Season Finale, coming up!

What a great way to fully jump into the winter/off season - head to Tempe, Arizona and do an Ironman race. It is going to be a really nice trip south that includes a good, hard days work mixed in on Sunday Nov.22nd.

For those of you who don't know the course, it is a "simple" layout in terms of the course profiles - 3 loops each on the bike and run. The bike course has a gradual ~18mile incline and decline each loop that rises and drops by about 400ft. The run course has a few bridges you cross each loop and they provide the only real elevation change (barely 100ft).

Training has gone well leading up to this race. And the taper has been going really smoothly. Coach Noa and I have been closely monitoring my body throughout the taper to see how it is responding this time of year. I'm feeling good, and can't wait to see how I feel in another 12 days. . . I'm pretty sure it will be similar to a jack-in-the-box with some electrical currents attached to the metal wind up crank (that is maxed out). Ha!

The big trainer rides are done, with the help of a training partner and some good DVDs (Deluxe Extended Edition King Kong is hugely entertaining, I can't believe what computer graphics can do now). And I know these trainer rides have provided great cycling training for this race, both mentally and physically.

The weather outside hasn't been the best for running some days, but with the right gear you can be comfortable. Or in my case, overheating yourself purposely for race specific training. But on the fall days when the sun comes out and the leaves are falling around you it can be pretty special running out there, even during sub-race pace efforts.

Check out this link that a friends sent me - www.youtube.com/watch?v=9itkEkcQ8WM&feature=related . See what you think, and try to figure out why it doesn't make sense. . . . . you can't really, because it does make sense. Get into some Newtons this off season if you are thinking of going for a more natural less injury prone running technique, those shoes are one of a few companies who are truly gearing their product towards encouraging the human body's natural running stride.

I might be a bit biased with the Newtons, but you don't come across many people who don't like them.

That's enough out of me, time to clean up after the coconut curried chicken dinner.

Adam

Something I feel strongly about. . . . . .

That's what I'm talking about!

Hi guys, my posts are almost always cheery and fun to read, so this one might come across a little different. But I do feel that it important to state my feeling about this. What I am talking about is the H1N1 flu bug. The first thing I want to say is that this is my point of view and by no means do I think I am completely right about it. I don't have cable, unfortunately I don't even really have enough extra time to sit down and read the newspaper, so perhaps I am not completely up on the latest in national and international current events. Some may say this could make me a bit ignorant but like I said above, I am not trying to state fact, I am stating my opinion.

So, what is my view on the current state and effects of the swine flu? This is a cut and paste form an email I wrote to someone recently, after I felt that their worrying over the swine flu was having a lot of negative effects on their health (mainly raised levels of stress which wreaks havoc on the body). Here is the cut out.

- the Pharmaceutical Industry (PI) is the one of the biggest, most profitable industries in the world, and as the younger generations become more wise with how to take care of themselves and the truths about better health the PI must find ways to get our generation to believe in drugs again.

- a lot of the people I know of who have had the swine flu (friends and family of people I know) seem to be parents and younger kids (as opposed to what has been said about my generation being the most susceptible).
- the amount of stress caused on people by worry about this is horrible for humans, especially if they don't know how to reverse the effects of the stress inducing chemical cortisol that our body releases when stressed (some things that help control the effects of stress on the body are: proper diet, exercise, meditation, things that make you laugh)
- they don't explain to people how important good overall health is to raising the immune system (don't you think if they took a media opportunity like this to talk about the best ways to improve health that people would take to them because they now have a "reason"?)

Lastly, I feel that the problem here is that people are not getting to the root of our current health woes, the developed world is doing what it does best in trying to fix a symptom and not find a solution to the problem. Whatever requires the least amount of effort and thought from the general, media-stimulated population always seems to be promoted and advertised as the best method. Why are people overweight? Because it is easier to go to McDonald's than it is to prepare food. Why are people lazy? Because it is easier to move your thumb on the remote than it is to move your feet on the trail. Why do people make excuses in general? Justifying something in your mind (oh, I will do it tomorrow) is easier than justifying it through setting a goal and achieving it through physical and/or mental effort.

That's it, a short little blurb on how I feel about the current situation.

One of my fellow employees was saying how they can't remember me ever being sick in the 2 years they've known me. That was a huge compliment to me, as I do strive to be healthy. . . here is one of the dictionary's definitions of healthy

1. possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality: a healthy body; a healthy mind.

I think I fall into that definition, so I guess I am healthy! Awesome, and I plan on staying that way and I know the $35 I spent at Madrona Farms today on fresh fresh fresh fresh fresh kale, chard, spinach, arugula, carrots, beets, garlic, and broccoli will help me with that.

- Adam

Early Morning and some Cereal - Green Rebel Style

I love getting up early, especially when my body is not so tired that it's begging to sleep in. I woke at 5:25 and my mind was racing along as if it had been awake 10 minutes before . . . . . . if we get up right now we can do a bunch of stuff before swimming. . . . what's for breakfast #1? . .. . . who is going to be at swimming?.. . .. .. is the sun going to come out a bit today and let my catch some rays on my skin?. .. . . .. .

OK, so I got up and straight to the Babe's Honey and Green Magma I went. With that initial hit of nutrition in me lets make the post workout juice, 20min and that's done. OK, now time for a little breakfast. Ingreidients: Natures Path Mesa Sunrise, dried coconut, date pieces, fig pieces, flax oil, maca powder, raw cacao pieces, little touch of Babe's Honey, and almond milk. This bowl has it all, nutritional density, good fats, complete proteins, healthy sugars, lots of crunch (largely from the cacao pieces, mmmmm), and tons of flavor. Also, it will be easily digested and well into my system by 7:30 (one hour from now).

