Week 16 of s/b/r/r/s – swim/bike/run/row/strength – week ending 5/19/13

Since I’m using Runner’s World Run Less, Run Faster as a guide for 16 weeks (actually 18 since there will be a break for the Pikes Peak Double in August), thought it would be good to use the next series of “serial” blog posts counting down like RLRF (how I abbreviate for Garmin workouts).   Focus last week was aerobic base building – run and bike.

My 3 key running workouts were

1. Speed – 3 x 1 miles at East High Track on Thursday night (7:12, 7:28, 7:33).
2. Long – 13.1 (1/2 marathon) in 2:03 on Saturday morning.
3. Tempo – 2 miles in 16.28 – 8:13 pace on Sunday morning.

Those workouts point to a 3:45 – 3:55ish Marathon.

Activity Distribution Report for coachdavek
Activity Type	Count	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Avg Speed	Avg HR
Running	8	20.52	3:14:23	556	6.3	144
Cycling	3	10.38	1:07:11	208	9.3	—
Strength Training	1	—	3:00	—	—	—
Summary	12	30.9	4:24:35	764	7.1	144

Time not Distance – kicking off 2011

The time over distance, speed/strength over LSD (long slow distance) and intensity of effort over “logging miles” has sunk in deeply now.  In looking at January I could feel a few different ways:

• Down because my running miles were low (67) and almost 1/2 of a year ago.
• Excited because I had over 300 aerobic miles and several anaerobic sessions (the aerobic miles inflated due to indoor bike/spinning)
• Steady because I hit a target time goal of 26-30 hours each month or 50-55 minutes each day.

I’ll chose steady.

Daily mile allows a nice quick summary for both time and distance.  I’m hoping to see some drill down ability for

Time is my primary outcome measure now

Rowing and CrossFit/Fitness categories – but I’m not picky.  It’s nice to have a utility that lets me track it all.

Here’s January’s summary

• Total miles: 301
• Cycling (trainer, spin, rinse, repeat) – 222
• Running – 67
• Rowing – 10
• Swimming – 2
• CrossFit WOD’s – 11

February may have a different mix of aerobic miles.  My plan though is a little more swimming, less spinning, running up to 90-100 miles, same row and 12 CrossFit WOD”s.  The idea is flexibility, intensity and consistency.  I would rather hit  rowing/bike/swim at 100% than just log miles on ice (though sometimes I’ll use the mental discipline and crank some miles in -10 weather).

My primary exercise outcome measure from 1992-2009, no longer the case.

Similarly if my shoulders are screaming after a CrossFit WOD (lets say pull up, thruster or wall ball intensive one)  I’ll rest from swimming and rowing for a day or two.  I’ll bike or run instead.  Over the last year I’ve found rowing to be the closest substitute for running in terms of distance and effort.

Quick question for you all, how do you gauge your exercise outcome and success?

1 Year of CrossFit WOD’s and Triathlon Training (Week 48-52)

Racing like Lightning McQueen - Cha Ching!

52 weeks of CrossFit Workouts Of the Day and Triathlon Training.   Add in the P90x round from October of 2009 to January 17 of 2010 and that’s a solid 65 week test of cross training.  The detailed statistics are available in a year end capper.  I also shared some candid results in the “Proof Positive of Training Change after the Tulsa Marathon”.  So there’s been enough summarizing already!

The last five weeks were a true rush of activity – catching up on some cycle, row and swim miles.  I have been ramping up the CrossFit WOD’s in preparation of returning to CrossFit Lincoln (which began last week!).  Through all of that and the normal Christmas – New Year’s activity rush I felt comfortable and strong.

So without further ado – here’s the highlights.

For the next 52 weeks, I’ll pop in a quick blurb from time to time regarding my weekly training.  Feel free to join me on Daily Miles for the weekly logs.  I’ve been looking at a lot, and I mean a lot, of aerobic / anaerobic/ strength training exercises and will be share much more on those in 2011.  So keep your browsers open and check back!

