Athletic Wannabee's Blog

Kidnapped by Facebook

2009-03-11T15:35:00.000-07:00

Where o' where have I been?

Me and some 10million others have been swept up by Facebook.

Have I been busy, keeping up w/ or improving my training?

Hell to the yeah!

At this point I feel at least twice as fit, in terms of strength and cardio conditioning, than at this time last year. Swimming, biking, running, lifting - check, check, check, check. All disciplines are fully adopted in my weekly routines and I'm seeing great gains in my 2 weakest areas, swimming and biking. PLUS, I've added a ton of cross-training stuff that has allowed me to have some serious fun and break up what can be an endless grind of just getting in the mileage. Extreme hikes/trail running, snowshoeing, and skiing have helped this offseason fly by. Even better is it's helped to carry last year's fitness gains into this season's training and what I hope to be a great race year.

On tap so far,
The Platte River 1/2 Marathon - April 5th 2009
Xterra Buffalo Creek Triathlon (Olympic) - June 20th 2009
Xterra Beaver Creek Triathlon (Almost Olympic) - July 18th 2009
Xterra Indian Peaks Triathlon (Sprint) - August 1st 2009
Pikes Peak Ascent 1/2 Marathon - August 15th 2009

The adrenaline is flowing full steam just thinking about it.

This year's gonna ROCK!

Gotta go update my FB status ;-)

New Spin on the Routine

2008-12-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

The last couple months have been nice.
Simple
Relaxing
Moderate Activity
Lots of Family Time
and
Lots of Eating w/ Naps (and don't forget ALL that FOOTBALL, followed by more naps)

I've been hitting the gym regularly and my strength is coming back to to last year's pre-race-season numbers. No cycling, no swimming, a fair amount of running and a lot of time off. The family time has been wonderful, especially on the weekends when I know Bree loves for me to do the shopping and help w/ the chores. It's much more desired than taking off for 1/2 day workouts and laying on the couch recovering the rest of the day.
Well, that was going pretty good through October and 1/2 way through November, but things were getting stale. The sun was out much less, the warm days fewer and shorter and my psyche was sliding down. Running was becoming more difficult as the sole cardio on my schedule, plus my knees and back were begging for relief. But I just could not get the bike into my schedule. It takes so much more commitment w/ gear and time and w/ the little experience I have, I just couldn't get the timing or mindset to fit cycling into my days.
Thanksgiving came, along w/ a nasty cold, and I took the entire week off, allowing for indulgence after indulgence. The week after Turkey Day, I was miserable, feeling fat, unfit and w/ fewer options and motivation to really get back in a groove w/ any enthusiasm. The only solace I can find is that the extra food around my midsection translated into more energy and strength in the gym. Somethings gotta change. Swimming and cycling need to be picked up and integrated if there's any hope of building on the fitness of this last year.
Doubt was filling my thoughts and spreading like Cancer.
"I can't go to the pool w/ this gut, I can't afford a bike trainer, the spin classes at the Rec. Center suck, running is killing me."
"Maybe my window has closed, no more Marathon, sure as hell no Ironman."
That's only a minuscule fraction of the onslaught of negative thoughts that permeated my brain on a daily, hourly basis. Money, time, ability, motivation. All necessary components to at least attempt triathlon and/or long distance running and I was feeling out of all them.
Sometimes a fault, other times an attribute, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I tell people how I feel, what I'm going through and somewhere, through that process, I get it out and gain some determination to change it if needed. Last week I looked at the various gyms around town, gathering info on times and costs of spin classes, lap pools and some options became clearer.
I can do this.
HELLO, last year at this time I didn't even know how to swim and had never been on a road bike. I AM NOT behind the curve. I CAN start anytime now and be light years ahead of my fitness level a year ago. Just F&$#ing DO IT. It doesn't all have to be done this week.
Just START.

Today, I purchased a punch card to another gym w/ spin classes and have mapped out some swim times. I left work at 5:15pm w/ heavy snow falling and made the short trip to the gym. Walking in for the first time, I asked where the class was and went and got my bike set up. 5-6 others came in and just like that spin class was in motion. 80% max. output was my limit and I didn't want to go there very much. I resisted the urge to get out of the saddle every time and instead kept the cadence up but not too much, I did not want to feel an oncoming fatigue. It doesn't matter what activity it is, weightlifting, running, cycling, if I've been away from it for 2 or more weeks, I come back into it slowly. It's much better finish w/ some gas in the tank than burn through all of it and sputter on empty for days afterward.
The result, a workout high I haven't felt in months.
The spin instructor was good, the energy level of the class was good and I felt great.
I went to my main gym to meet Tom, my workout partner. He had to work late so after stretching my legs, I dove into a nice bicep workout. After that I jumped on the treadmill for a few miles just to let them know that training is coming.
And this year is going to be different.
More Bricks, more speed drills and more learning.

There will be lapses, valleys between the hills and there's no telling what obstacles are bound to come up. Right now, the benchmark is doing at least as much as last year but I'm realistic to know that plans do not come w/ guarantees.
Just keep moving forward.
Even if I fall, I hope to fall forward.

That's my spin on things today.

Life takes over as race season ends

2008-10-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

Since this blog is more of a diary, I've tended to let it fall down the priority list.

The high from the 1/2 Ironman lasted for a solid couple weeks. It was the culmination of years of training and really exceeded my goals for the year. So I felt ecstatic, I walked taller and beamed w/ a sense of accomplishment.
At the time I foresaw some changes coming in regards to my available training time. My wife Bree was finishing her Bachelor's Degree and looking to start working full-time any day. She'd been a wonderful stay-at-home mom for 12 years and had been taking online classes the last 3yrs so she could pursue some her own goals once both kids were in school full-time. While being a homemaker is a full time job in it's own right, it did have its' advantages, especially for me. My only job was to go to work and try be home a couple nights a week and one day on the weekends. Beyond that, as soon as the work day struck 5, I could go workout til' my heart's content. Each day was full of opportunity, swim in the morning, run at lunch, weights at night; or any combination thereof.
This all came to sudden, though expected, crash when Bree got her job at a local daycare; the first step towards becoming a licensed teacher. Her hours were a strict 9-6 M-F. So just like that, after years of her taking the kids to and from school, keeping up w/ household chores during the day, and putting dinner on the table, Bree would no longer be able to do any of those things during the week. That put the responsibility square on me. My job is pretty flexible; so long as I put in my time and get jobs done I can come and go as necessary, within reason.
Now I take the kids to school, pick them up and get them to and from football, karate and track. I love being a part of it but it really cuts the day up and forces my work schedule to either go late or start early. My workouts are sporadic and it's been difficult to get any consistency. Plus, with the workouts being later at night now, I've found it hard to keep the energy needed to push it w/ out drinking coffee and causing sleepless nights.
In short, I've thrown any planned schedule out the window. Any free time I have in the evening is spent on the couch watching some TV w/ Bree. I'm just now starting to adapt and find the necessary energy to workout at night or early in the morning. It just take time. I've never held myself to the strictest of schedules, allowing my energy levels and body needs to tell me when and what to train but now it's truly a la carte. Get in a quick run here, hit the gym for 30min there.
A typical long winded excuse for my lack of consistent blogging to be sure. I just wanted to get something down as a pause for the upcoming Colorado Relay race report.
Preview: My first of 3 runs was a 12.85 mile run/hike up and over Georgia Pass at almost 12,000 feet. The bonus: blizzard like conditions, 4inches of fresh snow pelting us most of the way. That's how memories are made!

5430 Boulder Long Course Triathon - Race Report

2008-08-14T16:19:00.001-07:00

"70.3 is the new 31.9" the sign read.
"Hmm, wonder what that means", is what went through my head while biking past the sign.
I'm guessing 31.9 is the total mileage of an Olympic distance triathlon. A bit wordy but I get it. 31.9 just doesn't roll off the tongue.

