tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40973842709498771802024-02-19T05:01:51.119-08:00You Can Always Quit LaterChronicles of John Paul SeverinJP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-14409098473636922772013-12-11T21:21:00.003-08:002013-12-12T20:49:58.588-08:00W to end the seasonHello, World.<br />
<br />
Final Race report of the season.<br />
<br />
Race: Palm Springs HITS Olympic distance<br />
<br />
Start time: 0745 on Saturday<br />
<br />
Swim: The day started out a bit brisk shall we say. Temp was around 40 degrees with water temp around 56-57. Needless to say, I was hesitant to do a swim warm up. I decided to skip it and wait for the gun. The swim was two loops and looked to be a little long. I sized up my strategy as we waited for the gun. We were off! I ran along the shore, did several dolphin dives, and realized I was in the front by about 50m... unreal. I held the lead for another 300-400m before I started getting passed by everyone and their mother. The theme of the swim was noodle arms and loose core. It was probably the worst I have ever felt in a swim but somehow I managed to come out in second.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI3JRb1NpZ04xiHKDf435rsDH5WkST0o7wOVQYT4tpoY50O0pzfpGnDWnxwstjLgUhCQzhKH5lKugOhLQjOaQaJg4zhlZxu2Nu2KHagWoslE4aWVezJ5kBsV2SpAMjEqpxyuVK72MUjBd/s1600/Capture3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI3JRb1NpZ04xiHKDf435rsDH5WkST0o7wOVQYT4tpoY50O0pzfpGnDWnxwstjLgUhCQzhKH5lKugOhLQjOaQaJg4zhlZxu2Nu2KHagWoslE4aWVezJ5kBsV2SpAMjEqpxyuVK72MUjBd/s320/Capture3.JPG" width="119" /></a>Bike: I relaxed as I hopped on my Quintana Roo CD0.1. I knew my trusty bike wouldn't let me down. After I got on the road, I realized my legs had showed up to the party despite nearly every other body part being numb. My goal was to push VERY hard on the bike for the first half and then take stock on the out on back. I jammed through the flat roads and tried to juice every ounce of speed I could. The roads were rough and they sapped the speed by about 1-2mph in contrast with the smoother roads. I hit the turn and headed back looking for second place. I checked my watch and had 2 minutes on the next guy. I decided to turn the screws and see if I could balloon my lead. My go-for-broke biking hasn't let me down this year so I rolled the dice again. Headed into transition, I felt alright and was confident I had boosted my lead. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh362M-mCbZgFWPbQ9bdmnl5TFLkbg1VOM65SakpSz_cNboQgLResQY1a33DYkHAH_wbEhPJkbL_X9CCAz-UGxkC4JnHQkkDzQ2wtkzZY_Jjyd6dh2aSXqaLBgCjn5vuOv4fJ5hxJg7mgzd/s1600/Capture1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh362M-mCbZgFWPbQ9bdmnl5TFLkbg1VOM65SakpSz_cNboQgLResQY1a33DYkHAH_wbEhPJkbL_X9CCAz-UGxkC4JnHQkkDzQ2wtkzZY_Jjyd6dh2aSXqaLBgCjn5vuOv4fJ5hxJg7mgzd/s320/Capture1.JPG" width="230" /></a>Run: Again, very little run training had me a little nervous for this portion. The one saving grace is that I have lost a lot of weight with my increased cycling so the decrease in weight has helped me keep my run speed up and offset the lack of training. I set out running 6 flat pace and tried to keep my foot on the gas. Each mile felt agonizingly long as my breathing was bordering on out of control. I couldn't believe I was still leading!<br />
<br />
I hit the turn around and finally looked back. NO ONE. I ran back and took stock. I had a 4 minute lead over the next guy...but he was literally flying. I recognized him as an ex-collegiate runner and knew my lead wasn't safe. I ran scared shitless towards the finish. I kept asking people if anyone was coming and the answer kept being no but I didn't trust them. I only relaxed 200m before the line when I saw Caitlin who told me that I was well and truly clear. I finished off with a 37 mid 10k. <br />
<br />
Post-race: Overall I was stoked with the win. It was probably my best win to date as I took it to a couple ex collegiate runners and spanked them handily. My swim was absolutely horrible. I didn't take a single good stroke. It was a bit too cold. The bike was dialed in as it has been all season. I put 4-5 minutes into everyone and blew the race wide open. The run
was a slight improvement and polished it off. It wasn't anything to write home about but not a surprise and did the job.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OpVKeb8-19iPDZvqzV4XIaOHpbOrAh_Svy927ro3wYrCAK3030rPzPK0Vd8PNs7EIiiUgQcTUWBwZzDvyKeCf1jvOJA98bpvjSbOooc9d7diIu8R-WL4MP-UNFV_mxRCYkjSXLGkVRX6/s1600/Capture.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OpVKeb8-19iPDZvqzV4XIaOHpbOrAh_Svy927ro3wYrCAK3030rPzPK0Vd8PNs7EIiiUgQcTUWBwZzDvyKeCf1jvOJA98bpvjSbOooc9d7diIu8R-WL4MP-UNFV_mxRCYkjSXLGkVRX6/s320/Capture.JPG" width="218" /></a></div>
HITS
again put on a good show. I feel like a broken record but they have great transition areas, a low key feel, and
excellent prizes (I got about 500$ worth of swag including some really nice sunglasses, a new road helmet, and a commuter back pack). It was also great to see Phil and Rachel of Hypercat racing. They were the bike shop sponsor of the race. Always a good time chatting and hanging out with them. They're the best. Huge thanks to Evotri's sponsors for another great year and wonderful support. The biggest thanks to Caitlin who is a legend in her own time. She is an unbelievable spectator on race day. I love sharing these races with her and hanging out during the race weekend. One of the main reasons I like racing now is because it's a good excuse to hang out with my best friend and love of my life.<br />
<br />
Next up: off season and a lot more bike riding :)JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-92117234544212613502013-11-10T19:51:00.003-08:002013-11-10T19:53:28.802-08:00HITS Lake Havasu Olympic RRHey blog world. Buckle up. Race report time.<br />
<br />
Race: Lake Havasu HITS Olympic distance<br />
<br />
Start time: 0800 on my Sister's birthday<br />
<br />
Swim: Got off to an amazing start with some dolphin diving and fleetingly thought I would lead the whole swim. Marc Rinzler came around me and promptly ended that delusion as he proceeded to embarrass me. I swam strong and long through the two loop course with heaps of dolphin diving that helped break up the monotony. Overall felt good but the time was shit. 23:19 or thereabouts which is not up to snuff. Marc was well up the road and I was sitting in second.<br />
