I'm back to triathlons!

After spending a year and a half focusing on weight lifting (which improved dramatically) and running (which didn't improve dramatically), I'm back to triathlon training.  I've been out of triathlons for about 2 years and I do miss it.  I'm also realizing how much time it takes up.  My non-working out life is getting to be a bit more balanced and that's a good thing.  Stuff changing at the job is giving me more free time and I've found myself in a relationship which gives me a reason to shower and hurry up and get home after a swim work out.  It's quite nice.

I hope to update this more now that I'm back into triathlons, but I've said that before, and the last time was on January 6th, but I mean it this time!  I hope.  Since the last update, I've done about 100 miles for the year with about 40 on a new pair of shoes.  Since I'm more tri focused now, and that means more consistent, I hope the average run miles will start to come up.

Regarding getting back into triathlons, swimming was the easiest.  I seem to have the muscle memory for swimming and although the cardio portion wasn't there, my stroke wasn't that bad.  My biking has fallen off quite a bit and I expect that to be the most painful for getting back.  Running fell off drastically and I need to get a better mental attitude.  Overall, I seem to have the endurance but I no longer have any top end speed on anything at the moment.  My goal is to be consistent with all the workouts and do them all for March.  In April, I'll start pushing myself to get faster.  The first 2 weeks of March were a bit rough, but this past week was a rest week and I did every single workout.  Next week is a full week and I plan on doing all but maybe 1-2 workouts.  It feels good to be back in this.  Except that my butt hurts from the bike.

(old) Asics mileage: 332 miles
(new) Asics mileage: 47 miles
Weekly run mileage: 20 miles
Year-to-date run mileage: 111.5 miles

2012 In Review

I just read my post reviewing 2011 and the biggest thing is that I didn't run as much this year as I did last year.  This year, I ran about 572 miles which is an average of 11 miles per week.  This is about 48 fewer than last year so not drastically off, but still off.  I have no excuses for this past year, really.  I was just lazy and talked myself out of a lot of workouts for various reasons.  However, that seems to be turning around where I am talking myself out of fewer and fewer workouts.  It got to a point where I just felt like fucking shit all the time and I'm tired of it.  I've been gaining motivation over the last couple of weeks and trying to keep up with that positive trend because a year of being lazy and unmotivated isn't good.  It's a chore to go workout these days and it used to not be a chore.  I need to push through the mud to get to the other side so that workouts fucking kick ass because I'm doing crazy stuff and it feels good to do it.

My weight yoyoed a lot this year starting off at around 191, climbing to 196 after England, dropping to 181 around March, and I ended the year at around 187.  My goal is to still get to 178 and stay there.  My running will be better as well as the body image of myself.  I'll likely have to buy some new clothes but I can deal with that.  I do have some positive things, though.  I PRed the 10K distance at the IBM Uptown Classic in October.  After that though, my running speed fell off.  I've been hitting it at the gym with my personal trainer all year long and it has really paid off.  My cardio has dropped off since the peak of triathlon training, but I am definitely in much better overall shape than before.  I have a great combination of cardio, strength, and balance which many people don't posses.

Here are my goals for 2013:
1) 178 and maintain it.
2) Get back into triathlons.
3) Sub 45 10k.
4) Keep up the motivation.
5) 11 pull ups.

Bring it, 2013!

Asics mileage: 279 miles

I'm still here

I'm still here although I doubt anyone reads these anymore.  Oh well, I'm writing this for me.

I haven't posted in over 2 months but I'm still training.  My run up to the IBM Uptown Classic 10K was great but I've been unmotivated since then.  Training with the personal trainer is going well and I continue to get stronger and stronger.  Also, I went snowboarding earlier this month and I found a new expensive hobby to participate in.

Regarding running, I'm still doing it but with not as much desire and motivation as I used to.  Work has been wearing me down and it's affecting pretty much every aspect of my life unfortunately.  I'm doing what I can to fix that but I need to find joy in running again to keep me running.

The highlight was the IBM Uptown Classic 10K on October 6th.  Or 7th.  It was the first Sunday of October.  My time was 45:59 and I PRed by about 41 seconds.  They changed the course and it wasn't as hilly as it used to be.  And I felt pretty good going into it as well.

