Ho hum

It's probably obvious to anyone reading this blog, but I've been having a hard time getting into it this year. I'm just not as excited to train and I don't have that same energy for triathlon in general that I think I had at this time last year. Honestly, I'm even having a hard time getting excited about racing. One way it manifests itself is that even though I update the blog every day with my training, I'm not writing new posts very often. I'm just not sure what I have to say...

As I wrote the other week, everything feels like a repeat of last year so far. Sure I have some new workouts and just did get a fun new toy (more below), but last year everything about it was new - my lovely Crono, having a coach, doing swim time trials, getting PR's in running races. As yet, it's hard to see that I've improved. I guess the fact that these training sessions are feeling routine is a sign of improvement, but I don't want improvement to make me bored! Also, my back is still friggin' bothering me. It's not so bad that I feel the need to skip training or that it really affects me physically, but it is a psychological drag. The ache just bums me out. I'm tired of it. I spoke to Assaf about it for a while last night and I am going to schedule another doctor's appointment, this time with a physiatrist instead of an orthopedic surgeon. Phsyiatry (a/k/a physical medicine and rehab) is Assaf's specialty and he has some thoughts about what might be going on back there. In the meantime, stretching seems to help; sometimes a good stretch helps it for hours, sometimes, just for a little bit. The strange thing is that it often feels better on days that I train than on my days off or with light training. I think that's at least partly because I am especially conscious of my need to stretch after a hard training session and on days off, when I don't dedicate the time to training, I don't necessarily stretch, or stretch as well. Going to a doctor worries me because I'm expecting him/her to say that the "cure" is for me to take two or four or whatever weeks off training and spend that time in physical therapy instead. That sucks. I went through weeks and weeks of PT in 2004 for achilles tendinitis and hated it, even if I did heal in the end. On the other hand, I am in fear that I'm going to wake up one day and have to call the entire season off. Last week I got a little twinge in my calf and decided that because I've "ignored" my back pain, I'd now done something to my achilles and that would doom me (the calf twinge went away, of course!). The ache is putting a strain on my enjoyment of the training and contributing to the fact that it's not fun like it was last year. Also, maybe it's just winter blahs? Let's hope so, and come spring I'll be out there raring to go!

My newest training toy is a CompuTrainer. The CompuTrainer is like a regular bike trainer for riding indoors, but it's a way more advanced training tool. It's hard to describe what it does and frankly I'm just figuring it out myself, but it measures power while riding, has resistance that is electronically adjustable and hooks up to a computer (hence, "compu") for testing purposes (like pedal efficiency and power output) and you can ride actual courses (like IM LP or other famous cycling routes and races from all over the world) while "watching" the course go by on the computer screen. It's much smoother than my other trainer and having a new toy has made my indoor rides more interesting. As for new workouts, in addition to the new training I can do with the CompuTrainer, John is having me do some work in the pool with paddles and fins. I haven't done any swims with either yet, but am going to try both during Wednesday's swim session. I'll be sure to report on how it goes.

Run - January 20
Distance: 3.9 miles
Time: 30:24
Average heart rate: 146
Course: West Village, Tribeca
Conditions: COLD - low, low 20's ("real feel": 11!), gusty winds, but sunny

Indoor Bike - January 20
Time: 2:00
Average heart rate: 117

Run - January 21
Distance: 8.6 miles
Time: 1:10
Average heart rate: 151
Treadmill, hill workout

Yoga - January 21

Swim - January 22
Distance: 3,000 yards
Time: 1:01

Strength - January 22

Indoor Bike - January 24
Time: 1:15
Average heart rate: 122

Run - January 24
Distance: 5.2 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 143
Treadmill

Swim - January 25
Distance: 1,600 yards
Time: 30 minutes

Brick - January 26
Bike
Distance: 51.7 miles
Time: 3:04
Average heart rate: 124
Course: Central Park
Conditions: Cold (low, low 30's), cloudy
Transition: 7:03 (a little long, but changing out of the winter cycling gear took a little while...)
Run
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 17 minutes
Average heart rate: 135
Course: Village, Washington Square Park
Conditions: Cold (mid 30's), cloudy

Indoor Bike - January 27
Time: 2:00
Average heart rate: 113

Brrr!

