Archive for the ‘Triathlon Training’ Category

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a new look at training

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Last year, when I started swimming, biking and running, training for triathlons and running events, those three activities were all I really had time for.  This year, I am going to try something different and include fitness exercises on a regular basis to tone muscles not necessarily used directly in each of those activities.  The goal here is to advance my overall fitness and abilities.

One way I plan to do this is with the help, yet again, of the Wii.  You may remember that the Wii initially motivated me to become healthier and lose weight with Wii Fit.  This year, with the recommendation of my friend, Andrew, I will use Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010.  I am on my first week of the program, but it appears to really whip you into shape.  the workouts are intense circuit style and last nights consisted of:

  • Running (in place) ~5.5 minutes
  • 25 push-ups
  • 20 back kicks (1 rep consists of kicking leg straight back and “punching” with both arms then repeat with other leg)
  • 20 sledge swings (1 rep consists of swinging the Wii remote like you would a sledge hammer on one side of your body then repeat on other side)
  • 25 water pumps (holding Wii remote with both hands at your chin then squatting down bringing remote almost to the floor then back up)
  • 20 boat poses (half sit-up at the same time bringing both legs up to form a “V” with your body)
  • Quick stretching (knees to chest while laying on the floor)
  • Running ~5.5 minutes
  • 25 push-ups
  • 40 sledge swings
  • 20 back kicks
  • 25 water pumps
  • 30 sledge swings
Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels

This all left me completely exhausted, especially after running a little over 2 miles at lunch yesterday.  I will continue the 2-3 runs during the week and a long run on the weekends.  I will also try to cycle to work and home when the weather permits.  As long as I can get to the pool or lake, I should be set for the triathlon season fast approaching!

I have a hiking trip with Andrew and others coming up on 3/20/10 in the Roan Mountain Highlands.  I will certainly keep you posted on that with (I hope) wonderful pictures from the trip.  I am also looking forward to taking Althea along on the trip as well!

I look forward to what this training will add to my abilities.  And with a trainer that looks like that, how can you resist?

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Posted in Hiking/Camping, Triathlon Training | No Comments »

Training Again!

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

After getting over back pain recently, I am excited to report that I have started running again as of last Sunday.  I ran/walked about 5.5 miles with Melissa.  I was also able to run today at lunch, but stopped after a little more than 2 miles because my shins got pretty sore.  The last thing I need is to start with too much mileage and get shin splints again!  Also, it is getting warm again and I am not used to the heat!

Another reason for this post is to spread the word about 344pounds.com.  Tyler is on his quest to lose a lot of weight and is doing a workout pledge.  So all of you get to his blog and comment/friend him, whatever to add more time to his workout!

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a quick note…

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

My posts have been few and far between lately.  I could go into excuses about being too busy blah blah blah, but the fact is I have been lazy.  My back is still giving me some trouble, so I haven’t been running like I should and it has been so cold, it is really hard to gain the motivation to get outside for endurance activities.

That being said, after (what I hope will be) a relaxing weekend with Jenn, I plan to start a 3-run-a-week schedule to get back into a routine.  I only have a little over a month before my next race, a half marathon, and I am a little intimidated by that thought.  Follow that up with a triathlon a month later and I realize I have a lot of work to do and that I need to be careful not to injure myself.  I need to stay injury free and in shape all year if I hope to finish my first Half Ironman that I have signed up for in November!

On another note, my Grandmother, Great Mia, is in the hospital with kidney complications.  Read more about it on Melissa’s post.

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back to talking about training

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

After dealing with the wreck and finding a new car, I can focus on training and the rest of my life.

I did run my first 5K of the year last Saturday and it felt good to be in a race again.  It was the Alyce T Guettler Hunger Run in Rock Hill, SC and I mainly raced the event because they were doing it to raise money for a good cause.  It was cold and drizzling that morning, but it didn’t keep 100 people from showing up.  After I finished, I noticed that there weren’t many people cheering for the others as they finished.  So I stayed around and cheered people in, then went home to spend time with Jenn, Mia and Sadie.  As it turns out, I finished second out of four in my age group and missed out on collecting the award.  Oh well, hopefully there will be others.

