Halfway Through the Cleanse

I'm at the half way point of my twice yearly dietary cleanse which helps me get my eating (post holidays) back into a healthy groove.  As usual the first week wasn't bad at all.  Jill - the nutrition counselor that my wife and I follow the advice of -  plans our meals during our cleanse: What foods we'll eat, what our snacks during the day look like, and ensures, or tries to, that I drink all the water that I'm supposed to.  (Which doesn't always happen.  Long story, but it's a rarity for me to drink enough water during the day).  So, week one is in the books and I feel good.

The first week was full of whole foods, lots of vegetables, and everything was as minimally to non-processed as possible.  No caffeine, no alcohol.....just water.  Everything is done with a focus on detoxifying the body.  This weekend, however, began the 3 day period of raw foods and juicing.

I'm not opposed to raw foods - heck, I like apples!  And juices?  Sounds yummy. 

Here's an excerpt of my Saturday menu:

Day 7 Juices

8am: Energizer: apple, ginger, beet, lime juice
10am: cucumber, spinach, parsley, spirulina, kiwi, lemon
12pm: carrot, apple, beet, grapefruit, ginger
2pm: cucumber, carrot, celery, kale, parsley, lemon
6pm: carrot, apple, celery, zucchini, lemon

Wait, I'm juicing kale?  I don't even know what kale is!  Well, that's not true, I do.  But I'm pretty sure I don't want to juice it.  And can I just say that my 1000a juice yesterday was, well....how can I put this delicately?.....a little tough to take.

I should have taken a picture of it - it was green, sludgy.  The image is forever burned in my brain.

I'm really poking fun here (mostly) as a lot of the above mentioned juices are actually quite tasty, filling, and I still have energy and mojo.  When I say I'm "mostly" poking fun, it's because there are a couple things on there that I just had to substitute. (I'll leave it to you to decide what got tossed off the recipe list).

In the end, however, I'm feeling good - had a good session on the bike trainer the past couple of days, and I'm headed to the pool shortly.  And with less than a week to go I know that I'll be feeling refreshed and will once again have a firm grip on my diet and the ridiculousness of the holiday season consumption will be behind me.

'Tis the Season (For Indoor Training)

Upon waking this morning, the weather forecast on the morning news show informed me that it was 12F (with a 'real feel' of -2F).  Combined with truckloads of snow and ice, it looks like it's another day on the indoor trainer or treadmill.  Yep, it's winter in the northeast, and 'tis the season for indoor workouts on the treadmill and bike trainer - AKA the dreadmill and brain drainer.

This isn't to say that I'm opposed to running or riding outdoors during the winter.  I've been outdoors to get in a workout numerous times this winter with my usual running crew and rode quite a bit outdoors last winter.  But, heading out the front door when it's below freezing to run is not my favorite thing to do at 515 AM.  I know there are a number of people out there who live in areas where it's much colder than this and get out to run and ride......my hat goes off to them.  I guess as I get older my threshold for suffering in cold temps has diminished.

It's tough for me to to get over the mental hump of accepting that getting mileage in on a treadmill is just as good as being outside.  Most of that opinion is due to the fact that there's no wind, the treadmill mat is moving and not providing the resistance you'd get on the road and, well, it's really boring.  I can't get more than 6 miles on a treadmill under my belt before losing my marbles.  Tragically I know a few folks that can get in two-plus hours on the treadmill.  Amazing.  I'd rather be outside.

A friend of mine, Joe G, wrote about running on the treadmill just recently.  It was a bit of a relief to read as I had just been on the treadmill that morning and, in addition to being bored out of my mind, was sure I was working harder, and at a faster pace, than what was represented on the on the treadmill display.  Low and behold it quite possibly was - due to the combination of a particular gyms ability to keep the equipment calibrated and a number of other factors it seems that the speed displayed on a treadmill display is very likely slower than your actual pace.  Great, another thing to factor into my indoor workouts.

As I said, my capacity to suffer through cold weather has diminished over time.  So now I deal with having to suffer through boredom (whether on the treadmill or bike trainer - both offer zero change of scenery).  I'm not sure which is worse, but the bike trainer is starting to edge ahead in the boredom factor

It doesn't matter what I do...... throwing in some "hills" and tempo / threshold repeats, watching TV, listening to tunes on my iPhone / iPod, I just can't wait to get off the damn trainer.   I put in a two hour ride on the trainer last winter - had to stop half way through for a short mental break.  The bike trainer is something that I am happy to have during the winter months, but when I'm on it, more often than not, I can't wait to get off.  Again, I'd rather be outside.

