tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60842322487311762192012-02-14T06:50:43.231-08:00MY EFFORTS TO MAXIMIZE MY FITNESS AND THUS MY ADVENTURE POTENTIAL ON LESS TIME THAN MOST PEOPLE SPEND IN THE BATHROOM*...magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.comBlogger1301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-16186543241207571432012-02-12T20:48:00.000-08:002012-02-12T20:51:29.244-08:00

I was digging around trying to find info about cadence last week for someone i've just started training - something they could read that would explain the theory behind why higher cadence can lead to faster running.  I'd long ago adapted my own running to feel natural at around a cadence of 92, but several of the articles i found suggested that there might be a benefit of developing an even

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-75965253667039661922012-02-10T14:34:00.000-08:002012-02-10T14:35:56.410-08:00

Mike Galoob - athletic jack of all trades Mike Galoob was my room-mate at college.  For a year or more we shared a low rent pile-of-crap house 30 feet from the railroad tracks in Norman, Oklahoma, while attending the University.  We built a climbing gym in the attic and through a legendary halloween party (the only party i've ever really thrown) that took us weeks to clean up from and resulted

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-10337746221828200712012-02-07T06:46:00.000-08:002012-02-07T06:51:36.460-08:00

Team EMS in the middle of a horizon line during 2010 Untamed NE When you're padding in swift-water a horizon line indicates an impending substantial increase in the river gradient.  In other words, things are about to get interesting.  Lots of proficient whitewater kayakers probably get excited when they first glimpse one, but since i'm a pack-rafter (and only a moderately proficient one) i

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-89976206541976164292012-02-04T10:45:00.000-08:002012-02-04T10:45:58.603-08:00

As i've yet to firm up my next race or adventure i figured i'd spend a month or so testing out a basic fitness regimen i've been working on.  My goals are to be able to re-develop some reasonable level of climbing strength as well as swimming strength while maintaining my biking and running abilities.  I have a feeling i might have to sign up for and run an actual ironman sooner rather than later

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-36078422932496039072012-02-01T10:31:00.000-08:002012-02-01T10:32:17.142-08:00

I've always really enjoyed logical arguments and I've had one playing out in my head the last few days and it seems pretty good to me - but i realize i'm far from infallible, and so i thought maybe i'd get some input from other folks as to whether my ideas are sound or not.... and if not, why not.  The BT (beginnertriathlete) crew is a pretty opinionated bunch and offered some good perspective to

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-39216837784099820352012-01-30T12:51:00.000-08:002012-01-30T12:51:35.232-08:00

I was up much of the night coughing last night.  In fact, at one point i was coughing so violently that it somehow triggered my gag reflex to the point where i threw up a bit.  According to a friend of mine and childhood asthma sufferer, this isn't really that uncommon.  I guess i'm lucky that its taken me 36 years realize this.  Needless to say i'm getting a good abdominal workout without trying

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-50099333834665125432012-01-29T10:17:00.000-08:002012-01-29T10:17:31.367-08:00

My weakened immune system succumbed to the pathogens floating around my house from a sick three year old.  I don't feel horrible, but i can tell when i cough that its not just a seasonal thing - big chunks of phlegm come up and i've got that unmistakable sick breath.  Its my own fault of course, and i half expected it as my confidence gets the best of me sometimes.... i long ago decided not to

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-72900690781905254892012-01-28T10:11:00.000-08:002012-01-31T08:26:32.382-08:00

Gear plays an role of varying importance in endurance events.  I've watched teams of converse wearing, cotton clad, poorly equipped newbies grit their teeth and excel at a 6 hour adventure race, beating their lycra wearing, fully kitted, and more experienced brethren.  Sometimes, as in the above example, WILL, love of SUFFERING, fitness, and even maybe naivety weigh far more heavily on the

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-90541996634827428072012-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:002012-01-27T19:00:02.009-08:00

Thanks Grant for the awesome song!  Bonnie and Mike - i'm putting together a second piece from all the candid interviews on the way to the race - stay tuned!  Gear review coming soon as well...

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-60116925819121096372012-01-25T13:11:00.000-08:002012-01-31T08:29:30.731-08:00

Wow - what a race!  Grant and I ended up finishing tied for third, 32 minutes behind the lead trio and 37 minutes off the course record.  I'd spent much of the week leading up to the race worrying about it - but in the end the training had me in good enough shape to get to the point where mental factors take over and i'm more in my element.  This race was the longest i've pushed consistently for

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-64445545559828112802012-01-18T14:47:00.000-08:002012-01-31T08:30:56.714-08:00

I'll start with the accolades - apparently this blog has been included in a list of 'top 125 triathlon blogs'.  It's just one guys opinion, but at the very least it means someone's reading it!  I'm not even sure who the guy is but he obviously deserves to be respected, i mean he did choose my blog out of what i'm sure amounts to millions and billions of choices.  Awesome. Now for the meat and

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-38164076322132777332012-01-12T08:09:00.000-08:002012-01-12T08:09:07.126-08:00

A few things to report quickly - #1)  a few days ago i posted a few of my training ideas on a forum at beginner triathlete - i wasn't sure what to expect but got quite a response (much of it predictably negative - fair enough - its a crazy idea that flies in the face of conventional wisdom).  I learned a few bits of internet lingo - trolling, OP - and a ton about my own ideas simply because i

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-12288407547632391352012-01-05T14:21:00.000-08:002012-01-05T14:21:39.579-08:00

During the desert trek of the 2010 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge Ultra endurance efforts, for the vast majority of folks, require only a relatively easily achieved level of actual physical fitness.  What is required in desperately hard to obtain quantities, however, is mental acumen. The longer the event, the more the balance of power needed shifts towards the mental.  Sure if you you're going

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-52243387566634868742012-01-01T19:26:00.000-08:002012-01-01T19:26:48.922-08:00

decided that it would be more efficient to do video blogging, at least on occasion.  Here is the first one - good way to start the year.

