Makes me want to try it. :D
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Square 1 seems too far back now
Just wrapping up my first week at my new job, and loving it. Spring is here with vengeance, and everyone's getting out to enjoy it. It's been very helpful for family outings and commuting to work - of the 15-20min travel time, about 10min of it is walking. I've run home from the office on one occasion this week, and tomorrow I'm biking to the new office for the first time (and as an added bonus, I'm getting my daughter from school on the bike, and we're biking home together).
Things have really turned around (again), and things are feeling good.
As you can tell from this blog, there wasn't a hell of a lot of anything through the winter - I was saturated from Ironman Mont Tremblant last year, and I enjoyed every bit of freedom and indulgence. Now I'm paying the price for that...actually, saying that makes it sound like a regret, and it's not. I loved the break, the time with family, doing things that I hadn't done for months. What I should say is that I've let my Ironman fitness fade away, and now I'm back rebuilding.
What I think is funny is this: mentally, I'm in AMAZING Ironman shape still! My habit for running is to still start out easy at a 5min45 pace. Well, it doesn't take too long for my body to speak up. :D I can run and bike still, just not as fast or as long as I could before. It just seems hard to remember that right now.
But no matter - I'll get it back. I plan on biking to and from the office most days (if not all), and I plan on running home after work. Peter and I will get some runs in on the weekends, and the family will continue to do our weekend rides. I may not reach my previous fitness level, but I'll keep working it and see where it leads.
Back at Square 1? Almost...but not quite.
Things have really turned around (again), and things are feeling good.
As you can tell from this blog, there wasn't a hell of a lot of anything through the winter - I was saturated from Ironman Mont Tremblant last year, and I enjoyed every bit of freedom and indulgence. Now I'm paying the price for that...actually, saying that makes it sound like a regret, and it's not. I loved the break, the time with family, doing things that I hadn't done for months. What I should say is that I've let my Ironman fitness fade away, and now I'm back rebuilding.
What I think is funny is this: mentally, I'm in AMAZING Ironman shape still! My habit for running is to still start out easy at a 5min45 pace. Well, it doesn't take too long for my body to speak up. :D I can run and bike still, just not as fast or as long as I could before. It just seems hard to remember that right now.
But no matter - I'll get it back. I plan on biking to and from the office most days (if not all), and I plan on running home after work. Peter and I will get some runs in on the weekends, and the family will continue to do our weekend rides. I may not reach my previous fitness level, but I'll keep working it and see where it leads.
Back at Square 1? Almost...but not quite.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Finally - stability (for now)
"Instead of praying for an easier life, pray for a stronger back."
I don't know the last time I wrote something positive on this blog, let alone writing anything on it. The last few months have been a blur, and any form of training has not taken a priority at all. But this has been one crazy-ass ride lately. Stomach flu, workplace "politics," another change in work. It all seems to have taken its toll, and I keep thinking of the quote above. The minister at our church said that once, and it has stuck with me. And with that in mind, there's been a lot of praying the last few weeks.
"When one door closes, another opens."
I wasn't surprised when I was laid off - I had sensed that something was up for months. I didn't trust my gut, and did my job, and did it better than anyone else in that role. It didn't matter. But this was different this time - instead of worry and remorse, I was filled with excitement and pride. I did what I was hired to do, and I wouldn't change a thing - I did nothing wrong, after all. Their loss is another's gain, and I proved it in under two weeks with two offers sitting in my inbox. I start on Monday with an exciting, forward-thinking company on a really good growth curve. Better yet - it's a 15min commute.
"Actions express priorities."
Now as the dust settles, and things start to return to some normalcy, I'm proud. Tired, fatigued, restless, and very, very proud. I did what was needed through all of this. My priorities were properly set, my actions were well thought out, and my efforts paid off once again. My family was my team, and we worked together on everything - and we're stronger for it.
As for training, it'll come. I did the odd run here and there, but it was for mental reason rather than physical ones. That's one of the great things about being active: it serves you well both physically and mentally. That was refreshing for me to remember that, being reminded that it's not always about getting faster or stronger or going longer.
No matter how dark the cloud, there's always a silver lining. You just have to know where to look.
I don't know the last time I wrote something positive on this blog, let alone writing anything on it. The last few months have been a blur, and any form of training has not taken a priority at all. But this has been one crazy-ass ride lately. Stomach flu, workplace "politics," another change in work. It all seems to have taken its toll, and I keep thinking of the quote above. The minister at our church said that once, and it has stuck with me. And with that in mind, there's been a lot of praying the last few weeks.
"When one door closes, another opens."
