Yesterday i swam 1500 in 30 minutes. it was a comfortable swim, with the main set being sets of 500's. I'm pretty confident in the swim. Today i had planned to do a longish ride with soem friends out at the training center, but i didn't get home until 3 am last night so that was a definite no go.
Furthermore, yesterday i bonked hard at work. I couldn't figure it out...i wasn't really hungry, i had eaten already but my head ached real bad, and i got in a terrible mood. i couldn't get the headache to go away, and i was feeling really weak. I figured it was dehydration at that point..i hadn't really pissed all night, so i started drinking lots of water and it seemed to help, but my night was already ruined. I slept till 1 pm today, and feel rested adn ready to roll. I'm going to run tonight after work.
Thursday, August 7
Tuesday i drove up to gainseville to see carl and to do our long ride. This was goign to be the longest ride of my season so far, and on a bike i've only ridden about 2 hours at one time on.
Overall i was pretty comfy on the bike, 3:45 was our time, my mid back is a little sore and my butt is talkin a bit, but other then that i'm pretty happy with the results. It didn't seem that hot but i kept running out of water :( had to stop to get more.
Today i did a relatively short 3 miles.
Off to work!
Overall i was pretty comfy on the bike, 3:45 was our time, my mid back is a little sore and my butt is talkin a bit, but other then that i'm pretty happy with the results. It didn't seem that hot but i kept running out of water :( had to stop to get more.
Today i did a relatively short 3 miles.
Off to work!
Tuesday, August 5
Got home tonight and went for my long run, which ended up being pretty short. While running in the pitch dark (which is pretty cool) a dog ran from a house but stopped short and just groweled and stuff. It freaked me out a bit, got a surge of adrenaline but otherwise no big deal. On the way back, i thought i had passed the house, so i was extra startled when i heard it tearing towards me and i instinctively yelled at the top of my lungs, in the deepest most powerful voice my adrenaline filled body could produce, GO HOME! and pointed towards the house.
To my satisfaction the dog immediately turned around and ran back to the house. I continued on my run.
Tomorrow is a bike/swim then i drive to Gainseville to visit with carl that night. Then wednesday i go on my 80 mile ride with him. I just hope i can sleep before the ride.
back to a full week of training! My off week was nice.
To my satisfaction the dog immediately turned around and ran back to the house. I continued on my run.
Tomorrow is a bike/swim then i drive to Gainseville to visit with carl that night. Then wednesday i go on my 80 mile ride with him. I just hope i can sleep before the ride.
back to a full week of training! My off week was nice.
Monday, August 4
what a totally uneccisarilly stressful day tonight at work. Short handed, runnin out of shit....it was a disaster. Not only that but one of hte guys that my GM hired for me i probably will have to let go because he sucks. Anyway i gotta do my long run later today and i'm not really looking forward to it. Suppose some coffee would change that. If i hadn't had a few Coronas tonight i suppose i could do my long run after work, then sleep in...yea thats the ticket! Do it at 1 am when it's SUPER COOL out, and just sleep in on my day off. MMMMMM that sounds good. i'll hvae to do that next week, as for this week i'll have tus uffer in the heat.
Friday, August 1
heheheh. i got the "Bally fitness tip of the day" in my email box today. I usually delete them, but it was titled "Keeping your bike in shape" so i clicked on it. Here's what it said.
Today's Fitness Tip of the Day.
Brought to you by Bally Total Fitness.
Do you cycle to stay fit? If so, you’ll want to make sure your
bike stays fit, too. Follow this basic schedule.
EVERY MONTH
- Check chain, brake levers and gear shifters and lubricate if
needed.
- Check spokes, nuts, bolts for tightness.
EVERY 6 MONTHS (heavy riding)
These tasks require a little more experience. If you’re not sure
how to handle these, use a bike shop. Another option: Take a
bike-maintenance class at a local bike shop or community college.
- Check brake pads to see if they need to be replaced.
