Slacker Update....

Been a busy past few months, and have really neglected the updates.... therefore I'm going to post the Slacker Update...

At the end of June, I was fortunate to schedule a tri along with my daughter's softball tournament in Denver, CO. The race was the Lake to Lake Tri in Loveland, CO. An abosultely beautiful venue, with probably the most scenic bike ride I have ever biked. Fortunately we received a blessing of a cloud cover for most of the race, especially since the Denver area had been hitting the mid 90's most of the week.

The race started with a 1500m swim in Lake Loveland, followed by a 30 mile bike loop with hills and rolling plains, and finished with a 10k run out and back along the lake.

After the race we finished up the weekend with road trip up to Estes Park, and enjoyed an amazing Colorado sunset.



A couple of days of recovery, and it was back to traing for my first off-road tri, Xterra Snow Valley. This tri is not a very long tri; 1000m swim, 10 mile bike, 4 mile run. However what the race lacked in distance, it packed in punch with elevation!!! Swim was at 7000 ft, the bike was a 2 loop coarse with over a 1000 ft elevation gain each loop, and the run was mix of grueling ups and downs - more like a run/hike.

My times were OK for the swim and run, however I got absolutely worked on the mountaing bike. Definately not my strong discipline and was easily 30-40 minutes slower than the best times!! Overall I had a great race, and enjoyed the scenery in the moutains when I wasn't sucking air..... Definately going to give this race another chance to kick my a--!

And I thought I'd throw in a picture of a ride we did in Idyllwild the weekend before Xterra. Amazing trails on that moutain, and will definately be back.

WTW

I thouhgt it would be cool to use an acronym to discuss my weekly strength training workouts. And since the whole cross-fit revolution has taken the WOD (workout of the day), I came up with WTW - workout of the week.

I took a little time off after the Big Rock Tri to reset, and get ready for the strat of my IM training. I'm using the Iron Fit book by Don Fink, and its weekly training guide. The IM program is a 30 week program separated into three 10 week phases. Just started phase one, and so far so good.......

On top of the IM training, I am adding 2 one hour strength training session per week, followed by a run or bike. The though process is to get totally spent with the strength training, followed by an aerobic run or bike. Kind of using it like a brick session....

Now here is the WTW......

Seesion 1 was more of a light circuit; 90 secs of each of the following, with a 30 sec rest in between. Repeat circuit 3 times.
- dumbell swings
- row machine
- good mornings (lower back, with barbell on shoulders like a squat, bend at the hips, stick the butt out)
- spin bike
- russian twist
- burpees
After a few minutes rest, finished with 5 minutes of core.

Session 2 was another circuit type workout called 25's. Complete 25 reps of each of the following;
- TRX chest ups (with back on the ground)
- Push ups
- Push Press
- Scarecrows
- Squat Cleans
- Atomic sit-ups
- Chinnies
- Dumbell Swings
- Jumping Pull Ups
- Splits jumps on tire
- Tire hops
- Push ups to dips
A few minutes rest, and only a couple minutes of core to finish.

Great WTW, looking forward to the next WTW!!!

Big Rock Tri

The second triathlon of the year was the Big Rock Tri in Lake Perris. The race started with a beautiful morning, a great swim, strong bike, and fizzeled with a "bonk" on the run. Soooo close to a PR, however my nutrition - or lack of - made for a personal worst on the run.

During the bike, my primary focus was calories and unfortunately I neglected the hydration. Once I started the run it was too late, and I couldn't recover my liquids. This made for a loooong, slooooow, and painful 10k. My final run time was 8 minutes slower tham my previous personal worst..... ouch. Fortunately I recorded my best time ever for a 1.5k swim, and I was also very happy with my bike time (for a back of the pack biker).

April is the month I officially start my IM Arizona training, so no more tri's for the next few months. My next event is the Laguna Hills Half Marathon on Memorial Day. This was the first half marathon I ran back in 2009, and I am really working to take some significant minutes off my time!

