I AM A TRIATHLETE....Finally!!!!

I know its taken me a while to write this, but I've been busy with work, working out and general living. Also, I've been waiting to collect all of the pictures from three different cameras and one of them took a particularly long time. But ultimately this is my fault, I should have written this earlier. Enough excuses.

Friday, April 22, 2005: I wake up at 4AM and do some last minute packing for the trip. We are supposed to be at the LaGuardia International Airport at 5AM. Our flight takes off at 7:05AM to Tampa Bay, Florida. It seems early, but I'm glad we do show up early. Besides giving us time to eat, security lines were long and slow moving and we needed the time to get through security check points. I see my mentor and several other people whom I've trained with. I also meet some people whom I haven't met before and whom I wish I had....some gorgeous women.

Anyway, the flight is approximately 70% Team in Training and its awesome. Everyone is very excited and the Captain thanks TNT for "Choosing American Airlines." I'm fortunate enough to sit next to Julie Germin. A long, leggy and lean teammate who is easy on the eyes and SUPER nice. Its actually the first time I've met her and had a conversation with her. We have many things in common (both bad runners, both strong swimmers, both Will Ferrell, Foo Fighters, and Coldplay and Star Wars fans, we also laugh at each others jokes). She is deep in triathlon culture. She is fascinated by famous triathletes, and is a gear nerd.

At this moment, I started to really take a larger view of the triathlon subculture. This view expanded throughout the weekend. I didn't realize it until I arrived in Florida.

After lots of interesting conversation, we touched down in Florda and picked up our bags and went to the hotel in St. Petersburg. I had never been to this part of Florida and it was amazing. It was so beautiful and the water was so clear, and this was just from us taking a bus over several bridges/waterways.

We got to the hotel and were able to relax for a bit and then picked up our bikes which had arrived via truck. Afterwards, we went swimming for the first time in the open water.

This is much different than our pool training. We had to practice working with and against the currents and see what real effect our wetsuits would have in the open water.

As I swam out along the pier, I saw signs that stated "Lookout for Manatees" along with a picture of the sea cows. They are harmless animals, but are large and could startle swimmers. I was fortunate enough to see one and it was as if it talked to me and said "Good Luck Rigo!" in a cartoonish voice that was dumb and slow, yet friendly.

I was undecided on whether or not to use a wetsuit and thought that I needed to swim again on Saturday, with and without it to see. I just felt that it was limiting my motion in my upper body. And with my swimming, my shoulders are everything. That is where I have an advantage and I didn't want it negated.

For the rest of the day, we explored the area and walked around St. Petersburg.

That night several of us went to eat at a local "Subway" and just relaxed in our rooms. We had to be up early to do several things the next day, including another open water swim, check in for the event, as well as a TNT dinner and decorating party for our clothes.

I was pretty tired and passed out around 11 or so.

Saturday, April 23, 2005:

I'm up at 8AM to go for an early swim

Long way to go....

After today's swim, I realized I have a loooonnng way to go. We learned how to put on our wetsuits and learned some interesting tricks of the triathlon trade. For example, we were told that if we needed to relax, that its totally normal to pee in our wetsuits while swimming. And after doing a .75 mile swim in 40 minutes, I just may have to pee in my wetsuit. Ohhhhh....I'll have to let you in on the gory details when I write my debriefing blog after the event.

While I feel I've made some progress in terms of my physical shape and most people who have seen me recently will agree, I still have a way to go before I'm considered to be in premier athletic shape. This is just part of my journey to getting there. But I'll be there, you can count on it. In a few months, you can't count on washing shirts and socks on my abs.

During the swim, I really felt fatigued at about the .6 mile part. Just over the half way mark. I really need to swim more for longer periods of time. I need to get started ASAP on swimming.

The next four weeks will be intense and I expect to break thru some plateau's I've been reaching, as well as loosing some extra baggage on my body.

Also, I heard from an old friend. A friend who could be more....if she wanted to be. But she's hung up on some issues from her past that aren't allowing her to see me as a clear possibility. What frustrates me is that even though we have great chemistry and are good friends, she is almost easily willing to give it up, without giving it a try. But like her, I don't feel pressure to make this work....At least not yet. In a sense, that should be good. Shouldn't it?! Or does that just mean that neither of us really care enough to try? Anyway, here's to you my friend. Its been good a ride and I look forward to what will happen. No matter what that may be.

Little injuries....

For only the second time this training season, we were able to train with our bikes. Although it was roughly 41 degrees or so, we did it, this past Saturday. It was very, very cold. As opposed to running, which is great to do when its cold because of how hot the body gets when you run. It actually feels normal....

