So I was out this morning with some amazing cyclist that have been riding all week long and are on their final day and leg of a 545 mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. LAIDSF Lifecycle
And I must say - it was pretty inspiring to see!! So much so that I am giving them their own blog post and recommending that you check out their website and consider donating to their cause. Now it was really cool to be out with the front runners at 7 when I rode. It was another thing all together to see them en masse at 10 when I was out on PCH again. :) To the men and women who are finishing up that grand ride, my helmet is off to you!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Andy on Andy
Andy: So tell us, Andy. Did you ride this morning?
Andy: Yes, as a matter of fact I did. Although it was a little tough getting out of bed. We had a rough night and wound up with both kids in bed and me sleeping in an S curve on about 6 inches of mattress.
Andy: But you made it up and out the door, yes?
Andy: Yes.
Andy: Oh good. And how did you feel?
Andy: Well to start, I felt terrible and kept second guessing how far I was actually going to go.
Andy: You poor baby. I hope you sucked it up and took one for all the people who have it a whole lot worse off then you in life?
Andy: That's not the most sensitive way to ask, but yes, I did.
Andy: And where did you go on your pity ride?
Andy: Look it wasn't a pity ride ok?!? I started out down Zuma like I like to: to spin and get my legs freshened up. I cut under the bridge at Busch and it was really flooded and full. Got my bike, back, and legs all wet.
Andy: Ahhhh...
Andy: But it is good to practice that since it is likely to be that way come September. Then I powered back down PCH. It is slightly uphill heading North (which is really West) through that section, but it prepares my body for the hill section.
Andy: You hate the hills don't you?
Andy: Not as much as you might think. I am really learning to love them. One of the riders on BT has the phrase "THE ONLY WAY TO GET BETTER AT CLIMBING HILLS IS....... CLIMBING HILLS" in his sig, and I thank Chris for that because I am really buying into that mentality.
Andy: So you come through the first set of hills...?
Andy: And it feels like my legs and back are about to fall off. But I persevered.
Andy: Oh we are so proud.
Andy: I can hear your sarcasm, you are in my head, remember.
Andy: Sorry.
Andy: It's all good. I need you, O Inner Voice, to continue to tell me to harden up. That's what will get me through this and make me a better athlete and person.
Andy: Aw shucks.
Andy: Not that I don't still ignore you and found you quite annoying.
Andy: So, back to the hills.
Andy: Yup, the second was a killer as usual. I call it the "Matador" since the turn off to El Matador is at the top. I find it helpful to channel my inner bull and beat down the matador as I climb that hill. El Matador is good inspiration to lose weight as well. I am sooo grateful for my bike and it holds up phenomenally well considering what I ask of it. But, I am very conscious of the fact that I dragging around my gigantic tookus when climbing.
Andy: How is that coming by the way?
Andy: Pretty well. I am back in some pants comfortably that I blew a button off before.
Andy: Congratulations. You have much further to go.
Andy: I know. Anyways, I got over the Matador and past Decker and came down through Leo Carillo. I decided that even though I was not feeling great to start, I would cut off miles from the end of my ride rather than the middle. I climbed the long slow hill out of Carillo and then turned around just after the top. I took a number of pictures on the ride, mostly of the hills that I was climbing for visualization purposes and to share with you, O Internet Community. But the picture at the bottom of the Carillo Hill (which is the toughest and therefore my favorite) was a mistake. I struggled to get my camera put away and lost all of my momentum.
Andy: Ha ha. /point /mock
Andy: Yeah, worked for that hill. But I did not stop! Slowed down to a miserable 5 miles an hour, but I never unclipped for a breather. In fact, I got my full-on race face going towards the top. I could hear another rider coming and checked over my shoulder briefly. As I was nearing the crest (which is not so much the top as a slight decrease in the degree of incline so your momentum builds) I jumped out of the saddle and started hammering, telling myself, "This guy is going to pass you, but you are going to make him work for it." And I stayed ahead of him for a good mile dropping into the big ring and powering ahead.
