Older and Wiser

      April 12th was my birthday, and since my last post I can state I am older and wiser.

      On 04/10/11 I started making wiser decisions when I switched my long bike ride from 100 miles to 60 miles as I did not train at all, and that was my first long bike ride of the year. Doing that I was able to enjoy the rest of a sunny Sunday with my wife, and walk straight for the following days. 

      As work has taken the best of me, I am in fault to proper training, but continue challenging myself in order to keep my sanity, and halfway health. On 05/01/11 I ran OC Marathon, in my third consecutive year, and used a run-walk strategy to be able to finish without getting hurt. Pasadena Marathon came next, two weeks later, and the rain on half course and the hills made me slower than LA Marathon, but I was proud of my strong finish. 

      Now thinking about Ironman Arizona I have started to diversify my training (or, in other words, start training properly...), I swam 3200 meters at Coast to Coast Swim Challenge and started making plans. Right on time when Buckeyeoutdoors had a massive meltdown and lost all my training log and plans. 

      Today I ran the Brentwood Run 10K in order to assess my fitness, before starting proper training. I did suffer during the run, but finished right according to my predictions. Pace 8:51min/mile, with bonus of placing 253 overall in 521, 26 out of 41 in my age group, without any speed training. 

      So much seriousness and commitment need a escape valve. Older and wiser, now I have hardened on my music preferences and embraced Heavy Metal. All day long, regular radio does not soothe me anymore. 

      Thinking again, maybe not that wise. For two of the last three marathons, I went to shows four days before the races. But I'll say it is all part of the challenge...

Precious assets

I have never been faster and more dedicated. Since I got my Iphone on January 1st I earned an exceptional personal trainer. In the midst of training and planning for 2009 season, this device has made me a better athlete, all by allowing me to follow training principles that I have neglected in the past.

Time. It all starts with better time management. More organized, I am finally able to plan my days and save more time for training and rest. Now I do not have to choose between my different activities. I even have more time to watch tv!

Training Journal. I have kept an account at Buckeye Outdoors for the last few years, mostly to keep track of my races. Now I can log my workouts instantly and analyze my week from anywhere. During my rest I can compare my performance and engage on challenges with other athletes in the website.

The third training principle I have met this month is "what can be measured can be improved". I can use GPS technology through Imapmyrun and Imapmyride apps and have detailed and reliable info about my outdoor workouts, even for walks. I can even send a Twitter update of those activities.

Nutrition. I can finally keep real-time track of my food intake, using the app from livestrong. I am still making daily mistakes, but at least I can control my calorie intake and my weight pattern.

Dedication. I recently found many friends who care about the same goals and ideas, with whom I can talk endlessly about running, triathlon and endurance sports, joining Runcast.TV and Racenation online communities. They help me to stick to training, and give me energy to push forward, by telling their stories or challenging me. Twitter keeps me online with my friends, during training or rest. To keep this blog has also helped me to organize my ideas and goals, at least once a week.

It was really a good resolution to have started listening to my body, my mind and my friends at the dawn of 2009. Those are my most precious assets.

Hero of the week:

Lance Armstrong, putting public his life and sweat, defending a noble cause.

Quote of the week:
“Don't feel entitled to anything you didn't sweat and struggle for.” Marian Wright Edelman.