Looking at my upcoming racing calendar for 2011 I know that all I need to do is just ensure that my base mileage is well maintained over the winter - I don't need to do any crazy mileage - and I'll be able to ramp up training, distance, and time, come March and April.  Hopefully spring will come early this year.  And let's face it, the treadmill and bike trainer are part of the deal during the winter - they're both a necessity.

And as I wrap this post up, I'm about to head into the "office" for an hour or so of time on the good old brain drainer.....I mean bike trainer.  At least tomorrow will be a pool day and that will be a bit more exciting.

Preseason is upon me - getting the old bod ready for racing

It's the preseason, so to speak, and I'm trying to get over the holiday consumption blues.  I'm looking ahead to my upcoming races, planning my base-building mileage, and getting in as much running, cycling (on a trainer, mostly) and swimming as I can.  Every year I tell myself that I'm going to be cautious during the Thanksgiving to New Years time period and not overdo the eating and drinking so, when the preseason does come along, I'm not fighting a battle of trying shed the holiday consumption pounds.

And every year it never really works out like I planned.

I always, always, have some extra weight on me come January.  I've talked before about how OCD some athletes can be about their training and racing weight.  But this is just more of a common sense thing.....I was stupid over the holidays and ate a lot of crap (well, not crap, really.  Just a lot of delicious stuff).  Anyway, It's not that I'm suddenly overweight and am now grossly out of shape.  But I just feel sluggish.

Enter the cleanse.  My wife introduced this to me last year.  My wife is a vegan (I'm not - yes it's interesting in our kitchen) and was dealing with some niggling health maladies.  Her yoga instructor, Jill, is also a holistic nutrition counselor.  Long story short, the cleanse was introduced to my house.  To summarize (from a guest post from Jill on my wife's blog) "We cleanse to put our bodies back in balance".  You can read more here and you can check out Jill's web site, but in general it's two weeks of eating whole foods, eliminating caffeine and alcohol, and purging your body of toxins.

For me, the cleanse does two things: First, it reminds me what eating healthy and proper portion sizes are all about.  Second, and this is important, it makes me feel better - inside and out - and is really invigorating.   This isn't a weight loss method.  Yes, some pounds do come off, but without proper eating and diet guidelines those pounds will come right back on.

For me, this gets me back on track for the triathlon / running season and gives me the kick in the pants needed to refocus.   Now, one could argue that if you just ate right year round, with smart choices and healthy foods, you wouldn't need to do this crazy things.  Well, maybe.  To Jill's point we're always ingesting things into our body that we perhaps shouldn't be - whether by proxy or by choice.  And my wife, JL, brought up a good point last year when we did this for the first time: "After a year of racing, looking back on all the gels, powders, energy bars, and Sunday night pizza and beer binges after races, your body could use a little clean-up."

Anyway, I'm not evangelizing anything here, and I'm not trying to do any advertising for anyone.  It works for me, I like it (although it is a tough two weeks) and it's how JL and I start out our year.  It's not for everyone, and I suggest that anyone who's interested should reach out to a certified nutrition counselor.

Now, as this cleanse starts tomorrow, (Sunday) today is my last day of indulgence.  So, pizza and beer for dinner?

2011 Goals and Racing Resolutions

After my disappointing 2010 racing season - cut short by the fact that I'm getting old and medical maladies are becoming more and more common - I'm looking ahead to the upcoming year and I'm targeting races and setting goals.  Actually, I've been thinking about my 2011 races and goals for months now.  Is it OCD to start planning your races more than 12 months in advance? 

First things first, however.  My first goal of 2011 is to do more weight and strength training.  I'm confident that my knee issues would not have been as much of an issue had I done more leg work at the gym.  It's difficult to get to the gym during heavy training weeks, but if I want to avoid another injury plagued season I'm going to have to suck it up and hit the weights more often.

So, with that out of the way, here's what's on my racing schedule for 2011:

Weekend of May 08:  North Face Endurance Challenge 1/2 Marathon

As I stated in my 2010 year in review, I had a lackluster performance at this race last year.  I'm certainly going to  need to kick things up a notch at this event this spring.  According to the North Face web site, they've confirmed all their races for 2011 and registration will be opening shortly. 

In case you're interested in getting in on this (and I highly recommend it) there are races at Bear Mountain, NY; Washington, DC; Madison, WI; Atlanta, GA; and San Francisco, CA.  There are race distances ranging from 10K to 50 miles, so there's something for everyone.  Check out their site for dates. 

June 12:  Sleepy Hollow Triathlon

Also mentioned in my year in review I need to, as my wife so awesomely says, "defend your AG title".  I had a great race there last year and will be hoping for a repeat performance.

June 26:  Stamford KIC IT Triathlon

All I'll say is that I need finish this race without a time penalty.  Absolutely targeting the AG podium at this race.  (Yes, I'll say it again, I should have been there last year).