HALF IRONMAN has much more punch; even 70.3 has a short, cool sound to it.
What's really cool though is completing my first ever road triathlon/ first half-ironman distance/ third triathlon ever.
On this day, Sunday August 10th, at the Boulder Reservoir in the
5430 Boulder Long Course Triathlon
........drum roll.........The numbers please....................
Matthew Bayless - Bib #819 - Category M35-39
Place 451 out of some 933 finishers
Swim 1.2miles: 40min 36sec - Swim Rank 463
Transition 1: 3min 18sec
Bike 56miles: 3hr 4min 59sec - Avg Speed 18.2mph - Bike Rank 752
Transition 2: 3min 01sec (including long pit stop)
Run 13.1miles: 1hr 49min 48sec - Pace 8:23min/miles - Run Rank 205

So going back to my last post where I think the words used to describe my triathlon ability were..."SUCK", I think I may have to upgrade that a little. Don't get me wrong, I still suck on the bike. 751st ranking? Yeah, there were little girls on trikes passing me w/ the tassels streaming off the handlebars, ringing the little bell for me to move over. That's fine. I laid out a strategy, stuck to it and it paid off.

So picking up from the Race Prelude post, falling asleep to a Cowboys game at 8pm was perfect.
3:30am Sunday August 10th, awake, not a bit of anxiety; let's get up and see what happens today. In the fridge was a mega-heart shocker, 4-shot espresso that I had bought the night before. Heat it up, throw in some protein and start your engines.
Energy? Check! Throw on the head phones (kids and wife still soundly sleeping) to keep the nerves calm and dance and lip sync while preparing.
Next: hydration. Mix up some Accelerade w/ Gatorade and down it. Add a large cup of water.
Next: fuel. 2 granola bars w/ peanut butter spread on top, and an apple.
Time: 4:30am. Get water bottles filled and cooler ready. The strategy was to take a small, soft, lunch type cooler that would easily fit in my transition bag and keep all my water bottles ice cold.
Race fuel:
1 bottle w/ accelerade. (w/ 1/2 ice for the first part of the bike)
2 bottles w/ 1/2 gatorade, 1/2 water. (1 half ice for the bike for the middle to last part of the bike, the other 1 w/ majority ice to be saved for run)
1 bottle of just ice and 2 bottles of ice water. (to sip on pre-race, and a guaranteed cool down bottle)
I planned out my fueling strategy based on experience and a couple very useful articles.
It started on Saturday, drinking gatorade and water, eating brown rice, wheat bread, fruit, veggies and chicken. No sweets except a handful of Peanut M&M's that Seb, my 7yr old, found in a bowl and brought me at the wedding reception, a small fraction of the amount I typically consume. What a good kid, he knows how much Daddy loves the Peanut M&M's!
Race Day Fueling:
- down the liquids and food 3hrs before the start, nibble and sip up to an hour before the start and then nothing more til' I'm on the bike (w/ a lot of pit stops, trying to squeeze everything out before the start).
- Bike - 2 powerbars, 2 gels, and energy jelly beans along w/ the accelerade, gatorade and water I would exchange the bottles for on the course.
- Run - 1 powerbar, 2 gels, and energy jelly beans and slam down down some ice cold gatorade in transition then mix in gatorade w/ water on the course.
The bars and gels are much more than I had ever used in training, until the last brick session. Tom, my gym partner, mentioned a Runner's World article about Lance Armstrong's fuel regimen during one of his Marathons (sub 3hrs on his first and faster each one since), where much like the Tour de France, his team had formulated exactly how many calories he would be burning and how to replace them. FIFTEEN GELS is how many the 7 time Tour winner took down his first marathon at the NYC 2006. Armed w/ that knowledge I added some palatable bars and gels to my race nutrition plan and successfully tested it during my last brick session.

Transition area opened at 5am but I didn't feel the need to get there that early. My wave would be starting at 7am and I just wanted enough time to comfortably setup and get in 20min. of swim warm-up. Plus, not enough can be said about using the home bathroom versus a port-a-potty. There was a fair amount of traffic as expected but it didn't take long to get in and get everything together. Some real die-hard eco-types were riding in from Boulder, w/ everything on their back. Crazy nice bikes and super fit (fit looking anyway) people everywhere.
"Focus, only think about things right in front of your face Matthew," is what I kept repeating in my head. "Look only at your bike, keep your eyes on your backpack, make sure there's no glass where I'm walking." These are the ways I stay calm. I get flustered when I look around and allow my brain to let me feel out of place, inadequate, w/ lesser gear. "Look how calm and cool they look; do I look like that?" That's the crap my brain has done in the past and I've noticed how much calmer I am when focusing on the things I have, in my hands, at that moment. Slowing down to check that the zippers are pulled closed, the endcaps are on the bike handlebars, the keys are in my backpack before I close the door. (Well, even though I remained calm and focused, I still managed to lock my keys in the car and pulled up to the transition area w/ one endcap missing. Luckily in a zen like state, I got the keys out and the endcap on w/out a bit of anxiety.These things happen, allow for it.)

In the transition area at 6:15am, items laid out, body glide and sunscreen applied, I walked down to the Boulder Rez. How incredible was this. It felt more daunting than the marathon months ago but so beautiful, tranquil and serene. As the first wave lined up I swam out and back a couple times in the roped off section. And there across the rez was a hot air balloon 30ft off the water just gliding across. A smile crept on my face and POP, the pro's were off and racing. I swam out again and suddenly there were lots of balloons, 5 or 6 floating across the rez.

This is awesome.
"I am really about to try this, along w/ 1200 other masochistic maniacs."
Every time a hint of doubt or a question of finishing even whispered in my brain, I short circuited to thinking only of the swim and my strategy, slow and steady. Get in that rhythm and just keep going to the end. Everything else will fall into place; I'll deal w/ pain when I feel it, not now. Right now, this is beautiful, this is my life, I'm going to try and do this; I wish the kids and Bree were here to see my grin.
"Wave 6 counting down, 5.4.3.2.1" POP. We're next, Wave 7, Males 25-29 and 35-39. Yep, a bunch of guys wearing pastel purple swim caps (I'm guessing some angry ex-girlfriend picked our color). I get towards the side, in front and pass along some "good luck everyone" chants along w/ a plea, "hey, uh, everyone, I'm gonna be a little slow so please don't run over me, ok."
5.4.3.2.1.POP
The swim was one long, long loop. Clouds had covered most of the skies so the sun wasn't an issue and with the wave sizes around a 100, there seemed to be a lot of space to swim as we got further out. I felt good, reminding myself to keep it slow and steady, getting glimpses of the hot air balloon overhead and dealing w/ a person here and there. Sighting the buoys was pretty easy and I just keep plugging away. Somewhere before the first of 2 turns, about 10-15min in, I felt a little winded and a whisper of a doubt trickled in. Focusing on my stroke and sighting the buoys, the time passed, the doubts cleared and already I was around the 2nd turn and heading towards the beach (though it still looked amazingly far away). At that point I knew it was 2/3 over and I would get through it w/ not too much energy expelled.

Coming out, I glanced around and was relieved to see that I was passing a few people in the wave ahead of me and there were lots of other purple caps running up the beach and still in the water. I wasn't dead last in my wave; cool.
Ripping off the top, I made my way to the transition, stepping through the kiddie pool to wash the sand off (very cool; there wasn't one at the Xterra and it sucked cleaning off my feet to put on my socks) and jogged over to my spot. I had things laid out well and felt good jogging out w/ the bike; clicked into the pedals and mentally prepared for my ride.
"Save the legs, don't push it up the hills too much, get hydrated and eat; here we go." Having road biked for only 2months I knew my legs weren't developed enough to push it hard and have anything left for the run. Plus, the bike was a loaner and wasn't the best fit; it's a real nice bike and road like a dream, but my back didn't like my position and let me know loud and clear after an hour of riding during training rides. So, I would take it slow, and sit up a lot, stretching and just try to get through it w/ as little pain as possible. I had accounted for 3hrs 30min max and didn't want to come in under 3hrs or I knew it would've meant I'd cranked it too hard.
I was getting passed, a lot. But I'd prepared for that and wasn't going to get sucked into someone else's race. Clouds still covered the sky, saving me from the sun's energy-zapping rays. It couldn't have been better weather, considering the last 3 weeks had been sunny and hot as hell. I sipped on the accelerade mix and about 20min into it, broke into the powerbar. 45min later I ripped open a gel, finished the accelerade and traded the bottle in for water. Coming around the first 28mile loop I looked at the watch; 1hr 35min. Perfect. I started on the 2nd power bar and mixed in sips gatorade and water. 45min later I chewed up the jelly beans and kept drinking the water. Seeing the last turn, knowing there was another 10min left, I ripped open the last gel, which had caffeine, and washed it down w/ a little gatorade.
3hr 5min of cycling was over! There were a lot of bikes racked but I didn't care; I felt good, not too winded and no jelly legs. I threw on my shoes, stocked up on powerbars and gels, gulped down some refreshingly ice cold gatorade/water mix and headed out, by way of pit stop in the port a potty.
I reset the chrono and changed the brain for the run. The course was two 6.6mile loops around the rez and the only real difficult part was two hills in the first 2miles. I felt like I was running very slow, 10min/miles but then mile marker 1 came up and I was around an 8:40min/mile. Hmmm. Slowing up the second hill though still passing people, I felt good. Mile marker 2, mile marker 3, still hitting right around 8:30min/miles.
"Ok Matthew, don't get too excited yet; keep an easy pace, manageable heart rate. There's still 10miles left, plenty of time to blow up if you speed up too soon. Wait and see how you feel after the first loop, then you can push it out if it's there."
I munched on the first powerbar and took both water and gatorade at every aid station along the way, about every 2miles. The laps begin/end right next the the final finish and the transition area so there were lots of people along the course as I came through the first lap. I couldn't wait to get back here and felt some adrenaline kicking in. I tore into another powerbar and really started passing a lot of people, especially up the hills. As it flattened out, I started chewing some jelly beans and kept pushing it a little more every few minutes. Yeah man, I was going to finish this thing; and finish it strong. Coming around to the dam at the back end of the rez I knew there were only a couple miles left. I tore open the last gel w/ caffeine and sped up.