- Check gear shifters to see if they need adjustment
LOL! How lame. Check brake pads is an experienced job? heheh i just love how broad their email tips are.
Anyway, it's 95 degrees today, i woke up a little late, so i went for my hour bike ride at noontime. Yea, hot. I made a big mistake too, and only brought gatorade with me...by the end of the ride i was sick to my stomach and no amount of gatorade was quenching my thirst. Then i remembered what i always tell people: Gatorade alone will cause your stomach to stop absorbing when there's too much carb and not enough fluid to bring it through the stomach lining. So i need to heed my own advice. Luckily i was pretty close to home when it happened.
One good thing about working nights: I'm losing weight like a ton of bricks because i'm not eating late at night anymore. And as far as work is concerend, things are going awesome. I had a few drinks with my manager yesterday and he told me his goal is to train me to have my own store. There's a future here. And so far we're busting our asses, but managing to have fun.
I'm taking it easy this week training becasue next week is the first week of the re-arranged schedule...AND i havn't really had an easy week in quite a while. Today's ride was sorta hard but mainly because i was dehydrated. Felt good to be back out there after a day off though.
Today's Fitness Tip of the Day.
Brought to you by Bally Total Fitness.
Do you cycle to stay fit? If so, you’ll want to make sure your
bike stays fit, too. Follow this basic schedule.
EVERY MONTH
- Check chain, brake levers and gear shifters and lubricate if
needed.
- Check spokes, nuts, bolts for tightness.
EVERY 6 MONTHS (heavy riding)
These tasks require a little more experience. If you’re not sure
how to handle these, use a bike shop. Another option: Take a
bike-maintenance class at a local bike shop or community college.
- Check brake pads to see if they need to be replaced.
- Check gear shifters to see if they need adjustment
LOL! How lame. Check brake pads is an experienced job? heheh i just love how broad their email tips are.
Anyway, it's 95 degrees today, i woke up a little late, so i went for my hour bike ride at noontime. Yea, hot. I made a big mistake too, and only brought gatorade with me...by the end of the ride i was sick to my stomach and no amount of gatorade was quenching my thirst. Then i remembered what i always tell people: Gatorade alone will cause your stomach to stop absorbing when there's too much carb and not enough fluid to bring it through the stomach lining. So i need to heed my own advice. Luckily i was pretty close to home when it happened.
One good thing about working nights: I'm losing weight like a ton of bricks because i'm not eating late at night anymore. And as far as work is concerend, things are going awesome. I had a few drinks with my manager yesterday and he told me his goal is to train me to have my own store. There's a future here. And so far we're busting our asses, but managing to have fun.
I'm taking it easy this week training becasue next week is the first week of the re-arranged schedule...AND i havn't really had an easy week in quite a while. Today's ride was sorta hard but mainly because i was dehydrated. Felt good to be back out there after a day off though.
Wednesday, July 30
Monday, July 28
Did 1:55 on the bike today instead of hte planned 4 hours. It is very hot today, plus my glutes are still very weak from my hilly long run. I kept a very slow 15 mph pace, was plenty hydrated and i cramped up at about mile 20. Oh well...better luck next time. I'm also pretty burnt. I put sun block on but apparently it rubbed off my shoulders because they blistered a bit.
Sunday, July 27
I've posted a spreadsheet of my results since my athletic endeavor began. It's in the sidebar to the right. My plans for this section will be to make a whole new page, with pics and race reports. This will take some time though seeing how i'm working, training and sleeping right now. But you asked for it, so i put it up! I didn't go on the ride today, my glutes are screaming at me and 5 hours of sleep is just not enough for a long ride. So, instead i'm going to take it easy today, do maybe an hour on the bike real easy, 1/2 hour in the pool, then tomorrow i'll do my long ride. I've made it so i get Mondays and Wednesdays off permanantly, so i'll do my long runs on Monday and my long rides on wednesday (with Carl if i go up to gainseville!).
So i gotta rework my schedule a bit, but i think he's right: Doing a long run and ride back to back is not a good idea, having a semi-rest day in between (tuesday) will be more beneficial!
