Mountain Biking is Tough

Met up with a few good buddies and hit the trails for a 2.5 hour ride. Rode hard and became acquainted with the ground quite a few times. So much in fact, I thought about just staying on the ground.

I am still trying to get the hang of it. Much different than road riding and I enjoy it quite a bit even while doing a superman over the bars and sliding 15 feet down the side of the mountain! Yes, sign me up every time!

A few positives, I felt strong and had a ton of energy. I was thinking I would be hurting since I had a long run in the heat on Friday, but overall, legs felt quite good. Super excited to be constantly moving and just enjoying this sport again! Still no pool, need to find it again!

Small Training Update...No Couch Potato

My training has gotten back on track....well maybe not a fast track, but slowly I have been ramping up the volume and consistency. I am so happy to be training again!

I have been very consistent over the last several weeks. I am getting my run back to a decent length and duration without feeling like crap. Bike has been ok. Still no long rides, but that will come. My swim has been.....well.....lacking. However, I am training a little EVERYDAY!

It helps that I have met a few good training partners and friends. It's been good to be challenged and have something to look forward to each day. I have enjoyed the sunrises and even a few sunsets on the occasional long run. I have also been hitting some trails and that has been great!

Still no races planned for this year (may pop into a sprint or something small key). A few good friends of mine are asking that I enter a 70.3 next year in St. Croix. I am really considering it, and still thinking about what I plan for next year. Perhaps an Ironman, perhaps the Ultraman, perhaps I could become a couch potato or Mr. Potato.

Short update, but heck....my mind is back, my body is feeling good, and I am loving the training!

Today was 1 hour and 45min run. Well, more of a shuffle, walk, run.

Later

Failure Leads To Success

Why Do Dogs Pee on Fire Hydrants?

This was the question I was asked by my youngest son today! Kids always amaze me! I wasn't positive on why dogs pee on fire hydrants...but had a good idea....so needless to say it was a bit difficult to answer....

I thought to myself to say...go "Google" it buddy. That statement is sad in more ways than one...but that's another rant on another day..

So, the old man went to trusty "Google". According to Answerbag:

...it's like a tree stump in a city. Dogs normally mark on trees, but cities have few of them so hydrants will do. They would pee on signposts but they are too narrow so they would miss. Hydrants are nice and fat, and just the right size. When they sniff hydrants they gather all kinds of information.... like Pippi the poodle was there that day and she's in heat, or that Boris the wolfhound has a bladder infection or that Max the pit bull had fish for dinner. They sniff dried pee to gather data, the same way we surf the internet to learn about the world.

So, Jackson...there ya go buddy! You made my day with that question!

It's all about the little things in life, and for me, there are three of them! The joy my boys bring to me each and every day is something I will always be grateful for.

Now, I just need to make sure he isn't trying to pee on a fire hydrant...

1:23:43 Run followed by Pushups / Situps

On the road again, so I decided to start the day with an early morning run. One hour and change later, I felt pretty good. Legs were not turning over very well this morning, but I expect that due to may lack of volume over the last several months.

Weather was great...sunny and 70's..

1:46:54 and Lavaman Triathlon

Just finished up with a solid run. This was my first lengthy run in quite some time and the legs could feel it. During the run, my right foot kept getting numb. Not sure what the cause is...Looking forward to more consistency and getting back into shape. I was glad I had the proper fuel and even happier when I found another water stop along the way.

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Also, I came across this video of Macca at the Lavaman. This was one of the first triathlon's I ever entered. I have a lot of great memories from the race, but more importantly memories with the family. It was my first trip to the Big Island, and I probably weighed close to 270 or so for the race! I have no idea how I finished, but I do recall getting passed by a 70 year old! I also remember my family cheering me on at the final leg of the beach run. Seems like yesterday..

Spin Class

Today I had planned on finding some time to do a 2 hour "hard effort" on the bike. I am traveling again this week and as such, I have no bike to ride outside.

Normally, I don't hit the gym for spin classes, but I really needed the extra kick in the tail to make sure I was hitting it hard. Thankfully, the class didn't disappoint (music was awesome as well) and I was able to keep the hard effort going throughout the 2 hours.

Overall, 1 hour hard on stationary bike, followed by 1 hour in the spin class!

Tomorrow, I plan to run long.

Music from the class (what I remember):
Guns n Roses
Metallica
Dave Mathews
Godsmack
Foo Fighters
Train