Late January Update

So it has been a few weeks since my last update. During that time I worked on my end of season blog posts for my deer hunting season.

Nothing too exciting to report over the past few weeks other then that my training has been spot on. I scheduled out my off season workouts on the bike and in the pool through the beginning of April when I will begin preparations for my first triathlon. My hope is that the weather will be good enough in April to start getting outside on the bicycle. I have listed by current training schedule at the bottom of this for those who are interested.

We have had some very "interesting" conditions for running outside over the past few weeks as well. I actually ended up running on the treadmill more then I usually do, but I did manage to run outside on some pretty wicked days that were both cold and windy. I have started running over lunch time on Thursdays with one of my co-workers, Megan. Megan was actually one of the members of my marathon relay team last October and has decided that she likes running enough to stick with it. It has been nice to have some company occasionally. It has also been refreshing to just worry about getting the miles in and to not focus so much on my time or pace.

I am beginning my last week of the pre-season running program, which means a week from Monday I will kick off my 18 week marathon training program! I am so excited to get started on this journey. I know that it is going to be hard and at times, nearly impossible, but I also know that in the end it will be very rewarding.

Current training schedule (for the upcoming week):
Sunday (Today):
50 Minute Bike

Monday:
30 Minute Interval Bike
Strength Training
Optional Run (2 - 3 miles)

Tuesday:
35 Minute Bike
Strength Training
4 Mile Run

Wednesday:
1,000 Yard Swim
3 Mile Run

Thursday:
30 Minute Interval Bike
4 Mile Run

Friday:
1,000 Yard Swim
Strength Training

Saturday:
7 Mile Run
Strength Training

2017 Goals And Planned Races

New Years resolutions put a bad taste in my mouth. Of course there are the stereotypical things that everyone seems to go for like "I'm going to lose weight" or "I'm going to eat healthier". The funny thing is, year after year, research shows us that VERY few individuals actually stick to their resolutions. I guess that is part of the reason that I choose to use the word goal instead of resolution, because I am certain that I will do everything in my power to meet the goals that I set. 

That being said, this year I am setting a few goals. For starters, as mentioned in a previous blog post, my wife and I are setting a goal together. We are going to run 2,017 miles combined in 2017. There are not many better motivators then working towards a goal with someone else. In addition to that goal, I have listed a few more below:

• 2,500 miles cycling
• 75 miles swimming
• 150 sessions of strength training
• Complete my first marathon
• Complete my first 70.3/half Ironman distance triathlon
• Complete my first trail race
• End the year weighing less than 215 lbs

There is a lot of ambition in those goals, but I am have become a very confident person and athlete. I don't have a bit of doubt that I will be able to complete all of these and more!

I have also started to fill in my racing schedule for 2017. Some of the races were included in previous posts, but I am going to list everything I have tentatively planned to provide a whole picture.

1. March 11 - Leprechaun Chase 10K (Des Moines, IA)
2. April 29 - Drake Relays Half Marathon (Des Moines, IA)
3. June 10 - Marathon to Marathon (Storm Lake, IA)
4. June 17 - River of No Return 25K (Challis, ID)
5. July 8 - Accel Triathlon Sprint (Waterloo, IA)
6. August 5 - Dewitt Crossroads Triathlon Sprint (Dewitt, IA)
7. August 20 - Bluff Creek Triathlon Olypmic (Ogden, IA)
8. September 10 - Legend Ad Astra Triathlon 70.3 (Lawrence, KS)
9. October 15 - IMT Des Moines Marathon Relay (Des Moines, IA)

Once again, an ambitious schedule, but I have read that one of the biggest regrets of both runners and triathletes is not competing more when they were in such great shape already. 

Here is to 2017!

10 Most Memorable Moments Of 2016

10. 2016 included more miles of swimming, cycling, and running then any other year of my life

52.25 Miles Swimming

2,011.59 Miles Cycling

802.78 Miles Running

9. My first experience with open water swimming was terrifying! I did all of my training in the open water out at Big Creek State Park and I can still remember the panic that I felt during my first time. Swimming in deeper water and not being able to see more then a few inches was mind wracking.

8. My second race of the year was the Dam To Dam Half Marathon. I ran the first 7 1/2 miles very well then I faded fast. I dealt with some heat exhaustion and ended the race very disappointed in my performance. This was also a memorable race because my parents were able to cheer me on.

Post Dam To Dam photo with my mom

7. Running the Bix 7 with my wife, Erin. This race was just so fun!

Fun at the Bix 7

 6. Crashing on my bicycle on July 19th. It had been raining that day but most of the paths had begun to dry. I slowed down as I approached a wet portion of trail but it didn't seem to matter as my bicycle flew out from under me anyways. It was very scary and very painful. 

5. In August, my 5 year old daughter, Abigail, ran her first ever race at Christ The King parish in Des Moines. She had a blast and even earned a medal that she is very proud of.

Abigail after her first race

4. At the end of September, my wife, Erin ran her first ever half marathon and I was lucky enough to run it with her. After training hard all summer, she did an awesome job. I could not have been more proud!

Erin after the Quad Cities half marathon
with her mom and our oldest daughter

3. In October, I officially ended my season by putting a team together to run the Des Moines Marathon Relay. 26.2 miles split between 5 team members made for a day of pure fun!

Des Moines Marathon Relay Team

2. On the 2nd weekend of July, I was all set to compete in my first ever triathlon. I was signed up for the sprint distance at the Accel Triathlon held at George Wyth State Park. After arriving plenty early to set up my transition area, I finally made my way to the boat ramp for the swim start. A few minutes before the race started, we were informed of a delay due to an incoming thunderstorm. After sitting in a car for a couple of hours, they finally cancelled the race. After all of the hard work and anticipation, I was devastated. 

Storm front moving in as the triathlon is set to begin

1. I'm sure it comes as no surprise that my number 1 most memorable moment of 2016 was competing in the Des Moines Triathlon on Labor Day weekend. After having my first triathlon cancelled, I was very nervous going into this race but I ended up exceeding even my own expectations. It was this race that made me fall in love with multi-sport and shift my focus from road races to triathlon going forward. There is just something so rewarding about training for and competing in 3 different disciplines, not to mention that triathletes tend to have better longevity those who are purely runners. 

SUCCESS!!!