Over the Mountain in Photos

On the way to the race.

Big Daddy got marked so…

…naturally, Owen needed to be too!

The big giant hill Michael referred to. And the “Big giant orange man” Owen refers to.

All the trash bags are little funny looking when you’re used to seeing crates.

What a way to start the bike – uphill.

It is called Over the Mountain!

Slowin down for a high five!

Again… Over the Mountain!

The Team Whetstone cheering section.

Time for a cool down?

A little history time.

Team Whetstone this time!

Crawdaddy Dash

We had a wonderful time at the Crawfish Festival in Columbia this weekend. It began with the Crawdaddy Dash 5K. Hunter, Michael's 11 year old grandson and Michael ran the 5K. Kevin, Mary Beth, Jackie, Maizeigh and Norah walk/jogged the 5K. Hunter and Michael BOTH placed in their age groups.

MICHAEL WHETSTONE 0:22:25 - 1st in his age group by over 2 minutes
HUNTER WHETSTONE 0:25:43 - 3rd in his age group (11-14, the youngest)

The awards were aprons. Hunter wore his the rest of the day!


After the race we enjoyed a little break in the shade before heading into the festival.


Big Daddy's condition for bringing Hunter to the race was that he had to try a crawfish. Hunter, surprisingly, loved them.




Norah, Team Whetstone's newest member at age 3 1/2 weeks, enjoyed her first race!

Unfinished Business ( Chapter 2) - Parris Island

For those who missed out on chapter 1, I'll try to bring you up to speed. I'm going to borrow the mission statement from Sara Reinertson's 2005 attempt at the Ironman. If you don't recall this, take a look at Youtube's "Sarah Reinertsen - Ironman - Don't say you can't ". Since my Ironman preparation last year ended just three weeks shy of the big day, I have gone back to work this year with the goal of making it all the way to the finish line in Florida. Completing what I would consider some "Unfinished Business". During the first week in January of this year, I registered for five training events that I felt would help me get back to the Florida IM. This is back when I struggled to swim 200 yards, with my one good arm, and was recovering from a sprained ankle. It was also two weeks after my first trial bike ride where I went for all of two miles. That required a lot of faith or a "don't care" attitude about the entry fees. Parris Island was event number one of this quest. It was awesome to be out there competing again. We had a pretty large group of Lexingtonians there. Believe it or not my swim time and bike time were actually faster than last year's. Of course, pushing that hard left me with no strength to run with. With the staggered swim times I was unable to see the duel between Mike and Tim, who started only seconds apart. My daughter-in-law, Jessica, completed her first triathlon in a pretty impressive time. It must have been that last half mile of help, in the run, that she received from the team. Team Whetstone kicked off a new year, cheering for at least eight, by name. The team followed up the race with a rewarding warm afternoon at Hunting Island Beach. Those of us that get out there and run, are such a fortunate group of individuals. We enjoy being outdoors in most any kind of weather, soaking up the beauty of this world as we push ourselves to a fitness level that only ensures that we enjoy it more. We often don't appreciate what we have been blessed with until we are deprived of it. When I could not go out and do is when I missed it the most. I only hope that I enjoy the next five events as much as I did Parris Island. On now to chapter 3, with a smile and a supportive team.

Ironman 2008 video

Here's a video that I made from Ironman 2008 pictures (make sure you turn your volume up)

Let the Season Begin - Parris Island Triathlon

We're kicking off the Ironman Training Triathlon Season with a huge hit.

Michael competed in the Parris Island Triathlon on Saturday, March 19th. He was joined by several good friends/family.

Pre-race jitters are always calmed down a little by seeing your good friends.
Mike 9, Jessica (Michael's daughter-in-law), and Tim Eichstaedt. There were other members of the LRC participating but couldn't be found for the pre-race picture.


Maizeigh and Big Daddy stretching before the swim start


Mike in his swim


Tim took time out for a smile


Big Daddy going for the pass


Big Daddy - a great shot


How do you like my shoulder now?


Big Daddy finished the swim, heading to T1


Jessica smiling for the camera, during her swim


Jessica in T1 with Team Whetstone cheering her on


Rick Rikard starting the bike


Big Daddy coming in from a strong bike ride


Run start


Mike's run finish - sub 1 hour


Tim's run finish


Rick on his run start


Jessica's run start


Rick's run finish


Team Whetstone watching the soldiers


Jessica's run finish


LRC finishers


Michael's Time - 6th in age group:
Swim: 10:00
T1: 1:48
Bike: 32:27
T2: 1:11
Run: 22:36
Finish Time: 1:08:00

What's amazing is that after nursing his broken collar bone and broken ribs, Michael's wish of being faster really did come true. He beat his swim time from 2010 by 13 seconds and his bike time by over a minute. Way to go Big Daddy!!!!

