 As the old swimsuit was starting to wear out, I picked up a new one, last night. I got a nice, red Tyr bikini. It was the only kind they had in my size, and red was the best color. Okay, red was the only color they had in this suit in my size. And, yes, it was the only swimsuit they had in my size. I felt a bit like my wife must feel when shopping for clothes. Are you a teenie-tiny swimmer, or a somewhat larger swimmer? No problem. They had several options. For the "middle of the road (34, 36, 38), the choices were VERY limited. Size 34 is, in fact, much more limited, now.
There WAS a local swimming specialty store where I bought my suits. They are going out of business. I wasn't overly concerned, until I started trying to find suits elsewhere. It looks like I'll be putting the Kiefer magazines I keep getting to better use in the future.
By the way, while red may make sports cars go faster, it did little to improve my speed in the pool. Perhaps this red forgot to get the lead out. Or maybe it was just me.
Speaking of seeing red, I'd like to change topics, if I may...
 It is interesting to note that the Patriot's game being played this coming Sunday night will be available nationwide. As originally planned, this game was to be shown exclusively on the NFL Network, providing very limited coverage. Seven games from the past season were seen on only the NFL Network and "local franchise markets." It has been a source of contention between the NFL and cable television companies.
For fans, it's just been a sore spot.
Why the sudden change of heart? It appears Congress determined intervention was finally needed. Well, at least a few senators determined intervention was needed. Several key senators threatened the NFL with investigations into the decision to limit games to the NFL Network while attempting to reach an agreement with cable companies. They also mentioned recent events may point to a need to revoke the NFL's exemption from anti-trust laws.
It is just sad that it took a potentially history making game to enable Congress to see what was obvious to the most casual observer. The NFL began to care more about money in the big picture sense than they care about the fans who pay out that money. Hopefully, Congress will carry through on their threat and hold the NFL's collective feet to the fire.
I don't really want Congress involved in the NFL. But I do think the NFL should be forced to play by the rules, limited as those rules may be. If they want to abuse the exemption Congress granted them, that exemption should be revoked.
I'll get off the soap box, now.
 Hold on a second, I got that wrong. It should be "Time for the Weight to Begone!"
Like many people, I have benefitted from becoming a marathoner, triathlete, and Ironman. The most outwardly visible benefit has been weight loss. In 2000, when I was unwillingly thrust into a more active lifestyle, I was pushing 220 pounds. I don't have a picture from then readily available, nor do I have a picture from the first marathon I completed. I do, however, have this picture from my 2005 Green Bay Marathon. And yes, that is Lambeau Field. In fact, you should just admire the stadium instead of looking at me.
I didn't really track my weight too much, back then, but I can safely say that even after years of running and a couple marathons, I was still around 195 pounds. And I felt great. Having lost nearly 25 pounds, I was faster, I had fewer GI issues (heartburn/reflux), and I suffered less after long runs.
 Then, I started training for triathlons. And without even worrying about diet, the pounds started to literally fall off. I dropped nearly 30 pounds in a year, and the results were amazing. This picture is from the 2006 Fox Cities Marathon. It was probably the first time I saw myself as others were seeing me. While I knew the weight was coming off and I was slimming down, I didn't SEE what others did. This picture cleared things up.
I believe triathlon training was the key to this weight loss. Training in three disciplines allows for increased training with fewer injuries. In the process, more muscle groups are worked, and the results are more "rounded." Of all the things I love about triathlon, this is probably the one that will keep me involved for life. The same amount of training at roughly the same intensity had significantly greater results.
 After only 18 months of triathlon specific training, I managed to complete Ironman Louisville in a time of 13 hours 12 minutes (yes, the clock lies). Though well back from the leaders, this was a HUGE personal success. Along the way, I discovered that there was still a "skinny" me buried inside the 220-pound frame that had evolved over many years of poor diet and zero physical exercise.