I had told Bree to plan on traffic so try to get there around noon. Figuring 6 to 6-1/2hours of racing would put me finishing right about 1pm. But I suggested maybe she get up to the finish line around 12:45 on the outside chance I'm feeling strong and finish early.

I clicked past the chrono to the watch. The time, 12:38pm. I could see the finish line and the sides were packed with people a 1/4mile from the end. "Finish strong Matthew. Hmm, where are they; I so hope they made it." Last corner. Look! Yeah, that's them. Seb and Sarah were waving wildly and Bree had the camera poised to take a pic. I smiled, waved and shouted out a big hell yeah or something kid friendly like that.
"Number 819, Matthew Bayless of Longmont coming in now," came the announcement blasting through the speakers.
6:11:41 the clock read (not accounting for the wave starts, I would realize later that my time was actually 30min faster and man did that make my year). Sweet, I was done!
"Hey guys!" I managed to utter to the gorgeous, smiling threesome that walked towards me. Seb ran up to hug me, Sarah close behind and I stood up to accept, though warned against too tight of a hug given my stinky sweaty shirt. The kids were in bathing suits and had been playing in the rez so we walked back over there to let them play some more. Bree mentioned quite a few of the racers had been cooling off in the rez and instantly I realized how smart and beautiful she was. Walking into the water had never felt so good, I dropped to my knees and sank underneath, fully LOVING the cool refreshing water. Minutes later I walked out and sat next to Bree. I couldn't believe how good I felt. I still had energy, I could walk, easily; no soreness to speak of. Nothing like the marathon which left me limping for a week afterwards. It's better to know I could've pushed it more than to have blown up on the course and wished I hadn't pushed so hard.
Yes, I'm addicted, this was one hell of a day, a great race and an incredible accomplishment. I had hoped to get into some Olympic Road Tri's next year. Now, I've already completed a half-ironman. Rest a little, keep up some off-season conditioning including a lot of road bike time and who knows what next year may bring.

In 2008:

I learned how to swim
Completed my first Marathon
Completed my first full length Xterra Triathlon
A personal record in the Bolder Boulder 10k
Started road cycling
Finished a 1/2 Ironman Distance Triathlon

And most importantly, made some great friends and had lots of fun along the way.

yeah, I chalk that up as good year. And there's still the fun-run race w/ my running group; 10 of us running 170+miles over several high mountain passes from Georgetown to Carbondale in 24hrs. Killer. What a kick ass way to top it off, eh? Yeah, I think so too.

5430 Boulder Long Course Triathlon - Prelude

2008-08-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Let's back up a week to a time that quiting the race was a real possibility. Even prior to that I had doubts, but it wasn't until attempting to ride and run the course was dropping out real. Here I am 15minutes from the race course and I hadn't been on it. I hadn't done a brick workout (ride/run combo) in 6weeks and had been grossly sick for almost 2weeks and still not fully over it. So the answer, go out and do a Brick on the course allowing me assess my fitness and get familiar with the course. The bike seemed fine; I did the loop in exactly 1hr 30min which was slower than expected but not too much. I pushed it a little but I didn't sprint it. Then wham, right into the running shoes, I felt good. I started down the dirt road away from the Boulder Rez and thought it was going to be a hard but good workout. The first hill had other plans for me. I slowed to a crawl, felt nauseous and kind of panicked. My legs were suddenly very tight and my heart rate was UP, way up. I looked around and there were a couple other runners out so I decided to push on. A 1/4 mile later, I was hunched over, grabbing my knees and yelling obscenities out loud. Game over, I'm screwed. "Turnaround, go home and rest Matthew". And I listened to that voice, trying not to be too discouraged. I mean not only was I unable to jog after a mile into the run, coming off the bike, but when I went home, I was DONE. I laid out for 2-3hrs and felt like I had just run a marathon. Breanna was reminding me how I was still getting over the stomach crud that had kept in the bathroom hourly for days and unable to train. Knowing how my confidence was in the toilet as well and seeing the pain in my face, she urged me to drop out of the race, worried about my health. But after a day of thinking it through, I swallowed the pill that I might not be able to finish, that I might be in the lower 1/3 or even 1/4 of finishers. The only way to know just how far I could go, would be to show up and push through it, allowing myself to stop and drop out when & if that time came. Once I conceded that, I was ok.
So Monday, the next day after the failed brick session, I went out for an hour run on tired legs, in the heat, thinking it would be good to push through some pain. Then on Wednesday, I went out and did the brick again, one of the 28mile loops on the bike and about 7miles of running, on as much of the course as was open. The difference? I slowed down on the bike, adding 10minutes to the ride, but felt no pain and therefore saved my legs for the run, which was difficult and painful but I was able to slog through it. So, having succeeded going slowly, my confidence went from about 15% to 60% sure I could at least finish the 1/2 Ironman.
And I had my race plan. I would almost say that last week's disappointing brick training helped to define the strategy. Slow and steady to the finish line.
Thursday before the race, was a little Stroke N Stride at the Boulder Rez. 1500meter swim followed by a 5k run. I had planned on picking up my wetsuit there and thought it a good idea to get in the race. It's not a full on competitive event but more a way to get comfortable open water swimming w/ people on top of you. Plus, I get to know what the wetsuit is going to feel like and get more familiar with the race venue. The added bonus was taking the kids, letting them play on the beach and watch the activities; letting Mom stay home and do homework in peace and quiet. The race was fun, the swim a little slow but I wasn't looking for a workout 3days before the triathlon; this was just to get comfy in the suit, in the water w/ a bunch of people. The run was real easy, it was hard to not just sprint the thing flat out but I kept reminding myself of the 1/2 Ironman and just where this little event stood in grand scheme of things. I still ran a 7:26min/mile pace but I knew it wouldn't be that easy after biking 56miles and was glad that I didn't feel any soreness or fatigue from the Stroke N Stride. I definitely will be doing more of those next year.
Friday, a little strength training (I typically do 4-6times a week but don't include it as part of my tri training) and Saturday was complete rest and devoted to organizing and fueling up. I slept in, lounged around and then me and the whole family went over to a friends wedding reception. No junk food or cocktails and back home by 7. I took an ambien took my time, going through the gear and planning out my fueling strategy during the race. I fell asleep watching the Cowboys vs. the Chargers. Perfect!

Time Off

2008-08-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Neglect.

That's the word for my time away from blogging.
A confluence of busy schedule (work, home, and training/racing) along w/ differing mental and emotional perspectives on the blog itself have allowed me to consciously neglect continuous blogging.
I'll just leave it at that and throw out a quick recap of the past 2 months.

