Look Mom, no pants!

That was a freaking awesome weekend. I had a great brick yesterday, and today I had a good, solid, 50 minute run. The ice bath did wonders for me, I was able to hang in there for about 15 minutes, and if I could have done longer, I would have. I usually have to wear a hoodie to keep me somewhat warm in there. I substituted a beer for some hot tea this go round - hey! no judging, I earned that beer. The bath made today much more bearable, and allowed me to train today too.

The funniest part of the whole weekend is the sunburn I got. After living in Australia, I have been a hard-ass about putting sunscreen on for each and every workout, whether it be 20 minutes or 3 hours. Well, yesterday I put it on, but missed a few spots. I'd usually have Ellie help me with my back, but she was heading out the door for work, so I did what I could. Well, I also wore my tri jersey and shorts for my workout, and missed a few spots that I usually don't have to get too much. That spot above my ass is where my jersey was creeping up. Doesn't hurt, just looks kind of ridiculous. Well, lesson learned, laugh away.

I'm off to ice the knees, fold some laundry, and have a bit of port. I am sore, and very tired, but it's the best feeling in the world when I know I've earned it. I'm having less doubts about my long course, but I can't let my guard down. I have to keep hammering, so next weekend, it's a 2h 30m ride followed by an hour on the run. And another ice bath.

E

Owned....

I did a big brick today, and freaking destroyed it. 50 miles on the bike in just over 2h 30m - averaged right at 20mph. It felt awesome, my legs felt good, and I got about 20 miles in on the bike course of my Half Ironman. I'm trying to get more familiar with it, where can I coast, where can I push it, where do I need to conserve energy. Where can I eat!?! The weather was perfect, the pre-ride nutrition was less than perfect, but not bad. I got home with 49.4 miles on the trip, so I just rode around my neighborhood to hit 50.

Jumped off the bike and transitioned pretty quickly in my garage. Straight out for a 30 minute run, and it just felt great. I slipped right into a good pace, and held it the whole 30. I got in about 3.7 miles in 28 minutes, so held about a 7m 30s mile pace. I'd be pretty pleased if I could hold that pace for the long course, and I really felt nothing today that makes me think I couldn't. I think I got tired at the end, and the fact that I did the entire 3 hours on a Clif Bar and a Hammer Gel caught up to me. I started thinking about food, which is always a sign I'm approaching Bonkville, and need to go ahead and exit.

Off for an ice bath (brrr) and a well deserved beer. Hugs and hand pounds.

E

A different approach

So I had an epiphany on my bike ride last night. I'm taking this WAY too seriously. I love triathlon. I love the feeling of getting a good workout in, I love the soreness the day after, I love the nerves I get on race morning, and the comradere of the athletes on race morning. You know what I hate? The guilt I place on myself when I miss a workout, or eat a hot wing. And folks, I'm done with that. I've had 3 great workouts in a row, no heart rate monitor, no watch, no bike computer - just me and the outdoors. And it's helping me a TON. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to continue using those tools when I feel like I can safely use them without analyzing the crap out of the information they feed me. Too often lately have I spent too much time watching my RPM's or minutes per mile, and I'm forgetting to take a peek at the scenery that this beautiful state has to offer. So here is the pact I've made with myself. I'm going to have fun with the rest of my training this summer. I'm going to get my workouts in, for sure, and I'm going to continue to eat right. But the guilt needs to go. I've got 7 weeks to go to the HIM, and I'm going to follow my training plan the best I can, but I'm just going to take what I can get. Once I get my head right again, then I'll start using the tools again. But for now, I'm going to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and feeling of my training. And you know what? I betcha this improves my overall training by leaps and bounds.

So unhealthy...

Spent the weekend getting fatter and out of shape in Vegas for one of my best friend's bachelor party. Probably lost 2 weeks of fitness. I'm going to really hammer it for the next few weeks. I'll report back soon. If I can get my fat fingers to the keyboard...

E

Pic from yesterday...

Looking strong, feeling like poo


Trying to finish strong


"My stomach went like THIS!"

Foiled by the Chocolate Outrage

First tri of the season today, the 5430 Sprint, and it couldn't have been a prettier day. I got to the race at about 5:30am, and I'm glad I got there that early, as the line to get body marked was about 35 minutes long pretty soon there after. I got a great transition spot, and set up very quickly. It's funny to me how paired down my transition areas have become the more comfortable I get with this sport. Did a quick warm up, and my running legs felt great. I'm ready.