There was no magic bullet on this journey. Just a lot of hard work and long-term committment. Pills, liquids, strips, bands, or diets could not have accomplished what simple dedication did. Those of you who are somewhere closer to the beginning of your journey, take heart. The process of weight loss is no different than the process of weight gain. Small steps taken over many months and years are far more effective than any "quick fix" out there. After all, none of us went to bed at 150 pounds one night and woke up at 250 pounds the next morning.
With that knowledge firmly in hand, it is time for me to once again get focused and serious. The off-season ended a couple months ago. Even so, I knew I needed to continue the weight gain, as I left Louisville nearly five pounds lighter than I believe I should have been. But now, as we head into honest-to-goodness race season training, I am perhaps a few pounds heavier than I might have wanted to be.
So, it is time for the weight to begone. The holidays are over, and it's time to put on the game face. And this year, I know just how much hard work is needed. I know how much I can accomplish. And I know the goals. In July, I will head to Racine around 165 pounds for a half-Ironman. By October, I hope to be closer to 160 as I start on my first 50-mile ultramarathon.
If you find yourself heavier than you desire, whether by 10 pounds or 200, the process is the same. Identify your proper nutrition. Identify the appropriate exercise routine. And then do it. If you are just undertaking this journey, consider working with a doctor, dietician, or coach to best realize your potential. But realize that they can only give guidance. You must provide the rest.
 This picture of my daughter says a lot about the past several days. This was shortly after the kids opened gifts as part of a party with our extended family. While we open most of our gifts on Christmas day, the kids open gifts from aunts and uncles (mostly "grand" at this point) and cousins on Christmas Eve. Our son never slowed down, but our daughter fell asleep in my chair while playing with her new horse and snow globe.
We've had several days that were similar, with my wife and I falling asleep later, after long days of work. In addition to crossing several "honey-do" items of the list, we have entertained the in-laws, attended several Christmas parties, and hosted a few of our own. And here it is, nearly 8 a.m. on Christmas, and the house is divided down the middle, by age. The oldest three are sitting at the table eating (with one blogging), while the youngest three are fast asleep. That the two kids are still sleeping is a good indication of how truly tired they are.
True to the season, no sooner did I type the above paragraph then I heard the rattling of dishes in the living room. A two-year old girl had found her way out of bed and into Santa presents.
And that will end any attempt at a longer post.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
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 Many of you may have received the same E-mail I did. For those of you who didn't, a public service announcement. Robin of Tri To End Homelessness is one of ten finalists in the Toyota "Engines of Change" contest. As many of you may already know, Robin and her sister spent 2007 raising funds for a group that supports the homeless. In conjunction with that fundraising, they trained for and completed an Olympic distance race with the goal of improving their PRs.
In 2008, Robin will be raising even more money as she trains for her first half-Ironman event. Much like the recent raceAthlete contest, this one will be decided by an Internet vote. And in this contest, we not only have a voice, we can be loud. In otherwords, you can vote once per day.
You can go here to read the stories of each finalist, as well as vote.
 While at the Toyota site, I noticed a familiar jersey. Without taking anything away from Robin, I would be remiss if I failed to mention a member of Team D3 Multisport is also a finalist. Julia Purrington is a successful triathlete and active mom. She recently started a group called Tri Moms focused on healthy families. Like so many others, she tries to share her love of triathlon. All while raising a family and training.
Much of my own volunteer work is dedicated to sharing active lifestyle opportunities with young members of the community, so Julia's efforts strike a chord with me.
Congratulations to both Robin and Julia. And remember, you can vote once per day, so you can support both of them, or others with whom you feel a connection.
 Almost as soon as I walked in the door after work, last night, I was informed by my son that he isn't allowed to have juice, anymore. This caught me off guard, as we usually allow our kids to have a bit of juice in the morning, and a bit with their snack in the evening. Then, he told me we have to stop giving him milk, too. That was when I decided that perhaps Mrs. Pol would be a better source of information.
