10 days and counting...

The Utah Half Ironman is just 10 days away. Here's what's been going on...

Brian is ready to go. We ran 11 miles last week in 1:20. A couple weeks ago we did a 1.2 mile open water swim at Lake Tahoe. About 2 months ago, Brian and Chris did a 135 mile ride and finished strong. It was a major confidence booster for Brian. A 56 mile ride is just an afterthought compared to a 135 mile monster from Reno to the shoe tree on Highway 50. Unlike the rest of us, Brian has actually gained weight! Don't ask me why. He currently weighs in at 180 lbs. Unfortunately, Jami isn't going to make it to the race to watch Brian compete. She's in the final month of her pregnancy, so she needs to stay close to the home base in case there's any news from the front.

Chris is ready to go. He's been following a training plan that Chanika put him on a couple months ago. He's lost 8 lbs and is looking lean and mean. He's been struggling with some ankle pain lately, so there may be some walking out on the run course.

Monte took a couple weeks off when Megan was born and was able to get some good hard training in. Like Chris, he's lost about 10 lbs, and feels confident about the bike and run. The swim is another story. While he has shown major improvements in the water, he's still not able to do the distance. I'm a little concerned that he may not be ready for the swim. 1.2 miles in open water with a few hundred other athletes can really make a person feel vulnerable, especially after being kicked in the face. When they get to Provo, I'd like to see them do a practice swim on the course at the Utah Lake Marina just so Monte can feel comfortable with the course.

Cody isn't going to make it to the race this year. He and Jen are moving to Vegas the following week, and they realized that there was just way too much to do, and the Ironman had to be cut out of the schedule. We'll really miss having Cody at the race.

I've been training hard all summer. Recently, however, I've been studying for the GMAT, so I haven't been able to get the necessary last minute training in. I feel weak in the water and on the bike. I'm feeling strong in my run training, though. Additionally, I'm going to be out of town on business a week and a half leading up to the race. I won't be able to get the necessary training in, but I'm still planning to attempt this race. As long as I can avoid my frequent abdominal pains and throwing up on the bike or run, I think I'll be ok.

Half Ironmans are HARD. Though I've done more of these races than I can even count or remember, it's always a mental and physical struggle to push myself beyond the limits of pain. This race won't be any different. Race morning will be full of excitement and fear and anticipation as usual, but it will be particularly sweet to have my family there, not as spectators, but as fellow participants. I've been inspired by them and their desire to take on such a daunting challenge, and I am honored to race with them. It will be a great day.....oh yeah, and I'll see you at the finish line, boys!

VIVE LE TOUR!

There are few things on this earth more beautiful than bicycle racing. The perfect combination of man and machine - the crashes, the humanity, the drama, the sportsmanship, the suffering. It's like NASCAR without all the explosions. I am passionate about this sport. SCREW THE DOPERS.

Beautiful Doctrines of the Gospel

On April 3, 1836, 3 heavenly beings appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland temple and restored sacred keys pertaining to the everlasting priesthood.

...the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north. After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed. After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said: Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come— To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

D&C 110

"Elias" appeared in the Kirtland temple on this occasion and "committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham". What is the gospel of Abraham? Why was this key restored to the earth? What does it mean that "in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed. "

This quote from Russell M. Nelson is amazing.

Whenever I look at stars in the sky, I am reminded that about 4,000 years ago Jesus the Christ (then speaking as Jehovah—God of the Old Testament) made a covenant with Father Abraham. Included was the promise that the Savior of the world would come through Abraham’s lineage and that his seed would be multiplied “as the stars of the heaven.” In addition, Abraham was told that through his seed, “all the nations of the earth [shall] be blessed” (Gen. 22:17–18). This covenant was to be everlasting—even through “a thousand generations” (1 Chr. 16:15). Abraham was promised “that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee … even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal” (Abr. 2:11).
From scriptures we learn that this covenant “should be fulfilled in the latter days” (1 Ne. 15:18). Then the fulness of His gospel would be preached and many would truly believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
In 1836, keys of “the gospel of Abraham” were conferred (D&C 110:12). In 1843 the Lord declared to the Prophet Joseph Smith that “Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins—from whose loins ye are. … This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham” (D&C 132:30–31).
Brothers and sisters, you may also claim the supernal blessings promised to the faithful lineage of Abraham. The Lord explained that blessings and responsibilities of His priesthood are yours because of your faith, works, and lineage—the lineage declared in your patriarchal blessings. You “are lawful heirs,” He said. “Your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage” (D&C 86:9–10).
The ultimate blessings of the Abrahamic covenant are conferred in holy temples. These blessings allow us to come forth in the First Resurrection and inherit thrones, kingdoms, powers, principalities, and dominions, to our “exaltation and glory in all things” (D&C 132:19). The fulfillment of the ancient Abrahamic covenant is feasible only because of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who has made it possible for us to dwell with God, with Him, and with our families eternally.

