Man... these past couple of months sure have been "interesting." LOTS of change!
I ended my season, or should I say, my season was ended for me, prematurely last year when my right knee started giving me problems. It took me a few months of no training/rehab to get back to the point where I could actually start training again, but just as I was beginning to do so, life stepped up to the plate and threw me a bit of a curve-ball; Michelle and I pulled the trigger and bought a house!
I guess that I didn't know what I was getting myself into, because the entire process, between our initial look at the place way back in January, to now, sure took A LOT out of us. Our house (see Michelle's blog for pics/story) is the quintessential fixer upper: GREAT price, great location (I'm looking at the water right now as I type), good size lot (>1/3 of an acre), good size (roughly 1900 sq. ft), TONS of potential but... In need of A TON of work.
The bottom line: Your priorities suddenly shift when you see water dripping through your roof and pouring down your walls during the first rain storm, an interior that desperately needs rehab in order to even get it to the point where you can safely move in, windows that need to be replaced immediately, etc. etc.
To make this process even more fun, our closing was delayed by about a month thanks to an old plot plan snafu that left us both pretty stressed out. Upon closing, we then proceeded to cram 4 or 5 months of work into 4 or 5 weeks and worked non-stop to get the place in semi-move in condition by the end of April.
Needless to say, serious training turned into a "do what you can/when you can" approach this Spring, and I'm suddenly faced with the reality that it's mid May and I'm a good 2 months away from being in top form.
My biggest obstacle right now though isn't time, it's focus. When you're away from something for a long period of (i.e. the 4 - 5 hour rides, long, hard pace sessions, etc.), and are still pressing hard on a daily basis to keep up with everything else in life (work, house related projects, etc.) it's tough to summon the mental focus needed to bang out the BIG sessions that bring your fitness up to where it needs to be on race day.
I won't lie: Short course prep certainly seems a lot more manageable right now; a 75 min. workout on the trainer or a 1 hour, intensive track workout is A LOT easier to manage at this point in my life.
But... a short course athlete I am not. Although I enjoy the short course prep, I can't say that I really enjoy the races (they hurt too much) and know that relatively speaking, I'm not very good at them. However, given everything else going on right now, short course racing will have to suffice until I'm able to bring my long course fitness back up to par.
As it stands, I'd say that RI 70.3 is in question, and 70.3/I.M. racing very well might have to wait until late Summer/Fall.
The month of May will prove to be a critical block. This past week was a pretty good one for me training wise, but one good week doesn't get you anywhere. I need 8 - 10 good weeks.
So, on that note, time for my Monday morning run. It's easier to stay focused when you take it one day at a time :)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Congratulations Crystal Anthony!!!
Marathon runner turned multisport athlete Crystal Anthony won the 25 - 29 year old age group title at this past weekend's Duathlon National Championship in Richmond, VA!!!
Given the fact that this is Crystal's first real year as a multisport athlete, I expect great things from her in '09.
I always told you that you'd make a great triathlete Crystal! Nice work!!!
US Du Championship Results
SlowTwitch Article
Given the fact that this is Crystal's first real year as a multisport athlete, I expect great things from her in '09.
I always told you that you'd make a great triathlete Crystal! Nice work!!!
US Du Championship Results
SlowTwitch Article
Monday, April 20, 2009
Nice Work Dereck Treadwell!!!
Congratulations to Dereck Treadwell; 2nd overall at the 2009 PowerMan Alabama Duathlon despite a flat tire in the final 10k of the bike (slow leak)!
Dereck led the way into T1 with the day's fastest run, with triathlon long course super star and uber biker David Thompson in hot pursuit.
Although Thompson would go on to win the race, yesterday's performance bodes well for Dereck, so be sure to keep an eye on him this year as I expect great things on the US Pro tri/du circuit!
Alabama Results
Dereck led the way into T1 with the day's fastest run, with triathlon long course super star and uber biker David Thompson in hot pursuit.
