I am feeling really good lately (in terms of not having any knee pain)and part of me feels like this is too good to be true. I have been very careful in my progression and I am doing rehab and ART 3 times a week. I guess after 8 month of pain I can't help but question whether we nailed it this time. I can tell you that I feel an incredible high everyday I am out training. I feel like a little kid running and riding on all of the local trails. I have been in the pool a couple times this week too and I am even enjoying the pain of swimming laps =) It is so true that you don't know what you have until you lose it. For me, I feel like I lost a part of who I am. I won't race forever but I will go out and push myself athletically and I will always cherish the ability to do so.
So, from here I will just keep building and hopefully the knee will remain solid and it won't be an issue. I am on the ground floor in terms of fitness so it will take some time and a lot of hardwork to get back to the level I need to be at to compete but, mentally, I am ready for the challenge. If I can train pain free this year I will be a happy man and deep down I think I can pull off some good results ;)
Enjoy your new year celebrations...I know I will. We are saying goodbye to a tremendously challenging year...one that brought about a lot of heartache but also some of the greatest lessons I have ever learned. I am stronger because of 2009 and I will take that strength with me into 2010. It is going to be a great year...I can just feel it!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Road to recovery...
It has been a pretty hectic week....shipping Skinfit orders, meeting customers, visiting family, training/rehab, photoshooting, etc, etc. It has all been a lot of fun though!
My knee is feeling amazing. I have been gradually increasing my riding and running time. I even rode the mountain bike twice this week and it felt INCREDIBLE to be back out on the trails! I just love mountain biking and running on trails...not having the opportunity leaves a huge void in my life. I am taking it slow and I always feel a bit hesitant to even say my knee is feeling good since it has been so long since it has been 100% but the reality is that it is getting better everyday. The goal is to just take it nice and easy so that come Feb. I can start some "real" training. I am back at Rehab United a few times a week to increase mobility and strength...everyone in S.D. that is interested in becoming a faster, stronger athlete should seriously use this great facility!
Tuesday I did a photoshoot for Xterra Wetsuits. It was a great time despite the FREEZING air temp and wind! It is one thing to be out there running or something but to just stand there with very little on and be in and out of the water isn't that cool! Regardless, I met some great people and, once again, Glynn and Keith from Xterra Wetsuits impressed me. Their suits really are AMAZING! I can't wait to see some of these shots...the lighting was awesome! In 2010 Xterra Wetsuits will have 12 spreads in Triathlete Magazine so keep an eye out for them.
--Chris Lieto is hiding under the jacket =) It was a little cold in La Jolla!
Wednesday and Thursday me and the fam hit up Balboa park and the zoo. Good times showing everyone around and taking some time to really enjoy all that S.D has to offer. We also went to some great restaurants all over the county.
--Love this guy...all the hair reminds me I need a haircut!
Good times all around. Now time for Xmas celebrations starting with breakfast at the beach condo! Have fun out there.
My knee is feeling amazing. I have been gradually increasing my riding and running time. I even rode the mountain bike twice this week and it felt INCREDIBLE to be back out on the trails! I just love mountain biking and running on trails...not having the opportunity leaves a huge void in my life. I am taking it slow and I always feel a bit hesitant to even say my knee is feeling good since it has been so long since it has been 100% but the reality is that it is getting better everyday. The goal is to just take it nice and easy so that come Feb. I can start some "real" training. I am back at Rehab United a few times a week to increase mobility and strength...everyone in S.D. that is interested in becoming a faster, stronger athlete should seriously use this great facility!
Tuesday I did a photoshoot for Xterra Wetsuits. It was a great time despite the FREEZING air temp and wind! It is one thing to be out there running or something but to just stand there with very little on and be in and out of the water isn't that cool! Regardless, I met some great people and, once again, Glynn and Keith from Xterra Wetsuits impressed me. Their suits really are AMAZING! I can't wait to see some of these shots...the lighting was awesome! In 2010 Xterra Wetsuits will have 12 spreads in Triathlete Magazine so keep an eye out for them.
--Chris Lieto is hiding under the jacket =) It was a little cold in La Jolla!
Wednesday and Thursday me and the fam hit up Balboa park and the zoo. Good times showing everyone around and taking some time to really enjoy all that S.D has to offer. We also went to some great restaurants all over the county.
--Love this guy...all the hair reminds me I need a haircut!
Good times all around. Now time for Xmas celebrations starting with breakfast at the beach condo! Have fun out there.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
More of the same with a tiny bit of exercise
Wow, I feel like I have been working everyday, all day to get this new Skinfit website launched. It has been a lot of work but we are finally close ( I swear!)and I am really excited about it. I have also been hammering out the 2010 marketing budget/plan and tapping into all of our resources to make sure we have a successful year and website launch. There is no shortage of stuff to do regarding Skinfit but the good news is that we are making some MAJOR headway! Seriously, some really good stuff on the horizon. In fact, we just signed a deal to sponsor the Tri Club of San Diego, which is the biggest triathlon club out there (thousands of people!). It is a great group and we are happy to be in their corner for 2010! Plus, we sponsoring Lesley Paterson 100% this year...she will be decked out from head to toe in Skinfit. Headquarters came through big on this one!
Switching gears, I was cleared to do some light riding this week. I am serious when I say light...30-45 min in my easiest gear. I have been doing it on the trainer. I also started back at Rehab United with stretching, super light strengthening, and ART. It does feel good to be active again even if it is for such short periods of time. I long for some hard riding and running but I feel so far off from that it is a bit discouraging to even think about it. So, baby steps and I hope things will turn the corner at the magic 6-8 week mark (post procedure). Living day-by-day at this point but I have come to accept it. Just focusing on the positives...good thing there are so many right now.
So, that is it from here. Just plugging along. I am certain all the hard work will pay off and you can bet I will be the first one celebrating when it does ;)
Have fun out there!
I found some good pics on the computer...sources of motivation for me in my quest to get back.
-First and last race as an Xterra pro (the past 2 years haven't been kind to racing!)
--The Skinfit boys at the West Champs (when it was actually in CA...bring it back!)
--Racing road trip...good times with good friends
Switching gears, I was cleared to do some light riding this week. I am serious when I say light...30-45 min in my easiest gear. I have been doing it on the trainer. I also started back at Rehab United with stretching, super light strengthening, and ART. It does feel good to be active again even if it is for such short periods of time. I long for some hard riding and running but I feel so far off from that it is a bit discouraging to even think about it. So, baby steps and I hope things will turn the corner at the magic 6-8 week mark (post procedure). Living day-by-day at this point but I have come to accept it. Just focusing on the positives...good thing there are so many right now.
So, that is it from here. Just plugging along. I am certain all the hard work will pay off and you can bet I will be the first one celebrating when it does ;)
Have fun out there!
I found some good pics on the computer...sources of motivation for me in my quest to get back.
-First and last race as an Xterra pro (the past 2 years haven't been kind to racing!)
--The Skinfit boys at the West Champs (when it was actually in CA...bring it back!)
--Racing road trip...good times with good friends
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Working hard....
Post Thanksgiving I am feeling FAT....ha, ha oh well. It was a fun holiday and I am rolling (maybe literally) right into Christmas!
I have been crazy busy lately trying to get the new Skinfit website up so we can maximize our exposure during the Xmas rush and Ironman World Championship viewing. I am so excited about our new website I can hardly contain myself. You will all see is soon!
I am still resting my knee, which means the only exercise I get is walking my dog on the beach (not bad I guess =) ). This Friday it will be 3 weeks post procedure so I think I will be cleared to do some light riding next week. We will see what the Dr. says. Whatever he says I will do b/c I want to be healed and back to enjoying the outdoors. So, if it means another week of nothing then so be it. I am going a little crazy but all the Skinfit work is keeping me more then busy. They say at 6 weeks the procedure should have regenerated the tissue. The procedure along with some "real" time off should do something good for me. I mean, really, all I want for Christmas is a healthy knee!!! Come on Santa!
Well, back to work. Just thought I would give an update. Have fun out there!
I have been crazy busy lately trying to get the new Skinfit website up so we can maximize our exposure during the Xmas rush and Ironman World Championship viewing. I am so excited about our new website I can hardly contain myself. You will all see is soon!
I am still resting my knee, which means the only exercise I get is walking my dog on the beach (not bad I guess =) ). This Friday it will be 3 weeks post procedure so I think I will be cleared to do some light riding next week. We will see what the Dr. says. Whatever he says I will do b/c I want to be healed and back to enjoying the outdoors. So, if it means another week of nothing then so be it. I am going a little crazy but all the Skinfit work is keeping me more then busy. They say at 6 weeks the procedure should have regenerated the tissue. The procedure along with some "real" time off should do something good for me. I mean, really, all I want for Christmas is a healthy knee!!! Come on Santa!
