Do you have the time?

I think it is time for another father-in-law Vince story. Vince is a connoisseur of fine watches. Rolex watches to be specific. At least since Vince picked up a fine Rolex during a trip to Thailand. "The guy wanted $100 but I bargained him down to 80.", Vince said proudly. Ellen and I rolled our eyes. So on his latest senior excursion to Vegas, Vince saunters into the Rolex store. I guess he thinks he is now in some sort of elite club. "Wow",Vince said, "I saw a watch for $45,000!" I asked Vince, "So how do you explain how you paid 100 bucks... "that was 80 bucks", Vince corrected, "...for a watch costing thousands of dollars?" " I drive a hard bargain." But sadly Vince's Rolex has since died. " I think I got ripped off", lamented Vince. Now Vince sports two watches, one on each wrist. An old Timex to tell the time, and his Rolex to flash when he is entertaining the ladies.

Day 119 of Ironman- AM: 1hour run, core work, PM: 2hour bike
Day 120- AM: 40 minute run, easy, PM: Masters swim

Stand by Me

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Watch this video. If it doesn't make you feel better you are probably a disgruntled, bitter, old man. Or maybe a Republican.

The Price of Shoes

How much did you pay for your last running shoe? Probably too much according to Christopher McDougall. McDougall claims the rate of running injuries are on the rise and due to a large part by the "latest" technology marketed by the 20 billion dollar shoe industry."Every year, anywhere from 65 to 80 per cent of all runners suffer an injury. No matter who you are, no matter how much you run, your odds of getting hurt are the same."

Day 118 of Ironman- masters swim

Close Shave

Today, during my weekly torture session with Erika, massage therapist/dominatrix, I had a lengthy discussion of the merits of shaving down. Triathletes, cyclists, and swimmers all like to shave off any excess body hair. Whether it makes you faster, helps with massage, or you just like being a poser may be up for debate, but frankly, I just don't find the need. I don't have a lot of body hair, probably due to low testosterone and an overall lack of manliness. And I am just a bit lazy.

Nascar fans like to shave too.

Day 112 of Ironman- 40min run
Day113- SICK!
Day 114-SICK!!
Day 115- easy swim
Day 116- easy run, easy bike
Day 117- easy longer bike

Brain Power

Another secret tip. The finish line is closing in. Your breathing rate is on the verge of hyperventilation. You are running low on fuel and energy but there is absolutely no way your stomach could handle a gulp of Gatorade or gel. It turns out carbohydrate drinks significantly boost performance in an endurance event even without being ingested. Taking a swing and spitting it out triggers specific areas of the brain to reduce the athletes' perception of their workload. Just in case you think I'm blowing smoke, here is the abstract from the Journal of Physiology.

Day 106 of Ironman- Gibraltar big gear workout, PM, 1 hour run
Day 107- 30 minute jog, 1 hour spin, core work at the gym
Day 108- Masters swim, PM- 1 hour run at intended IM pace
Day 109- Chardonay 10 mile run- 1:16, 2 hour bike
Day 110- Jalama ride- 125 miles
Day 111- Masters swim, 20 minute easy run

Topping off the tank

It was one of those epic days of riding. Aerojonny and Brian O'Conner joined me for a trek out to Jalama Beach. Brian was the only one who had the guts, or should I say stomach enough to refuel with one of those world famous Jalama burgers.

Change in Position

Is this the future of time trial positions? "The power numbers were night and day" says pro T.J. Tollakson. After wind tunnel testing, T.J. McGyvered his setup using parts from a hardware store and jock cups for elbow rests.

We saw Floyd Landis adopt a similar position a few years ago at the Tour de California. It looks a bit wanky and probably won't catch on until someone sets a course record at Hawaii or Lance embraces the change. Until then, it is yet another thing roadies will mock tri geeks for.

