Yes it is official. I finally made it to the pool to do some actual swimming. The last time I did that was way back in September before the Elephantman Olympic Triathlon. Well, you might be asking the question, "Why in the world did it take me so long to get back into the pool?" There are really a couple of answers I can give you but one big one finally pushed me over the edge. Here are my reasons:
First, I had taken so much time off because I was very tired of always getting in trouble for not completing my work in school. Pissing people off (including yourself) does not feel very good day after day.
Second, I had taken so much time off because swimming is not really that important in triathlons anyway. Okay it is but it isn't. At some of my races I would greatly out split some people in the water only to be destroyed by them on the bike and run. Yes swimming is important but I needed to improve elsewhere.
Third, I had taken so much time off from swimming because I just wanted to run again. I remembered back to my high school days and how much I enjoyed running. I didn't really like racing but I really liked the training aspect of running. It is somewhat of a spiritual awakening to finish a long trail run in the warm glowing afternoon sun.
Last, the major reason I finally went to the pool was because I am tired of just running. It is funny because that is exactly what I wanted when I just started running but now I am pretty tired of it. I know I will never be a super fast runner. I will just have to live with this. I can run a pretty serious pace for a long time but I just can't pound out five minute miles for a stupid 5k. In my mind I wanted and felt like I could run really fast but seeing that I am no closer to doing this now after training my ass off than I was in high school (or even after a 56 mile bike time trial) I quickly lost motivation.
I have learned that my talent for triathlon isn't in fast running or fast swimming or even in fast bike riding. I am just not a fast person. My talent lies in my ability to not slow down when I am very tired. That is something I think I have over most. Rather than focus on one sport to get faster I should focus more on strength and efficiency to make me faster. That is why I think it is time for me to get back in the pool and start mixing things up a bit. Plus I kind of miss my blond hair.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A Trip to Tucson
This will be just a quick little update on last weeks trip to Tucson, AZ. It was the day before Valentine's Day and Brianne was wondering if I wanted to do a relay race with her and we could compete with all the other couples. I agreed and it sounded like fun. We knew we would destroy everyone. After all, I did volunteer to drive so I might as well have a go at the race. Once we arrived at the race start, the relay Brianne and I were hoping to do wasn't exactly what we were thinking. It was your standard multisport relay. For example, one person swims and the other runs. But neither of us wanted to do one or the other so we would just have to do the whole thing separate.
The swim was 825 meters in the U of A's amazing outdoor competition pool with your transition to the run just there on the pool deck in front of your lane. Brianne was in the lane next to me and her main goal for the swim was to lap me. Once we were swimming I felt good and smooth for about the first oh... 75 meters and them my "runner arms" said,
"What the heck are you trying to do to us?! You haven't used us since September! Why should we work for you?!"
And then Brianne lapped me.
After the race both Brianne and I learned we swam an additional 50 meters. The lap counters where yelling at us to stop swimming but it is hard for us to hear them underwater. I was actually just following Brianne because she was ahead of me but she must have been so focused on lapping me she just kept on swimming until she lapped me. And I just kept following. So hahah Brianne, I guess you didn't lap me after all. Oh well.
I got out of the water and actually felt pretty good for not swimming more than a lap in five months. I took the time to tie my shoes, then double knot, and then tuck my laces in just like I've always done. I probably had the slowest transition out of everybody. It took me a couple of minutes and close to a mile to catch Brianne. She was moving pretty good and we exchanged words a couple of times throughout the run course. We finished in front of the pool where we started and were greeted by some sorbet ice cream and cookies. The U of A triathlon club really put on a great event.
After the race Brianne, Abby, and I explored a little bit in Saguaro National Park before making the drive back to Las Cruces. Tucson is such a wonderful city. I can't wait until the next time.
The swim was 825 meters in the U of A's amazing outdoor competition pool with your transition to the run just there on the pool deck in front of your lane. Brianne was in the lane next to me and her main goal for the swim was to lap me. Once we were swimming I felt good and smooth for about the first oh... 75 meters and them my "runner arms" said,
"What the heck are you trying to do to us?! You haven't used us since September! Why should we work for you?!"
And then Brianne lapped me.