Five Week Stats Day 329 – 365

Week ending	12/19	12/26	1/2	1/9	1/16
Running	11.5	8	16	9.5	17
Walking / Hiking	0	0	0	0	0
Cycling/spinning	21.7	27	33	30.5	88
Swimming	.57	.71	3.1	.85	0
Rowing	3.11	0	4.35	.62	3.5
CrossFit WOD’s	3	3	4	2	2
Total miles, Time. Workouts (WODs), Highlights	37 miles 5:13hrs 11WODs Mix of workouts and CF Whitten	35 miles 4:15 hrs 12WODs Power Snatch WOD & Workout Mix	62 miles 7:48 hrs 15 WODs Wrapped up 2010 miles – 3 mi of swim, great spin, CF WODs, 7.35 6 mile run	41 miles 4:19 hrs 10 WODs CrossFit Luce.	109 miles, 7:27 hrs 11 WODs Not a mileage hog but all those spin miles add up.  Plus 63 miles on bike on Friday evening into early Saturday

Proof Positive of Training Change – from Aerobic Only to Aerobic + Strength + Anaerobic Burst

Summary

If you’re an aerobic athlete (runner, swimmer, cyclist, triathlete) who’s reached a plateau, has found more miles does not translate into success and wonders if strength training might help – please read. I’m not offering a quick fix, food gimmick, shake, or simple  trick.  Over the last year I’ve ventured into a different way of getting to a goal – it may not be for everyone.  But I have found an incredible payoff from it and embrace it.

It’s a few simple things

• Incorporate the right kind of strength training (read more in this blog) 2-4 times a week
• Cut back your miles for miles sake
• For your existing mileage look toward performance, speed and stamina
• Chart your progress over 12 months and see what happens!

Detail

Proof.  Data.  Trends.  Statistics and data gathering can mislead and interpretation of results requires wisdom as well as raw analytic power.  That clarification and limitation declared, I do think there’s enough evidence that a combination of Strength Training + Aerobic Training is far more powerful than Aerobic Training alone.  Modify that aerobic training to focus on stamina, speed, flexibility and burst, and alongside the strength training, your results will be strong.  Hone that further with improved nutrition and those strong results become powerful.

Two years ago, during one of my worst marathon experiences (4:52 at Twin Cities), I thought about punting it.  Pack it up.  Give it up. It was miserable weather day, but I had endured worse.  It seemed though a goal of getting to Boston (or 1 hour and 22 minutes faster) was an impossible hope. Rather than give up I decided to push it harder.  So in 2009 I ramped up the training.  I knocked off a Pikes Peak Double and some “ok” marathon times (4:30 range).  The price of that ramp up was high: a strained, torn sartorius tendon.  By October of 2009 I was hobbling at the start of the Des Moines Marathon.  Sure, lots of miles in the bank, toward 1,500 running for 2009.  But hobbling still.

That began my entry into cross training – had done that in triathlon terms for several years.  But serious cross training, or more properly strength training, nope, nada, avoided it.

P90x was Stage 1.  It was perfect for torturing my aerobically fed and strength dead body into shape.  All the Tony Horton’isms, pull ups, sneaky lunges, gut cracking ab routines, yoga twisting/humbling sessions and push ups a guy could hope for.  I saw some nice results.

A chance encounter with a surly but dedicated athletic trainer, Mike Livergood, at Bellevue University in January of 2010 led to Stage 2 – CrossFit and CrossFit Endurance.  Similar in many regards, the difference between the Beachbody DVD fed programming and organic CrossFit approach was significant. CrossFit is a better fit for my performance goals.  Step by step, coaching from a great box and set of trainers at the Lincoln CrossFit box (Cole, Jeremy, Kelsey Phil and Tanya) and staying with it on my own have led to the best fitness base in my adult life.

Stage 3 involved extending a wonderful speed group of like minded, er like age, friends to a group of Freaky Fast Runners I had no business trying to chase.  From June until present, this group has been an evolving network of fast people who have fun.  Not quite the same every time, but always putting the hammer down for speed, hills or a Saturday run.  Love you all!

So what does this mean?  Big deal?

I’ve been blessed to achieve 15 year PR’s in 5 mile, 15k and marathon races.  This has been my best year of racing since 1996-98.  There’s been some learning curve and minor injuries: a hamstring pull in late May from performing too many deadlifts a day before a 5 mile race and calf pull in July as my body adapted to move towards a “pose” esque running style, lots of hills, etc. From beginning to end – I’ve been pleasantly surprised or more apropos, shocked!

While a 3 hour 30 minute marathon for Boston or a Full Ironman triathlon are not a sure thing, I can at least place those in the realm of possibility.  I’ve been able to shave 24 minutes off my aerobicly training injected marathons of 2009, and now have only 37 minutes to go.  The table below lists the results for marathons.

I’ve also cut 15lbs, from 176 to 161, increased muscle strength and burst across a variety of tests.  My “vitamin I” (ibuprofen) fix has been cut dramatically (not pounding the body and actually strengthening muscles, ligaments and connective tissue).  I am to do things I didn’t image possible – a kipping pull up, jumping up with confidence to a 8′ pull up bar height, over 250lbs for deadlift, 40 unbroken knees to elbows. This still a ton of other goals to still drive me; for example, why not try to attain the Navy Seal standard for 40-50 age males?