<br />
Bike: Got down to business quickly and once my glutes had settled down, I was motoring. The road was absolute crap. Loads of cracks, sand, and chip seal. Lots of hairpin turns that I tried to take at speed, channeling my inner Tony Martin. Sadly the speed was hard to come by. I also have a confession... I drafted a jeep for about a mile. I couldn't come around and didn't want to hit the breaks... so I just sat there at 37 mph shamelessly drafting. Nothing really to say but sorry. Once the jeep left, I settled into a rhythm trying to pull back time on Marc. I saw him at the half and he was 3/4mile up the road. I took 2 minutes out of him but to get within a minute. 59:30... 2nd bike course record in as many races. To be fair, only two races on this course but I'm claiming it as Paul Amey raced here last year. Looks like he soft pedaled but I don't care.<br />
<br />
Run: No run training had me nervous for this. I got into it and tried to find a nice stride. It wasn't pretty but I was moving alright. Still couldn't see Marc as I desperately tried to turn it over. The cadence is pretty bogged down right now. Coming out to the turnaround I spotted him not too far up. We both started doing the math and the numbers weren't looking good for me but maybe. I put in a huge surge through mile 4 to see if I could close but it wasn't to be. I dug but the effort caused me to pop. My pace slowed as my hair started standing on end- not a good sign. I headed around the course and gritted it to the line. 37:47 I think.<br />
<br />
Overall time: 2:02:4x for 2nd overall<br />
<br />
Post-race: Overall pretty satisfied. Very unhappy with the swim time. I guess it's time to address that in training. The bike was very good compared to the field but the road and course made it slower than I was looking for. Either way, the bike is right on the money now. The run was a surprise. I would have thought something around 39 but to duck under 38 was nice given my run mileage is probably less than 30 miles for the last two months just due to niggles. My weight is low though so it's allowing me to fake it a bit. Anyways- onwards and upwards. HITS also put on a good show. Great transition areas, low key feel, excellent prizes (I got a bunch of swag including 2 pairs of sunglasses) and a solid venue. Loved it.<br />
<br />
Next up- HITS palm springs olympic distanceJP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-43184585807659352162013-09-30T16:19:00.002-07:002013-09-30T17:05:03.298-07:00Bloggin for Doug and my Mom<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday I raced a local Olympic distance race in
Carpinteria. Doug and my Mom wanted more details so, since I love you guys, here are more details than you ever cared to know-<br />
<br />
It was my first race since May, so I was itching to get out
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fitness is good, especially on
the bike thanks to Larry and Terenzo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those boys have taken me to a new world of pain in bike intervals and I have been feeling different for the last month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Sort of like I had broken through a plateau. </span>I was
excited to see how the training would translate to the race. The course is an out and back ocean swim, a hilly and slow 40k bike,
and a 10k through a neighborhood and then onto some dirt paths before doubling
back and finishing in the downtown area.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Swim:</b> I had a mild revelation at the start that my past swim strategy
was garbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually I red
line to the first turn buoy and then try settle in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea is to get to clean water with no one
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What ends up happening is my
heart rate goes nuts, my arms blow apart, and I end up not having clean water
any way because I’m not fast enough to separate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I go backwards through the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The reason it doesn't work is that I have a feeble V02 max and I am not a fast swimmer. </span>For some reason it took me about 5 years to
realize that this wasn’t a good plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
decided to ease into the pace and see if I could go steady. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out that makes things work a lot
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I relaxed into the swim and just
kept strong and relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By 500m, I was sitting in 3<sup>rd</sup> with the first two
guys about 15 yards ahead. We hit a random turn buoy that was multicolored. They turned so I followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
another 30 seconds to a minute of swimming, I was slapped on the head by a surf life saver who
told me we turned too early… @#!$.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
first thought was that I had screwed my race before it had started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
turned around and did the mental wrestling of either faking a turnaround and
not going the full course or doing the right thing and going to the proper buoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought the surf life saver hadn’t caught
the leaders and they would be miles up the road by the time I was out of the
swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I begrudgingly went to the proper turn buoyr and came back. </span>I got through the course and out of
the swim in a pack of 4, depressed that I had given the race up with a wrong turn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>Bike:</b> Onto the bike, I was still in the pack of 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I moved through the guys pretty quickly and
started following a motorcycle who seemed to be directing us. As I passed the
leader of our group, I asked him where we were in the race. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, now you’re in first.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whoa! Hmm… after the swim snafu, I didn’t fully believe him.
