Tuesday:
I am sitting in the back of United Airlines flight 703 enjoying some of my favourite Violin & Viola duos, and in my head I have just entered "transition time."
Whenever I hop on a plane, train, boat, or bus I think of it as a transition. Especially for trips of longer duration, I find the transition to be hugely beneficial.
There is something special which happens during one of the flights. It's a shift in perspective, a shift in focus. When the plane takes off I am pressed against the seat. I imagine as if everything from the past is being sucked out, allowing open space for the future. In fact, I can choose what from the past I want to bring with me, throw it on the carousal and be ready to go.
When the plane descends there is a light feeling as my weight is lifted ever so slightly. It's a feeling which reminds me to open and allow. Allow new experiences to happen, and shift into the new mode, ARIZONA TRAINING CAMP MODE!
JP, Scottie, Andrew, and I are on our way to find the Lemon Tree house and train up a storm in preparation for Mazatlan. 6 hours into the trip & I can tell it will be a great one to remember for years to come.
Tuesday Morning:
Arrived safe and sound. The Lemon Tree house is Awesome!
Time for a run.
In the words of Bob, from Bob's Dogs, "Keep Smiling!" and
Rest well.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Hello
Well, that was very fun.
Great Saturday, Great Sunday. I'd have to say goodness all around. I'm sitting at the computer and know that sleep would be a good thing to do right now. However, I'm on the verge of being too excited to sleep. I am still going to give it a try. But I promise you, if I wake up in the middle of the night I will post some thoughts on the past few days.
What must be said and can't wait is the the shout out to our group today for some nice running and riding. Everyone from our pro-star, quickly recovering, injuries-are-something of-the-past cheering squad to Andrew "the Champ" Russell, played a big part in making today great.
Thank You.
Rest well.
Great Saturday, Great Sunday. I'd have to say goodness all around. I'm sitting at the computer and know that sleep would be a good thing to do right now. However, I'm on the verge of being too excited to sleep. I am still going to give it a try. But I promise you, if I wake up in the middle of the night I will post some thoughts on the past few days.
What must be said and can't wait is the the shout out to our group today for some nice running and riding. Everyone from our pro-star, quickly recovering, injuries-are-something of-the-past cheering squad to Andrew "the Champ" Russell, played a big part in making today great.
Thank You.
Rest well.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Activate
Papaya and I must have been functioning on the same wavelength today, because we had an awesome ride. The ride began with a rip through the Camosun trails where things were muddy! Riding a different set of wheels with different tires makes a huge difference. I was feeling confident to start out, easily making my way over and around some obstacles which have proven to be challenging in the past. Today however, we could have rocked the Dancing with Stars competition, smoothly gliding across wet earth and over mossy rocks, barely flexing a muscle.
Part way through the ride I decided to hop over to Prospect Lk road, just to play it safe. Then I saw what was for me a brand new trail. Ahhh... just go for it, one more rip through the mud.
As this was my last cross ride for the season, it was fitting that I kiss the ground, a fair thee well and good by kiss. That is especially after spending so much time being cushioned by soft rocks and tree stumps this winter.
We connected and I thanked the ground for so much fun during the off season.
I was happy to fit in one last cross ride, because Papaya is moving over for the new bike in town, and we're sticking to head down, no fooling aroun', speed.
Today's swim was a 4.8K back to swimming swim. Good stuff.
Our run was one of my favourite pre-race workouts: 15ez, 10 base, 16 fartlek, 5 ez, drills & strides, 5 minutes ez, ice. When you have this workout, it means you are well rested, activated, and ready to rock for a fast run.
Now it's the night before the night before. Rest well.
Part way through the ride I decided to hop over to Prospect Lk road, just to play it safe. Then I saw what was for me a brand new trail. Ahhh... just go for it, one more rip through the mud.
As this was my last cross ride for the season, it was fitting that I kiss the ground, a fair thee well and good by kiss. That is especially after spending so much time being cushioned by soft rocks and tree stumps this winter.
We connected and I thanked the ground for so much fun during the off season.
I was happy to fit in one last cross ride, because Papaya is moving over for the new bike in town, and we're sticking to head down, no fooling aroun', speed.
Today's swim was a 4.8K back to swimming swim. Good stuff.
Our run was one of my favourite pre-race workouts: 15ez, 10 base, 16 fartlek, 5 ez, drills & strides, 5 minutes ez, ice. When you have this workout, it means you are well rested, activated, and ready to rock for a fast run.
Now it's the night before the night before. Rest well.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Home Turf
As I prepare for TuKson AZ, I try to spend a portion of each day enjoying something particularly West Coast.
