Go Duckboy Go!

I have a real coach and everything

2012-01-15T15:23:00.003-07:00

Yeah. I gots me a coach n' shit. HOLLA!

That might mean nothing to you unless you are toeing a starting line against me, but it means everything to me. It means I have to think less and just do. But mostly it means accountability.

This person is helping me get fit, therefore I owe it to myself, and them, to follow the workouts as prescribed. I still have no main season goals so we are just building right now. The important thing is that I am in motion and moving forward even if I don't know where I am headed.

Two months until Moab Half!

2012 Status Report

2012-01-11T08:41:00.002-07:00

So far mocking and self loathing are doing a better job at getting me into workout mode than self pity and self loathing ever did. Still not totally in the game, but it's coming on. I'll bet one of my biggest motivators will be dropping a few pounds. Nothing will make me feel better than losing some backfat.

It snowed finally. Not really enough to want to snowboard on, and trails are not good enough to justify this years' XC ski purchase. Really all the snow did was make it so I can't mountain bike anymore. And make it feel colder than it actually is. Maybe it will keep dumping and my XC ski dreams will materialize, as will my hope to get Smarty Pants on the slopes. Student of the Month of January Smarty Pants. (proud)

Goodbye 2012!

2011-12-30T16:08:00.003-07:00

I haven't posted since October. I could talk about why, believe me, I have excuses. But I won't trouble you. Here's to a new and improved me in 2012.

The first thing I am going to do is make a New Year's Resolution to get back to the old me. You know, the guy that doesn't jiggle when he runs and doesn't float in the water.

Now, the resolution is important because I don't believe in making resolutions. Maybe I haven't had the need in the past, or perhaps I just hate the idea of another failed promise to myself, but I despise the entire notion of New Year's resolutions. Which is why I am going to make one. I hope that the feeling of self loathing I get from doing it spurs me into action. Yes, it has come to this...

Don't try this at home, I am a trained professional. If you recall, a couple of years ago, I pledged to grow my hair until I competed in a half iron-distance race. I did it, did it, and my hair has been getting progressively shorter since courtesy of Wifey. New year, new pledge. Been there with the hair. What could I do as penance until I reach the goal of finding my lost fitness? Did the hair grow. Grow a beard? Too itchy and I look old. Denying myself of things just pisses me off. No coffee until I finish my workout? See how long that lasts. I'm weak. I couldn't think of anything to shave, grow, deny, treat, etc. that I thought would make me stick to a regimen. And I need one. NEED. Because I have really become an unmotivated sloth of a bitch-man this last year. Then it came to me, do some self-goading. It might work.

At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2012, I am going to resolve to get into a shape that isn't round. Then I am going to have a drink, because that is what I do on New Year's. To help me with my cause I am making races my goals. Races cost money. I won't invest in entry fees and show up ill prepared. Getting my money's worth does not mean I stay out on the course longer because I suck. I've already entered the Moab spring half marathon. I sucked it last year. My first goal is to have 100% less suck this year.

But I am not sure what else to do. Maybe another marathon. Maybe LOTOJA. Maybe another half iron. I'm really considering the Moab XTERRA in June. It is a qualifier for the nationals at Snowbasin. And how I would love to qualify to race in the smaller field. So it is an evolution at this point. I'll have to see how work, funds and Wifey's training goals fit in also. But I already feel optimistic. I do know that it is going to be 50° in Ogden this weekend and I am going to go riding or running on New Year's Day.

Hell, I might even post here more regularly.

Originality

2011-10-11T20:47:00.005-06:00

I came to grips with the fact, yes fact, that there are no more original ideas. No matter how outlandish the idea, it has been thought of. How crazy the idea, it has been wadded up and tossed llike a jumpshot into the wastebin of history.

Perfect example, preparing for a semi formal event last week someone asked if I was going to wear a tuxedo. I said no, but I might wear a Speedo. Nay, a tuxspeedo. I thought I was being clever. Yet a quick Google search proved, with nary a frightening doubt, that the tuxspeedo has been thought of, tested and hopefully perfected. Still, it was funny.

I know you'll Google it. But I don't recommend it.

I Got Nothin'

2011-09-12T13:14:00.002-06:00

And I mean nothin'. The summer of 2011 will go down in my sporting annals as one of the worstest ever. Between summer not arriving until July, a stressful time at work and a limited exercise schedule anyway, the last few months have been difficult. I've known for a long time it was going to play out like it has, and I think mentally preparing for it has helped. Still, when I fell off the exercise wagon I fell under the wheels. And, since I like to chronicle mostly my fitness goals on this blog, I haven't had much to say.

But I think I will. I have one more week of travel coming up and then things should slow down some at work. It's also cooling off, much nicer for riding and running. Cyclocross season is almost here, but my schedule will be pretty light. Entry is almost $30 a race now, for a whole 45 minutes of pain. Too rich for me to run more than a couple of races, especially with my current level of fitness. Plus, there's always next year.

I Do Stuff.

2011-08-01T11:01:00.004-06:00

I've had a busy few weeks but I have been able to sneak in a couple of rides and runs here and there. With surprisingly good results, even.

First was the Royal Riders Century. This was a last minute entry to benefit the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Roy High Athletics. Two great causes, and I prefer to register for events that give back to something I believe in. And I believe in cancer research. You might say with my life. Quite amazingly, this was my first organized century ever. Normally it's just me out there with only me to talk to and my face in the wind for a hundred miles or so. But considering my condition this year, which is poor, I thought the distance would be a challenge and if I got into any trouble I could draft behind Mike. Mike has been training to ride RAGBRAI (Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) with the Air Force team, and his wife said he could have a new bike if he rolled 4k on his odometer this year. He's been riding like a fiend, devouring miles like a madman. Plus he was bringing along Angie, another first time century rider. I thought it would be a good ride to do. And I was right.

Long story short, it started out as the three of us with Mike and I trading pulls and keeping Angie out of the wind and on our wheels. As the miles wore on, our trio swelled as riders started to struggle with the distance and found the pedestrian 16 mph speed I pulled the group along at to be mostly accommodating to their sense of survival. Mike looked out for Angie and I sat on the front, where I like it. We shepherded riders along. They left aid stations when we did. Other riders came and went out the back. Michael nearly choked out a guy for trying to ride two up with him on a busy road, and I nearly choked the same guy out for riding in front of me like he was trying to take a pull and help out, but riding at 18 mph. A pace the majority in the group couldn't hold. WTF? I helped out a lady who had been dropped by her husband after his ego pulled them past us and then left her in no woman's land. He attacked something and left her in limbo, behind him and in front of me struggling to catch up. I bridged up and asked her if she just wanted to ride in the group. He finally faded and came back to us under the relentless pressure of the crushing 14.5 mph I was dragging the group at. Anyway, 6:15 later I was in and glad of it because my butt was starting to get sore. I guess that is how centuries unfold. You ride with your group and people come and go. People irritate you. I doubt this will be my last organized century.

Next was the Morgan Marathon. A new event, work was a sponsor and I won a comp entry. So, current fitness aside, I decided that since it was free, I was going to get my no-moneys worth and signed up for the full 26.2 marathon miles. I had two months to parlay marginal fitness into becoming marathon-worthy. With huge projects at work, a late spring that delayed everything and a week driving cross country, getting ready was a true challenge. Which I failed. However, I was buoyed by the confidence from the century bike ride. I knew that, at a reasonable pace, I would be okay and finish in maybe 4:30 without problems. I'd be fine.

I totally PR'd this run. That's right, personal record. Now I have only run a pair of marathons, but considering I ran the downhill Ogden Marathon in 3:53 and the ribbon candy-profile Morgan Marathon in 3:52, I am extremely pleased. And I did it with no blisters, lost toenails or gut wrenching stomach issues I am normally plagued with. Other than sore legs and feet I am none the worse for wear.

I doubt I'll ever run Ogden again, but Morgan probably. And I might even train the next time. But the problem with run training is that it isn't on a bike. And I miss biking, almost so much I could stop running and swimming, sell my road and cross bikes and just ride and race my mountain bike. I won't, but being a jack of all trades ain't easy and I'll take a PR anytime.

I Hate Fashion

2011-07-15T09:16:00.003-06:00

It's not easy being me, rather, finding clothes that fit my odd shape. See, I am about 5' 7" and weight about 155, but I am reasonably lean. I also have, for my height, a longish inseam at 31". I've never enjoyed shopping for clothes because I am between sizes on about everything. But with the current trends in fashion, I find shopping downright stupid now.

While wandering in and out of shops yesterday with Wifey, I found a t-shirt that I actually liked. I mean, how often do you find something with Hunter S. Thompson on it? I normally wear a medium, but they looked kinda small. I grabbed a large and a medium and went to the fitting room.

Okay, so the medium fit like a cycling jersey. The sleeves were tight on my biceps and it was tight through my back. It was even snug on my skeletal chest. Plus it only went to my belt line. So I put on the large. Which still didn't fit all that great, and is a bit long, but I went for it anyway. Again, HST!

I walked out and I mentioned to Wifey that I didn't know who in the hell they sized this stuff for, but it wasn't me. She replied that it was the style that clothes fit tighter now, it was the style. I know it is, but said it was ridiculously snug. She started to say something about my lack of fashion sense when we were addressed by one of the store employees. "Are you guys finding everything okay?"

It was a hipster guy in his early 20s, my height, with a scraggly little beard. He was wearing some sort of skinny jean capri-things that hugged his non-existent thighs and made his ass disappear like his cheeks had gotten frightened and crawled into his crack to hide. Underneath his little wool cardigan (mind you, it's 90°) he had a t-shirt on the was not stuck to his back, chest or arms.

I realized this was who clothing was designed to fit now. And I now understand why many women get frustrated shopping for clothes that are designed to fit a 6' tall, size 1 supermodel. Clothes for men are now made to fit someone other than me, because not only does brooding not build muscle, it must inhibit it.

I bought the large shirt. It's a little long, because of my shorty highpockets build; but at least I don't feel like I'm wearing a wetsuit. I guess I'm just not meant to be cool...

On a side note, tomorrow I am riding my first organized century. Like with other people. Hope it's fun!

Boooooo!

2011-07-08T14:45:00.002-06:00

I watch one single damn sporting event all year, the Tour de France, and this year it is being decided by crashes in the first week. Not time trials, not 7 hour mountain stages. Crashes. This is such a goddamn disappointment. My giveashitability to watch the Tour is now near zero for the next two weeks. Way to pick a race route ASO.

Another Birthday

2011-07-07T09:53:00.003-06:00

Today, July 7, 2011 would have been my sister's 44th birthday had cancer not taken her from us on January 31, 2006. Fifth year anniversary.

So, happy birthday, sis!

She was given the official diagnosis on her birthday in 2005. Quite a gift. She called me while I was at work and told me. I went into my bosses office and cried. On October 22, Smarty Pants was born, my daughter that would never know her aunt. In December, I forget the day, she called as I was driving into work and told me she was going to die, and that the doctor wanted to see us so that he could explain. And now she is gone...

Look at the time, from diagnosis to death. Six and a half months. That is what liver cancer does to you. It kills you, quickly and terribly.

Heidi's birthday is the only day that I make an extra effort to take her flowers, and remember her life and short time here. I say extra effort because I remember her every day. I don't want to do anything on the day she died. Memorial Day has become like Valentine's Day, so I focus on her birthday. It was the day she was welcomed to the the world, and unlike her life, that can't be taken away. Plus, it's on her birthday that we did a great thing as siblings, we got each other cards that made fun of each other. Goddamn I miss those cards. I still give her one.

Every year I get up in the morning, go and buy flowers and pick out a card. I go to the cemetery and clean up the markers of Heidi and my grandparents (right next door). I cut, arrange and water flowers for both markers. I do this alone, with my memories — great, good and bad — that fade in and out as I go about my work. I don't want company. I want it that way.

It's a little thing, but it's all I have. Considering our age spread of seven years, she was gone and married and having kids by the time I was old enough to really start enjoying her company as an equal adult. As we grew older our relationship matured and she wasn't just my big sister anymore, she was my friend. One of my best friends. I talked to her about things I couldn't with my parents, or anyone else. It's a hole that has never been filled. If I need help or to vent about certain things, I just don't get it, and it stays with me. Probably good reason #76 to see a psychologist. Even though we were siblings for 32 years, I really only got to know her well for about 17 of those. And that just wasn't enough time. I wish I knew her better. I wish... But who knew? Of all the things that just, well, fucking suck about her death, two things stand out: she left behind two daughters that I don't get to spend enough time with, and a niece who she'll never be able to spoil.

This year, I had trouble picking out a card. And that troubles me. Maybe it shouldn't. Maybe it shouldn't. But I barely had it in me. I settled on one, but it wasn't funny. It was respectful. And sort of funny. But not disparaging. I know that I am not getting any less comically ruthless as I get older. I think I am worse than ever, actually. I just carry it like a concealed weapon instead of on my hip like a gunslinger. I have no answer. Maybe it was just today. Maybe it will be worse next year.

I'll close by reminding you, gentle readers, to love your life. Appreciate and get to know those you love and who love you so that there are no regrets if they are taken unexpectedly. Take nothing for granted, appreciate your family and siblings, even though they may be a pain in the ass sometimes — or all the time. Trust me on this one, I know what I am talking about.

And give a little something to cancer research today. Livestrong, American Cancer Society, Cancer Sucks! or whatever. Find a marathon, century ride or something where the proceeds go to cancer research. DO SOMETHING! I know pink ribbons are all the rage right now and believe me, I like breasts probably a little more than the next person, but cancer is cancer and I don't believe in pigeon holing funds for one type of research. But if saving boobs are where you want your money and time to go, then do it. Cure breast cancer and then move on to the next type. The shit kills people more indiscriminately than al quaeda, and there's a great chance of it getting me someday. There's your PSA for the day. Take care of yourselves.

Pain and a Few Words on Modesty

2011-07-01T10:53:00.004-06:00

The last day of June was my first "real" mountain bike ride of the year. How f#@king sad is that?

I'll tell you it's pretty sad coming from a guy that used to live, and I stress live, to mountain bike. I rode, trained and raced. I ate, drank and slept to mountain bike. I even got sorta fast. Sorta.

But last night on the trails above Ogden was just brutal. Buhrootal. My bike is old. I'm too fat for my clothes. My fitness is lacking. Any riding skills I ever had have packed and left. I've been out on a couple of shorter rides this year and last night in the heat really confirmed the aforementioned woes.

Yet, in spite of the pain in my "quads" and back and pride, I still enjoyed myself immensely. Which got me thinking. When I started mountain biking 20 years ago (HOLY SHIT!), a mountain bike was all I had to ride and mountains were pretty much where I rode it. Then I started racing and bought a road bike to train on. Then I started riding more and more on the road, but still had time as a single man to get my mountain bike fix. If I rode five days a week, two or three would be in the dirt.

Then I started really enjoying the road bike. There is something great about mindlessly ticking off the miles, and it is easy to open the garage and just go out for a couple of hours. And I got a new bike I really like riding.

All of the sudden life got all serious with a kid and house and stuff, and I am lucky to ride twice a week. Then along came marathons. Try training for those and riding bikes. Then triathlons. Three sports to train for, four if you count mountain and road biking separately.

What's a guy to do? Day's aren't getting any longer. My life ain't either. I've been tempted to unload the road bike and get back to only riding a mountain bike. But then I lose the ability to grab and go on the road bike. And I do still enjoy the road bike. And why do I sign up for marathons? I need to swim, my back appreciates it, especially when riding.

I guess I need to just learn to embrace mediocrity. Even though my loss of mountain bike skills is a tough pill to swallow, I like the other stuff enough that I need to get used to it.

On a different subject, I hope that modesty comes back into fashion as Smarty Pants grows up. I've had a pair of incidents lately with attractive, long-legged ladies running/hiking in booty shorts with seriously, a one-inch inseam. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from a prude and certainly like looking, but save it for the swimming pools - where you expect to see it.

I hope fashion re-vovles into clothing that keeps ass cheeks covered by the time my daughter is a teenager. I can't follow her everywhere with a loaded assault rifle.

Coexist

2011-06-30T08:45:00.004-06:00

One of the few things the people I bought my house from blessed us with is a strawberry patch. Though not huge, it provides us with enough of the seedy little nibbles for about a month or so every year. We don't get enough to do anything like canning or jamming (metal kick), but I do end up eating more waffles and french toast this time of year.

The trouble is, something else likes my strawberries. I'll frequently wander out to the patch in my manties in the morning (neighbors be damned), clutching a cup of joe (double damned), to get a handful of strawberries for my breakfast. I end up tossing a fair number of berries because they are half devoured. I never knew what was assaulting my treats until yesterday. Sow bugs. Roly Polys. Potato bugs. These multi-legged throwbacks to the paleolithic period are burrowing into the fruit of my garden's loins. Them and their blobulous little sluggy buddies.

Bastards. I think Smarty Pants, lover of all things armored and segmented, said it best after inspecting the nibbly damage they had caused. " Darn roly polys. I just don't think I can ever forgive them."

Damn straight, kid. So what's a guy to do when his labor of love is getting overrun by living ooze and tiny armadillos? Not sure. I hate insect sprays on the garden because I like to just pick and eat. Napalm is out. And it isn't like I despise all bugs. Just the ones that eat my fruits and veggies.

Or I could just coexist. (Insert sudden thought of the Coexist bumper sticker spelled out with fruit, bugs and the "O" as a no sign with pesticide.) Ha. Funny shit. They don't do much damage I guess. Now if the little bastards start on my potatoes or carrots, that will be different. Or earwigs (hated, vile creatures they are) get into my corn again. I'm just going to keep that napalm option open...

Does this Jersey Make Me Look Fat?

2011-06-28T13:14:00.002-06:00

With summer finally coming to Utah, I have been making some occasional forays into exercise. It hasn't been easy. The getting out and enjoying the sun has been easy, it's the exercise itself that has been the toughie. My legs are killing me. No speed. No endurance. Both combine to make the Morgan (gulp) Marathon I am signed up for appear daunting. Tough course, light on fitness. It's going to be a slog. But, it's free because I won an entry. Heck, maybe I won't even finish this one. Or maybe I will. I dunno. I am hoping to make it under 4.5 hours.

So I am out riding the other day, on my way to East Canyon spillway. I catch my shadow on the road and notice I still have a little hair out the back of the lid. Then I remember I have on my white and pink Fat Cyclist jersey. And I haven't exactly been hittin' the weight room lately... and I start to wonder if I look like a woman. Long-ish hair, narrow shoulders, pink on my shirt... and it did seem like I was getting a little more room from passing cars. This is what I think about on road rides. Plus a bunch more stuff that I can't recall because I forget by the time I get back. But let me assure you there is some mind-blowing, world-saving shit going on in my head when I ride. And when I shower. I think of a lot of great stuff in the shower. I thought up a new ad campaign in the shower and now it is in national magazines. All while I am in lycra. Or naked and soapy with a shampoo mohawk.

Other than the Morgan Marathon, I don't really have any events that I am solid on. Mainly because work is nutzo and home projects are rampant and I just don't dare commit to anything too difficult. There are some trail runs out there. Maybe one of the Bear Lake triathlons - provided I do some swimming. If I do start swimming regularly, XTERRA is an option. At least the sprint. Regardless, now that the weather is looking warm I am just stoked to be training, even if it is for nothing particular. And that is my goal, to be fit enough to go and do any event, within reason, without gobs of specific training.

My run training for the marathon has increased. Unfortunately, I miss some runs that I normally get to do on my lunch break because I am just too dang busy to feel good about going. My pace has been slow, but in retrospect I think it is because I am tired from biking or longer runs. I had a shorter run last week and it kicked ass. But I ran 12 on Sunday and felt like shit. But I rode 40 miles the day before. I think that good training, with a short taper and some good rest before the marathon, and careful pacing will have me finishing and not hating myself.

I really need to lose 10 pounds. My jerseys are kinda tight...

Let There Be Light!

2011-05-03T12:06:00.001-06:00

I must admit that this is the worst shape I’ve been in, this late in the spring, for years. I’m going to go ahead and blame it on the weather. Again. Unlike previous years, this year has been extra wet and cold. Cold I can handle. Wet, less so. But both together are a deal breaker.

