annoying people day

Sorry, not very positive. But this is what it was. I'm not even getting into it.
Shamefully I passed on a pre dawn ride this morning. Now I'll be lucky if I get a ride in by Sunday
** sigh**. That is what you get for being complacent. I will run for sure, rain or shine. I don't know when, but it will happen.

have a job - check
have a roof - check
have a family - check
have a ride- check
have my health - check

o.k. it's apparently all better.

A closing photo of one of my old race bikes, you'll want to know the story. I'll share on a later date. Enjoy it, I know I didn't

Train hard, train smart, be healthy. 

First of all

Some time ago I was tagged with a Stylish Blogger Award. I know it's hard to believe it is here if you don't believe it http://tri714-letsdothisagain.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-me-oh-thank-you-thank-you.html.
I tagged several people that may and may not respond. It would be based on if the really read my blog or not. Apparently some just don't but here is the list below.
James at http://hubcitytri.blogspot.com/
Barbie at http://barbie-tryingatri.blogspot.com/
Patrick at http://www.theroadmultisport.com/
BDD at http://tridiesel.blogspot.com/
Diana at  http://dianatries-a-tri.blogspot.com/
Neil at http://becauseallthecoolkidsaredoingit.blogspot.com/
John at http://mtb-ironman.blogspot.com/
Shannon at http://irontexasmommy.blogspot.com/
Kate at http://kate-mybookshelf.blogspot.com/
Joel at http://joelpstrickland.blogspot.com/
DRog at http://drogmn.blogspot.com/
Jon @ http://www.swicyclorun.com/
Charisa at http://charisawernick.blogspot.com/
Richard at http://cyclingart.blogspot.com/
Ryan at http://falkeetriathlon.blogspot.com/

Now some really do read my blog because they responded, others obviously don't :-( (shame on you) - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. And some that I would have included had already been tagged, so I gave them reprieve to ealleviate redundancy.

O.k. that is my rant, now onward.

Reading other blogs, I'm very excited and impressed with some (a lot) of times and distances being laid down. It appears most are on track and getting fired up;. I LOVE IT, YOU PEOPLE ROCK !!!

I too got to get out of a nice toasty bed this morning and was greeted by beautiful,crisp and clear 43 degree run weather. And I know that would be heaven to a lot of people and hell to others.
Personally, I love it. And to me it is near perfect run weather.
I will always (if I have a choice ) take it much warmer for a ride though.

Got in a very peaceful run of 5.5 miles in just over 52:00 minutes and loved every step of the way. ( Well maybe not every step up the couple of false flat uphills) but every other step :-)
Chris K I have a bike deal for you if your serious about upping your game to Multi sport. Let me know. I have a friend who will vouch for it's abilities and condition, Obviously fit is most important.

Train hard,train smart, be healthy.    

Is it just a grind or is it a funk ?

Seems to be a bit of common thread everywhere I turn. I for one have some great things in the works and happening.
On the other hand, as my life has forever been, I have some heartaches, hardships and troubled waters.
This is a (or suppose to be for me) sport related blog. However I did pre-qualify that it would also be about family life and everything that happens in my quest for regaining control of my health and life through the passion of swim,bike and run. Trials and victories.

Training first.

I don't have a concrete race schedule set up. This is a good and bad thing. I need goals to hit and peaks to rise up to. On the other hand I don't smack myself around and get all crazy when things go sideways in my life.
The closest thing out, is a 5k next weekend.
Then we are already into March and I can't lock anything down there yet.
So it has been a bit challenging to stay on top of my training game the way I want and expect to be. I have stayed true to swimming, cycling and running, along with some cross training. But I'm really relaxed about it and I'm not liking that.
There are some days better than others. I haven't had a fierce run day since Surf City 1/2 marathon. I have not ran anything over 5 miles and even those where on cruise control.
I have had a few good cycling days, so I feel good about that.
My swim has been reduced to 1-2 days a week at best for 600- 1500 meter swims. Some serious, some lazy. Well what I would call lazy.

I did manage 1200 meters yesterday, structured.
1x50 warm up
5x100 all under 1:55
2x200 both under 4:02
2x100 both under 2:00
1x50 cool down

I felt good and fresh with a mostly smooth glide and strong pull. I have no coach and no one watching. I just have to go by feel.

I hope everyone else, with life changing things going on, takes the time to reflect on where they are and where they could be.
Sometimes it's the one thing that gets me through it.