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-64730932788521952022011-12-20T22:26:00.000-08:002011-12-20T22:26:19.784-08:00

Dec 18th - I sent in a pitch to Breathe magazine regarding the 2 Hrs/week training philosophy.  We'll see what happens. Not expecting anything, but pretty sure it wouldn't happen on its own.  Still mulling over/fleshing out my theories - reading, thinking about what works and what doesn't.  Read a study claiming that athletes put on a 2.5 hours per week high intensity training regimen showed

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-51270622308665774042011-12-04T13:17:00.001-08:002011-12-20T21:28:26.967-08:00

I wanted to say a little something about why i choose the events i do - after all there are literally thousands and thousands of what i'm sure are high quality events out there.  Even after trimming the list based on proximity to good old Grand Forks, cost vs. value, and how well it fits into my calendar, there are still dozens to choose from.  And since I only do a handful (one or two) big ones

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-79235529259372754852011-11-18T12:01:00.000-08:002011-12-20T21:31:59.699-08:00

Well, i'm running my first ultra of sorts this winter.  I say 'of sorts' because of the winter part - it certainly will be much tougher in some respects than a typical ultra, but easier in the sense that there's no way i'll be running the whole thing.  In digging a little more into the race i've gotten even more excited - supposedly the 64 miles are comprised almost entirely of single track trail

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-91244221511235598562011-11-14T06:25:00.000-08:002011-11-14T06:25:27.634-08:00

It had been an awful long time since i'd had a long run outside, and because in 10 weeks i'll be aiming for a  really long run outside, i figured it'd be better not to wait any longer.  I couldn't quite muster the motivation to go on my own, so decided to try to use my vast social network to get some company.  It seemed like a good idea at the time. It was.  And it wasn't.  I suppose this is the

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-37770305205284539092011-11-01T11:58:00.000-07:002011-11-01T12:09:06.803-07:00

CP tracker nationals has come and gone with somewhat disappointing results.  6th place is a long way from the podium, although there is some consolation in that we were one of eight teams to clear the course.  One issue we had was a lack of experience (as a team) with competitive orienteering.  Another problem that we had is that we weren't all on the same page in terms of expectations and

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-8577502212296614962011-10-11T13:22:00.000-07:002011-10-11T13:22:09.030-07:00

who doesn't like black toenails? Apparently i don't.  The big toe nail on my right foot has been perpetually dead or gone for a number of years.  It grows back, i do a long run, and it promptly dies again.  It came off again a month after the Idaho Expedition race back in August.  Looking down at my feet last night i realized that three of my other toes had grayish/black tinges on the nails and

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-22869283475496952812011-10-06T12:03:00.000-07:002011-10-06T12:03:30.468-07:00

I decided to try to get a better idea of what i'm actually putting into my body these days.  Its tricky for me because i tend to be a garbage disposal for the family - any food the boys don't eat (piece of banana, crusts of toast, etc automatically goes into my mouth) - but for three days i kept careful track.  Here's the results: Sept 16th (in no particular order): 2 pieces of toast with

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-42295256647946135072011-10-03T11:26:00.000-07:002011-10-03T11:26:58.126-07:00

I eat peanut butter.  By the spoonful.  Probably 6-10 spoonfuls a day, sometimes more.  Awesome. Now to the five minute rule.  It's more of a goal or a benchmark really - on my 20 minute workouts, particularly with biking and running, I usually try to be pretty worked by the five minute mark.  As of late i've consistently been doing one minute work and rest intervals, following a two minute '

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-36891699510530722152011-09-26T15:50:00.000-07:002011-09-26T15:50:27.433-07:00

When i originally sat down a couple of years ago to try to figure out what was required for one to be a successful endurance athlete i came up with three things - confidence, a knowledge of suffering, and will. A lot of time was not on the list.  I was reminded of the issue of time last night as i watched the beginning of an infomercial on some '10 minute workout' craze by the makers of P90X. 

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-34834762643727567472011-09-22T13:07:00.000-07:002011-09-22T13:08:17.649-07:00

Start of the 2010 Swamp Donkey This weekend I'm heading up north of the border for a perfect training day.....the Swamp Donkey adventure race.  Its a 6-9 hour event through the pre-cambrian shield landscape in and around Whiteshell provincial park and promises to be quite a race (there are over 100 three person teams signed up!). I'm racing with Tammy (my awesome wife) and Joel Larson, a buddy

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-67362121418905884902011-09-15T12:11:00.000-07:002011-09-15T12:11:33.698-07:00

Its now a little more than two years that i've been doing this "experiment." During that time i've cut my average training volume from 3 hours a week down to two hours a week.  Presently, i've pretty much settled into a pattern which i feel is geared to maintain a particular base-level of fitness, or get back up to that base level following a major effort (that requires significant recovery).  

