My Life - The Triathlon Way
Ironman - Sell outs
Although I love the sport of Triathlon there's one thing that gets under my skin. The fact that one needs to sign up for the race 12 months in advance is just crazy. Heck, I'm still trying to think about my '07 race strategy, and now I have to decide whether or not to sign up for IM Arizona in 2008. If my schedule is accurate for 07, that's two IM distance races, and three half IM distances away. You'd think that by adding another North America race to the 07 IM schedule that this might allow some breathing room for these things selling out in 45 minutes (this year's IM Placid). Wrong. IM Kentucky sold out in less than a week I do believe. I wonder why IM racing is becoming so big in the USA. For example, the races in Europe don't sell out fast.
An athlete should only have to focus on one race at a time, and not a year and a halfs worth!!!
Running replacement (XC ski)
Sometimes to get out of the slump of running seven days a week, it makes sense to do a little cross training. Yesterday I found myself at the top of the Laurel Mountains skiing with some of my good friends. We skied at a moderate pace and my heart rate averaged close to 135. At times my heart rate would climb to 160 on some of the uphills which made me think, yes you can use Cross Country skiing as a good alternative to running. Marking my third season of XC skiing, I've really gotten to love being out in the middle of nowhere, where cell phones don't work, and where you can scream at the top of your lungs without anyone hearing you.
Well I leave for Los Angeles tomorrow where the temp is in the upper 60's. Big difference than what we've been experiencing in Western PA.
The complete history of the World's most famous Triathlon.When I talk Ironman I always have to give people a little history and backround before hand. Now read the history and see how Dave Scott changed the sport forever.
Heavy legs and frostbite cheeks
Ever had one of those days where your legs felt like they had 20 pound weights attached to them? Well I had one of those days today. The training schedule called for a 17 mile run today, but when the alarm went off and I looked out the window that the thermometer it was time to go back to bed. This morning it was 2 degrees and with the windchill in full effect it was -10 at times. I postponed my run till 8:30 and decided to cut it short and call it an even 8 miler. After a cup of warm coffee my day still isn't complete. Even if the temp only raised to 10 degrees, it's perfect for XC skiing. There's no excuse not to enjoy the cold weather even if you have heavy legs and frostbitten cheeks!
Getting through Winter
Well I don't think winter will ever end. When it comes to training in the cold, every day seems to be an uphill battle. I guess it's just part of the cycle. Before you know it I'll be punching out 6 hour rides and be in the heart of racing season.
Oh yea, this is my first blog ever and you never know, might be my last. We'll see how bored I get typing on here.
As some of you know I'm in the middle of training for my 2nd Boston Marathon. In 2005 I ran the race for the first time but was recovering from a nagging shin injury, and the race didn't go very well. I hope to stay injury free and have start off the 2007 right.
Back to the original topic...getting through winter. I think the key to making it through the off season is to try and not get burned out early and build your base back up. You should be at that point where you start to notice the scale shedding a couple pounds, and if you gained 10 or 15 pounds in December, not to sweat it. Often I'll find myself on a 8 mile run and I'll start to pick it up and I'll knock off a couple 6:30 miles, and you just have to tell yourself to take it easy and it's not time to run a fast pace yet.