Other than that, I'm running but not with a real purpose.  It's better than not running though.  I've put 126 miles on pavement over the last 2.5 months for an average of about 12-13 miles a week which I guess that isn't bad at all.  So, hey, when doing the stats, that's not so bad.

But I do know it's time for new shoes.

Asics mileage: 214.5 miles

Staying Consistent

I've been staying pretty consistent lately.  Wish the miles were up there a bit more, but I'm still doing everything on a fairly regular basis.  I am seeing progress in running this year.  Most of my long runs are in the 8:30-8:45min/mile range when the year or two before, they were about 9:00-9:30min/mile or more during the summer.  Additionally, I got my body fat checked and I'm at 11% right now.  I don't feel like I'm that low but this is good because I haven't been losing weight lately.  I've just been gaining muscle while losing an equivalent amount of fat.  I'm pretty happy with it and I feel really strong right now.  It's a very good thing.

4 Weeks Ago: 12.5 miles
3 Weeks Ago: 12 miles
2 Weeks Ago: 15.5 miles
Last Week: 14 miles

Asics Run Mileage: 142 miles

2 Months Sucks!

Two months since my last update sucks!  Although I haven't been updating, it doesn't mean I haven't been running.  I haven't been running as much as I want to, but I'm still doing it.  I think I'm averaging about 2 runs a week with about 11 miles a week as well.  I meant to take the summer easier just because I don't run well in the heat and work has been crazy.  However, I need to put on my big girl panties and start running 3 days a week with 15+ MPW no matter what.  I have the IBM Uptown Classic on October 7th and I want to PR that race.  I have also been hitting the gym a decent amount and I am definitely getting stronger and doing things I didn't think I could do even just a few months ago.  I'm pushing my trainer to come up with crazier exercises to challenge me.  He's a good trainer and I credit him ability to push me to another level.

Also, I'm still riding and swimming a few times a month just to maintain that activity.

Weekly run mileage: 12.5 miles
Asics mileage: 88 miles

Long Overdue Update

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted. I haven't stopped working out though. Actually, a lot of shit has gone on recently and I'm still working out. For example, I worked 75 hours last week and I still got 4 workouts in. Take that, work! Not much to say at the moment except that I really don't have any goals besides to stay skinny. Weights with my personal trainer are going well and I'm still running. I even try to throw in a single swim and bike in a week, too.

Run mileage since last update: 140 miles
Asics mileage: 236.5 miles (shit, time for new shoes)

Bleh

That's how I've been feeling the past week. I've been burning the candle at both ends lately and I'm getting tired and unmotivated to work out at times. I need to focus but I admit that I have been having a lot of fun lately. Can't keep it up though and I have to find a balance.

Two weeks ago was a pretty good running week for me with about 16 miles. Last week wasn't so good with only a single 7ish mile run. I skipped this morning's workout because of laziness so I have to run on Wednesday. I have the Cap 10K on Sunday so we'll see how that goes. I have been avoiding social outings on nights before runs so maybe that will help.

2 Weeks ago: 16 miles
Last week: 7 miles

Asics run mileage: 96.5 miles

Yep, I'm definitely running.

Got in a total of 19 miles last week. The long run on Saturday was actually the shortest run of the week since I'm trying to stay below 20 miles per week. I'm also making progress with weight training and weight loss. With a month of the paleo diet, I lost 8 pounds and I'm down to 13% body fat. I still have a bit to get to my goal weight but I can get there.

Weekly run mileage: 19 miles
Asics mileage: 73.5 miles

Hmmm, I might be running again

My abs are feeling much better and I've been running more. I actually ran 3 times last week, a crappy run on Monday, a decent interval workout on Wednesday, and then a nice long run on Saturday. I checked out my mileage on Garmin Connect and I actually ran 18.5 miles last week. So, I guess I'm running again. And it feels great! My abs hurt a bit from time to time but nothing that I think is too concerning. My knees feel fine as well and everything is just feeling pretty good at the moment. I'm going to work on speed again since it seems that I haven't lost much base, it should be a fun few weeks before the Cap 10K.