When you bike however, your core isn't as involved, its mostly your lower body. You also feel the wind more because you're moving at a significantly faster speed than you would be if you were running. ooooohhhh.....

Also, we learned how to change a flat. I wasn't too good at it. I need to practice. The law of Rigo says that I will catch a flat that day. I need to be prepared and have at least 2 extra inner tubes, if not 4.

For the day of the event, I believe that how I do...physically speaking....on my bike will determine what condition I'm in to run, which will then affect how I'll do running. I have to try to limit the fatigue on my legs.....which as strong as they are, will most likely have a Jello like consistency when I begin to run.

5 Weeks left....

Rigo

This is overdue....

I apologize many times over for not writing in the month of February. Some of you have told me if that you were wondering if I was still running in the event. Just to reconfirm....YES, absolutely I am.

February was a crazy month and sooooooo many things have happenned. Some of which I will update you on.

Work: Work has been nuts. And it looks like I'm finally going to make some good money with my job. I know this is far from humble, but I certainly deserve to make some money.

Training: While I've still been training, I've been suffering through lots of nagging injuries. Its impeded my progress in training. But truth be told, my motivation has faltered at times. Part of that is personal, part is the injuries, part is just reaching a plateau. A large part has been work. But I've recommitted in the last two weeks and I'm getting back into the groove of things.

Personal: Truth be told, I've been lots of dates with lots of women as of late. Trying to get over whom I wrote about in January. With how frequently I see her, its been difficult. But I need to accept it and move on. We're done.

I met another woman who was great, but after several dates, her interest declined. She hasn't responded in the same way as when we first met. Its unfortunate, but we both have alot going on. She is moving into her first condo and I'm training for the triathlon, and studying for the GMAT. But I still made time for her, the same can't be said on her end. So, I won't call her for a bit. Maybe after the triathlon is over.

Truth be told, I'm about to give up on women. Its hard. I love women so much but I don't know what to do. I'll just focus on myself and get myself in order. Continue to lose weight and do well at my job and I'll be OK.

I'll pray that one of these chicks from a Spanish novela will come knockin on my door.
"Hola Rodrigo. Por Favor, me encuentro?"

But alas, the law of Rigo says that will not happen. I'll be aiight I guess.

Anyway, I hope to hear from some of you soon. Thank you all for your support.

Rodrigo

Prepping for Today's Run in Financial Terms

Like a CEO or CFO on the road visiting investors, I saw some of my investors (donors) today when I visited PR Newswire's Harborside office. Some investors and some potential investors asked how the stock (myself) was coming along. They've invested in my cause and in me. They believe in me and I am responsible for not letting my investors down. There is some "fiduciary responsibility" that I have. My only wish is that I had more investors. So, I'm out there pitching people on my cause and selling them on myself. I'm getting them to invest in me. I know I'm a good pick.

Tonight I go and strengthen the value of the stock in Central Park, on an evening run. It will pay dividends.

Gotta love those pink walls at Harborside.....I feel for my compadres there. Wish me luck.

Back in the Saddle Again.....

Today, after a fairly inconsistent week of working out. But one of the hardest weeks of working out I've ever had, I decided to get back on the strict low carb diet with a consistent regiment of weight training that I abandoned for the last 2 weeks or so.

So, I carbed up for what I'm expecting tomorrow, when I hit the gym in the AM on an empty stomach, and 60 minutes of aerobic activity. I'm getting ready to become a mason and hit the BRICKS....The BRICK, which is the transition from the bike to the run is the toughest part. I've done it at the gym in small instances, but tomorrow, I'll do it an increased rate to help my stamina.

45 minutes on the bike, then 45 minutes of running. I'm there at 6AM.

Run from hell....

Yesterday, I experienced what was clearly the most painful training session I've ever endured. Like Method Man I say "Bring the Pain." The people I'm raising money for go through much worse.

But alas, let me give some details. I showed up at 6:20pm on Tuesday, January 25, ready for the 6:30 run. Warmed up and in full running gear, I approached our normal meeting spot for the team run. We began our 5.2 mile run, with a 20 minute warmup around the southern loop of Central Park and up the hills. It was a physically painful and humbling experience. I realized exactly how out of shape I really am. Although I've lost over 50 lbs, I'm not nearly where I need to be, which is about 70 to 80 lbs from where I am now, which is 250lbs. I started at 303 lbs, which is not where I'll ever be again, but its good to remind myself where I've been so I don't revisit it.

Today, I found myself in pain, as I walked. Not straight, or upstairs, but walking downstairs. Its weird. I'm sure I'll be better. God knows I need to swim tonight. If only to flush out the the lactic acid in my legs.

It feels good to be alive and feel these things again.