Reversion...There is hope

Several years ago Tac graduated college with a BS in Psychology. With the wisdom that he gained from this education, Tac is going to diagnose his metro sexual friend from the OC with psychological reversion issues. This diagnosis is not done easily, but after witnessing an episode in Colorado, he feels it's the only loving thing to do. Reversion is the state where adults look inward to their perceived inner child, sometimes acting out this mental process. The presentation of symptoms sometimes occurs when said individual is in proximity with other males of higher studliness, as was the case when he hung out with Taconite Boy, and suddenly feel a sense of inadequacy and dependence.

Taconite Boy had to ask the tribe to scurry inside when these pictures were taken. He was hoping to help them avoid any long term scars. Look at your own reverting risk...

You'll notice in this presentation of symptoms that he's wrapped the ducky around his torso in order to mimic the mother like nurturing that he needs during this stressful time.

Here the presenting disorder is even more intense as Iron Wil's sidekick is looking for even more affection, much like a young boy needing his mommy.



Intervention was truly required. Taconite boy decided what OC boy needed was to feel more like a man, and what says MAN then putting on a good old cowboy hat...

Do you see in this picture how Tac's affirming thumbs up gives his friend a sense of pride. Look at his face, it glows with the realization that his shortcomings are not his undoing. Even Greyhound senses the good vibes that Tac gives off.

Helping metro-sexual's realize that falling short of being a superhero does not mean they are of less value to the tri-community around them. All it means is that their not a superhero.

Tac out...and keep his friend in your thoughts...

WIBA conclusion

Saturday Continued...

After the tough afternoon in the heat we headed back for showers and then out for dinner at a great brew pub in downtown Madison. The best part of that dinner was the agreement with the ride group(Walchka, Luke, Tac and TTK) that we were surprised by the bike course, but knew how to train for the next 8 weeks. The good beer, food and laughs didn't hurt either.

Luke, TTK and Ryan listening to Coach Mike.









Sunday Morning..


Tac on his way out of Madison


Stopping for a pic at the lake

Taking a final look at Monona before September 9th.


The run was set 1.5 hours earlier to 7:30 because of the heat. Overall good run, with great company. I swear Robby B was our personal tour guide. He was explaining countless land marks and describing Ironman details throughout the first loop of the course. Thanks Rob! Tac will be rehearsing those notables to distract from the pain on Sept 9th!




Headed out to Endurance House after the run for some bike maintenance and final good bye's. The weekend was very busy, but very helpful in the training. Big Thanks go out to Iron Wil for putting all the organizing pieces together, Simply Stu and Robby B for their wonderful Madison hosting and the sponsors at BMC, Hammer and Cycle Ops.

Time to train on some hills, who's with me?


Tac Out

Friends...It's a good thing

It's amazing how the experience of Ironman has created so many new relationships in this superhero's life. What a blessing. Leaving WIBA this weekend left Tac with the realization that he's not only looking forward to getting this race on, but also to seeing so many good friends complete one of the great physical feats of their lives.

Kinda like when Tri Sara Tops did this..



Just blew the digital dust off some old files in IPhoto and found this little movie! That's what makes this community so unique. Experiencing such awesome achievements with many people we've never met before. Hi Sara Tops, I'm Trimama and your an Ironman! That's cool.

The weekend that was Wisconsin Ironman Brick Adventure 2007.


Friday

Tac and his trusty Sidekick Tri Turbo Kraut arrived late Friday afternoon into Madison. Yep..sure enough, as soon as I saw Lake Monona the nerves kicked in. Chatted a bit with Wil at the Cycle Ops clinic and met up with an old Iron Volunteer friend Walchka, met a new friend in Ryan and then headed over to the Sheraton to settle in.

TTK decided to lay low while your resident caped wonder headed of to Monona to get smoked in a late afternoon swim with Simply Stu. Dang he's fast, or he's got some sort of Hd TV tucked in that 2XU suit somewhere. Nice swim, but could have used nose plugs due to the 10 million pounds of chum that seemed to be deposited right in front of Monona Terrace :( ewww. Regardless when your with Stu your feelin the love.

