Changing Dates

OK XTERRA - what's the deal?

I want to love you but you make it hard when:

1. You cut a bunch of races from the 2008 to the 2009 season
2. You list races for 2009 and then cancel them
3. You list races for 2009 and then change their dates

WTF? Just found out that XTERRA Lock 4 back in Nashville has been moved from July 12 to July 18. No big deal unless you already planned your summer, bought tickets, and had gotten psyched about going back home on a different weekend. With Snow Valley cancled and Lock 4 moved this season is totally upside down.

miraculous recovery

Our dog appears to be on the up and up. Blood tests showed improved protein levels, she's not losing protein through her urine, and while some thickening showed up on her ultrasound she has been acting like the happy dog she is. The vet is still concerned because they can't explain the recovery, but she's eating, playing, and pooping like she should and that's good enough for me and a big relief for our little family.

I on the other hand have not had such luck. Given the circumstances I think I too am healing, but more slowly. It's my own fault. I returned to everyday training this week despite my back pain. I've made some modifications and cut back on distances, but got back to it this week. While I'm sure this is to the detriment of my recovery I've had more energy, been in a better mood, and have been sleeping well again. It's kind of scary what a week without exercising does to my mood, energy, and sleep routine.

I might try some rigorous workouts this weekend and see how the back responds. I've got a buddy who's going to do XTERRA Deuces Wild so hopefully we can start training together next week. UPS should be delivering a package today that will get my weekend off on the right track...pictures soon!!!

Monday - 4.5 run
Tuesday - lift arms
Wednesday - AM lift / lunchtime swim (1,600)
Thursday - AM lift / PM trainer ride (30min)
Friday - AM lift / lunchtime swim (100, 800 build, 400 race, 100 cool down)

XTERRA West Cup Video

So brutal at the time, but so cool to look back at the video...

The multisport pandemic

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. Elsie had her ultrasound this morning and it came back clean of any tumors or growths. We think this is a good thing right now.

In the world of people....
Forget the swine flu, it seems like everyone I know in XTERRA or the tri world is hurting these days. I've got a tab in iGoogle devoted to multisport blogs and you'd think it was the injured reserve roll call. James Walsh is having crazy quad issues, the soon to be Mrs. JW is also hurt, XTERRA pro Cody Waite is nursing a back injury, Zippy is recovering from being sick, and then there's my boy Coop with knee and ITB pain, Tri Diva is wired like a fembot, and Trevor even took a fall on the bike the other day. If this isn't a pandemic I don't know what is.

My plan to "rest"my back was derailed by a 4.5 mile run on Monday. Pretty painful when I got home and cooled off, but I felt good on the run. I've missed working out. Today I had to drop the dog off before work and will pick her up later. I might be able to squeeze in a strength session at the house.

Everyone needs to get healthy out there!!

Priorities

I've been pretty quiet since the race in Vegas. There are a bunch of reasons for this but the short version is that my back has been really painful, it's the end of the semester at work so my busiest time of the year, and our dog has become dangerously sick and we've been spending lots of time at the vet and lots of time at home taking care of the pup.

I swam Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday last week. Easy 1,400m each day just to try and stay in some kind of shape while I wait for my back to calm down. Nothing too exciting on the training front as this is all I've done since Vegas. I'm planning to try a run tonight after work - fingers crossed.

I was really disappointed that after months of training I went into Vegas hurt. Now it looks like my recovery could last a while and I'll go into the race in Show Low without the kind of fitness I have been working so hard to achieve. The positive side of this is that I've been able to chill out a little and think about my priorities and spend some good times with family and friends.

Looks like the DSG - 12 hr race in Tennessee was even sloppier than last year. Got to give a big shout to team Cul Da Sac. Sad to have missed a weekend with friends, but kind of glad to not have traveled across the country for pushing a bike through muck.

I'm still going to get the Vegas race report out at some point. It just hasn't been a priority.

15th AG - quick pics

XTERRA West Cup, Las Vegas - 15th in my age group

I think this was the toughest XTERRA course I've ever done. The run was brutal and that's where my back and my race totally came apart. I was able to put together a pretty decent race up until the run and even then it wasn't that I didn't have the legs - ugh.

I'm just glad I was able to finish the race and a couple points for 15th in a competitive field isn't too bad. A and I had a great time relaxing in Vegas during the rest of the long weekend, although I was in some intense pain on Saturday PM and Sunday AM. Some quick pics....

Me, Diva's coachhubby, and TriDivaSuper cool swim startIn transition
all climbing (except the SKETCHY downhills)and I thought this meant the hurting was over

Quick Pre-race

Arrived safe and sound in Vegas. Got a quick chat with Tri Diva in the parking lot and then hit the course for a pre-ride on the bike. This is a super gnarly course, very XTERRA in that you never know what you're going to get.

Went to the pre-race talk by Stolz and McQuaid. When Conrad isn't planning on riding the whole course and thinks the run is all climbing "much steeper and harder than Snow Valley" a part of me gets kind of scared.

I only rode 6 of the 9 mile loop today. My back is really flaring up and cramping so tomorrow's race is going to be a battle on all fronts.

Race report as soon as I can. Good luck to everyone tomorrow!!