Turkey Day 5K 2010

Michael, Kenny, Jessica and Hunter ran the 5K on Thanksgiving morning.

Team Whetstone was represented by 3 members (Mary Beth, Jackson and Maizeigh). Jackson and Maizeigh didn't understand that we couldn't go see the runners at different places on the course. They're used to long races and seeing everyone several times.
So they passed the time by running around themselves.


Big Daddy and Hunter finishing strong. Hunter set a new PR, beating his Sleigh Bell Trot time by 50 seconds.


Jessica coming in the finish. She's really been training hard lately.


Ward, Trina, Michael, Jessica, Kenny and Hunter


Kenny and Maizeigh waiting for the awards.


We were glad we stayed for awards because Jessica got 2nd in her age group. We were so proud of her!!

November 7 Florida

Where was this sign at the Tour de Camden?


I woke up this morning as soon as the sun lit our room. The clock indicated that it was just after six. I assumed that Jackie had set the clock back before going to bed. For the first time in at least a day it was very quiet outside. When we went to bed last night they were still announcing Ironman finishers over the PA system. The announced names were getting pretty spread out by 10 PM. I could only think of how tough it probably was for those who had been in motion for the last 15 or 16 hours. I am thankful that Mike finished so early last night. Our little gang of cheerleaders looked beat and it was getting pretty darn cold out there for those of us that weren’t running.

The team set up our last viewing points at about mile 25.9 and at the finish line. I was in the group at 25.9 with Jackie, Mary Beth and her family. I was continually working on predicting Mike's arrival time. I knew how tough those last ten miles were and how easy it was to listen to your body when it pleaded for walk breaks more and more frequently. I walked a little way down from Jackie and MB several times looking down the road for him. On the last trip down there I saw him making the turn towards the finish line. I offered my last words of encouragement before Jackie and MB started their screaming. The rest of our team was up at the finish line and were able to see him triumphantly cross that darn line. It took a while to work through the crowd to get up to Mike. Jackie and I did get to congratulate him and his family before heading off to our room. We ordered pizza and watched a pretty bad second half of the USC Arkansas game before we hit the sack.
My view from the balcony this morning was quite different from that of the last few days. There was not a swimmer or runner to be seen on the stretch of beach that I could view. I didn’t see anyone biking down Front Beach Drive. Previously you had to weave down this road to dodge what most people consider to be inconsiderate crazy bikers. There were only a few worn out Ironmen pushing their bikes to be loaded back on their racks for the journey home. As we loaded up and headed out to church we saw many walking to and from, ever so gingerly.
This has been a great experience. I have been able to see what Team Whetstone goes through in order to experience the Ironman with me. I finally earned a much coveted Team Whetstone jersey. Even though I didn’t get to participate in the Ironman as I had planned, I got to experience it through and for my good friend Mike.

Florida Ironman 2010

Michael Nininger - YOU ARE AN IRONMAN! 12:23:58!!


Team Whetstone is so proud of you!!

Panama City November 6th

After Team Whetstone got back and compared notes, we found that we all got to see Mike at various places in transition or heading out on the bike. He was smiling all the way like hed just enjoyed an easy 2.4 mile swim and was ready to settle in for a scenic 112 mile bike ride. IHOP was packed so we settled on Team Whetstone taking up half of the closest Waffle House.
We left there and went out to try and catch him at the bike special needs area. By the time we got there he had already passed, so we tried to intercept him at HWY 20, which is 63 miles on the bike. When we got there, Joe and I were the first ones out of the car and as everyone else was getting out of the car he came by, so he got a yell from just the two of us. We left there and did as much cross country as we could, about 25 miles, where we got to see him at mile 90 and 100. Then we hustled back to T2. My guess is that he got into T2 at 5:50, his plan being 5:45, which was a great bike ride. The team split up, some staying to see him at transition and some out at about half a mile on the run. It was almost 3pm and the team had to go get some lunch.