Last week I wrote "I can deal with the cold." Silly me. I guess Mother Nature took that as something of a dare. This morning I was scheduled to ride for three hours. The forecast called for a cold, but dry morning. Temperatures in the low 30's with a "real feel" in the mid-20's. I considered doing the ride on my trainer, but I've been having nice rides outside and feel that on the weekends, when I have the opportunity to get outside, I really should get out there. I wore a heavier base layer than I've been wearing and brought some handwarmers to throw in my gloves in case I needed them.

Immediately, I could tell that it was colder than I've been riding in. Also, there was a little more wind than I expected. I got to the Park and was surprised by the number of runners out there - there were a lot of big training groups or clubs. On the other hand, there weren't too many cyclists. hmmm....

I felt good riding in the Park - at first, at least. On the east side (heading uptown), it didn't feel that cold and I was cruising. But then I made the turn at the top of the Park, climbed Harlem Hill and started heading downtown on the west side. And quickly ran smack dab into a headwind - not a strong one, but enough of one to slow me down and make the cold cut into my hands and face. I decided pretty quickly that if I could ride for 90 minutes I'd be happy. I could always finish on the trainer from my warm apartment! I finished my third loop and was about to call it quits when I decided to do one more and make it two hours. I was already out there and I knew I'd be riding on the trainer tomorrow. However, when I finished that fourth loop, I decided that there was no reason to suffer for a third hour and headed home.

Big day for the Chargers tomorrow. They really don't stand much of a chance, but you never know, right?? Elizabeth will be cheering from Park City and Charlie and I will be cheering them on from here!



Run - January 17
Distance: 5.5 miles
Time: 44:30
Average heart rate: 139
Course: Downtown, Brooklyn Bridge
Conditions: Cold (low 30's), clear, no wind

Cycling - January 19
Bike #1
Distance: 36 miles
Time: 2:05
Average heart rate: 130
Course: Central Park
Conditions: COLD! (low 30's), clear, breezy

Bike #2
Time: 1:00
Average heart rate: 113
Indoor ride

Back to Base (Training, that is)

It's a sorta strange feeling, getting back on the bike for weekly long rides and thinking once again about the Ironman in July. It's still over six months away, but I know how quickly that time is going to fly by and before I know it, it will be race day once again.

So far, training feels a little different this time around. I think it's some combination of the fact that I've already been through this once, some doubts about my fitness level and my nagging back pain. When I was training (and writing) last year, everything was brand new. I had a lot of "firsts" - longest bike ride ever, longest swim session ever, getting used to riding in aerobars, etc. I didn't feel much pressure last year. This year, because I've already done those things, I do feel the weight of what I accomplished last year and feel like I need to improve on those results, even while I'm training - I should be faster or more efficient or smoother. And I can't tell. I know I have an incredible cardio base. I also no longer fear the distances or the race (well, I still fear the race some!). It causes mixed emotions - I'm calmer, which is good, but I'm also having a harder time getting fired up to train, which is not so good. Maybe this is how I'm supposed to feel in early January, with no big triathlons for over four months...

My back is still bugging me. Thankfully, that's all it's doing. It doesn't really "hurt", it's just a dull ache, and only flares up sometimes. I think it's finally getting a little better. Part of me wonders if I'm making a mistake by not taking time off. But the rest of me is still convinced that that isn't the solution. I'm going to continue stretching, continue yoga and see how it goes. I'm smart enough to not do anything that will cause permanent damage.

Last Saturday I rode outside for the second weekend in a row. Fortunately, the weather has been cooperating - relatively speaking, that is! - it's been cold out, but dry. I can deal with the cold, but cold and wet is an absolute no go for me. It's not safe and definitely not fun. I did both Saturday rides in Central Park. It might be boring to just do laps, but it's also a good place to get an uninterrupted ride and there are just enough hills to keep you honest. I figure that as my rides get even longer, I'll start making the trek out to Route 9 in New Jersey.

