Nothing really new to post for now. I have a feeling that school is going to start getting much more difficult here in the oncoming weeks.
Training is still pretty solid. It's just getting harder to fit it in because I'm working more hours now as well. Its funny becaue none of the things I do in and of themselves require a hug commitment. 16 hours of classes? Yeah, lots of people do that. No biggie. Working 20 hours a week? So what thats only part time. Training 15-20 hours per week? Fairly average for a decent age group triathlete. Well lets total that up and we get over 50 hours per week. Not including time spent working on school outside of class.
The other issue is that of sleep. Or lack thereof I should say. For most people getting less then 7-8 hrs night isn't anything to worry about. In fact many friends I have routinely get by on less then 6. But what if your training 2-3 hours a day. In that case you need MORE sleep to help your body recover properly and if you don't get the correct amount your training and performance will begin to suffer. Thats no good. Elite athletes typically get 8-10 hours of sleep a nigh with naps during the day too!! Ahhh.. to be a pro.
That being said It'ss 10 o'clock and the alarm rings at 5 tomorrow. Good night.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
My Fanny, Frosted
Did the Frost yer Fanny duathlon this morning. And, well... my fanny got frosted. I think the thermometer read 23 degrees as I pulled into the parking lot at 8 am just north of Round Rock, Texas. YEOW! The race went good though and my first 5k was actually a 5k pr for me by 2 seconds. I finished 8th overall for the 5k/21mi/5k, run/bike/run race. Pretty good considering there were a bunch of really fast guys from all over the region here because the night before was the regional awards banquet.
About that. The banquet was pretty fun. (I guess) Thanks to my friend, Summer for going with me even though she has like no knowledge of things related to multisport. My award as the "SMW Regional Junior Series Points Champion" was a pretty sick bike jersey. (Sick as in good.) It was cool to see people I haven't seen since the end of the season, talk and catch up, and find out what races everyone is getting ready for this year.
I found out that if I so desired I could pretty easily go to Virginia for my birthday in April and qualify for the duathlon world championships there. Hmmmmm.... Duathlon worlds are in Italy this year. !!!!!! In September or late August. I just don't know if I can fund a trip to Vancouver, Canada AND Italy. We'll see...
About that. The banquet was pretty fun. (I guess) Thanks to my friend, Summer for going with me even though she has like no knowledge of things related to multisport. My award as the "SMW Regional Junior Series Points Champion" was a pretty sick bike jersey. (Sick as in good.) It was cool to see people I haven't seen since the end of the season, talk and catch up, and find out what races everyone is getting ready for this year.
I found out that if I so desired I could pretty easily go to Virginia for my birthday in April and qualify for the duathlon world championships there. Hmmmmm.... Duathlon worlds are in Italy this year. !!!!!! In September or late August. I just don't know if I can fund a trip to Vancouver, Canada AND Italy. We'll see...
Friday, January 18, 2008
January Update
Wow so a lot has happened since the last post. Lets see if I can give a quick run down...
Training is going well. I did a good week of training last week. A lot of hours on the bike. It was good to feel how quickly my bike legs got under me. It's taken some time to get adjusted to being on the saddle for 3 hours a day, day after day.
Monday my dad left Iraq. Crazy. It's one of those things that you knew was coming but is almost surprising when it really does happen. The strange thing is that nothing at home is different. It just feels like another Air Force trip. The only difference is he's in a war zone now. There's a bunch of emotions running around but I think the overwhelming one for me is one of pride. When people hear that my dad is there so often their like "oh I'm sorry." What the heck are you freakin sorry for?!?!?! I mean come one! He's fighting to defend the freedoms that our forefathers fought to establish over 200 years ago. This stuff being taught in my history class is ALLOWED to be taught because my dad serves in our nation's armed forces and isn't afraid to fight for his beliefs, liberty, family, and country. That's pretty cool if you ask me.
In other news our family did manage to acquire a wii in the last week. Yes I mean the popular Nintendo game console that has somewhat revolutionized the video game industry. After staying up until 2 am playing it Saturday night my arms were SORE Sunday! I'm going to have to watch myself to make sure I can control this new passion.