Stairs and Sand Burpees

One more week before the Big Rock Tri, and I was able to fit in a great beach workout. One of my training partners knows a hidden set of steep stairs that drops from PCH down to the sand just north of Dana Point.

The workout was 5 rounds of the following: Up the stairs, down the stairs, 400m jog in the sand, 20m bear crawl in the sand, and 20m burpee broad jumps in the sand. The first round took 8 minutes, and the last round took close to 10 minutes - total time was 50 min.

The stairs were a blast, definately more cardio than strength for the first few rounds, and then more strength than cardio the last 2 rounds. This was the first time I had ever done burpee broad jumps in the sand, much different (and harder) than on a hard surface!! Overall it was a great workout, and beautiful day to enjoy the ocean.

And now that April has arrived, its officially baseball season. Living in SoCal I have pretty much been a Dodger fan most of my life, however I rarely get to see the games in person. This year my daughter and I decided to attend opening weekend, and had a great time. Nothing better than a Dodger - Giants game to start off the baseball season ....

Desert Tri

This was my second consecutive Desert International Triathlon. The coarse is just short of an Olymnpic distance (3/4 mile swim, 24 mile bike, 6 mile run) and is very flat and fast coarse. The scenery is spectacular, set right next to the base of the mountains in Lake Cahuilla Park (Palm Springs area). One of the things I enjoy the most about living in So Cal are the sunrises, especially in the desert. Driving east to Palm Springs @ 5am was a great opportunity to enjoy the morning, and mother nature did not disappoint!

During last years race the wind and rain started as soon as I finished the swim, which made for a very cold day. My hands were numb when I finished the bike, and it took me 5 minutes to get my running shoes on. The weather for this years race was about as perfect as you could get, 60-70 F with lots of sunshine and clear blue skies.

Conditions for all three segments were some of the best I have experienced; clean lake water, flat smooth asphalt (98% of the course), and a nice trail run around a lake. Add that to a small, well organized, grass roots triathlon and you can't ask for a better day!

As for my race...... I did beat my time by 5 minutes from last year due to a better bike and faster transitions (it helps when your fingers aren't numb). I had a tough swim and a slow run, seems there's always one or two things that make you want to come back and do better.... And to make the race one to never forget, I got some spit afterspray when a girl passed me on the bike and decided to "huck" one to the side.
Overall this a great race, and one that I plan on doing every year to start the season. Thanks to all the great volunteers and mother nature for providing a great experience (minus the spit)!

The TB (Total Body) Workout

The weekly strength training session was more of a challenge session - the Total Body Workout. This challenge consists of the following 4 exercises: Burpees, Push Ups, Sit Ups, and Squats. One round equals 5 burpees, 10 push ups, 15 sit ups, and 20 squats. The object is to complete as many rounds as you can in 20 minutes.

Last time I completed this challenge, about 6 months ago, I finished with 10 rounds. This time I improved with a total of 11-1/4 rounds. Total reps in 20 min was 60 burpees, 110 push ups, 165 sit ups, and 220 body squats.

Total body workout with cardio in 20 minutes!

Who is Nate Harrison?

Nate Harrison is known as the first African-American settler in San Diego County - on the south west side of Palomar Mountain. The stories of his age, life and when he took residence on the mountain run the gamut. Stories suggest he was on the mountain as early as 1850 but artifacts tend to indicate it was closer to the 1890's. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. He came to the area during the Gold Rush and made the mountain his home. His roadside property stood along the only road up and down the mountain. He would provide water and rest to all those who made the journey up or down the mountain. He befriended all and shared stories, made up stories, and became a legend in those parts and subsequent to his death in 1920.

Nate Harrison is also the name of a 12 mile fire road that climbs up Palomar Mountain. A road with beautiful views of Pauma Valley, and an average 8% grade up the side of a mountain with 5000 feet of elevation gain.

