Should 2012 be the come back?

I am thinking of starting the blog back up for 2012.  The questions are.....Does anyone read this?   Is it helpful to anyone (besides myself)?  Can I use it to inspire someone?  Can someone inspire me? The list goes on.....So should 2012 be a comeback of the blog AND my workouts?

Winter Training

With fall and winter right around the corner (hard to believe since it is 98 degrees here today), how do you plan to train during the harsh months?

I am looking at finding a way to get my rides and my runs in while the weather turns to rain and coldness.  Ideas?  I know you snow people have tips for me....please share.

Train hard.  Train smart.

Light Bulb went off!

So, I have an idea.  Please tell me what you think?

Many of us read blogs to inspire us, encourage us, make us think of new training ideas, keep us accountable, and the list goes on.  So, why not create a tradition within the triathlon blogs of just that, a glimpse into our lives via pictures of the trials and tribulations of training.  At the end of the day we are triathletes (well me not yet) but we are also Fathers, Mothers, Friends, Co-Workers, Employers, Training Partners, Sisters, Brothers, so on and so on.

Here is the idea....post a blog post once a week that has pictures, funny pictures, serious pictures, any pictures of your week.  We as a community can then see how others train, what equipment they use, where they train and the conditions.

At this point you might be thinking, how am I going to take pictures all the time?  Well, i have a smart phone, which is frankly smarter than me most of the time that takes pictures.  It's easy, there are apps and there are just standard pictures.  For example, while on a run this morning I took this picture.....

At each weeks blog post we should have somewhere between 2 and 10 pictures or so, depending on how much you are into pictures!  Want to give it a try?  I will be posting my first "tri" at this on Friday with a link at the bottom of my post where you can leave your blog address of your picture post.  Next thing you know, we might have a good ring of participants and give us all some much needed encouragement, education, and inspiration.

Train hard, Train smart.

Race Registration!

First race registration is done on my road to a come back.....but can you call it a come back if I was one and done the first time?

Regardless, I am registered for a crazy race and can't wait.  Here are the details, want to join me?

The Surf City Beach Derby

5K Sand Obstacle Course that inclused the following obstacles,

Big Breaker - 10' Sand Hill

Over the Falls - Barricade Hurdle

Tubular - Tunnel Run

The Shredder - Hay Bale Hurdle

The Duck Dive - Crawl Under Netting

The Quiver - Run through Swim Noodles

The Goofy Foot - Tire Run

The Cowabunga - Suprise on Race Day

Little Breaker - Roller Coaster Sand Dunes

Cash N Carry - 30 yard Surf Board Carry

The Quick Stick - Surf Board Maze

18' Utopic Wave Slide

Can't wait!

Oh....and only in So Cal can you do a beach race in the morning without a concern for weather.  I love this place!

Success and Failure

Well, one of my goals in this whole triathlon thing was to inspire my kids, my family and my friends.  Even though I have failed this year in my triathlon journey, I am starting to realize that I may have succeeded in other things.

First off, I was told by a dear friend that I was one of the reasons she ran a local 5K last weekend.  To boot, she recorded her best time in the event with her whole family there to cheer her on.  Way to go Minnesota Nancy!

Secondly, my kids are now on the racing scene.  They are not up to speed yet on what is about to happen, but today I signed the older two up for their first official race!  The Tinker Bell Marathon weekend at Disneyland is having a kid race on Saturday, which has my then 5 year old running 200 meters and my 3 year old running 100 meters.  They will get a goodie bag, race bib, t-shirt, its inside Disneyland and a medal (cause we all race for the bling).....plus I can hear it now....."Daddy, Mommy I am going to race just like you!"

Thirdly (is that a word?) my wife is committed to run a half marathon next year on Labor Day weekend.  Now I know you might be thinking that we are a year out and that is too far, but currently she is preggo's.  So after the baby she will have 9 months to recover and get back into running shape and endurance.  Plus it will be her longest distance to date, since her longest was a 10K that she registered on the day before.  If anyone can do it, I know she can!  Keep track of her journey in life and running here..... Totally the Turtle.

So, I guess who cares about my failure.

It's time to move on.

I'm Back.....Again

So, back in July I stated I was back.  Ha, that was a good try, I think it might have lasted a day or so.

I really need to get myself back in the gym these days.  If for nothing else, to get myself in a better mood, be more accountable, and just be a better person.  I was thinking last night, maybe I should start out training slowly and put a goal on getting ready to train for a race early next year.  Get a good base in now through the winter.  Thoughts?

Do you have a training program or routine you follow?  Please share.

Do you tweet?  If so, can i follow you to help keep me mental in the game and accountable?  My twitter is "tribenchwarmer"

Any ideas you have to get me into the game is appreciated.  Otherwise I am going to try to just post my daily struggles and wins here.

I'm Back

Ok, after a long time off from the sport of triathlon, I am officially declaring that I AM BACK.

Today I have started to work on my training plan to get back to the Sprint distance.  After such a bad experience in my "first race" of the year I have decided to get back up on the horse.  Will I do this for the rest of my life?  Not sure, but what I do know is that I need to cross this task off my bucket list and prove to not only myself but my family and friends that I can complete this race.

Things to look forward to....

• My race prep and training
• Guest blog posts - 1st one coming from Kurt @ Becoming an Ironman
• Give aways
• Weekly updates on who is racing
• And so much more!

Ok, so who is with me?  Will anyone volunteer to hold me accountable, check in on me, push me and encourage me for the next several months?

Thoughts

So as you can tell i have not posted since my race results.  It was a bad experience.

It has now been more than two weeks and I am still gun shy about working out.  I did one weight lighting workout yesterday but nothing today and now cardio type workouts yet.

So, my questions are here....

1) Does anyone still read this page?

2) Any suggestions on how to get back into training?

3) Where should I go from here?

Race Report

So, here it is....my first race report of a multiple sport race.

The morning started out well, as well as possible when the alarm goes off at 5am on a Sunday!  I headed over to the lake, which is only a few miles from my house.  Arrived, found a parking spot and started walking.  During my walk I tried to soak it all in, my first race, all the competitors, the bikes, the atmosphere, it was wonderful.  During my walk I also learned a few things, but we will get to that in a minute.

