Training and goodies!

First things first....the training is going well. I am about t-minus 12 weeks until Ironman 70.3 New Orleans. This won't be my a race this year, so I am not amping up the training like I will for Cedar Point in September. Right now and am on the trainer about 4 times a week (45-60 minutes at a time), running about 3 times a week, and swimming once a week (looking to ramp that up to 2-3 times a week once I get to the 8 week mark). On the weekends, when weather allows, I try to get in 1 longer bike and 1 longer run. So all in all, I feel like I am right on track.

Now to the goodies! As part of Team Trakkers, I have the opportunity to try out products from various sponsors. Two of the products I just received are some Saucony running shoes and a multi vitamin and Optygen HP from First Endurance.

The Saucony's are the Pro Grid Paramount 2s. I just received them today and my initial impression is the look and feel great. I will be testing them out shortly and by the time I write my next blog, I will have some additional feedback. Out of the box, the seem very comparable to my previous par of shoes which were Asic Nimbus. Without having any stats in front of me, they feel lighter on my foot. The Paramounts also seem like they provide a bit more support. For those that care, they also look "spiffy". They are mainly white with some blue and black accent. More on the performance to come. Check them out at www.Saucony.com!

The second product I just received is a multi vitamin from First Endurance. I don't normally train via times or stats, so any feedback I provide in the future will be based on how I feel during training and races. I am hoping to see the training to become easier at the same perceived exertion level as I have been training. Go to www.firstendurance.com and check them out. Lots of good testimonials from some high level athletes (Team Astana and Team HTC just to name a couple). I also received some of their Optygen HP which I will be trying in the near future. This product is supposed to increase your oxygen intake which increases performance. Once I start it I will also be updating for this product.

I am looking forward to trying the products and seeing what improvements they will provide. Off to the trainer! Have fun and train safe.

Josh

Back in the saddle again...

I am sooooo ready for this weekend. Warmer weather means no more gym spinning bikes and no more treadmills. My new mountain bike is coming in this week, so I will be hitting the trails for some biking and running. On the training front, I am starting to get in the groove for Ironman 70.3 New Orleans. This week, yes it is last minute, I decided to change my training schedule up. Instead of 3 days of swimming a week, I am going to try out 1 long swim a week. I am just ok on the swimming front, but decided that I would be better served working on my biking and running during that allotted time. I'll let you know how it goes. I figured we are talking about the difference in 5 or so minutes during the swim vs. better shape on the bike and run. Anyone else try this out before?

On the sponsor front, I am looking forward to trying out Tri-swim, 1st Endurance and Saucony in the near future. Specifically I am looking to try the Tri-swim shampoo and conditioner to keep the chlorine from eating my hair, the 1st Endurance Optygen HP, and the Saucony Progrid Paramont 2's. If you have a chance, go check all these guys out. I also received some pretty sweet Trakkers GPS hats and visors by Headsweats today. Thanks Trakkers! Hope everyone has a great rest of the week....peace and hair grease!

Baby it's cold outside!

So the idea of doing an April 70.3 race in New Orleans is starting to seem like a bad idea. Coming off my first Ironman in August and the recent holidays, my motivation was already lacking. Add to that my disdain for running and biking indoors, and you can start to see my issues. It was 15 degrees yesterday when I ran. I realize some of you have colder weather, but in Memphis, that is COLD! Road biking is out of the question and even mountain biking is questionable at best. So, needless to say, I need to get with the program. 15 weeks to go, so enough of this whining.

Did everyone have a great Christmas? Santa was good at my house. New bike computer, new cycling shoes, and a new Mountain bike (as soon as I decide which one want). Now I am looking forward to trying out some of my sponsors great gear. I look forward to trying out Tri swim, Saucony, and 1st Endurance!

Happy training to everyone and I am making it a New Year's resolution to post here more often. Talk to you soon!