Either way, I had to get up the road either to bank time on them or to catch
the unseen leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tore off after the
motorcycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legs felt good and I was
pedaling smooth circles, trying to keep my speed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course is both horribly and beautifully without
rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has everything: false flats,
rolling hills, true flats, a couple 1-2 mile climbs, tons of sharp corners, and
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even a sketchy descent or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has more variety than any other tri course
I’ve done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, it’s one of the best triathlon courses I have ever done if biking is your thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My buddy Kyle had done the race last year and I checked his
results to see what time I should expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I use him as a benchmark because he’s ridiculously consistent
and ridiculously fast. If I can be in the ballpark, I know I’m doing ok. He
went 1:05 on the bike so I knew it was going to be a hard course to get a fast
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was figuring if I could go
around there, that would be solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I
could go 1:03, that would be AWESOME and I might win.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I kept the pressure on, trying to make time on the field
with every climb, descent, and corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was super aggressive and switched on the whole time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really helped to follow the motorcycle as I
didn’t have to think about the course. I just followed and tried to pick the
best lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no rhythm to be
found and my legs were getting tortured as I was trying to juice all the speed
I could out of my bike. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had 2 mile
sections where I was riding 8 mph and 2 mile sections where I was riding
42mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was coming into town, I
looked down and saw 59:xx on the clock with a couple minutes to go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a feeling that I was going good,
but now I knew I had lit the course up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I finished the bike in 1:01 which was way faster than expected and
probably the best bike performance I’ve ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got excited and nearly crashed my bike as I
tried to dismount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bike seat
basically went up my @$$ and my shoes and pedals scraped the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After feeling super pleased with myself for
my clever bike riding, I was quickly reminded how much of a goober I am.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Run:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></b> Turns out with my excitement during the bike and focus on
the course, I had completely forgotten about the run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jammed through transition and out onto the
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a half mile or so, it felt
like my legs were moving fine so I looked at my speed on my watch. Immediate thought-
“Oh no…This isn’t good. Well maybe you’ll
come around after a mile or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">" </span>Mile 2
came and went and that was not the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, I was feeling the pressure and paying the heavy price that comes
with fast riding. I was a mule pretending to be a race horse and had somehow
found myself in the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized I
had forgotten how to race!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make
matters worse, there were no calories at any of the aid stations- just water. I
was running on fumes and deteriorating rapidly as the course got a bit tougher
and onto the dirt. The course was by no means difficult, but I was shelled and
it sure seemed hilly and hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked
my watch at the turn around to see where the field was and started the
clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a minute or so,
I saw the next runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran by and
heard a “Johnnnyyy” from behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hadn’t recognized him as I was too busy trying to look like my insides weren’t
about to come out my ears, but it was Sam!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had met him on a hard training ride a month back or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he was an excellent runner from T. Usually a 2 minute lead is gravy, but the way I was running nothing was a guarantee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put in a
surge to get through to mile 5 with as much of my lead intact as possible. The
internal dialogue went something like this-
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t screw this up. Caitlin got up at 5am for this
nonsense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t waste her time and cough
this up in the last mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is
going to be happy if you let this go after leading for so long...well, maybe
Sam will. ” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried to keep the form together until ¼ mile to go. I
looked back and no one was in sight as I saw the finishing chute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw Caitlin going nuts as I crossed the
line in relief. Laying down, I looked into the sky and smiled as I waited for
my heart to stop machine-gun beating. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Post-race:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>Usually
when I have a garbage run, my immediate reaction is disgust with the race
overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the first time where my
bike was so good that it actually didn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said, Triathlons are like little
lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always get exposed in some
form or fashion. This time my lessons were:</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Speed is the only thing that matters on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no awards for the highest
normalized power. Bike handling and taking the right lines on the course help
in juicing every ounce of speed out of the bike. </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Don’t go absolutely harry hardnuts on the
bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Save a little something so you can
save your dignity on the run. </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Run more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The race showed me that I am transforming from a triathlete into a
biker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to balance it back
out again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quads are too big or something.</li>
<li>
Aggression and fear help me race better</li>
</ul>
<br />
Damn it is fun to ride a bike like that. Thanks to Quintana Roo for making the CD0.1 so freakin fast and stable. Thanks to Zipp for making wheels so fast they should be illegal. And finally, thanks to everyone for the support... especially Cait.<br />
<br />
PS-How dare I forget this, but arguably the most important experience of my day, if not my life, was Phil (<a href="http://www.hypercat.com/index.html">of Hypercat fame</a>) letting me use his recovery pump and fetching me Ahi Tuna from God knows where. Even if it was from the garbage, it was splendid. Let it be known, bloggers, that he is very close to me and instrumental in my life.JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-58264475446620885622013-08-08T15:37:00.001-07:002013-08-08T15:37:24.806-07:00Fat Coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4097384270949877180" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
You have probably heard about this new fad and thought, "what the %$#@ is this world coming to?" Bulletproof Coffee is basically a coffee/butter smoothie. The kicker is... it's billed as healthy... Now dear bloggers, you may be asking just how exactly is putting butter in your coffee healthy? This all sounds incredibly stupid. These are some of the purported benefits. Suspend your disbelief, I guess.<br />
<ul>
<li>You get a <b>5-6 hour clean, even, burst of energy</b> from high quality good fats</li>
<li>It is useful as part of <b>fat adaptation protocol</b>,
signalling your body to look for fat as a fuel source and transition
