Life of an Age-Grouper

February started off very slow. First 10 days I was dealing with a stomach virus which wiped me out, stole some fitness and a bit of my confidence. It then took another week to get my training back on track. February has been my least consistent month of training. I was able to make another breakthrough in the pool and attribute that to the increase in volume. I haven't been as concerned with top end speed as I have been with developing my endurance. I have started to feel like a diesel train as my endurance has been increasing. I have also started to sprinkle in some wetsuit swimming (sleeved). This is the first time since I had reconstructive shoulder surgery that I have had the confidence to swim with one.  I will be the first to admit I was giving away speed with a sleeveless suit but not any more!  I have stretched out my long rides in order to build a bigger engine. I'm finally comfortable and feel like one with my new set up. Since the purchase of the new rig i...

February is here and it is time to check-in with how things are going. 4:45. :31 swim. 2:25 bike. 1:40 run. Simple math. These goals are achievable if everything falls into place.  What at first started off as daunting task has now become a motivating journey. What made it daunting was knowing what needed to be done to achieve those goals. What makes it a motivating journey is knowing what needs to be done to achieve these goals. Initially I was a bit overwhelmed by the work I had to put in but my mindset quickly shifted.  This was a result in embracing the work,  enjoying the process and letting the results come. I left off the last entry stating that my training focus would be pedaling my bike.  Well, that is what I have done and after my FTP Test this morning the results are encouraging.  There is still work to be done but progress has been made and my hunger is growing. My training now needs to shift slightly from pedaling to running.  The...

 And I quote , " The full Iron distance is weird.  I'm glad I did it and I'm proud of my accomplishment, but I kind of don't think it is as big a deal as many people make it.  I still prefer the 70.3 distance for 2 reasons:  I can have a better life balance and you can actually race it." Yet here we are about 3 months removed from the completion of your second full distance triathlon, Challenge Roth. If the full distance didn't set fireworks off inside you the first time then why did you decide to toe the line again?    Hahaha, well, I never said I wasn’t going to do another full Iron distance race, I just said I preferred 70.3.   To better explain that previous answer of mine, I was trying to get at the idea that many triathletes feel like you have to complete a 140.6 to be taken seriously which is so misguided in my opinion.   To me, triathlon is all about challenging yourself and having fun doing something you love – it’s that simple. ...

Goals for the first month of Finding My Ultra: 1. Consistency: CHECK 2. Frequency: CHECK 3. Average Mileage per week between 20-30: CHECK 4. Form>Pace: CHECK 5. Homework: CHECK Consistency and frequency were my two top priorities for the first month of base training. Both of these were achieved. I was able to run for the entire month of October without any hiccups.  I started off running five days a week and then at the midway point increased the frequency to six days a week. The pattern for each week was essentially the same; Monday through Friday I ran before work, Saturday I would be finished by sunrise and Sundays I pedaled my bike.  Im headed into November full of confidence, curiosity and a sense of adventure. October and November are being treated as base building. I achieved my goal of averaging 20-30 miles per week (I averaged closer to 25-30 miles/week).  My runs alternated between "hard" and "easy".  This alternating pattern was a ...

Six months into being a Dad and I have noticed that things have started to change, mainly my perspective. There is no secret that when I enter a race I have clear-cut goals, expectations and intend on competing with the athletes I’m surrounded by. With each passing year the goals, expectations and competition become more difficult yet, I’m always excited and motivated to pursue them. The goals for this season were to finish top 10 in each race I entered. I started off strong as I threw my hat into the ring of bike racing. However, an unexpected health issue, the demands of fatherhood and being husband has suspended these goals until further notice. I simply have not put in the necessary training needed to achieve my goals. It took me nearly the entire month of August to come to terms that this triathlon season was over which was very mentally taxing.   This time off and away from sport did allow for a great deal of reflection and growth.   My perspective on training...