|
||||||
|
Today we would walk to the highest point at the compound before leaving for the job site. The hills are unbelievably steep causing us to wonder why this spot was better than any other to build this type of community. There are a number of missionary families’ homes on the way up the hill, and at the very top you find the water treatment for the entire facility. Its an ingenious design used to collect rainwater and is completely gravity fed so that the frequent and unannounced power outages don’t interrupt the absolutely critical flow of clean tap water to the hospital and the families. The fact that you can drink straight from the faucet this deep into the Honduran jungle is one of the most amazing features of this facility.  We head out for another hot day with temperatures into the high 80s and a humidity probably higher than that. At least now we are seeing the end of the light for our project and what a difference it has made. Were tossing around the idea of actually being able to finish up the whole project a day early and taking Friday afternoon and Saturday morning off to relax before heading back to La Ceiba on Saturday afternoon. At this point all of the woodworking is done save for a few trim details and the group is focused to paint and clean. Everyone has a brush, including Anna Nariz who is happy to help as she deftly maneuvers with her crutches and paints the borders around the windows.  We would get everything to about 95% and come back the next day to simply touch up the areas that we didnt notice yet. That night we would join all of the missionary families for a night of fellowship in the chapel. Everyone brings some sort of dish … Lizzie made some rediculously delicious graham cracker/oatmeal/iciing concoction. Why I did not get the recipe I will never know. They have a whole band with Dr Jeff playing guitar, one of their sons playing drums (quite well I might add), a keyboard player and Dr. Rosanne playing flute and singing with some of the others.  My dad would be the keynote speaker that night, which I knew would be entertaining because my old man can talk … a very social person and can make a new friend just about anywhere. While I figured I would know much of the material beforehand I was a bit surprised when we launched into a description of some major events in his life, that I knew nothing about at this point, which helped to develop the spirituality within him. I think everyone was duly impressed with his talk … even his I came into this race with an understanding of how this distance would be different from the Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons before it, but no real practical knowledge … i.e. experience. I had a well drawn out battle plan, but it was now time to execute. Scouting the course, dealing with some last minute technical issues, mingling with the other first time HIMers I found myself usually calm before a race like this … going over mental checklists for the 400th time, trying to run through everything once more and then shut the brain down and turn on autopilot. Perhaps its because the swim is first and thats where I feel most comfortable. About the only thing I was telling myself was “relax … it’s going to be a loooooong day.’ I zipped up my wet suit, waded into the iron rich, murky brown water, caught my breath and entered the washing machine. The swim was everything I hoped for. After the first 200 meters of getting kicked, grabbed, elbowed, and climbed on top of (the water was very shallow) I made the first turnaround and drifted off to the outside to be by myself. At this point the hammerheads that went out to fast on the swim were already paying the price as I steadied into my rhythm. Breathing check, swimming in a straight line check, technique check … everything according to plan. After lap one I was pretty much by myself and didn’t have to compete for resources which made me very relaxed. I didn’t see another person, outside of the few stragglers from the previous wave which I was lapping, until right at the very end. I exited the water with the 14th fastest swim of the day with a very optimistic outlook.? I did alot of prep work on my transitions since my last tri and I think it really paid off. I cut almost a minute off my transition time by adding a bento box, getting a good spot on the rack, and practicing the flying mount. I did several transition practices as well to get better. As great as it is to exit the water at the front of the pack, getting passed by a boatload of people in the first few miles of the bike is not fun! Every muscle in my body is screaming out wanting to go faster, but Ive trained enough, studied enough, practiced enough to know that hammering right out of the water was a recipe for doom. Regardless of what my mind was saying, I did go out fast dropping a 21.8 mph average on the first 18.65 mile lap; still two more to go however. The second lap the wind started to pick up. Since we were riding in between corn fields on country roads which are necessarily straight and square you had miles of