Not even sure what to Title this one.

Ok, sometimes I swear things are stacked against us just to test our mettle. Training you would think is hard enough, but add the sense of humor of God at times and we have a unique concoction of small miracles and just making ourselves look like complete asses.

Enter Adam-

I have a wonderful daughter and stepson. They definitely add a unique dimension to the daily “To Do” list at times, but always worth it. My daughter and I get to enjoy her gymnastics practices every Monday and Wednesday night together. Before I continue let me explain that I do not live full time with my daughter, she lives with her Mom. I see her very frequently usually 7 days out of every 14 so I work very hard to maintain a very active roll in her life. In addition to that, when I have her I try to make most functions centered on the kids and giving them the attention they deserve.

Back to the gym- These being my nights with her, I was not extremely excited to have to observe her through an observation window for 90 min. My daughter isn’t too pleased that it cuts into our time either, but I think it is good that I play a roll in as many aspects of her life as possible.

99% of the time I have everything done and am able to watch her do her practice in entirety. With crunch time for IM training, this particular day I was running behind and justified leaving for 40 min of the 90 to do my short run. After all, most of the other parents do not stay, so I really would not be a bad Dad doing this…

Ok, I take her in, it’s already raining, and I am thinking this is really going to suck running in the rain, and changing out of wet running clothes in the car, but I am committed and to get it done today, it is what is required. Back to the car, I put on the running gear and go to put on my running shoes – no insoles! Come ON I think, I must have switched them as they had my orthodics in them. OK, I am resourceful, Ill take them out of my casual shoes and just make the best of it. My shoes I’m wearing this day have insoles glued in… I pick at them for a second now willing to totally ruin the shoes to get them out, but it is not happening. OK, Ill run without insoles, it’s a short run, I’ll be OK. After a quick inspection I realize I have the new Nikes with the ability to put the pod or whatever it’s called in them. Well I do not have a Pod, so I have a damn hole with a hard plastic rim in the center of my arch. This is getting ridiculous I think, OK Ill try it. At this point what do I have to loose?

I start running, of course feel it a bit, but try to draw on my Marine Corps days and pretend I do not want the Drill Instructor to know I screwed up and forgot something knowing the discomfort of whatever I am currently experiencing will only be compounded if I go noticed. On we go, and it really gets to be OK.

Of course I am SOAKED, to the core. I come back from the run and assemble the best I can the dry clothes on the passenger seat, knowing I have 50 min of “safe time” to change in the parking lot until the class of 5-7 year old girls and Moms’ pour out of the building in mass to all the cars- I can do this.

The parking lot seems very crowded today and I can’t seem to figure out why. Well I found out. There is a NEW class also going on. That class gets out 45 min before my daughter’s or more accurately exactly the point in time I whip my wet clothes to the back seat and am totally exposed! Shit! I scramble to get my underwear up my wet legs which of course is rolling up and getting caught on everything. There is no way I am going to make it and I scramble for my shirt and a towel to cover up. Oh, this is going to look real great I think to myself, imagining the headlines in the Police blotter the next day and having to explain to my kid why she had to help bail Dad out of jail.

Of course the car next to me must have been designated the car pool van for the day and more kids then clowns getting into the cars at the circus are able to pile in, all the time, thank goodness the mom is focusing on strapping in these youngsters and not thinking to look at the covered up half naked man in the car next to her. Finally I am able to finish getting everything on without being discovered and become fully clothed – RELIEF.

As I get out of the car and give the Mom a waive I think to myself, “Boy that run was worth it”. Man the things we do to fit everything in at times.

I just wanted people to know I can relate to having to fit things in around a very busy schedule. It gets to be tough at times, but you know what, it is worth it.

Nice Work!

Congratulations to my 3 athletes who raced Wisconsin.

Paul W, nice PR and you finally got your Kona spot!!!
Jim D, Kona for you as well, and doing so with an Age Group record by 30 min!
Dennis J, 30 min PR for you on a tougher course.

Very exciting to watch you 3 today!!!

Learning from some of the best

It has been awhile since my last post. I just seem to never find the time to do these.

I came back from Boulder a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to train for a week with Macca, Paul Ambrose, Brent Sheldrake, Simon Thompson, Cam Widoff, Bryan Rhodes, Wes Hosbson, Gordo and others. Well, Wes and I didn’t technically “train” unless you count watching the Olympics and sharing some great laughs.

I was able to do all of this because this year I have been getting some help from Macca and he was kind enough to let me tag along for a bit. These guys are simply on a different level. They are amazing to watch train. It has been a tremendous learning process to be able to train with the guidance of a current World Champion and get his insight into success.

What is interesting to me is their mental willingness to have fun, laugh at each other, encourage each other and train hard. We all know they train hard, but what I was most impressed with is the mental approach all these athletes have.