School started this week as well and that has limited the training somewhat. In addition I'm working 2 nights a week at the Landry Center front desk until 10 pm. That doesn't sound bad but when you realize that I then don't get to bed until almost 11 and have to wake up at 5 am for swim practice BACK down at the Landry center... well maybe you can feel my pain a little more. I can get by on 6 hrs of sleep for one night, or maybe two. The problem isn't that I'm just a little tired during the day it's that my training performance then suffers and my body is not recovering like it needs to be. That's definitely going to be tough to balance this semester.
Yesterday I got some testing done by a local triathlete and coach, Ahmed. Big thanks to him. The weather took a turn for the worst and I ended up hopping off the trainer in his warm garage to bust out into the 32 degree weather outside running 6 mpm. My calves ALMOST seized on me. It was one of those where you can feel them tremoring and I'm praying "Please don't cramp. Please don't cramp." Luckily they didn't' but the 3k time trial was not very fast.
In a little bit the family and I are heading down to Austin for the Frost Yer Fanny regional awards banquet and duathlon. As the winner of the Junior developmental points series I get some award and then I'm doing the duathlon on Sunday. Should be fun. And hopefully not too cold.
Training is going well. I did a good week of training last week. A lot of hours on the bike. It was good to feel how quickly my bike legs got under me. It's taken some time to get adjusted to being on the saddle for 3 hours a day, day after day.
Monday my dad left Iraq. Crazy. It's one of those things that you knew was coming but is almost surprising when it really does happen. The strange thing is that nothing at home is different. It just feels like another Air Force trip. The only difference is he's in a war zone now. There's a bunch of emotions running around but I think the overwhelming one for me is one of pride. When people hear that my dad is there so often their like "oh I'm sorry." What the heck are you freakin sorry for?!?!?! I mean come one! He's fighting to defend the freedoms that our forefathers fought to establish over 200 years ago. This stuff being taught in my history class is ALLOWED to be taught because my dad serves in our nation's armed forces and isn't afraid to fight for his beliefs, liberty, family, and country. That's pretty cool if you ask me.
In other news our family did manage to acquire a wii in the last week. Yes I mean the popular Nintendo game console that has somewhat revolutionized the video game industry. After staying up until 2 am playing it Saturday night my arms were SORE Sunday! I'm going to have to watch myself to make sure I can control this new passion.
School started this week as well and that has limited the training somewhat. In addition I'm working 2 nights a week at the Landry Center front desk until 10 pm. That doesn't sound bad but when you realize that I then don't get to bed until almost 11 and have to wake up at 5 am for swim practice BACK down at the Landry center... well maybe you can feel my pain a little more. I can get by on 6 hrs of sleep for one night, or maybe two. The problem isn't that I'm just a little tired during the day it's that my training performance then suffers and my body is not recovering like it needs to be. That's definitely going to be tough to balance this semester.
Yesterday I got some testing done by a local triathlete and coach, Ahmed. Big thanks to him. The weather took a turn for the worst and I ended up hopping off the trainer in his warm garage to bust out into the 32 degree weather outside running 6 mpm. My calves ALMOST seized on me. It was one of those where you can feel them tremoring and I'm praying "Please don't cramp. Please don't cramp." Luckily they didn't' but the 3k time trial was not very fast.
In a little bit the family and I are heading down to Austin for the Frost Yer Fanny regional awards banquet and duathlon. As the winner of the Junior developmental points series I get some award and then I'm doing the duathlon on Sunday. Should be fun. And hopefully not too cold.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
2008 (And All That Comes With It)
Well christmas has come and gone. As has the new year and now I find myself staring at a new season of triathlon. It's a little scary. I have some pretting high goals set for myself and there is a lot of nervousness and fear that goes along with that. Will I be able to measure up? Can I compete toe-to-toe with all the guys my age who are so fast? Will I be able to fund everything I want to do this season? Can I stay injuy free? Will I be able to perform in big races unlike I have often done in the past?
These are all the unknowns.
What I do know is that I love the sport of triathlon and will continue competing and participating in it regardless of my results. I can't help but enjoy being healthy and active. I also know that I will continue to encourage others to lead a healthy live and to try and set a good example for others to follow. I also KNOW that I will have fun this year. How can I help but take joy in every minute I have to train and compete with others my age who love doing what I do just as much as me?
So I gaze into the hazy mist of 2008. It's still early but as the season progresses I know things will begin to clear up. I have a great team, an awesome coach, and a supportive set of parents to boot. I'm looking forward to some tough workouts and fast races. In just a little over 2 weeks I get to test my legs for the first time at the Frost Yer Fanny duathlon. I'm also recieving an award for top junior in the SMW region at the banquet the night before. Then I get an early start with my first and only chance in April to qualify for the 2008 World Championships, which are in Vancouver, Canada this year.
