Boxing Day: Train like Rocky

Tylers in Training - In two weeks from today, we'll all be converging on Orlando for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend! The short story is that when I completed my half-marathon last January in Phoenix, I put out a challenge to my family to all run a race with me! So over the past year, my dad, wife, and little brother have trained for their first half; I have trained for my first full; and my big brother has trained for his first one-and-a-half (Goofy's race and a half challenge is a half-marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday!) Because we're all at Mom and Dad's house in Ohio for Christmas - from Wisconsin, Georgia, and Texas - today was the first time we had the chance to go out and do a run together. And, just in case you didn't think we are all about having fun, we were motivated by our excitement from last night's viewing of Mama Mia!

(I'll have more on this one as we close in on the event)

and... Happy Boxing Day!
The origin of this holiday, as I understand it, is the day after Christmas, when families would 'box up' extra gifts - or simply round up additional ones - and give them to less fortunate members of their community. A worthwhile activity, if you ask me. (Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it).
Well, way back in high school, I got the great idea to host a party on this day, when friends were usually home but usually not swamped with Christmas plans - and to center the theme around Rocky IV, one of the most exciting movies there is! Anyone training for anything has undoubtedly been charged up by the Rocky theme, or Eye of the Tiger, or the training montage over Rocky's impressive 'natural' training in the snow in Russia! It stuck for several years... some folks are even on their way over right now....

Merry Christmas!

First, here's a great video illustrating what it's like at the start of a triathlon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk


Merry Christmas!
This year, Santa brought some great things to help with training, like tri books, and a multi-DVD set of the classic 2003 Tour de France. This will give me lots to do while I'm sitting on the bike in the basement... because I think spinning is great, but as the hours go by (and anyone who waits out the winter on a treadmill or spin setup knows how it goes) you get to really missing the open road. I find myself getting a much better workout when I'm all wrapped up in the mountain climbs or sprint finishes! I can't wait to get back home and put on the Power Cranks Jon loaned me (more on that later).

Cheers,
Dan

Endurance training with holidays

Happy Holidays from Madison ... and Cleveland, and Atlanta. We're heading around the horn again this year to visit both my family and Jenn's. In an exciting twist of air travel fate, our flight from Madison was delayed such that we missed our connection in Cleveland to Atlanta - and got to spend the night in Cleveland, which we were planning to visit for the second half of our trip anyway - so my family got a one-night sneak preview of us until we were able to fly to Atlanta. I understand compression socks can also help for DVT, but don't have experience with either of them.

Holiday cheer and endurance training do go hand-in-hand in two special ways:

1. Carbs. If I had to hit the road tomorrow, I'd probably have enough in the tank to run until new year's!
2. Endurance. Don't get me wrong, my in-laws are nice folks, but I have just slipped away from one hour of "education" that just changed gears to "the bailout" ...
   

The weather in Atlanta has been colder than usual, but is pretty mild compared to Wisconsin. I noticed that our low at home was -2, while today's high is heading for 47. I'll be heading out for a run this morning to get some fresh air, to work off some carbs, and to get a little breather from the think tank.

Cheers,
Dano

It starts ... and I'm here to tell you about it

It starts!

This was Monday, September 14th, 2008 - after successfully signing up.

If I look a little rough, it's because after 12 hours of watching the race, and volunteering to help course marshal for the last few runners passing the 20-mile mark until 11:30 pm, I returned to Monona Terrace at 4 am Monday morning to sign up.

And now it's time to take things to the next level. My first 'official' blog is now underway, for your reading enjoyment. Always feel free to be in contact with me. (click here to email!)

My training is underway - so far, in a controlled manner. First things first, I decided - so the very first month I spent studying for my professional engineering exam, and putting in general workouts to stay feeling fit. Since then it's been the gradual transition to more running, in preparation for the Walt Disney World marathon (coming up on January 12th), and base training for the ironman.

The lakes are freezing closed, and I've found a winter swimming home at the Madison Area Technical College pool - right down the street from my office at the State DOT. The paths around town are pretty clear, so running outside is generally good all winter long; my bike is set up on its trainer in the basement, facing the TV where DVD after DVD of the Tour de France are displayed. And hot yoga never felt so good as in the cold winter. I'm glad to have running buddies, a trusty training pardner, a fantastic Team, and now you following along.

We're off to a good start.