So i gotta rework my schedule a bit, but i think he's right: Doing a long run and ride back to back is not a good idea, having a semi-rest day in between (tuesday) will be more beneficial!
An exhausting day at work, after my tiring run this morning, but nonetheless, every dya at work confirms i made the right decision. I have total power to turn that place upside down if i need to in order to make it an efficient machine.
I gotta get to bed, i'm going to try with all my heart to get to the 8 am ride tomorrow iwth my super bike! I don't have any bars or gels though, and 3 hours is an aweful long time with just gatorade. Maybe someone will have something for me at the ride.
I gotta get to bed, i'm going to try with all my heart to get to the 8 am ride tomorrow iwth my super bike! I don't have any bars or gels though, and 3 hours is an aweful long time with just gatorade. Maybe someone will have something for me at the ride.
Saturday, July 26
About last night's shift at Moe's: I feel very good about this opportunity, the manager of the store really has empowered me to change thigns up as i see fit. Every decision i made whether it was moving the glove box outo f vew of the customer, to ordering specific paper towel dispensers to fit in precarious places that are 1) out of view of the customer and 2) strategically placed so everyone has access to one so they can KEEP MY DAMNED FOOD AREA CLEAN....he's been behind me the whole way. I started to learn the menu and hit the line, but it's difficult because at Moe's every item is named after a star or catch phrase....for instance the chicken burrito is the 'Joey bag of Doughnuts'. In other words, they don't give me a clue at all as to whats in it. But that'll come in time.
As for today, i just got back from my 9 mile long run...and it was a very difficult long run.
Instead of goign tot he flat trail, i decided to run from my front door and do two loops of my tempo 4.5 mile course. This course has about 400 feet of elevation change, and most of it is in one giant hill smack int he middle. I got started late becuase i had to watch Lance fight it out with Ulrich in the time trial this morning of course. I won't say anymore then that in case you havn't seen it. So...loop one was a slow 56:26 but it was about 1:26 slower then i figured, so not too bad considering the hill. On my second loop i ran into the house, changed out my fuel belt with some cold gatorade, got a bar and drank a pre-made cup of coffee (which contributed greatly to me not bailing on this run later). I felt great, but i guess becuase of the heat or hte coffee, cardiac drift was already setting in and i couldn't keep my HR down. The first loop was awesome, spending the majority of it below 136. I looked forward to the hill on the way back (going up) to stretch my calves and give my quads some action.
2nd loop i had a hard time keeping my HR below 140. It sorta hovered 140,144. Then, as always, my watch started fritzing out telling me i was at 190, etc. so i had to keep resetting the HR part to re-evaluate. ANYWAY, i was going pretty good until about mile 7. My calves started acting up, but since iw as energized with coffee, my physical deterioration did not effect my mental stability and iw as able to work through the rough spot until my calves got numb again. On my last 2.25 miles coming back i was hurting good. I know i had slowed down considerably and my HR would not go down. OF course by now it was nearly 1:30 pm, the sun was full force out, and checking the weather when i got home, its 94 degrees. NOT really a big deal, but it was hot and i was tired.
When i got to the hill the second time, i was still looking forward to it, but i noticed i was climbing it very slowly. This hill is about 4 minutes long, at about 10 percent grade. THAT is a hill. Especially twice in a long run. Anyway made it up, my HR was soaring, couldn't get it below 150 by now, so i shut off the audible beep because it was pissing me off and if i stopped with a mile to go i'd kill myself. So i forced myself up the remaining 8-10 minute 6% elevation to the house and stopped the watch at 1:56:04.
First lap: 56:26 avg HR141
Second Lap: 59:38 Avg HR 149
OVERALL: 1:56:04
AVG HR: 145
PACE: 12:53/mile
So much for negative splitting. But i'm very happy i actually got out there, and EVEN MORE Happy that i COMPLETED a 2 lap course (i'm usually known for stopping after the first lap)
If i had done this run at 7 am like i planned i probably wouldn't have had such a hard time, but getting home at midnight from work will effect my training times. But i suppose if i look at it this way: Train in the heat so in November you'll rock, it doesn't sound so bad.
