Frustration Again!

Today is Thursday and it's the day that I normally meet my triathlon coach for my weekly morning workout. Currently, Coach Baker has a bum wheel. He has a broken toe and has been unable to do "normal" workouts for him. Therefore, he gets to actually stand on the sidelines and coach rather than coach AND participate. I figured this would be a good thing this morning in that the workout would be especially intense because he would have my under a microscope. It was definitely headed in that direction until I had the old "pain in the calf" problem again. I got through a nice warm-up followed by some pretty good drills to get loose and get the blood flowing. After the drills, he had me do some striders which were basically 40 yard sprints at about 80% intensity. I like those because I feel like I'm best suited for those types of bursts of energy over the endurance stuff. Once those were done (which I liked a lot), we moved into the beginning part of the serious workout. He had planned to do, what he called a 4-3-3-2-1. More on the specifics of that at the end. Meanwhile, I started with a timed mile at what he considered my 5k pace. In a nutshell, I ran the mile in 7:00. I felt good and Coach said I was pacing about a 1:45 per lap pace for a 5k. I was happy with that and didn't feel too bad. I felt like I could keep going. Anyway, we moved on to the next portion which consisted of a 3/4 mile (3 laps) at a slightly faster pace. He wanted me to go about a 1:40 per lap pace for 3 laps. That's when the wheels fell off! On the back straight away of the first of the first of the 3 laps, I had that sharp pain that occasionally get in my calves. This time it was in my right calf rather than the left. It's so frustrating because I was really starting to fall into a groove. Richard had me stop, we talked about some things health-wise, and he told me we were going to do some tweaking to my run program to try and fix the calf situation. Basically instead of trying to mix in some hard fast and intense runs, we going to strictly focus on slow endurance building timed runs. That suits me fine if I can ultimately run long distances without any pain. Besides, isn't that the objective anyway? I'm in this to build endurance anyway - which is slowly coming along (and I mean slowly)!

The workout that Richard had planned consisted of:

800 meter warm-up
Various drills (2 each) - high knees, butt kicks, kareokes, skips, defensive slides
4 - 40 yard strides (80% sprints)
400 meter slow jog
1 mile - 5k pace
3/4 mile (3 laps) - a little faster than 5k pace
3/4 mile - same as above
800 meters - slightly faster than 3/4 mile pace
400 meters - slow
Warm down & stretch

Obviously, I didn't make it through the entire workout which really frustrates me. I can't figure out if it's a hydration issue, or a fatigue issue due to last night's swim workout, or if it's just a physical physique issue. I'm getting to the point where I want to go have it checked with a sports specialist. Hopefully soon. We'll see.

Swim Practice & A Busted Wheel!

Last night was my usual swim practice that, for this particular session, wasn't too hard for me. That's because Coach Ashley had all of us doing sprints and that's the particular area of swimming I seem to excel in. That's not much help when you're training for triathlons and supposedly doing long distance stuff. At any rate, I battled through some cramping in my feet and calves but managed to make it the whole practice without just dying as I normally do. I felt good. The practice consisted of:

20 Minute Warm Up
6 x 75- breathing pattern 3-5-7 by 25's 1:30
8 x 50--Slow/medium pace :50, 1:00,
8 x 50--Medium/fast :50, 1:00,
8 x 100--Freestyle (descend in sets of 2) 1:30, 1:45, 2:00,
8 x 100--75 build, rest 10 seconds, then 25 sprint 1:45, 2:00, 2:15,
8 x 50--25 medium, rest 10 seconds, 25 sprint (1:10 interval) 1:00, 1:10
Total Group 1- 3250 yards + Warm Up / Warm Down

Today after working on film and video stuff for the office, I decided to take a nice run in the great weather. I wanted to take advantage of it because, knowing my luck, it won't be very good tomorrow since we have the day off. Tomorrow would be a perfect day for training all day, but I believe we're expecting bad weather during the day. Go figure!

