HOW MUCH TIME HAVE I LOST?

Got the free pass to ride the Tuesday Night Worlds last night for the first time in over two years.

Here is how it went wrong.

1. Rode a cross bike with 48x38 when everyone else was rocking either Specialized, Guru or Trek rockets.
2. No one to ride with once I was shelled.
   
3. Ride #5 for 2008.

Here is where it went right...

1. Realized I just don't like road riding.
2. TT training and road riding are polar opposites.
   
3. Recognized big packs still suck and people cannot ride in pacelines / echelons / or pace consistently.
4. Admitted I just don't care about the roadie scene.
5. Got home early for quality family time.
6. Know I want to do Taco next week before summer school starts!

This sort of conversation happens quite a bit - where you balance the alternatives and recognize where time and resources are best spent. My time is too valuable to waste for over three hours of travel and handlebar chewing. If I spend it wisely - I will be a much happier, and faster camper in what matters and that is 75-135 minutes of swimming, biking and running.

Great News After 23 Days of No Posts!

Since I finished my MBA MIS class this spring, family time has been a big investment. That is the thing I'm most proud of - besides surviving a weekend in Silver Dollar City, y'all.

I'd like to say that I'm more motivated than ever to ride, run, swim and race this summer, but it is seriously waning at this point. I still haven't signed up for Hy-Vee Triathlon or any of the local Copper Creek Triathlon.

Why?

1. Haven't run with any intensity since Friendly Sons 10K (39.12 PR).
2. MIS 534 had a final, final presentation, final paper and two papers due in the last week.
   
3. Swimsuits have been hanging in my office since March.
4. Work has been stacked.
   
5. Branson, MO is not built around fitness. It is a drive-by city. No bike or run allowed.
6. Malcolm still doesn't sleep.
   
7. Four bike rides, two flat tires.
8. Teaching 40 minutes a week of YMCA spin and pilates is good, right?
   
9. Grillin & drinkin' is protein and carbo-loading, right?
10. Desire just isn't there.

When the desire isn't there and life is stacking up on you - don't force the work. Spend the time on quality endeavors - family then everything else should fall in accordingly. Keep a mind to fitness, get a few sessions in when you can, eat right (most of the time), and enjoy life.

P.S. The Fujina still hasn't been re-cabled since I bought the parts over a month ago. Should have had Fry-guy do it. Ugh.

Choose How To Race: Stupid, Cocky or Smart?

There are three ways to race, stupid, cocky or smart. I'll offer my analysis of the Easter Lake "Race For The Egg" as an analysis.

Stupid: In 2006, I was just getting back into running and thought an early-season race in my old neighborhood would be fun. I didn't know the competition, nor did I really care, so I just set out to run my own race. I took off at the start at a good pace and ran behind the four-wheel Gator on the two miles on the road, then lead the race through half of the trails before getting passed by the eventual winner, then marathon-mom phenom Robin Freedman, and her husband Brian. I was able to stay with Brian through the finish and sprinted around him at the finale.

I didn't have any expectations with the race, so finishing so high was cool.

Outcome: Emu Egg, 2nd Place Overall

Cocky: 2007 was a little different, as I felt confident I could improve on the previous year... I mean cocky. We started off on the road again, Robin was on my shoulder and we entered the trails with a kid from East High. He took off up the trail and Robin went with him. I continued to run at my pace, but was passed with about two miles to go by another runner and couldn't keep the pace, or close the distance by the line.

I was lucky this time - I had some shape, but not enough to hit the goal I had set to win.

Outcome: Rhea Egg, 3rd Place Overall

Smart: I had no expectations this year. I was sick and off training the first week of March. Second week I was in L.A. at a conference, so got some mileage in, but ingested more smog than I had hoped to. Upon my return, I was nailed by a sinus infection and allergy reaction to the snow dissipating. Ugh. Luckily, my doctor said I could do as I felt... race if I wanted to, sleep if I needed to.

Having no expectations, I planned on running to work on pace - steady, then pick it up in the last two miles. At the last minute, I decided to make sure my gear was smart. I switched from my Pearl Izumi XC trainers to a new pair of Bowerman XC racing flats, removed my windpants and switched from wearing a wind vest to a baselayer and technical shirt. I'd be a little cold on the open road with the wind off of the frozen Easter Lake, but I'd be faster in the trails by losing a ton of weight from my feet in the soft, loamy soil.

Outcome: Ostrich Egg, 1st Place Overall

So, I guess per my previous post, that "March means nothing" is bunk. You never know when you may surprise yourself with a little bit of unplanned tapering.

March Means Nothing

When the winds of spring blow through Iowa, the athletes get super-excited to throw down in a big way. I've learned over the years that March means nothing. I'm still in the base period, getting into a few intervals, and generally enjoying the work.

