Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to all that have served!!

Rode my cruiser bike over to the St Augustine Amphitheater for a Wilco show last night. Amazing!

Ocala HITS Half Ironman

First race of the season this coming weekend. Our schedule has been super busy so the hay is definitely not in the barn. However, with both my wife and I working full time, each with long commutes and two kids under the age of five, I am lucky to have carved out the time I did. I must thank my wife for the weekend time. Without it I wouldn't even consider this race.

I've gotten some key workouts in on the weekends over the past 12 weeks, but have hovered around 6 hours of training per week. Typically, 2-3 hours during the week made up of short threshold work on the bike and tempo runs. I shoot for 3-4 hours on the weekends. Usually a solid bike run/brick on Saturday with just under race pace efforts on the bike and run. Sunday is a long run in zone 2 because of effort on Saturday. I have gotten in three bikes of around 3 hours and three runs of 1.5-2 hours. Notice no swims mentioned. I have tried to do many short swims in the last week to remind myself of what the water feels like. 

The bike and run should be solid if I survive the swim. The key will be to conserve just enough on the bike and first half of the run so that I can finish without cramping and still have a a decent finish time. 

Life does not always allow for the perfect training schedule. It's about training smarter not longer. And sometimes it's simply training as smart as you can with limited time. Every workout I did, while not always planned more than a day or two in advance, had a definite purpose.  Although not ideal it can be done.

It will be fun to get out there. Wish me luck!

Xterra World Championships

A little late, but I wanted to share a little about my experience at the Xterra World Championships. It was actually my first time competing in the race, and it was all I expected and more. 

Challenging course and amazing  competition. I knew going into it that my overall fitness would be my biggest limiting factor and boy was I right! 

My fitness was ideal for a race around 60 min. or less in duration. Unfortunately, I knew this race would take 3+ hours. Because of this, I paid extra close attention to nutrition. 

I started the race keeping my exertion in check to avoid cramping. Despite this, I cramped up on the bike and run. I figured it would happen, but I simply didn't have the time to get in the required training to adequately prepare. I was happy just to finish...this time. 

It was amazing to be in such a cool place with my brother, sister in law,
and parents. Josiah had a great day finishing second overall, and that was really what I came to see. 

The experience was priceless. The next time I go however, I do plan to better prepare.

Marineland Olympic Tri

Water was a little rough, but persevered for the win. 

Xterra Key Biscayne

Had a blast at Key Biscayne Xterra today. Long drive to prove that I am out of shape, but performed well considering. Great motivation to get in shape and an amazing venue!!

Nags Head Dunes