After the race both Brianne and I learned we swam an additional 50 meters. The lap counters where yelling at us to stop swimming but it is hard for us to hear them underwater. I was actually just following Brianne because she was ahead of me but she must have been so focused on lapping me she just kept on swimming until she lapped me. And I just kept following. So hahah Brianne, I guess you didn't lap me after all. Oh well.
I got out of the water and actually felt pretty good for not swimming more than a lap in five months. I took the time to tie my shoes, then double knot, and then tuck my laces in just like I've always done. I probably had the slowest transition out of everybody. It took me a couple of minutes and close to a mile to catch Brianne. She was moving pretty good and we exchanged words a couple of times throughout the run course. We finished in front of the pool where we started and were greeted by some sorbet ice cream and cookies. The U of A triathlon club really put on a great event.
After the race Brianne, Abby, and I explored a little bit in Saguaro National Park before making the drive back to Las Cruces. Tucson is such a wonderful city. I can't wait until the next time.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Purplepatch Training Camp
It was months ago when I first saw a link posted on triathlete Lindsy Corbin's facebook wall that gave up and coming triathletes a chance to train with Matt Dixon and his Purplepatch athletes such as Chris Lieto. If you have read any of my past entries I have only been running because it is so much easier to do than swim bike AND run but I thought, "What do I have to lose?" I sent in my race results and a little bio at the last possible moment and pretty much put it out of my mind until... I got a phone call from an unknown number about a week ago.
After I answered the phone Mr. Dixon introduced himself as the coach of the Purplepatch athletes using his awesome British accent. Immediately my heat started pounding and I had to do my best at restraining myself from jumping around the room in pure excitement and disbelief. Unbelievably I was one of the final five or six renaming athletes in contention to go train with the big dogs. We chatted for a little bit about athletic background, goals, and what I wanted to get out of the camp. But when the question came up about what races I was planning on doing this year, all I could come up with was, "I don't know." I have already had to pull out of three triathlons in the past year because of school and such so I am just going to bide my time for now until school is over, I said for the most part. A week after this interview (this past Monday) and as I was gearing up for my full triathlon comeback, I got the dreadful email saying, "thanks for your interest in Purplepatch Training Camp but our selection has already been made." Noooooooooooooooo...
But I have to keep telling myself that I had nothing to lose. My running is getting stronger and stronger and I am excited to see how my new running regime will shine come later this spring. Also, graduate school will not last forever, graduate school will not last for ever, graduate school will not last forever... Soon it will be all over and then I can return to my true passion, triathlon, and beat the pants off of that slow poke Chris Lieto.
After I answered the phone Mr. Dixon introduced himself as the coach of the Purplepatch athletes using his awesome British accent. Immediately my heat started pounding and I had to do my best at restraining myself from jumping around the room in pure excitement and disbelief. Unbelievably I was one of the final five or six renaming athletes in contention to go train with the big dogs. We chatted for a little bit about athletic background, goals, and what I wanted to get out of the camp. But when the question came up about what races I was planning on doing this year, all I could come up with was, "I don't know." I have already had to pull out of three triathlons in the past year because of school and such so I am just going to bide my time for now until school is over, I said for the most part. A week after this interview (this past Monday) and as I was gearing up for my full triathlon comeback, I got the dreadful email saying, "thanks for your interest in Purplepatch Training Camp but our selection has already been made." Noooooooooooooooo...
But I have to keep telling myself that I had nothing to lose. My running is getting stronger and stronger and I am excited to see how my new running regime will shine come later this spring. Also, graduate school will not last forever, graduate school will not last for ever, graduate school will not last forever... Soon it will be all over and then I can return to my true passion, triathlon, and beat the pants off of that slow poke Chris Lieto.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Progress is Imminent
I did a 5k race on Sunday which is the real reason for posting. I feel life has returned to the boring and mundane dimension once school started up again but now I actually have something to talk about. This spring semester will likely be just as busy as my last semester however, instead of all the stressful deadlines and chores one must do for "TA-ing" two classes I now mostly have just writing to do. I have just started my thesis. Hopefully it wont take too long so I can get out of here and start living...
The 5k I ran was to benefit the NMSU Kinesiology club. They really did a wonderful job organizing it and putting it on. I kept in mind my running goals but also remembered I had not set any for a 5k. I have never been able to truly race a 5k fast (according to me and the other distances) so rather than beating a dead horse I made goals for other distances. Nevertheless, I still wanted to run fast.