More distinctions:

• In 2010 I will run 66% the amount of running miles compared to 2009  (1,000 to 1,500) with the same biking and swim miles.  Total aerobic miles will nudge 1,550 to 1,600 versus 2,000 in 2010.  New aerobic miles have been introduced through rowing.
• In 2010 that 66% running miles will have been done at much more efficient and faster pace.
• In 2010 my anaerobic training (CrossFit) will reach 140 Workouts Of the Day (WODs), not including the aerobic oriented WOD’s.  Overall training hours will be the same as 2009.

Marathon	State	Date	Place Overall	Place %	Pace	Time	PR +/-
Route 66 Marathon – Tulsa Marathon	OK	11/21/2010	422/1648	25.61%	9:27	4:07:55	P.R.
Lincoln National Guard Marathon & Half-marathon 2010 – Run -Marathon	NE	5/2/2010	667/1154	57.80%	9:51	4:18:29	+10:34
Brookings Marathon – RUN – Marathon	SD	5/15/2010	119/203	58.62%	10:02	4:22:57	+15:02
Lincoln Marathon – Run :: 26.2Mi	NE	5/4/2003	523/785	66.62%	10:02	4:23:14	+15:19
Siouxland Marathon And Half Marathon – Marathon	SD	10/20/2007	107/166	64.46%	10:07	4:25:11	+17:16
Scheels And Adidas Fargo Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5K – Marathon	ND	5/19/2007	819/1191	74.81%	10:18	4:30:02	+22:07
IMT Des Moines Marathon 2009 – Run*Marathon	IA	10/18/2009	922/1374	67.10%	10:21	4:31:27	+23:32
Lincoln National Guard Marathon & Half Marathon 2009 – Run -Marathon	NE	5/3/2009	768/1142	67.25%	10:26	4:33:23	+25:28
Go! St. Louis Marathon & Half Marathon 2008 – Run-Marathon	MO	4/6/2008	1106/1617	68.40%	10:36	4:38:00	+30:05
Lincoln Marathon 2006 – RUN – MARATHON	NE	5/7/2006	775/959	80.81%	10:44	4:41:28	+33:33
11Th Annual Gobbler Grind Marathon,Half-Marathon, 5K & Marathon Relay – 26.2Mi Run	KS	11/18/2007	175/244	71.72%	10:54	4:45:46	+37:51
Oklahoma Marathon 2003	OK	11/22/2003	205/308	66.56%	10:57	4:47:15	+39:20
Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon & Medtronic Tc 10 Mile 2008 – Run-Marathon	MN	10/5/2008	6172/7967	77.47%	11:04	4:50:09	+42:14
Pensacola Marathon And Half Marathon – Marathon	FL	2/17/2008	175/263	66.54%	11:09	4:52:24	+44:29
Community First Fox Cities Marathon	WI	9/24/2006	510/706	70.96%	11:13	4:54:10	+46:15
Pikes Peak Marathon 2007	CO	8/19/2007	551/773	71.28%	18:28	8:04:03	+3:56:08
Pikes Peak Ascent 2009 – Marathon	CO	8/15/2009	668/711	78.48%	21:31	9:23:49	+5:15:54
Lincoln National Guard Marathon – 1995	NE	5/1/1995	NA	NA	9:38	4:12:22	+4:27
Lincoln National Guard Marathon – 1994	NE	5/1/1994	NA	NA	9:03	3:57:11	-10:44
Lincoln National Guard Marathon – 1996	NE	5/1/1996	NA	NA	8:59	3:55:36	-12:19

Week 22-26 of CrossFit WOD’s + Triathlon Training

5 Weekly stats + a Sunday – Day 148 to 184.

Week ending	6/27	7/4	7/11	7/18	7/25
Running	12	21	21	12	21
Walking / Hiking	0	0	0	6.95
Cycling/spinning	0	7.5	2.25	2.25	21
Swimming	.17		.2	.2	.45
Rowing	1.0		.25	.5	0
CrossFit WOD’s	2	1	3	2	2
Total miles, Time. Workouts (WODs), Highlights	13 miles 3:02 10WODs 1,000’s and Obs. Hill	28 miles 4:19 6 WODs MS Run	25 miles 5:09 12 WODs 5k Timed Run @ NE – 23.41 & CF Fran	23 miles 5:24 13 WODs Hiking @ Camp Cornhusker	42 miles 6:25 13 WOD’s Repeat 400’s on Monday – 92-1:42 & balance of bike/run

Drats – another multi-week catch up.  Am just including highlights below and will get back into the full swing of things from August on.  Also am changing up weeks to a Monday to Sunday format – this fits with the Daily Miles tracking.

