Didn't realize how long it's been since my last post!
I had vascular surgery near my left kidney. The stones were left in though, so I still need to do a follow up at some point.
I've finally gotten back up to being able to do all my workouts, including Insanity and longer runs.
The new Master Swim training is starting to get better. I've learned some breast stroke and butterfly. Still not any good at either, but I can kind of do them.
Melissa had a spinal fusion surgery two weeks ago and has begun her recovery for that.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Training 1-07-13
First week of 2013 training is done! Off to a good start with running, and started with a reorganized sanctioned master swim 3x per week.
Only downside - no bike trainer yet.
Only downside - no bike trainer yet.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Training 12-22-12
Did a 6 mile run in N. Albany (Scenic loop) with Will today between rain showers.
I've only run on average 1x per week the last 2-3 weeks. Swim and spin are about the same as that. Got in a little bit of a motivation rut, partially due to foul weather though.
Met with Angela a week ago to go over training plans for 2013. She's agreed to help me work on improving this year.
Learned that I have kidney stones and some other kidney related issues, so I'm having surgery to correct the issue on January 30th 2013.
I'm registered for the 2013 IMAZ in November. I should have a solid 6 months of training to be ready for it after my surgery recovery period.
Looking forward to a healthier me.
:-)
I've only run on average 1x per week the last 2-3 weeks. Swim and spin are about the same as that. Got in a little bit of a motivation rut, partially due to foul weather though.
Met with Angela a week ago to go over training plans for 2013. She's agreed to help me work on improving this year.
Learned that I have kidney stones and some other kidney related issues, so I'm having surgery to correct the issue on January 30th 2013.
I'm registered for the 2013 IMAZ in November. I should have a solid 6 months of training to be ready for it after my surgery recovery period.
Looking forward to a healthier me.
:-)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Maintaining 11-29-12
Still running 2x per week and back in Master Swim at the Y now that Thanksgiving is over.
It feels good to be consistent in those areas, but I miss biking.
No progress in weight, other than no further gain.
Doctors say no rhabdomyolysis; waiting on kidney tests (CT scan) to be done before knowing if there's stones or something else going on.
It feels good to be consistent in those areas, but I miss biking.
No progress in weight, other than no further gain.
Doctors say no rhabdomyolysis; waiting on kidney tests (CT scan) to be done before knowing if there's stones or something else going on.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Training 11-13-12 and Weight
Had another good paced Tuesday morning run with Will. We ran 6 miles in 57 minutes, with about a 9:30 pace. It's about 4-5 months out from the Corvallis half marathon and my goal is to run that race at a 9:00 min/mile pace in order to finish in under 2 hours.
I missed this weekend's hill run, then stepped on the scale to find my weight listed as 206 lbs. I had been down to 191 coming into September. This revelation made me mad and I started our run today at around an 8:30 pace and nearly burned out half way through the run. This is where having a training partner really helps - he was holding his target pace so I slowed down thinking there might be a problem. Turns out he was just running smart.
I need to get my nutrition back on track, and mix things up and shed a couple pounds. Basically stay away from carbs / fried foods.
I won't be going to volunteer at IMAZ this weekend; unable to put the airfare $$ together. I'll be on the computer trying to get in that way Monday morning.
Last note - found out last week that I have kidney stones and low iron; going to be scheduling a CT scan soon.
I missed this weekend's hill run, then stepped on the scale to find my weight listed as 206 lbs. I had been down to 191 coming into September. This revelation made me mad and I started our run today at around an 8:30 pace and nearly burned out half way through the run. This is where having a training partner really helps - he was holding his target pace so I slowed down thinking there might be a problem. Turns out he was just running smart.
I need to get my nutrition back on track, and mix things up and shed a couple pounds. Basically stay away from carbs / fried foods.
I won't be going to volunteer at IMAZ this weekend; unable to put the airfare $$ together. I'll be on the computer trying to get in that way Monday morning.
Last note - found out last week that I have kidney stones and low iron; going to be scheduling a CT scan soon.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Progress Report 10-30-12
Overall training: holding pattern. I'm kind of in between plans right now; I finished one plan (half-iron) in September, and will be starting an Ironman training program in January.
I have a plan written out for this period but have mostly done the running part of it. Master Swim started back up in October, so I've been able to swim 2-3 times a week again instead of the 1-2 I've got per week over the last month. Finding time for the bike is the hardest now - there's limited daylight and increasing rain. My only real option is spin classes until I get a trainer.
