CHRISTIAN, HUSBAND, FATHER, ACCOUNTANT, AND TRIATHELTE'S JOURNEY TO FINISH THE RACE: March 2017

Friday, March 31, 2017

TRIATHLON TRAINING FOR HALF IRONMAN - MARCH

This month was just a reminder how important it is to surround your self and family with friends who share the same values. Values are far more important than interests. A married guy that likes to run but wants to talk about other women that's not his wife is someone I don't want to run with. I have 7 friends that we have been together for about 5 years now that just are always there for each other. A couple of bible verses shared through this group was the following:

Philippians 3:12-14 and Matthew 6:25-34. Basically, forget what is behind / strain toward what is ahead and Ye of little faith.

When I train, thinking of this stuff just makes me on a high. God loves me. For that, I must smile.

Last 4 weeks have been great. One week we were hit with the sick bug, all 5 of us, but thanks to my amazing wife, she helped us all get better. I try, but can't compare to her. Swimming saw great gains, running felt easy, and biking is just fun! I definitely felt improvements throughout the month and I am so ready to race! 5 races in 7 straight weekends. Nothing better than toeing the line knowing those 4am wake up calls is for that very moment.

Key Workouts:

Run - 2x2mile Run with a 3.30min easy jog (total run is 6.75miles)
I went in this one just wanting to beat last months time of this same very workout and also wanting my breathing controlled. Pleased to say both were accomplished. The first 2mile split was 12.07min (6.06,6.01) and the second 2mile split was 11.56min(6.01,5.55). Very happy since its only march.

Swim - 2,000yds Tempo
I did not have a goal, maybe avg. 1.24 since i am not in great swimming shape yet but to my surprise, I came in at 26.23min (500 splits - 6.40,6.41,6.33,6.29) which avg. 1.19. I just thought "This is Fantastic! I am swimming once a week and I just did this?" - I was pumped

One more note, only In NC can it snow in the morning (a lot) and heat up so much that your in shorts in the afternoon. Crazy stuff I tell ya. March weather has been a yo-yo affect. Up and down temps. Its fascinating, I must say.

Any-who, on to the next 4 weeks! Lets Race!

4 Week Total:

Run - 81miles , 10 hrs
Bike - 305miles, 14hrs, 57min
Swim - 4miles, 1 hr, 45min
Strength - 2 hrs 40min

Running or Swimming at Lunch

Getting our Hat game on

In the morning - we play in the snow

In the afternoon - we play in the sun

Elephant?

My brother said our snow man looked like Mr. Winky from South park :(

CL meeting me for a lunch run workout

Fun bar-b-que with the legend runner (the girls beat him in this race)

Beautiful Day to Ride with Brian and Billy

My wife and I love hanging close to the house on weekends

Boys will be Boys

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

TRIATHLON TRAINING FOR HALF IRONMAN - FEBRUARY

February was just fantastic. The weather here slowly is getting breathtaking. NC weather is cold maybe 1 month. Then, mornings are cold and afternoons feel great. We definitely embrace great weather days. Whether its picnics at parks, or picnics in our yard, or long dog walks, soccer/football/basketball in the culdesac, we try and be outside. The birds sing every morning, the Hawks meet in the sky, the leaves dance to the cool breeze, and the beautiful flowers prematurely come out to say Hi. God is Good!

Training went great. Another month of blessings. No injuries and no sickness. Plus, I'm in the middle of reading Nicholas Sparks Two by Two. It is pretty darn good, I must say.

The goal this month was to just build off of January. Not a massive build, but only about 1 to 1.5 hrs more a week total. I also started swimming this month again.

Key Workouts-

5k TimeTrial - This is the 2nd annual Time trial race within our Training group. It's awesome! You don't rest for it during the week and you do not get a medal or anything afterwards, but you simply go all out. 4 guys are training for a half marathon that's in 4 weeks so they are coming off 50 mile running weeks. They did a 10k TT and they are very fast. Dan and Mike came in at 5.25pace, Brink 5.57 and Baum at 6.04 pace for their 10ks. Just booking.
Then Chris, Glenn, and I did the 5k (out) and then recovered coming back. We have all been running under 20 miles a week so a 10k is just not logical. The fun part is we all were able to push one another. I couldn't be more happy My pacing was on point! I knew I had destroyed my legs during the week so I gave myself a realistic goal. I said before I wanted a 5.50 pace. Well, my 3 miles were, 5.52, 5.51,5.49. As I am getting older, I am getting smarter with my pacing. In my early 20s I would have run a 5.25, 5.50, 6.20 - 3 miles. Its sooo much easier to run hard when you pace properly.

20min Power Test - Equivalent to a 5k to see where your pace is, this is a test on the bike to see what power you can train at for 1 hr, 2 hrs and for other different distances. I avg 248w which is exactly 4.0w/kg for me. I am thrilled with this because I know I am inching closer to compete with the best multi sport athletes. Cycling has always been my weakness. However, its time to make my weakness my strength! This test is done indoors so you don't stop at traffic lights or stop pedaling on downhills. 20min, NONSTOP - ALLOUT. Its fun :)

Lastly, our Pastor talked about 4 letters to know. SOAP - Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. For the next month, under our roof - we will work on those words. For our house is nothing without a Foundation built around God.

March will be one more BUILD month, then RACING begins!!!

4 Week Total:

Run - 73miles , 9 hrs 12min
Bike - 263miles, 13hrs, 34min
Swim - 4.2miles, 1 hr, 56min
Strength - 2 hrs 34min