The Giant Eagle Triathlon tragedy. Well, near tragedy.

Sunday, July 29th, 2013 started out like no other in my life. My first triathlon.

It was approximately 12 hours beforehand, time started picking up and I started getting anxious, nervous, worried I had forgot something. Typical prerace jitters. So I thought. But I did forget a few things. I decided I need to make a special trip to Transition 2 to drop them off before heading to Alum Creek State Park. I packed my gear, and went to promptly to bed where I would then spend more time on that life sucking invention called Facebook. (You thought I would say Candy Crush didn't you? Tsk tsk)

I didn't fall asleep till 11ish, and in the blink of an eye, my 330a alarm went off. So I went back to Facebook (Addicted, unfortunately) where I found fellow RunDMCer and triathlete Mel K. on as well. After a little bit of chatting, I offered her a ride from T2 to ACSP.

The car ride conversation with Mel helped calm me a little. As the morning went on, slowly, I did start to relax.

Later, I ran into Jeff H., who also gave me a bit of a pep talk, some guiding words about the swim and race overall.

I stood for a bit watching the elites go, getting an idea of swimming in a group down, and understanding the course. Around 7a, I decided I should go get changed, find out where the wife was and how long till she arrived, which she already had. I changed, took a couple practice swims, and took some deep breaths. 

The Swim

7:39a. It's go time. We rush out. Everyone starts dropping to the swim, early in my opinion, but I'm the last one still standing. So I swim. I'm blocked, three people in front of me, someone is right on me behind, I have nowhere to go, I'm 50m in. I stop to gather my bearings for a moment, make a plan, and go to stand on the ground, I started to sink. I tread up. I can't touch the ground.

I can't touch the ground.

Heart rate increases.

I can't touch the ground.

Heart rate increases.

Then it sets in. Panic. I can't touch the ground. I try swimming for a buoy to grab on to, but I can't catch my breath enough to get my head under to make a positive swim motion. I'm taking in water.

I'm losing my grip on the situation. Can't swim, can't touch, can't breath, now treading has left me and I'm starting to flail and the words "I can't do this" fall from my lips. Did that just happen? I thought. I try yelling for help, but the kayaks can't hear me. 

I haven't even made the first turn yet, I look back towards shore, and I don't know what to do. The panic is getting worse. 

I try to swim again. Still can't breath, and out of pure instinct via training, I flipped to my backstroke. AIR! Positive swim motion(barely)!

<This is the part when Scotty says "she cannae take much more of this, Captain", then Kirk finds a way>

After regaining some composure, I flip back to the breast stroke and start alternating, until my hand hits something. A kayaker made me, and tossed his buoy.

I was so thankful for this moment to just recapture some vague semblance of a plan. He paddled beside me as I swam and handed me off to the care of the next kayaker, as I bounced between breast and back strokes with more breaks than I intended for, which was a trend for about the next 400m+.

Giving myself a 30-35min window for this swim, I was utterly disgusted with myself, I just kind of strolled uncomfortably out of the water where my wife stood snapping pictures. 

I asked her what time it was, she told me I was at 28 minutes.

<Ahem> WAT???

I checked my phone, and sure enough, it's true.

I came apart. My mental armor was shredded by water. My conscious mind begged for mercy. My unconscious side, though, snuck in one quick right hook, and it changed the game. 

The Ride

After plodding along a long first transition, my confidence was rebuilding, it was time to give the Enterprise her first real test.

Yes, I named my bike the Enterprise, and there is a Kirk at the helm of this one as well.

Going into this event, I told myself, I was going to push, and push hard. Give it everything I have while I have it. So on the bike, I am going to pedal like I have never pedaled before. And I did.

Out of the gate, I am playing with the shifters, getting a better feel for the speed and climb abilities. Then I caught up to a biker, and passed them. And again. And again.

I catch up to one biker whom I pass, barely, but she keeps pace behind me. I then need a short break, so I succeed the spot back to her, and I keep pace with her. After a couple miles following her, we start catching up to groups of bikers, and she slowed to prepare to pass. I kicked it up a gear and as I passed her, I told her I was passing, but now sure how long it would last.

