Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Uhaul is packed and we are on our way!

San Diego or bust!!!
We are all packed and now we will spend a couple of days celebrating Thanksgiving with family before we finalize our move to S.D. We are on the central coast now and friday morning we will make the 5 hour drive to our new home. I think it is safe to say we are excited to finally get settled! It has been a long process and I can't thank Jess enough for all her support with this. It was a hard decision and one that required tremendous sacrifice and had she not been right by my side the entire time this wouldn't have come together the way it has. I just feel grateful to have such a supportive and loving wife that really believes in what I am trying to accomplish...thanks Jess! Plus, someone has to be the brains of this "operation!"

I am still enjoying my break from training and it feels great to be with family, just relaxing during these rainy days. I do feel sluggish, out of shape, etc. but I welcome it all for the next several days b/c come December 1 my journey begins. I will start with some prep work and then I will launch into some base training...I can't wait! I am really motivated and I look forward to the challenges ahead. This will be my first year without obligations to a corporate job so I am excited to see my progress and what the future holds.

Enjoy that big meal tomorrow (in our case, today and tomorrow...I love the holidays!.
My next post will be from sunny San Diego...the sun better be out!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Update

Well, my foot is healing, Jess and I have started the moving process (we move down to S.D. the day after Thanksgiving), Skinfit is keeping me super busy, I am enjoying my "mini-break" from training, we are driving up to Sacramento today for our niece's birthday, and I started writing training articles for a great website called amateur endurance. So, a lot happening but all good things.

James put me in contact with the owners of amateur endurance (www.amateurendurance.com)and my first article was just posted on their website. "Amateur endurance is a magazine-style, endurance sports blog aimed at amateur athletes. The articles you find on www.amateurendurance.com are generously donated by folks who love the sports they participate in, have a passion for helping others, and value maintaining a friendly, positive endurance athletics community. Our diverse group of writers consists of amateur and professional athletes, coaches, and professionals in the industry."
I am really excited to be writing for them b/c it gives me a chance to give back to the triathlon community. I will be posting an article once a week. You can find the article on the home page titled "Bike Workouts for Beginner Triathletes and cyclists."


On another note, my grandma LOVES products from Matisse and Jack's so the owners of the company asked for a picture of us...just shows that ALL generation love their stuff so get online and buy some tasty goodies for the holidays!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

A mini-break and my healing foot

So, I had this plantar wart removed from my foot about 6 weeks ago and the darn thing made a comeback so I got it removed (supposedly) again yesterday. This means my foot hurts and there is no chance of running or riding for several days. I was cleared to swim as the Dr. said it would actually be good for it (I did question the whole public pool thing but was assured it was okay). However, this is the perfect time for a mini-break from training. I have been back training now for 6 weeks or so and I have about 10 days before the start of December when I really start back with some structured training. So, a good time to rest mentally and physically. Plus, Jess and I are making the move down to S.D. the day after Thanksgiving so there is plenty of prep work to do.

I did plan for this break and I am glad I did. It never hurts to have some extra down time before things get more serious and I start my assault on the 2009 Xterra season. I think too often athletes refuse to take adequate time off...they think a week of rest after their last race is enough and then they go back to 10-15 hrs of "light" training, thinking that it's just "social" training for fun. Last I checked the triathlon season is LONG and I think taking some real time off in November pays huge dividends as the season moves into September and October. Real rest means not riding your bike for 4 hrs, doing long runs, etc. How about some hiking, taking beach cruisers down the coast, surfing, spending time with friends and family? You know, doing things that we as triathletes don't always get to do. Kind of on the soapbox right now but I think so many athletes fall victim to "training obsession" and don't realize (or are unwilling to admit) that taking REAL time off in November will reward you more then training will in the upcoming season. I am always surprised with how fast fitness returns. Sure, I have been doing this for a long time so fitness comes back pretty quickly for me but in December I always think to myself "wow, I don't feel that bad and I still have several months to prepare for the important races." I would just encourage people to take a step back and move away from triathlon when it is your off-season. When I say move away I mean really remove yourself from riding, running and swimming and enjoy some other aspects of life that make you happy. I know your thinking, Trevor your only taking 10 days off before you start back with training but don't forget that I took nearly 2 months off in the middle of the summer to figure out my life.

