Its been a while since my last post, but I can assure you, I've been busy. After a couple rough months fighting some illness and injury, I was able to finish my season strong with a 3rd place overall at Powerman Nationals a few weeks ago in Cocoa Beach, FL.
The race was flat, with lots of turns on the bike, and plenty of humidity. I got to the race site early, went through my prep and started warming up. Within a minute, I was sweating. Badly. After 20 minutes on the bike, I was in a pool of my own sweat, my race shorts soaked, and the feeling of it being a very tough day creeping in my mind.
Although it wasn't blistering hot, the humidity was high, mixed with sun coming through the haze, made the first run slightly more unpleasant than normal. Keeping it together as best as possible, I came into T1, about 30 seconds down on 2nd place, and a minute on first. I tried to gain ground on the bike, and was able to get myself into second place. My Garmin 520 wasn't helping - I had no watts, no cadence. Only speed, and distance. I could feel myself grinding a bit, pressing to create space between myself and third, while trying to gain ground on the leader. It wasn't working.
Although I was able to get some distance from 3rd, I couldn't close the gap on the leader. By the time I got off the bike, I was nauseous, and light headed. Dehydration is bitch, and when she kicks in, she holds on like a pit bull on a bone. By the last mile of the second run, I was completely cramped up, begging for the finish line to reveal itself. Just as it did, I realized I had about 200 meters to go, and 3rd place was creeping up fast. When he started his sprint, I couldn't answer, ending up 3rd, and coming to kneeling position right after crossing the finish line. It took a couple hours before I even felt semi-normal again, but I was happy that I was able to dig that deep, to go to the dark place where the bad things fight; where our demons wait. That was the revelation that helped me walk away from the race happy, but not satisfied. And its that feeling that I carry with me into 2016.
This year was one of salvation for me, an awakening of my fire and drive. It would never have possible without some very important people, starting with my coach, Cody Burkhardt. Using methods that most endurance coaches would deem unconventional, he was able to pull stuff out of me that I hadn't been aware of in a long time. His methods have helped me become a better coach as well, recognizing the true needs of athletes. He and the other coaches from Athletes Cell, especially Brian MacKenzie, were instrumental in my success, and desire to improve everyday. Not simply as an athlete, but as a person as well.
I owe a huge thanks to my sponsors, SKINS, Athletic Recon, RX Bar, Pactimo, Orange Mud, GU, Yankz, Rudy Project and Peppod. Couldn't have made it through the season without their continuous help and support.
My family - particularly my brother and sister who have been extremely supportive in my efforts this season, as well a great source of levity when times were tough. My grandmother, for being a constant source of inspiration at 103, vibrant and alive. As a family, we have suffered tremendous loss in the last 18 months, but as I sat at Christmas Eve dinner with so many of them, I realized we are still strong, proud and gracious. I'm very thankful for how I was raised, and the people in my family.
My friends, my athletes, thank you. Thank you for your continued support, words of encouragement, spending time training along side me, and providing laughs when times were tense.
Now, to switch gears a bit, here is the continuation of "You and your off-season" tips.
With January 1, 2016 right around the corner, this will be the last installment in this series, as most of you will be ramping up for your respective season. With that in mind, let me lend some insight from my 2015, on and off the race course.
In 2015, I recognized the importance of "owning my sport". What does that mean? Well, I had remember the fact that although I participate in a sport that is non-contact, doesn't make it any less dangerous than playing football in the NFL. Studies have shown that running causes more injuries every year than other sport. How many of you know someone who has made this proclamation - "In 6 months, I'm going to run a marathon!" So they sign up, and in 3 months, they are in physical therapy for any myriad of issues - plantar, ACL, MCL, shin splints, hip, IT band, etc. Its the rule, not the exception.
This wasn't a scary realization, rather it was an eye opener to get my shit together and work on my form. Take a step back and do the skill work necessary to run without getting injured, to train in all sports without getting injured, while being able to push the envelope with speed, power and endurance. I had to be willing to be my own experiment by removing EGO, and replace it with skill work. From there, it was testing my overall fitness by working in different domains - gymnastics, power and Olympic lifts, conditioning work that involved endurance mixed with the aforementioned. It was a step into the unknown and the uncomfortable. They were lessons in humility. They were the best TESTS I've ever taken.
Understand, without skill work, you have created a ceiling for how far you can go. I'm not talking about doing some drills in the pool once a week in the winter. I'm talking about year round, constantly seeking improvement. Skills aren't limited to sport either; how many of you can honestly say you treat mobility as a skill? Meaning, how often do you practice mobility? Strength? I teach strength classes at INTENT, I see the same people over and over, yet there are many of you on this team. Do you lift? If so, how? Do you know why? Do you know what lifts are most beneficial? What about mental training? These are all areas of "fitness" that require attention and deserve time in your day. Failing to give them their due, will cost you at the worst possible time in your season.
With the new year days away, screw making resolutions. Set declarations. And make the above part of those goals. "I will practice run drills 3 times a week. I will preform strength training 3 times a week. I will meditate 2 times a week for 15 minutes at a time." "I will prioritize correctly to get in everything I need everyday." "I will get more sleep."
To keep you on task, find another person who is looking to make changes as well heading into 2016. This is your training buddy. Make a promise to each other to hold the other accountable for these declarations. This way, you aren't in it alone, and you know you don't want to let another person down. Find someone that you trust and do this. This doesn't just apply to athletes either, this applies to everyone. Stay on track by promising another person that you will
In the new year, I'll be posting about different topics, starting new threads. For now, think hard about what really needs work at this time of the year. Establish a plan, then attack.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Stay Strong,
