Saturday is my rest day... I need it. Its not a sore like lifting weights. Its a dull, nagging kind of sore. Everything feels tight.
I have completed every day of the training this week. I think I put in a good effort and even through in some extra work. The week started out a a windy 30 degrees (fun on the bike, not so bad for a run) then dropped to around 12 degrees and is now finishing up at a balmy 70. Thank you Texas weather.
I am really starting to feel pretty good about my swimming. Trying to throw in some extra drills. Got a blackburn mag trainer in for my bike. Got a heck of deal on it on ebay. I have only been on it one time so far. Seems pretty tough...steady magnetic drag, no coasting. I would rather be on the road, but its nice when the weather sucks
This week I have logged about 18 miles running, 3 hours on the bike and about 4200 meters in the pool.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Half Iron Training Week One-Third Time
Happy New Years.....
How are those resolutions working out for you?....
As the title might suggest this is my third time at the week one activities of a 20 week Half Iron Program. I decided not to advance till after the holidays. I will start week two on Monday Jan 6. It is said that two weeks of something makes a habit. I think the verdict is still out on that. I will say I got about 90 percent of the training activities in each week. It has gotten a lot easier to get the motivation to get outI and do the work.
I feel strong, I wish I could say I feel strong and had lost some weight. NOT. I weighed in at 238 yesterday. Is 210 to 205 even possible? Time will tell. I was there once. I guess if I really wanted to I could get there again. You set here and think.... I am at the beginning of this program. I ran 2 hours 20 minutes, I biked 3 hours 15 minutes, and I swam around 3400 meters. I didn't necessarily try to eat any different. There was a lot holiday food in excess and all the cakes and pies that went along with it. Food is my weakness, dare I say, my enemy.
I know how to eat right. I have done it before. Hence why I saw 205 for a little while three years ago. I have no will power when it comes to food. It is like a drug, not like a drug it is a drug. It makes me feel good. It soothes me and makes me content. Here lies the problem and knowing the problem also shows the solution.
I have no will power when it comes to food. If the bad choice is there (addictive) I am going to eat it. If the healthy choice is all that is there, no problem. I have two young daughters in this house. I have a Fiance' that likes to cook and likes sweets. I am afraid this battle will not be one until a fundamental change is made in all of our diets.
I guess if truth be known, we all not what too do. Having that will power is another story.
Looking forward to another week of training. Will be back next Saturday (one year older) to share thoughts on week two.
Good luck on your training this week...
How are those resolutions working out for you?....
As the title might suggest this is my third time at the week one activities of a 20 week Half Iron Program. I decided not to advance till after the holidays. I will start week two on Monday Jan 6. It is said that two weeks of something makes a habit. I think the verdict is still out on that. I will say I got about 90 percent of the training activities in each week. It has gotten a lot easier to get the motivation to get outI and do the work.
I feel strong, I wish I could say I feel strong and had lost some weight. NOT. I weighed in at 238 yesterday. Is 210 to 205 even possible? Time will tell. I was there once. I guess if I really wanted to I could get there again. You set here and think.... I am at the beginning of this program. I ran 2 hours 20 minutes, I biked 3 hours 15 minutes, and I swam around 3400 meters. I didn't necessarily try to eat any different. There was a lot holiday food in excess and all the cakes and pies that went along with it. Food is my weakness, dare I say, my enemy.
I know how to eat right. I have done it before. Hence why I saw 205 for a little while three years ago. I have no will power when it comes to food. It is like a drug, not like a drug it is a drug. It makes me feel good. It soothes me and makes me content. Here lies the problem and knowing the problem also shows the solution.
I have no will power when it comes to food. If the bad choice is there (addictive) I am going to eat it. If the healthy choice is all that is there, no problem. I have two young daughters in this house. I have a Fiance' that likes to cook and likes sweets. I am afraid this battle will not be one until a fundamental change is made in all of our diets.
I guess if truth be known, we all not what too do. Having that will power is another story.
Looking forward to another week of training. Will be back next Saturday (one year older) to share thoughts on week two.
Good luck on your training this week...
Saturday, December 28, 2013
1/2 Iron Training- Week One-Second Time
Ok. I am doing week one of a 20 week program 3 times. Seems like the thing to do since this is Christmas and New Years in these weeks. I have done pretty good, I think, I have only missed one training day of each week.
