On March 26, 2012,
in Feeling a little grumpy today, but also know that it’s t-minus 5 days until vacation!
- Spouse running: I really enjoy running (or cycling) with my wife. Not because she really challenges me (I’m much faster than her), but because it’s very cool to be out and sharing something like a run or a bike ride together that is fun. Yesterday, we took a late afternoon run together. We chatted, we told a few jokes, we ran silently. It was perfect. Perhaps the funniest part of the run was when she almost jumped into my arms upon seeing a dead armadillo on the side of the road. It was bloated and covered with flies. I think it literally scared the crap out of her! Armadillos must rank pretty low on the circle of life grocery list – as even the omnipresent vultures seemingly wanted nothing to do with this guy.
- What are these Hunger Games? I have to admit that before Friday evening, I had no clue what the Hunger Games were. All three of my kids (plus my wife) have read this series – but I chalked it up to another version of the Twilight series – which I could not stomach. Friday evening, I took my oldest daughter and seven of her friends to see the movie – and was pleasantly surprised. So much so, that over the weekend I read the first and second books in the series, and I’m a good distance into the third. While
On March 23, 2012,
in After last weekend I am now a stickler about getting training plans written long before I use them and written the correct way… Well according to how USAT likes them! For my training I am currently in the base phase! I am focusing on technique and skills over volume of mileage and intensity! The next few weeks will help me get used to incorporating drills into my workouts! To be honest I like how this going so far! I am keeping myself motivated and I like learning about what talent I have in this wonderful sport! Well… Back to writing plans!
Here we go!
I’ve got the post-weekend blues.
- Race season in North America is here: While lots of folks seem to think that the North American race season doesn’t really start until next month’s St. Anthony’s Triathlon in the Tampa Bay area, the reality is that Race season really got officially off the matt with this past weekend’s Rev3 race down in Costa Rica and that other brand’s race in Puerto Rico. Many folks in the northern part of the US or in Canada may not want to venture into a lake for an open water swim in March or April, but in the southern part of the country, things are primed and ready to go. The first “big” local race here in NE Florida is this weekend, and the remainder of the local races kick off in just about three weeks. It’s time for racing!
- Near Death Experiences: I had two of these over the past weekend. You see, it’s really pretty simple to understand why. Last week, my oldest child turned 15. In my state, you’re allowed to get your driver’s learner’s permit on your 15th birthday – and she did. We went driving not once, but twice this past weekend, hence the near death experiences. Actually, she did fairly well – with the exception of having a fondness for stopping very quickly and taking corners at mach two. I think I have whiplash now.
- Return of Mr. No-Shoulders: Who is “Mr. No-Shoulders” you may ask? Well….he’s a snake. Not just
We all hate cancer. In fact, there’s absolutely nothing to like about that disease. At it’s best, it’s a drain on our emotions as we grapple with the concept of friends or loved ones who are sick or have died. At it’s worst, it hits us personally, making us sick – or worse – putting us on a short track towards our own mortality.
The uplifting thing is that because of the sheer nastiness of this disease, people all over the globe come together to do really spectacular things to fight cancer, to support those who currently have or have survived from cancer, and research the best ways to kill this nemis.
There are two events that you should have on your radar:
Revolution 3 Triathlon’s Run Across America
As I’ve noted here, and here, and here and here, Rev3 Tri is running across America to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF). UCF supports young adults who have had cancer by providing resources, information, and educational opportunities. Rev3 is looking to raise a boat-load of money ($100,000) to support UCF, and there’s still a long way to go — both in terms of miles and needed dollars. The run starts in just 13 days; I’ll be “virtually” participating – by running 21 days in a row here in Florida while the team runs 21 days in a row across the country. So far, Rev3 has raised… Read the rest
Tyrannosaurus Rex. The meanest, baddest, carnivore of all time. Other dinos likely feared him. Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park certainly did.
Everyone knows what T. Rex looked like. Huge legs, strong tail, immense head. Teeny-tiny arms.
According to my kids, I run like a T. Rex. They passed me on my long run Sunday afternoon (they were out and about in the car with their mother). Upon finishing my run, they literally attacked me and in unison told me that I looked like a T. Rex.
At first, I was pretty pleased with this comparison. Certainly, I would have preferred to have been compared to the graceful and swift cheetah, but I’ll take the tyrant lizard king. Not only would I have the most powerful bite of anyone (useful when eating energy bars and chews), there’s research that shows that T. Rex could probably reach 30-45 mph in an all-out sprint, but maintain 18 mph. That’s pretty dang fast! (Actually….that’s REALLY fast….like 3:20 minutes per mile fast).
But no. Comparing my running to that of a T. Rex had nothing to do with speed.
Nor did it relate to my abnormally large melon. Yes, my kids think I have a head of proportionate size with a T. Rex. And while my head may be a little on the large size, it doesn’t account for a large portion of my body weight.
It boiled down to the arms.
Apparently, my kids thought I was carrying my arms too high…basically up… Read the rest
Within the past five days I have WOWED myself… Mentally and Physically in my training! Every workout has been tough… But like always… I have pushed through and gotten her done!
Saturday was my first long run since right after Thanksgiving! I wrote out in my training plans that I would complete a long run! I followed through and ran 10 miles from the start of the Capital Crescent in Bethesda down to the Washington Monument on the National Mall! It was one heck of a windy day but I still managed to run under a 9:30 minute mile pace! I was super proud of myself for staying at a consistent pace throughout my run… But most of all for completing a long run!
