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Thursday, March 31, 2011

write up in the patch, house, and shin splints..what a combo....

Well I was able to hit the gym, Mon, Tue, and Wed, and will go back tomorrow.  My shins started to hurt, which really concerns me.  If I get shin splints it will throw me out of the race.  Tom sent me just the right advise...that this will be the toughest challenge yet...backing off.  Listening to my body.  I am now icing and will use the foam roller.  Ill have to take the next 2 weeks off and only do elliptical, swim, and bike.  I am really not looking forward to that.  My hope is do 2 weeks on and 2 off the rest of the way with my running. 

I am hoping that this weekend we can do the Rose Bowl.  Tom and Yesel can run and I can do laps on my bike.  Perhaps if I bring my bike, then I can still add in all the other circuit training.  I could even try to bring my cheap ass 200 lb. mountain bike that i have had since 1985 and ride while they run.  Tom, let me know!!

We were written about in the patch....stuff like that is motivating!!  I just dont want to be hurt!!

oh, and Amy was awesome enough to get a great place squared away.  We have a huge 5 bedroom house 2 miles from the venue!  We have to have our garage sale in 2 weeks be a success to have the security deposit to keep the place.....
http://monrovia.patch.com/articles/monrovians-try-to-conquer-the-impossible-death-race


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

keep motivated!!

The Past few days I was able to get in to the gym and hit my usual routine.  Last night we brought back Boot Camp, and my brother and Leann showed up which was very cool.  Now that this thing is getting close we need to do the last of our fundraising, a couple yard sales and the boot camps.  That should be enough to get us there.  In the next few weeks I should have the last of the details planned out and that will relieve a bunch of stress so I can just focus on training.

I think the toughest part of training for something like this is consistency.  Its easy to get caught up in a moment, feel stressed, busy, whatever and get out of your routine.  The key is going to be keeping it together, stronger than ever for the final 2 months.  I made a commitment and I am sticking to this.  Hopefully I get one day a week to train with Yesel, one day a week for boot camp, one day a week long work with Tom and Yesel, plus my own workouts. 

I know Tom and Yesel are reading this..... so guys I need you to keep both Yesel and I focused for this final push!  When this is over we will be able to look back and be amazed at the journey and know that we can do anything..... that is the lesson I plan to teach my daughter after this is over.....

Monday, March 28, 2011

Citation

On Friday I was able to get in my workout at the gym, then Saturday before Madison's Birthday Yesel and I were able to get in a run at Canyon Park.  Now that we have our flight, things are getting real.  Amy has agreed to pick up and help us.  I certainly hope so, because if not I don't know how we will do this.  You must have a support team, so having Amy and the boys will be fun!! 

Here was Fridays workout which was funny because after the workout the trainer stopped me and asked if I would train him.  They think Yesel and I are nuts and told me they inspired by our workouts.  Honestly that inspires me, some of the attention...
Cable Cross Over Curls, Low Row, Iso Cable Curl, Jump Rope      4x
5 Min Elliptical, 50 Push Ups    2x
Arm Curl, Row, Low Back Sit Ups, 80 Mountain Climbers, 50 Jumping Jacks     4x
2 Min. bike, 1 Min all out       4x
T-Bar, Sit Ups, DB Hammer Curls,  BB Curls      4x
2 Stair Squats, 2 Stair Jumps, 10 Pull Ups      3x
1 Lap with 10lb Weight, 1 Lap Side Jumps   3x

Sauna Stretch - Sauna Work  -  
Sit Ups, Wide Grip Push Ups, Leg Climbs, Hand to Toe Sit Ups, Rope Climb, Sprint, Jog, and a few others....

