Big Week Training Update

As I mentioned in my last blog post, this is a big training week for me with the better half and my son out of town. I started it off with my first Central Park ride in a long while--three loops around the park. Unfortunately I made the mistake of heading over there at 2 P.M. on a beautiful Sunday, and the loop was jam packed (particularly the southern part). I was still able to get some pretty decent riding in, and I always find dodging runners/bikers/walkers/etc. to be some pretty good bike handling training. Oh, and I was smoking roadies the entire way--although to be fair any serious ones probably got their workouts in well before the crowds began to gather.

Yesterday I did a four mile run before heading into the office, followed by a weightlifting session (chest, triceps, and legs) after work. This morning I did a 15 mile ride/two mile run brick, which felt really easy (particularly the run). I am planning to get in one more bike ride, two runs, and maybe another weightlifting session this week. It seems crazy to me that this is the most I have trained in a week in I don't know how long--and it will still be a lot fewer hours than I used to put in when I was training for half Ironmans in 2005 and 2006. That is all I know right now--will post another update later this week.

Back-To-Back Bricks

So I traveled early this week to the West Coast for a couple of days, and while I was able to get a couple of good workouts in out there I was too tired/busy to train on Wednesday. Thus, I ended up doing back-to-back brick workouts yesterday and this morning. Both times I hit the exercise bike at the gym for 40 minutes, followed immediately by a two mile treadmill run. The Black Knight is actually in the bike shop once again, as I hit a pothole late last week on a ride and broke a spoke (which was a first for me).

While neither of the bricks was terribly difficult, I felt good about the fact I was focused and disciplined enough to make up for the workout that I missed. Next week the family is out of town, so I am really going to hit the training hard, including possibly working out a day or two with Hoboken's Gold Coast Triathlon Club, which I plan to join. That is the update for today--not terribly exciting I know, but at least you did not have to wait months for it like the last one!

Back To Blogging (And Bricking)

Once again months have lapsed since my last blog entry. I wish I had some worthwhile reason to give for the lack of entries, but unfortunately sheer laziness will have to suffice. The good news is since I have not blogged in so long, theoretically I should have something somewhat interesting to report. So let's get to it, in a numbered list:

1. My training is going quite well. I have been pretty consistently running twice a week, riding twice a week, and lifting weights once a week. I was on vacation last week and was only able to get a couple of runs in, but that was to be expected.
2. I started riding outside about a month ago, my first rides on my bike in two years. I forgot how much I enjoy riding my bike. I also once again discovered that spin bike rides are actually really good at base building--I felt very powerful from the first time I got back on my bike, and am easily able to hold 18-20 MPH on my 15-20 mile rides.
3. I have also done a few bricks (15 mile bike, two mile run) and am THRILLED with how good my legs feel coming off the bike. This morning I nearly broke 14:00 for my run, and have consistently been in the low 7:00/mile range.
4. I have signed up for the New York City Duathlon on September 16th (which incidentally is my birthday). This race will represent coming full circle for me--my first multi-sport race was in Central Park many years ago.
5. I am still keeping my weight below 180 lbs., although it has drifted up a bit over the last several weeks. I have recently cut back on the Starbucks every work day morning, which predictably has worked wonders.
6. I recently read two triathlon-related books recently on my Kindle: A Life Without Limits: A World Champion's Journey by Chrissie Wellington and Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run: From Common Man to Ironman by Andy Holgate. Without going into full book reports, I recommend the former, not so much the latter. And no, reading them did not stoke my fire to do an Ironman one day (quite the opposite, in fact).

So that is the update--more to come later!

Another Training Update

O.K., I promise to make this a more substanative training update this time. All is well--I am training consistently and am lighter than I have been in a long, long time. Basically I am running a couple days a week, hitting the spin bike one day a week, and either doing a bit more cardio (usually the Stairmaster or elliptical machine) or lifting weights one day a week. Yesterday I did my first brick workout in a long, long time, consisting of 30 minutes on the spin bike followed by a 10-minute treadmill run. It just felt so EASY--almost too easy. I really think being lighter (consistently in the low-170 lb. range, and sometimes in the high 160s, like this morning) is making a huge difference.

So how did I finally lose the weight? First off, I added breakfast to my daily routine, which supposedly helps speed up your metabolism. I then have a large lunch and a fairly light dinner (sometimes no dinner at all--it can be tough having a 17-month-old going through a bad sleeping phase). I still struggle with the sweets, but keep them in moderation during the week and rarely eat them on weekends. Add it all up, and I am nearly 20 lbs lighter than I was less than a year ago, when I was seriously beginning to worry that my weight could begin to start with a two in the near future.

O.K., back to training stuff. I definitely need to add another workout into my week. Ideally I would like to do two runs, two bike rides (including a brick), and one weightlifting workout every week starting soon. Work travel is about to ramp up which could throw a wrench in my plans, but I will do the best I can. Will post again soon with updated racing plans for this year. Thanks for reading!

Decisions, Decisions...

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012! Yes, I am back and plan to start blogging a bit more regularly. I am starting off the New Year fit (175 lbs.), in good running shape (logged a ton of miles in 2011, despite not racing at all), and ready to reenter the competitive racing world in 2012. I am still formulating my race schedule, but have two somewhat noteworthy developments to report:

1. I will NOT be participating in the Illinois River To River Relay in April. While it definitely sounds like a "once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list" type of experience, I just decided it is too much travel (likely with the whole family) for a race in which I would only run nine miles. Maybe some other year, but definitely not 2012.