The sun has been trying to show itself more though, and it has been glorious. In the last week I’ve managed a pair of bike rides, one being the first mtb ride of the season, a couple of runs that have been less than pleasant and even made it back to the pool. The combination of sun and exercise has really motivated me. My attitude has improved — important because the amount of work in front of me is so overwhelming I want to hide until June, 2012.

I still have no fitness goals set for the summer. No LOTOJA this summer because I missed the registration deadline. I’ve also been waiting to see how much travelling I would be doing for work to set goals, lest I register for something and can’t make it because I am working on location. But it now appears most of my travelling will be in the fall and I am now free to commit to … something.

Maybe I’ll sign up for another half iron race; the Bear Lake race in August looks appealing. A trail running race might be different and interesting to try. Some mountain bike racing, a journey back to my racing roots, would be great. XTERRA long course? Maybe. Right now the summer is a blank slate and it’s feeling great to finally have the motivation to start filling it in.

I’m Here!

2011-04-01T09:53:00.001-06:00

Since I have posted nothing of note since last fall, I’m going to skip the laziness and sloth of last winter and jump right into the very cold and wet “spring” in Utah. First up is a brief Canyondlands Half Marathon race report, followed by my first ride of twenty eleven. Before I begin, here is a transcript of an actual conversation I had recently.

Them: “Did I see you out running the other day?”

Moi: “Probably.”

Them: “What are you training for?”

Moi: “Nothing.”

Them: “Are you trying to lose weight?”

Moi: “No.”

Them: “What are you running for then?”

Moi: “I like it. I’ve run off and on since junior high.”

(Silence.)

Well, I thought it was funny. On with the show.

Canyonlands Half Marathon Race Report

It sucked. The hardest and slowest half marathon time of my life. I ran Vikingman faster with bad knees and 56 miles of bike before it. Headwind. It’s my own fault. I just didn’t get enough miles in. The wet winter kept me indoors. Being extra busy at work kept me from getting in my lunchtime runs. Excuses. Lazy. NOtivation.

Still, I’m philosophical about the experience and learned a few things: I was harshly reminded that you can’t hide from 13 miles of running. The minimum is just that, barely enough to get you by. And lastly, I like being in shape way better than not.

The weekend was fun though, I did some damage to my liver and ate very well. Katie and Kevin are awesome hosts. And it’s in Moab. What more can you want? Less wind maybe…

Back in the Saddle – First Ride of Twenty-Eleven

I made it before April. Barely. The first bike ride of twenty-eleven. Glad it’s out of the way. In typical FROTY (first ride of the year) fashion, it was more work than fun. My knees protested, ass started to hurt. I pedaled squares on the way back as I battled mounting fatigue, a stiff headwind and rolling hills that forced me to slow to a crawl. In short, it was g-l-o-r-i-ous, glorious. Better if you read it like singing the song by Them.

Yep, glorious. Just to be on the road again is a good thing. I didn’t even mind dodging old ladies u-turning on me and going deaf from Harley’s roaring by with nary a baffle in their exhaust pipes. What did bother me was that out of the dozen or so other cyclists I saw, only one waved back at me. Thank you, incredibly bolt-upright rider man for returning my salutation. Even the runners I saw offered a friendly nod my way. Not my fellow cyclists though. Maybe it was because I wasn’t wearing my official The Bike Shoppe team kit? Perhaps it was because I was on my non-carbon fiber cyclocross bike shod with 32s (which make Morgan County roads near bliss I must add)? Is it possible my gangly early-season form made me appear to be a new rider and thus less than those vastly superior specimens? Whatever it was, it was lame. Be friendly to your fellows.

It was also good because even though it’s taken 20 years of cycling, and with my age, a likely reduction in testosterone but I’m now smart enough to know that the first few rides of the season shouldn’t be exuberant, mouth-foaming death marches. I rode for an hour and a half and finished the ride without feeling shelled. Not normal for the FROTY. It makes me excited to get back out again, this time on the mountain bike. But I need to do some work on that, which I’ll have some time to do this weekend, while it snows again. And I get over this cold I now have.

Still Here!

2011-02-25T12:04:00.002-07:00

I promise I am going to get going on this blog again...soon.

Stress and more stress has kicked a lot of things to the curb this winter. I also think I am developing some kind of seasonal affect disorder. Man, I hate winter...

I'll be jetting down to Moab in three weeks for my third installment of the Canyonlands Half Marathon. I'm a little behind in training, but it's always a good time.

11th

2010-11-15T09:10:00.002-07:00

I'll start this post with the warning that I'm going to be coming at you like a spider monkey with excuses.

I felt compelled to assault the cyclocross circuit on Saturday as the race was on my turf at Mt. Ogden golf course. I dabble in golf a little and admit freely that I loathe playing Mt. Ogden. I'll add that racing cyclocross there is almost as bad an experience. The course was mostly straight up and down, with some flat thrown in to get you from one steep to another.

As I mentioned in my last post, I've squandered most of the fitness I had in early October. Still, cross is for fun, and the stars aligned to provide me with a good opportunity to go. I hoped that I would have enough to be at least competitive. Unfortunately, I had a video/photo shoot the day before that required a 3am wake up, 3 hours in the car, running around on my feet all day, poor nutrition, another 3 hours in the car and finally to bed about 11pm. Not optimal preparation for race day. I was hammered all morning before the race. I fought off a noon nap to finish getting ready and left home at 12:30 for a 2:00 start time. I showed up, checked in and went back to get on the trainer. I had a solid :30 minute warm up, but the harder efforts were anything but effortless. I could wind it up, but fatigue rushed to my legs quickly.

I changed into race kit suitable for the 40° temperature and headed to the start. They were running later than usual, and I ended up standing there shivering for 15 minutes before the race finally started. The start was straight for 50 yards on soft, damp grass until a 90° right hander sent us flying in a close single file on more damp grass. I had elbowed my way midpack before the right turn and was feeling alright. Then I lost any hope of a decent finish. We veered onto a singletrack then turned 180° up a technical section. Three guys in front of me stacked it and when I got through the mele the field had strung out, the leaders already had 20 seconds on me. I ground up the steep climb, punched it on the double track and went too fast around corners in an effort to pull back some time. Which I think I was doing, until I blew through a steep, off-camber downhill turn. Twice.

By lap three I had demon turn figured out, but the race had gone in front of me. I didn't lose a lot of time due to riding, the race was lost on the first 180° and the two trips down demon turn. I faded a little, but I'll bet everyone did. I only lost by about 45 seconds. Pre-riding the course might have helped, but I would have had to really stroke it to make it to the 180° in better position and then paid for that. Ultimately I ended up 11th, behind a bunch of guys I put the hurt on a short month ago.

I think that the 2nd place earlier in the year made me complacent. This 11th has woken me up. There are a few races left this year, and I'd like to try and make it to Wheeler Farm and Ogden for my last two. In the meantime, I'll be spending some hours on the bike.

What A Waste...

2010-11-10T09:17:00.003-07:00

It's been a good year.

After finishing one of my best seasons of competition ever, it was time to turn my focus to cyclocross. It seemed natural, and I can usually do okay in the races. After all, I have a nice cyclocross bike. I have some technical skills that most roadies don't possess. I run more than most cyclists. But mostly, I was stoked to race cross because for the first time in a long time I knew I would have all of my fitness right at the end of the season with Vikingman the first of September and XTERRA the latter part. Most guys are getting pretty worn out by fall, and cross is something they can do for fun. I'd be doing it for fun also, but hopefully fresher than most.

The theory was coming together. And nicely.

My plan was to do all of the Ogden-area races and maybe slide down to SLC for one or two at Wheeler Farm. Total of maybe 6-7 races. Race Master 35 C since I am an old man. Have fun and mix it up.

The first Ogden race was at the Weber Fairgrounds. After a slow start my momentum built and I started passing lots of other guys until I found myself in the second group of five to bridge up to three leaders. They weren't really going anywhere very fast, so rather than keep losing time I took a flier in an attempt to either up the tempo in the chase group, bring out the stronger guys to help bridge or at least shed a couple of the weaker guys. Only one guy went with me, and he had just about enough to hang on to me, until he dropped off.

So I was in this limbo land. Stuck between the leading pair and the remnants of the chase group that was sort of reforming. I just kept drilling it to stay away and was gaining slowly on the leaders by bunnyhopping a couple of the log barriers and generally riding like a madman. By the last lap, however, I was paying for my efforts, but hanging on to my position.

With just a couple of turns to go until the finish, I hopped over the final barrier and saw one of the lead pair struggling with his chain. He'd put his bike down too hard and dropped his chain. I flew by and ended up crossing (sic) the line in second place, about five seconds off the winner.

It was pretty clear that my fitness plan had worked. I had the fitness to actually compete. Until... October.

Goddamn October is the toughest month of the year. It has surpassed even December. Work is insane. Eight birthdays including Wifey's, Smarty Pant's and Ma's. Plus a couple of bad weather days, encroaching darkness, and a rainy trip to Moab. It was a perfect storm of events that led to next to no riding, running or swimming for a month.

A month with only a handful of runs and rides. I don't know what I have left in the tank at this point. I'm going to try and get out to race this weekend. The weather is supposed to be cool and the rain should have the course in ideal shape. And it's in Ogden.

Race Report - XTERRA Utah!

2010-09-28T11:31:00.005-06:00

Okay. I only did the XTERRA short course. Work has been nuttier than squirrel poop so I've been missing all sorts of workouts since Vikingman. I've been tired, also. Instead of stressing about the workouts I was missing because of work and recovery I tried a new approach consisting of rest and flexibility to prepare for XTERRA. It worked out pretty well.

Except the swimming part.

The flexibility idea was borne of necessity. I've been trying to stretch frequently, at least every other day, to loosen my legs and avoid the knee problems from Vikingman. The rest part of the plan was mostly what I told myself I was doing because I was going into work early and couldn't get to the pool and missing lunchtime runs because of location shoots. Fortunately, I did just enough and don't think I lost much fitness.

Except the swimming part.

The nice thing about this race is the ability to register the day before. You know what the weather will be like. What the water temp will be. Things that might preclude one from entering an event, especially if it isn't a goal race. My original plan was to race the long course and get a little redemption from bailing in 2007. As the race got closer the unknown knee, lack of mountain bike training and a real lack of desire to beat myself for the extra time all played out. With 10 minutes to spare I entered the short course.

Another great thing about this race is the start time. 9:40 am. HOLLA! I was able to get up at my regular time. Poop at my regular time. Leave the house at my regular time. There was still plenty of time to stand around and chat while shoehorning my bike onto a rack. Yeah, it was crowded when I get there. See, I do things in reverse at this race. Rather than set up my t1 at the lake, then drive to Snowbasin to set up my T2 and then take a shuttle back to the lake, I drive to Snowbasin, park the truck, set up my T2 and then ride my bike down to the lake to set up T1. I'm a rebel ... and I get a nice warm up.

Again, I was surprisingly calm (for me) before the start. I was even trying to help other people get themselves in order. The pros started at 9, and the long course racers started at 9:20. I moved down about 9:30, wetsuit on, and got straight into the water. No hesitation. The water was about 65°, which is just right for wetsuit swimming.

I went to the far left, just to avoid some of the scrum. At the start, there were about 350-400 people in my wave, plus those still in the water from earlier waves so it was a little crowded. Instead of swimming a triangle, I swam more of a lazy circle. I just didn't want any part of the mess. Of course, it slowed my swim time. Or my lack of swimming was responsible. But my swim was a distant 19:42 (106th), well off my pace at Vikingman. But it was still good to do it and not freak out.

Transition was also pretty slow. I really need to work on them. I'm not sure where the time goes, but it is literally the quickest time that goes by in my life. It wasn't without it's drama either. while tightening up my right shoe the buckle on my Sidi broke. I chucked it into my bag and tucked the strap into my shoe and got out of there.

I have no idea how many people I passed on the bike, but it was a LOT. I know I got passed a few times and caught all of them but maybe 2. I had a really solid ride and felt really good still heading into T2. Really uneventful. 1:21.

T2 was much faster than T1. I was in and out under 2 minutes. This run sucks. It is up and up and a little break and up and up and then straight the hell down. And I ran the whole thing for a 22:53.

Overall I ended up 19th out of 308 and 4th AG. Total time 2.04.24. I'm pleased. I'm not sure what is going to happen next year. But LOTOJA might be on the horizon, and that will pretty much own my training time. But maybe the long course XTERRA. I'll have the endurance for it...

VIKINGMAN! - The Run.

2010-09-27T08:48:00.003-06:00

Off the bike and into T2, I was feeling good. Surprisingly good. I had a few things on my mind, mostly blister prevention. In T2 I changed to dry socks and slathered Blister Shield onto my still numb-from-cold toes and took off. My time was about 4 minutes. It was about here that I realized that while my Garmin 305 was running, I had forgot to put it into multisport mode and things would be weird when looking at the data. Alas, it certainly wasn't a day ender.

On course my legs adapted fast to running. More brick workouts and a tips like standing and pedaling the last mile of the bike course to pull blood from my quads and put it into my hamstrings must have helped because I had zero of the usual leg heaviness I usually experience. Sticking to my bike nutrition plan meant I was well hydrated and ready to run. My heart rate was where it needed to be, my legs felt fine and I was still moving past people. I settled into about an 8 minute mile average.

Then it started.

About mile 4 I noticed that my knees were aching. Not hurting, but aching. It was like this for about a mile and then it mostly ceased. I ran up the bridge over the Snake river at a sub-8 mile and passed a couple of people. I flew through the park, looked at the cute picture Smarty Pants had drawn for me, and started the second half of the run feeling awesome.

Then it continued.

At about mile 7 my right knee really started to hurt. Really hurt. By mile 8 I was limping and really slowing down. I was gonna finish, but the 8 minute miles were over. It was a good time to finally take that poop break I'd been needing and thought some rest would help my knee. Now, I have a storied history with GI issues and racing. Without going into detail, it's bad and can last for days. Not this time I am happy to say. Just a good ol' fashioned crap. The one my body wasn't prepared to do before the race. But enough about poop. . . The break did not help my knee. But I was going to finish and thus began the longest 5.5 miles of my running life.

Not only did my knee hurt like hell, but this section of the course was an out an back. Literally down a seemingly endless false flat two-mile long straight road to a turnaround and back. And it sucked balls. I could see the guys in ahead of me, some looking much more worn out than I was. But I couldn't go any faster than the 10-12 minute miles I was hobbling out. I got passed by one guy. But I passed three more struggling with stomach cramps - my usual nemesis. Still, it was a bitch knowing that I was so close.

Eventually I finished. Below are my numbers.
5:31:38.237 - Total
32:02.844 - Swim
6:48.143 - T1
2:50:18.365 - Bike
4:25.205 - T2
1:58:03.680 - Run
5 of 10 AG
19 of 73 OA

Despite the knee issue, I have nothing to complain about and there is no use lamenting what could have been. I achieved every goal I had for the race. I finished the swim under challenging conditions under 40 minutes, Sub-6 overall time, Sub-3 bike, Sub-2 run. I paced well. I ate and drank for nearly spot-on nutrition. And I learned a lot. Because of the bad knee luck I am stretching more and that will have nothing but positive benefits in the future.

What's next? Well, I'm writing this post two days after I solid XTERRA Sprint race. But long term I am not sure. An Ironman is the next logical step. I also want to ride LOTOJA again. They sort of go together, but I am not sure I could do them both unless I did an IM early in the year and, living in Utah, that's tough to do unless you really like training indoors (I don't). But an IM is a life goal that I'll get around to. Maybe not 2011. But maybe 2012, you know, before the world ends.

Vikingman! - The Bike

2010-09-17T14:00:00.003-06:00

2:50. Not bad at all.

Honestly, that's all that I can say about the bike ride. Nothing of note occurred. I drank a bottle of HEED and sucked down a gel every lap. I got passed three times. Those guys were faster and had way cooler bikes and wheels and shit than I do. They also had on aero helmets that made them resemble the creatures in the Alien movies and made them just look a LOT faster than me.

I'm okay that I got passed. I passed at least one of them on the run. I think two. And that was with the calamity that was forthcoming.

T2 went much faster than T1 at about 3 minutes. In and out baby.

I know, lame post. But nothing happened. I rode well. My back got a little sore. Nothing out of the ordinary, though I'd say it was a better than ordinary ride. It was cold though. Being wet, my toes went numb immediately and stayed that way until about mile 2 of the run. My fingers too went numb, painfully numb, but thawed by lap 2 of 4 on the bike. I couldn't think of many songs to sing. But I did keep thinking that I couldn't believe that I still had a half marathon to run. Which is next time.

Race Report: Vikingman!

2010-09-14T16:38:00.004-06:00

And it's over. At last. And I made it.

Saturday, September 11 was the Vikingman Triathlon in Burley, Idaho. This was my goal for the year. Not necessarily Vikingman, but a half-iron distance triathlon. All that I can say is that I met every goal I had in the race. Granted, it was a small field, but I still made it. The weather was ideal, though a little chilly. I wish this race report was more exciting, but for once, not much went down. I'm breaking the report into parts so the posts won't be ponderously long. Here it goes...

The Fun Run

The day before the race, a one-mile fun run was held. Wifey and Smarty Pants took on the challenge while I took photos and stared at the cold river. Smarty Pants ran the whole mile, other than a 10 second break. Not bad for a four year old. Chip off the sorta old block...

The Swim

It is well known that I dislike the water. I hate cold water. And I get terrified by dark water. I even wear clear lens goggles on sunny days to keep things bright. So the idea of swimming in murky 60° water before the sun even comes up had me going. Unlike other years, I've spent a fair amount of time open water swimming this summer and felt more prepared than ever for a 1.2 mile swim, even with the challenges of cold and dark.

I didn't sleep much. Just couldn't relax. Unlike the usual anxiety about swimming, I was more anxious about the cold and just wanted to get rolling. I was in and out of sleep until the alarm sounded at 4:30.

I set up transition in the dark, except for my handy clip-on flashlight. A good idea if you know you will be setting up in the dark. Then Wifey and Smarty Pants dropped me off at the swim start. I wandered down and waited in the 42° air for about 15 minutes until they finally let us into the water. It actually felt warm compared to the concrete boat ramp! I stuck my face in the water and started trying to blow bubbles to get used to the cold. It wasn't working well. I'd stick my face in the water and gasp. Before I was ready, the order to start was given and we were off.

It was a relief to go, like an anchor was dropped. I took off and had a tough time keeping my face in the water, but I settled down after a few strokes and found a rhythm. I also noticed that A LOT of other swimmers weren't handling the cold as well as I was. Bobbing heads were all around. I had one guy stop right in front of me and I swam into him. We apologized and I kept going. I whacked a couple of others as I swam by them and finally decided to move out farther into the river to get away from the others and make it easier to sight the buoys. The steam coming off the river made it tough to see. I finally started looking higher and found the bridge not far from the end of the swim. It gave me an idea of the amount of swimming that remained and let me pick up the pace the closer I got.

When I finally reached the dock. I pulled myself up. I didn't want help, I was afraid they'd pull me up too fast and I'd get dizzy. Wifey and Smarty were waiting and told me I was one of the first out of the water. SHOCKING! I was about 20th.

Other than one small moment of panic that I can't explain and some major brain freeze, the swim was great. Mat to mat time was 32.02. A little high considering the before and after time lag. But even that time is fantastic for me.

My transition was less than ideal. Sunscreen. Arm warmers. Chatting to Wifey. It was a long transition. 6:48. I needed about half that. Ultimately it ended up not mattering, but I need to fix that.

Next time is the bike!

As Ready as I'm Gonna Be

2010-09-07T08:48:00.002-06:00

Five days out from Vikingman, my first half-iron distance triathlon.

I'm as ready as I'm gonna be.

I have no delusions about the race. 5-6 hours if I'm lucky. I won't be winning anything. My training hasn't exactly been to the letter. Still, I feel prepared for a good race. I'm swimming solidly. My bike is okay. The run is decent.

If I have any worries with the swim, I am always a little concerned with anxiety. I deal with it with most open water swim sessions. But I am now able to push past the fear and keep going forward. I'm confident my swim time for the 1.2 mile distance will be between 35-40 minutes.

The bike is usually my strong discipline in a triathlon, but lately it has been giving me some difficulty. I have a tough time getting comfortable and my quads don't cooperate, getting achy far too quickly. It could be nutrition-based though, so I am going to really be cognizant of eating and drinking during the race. Time should be around 2:50-3 hours for the 56 mile ride.