I kicked it up another gear and it lasted. Without any hope for her.

Somewhere on the northern stretch of Indianola, hunger started setting in, and I realized I hadn't packed anything to counter that. 

Comfortably, I can pedal at a 13-14mph pace. I don't ride very often, I really relied on my running to carry me through the bike. I miscalculated my distance when figuring out my window for finish. Thinking I had 15 miles, I gave myself a 55-65min window to finish. 68 min later, I finished 18.5 miles with a 15.9mph, topping 25mph in the final five miles (gotta use those downhills to your advantage). 

Entering Transition 2, I started to tear up. Considering where I was an hour and a half ago, and I'm now entering my strong suit. I'm feeling good. Dismount.

OH! JELLY LEGS!! Don't fall down, don't fall down!

The Easy Part, The Run

Water bottle? Check.

Visor? Check.

Armband? Check.

Kilt? Oh yeah. Check check.

Time to go. Not very far.

There's nothing like starting on a hill. I needed a walk before I reached the top. The legs were tired, and my inside lower quads were stiffening up bad and quick. The first mile and a half progressively became worse with my quads. I had to stop and stretch, others going by encourage me to keep going, and I can do it. When I got up, a woman scooped me up and started giving advice to loosen my upper body to loosen the lower. It helped, albeit briefly. I stopped and did a more intense stretch, and when I got up, another woman, Ali, was there to get me. We conversed, and I started to forget about my problem. We made a deal to push each other to the finish. It was then, RIGHT then, she started having my quad pains, so I helped her stretch through them, she offered a spare Gu, and while I'm not a huge fan of them, I couldn't accept it quick enough. Entering the last half mile, Ali is really struggling, and I start landmarking her to assure the finish is near. I ask when she wants to finish strong, she replied "when we can see the finish". I pointed down the street, where the finishing chute awaited, and with a quiet "oh", we were off. 

It was at this moment I realized that I forgot about my quads. I hadn't had a problem sonce she gave me the Gu. I exploded away from her, like I had a fresh pair of legs.

The moment I was waiting for had finally come.

The Union Station Archway. I wanted to make this race my first Tri for this moment.

I gave a 28-30 min window for my run, but I finished in 33. Considering the trouble I had, I don't think that is too bad for me.

Oh, then I finished, "first in the kilt division" as always, per Dave B., but this time, with "extra style points".

The Recap

All in all, I have my self a 1:53-2:10 window to finish. And since I forgot to include my nine plus minutes in transition, I'd say I... NAILED IT! 2:19:26! Actually I was :17s over but nonetheless, I finished and that's what matters!

I am truly happy I finished this race, I am. But what happened in the water worries me.

My mind overrode everything and wanted to quit from fear. I looked to the shore for an escape. I yelled to the kayaks for an escape. I didn't train well enough and then forgot my training altogether. Thankfully I spent a lot of time recently practicing my flip from breast to backstroke, and instinct took over. Between that and the kayakers offering a bouy, I would be in a much worse place right now.

I now know what needs work, where I need more training, fortifying, grace under fire.

My URL (from the ashes arose) and blog title(the Phoenix) take better meaning after this race. 

I found some flaws.

My armor had cracked.

I was temporarily disabled.

My next race begins now.

If a picture is worth a thousand words...

Then let this be the first novel in my series. Press play please...

As far back as I am attempting to go for now, 01.06.2010

Vegas, 08.2010

Christmas 2010

This is my dad and grampa, who just passed away, so he gets props in here too.

Love you, Pops!

First day in NOBO, 6.24.11 (326lbs)

First 5K 8.13.2011 (296lbs)

My pahdnah, Tori

And the whole NOBO gang

Nashville, 8.16.2011. I'm turrified of heights, but I still crossed the pedestrian bridge to LP Field and back

First 10K 9.18.2011 (284lbs) 

Erie Orchards 10.2011 (276lbs)

Go ahead. Go look at Vegas again. I'll wait...

