Taking Training to New Heights

Spent the past weekend up in Tahoe with Elaine and Rogue. Its beautiful there. Big green trees*, massive granite rocks, and clear blue water. Crisp, refreshing, clear blue water. It's sad that in everyday life we don't spend more time in nature, although 42 of our 44 hours in Tahoe this weekend were outside and that felt right.

Training over the weekend:

Friday - Off, couldn't walk, could barely drive a car after the 10k run on Thursday

Saturday - Solid mile+ morning swim across Donner Lake and back, with an afternoon leisurely swim in Lake Tahoe snorkeling/exploring

Sunday - 12.2 mile bike around Donner Lake and the surrounding area. A quick 1:05 which included a 26 minute, 1000 foot climb up to the SugarBowl Pass. Topped off the day by hiking an hour with Elaine and Rogi. Highlight: Elaine walked the plank!

Its become quite cliché in the sporting world - especially amongst endurance athletes and UFC fighters - to do high altitude training. It makes sense when you figure in the lack of oxygen and you really do notice a difference when you're at 6,000 ft. What might be somewhat challenging at sea level becomes downright brutal when you're a mile up. But its good for the body, and for the mind.

My legs have recovered slightly since Thursday's run, and surprisingly Sunday's bike/hike helped. Note: running a 10k after not having run at all in something like 3 years doesn't work. Start slow, maybe do a mile, work up to the 6 miles. But don't think you can get off the couch, run 6 miles and then wake up the next day feeling fine.

Like Derek, the Mighty Hamptons Tri will be the last time I ever run - for training or in an event. I may play ultimate, I'll do pick up games and such, but never again will I put on some running shoes and just go for a jog. Its not healthy. And it really isn't fun.

Tomorrow, sometime after getting coffee but before I start another long and arduous day of doing nothing at work, I'm going to revisit the lack of response from Trevor regarding my inquiry into the tri attire. Surely it warrants a response. Maybe he just needs a little prompting.

*No idea what kind of trees they are. Fir? Redwood? Probably should know.