Full Contact Triathlete

So this blog I think has come to an end. I'm moving up and upgrading my physical workout site to:

Full Contact Triathlete

I am going to leave this site active as I think there are some good posts and material but will be spending a lot of time at my Full Contact Triathlete site. It is about my journey to become an ironman.

Before the Beach Chair

I have been training hard... Recently I bought the book, "The Triathlete's Bible." The only thing I don't like is that it compares itself to the bible in title only. I guess I'm being a little too Christian in that one but whatever. In the end it is a phenomenal guide for anyone at any level. It has put me on a good path and I am enjoying the results. Besides training I have depleted my bank accounts purchasing the required doo-hickies required to maximize my efforts and transition times. There is a lot of essentials and the price is just short of the cost of a kidney transplant. But I am outfitted, thanks to Nytro shop in Encinitas and a little help from the Triathlete Store in Poway. But training is good, staying motivated and trying to stay away from calorie rich beer. Anyway, no reviews or motivational lectures today. Just hard work, hard training and good times.

I have been filling in my off time with some guitar playing, reading and writing. Also hanging with my kiddos and watching them grow.

About a year ago I couldn't wait to miss all this and get to my goal of drinking margaritas in a beach chair. But that is a long way off and in the last couple months I have decided to fill in the gap between now and then with other goals. Triathlons, half ironmans, an ironma and such... I guess the beach chair can wait.

The Beach Chair

http://borrowedfaith.blogspot.com/2011/12/beach-chair.html

http://borrowedfaith.blogspot.com/

Super Pumped

So I'm super pumped!!! I am going to compete in the MARSOC triathlon on August 4th. It is my first official triathlon but far from my first time in multi sports or endurance. To be honest I am not big on giving my hard earned money to wade through the crowds, porter johns and official timing to do something I can do on my own.

But lately I guess the solo workouts have been just that, workouts and I suppose racing wouldn't hurt. Not that I plan on getting podiums or anything much more than a t-shirt but why not. I've spent most of my private life away from others why not get out into the world.

But racing is much different than solo play. A hard beach run followed by open water swimming and back to running is fun, hassle free and one of my secret personal loves. But racing is so technical, crowded and not a leisure sport.

I have run countless miles since I was a kid, running has always been a passion of mine. Thou not fast I enjoy the rush of a 100m dash or the hours on end of an endurance run. Getting lost somehow makes me feel found.

Clocking 15 to 20 miles was no big deal. Make it a half or full marathon makes all the difference in the world. Now you are being watched, timed and passed, makes it a whole new meaning. I've done my share of road races but a triathlon seems to up the ante on my comfort zone.

Anyway, I got my gear bought... expensive sport being a triathlete. Just got me some Tifosi glasses that I love, a 2XU T:3 wetsuit and finally against my will some clip less riding shoes, Shimano T31. Now I'm wrapping up my training and then going to start practicing my transitions. I think those worry me the most.

When I multi sport train on my own transitions were rest periods, water breaks and change overs. Not 90 seconds of fury. But I am ready to take on the new challenges. I have been working hard and been making positive changes and most off all am aging with happiness.

The Truth About Triathletes

I recently read an article on Triathletes, it was very enlightening. I am not going to reference the author or his work because I don't want to give that ass clown any more attention than he has already gotten from his rant. But here is a snap shot of what he said, paraphrased:

Triathletes are people that are too crapy at one sport so to make up for their short comings, they have to suck at three sports, because no real athlete would combine multiple sports. (oh, there is more) Triathletes are rich assholes that make $150,000 and have all the time in the world so they do stupid triathlons to further separated themselves from common people. They purchase expensive crap to satisfy their materialistic cravings and once again only to separated themselves in snobbish fashion from rational, down to earth people. Real athletes such as runners, swimmers and cyclists actually hate triathletes for they are stuck up and suck individually at any one single event. They also wear stupid outfits.

It goes on for many pages, this punk making generalized statements about all triathletes. Now, here is my rebuttal. I am no pro but I enjoy me some triathlons and I'm not speaking for the whole Tri community but...

I'm not rich nor stuck up. I devote most of my time to teaching and helping others. My wife says I am the most generous man she has met, a philanthropist to the core. I know a lot of other athletes, pro and not that are the same. I know pro Tri athletes that live out of a car or RV just to keep up with their love of the sport. But it is not me that I am defending, it is those people that have the mental and physical courage to take up such a sport.

Tri athletes suck at any one sport? Two words, Lance Armstrong. Yeah he does triathlons and he won the single cycle event one billion times. Take a look at pro triathlete's splits in individual events... They are phenomenal.

