FINISHED THE IRONMAN FOR LEUKEMIA

I'm finished training to participate in an Ironman 70.3 endurance event (Vineman Ironman 70.3) as a member of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team in Training. Ironman 70.3 races consist of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run, which adds up to 70.3 miles of total distance. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia,lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and other blood cancers from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling cancer. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress and read my blog. Thanks for your support!

Check out the rest of my blog at:

http://www.johnmatias.blogspot.com

5/30/09- Rain in May?? We usually get "May Gray" or "June Gloom" when the marine clouds are pulled east from the heating in the desert- a thermal low. This was different.you can call it drizzle but it still made for a wet 40 mile bike ride followed by an 8 mile semi-muddy trail run. It took that new shoe shine right off my running shoes.

5/19/09- Have not been able to do my long runs consistently- it just never fits into my schedule. Decided to start doing my long run after work so I told my son, Nick, that instead of biking to and from work that I would be running home instead. It's about 13.5 miles from my office to my house in Chula Vista. I told Barbara that it's actually safer to run home versus biking. On my way home I thought of shortening up the run and picking up my car at the trolley station on the way. This would make an 8 mi. run but since I told Nick that I was going to run home I continued on my way. I was tired when I got home but I had gotten my long run in.

5/16/09- We know we're in trouble when our coach Trent calls a training ride "epic". This ride was to build strength and mental toughness. We started our ride in Pine Valley (elevation 3,736 ft.) and rode up Mt. Laguna (elevation 6,000 ft.), down to Highway 79 and back up Mt. Laguna before descending back to Pine Valley. After we passed the summit, I saw a sign that read, "Anza Borrego Desert" and to the east I could see the forest changing to desert. It was indeed an "epic" 50 mile ride complete with steel cattle guards in the road.

5/13/09- With a little over two months to go until my event on 7/19/09 I want to take a little time and reflect with you about my journey. First of all, I want to thank all of those who have supported me both financially and through your prayers and encouragement. We have raised nearly $3,000 for cancer patients.

I just want to say that this has been quite a journey. I have put everything I have into this. I have given my blood, sweat, and tears into this effort. The sweat and the blood have come from the hours of training, the bumps, bruises, blisters (but luckily no falls on the bike). The tears have been both tears of joy and tears of heartache. The heartache has come at times from the fundraising. The tears of joy have come from the stories of recovery from the cancer patients and how our efforts have eased their pain. Also, the joy has come from the support that I have been blessed with.

I firmly believe that God gives us gifts for us to use for His work. I believe that God has given me the gifts of good health and physical endurance. From the start of this journey, I have wanted to use these gifts for His glory and not mine. Indeed, it will be sweet to cross that finish line on July 19th but more than that I want to make a difference in someone's life and thank God for the gift that we can never repay- His Son Jesus.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 3600 meters, Bike- 87 miles, Run- 28 miles.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 1000 meters, Bike- 85 miles, Run- 12 miles.

5/2/09- Spent the week in Dallas for business. Ran through downtown Dallas and did a couple of spin classes at the 24 Hr. Fitness. The gym at the hotel wasn't very good.

The Wildflower team was doing their event this weekend. The Vineman (my) team took the train from Solana Beach to San Juan Capistrano with our bikes so that we could bike back to Solana Beach. Got a chance to ride through Camp Pendleton (USMC) and see another part of SD county I had never seen. Ran 10 miles on Sunday for my long run.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 3450 meters, Bike- 57 miles, Run- 13 miles.

4/25/09- The Team met for a practice triathlon at La Jolla Shores. Since I had gotten home late from the Padres game I did my own practice triathlon- Swam 1000 meters, biked 30 miles and ran 6 miles.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 2350 meters, Bike- 56 miles, Run- 21 miles.

4/18/09- The Team finally met for a workout in South county where we live. We started our ride at Otay Lakes (next to the Olympic Training Center) and went up Honey Springs Rd. - a seven mile climb. This is the same climb I had done back in February with the local bike group. It was much easier and not as humbling as the first time. The whole ride was about 35 miles. The humbling part came later when I did a 10 mile run with one of my Teammates.