Well, back to work. Just thought I would give an update. Have fun out there!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Skinfit athlete wins IM Cozumel!
Our very own Skinfit athlete, Yvonne Van Vlerken won IM Cozumel in stunning fashion yesterday! She CRUSHED the field! Congrats Yvonne...way to rock Skinfit on your way to your first IM win!
Checkout this article....
Sunday, November 29, 2009
San Luis Obispo Training Camp....with Jim Vance and TrainingBible Coaching
This is going to be a great camp. I will be there training with the crew. If your looking to get away, ride some amazing roads, become a better, faster athlete you should do this. It is a great value and will be a blast!
Register here.
TrainingBible Coaching California Triathlon Camp - March 2010
TrainingBible Coaching California Triathlon Camp
March 11th-14th, 2010, (Thursday – Sunday)
San Luis Obispo/Atascadero, California
The Perfect Training Camp for Wildflower, St. George, or Oceanside!
Camp Features:
• All workouts are coach-led, by a TrainingBible Coach, for swim, bike and run!
• Training on Wildflower Triathlon bike course and surrounding areas
• Coach on-deck for pool sessions
• Fully-sagged rides
• Underwater swim video technique assessment for each athlete, ($100 value!)
• Run video technique assessment for each athlete, ($100 value!)
• 3 classroom sessions, for learning, Q&A, discussion and individual learning, totaling 4 hours in length!
• Free airport shuttle to those flying via San Luis Obispo Airport to/from camp hotel
• 16-25 hours of training in 4 days! (Swim 6 hrs, Bike 7-13 hrs, Run 3-6 hrs)
• Hotel discounted rate (Athletes are responsible for food, lodging and travel to San Luis Obispo.)
The camp will feature training totals of:
Swim - 6 hours
Bike - 7-13 hours
Run - 3-6 hours
Total Training - 16-25 hours in 4 days!
Costs:
March 11th – 14th Camp (Thursday-Sunday): $499 ($449 for TrainingBible Athletes!)
Extended Camp Opportunity March 8th – 14th (Monday – Sunday): $799 ($749 for TrainingBible Athletes!) ****Extended camp opportunity is for those who want to extend the experience and enjoy a full week of training with the TrainingBible Coaching athletes and staff****
Register at Active.com
Camp Hotel – Best Western Colony Inn, Atascadero
Hotel Features:
• Free continental breakfast
• Free internet
• Pool access, (Kennedy Club)
• Special rate of $99-$105/night (Based on occupancy)
• Amenities include refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker
Send any questions to the Camp Coordinator, Orlanda Vance, at ovance at trainingbible dot com.
Hope to see you there!
Coach Vance
Register here.
TrainingBible Coaching California Triathlon Camp - March 2010
TrainingBible Coaching California Triathlon Camp
March 11th-14th, 2010, (Thursday – Sunday)
San Luis Obispo/Atascadero, California
The Perfect Training Camp for Wildflower, St. George, or Oceanside!
Camp Features:
• All workouts are coach-led, by a TrainingBible Coach, for swim, bike and run!
• Training on Wildflower Triathlon bike course and surrounding areas
• Coach on-deck for pool sessions
• Fully-sagged rides
• Underwater swim video technique assessment for each athlete, ($100 value!)
• Run video technique assessment for each athlete, ($100 value!)
• 3 classroom sessions, for learning, Q&A, discussion and individual learning, totaling 4 hours in length!
• Free airport shuttle to those flying via San Luis Obispo Airport to/from camp hotel
• 16-25 hours of training in 4 days! (Swim 6 hrs, Bike 7-13 hrs, Run 3-6 hrs)
• Hotel discounted rate (Athletes are responsible for food, lodging and travel to San Luis Obispo.)
The camp will feature training totals of:
Swim - 6 hours
Bike - 7-13 hours
Run - 3-6 hours
Total Training - 16-25 hours in 4 days!
Costs:
March 11th – 14th Camp (Thursday-Sunday): $499 ($449 for TrainingBible Athletes!)
Extended Camp Opportunity March 8th – 14th (Monday – Sunday): $799 ($749 for TrainingBible Athletes!) ****Extended camp opportunity is for those who want to extend the experience and enjoy a full week of training with the TrainingBible Coaching athletes and staff****
Register at Active.com
Camp Hotel – Best Western Colony Inn, Atascadero
Hotel Features:
• Free continental breakfast
• Free internet
• Pool access, (Kennedy Club)
• Special rate of $99-$105/night (Based on occupancy)
• Amenities include refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker
Send any questions to the Camp Coordinator, Orlanda Vance, at ovance at trainingbible dot com.
Hope to see you there!
Coach Vance
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Rolling along...
Since my most recent PRP therapy on my knee I have been taking it easy...well, maybe it is better to say I haven't done once ounce of exercise since the procedure 12 days ago. The doctor said if I can mentally handle not doing anything it is best to rest it and let my body repair itself. At this point, what is the benefit of doing anything other then resting?! I have been out for about 7 months now so who really cares about a few weeks of inactivity. Sure, I hate not being out enjoy the weather on my bike or in my running shoes but I would rather be 100% come Jan 1st then still battling this injury. I do struggle with the lack of exercise and gaining weight but I have actually become pretty good at turning my brain off and just focusing on the here and now.
After all, why sit around and feel bad for myself...there are so many cool things to do and so much fun to be had outside of this small triathlon/athletic bubble we live in. Am I eating, drinking, "celebrating" too much? Yes, but I am having a lot of fun with family and friends at the moment so who cares?! I am sure there are some people out there that think I am being overindulgent and excessive but these people are likely the ones that need to actually step back, put some fun into their lives, stop chasing workout after workout, laugh more, and live a more balanced lifestyle.
Truthfully, I start to hate how one-dimensional us as triathletes/athletes are...we become so fixated on training and racing that we forget how much else is out there. I certainly think there is a balance and to be great you have to sacrifice but you don't have to be so one-dimensional and short-sighted when you do it. I have actually felt this way for a while but only now when I have been forced to sit on the sidelines do I realize how prevalent it is and how important it is to open your eyes and see what else the world has to offer. The fact of the matter is that I have hungout with a lot of professional triathletes/athletes and they are ALWAYS the ones that cut loose the most and have a lot of fun during all of their adventures. Perhaps some of the hardcore amateurs should take a page from their book? I am a 100% certain that if you live a more balanced life and stop being so anal you will be a faster athlete. Okay, I will stop rambling but I think it needs to be said b/c I see this attitude in San Diego more then anywhere else I have lived/traveled and I think it is detrimental to ones health and happiness.
Shifting gears, I can't believe it is Thanksgiving already! The year has gone so fast. Jess and I moved down here 1 year ago...crazy! It has been a roller-coaster ride but I think things are stabilizing and I am happy about this. This past year, I learned a lot about myself and how strong Jess and I are individually and as a couple. I am really thankful for all that we have...we don't really need anything more. We had money, company cars, a nice house, etc. and we walked away from it all one year ago. Why? B/c life is all about happiness, adventure, and risk. We were comfortable in our past life but comfortable isn't how we want to live so we took a chance, broke from practical and safe, and set out on a journey to find out what we are made of, what makes us laugh/smile, and to discover a life that will inspire others to chase their dreams. I don't regret for one minute leaving all those material things behind. Was life easy with the high paying job, expense account, great insurance, yadda, yadda? Could I have retired early with all the material things so many people chase everyday? Yes, but then I would have looked back on my working life and wondered what the hell I spent 50 years chasing and why I didn't try to have more fun. It pains me to see people work for 40 or 50 years so they can "live" when they retire. I would rather work until the day I die and have enough fun for two lifetimes along the way.
That's it from here. Enjoy the holiday and remember to have fun out there!
After all, why sit around and feel bad for myself...there are so many cool things to do and so much fun to be had outside of this small triathlon/athletic bubble we live in. Am I eating, drinking, "celebrating" too much? Yes, but I am having a lot of fun with family and friends at the moment so who cares?! I am sure there are some people out there that think I am being overindulgent and excessive but these people are likely the ones that need to actually step back, put some fun into their lives, stop chasing workout after workout, laugh more, and live a more balanced lifestyle.