I arrived at T1 ready to unpack my things.  Now this was a swim and then run event for me so setting up T1 was super easy....shoes, socks and a shirt.  Once I was set up I walked through the T1 checking out the set ups that all the triathletes had.  Checking out bikes, shoes, how their transitions were set up, etc.  What a great learning opportunity.  I then noticed an area that was crowded with people all wearing the same thing....red, white and blue!  It turns out that there were a few Olympians running the triathlon and they had their full team there setting them up.

So, after I left the transition area I headed over to the start.  Here is the view early in the morning,

Now my wave was scheduled to start at 8:15 with the first wave starting at 7:00.  This gave me time to talk with people and watch the first several waves.  After the first wave took off I was blown away by their swim speeds.  So I headed over to the swim exit to watch them come out of the water and see first hand their transitions.  Impressed was an understatement.  The first three people out of the water were Olympians, with a 1500m OR 1.5K swim distance in under 18 minutes.  The three of them were in and out of the transition area and on their bikes in under 1 minute 20 seconds according to the guy standing next to me with a stop watch....that is crazy fast considering the swim exit had a 100 yard run to the bikes and then about 150 yard run before the mounting line.

So, off I went back to the start.  I texted wifey, received some encouraging words back and headed to the start line.  The goal before the race.....don't drown, finish the race, and third have a swim time in the 10-11 minute range.  The horn blew and we were off.

I found myself at ease entering the water, which was a surprise considering this was my first open water swim in a LONG time.  I made it around the first buoy with ease, but then hit a wall right before the second buoy.  I switched it up to a breast stroke to get around the second buoy and somehow found myself back in freestyle before I was on the boat dock.....still don't remember making the switch.

This is where things get interesting.

As I approach the transition and volunteer asked me if I was ok, I said yes as I was catching my breath and she then stated "caused you don't look ok."  Is that because I just finished swimming in open water in a race or because something was actually wrong....I brushed it off.  Was in my shoes and off on the run.  Wow, I did not expect my legs to be heavy at this point but it must have been due to the breast stroke, but my legs felt like bricks for the first ten steps.  I was then ok, and found my stride.

About 200 yards into the run I found myself trying not to fall as I had a major shooting pain behind my left eye.  I kept my balance and kept my feet moving only to then find that my vision out of my left eye was completely blurred.  I kept walking figuring that it would go away in a minute.  I kept walking.  Next thing I know I am at the turn around point and Gracie (a true sweetheart) asked me if I was ok as she could see something was wrong.  She wanted me to sit down, but I was stubborn and kept walking.....so what did she do, she walked with me.

As I kept walking I realized that the pain was not going away and that it was actually getting worse.  I also realized that I wanted to finish this race more than anything.  I figured I would rather have a horrible time and come in last than have  DNF next to my name.  Gracie kept me talking the whole way back to the finish line.  Crazy part is, she at one point went to the same church as us and between the two of us seem to know a ton of the same people.  The Lord was looking out for me now that I look back.

So there I was at the finish line.  I was done, but that is where things had just begun.  Without getting into to many details, I was then taken away from the race by ambulance to a local hospital where my wife works in the ER, talk about having a connection.  Spent the entire day there and sent home.

Now, it's Tuesday and I have spent three days in bed in a horizontal position.  This sucks.

So.....first race down, all goals completed.  Oh, by the way my official time in the swim was 7:19 when I had a goal of 10-11!  I am happy!  With that, what is in store for my triathlon future.....the jury is still out.

Who's Who

This weekend looks like a lite race weekend.  Does that mean everyone is out doing some tough brick workouts?

Here are our racers,

Coy at First in Philly is runner her first trail half marathon.

Steve at Steve in a Speedo?! Gross! is teaming up for a Duathlon.  Their team name.... Team Happy Pants....don't even get me started.  Good Luck!

Kendra at Totally the Turtle is in the middle of her marathon in a month.  Go give her some encouragement as she has about 11 miles left to complete in 11 days.  We all know she can do it!

Then there is me, the Bench Warmer.  I am doing the OC Tri Aquathlon.  Should be interesting!  I will post a race report on either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Also, there is a great giveaway coming up....keep checking back for details!

Struggles

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of a struggle?

Well as of right now I am there!  It is nothing crazy or bad, but it is a struggle that has me all messed up to say the least.  It has messed with my head in such a way that I find it hard to focus on the simplest of tasks.  It sucks the motivation out of me like nothing else.  However, at the end of the day I think about this struggle and realize I have no control over it.  So why do I let it affect me so much?  Maybe, just maybe, because it could change everything or nothing at all.

This is not the forum to get into the details.  The important part is this....and is why I am blogging about it.

The place I feel at ease is actual two places....

1.  Sitting on the couch next to my sweetie enjoying a conversation or a TV show.

2.  In the gym (or ride/run/swim) giving it everything I have.

What a blessing.  To have the an amazing wife, the ability to workout and be healthy, and most importantly to be in a place where my struggles have nothing to do with real problems like so many of our brothers and sisters of the world.

Where do you find your sanctuary of physical or mental rest?

Friend Making Monday

So, my best friend over at Totally the Turtle participates in a Friend Making Monday post almost every week, unless she does a Monday Motivation.

This whole Friend Making Monday seems interesting to me.  So this week I read the original post by Kenz and found out that most of the time it is all about 5-10 items about yourself to get people to know you.  Well here is the thing, I was going to do this post today but I can't think of 5 things that make me awesome!  Sure I am loyal, hard working, handsome (yep i went there) and the list goes on, but does that make me awesome? This is not a pity party, but how would you define awesome?

I define it as a person that is willing to put their life on the line for others, gives out of need instead of wealth, sacrifices for others, is determined to finish things that they have started, and the list goes on.

Do I think I am awesome, maybe, but I know I could do so much more than I do now.

So, want to participate?  Just tell me why you are either awesome or an area you strive to be awesome at and post a link to your blog post in the comments section!

Oh and come back soon......I have a free give away planned AND a guest blog post by Kurt over at Becoming an Ironman.

