Going slow and loving it!

I have been back at training for a few weeks now and I have already seen some big improvements. We pinpointed a while back that my aerobic system is massively underdeveloped and the testing in AZ proved this. So, the goal for the past few weeks has been to go slow, keeping everything (I mean everything) aerobic, and to get my body utilizing more fat as a fuel source by being specific with my diet. Even in the pool at masters I am holding back and just swimming steady aerobic instead of ripping off fast intervals with the group. The crazy thing is that my body is already adapting and I am noticing some big changes taking place. I am lucky in that my body responds very quickly to the training stress it's getting so in just a short time I am seeing the benefits of the new plan. This has also given me a lot of motivation and I can honestly say I am enjoying training more than I ever have. It's a comforting feeling knowing that there aren't any races in the near future and I have plenty of time to just focus on my weaknesses. I am waking up excited to get out the door to train and, truthfully, I haven't felt this for a long time.
I am also 100% healthy which is more then motivating, it's inspiring passion, desire, and happiness. In some ways it feels a bit early to be out there logging the miles but, like I said before, my aerobic system is way underdeveloped so I need a lot of time to go slow and develop it. Plus, I am really enjoying the whole process of improvement so I am just rolling with it and not thinking too far ahead.

I am also very focused on strength since this is also a weakness of mine. So, I, along with a good crew, am putting in some serious sessions at Rehab United. The stuff we are doing is soooooo good...we are developing sport specific strength but also doing a lot to help prevent injury. There is no doubt that we are all getting stronger and build a good foundation for 2011.

So, that's the news from here. A few more days in S.D. and then we are up to SLO for 5 days to celebrate Thanksgiving. Can't wait to get up there to enjoy some training on my favorite roads/trails and to do some wine tasting, eating, etc with friends and family. Oh, and maybe some more super secret brewery tours at firestone where we can taste the foam =)

I leave you with this....

Cool pics from our adventures in Big Sur

Trips and training

-A glimpse into life in Big Sur

The trip to the Big Sur backcountry was awesome as usual. We got a little rain on Sunday but it just made for some fun driving back down the mountain. Overall, just what I wanted....time away from the "world" relaxing with good friends.

On Sunday I dropped Jess off at the airport in Monterey and then drove down to SLO to meet Slater. We pulled the plug on the Monterey stay and opted for SLO instead since the weather was not looking good up north. I think it was the right call. We have a comfy place to stay everyday and the training here is epic. The pool is at the bottom of the hill, the roads are free of traffic, the scenery is unrivaled, there tons of climbing, and the trails bring a smile to your face. A recipe for a perfect training camp if you ask me.
It has been great training with Slater. He is getting ready for Ultraman (totally crazy!) and it is inspiring to see him put in the work. It's so nice to have someone out there to log the hours with. Can't wait to see what he does in Hawaii!
On Monday we logged 5:20 on the bike. We headed out to the Wildflower course from Atascadero but the wind was pretty ugly so we turnaround and got the extra miles on the twisty vineyard roads. Then we jumped off and did a 5 mile t-run. Was one of the first runs I have done after a long ride so the legs were in some shock for the first bit but they actually came around and I felt good as the run went on.  Today we woke up and knocked out some meters in the pool and then went down to the coast for a run on one of the best trails in the world! The dirt was perfect and the views just breathtaking. If you don't feel good after a run on this trail in Montana De Oro you have some serious issues! =)
Amazingly, I feel pretty good. The shift to true aerobic training doesn't wreck me so I can log the miles day after day. Sure, the hours can be exhausting but my legs aren't trashed.  I am really respecting the zones and I can already see the benefits. The testing I did in AZ was really good for me and I am glad I did it. I am headed in a new direction and I think it will bring about positive results. In addition to the different training stress I am also focusing a lot on my diet. It's not that I don't eat healthy b/c I certainly do but I need my body to use more fat as fuel (as opposed to carbs) and this takes some training. So, things are good and I am pumped about the training ahead of me!

We have a couple more days in SLO. The weather is nice and Slater and I have a massive day planned tomorrow....all three sports and a lot of miles =) Can't wait.

Quick Update

Haven't been blogging much b/c I have been super busy.
Skinfit is rocking, I have been on the road a lot, and Ironman training has officially begun. So, you can image how crazy it has been around here. The good news is everything is really coming together and I am happy about where I am at on all fronts.
I normally take November off from training but since I didn't race the last half of the season and I am lacking base fitness the plan for 2011 has taken flight. Of course, everything is super mellow but I am training and developing my aerobic base. I did some testing while I was in Arizona and we got some good baseline figures to go off of. It was quite obvious that I need to increase my aerobic capacity. I can go hard for sure but I shift over to carbs as my main fuel source far too soon. So, the diet has changed and the focus is on longer aerobic work in an effort to improve my weaknesses. I am excited about the work ahead and about the 2011 season.
Now, while the training has started up, it doesn't mean I am not staying flexible and having fun with friends. The really serious training is still on the horizon so I have some fun trips planned. For starters, Jess, me and some great friends are going way off the grid into the Big Sur backcountry this weekend. It is a time for us to disconnect (literally), do some soul searching, and relax with some of our closest friends. I am really excited about this trip...being way out there really sets me straight and reminds me what's important in life.
Then next week Slater and I have a big few days planned. He is getting ready for Ultraman and I have wanted to do the Monterey to SLO ride for a while now (It has been years since I have done it and it's one of the best in the world). So, we are riding from Monterey to SLO on Monday, Tuesday we are training in SLO, Wednesday we are riding back up to Monterey, and then Thursday we will do a little training in Monterey before hitting the road back to Socal. Should be an epic few days and I can't wait to show Slater the terrain!
Alright, I gotta go...we are hitting the road for SLO now.
Have fun out there. Peace

Oh, and our camera broke so sorry for the lack of pics. I do have a new Flip HD and we broke out the older camera so I should have some good footage from the Big Sur and out training camp.