The swim started at 7:35am my time, and I started out towards the front and went out pretty hard for the first 150m or so. The water was really really cold, but after a little bit of swimming, it felt great. There was quite a bit of contact, which is fairly unusual for this race, as it is typically pretty laid back. No bother, I can throw a bow or give a kick if someone is being a prick. I was swimming HARD to the outside, and some dude tries to swim over me. I give him a few strokes to realize he was on someone, and as he is STILL trying to swim over me (probably 4 strokes later), I kicked hard. He backed off. I started getting a side stitch on the swim, but it got better, and I finished pretty well, 12m 38s (exact same time, to the second, as my swim in this race last year).

T1 was fast. Wet suit just slid off, socks slid on, and I was off.

The bike ride felt okay. My legs were 'crampy' early. I was hitting the Gatorade, and just trying to spin them a little to start. It was probably the lack of riding I've done the previous week, but they loosened and I rode well. I played a game called "positive pass" - +1 pt. for each person I pass, and -1 pt. for each person who passes me. I ended up at -2, and I'm good with that, as I passed a fair share of really good riders (or just really nice bikes), and was passed by a LOT of really strong riders. About 11 miles in, I took a Chocolate Outrage gel. My legs were a little tired, so I thought, 'Okay, take a gel to make sure you've got energy for the run'. Bad move. Really bad move. As I was taking it, I thought, 'I'm too close to the run, I should not be taking this. I don't need energy.' Finished the bike 28 seconds shy of my split last year, averaging 21.3 mph over 17 miles - 48m 33s.

T2 was super fast. Passed 2 guys in transition.

Ah, the run. My specialty. Except today. I blew up. About 33 steps into my run, the Chocolate Outrage gel made it's presence felt, and my stomach basically locked up. It was the most painful stomach cramp I've ever had. I thought to myself, 'Man, just run through it, this is triathlon, there is pain in triathlon - I've got no quit in me!' I just kept moving forward. I passed and was passed, but I just kept moving. Aid station 1, I was parched, I just grabbed a bit of water and dumped most of it on my head. The stomach suffer fest continued, and I just kept marching on. At the halfway point, I just put my head down and tried to gear up, but the top gear just wasn't there. So the game plan became, just keep moving. Aid station 2 I'm still parched, so a bit more water. I picked a person, and just tried to hold on. I finished pretty well, but missed all of my goals. 22m 39s 5k - 7:19/mile. I was hoping for a sub-6:45/mile pace. Total overall time - 1h 25m 47s. 1 minute and 33 seconds off my goal. That's roughly 30-ish seconds per mile on the run.....

This was the first race I've run where I haven't set a PR. I knew this was bound to happen at some point, but it's disappointing that it happened today, and it wasn't due to a lack of conditioning, it was because of a stupid nutrition mistake. A really stupid one. I know I would have PR'd today if my stomach was okay - the conditions were perfect. Just a dumb move that I should be more aware of by now.

There were lots of positives, my swim and bike felt good, and I was consistent with last year when I felt I was in the best shape of my life. This year I felt under-trained, so to know I would have PR'd is a good feeling. My transitions were sharp and quick. No diddle dicking, just quick. I'm very pleased with that. And I learned an important nutritional piece that I've read 100 times - I don't need to eat in a sprint. I'm frustrated that it was such a beginner mistake, I should have known better. Just stick to Gatorade.

Okay. One more beer and I'm going to bed. I'm tired!

E

I'll post some pics that Ellie took when she gets home.

First Tri tomorrow!

First sprint tri of the season tomorrow - my wave starts at 7:30 a.m. Mountain time - that's 9:30 a.m. for you east coasters. Finished the race last year in 1:24:14 - this year I'm shooting for better than that...duh. It's going to be a really fun race, and for the first time I'm racing it by myself. The past few years I've had buddies run it with me (Ellie competed last year as well). I also am a bit nervous, as I've been very tired this week, so have essentially taken the whole week off of training, aside from a light jog on Thursday night and an easy swim on Wednesday night. Two things can happen here, 1. I'm super rested and my body just goes off and I finish in 1:20 and change, or 2. My body is super rested and I just blow up out there. I'm hoping for the first option, and I'll probably do a bit more warming up than usual tomorrow (maybe a little bike ride before my standard mile or so of running). I'll put up the results tomorrow evening. Wish me luck!