Long Week

Last week was long and I had very little to post about.  I am in an odd state of mind these days.  The OC Tri Aquathlon is coming up this weekend....am I ready?  I guess we will find out on Sunday.

Here is a quote I read this morning on Marie's blog, go check here out HERE.

"Nobody ever died of discomfort, yet living in the name of comfort has killed more ideas, more opportunities, more actions, and more growth than everything else combined.  Comfort kills."  - T. Harv Eker

Training Plan and Map Created!

As you all know I have been at this triathlon training deal for a few months now.  It has gone well at times and gone horribly wrong at times.  Even with a new PR in the 5K, I knew I need to focus on creating a road map to success.  After my post last week about creating a map and a few days of research and planning I think I have my plan ready to go.  Now of course there will be changes, but that is life!

Although there are a ton of free websites and triathlon training resources, the one I found that I love and feel is going to work the best for me is at Forging the Triathlete.  Coach Suzanne has broken down the triathlon training so well that it makes it simple, even to the over-thinker like me.  So, if you are looking for a plan or a new spin on training, I would suggest checking out her site, HERE.

As for the plan, it's time to get started!  Redondo Beach is 34 days away and Strawberry Fields is not far behind....

Who's Who

Who is racing this weekend?

The list this week is diverse, but not nearly as long as last week.  So, lets get right to it! Go check these guys out at their blogs and wish them luck as well as read about their journeys.

Triathlon

Uli over at Uli Bromme : Triathlon is going to be competing in the Ironman St. George.  Can you think of a more beautiful spot to compete.....besides Kona?

Running

Misty over at Athena Diaries is at it once again, two marathons in one weekend!  How does this girl do it?  First she will be starting out at the Kalamazoo marathon and then moving on over to the Wisconsin marathon.

Cycling

Our first cycle only event is this weekend with Rock Star Tri doing the Medo Fondo 71 miler in New York.

Well, that is it!  Did I miss you on the list?  If so, email me your race schedule already!

Creating a Map

After my post earlier this week about training plans or lack thereof, I have decided that this weekend I am going to make a plan that works for me.  The plan will include my training, days of training, nutrition, work, family, and me time.

I will be starting with a few different plans that I have printed off the internet and create my own plan.  I will continue to strength train with my good friend DB, because lets face it he is a major factor in keeping me motivated.  Outside of my wife, he is my biggest motivator to keep pushing forward in the gym.  DB if you are reading this....one day I will be bigger, stronger and faster than you!

To make this even more interesting, I am planning on posting my weekly results for all of you to read and comment on.  Lets face it, numbers don't lie and who better than to review my training logs than a bunch of people doing the same thing, training for triathlons.

Hope everyone is training hard, staying safe, injury free and having a good time!

Interruption

The regularly scheduled program has been interrupted.

It's baseball season!

I have been blessed with an amazing family, hands down. Seriously though my oldest son is a baseball fanatic, much like his Daddy and he is only 2 1/2! Maybe it's my love for the game that gets him excited or it's just in his blood, but boy does this kid love baseball. I mean, look at the smile on his face!

After our race on Sunday we took him and his brother and sister to a baseball game. Dirtbags vs. Cal Poly. You read that right.....Dirtbags. If you follow college baseball at all you know that the Long Beach State 49ers are nicknamed the "Dirtbags" on the diamond. This name is was given to the team back in the 80's. It comes from the mentality of the team, play hard 100% of the time and give everything you have to the team. When you give up yourself for the sake of the team, you become a Dirtbag.

Maybe one day my son (or sons) can become a Dirtbag.

What activities typically interrupt your regularly schedule programs?

Training Plan, or Lacking

I have been reflecting the past two days on my training. Sometimes with my training I tend to over think things. Frankly, I think I do this in most aspects of my life. There is something to be said for having a coach or trainer just tell you what to do in order to get ready for a race. I don't have that, I am the coach, trainer, athlete, and therapist all wrapped into one.

Last night after playing 3 hours of softball, yep a double header I read Deb's blog over at Deb Tris. Here blog post was simple, train according to your training plan OR CHANGE IT so that you can follow it. Makes total sense.

Here is my problem. I have found so many great training plans, but cant seem to figure out how to make them work with my schedule.

I do know that what I am doing is creating some major improvement. My 5K last weekend was proof that I am running faster. It just makes me think that what if I had a real training plan....how much further along or better would I be????

Any ideas?

Post Race Notes

As many of you know this weekend was my first race of the season. Although it was not a triathlon it was a race in which it would give me real time feedback on where I was at in my preparation for my first triathlon.

So, it was Sunday morning, Kendra and I headed out to the OC Fair Grounds for the Wahoo's 5K. It was an interesting morning....We had no kids in tow, thanks to my Mother-in-Law who had all three kids spend the night at her house. The freeway at that time in the morning was empty, which if you know Southern California this condition happens very rarely. When we arrived at the fairgrounds there was NO parking, which made me a little upset seeing that I had PAID for parking. Luckily I was at the right place at the right time and was able to park in the swap-meet parking area.

So here we were, ready to race.

Before the race even started I knew in my mind that I was in better shape for this run then the last 5K, but was still doubtful that I had made much progress in my training. Most of this is because I hate running and therefore most of my training has been swimming, biking or weight training. Problem right?


So the race started and I stuck with Kendra. She runs at a much slower pace than I do but I was staying with her for two reasons....1. She was not feeling well and I wanted to make sure she was ok, 2. I knew if I started slow I could push through the leg pain to a point that it would go away. Also knowing that the competitive side and the husband side of me would not let her pull away if my leg was hurting.

Well, I am happy to report my strategy worked. I was not only able to push through the leg pain but I also recorded a new PR in the 5K.

Who's Who

It's Friday once again! Did you have a good week of training? Are you racing this weekend?

Here is the weekly list of this weekend racers. Go wish them luck and give a little encouragement.

Triathlon

Jo over at That Girl Who Sang the Anthem is doing the Nanticoke River Triathlon.

Sherry at A Woman in Motion is racing in the St Anthony's Triathlon.....go get em!

Running

Minnesota Nancy is running her first (at least I think it's her first) 10K this weekend at the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundations event. This is a great event that I have done many times and not only wish Nancy the best in her race but hope you all take a moment to see what the charity is doing in the lives of children.