Saturday Morning Yesel and I ran up to Canyon Park.  I feel so lucky to have these trails so close to my house :)  We took photos for the Monrovia Patch, and had some good runs.  Once we got to the falls, we did our push ups, dips, and met a guy who did the Vermont 100!  Then we did some hill runs and seemed to gather a crowd.  It was motivating that people were taking pictures, and telling us that we are crazy...asking what we are training for.  Then a park ranger came up and tried to give us a citation for running off the trail!  After I gave her a hard time and the crowd got on her, she got nervous, hands started to shake, and she gave us a warning.  It was funny!  Coming down the hill I grabbed a log and ran with it, we did some box jumps and run in place.  Its very motivating to hear people asking what we are doing and calling us nuts!!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Stepping it Up...

Yesterday was great, I had some time to step up my gym workout.  I am really looking forward to this weekends run up Canyon Park.  We will get some good work in with Andy (the heaviest nastiest log I can find) and Joe (tire). 

I worked in some new things, and my diet has improved.  I am intrigued by Spencer's idea of writing a book when this is over, or really getting Trinity going.  I think having Tom and I back at Annunciation we can really get trinity off the ground.  The site is coming along and my thought is to use the Annunciation cafeteria and field one night a week.  Then every other weekend offering a run up one of our trails.  We could offer 3 different pacers Tom, Yesel, and I can take them in groups of threes....with beginner, intermediate, and advanced.... 

So here it was....
4 Hours - No Rest and No Doubt -
Seated Leg Press, Shoulder Press, Reverse Leg Curl, Jump Rope           4x
2 Sets of Stair Jumps (every third step), 2 Laps, 1 Side Step Lap        3x
Hamstring Curls, Leg Extension, Shoulder Raise, 25 Ab Crunchers, Butt Blaster, 2 sets of stair Squats, 1 Lap           4x
5 Min Elliptical, 10 behind the neck pull Ups        2x
Military Press, 1 Leg Lunges, Shrugs, 1 Lap with 10lb. weight overhead, 10 Pull Ups             4x
5 Min Elliptical, 50 Push Ups            2x
Linear Hack Press, Row, Shoulder Raise BB, Jump Rope          4x
Sauna Stretch
Sauna Work - Situps, Heel Walks, Leg Lifts, Yes No, Calf Raise, Box Jumps

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Inspirtation

Someone made me think about this quote today..... 
''Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.'' - Mark Twain

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

to the fullest

I had to rush through this one to get home in time for the cable guy, however, I was able to get in some work.  I felt great.  Today is Madison's birthday and it makes me reflect on why I am doing all this.  Life is short and people live their lives but how many truly live it to the fullest?  I remember when Louie Madrigal died and I thought it was so very sad that he never married, never had kids, never had anything outside of coaching his kids.  I think this journey is about balance.  Experiencing everything you can while you can.  I want to live things to the fullest.  I hope to be the best Dad I can be, grow this business, be the best athlete I can, and if I am lucky enough find the person to share the rest of my life with.  But its all a balancing act.  And everything I do, I will to the fullest.  Why do it half way, or just enough?  I want to look back without regret and knowing that I did it my way..... As Spencer used to say....its all about a story.....

I hope some day, my daughter will look back with pride and know that her daddy lived it as best as he could.....

Yesterdays Short Workout (a little over 2 hours)
No Rest!!
Incline Bench, Tri Ext. Overhead, Dips, Jump Rope          4x
Run 3 Laps, then flip over pull ups with extension on triceps (looks cooler than it is)    3x
DB Bench, DB Kickback, Skull Crusher, Incline Sit Ups           4x
5 minute Elliptical,  50 Push Ups        2x
Chest Press, 2 Arm Standing Tri Extension, Pec Fly, 2 Arm Tri Overhead, 10 Burpies, 5 Burpies with PUps       4x
2 Min Bike, 1 Min all out      4x
Sauna stretch and Sauna Work - Sit Ups, Dips, Bicycle Kicks, Diamond Push Ups, Leg Lifts, 100 J.Jacks    2x

Monday, March 21, 2011

Forgot about Saturday.  Spent what seemed like all day recycling for our air fair!!  Death Race nothing, more like Death Smell after I was done....but the point is we have done some fundraising and have been able to raise about $700.  So we will get our tickets this week, and that will make it all feel so much more official.  The good part is after all the work trying to raise that money there is no way I wont give this my all.  I think one of the challenges for the death race should be recycling one at a time 15 bags of a years worth of Tony's cans.  I am very grateful but man was that something....between that and the poker and the promotion and all, I am very grateful and motivated!!! 