Triathlete's separate themselves from common people or single athlete pros? Yeah and Michael Jordan is an asshole for separating himself from common ball players and how dare the Beatles be so great and play, sing and rock better than a garage band, and damn Carl's Juniors double western bacon cheese burger for making all other burgers sub standard. Yeah, that makes sense to justify your pathetic existence by blasting those that have put in work. Jealousy and envy are ugly.

Sure first impression Triathletes are a bit stuck up. Go to any multi sport store and you will initially get the cold shoulder. Why? Loyalty, they want life long customers not window shoppers. They don't have time to have you window shop a $3000 bike to say it is too expensive. Besides they are doing you a favor by being cold, go to Wal Mart and buy a crap bike if price is your concern. That's like shopping for a Ferrari and wanting a Pinto price tag. They aren't better than you, you justice not at that level. Know yourself and your limits. You think Tiger Woods would be cool with you if you were his golf partner at the Masters?

The cost of Triathlon gear is too expensive? First off have rode bikes all my life. Once I got a carbon frame Felt Z5 I am a believer. I thought 15 to 18 miles per hour on flat land was fast. After getting a bike, fitted, proper mechanics of riding 15 to 18 MPH on flat found is standing still. How much are pro golf clubs? Pro tennis racket, pro anything? Shut up.

The clothes they wear looks funny? Look, let me summarize with this. Change the word Triathlete with, black, white, Mexican, Asian, male, female... You would catch an ass beating. Don't hate, yeah freedom of speech and you have your own opinion but judging others is what inadequate people do. Oh, did I just throw a rock in a glass house?

Live life, love it and do what you love to do no matter how many ass clowns have a negative opinion. No. Because they have negative opinions!

Training Increase

So I have a PFT on Friday that is really cutting into my life. For those fortunate enough to not know what a PFT is I will enlighten you...

A PFT is the Marine Corps annual fitness test consisting of max rep of pull ups (20), max crunches in 2 minutes (100) and a 3 mile run.

The reason I say that it is cutting into my life is because I can't keep my usually training schedule in order to be ready to max perform. So for two days prior I have to take it easy to ensure my body is ready for the quick "race." A 3 mile race should be no big deal but changing gears from endurance runs, bikes, swims, bricks and cross fit to a speedy 5k is a tough change. I'm not the fastest guy in the world but I love endurance training and pushing myself. But having to rest up for a 5k is messing with my mental.

Anyway, once it is done I will be back on track. I will be focusing on running hard over the next six weeks as my work schedule will have this included (one of the perks of being a Marine, part of the job description is running) but I plan on working hard on my swim and brick workouts with the bike.

I have a new secret weapon. I haven't take protein shakes, powders or supplements up till now. Besides whole foods and beer I take fish oil, calcium, garlic and glucosamine pills. But doing research on triathletes, most take some sort of enhancement product.

Lately with my endurance workouts I find myself worn out for the rest of the day. So... I decided to try a product, AMP endurance booster. WOWW!!! That stuff is amazing. My VO2 was phenomenal, my endurance was peaked and I honestly didn't want to stop training. The only negative is that my sweat was extremely salty... not that that is bad but there was a film of salty paste on my skin. No big deal as the electro-salty-stuffy-stuff was using the water in my body more efficiently.

My muscles felt great, my heart, lungs and breathing were like a machine and my endurance was off the charts. I did feel a bit light head at times yet I'm sure I was a bit dehydrated due to Sierra Nevada's the night prior. But in the end, the stuff worked great and I felt great the whole day after. Good stuff.

So after this PFT I plan on turning up the training. I got my Triathlete Magazine and my Runner's Magazine coaching me along with all my daily research. I do need to get a wetsuit but may need to sell a kidney just to afford one. This is an expensive hobby, but I love it. And when you love something... it is all worth it.

So here is a snap shot of my last couple days of workouts. Prior to this I had clocked 30 miles in the previous week running. Then:

WOD Brick:
19 mile bike
3.2 mile run

WOD Rest Day:
10 pull ups
25 push ups
Repeat for 5 sets

WOD Hill Run:
7.2 miles hard hills
Easy swim

WOD Swim:
10 pull ups
25 push ups
Repeat for 5 sets
100 crunches
800m swim

So nothing too crazy but getting ready to ramp up the training and miles. I just started a strict diet. Not that I didn't eat well prior but just pushing it more toward lean muscle and fuel only food. We will see how long that lone Sierra Nevada Bottle last is the fridge. I'm feeling good, ready to push myself and see how hard I can go!!!

Stay MOTIVATED!!!

Word...

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others.