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-5895546835248221432011-09-06T06:57:00.000-07:002011-09-06T06:57:23.539-07:00

I've started training in earnest again - one week under my belt.  Felt a bit like i was starting at rock bottom, but this of course is relative for me.  Ran 5 miles five days ago and i'm still sore - the run felt sloppy, like i was doing it for the first time - and felt pretty tough throughout. I'm still eating everything in sight, sleeping 9-10 hours a day, and drinking loads of coffee....

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-64143468729391304472011-09-01T14:30:00.000-07:002011-09-01T14:30:53.834-07:00

August was my busy month.  First was trying to get all the loose ends tied up for END-AR24 (the race i direct) before leaving for the Idaho Expedition race (video below), and then i had to come back from that six day event in a sleep deprived state to start my real job of teaching math at a community college before another long four day weekend of hosting END-AR24, "the toughest race in north

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-6187421320725760022011-07-24T13:18:00.000-07:002011-07-24T13:18:31.775-07:00

Recently have been thinking about this question because i don't particularly feel very fit at the moment.  So i wonder, should i feel fit?  What would this mean anyway?  Am i expecting that there is some sort of physical sensation that essentially amounts to fitness?  My workouts always feel hard, but thats probably just because i work hard at them.  I've long since abandoned the notion that as i

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-64776052511719890352011-07-20T08:43:00.000-07:002011-07-20T08:43:37.051-07:00

After the MNOC adventure-O i realized i needed to step up my training.  I was cramping the last half of the race - the fatigue of pushing hard had caught up with me.  I'm a believer in the research that suggests that cramping has less to do with dehydration or electrolytes, and more to do with how your training compares with the race you're doing - if you don't run hills and your race has hills,

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-40078367627965609942011-07-10T12:42:00.000-07:002011-07-10T12:42:55.739-07:00

It turns out not all Camp 4 Marriages end in divorce. Phil, my spouse for the day What's a camp 4 marriage you ask?  It's a term coined from that crucible of climbing - Yosemite valley's Camp 4 - where two individuals would meet for the first time (often as the result of hand-scrawled postings on the message board) sometimes hours before teaming up to tackle an ascent of El Capitan, one of

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-35038547352094103782011-07-07T11:33:00.000-07:002011-07-07T11:34:02.050-07:00

here is a link to what the folks putting on Expedition Idaho are recommending for training.  I particularly like the following excerpts: In general… you need to do a few 24 – 36 hour trainings with no sleep, as well as with the same sleep strategies and systems you want to use in the race, including stowing them, carrying them, etc.There is a for sure chance that at least some of you will be on

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-2036795809668986572011-07-07T11:18:00.000-07:002011-07-07T11:18:00.404-07:00

I'm finally back in the boat!  After getting some good expert coaching while down in San Diego for Jason's wedding, I forgot to bring my wing blade back with me on the plane.  Bummer.  I was able to fix the rudder on my boat which snapped last fall, but only received the paddle in the mail about a week ago (thanks Daniel!).   Eager to try to capitalize on the technique i'd learned in California,

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-62911209402032360262011-07-04T14:09:00.000-07:002011-07-04T14:09:23.850-07:00

thanks for the inspiration Michael! I find myself drawn to simplicity.  In my attempts to describe and detail my philosophy when it comes to endurance training on limited volume, i've been increasingly compelled to try and do it with less and less verbosity.  I need a catch phrase of sorts - something like what Michael Pollan uses to describe his ideas relating to the food: Eat food.  Not too

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-23717685802725302262011-06-30T11:45:00.000-07:002011-06-30T11:47:22.921-07:00

Life is good but very, very busy. My training is going well and I've had the added bonus of some planning trips up to Pembina for the 24 hour adventure race we are putting on at the end of August. In a sense this is like bonus training, which I am beginning to realize might be pretty valuable. That being said, it's all pretty casual, kind of like an adventure race is for a team that is just

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-74647682578472936812011-06-17T13:11:00.000-07:002011-06-17T13:11:01.862-07:00

I had a tough run today.  plan was to see where i'm at after all the randomness of the last couple weeks - sioux hustler, then a couple weeks of training/recovery before a 10 day stint of vacation in SD with the family at jason's wedding.  I'd sandwich a 4.5 mile tempo run into the middle of an hour outing, aiming for the 9 mph pace (6:40 per mile) - the mythical height of my fitness.  At two

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-65037461302589244712011-06-16T22:02:00.000-07:002011-06-16T22:02:45.751-07:00

It's been a month since my last post but i've been plenty busy.  two 'vacations' - one of the adventure sort and one of the eat too much sort have been squeezed in with all normal rites of spring (cleaning, gardening, long overdue home repairs, etc).  The first, the long awaited (by me at least) sioux hustler trail went off without a hitch - better than expected really on a number of accounts.  