I am getting ready to go to Hawaii in just over a month. I know I’m prepared; I’m racing the best I ever have. I was totally honest with Macca about my being excited, but also nervous. He had some great insight into how he approaches his race there, and shared tips with me he has learned from others, as well as his own experiences.

I have spent so many years racing “scared”. I have been criticized by people who want to see me fail, people I thought were my friends, and the worst yet- myself. In so many races I have raced to “not do bad” versus “the best I think I can do”. These guys simply do not think this way. All of these guys have had amazing races as well as very poor races and even DNF’s. I used to think that they would DNF because they had to race again to earn a different paycheck. While I am sure this is true, I would guess now it is because they just lay it out on the line. They are willing with the consequences of their effort. They are willing to laugh at themselves, learn, and move on to the next race almost immediately.

I had some insight into this mental aspect while training with all of these guys in Boulder. It is hard work as an age grouper. We invest so much time energy and emotion yet still have to balance the “daily grind”. I have found myself a long the way forgetting to have fun. Macca told me specifically to not get so caught up in analyzing that I forget to execute.

My promise to myself going into Hawaii, and the thing I have been talking to all of my athletes about is to not forget to enjoy the moment. As Macca told me, make sure you do not over complicate something that is supposed to be very simple: Swim, Bike, Run.

Little fish in a big pond.

Last week we did Steelhead. Some clients and I drove up there on Friday for the Sat race and were ready to go! Weather, while hot seemed to be good for racing. When we woke up for the race, it was clear skies, but quite windy. So windy they had a hard time holding the swim buoys in place and had to cancel the swim. I think it was swim able, but understand the RD’s caution in calling the race.

As soon as I heard the news I knew absolutely I was just robbed of a historically strong leg for me. Not only a strong leg for me, but a leg my main competition is not traditionally strong at, so it was in effect a double whammy.

My first reaction? Oh well, I guess we are running twice. Remarkably, I didn’t care too much in a negative way. One thing I have learned about triathlon is anything goes. We compete in an outdoor sport, so weather is just part of the deal.

Race went well all things considering. 10th overall a couple min out of 5th and I was very happy with that. Could I have out swam those athletes? Who cares, there was no swim that day, so it doesn’t matter. The athletes who beat me raced damn well and were better then me that day. Well done to all of them.

I had several athletes do well as well, and 3 of them were able to secure their Clearwater spots, so it was a good day. Lindsay, pulled her hamstring, and was not able to finish. That was a bit concerning to me as I do not know any other athletes with her determination and willingness to deal with pain. One of only 3 DNF’s in a 15year plus career meant she had some major issues going. She has been working so hard to get the injury solved for her run at AG Nationals.

I’m off to Boulder this week to do some training with some pros out here. There is definitely a level beyond what even good age groupers train at. Today we went for an “easy” run and I was dropped going 6:30 pace up a 3 mile hill at altitude! The easy run continued after they waited for me and we ran 6:00 flat pace for several miles on a slight flat and downhill. I am a bit nervous to see what a “tempo” run feels like. It is a good lesson in humility anyway.

I'll be brushing up on survior tactics the next few days in case I find myself lost in the wilderness out here.

Ahh, all in good fun though.

Going, Going, GONE!

Unfortunately, I think I am talking about my base fitness. I have attempted to throw in a half Ironman (Spirit of Racine) as Lindsay decided she wasn’t going to do LP. It was a good effort, but I think Im reaching the end of my pre built form and am in need of some retooling here soon.

Racine was an experience. The water was 55 degrees which just sucked. Add to that the fact t was so foggy they delayed the swim by an hour as you couldn’t see the markers. I was one of those people saying “just start the swim, we will sort it out. After all, I can stand here and see the next marker, when I get there, ill be able to see the next, etc.” Insert foot in mouth now. I took off well and made it to the first can in first or second depending whose hand was leading at the time. This guy and I went clear off course as we couldn’t see s*!t. Damn. I told myself to make the adjustment and just forget it. I did, was able to swim back up to the leader and tried not to think about time I could have put on the field with the same effort. Exit the water, here we go.

On to the bike, within 5 miles I was in the lead. I wanted to bike aggressively today to try to find some limits. 5 miles in both nutrition bottles were ejected. I decided it was worth stopping and going back for them. When I did that a guy caught me and he rode very well. He and I exchanged the lead in what seemed like 15 min increments. I know I put in some serious efforts to shed him and could not. I felt like he did the same, but I dug deep to stay with him as well. Neither of us drafted at all, but it always is nicer to have company.

On the run this day I took out of T1 in first but was fighting leg cramps straight away. I think my position is a bit too aggressive for the longer stuff, need to adjust this before IM. This guy passed me and was just a better runner, period. I was holding on OK running about 6:40 pace and was told to take a wrong turn by an official. It only cost me about 3-4 min of actual time, but mentally I could not get over it. I felt cheated. I felt like on a day I had to fight so hard to run descent, I didn’t need that. I also knew if I continued to focus on this, I was doing more harm then good. I was talking to Macca after a race he did this year where he too was lead off course. He was obviously upset, cost him the win, but he continued to fight.