I feel pretty strong. The workouts have generated a lot of muscle soreness (sign of growth right). It has been challenging, but the time commitment has not been to much. Not much more than what I would have spent running anyway.
We have 3 committed to this 1/2 Iron and working on a fourth. The mornings are cold and are great for the run and the afternoons have not been to bad for biking. I have to bike at the break of dawn tomorrow so I can get my 90 minute ride in before we go to my parents for the last of the Christmas get togethers for this year.
The swims are what scare me. I can't get my breathing right. Very little endurance. I do feel like I have made considerable improvement in the 2 weeks I have been at it. I am hoping the confidence will come.
Looking forward to the week of New Years and after that I am going hard with the training plan and try to get the diet right too.
I feel pretty strong. The workouts have generated a lot of muscle soreness (sign of growth right). It has been challenging, but the time commitment has not been to much. Not much more than what I would have spent running anyway.
We have 3 committed to this 1/2 Iron and working on a fourth. The mornings are cold and are great for the run and the afternoons have not been to bad for biking. I have to bike at the break of dawn tomorrow so I can get my 90 minute ride in before we go to my parents for the last of the Christmas get togethers for this year.
The swims are what scare me. I can't get my breathing right. Very little endurance. I do feel like I have made considerable improvement in the 2 weeks I have been at it. I am hoping the confidence will come.
Looking forward to the week of New Years and after that I am going hard with the training plan and try to get the diet right too.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
1/2 Iron On My Radar (Week One)
I am 2 weeks away from my 47 birthday. I look around at my pears and see a lot of people overweight, sluggish, and leading boring lives. I think if you are over 30 and look around you will probably see the same thing. There is nothing wrong with it, I don't mean anything derogatory by it, I just don't want to be that person.
I kind of was that person until a skiing accident at age 41. I couldn't hardly walk for a year. Gained a lot of weight and felt a lot older than what I was. I decided to make a change. I didn't set out to run or participate in triathlon. I just went to the track and started walking and watching what I ate a little. With the help of some friends I started running and then training for a few races. I participated in a lot of halves and sprint tri's over the next few years. I even ran two full marathons two weeks apart. (not smart).
I divorced my wife of 14 years about a year and half ago. I quit running and training. Its amazing how fast you can lose your speed and stamina. Oh, I would run once every month, or so, trying to convince myself I was just taking a break and I would get going again. Well, that once month got more and more sporadic and slower and slower and tougher and tougher. I built a house, settled in with my fiance, traveled a bit. About 3 months ago I started back running.
I have done halves in Tyler and Waco, TX over the last couple of months. Was back to running about 4 times a week and on the bike a little. Two weeks ago a friend approached me about participating in a half iron in September of 2014. I think he mentioned Atlanta, I am assuming Georgia, although there is an Atlanta, TX. So I am thinking, ok, nine months to train for a half iron. Surely I could be ready.
I searched the internet for a free (I'm kind of cheap) training program. I have never really worked an actual program before. I found one on www.beginnertriathlete.com It is a 20 week program and assumes you are equally skilled in running, biking and swimming. I am with you on the running and biking and although I always considered myself a strong swimmer, this getting from point A to B in the quickest amount of time has not been a lot of fun or a source of confidence for me.
The program has been easy time wise. I have put in around 7.0 hours training this week if you don't count the 20 minute drive to the pool. As expected the running and biking has been fairly easy taken individually. There seems to be a combination of the activities that appear to be working. I have had muscle soreness almost every day. The kind of soreness you get after a pretty good workout. My first week will finish up tomorrow with a 90 minute bike ride. Today is my off day and its a good thing because the weather is pretty nasty out there.
I have gone from about 270 pounds with the broken leg down to about 205 pounds when I was running at my peek probably 18 months ago. I am sorry to say I am about 235 right now. I hope to see that drop as the training continues.
Summary of week one...
2 hours 10 minutes running
2 hours 30 minutes cycling
4200 meters swimming (painfully slow I'm sure)
I feel really good. A little sore (good) and pretty strong.
I think I will work the week one through Christmas and New Years Week
I kind of was that person until a skiing accident at age 41. I couldn't hardly walk for a year. Gained a lot of weight and felt a lot older than what I was. I decided to make a change. I didn't set out to run or participate in triathlon. I just went to the track and started walking and watching what I ate a little. With the help of some friends I started running and then training for a few races. I participated in a lot of halves and sprint tri's over the next few years. I even ran two full marathons two weeks apart. (not smart).