Since I came down with the cold two weeks ago, I took a week of rest, recovered, hit a conference in LA. Luckily, I was able to get three days of quality running in on the fabled Sunset Boulevard on the UCLA campus and the multi-million dollar mansions in the hills.

With the renewed confidence and excitement to return home, I got nailed again with a sinus infection. The crud was back. This time antibiotics were necessary and I'm taking it easy this week. March means nothing.

So, being said, it looks like the Easter Lake Race for the Egg 5-miler this Saturday is a bust. I doubt I'd be able to defend my 2nd & 3rd place overall eggs from previous years. March means nothing.

Getting back in sync means focusing on solid runs, good rides, and returning to the pool. June is where it happens with the new Pleasant Hill triathlon and Hy-Vee. We'll see what the rest of the year holds - whether another half-Iron distance, an attempt at Boston '09, or qualify for XTERRA Natz again. Heck, maybe even KC Cx Natz '08.

Start the day right - get the head in place, fuel the body with the right foods, train, work, study and make it all happen. March means nothing.

Down with the Sickness...

Zicam has been my friend this week. We were introduced by Chris Carmichael and the CTS podcasts. Since last Saturday, I've been nuking my low-grade cold with the swabs every four hours. I was able to run an hour on Saturday, ride for 90 minutes on the Hy-Vee Triathlon course, but lost my voice after returning home.

I haven't trained since, catching up on reading, school, work and family time. It's all good - and the new Fuji Pro Cross showed up today, so better get it dialed before rolling later this weekend. Rad.

Top Seven Things to do When You're Sick.
7. Great excuse to go out for Mexican with lots of jalapenos...
6. Forsake all training because you just feel like crap.
5. WATER! WATER! WATER!
4. Bring on the Chicken Pho!
3. Sleep in and really enjoy that first cup of coffee in the morning while watching Tour de California reruns.
2. Graciously bow out of any impending social engagement...
1. Pray every day to get over it and get back in the saddle...

Let it snow... just take the training inside.

Silly me, I left my scarf and hat in the car this morning, so I had to brave the elements to teach the noon spin class at the downtown YMCA today.

Luckily, it wasn't like the deep-freeze of last week, where the 30+ mph winds sweeping over the ice of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers made my teeth ache from the cold.

Today's class had nine queue up for the workout - yet another endurance test. The meat of the workout was two ten-minute climbs. In the saddle... out of the saddle... hovering over the saddle... slow grind... quick step... all over the place. At least we had a little Ben Folds, Tom Petty and Stray Cats to keep the motivation coming.

Motivation is huge this time of year - it is easy to skip workouts and put off the work to later. The base of endurance from this time of year is irreplaceable, and gives motivation for bigger and better work through the season. Also, the attention paid to health, diet and stress helps lay the foundation for peace of mind while others are sniffling and sneezing.

Keep up the good work. It will pay off shortly.

Q: How do you know if there is enough snow for a snowshoe race?

A: When more than two people show up for it.



The First Annual Des Moines Winter Games was cursed by good weather last weekend. Apparently people called to see if the snowshoe race was on or off due to lack of snow. Well, they had it, but picked out the wrong course to race on.

I'm lucky - I have Mandy's cheap kicks to race on, but if I splurged on a pair of titanium Red Feathers, I'd be pissed. 85% of the course was on either golf cart path or grass.

Alas, the promoters were kind enough to put on the event, and plan for another in 2009. Here is my top to-do list from a promoter, to a promoter.

10. See that the media promoter www.DMCityview.com shows up for pictures, not the www.DesMoinesRegister.com. Ha!
9. Promote that snowshoes would be loaned out on the race day. Boxes of snowshoes... wow, that is a gift!
8. Have a specific notice on www.FitnessSports.com. Steve Bobenhouse runs a great shop and a rich website - put it up for the tons of traffic he has.
7. Email blast to local running groups for promotion. SCRC, DSMTri, etc would help promote.
6. Mark the course a little tighter - I got lost easily.
5. When in doubt, choose a more difficult snow/ice course over an easy grass/pavement course.
4. Thanks for the water! I was happy to see water on the course. Wow, I was thirsty!
3. GET EXCITED! Sell the event to the public through websites, blogs, etc. The race was 2-3 pages deep on the event website.
2. Many thanks for putting on the event. Despite this feedback - the event was a success. The first one is always the hardest - whether two or two hundred people.
1. Run the actual race in the snow. From University, there was a great expanse of shaded areas with substantial snow cover that would have been great for racing. On the second lap, I actually cut the course long to stay in the snow.

Now, back to training and the drawing board.