Phrase i kept repeating in my head in that final 2.25 miles of hell: "Suffer now so you don't have to in the race"
As for today, i just got back from my 9 mile long run...and it was a very difficult long run.
Instead of goign tot he flat trail, i decided to run from my front door and do two loops of my tempo 4.5 mile course. This course has about 400 feet of elevation change, and most of it is in one giant hill smack int he middle. I got started late becuase i had to watch Lance fight it out with Ulrich in the time trial this morning of course. I won't say anymore then that in case you havn't seen it. So...loop one was a slow 56:26 but it was about 1:26 slower then i figured, so not too bad considering the hill. On my second loop i ran into the house, changed out my fuel belt with some cold gatorade, got a bar and drank a pre-made cup of coffee (which contributed greatly to me not bailing on this run later). I felt great, but i guess becuase of the heat or hte coffee, cardiac drift was already setting in and i couldn't keep my HR down. The first loop was awesome, spending the majority of it below 136. I looked forward to the hill on the way back (going up) to stretch my calves and give my quads some action.
2nd loop i had a hard time keeping my HR below 140. It sorta hovered 140,144. Then, as always, my watch started fritzing out telling me i was at 190, etc. so i had to keep resetting the HR part to re-evaluate. ANYWAY, i was going pretty good until about mile 7. My calves started acting up, but since iw as energized with coffee, my physical deterioration did not effect my mental stability and iw as able to work through the rough spot until my calves got numb again. On my last 2.25 miles coming back i was hurting good. I know i had slowed down considerably and my HR would not go down. OF course by now it was nearly 1:30 pm, the sun was full force out, and checking the weather when i got home, its 94 degrees. NOT really a big deal, but it was hot and i was tired.
When i got to the hill the second time, i was still looking forward to it, but i noticed i was climbing it very slowly. This hill is about 4 minutes long, at about 10 percent grade. THAT is a hill. Especially twice in a long run. Anyway made it up, my HR was soaring, couldn't get it below 150 by now, so i shut off the audible beep because it was pissing me off and if i stopped with a mile to go i'd kill myself. So i forced myself up the remaining 8-10 minute 6% elevation to the house and stopped the watch at 1:56:04.
First lap: 56:26 avg HR141
Second Lap: 59:38 Avg HR 149
OVERALL: 1:56:04
AVG HR: 145
PACE: 12:53/mile
So much for negative splitting. But i'm very happy i actually got out there, and EVEN MORE Happy that i COMPLETED a 2 lap course (i'm usually known for stopping after the first lap)
If i had done this run at 7 am like i planned i probably wouldn't have had such a hard time, but getting home at midnight from work will effect my training times. But i suppose if i look at it this way: Train in the heat so in November you'll rock, it doesn't sound so bad.
Phrase i kept repeating in my head in that final 2.25 miles of hell: "Suffer now so you don't have to in the race"
Thursday, July 24
Mark built my campy wheel yesterday and today i got to put it on....as well as all my other campy stuff (brake shifters and rear derailler). I took it for a spin and almost had an orgasm. Everything is so smoooooooth...mmmmm. I wasn't even supposed to ride today and i ended up going out about 45 minutes. Campy rules!
Also, i got a job today too. After careful consideration i took the Shift Manager position at Moes Southwest Grille. I know i promised myself i wouldn't do it, but i start tomorrow. Lets see how it goes!
Also, i got a job today too. After careful consideration i took the Shift Manager position at Moes Southwest Grille. I know i promised myself i wouldn't do it, but i start tomorrow. Lets see how it goes!