Although Thompson would go on to win the race, yesterday's performance bodes well for Dereck, so be sure to keep an eye on him this year as I expect great things on the US Pro tri/du circuit!
Alabama Results
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Getting My Head Back In The Game
I'm not sure if it's the barrage of smack talk I've traded with a certain someone over the past month or so, or simply the fact that I'm finally well rested, healed up and feeling strong again, but the fire is definitely returning and I'm looking forward to getting back into the arena. All that EMO B.S. about not caring about competition has fallen by the way side as the season draws nearer and my knee continues to cooperate. Slowly but surely (I will admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the down time by the way) I have gradually shifted from a recreational approach to training towards a full on, high quality routine that's designed to do one thing: Get me ready to race.
Thinking back to where I was about 2 months ago, perspective wise, I'd like to go back and kick my own ass for being such pansy. But, as my smack talking counterpart did point out "being injured screws with your brain" so I guess that I shouldn't be too hard on myself.
Bottom line: I train and race because I like to push myself. I like to see what kind of watts I can produce and sustain. What kind of run I can lay down post bike. How deep I can dig when that little, weakling voice inside my head starts screaming "I want this to end!" Oh yes... and to see how much time I can make up on the super swimmers and world class/well rounded pros who kick my ass in the swim. I also train and race because I like to compete against, and beat, other like-minded athletes. Although I never like to lose, I also don't mind losing to the better man and will always be the first to shake his hand and congratulate him when the dust settles. In the end, I view competition as a healthy thing: Racing other people helps you to race to your full potential.
To me, that's fun, and the process of figuring out how to get my body into peak form so that I can race to the best of my abilities, against others, is what brings me back for more year in, year out.
After my long lay off, I must say that I'm pretty surprised by what I'm laying down at the moment in training. I was once again shocked by the avg./norm power I produced (275/290 respectively) during my latest venture outside: an intensive 40 miler. I just can't get over how easy it feels to hold what was my normal race day power output last year. I'm only riding 3 x per week right now and I'll tell you... every ride, hell, every pedal stroke feels GREAT!
Just started swimming again last week and thanks to all the suspension training I've been laying down this winter, I've been pleasantly surprised by me form in the water as well.
Running: Seems like no matter what I do, my run form is always within about 5% of peak, but I guess that 25 years of running will do that for you.
Anyhoo, that's that. I'm really excited about this next month of training and can't wait to up the ante as I go. I don't think that I'll enter my first race until llate June, but... if I start producing norm watts of 300+ for my 2.5 - 3 hour intensive rides this month, I just may have to toe the line at Rev3 and give my smack talking buddy a good fight!
(p.s. If you scroll down and take a look at the "Cohasset 2008" pic listed here on this blog, you can just make out a sliver of Mr. Smack Talk's head in the background. I forget if we exchanged words that day, but I do recall the fact that he was pretty bummed out that he couldn't race due to a nagging injury. Too bad, as I honestly think that he would have won the race that day...)
Thinking back to where I was about 2 months ago, perspective wise, I'd like to go back and kick my own ass for being such pansy. But, as my smack talking counterpart did point out "being injured screws with your brain" so I guess that I shouldn't be too hard on myself.
Bottom line: I train and race because I like to push myself. I like to see what kind of watts I can produce and sustain. What kind of run I can lay down post bike. How deep I can dig when that little, weakling voice inside my head starts screaming "I want this to end!" Oh yes... and to see how much time I can make up on the super swimmers and world class/well rounded pros who kick my ass in the swim. I also train and race because I like to compete against, and beat, other like-minded athletes. Although I never like to lose, I also don't mind losing to the better man and will always be the first to shake his hand and congratulate him when the dust settles. In the end, I view competition as a healthy thing: Racing other people helps you to race to your full potential.
To me, that's fun, and the process of figuring out how to get my body into peak form so that I can race to the best of my abilities, against others, is what brings me back for more year in, year out.