straightaways which the wind would blow right in your face. Add to this my gears were starting to jump a little bit, and wouldn’t stay in the one I wanted to cruise in. This lead me to gear down to a smaller cog effectively making me put out more effort than I wanted to. My heart rate was under control at this point though so I used that as my guide and let it go. By this point I was well into my nutrition and hydration strategy and it was working great! Every 15 minutes I would take either 8oz of water with an energy gel, or 8oz of Gatorade to keep me going. I also would pop salt tabs to stay on top of my electrolytes since it was heating up outside. I did get a bit bloated from time to time but had to fight through it because I knew I had to keep the fluids and calories coming in and it wasn’t going to get any easier to put nutrition down on the run. Lap three came around by the time I got passed by the first (but not only woman). I let it go in stride though as it did give me a change in scenery for a few seconds as they were completely blazing a trail on their bikes. While my nutrition strategy was working well, my pacing was a bit off as I dropped down to 20.8 mph on lap two, down to 20.0 on lap 3. This would be all part of the experience which would make it self known come time for the run.? (I would later find out my back tire was significantly bent after the race and was rubbing for who knows how long … this could have lead to the drops in time) For now, the task at hand was survival as the run is my weakest link. I would end up giving up a 5 minute lead going into the run 3rd in my age group, to finish 3 minutes behind him. None of that was my concern when I headed out though, as I was still in a focused autopilot mode. Heart rate was in the right zone, legs needed a little help waking up, but that was to be expected. The temperature was getting into the low 90s at this point and nutrition/hydration would become more key than ever. To that degree, I nailed the entire triathlon. No cramping, a little stomach distress, but I was always able to take in calories and fluids when I needed them. I think I just left to much on the bike as most people do in their first half. Despite repeated attempts to race my own race, my body told me it was OK … go for it! In hindsight though, Im not sure how much it really would have helped. Averaging 9:15 minute miles over a half marathon after a 1.2 mile swim and 56 mile bike can be looked at respectably in some circles. The only really bad part about the run, was that it was a two loop course which brought you within 100ft of the finish line before you had to turn around and head back another 6 miles before you could celebrate on the other side of the timing mat.? Another hour would tick off before I made it back to finish 4th in my age group as the heat was getting to everyone and slowed me down to a very enjoyable walk at each aid station. All in all it was an unbelievable experience, and such a great end to a very successful triathlon season. I feel blessed to be able to accomplish this goal and look forward to a little time off before training for Ironman Louisville starts early next year. So I got talked into buying Rock Band at about 2AM this morning (after the best Saturday night ever) … Oh man … yes, it is fun.? Yes it is better than Guitar Hero, yes singing (poorly) at 3AM is a blast.? Cant wait until the next party and I get to show up with a car full of fake musical instruments!!? The drumming is a little tougher than I had imagined (on expert), there is something different about the way Guitar Hero and Rock Band register proper hits that I havent quite figured out yet.? There are a lot of time where I am pretty darn sure that Ive got the right part down, but Im getting booed by the crowd (jerks). The guitar that it comes with feels a bit cheaper and is wired, all of it is actually, making for a mess of cables I havent been used to since the regular controller is wireless.? The really cool thing about it though is the selection switch, which allows you to change between different effects like wah, chorus, echo and my favorite … the flanger!? Add to this great package a microphone and youre in for good times missy. Might be a bit belated, but I ran across these pics today and just had to share.? From one of my favorite shows ever, Law and Order SVU … And lets hear what Darth Vader has to add to the conversation …  ]]> Right there below James Mazzoni and just above Jason McAlister from Santa Ana, CA lies my name on the entry list for Ironman Louisville 2008 .? Its over 7 months away and Ive barely started my training for the year, yet its still pretty neat seeing your name up in lights.  