Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Naked Feet
Today was an even better day. I ran faster than I ever have without someone or something chasing me. I ran my 3.25 mile course in 27:18 which is about 8:24 per mile. That’s reeeaaalllly fast for me. And it was a steady effort. And my heartrate only averaged 166. OK, that might be a little high, but I also learned that my AT must be about 173. I could hold 173 steadily, but quickly began to redline when I went beyond that. I even went this fast without Doza dragging me around. That felt pretty good. I’m going to try to sign up for a 5K soon. It should be fun. Fun and run used to never coexist in my vocabulary. In fact, they were at opposite ends of the spectrum and couldn't get along. And here they are becoming friends. Isn't that nice?
Anyway, on to the reason for the title. I really need to get better about packing my gym bag. I forgot socks today. I used to be a Boy Scout, so I'm usually prepared (the motto for those who don't know), but even my backup socks weren't in my bag. Now, the last time I wore even those really low socks to run, I rubbed my achilles raw and suffered for a week. I have never run without socks and wasn't looking forward to it, but hey, I decided to suck it up and just run without socks. You know, it wasn't bad at all. It didn't hurt, and in case you forgot already, it was my fastest run. Did I mention it was my fastest run? OK. Just making sure. Don't worry - I am level headed enough to know that the speed of my run was more influenced by leg speed than naked feet. I do not plan to start running without socks unless forced to do so. That claim only becomes void should I start a pro triathlon career and need quick transitions to make the big prize money. I don't think I need to worry about that. If I turn pro, I'll have my sponsor give me enough shoes so that I can run without socks and change shoes before they get gross. My daughters are good at letting me know about things like that - shoes getting gross, me stinking after exercise, eating too much garlic, etc - they're always watching out for me. God bless them for caring for their father.
Keep it in balance.
Tri-Tagged
1. Describe a memory from your first triathlon ever.
I have to be honest, I've only been able to do one triathlon ever, so that makes it pretty easy. It was a sprint triathlon. I remember the feeling I got when my wife and 2 kids (there were only 2 at the time) arrived and I saw them. The look and excitement on my daughters' faces. The feeling as I entered the pool. The feeling as I passed the person in front of me - it was like a time trial start at 10 second intervals. I remember being so excited on the bike as I passed my family sitting on a blanket watching that I almost ran into another rider. And of course running up the chute and not only finishing it, but finishing strong.
2. Describe a memory from your most recent triathlon.
See number one above. Same triathlon.
3. What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you in a tri?
I was so excited as I passed my family sitting on a blanket watching and I was trying to wave, I almost ran into the rider in front of me. That would have been awesome - wiping out in front of family near the transition when I'm not even in a pack.
4. What's the most thrilling thing that's happened to you in a tri?
T1. It was incredible! I obsess about things, so I had practiced my transitions a lot. I had set up a practice zone in my garage, I would run up the driveway, do the transition and bike down the street. Then I would bike back and do T2. So during my triathlon, almost everything went as planned. I forgot to unstrap my shoes, but that was minor. I had my shoes on the bike, positioned horizontally with floss. (If you're wondering, email me and I'll give you details). I ran from the pool, threw on some socks, the glasses, helmet, and number, and I was running out of trasition. No problems. I felt pretty cool.
5. What is something you discovered about yourself by doing triathlons?
I learned that I can easily obsess and need to continually recalibrate to keep things in perspective. I drove my wife so nuts in preparing for this sprint tri, that she nearly didn't bother coming. So now I strive for balance. Hence, Crosstrains. Balancing everything out. I also learned that I can't hold onto excuses. I had problems running in 7th grade because of flat feet and had always said I couldn't run. Period. Now I know I can at least do 6 miles without difficulty. I used my excuse to limit myself. Now I'm trying to get rid of other excuses that are limiting me.
6. What is The Big Goal that you're working towards?
Ironman. Someday. I think that will be after my daughters have left home. Or when I'm independently wealthy and work won't get in the way. And after I've adequately explained this craziness to my wife. Until then, which is about 18 years away, I'll probably work up to Olympic distance. I think that's a good distance to stay in really great shape.
OK, now I'm tagging LoneStarCrank and Wil. If you guys have been tagged, sorry. If not, it's your turn. I've got to go crosstrain.
Friday, January 26, 2007
A (Bad) Run
It's all about balance, it's all about crosstraining.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
It is COLD!
I almost ran today. I was on my way to the gym to change (it’s walking distance from work) and at 41 degrees, it started raining. Given the right inclination, I may have done it. Just to prove it. But then I thought, “Hey, I don’t have anything to prove” and I went to run some errands for my wife. Filling up the negative balance in that account, if you know what I mean. There'll be other days for running.
It’s all about balance, it’s all about crosstraining.
When I Let Them Down...
Yesterday I dragged myself back to the pool. I felt like a floundering fish. I swam 800 m and it took way too long. It wasn’t a waste, though, because it’s about more than duration or speed. I had an epiphany during my flip turn. Actually I watched the guy next to me, wondering how he got off the wall so much more quickly than me. He was doing everything more quickly, but I couldn’t figure out the flip turns. So I realized I was doing a complete somersault, twisting, bending, my knees, and then pushing off. What a waste compared to his flip turns – half turn, push off sideways and he’s done, finishing his rotation after push-off. BIG difference. I picked it up quickly and then there was just the actual swimming that was slow. The athletic training going well.
Why am I so self-absorbed? Because I obsess about things. I do. I’ve been obsessing about this new gluten free diet and researching everything I can on the internet. Can I eat this? Can I eat that? It’s too much. There’s too much information out there on every subject. I need to learn how to filter and prioritize. That’s something I really need to work on. So for now, less researching, less worrying about me. I mean it. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself, beating myself up about not doing what I need to do for the family, and just do it.