After my long lay off, I must say that I'm pretty surprised by what I'm laying down at the moment in training. I was once again shocked by the avg./norm power I produced (275/290 respectively) during my latest venture outside: an intensive 40 miler. I just can't get over how easy it feels to hold what was my normal race day power output last year. I'm only riding 3 x per week right now and I'll tell you... every ride, hell, every pedal stroke feels GREAT!
Just started swimming again last week and thanks to all the suspension training I've been laying down this winter, I've been pleasantly surprised by me form in the water as well.
Running: Seems like no matter what I do, my run form is always within about 5% of peak, but I guess that 25 years of running will do that for you.
Anyhoo, that's that. I'm really excited about this next month of training and can't wait to up the ante as I go. I don't think that I'll enter my first race until llate June, but... if I start producing norm watts of 300+ for my 2.5 - 3 hour intensive rides this month, I just may have to toe the line at Rev3 and give my smack talking buddy a good fight!
(p.s. If you scroll down and take a look at the "Cohasset 2008" pic listed here on this blog, you can just make out a sliver of Mr. Smack Talk's head in the background. I forget if we exchanged words that day, but I do recall the fact that he was pretty bummed out that he couldn't race due to a nagging injury. Too bad, as I honestly think that he would have won the race that day...)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Momentum
Slowly but surely, I'm getting back to "that place" where multiple daily training sessions are once again becoming the norm. A couple of months ago, I felt like my days as a competitive triathlete were pretty much over. Funny how your perspective can change so dramatically in such a short period of time; I was flying high after Muskoka 70.3, down in the dumps and hopeless 6 weeks later (feeling like this knee would NEVER heal!) and back at it and looking forward to all that '09 holds in store shortly after New Years.
Knee felt good on today's intensive 9 mile run (executed over hilly terrain) and I'm excited to hit the bike and weight room this afternoon.
Seems like the knee issue was petellofemoral syndrome all along as it's responded VERY positively to the 2 simple exercises I've utilized to get the patella tracking correctly again: nothing more than squeezing a blow up med. ball between my knees (until the adductors are screaming!) and locking the leg out/contracting the quad to help develop the VMO. I wish that the doctors would have recommended this to me back in September, but oh well.
My competitive schedule might have to be pushed back by a month or 2 so that I can prepare correctly and bring the fitness up to par, but surprisingly, I'm pushing watts and paces on my easy days that are either on par or faster than what I was hitting in season. A lot of this has to do with the fact that all of my work is sub threshold right now though, so I credit fresh legs with what I'm seeing. I won't hide the fact that I'm also deriving a lot of "inspiration" from the daily reports, or should I say, taunting, that soon to be short course/TT specialist turned long course triathlete Dean "the machine" Phillips keeps sending my way. I wake up to email based updates that let me know "how easy it was to pump out 2 hours @ 300+ watts" or "how much faster I'm running than last year." I can't just sit there and take that kind of abuse of course, so I have no other option than to prepare to the best of my abilities. I'll have my hands full with this 185 lb.+ monster this season, as I expect to see him lay down some of the fastest bike splits on the 70.3 scene (i.e. I expect a sub 2:10 bike split out of him at Timberman) but... There's nothing better than a good fight, so onward I shall roll!
IM might have to wait until the end of '09 given another BIG personal development that has recently come about for Michelle and I; one that will require a lot of the time and energy I'd need to pump into the IM prep. This being said, it's looking like RI 70.3, Timberman 70.3, Muskoka 70.3 or Pumpkinman, Austin 70.3 and, perhaps, IMAZ to end the year. Throw the new Commonwealth tri series into the mix and Rev3 if I'm ready to roll by early June, and I've got myself a full season.
It's good to be back!
Knee felt good on today's intensive 9 mile run (executed over hilly terrain) and I'm excited to hit the bike and weight room this afternoon.