I used to be far more obssessed about weekly mileage totals – especially for running.  I’ve modified and mellowed a bit.  I try to attain three simple goals now.

• Monthly total mileage at 140 (swim, bike, run)
  • 3 hard running workouts each week (generally aligned with CrossFit Endurance and broken into speed, hills/threshold and longer medium pace), recovery run and 1 to 2 bike or swim sessions each week.
• 3 CrossFit/Metcon (metabolic conditioning)/ P90x workouts a week
• 5 to 6 hours of exercise each week done at a high intensity of anaerobic and aerobic burst (so heart rate above 145).

Highlights over last five weeks.

1. Mixing in each week a speed workout (Monday nights) and hill/threshold run.  The group is growing by leaps, bounds and sometimes limps!
2. Give and you’re given back to.  Had hit a lull after June racing, time each week was going down and speed seemed to evaporate.  Then Michelle encouraged running with Ashley Kumlien’s MS Run Across America.  That and inspiration from Prefontaine snapped me out of a slump (July 1).  Also led to meeting new running peeps who keep on adding on!
3. My CrossFit Fran, Murph and Angie’s are improving, both in time, form and closeness to the “rq’d”.
4. Hit a nice 5k time trail with Rachael in mid July – was very encouraging.
5. Can hiking through hills/woods in the heat of day qualify as workout?  Absolutely and did it with my son Joshua at Webelos Camp.
6. Sometimes an old bike can still do you good!  Love the new Trek Alpha 1.2.  But for biking and running with a dog alongside, the old hybrid and simple pedals works perfectly
7. Exercise time is going up!  And will need that for the Pike’s Peak Ascent on August 21st!

Week 18 – 21 of CrossFit WOD’s + Triathlon Training

4 Weekly stats

Week ending	5/29	6/5	6/12	6/19
Running	11	14	11	12
Walking	1	4	1
Cycling/spinning	11.5	1.5	19	23
Swimming	1		.17	.5
Rowing	1			.5
CrossFit WOD’s	3	0	0	2
Total miles	25 miles	23.5	31.5	36

4 weeks of racing and catching up on logs!  Details are below.  Here are three lessons I think I’ve learned well over the last four weeks that included a 5 mile race (better than last year), 10k race (2 minutes slower than last year), 1 Sprint Triathlon (impromptu change due to weather), 1 Duathlon (impromptu change due to weather), 750 meter open water swim and 5k race.

• Bucko, mucho, “lotof” racing is fun, but can leave rest of the week at risk.  Still this year was unusual with the Hy-Vee triathlon moved up 2 weeks and Cornhusker State Games moved up a move for Special Olympics (very worthy cause and reason).  6 races in 4 weeks can be a bit of a mental drain.
• My happy place for CrossFit is 3 WOD’s per week.
• Still debating the full embrace of CrossFit Endurance.  I agree wholly with the 4 day running, cross training and when you do train, train hard!  I may not be at the point though to pull off the intensity week-end and week out.  I do think I need to ramp up mileage just a bit and carefully manage distribution of “aerobic” miles – across swim/run/bike.  Also am sowing long runs back into the equation.

Sunday, Day 120 (5/23) – Bike ride on Specialized Hybrid – 11.5 miles holding around 12 mph.  Seat mount broke so last 3 miles were off saddle, sort of.

Monday, Day 121 (5/24) – East High Track – baseline mile.  1/2 mile warm up and then a 6.43 mile.  Gunned first 400 too fast – 81 seconds.  Felt good though.  6 seconds faster than April’s baseline mile.  Right after Rachael’s Lincoln Jets track and in between Joshua’s Jr. Salt Dog’s game – life as a busy parent – squeeze those workouts when you can!

Tuesday, Day 122 (5/25) –  Timed mile swim at the YMCA – 41.01 for the mile.  OK, getting slightly faster – miles last year were in the 44 to 46 minute range.  Would like to get to 36 minutes in practice this year.

Wednesday,  Day 123 (5/26)–  CrossFit morning – rowing, Shoulder WOD from 5/25) and 400 Meter Walking Lunge.  The walking lunge blasted my glutes for a good 4 days =]!  Then a little barefoot running with Heidi and .62 miles @ Doris Bair before Annaliese’s softball game (gee busy parent gig again, but worth it!)  CrossFit Lincoln WOD Part 1: from Tuesday – wu – 400 m row, 25 situps, 10 samson stretch, 10 rock climb, 10 walking lunge, 20 squats, 10 kb 1 pu, Shoulder Press 10 wu 65lb then (1 – 75, 1 85, 1 95, 1-100, 1 -105): 1,110 total, Push Press (3 -75,3-85,3-95,3-105,3-115 — 1,275 total) and Split Jerk (5-75,5-85,5-105,5-115,5-125 – 1,925 total ). 4,310 lbs total load. Part 2: Wed WOD – 400 meter walking lunge in 14.42 (that was tougher than I’d thought it be, great Pikes Peak trainer).