We need to do one more fundraiser, a garage sale at Toms house.  A Sunday to filter in the traffic from Church would be perfect......

My New Back Yard!!

Friday had a good workout with my partner at the gym.  Got in legs and back with our usual super sets.  Lots of stairs, bicycle, sauna, the usual.  But always better to work out with someone than alone.  I look forward to my opportunity to work out with my friends :) 

Saturday was the best day.  I feel like i hit the jackpot.  I didn't realize that I just moved 1/2 a mile or so from Canyon Park.  I feel like the surfer kid who moved from Nevada to Sunset Beach!  I have always wanted to live next to mountain trails, and now I do!  I now have a good place to train, at home, and its exciting!!

So I started my workout with my new mauler and new tire (named the tire Joe).  Did 100 strikes.  Then jogged up the hill and found the trail Tom, Yesel, and I were looking at a few weeks back.  The trail took me right to the start of Canyon Park!!  I found a rock, carried it overhead for a little while, then jogged up the trail.  Found a few more rocks to add to the workout.  As I reached the falls (they were amazing as it had just rained the night before), I wanted to get more in.  So I did push ups and dips on a rock.  Then found a nice steep hill which I sprinted 5 times (more like crawling and falling).  Before I made the track back, I found a nice big log and named it Andy (probably weighed about 30 lbs.).  I wasn't sure how far I would get, but I threw it up on my shoulders and jogged back down.  I had a lot of strange looks and comments, my favorite was the Asian guy who said "hey you crazy. that too heavy".  I made 3 quick stops but made it down the trail!  It was most challenging crossing the river. 

Felt a little motivated knowing that I have all this available so close to home and some encouraging comments from on lookers.  At the bottom of the hill I did box jumps, ran with rocks, Lunges and Squats with rocks, push ups, squats, and a few hill sprints.  Ran back home, did another 100 Joe/Tire Strikes, then flipped the tire 200 times down my alley.  I have a new goal to get to the end of the alley!

I feel so lucky to have moved where I did.  Its beautiful, and perfect for a trail runner!  I hope I can get Tom and Yesel out perhaps next weekend for a run/training session by my house!!!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

rest in peace....

For some reason, I starting feeling very worn out during yesterdays gym workout.  My shins began to hurt, earache, felt very worn out and tired.  I pushed through a workout, but by the time I got home I had chills, and just didn't feel well.  As much as I hate to, I'm going to listen to my body and rest a bit.  Tonight is the Chuck E Cheese AYSO soccer party and tomorrow is my class so I get a few days off.   Sometimes rest is best........    But I still pushed through!  There was a couple of guys asking me what I am training for when I was doing my sauna workout.  I tried to explain the death race to them.  The guy asked me if I was 25.  That felt pretty cool :)

So here it was.....

DB Bench, Tri Ext Over head, Overhead Press, 50 Jumps over a DB       4x
5 Stairs, 2 Laps, 20 Push Ups      4x
Pec Fly, Arm Extension, Chest Press, 25 Ab Crunchers          4x
2 Min Bike, 1 Min all out       4x
Incline Chest Press, Tri Push Down, 10 Burpies, 5 Burpies with Push Up       4x
5 Min. Elliptical, 25 push ups, Jump Rope        2x
Sauna - Sit Ups, Dips, Leg Lifts, Scissor Kicks, Jog and Sprint, Box Jumps, Walk on Heels     3x (Man it was hot today in the sauna - felt sick

After the sauna I really felt bad...strange....