E

Good vs. Evil

This is what went on in my head from 5:40pm to about 7:45pm:

Good: Man, you're tired, you should really consider taking a day off

Evil: Don't do it! You're just being lazy. Get off your ass!

Good: You've had a busy last few days with workouts, man, rest up!

Evil: Lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy

Good: Oh, look, the Rockies are on. How bout a glass of wine and some baseball?

Evil: It's in the mid-80's bro, perfect workout weather

Good: You're legs would really appreciate it!

Evil: Where are the keys? Do you have your googles and a towel? Make sure you grab some Driven!

Good: Good idea! You can soak your legs in the hot tub, and then foam roll those aches away.

Evil: 300 warm up, 4x300 progressive speed, 100 loosen, 8x50 kick, 600 pull, 200 cool down

Good: Perfect! The pool is closed for swim lessons until 7pm. Just go soak, look, it's 6:30, you don't want to wait 30 minutes.

Evil: Is that a lane? Wait, there's a lane. Oh, wait, kids swimming.

Good: See, the hot tub feels great. Soak it up man, enjoy the rest

Evil: Lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy

Good: Okay, let's go foam roll, and go have some vino.

Evil: LOOK! Swim lessons are done 15 minutes early. VICTORY!!!

Good: Dammit.

Evil: 25......50......75......100.....No wine until you burn some calories.

Good: See, you're tired.

Evil: Just make it 750m, and we'll jam. Remember, you had that big ass sandwich for lunch fatty!!!

Good: 750! Done! Wait, where are you going?

Evil: Just 50 more, for good measure.

Good: Asshole.

Evil: See? You probably wouldn't have finished your tri Sunday if you didn't do that.

Good: I hate you.

Evil: I love you.

Be glad you don't have that crap going on in your head. It's really a nuisance.

E

Brick

Did my first brick on Sunday. 45 minutes on the bike, then roughly 16 minutes on the run. My legs felt like they were 100 lbs each - which isn't a bad thing! I'm getting them ready for the old linguine legs that I'll surely get this Sunday. It was a great workout. Did a fairly easy 3.5 miles on the run last night, and the IT band is tightening up. I'm going to go to the gym tonight, sit in the hot tub, and then just hammer it with the foam roller. Hopefully that'll alleviate some of the knee pain I've been having. I'll check back tomorrow.

I get so nervous for triathlons. More so than any other racing I do. I got the information email yesterday for the Sprint this Sunday, and the heart rate shot up about 100 bpm. It's a bloody sprint (!!!) and this happened. Sheesh! I'm nervous for how nervous I'll be for the Long Course. Man.

Short and sweet. Check out Fish's very inspiring post today, and Sarah's HTFU ride from the weekend - she's one tough cookie! Both of those are all the inspiration I'll need for today's workout...

E

Someone shut him up!!!

From this months Inside Triathlon magazine:

A too-passionate or obsessive-compulsive approach can cause athletes even keeled in other areas of their lives to lose an objective view of their training and racing.

Hi, I'm Eric. Have we met?

I'm working on mellowing out on my training a bit. It's a very easy thing to do if you are on the outside looking in. The easy step is to appear to be calm and collected when presented with something that will interfere with a planned workout. The words that come out are, "Sure, I think I can make that work." Inside my head however, all I hear is "NO F'ING WAY!!!! I'M GUNNA MISS A WORKOUT AND THEN I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FINISH MY RACE AND THEN THE WORLD IS GOING TO EXPLODE!!!!!", or something along those lines. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. I'm trying to get that guy to have a beer or two.

That said, on Wednesday night, I went for a quick 35 minute lift, followed by a 850m recovery swim. Just jumped in, swam 850, and went for the hot tub. Last night, I got out for a run, first one since last week. My knees took some persuading, but finally loosened up and made it happen. I tried for a run Wednesday night, but they just weren't having it. Speaking of, if anyone finds a good deal on a knee replacement, shoot me an email.

The plan for this weekend is a long bike ride, probably 40 or 50 miles, and then a Brick workout on Sunday, probably 15 - 20 miles on the bike followed by 2 - 3 miles on the run. I don't know how much I'll taper for next Sunday, I'm going to have to see how my body is responding. If my knees are sore, I'll probably shut down running as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, and just focus on the bike for the middle of the week, and then get some pool time in towards the end. And some yoga.

