getting through it

I have been reading about all the amazing athletes in this race.  Its really inspiring just to be a part of it all.  I always feel like I can do more as my athletic career has always been based off the idea that I may not be as fast or gifted as someone, but I can always out work anyone.  I suppose that has been my attitude in life.  Some of these people really take it to another level, and some are just finding their way.  I have to remind myself to not look in any other lane than the one I am in.....

Either way, I am hooked on the rush of all this.  I cant stand the thought of not having an amazing goal in front of me after this race....so Ill have to start to think about the "next".  I could try and do Alcatraz in August, or hit a half or full Ironman.  The Coastal Challenge looked great.  Or I could always stick to the current plan of a few fun races throughout the year, mixed in with the Spartan, Spring, and Arizona, Catalina, and do the death race again.  The Catalina Ultra could be next..... lets see if I can get anyone to join me......

I didn't really feel it yesterday.  But I did manage to get in 3 hours or so. 

2 Leg Squat, Rotator Shoulder Raise, Shoulder Raise, 1 Leg Squat, Jump Rope, 1 Leg 1 Arm Shoulder Press, Unsupported Shoulder Press, Leg Curl on Hamstring
3x

3 min Elliptical, Sit Ups
3 min Elliptical, Pull Ups
5 min Elliptical, Sit Ups
5 min Elliptical, Pull Ups

Cross Step Run, Cleans, Lunges, Plate Raise, Rotator Plate, Plate Shrug, Lat Lunges
3x

5 min bike, 50 push Ups, 2 sets of Stair Squats
4x

Sauna Stretch
20 Minutes Cardio in the Sauna

This past weekend was a lot of fun.  It was good to get Trinity back out and at a race.  Tom, Yesel, and I ran the 7 mile Fountain to the Falls race in Monrovia.  It was fun to be able to run my home town, and saw several locals and several wrestlers out there.  For some reason I had a lot of pain and it caused me to slow down a lot.  I still somehow managed to finish in the front of the pack, I really think I could have been top 3 if I felt better.  But more important it was just fun to get out with the gang and run to the falls. 

I finally got in to see my new physical therapist.  They said I am weak in my glutes so i have some exercises to try and strengthen that.  My plan is to go through enough of this to get my butt to that farm and across the finish line.  That's all I care about.  Speaking of motivation...I keep missing an interview with Carrie for the Spartan Web Site.  We are on again tomorrow, so I look forward to talking to her what this race is about and what it means to me. 

I was reminded this is not about a finish.  This is about facing who you are.  This about adversity and what will you do when everything fails you.  How will you respond when things are at their toughest.  It doesn't matter finish or not...this is about a journey, being a part of something, and self reflection.  I plan to get my shoes blessed by Father Eugene the day I leave and if I finish I may just leave those shoes behind at the farm.  It used to be a wrestling tradition to leave your shoes on the mat when you retire.  I don't plan on retiring, just starting  a new chapter in my life.....and who knows....be a death racer every year or every other year.....

So yesterday I was realy feeling it!  Tom....check this bad ass day out..... (I admit I was a lot pushed by Yesel doing 5 fricking hours before me at her gym)


No Rest - GO, GO, GO.... all super sets, 3.5 hours

Warm Up and Physical Therapy Exercises (on band)

Reverse Pull Ups, DB Bench Press, Skull Crushers, DB Fly, Tri Extension Overhead DB, DB push Ups, 1 Leg Push Ups (each leg), 1 lap with 8lb Med Ball overhead, Jumprope
3x

8 Min Elliptical, Alligator Push Ups, 15 Med Ball Squat and thrust
2x

Incline Chest Press, 1 Leg 1 Arm Tri Extension, Fly, 2 Arm Tri Extension, Dips, Push Up Burpies with Jump, Unsupported Press
3x

5 sets of stairs, 50 Push Ups, 5 Laps, 10 Pull Ups
4 sets of stairs, 40 Push Ups, 4 Laps, 10 Pull Ups
3 sets of stairs, 30 Push Ups, 3 Laps, 10 Pull Ups
2 sets of stairs, 20 Push Ups, 2 Laps, 10 Pull Ups
1 sets of stairs, 10 Push Ups, 1 Laps, 10 Pull Ups

Tricep Press, Chest Press, Abs, Dips, Abs, Plank, 3 Sets of Stair Jumps
3x

15 Min Sauna Stretch and Physical Therapy Exercises (on band)
12 Min Sauna Cardio

5 Min Jacuzzi relax

OK....i really attacked it yesterday....