Oh, and watch out for those plantar warts b/c they are painful little guys...always wear those flip-flops in the locker-room showers and around the pool area.

Monday, November 17, 2008

12 hrs fuel by Matisse and Jack's

Man, I don't even know where to start with this one....
The 12 hr mountain bike race was BRUTAL! James and I raced as Team Skinfit/Matisse and Jack's and it was awesome to have him as my teammate! While I couldn't have asked for a better partner I am not sure either one of us was prepared mentally (or physically) for what this effort required. It was HOT, dusty, hilly, technical, super WINDY, HARD, did I say HOT?!! Seriously, as if riding 12 hrs straight as a two-man team isn't hard enough, mother nature decided to punish us =)
Overall, I had a good time, met a lot of people, got in some good training, learned a lot about myself, and thought a lot. What was amazing was the performance of all the solo riders....truly incredible how some of these athletes can push themselves for 12 straight hours under very tough conditions. Luke, you are the man and I have so much respect for you!! You killed it...I am in awe! Also, big props go out to Allison and Jens that also rode solo and crushed it!
I kind of feel like a sissy sitting here typing about how hard a two-man 12 hrs was because a lot of people did the whole 12 hrs solo =) In my defense, I will say that doing this type of race as a two-man team is very hard because you never really get to rest but you ride each lap pretty hard. Each lap was 50 minutes long so that wasn't much time to eat, fill bottles, hydrate, etc. Before I knew it I was back on the course climbing those damn hills again. One of the toughest parts was that James and I never really got to communicate throughout the race because as he came in from his lap I went out for mine. We did make it through it and, when I think back on the day, I am happy with our performance and I am glad that I experienced it. To say I was beat down after the race is probably an understatement. I literally walked in the door at 10, took a shower and then collapsed half on the bed and half off. I slept for 11 hours and when I woke up the next morning I was completely wrecked. I felt like I got hit by a truck! I was seriously a mess. Poor Jess was a little worried I think...I could barely function. Ha, ha, how crazy us athletes are. I will probably end up doing another one of these crazy things and knowing me I will probably even do one solo because I am that stupid =)
The funny things was that through all the pain I was just stoked on the day because, really, this is my life now, racing, training, and meeting people to grow the network for my coaching biz and Skinfit. If I get to call these trails my "office" I am just fine with that, even if it is a BRUTAL day of racing =)

Huge thanks goes out to Matisse and Jack's for supporting me and James! We made a ton of Matisse and Jack's bake-at-home goodies and they fueled us throughout the race. This company makes such great products and they have been so good to me for the last 3 years. They believed in me from the beginning and have stood by me even when I was not racing. Give their stuff a try and you will be addicted (I promise)...checkout their website and make a purchase!

Also, I have to thank James and Beth for letting me stay with them for a whole week! Awesome hosts and I had a great time! We are going to have some good times once we get down here.

Now, it is back up north until Thanksgiving and then Jess and I will be packing up the uhaul for the big move down here...can't wait!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The joys of swimming =) and my life in S.D.

So, I am still in San Diego and I have been doing a little bit of training, plenty of beer drinking and I have managed to get quite a bit of work done for both Skinfit and my coaching business.
I have been to masters swim practice the last two mornings and it is kicking my butt! I haven't really been in the water much since June when my life kind of got "disrupted" so let's just say it is rough going in the pool every morning. I am actually enjoying being back in the water but I am so out of shape it is all I can do to hold 1:20's. Plus, my muscles just can't handle the load yet. Regardless, I am going to keep at it so that when December hits I have a good feel for the water and a good base fitness from which to build on. I actually felt much better this morning then I did yesterday so there were a few signs of hope during the workout =) and my fitness tends to return fairly quickly so at weeks end I am sure things will be much smoother (I hope!). It is so nice to have a solid group to swim with. Up in Monterey the swimming is really lacking so being down here and having so many resources makes it so much more challenging and enjoyable. I really can't wait for us to finally move into our place down here and call S.D. home!
Yesterday was a great day...James and I hit masters and then we, with the addition of Beth, went for a road ride and enjoyed the awesome weather.


