Today marks the first day of my official training plan. Like I mentioned before, I decided to go with the Triathlon Geek training plan. I mentioned before that it looks good and breaks it down into different levels. Originally I had planned on extending the 14 week to 16 weeks by adding a few weeks to the Adaptation and Aerobic phase, but there has been a slight change of plans…
My Honey has decided that she wants to do the IronGirl triathlon! *
This is exactly two weeks before the Rage in the Sage, so the new plan is to follow the plan completely then redo a week of competitive. This way, the one plan will work for both of us.
The plan for this week is:
Monday – Run – 45 mins
Tuesday (Hung Over) – Weights
Wednesday – Swim – 500 yards
Thursday – Bike – 50 mins
Friday – Weights
Saturday – Swim – 500 yards
Sunday – Run – Drills – 3 miles
Let’s see how we do! Wish us luck!
*"Wants to" may be a strong choice of words, I was going to go with "would rather suffer through an Irongirl than suffer through the Rage. Plus the IronGirl has a smaller swim", but I didn't think it rolled off the tongue so easily.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Kick in the Pants!
It’s a little old but it needs to be talked about. The past weekend, we went out for a leettle bike ride. By leettle, I mean 30 freaking miles!! And by “we”, I mean the one and only… JohnnyTri!
JT e-mailed me a little while back and mentioned that he wanted to go for an easy bike ride. Like a dumba$$, I jumped at the chance. Nevermind the fact that I have never done 30 miles before. Nevermind the fact that JT is training for IM-CDA and Rage(Half) and Half-Ironman Switzerland; nevermind the fact that he has calf muscles the size of my head and is built like a Greek god (Women swoon at the mere mention of his name!).
No! Despite all these overwhelming facts, I decided to ride.
Now this could have been a perfect ride. He wanted to stay easy, L1 and L2. RIGHT! Leave it to me to F@ck that up in no time flat.
Apparently, JT thought I knew what I was doing when he let me plan the bike route.
Unwittingly, I chose the bike path next to my house. It’s a great path completely isolated from traffic with 6 foot wide path. Normally the Mrs. and I ride it every week.
OK...fine...so we ride half of it every week…appearently the easier, flatter, less likely to cause cardiac failure side.
The other side is the not easy, not flat, very likely to cause cardiac failure. Imagine my chagrin, when I take JT out there on a route “I do all the time” only to find that HOLY MOTHER OF GOD…WHO PUT THIS HILL HERE?
Needless to say it was GREAT! The first 15 miles were some of the hardest miles of my life. We reached grades of 10+. I think there was one the almost reached 15, trusty Garmin says 22% but I think Garmin was smokin’ something at the time.
The first 15 made the second 15 all the better as it mellowed out to good smooth climbs but added the exhaustion of having the life sucked out of your bone marrow. GOOD TIMES!
All in all, it was really good. I hung with JT (who slowed down to a crawl a few times to wait for me, thank you very much!).
Final time for this jaunt out into the hills was 2:13:39. That makes for a whopping…..13.4 mph!
Look out Tour de Farce! I’m only one sponsor away. (Miller?; Budwieser?; Corona?; Absolute?)
I would like to thank Johnny for slowing down for me. I think that he woulda/coulda/ (probably) shoulda been about 6 miles ahead of me at any given moment and therefore would have a much more impressive mph.
I’d also like to thank my lovely wife, who in a moment of weakness let me talk her into a ride and went with me the DAY BEFORE the 30 mile ride to “test the legs”. Apparently 13 miles and 10% grade does not make a fresh pair of legs!
And finally I’d like to thank the little people. Not for any reason other than I’ve always wanted to thank them. You know who you are! (Good. Cause I don’t)
JT e-mailed me a little while back and mentioned that he wanted to go for an easy bike ride. Like a dumba$$, I jumped at the chance. Nevermind the fact that I have never done 30 miles before. Nevermind the fact that JT is training for IM-CDA and Rage(Half) and Half-Ironman Switzerland; nevermind the fact that he has calf muscles the size of my head and is built like a Greek god (Women swoon at the mere mention of his name!).
No! Despite all these overwhelming facts, I decided to ride.
Now this could have been a perfect ride. He wanted to stay easy, L1 and L2. RIGHT! Leave it to me to F@ck that up in no time flat.
Apparently, JT thought I knew what I was doing when he let me plan the bike route.