Virtual 10K 11.5.2011 (272lbs)

Smoke The Turkey 5K 11.24.2011 (267lbs) with longtime family friends Mike and his daughter Jenny

And lastly, First on the 1st 5k (272lbs stoopid holidays)

Also was my first finisher's medal and first with my babygirl

As of June 21st 2011, I was 326 lbs.
As of February 10th 2012, I am 259 lbs

Hey Indiana, we have a problem...

"And if you complain once more, you will meet an army of me"




On June 21st, 2011, I was 326 lbs.
As of January 13th, 2012, I am 269 lbs.

I have hit a rough patch the size of Indiana. I have excuses all over the place, but my lack of progress is my own doing. But I need to vent at this exact moment, SO-

A. I can't find a job. I have applied to several welding jobs but all I hear is how unqualified I am. I had a temp service call me up and say they had my resume, and we're wondering if I was still looking for a welding job. YUP! So I drive a half hour south to see them, create an online account, fill out online application, online skills and abilities worksheet, online personality quiz, and anything else I can possibly fill out online to save them some actual paperwork. After ALL of that. I had to redo every single effing thing... ON PAPER!! Anyway, they had my resume in hand and called me. After about hour and a half filling and refilling out info, they give me a drug screen, and finally the interview. It was a short interview. I didn't have the qualifications for any of their available jobs. Thanks for coming down though.
... What?
For the previous year, I was a prized welder on 2nd shift a steel mill. They needed three welders to replace me. So I applied at a steel mill here that was looking for 2nd shift welders. Not. Effing. Qualified.
WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE???

B. Trying to go back to school, working on financial aid, they want a copy of my taxes to verify income. I got my loans out of default, and the school tells me I need a letter of good standing from the lender. OK. Lender says go to this page, print this off, it's exactly what you need. OK. I take it to the school. No, we need a actual letter stating that you are in good standing. NOT OK. I look at the sheet, then ask this says I am in repayment. Doesn't that mean good standing? She says no, that just means you are making payments on your loan (Really? Thanks for the clarification). I say check the NSLDS site, the site that told you I am in default, it will tell you I'm not on default. She says they can't check it (WTF?). I then reverify, 'But you will check to verify I am IN default though?' Yes. I was being sarcastic. So I call the lender. We repeat the entire conversation above, and walk back in to talk to them again. Him in one ear, we are both listening to her and he starts laughing on the phone about the situation. LAUGHING because there is nothing you can say to stupid. I managed to get over them to their director, she apologized and couldn't answer why the letter I had that showed I was in repayment wasn't clear enough for her staff. Well thank you for your help.
Just when I think all is clear, now I have to take ANOTHER copy of my taxes RE-VERIFY my income with the school.
WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE???

C. I, for the first time in my life, have been kicked out of a restaurant. Why you might ask? Well allow me to present the conversation to you.
Server- Welcome to Black Sparrow, do you guys need food menus?
Me- No I think we know what we want.
S- Oh. Ok. What can I get you to drink?
M- Two diets please.
S- Can I see your ID's?
M- I'm sorry?
S- I need to see your ID's.
M- I actually left mine at home. Are you seriously ID'ing us for diet cokes?
S- If you don't have it you can't be here.
M- Are you kicking us out?
S- Yup.
WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE???

I was walking across a parking lot road today. Three steps in a I hear a car speed up. I look to my left, and here comes a mom with her son in the passenger seat fly by, mirror less than two feet from me. Really, mom? REALLY???

The gas company will fire employees who walk into houses where dogs aren't confined in a cage or separate room. You're kidding right? No. No he wasn't. He was one foot off the porch talking to me to clarify for whoever (if anyone) was watching.

I was informed to join the Wabash Runners club or whatever it is called. Please someone, is that thing serious? It is a organized meeting point without a meeting time. They meet Saturday's. Some at 6, some at 8, others come at 10 or 12. What good does that do? I want to train with people, not gallop aimlessly through a morning probably by myself.

Went to get my license information switch to this state. I needed my old ID (got it), two proofs of current address (got one), insurance info(got it), registration and title(got them), to take a written exam(I'm sorry, come again?), around $200 for my plates (they could not produce an actual price for me) that would expire in June and another $20+ for my license. You know what? I'll keep my Ohio stuff going. It isn't worth the hassle for six months of living.

WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE???
Except our landlords. They rock. Seriously. I will take them out to dinner before we evacuate this hole.
But this time I am not thinking what might be wrong with me this time? No. Not anymore.

For 28 years of my life, it has been a pledge in my heart to escape Ohio. Most of that 28 spent in Toledo, I thought the Midwest was in a terminal state. Flee to Texas, they are all about making money there. Jobs are bountiful. Or to the Atlantic or gulf coast for shipbuilding, the navy will always want ships. Anything that wasn't Ohio was good for me. Then we finally took that first step, out of Toledo and down to Columbus. Our goal was Austin TX. This was a good start.
Or was it?
Every day we were there, we felt more relaxed, more alive, more welcomed, and just happier.

A lot of you know, I am in no way a buckeye fan. I was happy to see their misery. In NW Ohio, I think the central Ohioans don't realize, there are some(and by some I mean ALOT) raging, blood thirsty, I would choose OSU over Christianity if the ultimatem arose and shoot Jesus if he didn't agree with me, crazy Buckeye fans (they shaped my dislike for the school as a child). If they ever declared an actual war, Michigan and Ohio State, to start at noon on the third Saturday in November, the war in NW Ohio would be over at midnight the night before, OSU fans would bathing in UM blood giggling like little schoolgirls.
This past week, I have constantly reintroducing myself in school, stating we moved here from Columbus OH. GIANT COLLECTIVE GROAN from each class.
Damn Purdon't Boilermakers.
So I come home and tell the wife about the collective groans from the classes and she ask why they did it.
Me- Purdon't is right down the street, and around here, they don't like our kind.
Her- 'Our kind'?
Me- Aw poopytrip.
Her- Was that a Freudian slip I just heard?
Me- ... Eff.
Well. There it is. I want to go back to Ohio. Badly. We no longer want Texas, or a coast. We want the heart of the heartland.
Guess I better get running. No, scratch that. Too cold and windy. P90X. Yeah buddy!

If you havent already, please visit /51pounds and like the page. The epic battle between the King and the Captain is about to heat up now that the holidays are over!

Corey King vs Stuart Kirk: 51 lb Punchout

Since leaving Columbus, some of my motivation has drained. I think. Or maybe winter is setting in and I am having trouble adjusting my workout. But, none the less, some things are meant to be.

I introduce to you Corey W. King.

Long time friend, growing comedian, Toledo radio personality, and suffering congestive heart failure, liver disease and had a heart attack early last year.

I recently became the very satisfied and proud owner of a iPhone 4S and was unaware of the damage to my contact list that was caused by leaving Android. I am missing a lot of numbers, and I have a lot of very old numbers for some people, including Corey.

We hadn't spoke in awhile, I had three numbers for him, and two email addresses, so I sent something to all of them to find out where he was. One was a land line, one said wrong number and the third... had a pretty choice message for me to deliver when I did find him.

So I took the easy way and message him through Facebook. Within moments he responded. We dispatched pleasantries, I relayed the watered down message to him, and broke into the weight loss discussion. After his heart attack, Corey's doctor informed him, as every well payed doctor should, "You should lose weight"(Thanks Doc! How much do I owe you?).

At 306 pounds, it wasn't a decision. It was fight. If he loses, he pays the ultimate price. If he wins, he gets the ultimate gift, a gift that most take for granted. One that he and I both took for granted.

As we continued texting, he asks me what my goal is, and before I can finish typing my response, he calls me.

Corey "So what is your goal?"

"200. You?"

C "220. How do you feel about putting money on it? First to make their goal? Maybe like $50"

"That could work. Any reason?"

C "I work harder when money is involved, and seeing as how I would have to borrow it from my girlfriend, I don't want to owe her money, I would definitely work harder."

"OK. Lets make it $100 then.?"

C "Ummm, OK."

"We need to set parameters? How about we play to 51 lbs since that's all you need?"