With less than 4 weeks until IM Arizona the focus now is to maintain my current fitness and get my body really fresh and ready for November 22. Coach Noa and I aren't changing a lot, we are just ensuring good quality for every workout and as much rest time as possible. I am looking forward to this next month and really looking forward to applying all I have learned this year at my last race of the season down in Tempe (Phoenix). But until then it will be more of the same - awesome group swims, indoor trainer ride, and running (I don't care if it is pouring outside, you will find me running when it's on the schedule).

For those of you who have ended your official race season I encourage you to start trying out new things that you have thought about during this past season - things like trying new shoes. Newtons for example are awesome shoes and we carry them at Peninsula Runners, come in and take a pair for a spin. As always at Peninsula Runners, when people try shoes on we encourage them to go for a quick spin out on the dry pavement. Furthermore our 2 week return policy on any shoes that have not been worn outside give people the chance to test them a little bit on a treadmill if there is any hesitation as to whether or not the shoes will feel great while running for a period of time. Something else you might want to try is hitting up the trails for running, it builds great strength and, for most people, it is tons of fun. Just remember it will be a workout for your brain as well as you have to watch your footing as more and more leaves fall (well worth the effort though!).

Adam

Back at it - IM Arizona less than 5 weeks

After a much needed recovery week I am feeling just about ready to start smacking out some good hard sessions again. Maybe it is the change in the season that is adding to how long I am needing to recover from that first block, maybe it's just the fact I worked really hard for 3 weeks and that is the first time doing that since IMC training. But, I think when I wake tomorrow I will be ready for whatever the swim set is and the short-fast-intervals trainer ride right afterwards.

There is going to be a few people from the PT Performance Training team racing in Tempe, Arizona and I can't wait to be out there on the course putting whatever is left in me at the end of the season out on the line. Should be a great race and nice trip south.

Below are a few pics from the summer! Check em out.

Adam

Recovery Week. . . . . . . ahhhhh

After the last 3 weeks of solid training I am thoroughly enjoying this recovery week. I have found I need some real easy stuff after that first real block of hard training. What am I training for? IM Arizona, it's just over 5 weeks away and I am enjoying the training so far. Training for IM Arizona is definitely different from IM Canada training and even though a lot of rides are being done on the indoor trainer I am looking forward to each session these days. To make those trainer rides a bit easier mentally I am smacking out some of the shorter harder session with Ben Cotter. We are grinding them out and finding it a lot more fun with each other as we are able to talk during the easy and recovery parts and push each other when we are working hard.

Fall is a wonderful time of year. I love the local vegetables and fruits that are available right now - squash, spinach and other dark greens, broccoli, can't forget apples, and more! So with all the butternut squash available I wanted to make a soup with a twist to bring to my future family-in-laws house for Thanksgiving dinner, it ended up being a Curried-Butternut Squash-Pear Soup. I was worried the curry powder (straight from Pakistan - graciously given to me by my future brother in-law), and extra whole cumin seeds were going to be too over-powering for most of the family and guests' palates. .. . . . . but it was all good . .. . . especially after the family chefs dressed it up with a bit of cheese, croutons, and parsley on top!

Of course I need to mention something about Kona this past weekend. I don't think I need to elaborate on how awesome and motivating it was to watch. It was great to see 2 people win who just do everything right, they are great role models for younger athletes like myself - they are both great people and smart racers. Watching the Universal Sports coverage online sure helped pass the 4hour 15min trainer ride!

Wherever you are in your training: off season, just finished a race, done and done for the season, or prepping for one last effort, remember we are lucky to be able to do what we do, and have fun!

Adam

Great Lake Walk Support Crew

I'm glad I get to write about something completely different than how my race was, or how I am feeling right now with training, or other triathlon related things. This weekend a friend of mine (and of many, many other people in this community) will compete in the 56K Great Lake Walk as a fundraiser. The goal of the fundraiser is to (raise) money that will be put towards purchasing a Modified Recumbent Stepper for Sean Marlowe. Sean is a local young man who competed at the highest level of Olympic Distance Triathlon and was training for the Beijing Olympics. In 2004 he was the unlucky victim of a bicycle accident with a tractor-trailer, this accident has left him immobile and unable to speak. The Modified Recumbent Stepper is an exercise machine that Sean has had access to at UVic and is enjoying using.

Fund raising for this cause is peaking right now as our amazing friend prepares to walk 56K (fast too mind you, she ain't no slouch), but the donations will be accepted up till the end of October. You can donate at any of the following locations: Peninsula Runners-3659 Shelbourne St, LifeSport Coaching-770 Sayward St, Running Room-1008 Douglas St. or 777 Royal Oak Dr., Frontrunner Store - 1200 Vancouver St., Popeye Supplements - 2500 Douglas St., Godfrey's Luggage & Leather Store 2508 Douglas St.

The walk is this Saturday Sept 19th, in Lake Cowichan. We have a support crew of 4 people for our athlete and it is going to be a blast. We will laugh, support, and work together in order to make her race as comfortable (as much as possible that is when you are covering that much ground) and memorable as we can.

Good Luck our fearless athlete/fundraiser extraordinaire! Also good luck to all participants in the event.

Adam

Ironman Canada 2009

Tough day out there.

Thank-you volunteers for making the day possible.

Adam