I divorced my wife of 14 years about a year and half ago. I quit running and training. Its amazing how fast you can lose your speed and stamina. Oh, I would run once every month, or so, trying to convince myself I was just taking a break and I would get going again. Well, that once month got more and more sporadic and slower and slower and tougher and tougher. I built a house, settled in with my fiance, traveled a bit. About 3 months ago I started back running.
I have done halves in Tyler and Waco, TX over the last couple of months. Was back to running about 4 times a week and on the bike a little. Two weeks ago a friend approached me about participating in a half iron in September of 2014. I think he mentioned Atlanta, I am assuming Georgia, although there is an Atlanta, TX. So I am thinking, ok, nine months to train for a half iron. Surely I could be ready.
I searched the internet for a free (I'm kind of cheap) training program. I have never really worked an actual program before. I found one on www.beginnertriathlete.com It is a 20 week program and assumes you are equally skilled in running, biking and swimming. I am with you on the running and biking and although I always considered myself a strong swimmer, this getting from point A to B in the quickest amount of time has not been a lot of fun or a source of confidence for me.
The program has been easy time wise. I have put in around 7.0 hours training this week if you don't count the 20 minute drive to the pool. As expected the running and biking has been fairly easy taken individually. There seems to be a combination of the activities that appear to be working. I have had muscle soreness almost every day. The kind of soreness you get after a pretty good workout. My first week will finish up tomorrow with a 90 minute bike ride. Today is my off day and its a good thing because the weather is pretty nasty out there.
I have gone from about 270 pounds with the broken leg down to about 205 pounds when I was running at my peek probably 18 months ago. I am sorry to say I am about 235 right now. I hope to see that drop as the training continues.
Summary of week one...
2 hours 10 minutes running
2 hours 30 minutes cycling
4200 meters swimming (painfully slow I'm sure)
I feel really good. A little sore (good) and pretty strong.
I think I will work the week one through Christmas and New Years Week
Monday, July 16, 2012
The morning started with a 3 AM wake up so we could get to lake of the pines and go through our packet pickup and get everything ready. Thought we might be a little early, but didn't want to get there and be rushed. We had that covered. We were the first ones there. Not just contestants, but support and everything.
This wasn't to bad though. Got to watch a sunrise with Cristen and chill out a little before we had to get everything together. Made for a very nice parking spot too.I believe there were 140 contestants in this race which was nice because there was one distance and only 2 waves. We got to start right at 8:00 and with 2 waves and only 3 minutes apart you knew where you were against everyone.
The water temp was 86 degrees. Pretty comfy. The air was still so the water was very smooth. Lake of the Pines is pretty lake in very rural setting, but I would not call it clear. Even with goggles on you could not see your hands in the water during the swim. I had plenty of time to look for them too. That was the longest half mile swim I think I have ever done. I think my split there was about 30 minutes and I felt every bit of it too. Its not that its so tiring its just mental. You can't just put your feet down and be ok for a few minutes. I was hurting to get to the end, but once I got there I was ok. Did not cramp and was feeling pretty good going into transition.
The run is a very level course on asphalted park roads. Probably 60 to 70 percent was in the shade. The run always make me mad. It should be my strong suit. Its definitely what I work on the most. During run training a 5k should be at about a 9:00 mile or less pace. I started out good. The first half mile was at a sub 9:00 pace, but then I kind of bonked. My stomach had been bothering me the whole race and now my calves where starting to feel like they were being ripped off my legs. I finished up at a pace of about 12:00 minutes per mile. But I did finish.
I never set out to win. I am racing against myself a P.R is not that important unless I am feeling really good that day. The opportunity to get out there with some friends, make a few new ones, and a cold beer at the end. That is what its about for me.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Catch Up
This year has seen some major changes for my life. It started out normal enough. I was training for some half marathons coming up and preparing for my first full marathon. The half marathons really were not that much of a challenge anymore except for speed and the full marathon still seemed out of reach.
April 15... the Big D in Dallas, TX. This was my first full and I was nervous. Felt like I had the training in to finish, but was not sure. Went up with 5 other guys. Two wire ironmen already and for 3 of us it was our first full marathon. The temp was great, but rain was expected and rain it did.
