Bike Trainer

The bike trainer is definetly the weak link in my routine right now. I never thought the day would come when I would prefer to swim for an hour rather then ride the bike trainer. Tonight I did it for one hour and it wasn't bad. My legs and lungs are getting stonger, so that makes it easier. The lack of breeze and keeping myself entertained is pretty tough. I did not ride the trainer at all last year, so I am hoping I will make large gains this year on the bike.

Tough couple of days

Last two days have been nuts for work. Crazy at work = no working out and eating poorly. Good stuff has been happening at work, so that is a great thing. I just get a little fustrated when I can't workout. Back on it in tomorrow!!!

Good day

Today was a great day. I got my swim in by 9am and then ran an hour with my buddy Dave. My favorite run partner, Kate, came along as well. An absolutely stunning day for a run. The sun was warm and the air was nice and crisp.

I also took Reggie our for a mile long walk. Thats like running 10 miles for the 130lb pup!

After the run we went over and had some Mexican at Loco Coco's. AWSOME MEXICAN.

I did some cleaning when I got home, read a little and then took a nap.

Kate was having 10 lady friends over to watch the Academy Awards, so I needed to disappear. I went into Portsmouth and decided to go and see a movie at the Music Hall. A great old vintage theatre.

The movie was "Into the Wild". I read the book about a month ago and as the cliche goes, the film is never as good as the book. I still really enjoyed the movie and my time to unwind. No worries from this guy about relaxing and checking out a movie alone.

Got home while the awards were still on, so grabbed my dog and book and headed off to bed. Nothing short of an absolutely wonderful day. It is ridiculous how fortunate I am.

Swam 1850
Ran 6 miles

Totals for the week

Swimming 3 hours
Bike 1.5 hours
Run 2 hours
Weights 2 hours
Total 8.5 Hours


I feel a little let down with these totals. I had 2 off days this week, but still feel like I worked out more. I think the most upsetting part is that I am pretty tired for a "recovery" week.

Heading out to dinner tonight with Bryan tonight. We met through my first race and Team in Training. Tomorrow I am going to do a ruen with Dave, who I met on the Granite State Triathlon Club. It has been really great to meet so many great people because of this sport.

Almost broke 6000 yards .

I almost swam 6000 yards this week, but I was 350 off. I kind of want to go to pool in the AM just to hit that number. But it looks like I will be around 6500 next week, so no need. Even though it is a short month, I have never swam more in a month. Very happy to type that.

Today is another off day, I actually had 2 this week. I feel pretty good, just need to get a good night sleep for a nice workout tomorrow.

Works been super stressful, but the workouts help relieve that.

First Brick of the year!

Today I did my first brick workout and it went really well. A brick is when you do two workouts back to back. It prepares you for the races.

I biked for 45 minutes and then went for a 30 minute run. I set the resistance on the bike really high, so it was a muscle building workout as opposed to a lung workout. The run went well after. Sometimes my legs are a little stringy after the bike, but today they felt strong. Only issue was I biked on my trainer inside and then ran outside. I was pretty sweaty from the bike, so the run was chilly!!!

Bike 45 minutes
Ran 28 minutes

2-19 (quick fragmented notes)

Another pretty solid swim day. I also ran and I feel like I am getting faster.

My weight is starting to drop again. (155lbs) The weight lifting regiment will slow that down though.

Swam 2100 meters - 1 hour
Ran 4.5 miles(speed workout)- 40 minutes

Tough training day yesterday - But good

I trained with the team yesterday and the coach put us through a pretty tough workout.

We started off by running. Of course I left my running sneakers at home, so I had to run in my trail sneaks. It wasn't too bad though. We did some hill workouts, stairs and drills. The drill part is something that I only do with the team, but really need to start doing it on my own.

After an hour of running it was off to the pool. I really don't like swimming with other people, especially when I have to lead. For some reason, I get really anxious and my breathing gets all screwed up. Then the temper and fustration kick in and I start to question why the hell am I in a freezing pool on a Sunday morning. Like everything else, I learn to get over it.

We did slow easy laps and drills for around 20 minutes. We then started to do sprint workouts. Sprinting is by far my strength in the pool. When I am swimming hard, everything seems to click. I don't think about anything, I just go. Basically it means I have the tools, I just need to stop over thinking my every stroke. Kind of encouraging.

Today is a recovery day, so no workouts planned. I feel pretty good, my lats are just a little tired.

Sad News

I read an email yesterday that a man passed a way during the half martahon I ran on Sunday. He had a heart attack at mile 7. If that doesn't put it into perspective, I don't know what does.

Note to self - Don't swim after you run

I had to get up yesterday morning at 5am to be in VT for a meeting. So I drove up, and after a 45 minute long meeting, it was time to head back. Yup, 7 hours of driving for a 45 minute meeting. Not the greatest time management, but I was more bothered by the senseless damage to the environment. A total waste of gas and an unnecessary release of green house gases.

My training was run 40 and then swim 1400. I made it home just in time for a run outside. My other option was to swim and then run on my enemy, "the treadmill." Outside it is.