We next saw Mike at mile 14.5. He looked so good I jumped in and ran with him for a mile. He confessed that he'd been about to take a walk break, but he decided to keep on going. We shared a few thoughts about what went into today's events, chatting about how this event is a lot more than just miles and yards of training, it demands a whole lot of heart. Then I turned around and he left with a smile on his face while I went the other way with tears in my eyes.
Its cold, windy and getting colder. The sun's gone down and the kids are getting tired of this. We're sitting outside the state park at about mile 20 or 21 waiting for him to come out. He's looking like a real Ironman.

Michael Whetstone

Saturday November 6, 2010

Having our room this close to transition area, blessed us with announcements and music just after 5:00am this morning. With that going on we couldn’t lay around in the bed. Of course its still dark outside, we can see the people getting ready down there. It was tough to watch everyone take off this morning. I was thinking this morning, while they were standing on the beach, about how their emotions were running high. I was feeling the same thing. We watched the swim start from our balcony because of the crowd on the beach. Team Whetstone is 12 members strong, dressed in our team shirts, ready to cheer. We all went down to find different locations to watch for Mike. Mike exited the water close to 1:14, which is excellent, right where he predicted. Several of us got cheers in and I got a wet high five as he was coming out of his wetsuit. He went through T1 without a hitch and we all got to cheer him as he got on the bike to take off.


The Team is going to breakfast now and then we’ll head out to find him on the bike course somewhere.



Michael Whetstone

Friday Nov. 5 Panama City

The forecast is for 39 degrees as a low tonight and 63 for the high tomorrow. Pretty good for the Ironman if the winds die down. While checking in yesterday, we relocated our two rooms on the 20th floor to be on the same floor. When we got up to the room I found that not only did our balcony face the beach swim exit but our bedroom window faced the transition area. We could be lazy tomorrow and watch it all from here. I got up at about 7 this morning. Looked out the window and saw many wetsuited swimmers testing the Gulf water. I went for a whole mile run. A whole mile!!. It was tougher on my ribs than my shoulder. I had trouble getting a deep breath. At 9 I went down and got in line for the 2011 sign up. I saw Rick in the transition area getting ready to accept the bikes. I met two others standing with him. one of these was Craig Dunlavy. I left them and went to get in line only to be chased down by Craig. He joined me in line as he told me that he was with Cindy Long the morning of the Tour de Camden Ride. I thanked him for his help that morning. It appears that He and Cindy were some of the few that stuck around that morning to see that I got in the ambulance and off to the hospital okay. I can't tell all that he related, but will be glad to share some of that on a long run later this month. I hope that I relayed to him my thanks to he and Cindy for being there for me.
Called Mike just before sign up and told him I had a spot in line for him. I signed my name and gave over my Visa card. It's official. I have 365 days to get back in shape for IM Florida 2011 right here in Panama City. That's comforting to know. Otherwise spending time around all these prepared individuals would be unbearable.
Mary Beth and her family just arrived. Christi and her family are due within the hour. Joe and Chelsea's plane arrives at 7:30pm. I'm set for a no pressure evening tonight. Mike's brother, Stape, will be arriving tonight and Mike told him not to expect him to stay up late talking tonight, he plans on going to bed at 9:00pm. Bodymarking begins at 4:30am.
The attached photos are of me just outside the 2011 signup tent and the other is me, after getting Jackie's permission, committing to another year of training for IM 2011.

Michael Whetstone

Thursday, November 4, 2010 - UPDATE:

Yesterday I went for my first check up with the doctor after surgery. He gave me clearance to run, just not too long or fast. That's okay because I never do! We drove from Lexington, SC to Columbus, GA and spent the night there. Got up and headed on into Panama City. Arrived about 12:45. I called Mike to let him know that we had arrived but he was out doing a swim in the clear gulf water. Unloaded the car and Jackie unpacked while I got in the athlete check in line. I painfully stood in line for 2 and a half hours before I got into the tent. My shoulder ached but not as much as my heart. Mike called, he had already checked in but he came and stood in line with me for about the last 45 minutes. Got my packet and official Ironman wristband. Jackie come to be with me and we saw Rick and Cathy. Visited the Ironman store where I found a nice shirt. Mike left and Jackie and I went to finally get some lunch at 4pm. I decided I wanted a non-ironman prepace meal at Five Guys. Talked to MIke again, he was concerned about getting all his gear in the bike special needs bag. After dinner I did my first test "run", I went for 75 feet and everything still worked.

I'll keep you updated.
Michael

High Fives from our new Ironman

Here is Mike coming up to about mile 21 with some very unexpected "high fives" for Team Whetstone. You have to turn the volume up so you can hear what 2 year old Maizeigh learned to do by the end of the day! Way to go Mike!