Just checking in....

Wow, it's been a freaking crazy few weeks. Just nuts. One of my best friends got married this past weekend, and he and I, along with about 8 of our friends cooked the rehearsal dinner for about 60 people. He and I were in charge of logistics, and it went perfectly. It was all-consuming though, so the only rides we got in were just over an hour each on Friday and Saturday morning. They were absolutely gorgeous, and it was good to blow off some steam on the bike. Saturday morning, we did a monstrous climb to end the ride, and that was just awesome.

I got a great, short run in on Thursday evening, but it was so short since I had to get back and prep the meal. It was a down hill adventure, and then a nice climb back up - someone took all the oxygen out of the air though, and that made it tough. Sunday was spent recovering, so no workouts.

I rode my bike to work today for the first time in a while. It was really nice to get out in the early morning air and have the roads to myself. I'll be riding most days from now on.

Work is nuts, so I'm going to be checking in here when I can. Lets just hope it mellows out a bit soon...

E

Now THAT'S will power!

Went for a GREAT bike ride with my buddies Brandon and Matt yesterday. It was mid-70's out, crystal clear Colorado sky, just a perfect day for riding. Riding on a day like that in Boulder is essentially a bike show - there were a million bikers out, all seemily pros or on their way to being a pro (they are ALL in team kits). The bikes are all really fun to look at, there are some rides that I would love to be on, just once in a race, to see if my equipment is holding me back. Either way, it was just a gorgeous day, and I really loved being out.

When we got back to my place, my 2 buddies both just stretched a bit, got into the house, while I went up to put on my running gear for a quick 2.5 miles to round out the brick. On my way out the door, I heard the "pssssht" "pssssht" of two cold beers being crack, and the boys were so kind to offer me a beer on the way out. "Keep running". The beers tasted fantastic when I got home, a little too fantastic. I'll be running with a slight headache this morning, but I was very proud of myself for running when the dudes were enjoying icy cold beverages.

I'm heading to Breck for one of those guy's weddings on Thursday through Sunday, and I'm really really pumped to train up in the mountains. I just have to make sure I get the workouts in, and I've informed everyone up there that I fully intend on getting each workout in. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures and will be able to get some entries up.

E

Sufferfest

Man, today's 8 mile run was just brutal. It was pushing 90 outside, and I turned back after 5 minutes to grab a water bottle. It was still a really rough run. I don't think I was 100% prepared hydration and nutrition wise, but I can usually get through it. I think the roughest part is that on the way back, there is a very long false flat, and that combined with the heat just smoked me. I'm glad I got this run in, as I think this will be similar to the conditions in the Long Course, so I just need to learn to stay cool, and push through. Once I got through the false flat, I took off my shirt which cooled me off a LOT, and I just hammered through the last mile or so feeling rather strong. Lessons to take with me.

Yesterday was one of the best bike rides I've had all summer. It was the type of ride that makes me realize why I love cycling. Crystal blue skies, 68 degrees, got on the roads by 8am, so they were just empty. Gave me a lot of time to be in my thoughts, thinking about the 4th of July and all the sacrifices people have made to allow me to get out there and enjoy the freedom of the roads. It let me pretend for just a few minutes that I was on a break at the Tour de France and that the Peloton wasn't going to get me. It let me take a check and realize how lucky I am that I won the genetic lottery by being born in the US - even if I disagree with most of our politicians and the way we handle ourselves in the World. It's pretty awesome when you can just get lost in your thoughts that way.

I hope all 3 of you that read this had a fantastic 4th, and I hope you have a great Sunday.

E

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