March 16, 2007
What I Got
Here, I am sitting in the Portland Airport listening to Sublime waiting for my connection back to Bend after a quick trip to San Jose. I stayed at my home away from home at "Casa de Muddy" with my coach Muddy and his lovely wife Barbara. Just one night, but well worth the trip. Alcis had a kick off party for their Elite Triathlon Team. I finally had the opportunity to meet the rest of the Alcis Execs, Brian, Mark, and Reed, good times, pleasure to meet you all! And good to see you again Eric. Also had the chance to meet Todd Hinders, who put us all together, and has helped me out plenty. Todd, see you back in my hood at Pacific Crest. Met with Dr. Gino today, where he calmed me more than he probably knows, with an athletes perspective on my injuries.
So my injuries, well as I mentioned in the last post my confidence in my Australian Dr. was less than stellar. My hunches where correct, a little light in the ol' diagnoses doc! On top of my obvious broken elbow, I broke my wrist, have several bulging discs in my neck, some badly bruised ribs, and most likely recovering from a concussion. Good news, I am blessed to have great sponsors and friends that know their stuff, and have completely set me on the road to recovery. So Dr. Verhyden over at "The Center" or as I call him, straight shooting William Tell, set me up with a smooth riding titanium screw in my wrist. Man, that guy is good, I thought that surgery was supposed to hurt. I had no pain, and had to take his word (and the sweet xray) that he actually put a big ol' screw in there. Thanks Dr. V!
Next door to my boys at Therapeutic Associates, where Chuck and the crew set me up with a sweet splint. They also got me going with some exercises to ensure the swim will be back to normal when I am all healed up. Good news is it looks like I can ride on the trainer and run, and in a week should be able to get in the pool for some kick sets and some drill action. I LOVE KICK SETS!!!
Of course as stated before the fella's over at Chiropractic Family Healthcare, Brad & Shad, have been setting my crooked neck straight. The only setback is those guys are stinkin hilarious. Why is that bad? Well it puts me in tears with my ribs and back pain, but all the better for my general mood. No negative nancies here! Thanks fellas.
So I am actually in really good spirits, and am ready for some hard work to get to racing shape soon. My goal for the first race of the year is 70.3 Florida in the end of May. So keep your fingers crossed, but I am completely confident I will be ready to go. This has been a crazy couple of weeks, and I have learned that you really never know how things are gonna turn out. Everybody has struggles, but what defines you is how, and with what attitude you respond to them. So here I come, bring it on, cause what doesn't kill me makes me stronger!
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March 02, 2007
Em, ya maybe not!!!
So- disregard my last post. Yes, Australia is great, and the training was phenominal (I emphasize was), but I am getting on a plane on Monday to head back to the states.
So 70 miles into a ride with my new training and coffee partner Matty Clark, things went a bit wrong. Somehow coming out of a stoplight, due to loose handlebar tape, my hand came off the bars just when I hit a bump, standing getting up to speed. When the hand comes off when you're standing bad things tend to happen. So my chest bounced off the bars, and as far as I can remember I went over the bars head first into a guard rail, where I ricocheted off my head landed on my elbow then back, and slid to a stop. Like a loyal training buddy, Matt was the first one there when I got my bearings. I hung out in the street for a bit, just getting my breath, and Matt and I were convincing the small and very helpful crowd that an ambulance wasn't necessary. I got picked up by the Australian hospitality committee, Dave Hutchison, and Mr. ESP - Alan Cunningham, who called me minutes after the crash. Which was a good thing, cause I was gonna ride home, which wouldn't have helped my situation.
So I went to the local doc, who may not have had my situation as high a priority as for his busy schedule. I was diagnosed with a broken radius, but given nothing more than a cloth sling. "Em, did I mention that my helmet cracked in like 3 places", to which the doctor replied " you're not puking, and you can talk okay- so I am sure your fine". Sweet!!! My headache for the past 4 days makes me think that maybe a slight concussion is probably more likely.
