base

Things are moving....things are well.

Interview with Endurance Planet

This morning after coffee with Rhonda, bike ride and recovery, I was blessed with the opportunity to talk with Tawnee Prazak from Endurance Planet.  I've been fortunate in the past to talk with her and Ben Greenfield about stuff going on. Both have been over the top cool with supporting--what I support. Just talking about splits, races, nutrition, and swim sets would be sweet..but, amazing thing is--Endurance Planet are interested in more. Actually..they care about the things I care about. For that I am so thankful. Tawnee, great to catch up and Ben..many thanks.

Of course throughout the day I replay what I said in my thoughts-and, like a race...second guess myself a bit.

"Should I have said that? Expressed that? Stated it like this? Crap!" During my swim (post discussion)  thought of giving a preview-for those who will listen.

Even though I could have said them slower, and less words...the point's still remain and I'm certain I got them across...

1. I am SO VERY grateful for the opportunity to race Ultraman this year, and be part of More ThanSport.
2. I love my wife MORE than I will ever be able to express.
3. My sponsor-Vuelta Wheels- are amazing. I am so proud to be a part of their team.
4. I am stoked to be riding Orbea this year.
5. Living Fuel is solid.
6. I am nothing...NOTHING with out Jesus Christ.

And...some other crap for good measure. If you listen...please share your thoughts (good or bad), and let me know if you have any questions.

Training-Last 4+ weeks has been good. Very easy, very slow, very...very.....careful. Patience is the most important thing for me right now. Coming off a rejuvenation block I really just want to GO. I mean GO. But,  that would be stupid. How exactly do I know this??...Well...because I'm stupid. I've done this before and paid for it. Enthusiasm can be misplaced direction sometimes and letting (e)go--is letting go.

Base..BASE..is now. My encouragement in early season is base....for more check this out.


http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2010/10/base-1-training-part-1.html

I had the cool opportunity to talk with the men's youth group from Sonrise Church a few days ago. Solid guys. I really, really enjoyed visiting and hanging out. (Thank you Eric for this.... and thank you all who listened, shared, talked)

 For an hour I discussed and encouraged these young men to build base. In life, character, choice, relationships, family. My example of an athlete that skips this most important part of training (usually due to impatience), feels it, not in a good way. Same rolls when talking about our relationship's, decisions, life stuff... I reflect on how I've skipped base in life and sport-it sucks. When time comes to tap into 'fitness', and ....uh, it's not there-you feel lack of base. "But wait..I've been running, working, moving...I'm fit-right?" nope.

The major "non-Athletic point"about base/foundation that despite 'effort', and 'work'-- is no relationship with God driven by effort and/or religion works.  Rather-base with Jesus is understanding he LOVES me. He loves YOU.  What we think base is and what we build (when we sometimes don't even know it) is a false foundation.  Again.... usually because we (I) am/are impatient, sinful, selfish, stupid...whatever.

Example.....I tell Ian a lot now that he and I are talking about sex quite a bit (he's 12-we are dudes...it's cool)..."Guys at school will act and think they know about this Ian-they don't...build that with me littleman. That's base Ian, or "foundation". I love you enough to be uncomfortable a little when we talk-but it's your base, the fallback. Build it now. Build it right...."

Even at 12 he get's it. Base. He's got it and he's building it.

Quick video-This helps me understand about base.

Ahhh....rest.

As for the specifics of what I am doing right now, again..a very easy eleven to thirteen hours a week.  Prepping for Ultraman is a different beast, and I've got to do it correctly. I know for a fact now that my decision to take off 6 weeks after Cozumel (then have an extra two because of getting sick) was the perfect thing to do. I've been so hesitant in years past to TOTALLY unplug. I promised my family, and myself that at the end of this year it would be different-we are so happy I did.  It really helped on so many fronts. I encourage all of you-start here. Plan your season backwards. Start with what you eventually will look forward to-a break. It made sense for me to do that, and I have this year staged for the most part already with what will be another good rest. It's solid too-and, team Isakson is on board.  We all talked about it and set up the year.

On a finishing note-Today a theme came up during my interview about helping others. Working with More Than Sport, developing the idea of the Taxi Initiative, and other things I have run for made me think a bit about how humans are "wired". Why do we want to help?  Is it guilt? Is it a desire to make ourselves feel good? No sooner had I had this pop into my head, my neighbor Rod told me about his efforts to use sport to raise money for MS.  Check this out...It's awesome. Strong work Rod.

Burpees Anyone??

http://burpees4ms.com/Home_Page.html