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Thoughts from a father, husband, son, Boulder native pro triathlete, coach, and optimist.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Weekly Training Log for weeks 27 - 32: Ironman race season 2016 preparations - Vineman Race Week and a Summer Recap

Every time I think about the distance that an Ironman race covers, it doesn't make sense and it doesn't seem possible.  That's why it's better to not think and and just do.  I've done a lot of these, and done them relatively well.  I know I can do it, and the only way to get it done is stroke by stroke, and one foot in front of the other - from start to finish.  I'll be bib #13 on Saturday starting Ironman #13.  Given things go okay, it'll be my 12th finish at the distance as I pulled out of the Boulder race (intentionally) last year.  I'll be sure to have my Lucky Charms for breakfast that morning with the whole 13 theme going on.

I have not done a good job (or any job) of updating this site with my weekly training totals from this summer, but wanted to put my numbers up here from all of the past weeks/months of training.  Overall, I have not made may drastic changes in the way that I have trained over the past few years with the exception of trying to swim a little more in 2016.  As I go into another school year, I am going in knowing that I will be done working (in schools for now)  at the end of December.  I'm going to be working again at Longs Peak Middle for the next few months, then shift my focus towards coaching, training, and racing in the new year.  I figure that I have a limited time in this sport and I want to see what's possible.  I also really like working with athletes and would like to expand my coaching and mentoring in the sport.

I have put below my weekly totals for the past bunch of weeks.  This has been the majority of my summer vacation, and it's been a great one.  Some of the things I have done included...

- A few local races - I never raced outside of Colorado until 2010.  It was nice this year to really front load on some of the local/shorter ones.  This is how I got into the sport and it's nice to remember why I love it so much.

- I spent close to two weeks alone at home - Beth and Aiden went back east on vacation to be with my in-laws who are in Ocean City, NJ seasonally.  It was too quiet and I missed them.  I got in some good training, but oddly slept no better than usual.

- I went to upstate NY for a week vacation - We have a family place in the Adirondack Mountains.  I had some GREAT family time up there.  My sister in law (Erin) came from Spain with my niece, spent some time with my sister (also Erin), my Aunts, my uncles, cousins, parents, and other nieces and nephews.  It's a really, really special place.  I look forward to the day where I don't need to haul a bike there for training and can just relax and enjoy everyone a little more.  That day will come soon.

- Took Aiden to a bunch of movies and went to some baseball games with my dad/Aiden.  Going to movies became a summertime thing that I do, and will continue to do with my kid.  It's nice to do during hot summer days where I train all morning, then can take him to a nice cool movie theater and hang out for a few hours.

So that's what I've been up to.  A fair amount of training, and a fair amount of family stuff.  Not that different from other times of the year I guess.

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Overall, these past few months have pretty much been some of the greatest few months of my life.  I am more in love and thankful for my wife than I have ever been, my son is at a great age (5), and life is just pretty great.  I am content and happy with my life and my plan.  I'm confident about where I am going and looking forward to what's next.  I know there will be some ups/downs to come, but I'm thankful for good stretches of life like these.



Quick note about training and overall hours - The minutes totaled are ONLY the minutes I spend moving.  I stop my watch every time I hit a stoplight, hit the wall in a pool, or take a pause while running.  My overall training time would be way higher if I didn't.

Weekly Totals - By the Numbers - Week of June 13th
Swim: 12,154 yds 
Bike: 247 miles
Run: 30.2 miles
Total TSS: 1041.1
Hours: 17:22
Days Off: 0


Weekly Totals - By the Numbers - Week of June 20th
Swim: 17,008 yds 
Bike: 245 miles
Run: 28.3 miles
Total TSS: 1036.3
Hours: 16:22
Days Off: 0


Weekly Totals - By the Numbers - Week of June 27th
Swim: 14,217 yds 
Bike: 200 miles
Run: 40.1 miles
Total TSS: 1036.2
Hours: 16:40
Days Off: 1


Weekly Totals - By the Numbers - Week of July 4th
Swim: 6,758 yds 
Bike: 130 miles
Run: 54.4 miles - High for the year
Total TSS: 880.7
Hours: 13:41
Days Off: 0



Weekly Totals - By the Numbers - Week of July 11th
Swim: 7,437 yds 
Bike: 223 miles
Run: 33.2 miles
Total TSS: 978.6
Hours: 15:23
Days Off: 0



Weekly Totals - By the Numbers - Week of July 18th
Swim: 15,201 yds 
Bike: 213 miles
Run: 23.1 miles
Total TSS: 905.9
Hours: 15:31
Days Off: 0



Family picture from my parents deck in the ADK Mountains

Beth joined me for a stroke and stride for the first time in years.  This was my FIRST ever multi sport event in 2003.

Picture from Loveland Lake to Lake - I took a detour on the bike, but had a good run.  Know the course before you race.

Beth and my niece Autumn on Seventh Lake, Inlet NY.  Right off of the boathouse.

Baseball:  My love for this game grows again this year.  Baseball was the first sport I became obsessive/passionate about.

One of the four movies I took Aiden to in the past two weeks


On our steps in the ADK's - It was so great to see Erin/Lyla for the first time in a year

I could have swore that I jumped first.  Nope.  This is about a 4 meter jump.  It feels pretty high.

Strong Kids triathlon in Lafayette last weekend

Aiden and Beth after the Strong Kids Tri