away from a dependency on grains, high carbohydrate and sugar fuel
sources which swing energy levels and cravings up and down all day</li>
<li>Helps with weight-loss and<b> improves brain function</b> according to the <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bulletproofexec.com/how-to-make-your-coffee-bulletproof-and-your-morning-too/" target="_blank">BulletProof Exec</a></span></li>
<li>Feel light and not weighed down in the morning digesting a heavy meal, it led to <b>increased productivity</b></li>
</ul>
So.... um, because I am a gullible and curious sucker on the whole, I just tried it. Here's what I used:<br />
<ul>
<li>2 mugs folger's black silk coffee</li>
<li>2 tbsp high quality UNSALTED butter. The idea is to use grass-fed butter but Caitlin and I couldn't find it so we used the highest quality organic, hormone free blah blah butter we could find. Food that comes from a grass <a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-differences-between-grass-fed-beef-and-grain-fed-beef/" target="_blank">fed vs grain fed animal</a> is apparently superior nutritionally.</li>
<li>1 tbsp unrefined coconut oil. Unrefined means it retains the coconut flavor. (medium-chain-triglycerides, the dominant ingredient in coconut oil</li>
</ul>
<br />
Notes/Results- The taste was actually surprisingly really good. I won't go into detail because not knowing how it was going to taste was part of the fun of testing this out. Generally I wake up ravenously hungry. A cup of butter shake shuts that down in a hurry. I usually chug my coffee but there is no chugging butter coffee. Slowing this down for me is generally a positive.<br />
<br />
I was curious as to how this would impact exercise. I immediately tested it out on a moderately hard 2.5 hr ride with pretty solid results. Good energy levels for 2 solid hours of nothing but water. I felt a bit of a dip in energy after that but until that point the energy was level, clean, and high.<br />
<br />
However, the biggest benefit has been at work. I feel very focused and efficient when I have this coffee. It was shocking how much of a different it makes.<br />
<br />
In short, I am sold. I have been doing this for several months now and it has become a staple. Give it a whirl, bloggers.JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-90807666287267695782013-08-05T18:52:00.001-07:002013-08-05T18:52:18.087-07:00Product Review: Podium Cold<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I just got back from a standard Saturday
morning smash fest on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My buddy Larry and I
ripped through three seven-minute intervals at ~425 watts uphill and then hit a
hard 5-mile climb called Rockstore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Rockstore is a great climb</span> and was featured in the tour of California. No matter how fast you
ride it, it seems to sap your legs of whatever is left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A couple years ago, that ride would have been the end of a really solid day and I would have bagged it and lounged around for the
rest of the day. I might have needed to recover the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> However, a</span>s I get further into the sport, the standard volume of
workouts and weekly training load has bummed up significantly as feeding my
endorphin addiction has become increasingly difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Full rest is rarely on the agenda. </span>As I ramp up the training, the body
needs a bit of extra love in order to bounce back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a year of injury, I have become proactive with the little
things that keep you on the road and rolling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foam rolling, elevating your legs, and compression socks are
all excellent starters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am always in search of the next thing. I am a tinkerer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ice baths have always
been effective for me and I came across a product that gets you the same effect and is a bit more
practical.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The product is called the Podium Cold legs
wraps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are basically
full-length ice wraps that you apply as a recovery aid after big days.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HKocOeg53mba4ULlmfUWFVkVPEpiCxhGCJxN80zkWCMsgpZuK8UR_A4mq-1pK5QNe_v0x-muzzy0NOoCDnhSbvhbtAqOpageZaeX3nVsFSdLwBCCEViDhmDFIAAJ14wIaCg1dmzHovNi/s1600/WP_20130530_006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HKocOeg53mba4ULlmfUWFVkVPEpiCxhGCJxN80zkWCMsgpZuK8UR_A4mq-1pK5QNe_v0x-muzzy0NOoCDnhSbvhbtAqOpageZaeX3nVsFSdLwBCCEViDhmDFIAAJ14wIaCg1dmzHovNi/s320/WP_20130530_006.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>My first use was an interesting experience. My first impression when I
threw them in my freezer was surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They actually fold up and fit really nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t considered it but fitting full leg anything in your
freezer is pretty impractical but the folding was quite an easy solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HKocOeg53mba4ULlmfUWFVkVPEpiCxhGCJxN80zkWCMsgpZuK8UR_A4mq-1pK5QNe_v0x-muzzy0NOoCDnhSbvhbtAqOpageZaeX3nVsFSdLwBCCEViDhmDFIAAJ14wIaCg1dmzHovNi/s1600/WP_20130530_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGzrbhZv_N3nsZ1YVGsSFIewdv6Yd0yW8efIXucsEG0ATJxiNAL5iW4VX4N8N-bhD6IUY5tirzUkQiKhQiOABAQI5FC0LTOTQ0upz_3zJbF3fonyvjrC3f2VfsZDyJCmn7bfcUIBXCZx5/s1600/WP_20130530_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGzrbhZv_N3nsZ1YVGsSFIewdv6Yd0yW8efIXucsEG0ATJxiNAL5iW4VX4N8N-bhD6IUY5tirzUkQiKhQiOABAQI5FC0LTOTQ0upz_3zJbF3fonyvjrC3f2VfsZDyJCmn7bfcUIBXCZx5/s320/WP_20130530_007.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">On my first use, I found putting 8 Velcro
straps sort of cumbersome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are also limited in terms of how tightly you can wrap the straps but <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">o</span>nce they were on, they felt
awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not too cold, but just
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used them for 15 minutes
for the first time and that amount of time seemed right as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Putting them to the test through the last 4
months, I have noticed less soreness as you would expect with icing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It allowed me to up my volume without
carrying that deep muscle soreness that used to follow me around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fatigue was still present but the ache was gone. I often used them twice a day on heavy
multiple workout days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found
them most effective though when I combined using them with a pre-ice flushing
massage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I massage my quads,
calves, and hamstrings and then put the Podium colds on and it seems to help considerably more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">One thing I noticed though was when they get
wet from melting; they accumulate a bit of moisture on the inside of the
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This moisture turns to frost
in the freezer and can burn your skin if you apply it directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I solved this by wiping the wraps down
with a towel and then wearing tights before using them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Overall, my experience with the Podium Colds
has been excellent. I tested these for four solid months and they
have been a worthwhile addition to my routine and have helped me stay injury
free through some very heavy blocks of training and racing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I use them nearly on a daily basis when really getting after it. </span>At 99 dollars, they are a very
affordable substitute for the thousand-dollar compression pump and serve a
similar function of flushing your legs out, speeding recovery, and reducing soreness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPqvAD6vPDEmwTQKUJL_YYKbDmSOuQL-pd9f4OsSloEwl4Vzc36eM_KsK9eV-qZzoZFWtH61kqNqZYxVQOXyvGkfj0EXcgCywp-0HkTNMTvMMZmH-71XqBRqhmBnFelbstKx_h-Omfe37/s1600/WP_20130530_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPqvAD6vPDEmwTQKUJL_YYKbDmSOuQL-pd9f4OsSloEwl4Vzc36eM_KsK9eV-qZzoZFWtH61kqNqZYxVQOXyvGkfj0EXcgCywp-0HkTNMTvMMZmH-71XqBRqhmBnFelbstKx_h-Omfe37/s320/WP_20130530_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Check out their <a href="http://www.podiumcold.com/">website</a> and find them on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PodiumCold">facebook</a></span></div>
JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-17528361278376436092013-03-09T08:57:00.003-08:002013-03-09T08:57:34.576-08:00Desert Triathlon Race ReportI am stealing this race report format from a friend. She is a much better athlete than I and apparently a much better blogger. Here goes-<br />
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<b>Pre-race:</b> I was nervous heading into this race. For two reasons. One- It's one of my favorite races of all time. The weather is usually good, the competition is excellent and goes deep, and the course is fast. And two- I was starting to feel really optimistic about my fitness.<br />
Caitlin and I met up with our good buddies Larry and Christina for some Mexican food prior to the race. The food was stupidly good. The whole dinner my legs were bouncing up and down under the table. My energy was through the roof and I felt like I was going to have a blinder of a race in store. I was feeling like a coiled spring.<br />
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<u><b>Race Day:</b></u><br />
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<b>Swim: </b>I launched myself into the water and tried to get into a rhythm as quickly as possible. I was struggling to find feet to follow and wound up in no-man's land. Swimming alone, I just focused on the process of getting out of the G-D water. I thought about each stroke and tried to channel some good form. I also kept thanking God for getting each little bit further in the swim. With epilepsy, the swim is never taken for granted. I finally rounded the last buoy and headed into shore.<br />
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<b>Bike: </b> I whipped through transition and out with my new Quintana Roo CD0.1. I was excited to race the bike now that I really had my position dialed on it and I had trained on it a bit. Out onto the roads, the legs were feeling like magic. I was clicking along, thinking my Garmin was full of $#!T as it was ready 27.5-28 mph with no wind to speak of... I was riding out of my skull! I settled into an aggressive rhythm and worked my way from 15th through to 4th. I stuck in my aerobars for nearly the entire course and just pedaled smooth controlled circles. I ended with an all time best average speed of 25.4 mph for 24 miles!<br />
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<b>Run: </b> Moment of truth. Can you run fast off the bike? ... At this point my answer is probably not but you have to try. Onto the run, a step ahead of 5th place I was up on my toes and running hard. I was feeling some cramping but hoping it would melt as cramps usually do. 5th place turned into 4th place as he was pure class and I was out to lunch comparatively. I tried to keep the elastic from snapping and came through the first mile in 5:45. He was 3 seconds ahead with the elastic still in tact. Next mile- 5:50. 6 seconds ahead. Then the full on cramping hit me like a bomb. I had never had cramps like that. My diaphragm had gone completely haywire. It was like horrifically painful hiccups. My pace dropped as I gasped pathetically. 4th place pranced away from me as my next mile came in at 6:12. I was unraveling. The cramps continued as I set out on lap 2. I slowed and squeezed deep into my rib cage and suddenly the cramps melted. I was back into my pace! next mile came in low 6's and then another 6 flat and then mid 5:50's as I hit the tape. I finished the 6 mile run with an average of 5:58's!<br />
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Yep. That was a good one. It was about 1.5 minutes faster than the last time I raced here and that race was unbelievable at the time. After the race I was thinking- It's amazing. That minute and a half means nothing to anyone but it means so much to me. It's good to be back racing after a year of injuries. I spared you the gory details by not blogging for that year but- trust me- it wasn't fun. <i><b>This </b></i>is fun.<br />
<br />JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-68002182110895417882013-02-28T10:32:00.000-08:002013-02-28T10:32:23.449-08:00An extraordinary week<br />
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<b>Day 1-</b> Dear lord. I found out that my Bike frame is non-functional. My sweet Seduza's dropout had cracked straight through. I rushed it to the ER only to be told that it was a terminal issue and required carbon repair. I went home, despondent, and put it on the trainer as it would have been a liability on the roads. I spun for 2 hours in silence. 1 hour aerobic/ 1 hour speed. </div>
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<b>Day 2-</b> I got out in the morning and nailed a moderate paced track session, thinking about my bike the whole time. Depression was the name of the game. I had a race on the weekend and needed a steed. I had to solve the issue and it would take some creativity as I had a strict budget and no time to waste. Fortunately, I had a CD0.1 frame that I was waiting to build so it's time had come. It was about to be called up to the Majors. I sold my SRAM crankset and bought a SRAM Red BB30 version on sale which ended up clearing up some cash. Then I ordered some levers and I decided to gut the seduza and use the parts. I hit the pool after work for a 2500 swim. Again, a moderate effort just getting the work done. Chop wood. Carry water.<br />
<b>Day 3- </b> Day off as I was feeling fried. My volume has been high this year and I am still figuring out how best to handle it. With a race on the weekend, I like to have two full days off in the week before. I find it helps me get that "pop" feeling of freshness on the day.<br />
<b>Day 4-</b> 6 mile run with some hard strides. I had no idea what the weekend would hold as I hadn't touched on race pace all year except a bit on the bike. The first race of the year is always a crap shoot. It's even more of a crap shoot when you are riding a new bike for the first time. Legs felt good overall. Aerobic system was still lethargic but that was kind of expected. Patience is the key in race week.<br />
<b>Day 5-</b> I got out for an easy 4 miler with strides at lunch. I stayed on a dirt trail by my office. It is 1/2 mile long. Soft is good for easy runs which outweighs the boredom factor of running back and forth on a 1/2 mile strip. After getting home, I raced to the pool to nail an hour long set. Can't recall what I did but I think it had some fast 100's and 200's. Well... fast for me. Slow for the middle school girls' swim team. Everything is relative. Sidenote- all my parts were now in for the bike build. I had called my boy, Phil, at Hypercat Racing Bike Boutique and he agreed to squeeze me in for a build right before the race. What a legend.<br />
<b>Day 6-</b> I went up to see Phil and he made quick work of the CD0.1 build. The nicest touch in my mind were the wicked red highlights in the cockpit and the red cable housing. It just looks FLASH!<br />
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With team Evotri, matching and style are what it's all about. After some trialing and tweaking, we left Hypercat and headed for the bike course of the Camarillo duathlon. Even though I was really familiar with the area, I wanted to make sure I would know the turns (foreshadowing). I zipped around the course and the bike felt snappy and stable despite some serious wind. It squirted along the flats like a bar of soap and felt rock solid. Love it! Ready to race!<br />
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<b>Day 7- </b> Nervous for the first time, I got in the car with Caitlin riding shotty. We headed to the check-in and I went about my twitchy checking and double checking pre-race routine. My type A-ness (say that fast) was showing big time. After a quick warm up, I hit the start line. I did a quick prayer for safety right before the BANG! I was off and in the lead for the first 1/4 mile. Two guys moved through and I kept in touch, settling into my rhythm. I checked my GPS and I was well sub 6 so I relaxed knowing it was a good place to be. The first lap was done and I was feeling... comfortable??! Comfort is a rare feeling at 5:47 pace for me. I rolled around the next lap and into T1 sitting in third with 1st about 20s up and 2nd about 4s up. I tore through transition and onto the new Quintana Roo. This was where I would move. I made short work of the 2nd place and set off like a death train from hell after 1st place. I was locked in and making slow chips out of his advantage. Complete tunnel vision. I had his lead down to 5 seconds as we dived into a turn... I noticed the street sign as we leaned into the turn. OH CRAP! We were off course. Un-freaking-believable! I yelled to the leader but the head wind drowned me out. I spun around and headed back to the course cursing at my bumble. All told I added on 5.5 miles but rode well. Despite a solid wind, I held a 24.2 mph average into T2 and I was out onto the run. I shot off, running with a bit of agitation at my stupidity. 1st mile was 5:48! I was stunned and now was jazzed to keep the turnover high. Second mile came in at 5:45. Finishing it off with a 5:46. And Boom goes the dynamite!<br />
