Archives for "Ironman Posts"

Today marked my last long bike ride of my Ironman training, 55 miles. Thinking back to almost a year ago that number would have been a very daunting. As it turns out 55 miles really became the norm versus the daunting number. As I rode this morning my thoughts turned to 7 days from now. I will be riding those hills surround Madison, WI, if everything goes to plan on the swim. In fact I finished around 1:30 pm and by that time I better be over half way on the bike.

This week will be a slow week as far as training maybe a short swim, a short ride and a short run just to keep those muscles moving, but mostly it is time to sit. This will be a big week for the gray matter between the ears. I have to admit the thought of not finishing is tucked away neatly back in some corner of the 40-watt light bulb. Unless the weather turns bad the biggest battle will be in my mind. Until I finish one of these races the doubt will be there, it is as simple as that.

I am ready, well as ready as I can be. I read other blogs and posts it does seem that there are people out there that have done more than me as far as time and miles, but most of those people have bigger aspirations finishing under the 11 hour mark. If/when I do another one of these I understand the time and miles will go up and there will need for a coach. But as I mentioned in past posts it was important to me to do this one on my own.

Looking at the clock as I type it is approaching 4 pm. You know if things go according to plan I should be almost done with the bike. I hope so, because there is only an hour left before the bike cut off. Then it is on to the 26.2 mile run or what is jokingly called the cool down.

I will be happy to put this behind me. Then it will be on to new and exciting chapters in this journey.

Totals:

Running Miles: 791.00

Number of Hours: 122:35

New shoes: 260.50 miles (for my record keeping)

Newest New shoes: 19 miles

Biking Miles: 1,843.00

Number of Hours: 108:55

Swimming Miles: 79.55 miles or 140,000 yards

Number of Hours: 34:30

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 5,410 lengths or 2,705 laps

Weightlifting hours: 26:00

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 305 hours and 25 minutes

I have notice it has been awhile since I posted something on the Ironman. That might have been a good idea because I am sure there are a few of you out there getting a little tired of hearing about this thing called an Ironman. Plus believe it or not I am actually getting a bit tired writing about it too, I wish it would get here already. So what to write about this time?

Ironman Louisville

Kim and I spent some time in Louisville last weekend. 1st it was a nice little vacation break from everything going on in our lives. 2nd I wanted to see an Ironman from a spectators point of view and to simply watch as the day progressed to the finish. The weekend started out with a unique feeling. It felt like I was dumped into some type of triathlete village. I wasn’t the odd one, we were all alike. I had a few conversations with people doing the race and when they found out I was there to support them and doing IMWI in two weeks the conversations really perked up. Kim was great all weekend we must have walked over 20 miles, but worse we stood for hours watching everything. Who knew standing could be so painful to ones feet and legs. On Saturday we also took in the Louisville Slugger museum, a place called Glass Works that allow you to make your own art out of glass (I made an IM logo sun catcher, surprised?!?) and we took in a AAA baseball game (Louisville Bats vs. the Toledo Mudhens). Walking 20 miles seemed to be impressive but with the baseball food, one large and wonderful sundae and lunch at Hooters it was a good thing we walked that far. Sunday was an early morning. It was already warm and humid as we walked to the swim start. Most Ironman’s start as a mass start, but this one had each participant jumping off a pier one by one. We really couldn’t see much so we walked along the river until we got to the swim finish. 45 minutes after the cannon went off the first guy was coming out of the water (this is very very fast) about 8 minutes later more swimmers started to come out. What I really enjoyed was watching the later swimmers (people like me). My first thought was I wonder what their thoughts were. I started to focus on peoples eyes. The eyes really do tell the story. Just by watching eyes you can tell if someone is having a good day or a bad day.