1. June 1st, 2008 - My last entry eluded to my personal triumph at completing (and kicking ASS) the Steamboat Marathon. I didn't hit my dream time of 3hr 30min, but I was very close at 3hr 39min. While I may go back and elaborate, it's suffice to say that I made the classic mistake. I started out too fast and felt great til' mile 18, at which point I slowed slightly each mile. Then at mile 24 I completely melted and could not jog even the slightest bit. It took every ounce of positive thinking to keep moving forward; I was literally yelling "GO, KEEP MOVING, C'MON, JUST FINISH" every couple minutes. My legs just did NOT want to move.
Perseverance did prevail and a goal 2 years in the making was attained. Many lessons learned and I'm not sure where it goes from here but there will be another Marathon in my future and qualifying for Boston is the ultimate goal.

2. June 21st, 2008 - Buffalo Creek Xterra Triathlon (Olympic Distance) - Finished & Humbled.

Screw that.
Ok, I can run, pretty good even. As of right now I SUCK at triathlon.
Lessons:
While training for a marathon obviously carries over into any running related event,
it does NOT replace bike training, especially mountain biking.
Do not schedule another event w/in 3 weeks of finishing your first Marathon.

Yes, it was fun, it was a challenge, pretty scenery, great people, well organized ........
BLAH BLAH BLAH.
However great everything was, the fact is I sucked.
It did serve a purpose in highlighting my weakness and that is undoubtedly biking. My little legs can take me quite a way in running shoes but those tiny quads desperately need some additional mass to get power and will only get better with more time in the saddle; a LOT more time.

The best part of the race? Camping with my daughter Sarah and her friend. Would've been even better if the other 2 family members had been there but we had a great time.

3. TODAY, 4 days before 1/2 Ironman Distance Boulder Peak Long Course Triathlon.
hmm,
what to say,
well,
i'm sorely under-trained.
Will I finish?
Hard to say. At this point I'm 60% confident. That's much better than the 20% confidence I had after my meager attempt at a BRICK session last Sunday. But I'm still conceding that there is quite a real possibility that I may drop out somewhere around mile 5 of the run.
Cliche really, bit off more than I could chew.
I think the euphoria of the Marathon led to over-confidence and I just signed up, thinking I could get the bike fitness fairly quickly given my run fitness. But then I quickly reflect how it took 3 years of mileage build up w/ running to barely complete the Marathon. Cycling muscles are not the same ones used in running and I was naive thinking that they would build up enough to carry me through a long distance cycling event after less than 2 months of training.
I had been wanting to try road-cycling and knew that the only realistic path to an Ironman Distance Triathlon would have to include many road triathlons along the way and that meant buying a road bike and putting in some time. I hadn't really thought that I would have the opportunity to go for one this year but some great friends stepped up and offered me a very nice loaner if I wanted to go for a road-tri this year.
So here I am, having put in some miles on a road bike, keeping up with swimming and running but the 1/2 Ironman distance is probably too much too soon. I rationalized that the Olympic off-road tri is at least 2x's more difficult than a standard Olympic road tri and I still think that's true. Mountain biking 20miles is considerably harder than 20miles on the road and more like 50miles of road cycling. And 5miles of difficult trail running is about the same as 10miles on the road. But wait, I sucked at the off-road tri so I guess it's logical to expect that I'll suck at this almost comparable endurance test. Additionally, while the individual components of the Olympic Xterra may be comparable to the 1/2 Ironman distances, it is much more difficult when combined. (No Shit huh Matthew)
The positive of going through with this test is that I will know just how much work I need and only racing helps you get more comfortable racing. So even if I don't finish or have the really bad expected finish, I'll at least have gone through the motions of preparing for and being in a race environment at this level; which can only mean next year will be that much more attainable and successful.

Marathon - A year in the making

2008-06-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

Before I get into the Steamboat Marathon race report, here's a clip of the year leading up to this point. I've separated it out, knowing that at some point, it's not as juicy and for the one or two other people that ever read my blog (including my wife Breanna) they might already know the details and/or not care about the journey and want to skip right to the destination.

Past:
I signed up for the Boulder Marathon last year as a way to reach for a goal, something to commit to which would force me to get on a running plan and push myself further than ever before. Up to 2007 my longest run was around 6miles, and that was painful. Fresh out of high school, we ran 5miles 4-5x's a week in the Marine Corps; and I HATED every single minute of it. I never got used to it, I don't remember any kind of "runner's high", all I knew is I had to do it. Fast forward 17years and at some point in early spring 2007, I felt like I needed a bigger challenge. According to the magazines, books, and podcasts, the best way to commit and hold myself accountable to any challenge would be to simply sign up for a race. Looking through training plans, I found a 20wk plan which gave me a couple months to build up my base before the actual plan started. I stuck to it pretty well though some of the mid-week runs were cut short by a mile or 2 and a couple were skipped all-together when I felt too sore. Getting up to the 10mile long runs was so gratifying and I started to "get it", that "runner's high". Hitting 14miles felt so, so good. Then, 16miles laid me out pretty good and 2wks later, the 18miler left me for done. My left knee was in constant pain, the same knee I had ACL surgery on 13yrs ago. What a delicate balance, navigating through the natural pains associated w/ the pounding of running and trying to determine if I should try and get through it or do I shell out $100 for a doctor's visit and have it examined. Days later with a thinner wallet, the doctor determined I had a slight tear in my Patella Tendon. He didn't the think the tear would get any worse but if I laid off for a couple weeks, it would repair itself enough for the pain to go away and I could push on so, Recommended Treatment: either shut-up and deal w/ the pain or lay-off it. That was the answer I needed to opt out of the full marathon and switch to the half. And in hindsight, it was a good move. Having put in multiple 12-plus mile runs, I was very confident w/ a 13mile race; 26.2 miles though, not so confident. History shows it paid off as I far exceeded my goals and felt much more able to move forward w/ continuing my base for a future marathon.

Let the Races Begin!

2008-05-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

Tis' the season for racing - for me at least.

I'm already signed up for more races just this year than I've done up to this point in my life and hoping to fit in at least 2 more races if my plans come together. Everything this year is a warm-up for next year w/ the idea that I can work out those first timer nerves and obvious mistakes. As with anything, practice makes perfect (or at least practice makes me better).

What better way to start the season than w/ 54,000 other people?
So seemed the sentiment of my running group, whose constant banter of the event finally persuaded me to sign up so as not to be left out.
The Bolder Boulder 10k Memorial Day Race is the perfect way to feed off some collective athletic energy. So many people, just happy to be running together, for fun, for sport, for whatever, just to run (w/ 54,000 other people). This would also serve as a last training run for my first marathon a week later so I was ok w/ starting out fast, hitting my threshold and maintaining it all the way through.
That morning was cold and overcast, perfect running weather by all accounts. I had no idea what to expect time wise because I've training for the marathon, not a 10k. Three goals were set, which as I've read serves to mentally prepare for 3 different scenarios. First, if I'm feeling like crap, either sore, injured, sick, or just random stomach issues, then an easily obtainable goal set according to my easy pace which I peg as 8min/miles for a 10k or rounded up to 50min. Second, a middle-of-the-road goal. A time that is around my average threshold pace, something slightly challenging but a pace that I've run often during training. Last year's 1/2 marathon was 7:30min/miles so I'm pegging 10k at around 7:15/7:20 or a total time under 45min. And lastly, a dream goal, the pie in the sky if I'm feeling super-human. That dream was sub 7min/miles for a total time under 43:30.
The last time I ran the Bolder Boulder, I just found out via the ever-amazing google, was 1999; which at the sprite age of 26 I ran a 43:25. Hmmm, that can't be right. Nine years ago I did not run, not consistently anyway. I hiked 14er's, albeit very fast, and climbed and lifted weights, but running? No, I did not run and not only did I not run, but at the time, I quite enjoyed every kind of micro-brew available and often partook in smoking a Boulder staple, aka kind bud.
Ok, great reminiscing, but I no longer have a ponytail and can no longer wake up hungover, hit the bong, and haul ass up a a 14,000 foot peak. Snap out of it Matthew, you have children! No, now a days, I have to watch what I eat, sleep, and run, a lot.
Wave B, that's where my Boulder Backroads 1/2 marathon time put me. The 4th wave back w/ an expected finishing time between 43:06 - 44:05 or around 7min/miles. Wait a minute, seriously, 7min/miles? Luckily I hadn't done that math before the race; for some reason, knowing that my 1/2 marathon was 7:30min/miles I just kind of assumed my wave placement equaled that exact pace. Good thing I'm not the race director.
BANG! and we're off. Wow this feels good, running the Bolder, the energy, the people, the excitement all around! Breathing, yes breathing hard; these people are running too fast! They have to be, it's not in my head, I'm not nervous and, damn it, I know my pace and the respective breathing.
Mile 1 - 6:35. Yep, this is too fast, I will not be able to maintain this speed. Ease off just a little Matthew; keep pushing but ease off just a little. Mile 2 - 7:09 (13:45 total). Better, keep going. Look around, the bands are cool, the people cheering, "Hoo Rah", "Whoo Hoo" I start yelling back here and there. Mile 3 - 7:05 and feeling good. More cheering from bystanders and more smiling from me, "Yeah, let's go" I remember yelling. Gotta step it up a bit; we're gunning for sub 7's all the way. Mile 4 - 6:57. Push it a little more! Mile 5 - 6:35! Whew, I'm breathing and the hill up Folsom is coming. Keep going, maybe you can sprint up the hill into the stadium and slam it home. Ughhh! This hill SUCKS! Finish Line! Hit the chrono. Watch says 42:35, YEAH. 6:52min/miles. A dream has come true and I feel solid!
Where's my crew, those great group of runners that unknowingly coerced me into this thing?
First, water, on my head; more water, in my face, on my head again and again. It's cold outside but I am hot and sweaty. Next, restroom, food, stretch then, find the girls.
Sweet, there's Stephanie and some more of the club. High five, congrats and all that! All of you rock and I'm glad to tag along.
Next, a marathon! God help me.

