Why Try To Reinvent The Wheel??

 
"I'm always wanting more
 Anything I haven't got
 Everything, I want it all
 I just can't stop"
Want -The Cure

Over the years we have had so many different diet fads........(Yes, sorry to disappoint some but they are fads).........

Grapefruit Diet, South Beach Diet, Atkin's Diet, Blood Type Diet, Paleo Diet, Zone Diet, Pritikin Principle....Just to name a few!

Bu watching television the other day I saw a commercial that said to me......blog post! 

The Pub Diet 

Yes folks, you read that correctly.....The Pub Diet! From the kind folks at Applebees who are truly concerned about your health (OK, maybe just a hint of sarcasm in the sentence). These menu choices are said to be packed with protein but low in calories. But before you think Paleo, hold on, not so fast! To add a slight twist to the Paleo Diet, they team their protein dishes with whole grains (the devil in the Paleo Diet) creating their own diet. And to not get too far from the real purpose of  their existence, they even suggest a low calorie drink such as a "Skinnybee" Pomegranate 'Rita (just 130 calories) to wash down the meal.It is just a classic example of corporation trying to make a buck on the latest fad!

Maybe their dishes are healthy and I will give them the benefit of the doubt for trying, but it is Applebees not a five star restaurant. Applebees are basically glorified burger joints that serve alcohol!!! Trust me, I am not against a true pub meal as I am one who could always go for a burger and beer! As competitive (using the term loosely) athlete, when it comes to pub food, healthy choices are not always my first concern when I enter the door. I figure that I train enough that having that beer and burger won't kill me! I have often suggested that ending some training sessions at a bar of choice is a wise decision and will often get more people to train with you. Here is my idea of a true "Pub Diet"....... Beer, Burger, Fries (preferably sweet potato), Nachos, Onion Rings, did I mention beer!!!! Hell I am drinking a nice Victory Storm King Stout as I type this (Carboloading for my training this week)!

Not too much to report to on my training as I am still in my base training! Slow and boring!! Volume of training is starting to increase as I hit 11 hours and 18 minutes of cardiovascular work but still a long way to go before tackling that 140.6 distance of the Ironman. Latest training totals:

Eleven Weeks Of Base Training @ MAF:

Bike - 46 rides/ 1523 miles/ 71.35 hours/ 21.34 mph

Run - 35 runs/ 263.25 miles/ 35.92 hours/ 8:11 per mile

Swim - 21 swims/ 20 miles/ 9.43 hours

Total - 102 workouts/ 1806.25 miles/ 116.7 hours

(12 Suspension Training sessions)

Per Week - 9.27 workouts/ 164.2 miles/ 10.61 hours

Stupid Is As Stupid Does (Will They Ever Learn?)

"They said, "There's too much caffeine in your bloodstream"

A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours
The Smiths

I know I have commented on doping often in my blog but this one was just to good to pass up! 

Latest Case of Stupidity

This time, it is not the act of doping as much as the stupid excuses athletes keep giving to justify their using of a banned substances. It is high time that athletes just suck it up and admit they were stupid and they thought they could circumvent the system. Take the case in the link above (not singling this person out as it is just the latest case - making it too easy), as the athlete uses a couple of excuses that athletes have used way too many times by far too many athletes who have been caught.

Excuse #1 - "It was to treat a medical condition." Think we have heard that one before!! Maybe this is true in this case, I don't know. But most of the time it is not true, unless getting your ass kicked by other professional athletes is a new medical condition not in the books. Checking my exercise physiology books now to see if I missed "not-as-fast-as-you-itis" in my education!

Excuse #2 (Part 1) - "I did not let my doctor know I would be subject to drug testing." Really?!?!? Is that because your doctor would know that testosterone is a banned substance in your sport and would have not prescribed it for you?

Excuse #2 (Part 2) - "I did not check in with Ironman." Why not? It is possible that you could have got a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). They do give those out if you need to be prescribed a drug that is on the banned list. I am not sure exactly how to get a TUE but I would venture a guess that  the dosage for a TUE will be within certain limits set by the governing body. Maybe your prescription was  over the limit and you knew it would be.

I know WADA has passed a new code for 2015 with harsher penalties and tougher rules but I think one new rule should be added to the code........(She is lucky her punishment came down prior to Jan 1 or she could be looking at 4 years.)