Running is the big unknown. How will my body respond after 3 hours on the bike? So far, my brick workouts have been positive, with runs following rides of 20-30 miles starting strong. After my last long run in my Lunarglides left my toes blistered, I'm having a debate on shoes. Maybe the Nimbus would be a better bet even though they are old. Or the Lunars with lots of BlisterShield on the feet would be better. Still, if the feet hold up I think a run of 1:50-2 hours is a good possibility.

Add in transitions and I really think that I am capable of a six hour gig. Provided I can stay out of the porta-johns, of course. Could I do better if I had trained harder? I'll know soon.

And We're Back

2010-08-31T08:51:00.002-06:00

Sort of back.

Perhaps regular posts might incite the few of you who read this to check in more often and maybe even keep new readers interested. But... I get lazy. And forgetful.

My personal failings aside, I'm less than two weeks from my first (last?) half iron-distance triathlon. My preparation , as usual, has been less than ideal. The only constant in my training is my constantly spotty. Still, it mostly gets done. Mostly.

Mainly due to work, a bout with strep and the general lack of focus that pervades my brain. (I just lost focus and went for coffee.) Still, I feel pretty much ready to finish under six hours. I think I am capable of a 30 minute swim, three hour ride and a two hour run. Add-in transitions and I should be right around six. If I can go better, so much the awesomer.

(I just surfed over to a couple of websites. Lost focus again.)

My biggest race day fears are the swim, nutrition and gastrointestinal distress. But I think I have them all covered. I've been doing a fair bit of open water swimming as of late, with just a couple of panic issues. (I just checked water temp for the Snake River. Almost 66 degrees.) I know I can do it. Water temps could be a factor for me. If it gets too cold I could have a problem keeping my face in the water. But I think I can overcome that by getting into the water early and making sure the cooler water isn't a shock to me. Nutrition is going to be gels, water, electrolytes and whatever else my body wants. I think I'll be able to handle that because I'm not going to be hammering it. Which will also hopefully keep my GI system in check.

Fingers crossed.

I guess I have an additional thing I struggle with: Is it worth doing at all? I mean racing costs money and I often wonder if it is worth it with my approach to doing it, which is mostly half-assed. Here has been my "training" schedule pretty much all summer.

Monday: Nothing or a short run
Tuesday: Swim and a run if I didn't run on Monday
Wednesday: Run if I didn't on Tuesday
Thursday: Swim and ride
Friday: Run
Saturday: Nothing
Sunday: Long ride with a short run afterward. Sometimes.

Now if you ask me, that isn't exactly the path to victory. There is very little intensity in the workouts as I am pushing more for endurance. It just seems so haphazard. Yet, with my schedule, I don't want a set training plan because I end up missing workouts and then get pissed and down on myself for it. And it all comes back to the question: Is it worth it if I am not putting as much as I can into it? Or maybe this is all I can put into it without robbing from other areas of life. Like family time. Or work time. Or project time.

Is it worth it? I don't know. But on September 11 I'm doing it anyway.

The Wagon

2010-07-21T11:04:00.003-06:00

So I hope to get back on the wagon. The blog wagon. I fell off, obviously and haven't done much in the last month. Busy. But, I have been getting down to business.

After RAGNAR, which was awesome other than a couple of raw-rubbing personalities and some minor stomach issues, I took a little break. I felt like I was ready for one after a long running schedule. Now when I run it isn't so great. I have a strange disconnect between my body and legs. Odd. I am coming around, though. Just takes time.

I have been riding and feeling better. Longer rides, 50 + miles. Building the endurance. Sadly, I have no climbing legs. My weight is staying down, but trying to get up hills is tough. Maybe I suffer from Lance Armstrong syndrome - I'm getting old. Again, it's coming around.

Swimming is going great. When I make it to the pool. I am up to 45 minutes non-stop and could keep going if I wanted. I swam at Bear Lake last weekend and had a good swim. Calmer than ever in the open water. That's good.

All this adds up to my coming half-Iron distance race in September: VIKINGMAN. First time ever at this distance. First time ever over sprint distance. If it goes well, I'll do XTERRA at the end of the month also. I should have decent form.

So that is some of what I am thinking about right now. More later.

Wasatch yer Back, Y'all!

2010-06-16T14:36:00.002-06:00

I'm less than two days from running RAGNAR and I keep asking myself, "self, why aren't you riding your bike more?" When I say I have been running a lot, it has to be taken in context. I've been doing 3-4 miles a couple of times a day, every couple of days, for the past couple of weeks. So, not really a lot. But more than usual. I've also missed a couple of ride to go and run. Which simply must end.

Post RAGNAR, I am going to put in a good bike block. Perhaps get in a couple of races. And get off of my feet (mostly, because feel like I am running well by my standards) for a couple of weeks. But before then, I just gotta get through a day of RAGNAR and 15 miles.

Run and Done

2010-05-17T09:13:00.003-06:00

And another Ogden Marathon is in the books. Official time was 1:44:23 - I think. My Garmin 305 shows 1:44:27 and a 7:51/mile average. Not awesome, but I am mostly pleased. The legs felt pretty good the entire time. But the day was not without its hiccups. Once again, I was plagued by stomach problems.

I woke up at 3 am and noticed immediately that I felt bloated, like I had an air bubble right underneath my sternum. I went about my pre race breakfast that worked so well in Moab earlier this year. And I would say worked well again this year. I didn't have a great bowel movement at home, but hey even shit gets performance anxiety occasionally. Made it to the bus on time. Stood around a campfire and stayed warm. It wasn't even a frigid morning and really was a wonderful day. The race started and took off. Uneventful. No worries other than the pressure from the bloat. Now, let me tell you something about the start of a race like this:

If you ever doubt the optimism of people, look at the start of a running race.

People don't understand or are not aware of the concept of pace flags. I lined up in my normal 8 min/mile section which is sorta far from the front. But it was like I passed half the field in the first 5 minutes, human detritus with no business being that close to the start line in the 6 and 7 min/mile pace areas.

Now I am no speed demon, but just line up where you belong and leave the road open for faster runners so we don't have to trip over ya!

The first mile was a blur and I just wanted to get away from the throng (marathrong?) of optimists. Which I mostly did at the top of the first hill. And then the bloat really kicked in. And I dialed it back to a spot in the upper Zone 3. And stayed there for the next 8 miles. Which was okay other than the discomfort. I got passed by a lot of people, and tried to go with a few of them, but found that the pressure would build and I'd slow down again. I limited my fluid and food intake, which helped, and by mile 9 started to come around. Which was according to plan. So I figured I would stick with the plan as long as I could, pushing into Zone 5 to the line.

And then the day got hard. I still felt like crap with waves of bloating the rest of the day. No rest in sight, we carried on to Smarty Pant's dance recital and then on to Wifey's cousin's wedding. Finally I experienced near-death slumber.

UP next: RAGNAR.

Here We Go ... Again

2010-05-11T11:39:00.004-06:00

I'm staring another Ogden Half Marathon in the face. I know because the frequency of runners on the streets and sidewalks the last two weeks tells me so. I see them when I am going to the pool at 5:30am and when I'm driving to work.

I'm ready as I'm gonna be to go out and enjoy myself on Saturday for about 100 minutes. I'm confident that I have trained to run a good race, in a reasonable time, without spending any time in the pain cave. I have to wonder when I see most of these folks, just how many of them have actually trained or if they are trying to cram their training into a couple of weeks like they would for a final exam in school. Because you can't do it like that. Physical adaptations aren't absorbed like learning from a book. If you don't have it by two weeks out, you aren't going to have it.

Not that I have "it," mind you. Sure I've been training, and tapering. I think I've put in more quality running miles in 2010 than I ever have during training for a half marathon. I still ain't going to win. I'll be lucky to finish in the top 50 in my age group. But I am confident that I can run a respectable time without feeling like I've been plowed by a bus afterward. And, if you have read some of my earlier posts this year, you'll know that is the new goal. Compete, have fun, don't feel like, or have, a baboon's ass afterward.

Unlike those poor bastards I see every year that have waited until it's too late to train.

Oh! The Depravity!

2010-04-28T08:41:00.003-06:00

If you have read more than one entry on this blog then you will know just how I feel about swimming. Or not. Because many days I don't even know how I feel about dragging myself back and forth over the same 25 yards over and over and over and over and over....

Some days I feel good and other days I just can't mentally get going. Other days I can't even make myself roll out of bed to get to the pool. Which is, I guess, similar to every other workout I do. Some days on the bike are work and others are great. Running is the same. I think that my biggest problem, not just with swimming mind you, is consistency. It's just that I suck worse at swimming than running and cycling, making mediocre or bad days worse. If I would get in the pool three days a week I could end most of my woes. Except one, sensory deprivation.

Having spent more than a few hours in psychology classes, I learned a LOT about sensory deprivation and it's effects on the brain. You couldn't pay me enough to get into an SD chamber because A) I don't trust people and could see some fucker locking me in there as a joke and B) I am claustrophobic. After a while floating in that warm saline bath in complete darkness and silence, your brain simply gets bored and starts thinking up shit that is nuttier than squirrel poo.

Swimming is as close to sensory deprivation as I dare get. I wear earplugs for health reasons and that reduces sound to next to nothing. I used to wear dark goggles, but bought clear lenses before I beat someone with a kick board. No matter how good of a swimmer I have been on my very best days, my brain does some strange shit after a few minutes in the water, usually looking for sharks (yup!) or making out weird (really weird) patterns in the reflections on the bottom of the pool or thinking I am going to drown or pass out or some other calamity. It also doesn't help that I am swimming in the early morning and my brain isn't fully functional after a nights sleep either.

See what I used to think was self preservation (not able to adequately swim because of a fear of drowning) I think might, might just be more susceptible to SD than other people who genuinely enjoy the silence and peace of swimming. In addition to mental oddities, I just can't focus on anything. Any. Thing. Some days. I cannot keep count my laps. Seriously, any more than one and a half is a challenge.

Just the slight reduction in environmental sensory input I get when swimming, combined with "morning brain" is perhaps, just enough to send me into a mental tailspin. When this happens, I am getting better at recognizing that there is something wrong. I'll generally stop my workout and do drills with paddles and fins, or form drills. Stuff that forces me to focus on what I am doing. This way the morning isn't wasted. I am also going to try music more, once I figure out how to keep my earphones stuck in my head for more than a lap or two at a time.

I could also be full of shit about all of this.

The Longest Mile

2010-04-14T10:14:00.002-06:00

I think it was last Thursday... anyway, I decided to do a quick brick workout. As it had been snowing most of the day, this workout was going down indoors. As it happened, I had parts 2&3 of The Pacific on a flash drive to entertain myself with while performing this most masochistic ritual. Unfortunately my video card sucks so I am forced to watch it in a window not much larger than an iPod Touch. Alas...

All told I have about an hour and a half of video to watch and I decide to ride the trainer for most of it and then hop on the treadmill for about 15 minutes. 15 minutes on a treadmill is ambitious for me. I firmly believe there to be treadmills in hell. And they aren't like glowing hot with lava for a belt, either. There are just rows of treadmills, in a hot gym where the person next to you smells like they forgot to shower for a few days, where Dahmer and Gacy and Capone and Hilter and ten thousand years of sinners are all forced to sweat out an eternity. I digress...

The ride goes fine, just spinning circles. Then it's time to lace up the shoes and jump on the treadmill. Physically I felt fine. Not running on the cursed thing much, I started slowly and increased the speed as I could without feeling I was going to fall on my face. I did one mile and it took me over 12 minutes. And it wasn't like I was running with the grade on eight. It was on two. It was so mentally hard to do this. But I committed myself to finishing every trainer ride with a treadmill run because I know how the bike to run transition is and the practice will benefit me. I just look forward to doing bricks outdoors...

I am such a wuss

2010-04-05T16:54:00.002-06:00

Spring is in full fling in Utah, and dangerously close to becoming a repeat of last year. It went: winter 'til April, spring from April 'til June, effing hot until November.

I'm watching it snow right now. Honestly, two months ago I would have just gone running in it. Now, I've tasted 70s. I've run in shorts. And one of the last things I want to do is go out and attempt to ride or run in this foul weather. Instead I'll take a mental beating and ride the trainer. And maybe run on the treadmill. In succession.

Maybe.

I will be at the pool tomorrow. In that instance being wet is the right idea. It's coming along well too. I've suddenly acquired the ability to swim with a two-beat kick. Which is awesome. I also no longer feel like the slowest person in the water, save for the old ladies that use the pool for social hour on their kickboards. Doing such a small bit of effort isn't even worth smelling like chlorine for. Just take a walk girls, it would be much better for you.

Nothing profound. Or profaned to say this day. I'm in a funk.

Manager's Special Doughnuts

2010-03-29T14:51:00.007-06:00

I like doughnuts.

So much so, I spell the word doughnuts, instead of donuts. Could also be that donuts reads like do-nuts. Which has this homoerotic quality to it that dosn't appeal to me. If it appeals to you, fine. Do nuts. Go nuts with yer do nuts.

One of my favoritest things is a doughnut and a great cup of coffee. There is virtually nothing, nothing, that can keep me from enjoying a fresh doughnut and a fresh, hot cup of joe on a cool morning. Outside with a great view if I am really lucky.

Thanks to vast amounts of self control, I look to the heavens and thank ? for giving me the willpower to resist this dreamy combination. Mostly.

That said, manager's special baked goods are what, like one or two days old and half price or whatever. There's a guy in the office and, bless him, has gotten into almost a habit of bringing in a box of the manager's specials every other day.

I am not complaining.

Honestly. It's a nice gesture and some of the folks here in the outlands do or don't seem to mind and gulp down one or two of the suckers. I'll admit, I partook once. Once. And it sucked. My. Ass.

Not only was the doughnut kinda firm and vurrry dry, it led to a great deal of disappointment in myself. Through the cellophane window the pastries were very appealing. Once in hand, they were less appealing as food and more as hockey pucks or weapons. So I have to convince my doughnut-wanting brain that these doughnuts will not do for me all of the wonderful, pleasurable things a a fresh doughnut will do. And it's a bitch convincing myself.

While I am not dieting per se, I watch what I eat, and that is more than just viewing my loaded hand as it leaves the plate and carries food to my gaping mouth. I no longer have the metabolism of a teenager, and it took too long to lose the 10 sympathy pounds I slapped on when Wifey was pregnant with Smarty Pants.

Mostly I try and do a couple of things:

- I eat when I am hungry. Which means a LOT of snacking on fruit, vegetables, nuts and protein shakes. It keeps the metabolism fire at least smoldering.
- I look at what I eat and determine if it is worth the calories. Let me explain. If there is a fresh, blueberry doughnut and some coffee in front of me, I'm not going to deny myself that. Unless it is every day then get a fucking hold of myself... Conversely, a store-bought chocolate cake can be avoided. Sure, it's good, but it doesn't pump my nads enough to feel good about eating it afterwards.
- Moderation. I love McDonalds fries. But that shit makes you want more and more. It's like sex. But makes you fat and then kills you. So maybe it's like sex with a black widow spider. I've just gotten into the habit of ratcheting back on the size of the fries and sodas. I don't deny, I moderate.
- I drink a LOT of water. Usually with a mineral supplement to keep my electrolytes up.
- And I guess I exercise. A little. Really. I don't kill myself training. But I probably do more than most people.

So what is the point of all this? Right now I weigh nearly what I did ten years ago. I feel good. Admittedly, I feel hungry often. It's just the small, healthy meals/fiery metabolism thing. But it's actually good because hunger is such a basic, consuming need that it keeps my mind on track. I focus better. Instead of going in a million different directions, I focus on hunger and a couple of other things. That's it.

Oh, I guess the real point here is this. Buy fresh doughnuts half as often as the manager's specials. It will cost you the same and I'd feel good about consuming one, just one of those circular little bastards.

Moab .5

2010-03-22T16:57:00.004-06:00

Because I KNOW you are just shitting yourselves wanting to know how the Moab Half Marathon went for me last Saturday, here's a quick rundown.

I was 27 seconds slower than last year. So much for the magical, cumulative effects of training.

But Wifey was 14 minutes faster than last year. That is great.

Once again we stayed in style and unmatched comfort with great friends. We ate wonderful food and laughed out loud. I might have enjoyed a few too many gintonics, too. "Hey girlfriends! Moab Marathon! No boys! You'll do great sweetie!"

The start was cold, again, they all are. But this one was coldest, yet. Still, the skies were as blue as they get with nary a cloud to be found.

If there is a bright side to my time to be spotted, it's that I actually followed my pacing strategy of 145-150 bpm, with the option to go as high as 155 or longer on steeper climbs, until I got to the bridge and then would uncork and run as fast as I could, which was right at my threshold of about 170. My new feed plan worked well also. A banana and some pbh on wheat bread pre race, followed be gel as needed. I ate four gels. I needed them. I had zero stomach issues before or after. Could have been the slower pace, or it could have just been that I found something that will work for me.

Now, I'd planned on comparing the data compiled with my Garmin 305 to last years' race. However, the little piece of shit didn't do any mapping so all I have is time, pace, and average and max heart rate to go off of. I'm pissed. The ability to compare data is one of the reasons I bought the damn thing. Rather than chuck the thing against the wall, I'll compare what I have.
- avg. pace: 8:34 min/mile
- avg. speed: 7 mph
- max speed 2009: 14.1 mph
2010: 10.0 mph
- avg. heart rate 2009: 156 bpm
2010: 153 bpm
- max heart rate 2009: 177 bpm
2010: 171 bpm

Clearly I worked less this year. Had I ran at the frantic pace that I ran last year, I likely would have bettered my time. That is why I wanted the mapping data, I could have compared the heart rate graphs between years. I know this years' graph would not have resembled quite the sawtooth of 2009.

But enough of that. I also had a great ride up Amasa Back, which I hadn't ridden in years.

And now it is time to get after training again. The Ogden Half is coming up, as is the mtb race season and maybe a triathlon. Who knows?

It's that time...Again.

2010-03-18T08:44:00.002-06:00

Welcome back spring. I've missed you. Mostly your sun-bathed warmth. I'd also like to take a moment to thank George Bush - The younger one - for moving daylight savings from May to March and allowing me to actually do something after work without the use of a headlamp.

Saturday will mark the official start of my 2010 race season also. Wifey and I are soon on our way to Moab for the Canyonlands Half Marathon. I'll admit I am not as prepared as I'd like to be, not even as prepared as I was last year. The whole upper and lower respiratory infection for three weeks in February thing sorta hit my training at a crucial time. But I am optimistic I can make it under two hours, heck that's only a 9 minute/mile average. Because my training schedule was dealt a blow, I've also decided to train the last two weeks as usual, rather than taper, and just use the half as additional training for events that may crop up later in the year. I am also going to play with pre race nutrition a little bit. I am going to minimize fiber and gluten intake - and even fluid intake a little - in an effort to avoid the digestive problems I had last year at the Ogden Half. I'm also having some shin and knee issues this year...

So the morning should go like this. Wake up about 6. Have some coffee, electrolyte water and a light, low gluten and fiber breakfast with a calorie count I haven't decided upon. Leave about 7:45 for the buses and take one of the last buses to the start. Start at 10. Run at a comfortable pace, keeping the heart rate in the upper aerobic zone - about 140-145 bpm - at least until I exit the Canyon. Hopefully that heart rate zone will coincide with at least a 9 min/mile pace. Then, if I am feeling randy, I'll step it up into the finish, hopefully under 2 hours.

I guess I am maturing. I am starting to think more about pacing and nutrition more than ever before. In the past, I've been careful to get plenty of calories and hydration before the race, but I think I might have overdone it, and had the wrong kinds of foods, leading to bodily issues. My pacing has also been poor. Run just within the limits as long as I can and then suffer like a dog the last couple of miles. I am hoping a calmer start and the right nutrition will not only lead to a time I am happy with, but also to no digestive issues during or after the run.

Because there will be good food and beer to be enjoyed. And a bike ride on the day after. Here's to 2010 and personal success for all three of you, as well!

Timing is Everything

2010-03-02T09:04:00.002-07:00

Some days I just don't like swimming. Unfortunately, since I really like triathlon, this is most days. While I wouldn't say I suck at swimming, I would say I am not great at it.

