Careful Throwing That Stone, A Lot Of Glass Here!

Going truly old school for today's music selection!

Today started my favorite time of the summer.

No I am not talking about a vacation...I am talking about the Tour de France!

Say what you will but there is nothing more motivating to my own training than watching the TdF everyday. Regardless of past scandals, there is no way I am going to miss the broadcast or replay of broadcast of any stage.I am such a TdF junkie that I even get involved with several Fantasy Games and select riders as if I was a team manager. Now I also know there are still many skeptics out there who will question my loyalty to cycling and the TdF. I even recently read this article questioning whether or not the event should be contested since it is filled with cheaters. Really, cheaters, what about baseball and football? Yes cycling is filled with its cheaters but at least when caught they get a punishment that seems worthy, 1-2 years(1st offense)! In the MLB a player gets suspended 50 games and it is only 4 games in the NFL for a first offense. Are you serious? Maybe cycling is not catching all cheats but at least they are testing. In the NFL and MLB, the player's unions are fighting HGH testing because it would require blood testing. A test that the unions claim is to invasive! It is not invasive, it is just that every knows there are a lot of players on it. Read this very informative editorial  that I came upon which seems to back me up. And people question the validity of the Tour?!?!? It is another case of those in glass houses should not throw stones. If you use the first article's argument, we must ask, should the baseball or football season even be held?

New Training Totals
Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 172 miles/ 8.33 hours/ 20.7 mph
Run - 3 runs/ 27.25 miles/ 3.43 hours/ 7:33 per mile
Swim - 3 swims/ 3.25 miles/ 1.58 hours
Total - 10 workouts/ 202.5 miles/ 13.34 hours

2013
Bike - 134 rides/ 4262 miles/ 196.92 hours/ 21.7 mph
Run - 87 runs/ 541.75 miles/ 66.37 hours/ 7:21 per mile
Swim - 83 swims/ 81.5 miles/ 39.88 hours
Total - 304 workouts/ 4885.25 miles/ 303.17 hours

Goals For Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 155-175 miles
Run - 3 runs/ 25-28 miles (long run of 11)
Swim -4 swims/ 3-4 miles
Race next Saturday or Sunday!

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 2014 (Always adjusting goals - Ha Ha!)

Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone - Sprint Distance Races Are Needed

"I want the world to make me wonder
  I want to walk on water
  Take a trip to the moon
  Give me all this and give me it soon"
"Want" The Cure

At the moment, I am not sure where but I know I need to race next weekend. As I write this and while you read this (maybe a bit presumptuous that you are reading this), I am going over triathlon calendars to find a race, regardless of distance. As of now, I am not finding many opportunities but at this point, beggars can't be choosers!

Of the few races I have found, I can say that the race will most likely be a Sprint Distance race. I think it is funny that a race that covers 1/4 mile swim, 12-15 mile bike and a 3-4 mile would be called a Sprint?!?! But even funnier is the number of triathletes I follow on Twitter that will avoid such races. I often see them state that it requires too much speed and it is a different kind of hurt (a worse hurt). It often makes me scratch my head and wonder...WTF?

As a collegiate coach of distance runners (800 - 10K),  that argument makes no sense to me. To be good at the longer distances you still have to be good at shorter faster races. It doesn't have to be your specialty but you still have to do them. My 10K runners will often race the 1500 or Mile to work on their speed. I hate to be the bearer of bad news to those who avoid the Sprints... if you want to get better at the longer races, you need to go shorter and faster at times! Yes, this even applies to triathlons. I know in my mind I WANT to be good at all distances I race and I will not settle for anything less! It may take me out of my comfort zone at times but I know I am all that much better for experiencing that so called hurt. If you are concerned that you won't place as well as you do at the longer races just do what most triathletes do.....tell everyone it was a "C" race and you were training through the race.