Last Sunday morning, I had another one of those New York moments - and again it came while I was running across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a cold, clear and sunny morning and the views, both south and north, while crossing the Bridge, were absolutely stunning. It really made me wish I had my camera though I'm not sure that any pictures would really have done the view justice.

Swim - January 11
Distance: 3,100 yards
Time: 1:06

Strength - January 11

Bike - January 12
Distance: 39.7 miles
Time: 2:19
Average heart rate: 127
Course: Central Park
Conditions: Partly sun, cool (high 40s)

Run - January 13
Distance: 5.5 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 141
Course: Across Brooklyn Bridge
Conditions: Sunny, clear, windy, cool (mid-40's)

Indoor Bike - January 13
Time: 1:45
Average heart rate: 110

Yoga - January 14

Indoor Bike - January 15
Time: 35 minutes
Average heart rate: 107

Swim - January 16
Distance: 1,650 yards
Time: 30 minutes

Strength - January 16

Playing hooky - And so worth it!

I tried really hard to get out of bed this morning and go for my scheduled run. But it was warm in bed and looked grey outside. And I was feeling tired. So I rolled over, went back to sleep for an hour and figured I'd go for a run during lunch. See, normally, I just work right through lunch - I eat at my desk and except for leafing through the Times and checking the headlines on ESPN, I don't really take a "break". Today though, I did - I left the office, changed at the gym and went out for a long run. I'm entitled to take a lunch. So, it wasn't really "hooky", but it felt like it!

Anyway, I was out on the West Side Highway running along, wearing one of my CAF hats, as usual. I ran past three young women walking on the path and one of them had what was obviously a sports/running prosthetic on her left leg. She looked at me and smiled and said "Hi", and I waved but kept running. I figured she was a serious athlete and as I was running along I was thinking that maybe it was this CAF spokesperson/athlete named Sarah Reinertsen. I've read a ton about Sarah and she's a total bad-ass. Sarah was the first female amputee to complete the Ironman at Kona - and she did it in an amazing 15:05 (that's obviously her in the picture at the top). She's won all kinds of awards and competed in triathlons and other endurance events all over the world.

After I saw them, I kept thinking that it might be Sarah and was wondering if I would see them again on the running path... and wondering if I would have the cojones to stop and speak with her if I did. I did my Strides in my normal spot on one of the piers, and as luck would have it, right as I was finishing and getting ready for my cool down, there they were. I said "Hi" again, but was still too nervous and embarrassed to approach them, so I kept running. But after a few minutes, I turned around, came back and stopped to talk to her. Of course, it was Sarah. She's in town for a Nike event at Macy's. I talked to her for a few minutes about CAF and training and racing. She was really nice and it was super cool to meet her. I was really excited to meet such a great athlete - and someone who represented what I spent a lot of 2007 being inspired by and thinking about. I spent the rest of my cool-down trying trying trying to keep my pace under control. Needless to say, I'm psyched I stopped to talk to her!

Indoor bike - January 8
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 115

Run - January 8
Distance: 6.25 miles
Time: 50 minutes
Average heart rate: 141
Course: West Side Highway
Conditions: Evening run, high 50's, clear

Swim - January 9
Distance: 3,750
Time: 1:10

Strength - January 9

Run - January 10
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:00
Average heart rate: 144
Course: West Side Highway, Strides
Conditions: Sunny, nice (high-40's)