As most the of the swimmers were out of the water and on their bike, there really isn’t much for a spectator to do. So what did we do? We had ice cream and took a long nap. Hey someone had to do it and I do those two things very well. In fact I wonder if there is a race that… nah just a thought. We woke in time to watch the riders come in and I found myself doing the same thing. I watched their eyes. You could tell most were just happy to be off that bike after 112 miles. I started to hear there were a good number of people stopping on the bike and quitting. In some ways I can’t blame them it was over 90, the humidity was thick and there was no cloud cover. Kim and I waited to the bike cut off time and walked our way to the finish line. It amazing the the pros had already finished the race. I mean how can someone make something so difficult look so easy? Oh well I really wanted to see the “real” people and have Kim experience the pure joy of an Ironman finish. If those who read this come away with one thing in my experiences this is it. COME TO AN IRONMAN FINISH (8pm to midnight). You will see things that will inspire even the coldest heart. You have 17 hours to finish, the last finisher 16 hours, 59 minutes and 45 seconds. Truly remarkable! It still hasn’t sunk in that will be me in 10 days. Well I walked away getting out what I wanted, which was inspiration. Thank you to all the finishers at Louisville. The weather made a tough race even tougher, you are truly IRONMAN!

The other reason I haven’t written a post in awhile… I have been thinking (here are just a few of my thoughts).

Has it really been almost a year since I signed up for the Ironman? As the days drag by I can say what happened to the last 360 or so days?

People ask me how long will it take? My response has been I paid for 17 hours, I should use all 17 hours. Truthfully I am not sure how long it will take me. It is my first, my goal is to finish but it would be nice to finish sooner than later.

How often does one get to stare down the biggest thing one has ever decided to take on? I have been staring at this for almost a full year. It has changed me. I am a better person. Seriously, how many can say this? If you have been following me and all these posts, THIS IS THE BIGGEST THING I HAVE EVER TAKEN ON IN MY LIFE! I don’t mean to be dramatic, but this is so much bigger than me.

I am about to join a great family of people. Sure there are a few boneheads out there but doesn’t every family have a bonehead or two?

I talk about this being a journey and sadly this chapter is about to close but it is only a chapter, the book continues. It has been an interesting chapter to say the least. Starting with my weight loss and finishing up being an Ironman closes this chapter perfectly.

Live in the moment! No four words have become more important in my life. You can’t worry about the past because the past is past. You can’t worry about the future because it hasn’t happened yet. You can only control right now, make the right decisions and the future will be bright.

So in 10 days I will take on the biggest single event in my life. Will there be more? Sure hope so, because this journey has just begun!

Totals:

Running Miles: 779.50

Number of Hours: 120:55

New shoes: 260.50 miles (for my record keeping)

Newest New shoes: 7.5 miles

Biking Miles: 1,788.00

Number of Hours: 105:40

Swimming Miles: 78.54 miles or 138,238 yards

Number of Hours: 34:00

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 5,350 lengths or 2,675 laps

Weightlifting hours: 26:00

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 301 hours and 00 minutes

As I approached mile 15 I heard it. What did I hear? Well I tell you what I heard in a moment.

21 days? Really? I remember when it was in the 360’s. Boy this year has gone by so fast. All I have left is 21 days, WOW! 21 days marks a very important point in my Ironman training, it is taper time. What is a taper? Well this is the start of doing less miles in the pool, on the bike and on foot so the body can recover from the punishment I put it through during the training. Looking back that was a long year. I know I just said it was interesting how quick it went, but it is my blog so I can have it both ways.

On to today.

It was important to finish this portion of the training with a milestone. I already had a few swimming milestones, swimming 4,500 yards (2.5 miles) is up there along with swimming the actual IM course in Madison. The milestones on the bike include the few 100 milers and the numerous times riding the loop in Madison. I didn’t really have a milestone for my running. Sure I have countless runs above 10 miles, but a milestone moment? Not really. So a milestone was important!

Today I actually had a running partner! Katie Nelson is her name. I know Katie because she is one of the swim master coaches that has taught me so much in the pool. She is in training for her 1st marathon at the end of September, today it just happened to be her long run of 16 miles. We agreed to meet at Springbook, a park here in the Naperville, IL area. This park has a marked 5 1/2 mile crushed stone trail and I was looking forward to the change of pace from my normal run. That being said we both agreed to run at a turtle pace, we kept to our word and it really turned out to be a wonderful time.

