December

Well, so far most of December I have been out of commission with some sort of head cold/allergy deal. But, I've now decided that it isn't bad enough to stop me, so today was my first workout in a while. I'm not all that structured yet, so I'll just add to this post as I get more work in.

12/10 - treadmill run. 4 miles in 44 minutes. I did 10/10/13/11 minute miles. 1 degree incline.

12/14 - Trainer, 45 minutes, easy

12/17 - Weights:
squats - 3 x 12 x 180
lats - 3 x 12 x 50?
abs - 3 x 12 x 35
leg extensions - 3 x 12 x 60
rows - 12, 10, 8 x 85 (bad form... biceps working too much)
back extensions - 3 x 12 x 10

12/19 - AZ Cyclocross State Championships
started the cat 4 race, but was dead after a lap +a little. Did make it up the nasty hill twice before feeling like I had to cough out a lung. I definitely need to include more speed training to expect to get any better at cross... my regular slow/distance stuff does nothing for me in these types of races. Should be doing it anyway.

12/28 - Back from Christmas vacation... now I have only 3 weeks left until the half marathon, need to get cracking. Ran for 30 minutes on the treadmill, 12:00 miles mostly, with 5 1-minute intervals at <8 minute mile pace....ran for 2.26 miles total.

12/29 - Went snowboarding in the morning, was some decent work on my legs.

12/30 - Went splitboarding first thing this morning... my legs are wrecked! Skinned around for almost 2 hours total, didn't even get to take any turns. I thought I was at a place steep enough to ride (after deciding nothing looked that great)... but it wasn't, I just had to switch back to touring mode right away.

12/31 - Made sure I worked out today before destroying myself tonight. Rode the exercise bike at the gym for 30 minutes.... after that I did a couple squats and lat pulls, but just wasn't feeling it.

Madness: Official!

Okay, so nothing convinced me that going for the Ironman AZ next year is crazy, so as of noon today (when registration opened), I am registered! Also, last week I got a very persuasive email from USAT about early registration for the new Alcatraz Triathlon... and since I don't want to have to win a lottery to get in to the Escape from Alcatraz race, I jumped on it. So now my master plan for 2010 is even more locked down (and serious).

- January: PF Chang's half marathon
- June: Boise Ironman 70.3
- August: Alcatraz Triathlon
- November: Ironman Arizona

I think I should try to figure out another 70.3 to do between Boise and Phoenix... I could possibly still do the Mountain Man at the beginning of August and Alcatraz at the end of the month... may be the best choice.

Madness!

Well, I'm thinking about accelerating my plans to get to Ironman distance. I want to do a flat course for my first Ironman, and it just so happens that IM Arizona is one of the flattest there is. Since that is held in November, I'm thinking it is better to try it this coming year, rather than waiting a full year+ from my first 70.3.

So, here is my new master plan for 2010:
- January: PF Chang's half marathon
- February: Lost Dutchmen marathon
- June: Boise Ironman 70.3
- August: Mountain Man 70.3
- November: Ironman Arizona

I'm iffy about the Lost Dutchmen race, but the rest of that seems like a solid ramp-up. It might be better to find a different full marathon to do maybe in March or April. I would try to peak in June and then again in November (hopefully a higher peak). It's less than 2 weeks until the IMAZ registration opens, I'll have to decide whether this is nuts by then.