Finished the night at a fine Italian establishment, that was overwhelmed by the numbers we had. They were planning on 20 and ended up with about 60. Met up with Walchka again, also got to meet Luke from the Twin Cities and caught up with Rural girl, Bolder and met Coach Ricci. Good old Tri love was had by all.



As usual TTK is in the lower right corner taking a call from chief...discussing our next mission...sadly, even a superhero sidekick's life does not allow for too much personal time...




Saturday

Tac slept poorly, followed by that sinking feeling that today was going to be tough. It's hard to explain, fear or maybe stress from the week, or just the idea of going this distance was really playing head games. Lots of tossing and turning. We headed over to the swim start at 6:30 where TTK jumped in and tac held off, figuring the ride/run off would be enough for me today...it was.

Clipped in by the north Helix of Monona Terrace at 9:00. The temperature was already climbing into the mid 80's. God bless Stu, but he did say in his course preview video that the road out to Verona was fairly flat...Stu is a liar. Tac of course means that in a loving, friend sorta way, but he is lying. The course IS NEVER FLAT. ANYHOW, we took the ROLLING hills out to Verona and began the first loop. I new we were in for a treat when the first right turn onto the double 40 mile loop went straight up. Then Down. Then Up. Then Down. Then rolling. Then Up. Then dow.....you get the point. Wisconsin is a rolling course, which never allows you to get into a good clean rhythm. Your constantly changing gears and shifting in order to get ready for the next set of undulating road.

The lack of rhythm is the one big key that Tac takes from this weekend's ride. That will be constantly in the back of his mind. Training on these types of courses will be the goal from here on out.

There was talk (quite foolishly) that we would go the full 112 even though no plan's at the table called for that kind of ride. Yet when TTK's on board temp gauge read 104 from road surface heat, we decided that this was sucking and we needed to head back. Finished the course with one loop and came in around 74 miles. Ran off for about 40 minutes around Monona and looked a little like this by the end....



The TacPlane is taking off in about 25 minutes for denver and the tribe, so more later...having good camaraderie was important after that ride.

So they have hills there in Wisconsin

Quick post to say that WIBA was a grand time with old and new friends. Great hosts. REALLY hot weather and a bike course that was more challenging then even Tac's superhero senses imagined.

More later...

HD Destruction-Part 4

The Chief's door flies open with a "bang" and in run Taconite Boy and his trusty workout partner Tri-Turbo Kraut (their HR's well below LT)...

Chief: It's about time you got here - what took so long, eh?

Taconite Boy: It's Tri-Piddler, Chief, and he's escaped - he knows my weakness - he hit me with HD.

Chief: "HD"? HD? That's it? Snap out of it, TB, we've got work to do! (eh)

Looking over the Chief's shoulder, TB spies a 50" flatscreen plasma sporting crystal clear high definition ESPN (the TDF, no less)...TB goes into a trance.

Chief: TB...TB!

Tri-turbo Kraut - there he goes again, it's the HD, that damn Piddler!

Chief: Well do something, missy!

TTK pulls a 16oz water bottle from his utility belt (full of a special accelerade/gatoraide/cytomax mix) and throws it full force at the TV, smashing the screen into little HD bits...Taconite Boy instantly snaps out of it.

Chief: What the HE-double-hockey-sticks...TB, who's going to pay for this; that TV was $4,000 Canadian!?!?!

TB: C'mon Chief, you got every toy made, two bikes, both top of the line carbon, high end coffee maker, the grill of grills (angel choir singing in the background), house smak dab in the middle of triathlon-central - you can afford a new TV and you know it. Now where's the crybaby bonk artist?

(posted by Bigun)

Holy unmixed gatorade Tac Boy (part 3)

The chief still thinks I'm a woman! exclaimed Trithunder kraut. So much for the male enhancement regimen. As he deftly throws the bottle over his shoulder.

Great balls o hot flashes ThunderKraut, those aren't male enhancement pills, those are Trimama's cellulite busters. In a pre-post-peri menopausal narcoleptic haze Trimama succumbed to late night QVC disease.

