Map My Run...

I can't seem to break away from this site as I get around to complete my runs and see how far I've gone during my route. I don't like what I see let me tell you. I am coming in short on the distance that I thought I ran according to my pace. In many respects is good but I am not happy to realize that what I am running is shorter than what I thought..

I need to make sure I use this before my runs so that I can have my distance mapped out and I can hit the markers that I need.

So far, the legs are feeling strong and I need to make sure I have enough distance this weekend so that I can complete my 17 Mile journey on Saturday. We will see how it goes...

So, if you'll allow me I need to excuse my self and make sure I map these runs so that I don't cheat myself anymore.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Attempting a 15Mile Run...

So, now you know why the Clot Buster is marathoning this year...

Here is my attempt yesterday at doing 15 Miles of running. I went out for 2 hours of running in 28 degrees of weather with a stiff wind coming from the south which was half of my route that day. When I got home I realized that I had a serious difficulty talking as my jaw was very stiff. It was funny trying to tell Mrs. Clot Buster about the run and how it felt...I could not speak.

Today the legs are pretty sore after yesterday's effort. As far as I can remember 15 Miles is the longest that I've ever done... hard to believe. Next week's 17 Mile run is looking very intimidating. I just hope that I can keep it together. I will let you know how it goes.
I think that I need an audiobook to keep me engaged throughout the next effort. I will be itunes looking for something interesting...Any thoughts?

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

I have a confession to make...

Dear readers of the Clot Buster's blog,

There is only one reason why I had a reaction like the one below. Last Monday was an incredible day for us because of what we were able to experience.

It was amazing to experience,

I am still in shock, a very happy shock,

Even My Mom (the crying one) and Liz's Mom were excited,

But ultimately to get My Father to smile like that it had to be EXTREMELY SPECIAL...

The WONDERFUL DISCOVERY that we will have a SON coming in June!!! There are no words to describe the feeling of seeing it come to live right in front your eyes. Simply incredible to be so lucky to have the opportunity.

So Dear Friends, MAJOR changes are in store for us this summer. Unfortunately, the triathlon season this year will be changed this year for obvious reasons. My fundraising for NATT will not have the same ring to it as it had in previous years which is the reason why I am concentrating on the marathon in May as my major fundraising event. 26.2 Miles are going to be a HUGE challenge for me and I am more than happy with this challenge as the one I want to accomplish this year personally and for the NATT fundraiser. Of course, I have plans with my friends from Cleveland to make the Greater Cleveland Triathlon another successful event for NATT with the raffle we have planned. So, the Clot Buster's adventure continues in 2008 just with a little different format...

I am already looking for a baby polka-dot outfits the Little Varga should wear out at the races next summer.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

MUCHO FRIO!!!

Well, another Saturday came/went and another long run I was able to do. Although this time I had to improvise and stay indoors I managed to throw down 12 hard fought miles. I really hope that I don't have to do this procedure again because it really tested my patience while running. During this run I ran 84 Laps around our gym's indoor track for a total of 7 Miles. Hard to believe that I did not get dizzy after so many revolutions. One nice thing after running so long our track is that people stays out of my as they hear me huffing and puffing around the track. But after 84 Laps I could not take it anymore and I got on one of the trademills to finish up what I was set out to do. Those were some rough 12 Miles as I had to fight not to stop and throw my hands in the hair to quit because I could not take the monotony any longer. Unfortunately, I had not choice because it was freaking COLD out there... 15 degrees at the time I went to the gym. MUCHO FRIO indeed for this guy with nice warm south american blood running through his veins. I have a cut off point at which I stop playing outside. For running is around 25 degrees for riding is someplace around 48 degrees, of course depending upon the wind blowing at that moment. Do you have temperature cut off? What is it? Am I a whimp...?

Well, let's hope we get some warmer temperatures next weekend. Otherwise my 15 Miler on Saturday will push me not only physically but also mentally... In the mean time on Tuesday I will be going to the track to do 1200, 1000, 800, 600, 400, 200 at race pace with 200 meters of recovery. We will see how that one goes!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Motivation is hard to find

These days not much desire to head to track and throw down 6 x 800's with the temperattur right around 33 degrees... I am glad that I don't live farther north than Columbus, OH.

But because 26.2 Miles are lurking in the background in May and I want to do a good showing for the Clot Buster nation out there I did go out there and pushed on through. How many people out there who has had a clot or know someone who has clotted is planning on doing a marathon or half of one this year? If you are one of those people let me know. I would love to hear from you!