It's an interesting race as it's a 2 transition area event.  Having done it last year it's not that big a deal, but it does add an additional logistical wrinkle to your race morning plan.  Post-race food and entertainment is good, and it's a quick drive from my house!  No need to get up at 330a for this race.

July 10:  Mossman Sprint Triathlon

After coming off some of my adventures in modern medicine last summer, I did the bike leg of a relay at this race in 2010.  I'm thinking this will be a good race to use as another tune-up event - the bike course has a nice climb to deal with, but the run is pretty flat along the ocean.  Should be a fast race.

August 21:  Park City Mossman Triathlon

This was a race that I missed last year and really regretted it.  It's an interesting change from most races around the tri-state area:  Both the bike and run courses are pancake flat, with the bike leg taking place on a 5 loop, 8K course. No rest for the weary here.....you're pedaling constantly save for the turn-arounds at either end of the course.  Really a great test of ones fitness.  Once off the bike it's on to two flat 5K run loops along the Long Island Sound. 

The Mossman group puts on a great race.  I highly recommend any of their events.

September 2011:  Toughman Half Iron Triathlon

A great race.  My good friend Rich is the race organizer, and puts on one hell of an event.  The volunteers are amazing, and it's one of the most well supported events I've raced.  And they don't call it the Toughman for nothing.  The bike and run courses are challenging to say the least.  Sneaky hills, and a couple big climbs (on both the ride and the run)  make this race one you'll need to do your hill repeats for.

Early October 2011: Paine to Pain Trail 1/2 Marathon

Are you noticing that all my running races are pretty much trail races?  Love em'.  My friend Eric has worked really hard at getting this race off the ground.  13 miles through lower Westchester County trails.  Nothing crazy technical, but enough rocks, twists, and turns to ensure you keep your focus.  The last time I raced this was in 2009 after the Toughman 1/2 Iron.  My legs weren't quite back to 100%, but it was still a load of fun.  And as the race organizer so often says: "...mud is a feature"

December 2011: Gail's Trail Race

Yep, another trail race.  This is a race that I run every winter.  I did a race report not too long ago, so you can read all about the race there.  But really, what's not to like? Winter, trails, water crossings, cold mud.  Need I say more?

I mean, really - what's not to love here?

I hope everyone is gearing up for a great 2011 racing season.

My Problem Here Is With "The Noodle"

I recently read an article / post titled Dangers of Triathlon Competition: Tips to Increasing Your Personal Safety.  I have to admit I found this article really, really, annoying.

I know, opinions are like....well, you know...everyone has one.  And I'm not ranting here as a triathlete who's taken offense to someone criticizing the sport.  I'm annoyed because a number of the statements made are just so off the mark.

The main point of the article states that the swim leg of the triathlon is the most dangerous of the three, and that while training for a triathlon is a great way to get in shape and improve your cardiovascular health, the sport has a higher death rate than one might expect - mostly attributed to the swim leg.

I'm not going to go into all the details here, so you might want to give the article a read but as I said, some of the points made - allegedly to show how dangerous a triathlon can be - have almost nothing to do with the sport itself.  Some of the "widely known" deaths in triathlon races include:

* A man who died of a stroke, followed by a heart attack, during the swim leg.

* A man who died of cardiac issues during the swim leg.  He had recently lost 100 lbs, and was down to 300 lbs (from 400 lbs).  He was competing in his first triathlon and was unable to reach support before his heart gave out.

* A woman died near the end of the swim leg - complaining of chest pain.  An autopsy showed she swallowed too much water during her swim.

* A man was bit by a great white shark during a triathlon.

Is it just me, or are some of the deaths outlined simply the result of being in the ocean in general (ie. the shark bite), while others are examples of individuals who weren't strong swimmers - or weren't physically prepared - and perhaps shouldn't have been competing in the first place?

What really got me, however, were some of the suggestions provided to ensure that you don't become a statistic of the dangerous world of triathlons.  Granted, some were good:

"..confer with your primary care physician or sports medicine professional before entering triathlon competition..."

And some were just, well, you'll see what I mean:

"Some races allow less strong swimmers to use noodles.  It may not seem sporty, but it's better than drowning."

Wait.  Hold on......a noodle?  Really?  Then you can't swim!  Perhaps you should sign up for a duathlon.

Sorry, that last line was a little snarky.  But seriously, if you - even for a moment - think that you need a flotation device to get through the swim leg of a triathlon you shouldn't be anywhere near the water before a mass start is about to go off.

In summary:  If you can't swim, don't do a triathlon.

Additionally:   If you don't have your doctors approval, when you really should, don't do a triathlon (or any other sport for that matter).

Okay, I'm off my soap-box.  (Really?  A noodle?)