Andy: And then he passed you.
Andy: Yes, she did, but that is beside the point, Inner Voice. It is about a mentality that says, "I am in this to be more than I am."
Andy: Fair enough. Did you wuss out and call it a day after that section?
Andy: Nope, I did the Zuma leg a second time and practiced the bridge again. I am trying to gauge how to brake, steer, and move through there. And then rode back home. Good ride all told: 21.5 miles.
Andy: Well, no one is prouder than me.
Andy: Again with the sarcasm. What is your advice?
Andy: Next time do it faster, homes. Oh and harden up will ya?
Andy: Yes, as a matter of fact I did. Although it was a little tough getting out of bed. We had a rough night and wound up with both kids in bed and me sleeping in an S curve on about 6 inches of mattress.
Andy: But you made it up and out the door, yes?
Andy: Yes.
Andy: Oh good. And how did you feel?
Andy: Well to start, I felt terrible and kept second guessing how far I was actually going to go.
Andy: You poor baby. I hope you sucked it up and took one for all the people who have it a whole lot worse off then you in life?
Andy: That's not the most sensitive way to ask, but yes, I did.
Andy: And where did you go on your pity ride?
Andy: Look it wasn't a pity ride ok?!? I started out down Zuma like I like to: to spin and get my legs freshened up. I cut under the bridge at Busch and it was really flooded and full. Got my bike, back, and legs all wet.
Andy: Ahhhh...
Andy: But it is good to practice that since it is likely to be that way come September. Then I powered back down PCH. It is slightly uphill heading North (which is really West) through that section, but it prepares my body for the hill section.
Andy: You hate the hills don't you?
Andy: Not as much as you might think. I am really learning to love them. One of the riders on BT has the phrase "THE ONLY WAY TO GET BETTER AT CLIMBING HILLS IS....... CLIMBING HILLS" in his sig, and I thank Chris for that because I am really buying into that mentality.
Andy: So you come through the first set of hills...?
Andy: And it feels like my legs and back are about to fall off. But I persevered.
Andy: Oh we are so proud.
Andy: I can hear your sarcasm, you are in my head, remember.
Andy: Sorry.
Andy: It's all good. I need you, O Inner Voice, to continue to tell me to harden up. That's what will get me through this and make me a better athlete and person.
Andy: Aw shucks.
Andy: Not that I don't still ignore you and found you quite annoying.
Andy: So, back to the hills.
Andy: Yup, the second was a killer as usual. I call it the "Matador" since the turn off to El Matador is at the top. I find it helpful to channel my inner bull and beat down the matador as I climb that hill. El Matador is good inspiration to lose weight as well. I am sooo grateful for my bike and it holds up phenomenally well considering what I ask of it. But, I am very conscious of the fact that I dragging around my gigantic tookus when climbing.
Andy: How is that coming by the way?
Andy: Pretty well. I am back in some pants comfortably that I blew a button off before.
Andy: Congratulations. You have much further to go.
Andy: I know. Anyways, I got over the Matador and past Decker and came down through Leo Carillo. I decided that even though I was not feeling great to start, I would cut off miles from the end of my ride rather than the middle. I climbed the long slow hill out of Carillo and then turned around just after the top. I took a number of pictures on the ride, mostly of the hills that I was climbing for visualization purposes and to share with you, O Internet Community. But the picture at the bottom of the Carillo Hill (which is the toughest and therefore my favorite) was a mistake. I struggled to get my camera put away and lost all of my momentum.
Andy: Ha ha. /point /mock
Andy: Yeah, worked for that hill. But I did not stop! Slowed down to a miserable 5 miles an hour, but I never unclipped for a breather. In fact, I got my full-on race face going towards the top. I could hear another rider coming and checked over my shoulder briefly. As I was nearing the crest (which is not so much the top as a slight decrease in the degree of incline so your momentum builds) I jumped out of the saddle and started hammering, telling myself, "This guy is going to pass you, but you are going to make him work for it." And I stayed ahead of him for a good mile dropping into the big ring and powering ahead.