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-63268822822489253512011-05-15T12:43:00.000-07:002011-05-15T12:43:12.204-07:00

Believe it or not, i wasn't able to find time last week to get in two hours of training - it was the final week of preparations for the spring adventure race that i help put on, so i while i was spending a fair bit of time jogging around in the woods, not much of it was very focused.  Fun times, and worth the effort - as evidenced by the video below. As a result of the light training week last

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-58262014017683831992011-04-29T12:58:00.000-07:002011-04-29T12:58:00.569-07:00

I had my first great run in a long time last weekend.  8 repeats on a nearly 3/4 mile dirt road loop that included a pretty decent hill climb for about 2/10ths of a mile.  I tried to run pretty consistently, knocking out all the laps in about 4:55, except for the seventh which was about 5 seconds slower.  Legs were threatening to seize up at the end, but never followed through.  overall pace was

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-12773601088070921252011-04-14T13:22:00.001-07:002011-04-14T13:22:09.792-07:00

I've gotta get outside.  I've had a good run on the treadmill and stationary bike - the automated nature of these beasts have enabled me to consistently push myself in the limited time i've been on them each week, but the sun is coming out and the repetition is getting pretty old.  Last friday I had a great run on the treadmill - three miles @ 6 min pace with easier miles at 7:30 (and 7 the last

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-82982320059207717932011-04-02T09:54:00.000-07:002011-04-02T09:54:59.254-07:00

Can't eliminate 'em, but maybe I can reduce their number... I've been thinking about what if anything i'm trying to accomplish by training like this.  I certainly won't reach my fitness potential, but how many of us are even after that anyway?  i guess what it comes down to is that i'm trying to be fit enough to do big things without putting in even close to the volume that is usually thought

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-9407725870216098252011-03-26T13:33:00.000-07:002011-03-26T13:34:28.535-07:00

How Low can you (or I) go?  As I mentioned, i'm now on a two hour per week training schedule.  I'm getting lots done on the non-profit and spending good quality family time with Tammy and the boys as well.  The workouts are actually going great - the last four have all been pretty top quality in terms of intensity and perceived effort.  At this point i only have a few potential concerns - 1) what

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-6307707192439811552011-03-22T21:04:00.000-07:002011-03-22T21:05:39.796-07:00

Not New Zealand, but still fun... Keegan climbing in So. Cal. It's May 21st and instead of sitting in a hut after an epic day on the dusky track in wild New Zealand, i'm here in Grand Forks sitting through an overly hyped spring winter storm.  A long and complicated chain of events - some of which were beyond our control (a major earthquake in christchurch), some of which within it (we were

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-25454696807642691362011-02-28T13:15:00.000-08:002011-02-28T13:15:25.773-08:00

Andy Mueller, yetified. Whew!  Iceman triathlon is done, and was a great success thanks to all the hard work from GGFYP, the volunteers that froze their butts off, and the wonderful sponsors, not to mention racers.  In the final week before the event i ended up putting in about 60 hours of work setting the course and taking care of last minute details and for the first time in well over a year

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-15618049481453049002011-02-16T06:59:00.000-08:002011-02-16T06:59:03.997-08:00

Long workouts are my favorite - as i find them to be mentally rejuvenating rather than stressful.  In keeping the universe in balance, however, they also tend to be the most physically depleting. For long workouts i try to have a time/distance goal - i'm pretty anal so i usually use the time alloted and a pace determined by armchair ambition to set a distance and use it to plot my course.  if i

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-36653623357524016682011-02-12T22:55:00.000-08:002011-02-12T22:55:56.216-08:00

these workouts offer a consistent weekly dose of race type suffering.  granted you won't be quite going race pace for the distance of your training session, but you should always be going faster than race pace for the distance you're training for - maybe significantly faster.  Tempo sessions also take alot of mental work, and after big races or time off, i've always eased back into them. I'll

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-24523021844486545182011-02-12T22:54:00.000-08:002011-02-12T22:54:04.445-08:00

these workouts can be as short as 30 minutes in length, but are often mentally the toughest.  They work well either inside or out, but i've found them to be most effective when i've got reasonably controlled conditions so that my attention can be focused on the difficult intervals that they require. I usually allow the first 5 minutes as a warm-up, building quickly up to Zone 3 effort (according

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-45257670129373828532011-02-08T21:47:00.000-08:002011-02-08T21:47:44.520-08:00

i've found pretty consistent success with my limited training and i think alot of that is due to these basic structure that the training follows on a weekly basis.  There are several key principals that i pretty much apply to every week, regardless of the event i'm training for, what part of the periodization phase i'm in, or other constraints.  Beyond these principals i will often change things

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-37375645277537660182011-02-06T12:37:00.000-08:002011-02-06T12:37:13.250-08:00

Alot of races take thier toll on the body - but true endurance events leave a few special hallmarks that let you know that what you've just done is in a different league from your run of the mill marathon.  Here's a list of what you can expect when you cross over to the dark side of things.... Under attack during the 2010 AH135 Sleepmonsters:  i can race easy for about 36 hours without having a

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-38794573482364424972011-02-04T12:04:00.000-08:002011-02-04T21:49:35.153-08:00

scene at the start of the race Tom came through the door of the Gateway store, 35 miles into the arrowheadultra- a 135 mile winter bike race along snow-mobile trails in norhern minnesota- a broken boy.  It was 2:30, seven and a half hours after the race start - the leaders had passed through nearly four hours before.  A seventeen year old junior in high-school from grand forks, ND, tom was 

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-89469658280437376212011-01-26T13:20:00.000-08:002011-01-26T13:20:49.596-08:00