I wasn't surprised when I was laid off - I had sensed that something was up for months. I didn't trust my gut, and did my job, and did it better than anyone else in that role. It didn't matter. But this was different this time - instead of worry and remorse, I was filled with excitement and pride. I did what I was hired to do, and I wouldn't change a thing - I did nothing wrong, after all. Their loss is another's gain, and I proved it in under two weeks with two offers sitting in my inbox. I start on Monday with an exciting, forward-thinking company on a really good growth curve. Better yet - it's a 15min commute.
"Actions express priorities."
Now as the dust settles, and things start to return to some normalcy, I'm proud. Tired, fatigued, restless, and very, very proud. I did what was needed through all of this. My priorities were properly set, my actions were well thought out, and my efforts paid off once again. My family was my team, and we worked together on everything - and we're stronger for it.
As for training, it'll come. I did the odd run here and there, but it was for mental reason rather than physical ones. That's one of the great things about being active: it serves you well both physically and mentally. That was refreshing for me to remember that, being reminded that it's not always about getting faster or stronger or going longer.
No matter how dark the cloud, there's always a silver lining. You just have to know where to look.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Ah...memories
Awesome.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Yes, I worked out!
This week I actually did two workouts! And the week's not done yet!
First workout was a strength one on the bike - Spinervals "Bending Crank Arms" is one of the toughest bike workouts I own, and I rocked it out. Granted I'm no where near as strong as I used to be, I figured that I might as well get some cardio in with some hard ass work. I got through the first round of squats, but the others were done as stand-up pedaling in high gear. As I get stronger, I'll be doing more squat work there. Proud I did that one, especially considering I've not done any kind of workout/training for weeks.
Second workout was a run. To be honest, I've been dreading this. I've never been a strong runner, but last year was my best year for running - I could knock out a half marathon at the drop of a hat (not fast, but I could do the distance). Up to this week, my last run was during the first week of February. I'm certainly back to Square 1, and I've been hating what it would feel like. But this week, I didn't care. I thought "Well, it won't get easier, and it won't get better unless I get started." Not the best quote you'll ever read, but it's 100% true. So out I went. I didn't even care about HR, pace, zones, breathing - I just ran what I wanted to run. 15 minutes later I was done.
Actually, I wasn't done. I was tired, but not fully tired. I immediately headed to a crescent right near home and sprinted it as hard as I could while keeping good form and maintaining control. Solid, quick, and a whole lot of fun. As I did my recovery jog back home, I thought of a new plan for the summer - intervals around this crescent while my daughter bikes them with me. Great training for both of us.
I'm looking for at least one more workout this week - not grand, sure, and nothing like last year's Ironman training, but it's still an improvement. Besides, Spring arrives soon (not soon enough) - want to be ready for that!
First workout was a strength one on the bike - Spinervals "Bending Crank Arms" is one of the toughest bike workouts I own, and I rocked it out. Granted I'm no where near as strong as I used to be, I figured that I might as well get some cardio in with some hard ass work. I got through the first round of squats, but the others were done as stand-up pedaling in high gear. As I get stronger, I'll be doing more squat work there. Proud I did that one, especially considering I've not done any kind of workout/training for weeks.
Second workout was a run. To be honest, I've been dreading this. I've never been a strong runner, but last year was my best year for running - I could knock out a half marathon at the drop of a hat (not fast, but I could do the distance). Up to this week, my last run was during the first week of February. I'm certainly back to Square 1, and I've been hating what it would feel like. But this week, I didn't care. I thought "Well, it won't get easier, and it won't get better unless I get started." Not the best quote you'll ever read, but it's 100% true. So out I went. I didn't even care about HR, pace, zones, breathing - I just ran what I wanted to run. 15 minutes later I was done.
Actually, I wasn't done. I was tired, but not fully tired. I immediately headed to a crescent right near home and sprinted it as hard as I could while keeping good form and maintaining control. Solid, quick, and a whole lot of fun. As I did my recovery jog back home, I thought of a new plan for the summer - intervals around this crescent while my daughter bikes them with me. Great training for both of us.
I'm looking for at least one more workout this week - not grand, sure, and nothing like last year's Ironman training, but it's still an improvement. Besides, Spring arrives soon (not soon enough) - want to be ready for that!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Good and Bad with my Gyro Saros helmet
Last year, my 1.5yr old Gyro Saros helmet broke. I couldn't believe it. The tension adjustment knob just fell apart. I was so damned disappointed - that helmet was essentially new.
I felt better when I found out that you could get new Roc Loc 5 assemblies for a pretty good price. Thinking I'd help out the local bike shops, I decided to order one through a local one.
It was a Roc Loc 4. Completely incompatible with my helmet. I was doubly disappointed because the '4 is far more resiliant than the '5. I returned it and they tried the order again, which got lost.