The ride started in Pauma Valley, and Indian Reservation north east of Escondido, off Hwy 76. Just past the Casiono Pauma, there is a small shopping center and post office. We parked behind the post office early in the morning and prepared for a long day of riding. Palomar Mountain is in the distance, and the visible part is only half way....

The climb started about 8am and the weather was a perfect 50ish. The first part of the ride rises up through a large patch of citrus groves for about 1-1/2 miles, a nice warm-up for the remaining 10 miles. As you exit the citrus groves, the broken pavement turns to dirt, and you can see the switch backs climbing up the side of the mountain above you. After about 2 hours worth of effort, you start to climb into the trees.

The views to the valley below were amazing - and this was only about half way up. The trees provide a nice change of scenery, however the climbing is just as tough as the switch backs. We took a small nutrition break at mile 9, just in front of the Palomar State Park sign. 

The last 3 miles to the top were more mentally draining then physical. There wasn't much mountain visible above the road, however the climb was just as steep. The last 1/2 mile provided a little relief to the base of the fire lookout climb. The final stretch to the lookout was a steep 1/4 mile that took a huge effort, however the payoff was well worth it....

The valley behind me is where we started..... We took another nutrition break at the lookout station and enjoyed the quiet and peaceful views: the weather was perfect with great visibilty. After a short break we continued to South Grade Rd and descended the moutain with fast and steep corners. The drop of 5000 ft and 12 miles took us only about 30 minutes, and dropped us right into a taco shop! A nice finish to an epic ride.

Carlsbad Marathon

There are many firsts in your life that are memorable. Whether they are happy moments or sad moments, the fact is you will never forget them. Last weekend I completed my first marathon in Carlsbad, and it was full of both happy and sad moments - with a lot of pain to make things interesting.

Race time was 6am, so the morning started early. The alarm went off at 4am, followed by a quick breakfast, and a 45 min drive from Temecula to Carlsbad. It was still dark when the race started, and the weather was a brisk 50ish. Fortunately the moon was a couple days past full, which made for some beautiful early morning running next to the ocean.

My plan for the race was to start slow, and walk every 3 miles to conserve the legs. The plan was going well for the first half of the race. There were a few additional walking breaks between miles 6-9 because of the 3 mile hill up Palomar Airport Rd away from the ocean. As I passed the half point, and reconnected with the ocean, my legs were starting to really hurt. From mile 13-18 we continued south along the ocean, turned around at mile 18 and ran the last 8 miles north up PCH back into Carlsbad. My mind and body went through a lot of battles those last 8 miles after the turn around point.

My goal was to finish the race in 4 hrs 30 minutes. After about mile 13, the time goal changed to 4:45. At mile 18 the time goal changed to 5 hrs. And at mile 22 the goal changed to just finishing. Well at 5 hrs and 15 min I crossed the finish line. It was certainly bittersweet; happy I finished and completed one of my life long goals, sad that I performed so badly.

It was a first I will always remember, and am grateful I had the strength to finish. I now have some memories that will drive me to improve my time for the next marathon. I got a colossal ass kicking in Carlsbad, and I know the next marathon will kick my ass as well - although next time I'm gonna do a little ass kicking myself.

Strength Training

Training this week was slightly reduced due to the fact I was running the Carlsbad Marathon on the weekend.

The first training session started with the typical warm up routine and then started off with a challenge - The 100 Burpee Challenge. How fast can you do 100 burpees, a full body workout with a blast of cardio. I had completed this challenge 2x previously and my best time was 7min 35sec. Unfortunatly I wasn't at my best and finished in 8min 30sec. After the challenge we went through a light circuit of front Squats, dead lifts, wheel rollouts, and bench presses.

The second session of the week consisted of 5 rounds of the following:
15 dumbell swings - started and 35lbs and ended with 40lbs
200m run
20 sit ups
15 dumbell rows with 20lb weights each hand
10 Bar Thrusts - Thrust the bar overhead from the shoulder positon

The workout finished with a 40 meter run holding a 45lbs weight overyour head - a definite burner.

Get Up!