--My tour guides


--Rocking the new cycling kits

It was just a nice day of training and relaxing in a coffeshop. Then for dinner we went and ate some killer seafood in Cardiff. There are so many great places to eat around here...too bad I am broke and a starving athlete now. Jess and I will have to stick with red beans and rice =) I will be here through sunday b/c James and I teaming up for a 12 hour mountain bike race out in Temecula...good times for sure!


--Our sweet new team kits

Monday, November 10, 2008

Skinfit athlete Victor Plata wins Treasure Island ITU Pan American Cup

Read more about Victor's win on the Skinfit USA blog...
http://skinfitusa.blogspot.com/

Skinfit athletes dominated the weekend...Victor's ITU Pan American Cup win and Team Skinfit/Matisse and Jack's leading the way at a local San Diego mountain bike race. Solid performances!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Life in S.D.



I got down here friday afternoon and was welcomed by 80 degree temp and blazing sun...let's just say I was stoked!
James and I went out for a mellow ride once I got here and it felt great to spin along the S.D. coast, my new home! Saturday, we all got up early and went out to Temecula for the hillbilly bike bash. James and I did the XC race and Beth got in a run. It was so hot out there...is it really November?!

The XC race was my first race back after my three month "life change phase." It felt great to be back at it even though it was hot, dusty and painful (and it's the off-season) =) James and I both walked away with wins in our respective categories, which is always nice.

--James on top of the podium...standing tall in that sweet Skinfit cycling kit!

We were racing as Team Skinfit-Mattise and Jack's so I think it is fair to say we represented both companies well. Plus, we looked good sporting our new cycling kits...Skinfit gear covered in Matisse and Jack's logos.
After the race we cruised back to Carlsbad and then James and I went out for a short run and a recovery swim. So, a long day and it was perfect. James and Beth cooked up some awesome food and then we had some Wiens wine that Luke gave us...great meal after a great day of training and racing!

This morning we went to the ranch run and ran way too far and way too hard =) No, it was actually a solid run on some cool trails. Can't wait to make this one a main stay when I get down here for good. Then randomly it started to rain and it got really windy...what gives? Isn't this San Diego...ha, ha. Have to take the good with the bad I guess ;)
Now the couch is my friend, beer is in hand and football is on the tube...the perfect sunday!
Life is good....



-The team that is taking good care of me...cooking good food, letting me stay with them, acting as tour guides, the list goes on! Thanks guys!!!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Support Movember!



Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a charity event held during November each year.

At the start of Movember guys register with a clean shaven face. The Movember participants, known as Mo Bros, then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo (Australian slang for moustache), raising money and awareness along the way for men's health and the fight against prostate cancer.

Support the fight! Yes, it will look terrible but it is for a good cause =)

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A humbling experience...

The last few days I have spent a lot of time in the hospital. On Friday my grandmother had to be admitted to the hospital...I literally had to carry her out of the house b/c she didn't have the strength to move, get her into the car and rush her to the emergency room. She was in the hospital the day before, as well as, ten days prior. This is very surprising b/c at 80 years old she has more energy then people 20 years younger and has been a picture of health since I can remember.
As I sat in the emergency room (for nearly 5 hours) I saw so many people come and go for various reasons. I have spent countless hours in this hospital visiting my grandfather before he passed away and now I find myself virtually living there again as my grandmother recovers from her health issues. She is on the road to recovery now and has the "fire" I know so well. While I had been in this hospital many time before I have never actually been present in the emergency room for that much time so, quite frankly, I was pretty humbled by what I saw and heard.

While I would never wish that someone spend time in the emergency room (other then if that is their career) I do believe it can teach you a lot about what is important in life. I left that day with a lot on my mind...first, I was concerned for my grandmother and, second, I left thinking about what is truly important in life. I realized that our health and every second of everyday is a gift, a gift that we should cherish and respect. Everything we have can be taken away from us so quickly, sometimes before we even know it, which is why we have to live life to the fullest. I certainly don't mean live life recklessly, but really do all you can to live a healthy, active lifestyle and do your best to keep a smile on your face and find the good in everything and everyone. I am totally guilty of being in a bad mood, being impatient, and letting small things irritate me but experiences like I had in the emergency room make me feel so small and petty for getting caught up in negativity.

