The Huntington Beach Marathon and Half Marathon is this weekend and it is completely sold out. Alex and I are all going down to pick up our packets on Saturday afternoon and the race is Sunday at 7:45 am. Alex and I paid and Bryan and Alison are poaching it in typical Casserly style.

My intention with the half is to feel fatigue in my legs. I ran 5 miles tonight, swimming and running tomorrow and doing a big long ride on Saturday morning. I’m curious how my legs will feel after not taking any rest time. My goal time is 1:55 and I feel confident I can get it but it will be a good measurement of overall fitness level.

Pictures to come on Sunday,

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Life is pretty good right now. The family is healthy, we aren’t over committed with schedule, work is really good, busy but good and training is solid. I’m getting the frequency I want but not necessarily the total over all weekly time. Oh well, I have a family and that’s my reality.

But I struggle, oh how I struggle when it comes to eating.

Old me:
I would eat whatever I wanted when I wanted and for as long as I wanted. I was fat, happy, and wore big comfy clothes. Then I got tired of being 225 pounds, having my back hurt and my wife got on me about dieing. She can be real fun like that.

New me:
I’m weighing in at 187 pounds but I still feel heavy. My ideal weight would be in the 165 to 170 range. My current eating is much more in line with a healthy lifestyle. I’m off soda (my first love), never eat fast food and don’t ever do desserts. BUT I still cannot control my portions. If it’s on my plate, it will be eaten. This behavior effects me in many ways. Physically because I cannot lose additional weight and emotionally because I feel weird about my body (my hours of reading US magazine is catching up with me). Guys like Dave, Dean, Bryan, Alex, Eric and BMoe are all naturally skinny, ok maybe not BMoe. Then there’s my fat butt!

The me I want:
My body was meant to be 170 pounds and I’m pissed that it’s not but I cannot stop eating. Eating for me is comfort and control. This is really a big deal and I don’t know how to get passed it to move to the next level.

My reality is that if I want to go to the next level with training and racing that I need to drop 17 additional pounds. I think I need external help to get there but I don’t know what that would be…

Sleepless in the OC,

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Running – 11 (11 hours, 28 min)
Swimming – 8 (7 hours, 20 min)
Road Cycling – 4 (97.5 miles) (6 hours, 19 min)
Lifting – 3 (1 hours, 45 min)
MT Biking – 1 (7.8 miles) (36 min)
Overall – 27 (105.3 miles) (1 days, 3 hours, 28 min)

Not a bad month, nothing in comparison to Dave but who can hang with Iron Sheek? Not I…

My focus next month will continue to be on the swim but I’m going to shift to my long hours on the bike.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

The FDA has recently announced that swallowing chewing-gum after eating beans will be hazardous to your health!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

So my wife is totally using child psychology on me. She has made me a deal that if I hit all 12 of my upcoming 6am swim workouts without skipping one I can get a heart rate monitor watch! Last night at dinner Alison (sister in-law) was over and she said that her and Alex would pitch in to get me an even sweeter one. Now I’m going to hit up my mom and see what she says!

Being treated like a child has huge advantages, I should try it more often…

I still L-0-A-T-H-E swimming but I want a new watch bad!

What kind should I get????

Andy B
outsideallday.com

The whole story is on Pantagonia’s, The Cleanest Line website:

I love the convenience of the toll roads but we can’t destroy the best surf spot in Southern, CA.

Read it all:
http://www.cleanestline.com/2008/01/help-save-trest.html#more

DSheek
So Sad…

Brandon Groza
outsideallday.com Contributor

I’m kind of but not really in the market for a new road bike but I’m clueless on where to start my search. I want a fast, responsive but comfortable bike that I can use for years. 50% of the year it will be set up in tri geometry with clip on tri bars and the rest of the time it will be set-up for road. I’m averaging 100 or so road miles a week.

Please comment with your recommendations.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

This is totally nuts. There was an avlanche at Mt. High today that killed 2 and has a 3rd missing. I’m not sure if it was at the resort or in Wrightwood.

To read more go to:
http://www.mahalo.com/Wrightwood_Avalanche

Andy B
outsideallday.com

This young racer has been to the world championships three different times and this year Chance is again representing the USA in the Mens U23 world championships…

Read More about Chance and how you can help:
Chance Noble Fundraiser

Submitted by:
Dorothy Wong, Southern California Prestige Series Promoter

DSheek
Go Chance!!! His shirts are cool.

I was able to make it to the pool twice this week. The training felt average but it was the community of athletes that really impacted me. Both occasions in the pool this week my new friends (guys I don’t really know) have stopped their work out to come and help me with my stroke and technique. What?! Take time out of your 6 am workout to help some shmoe next to you. It doesn’t make any sense, but I love it. I would consider myself by nature a “learner” and listening to the wisdom of those better than me hits home.

My big take away today was that I’m working too hard. My friend Mike swam next to me at the same pace. I made it across in 23 strokes and he made it in 11. Hummmmm? Technique is everything in swimming and right now I have the technique equivalent of my 18 month old son Carter.

I love so MUCH to work on but I’m thankful for kind people,

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Find something fun to do inside like a spin class. I have ridden the trainer in doors the last two days but riding a spin bike is a lot smoother and you can enjoy the exercise with others.

A place close to me in Orange County, CA is The Inside Track:

Now Spinning on Thursday Evenings! 7:00pm Session is the latest addition to our lineup.

Spinning Bikes

Thu. Spin Sessions

Demand is high and we’re adding Sessions as quickly as possible. Thursdays are the latest addition – find out more below:

Thursday Evening – 7:00 p.m.

More Sessions are on the Way!
Come See Why Spinning is so Popular – It’s a Great Workout!

To say we’re overwhelmed at the response to the InsideTrack is an understatement! We understand the demand is high, and we’re expanding as quickly as we can. In the next few weeks, you’ll see more Sessions in the Mornings and Evenings. We’ll also be adding bikes to accomodate the number of you who want to Spin with us!

Continue to check the web site for the latest news!

www.RideTheInsideTrack.com

Sand Canyon Cyclery & The InsideTrack
6616 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618
949-450-9906

1. My buddy Adam Hutchinson swimming so fast he had flames coming off his back. He is by far the fastest person in the pool and I lust after his talent.

2. A lady swimming in the lane next to me with head phones on. She swims/rocks to a beat. It’s weird and I wish she didn’t do it.

3. Some strange junk at the bottom of the pool. Leaves, dirt, hair scrunchies, tree limbs and this chunky thing that looked like a snickers bar.

4. My coach smiling at me on deck and thinking to himself, that guy pretty much sucks but I’ll take his money.

5. My personal form get better from a lots of hard work. Not a ton better, but a little.

Bonus: Lot’s of 10 year old kids swimming 800 meters before I get my goggles on my face correctly.

Swimming was kind of fun today…kind of.

Andy B
outsideallday.com