Holy busted gu packs Tac Boy, is it contagious? wiping his hands violently against his spandexed thighs.

Deadly. Must.... avoid.....HDTV..... Tac Boy exerts his superpowers to telepath the remote to his hands, with deep inner angst and conflict. There was work to do, and athletes to save, but the Tac meister had been spinning and grinding all week, and the mere suggestion of plasma nirvana was kryptonite to his mortal soul.

Holy mother of analog Tac Boy, we don't have time for televsion right now... damn that's a sweet resolution.

Unbeknownst to Tac Boy and Thunder Kraut, their arch nemesis Tri-Piddler has escaped the asylum and had taken up secret residence in the Tac-o-lair. Knowing the achilles like grip of rest upon all training athletes lives, The Piddler would use their own folly against the super duo. He had stealthily replaced the Tac Lair's antiquated set with a HD 1080p super system with digital surround......The Piddler had them now......

(posted by Trimama)

Part 2

...and then a brilliant light beamed across the moonless sky.

TB - look Tri-Turbo Kraut, it's the TacoBeacon!

TTK - I see it, ya big lug - what about the recently escaped convict Tr...

TB - not now, my little blonde Krautie-poo, we have a more urgent mission! To the Tacocave!

TTK - What cave, Gu-for-brains?

TB - The basement, oh Master-Race'd One, and hushnay on the no cave-ay, capishe?

Our heros run at IM pace+ to the basement to get on the Tacommunicator to the Chief...

TB - Chief! How can we be of service?

Chief - First, TB, keep in mind that you don't choose the race, the race chooses you - we have an imminent bonk with possible tears in Boulder, get in your Trimobile and high-tail it right over here ASAP, eh?

TB - Wilco, Chief, Turbo-Hunn and I will be right there!...Honey, fire up the mini-v...I mean, Tri-mobile!

Tri-Turbo Kraut - But what about Tr..

Chief: What's she talking about?

TB - I don't know, chief...ever since the wall came down, she hasn't been herself.

Chief: Just get up here, fast - eh!

(posted by Bigun)

The Adventures of Taconite Boy-Weekend Edition

Taconite boy spent most of his afternoon pouring through his emails. Most of these citizen contacts were emploring his help in upcoming tri events. Typical, run of the mill, tri-superhero kind of requests...

Susie Tri babe writes.."Would you be willing o' superstud to visit our tri and use your super heated laser vision to dry the bike course because of predicted rain."

LT Larry wrote..."Tac wonder, could you come out to our course this weekend. Because of such rough bike course conditions, we need your spidy like carbon spewing wrists to repair frame/forks on the fly."

Tac Boy realized there were just too many requests for next weekend to fulfill all of his duties. He was going to need help. Batman could count on Robin, Tacboy knows he can count on...

Ring Ring Ring

"Tac Boy!"

"Tri-Turbo Kraut! Too many requests this weekend my loyal sidekick, I'm going to double team all these requests"

"But Tac, Havent you heard who escaped lock up?"

"Not a word, who?!"

"None other then....."

Bigun it's all yours

and so it begins....

First week of the twelve week 1/2 iron bridge to Ironman plan has begun. One week down, eleven weeks to Ironman Wisconsin! Tac's feeling good overall with exception of a few common sore spots. Getting up this morning to swim with the sidekick Tri Thunder Kraut and see if we can wake up all the fishy's and snapping turtles. Followed by a nice leisurely four hour ride.

Father's day was awesome. My kids never pose nicely for photo's when Dad has the camera. Tac either gets silly faces or lots of complaining, but not so on Father's day. They actually gave the gift of there glowing smiles...

Like this,



This,



and This,




Yes. Tac is very blessed indeed.

Nutrition Answers

Thank you everyone who gave feedback about Tac's nutrition question. A few observations.

1. According to Bolder, McDonald's should be the main source of fat/protein on long training/races. Which means the two double cheeseburgers at my midway point on the IMMOO course! Sweet!