Kendra at Totally the Turtle is running the Wahoo's OC 5K this weekend.....with a special guest, ME! Good luck sweetheart.

Jim at 50 after 40 is running a half marathon at the OK City Half Marathon.....Hey Jim, go look for Christi from Pedestrian Runner as she will be running this event as well.

Sam over at Run with Sam will be rocking out to music while she runs the Rock N Roll Country Music Marathon. Sam, if you are not distracted by the music look for Mauricio from Triathlon at 55 as he will be rocking out on the course as well.

Now with Sam and Mauricio, there will be Misty from Athena Diaries running the Rock N Roll Country Music Marathon. Here is why I listed her separate.....not only is she running that marathon she is then going to turn around the next day and run the Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday. Crazy right? It gets better....she flys home Monday morning and goes into work around noon.

Well that is all I have for this weekend.... 2 triathlons, 4 Marathons, 2 Half Marathons, 1 10K and 2 5K's. Did i miss you, shoot me a comment or an email and I will get you on the list.

Every one.....race fast, race smart, hydrate and have fun!

Tools of the Trade

Lets face it, we all use the Internet in the form of blogs, online magazines, friends, facebook, etc to learn about new training techniques and races. So my question to all of you is two fold.....do you use any apps in your training (iPhone or Droid)? If so, what apps do you use and why?

Here is a list of my favorite training apps, non-training apps and ones I think I may purchase.

Training

• Nike +, this app tracks your runs for you.....at least in theory! I had a pair of Nike + running shoes that completely hurt my feet. I have since switched to Brooks which feel like I am running on a mattress! One problem, the Nike + only seems to work about 75% of the time, regardless of the shoes.


• Couch to 5K, not my favorite, but I know a ton of people that love it, including Totally the Turtle.


• Strava, this app tracks your rides for you via the GPS. It will tell you your pace, distance, climbs, etc and track your progress over multiple rides so you can see your improvement.


• Nike Training, great for short strength workouts! Some of the workouts are only 15 minutes long which is perfect to get in a great Ab killer.


• My 24, this allows me to keep track of all the spin classes (and other classes) that 24 Hour Fitness has in my area.

Training Wish List

• First Time Triathlon, looks like a useful training tool and would take all the guess work out of my training plan.

Non Training

• Words with Friends, my wife always beats me at this game, but it's still fun!


• MLB, enough said.


• Facebook, because we all need to stay connected!


• Too many more to list!

So, what apps do you use for both training and non-training?

Online Challenge

So my wife is one of the main people in my life that holds me accountable to my training. On mornings when my alarm goes off hours before most people she is the one who bugs me to get out of bed on those days where I want nothing else than 2 more hours of sleep before work. She is the one who takes care of my nutritional needs as well as the kids and herself. She also is the one that holds down the fort at home and gets me out at night for my 2-a-day workouts. Lets face it, she is amazing.

The factor in her life that I see her struggle with is her workouts. Now maybe because she supports me so much she puts herself 2nd, which drives me crazy by the way. However this upcoming month she has decided to go big with her running. She is going to run a full marathon within the month of May!

Now to some of you that I know who read this blog daily, you think ok, 26.2 miles in 31 days....you can do that mileage in a workout! But a little history here is that she started running a year ago, without ever running before. Her main goal was to get in shape and be a good example to our kids (little does she know, she already is). Her running has progressed from 2-3 times a week to running in 5K's and even a 10K. Her ultimate goal being that she can run a half marathon at a good mile pace.

So with that background this goal is doable, right? YES! The big factor is getting her out there and running. If I am being honest, I think she can get a marathon PLUS a half marathon in May.

So, please go over to her blog and share some of that great triathlon community with her and push her to victory! Check her out at Totally the Turtle.

Advice

If you could give a newbie triathlete 2 pieces of advice, what would they be?

I will post my 2 in the comments section tomorrow after a bunch of you comment.

Who's Who

The weekly who's who of racing weekend!

Very anticlimactic this week. As of right now I don't have anyone listed as racing anything this weekend. Hopefully it is because everyone is home with their families (or out with their families) celebrating Easter.

Happy Easter everyone!

Mini Tri

So last night I completed my little training plan that consisted of each sport. It went well and I am glad I did it, but here is the recap.

Pros

• Was able to do all three sports



• Felt amazing when I finished and felt very accomplished



• Able to get in good training with great focus

Cons

• Was starving when I woke up and felt very drained



• The muscle along my shins cramped, again. I need this to stop so I can run longer distance!



• Mountain bikes make a funny hum on pavement and don't very fast



• Did not complete the full distance in my swim

All in all I am glad I did it if for no other reason i at least know where I stand for my triathlons in June. My main focus for each sport here on out.....

Swim - Finish the distance with no breaks

Bike - Need more saddle time. Just for comfort.

Run - Need my legs to stop cramping (any suggestions?)

Any experts or Ironman's out there have any suggests on moving forward?

Big Training Night

Here it goes! I have a big training plan for tonight. Most of you reading this are going to think one of two things,

1) Are you crazy?

2) Man, that is just my warm up routine.

So, here is the plan. I am going to park my car at "The Club" and get ready for some fun. First I plan to take a run around the lake (yes we have lakes in SoCal, although it is man made). The run will be the same distance as a 5K since I plan to run 2/3's of the lake and then turn around and run back. I will then change straight into my riding shoes and complete the same route as my run, but possibly do it twice (10K). Then I will put the bike back in the car and check in at "The Club" and take a dip in the pool. The pool swim will equal at LEAST a 1/4 mile.

So, am I crazy or am i just doing your warm up routine?

Bike Drama

All last week I had been looking forward to getting my bike back from the shop. I planned to ride it first thing Saturday morning and even had my route picked out and established a time I wanted to complete it in. Then craziness happened and it has yet to stop.

Now keep in mind that I am just starting out in this triathlon deal. So, I took the advice of several friends and triathlon coaches and just plan to ride the bike I have instead of buying a new bike. Its a cost thing, plus who knows if this is going to be a long term deal anyway until I actually complete a race. So I took my mountain, yes you read that correct, mountain bike to the shop for some needed repairs.