Get High and Run!

2008-05-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

Dates: May 16 run, May 17 ride
Route: Mineral Belt Trail
Distance: 11.6miles
Location: Leadville Colorado
Altitude: 9,500 - 10,300 feet
Experience: AWESOME!

Yes friends, that was my weekend training locale. Saturday morning, I drove up hoping the trail would be clear as Leadville received 12inches of fresh snow on Wednesday and it was overcast on Thursday but Friday the temp hit 65degF and it was supposed to stay like that through the weekend. I called my local friend Chad once I got into town, dropped off some stuff at his house and we went down to the main trailhead, South of town. He was on his bike, taking pictures for work related stuff and I was set to run the 11.6 mile loop. I wasn't sure what to expect at the altitude, knowing it was going to be a slow uphill climb for the first 5 miles. Sure enough I was breathing much more heavily than normal as soon as I started, slowed a little and adjusted to find a manageable pace and just told myself that it was going to be tough, the only goal to keep running til' the end. After mile 1 my legs felt real heavy; not like they have in the past where the entire leg feels heavy but this time it was only in my calves and it felt like my knees didn't want to fully bend. Nothing to do but keep pushing, taking in the scenery to keep me distracted. Through those first 5miles I went through an emotional roller coaster; feeling, at one moment, like I could run the loop twice, to the next moment, just holding on trying not to slow down, telling myself not to walk, just make it around the next corner. Alas, once the hill was over my breathing quickly recovered and I felt great. The first mileage marker I passed was mile 7 and looking at my time I was running around 8:30min/miles. I was ecstatic because I mentally felt I had been running much slower up the hill. Realizing that my perceived exertion was much more than actual exertion actually made me feel good, like I could just keep going like I was and even though I felt slow, it wasn't half bad considering the altitude. Once finished, I recovered quickly and felt great. I didn't push it too hard and will easily be able to ride it tomorrow.

Sunday wasn't as nice with some cool winds gusting about but I was determined to take advantage of the altitude training and get in a great ride on trail I don't get access to very often. Around the 4mile point, I took off on a dirt road heading up higher into the mountains. Wow was it beautiful. I cranked up it about 3-4miles until the road was completely blocked w/ snow. I was about 12,000-12,500 feet up and surrounded by incredible snow caps all around. Man, this is living. Back down to the path and I quickly finished off the loop. Feeling higher than a kite, I made the journey back to Longmont, relieved to hear the family had been having just as much fun planting flowers and shopping while I was gone. Now THAT'S a win/win weekend.

Consistency/ Thresholds

2008-05-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

Today was another long run, 12miles and it was the easiest one yet. Since I've been going out w/ a running group, I've been much more consistent w/ weekly long runs and I think it's paying off. I have to admit a lot of doubts about my ability to run a full marathon when I'm feeling wiped out after 10miles but things are getting better. I've tried to maintain a mindset that I just needed to keep doing longer runs and I will adapt; much like a few years ago when my normal run was 3-5miles and an 8mile run would've killed me. I'm still relatively young when it comes to running, having only been doing it w/ any consistency for the last 3years so hopefully this is just part of the extended base mileage build up and adaptation phase. I have toned down my marathon expectations, shooting for 3hr 3omin instead of a solid 3hrs and in all honestly, I'll be ok w/ any finish under 4hrs.
The bad news I've really slacked off my swimming and really need to get back in the pool. Seeing as I only just learned how to swim a few months I ago, I'm betting I should be practicing that much more.
I'm really on the look out for a road bike. There are so few options for off-road tri's and road cycling is much easier to get in quick workouts around and right outside of town.

Heil No!

2008-05-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

This week has been great and painful.

Teller Lake:
Monday was a 14-15mile run through farm land w/ the most amazing views of the front range. No cars, hardly any other people, a full sky of clouds covering up the sun and keeping the 70degF oh so nice and cool. The run itself was as painful as a 14mile run should be I suppose though the pain did stir up some doubts as to my ability to really run a marathon. But I did it, and it was good.

Heil Ranch:
Then tonight was an attempt at flushing out the legs w/ some mountain biking so I thought I'd head over to a trail I just ran the week before last and give it try. First, the run is commented on earlier in my "Trashed by the Trail" blog and a quick recap is that, IT HURT. But that was running the damn thing; surely riding it will be easier. NO. WRONG. It was technically very difficult (for me) and while I was able to ride everything, it sure did seem harder than it should have. The trail was 80% narrow single track w/ extensive amounts of large loose rocks covering the entire path. So while the hills weren't steep, the loose rock made it so hard, slipping and balancing while crawling over, through and around the rocks. But it was gratifying and beautiful. The weather was just like last night's only a couple degrees cooler. The clouds completely covered the sky and left the sun highlighting the mountains all around and the valley below. INCREDIBLE.

8 mile

2008-04-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not Eminem.

I'm referring to the 8 painful miles I slogged out today. Wow did this run suck and hurt. Legs definitely hadn't recovered from last night's or this past sunday's run and 3miles into it my legs got heavy. Around mile 5 the quads tightened up and it took every mental thought I had to keep going. Bad runs happen and this was one of em'.

Trashed by the Trail

2008-04-28T23:12:00.000-07:00

"Wow what a run!"

That went through my mind somewhere around 15min or a mile and a half into Sunday's run. Really it was more like, "Holy $h!t, how long is this hill" and "what have I gotten myself into?" But I ran on, slowly up the narrow, rocky path at the snail pace of 10min/miles. And while I was getting further ahead of the other runners that started w/ me, I felt slow and yet gratified, that my legs hadn't slowed to a walk, that I could maintain my heart rate and that as soon as the hill relented from a 6-8% grade to 2% it felt so so good and I could speed up and get my heart rate down in time for the next hill.
The scenery; well, I didn't realize how beautiful it was until the second lap. No my thoughts and focus were fixed on the trail, plotting out each step so as not to hit a rock sideways and hear the familiar sound of ligaments tearing in my ankle. But that second lap, as I looked North there was my baby, my lover, the mountain that, in my mind, defines what a mountain should look like, Long's Peak. I think she winked at me while domineering the mountain scape at 14,256 feet tall w/ it's majestic shear vertical face aka, The Diamond. Yes I have a long love affair w/ Long's as she has been party to a number of my climbs, some a great success and others humbling defeat. So as a ran along the trail at about mile 11 or 12 w/ 3 to 4 more to go, feeling the pain usually only reserved for a race or longer distances, I was given something to smile about. That picturesque mountain, the sun lighting up the face and highlighting the snow hanging onto it's broad shoulders eased the pain and made it all worth while.
And so what if I started on a run w/ a running group and I didn't run 1/2 a mile w/ any of them. The fact was, I knew they were there and even more importantly I wouldn't have been on that trail if not for the group's decision and committing to meet them there. The end result is that we fed off each other's energy to bust out one hell of a bad ass trail run, up and down hills on single track, rocky terrain. And the cool thing was that as I came back to the car as the last one in, having added some extra miles; there they were finishing up their stretching and giving me high-fives for the effort. I don't get many hoo-rahs and high fives when I go out running on my own.
Yes, that was cool.
Running is good.
Running w/ friends is better.