2. Commodore has a grand theory regarding a Valentines day/Hallmark card conspiracy, so the fact that protein laced fuels are a Hammer/Accelarade conspiracy theory is quite consistent. Hey Comm, watch out for those black helicopters!



3. Speaking of secret theories, Tri-Dummy has a 'top secret' pooping method...who knew?

4. Trimama's smorgasbord approach makes Tac sick just thinking about it.



What can be concluded is that protein and fat is apparently not necessary on endurance training. This article details the results of new research as of 2006. Although it should be noted, Comm you'll love this, the whole study was funded by Gatorade. Shoot, maybe he's right. The plan is to continue with Carbo-Pro and try different bars during the run, just to keep things interesting for the taste buds.


Trimama and Tac went to a silent auction last night. The event was the Leukemia and Lymphoma societies awards night for power fund raisers. Our friend Tri-Stud has been nominated for Man of the Year for his philanthropic achievements. Mama and Tac ended up winning the auction for a bunch of Chipotle scwag....How can you go wrong there? We hung with Iron Girl Nyhus and her mom. The night ended at Iron Jenny's, who also held a fund raiser at her home.



The rest of this weekend holds for Taconite boy a lot of Saturday afternoon cleaning and making the tribe into a personal wait staff.

"Hyphen girl! the coffee mug needs filling."

"Chopper! Where's my paper"

Ohh.. Tac takes sick pleasure on Fathers day...hehehe

Tac out

Nutrition Question?

I have worked hard the last 5 months to figure out a good nutrition plan for my race. For carb needs I find this product awesome. It was recommended to me by the folks at GearWest as the product they use the most. I use salt tablets for electrolyte needs and substitute Hammer Gel when I want some variety.

Yet I have a questions for my bloggy friends. I need to figure out something to add on workouts that extend beyond 3-4 hours that gives me the proper fat/protein that I need for endurance work outs. I'd rather not switch to Perpetuem or that type of drink, but some sort of energy bar to supplement my Carbo-Pro.

Open to any suggestions!

Tac out (and lookin for protein)

Did I mention I like biking

Thanks guys over at skinnyski.com who took this photo of me on the course Saturday.

Tac out

Liberty Triathlon

"Is dinner on yet?"

Tac Boy inquires of the Trimama when he got home Friday evening.

"No, I just got home myself"

"Ohhh, Honey Tac needs to eat NOW." (Yes, Trimama does hear Tac speak to her in third person)

"Why?"

"Strategic unloading dear, Tac's not a real happy hero when he's gotta lighten the load on the course"

Anyone else out there have strategic poop syndrome? The disorder which causes TB to stress from early morning the day before the race about how to time the bowl movements.


Liberty Triathlon-Long Course

Tac woke up early with Mama, loaded the bikes up and headed out west of the metro to Lake Independance for his second, and hopefully more enjoyable, 1/2 Ironman. Liberty is a wonderfully small race, although many of the participants are serious age groupers. The morning was beautiful with bright sunny skies and calm waters. We met up with Tri Thunder Kraut and headed to transition. Here's the overall summary of my race...

Swim- 34 minutes in relatively calm waters. Jumped right in the thick of the group just to practice for the IMMOO swim. That time was good for Tac, a very encouraging swim.

Bike- 2:59 on a very windy and hilly course (no where near Wildflower though). Average speed of 18.7, TAC VERY HAPPY WITH THIS.

Run- 2:19, 10:39 min/mile. O.K. Not as excited about that time, mostly due to a lack of good run training because of the IT Band. NO IT BAND PROBLEMS! Less blood spurting out of the knee caps is always encouraging.

Overall finish time of 6:01. That's a PR over Wildflower by ONE HOUR.

Trimama finished her olympic in good form. We saw each other several times on the bike and once on the run. TTK also finished with a huge smile on his face. Congrats friend on your first 1/2 IRONMAN!

One week off and then begins the 12 week bridge to Ironman plan...Let's get it on!