Swimming is wholly different from cycling and running. With cycling and running you basically get out there and do it and get faster. You can mess with bike fit and running stride to generate more power and become more efficient, but nothing like swimming. Swimming is nearly opposite. You can swim lap after lap, day after day, and get only marginally better. However, when you swim mindfully and focus on drills and form, you will see improvement. Unfortunately, any time you want to make a change you have to unlearn. And that, is difficult.

The other day I swam about 3/4 of a mile in a near empty pool. It was late Saturday morning and sunlight was flooding into the pool. There was only one other soul in the water. For once it was a lady about my age who weighed less than 200 pounds and was moderately attractive. Even though I struggled with poor early season form and fitness, I had a good swim. For a cool down I did some 50s, focusing on bilateral (both sides) breathing. During these closing sets I noticed how much easier it seemed to breathe on both sides and I was losing less momentum when breathing, meaning I had less drag, meaning I was going faster. It was a breakthrough of sorts. And it all had to do with timing. I realized that I was rushing my breathing, especially on the left (non dominant) side. Makes sense, I like air. Unfortunately, rushing slows me down.

This morning I was back at the pool to work on my timing. And it was off. And on. And off. And the pool was mighty crowded. I was flanked, and sharing a lane with two large displacers of water and the wakes they created made it difficult to concentrate on correcting my timing, an ingrained habit that I now have to break so I can improve. It was race conditions today with wave splashing all around. So I got discouraged and left early.

Some workouts I just don't have the drive to push through. Mentally or physically it ain't there. That is the beauty of cycling or running outdoors. You suck but you are outside, and even if you get tired you still have to make it back. Lifting or dreadmilling or riding the trainer or swimming in a pool are easy to walk away from. Even in a lake, if you are off, I can hug the shore and the thrill keeps me going.

Maybe tomorrow, or Thursday, will be better. Vikingman half in Idaho is on my radar...

Avoiding Temptation

2010-02-19T09:24:00.002-07:00

I like blogging. It's like a conversation I am not forced to constantly have with myself. I mean, while I like myself in a non-narcissistic way, my mind is usually racing from one thought to the next to the point I'd like to escape from myself for a while. Blogging doesn't give me an escape, but it lets me choose when I have to talk to myself and control the subject matter rather than just trying to sandbag and divert the flood of thoughts I often can't control. Yes, I could have some form of ADD.

But writing here isn't as free and easy as you might believe. There are soooo many things I'd lurve to go on about, but can't. I read stories often about employers reading employees' blogs or Facebook pages and the content causing problems. I also know that potential employers will likely search the internet for applicants information and things just like this. And since I mostly like the job I have but never know when I may want or need to find another one, I need to avoid the temptation of really saying what is on my mind.

It isn't just work. Every day life punches me in the taint with another challenge to overcome. Another doughnut not to eat. Another bike not to buy. Another something. As cathartic as it may be to just vent, I can't. There are too many feelings and too much that might go wrong.

(I just deleted a shitload of stuff that was here. It was very cathartic to write it but you don't get to read it.)

More lighthearted humor and bike stuff in the next post. Pinky swear.

Dis - Ease

2010-02-15T09:28:00.002-07:00

Sick sick sick.

When Wifey hacks
And Smarty Pants sneezes
Green snot flows
Thick and easy as it pleases

Finally worn out
My immunity breaks
Now I'm coughing and blowing
Plus fever and aches

But I'm starting to feel better
Maybe it's not too late
To get into shape
For my mid-March Moab race

Like any time is a great time to get bronchitis and a sinus infection, now is terrible. The Moab Half Marathon isn't really in jeopardy, but being sick all last week and still feeling the effects this week is really going to affect my performance. I wasn't shooting for a PR, but wanted to at least do as good as last year. My longest run thus far has been about 6 miles and while it didn't kill me, I wanted to build up to about 12 miles before the run, which is now about a month away. If I am lucky I can build up to 8-9 without worrying about injury. Much. Fortunately I think my base is good enough that I can build my mileage up quickly and still run quick while having fun.

Here's to feeling better soon and my poetry skillz improving soon!

The Importance of Gear Inspection

2010-02-01T08:55:00.003-07:00

Things wear out. When they do, you replace them. Socks to jeans, cars to microwaves. Mostly replacement is a nuisance because with most stuff there is no excitement. That is the beauty of bicycling, or any sport that gives you a visceral reaction. When a bike part wears out or breaks you get the opportunity to upgrade. There is no passion replacing the drain pump in the washer. You don't go looking for a washer pump with a titanium impeller to increase drainage infinitesimally. But a new handlebar... now, that's something.

But I digress. I should be discussing the importance of gear inspection. Yeah, you should check the oil in the car and air up the tires and stuff or risk calamity - as I mentioned previously. But this is about the neat shit, like bikes. Or, in this instance, swim trunks.

Looking for any way to improve the way I feel about swimming, if not actually improving my abilities, I took the plunge last year and bought the extended Speedo® for swim practice, frequently called Jammers. I figured why not. I rock lycra shorts - hell, bib shorts even - on the bike all summer. While I didn't notice any improvement, I pretend I did.

Which, at long last leads me to gear inspection.

The other day I pulled my jammers out of the washer and went to hang them up. While attaching them to the hanger I noticed some flaky white stuff on the shorts in the region that would be on the crack of my ass. On inspection I noticed the elastic has eroded, likely due to a combination of pool water and my ass cheeks rubbing on it, and I could almost see completely through the stretchy fabric. Which meant, that for an unknown length of time, I have been torturing the poor people at the Roy Complex with my butt crack.

!

After letting the shorts dry, I slid them on and bade Wifey to come hither and inspect the tox. Fortunately. Fortunately, though the fabric is thin the darkness of the chASSm hides any obvious signs. While this, and my muffin top, may keep me from being offered a spread in Playgirl®, I was overjoyed to learn I had not been flashing the cadre of over 70 ladies doing water aerobics. I am certain they are also.

Gear inspection people. Get in the habit.

Buying Shoes

2010-01-29T15:34:00.002-07:00

Let me cut to the quick: I hate buying shoes.

Any shoes. But mostly running shoes. I am able to take this exciting (for runners anyway) experience and turn it into a sleep-losing and stressful ordeal. How? I have a knack for making things difficult. I don't mean it, it just comes naturally.

My feet fall between an 8.5 and a 9, with the 9 frequently being too large and the 8.5 being marginally too small. This is where my obsessive nature gets in the way. Which one do I choose? Too small and I risk losing toenails, too large and I risk blisters forming between my toes. Generally I end up buying a shoe and taking it home where I will obsessively try it on every 20 or so minutes, jam my thumb between the end of the shoe and my toe and try and convince myself that this is the one. Satisfied. I'll take them off and neatly return them to the box where I will carefully wrap them in the paper. Why do I put them in the box? Because even though I just decided THIS pair of shoes shall adorn my feet, uncertainty lingers like the few remaining hairs on my head.

Case in point. I recently ordered a new pair of Nike Pegasus 26 GTX. Lovely shoes. Suitable for both road and trail with a Gore-Tex® lining guaranteed to keep my feet warm and dry. Now, because I was ordering these I wouldn't be able to have the usual sleepover try on date. I wanted to avoid shipping them back. I had to do my homework beforehand. I went to the local big box store and promptly tried on a 9 and a 9.5.

Why not an 8.5 you ask? In my frantic need to get a shoe fix I overlooked this detail. Obviously the 9.5 was too big. The 9 was great. I pulled the trigger and ordered them.

When they arrived a slight squeal escaped my throat as I carefully removed them from the box and slid them onto my feet and checked the toe clearance. A little more than a thumb.

A little more. But it was just a little depending where and how I pressed in the top of the shoe. They were fine as I wore them for a few minutes, this is the size I needed I told myself.

They were too big.

Back to the big box at 8:00 pm to try on an 8.5. No Pegasus. So I tried on not one, but five other styles of Nike running shoes in size 8.5 and 9. The 9s all fit the same. The 8.5s all fit too tight. Most normal people would take this as an indicator of the 9 being the correct size. But I. Am. Not. Normal. I am tenaciously obnoxious and obsessive. About running shoes.

I went home and slid back into the 9s. This is good, these will be great. This is the size the guys at the running store would recommend. I stared at the shoes on my feet as I waited for the rationalization switch to flip. I'll take them to work with me tomorrow, and run in them. Carefully, they were wrapped and stowed inside that orange, swooshy box.

At work, again I tried them on and stared at them hopefully while jamming my thumbs first into one shoe and then the other (my right foot is slightly larger). I had tried on other 8.5s, but I would not be satisfied until I tried on the Pegasus in an 8.5. Again, back to the box.

Later that night, with a blessing from a very understanding Wifey (who is painfully aware of my nature), I drove to another big box with the hope of finding this elusive shoe. Which they did. And the 8.5 fit. Like. A. Glooooove.

A glove. Perfect in my estimation. Now that the 9s were dead to me, all I had to do was get them back. Then get my 8.5s. All of which should be done just about the time I no longer need the benefits of Gore-Tex®.

Next up? New cycling shoes. I don't like them too big either. I feel like my foot moves around inside and robs me of power. But too small, my toenails put holes in my socks and when my feet swell the shoes are too tight... Unfortunately, there is a huge price disparity between the shoes at the LBS and those at online retailers. Which means I'll likely order them. Maybe I'll just make it easy and order sizes 8-9.5. Then I can sit alone and really get crazy!

Obvilivious

2010-01-22T10:36:00.002-07:00

Last post I whined about lack of motivation and being tired and stuff. I slapped around every reason why except for one: Overtraining.

I know, it sounds odd. But as I look back at the last couple of months, I've recognized a pattern of exercising in a sort of no-man's land where the gains are small for the output levels. My morning strength training sessions are usually 30-45 minutes of non-stop movement. Runs have been consistently faster also, my rationale being I haven't really taken a break this year and I should be carrying fitness that allows me to go at that speed. It does, but just not every damn workout.

So, it is time to get my shit together and get on The Plan. I should have my yearly schedule done today, and I might even post it here in the hope some of you that visit this page will taunt me into sticking with it. Something I haven't done in many years. With the plan in hand, the next thing to do is find my heart rates for cycling, running and swimming through stress testing and setting heart rate zones that will maximize training. This accomplished, I will throw myself into The Plan, starting with a nice block of base building that will help my body handle increased training loads later and (hopefully) prevent me from overdoing over again.

A House of Fire!

2010-01-18T08:50:00.002-07:00

2010 has been here for a couple of weeks and along with it additional motivation to accomplish the things I have been putting off. Sort of. Most of what I want to do involves being outdoors in the cold. So, not much of that has been getting done. Still, I have some motivation to get rolling once the weather warms up, and since we are on the downhill slope of the winter solstice days are getting longer!

I am still on the hunt for a half Iron distance race. I have found a couple and both times had the opportunities stolen by other commitments. Which is fricking irritating to say the least.

Training for said future race is going like a house of fire! My motivation is sustainable. I have been running, lifting, swimming some and biking on the trainer a little. I might be doing too much though. By Thursday the house has burned down and left me a blackened shell. My legs are sore and I just get tired. Might be the schedule that involves mostly two-a-day workouts...

Last Post of an Odd Year

2009-12-31T14:11:00.005-07:00

2009 will soon be hobbling its old ass out the door to make way for the screaming brat that is 2010. Can't wait. Cuz, you know, 2010 will be so much different.

Right now all 2010 means to me is that the gym and pool will be packed until the middle of February. Then reality sets in and all the resolutionaries once drunkenly determined to make 2010 the year they get in shape give up and head back to their respective sofas and give me the workout facilities back.

Who am I kidding. I ain't barely done shit in weeks. I keep telling myself, "Self, don't sweat it. You are just taking some time off." Then self replies, "Time off from what shitface? It isn't like we're pulling 20 hour training weeks with 200 miles on the bikes, 50 on the feet and 5 in the pool plus weights, stretching etc. Our entire training regimen is essentially 'taking time off.'" "Self." I then reply. "Self, you are a dick."

Actually, with holidays and a week off for Dinnyland, it's no wonder I can't get my motor running. Let alone head out on the highway. But DL was another great time. Save for the 16 hour drive to SoCal, Wifey and Smarty Pants getting sick, the busy nights and eventually leaving the 70° temps. Smarty Pants was much more fun than the last time. She rode everything, even the Tower of Terror. Speaking of terror, not only did I survive the Princess Dinner at Ariel's Grotto, I finally met my nemesis, Jaws, at Universal Studios.

As for Christmas, the Dinny trip made shopping easier than ever. We didn't have enough money left to do much! AWESOME. Almost makes me want to take a vacation every year if it allows me to avoid the mall.

With that, what will my 2010 hold? I have goals. Goals beyond sport, even.
• I want to complete a half iron distance triathlon.
• I want to race an XTERRA event.
• I want to race a couple of mountain bike events.
• I want to complete a couple of half marathons (which I am already registered for. Take that Self!).
• Cyclocross in the fall.
• I want to finish my garage.
• I want to paint the bathrooms.

Time, motivation and money are my biggest obstacles. Mainly motivation. I really need to choose the rest of my events and get a training plan together. Or a coach. Maybe just a coach.

And I need to start looking for a new vehicle.
And a TT bike.
And a mountain bike.
And when did this New Year's post become a Christmas list?

Happy New Year.

It's Cold Again

2009-12-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

Okay. I don't do this enough. But thanks to any and all who check in and see if I have had anything exciting enough happen that is worth mentioning. Truth is, I have. In my mind anyway...

So, a summary of recent event since my last post is in order...

- Winter has arrived in Utah, bringing with it the ususal score of idiots that forget that accumulated ice and snow on the roads makes said road surfaces slippery.

- I managed to survive another Christmas lights on the house adventure without shaking myself off the roof. Or simply falling. (I hate being off the ground. Even swimming I am off the ground, technically. Love/hate.)

- New shed, still no room in the garage. What the fuck there?

But things are happening and work is nuts and I am trying to fit in a little of this and that where I can.

I sat out pretty much the last cross race of the year yesterday at Fort Buenaventura. Alas, have to save cash for Christmas. Plus I am a little gunshy after my 0-3 finishing record this year. I am already looking ahead to 2010 and maybe a new Fisher Presidio. Maaayyybeee.

I realized the other day I hadn't swum since the J&J Tri in Septemeber and drug ass to the pool last week. Getting there is an accomplishment. I am still slow, but plan on going more as of tonight.

The Madone is sadly on the trainer. Sad for me. Not the bike.

The Titus is ready to hit the road and go to a farm where it can roam and be happy. Sadly, my last two ride on it have been fantastic enough to question my motives for selling it. Especially blizzard ride. That was so cool. If anyone needs a great deal on a great bike, I got one.

Still need to post some pics of the Racer.

Smarty Pants is a pistol. Wifey is looking awesome with her new workout schedule.

Congrats to Jenn and Craig on child #2. All our love.

And I am proud to say that I know two Ironman Age Group Winners. Katie and TOBY! You two rock. I hope one day to mimic your feat of Ironman glory. And get ready for KONA!

More later. I so promise.

db

Is it Spring yet?

2009-10-27T12:04:00.003-06:00

It's snowing. Dammit.

But what does it matter? Most of my outdoor projects are completed and there will still be enough time to finish things up.

Plus, my back is out as I type, so I am not much good to anyone right now. I could probably ride, probably swim but not run really well because I can't stand up straight.

All this comes on the eve of the Double Cross Halloween Weekend. Races at Wheeler Farm on Saturday and Sunday. They are iffy now, at best.

On the bright side of things, I think my backyard tubeless cross wheel setup is working. I did a short ride the other night and had no issues with leaks or rolling tires at 45 psi. I did smack a rock hard enough to think I might have broke my front wheel, and nearly send me over the handle bar, and just kept right on going. It would have pinch flatted a tube for sure.

On a sadder note, my Dad's (and my) Jack Russell Terrier died last week. He had a severe infection from advanced diabetes and Pop decided it was better to have him put down. Roscoe was a great little dog and tough as nails. He'd fight most any dog and I saw him win against larger dogs more than once. He was a lover, too. He didn't like to be held, but that was alright because he felt like a sack of sticks when you did.

My sis gave him to me several years before she died. Then, when I married Wifey, Pa wanted to keep Roscoe at the house. He said it was to make my new apartment life easier. But I think he liked the dog which was why I never asked to have him back.

Roscoe went pretty much everywhere with Dad, so it is a kick in the gut to him. It's tough when your best buddy suddenly isn't there anymore, following you into the bathroom and stuff. I know. I gave him up once. But now, like so many other people and things I've cared for, he only lives in my memories.

'Cross Race #2

2009-10-14T08:37:00.002-06:00

Two races. Two flats. Cyclocross race #2 was uneventful in the sense that my race lasted all of 5 minutes when I pulled out with yet another flat. Not sure how this happened. After fixing the first flat, not once, but twice, I put in a new tube. Problem solved, right? Wrong. The tire held air all week, until race day. Dig this.

I air up the tires to 50 psi in the back of the truck because, you know, I don't want to risk a flat. Next, I carry the bike across the parking lot to the course. Then, I set the bike down on the starting line and throw a leg over the top tube and the tire is almost flat.

WHAT THE FU@K?!

Now before you think I am a dumbass for not checking the tire for thorns, I did. Multiple times. The tube had a very small failure where the valve stem is glued to the tube. Just bad luck. Not the first or last bad luck I had on Saturday, either. In fact, Saturday pretty much was the shittiest day I've had in about the last 6 months. I digress...

So I rode most of a single lap before pulling out. Again. At least last week I got to do most of the race. And I now have a backyard tubeless setup in place that I am trying out.

- Stan's rim tape to seal the spoke holes
- 4 rubber rim strips to build up the rim bed, 26" size for a tighter fit
- UST valve stems
- Stan's tire sealant

I am hoping to get out to the fairgrounds race course soon to test the tubeless out. I need to make sure the tires don't roll off the rim unexpectedly causing me to die. But so far, so good! I am looking forward to a pinch flat free 45 psi and excellent protection from flats. Crossing fingers.

CYCLOCROSS!

2009-10-07T08:35:00.009-06:00

Cyclocross is hard. More so when I race with the fast guys because the start time better fits in with my life. Even then 'cross is fun in a strange, hurt yourself kinda way.

Race #1 was of the Utah Series Utah Series was last Saturday and, since it was a local Ogden race, I went. And got beaten soundly. It was my own fault.

I am a slacker, and I didn't get out of bed quite as early as I should have, plus I didn't really pay attention to the classes. And I forgot just how old I am. Or blocked it. Anyhoo, I showed up to race the Men's B group because the 1:00 start time meshed with my lazy ass better than the 9:30 Men's C start time. Little did I realize that I could easily have raced the Masters B 35+ at 10:30 and probably gotten beat just as badly. But maybe not quite as badly because there might have actually been some guys my age racing against me instead of a group of 20-somethings without wives, kids, real jobs and mortgages that do nothing except spend every dime they have on carbon 50mmm tubular wheels and two bikes set up identically. I would much rather be beaten by guys in the same boat as I am in, and with more dedication than I have. I like an even playing field.

In spite of once again having the realization that I am no longer a bike racer ground into my face, the race was fun. Nothing eventful happened, except when I got to throw some elbows with a dude that races Pro-class mountain bike when he was passing me. But that is part of the game. Oh, and I flatted with a lap and a half to go. Which was a bummer.

Thanks to my sister in law, Shaylee, for the pics and watching Smarty Pants while I goofed off. You'll notice in the second pic, I am off the back right at the start.

The real bitch here, is that I have tried twice now to repair the damn tube and my tire keeps going flat and I can't find a reason why. Maybe it is time to go tubeless?

And here is a teaser... the Schwinn Racer project is nearly done! Assembly is completed and I should have pedals this week. With luck, I'll be riding it this weekend. If I survive 'cross race #2, you can stop by at 10:30 and watch me compete in the Masters class.

They're This Big...

2009-09-28T13:38:00.005-06:00

29 inch mountain bike wheels, that is.

After years of knocking the concept of of the 29er, I finally decided to try one. Why the change in tune? 2010 might be the year I decide to buy a new bike.

