Sunday, June 29, 2008

OLYMPIC TRIALS

Go to www.eugene08.com for up to date stuff on the Olympic trials.

The events that I am most interested in is:
Women's 10,000m Final on Friday, June 27, 2008
800m Final on Monday, June 30, 2008
5000m Final on Monday, June 30, 2008
10,000m Final on Friday, July 4, 2008
Women's 5000m Final on Friday, July 4, 2008
3000m Steeplechase Final on Saturday, July 5, 2008
1500m Final on Sunday, July 6, 2008

I am paying attention to the qualifying heats but my main concern is the finals. So far it seems everything is going really smooth over in Eugene, Oregon.

On the ultra running side it sucks that Western States didn't happen this year. I was really interested in seeing how Anton would do. I am glad to see the race organization is keeping the health of the athletes in mind.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Well, I survived yesterday's early start at 5:15am. I left from my parents house so that way once I did the big loop I could stop at my vehicle for any last minute changes before the last 4 miles or so. I left their neighborhood and the temps were nice. I settled into an 8 minute pace and just put it on cruise control. The route has one hill and that was the only place my HR went up. My legs felt suprisingly good after some good rides this week on the bike. The only time my legs started to ache was around mile 10, just b/c my legs were not used to the pounding on asphalt that long. But I got through that little spell and finished the last 2 miles.


Once I got back I cooled down and went inside and took a cold shower and then enjoyed a nice Cytomax Recovery drink. As for recovery, I have tried the Hammer Nutrition Recoverite and it worked great but the taste wasn't the greatest for me. Cytomax always seems to upset my stomach a little bit. Now, Hammer has got a new flavor out for Recoverite, Strawberry. I am hoping to get some later this week to give a try. Out of all companies I think Hammer Nutrition as a whole is the best, for me.


The gear that I used worked good. The Nathan bottle worked great. I filled it with Perpetuem from Hammer Nutrition and followed Hammers orders, sipping every 15-20 minutes and then using the two 8oz bottles I carried on my fuel belt to sip plain water from a seperate source. The only time I used my hammer flask full of espresso gel was at the vehicle before the last 4 miles.

The shorts I have been using are from Pearl Izumi, the infinty short. The first couple of runs I used them I was not impressed, mainly b/c of the waist area but now since I have been using them more I am really beginning to like them.

As for today, my legs are bit sore and stiff from the pounding but I seemed to recover well. I am going to do some walking and light stretching throughout the day.

On the bike side, my new cyclocross frameset for the upcoming season has arrived. The Trek XO-2.
I do know that it will have Sram Rival components and avid brakes but everything else is up in the air. More details to come.

This week my family and I are going to St. Simons. We will be leaving late Wednesday night and we will come back home on Sunday. So as for training it will be the bike on Tuesday and Wednesday and then running on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. I am going to put in some good runs while we are there. Thats the plan anyway.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Just a quick update before lights out. Legs feel okay after yesterdays heatwave.

I am all ready to go for my 10-13 miler. I drove a course today, it is around 11.7 miles or so. It is going to be hot so I am leaving the house at 5am to beat the heat and get done before sun up. I plan on running 8 to 8:30 pace. If the temps get to me I will slow it down. Not a problem. To help me out I am using a:
Fuel Belt Trail Runner Belt
Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem
Hammer Nutrition Gel (espresso)
Nathan Hydration bottle

I should be okay with everything. I might be overdoing it but its better than not having enough.

Cytomax Recovery will be setting at home once I get done.

I will let everyone know sometime tomorrow evening after work.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

HOT

THESE TWO PHOTOS BELOW ARE FROM WEDNESDAY NIGHTS RIDE. I JUST GOT IN 1:15 ON THE BIKE. I KEPT THE CADENCE HIGH. LEGS FELT GOOD.




THIS IS FROM TODAY (THURSDAY). ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS HOT. I WENT THROUGH 4 BOTTLES OF LIQUID IN A 50K RIDE TODAY. I WANTED TO RIDE MORE BUT I HAD TO GET MY SON FROM MY MOM AND GET SOME STUFF DONE. I WAS JUST PLEASED ON GETTING OUT THERE AND RIDING. ONCE AGAIN I JUST FOCUSED ON A HIGH CADENCE AND KEEPING THE HEART RATE IN ZONES 1 AND 2.


I WAS WORRIED HOW MY LEGS WOULD REACT ONCE I STARTED GETTING MORE HOURS IN ON THE BIKE AS WELL AS UP MY MILEAGE FOR RUNNING BUT SO FAR SO GOOD. I REALLY AM FOCUSING ON THE RECOVERY IN ORDER TO GET TO THE NEXT TRAINING BLOCK. I HAVE BEEN USING THE CYTOMAX RECOVERY DRINK, MOUNTAIN MOCHA FLAVOR. I HAVE TRIED ALOT OF THINGS AND THIS JUST ALWAYS SEEMS TO WORK. I LOVE THE TASTE SO I DON'T MIND DRINKING IT.

I HAVE A 10-13 MILE RUN PLANNED THIS WEEKEND. I THINK I WILL DO IT EARLY ON SUNDAY. I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE AROUND 5:30AM TO BEAT THE HEAT. SPEAKING OF HEAT, I HAVE BEEN USING THE ENDUROLYTES AS I STATED IN A PREVIOUS POST AND I HAVE HAD SOME GOOD OUTCOMES. HAMMER MAKES A GREAT PRODUCT. THIS SUNDAY WILL BE AN OFF DAY COMPLETELY. I WILL USE THIS TIME TO SPEND WITH THE FAMILY AND NOT WORRY ABOUT TRAINING. I THINK WE ARE HEADED TO CHURCH. THE NEXT WEEKEND (THURS-SUNDAY) THE FAMILY WILL BE AT ST. SIMONS SO I WILL BE ONLY RUNNING THERE.


ONE LAST THING, THE INFORM SADDLE FROM BONTRAGER KICKS ASS. WITH THEIR COMFORT GUARANTEE YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

IT WAS ALL ABOUT CLEAN AND DEGREASING TODAY.




A 1.5HR RIDE IS ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT. TOMORROW MORNING WILL START WITH A 4 MILER AND THEN 2 HOUR RIDE IN THE EVENING. MY NEW RIDE SHOULD BE IN TOMORROW. PICTURES WILL SOON FOLLOW.

Monday, June 2, 2008

SUNDAY RIDE

PICTURES FROM THE SUNDAY RIDE.
It was to hot for anyone to throw in some attacks. We stayed together most of the ride and the pace was really tame. I was able to get in a good smooth ride without getting my heartrate up. My objective was meet.

Greg before the ride, he is so pro.

Matt on his Blue RC5

Derek, it was his birthday ride.

Derek, my dad, and Greg in the background. It is so cool that my dad, my brother, and myself ride together weekly.




Man it was hot. This picture is at the rest stop. We usually don't stop for a 50 miler but it was very hot out and we all needed refills. I went through 5 bottles and 5 endurolytes during the ride. No cramping what so ever. It was a good one.

Running is my main objective this week with light riding on the side. Tuesday morning I will be running 7-8 miles, Wednesday will be an 1.5hr cruise on the bike, Thursday morning will be 4-5 miles with the bike ride in the evening(maybe) and a 10-13 miler this weekend. I probably will not touch the bike this weekend.

4 months until the Stumpjump 50K.