Preperation begins NOW! And I have swim practice at 6 tomorrow morning. Goodnight.
These are all the unknowns.
What I do know is that I love the sport of triathlon and will continue competing and participating in it regardless of my results. I can't help but enjoy being healthy and active. I also know that I will continue to encourage others to lead a healthy live and to try and set a good example for others to follow. I also KNOW that I will have fun this year. How can I help but take joy in every minute I have to train and compete with others my age who love doing what I do just as much as me?
So I gaze into the hazy mist of 2008. It's still early but as the season progresses I know things will begin to clear up. I have a great team, an awesome coach, and a supportive set of parents to boot. I'm looking forward to some tough workouts and fast races. In just a little over 2 weeks I get to test my legs for the first time at the Frost Yer Fanny duathlon. I'm also recieving an award for top junior in the SMW region at the banquet the night before. Then I get an early start with my first and only chance in April to qualify for the 2008 World Championships, which are in Vancouver, Canada this year.
Preperation begins NOW! And I have swim practice at 6 tomorrow morning. Goodnight.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Call Me Crazy if You Wish
*Sigh* yes it's true. I speak of my dads comment in the post below. I did indeed have my four wisdom teeth removed yesterday morning and I did indeed go on a 30 mile bike ride about 5 hours later with the gauze pads still in my mouth. Truthfully though I felt much better for having gotten out and done the ride rather then sitting around making excuses for taking the day off. Honestly after I slept for about an hour and the effects of the anesthesia wore off I felt fine. I didn't even take the hydrocodine prescribed to me, just a little bit of ibprofen.
I did go biking yesterday however having my wisdom teeth taken out has somewhat disrupted the 10 day training block I'm in the middle of. Going into thursday I'd been averaging about 3.5 hrs a day with tuesday clocking in at 5.5 hrs. A lot of biking for sure but it has been good. Today I did another 2 hr ride then tried to swim a little but after 25 minutes I noticed I had a little bit of blood in my mouth and called it quits. As hard as I tried to keep my mouth closed somehow water was still getting in and swishing around. I did 40 minutes of strength training and the gauze pads I'd put back in were slightly soaked with blood so I decided to nix the run. I may go do a little running and drills now but I reallly want to avoid dry sockets as I've been told they are very painful.
This last weekend I did have fun doing the Jogg'r egg nogg'r. A local 5k that brought out some pretty good competition. When I say competition I mean REALLY FAST competition. The winner ran 5 minute miles flat and I was nowhere near close to that. I was pretty satisfied with my time of 18:13 (5:52 pace) especially considering the cold wet conditions and the fact that my legs were still really, really sore and stiff and tight from playing soccer thursday. I mean soccer really beat me up bad.
Honestly I realize that I can't really compare myself to pure runners. I know and have become ok with the fact that for where I am right now there are 15 and even 14 year old boys who can run faster then me. (Though I don't think they could average 25 mph on a bike THEN run that fast) However my ego definitely took a hit when halfway through the jogg'r egg nogg'r I was passed by two 11 year old boys. I wouldn't have believed it if they hadn't chugged past me before my very eyes. I swear they were barely higher then my waist and it was a horrible feeling to know I was already going all out and could not hang with them. They beat me by 9 seconds and anyone who says that 9 seconds is very close let me tell you- 9 seconds is a HUGE gape. There was no way I was going to catch them. I did manage to outkick the 40 something year old man who tried to pass me in the last mile. I guess I'll have to resign myself to beating men 3 times my age. Oh well.
I hope to have a few more days of good training then a break the day after christmas. Yes my coach is an absolute mercenary she has my biking 3 hours on Christmas day!! Ahh well. It has been enjoyable this week to live the life of a pro triathlete. Essentially I have been eating, sleeping, and training. I really think I could do this for a living!!
Merry Christmas everyone!
I did go biking yesterday however having my wisdom teeth taken out has somewhat disrupted the 10 day training block I'm in the middle of. Going into thursday I'd been averaging about 3.5 hrs a day with tuesday clocking in at 5.5 hrs. A lot of biking for sure but it has been good. Today I did another 2 hr ride then tried to swim a little but after 25 minutes I noticed I had a little bit of blood in my mouth and called it quits. As hard as I tried to keep my mouth closed somehow water was still getting in and swishing around. I did 40 minutes of strength training and the gauze pads I'd put back in were slightly soaked with blood so I decided to nix the run. I may go do a little running and drills now but I reallly want to avoid dry sockets as I've been told they are very painful.
