Let the training begin…with a recovery day! Thirty weeks sounds like a pretty short period of time…but considering that today it’s -3 degrees in Chicago, the Sept 80′s seem forever away. 

It’s been a great start to the year! After spending the holidays in Costa Rica, I’ve been swimming, running and weight training daily and feel fantastic! I even made it out in the sub-zero temps last week for a early morning run…the trail was not surprisingly desolate but the sun was out which made for a peaceful start to the day.

I’m gearing up to officially start training on Feb. 10 but my first triathlon of the season is tomorrow morning…indoors of course. I’ll be volunteering for the first half and …

Sometimes I feel like a rickety bag of tissue and bones; my knees crunch, shoulders ache, my back spasms, tight hip flexors, weak thighs, over-active abs and under-active butt… life is taking it’s toll.
The pre-training I’ve been doing the past few weeks has revealed even more rickety areas, so I decided to do something about it. For instance, I’ve always thought my right leg is stronger than the left which may in fact be true, however, I’ve been working on some stabilization movements and realized my right side is …

It’s just about time to phase out of off-season training but why rush it…I think I’ll enjoy the holidays and get some sun in Costa Rica!
June 22 – Hy-Vee Triathlon – International Distance
July ??- ?? – Half-Ironman
Sept 07 – Ford Ironman Wisconsin

I haven’t been doing too bad w/ my off-season training but that’s not to say that it’s been good. I attempted to try a 10 week plan out of the IronFit book but within 3 days I got bored. Seeing as how day one was an ‘off’ day that’s pretty sad.
Instead, I decided to step back for a minute and adjust my off-season goals a bit. Generally speaking the off-season is meant for relaxation and working on your weak spots, so I decided to do just that. I’ve never been …

Training can be a bear

Planning my 2008 triathlon season

Happy – Excited but very tired after 5hrs of driving… Now I can relax for a few weeks while figuring out what the rest of my 08 season will look like.

8:50 Registration complete!!!
8:35 Met a guy in line that is doing a 1yr documentary on Ironman athletes and ‘why they do it’.
8:30 Line starts to move!
7:15 Back in line which is growing by the minute
6:45 Make a breakfast run, chat with an 07 finisher and pick up some info
6:30 Approach Monona terrace, its cold, raining and the line is already 150 deep
6:15 Arrive in Madison
4:15 Pick-up driving buddy
4:00 Leave home
3:45 Check email
3:15 Alarm goes off

After way too much work I was finally able to get a video of my finish line posted here. Look for me at 17 seconds using the player clock (not the clock in the video).
Click here if you don’t see the video play button below
revver(380232)