Me and the Pool

We seem to be getting along very well. I finished my fourth 2000+ yard workout today. They are getting easier and my balance is getting better in the water. For info on my increasingly regular (and growing) workouts check out www.imwisconsin2007.blogspot.com.

As I begin my first real week of Ironman training I'm also beginning my first real week of partnership with the Children's Fund of North Carolina. Today I visited with Christine Cotton and I went on a tour of the University of North Carolina Children's Hospital whose patients are the primary benefactors of the Fund's efforts.

Wow, how inspiring. While I was there I toured the pediatric intensive care unit, the neonatal intensive care unit, the rehabilitation facilities, the intermediate cardiac care unit, and many other child-focused care units. It was amazing to see how child and family focused all of the areas were with their kid-friendly decor and the services to accomodate the families of the patients. Check it out for yourself here. Note the on-site school for children who have to stay a while!

After that I visited with Christine Cotton, Executive Director of the Children's Fund of North Carolina. We brainstormed ways that I could help raise funds and volunteer my time to help. What a fantastic start to my accompanying Ironman mission!

ING Miami Marathon - A solid success

Finish time is net 3:46. Wow. With training that averaged about 25-30 miles a week for the previous two months I have to be happy with that. Add the fact that we were rained on like crazy as we corralled up before the start of the race - causing head to toe soaking - right into and through the shoes. Race temp averaged about 75deg with a cloudy sky.

Great news on food intake. Five gels, four orange slices, two fig bars, gatorade endurance and water, five electrolyte tabs and about 4 ounces of beer at mile 22. How can anyone say no to that? I couldn't.

Finally, the highlight is that I became increasingly faster as the race progressed. A 15 minute negative split from 1st to 2nd half and stats that show an increase in speed during each of the four quarters of the race.

And please check out ING's Run for Something Better program. I expect to see you in orange laces next time we race!