Andy: And then he passed you.
Andy: Yes, she did, but that is beside the point, Inner Voice. It is about a mentality that says, "I am in this to be more than I am."
Andy: Fair enough. Did you wuss out and call it a day after that section?
Andy: Nope, I did the Zuma leg a second time and practiced the bridge again. I am trying to gauge how to brake, steer, and move through there. And then rode back home. Good ride all told: 21.5 miles.
Andy: Well, no one is prouder than me.
Andy: Again with the sarcasm. What is your advice?
Andy: Next time do it faster, homes. Oh and harden up will ya?
Gear Check
Am I ready to roll?
The last two are what I really wanted to talk about. The phone is a cheapy prepaid cell from Virigin Mobile called the "Aloha." It cost me ten bucks and I only have to recharge my minutes every three months. I keep it in my bag for emergencies. I call it the "Bike Phone" and it even has its own outgoing message. This was a great alternative to carrying around my Palm Treo which is not only bulkier, but much more costly to replace if lost.
The second picture highlights the blue band on my wrist, below the Livestrong band (thank you Andrea from 24 Hr Fitness where ever you are) which is my RoadID. The RoadID has my name, my wife's cell (blurred out, sorry internet), as well as instructions for first responders if I could not speak for my self. There is a serial and pin number on the back that someone could use to find my emergency contacts, allergies, donor plans, blood type, and medical history. It may very well save my life someday and I am proud to wear it.
Bike. Check.
Shoes. Check.
New Saddle w/ gear bag. Check.
Safety gear. Check and Check.
The last two are what I really wanted to talk about. The phone is a cheapy prepaid cell from Virigin Mobile called the "Aloha." It cost me ten bucks and I only have to recharge my minutes every three months. I keep it in my bag for emergencies. I call it the "Bike Phone" and it even has its own outgoing message. This was a great alternative to carrying around my Palm Treo which is not only bulkier, but much more costly to replace if lost.
The second picture highlights the blue band on my wrist, below the Livestrong band (thank you Andrea from 24 Hr Fitness where ever you are) which is my RoadID. The RoadID has my name, my wife's cell (blurred out, sorry internet), as well as instructions for first responders if I could not speak for my self. There is a serial and pin number on the back that someone could use to find my emergency contacts, allergies, donor plans, blood type, and medical history. It may very well save my life someday and I am proud to wear it.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Double Digits!
If you saw my post yesterday it will come as no shock to you that we are now 99 days from race day. I had a dream last night about the race and more specifically about my plans to come up and preach after the race. I think that God wants a stake in all this too. I am thinking about designing a t-shirt for my "fans" that will generate buzz, conversations, and interest. Thoughts are loose now, but thinking about ways of drawing together the themes of Tris and worship. I am already planning on tying into my introduction to a four-week study on Philippians (I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus). But now I am looking for something catchy. Beat this:
Swim
Bike
Run
Preach
9/14/08
Bike
Run
Preach
9/14/08
Oh and I did 40 mins on the newest machine at Malibu Fitness called the AMT (adaptive motion trainer). Good fun.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Can you keep up?
So I just got in from 3 workouts in 18 hours :) I did my long Tuesday routine yesterday (20 min bike, 20 min run, 20 min elliptical, 20 min stair master) and then got up and did spin for 45 min this morning and then upper body with Devo for 45 min. My sweat is a beautiful thing. Especially when I am wiping it off of a machine... you may now go back to enjoying your lunches.
A
A
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Big Dog Running!
So I mixed some treadmill running into my circuit yesterday. Came off a 20 min ride warmup and ran a half-mile straight and then switched to eliptical to relieve "perceived" stress. :D
Heading to gym this afternoon for about 90 min of cardio.