It’s all about balance, it’s all about crosstraining…
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Leaving the Comfort Zone
Comfort Zone – let me back in. I like the comfort zone – hence the name, I know. But while my rational side knows it’s good to leave it, a big part of me wants to stay or resents the force pushing me out. TriJack at MyDailySpin has a great entry about this.
Anyway, I have a student intern that started today. I like giving back to the profession and know having a student makes me stronger, but it messes up the routine. If I’m painfully honest, though, I’ll say that my routine can be more than boring, it can be lazy. The student pushes me when I push the student. I get stuck in a rut with patient treatments and now I have to justify to the student why I do what I do. I can’t ask her why I shoudl do something if I don’t know why myself.
Now we all know that work isn’t the only comfort zone. There are zones for home, friends, hobbies, athletics, etc. I (literally) ran across my comfort zone on my lunch run today. I was running with Doza and we had a pretty good pace going. I was thinking “This is kind of fast, we should slow down.” Then I wondered “why? – Why can’t I go fast? What am I afraid of? Am I afraid of running out of steam or afraid of being good?” Well, I let it fly and it was awesome! We just kept gradually picking up the pace and it continued to feel good. It was our best time yet and my fastest pace: 3.25 miles at
Ice Days
I’m back at work after two ice days. You, see, in
It was a good chance to recalibrate. To step back and see what’s important. As my wife put it, we “filled up the kids’ love banks.” I didn’t worry about work, I worried about family and devoting some good time to them. I didn’t worry about running or cycling because it was just too cold, even for the indoor trainer in the garage. At least I thought it was too cold until I saw someone running in 29 degree weather. He must not have been from around here.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Gluten Free Crosstraining
On to training - had a great run yesterday with Doza, my coworker. Longest lunch run yet - 5.6 miles at 9 min pace. That's really good for me. I like being a runner. I must have done something wrong, however, because this morning, my right shoulder blade is killing me and limiting my right arm and neck movements. One of the perks of being a physical therapist - I work on it myself and then let my coworkers help out. It should be much better by tonight.
Now the best news of the week - #3 (the 7 month old) is officially crawling. After a short stint of crawling in a circle, she can now turn and go where she wants to go, which is usually towards her older sisters' toys. A whole new world is opening up and things are getting more interesting around here. Her sisters are great with her. They take time to specifically play with her, entertain her, and tell Dad when she's spit up on our carpet. I worried because #1 and #2 are 18 months apart and #3 is 2 1/2 years behind #2, that she might be left out, but the older girls so far are doing a great job with their sister.
Family - that's what life is about. Please, God, don't let me forget that. That's why I work, but more importantly, why I rush home everyday at 4pm to see their faces light up and scoop them up in my arms. I love it.
Back to life. Back to crosstraining.
Saturday, January 6, 2007
What is Gluten and Why Can't We Get Along?
Going gluten free is a huge adjustment. It's becoming easier as more people become aware, but it's still a huge adjustment. Gluten is in everything that has wheat, barley, and rye. That's a lot of stuff. No more normal bread, pasta, cookies, muffins, granola bars, cereal, you get the point. My wife's being great and cooking some great gluten free stuff (the best it can be). It's a big adjustment for the whole family. We had to explain to the kids that Daddy's stomach hurt from some foods and he'll be eating special foods from now on without worrying them. They seemed to understand it well for a 4 1/2 year old (#1), a 3 year old (#2) and a 7 month old (#3). OK, #3 didn't care, but she will.
So being gluten free will be part of my life. I've decided to make it a positive thing and use it as a catalyst to get healthy and learn about nutrition. It's just part of life. And I'll learn how to balance it with everything else.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
God's Will
I had a great run yesterday – 42 minutes for 4.5 miles. That, for me, is an accomplishment. I do almost all my exercising at lunch. I’ve been running with a buddy from work. He can run laps around me, mostly because he also bikes a couple hundred miles/week. Well, yesterday, we didn’t have to stop so I could take care of menial tasks like breathing. We even talked most of the run. I really mean “we.” Usually it’s him talking and me trying to breathe to remain conscious. But for some reason, yesterday was a great run. It was about 50 degrees and sunny. Perfect. I felt great all day, even after the run. I got home and played with the kids. They wanted to go biking in the cold because my oldest is learning how to go without training wheels. I’m really trying to instill in them a love of being active. We play outside a lot. We bike, we run, we chase. It’s awesome. They don’t even know what video games are.
That was yesterday. Today I felt like crap. Not because of the run, but I just had the “blahs”. My wife says I’m pretty dependent on the weather and today was a cold, grey day (compare to yesterday’s weather, you see the point). But at lunch, I went for a swim. ½ mile to be exact. Again, for me, that’s quite an accomplishment. I haven’t been swimming at all in months. It felt great. I went for peace and quiet. You see, when I feel this way, I know I’m not quite right. Something’s not quite right. It’s usually when I’m being selfish in some way. I’ve learned that when I feel this way, I’m trying to put my will over God’s will. And that never works. So after the swim, after some self-reflection, after some prayer, I felt much better and much less self-centered. I’m going to think about self-promotion less and about my family more. I haven’t figured out the grand plan - what God’s will is - but I know if I actually spend some time trying to figure it out, I might be surprised. Check that - if I spend some time listening for God's will, I might be surprised.
Don’t get me wrong – I still plan on training, but with a flexible plan. I’m training for life, not just running or triathlon. You see, when my kids are grown – I’d rather they say “Dad, I love you. Thank you for being there for me.” Rather than just “Dad, remember that triathlon you did?” It’s all about perspective, and mine is changing.
I've got to go crosstrain.