So we started out on the 1st of three laps. Not training with anyone this year I found it exciting to have someone next to me. We haven’t seen much of each other lately, so the 1st lap was mostly getting caught up. We breezed through the 1st lap holding a 9:30 mile pace. The other benefit of running was the number of other people on the path, including bumping into other people I knew. It was nice to see Luanne and Dar. 5 1/2 miles done.

As we started the second loop the conversation turned more to our soon to be big challenges. Katie and her marathon and well you know mine. The pace slowed a bit somewhere around the 9:45 mile pace, but we didn’t seem to mind because of the conversation. Lap 2 done 11 miles in 5 1/2 to go.

On to the third lap, still feeling fresh (ish) we headed out but the conversation dropped off a bit. You could tell the suffering was starting to build. One of us would chime in from time to time, but we kept on plugging on. Pace slowed to 10 minute miles but we did stop or start to walk yet. As I approached mile 15 I heard it. Everything disappeared. I found myself running in Madison! I was somewhere near the last mile of the marathon. It was dark, I was was sweaty and very tired. I started to hear this rumbling and it grew louder and louder. The rumble was the crowd, hundreds, no thousands of people cheer for all the finishers running through the finishers shoot and now it was my turn. I was giving high fives to everyone moving from side to side of the running course. THEN I HEARD IT. Mike Reily the Ironman announcer said those magical words I have been working so hard for… JIM RISTOW… YOU ARE AN IRONMAN! I am not sure how long I was in Madison but it made the entire run worth it. We finished 16 miles, slowed to a walk and walked in the last 1/2 mile as a cool down.

I thanked Katie for helping me, because there was no way I would have run the entire 16 miles without walking from time to time. So she will have a special place in my thoughts as I travel through the 140.6 mile course. She will never know how much this morning meant to me.

I was tired but inspired so as I bid Katie good-bye I told I was off to do one more lap. Yes, another 5 1/2 miles. Just me, no iPod, just my thoughts. I filled up my water bottles and I was off to shuffle. What a difference without a running partner, let’s just say I walked. I noticed a few runners walking so I would run up to them, slowed to a walk and ask if they like some company and they all said yes. The best part about this was I got to hear their stories. Some were out just because, but many where training for a 1/2 marathon or a full marathon. I’d listen to them and I heard a lot of doubt that I had been going through lately. As time went by they asked me what marathon was I training for and I said Madison. They would pause and most knew the Madison marathon is in May. I’d go on to say the marathon was part of the Ironman. The response I got was of amazement, shock or inspiration. I told them not to be amazed because if I can do it, anyone could and their race they are training for is just as amazing to me.

Well I finished the 4th loop went through the mile marker that signified 22 miles (actually mile marker 5.5 for the 4th time) and I stopped and had a big smile. A couple of runners that I talked to caught up with me and said it was an  honor running with an Ironman. I had to say thanks, but I am not an Ironman yet, but SOON!

After today soon! I know I heard Mike Reily say it.

Totals:

Running Miles: 751.80

Number of Hours: 115:35

New shoes: 241.50 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,788.00

Number of Hours: 105:40

Swimming Miles: 76.84 miles or 135,238 yards

Number of Hours: 33:05

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 5,230 lengths or 2,615 laps

Weightlifting hours: 26:00

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 294 hours and 40 minutes

As I send this out it will be somewhere near the three week mark before the big day. I do feel a change, I seem to be more on edge and looking for any support I can get. I continue to be amazed on how many people are actually following me through this journey and now most are stepping up and giving me the needed emotional support. What I find interesting is how many are simply throwing back the advice I give them to help make their lives better. Huh, maybe I should listen to what comes out of my pie hole once in awhile. That being said, thank you to all and this is the time when I need you the most.

Staying in the moment is the goal for the next three weeks, this can be practice for using that thought come race day. Staying in the moment means I can’t change the past, I can’t worry about the future because both just wasted energy. What I can do is focus on now. Mentally is the biggest Ironman challenge at least for me. As I have mentioned before physically it will hurt all day, but it will be the positive thoughts that will carry me through the day.

I need to slow things down and do things that take my mind off the pain.

A drill I will practice in the last weeks is to be more aware of my surrounds.

Listen. Listen to my breathing, listen to the crowd, listen to everything. Listening will help pass the time and help to better visualize what is happening around me.

