbers came out! I check the list. There's my name and 1836 next to it. I cried. If only just a few seconds, it hit me. I have an Ironman bib number. This is real. I'm going to become an Ironman. My body will stand up to this test. My mind will pull me through. My Team RWB will carry me through.  26 days...tick tock

Hi friends! This is my first attempt at a blog, so don't beat me up to bad here. I've had too much time without exercise and others had suggested I try this route. I love writing race reports and the thought of this being able to be read by my kids later in life helped persuade me to do it. 

A quick recap to how I got here, training for my first Ironman. In 2009, I found myself 270 pounds of fat and lazy. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I didn't know what gluten was, but I was told to cut it out of my diet immediately. January 2010 hits with the typical ice and snow. My beautiful wife Brittney asked me to join her at a local gym so she could run indoors to avoid the weather. She had no idea the monster 

she had created. 

I lost 50 pounds in 2010. Became great friends with the StairMaster. Worked my tail off! 5-6 days in the gym, cardio cardio and more cardio. I watched my diet. I didn't start running until I signed up for the Turkey Trot. My brother in law, Jon, ran with me. We had a blast. Jon asked me to train up for a half marathon. I didn't know how far that was. 2011 I ran my first half marathon in Xenia. Then Indianapolis with Jon and the Flying Pig. The addiction to Finish Lines took over. The harder the challenge, the sweeter the finish line feeling. September 2011 was my first marathon at Air Force. I swore I'd never do that again! Fast forward and I've successfully completed 15 marathons, 2 50ks and a 50 mile run. I decided I wanted a different challenge and tried 

Here's a great idea, first you swim, then bike, and then run. As fast as you can. Talk about a challenge! I never swam for distance, or speed. I rode a bike growing up, but no real distance or speed. So I jumped in, both feet into the deep end. This sport is crazy. My first race, I almost quit 5 minutes in. I was scared I would drown. I had to talk myself down. Looking back, that was a sign. I've found myself in some hard spots. I had to make myself a deal to just swim halfway, then I could quit. at halfway, i agreed once I finished the swim, I was done. I was maybe 20 feet from finishing the swim and I got a cramp in my hamstring! I couldn't believe I survived my first open water swim to be defeated by a leg cramp! well that took a few minutes to pass. I got on my bike and said whatever happens, I'll just try and finish. No clue about proper nutrition, aerodynamics, how to run after cycling. It's taken me a while, but I'm much more educated now. and yet I have so much to learn! I know have 6 half iron distance (70.3 mile) races under my belt and a bunch of shorter distance races also. Some went great, some sucked! My first half ironman, I cried because my legs cramped so bad on the bike. I sat down to change shoes and didn't think i could stand back up. But i did, then ran 13.1 miles to finish. I learned triathlon will punch you in the face if you don't show up prepared. Even if you show up prepared, something else may happen. Equipment breaks, weather turns bad, stomach just doesn't agree with racing that day. There's so many factors, its not funny. Yet there are many athletes who train to get to that finish line. 2015 I started figuring things out and had 2 awesome 70.3 races (IM Muncie and Rev3/Challenge Cedar Point). I decided it was time to go all in for an Ironman.  

Louisville is the closest city to me that hosts such an event. Jon decided he would do this race as well as a few other friends. I found out about the volunteer option to be a finish line catcher. My job was to help the athletes as they finished their race. I got to put Jon and Mike Brown's medals around their necks and be the first person to congratulate them! Then an amazing thing happened. I caught a guy named Chris Gates and told him how much he inspired me. He told me his dad was in the race also. Fate led me to catch his dad Terry as well! I put their medal's on, walked them through the chute and made sure they were ok. Through social media, we "follow" each other. That was a great experience. Gave me a lot of knowledge about the race for 2016. Once I registered, it was game on. I talked to many athletes. Figured out a "training plan." It included swimming, biking, and running. But longer distances, a lot longer! Almost every weekend I was up super early, pool swim, open water swim, then a bike ride. Usually a run the next day. I remember being extremely nervous when I scheduled my first 100 mile bike ride. Would I have enough nutrition? What if I get a flat? How long is it going to take? Can I do this??? It had been a while since i was nervous for a training session! I crushed it. It was hard, I got hungry, I sang to myself. But I stayed in that saddle for 6 hours and felt incredible. Then ran a mile and a half. Amazing feeling to be able to run after a 100 mile bike ride! The months ticked by. 3 half iron races in 2016 (Richmond, Indiana, Muncie and Ohio). Everything was going great. I had one bicycle crash where I hit a curb, was lucky I was ok, dealt with little pain and recovered. I could start counting the 5 am alarms I had left. The race was 5 weeks away. The plan was to swim in the Ohio River where the race swim is, then bike the course. Great preparation , I thought. 24 miles into the bike course a 

turned in front of me and I hit the passenger side of the car. Concussion, 3 staples in my head, road rash and an amazing bruise. See, not everything goes as planned. Yet, I'm still lucky. Could've been much worse. My Team RWB teammate Kalen was right there and gave up her day to help me. Doctor said I had to take at least a week off training and work. I went home thinking this is no big deal, I'm fine. Until I tried unloading the dishwasher. The kitchen spun. My head hurt. I had plenty of people tell me that this was more serious than I thought. Going from 6 days a week of high intensity exercise, plus work and being a family man...to sitting on the couch doing nothing (recovering) was mentally tough. My neck and abs hurt from the crash. It hurt to sneeze or laugh. I was a good patient. Though it about killed me being so inactive. I couldn't stand seeing Brittney having to do everything. But she was an angel and insisted I chill. She knows how hard I've worked, how much time and effort I've invested in this dream. 9 days the staples stayed in my head. I was so happy when my doctor pulled them out (yes it hurt a little). Doctor gave me another week off work because in my profession, I may get hit in the head, and she wanted me healed 100% before I return. I was told to ease back into exercise and she gave me her blessing to go and crush the Ironman. so in 4 weeks from yesterday, I will be in Louisville. I will be prepared to the best of my ability. I will stay calm when something doesn't go the way I plan. I will fight all the way to the finish line. I will be the guy in the top picture, arms raised as my name is called, "Matthew Kennard! You are an IRONMAN!" I can hear it in my mind. I used to think those guys were crazy. That would never be me. Now, It's going to be me. I will crush this challenge. It won't be easy, but thats what makes it worthwhile. October 9th is approaching....