So Many Directions To Go

Decisions, decisions, decisions........

Where to go with this blog? Do I have a cliche filled rant like last week or do I pick on the way too serious triathlete? Do I go back to my old ways and just bore with you my weekly training totals? Or do I go into the fact that I can't wait for Eagleman 70.3 and finally racing this year?

Well, we can count out the cliche filled rant as it is not my forte of writing. Anyways, I think I used my year's worth of cliches last week (thankfully). I have no idea what I was thinking when I was writing that blog. Maybe it was the extra chlorine from the extra day of swimming last week??? Maybe it was the beer I was drinking or the shot of tequila? Oops, I have a race in two weeks, should I still be doing that stuff??

Now as for picking on the way too serious, sometimes it is just too easy to do that and I can't help myself when I see things on twitter and Facebook. Sometimes they just make it too easy for me to go off. At the same time, I don't want to have every triathlete or endurance athlete hating on me either, especially since I know not all triathletes are eccentric of OCD. I also know that once in a while, I may find myself breaking one of my own rules.Not often, but I do slip once in a while.

Now that the summer is here and track & field season is over, I promise to sit and write my version of the "unofficial" rules of triathlon. Once complete, I think you will find many of my rules will apply to any other endurance competition (running, bicycling, swimming). I also ask that if you should read my blog, please pass on your suggestions for the rules.Trust me, we have all seen things or even done things that we know should not be done or be done! Regardless of what direction I or you take these rules, all will lead back to one of my top rules......don't take yourself to seriously! Have fun! Time for a beer.........

New Training Totals
Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 141 miles/ 6.48 hours/ 21.7 mph
Run - 4 runs/ 29.5 miles/ 3.66 hours/ 7:26 per mile
Swim - 3 swims/ 3 miles/ 1.51 hours
Total - 11 workouts/ 173.5 miles/ 11.65 hours

2013
Bike - 113 rides/ 3508 miles/ 160.52 hours/ 21.8 mph
Run - 71 runs/ 414.25 miles/ 50.67 hours/ 7:21 per mile
Swim - 68 swims/ 66.5 miles/ 32.51 hours
Total - 252 workouts/ 3988.75 miles/ 243.7 hours

Goals This Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 135-145 miles
Run -  3 runs/ 23-25 miles (long run of 85:00)
Swim - 3-4 swims/ 3 miles

People will often ask what am I on to complete my training? 

 

What am I am on? 

 

I am on my bike 7-8 hours a week, in the pool 1.5-2 hours a week and on the roads running 2-3 hours a week......and of course caffeine,moose tracks and beer for recovery! (Oh yeah, can't forget the eye drops 2x's a day)

 

That's what I am on!

Kona 2013

Taper Time - Well Not For Everything!

Hay is in the barn! (WOW! just starting off and I have already dropped one cheesy cliche)

As of today, it is now just 3 short weeks till the Endurafit Ironman 70.3. All the big volume weeks of training are behind me. I can honestly say, after the past 4 weeks of 12-13 hours of training, I am going into this 70.3 with a lot more confidence than last summer's 70.3. Yeah, I have set what some people might think are lofty goals, but I don't know any other way to do things - Go Big or Go Home! (cheesy cliche #2) Ultimately, the plan is to qualify for Kona as qualifying for a return trip to Kona was the main reason to return to triathlons. Yeah, getting old and often injured from running the past 3-4 years did factor in my decision to return to triathlons. I know age is but a number (cheesy cliche #3)  but sometimes age wins and reminds you that you are no spring chicken anymore!

While over the next 3 weeks, I will be reducing the volume of my training but there are a few things that in no way could I reduce: coffee, ice cream, diet coke and beer! Besides, I am not sure if everybody I know would like to see me reduce my coffee or caffeine intake. Plus, the ice cream is my defense against stress-fractures and the beer is for my sanity! Why would I change if all the things worked during my training? I'll never get why so many of the triathletes I know cut things so drastically in the lead up to a race. It might be presumptuous of me but I really believe that many would have the same if not better results if people stayed - NORMAL! As a matter of fact, I am having a beer as I finish up this post.

Cheers!

New Training Totals
Week
Bike - 5 rides/ 164 miles/ 7.92 hours/ 20.7mph
Run - 4 runs/ 24.5 miles/ 2.99 hours/ 7:19 per mile
Swim - 3 swims/ 3 miles/ 1.47 hours
Total - 12 workouts/ 191/5 miles/ 12.38 hours

2013
Bike - 109 rides/ 3367 miles/ 154.03 hours/ 21.9 mph
Run - 67 rides/ 348.75 miles/ 47.01 hours/ 7:20 per mile
Swim - 65 swims/ 63.5 miles/ 31.01 hours
Total - 241 workouts/ 3815.25 miles/ 232.05 hours

Goals This Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 140-150 miles
Run - 4 runs/ 24-28 miles
Swim - 4 swims/ 3-4 miles

People will often ask what am I on to complete my training? 

What am I am on? 

I am on my bike 7-8 hours a week, in the pool 1.5-2 hours a week and on the roads running 2-3 hours a week......and of course caffeine,moose tracks and beer for recovery! (Oh yeah, can't forget the eye drops 2x's a day)

That's what I am on!

Kona 2013

Why So Serious????