Wait for me here on August 31st.? I should be arriving around 7PM after 12 hours swimming, biking and performing whatever strange variation of running I can manage at that point.? Hopefully Stephanie Church who took this amazing photo will snap one with me in it at the end of that day so then I too will be an Ironman. ]]> As another year gets put up on the shelf and takes its place along so many others in the history books, I cant help but feel blessed.? Personally it has been quite possibly the best in my 29 year tenure on this planet.? So many exciting opportunities to be thankful for, so many new friends who have been such a great influence on my life and so many gifts my family can be thankful for. The biggest change in my life came when I got involved with the Team In Training organization and joined as a fundraising triathlete, raising $4,900 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and completing an Olympic distance triathlon.? While I had wanted to lose those last 20 pounds for quite some time, my only focus was so that I could slip some what gracefully into a swim suit again and swim laps.? When I joined the local YMCA in November of 2006, I could not imagine that I would be sitting here over a year later signed up to compete in Ironman Louisville in a mere 8 months. The experience has shown me multiple blessings … the gift of health which can never be underestimated, plus triathlon is a very positive habit to form.? The gift of helping to fund research and patient services for those struggling with a cruel disease which mainly targets children.? Possibly the most important is the gift of friendship from my new extended triathlete family.? Friends from different Team In Training chapters, my coaches and mentors, people I have met at races and people who have encouraged me along the way to accomplish my goals. The two other big news items of 2007 were the birth of my nephew Ashton Reid McAlister and my trip to Honduras.? Having a happy, healthy baby boy in the family is always a reason to celebrate.? He was born in January so his 1st birthday is right around the corner and he will really start to mature quickly, learning to walk and talk and interact with the world.? Still no pressure on me for any grandchildren because mom and dad have turned their attention back to my other brother for a second one to go along with my 2 and a half year old niece Taylor.? As for Honduras, read through the My Travels section to learn more about what that experience meant to me.? I hope to put it back on my to do list for 2008.
Each year on my birthday I set a goal of something I want to accomplish in the next year.? Over the past 10 years I have been pretty much dead on with accomplishing them.? Everything from recording a studio album, to getting a promotion at work, to paying off credit card debt, I nearly always hit my mark.? This year however, I feel grateful for everything I have and want to look outside of myself for an opportunity.? So on my birthday, I simply put down that I want to inspire someone to do something great.? There are a few contenders already: training a friend to run a marathon, being a mentor for Team In Training, convincing someone to go on the mission trip to Honduras.? My focus this year is to simply help others achieve the dreams that they have been hanging on to, yet lacked the motivation, encouragement or faith to commit and conquer their doubts.? The end result is not always the most important part but rather the journey along the way. So heres to 2008 and the opportunities and challenges that await, to the high and lows that will test you and heres to the courage and the desire to raise the bar and accomplish your goals.? Just let me know if there's anything I can do to help ]]> Day 5 of the Honduras trip is up.? Check it out along with all of the others in the My Travels section.  ]]> Today would be another blistering day in the sun, filled with a little less excitement since the demolition work was all complete.? Still no hot water, but I began to think of it as a blessing since the days were so stifling.? There is little to no relief to be had from the weather outside of this shower so I turned it into a positive.? As we do every day, we started off with a devotional which helps us get a good focus on why we are here and to give us some inspiration as we headed out to work.? Today it addressed two simple words.? Service.? Contributions.? According to Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life”, those words will be the answer to the first question you will ask God when you meet Him … “Why are we here?”? It makes perfect sense in a very scientific manner.? Consider the function of cells in any living organism.? The presence of any single cell affects every other cell in some fashion.? All cells consume resources and produce some soft of byproducts which gets returned into the environment.? Depending on how this function of recycling resources is managed, there can be beneficial or detrimental effects to the system as a whole. Can helping repair missionary homes in Honduras bring as much joy as a fancy dinner at a posh upper west side restaurant?? How about a new car, a vacation home … what if I just didn't have that credit card payment, that student loan, if I just made a little more money … then I would truly be happy right?? I mean why not … traditional thinking teaches us to fill our lives with material