The following paragraph was written by an unknown author and is quite fitting in times of adversity. "Get Up!"

It has been said that your success is insured when you're willing to get up at least one more time than you get knocked down. Hey, we all get knocked around. Like it or not, it's just a part of everyday life. No one, not the most or least talented among us, are exempt from the trials and tribulations of day to day living. But it's how we respond to these temporary setbacks that will in large measure determine how far we go and how high we fly in life.

When life deals you a crushing blow, you must condition yourself to quickly pick yourself up off the canvas and get back into the game. Winners always do. They realize that it's OK to get knocked down and that it's perfectly normal to feel saddened hurt or disappointed about being knocked down. Let’s face it, nobody likes to lose or encounter difficulty. But the winners also recognize that the getting up part is ninety percent of overcoming any adversity placed in their paths.

Don't worry about getting knocked down. Since it's going to happen regardless of whether we like it or not, especially when we're passionately and enthusiastically chasing our dreams, we should vow to keep getting up each and every time. Laying there, moping and feeling sorry for ourselves, isn't going to get us to the winners circle.

Never lose sight of the fact that you were placed here for a reason. There is a song in you that desperately needs to be sung. There are just too many good times, good things, and great people out there to enjoy to ever allow a temporary setback to hold you down or hold you back. When you vow to get up every time you get knocked down, you're well on your way to living the life others only dream about.

“Do not fear the winds of adversity. Remember: A kite rises against the wind rather than with it.”

Weekly Strength Training

Every week I work out 2 times with a friend who is a very knowledgeable fitness expert. He has put me through some rediculous workouts, and I though it might be cool to share. Some of the names of his challenges are "Lots of 50's" "Work Capacity 101" "Griff" "Core 500".... just to name a few. Probably one of the hardest ones I completed was the Burpee-Broad Jump half mile: a burpee finished with a braod jump two times around a track. The crazy part is that he did a Burpee-Broad Jump MILE, four times around a track.

Every workout starts with 10 minutes of jump rope, followed by 10 minutes of various bodyweight exercises, which may or may not include the following: squats, push ups, dips, pull ups, sit ups, hand stand push ups, and tires hops.

MONDAY WORKOUT 
Jog 3 miles - 30 minutes
Main workout consisted of a challenge where we ran through a deck of cards. Exercises and reps were based on the cards.
Clubs = Burpees
Diamonds = Push ups
Hearts = Turkish Get Ups
Spades = Mountain Climbers

2-10 on the cards was equal to the number of reps and
Jack = 8 reps
Queen = 9 reps
King = 10 reps
Ace = 11 reps
Joker = 20 reps of a core exercise

After 52 cards and about 30 minutes later, I was spent. Not sure what the final numbers were, but I guesstimated a hundred of each: 100 Burpees, 100 Push Ups, 100 Moutain Climbers, and 100 Turkish Get Ups w/ 10lb weight.

WEDNESDAY WORKOUT
Jog 3 miles - 30 minutes
Mostly a lower body workout: 4 rounds of the following.
12 Deadlifts with 100lbs (speed and explosive)
400m run
15 Med Ball Slams (15lb ball)
20 Mason Twists w/ 10lb weight
10 Tire Hops (36")

Finished with a round heavy deadlifts - I maxed at 231lbs = 150% my body weight.

2010 Last Run

I went for my last run of the year Friday Dec 31, and used it as a time to reflect and give thanks over the past 12 months. I was grateful to have sunshine and blue sky; since this has been a long, cold wet month here in So Cal.

There were many things to be grateful for as 2010 came to a close. As I let my mind wander during the run, here are a few things that came to mind:

- My IPod, exercise and music are pretty dang good to flush the brain

- My job, which helps me support my exercise addiction

- Coffee, the natural eye opener

- Foam Rollers, because I can't afford regular massages (or any messages.........)

