The best cheering section ever!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
8th in Vegas at the first stop on the Xterra Pro Tour
Managed to put together a decent result for the first big race of the year. While 8th doesn't sound like a very impressive finish on paper there were a lot of positive things that happen yesterday. There are also some obvious things that need improvement. I am still processing it all and have some thoughts but too knacked to share them all now and gotta get packed up to head back to the beach before a Wednesday departure for the next stop on the Tour in Waco, Texas. Can't wait to see all the great people over there and eat some BBQ!
Overall, I am happy. Things are moving in the right direction for sure and I finally felt like I was really racing out there (obvious in the sprint finish with Cody!), which makes it so much more fun. It was a heated battle for 6th-12th...just look at the times and you'll see what I mean.
http://www.xterraplanet.com/uploadedfiles/2011WestChampionship.pdf
I have tons of cool pics and video (loving the flip) that I will share later.
Overall, I am happy. Things are moving in the right direction for sure and I finally felt like I was really racing out there (obvious in the sprint finish with Cody!), which makes it so much more fun. It was a heated battle for 6th-12th...just look at the times and you'll see what I mean.
http://www.xterraplanet.com/uploadedfiles/2011WestChampionship.pdf
I have tons of cool pics and video (loving the flip) that I will share later.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Racing and then some more racing....
I spent the later part of last week working my Skinfit booth at the CA 70.3 expo. It was a very productive couple of days for Skinfit but I always forget how exhausting working an expo can be...the set up and break down are a lot of work and being on your feet all day for two days in a row is enough to break anyone! Anyway, it was fun, successful, and tiring all at the same time.
So, Saturday morning came way too fast but Mike Clinch and I powered up to Bonelli Park in San Dimas for Xterra Renegade. It was either do a hard workout on my own or go get in a race on the dirt...I opted for the race and I think it was a good call. Racing Xterra is always really hard and a shock to the system so I am glad I got in one race effort on the trails before the next two weekends of all-out =) efforts in Vegas and Waco. Managed a win, which is always nice but truth be told I was there for the workout and not much else (we had to get back to Oceanside to watch the "real" race...so stoked for James and Beth Walsh and Adam Zucco...they killed it!).
They changed the run course this year at Renegade making it crazy hilly, which I was happy about b/c Vegas AINT flat! I felt really sluggish in the water but it really wasn't that surprising after lugging around heavy boxes and working my ass off at the expo for two days. Once I got on the bike though I felt good and the run felt effortless. Overall, a good prep race and now the focus is on the "big ones" in Vegas and Waco. These ones count and everything else has been prep. So, it's time to rest up with plenty of easy workouts and some race intensity to keep the system firing.
What's blown me away the most so far this season is my ability to recover from these hard efforts. Almost like I didn't even go hard the days after when I am training...proof that all the aerobic base work I put in has paid off. After Superseal Adam and I strung together 3 HARD days...so, 4 hard days in a row (including the race) and I actually felt great everyday. I have never been able to bounce back from olympic distance racing the way I am now.
I am off to Vegas for the first stop on the tour this Thursday. I will have a lot of family and friends there so it will no doubt be good times. I am looking forward to this race a lot...it's always interesting b/c it's the first major event of the year stateside and usually EVERYONE shows up. Time to rock n' Roll!
So, Saturday morning came way too fast but Mike Clinch and I powered up to Bonelli Park in San Dimas for Xterra Renegade. It was either do a hard workout on my own or go get in a race on the dirt...I opted for the race and I think it was a good call. Racing Xterra is always really hard and a shock to the system so I am glad I got in one race effort on the trails before the next two weekends of all-out =) efforts in Vegas and Waco. Managed a win, which is always nice but truth be told I was there for the workout and not much else (we had to get back to Oceanside to watch the "real" race...so stoked for James and Beth Walsh and Adam Zucco...they killed it!).
They changed the run course this year at Renegade making it crazy hilly, which I was happy about b/c Vegas AINT flat! I felt really sluggish in the water but it really wasn't that surprising after lugging around heavy boxes and working my ass off at the expo for two days. Once I got on the bike though I felt good and the run felt effortless. Overall, a good prep race and now the focus is on the "big ones" in Vegas and Waco. These ones count and everything else has been prep. So, it's time to rest up with plenty of easy workouts and some race intensity to keep the system firing.
What's blown me away the most so far this season is my ability to recover from these hard efforts. Almost like I didn't even go hard the days after when I am training...proof that all the aerobic base work I put in has paid off. After Superseal Adam and I strung together 3 HARD days...so, 4 hard days in a row (including the race) and I actually felt great everyday. I have never been able to bounce back from olympic distance racing the way I am now.