Seems like the knee issue was petellofemoral syndrome all along as it's responded VERY positively to the 2 simple exercises I've utilized to get the patella tracking correctly again: nothing more than squeezing a blow up med. ball between my knees (until the adductors are screaming!) and locking the leg out/contracting the quad to help develop the VMO. I wish that the doctors would have recommended this to me back in September, but oh well.
My competitive schedule might have to be pushed back by a month or 2 so that I can prepare correctly and bring the fitness up to par, but surprisingly, I'm pushing watts and paces on my easy days that are either on par or faster than what I was hitting in season. A lot of this has to do with the fact that all of my work is sub threshold right now though, so I credit fresh legs with what I'm seeing. I won't hide the fact that I'm also deriving a lot of "inspiration" from the daily reports, or should I say, taunting, that soon to be short course/TT specialist turned long course triathlete Dean "the machine" Phillips keeps sending my way. I wake up to email based updates that let me know "how easy it was to pump out 2 hours @ 300+ watts" or "how much faster I'm running than last year." I can't just sit there and take that kind of abuse of course, so I have no other option than to prepare to the best of my abilities. I'll have my hands full with this 185 lb.+ monster this season, as I expect to see him lay down some of the fastest bike splits on the 70.3 scene (i.e. I expect a sub 2:10 bike split out of him at Timberman) but... There's nothing better than a good fight, so onward I shall roll!
IM might have to wait until the end of '09 given another BIG personal development that has recently come about for Michelle and I; one that will require a lot of the time and energy I'd need to pump into the IM prep. This being said, it's looking like RI 70.3, Timberman 70.3, Muskoka 70.3 or Pumpkinman, Austin 70.3 and, perhaps, IMAZ to end the year. Throw the new Commonwealth tri series into the mix and Rev3 if I'm ready to roll by early June, and I've got myself a full season.
It's good to be back!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Game On
Training for '09 has officially begun. I was able to build back slowly to 40 miles of running per week over the course of November and December and have inserted suspension training into the mix as well.
I'll be taking more of a "strength" oriented approach with my training this winter as I build towards Ironman this summer. I'm not sure which one I'll hit yet, but I think it's easy to guess which one I'm tentatively targeting given it's proximity to Gloucester.
It's good to be back at it.
I'll be taking more of a "strength" oriented approach with my training this winter as I build towards Ironman this summer. I'm not sure which one I'll hit yet, but I think it's easy to guess which one I'm tentatively targeting given it's proximity to Gloucester.
It's good to be back at it.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Nothing Left To Prove
Although 2008 didn't end quite the way I had hoped it would, the past few months certainly have provided me with a lot of time to think about things.
I'm rolling into 2009 busier than ever on the coaching front. I'm currently working with 32 athletes, many of whom are showing some real promise! I'm very excited to watch my crew in action this year and am expecting some great things. I never lose sight of how lucky I am to do what I do for a living and am at all times driven by my love for the work. I get up every day and do what I've always dreamt of doing. It doesn't get any better than that!
Personally, the forced down time I've taken thanks to the knee injury has allowed me some time to reflect on my own athletic undertakings. The bottom line: I can honestly say that I don't feel as though I have anything left to prove to myself or anyone else now. I think that I finally got that monkey off my back. For far too many years, I was motivated to train and race by a constant feeling of inadequacy. I was trying to make up for lost time and lost opportunities; a high school and collegiate running career that fell short, my first go around with triathlon back in the mid - late 90s - 2001. You name it. I wanted to prove that I could hold my own against the best. So... I set out back out in 2006 with one singular objective: To beat as many people as I could and to ascend the tri ranks as quickly as possible.
Fast forward to 2008: After 2 years of great AG results I turned pro and started racing head to head against the big boys. Although I took my fair share of lumps, I also more than held my own, routinely laying down some of the fastest run and/or bike splits on the 70.3 circuit every time out. Out running Galindez (split wise) at RI 70.3 and out biking guys like Alexander and Cunningham (once again, split wise) at Muskoka 70.3 left me, more than anything... satisfied. I don't care that I "only" came in 6th and 5th overall (respectively) in those races, I had finally proven to myself once and for all that I could at least hang. And for me... that's enough.
