Enough with the snow already…
My trip to Richmond last weekend was postponed due to the snow storm that hammered the mid-atlantic. I will be going there this weekend for an appearance on the CBS 6 morning show “Virginia This Morning” and at the Healthy Lifestyle Expo. But, it sounds like we are getting MORE snow this week, so who knows. So far I am 0-2 with trips being cancelled due to snow. I hope this isn’t a trend!
IRON ANDY
Staying Healthy
It’s the cold and flu season…we’ve had the cold and we’ve had the dreaded stomach virus. For the past two weeks someone in my house has either been sneezing, blowing their nose or bent over the toliet…or in the case of my two young sons, bent over wherever they feel like throwing up. But I think we are out of the woods, with the stomach virus but colds still persist. Now with the snow, needless to say my training has been slightly modified. I’m drinking a lot of water, staying positive and doing what I can. Good thing my first race (Lavaman on March 28th) is “only” an Olympic distance 
IRON ANDY
Virtual Training Partner (weird looking silver guy)
I am often asked if I train with other people. The answer is no, but not so much because I don’t want to. One of the nice things about my “Iron Andy” gig is I get to train full time, duuing the day…when most other people are working. But it would be nice to have some company once and awhile. Enter weird silver guy! What am I talking about you ask - Well, I finally broke down and purchased a Computer Trainer for my bike. The computrainer works much like my old trainer in that it allows me to ride my tri-bike indoors, stationary. But rather than the mind-numbing 4,5 and 6 hour winter rides staring at a wall the Computrainer hooks up to my computer and has REALLY cool 3D virtual courses. The coolest thing about the program is the profile/elevation of the course will change the profile of the trainer, so going up hill feels like I am going up hill on my trainer. You can also add wind, moniter efficinies and inefficiences in my peddle stroke…AND they even have Real Live Video courses so I can test ride an Ironman Course before the race. Back to the weird looking silver guy - with the 3D virtual courses, I can race alongside another cyclist…and one of the options for a “workout partner” is this weird looking silver guy. He looks like he is made of mercury in the shape of a person…kind of like the Terminator. He’s weird…but boy can he ride! For information about the Computrainer product, here is their website - http://www.racermateinc.com
IRON ANDY
2010 Goals
Goals, that’s right…I said a few weeks ago that I would be blogging my 2010 goals. Here they are:
My race goals for this year are pretty straightforward. As of now I am scheduled to race in the Lavaman triathlon on the Big Island at the end of March (olympic distance), Texasman half iron in May, Ironman Coeur d’ Alene, Chicago Triathlon (olympic distance) then Ironman Wisconsin. I will focus my goals on the full Ironman races. As always my goals for an Ironman are 1) to finish 2) avoid the medical tent 3) finish under 12 hours…and in that order. This will be my 3rd year in a row doing Coeur d’ Alene, and by best time thus far is 11:43. So beating that would be great but as I saw last year, weather can play a huge role in my performance…so I will stick to the 1) 2) and 3) above! For Wisconsin, a race I have never done, my goals are the same. So there it is.
But more importantly this year will be my non-race goals. I have talked about the Iron Andy Foundation on and off for the past year. I have been relatively quiet about it, but not anymore. Very soon a Press Release will be going out announcing a new program called the Iron Andy Challenge. I will also write about this in more detail on this blog, on Facebook, Twitter…and any other medium I can think of. For now, I will merely say that the new mission for the Iron Andy Foundation and the Iron Andy Challenge is to send kids with diabetes to diabetes camps…all across the country. So, my non-race goal for this year is pretty loft - I would like to raise $100,000 and/or send 100 kids to diabetes camp this year. That’s a big number, I know…but I have never been one for small goals. So, if you are reading this and you would like to know how you can help me chip away at that number - donations can be made on-line at http://www.ironandyfoundation.org Thank you in advance and stay tuned for more exciting details about the Iron Andy Challenge.
IRONANDY
Western States 100
I am told that the Western States 1oo is the Hawaii Ironman equivlant for Endurance Runs. I was told this by my new friend Jerry Armstrong - you may recall me writing about Jerry in a previous BLOG. I met him while doing Ironman Louisville last summer. Jerry’s wife has type 1 diabetes and he created the Run The Coast event -www.runthecoast.com to raise money for the Iron Andy Foundation. Jerry just won a lottery slot into Western States 100 - http://www.ws100.com/ He will run 100 miles in ONE DAY…from Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA. I guess this is just a tune-up for next November when he will run 500 miles from San Francisco to San Diego during the Run The Coast event.
I have yet to determine what my involvement will be for Run The Coast, but I am thinking I would like to ride the distance while Jerry and his friend Jason run…anyone interested in joining me?
Iron Andy
Happy New Year!
Well its back to work…for me that means training ramps up and eating gets “cleaner.” As dreary and uneventful as January can be, I actually like this month. Every year at this time I shed the holiday pounds I gained, I get myself organized for the year to come and I broadcast my goals for the year. I will save the specifics about my 2010 goals for a BLOG later in the week, but I can tell you they will involve raising money for the Iron Andy Foundation - www.ironandyfoundation.org and getting the Iron Andy Challenge off the ground…which will ultimately send kids to diabetes camps.
Lots to come in what looks to be a very exciting year!
IRONANDY
I’m fat!
well, not really…but every year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s when my training is light and my holiday eating is heavy I tend to gain 10 -15 pounds. It’s not that big of a deal because by the end of January I will be back to my “fignting” weight, but it does annoy me a little. I am still exercising more than the average Joe and my eating isn’t all that bad but it just points to the fact that my metabolism isn’t great. So anyone who thinks it’s easy to have a healthy and fit body is sadly mistaken. It’s hard work! My wife can vouch for me that I am MUCH happier when I am depriving myself and training hard than when I am allowing myself to cheat. One more “fat” week until Iron Andy returns. Happy and Healthy New Year!
Iron Andy
Embracing social media…slowly but surely
If you are reading this BLOG, you too have embraced social media to some degree. I was clearly not an early adopter but after some prodding from certain people in my life I am making some real progress. To review: I write a weekly BLOG (obviously) I have a personal Facebook page as well as an Iron Andy Foundation “fan page.” You can follow me on Twitter @ironandy, AND the most recent entry into the social media craze is Iron Andy presence on Youtube. That’s right, Youtube! So, if you need a break from Tiger Woods, check out the 2 1/2 minute Meet Iron Andy Video
Have a happy and safe holiday, and come back to read next week as I will post my 2010 goals!
IRONANDY
Lance gettin on board!
Lance Armstrong is getting on the Diabetes train…offering up help for people with type 2 diabetes on his website, read the article in USA Today - http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-12-14-armstrong14_ST_N.htm
IRONANDY
CureDM Inc.
CureDM, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company established to develop new therapies that may prevent, ameliorate or reverse diabetes and allow for the discontinuation of insulin.
Sounds pretty good to me!!! I was recently introduced to Dr. Resa Levetan of CureDM Inc. Pretty amazing stuff her and her team are working on. Check out their website - www.curedm.com
IRON ANDY