Weekly run mileage: 18.5 miles
Asics mileage: 54.5 miles

This Weather Has Sucked

for when I want to run. I want to run, but I don't want to run when it is 45* and rainy. Because of that, I didn't do much quality running last week when I really needed it. Yeah, I'm making excuses but I still did 7 miles. Also, my lower ab issue seems to be gone completely so I'm OK to run again. Also, I went and watched the Austin Half and Full Marathon this morning for inspiration. I'm going to go to bed by 9pm tonight to be up at 4:45am to run with Gilbert's Gazelles again.

Weekly run mileage: 7 miles
Asics mileage: 36 miles

Making Progress

Making progress on my injury. My abs seem to be getting better which is very fucking good. I ran 12 miles last week with relatively little pain. A total of 12 miles with a track workout thrown in there as well with Gilbert's. Felt good to run again. Not much running this week since I had LASIK done last Friday but once I'm OK to run from both the eye doc and the physical therapist, I'm back on it.

Also, I started the paleo diet again this month. Trying to change up stuff to see how it affects my physique. I'm seeing positive things already so we'll see how this goes for a month or more.

Weekly run mileage: 12 miles

Asics mileage: 29 miles

I'm running again

I'm running again but it isn't to the level that I want obviously. My lower abs are feeling better and the direction from my PT is to ease into it but I can run. My abs will start to hurt at the beginning of the run and then will ease up. Once they start feeling worse, stop because then I'm just hurting myself further. So far, I'm running 3-5 miles about twice a week but I'm going to start ratcheting that up over the next few weeks. I have lost some speed and endurance but not that much. Oh, 2 weeks in Europe with only 2 workouts didn't help either.

Additionally, my roommate and I are challenging each other to go full (or at least 90%) paleo for the month of February. When I was on full paleo the first time, I really felt good. I had a lot more energy, I wasn't as tired, and I just felt good and clean all over. I'm going to be trying to get back there. The biggest challenge that I have is the discipline in saying no to foods that I like to eat but aren't paleo and that it takes prep work to eat paleo. Right now, if I'm strapped for time, I just go out and grab something quickly. However, paleo options for doing that are few and far between. This will make me think ahead though.

Weight: 192

Weekly run mileage 4 weeks ago: 3 miles
Weekly run mileage 3 weeks ago: 0 miles
Weekly run mileage 2 weeks ago: 6 miles
Weekly run mileage: 8 miles

Asics mileage: 17 miles

2011 Review

Well, it is the end of another year where I review how I've done training wise for the year. First, let's start with last year's post about how I did. This year, I actually ran about 620 miles which is an average of about 12mpw. This is better than last year but would still like to be up to 15mpw or more. This year, I've done better in the cold weather. During this summer, it was absolute hell since it was the hottest summer on record. I ran when I could but I did it just for attrition and really didn't make any progress. I have been making progress with running lately but I was just sidelined with another injury unfortunately.

I didn't lose any weight this year and probably gained a couple of pounds unfortunately (191). That was mostly due to working out with my personal trainer where I'm just kicking ass when I'm not injured. I seem to have this "Don't fucking give up" mentality where many other guys that seem to be fitter and more in shape than me can't do the things that I do. It's pretty awesome and I can tell that my body is stronger because of it. However, I still have this layer of fat that I would love to get rid off quickly. Maybe this will be the year. My roommate and I seem to encourage each other so hopefully we can help each other focus and find the determination and discipline to get where we want to be.

I'm off for a couple more weeks while my strained ab muscle heals and then I'm in England for a couple of weeks where I hope to do some running but I don't expect to do too much. After that, I'm back to running and I'm going to take advantage of the coolish weather while I can before the summer swelter hits.

I really need to move to a cooler climate.

Damn you, Dr. Phil!

I had to call out my PT, Dr. Phil Davis, because I saw him today and he gave me bad news. It's not his fault, but it still sucks. I'm out of running for a couple of weeks. I hurt my lower abs a few weeks ago. It was lingering for a few weeks until last week when it started getting worse and worse. It got to the point where it was affecting me even when I was walking. Not good at all. I took it easy for a few days and saw Dr. Phil this morning. I have a strained lower ab muscle. Luckily, it isn't a hernia but I'm still out of running for at least 2 weeks. So, the plan is to take it easy but I can still do stuff as long as it doesn't hurt. And this isn't good with the holiday food and stuff around. I was making progress towards losing weight, too.