C "That works. No surgeries. Also I think the bet should be void if either of us lose a limb, kind of an unfair advantage if you have one less limb to account for."

"Yes. Good call. No supplements either"

C "Deal."

And so begins my revitalized journey.

As of June 21st, I was 326 lbs.

Today, December 3rd, I am 268 lbs.

So today I begin the 51 Pounds Punchout Challenge (click the link, like the page, go ahead and friend me while you are at it!). My goal is to win it by my fourth wedding anniversary on June 14th, 2012. 

See you at the finish line, Corey!

Kirk out.

Goodbye Columbus. Hello... Not... Columbus... I miss you already!

An pictoral Ode To Antrim(mostly) and Columbus will be displayed throughout this post.

As of June 21st, I was 326 lbs.

Today, November 9th, I am 272 lbs.

It's been a month since my last post, but it has been a hairy month since then. A huge staple to my progress, NoBo/MIT, the city of Columbus, and the amazing and helpful people, such as Chelsea, Susan and Tori, have been removed (hopefully temporarily). The Wife and I have moved to Lafayette In. and, while nice, it doesn't have the quality of life that Columbus does.

That's OK. My journey isn't about the city, it's about me

BUT this particular blog IS about the city.

Don't skip ahead, but right before I moved, the last picture in this blog was my last sunrise in Columbus, and a friend told me 'Don't worry. Indiana has sunrises too.' Dude... you're not a runner, you wouldn't understand a Antrim sunrise like a runner does. Just because Indiana has a sunrise, doesn't mean it will replace this work of majestic art. I am sure there are places in the world with similar sunrises, good for a runner's soul, but they take searching. Every Saturday Morning when I would I come off of the Olentangy Trail to the Antrim Loop, it was an indescribable, overwhelming feeling of fortune. 

And it is a weird event too, because I run in the sunlight before and after Antrim on the trail, but there is something different there. My first time there, the running coach with me was trying to explain the sunrise and gave up. She finished by saying,'It's hard to describe, you just have to see it for yourself'. She was spot on. These pictures don't often do it justice. You need to go there and experience it for yourself(click here)

Columbus was labeled the 5th fattest city in the United States in 2001, which brought about a new city slogan- Commit To Be Fit. The city lives it, breathes it and loves it. Somewhere, every week, there is probably 3-5 5K's taking place with thousands of people partaking in them. People are kind along the way as well. The city is encouraging biking throughout the city. Most main roads now carry at least a shared lane for bikers. In 2010, Columbus was rated th 19th fittest city in the US. In 2011 the Ohio State University was Ranked 1st among colleges and universities.

They say being healthy and fit is a choice, with which I agree. I am here to tell you it's a much easier choice when the majority of a city has decided it together.

I spoke in a previous blog about doing a half marathon, the date is set. May 5th, 2012, I will be among the over 12,500 runner's in the bicentennial Capital City Half Marathon. Also on my agenda looks like a visit to a Tough Mudder event in April.

I would like to share a video I saw today, one I hope to rewrite to my own flavor.

Meet Ben...

And finally, my last vision of Columbus (No, this was not photoshopped. Tis all natural).

