Frustrating...

Today I got an email saying that registration for the Dunedin Triathalon was open.   Yes, I could have signed up a while ago, but the email felt a lot different.  Normally, I would have been well into my training, but my knee and hip have ended those aspirations.   Now, I don't know if I will ever compete in one again.   What makes it more frustrating, is I wanted to finish on a better note than I did last year.

Still dragging ass...

I don't quite know what's going on, but I'm still dragging ass a bit.   I went to see Billy Strings last night and just didn't want to get up early today and work out.   No fears, I'll work out tonight, but I feel like I could just crawl back into bed for a few hours.  I've felt that way all week.

On a different note. just go see Billy Strings.   Hopefully before he's only playing in giant amphitheatres.   IMO, he's the best guitarist you can see today and after 4 or 5 shows, I'm still amazed that 5 guys, all playing accoustic instruments can make those sounds.  It's more like a psychedelic experience than a bluegrass concert.

Draggin Ass...

I don't know why, but the past day or so, I've been feeling like everything is a struggle.   It really came to a head last night during endurance.   I skipped speed in the morning because it was an encore, and had a great nights sleep, but I was struggling to keep up in endurance.  I still finished 9th, but I had to gut it out and felt wrecked afterwards.  I was wondering if I was getting sick, but Oura says no, and I felt better today.   Maybe it's because I skipped speed.  I do believe those are the days that matter more than the PR days, but I still felt awful...   Today was tough but not all there.  I guess I'm going to be the bug for a few days.

Otherwise, it's been a pretty solid month.  My weight feels like it's finally goign to go back under 230.  I've been keeping up with pretty regular weight training which I needed.   I've also been rowing every week (hit a new PB on Sunday) and sticking to Monday as a rest day.   I might need to move my rest day this quarter due to the new schedule changes, but I think I'll be able to adjust and come up with something new.   I'm looking forward to the Long Center re-opening so I can start swimming again.   Aside from all of that, I've been sleeping well and until recently feeling great.

All that said, let's talk about March shall we?

Weight Results:

• Starting Weight: 238.0
• Ending Weight: 234.4

Exercise Info:

• Number of rides: 112
• Time on exercise: 31:56:33
• Distance on rides: 493.7
• Number of rows: 10
• Time rowing: 310
• Distance Rowing: 75487m
• Weight Workouts: 5

And in case you forgot, here were my March goals:

• Ride 500 miles
• March Apple Fitness challenge
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my March challenge - This will be a challenge because my team only has 2 members.
• Continue weekly weight workouts.
• Continue weekly row.
• Break 14k meters in the 60 min row
• Depending on my knee/hip try to walk
• Get my weight below 230 and stay there.

Well, I think overall I did pretty well.   No, I didn't hit 500 miles, but I've made some choices to focus on a more balanced workout plan instead of just cycle, cycle, cycle.   I could have easily hopped on the bike on Sunday or Monday for 20 minutes and gotten the 7 miles, but I think rest and a better plan will be better overall for me.   I'll probably have to dial back the annual totals, but that's ok as long as I feel like I'm going in the right direction.   The more disappointing miss is my weight.   Yes, I feel like it's trending down, but good fucking god, I need to stop eating like a fat kid in a candy store every weekend and then having to catch up.  I also didn't get gold, but that's impossible on a two person team and my other teammate stopped halfway through the month, but I did my part.

Otherwise?   I've been smashing the rows, and weight training.  Definitely stronger and rowing faster.   I don't know if it's possible, but I think I can get a 17k meter day, and I am considering a 1/2 marathon row.  I think that will take about 90-100 minutes.  Won't be happening on Easter, but maybe next weekend.  Hip and knee still not ok with walking, but the good days seem to outnumber the bad ones.

So what's up for April?   Easter!  Race week!  Merinda is going to Ireland for a week or so, so busy times away from exercise, but I think I'll still get a good month in and here's what I want to accomplish:

• Ride 450 miles
• April Apple Fitness challenge
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my April challenge
• Continue weekly weight workouts.  Try for 2 dedicated weight routines and at least one I&A
• Continue weekly row.
• Break 17k meters in the 60 min row and warmup
• Depending on my knee/hip try to walk
• Get my weight below 230 and stay there.

