An important exercise tip, when training for endurance races, is prepare yourself for the expected conditions, but this is not always easy as conditions are not necessarily predictable. That said, if you run (or bike) into trouble, don't beat yourself up about it, if you gave it your best effort. Four of five months ago my youngest son, and great Ironman triathlete, Nigel, called and said, "Dad, I've signed up for ... Read more
Cathexis, Rescuing A Little Dog (Porgy), And The Strangeness Of Human Motivation
Hi folks, Empathy for other species is a strange human emotion, given the fact that survival is everything on this win or perish planet of ours. But it is a real emotional driver. It is one that keeps me away from dog pounds, as it just feels bad to leave any homeless animals behind. I find that my feelings towards homeless humans is in fact less charitable, being laced with suspicion. As I think ... Read more
Enterprise Will Keep America Vibrant Thanks To Operations Like SagMonkey
Enterprise: en·ter·prise/ˈentərˌprīz/ (From: Chez Ollie) Noun: A project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort. Initiative and resourcefulness. SAG Wagon: (From: wiseGeek) "The origins of the term “sag wagon” are a topic for debate. Some cyclists believe that it is an acronym for “Support and Gear” or “Support Aid Group.” Others suggest that it may be related to distressed ... Read more
Improvising Your Training With No Excuses
Hi folks, I had to deal with an electronic blackout, here at the Chez Ollie, so my post is late today. However, it is nice to escape from the Internet from time to time. I occasionally plan a short e-vacation, by scheduling blog postings ahead, but not this time. So, here I am at the resort, as a non-skier (had my skiing-induced knee surgery already, thank you!) with limited workout equipment in the ... Read more
Use Cool Down Time In The Pool As Playtime And You May Learn Something Useful
Hi folks, Ironman training involves some pretty long swims sometimes, and often they are preceded by heavy weight room, bike or run workouts the previous day. You may hit the water sluggish and stiff, but after a few laps you'll loosen up, attacking each set with increasing enthusiasm. I find that around the two-mile mark (72 laps in a 25-yard pool) I start to tire significantly, and by the end of the ... Read more
Is It Acceptable For You To Add Extra Workouts To Your Coach’s Training Plan? Rarely!
Hi folks, I pay a coach to set my workouts based on his experience and my athletic background, combined with laboratory data such as lactate threshold and VO2 max. So why would I suggest that one might arbitrarily add a workout to his plan? The answer is that I consider it acceptable as long as it is not a physical workout, but a mental one. For instance, today I added a short early morning swim, but ... Read more
Consistency Is Key When It Comes To Safe Exercise For Better Health
Hi folks, Last weekend I had a 4-hour bike ride scheduled by my coach, but I just didn't want to do it. Then I did it anyway, in spite of myself. For the first hour my legs complained, my brain complained, and in general I complained. The complaints didn't do any good because I was out there on my own. If I had said any of this stuff to a riding buddy (which I never would, as I learned that lesson ... Read more
Integrate Your Endurance Training Into Your Life In A Healthy Way
Hi folks, This is a follow-up post to the 'early morning swim chicken' one I posted previously. I am a notorious no-show for early morning swims, but I am working to fix this. Like one of my key biking partners, Rory, I also tend to lose the mental debate at 5:00 am and end up staying in bed. But that is no way to work towards a sub-13 hour Lake Placid Ironman time, so I am biting the bullet and ... Read more
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