Pumped to Race

On the way up to Palomar again. The never-ending climb!

It's strange how much you mature mentally (at least for most people) as you get older. When I was running competitively basically until I was 22 I had such a different mind set when it came to training/racing. I basically trained and raced scared. This meant training WAY harder than I should have been and racing with WAY more nerves then I should have had. I had always put so much pressure on myself to preform well and a lot of times it back fired. I always raced best when I was confident and relaxed. I think it's healthy to be a bit nervous for a race because it can get that adrenaline going, but that deep down nervousness is when it can deter your performance. The kind that stirs your GI tract, drys your mouth and just zaps your energy. Some times it would happen for the whole week for me leading up to the race so by the time it came around, I was done before the race even started!

My 2 favorite kids! Scarlett decided
to dress up the two

Fast forward 10 years and I can really put things into perspective now. Back then running was my life, now triathlon is just a hobby. I have a wife, 2 kids a mortgage and a career - these are the important things. On the flip side, I have found it is impossible for me to do something without giving it my all. And that's why any spare chance I get, I train. Any opportunity I get to race - I race. The only difference is, this time when I go into a race - I have fun and that's what it is all about. Racing is the reward for all of those countless hours of training! There's no reason to get nervous anymore. I have a beautiful, healthy family and racing is what I get to do to go out and play. Most people don't understand how I have time and money to train & race. So how do I?

I don't eat out, I don't go to bars, I don't go to movies, I don't drink Starbucks, I don't stay up late, I don't watch TV, I don't go to punk rock shows anymore, I don't home-brew anymore (sad I know), and I don't play guitar anymore.

All I do in my spare time is spend it with my family, train and race. I have found that everything I mentioned was either taking away time from what I really love to do or taking away money that wasn't a necessity. Now, don't get me wrong - I cheat from time to time (all about balance)-but it makes it a special treat (a word my daughter loves to use) instead of a weekly habit. I'm not even saying this is the way other triathletes should live their lives, this is just the way I do it and with my responsibilities - this is the only way that would work both in time and financially.

The ride up Palomar gave us some heavy rain and even
some hail. Love this ride!

This Saturday is the San Diego Triathlon Classic. It's an Olympic Distance (1500 meter swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). Although I did this distance once before at Xterra Western Championships it's apples and oranges in comparison to this road race. Although this course is hilly, it is nothing compared to the hills I tackled on the mountain bike in Vegas. I'm really pumped and for the first time this year I go into a race without any nagging injuries. I feel stronger than I ever have on the bike and swim and although my running has been neglected a bit since AFC - I know it will be there for me at the end of the race. My wave goes off at 6:54am down at Liberty Station where the race will take place for the most part. My AG is in the blue swim caps. If you're in the area, come by - Amy and I are going to get brunch after the race. Hit me up on my cell if you know me and if you don't and you just read this blog, find me and come join us! I really have no idea who reads this blog. I see my counter go up each week - so I guess people are reading it. Hope it's entertaining or even motivating to get out and train. Even if it's just my wife that reads this thing, I'm glad to have a training log for future reference and something to show my kids eventually.

Speaking of training, stats from last week:

Swim: 2hrs 0 mins (4,500 yards) weak.

Bike: 8hr 36 mins (142 miles) 13,421 ft of climbing

Run: 2hr 10 mins (18 miles) also weak.

Total: 12hr 46 mins

What was setting up to be a big week (with Labor Day in there), it ended up being pretty mild. I had to take two days off because of other responsibilities, but overall - still a solid week.

Thanks for reading!