There are a couple people in my life that have taught me to really go after life and to treat everyday as your last. My buddy Mike (that I have know for 25 years now) has taught me the most about this. He is a VERY positive person that helps me realize that life is what you make of it and there is always something positive in every situation. It's people like this that I rely on and look to when I am not my happy, relaxed self. I feel so lucky to have friends like Mike that help me to really put things into perspective.

I am not writing this to get sympathy or anything, I just hope that everyone sees where I am coming from. I am a big believer in chasing your dreams and following your heart so I can't help but sound off on my experiences from the past few days. It is such a cliche to say "live life to the fullest" and we all know this, right? Hardly, I think we have all heard this but most people say it is a great concept and forget about it. I know we all have busy lives and stress is ever-present but I just think we can all (especially me) do a better job smiling, laughing and finding the good in even the most difficult and challenging situations. Being in the hospital was just a reminder that life is short and we all owe it to ourselves to make the most of it and to live it up as much as possible. So, just make sure to think about how lucky you are and how valuable life is. I try to ask myself often "if I died tomorrow would I die knowing I did all I could to live the life I have imagined?" Sure, I have a lot of life left but that doesn't mean that everyday I can't get closer to the life I have imagined. Life is truly about the journey, not about the destination!

On another note I read an artice that Jessica passed over to me the other night and there was an interesting questions asked...
"What do you know FOR SURE?"
Give it some thought b/c it is an important question to ask yourself and one you'll probably never have all the answers to.

What do I know for sure?
1. Life is short so don't waste it!
2. Follow your heart and you'll never be wrong.
3. Find your passion and then find a way to make a living at it.
4. Happiness is a choice.
5. You need to look at yourself in the mirror everyday and be proud of the decisions you have made.
6. Smiling and uncontrolled laughter is infectious, you can't get enough of it, and there is no better feeling in the world.
7. Helping others comes back to you ten-fold.
8. You can dream all you want but it's those that really go after their dreams that achieve success beyond what they have ever imagined.

I am sure my list could go on but what I really know for sure is fairly limited...there is a lot of life still to live and I will continue to ask myself this question and I hope you will too.


-My grandma just a week before she went into the hospital for the first time.

P.S. I hope this serves as some motivation for you to do some thinking and to really uncover what is truly important to you. We can all spend our lives chasing the big house, the nice car, whatever but, at the end of the day, I don't care what anyone else says, we will spend our last moments in this life with family, friends and our own past...I just want to look back and know that I loved, laughed and lived everyday like it was my last.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Xterra training camp in Arizona...register now!

Are you ready to get off-road in 2009?

Are you looking to podium in XTERRA?

Are you not sure about it due to limited off-road skills?


Join XTERRA Champion triathlete and coach Brian Grasky and pro XTERRA triathlete and coach Trevor Glavin for 7 days, 6 nights of beautiful outdoor swimming, mountain biking that will challenge you, and breathtaking trail runs in the triathlon Mecca of Tucson, Arizona. Brian Barrett, 2008 XTERRA SW Regional Champion, Pro Mountain Bike Racer Jill Grasky, and unbelievable swim coach Bill Daniell will be joining the camp to offer advice as well.



Dates: March 8 – March 14, 2009


During this camp not only will we train, but we’ll learn! Small group mountain bike clinics on bike handling skills, fast descending, maneuvering over rocks, and powerful climbing techniques will be discussed and practiced. Trail running skills will be practiced to perfection, and swim strokes will be broken down through video analysis. We’ll go through the Pro tips on bike maintenance, trail repairs, and transitions.

The camp will be held the week after TRIFEST, a weekend triathlon festival hosted by Trisports.com. The camp and TRIFEST makes this a great time to come down to Tucson and get your season in shape early. Hear from top triathletes in the country and discover and test the new '09 gear. Discounts will be offered to our campers for TRIFEST.


Registration will be available November 3. Slots are filling, so get in early.
Click on this link to register or learn more about the camp!