Today I am reflective on how fragile life is.  With a few people getting ill it reminds me that this is a short ride.  I plan to live it to the fullest.  I really don't care about knee or shin pain, I plan to do as much as I can and have lots of stories, memories, and experiences to reflect back on. 
I just got my physical therapy moved up to Monday morning, which I am very excited about :)  Hopefully working with them will help me to have a long career and enjoy it all.
This past week Yesel and I filmed a bit at the gym and did a really awesome circuit.  However, for some reason the tape didn't come out.  So I gotta get her back in there at least once, cause the footage would have looked great and I know the video at the end of all this will be great!  I just have to arrange time to make it happen.  We worked hard, but honestly I could be doing even more.  3-4 days a week in the gym just seems like its not enough.  But I have let go, and decided to work with whatever time I have.  I don't go anymore for millage, time, or count my reps....its all about just going until I have nothing left and I have had a good workout.  Seems to be a better way to do it!

Yesterday -
Target Back and Biceps
BB Curl, Incline DB Curl, DB Row, Good Morning, T Bar, Behind the Neck Pull Ups, Side Sprint 1 Lap, Wrist Curls
3x
15 Min Elliptical with a break every few minutes for...
Diamond Push Ups, Side Side Push Ups, 1 Leg Push Ups, Decline Push Ups
Bicep Curl, Row, Cable Iso Curl, Cable Curl, Pulldown, Low Back, Row Deltoid, Plank
3x
8 Min Elliptical
Alligator Push Ups, Jump Rope
8 Min Elliptical
Push Ups
Sauna Stretch
17 Min Sauna Work

"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places." - Ernest Hemingway

All the build up to this race is the hard part.  The training is easy.  I have no idea what to bring, how to prepare, etc.  I'm glad the flight, rental, car, and registration is taken care of.  We had a lot of help and I feel so blessed to have great friends who support all this craziness.  I hope I can return the favor to so many good people. 
So Death Racers are now shuffling....there have been no emails, no idea what to bring, nothing.  Very different from what i have read about years past.  Either they are busy or this is part of it all.  Either way, I have to prepare as best as possible.  ill go get my pack this week and finish up some of the things I need for the race.  I only hope I don't buy things and then don't need them.  I am very worried about buying another pack and then I get some email with a gear list that is not adaptable to my pack.  I am not going to do anything fancy....Wal Mart or REI, under 50 bucks.  I think some over think it all or some under.  I plan to be in the middle....
Sunday I had a great run up to Canyon Park, through Sawpit Canyon, to Deer Park, and a little past White Saddle.  That was about as far as I have gone up the hill.  If I had more time or friends with me, I would have gone a lot further.  I felt good and had a lot more to give.  I estimate about 15 miles give or take, and enjoyed the uphill climb.  On my way down I gave myself a treat and ran through the Ben Overturff trail.  Its so amazing and beautiful up there...I wish I could share the experience.  The cold gets to me a little when you get that high up and you have a sweaty backpack on..... but I am addicted to trail running now, and love where I live!

Yesterday I got a good gym workout.  My shins hurt a bit and for the first time my knee bothered me a bit.  But I really do feel good overall and I am so dang excited about this thing and everything going on in my life.  I feel like the next chapter of my life is about to unfold...if only business were doing a bit better.....
Focus Chest and Triceps
3.5 Hours
Freemont Chest Press, Unsupported Chest Press, Freemont Fly, Pec Fly, Double Jump Rope Jumps, 2 Arm Tri Extension, 1 arm 1 leg tri push down
3x
4 Min. Elliptical, lat jumps 1 lap
4 Min Elliptical, Alligator Push Ups
4 Min Elliptical, behind the neck pull ups
4 Min Elliptical, 1 Leg Push Ups, side side push ups
DB Chest Press, BB Skull Crushers, DB Kickbacks, Incline Fly, Tri Ext, Jumping Jacks, Mountain Climbers
3x
7 Min Bike, 1 leg Push Ups, Pull Ups
2x
Tri Push Down, Close Grip Bench, Tri Overhead, Dips, Iso Behind the neck  Press, Jump over DB
3x
Sauna Stretch 7 Min
Sauna Work 23 Min, all abs and calves

I love it when I get a chance to workout with friends!  I get a charge when Yesel can make the gym, as we are doing this together, and its very motivating to have that person with you...or at least to share in the fun/missery!  I felt great yesterday, and really got a lot done.  I had some very motivating comments from some people at the gym.... a trainer said "bro, you look shredded" a guy in the sauna was asking about what I am training for, and a few others made some comments about my workouts and what I look like right now.  Its still hard getting used to being this lean, but I am starting to enjoy it.  I just feel so young, fresh, strong, and quick.  A little hair dye to get rid of the gray coming back and Ill be good!