There has been a lot of scuttlebutt (perhaps the first time I have ever typed that word) about the new models from Gary Fisher, the Superfly 100 and the Hi Fi's. Both have about 4" of suspension travel in front and out back, and the weights are pretty competitive. With all the positive press, I have been thinking there might actually be something behind it all. But I am hesitant, it isn't like 29ers are taking over the sport, but they are steadily gaining momentum (sic).

Back to the concept of bike buying. Originally, I planned on a 5" travel bike, specifically a Trek Fuel EX. I currently have Titus Racer X, one of the best-ever cross country suspension bikes ever. It has about 3.75" of front and rear suspension. Instead of jumping on the 5" trail bike bandwagon wholeheartedly, I have started to think about the 29ers.

See, I am an XC guy. My whole reason for being on a bicycle is to get from point A to point B as fast as I can. To do that, I need a bike to do certain things and weigh a certain amount. The Titus accomplishes this, in spades. But as I have gotten older and more responsible, which means I also ride less and less, I have found my technical skills are eroding. The Titus is a race bike, it has steep angles that can be unforgiving at times. Coupled with my lack of skill and it can be less than confidence inspiring at times. So, how do I increase stability at speed and in technical spots without sacrificing climbing "prowess?" With a 5" travel, carbon fiber wonder bike like the Fuel EX. OR, or, with a 29er.

The way I see it, and if anyone that reads this would like to interject I sincerely welcome it, I Bike like a Fisher Hi Fi 1 and the Trek Fuel EX 9.0 are very different, yet similar on many levels. Allow me to geek out...

There isn't much of a size difference between a 4" travel 29er and a 5" travel 26" trail bike. Having ridden a couple of 5" trail bikes, I've found the handling very similar to the Fisher Rig 29er I've been riding lately. Both handle slower than my Titus. Period. Which isn't a bad thing in my decrepit state of skills.

What you get with a 29er, as I have discovered, is a smoother ride - especially when things get rocky and technical. Having ridden the Rig on two of my favorite trails that I am pretty familiar with (Green Pond at Snowbasin and Behind the Rocks in Moab) I'd say I've learned four things:
1) As I mentioned, 29ers are smooth. They really roll over rocks easily and make technical trails easier. 2) I notice the momentum of the bigger, heavier wheels helps me more on the flats and through rocks than they hurt my performance on climbs. And, if the climbs are technical like on Behind the Rocks, the bigger wheels make it easier to climb. 3) Sand. 29ers motor through sand in a way that a 26" wheel only wishes it could. 4) If you are going to ride a single speed, you should only ride a single speed and it should be a 29er. With a single speed, momentum is your best friend and it comes in spades. But, I don't ride a single speed enough to have quads massive enough to really enjoy it. 32x18 gearing is just a little too big for my skinny legs. I got to know the Rig intimately during my time with it, often finding myself literally climbing all over the machine to grind it uphill. I was impressed with the amount of riding I was able to do on it though.

All very interesting... To me at least. Because this is in the front of my brain right now, my next post will be more exciting and discuss my recent trip to Moab among other things.

Jack and Jill Triathlon Race Report - In TECHNICOLOR!

2009-09-12T20:50:00.006-06:00

Not really in technicolor. But maybe, if I can pirate a couple of pics, some sort of color. But since I was alone I only took a couple of pics of the "lake" and of my transition area.

The race was in Honeyville and was well organized by the TriUtah folks. There are always a couple of things you'd like improved, but this is one race I'll do again. There is only a sprint distance option, which is fine with me, for now... (ominously typed.)

How'd I do? How'd I feel? I did sorta shitty. I felt almost as shitty doing it. But, I finished another swim. And, ANd, aNd! I cut somewhere between 4-5 minutes off my 750 meter swim time compared to last year at XTERRA. 4-5 effing minutes! I was 24th of 47 out of the water. This is huge for me. Because of that, I can handle how shitty I did overall, which was 7th of 11 in my age group and 21st of 45 overall.

I am pleased with my result. After all, it isn't like I'm doing brick workouts every morning. But without further waste of time. Here's a quick race report.

I arrived about an hour and a half before the start, got marked and had my transition set up with all sorts of time left. The transition was nice, on actual lawn grass! I chilled out in the shade and listened to my ipod. I thought about talking to people, but I'd rather keep my anxiety to myself. With about 15 minutes to start, I started the ordeal of putting on my wetsuit. I debated wearing it because it was a hot day and the water was pretty warm. But figured so many others were going to have the advantage that I should also. Getting into the water I had less than the usual amount of panic which could be attributed to a couple of factors: 1) Increased confidence. 2) Knowing I was in essentially a large swimming pool no deeper than 6 feet. 3) Xanax. Still, I panicked a bit when the water sucked my wetsuit around my chest, but after a minute the suit softened and the feeling drifted away. The water was a little murky, but similar to Pineview.

Like usual, I moved to the rear of the field to keep from having too many people swim over me. Blessedly, the race finally started and I went into sort of a happy place, autopilot mode. Within the first few meters I was smacking into people, but I couldn't see them because the shallow water and silty bottom meant that a lot of debris was being stirred up, making the water opaque and limiting visibility to about my elbow. There were no feet to be found because even though I was hitting them, I couldn't see them. After swimming here, other venues shouldn't be an issue. Unless it's cloudy. Then it would be no visibility in the dark and another story altogether.

At the turnaround I was still feeling good but my forearms were starting to get fatigued. I usually don't experience this, so I tried to relax my arms which helped. Ultimately, I think my wetsuit was pulled up a little far and cutting off circulation. I'll have to get into the water again to see.

I came out of the water, rolled into transition and noticed there were a bunch of bikes still there. A good sign. I dunno if there was any correlation, but I had a tough time getting the sleeves of my wetsuit off my forearms. Finally free, I spent a little too much time wiping my feet and putting on socks. Because I like wearing socks.

On the bike, I took a few minutes to come around and get some blood into my legs. Plus my stomach was feeling a little wonky so I didn't drink a ton. The bike course didn't really suit me either. The rolling terrain is better for powerful riders, which I am not. I don't think I lost much time over the 12 miles. I caught a few riders and didn't get passed. Good enough.

The run was three laps around the lake on hard-packed dirt. I wasn't wearing a timer, but I think my laps were prolly 8:30, 8:00, 7:30. I was feeling pretty good at the end. I guess I should add some random brick workouts into my sporadic, non-triathlon specific training plan.

And that was it. I had finally done a triathlon in 2009. XTERRA is closing in, but I think I'll head to Moab that weekend. I can have a great weekend riding and drinking beer for the price of the registration fee.

But is it really coffee?

2009-09-10T08:58:00.003-06:00

Driving home from the pool this morning I noticed that Burger King, like McDonald's, is now in the iced coffee bidness. Most people would classify me as a coffee snob, but I'm really not. Sure, I prefer good coffee to swill, but I've had my lips on many a cup of bad coffee before and just been happy to have had it. Mostly I'm happy if the coffee isn't burnt or too weak. I've had McDonald's gourmet "coffee" drinks and decided that the best course of action is to stick with their good ol' lap burning blend they've had for years because it is usually fresh and tastes fine. Burger King is about the same, offering fresh coffee. But will their iced coffee, at a buck, taste any better than McDonalds'? Or am I condemned to paying significantly more more Starbuck's or one of the hard-working, independent coffee joints? And is the "gourmet" crap from McDonald's or Burger King even coffee? At those prices I wonder what the hell engineered polymer I am consuming that is designed to taste remotely like java. Was it alive at some point? Guess I need to try it to see. On to the BK.

09-09-09

2009-09-09T09:08:00.003-06:00

So the F@#$ what!

I guess today is the last day of the calendar that single digits will make up the date. At least until another Jesus dies and we move from AD into ANJD (After New Jesus Death) time era thing.

Did I say welcome to my blog?

Statistics are why I cannot watch sports on tv. I can't stand the useless shit that comes out of the commentators traps. "Well Jim, with that strike out Carl Carlson becomes the 21st strikeout leader in history." 21st? Don't care, useless stupid information. "Oooohhhh adjusting his balls after that touchdown brings Terrell Terrellwell into 18th place in the all-time American League West ball adjusters." You bet, Tim. Terrell really likes adjusting his balls, and really does it with aplomb."

Useless statistics. Dumb. I regress...

Last night was one of those nights. Wifey cruised off to aerobicize and I stayed home with Smarty Pants to plant some hand-me-down shubberies. Naturally, the first two went easy. But the third and final became a victim of my own dumbassity. As in I nailed the sprinkler line with the shovel. Not bad enough to rupture, but bad enough to make me worry that it might when I least expected it or was out of town.

Off to the mega home store for some 1/2" in-line connectors. Back home to remember that 1/2" doesn't mean 1/2" in sprinkler land. Cuz in sprinkler land there's 1/2" OD and 1/2" ID. Back to mega home store for 1/2" OD connectors. (Fortunately only 5 minutes away.) Slap in a new piece of pipe, a couple of in-line connectors, use hose clamps for good measure and viola! I fix my f-up in near record time with fewer f-ups along the way than normal. All by 10:30 pm. (Shakes head...)

But I have got to say that the highlight of the evening came from the guy next door criticizing my decision to add some concrete to my existing shed pad to put a larger shed on. He basically told me I was stupid. Well... can't please everyone I guess.

Let's talk about canines. It was buy a dog Labor Day this year. Both neighbors to the rear have new puppies, and the neighbor that thinks sheds should only be on gravel now has a Golden Retriever.

I think it's time to give Cody a new home.

The bike refurbish is going slow. When the hell do I get to work on it? Bear Lake trip last weekend. Sprinkler fixing and shrub planting last night. Still, the Bendix Automatic rear hub is in pieces and soaking in kerosene as I type.

I really gotta do more of these entries. SO much to talk about. Did I mention I am racing a tri this Friday???

It's all about me

2009-08-31T14:15:00.004-06:00

I noticed that the direction of this blog has changed a little since its inception. At first, it was more about life in general with a healthy dose of my outdoor activities tossed in. Now, it's all about my outdoor activities. All about me. I think I'll try and change that at least a little. See, I don't know how many people read my words, but those that do probably have almost as much interest in what is going on in other aspects of my life as they have in the biking and trying not to drown aspects.

So I'm gonna get a little crazy and expand the topics here. If for no other reason I'll have more to write about. And I'll start later this week. Because this is all about me one more time!

Without further adieu, I'd like to introduce my new ride. I don't name my bikes like a lot of people, but I guarantee if I did my names would offend at least a few of you peeps that spend 30 seconds or so here. Details: 1965 Schwinn Racer with 2-speed Bendix automatic hub. Fly. I am going to do my best to document some of the work I do. Might be interesting if you are into that sort of stuff...

Mt. Ogden 50k Participation Report

2009-08-26T13:23:00.003-06:00

Yeah, the title reads "participation."

If you are hoping to read a harrowing tale of speed, fighting for position, bloody crashes and a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit you'll have to read elsewhere. Because nothing outstanding happened at the inaugural Mt. Ogden 50k at Snowbasin.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Sersly, the days leading up to the race as I attempted to recable the Titus were more exciting. I didn't bring my HRM, so I have no numbers to share even.

I started slow like I always do, which resulted in me being near the rear of the 175-strong field as I approached the singletrack. But knowing my fitness isn't great, I felt that being ultra conservative would be the way to go. So I just got in line on the singletrack and kept up. It was dusty (drama!) but we moved along pretty well for the next 45 minutes of mostly descending terrain. Things broke up some on the climb back up east fork, which I felt good on. Eventually, a 1.75 mile climb brought us back to the start/finish. My first lap, even with traffic was 1:44. I was cool with that.

Did I mention it got really hot, too?

As I started the second lap, the heat became hotter. By the entrance to the first singletrack I could feel my legs weren't right. Though I had been drinking a water/electrolyte mix, I hadn't been drinking enough of it and was starting to feel the effects of dehydration. I started drinking, a lot, and noticed my Camelbak was pretty empty. I planned to drink it dry and refill at the mid-lap aid station. Unfortunately, it was too late to save my legs and I really had to throttle back to keep from cramping. If I had to surge over a rock or a short hill the cramps would start, but they never fully kicked in.

At the mid-lap aid station I filled my Camelbak and started back up east fork. I was caught and passed several times, but made it without cramping. Finally back on the paved road, I was passed a few more times. With 25 yards to the finish I looked back and saw a rider about 100 yards behind me. With 10 feet to the finish I heard a grunt and the dude had buried himself to catch, and pass me. I think my words to him were, "If you want it that fucking bad, you can have it." He took it. Second lap, 1:56. Winning time, 2:36. 2:36! SHIT!

They took my timing chip and my legs finally had enough and started to cramp, forcing me to stand there until I felt okay to move to a shady spot where I could just lay down and rest. Which I did until I remembered the one thing that got me through the last lap.

Big Sky Brewing India Pale Ale.

And I limped back to the truck to get one. Because I'll risk falling down in a parking lot with leg cramps to get an ice-cold beer.

But the race was fun. And even though I no longer possess race legs, I can participate and have "fun" doing silly stuff like this. I need to train my ego to know this is how it's gonna be, that's all.

Or, or... I could train for it next year.

bang.

2009-08-11T10:46:00.002-06:00

I finally pulled the trigger and registered for a race. I know, it's tough to believe.

The Mt. Ogden 50k. Approximately 31 miles of Snowbasin's finest trails await me.

Unlike a triathlon, mtn. bike racing is well within my comfort zone because I can handle water in stream form. I know full well that I am not in shape to "race" this event and compete against anyone but my own self. But I am not worried about finishing in a respectable time. The course has been dumbed-down and the truly difficult climbing sections are gone. I would say that this course has nearly equal amounts of climbing and decending with possibly 2 miles per lap (there are two laps) that may require the small chainring.

Now comes the fun part: figuring out the logistics. Camelbak or bottles? What to drink, eat, when and where? Pacing. What to wear?

Don't misunderstand, just 'cuz I ain't racing to win, doesn't mean I ain't racing. However, my trick is to race hard enough to feel good about it, but not kill myself like I did in the Ogden Half Marathon this spring. Caution and dosing of my limited efforts is my stragety, and I'll test my decending skills a little more than normal since there shouldn't be a load of horses and hikers on the trail.

Plus, I haven't done a 30 mile "race" since my days as an Expert, which ended in about 2004.

Aaaayyyyyy Okay!

2009-08-07T10:50:00.003-06:00

It appears I have emerged mostly unscathed from my, er, fall the other night. Some pain lingers, but overall, I feel purty good.

After skipping the pool on Wednesday in favor of muscle relaxers (never again unless my life depends on it and I have hours to sleep) I dove back in Thursday. I was taking it easy and watching for signs of discomfort and swam 1200 yards pain-free yards in the process. I planned on riding last night, but the weather had other ideas as a summer cold front blew in and brought severe winds, rain and lightning. My point to all of this, I think I'll be fine for the Snowbasin 50k.

Time to find a sitter and get registered.

On the home front, Smarty Pants starts pre-school in less than two weeks. Where have the last four years gone? And, Wifey and I are starting a weight-loss competition on Monday with some very interesting spoils going to the winner.

Gonna be a very interesting next couple of months, fo' sho'.

Well . . . CRAP!

2009-08-05T10:25:00.003-06:00

Last night I fell down and went boom. While playing a game at a family party I slipped on some grass while running and fell on my side and elbow.

Though it didn't hurt immediately, it did later. And sure does now. The pain is along the inner edge of my left lat in the back/shoulder area. Initially, I had some trouble breathing and thought I might have cracked or dislocated a rib. But I think that would hurt worse. Range of motion is good, for the most part I have no pain doing most movements. I probably just pulled or tore something.

Just pulled or tore something...

Being on the DL is tough. I am not sure what I can do as far as training goes. I skipped swimming this morning because the muscle relaxer I took before bed would not let me wake up sufficiently to drive safely.

As I type, it is getting sore. I think the ibuprofen and muscle relaxer must be wearing off. I am going to pop another 800mg and am going to give running a shot today. Tomorrow I'll get back in the pool and try to go for a ride.

This is sort of a derailleur and my racing is now up in the air. If swimming hurts, the odds of doing a tri are poor. The Snowbasin 50k is doubtful also.

Or I could be feeling better in a couple of days. Guess I'll find out won't I?

Narrowing it down

2009-08-03T13:28:00.002-06:00

Because I don't want to swim in green curry, I will not be competing in the Utah Half Triathlon. Apparently Utah Lake is an opaque, milky green consistency, which is not at all conducive to a successful swim leg for me.

So now what? Well, I don't really know yet. Coming up August 22 is the Snowbasin 50k mtb race. I've ridden the course is sections and it isn't really that difficult, rather, it is quite fast. Since there is no water involved other than just a couple of little stream crossings, I think I need to do this one.

Of course I need to register. And commitment is another event entirely.

Competition vs. Participation

2009-07-31T13:41:00.004-06:00

Before me lies a list of events I have interest in competing in. Even though tomorrow is August 1, I still have not entered a race this year. (Well, not counting two half marathons. I suppose that means something.) On the list are triathlons of varying distance, XTERRA events and some mountain bike events. I really want to compete in something this summer. I'll hate myself all winter if I don't. But what to do...

I am sorely undertrained, yet, as I mentioned in the last post, overtrained. I think I am fit enough to do anything on the list, just not as fast as I'd like. So, I could use them as training events. But training for what? That leaves me in a weird place, signing up, paying money and what's the word... not racing, not competing... oh yeah, participating. That's it, participating.

How the hell do you do that again?

Even though I hate to admit it, I am a competitor. Not that I compete to win, because I sure ain't paying the bills with my athletic prowess. I guess I just like to go out and hurt myself and go as fast as my sticks will let me. And when I'm not in shape I remember when I was in shape and get pretty down on the self.

In comes the theory of participation. Lemme get my dictionary.

See, when you are fit, racing is so awesome. You can kill it and not even realize how hard and fast you are going. Just dial it back to a comfort zone and fly. If the need arises, stomp a little harder and wheeze a bit, but then you recover and it's back to near effortless speed.

When fit, racing is like participation... but faster. I get it now. Except the slower part.

Slow isn't as much fun, so I end up really pushing myself to go faster. Which is what I did at the Ogden Half Marathon. And I paid ever so dearly for that effort. For days I paid...

Maybe it's time to make the transition to slower participation. I still like doing this stuff, but my reality is that I just ain't as good as I once was, and probably not even as good once as I ever was. But I'll suffer less and enjoy more.

Except the swimming. I frigging hate the swimming. More specifically the anxiety from swimming.

What to do, what to do...

2009-07-29T08:59:00.003-06:00

So many events, so little time.

And so little training ... so very little training. So few miles. So few laps. The only thing I have ample of is back fat these days.

Oddly enough, I felt like I was overtraining a few weeks ago. I had ramped up the swimming, was running, lifting weights a little and biking some. It didn't seem like much, but the signs were there. I wasn't sleeping great, pissy, no motivitation. But it really hit home when I tried to climb up Trapper's Loop and it just wasn't there. I think my heart rate maxed at 147 bpm, and my legs had zero left to give. All I can figure is that it might have been the multiple workouts per day, coupled with work and other stuff might have just got to me.

I took most of a week off, other than deadlines at work, and have started back into it slowly. Some trail running with Wifey, easier bike rides (other than the singlespeed adventure), less swimming and lifting. I felt like the fitness was coming back, now I am feeling tired again. I dunno. Maybe I am just getting lazy. Maybe it is something else.

The point is, it is tough to want to pay money to enter events when I know I won't be at my best. Still, I know I will despise myself all winter if I don't do something. Of course I will despise myself now also if I try and just suck.

What to do?

Coming up is a mountain bike race I would like to do at The Canyons on August 1. August 15 is the Utah Half Triathlon. Then comes the Snowbasin 50k mountain bike race on August 22. There is the Top of Utah Half Marathon, Bear Lake Triathlon or Bear Lake 12 Hour Mountain Bike Relay all on August 29. There are a few triathlons in September that sound appealing, except for the swim part.

I still have not swum any open water this year. Which makes me wonder how I will react, and race day is not the time to find out. I was swimming pretty good until I started feeling yucky. Now I am back to square uno.

BAH!

Busy!

2009-07-23T08:52:00.002-06:00

Work has been nutso the last few weeks, hence the lack of posts. I admit most of my writing is done at work, because that is what I do at work. So while I may not be writing work stuff, I am writing, and writing is a skill. This is my break. I can get away from the status quo and do what I enjoy, but in a very relaxed and free way. Which is why you will see errors and shit here. I follow rules every day, here I don't. More soon that might be considered interesting...