Weight: 201 lbs. I'm not weight lifting so that's not good weight going on. I had been down to 191 in mid-September and hopeful to lose another 10 lbs. The change in diet (more cookies and muffins available) and change in exercise has contributed to my gain.
Other: I've gone off of Lovastatin to see if is causing Rhabdomyolysis. If the sights clear up over the next 3 months then that may have been the issue.
~ Marcus
I have a plan written out for this period but have mostly done the running part of it. Master Swim started back up in October, so I've been able to swim 2-3 times a week again instead of the 1-2 I've got per week over the last month. Finding time for the bike is the hardest now - there's limited daylight and increasing rain. My only real option is spin classes until I get a trainer.
Weight: 201 lbs. I'm not weight lifting so that's not good weight going on. I had been down to 191 in mid-September and hopeful to lose another 10 lbs. The change in diet (more cookies and muffins available) and change in exercise has contributed to my gain.
Other: I've gone off of Lovastatin to see if is causing Rhabdomyolysis. If the sights clear up over the next 3 months then that may have been the issue.
~ Marcus
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Planning 10-21-12
I went to look at making myself a training plan for the next few months and found out that I already put a plan together but just never printed it out.
So as it turns out I'm a couple weeks behind the plan - mostly on the bike.
I'm ok with that for now because its turning into the holiday season and rainy weather. Time to look into getting a bike trainer.
So as it turns out I'm a couple weeks behind the plan - mostly on the bike.
I'm ok with that for now because its turning into the holiday season and rainy weather. Time to look into getting a bike trainer.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Training 10-18-12, and a PLAN
There's something weighing on my mind. Ok, let's just say there's something weighing on me - my weight!
Since my taper phase just before Leadman I have begun to put on weight, and not the muscle kind. I was down to around 190-192 lbs and over the past month have keeper back up to 198-200 lbs.
So what's changed? More cookies and candy, less bike rides, and less swimming.
So what can I do? Eat less cookies and candy, go to more spin classes (weather isn't nice enough for outdoors), and swim more.
What else can I do? Some kind of strength / cross-training like the Insanity class or Bob Harper's kettle bell shred videos.
What's the first action to take? Write out and print a new training plan to follow; my last one ended with Leadman. Also I'm meeting with Angela to set up an Ironman training plan.
When will I do this? TODAY!
See how easy that was?
Since my taper phase just before Leadman I have begun to put on weight, and not the muscle kind. I was down to around 190-192 lbs and over the past month have keeper back up to 198-200 lbs.
So what's changed? More cookies and candy, less bike rides, and less swimming.
So what can I do? Eat less cookies and candy, go to more spin classes (weather isn't nice enough for outdoors), and swim more.
What else can I do? Some kind of strength / cross-training like the Insanity class or Bob Harper's kettle bell shred videos.
What's the first action to take? Write out and print a new training plan to follow; my last one ended with Leadman. Also I'm meeting with Angela to set up an Ironman training plan.
When will I do this? TODAY!
See how easy that was?
Thursday, October 4, 2012
10/04/12 aka 10-4 Good Buddy!
Did a morning run and was hit pretty hard by asthma / breathing trouble. Need to remember to take my inhaler before running!
I had traveled to Moses Lake Washington this week and there was a dust storm that blew through - I think it's lingering on in my lungs. Breathing was do labored this morning I actually got a side cramp just under my ribs.
Writing this has reminded my that I want to put up a race report from Leadman - I'll try to remember to do. that soon! For now I'll just say it was a great event, I had a lot of fun and I beat my prediction for time by a 1/2 hour.
I had traveled to Moses Lake Washington this week and there was a dust storm that blew through - I think it's lingering on in my lungs. Breathing was do labored this morning I actually got a side cramp just under my ribs.
Writing this has reminded my that I want to put up a race report from Leadman - I'll try to remember to do. that soon! For now I'll just say it was a great event, I had a lot of fun and I beat my prediction for time by a 1/2 hour.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tapering 9/18/12
I did my last morning run before the Leadman today. Did a quick 4 mile run with Will at a good pace (not too fast, not too slow).
I was reminded of why I consider sidewalks to be death-traps to runners. Those 1" trip hazards come out of nowhere to get you!
This should be the last workout before the event.
I plan to look at the course on Friday, and hope to take my bike for a spin downhill to see what the course will be like.
I'm looking forward to having a good time. I've trained harder for this than for anything else in my life, and I'm as ready as I can be.
Next week I should be able to call myself a half-Leadman!
:-)
I was reminded of why I consider sidewalks to be death-traps to runners. Those 1" trip hazards come out of nowhere to get you!
