Day 138: 8/30/2010

What a long and busy day. Finally got around to working out and 9:00 pm. I rode the trainer for an hour and a half. I rode easy and just let the legs flush out the weekends junk. Nothing fancy, just consistent work.

Day 137: 8/29/2010

I feel crazy saying it but 5 hour bike rides are getting easier. I am going farther and faster than I did 3 weeks ago. It is now just a ride and not this monumental distance I made it out to be 3 weeks ago. Today I didn't even need any recovery, I just got home and started doing stuff and still haven't stopped. I just washed the car and I am going to clean my bike and do laundry...

Anyway, thanks to my buddy, EP, who rode 1:30 with me today. The company was nice while it lasted.

Overall, I had a great week and am proud that I did all those hours during school and while coaching too. August is shaping up to be my second best month of the year, only behind July but ahead of June. I feel good and am looking forward to finishing up the next 4 weeks.

Day 135: 8/27/2010

Alarm set for 5 am and was able to get out the door for a 1:30 run with :30 minutes worth of tempo in there. I felt surprisingly good and was able to hold sub 7:00 pace during those intervals consistently.

Waking up early does make for a long day though. We had our first cross country meet yesterday in Los Lunas. It was a scrimmage but nonetheless it was essentially a race. The team did well and I think our boys showed the most promise finishing in spots 5 - 9. They just need to move up but they do run together. Not surprisingly as we are only doing base milage still and have done only strides as anything fast.

When we got back to Socorro it was off to the football game. Emma and I went and enjoyed a burger and nachos for dinner. This morning I have slept in thanks to Linds. Now time to get the work done.

Day 134: 8/26/2010

Up early this morning for a swim and got to use my new goggles again, they are so bomb. It is so nice to see so clearly the entire time without any fog. If I could I would use a new pair of goggles like every week. I can never swim very much in the mornings so I did my usual 2000. I wasn't even very creative this morning as I did a 1000 swim and a 1000 pull.

After a busy day of school I coached cross country and was interviewed by the local newspaper for the Fall sports preview. They even interviewed 3 of my runners who are all very well deserving.

I planned on riding outside but I decided to let my Lindsey have her opportunity to run with her new friend and enjoy the nice evening. I jumped on the trainer at 8:30 and rode for an hour and a half and watched the 2005 Ironman Hawaii. It was an awesome year and very inspirational. I can't believe I will do that in about 6 weeks!

Day 133: 8/25/2010

Got the work done AND I feel good. No burnout this week like I've had the last 2 Wednesday's. I only had one workout scheduled for today, my long run. The workout called for an hour and 45 minutes at Z2 effort. I ran with the CC kids for the first quarter of it then it was all solo. I started at 4:00 so it was nice and warm and I ran a long out and back section on asphalt to try to mimic Kona the best I can. I felt pretty good the entire way and I tried to negative split by a little but the high school sits on a hill and every run from it ends with a good uphill finish. Total run was 1:47 and 13.2 miles.

Thanks Coach Danois!

Day 132: 8/24/2010

Early morning run for 1:15 with :30 tempo and a 2000 swim in the evening. I am looking forward to going to sleep early tonight... the exciting life of an IM triathlete.

One of the best things about today was I used a brand new pair of goggles that are more clear with only a slight tint to them. It was like swimming in HD!

Big run tomorrow.

Day 131: 8/23/2010

I feel good about this week although I am only looking at the next days schedule after I finish the day that I'm on. Today the plan was for 1:30 Zone 2 riding on the bike. Perfect. I didn't feel like waking up early since we got back from Cruces somewhat late and I stayed up getting ready for the week ahead. I was able to eat dinner with my family, finish washing clothes, put stuff away and jump on the trainer, albeit a little bit late, and rode for an hour and a half and watched the 2007 Ironman Hawaii on DVD. Time to take a shower and see what's on tap for tomorrow.

Day 130: 8/22/2010

I'm showered, I have eaten a Big Mac meal and drank a large coke and now I'm chillin' on the couch. I also rode 5 hours and did a transition run on the treadmill.

We got a late start this morning because Lindsey and Marlene got a late start on their long run. Mike and I got to riding at 8:45 and headed west of Las Cruces to the "balls of steel." The last time I did this difficult ride was 8 years ago when we were all training for Ironman Wisconsin. Did I mention this ride is tough? I'll post some pics when Mike gets around to emailing them. I'm happy to say that as hot as it was and as much climbing as we did, I felt pretty decent the entire time. It's nice to have that in the bank as I will no doubt think back on it when I'm roasting and getting wind blown on the Queen K on the big island in about 7 more weeks.

There was one Montoya missing from the ride though... Coach Danny was invited but I couldn't convince him 5 hours on a bike seat was a fun idea today.

Day 129: 8/21/2010

Pretty good day of training here in Cruces with Mike. We got around to riding around 11 this morning and rode for 2 muggy hours. For a while there Mike went a little crazy through the pecan farms and was hauling ass, probably 30+ mph. He was even growling I think lol.

After a nice little nap we made it to the pool with the family. I played with Grace until she wanted out then I swam a 2000. I kept waiting for the lifeguards to get everyone out as there was thunder and dark clouds but never any lightning I guess. The NMSU pool is so awesome, I love swimming there.

We had a great dinner thanks to Mike and his grilling abilities and now it's time to start thinking about the big ride tomorrow.

Day 129: 8/21/2010

It's been a while, I know. I have felt like a crackhead going through withdrawals the last few days. I think it was Thursday night and I was driving through town looking at Sonic and Taco Bell like it was my fix. I couldn't get cheesecake and ice cream out of my head. Motivation was low and the week fizzled into one of the worst few days I've had since March.

I decided to make a trip to Cruces to train with my bro for the weekend and get things back on track. We will be out on the bikes in a few and I will post later today about the day.

Hawaii is only 7 weeks away as of today.

Day 126: 8/18/2010

Alarm rang at 4:40 am and I started running by 5. Ran 1:35 total. Jumped on the trainer at 9:00 pm and rode an hour. I'm tired.

Day 125: 8/17/2010

Woke up and was running before 6:00 am. Ran an hour with 8 strides. Sunrise was really beautiful this morning.

Supposed to ride 1:30 and it never happened. We had pictures after school for CC so I had to pass out uniforms, warm ups, bags... Practice finished late because of it all. Lindsey ran, we ate dinner, Wal Mart, clean up, put away leftover equipment and get 4 bags ready for kids that weren't there, and its now 10:15 pm.

Day 124: 8/17/2010

Swim in the morning when the pool opened. Swam a 2000 then this evening I ran 1:20 with :25 tempo pace.

Day 123: 8/15/2010

Big day. 5 hour ride and :20 transition run finished by 1 o'clock in the afternoon. And I actually feel pretty good.

Day 122: 8/14/2010

It felt great to not have an alarm set this morning I can't lie. I made it to the pool by 1:20 in the afternoon and swam a 5000. I felt I needed a good long swim since I can't do much in the mornings before school. So I picked a workout from my waterproof workout book and went to town. I even freaked the lifeguards out a little I swam so long. I guess their not used to that around here.Swim time was 1:35.

Next workout was an hour and a half ride with 1/3 of that tempo. It was super hot out! 100 degrees when I left and 100 degrees when I got back at 6:30!

Big day tomorrow! Better start earlier than today.

Day 121: 8/13/2010

Bon appetit. For the last 3 days I have been eating a shit sandwich. Click on the link and read about what I mean.

I have struggled, plain and simple. I am tired and busy and no workouts have felt good. There are a lot of people who train for an Ironman with the same commitments I have but I always struggle with change. The change from summer to school year has been hard on me. I am looking forward to not setting an alarm tomorrow morning and having 2 days of good training.

Today I was at the pool when it opened and swam a 2000. After XC practice I set off on another 1:30 run. Right at the time I was starting my tempo portion a storm picked up and was blowing wind head on. My tempo didn't feel very tempo and I walked some. I bonked a good one and I think I know why... I have been skipping lunch. I know better too and I preach it to the XC kids all the time. It's not that I'm trying to lose weight or anything, I just have forgotten to pack a lunch. Last year I worked cafeteria duty and ate everyday for free but this year I decided not to so bringing a lunch from home is a necessity.

Total for the week so far is 9 hours and 20 minutes with 2 missed bike rides.

Day 120: 8/12/2010

Holy crap. The school year has hit me like a ton of bricks. Tonight my whole family was asleep by 8 so it's not just me.

I woke up and 5:40 and got to the pool when it opened at 6 am. I swam a 2000 and got home by 7 so I could help out while Lindsey gets ready. I had duty this morning so I had to get to school a little early. Not enough time.

Work all day. First XC practice after school which was hampered by a quick moving wind and dirt storm. Got home and ate a little then fell asleep right where I was sitting. Plate still in front of me not even finished. I woke up from the nap and did some email business and ran to the store for some groceries. Bam, it's 9. Clean up around the house and now I need to get to bed. No bike... again.

I seriously hope things get better because this schedule is making me burn the candle at both ends. I don't like it. Is this a case of HTFU? I'm not complaining here I just need a clone.