2. I WILL be competing in the Bank Of America Chicago Marathon as originally planned, but will be running the entire race with my wife. Thus, the Boston Marathon qualifying attempt is out the window. On the one hand I am kind of bummed because I think I had a pretty decent shot at it, but on the other hand it will really be special for the two of us to cross that finish line together--and as I get older, I realize more and more how much more important family is than "individual glory."

O.K., that is it for now--much more to come later!

A Potential Race On The Horizon

O.K., rather than another boring training update, it looks like I may actually be placing a race on my 2012 calendar. It is the Illinois River To River Relay, which is an 80 mile, eight man per team relay race from the Mississippi to the Ohio Rivers. My brother-in-law did this same race a couple of years ago, and his team is looking for a runner or two (he is currently injured and another team member is due to deliver her first child a few weeks prior to the event).

The family and I were visiting Southern Illinois for Thanksgiving and I met a few members of my brother-in-law's running group that have done River To River 11 years in a row and rave about it. Basically I would be running three legs, each of which would be about three miles or so. I am definitely intrigued, although I am not 100% sure whether I will commit or not--it is a long way to go for one race. That said, just the prospect of racing again definitely got my competitive juices flowing. I will make a decision one way or the other in the next few weeks and let you know...

Another Update

Well I have not posted in a while, so I figure it was a good time for an update. Not much terribly new or interesting to report--I continue to run three days and week and lift weights one day. I am definitely getting faster, although I seem to be much slower outdoors (7:20-7:30/mile pace) then on the treadmill (low 7:00/mile pace). I am usually faster on the treadmill, but the difference is not so stark. I attribute it to not running outside very much, but I am not terribly bothered by it (especially given the fact I am not actually training for anything). Oh, and I am thin--I have consistently been in the low- to mid-170s for a while now. I attribute it to my new diet--a sensible breakfast, still kind of a big lunch (with my one sweet for the day), and a light dinner. God I hope I can stay this light through my 2012 marathon--I cannot imagine how fast I will be able to run if I am a good 5-10 lbs lighter than I have ever been for 26.2 miles! One last thing--I miss riding my bike :(

Update

So I decided this afternoon to post a quick update to the old blog. I have been hitting the gym pretty regularly (usually four to five days a week--although lately more often four than five) for a while now. Mostly I have been doing cardio, with one weightlifting day (usually chest and triceps--yes, I am vain). For the last several weeks I have been running for my cardio, and am just starting to comfortably do 7:30/mile pace. Normally running that slow this time of the year would be a disaster for me, but given the late start I got to running this year I am perfectly happy with it (particularly given the fact I am not actually training for a race right now).

The other somewhat noteworthy development is I have been losing weight! I am now just a shade under 180 lbs, which I am very happy with. The only real dietary change I have made is really trying to cut back on sweets (for a change)--but not to quit cold turkey. I am limiting myself to one "sweet treat" a day, with a few hard candies thrown in throughout (they are pretty low calorie). I am also cutting back on the red meat. I think this is a much more sustainable diet for me long term--if I can stay around 180 lbs through 2011 and start my serious marathon training at this weight early next year, I am going to be a very happy (and fast) boy. That's about it--thanks as always for reading!

I'm Back (Sort Of)

Well I have recently started kind of sort of training again, so I figured it probably made sense to update my blog. I say kind of sort of because I ran this morning (the third time in the last few weeks) and am planning to start running a couple of times a week, but am not training for any event in particular (at least not any 2011 event). As you may recall, I decided to take this year off completely from racing due to the birth of my son last September, and I have to say I absolutely stand by that decision. I have been working out pretty regularly (usually four times a week), but most of my cardio has been the elliptical machine or the stairmaster, which is just not the same as running (plus on a per hour basis, neither burns as many calories). I also like the fact I can just throw on my running shoes, head out my front door and go, as opposed to being subject to my gym's hours and having to walk the ~10 minutes each way.

So on to this morning's run. I just did my standard two-mile loop twice, and did not time myself (once again, I am having problems getting satellite signals on my Garmin Forerunner 205). I felt O.K., but I am definitely slow (which not running for I don't even remember how long will do to you). That said, and it almost shocks me to say this, it reminded me how much I miss running! Now that the weather is finally starting to turn I actually ordered a new pair of running shoes this afternoon (see the picture above), and will definitely try and hit the road/treadmill at least a couple of times a week. The plan remains to try and finally qualify for the Boston Marathon at the 2012 Chicago Marathon, but as for right now, this is just about staying in decent shape and enjoying myself...

Just Catching Up...

So I just wanted to check in and let everyone know how things are going. I am still working out 4-5 days a week (O.K., usually four more oftentimes than five), including weights twice a week and 2-3 cardio workouts. In terms of weights I have been alternating between chest and triceps and back and biceps, with a couple of leg exercises every time (I have sort of given up on my abs). I am starting to regain strength on the bench press, although I still have a long ways to go to get back to where I was once (e.g., I am struggling to put up 205 lbs three times--at my peak, I could press 225 lbs four times). For cardio I have been doing my standard 4-mile loop around Hoboken (usually at a fairly relaxed pace), as well as the occasional 30-minute elliptical machine workout. My weight is a bit higher than I would like (seems like the story of my life) but is under control for the most part. It feels kind of weird knowing that I will not be racing at all in 2011 (the first time I will take an entire year off since I started racing), but I know it is the right thing to do considering Baby Chukumba will be here in a week or so. That's it for now...