Now that I found out someone is actually reading this- or at least has read some posts at one time- maybe I'll be more consistent at writing!

I'm still working out as I feel inspired, nothing structured. Last Friday Justin and I played tennis for the first time in a year. We both played a lot growing up but it has been sparse since college. We were rusty, but surprised ourselves as we would hit some strong, clean shots once in a while.

Saturday was beautiful and sunny, yet crisp and cold. I ran for 67 min in a nice loop that takes me by the Univ. of Washington, over to Greenlake, down to the Burke-Gilman trail along Lake Union, over the University bridge, and home. I had my music on my Nano and enjoyed a great run.

Sunday I hopped on the bike for an hour and then we played tennis again. I was a little sore from tennis on Friday, but still had fun. Hopefully we can play a little more consistently now so the soreness doesn't come back each time and our hands get callused and used to our grips.

I only worked out once since Sunday and that was a trip to the gym on Wednesday after work. I lifted some weights and then swam a bit. I ran into a good triathlon friend, Aaron, who was doing the workout that our master's group had done in the morning. He seems to be training fairly well on the bike and in the pool as he might be doing IM Brazil in May. He is also signed up for IM Canada again, which will be his 3rd time in Penticton. He had an amazing race this past August and hopes to knock off a few more minutes to qualify for IM Hawaii next year.

Today I need to go do something. I slept nearly 11 hours and it felt great. Not sure why I was so tired, but I didn't fight it and luckily, our dog, Jackson, let me sleep.

Time to motivate.

Snowy weekend

Friday I got out for a 35 min run. It was a little more tiring than I expected. I had hoped to throw in some pick-ups to get my legs to a different cadence but could only muster one moderate surge.

Saturday we had friends come visit from Portland but when they went to the mall for an errand I snuck in a hour spin on the bike which felt good. Justin took a quick power nap and then spun for nearly an hour himself, and then tried out the home gym which was finally put together after being in a thousand pieces since buying it 2 years ago. Its very nice to have it operational- hope it is what he was expecting. It was nice to workout at home as it started snowing around 1pm and didn't turn to rain until about 8 pm. It was very pretty- I love snow. I was disappointed to wake up and have it mostly melted today.

Today I went to the real gym (a few more options than the home gym). Again it felt good to lift weights. Then came home and as Justin made a great dinner I tried a new recipe for a chocolate cake I'd been wanting to make. It was from the Barefoot Contessa and calls for a cup of coffee in the batter which intrigued me. The cake turned out really well and was very moist. Even the icing called for some instant coffee. I was quite pleased.

As I sit and listen to the rain on the roof, I check the forecast and see rain scheduled for the next two days as well. Hmmm....will probably hit the gym again tomorrow with an emphasis on swimming. But for now, its bed time.

Still no luck

Well, without an early race planned, I don't feel pressured to start formal training yet. I have been getting to the gym 2-3x/week which feels really good. I enjoy lifting some weights and the "good" muscle soreness that lets you know you did something. I was still sore from lifting on Monday so I just rode the bike 30 min and swam 1000 yds yesterday with some lunges and pull-ups in between. I won't workout today but hope to bike or get to the gym tomorrow, saturday and sunday. Will try to get out for a run one or two of those days as well. The forecast calls for a chance of snow on saturday which is exciting. I want to go snowboarding and skate skiing a lot this winter.

Dilemma Continues

24 hours later and still thinking about next season. I feel I need some early season races of some sort for motivation to train. I find it too easy to take time off. With my genetics I can gain weight quickly-- well, that and the fact I have little self-control with eating. Training consistently lets me get away with that, but the off-season can be dangerous for me.

I could think about increasing my running this winter and spring and enter some road races. I would really love to run some indoor track races but not sure if there are any divisions for me. The indoor track meets at the University of Washington are mostly college kids and some really fast post-collegiates. In my mind I feel I can compete with them, but the reality is probably not. I've haven't trained just for running in 5 years. I wonder if my body would hold up with a big increase in running volume and intensity? Possibly, if I did it sensibly. But body holding up, and being competitive at a mile or 3km or 5km is a whole other factor.

I guess I have a little time to think about it. But, like I said, I could use some motivation to train. When I was planning on doing Oceanside 70.3, my coach, Kainoa, and I decided that I would increase my base training on my own in December, and she would write formal workouts for me starting January 1st.

I did get to the gym on Wednesday- it felt really good to lift a little and I swam easy for about 15 min-- the first since my Kona swim 5 weeks ago. Today, I have that "good" soreness in my chest and arms from lifting. I've been trying a little yoga since Hawaii also which I really like. I haven't done a class yet- just some home DVD's. I finally got a Seattle Public Library card with the goal of checking out more Yoga DVD's. They have a fairly decent collection but they all have large waiting lists. I'm 15th on one queue, 19th on another. If everyone holds onto them for the allowed 2 weeks, then it'll be summer '08 before I'll be touching my toes. One video did come in on Wednesday: Yoga for Beginners. Perfect. But I suppose it won't make me strong and limber until I watch it and try it. Plus, I need to get it back to the library so I'm not one of "those" holding onto a DVD for the full 2 weeks.

I figure its a good time to start a blog since I'm in the off-season right now.  I'm taking a necessary break from formal training after doing two ironmans (Canada and Hawaii) in 7 weeks.  That was pretty brutal, but worth every minute of pain.  Two great races, and two amazing, yet different experiences.

Now, as I have a slightly more clear mind, I'm sitting down to map out next season.  The race I want to start with is Ironman 70.3 Oceanside.  However, I just found out it is full already- sold out in record time.  I'm really bummed as I really enjoyed that race in 2006 and its one race Justin doesn't mind as much since he gets to see family and friends in San Diego.  Plus it will be the first ever triathlon for one of the guys I'm coaching.  I may still try to go down to watch and support him, but really wish I could race as well.  I was hoping to use it as a qualifier for the 70.3 World Championships, but I heard that the drafting issue was terrible again at this year's race (held last weekend in Clearwater, FL).  I saw this problem first-hand at the inaugural race in 2006, but it sounded like they were taking big steps toward preventing/discouraging this for 2007.  Apparently not.  Now I don't even want to go to World's until this problem is handled.  I find it surprising because every other 70.3 race I've done has been such a great experience.

I also heard all North American Ironmans are sold out for 2008 as is Vineman 70.3 in California.  Our sport is growing so fast that its getting harder and harder to get into races.  I need to start planning my 2009 season now in hopes of getting into these big races.  But its hard to plan life so far away.  Plus, 2009 will have a big Europe trip as the next Outgames are in Copenhagen that summer.

As far as competing in 2008, I'm only sure about racing 70.3 Lake Stevens, a local race, in July. We have a great trip to Italy planned in early June so that rules out a lot of May and June triathlons for me. Don't worry, I'm not complaining- I'm very excited for Italy.  I just need to do more research to see if I can find other good races in April and later in the summer.

Debut

Wow, my own blog.  What the hell do I write?  Can I even attempt to be creative?  Will anyone read this?  Oh well, if not, might serve as a good journal for me.