Swim Training

My training partner, Natalie, and I filmed each other swimming yesterday so we could find ways to improve our form. It's really hard to improve on your swimming technique without a coach or training partner. Natalie has really helped me improve over the past few months. She's improved as well. It's been really satisfying to watch her evolve into a great swimmer.

IT'S ON!!!

Winter is officially over and with the spring thaw comes a new challenge. All the men in my family - my brothers in law, Monte Johnson and Cody Reeder, my brothers, Brian and Chris and myself - are going head to head this summer at the Utah Half Ironman in Provo, Utah. This will be another chapter in our family for the history books! I'm so excited to be able to race with all these great and inspiring men. Over the next 4 months, I'll be documenting our training for this event.

Swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56 miles, Run 13.1 miles!

Cody was "prescribed" the right running shoes by the good people at Salt Lake Running Company. It turns out he over pronates, so hopefully a medium stability shoe will correct the problem.

Monte just bought a wetsuit that turned out to be too big. Right now, he's most concerned about the swim, so he's going to spend a lot of time in the pool over the next few months. Since we're swimming in Utah Lake, you might want to get a tetanus shot along with all the swim training, Monte!

Brian has commited himself to this event, and it's looking like he'll be the most prepared. His swim times in the pool are looking good, and he's started running again after taking it easy for a couple months due to a foot injury.

Chris has slated 7 hours as a good finishing time. Hey Chris! A couple words of wisdom - Eat a fudgesicle right before the race and when in doubt in the water, flip onto your back and remember "monkey, tree, rocketship"! You'll get it done.

As for me, my only new years resolution this year was to try and eat more ice cream. So far, it's going well. That's all you need to know.

Because it's there Mallory said, to an audience of misunderstanding reporters. The world has long thought that George Leigh Mallory meant the elusive summit of Mt. Everest, but perhaps he was referring to the mountain buried deep in the soul of every human being, that deep primal desire in each of us to be proven, not to the world, but to ourselves. In this, one can even hear echoes of similar desires expressed in our enthusiastic acceptance of a plan presented to us all before the world was made, a desire to be "proven herewith". Now we are here and the desire expresses itself in peculiar ways. Always the inward searching question of "would I have made it" when stories of suffering, trials, and valor are recounted. Or, the drive to climb a high mountain in some far off country. And, of course, for many it is expressed by an entry into an amazingly difficult race where the individual must transcend the physical body to draw upon deep wells of hidden mental and spiritual strength to finish. To any who desire to be so tested, the question may be posed: "why do you want to do this hard thing?" the answer is always the same, "Because it is there" the Moriah in each of us which must be climbed and conquered that we may in fact conquer ourselves"
-Brian McCombs

Finish line video

I just received my official race video. Click below to check it out!

Some reflections on the Ironman

To understand Ironman training, one must understand that it's all about the bigger picture. It's easy to become so anxious or excited about such a huge undertaking that it causes some to push too hard too early on in their training, not focusing on the long term goal. Others will let their training slip, and then try to make up for it with highly intense yet sporadic training sessions. Neither approach is ideal and will lead to burn out, injury or premature "peaking". Rather, proper Ironman training requires a constant, concerted and consistent effort over the course of several months and years. Training sessions should be tailored to a particular athlete's own fitness level, taking into account their own strengths and weaknesses. Thus, each individual's training program will vary. If a relatively inexperienced athlete assumes a training regimen that is overly aggressive, they risk injury and sickness. On the other hand, if a more experienced athlete plans a training program that doesn't challenge them, there will be very little growth.

A moment with the legend Mark Allen. He begged me for a photo, so I obliged.

Surprisingly for me, training for the Ironman was a lesson in moderation. It may sound crazy that such an extreme event could be characterized as moderate. It is nevertheless true for the reasons I have noted above. It required patient dilligence over the course of many years to get to the point where I was capable of enduring the rigors of such an event. It required an incredible amount of long term focus and sacrifice. It required thoughtful planning of an effective nutrition program. It's amazing how much I learned about my body during this whole process. What foods my body needed to go the distance. How much physical strain my body could endure. How much rest was required, and rest was a very important aspect. In fact, it was probably the most crucial element of the whole process. Mosiah 4:27. I never trained on Sunday...ever. It was a perfect day to rest my body, and in the end, it made me stronger.