After our workout, we got a tour of the Olympic Training Center and we got to meet with three Olympic triathletes training at the Center. We all had a good time asking them questions about our sport. Barbara was able to join me and she got a chance to meet a few of my Teammaates.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 4550 meters, Bike- 38 miles, Run- 24 miles.

4/11/09- We met as a team to go over the rules of triathlon-like when you can get off the bike, when you have to have your helmet on, and the space that you get in the crowded transition area. The plan was to do a simulated triathlon. It was a cold windy day with a threatning sky. Only a few of us jumped in the ocean for a quick swim, we then transitioned over to the bike and began our ride. As we headed east the skies opened up. It was the first time I had ridden my bike in the rain. Now I know how the guys in the Tour of California felt- but they did it for 3-4 straight days averaging about 100 miles per day. We wisely decided to call it a day on the bike and come back to the transition area to do our run.

Later in the evening, I started my new career as a Pedicab driver in Downtown San Diego to meet my fundraising for LLS I figured it would be a flexible job that I could do in my spare time. My first clients were a a couple with a small baby. They wanted to go about a half a mile to their condo by Petco Park. There was a game going on so it was pretty crowded with lots of police. As a rookie driver, and with the excitement of my first clients, I forgot about the rule of not being within 3 blocks of Petco. A police officer on a motorcycle educated me on the rules in a disparaging manner in front of my clients. Lesson learned.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 4000 meters, Bike- 123 miles, Run- 16 miles.

4/4/09- Joined the Team for a bike ride and run workout in Scripps Ranch/Poway. Went up Highland Valley Road with a 9% grade at some points- this is steep. The average grade in the Alp d'Huez in the Tour of France is 7%. Since I had never climbed this before it just seemed to go on forever...It was probably the first time I actually felt like getting off my bike and walking- but I didn't. Then on the way back I passed up my turn and got a flat when I tried to hop a bump in the road. I also had two close calls where I lost control of the front wheel. It was a rough day but I made it back in one piece for my 30 minute run. I felt that God was watching over me today.

4/1/09- Joined the Team for our group swim at La Jolla H.S. Our honored teammate, Alfred Duron, who is battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma was there and we got to speak to him for a little bit. He seemed in good spirits but the treatments are zapping his energy. He is also struggling with Medi-Cal to help him with his treatments/medicines. They say that he makes too much money on disability??? It reminded me when our son Nicholas was born and had to have a tracheostomy. We fought with our insurance for services and Medi-Cal also said we made too much money for any assistance. Please continue to pray for him in his struggles.

3/29/09- Did a simulated triathlon- swim (1000 meters), bike (30 miles) and run (3 miles) to get back in shape. At the end of my run I saw a rattle snake crossing my path but I didn't even have time to let it scare me- it got within about 5 ft. before I realized what it was.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 0 meters, Bike- 0 miles, Run- 23 miles.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 2500 meters, Bike- 21 miles, Run- 14 miles.

3/20/09- We left on our family Spring Break trip (minus Ryan who was visiting his girlfriend in Europe) to the Pacific Northwest (Santa Rosa, CA, Coos Bay and Eugene, Oregon-tribute to Steve Prefontaine- and San Francisco). I took a break from my training except for the running. Jesse and NIck (my sons) ran with me. Our long run was on Wednesday (3/25)- we ran about 10 miles under a constant downpour and a temp below 50 degrees- You have to be a little nuts to enjoy something like that and then only on occasion.

3/15/09- Went for our first team open water swim at La Jolla Shores- the thing that I wasn't looking forward to. It turns out that some of the other people on the team had the same trepidation-creatures in the sea. We also got our wet suits and I recommitted to raise $5,500 for LLS. This means that if I don't raise this amount I have to come up with the difference... I need to make the effort and God will provide.