Since I'll be in St. Augustine for a few days, and keeping some rest days, I decided to lower my monthly target to 450.   I'd like to get to 500 miles, and honestly, if I included the rows I'd be way over, but I'd rather push to 500 and beat my goal, than set it to 500 and miss again.  Everything else is feasible.  If my metrics had come through on my warmup I would have been at 16.9k meters last Sunday, so I can see a 17k day this month.

Ok, that's enough for this month.  Wish us luck at Race Week and we'll chat soon.  Stay safe!

In like a lion?!?

I though it would be good to talk about fitness instead of politics, even though both have me worn out right now.   Not really sure what I did to myself, but I feel absolutely shattered today.   Yes, wednesday is one of the "harder" days of the week this quarter, and yes, I didn't have a great nights sleep, but it doesn't explain why I feel devoid of energy.  I guess I'll just have to go to bed a little earlier tonight.  Hills was tough this morning, but not that hard...

 So how was February?  Lots of good and a little bit of bad.  Let's start with the raw numbers shall we:

Weight Results:

• Starting Weight: 235.8
• Ending Weight: 234.8

Exercise Info:

• Number of rides: 94
• Time on exercise: 30:03:18
• Distance on rides: 453.75
• Number of rows: 2
• Time rowing: 1:11:43
• Distance Rowing: 7508m
• Weight Workouts: 2

And in case you forgot, here were my February goals:

• Ride 500 miles
• February Apple Fitness challenge
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my February challenge
• Continue weekly weight workouts.
• Depending on my knee/hip try to row and possibly walk
• Read at least one book
• Get my weight below 230

I always like to start off with the bad because lets get that out of the way.   I missed my mileage target by almost 10%, nor did I get weekly weight training in.  However, neither of those were what I was most disappointed about, no that was my weight, which just refuses to go below 230 and stay there.  I did flash below 230 before I ballooned back up to over 240 just a few days later.   No, I didn't actually gain 11 pounds, but I am frustrated by the seesaw weight gain and loss.  

So what actually went well?  I knocked everything else out of the park.   Despite missing my target, I did take three rest days last month, and I've finally started remembering that I need to take those from time to time.   I'm hopeful that I will maintain my pace of taking one a week and doing some weight training and/or something not cardio focused.   I also started rowing again.  Echelon dropped a 60 minute row class with Michael Brown, which I took and loved, and have started taking that every Sunday as a replacement for Vibes.   Thanks to Merinda for that suggestion.   Yes, I closed my rings, yes I got gold.  No, I didn't do weight training every week, but I've been starting and that's what is important.   I've also begun to ramp up the intensity of my workouts.   More multi-workout days which I hope will push my weight down.  Finally, I read two, yes that's right TWO books on vacation and I'm trying to keep reading.

I've also embraced the Oura ring and it's been very helpful in helping me try and get better sleep.   Generally, my sleep scores are good, but more importantly I've eliminated my sleep debt which has made a huge difference in how I feel overall.

Ok, that's old news, what's the plan for this month?

• Ride 500 miles
• March Apple Fitness challenge
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my March challenge - This will be a challenge because my team only has 2 members.
• Continue weekly weight workouts.
• Continue weekly row.
• Break 14k meters in the 60 min row
• Depending on my knee/hip try to walk
• Get my weight below 230 and stay there.

As I look at this I think the biggest challenge I'm going to have, besides getting my weight where I want it to be, is going to hit 500 miles.   If I continue to row on Sunday, and then take rest days, I'll miss 1-2 days per week of cycling, and that's going to mean I need to make up the distance.  I might not take every Monday off, but it felt pretty good this week, so I'll see how it goes this month and if need be I'll revisit my monthly goal.   I would like to try and walk, but my knee and hip are proving to be awkward, so no promises there. 

One last thing I'll have to start soon is my dive certification.   I can still get some exercise in on those days, but I suspect swimming will be enough.   I'm also planning to get back to swim training when the Long Center reopens, so that will be cross training day.   Since I don't see running in any future plans I'm considering just bike/swim and maybe doing the Aquabike instead of the full triathalon later.

