Project Durango Completed!

Zentri supporters helped finish out the payments on the Jamis Durango 29er I had on layaway.  This is a great collaboration project to help get the podcast off-road more often, resulting in a lot more variety in show content for many years to come.

Having a mountain bike opens up lots of events for me to participate in that I've been wanting to do for a long time.  I used to mountain bike quite a bit, even raced a few times.  Emily and I are now looking at both Xterra-style triathlons and mountain bike races for this coming year.  Yes!

A 29er is in itself a great topic to talk about.  They have very tall tires compared to regular mountain bikes, which leads to all kinds of interesting handling characteristics.  As I train and race on one, it will be great to compare and contrast it to the regular bikes (26ers).

In a cruel ironic twist, I got the bike home and then was informed that nearly all of the next four weekends are booked solid with family events and other stuff that will make the first "epic" ride challenging to schedule.  

I bought a new lapel mic so I can make some great recordings on the new ride.  By the way, I've decided to call it "Flow".  It's a great name because it has a double-meaning: "Flow" as in Zen focus, and "Flo" as in a hard working diner waitress, dishing out tasty goodness as fast as you can order it and with attitude.

Big thanks to everybody that helps support the show.  Even though the podcast is for free, it is still very time consuming and expensive and all your help, in any fashion, makes all the difference in the world!

RESPECT, MON!

Black Friday Deals!

Hey, everybody!  Here's a first attempt at a ZenTri cartoon.  Did it in Microsoft Paint, inspired by Black Friday and our lust for carbon fiber everything.  I'd like to do more of them, so put suggestions of topics and better software to draw cartoons with in the comments!

6 Ways Triathletes can Deal with Difficult Family Members over the Holidays (and Two Nuclear Options!)

Not only do you not get to pick your family, but many of you may have also found yourself at odds with some about your triathlete lifestyle.  This issue can rear it's ugly head when you are forced to spend day after day with them during base season the holidays.  

This can get nasty.  REALLY nasty.  You just want to go out for a run or bike ride and they decide this is the time to have an intervention.  Nevermind that the person who really needs the intervention is Uncle Larry, who is 100 lbs. overweight, watching his third football game, and slouched out in his recliner and performing as a nacho cheese receptacle.

Here is a few tips to get you through this rough patch and maybe you could also learn some things about yourself along the way:

1. Evaluate.  You first should make sure that your significant other and kids are happy with the time you spend working out.  If they aren't, you really have no defense.  Fix that relationship first before you tackle others.  On the flip side, if they are happy, you're golden.  After them, nobody else really matters.
2. Compare your likes to theirs.  Tell them you aren't interested in watching TV like a zombie.  Say you'd "rather be active than passive."  Have them calculate how many hours a week they watch TV or do their own hobbies.  Your time working out is probably half of that.
3. Be firm.  Look them in the eyes and say that you are happy with what you do.  You are going to workout, and that's that.  But...
4. Be flexible.  Pick your critical workouts that you can't miss, but be open to doing them at odd times during the day.  Ride the trainer while you babysit the kids, go to the pool a little later, or let some family members bike along with you while you run.
5. Catch up with maintenance.  Can't get away?  Clean your bike, update your log, read a book about training, do some Zazen or yoga.  There's lots more to triathlon than just "makin' miles".
6. Let them know ahead of time.  The biggest problem is usually lack of communication.  Others will get pissed when they think everybody is going to the mall (gag) and you tell them you are going for a bike ride.  However you do it, by calendar, email, or whatever, let them know which days you are doing your longer workouts and what time of day you will be doing them.  This fixes a majority of the problems.

The Nuclear Options.  I'm famous in my family for putting up with crap for a long time and then letting crazy shots fly when I've had enough.  Take the following with a grain of salt, but don't forget that people actually do these :

1. Don't even go.  "The best battle is the one never fought." - Sun Tzu.  The holidays aren't mandatory family time.  If your family drives you nuts, just don't do extended family time with them.
2. Move.  That's right.  You may just be living in the wrong place.  There are plenty of cities where people are active and outdoorsy just like you are.  If you are miserable with your surroundings, there's no reason you can't pack up and change them.  Surround yourself with other happy active-types and make them your new family. 

Have some stories about family members trying to set you straight?  Share them in the comments!

Podcast - It's All Good

Click HERE to listen

 

Hey, tri-studs and studettes!  Just checking in with another episode of ZenTri goodness.  Join me for a quick run and then some mountain biking while pulling my son along on a trail-a-bike.  There's also a great interview at the end about how a Boulder surgeon is doing amazing work on athletes with back issues.

Our big announcement at www.zentriathlon.com is the new members only area!  I'm posting detailed information in both written and audio form about how to make your training better for subscribers eyes only.  You can find a link to it and the member's forum here.

There is also a couple great audio clips thrown in for your triathlon entertainment.  Cover your kid's ears! :)

Show notes! 

• 1 hour run using new running form.  It's fast!
• Check out Triathlon Mind Training.com
• Created members only section of Zentriathlon.com.
• Mountain biking with Kai.
• Are we dreaming?
• Push runs ROCK for strength in martial arts class.
• Powertap vs. SRM vs...
• Got back problems? Listen to this interview.

Click HERE to listen

Upcoming Interview

Just thought I'd post a quick note about an upcoming interview on ZenTri - A conversation with Bruckner Chase.

Bruckner is an ultra swimmer.  Not an ultra runner, but an ultra swimmer.  He contacted me because how often I talk about fear, Zen, and swimming and wanted to give some input.  

Check out his past and future swims here.  Truly epic.