part 1

First in a series telling my thoughts on recent training camp-

To the airport-Vuelta got me my wheel case the day before I left.  The 50's I used while in death Valley were awesome.

"You are a vampire or a victim...it just depends on who's around"

-Bono

As I sit and absorb the week of training I completed w/ Adam Zucco and TrainingBibile Coaching I’m challenged with the task of writing down my thoughts.  I’ll be honest…Some, I won’t share-but most..are free for the taking….

Leaving my best friends is never easy-Rhonda and I are inseparable--and my kids (Little and Captain America) are too.  I love them all so much, and honestly.... would rather do nothing than be with them.  Sitting down and discussing our plan of attack this year with my racing, teaming up with Living Water International, More Than Sport, and the overall direction we want to go-- it was agreed that passing up an offer to go and train a week with TBC and Adam Zucco would be lame. We prayed first---no doubt had any reservations been felt I would have said screw it. 

Everything was a go.

Despite this being a “base” camp-I went with the intent of testing out where I was, and where to go with my fitness.  Base building has been solid thus far--and this would be an excellent chance to learn, test, push, and gather information. 

I had Skyped with Adam a few months ago and discussed some training questions when he informed me about the camp. Gordo recently said that life stressors removed enable an athlete to train more, thus resulting in fitness increase and stress decrease. He’s 100% spot on-I don’t have to say this to an athlete-we know it.  So often I've underestimated the weight of “life” during training and feel the results of it.  The crappy thing is when I ignore it (I have to work on it constantly)-- life stress adds up and effects training.  For one week ( if I could remove anxiety of being away from Rhonda),  I could log some hours and build.  Plus-it was amazing to be able to pray and continually seek God.  ****Side note here-It’s a relief to know Jesus in these situations, or any situation for that matter. C. S. Lewis talks about this-the comfort of knowing Him.  In my “human form” when things seem “right” I can forget what I have in Christ and focus on what I have here.  When the “here” is removed I default back to Christ.  I strive to have it the other way around-It’s a battle-but, it’s true.  It sucks to even write that---in a nutshell…It’s sweet to know Christ is with me ALWAYS.…moving on….

Working with the Athletes Lounge is sweet. Gary and Chris have been nothing but supportive and I feel blessed to have them as friends.

I arrived in Vegas on Sunday-Chilled for the evening, built my bike and prepped for the week.  Monday I was able to get an easy 2 hour ride in and later that evening a 1:20 run-again, easy. Tuesday after an hour easy run I headed to Death Valley, arrived and was freaking stoked. I hit the road for another 1 hour easy run (loosen up the traveling legs from sitting for a while)-and set my bike up for our first TBC ride.

After meeting the athletes and Adam, we set out for an easy 25 mile ride. Cool to be "in the mix" with other's and I felt relaxed.  Now---this may have not been the best idea, but my emotions had gotten the best of me and I hit the road for one more hour run. It was early and my heart was full. Heading towards Death Valley I called Rhonda and talked to her while I ran. Felt like I was on the moon-it was awesome.... kept waiting for Rod Serling to be hitchhiking from the side of the road--I told Rhonda how grateful I was that she was letting me do this and I would work hard for her and not waste a second. Taking this time for granted meant the sacrifice at home was not valued. No way man-make it count.

It was a gift to hear her voice as I ran.

My legs felt great and I ran very, very, Easy (Z1-2). It was a good choice--Putting in around 18 very easy miles running and 25 biking felt good. 

Tuesday we had an early swim and headed off to Dante's View.  Crap. Crap. Crap. 

26 miles of gradual climbing.

To be continued.