tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18604784276105045732012-02-11T16:16:43.089-06:00Two triathletes under the same roof just trying to make it in this crazy world.J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.comBlogger1681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-54597863753549625002012-02-11T13:39:00.000-06:002012-02-11T13:39:27.261-06:00

Winter has shown up over here again in a big way!  Lance the pup and I bundled up to go out for a walk.... ...but we didn't make it very far.  I think he wanted to come back inside more than I did!  This latest blast of arctic air also puts a crimp in my training plan, as I was really, really, really hoping to get in one more long run before the Disney Princess Half Marathon in two weeks. 

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-29383783676174322982012-02-04T18:23:00.000-06:002012-02-04T18:23:33.009-06:00

I'm back from an unplanned blogging hiatus.  After thinking I just *might* make it through this winter without my dreaded annual winter cold, I got hit pretty bad at the end of last week.  So I spent four days in bed and ate lots of this.... .....homemade chicken soup.  Just what the doctor ordered! While it's NEVER fun to be sick, the timing worked out perfect with my training schedule.  I

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-53561711825251293222012-01-29T16:49:00.001-06:002012-01-29T16:49:14.861-06:00

Final week of Pre-season 2012 class with Well Fit Triathlon & Training. Training ran from Nov 29th through this past week. Classes met: Tuesday nights at Well-Fit Training Center for a 75 minute varied format class of bike, run and strength; And, Thursday morning at the UIC west pool for 60 minutes focusing on stroke technique and efficiency. Coach Liz Waterstraat then filled in the rest of the

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-21582717469880608682012-01-27T14:31:00.003-06:002012-01-27T14:31:53.987-06:00

By now you've seen these videos floating around the social networking landscape or within whatever endurance forum you frequent. Most folks immediately respond something like "I have totally heard people having these conversations!" And to that I say BS! No one wants to admit it BUT WE HAVE ALL SAID THESE THINGS. Myself included. For endurance athletes, these superficial conversational topics are

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-90597779771535867162012-01-22T19:07:00.000-06:002012-01-22T19:07:56.539-06:00

Monday - Alarm time: none Rest day. Nothing to report. Slept way in...which means 7am. Plus it was MLK day. The office "observed" the, um, holiday. Is that what we call MLK day? A holiday? I'm a dumb, small, white male. I'm not supposed to comment on these things. Tuesday - Alarm Time: 6:00am Supposed to be class night at Well-Fit. We were anticipating really bad weather that didn't materialize

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-24521988090719818522012-01-20T19:33:00.001-06:002012-01-20T19:33:45.667-06:00

I did a 10 mile run last Sunday in "feels like" 7 degree temps on roads that were still slick from our first big (kind of) snowfall of the winter.  Sounds crazy, you say?  Well, to me that's not as crazy as doing a 10 mile long run on the treadmill. I think I've written about my disdain for the treadmill here before.  I will run outside in just about anything before I get on the treadmill.  But

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-20230246891263799062012-01-16T18:50:00.002-06:002012-01-16T18:50:08.069-06:00

Guess what?  There were no alarms set to wake us up in The Triathlife home this morning. No, it wasn't by mistake. Rather, we both had a work holiday for MLK Day, and Coach Liz gave us the gift of a complete rest day, so we got to sleep in as late as we wanted!  This happens oh, maybe three or four times per year?  It felt downright luxurious.  Of course I was still up by 6:45am (really, that IS

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-87351455531815206552012-01-14T14:23:00.000-06:002012-01-14T14:23:10.276-06:00

Hey guys!  Thanks to all of you for the great tips on strength training!  TRX, Cross Fit and kettle bell sessions are all things I'd like to try and work into my routine....maybe next year when I'm not Ironman training.  Baby steps. :) So, last night was The Triathlife date night. And what else would we do for our date night other than go to the gym and Trader Joe's?  We live an exciting life,

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-55827961820750254632012-01-11T20:26:00.000-06:002012-01-11T20:26:54.743-06:00

I've said it here before and I'll say it again.... I hate strength training. Ummmm....unless I got to strength train with this guy (do y'all know who it is?), then it might be okay.  Sorry, HIM. Unlike my co-host of this blog (AKA, "Him"), I get absolutely no pleasure from going to the gym and pushing my muscles to exhaustion.  I'll admit it, I'm a cry baby....IT HURTS!!! 

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-29226010884541081392012-01-10T11:25:00.000-06:002012-01-10T11:27:35.280-06:00

Wanted to post this article from Lava Magazine writer Ryan Schneider (link) Ryan interviews Paul Amey a triathlete and World Champion duathlete who recently posted a second place 8:01 at IM Arizona at age 38 (after only nine weeks of training following a nearly three-month hiatus).  What I love is that at even at 38 (thought to be old for a world class triathlete - ex: Craig Alexander just

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-71555181778352428572012-01-09T12:33:00.003-06:002012-01-09T12:33:52.012-06:00

I can't believe it's Monday and I'm already back here..... ....again.  It's especially hard since I haven't worked a full five-day week in about a month!  Phew....it's going to be an extra long week.  As much as I dislike them, I think Monday mornings are the key to a really good week.  And while most training plans call for rest days on Mondays, I really like it when our coach gives us a

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-16536120039653588792012-01-08T18:26:00.000-06:002012-01-08T18:26:52.730-06:00

It seems like I make the same "resolutions" and set the same goals year after year....eat healthier and get fitter.  And although I do work out and eat healthier than the average American -- without a doubt -- I still fall off the bandwagon and back into my old "I'd rather sleep in" and "I really want that cupcake" ways about three or four weeks into the New Year.  But this year it feels