I am off to Vegas for the first stop on the tour this Thursday. I will have a lot of family and friends there so it will no doubt be good times. I am looking forward to this race a lot...it's always interesting b/c it's the first major event of the year stateside and usually EVERYONE shows up. Time to rock n' Roll!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A little racing/training and Vegas on my mind....
Got out and did the Superseal olympic tri this past weekend. It was a great workout and a lot of fun racing and running into so many good friends. Races have come to be the norm on the weekends now...it's either a workout on my own or a workout with a "group" aka race. I am opting for the races b/c I go harder then I do on my own and in this case I made some cash (aka rent payment) and scored a sweet Luminox watch.
Managed a 3rd place overall behind good friend and coach Adam Zucco and Michi Weiss, who completely crushed us. I am happy with the effort except for the run...had some bad cramps b/c of experimental nutrition (trying new things for IM), got a little lost on the run (my bad...there were only like 20 cones at the turn:)), which allowed Adam to take over second, and just lacked any giddy up and go. I know my running has been going really well so I wasn't too worried but certainly not thrilled. However, based on today's brick workout (Which we hit out of the park!!) my running is WAY better then ever. So, all is good on that front =)
This weekend I am headed to L.A. for a small Xterra race before Vegas and Texas. It will be nice to get in a hard effort on the dirt before battling the big boys at the first stop on the Xterra Tour. Training is beyond good right now and I am healthy...I'm a happy kid!
Managed a 3rd place overall behind good friend and coach Adam Zucco and Michi Weiss, who completely crushed us. I am happy with the effort except for the run...had some bad cramps b/c of experimental nutrition (trying new things for IM), got a little lost on the run (my bad...there were only like 20 cones at the turn:)), which allowed Adam to take over second, and just lacked any giddy up and go. I know my running has been going really well so I wasn't too worried but certainly not thrilled. However, based on today's brick workout (Which we hit out of the park!!) my running is WAY better then ever. So, all is good on that front =)
This weekend I am headed to L.A. for a small Xterra race before Vegas and Texas. It will be nice to get in a hard effort on the dirt before battling the big boys at the first stop on the Xterra Tour. Training is beyond good right now and I am healthy...I'm a happy kid!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
2011 Race Schedule
Another week of training is in the bag. Since we are now 3 weeks out from the first Xterra race of the season (Vegas)the intensity has kicked up and volume has dropped a bit. I have done a lot of volume so far, starting in November, so we are backing off a bit to get more race (Xterra) specific intensity in and then after Xterra, Waco we will readdress some volume in prep for Ironman St. George. I think it's a good plan and will work really well.
So, here is the race schedule for 2011...
1. Super Seal Olympic--San Diego, March 27th
2. Xterra Renegade--L.A., April 2nd
3. Xterra West Champs--Vegas, April 10th
4, Xterra South Central Champs--Waco, TX April 17th
5. Ironman St. George--Utah, May 7th
6. Xterra Pacific Champs--Santa Cruz, CA May 15th (Quite certain I won't be able to walk after IM but I have to see this course...basically where I grew up and have tons of friends up there. BTW, thanks Xterra for putting that race there when I leave and taking Temecula off the schedule when I move down to S.D.!!)
7. Xterra South East Champs--Pelham, AL May 22nd
8. Xterra East Champs--Richmond, VA June 13th
9. Xterra Austria--June 25th (2 week stint in Europe after Richmond)
10. Xterra Mountain Champs or 70.3 Racine or just training??
11. Xterra National Champs--Ogden, UT Sept 24th
12. Kona (Hopefully!)
13. Xterra World Champs--Maui, Oct 23rd
So, that's it...lots on the plate but all exciting. The front end of the year is loaded up for sure but nothing I can really do about that since Xterra is "boss." The first two races are pure practice races just to get in some race intensity. So, no stress, just go hard and log a good workout. Similar to this weekend where did the tri club race....got in some intensity on top of a solid week. Things are still going really well and I just can't believe the season is already upon us...crazy!
It's crunch time now :)
So, here is the race schedule for 2011...
1. Super Seal Olympic--San Diego, March 27th
2. Xterra Renegade--L.A., April 2nd
3. Xterra West Champs--Vegas, April 10th
4, Xterra South Central Champs--Waco, TX April 17th
5. Ironman St. George--Utah, May 7th
6. Xterra Pacific Champs--Santa Cruz, CA May 15th (Quite certain I won't be able to walk after IM but I have to see this course...basically where I grew up and have tons of friends up there. BTW, thanks Xterra for putting that race there when I leave and taking Temecula off the schedule when I move down to S.D.!!)