Truthfully, I start to hate how one-dimensional us as triathletes/athletes are...we become so fixated on training and racing that we forget how much else is out there. I certainly think there is a balance and to be great you have to sacrifice but you don't have to be so one-dimensional and short-sighted when you do it. I have actually felt this way for a while but only now when I have been forced to sit on the sidelines do I realize how prevalent it is and how important it is to open your eyes and see what else the world has to offer. The fact of the matter is that I have hungout with a lot of professional triathletes/athletes and they are ALWAYS the ones that cut loose the most and have a lot of fun during all of their adventures. Perhaps some of the hardcore amateurs should take a page from their book? I am a 100% certain that if you live a more balanced life and stop being so anal you will be a faster athlete. Okay, I will stop rambling but I think it needs to be said b/c I see this attitude in San Diego more then anywhere else I have lived/traveled and I think it is detrimental to ones health and happiness.
Shifting gears, I can't believe it is Thanksgiving already! The year has gone so fast. Jess and I moved down here 1 year ago...crazy! It has been a roller-coaster ride but I think things are stabilizing and I am happy about this. This past year, I learned a lot about myself and how strong Jess and I are individually and as a couple. I am really thankful for all that we have...we don't really need anything more. We had money, company cars, a nice house, etc. and we walked away from it all one year ago. Why? B/c life is all about happiness, adventure, and risk. We were comfortable in our past life but comfortable isn't how we want to live so we took a chance, broke from practical and safe, and set out on a journey to find out what we are made of, what makes us laugh/smile, and to discover a life that will inspire others to chase their dreams. I don't regret for one minute leaving all those material things behind. Was life easy with the high paying job, expense account, great insurance, yadda, yadda? Could I have retired early with all the material things so many people chase everyday? Yes, but then I would have looked back on my working life and wondered what the hell I spent 50 years chasing and why I didn't try to have more fun. It pains me to see people work for 40 or 50 years so they can "live" when they retire. I would rather work until the day I die and have enough fun for two lifetimes along the way.
That's it from here. Enjoy the holiday and remember to have fun out there!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Skinfit makes the perfect Christmas gift!
Don't forget to place your Skinfit HOLIDAY orders! I know Thanksgiving comes first but keep us in mind for Christmas! Our winter gear and baselayers make perfect gifts!!!
Email orders to skinfit.usa@skinfit.eu or just go on the web and place your order (www.skinfit.eu, USA tab).
Keep living the Skinfit lifestyle!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My week in pictures....
Tons of fun up north...good times with good friends in SLO to kick it off. A very painful PRP procedure on my knee just before a great party in Los Gatos. Then a quick Big Sur trip, Radiers game (and some amazing chicken and waffles!) , another Big Sur trip and back home. Action packed to say the least!
My life is good and I wouldn't trade it with anyone!!!!!
My life is good and I wouldn't trade it with anyone!!!!!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
What's going on?
Sorry for the delay in the blogging but things have been a little hectic.
First of all, everyone in San Diego needs to come to the new triathlon strength class at Rehab United in Sorrento Valley...the class is Monday and Thursday from 6-7. It is going to be an awesome class and it starts this Monday! You will get to see what Lesley Paterson and I are doing in terms of strength training this year.
I have been getting ART 3 times a week for my knee and I think we are making progress...really digging in there and finding trouble areas. I would love to be back training 100% by Jan 1 but we will see if I can hit that goal.
Yesterday, I left San Diego and drove up to San Luis Obispo. SLO is my favorite place in the world and happens to be the perfect distance between S.D. and Los Gatos where I am heading on Friday. I am going to get in a couple rides and swims here on the central coast before heading up north for Reto's going away party. I am also scheduled to get PRP (platelet rich plasma)treatment this friday. Basically, they are going to take some blood from me, spin it to isolate the platelets, and then inject them into the area of my knee that hurts. In theory, this should spark a healing process and hopefully get me back to health in 6 weeks or so. I am told it is pretty painful for up to 10 days after so not stoked about that but at this point who cares about a little pain.
That is the update from here. Pretty boring post I know but figured I would share what's happening. I should have more to report from the weekend as I am sure it will be a blast. We even have a Raiders game on tap this Sunday...some great seats and great friends!
First of all, everyone in San Diego needs to come to the new triathlon strength class at Rehab United in Sorrento Valley...the class is Monday and Thursday from 6-7. It is going to be an awesome class and it starts this Monday! You will get to see what Lesley Paterson and I are doing in terms of strength training this year.
I have been getting ART 3 times a week for my knee and I think we are making progress...really digging in there and finding trouble areas. I would love to be back training 100% by Jan 1 but we will see if I can hit that goal.
Yesterday, I left San Diego and drove up to San Luis Obispo. SLO is my favorite place in the world and happens to be the perfect distance between S.D. and Los Gatos where I am heading on Friday. I am going to get in a couple rides and swims here on the central coast before heading up north for Reto's going away party. I am also scheduled to get PRP (platelet rich plasma)treatment this friday. Basically, they are going to take some blood from me, spin it to isolate the platelets, and then inject them into the area of my knee that hurts. In theory, this should spark a healing process and hopefully get me back to health in 6 weeks or so. I am told it is pretty painful for up to 10 days after so not stoked about that but at this point who cares about a little pain.
That is the update from here. Pretty boring post I know but figured I would share what's happening. I should have more to report from the weekend as I am sure it will be a blast. We even have a Raiders game on tap this Sunday...some great seats and great friends!
Monday, November 2, 2009
My experiments
Last week was all about getting the knee to act up so I could get an injection to numb everything deep inside to see if my issue has to do with cartilage damage, etc.
So, I rode and ran hard on Tuesday and then ran hard again on Wednesday to get it flared up. It hurt a bit when I went into the Dr. (the knee actually tolerated the harder training better I though)and after the injection it still hurt, which indicates that it is a soft tissue injury (we think). So, I will keep going with the ART, PT and strengthening. I have been getting my quad worked hard and my issues has shown some great improvements. I think we are slowly getting this thing figured out. I remain a bit skeptical but I am fully committed to getting it sorted out so I can get to training full on come December. This month is my "Health" month so it is all about getting my knee strong and back to normal.
I am going to do some different things this year that are a shift from what I have done over my 13 years of racing. I know they are all going to make me stronger and faster so I am stoked to incorporate them. Everything from my workouts to my training equipment will likely change and evolve throughout the season. Good stuff that will no doubt bring about good form for the Xterra Series. It is rumored that Xterra has pulled together some title sponsors and there may even be a so-cal event again so it should be an exciting year. We will see but if it shapes up the way I hope there is a very strong chance that I will bag IM St. George to focus exclusively on the Xterra Cup Series. Xterra is my thing and having had it taken away from me for the last year and half makes me want it even more and I want to be 100% focused on it. This is all speculation but you get a sense of what is going through my head.
So, that is whats happening around here. Stay tuned as my road to recovery continues. I have some exciting things happening and I will share them as they come to fruition.
Take care and have fun out there!
So, I rode and ran hard on Tuesday and then ran hard again on Wednesday to get it flared up. It hurt a bit when I went into the Dr. (the knee actually tolerated the harder training better I though)and after the injection it still hurt, which indicates that it is a soft tissue injury (we think). So, I will keep going with the ART, PT and strengthening. I have been getting my quad worked hard and my issues has shown some great improvements. I think we are slowly getting this thing figured out. I remain a bit skeptical but I am fully committed to getting it sorted out so I can get to training full on come December. This month is my "Health" month so it is all about getting my knee strong and back to normal.
I am going to do some different things this year that are a shift from what I have done over my 13 years of racing. I know they are all going to make me stronger and faster so I am stoked to incorporate them. Everything from my workouts to my training equipment will likely change and evolve throughout the season. Good stuff that will no doubt bring about good form for the Xterra Series. It is rumored that Xterra has pulled together some title sponsors and there may even be a so-cal event again so it should be an exciting year. We will see but if it shapes up the way I hope there is a very strong chance that I will bag IM St. George to focus exclusively on the Xterra Cup Series. Xterra is my thing and having had it taken away from me for the last year and half makes me want it even more and I want to be 100% focused on it. This is all speculation but you get a sense of what is going through my head.
So, that is whats happening around here. Stay tuned as my road to recovery continues. I have some exciting things happening and I will share them as they come to fruition.
Take care and have fun out there!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sometimes you gotta believe what you read...
I don't really put much stock in this stuff but I do believe these types of things give you some perspective and make you really think about life. This one seems perfect for me right now. So here it is...
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when things came easier. It might just feel uphill both ways today. That's about to change, but when it does, don't lose the fortitude you've developed.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when things came easier. It might just feel uphill both ways today. That's about to change, but when it does, don't lose the fortitude you've developed.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Update....