This evening's home turf adventure:
And only in Victoria could you find numerous specialty Tea Shops, carrying such varieties as Tea of Serenity.
Definitely an apres ice must.
Rest Well.
This evening's home turf adventure:
And only in Victoria could you find numerous specialty Tea Shops, carrying such varieties as Tea of Serenity.
Definitely an apres ice must.
Rest Well.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Correction
A correction to last Wednesday's post, My o' My . . .
The first quote from Neil correctly reads:
-The human species has survived on this planet because of our ability to live beyond pain.
I had it written as:
-The human species has survived on this planet because of our ability to overcome pain.
Both have a distinct Darwinian tone, but in this case the difference between overcoming and living beyond lies in dissociation of time, and association with presence.
If one is to overcome pain, this suggests a temporal struggle which is won in the short term, only to be lost in the end. For the pain never really disappears, it is just for the duration of the experience that it is overcome. That is to say that the pain still exists as part of our subject.
Living beyond pain suggests a separation between the subject, and objective experience. In this case the subject lives a separate existence from that of objective casual, and therefore sensorial space. Because of this, time and pain are of no consequence.
Now it's time to close my eyes and find the space between.
Rest well.
The first quote from Neil correctly reads:
-The human species has survived on this planet because of our ability to live beyond pain.
I had it written as:
-The human species has survived on this planet because of our ability to overcome pain.
Both have a distinct Darwinian tone, but in this case the difference between overcoming and living beyond lies in dissociation of time, and association with presence.
If one is to overcome pain, this suggests a temporal struggle which is won in the short term, only to be lost in the end. For the pain never really disappears, it is just for the duration of the experience that it is overcome. That is to say that the pain still exists as part of our subject.
Living beyond pain suggests a separation between the subject, and objective experience. In this case the subject lives a separate existence from that of objective casual, and therefore sensorial space. Because of this, time and pain are of no consequence.
Now it's time to close my eyes and find the space between.
Rest well.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Just Look Up
and you will see the birds.
This afternoon I couldn't resist the temptation to hop on Sugar Cane and go for a waterfront spin. By spin, I mean the utmost in easy riding to the beach, sitting on a bench in the sun, and opening a book. It was one of those easy rides where speed, effort, and time are of no importance.
On my way past the OB Marina I just happened to look up and see two massive bald eagles perched on a tree overlooking the water. Wow, what a truly magnificent site. There is something about the presence of an eagle that exudes courage, strength, and grace.
On a completely different topic, isn't it interesting to notice the greatest source of energy and resistance are one and the same. There is limitless energy within us, more than one can imagine. At the same time we are our only source of resistance. Ponder.
As you may have guessed, this week Monday - Thursday are all about recovery. We have just finished a good build, and are using this opportunity to prepare ourselves for a high volume camp in TuKson, Arizona. This time adaptation conveniently falls right before the Bazan Bay Fast 5K. I would bet dollars to pesos this was strategically planed! I have been looking forward to Bazan since the moment Hatley Castle was finished. Fast is Fun!
Thanks to Dr. Guan for the treatment today. I always leave his office feeling light, strong, and with many new theories to consider.
Light swims this week 3 - 4K loose, a few easy runs, rides, and back at it with some good activation Friday - Saturday.
Allow and Rest well.
This afternoon I couldn't resist the temptation to hop on Sugar Cane and go for a waterfront spin. By spin, I mean the utmost in easy riding to the beach, sitting on a bench in the sun, and opening a book. It was one of those easy rides where speed, effort, and time are of no importance.
On my way past the OB Marina I just happened to look up and see two massive bald eagles perched on a tree overlooking the water. Wow, what a truly magnificent site. There is something about the presence of an eagle that exudes courage, strength, and grace.
On a completely different topic, isn't it interesting to notice the greatest source of energy and resistance are one and the same. There is limitless energy within us, more than one can imagine. At the same time we are our only source of resistance. Ponder.
As you may have guessed, this week Monday - Thursday are all about recovery. We have just finished a good build, and are using this opportunity to prepare ourselves for a high volume camp in TuKson, Arizona. This time adaptation conveniently falls right before the Bazan Bay Fast 5K. I would bet dollars to pesos this was strategically planed! I have been looking forward to Bazan since the moment Hatley Castle was finished. Fast is Fun!
Thanks to Dr. Guan for the treatment today. I always leave his office feeling light, strong, and with many new theories to consider.
Light swims this week 3 - 4K loose, a few easy runs, rides, and back at it with some good activation Friday - Saturday.
Allow and Rest well.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Say the words.
