Pre-Race

Tomorrow morning is the P.F. Chang's Rock'n'Roll 1/2 Marathon. I've picked up my race packet, laid out my clothes, and am getting ready for the race. This is so much chiller than a triathlon it blows me away. I'm not nearly as anxious as usual and am just looking forward to having a good time out there. A and I are running together and just aiming for a time under 2:00hr. Forecast is for a high of 77 degrees and sunny!

And the appetite to prove it

I've been eating all day and I'm famished. I'm officially back from the off-season. I wish I had time to count calories and plan meals to correspond with workouts and schedules, but that enters the realm of crazy talk. Besides, if I found more hours in the day I'd rather do more Yoga or hang out with friends so planning meals is not a priority, but I do need to come up with a better plan to make sure I'm getting enough to eat...

1/11 - 1,200m swim, Starbucks run on the way home and relaxed poolside with coffee and the paper

1/12 - 4 mile run during lunch, took the new bike into the shop after work, played around on the blast straps

1/13 - 1,200m swim (200, 4 X (100 pull/100 swim), 5 x 25 sprint/25 easy w/5 sec rest, 100 cool down.

Tonight will be my first night of Ultimate practice here in Phoenix . Big local tournament coming up in a few weeks. I'm still not planning on playing competitive Ultimate this year, but I do miss it.

Getting Closer

Only one week left of 1/2 marathon training before I get back to 100% XTERRA. This week I hit the pool two mornings... and loved it. I'm beggining to think the off-season isn't all it's cracked up to be. The quick training update:

1/7 - 5 mile run
1/8 - 1,000m swim (200 warm up, 700 drill, 100 cool down) / personal training 1hr core
1/9 - rest
1/10 - 6.5 mile run, functional strength training

Hoping to get in a swim and a solid MTB ride on Sunday. I also have some work to do on my new bike which is still not finished. Gotta find some time. It won't happen today, because today is all about the TENNESSEE TITANS!!!

Strength training

My sister, the strength and conditioning certified queen of pain, has been educating me for some time on the benefits of functional strength training. The idea of using body weight exercises and alternative strength workouts has taken some getting used to. I enjoy the classic dumbell and weight room exercises. There is something soothing (and easy?) about this type of workout. Total body functional strength is hard, and therefore takes some getting used to.

For Christmas this year I was fortunate to receive some awesome gifts. My sister hooked me up with some blast straps and A got me some rock rings. I finally got these installed in the home gym and bought a training tire for the roadbike to go on the indoor trainer. These new items to go along with the Bosu , stick, and foam roller make for a pretty complete home gym. I'm excited to have this new option for working out at the house.

the setup

blast straps and rock rings

how Elsie works out

1st swim of 2009

It started last night with the all too familiar packing of multiple bags, bagging up food, and setting out clothes and breakfast for an early morning start to the day. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about the systematic process of preparing the night before for a solid day of training.

With A in her first week at a new job, where she has to be up stupid early, it made it easier for me to make the change to a training time wake-up. I grabbed my bags and jumped in the car for a quick commute to my local 24hr Fitness. I'm not proud to be joining the ranks of those who have resolutions to attempt, but the place wasn't as bad as I feared.

It was my first time swimming in a saltwater pool, and I give it a thumbs up. The subtle saltwater taste was almost pleasant and it's nice to not carry the chlorine stench and itch around with me all day. Of course the gym is a different story. It scared me the number of people who wake up before 6:00 am and put on gold chains and cologne to go workout. I wonder if they set their accessories out the night before?

Monday I had a sore throat all day and it was no different this morning so I kept it easy in my first swim since September. Wow! I did take some time off from the pool. My stroke felt butter smooth and I couldn't help but give a silent thank you to my parents for enrolling me in competitive swimming at the age of 5. My endurance and strength were a different story. Funny how running does so little for one's lats and triceps.

I've got personal training today during lunch and that will be my second rude awakening of 2009. I'm walking the fine line between an exciting start to 2009 and avoiding an early season sickness. I always look forward to the off-season, but I think being in-season is way more fun.

Swim: 200 warm up, 4 x 200 building, 200 cool down - 1200m total

Quick update

1/2 - 10 mile run in Prescott Granite Dells @ 6,000 ft (Ouch)
1/3 - rest
1/4 - resistance training
1/5 - 3.5 mile run

Installed my new home gym equipment on Sunday and am super pumped to get started on some new functional strength workouts. Tonight I'm going to swing by the 24hr fitness and sign up for a membership. I'm hoping the place isn't crawling with New Year resolutionites. I need to get back in the water and the outdoor pool at work won't open for a while yet so this is the next best option. At least I hope it is since the 24hr is less than a mile from the house.

2009 Race Schedule

2009 has arrived, and with it my tentative race schedule for the new year (check it out on the right). I'm excited about the events I've scheduled and even more excited about what may be added along the way. My time line for competition and training is falling into place perfectly, and I can't wait to get back to structured training and racing.

So here's the plan: starting January 5th I end my singlesport running focus and begin hitting the bike and the pool (YES!) with more regularity. I'm racing the PF Chang's Rock'n'Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon (my first 1/2) on January 18, 2009. I'm going to take the following week for some active recovery and mental prep for a new season of XTERRA.

On January 26, 2009 I begin a 14 week XTERRA focused training plan that I've been working on this holiday season. I'm excited to build on the endurance base that I built in 2008 and bring new technique and knowledge to my training in 2009.

May 2009 will be all about racing. Two XTERRA races and one 12hr MTB race. In june I will take time to rest before begining work on some longer distances in preparation for my first half Ironman. July will bring one more XTERRA, back where it all started for me in Nashville, TN at the XTERRA Lock 4 Blast.

I'm hoping to add some MTB races and epic adventures along the way, like a rim to rim speed hike of the Grand Canyon and some long days on all the new trails I'm discovering here in Prescott, AZ. Functional strength training will be a larger part of my plan in 2009 as I have some great coaching and tools with which to build a more sustained strength program. A big thanks to my sister for that.

Thanks for reading and have a great 2009!