Living in the dark

Sometimes sticking your head in the sand and being ignorant is perfectly fine.

This afternoon I realized a very critical fact and am floored by this news. For the last two months I've been training with a crew of triathletes who are training for an upcoming half Ironman. While that is incredibly impressive and I have been thrilled to be able to hang with these folks ---- I found out today that they are also training for a fall Ironman!!!

What's the distinction? The distinction is that instead of thinking that I've spent the last two months at a half Ironman pace, I have instead been hanging in a program that is geared for folks who will complete a full Ironman in the fall!!!!! Dare I say OMG?!

I guess I never really asked and no one told me all the details about all this extra credit training I've been doing in conjunction with the daily bootcamp classes.

The good news is that I am incredibly impressed with myself. I bad news is that it is going to be a real challenge to keep up with these multiple workout a days once I get back t work. The initial game plan is to make sure I do one workout a day and Lori plans to send me her training block for the next month so that I can aim to virtually train with the group once I move home.

It's a significant goal, but I'm going to try and go for it. Here's to hoping!

Freaking Like A Slacker

It's Saturday morning and for the last 48 hours I have not done a damn thing related to training...and that's ok. My body feels pretty tough (at least tougher than it has been) and stronger.

My first real fitness test is Sunday morning when my wave hits the water at 7:18 am for the Assateague Attack Sprint Tri in Ocean City, MD (see http://octrirunning.com/events/assateague-assault-triathlon/).

This is my first "official" short distance triathlon I've ever done --- which is probably good right now. The distances are:

• half mile ocean swim
• 13 mile bike
• 5k run

These are MORE than attainable distances and I am hopeful that the race will provide a nice boost for the rest of my training this summer.

Though I have not swam much in the last two months I'm not too worried. I've biked a TON over the last few months and my main goal (after finishing the race) is to really crush the bike split.

My run...now that's another story. I have struggled with my running and the 5k distance is one of my least favorite. It's fast and by the time I usually get comfortable (1.5/2 mile mark) the damn thing is already over. Did I also mention that I'm not a fast runner? I hope to deal with that this summer as I continue pushing the miles and adding more speed work.

Here's to the first official triathlon of the season. Assateague Island...here I come!

What to do when you don't have anything you have to do...

My first 48 hours of not working was spent in a combination of: sunbathing, reading, running, biking, shopping, getting the lay of the land and visiting with friends.

The weather has been absolutely fantastic – highs in the mid to low 80’s.

Monday was really all about being social and getting some sun. Tuesday was all about being a bit more focused about getting back into training (visiting Gold’s Gym, working on my summer calendar and getting my run/bike miles in). I also did a little shopping for essentials --- like cute beach cover-ups. The surf shops have the cutest stuff! Priorities people.

It’s a tough life.

The hilarious thing so far is that the June Bugs are here (aka Senior Week). I am thoroughly enjoying all the 17/18-year olds taking over the city. Nothing like watching a dude throw up in a bush at 4:30 in the afternoon after clearly a having rough morning.

What I did on my summer vacation

(courtesy of the OC hotel rental website)

I have a distant recollection of being asked to recite my adventures each September as some sort of easy writing project.

This year there is no writing assignment, but there clearly will be a tale to tell since after 11 years of loyal service I have the privilege of being able to take advantage of my company’s sabbatical program --- aka 2 months of paid time-off bliss!

I started this glorious break on Monday, June 6th and will return to the world of work on Monday, August 9th. I am hopeful that I will be able to enjoy this time and am able to keep my work-world at bay.

So my grand plan is to move to the beach and become a beach-bum --- and focus on getting back into a regular/hardcore training program. After slacking off for 2-months and giving my screwed up hip time to heal I am ready to get back into the program. Also, I gotta start getting ready for MCM this Fall. That is NOT a race you just show up for after half-assing the training.

Anywho --- I’m officially a beach resident for the next two months and so far am loving in!

The Cycle

After 5-6 consecutive days of being committed to some serious training and nutrition I feel great, am proud of my consistency...and am freaking tired. I'm looking forward to taking two days off in advance of Saturday's 11-mile run.

Last night's spinning felt great, but I was a reminder that I need to get on the bike more to build up those muscles and get in better position to attack those hills once spring/summer comes around.

The challenge with this lifestyle is that when you're not training you are eating...when you're not training or eating then you're sleeping. When you're not training, eating or sleeping then you're thinking about or planning to train, eat or sleep.

The good news is that I'm getting a lot of sleep, eating some great stuff and regularly high on endorphines.

The bad news is that unless you are someone who's a part of this cycle, I probably don't have time to hang out with you. In that respect it is a bit annoying.

Feeling a little twitchy

It's only been a week since the Marine Corp 10k and 7 days without a plan. No surprise...I'm in need of a new fitness focus. Something to block out on the calendar. Something to focus on. Something to get jazzed up about again. Just a little something to scare me to get out there and challenge myself.

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me?!

I'm researching half-Ironman distance race now. Now that gets me a bit terrified and excited at the same time. Surprisingly there are a number of 70.3 races out there, but it seems I'm looking for the unicorn of all races. Here's the criteria:

•interesting destination local
•not an ocean swim
•not too many repetitive loops on the bike or run segments
•not too many ridiculous hills to deal with on the bike

See what I mean. I'm looking for a unicorn. I'll let you know if I find one. Until then, I'll get by with the random swim, a run, some time on a spin bike and listening to other people make plans and prepare for their races.

Nervous for tomorrow!

I have vivid and disturbing memories of the last time I had to run the mile. It was in junior high and it was in the dead of summer. I remember how I was winded and felt like I was going to pass out behind the baseball dugout.

The idea of having to run a mile without having run that distance in more than a decade is terrifying.

Though I played a number of sports growing up and am relatively active, I have never been a runner.

I am looking forward to tomorrow...just so that I can stop stressing about this first run!

Decision Day!

I have always wanted to run through a cheering crowd and cross the finish line of a race, but have never had the courage or frankly the motivation to commit to an event or a plan.

That all changed in June when I was casually chatting with a friend about how I would love to run, but I just couldn’t. I inserted all the usual excuses that I have believed to be true.

My friend quickly came back with the suggestion to join the Army 10-miler training group. His wife was a coach with the DC Road Runners and they offered a Jump Start Program in advance of starting the 10-miler training program --- for those without running experience.

I decided to jump in with both feet and registered for the training. I’m not exactly sure what I’m thinking, but decided I am going to try and do this.

As away to ensure that it will be difficult for me to back out, I told a handful of people about my intention. The guilt of disappointing them and myself may just be enough to keep me dedicated to this goal.