Look. Notice everything. Take it all in. I will never have another 1st time doing an Ironman. Maybe I have mentioned this is the biggest thing I have ever done in my life and I really don’t want to miss anything.

Feel. As the race moves forward feel how my body is reacting to the day. Start at the head and work my way down to the toes. Feel the sensation of pushing yourself to the limit and just when I don’t think I have anymore, feel myself pushing past those limits. Feel the wind in my face, the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the night air.

Visualize: To visualize one and only one goal, running down that finishers shoot and hearing Mike Riley say “Jim Ristow you are an Ironman!”

I have learned so much about myself during this process. I knew going I this was the most difficult experience of my life, but what I didn’t realize was how much I was going to learn about myself leading up to the race. Lessons learned that I plan to use moving forward in life. Learning to experience life. Enjoy the idea of passing along what I have learned to others that are looking to better themselves. The Ironman is more than a 140.6 mile race, I will come out of this a different person. A better person. A more humbled person. A person that looks to make others better if they are looking and searching like I have been on this journey.

Now as the day approaches, please keep in mind I might go off the deep end from time to time. I am thankful to have family and friends surrounding me and coming to my side to help. As always I have an open invitation for all to come up to Madison on September 12 and experience this for themselves. Will you want to sign up for an Ironman? Maybe (ask me before you do)? But there is a very good chance you will see something amazing and just might stick in that gray matter between your ears.

Totals:

Running Miles: 729.80

Number of Hours: 111:20

New shoes: 219.50 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,725.00

Number of Hours: 101:40

Swimming Miles: 76.84 miles or 135,238 yards

Number of Hours: 33:05

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 5,230 lengths or 2,615 laps

Weightlifting hours: 26:00

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 286 hours and 25 minutes

Well this weekend taught me plenty. How do these numbers sound to you? 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 14.3 mile run… Those who have followed these posts might notice these numbers are very similar to a 1/2 Ironman. So you would think I might be excited about those numbers as the Ironman is just right around the corner. Well let’s take this step by step and I will give myself a grade at the end.

Saturday: Goal 112 miles on the official bike course. Result 56 miles. What happened? Right off the bat I really wasn’t into it. It was all between the ears and that affected the whole day. I was slow I was sluggish and basically not a happy camper. No excuses just pointing out facts, two roads on the course were recently covered with stones and tar. A common tactic on country roads. Then over week’s the traffic mash this down fixing all the bumps in the road. Not easy to ride on a bike, you literally slide and when you add in downhills that you could easily reach 40+ mph it is a bit unnerving. To make things worse at the bottom of the first of these torn up roads there he was a biker lying in the middle of the road from a major wipe out. He was getting emergency help but the picture stayed with me for the rest of the day. Second point I went out with a ride and once again this person was way better than me. It does get a little disheartening when everyone you ride with is not just a little better, but a lot better.

The fix? Physically there isn’t much I can do to improve with 27 days left. Loosing a few pounds might help but that is splitting hairs. So I think I am going to look toward technology and installing a new cassette (the back spiky thing where you chain goes around with all the gears.) I have been told many times if I get a certain cassette it may help climbing hills.

Grade: C, I have rode 100 miles twice, I have rode the 42 mile loop 4 times that gives me the confidence to complete the ride portion. It will simply come down, to nutrition, my mental state and of course the hills.

Sunday: Let’s just say I needed some redemption.

Run: Goal a run around Lake Monona, according to the hotel map 14.3 miles. I woke up early and was out the door by 6 am. The weather turned cool and there was a breeze coming off the lake. A huge difference from the last week or two. So it started out well and it got better. Lake Monona stayed to my right throughout the run. The run started with one of the best sunrises I have ever seen on a run. As the sun rose above the lake there were just enough clouds that help shoot out these amazing sun rays. The run got better! As I ran I felt refreshed, strong and I had a smile. The reason? I think running in a new place instead of the same route at home had something to do with it and running just for the joy of running also had something to do about it. I have mentioned several times, when I swim, bike and run with no expectations the result usually is very positive. Running through the neighborhoods, catching cool breezes off the lake and glimpses of the capitol building made the time go by. As I finished the 14.3 miles I looked at my watch and it said 1:58:46!