This year the Flying Pig Marathon will be my early focus on the fundraising front. The Greater Cleveland Triathlon is shaping up to be another big event for the Clot Buster with the raffle taking shape with some really cool stuff to be available. Stay tuned for me as it becomes available.

So, I will be running my first 26.2 Miles wearing the polka-dots. Would like to come along? If you do then you need to get out there to your local track and do some sprints just like I did today!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

I made it!

To me is always a surprise to be able to run this far. I estimate about 12 Miles all together. My legs are pretty sore at the moment but I made it. Check the route below. Hard to believe that I went all over the place. But at the same time it is great to have the alternatives that we have around here to do long runs and never be too far away from home...



GOOD LUCK to my friends Harkness and the Spandex King as they are getting ready to run in Phoenix the PF Chang's Marathon. I bet that in Arizona they are going to be running well and fast!

Ahead of the big run of tomorrow...

Well, here comes Saturday again. Time for the long run of the week. This time around I am looking at 12 or 13 Miles, which is a jump from my 9 Miles from last weekend.

I had a nice track workout on Tuesday where the wind from the south really broke me down everytime I came down the far straight away but the final 100 meters were fun with the wind on my back.

Let's see if I can make it all the way tomorrow. It should be a cool one but I am sure I can handle it. Not really that I like the cold weather but I can deal with the temperature above the freezing point. I may dress funny but with some of the items I have from Spiuk I should be in good shape.

Wish me luck tomorrow. I am still within my normal range of running ability but next week will be different by pushing the 15 Mile mark.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

First Long run of the 18 week training plan - COMPLETED

How about that?

I worked my way for a total of 75 minutes running for a grand total of 9 Miles on Saturday. Not a bad start as I was able to keep my pace consistent throughout the effort. Of course today I am not doing anything very fast but that feeling should improve as we continue with this training plan. I am starting to realize that running this long distances will require some serious concentration and some degree of distraction. I generally don't run listening to music but I may have to use some help on the longer runs coming up.

Has anyone used audiobooks to gain that distraction?

One week down, 17 more to go!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Totals for 2007...

Dear friends,

Over the last few days I was able to tally my totals of miles for last year. I can't believe all the miles and races I was able to participate in. It was nice to look back at the races and trying to remember how they felt and what I was able to see during the course of the race. I wish that I could describe to you all of the feelings that I had through my mind when I saw the names of the races and the different workouts that I did. But all things considered it was a GREAT year and it will be hard to improve in all levels.

Of course we can never improve enough in the area of introducing people to NATT and letting them know about blood clots and blood clotting disorders. That is one area in which I wished I had the highest numbers that I could come up with... who knows someday I will be able to match my excersize miles of the year with the number of people that learns about NATT and about blood clots.

So here are my number for 2007...

SWIM = 71.1 Miles

BIKE = 2,519.3 Miles

RUN = 567.6 Miles

Thank you for coming along in all of these miles. 2008 should be just as fun so stay tuned for more...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2008 WELCOME!!!

Here we are at the door step of a new year. Full of expectations, new challenges, and plenty of SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT BLOOD CLOTS AND BLOOD CLOTTING DISORDERS!

I hope everyone out there who dares to read my blog received the New Year in FINE FORM. Mrs. Clot Buster and I sure did as you can tell from our "New Year Receiving Feathered" outfit ensembles...

I hope that 2008 brings everyone all the happiness, good health, good fortune and peace you can handle. May all of your wishes come ture this year!

On the sporting side of things, yesterday December 31st I began my marathon training program that will take me all the way to May 4 and the start of the Flying Pig Marathon. This is a new experience for me as I will attempt my best to follow the training program as closely as I can. But yesterday I did not have a good start... On Monday, the schedule indicated that I needed to some cross training and have my first run workout (speed drills) on Tuesday. Well, I butchered this week already as I went out yesterday eager to run and I did a 6 Mile run with some mild intervals which I should have done Thursday! So, needless to say I need to pay a little more attention to the program before I head out do my workout. In the mean time, this week I need to fix the situation and adjust accordingly... I will attempt some cross training today and tomorrow and on Thursday I will head to the track and see if I can go for it and attempt the 12x400 with 90sec. recovery intervals in between (somehow I don't think that is going to happen but I will be happy if I can do 8 of those...). By then, I should be back on track and gearing up for my first long run on Saturday.

So, come along with me and entretain yourself with my trials at going through this training program all the way until May. This a new approach for the Clot Buster but one that I wanted to try to see how I hold up after 26.2 Miles. DON'T FEAR I still plan on doing some triathlons later on this summer but this year will much different than 2005 and 2006... soon enough you will know why.