Day 105 of Ironman- core work at the gym, masters swim

Days of Ol'

Over the years, many of my training partners have come and gone, either moving away from Santa Barbara or just losing interest in endurance sports as their life's priorities changed. So it was a bit of a treat to spend a long day training with my good friend Aerojonny last weekend. Jon has been on an extended triathlon hiatus of late but in his heyday he was quite the triathlete; USA National team member traveling to the World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland. We trained, raced, and had a hell of a good time. Epic rides around the lake in pouring rain, RV'ing it at Wildflower. He coined the term "Sato Alley", a stretch along the Rincon where Jon would conveniently drop the hammer, popping me off the back gasping for breath and seeing stars. Jon has been making a bit of a comeback training for Ironman France later this year so it was off for one of our favorite long rides out to Santa Paula. I hung on Jon's wheel for most of the ride. When we reached Sato alley, Jon put the hammer down. As Jon pulled a way, I desperately cried out the "rubbing brake" excuse. It was a great time, like old times.

Day 100! of Ironman- Core work at the gym, run 75 min
Day 101- Masters swim, Bike workout intervals including:
a) 5 x single-legged pedaling drills; each for a minute and on each leg (minus the third one, of course.)
b) 20-minutes @ 70RPM @ 135HRavg in the aero-bars. Rest 1-minute afterward by spinning easy in a light gear.
c) 10-minutes @ 75RPM @ 140HRavg in the aero-bars. Rest 1-minute afterward, as above.
d) 5-minutes @ 80RPM @ 150+HRavg (PAIN!).
e) 1-minute @ 90+RPM @ the HIGHEST HR YOU CAN GET TO! This should hurt.
30 min run
Day 102- Long ride, 6 hours, followed by 30 minute run
Day 103- Long run, 3.5 hours, easy spin, 3 hours
Day 104- Masters swim

Lance vs France, continued

"They butchered my haircut" complains Lance Armstrong after an unannounced drug test at his home in France. Armstrong continues to have a contentious relationship with the French doping authorities. "This is just another example of the improper behavior by the French laboratory and the French anti-doping organizations,” Armstrong said. “I am sorry that they are disappointed that all the tests were negative, but I do not use any prohibited drugs or substances.” More on the drama HERE.

Day 98 of Ironman- Core work at the gym, 2 hour bike
Day 99- Masters swim, 75 minute run

Castaway

Her family was devastated. Little Sophie Tucker fell overboard from her family's yacht during rough seas off the coast of Australia. After an exhaustive search of the area, Sophia was lost at sea and presumed drowned. But the young girl showed a little more grit and determination that no one could have imagined. Swimming six miles through shark infested waters, Sophie landed on a small uninhabited island off the Queensland coast. Sophie survived off the land, hunting wild goats while living in the island's rain forest. Over four months later she was rescued. Sophie's family anxiously awaited the arrival of her rescue boat. "When we saw her, she started whimpering and banging her cage." WHAT!? Oh, I neglected to mention Sophie is a dog. You can read more about her amazing tale of survival HERE.

Day 97 of Ironman- Masters swim, 30 min run

Hop to it

This is the video the Pogo Stick industry does not want you to see. Next on 60 Minutes...

Day 96 of Ironman- 4 hour ride, 1 hour run

Sleepy Time

"Make sleep a part of your regular training regimen" That is one of several recommendations taken from research presented at the SLEEP 2008 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) in Baltimore, Md. It seems rather obvious, but who am I to argue with science.
Day 94 of Ironman- masters swim
Day 95- 1:45 run, 5 miles tempo, pm spin, 2 hours

Show me your guns

There is a controversy brewing regarding First Lady Michelle Obama's guns. No, I'm not talking about the pistol she packs under her pillow, I'm referring to her biceps. Apparently some people are all in a tither about Michelle wearing sleeveless dresses revealing her nicely toned arms. Not lady like, people say. I say quit complaining and hit the gym.

Day 91 of Ironman- AM: Secret Chuckie workout, Core work at the gym, PM: 90 min bike
Day 92: AM: Masters Swim, PM: 2 hour run
Day 92: AM: 40 min run, core work at the gym, PM: 2 hour bike

Redoubt

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt

Laments Governor Palin: " I can no longer see Russia from my house."

Day 90 of Ironman- Rest Day!