This should be the last workout before the event.
I plan to look at the course on Friday, and hope to take my bike for a spin downhill to see what the course will be like.
I'm looking forward to having a good time. I've trained harder for this than for anything else in my life, and I'm as ready as I can be.
Next week I should be able to call myself a half-Leadman!
:-)
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Tapering 9/15/12
One week until Leadman!
I've realized that I began tapering last week or so. I really didn't have much of a taper on the schedule - just lower numbers the last week - but I think a combination of things changed that.
First - burnout. Mental, physical, emotional and just in general burnout. I feel tired, I know not much will change in the last couple weeks, I'm frustrated at all the time that training sucks out of my life, and my body is fighting back when I do longer training activities (possible rhabdomyolysis).
Second - did I mention my body is fighting back? I'm experiencing symptoms that match up pretty well with rhabdomyolysis. This is a condition where after strenuous activitiy the body destroys the skeletal muscle and dumps the rubbish into the body's systems and causes stress on them. In extreme cases the condition can lead to kidney failure. I've been seeing the symptoms for a few weeks now (not gonna describe it here) and they occur after such things as long runs, fast medium runs, and long bike rides. Why this is happening? I dunno. I'm going to schedule an appoitment to review the issue with a sports doctor hopefully for the week after Leadman. Until then, it's a good thing I'm tapering and not doing endurance stuff every day or two!
Third - unlike a few weeks ago where I was frustrated about not getting in enough training, I've now flipped and feel like "it's all ok" and that I can coast the last couple weeks because they are the "taper" weeks. Sure, this is a half-Ironman type of event and some people think no taper is necessary, but I don't have that kind of foundation yet. An Olympic event kicked my butt! This is well over Olympic levels, especially the cycle part - 69 miles at race pace is no joke!
I kind of just want this done now. Do I feel ready? Not necessarily, but that's my normal MO. I'll always think I can do something more or better, but for now I feel it's all ok and I just need to focus on finishing the event.
On the bright side - I'm excited to be volunteering at the IMAZ 2012 event! I signed up a few weeks back and will on a run aid station. I should be able to get signed up to compete in the 2013 IMAZ the day following the race. Doing the Arizona Ironman was Melissa's suggestion - she felt it would be the 'easiest' Ironman event to try to do. We shall see! For now I'm happy I'm volunteering and looking forward to going to Arizona in November for this years race.
I've realized that I began tapering last week or so. I really didn't have much of a taper on the schedule - just lower numbers the last week - but I think a combination of things changed that.
First - burnout. Mental, physical, emotional and just in general burnout. I feel tired, I know not much will change in the last couple weeks, I'm frustrated at all the time that training sucks out of my life, and my body is fighting back when I do longer training activities (possible rhabdomyolysis).
Second - did I mention my body is fighting back? I'm experiencing symptoms that match up pretty well with rhabdomyolysis. This is a condition where after strenuous activitiy the body destroys the skeletal muscle and dumps the rubbish into the body's systems and causes stress on them. In extreme cases the condition can lead to kidney failure. I've been seeing the symptoms for a few weeks now (not gonna describe it here) and they occur after such things as long runs, fast medium runs, and long bike rides. Why this is happening? I dunno. I'm going to schedule an appoitment to review the issue with a sports doctor hopefully for the week after Leadman. Until then, it's a good thing I'm tapering and not doing endurance stuff every day or two!
Third - unlike a few weeks ago where I was frustrated about not getting in enough training, I've now flipped and feel like "it's all ok" and that I can coast the last couple weeks because they are the "taper" weeks. Sure, this is a half-Ironman type of event and some people think no taper is necessary, but I don't have that kind of foundation yet. An Olympic event kicked my butt! This is well over Olympic levels, especially the cycle part - 69 miles at race pace is no joke!
I kind of just want this done now. Do I feel ready? Not necessarily, but that's my normal MO. I'll always think I can do something more or better, but for now I feel it's all ok and I just need to focus on finishing the event.
On the bright side - I'm excited to be volunteering at the IMAZ 2012 event! I signed up a few weeks back and will on a run aid station. I should be able to get signed up to compete in the 2013 IMAZ the day following the race. Doing the Arizona Ironman was Melissa's suggestion - she felt it would be the 'easiest' Ironman event to try to do. We shall see! For now I'm happy I'm volunteering and looking forward to going to Arizona in November for this years race.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Training 9-06-12
Still working out. About 2 weeks till Leadman.
Have the hotel reserved, and may be getting aero bars for my bike next week.