So continue to fight I did. I tried my best to get back down to 6:45 or better and just could not. With every passing mile I became more discouraged. I decided to let myself have a pity party but on a double loop course also did not want to give up as I knew several athletes out there. I knew with 2 miles left when I started thinking of miles in terms of 8 min segments, I was done for.

I finished in 4:16, solid even with an admittedly short swim, but not the result I was after. I have considered dropping out of Steelhead, but took some advice to just finish that race then work on Kona prep.

I will tell you this. I have raced all over. The competition here in the Midwest is tough. If you’re having a bad day, you can really drop off quickly. Solid athletes all over for sure, but I was impressed at the depth here.

Justin H. seems to be coming back from a serious injury and while I hated to get passed again, was so happy to see him returning to form and run a 1:20.

That’s it for now.

A

Mind over matter

My drill instructors used to say "It's all mind over matter. if you dont mind, it doesnt matter"... maybe it works here, probably not. :)

I normally do not like talking about myself, but people have told me they like to hear about my experiences. So I am going to attempt to give you some insights without the intention of “hey look at me”, but so you might be able to use what you like, and ignore what you don’t.

I woke up for Lake Stevens and while sitting in the hotel waiting to go, I read an article about keeping your mental state in a race, and not over thinking, or judging situations. Seems easy enough, but as you all know, add power meter, speed distance, HR, nutrition, etc, it can be more complicated then it sounds.

I tried to commit myself to just relaxing and enjoying the day. I decided I have trained my body how to do what it needs to do; now I need to get out of the way, and be an observer. I wanted to observe so I could keep things in line, but let it do what it knows how to do.

I had SO MUCH FUN racing on Sunday. More fun then I had in long time. I was doing the bike with a huge smile on my face, and just simply had a blast. I averaged 289 watts, which was my highest for a half ever. Had a very solid pro level swim and bike, and ran a 1:27 off the bike on a hilly course which for me is solid. I won my age group and was 13th overall.

I started the run and decided to do the same thing. Not judge myself at any given min, and just take my calories in, and have fun. It worked like a charm. I was happy to see my run splits come down post injury.

Im not sure if I will be able to do it again, but I’ll try. I learned a valuable lesson and like most lessons, take the good, and add to it my other experiences. For my athletes I coach, we would with all the data and I think you would be crazy to not train and race with the info. But coupling that with the strategy above I think is the key.

I talked about having a coach earlier. I am still asked from time to time if it shows a lack of knowledge that I have a coach. I really do not think so. In fact, I would not let anyone coach/consult with me that say he or she does know it all. In fact I would run the other way. I think the best coaches and mentors in the world are able to put themselves in a learning seat all the time, put their egos aside, and find new techniques. Chris tells me all the time, his success is a result of all the people that have helped him along the way.

I feel very fortunate that I have been able to meet some of the mentors I have had along the way.

Back at it.

Vacation is supposed to revitalize you fill you with energy and help you face the World when you come back right??? I usually never take a vacation, much to my wife’s displeasure that does not center on the ability to train or race.

Our last family trip was my opportunity to punch my ticket on that request. It was perfect. Kids were involved, Lindsay was there, and I could satisfy everybody’s need to have dad on a “vacation”. It was a lot of fun. I only did barebones schedule couple swims, and a couple runs all week long. Everything was done by the time breakfast was over and then I had nothing but family time going into the rest of the day and night.

It was the perfect “vacation”. I did everything I was supposed to do and to be quite frank was happy to do so. I had as much fun as anyone else there. So where is my revitalized attitude and outlook? I came back last weekend and have felt as if I have been moving through quicksand the entire week. My motivation is in the tank and every workout is looming over me as an obligation, not something I look forward to doing.

I have a race on the schedule for this weekend and am actually on my flight too it as I type. Lake Stevens 70.3 was my alternative race to some other ones I like doing. I chose this one this year as I was going to Lake Placid to support Lindsay in her Ironman effort. She has since decided due to work and other obligations Ironman is not in the cards for her this year, so I am able to do the other races now. With my attitude the way it is right now I half did not want to go to LS 70.3. I decided what I most likely needed though was to be put back in the environment and “act as if”. My hope is by going through the motions by the time the race starts…or ends, ill be jump started.

We will see.

I know at the end of the day I want to be successful, and I do have a lot of fun doing the sport so I am absolutely sure things will eventually come around. For all of you struggling with the same thing, I just wanted you to know we all can relate at some time or another. We always seem to see people at group functions or exciting workouts most people are excited for. I think it leaves us with the feeling like we are strange that sometimes we struggle. I assure you, you are not different from any other triathlete in the World. We all have ups and downs. Thankfully, more ups then downs.

A