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I came in 4th place overall but the place didn't matter as I had screwed up the course beyond belief. The performance was rock solid, my new CD0.1 had me flying, and I was actually running well for the first time in a year and half. Also, I didn't quit which I was pretty pleased about. I have a feeling that the week was the start of a good season. Sort of an abnormal week but I loved it so I thought I would share :)JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-12690242494472778072012-12-04T15:50:00.000-08:002012-12-04T15:50:59.031-08:00Coaching: a weird way to experience a raceHey All,<br />
<br />I have been absent for far too long so time to get back on the horse. Not a ton going on for me from a racing perspective but that doesn't mean I have bailed on triathlon. Quite the opposite, I am doubling down. I am enjoying training more than ever and I actually started coaching! The coaching has been pretty interesting so let's talk about that just between us girls.<br />
<br />My good friend, Lauren, contacted me last year to talk about coaching. I thought she was asking for recommendations but she actually wanted <i>me</i> to coach her. At first, I was just flattered. I was blushing all over the place like a middle school girl. But when I got down to it, I was pretty nervous. I wanted to do things the right way and deliver on my end of the bargain. She was targeting Ironman Arizona and I felt I could set her up for a good race. I am not quite sure I would be a good coach for certain things, but I was confident that I understood at least how to get properly fit for Ironman and also felt I could explain race execution which was learned from both nailing it and botching it on my own. I also know Lauren really well. This was pretty important as I had a good understanding of her strengths and weaknesses. Sounded like a good situation so I was all in... but still nervous.<br />
<br />The first thing we did was set up some goals. We then spoke about race scheduling, how to approach training, what has worked for her in the past, and what we wanted to focus on. We set about ticking things over in training. I was throwing the kitchen sink at her in terms of workload. The workouts were really tough, mind numbing in some cases, and pretty intense but she was nailing the program. Obviously we were cautious in the parts of the season where the worload was highest, when she got sick, and always kept a pulse on how she was responding to the training. She just kept it rolling, stayed injury free, consistent, and committed. It was really freaking impressive. I basically set up a program that I'm not sure I could have done myself and she nailed it to the T.<br />
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Race day came and I was super confident in her fitness and our prep for the race. We had gone over the race so many times it was ridiculous and I knew she was set up for a BIG PR, but it was down to execution. Ironman is such a crap shoot. So many things can go wrong in so many different areas. I had no idea what was going to happen. I posted up on my computer, locked in and focused for a long day staring at a screen. Game on! <br />
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She set out and cruised the swim. She was a collegiate swimmer so I knew she was comfy when she came out in 1:00 flat. We had done enough swim training for that to be totally under control. Onto the bike. I was glued to my computer.<br />
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The first few splits were so even on the bike, I couldn't believe it. The pace was again totally in control and I was starting to get really pumped. I knew she was on her game, conservative, and executing beautifully. Praying for no flats, I kept refreshing on my screen to see her splits stay dead even. Unreal. I kept calling Inch who was at the race and her boyfriend, Eric, to remind her to be patient and keep eating. She hit mile 100 and was still laughing and I knew things were on track. No flats and into T2.<br />
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Onto the run, the first couple splits looked a bit quick. The standard 20-30 seconds per mile faster than you should be going because it's Ironman and you're finally fresh! It's freaking science bro. Everyone does it. After mile 3, she settled in. Around mile 10 things started trending in the wrong direction. She was fading. My stomach started flopping over on itself and I was biting my nails down to the stumps. She wasn't far off her pace but it wasn't looking good. I was on the phone again trying to get someone to tell her to get some coke down and she would come around. I hit the refresh button probably 400 times and finally her pace started to come right. Phew. Mile 20 and she was getting on track. The last 3 miles were faster than goal pace!<br />
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I flipped out and was jumping around like a baby howler monkey. Incredible. She came in at 11:06 for a 2 hour PR! But more than the time, she executed to perfection. Wow. Who knew hitting the refresh button for 11 hours could be such a rush?<br /><br />
<br />JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-44623020239550494722012-07-18T20:01:00.001-07:002012-07-18T20:33:40.543-07:00Lake Stevens 70.3: Guiding Aaron Scheidies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-48052399600725227322012-07-16T19:59:00.002-07:002012-07-16T19:59:45.508-07:00Coke Zero and Fish n' Chips<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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You get what you need</div>
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Dear Bloggers,</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have been away for some time as you have undoubtedly
noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure it has kept you
up at night and for that I am deeply sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from the obvious apology, I feel I owe some sort of an
explanation for my absence from the world wide interweb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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This year has been particularly rough from an exercise
standpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been one injury
after another and a desperate attempt to build some meager amount of fitness
week after week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had weeks
of solid training but in endurance sports consistency is king and the only
thing that has been consistent is the injuries.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This actually took quite a toll on me emotionally as I would
go through highs and lows way more often than to which I was accustomed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the reason for the absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the old adage goes- if you don’t
have anything nice to say, stop blogging and wallow in your own self-pity. </div>
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Because of the constant setbacks, this year has forced me to
do a broad analysis of the WHY of triathlon. I love endurance activities to a
degree that I can’t explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
sort of like the juice in my battery as a human being. Not necessarily
triathlon or racing but long sustained movement through different places is what
makes me happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things going awry
is sort of like short circuiting my system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel lost.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now on to the deeper stuff:</div>
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Looking in the mirror though is also a major component of
why I like this pursuit. Self-evaluation and accountability are things that I
really value and nothing exposes your core, cowardice, and ugliness quite like
endurance sport. I like that especially on a discrete unit level of one race or
one workout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year has
definitely brought a new perspective on looking in the mirror, as it is SO much
broader. It put me back in touch with certain key realizations and sort of
developed my spirituality.</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The gift of being able to do this sort of thing
is not mine or any individual’s but rather something precious from God. Nothing
we have done entitles us to enjoy these activities. It’s easy to forget and to
not give credit or honor back is something that comes more naturally than I
care to admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, this
year I realized that I had been doing just that and taking the gift for granted.