When I picked up my bike it was perfect. Then I got home and did the Dad thing. Once I returned to the car to take my bike out I had a flat. Seriously!?!? Zero hours on the bike and a flat. This cant be happening.

So I took the bike bake on Saturday afternoon, after missing my morning ride. Turns out it was just a defective tube....replaced and working great!

Sometimes it just seems that if it is not one thing its another that gets in the way of training. The good news is.....I ran this weekend instead.

Boston

WOW, did you see that guy break the record for fastest marathon today in Boston? To bad it is not an actual world record considering the race has over 400 feet of decent, but still impressive. We all know I could not run it in twice his time!

Congrats.

Who's Who on Race Weekend

Being a new member of the blog community I have found so many people that are just plain amazing. Within blogging and the triathlon world (runners too) I have found an amazing amount of information, support and friendship. Its a little strange but exciting to have friends all over the place that are training and struggling with the same things I am.

I have noticed on a few blogs that I read, people are posting about either their upcoming race this weekend OR a list of people that are racing this weekend. This is the place I saw it first, Becoming an Ironman, and trust me read his blog it's awesome. So, I would like to start a tradition here on the BENCHWARMER to list all the people that have inspired me one way or another through their blog. Here is the who's who of races this weekend.

Good Luck!

TRIATHLONS

Mauricio over at Triathlon at 55 is racing at the New Orleans Ironman 70.3

RUNNING

Jim at 50 after 40 is running the Boston Marathon.....impressive! Jim is planing to run a marathon in all 50 states after the age of 40. I can only dream of such a feat.

Deb at Deb Tris is running the Calgary Police Half Marathon. She posted that part of the race course might be underwater.......I'm no expert, (since it's 80 degress in So Cal today) but isn't it still cold in Calgary this time of year?

Liz at Mommy to Marathon is running her first 5K......Go give her some encouragement! This is amazing.

Jen at Runner....Maybe is running her first 10K

Jess at Run with Jess AND Jen at Adventures of Badgergirl are running the OshKosh Half Marathon

Colleen at Iron Diva is also running a Half Marathon

Last but not least, Tonia at Racing Babes is running the Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon.

Did I miss you? Email me and I will update the list! If you have an upcoming race, email me that too so I can get you on the appropriate Friday Who's Who.

Ok everyone not racing, get out this weekend and get some good training in....your weekend is coming!

Success!

So, after the epic fail earlier this week, today I had success. This morning, due to my work schedule I had some extra time in the gym. So, I did the one thing I hate after my typical Thursday workout....I ran! I only did a fraction over a mile, but I will take it and all the positive things that go with it. I can now officially say that i have started my morning running program.

Mental Game

I am learning very quick that this triathlon thing is a mental game. I have known for a long time that most things in life have a very large aspect of mental training. Take school for example, we all know that you must use your brain power to succeed in school, but I think it's more than mental ability. Most people can pass through high school and college based on their mental ability. The difference between a college graduate and a high school graduate is their mental toughness or desire to finish. Same goes for someone with a graduate degree versus a bachelors degree. A professor of mine once told me that my degree only meant two things, that I was willing to finish something that I started AND that I was trainable.

Don't get me wrong, each level of education you go through takes a certain amount of mental ability, but I think the bigger factor is mental toughness.

The same can be said about sports. Almost anyone can play youth sports. Then comes high school sports where many people stop and even more drop off at college sports. Now it takes a certain amount of God given talent to make it from high school to college, especially at a big name school. However how many athletes do you see in football, baseball, etc that have the talent but cant survive in college sports, let alone the rigors of professional sports. This is where mental toughness kicks in. Can they OR you take the daily grind of being an athlete at an elite level?

Where am I going with this?

Well if you are a triathlon athlete you know exactly where I am going. To be a part of triathlon you need the metal toughness I am referring to. The daily training and nutrition is a full time job let alone the fact that almost all triathletes have full time jobs and families as well!

I am now fully starting to understand what it takes to compete in the world of triathlons. It takes determination, dedication, discipline and mental toughness.....DDDMT? (Trying to get a good acronym here, maybe change a few words). The first three I can manage and make work, but how do you train your mind to be tough and take it to the next level to become a triathlete?

Epic Failure

This morning the alarm went off at 4:30am. Yuck. The plan was to get up, get ready and get out the door! I was planning to run this morning before my weight training session. Well, next thing i know it's 5:10am and I am scheduled to meet up for weight training at 5:30am. Yikes!

So, I tore out of the house in my gym attire, with the wrong shoes on no less and my protein shake and Xtend in hand. Arrived at the gym and was met by 75+ cars in the parking lot.....thankfully the gym had some kind of class going on and it was not busy at all.

Completed my weight training but was unable to get a run in before work. Epic Fail.

Now I am off to softball, hoping to have a great game and maybe even sneak in some extra running during the game. Would that count?

Wanting to Workout

Do you ever find yourself WANTING to workout.....I mean working out becomes a priority....like your schedule revolves around when and where you can work out.

Love it, but kind of weird.

Needless to say, I did not workout this weekend. I think my body needed it from last week and I plan to make sure I get some hardcore work this week. The thing is, my mind was thinking about workouts ALL weekend.

66 Days

There are 66 days until my first triathlon. Yikes!

I have been in the pool doing my laps, both straight swims and some _x25's and _x50's. The next couple of swims I am going to bump up to _x75's and within two weeks be at _x100's. In addition I have been on the bike in spin classes. Last night was an intense class that really pushed me to the next level both physically and mentally. Now, I just need my bike fixed so I can get on the road......hope it is not going to cost me an arm and a leg.

The area I am lacking on is running. I hate running. Any suggestions on how I can push myself into running more often? Some ideas have been to do a short run or elliptical stint before weight training in the morning. That would get some running in and then save my longer runs for days where it is my only focus.

Suggestions welcome.......

Vegas

Last weekend my bride and I were able to get away for an entire 56 hours.....no kids, no work, no responsibility! So, naturally we went to Vegas.

Vegas was good to us this year, we were able to reconnect and blow off some steam but yet still relax. The food was amazing, but frankly ALL of the meals were bad choices. I finally figured out that the veggies at one of the restaurants must have been coated in butter because they tasted so good.