Train hard,train smart, and be healthy.

BUT FOR HEAVENS SAKE KEEP IT REAL AND ALL IN PERSPECTIVE. Life is short enough, lets not let some one or something steel our glory away.

The past revisited in a good way

I'm not a huge Face book person. Maybe I should do more in the way of it,but for me I just think too many people put too much out there. That being said I do see a purpose for it and sites like it. Example one would be "BLOGGER" all though not the same thing at all, I feel it serves a great useful purpose. For me it keeps thing relevant and also keeps me focused and accountable. I get to not only read and semi experience others trials and tribulations as well as success and victory. I also get to share some. So it seems win/win.
Another example is    http://www.enduranceathleteproject.com/ . Which I'm very much behind due to it's nature and content. I'm also a fan and supporter of the person that started it, especially knowing why he did it and what he does or doesn't expect from it.

This all ties together with my club ride on Saturday with  http://ocvelo.com/. I'm new to the club and not knowing how long you have been reading my blog (if ever) you know that I'm in a bit of a return to multi sport life etc..
Also with multi sport Ive done some other things as previously stated and one being played some hockey.

This is the tie in. Meeting at the normal take off spot on Saturdays ride is a normal. It was downsized due to an out of town century. Some people I recognized and some I didn't. I know this will come with time. I did however recognize or so I thought a guy I had not seen before there. Typical looked familiar to an extent, but with helmets,shades and Lycra who knows for sure.
We head out and I keep running that face through my mind only to come up blank, thanking maybe I can address him later as we end the ride some 46 miles later. Only to find out he and a couple of others had peeled off to ride some more hills. Well it is what it is.
Then yesterday while on Face book for the very brief time that I was I recognize a name affiliated with a LBS and it clicks of who that person was. I of course did the normal friend request etc.. with a quick note of who I thought he was and lo and behold it was. Small worlds collided again.

First meet Greg in early 90's both playing minor Hockey not for money but fun, we then started playing some tourney stuff together and did well, eventually coaching some AAA stuff together also doing well.

I think this is 98 or 99. Las Vegas classic that we steam rolled 6 straight wins for the championship. I'm in the bottom row 3rd from left with the odd jersey. I was kind of brought in as a last minute player if you know what I mean. Greg is upper right corner, he captain the team I guess. I don't remember that, but I see he's sporting the "C".     

This was a few years later in 2001. He is bottom row 3rd from the right and I am right above him. We one this tourney also with a bunch of put together ex want a be's. That included myself.
Like I said we played together more and then eventually coached youth travel teams for a couple years after. Eventually going our separate ways as life often does.

This is Greg today chasing another passion that I have, and I have yet to really talk to him much about it as he only responded to my request last night. But he was as shocked about the whole thing as I am.

Good dude, hell of an athlete. And apparently has some bike skills to boot.

It appears he's made a jump here in a crit and trying to punch there tickets. I'm looking forward to getting to see him again and introducing Patrick if he doesn't already know him. Good times, Good times.
So today I give Face book an A+.
  

Good things have to come to an end, so they say

Here on the west coast it has been picture perfect weather. Not that I'm rubbing it in, BUT I AM.
They say we are in for 3-4 days of non stop wet weather so I tried my hardest to make it a full outdoor weekend.

Friday I blew a mental gasket on my blog, and stepped out away from what this blog is (mostly) suppose to be out. But sometimes you just have to say shite happens and take the good with the bad.