A
Heading to gym this afternoon for about 90 min of cardio.
A
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Saturday's ride
Woot! Went for 23 miles. It was a great ride. Rode out and back on Zuma to warm up my legs, then all the way out to Neptune's Net, and then back across Zuma to cool-down. Good morning.
Maddie's post ride picture of Daddy:
Maddie's post ride picture of Daddy:
Friday, May 30, 2008
Oh yeah - the upper body
We started our upper body routine, mostly cable isolation exercises using the full arm extended (with some tri extensions worked in the mix), yesterday and man is my left shoulder tired. It has what I affectionately call a "click" which I had checked by Dr. Shoaee three years ago. He said it was an issue that I will have and live with. It does not cause pain, but it is a weaker muscle and fatigues WAY faster. So the upper body routine kicked my butt. But I am grateful that we are starting it now so that I can build up that strength for swimming while we are still 106 days out. Topped it off with 30 mins of riding, and then crunches (50, 30, 25, 20, 10 (unweighted)). So I am relaxing today, eating well, and looking forward to my road ride tomorrow.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The course ahead:
For those of you unfamiliar with the Malibu Tri, it is a rather unique Sprint distance (due to the bike and run turn around points. Here is the course:
Start off with a great half mile swim through the Pacific ocean along Zuma beach. The start is about halfway between the street the church is on and Trancas Canyon which we live up.
The bike course starts down Zuma, goes under PCH by Busch street (which is where the gym I train at is) and then all the way up to Leo Carillo State Beach and back. There are three major hills north of Trancas that you cross coming and going. Right now the toughest for me is the one coming out of Leo Carillo, southbound on PCH. But it is also my favorite ;) I have ridden this course in full already and train on the hills section twice a week. I expect it to be my strongest leg at this point.
The run is along the strand of Zuma beach. I fully expect the dolphins to be swimming along cheering me on like a scene out of Flipper.
Start off with a great half mile swim through the Pacific ocean along Zuma beach. The start is about halfway between the street the church is on and Trancas Canyon which we live up.
The bike course starts down Zuma, goes under PCH by Busch street (which is where the gym I train at is) and then all the way up to Leo Carillo State Beach and back. There are three major hills north of Trancas that you cross coming and going. Right now the toughest for me is the one coming out of Leo Carillo, southbound on PCH. But it is also my favorite ;) I have ridden this course in full already and train on the hills section twice a week. I expect it to be my strongest leg at this point.
The run is along the strand of Zuma beach. I fully expect the dolphins to be swimming along cheering me on like a scene out of Flipper.
Happy Anniversary!
Devo and I started working together one month ago today!
Seeing him at 3 for some training (including upper body stuff now).
Seeing him at 3 for some training (including upper body stuff now).
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Last two days
After my first 20 mi ride on Saturday, I took Sunday and Monday off (as Cam was away on retreat and I was Mr. Mom for the weekend). I took Tuesday as a chance to hit my endurance training hard. I stretched, did abs and rode for 30 min on stationary bike at 6:30 in the morning, I rode for 30 min on my road bike at lunch, and then did 60 min on the elliptical that afternoon. :D
Today, I went out to the gym after dinner and did run/walks on the treadmill for thirty min, 5x15 abs with the medium wt ball, and stretched out my legs really well. Looking forward to my work out tomorrow as Devo and I are starting on upper body work and fitting my cleats for my new pedals!
Today, I went out to the gym after dinner and did run/walks on the treadmill for thirty min, 5x15 abs with the medium wt ball, and stretched out my legs really well. Looking forward to my work out tomorrow as Devo and I are starting on upper body work and fitting my cleats for my new pedals!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Great Ride
I got out and rode 20.65 miles on Saturday. Most of that was with Matt, a member of our church. He took me through the whole Triathlon bike course and let me know some of the places where wipeouts have occurred in years past. It was my first ride on my new Selle SMP seat and that rode really smooth. I also now have my road shoes, cleats, and pedals. Just need to put them all together and give riding that style a shot.