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-51863181914487689612012-01-02T10:24:00.003-06:002012-01-02T10:25:38.897-06:00

Courtesy of fellow Salt Creek Tri Club member Cassie Niego (thanks Cassie!) If you love oatmeal this is a new twist. 2 cups uncooked quick oats 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup of raisins 1 teaspoon of baking powder 1 1/2 cups of milk 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin 2 tablespoons of melted butter 1 large egg beaten Combine all wet ingredients well.  Then add dry

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-63818179916436485222012-01-01T16:50:00.001-06:002012-01-01T16:50:51.584-06:00

Happy 2012 Friends!  Since the hubby and I aren't big New Year's Eve fans -- we prefer to ring in the new year in a more low-key fashion -- we like to get up early on New Year's Day and get the new year started on the right (healthy) foot.  Today was no different. I got up shortly after my alarm went off at 6am to get in my "long" run of the week.  It's a step-back week in my half marathon

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-92215208540751308042011-12-30T17:42:00.002-06:002011-12-31T12:47:54.913-06:00

All the other blogs and online content pushers are doing it so why not us....a year-in-review post from The Triathlife! Although it's a little expected, we really wanted to capture the highlights (the HIGHS and the LOWS) of what has been a big year for us. And because we are so thankful for our tens of readers who waste their time take the time to care about our little self indulgent blog that

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-16101922786068547492011-12-30T08:15:00.003-06:002011-12-30T17:43:40.249-06:00

Originally I was going to post about my tempo run from last night (6.37 miles with 4 mile tempo within @6:32 pace) but this caught my eye this morning regarding the increased fee to run the NYC Marathon: "Americans who are not in the club will pay $255, while non-U.S. citizens will pay $347." Read more: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20111229/HOSPITALITY_TOURISM/111229883#ixzz1i1cyJgIn

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-72997137125755685462011-12-29T11:10:00.000-06:002011-12-29T11:11:31.569-06:00

Pool time this am with coach Tim (Well Fit).  Since these preseason sessions started my Thursdays typically begin with a violent wake up from my iPhone at 4:40am. I have to get up early to make coffee in order to clear the pipes before heading to the pool. While that's brewing I take the dog out to clear his. Since the cold weather has set in he has typically made very quick work of his

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-81027917859717791252011-12-28T11:08:00.000-06:002011-12-28T11:16:36.964-06:00

Plenty of holiday no-shows at Well-Fit's pre-season training class last night. I think there were only 5 of us there....lots of lonely computrainers (that's not Well Fit there on the right but that's kinda what class looked like). Last night  was a bit more run focused with the workout being a rotation of cycle, run, strength. After a 10' warm up on the bike it was 2-times through the

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-52596094544575493382011-12-22T12:57:00.000-06:002011-12-22T15:20:40.518-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately (17 days...yikes!) but the pre-holiday crazies have hit us pretty hard this year.  While going on vacation Thanksgiving week was a wonderful break, I probably should have been a little more organized for Christmas before leaving that week.  Ah well, next year, right? Despite running like crazy to buy gifts, wrap said gifts, decorate the house, be semi-social

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-56988603110519492582011-12-05T20:20:00.001-06:002011-12-05T20:24:10.314-06:00

Today's story is one of my Monday morning colossal workout FAILURE.  I got all of my workout (and work stuff) ready before I went to bed last night....like a good little triathlete.  Still, when the alarm goes off at 4:30am it is NEVER easy to get out of bed.  It's especially not easy on a Monday morning.  But I did it.  Got my a$$ out of bed at 4:30am (well, maybe more like 4:35am) and

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-50009051092448591082011-11-30T10:06:00.001-06:002011-12-01T15:53:21.610-06:00

The Triathlife is currently going through 8 weeks of pre-season training sessions that will help bridge this gap between off-season de-conditioning (rest) and the official start of Ironman training (which begins in earnest the week of Feb 5th). We have hitched our Ironman dreams to Well-Fit, a Chicago area triathlon coach and training group. Jen used Well-Fit last season and really wanted to use

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-89801502430630236122011-11-27T18:26:00.001-06:002011-11-27T18:43:44.114-06:00

We returned this weekend from a glorious eight day vacation down in Florida.  Unlike most of our vacations when we like to go, go, go....this vacation was primarily spent sunning ourselves by the ocean and pool here: Disney's Vero Beach Resort It was much needed downtime after a year of Ironman, job changes and just general chaos.  And I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard as heck

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-21871691647272144442011-11-13T14:04:00.001-06:002011-11-14T09:09:40.911-06:00

Really wanting to rededicate myself to total strength training (strength, balance, power) this winter and then carry that into and throughout the season next year. I truly believe one of the reasons I've been so prone to injuries the past three seasons is a lack of strength work. Even during the off season I just haven't been spending a lot of time in the weight room. And when I have, one of

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-4551107858529689462011-11-06T20:35:00.003-06:002011-11-07T11:50:01.166-06:00

Last week marked the start of initial base building for Ironman. So I guess I can say that I am now officially training for Ironman Wisconsin 2012 (just 42 more weeks to go...alright!). So why am I doing Ironman? My knee jerk response is so that I can finally answer "yes" when the lay person asks "Have you ever done an Ironman?" - because stereotypically most folks associate triathlon with

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-21811993861065367192011-10-23T16:23:00.001-05:002011-10-23T16:23:04.234-05:00