My life has been pretty hectic lately trying to juggle Skinfit, the bike shop job, coaching, rehab, doctor appointments, training, etc. I don't have much free time these days but it is all good and things are moving in the right direction (for the most part). Still a lot of uncertainty with the knee. At this stage we are trying to rule out certain things and fighting to find a diagnosis. Yesterday and today I am trying to aggravate my knee with hard riding and running and at 10:15 this morning I will get an injection to numb the interarticular joint. If the pain goes away instantly then it indicates that I have something wrong deep inside my knee (probably with the cartilage) and I will likely need a scope to see what is really wrong in there and hopefully get it surgically repaired. If the pain remains then it is a soft tissue issue most likely and I will continue on the path I have been on with rehab, ART, and time.
I am a bit torn here b/c part of me just wants a diagnosis and wants to move forward with whatever needs to be done, but part of me is a bit nervous that they are going to find a more serious issue that will likely plague me for the rest of my life and restrict me from doing the sports I love at the level I want. We will see today I guess (or not see since no one can figure out what is wrong). It is all a guessing game at this point.
Yesterday I rode for 2 hrs pretty hard and ran for 40 min at a good clip on a hilly course. My knee certainly felt it but it tolerated the hard training pretty well actually. I thought it would bother me more this morning but right now it doesn't feel too bad. Of course, I need it to hurt before my appointment so I am running again this morning to flare it up. I even stopped taking NSAID's and icing to make sure it is acting up. This has been really hard for me since I have been nursing this thing for 6 months. I basically had to go against everything I believe in regarding injury/illness and push to the point of pain...this all for a diagnosis. If it remains a soft tissue issue then I am sure these two days of hard training will set me back several weeks but, then again, what do I have to lose right now. I can't go on like this if I want to race in 2010 so we are taking all the steps necessary now to come up with something.
On another note, Skinfit had another successful World Championship weekend with Lesley Paterson and Nico Lebrun both placing second and Christine Jeffrey placing 9th. Stoked to see our athletes doing so well and living the Skinfit lifestyle. I am also really excited to see our NEW website...it should be done in the next couple weeks and it is going to be so nice!
--Nice green Speedsuit Nico!
--Lesley rocking the red Speedsuit!
So, that is it form here. I will let you all know how it shakes out today. Wish me luck! Have fun out there.
I am a bit torn here b/c part of me just wants a diagnosis and wants to move forward with whatever needs to be done, but part of me is a bit nervous that they are going to find a more serious issue that will likely plague me for the rest of my life and restrict me from doing the sports I love at the level I want. We will see today I guess (or not see since no one can figure out what is wrong). It is all a guessing game at this point.
Yesterday I rode for 2 hrs pretty hard and ran for 40 min at a good clip on a hilly course. My knee certainly felt it but it tolerated the hard training pretty well actually. I thought it would bother me more this morning but right now it doesn't feel too bad. Of course, I need it to hurt before my appointment so I am running again this morning to flare it up. I even stopped taking NSAID's and icing to make sure it is acting up. This has been really hard for me since I have been nursing this thing for 6 months. I basically had to go against everything I believe in regarding injury/illness and push to the point of pain...this all for a diagnosis. If it remains a soft tissue issue then I am sure these two days of hard training will set me back several weeks but, then again, what do I have to lose right now. I can't go on like this if I want to race in 2010 so we are taking all the steps necessary now to come up with something.
On another note, Skinfit had another successful World Championship weekend with Lesley Paterson and Nico Lebrun both placing second and Christine Jeffrey placing 9th. Stoked to see our athletes doing so well and living the Skinfit lifestyle. I am also really excited to see our NEW website...it should be done in the next couple weeks and it is going to be so nice!
--Nice green Speedsuit Nico!
--Lesley rocking the red Speedsuit!
So, that is it form here. I will let you all know how it shakes out today. Wish me luck! Have fun out there.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
What I have learned this year...
This post is mostly for me...a chance for me to document what I have learned in the past year. It has been the most challenging year of my life but when I look back I have learned more about myself and life in general then ever before. I would have to say in some respects it has been the most rewarding year of my life because Jess and I took a big leap of faith, struggled to make it, and now finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am a big believer that risk is required to achieve your dreams...we took big risks and we are stronger for it. We were forced to be resourceful, creative, and think outside the box. We had been through this type of situation when we first graduated college and moved to Colorado. After CO we moved back to CA and for years never had to worry about money, cars, insurance, etc. We left it all (well, Jess supported me as I chased my dreams and left corporate America)to go back to being financially broke but rich is passion, happiness and love. It has been hard but I have never regretted our decisions and I have never looked back..."Do not look back and ask why, look forward and ask, why not?"
Here is a list of what I have learned...
1. Chase your dreams with all of your heart and never look back
2. Shoot for the moon even when others think your crazy and your way out of your league (always have a lofty goal that seems a bit crazy...you never know)
3. Be true to yourself (even in the face of criticism)
4. Live your life without regret (never look back and wonder "what if?")
5. Always find the positive in situations (b/c there is always something positive)
6. Live in the moment
7. Stay humble
8. Be patient
9. Embrace your health b/c you never know when it can be taken away
10. No amount of money can bring about happiness...happiness is a state of mind
11. Sometimes you have to get knocked down to realize what really matters in life
12. If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything
13. Don't pass judgement on people before you understand their situation and where they are coming from
14. There have been many days when I wake up in fear that I won't succeed but I have learned to turn that fear into motivation and to chase my dreams harder
15. Look well beyond what is practical and always think outside of the box
16. Never settle b/c when you do you stop dreaming and if you stop dreaming you might as well be dead
17. You only have one shot at this life so make it count
18. I would rather die poor and happy then rich and full of regret that I didn't follow my heart and true passions in life
19. Life is never easy but if you fight and you believe in yourself you will land on your feet
20. Treat EVERYONE with respect (until they do something to lose that respect)
21. Inspire others anyway you can
22. Give without expecting anything in return
23. Put a smile on your face and laugh at yourself as often as possible
24. ALWAYS find time for family and friends
25. Balance in life is the key to success and happiness
26. Don't fall victim to other peoples negativity
27. Be spontaneous...it keeps you young and laughing
28. Actions speak louder then words
29. Calm down and let things roll off your back
30. Be honest and genuine
31. A lot of people want to talk to you for the wrong reasons, very few for the right reasons. The very few are your true friends.
32. Dogs always make you happier!
33. Step back, take a deep breath and think about everything before you act/respond
34. Sometimes you just need to scream aloud or cry...do it b/c you will feel much better
35. Everyone has something to teach you whether it be positive or negative
These are all lessons I would like to share with my children, nieces, nephews someday but,on one hand, these are all lessons we probably have to learn on our own....life is a journey and all these ups and Downs in life that trigger these emotional responses carry more weight when your forced to do some soul searching and figure it all out on your own. I am sure when I was a kid (or even 30 years old for that matter) there have been times when my parents kept their mouths shut and just let me make my decisions, knowing full-well that I would fall on my face and not succeed. I wouldn't call this a bad thing b/c it forced me to be resilient, learn from my mistakes, and move on with life.
Here's to a successful 2010...dreams never die!
Here is a list of what I have learned...
1. Chase your dreams with all of your heart and never look back
2. Shoot for the moon even when others think your crazy and your way out of your league (always have a lofty goal that seems a bit crazy...you never know)
3. Be true to yourself (even in the face of criticism)
4. Live your life without regret (never look back and wonder "what if?")
5. Always find the positive in situations (b/c there is always something positive)
6. Live in the moment
7. Stay humble
8. Be patient
9. Embrace your health b/c you never know when it can be taken away
10. No amount of money can bring about happiness...happiness is a state of mind
11. Sometimes you have to get knocked down to realize what really matters in life
12. If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything
13. Don't pass judgement on people before you understand their situation and where they are coming from
14. There have been many days when I wake up in fear that I won't succeed but I have learned to turn that fear into motivation and to chase my dreams harder
15. Look well beyond what is practical and always think outside of the box
16. Never settle b/c when you do you stop dreaming and if you stop dreaming you might as well be dead
17. You only have one shot at this life so make it count
18. I would rather die poor and happy then rich and full of regret that I didn't follow my heart and true passions in life
19. Life is never easy but if you fight and you believe in yourself you will land on your feet
20. Treat EVERYONE with respect (until they do something to lose that respect)
21. Inspire others anyway you can
22. Give without expecting anything in return
23. Put a smile on your face and laugh at yourself as often as possible
24. ALWAYS find time for family and friends
25. Balance in life is the key to success and happiness
26. Don't fall victim to other peoples negativity
27. Be spontaneous...it keeps you young and laughing
28. Actions speak louder then words
29. Calm down and let things roll off your back
30. Be honest and genuine
31. A lot of people want to talk to you for the wrong reasons, very few for the right reasons. The very few are your true friends.