The first half was ok and about what I expected, but at about mile 15 the pain started to set in. Nothing specific just a general ache below the waste. Keep going... you have done this mileage before. Mile 19 and that was it.. had to walk a little. Man it was hot and my legs were hurting. Was really starting to question my sanity at this point. Run walk it was all the way to the finish. The last mile or so seemed the longest. It was a really nice feeling going across the finish. One of my buds even shot a vid clip for me.
The finish was great, was hurting like hell and all I could think of was you "idiot" you are doing this again in 2 weeks. If I could have cancelled in those first couple of hours I believe I would have. Luckily I did not.
Fast forward 2 weeks and we are on Oklahoma City for our second race. There were 3 of us doing this back to back. The two ironmen and me. I would like to think that in itself says something for me, but I doubt that. Ironman is a distant goal for me, but I have not taken it seriously yet.
Now I am on my on, well kind of anyway. This group of friends is done for a while. One is taking off for a couple of months and one is training for an utra. (El Scorcho). I hook up with another buddy to do a sprint tri in Valley View on May the 19. Just a little sprint so no trouble right. Wrong. It helps if you don't get trashed the night before at a casino.
Got up at 5:00 that morning to make transition. Nothing was ready. Hurting, hung over bad. Considered not going to race. Made it to transition and after having to run back to truck 2 times to get stuff I had forgotten, finally got everything ready. Turned out to have a good race. FY.I.- don't recommend starting your race day this way.
Now for the big change. I will not go into a lot of detail, but I had made the decision that my 14 year marriage was no longer sustainable. You can think me a shit for doing so, but I promise its nothing I have not already though of myself. I came home from the race and moved out of my house.
It has been about two years since I started running and triathlon. I usually went to bed at 9:00 PM and ate pretty decent. My schedule was set and consistent. Welcome to single life again after 15 years and at 45 years old. Can't set still. Eat everything. Drinking beer, shooting Patron. Partying every weekend that I didn't have my daughter. Felt like I was trying to re live my youth. Can you say mid life crisis?
I was not training. Very hard to get up at 5:00 AM and ride or run when you didn't go to sleep until 1:00 AM and you are hung over. My running partners just about quit calling me. I was even wondering if I wanted to participate in racing anymore.
Now for the catch up. My "friend" was on my case about not running and riding. I had promised the guy I normally do the tri's with that I would make to Jefferson for the sprint on July 15 so with 12 days to go before the race I actually signed up. Trying to get my shit together, as I write this post it is 2 days (Friday 13th) before race. I have laid off the beer and Patron (for the most part anyway). I have done bricks of riding and swimming or riding and running almost everyday. The stamina is not quite there. I couldn't do the marathon distance right now, but I am confident I can handle this sprint.
I guess life is about balance. My life has taken a dramatic change. I am gonna have to learn my limits. I see my daughter a lot and she stays with me at least every other weekend. The last few conversations with my soon to be X have been civil. Hope we can kind of be friends again one day.
My summer will see a sprint in 2 days and then another in Tyler in a month or so. I also have registered for and Olympic distance in Rock Wall close to the end of season. Time to quit playing catch up and get back on track.
Happy racing
April 15... the Big D in Dallas, TX. This was my first full and I was nervous. Felt like I had the training in to finish, but was not sure. Went up with 5 other guys. Two wire ironmen already and for 3 of us it was our first full marathon. The temp was great, but rain was expected and rain it did.
The first half was ok and about what I expected, but at about mile 15 the pain started to set in. Nothing specific just a general ache below the waste. Keep going... you have done this mileage before. Mile 19 and that was it.. had to walk a little. Man it was hot and my legs were hurting. Was really starting to question my sanity at this point. Run walk it was all the way to the finish. The last mile or so seemed the longest. It was a really nice feeling going across the finish. One of my buds even shot a vid clip for me.
The finish was great, was hurting like hell and all I could think of was you "idiot" you are doing this again in 2 weeks. If I could have cancelled in those first couple of hours I believe I would have. Luckily I did not.
Fast forward 2 weeks and we are on Oklahoma City for our second race. There were 3 of us doing this back to back. The two ironmen and me. I would like to think that in itself says something for me, but I doubt that. Ironman is a distant goal for me, but I have not taken it seriously yet.