The more the merrier

2008-04-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago was my first time on a group run. To clarify, a group that I volunteered to run with, not in a race and not my platoon. Simply put, I really like it, in so many ways. The group has been small, 5-7 others and they all have so much experience. I'm the young one and while I might be faster, I don't have the history of races and stories that these people do.
The first thing I notice, is that I'm talking through the first couple miles then as things loosen up and I go ahead, I'm running w/ the knowledge that there's some people I know running out here with me, which is comforting. It takes my mind off of any doubts I may get around mile 3 about how long this run might be and I might not be able to finish it or how my knees are hurting and maybe I should just turn around now. Then there's the built-in slow down effect, saving me from myself. This last Saturday was 11miles at a nice slow 8:45min/miles plus another 5miles later that afternoon at 8min/miles and the next day there was no pain. Had I gone out on my own, I'd pushed 8min/miles at the slowest and probably had a tough time getting the distance, not to mention the subsequent pain, putting me out for a couple day recoup.
And lastly, I'm getting out running places I'd never known about which also helps the distance go by.

P.S. Moleskin works if used correctly. I'm looking forward the next lesson that will probably take me 2years to figure out what most people already know.

Week Off - Not by Choice but loving IT!

2008-04-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

My how priorities change. It only took 12years of resisting; fighting the flow of the whole, determined to complete the wishes of the individual. AKA - "I need do some cardio, I have to get in a big hike, I, I, I......I'll see you guys when I'M DONE."
Explanation, not only does it just feel good, hanging w/ the family, doing what's easiest for us all to do; but it's EASIER. No stress, fretting about the things I'M NOT GETTING TO DO, no fighting to fit it all in.
Now this doesn't mean it's not a struggle to get in the workouts, especially w/ one car & 2kids w/ different schedules. But it does mean, I make my schedule flexible. I refuse to get stressed out at the small stuff and to me working out is small. Important? Yes, but small. Because, when I'm stressed, I stress out my wife and kids. I used to tantrum about, pushing my schedule above all else and let everyone else accommodate me. So really, it only took about 10years, the last 2 I've been consciously making the effort to be more involved and be more accommodating. Man, my stress levels have come down so much. When the days allow me 2 or 3 workouts, I take em', if I was planning on 2 workouts but my job won't let me get away or Bree needs help w/ the kids, then so be it. I'll try to catch up tomorrow or the next day.

All that was in preface to last week's Spring Break trip to Bree's grandmother's house in rural Missouri. Ahhh, a week off from the 9 to 5, way out in the country, down at 1,400 feet elevation. I should be able to run and bike for miles and miles w/ out much need to plan around other things. Sounded good but as a many have said, LIFE HAPPENS. Needless to say, it wasn't what I imagined, w/ the schedule, the weather, the available places for safe running/biking. And you know what? I didn't care one bit. It would've been great to get in 2-a-days, running and biking up a ton of miles. Yeah, that's what I would've liked. But the things I did do, just as great. Time spent w/ family, sleeping late, staying up late playing chess and Uno w/the kids, listening to grandma tell stories. Very cool and very low stress.
So, I've lost a little conditioning and crashed my diet pretty good for a week. I'm pretty sure I'll live. I wasn't planning on a podium finish in any races this year.

That attitude is in stark contrast to the person I've been most of my life. I think it's only natural to be selfish when you're single and w/ out kids; I mean you're only taking care of and planning for yourself. I don't think 'selfish' is really an appropriate term for that. You can't be faulted for only doing the things you want to do when there's no one else at home, vying for a place in your schedule; needing help unexpectedly or wanting you to join them in they're daily activities; when you're the only one who benefits from doing what you want and/or suffers from not doing it. It took me so long to realize that being a husband and a father meant if I only did the things I wanted to then others suffered even if I benefited. And if I suffered from not doing MY things, it was of no benefit to whine about it and make others suffer with me. Being a team player, part of the family, and going for my individual goals are not mutually exclusive. I have to communicate a lot, plan out and schedule a lot more; and it helps everyone if I'm flexible with it. Because then I'm doing what I want alongside helping my teammates/ family memebers do what they want; and no one's bitter or feeling neglected and unheard.

Alright, whatever, I'm finding balance at 35 after more than 12 years of marriage and fatherhood. I do not deserve a scooby snack. A lot of people kind of figure that out before they say "I do" and plan for the responsibility of parenting and it's time demands. Yeah, I'm late to the game. Luckily my team waited for me to catch up heh?

In a nutshell, I'm pretty damn happy. Life could be better, yes. But it could be oh so much worse.

So Brett, is this Zen?

Good Bye Sgt. Hulka

2008-03-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

"An army without leaders is like a foot without a big toe. And Sergeant Hulka is always gonna be here to be that big toe for us. I think that we owe a big round of applause to our newest, bestest buddy, and big toe... Sergeant Hulka." - John Winger (Bill Murray)

"You better hit those bunks my little babies, or Sergeant Hulka with the "big toe" is gonna see how far he can stick it up your ass." - Sgt. Hulka

For all the youngsters, the quotes are from Stripes, a classic movie appreciated by millions born before You Tube.

Yes, tears are falling in the Wannabee's house as I watch yet another big toenail give up on life and choose to leave the comfortable home called my foot. The cause? Not sure though my suspicions point to the incredibly lame bike pedal-cages in spin class. How low-class is our Rec Center? Well, not using or even allowing clipless pedals in the spin class was the first sign I might not get the intensity of a workout I was looking for. Dimming the lights so as not to embarrass the 9 out 10 unfit people, one possibly being the spin instructor herself, was the next clue.
First, I am not a road cyclist and only a pretty good mountain biker, though that is seasonal as the winters don't yield many ridable trails for my ability. So spin class is just to develop the biking muscles lost in the winter and get some base time in a saddle. I do not have technique, don't know how to tune a bike and am clueless about my form on a road bike. I can climb 2,000 vertical feet of single track at 10,000ft elevation, hopping over rocks and squeezing through aspen trees and then race down, shocks taking up all 4 inches of travel, like a drunk frat boy hoping to get the last bit of foam out of a keg at the bottom of the mountain. But sitting in a defined position, going for aerodynamics, switching hand and seat positions for extended periods of time, on a flat surface, with no obstacles; and "drafting"? No, those skills, I haven't a clue.

So, when I showed up for spin class a couple months ago at my newly joined rec center, bike shoes in hand, I was not ready to try pulling up the pedals w/ my big toe in a pedal-cage. Yes, like I said, I am NOT a knowledgeable cyclist w/ developed technique so I probably wasn't doing it right anyway. Well here I am now, mourning the loss of a little piece of me I've become quite attached to. If only it didn't make such a spectacle of the whole ordeal, dragging it out for weeks as it waits to completely die.
Just get it over with already, Fall off you punk, you quitter. Get out of the way and make room for a nail that WANTS to be on my Sgt. Hulka!

Ok, I feel better, I've gotten it out. Please save the flowers, no need to send a card, I'll be alright. Just give me some space.

"Trouble Sleeping? You should exercise."

2008-03-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

Title of article I came across while wishing I was sleeping, 12am Monday night.

Insomnia sucks.

Despite a pretty good workout tonight, 1/2hr strength + 1/2hr fast run, a good dinner, and part of sleeping pill I took at 9pm, I'm still awake. I'm not stressed about work, an upcoming race or training milestone. I'm just awake.
I listened to one Zentri's podcast a few weeks ago and he mentioned how, when he woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep, he'd get up and do something, anything productive-like. Spin on the trainer, work on a podcast. I'm not quite that ambitious I suppose. Instead I usually catch the midnight episode of Friends (just don't get tired of the re-runs) and then put on some news to knock me out on the couch.
Well, now I guess I can write on my blog, read others people's blog and write on theirs, and read what other bloggers wrote on mine :-)
The agitating part is that I'm actually really tired. But I know, if I go up and try to lay in the bed, I'm not quite tired enough to fall asleep. If I keep rolling around for more than 30min, I start getting pissed.