Tuesday, July 22
Just had a fantabulous run. 9 pm i went out in the most beautiful night of hte season, and ran 5 miles. Oh i was in heaven. Just me, my sneakers and the whole road. It was pitch black but i was acutely aware of everything around me andt he sounds of nature at work. How awesome. Did a respectable 58:48 for a recovery run. The whole time i breathed out of my nose too, no hard efforts.
A few years ago i swore off the food industry, even though i was REALLY good interacting with customers in a 'make to order' sort of environment (sandwhiches and stuff). In Florida i just had the worste experiences and it was super stressful...so i swore it off once i got the graphic design stuff going.
Well there's a place called Moe's that has fabulous mexican food, but it's not like a regular mexican restaraunt, it's pretty unique. I used to eat there like 3 times a week when i worked at colorvision and they've expanded a bit since then. Well there was a manager that worked at the one i frequented who is super cool, very boistrous personality and we melded right away as friends. A new Moe's opened up closer to where i live now in Clermont, and he's running it. I went in there today and talked with him awhile about things, and he offered me a position as night shift supervisor. He tells me that money isn't really an issue, he just wants someone that will get the job done for him correctly, because the one he has right now is very weak. he's looking to change the whole night shift staff, and put me in charge. I'm seriously considering the offer becuase it's Randy, and Randy is cool. I like the food and the establishment....why not give it a shot?
I think i'll call him tomorrow and set up a few hours to sit down with him and seriously bang this thing out.
I swam today as well, only 1200, i just wasn't feeling it today, still very sore from the weekend. But since i only biked yesterday, figured wht the hell.
A few years ago i swore off the food industry, even though i was REALLY good interacting with customers in a 'make to order' sort of environment (sandwhiches and stuff). In Florida i just had the worste experiences and it was super stressful...so i swore it off once i got the graphic design stuff going.
Well there's a place called Moe's that has fabulous mexican food, but it's not like a regular mexican restaraunt, it's pretty unique. I used to eat there like 3 times a week when i worked at colorvision and they've expanded a bit since then. Well there was a manager that worked at the one i frequented who is super cool, very boistrous personality and we melded right away as friends. A new Moe's opened up closer to where i live now in Clermont, and he's running it. I went in there today and talked with him awhile about things, and he offered me a position as night shift supervisor. He tells me that money isn't really an issue, he just wants someone that will get the job done for him correctly, because the one he has right now is very weak. he's looking to change the whole night shift staff, and put me in charge. I'm seriously considering the offer becuase it's Randy, and Randy is cool. I like the food and the establishment....why not give it a shot?
I think i'll call him tomorrow and set up a few hours to sit down with him and seriously bang this thing out.
I swam today as well, only 1200, i just wasn't feeling it today, still very sore from the weekend. But since i only biked yesterday, figured wht the hell.
Monday, July 21
Well, this weekend i helped CFT put together yet another sprint tri. I'm probably not going to do it anymore. It's just not worth it. I put in 18 hours, which isn't a whole lot, but when you figure that i BUST MY ASS the whole time without sitting down or really talking to anyone, it's draining.
I am burned.
My forearms are tweaked hard from lifting.
My back is sore from lifting
My legs are shot from walking, lifting, etc.
I hurt my left pinky toe pretty bad when jumping off the dock into the water to life guard (it was only 2 feet deep...i didn't know and hte water is dark).
I hurt in places i didn't know existed.
BUT.
On saturday night i did a half hour run with Carl, and on Sunday i was so burnt i didn't get out for my long ride. It's simply just not worth it. I learned my lesson. If anything i'll volunteer so i don't have to do the hard labor.
I have made a decision (not sure if i wrote it here yet) that after IMFL i'm going to Crit race my bike for a few years and give triathlon a break. I'll race tri's but nothing major, i'll be doing more bike racing. It just sounds like a blast.
The tour was amazing today...WATCH IT! It really inspired me to get on my bike (even though i was supposed to, it didn't really matter) but it was a great stage. Very exciting.
So i rode my new bike for about an hour, and will go swimming later. I'm really enjoying my road bike. I still have a few adjustments to make before it's fit exactly how i want it, but it's getting there.