Here is my addendum to the code..... I believe 1 year should be added to an athlete's suspension for each stupid excuse the athlete attempts to use instead of just accepting they cheated. Oh yeah,  I almost forgot, the fact that the athlete, in the above case, has a Master of Science in the Exercise Science field  makes it even more annoying and but yet somewhat humorous. I know it will never happen but maybe a lifetime ban on first offense will scare a few of these athletes! 

This past week of raining was the first normal week in a month. I did not have to deal with any pool closings, holiday travel or a surgery. This week start a new two week phase where my long run jumps to 1:45-50 and my long ride jumps to 2:45-50. All working out stays at MAF as I am still in base training. And of course, staying clean!!! (Hell, my results prove that....Ha Ha!!)

Ten Weeks Of Base Training @ MAF:

Bike - 41 rides/ 1358 miles/ 63.56 hours/ 21.36 mph

Run - 33 runs/ 248.5 miles/ 33.92 hours/ 8:11 per mile

Swim - 18 swims/ 17 miles/ 7.91 hours

Total - 92 workouts/ 1623.5 miles/ 105.39 hours

(11 Suspension Training sessions)

Per Week - 9.2 workouts/ 162.35 miles/ 10.53 hours

Do I Need A TUE For This???

Taking This Blog To A New Level - Part 2 (Race Schedule)

"And I'll never be royals (royals).

 It don't run in our blood,
 That kind of luxe just ain't for us.
 We crave a different kind of buzz.

Royals - as sung by Bruce Springsteen

Since my post the other day, with my 2015 goals out there for all to see,  I figured I better start setting my potential race schedule for 2015. What is the point of training goals without some races? Right?  

For 2015, I am looking to race 7-8 times including racing at least one full Ironman distance race. Like many triathletes, my ultimate goal would be to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. Being a cross-country/track and field coach, my weekends are busy with meets till Memorial Day so it makes racing prior to June very tough. It is not the most lucrative profession, in terms of money, making things tough given the cost for entry fees and travel to some of the high profile races. 

Damn it!!! I always seems that work gets in the way!!! Isn't that how it always is?? Ha Ha! Maybe it is time to play the lottery....I believe Powerball is up to $141 million on Wednesday! Cha-Ching!!!

If Ironman Texas does not work, whether it is cost thing or my coaching schedule, I have a few backups for my Ironman distance race (as 140.6 is happeneing). I am looking at Challenge AC in June and I have also given thought to Ironman Maryland with the idea of qualifying for Hawaii 2016. While focusing more on the longer races, I am going to mix a few sprint distance races into the schedule in July/August. Sometimes one needs to get out of their comfort zone and hurt!

Potential Races For 2015 (7-8 Total Races)

Ironman Texas - May 16th

Black Bear Triathlon (PA) - May 31st

Challenge Atlantic City (NJ) - June 28th

Lake Lenape Sprint Triathlon (NJ) - July 11th

Denville Sprint Triathlon (NJ) - July 26th

Challenge Pocono 70.3 (PA) - August 16th

Keystone Sprint Triathlon (PA) - August 30th

Ironman Princeton 70.3 (NJ) - September 20th

Quakerman Olympic + (PA) - September 26th

Ironman Maryland - October 3rd

My base training continues with the longer races in mind. This past week was my highest volume weeks in biking and running but it involved no swimming as the pool is closed till tomorrow. Even though it is my least favorite of the three disciplines, I am looking forward to getting back into the pool. All disciplines combined, volume of training will fall between 11.25-11.5 hours this upcoming week.

Nine Weeks Of Base Training @ MAF:

Bike - 37 rides/ 1221 miles/ 57.15 hours/ 21.4 mph

Run - 30 runs/ 222.5 miles/ 30.38 hours/ 8:12 per mile

Swim - 15 swims/ 14 miles/ 6.39 hours

Total - 82 workouts/ 1457.5 miles/ 93.92 hours

(9 Suspension Training sessions)

Per Week - 9.11 workouts/ 161.94 miles/ 10.44 hours

Next week I will begin to focus on goal #1, attempting to make this blog entertaining or at least informative. I have seen several things this weekend that have given me inspiration for posts. I am also in the process of some cosmetic changes to the blog site that have been long overdo.Maybe the combination of entertaining/informative material and a new look might actually get people to read it...Ha ha!

Pumped For 2015 Race Season