The run was nice and relaxing and I am starting to learn to keep it at a comfortable zone 2 pace. It's a slow learning process that I wish I could be faster at learning, but I'm getting there thanks to Triswami. And speaking of the "Coach," he's unfortunately suffering through a broken toe that he acquired during a training session (you can read about it here). I guess that means that I have some lag time to be able to catch up to his fitness and running level. I think I'm gonna go for it! :-)

Lastly, my devotion for today hit me pretty hard. It was, "Consider it not hard labor, but serve strangers and smile. Accommodate your neighbor, journey with him that extra mile."
Matthew 5:41

A Triswami Run Analysis

This morning I had to wake up at 6:00 am to meet with my triathlon coach Richard Baker at 7:00. His job is to make me better in the three disciplines and today was a run analysis. He was to take a look at my stride and running gait and make it more efficient and comfortable. Being from a quick twitch sports background, I figured that my long distance running form would be way out of whack. This was my thought due to the fact that when I run distance runs, I usually get some calf and Achilles soreness. I figured I was a mess. However, after doing some warming up and listening to the teaching of the Triswami guru himself, he told me that I had very good natural running form. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked, happy, and encouraged. During the workout session, he did however do some very minor tweaks to my arm placements and swing motion that ended up making quite a big difference over a long period. I could tell at the end of the workout after we had run hill repeats, run drills, tempo runs, etc. In all, we clocked in about 5 to 5.5 miles over the period of our workout and it didn't feel like we had done that much in that period of time. I was very pleasantly surprised because I was going into this coaching thing thinking that my run was by far the thing that needed the most work. That's still somewhat true. I just have to get in the miles now that I know the proper technique and form thanks to the Schwam!

Unfortunately, no video today because there's been no time. Between training, work, taxiing kids, and other things, I haven't been able to take the time to shoot some video. However, I'll get it in when I can and keep this updated as much as possible.

I'm having a great time training and learning a new competitive sport and I feel that I can be pretty good at this and accomplish my goals in the meantime. The Lord willing, we shall see.

100k Group Ride

Okay, so it's been about a week since my last post here. It's been because I've been so busy with work, kids, training schedule, etc. I guess life is just getting in the way of my posting.

At any rate, I'm typing this blog while sitting on my back deck enjoying the perfect 74 degree sunny weather. I wasn't so lucky this morning. This morning the temp was mid 50's, overcast, and a slight mist. Not exactly perfect biking weather. By the time I had finished the ride, my bike and I were completely covered in dirt and water from the roads - but I digress.

I arrived at the meeting launch spot well before the 7:15 depart time. I wanted to make sure that I had everything in place and was not feeling rushed. Once we got going (myself and 8 other stud riders), I immediately realized that these guys weren't your average weekend warrior-type riders. These guys are vastly experienced in riding and/or many triathlons. I then knew I was in for a long day and I was out of my league. However, I felt good and stayed well within the pack. I went on relatively holding my own for the first two hours until we got to an unrelenting monster hill. Needless to say, I hit the wall. It was everything I could to to hang on until eventually I got dropped. Yes, I got dropped! It was humbling to say the least but a learning experience that I'm sure I'll draw from down the road. My coach (and quickly becoming a good friend), Richard Baker in all of his gregariousness, was kind enough to turn around, come back, and ride the last hour of the ride with me. That truly meant a lot to me and told me a ton about his character. He didn't have to do that. I could've made it back on my own, but he decided to use that time as teaching tool and I was accepting and grateful. We finally made it back and I was never so happy to see my car in the distance. However, I had a great time and truly learned a ton from these experienced guys that allowed a "newbie" to tag along. Thanks guys!

I certainly know now that I have a long way to go to where I want to be and today was an indicator toward that. I also know some areas that I can improve on and that also encourages me. I'm always up for growth.

Lastly in case you're wondering, my coach is not just a coach (in the traditional sense). He's a seriously competitive athlete and I have a long way to go before I ever get close to his level. One can certainly hope!

Beatdown After 2 Workouts

Today was a though physical day, but rewarding nonetheless. I've gotta say, I'm tired but feeling good and optimistic. Tired mainly because, for the last 3 nights, I've had some trouble sleeping and I don't know why. Maybe it's stress. That's certainly the reason for my afternoon run and it was well worth the release. I felt better than I figured that I would since my coach (Triswami) kicked my butt this morning for our first official "evaluation" strength workout. I'll tell ya; he's certainly seriously knowledgeable and enormously fit. . . for any age. I'm excited about the sheer Hell that he's probably going to inflict. He's a beast.