The cause of all the commotion was a visit to the doctor. Our son just turned four, and had his annual checkup. The doctor said that based on his height and weight, our son was overweight, and we had to cut back on his diet. Now, this caught me off guard for a couple reasons. First, while our son is a big boy (he has consistently been at the top of the charts for height and weight), I wouldn't classify him as "overweight." In fact, I sometimes get concerned about his willingness to NOT eat when he doesn't like his options.
Though it is always difficult to tell from pictures, this is a photo we took for Commodore's son, Mo. There is a concern about weight in this picture, but it ISN'T our son. Our daughter is definitely on the shorter and rounder side, but she is only two. We will wait another year before getting overly concerned. Our son, not so much.
The challenge is that the only basis for the doctor's conclusion is the Centers for Disease Control Body Mass Index charts. I consider these a poor choice, at best. And when making life decisions, they should be given only slightly more weight than a grain of salt. Used in conjunction with common sense and various other factors, the BMI charts can provide some basic guidance.
 I'll use myself as an example of why I question the value of the BMI statistic. Consider this picture (or others from the header and profile) from IM Louisville. At the check-in, I weighed 163 pounds. By the end of the race, I was much closer to 160. These pictures give a reasonable picture of where I was physically.
Using my height of 5' 10" and a weight of 160 pounds, I fall in the high-normal range of body mass index. Only a few more pounds would classify me as "overweight." And the loss of another 20 pounds would put me squarely in the middle of the "normal" range. Anyone who sees me will likely confirm that such weight loss would be frightening. I DO have a few pounds I could stand to lose, all in my gut. I seriously doubt there is 20 pounds there, though.
When people are required to be gaunt, or "bone thin," to be "normal," there is a problem with the index.
I'll be the first to admit there is a weight problem within the United States. I'll also be quick to agree that children often suffer for the excess of their parents. That, however, is a judgment better made based on common sense, physical appearance, and bad trends. The use of the body mass index charts as the sole determining factor of being "overweight" is a poor substitute for good judgment.
While we face a growing population of heavy children, we have an equally disturbing tendency to push our kids toward an unhealthy obsession with weight loss. The same charts that indicate I am nearly overweight would classify a six foot tall woman at 137 pounds as normal. And society continues to accept those who fall far short of that weight as the "model" of how we should look.
Be wary of anyone who uses BMI as the sole factor in evaluating you or anyone else in your life.
 I'm not a doctor. I don't play one on t.v. And I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn Express, last night. Even so, allow me to start by saying that portions of the workout described below aren't really suggested for normal training. Sometimes, we all go a little nuts, or have a strange desire to know some useless bit of information.
My workout on Saturday started out normal enough. I was in the pool as close to 6 a.m. (opening time) as possible. I wanted to complete as many yards as possible before getting thrown out so 10 members of the water aerobics class have room for their workout. They were running late, so I managed a 500 yard warmup followed by 14x100 at T-pace. By then, the ladies were chomping at the bit to move lane ropes.
I relocated to the track for about 90 minutes of running. A couple of runs during the week were perhaps a bit too strenuous, so I decided to do 10 miles at about 8:15 pace. That pace keeps me near the bottom of Zone 2. The run went very well. Too well, perhaps, because somewhere around mile 8 I started thinking about Wednesday's run, where I did a half-mile somewhere around the 4:30/mile pace. While I knew running a sub-5 minute mile was out of the question, I wondered just how FAR out of the question.
This is the part where you should refer back to the first paragraph and remind yourself that I sometimes do things that might be ill advised.
After finishing the 10 mile run, I took a break for a few minutes to even my heart rate out. I found one of my favorite "run fast" tunes, got a running start, and started timing. I had no idea what kind of pace I could maintain for one mile, so I started out what I assumed would be too fast. I guessed right, and know each lap was just a bit slower than the previous lap.
Some time ago, I said there was no way I could ever run 10K at a 5:30/mile pace. In fact, I was fairly confident there was no way I would ever move that fast without a machine, unless I was falling out of an airplane.
Apparently, I was wrong. One mile, 5:29. No gravity required.