Things are just going very well.  I wish things were a little bussier at work, but personally and spiritually i feel very strong.  Ready to battle that damn farm.....

I read some of the blogs, notes, watch some of the videos, and talk to some of the other death racers..... Everyone who has signed up for this thing is a nut and everyone has a special toughness about them.  I have really fallen into my zone and found where I belong.  Some people hit things differently, harder, less, whatever...I'm very comfortable with what I do.  Sometimes I wish I could do more.... Tonight I have to get Madison, then I have class, tomorrow is a dodger game, Saturday is my day with Madison, and I hope to get in a Sunday run.  But I feel good with what I am able to do, the balance within, and the adventure ahead....

So here we go....all circuits fast, minimal rest, 10-15 reps per set
Target - Back and Biceps
Yesel and Daren Death Training....

Cable Cross Over, Low Row, Curl, Lat Pull Down, Good Morning, Iso Curl, Plank, Jumprope
3x
3 Sets of Stairs, 3 Laps, Pull Ups (PushUps for Yesel)
3x
Arm Curl, Abs(killer!), bicep curl, row, lat low row, lat pull down
3x
Elliptical 14 Min (Yesel kept at the Elliptical I did the below set)
Ab Crunch, BB Curl, DB Row, T-Bar, Iso DB Curl, Run a lap w/10lb. Weight

5 Min Sauna Stretch
17 Min Sauna Cardio (wow was it hot!)
7 Min Steam Room Cardio

I am happy with what I am doing...everyone else seems to be on cross fit, chopping wood, and carrying a tire around.  Remains to be seen if my workouts will hold up.  I cant see Andy doing the same old stuff.  Everyone is expecting wood chopping, eating an onion, carrying hay, whatever.  I think he will hit is another way just because that's too predictable.  Either way, Andy..... I'm giving this my all

This is not a game and Im not playing.....

Its amazing what a new pair of shoes can do for me!  I am starting to feel like I am pushing it to another level, however, I do pay for it when I get home.  I feel faster, lighter, and stronger than any time i can remember in my life, however, I feel my age when it comes to recovery time. 

I love the feeling I get when I train.....I get to the gym, put on my armor, slip up my shin guards, grab my baseball, stretch, and slip away in the shuffle ipod.  I feel like a different person when I am training.  I feel strong, elite, and its a bit of a rush.  I crash pretty hard when I get home, but I am really enjoying this.  I am already wondering what will be next.  I have to think of the next big thing to plan....the life of an endurance athlete is somewhat lonely because most don't understand, but the one thing I share with the other athletes I talk to is the rush to keep pushing and find the next big challenge. 

This is not a game, and I'm not playing......

All circuits each rep is 10-18 sets.  Moving fast....
Target legs and shoulders 3 hours
2 Leg Squat, Cable Military Press, 1 Leg Squat, 1 Arm 1 Leg Shoulder Press, Plate Rotator, Butt Blaster, Jump Rope
3x
3 Stairs, 3 Laps, 18 Pull Ups
3x
Seated Calf, Power Clean, Lat Lunges, Shoulder Raise BB, Plank 1.5 min, Run w/20 lb. weight overhead, Behind the neck pull ups
3x
7 Min Elliptical, Jump Rope, Alligator Push Ups
2x
BB Military Press, Incline Squats, 1 Leg Lunges, Shoulder Raise, Jumping Jacks, Lat J.Jacks, Incline Sit ups, Mountain Climbers, Calves
3x
Jumprope
Sauna Stretch 8 Min.
Sauna Cardio hard 20 Min.

Take that Death Race

Yesterday I was rushed to make the boot camp.  I hate Tuesdays and Thursdays because I have to rush to make class.  I only got an hour in at the gym

Target Chest and Triceps
Incline Bench, DB Flies, DB Overhead, DB Kickback, Jump rope, Incline Situps, DB Pushups, Dips
3x
Elliptical 7 Min, Reverse Pull Ups on Triceps
2x

Boot Camp
Warm Up run
Circuit jumping over wall, lat side steps, fast feet
2x
Stairs - 5 Min. dips, then Pushups up the stairs, squats on the way down
5 Min. Speed Stair Work
5 Min Lunges with Med Ball and Med Ball throw Squats
A little extra work in. 

The more I sweat in training the less I bleed in the Death Race