32. Dogs always make you happier!
33. Step back, take a deep breath and think about everything before you act/respond
34. Sometimes you just need to scream aloud or cry...do it b/c you will feel much better
35. Everyone has something to teach you whether it be positive or negative
These are all lessons I would like to share with my children, nieces, nephews someday but,on one hand, these are all lessons we probably have to learn on our own....life is a journey and all these ups and Downs in life that trigger these emotional responses carry more weight when your forced to do some soul searching and figure it all out on your own. I am sure when I was a kid (or even 30 years old for that matter) there have been times when my parents kept their mouths shut and just let me make my decisions, knowing full-well that I would fall on my face and not succeed. I wouldn't call this a bad thing b/c it forced me to be resilient, learn from my mistakes, and move on with life.
Here's to a successful 2010...dreams never die!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
My focus (for now)
I have been hitting the strength sessions pretty hard at Rehab United. The crew there is kicking my butt and I am really enjoying the hard work. I figure since my knee is on the mend I am going to take a small step back from the aerobic conditioning I have been seeking and missing. I love being out riding and running but my knee obviously needs more time to heal (I will certainly ride, run and swim some but just enough to be satisfied and keep the muscles working). My knee holds up really well during these strength sessions, which tells me it is getting better. Plus, since it is October and no racing is in the near future I can just focus entirely on building functional strength that will pay huge dividends in 2010. I am not doing the traditional weight lifting movements. The focus is on dynamic strengthening movements across all axes--forward, backward, sideways, diagonal. I do a lot of really explosive jumping with both legs and single-leg. Seriously, I am doing some really cool, off-the-wall stuff that is making me so much stronger all around. Plus, my stretching routine is money...dynamic stretches in a cage that really increases mobility. I have seen huge gains in the last 2 months with regards to mobility and range of motion.
I have been getting ART twice a week from Patrick O'Shea at Rehab United and it is working wonders. He is really working my adductor, sartorious, quad and it seems as though he is breaking up some major scar tissue. The root of the problem is that we don't have a diagnosis for my knee. Nobody can say for certain what the issue is, which is crazy in my mind. One crash, 5 months later and we still don't know what is causing the knee pain.
I even got another MRI...Bryan and Mike at Rehab United hooked up a free MRI for me. I am incredibly lucky...2 free MRI's. I seriously owe these guys the shirt off my back! I will hopefully get the images looked at early next week. It will be interesting to compare the first MRI to the most recent one. If nothing else, hopefully we can rule out a tear and keep the focus on soft tissue. Whenever I get ART I feel really good so I have to believe it is working. In my mind it makes sense, a ton of scar tissue has formed and it is preventing my muscles from "gliding" over one another, which then tweeks my knee,etc. and leads to pain. Truthfully though, at this point we are just throwing darts and hoping we hit on something that will fix the underlying problem.
I have actually been swimming a little bit (2-3 times per week) at the YMCA. Yesterday Renata and I swam a set...an actual set. Ha, ha I haven't swam in 8 weeks so swimming hard is certainly not easy. I lack the fitness and the strength to pull properly. It will all come back pretty quickly...Even after being out of the water for 8 weeks I was still swimming 1:15 100's. Over the years I have learned that my body adapts very quickly and I take on good fitness after just a little bit of time in all three sports. I guess I am lucky in this sense. I don't doubt that once I get back to training it will all come around after one focused blocked on training.
I am also focusing on Skinfit b/c ever since Kona business has been blowing up. Kona was amazing press for us and we are stoked! Our new website is in the works and it is going to be sweet so I can't wait to see the finished product.
I could probably keep writing for a long time b/c I have a lot on my mind and some cool stuff is in the works with Rehab United, racing equipment, etc. I will share more as it unfolds. The bottom line is that I have learned a lot about myself, training, life, etc. this year and I feel compelled to share what I have learned with others. It has been a hard road this year but I know deep down that chasing dreams requires patience, perseverance and enormous resolve to push through the heartache that ultimately leads to success and satisfaction.
Have a good one out there and thanks for reading!
Monday, October 5, 2009
How's it been going?
I have been getting this question a lot. For a while there I was feeling awesome, getting in some good training, etc. but then the knee acted up again and I have been hitting PT and ART hard the past week to get healthy again.
The knee still bothers me so the little I have done has been on the bike and some strengthening at Rehab United. Mostly, my focus has been on flexibility and having Patrick at Rehab break up all the "junk" in my muscles. The guy is awesome and if you need some help with flexibility, etc.(which most of us do whether you think so or not)go see Patrick at the Sorrento Valley location.
I have been crazy busy with Skinfit since Kona is next week...shipping orders, getting printing done, and the list goes on and on and on....
Plus, coaching interest has gone way up and I already have some new clients for 2010. I am excited to bring more people on, especially some that are new to the sport of triathlon.
So, how's it been going? I am super busy and I am on a constant quest for health. I just want my knee to be healthy so I can give this whole racing thing one last honest go before I shift gears a bit. It has been stressful at times and I am just trying to roll with it but, at the end of the day, we are a lot better off then most people so we have to be thankful for that.
Busy in my mind is good b/c it means things are happening so for the time being we will just keep plugging along doing what we need to do. I actually have a TON of cool things in the works and if half of them work out it will be good for us and a lot of other people as well.
Here is my new ride that I will use for IM St. George...stoked to get it from Reto. Someone had to actually ride it ;) Not a great picture but you get the idea...pretty sweet ride.
I may actually sell my Cannondale Supersix so if anyone is interested let me know...other then telling you it is 54 cm I don't think I need to really explain how light and responsive this thing is. It is an incredible bike but since I don't really do any road races anymore I am going to stick with my custom built elite...it fits like a glove!
Take care and have fun out there.
The knee still bothers me so the little I have done has been on the bike and some strengthening at Rehab United. Mostly, my focus has been on flexibility and having Patrick at Rehab break up all the "junk" in my muscles. The guy is awesome and if you need some help with flexibility, etc.(which most of us do whether you think so or not)go see Patrick at the Sorrento Valley location.
I have been crazy busy with Skinfit since Kona is next week...shipping orders, getting printing done, and the list goes on and on and on....
Plus, coaching interest has gone way up and I already have some new clients for 2010. I am excited to bring more people on, especially some that are new to the sport of triathlon.
So, how's it been going? I am super busy and I am on a constant quest for health. I just want my knee to be healthy so I can give this whole racing thing one last honest go before I shift gears a bit. It has been stressful at times and I am just trying to roll with it but, at the end of the day, we are a lot better off then most people so we have to be thankful for that.
Busy in my mind is good b/c it means things are happening so for the time being we will just keep plugging along doing what we need to do. I actually have a TON of cool things in the works and if half of them work out it will be good for us and a lot of other people as well.
Here is my new ride that I will use for IM St. George...stoked to get it from Reto. Someone had to actually ride it ;) Not a great picture but you get the idea...pretty sweet ride.
I may actually sell my Cannondale Supersix so if anyone is interested let me know...other then telling you it is 54 cm I don't think I need to really explain how light and responsive this thing is. It is an incredible bike but since I don't really do any road races anymore I am going to stick with my custom built elite...it fits like a glove!
Take care and have fun out there.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Coaching...
Hey everyone!
Just want to let people know that I am taking on 3 more clients for the 2010 season so if your interested email me at tglavin1@msn.com
As most of you know, I love coaching and I work very closely with my athletes to make sure a personalized plan is in place.
You might feel like the season is just ending but it takes time to formulate a game plan and, honestly, I have a limited number of slots available so I am throwing this out there now to my loyal readers =)
Take care and enjoy the day!
Just want to let people know that I am taking on 3 more clients for the 2010 season so if your interested email me at tglavin1@msn.com
As most of you know, I love coaching and I work very closely with my athletes to make sure a personalized plan is in place.
You might feel like the season is just ending but it takes time to formulate a game plan and, honestly, I have a limited number of slots available so I am throwing this out there now to my loyal readers =)
Take care and enjoy the day!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The roller coaster ride (at bootleg and in life).....
--Me and my buddy Jake loving the Bootleg trails!
So, I managed some high quality training weeks before heading off to Vegas for Interbike. I felt amazing and the knee was holding up really well. Prior to Interbike I had traveled up to SLO for some work and fun. So, I had a couple weeks of travel and work back-to-back, which meant that my rehab exercises and ART kind of tapered off. This always seems to happen b/c you are traveling and just don't have the time and resources to get everything done that REALLY needs to be done.
Once I got back from Interbike (knee felt awesome out in Vegas), I went for a mellow run along the bay and the knee was bothering me. When I finished my run it hurt and it really started to hurt for a couple days after my run. I was naturally really worried. I went back to Rehab United yesterday and got some ART work done and today it is feeling much better.