I hit the gym this morning for a bit as I did not get out yesterday.
I hit the gym this morning for a bit as I did not get out yesterday.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Earned my rest day
So Wednesdays, I rest. Thats the deal. But yesterday (after having nice lean meals at Spruzzo's twice) I had a great workout at Malibu Fitness. I got there about 3:45 and then did my typical endurance routine:
20 min warmup on Bike
20 min Elliptical trainer (on an incline setting of about 4 - a little gentler on the knees)
20 min on stairmaster (on level 3 for the first time)
20 min back on bike
What made yesterday fun was that I also did two sets of 20 weighted crunches in between each step. That was 120 crunches with the yellow medicine ball for the Big Dog! Woot woot!
20 min warmup on Bike
20 min Elliptical trainer (on an incline setting of about 4 - a little gentler on the knees)
20 min on stairmaster (on level 3 for the first time)
20 min back on bike
What made yesterday fun was that I also did two sets of 20 weighted crunches in between each step. That was 120 crunches with the yellow medicine ball for the Big Dog! Woot woot!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Where I Ride
This my standard 11 mi round trip ride. It is almost entirely hills and on a safer (read less congested and little street parking) part of Malibu. In two weeks I hope to hit Neptune's nest, taking me to 14.5 mi and then out to Point Magu which would be 20. :D
What I am using.
This is a picture similar to the Trek Road bike I ride:
And here is the new Saddle I got yesterday!
Selle SMP is an Italian saddle that relieves pressure in the perrinium with its cut away style and encourages the rider to hold better form in the seat with its slightly sloped nose (I call it the Gonzo seat).
Here is a 3-D picture of my road bike shoe:
http://nt1.adventuresports.com/shops/veltec2006/sidi_sf/movies/sidi_v1/g5m-sil/g5m-sil_500390pz.html
On my bike I use a small pack with a "bike phone" (as I don't want to carry my Treo while I train) and some tools and tubes.
I am all about safety on my roadbike training. I do not bring my Ipod! I wear a helmet, glasses, and gloves. And my RoadID (http://www.RoadID.com) should arrive this next week.
Next ride (when everything is all set up) I will have a picture of me in gear and hitting the road to share.
And here is the new Saddle I got yesterday!
Selle SMP is an Italian saddle that relieves pressure in the perrinium with its cut away style and encourages the rider to hold better form in the seat with its slightly sloped nose (I call it the Gonzo seat).
Here is a 3-D picture of my road bike shoe:
http://nt1.adventuresports.com/shops/veltec2006/sidi_sf/movies/sidi_v1/g5m-sil/g5m-sil_500390pz.html
On my bike I use a small pack with a "bike phone" (as I don't want to carry my Treo while I train) and some tools and tubes.
I am all about safety on my roadbike training. I do not bring my Ipod! I wear a helmet, glasses, and gloves. And my RoadID (http://www.RoadID.com) should arrive this next week.
Next ride (when everything is all set up) I will have a picture of me in gear and hitting the road to share.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3
So blogger thought my blog might be used for spam and has blocked me out for the last week. So I am trying to see if my rights have been restored.
A
Update: And we're back! Look for more information about my training progress here by tomorrow.
A
Update: And we're back! Look for more information about my training progress here by tomorrow.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Off and Running!!!
Greetings members of Team RevBigDog!!!
I am thrilled for your support as I train to compete in the Malibu Nautica Triathlon. As of Sunday, May 11th (Happy Mother's Day by the way), there are 125 days to race day. Check back here for updates to my training to find out my intensity level, what activities I am up to, how I am feeling and more.
I am thrilled for your support as I train to compete in the Malibu Nautica Triathlon. As of Sunday, May 11th (Happy Mother's Day by the way), there are 125 days to race day. Check back here for updates to my training to find out my intensity level, what activities I am up to, how I am feeling and more.
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