Another July 7th

2009-07-07T16:58:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday, Sis. We miss you.

Gogol Bordello and the Man Date

2009-06-12T10:50:00.003-06:00

Yo.

So a couple of weeks back I attended a concert by gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello. Never heard 'em before. Glad I went. It was a very high energy experience. I only remember seeing people that excited in the old days at a couple of Violent Femmes concerts. As good as they were live, I gotta admit that they are at their best live. I could do without most of their studio work.

The pre-concert drink was at my brother-in-laws place. Somewhere during that time Wifey hooked me up on a man date.

A man date for a bike ride no less.

Without going into details, the short ride ended up being better than I thought. Maybe one day I'll delve into man date #2, which was, less successful.

Rooting Away

2009-06-05T10:44:00.003-06:00

I think a 9 month old mystery has finally been solved. That is, why I've been sick so much and why I've been tired more than usual.

I needed a root canal.

Sersly, I had a cavity fixed 9 months ago and it was a bad one. Painless (my dentist and all around good guy) told me I might have some trouble with it. Did I ever. Since it was repaired last fall, it remained sensitive. But all this time the nerves were festering and rotting inside my skull. I had headaches and, as you might recall, a load of sinus troubles last winter. I even started having pain in the maxillary temporal bone (whatever the hell it is) and shooting pains through my temple. A doctor even diagnosed me with TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorder and have a load of muscle relaxers now.

All this came to a head (sic) over Memorial Day weekend (always over a holiday weekend!) when the tooth finally reared its ugly head and made it clear it was the problem, not the jaw or anything else.

And everyone was out of town. And out of cell phone range. I was screwed. But I had a fistfull of hydrocodone and an empty house.

I managed to score some antibiotics to start fighting the infection. Then I started running a fever, which gave me the chills and caused my teeth to chatter. Even THAT tooth. And it hurt. Not thinking, I thought it might be an allergy to the antibiotic and quit taking it. Turns out I was wrong again.

Anyhoo, two trips for root canal procedures later and I am feeling a lot better. But I am afraid I am not out of the woods yet. It seems there were some issues with one of the roots, and the tooth is more sensitive now than it was after the first procedure. But he also kicked my ass. I hope any new troubles will come up sooner than later. I don't want the next 9 to be like the last.

And remember kids, always practice good dental hygiene.

Ride to Mantua

2009-06-04T10:53:00.002-06:00

Third post this week. WTF?

Sometimes I get carried away and last Sunday was one of those days. What started as a couple of hours on the road bike turned into a 4 hour death march.

Not that I am complaining, mind you.

Wifey and Smarty Pants had a neice's birthday party to attend, so I knew I had free time to have a good ride. As the day wore on, I felt good and figured I should make the most of it.

I left about 10:30 and headed west to escape traffic - strange since I was nearly run down by an asshole more focused on loosening his tie and being finished with church than piloting his damn vehicle. Fortunately I was able to take years off his life by screaming at him through his OPEN window. Seriously, this guy must have wondered how a guy with a bike helmet got into his truck and why he hadn't noticed me there before. He jumped so fast I thought he was going out the other door. Awesome. Maybe he'll pay a little closer attention when he drives now.

After that incident, which happened in the first five minutes of the ride, it was business as usual. The sun was out, it was warm, and somehow the wind managed to blow in my face nearly the entire time. Yet I still went on. To Mantua (Man-uh-way). 35 miles one way. Not usually a distance I am too concerned with. But it isn't like I am killing it on the bike anymore. I mean, I doubled the 2009 mileage on my Trek Madone on this fine day.

Coming back was a little more eventful. In addition to feeling like there were angry little bees trying to escape from my thighs, I ran out of both food and water, so I had to change my route a little because the way I was going had very little in the way of shopping. Fortunately I remembered to bring some cash with me. A whole $2. What the hell can you get for $2? A sale on commercial sports drinks and a granola bar. $1.68. At this point in the ride I would have given the 65 year old lady behind the counter a lap dance for a giant Snickers bar. But it was only about 10 miles. Obviously I made it. I even had a little tailwind the last few miles to bring me in.

The moral of this story is that I am not the rider I used to be, and it's a real bummer. But, on the flip side, I still went out and did a 70 mile ride with my nose in the wind and a fair amount of climbing thrown in for laughs. Oh, and my back didn't hurt. And that is huge considering back pain pretty much made me stop racing bikes. So I'll take what I can get, and rides like this where I can get them. I'll just be sure to bring more food from now on.

Is it Worth It?

2009-06-03T09:50:00.004-06:00

Today had me in the pool the second time this week. I've committed to three days, because two just ain't cutting it and I really want to improve my swimming.

I NEED to improve my swimming actually.

Because I really think if I can believe that I am actually a good swimmer and not just swimming for survival, I can take another chip out of my open water anxiety. Which I really have to do.

Or I am done with triathlon.

After some introspection, I'm starting to believe that the massive (accurate term) amount of anxiety I feel before swimming in a race is not worth it.

The panic has literally had me close to tears. It's that bad, and it isn't worth it. It isn't fun. But it's only the first couple of minutes. Past that, I'm going as fast as my bald little wings can pull me. Still not worth it though. My anxiety used to be drowning. Now it is a combination of drowning and the fear of quitting and being a failure, again. So it's actually worse than it used to be.

But, I have not been in a lake since XTERRA last summer, and something feels different. I still get the knot in my belly when I so much as think about swimming away from earth with a throng of flailing people, but I look forward to going. Maybe I have nothing to worry about. Maybe finishing the XTERRA swim helped me over the hurdle.

I had a swim consultation with Coach Katie. She found little wrong with my swimming form, suggested some drills and encouraged three days a week. It helped tremendously because I needed to know that the foundation, the mechanical basics of my stroke, are in place. Now I need to build the fitness and strength I need.

And I need the water to warm up a little more so I can get back into the lake and see where I am mentally with this mess.

Back Blogged and the Ogden Half Marathon

2009-06-01T09:05:00.007-06:00

I am so behind on my blog posts, but like many other things it's easy to let blogging slip by. So, instead of having a single long-winded post, I'm going to break it down into a few choice retrospectives. You know, do things the way they should have been done to begin with. Who reads this anyway, right? Topics will include:

· Man Dates
· Gogol Bordello Live in concert
· The real distance to Mantua by bike (Hint: It's far)
· Root canals and festering, rotting nerves in my head
· Swimming, triathlon, tri bikes and if I am even going to do this silly shit anymore
· Whatever else I can think of

But this post is going to be all about the Ogden Half Marathon. Here ya go.

85th overall (1,978 finishers)
73rd male
Time: 01:37:02.84
Pace: 7:32 min./mile
Far from world class speed but I am pretty pleased with myself, considering my sporadic training since Canyonlands.

The race was uneventful until the finish, and I really can't say anything dramatic happened. I really just felt awesome for the most part. About mile 8 I started to feel my lack of endurance with fatigue that I know was caused by the bod wondering how much longer we were going to do this. And my time should have been a little better, but in the course of avoiding too much liquid so I didn't get sloshy, I let myself get dehydrated which caused my calves to start tightening up and my gut to start going south, both about mile 10 (the dreaded Ogden River Parkway). Instead of full blown cramps and having to do the penguin to keep from pooping, I dropped back to an 8:30 pace for two miles before throttling back up for the Grant Avenue finish.

The finish turned out to be pretty funny.

Approaching the finish line some dudes started sprinting and, as so often happens in my life, the dumbass in me took over.

I went with them. I went past them. I was killing them. And then...

SLAP! My left hand got smacked. Which meant someone was very close to me.

This caused one of those fight or flight moments. In a millisecond I saw our legs getting tangled up and both of us slapping the pavement.

So I gave him a little shove to get him away from me. He didn't like that. After, it went a little like this:

Dipshit cromagnon-looking crewcut asshole: "That was uncalled for."
Moi: "You slapped my hand."
Dipshit cromagnon-looking crewcut asshole: "I did not."
Moi: "OH BULLSHIT, FUCKER. I DON'T JUST ARBITRARILY PUSH PEOPLE. YOU HIT MY FUCKING HAND WHICH MEANT THAT YOU WERE WAY TOO CLOSE TO ME SO I GOT YOU AWAY FROM ME!"
Dipshit cromagnon-looking crewcut asshole: " Did not...."
Moi: "Fuck off. You tell yourself what you have to sleep at night."

Race photos confirm he was right on my ass. Right or wrong for me to push? I don't care. I know that I wasn't bloody afterward.

I have never been so sick after a sporting event. I'll spare the sordid details, but it was a SHITTY time. Next time, it's right to the med tent for an IV. That's what Coach Katie told me to do. If there was a bright side to all this, other than my time, was the discovery of Sport Shield. Instead of the usual large blisters, I had only very small ones. I'll take what I can....

Oh, and I am due for some new shoes.

NOtivation

2009-05-02T08:27:00.003-06:00

Saturday morning and I am writing a blog post. Obviously there ain't much to do because it's raining again. Again. What a spring...

So I am procrastinating getting my training schedule together. Which is bad because I need more direction and must start fine tuning and strengthening my weak spots. I'm swimming pretty good. I feel like I am getting faster. But I really want to get into the lake before I start committing to many more triathlons. I still struggle, wondering if the stress of swimming in open water is worth it. It freaks me out that much. I also need some help running. I need to get a little faster.

We're also all sick, well, Smarty Pants is feeling better after two weeks with some sort of flu. Swine flu? Maybe. My sinuses are barely functioning and Wifey has the worst cough ever.

In retrospect, NOtivation isn't the best title for this post. In spite of it all, I feel rearing to go. Weather peritting, I can't wait to get out more. I want to start looking for my cruiser. I have some great ideas for that if I find one that needs work. Otherwise keep it classic.

Alright nature. How about a little cooperation?

Yuck!

2009-04-09T13:35:00.002-06:00

It has rained all f'n day and most of the week. ALL DAY. I guess it is spring, but this is ridiculous. I've only been riding a couple of times, and mountain biking has been nonexistent. The rain let up a little today and I really thought I could get out for a short run. But the deluge resumed and indoors I stayed. On the bright side, I have been getting into the pool. Why not, since it's supposed to be wet there I'll take advantage of it.

I get a little crazy when I can't get out and do something.

But swimming is good. I've been working on drills. That's it. Drills. Kick drills with fins and really focusing on moving from the hips instead of the knees. Fist drills to focus on pulling with the forearms. Sculling drills. Side drills...

The point is, I feel faster already. Whether or not I truly am is irrelevant.

I have some plans for the weekend. I have three days to make something happen between Easter events. Of course, it's all weather permitting.

Getting Serious. And Another Apology...

2009-04-06T11:13:00.002-06:00

It appears Northern Utah will see a couple of spring-ish days this week. Yay. It seems almost anticlimatic (sic) at this point. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those years where the weather is icky and then it is 85° and fricking summer. No real spring season, just right into sweaty ass crack summer. Can't wait.

After an easy 27 miles on the road yesterday, I am going to lace up the running shoes at lunch today and hit the road for the first time since Moab. I've been stretching my calfs (calves?) and it appears that the tenderness has gone away. I'll be taking it easy, and don't think I'll be running the Morgan Half Marathon in two weeks. Sort of a bummer because it's on my birthday. But, weather permitting, I think I can find something to occupy my time.

With those updates, only swimming remains. I've decided to get serious about it - even more serious than usual. I am tired of sucking and want to improve so I have been taking a few steps to make it happen. First, I have been studying. I've been checking out books and DVDs from the library. Second, I started using the fins and doing drills. Third, I decided to purchase a Finis freestyle snorkel. This little gem not only makes you look like a fucking dork because it comes off the front of your face instead of to the side, but should allow me to focus on stroke mechanics without needing to breathe to the side. I think it will not only help my technique, but should help take the focus off the final thing, which is also where my second apology to the fairer sex comes in.

I bought a jammer swimsuit. Basically a lycra swimsuit, these suckers are cut long in the thighs and low in the waist. Now I wear lycra all the time to ride, but I wear a shirt. Said shirt covers my, uh, hangy over the waistband parts. Point is this: to all the ridicule I have ever given women for buying a swimsuit that is too small and exercising their way into it, or spending waaaaayyyy too much time in a fitting room trying them on, I apologise for anything I've ever said or thought. Because even though the jammer fits, I need to get serious about making myself look at lease decent in them.

IM St. George - 2010

2009-03-31T11:45:00.002-06:00

What are you doing on May 1, 2010? I don't know either, it's obviously pretty early to plan anything on a specific day unless it's a wedding or Ironman.

Ironman. In St. George. Utah. SSSHHHHHEEEEEYYYIT!

But it's on May 1. THAT, dear friends, is a real pisser. You see, here in N. Utah we have this little season called winter. It snows during most of it, and even, like this year, into the spring.

This is bad for training. Sheep bad. BAAAAAAAAADD.

I really don't like training in the cold, nor does my Spanish climber alter ego, El Pato. If I liked the cold I'd have had The Duck translated into Flemish or Walloon, a Belgian language. Because if you didn't know, the Belgians are the hardmen of cycling. They excel in the cold and wet, whereas other than a couple of exceptions, the Spaniards are the warmer weather winners.

I am seriously considering entering this race, though. I need to be quick, as it will fill up soon. Wifey has given the approval nod. But with 6 months between fall and long, outdoor rides and the race, I need to ponder exactly how I'll train for it. And it will demand some training because this is not a flat course. There are mountains that must be climbed and wind that must be battled.

Hmmm.

El Pato

2009-03-27T10:46:00.002-06:00

I was reading the news the other day and happened upon the "Entertainment" section." As a general rule I really couldn't care less about celebrities of any kind, unless they use their worship from others to make the world a better place and they can conduct themselves with dignity. Anyhoo, the story was about Beyonce Knowles of music fame and how she took on an alternative identity when she was on stage. She called herself Sascha Fierce.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

These fucking people. Seriously.

But then I thought that there could be some merit to this for me when riding, specifically climbing. From this point forward, whenever I am climbing on the road bike I want to be known as:

El Pato, The Duck.

Face it, when it comes to climbers the Spanish generally outclass the rest and I could use a little extra help since I've managed to, shall we say, bulk up.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Canyonlands Half Marathon Race Report

2009-03-24T09:03:00.004-06:00

I am so happy my first goal run of 2009 is behind me. But I would gladly do it again if I could have stayed in Moab for just a couple more days.

Wifey and I rolled into town last Friday and got settled into the Adobe Abode just on the outskirts of town. I can't tell you how great it is to have access to an actual home, and have friends that are so awesome to let us stay there. I've been to the Abode enough that, in addition to just being a great place to stay, I feel really comfortable there and already miss the quiet and solitude. Dinner at Eddie McStiff's was only adequate. But the beer was purty good so that made up for a weak meal. After dinner I donned my new trail runners - La Sportiva Crosslites - and went out for a short jaunt in the red dirt along a road that follows the base of the cliffs on the east side of town. My shins seemed to be okay, but did get a little sore. I wanted to get good and warmed up to allow a good stretch and ice session. A DVD brought the night to an early end.

Perhaps the best thing about the Canyonlands Half is the 10 o'clock start time. Conversly, the downer is the 8 o'clock bus pick-up. We had about an hour and a half to stand around freezing at the start. Sure, there was coffee and I always wear warm clothes, but then you have to strip down that last half hour. I'm here to tell you, being next to the Colorado River surrounded by towering canyon walls is as cold as it is beautiful. The sun sat tantalizingly close on the opposite side of the river, never quite making it to the runners until after the start.

We were well back in the throng of 5000 runners. About 4 minutes after the official start we finally crossed the timing mat. Not knowing how my body - specifically my shins - were going to hold up I ran with Wifey for the first couple of miles. The first mile is a fairly steep downhill and the shins were taking a beating. I was really dreading the rest of the race. But as the road leveled off, the pain went away and I decided to quicken my pace a little. I bid adieu to Wifey and took off. Soon enough the sun was in my face and things got really warm, really quick.

At first I sped up to about an 8:30 pace, but since I was feeling good, picked it up a little more. Then a little more. And still a little more until I was cruising at a 7:00-7:30 pace. I carried this speed until my average pace fell to about 9:00. I needed to average 9s to come in at my goal time of 2 hours. I found my rhythm was best at an 8:30 pace and pretty much put on the cruise control. I. Felt. Awesome. At least until I missed the second to last water station. There were no cups out and to stop at a water station means getting run the hell over by other runners. So coming out of the canyon I had a glob of not-digesting Power Gel and some dehydration going. That corresponded with a slight rise in the road and a headwind. It got hard for about 2 miles until the last water station where I was able to pound a couple of cups which made me feel immediately better. My chip time showed 1:53:11 and an average pace of 8:33. I ran hard only a couple of times and otherwise felt really good and ran within myself.

We spent Sunday with my in-laws, who braved the Apache Inn to come and watch the race. We went through Arches and did a couple of the arch hikes. It was good to loosen up a little before the drive back to reality.

Now it's time to take a little time off and let the shins heal. It's a good excuse to start biking more, anyway.

The Moab Half and an Apology...

2009-03-17T15:38:00.002-06:00

The Moab Half Marathon is this weekend and I am really looking forward to getting into some warmer weather and enjoying my first longish run of the year.

You heard me. I am going to enjoy this run. No feeble PR attempts or banging myself into the ground. I am shooting for a reasonable 2 hour time, which is a 9:10/mile pace. That is going to be a big enough stretch this early in the year. It is going to be an exercise in restraint and test my maturity and ego, but I gotta do it.

Because I am hurt a little. I have a weird leg thing going with the inside of my right leg, where the calf muscle terminates. I am not sure if it's muscular or bonular or tendonular. It had been off and on for a couple of weeks, but since running last Sunday, it is so very much on all the time. Tender to the touch and generally bothersome.

But I am entered and so run I shall. I'll back it off (if backing off any more without stopping was possible) after and cycle more to ease off the pounding and see how it goes before heading to a doc.

And now, I would like to publicly apologize to generations of ladies whom I have generalized when it comes to shoe shopping. You see, I wanted to buy a new pair of trail runners. So I went to the running shoe store (Striders) and told them what I wanted.

Holy CRAP!

Within 5 minutes I had no fewer than 9 styles of shoes in 2-3 sizes each. I got confused and spent an hour and a half in there. Walking around and running on the treadmill. I finally settled on a New Balance because I was truly feeling stupid. I took them home and wore them around a little before deciding they were too big. So I took those back to find my size was gone. So I chose a La Sportiva Crosslite. Which is totally bad ASS. But I think they are too small. Plus, I can't put Speed Laces in them and they are a little tough to tighten up. Who cares? My bike to run transition cares.

So I may take them back and go with a Mizuno. Hopefully in the right size.

I don't remember being this wishy-washy in a long time. Especially not over something as simple as a pair of shoes. I guess it is more about the potential for the shoes to damage my feet with blisters that I worry about. Still...

I'll never make fun of women shoe shopping again.

Ramping UP

2009-03-09T12:12:00.002-06:00

Perhaps I am turning a new leaf with two posts in less than a week. We'll see. One thing is for certain, this helps my creativity. Blogging is sort of like flushing a mental toilet. I get all this stuff floating around that I just can't seem to get rid of. Then I write a little, not work related, and the flotsam and jetsam disappears.

Or at least grows moderately more transparent.

I had a good run yesterday with my borrowed buddy, Cody. 7.4 miles in a time that doesn't reflect anything. Way too many dogs and ear scratchers to go non-stop. Still, I felt pretty good and Cody tempered his effort much better. I think he knew what he was in for this week. But by mile 6 he was off the back again.

I think there was another run since the last post, but I don't recall... I'm feeling pretty good about the half in Moab, and I'm hoping for a 2 hour time. But I really am not in the mood to kill myself.

Otherwise some resistance and core work. Just trying to build the connective tissues and improve core strength. I'll hit the pool the next three days, provided my daylight savings time affected brain will let me. I may as well swim, it's still snowing.

A MONTH!!!

2009-03-05T09:16:00.003-07:00

So it has been a month since I last posted.

Already.

It seems that time flies, whether you are having fun or not. Fortunately, I'm having fun!

