Into Week 4

I'm midway through week 4 of my condensed 12-week training program for Ironman California 70.3 on March 27th in Oceanside. This was a 18-week program that I had squeeze into 12, due to sickness, injury, etc. I already wrote about my fun night spent in the ER just after Christmas, that cost me two weeks right there.

This is really the first time I have trained for a triathlon in almost 2 years. And, the first time I've followed a schedule in even longer, maybe 3 years! No, wait, 4 years! I was injured 3 years ago. Wow....

Anyways, the first week was ok, a little shock, but not too bad. Week 2, the fatigue started to creep in, and week 3 was worse. But, into week 4, I am starting to feel much stronger! It's very encouraging!

The hardest part of this training is all the extra stuff I have to do each day. I am student anymore, so can't do things on my own schedule. I don't work near UNB anymore, so I can't swim at lunch time - I have to swim in the mornings, before work. I can't swim at night, because I teach spin classes twice per week, and I have Cross-Country Track practice another day. I am also helping out coaching the XC team, which I love doing, but still takes up time. And, also, I've started teaching a "Tour de France Cycling Camp", that is taking a LOT of time to plan the workouts, edit the video to match the workout, and then plan it to fit into a 60 of 75 minute class. Oh, and I have a REAL job now too! Obviously, that is cramping my style too ;)

But, things are going well so far. Knock on wood :)
later,
chris

TdF Cycling Camp!

Tour de France Cycling Camp

Need some motivation/incentive to get on the bike this winter? Ride along with Lance, Alberto, Andy, and the rest! Camp starts this Sat, Jan 23rd. Let me know if you need any info.

Another Vacation in the ER

What would the Holidays be without a trip to the ER anyway? It seem to be my new tradition. Don't worry, no seizures this time, thankfully. But, it was kinda scary when I was so winded from walking a flight of stairs that I needed my hands on my knees to keep me from collapsing! I could barely breathe and thus could get very little oxygen into my blood...I guess I picked up some type of sinus/lung infection over the weekend, somewhere/how...

On Sat, I just a mildly runny nose. By Sunday morning it was a very runny nose, that moved down to mu lungs by that evening (when the 'stair incident' took place). Sunday night, I could only sleep for 30 minutes because my throat and lungs were so full of crap that I couldn't take full breathes. So, I watched a lot of sports highlights and some nature shows. I thought of going to the ER, but decided to just try to see my Dr first thing in the morning and get a prescription. But, the office was closed, so I went to Shoppers to get some regular cold and flu stuff (via a 'recommendation' from the pharmacist). I downed a bunch of that stuff but nothing really helped much, other than to smother my coughs a little.

This whole time I'd been trying to open my lungs with my puffer, but my lung capacity was so low that I couldn't get any other drugs into my lungs - it all went to the back of my throat - not much help...

Anyways, so Monday night, with my slightly smothered cough, I tried sleeping. I made it 2AM, when I woke up and everything was worse and now my throat was very sore and hurt to move (picture someone with a neck-brace trying to look around). I finally decided to head up to the ER. I hate to do unnecessary things or over-react to stuff, but I couldn't take it anymore!

Anyways, so Jenn got out of bed too and drove me up to the hospital. It didn't take too long to get in and when I was talking to the nurse I coughed up a mouthful of crap, yummy. They took us back and put me in the ER "Suite" (we both wondered where this room was last Januray and started me on a puffer. Only this time, they gave me a little thing to help catch the spray and breathe it in. After doing this 3 separate times and checking my oxygen levels and breathing power, it was finally starting to get some good results.

Oh, I forgot to mention the 'blowing power' test! haha. In my initial assessment, they had me blow into a tube to measure my lung power... It was non-existent...literally, I could not even move the gauge! I just started hacking horribly. But, after the 3 rounds of puffers, I could finally get enough lung power to move the gauge and my blood-oxygen levels were also high enough to satisfy the doc.

I also had some X-rays to make sure it wasn't pneumonia, which the doc thought it was (which, oddly enough was what the docs though last time). Again, it was not. So, 5 hours later, they gave me some antibiotics, puffers with the device, and prescription for more.

So, two days later, things are 'moving'. Meaning, I had been coughing up a ton of mucus and crap from my lungs and blowing the rest out my nose. And, thankfully my energy is almost back and I don't feel winded from walking to the kitchen! I hope by next week, I should be able to train a little bit again :)

Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to play in the annual Smirnoff Alumni Classic this Sat! I've got a 4-year winning streak going, but oh well.

Anyways, I'm gonna go try to sleep. Later all!
chris

Where I've Been

Been slacking a bit, okay a lot, in the posting department, so here's new: not much. I've just been working, teaching spin, and trying to train.

Oh! I've officially come on-board as an assistant coach with the UNB Cross-Country (XC) team! I guess that's something new! Tim will still be the head coach, but I hope to alleviate some of his work-load (paper-work and such), so he can dedicate more time to the team. It's almost as if working full time and raising three active kids doesn't lend itself well to having a lot of spare time ;)

And, I've been getting some actual swim coaching for the first time in... well... ever really! Aside from a few workouts I've done with the UNB swim team a few years ago, I've pretty much taught myself. But, I've hit a major plateau and actually a decent, so I figured it was time to get some help. Plus, I've barely since April, so it was good time to start back at it - the right way and get in the habit of good technique.

My buddy Evan help to set up a 6-week, "Elite swim program" with Dan Monid. Dan was one of UNB's most decorated athletes and is now the head coach (intern, I believe) of the UNB swim team.

He's been watching, critiquing, and giving us dills and workouts. It's been great! I've actually started to enjoy swimming, more than I have in a really long time, maybe ever. I've even got my dad hooked on triathlon! That's the best part! He's been doing the "Beginner" class and has improved his stroke immensely. It's been fun to watch :)

I will try to keep more things coming from now on.
but for now, it's bed time :)
chris

My XC Buddy Miller is Leaving Town

...And, of course, Rob Jackson made a movie for his "going away" party this Friday :)

My XMAS Present to Myself?

.. I think so ;)