- Blogs, it's nice to read about other ordinary people doing the same thing

- Triathlon Transition Areas, where I have met the nicest and most positive people I know

- Free Tech Shirts at races, great workout appareal

- Wetsuits, the added bouyancy has greatly helped my confidence in the swim

- Porta Potties with hand sanitizer

- Races that you can pick up your race packet the moring of the race

- My Mountain Bike, nice to ride on trails rather than asphalt a few times a month

- Grocery Stores that let you grind your own Almond Butter

- Self Serve Frozen Yogurt

- Curtious drivers during bike rides

- And I am grateful for my health, being able to race and enjoy exercise at 40+ is an amazing experince.  Hope it continues for 40 more years.

The Last Lecture

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

--Randy Pausch

Randy was diagnosed with terminal cancer when he gave this lecture. A very positive message that talks about achieving your childhood dreams and enabling others to achieve their dreams.

285.1

That’s the number of combined race miles of swimming, biking, and running this year, or in the metric language the total is 457.8 km. 4.8 miles of swimming, 200 miles of biking, and 80.3 miles of running. That kind of equals 4 one mile open water swims, 2 century bike rides, 3 marathons, and one 5k.

There were a few firsts for me this past year.

-          First Olympic Distance Tri

-          First time I paced under 10:00 min/mile in a half marathon

-          First mud run

-          First triathlon in the rain

-          First Half Iron Distance Tri

Now that 2010 is done, I’ve started planning for 2011, and there are a few firsts already in the plan. So here is my list of wants for 2011 (I’m not really a “goal” person, and not even close to a “need” person)

-          Complete a marathon (registered for Carlsbad in Jan)

-          Volunteer for a triathlon (hopefully Oceanside 70.3)

-          Experience Wildflower

-          Complete a Mountain Bike ride at night – with a full moon.

-          Finish a half marathon under 2 hrs

-          Complete a full Ironman (registered for AZ in November)

This being my second full year of triathlons completed, I am still very grateful to have “found” the healthy lifestyle of triathlons. Before 2009, I was overweight and out of shape – not only physically, but mentally as well. Triathlons have been a huge influence in my life, and will always be. I compare it to your first love; she’s always there in the back of your mind, no matter where you’re at. I’m not the fastest triathlete, nor the fittest triathlete, nor the strongest triathlete, however I do enjoy and appreciate this sport just as much as a seasoned pro.

2009 Year 1 – 213.2 miles

2010 Year 2 – 285.1 miles

Not sure what the total number of miles is gonna be for 2011, although in the end it really doesn’t matter. What I do know is that it’s gonna be fun, and I’m gonna find someplace inside me that I haven’t found before…..

Invisible Victories

I read this post on a message board the other day and thought it was a really good perspective. In life we are constantly looking for “Visible Victories”. I get consumed in the hype, the drive, and the fact that I can never do enough to train. In reality, the “Invisible Victories” are just as important as the “Visible Victories” – we just have to learn to see them when they are present.

Invisible Victories

By Whitney Post, former World Champion and Olympic Rower

www.thebodyself.com

We live in a culture that is always looking for the shiny accomplishment.  We are taught to be good, to look good, to achieve more-and it never seems to end.  Yet I have found over and over again that the tasks and achievements that are most in line with my recovery are invisible, humble acts that won't take up space on my resume and that I probably won't want to tell anyone about at a cocktail party.  Each month in this column I will celebrate an invisible victory that I or one of my clients has accomplished.  My hope is that it will help you be better able to spot and celebrate your own.

I want to thank Rachel Bikofsky, our May 2010 Invisible Victory Contest winner for sharing her strength and growth in this essay about the Boston Marathon.  I believe it belongs on the medal stand because it articulates something so many of us feel when we see high level athletes, or witness events we think our "perfect" or "preferred" selves should be participating in.  The victory here comes in accepting her own body's truth about what is right and balanced, and releasing old ideas of who she should be.