The goal of 'the program' as i'll call it, is to develop a high enough level of fitness to complete and compete in pretty much any type of endurance event there is.  Again, there are the obvious caveats - events that require skill can only be trained for once the skill is mastered, etc.  But assuming one has these skills and wants to get fit enough to be able to do something 'big' with them,

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-55442262719278038872011-01-21T10:07:00.000-08:002011-01-21T10:07:31.307-08:00

In 10 days i will be at the start line of the Arrowhead 135 for a second straight year - this time as 'chaperone' to Tom Fisher, a local 17 year old budding adventurer.  The race takes place in International falls, which apparently is working to legally claim rights to the title 'ice-box of the nation', and for good reason.  Last night the ambient temperatures dropped to -46 degrees fahrenheit. I

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-80494074647283192842011-01-13T17:15:00.000-08:002011-01-13T17:17:29.321-08:00

The Dusky Track* in NZ - just a piece of what TMF IV holds in store Too Much Fun expeditions have run for three straight years, but it looked like we were going to miss the fourth year.  Two months in New Zealand, Jason and Chelsea's wedding, and a hectic racing schedule for team Yogaslackers kept us from being able to carve out a week for adventure.  Loathe to skip a year, however, we decided

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-12676350927627046462011-01-08T07:56:00.000-08:002011-01-11T21:54:19.225-08:00

I'm going to try to build a rough framework, or skeleton on which to develop and more completely articulate the flesh of my thoughts on minimalist training in general and the structure/philosophy of my 'program' in general.  This post is more of just a brainstorming session or initial stab at an outline towards that end.  Here are topics that i think are relevant and that can be expanded in more

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-41872730737089991472010-12-28T21:50:00.000-08:002010-12-28T21:50:19.503-08:00

Graduate school or the desert trek, which was tougher to finish?   I've finished graduate school (i think - no diploma in the mail yet...) and don't have a job.  I'm planning to forge ahead with starting this non-profit with the aim of bringing adventure to the great plains.  Hope to make a go of it, but who knows.  It's strange to consider a Masters degree in physics as a 'fallback' plan. I

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-25574107145783814552010-11-23T23:08:00.000-08:002010-11-23T23:08:59.361-08:00

Grand Forks this morning.  Sundogs appeared as the temperature dropped and ice crystals filled the air.  Photo by Eric Hyden Last year it didn't snow up here in Grand Forks until Christmas day.  For some reason i was counting on this happening again.  I'd planned three big paddle training days (big for me, not for the other Yogaslackers - big for them really means epic for most folks) leading

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-56540340849364727342010-11-17T12:12:00.000-08:002010-11-17T12:12:44.463-08:00

I feel like I need to train more.  Either that or I need to stop watching videos like this one about last year's race.  Hmmm.  Fear is healthy, right?  Three weeks and counting!

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-39550622459974065312010-11-16T11:45:00.000-08:002010-11-16T11:48:25.789-08:00

The speedbump I woke up this morning unable to move my upper back - the muscles on one side had contracted with vice like intensity and were pulling my spine out of alignment.  Its been over three years since i've been plagued by this problem, which first occurred (and lasted over six months) as the result of a high jumping accident and was made worse/prolonged by a high stress.  Once again

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-51140423099188145312010-11-13T10:19:00.000-08:002010-11-13T10:19:00.469-08:00

What my cycling looks like now I'm trying to train as specifically for Abu Dhabi (specificity is the key, and with such a limited training volume, it better ALL be targeted, as much as possible, towards what I expect) and one of the things we'll face on the bike (according to the rest of the team, who are veterans from last year) is the lead groups of riders trying to instigate break-aways at

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-27220009412555821622010-11-12T09:32:00.000-08:002010-11-12T09:32:00.848-08:00

During a twisty bit As a way to jump start my cycling training for Abu Dhabi, i decided to partake in the second of a three race cyclocross series being held locally here in Grand Forks last weekend.  I'd never done cyclocross before but had heard about how tough it was from my brother in law, John, who's a top amateur on the circuit out in Idaho.  I don't own a cyclocross specific bike so i

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-76458740207189249602010-11-11T09:00:00.000-08:002010-11-12T07:39:15.654-08:00

Me at Nationals - very nearly (but not quite) broken This post has been rattling around in my head for a while and it's time i got it out. But before i get into the meat of it i'd like to extend a big congratulations to Dave Madvig for finishing the toughest Iron Distance race in the country yesterday - the Silverman Triathlon, held in Las Vegas Nevada.  Despite very limited training Dave

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-50739103742697955752010-10-26T12:50:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:51:11.213-07:00

Ascending during Primal Quest, 2006, my last run in with adventure racing in Moab, UT. Less than three days remain until the race starts.  The weather forecast looks promising (the weather here has taken a turn for the worse - hopefully not to the extent that airports will close!) and my team-mates are all gathered in Santa Barbara, making preparations.  I think I've hit the training pretty

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-9678805826460669702010-10-15T09:49:00.000-07:002010-10-15T09:49:58.164-07:00

The Checkpoint Tracker National Championship for adventure racing kicks off in less than two weeks.  Training is going well and i'm feeling fit and healthy, but do notice that the slope of the fitness curve isn't as high as i'm used to because i'm training for three sports instead of two.  I think the addition of paddling into the mix is particularly difficult because on an average week i'm only

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-50047164973152650422010-10-01T11:58:00.000-07:002010-10-01T11:58:23.098-07:00

