3 months ago, I thought I was on a clear track for a super fun season of racing road. Then in February it hit me that I was a little discontent with my plan.

Things became clear while reading TrailRunner Magazine and finding an ad for the Steamboat 50 Mile Ultra Marathon. My foot is feeling good and I’m not getting any younger. After speaking with my wife she gave me the thumbs up to explore the idea of completing the 50.

My buddy from work, Mike Porter completed the Old Pueblo 50 Mile Endurance in March of this year. We’ve talked about his experience for hours and I’m finally convinced that I have a shot.

The last step was recruiting my college buddy Brandon Groza who’s recently relocated to Boulder, CO to run the 50 with me, he’s in!

Brandon, Mike and I are going for it! All 3 of us are committed to the ramp up schedule below…

The build up:
Horsetooth Half Marathon – April 18
Medicine Bow Half Marathon – May 30
Leadville Trail Marathon – July 3
La Sportiva Eldora Trail 11km – August 8
The Steamboat 50 – September 18

Right now my weekly training schedule is:
2 days a week of CrossFit at Emergent Fitness
3 – 4 days a week of running with long weekend runs

Weekly training guide:

Monday – Emergent Fitness (CrossFit)
Tuesday – LSD (long slow distance)
Wednesday – Tempo run or hill train
Thursday – LSD
Friday - Emergent Fitness
Saturday - Long run
Sunday – Recovery or off

*Every 4th week is recovery.

It’s going to be a long ride but I think it will be worth it!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

It’s been a while since I last posted personal stuff about my life and training. Here’s the quick update.

1. My family and I are now officially transitioned to Fort Collins, CO from California.

2. After 8 weeks of living in 3 different places, we are now living in the home we purchased. You can follow the story and see pictures on Julie’s family blog.

3. My new job is my dream job but the days are long, I’m working 7:30 am – 6:0 pm everyday. Fitting in workouts up to this point has been difficult.

4. I’ve met a few good dudes that are super into running and riding. Looking forward to developing deeper relationships with them.

5. Our gym is unreal and it offers 7 day a week spin classes.

6. As of today, January 20, 2008, I started a food journal with the hopes of getting my diet back in line. The season of eating everything in front of me is over. My boss is on a diet and I can’t have him in better shape than me.

7. Felipe, from Breakaway Training is sending me my new 10 hour a week training plan. I need this plan if I’m going to successfully get back in shape.

8. My foot is still killing me. Ran tonight with soreness.

9. Still have great relationships with all of the site sponsors and plan on ramping the blog back up. Thanks to Motor Tabs, Fluid, SDG Saddles, Rock N Road, Bonk Breaker and Breakaway Training for their patience with me. Thank you to our readers for all hanging tight in the transition.

10. Thinking about joining a local Fort Collins cycling club called, Velo-One Cycling. They do 10 am Saturday group rides. I need the accountability.

Off to Chicago tomorrow for the day and I’m committed to keeping my diet in line.

Here’s to shedding lb’s in 2009.

Andy B
outsideallday.com

My dreams of being an endurance trail runner will most likely never come true but I still enjoy reading about and following the sport. My dang right foot is still killing me. Lamo.

North Face recently listed the dates for the 2009 North Face Endurance Challenge

More info: www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge

Also, if you live in Orange County, don’t forget about the OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series.
More info: http://www.bookthatevent.com/Trail_Run/Home.html

Get your shoes on, put on a jacket, tab up, go run!

Andy B
outsideallday.com

It’s been a little while since a post on where things are at with me and training. So this is my narcissistic post of the week.

Quick update:
- Our next baby is due August 29. Getting super excited but know this will mean a significant change is free time.
- Haven’t run in over 80 days, the plantar fasciitis is still owning me.
- Canceled 3 triathlon that I had already paid for within the last 80 days.
- Cortisone shot in my foot on Tuesday of this week. Seems to be helping.
- Weighing in at 186 pounds but feel fatter than that. Lowest weight of the year was March 29 at 181.5 pounds.
- Traveled a bunch of days for work in April, May and June. This throws me off.
- Looking forward to the cyclocross season this fall.
- Rode my bike to work 4 of 5 days last week.

Within the last 2 weeks I’ve felt clarity on the direction I would like to go with training and racing. I think my days of triathlon are over and the different bikes will be the focus (mountain, road and cross). After my foot heals I may run for some cross training but don’t think triathlon will be the focus anytime soon.

From there I need to ask Felipe from Breakaway Training to restructure my training plan with ONLY riding in mind, no more swimming or running. The next step for me will be to pick a race, stick to the training plan and get my eating back in line.

Rode with Greg from Motor Tabs this morning for 2 hours and we talked about health and eating. Him and I are going to begin holding each other accountable with our eating habits and weight goals.

Overall this new thinking gets me super excited because I love being on the bike so much. Riding with the Como peeps tomorrow. I’m a gluten for getting dropped. I’m going to “ride” to the “ride” to save on gas.

Andy B
outsideallday.com