Alright! The voting for the raceAthlete Best Endurance Blog contest will be coming to an end, this weekend. That leaves only a few short days for people to stop by and vote for three of their favorite blogs. Well, at least three of those listed. If you want an idea of some of my favorite blogs, just stop by my Tri Blog Community page. There are a lot of good blogs out there. Many of them made the top ten of the contest. Go! Vote! For me!
I've been trying to keep up on the posts the other candidates have been putting up in the attempt to garner a podium finish. Nytro can always be counted on to shock your socks off. Then, Steve in a Speedo comes out of nowhere regaling us with the story of frostbitten body parts and euphemisms for said appendage. Baboo and Misty proved that what happens in Vegas can sometimes be shared with the outside world? And who doesn't want to see them in Elvis outfits?
All the others can also be counted on for great posts, whether directly related to triathlon, or just sharing about themselves and their lives. And outside of the top ten listed on raceAthlete are dozens of other great blogs.
Which brings us to the main point. It is time for a tremendous comeback by Iron Pol. A quick check, last night, shows I have maintained a solid lock on last place. Now that the rest of the field is confident that I have hit the wall and bonked hard, it's time for a serious sprint to the finish!
 Of course, the picture at the left says it all. Anyone paying attention to the feet will note two things. First, both feet are off the ground, so I am running. But the tell-tale glow from various parts of the shoes give indication of just how dark it was getting when I crossed the finish line in Louisville. While I might be good at "strong finishes," they have yet to be finishes anywhere near the front of the pack.
That's okay, someone has to finish "last." And this contest is no different than an Ironman. Being in the race was more than I ever expected. Finishing strong is a bonus.
So if you haven't voted, make sure you stop by and pick your favorite blogs from those listed. And then, stop by some of the other great blogs that are just as deserving of recognition. Because in the end, we're all part of the tri blog community and, deep down, we're all "hit" and "comment" whores.
 One of the key challenges we faced when buying our home was our dining room furniture. My wife and I seem to fall into a very rare category of people who own formal dining furniture yet don't own a 5000 square foot house. In Wisconsin, very few "middle class" homes have formal dining rooms. So, we bought a house with a living room and and sitting room, and converted the living room into the dining room.
Which doesn't leave a lot of room for Christmas trees. Or couches.
When Christmas comes, we rearrange our dining room and put the tree there. The kids love it because they get to see the tree while they eat, and it gives us some amount of control as they aren't supposed to play in the dining room. Unfortunately, moving all the chairs around provides the opportunity to notice things that might otherwise remain unknown.
Like the fact that a couple of the rarely used chairs seem to have somehow been abused to the point of needing repair. I have no idea how they got that way. But I do know they are unusable. When a chair starts to "wobble" just because you touch it, things have obviously gotten loose and/or broken.
So, there goes a Wednesday night. On the plus side? Mrs. Pol didn't have any planned events. That allowed me the time to start disassembling chairs. The first of two in dire need of repairs was completely disassembled, reglued, and put back together. We'll see how it works out, and I'll repeat the process on the second one if everything holds up the way I hope. If not, it's off to the hardware store to get a few things to further reinforce the structure.
Not bad for having never built or repaired a chair in my life.
I guess what they say is true. If you can complete an Ironman, you CAN accomplish anything.
Now, who wants to volunteer to sit on my chair?
 Last night was hectic. Between my Tuesday night youth meeting, putting up our Christmas tree, and allowing two toddlers to help WITHOUT tearing the house down, I was busy. It was somewhere in the middle of all that when my wife commented that our dishwasher wouldn't run and a green light was flashing at us.
A quick check of the owner's manual provided few clues as to what might be wrong. It simply stated there was a problem with the heater circuit. Removing power didn't reset anything, so I asked my wife to call about a technician.
