Dave, Brian and I are driving home from a rippin day on the slopes. We got our feet wet at Snow Summit and ventured over to Bear Mountain to ride with the big boys. You have never heard 3 old men complain more about being old than today. Not to mention Dave had the all time worst gas ever. Made for an interesting experience.
More to come when I get home.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Carter was down for a late nap so I headed over to the gym last night to work on my core. In-between sets I was doing some arm work. It felt really good.
Working out in the pool this morning my arms felt sore and tired. So what’s the story, when swimming is a regular part of your exercise routine, is lifting a good or bad idea?
Andy B
outsideallday.com
The last 2 days have been a little rough not allowing me any time or will to train. Both Julie and Carter have been sick, now I’m getting it, work has been super busy and my dang bikes keep getting flat tires.
The plan is to come back strong tomorrow night with a nice mountain bike ride through ONeil Park.
I’m such a wuss.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
This was a good “free” shopping weekend for me.
On Friday, my buddy Bill Daily took me to a long lunch at the Montage. We do it every year as a chance to hang out and connect about goals for the upcoming year. Bill has been mentoring me for the last 4 years. It’s really encouraging for me to be able to hang out with Bill. Also, he pays for everything, it’s amazing. After lunch we cruised over to the brand new Irvine Rock N Road store to check things out.
When I first got there I started a conversation with my friend Crystal who works at the shop (I think Dave might have a little crush on her). Mid-way through the conversation Bill says, “Andy, you need to start riding tri bars on your road bike. I’m buying you some. We aren’t leaving until you pick out a pair.” What could I say but “Yes, I’m in!”
It was nice to get my 15% off team discount on the purchase!
On Sunday I rolled back into the Mission Viejo Rock N Road to sign up for Team Velopsort in 2008. My brother-in-law is the best! For Christmas he got me a gift certificate to Rock N Road which in turn paid for my team membership! Along with the membership I got my included jersey and purchased the road shorts to complete the kit.
I’m really liking the new kit, they turned out super clean.
So for me, it was a good free shopping spree weekend.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Just in case you were wondering I have been going strong on leg shaving for 4 months now. Dave and I are loving it, but Julie is hating it. Should I care more about what Julie says or Dave? I pay Julie in 5 minute massages to shave the back of my calf and thigh. It’s worth it because those spots are so hard to get.
Leg shaver for life!
Andy B
outsideallday.com
I finally caved in. I could not take the nagging any longer, core this, core that, do core, core, core, core. As Julie and I were shopping at Kohl’s tonight (we needed to get Carter out of the house) I stumbled across this core ball thing. It was only $10.00 so Julie let me get it.
Don’t believe the hype. I’m still skeptical and think Carter will enjoy it more than me.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
My favoriest outdoor company, Patagonia, has released their newest environmental campaign/partnership called Freedom to Roam.
You can read more about the program at the Patagonia blog:
http://www.cleanestline.com/2008/01/introducing-fre.html
Pick up a shirt and help out the bears, even bears need our love. No doubt!
Andy B
outsideallday.com
This morning pre-run I stepped on the scale at 190 pounds, post run I was 188 pounds. This puts me exactly in line with my goal. The plan is 1 pound a week. At the end of February I would like to see myself at 184 pound and by March 29 (race day) 182 pounds. The final final goal is 170 pounds. Maybe at 170 pounds I will be able to keep up with Dave on the bike. I doubt it!
Julie told me today that when my reward for finishing the half Ironman is a new pair of Newton Running shoes.
1. My wife is super hot!
2. What a great present!
3. My wife is super hot!
I’m a pretty lucky man.
Almost a not fat Brazel,
Andy B
outsideallday.com
I was able to sneak out this morning to do an 11.3 mile run. The weather was cold and it drizzled most of the way. My total time was 1:47 which felt really solid. Alex, Alison and I are going to run 10 miles in the morning if weather allows. My goal distance before the race is 15 miles. After I hit that distance I will come back down and work on my speed at 13.1 miles.
My feet are a little sore but that’s about it. Wahoo’s for dinner was incredible!
Andy B
outsideallday.com
At lunch today my friend Bill Daily asked me what my driving motivation was behind training and racing. Was it competition, boredom, accomplishment, health, etc? My answer back to him was straight foward. I want to be around to see my children graduate college, get married, buy their first house and have kids so I can be a grandfather and live a long happy life with my wonderful wife Julie. My father passed away when I was 10 which in turn meant we missed out on many memories together. It makes me sad that Carter will never have my father in his life.
My goal is clear. Before the age of 30, I want to do my first full Ironman. Currently that race is scheduled for June 2009. Racing has nothing to do with competition for me, it is the end goal of training which is the end goal of living a healthy life style. It all fits together.
All in the pursuit of being a healthy father and husband,
Andy B
outsideallday.com
My 2008 Racing Schedule:
Huntington Beach Half Marathon (February 3, 2008)
http://www.runsurfcity.com/site3.aspx
Oceanside Ironman 70.3 Triathlon (March 29, 2008)
http://www.ironmancalifornia.com/
Wildflower Half Ironman Triathlon (May 3, 2008)
http://www.tricalifornia.com/index.cfm/Wildflower2008-main.htm
(Both of those races are half Ironman distance, 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run)
XTERRA West Championship Off Road Triathlon (May 18, 2008)
http://www.xterraplanet.com/
SLO Triathlon – Sunday, July 27, 2008
http://www.slocity.org/parksandrecreation/slotriathlon.asp
Xterra Snow Valley Off Road Triathlon (August 3, 2008)
http://www.xterraplanet.com/
Transrockies Ultramarathon (Summer 2008)
http://www.transrockies.com/transrockiesrun/index.htm
Scott Tinley’s Adventure Off Road Triathlon (October 5, 2008)
http://www.tricalifornia.com/index.cfm/Tinley2008-main.htm
2009 Racing Schedule:
Orange County Marathon (January 2009)
http://www.ocmarathon.com
70.3 in Oceanside Triathlon (March 2009)
http://www.ironmancalifornia.com
Coeur d’Alene Ironman Triathlon (June 2009)
http://www.ironmancda.com
(Full Ironman distance, 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run)
With all of the rain coming up this weekend, I’m not sure what my training schedule is going to look like.
What are your rainy day replacement training plans?
Andy B
outsideallday.com
The last 3 days have been excellent training days. I got a speedy MTB ride in (10.5 miles), a long trail run (9.5 miles) and a solid swim this morning. Tonight my plan is to run the Coto trail for 4 more miles and back in the pool on Friday morning. With all the rain at the end of this week it looks like I might have to transition to the gym, yuck!
Only 3 months left until the big day, it’s going to go fast!
Andy B
outsideallday.com
In preparation for my half Ironman in March I’m going to run in the Huntington Beach Half Marathon. The race is February 3, 2008 along the coast of Huntington. It should be amazing!
Descrption from their website:
Join 15,000 runners on Pacific Coast Highway! Run by the famous Huntington Beach pier and past the legendary surfing beaches of Southern California. Retro surf bands entertain along the way and the Finish Line Festival includes a beach side beer garden in the California sun. All finishers receive bodacious surfboard medals!
My plan is to take it nice and easy. Any takers?
Andy B
outsideallday.com
