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

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Weekly Training Log: Week of August 17th, 2015 - Week #31: Back to work and growing as an athlete

In Life: Back to work.

Enough said about that.  Working in schools for the past few years has been awesome in the fact that I have summers off.  The thing that sucks about that is that summer vacation always comes to an end.  Pardon me while I go cry in a corner for a few.

BUT, there is something different about this year.  I am back working at Longs Peak Middle School and I am working in the same building as my wife for the first time.  This is AWESOME.  Seeing your spouse and partner in life throughout the day can be nothing but good for communication.  It's also nice when you see that damn fine lady at your workplace and realize that it's your wife.  win win.

My parents owned a business together and worked at the same location my whole life.  I am guessing that some of the success in their relationship/marriage is due to the fact that they were physically close and were on the same page about issues throughout life.

So yeah.... Back to work and back to managing time a little more effectively. Four a.m. alarms started again this past week.

Another huge thing that happened is that my sister, brother in law, and three kids (nieces and nephews) moved to Colorado.  This makes me SO amazingly happy.  Being able to have them close is going to be a lot of fun.



In Training:  I realized a few things while in the Tetons a few weeks back.  Here they are:

1.)  Triathlon is a true passion of mine.  It's what I like to do, and I want to make a living in the sport one way or another.  I don't care if it's racing, selling product, or coaching.  I love this sport and will commit myself to making connections that will help me make a living being part of the sport I love.

2.)  I have the emotional, physical, and family support to do #1.  Awesome.  I already knew this though.

3.) Training can be balanced with life, but no matter how you balance it, there is a huge cost at racing and training at this level.  When I go on "vacation," the whole family naturally adjusts to let me get in the work that I need to.  Not going to lie - this sucks.  Is it worth it?  Yes, at this point in life it is.  I know that will end sometime, but for now I just have to be thankful to be able to do this.

4.) I'm tired. Not like I am burned out... I just feel like I need a break.  I am planning on racing Chattanooga, then a few more halves.  I think IM AZ might be out for the year.  I am already getting excited to start next spring at Oceanside and IM Texas.

5.)  My future is in sports.

Training has been going well.  Numbers and fitness is there and after two unstructured weeks, I feel ready to make a push for a good race in Chattanooga.  Time to hit it hard for a few weeks.





Weekly Totals
Swim: 2,000 yds - Week off swimming before I hit back hard
Bike: 215ish miles (mostly on trainer)
Run: 33.7 miles





Dinner in Longmont last Friday.  It is awesome seeing this and knowing my sister and family live so close now.

Aiden. Nope, not a fit!  He fell asleep like this on Saturday.

Walking back from our neighborhood pool.

Friday, August 14, 2015

Still Here...

It's been a while since I updated the blog.  I'll start with my weekly training log next week and do a little recap of where I have been and what I've been doing.  I've pretty much been enjoying summer with my family and training a lot.  Nothing new.
I did race Racine 70.3, then did a semi-planned DNF at Ironman Boulder (no pro race) a few weeks back.  I'll do a little writeup on both of those.
I will keep doing my weekly posts as I push towards the last half of my rookie pro season.  Thanks for following along.

Before the IM Boulder swim start

Monday, July 13, 2015

Weekly Training Log: Week of June 29th, 2015 - Week #24: Ocean City NJ - Family and the Fourth of July

In Life: I took a trip out east to stay with my in-laws at their summer residence in Ocean City, NJ.  Tom and Lynn's place is a few blocks from the beach and it was a really great time.  Aiden seemed to really form some amazing memories and the NJ shore was an amazing spot for a kid and his parents to spend a few weeks.
I am beyond grateful to have had this time with everyone in Ocean City.  A few pictures from that trip are below.



In Training:  This week was about maintaining fitness and getting some more run miles in than I have been doing.  I wanted to get as much training in as I could without being a huge burden on the family.  I only did one session per day and made the most out of each one that I did.  All in all, I am happy with the runs that I got in, and felt productive on the bike.



Weekly Totals
Bike: 132 miles
Run: 46.7 miles



Crab dinner.  Awesome.


Aiden loves steamboats.  This was an awesome find.



Aiden waiting to get his water ice.

Tom and Beth

My bro in law, Lyla, and Aiden


Monday, June 29, 2015

Weekly Training Log: Week of June 22nd, 2015 - Week #23: Home all to Myself

In Life:  The house has been very lonely without Beth or Aiden around.  I had some help from my parents around the house early in the week until they left for France on Thursday morning.  Wow - everyone is traveling a lot.  I'll be off to Ocean City, NJ to meet up with Beth and my in-laws on Monday.

One note - It's times like these where I am very thankful for the three dogs that we have.  They really do keep me company.


In Training:  It was nice and quiet and I was able to train and go as I pleased.  My swim feels like it has some speed coming back right now which is good, and I am able to sustain swim sessions that are longer than 4k.  The bike continues to feel strong and my run is up and down/hit or miss.  I was doing much more treadmill running in the past, but have been running outdoors much more this season.  I do like the variance, but I don't really know how the run is progressing.
I will have many races to test that - I need to not worry about it.


Weekly Totals
Swim: 8,350 yds
Bike: 217 miles
Run: 40 miles


Marley is our newest dog.  Pretty fun little guy.

I was able to get out and golf with my Dad on Wednesday.  I have been getting the itch to golf a lot this year.

Dude is having fun in Ocean City.