The scale this morning, completely reflects what I ate. it also reflects my lack of training for 5 days. The silver lining in the whole weekend is that we went to the gym.....thank you 24 hour fitness for actually being everywhere. It was only an hour workout and I only did weight training, but it felt great to be in the gym and know that I was making a good choice.

When you get away, do you still train?

Inspiration

Where do you get your inspiration to do triathlons? Maybe from a friend, spouse, loved one, child, thrill of competing, ______ (fill in the blank) Well, I get my inspiration from an amazing woman, my bride (aka the TURTLE, visit her here) Check out what she is doing and continues to do in the fitness and health arena while being a stay at home Mom (well 95% of the time) a nurse, a wife, a friend, a daughter, and just all around amazing person. Without her my diet goes bad quickly, my workouts don't happen, and the joy I have around me does not exist. So a special thank you to my bride. Who is that one person in your life that inspires you?

Spin Class

This morning I took my first spin class! Well, it was not my first ever, but my first spin class in awhile. Loved it! 60 Minutes of an older woman laughing at us because we cant keep up with her.....talk about motivation! I live on that kind of stuff. The thing I loved is that I was able to get in a ride for 50 minutes this morning, burn some calories and get my legs moving in the right direction. According to the instructor and a few things I have read online, a typical 50 minute class can cover 14 to 16 miles if you were to convert it to an actual ride on the road. Not bad, considering my triathlons will need to cover anywhere from 11-14 miles. I have read from a ton of triathlon blogs that bricks are great preparation for your actual triathlon race. However, I have recently seen a few people suggest that after EVER ride you should run. Since the transition for your body from ridding to running is the hardest, it will force you to get used to the feeling in your legs and back, giving you an edge in your preparation. Keep in mind, most people suggest only going for a 5 to 10 minute run after every ride, so not a true brick, but it is intended to train you mentally and physically about the demand your body will have during your transition. This is great advice! So, your asking your self now if I took this advice this morning........NOPE. I figured it was my first spin class and I wanted to make sure I could still walk later in the day. Plus, my bride and I have a big weekend getaway this weekend (without kids) which does require that my legs operate in a normal function! So there it is, first spin class down, many more to come. Does anyone else run for a few minutes after every ride?

Big Day

Today is a BIG day. It's OPENING DAY for baseball!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, who is your team?

Recovery Drinks

Theia over at The Fit Goddess posed an interesting question in one of the comment sections of my blog ... Does anyone used recovery drinks? Well it turns out that Theia uses orange flavored Endurox with a vanilla whey protein. I don't drink a recovery drink in essence, but I do drink Xtend by SciVation during my workouts. It is a drink that is completely filled with aminos, specifically the 2:1:1 blend consisting of L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine. It also has L-Glutamine in it to help with muscle soreness and the re-building process. So what do you drink before, during and after your workout?

Nutrition

When it comes to getting into shape, training for a triathlon, losing weight, or body building, at least 80% (maybe even 90%) of your results can be tied to your nutrition. As my pitching coach in baseball used to tell me, if you eat junk food, you will perform like junk. Like wise if you eat good food.

I also once heard....If it tastes good then it's bad for you, if it tastes bad then it is good for you!

So, what is the best nutrition / diet to follow for triathlon training? Is it best to just stick to a high carb and fresh veggie / fruit diet? Or do you go with a high carb and protein diet for fuel?

There seems to be a TON of resources out there as to what the best diet for endurance performance is.......

My plan is to eat health food in it's most clean and natural state. Of course their will be days of In-n-Out, but I will follow the only 80/20 rule I learned in business school (be healthy 80% of the time, cause no one remembers or cares about the other 20%), plus for my life with kids and work, 100% is just not practical.

So, what is your plan? What works for you?

Dig Deep

It's time to push and make this happen. Anyone want to volunteer to help push me, keep me accountable and call me out???? Com eon....here is your chance, i know you want too.

Time to dig deep.

Back to the Bench

I think I am going to head back to the bench.

Here is the deal striaght up. The swimming has been interesting, but in only a month I have already seen inprovement in both my stroke and my endurance. Its really just a time issue with swimming as I can only do it at night, which is doable just hard.

Then there is the bike situation. I thought I would just do the first couple triathlons and all my training on a mountian bike, heck even some of the races have a mountain bike division OR are a mountain bike course. Then reality set in on how much time and more importantly money it was going to take to get the bike I already have back up and running. So, maybe I go buy a used bike off craigslist....yeah, that costs money too. I can do the bike part of the race, I can do the spin classes, I can do it....but I cant race without an operating bike.....hey maybe I can use a beach cruiser.

Then there is running. I hate it. I can force myself to do it and I can make myself get through it just to finish a race. I just dont like it.....I kind of think of it like lima beans, I hate them, but sometimes you just need to eat them and get it over with.

So the jury is still out, but the bench might be in my near future.

Really

Am I really going to do this?

I have been asking myself that question the past few days. Maybe because my body is exhausted. Maybe because I have a little bit of congestion. Maybe because its just me being me, doubtful.

Either way, I am at the point where I am not sure I can do this.

So today for lunch, I ate a 3x3 from In-N-Out.

Random Information

Saw this on a blog last night, THIS ONE, and thought I would share some info......


(A) Age: 29

(B) Bed Size: California King

(C) Chore You Hate: ALL! Most of all, laundry even though my wife does it 95% of the time.

(D) Dogs?: No way. Not a big fan.

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: MyoFusion protein powder....a close second is my iPhone

(F) Favorite Color: Blue

(G) Gold or Silver? Both?

(H) Height: 6'5"

(I) Instruments You Play: lets not go there.....

(J) Job: Construction Management

(K) Kids: 3

(L) Live: Southern California

(M) Mom's Name: AWESOME

(N) Nicknames: E, The Big E, Big Daddy, Sweets, and a few others.....

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? ......

(P) Pet Peeve: People that are late.

(Q) Quote from a Movie: "you're gonna do what?" Does anyone know where that is from?

(R) Right or Left Handed? Right

(S) Siblings: Older sister

(T) Time You Wake Up? 4:45....but the snooze button typical gets hit.