Check back soon, as I go through this challenge of staying on course and giving this marathon thing a try.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

How was Christmas?

For the Clot Buster it was GREAT! I am just very THANKFUL to have the opportunity to have what I have. I am very LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO LIVE THE DREAM like I do each and every single day. I hope that this Christmas you too get the chance to live the dream and carry that over with you to 2008!

Yes, my friends I got some power tools for Christmas... I am going to knock this "honey-do-list" of mine out in no time now... I need to do it because starting on December 31st I am starting my Marathon Training for the Flying Pig Marathon in May. You guys have no idea how scared I am of the 26.2 Miles. Those numbers are so scary to me. But there is no turning back now. We will see how my body holds up... wish me luck!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Late December Riding

What an incredible opportunity today to get out and ride. I could not believe that today was going to be so "comfortable"... After going through my list of things to do outside around the house it was time to get the tires pumped up and put on my Spiuk Ultimate Convertible Rain Jacket, which doubles also as a great wind protection jackey, and I was off in my attempt to put together a nice 26 Mile ride this afternoon.

I have to confess that I was surprised to see so few people on the trail on a day like today. We got a HUGE break from the cold and being out there riding is the only thing I had in mind since I woke this AM. Thankfully all of my shopping is done so I did not have to run around this weekend like half of the city is doing according to Mrs. Clot Buster, who told me that the traffic was horrible as she attempted to run some errands for us.

Well, here we are Christams right around the corner. This year, I don't have a clue of what Mrs. Clot Buster have placed under the tree for me. I failed to provide a list this year so I am in limbo about what will it be. I am looking forward to it because I enjoy surprises a GREAT DEAL.

I hope to post again before Christmas at some point but if I don't get around to do it...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL who dare to read this blog. I hope that under your tree you'll find all the GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS, and GOOD FORTUNE you can handle for 2008!

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

Short Flashback

To my race on Thanksgiving at Cincinnati's Thanksgiving Day Race...I don't know about the look of the pulled up socks. However, I appreciate very much the warmth they provide on cool runs. Although, the socks that I wear on these pictures are nothing more than regular old soccer socks there are some people out there who can sport the same look I have for entirely different reasons. I found an article in INSIDE TRIATHLON this past week that I thought was very interesting and related to our thrombosis education effort. If you get the chance checkout the article written by Mr. Cameron Chestnut in Inside Triathlon. I think that the compression stockings can make a difference if they are used appropriately.

So, almost a month without running. I can't believe that I've gone this long. I am holding out until the end of the year and then I'll get back to it as my 18 week marathon training begins on December 31st. This is going to be a challenge but you never know if you are going to make it if you don't try. Come along to see me go through this.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Down but not out...

Sorry!

It is been a while since I last had the chance to update this blog. I have a long list of excuses that I could provide so let me just start with the latest one... Mrs. Clot Buster and I caught some sort of stomach virus that knocked us flat on the ground yesterday. I am very fortunate not to have this often but this one hit us hard. Within an hour we were both going to the can and all through the night we were alternating turns. It definitely took alot out of us because today we are next to worthless... Hopefully, the rest today will help us in our recovery.


So, with the down time on hand I decided to take care of some things and one of them is to sign up for MY FIRST EVER MARATHON... Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Clot Buster is going the distance and he has chosen the FLYING PIG MARATHON in Cincinnati as the race to break through and conker the fear of 26.2 Miles.


I am not sure what I am getting myself into but it is something I need to try. After finding a training program that has me running three days a week (which is about all I can handle) I will resume my running on January 1st and see if I can handle it. For now, I am not doing any running so that my legs get an appropriate rest before I get started with the mileage I am required to be ready for race day. So, May 4th, 2008 here I come!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Mouthwatering...

Let it begin...

That is correct my friends... the Clot Buster Polka-dots are going aero-dynamic...!!!

Thanks to help and generosity of the SPANDEX KING I was able to outfit my lid with some decals that make my lid look mighty good. They even reflect just in case I am out there at dusk putting some finishing touches to my time trialing abilities.

Spandex King THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your assistance. I love the way it looks and I am looking forward to the opportunity to get out there put this beauty to good use.

You know, next year with the help of DPMSports (if you get the chance checkout all of the cool gear they have available!) and the Spandex King we could put a helmet like this up for auction during the season. Now, there is a thought that I may need to expolore a little further.