Our team, "Finding Ourselves Lost" after 23.5 hours on the go. We rode through the city of Duluth, navigating the streets on maps without street names at 5 am.  Tammy was fighting with the sleep monsters and wanted to just give in - i let Jim and Pat do the encouraging as i knew that i was the last person she wanted to hear from - a cheery 'you're doing great hon' from me would not make things

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-75885307119711109252010-09-28T12:40:00.000-07:002010-10-01T12:01:34.056-07:00

So Jim has mild hypothermia with blue lips and we're on the verge of being pulled from the race.  It's 11:20 pm and we're told that this section has a cut off at 2 am and that no team has come back into the TA yet and the top teams have been out for nearly 3 hours already.  Things look bleak. Tammy takes Jim into an industrial sized porta-john (handicapped accessible!!!), strips him down, and

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-68416119577669731422010-09-27T21:51:00.000-07:002010-09-27T21:51:58.702-07:00

The 24 hour WILD AR in Duluth, MN has come and gone.  Here's a brief trip report: As is typical, getting there was the first (minor) challenge.  Pat was about 15 minutes late picking Tammy and I up but Jim was ready to go as we drove down university Avenue (he's a law professor and had to teach an 8 am class that morning) and had had time to change out of his suit.  Stopped for coffee and gas in

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-14851671650899003972010-09-09T20:25:00.000-07:002010-09-10T07:45:04.848-07:00

CP 3 from END-AR 2010 (see why I think adventure racing is so much fun?)  Photo by Caylan Van Larson. Ever since getting back from Too Much Fun Wyoming i've been pretty much flat out planning the adventure race.  It went off spectacularly last saturday and after a full day of clean up/gear sorting and a couple of half days tying up loose ends, things would finally be settling down and getting

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-55257553920117442202010-08-02T11:12:00.000-07:002010-08-02T11:12:02.998-07:00

Last few steps of the race Tammy and I both long ago recognized that it was important to take part (at least occasionally) in the type of events within the community that you wanted to be a regular part of the community.  In this vein, Tammy had decided to volunteer for the local half marathon last weekend.  I decided on thursday that i'd run it.  I was planning a run on the weekend anyway (as

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-23572089959499384792010-07-30T12:50:00.000-07:002010-07-30T12:50:30.440-07:00

Seems like not very long now until the silverman race.  My fitness suffered a bit in the lead up to TMF 3 as a result of the blisters on my foot and trying to get ready for my thesis defense.  Alas, the defense was  a train wreck and i'm going to continue to be (too) busy trying to sort through the wreckage for another go.  Priorities though include getting a solid training schedule planned so

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-39164223688563122952010-07-30T12:30:00.000-07:002010-07-30T12:50:57.499-07:00

The wind river range trip is now over and done.  One of the guys will eventually write a fantastic trip report and when this is done i'll post a link.  there will eventually also be a movie, and i'll get that on here too.  in the meantime lets just say it was a great trip - semi-successful (in the vein of the two previous ones), and is already fueling the imagination for TMF 4 next year.

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-81620402206616063062010-07-13T13:25:00.000-07:002010-07-13T13:27:44.950-07:00

Map of the ride Last sunday I found myself at the in-law's cabin near Vergas, MN again.  Unable to run because of my recent barefoot running experiment, i thought i'd take another crack at the 30+ mile ride that had so humbled me back in march (post is here).  The winds were high but cool temps and a couple of days of rest had me feeling up to the challenge.   Long story short - what had taken

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-82188337352126573612010-07-13T13:03:00.000-07:002010-07-13T13:26:25.141-07:00

Ok, so you decided to see what's up for me.  Before you read on, why don't you click on the embedded you-tube posting of the Pogues classic, 'Sitting on top of the World' that's been running through my head since i went out and put holes in my feet last week.  Then you can happily move on to the rest of the post while being exposed, at least in all probability, to some new music. Well, i

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-77746999841364841282010-07-04T22:43:00.000-07:002010-07-04T22:52:37.280-07:00

I'm fairly overwhelmed.  I've actually managed to write an 80 page thesis which has no results (in fact, the last sentence states "the results are pending" which is true only if that translates to "the results don't exist").  I'm slated to defend in less than 2 weeks, which means i have to put together a 40 minute powerpoint.  On top of that i'm trying to maintain what little momentum i have for

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-21496628050929741462010-06-14T13:51:00.000-07:002010-06-14T13:52:33.852-07:00

Photo from the Grand Forks Herald article that came out in April of 2010.  The author, Ann Bailey, dubbed me 'Captain Adventure' without my knowledge (thanks alot Ann!).  To make sure i'll never live it down, yesterday my wife gave me a nice base-layer shirt, proudly (and largely) displaying the moniker (thanks alot Tammy!). Living in Grand Forks, ND and being none other than Captain Adventure

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-56888402072922925812010-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:002010-06-08T10:45:19.389-07:00

Paddlers early on in the 2008 race (photo courtesy of GetOutdoorsUSA) I'm racing in the Chippewa triathlon this weekend.  It will be my first real endurance test since the arrowhead in February - and that seems like ages ago.  I figure i'll come in with a time of around 6 hours and hope to place in the top three in the solo male catagory (Ok, honestly i hope to win).  I may be way off base - i

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-61192608719228603452010-06-01T15:00:00.000-07:002010-06-01T15:01:01.857-07:00