Thursday, Day 124 (5/27) –  Two’fer Thursday

• CrossFit WOD – warmup 400 mt row, 20 situp, 20 squat, 10 shoulder pass through, 10 pull up. Cashin 2 rds of 5 ring pull up, 10 jump muscle up, 10 ring dip, 5 chinup chest to bar. 50 pushups. Then main event AMRAP in 20 min of 15 ghd/ reg sirup, 30 jump rope su, 15 back extension. 9 rds + 30 jump rope and 9 ghd sirups. So total was 144 sit-up / ghd, 210 jump rope and 135 back ext . Still stinging a bit from walking lunge yesterday.
• 4 miles of hills @ Pioneer’s Park – temp’s were rising and quads/ glutes were rebelling!  Slower upper 10 minute pace and crawl!

Friday, Day 125  (5/28) –  Rest

Saturday, Day 126  (5/29) – Two’fer Saturday

• Run – 4.1 with dogs and a little extra walking with Heidi, .6
• CrossFit “WOD” – Linda.  The key lesson learned, no Olympic lifting within 3 days of race!  Ego got ahead of strength and punch through some nice weight loads.  That felt good – but downside was weaken state going into Boystown race on Memorial Day.  CrossFit Lincoln #WOD Linda (10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1). 175 deadlift (185 on 1st 5) 9,625lbs , 145 bench (155 on 1st 5) 7,975lb, 95 clean – 5,225. 41.07 time (17.52 longer). 22,825 total – 7,700lbs more. Compared to 2/18 after Spinning. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 – 23:15 but lighter load (15,125lbs total): 115 bench, 65 clean & 95 deadlift.

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Sunday, Day 127 (5/30) – Exercise bike at the Cooper Y – kids were swimming and had a 1/2 hour.  Leg’s feeling ok, but not great.  Glutes still sore.  5.75 miles in 30 minutes.

Monday, Day 128 (5/31) – Boystown 5 mile – 40.27.  Another comparison to 2009 training – finished 42 seconds faster than last year. A bit of hammy tweak at 3.5 mi. 7.36, 7.44, 8.08, 8.48, 7.57.   After the race 2.6 miles of walking at Henry Doorly Zoo for a birthday celebration for Annaliese.

Tuesday, Day 129 (6/1) –  Walking/ hobbling with Heidi.  Right hamstring, left glute/ groin were very sore.

Wednesday,  Day 130 (6/2)– Rest

Thursday, Day 131 (6/3) –  Rest

Friday, Day 132  (6/4) – 2 mile easy run, needed to test legs to see if Havelock still a go.

Saturday, Day 133  (6/5) –  Havelock 10k – only race in 2010 that was slower than year previous, rats!   Hamstrings and glutes sore / stiff until mile 4. Seemed like I was stuck in 3rd gear until 4.5 then was able to hit race pace from then on it. 8.04, 8.08, 9.13 (up “the hill”), 8.16, 8.40, 7.54, 1.38. Bob’s Tavern team did great – Juan was under 50, Sherri and Andi ran strong 50’s and Anelle snagged her 1st 10k in the 60’s!!! PJ rocked the 3k and got 23 th!

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Sunday, Day 134 (6/6) – Exercise bike at the Cooper Y – kids were swimming and had a 1/2 hour.  Leg’s feeling ok, but not great.  Glutes still sore.  5.75 miles in 30 minutes.

Monday, Day 135 (6/7) – Boystown 5 mile – 40.27.  Another comparison to 2009 training – finished 42 seconds faster than last year. A bit of hammy tweak at 3.5 mi. 7.36, 7.44, 8.08, 8.48, 7.57.   After the race 2.6 miles of walking at Henry Doorly Zoo for a birthday celebration for Annaliese.

Tuesday, Day 136 (6/8) –  Walking/ hobbling with Heidi.  Right hamstring, left glute/ groin were very sore.

Wednesday,  Day 137 (6/9)– Rest

Thursday, Day 138 (6/10) –  Rest

Friday, Day 139 (6/11) – 2 mile easy run, needed to test legs to see if Havelock still a go.