I set off at my usual slow start pace allowing my friend Jeffry Oxford and a dozen or more runners to swarm around me and pull away. Sure enough by about 800m into the race most everyone had dropped back. I passed my friend Robert Mercer for third place close to the first mile marker as I was trying to pick up the pace with each stride. Eventually I was all alone in third place and two of the NMSU cross country runners were a good 20 seconds ahead.
Between miles one and two I tried hard to reel them back in but running was their thing, and I knew that their pacing was probably rock solid. They didn't gain any ground on me in the middle miles and, for a while, I though they would falter and let me get a little closer. But they didn't falter, they were just too strong. After the two mile marker (estimating, there were no mile markers) it was all down hill to the finish. Turning the corner I looked behind me (something you should never ever do in a 5k) and seeing no one, and seeing the leaders not coming back to me I kind of gave up chase. Sure I ran really really hard but not having anything chase you or having anything to chase the fire and last few gears where saved for another day.
I crossed the line and looked at my watch. I was pretty stoked. I was only 10 seconds off of my all time 5k PR and I had not done any kind of speed, hills, or strength. Brianne too had a goal of running 21 minutes and she did that like *snap*!!! Be proud and enjoy your accomplishments. You work so hard.
The 5k I ran was to benefit the NMSU Kinesiology club. They really did a wonderful job organizing it and putting it on. I kept in mind my running goals but also remembered I had not set any for a 5k. I have never been able to truly race a 5k fast (according to me and the other distances) so rather than beating a dead horse I made goals for other distances. Nevertheless, I still wanted to run fast.
I set off at my usual slow start pace allowing my friend Jeffry Oxford and a dozen or more runners to swarm around me and pull away. Sure enough by about 800m into the race most everyone had dropped back. I passed my friend Robert Mercer for third place close to the first mile marker as I was trying to pick up the pace with each stride. Eventually I was all alone in third place and two of the NMSU cross country runners were a good 20 seconds ahead.
Between miles one and two I tried hard to reel them back in but running was their thing, and I knew that their pacing was probably rock solid. They didn't gain any ground on me in the middle miles and, for a while, I though they would falter and let me get a little closer. But they didn't falter, they were just too strong. After the two mile marker (estimating, there were no mile markers) it was all down hill to the finish. Turning the corner I looked behind me (something you should never ever do in a 5k) and seeing no one, and seeing the leaders not coming back to me I kind of gave up chase. Sure I ran really really hard but not having anything chase you or having anything to chase the fire and last few gears where saved for another day.
I crossed the line and looked at my watch. I was pretty stoked. I was only 10 seconds off of my all time 5k PR and I had not done any kind of speed, hills, or strength. Brianne too had a goal of running 21 minutes and she did that like *snap*!!! Be proud and enjoy your accomplishments. You work so hard.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Do As I Say Not As I Do
Well, after my sudden increase in running volume last week I guess something had to give. I have never experienced an Achilles tendon injury but the last several days I have been attempting to do what I can to make it better. It is not really injured, that is probably not the right word, but it is a nagging tender area that I am afraid to make worse. It doesn't cause me to limp and it doesn't cause me pain. What I really feel is tightness. I should probably do some more stretching before and after my runs.
It is funny because I never felt tired or fatigued on my 90 minute plus runs. It seems my aerobic capacity is top notch but my joints and tendons have forgotten what the constant pounding on the pavement feels like. Both my mom and dad used to be great marathon runners so I did a little interviewing and both of them basically had the same philosophy on marathon training; lots and lots of miles. My mom, for years ran 10 to 15 miles a day with a long 20 mile run on Saturday or Sunday. My dad's training sounded similar. "There were weeks I would run 100 or more miles, and do that for a month or two" he would say. I feel as though the training and distance aspect is possible but staying injury free is another matter. I know I shouldn't just give up but I really REALLY want to start riding my bike and swimming again, especially when things aren't working right.
On a good note, I look forward to some deep powder night skiing tonight at good old Mount Spokane! They have gotten almost a foot in the last 24 hours!