7. Xterra South East Champs--Pelham, AL May 22nd
8. Xterra East Champs--Richmond, VA June 13th
9. Xterra Austria--June 25th (2 week stint in Europe after Richmond)
10. Xterra Mountain Champs or 70.3 Racine or just training??
11. Xterra National Champs--Ogden, UT Sept 24th
12. Kona (Hopefully!)
13. Xterra World Champs--Maui, Oct 23rd
So, that's it...lots on the plate but all exciting. The front end of the year is loaded up for sure but nothing I can really do about that since Xterra is "boss." The first two races are pure practice races just to get in some race intensity. So, no stress, just go hard and log a good workout. Similar to this weekend where did the tri club race....got in some intensity on top of a solid week. Things are still going really well and I just can't believe the season is already upon us...crazy!
It's crunch time now :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Traveling and Training....
Well a lot has happen since my last post since I totally suck and don't have time to blog. I need to get better about it but quite frankly I am just super busy everyday and finding time to do this can be tough even though I really want to track my "journey" this year.
First things first, I got my new MTB rig and I am loving it! Loving it might be an understatement actually....it is pure bliss to ride and I can't take my eyes off of it in all its beauty =)
Now onto the recap from weeks past...
I guess I will start with my training camp in Scottsdale, AZ. I had a blast as usual...going out there is always a great time and so productive. It really jump starts my season and puts me in a good place mentally. I did the desert classic du when I was out there and got royally smacked by some of the best Ironman pros in the business. It was good to knock off the rust a bit and revisit what it means to hurt/suffer. It was a tough, hilly course and it put my HR in places I haven't seen in a while....just what the doctor ordered! I got back from AZ , settled back into San Diego living for a week or so and then went out to St George, Utah for a Trainingbible Coaching camp with Jim Vance and Adam Zucco.
The camp out there was great...a TON of solid training and I got to sell Skinfit all week to the campers. It was a great trip on all fronts. I am pretty beat after this one though as Adam doesn't like to go to bed before midnight! Dude, you owe me some sleep!! The time difference and time change also made things challenging. It's tough too to be coaching and training. It was a lot of me getting in workouts before and after sessions with the campers. All that aside it was great though and I came away with some solid fitness and recon on a course I am racing in May.
I like the St George course a lot (aside from the crappy road surface!). It suits me with all the hills on both the bike and run. It will be a HUGE challenge on race day but I look forward to it b/c you have to be strong on all fronts to do well....that to me is the perfect Ironman course.
--Got Adam out on the MTB with me in Vegas...Blue Diamond was fun!
In terms of training I am really happy where things are at. I can't thank Adam Zucco enough for his coaching! I also have Jim Vance close by to help with things. He is a good friend and excellent coach so hearing his advice and thoughts is priceless as he knows exactly what I am going through and trying to accomplish! The biggest thing for me is that I am healthy for the first time in over 2 years. Also, I have logged consistent training for the past 5 months and I am physically stronger then ever before as a result of the workouts Adam is giving me along with my time in Rehab United. I am excited for the upcoming races...probably more then ever before.
Right now we are moving toward more race intensity as we are only 4 weeks out from vegas. The past few months have been all about building a base. I have a solid one now and it's time to focus on speed and suffering :) It's looking like I will be doing some races in the coming weeks to really get in specific intensity. There is a tri club race this weekend (please no rain!), possibly Xterra Real or Super Seal the following weekend and an Xterra race up in L.A. the weekend before Vegas. Not sure just yet which ones will happen but there will no doubt be some racing in my immediate future. Exciting stuff!
That's it from here. See ya at the races!
First things first, I got my new MTB rig and I am loving it! Loving it might be an understatement actually....it is pure bliss to ride and I can't take my eyes off of it in all its beauty =)
I guess I will start with my training camp in Scottsdale, AZ. I had a blast as usual...going out there is always a great time and so productive. It really jump starts my season and puts me in a good place mentally. I did the desert classic du when I was out there and got royally smacked by some of the best Ironman pros in the business. It was good to knock off the rust a bit and revisit what it means to hurt/suffer. It was a tough, hilly course and it put my HR in places I haven't seen in a while....just what the doctor ordered! I got back from AZ , settled back into San Diego living for a week or so and then went out to St George, Utah for a Trainingbible Coaching camp with Jim Vance and Adam Zucco.
The camp out there was great...a TON of solid training and I got to sell Skinfit all week to the campers. It was a great trip on all fronts. I am pretty beat after this one though as Adam doesn't like to go to bed before midnight! Dude, you owe me some sleep!! The time difference and time change also made things challenging. It's tough too to be coaching and training. It was a lot of me getting in workouts before and after sessions with the campers. All that aside it was great though and I came away with some solid fitness and recon on a course I am racing in May.