A few things came into play...with no PT and ART my muscles tightened up and put stress on my knee, all the driving made my hips super tight, and my seat was a bit high on my mountain bike, which caused a little pain in my achilles and also tweaked my knee. So, just goes to show how fragile I am right now. A little time away from the exercises that have brought me back and I fall victim to the same knee pain that kept me out for 4 months. At least now I know how to fix it and I think we are back on track. I can actually train quite a bit as long as I am being very aggressive with my stretching and ART. I am of course taking it easy this week to let the knee rest and get back to normal.
Once again, I owe Mike and crew at Rehab United big time...they are an amazing group of people that are truly there to help. The facility is awesome and I look forward to continuing my work with them...we are setting up a strength class for endurance athletes that will no doubt become a popular class for local athletes. I will keep everyone posted on the details of the class.
My time at Interbike in Vegas was incredible. So much fun riding out at Bootleg, cruising the floor at the expo, watching the cross race, and, of course, staying up too late partying =) Can't wait to go back next year!
--Dave and Rich from fluid tearing it up on some REALLY fat tire bikes!
--Downhill ride for the day!
--Seriously, look at the size of those tires...I really want one of these bikes!
I am going to really stay on top of my rehab and I will hopefully be back training at the level I was before Vegas in the near future. I am super busy right now but a lot of cool things are in the works and I am excited to see how everything pans out. Stay tuned!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Skinfit dominates the podium at Xterra Nationals
Nico Lebrun won the men's race by running down 3-time world champ Conrad Stoltz, Lesley Paterson put together a solid performance to take 3rd, and Christine Jeffrey finished 9th and secured a top 5 in the overall points series. Congrats to all of our Skinfit athletes...keep rocking it!
Next up is the World Championships in Maui and we know these three are going to tear it up!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Life has been good....
--In the background is the piece of land I want to own someday in SLO county
I just finished up a four day trip to San Luis Obispo. I got some work done but mostly cleared the head with some great training on my favorite roads and trails. It isn't a mystery that I love the central coast and I know we will be back there permanently at some point in our lives. It is just such a relaxing place for me and offers up an opportunity for me to get my head on straight and realize what is important in life.
I rode all four days (12 hrs of riding with 2 mtn and 2 road), got in a couple runs and a swim. I feel like I am getting some punch back in my legs and I like it. I am obviously really slow but I am feeling much better physically. I respond quickly to training so I would imagine things will progress pretty quickly but more then anything I am just stoked to be out exercising everyday.
I am home for a few days and then off to Vegas for four days...going to Interbike! It should be a great time and a good chance to do some networking. I will certainly post some stories and pics from Vegas so stay tuned.
Oh, Jim Vance and I are putting together a 7-10 day SLO training camp in March 2010....it will be the perfect camp for Wildflower, 70.3 California, IM St. George. Stay tuned for info if you want to check out the town, roads, trails that I rave about all the time. It is going to be an incredible camp!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Welcome back Trevor...
The knee has turned the corner and I have resumed some training. Here's how the past 9 days went down...
M: 3 hr hilly ride
T: 40 min run + core and stretching
W: 2:30 road ride + PT (1 hr strengthening)
TH: 40 min run
F: 2 hr ride + PT (1 hr strengthening)
S: 35 min run building pace as run progressed
S: 3 hr hilly road ride + 20 min transition run (b/c my knee felt great)
M: Ride 4:20 including Palomar and harder riding
T: 50 min trail run
*Yeah, no swimming but since that's all I could really do while I was hurt I am giving a little love to my bike and running shoes =) I did try to go today after my run but the pool was closed...I tried I promise =)
About 21 hrs of training so not bad. I have a long way to go but it feels good to be out there suffering again. Yesterday was all about suffering for me. I rode Palomar with a group and it was plain hard for me to drag my overweight self over those climbs. I haven't pushed myself in 4 months so it was a tough day in the saddle for me but I loved every minute of it. I just put my head down and pushed the pedals just trying to think about how nice it was to be outside even though I was at my limit trying to get over the rollers with the group. In Feb. I rode up the south grade in 1:03, I was not in great shape, and I was doing some interval work so there was some mega slow riding mixed in as recovery. This time it took me 1:14 and I really don't think I could have ridden much faster. Ha, ha it is going to be a long road back but I am loving it! My run today after yesterday's ride was a bit rough but it felt good to be out there running the trails again...first time since the injury!!
So, that is my update. Words can't describe how pumped I am with my progress. I am still being cautious (and doing PT, icing, ART, etc) but I think the worst is behind me and I am ready to move forward full-steam ahead!
Have a good week and thanks for reading!
M: 3 hr hilly ride
T: 40 min run + core and stretching
W: 2:30 road ride + PT (1 hr strengthening)
TH: 40 min run
F: 2 hr ride + PT (1 hr strengthening)
S: 35 min run building pace as run progressed
S: 3 hr hilly road ride + 20 min transition run (b/c my knee felt great)
M: Ride 4:20 including Palomar and harder riding
T: 50 min trail run
*Yeah, no swimming but since that's all I could really do while I was hurt I am giving a little love to my bike and running shoes =) I did try to go today after my run but the pool was closed...I tried I promise =)
About 21 hrs of training so not bad. I have a long way to go but it feels good to be out there suffering again. Yesterday was all about suffering for me. I rode Palomar with a group and it was plain hard for me to drag my overweight self over those climbs. I haven't pushed myself in 4 months so it was a tough day in the saddle for me but I loved every minute of it. I just put my head down and pushed the pedals just trying to think about how nice it was to be outside even though I was at my limit trying to get over the rollers with the group. In Feb. I rode up the south grade in 1:03, I was not in great shape, and I was doing some interval work so there was some mega slow riding mixed in as recovery. This time it took me 1:14 and I really don't think I could have ridden much faster. Ha, ha it is going to be a long road back but I am loving it! My run today after yesterday's ride was a bit rough but it felt good to be out there running the trails again...first time since the injury!!
So, that is my update. Words can't describe how pumped I am with my progress. I am still being cautious (and doing PT, icing, ART, etc) but I think the worst is behind me and I am ready to move forward full-steam ahead!
Have a good week and thanks for reading!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Giddy up!
What can I say other then I am totally pumped that my knee is healing up. I put in my longest ride in 4 months yesterday (3 hours with 5,000 feet of climbing!)and today I ran 40 minutes. I actually ran 3 times last week, which is a HUGE improvement. Plus, I rode several times.
Everything I have been doing is paying off and I really couldn't be happier.
Just wanted to give an update. Gotta get back to work and eat some dinner so I will post more later.
Have fun out there!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Back to training
Well, I am back to doing a bit of training and I am so excited about it. I can comfortably ride 2 hours a bit harder over a hilly route (done twice this week so far with another one planned for the weekend). I will continue to build the time gradually but I think I can hit 3 hrs or so in the next week or two. I have also been running a little bit....two 30 min runs after rides so far this week. I think the running will take some time but progress is being made.
I started back at masters swimming on Wednesday and I will go back tomorrow. I have been able to swim all along but I sort of lost the motivation once I was told how long I would be out. So, I am starting from scratch and it will be a long road but a long road is better then no road. To be honest, I am just loving being outside sweating my face off in this S.D. heat. It feels great to be tired and exhausted again from rides, run, swims. I obviously still need some time before being 100% but things are going well and I am fired up about it.
I got my new orthotics and I have been so sore for the last 3 days. I do feel that they are helping out a ton though and I am glad Rehab United has been there for me the past few weeks.
It is amazing how much you lose in terms of fitness. I know it will come back quickly but it sure is humbling to be working so hard on terrain I used to just fly up. I am struggling both aerobically and muscularly since I have been out for so long but the suffering feels so good =)
So, things are good here. Busy but good. Thanks for following my road to recovery! Hopefully I am healed up enough to start doing some of the club events again. Have fun out there!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Busy days....
Life has been pretty hectic for me this week. I am feeling pretty tired today, which is proof I have been going like crazy trying to balance everything.
I did get in the most cycling I have done in a while. I almost hit 10 hrs this week, which is good but my knee is a bit sore today so it is time to give it some rest. I want so much to be 100% but I just need to take it easy and let it heal up. No reason to rush it since I have missed every important race this season and there is no way I can be in shape for nationals and worlds. Next week I will get back to swimming some and try to the keep the cycling at the current level. Plus, more PT and ART work. Things are improving and that is making me happy. It just takes time.
So, that is about it from here. Pretty boring for you guys to read but anything but boring for me. I am sure I will have more to report next week as I continue on the road to recovery.
Enjoy the day and have fun!