At this point in my life, I'm really not interested in flying all over the world to race. I love Gloucester and hate being away. I also hate flying, staying in crappy hotels, eating on the road, and wasting my money paying for all of these things!
In the end, life as a "pro" really isn't all that it's cracked up to be. As a matter of fact, there's no difference between racing pro and age-group. Outside of the occasional comped entry and homestay, you have to deal with the same travel related B.S., the same bad food, the same pre-race stress, etc. The only thing that changes is your position on the bike racks and the fact that you leave shore in the first wave every time out.
Well, at 33, I find that I'm more excited by the thought of having a nice home here in Gloucester; perhaps a place with a small on-site office/testing center and a free room that my athletes can crash in when they come to visit. I'm also interested in making time to pursue other interests that are in no way related to triathlon. Given the nature of my work, I spend almost every waking hour either talking about triathlon, writing about triathlon, or physically preparing to compete in triathlon. For most people, it's their hobby. As a full time coach, it's my job. Like any job, no matter how much you love it, if you don't make time for other things, you're on the fast track to burn out.
I was talking with one of my new athletes the other day, former Pro tennis player and rising tri star (watch out for this guy in '09, he is going to be GOOD) Quinn Borchard, who hails from CA. He was asking me about Ironman. Yes, I've hinted that I plan on hitting at least one Ironman in '09. But this year, I find that I'm motivated to compete for different reasons. When I started in with triathlon back in 1995, I was was motivated to do so because I craved the pure adventure of the sport. I didn't care about sponsorship, beating people, media exposure etc. I just wanted to ride my bike and run. And yes, some things never change: I only swam (and continue to do so!) because it was a necessary evil. Outside of distance swimming in the ocean, I'll NEVER like swimming. It's THE worst and mind numbingly boring. But I digress; I find that I've come full circle.
I'm looking forward to all that 2009 holds in store and a return to my roots. I'm going to pick a handful of the most challenging long course tris I can find (all preferably within driving distance of Gloucester!) next year and have at it, my only motivation being the simple challenge that I'll face by pushing myself on a bunch of rugged courses against good competition.
It's as simple as that.
Happy New Year!
I'm rolling into 2009 busier than ever on the coaching front. I'm currently working with 32 athletes, many of whom are showing some real promise! I'm very excited to watch my crew in action this year and am expecting some great things. I never lose sight of how lucky I am to do what I do for a living and am at all times driven by my love for the work. I get up every day and do what I've always dreamt of doing. It doesn't get any better than that!
Personally, the forced down time I've taken thanks to the knee injury has allowed me some time to reflect on my own athletic undertakings. The bottom line: I can honestly say that I don't feel as though I have anything left to prove to myself or anyone else now. I think that I finally got that monkey off my back. For far too many years, I was motivated to train and race by a constant feeling of inadequacy. I was trying to make up for lost time and lost opportunities; a high school and collegiate running career that fell short, my first go around with triathlon back in the mid - late 90s - 2001. You name it. I wanted to prove that I could hold my own against the best. So... I set out back out in 2006 with one singular objective: To beat as many people as I could and to ascend the tri ranks as quickly as possible.
Fast forward to 2008: After 2 years of great AG results I turned pro and started racing head to head against the big boys. Although I took my fair share of lumps, I also more than held my own, routinely laying down some of the fastest run and/or bike splits on the 70.3 circuit every time out. Out running Galindez (split wise) at RI 70.3 and out biking guys like Alexander and Cunningham (once again, split wise) at Muskoka 70.3 left me, more than anything... satisfied. I don't care that I "only" came in 6th and 5th overall (respectively) in those races, I had finally proven to myself once and for all that I could at least hang. And for me... that's enough.