Enough chatting, I'm sure we all have other things to do.   Hopefully, the world will calm down and we can just stick to fitness...   Stay safe folks, have a great month and talk soon.

Not on my bingo card...

I never figured that Iran, of all countries, would be the one that made the US be the bad guy on the international stage.   Now before any magats get their panties in a wad, there is a world where you can simultaenously; believe that Iran's leadership was truly evil and that it is wrong, yes I said wrong, for the US to aggressively attack and destabilize the country.

I remember the Iran hostage crisis and I have no love lost for the Ayatollah but that doesn't mean the US can launch a war of aggression simply because Israel wants to.  We are well on a path to become an pariah in the world all thanks to the Fanta Fuhrer and his sycophants.

I'll get back to fitness tomorrow...   

Rest Day...

For a variety of reasons neither Merinda or I slept well for the past few days on the cruise so I decided to have a true "rest day" yesterday and it was awesome.   I really need to do a little more of that, especially since I ended up sleeping like a baby last night.

Maybe it was the bed, drinking, food, who knows.   Just that being at home, in our comfy bed, with my weighted blanket and I was out for the count last night.  Just hoping it stays that way tonight.

Unfortunately I need to make up a little distance to hit 500 this month.  Will keep you posted.

FYI vacation was good but could have been better.   Still nice to get away given I won't be taking any time off for a while now.

Slowly getting back on track...

I feel like I'm finally getting back on track.   While my weight hasn't really budged, although its closer to 230 than 240 THANK GOD, it's been stubborn as hell and refuses to dip back into the 220's.  Hopefully I keep pushing hard and see some results.   Of course, we're going to be on a cruise next week, but since it's Carnival I don't expect to eat as much.   We'll see how that goes.

So, what went on in January?   Well the distance challenge ended.   I was a little disappointed in how it finished.  I didn't get a century day in, nor did I hit 2000 miles.   Yes, I got a nasty cold at the end, but not going to make excuses.   We travelled a LOT, and I mean A LOT, during the challenge and it impacted my results in a negative way.

So let's talk about the actual numbers:

Weight Results:

• Starting Weight: 
• Ending Weight: 

Exercise Info:

• Number of rides: 115
• Time on exercise: 36:39:03
• Distance on rides: 627.14
• Number of rows: 0
• Time rowing: 0
• Distance Rowing: 0
• Weight Workouts: 1

Couple things stand out.   Again, while I'm still over my target weight it's beginning to trend down.   That's a very positive thing.  I also crushed my mileage target.  Since I won't be running and my knee/hip is still a lot tender so I've avoided the rower, I have to do more cycling which isn't altogether a bad thing, but I won't lie, I miss running and seeing races I did last year come up and knowing I can't compete is tough.  Cross training is so important and I'm really in a bad spot.  I finally got a cortisone shot in my knee, but it's not the miracle shot Merinda got, or maybe my knee is just that bad.   I'm leaning towards option #2.

It was close, but I did get my January challenge done and closed my rings etc...  and I started some weight work.  I've been trying to get more cycling with arms but it was good to do some straight lifting.   Looking forward to continuing that and building on it once we get home.

Last thing that was of interest was I broke down and bought an Oura ring.  I've wanted to get some sleep tracking and readiness data for a long time, and while the Apple watch *can* do it, it's really not ideal.   First off, I hate wearing a watch to bed but more importantly, it's battery just can't support it.   I almost got a whoop, but I didn't want to wear another bulky device, so the ring was a good choice.   Not sure about it's cost, but even after a week, the data it's delivering is pretty solid and it only gets better the longer I have it.   IThe only concern I have is that as I lose weight the ring might get loose and the only recourse is to buy another.   Not really ideal but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Anyway, what's the plan for February?   Besides a book or two on the cruise?  Well, a lot of working out :)

• Ride 500 miles
• February Apple Fitness challenge
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Gold in my February challenge
• Continue weekly weight workouts.
• Depending on my knee/hip try to row and possibly walk
• Read at least one book
• Get my weight below 230

I think these are very feasible.  I'll be cycling on the boat, and while I won't maintain a 22 mile average per day, I think ~17 per day is reasonable.  Plus I'll be walking a bit so I should see a good amount of exercise on the cruise.   No diving this trip, but that's going to come soon enough.  I should be a third done with the monthly challenge by the time we leave, so I can finish that once we're home.  Otherwise, it's shaping up to be a solid month. 