On the run my hamstrings and quads were still tight. Man I really beat myself up at the half. It was around 20 degrees, but I was really enjoying it. The sun was setting, the air was crisp and I was happy to be out there. The wind picked up a few points, but other then that, it was a great run.

Off to the pool. I knew this was going to be a tough swim. One thing I realized is that sometimes I need to just go and swim and not analyze my every stroke. Ideally everything should come together and that has started happening.

Not yesterday. I have a poor kick in the swim and running 4 miles before does not help it. I was supposed to swim 1400 meters, and instead I cut it at 1250
I was completely beat and reinforcing bad habits. I really try and do the complete time/distance of every workout, but sometimes you are doing more damage then good. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

Finally back on it.

Still a little sore from the race on Sunday, but I have started to workout again. I was able to lift yesterday for around 40 minutes and then run at a painfully slow pace for 1/2 an hour. It was on the treadmill and I really wanted off after 10 minutes. Stuck with it though. I would much rather run 10-15miles outdoors then run on a trainer for half an hour. Definetly felt a hell of a lot better after. It is crazy to think the best way to get rid of sore legs, is by running and flushing out all of the lactic acid.

This morning I swam 2000 meters and will ride the trainer for an hour tonight. It was a great swim day for me today. That is a relatively rare thing for me, but they have been happening more and more frequently. I used the paddles, zoomers and pull buoy, so that helps break up the monotony.

I am now trying to focus more on the nutrition portion of my training. I made Chilean Sea Bass last night and it was pretty good. A lot of garlic, soy and fresh ginger. Tonight being Valentines, I might have to head off the path a little bit....

Myself, Mom and Eyan

I love this picture. We are enjoying the festivities after Timberman 70.3. I don't have a pic of the whole group, but I think this picture reflects the mood of the day. The weather was absolutely stunning, the crowd was great and the race was nothing short of kick @ss.

Funny thing is, I think it is so impressive for my family and friends to not only travel, but to stand all day just for a glimpse of me cruising by. I usually try and throw a quick smile of appreciation, but it really doesn't do justice for how thankful I am.

Pictures of past events are always great motivation to get out and train when the weather is junk. Today included....

Monday 2-11-08

I am really sore today, but fortunately it is an off day. I ran a half marathon yesterday and did pretty much everything I shouldn't have. I woke up nice and early, made some pancakes and shared a few bites with Reggie (He's my Bullmasiff) This was around 630am. I then messed around for while, went and grabbed my registration packet and had a coffee. The race is only 8 miles from my house and starts at 11am, so plenty of time.

I got to the race early enough for a warm up run. I only ran about 1/4 of a mile and instead of running more, I decided to look around to see if I knew anyone.... Dumb. My muscle were still tight from lifting and training this week.

So it now has been around 4 1/2 hours since I ate. It was way to close to race time to eat, so I had to just go for it. Dumb #2

I was thinking that it was a really flat course and I should be able to keep a 7 minute pace. Target goal was around an hour and a half. I started with that pace and in the first 2 miles I knew this was not going to be good. Instead of realizing that this was going to be a bad day, I tried to press on at a pace I couldn't keep. Dumb #3


At mile 6 now, and the 730 pace guy just passed me. My heart rate is at 173 and I feel like I could puke. It was time to lay off and just "finish" this thing. First intelligent move of the day.

From mile 7 on, my right hamstring was really sore, calves were like rocks and my legs felt like they weighed around 200lbs a piece. Also light headed from lack of calories.

Mile 8 - It is now snowing, sleeting and the wind coming off the ocean is really frigid. These conditions are the same for everyone, so I can't complain.


Finish the race at 1:44, (14 minutes off goal). I grab a slice of pizza and I am outta here. The final dumb move of the day, not stretching. I did ride the trainer later in the night to loosen up though. That was a good move.

I have to say, I am not that upset. I sometimes beat myself up after a race and I did not do that. I did everything wrong for the race and I got what I deserved. I should not have tried to push it so hard and realize that bad planning = bad results. Kind of a no brainer.... I can smile now, take my lessons and train for another day.

After everything was said and done, there was a bright spot for me. I was in a fair amount of pain for the majority of the race, but I refused to let the pain get to me and walk. It hurts to walk today, but it would hurt more today, had I walked yesterday.

Paul's Training Log

I created this blog to help keep focus on my training. I am by no means savy with the blogging thing, but I figured I would give it a shot.

Right now I have two triathlons scheduled, Mooseman International in June and the Timberman 70.3 in August. I really want to do a race in July, but I will most likely just run some road races. The old cash flow is pretty tight this year, so gotta watch the funds.

I am heading out to volunteer for Ironman Lake Placid in July and will be signing up for 2009... CRAZY! This year Timberman is my key race, but I am also using this year as a build up to Lake Placid next year.

Thank you Mom, Dad, Shan and Kate for being so supportive. Not only in regards to training/races but everything I do in life. You make everything so much easier and keep a smile on my face.