Ironman Texas Deferral
I have come to the realization that deferring both Ironman 70.3 Texas and Ironman Texas 140.6 is the best choice for my long-term recovery. From the day I began walking with my catheter bag until the end of last week, I've had my eye on preparing for both of those...
Surprise Improvement in Run Performance
Run Assessment After a 6-week Ironman training hiatus, it's time to update my training zones. I've discussed why and how they are used in previous posts (here, here here, and here). I want to be active, but still, allow for healing, so I've been consistently running...
Becoming a prepper
My determination post-surgery to resuming training has served me well. Over the past five weeks, I've remained consistent with efforts to push my body and retain as much fitness as possible. I've also remained focused on eating well. This year, one of my goals is to...
Surprise 5K Personal best
Yesterday, I was tired so I slept in. After the excitement of being able to run again, I pushed my body hard but neglected fuel adequately. The accumulated fatigue took its toll so I listened to my body. Rather than force myself to get up and run early, I slept in and...
Getting my body back
Yesterday, Jan 5, was exactly one month since my radical prostatectomy. Since I awakened from anesthesia, I've been walking. Initially, I had to pull an IV Bag through the halls of Johns Hopkins Hospital. After being discharged with my catheter bag I walked daily for...
Embracing the Suck…A Cancer Diagnosis
Embrace the suck... Among endurance athletes, this phrase is as common as "good morning" or "I'm hungry". We push ourselves every day, with the goal of being better than yesterday. So, inevitably, we have to do long, hard, uncomfortable training sessions. That's...
Ironman Florida 140.6 – Race Day! (4 of 4)
When I step back and think about how the full scope of an Ironman race, I almost always feel amazed that the last part of it includes running a full marathon. That one piece blows me away every time. Oddly, I don't feel the amazement while training or when I actually...
Ironman Florida 140.6 – Race Day! (3 of 4)
I felt very good coming out of the water, I remember thinking that I would happily do another lap if needed. However, running on the sand, was a bear. As I was crossing the beach I kept thinking that this shit is taking way too much energy, get me on solid ground....
Ironman Florida 140.6 – Race Day! (2 of 4)
Race day - Go Time! 4 AM - Wake up, make oatmeal, coffee, and breathe, breathe, breathe. Inside, I could feel the anxiety like a bubbling cauldron. However, I did not want to begin feeling overwhelmed by the day ahead, so I sat at the desk in the hotel room and...
Ironman Florida 140.6 🏊🏽♂️🚴🏽♂️🏃🏽♂️(1 of 4)
Goal Achieved! - Ironman Florida 140.6 On November 7, 2020, I did it... At 6:24 am I began swimming 2.4 miles. At 8:24 pm, 14 hours 3 minutes and 58 seconds later, I completed the marathon and crossed the finish line, and heard... "Chris Tubbs, you are an Ironman"....
Successful race simulation – 112 miles 🚴🏽♂️
Today's ride was tough and agonizing, more importantly, it was executed as planned. 112 Miles with minimal rest stops - 2 refueling stops were planned. We ended up making 2 additional quick bathroom stops. My goal was to complete the ride in about 6-hrs. [ngg...
10K Personal Best!
After skipping two days of workouts for travel, I got out and went for a 1-hr run. I have a 112-mile bike ride scheduled for tomorrow, so intentionally planned to keep the run easy aka zone 1 & 2 aerobic work. I set off with an easy warm-up at about 10 min/mile...
1st Ironman distance ride 112 miles
Ironman Florida is quickly approaching .... 23 days and counting! I feel ready and excited. I'm also tired. My training volume has been incredibly high as we approach the race. Last Sunday, Johnny scheduled a 6hr ride so I decided to do a full Ironman distance. The...
The recovery ride that wasn’t
Ironman Florida is about 5 weeks away. This was my recovery and performance assessment week designed to kick off my last 3-week block of high volume training and preparation for the race. Instead of the typical 5-6 hr Saturday ride, I had a 1h 30min ride on my...
The Junkyard Dog Awakens
The Houston Racing Triathlon Club held a monthly meeting at Twin Lakes today. This was the first meeting of the club since the COVID-19 shut down in March and included a splash and dash event. Splash and dash is a race where we swim a fixed distance then get...