1.9.2017
I went in to 2016 with the same mindset as I do each year:
- Maintain your fitness level during the Winter and Spring
- Eat Better, Drink Less
- Train More, Race Less
- Work hard to complete new distances.
And, like each year, I failed in some ways and succeeded in others.
January:
- I'd picked up a few pounds during the off-season. I began a cleanse in January in an effort to refocus and drop a few pounds.
- I had a solid 10k and 2 decent 13.1's.
- My training sucked. Only 67 total miles of training for the month. Almost all swimming with an occasional run
February:
- I ran the 2 and 4 milers at FW Mardi Gras event and took 3rd in my AG in each
- I has an "okay" day at Fast N Furious Du. Lack of saddle time was an issue, as always
- Finally, I bought a Tri Bike. I'd had my eye on this bike for about 18 months. Bicycles Inc discounted it again, and it was marked down to $999 from $2200. I pulled the trigger. No more excuses, and, time to rain for a 70.3.
- My training picked up a bit, including time on the bike.
- I had a poor day at RnR NO. But, as always, a fun trip to The Big Easy
March
- RnR Dallas was a train wreck. A great course and event, but, a shitty run.
- My training was REALLY poor, and my weight was creeping up.
April:
- An ugly 15k and an ugly 13.1. I decided against any more long runs until I got my shit together.
- A rain-soaked tri at Caveman. Not a terrible day, but, still not in shape.
- my training improved, but, still not nearly where I needed to be
- I discovered a crack in the top-tube of the tri bike, and waited until late May to get it back. Ugh.
May:
- A sprint tri with OWS. 1st time in wetsuit. Just an "okay" day.
- A solid 10k and 5k
- another OWS tri w/o wetsuit. Again, just ok, and no tri bike
- 1st bike rally of the year - finally on tri bike. UGLY.
- training still poor and weight too high, at about 202-203
June:
- Things really picked up in June.
- My training got far more consistent
- I completed 10 events, including:
- 5 5k's (Trinity 5000 series)
- 1 UGKY 10k
- a 4 miler
- 2 bike rallies
- 1 sprint triathlon
- for the 1st time all year, I felt back in the groove
July:
- 8 events:
- 5 5k's
- 2 sprint tris
- a bike rally
- training was ok
- I was getting far more comfortable on the bike
August:
- 2 5k's. I took 1st in Clydesdale Division for Trinity 5000 series - WTF am I doing racing Clydesdale (slim down fatty!) I ran 10 of the 12 races. Griffin ran 11 of 12! So proud of that little dude!
- 1 solid sprint tri
- HHH 100k
- Austin 70.3 training began. Just what I needed to focus. More Training - less racing...
- my training increased and improved significantly
September
- I got off to a good start with a decent 10k and 15k,
- A bad back injury sidelined me for the better part of 2 weeks. I was bed ridden for a few days, and, once I returned, could only swim. Not good for my 70.3 training. Once better, I worked hard to pick the training back up.
- Better eating and no alcohol from 8.15 - race day.
October:
- Heavy training, with a lot of swimming, and long runs, rides on the weekends. My run pace was slow, and my rides didn't top 30 miles, but, I was committed to doing what I could to be race ready.
- A decent 6k at Friends of the River and a tune up sprint tri ant Monster Keller.
- Weight was back to mid 190's
- Austin 70.3!
- cancelled swim due to heavy fog
- hot day with brutal run. I learned a lot from this one!
November:
- Just 1 week removed from Austin, Best of Best Tri. A mess of a day, but, felt okay considering...
- Bronda's Du - fastest time ever on this course
- Pumpkin Spice 15k
- Trot 10k - new PR!
December:
- another 10k, another PR
- Dallas Marathon 13.1 - PR
So clearly, I didn't race less...here's the race count:
48 total events:
5 40+ mile bike rallies
1 2 miler
13 5k's
2 4 milers
6 10k's
3 15k's
2 duathlons
9 sprint tris
1 HIM tri
5 13.1's
I did find enjoyment in racing less as I prepped for Austin. I'm currently training for Cowtown Ultra (my 1st ultra), and, have committed to Chicago Marathon, 2-3 70.3's in '17. Once again, the plan is to race less and train more. So far, so good.
'16 training / racing: more miles than in '15. More workouts than any other year, with a big emphasis on swimming. 2nd most hours of training since I made my fitness commitment in '12.
Good year, with lots of new achievements. Bring on '17!