This is destined to be a short post as i'm due home in 20 minutes, but I just handed in the draft of my thesis and need a few minutes to decompress - so i thought i'd mention something i'd been thinking about lately - accountability. One of the toughest things about hard, effective training of the type i'm promoting with this blog is figuring out where to place accountability to ensure the

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-45811404191755240812010-05-18T10:02:00.000-07:002010-05-24T08:40:41.133-07:00

Just a very quick post/update as i struggle unsuccessfully (at least this is how it feels) to write write write my way into a master's degree.  I'm normally fond of procrastinating until the last minute - i work better under pressure and find i'm more efficient this way - but i've never quite been in a situation like this where two weeks out from the deadline for a completed first draft is the

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-80889507529251055492010-05-11T10:34:00.001-07:002010-05-11T10:34:53.165-07:00

This video is even better than the first. I'll let it speak for itself.

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-16088297890119241552010-05-10T11:04:00.000-07:002010-05-10T11:07:24.170-07:00

My brother commented the other day after his last Vdot test (see 'participant workout logs' on the sidebar and then TMF crew for training specifics) that although there was a huge improvement, he felt like he was really struggling - so much so that he imagined he was going quite slowly. I learned to deal with this feeling long ago, and have pretty much been able to adjust my internal sense of '

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-11057627898424478622010-05-07T12:34:00.000-07:002010-05-07T12:34:02.320-07:00

While Jason (my twin brother) and Chelsea (his then GF, now fiance) were visiting last summer we went running together a few times.  They were both in excellent fitness in general from very active lifestyles and their almost constant (but un-regimented) training for adventure races.  They had heard about my training philosophies and had even read a few of my workouts - but the speeds that had

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-81054276900002759412010-05-06T22:06:00.000-07:002010-05-06T22:06:24.036-07:00

The Extreme North Dakota Spring Primer Adventure Race (END-SPAR) came and went last saturday here in Grand Forks, ND.  18 teams turned out to challenge the course and it was a pretty fantastic day of adventure racing all around.  It was the third event I've helped to stage and by far my favorite, for a pair of reasons.  First, my brother Jason and his fiance, Chelsea - were managed a well timed

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-88674523440406449832010-04-19T12:20:00.000-07:002010-04-19T12:20:09.564-07:00

Less than two weeks until the Extreme North Dakota Spring Primer Adventure Race happens and i'm swamped.  Between working on this, trying to maintain some semblance of progress on my thesis (which is supposed to be written in a little over three months, during which time i'll be planning and executing a major week long climbing and paddling expedition), keeping the boys happy when Tammy's

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-9691163931829481102010-04-07T13:27:00.000-07:002010-04-07T13:30:56.057-07:00

Someone sent this article to the guys over at Endurance Nation which is where i read it.  It's a good take on coaching in general and worth the read, despite being somewhat lengthy.  I'm thinking in particular that anyone taking my advice should look at it because it resonates with me - i don't begin to think that i've got all (or any) of the answers figured out, and may not even be asking the

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-65768323001827728522010-04-02T13:42:00.000-07:002012-02-01T14:27:43.598-08:00

On my early posts and in my 'mission statement' i talk about wanting to be able to train for anything, but not just to be able to complete said mission, but rather to also 'do it well'.  I left the notion of what 'doing it well' meant purposefully vague - i wasn't sure yet what it would mean.  It's now time to offer up a more concrete criteria.  I'll begin by admitting that, as i mentioned

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-3183128689111086322010-03-29T21:49:00.000-07:002010-03-29T21:49:33.642-07:00

Just a quick post to balance out the one after last weekend's horrible ride.  I had the opposite experience yesterday - went out to do my first run over 10 miles in what seems like ages (actually since November, though i got pretty close to ten about six weeks ago) - and just nailed it.  Felt great the whole time - perfect day - and more than 10 seconds per mile under my target pace which i

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-61084292691659463092010-03-26T12:08:00.000-07:002010-03-26T12:09:25.762-07:00

I went to a group cycling class yesterday afternoon in lieu of an outside ride (it was cold, windy, and my road bike was still in pieces in the back of the subaru from last weekend - good excuses, eh?).  I hadn't been to one in a while and thought it'd be nice to let someone else motivate me for once.  I ended up getting a pretty good workout, but likely won't be back.  Here's why: First of

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-63815668537675515252010-03-25T12:24:00.000-07:002010-03-25T12:26:25.223-07:00

Seven weeks until the race.  I need to maintain my running fitness, improve my biking fitness a bit, and reacquaint myself with the kayak without giving up my new-found swim fitness.  I spent a bit of time trying to sort out a good training schedule and here's what i came up with: week 1 - 3 hours tu: run (~30) 10 min WU, 2 mile hard tempo (set v-dot), 10 min WD we: Swim (15 min steady pace,

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-1392687069557661312010-03-22T12:02:00.000-07:002010-03-22T12:07:40.700-07:00

I went riding outside on my road bike for the first time in nearly six months.  My wife was in Winnipeg at a Yoga workshop for the weekend so i'd taken the boys down to my in-laws place - a lake cabin near Vergas, Minnesota.  I'd dragged the bike along, hoping to get a weather window that would allow a ride.  Sunday looked perfect - temps in the forties and only 10+ mph winds - so i planned a 32

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-64205562478737861332010-03-18T11:46:00.000-07:002010-03-22T12:08:57.192-07:00

You might be expecting some discussion about periodization, overtraining, or the importance of pre-race tapering to follow such a title.  But i'm interested in commenting on a something that i've experienced recently on a much shorter time scale than months or even weeks....think minutes. [Note - it's probably debatable as to whether the idea of 'peaking' even applies over the time scales of

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-86342223324921256362010-03-12T12:53:00.000-08:002010-03-12T13:55:51.448-08:00

A good definition of the term, provided by the all knowing internet, is Arbitrariness - a term given to choices and actions subject to individual will, judgment or preference, based solely upon an individual's opinion or discretion.I've dealt with the question on several occasions as to why three hours a week, and so i thought i'd take the time to address the issue with the following answer:  

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-42777539707095913172010-03-02T13:53:00.000-08:002010-03-02T13:53:56.746-08:00

Planning events is far more work than training for them.  You have to rely on a great number of others (imagine if every time you trained you had to schedule it so that there were at least three of you doing it together....madness!), the hours are (MUCH) longer, and it's far less fun.  The satisfying part comes only on race day where, if you're lucky, you'll finally think that it was worth all

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-9805592864731955952010-02-24T10:05:00.000-08:002010-02-24T10:05:56.065-08:00

As I've mentioned before, i like the guys over at endurance nation.  On a recent post on their blog they produced a great article outlining the difference between their approach and traditional IronMan training programs (and endurance training in general).  I think its well written, easy to follow, and largely mirrors my own philosophy about the benefit of intensity vs. volume and does a great

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-70630943164369067112010-02-17T10:19:00.000-08:002010-02-17T10:19:52.561-08:00

I brought my road bike in from the garage last week.  I'd been training exclusively either outside on the pugsley or in the gym on a stationary bike since about the end of september and so it was about time to get back on a real bike.  We've got a set of rollers down in the basement - a birthday gift for tammy last year that i get to use too.  gotta love that!  Anyway, i got on them for the

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-41207618059301207372010-02-17T09:43:00.000-08:002010-02-17T09:43:37.783-08:00

I've had an epiphany recently.  For the past 34 years (ok, really the past 20 or so) i've lived with the notion that there was something for me to do that would allow me to be content and that i just had to figure out what that was and then sort out a way to do it.  It's pretty much been an undercurrent in my mind as i've gone through the many transitions in my life - from student to climbing

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-65930896884401533632010-02-09T13:14:00.000-08:002010-02-09T13:14:06.374-08:00

First the fish.  I've got a freezer full of Northern that my wife won't eat, but I hate wasting food and consider fish to be good for me, so wanted to find a way to make it taste good.  After a quick bit of web research I found out about boiling it in 7-up to make 'poor man's lobster' which turned out pretty good (but not good enough, apparently, as I ended up eating almost all of it by myself).

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-74836607138065787982010-02-08T12:50:00.001-08:002010-02-08T12:51:35.638-08:00

I'm at home with the boys on monday and try to avoid doing anything constructive during their nap. I succeeded wildly today.

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-46342513177454666832010-02-04T09:31:00.000-08:002010-02-04T09:31:14.122-08:00

I had intended to take a 'self portrait' photo every hour during the race to document the physical deterioration of my body..... i ended up with about 6 photos covering the entire race.  It turns out that things that sound like a good idea in theory often aren't easily put into practice.  That and i've never been a good picture taker to begin with - so 6 is actually pretty good for me.  the

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-37386438676696827372010-02-03T13:30:00.000-08:002010-02-03T13:30:37.383-08:00

i'll write a longer 'race report' at some point, but for now just a few quick thoughts and details.  First of all, i feel pretty damn good about the race and how things went. Although i've no idea of the 'official results' (the race is actually still under way for some of the runners and skiers), from the looks of it i came in in 14th place, within minutes of 12th place (before that there was a

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-4545473345694615262010-01-27T13:40:00.000-08:002010-01-27T13:41:33.899-08:00

At 8000 feet on Mt. Rainier last May, during a trip that was definitely harder than the Arrowhead135.  For a complete (and lengthy) read of my perspective on the trip, click here. Writing the last entry helped me deal with my anxiety.  maybe it helped me too much.  Now i'm convinced that i could win this thing.  Don't get me wrong - i'm not convinced that i WILL win, just that i could.  Before

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-29061482303216495222010-01-22T09:31:00.000-08:002010-01-22T09:31:38.284-08:00

A photo of a biker during the 2009 Arrowheadultra taken by Mike Curiak click on the photo for a link to a video about the 2008 event. The arrowhead is quickly approaching and i'm starting to get nervous.  i tend to get nervous as things like this approach - so thats not unusual. The problem is i'm heightening my own anxiety by reading trip reports.  I've been much better this semester at using

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084232248731176219.post-33018542689500827072010-01-18T11:36:00.000-08:002010-01-19T10:39:00.757-08:00

I really like the guys over at Endurance Nation (not that i've ever actually met them - but i like what they're trying to do, their philosophy).  In fact, when i started thinking about the ideas that have become this 'three hours a week' project of mine and began seeing what like-minded information was out in cyberspace - their website was the only endurance sport oriented one that seemed to

magn6494http://www.blogger.com/profile/10462464014137155123noreply@blogger.com2