I am burned.
My forearms are tweaked hard from lifting.
My back is sore from lifting
My legs are shot from walking, lifting, etc.
I hurt my left pinky toe pretty bad when jumping off the dock into the water to life guard (it was only 2 feet deep...i didn't know and hte water is dark).
I hurt in places i didn't know existed.
BUT.
On saturday night i did a half hour run with Carl, and on Sunday i was so burnt i didn't get out for my long ride. It's simply just not worth it. I learned my lesson. If anything i'll volunteer so i don't have to do the hard labor.
I have made a decision (not sure if i wrote it here yet) that after IMFL i'm going to Crit race my bike for a few years and give triathlon a break. I'll race tri's but nothing major, i'll be doing more bike racing. It just sounds like a blast.
The tour was amazing today...WATCH IT! It really inspired me to get on my bike (even though i was supposed to, it didn't really matter) but it was a great stage. Very exciting.
So i rode my new bike for about an hour, and will go swimming later. I'm really enjoying my road bike. I still have a few adjustments to make before it's fit exactly how i want it, but it's getting there.
Friday, July 18
Congratulations to Jan Ullrich who SMASHED the shit out of the time trial today, leaving lance in 2nd place for the stage, but still in hte yellow jersey by :34 seconds. I think Ullrich did exactly what lance wanted him to do: Use up all his energy to get high in the overall classification: then die in the next 4 days in the Pyrenees mountains. We have yet to see! and dont' forget Tyler Hamilton who's a great climber, he's only 2:45 back from Lance.
Thursday, July 17
Had a great tempo run this morning, did the same 4.25 mile tempo route that i did last week in 55 minutes, in 48:48 today. Even though theres a HUGE uphill in the middle, coming back i only positive split by :58 seconds.
I think under 50 minutes will be my goal each week. Yesterday i got a road bike from South Lake, a Cannondale Saeco 2000 CAAD4 bike. It's pretty nice, i rode it around for a half hour and i still need to tweak it a bit. Now i have a road bike to go on group rides with. I'm working out a deal with Mark to work it off this summer.
Other then that, i missed my swim yesterday so i'm going to do it later this afternoon. Feelin good!
I think under 50 minutes will be my goal each week. Yesterday i got a road bike from South Lake, a Cannondale Saeco 2000 CAAD4 bike. It's pretty nice, i rode it around for a half hour and i still need to tweak it a bit. Now i have a road bike to go on group rides with. I'm working out a deal with Mark to work it off this summer.
Other then that, i missed my swim yesterday so i'm going to do it later this afternoon. Feelin good!
Monday, July 14
Another amazing stage in the Tour, i just want to say my condolences to Beloki and his team. This man was in amazing form, and rivaling Lance for the jersey for days, keeping attacks and making sure Lance worked for it. Today Beloki crashed with 4km to go in the race and is now out of the race. Beloki was in 2nd at the time of the crash.
On another note, Lance went off road (he was behind Beloki at the time of the crash), rode DOWN a grassy hill, turned to the left and re-joined the peloton only losing 8-9 places. His cyclocross experience and MTB experience really helped him here! he was SO lucky that it was a horse shoe turn that he could regain his places by cutting hte course (accidently of course).
Beloki really added a lot of fire to this years Tour, now it's up to Ulrich to challenge him, but i don't think Ulrich is nearly as strong this year as Beloki was turning out to be.
I'm sorry Beloki. See you next year.
On another note, Lance went off road (he was behind Beloki at the time of the crash), rode DOWN a grassy hill, turned to the left and re-joined the peloton only losing 8-9 places. His cyclocross experience and MTB experience really helped him here! he was SO lucky that it was a horse shoe turn that he could regain his places by cutting hte course (accidently of course).
Beloki really added a lot of fire to this years Tour, now it's up to Ulrich to challenge him, but i don't think Ulrich is nearly as strong this year as Beloki was turning out to be.
I'm sorry Beloki. See you next year.