That said, I want to think about my next challenge also.  I would love to do Badlands, and was thinking about doing a pit crew.  But the race is in July and that's too close to Vermont.  I thought if I helped pace someone that would improve my chances of gaining entry.  Perhaps next year.  I'm not sure what will be next, Alcatraz, Iron Man, Perhaps a 50 miler.....  If I don't finish the Death Race, I am pretty sure I will enter again the following year.  I am hooked on the spartan series....


Death is Just the Beginning.....

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Back at the gym....

Always good to be back at the gym.  I did legs and shoulders today, a day after the Canyon Park workout.  It left me only able to do about 75% of the weight I would have liked...but it was good to push through it.  I got a late start and always feel uncomfortable when that happens....

But I got back in there, and this month things step up another level...
I am getting used to my supersets and hitting this all with little rest....
3 hours....
Horizontal Leg Press, Shoulder Press, Calf Raise, Jump Rope       4x
Elliptical 5 min., 50 push ups      2x.  Did 1.5 miles total
Military Press on Ball, Seated Calf Raise, BB Row, 25 Box Jumps      4x
3 Laps, 10 Pull Ups      3x
1 Arm 1 Leg Shoulder Press, Split Stance Squat, Shoulder Raise, 50 J.Jacks, 50 Front Back Jacks      4x
3 Min Bike, 1 Min all Out on Bike       3x

4 Laps in Pool, Sauna Stretch, Sauna Work (Sit Ups, Leg Lifts, P.Ups, Walk on Heels, Yes No, Leg Ext on Calf)      3x

Monday, March 14, 2011

Mauler Workout

I was glad after moving some things that we all got motivated and were able to do a workout last night....Inspired by Andy and his insane workouts, Tom and I made a trip to the Home Depot.  We had a dolly, and purchased a Mauler (new one for me) and sledge hammer.  With Yesel we ventured up to the Monrovia Mountains, Canyon Park.....

The entire workout was just over 2 hours.  Insane, and loved it!  I love the new thoughts and new approach....  I admit it was cool to get the nod of approval from bikers and runners who passed.....

We jogged up the hill carrying the dolly, hammers, and I had my backpack.  We took turns carry each other in the dolly while the person riding had to do bench or curls with both hammers (16 lbs).  That probably proved to be the toughest for me.  We would then venture up a hill a ways and find a dirt mound to take turns with strikes.  I have no idea how many we did in total, at least a couple hundred each.  We chopped a dead tree branch in half, took turns with the hammers or dolly doing squats, lunges, whatever we could.  Stopped a few times for pushups, jumping over obstacles, balance test, whatever.  Running with rocks overhead, giant steps, more curls, whatever we could do. 

It was a great workout, and this is the way to start to push for the death race..... Today I got a nice big tire so I can do a lot of hammer strikes at home now. 
Looking forward to today's workout, and hopefully a trip to sand dune park this weekend!!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Time is the worst enemy of them all..so many things.... this week I only got 2 days in the gym, so I am hoping for a tough Sunday...probably a gym workout with a long mountain run with Yesel and Tom.

Here was my WOD on Tuesday, although I was pushed for time to make an AYSO meeting....

Cleans, Preacher Curls, Good Morning, Jump Rope     4x
2 Laps, 10 Behind the Back Pull Ups    3x
Iso Lat Pull Down, DB Hammer Curls, BB Rows, 20 Box Jumps (went 7 high, tough as heck!!)    4x
Elliptical 1 Mile
50 Push Ups
Row-Rear Deltoid, Curls, 30 Weighted Lower Back sit ups, 50 Mountain Climbers   4x
2 Stairs, 2 Laps, 20 Push Ups      5x
Sauna Stretch
Sauna Work - Sit Ups, Box Jumps, Bicycle kicks, Heel Walk, Dips, Squats, 75 Jumping Jacks 2x


Yesterday in between Madison Catechism class I was able to get in a quick hour.  So I looked in my truck found a backpack, threw as much as I could in it (knew those bibles would come in handy) and went for a run down the San Gabriel river trail....