Unfortunately, I think racing came at a price.  On Sunday, my back started to hurt pretty bad and after visiting the Chiropractor on Monday, I messed my back and shoulders up pretty bad in the wreck.  So I am forced to take it easy for a bit while I recover.  Hopefully the Chiropractor can work his magic the way he did before the marathon and I will be back at it real soon.  I will keep you guys posted!

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Posted in Race Reports, Triathlon Training | 2 Comments »

Finding Motivation

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

running101200x200Lately my training has been in a funk.  I am having trouble finding the motivation to get out in the cold, but even this past week with warm weather, I failed to get in good training.  I chose to spend most of last weekend with my family instead of leaving for an hour for a bike ride or run.  I don’t regret that decision, but I need to balance both.  Since the marathon, I have been in a funk and am ready to get out of it.  Melissa and I are going to run together on Saturday, and we are planning 5 miles.  Hopefully that will jump start me back into my regular training going forward.  Anyone have suggestions to keep motivated?

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Posted in Random Thoughts, Triathlon Training | 5 Comments »

Happy New Year!

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Okay, so I am late with this post, but I have been enjoying the time with my family over the holidays and things have been hectic!

I will take some ideas from Melissa for an “end of year” post and reflect back on 2009 and then focus on what I am planning for 2010.

Family Changes

2009 marked the 3rd birthday of my oldest daughter, Mia.  She is a wonderful girl who has me completely wrapped around her fingers.  The year also marked the 1st birthday of my youngest, Sadie.  She is an independent spirit who will be giving Mia hell in the coming years, I am sure.  Parents turn the other cheek when it is payback, you know.  My wife, Jenn, and I celebrated our 5 year Anniversary.  My sister, Jenny, and her husband, Chuck,  had their first baby, a boy named Cai and he is so adorable!  See Melissa’s post on her experience being there with them.

Weight Loss

In the beginning of 2009, I started my weight loss journey.  At the peak, I had lost about 40 pounds, but have slipped off since.  During marathon training I actually saw a weight gain, which I have heard can happen.  For the entire year, I lost about 30 pounds.

Running/Triathlon

In January 2009, I could not run a mile.  I started the Couch 2 5K program from PodRunner Intervals and ran my first 5K with Melissa in February.  I was hooked.  I went on to run a 4.1 mile race in April, my first triathlon in May, a 10K in June, off-road triathlon in July, international distance triathlon in August, a 211 mile relay run in the mountains of North Carolina in September and a Marathon in December.

Hiking/Camping

2009 was a bit of a slow year in this department.  I did manage to make the MitchellWinter trip with Melissa, Jeff and Chris.  I also got up to the Linville Gorge for a weekend with Andrew and Chad.  I was able to incorporate camping before a couple of triathlons.  I hope that as the kids get older, I will be able to take them places that I haven’t yet been able to.

Special Places

You have followed some of my new special places this year, and I appreciate you all bearing with my strange sense of humor!

2010

I hope to continue the weight loss journey in 2010 and to increase my physical ability.  I have already signed up for 4 triathlons including a Half Ironman in November.  This will be my biggest physical challenge of my life and I have a long way to get prepared for it.  I also look forward to another year of milestones with my wonderful girls and my beautiful wife!

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Posted in Hiking/Camping, Introduction, Random Thoughts, Triathlon Training, Weight Management, marathon training, mitchell winter | 3 Comments »

I’m still here

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

It has been the better part of a week since I have posted anything and that is probably because I haven’t had any good news to share.  Last week I spent recovering from the triathlon and didn’t do any workouts at all.  In fact, I think I have done some damage to my lower shin or ankle or something.  It continued to get worse day by day until this morning.  This morning it feels better, but not good enough to run on.  But I am hopeful that this is a sign of the turnaround.  With the marathon only 74 days away, I am chomping at the bit to get back out there!