—Marianne Williamson

Training for an unknown event T3

T3 WOD: Speed Training

20 pull ups
2 miles up hill training
2 miles sprints (see below)
-1/4 mile jog
-1/4 mile sprint
1 mile jog steady pace
10 pull ups
100 crunches
10 pull ups
100 spartan crunches

Somewhere in my insomnia filled nights I had a dream that I could be an ironman. Well half ironman but the general public doesn't really know the difference and anyone that was so snooty to point it out is either: (A) an ironman and he or she has every right to say what they like about triathlons to a wog like me or (B) they never completed one are just being an armchair quarterback so they can shut the hell up and go back to their pathetic hate filled lives.

What was I talking about?

So somewhere in the apnea of slumber, the insomnia of sleep and the night sweats that surround me in a sea of... another word that starts with the letter S and means sleeping or not sleeping, I happen to stumble on an idea; train for an ironman.

I know, stupid that a mortal would try and achieve acts of sublime-ness, sublime-ity, whatever. Spelling and grammar are not in triathlons for a reason.

Maybe I am doing it just so I can talk about it and feel different, important. Maybe to increase my physical conditioning and set new goals. Maybe to prove I'm not age 40 although in 3 years state law and nature will say otherwise. Maybe stupidity. Maybe because 13.1 miles and 25k seem to be completed by every housewife and goober on earth. Maybe... there doesn't need to be a reason.

So when, what... the details of this ironman? I have no clue. It's like I'm planning on having a baby. I have the name picked, the room painted, crib set, read the book what to expect, but I'm not even pregnant; hell I'm not even dating anyone!

static...

sorry. temporary pause.

40 miles

Been having such a wonderful time with life that I haven't had time to write about it. Spent the last week in soccer practice. I was reluctant to play to say the least yet it felt good to get out on the field and play kick-ity kick ball. Futbol is my favorite sport yet it is hard to find a game that isn't dominated by all forwards kicking each other's ankles.

My workouts have been intense yet my running is way down. I really don't mind yet I do miss my long runs. I'm sure it will all come back as I am adding in some new things to keep my active life fresh.

Yesterday I decided to bike from my house in Oceanside to Encinitas. A beautiful 20 mile ride (there, 40 miles there and back) along rolling hills lining the Pacific ocean. I was concerned the hills would kick my tail yet in the end I was able to dominate them. In fact I was passing other bikes that cost twice as much as mine. I figure if a person is riding a more expensive bike they must be better at biking, maybe dumb logic but seems to hold some truth.

The more I bike the better I get. I am sure that is how it is suppose to work yet I can't believe how quick I am improving. Making perfect circles has become easier and my speed has increased. I actually was climbing a lazy hill at 23 mph!!! Of course my ability to maintain a high cadence is not everlasting yet I am quickly learning it is more about the right gear, and technique.

During my bike ride I rode past the Carlsbad 5000 races. I stopped at the turn around point and watched the runners. I somewhat wished I was running the beach yet turning south and bombing a hill at 31 mph made all the wishing go away. I realized in that moment that we spend a lot of our lives focused on what we are not doing instead of what we are doing. We let life live us through routine and wanting. Instead of life living us we should live life. Sure we are dictated by a schedule and have tasks that control our lives yet they don't have to define who we are. Ahhh... I'm not trying to force a fortune cookie moment of wisdom yet I think I made a point.

Life is grand!

The Lay Down

Is it going to rain or not? All this foreplay is making me feel premature... uh, maybe not the best analogy or simile or whatever. To beat the rain I decided to strap on my helmet and slip into my 2XU shorts and start pounding the pedals on the bike. Air in the tires, lube on the drive train, I slipped into the cold air morning with ease.

There is an awesome bike path that leads from my front door to the ocean in 7.8 miles yet instead of turning right towards the Pacific I decided to head up the hill laden streets. Now these are hills that I don't even like riding my motorcycle on. When you stop at the lights the hill is so steep it is hard to keep my Z1000 from rolling back or wanting to lean into the slopes. A perfect combination of clutch, break and gas has to be done or you will stall or flip. Even standard transmission cars can be heard rev-ing their engines to fight the climb. Running the hills takes every ounce of discipline not to just throw your hands up and say, '____ __!" and walk.

So why not try the bike up the hills. For five miles of ups and downs my legs burned like I was... biking up a hill. I was gasping for air and the worst part was as hard as my steam engines pumped I was standing still. I even wobbled a little to keep balance. But then the magic happened.

Instead of trying to climb the hill I decided to focus on my posture. I slid my butt back in the saddle and concentrated on putting my weight over the pedals. I counted out a steady cadence, "one two three four, one two three four, one..." was my mantra. I pulled up on my bars while pushing down on the opposite pedal. I shifted my weight by rocking my bike side to side vice my hips and shoulders and when I could remember, I relaxed and tried to enjoy it. I was able to get my speed up to 7 mph which is probably slow but it is easy to judge me from your couch while reading this.