Annual Summary/New Year's Eve Midnight Run

2008 is a week old now. And it's gotten off to a good start. We actually started 2008 with a run - the four mile Midnight Run in Central Park. We weren't sure what to expect, but it was a blast! It was a cold night with temperatures in the low 30's, but it was clear and there wasn't any wind. Elizabeth and I stayed at home until about 11 when we went up to the Park to meet up with Emily and Olivia. As the announcer started the ten second countdown to midnight, we lined up for the run with 5,000 (!) other runners. The fireworks started exploding overhead and we were off. I wasn't out there to race, I just wanted to enjoy the night and run with my wife and friends. Everyone was in a great, celebratory mood and many runners were dressed in costumes. The finish line was near the Bandshell at the 72nd Street transverse and there was a pretty big party going on after the race with a DJ and dance party. Not that we went dancing... But we had planned on going out for a drink after the run, but by the time we finished and got our stuff together and left the Park, we just decided to call it a night. Earlier that evening I ran into a guy who I see walking his dog pretty often, he told me that some say that whatever you're doing on New Year's Eve is what you'll spend the coming year doing. I'm not sure where he heard that, but if it means that I'll spend 2008 hanging out with my wife and running, I'll take it!


(L to R: Olivia, Elizabeth, me, Emily)

Looking Back on 2007
2007 was a great year for me athletically. By far my best since, well, probably the best in my life. In July 2006, I set an aggressive goal for myself, deciding to attempt an Ironman. I spent the first seven months of 2007 training my rear-end off to prepare for the race. I never doubted that I could do it. And it worked out great! Ironman USA was a ton of fun, I was very proud of my time and when I finished I was very excited to come back for another go at it in 2008. If that had been my only big race of the year, I think I would have felt accomplished. But it wasn't - just four months after the Ironman, I was back out there for the JFK 50. Added to those two "A" races were a bunch of "lower" priority races: I toughed out the Harriman Half Iron in miserable conditions, I set PR after PR in half marathons and actually won my age group in a local duathlon.

2007 Training/Racing totals:
Swim: 276,238 yards (157 miles or 11,050 lengths in the 25 yard pool)
Cycling (Outdoor): 1,655.25 miles
Cycling (Indoor): 101 hours
Run: 1,078.30 miles
Strength Training/Yoga: 62 sessions
Approximate total training time: 478 hours

2008, Here I Come
2007 was a big year because I accomplished a lot, but it was also a breakthrough year for me. After a life of trying to be active and fit, and a few years of triathlons, I participated in a few races that very few people in the world ever even consider doing. I learned a lot about how far I could push myself and how hard I am willing to work with a goal in mind. For 2008, I'm mostly doing events that I raced in 2007 with the goal of improving my time or racing stronger than I did in 2007. Every time I do a race I realize things that I can improve on to make a difference in my time or my comfort or my enjoyment or all of the above. During 2008 and the second time around for most of the races I'm doing, I'll be looking to improve on all three of those factors. I'm looking forward to a fun year of training and racing; thanks for following along!

2008 A/B Priority Races:
Boston Marathon - April 20
Harryman Half Ironman - May 17
Ironman USA (Lake Placid) - July 20
Survival of the Shawangunks - September 7

Run - January 1
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 39 minutes
Average heart rate: N/A/ (Didn't wear HR monitor)
Course: Central Park (Emerald Nuts Midnight Run)
Conditions: Cold (low 30's), clear, no wind

Indoor Bike - January 1
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 118

Swim - January 2
Distance: 3,650 yards
Time: 1:10

Strength - January 2

Run - January 3
Distance: 6.1 miles
Time: 56 minutes
Average heart rate: 145
Course: West Side Highway, Strides
Conditions: COLD! Brrrr! 12 degrees, with a real-feel of about 0! Gusty winds 10-15mph!!!

Swim - January 4
Distance: 3,100 yards
Time: 1:07

Bike - January 5
Distance: 34 miles
Time: 2:05
Average heart rate: 131
Course: West Side Highway to Central Park
Conditions: 42 degrees, partly sunny

Run - January 6
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 47:30
Average heart rate: 146
Course: West Side Highway
Conditions: Cool (mid-40's), cloudy, no wind

Indoor Bike - January 6
Time: 1:20
Average heart rate: 118

Swim - January 7
Distance: 3,000 yards
Time: 1:06