Saturday, Day 140  (6/12) –  Havelock 10k – only race in 2010 that was slower than year previous, rats!   Hamstrings and glutes sore / stiff until mile 4. Seemed like I was stuck in 3rd gear until 4.5 then was able to hit race pace from then on it. 8.04, 8.08, 9.13 (up “the hill”), 8.16, 8.40, 7.54, 1.38. Bob’s Tavern team did great – Juan was under 50, Sherri and Andi ran strong 50’s and Anelle snagged her 1st 10k in the 60’s!!! PJ rocked the 3k and got 23th!

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Sunday, Day 141  (6/13) – Hy-Vee Oly turned into Sprint Triathlon!  1.39 for the 400 meter swim, 20k bike and 5k run.  was a dark and storming morning. Olympic Triathlon was cut to an impromptu spring – 400mtr swim (13 minutes), 20k bike (48 minutes) and 5k run (27 minutes in severe downpour). Swim was ok, bike was fun as the cold front moved in and 5k run was treasure of thunder, lightening, tiny bit of hail and 2 inches of rain. 15.2 mph on bike – not what I had hoped for in terms of decent bike – wind was rough for the later waves. Think I’ll hit what I’ll need next week @ Cornhusker State Games

Monday, Day 142 (6/14) – CFE WOD Danny.  AMRAP 30 20″ box jump, 20 push press at 65, 30 pull ups w band. 2 RSS plus box and push press.  Good seeing Phil and lunch gang at CF Lincoln.

Tuesday, Day 143 (6/15) –  4 miles running – Crossfit Endurance Aerobic WOD from 6/14 – 12 x 1 minute on and 30 seconds off – made it 2+ miles. 6.25 to 6.45 pace for the 1 minute pickup. Walk / jog on the recovery

Wednesday,  Day 144 (6/16)–  10.6 miles cycling – with Rachael to soccer (about 9mph) than to Mahoney and back (13 mph) and home (9 mph)

Thursday, Day 145 (6/17) –  Rest

Friday, Day 146 (6/18) – 2.1 miles running -with Heidi and Cash – a little later in the morning, was reaching up to 90 degrees.  Wanted to loosen legs up before weekend of racing!

Saturday, Day 147  (6/19) –  Two’fer race day!  Times slightly off last year.  Bronze in open water swim and 5k run.  Weather was as hot as last year’s games (held in July) but much more humid on the run (kicked my buns!).  Swim 750 meter open water – 21.07 – at Holmes Lake and 5k run CSG Footstock 5k. 7.46 pace. Splits 7.23, 8.10, 7.54, 40 final .11. Bronze in age group. About 46 secs slower than last year. Next up triathlon in the morning (hope the storms break before 6am! — sadly they didn’t so the triathlon became a duathlon)

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Sunday, Day 134 (6/6) – 1 mile walking w/ some lunges.  Active recovery day.

Monday, Day 135 (6/7) – A bit of three workouts – one testing a real road bike!

• CrossFit Lincoln – warm up: 400 mtr row, 10 kte, 10 walking lunge with 10lb overhead, 10 samson stretch, 10 x 45lb s.press, 10 45lb push press. Cash in – 3 x 1 minute wall sit, 30 sec rest. Main – split jerk max – 7 x 1 rep (65, 85, 95, 105, 115, 120, 125, 130), Cash out 4 x 50 meter sprints. Still not at full sprint form so more of a jog on 50’s
• 1 mile walk with Heidi
• 1.5 mile bike test on at Bike Rack.

Tuesday, Day 136 (6/8) –  Warmup: 10 push ups, 10 KTE, Samson Stretch, Quad Stretch, 400 Meter Row. Buy-in:Tabata mashup: 8 rounds alternating between exercises 20 seconds of work 10 seconds of rest of: L-holds & Pushups (55)  #WOD:  For time: 13.10 – Run 800 meters, 30 back extensions, 30 ghd sit-ups, 30 back extensions, 30 knees to elbows, 30 back extensions, 30 abmat sit-ups.  Cash-out: 10 Burpee pull-ups.  Ran a bit more at home with Heidi for an even mile.

Wednesday,  Day 137 (6/9)– Swim and Bike – 300 yard swim at Uni over break and little over 11 miles bike riding on new Trek!  Held 14.5 mph on new Trek looping around Mahoney, much smoother ride but clip shoes still take some practice (always fun to fall).

Thursday, Day 138 (6/10) –  5k run with dogs to Mahoney (31 minutes) with 50 squat warm up before, then 3 x 2 minute trials – 51 push ups in 2 min, 25 strict pull/chin ups and 71 walking lunges after.

Friday, Day 139 (6/11) – 7.66 Bike – 1.6 with Heidi and then loops around Mahoney – a little slower 11.7 mph.

