Jruiter’s Inner City Bike: Is It Still A Bicycle? - PSFK

Posted via web from Mike Likes…

Downhill MTB bike race in Brazilian slum

Posted via web from Mike Likes…

Today is the first day I missed…

Two weeks in and I skipped a workout today. It was a “cross” day. I suppose I “skipped” Saturday’s too… but not really, as I was supposed to run 3 miles, but instead went for a 1 mile swim and a 28 mile bike. So there.

I feel a little guilty for skipping today, but I am hopeful that I might be able to ride into the office tomorrow, and also go for my 3 miler tomorrow night off the bike. Wednesday is a travel day, so we’ll see what happens then. I am supposed to get 5 miles in… but not sure that will happen.

Other than that, should be smooth sailing this week, with only a 6 miler for a long run… I could do more, but will stick to plan - listen to coach. Thanks Hal.

…and 4, 5, 6 makes 1 week down…

Friday is technically a rest day, but given that my schedule was more open than normal with this being my vacation week, I could not resist getting in a little time in the saddle. I may be focusing on running (out of necessity) but I still have a small matter of a half ironman on the plate in a little more than 6 weeks. Crud. That day is going to be a long one. If by some miracle I can race under 200lbs and maintain the momentum I’ve built this week, I think I may be able to have a decent day.

The hardest part of that will be getting in sufficient riding time. Next weekend, we have guests coming in from out of town, which may mean that a long ride will be tough to come by. Add in west coast travel from Wednesday through Friday, and I may be just spent enough to take an optional rest day. The following weekend may be the best for longer rides, with nothing currently on the docket. Then, it’s IMUSA weekend, with a whole bunch of travel time. I don’t think a taper is going to happen in August (how do you taper from nothing?) so maybe those early August weekends are an option. Maybe I just need to stop complaining.

Ran a speedy 5 and a slow-ish 8, yesterday and today, respectively. Week one - check. Next week looks a whole lot like last week… except with better weather.

Running for a Reason

Yes, day three went as planned, with a quick three miler. No sweat. Actually, it went pretty fast. If Google Maps is correct on the distance, I was in the 7:10/mile range. I’m not so sure I believe that. But hey, it’s not about the speed at this point, it’s about getting out there.

So, part of the reason why I have chosen to focus on running is because I am running the Reach the Beach relay in September. Normally I run for pretty selfinsh reasons. I like to run. It focuses my thoughts. I do it to keep in better shape than I would be in if I did not run. But this time is a little different. I am going to be running to raise funds for the Pediatric Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children. I was asked by my brother (he’s running also) on behalf of John Ostrowski - his son Zach, and lots of other kids are counting on us to meet our fundraising goals and spread the word about the program. Here’s Zach’s story:

Our son Zachary Ostrowski was born with disease called Hirschsprung’s disease. This is a disease of the colon in which certain nerve cells, known as ganglion cells, are absent, causing chronic constipation. Hirschsprung’s disease like many diseases of the colon have no cure. Most children are diagnosed as newborns after they fail to pass stool during the first couple days of life. Zachary was diagnosed later in life after struggling with severe constipation, abdominal bloating, and difficulty gaining weight. Zack has been given a chance again to live a normal and healthy life through the efforts of MGH and the PIRP, especially Dr. Goldstein.

If you can, I’m asking you to please help us to meet our fundraising goals by contributing at pirpfundraising.com. You can go to the fundraising page and click on donate under my name if you like.

I hope you can help. It will help to keep me on track and training, instead of slacking off and eating ho-ho’s.

If you think I am a giant tool, and don’t feel like donating for me, do it for one of my teammates.

Do it for the kids.

Do it for Zach.

Day 2 Down

Just back from a 5 miler, that turned into a 5.4 miler because I got lost. Nice run. The only thing that is disturbing is that the bones are clearly not pleased to be carrying around all this extra baggage. Knees hurt. Sciatic nerve is acting up. Achilles(es?) are tight. Gotta run through it though. The only way it gets better is to make that feeling more normal. I think it was Greg Lemond who said “It never gets any easier, you just go faster.”

Yeah, well right now it’s feeling pretty crappy, and I am going really slow. 5.4 miles in 46:36. 8:38’s. Tolerable, I suppose. Most coaches would proabably be telling me to go slower, but that sure does seem tough to do.

But hey, two days, two workouts. More than I can say for most of the past year.

A fresh start.

Today marks the first day of my vacation. We don’t have much planned, so I am going to use this opportunity to re-focus on training and start the long haul back to some semblance of fitness. It’s been almost a full year since I’ve really had the motivation, time, and determination to stick to a plan. In that time, my son Finn was conceived, born, and is now nearing 3 months old… look at all he’s done in the past year! And look at the lack-thereof for me…

So, we being again. Back to Basics. Called my old friend Hal to draw up a marathon plan for me. OK, I grabbed it from here, but the last time I needed a kick in the pants, Hal did a great job. Best is, it’s manageable, given the new daddy lifestyle. So, here’s the plan:

I just got back from the first 3 miler. It ain’t much, but it’s a start.

Twelve-Point-Two

Percent.

A 12.2% increase to be specific. Now, were I talking about a stock I recently bought, that would be impressive. Unfortunately, I am talking about the increase in my weight since Ironman USA this past summer. I checked into the race at 193. I weighed in (after a run!) at 216.6 tonight.

My jaw hit the floor… oh no, wait, that was my freakin’ double chin.

I’m really starting to wonder about the whole male-pregnancy-symptoms thing as a potential culprit. Granted, I’ve been eating a shitload of shit lately, and not working out… but what could that possibly have to do with anything?

Just not feeling it

What motivates you?

For me, right now, not much. And I am trying to figure out why.

See, here’s the deal - I gotta find something that gets me excited to get out and train again. I want nothing more than to get into the groove again. You know, it’s what happens once you hit your stride - and after that, finding time, energy, or reasons to go out and get a run or a ride in just becomes easier.

I went out for a 20-ish mile ride today. And by the end, I was thinking “you could not pay me enough to spend another 4-5 hours out here!” And it was a GORGEOUS day. Sunny. 70’s. Dry. Perfect!

Yet, somehow, 4 months ago, there was nothing I looked forward to more than the weekend and my long workouts. 100+ on the bike, followed by a 30 min run on Saturday? Awesome. Follow it up with an 18 miler on Sunday in 85+ degree heat? Kick… ass.

I’d register for a race, but I don’t think that would do it.

Kona was yesterday. Watching the webcast, I wanted to be there racing. But do I want to put in the effort right now?

OK - enough whining. Just buckle down and do it.

Being Out of Shape Sucks

Not that I can claim ever being truly in shape, but it’s really disappointing how far I’ve fallen since the end of July. I have only gained a few pounds, but my body composition has really shifted. I’m beyond doughy.

Went for a run today - a 3.6 mile loop I have done countless times in the past. I was not trying to set any records today, but even my pedestrian pace was enough to make me feel beat. It’s September 29 - 2+ months removed from Ironman, and a 3.6 mile run feels like 13.

Time to get back on the horse.

In other news, I’ll be bike shopping soon. Got the green light to proceed with the purchase from my lovely wife, despite our combined efforts to save as much as we can while we still have two incomes. Who knows what could happen after our arrival in the spring.

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