During the run, I was feeling a bit energetic due to the music and due to feeling like I had some bounce in my legs. That was surprising to me considering the onslaught of pain I received this morning. I had a good alone time on the run to relieve some stress and just focus on my life situations both good and bad. I find a lot of solace and peace from the Lord out on these runs and bikes. I truly feel the Lord has my undivided attention and He speaks to me the most clearly.

My run was:
45 minutes with 6 - 30 second intervals at a 5k pace (which means, not an all out sprint but a pretty solid pace). The non-interval running sections were to be run in zone 2 which is a slow methodical comfortable pace. And so the journey continues.

Tri Swim Class & A Run

Today has been an absolute crappy day for reasons untold. However, after my swim workout last night, I didn't know how my daily run would go. In actuality, I wasn't as sore as I thought I'd be. At any rate, the day's run was tough but it was good. I dread next week when I'm with Coach Baker as he'll undoubtedly work to kick my tail. Be that as it may, my alone time was great and well spent. I found myself, once again, listening to the Katinas' Lifestyle worship album as I was running. That record speaks to me in such profound ways. Some of the lyrics that rang out to me were:

Lord I give you my heart. I give you my soul. I live for you alone. Every breath that I take, every moment I'm awake. Lord, have your way and I'll obey.

That, lately, has been my prayer and what aspire to live by - as hard as that is for a selfish guy like me (and trust me, I've been told many times that I am!). At any rate, it's a daily process and I'm thankful for the strength and grace that I'm afforded from the Lord on a daily basis. I'm tragically flawed, and this I know. I'm just thankful that with each new day comes a fresh new start and that's exactly how I view it.

As for the actual run, it wasn't that spectacular after the hard swim workout. I ran for about 36 minutes and the previous days' swim was clocked in at over 3000 yards. It was a rough go.

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.

Psalms 37:37

Run-Drill-Walk Day

It's been almost a full week since I've actually been able to get in some training. Due to the cold weather, my work schedule, and mostly my car being serviced, I haven't gotten in a run since Sunday of last week. Today, I ran for 55 minutes and at the end I could certainly tell that I've had a long lay off. However, it felt good to be out there and to have something to be working toward. That being me having a new coach! Thanks to my good childhood friend Karen Berry and her new found love for the sport of endurance athletics, she afforded me the opportunity to be able to work with my new certified triathlon coach - Triswami (check out his website).He's a wonderfully funny and knowledgeable man and coach in the three disciplines. I'm very much looking forward to learning, being pushed, and getting better at this new affinity. It should be good and very informative.

As for today's run, it wasn't my best by a long shot. Be that as it may, I did some beginning and ending drills that were given to me by my coach and some run/walking in between. All total, it amounted to right at 55 minutes and it felt good to get back out there after the layoff. Tomorrow is another day and weather permitting, I'll be out on the road again.

I needed this run to clear the stress-filled cobwebs out of my head. This weekend is my twins' 16th birthday and for me, it's been bitter sweet for many reasons. There's been much to think about, contemplate, pray about, and hope for. Happy sweet 16 Shelby and Taylor! You are the life blood that keeps me going and I can't express how much I dearly love you! May God continue to watch over you and keep you safe.

Training Coach

Finally, I was able to get in a solid long 5+ mile run and it felt good because the day was picture perfect! It's, by far, the nicest day of '09 and I ended up running in shorts and a light long sleeve due to it being in the mid to upper 60's. What a gorgeous day. Now if I could only get my bike cleaned up and tweaked out for spring I could get on it and start rolling! However, I'll settle for the long run with the nice weather any day.

I received a wonderful email today from a triathlon coach that I was referred to by Dan at Endurance Sports and Rec here in Franklin. The coach's name is Richard Baker, and judging by his email, he seems to be a wonderful and kind man. He graciously took my initial email and returned it back in far more detail than was necessary for a busy professional. I was humbled by that. In a nutshell, he said that he would love to sit down and meet with me face to face and see if there's any way that he can help me. At this moment, I can't afford a "for real" coach due to my circumstances and he totally understood that. He did however mention that it doesn't cost anything to sit down and discuss some things and even spark up a friendship. So that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'd love to be able to hire a coach to help me better my training and abilities, but for now, it may have to wait. Until then, I plan to get to know this nice guy and see where a training relationship and friendship may take us. I'm leaving this all in God's hands. . . which is where it belongs.

If you're interested in checking out the Triswami's blog, click here. He's very knowledgeable and just an all-around nice guy.