With Weighted Back Pack I was able to run for an hour and do push ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks and found a part of the river bed with steep incline so I did 10 Hill Sprints.....
Its amazing what a little creative has brought to my workout life....

The Death Race, its attitude, its creativity, has changed me forever. 

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

2-7- WOD

I feel like a game of Mario Brothers..... My body is telling me to take it to the next level.  I think I am on level 6 and its time to take on the Kammy Koopa on level 7.  My body has started to adjust to my newer workouts so its time to change it up and get a little tougher.  When I was a kid, in 6th grade, I was one of the first in San Marino to have the new super Nintendo.  Myself, D.R. Moreland, and Nathan Olsen were the first on the block to beat Super Mario Brothers...I was born to do this. 

So I will have to get creative.  I need a tire to bang with a sledgehammer, a pool to dive into, a mud swamp to swim through, an ax to chop wood, or a log to name and carry up hills.  Ill need to enlist the help of some friends to get creative.  I am sure Tom and Spencer will think of something miserable for Yesel and I.  Heck, Spencer works for Activision, I'm sure his team can think of a new antagonist to conquer......

Time is the only enemy.  Last night I was able to see Madison and do her homework with her.  That really brought back my energy.  Trying to juggle all my commitments is the biggest obstacle.  But when this is over, some day, I will sit back with Madison and tell her the story of the Death Race.  Its not how you finish...its the journey you took to get there....

All Super Sets, very little rest....
Flat Bench, Tri Ext. Overhead, Dips, Jumprope       4x
Run 2 Laps, Run a Lap with 10 lb. Medicine Ball overhead        3x
Cable Crossover Fly, Cable Kickback, Pushdown, 50 j.jacks, 50 j.jacks front/back       4x
5 Stairs, 15 Push Ups         4x
Tricep Press, Chest Press, Chest Fly, 3 Sets of Stair Jumps (every third step)        4x
1 Mile Elliptical
DB Bench, Skull Crushers, Wrist Curls       3x
Sauna Stretch
Sauna Work - Sit Ups, Dips, Bench Push Ups, Calf Raise, Leg Lifts, Yes No's, Rope Climb, Walk on Heels, Jump Rope, Jog in Place 30 Sec. Sprint 30 Sec.     3x

Monday, March 7, 2011

This past week and weekend brought a lot of self reflection.... I have not had time to really train which worries me because I better respect this race.  There is just so much going on.  But isn't that what this race is all about?  Overcoming adversity.  Not asking for a damn thing.  You don't do this for a medal, you do it because you want to test yourself...take yourself to a place never imagined.  So with that said, Ill have to figure out time to get my workouts in during all the chaos of life.  This week, I only have time for Monday, Tuesday (Tuesday has to be rushed) gym sessions.  Saturday is the Poker Night.  Ill have to get in an early bike ride or run.  Sunday has to be a gym workout and run. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQJOFaJ6d0&feature=player_embedded#at=37

Hopefully next week gets better....Time is my only enemy. 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

My own personal playground...

I think the best and worst word to describe me would be relentless...LOL.... I heard back from the San Marino Patch, Monrovia Patch, and Breathe Magazine, they are all going to run a story, but I think are very tired of my relentless emails!  I put myself out there, and sometimes dont mean to.  I suppose I just get proud or excited and get going like a damn...well.... "squirrel!" 

I am little worried about time moving forward.  I don't want any of this training to get in the way of time with Madison.  This separation is going to be hard on her, and she is going to need my attention.  But Ill figure that out.  Perhaps I can have her hang out with Marisa and Morgan when we go on our long runs.  This is the last week of my crappy diet and behavior.  Next week and moving forward the diet and attitude needs to catch up to my training so I can really start to hit that next level...... 