News, the nice monotone voice of the news anchor relaying the nation's and world's presumably bad news does seem to work. The podcasts of Meet the Press or Face the Nation are 75% effective when used as directed and the copay is nil.

Good Night (he said this morning),
Sleeping Wannabee

Easter Snow

2008-03-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

Spring on the front range of Colorado gives you all the weather extremes w/in days. Friday, 70 degF and sunny. Saturday afternoon, I take a 2hr run outside in a nice 55 degF. Back by 5pm and 30 minutes later, clouds cover the skies, wind picks up and snow starts coming from all directions. This morning, Easter Sunday, 32 degF and a fresh blanket of snow. This will melt off by the afternoon w/ a high of 50 degF, getting up to high 60's tomorrow.

LUV IT.

Sarah, Easter AM

HOLY CRAmP

2008-03-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

Firsts.

We all have certain first times that stand out. Then there's others that don't really make headlines but they're "firsts" nonetheless.
Here's a couple of mine since I first started swimming 6 weeks ago.

indegestion/burping - I felt it building in my chest and wasn't sure how I was going to time it out w/ my breathing; I mean hell, I just learned how to breath and swim concurrently this year. Air comes out when it needs too, I can burp and swim now.
gas - same genre though a little more off-color. I can see your frown, I know, sorry. Trust me, it's not something you plan for. But (no pun intended) like running on a busy trail and the stomach's bubbling and contorting, these things happen. And unless you have no inhibitions and could care less who can hear, it has to be dealt (no pun) with delicately.
And the inspiration for my title, the CRAMP. The arch of my foot has cramped while swimming a couple times now. As if it wasn't hard enough trying to remember to kick through the breathing stroke, pull w/ triceps, not shoulders, reach, point the feet and not be sidetracked by other people swimming next to me. Now my foot decides to contract to holy hell in mid-stroke and take me out of my typical piss-poor form into an all out drowning look as I try to lame-leggedly keep swimming through it.
Then tonight, not only does my foot cramp up a couple times, but my calf decides to join in. Hitting the 650yard mark of a 1200yard set, my right calf goes into full on flex mode, dropping me like an anchor in the ocean. WTF (What The F*&# for all you non-text messengers). That's it, I'm taking my toys/goggles and going home.

I did in fact persevere after a rest though the cramp came back off & on. Dealing w/ it somehow helps to keep me far, far away from my vanity. Having to focus on how to get through it, and keep concentrating forces me to tune out everything around me, acknowledge how bad I look and not care. Of course I look like and oil spill, I'm 35 and learning how to swim; just keep repeating that. I will get better. I doubt the words "grace" or "natural" will ever be in the same sentence describing my swimming but "better" is just fine.

Week off? Tri ... again.

2008-03-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

ahh.
Spin class last night was wonderful.
The run today, wonderful (despite the 30mph gusts). Yes, I think the week off was a good thing.
Week off?

Oh, let me back up.

6 weeks ago I signed up for swim classes, determined to be better prepared for an olympic xterra triathlon this year. My first and only sprint tri 2 years ago was an incredibly fun and rewarding experience but the pain of getting through it, w/ really poor training and virtually no swim training left a lingering impression on me. Reservoir water does not taste good.

Back up a little more.

2 years ago I was in "good shape". I lifted weights 2x/day 4-5x/week and did spin classes and a kick a$$ strength conditioning class 3-4x/week plus some long difficult hikes and mountain bike rides on the weekends. I thought that would be enough to get me easily through a sprint tri. As for swimming, I thought having all the upper body strength, I could at least pull my body through the water and make it ok.
WRONG ... Maybe I'll stick to running.
Fast forward to last Thanksgiving. Having kicked a$$ on my first half marathon in September and certifiably "hooked" on longer distances I was ready to re-introduce triathlon into my vocabulary. I would love to get into adventure racing; eco-challenges really get my heart thumping. Hold on there cowboy, I can barely afford new running shoes and don't yet know how to correctly swim. Yeah, I can still enjoy watching and reading about adventure racing for a few more years. Let's learn how to swim, get educated about triathlon specific training and set some serious goals.

Back to 6 weeks ago.
I've been dropping the weight lifting and adding in swim and bike progressively more each week. First lesson learned, schedule swim and chest workout on same day. Otherwise I'll be too sore from one to do the other. Second, I hate spin class w/ out clip-in pedals. I think my big toenail is coming off from pulling up too hard in the stupid pedal baskets.
So anyway, things have been going well, some definite muscle soreness in the legs where my bike legs haven't been used for the last 6 months and in my back where my swim muscles never existed. Some days, my legs are concrete; meaning, cut the running mileage down slightly as I add on the biking mileage and STAY AWAY from squats til the next off-season. Shoulders are very sore; meaning, stay away from shoulder exercises in the gym as I increase the swimming workouts. I'm very tired all day; meaning, eat more and, ironically, lay off the coffee.
I am learning, documenting, reading, listening and tweaking every week.

Last week started off strong. Tuesday, I went through a hunger phase satisfied only with chocolate and one piece turned into 12 .... turned into .... lost count.
Hmm, it's 2pm, this should all digest by 5 so I'll go run right after work.
5pm, off and running. Damn my stomach hurts. It's alright Matthew, stick w/ it. It's not like I'm going to feel great every run I do. Just keep going, run through the pain, it's good to know you can if you had to.
6pm, done, wash off in the sink, wife's here to pick me up and off to my boy's kindergarten concert. I feel kinda ok, not near as bad as earlier. Concert .... "entertaining". How can you not smile at a bunch of 5 & 6yr olds singing wildly out of tune w/ the attention span of a rock.
9pm......I DO NOT FEEL GOOD.
I'll omit the theatrics of all the different types of restroom breaks I took all night. Just know that it was not because of my overactive bladder.

Long story short - week off. (of course I can say that now that I've told the long story)

Ok, back in saddle. Pick up where I left off, minus the candy binges.

Consistency

2008-03-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

I am consistently inconsistent.

I had some momentum and newness excitement when I started but once things got hectic, logging in was the first thing I dropped.

So, thanks Chaser. I'd probably slacked off a few more days, which very easily snow balls into longer periods off if not for you comment. Time management is NOT my strength. My daily schedule is in a constant state of change and re-evaluated hourly. My wife is finishing her Bachelor's degree online, taking 6-8 hrs a day to keep up; my 6yr old is in school 1/2 day and my 12yr old is in school all day. The crux is getting everyone where they need to be with one car. Luckily I work close to home, but some days are just crazy, trying to get to the gym, pool, or spin class, back to work and the kids to and from school, and still put in an honest 8hr work day and hopefully still have some time to relax with the family.
A few weeks ago I started really tracking my workouts, w/ time and distance. I've always tracked my weight lifting routines, hitting everything based on the goals at the time. I religiously followed my marathon training workout last year and it worked real well until I was injured. But now, I've been getting much more focused on the triathlon training, dropping my weightlifting from 2x/day, 4days/wk to just 2-3x/week and adding in the swim and bike in it's place. I was surprised to see how little time I was actually working out, barely 8hrs/wk even though it felt like I was gone "training" all the time. It wouldn't matter much but while defending my time away from home to my wife, I realized the disparity between my perceived time versus actual training time is in the travel to and from the gym, changing before and after the workout and the inevitable socializing I do while at the gym. Now I've been accused, correctly sometimes, of over-training and being too work-out obsessed. Over the years, I've gotten pretty big into weight-lifting and crazy cardio workouts, going through 6 month phases of 2 and 3-a-day workouts, 5x/week getting up to 190 pounds while maintaining minimal body fat. But I feel like I've really matured over the last couple years as I've tried to get into endurance sports and realizing the bigger I am, the slower I am. Not to mention how much more I enjoy my family time as the kids get older. So now that I've been ramping up my time away from home again, the old complaints have re-surfaced but now I feel justified in arguing that real triathlon training takes a certain amount of time. It's not just weightlifting for vanity anymore. So there I am adding up the time and it's only 8hrs of actual training. Add in all the intangibles of getting there, changing and stretching and the time I'm gone is more like 12hrs/week. Luckily my wife is very supportive and is helping me find ways to fit it all in.
I imagine it will always be an effort to keep it all balanced, but I'm getting a little better every year. The biggest thing I've learned over the last couple years is how far the little things go in helping everyone. Just making the bed every now and then, making dinner for the family, doing the shopping late at night when everyone else is asleep, or taking the kids on a bike ride or to the store w/ me so my wife can do homework. All these things help keep the family running smooth; my wife is less stressed, I get to bond w/ the kids and it feels good contributing, being part of the team.
I've read so much about training; weight lifting routines for bulking up or getting toned, running workouts, cycling gear reviews, diet and nutrition strategies relating to the different sports and types of workouts but very little of it touches on how much time it takes and how to juggle the rest of your life with it. What difference does it make how good an athlete I am if my family thinks I'm a selfish a-hole that never sees me?
Smile, life is good. They do know me, they support me, I value how much my contribution to them is and it feels good when my world is in balance.
I smile today because I can, knowing that balance is fleeting. I think it was IronWil that compared it to the swing of a pendulum on clock. Life IS going to swing, accept it. The goal is not letting it swing too far out of whack, keeping the swing manageable.