Off season is kind of like summer vacation for triathletes.  After months of a rigid training schedule, and "no fun on school nights", you suddenly have all this extra time on your hands and no training schedule to which to be accountable.  This is my last official week of off season, before starting my pre-season schedule next week.  I have enjoyed this off season even more than usual, as it

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-35294004797114197192011-10-13T20:34:00.000-05:002011-10-13T20:34:20.222-05:00

One of the goals I shared in my last post is to lose three pounds during the month of October.  This is just the start of my journey to clean up my engine and ultimately drop 10-15 pounds before the start of Ironman training in February.  So my Triathlife friends can help keep me accountable, I will tell you that my starting weight is 136.  I'm trying to get to 120-125.  I'm not sure how

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-69959649617755966402011-10-11T13:00:00.000-05:002011-10-11T13:00:22.111-05:00

Hi Triathlife friends!  It's been a while since I've posted, since I've been busy being lazy AND we've been out enjoying this gorgeous fall weather! Jon and Lance on one of our weekend family walks! BUT, it's now been four weeks since Ironman and it's time to get myself back on track.  Ironman training will be starting back up before I know it and NOW is the time to get my body into solid

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-10839495355059798702011-10-09T22:35:00.003-05:002011-10-10T13:25:37.977-05:00

Waynes World! Waynes World! Party time! Excellent! Wayne Campbell: So, do you come to Milwaukee often? Alice Cooper: Well, I'm a regular visitor here, but Milwaukee has certainly had its share of visitors. The French missionaries and explorers were coming here as early as the late 1600's to trade with the Native Americans. Pete: In fact, isn't "Milwaukee" an Indian name? Alice Cooper: Yes, Pete,

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-84782096989154060782011-09-30T11:11:00.002-05:002011-09-30T11:23:13.559-05:00

Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon this weekend. Ready or not, it's go time. Thankfully, this week is ending better than it began. Generally during taper most endurance athletes are extra cautious when it comes to taking care of themselves - no one wants to waste weeks of preparation and sacrifice by doing something stupid like getting injured or sick. Which brings me to last Sunday. My Lions were on

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-44040444779260834082011-09-25T17:57:00.003-05:002011-09-25T18:03:17.145-05:00

She has been insisting that I should be posting because I have the Milwaukee Marathon coming up next weekend. But given what she did a couple weekends ago, I keep feeling is that "it's only a marathon." Running a marathon feels kinda like a student film compared to the effort Jen produced at Ironman Wisconsin. But here we go again, another fall another attempt at Boston. I really wish I could

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-23808472781578308192011-09-25T13:02:00.002-05:002011-09-25T13:05:32.871-05:00

Somebody get me a can of WD-40 because I am RUST-EE!  As promised, I set my alarm for 6am this morning and was at the pool swimming by 7:15am.  The first few laps were not so bad and then....exhaustion.  I was ready to get out after the warm up (900 yards)!  I also felt completely uncoordinated, like I haven't swam in years.  BUT, I got it done.  A whole 1700 yards.  A month ago it wasn't

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-64876927552376203492011-09-24T16:58:00.002-05:002011-09-24T17:01:33.667-05:00

The last two weeks have been glorious.  I haven't gotten out of bed before 6am and I haven't done one swim, bike or run workout.  I haven't had to lay out any workout clothes or wash any water bottles.  I've barely thought about triathlon other than updating this blog once and constantly reminding myself (or trying to convince myself?) that this lazy lifestyle would not suit me long term.  But oh

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-48261965640023026062011-09-22T20:18:00.001-05:002011-09-22T20:21:32.287-05:00

I signed up for Ironman Wisconsin 2012.  Despite saying this was going to be a one-and-done experience for me, I found myself lining up the day BEFORE I did my first Ironman - with hundreds of other IMWI 2011 athletes - to get my magic ticket for 2012.  Ironman is sneaky that way.  They make athletes participating in the current year's race register for the next year's race before they even hit

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-6655726982185022652011-09-14T20:00:00.001-05:002011-09-14T20:01:09.946-05:00

"This is what life is all about....today, anything is possible." -- Mike Reilly (the voice of Ironman) at the start of IMWI 2011 Pre-Race: We got up to Madison on Thursday evening and had a nice, quiet (well, except for the fact that the Packers were playing) dinner at The Great Dane. It was really nice to settle in and have some down time. I was still feeling a little tired and generally

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-62915756591073463162011-09-13T09:55:00.001-05:002011-09-13T10:44:15.591-05:00

More gratuitous Ironman content. The sites and sounds of Ironman start to finish (minus the run part since I was volunteering at an aid station and only have so many hands - can somebody say helmet cam?) See you next year at Ironman Wisconsin 2012! - Him

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-48942763306230230182011-09-12T19:39:00.000-05:002011-09-12T19:39:54.086-05:00

Simply amazing. The Triathlife and its partners would like to officially congratulate Jennifer Schmit on her performance at the 2011 edition of Ironman Wisconsin. I don't think I've ever seen her happier, stronger or beaming with this much satisfaction - the whole day she had a smile. Any doubt was washed away at the start of the day with a strong swim and capped off by this awesome parade down

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-36424890003604739732011-09-09T22:27:00.001-05:002011-09-09T22:28:16.039-05:00

Here we are a little over a day away from Ironman Wisconsin 2011 and I wanted to post a quick note to tell the viewing public just how proud I am of The Triathlife's better half and all that she has accomplished this year. On my run this morning I was reflecting back not only on this year but just how the heck we got to this place. Anyone who knows us as a couple would naturally assume that it

