Wednesday, April 15, 2009

my dilemma


Because part of Phase 2 is taking what I learned from Phase 1 and applying it, I have to be totally honest and address those things that need improving. I definitely learned that my nutrition needs some fine attention and more dedication. After my Tri last week I was amazed at my body's reaction and my rapid weight loss. By the end of last week I had lost 10 lbs! I was dehydrated, weak, and losing muscle.

"A triathletes total calorie (or energy) needs vary due to changes in training load and intensity, but meeting daily calorie needs is essential to not only providing the energy needed to train and compete, but also to spare the breakdown of muscle protein." - trifuel.com


And that's exactly what had happened. I hadn't refueled my H2O intake, or supplied my body with enough calories for the expenditure burned during my race. ...and believe me, I felt it.

Here's my dilemma. I'm a 24 year old + male + with an already hyper metabolism + endurance training multiple hours a week = burning thousands of calories.
Here's my solution. eat, Eat, EAT! I have a nutrition plan I'm attempting to get back on track with this week at 3,000 cals per day. And adding a few new supplements to the mix.

Or I could just try the Michael Phelps diet http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7562840.stm

Begin Phase 2 !!!

Finishing my first Tri (the Spring Sprint) was great, and a mild accomplishment to this point. I learned alot from it, in just a short amount of time, and now have to apply those lessons to the Half in 2 months!

This begins my PHASE 2 of training. Upping the scale. Everything has to be bigger, longer, better, faster, harder. Game ON!

Week 1 of Phase 2 looks like this:
Mon: pm Cycle: 1 hour 30 min mountain bike trail ride.
Tues: 45 min Resistance training, upper body.
Wed:Update blog.Nutrition program.buy groceries.
Thurs:Run: 40 mins (every 1 mile 50 push-ups, 25 pull-ups - completed 3 times)
Fri: Rest
Sat: Cycle: 1 hour Mountain Bike ride Shoshone Falls, ID.
Sun: Cycle: 20 miles

Monday, April 6, 2009

Complete Phase 1, My first Triathlon!

Finally Phase #1 complete!
This weekend I competed in my first triathlon, the YMCA Spring Sprint.
750 Yard swim, 13 mile bike, 3.1 mile run.
14:06 in the pool. 1 hour 17 min race finish! check out the official YMCA link to see the results http://www.ymcatvidaho.org/ymcaforms/Youth/Spring%20Sprint/SST_Division09.pdf

Since it was a sprint distance my pace was alot faster than my pace for the Ironman will be. It was great to compete, but more than anything I learned alot. Some important things that I can apply to my race and make more successful in June.
Worst part of the race for me was at T2 the first onehundred yards into the run my calves cramped up (specifically my right side) and I just continued to run them out until my legs loosened up and I could actually break into my stride.
All that is good and fine, except now two days later my right calf is extremely tight! Heat/Ice treatments, stretching, and foam rolling and I'm still walking like an old stiff man! ouch, this sucker hurts.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Week 13, Phase 1

I realized today my updates have been lagging behind, so thought I would quickly post my latest training news that I didn't' report from last week 3/26 - 3/28.
Thurs: 30 mile bike ride with Ben (pretty easy ride, with some hill training)
Fri: 15 mile bike ride by myself (difficult ride, dropped the gears and grinded it out)
Sat: "Brick" session; 15 mile bike ride w/ 4 mile trail run.
Sun: Recovery Day!

Spend alot of time on the bike, need to hit the pool this week. NO EXCUSES!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Day 1, Week 12 (an uphill battle)


Logging my training hours,and posting my plans is one thing.Reporting on the workouts is completely and entirely another! It's important to know not just the schedule, but what that actually entails on my body and mind. As Monday kicks off and my week begins I'm writing because today was difficult. It seemed like I just didn't feel well, I didn't eat the best, and when I got to the gym the pool was full of 60 yr old saggy-bottom old ladies so I couldn't swim...today the little things were just stacked against me.
So a little improvisation in my training, and decided to run it out on the treadmill. But to no avail, I just didn't "feel" good. Never really found my stride, and at 3.5 miles I was just mentally beat. Today I took a beating. I felt it physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
My plan is to not let it get to me, I'm reminded that days like to today were sure to come, and no doubt there will be more before this adventure is over.
My prayer is that this week I honestly address those areas where the devil has a foothold in my life and attack those with fire before I expect the other areas (even my training) to get better.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Week 12, Phase 1

Training Schedule this week is planned:

Monday: Run 3.5 miles
Tues: Cycle (spinbike) 1.25 hours (was going to swim but pool was again too crowded!)
Wed: Run 6 miles
Thurs: Cycle/Swimming last minute prep for this weekend's tri!

Fri: YMCA Spring Sprint: Swim begins @ 6pm
Sat: YMCA Spring Sprint: CYCLE & RUN

Sun: rest

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Seals Training Tips

I'm always searching for new and better information to prepare myself for this race. Here's a little article I found this morning by a US Navy Seal on training for a Tri. check it out...

Triathlon Training/SEAL Mentality
Training to be a Navy SEAL is far more challenging than training for an Ironman. Given his experience as a SEAL, and his recent Ironman success, I asked Keith to give triathletes some tips for success. Here is what he said:

Eliminate self-limiting thoughts. More often than not, people have preconceived notions about what is possible for them to achieve. They sell themselves short. Abolish thoughts that hold you back from achieving your true potential.

Optimize your skills. Everyone begins at a different place and each of us are dealt a different set of genetic cards. Use that to your advantage and optimize your assets.

Be willing to spend the effort and energy to be successful. Anyone can succeed if they are willing to work at it. Too many people want to reap rewards without the sacrifice that is necessary to achieve any goal.

Enjoy the journey. If you can enjoy the pursuit of excellence, you've got it made. Aiming to enjoy only the end result makes it impossible to endure the necessary sacrifices to achieve any goal really worth having.

Be a student. The more you understand about what it is you're trying to do and how to do it, the easier it is to be successful. Be a student of your passion.

Persevere. There are many things that can get in the way of successfully achieving any goal. You have to be willing to figure out how to get over, under, around or through those obstacles. Keep trying.

Develop mental toughness. It is not the physical challenges that keep men from successfully surviving the SEAL training, it is mentally giving up. You need to start believing that you can do it, you can be successful. Others have been successful before you, you can do it too.

Be prepared to suffer. When you are training for an event as large as a 140.6-mile triathlon, it is a long haul. There is going to be bad weather, aching body parts and times when you are just plain tired. Know that some stress, followed by rest, will make you stronger physically and mentally.

Take strength from others. This tip is particularly valuable for race day. Right when you are thinking things are really bad for you, look around. You'll see that others are suffering too. Knowing you're not the only one and that other people will suffer generates energy, if you're willing to accept it.

You must want success. Doing something that is difficult requires that you want to be successful with every fiber of your core. The intense desire to succeed helps you overcome obstacles that crush other people.

Avoid over-training. It is easy for highly motivated people to over-train. Achievers are often rewarded for doing more and working harder. While you must work hard and do the prescribed work, you must also rest in order to reap the benefits.
You may not be capable of becoming a Navy SEAL, but I'm willing to bet you are capable of successfully becoming a triathlete. Some of you are capable of being quite competitive in the sport; perhaps one of the top in your area, the state, the nation or perhaps the world.

Be inspired, inspire others.

"The only easy day was yesterday." - Displayed at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado