Santa Cruz Tri Geek

Transition

I have made the difficult decision to stop running for the time being.  Running is just too much pain.  When I run, I spend all of my time working through pain, rehabilitating the injuries caused by running.  When I swim or ride, I spend all my time swimming or riding.  I like that.

So for now, I'm shifting my focus.  I'll be tracking the whole shebang here.

Going Back To Work

Ok, enough down time, enough honeymoon, enough not working...the geek is back on track and looking forward at the long and wonderful road that this next season presents.

I'll post in more detail in the next week or so as things solidify, but for now, here's how it looks.  After a very fruitful chat this morning with Mrs. Geek, the plan is to spend from now until New Year focussed on run rehab, strength training and flexibility.  I've been cleared to run again, so the slow task of rebuilding that fitness can get started again.  Target is to be able to run three miles, without stopping, at a decent 10 min/mile pace, by New Year's Eve. 

Next up is the Santa Cruz Half Marathon, in April 2006; whether I'll be ready or not is anyone's guess, but its the goal.  Training from January through April will still include strength, flexibility and running, but will also add in some base building for the bike and swim, along with possible participation in the SCTA's Nu2Tri program.  I'll target a few sprint tri's during mid year.

Finally, the big fun will come from April to September, as I once again and for the third time, take a run and the Santa Cruz Sentinel Olympic distance triathlon.  Thwarted the past two years in a row by my hip injury, this is the year it gets done.

This is the season plan as it stands now.  As I refine it, I'll be back with updates.  Till then, enjoy the fall!  Oh yeah, and go Sharks!

The Honeymoon Is Over

Talk about culture shock and jet lag.  I'm back from an amazing honeymoon and itching to get back into the training groove.  I'll be figuring out the year's racing and training goals over the next few weeks and get them posted, along with the details on the various tools and techniques I'll be turning to this year.  For now though, its time to ditch the honeymoon diet, you know, room service at least 3 times a day, and get back to sound eating habits, as well as some consistent base, strength and flexibility work.

Congrats to all those who rocked IMFL this weekend.  Over 45 hours in airports and planes over the last 5 days has left me jet lagged and tired, so I'm off to shake the lag with my own triathlon of hot showers, football (Colts v. Pats, woot) and my own bed (which my wife and I haven't slept in for a long, long time). 

Wedding Reality

Ok, two things that don't go together for me are planning my wedding to my wonderful fiance and blogging.  Just no time.  I barely have time to sleep, much less post.  I'm out until I return from the honeymoon.  Then It'll be BlogHard 2, Blog Harder!

A Strange Sense of Freedom

A strange sense of freedom has come over me this last week and a half.  Ever since I really came to terms with being unable to attempt my A race this year, I've been feeling progressivly more positive.  My swim workouts are expanding, as are my bike rides.  Best of all, my hip *might* actually be healing.

I'll be back tonight with last week's workouts (I hope).  Three solid swims and an interesting ride made for a good week.

Bad News

Where have I been the last few weeks?  Well, I have bad news to report.  My season has once again been terminated due to my hip problem.  Second year in a row.  Major bummer.  I've been a bit too bummed to blog the last few weeks, as I figure out how to respond to this latest bump in my tri road.  I'll be back with my decision when I reach one.  For now, its rehab, rehab, rehab.

Blog Space Time Out

I'm taking a short break from the Blog, just till I get back from the BP this weekend.  Debauchery incoming...well, as much debauchery as you can have in Yosemite.  Training continues and gets stepped up a notch on Monday.

Keeping Up

Got in a nice ride on Monday night and a decent swim with Masters this morning.  More stats to follow; for now, work calls.

Gut Check

This past weekend wasn't what you'd call "hard core" training.  It was more of a "hard beer" weekend, as I threw a birthday bash for my lady.  Now its Monday morning and gut check time.  Gut, check!  Yes, its still there, perhaps even reinforced a bit by the weekend.  That's OK though, because I've go 7 weeks and change to go until the race and I'm ready for some solid training.  First up, a nice ride tonight along the 1 up the coast.

Progress

Weighed in at 207.7 today, with the BF at 15.1%.  Definite progress.  Now lets see if it holds for a week.

Today was technically an off day, but my PT made sure that I worked hard.  Running with proper posture is, how shall I say, difficult.  I felt like a one legged duck.  But at least things didn't look that freaky in the mirror.  Good news on that front, I get to do a 1-2 mile interval run, testing out the new posture.  Guess that will have to be Wednesday night; Tuesday is booked...dance lessons.  Eeek.