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-69290056690607851112011-09-05T19:35:00.000-05:002011-09-05T19:35:00.019-05:00

I'm doing an Ironman this week!  Wow.  How did it happen so fast?  I signed up for Ironman Wisconsin the day after last year's race....almost one full year ago.  I started training with Well Fit in early February and have spent every last waking moment thinking about this race for the last two months.  It's been quite the journey to say the least.  So before the craziness of race week completely

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-32873789729169738512011-08-21T17:39:00.001-05:002011-08-21T17:40:37.456-05:00

Yesterday was Epic Saturday....a full day of swim, bike and run up on the Madison IM course that was supposed to serve as a "dress rehearsal" of sorts for race day.  After a high volume week of work outs (the most recent being a 16 mile long run EARLY on Thursday morning), I approached the weekend with trepidation, not knowing how my body would hold up.  Well, as I would quickly find out, you

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-60685113491479020192011-08-15T21:01:00.000-05:002011-08-15T21:01:14.644-05:00

This is it my friends.  My peak week of Ironman training.  After this it's all downhill from here....T-4 weeks and counting.  I'm really busy at work, so I'm not all that freaked out about the volume in front of me this week (read: I'm distracted), although my stress level went from about 3 to 100 billion after one day in the office.  I have 1.5-3 hours of training on the schedule every day this

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-58036623988965149502011-08-15T18:33:00.002-05:002011-08-15T18:39:13.542-05:00

Sylvania Triathlon in Sylvania, Ohio. The site of this years USAT Regional Championships. That sounds impressive don't it? Well, its not. The only qualification to race is having the credit card to register online. But if you have the desire to compete at the USAT Nationals, you need to qualify at sanctioned events and this is one of them. What and where is Sylvania, Ohio? Sylvania is a suburb

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-47633702886731759182011-08-08T20:38:00.001-05:002011-08-08T20:39:16.692-05:00

When I started this Ironman journey I was about 15 or so pounds above my goal weight (you want to carry as little weight as possible up those hills of Madison!).  Everyone told me that if I wanted to lose weight I should do it BEFORE I started training, because it's too hard to lose weight once the training begins.  But first there were the holidays....I made a little bit of progress in January (

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-10502996868608870962011-08-07T18:08:00.000-05:002011-08-07T18:08:57.624-05:00

Wow, I don't even know where to begin.  The last two weeks have been peak training weeks with all the exhaustion and raw emotion that goes with them.  It's funny....until last week I was thinking how manageable this whole Ironman training thing was.  Sure, it was pretty time-consuming, and I've given up a lot, but it really was not THAT hard to balance it all.  I had always heard how you get to

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-26121865612958382822011-07-25T20:33:00.000-05:002011-07-25T20:33:09.423-05:00

Typically after a big race - say a half ironman - I take a good two or three weeks off and do NOTHING.  I mean NOTHING.  But when you are training for a full ironman, you don't really have that luxury.  So last week after the Door County Half Ironman I had a week of fairly easy recovery work outs, but come Saturday it was time to get back at it again (p.s. the upside to not really running the run

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-82654085545249431702011-07-20T11:39:00.005-05:002011-07-20T19:25:59.876-05:00

First time up to Door County Wisconsin - popular tourist and vacation peninsula and home to the Door Country Triathlon weekend. The race venue is just outside of Egg Harbor with the Sprint distance on Saturday and the Half Iron distance on Sunday. I had heard good extremely good reviews about that race and it certainly lived up to its positive billing. I can't say enough about the way the weekend

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-67149656746601032952011-07-18T20:50:00.000-05:002011-07-18T20:50:58.958-05:00

This blog has clearly been neglected lately and that's because we've been busy training, working, training, traveling, training, chores, training and this past weekend....racing.  On Friday we headed up to Door County for the big Half Ironman weekend.  This was Jonathan's "A" tri for the season and an important milestone in my journey to the Ironman. We had never been to Door County before and I

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-50697094140351613262011-06-29T17:08:00.000-05:002011-06-29T17:08:36.202-05:00

Put in 2000m in the outdoor pool this morning at Ridgeland Commons (Oak Park). Due to time constraints brought on by intestinal...um...readiness, I had to trim my workout down from 2800. Still had a little swim hangover from the weekend race. Arms were a little fatigued so I did my best just to focus on form by picking something different to work on for each length of the pool. I generally swim

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-15260721836719765572011-06-28T14:02:00.003-05:002011-06-28T16:50:42.005-05:00

Because I don't expect you to stay with me for the entirety of this self-indulgent novel, I wanted to be sure I put my shout outs right up front: Jen had a super race day and I was crazy happy for her. I had my encouragement speech all ready to go as I waited for her to finish. None needed. She had a great day and deservedly so. Her hard work and training diligence manifested itself in the

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-63255610578557296592011-06-27T20:39:00.006-05:002011-06-27T20:47:15.704-05:00

This past weekend we headed up to Pleasant Prairie, WI, for a race at one of my favorite tri venues.  It's not just that the swim is in a small, almost-always-calm, inland lake or that the bike course is fairly flat and the run course even flatter.  Sure, the course itself is nice and it's a well organized race.  But even better than that?  The hotel we stay at is adjacent to the premium outlet

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-78484169575486876782011-06-19T19:18:00.002-05:002011-06-19T19:22:49.257-05:00