I really can't wait to put some miles on my lid. Now, all I need is a bike to match the helmet and my outfit. I better start working on that.

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

Thanksgiving Day Race - 10K

I cannot believe it...

New PERSONAL RECORD for the 10k distance = 42:07 (6:47 pace per mile).

Even more surprising was the result within my age group, the 30 and 34 olds, I ended up 20th out of 497 competitors. I am impressed a great deal. I guess that I am getting better with age, just like a good wine.

This course in downtown Cincinnati is not an easy one. We had several bridges to cross and the up hills are pretty brutal but the final stretch is the worst in my opinion. Long straight away that is an out and back but on your way out you can see the finish line on the other side of the avenue and it is just a killer trying to hammer out that last mile to bring it home.

I am very pleased with this performance but I have to confess that I am paying for the effort in the sorness that I am feeling. The Clot Buster polka-dots were high flying throughout the course. I know a lot of people out there got to see them as I was blowing past them...

I had a sensational Thanksgiving celebration and I hope all of you out there who read this blog did too! Stay tuned for some photos from the weekend when available.

No turkey left overs for me tonight... Mrs. Clot Buster is crafting something special and the smell is driving me crazy... I got to go!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Every day I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to be here LIVING THE DREAM. I can't even begin to think how different my life would be if I did not take chance 12 years ago. I have so many people to THANK who helped me along the way that I don't know where to begin. I am just incredible greatful for being here and enjoying what I do and what I have with whom I love. So, Thursday morning we ware going to wake up early and head down to Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati to line up for the 98th Annual THANKSGIVING DAY RACE. Along with me and Mrs. Clot Buster there will be about 10,000 other people joining us in the fun. It is a great event to participate in and the course is one to remember. I am looking at going all out and putting on a good show. I set a PR last year and I am aiming at doing the same this year. It is not an easy course but one in which you can throw down. I may end up feeling like in the pictures below but it is all for the turkey waiting for me at dinner...
Enjoy the Holiday! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Transformations

How was the weekend? Hard to believe that we are the door-step of Thanksgiving... before we know it Christmas will be here. Speaking of Christmas, what am I going to get Mrs. Clot Buster? I don't have a clue but I need to start thinking about it just to stay on top of it.

Well, very soon I am going to complete the transformation of the Clot Buster's aero-helmet. The combination of the red polka-dots plus the white helmet will come through very soon. It has taken me a while but the final product will be a good one. I am proud to wear it and continue my support of NATT.

+

20 bags of leaves and still counting... We are pretty well challenged in raking the leaves in our yard. My guess is that we will reach upwards to 50 bags... I can't believe it but that is the way we are going. But really I don't care because the colors are just simply amazing. I may end up dreaming about yellow, orange, and red leaves but in the end it is something I enjoy looking at a great deal. It is nice a treat before the darkness of winter.

Looking forward to watching the AMAZING RACE tonight. Some day I will be lucky enough to make it on that show. I think that Mrs. Clot Buster and I will be good at it. We might argue some here and there but I think that we would be good competitors. I just need to get myself a citizenship and a video camera to get through the application.

To all of you out there purchasing wristbands THANK YOU!!! Keep your interest coming and get in touch with me so that I can send them on. Spread the word about NATT in anyway that you can.

By the way, did you hear the news about NANCY GRACE? Anyone can come down with blood clots at any time... we all need to be aware!!!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Mountains... What a treat!

Where should I start?

The conference was a GERAT SUCCESS. Thanks to all of you had the chance to attend. I know that with the outstanding speakers we had it was very well worth every minute you spent with us this past Saturday.
We had a great turn out and as always meeting the people at this conferences is great fun for me. Although they can be long days it is a pleasure to be out there giving the people who attend the chance to learn more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders as well as meet with other people and relate to each the journey you are going through. The support we witness at these conferences is exactly why we plan and execute them. I already look forward to the next opportunity for me to participate. I don't when it will be but be sure that the polka dots will be ready to witness the magic of learning and support once more.


What can I say about Salt Lake City? In deed a cool place to visit. I LOVED being amongst the mountains but above all I REALLY ENJOYED the chance to get out there and do some vertical training. WOW!!! Did I miss going up the mountain side...?!?! It was thrill that I can't even describe. The views were incredible in every direction we looked. Very seldom I look forward to get up early to get out the door to work out. But this time being so close to the Red Butte Park I could hardly sleep I wanted to go vertical so bad. The Clot Buster is a HAPPY CAMPER for sure... I think that I am still smiling.
Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster