Taking it easy

This week combined the end of a trip to Hawaii and a few days of training here at home. Also I participated in a presentation on planning for the off season. One of the items on the agenda was to have some off time which I completely agree with. Considering the probability that the holiday season will present inconsistencies in training due to weather, pool closures, etc. I expect the next two weeks to be a rest period of sorts. I still expect to train as often as I can. This will include Masters swim workouts and spin classes when available. I've just received my new LeMond Revolution Trainer so I can cycle at home. Runs will be limited to 30-40 minutes with only one long run per week of 2 hours or less.

Training summary for the past week: swim 2.5 miles, 2:15; bike 16.5 miles, 1:25; run 7.0 miles, 1:25; total distance 26.0 miles, 5:05 total time. In addition 2:00 of yoga and weight training.

Final thoughts on Ultraman Hawaii 2010. The experience of Ultraman, the buzz, the athletes, the electricity, is all very powerful. I have been fortunate to witness this first hand on three different occasions and have been profoundly affected by it. Ultraman is held currently in Penticton BC Canada and Kailua-Kona Hawaii. Both are beautiful places and offer different but equally challenging courses. The organization is superior and the event is highly dependent on volunteers. The entry fee is costly and the logistics of organizing your team and equipment is huge. Imagine coming from places as far afield as Australia, Norway, Brazil, and all over the U.S. bringing all of your equipment including bike, wheels, spare parts, nutritional supplies and friends for a swim escort and land crew; renting an SUV or van, accommodations, and more. Some arrive early and train. It is overwhelming. Then on top of all that you anticipate competing in a three day ultra-endurance event. You may have in mind a winning position or perhaps just finishing, whatever the case ahead of you is a 6.2 mile swim, 261.4 mile bike, and 52.4 mile run. Competitors from 29, with ironman experience or more, to the oldest finisher at age 65 complete the point to point event in between 22 and 33 plus hours, anywhere from 7 to 11 hours per day. Each participant is an inspirational story and many race for charitable causes. When you ask why the answer is the course, the people, the challenge and the common belief in the Ultraman "family". The attitude is infectious and has impacted me personally. Not that I intend to compete, that would be at this stage pretty remote, but it has caused me to continually reevaluate my perceived limitations and my goals which include the interest I have developed in the last three years in triathlons. The achievements of these athletes go beyond anything that one normally considers to be exceptional and they are awesome people who are just as interested in you as you are in them. They have causes, they know the meaning of sacrifice, and they love to compete. I can't imagine ever doing anything equal to what they have accomplished but I can imagine accomplishing something greater than I have done in the past and that is important. Find some photos and race report at http://www.slowtwitch.com/Features/2010_Ultraman_Day_Three_1821.html

I expect to be training so "a hui hou," and I'll see you on the road.