Training is on the up and up, in spite of the weather. I'm easing into everything whether I want to or not. But I think it is good because I have been frigging tired lately. It doesn't seem like I am doing much, but when I add up the hours at the end of the week, I am definitely putting in some time. Maybe too much, too early, which could be why I am always beat.

The Moab half marry is in just a couple of weeks. I had good sensations during a long run of 6.5 miles with my borrowed buddy Cody on March 1. I'll try for about 8-9 miles this Sunday and hopefully be all set for Moab. I'm not really worried about setting a PR, in fact, I'm just training through with no taper.

I'd like to take Cody with me again, be last Sunday was pretty tough on him. He was gassed the last couple of miles. He's a lurcher, a generic term when a greyhound is mixed with anything else, which in Cody's case is likely Walker hound. He has a lot of energy, but uses it up pretty fast. He's currently living at the greyhound rescue. His energy needs are a little different than those of a greyhound and he needs more exercise. It just so happens that running with a dog is one of my favorite things to do, so it works out.

Swimming is bumming me out, I gotta admit. I really suck, and that doesn't help my motivation. The modest gains I had before my tumah surgery are gone, and now I am starting over from scratch. 100 yard reps are doable, but my form is so bad the last 50 yards that I am now doing 50 yard reps. I'll give it a couple more weeks and then start doing longer distances again.

Another bummer: the Ogden Marathon is sold the fu#& out! I said in the post race report last year it was coming. Ah well, I've already found some replacements, and most of them benefit a charity in some way.

I need to do this more often...

Three Years

2009-02-02T09:26:00.005-07:00

In stark contrast to my normal entries about training, not training, wishing I were training, whining, being sick, etc. this is a lottle more personal.

January 31 marked the third year without my sister, and one of my yearly emotional ass-kickings.

Three years since liver cancer robbed her from our family. Her daughters, her niece.

It still isn't fair. It still pisses me off. It still isn't getting any easier.

I want to do more to prevent this from happening from anyone else, and I'm still trying to devise a scheme that will work. When I put it together, this blog will be the vehicle to communicate my progress.

In the meantime, even though the economy is whirling like a turd in a toilet, I encourage you to donate generously to the fight against cancer. It's tax deductible, it makes you feel good knowing you are helping others, and it might just lead to a cure.

The Ball is Rolling

2009-01-13T08:59:00.002-07:00

A few weeks in and I have to admit that the training is going at least as good as I knew it would. Which is to say I am still lazy and missing a workout here and there.

I'm not perfect, after all. And with only the goal of the Moab Half looming, not super dedicated either.

Take yesterday for example. I was awake and down in the basement at 5:30 am doing some resistance training in the morning, but forgot to bring my warm sockies to work and missed my afternoon run. Why not run on the dreadmill after work? Because I chase Smarty Pants around, and the dreadmill sucks, and I conveniently left my shoes at work.

This morning I made it to the pool where I was reminded of just how shitty of a swimmer I am, but only after waiting for a lane. I love the New Years resolutioners. I can't say I am one of them because I never stop working out and swimming, I just get very sporadic.

I brought sockies today so I can run. See, I missed the run yesterday but will make it up today. But in doing so may not put the bike on the trainer and flog myself tonight. Still, I am doing something, so when the day comes and I finally settle on the events I am going to participate in, I'll at least have a base of fitness.

The Schedule - Now More Official!

2008-12-29T08:44:00.002-07:00

So after a great Christmas, yet still pre-New Year, I am ready to commit to my new schedule. Not that I haven't been doing anything in the meantime, but in order to accomplish anything, I must have two things: 1)A goal and 2) a schedule as a means to accomplish the goal.

So without further rambling, my schedule for the next few weeks is as follows:

Monday: weights, lunchtime run
Tuesday: swim, trainer
Wednesday: weights, lunchtime run, maybe hit the indoor track and start speed work
Thursday: swim, trainer
Friday: weights, lunchtime run
Saturday: take Hannah to the pool, maybe ride the trainer if Hannah will let me
Sunday: snowshoe, bike ride, long run, snowboard...pretty much anything so long as it involves being outdoors.

So far I am doing good. Except I forgot to bring my running stuff to work today. I'll try and get on the treadmill or go to the track later.

Now I know it seems like a lot. But really, it is sessions of 30-45 minutes. Except on Sunday, when I will escape as long as I can.

I've put my schedule on here to help hold me to it. I know I have a reader, maybe two, that follows these ramblings. Just knowing that they could give me shit if I don't follow the schedule is motivation to do it.

The schedule is not a New Year's Resolution either. I am not resolving to do anything I don't already do. I just require the structure.

As for my goals for the year, well, that is a little bit tougher. So far I am registered to run the Moab Half Marathon on March 20. Then there is the annual spring St. George biking trip I really want to be in shape for. After that it gets cloudier. I'd like to do at least two triathlons, maybe even more than one XTERRA, a couple of mountain bike races, and maybe a couple of charity runs or century rides. Stay tuned...

I had to get this out today, but I need to talk up my recent snowshoe adventures. I'll do that next time.

The Schedule

2008-12-12T11:26:00.002-07:00

It's time again to write up "The Schedule."

As is workout schedule. This isn't the schedule I'll use when I decide which events I want to target, this is the schedule I'll use to get ready for tougher training. This will encompass really general workouts, most adaptation.

The hard part isn't the schedule. It's following. Age old dilemma for most of us, right?

I'm a little late this year. I am usually following some sort of program by now. Every year it gets a couple of weeks later it seems.

I'll start running short distances, up to about 5 miles, 3 times a week. I'll lift weights 3 times a week, swim 3 times a week, and spin on the bike trainer 2-3 times a week. Maybe, weather permitting, I'll sneak outdoors for a sojourn on the bike in the cold.

It's a lot to do. But I feel so much better when I can accomplish it. And, this spring when I head south for my annual cycling pilgrimage, maybe I'll be in good enough shape to actually enjoy myself for once.

Facebook

2008-12-09T08:47:00.002-07:00

I joined Facebook the other day.

And I honestly couldn't find an expletive that would accurately convey my thoughts about it. So I turned to my most reliable source in times like these, Dr. Seuss. I mean the man was brilliant, he's credited with coining the word nerd. As in bike nerd, as in moi.

Yet, even with help from the good doctor, I still found myself flummoxed. I couldn't find the word I needed, I must find this word, I pleaded!

But in my search for the perfect word that would appropriately explain my feelings, I found a quote, "Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky!"

Really quite lucky. I've said it here before, and I'll say it again, I am quite lucky, indeed.

Facebook then, for lack of a better word or lack of giveashitability (one of my words), is a little odd. I'm just going with odd on this one. After all, I'm in contact with people I haven't hardly thought of, let alone spoke to, since high school.

High school. That was a long time ago.

Still, it's pretty cool to see how people have changed, and how they haven't changed. Looks to be fun.

Oh, it snowed yesterday. It almost seems like Christmas.

34x18

2008-12-07T15:12:00.002-07:00

34x18 is the gear ratio I just stuck on my singlespeed. Previously, I was turning a 34x20, which I found a little too low. The results of my first ride with the 34x18...a little too painful.

A lottle too painful actually. As in I had to walk up a hill.

I don't believe in walking up hills. If I have a bike handy that is.

So I feel like I've been beaten like a government mule by the oldest bike I have. My singlespeed is a converted Specialized Stumpjumper that I bought way back in 1993. The frame is steel so it rides pretty decent, and I have it set up with a rigid fork. I also have the aforementioned 34x18 gearing. My saving grace are the 180mm cranks. If the number one rule of riding a singlespeed is keep your momentum, the number two must be have long-ass cranks for leverage.

I think I may repaint the bike next spring, and I am really considering putting a suspension fork on it. I know there is a time and money commitment there, which means that in spite of the beating I took today, I think I need to ride it a little more. Not having the option to shift forces you to crank up hills and push yourself harder than you would on a geared bike.

Sound like fun to you? Me either...

Whaaaaaaat?

2008-12-04T13:24:00.002-07:00

I cannot believe it has been nearly a month since I've put pen to paper (so to speak).

I'm a leetle beet of a slacker these days.

And I can't recall a year when I've been sick so often.

But aside from disease and a lack of riding, running and swimming everything is going great. The lights are up on the house, the tree is up and the shopping is nearly done.

We spent Thanksgiving in St. George with Wifey's family. I meant to take the mountain bike but the weather wasn't cooperative. Except for the last day when we rolled some bike path on borrowed cruisers. The weather was great and there is something to be said for riding on a bike path when dragging kids in a trailer. St. George is full of paths. Most are attached to planned communities, but still... Combine that with the weather and I could live there. Seriously. No snow to move, warm, and I do love the desert. Sure, I'd miss the pines and summer would be a little slice of hell. But year around outdoor fun without a parka sound great as it is now a matter of time before I'm wishing I already bought my new snowblower.

Yeah, new snowblower. Makes me feel like a man there.

BUT! There is a lot going on right now, and a few choice stories to tell. So I'll just try and be a little more active - both here and at the pool.

Dinnylan Pics

2008-11-12T15:53:00.008-07:00

I finally remembered I needed to put some pics up of the Disneyland trip. Enjoy!

The shuttle van after the flight that included an hour on the plane at the end of the runway in SLC. Damn that maritime fog in LA!

Halloween @ Disneyland.

Dumbo was Hannah's favorite ride.

Hannah's moment of glory! Meeting Sleeping Beauty.

Long days took their toll...

... so the whole trip really wore her (us) out. Here's the plane ride back to SLC.

And right back to reality and yard work before trick or treating.

NO-vember

2008-11-04T14:42:00.003-07:00

So I'm sick again.

Worse, Wifey and Smarty Pants are both sick also.

This is getting ridiculous. I was sick the week before the 24 Hours of Moab also. I think this is a continuation. If it happens again then it's off to the doc.

I mentioned in the last post that November 1 would be a new beginning for me. Not so much now. I'll get over whatever I got first.

On the plus side, our trip to Dinnylan was fun. No children were harmed during the trip. The weather was great. The parks were pretty empty.

On the negative, the hotel sucked (except for the pool). There wasn't a market or even a gas station anywhere close which made buying snacks for the park and beer difficult. I needed a bike, wheels really improve transportation speed.

I'll get some pics posted just to prove we had fun.

Obviously being gone and sick there hasn't been much in the way of training. No cyclocross racing either. I wanted to ride Saturday but was faced with a shload of yardwork and a rainy forecast. So I took the high road and worked my ass off outside. It snowed again today, which makes me wonder if the 24 Hours of Moab wasn't my last mountain bike ride this year.

I hope not, we are heading to St. George for Thanksgiving and I really wanted to bring the bike with me. Escape might be important when confronted with my in-laws for four days...

So... Very... Busy...

2008-10-23T10:34:00.002-06:00

The second half of my October consists of birthdays. Within three weeks I have no less than 8 that I have to contend with.

Actually 12-13 if you include that I have to celebrate Wifey's and Smarty Pants' 3 times each. Thanks divorce!

Factor in that my mantra is "darkness is for sleeping" and there has been no cyclocross racing, training, riding, running or swimming since the 24 Hours of Moab.

I'm jonesing to do things, but I'm also kind of a lazy ass that likes to sleep when it is cold and dark.

I did solve a neat puzzle though. And made a load of ice cream. I need to bake a cake tonight.

Yeesh. November 1 is the first day of 2009 for me.

24 and DONE!

2008-10-14T16:46:00.008-06:00

Another 24 Hours of Moab is in the books. Another. I should say my last. Of course one should never say never, but I am pretty sure that this was the last quack for the Duckboy.

I had fun, but this can be a miserable bitch of a race. The starting and stopping between laps is difficult. For me the sense of adventure is gone, as this was my 4th time. I guess it was maybe doing the race with friends that made me want to do it again. But seeing each other between rests and meals isn't exactly quality time. I'd rather go out and just ride and enjoy their company. SO! I think this was it. I'll go down and support a team, and maybe even pirate a night lap. But no more mandatory 3am, 35° temperature laps.

In spite of my whining, I admit the race went well. Our official position was 6th out of 34 teams with a time of 16 laps at 1:42:45 PM. Naturally, the 1st place team was in a league of their own. Ahem... Sandbaggers.

Still we did well. The weather held. It dropped into the 30s and the wind was pretty stiff but no rain. No one was injured. Nothing broke (except me). Everyone handled the challenge well and rode their figurative guts out (actually I rode my literal guts out). Especially our 4th rider, Payton. He's an animal. ANIMAL!

I managed two pretty solid laps before getting sick. After my night lap I started eating to refuel and got pretty nauseous. I slept for a while and woke up feeling fine about two hours before my lap. Unfortunately, I wasn't any better after all and even water was making me want to puke. After a 5 minute dry-heave session, I threw in the towel and Payton suited up.

My biggest fear was not having enough food and water left in my system and suffering dehydration and the hunger bonk the entire lap. I don't know what happened. But I looked pretty good in this picture at least.

My day lap was very windy but went pretty well. My night lap was awesome, I was really pleased with my performance. I bobbled a few times, but I hit some gnarly lines and rolled up and down some obstacles I wouldn't have tried in the daylight. Just a really great experience.

The Light & Motion lights worked well.

The Titus was dialed once again.

I didn't feel awesome physically, just a little sluggish, but probably needed a little more intensity in the training, and could have dropped 5 pounds. Guess I'll have to stop lifting weights. Whatever, stop drinking beer might help.

I wish I had a few more pictures to post but the LCD went out on the camera. Now I need a new camera for the next adventure, DISNEYLAND. Time to give back to Wifey and Smarty Pants for some of the training time I've been using.

Cyclocross is this Saturday, also. Better find a babysitter. I swear I am going to train for this one year...

Getting Closer

2008-10-03T16:29:00.003-06:00

In a week I'll be residing on the dusty expanse of desert near Moab for 24 hours of exhaustion.

I. Can't. Wait.

The weather looks like it is going to work out at least pretty well, at least according to the 10-day forecast. 80s for the highs and 45 for the lows. Zero chance of precip. I hope it holds because those conditions are perfect for me.

I am hoping to sneak in one more night ride next week to test out my new lights. But I had to take in the Titus because it felt like I was grinding coffee when I pedaled. No, it isn't my hulking quads flexing anything. Probably something worn out that is expensive.

On the fitness front, I wish I knew how I am going to feel. I feel pretty good, but some fatigue has been creeping in. I've been pushing it a little for a while now, and maybe I need to make sure I take it easy this week. This training and racing crap used to be so much easier when I could just stick to a schedule.

I do know that I am starting to feel a little mentally cooked, or I just have ADD. I am having some trouble motivating myself to get on the bike, or run, or swim. Just a lack of focus, no goals. Just Moab and cyclocross, which is why I have maintained the bike fitness and let the rest slip. I'm ready to get out and do some bird hunting, or kayaking as I call it.

Smarty Pants is thoroughly enjoying her dance classes. Which means that her journey to the pink side is almost complete. I am afraid there isn't much I can do to keep her from becoming a princess. I had hope though, I brought home a new shotgun the other day and she thought it was cool. I was so proud when she said she wanted "her own little shotgun, a pink one."

A little pink shotgun. Makes a Dad proud right there. Realize this: I know people that can make it happen.

I think she needs another year before going with Dad on the marsh though. And there will be a little pink shotgun when we go. (No it won't be real. If you thought I'd give a four-year old a real shotgun may your brain melt into an ooze and flow out of your ears.)

A NEW RUN PR!

2008-09-27T12:29:00.002-06:00

Actually, I am running out of first time events to PR.

Today I ran my first organized 5k to benefit a fellow cyclist who was hit by a truck. The run was to raise some money offset their growing medical bills.

The Garmin 305 showed 2.98 miles in 22:38. I suck at math and haven't put the data into Motion Based, but that time is just over a 7 minute mile. I'm pleased with that.

Especially since I was pushing Smarty Pants in her stroller. She made it all of 7 minutes and wanted to go back. Well, Dad ain't that fast so she had to wait a while.

Still, it was for a good cause, and the auction afterwards netted me an oil change and 4-wheel alignment for only $80. I take my excitement where I can people...where I can.

"I don't want to go on the cart! I think I'll go for a ride"

2008-09-26T15:01:00.003-06:00

I am slowly returning from the depths of snot hell. Slowly and snottily returning.

Two weeks to Moab and I am looking forward to the race. No trepidation. I feel pretty good other than my sinuses and jaw from my last dentist trip. I need to remind him that my jaw does not actually open 180°. It has been more than two weeks and it still hurts, but no Vitamin I yet today so I think I am improving.

I doubt I'll surpass my best ever 1:11 lap time on the course, but I am going to give it my best to be within a couple of minutes. I will definately be the slowest member on the team.

I decided to do something active today actually slipped out for a short ride during lunch. It was the first ride on my cyclocross bike since the crash during the alley cat race in July. It is amazing how far a little bit of back flexibilty goes. The handlebars on every bike I have feel high. The cross bike was way too high.

Maybe I can motivate myself to get up tomorrow morning and hit the trail pre-dawn. I still haven't tried out my new light.

Sick Again

2008-09-22T10:28:00.004-06:00

What I thought was an allergy has become a cold. Again. And if you remember my earlier post about getting sick, you'll know that I am in for a long haul.

That's the trouble with being healthy. Most people wake up one day and are sick. BING! Magically diseased. Not me. I get something and it takes about a week to beat me down before it actually takes hold. Then it runs rickshaw over my vacationing immune system for about a two week course and then I need about a week to recover.

I have three weeks until the 24 Hours of Moab. I wanted to ramp up this week and have one more solid week of training before my taper. But it isn't going to happen. I hope I don't lose too much fitness from the disease. Or hopefully it won't morph into a sinus infection as head colds often do with me, thanks to my septum that resembles a bowl of spaghetti.

Oh Deer!

2008-09-18T08:42:00.002-06:00

It's 8:45 am. Yes, I am at work writing this. Cut me some slack, I've already had an eventful morning.

Coming in to work I have to travel through deer carcass alley. It is a woodsy section of road through South Weber with fields on one side of the highway and the Weber River on the other. Deer cross back and forth on the highway and frequently don't make it. It's one reason why I dislike riding my motorcycle in the morning, deer are very active that time of day and smacking one on the old SV would pretty much jack me right-the-hell-up, if not kill me.

Today, one unlucky two-point bucks number was punched.

Without going into detail, the girl in the car right in front of me hit it, sending it turning into the air and well into the median. I stopped to make sure she was alright and her car was okay to drive. They fared better than the deer.

When I first walked down it was still moving, but when I walked down a few minutes later it had died. At least I hope it had died because I hate the thought of leaving an animal in pain. I tossed a couple of sticks at it and got no blinking reflex so I am pretty sure it had gone into shock and died.

I used to carry a pistol in my briefcase just for this reason, in case I or someone else hit a deer and I had to dispatch it. One of my coworkers had hit a deer years ago and had to leave it injured. Pretty sad deal. But somewhere along the way I stopped carrying a briefcase, mainly because I just don't feel important enough to need one, and thus stopped packing my pistol. Plus I don't have a concealed carry permit so I had to unload the pistol and put the ammunition in the glove box to be legal.

Maybe it's time to get that permit and start carrying again. Maybe I can strap it to my motorcycle Road Warrior-style and if a deer jumps into my path I can start blasting at it before it gets in my lane. Or maybe I could just turn.... Or sell the motorcycle. If I sold the motorcycle why stop at a pistol? I could keep an AR-15 behind the seat. Then I wouldn't even have to walk down to humanely euthanize an animal. I could do it right from the front seat, wait, that's illegal. It gives me an excuse to buy a new AR-15 though.

Actually it's a shame I couldn't take the deer down to the butcher. What a waste of a good chunk o' meat.

Anyhoo, back to work. Need to get me some stuff done so I can ride with the neighbor, who I have dubbed Cliff, after work. I'll try and help him keep upright.

Honey, I Broke the Neighbor

2008-09-15T11:49:00.003-06:00

Well that was fun.

What a weekend. No rollicking good times to be had. I don't have time for that stuff. Instead I ran a 10k on Saturday and did a good mtb ride on Sunday.

The 10k was on the new Legacy Highway or Parkway or whatever the hell they call it. 3.1 miles out and back on about the most boring road this side of Nevada. I figured I would go at a sustainable pace and see how it went, if I started getting passed right off the bat then I would slow down, recover and then hammer the last 5k to get some training data. As it turned out, I took off and watched a handful of people literally run away from me while I ran with a lopey-striding teenager, behind one other guy.