Saturday, Day 140  (6/18) –  Easy 5k miles with dogs – loosen the legs before Hy-Vee Triathlon. 30 minutes

Week 13 of Crossfit WOD’s + Triathlon Training

Weekly stats – total miles 30.2,  total time –  6 hours, 6 minutes
* Running – 21 miles

* Walking – .6 miles
* Bike/spinning – 8 miles
* Swimming – .57 miles
* Rowing – 0 miles
* Crossfit – WOD (workout of the day) – 4

13 weeks of Crossfit infused training completed.  It followed 13 weeks of P90x.  So here I am, pondering in a slightly hopeful yet nervous state the impact of 26 weeks of cross training.  The test to come is Sunday at the Lincoln Marathon (May 2, 2010).  So far on the 10k’s I’ve pushed the window of time back 12 years to 1998 for 47-48 minute times.  I feel stronger, more functionally fit and healthier than any marathon since 1996 (PR of 3.55).

Yet a little voice says “hey, you only had 400 running miles since January – a wee bit under what you should have and 100+ less than last year”.   I’m confident, yet not overly so.  In the place of the 100+ running miles, over 45  Crossfit WOD’s have stacked up along side 150 miles of cycling and 8 miles of swimming.  I need to confirm data but overall exercise time is higher.

So I’ll see the results in 6 days 😉

Sunday, Day 85.  A little two’fer.

• Nice 4 mile plus recovery bike ride with Heidi – only about 9 mph and let her two me a bit.  But for a fit yellow lab, going fast is perfect!
• Crossfit Endurance  WOD.  2 x 12 front squats (used 30lb dumbbells for 60’lb load) then 3 x (10 left & right dumbbell snatch – 30lb, 10 clap push ups and 10 knees to elbows).

Monday, Day 86 – Two’fer Monday.

• Who let the dogs out?  I did – they needed some fast work (5k) on a cooler day.  8.58 pace.
• Crossfit WOD  – 3 rounds of 100 feet walking lunge, 50 squats and 25 (back ext, scissors and frog – mod on that). 12.11 time. Right after run.

Tuesday, Day 87 –  Two’fer Track Tuesday.  8.5 miles.

• Yasso 800’s – a quiz before the Lincoln Marathon Exam on May 2.  3.35 average for 10 x 800 meters w/ 200 recovery (2 min). 3.33, 3.29, 3.35, 3.31, 3.23, 3.41, 3.31, 3.38, 3.39, 3.36.  The same quiz in January  and late February at the indoor track at UNL yielded 4.01 and 3.50 average 800’s.  The premise of the Yasso 800’s (named for Runner’s World Bart Yasso) is that 10 800’s with limited recovery (200 meters in 2 minutes) yields a good predictor to marathon time.  Some will add 10 minutes.  So my Lincoln Marathon target is 3.35 + 10 minutes or 3.45 hours.
• Tuesday night track group.  Not much with this group but did munch on a Wendy’s frosty – ah the joy of protein ;-).  Ran about 600 meters with them, 200 meters during Annaliese’s soccer practice and walked .6 miles barefoot with Heidi to cap a 8.5 mile day.

Wednesday, Day 88–  Two’fer Wednesday that proved much  tougher thought it would.  Swimming – 1,000 yards.  Back to back tough days will call for a little easing tomorrow and Friday.

• Crossfit Endurance WOD – Part 1: Deadlift. 155 x 5, 175 x 5, 195 x 3, 205 x 3; Split jerk 95 x 3, 105 x 3, 115 x 1, 115 x 1, 125 x 1 fail/ 115 x ; 10 minute rest then Part 2: 5 rounds of ( hold breath 30 seconds, 15 pull ups, 15 push ups – to deck, 15 situps, 15 air squats). Subtracting 30 seconds of breath hold would net 53.41 in time.
• With 3 hours of rest took up the CF Endurance aerobic challenge.  swimming 1,000 total – 50 yd warm-up, then 3 x(50, 100, 200). 51, 1.56, 4.13, 56, 2.02, 4.24, 54, 2.04, 4.19. Rest approximate to interval time (shorten rest due to time constrain). Felt a bit tired 3.5 hours after the anaerobic/strength part of the day, that’s where streamlining comes in helpful 😉

Thursday, Day 89 –  Easy 2 mile bike ride to get Heidi out.  Burned out a bit after Tuesday/Wednesday.

Friday, Day 90 –  On Day 90, I paid a tribute to Tony from P90x with Ab Riper X and staying true to Crossfit 50 chest to deck pushups without break.  Was a good confirmation that my abs had not suffered through the situp and GHD centric Crossfit approach.  Could keep up the “big dogs” of Tony’s group.  Still a good workout, pre 10 race tomorrow.