wealth, to pamper ourselves, to horde articles of status to display our worth and importance to those around us.? What does this world tell us about giving back?? So I got to thinking, do I simply want to play the role of consumer in the system?? What other opportunities are there in this world to ensure that Im putting things back better than I found them, that Im make life easier for those around me, that Im hearing the call to serve.? What now?? The questions are piling up … so far Im just stacking them in the corner and writing them down.? Its going to take quite some time to work through this pile.? I feel pretty blessed that Ive had this opportunity for reflection.? So many people just simply exist … consume.? For now though, the brain goes on pause … its time to eat! We were invited over to the McKinney's for dinner tonight.? They are the brains behind this whole operation and were responsible for starting it from its humble beginnings over a decade ago.? With their three children and an assorted barnyard of animals they have transformed what would appear to the average onlooker an impassible jungle landscape into a multi acre compound which stretches up the hillside on the Caribbean coast.? Their home is a compound of several building set a ways back from the road, hidden under a thick canopy of tropical vegetation.? It is just enough to support their family and the mission they are serving, with a few added comforts like the detached patio area where we ate dinner.? It is nice, but by no means extravagant, as they are very careful of the message they send to the people of Honduras.  ?We enjoyed a traditional meal of empanadas with a assorted feature of rice, beans and some home made salsa.? We enjoyed a relatively cool evening spending time with them and getting to know their new puppies they had recently picked up from a breeder in La Ceiba.? This in and of itself is pretty amusing since very few if any people keep dogs as pets in Honduras.? They run wild through the streets as it is so it wouldn't take more than 5 minutes with an open can of Alpo to make a new friend, besides for most families, it would just be another mouth they would struggle to feed.? These dogs were purebred however … a Pit Bull and a Doberman no less!? Awfully aggressive animals especially with three young kinds in the house you would think?? Unfortunately theres a long story behind their purchase, the short version being that someone had recently robbed them, and their existing Great Dane didn't actually hold up his end of the bargain as a theft deterrent! Back home early for some cards before bed like normal, and to knock out a few sodukus before hitting the sack … not without checking under the bed for tarantulas! Fresh off the boat from the Big Apple.?? I headed to the UPS Corporate IS headquarters in Mahwah, NJ last week for work and was lucky enough to have a coworker give me a guided tour of Manhattan while I was there.? What an amazing city this is.? So much friendlier, cleaner and safer than you would normally imagine … of course it is Christmastime so people are on their good behavior.? I got to see all of the important sites, Ground Zero … including a train ride through the pit, Times Square, Rockefeller Center and had dinner where else but Little Italy.? Head to the Photos section to see me pics from the journey, including the infamous 'Charmin Experience'
]]> Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!? Since were having scheduling conflicts with extended family, we dont have much planned for Turkey Day so I got up this morning and did my first ever Turkey Trot.? Despite the funny sounding name, all thats really involved is running on Thanksgiving Day.? It was a cold, overcast day with a threat of rain, although we miraculously stayed dry somehow.? I turned in a time of 39m 28s for the 5.08 miles that my Garmin clocked, which is almost exactly what I did the Home of the Innocence run a few weeks back.? Both of these fall runs were alot of fun just because of the scenery, being out with nature and in the middle (towards the end really) of the color change.?? I got to see alot of friendly faces during the run today.? Patrick my Team In Training coach and his new bride were at the start line, The Murphys from TNT Sean, Katie, Monica and their brother (forget his name).? I also saw Amanda running up the hill.? I told her its funny how you train with people for song long that you can spot them in a crowd just from the way they run.? I ran up next to her and chatted for a few minutes exchanging pleasentries.? She has been training for a marathon for the last few months and shes only a week and a half away from the big day down in Memphis, so this was just a leisurely stroll for her compared to the grueling 3+ hour training runs she has been putting in.
Heres to you and yours this holiday season!? Im off for a nap … 7AM wake ups when you dont have to go to work are a little too much for me. ]]> My Travels and check it out. |
||||||
|
Copyright © 2012 www.garrettmcalister.com - All Rights Reserved |
||||||
