Ready for 2011?

I'm keeping it simple for 2011. In order to balance all the incredible friends, family, and opportunities in my life I took a break from serious racing and blogging in 2010. I'm looking forward to a great 2011 and part of that is having some athletic goals to work towards despite a busy and full life. Stay tuned for my updates on working toward competing in the 2011 Whiskey Row Off-Road and see what other adventures and opportunities present themselves along the way. Happy New Year!

Whiskey Row Off-Road

There is actually a race on my 2010 schedule. The Whiskey Row Off-Road 25 proof (although I hear it is more like 29) will be my first event of 2010. I'm really getting excited for this race and it looks like it is attracting quite a crowd of racers including the likes of Tinker Juarez. I'm not expecting anything big results wise, just looking to have a good time in the Arizona high country.
My routine lately has been:
Monday: swim /lift
Tuesday: lift / ultimate practice
Wednesday: road bike 40 / lift
Thursday: yoga / lift
Friday: road bike 40 /lift
Saturday: MTB or Ultimate / yoga
Sunday: lift
So there hasn't been a ton of time in the saddle lately, but I'm changing that. This morning I had a beautiful ride on SoMo's Desert Classic Trail just as the sun was rising. I'm enjoying the cool mornings while they last (62) because all too soon it will be brutal - even at sunrise.
I'm starting to get a handle back on life so hopefully that translates into more training, blogging, and racing. Stay tuned and enjoy the weekend.

Like old times

Friday -1000m swim/ lifted chest/back
Saturday - 7.5 road/10 MTB/7.5 road + 1hr yoga class
Sunday - 20 mile road ride

Now that it's April

No single event prompted my return to the blogosphere. I've been busy working hard, pursuing new projects, and living the active life I always expect from myself. Somewhere in there the blog fell of the radar. Perhaps part of the extended absence is the realization several months ago that I could not complete this year's XTERRA season. Fewer race weekends mean fewer opportunities for points, and with limited funds and several conflicts on the close races I didn't see the point to sport specific training. Instead, I've been enjoying being active and am looking forward to several new athletic challenges. More details and updates to come. I'm back!

The week that never happened

I'm in my second week of training for the season. That's right week 2 - part deux. Last week I came down with a cold that ended with a sinus infection and trip to the urgent care center. Gotta love pushing too hard and doing too much. So this week I am back on the wagon and trying to go strong despite the fact that I now live in Seattle. What? Yup, my Arizona sunshine has been replaced with rain, rain, and more rain.
Phoenix averages around 7 inches of rain a year. This week we are getting 6 inches. This means Phoenix is in full on disaster mode giving out sandbags, canceling events, and making training a little more difficult, but not too bad. I guess the rest of you actually have to think about rain on a regular basis, bummer.
Monday - weights/core/ultimate practice
Tuesday - 50min run
Wednesday - AM swim / ultimate canceled
Thursday - AM lift / PM bike trainer workout

Day 6/7 - Building (for others)

Saturday was a big day. Runnerwife and I woke up early and headed out to a Habitat for Humanity House to volunteer for the day. The real estate agent who sold us our house, Ken Mayer (who is awesome), gathers a group of his clients to volunteer every year to build houses for those who are less fortunate. It's always a powerful experience and this year was no exception.

Of course, after spending hours on a roof laying shingles and hauling supplies all anyone wants to do is swim, right? Actually, with the weather we are having (mid 70's) it sounded really good, so I hit the pool.

Saturday AM - build for habitat

Saturday PM - swim workout 1,400m

Sunday - woke up sick, too many 5am mornings turning in grad school papers, and too much going on all at once. How do you know you are over training? Sickness happens.

Day 5 - the academic toll

I knew that starting grad school and my 2010 season in the same week would be rough. I was right. I've been staying on track with all my workouts and my academics (I've read 491 pages, written 16 papers (48 total pages), and submitted work at 5am daily this week), but it is taking it's toll. I'm tired. There is a reason I recommend that students avoid 2 week accelerated winter classes.
Yesterday was the first time on the bike in a while and the 18 mile commute home was solid, 18.2 mph average speed, but it sapped what little I had left. The beer and pizza I consumed while staying up to watch the BCS Championship totally did me in for the week. I moved today's workout till this evening and WILL get it done.

Friday PM - Squats, leg press, step ups, lunges (4x12) + core work

Day 4

I'm really getting back into the groove playing ultimate Frisbee. Last night's practice my throws were on target and my conditioning is rapidly improving. I can feel my balance, lateral movement, and quickness returning which I'm hoping will translate into better XTERRA performance. Racing triathlons has taught me a whole new level of listening to my body and applying that in ultimate has been fascinating in only the first week of practice.

Thursday PM - 18 mile ride home from work

I guess this is my "rest day".

Day 3 - swimming with Bill

Bill is a retired US Navy Seal, former police officer, and husband to a wife in declining health. He is also my inspiration in the mornings when I swim at the local 24hr fitness. You see, without fail, Bill puts on his pink swim trunks, unpacks his paddles and pull buoy, and jumps in the pool every morning.
As one of the first US Navy Seals, Bill is now in his eighties and no one would fault him if he did a few laps, maybe some water walking, and then hit up the hot-tub or sauna. But this is Bill, my morning inspiration, and he cranks out 2 miles (3,200yds) every morning - then he hits up the hot-tub. Bill is always smiling, always swimming, and always says hello when we share a lane or just the pool. I was glad to kick off my first swim of 2010 in the lane next to Bill.

Wednesday AM - Swim (1,100yds)

Wednesday lunch - nap

Wednesday PM - 3hr ultimate practice + core work

Day 2 - solar powered

I woke up on day two of my 2010 season to a reminder of what it feels like to really work out, and that's a good thing. Ultimate practice on Monday night was good. A decent group of guys and the right amount of plyometrics, sprinting, jumping, and intervals that I feel it, but am not totally spent. I got home late from the three hour practice, but jumped in the pool for a late night ice bath. Damn, it was cold.

Tuesday AM - slept in

Tuesday lunch - 45 minute easy run. Beautiful run through the desert with mountain views to the south and the east. It was over 70 so I took my shirt off and soaked up the rays while I ran. The sun feels so good and running outside without being bundled up is such a blessing. Almost as good as swimming outside, but I have a couple months before that is possible again.

Tuesday PM - watched the biggest loser

2010 - Day 1

Standing in my bathroom, shrouded by the blue glow of my laptop monitor, hitting refresh like roadie bidding on eBay for spandex. That's how day 1 of my 2010 XTERRA and Ultimate season started, and day 6 as a graduate student.
I managed to avoid waking up runnerwife, totally opening my eyes, and still took the top spot on the podium in my online class. You see, today started at 4:55am so I could submit two papers for graduate school. The first two students to write their papers on the same topic close that topic for the course. So the only way to prevent having to write additional papers for an open topic is to be one of the first two students to submit your paper. I'm a competitive SOB. Not dressed, not coherent, and not too thrilled to be awake I successfully submitted my papers (1st) at the 5am start...Welcome to 2010. Year 3.

AM - Morning weights (4x12):

• pullups
• pushups
• body weight rows
• lateral DB raises
• swimmers

Lunch - 1/2 mile run, light yoga

PM - 3hr ultimate practice incl. abs
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Morning weight 174 (heaviest ever)
RHR 56 bpm