So on the phone to get home, to go see all the specialists that I am blessed to have in my life back in Bend. Levi at Therapeutic Associates has already got me set with a Orthopedic Surgeon at The Center when I arrive back in town. I am sure I will be getting my fill of therapy at Therapeutic's as well- pretty sure I strained some back and neck muscles in the crash as well. And of course, my boys down at Chiropractic Family Healthcare, Brad and Shad, to take care of my TWEAKED neck and back, as well as convincing me that there is probably something pretty funny about the situation. Those guys are hilarious, which actually scares me a bit cause it hurts a hell of a lot when I laugh.
So that is what I am up to now. I am definitely pretty disappointed, this trip was a pretty big sacrifice, and I have been putting in a lot of hard work. I was feeling really fit, and was looking forward to racing well at IM Australia. I keep telling myself that it all happens for a reason. That is what your supposed to say - right! Hopefully my recovery won't be long, and I will at least be able to get on the bike and the run soon, so please keep your fingers crossed for me, I would appreciate it. Well, hopefully the next update will include more good news- check ya later- Matt
Oh- Bye Australia!! I've loved my time here, and thanks to all the help from my Roomie Dave, and the Cunninghams - you have all been amazing at making me feel at home, and helping me out whenever it was needed. Oh, and Matty, thanks for the training, and Bend here ya come!! And thanks to Mom, for being my emergency travel agent, you are a huge help! We will get you your Australia trip soon- I promise!
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February 03, 2007
Ozz-Fest is on!!
So, here I am in Australia. Yep, I did it, I took 3 months off from my stressful job at Bend Bike N' Sport, and I am training in the beautiful Gold Coast. I am living in Burleigh heads and am about a mile from the beach, and it is beautiful. I love it here, the people are great and the training is awesome as well. I have been here for a week and a half and have just been riding a ton. Averaging about 60 miles a day, just trying to get my legs going again.
This place is a little different for riding, that rabbit or squirrel on the side of the road, "is that going to jump in front of me or not", you know the one. Ya, here its a wallabee, a tiny kangaroo- pretty cool. And that flock of pigeons, that darts out of the bush while your riding, and scares the "poop" out of you, ya those are parrots, red ones, green ones, fricken parrots, pretty cool. Oh, and they have this bird, that looks like a crow with white stripes, ya watch out it's not flying over you to check out your cool new kit, ya, it wants to pluck your eyes out!!
So things are different, but the same as well. Just training a lot, and trying to focus on getting fit for the long season ahead. I will be here for another 2 months training up for IM Australia. I will try and keep up to date with what is going on with me. Off for a run on the beach- matt
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January 20, 2006
VMG Bahamas Pro Triathlon Team
I am pleased to announce that I will be racing under the VMG banner again this year! I will be racing on the VMG Bahamas Pro Triathlon team. My fellow teammates are - Hillary Biscay, Charlene Waldner, Katja Schumaker, Richie Cunningham, and Bucky Schafer. I am excited to be racing alongside these racers because these are all great athletes, but more importantly, good people. I am very proud to be involved with this team, and to be able to represent all those involved in VMG. Check out their website at vmgbahamas
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June 28, 2005
Pacific Crest Half
I am just about recovered from my weekend. This weekend I raced at the Pacific Crest Half Iron locally in Sun River. It was a test race for me, on two points. One, to test my injury, to see how it was coming. And two, to learn how to really push the half iron distance( bike ride was 58) . Both tests went well, as I ran with virtually no pain, and I won the event in 4:16. I am very pleased as recent champions include two athletes I greatly respect, Steve Larsen and Matt Seeley.
I am now training up for Wisconsin Ironman, and next week I will race the Cascade Classic Stage race here in Bend in the 2-3 Category. Bend is treating me quite well, and I am enjoying the training and all the new people I am meeting. Off to go ride- enjoy the summer- Matt
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May 05, 2005
Big Move to Bend, OR
Well it is the day after my birthday and I find myself starting a new chapter in my life. Today I drove up to what I hope will be my home for quite a while, Bend, Oregon. I moved in with big brother Paul, who runs Trifuel.com. My goal is to train and race full time, and try and give this thing a solid go while I still can. I now can truly call myself a Poorfessional Triathlete. No, that is no typo, it is going to be a struggle, but one that I feel will be well worth it. Well I am off to get settled in. Look for updates here, and at Trifuel.com in the blogger pages.
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March 04, 2003
news
February 5th 2005
I know it has been too long since the last update, over six months!! Things are going really well with me, off season was really good, with plenty of much needed rest and important time spent with friends and family. Base training is going well, feeling really strong, and able to make through the winter without any major illness. (Knock on wood!!)