I did get in the most cycling I have done in a while. I almost hit 10 hrs this week, which is good but my knee is a bit sore today so it is time to give it some rest. I want so much to be 100% but I just need to take it easy and let it heal up. No reason to rush it since I have missed every important race this season and there is no way I can be in shape for nationals and worlds. Next week I will get back to swimming some and try to the keep the cycling at the current level. Plus, more PT and ART work. Things are improving and that is making me happy. It just takes time.
So, that is about it from here. Pretty boring for you guys to read but anything but boring for me. I am sure I will have more to report next week as I continue on the road to recovery.
Enjoy the day and have fun!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Progress...
I am making some major progress and I love it!
I have been on several road rides outside now and I am so fired up to be back out on the open road sweating, breathing hard, and taking in the fresh air! The past two weeks have been filled with PT and we have finally diagnosed the problems and have fixes for them all. Stoked!
I am a little bit off from running regularly but I am fine with it as long as I can ride and swim. I can run a little but I am holding off a bit to let it all heal up.
I have been crazy busy with everything, which I am fine with at this point. It is all good stuff and I will take the craziness b/c I am headed in the right direction on all fronts.
I had a week of travel for Skinfit and coaching and now I am back in S.D. I made it up to Santa Cruz and Los Gatos for a couple events and then up to Tahoe to work with one of my athletes...a great trip for sure!
I think I will be local for a while now and I am excited to get back to 100% so I can take part in some of the local events that take place this fall. Speaking of events, we caught the Pads game last night, which was pretty uneventful until the last 3 minutes...it was worth staying for the whole game =)
Well, that's it from here. I will continue my long road to recovery and, yes, I will love every minute of hauling my overweight, out of shape body over the local mountains =) Take care and have fun!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
In Tahoe coaching and "exercising" a bit
I am in Tahoe right now working with one of my athletes, Eric Ronning. I love Tahoe so to be able to combine some one-on-one coaching(which I love)with some time in the high mountains is ideal.
I got up here last night, took down some local mexican food and watched last years Xterra World Championships. It certainly sparked the fire for both of us. I will obviously miss the race this year b/c of my injury but it got me fired up to get back at it. This morning we went to the pool and did a ton of stroke work and underwater video. It was good for both of us to see ourselves so that we can both work on our technique. The lack of fitness and the altitude makes it hard for me to hold good form but, really, I have some areas that need improvement and I am looking forward to some work in the water to correct my flaws. It is really amazing how good the technology is getting...we used a tiny camara and it produced some great underwater video. It will be cool to track progress as fitness and form improve.
We are off for a ride along the Truckee River. My ride yesterday was pain free and it felt great to be back on the bike sweating a bit. So, we will see how it holds up today with some riding and then some flexibility/strength work in the gym.
That's it from here. I will post some pictures and video of us swimming soon.
Take care and have fun out there!
I got up here last night, took down some local mexican food and watched last years Xterra World Championships. It certainly sparked the fire for both of us. I will obviously miss the race this year b/c of my injury but it got me fired up to get back at it. This morning we went to the pool and did a ton of stroke work and underwater video. It was good for both of us to see ourselves so that we can both work on our technique. The lack of fitness and the altitude makes it hard for me to hold good form but, really, I have some areas that need improvement and I am looking forward to some work in the water to correct my flaws. It is really amazing how good the technology is getting...we used a tiny camara and it produced some great underwater video. It will be cool to track progress as fitness and form improve.
We are off for a ride along the Truckee River. My ride yesterday was pain free and it felt great to be back on the bike sweating a bit. So, we will see how it holds up today with some riding and then some flexibility/strength work in the gym.
That's it from here. I will post some pictures and video of us swimming soon.
Take care and have fun out there!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Revealed at PT...
At PT today I was fit for orthotics. I ran this morning and managed 20 minutes but certainly not free of pain. So, Mike at Rehab United has a theory and I think he is really onto something.
Basically, I have had biomechanical issues for a while now (technically my whole life I guess). Hence, my achilles tendon issues (in the past and even right now whenever I run, which is really strange) and the pain I once had on the top of my foot that I thought was a stress fracture but it really originated from my feet, which have little arch and overpronate. So, according to Mike I was always on the verge of injury and some injurys did actually present themselves (achilles injuries many times throughout my racing career).
My crash obviously led to a knee injury and my biomechanical flaws are not letting it heal. An MRI and physical tests prove that nothing is torn and a soft tissue injury should have healed by now. Mike is thinking that my flat feet are tweeking the bones in my legs, which is putting abnormal stress and strain on my injured knee. The stress on the knee is preventing the ligaments from totally healing. In my mind, this totally makes sense.
So, I will have custom orthotics in 2 weeks and in the mean time I bought a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline (Recommended and I have had a good experience in the past)and some inserts for added stability in both my running and cycling shoes. Let's hope we are on the right track and things improve.
Basically, I have had biomechanical issues for a while now (technically my whole life I guess). Hence, my achilles tendon issues (in the past and even right now whenever I run, which is really strange) and the pain I once had on the top of my foot that I thought was a stress fracture but it really originated from my feet, which have little arch and overpronate. So, according to Mike I was always on the verge of injury and some injurys did actually present themselves (achilles injuries many times throughout my racing career).
My crash obviously led to a knee injury and my biomechanical flaws are not letting it heal. An MRI and physical tests prove that nothing is torn and a soft tissue injury should have healed by now. Mike is thinking that my flat feet are tweeking the bones in my legs, which is putting abnormal stress and strain on my injured knee. The stress on the knee is preventing the ligaments from totally healing. In my mind, this totally makes sense.
So, I will have custom orthotics in 2 weeks and in the mean time I bought a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline (Recommended and I have had a good experience in the past)and some inserts for added stability in both my running and cycling shoes. Let's hope we are on the right track and things improve.
My life right now...
Things have been pretty good the past couple of weeks with regards to physical therapy. I feel like I am making some progress but, truthfully, it is still day to day and I am far from 100%. I just can't quite get my head around this whole thing...how it takes this long if I supposedly didn't tear anything. Regardless, I am doing some really great stuff at Rehab United and I think it is laying a good foundation for my future in Xterra. I am also doing a bit of openwater swimming...trying to take advantage of the warm water. I haven't really been in the pool lately. I figure I will be in the pool more then I could ever imagine in a few months so I typically choose the ocean when it is time for some swimming.
I am hitting the road again tomorrow...up to SLO and then to Santa Cruz for a Skinfit event. After the event I am heading up to Tahoe to work with one of my athletes. I am really stoked to get into the high mountains...it is such a relaxing place for me. Plus, I hope to do some lighter riding/running (depending on the knee) and a lot of swimming in Lake Tahoe. Then it is back to San Jose for a splash and dash event before I return home. A week long trip filled with work, good times, good people, and beautiful scenery.
So, that is it from here. Pretty regular routine with tons of physical therapy and Skinfit work. I will have reports form my week long trip so stay tuned. Have a good one out there!
I am hitting the road again tomorrow...up to SLO and then to Santa Cruz for a Skinfit event. After the event I am heading up to Tahoe to work with one of my athletes. I am really stoked to get into the high mountains...it is such a relaxing place for me. Plus, I hope to do some lighter riding/running (depending on the knee) and a lot of swimming in Lake Tahoe. Then it is back to San Jose for a splash and dash event before I return home. A week long trip filled with work, good times, good people, and beautiful scenery.
So, that is it from here. Pretty regular routine with tons of physical therapy and Skinfit work. I will have reports form my week long trip so stay tuned. Have a good one out there!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Rehab United rocks!
I started up with physical therapy on Tuesday at Rehab United (carmel valley location). Mike Van Gilder has been nothing short of amazing and I feel like I am already seeing improvements. I am stoked on the progress this week...today I did some dynamic stretches and strengthening, which I thought would lead to some knee pain but the knee held up well and I feel good right now.
Honestly, I didn't go to PT prior to this week b/c of money. I knew it would be good but since I am strapped for cash I just did it myself and couldn't justify the expense. I decided that I needed to be more aggressive with my therapy and Lesley Paterson pointed me to Mike. Mike has been a tremendous help thus far and I owe him a ton for his willingness to work with me.
Being in the Rehab United facility makes me realize the importance of flexibility, strength, and coordination work. I fully intend to bring this specific training into the fold as I return to training and racing. Reto has encouraged me to do this type of training for a while now and I guess I underestimated the importance. I am doing movements I didn't even think existed but they are strengthening all the little muscles that rarely even fire. Sure, lifting weights is beneficial and I will do this too but I have come to realize that the work I am doing now at Rehab United is crucial and is overlooked by the vast majority of athletes. I am certain that working with Mike and Rehab United will lead to better form, greater strength, less injury, and speed, which I will need for racing. If you need rehab don't hesitate to get in touch with Mike!