On a completely unrelated note, race photogs hate me. Exhibit A and Exhibit B. That is the worst aero form I've ever seen. Wow.

Hugs and hand pounds.

E

E-Rock 2K8

First century of the summer, done. We rode Elephant Rock yesterday, a beautiful rolling course from Castle Rock down to Colorado Springs and back. It started out f-f-freezing - and of course I tried to be manly, and not wear arm or leg warmers. I didn't want to carry them when it was 85 degrees as forecasted. Idiot. I didn't get warm until about mile 55. The first 20 miles were very difficult - we had a head wind the whole and the rolling hills just seemed like mountains. This was also the area where the people riding 50 and 65 mile rides were riding with the 100 milers. There were a lot of very inexperienced riders in this group, there were people walking their bikes up the first roller at mile 3. What?!? I'm not trying to be elitist here, but I'm sorry, if you are walking your bike by mile 3, then maybe you're a wee-bit under-trained. Call me naive, call me elitist, but please walk on the side of the road instead of in the shoulder where everyone else is climbing.

We kept trucking, and I have a lot to say in a later rant, but we were riding with a group of 6, and stayed together for most of the ride. Brandon and I started to pull away at about 30 miles in, and we pushed pretty hard through a very pretty section of the Black Forest (didn't see any dragons or fairies). We both dropped into aero and were holding about 26-30 mph through some very fast roads - this into a headwind. This is when I started to get restless, we started having to wait for the rest of our group at the aid stations, and my knee started to get cold and tight. I was trying to keep stretching, as I really wanted to ride with everyone. It only would take about 5 minutes or so to get everyone together - but having all 6 people need to pee, eat, stretch, talk, make fun of each other, etc - started to rack up some time. So at mile 60, Brandon and I split off and went ahead of the group to finish up. From mile 0-60, we spent 1h 24m at the rest stops, from mile 61-100, Brandon and I spent 8m at rest stops. We hammered. There was a time when I looked down, we were coming down a slight decline, tailwind, fresh pavement, riding aero, and Brandon and I just chatting a bit - at 47 mph. I decided that we should probably focus on not dying, and we just hammered 10 miles in literally 11 minutes. Like I said - hammering. We left the group at 11:45, and finished just before 2, so just over 2 hours for the last 40 or so miles - not bad. My legs felt great, except for the BRUTAL climb at mile 93, thanks for that one race organizers. We finished in 5:56:38 or something like that, ride time that is. Total time out was more than that. We hung out at the post-race fest, Brandon won a car bike rack in the raffle (I missed out on a women's cruiser - dang...). They had BBQ and pasta salad for the post-race spread - that poor BBQ Beef Sandwich had no chance. It was gone in about 4 bites. I went outside to just see what running would feel like after that long, and it kind of felt okay...uh oh.

Here is where I need to rant a second. What the hell ever happened to bike etiquette? First, no one, I mean NO ONE was announcing themselves. Is 'on your left' really hard to say? Must have been, because I almost got into 3 different wrecks because as I said 'on your left' and got ready to pass, some jerk off would come cruising by without a peep. I actually ran into some dude, and the prick got mad at me! I even looked, didn't see him because he was sucking on my wheel, and moved to pass. He somehow got right next to me and almost caused a big wreck. Dumbass. Next, headphones are illegal in these races, no? I watched a guy just about get killed as he was passing, and at least 38 of us where yelling 'car back!!!!' as he moved to pass. He was completely oblivious. I passed a lot of people with headphones that jumped when I passed - after calling 'on your left'. If you can't hear me when I'm right behind you, take your f'in headphones out so you don't die or get someone else killed. Lastly, if cyclists want respect on the road, they HAVE to start giving it. I was shocked to see how many people were just walking in the middle of busy roads at the aid stations. Cars were just sitting and waiting for people to clear the road. I saw 2 dudes just standing in the middle of the road having a conversation, oblivious to whether any cars were coming or even other cyclists for that matter. I'm all about these rides being fun and chatting w/ your buddies, etc, but if you have a complete lack of awareness as all of these jerk-offs did, then get the hell of the road and go back to 24 Hour Fitness, your spin class is about to start.

Done.

E