So yesterday I didn't have a lot of time.  Had to meet up with the stuff going on.  So I stopped by Legg Lake and did my own 55 minute muddy buddy!  Its amazing how creative I have become working with Tom, thinking outside the box, and participating in all these races.  I don't really like to just go out for a run anymore...so I kept up my pace and hit every jungle gym and obstacle I could find.  Its amazing how good of shape the kids are in!  I climbed big green dragons, hung on the monkey bars, climbed jungle gyms, ran up and down slides, jumped from table to table doing push ups on each one, hit pull ups, side jumps, lunges, ran in some mud, whatever I could find to create some muscle confusion....and I had fun doing it!!


I'm going to rest my shins today.  They are starting to bug a little.  I don't want to rest, but I have to listen to my body.  Don't want to get injured.  I am always afraid my shins are going to explode at any time.  I have stopped training several times because of this lame injury.......



Wednesday, March 2, 2011

If he can do it, whats my excuse?

Every day I go to the gym, there is a guy who always goes out of his way to say hello to me.  I cant recall his name, but he watches me train.  The guy who is in his late 50's is always on the stationary bike for hours, killing it.  As I run around the gym, he always gives me a big smile, and sometimes cheers from a far.  Ill hear a "YeeeHeeee" as I go sprinting by and I know its that crazy guy.  If I pass him, he gives me a fist pump, and a YeeeHeeee.  He always has the biggest warmest smile as if nothing bothers him.  Sometimes as he leaves I try to stop and talk to him as he waits for his Taxi (he cant afford a car).  Our conversations are always a struggle but he is always smiling.

We struggle to talk because the man had a stoke and his speech is slurred.  In getting to know him I have found out that he once had a family and a great job.  That was before some sort of accident that took his left leg.  Next came a stroke.  There are some other injuries he suffers from, but I have not been able to ask.  This man inspires me to no end.  We all are so busy with our daily problems, the grind, traffic, what a friend said, whatever....and yet he gets up every day, calls his taxi, and comes to the gym with a huge smile and encouragement for all.  If he can do that every day, then I can carry wood in VT for 30 hours......

2-1-2011WOD

BB Curls, Iso Lat Front PUll Down, DB Curls, Jump Rope 4x
Run 3 Laps, 10 Pull Ups 3x
Iso DB Curls, T-Bar, DB Hammer Curls, Side Jumps 4x
Bike 15 Min
Arm Curls, 30 Inverted Weighted Sit Ups, Lat Pull Down, 50 J.Jack, 50 Side J.Jacks 4x
Heel Walk 60 sec. 2x
Sauna Stretch
Sauna Work - sit ups, wide grip push ups, bicycle kicks, yes nos, rope climbs, heel walks, lunges 3x
Jacuzzi

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

2-28 WOD

I felt pretty good.  This is the month I need to start to step up with everything...Diet, intensity of training, attitude, fundraising...all needs to be stepped up.  I had an ok time with the Super Spartan, but Im starting to think that I should have been pushing these things a bit more.  I am afraid to try and look at these as a competiton because if I do that, they may stop being about having fun. So I am a bit torn about that.  I just think I am at a point in my life I may never be at again and could be doing even more..... 

I dont want to shave my head so I hope we get in a paper sometime soon!!

WOD - 2.5 Hours
DB Bench, Tri Extension Overhead, Skull Crushers, Jumprope 4x
2 Laps, 2 Sets of Stairs, 20 Push Ups 5x
DB Flies, DB Kickbacks, Weighted Dips, Box Jumps 4x
1 Lap with 10 lb. Medicine Ball above head, 1 Lap jog 5x
Seated 2 arm Tri Ext., Incline Chest Press, Freemont Chest Press, 20 Burpies 4x
2 Sets of Stairs, One Stair Squats, 1 Stair Jumps, 10 Push Ups 6x
Sauna Stretch
Sauna Work - Sit Ups, Diamond Push Ups, Scissor Kicks, Dips, Leg Lifts, Calf Raise, Bench Jumps Sprint 30 sec. Jog 30 sec. 3x