Posted in Triathlon Training, marathon training | 3 Comments »

shifting gears

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

After not doing any training for the past 5 days to recover from the Blue Ridge Relay, I am now focused on this Saturday’s triathlon.  Most people would not have scheduled a triathlon a week after a race like the BRR, and I wouldn’t have, except I had already signed up for the tri when Alex invited me to run with him in the relay race.  Not being someone who likes to waste money, I am doing both!

When I asked Jason Sutton about recovery after the BRR, he told me not to do anything at all for a week and a half or so, then build back slowly.  So when I told him I had a race next Saturday, he said, “well, good luck, your probably gonna feel it on the run”

My legs feel about 95% recovered now and I am hoping it won’t be too bad.  It is a sprint triathlon with a 750 meter lake swim, 14 mile bike and a 5K run.  After the tri, I can then focus on marathon training.

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Posted in BRR training, Triathlon Training, marathon training | 4 Comments »

a little tweak to training

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

I decided to bike to work today since I miss my bike after not riding for the last couple of weeks.  I was going to go for a long ride last Sunday, but I decided my time would be better spent with my family instead of out on the bike.

I woke up at 4:30 again, showered and got my bike clothes on.  I packed my work clothes/shoes and running shorts/shoes into my backpack and headed out.  Even though I am biking to work doesn’t mean I can skip the 3 mile run today!

The ride in was nice.  I really enjoy being on the bike.  I wish it got light a little earlier so I didn’t have to start in total darkness, but my 10 flashing red LED lights made sure drivers saw me and there were no problems.

I arrived at work about 35 minutes later and went inside to store my bike and change shorts and shoes.  I headed out for the run.

The run went well; no walk breaks today.  I realized at about 2.5 miles that running in my bike jersey may not be the best thing.  I didn’t think about this for a 3 mile run, but if I am running with this shirt again, I will be sure to put the Aquaphor on the nipples!  I assume it is the different material that cause the rubbing, but man that hurts.  Still does actually.

So I get to ride the bike home today (hopefully no thunderstorms – 30% chance) and then tomorrow will be a rest day.  I get to sleep in!  6:00 AM will never feel so good.  Then Saturday will be the 7 miler and I will have to drag myself out of bed again.  I will keep you guys posted!

Edit-

to see details of the ride to work, click here, the run, and the ride home.

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Posted in Triathlon Training, marathon training | 1 Comment »

countdown to the next race

Monday, July 27th, 2009

I have 6 days before my next race, the Assault on Cherokee international/olympic distance triathlon.  I am really looking forward to my first triathlon of this distance.  The previous races I have completed were of sprint distance, so this one is roughly twice the distance of those.  For this race, it is a 1300 meter swim, ~27 mile bike and then a 10K run.  I am nervous about the swim, but my plan is to finish, not win, so I will take my time.

This past weekend, I woke up early on Saturday to get a nice 5 mile run in , then I took Mia to see her uncle Alex race in the Lake Wylie Triathlon.  The event was great with some stiff competetion.  There were over 500 racers, which is huge compared to the hundred or so that have been at the races I have competed in.  He did great with a finish of 44th out of 270 men.  It was my first as a spectator since my career began.  I was dying to jump on a bike and race!

On Sunday, I got a 30 mile bike ride during the hottest part of the day.  I didn’t think I was going to get one in, but Jenn told me it was okay to go, so I took the chance!  I rode down to Andrew Jackson State Park.  It is a nice place there.  It would be nice to take the girls there for a picnic.

So today is an off day and I am running with Melissa in the morning.  I need to get to the pool, but for some reason I avoid it.  I think I enjoy running and biking so much more, I spend my available time doing those.  Oh well, I will just take my time on the swim.

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