Making the Team: 2008

2008-03-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

Up til now...Long version:

Grew up in Dallas Texas, played soccer, some football but I was really small in high school and quit. I turned my interests to wrecking cars and getting into trouble so to avoid college and get in shape, I joined the Marine Corps (not the best reasons). Got into shape, but after 2 years, I was all I could be and got out (yeah it's an army slogan but close enough). Failed out of college the first go around, found more trouble and moved to Boulder in 94.

What an eye-opener, I LOVE ALTITUDE. After getting hit by a car, tearing my ACL, I used extreme hiking/ trail running and mountain biking to re-hab my knee. I kept up w/ weight lifting since the Marine Corps, more for vanity than anything and the hiking/biking served as my cardio. My girlfriend moved up, and w/ news of our first child, I decided to grow up and go to college at the ripe age of 23. Architecture was truly my calling and I excelled through school w/ many accolades. What little free time I had was mostly devoted to the gym and the mountains.

Over the last several years, I've summited a lot of 14er's (14,000 foot peaks), some of them technical and scary, others easy and fast; and most of any "training" I did was to enable easy summits. So I did a lot of steep trail running/ fast hiking. I ran the Bolder Boulder (10k) a couple times and it was fun. I definitely felt a high when finished but really didn't enjoy just running, especially on pavement. So, I thought .... I like trail running and mountain biking, I can half-ass swim so why not TRIATHLON, of the off-road variety. I signed up for one in September 2005 and loved it, even though I really sucked, by my standards anyway. A week later, I was asked to sub-in on a relay race. I had no idea what the hell it was or what it entailed, but sure, it sounded fun. The Outward Bound Relay, 10 people, taking turns running from Idaho Springs (right in the middle of the Rockies of Colorado) to Glenwood Springs (North of Aspen), 170 miles in, uh, 24 hours. Man I loved it so much, the camaraderie, the race environment, the challenge. I wanted so bad to sign up for more and more races and for the first time I actually liked running.

But personal life interrupted and 2006 forced a suspension of that enthusiasm. I kept up some running and kicked butt on my first 1/2 marathon last August. Now the stars are aligning to let me continue my quest for longer races. This year, 2008, will hopefully be a great "feeling out" phase as I go for an Olympic Xterra Tri and a full Marathon. My goal is to save money for a road bike and more races to enter next year w/ the ultimate goal of an Ironman in 2010.

How's that for a long version!

HELL YEAH!

Thanks for reading! If you think I should be the next fully-sponsored member of Team Evotri, please write down the URL of this web site and have it ready for voting when you click the EVOTE button below. Thank you!

Slow Learner

2008-03-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

Last night, I finally employed the slow training on a run. I've never had a coach but keep reading as much as possible and have seen it more and more about the phases of training and utilizing the slow, low heart rate training during the base phase. But, all the knowledge in the world does NOT imply that one absolutely utilizes and integrates that knowledge. So, that being said, my ego, vanity and mental need for "at least maintaining if not surpassing" workout numbers I've hit before has rarely allowed me to complete a scheduled lesser/slower workout. I've been getting better and after hearing/reading it so many times, it's starting to stick.

I am my biggest obstacle; my ego & vanity, that is. When I'm going for a long run outside or at home on the treadmill, I do allow for a slower pace. Maybe, fortunately, I'm not hampered by technology when outside; being w/out a footpod I can run just to run, the only goal to keep running for an hour and half minimum. It is more difficult at home because it IS boring and I can see and control the pace but, mentally I know I can bail at any time and come back. I just try to focus on whatever I've put on the TV. But in the dead of winter and committed to family events on the weekends, I don't get to run outside as often; and the home treadmill is in the same room where my daughter likes to watch TV so this isn't always an option either. So there I am, at the gym, on the treadmill, in line w/ others, in a place where my display is exposed, my ego comes alive. I compulsively keep upping the pace every mile or two like there's a competition every night, and I must win. Really I just feel slow and more importantly feel like I LOOK slow when running under an 8min/mile pace. Who wants to look slow in a gym? I want to look fast and want others to walk by and say, "damn, that dude's a monster". Again, I am an idiot. I know this, I've been told this, but do I change, no.

So, last night after spin class, I chose to instead seek out a nice lonely treadmill off in the corner, back to wall, display not exposed and, mentally prepared, go for a nice slow hour run. Yes, people were passing in front and walking next to me but I was safe from them knowing or seeing how slow I was (a solid 8:34 min/mile the entire hour). For me, I have to remind myself during the run that staying slow will mean less recovery needed and translate in my being able to workout again the next day and/or go for a more intense or longer workout in the following couple days. So today, I'm a little sore but I can run, not as sore as 2 weeks ago when I first started spinning and running the same day. Luckily today is swim and I love how the pool loosens me up. Tonight I'll run. I haven't decided whether it will be a long, slow run, meant only to add base miles or I'll go for some hill repeats, knowing that tomorrow is rest day, but I don't want to be too sore that I can't go for a long run Saturday (when the weather will hopefully allow some outdoor enjoyment).

I'm still very uneducated about phase training and hope to get schooled a bit more down the road. For now, I'm learning slowly, through trial and error and from the wisdom of others. But more importantly, I'm making a conscious effort to USE that wisdom and overcome my weaknesses, both physical and mental.

First Blog w/ Substance

2008-03-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

Note to self, create blog.
Oh wait that's what a blog is, in some context.
This is my first blog and I've been fumbling through how to go about it .....
- What is the ultimate purpose? A diary; a networking forum; is there a hope that maybe others can relate and therefore take something away from it.
- What should be in it, or more importantly what should NOT be in it? Do I stay focused on the athletic related parts of my life; is it appropriate to include my political/religious views; my wife and extended family and friends may/will view this so do I ensure not to offend any of them.
- How much will I commit to it? Daily; weekly; only when I have time; only if there's some major event or thought in my head; what happens if I fall into some long-term depression and drop it all together, or if I'm offended or hurt by someone's comments.

So, as typical w/ my process, I read many a blogs, looked up the definition, read about the history and made mental notes along the way; all in an effort to get organized, and focus in on how I would create a blog. When reading others, I compulsively wanted to comment as I related to their fears and struggles or when motivated by their triumphs. But then it came up, how would my comment be signed? I wanted an identity. A specific, unique label that, if desired, others could respond back to me. And if I was going to do that, then I wanted to put some part of me out there, so that others could have a sense of my background, my goals, and from what perspective my comments come from. Well there in lies the conundrum. How much do I expose. I imagine we all have skeletons in the closet or have things in our past that we regret and would rather not re-live or carry around. This probably wouldn't be a problem for most, but see I'm the type that wears my heart on my sleeve. Bree, my wife, laughs when she catches me tearing up when all the Real World roommates are saying goodbye. I could totally see myself going too deep or too far off subject and end up using this as some means to resolve a childhood trauma or get fired from my job after revealing some stupid crap I did as a teenager. So, after all the mental gymnastics, my only answer is to, as in my desire for racing, just go for it, cautiously, educated and aware that I will mess up but just by doing, I will succeed.

That is my first blog! Feels a little goofy talking/typing to myself but hey, there's worse things to do.

Next, I'll answer my initial questions and put on the table, my background and my goals.

Sample 01

2008-02-26T20:40:00.000-08:00

First Blog!