Every year the Viking Biking Club up in Wisconsin puts on a ride called the Horribly Hilly Hundreds.  It starts and ends at Blue Mounds State Park in Blue Mounds, WI, just west of Madison.  The ride is so popular that there is a lottery to get in.  There are 100k, 150k and 200k options.  The 100k is enough for me, given that it's not really 100k but more like 68/69 miles (and believe me, those

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-72164857199492568332011-06-10T17:07:00.000-05:002011-06-10T17:07:19.637-05:00

This is my blog entry from this morning's workout: (5:30am) Bike trainer = 1h 10m; 16.2 miles Felt absolutely horrible. Legs have nothing left to give, even after a rest day. I had to stop like three times to talk myself into continuing. And I could barely get my heart rate into Z2. Sometimes I wonder if workouts like this are even worth it. This has been a rough week.  I'm feeling

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-87271407146981429792011-06-05T20:22:00.000-05:002011-06-05T20:22:58.542-05:00

Ironman training is starting to get serious.  This was the second build week of this "training block" and I was scheduled for about 7.5 hours of training this weekend.  It started yesterday with a 50 minute run and a 1.5 hour bike to "pre-fatigue" the legs for today's longer ride.  So, my legs were nice and tired at the start of today's ride.... Bike: 4:45:48; 76.5 miles This was the Udder

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-85518444505293480172011-05-22T18:39:00.000-05:002011-05-22T18:39:19.900-05:00

Did you know that you actually gain most of your fitness while resting?  As a girl who adores sleep and lounging around, I love that thought!  To be clear, you have to do that work first, but it's during the rest and recovery phase that your body absorbs the training and sees the biggest gains in fitness.  If I wasn't a believer in this before, I definitely am after this past week.  A couple of

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-9028652819436320332011-05-17T11:35:00.006-05:002011-05-17T20:05:20.718-05:00

Remember the Seinfeld bit from his opening stand up of "The Hamptons" episode (season 5 btw)? "Look at the work people do to get to the ocean. They'll fight the traffic and the heat and the parking and the hot sand. Trying to get through the waves, and the ironic thing is the ocean doesn't even want us in there. That's what surfing is. Surfing is the ocean

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-67658374317962278362011-05-16T20:11:00.000-05:002011-05-16T20:11:06.768-05:00

Once again it's been a while since I've written on The Triathlife.  Excuses are all the same....busy at work, busy in personal life and lots of training.  Mostly lots of training.  So I'm going to try something new, thanks to the super suggestion of my IronSpouse. I track all of my training on a triathlon site called Beginner Triathlete.  I track my workouts, how I'm progressing, how I'm feeling

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-16745577900441854302011-04-21T20:20:00.001-05:002011-04-21T20:22:30.981-05:00

I spent 20 minutes in the pain cave Tuesday night.  I don't really like it in there, but I need to learn to be comfortable with it, as I'm sure it will be a frequent hangout for me during the next five months. We had a bike LT test on the schedule at our weekly IM bike/run class.  It was only about an hour workout TOTAL....which seemed like a vacation compared to our sessions as of late....but

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-15384522345688311812011-04-18T19:45:00.000-05:002011-04-18T19:45:02.549-05:00

This past weekend of training was a tough one, more mentally than physically, although it wasn't too shabby physically either.  Saturday included a 1:40 long run in the driving rain and howling wind.  It was actually a pretty great run (in my new Zoot Tempo 4.0's...love!)....so much so that I pushed the pace about :15/mile faster than I should have.  That was followed immediately by a :30 ride

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-18335476539702925722011-04-18T09:48:00.000-05:002011-04-18T09:48:59.196-05:00

Sunday morning's are typically reserved for long training rides for many cyclists and triathletes. And for good reason. Wide open roads. Even in our urban/suburban jungle the roadways are pretty lonely on Sunday's (other than the occasional late model Buick LeSabre trying to make it to sunrise service). I can honestly say that out of all my training I look forward to Sunday mornings the most.

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-44505275080267586822011-04-13T10:13:00.003-05:002011-04-13T10:31:37.601-05:00

I do what the book tells me to do. Today it said run. And I did. Well most of it. It said to run 1:15 and I put in 49 minutes and almost 7 miles. This season I'm using Carmichael Training Systems, "Time Crunched Triathlete." Its currently week 5 of the Advanced Olympic Plan. I don't have a race until June so I'm using this plan as base training for the up coming 70.3 plan. This isn't willy nilly.

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-36975680488270285022011-04-09T16:52:00.000-05:002011-04-09T16:52:59.816-05:00

These are my magic running slippers.... I bought them a little less than a year ago and used them to race - both tri's and road races - all last season.  They literally make me run faster.  I am not kidding you.  I PR'd the 10k distance on one of the toughest courses I've ever run at the Bang's Lake Tri last August.  And I blew away my expectations at the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November.

