Weekly Training Log: Week of February 23rd, 2015 - Week #6: Boulder Finally Got a Winter

After a tough and emotional stretch over the previous week, this past one provided the boost that I needed at this time of the year.

Boulder had an absolutely amazing January and February.  There were many days that were in the 60's or even 70's.  Then we got winter back in full force.  Look at that first pic below - that's rare for the front range of Colorado - 8 full days of clouds and snow doesn't happen too often.

The school district that I work for didn't even get a snow day out of the deal.

Training:

That treadmill has been very useful for all of the mornings where I didn't feel like getting in that snowy car and driving to the gym.  Having that thing is the greatest decision I have made this year - even if I'll be paying for it over the next 18 months.

Overall, I had a very good week of hard training.  I felt consistent and able to get in the work without being too worn down from it.

The balancing act of trying to be a dad, working full time, and getting in the training to try and make a run at racing as a professional goes on...

I have no idea if it'll work this time around, but I never want to wonder what I could have been capable of.


Weekly Totals:
Swim: 3,200 yds 
Bike: 620TSS - 8+ hours all on trainer
Run: 44.7 miles 

Until I start skiing much again, this sucks.

First longer run on my ND1750

Go ahead and try to guess what Aiden was drawing here.

I bought the kid a half priced book, then took him to Burger King.  Cheap date.

Aiden plays soccer at 11am on Saturdays at Boulder Indoor.  It was fun to go watch him this week as I am usually coaching then.

Weekly Training Log: Week of February 16th, 2015 - Week #5: I own a treadmill now

It was a tough and emotional week.  On Tuesday morning, I saw on the news that a friend and mentor - one of the people who got me into long distance triathlons - had gone missing.

He was missing since Friday morning when he set out on a run in North Boulder.  A runner found a body later Tuesday morning or mid-day and it turned out to be Randy.  I was (still am) shocked and very sad.

Randy was a great guy and taught me a ton about Triathlon.  His wife Lianne coached me (she was my only coach ever) over the 2004 tri season.  I continued training with Lianne for quite a few years after, and spent a fair amount of time getting to know Randy on the way.

The loss of Randy Evans was a big one to the Boulder Tri community.  He will be missed for certain.

Training:

I took two full days of doing zero workouts.  I was very shaken up and needed to sort through some emotions without anything.

The work that I did get in this week was good.  I finally got a treadmill in the basement (a NordicTrack C1750) and immediately felt more productive because of it.

I do 85 - 90% of my run training on a treadmill, so this is awesome.

I may need to hold back a little to avoid any injuries.





Weekly Totals:
Swim: 0 
Bike: 450TSS
Run: 31.7 miles 

This is Randy Evans - A great guy who told me all about the "Hawaii Ironman" quite a few years back

My updated man cave.

Marley is one of three dogs in our house.

I took Aiden to swim again on Thursday

There was a Chineese new year celebration dinner at Aidens school on Friday.  Cute.

Had our group of IPA Endurance athletes up at BCSM on Saturday for a power based cycling session

I take Aiden to Safeway many weekend mornings in order to let Beth get a little extra rest.  These are some of my favorite times with him.

Weekly Training Log: Week of February 9th, 2015 - Week #4

This was the last harder bike focused week of four.  My run milage was down quite a bit lower than I had wanted it, but I am still fine with that.

I had a four mile road race on valentines day that was a little long (4.12mi).  Finished the thing in 22:50.  It was my first time running a race at that distance and I liked it.  I set a 5k pr on the way - a little under 17:23 - give or take a second.  That's about 20 seconds faster than I have done before.

Progress is progress.


And... I finally got the treadmill.  It's a NordicTrack C1750 and I am absolutely loving it so far.  Since that happened on Monday, it goes in next weeks log.




Weekly Totals:
Swim: 3,100 yards
Bike: 640 TSS*  Highest Training stress score of the year - Not going this high for another month
Run: 21.2 miles (low but intended)

A sign outside of Aidens school.  He wanted to write that he loves his friends there.

Beth has gotten him on his bike.  He asked to go on it twice this week.

Woke up Valentines day to find some nicely decorated gifts.  Beth got me the large aerogarden.  It's a hydroponic indoor grow system.  I really like that thing.

I got this sweet picture right before I went to run that race in Loveland.  That would be Marley's snout.

I felt good and relaxed for the four mile race.  My pace was faster than I have ever gone for more than a mile.  Here is the 5k split proof.

Take a guess here.

Weekly Training Log: Week of February 2nd, 2015 - Week #3

I had the best overall training week of the year.  It's really tough trying to balance life/work/training right now but I am confident that I am doing a better job of it right now and learning how to do it a little better with each passing month.  I'll be getting a treadmill in the near future and I'm hoping that I can be even more productive with my early morning/evening workouts that way.

The one thing that I am not lacking in right now is motivation.  I don't know where it's coming from, but it is there.  I need to go with it and take care of myself and family.  If I do, I know it'll be another breakthrough season.

You are only in your early 30's and peaking in a sport once.  Now's my chance.

Weekly Totals:
Swim: 2,000 yards 

Bike: 550 TSS 

Run: 43.6 miles 

Aiden at swim lesson on Thursday

I have been taking Aiden to the Boulder Humane Society to see the dogs and teach him about pets/adoption.  Sometimes I wish we could just get a fourth dog.  Or not.

The Avalanche mascot was there.  Biggest dog in history.

Took a stop off the side of the road.  I have seen a line of decommissioned trains off of Valmont for a long time - You can walk up to them and check them out.