Day 119: 8/11/2010

So freakin busy with the first day back to school. I definitely have the blues that summer is over. I stayed up way too late getting ready and I got to school early to make sure everything was ready to go. First day and first impressions ya know. The first day says a lot about what kind of teacher you will be. In my hurry I forgot to bring a lunch and I don't have planning this year until the last period of the day. Needless to say I got home and was pretty hungry and it was 100 degrees out. I did manage a 1:30 run but simply did not have the time for my planned 1:30 ride. This evening I sat in front of the computer getting ready for tomorrows first day of official XC practice.

So coach, sorry no bike, I honestly had zero time today :( It will get better when I get into the swing of it again.

Day 118: 8/10/2010

I really should be asleep right now because I have a long run to get done in the morning but it is also the forst fay of school tomorrow and I am getting things done last minute. Anyway, besides a day full of meetings and blah blah blah I did work out twice. I ran an hour this morning with 8 strides and I swam a 2500 this evening. One cool thing about my swim was that I attempted and completed 10 x 100's leaving @ 1:30. It's a workout I used to do but haven't felt like it in a few years... honestly because I wasn't in shape for it. Now I am in shape for it and it was actually not that bad at all. Almost like a tempo swim.

Two days down this week and more to go. I have more than 5 hours in the bag already :)

Day 117: 8/9/2010

1:10 run this morning with :20 of that at tempo pace. Then a bike this evening for 2:00 with :30 of that tempo. Nothing fancy here, just work.

Today was my last day of summer. Tomorrow I have to report to work and we get kids on Wednesday. I have a feeling these next 2 months are gonna test me... daily.

Day 116: 8/8/2010

Back in the saddle and gettin' the work done. Rode 3 hours this morning with Mike and ran an hour this evening that included some strides on grass. Solid day.

Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon 2010

New PR and first time under an hour!

58:38

After racing this race for 15 consecutive years it feels really good to have gone faster at age 33 than I ever had before on the current version of the course. The only other time I have ever broken an hour on this course was in 2001 but that had the run first and the swim last, a format I am much better at than running last.

Days 109, 110, and 111 8/1 - 8/3/2010

After 3 days in beautiful Red River, NM I am now back home. I'm now dealing with the unpacking and cleaning and putting away. The only thing missing is my little Emmster who has stayed the week with my brother in Las Cruces. They should be here tonight or early tomorrow in time for this years Socorro Chili Harvest Triathlon! I can't believe I have raced every single one of these for the past 15 years. In fact, it was the very first triathlon I ever raced. It doesn't feel that long but it sure does sound like along time!

Back to the last 3 days in Red River... It's a beautiful place that sits in NM high country at 8,600 feet elevation. We left for RR on Sunday and stopped in Albuquerque for some trail running along the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. We had some snacks and played some fun games at a nearby park. Socorro took 15 kids and there were about 50 kids total from 4 different schools. So playing these games was a great way to get the kids to have fun together. After lunch in Santa Fe we made it to RR and got ready for run no. 2. This one is called the tour de RR and that is basically what it is. That evening I was able to give 2 talks to the campers about motivation and I was able to use some of my own experiences to help relate and hopefully inspire these kids to be the best they can be.

Monday morning is the traditional long run for those campers who wish to tackle the mountain. We run 5.4 miles to the top of a mountain and back down. The highest elevation according to my Garmin was 10, 338 feet. Having the Garmin is great in the fact that I can look up the file I have from last year and I was happy to see that I got to the top about 4 minutes faster this year compared to last. It felt easier and quicker so I am glad to see I am in better shape.

After a good lunch and nice nap I was able to get out for a mountain bike ride during the kids free time. I returned in just enough time to run the pre-race course with the kids when I finished. The race course is half single track and half road course that the kids race on the following day. There is even a very cold stream crossing!

On Tuesday morning we have the King and Queen of the Mountain run and I opted out of this one. I chose to drive out to the turnaround point and cheer the campers on. Socorro was well represented in the race as we had the 1st and 3rd female finishers and the 3rd male finisher. I think we did great considering we were by far the smallest school attending.

If there could be a bad part it was that our bus broke down in Questa, just 12 miles outside of RR on the way home. We were stranded there until a bus from Los Lunas could make the trip to pick us up. We made the best of it and now I am home and rested and ready to train my last days of summer away and race the hometown race this Saturday. I feel like the race this weekend will be a stage of my training complete. School (work) and cross country will be in full swing and I know I will be challenged to get in my own workouts. I have no idea how things will go but I will just need to figure it out as I go and take it one day at a time. Only 65 more days left before Kona!