This last weekend I did have fun doing the Jogg'r egg nogg'r. A local 5k that brought out some pretty good competition. When I say competition I mean REALLY FAST competition. The winner ran 5 minute miles flat and I was nowhere near close to that. I was pretty satisfied with my time of 18:13 (5:52 pace) especially considering the cold wet conditions and the fact that my legs were still really, really sore and stiff and tight from playing soccer thursday. I mean soccer really beat me up bad.
Honestly I realize that I can't really compare myself to pure runners. I know and have become ok with the fact that for where I am right now there are 15 and even 14 year old boys who can run faster then me. (Though I don't think they could average 25 mph on a bike THEN run that fast) However my ego definitely took a hit when halfway through the jogg'r egg nogg'r I was passed by two 11 year old boys. I wouldn't have believed it if they hadn't chugged past me before my very eyes. I swear they were barely higher then my waist and it was a horrible feeling to know I was already going all out and could not hang with them. They beat me by 9 seconds and anyone who says that 9 seconds is very close let me tell you- 9 seconds is a HUGE gape. There was no way I was going to catch them. I did manage to outkick the 40 something year old man who tried to pass me in the last mile. I guess I'll have to resign myself to beating men 3 times my age. Oh well.
I hope to have a few more days of good training then a break the day after christmas. Yes my coach is an absolute mercenary she has my biking 3 hours on Christmas day!! Ahh well. It has been enjoyable this week to live the life of a pro triathlete. Essentially I have been eating, sleeping, and training. I really think I could do this for a living!!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Over! Done! Finished!
Well finals ARE NOW DONE WITH!! I'm so stoked. I got A's in all my classes and now can get down to some serious training with no guilt whatsoever. It's gonna be a sweet Christmas Vaction.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Offseason? What offseason?
I can't wait until finals are over this week. Then bike emphasis month will began. I shall bike like a maniac and do my best to train like a spartan. I'm doing a 5k this weekend out at white rock lake as well. Should be fun.
On another note I've decided to start charging people when I write running or training programs for them. Not a lot mind you. I know I'm not anywhere near an expert when it comes to knowledge regarding training and racing. But I have done my fair share of reading and I've been racing for 5 years now. I think the knowledge I do have and am ever expanding, coupled with my experience now further enhanced with trips to National and World Championship events warrants a certain degree of cost. I hope to be able to help out first time runners/triathletes or others that are fairly new to the sport.
I won't go into great detail but I really do have a passion for helping others that desire to become more physically fit. I take pride in the fact that I have played a small role in influencing many friends to become more active and healthy in their daily lives. I take great joy in knowing that I can be a positive influence to others looking up to me as a role model for good health and fitness. Then I love the oppurtunity to take them out when they start getting pesky idea's about their level of fitness and how it might, just possibly, be able to combat mine and absolutely CRUSHING THEIR SOULS!!! Just kidding. I do love to keep people humble though. If you know what I mean. :) No worries. There are plenty of people out there that can drop me like a bad habit when it comes time to measure up.
Happy training all.
On another note I've decided to start charging people when I write running or training programs for them. Not a lot mind you. I know I'm not anywhere near an expert when it comes to knowledge regarding training and racing. But I have done my fair share of reading and I've been racing for 5 years now. I think the knowledge I do have and am ever expanding, coupled with my experience now further enhanced with trips to National and World Championship events warrants a certain degree of cost. I hope to be able to help out first time runners/triathletes or others that are fairly new to the sport.
I won't go into great detail but I really do have a passion for helping others that desire to become more physically fit. I take pride in the fact that I have played a small role in influencing many friends to become more active and healthy in their daily lives. I take great joy in knowing that I can be a positive influence to others looking up to me as a role model for good health and fitness. Then I love the oppurtunity to take them out when they start getting pesky idea's about their level of fitness and how it might, just possibly, be able to combat mine and absolutely CRUSHING THEIR SOULS!!! Just kidding. I do love to keep people humble though. If you know what I mean. :) No worries. There are plenty of people out there that can drop me like a bad habit when it comes time to measure up.
Happy training all.
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