This week was an exceptional for me in regards to training. I needed a week like this to increase my confidence and to continue to get my weight down. To date, I am at 186 pounds and by my next race I want to be at 184 pounds. My next race is the Scott Tinley in San Luis Obispo on September 30. It’s an off road course that breaks down like this: .5 mile lake swim, 19 mile MTB ride and a 6 mile trail run. These distances alone don’t scare me but put together they are intimidating.

Saturday - 45 mile road ride to Oceanside from RSM.
Sunday – 6 mile trail run in O’Neil Park.
Monday - 7 mile MTB ride at O’Neil Park.
Tuesday - Day off.
Wednesday - Master swim for 1 hour and an 8 mile MTB ride at Whiting Ranch.
Thursday - 8 mile MTB ride at Whiting Ranch.
Friday - Master swim for 1 hour and a 15 mile road ride in Irvine.
Saturday - 8 mile MTB ride at the Luge.
Sunday - Pre-run of the RSM 5k race course with Julie and Carter.

My goal is to keep up this schedule through the end of September and to now increase my intensity per workout. For the next 30 days my focus is my speed on the mountain bike.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Pictures from this week:

Julie and I are doing the Rancho Santa Margarita 5k on Monday, September 3. Any body want to join us? The cost to register is only $15.00 and you get a shirt with that.

For more info go to:
http://www.cityofrsm.org/civica/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=252

Let me know,

Andy B
outsideallday.com

My favorite shoe of the day is the Asics Cypress:
They always make a comfortable shoe and look at the Good price from Zappos.com

ASICS – Cypress (Grey/Clover) – Men’s

-DSheek
Run Forest!

2007 has been the year of the “run” for me. In June 07 I did my first marthon and I have maintained good weekly run mileage since then. It has never been anything that I have been good at but the last 8 months running has been really enjoyable. The enjoyable part for me came when I discovered that I love trail running. Lizards, lose dirt, rock blisters, horse poop, snakes, posion oak, etc all add up to create a memorable outdoor experience (or the worst one ever if you encounter that list all around the same blind corner). Last night I did a 5 mile hill run through O’Neil Park and when I finished I felt so refeshed from how much fun I had. It was the perfect release from my balled up stress. It was also preparation for the death march Xterra Sprint Triathlon I am doing this weekened. It’s by far the hardest 4 mile run I will ever do and at 7,500 feet there is a chance I just might drop dead. Or maybe I will just drop dead because I am still fat and fat people should not do triathlons.

To carry me through all the pain will be my good and reliable Brooks Men’s Axiom 2 Running Shoe that are now on sale at Amazon.com for like $30.00 less than I paid for them (I paid $90.00). I cannot recommend this shoe enough. It is light, sturdy and really seems to hold up.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

Keeping track of your time is important in almost all sports, at least sports that are fun. About a year ago I picked up this watch from Amazon.com and have had a great experience with it. It was cheap, it’s comfortable and has all of the features I need. No problems with swimming with it so far. If you are looking for a good sport watch I highly recommend this one.

Amazon.com has a really good price on the watch right now.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

While exercising try a heart rate monitor. I use one often whether its on the bike or running. There are different types of monitors/computers as they can be a wrist-watch or computer that attaches to your equipment, with many different features as they grow in price.

A simple heart rate monitor is cool to take ones exercise to the next level. Check out the heart rate monitors on sale at some of our affiliates.

Here is one that I like and found at a good price:

Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor


Don’t forget Backcountry.com gives free shipping on all orders over $50!

-DSheek
Remember when your left arm goes numb your pushing too hard, get a monitor!

The new Oakley Radar is RAD! I never thought that I would be saying I love wearing large funky shaped glasses such as these but for sport specific activities they are amazing. I have been riding my Radar’s about two months now and continue to be amazed. The hydrophobic lenses really help with shedding water and sweat which are key for me when riding. There is nothing worse then glasses that fog, spot, and collect moisture which then turns into mud from dust and dirt on trails.

Hydrophobic™
Oakley Hydrophobic™ is a permanent lens coating that prevents water from leaving streaks and sheens, which can compromise vision. Whether it’s rain, sweat or splashing runoff, H2O can’t get a foothold. And that’s just half the story.

They pretty much make me faster!

-Sergeant Sheek

I love running on the road but I am passionate about running on trails. Running in the dirt, in the wild is much more interesting than running laps around the block. For the last year I have been trailing running with road running shoes. These look like the dopest shoes ever. I have been eyeballing them for months…Altrec.com has a free shipping deal on them if you are interested.
Men’s Arnuva 50 Boa Trail Running Shoe

If you have them, post a comment on whether you like them or not.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

After years of large credit card debts in winter, I finally figured out when the best time to buy base layer products are, for when the temperatures begin to drop again… It’s now! All the affiliate retailers we are working with have great deals in the warm months, Summer, on all those fancy material base layer warming products that you wanted, had , or ruined during the colder months.

Check out the summer sales on these types of products:

-DSheek

About a week ago I received my first order of Bonk Breaker bars, YUM! Check out these wholesome little Peanut butter and Jelly (PBJ) bars, which contain no dairy or wheat. They are tasty and will remind you of the little PBJ sandwiches mom made when growing up with the crust cut off.

Click here for more info.

-DSheek
Outsideallday Sergent

I am training for the Rock N Roll Marathon on June 3rd. My training started on January 2, 2007 and to date I have gone through 3 pair of shoes. I ran 21 miles on Saturday and my right knee began to feel like a dragon was breathing on it by mile 16. I knew it was time for a new pair of shoes.

I have stuck with the Brook’s Axiom the entire time. The shoe is light weight and comfortable but breaks down after 300 miles or so. I went by Snail’s Pace yesterday but they were out of stock so they shipped them to me. I am going to take them to Maui to try to break them in. Leaving for Maui on Thursday. Sushi paradise!

Happy trails,

Andy
outsideallday.com