Gratitude is vital and that extends beyond sport, duh.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Self-reliance is arrogant, stupid, and a waste
of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again- very easy for me to
fall into a pattern of self-reliant behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breaking the cycle is key and I’ve found that putting my
faith in God has freed me to enjoy the sport again. God doesn’t necessarily
give you what you want but rather what you need and there is peace in
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Anyways, that’s my year in a nutshell. More to come at some point</div>
<!--EndFragment-->JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-51946511365285144462012-04-23T09:32:00.000-07:002012-04-23T09:32:46.036-07:00Evotri Epicamp III<br />
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Hub Endurance is another one of Evotri’s Chattanooga-based
sponsors. An excellent bike shop that
provides top-notch coaching service. They
are amazingly plugged into the community. Generally a keg-erator helps with
that. They are a big local hangout for
cyclists and triathletes in the area.
Coffee and beer flow like... well, like coffee and beer, and the staff is welcoming and laid
back. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6TYMXBAofV6Mfv1ANILTcpeC2BU2gJkr5_Bei1rH0MWoI8HrvfVcx-6Vo70ufYdf18c_r6JNO7fmNgoPSREiBuKwZ9EBW2c2huECS7q-Uo9NmeYRi3l2i_DVfzkWUwuR0VQLGvWQN1VK/s1600/Hub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6TYMXBAofV6Mfv1ANILTcpeC2BU2gJkr5_Bei1rH0MWoI8HrvfVcx-6Vo70ufYdf18c_r6JNO7fmNgoPSREiBuKwZ9EBW2c2huECS7q-Uo9NmeYRi3l2i_DVfzkWUwuR0VQLGvWQN1VK/s320/Hub.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We headed there to have few beers, to see
the shop, and chat with the boys. SRAM was their promoting their charity, World
Bicycle Relief. The program basically
gives bikes to people in impoverished country. That may not seem like much, but
having a bike allows them to get to a market to sell goods, or to attend school. Basically a bike is a game changer and for $134,
SRAM donates a fully equipped commuter bike to someone in need. The people who turned out to the HUB/Evotri
event had an impromptu fundraiser and were able to send 3 full bikes to
Africa.<span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div>
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After Hub, we headed back to the cabin to crash and get ready for a
beast of a bike ride in the morning.</div>
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Dawn came too soon.
We fired up the multiple gallon coffee maker that Chris brought and watched the fog roll
off the Tennessee River. The temperature
slowly crept up and by 8, it was good enough for short sleeves and no
gloves. The HUB team and Dave from the
North Face met us and we rolled out as a group. We stuck together for 10 miles
or so and headed to the base of a climb where the group split off for the
different ride options for the day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR32FW6colhvfei_L-_sNQ35B9rJYc6xKlLPfyphzjYH78TKfgYiORTx_zhKfAUOTQBKNz5X8T_pTgr8KOKOAkw7Qob7pBTsniU-8u0a2ywmS5MHB0nfV5KMlCz5TOUJSjhKk1n_GeH-2q/s1600/foggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR32FW6colhvfei_L-_sNQ35B9rJYc6xKlLPfyphzjYH78TKfgYiORTx_zhKfAUOTQBKNz5X8T_pTgr8KOKOAkw7Qob7pBTsniU-8u0a2ywmS5MHB0nfV5KMlCz5TOUJSjhKk1n_GeH-2q/s320/foggy.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHKDSbV1whkodSHb7hLvU-qjNefQb4M7PTijgflNckKuf8HE65phZRG8drkhSAKSX1aZAW-9R8LOL2PFhJ-5h67Qbap0EZRjLlFZ0MedruE4MdWb9jgpQFuFfZ245akclxJ9aauZEMJEU/s1600/evo+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHKDSbV1whkodSHb7hLvU-qjNefQb4M7PTijgflNckKuf8HE65phZRG8drkhSAKSX1aZAW-9R8LOL2PFhJ-5h67Qbap0EZRjLlFZ0MedruE4MdWb9jgpQFuFfZ245akclxJ9aauZEMJEU/s320/evo+bike.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiN5eevUOC8Jgw6D020kIP9ZG7fOc5MStTKRsFhqveysSpT8s2bdVzm8eI6wIZg5JAIrVAoP4_s7m3ug5dQ1qrjN1S1sTrqRqX8pKYgxrzx56vCpeyo1HpGnv9_sw02Q3YIyJAhyphenhyphennaOod/s1600/evo+bike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiN5eevUOC8Jgw6D020kIP9ZG7fOc5MStTKRsFhqveysSpT8s2bdVzm8eI6wIZg5JAIrVAoP4_s7m3ug5dQ1qrjN1S1sTrqRqX8pKYgxrzx56vCpeyo1HpGnv9_sw02Q3YIyJAhyphenhyphennaOod/s320/evo+bike+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me, Matt, Chris, and Dave headed up the climb that was
billed as one of the toughest in the area. Dave said “just when you get
desperate, you have 30 more pedal strokes and it’s over.” I thought, “Desperate? What the ^&% are
you talking about? I don’t get desperate
on a bike. You do.” Wrong.</div>
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It was 2.4 miles and pitched up to something ridiculous like
26%. That's just a number until you actually feel it. The climb started off steep and I
powered off the front and out of the saddle.