(U) Underwear: Always

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: Lima beans

(W) What Makes You Run Late: Kids

(X) X-Rays You've Had Done: Where do i start.....Head, neck, collar bone, both arms, all fingers, ribs, back, right hip, left upper leg, right lower leg, both ankles, all toes, both feet.

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: tacos

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal:monkeys

Clydesdale

When I go and register for a triathlon, I am an eligible to register in the Clydesdale division. If I don't I would be put into the typical age divisions.

The question becomes.....which division to race in?

Lets take a look at what a Clydesdale is first.......

Clydesdale definition = a Scottish bread of strong, hardy draft horses. OR a heavy powerful breed of horse.

I guess that means I am a heavy powerful triathlon athlete?

To qualify for this division you must be a male over 200 lbs, regardless of height. This seems odd to me for several reasons. A guy that is 5'6" tall that is over 200 lbs is overweight, but what about a guy like me that is 6'5" tall......is that overweight? If I weighed the average weight of a triathlon athlete at 165 lbs....I would have a 2% body fat composition and NO muscle, but a guy that is 5'6" would be ripped with muscle!

With all that said.....which division so I register for?

Bikes

With every triathlon there comes a portion of the race that includes a bike ride. This is not news to me, or frankly probably not news to ANYONE.

So when I started this journey I figured I would do a race that was an off-road race because I have history riding a mountain bike and a I HAVE a mountain bike. I also found that several triathlons, mainly sprint distances have a race division for mountain bikes, similar to age groups or clydesdale's (which I will address later).

Then the process of my mind starts working.....what would it take to buy a road bike, what are their costs, where would I ride, etc.

So here is where I need your help. Do you know where I can buy a road bike? I am not even sure that I can afford a road bike, but like all of my mind issues, I must do research to the ends of the world before I can give it a rest. Just ask my wife.

I am looking for a decent bike, not a bottom of the barrel bike that will fall apart at mile marker 100 OR a bike that costs the same as a Kia......yes, I saw a tri bike today on the internet that costs $12K. Used bikes seem to be the best, you can get a decent bike at a much cheaper rate and I don't really care if it is the 2009 or older model!

So, with that said, any advice or websites I can look at to make an informed decision? Advice on tri racing also gladly accepted.

Race Schedule

Here is the list of races I plan to complete this year. Anyone want to join me?

May 1st - Wahoo's OC 5k

May 22nd - OC Aquathlon

June 12th - Redondo Beach Super Sprint Triathlon

July 17th - Strawberry Fields Triathlon

August 27th - Wet N Wild 5K

September 3rd - Disneyland 5K

October 2nd - Scott Tinley's Triathlon (this is still a maybe)

October 15th - Chapman University 5K (Redemption)

Positive Run

This morning I was able to get out and run, it was awesome (well kinda).

So, once most of the kids were up, wifey starting getting ready to face the day while I went out for a run. Today i decided to go over to the local high school, which is only a block away and yes I walked / ran to the high school, no car was used. The odd part about it is that I was having flashbacks......it's the high school I went to many years ago. Its also the track I ran around as punishment for the different sports I played. It's funny to think what used to be a punishment is now my "sport"

So, I ran the stairs a few times (maybe 100 steps in the flight) and then off to the track to run some laps. I ran a solid mile and then back to the stairs for some more punishment.

My run was odd. I recently have been having problems with the muscles on the outside of my lower leg that run along my chin bone. While running, at about 1/2 mile the muscle completely cramps.....it sucks! So, I have done a ton of reading on the subject and the only two ideas that keep coming up are to run slower OR run and push through the pain and it will go away. I opt for the run through the pain, but the jury is still out on that.......

The funny part in the morning was when some high school age kids started to run with my around the track as a warm up for their run. Cool right. But then it happened. During their light warm up they were able to lap me twice on the same lap! Oh well, not much I can do about some 16 year old kids that weigh a buck thirty (I remember those days!)

The joys of running. I love the sense of accomplishment, but really at what point do you really start to enjoy this "sport"?

Uhhhh, Pizza

Normally Pizza, I love you. You are a favorite food, a food I turn to in celebration, in sorrow, in hunger. But pizza I think we need a break.

This week, I have had pizza for four meals and a snack.....in 5 days!

Now I know that if you are training for a triathlon or training for a healthy life, pizza can not be a staple in your diet.

So, for now pizza, we need a break.

Coach OR no Coach?

So, with all the information on the internet, I keep asking myself, coach or no coach for this process?

Here is where I am at in my head!

Reasons for NO COACH,

• I can read. Yes this is basic, but I can read all about training on the internet.
• Will to get it done.
• No desire to be an elite athlete, just want to finish.
• Have no money to pay for a coach.
• I have a "friend" if she will let me call her that, that does tri's all the time.
• I know a guy that rides all time and is willing to help me out.
• A friend is an ex-state champion swimmer, who is also willing to help out.

Reasons for a COACH,

• Accountability
• Knowledge of where I am mentally and physically
• Not a friend or relative.
• Can push me in my workouts.

I am giving this a ton of thought. When I started weight lifting the first time, I lasted 2 months and saw limited, strike that, NO results. So, this time I started weight lifting with a friend that knows his stuff and can prove it.....and what do you know, I can see results not only in the mirror but on the amount of weight I move regardless of the lift.

So, anyone have any thoughts?

Wise words

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcomings, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory no defeat."

- Theodore Roosevelt

Favorites Places to Visit

As I research triathlon training, nutrition, and races I have found the following blogs that are inspiring. Click on the links and check them out!

Lisa's Road to another 1/2 Ironman - All I can say is wow.

Mauricio's Triathlon - in your 50's and doing this level of triathlon training and racing. Amazing!

Slade - This guy s seems to know his stuff.

Rough Fit - if you are in SoCal, these guys appear to know what they are doing when it comes to training.


Totally the Turtle - Not triathlon related, but inspirational!

Here are a few other places I like to visit while online.......

USAT

BodyBuilding.com

Yankees!

So, what blogs / websites do you read on a regular basis?

Spin Class

While working on how I am going to train for this triathlon deal I have found many resources online for training....as I mentioned before in Information Overload.