Last week was 10 miles before I bagged running for the rest of the week until I figured out what's wrong with my abs. I also got new shoes. Other than that, not much else going on.

Weekly run mileage: 10 miles

Asics mileage: 264 miles

I'm making progress with running. . .

. . .but I'm not making progress at keeping this damn blog updated. Ugh.

3 weeks ago was the Turkey Trot which was a good time for me. It was a tougher course that was pretty much uphill the first 2 miles and then 3 very fast miles after that. My last mile was around a 7 minute mile which is fantastic. I think my mileage may be off that week though since I had a naked run that I forgot about since my HRM battery was dead. Let's say that I ran 4 miles on Tuesday for a total of 15 miles that week with a race.

2 weeks ago was the Spicewood Vineyards 10K. Once again, this was a tough course that was pretty much uphill the first half and then downhill the 2nd. Also, it was about half a mile short. I ended up getting 2nd in my age group but it was a small field on a tough course. The good thing about that week was that it was my highest mileage in a long time at 20 miles. And nothing broke!

Last week was just a normal week. It was really cold here and I did afternoon runs instead of morning runs. Actually, I did only 1 afternoon run. Anyways, I'm really, really happy about yesterday's run though. It was 8.5 miles on a relatively hilly course and it was my longest run in probably almost a year. However, it felt fucking fantastic! I never really pushed myself that hard and was just running at an easy pace. Well, that easy pace ended up being around an 8:20/mile average. From running consistently with Gilbert's Gazelles is really paying off. I do have some issues with the program since I'm the only 10K person around so I have to seek out an individual training plan. However, I am seeing results so that's a win. I'll keep it up and see how it goes and I may actually get faster. One last thing, yesterday's run really was a "run with joy" run and I didn't have a single negative from the run. My pace was great, I felt good, and the distance was awesome!

3 weeks ago run mileage: 15 miles
2 weeks ago run mileage: 20 miles
Last week run mileage: 14.5 miles

Asics mileage: 254 miles (time for new shoes)

Still running

I'm still running. The good thing is I think that my knee is healed. I'm sure it isn't 100% but it hasn't really bothered me in a few weeks now. I'm not even taping it any more and it still feels fine. Hell, I did the Warrior Dash with no taping and it felt fine. My mileage is up there a bit and I'm seeing progress running with Gilbert's Gazelles.

Like I said above, I did the Warrior Dash. I did it after running 7 miles in the morning. That was one of the dumbest decisions of my entire life. I was feeling the 7 miles with every single step of the WD, but I still finished in 32:34 and I could've done it faster on fresh legs.

2 Weeks Ago: 19 miles
Last Week: 14 miles
Asics Mileage: 204.5 miles

Post Boston Blues

I went to Boston this past weekend. It was a blast. I had every intention of working out but didn't. Everyone knows how that goes. Besides the kick ass run I had on Monday of last week, I put in another 4 miles. This week was an easy week because I've got some things going on in my head and wasn't really motivated and I just put time in the shoes. Hopefully next week will be more hard, fast runs.

Mileage 2 weeks ago: 11 miles
Weekly run mileage: 16 miles
Asics mileage: 171.5 miles

Hmmm, I can't wait until next week

Let's see. Running with Gilbert's Gazelles is actually going pretty well. I was a bit frustrated at first because there wasn't much attention but you kind of have to be your own advocate and I'm getting better at that. See, everyone that I run with is doing half or full marathons and I'm doing lowly 10Ks. Well, I like 10Ks but there aren't many others so I/we get lost in the sea of Marys. So, it is going well and I think training with a group at least twice a week will really pay off soon. Last week, I put in a total of 17 miles with 2 Gilbert workouts and then a 5K on Saturday. I did the Donkey Dash and the results are below. Basically, I wasn't as fast as last year but I paced myself much better.