The fix? Mental, Mental, Mental. There probably won’t be much left in the tank as I start the 26.2 mile run. Even just doing the marathon alone I have never been that good at, so how well will I do after 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike ride? You guessed right if you are saying it will be extremely difficult. Mental, mental, metal.

Grade: A+, I couldn’t have asked for a better run. Did I do 14.3 miles under 2:00? I think the map was a little fudged but I will take it.

Swim: Unexpectedly there was a organized swim in Lake Monona with the actual course set up, so I couldn’t pass this up. After my run, I gathered my swimming stuff and I was off to the lake. At the very least this would give me a rare open water swim, better it would give me an idea how I was going to do in the race. I never really thought I would swim the full 2.4, so doing 1.2 was fine and once again I learned many things. Swimming 1.2 miles in open water is a totally different planet compared to swimming it in a pool. You take it for granted that in a pool it is 25 yards, stop turn around 25 yards stop turn around and so on. Not in a lake and those buoys are very far apart. Second no clear water and no line on the floor to guide you. At best I could only see as far as my outstretched arm and hand. But here was the biggest thought of the day. On race day there will be 2,600 of us swimming the course, today I was out there by myself. I was never in any real danger, but when you are way out there far from land, by yourself it is just plain wrong. Every fiber in your body is screaming this is wrong! So that was the unexpected part of the day. Here I was a small dot in a very large lake, boats zooming around, water who knows how deep, let’s just say it was very interesting that I missed all those elbows and knees that I will be battling on race day. The second odd item, I was getting a headache from the swim cap and goggles being to tight. That has never happened and there really is no way of fixing that out there. It happened around at the 3/4 mark of the first lap. So to play it safe I stopped after one lap. My first thought once I got back on the ground… I HAVE TO DO A SECOND LOOP? OH MY…

The fix? As far as the cap and goggles, knowing that has never happened before, practice swimming in the pool with a cap so I get used to it might help. As far as the second loop, what was it about the run again? Oh yea, mental, mental, mental.

Grade: Incomplete, I have not done 2.4 miles in open water so this will remain a mystery until race day.

This weekend was an interesting weekend. Filled with highs and lows, filled with uncertainty and doubt, filled with hope and determination. Looking behind, I have no regrets on my training. I purposely did it on my own. That might come back to bite me, but the finish will be that much sweeter. If/when I do another one of these, then I can look to a coach if I am looking to improve. Looking ahead, there is still work to be done. In the coming days I need to get in at least 2 runs past 16 miles. Look to technology as a helpful tool to help me on the bike and those stupid hills. It might be nice to loose a couple of more pounds before the race, knowing that will be less to carry around for 140.6 miles.

The biggest challenge that still faces me, how to control the gray matter between the ears? It is simple, physically there is not much more I can do in 27 days. I have a pretty good hold on what I am going to eat and drink come race day. The simple fact is how my day is going to go is directly related to how I handle my thoughts and how I react to those thoughts throughout the day.

Totals:

Running Miles: 719.30

Number of Hours: 109:35

New shoes: 209.00 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,686.00

Number of Hours: 98:25

Swimming Miles: 76.84 miles or 135,238 yards

Number of Hours: 33:05

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 5,230 lengths or 2,615 laps

Weightlifting hours: 26:00

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 281 hours and 35 minutes

How does one celebrate 30 days to his Ironman? Why he goes on a 112 mile bike ride! Yikes! I remember the days when I thought riding 30 miles was far. I must be nuts!

Totals:

Running Miles: 695.00

Number of Hours: 105:55

New shoes: 184.70 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,630.00

Number of Hours: 94:55

Swimming Miles: 75.64 miles or 133,120 yards

Number of Hours: 32:25

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 5,158 lengths or 2,579 laps

Weightlifting hours: 26:00

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 273 hours and 45 minutes

Well folks believe it or not I am entering the final stretch. It really doesn’t seem to long ago that I started this goal. 35 days, or one month and 5 days for the right to brag for the rest of my life.