I've done two longer rides; one 100 miles and the other a 70 miler.
Keeping energy consistent over such long periods is a challenge. Keeping consistent with daily training has also been tricky - so easy to get busy.
Have the hotel reserved, and may be getting aero bars for my bike next week.
I've done two longer rides; one 100 miles and the other a 70 miler.
Keeping energy consistent over such long periods is a challenge. Keeping consistent with daily training has also been tricky - so easy to get busy.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Training 8-28-12
Training has been going pretty good!
Ran 6 miles with Will today, ran 12 miles Sunday after riding my first 100 mile ride.
My run time was a little slow today (10 :15 per mile) but I was talking the whole time with Will. Normally I don't talk due to being out of breath. Seems that my cardio is in good shape - just need to keep working on endurance.
I signed up to volunteer at this year's Ironman Arizona (IMAZ). This should get me in line to register to compete in it in 2013.
3 weeks till the Leadman Epic 125!
Ran 6 miles with Will today, ran 12 miles Sunday after riding my first 100 mile ride.
My run time was a little slow today (10 :15 per mile) but I was talking the whole time with Will. Normally I don't talk due to being out of breath. Seems that my cardio is in good shape - just need to keep working on endurance.
I signed up to volunteer at this year's Ironman Arizona (IMAZ). This should get me in line to register to compete in it in 2013.
3 weeks till the Leadman Epic 125!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Training 8-16-12
Yesterday I did a 3 mile run. It was supposed to be 5 miles but since I got up late I had to cut it short.
5:30 am today - did a 4.75 mile run with Will; schedule had 4 miles so I'm gaining ground.
Actually felt good on the run! Breathing has recovered enough that it's back to endurance and energy and having a consistent measured pace.
Today my pace was 9.30 per mile. This felt good for the distance I ran. It's better than 10 and halfway to my goal of 9.00 per mile.
Stretching remains critical to a pain-free recovery. Muscle cramps suck!
5:30 am today - did a 4.75 mile run with Will; schedule had 4 miles so I'm gaining ground.
Actually felt good on the run! Breathing has recovered enough that it's back to endurance and energy and having a consistent measured pace.
Today my pace was 9.30 per mile. This felt good for the distance I ran. It's better than 10 and halfway to my goal of 9.00 per mile.
Stretching remains critical to a pain-free recovery. Muscle cramps suck!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Training 8-14-12
Yesterday I had a follow-up appointment with my doctor; he said I could start exercising again and that's a good thing.
After being 'off' for a week from training (sinus infection/bronchitis) and having been sickly for the month or so before that I wasn't feeling good about myself. I have a Leadman triathlon to train for!
So 5:30am this morning I'm back to training! I've got about 5 weeks to get into shape for the Leadman Epic 125. I'm going to do everything I can to prepare myself for this event.
Today's morning run was the first step on that journey.
After being 'off' for a week from training (sinus infection/bronchitis) and having been sickly for the month or so before that I wasn't feeling good about myself. I have a Leadman triathlon to train for!
So 5:30am this morning I'm back to training! I've got about 5 weeks to get into shape for the Leadman Epic 125. I'm going to do everything I can to prepare myself for this event.
Today's morning run was the first step on that journey.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Independence Day
Had a nice break from the normal routine to celebrate Cassidy's birthday and July 4th. 
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Newbie
So I'm new to blogging. Melissa would like to start a blog to track her progress in triathlon training and hopefully motivate others while keeping herself on course to achieve her goals.
I offered to check out blogging for her. There are several free blog options; Blogger, WordPress, etc. I have a Google gmail account, so trying Blogger (Google's blog option) makes sense. I'll probably try a WordPress blogg as well just to compare. My biggest problem is that I've primarily used facebook to 'blog' my progress as an athlete. I don't have actual blog experience.
So - don't be surprised if I post pictures and videos that don't seem normal or to match what I'm talking about, or if this blog suddenly dies and is never updated again. We'll see how things go.
~ Marcus
Melissa and Me - blog newbies
I offered to check out blogging for her. There are several free blog options; Blogger, WordPress, etc. I have a Google gmail account, so trying Blogger (Google's blog option) makes sense. I'll probably try a WordPress blogg as well just to compare. My biggest problem is that I've primarily used facebook to 'blog' my progress as an athlete. I don't have actual blog experience.
My attempt at dramatic video . . .
So - don't be surprised if I post pictures and videos that don't seem normal or to match what I'm talking about, or if this blog suddenly dies and is never updated again. We'll see how things go.
~ Marcus
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