Having finally been out on a ride with Sugar Cane, I now know what if feels like to have no chain. There are a two major differences between Sugar and my previous racing machine.
First, Sugar Cane functionally has a 58cm top tube, while the Bianchi was a mere 55cm. The second difference is Euro vs American styling. Sugar Cane is the American Baby with big angles, big tubes, and a DuraAce groupset. The Bianchi was all Euro with compact geometry and Campagnolo componetti. I also notice that once Sugar reaches cruising velocity, she likes to stay there without much coaxing from me, or my legs.
I'm looking forward developing a strong new relationship with Sugar Cane, and would like to thank the Black and Gold Bianchi for our many great hours spent together.
The past few days:
Friday:
Once again the short course swim was a confidence booster. I know it has little to do with fitness, but it sure is nice to hit the wall a few seconds early. New short course PB on 100m is 1:02.8. Next SC 100m TT will be under 1:00. Maktub!
After visiting the hard core / sauna department, Andrew and I stocked up on calories with Omelets ala HoJo avec Kerry and Patrick, (thanks for the nice breakfast), and hit the roads for a reverse loop of Prospect, Munns, and the W-WS connection.
Having finished a good ride I decided to collect some cedar drift wood, dry it by the fire, and toss it on for some fast burning heat (lunch and nap). I did this to the tune of the UVIC tracks. 30 minute warm up to SS for our last 15 minutes, 2 x drills and strides, 7 x 1000m descending 1 through 7, 2 x 400m feeling nice and fast for the 2nd 200m.
I can always count on Andrew to pick up the pace at around km 3. Nice running dude. That 3rd K set us up well to finish a strong session.
Saturday:
The first (annual?) NTC Sprint Spectacular: 2x Waddling dog loop (18.5K), 5K run, 800m pool TT. This was a great way to finish off 2 weeks of building intensity and volume. Fast hard training leading up to more fast hard training, culminating with more hard work and a TT makes a taper seem like slacking. Shout out to Scotty who showed that he definitely has cycling legs this year with a wickedly fast start to the bike, and a solid 1st loop on the run.
Fun day in the sun.
Today was my first official date with Sugar Cane. We had a smooth ride and made it back just before the rain. Perfect.
Over the past 2 week build, my biggest lesson learned was about training and working hard despite fatigue. But that lesson needs some time to work it's way through the pen and into my journal.
Just say the words, and it will be done.
Rest well.
First, Sugar Cane functionally has a 58cm top tube, while the Bianchi was a mere 55cm. The second difference is Euro vs American styling. Sugar Cane is the American Baby with big angles, big tubes, and a DuraAce groupset. The Bianchi was all Euro with compact geometry and Campagnolo componetti. I also notice that once Sugar reaches cruising velocity, she likes to stay there without much coaxing from me, or my legs.
I'm looking forward developing a strong new relationship with Sugar Cane, and would like to thank the Black and Gold Bianchi for our many great hours spent together.
The past few days:
Friday:
Once again the short course swim was a confidence booster. I know it has little to do with fitness, but it sure is nice to hit the wall a few seconds early. New short course PB on 100m is 1:02.8. Next SC 100m TT will be under 1:00. Maktub!
After visiting the hard core / sauna department, Andrew and I stocked up on calories with Omelets ala HoJo avec Kerry and Patrick, (thanks for the nice breakfast), and hit the roads for a reverse loop of Prospect, Munns, and the W-WS connection.
Having finished a good ride I decided to collect some cedar drift wood, dry it by the fire, and toss it on for some fast burning heat (lunch and nap). I did this to the tune of the UVIC tracks. 30 minute warm up to SS for our last 15 minutes, 2 x drills and strides, 7 x 1000m descending 1 through 7, 2 x 400m feeling nice and fast for the 2nd 200m.
I can always count on Andrew to pick up the pace at around km 3. Nice running dude. That 3rd K set us up well to finish a strong session.
Saturday:
The first (annual?) NTC Sprint Spectacular: 2x Waddling dog loop (18.5K), 5K run, 800m pool TT. This was a great way to finish off 2 weeks of building intensity and volume. Fast hard training leading up to more fast hard training, culminating with more hard work and a TT makes a taper seem like slacking. Shout out to Scotty who showed that he definitely has cycling legs this year with a wickedly fast start to the bike, and a solid 1st loop on the run.
Fun day in the sun.
Today was my first official date with Sugar Cane. We had a smooth ride and made it back just before the rain. Perfect.
Over the past 2 week build, my biggest lesson learned was about training and working hard despite fatigue. But that lesson needs some time to work it's way through the pen and into my journal.
Just say the words, and it will be done.
Rest well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