Unwittingly, I chose the bike path next to my house. It’s a great path completely isolated from traffic with 6 foot wide path. Normally the Mrs. and I ride it every week.
OK...fine...so we ride half of it every week…appearently the easier, flatter, less likely to cause cardiac failure side.
The other side is the not easy, not flat, very likely to cause cardiac failure. Imagine my chagrin, when I take JT out there on a route “I do all the time” only to find that HOLY MOTHER OF GOD…WHO PUT THIS HILL HERE?
Needless to say it was GREAT! The first 15 miles were some of the hardest miles of my life. We reached grades of 10+. I think there was one the almost reached 15, trusty Garmin says 22% but I think Garmin was smokin’ something at the time.
The first 15 made the second 15 all the better as it mellowed out to good smooth climbs but added the exhaustion of having the life sucked out of your bone marrow. GOOD TIMES!
All in all, it was really good. I hung with JT (who slowed down to a crawl a few times to wait for me, thank you very much!).
Final time for this jaunt out into the hills was 2:13:39. That makes for a whopping…..13.4 mph!
Look out Tour de Farce! I’m only one sponsor away. (Miller?; Budwieser?; Corona?; Absolute?)
I would like to thank Johnny for slowing down for me. I think that he woulda/coulda/ (probably) shoulda been about 6 miles ahead of me at any given moment and therefore would have a much more impressive mph.
I’d also like to thank my lovely wife, who in a moment of weakness let me talk her into a ride and went with me the DAY BEFORE the 30 mile ride to “test the legs”. Apparently 13 miles and 10% grade does not make a fresh pair of legs!
And finally I’d like to thank the little people. Not for any reason other than I’ve always wanted to thank them. You know who you are! (Good. Cause I don’t)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Screw Triathlons, I’ve got a whole new goal!
I’ve been wondering around looking for a meaning to my life. I mean really, is my life only to serve as an example for others not to follow??!!
Finally, I have found my life purpose:
Breaking News!
The Beer Mile world record was broken yesterday with a time of 5:09 by Jim Finlayson. The Beer Mile was held Tuesday night on the Oak Bay track in Victoria, B.C. His beer choice was Granville Island Winter Ale, from a bottle.
For those that aren’t aware of the rules, the basic idea is this: Each competitor drinks four regular bottles or cans of beer of at least 5% alcohol and runs four laps on a track (Start - beer/lap, beer/lap, beer/lap, beer/lap - finish).
This may be might life’s purpose but I seriously have my work cut out for me. This guys drank 4 beers and ran a mile in 5:09!!
My hero!
Finally, I have found my life purpose:
Breaking News!
The Beer Mile world record was broken yesterday with a time of 5:09 by Jim Finlayson. The Beer Mile was held Tuesday night on the Oak Bay track in Victoria, B.C. His beer choice was Granville Island Winter Ale, from a bottle.
For those that aren’t aware of the rules, the basic idea is this: Each competitor drinks four regular bottles or cans of beer of at least 5% alcohol and runs four laps on a track (Start - beer/lap, beer/lap, beer/lap, beer/lap - finish).
This may be might life’s purpose but I seriously have my work cut out for me. This guys drank 4 beers and ran a mile in 5:09!!
My hero!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Run...Forest...run!
Today was one of those days were you look around and go whose body is this??!!
Now, I have that sometimes. Usually it’s because I am sucking so much ass that I can’t believe it. But today was one of those days on the opposite end of the spectrum.
I was hauling some serious butt out there today!
The whole run (3 miles) felt very easy and slow for me. I was thinking that the cold (relatively) would get to me, but that was no problem. I was thinking that the swimming workout I did the night before would get me, no problem-o. If nothing else, I figured the fact that I was a dumbass and didn’t go to bed until 1 am and 4 hours of sleep would do it. But it turns out that everything lined up for me and I was Billy Bad Ass out there.
Maybe it’s a sign. Maybe I should always stay up to late, work too hard and be a general dumbass! This might be a whole new leaf for me. I could break new records, write books on how to be a dumbass and beat the system. I could be a MILLIONARE (then I could REALLY be a dumbass).
Me thinks not. Fluke, I say. But we’ll see.
In the meantime, I just hope that the group doesn’t start expecting that kind of performance out of me all the time. They’ll be in for a rude awakening!
Now, I have that sometimes. Usually it’s because I am sucking so much ass that I can’t believe it. But today was one of those days on the opposite end of the spectrum.
