PODCAST and FEAR TALK!

Click HERE to listen!

I interview Don Davis, founder and race director of the Survival of the Shawnagunks Triathlon.  This is truly a fantastic race, with eight legs and carrying your own running gear through the swims!  Listen in as Don describes how the race got started and some of the issues people have to deal with.

Don't forget, I will be hosting a talk on the Zen approach to fear and how to use it in the sport of triathlon.  The talk is 3 PM, Sunday, July 12, at the park atop the La Jolla cliffs on the south side of La Jolla Cove.  Here is a link to a map.  We will be at the northernmost tip of that park.  I will be wearing a white visor and a Half IM Buffalo Springs t-shirt.

Right after the talk, we will swim across that cove to the shore to the east... and back!  We will be putting our fear training to work!  Bring your swimsuit!

Click Here to Listen

Smugness

We were at Lance's bike shop, Mellow Johnny's, just before a big party to celebrate his return to the TDF.  I was talking with store staff about the party when a hipster fixie guy overheard us.  He was definitely interested, but stated the following:

"Party? I'd like to go, but not if it's just a couple of dudes talking about how awesome they are and how one's nuts weigh five ounces less than the other's."

The staff guy assured him everybody's welcome and added a very funny, "Even you."

It was awesomely ironic that the same guy shopping for parts for a completely uneccesary and ultrahip style of biking wanted to make sure that there was nobody of a different completely uneccesary and ultrahip style of biking  at a party he might attend.  And yes, if a certain seven-time TDF champ was there, his nuts would weigh five ounces less than the other guy's.

Peace and bikes, people.  :)

Be a Joiner

I just joined a local trail running / ultra running group called the Brazos Valley Trail Runners.  I also officially signed up with the Brazos Splash swim team a couple of months ago.

Honestly, I don't need to be part of these clubs.  I can train all I need on my own.  And I'm a coach myself, for cripe's sake!  And you should also be careful when signing up for anything.  Lots of stuff can be both a time-suck and a wallet-drain. 

But the upside of being part of clubs is sometimes worth it.  I know plenty of coaches that have coaches themselves, if for nothing else than the social aspect and to keep them on a schedule.

Here's some indicators of a group with some potential to serve you well:

• Scheduling.  Groups have predicable workout schedules that you can count on.  Also helps to make excuses.  "Honey, I can't wash the car tonight.  It's Time Trials Wednesday!"
• Exposure.  One of the best ways to get faster is to find people faster than you and ape them.  Figure out how much they work out and what gear they use.
• Good price. If it's expensive, make sure there is a really good reason why.
• Discounts. Teams and clubs can get good discounts on gear and race entries.  Just check over the list and make sure that it is stuff you actually want to use or do.
• Locations.  Hang out with the right crowds and soon you'll learn of some new and great training locations.

Here's some pitfalls beware of:

• You don't have to do every workout with them.  Show some independence!
• You don't have to go their same pace.  That's a great way to undertrain or get injured.
• Unfriendliness or Cliques.  These situations usually end up in clubs fracturing and breaking up.  Don't waste your time.  Go find something better.
• Thinking you have to be part of just one group.  I participate in at least three different clubs' events and email lists.  Just find some balance.

Podcast - Death by Triathlete

Click HERE to listen!

 

I interview pro triathlete John Hirsch and then try to get myself killed while trail running in the Sam Houston National Forest.

John Hirsch is a pro triathlete, part-time lawyer, and ex-punk rock singer.  His interview is great stuff and he's agreed to be on more shows, giving us tips on how to train like the best.

I also went to the local wilderness and got lost, trying to drink my own sweat to stay hydrated.  The photo above is of a skunk I came across while trekking.

The show covers various other topics:

• Cool 70's cyclocross photos in Cyclocross Magazine.
• The Paleo diet.
• Setting an alarm at night to help get to bed so you get up early the next day.
• How your asthma could just be allergies and how to get it fixed.
• A laptop trick to be more productive.
• Show donations!

Don't forget that I'll be giving a talk on Fear in San Diego/La Jolla on Sunday, July 12th at 3 PM.  At the park on the cliffs above where you get in to swim should be nice.  Immediately afterwards, we'll hop in and swim across the cove and back.  That's a great opportunity to apply some of that fear training, right?

See you there!

Click HERE to listen

New Plan - Run Forever

Ok, so if I run an hour every day, and then two hours one day a week, I'm getting in nearly 50 miles per week.

Mix in push ups and pull ups in about five or six of those runs and you're a beast.  All this lays the foundation for a kick ass race, then add the swimming and biking on top of that.

I can go run right out my front door, making the "run an hour every day" plan very possible.

See you all on the other side of Crazy.  :)