Our dishwasher is a Kenmore (link intentionally blank), sold through Sears (also intentionally blank). Mrs. Pol contacted me at work with our options, as provided by the "technical assistance" line. Option one is to schedule a technician with a $75 service visit fee plus $60/hour. If the heater coil is bad, that's about $150. Option two is a one-year service plan for $205. That includes any service calls, and any parts up to $500 (the original price of the machine). Beyond that , they would give us a credit toward the purchase of a new dishwasher.
I wavered between paying for a service call and having my wife get the service plan. Then, I got mad. In situations like this, my getting mad leads to me doing everything within my power to give people money. Because they don't deserve it.
I had two issues. First, why is the owner's manual so vague about what is obviously a fault indicator? Second, why are the only options offered by the call center blatantly designed to generate sales of the service plans? The only answer that makes sense is that there is a VERY EASY fix to this issue.
So, I headed to the Internet. In something like three minutes, I returned Mrs. Pol's call and asked her to push a couple buttons in sequence. That done, the dishwasher initiated a wash cycle, and the magic green light has stopped flashing. Total cost: $0. Repair time: 5 minutes, counting the 4 minutes 30 seconds to find the answer, place the call, and explain what to do.
It's very interesting that the call center couldn't provide that very simple test when my wife called. "Hey, push these two buttons in sequence and see if the washer will run. If it does, problem solved. If it won't run, you really do need our help."
In the time it took to complete this post, Mrs. Pol called. The dishes are clean, the heating element worked, and the flashing green light is now a solid green "Clean" dishes indicator.
That will be $205.
 Some time back, Accelerade went on a major marketing campaign. They wanted to let endurance athletes know about their product as well as the benefits of using a drink with the 4:1 carb to protein ratio. Their campaign had several components, including product testing and the Accelerade Edge website.
Accelerade provided athletes around the country with supplies of Accelerade with the goal of gaining feedback and, hopefully, a bit of promotion. My experience with the product was excellent, with a few minor "foaming" issues related to the milk proteins. I do suggest anyone looking for a good recovery drink consider Accelerade. It also works well on the bike. I urge caution when using it on the run, due to the foaming. One note, though. Start with a small quantity and see how you like the texture of the drink. They taste great, but have an odd texture.
The other component of their campaign with which I have been active is the Accelerade Edge site. The site is set up with "articles" and "conversations," allowing people to voice quick questions or comments as well as longer pieces. A recent conversation on the site got me to thinking.
The comment was fairly short.
I feel like there is just nothing left to do or be excited about. I have climbed mountains, run ultras, adventure raced, ultra biked... you name it.
just cannot seem to get motivated to train or plan for a major goal
My reaction is that it is all a matter of perspective. Many people who have accomplished ultra distance events can find themselves facing the same dilemma. After completing a marathon, many feel there is nothing else to tackle. Some who complete an Ironman feel their triathlon lives are complete. Ultramarathoners who run the Western States 100 might think there is nowhere else to go.
Others realize the finish line isn't the end of the journey. It's simply the starting point for the next stage.
Counting Ironman, I've completed six marathons. That leaves hundreds I have yet to complete. I completed Ironman Louisville, and have dozens of options for other 140.6 mile races. And that completely disregards shorter events. There are 5Ks, 10Ks, and half-marathons for running. There are sprint and Olympic distance triathlons to be raced. And there are longer events, too. Fifty and 100 mile ultramarathons, multi-day bike and triathlon events, adventure races, and any number of other options. Xterra races, cyclo-cross, and off-road races are available for the adventurous.
Unless someone has a VERY short list of desirable races, just completing that list will take long enough for new and exciting events to be added. As I see it, there is no way I can ever run out of options for training and racing.
If you find yourself in the same dilemma as the author of the Accelerade post, it is time to reexamine your purpose for training and racing. Or the training in general. Have you burned yourself out by overtraining or racing? Have you been racing for the wrong reasons? Is it time to mix things up, a bit?
Endurance athletes have a wide range of options available to them. If you find one thing fails to motivate you, look at other options or take some time off. If endurance sports is truly a part of your lifestyle, something will come along to provide new motivation.
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