The need to train...

So I've got it all set in my head, I've posted about and announced by 4 year goal to the world and now I'm stuck! I'm stuck by one thing and one thing only...my fitness level! I ran on Monday this week and Friday. Both runs pretty much killed my legs and both were only 30 minutes. I wanted to ride today so badly it hurt but I put it off. I told myself I was going to run twice this week and that's it. I don't want to injure myself and so I'm easing back into it...the problem? Well, my mind can still remember what I was doing at the beginning of the summer with 40 mile bike rides and 1 and a half runs. No way I can pull that off right now though.

So I made myself sit in the house and giggle with pleasure at the shlacking the Cowboys just took! I was supposed to ride tomorrow but I forgot about some obligations so it'll be either a 30 minute run in the evening or pushing the ride until Tuesday. So it'll hopefully be two rides and one run next week. And the opposite the week after that.

On to other issues. I'm wondering what people ride the most for endurance races/rides. I have two bikes that might be suitable. This one and

this one;


My problem is that neither of them are realy a pure XC machine but rather on the light side of AM and the Chameleon (the white bike) is really more in line w/4x racing right now. My other problem is that I think both bikes are to small. I think I need a large. So do I try to find a large frame and swap parts from the FSR or upgrade parts on the Chameleon and make it a true XC stud? I need to do some more research to see which will work out best.

Here's to good balanced training and the fun of researching bikes!!! :-)

End of year report...

So as the year wore on I let things like a serious bout of depression, school, nearly losing my job, family and just life get in the way of my dirt nerdom! I am a bit annoyed at how out of shape I've gotten. Through the past 3 month (school semester) I have gained 15 pounds and have nearly completely stopped working out. I have been seriously stressed out and so I set up my next semester to allow me some exercise time. I've also decided to set a few long term goals to keep myself somewhat motivated. I'd like to complete the following before I turn 40 (in 4 years);

1.) Complete a Triathlon
2.) Complete a 12 hour race - Solo
3.) Complete a 24 hours race
4.) Run a marathon

I've been bouncing around the various mtn bike disciplines and while I love jumping, 4x I really enjoy just riding long distance. I think I'm a closet endurance guy stuck in a Clydesdale's body!!!! lol. So as the year winds to a close I'm getting back on the wagon.
A few things I'll be avoiding this time around. 1.) Bodybuilder workouts, 2.)Bodybuilding diets, 3.)a years worth of workouts in 3 months.
This year I burned out and so I am going to try and avoid that this year by spreading things out and trying to mix it up a bit. The year however wasn't all bad, after studying my work out journal and a bit of math, here are a few stats for you!

1.) I rode 542 mile this year (the most ever for me.)
2.) I rode once every 8 days on average.
3.) I ran 114 miles this year
4.) I ran once every 12 days (another PR for me)
5.) That gives me a grand total of 656 miles all together (most assuredly a PR)

So from here on out I can only build on that. Right now I'm working on just getting out. My body is sore and out of shape so I don't want to get all gung-ho right away. So right this week I ran twice for 30 minutes each. Not much but I'll slowly add to that. Next week it'll be two easy rides and one run! I'll probably keep alternating like this for the next few months and throw in some body weight resistance training. The final ingredient will be a swim but we'll get to that when we get to it!

I guess that's about it as I wrap up my year. It's not been a horrible one but I've had better for sure. I'm hoping 09 turns things around a bit. I did learn I need my exercise/training so I'm going to do everything I can to keep that going. I'll also be getting a small camera so I can add some photo's to this! lol I wanna be just like all the other blogs!!!! :-)

Thanks you and Happy New Year to all!

It's been awhile...

I know, I know, it's been a while. To be honest my 'outdoor' life has sufered just as much as the rest of my life lately and I feel far more the couch lover than the Dirt Lover lately. For the past few months I've been wrapped up in school, finance issues, and work issues but I think I'm slowly coming out of that. I have a better grasp on my school schedule and a feeling that I can balance all things as I finish my first semester back w/at least an A in one class and possibly a B in the other.

Next semester I set it up so I am still with two classes but a bit more time available in and around school so that I can exercise/work-out/train (whatever you wanna call it). I am super interested in doing a Triathalon before I turn 40 and with 36 staring at me in the face I don't think I have a whole heck of a lot of time to procrastinate. As for racing in general, I desperately wanna do a couple of Southridge races again but I'm not sure work is going to be as flexible with it this year. A diffrent player is involved so we'll see.

Still up 15 pounds from 4 months ago it's time to get out and train again. I want to ride, to run and to do body weight resistance here at the house. This year it looks like I'll get in just shy of 52 rides for the year but that's because I was so into it at the beginning of the year. I'm looking for overall consistancy this year. No more 6 month gradiose efforts followed by 6 months of iffy 30 pedaling efforts. I need this, as I can handle so much more shit in everyday life when I feel healthy and have an outlet for my anger/stress!