Iron Ambition: Crossing the Finish Line with Connor

Jan 11, 2009

Crossing the Finish Line with Connor

This is a TREASURED video clip of Connor running alongside of me as I crossed the finish line and achieved my dream of becomming an Ironman Triathlete.

Words cannot describe the emotions and sense of accomplishment to have worked so hard and have overcome so many obstacles in the pursuit of this goal. And to have Connor cross the line with me was priceless.

Absolutely a day that will live with me forever.

From "Seat 2A" to IRONMAN.

The purpose of assembling my thoughts and tracking my progress is to catalogue my journey from corporate excess and sloth to my seemingly unobtainable goal of completing the full Ironman Triathlon: 2.4 Mile Swim, 112 Mile Bike followed by a 26.2 Mile Marathon run.

Will I achieve this goal?

I certainly believe that I will, but this site is called Iron Ambition because this is my "ambition," not my life.

For a complete explanation of "Seat 2A" please see my post from July 10, 2008.

- John D. Callos

Top Fitness Goals - Aug 2008

*Eliminate IT Band Problems (Done. July '09)
*Full Ironman Triathlon (Done Nov '08)
*Run: 50 mile Ultramarathon (Done Aug '09)
*Swim an open water 10K (Done July '09)
*ULTRAMAN Canada (318 miles) (Done Aug '09)
*Write Book re: Ironman (Done Mar '09)
Accepted to ULTRAMAN Hawaii 2010 or 2011
Bike: Double Century (200 miles)
Eliminate Trigger Point Issue
Fifteen Correct Pull Ups
Ironman World Championships (lottery)
Keep weight under 159 pounds
Less than 32" waist at BB
Run Western States 100
Run: Badwater 135
Run: Carp to Solvang (50 m.)
Run: LB to Carp. (112 mi.)
Run: SB 9-Trails (35 Miles)
Swim: Alcatraz to San Francisco
Swim: Catalina to L.B. (23 miles)
Swim: Entire Golden Gate Bridge
Swim: SB Wharf to Carp (10 Miles?)

Fastest Times Log

6.2 Mile Open Water Swim 4:17 (2009)
ULTRAMAN Canada 35:18 (2009)
53 Mile Double Marathon - 11:49 (2009)
Bulldog 50K (31 mile) Ultra Run: 7:29 (2008)
High School Half Mile: 1:57 (1978)
Three Mile Cross Country: 15:45 (1980)
High School 2-Mile: 10:28 (1980)
High School Mile: 4:52 (1979)
Vineman 70.3 Half Ironman: 5:51 (2008)
IMAZ - Tempe Full Ironman: 13:58 (2008)
100 Mile Weekend Ride: 6:06 (2008)
20 Mile Weekend Run
13.1 Mile Half Marathon: 1:59.30 (2008)
1,000 meter swim : 16:48 (2008)
112 Mile Bike to Carpinteria
15 mile run
10 mile run
Mile pace while training: 8:30 - 9:15 per mile
50 Meter Swim
200 Meter Swim
Mile Run on Track
100 meter swim