I was hauling some serious butt out there today!
The whole run (3 miles) felt very easy and slow for me. I was thinking that the cold (relatively) would get to me, but that was no problem. I was thinking that the swimming workout I did the night before would get me, no problem-o. If nothing else, I figured the fact that I was a dumbass and didn’t go to bed until 1 am and 4 hours of sleep would do it. But it turns out that everything lined up for me and I was Billy Bad Ass out there.
Maybe it’s a sign. Maybe I should always stay up to late, work too hard and be a general dumbass! This might be a whole new leaf for me. I could break new records, write books on how to be a dumbass and beat the system. I could be a MILLIONARE (then I could REALLY be a dumbass).
Me thinks not. Fluke, I say. But we’ll see.
In the meantime, I just hope that the group doesn’t start expecting that kind of performance out of me all the time. They’ll be in for a rude awakening!
Training Plan
In preparation for the upcoming year, I decided to go off the deep end and get a training plan (or two).
I actually wanted a coach, but 1). Don’t think I deserve one [I’m waiting to get a coach for when I’m actually close to winning something, right now I’m BOTP, maybe when I get to MOTP], and 2). Most importantly, I can’t afford one.
I think that it sucks about the money. I know a great guy and great coach (I assume) but right now, I don’t think I can afford him, the Gym, the house, etc all at once. Which sucks, because I’m pretty sure that I can con beg my way into a good deal if I include the family.
Anyways, I bought the Triathlon Geek Olympic training plan. I’ll let you know if it works well for me or not. At first blush, it looks good, a lot of work outs at various levels and it focuses on different styles and techniques.
I plan on using the Olympic plan for the Sprint race, and I’ll use the Half-Iron plan for the Olympic (coming up!!). My hope is that I’ll be so far ahead with the larger distances that it’ll be cake walk for me to do the actual event.
(Here’s to hoping!)
I have one problem. I currently go to the gym and do a couple classes (Both on the same day 6am and 6pm)
1). Run class – Basically a running group. We run ~3 miles. Twice per week; ~40 minutes
2). Sports conditioning – Mainly consist of a lot of various activities; i.e. sprints; push-ups; stairs; core work, etc. Basically it REALLY gets the heart moving (HR 158-193). Twice per week; 1 hour
I really like the classes, but when looking at the new schedule, I’m not sure how they fit in. If I keep them AND follow the schedule, is that too much and/or I’m sure that they may fit into the schedule at first but inevitably the time will come that the schedule calls for more than the class can give.
It’s a pickle, no doubt about it!
I actually wanted a coach, but 1). Don’t think I deserve one [I’m waiting to get a coach for when I’m actually close to winning something, right now I’m BOTP, maybe when I get to MOTP], and 2). Most importantly, I can’t afford one.
I think that it sucks about the money. I know a great guy and great coach (I assume) but right now, I don’t think I can afford him, the Gym, the house, etc all at once. Which sucks, because I’m pretty sure that I can con beg my way into a good deal if I include the family.
Anyways, I bought the Triathlon Geek Olympic training plan. I’ll let you know if it works well for me or not. At first blush, it looks good, a lot of work outs at various levels and it focuses on different styles and techniques.
I plan on using the Olympic plan for the Sprint race, and I’ll use the Half-Iron plan for the Olympic (coming up!!). My hope is that I’ll be so far ahead with the larger distances that it’ll be cake walk for me to do the actual event.
(Here’s to hoping!)
I have one problem. I currently go to the gym and do a couple classes (Both on the same day 6am and 6pm)
1). Run class – Basically a running group. We run ~3 miles. Twice per week; ~40 minutes
2). Sports conditioning – Mainly consist of a lot of various activities; i.e. sprints; push-ups; stairs; core work, etc. Basically it REALLY gets the heart moving (HR 158-193). Twice per week; 1 hour
I really like the classes, but when looking at the new schedule, I’m not sure how they fit in. If I keep them AND follow the schedule, is that too much and/or I’m sure that they may fit into the schedule at first but inevitably the time will come that the schedule calls for more than the class can give.
It’s a pickle, no doubt about it!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Just Push the button!
Crap! What have I done!
I know for you big time endurance athletes out there this is nothing, but for me…OH CRAP!
I have officially registered for an Olympic!