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-56251731969856490192011-03-30T21:46:00.000-05:002011-03-30T21:46:16.944-05:00

My body tells me no But I won't quit 'Cause I want more, 'cause I want more! Its still early in the season but I'm getting myself a little mentally psyched right now. This is just the type of stuff to pass the time during long hours/weeks of base training and race specific training. My generally pessimistic nature rubs the wrong way against traditional motivational methods...self affirmation,

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-32926681653603895842011-03-20T18:25:00.000-05:002011-03-20T18:25:12.933-05:00

It's been a while, but now that the hubby and I have gotten back into serious training mode, it's time to bring back our weekly The Good. The Bad. And The Ugly.  So without further ado.... The Good. Her: Getting healthy and finding my workout mojo again.  When you get as sick as I was, it feels SO good just to be healthy again.  I hit nearly all of my workouts this week, ending with a monster

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-59518196701274139142011-03-12T15:05:00.001-06:002011-03-12T15:07:46.358-06:00

Whew!  It's been a while since I've been on here.  I wish I could tell you that it's because I went on a wonderful vacation, the workouts have been going according to schedule, and I just haven't had time to blog about it, but sadly that's not true.  We did leave on a wonderful vacation at Disney, but unfortunately I got sick about two days into the trip.  First it was pinkeye, then it was a

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-83425234412168117502011-02-21T21:29:00.001-06:002011-02-22T12:23:04.978-06:00

I love group workouts. I honestly believe that its easier to find your "fast" with the help of others. Group workouts provide a sense of camaraderie but they are also about pushing others and being pushed yourself.  I've had some of my biggest training break throughs during group workouts. But I have also bonked really bad during group workouts by succumbing to a little bit of peer pressure and

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-1726729577458565102011-02-17T13:46:00.002-06:002011-02-22T12:23:51.954-06:00

Wow. Triathlons be 'spensive! Going over the credit card bill last night and January was one serious month for The Triathlife household. The plastic practically melted in my wallet as an entire year of race registrations were secured during this billing cycle. Then add to that all the travel reservations, assorted equipment purchases and a complete rebuild of my road bike and we are well north of

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-11386671842334113382011-02-13T17:31:00.000-06:002011-02-13T17:31:01.331-06:00

Happy Sunday the 13th!  News from The Triathlife....Training is finally picking up. He is still in his preseason scatter plan and she started IM training (officially) this week. The Good. Him: The good came in three this week. 1) Jen arrived home on Monday from a long, long week in Dallas. I don't know who's tail was wagging more mine or the dog's. Just glad to have the pack back together again.

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-35081986775622869192011-02-12T17:36:00.001-06:002011-02-12T17:38:07.611-06:00

Whoa, February has been quite the month so far....and it's only the 12th! I spent the first 7 days of the month (plus two days of January) down in Dallas for the Super Bowl.  Not as glamorous as it might sound, I spent 16 to 18 hours a day inside a hotel conference center at the media center, averaging 4-5 hours of sleep a night.  And the snow and ice outside wasn't conducive to getting in a

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-25449114899831141222011-02-01T18:53:00.000-06:002011-02-01T18:53:16.200-06:00

Guten Tag!  So I ask you, which is the better version of itself - "99 Luftballoons" in all its original Bavarian goodness or the rather bland and imported "99 Red Balloons?" Swayed by lineage I choose the original even though the only words of the song that I can recite are "99 luftballoons" and "Captain Kirk." Do yourself a favor...grab your parachute pants, swatch watches, rubber bracelets

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-11229839891738577382011-01-31T21:21:00.000-06:002011-01-31T21:21:53.246-06:00

Talk to enough triathletes and you'll find that most of us began this hobby on less than ideal equipment. Its like a right of passage...not quite sure what you're getting into so you don't want to make the investment. Then the bug bites and before you can say "drag coefficient" you know everything about compact cranks, power output, stride rate, VO2 max and hyponatremia. So now that I'm all up

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-2258777494852820712011-01-23T19:30:00.000-06:002011-01-23T19:30:30.615-06:00

Wow, these weeks do pass quickly!  It's time again for another edition of The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.  And it's Jen here to get things started this week.... The Good. Her:  This past week was the best training week I have had in MONTHS.  Six days of working out, including a two-a-day (biking and swimming) on Tuesday, and no skipped workouts!  I think I'm finally getting back into my groove. 

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-67018039583768698442011-01-20T20:08:00.001-06:002011-01-20T20:08:51.099-06:00

I hate strength training.  Despise it.  It's always the first thing to drop from my schedule when I'm "too busy."  And if I do get in a session at the gym, I hardly break a sweat because I just can't bring myself to push to the point of pain and fatigue on my own (I can when running or biking, but strength training?  no way!).  So I signed up with a personal trainer at our work gym (very cost

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-6940329313455842862011-01-18T12:03:00.000-06:002011-01-18T12:03:22.286-06:00

We're in the home stretch of Jen's nutritional detox and after six straight days of fish we are celebrating Meat Day today! Carnivores unite. Tonight I shall consume something that used to be out walking around. And don't take this celebration the wrong way. I love me some fish. And it has certainly been a healthy dietary detour. And as a bonus I figure this fulfills my lenten obligations as

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-40622634470866434962011-01-16T19:14:00.000-06:002011-01-16T19:14:40.624-06:00

The Triathlife. A week via the rear view mirror. The GoodHim: This graph. If you look real close there's some yellow sandwiched in there between the green and purple. That cute little slice of yellow (look close - its there) represents my first amount of running in over 7 weeks. And look at the growing amount of green - that's cycling. Oh how I missed my bike. I love my bike. I like to bike!!!!