I like the St George course a lot (aside from the crappy road surface!). It suits me with all the hills on both the bike and run. It will be a HUGE challenge on race day but I look forward to it b/c you have to be strong on all fronts to do well....that to me is the perfect Ironman course.
In terms of training I am really happy where things are at. I can't thank Adam Zucco enough for his coaching! I also have Jim Vance close by to help with things. He is a good friend and excellent coach so hearing his advice and thoughts is priceless as he knows exactly what I am going through and trying to accomplish! The biggest thing for me is that I am healthy for the first time in over 2 years. Also, I have logged consistent training for the past 5 months and I am physically stronger then ever before as a result of the workouts Adam is giving me along with my time in Rehab United. I am excited for the upcoming races...probably more then ever before.
Right now we are moving toward more race intensity as we are only 4 weeks out from vegas. The past few months have been all about building a base. I have a solid one now and it's time to focus on speed and suffering :) It's looking like I will be doing some races in the coming weeks to really get in specific intensity. There is a tri club race this weekend (please no rain!), possibly Xterra Real or Super Seal the following weekend and an Xterra race up in L.A. the weekend before Vegas. Not sure just yet which ones will happen but there will no doubt be some racing in my immediate future. Exciting stuff!
That's it from here. See ya at the races!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Backing it up...
Obviously still slacking on the blogging front...I have intentions every week but somehow time just slips away and it is too long between blogs.
The bottom line is I am backing up day after day and week after week of consistent, solid training and I am healthy. I haven't been rolling along like this in a VERY long time and I am excited to see what the season brings. I just hope I can stay healthy and keep this all up b/c I will most certainly be stronger then ever.
Most all of the hardwork is happening at home in San Diego but Lesley and I did make it out to Chicago for a Rocky style winter training camp. I have major respect for all athletes living outside of CA and AZ. Seriously, snow sucks and when it's that cold out it aint fun to train. I think if I lived there I could rival the best when it comes to beer drinking and consumption of huge meals. I just struggled to stay motivated in that climate but guys like Adam Zucco amaze me b/c they put in the work and come out to race in CA when snow is still on the ground out there and they lay down some solid performances. Incredible and inspiring actually. I think I will stick to CA and AZ though.
Speaking of AZ I am headed out there early this week for my annual training camp. I have gone out there around this time every year and I love how it builds my motivation and gets me back to what I love about the sport. My buddy Tom has the perfect training grounds in Scottsdale and it is starting to feel like home. A lot of time on the trails under the desert sun is in my near future and I am pumped. It is so beautiful out there and it will be a good change of pace.
Kind of crazy that some big Xterra races are only 8 weeks away and my first Ironman is only 12 weeks out. Travel plans have been made for the first several events of the year so it is all feeling very real and it's exciting. I am looking forward to the travel and the challenges. So, with big races around the corner I started my beer drinking plan ;) Kidding of course (kind of) but you have to have fun along the way or what's the point!
That's about it from here. Busy busy and it is only going to get more nuts when the travel starts for both Skinfit and my own personal races. Fun times ahead....the dream continues!
The bottom line is I am backing up day after day and week after week of consistent, solid training and I am healthy. I haven't been rolling along like this in a VERY long time and I am excited to see what the season brings. I just hope I can stay healthy and keep this all up b/c I will most certainly be stronger then ever.
Most all of the hardwork is happening at home in San Diego but Lesley and I did make it out to Chicago for a Rocky style winter training camp. I have major respect for all athletes living outside of CA and AZ. Seriously, snow sucks and when it's that cold out it aint fun to train. I think if I lived there I could rival the best when it comes to beer drinking and consumption of huge meals. I just struggled to stay motivated in that climate but guys like Adam Zucco amaze me b/c they put in the work and come out to race in CA when snow is still on the ground out there and they lay down some solid performances. Incredible and inspiring actually. I think I will stick to CA and AZ though.
Speaking of AZ I am headed out there early this week for my annual training camp. I have gone out there around this time every year and I love how it builds my motivation and gets me back to what I love about the sport. My buddy Tom has the perfect training grounds in Scottsdale and it is starting to feel like home. A lot of time on the trails under the desert sun is in my near future and I am pumped. It is so beautiful out there and it will be a good change of pace.
Kind of crazy that some big Xterra races are only 8 weeks away and my first Ironman is only 12 weeks out. Travel plans have been made for the first several events of the year so it is all feeling very real and it's exciting. I am looking forward to the travel and the challenges. So, with big races around the corner I started my beer drinking plan ;) Kidding of course (kind of) but you have to have fun along the way or what's the point!
That's about it from here. Busy busy and it is only going to get more nuts when the travel starts for both Skinfit and my own personal races. Fun times ahead....the dream continues!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