I am really excited for the upcoming season, I am going to be focusing on more distance racing, doing 2 Ironman races this year. I am also proud to announce that I am a part of the Ironman North America Professional racing team this year. I feel lucky to be a part of the team and am happy to be associated with the other athletes on the team as well. You can find more info about the team and other members at www.ironmannorthamerica.com.
Ironman Coeur d' Alene June 27, 2004
The day of my first ever Ironman started off like every other race this year, with an early rise. This day came with more nerves than any other this year, nerves due to the unknown of my first Ironman experience. So, I ate and I was off to the races!!
The race started in the beautiful Lake Couer d' Alene, clear and smooth, perfect conditions. With the horn, my nerves are gone, and time to go to work. I settle into a comfortable pace in third position when my nightmare of a swim begins at about 800 meters. At this point my calf cramped, so I fell back to 5th and try to settle in. Unfortunatley once it started there was no going back, 5th, to 8th, 8th turns to 10th, and by the second lap both legs were locked up, and I had to resort to pulling (not kicking) the last 1.2 miles of the swim in severe pain. This was definately the toughest swim I have ever had, simply due to the pain, and the first race I ever had to recieve assistance from the kayaks on course. (I stopped twice at the kayaks to try and unlock my calfs, with no success) But realizing that an Ironman is a long event I decided to see how the day unfolded.
So I exited the water in 30th place, in 54:54, about 5 minutes from where I should have ended up with no cramps. The pain lasted through the 1st transition which I hobbled through dragging my cramped left leg behind.
Getting onto the bike my legs relaxed and I found myself feeling good, but riding angry, due to the poor position I was left with due to a horrid swim. I pushed the first 30 miles quite hard so that I might catch the first group and try to pace off some of the stronger racers. In the first 30 miles I pulled myself from 30th to 6th, and tried to settle down into a more comfortable pace. I did pay for the effort a bit though, slowing significantly in miles 35-50.
After getting in those much needed calories, I was able to keep a steady pace for the entire second lap, never really slowing too much. The course was a good one for me, fairly flat and windy with a few climbs and some fairly technical sections. The difficult part for me was just staying motivated while riding out of sight of anyone for about 80% of the ride, this is mentally tough, just trying to keep a steady fluid pace. I entered the second transition area in 6th, only one minute of my goal bike split, with a 5:01:00.
Trying not to focus on the fact I had to run 26.2 miles, I started out my run, trying to hold a comfortable pace. After 2 miles I found my legs feeling fresh and ready to run. (for now at least) My first 5 miles were faster than my goal pace with an average of about 6:30 pace, and I decided to try and slow a little not knowing if I could run the distance at that pace. Keep in mind the longest I had ever run before this day was 2 hours, about 18 miles.
So, half way through the run that "fresh" feeling was long gone, and fatigue had set in on my mind and body. When asked by big brother Chris, "how are you feeling?", I always replied, "THIS IS HARD!!!" The second lap of the run was purely a mental challenge for me, keep eating, keep focused on hydration, keep cool, keep motivated, and most of all KEEP RUNNING!! I found myself in a haze, just surviving through the aid stations. For me it was aid station - 3 minutes of feeling cool and hydrated - 5 minutes of just keeping moving waiting for the next station, where water, oranges, and coke, were taken in as much as possible. With one mile to go I found my average pace slow from my first lap at 7:10, to my second lap average of 8:20.
My last 800 meters was very emotional for me. The whole day came back, all those times when I thought that I might not make it, and here I was in the finishing shoot!! My entire journey in triathlon came back to me as well, remembering that 240 lb guy watching his big brother race an Ironman in Hawaii, and here he was in his first one coming to the finish line in 8th place!! So I am a little embarrased to say a tear or two fell, but what are you gonna due? I am a big softy!
So the day ended in 9:21:58, with a 3:21 marathon. 8th place Overall, and 7th Professional. I was quite glad to be done, and not really wanting to do another one anytime soon. To my suprise I realized I had qualified to race at the World Championships on October 16th, in Kona, where my triathlon hopes had started 5 years prior!!! See you at the next one!! - Bigmatt
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