Sorry for the absence, but it was much needed after a rough end to my 2012 season.
But let's recap, and I'll fill you in on an already busy 2013!
2012
- 2012 was the year for injuries for me, in particular my left IT band / hip. It made for a rough year (didn't start 4 races), but I've learned a lot from the experience. I am now more in tune with my overall volume and fitness, especially with running. No more 30-40 mile weeks without building up to it!
- I ended my race season at the Midwest Meltdown, where I took 2nd in my Age Group (again...), but had my first 20mph bike split! I was really happy, but I am still wanting an AG win.
- I took 2 months completely off from training, starting in late October and lasting till January of 2013.
- Work/school has been fantastic. I'm so blessed to have innovative people around me at work to continue to inspire and motivate me. I took one of the most challenging classes I have ever taken, a sort of advanced exercise physiology class, and now am really considering pursuing more of an exercise-based approach to my research with concussions. More on that in a later post...
- Rach and I took some big steps together at the end of the year. We added another 4-legged member to our little family. We adopted Gus around Christmas, and have had a blast getting to know him! He's a great dog, and a pretty good brother to Mr. Mad Max.
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| Where my dogs at? |
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| Oh, Hi Gus! |
The biggest event of the year, and probably my life, has been asking Rach to marry me, and for some reason she said yes...
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| Boom. Winner. |
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| Me being completely normal during our engagement photos in Allen Fieldhouse |
So 2013 has been full of wedding planning, along with training, work, school, etc. I always thought it wouldn't take long to plan a wedding. 6 weeks tops. Man, was I wrong...
2013
- This year, my number one focus has been consistency. No more epic training sessions that totally wipe me out for the next 3 days. Just easy progression, month to month. I've followed some of Joe Friel's methods for periodization, and have been reaping the rewards WITHOUT injury. I've been taking it a bit easier with my run volume and intensity, but still am seeing improvement.
- This year I wanted to focus more on short course races, in the hopes of building more speed and working more on building endurance in the coming seasons (the ITU approach...).
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| Completely spent at Shawnee Mission Park |
- I did a few 5ks in the early spring, and did okay. Nothing crazy, but just solid improvements. Still looking to get under 20:00.
- My first "A" (or focus) race of the year was the Kansas 5150, held at Clinton Lake. I was hoping to qualify for the 5150 US Championships in Des Moines, but unfortunately the race was altered because of storms. The swim was cancelled, the roads appeared wet, and I didn't think the '86 Cannondale could handle the sweeping downhills on wet roads. I ended up turning in my timing chip before the race started, and headed to my sister's graduation at KU. Naturally, the weather immediately cleared up and a great race was had by all (except me...).
- Happily, I now have a new love in my life (sorry Rach), my new BIKE!!! After the wasted 5150 race, I went and got a Retul fit with Jeff at Elite Cycling, and was told a Cervelo P2 would be the perfect bike for me.
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| It's science... |
- So, Rach got it for me as my wedding gift. Even more validation that I am the luckiest person in the world to be with her... And the bike is scary fast :)
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| Checking out my position in my living room... |
- Rach also got herself a Specialized Dolce, and has gotten bit by the Triathlon bug! She is registered for 3 races this summer. Everyone in the F25-29 AG better watch out!
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| Getting frozen yogurt, I mean training. |
That's about it! At least the major stuff... I just finished my first triathlon of the year, the Topeka Tinman, and will write up a race report on that soon! Next race will be the Shawnee Mission Triathlon, where I will be going for a 2nd Place Dynasty in the short course! Already two-for-two!
And I want to trial some nice endings to my blog posts. Please let me know which ones are the best...
Only you can prevent forest fires...
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