So training we. Limited  http://ocvelo.com/ crew was available due to a local century ride but I think there was at one time up to 11 riders with us. That is super light considering the weather and the turn outs they have been having.
I'm new to the club, in fact have not even received my jersey as of yet.
They put together some very thought out routes that always incorporates several hills, sometimes short, sometimes long. Generally focusing on getting out of as much traffic as possible and into some open areas for real cycling skills to be tested and learned. At the end of the day I was able to get just under 57 miles and I felt we had good efforts out there.
Ive been fortunate enough over the last couple of rides to posses some power after the 50 mile marks. And have taken advantage of the tests of pulling the crew home at a fairly high pace. Patrick from   http://www.theroadmultisport.com/ seems to enjoy it as well as others, so I'll continue to embark on this test to see just how hard and  fast we can actually go.
Cycling is my forte and I might as well take advantage of it while I can. If I where running, I would be finishing up as they where all going home. So it is what it is.
On this day though we threw in a little extra chilli's in the sauce. And at a steady pace line of 25 mph where I was rolling 2nd wheel, we had the lead out rider crack and get so fatigued that he forgot to flick his elbow for a man change, or any other sign for that matter.
As he started quickly fading to the right side of the line, that pushed me quickly to the shoulder. Keep in mind we are only dealing with about 2.5 feet of area. I freaked out for a split second and let out some type of loud "OH SHIT" etc.. or something verbal and opted to move out as far right as I could to make sure the rest of the crew behind did not get into a chain reaction pile up. If you ever seen it, it's not pretty. If you've ever been there, it's even worse.
Within a fraction of a second I was far right out, of the line, now heading off the road on to what I hoped was at least loose dirt and not sand. To compound it there is a 6 foot tall chain link fence and at this very spot a 4 foot high steel guard rail (really ? why right here ?). First thought was, this shit is gonna hurt.  2nd was I'm not going down.
I managed to relax as I went well off road for way longer than I wanted to without a mountain bike or motorcycle. Held my composer, missed all the obstacles and manged to get back on the road while only having a minor heart attack. No one went down. And other than everyone shatting themselves in disbelief, we managed to just keep rolling.
The joke was made about 15 minutes later at the normal end of ride coffee stop, that it was just a hazing stunt to the club and I could now receive my jersey.
If that's the case ( I know it's not), I'm glad it's done and I hope I passed the audition).
I later made the comment to Patrick that my motocross instinct of all the years racing just paid off in dividends, and I wasn't joking. On a street/road bicycle you never expect to have to anticipate that. Racing motocross you expect it every 100 yards for 15-40 minutes X 2.
So that's my big story for the weekend.
Other than that, Sunday found me and the wife @ a great new local Farmers market stocking up on fresh fruits and veggies.

 and

 There really is nothing like fresh !!!

This morning was a short and fast 3.8 miles. I felt good with no twinges or pain. My long runs may drop off from the weekly ramp up to 10 + milers, to more frequent 4-7 mile runs. This could change if I find another 1/2 mary to train for. Otherwise my longest run portion of a race will be 6.2 and I can't see banging out 10-12 mile runs unless it's just for the glory of running some distance (which could very well happen).

Train hard,train smart, be healthy.
       

Friday playlist and in shuffle mode no less

Warning this is random, but could be entertaining too.

This week flew by

I trained every other day, and it felt like I had the whole week off. (I DON'T LIKE IT).

I finished up my long run play list from last Sundays 1/2 during this mornings 4 mile run and it was everything from ; Late 70's Clash, DRI, Dead Kennedy's, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Ramones, Drop Kick Murphy's, Flogging Molly, G&R, Van Halen (wth??) Incubus,Sublime, The Specials, The Jam, Danzig, along with a couple from Aerosmith and Queen. I am going to use this play list for awhile. It is wide spread and not boring to say the least.

I made the best spinach and Munster omelet this morning.

I'm in the market for another pair of running shoes ( along with several new pairs of good running socks). I love the Kayanos, but my back up pair of Asics are just feeling sloppy and need to retire.

I can't wait to do a long ride @ 55 + miles tomorrow in high 70's sunshine. "don't hate".

My taxes are done !! And all things considering it wasn't bad at all.

I'm going for some excellent Cuban food Saturday night (getting my early Valentines groove on).

We are already 1/2 way through February.

Kovas is still the TRAIL GURU.

EMZ still freaking rocks !! Thanks for the shirt, it's funny how it made a round trip to Cali, but you haven't. P.S. I win the contest for male shirt model. Yes I biased but what can I say.

BDD - sent me a picture of himself, HE IS 5'- 3" tall at 138 lbs. How do you get BDD out of that. But he is 6 weeks deep in M DOT training, so he has that going for him.

Chris k BQ'd - NUFF SAID !! ATTA BOY !

Kate (from San Diego) BQ'd - and said "F" it, I'm running Chicago !! WTH ??

My girly feet healed up enough to run this morning and opted to do it naked .I mean, naked of gadgets of course.

Patrick is a bid dude ( not fat, not chubby) BIG DUDE. That runs like the freaking wind------------- GREAT JOB HOME BOY------ I'll trade you some cycling speed for some of that run speed any day.
I think we should find out if Nan would be a swim leg participant in a relay and go throw down a crazy arse time in a TRI !

It's just 3 hour  after my run and I wish I could go run again right now.

