Wednesday, November 28, 2007

More Off-Season stuff & Quote of the Day

If you have 3 and a half minutes to watch this video it will give you an idea how my Off-Season training began.

I am in my 3rd week of a 12 week Off-Season program from Cyclo-Core and have progressed beyond what these kids are complaining about. I am able to keep up with Graeme as he does the routines and as a result I'm feeling stronger.

I just found out that Graeme is offering a new Off-Season/Pre-Season Triathlon training workout routine and am looking forward to using it in my up coming Triathlon Pre-Season training.

My little quote for today is:
“If you have people around who are telling you that, ‘Oh you’re too old to do this or that,’ get away from them. Age is an attitude. In endurance sports, you get better as you get older.” Lorraine Moller, Olympic Marathon Medalist

Friday, November 23, 2007

Cleveland Turkey Trot

The weather wasn't in our favor but I felt good on this Thanksgiving morning while running the Cleveland Turkey Trot. We had rain, strong winds, and cold temperatures to help make for a miserable morning. But, after running through the first mile in 5:31, my mind was set on running this 5 mile race as hard as I could, despite the adverse conditions.

I felt strong and confident in maintaining a sub 6 minute per mile pace. And to help boost my confidence I was able to run with the lead woman from the early miles of the race. We traded places to help protect one another from the strong winds at times until it was time to kick it in to the finish.

To see if I was able to nip the win from Allison, who probably is a track or cross country star, to the finish see the results page. I finished first in the male 45-49 division.

One thing I noticed about myself during the race was that I was so focused that I couldn't say, no thank you, to the volunteers handing out water at the aid stations. I didn't have the extra energy to say anything. I did shake Allison's hand and congratulated her at the finish. I also thanked the volunteers in the finishing area.

Some stats:
* Breakfast - about 2.5 hours before the race - Oatmeal cereal with soy milk, banana, and apple sauce.
* Time leading up to the start I drank about 24 ounces of HEED sports drink and 15 minutes before the start I had a PowerBar Gel.
* Ran about 1.5 miles easy jog for warm up before the start including 3 x 100 yard stride outs.
* First place age group finish was good for a 15 dollar gift certificate to Malley's Chocolates.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Start of my Official Triathlon Off-Season training


Today is the start of my 12 week core and indoor bike trainer workout for the off season. I will use the INTERMEDIATE 12 Week Training SYSTEM from Cyclo-Core.

Graeme Street, owner of Cyclo-Core guarantees results or I get my money back. I don't think I'll be asking for my money back because I suspect Graeme's workouts will work if I put in some consistent time. I've been using Core and Zen on and off for over a year and the workouts haven't gotten any easier. Maybe after the 12 week program I'll not only "see" results but the workouts will become bearable.

I am hoping the workouts will make me stronger on the bike, and to improve my overall strength.

I want to complete the 12 week program before the end of February so that I can begin a 12 week running training schedule for the May 18th 2008 Cleveland Rite-Aid 10K. I have unfinished business with that race.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Features added to blog

I have added on the side bar under "More about me" two new links. My training log which you can get more details about my daily workouts, and I've added flickr photos which I will be adding more pictures to including my recent Grand Canyon trip.

I am trying to figure out why every morning I weigh 2 pounds less than the night before. I have heard that it is possible to have your metabolism burning fuel 24/7 and maybe that's what's happening to me by eating the right foods and exercising everyday.

For the past few weeks I have been checking my evening and morning weight and sure enough when I wake in the morning I find I'm 2 pounds less than the night before. I don't think it is just dehydration because I normally have a cup of decaffeinated green or white tea with my wife before we hit the hay.

Last night after we had our cup-a I asked my wife to weigh herself and then first thing in the morning. I was a heavy 146 (it's the off season) but in the morning I was 144. My wife had no weight change.

Whether my Basal Metabolic Rate is high, or I have good Thermic Effect of Food, or lots of planned or unplanned physical activity, something is working in me to burn about 7,000 calories during the night. It takes 3,500 calories to burn off 1 pound. Wow, how this is happening blows me away.

If anyone else experiences this phenomenon let me know.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

On the trainer

Last night was the first night of my off season to ride indoors on my bike trainer. I needed some kind of inspirational workout to help chase away my indoor spinning blues. So I pulled out a DVD and rode with some of the pro cycling team in the Vegas area.

We had a beautiful ride in the Valley of Fire State Park. The DVD plays good pump up music and all I had to do was follow the prompts of when to sit, stand, increase cadence or intensity.

Now I look forward to more indoor spinning and hope to find more inspirational workout DVD's

more info about this dvd and trailer