Could my sisters get any freakin' cooler?!

When I was finally able to put all that training aside and actually focus on the reason for which I had trained so hard, I was confident because I knew I had done the work required. The week leading up to the race was a very thoughtful time for me. I went to Hawaii a week early, and I was alone for 5 days before my family arrived. This allowed me a lot of time to reflect on my life, my training, and everything that had led me to that point. I was able to process within myself all the reasons I was there. I realized that for me, it was more than just a race. It was a celebration of life and the beauty of human achievement. More importantly, the opportunity filled me with an indescribable sense of gratitude for all my blessings. My life, my family, my health, my faith, my opportunities, my strengths, my weaknesses. I knew that the race would test me mentally and physically more than I had ever been tested in my life, and this reflection was all part of that mental preparation.

Start of the swim. I'm in there somewhere!

The night before race day was sleepless as usual. When I awoke at 4am race morning, my family was ready to go, and I wanted to puke. We drove into town together, and my dad and brothers followed me through body marking and into the transition area where I finished my preparations. I walked with my dad to the sea wall and said goodbye to my family one last time before the race. The sun was rising over Hualalai volcano just as the starting gun fired to start the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship. I had the best swim of my life. I felt great. When I reached the turnaround boat, I glanced at my watch..30 mins had passed. I felt a surge of excitement when I realized I was already halfway through the best swim of my life! The swim back to the pier was even more crowded than the outward leg. I had my goggles ripped off, and someone elbowed me in the face, immediately giving me a fat lip. Toward the end of the swim, I got a terrible cramp in my leg, and I really thought my race was over.

Final bike adustments before the race. Thanks, Brian!

Once I got onto the bike, and headed out into the lava fields for a 112 mile bike ride, the pain in my leg made it very easy for countless negative thoughts to creep in. This lasted for a couple of hours as I kept thinking that I wanted to quit. It wasn't until I recognized what I was doing that I was able to block the negative thoughts and focus on all the reasons I was out there. I thought a lot about my family and close friends who were supporting me. I prayed a lot, too. This helped tremendously as I realized that I had way too many reasons to keep going, and only 1 reason to quit. It made me forget about the pain in my leg and more able to endure the brutally hot and windy conditions. By the end of the bike, I had been riding into a strong headwind for the last 40 miles, and the cramp in my leg still hadn't subsided. I think it posed more of a mental challenge than a physical one for me.

Mile 4 of the marathon

The thought of starting a marathon at that point was stifling, especially because I wasn't fresh, and my leg was still killing me. As I laced up my shoes in the Transition area, my leg kept cramping each time I bent my knee. The volunteers noticed my condition and asked if I wanted to continue. I didn't even have to think about it. "Of course I want to continue!" Even If I had to walk the entire marathon, I was going to finish. I walked the first 4 miles of the marathon until I was confident that my cramping leg would be able to endure the rigors of running a marathon. Thanks to the support and encouragement of my family at mile 4 of the marathon I decided to start running. I can't describe the power of a positive word in that situation. My family's encouragement was an incredible boost. I ran from mile 4 to the finish That's 22 straight miles with a cramping leg. But the cramp didn't bother me, and with each mile, I felt stronger and stronger until I couldn't run fast enough. I knew the strength was not my own, and the words of my dad's blessing from the night before kept repeating in my head that "angels would be pushing me". I knew that promise had been realized, because I had never felt so strong in my life. The final 10 miles of the marathon were absolutely amazing. I felt so good. As I drew near the finish, I could hear the crowd and the music. I knew that I would soon be greeted by my family, and that feeling was totally exhilerating! It made me push even harder. If my family hadn't been there, there would have been no reason to do that race. Had my family not been waiting for me at the finish line, I never would have been motivated to finish. It was the singular thought of seeing the people I love at the finish that pushed me to keep going, faster and faster. As I crossed the finish into the warm and loving embrace of my father, mother and siblings, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and love and accomplishment that was unparalleled. I can't describe the feeling. The first thing I said to my mom as I hugged her at the finish, "Mom, I'll never do this again. You don't have to worry". Her response, "Good".

My amazing parents. I owe them everything.