Long story short, I dropped those two and had two guys pass me just before the turn around. I followed one other lopey kid until he blew up (I started feeling bad for doing this) and then saw the overpass where the start/finish was.

I saw that thing for an eternity. It just didn't get any closer. I think it was the headwind.

Finally I finished in 41.59. That time, shockingly put me in first place in my age group.

First place. No shit. Not bad for a guy who doesn't train to go fast.

Of course the dude that won the overall was in my age group and creamed me like an eclair coming in just under 30 minutes - a 4:27 minute/mile pace. I didn't think it was possible to run that far, that fast and have your feet actually touch the ground.

Anyhoo, they have me as numero uno in the 30-34 age group with my far from record-setting time at 7:25 minute/mile pace. I'll take it. I promptly took my medal home and gave it to Smarty Pants who then showed it to everyone and told anyone who would listen that her dad had won it for her.

Which I did.

The race was a benefit for the Hess Cancer Foundation. Which I had no idea what they did. The founder, Travis Hess, explained that he started the foundation after his 3 year old daughter died of cancer. After the treatments, Travis and his wife Sherry couldn't afford a funeral. Fortunately their families stepped in, as did an anonymous donor who gave $1000. The gratitude they felt caused them to start the Hess Cancer Foundation, which helps the families of those who have lost loved ones to cancer, to cover funeral expenses.

This is a worthy cause. If you get around to it, go to hesscancer.org and make a donation, or look at their event schedule and try to participate in one of their events.

So I broke my neighbor yesterday. He called and wanted to do a mountain bike ride and the idea of having someone to ride with at 8am kept me from going out alone at 5am. We rode on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and did the ride we've been doing in the dark. Everything was going just great until we came to a technical little climb on the Beus section of the trail. I got through and heard an "oh shit. " I figured he just dabbed a foot so I kept riding and got to the top of the climb, pulled out the rest of my carrot cake Clif Bar and started munching away. After a couple of minutes of marveling at the actual cream cheese tasting bits o' frosting (this was a good bar, people) I sort of realized he wasn't here yet. I gave him a couple more minutes and was getting ready to head back down the trail when he came riding up.

And he was bloody and bleeding. Apparently he'd tried to wheelie up and over a rock on the steep part and wheelied right of the trail and the edge of the mountain. Not a vertical drop, but steep enough that he went ass over tea kettle 3 or 4 times.

After the ride he was stoked because I took him on some gnarly shit and he hadn't ridden most of the trails we'd been on. He wants to ride again on Thursday. If his girlfriend will let him ride with me. Or if Wifey will let me take him because she thinks he's cute....

Of course I need to fix my tire that I had to pump up 5 times before getting back to the vehicle and find out why my chain is hanging up when I shift into my small ring before then.

The Weekend is SO Here!

2008-09-12T16:16:00.002-06:00

Damn if I'm not ready for a day off.

Some of you that know what I do will scoff at that remark, but this has been a rough week. Deadlines and demanding clients have taken their toll.

I'm gonna rock out with my . . . I'm gonna run a 10k tomorrow to benefit the Hess Cancer Foundation, something I don't do enough of. It will be fun, I've never done an organized 10k, so whatever my time is will be a PR. It is also on the new Legacy Highway. A road that took 12 years and a buttload of litigation and environmental studies to build because it goes right through a wetlands area.

I'm not a fan of the Legacy Highway, but it's here whether I wanted it or not so I may as well enjoy it.

I'm sure a bike ride is also in order for the weekend. Maybe another morning dark ride. Something easy to recover from the 10k madness for sure. Or a road ride.

There is sure to be plenty of working in the house, too.

Time to go have a beer.

9/11 — Never Forget!

2008-09-11T09:09:00.006-06:00

On this day, the 7th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, I encourage you to remember those who sadly lost their lives and the families who so unexpectedly lost loved ones that day.

I remember turning on the television that morning and watching a live feed from a helicopter. It showed the World Trade Center's North Tower smoking, and they were talking about what type of plane had struck the tower.

Then suddenly, at 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston — the second hijacked airliner — flew in from the left of the TV screen and crashed into the South Tower.

I will never forget seeing, LIVE, Flight 175 strike the South Tower. For that brief moment, time stood completely still as I realized that our nation was under attack. I will never forget.

And I knew that somewhere in the world, very soon, that there would be hell to pay. Because 9/11 would turn into the most unifying event since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Because in spite of our political and religious beliefs, most Americans continue to share the same steely determination as the brave people on United Airlines Flight 93, who faced down the terrorists and took them on. Losing their lives, but preventing another, possibly more appalling disaster.

The United States and our true allies continue to be at war fighting terrorists who are in league with those responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Terrorists who have zero tolerance for infidels and differing lifestyles, those who simply don't believe in the same God as they do.

While you are saying a prayer for, or simply remembering, all the victims of this tragic day don't forget to add a little something for our military. The men and women who are putting their lives out there to do the best they can to prevent another 9/11 from happening ever again.

I am a patriot. I love my country, it is the greatest country on the planet, do not disgrace it. Do not burn a flag near me. It may be your First Amendment right to do it, but it is also mine to do everything I can to put out the flames.

I'll close this post with the immortal words of Todd Beamer, one of those who fought back on United Airlines Flight 93:

"Are you guys ready? Let's Roll."

Officially Dedicated

2008-09-09T09:51:00.003-06:00

I am officially dedicated. I woke up at 4am again and hit the trails this morning for two hours of riding before work. Hell, it even rained and we had two light failures, but we got it done.

I am also officially tired. Already. And it is only 9:45am. Today is either going to be insanely long or I'll sit here working in such a semi-stupor that it will be time to go home before I know it.

I am cooking jalapeno burgers for dinner. Never done it before.... Good thing I keep beer in hand. Yep, in hand, it's like on-hand except literally in my hand. Beer in one, spatula in the other.

BULLY!

Definitely won't be going riding tomorrow morning. Smarty Pants has already requested a breakfast of "marshmallow cereal" (Lucky Charms®) with me. How can I say no to that?

Of course, if I can get to the pool by 5:30 I can be back before she wakes up....

I keep trying to think of something at least entertaining to write here, but I think my brain is shot. Figuratively, of course.

Maybe my new lights will arrive today and wake me up a little, but probably not until tomorrow.

Dudication

2008-09-07T19:49:00.003-06:00

Dedication is getting up at 4am, strapping the headlamp to the ol' Titus and heading out the door for a mountain bike ride. In the dark.

I'll actually be dedicated if I ever participate in such tomfoolery again.

Few things get me pemanently out of bed at 4am. The chance to get in a good duck or goose hunt, in someone's boat (paddling my poor man kayak won't get me out that early) is one thing.

Really that is the only thing.

Because what else do I enjoy doing, really, that requires getting up so early? Not. A. DAMN. Thing.

But it was so much fun. I couldn't eat anything proir to riding because the Duckboy's digestive gut parts were punching the snooze button, but what a great time to ride. No sharing the trail. Less than 900-degrees. I hope to be getting some badass Light & Motion lights this week, guess I might have to get up and go try them out before work soon.

And it's fantastic 24 Hours of Moab training. Especially for my lazy ol' guts.

All in, people. Can't wait.

Fallready?

2008-09-02T10:02:00.003-06:00

It officially feels like fall today. Here in the greater Ogden, UT region the highs today will be in the low to mid 70s.

Beautiful.

We had a major storm roll through over the holiday weekend. Not Gustav-news worthy but it was the first real precipitation we've had for a while. We spent the weekend at Bear Lake and I have to say that the water is just unpleasantly cold, plus I forgot my wetsuit. Being in the new house I am still a little paranoid about inclement weather and being gone. I don't know if the roof is leaking or the basement is flooding or if the backyard was a cemetery and bodies will start coming out of the ground like in Poltergeist. I worry what I'll come home to.

Nothing but a house. Yayyyyyyy!

I spent over two hours last night hanging up a mirror in the family room. Or living room. Which is which? Is the room you eat and watch tv in the family or living room? Is the room you never set foot in except to clean or invite the missionaries and home teacher in to give you a lesson the living or family room? Whichever the latter one is is the one I don't need. I'd rather have the space for something else like my garage.

I digress....

Two fucking hours to hang a mirror. What a piece of holy shit this thing is! It weighs like 30 pounds. For once I actually got the holes and anchors exactly where I wanted them in the wall. They were even level. But the garbage mirror mounts weren't. And they were recessed like three inches into the frame. Basically this thing was next to impossible to hang, let alone hang level.

But I am proud of how I handled myself. No outbursts. No throwing. No breaking of anything. No scaring of Wifey and Smarty Pants.

I feel so mature.

Miraculously I was able to move through the 697 different ways I tried to hang this piece of shit calmly (mostly) while Wifey stood over me and Smarty Pants jumped up and down on my head (figuratively, she likes to "help").

So mature, so aged.

Moving on. Because I have so much shit to hang up that I know if I continue to dwell that I'll keep putting off doing it.

By the way, fall is my favorite time of year on so many levels. Riding, running, hunting, just a pretty season. Also, I think I need a duck boat. I am tired of paddling my kayak and Smarty Pants needs to learn to fish. She's way too into this Princess stuff, we need some green and camo to balance out the pink.

XTERRA - The Run

2008-08-29T09:56:00.002-06:00

At last, part three of the seemingly never ending XTERRA saga. I have to milk it because it will be my one and only triathlon this year. I was going to do the Ogden Valley Tri in September but the stars are not aligning with my wallet. As in, I don't want to drop the money since I'll be riding the 24 Hours of Moab in October and the entry fee for that is staggering enough, and none of these race promoters offer any sort of lubrication when sodomizing you for race entry fees.

I digress...

T2 was much faster than T1. I was in and out in about a minute and a half. Let me tell you about this run. It sucks ass. Yep. Sucks round cottage-cheesy old man ass. Think Michael Douglas' ass when he's givin' what's her name the ol' Rated R in Basic Instinct and that about covers it. The run is exposed, steep and just not a very nice way to transition from the bike as the hills start immediately.

But I was feeling much better than last year at this point as I was able to forgo the last hell climb on the bike and was actually running. Then, out of nowhere, someone throws a body check into me from behind. A blond lady then goes streaking past and I am just about ready to launch into a tirade about how much goddamn trail she needs to run on because we're like, on the frigging ROAD with PLENTY of room to pass without nearly knocking my shit to the ground.

It was Melanie McQuaid, three-time XTERRA World Champion. And she was winning.

So I let her slide. I figured that she had some money to gain if she won. Plus she's purty. So I told her to kill it. Which she did. I doubt she heard me because she might have been out of earshot by the time I could fill my lungs with enough oxygen to speak. I approached her about the incident after the race, which was fun and we had a couple of laughs. She was very apologetic. I assured her that it was cool and I understand that her job is to win races and told her that my job is to give people a hard time.

I'm really not an "oooooohhhh, wow that person is famous" type. No autographs, thank you, I don't want any. We're all people, some of us are just famous. I have to admit that Melanie has always impressed me with her athleticism, but she was also a very nice, approachable person.

Not long after McQuaid beat me down, I was passed by another woman pro, Shonny Vanlandingham. Shonny is a successful ex mountain bike pro that made the jump to XTERRA full-time this year and has done well. This wasn't the first time Shonny has passed me by. She did once several years ago about 4 am at the 24 Hours of Moab.

So the run is an uphill slog. Then there are about two minutes in the trees that is mostly flat. Then back up two hills. On the last hill I saw ex-fellow blogger Iron Benny pushing to the top. Yep, this is the same guy whose lats I was wishing I could hold onto and have him carry me around the swim course. He's got to be at least 6' 5" and his legs are as long as I am tall. I got within about 10 seconds of him on the hill and then he was gooooonnnnnnne on the downhill. My little stumps could not keep up with his strides.

And then it was all over.

Total run time: 24:42
Total race time: 2:08:46
Position: 10th ((I think) 30-34 age group

I'm pleased. Looking back, my times were okay, except the swim which was abysmal (no pun intended). But my goal this year was just to survive the swim. The bike felt good but the time was slow due mainly to my position coming out of T1. My run was hurt a little by the work on the bike. But I think it was the constant surging that wore me out. If I could have had a nice, consistent ride, both the bike and the run would have been better.

I have next year to look forward to now. I will definitely work on my swimming. It isn't so much strength at this point as much as it is technique. I need to get on my bike at least once more a week. My run is evolving. I am still transitioning from a heel striker to having a more efficient mid foot strike. It takes time, I do not want injuries.

Next year I may do the full distance again. Or I may just do the sport and try and beat two hours. As I progress in my sporting life, I am finding I like shorter events better than longer, more endurance-focused events. I like the explosiveness and intensity more than the feeling I am just plodding along, saving my strength for the next hours. I think an Iron-distance race is in me, just to say I've done it and fill the desire. But I think shorter events are for me.

Which brings me to cyclocross season. It starts around the end of September. 45 minutes of VO2 max pleasure. Yes, a hypoxic journey over dirt on skinny tires. Can't wait.

XTERRA - The Bike

2008-08-26T15:46:00.002-06:00

At long last I was able to get on my bike. And I had a lot of work to do to bring back the swim champs.

There isn't much to say about it. Nothing funny happened, no great stories to tell. It just rocked. The trail system the race follows has some of the best riding around and I am very familiar with it. Which means I knew that after about 20 minutes the doubletrack becomes singletrack and passing the swim champs becomes much more difficult.

So for that first 20 minutes. I. Drilled. It. As in 80-85% of my max heart rate. And it really didn't ever hurt. It felt great actually, and it shocked me a little because it isn't like I train anymore. I am lucky to ride twice a week.

I have no idea how many riders I passed but the number was high. I spent most of the trail off in the rocks and grass t0 get around people. Then came the singletrack and things ground right to a halt. Almost. It was very slow going. Riders would queue up behind slower riders and as the opportunity arose would pass. I must admit that people were pretty polite about being passed. I'm sorry if I pissed anyone off.

At the top of the climb, just above the lodge at Snowbasin, the trail split for the long course and short course. I was happy to be turning off instead of carrying on to the top of the mountain like last year.

Total bike time plus transition: 1:22:19

Next up: The Run.

XTERRA - The Swim

2008-08-21T22:51:00.002-06:00

I took Kev's advice and lined up way to the right of the pack, close to the boats. When they said go, I didn't. I counted to ten and then jumped in to avoid the washing machine, after all I just want to finish the swim. The jitters were gone from my short warm-up swim and I took off.

And it was good. The weather was perfect. The water was perfect. It was just a great day. I swam my pace and never panicked, I thought I was getting tired on the way to the first marker, and thought about moving to a boat and just taking a break, but I told myself to stop being an asshat and just swim. I usually take breaks, but I do because I can, not because I need to. I feel safer when I'm not tiring. Today I kept plugging along.

Because I was so far to the right the kayakers had to help me with direction a couple of times as I was swimming straight out instead of towards the first marker, nerves more than anything I think. But before I was even to the first marker I was mixing in with other swimmers. And it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Granted, the back of the pack is where the non-combative swimmers hang out, but it wasn't nearly as hard to move through people as I thought it would be.

I swung wide of the first marker to avoid the washing machine and by now had some confidence going. Dare I say I had mo-men-tum? I was really doing it. Finally, after all of 2007 teaching myself to swim, then failing two tri swims, and dealing with those failures plus the anxiety of my fear of water for the past year, I was finally swimming in the middle of the damn lake.

And I liked it. I liked it a lot.

Rounding the second marker I picked up the pace a little bit. I was tiring, but not terribly. I was sighting good and swimming straight. Here is where I really got into the people. I'd find some feet to draft on but I was going faster than most people, remember, I was the last one in the water, and I wanted to get to shore and get on with it. Which I finally did.

And I wasn't even close to being the last one out of the water.

On the beach I turned, faced the lake and gave it the double-barreled middle fingers. Which I am sure left many people wondering who I hated in the lake. At the time, it was to the lake, saying I'd finally beat it. In retrospect, it wasn't the lake, I think I left a lot of fear in that water. I can't guarantee that I'll never get anxious about swimming again, But I now have a better idea of what I am capable of doing, and I don't need to be afraid anymore.

Into T1, I took a little too long. I washed my feet, put on socks, the Garmin 305, pulled my shirt on four times, etc. Probably only 3 minutes. Then my Dad was there. In transition. Talking to me. Not what I expected as I was in a damn big hurry! But he was able to get my bag and suit out for me. And I got the hell going. I had a lot of swim champs to pass.

Total time for the swim and T1: 21:47. Next: The Bike

Pre Race

2008-08-20T10:36:00.002-06:00

Actually, the pre-race for this event started five minutes after the start of last years’ race. I just didn’t realize it at the time because I was busy backstroking and trying to calm myself in the middle of the lake and working to get back to a water depth that would allow me to stand up.

It mostly sucked.

This year the pre-race was even worse. The anxiety I felt while swimming last year, along with the bitter taste of failure, have been with me for the past 365 days. I know it has driven Wifey crazy to hear me either whining about it or attempting to self-diagnose why swimming in open water scares the pants off of me.

Anyway, on with the story…

I took Friday off and got pretty much everything squared away. I wandered downtown and registered, nothing like doing it at the last minute. I even polished the Titus with Pledge to give it a nice shine and an orangey smell that might be soothing. The only hitches I was experiencing were these constant bouts with panic. I’d think about being clear out there, so far from shore and my stomach would lurch into my throat and my neck and ears would burn. Not to take anything away from those with an official diagnosis, but I think I was having post-traumatic stress from the panic of last year.

I started taking Xanax. It must have been expired because the shit did. Not. Work. Or if it did I can only imagine how much worse my anxiety could have been.
I had bags packed and everything laid out by 10:00 pm and was in bed by 10:30. But I didn’t really fall asleep until about 2:30. I don’t think it was the anxiety though. I think it was the large iced coffee I had drunk earlier.

Then I was awake at 4:30. And the panic kicked in again. And I took another Xanax.
I tried to gag down some cereal but that wasn’t working so I switched to Ensure. Liquid calories were about all I could get down. I did manage the morning movement, which is always a fear, needing to go when racing just sucks.

Load the truck and out the door about 6:45. I drove to T2 at Snowbasin and set up my run. Left the truck there and rode the bike down to the beach, thinking it would burn up some anxiety. It didn’t. But it was better than sitting on the shuttle bus and did allow me a little warm-up. I only thought about purposely crashing to avoid swimming a couple of times. But the whole way down, I kept telling myself it was a perfect day. Bright, sunny, not too warm. NO WIND. Puuurrrrrfect.

I arrived about 8:45, 15 minutes before the long-course start. I got my bike set up and put on the wetsuit, just trying to maintain what composure I had left. I found another cut in the calf of the suit. XTERRA brand suits must use the most fragile neoprene on the goddamn planet! Suited-up, I made my way down to the beach, and I noticed the first buoy was a solid 400 meters away, well over halfway across the lake. This was turning out to be a sick joke. Then I saw my friend Kevin. As we were talking and he was doing everything except bitch slapping and shaking to encourage me, the starting cannon went off to start the long course race.
I nearly shit myself when I saw the people go in the water and was right on the verge of a grand mal panic attack. I seriously thought about walking up to the parking lot, waiting for the sport-distance finishers to come in, and just riding and running with them. Fortunately, Kevin made a good point: stay to the right side, away from the people and near the boats. He knew I could do the distance. Then I saw fellow bloggers Nytro and Iron Benny. They also had some words of encouragement.

I made my way to the water’s edge and eased in. I started swimming to loosen up and I could not put my face in the water. I remember saying to myself that I wasn’t going to get it done like this and took the plunge. The water felt great. Perfect. I swam down the bank and back to the group. An old dude told me that we were about to start.

Next time: The Swim

XTERRA

2008-08-16T21:37:00.004-06:00

I came.

I saw.

I nearly had a grand mal panic attack.

Nearly.

On a perfect day for racing, I made it, and the fruit of redemption is sweet.

I think tonight will be the best night of sleep I've had in weeks.

Race reports to follow. Yep, plural. Not going to have a marathon post like I had with the Ogden Marathon. I'll break it down into smaller, chewey bits for you to enjoy.