My Invisible Victory – by Rachel Bikofsky

Today was the 114th Boston Marathon, and I didn't run it.  Nor did I run the 113th, or the 112th, or any marathon ever, at any time.  Every year in recent memory, I have used Marathon Monday as an excuse to berate myself endlessly for my lack of strength and discipline-obviously, if I possessed those qualities, I'd be running.  So this year, as the big event loomed once more, I approached it with my usual sense of trepidation...and was pleasantly surprised to be greeted not with self-hatred, but with acceptance and clarity.  Here's what I know:

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean that I was weak.  But, I know I'm not weak, because I wake up at 5:45 every morning, get to work an hour later, and have energy enough to shepherd 25 rambunctious third graders through a full day of learning, five days a week.

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean I was undisciplined.  But, I know I'm not undisciplined, I just save my discipline for things that matter to me, and running doesn't.  I work hard, I study meticulously, I make to-do lists and schedules and stick to them.  If I set a goal, I do my best to meet it, and I'm pretty sure that's what discipline is about.

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean I'd never have the body I wanted.  Well, it does mean I'll never have a marathoner's body, but it doesn't have to mean I'll never have a body I'm satisfied with.  Also, it probably means for me I'll have a better chance of keeping my period, and won't have to endure the pain of running with stress fractures in my feet ever again.  It means I'll be gentler with my body, and my body and spirit will reflect that.

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean I'd never get medals or have people cheer for me.  Okay, so it probably does eliminate one possible avenue for medal winning.  But last week, one of my students presented me with two tiny origami swans he had made for me in art class.  Better than a medal?  It was for me.

            I did not run the Marathon, and this used to mean I had no worth.  While it's true that I'm not a runner, I am a person who stops to touch wildflowers and exclaim over nature, who is intuitive to the needs of others, who loves her family, and who can soothe a crying child.  I am a thinker, a writer, and a person with a wicked sense of humor.  I am all of those things, so I can also accept what I am not.

            What not running the Marathon means is simply that I am not a marathon runner-and there is no longer a value judgment attached to that statement.  It's neither good nor bad, it's just what is.  And, I'm finally, finally okay with that, or at least more okay than I've ever been before. I did not run the race, or win a medal...., but I have earned an invisible victory, and I think the 114th Boston Marathon has been my best one yet. 

Misc Pictures of Mine

Here are some of my favorite pictures I have taken in my travels.

Belgium

Blue Angels - Sioux Falls, SD

Lance an Levi - Tour of Calif, Cole Grade in Escondido

Suzhou, China

Suzhou, China

Moutain Biking in Palm Canyon

I am very, very new to the sport of mountain biking, and although it kicks my ass every time I go for a ride, I truly appreciate the experience when I get a ride in. I have only been mountain biking for about 9 months, and the biggest challenge for me is the mental side of mountain biking – constantly analyzing the trail and the path in front of you. The best part about mountain biking are the cool names of the trails –Dragon’s Back, Cheese Grater, Tunnel of Love, The Forest, ….

Within the past month, I have had 2 great rides. The first was at Vail Lake in Temecula, CA where myself and four other coworkers completed in a 12 hour mountain bike race. This was my first mountain bike race, and my first 12 hour race. The course was a 10.5 mile loop which took the good riders about 45 min, the average riders about 60 min, and then the beginners (like me) 75 min. What really impressed me were the solo riders. Since just completing my first half iron distance triathlon, I could really appreciate the endurance and determination of these riders to push through 12 hours of mountain biking!

The second ride was a 12 mile loop in the mountains above Palm Springs – Palm Canyon ride starting in Pinyon Pines. This was actually a small sample of the 25 mile trial that takes you all the way into Palm Springs. This ride was something I had never experienced, loose dirt, narrow trails, and step switchbacks on the side of canyons. After the ride I felt OK physically, although mentally I was pretty much drained - I was constantly looking at the drops instead of the trail.

Overall it was a great learning experience. I really enjoy the surroundings of mountain biking, but the technical and mental side are huge work in process. It’s all about risk-reward. And even though I am getting better at taking more risks, there are always big rewards.