Now I am on my on, well kind of anyway. This group of friends is done for a while. One is taking off for a couple of months and one is training for an utra. (El Scorcho). I hook up with another buddy to do a sprint tri in Valley View on May the 19. Just a little sprint so no trouble right. Wrong. It helps if you don't get trashed the night before at a casino.
Got up at 5:00 that morning to make transition. Nothing was ready. Hurting, hung over bad. Considered not going to race. Made it to transition and after having to run back to truck 2 times to get stuff I had forgotten, finally got everything ready. Turned out to have a good race. FY.I.- don't recommend starting your race day this way.
Now for the big change. I will not go into a lot of detail, but I had made the decision that my 14 year marriage was no longer sustainable. You can think me a shit for doing so, but I promise its nothing I have not already though of myself. I came home from the race and moved out of my house.
It has been about two years since I started running and triathlon. I usually went to bed at 9:00 PM and ate pretty decent. My schedule was set and consistent. Welcome to single life again after 15 years and at 45 years old. Can't set still. Eat everything. Drinking beer, shooting Patron. Partying every weekend that I didn't have my daughter. Felt like I was trying to re live my youth. Can you say mid life crisis?
I was not training. Very hard to get up at 5:00 AM and ride or run when you didn't go to sleep until 1:00 AM and you are hung over. My running partners just about quit calling me. I was even wondering if I wanted to participate in racing anymore.
Now for the catch up. My "friend" was on my case about not running and riding. I had promised the guy I normally do the tri's with that I would make to Jefferson for the sprint on July 15 so with 12 days to go before the race I actually signed up. Trying to get my shit together, as I write this post it is 2 days (Friday 13th) before race. I have laid off the beer and Patron (for the most part anyway). I have done bricks of riding and swimming or riding and running almost everyday. The stamina is not quite there. I couldn't do the marathon distance right now, but I am confident I can handle this sprint.
I guess life is about balance. My life has taken a dramatic change. I am gonna have to learn my limits. I see my daughter a lot and she stays with me at least every other weekend. The last few conversations with my soon to be X have been civil. Hope we can kind of be friends again one day.
My summer will see a sprint in 2 days and then another in Tyler in a month or so. I also have registered for and Olympic distance in Rock Wall close to the end of season. Time to quit playing catch up and get back on track.
Happy racing
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Getting ready for 2012 with my Garmin 310XT
My parents got me a Garmin 310XT for Christmas. I was a little surprised, I had told them I wanted one, but I didn't really expect them to spoil there 44 year old boy with one. Got it out of the box and put it on charge. It programmed pretty easy, at least the watch part did. I was slightly overwhelmed by the garmin site. I have been using run keeper and it is very simple. I created some routes, but have not figured out if and how you get them into the actual watch.
I made my first run with the Garmin this morning. It was a good cold start for a six mile run. I got the watch turned on and picked up the satelites in about 15-20 seconds. I ran a route that I am very used to and all the distance marks fell in line with what I have been getting from run keeper. I had thought at first that the watch was a little big and that it might be heavy enough to notice. I was pleasantly surprised that it was very comfortable and you quickly forgot that it was there. I had the alarm set for vibrate at ome mile intervals and it seemed to work just fine. I am still using my I Phone for music and that is what I was using for Runkeeper. I am glad to be using the Garmin now because I am haping that this is the year that I will be able to run longer than the battery will stay up on the Runkeeper.
I am bumping my running to four days a week. I look forward to getting the bike back our soon.
Happy Running for 2012....
I made my first run with the Garmin this morning. It was a good cold start for a six mile run. I got the watch turned on and picked up the satelites in about 15-20 seconds. I ran a route that I am very used to and all the distance marks fell in line with what I have been getting from run keeper. I had thought at first that the watch was a little big and that it might be heavy enough to notice. I was pleasantly surprised that it was very comfortable and you quickly forgot that it was there. I had the alarm set for vibrate at ome mile intervals and it seemed to work just fine. I am still using my I Phone for music and that is what I was using for Runkeeper. I am glad to be using the Garmin now because I am haping that this is the year that I will be able to run longer than the battery will stay up on the Runkeeper.
I am bumping my running to four days a week. I look forward to getting the bike back our soon.
Happy Running for 2012....
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