The Countdown Begins

Well here we are, only months away from kicking off the 2011 season. With the house on the market, kids in full swing with school and activities, and the drama that constantly overwhelms the workplace, I still remain committed to CrossFit and CrossFit Endurance. In fact, I'm even more convinced it's exactly what I needed to take that next step up in performance. For so many years I've been putting in the miles, upping the volume, but still achieving the same results no matter how much time I commit to training. With the transition to a high intensity, short interval training philosophy I've seen some improvements in speed. For example, this past weekend I elected to do a longer run (10 miles, shorter than my typical long run but longest run in weeks). During the long run I incorporated a four mile tempo and was able to maintain a faster pace compared to previous long run tempo sessions (6:40-6:00 pace at altitude) while nursing a hamstring injury. I have yet to test my endurance on the bike and look forward to seeing how my stamina holds up the next group ride, hopefully this weekend. On the flip side, my swimming is something I've been neglecting for awhile now. After spending a majority of the pre-Christmas period putting in 4000 yds sessions daily, I let my swimming fitness slip away. Although I continue to swim three times weekly, my volume is low (1000 yds) and needs a massive makeover. For the next month I plan to commit myself to CrossFit Endurance and attempt to swim at least four times weekly and incorporate a lot more high intensity intervals. With the Armed Forces Triathlon Championships in Ventura, CA only a month away, I need to get my swimming fitness back to a somewhat more respectable level. The Armed Forces Championships is an Olympic distance tri that is draft legal, something I have a difficult time excelling at due to my subpar swimming skills. Although I had the second fastest bike leg last year (playing catchup) I was never able to reach the top competitors. This year my goal is to knock off a couple minutes on the swim in order to be a little more competitive and help the Air Force team win the team competition once again.

I plan to blog in the next few days and share with you my experiences getting to know Dick Hoyt and Lopez Lomong, something I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Definitely changes one perspective on life...