New Training Totals
Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 160 miles/ 7.75 hours/ 20.7 mph
Run - 4 runs/ 29 miles/ 3.55 hours/ 7:20 per mile
Swim - 3 swims/ 3 miles/ 1.51 hours
Total - 11 workouts/ 192 miles/ 12.81 hours

2013
Bike - 130 rides/ 4090 miles/ 188.59 hours/ 21.7 mph
Run - 84 runs/ 514.5 miles/ 62.93 hours/ 7:20 per mile
Swim - 80 swims/ 78.25 miles/ 38.31 hours
Total - 294 workouts/ 4682.75 miles/ 289.83

Goals For Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 155-175 miles
Run - 3 runs/ 25-28 miles (long run of 11)
Swim -4 swims/ 3-4 miles

In addition to coaching at the university, I am venturing out to establish some private coaching for post-collegiate runners. I have published a coaching website and will continue to hopefully improve the site. I am looking to work with all runners from the 800 Meter to the Marathon. Hopefully I will be able to start my triathlon coaching certification soon as I want to venture into triathlon coaching as well. You can find my website here Tri It Coaching.

Now time for another beer while I check race schedules and figure this crap out!

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 2014 (Always adjusting goals - Ha Ha!)

I Don't Know

What next? After last weekend's fiasco with the wheel, it is a question that I asked myself often and have had others also ask this of me a lot.

To be honest....... I don't know.

I do know that I want to take another crack at qualifying for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas. Now the question is...... where? Syracuse? Muncie? Steelman? Boulder? Timberman? Well, Timberman is out as the qualifying slots that are offered there are for 2014. OK - down to 4 choices but in all reality three choices as I am not feeling Syracuse and the travel involved that soon off of Eagleman. Heading to Muncie would be a long drive but maybe it is an omen as the Muncie Endurathon was the race I qualified for Kona in 1995. Boulder would be nice but the elevation would be killer being I am training at basically seas level. Decisions, decisions, decisions........... Stayed tuned as you never know when the decision will be made! Maybe I can get ESPN to broadcast my decision.

Now an even bigger question to answer....yes, I paid the entry fee and started the race, but am I allowed to wear the t-shirt and use the cool backpack that we received despite the DNF? I know the unwritten rule is too not wear a race t-shirt of a race you never have done, so where does this situation fall in the realms of this rule? The backpack is still in the plastic bag and the t-shirt has not been worn so I am at your mercy.........

New Training Totals:
Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 153 miles/ 7.45 hours/ 20.5 mph
Run - 3 runs/ 26 miles/ 3.18 hours/ 7:20 per mile
Swim - 3 swims/ 3 miles/ 1.45 hours
Total - 10 workouts/ 182 miles/ 12.08 hours

2013
Bike - 126 rides/ 3930 miles/ 180.83 hours/ 21. 7 mph
Run - 80 runs/ 485.5 miles/ 59.38 hours/ 7:20 per mile
Swim - 77 swims/ 75.25 miles/ 36.79 hours
Total - 283 workouts/ 4490.75 miles/ 277 hours

Goals This Week (other than determining next Ironman 70.3 race)
Bike - 4 rides/ 155-175 miles
Run - 3-4 runs/ 26-30 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 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 2014

Well, That F#*king Sucked!

 

Well that completely sucked!! Eagleman 70.3 did not go like I had planned.

If you cannot tell from the picture above, today's race did not go as well as planned. Yes, you see 3 broken spokes on one wheel that put an end to my race at mile 35. Mile 35 is where the 3rd spoke broke making it nearly impossible for the wheel to turn as it was completely rubbing the brake. To be honest, my race really ended at just past mile 15 where the first spoke popped. And man did it pop! I had just crossed mile 15 in just over 39:00 and my legs were feeling incredibly good when the 1st spoke popped. I have had a spoke pop before and been able to finish a ride or race so I figured let's see how far it gets. Unbelievably, the 2nd spoke popped 2-3 miles later. At that point it started rubbing the brake and I was reduced to 17-18 mph but I figured I might be able to finish. Well, all that came to an end at mile 35.

Now what???? The rest of my season was to be based off my finish here. I felt going into this race that I was going to be making a choice of either Vegas or Kona. Yeah, to some, that may seem cocky but my training had been going perfectly and I knew I was ready.  Well, I can officially rule out Kona as none of the other Ironman 70.3 races have Kona slots and I am not about potentially doing 2 Ironman races in one year. But now, do I take another crack at qualifying for Vegas? If so, where...Syracuse? Timberman? Or do I get real crazy and think Muncie or Boulder?

