JustKev.in  •  From Lazyman to Ironman, one inactive guy's journey to triathlete (and everything else under his beer helmet.)
May 4th, 2010 | 14 views | 5 Comments »

taper week

With my first triathlon coming up on Saturday, typically this week would include a tapered training schedule, but can I really call it that when I haven’t been training on a schedule?  Oh well, I’ll call it that anyway.

This past Sunday, Melissa and I did our own “triathlon” at my grandmother’s house on Lake Wylie.  We swam in the lake (COLD!) with Jeff paddling in the kayak along with us to make us more visible to boaters.  Next we hopped on the bikes only for Melissa to get a flat less than 3 miles in.  Oh well, I rode back, got in the car and picked her up.  Then we went for a 2 mile run on the hilly road along the lake shore.  Could we call this a “quadrathon” since it included a car ride between the bike and run?  Read Melissa’s great write up here.

I felt pretty bad on the run, but I will chalk that up to nutrition.  See, we didn’t start until close to noon and I foolishly followed my normal “race day” routine of not eating prior to the event.  But the real events normally start at 7:30 AM, not at noon.  My energy level on the run was almost nonexistent.

On another note, I got a bit of cross-training in on Saturday.  I guess you can call it that.  I took a job helping a family unload a moving truck into their new house.  2 hours of work, but I went basically nonstop moving in heavy boxes and furniture, even a piano!  Ugh.

I will try to post again before the race, but I have been very busy lately with several areas of life, but that should be nothing new to me!

Categories: Triathlon Training
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April 28th, 2010 | 16 views | 2 Comments »

frustrated

I planned a cycle commute into work this morning.  I had a change of clothes in my office.  I had my bag packed with my running shoes to get a brick workout in once I got to work.  I aired up my tires and had my bike ready to go by the front door.  My helmet was there, ready to put on.  My bike shoes on the floor ready to go.  Water bottle filled and on the bike.  I checked the batteries in the lights.  All good to go.

So what stopped me?

Family drama unfolded last night, so I did not get much sleep and was completely exhausted when it came time to leave this morning. 

It is interesting how family I don’t even live with anymore can still get to me.

For those who may be wondering if starting a business with your family members that entails owning commercial real estate in an area that is an 8 hour drive away, take it from me:

DON’T DO IT!

Categories: Triathlon Training
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April 22nd, 2010 | 6 views | 1 Comment »

unorganized training

I am less than 3 weeks from my first triathlon of the year and I am in no way training like I “should” be.  I have battled back issues, lack of motivation and job stress this year, but those are all excuses.  I am extremely excited that the race is coming up and although I am not training correctly, I am fitting in workouts.  I wore my Garmin while we walked around the Greenway at Earth Day festivities and for mowing the lawn and walked a total of 4.41 miles.  I rode my bike to a pub last Saturday night to meet up with a buddy before he goes to Afghanistan with the Army (4.44 miles and 3.87 miles).  I ran at lunch on Monday (3 miles).  I wore my Garmin while I went to the zoo on Tuesday with Jenn, Mia and Sadie (6.31 miles).  I rode to work on Wednesday (9.79 miles) and back home (9.59 miles).  Since Saturday, I have logged 41.42 miles and burned 4,050 calories.  Again, this is not ideal training, but I am finding things to do that work with my schedule.

I hope to get some swimming in this weekend and possibly a “long” run of 7 miles or so.  Also, I want to get Melissa back on her bike!

Speaking of Melissa, she fired me up for Tri the Rock coming up on 5/8/10 with this post that includes a reference to one of my favorite stickers on my “new” 4Runner:

Categories: Triathlon Training
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April 6th, 2010 | 4 views | 2 Comments »

getting better

I was able to drag myself out of bed early this morning to ride my bike to work (9.74 miles in 36:12) and even had enough time to run (2 miles in 19:26) after the ride.  My first brick of the season!  It is funny how hard it is to run after the bike.  It feels like I am running in slow motion and it is pretty tough on the legs.  Luckily no cramping issues this morning though.  In all it took me just over an hour and burned 818 calories before work!

I will get to ride home in the heat this evening, so not especially looking forward to that, but it is a workout nonetheless!

Categories: Triathlon Training
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April 5th, 2010 | 0 views | No Comments »

running…harder than it should be these days

I had a great long weekend with my girls this past weekend.  We went to the mountains (my favorite place to be) for the holiday weekend.  I was able to go on a couple of runs, but it was so much harder than it should have been.  I am not in as good of shape as I had gotten prior to the marathon last year and I am not used to the heat we are experiencing right now.  Add to that, I was in the mountains and my first run on Friday was very hilly.  I went back out for another runon Saturday, but this time I found a relatively flat course at a nearby park.  On Sunday, we went for a hike to visit Tom’s Creek Falls and even that was tougher than it needed to be.

I have signed up for Charlotte Racefest 1/2 marathonthis Saturday, but I have decided to switch to the 10K race to avoid injury.  I will also begin cycling to work again to get extra cardio in.

Any other suggestions?

Categories: Hiking/Camping, Triathlon Training
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April 1st, 2010 | 1 views | 3 Comments »

April Fools

Today is April 1st, 2010 and I am stuck at work.  This weekend should be nice, as I have a holiday tomorrow for Good Friday and Jenn, the girls, our dogs and I are all going to our in law’s cabin in the NC mountains. 

I plan to get a couple of runs in over the weekend as well as a little hiking.  My training as of late has been lacking and I need to get it in gear with a half marathon coming up next weekend.  I was able to get some miles on the bike last weekend and I will try my best to ride to work and home some next week.  With my first triathlon coming up in a little more than a month, I need to get bike time in.  Is it bad that I haven’t been for a swim in 6 months!?

I hope this isn't me at Tri the Rock!

Categories: Hiking/Camping, Triathlon Training
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March 10th, 2010 | 0 views | 8 Comments »

a new look at training

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?

Categories: Hiking/Camping, Triathlon Training
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January 21st, 2010 | 0 views | 5 Comments »

Finding Motivation

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?

Categories: Random Thoughts, Triathlon Training
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January 5th, 2010 | 1 views | 3 Comments »

Happy New Year!

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!

Categories: Hiking/Camping, Introduction, Random Thoughts, Triathlon Training, Weight Management, marathon training, mitchell winter
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October 5th, 2009 | 0 views | 7 Comments »

injuries stink

My shin is still in some pain, but shows some minor improvement.  I have been wearing compression sleeves, icing and resting trying like hell to speed up the healing process any way I know how.  My sister, Jenny, said that the creaking sound made in my lower shin when I move my foot is most likely a fluid buildup from the swelling.  That has mostly gone away today, so I will take that as a good sign.

I was able to ride my bike late last week.  I rode to work and back home on Friday and although my shin was pretty stiff when I got home, the pain was not any worse than doing nothing, so at least I can get some workouts in while I wait to be able to run again. 

I also rode some with Melissa last night while she is getting used to her new bike.  It must have been comical when I was showing her how to properly un-clip from the pedals and I lost my balance and fell over!  I now have a bruised left elbow and sternum (where the bike saddle landed).  In an effort to protect the bike, I threw myself onto the concrete to keep the bike from landing.  No damage to the bike.  You gotta save the carbon!

I am worried that several weeks of no running during the middle of marathon training will hurt me in the long run, but let me tell you this: one way or another I will get my body through 26.2 miles on December 12th!

Categories: marathon training
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