I also need to keep in mind that whatever my challenges are (physical or fundraising) my honored teammate's challenges and those of other cancer patients are much greater than my own. Their courage and God's grace give me the motivation and inpiration to carry on in this journey.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 2500 meters, Bike- 69 miles, Run- 16 miles.

3/14/09- Went for a 55 mile bike ride with the Team in Training (TNT) group. Foot was fine... saw some beautiful San Diego back country. Rode from the ocean to the mountains and back. Finished with a 4.6 mile run along Solana Beach. The course reminded me why we call it America's Finest City. It's called intelligent design- God.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 3000 meters, Bike- 64 miles, Run- 20 miles.

3/6/09- Worked at home today and started feeling pain in my right heel. I knew exactly what it was- Plantar Fasciitis. It's an inflammation of the foot from excessive wear from things like running. It feels like a bruised heel so it hurts when you put weight on your foot. I have had it once before and it lasted about a week. In some people it lasts forever...I had the group bike ride of 44 miles the next day and I did have pain on the bike especially when I went over bumps. Continued training but was careful to support my heal. Rolling a tennis ball under your foot is good therapy. Bought a can of tennis balls to train for the triathlon- sounds weird???

3/3/09- I came across this scripture in a book I was reading that reminds me to do it for His eternal glory and not mine:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training . They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Thus says Paul, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 2750 meters, Bike- 28 miles, Run- 10 miles.

2/28/2009- Got ready for our garage sale which helped to raise about $200 for LLS. Barbara worked really hard to get things ready. It was our first garage sale in ages and some of our neighbors pitched in. Went for a bike ride and run after the garage sale. Rode around Otay Lakes and found out that you can fish there and rode by the Olympic Training Center.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim 4000 meters, Bike- 63 miles, Run- 20 miles.

2/21/2009- Decided to go with a group of cyclists from the local bike shop on their Saturday morning ride. I was a humbled to be at the back of the first group and have people wait for me at the meet up points. We went up a 7 mile hill (Honey Springs Rd.) that seemed to go on forever......It wasn't like the 11 mile climb up Mt. Palomar like in the Tour of California but it was definitely a humbling experience for me. The whole ride was about 49 miles.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim- 3700 meters, Bike-86 miles, Run-5 miles.

2/14/09- After a couple of days of rain (it never rains in So. Cal) we met for a team bike ride. We went about 35 miles and my triathlon bike looked more like a mountain bike full of mud after the ride. I wasn't the only one that needed a shower that day.

2/10/09- I ran 4.5 miles at lunch. Still felt a little strain so I decided to go to my Chiropractor for an adjustment. Feeling better...back in business.

2/9/09- Back strain was better.. I swam in the morning before work with no pain. Also, I was able to do Yoga in my office. Thank God for my private office.

2/8/09- It's been raining, so our Saturday group bike ride got moved to Sunday but since a friend was having a 50th birthday celebration I decided to do a Spin class preceded by 30 extra minutes to make up for lost mileage on the road. This was not a good idea, I had the first training injury with a strained lower back.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim- 3000 meters, Bike-42 miles, Run-21 miles.

2/2/09- Although my event will be in the Russian River in Sonoma County I found out that we will still be doing some open water swims in the ocean. I've never been too fond of ocean swimming ever since I saw "Jaws" about 10 times when it first came out with my cousin Manuel. I found this scripture to help me with this fear:

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

We had our first group swim at the La Jolla High School pool. Today I learned that a saline (salt) water pool tastes a lot better than chlorine.

Weekly Mileage Log: Swim- 1400 meters, Bike-50 miles, Run-6 miles.

1/31/09- We had our first group workout. We went 20 miles on the bike. It was great to be part of a great cause and it was a beautiful sunny day at the beach.

1/27/09 Signed up for the program. I've always wanted to do an Ironman triathlon but I finally found the motivation to start. I'm doing it for His glory and not mine. I'm doing it to help find a cure and help support the victims of blood cancers. Lastly, I just love to sweat.