At this point in my life, I'm really not interested in flying all over the world to race. I love Gloucester and hate being away. I also hate flying, staying in crappy hotels, eating on the road, and wasting my money paying for all of these things!
In the end, life as a "pro" really isn't all that it's cracked up to be. As a matter of fact, there's no difference between racing pro and age-group. Outside of the occasional comped entry and homestay, you have to deal with the same travel related B.S., the same bad food, the same pre-race stress, etc. The only thing that changes is your position on the bike racks and the fact that you leave shore in the first wave every time out.
Well, at 33, I find that I'm more excited by the thought of having a nice home here in Gloucester; perhaps a place with a small on-site office/testing center and a free room that my athletes can crash in when they come to visit. I'm also interested in making time to pursue other interests that are in no way related to triathlon. Given the nature of my work, I spend almost every waking hour either talking about triathlon, writing about triathlon, or physically preparing to compete in triathlon. For most people, it's their hobby. As a full time coach, it's my job. Like any job, no matter how much you love it, if you don't make time for other things, you're on the fast track to burn out.
I was talking with one of my new athletes the other day, former Pro tennis player and rising tri star (watch out for this guy in '09, he is going to be GOOD) Quinn Borchard, who hails from CA. He was asking me about Ironman. Yes, I've hinted that I plan on hitting at least one Ironman in '09. But this year, I find that I'm motivated to compete for different reasons. When I started in with triathlon back in 1995, I was was motivated to do so because I craved the pure adventure of the sport. I didn't care about sponsorship, beating people, media exposure etc. I just wanted to ride my bike and run. And yes, some things never change: I only swam (and continue to do so!) because it was a necessary evil. Outside of distance swimming in the ocean, I'll NEVER like swimming. It's THE worst and mind numbingly boring. But I digress; I find that I've come full circle.
I'm looking forward to all that 2009 holds in store and a return to my roots. I'm going to pick a handful of the most challenging long course tris I can find (all preferably within driving distance of Gloucester!) next year and have at it, my only motivation being the simple challenge that I'll face by pushing myself on a bunch of rugged courses against good competition.
It's as simple as that.
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
On the Road Again
I'll make it quick...
I'm running again. Knock on wood but it's been 3 weeks of gradual build up and the knee is only getting better and better. Laid down a good 7 miler yesterday with NO pain and only minimal discomfort/tightness.
Looks like this may have been an IT band related issue all along, as I've been stretching the hell out of that bastard with a foam roller before every workout and doing so has made a big difference.
This is good.
Super busy with the Gloucester tri preparations/meetings but that's a good thing. We're really cooking with gas and I'm still in a semi-state of disbelief that we're actually going to have a big time sprint event in the heart of Gloucester in less than 9 months. That'll be a dream come true.
Lots of good stuff happening, but I'll save that post for after the holiday season.
Oh, and Max, if you're reading this: Believe it or not, but the "break" allowed me some time to think more about next year and I agree that it's time. Just have to figure out which race to hit.
Happy Holidays.
I'm running again. Knock on wood but it's been 3 weeks of gradual build up and the knee is only getting better and better. Laid down a good 7 miler yesterday with NO pain and only minimal discomfort/tightness.
Looks like this may have been an IT band related issue all along, as I've been stretching the hell out of that bastard with a foam roller before every workout and doing so has made a big difference.
This is good.
Super busy with the Gloucester tri preparations/meetings but that's a good thing. We're really cooking with gas and I'm still in a semi-state of disbelief that we're actually going to have a big time sprint event in the heart of Gloucester in less than 9 months. That'll be a dream come true.
Lots of good stuff happening, but I'll save that post for after the holiday season.
Oh, and Max, if you're reading this: Believe it or not, but the "break" allowed me some time to think more about next year and I agree that it's time. Just have to figure out which race to hit.
Happy Holidays.
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