The Naperville Triathlon officially marks the home stretch. I like this triathlon because it is close, I don’t have to leave at 2 am to get there and there is no overnight hotel expense. This was my 4th year doing it and it amazing how many people I know. In a major way that is more important than my results because it is nice to see people embracing a healthier and fitter lifestyle. Many remind me of who I was a short 4 years ago. I encourage anyone to come down a watch one of these events. Believe it or not the majority of people are not the uber-triathletes that think their poop doesn’t smell. Most are people like you and me. We just want to do our best, enjoy a great morning with fellow like minded people. You will be amazed on how many shapes and sizes you will see at a race like this.

To all my friends (many 1st timers or people who have come back to the sport) congrats and welcome to the tri family. I hope you catch the bug like me and enjoy the benefits of this sport. I am proud to be a small part of your experience and I hope you encourage more to join our journey.

OK now onto the results:

• 2009 1:20:22
• 2008 1:20:31
• 2007 1:29:40

This year 1:18:29, it is hard to believe I have taken more than 10 minutes off my time since my 1st race. So did I win? No, the winner was somewhere near the 58 minute mark, so I have a ways to go. I did finish 336 out of 1593 overall, 39 out of 120 in my age group, 283 out of 889 in the male category and 9 out of 31 44-year olds (I know I am only 43, but that is how it works.)

• Swim – 8:42 slower than last year, but they actually made it a 400 meter course this year versus the guessing they have done in years past. It needs to be a 1:30 faster.
• Transition 1 (T1)  - 3:31 a few seconds better. It could easily be a minute faster.
• Bike – 39:08 or 21.0 mph or same as last year. It is possible to take a few minutes off the race, just by going 22 mph.
• T2  -1:42 and I am OK with that, actually a few seconds faster than last year.
• Run – 25:29 or 8:14 minute miles. Now to the non-runner that might seem pretty good, but the run continues to be my weakness. I was almost three minutes faster this year, but I continue to get past by so many people running under 8 minute miles. So if I could take another minute off this time that would be great.

So if you add it up and if I improve for next year’s race I hope to take 6 minutes and 30 seconds off my time and I believe I get bumped up to the 45-49 age group (man that is sad) I would finish 175 overall and 19 in my age group. Little improvements really move you up the ladder. We will see.

For now everything is focused on the Ironman! As mentioned 35 days. One last big week of training and a slow taper for three weeks until the big day. That does not mean I stop swimming, biking and running, I just cut the milage back week by week.

As usual I continue to put out the invitation for people to come up and see this event. Not just because I would enjoy the support, but you will see things that will amaze you. I understand this will be a day or two out of your busy schedules but if I think back to last year when I volunteered I witnessed things that were life changing and if not life changing definitely inspirational. The day starts early at 7 am and will go all the way to midnight. So yes it will be a long day and you might need to get a hotel for a night or two, but it is worth it. There are only a few moments in one’s life that we as humans forget about politics, religion, race, sex and so on and simply enjoy life and this is one of those moments!

Totals:

Running Miles: 673.40

Number of Hours: 102:40

New shoes: 163.10 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,630.00

Number of Hours: 94:55

Swimming Miles: 72.23 miles or 127,120 yards

Number of Hours: 30:25

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 4,918 lengths or 2,459 laps

Weightlifting hours: 25:35

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 268 hours and 25 minutes

My last few posts have been a bit on the serious side lately, so I decided to lighten it up a bit.

I have run almost 650 miles or if I run out my front door I wouldn’t stop until I get to Oklahoma City, OK.

I have rode almost 1,620 miles so from my house to Reno, NV

I have swam 70 miles so that would be one long pool. My house to Racine, WI.

Totals:

Running Miles: 646.30

Number of Hours: 98:25

New shoes: 141.40 miles (for my record keeping)

Biking Miles: 1,616.70

Number of Hours: 94:15

Swimming Miles: 70.97 miles or 124,900 yards

Number of Hours: 29:45

Swimming laps (25 yard pool): 4,828 lengths or 2,414 laps

Weightlifting hours: 25:35

Stairs in Cancun: 1:05

1 pathetic game of volleyball: 1 hour

TOTAL HOURS – 263 hours and 10 minutes