KEY PEOPLE TO THANK

Scott Gower at Go For It Sports: Scott is a world class endurance athlete and about the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Connor and I met Scott while he was setting up for the Carpinteria Sprint Triathlon one year. We helped him pitch his tent and lay out his tons of gear for sale. I was very interested in this gear and the sport, and Scott...well, he was the fittest man I had ever seen; still is. He encouraged me to try this sport sometime. I NEVER thought I could do this, ever, but he encouraged me and gave me a hat that I still wear today ("Tri") . Scott remains an inspiration and I follow his races closesly, most recently, a top-10 finish in the Hawaii Ultraman World Championhips in 2008! Awesome Scott!
Tri-Talk Podcast and David Warden: David's Podcast is fantastic. I loved all the research and the science behind each show. While he is currently working on a book and other coaching endeavors, you can still listen to his Podcast at www.Tri-Talk.com
Steve Runner and Phedippidations Podcast: Steve has produced a fantastic Podcast. He does an incredible amount of research on many of his topics and he's got the guts to have an opinion. He is an average guy like the rest of us and it's easy to relate to his struggles, injuries and setbacks as he pursues his goal to break 4:00 hours in the marathon.
Bob Babbitt and The Competitor's Podcast: Bob has such a great way about him, and while we have never met, his interviews and Podcast have been a source of extreme learning and inspiration. I would love to meet Bob at some point. This is always a truly outstanding Podcast.
Surf City Cyclery: Sean, TJ and especially Mike, you guys have been absolutely fantastic!! Getting into the sport initially, I was really taken advantage of by other shops, but you guys reeled-in my spending and set me straight on great quality bikes. Mike was very patient with fitting and took a personal interest in tuning my bikes. The replacement set-up following my bike accident is fantastic. I highly recommend Surf City Cyclery!
CarboPro and SportQuest: Jeff personally designed a custom race and training protocol for my hydration and nutrition needs. I have now converted to only SportQuest products, including CarboPro1200 and all the supplements. These products work synergistically to minimize the risk of hyponatremia and dehydration, as well as speed the recovery time from tough workouts. I am a huge fan!
Dr. Jeffery Ho: After over one year of seeking solutions to constant pain in my upper back, you solved the problem with Cortisone injections. We knew we finally hit that knotted trigger point when the muscle had a violent, involuntary spasm that nearly pushed the needle right back out of my back! Seven treatments of "wet needling" finally got this pain under control and allowed me to get my 6 - 7 hour training rides complete on the weekends.
Eric Weber: As a world-class water polo player, you taught me a few "moves" that may have literally saved my life in the open water swim where 1200 raging lunatics are all grabbing and climbing over one another at the first buoy turn of each swim.
David Jochim: As a world class Triathlete, you were perhaps one of the most open and coachable IdeaBridge clients; you really understand coaching. But your level of fitness was the greatest inspiration for me. You had completed many Ironman and triahlon events and hearing your stories made me dream of one day completing my own triathlon. Thanks!
Kelvin Shields: From the moment we met, there was a connection. You helped me organize my life and priorites on what matters most. As a partner in business and as an inspiration doing your own 70.3, I am a much better man for knowing you.
Kevin Kelsey: The world's greatest business partner and great friend. You have made allowances and clearly taken up the slack when I am out training 15 - 20 hours a week. These Ironman finishes would never have been possible without your support. Thanks Kevin!
David Warden: Thanks for believing in an over the hill, middle aged, former athlete who hadn't done a thing in 25 years. You were booked up with athletes but took me on as a special experiment. You have kept me injury free and motivated. I love the science and research, but more than anything, it's the accountability to a world expert that forces me out of bed at 4:30am!
Chris Barsh: Thanks for the enouragement the day prior to my first race (that was huge!) and thanks for helping me in my carbo loading on Saturdays at our "Club"
Connor: Thanks for getting up at 3:00am in Kona to encourage me when I was up worried about my first 70.3. Your encouragement of, "You've got this Dad!" stayed with me the entire race and every day since!
My wife: Thanks for the understanding, support and flexibility to do all these workouts, dropping me off 15 miles away so I am forced to run home, and especially for really pushing me out the door when I would have often just skipped the workouts! I really appreciated you getting up at 4:20am to take me to the Tempe venue and was thrilled that you and Connor were right there at the finish line at 9:00pm!!
Amanda: As my first coach, you did a great job to get me out of seat 2A and kept me injury free with the right balance of fun and adventure that I needed.
Mark Ganz and SLT: Your offsite presented the real challenge for us all to make big changes to our health. Within one year of our offsite, I completed three Triathlons and many road races, including two Half Ironman 70.3s. Something great happened at that session, and I am glad to have been part of it.
Joseph Otting: As one of the busiest people I know, you have managed to make time to stay fit. You made me eliminate the excuse of not having enough time. If you can make time, there is no excuse for me, or for anyone!

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Iron Ambition

Jan 11, 2009

Crossing the Finish Line with Connor

BUY THE BOOK

THE BEFORE SIDE

THE AFTER SIDE

About Me

From "Seat 2A" to IRONMAN.

Boy Scout Camp Catalina: 2005

The "AFTER" Side

BEFORE: Look at that 42" waistline!

Big Man Running

Kona Ironman 70.3

At Peak of Plumpness and Corporate Excess

Dad and Connor Summer 2008

Nov 25, 2008

Blog Archive

BullDog 50K Ultra Marathon - Aug 2008

Family Vacation: 2002

Kona Ironman 70.3

Bike Portion of Kona 70.3

Kona Ironman 70.3

Dad and Connor: Kona 70.3

After the Race in the Bike Transition Area

New Bike: Tempe Ironman

Dad and Connor post Kona 70.3

Dad and Connor Post Tempe

Top Fitness Goals - Aug 2008

My Confirmed Race Schedule

CONTACT INFORMATION

Fastest Times Log

Santa Barbara Tri - 2007

NeoPod

NeoCounter

KEY PEOPLE TO THANK

Sponsors and Personal Endorsements