Thursday, January 12, 2012

Energy Source ~ FRIENDS

Ring, Ring
"Joe, I hate to bother you with this. Got a quick question about running shoes..."
My second favorite phone call of this week.

I have friends that are as active and psychotic as I am in relation to running, biking, triathlon and outdoors. And I have other close friends that are much more realistic and are enjoying life in other ways. At times, the two worlds merge and a friend will get motivated to compete and the flood gates open.  I LOVE this process and get so motivated each time I talk to them, expounding on the ins and outs of training, whole life balance and executing on the goal.  

Through the years I have gained fitness knowledge from personal experience, secondary research and via friends/racers.  I constantly apply this knowledge in my search for how I can best balance my fitness, racing and life.  Being able to talk with newcomers about this process is my favorite part of being an Ambassador of Crazy.  I do not take this task lightly and feel blessed to have people look to me for advice and guidance.  Not entirely altruistic, these conversations are additional fuel I need to continue my quest. After a quick sharing of training thoughts, race experience or shoe advice; I want to get outside and fire off another run or ride.  Being able to utilize my best friends as sources for energy and share my passion for fitness with them is another component to keeping my focus and motivation.  

I respond, "These phone calls are awesome, I love that you are getting after it. Never stop asking questions and please let me know how I can continue helping."

Currently, I have been passing along a lot of running shoe advice.  I have many pairs of kicks that serve different purposes.  They have been collected over the years and some have well over 1000 miles on them and I still use them. Running stores don't like me much...
My shoe line up: 
Vibram FiveFingers - Training tool that keep my form and build up discreet leg muscles.  Weekly Miles 10 to 15. 
Inov8 X-Talons 212 - No support, minimal trail runner. Trails only, don't want to wear out the claws. Weekly Miles 12 to 30.
Nike Lunar Elite - Road cushion shoe. Weekly miles 5 to 30.
Nike old school - Flat, no frills shoe. Treadmill running or easy road. Weekly Mile 0 to 15.
Nike Air Pre - Road cushion, no support. Office runners with cushion.  Weekly Miles 15 to 50.
Nike Trail Runners - Beefy trail shoes that I use in the city when conditions are bad, with some YakTrax. Weekly Miles 0 to 20.
Puma FAAS 250 - Marathon racing shoes. Cushion, super low profile. Weekly Mile Racing only.
Puma Yugo Run - Cushion, no support. Fast trainers for interval and speed work. Weekly Mile 10-30.

In a given week I will run 7 to 10 times and cycle through each pair, not letting my legs to too used to a single runner.  The website runningwarehouse.com is where I purchase most of my shoes now.  Great pricing and free shipping and free returns.  If you are unsure on sizing, a good buddy taught me to buy 2 sizes and return the one that doesn't fit...

"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." -Steve Prefontaine


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

LEADVILLE - Going To Be A GREAT YEAR

In 2012, I plan to raise the stakes, put it all on the line, give 110% and any additional cliche that can be applied.  The challenges have been lined out and I am excited about the road ahead.  I can't even imagine competing in any of my 2012 events without the support of my wife, her support is unwavering!!! She and our boys are the motivation that gets me to work so hard and to the finish line. Thanks Nicole!

This is not a New Year's Resolution or Pre Mid-Life Crisis.  I have been training my legs, lungs and mind for this cause, much of the last 15 years.  The extreme focus began one year ago; since then, we have been executing on a well formulated plan.  With the help of my Coach, using addaero.com, we have tested my base training, plans for increased distance and speed work.  All with the goal to test my limits and determine if the 2012 LEADMAN Competition was the next logical step.  I was able to rack up 2600 miles of running and another 4200 miles of cycling in 2011.  The results of my racing as well as how my body held up were great and I have been maintaining the level of training throughout my "offseason".  

So there it is, this coming year, it is really on.  
I plan to race:
January 21 - 30k Snowshoe Trail Run - Nederland, CO
April 16th - BOSTON Marathon
May/June - 50k Trail run to be determined

Then the Leadman Competition.  To get a better idea of what the Leadman entails, check out the great video the organizers put together.  Only difference being, I will be racing both the 50 mile Bike and 50 mile Run in July, opting to hedge the chance of bike malfunction (great idea P.Garcia!) and as a great high altitude training weekend.  http://vimeo.com/channels/261962

The Epic Challenge spans June 30th to August 18th and will be 6 weeks of awesome.
2012 LEADMAN Competition
June 30th - Leadville Marathon 26.2 Mile RUn
July 14th - Leadville Silver Rush 50 Mile Bike Race
July 15th - Leadville Silver Rush 50 Mile Run Race
August 11th - Leadville Trail 100 Mile Mtn Bike Race
August 12th - Leadville 10k Run Race
August 18th - Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run Race

Pain is inevitable, suffering is a choice.