It is funny because I never felt tired or fatigued on my 90 minute plus runs. It seems my aerobic capacity is top notch but my joints and tendons have forgotten what the constant pounding on the pavement feels like. Both my mom and dad used to be great marathon runners so I did a little interviewing and both of them basically had the same philosophy on marathon training; lots and lots of miles. My mom, for years ran 10 to 15 miles a day with a long 20 mile run on Saturday or Sunday. My dad's training sounded similar. "There were weeks I would run 100 or more miles, and do that for a month or two" he would say. I feel as though the training and distance aspect is possible but staying injury free is another matter. I know I shouldn't just give up but I really REALLY want to start riding my bike and swimming again, especially when things aren't working right.
On a good note, I look forward to some deep powder night skiing tonight at good old Mount Spokane! They have gotten almost a foot in the last 24 hours!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Running in the Snow
Yesterday I got to run in the snow for the first time in over two years. I was excited to see the old trails and get a nice long solid run in while tromping through the fresh white powder. I was shooting for at least 90 minutes of running but after a mile the snow got old and it was downhill (or in terms of running, uphill) from there.
The sweats I was wearing quickly caked up with ice and began melting through my cloths. My old Mizuno shoes were also collecting hard ice packs in the hollowed out heel cup and made running difficult. It was like running with a golf ball on my heel. Every few minutes I had to keep stopping to dig the ice out so pretty soon my fingers were numb. After a half hour of hoping things would improve, and seeing that they weren't, I had had enough and turned around.
I have come to realize that I have been spoiled in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is always sunny and at least 60 degrees most of the time. Cold is tolerable with the right clothing but the minute moisture is factored into the equation... BRRR!!! I don't know how the people of the Inland Northwest do this winter thing but they are good.
The sweats I was wearing quickly caked up with ice and began melting through my cloths. My old Mizuno shoes were also collecting hard ice packs in the hollowed out heel cup and made running difficult. It was like running with a golf ball on my heel. Every few minutes I had to keep stopping to dig the ice out so pretty soon my fingers were numb. After a half hour of hoping things would improve, and seeing that they weren't, I had had enough and turned around.
I have come to realize that I have been spoiled in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is always sunny and at least 60 degrees most of the time. Cold is tolerable with the right clothing but the minute moisture is factored into the equation... BRRR!!! I don't know how the people of the Inland Northwest do this winter thing but they are good.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Mile
A couple of weeks ago I went ahead and made some public remarks about my running goals for this up coming spring. The first goal on my list was to best my mile PR set all the way back in high school when I was 17. It is a lofty goal to reach yes, but it can be done. The idea for today's workout was to go out and race a mile solo (unless you count Brianne who had the watch) and see just what sort of performance I could muster.
Running the first lap I made an important mental point to not go out too fast because I was racing solo. So, naturally, I went out too fast. By the 800m mark I was beginning to feel like a cooked turkey. The last two laps were nothing less than torturous but manageable. Although the time was decent, I definitely did not break any records.
Since this is the very end of the fall semester it marks the perfect transition point to start preparing for the spring season ahead. I will be heading back to Spokane, WA soon for a short break and will gradually start my LSD regime. LSD = Long Slow Distance (not what you think). Miles right now are important and a smart way to keep yourself injury free later down the road (no pun intended). At least in theory. Then maybe in six to eight weeks time, break out the strength exercises and hills. Finally after all of that work come the intervals. Hopefully my motivation lasts and the next semester will be kind to me.
Until next time, run happy.
Running the first lap I made an important mental point to not go out too fast because I was racing solo. So, naturally, I went out too fast. By the 800m mark I was beginning to feel like a cooked turkey. The last two laps were nothing less than torturous but manageable. Although the time was decent, I definitely did not break any records.
Since this is the very end of the fall semester it marks the perfect transition point to start preparing for the spring season ahead. I will be heading back to Spokane, WA soon for a short break and will gradually start my LSD regime. LSD = Long Slow Distance (not what you think). Miles right now are important and a smart way to keep yourself injury free later down the road (no pun intended). At least in theory. Then maybe in six to eight weeks time, break out the strength exercises and hills. Finally after all of that work come the intervals. Hopefully my motivation lasts and the next semester will be kind to me.
Until next time, run happy.
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