A truly inspiring sight to run alongside. I will miss you, Antrim and Columbus

This Little Fire

I have a little fire inside me
This little fire started a while back, and it has turned into a inferno, 1906 Chicago style.
When I look into a mirror, this little fire finds another gas station.
When I stop running and realize my head just told my body to stop because old habits of laziness sneaked through, this little fire finds another lumber yard.
When I step onto the scale and I've killed a pound or two, this little fire finds another heavily wooded park.
When I step onto the scale and I've gained a pound or two, this little fire finds a national forest in the midst of a drought.
When you tell me I can't, this little fire finds you.
This little fire inside me is an wonderful feeling. There is nothing that can calm it, and it's exciting! To know that whatever you or I put in front of me will be destroyed and conquered in a short matter of time gives me a strange satisfaction before I even start, which lends me more energy to attack it.
The phrases above are not just inspirational statements, they are moments I have experienced.
I used to look into a mirror and it would upset me, wishing I would have done something when I was younger to prevent this from happening. Now when I look, my mind just starts revving up. Go for a run. Go start swinging. Go do something and do it now. Unfortunately, what I end up doing is going to work. I try to avoid the mirrors before working out because my energy is already jacked up, it doesn't need the boost and I'll end up over-exerting myself.
I have recently figured out I'm not REALLY warmed up for my runs til almost a mile and a half in, which is either when I get the right pace and go for the longest stretch of my run or break out into an all out sprint. The other night, at 1.55 miles I found my pace. My personal goal at the moment was to take this slight downgrade all the way to the two mile point, and I did. And I started walking. And there was Bjork; "You're alright. There's nothing wrong".
...
WHY DID I STOP??? I had no reason. I reached my goal but my body was still good to go. So I kept running, but now back up the hill. All in all it was about a .6 mile stretch, and it felt gooooood!
I probably don't need to share much on killing and gaining. When I have killed a pound, I want to kill another one. When I gain one, I want to kill that one, another and two more so it knows I'm not joking around this time.
And when you tell me I can't, I will call you Wayne, and show you why you are just as blind, afraid and maybe a little jealous.
This little fire inside me is an amazing feeling. There is nothing that can stop it, and it's exhilarating!

The Journey: Part II

Press play please. Enjoy the new anthem of my runs.

Wow. Just Wow.
Fifteen weeks.
Fifteen months ago, there was a complacency in my life that was starting to accept that I had tried to lose weight, and I had tried hard but I just couldn't do it. I was meant for this no matter how much I tried and wanted it to not be true. I saw a saying today that summed up my way of life as I look back on it; DO or DO NOT, there is no TRY. I can convince everyone all day long that I was trying, fact of the matter was, I wasn't doing.
On a short side note, I do have to hand out some credit in my period of DO NOT, Kettlebell Bob taught me one important thing that has insanely assisted me since I have started the period of DO. Endurance is between the ears, not below them. My first two weeks of kettlebells I wanted to end when said I couldn't do anymore, but he generally ended them when I dropped to the floor or in front of a waste basket. Another quote; Laziness is the habit of resting before you are tired. 
Most of my runs start with the same thought; Ugh. How am I gonna make it 2.5 miles, I struggling out of the parking lot.
Most of my runs end with the same thought; Well that was a stupid thought to have.
JUST DO!
Back to the point- Fifteen weeks
I finally decided on the demise of my former self and committed to a new way of living fifteen weeks ago.
I pulled a Forrest Gump and I just started running. And then I ran some more. And when I finished with that, I just decided to run back.
For my Toledo friends, and well I guess anyone else that can get access to Google Maps, (keep in mind I wasn't keeping track of mileage when I started running, that start three weeks in) I have roughly ran the distance FROM Comerica Park in Detroit TO The Great American Ball Park in Cincinatti (via I-75). Similarly for my Cleveland bro's and gals, Progressive Field to The GABP. Over 260 miles. Fifteen weeks.
Week Eight, I ran my first 5K in a time of 38:35.
Week Thirteen, I ran my first 10K in a time of 1:15:09.
Week Fourteen, I ran my second 5K in a time of 36:06.
I departed with the goal of murdering 126 pounds. Fifteen weeks, I am already more than a third of the way, about to break the 50 pound mark.
It's weird to think about, how long has this mental roadblock been keeping me down. I don't even know why, but now that I have conquered it I am looking down the road at the adventure I am creating, I am anxious. I am excited to look back at what I will have accomplished. I am hungry for new satisfaction, something video games, fantasy sports, sitting on my ass indoors can no longer provide.
I am going to complete the Warrior Dash. Will you come with me?
I am going to complete the Pelotonia 43 mile trek. Will you come with me?

I am lining up 5K's(First On The First, Dublin Irish Festival) and at least one quarter and one half marathon(Emerald City). Will you come with me?

I want to lead a group of my outdoor loving friends down a mud slide, through a lake, up a hill on bike and through a cold morning on foot. Will you come with me?
I want to look back at the end of next year at everything I have accomplished, and know I earned this. Will you share that feeling with me?