Sunday called for a bike ride with Dad on the Columbia Triathlon bike course! There was a bit of wind and the day was on the crisp side… But man those hills… WOW… they were difficult and hilly! The major three climbs on the course ranged from short and steep to long and gradual! Somehow I managed my way up all them without wanting to give in at any point! The ride took almost 1hr 40 min and the average speed was only at 15 miles per hour… but WOW… I made it!
Monday wad a simple 2500 yard swim at the pool! Lots of 150s and 400s at a moderate pace… but it felt good to be in the water and work away the… Read the rest
…And I need your help.
Before you go and freak out and start praying for me, let me be upfront and say that although I am fighting cancer, I don’t have cancer.
I’m joining up with Rev3 Tri to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF). You see, beginning on March 26, Rev3 will be RUNNING ACROSS AMERICA on behalf of UCF. The goal? Raise $100,000. While I won’t be part of the caravan that is actually running across the country, I’ll be doing my part by participating in a virtual run. I’m committing to running each and every day that the Rev3 crew is on the road – at least 21 days. In that time, I will run no less than 100 miles.
Here’s where I need your help.
Make a donation: Please make a donation to UCF on my behalf. It’s REALLY easy. Just click the picture below and you’ll be taken to Rev3′s donation portal. Actually completing the donation is simple. You fill out a little information, pick me (Joel Strickland) on the 2nd page where it asks you the person you’re donating on behalf of, enter your credit card info and you’re done. Any amount is wonderful. $1.00 per mile that I’m going to run. $1.00 per day. $50.00. $1000.00. Whatever. You can even set up 12 recurring payments so you can give a huge amount by breaking it down into bite-sized chunks. It’s all good, and goes to an amazing cause.
Run with me: … Read the rest
I currently have perhaps the lowest amount of running fitness that I’ve had in three or four years. I can literally (and quite sadly) count the number of times I’ve run in 2012 on one hand. While I’ve started working on that, the bottom line is that runs hurt.
My quads hurt and get tired. My heart rate spikes. I’m not really enjoying running right now – because I’m so out of “run shape”. Almost every time I run, I get just a little bit into it, and start having thoughts about stopping.
You know. Thoughts like, “just walk 50 yards.” Or, “I just need to catch my breath.” Many of us fall into this trap. In fact, I suspect it’s thoughts like these that keep lots of folks from ever really getting into shape. They fight with themselves, and eventually just give up. I’m no stranger to these thoughts (as evidenced by my prior writings on the mental aspects of endurance sports).
This morning during my run, the same thing happened. I got about a mile in, and was ready to stop. Only this time I didn’t. Instead of having that internal conversation with myself regarding the merits of walking or not walking, I decided to completely take my mind off of it.
How?
I started counting. Each time my left foot hit, I counted. I counted up to 250 paces, and then started over. I did it until I was done with my 4.5 mile run.
Guess… Read the rest
Well, here we are at the end of the first month of 2012. The year is roughly 8% done. 1/12th over. The clock is spinning, and of course there’s no stopping it.
And I’m officially behind where I wanted to be.
How sad is that?
Even though I’m not “really” training for much right now, I am supposed to be in the midst of a general “prep” phase that should last through February. At the beginning of the year, I laid out my plans for the year (here) which include swimming a quarter million yards, running at least 750 miles, and biking at least 1600 miles. Well, one month down, and I’m lagging against those goals.
So far, I have swum exactly 11,700 yards, cycled 16 miles, and ran exactly zero miles. That translates to 56.16% of my swim target, 12% of my cycling target and a big goose-egg on the run. Spectacular.
Why did I miss? No excuses here – I just didn’t prioritize my training compared to other things. I didn’t get my butt out of bed in the mornings to run or ride the bike trainer. I let work get in the way (dang – who needs a job anyway?). I spent time with my family. Valid reasons for not training, for sure, but those things don’t do anything to help meet my training goals – or my weight, for that matter.
And so, I’ve recalibrated my targets for February as a… Read the rest
You may have seen some of the viral videos going around about “Sh@#” so & so says. There’s one out there about cyclists. Professional triathlete Melanie McQuaid made one about triathletes (see here).
While watching Melanie’s video, I was literally laughing out loud. So much of what she included is in almost every triathlete’s lexicon….
- “I’m so tired”
- “I think that’s a PR”
- “I’ve been working on my nutrition strategy”
- “I don’t do IM” (as in individual medley in the pool)
Those are just a few examples of little tidbits that we triathletes often say. The video got me thinking. Surely there are TONS more things that we are well known for saying. I thought I’d capture a few:
- I can’t do flip-turns
- Today is my rest day
- I only exercise so I can eat what I want
- I’m training in zone 3 today
- Today is my hard day
- Critique my form
- What is the fastest wheel out there?
- Should I shave my legs?
- Should I get an m-Dot tattoo?
- Should I use the wetsuit strippers?
- You’re not a real athlete if you walk any of the marathon
- I need to log that workout
- My aero helmet will reduce drag during my bike, so I’ll go faster
- What kind of lube do you use?
- I’m a minimalist runner
- No, they are arm coolers, not arm warmers
- Where can I get a good training plan?
Again, I’m sure that there are literally tons and tons… Read the rest