Tac out

So I can't cook...No Freakin Kidding

So the tribe household has been quite active lately with the end of school this week, 1/2 Ironman preparations for me and Trimama catching up on a year and a half of book keeping that fell a wee behind with all this tri stuff we've been up too.

So when life is this crazy, it's important that certain spouses request favors that are in their known areas of expertise. For example Taconite Boy would not ask Trimama to retrieve a 312 fine finish tip with sealant gasket, because she would have no idea what to look for.

So when she asks the resident superhero to get the hamburger out of the freezer and defrost it and she finds the roast in the frying pan instead of ground beef, she had to know. Now the fact Tac did'nt even notice the written piece of paper frozen to the roast which said "Roast" is kinda pathetic, but hey living the dangerous life will cause one to miss some of the finer details.

Take a care when Tac's in the kitchen.

Tac out

Did you tell them I'm doing an Ironman?

Apparently Trimama's heroic like status knows no bounds. She helped out at the grade school track meet today, and was approached by multiple parents who inquired about her adventures in triathlon and if it was true that she was an Ironman.

"Did you tell them I'm doing an Ironman?"

"ahh...Yeah I think so"

"You think so!"

"Yeah, I did, I told Mr. Shields about my experience and then mentioned you were training for Wisconsin."

It's fun to tell people your training for an Ironman. It seems like a part of the whole training experience. No, it's absolutely part of it. Tacee B has enjoyed talking to people about the challenges of the race, but not just for his own pride. The joy of encouraging them that if I am doing one of these then they can for sure start exercising.

An example of this is one of Tac's good friends, who is about 300 pounds, but has been steadily losing weight. Tac's Ironman adventure is rubbing off on him. He swore last year he would never do a sprint. Last month, after we talked about finishing Wildflower, he committed to join me in doing LifeTime Triatlon in 2008.

What are some of your unexpected benefits from training for an Ironman?

Tac out

Sea Change

Also the name of a good Beck album (Sorry Dummy, more of Tac Boy's metro sexual music tastes)

This week's recap of the Adventures of Taconite Boy(since posting is apparently as common as Greyhound wearing a normal tie) involves complete career changes and a darn good ride.

Painting and Tac Boy are heading for divorce. She has run my, no, our life for about 17 years and Tacee B is sensing it's time for a change. Trimama has been the best supporter any entrepreneur could ask for, but she has also seen and felt how much of a burden the paining company has been for Tac.

To get right to the point (as superhero's are want to do) painting is not a very profitable product. I just spoke to one of my contractors (Great Company) and he agreed that paining is one of the toughest trades in regards to customer satisfaction that he deals with. Although Paradise Painting has very high standards, the manipulation of liquids as they turn solid can have varied results. Some customers don't get that and at times this costs Tac lots of dough. Another problem is that painting is something many people have done themselves, which creates the mindset that the cost should be low. Once clients see our work, they understand why we charge what we do, but this still affects what we can charge as tradesman. Finally, already low wages have leveled off. Due to many market factors over the last decade including cheap (and illegal) labor and fly by night companies the painting trades have seen a freeze or even decrease in hourly wages. Even in the high end market I have not been able to increase my hourly rate in the last 5 years.

I would appreciate lots prayer right now because trying to determine what direction to go is quite challenging. It feels like Tac has been dropped in the middle of the sea and is wondering where land is. Thankfully, in some prayer time, this awesome passage showed up...

Psalm 114:3-6

3The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.

4The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.

5Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?

6 O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?

7Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,

8who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.

O.K. If God controls the sea, then being in the middle of the ocean is alot like being in his hands.

So what options are out there for a 17 year painter? Two years ago I completed a degree in psychology (marriage and family-see now you know why Trimama rocks so much :) It feels like it's time to put that night schooling to some good use. First I need to figure out which shore I'm swimming to (official triathlon link). Then I plan to combine the qualifications of a degree and long career as a business owner and craft a resume that is tailored to my new vocational direction. Thanks for any thoughts and prayers you have.