I gave up and tried another local shop. It was now November 2012, and biking season was done. I figured that it would be a breeze to get this part through the winter, making me feel no rush at all. The order was put in with the supplier that month.
After repeatedly calling this shop for updates, I just found out that the part is being shipped. It's been nearly half a damned year to get a part that should last more than 18 months to begin with. It's the most comfortable helmet I've ever owned, but I'm at the point of tossing it because of the early failure on the Roc Loc 5 system. And I have, recently, found other reviews on the web that identify these systems getting brittle and breaking prematurely.
For as much as I love the Saros, I hate it. And it's all because of the Roc Loc 5. I've owned Bell and LG helmets - never a problem, ever.
But the team at my local bike shop is saving it - not Gyro - they managed to get the replacement Roc Loc 5 under warranty, at no cost to me. For that, I can't thank the crew at Kundstadt enough.
But I will say this - if that Roc Loc fails in another 12-18 months, I will never own another Gyro helmet again.
I felt better when I found out that you could get new Roc Loc 5 assemblies for a pretty good price. Thinking I'd help out the local bike shops, I decided to order one through a local one.
It was a Roc Loc 4. Completely incompatible with my helmet. I was doubly disappointed because the '4 is far more resiliant than the '5. I returned it and they tried the order again, which got lost.
I gave up and tried another local shop. It was now November 2012, and biking season was done. I figured that it would be a breeze to get this part through the winter, making me feel no rush at all. The order was put in with the supplier that month.
After repeatedly calling this shop for updates, I just found out that the part is being shipped. It's been nearly half a damned year to get a part that should last more than 18 months to begin with. It's the most comfortable helmet I've ever owned, but I'm at the point of tossing it because of the early failure on the Roc Loc 5 system. And I have, recently, found other reviews on the web that identify these systems getting brittle and breaking prematurely.
For as much as I love the Saros, I hate it. And it's all because of the Roc Loc 5. I've owned Bell and LG helmets - never a problem, ever.
But the team at my local bike shop is saving it - not Gyro - they managed to get the replacement Roc Loc 5 under warranty, at no cost to me. For that, I can't thank the crew at Kundstadt enough.
But I will say this - if that Roc Loc fails in another 12-18 months, I will never own another Gyro helmet again.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Yet another attempt at a return
This has been one hell of a winter. Work, life, colds and the flu, home repairs and car repairs, family and friends. This winter has been insane - I don't recall being this busy since university, I think.
I think I have tried about 5 times this winter to "get back at it" and become active (fit?) once again. For one reason or another (mainly owning an XBox), it just hasn't stuck and become habit just yet. I haven't given up - not by a long shot - but I now realize just how goal-oriented I have been over the last few years. And with the Ironman out of the way, my plan is carte blanche.
I used to do races in pairs when I hit a new distance. The first one is tough because you just don't know what to expect. The second one is tough because you do know what is coming and it becomes more mental. I always felt that the second one was tougher than the first. But I never realized how tough it would be when there's nothing to aim for.
I still don't know what I'm aiming for. Perhaps I'm looking too far ahead, and need to examine things a little closer to me. God knows I'm nowhere near the shape I used to be in, so maybe I need to stay more near-sighted. Given that, here's what I do know:
I think I have tried about 5 times this winter to "get back at it" and become active (fit?) once again. For one reason or another (mainly owning an XBox), it just hasn't stuck and become habit just yet. I haven't given up - not by a long shot - but I now realize just how goal-oriented I have been over the last few years. And with the Ironman out of the way, my plan is carte blanche.
I used to do races in pairs when I hit a new distance. The first one is tough because you just don't know what to expect. The second one is tough because you do know what is coming and it becomes more mental. I always felt that the second one was tougher than the first. But I never realized how tough it would be when there's nothing to aim for.
I still don't know what I'm aiming for. Perhaps I'm looking too far ahead, and need to examine things a little closer to me. God knows I'm nowhere near the shape I used to be in, so maybe I need to stay more near-sighted. Given that, here's what I do know:
- I want to be a comfortable commuter on the bike this year.
- I want to be able to run on the trails while my family bikes alongside.
- I want to run with my daughter and encourage her to be active.
- I want to be able to enjoy "longer" weekend rides with my friends, hopefully 2-3hrs in duration.
- I want to start swimming again.
Maybe that's all it needs to be. Maybe I don't need to worry about being a rock-solid performer after being branded as an Ironman. I am an Ironman - I don't need to keep proving it do I?
Maybe things will become more consistent now, since we're now on Daylight Savings Time (I still hate that...my Saskatchewan roots are showing) and the snow is going away. Maybe that's what I need to get the ball rolling again.
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