Eric my 10 year old called us last night after 6 days sick and said he's is all better and he got 3 A's on tests last week. (this is not normal).

My middle step son called and said he put an offer on a house !

My oldest called and said his fiance, now ex fiance broke his heart, and that now breaks my heart. So goes life my son, so goes life.

I cant find a Triathlon that I'm really interested in. But I did sign up for a 5k with the wife.

Races are awesome, but I really, really like training. I need the structure in my life.

Every time I see someone running in green I think its "THE GREEN GIRL RUNNING". should I stop waving at them all ??

I almost got taken out in a cross walk this morning by a driver. I know he felt bad, but I was so pissed I couldn't look at him or his passenger without exploding. So I didn't acknowledge his apologetic hand gestures and kept running.

Jon cooks and trains like a bad ass

JohnP I want to cycle with you, come on out "LOTCR" I like that.

Barbie your bike now looks UTI professional !!

BC is missing in action and although it shouldn't concern me, oddly it does.

I truly want to see all you guys/gals get outside and off those trainers. You blow my mind at how much volume you can do on them.

EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT GET A CLUE- U.S. PRESIDENT GET A CLUE.

train hard,train smart, be healthy.

sometimes beauty is the beast

First thank you that wished my father well on his birthday. He is an awesome man, and will forever be my hero.

Back on to training :

I haven't ran yet since Sunday. I was trying to let the feet blisters heel and it appears they are just about ready to go. I could have probably ran this morning, but having a cyclists heart I have been craving the cranks.
My last ride was a killer loop with http://ocvelo.com/ and http://www.theroadmultisport.com/ . I think all said and done that day ended up being 58 miles. A great ride for sure and we had some stellar climbs and included some fast flat pulls as a team.
I then put the bike away and focused on the pre 1/2 taper and runs only.
Yesterday would have been my 1st ride back but you know the story there.

So here we are at present time. Crisp yet balmy at 6:15 a.m. if that makes sense. In So Cal we get these crazy canyon winds, called  Santa Ana's.
I won't go into the science of it, but they can be heaven and hell all wrapped up.
I felt them while standing in my backyard with a steaming cup of JO this morning and thought well it's either pay the piper and ride or get your run back on.
I chose to hit the saddle.
Heading out North first with the anticipation of a decent headwind back I was hoping.
My legs felt good, and it was great to be riding again for the first 8 miles or so I didn't come across 1 rider, but several runners (which probably would have been a good to great choice). But I finally came across another fairly local club that I see out there sometimes ant they were huddled in about a 15 man/woman crew trying to get after it. At this point they where opposite side of the highway of me, and I know as we glanced over at each other, both sides though the same thing, where is the freaking tailwind ?
The wind was shifting so much at times out there that you could go from a steady 22-23 mph and get whacked 2 minutes later down to 13 mph. As I continued down PCH, I observed no less than 7 of there club riders that had gotten spit out the back. Now normally this consist of someone or a few people to either hold up, or drop back and pull them back in. But I have a feeling there was a consensus that if you get spat out today, we'll see you at the next meet up point, period.
It was tough riding in the saddle, tough riding out of the saddle, drops, hoods, you name it there was very little to no comfort zone.
It was a character builder and strength trainer at the very least. I was glad I was out there, very thankful in fact to have the ability and the opportunity to be capable. But it was tough to say the least.
I didn't feel bad for the people that got blown out the back of that crew, especially since I was rolling solo. The one thing I kept thinking was, it's not all sunshine and smooth roads and sometimes the beauty of it all can be the beast.
I did stop to take a couple photos for you. As Catalina island is 27 miles west of our coast, but on days like today you feel as if you can touch it.

enjoy

     

And yes Kovas it is about shoulder to head high again and just draining, peeling pipes. Someday brother, someday.

One last note; I want to give a huge shout out to  http://www.ryderseyewear.com/, I follow them on facebook. They have been doing a style review for the past week. I commented on a couple of pairs and then commented that I could not find a local shop that had replacement lenses for glasses. They stepped right up and offered some up. Now I haven't received them yet, but it was only 24 hours ago. But if this is an example of there customer service I'll be a promoter and buyer for life. I really like the styles, form and feel of them weather I'm riding or running. They stay clear and put.

NOTE;( I am not a product reviewer for Ryders eyewear, they have not paid me anything for this statement. Nor asked me to endorse them. It is soley my personal feelings and experiences).

Train hard, train smart, be healthy.