I guess I better decide soon (within the next 2-3 days) so I can start to plan my training. Well, given the short training day, this week will not have to be a recovery week.....

Goals This Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 15-175 miles
Run - 4 runs/ 25-27 miles
Swim - 3 swims/ 3 miles

Now time for another beer while I check race schedules and figure this crap out!

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 2014 (Always adjusting goals - Ha Ha!)

Game On!

Here it is the night before the race and I am relaxing in the hotel room watching TV. Unfortunately not too much on but I guess that won't matter as I have to get to sleep pretty early. OK, night before race, maybe not sleep but at least turn TV and lights off at a decent hour. Why do these things start so early??????


As with every major race, one thing that all competitors look forward to is the expo and the cool free swag (depending on race). For me, it makes a great spot to people watch for an hour or so and, whether for good or bad, get motivation for future blogs. Oh...the things I witnessed today gave me plenty of inspiration for my "Unofficial" Triathlon Rules and maybe even some new rules.

The forecast looks good for some strong racing for all competitors. I am not sure if it is possible for a bike and run course to get any flatter.I feel rested and tapered. It may look like in my training totals that it was a high volume week but with my weeks starting on Sunday (most people start Monday), it added the last longish bike ride to this weeks total. You take that ride out and I am sitting at 110 total miles and 8 hours of training over 6 days. I even got into a nice pattern of sleep that will do my best to emulate all the time.

New Training Totals
Week
Bike - 5 rides/ 129miles/ 6.27hours/ 20.5 mph
Run - 3 runs/ 17.25 miles/ 2.15 hours/ 7:28 per mile
Swim - 3 swims/ 2.5 miles/ 1.30 hours
Total - 11 workouts/ 148.75 miles/ 9.72 hours

2013
Bike - 122 rides/ 3777miles/ 173.38 hours/ 21.8 mph
Run - 77 runs/ 459.5 miles/ 56.2 hours/ 7:20 per mile
Swim - 74 swims/ 72.25 miles/ 35.33 hours
Total - 240 workouts/ 4308.75 miles/ 264.91 hours

Goals This Week
I guess we will wait to set goals until after tomorrow

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

                                     Life on the road!

Race Week Is Basically Here

 "My body tells me no
But I wont quit
Cause I want more "

My Body - Young The Giant

It's Saturday evening and 8 days till Eagleman 70.3, so that can only mean one thing......

Beer and blog time! Tonight's beer choice is Barking Squirrel from the Hop City Brewery in NY. It is amazing how versatile beer can be as it can be used for hydration and a good source of carbs!

I know this may disappoint many, but I believe this will be a bit more of a serious blog than a funny one. To be honest, I have not seen that much on Twitter or Facebook this week to give me inspiration. Yes, I still see a bunch of the same stuff I have picked on in previous blogs but you can only beat a dead horse so long. Trust me though, I can only be nice for so long......


With 8 days to go till the race, I feel very confident and relaxed about the work I have put in to get ready for this race. The reduction in volume over the past few weeks has left me feeling refreshed and strong. My paces in all disciplines have picked up with less effort needed. Regardless of outcome next week, I have found a training schedule that will allow me to achieve my training goals and leave me strong for all important workouts. Now once next week is complete, I can finally start to plan the remainder of my season. I have always had some races in mind but I don't want to commit especially if I need to shift my training towards Ironman distance. I must really be nuts to want to tackle that race again......

New Training Totals
Week
Bike - 4 rides/ 140 miles/ 6.59 hours/ 21.2 mph
Run - 3 runs/ 28 miles/ 3.37 hours/ 7:14 per mile
Swim - 3 swims/ 3 miles/ 1.52 hours
Total - 10 workouts/ 171 miles/ 11.48 hours

2013
Bike - 117 rides/ 3648 miles/ 167.11 hours/ 21.8 mph
Run - 74 runs/ 442.25 miles/ 54.05 hours/ 7:20 per mile
Swim - 71 swims/ 69.75 miles/ 34.03 hours
Total - 229 workouts/ 3623.75 miles/ 219.64

Goals This Week (Sunday Race)
Bike - 4 rides/ 100-120 miles
Run - 3 runs/18-22 miles
Swim - 3 swims/ 2-3 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

Time for another beer!