Apparently, I fell for that old trick: “Hurry, hurry HURRY! Don’t miss out, the time is right! We’re SOLD OUT, (but there may be room for just one or two more), HURRY!”
I contacted the RD and he said there were a few spots still open. But I should hurry before they’re gone. Guess what I did? That’s right, no time to think, no time to reconsider and no time to double check the bank account: I spent my hard earned cash-olla on an event.
To hell with the power bill! I don’t need electricity, I need to train. Hell, since this is my first Oly and I’m so drastically underprepared, you could hook a generator to the bike with how much I’m going to need to train to get ready.
Yee-haa!!
(OK, I’m off to throw-up now!)
I know for you big time endurance athletes out there this is nothing, but for me…OH CRAP!
I have officially registered for an Olympic!
Apparently, I fell for that old trick: “Hurry, hurry HURRY! Don’t miss out, the time is right! We’re SOLD OUT, (but there may be room for just one or two more), HURRY!”
I contacted the RD and he said there were a few spots still open. But I should hurry before they’re gone. Guess what I did? That’s right, no time to think, no time to reconsider and no time to double check the bank account: I spent my hard earned cash-olla on an event.
To hell with the power bill! I don’t need electricity, I need to train. Hell, since this is my first Oly and I’m so drastically underprepared, you could hook a generator to the bike with how much I’m going to need to train to get ready.
Yee-haa!!
(OK, I’m off to throw-up now!)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
2008 Schedule
So here it is. My 2008 race schedule:
[sorry, Blogger editor doesn't do tables very well so it's in picture format :( ]
As my wife puts it: "it’s...ambitious."
Maybe that because I’m looking at doing 17 events
Tri – 7
Bike – 4
Run – 3
Fun – 3
Break down:
The Rage is the third year I’ll be doing this. The first time I didn’t have a clue and came in with three weeks training, sporting a big, heavy mountain bike (suck!); the next year, we (my wife and I) did the Duathlon, again with little training (although I think it was almost a month’s worth this time); For this year, I want to be as prepped as possible. I’ll give it one good go and really find out how badly I suck at this Tri thing.
SG Tri, Utah and Kokopelli are all a series of tri’s that you get to compete against your time. Depending on how I do on the Sprint Rage, I’ll be trying this out in Olympic. This will be my first time. I figure with three of them, I can truly judge how I’m progressing.
UPDATE: Holy Crap Batman! SG Tri is already sold out. I’ve asked to be on the waitlist but DAMN! That was fast!
I did the Pumpkin man last year and have to say that it was F@cking impossibly hard! It has some of the steepest hills I’ve ever ridden (ha! Like I ride a lot of hills in the first place!) But regardless, it was tough. I’ve got to go back, if for nothing else than find my self-respect, which I’m sure I lost somewhere on this trail.
The rest of the events are fun events or biking events to push my biking skills up. Throw in a few long runs and you’ve got a jam packed year!
Wish me Luck (I’m going to need it)!
[sorry, Blogger editor doesn't do tables very well so it's in picture format :( ]
As my wife puts it: "it’s...ambitious."
Maybe that because I’m looking at doing 17 events
Tri – 7
Bike – 4
Run – 3
Fun – 3
Break down:
The Rage is the third year I’ll be doing this. The first time I didn’t have a clue and came in with three weeks training, sporting a big, heavy mountain bike (suck!); the next year, we (my wife and I) did the Duathlon, again with little training (although I think it was almost a month’s worth this time); For this year, I want to be as prepped as possible. I’ll give it one good go and really find out how badly I suck at this Tri thing.
SG Tri, Utah and Kokopelli are all a series of tri’s that you get to compete against your time. Depending on how I do on the Sprint Rage, I’ll be trying this out in Olympic. This will be my first time. I figure with three of them, I can truly judge how I’m progressing.
UPDATE: Holy Crap Batman! SG Tri is already sold out. I’ve asked to be on the waitlist but DAMN! That was fast!
I did the Pumpkin man last year and have to say that it was F@cking impossibly hard! It has some of the steepest hills I’ve ever ridden (ha! Like I ride a lot of hills in the first place!) But regardless, it was tough. I’ve got to go back, if for nothing else than find my self-respect, which I’m sure I lost somewhere on this trail.
The rest of the events are fun events or biking events to push my biking skills up. Throw in a few long runs and you’ve got a jam packed year!
Wish me Luck (I’m going to need it)!
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