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-26862612667797846682011-01-15T16:44:00.001-06:002011-01-15T17:01:32.572-06:00

More ART therapy goodness at Active Body Chiro this week. Finally getting to the point where we are beginning post recovery treatment and what will become preventative treatment. This seems to include deep tissue massage. Now as weird as it sounds I'm not a big fan of the massage. I prefer to keep strangers who touch me to a minimum. But there I was earlier this week lying face down waiting for

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-54756665466795455352011-01-12T20:25:00.000-06:002011-01-12T20:25:02.916-06:00

How can today only be day 5 of this 14 day detox?  I seriously feel like I've been doing this for weeks.  All has been going okay.  Kind of boring food, TONS of dishes and very, very time consuming.  I'm getting used to the taste of the shakes, and dare I say even look forward to them now?  I'm done with the caffeine headaches (yes!) and still feeling slightly sluggish, but a little better every

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-83406370443685149812011-01-09T19:43:00.000-06:002011-01-09T19:43:12.666-06:00

Going to try something here on The Triathlife....the first of a weekly installment. The Good Him: Got back on the saddle for the first time in two months. Seemingly no pain in the IT after two 50 minute spin sessions this week on Thursday and Sunday. I was more than happy to get reacquainted with Bob (yup, I named my Cervelo Bob). Her: Even though I had a crazy week at work, I made it a point

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-26785226123018691332011-01-09T15:18:00.001-06:002011-01-09T15:18:57.105-06:00

Sorry for the lack of check-ins last week, but the first full week back to work post-holidays was a DOUZY....to say the least.  For all my good new year intentions, I still fell completely apart within about six hours of walking into the office.  I still managed to get in all but two workouts and have gathered myself back together this weekend and feel ready to try again this week. Despite the

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-83800643326172950032011-01-05T14:53:00.000-06:002011-01-05T14:53:52.172-06:00

My search for properly fitting cycling/tri apparel (specifically shorts) has now whisked me away to Italy. Enter the newest brand in my cycling arsenal - Giordana where a small is still a small. Yes, the same country that birthed da Vinci, Pavarotti, Espresso and the Mona Lisa is also, apparently, the home to teams of wee men like myself. Of course all signs pointing to the contrary - I mean

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-1148643668635098142011-01-02T15:41:00.001-06:002011-01-02T15:42:45.086-06:00

2011 is off to a good start.  We kicked off the year with a swim at FFC bright and early yesterday morning.  We were the first ones in line outside the gym....guess we were a little over-anxious!  I did 1900 yards, the most I have attempted since returning from my break.  And my form felt much better too.  I'm still getting fatigued by about 1000 yards, but making progress!  Today I got in a good

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-66676652566979946292010-12-31T16:05:00.001-06:002010-12-31T16:07:34.664-06:00

When I started writing on this blog again in late November/early December I had grand plans of starting my IM training, eating clean and building a solid base throughout the month of December.  The reality?  I got caught up in the holidays, ate dinners out with friends, went to parties, ate a ton of sweets and drank a bunch of wine.  I maintained about 4-5 workouts per week -- really pretty

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-61601385363427529392010-12-21T11:02:00.005-06:002010-12-21T11:43:16.423-06:00

Once again last night, IMHO, we witnessed a dude that just loves to play the game of football. Screw the money, the pain and the haters. Guaranteed, as the game got closer and Favre saw the weather and the opportunity to play outside in conditions where he thrives he just had to play. Had to. It welled up inside him and his love of football willed him onto that field. And along with that decision

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-30736174982037691252010-12-19T10:51:00.002-06:002010-12-19T12:50:40.709-06:00

When the mercury heads south training doesn't stop. For the hardcore and hardy the only difference between training in the summer and training in the winter is the number of layers worn to keep cool or warm. And for all you dudes who prefer to keep the frozen tundra out of your drawers and off your naughty bits - enter the Thermajock. Yes, yes, yes...it is, in fact, what you think it is. The

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-47721331061483025342010-12-18T06:40:00.001-06:002010-12-18T06:41:21.499-06:00

Albert Eistein is famously credited with defining insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I wonder if Al might revisit that definition if he had ever met an endurance athlete...to be more specific, an age group endurance athlete. You know, those of us who have two careers - that of an endurance sport enthusiast and another more socially acceptable

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-73803229257911955692010-12-14T20:13:00.000-06:002010-12-14T20:13:11.925-06:00

I look back at my post from the first day of pre-season Ironman training last Monday and I was feeling so on top of things and excited about the training plan I had in front of me.  I had a great first day of training.  And then reality hit. The next day (last Tuesday) I flew to NY for a business trip that resulted in two SUPER long days that caused me to miss out on lots of sleep and two more

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-85682305019990206852010-12-12T17:02:00.000-06:002010-12-12T17:02:34.762-06:00

So McDonalds is adding oatmeal to their breakfast offering. Fine by me. Gives me more options when traveling. Oatmeal is a great recovery food and is basically all I'll eat in the morning - just ask anyone I go to breakfast with. But as with just about any food that starts out "healthy" you have to watch out what you add to the mix. According to this Tribune article "McDonald's oatmeal comes in

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-62568797469582385382010-12-12T12:41:00.000-06:002010-12-12T12:41:43.677-06:00

Jiminy Christmas am I in pain. Skipping rope yesterday = walkin like Frankenstein today. But whats a little DOMS when it comes to increased fitness and the stealing glances of your significant other. See, Jen seems to think that jumpin rope will cure me of my "bird legs" (oh honey how I appreciated your honesty). But I gotta come up with a more exercise fad type name for this skipping rope thing

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-27267904340624825242010-12-11T14:35:00.000-06:002010-12-11T14:35:04.614-06:00

So my IT band syndrome continues to sideline my running and cycling (although I'm on the road to recovery). One of the side affects of not running or biking is that I am putting in serious gym time working on weight assisted improvements to my physical make up - so that just maybe I stay injury free (fingers crossed) and so that I can look less weasel like (also fingers crossed). The other is

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-16022933155150140222010-12-06T20:08:00.012-06:002010-12-06T20:16:47.941-06:00