I was proud of myself and felt that I grew as a cyclist by working on the fundamentals and they worked. What did not work was bombing the back side of the hill. Holy hole in a donut Batman!! At 30 plus miles per hour a tiny pebble can make your front wheel skip a whole foot to the left or right. I don't mind the speed; it is the sudden stoppage that scares the crap out of me. Each intersection was like playing chicken with a car. Sure I have the green light but those right turns on reds can kill you. My back break rubber got a workout along with my quads. Those 2XU compression does help the quads stay in place and feel fresh.

So after five miles I broke west and headed toward the ocean. My spin training has helped and I was able to cruise at 24 mph on flat ground for extended periods. It didn't last the entire trip as a head wind blasted me and at that point I wished I had a more aero helmet and shirt on. Flying in helicopters for half my life I know a thing or two about wind and its effects on ground speed. Yet biking at 20 mph and having a 15 to 20 mph gusts of head wind was freaky-deeky. My eyes were sweating from the wind ripping at my eyeballs.

I got to the beach and still felt fresh and ready to bike some more even though I was pushing my bike like I was trying to compete in a time trial. I notice most cyclists don't push hard on weekend cruises but I'm not here to site see or be a tourist, I'm here to turn pain into deliciousness.

(I'm watching Andrew Zimmer eating crawfish... man I love those suckers. Being a world traveler I have learned to love food... yummy.)

So I drifted around the slips down by the harbor and then took my bike right down to the beach. I kept going till the sand ran out and the road touched the rocks that separate road from ocean water. I slipped past pedestrian, cars and other cyclists. The fresh sea air and the skimpy dressed women reduced the lactic acid in my legs and the steam engines pumped the pistons as I played pin ball with the traffic. I found a nice secluded road lined with houses I could never afford and rode the rolling beach hills. Some people listen to iPods; I had the play list of my heart beating in my head. Before I knew it I had clocked over 20 miles and felt I should get back to my family. If I had no responsibilities in life I am sure I would have tied kayaks to my bike and pedaled across the Pacific for some Prawns in Bali. But there is more to life than running, biking, flying, boating... more to life than travel. No matter how hard I try to out run life, at some point something makes me stand still.

So I turned the bike around and decided to see how fast I could get my bike to go on flat land before heading for home. Now, looking at your flight computer while in a high speed turn and still pedaling is stupid. Stupider still is doing all of this while next to a curb. While fixated on my miles per hour I noticed my pedal hit something solid. I looked up and I am too close to a curb lined with heavy posts. I could try and ride it out, hope for the best with the possibility of smacking my bike or my body against a post. I got this, I turned the wheel away from the curb but I'm too close, the back of wheel hits the curb and sling shots the handlebars hard right, or left or something. My pedal hits the curb again. FREEZE.

My front wheel is now 90 degrees from the bike frame, my pedal is grounded on the curb giving my whole bike lift from the air, I am traveling at 20 plus miles per hour and there are rows of solid, unmovable posts that I am headed toward.

UNFREEZE. My pedal being grounded I used the weight of my foot to dismount the bike, land and grab the seat to stop my bike. It did stop before hitting the post yet the sudden stoppage and the front wheel being 90 degrees from the bike shot the handle bars under the cross bar peeling the paint from the frame. No big deal, no damage and later I would tap the carbon fiber to find no voids or breaks, just a little paint gone. No for me... I was still traveling at a good speed and flying past your bike like a John Woo movie is cool, but looking up and seeing rows of columns in front of you is not cool. I did my best to avoid hard objects and came down rolling on some soft grass. Sweet. But now that I am safe I am upset about the paint missing on my bike. Priorities change once the outcome can be assessed.

With no major damage after checking out my bike and my body I looked to make sure no one saw me and no one did. Sweet. I mounted the saddle and it seemed heavier with my hurt ego riding shot gun. I made it home and was happy. So my first fall on my new bike... probably won’t be the last but at least it happened without severe consequences. You name it, I have crashed on it... cars, helicopters, motorcycles, skateboards... one time I was running on the beach and my son was bent over picking up a sea shell. I went to jump over him and he stood up getting a face full of crotch and dropping us both to the sand. This was on a crowded beach and I think mid-way through I saw someone take a picture of it...

Anyway... there are two types of road bike riders... those that have crashed and those that will. It is good to be alive, not from the crash but just to be alive. Life is good and I am trying to take it in as much as I can.

Spell check and grammer is for the weak...