Tri Thunder Kraut and I went out for a nearly 4 hour ride early Saturday morning. For him it was the confidence booster needed as he prepares for his first 1/2 IM in two weeks. For me it was good to just go long with a good friend and feel fine. Ironically TTK is my old painting partner. I can't lie that I much prefer spending tri time with him then paint time!

Have a good Memorial Day Weekend, and honor all those who have sacrificed their lives so we could enjoy simple things like Triathlon and not so simple career changes!

Tac out (and in the sea)

Random thoughts

When the week involves less project management and desktop time and more hands on painting, then posting is out the cyber window. Tac boy may have superpowers, but he has not developed the surgically implanted MacBook...he'll wait for Bigun to work on that one.


No Wildfower post race report, o.k. here it goes.

Swim-hard, slow, panicked and frustratingly painful (still have major scars from chaffing of suit)

Bike-Beautiful, difficult and glad to be done with. Tac boy's amazingly low heart rate zones(thanks heart meds!) were kept in check though and that was a good sign.

Run-Slow, totally fun (with the mama) and rewarding!(the finish)


WIBA WEBA...what ever. Tac Boy is in. He's decided that the opportunity to hang with Greyhound, Chivalry Chris, Tri-thunder Kraut and all the other bloggy friends is too rare to pass up. So fear not WIBA participants your superhero is available for the weekend. Although Iron Wil's philosophy lessons on the 6 hour bike may cause Tac Boy to become confused for he is a bit slow to complex philosophical ponderings.


Met the very kinetic Tri-Dummy on Wednesday night. He's a total kickin good time. The plan is to crash a local tri-birthday party tonight. Pictures of the criminal activity should be posted soon.

Race the Du tomorrow. Taking the run portion easy, hit the bike a little harder and back to easy run. :)

Have a good weekend!

Tac out

Here Comes Tri-Dummy

Watch out Minnesota tri-community, Tri-Dummy is heading up this week. Apprently he has a work related appointment up here and is going to spend the last part of the weekend with us. I'm looking forward to meeting my IMMOO 07 brother. I think we have some good Gear West activities planned for him, if he's tri-enough for it.

Looking forward to it bro

Tac Out

(you may have to click on the pic to make it larger)

I love Bolder

The Eleven Reasons I Love Bolder for suggesting we do Wildflower.

1. Getting to spend time with a good guy named Iron Kahuna.



2. Watching Robo-Stu be Robo-Stu



3. The joy of meeting so many awesome bloggers



4. Getting to know how fun Simply Stu is.



5. Getting to know (and sometimes see)my RV homies Wayyyyy more than I thought I would.




6. Doing my first waste dumping with an RV...umm yummy



7. Observing Iron-Jenny-Butterfly in her native environment



8. Being amazed at the caring and wonderful person that is Stronger.



9. Experiencing one of the most beautiful views (from atop nasty grade) I've ever seen on a course.



10. Finishing my first 1/2 Ironman with my best friend.



11. Spending the weekend with my lover.



Thanks Bold

Tac Out

I hate Bolder

It was his idea. Florida, poolside, the day after Ironman Florida...

Bolder "I think we should do Wildflower 07 and IMCDL 08."

We all like little lemmings agreed. WTHS (what the hockey sticks), that was the hardest race I have ever done. Not just the distance, the hills, I mean, mountains we climbed were ridiculous. I've never stopped my bike on a hill to take a brake, but I did twice on nasty grade.

How hard was it? Iron Jenny, who has competed in multiple Ironman and 1/2 Ironman events said that this was the hardest course she's ever done. One of the guys who placed ninth from the race athlete team said that compared to Canada and Coeurd'Laene, Wildflower was much harder.

I finished a 1/2 hour slower then I expected, but that's o.k. being this was my first 1/2 Ironman distance and the HARDEST 1/2 IRON IN THE WORLD. I definitly feel more confidence going towards Wisconsin! IMOO hills are more like speed bumps compared to this.

Much more to say and pics to show later, but everyone finished and we enjoyed a good post meal and adult refreshments las night. Were cheering on all our Olympic comrades this morning! Go Curly Su, Wil, Stronger and Rural Girl!


Tac out