In closing, I've been working to increase my overall endurance.  Not sure how it happened, but I seem to have lost a bit of that, despite the distance challenge etc...   So I've been ramping up the amount and duration of my workouts.   I'm going to try and keep it at 60 minutes/day on the cruise and I'll get some weight training in once I'm home.  I'll also share some of the Oura data in case anyone is interested in getting one.

Now, if only I could get my blood pressure down...  Glad to be getting myself back on track and talk soon!

On 2026 and 2027

I figure it's finally time that I talk about 2025 and what's going on with my fitness into 2026.   I've been somewhat consumed by the ongoing chaos here in the US, and the feelings I have about where the country is going.  Not sure if I want to get into that, but it does weigh on me quite a bit, however I won't allow it to derail me from staying healthy.  I'd rather be healthy in a dystopian future instead of looking like Baron Harkonnen if you get my drift.

With that gloomy intro, how did 2025 end up?   If I had to pick a word it would be disappointing.   Maybe I set my bar too high, or maybe I didn't expect some of the challenges that hit last year, but overall it was just a disappointing year.

You might ask why, and that's a fair question, especially given I still accomplished quite a bit last year.  While that's true, I think I took a few steps backwards and I'm not sure how that happened.  Let me explain.  The easiest metric for me to point at is my weight.   While my weight was stable for part of the year, it began to trickle up and I finished the year 16 pounds above where I started it.  Yes, I put an effort into gaining muscle, which I think I did, but I did put some weight on that I'm not too happy about, so I am going to get back down this year.

Secondly, I rode the fewest amount of miles on the bike that I have since I bought it.   I had month after month where I missed goals, yes I always had an excuse, but when I look back at the results last year, that's all it was.   Excuses.

Third, I had my worst performance in a triathalon yet and skipped a number of events I registered for.   I'll excuse the last one, because I'd been struggling with injuries for a good chunk of last year, but the reality was I didn't put the effort in, and it showed.  I suspect it contributed to getting hurt and I've been paying the price for it all along.

Fourth, and probably the most impactful were the injuries.   I started the year pulling my hamstring in a race, still finished it mind you, and that kind of set the tone for the rest of the year.   I think I over compensated and planned too many events, but surprisingly I made it through most of them.   However, I really didn't anticipate my hip giving out in August.  Some days it's just a struggle to walk to the bathroom and quite frankly, I've never EVER, had this type of issue.   I suspect I'll be getting a new hip and knee(s) in the not so distant future, and I really hope I can back to moving without pain.   I had to accept the reality that running is out of the question right now, hell walking more than a quarter mile isn't an option right now and that just fucking sucks a lot.

Finally, I feel like I didn't put the work in last year.  Even if I didn't run any races from May on.  Even with all the travel, which really doesn't help.  Even with my dad passing away, I took shortcuts on exercises and did the bare minimum to get it done.   Yes, I closed my rings, but sometimes barely.  I used to do 60-120 minutes of exercise and feel great, now I do 30-45 and call it a day.

All of this comes back to why?  I wish I had a solid answer.  Some was a little bit of burnout.   Two years of hard work with almost no letup was a lot to ask.  Especially since I'm not a kid anymore, but I don't think I overdid it, instead I think I wasn't smart about it.  I will say that getting hurt and not being able to run anymore has been a real blow to my sense of invincibility.    Yes, I knew running was at best a "questionable" choice, but I like competition.   I crave goals and challenges, and I feel like those have been taken away from me prematurely.  I'm also at a loss as to where to find alternatives.  We had a lot going on last year too, we spent a lot of time up in VA, my dad died, we went on a ton of vacations, and I spent a week in Ireland.  All of that was competing for my time, and exercise found the back burner.