Earlier today I posted a link to a satirical list of cycling rules on my Facebook page. The list of rules is quite lengthy but some of them are very funny and very spot on to the world of cycling. After reading all of the rules, I found, unfortunately, there are a few rules I have broken over the years but I could not help myself. So before this blog entry gets too long, it made me think that in over the years of triathlon's existence someone had to compile list of "unofficial" triathlon rules. Low and behold through the power of Google, I was able to come across a list that was posted on Slow Twitch rules a year ago. Once again, I thought the person who compiled a great list of rules did a good job and he kept it humorous.....or so I thought he did!

I started reading the replies figuring people were adding their rules and I was surprised by the number of replies that were negative because a person may have been offended. Did those people, skip Rule #1? I think all triathletes need to remember that we are in this crazy sport together! Most people do think we are nuts for doing what we do. Hell, there are many days I wake up and wonder why any sane person would do this. I think we should all embrace our insanity and stop being so damn serious sometimes. Like the NCAA advertisement says, most of us are not going pro! This takes me to Rule #16. Some of the best post race set-ups that I have seen in my 20+ years of endurance (triathlon/running/cycling) competition had beer! If of age (of course), enjoy that post race adult beverage...it won't ruin what you just did in the race! Put the beet juice down and pick up that brew! It goes with Rule #14 and supporting the sponsors. I think it is funny how so many triathletes will stop drinking when big races are fast approaching but so many of these races have sponsorship from beverage companies. Have triathletes forgot the days of the Coors Light or Bud Light Series? Maybe I should look at the cycling list of rules, the triathlon rules and some of my rules I posted in previous weeks and form my own unofficial rules of triathlons or competition in general......What do you think? Oh yeah.........my training

New Training Totals
Week
Bike - 5 rides/ 173 miles/ 8.09 hours/ 21.4 mph
Run - 3 runs/ 23 miles/ 2.86 hours/ 7:26 per mile
Swim - 4 swims/ 4 miles/ 1.96 hours
Total - 12 workouts/ 200 miles/ 12.91 hours

2013
Bike - 104 rides/ 3203 miles/ 146.11 hours/ 21.9 mph
Run - 63 runs/ 360.25 miles/ 44.01 hours/ 7:20 per mile
Swim - 62 swims/ 60.5 miles/ 29.52 hours
Total - 229 workouts/ 3623.75 miles/ 219.64

Goals This Week (Last High Volume Week Before Eagleman)
Bike - 5 rides/ 170-80 miles
Run - 3-4 runs/ 25-30 miles
Swim - 3-4 swims/ 3-4 miles

People will often ask what am I on to complete my training? 

What am I am on? 

I am on my bike 7-8 hours a week, in the pool 1.5-2 hours a week and on the roads running 2-3 hours a week......and of course caffeine,moose tracks and beer for recovery! (Oh yeah, can't forget the eye drops 2x's a day)

That's what I am on!

Kona 2013

But Yet I Still Blog About It

What to blog this time?

How does someone make what I do sound exciting?

I know I use this blog as motivation to get my old ass out each day to train but I am sure for those that read the blog it can't be very entertaining. It almost has to be downright boring. In all seriousness, I ask.....How does someone make close to 14 hours of training even remotely sound entertaining?? Hence, the music video with each blog. I figure if you at least take the time to watch the video or listen to the music selection of the week you may actually read the rest of the blog. If you don"t read the rest, at least you took the time to check out what I feel is some good music. Not sure why the last few week the music selection has been some of the classic music I listened to when I was college. Hell, I am pretty sure that if I ask everyone on the cross-country/track & field teams I coach at Susquehanna University, only about 5-10 of the 80-85 athletes I coach have ever heard of The Cure, Depeche Mode or New Order. Whether somewhat current bands or bands from my college days, this music is what gets me through a lot of workouts. As much as many people think I am driven and dedicated, trust me, there are many days if not for the music I would shorten or even bag some workouts!

But then I realize, with the amount of ice cream I eat at lunch everyday, if I don't workout I would gain about 10 pounds in one week! With that in mind comes my motivation!!!

It brings to questions one of life's biggest conundrums  ....Do I eat because of the amount of working out I do or do I workout because of the amount I eat? 

New Training Totals
Week
Bike - 6 rides/ 187 miles/ 9.36 hours/ 20.0mph/ 3700 feet of climbing
Run - 4 runs/ 25 miles/ 3.01 hours/ 7:16 per mile
Swim - 3 swims/ 3 miles/ 1.50 hours
Total - 13 workouts/ 215 miles/ 13.89 hours

2013
Bike - 99 rides/ 3030 miles/ 138.01 hours/ 21.9mph
Run - 60 runs/ 337.25 miles/ 41.16 hours/ 7:19 per mile
Swim - 58 swims/ 56.5 miles/ 27.56 hours
Total - 217 workouts/ 3423.75 miles/ 206.73 hours

Goals This Week
Bike - 5 rides/ 165-175 miles
Run - 4 runs/ 25-28 miles
Swim - 3-4 swims/ 3 miles

People will often ask what am I on to complete my training?

 

What am I am on? 

 

I am on my bike 8 hours a week, in the pool 1.5-2 hours a week and on the roads running 3 hours a week......and of course caffeine,moose tracks and beer for recovery! (Oh yeah, can't forget the eye drops 2x's a day)

 

That's what I am on!

Kona 2013