Ok, here is the kick ass thing. This can't wait until next week because it is almost 3 days later and I'm still amped about this. On Monday, with Gilbert's, we did a warm up, 4x1 mile repeats, cool down. The repeats were take the first one at X, drop by 0:15 on the next, and then hold that for the last 2. First one I took what I thought was nice and easy. 7:24. Next one I was running with a few other people where I kinda kept up with them but I was the last person. 6:58. Ok, pretty happy with that and didn't think I could pull it off for the 3rd lap. 6:57. What the fuck. Ok, I really was pushing myself on the 3rd and thought I had burned all my fuel on the 3rd one. I gave it all on the 4th one and was dying the entire time. 6:44. What the holy fuck did I just do? Did I really just run a 6:44 mile? Not only that, did I just run a 6:44 mile after running 3 mile repeats just before that? Damn, that felt good. I got home looked at my GPS data. My heart rate was pegged at 190+ the entire time and I haven't see my heart rate that high in years. Fuck me, I think I can actually run at times. No, this isn't super fast but for me, it is damn good progress.



So, besides running, training is going well when I'm doing it.

Weekly run mileage: 17 miles
Asics mileage: 144.5 miles

A Change

The biggest thing in the 4 weeks since my last update is that I have changed running groups. I'm running with Gilbert's Gazelles for their 5K/10K program. I'll go back to Texas Iron when I get back into triathlons again, but right now I need the 2-3 group workouts a week in the early mornings where work can't interfere. I really, really want to make progress with my running. I've been saying it for years but I really need to do it. I'm not even close to my potential but I can't seem to make progress when I workout on my own.

Besides that, I'm still working out with a personal trainer. I think he's about to fire me because he cannot find an exercise that I cannot do yet. He's throwing some crazy shit at me but I do it fine. I'm not focusing on the typical exercises like bench presses, curls, squats, etc. I'm just doing some insane functional stuff that really pushed my core strength, balance, and my entire body in general. I kick ass at it.

Oh, I also did the IBM Uptown Classic 10K on October 2nd. Considering my fitness level, I didn't do so bad and average 7:50/mile. I was 2 minutes slower than the previous year but like I said, I did pretty well considering my fitness level.

Other than that, I need to focus more as usual. Work is stressing me out a bit and as I've increased my workout schedule, I need more sleep with it. If I don't get sleep, I'm more tired than usual which makes me miss workouts to catch up of sleep. Or I just need to put on my big girl panties and just get the shit done.

3 Weeks ago: 12.5 miles
2 Week ago: 9.5 miles
1 Week ago: 17.5 miles
Last week: 13 miles

Asics mileage: 127.5 miles

Because I Can

Recently I have taken a two week trip to California for work. These trips are good because I get to meet people that I work with often, but rarely get to see them and a few I have never actually seen before. I also get to work with people from other organizations that I don't get to work with often. Ether way, we start talking to build a relationship and discuss what we do for fun and stuff like them. Pretty normal stuff. Well I seem to be not normal.

We don't always talk about work so our lives outside of work come up often. If you know me, you know that I'm pretty into triathlons and fitness in general. So this is what I usually talk about. I tell them that I do triathlons and I have done races from sprint distance up to Ironman distance races. I am not as fit nor motivated as I used to be but I'm still generally healthy and active and my entire life revolves around these things. Many people think this is strange. They don't understand why I do this and ask me what I do it. My response: because I can.

I actually thought about this and that's about the best thing that I could come up with. I like a challenge and pushing myself to my limits. But I already done one Ironman so I proven that I can do it so why don't I return to the confines of the couch and a pack of smokes? Why don't I go back to eating fast food for lunch, pizza for dinner, and happy hour 4 nights a week? Because my life doesn't revolve around that stuff anymore. I have found things such as running and triathlons that bring me much more joy than watching TV and hangovers. It's easy to sit on the couch and easy to eat ice cream. It's hard to get up at 4:30am some days and it is hard to make yourself go for at least a 3 mile run when you're tired and it is 104* degrees outside. Pushing yourself to do an Ironman and the sacrifices that come with it are very difficult. But I do it because I can. Life isn't easy and I figure that if I can do things that I don't want to do when things are going OK, this actually helps out when things in life aren't going so well. I've developed a sense of being able to push through things when the going gets tough. And a lot of people don't get that by any means. Luckily, I have surrounded myself with a bunch of like minded friends who are into fitness and triathlons and they get this mentality. And I do have some other friends that aren't as hardcore as me but they at least accept what I do although I agree with them that I am slightly crazy for doing these things at times. But it still comes down to the fact that I'm like this because I can be.

Weekly run mileage: 14.5 miles
Asics mileage: 75 miles