So...  What am I going to do this year?  Some of it I'm still unsure about.   Lately, my hip has been feeling better, so I'm optimistic that with continued rest I can maybe do some light walking.  In a perfect world I'd be able to start a light running program and maybe train for an event, but I think that's unlikely.  With that said, I've set what I think are some some realistic goals for this coming year.  I got used to missing goals and that needs to change.

So, here are my goals for 2026:

• Ride a minimum of 6000 miles
• Get my weight back down to 215-220
• Become Scuba certified
• Start rowing regularly again
• Start weight training after the distance challenge ends.
• Close my rings
• Monthly challenges
• Apple monthly challenges

Then I have a few other things I'm going to work on:

• Read a book every 2-4 weeks
• Start painting
• Pick up my guitars
• Get my hip/knees fixed
• Learn Spanish

How did I decide on this?  Well, in 2024 I rode over 6000 miles, I was FAR below that last year (4596), so I want to get back to working a little longer and harder.   Since I probaby won't be running this year, nor do I intend on doing any races, beyond cycling events, I can focus on riding again.   It doesn't bother my joints so I'm putting my effort into that.  It should help me lean out a bit and get my weight down the ~10 or so pounds I'd like to lose.

With that in mind, I'm hoping to use some time on getting dive certified.   I went again in December and am 100% convinced I want to do this.   I'll have time I would have been running or race training to focus on that.   It's also low impact on joints so shouldn't bother my hips.

The other "fitness" goals are ones I hit regularly so no reason to drop those, but the remaining goals?   I think I've been so focused on exercise I've let a lot of my other interests drop, and it's time to get back at those.   Life is short and I want to make the most of it, so why shouldn't I play guitar again?   Why not try painting or read more books.   Those are good for the mind and I need to fix that.  

I'm also going to get back to journaling regularly.   I got in a bad habit of bottling up all I had to say, and with month after month of bad news, I was embarassed to post about weight gain, and missed goals, and joint issues.   No more, good bad or ugly, I'm going to share it here.

I'll close with the ugly, my weight peaked at 236 pounds when we got home.   I was a lot shocked by that, because I didn't think I ate that poorly over the holidays.  I know weight isn't the best indicator of health, but the sudden increase at the end of the year was unwelcome.   No more.  I worked too damn hard to get fat again.

I hope we all have a great 2026, and here's to a healthy year!

Cheers and talk soon...

Already seems like a lot going on...

Well....  I'd like to start by discussing the big topic on my mind, and that's the passing of Bob Weir.  I have a lot of mixed feelings about his death and what it means to me.  First and foremost, I am a fan of the Grateful Dead.  If you've been reading this for a while you know I went to the 60th anniversary shows in SF, and while I had no regrets afterwards, I would have felt a lot if I'd backed out.  I remember thinking Bob looked and sounded a little frail at the show.  I assumed it was lack of practice, but know the truth now, and he was pretty sick.  Regardless, I'm glad I saw the shows in SF, and a lot sad that I'll never get to see him perform again.  I just assumed he would be playing more shows.

You see I came late to the Dead.  Yes, I could have seen them with Jerry, but I never did.   When I was really into that type of scene none of my friends were deadheads, so nobody asked me to go see them, and when I tried to get tickets, I didn't think driving to Buffalo was a good idea.  Not to mention I'd have to convince my "normal" friends that driving to a show, with copious amounts of drugs involved, that was hours away was going to be fun.

Later on, when I probably should have gone I was just focused on school and I missed so many shows I would have loved, including shows at MSG, Boston Garden etc...  I missed the last run of Pink Floyd shows which I also greatly regret.   Any shot of seeing Layne Staley.

Long story short, I found the dead when D&C started, or maybe they found me.   Instead of feeling sorry for myself that I missed out, I took what was available and finally found my tribe.  I've often wondered what my life would have been like had I seen them in Foxboro or even Buffalo that summer.  I doubt I'd be living in Florida, or writing this blog, but you never know.  C'est la vie.  

Thanks for keeping it going as long as you did Bob.  I thought I had more to say but I'll leave you all with this:

Fare-thee-well now

Let your life proceed by its own design

Nothing to tell now

Let the words be yours, I'm done with mine