So, just thought I would share my thoughts and progress this week.
Have a good weekend everyone!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Update...
So, everyone seems to be asking "how is the knee?" Well, not good enough for me to resume normal training, which totally sucks. Yeah, some progress is being made but it is slow going. Truthfully, I am totally over this injury and it has been really hard on me mentally. I just don't understand how it is taking this long to heal when an MRI has shown that there isn't anything torn. So, I continue with the healing process and keep hoping that someday I can get back to doing what I love, training and racing.
Injuries take you to a really "dark" place and it is very hard for athletes to cope with the stress of it all. More then the physical pain is the mental and emotional pain of being removed from the sports you love. For me, I took a huge leap to chase my dreams and didn't even have a chance to toe the line to realize them. Really, I haven't even had a chance to compete at the high level I feel I am capable of...I feel robbed and it beats me up everyday. I think I have been better at coping with it all recently but I certainly still have my moments of complete frustration and disgust.
I have been surfing a ton to get my mind off of the injury and to remain active. Also, I have been doing some (only a couple times a week) openwater swimming. I am pretty much in the ocean everyday now and I love it. I really feel that the ocean helps with the healing...more mentally. There is something so peaceful about being out there, catching waves and getting some sun.
So, that is my update. A bit of a downer I know but it is the reality of the situation. Injuries suck and it takes a really strong person to not breakdown and throw in the towel.
Injuries take you to a really "dark" place and it is very hard for athletes to cope with the stress of it all. More then the physical pain is the mental and emotional pain of being removed from the sports you love. For me, I took a huge leap to chase my dreams and didn't even have a chance to toe the line to realize them. Really, I haven't even had a chance to compete at the high level I feel I am capable of...I feel robbed and it beats me up everyday. I think I have been better at coping with it all recently but I certainly still have my moments of complete frustration and disgust.
I have been surfing a ton to get my mind off of the injury and to remain active. Also, I have been doing some (only a couple times a week) openwater swimming. I am pretty much in the ocean everyday now and I love it. I really feel that the ocean helps with the healing...more mentally. There is something so peaceful about being out there, catching waves and getting some sun.
So, that is my update. A bit of a downer I know but it is the reality of the situation. Injuries suck and it takes a really strong person to not breakdown and throw in the towel.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Skinfit USA Racing Team
The Skinfit USA Racing Team has been growing over the past 6 months. It has been a fun project for us and we are excited to see it evolve. We started to build the team up in Northern California and we have recently started to grow the team down in Southern California (San Diego specifically).
Our goal in creating the team is to get like-minded, fun, and active people together that love Skinfit and are willing to help us spread the Skinfit love. Team members obviously get great deals on Skinfit products and have opportunities to secure some big discounts on other products like Xterra wetsuits and Rudy Project helmets and sunglasses. Most importantly though, we want a core group of athletes that have a true passion for the outdoors and love life, which is at the core of living the Skinfit lifestyle.
So, thanks to all of our current team members...we love having you in the family and appreciate all that you do to help us. Our team will continue to grow so let us know if you would like to be a part of our adventures! You can email us at skinfit.usa@skinfit.eu
Have fun out there!
Our goal in creating the team is to get like-minded, fun, and active people together that love Skinfit and are willing to help us spread the Skinfit love. Team members obviously get great deals on Skinfit products and have opportunities to secure some big discounts on other products like Xterra wetsuits and Rudy Project helmets and sunglasses. Most importantly though, we want a core group of athletes that have a true passion for the outdoors and love life, which is at the core of living the Skinfit lifestyle.
So, thanks to all of our current team members...we love having you in the family and appreciate all that you do to help us. Our team will continue to grow so let us know if you would like to be a part of our adventures! You can email us at skinfit.usa@skinfit.eu
Have fun out there!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Splash and dash #2
Skinfit was everywhere at the second splash and dash race in Cupertino. Representing Skinfit was the Skinfit USA Racing Team, Team Ascent, TRIbe, SVTC, Stanford Tri Team and many more northern California athletes. The athletes sported trishorts, speedsuits, aeroshirts, trisuits, tri tops, aero plus jackets, and fleece jackets. As the title sponsor for the event we provided gift certificates and aero shirts as awards for age group winners.
A great event with great people...don't miss the third and final splash and dash event August 13th!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Nico wins again....in Skinfit of course!
Nico Lebrun won again in Beaver creek this weekend! He took the last two stops on the Xterra Curcuit. This ranks him high in the overall series...we will see what happens at nationals.
Great job Nico...keep it up and keep living the Skinfit lifestyle!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Busy but in a good way
I have been pretty busy lately but it is all for the right reasons. Skinfit is blowing up...so cool to see orders coming in all the time! Our white tri shorts, trisuit, tri tops are selling like hotcakes and we are ordering more from Europe this week to meet the demand...Kona must be right around the corner =)Plus, all kinds of things in the works that could be really great for us.
My knee actually feels the best it has in a long time. Granted I am only doing 30 min easy spinning on the trainer to increase the blood flow but between this, the foam roller, stretching, ice, and time things are coming along. I have another week before the 4 week mark is up...I was told I needed an additional 4 weeks after my first 7 weeks and an MRI. By no means am I saying that in 1 week I will be good to go but I made a decision that I wouldn't even try to really ride/run until the 4 weeks is up. So, one more week of active therapy and then I will see where I stand.
On another note, my knee injury has allowed me to get into surfing. I have wanted to learn to surf for a REALLY long time and I decided now is a good a time as any. I live across from the beach, I have plenty of people to paddle out with that can offer helpful tips, I have a bum knee, the weather has been amazing, I need to be active and focus my energy on something else, and it is just flat out relaxing. I went out both days this weekend and I will certainly be out more this week as I am borrowing a board from Jessica's dad and I pick it up tomorrow. I think I found my new addiction. When my racing is over I think I will get really into surfing...actually I know I will!
I have some other emerging things happening too but I will share those later. That's it for now. Hope everyone is loving life out there! More soon....
My knee actually feels the best it has in a long time. Granted I am only doing 30 min easy spinning on the trainer to increase the blood flow but between this, the foam roller, stretching, ice, and time things are coming along. I have another week before the 4 week mark is up...I was told I needed an additional 4 weeks after my first 7 weeks and an MRI. By no means am I saying that in 1 week I will be good to go but I made a decision that I wouldn't even try to really ride/run until the 4 weeks is up. So, one more week of active therapy and then I will see where I stand.
On another note, my knee injury has allowed me to get into surfing. I have wanted to learn to surf for a REALLY long time and I decided now is a good a time as any. I live across from the beach, I have plenty of people to paddle out with that can offer helpful tips, I have a bum knee, the weather has been amazing, I need to be active and focus my energy on something else, and it is just flat out relaxing. I went out both days this weekend and I will certainly be out more this week as I am borrowing a board from Jessica's dad and I pick it up tomorrow. I think I found my new addiction. When my racing is over I think I will get really into surfing...actually I know I will!
I have some other emerging things happening too but I will share those later. That's it for now. Hope everyone is loving life out there! More soon....
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Camping at the beach and the SLO crit
I am now back in S.D. after being gone for a few weeks. It was a fun filled 3 weeks and I already miss the slow paced life of the central coast. However, it is good to be home at the beach with some nice weather.
I transported all of our Skinfit inventory down to S.D. yesterday...nothing like a Uhaul trailer! So, yesterday was a busy one and today is more of the same. Things seem to be picking up with Skinfit, which is awesome to see.
While we were up in SLO we got away for a night of camping on the beach with some good friends. Plenty of beer and BBQ to keep us entertained.
--Gavin is sooooo stoked on the cherries...a reminder that it's the little things in life that mean the most.
Also, we had a booth at the SLO crit, which proved to be a good networking day...I saw tons of friends and old faces. A really cool event if you can ever make it up there for it.
My knee is still on the mend. I would give my right arm to ride or run right now. It is killing me but I have been pretty good lately about blocking it out. At least I have plenty to keep me busy. Truthfully, after I was told I need another 4 weeks (2 weeks ago) I basically hung it up entirely. I have played in the pool a few times in the last month but that's it. At this point I just want my knee to heal so I can start dragging my overweight and out-of-shape body over some hills and roads.
So, that's it from here. I am in S.D. for the next month or so and then back up north for some events and some other exciting Skinfit business (I will share all this later but we have some good stuff in the works.) Hope everyone is having fun out there.
Oh, if anyone out there wants to go head-to-head in an eating and/or beer drinking contest bring it on....my belly indicates a massive tolerance for good brew and food =) I will take you down!
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