Type: Short, quick run
Distance: 3.0 miles
Time: 22:30
Average Pace: 7:30 min/mile
Average Heart Rate: 157 bpm
Our window wells were flooding last night with some crazy rain we were having, so I was up most of the night making sure the pumps were working. Needless to say, I was pretty worked over this morning when I finally got out of bed. My run was shorter than scheduled because I was so tired AND my back was a little tweaked because for some of the night I slept on the couch in the basement to keep a eye on the water levels regularly. I figured if I went upstairs to bed I would have not gotten up when I wanted to check water levels. Man I hate getting up in the middle of the night except for a long bike ride and duck hunting. For either one of those activities I can get out of bed no problem.
I did go on my “Holiday Diet” that I talked about a couple of weeks ago tonight. If you missed that post let me sum it up for you — I will eat what I want in moderation this entire holiday week. I will worry about the one or two pounds I may or may not gain in January and will not feel guilty about eating rich, calorie intense foods. It just isn’t worth the guilt. I went to my brother James’ house for a birthday party for his youngest girl and had a wonderful dinner full of serious calories. It was great food and good times with family. I don’t have daughters because God knows I will be a pushover for them. I have a hard enough time telling my nieces no. Forget daughters.
My Buddy Rick LaBelle and How to Trick me Into Adding a Race to My Calendar
You people know I have put my 2011 race calendar together already. It is full of serious bike races and a marathon, but a triathlon was conspicuously missing. I committed to my wife that I would only do Ironman St. George once every two years and she is making me stick to the schedule. The next Ironman will be in 2012. So my good buddy Rick emails a bunch of us last weekend about a race in Moab Utah called the Moab Triathlon Festival. Of course he threw his gloves off and calls all of us out.
And I have this sickness. When you challenge me to do something I have to respond. I think I am reasonable — I wouldn’t try to catch a bullet in my teeth or anything. The Moab Triathlon Festival is on May 14th and has a XTerra and road version. It looks like I will be doing the road version because I am familiar with the trail they will doing the XTerra version on and it looks like a serious challenge. If the Thanksgiving weekend mountain bike ride taught me only one thing, it would be that I am not ready to race over a highly technical mountain bike course.
Of course, the decision is now between going with the Olympic or the Sprint distance. I haven’t ever done a sprint triathlon. I know it sounds silly, but I am just not fast enough to place well in a Sprint distance. So all of my tri’s have either been Olympic, 1/2 IM or full IM races. I think one of the real reasons is I like to take my time in T2 especially. Regardless of the reason, I think this may be my Sprint Triathlon debut. Of course in the true “I can’t see a challenge and not take it” theme that sometimes rules my life and decision-making powers in this sport, I challenged Rick to a no holds barred race. I think he wants to do the XTerra version, but heaven help me I will convince him to run the road version with me.
Don’t worry though other men who will be in this race. This year I make my M 40-44 age group debut. I actually might have a chance to so something in my age group. All you fast fleet footed guys in the M 35-39 age group can just stay where you are. Let me see the possibility of winning some hardware fellas!
You know, you are right on target with the holiday diet – enjoy yourself in moderation. We’re all so busy this time of year and I’m just not stressing over this two-week period. I’ll exercise when I can, and eat mostly healthy, with a treat now and again. I’m going to enjoy what remains of Christmas week, and get back on track next week when the craziness abates.
I have two local triathlons in mind for spring and summer, here – nothing on as grand a scale as what you’re contemplating, but it’s a start!
Do the sprint and enjoy the anaerobic rush!!!! The short course are fun and you don’t need to train like a madman, just add in more speedwork and intervals!
Good call Jeff. How is the training going with the new team?
I find going into a new age group nerve racking because I have all new competition.
Sounds like you’re finding that balance between your race schedule and keep the family happy; it’s such a trick, isn’t it?
No kidding! I think if you can find a balance you are way ahead of most people. I just know that my life will always be out of balance, one way or the other…
Holiday food moderation is nice, but sometimes i have a hard time staying away from all the food. Guilt is always there, a little bit at least.
Also, a good way to find a balance is get into the industry :).
Happy Holidays Mike and everyone else!
Good call Max. I would love to get into the industry, but I am not sure I have enough knowledge to rep or be a brand manager for Cervelo. That is where I would have to land.
Max you have done a good job at that. Looks like you are making it a full-time endeavor!
Pavement Panzie!
Ladies and gentlemen it is Rick LaBelle. Rick I think you should man up and get out on the pavement with me. Let’s race for sure man. I think you are faster than you are letting on. Riding CASVAR from the front did not allow you to see how far behind you I got…
Like your momma always told you: be careful what you wish for
Wonderful information – keep it in that way