Saturday, Day 91 – A final quiz.  Eagle 10k. Nice course starting 1st mile in town then Mopac trail. Kept steady 7.45 splits with pick up on final mile.  7.43,7.47, 7.36, 7.56, 7.54, 7.32, 57. 23.58 1st 5k, 23.59 2nd 5k

Next week taper before Lincoln Marathon!  Then the final exam for Spring.

Goals 2010 – Breaking the Running Only Habit

Been thinking about what is both a “tweak” and significant revolution in how I’m training now, versus 1992-2008.

The “goals for 2010” blog shared a bit of that. Just hit me as I posted a reply to a @fb friend that there’s a bit more profund change.

At the root of this transformation journey is going from 90% run into the ground plus whatever else — TO — 35% run, 15% spin/swim each, 35% crossfit/anaerobic. The irony may be ending up with 1,500 miles of running (still a high point).  Though those miles will be higher quality.

In building 2010, I’ve mixed my triathlon training up quite a bit to incorporate much more anaerobic (strength) training and 4 running workouts at high intensity per week (instead of 5-7 ok ones). Now I despise “dreadmills” and just run outside or on a nice university track (200 meter @ Uni of Nebraska) / high school track for speed work.

Rotation each week is Long Run (Sat/Sun) 12- 20 miles; Speed (Tuesday, no more than 55 min total, 4-8 miles), Temp or Hill on Thursday (6-8 miles) and another workout S,M,W, or F that’s a “quick” 6 variety. For the rest of the week it’s 1) swimming or 2) spinning / cycling. I do try to do something aerobic (but again bursts) each day

What’s helping me take my fitness level to the next level is the anaerobic training. 1st the beachbody P90x fare in late 2009. 2nd and ongoing is a real kick on your jaw from http://www.crossfit.com. Crossfit is done 4-5 times a week.

Now the proof is in the pudding (that’s ok under Zone diet 😉 so we’ll see what 2010 brings.

Exercise – Brain Connection: Pain Relief

So you thought exercise meant pain? 

While there’s some pain that results from exercise (either during or after – called delayed onset) the pain relief benefit from exercise greatly outweighs the pain creation.  This article provides a nice summary of what’s involved and I’ll shout and echo the sentiment that “Moving is what the human body is designed to do”…

http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/articles/11/reaping-the-benefits-of-exercise?PHPSESSID=0e91394ee648b212802586b2a34ddd63

Mixing aerobic, strength (anaerobic) and flexibility are the key – one type alone will not accomplish it. 

• Aerobic exercise from running or cycling or aerobics classes help fuel that authentic wonder working tonic called endorphins.  From Medicine.net “Endorphins are manufactured in the brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of the body. They are released in response to neurotransmitters and bind to certain neuron receptors (the same ones that bind opiate medicines). Endorphins act as analgesics (diminishing the perception of pain) and as sedatives”
• Flexibility helps your body correct itself from a generally sedentary lifestyle we have.  If you think about it, sitting at a computer or standing all day on your feet are the most punishing things you can do to your body.  So stretching, yoga and Pilate’s help increase your range of motion
• Strength training does not mean “you’ll get pumped up” in the “governator” sense.  It does mean you’ll build muscles first and then over time (3-6 months later) your joint strength.Consider strength training your body’s natural ibuprofen. 

I’ve seen the benefits of exercise increase as I age or struggle with some minor chronic pain issues.  I have a flaky almost non existent thyroid that presented itself in 2001.  A 2 mile run felt like I was at mile 20.  It didn’t add up.  After a diagnosis and proper meds – Levoxyl rocks – I was back on my way.  However by focusing too much on running I would find myself fatiguing.  As I’ve mixed in a heavy triathlon dose and kept my strength training year round, I’ve noticed a much greater improvement in pain management.  Again, my pain management is very minor and I empathize with those who have arthritis or fybromyalgia or Lyme disease.  I’ve also seen that blending in healing aerobic activity of swimming and cycling helps with the body pounding nature of running (in a future blog I’ll share some secrets on how to make it less body pounding beginning with “get off your heals and onto the balls of your feet”).  My next step is improving my flexibility. 

Now further testifying to the benefit of exercise, I’ve felt the old body aches more if I’m away from some serious workouts for 4-5 days (lets say traveling).  The lower back creaks, feet hurt, etc. 

Please do share what you’ve found – whether you’ve exercised all your life, its been a few months or you’re just beginning.

Next up – overcoming the Pain from Exercise.