So, in order to get in some riding I am planing on taking a day off weight training every week and take a spin class before work. Now here is the question.....

Does a spin class count as a ride?

I have read from some triathletes that if you start and stop a "ride" in the same place without changing your view along the way, then it is not a ride. I get it. Riding a bike either on road or a mountain bike is much different than on a stationary bike. There are other factors than just spinning a wheel that come into play, like traffic, stop lights, rocks, hills, weather, etc.

But at the end of the day....Did my legs spin something? Did my heart rate increase? Did I sit on a saddle? Did I sweat? Did I compete with the guy next to me to go faster?

YES....so isn't that a ride?

Fail

This morning was scheduled to be a run before church......FAIL. The "baby" even though at 11 months he is the size of a two year old woke up late for some food at 6:20 this morning, I decided to feed him and let me wife sleep in a little. This was great, but by the time I finished, the 2 year old was up and ready to go. At that point I wanted nothing more than to lay around until it was time to go to church.

So I failed on my workout for the day. There is still time.....its only 2pm to get a workout in later. Maybe after we visit with the family for dinner I can get a run in before bed or a swim (I am voting for the swim by the way).

I did have one major victory today......I did not eat any donuts at church! not even a bite from one of the kids. Heck, sometimes you need to celebrate the little things in life.

Stay tuned, tomorrow I plan to start a Monday tradition.............

Sore Beyond Belief

I am sore. Expected, but still sore. I have been working out every morning for the past five months by way of weight lifting. Its amazing! My body transformation has been noticible. Only problem is, I dont think my body was ready for the shock of adding additional workouts this week.

So this week I not only performed a week long heavy set of weight lifting but I threw in a run (more on that later) and a night of swimming. (If you interested in a crazy hard weight lifting workout let me know, my buddy found a great website that beat us up)

The swimming went well. I was able to complete the amount of meters I set out to swim with a bit of ease and within the time limit I set for myself. Only problem I had was the nagging shoulder injury that wont go away flared up again. This too will pass with more conditioning (I hope). The next few days I could feel the swim in my muscles....lats, shoulders, pecs, etc. It felt great to be sore!

Then there was my run. It was a disaster. We will talk about that another day......if you have running pointers, send them my way!

So this weekend I am sore beyond beleif and I LOVE IT. I am still looking for a good plan to get ready for this race......anyone have a pointer or two?

Information Overload

Wow, my head is spinning with information.

I made this commitment to do a triathlon. I thought I picked the perfect race, but now I have found others that look cool too. Then I found a training program that outlined how to get ready for the race, but then I found another one that took a different approach. Then I found articles about weight training or not weight training. Overload.

So here is where I am.....excited, but overloaded with information.

Race
Do I stick with a race date of October or do I try to do one sooner? I know that the running portion is going to be the area I need the most work. Do I practice my running at a 5K or 10K in preparation? Do I complete a Sprint Tri or a Super Sprint or an Olympic?

Training
There are a TON of free training programs out there on the Internet. Some of them seem to be right up my alley, some have me reading them scratching my head thinking "they want me to do what?" Then i have found a few training programs that you go to with a group and have a coach, which seems like great accountability not only with the support but the fact you have to pay for it. The problem with those is that I have a real job and real kids and a real wife, all of which need me to do certain things and place demands (not in a bad way) on my life that does not let me do a typical training. None of these coaches like working at 5:30 or earlier in the morning, when I typically workout. So what do i do?

Nutrition
I have ready that I need to eat more protein on one site, then others say I need to carbo load, while others say eat clean. I generally like to think that eating clean or as clean as possible is a good thing, so I can get on board with that. But the idea of eating carbs first and focus on them only, seems crazy! I can eat protein no problem! I love meat, all kinds of meat. I love protein shakes. I mean seriously, staking up on protein is my kind of diet, but will that just build muscle (not a bad thing) and slow me down for doing tri's?

These issue are just the tip of the ice berg. Right now I am just trying to focus on working hard. Go to the gym in the morning everyday during the week and working with a great guy on building strength. Trying to get in a run every morning during the weekend and then some swimming and running when I can during the week.....oh and don't forget the most important of all, softball on Monday nights with the guys!

So, my question for you......where, when, how, and what do I need to do to get ready for a triathlon? (I have the why figured out)

Why

For years I have wanted to get back into shape. But lets start there......what does back into shape really mean?



Looking back I grew up playing sports, everything from baseball to basketball to hockey to tennis to any game we could make up in the streets or playgrounds that had a clear defined winner and loser. Does playing sports as a kid and into my teenage years count as being in shape? I was never the kid in high school that was gifted athletically or naturally built with muscle. I could hold my own with just about anyone in most sports, but was never the superstar. Frankly, my Junior year in high school I was 16, 6'5" tall and 132 pounds.....yes you read that weight correctly.



So, what does getting back into shape really mean?



To me it means several things. It means being able to run a 5k or 10k on a moments notice. It means swimming with the kids all day long in the pool. It means going for a mountain bike right with my buddies. It means setting a good example for my kids who watch every single thing I do, say, and eat. It means looking good at the pool / beach during the summer. It means have a wife that can say "yep that's my husband over there" when all her friends are with her. What does all of this look like......not sure, but ready to see where it takes me.



This thought process all started because my wife threw me a surprise party last year for my 29th birthday. Yep, it was amazing. Not only was the party perfect, but it made me reflect on all the amazing things I have accomplished before turning 30....which used to be thought of as old.



I graduated from college in 4 years (at one point I did not think i was even going to get into college) I married the most amazing woman on the planet (sorry guys, I took her) we are on our second house, I have three amazing kids, a successful career.....the list just keeps going. After thinking back on all my dreams only two items came to me of things I thought I would have done by now........

1. Be a starting pitcher for the Yankees. (that dream died long ago)


2. Complete a triathlon

Why a triathlon you might ask.....because it is a true test of your entire body. You need to be physically fit enough to complete the race, you must have the dedication and discipline to train, you brain must rule your body not your body rule your brain, and it is the one true test of your WILL.

So, I plan to have this blog document my journey of transforming from a bench warmer to a triathlete.

Hope you join me for the ride.