A diary of my first day of Ironman training: 4:30am:  Cell phone alarm starts blaring Taio Cruz "Dynamite".....I jump out of bed and sprint across the room to grab it 4:31am:  Fall back into bed with cell phone in hand, cursing the start of Ironman training 4:37am:  Finally coax myself out of bed and get ready for the gym 4:48am:  Head out in the 11 degree temps and once in the car think how

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-14753937494228455122010-12-04T15:06:00.002-06:002010-12-04T15:13:05.402-06:00

My lovely, restful two week break is coming to an end.  And while part of me is absolutely chomping at the bit to get back at it, the other part of me is going to miss being lazy.  Yes, I love being lazy.  Most people think that we actually love getting up super early in the morning and working out each day.  And while I do love the lifestyle and the way it makes me feel, I certainly don't love

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-61535401659554579302010-12-01T08:48:00.000-06:002010-12-01T08:48:26.649-06:00

Yesterday I celebrated a birthday.  And while I still have another year to go before the "Big 4-0,"  as far as USAT is concerned, yesterday was my 40th Birthday.  Since USAT follows the "age-up" rule for USAT-sanctioned races, your race age is whatever your age will be as of December 31st of that year.  So with my late November birthday, I actually race every triathlon season with an age on my

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-3690914692547577742010-11-28T16:50:00.000-06:002010-11-28T16:50:07.151-06:00

Although nothing much has changed. Looking back two years ago I was fighting the exact same injury - ITBS (Iliotibial band syndrome). The only thing that is different two years later is that it is on the right leg. It knocked me out of the Phoenix Marathon in 2009 and it gave me a DNF in the Philadelphia Marathon last weekend - my first DNF of anything. The good thing this time around is that

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-61064778975550138422010-11-27T18:15:00.005-06:002010-11-27T18:23:06.356-06:00

So how does one start training for an Ironman?  By doing nothing.  And I mean NOTHING. About a month ago, I received an e-mail from my new coach giving us tips for preparing for the Feb. 1 start of the Well Fit program.  According to coach, the first thing that we needed to do was take a break.  A complete two-week break from all activity.  So, after I finished the Philadelphia Half Marathon

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-79463949000964649902010-11-24T17:00:00.000-06:002010-11-24T17:06:15.971-06:00

After nearly two years, we've decided it's time to bring The Triathlife back to life. Why now, you ask? Well, in a moment of weakness (not really....it was a well thought out decision) back in September, I signed up for Ironman Wisconsin 2011. That's right...a FULL Ironman. For anyone who needs a refresher on the distances of a full Ironman, it's a 2.4 mile swim (oh yeah, with a mass start

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-62710127396580332912009-04-18T13:24:00.001-05:002009-04-20T08:47:18.998-05:00

Lance you are one sic dude. I love it.

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-25920259482128002452009-04-18T13:00:00.000-05:002009-04-18T13:11:49.113-05:00

Every once in a while its fun to have a break through workout. This morning I had a great swim. This happens (good and swim in the same sentence) so few and far between that I almost feel like celebrating. A little training euphoria if you will (or it could be that its mid 70s and I have all the windows open and the iPod plugged in - can I get a what, what?!!!!!). Just two of us in the pool this

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-11111342245210963322009-04-18T12:49:00.000-05:002009-04-18T13:00:18.101-05:00

We ran into a "tri-friend" last night at the bar and grille. He and Jen had never met outside the pool so I had to say, "Chris is the guy in the yellow swim cap." You get used to seeing your training or race buddies in a certain bike helmet or swim cap or seeing them with so little on that it can be somewhat startling to see that same person in street clothes. And to my slight embarrassment I've

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-7082302521286177862009-04-08T10:01:00.001-05:002010-11-26T20:11:36.361-06:00

Here's one for earth month as it relates to endurance sports Interesting bit of information in my USAT newsletter this morning...a product review for a technical apparel company called Greelayer. If you clicked the link you'll see some basic positive comments from the wear testers, although it seemed that they only tried some of the tops. Its an interesting premise - manufacturing active wear

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-79469553816204317062009-04-04T12:28:00.001-05:002010-11-26T20:17:46.253-06:00

Went to Masters swim this morning then off to run some quick errands so I recovered with punch flavored Endurox R4. But then went to Starbucks and recovered some more with a Mocha (no whip, skinny). Although its a bit of a spurge or dessert coffee there are refuel/recovery benefits of chocolate milk after a hard workout. No really, there is. Then it was off to Whole Foods to start Jen's no sugar

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-63533758247274005372009-04-03T22:12:00.000-05:002009-04-03T22:33:42.928-05:00

A little Friday side bar to start here. So GM starting running their rally cap commercials this week. If you recall, back in 2001/2002 GM saved us from terrorists with 0% financing. Now they are saving us from the recession with...rally caps? Are they trying to rally us or themselves? What's next, the rally monkey? Terrible towels? V8 Block heads. Any sports fan will tell you that you need the

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860478427610504573.post-30594036583663574622009-04-01T23:08:00.000-05:002009-04-01T23:49:48.328-05:00

I never thought it possible. I mean there are very few foods that you can't ruin. Heck, even people who claim they can only make toast can burn the toast. But oatmeal? You can have soupy oatmeal. And you can have chewy oatmeal. But the taste remains the same. Enter the Fire Lake Grill House and Cocktail Bar in the Radisson Downtown Minneapolis. Sat down with my paper and coffee and was genuinely

J2http://www.blogger.com/profile/07507105897025820396noreply@blogger.com0