Big mistake. It leveled off for a
second and I desperately sucked air. As
it pitched up again, I started paying for my early pace. I could barely turn the pedals as Chris went
around me. Served. I was on my last legs as I swerved all over the
road. Desperate was an understatement. I was PWNED in the biggest way imaginable. I sort of got my legs back under me and
started trying to pull Chris back as we hit the top. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBInt2A5pV13nCipD4BJKTJLoGFNrVek6_EM942Gsz3ok_D6DIX8jfSC-Ygushu1MxVIdPlFXOFDXnsffEC1KS47Oj2tN83npIgLUc3fkpw2PqQo0Q4sl1xtrgykxyLxl9sg0U1UWnaG_t/s1600/climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBInt2A5pV13nCipD4BJKTJLoGFNrVek6_EM942Gsz3ok_D6DIX8jfSC-Ygushu1MxVIdPlFXOFDXnsffEC1KS47Oj2tN83npIgLUc3fkpw2PqQo0Q4sl1xtrgykxyLxl9sg0U1UWnaG_t/s320/climb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not thrilled as my stomach nearly came through my nose on that climb</div>
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We set off along the rolling hills at the top of the ridge.
I was on the Quintana Roo illicito, so I felt the obligation to go to the front
and tow the group as I had the fastest bike.
Let me tell you, that bike FLIES.
I barely was putting any effort into it and easily cruising along at 23
mph in some wind. The bike is
ridiculously stable in the windy and squirts along the flats like a bar of
soap. It isn’t as snappy as the CD0.1 on
the climbs, but makes up for it with the speed everywhere else. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD6dxNyA9ifdEqjAM_bGQkiECo56erNQ0wk_9IislbY4-k3xOkeC5QEHhR-oFlYhoHtxVV6aqk-f_k0ar4QxkmhX36n_5ujkJ1OolOJv0Osj1dLVVc-QgF5LK93MSZ4M7Kb7hbbbi68qW/s1600/ill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD6dxNyA9ifdEqjAM_bGQkiECo56erNQ0wk_9IislbY4-k3xOkeC5QEHhR-oFlYhoHtxVV6aqk-f_k0ar4QxkmhX36n_5ujkJ1OolOJv0Osj1dLVVc-QgF5LK93MSZ4M7Kb7hbbbi68qW/s320/ill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We headed down a descent and into some more rolling
farmland. Just as I was starting to
unravel, we stopped for snickers and coke which saved my ass, as usual. We launched up the final climb of the day. I
shredded my legs on the early part of the climb and was shot out the back. I wasn’t pleased as I don’t usually get
dropped on the bike, but early season fitness, or lack thereof will do that to
you. Nevertheless, we rolled down the
descent and back to the cabin. I was
smoked. I flopped into the jacuzzi, opened
the book “Once a Runner”, and 2 pages later was dozing. </div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-85418085874066586772012-04-19T19:55:00.005-07:002012-04-19T20:31:39.690-07:00Evotri Epicamp part II<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://poohbeartri.blogspot.com/2012/04/team-evotri-epicamp-part-i.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Read part I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> </span></a>to catch up, internet dweller.</div><div><br /></div><div>We plunged into the delightful, green, wooded bowels of Chatanooga, closing in on the Quintana Roo headquarters. I was UBER pumped for this part of the weekend as it was the first time meeting with the QR crew and it was my first time in any sort of bike making facility. We arrived and were greeted by Heather Sweet and Brad DeVaney. They showed us around their offices and introduced us to the group. The 2012 line of QR bikes was lining the office. I can't say that I would mind if my office were dotted with 3 to 6 thousand dollar bikes. Some of the new paint jobs are absolutely wicked.</div><div><br /></div><div>After we met the QR team, they walked us into the manufacturing plant where they receive their QR bikes and make the Litespeed titanium bikes. I was like a kid in a candy store. Litespeed has always been my dream bike. Something about titanium gets me in a spot that carbon never will. Seeing how they machine these bikes was incredible. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp0v3mhemeY56fv5G3OHPLMDctta-ZPd9ZUarcv5FU_yxD_208q75VaimP0ogZOwrUQBlHcoq8043B8BI4OSmBOE_4uQWPWVe2OmSj3sepewVarvP1dWR7wsgAsItCPO7u0xnemfpBqJB/s320/NOKIA+Lumia+800_000330.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733313954993573026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WUuq2a6u-BXVXp7KarCSr01btld3CXeDK_aeFo6sWczQ1KQLK2k8cmjw43Aiu4fkPe41JeVyBxcbYuf51_uula58hunaJwqoz1pPzT-cqCdglN1GuQFPc4_psgCDKt3C5yu0XqmlV9SJ/s1600/NOKIA+Lumia+800_000327.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WUuq2a6u-BXVXp7KarCSr01btld3CXeDK_aeFo6sWczQ1KQLK2k8cmjw43Aiu4fkPe41JeVyBxcbYuf51_uula58hunaJwqoz1pPzT-cqCdglN1GuQFPc4_psgCDKt3C5yu0XqmlV9SJ/s320/NOKIA+Lumia+800_000327.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733313962307836690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>They are so far ahead of the game in titanium manufacturing it is ridiculous. The real kicker here is that, at the moment, Brad does literally all of the design work for the group. This guy is a freaking legend. He has been responsible for a great majority of the innovations since the inception of the TT bike. He is driving the industry. Lemond and Lance rode Litespeeds to tour victories. Robbie McEwen was on one. The new shift technology of the QR CD0.1 and illicito was Brad's brainchild and is probably one of the most revolutionary concepts in tri bikes in the last decade. I could pick this guy's brain for a solid week without skipping a beat. He also showed off some prototypes and molds of things he has tried in the wind tunnels and I about lost it. </div><div><br /></div><div>After my head basically exploded, we had some lunch, snapped a million pictures, and headed out for a group ride. We noodled around the backroads. I was on a CD0.1 so I was testing it out. I was riding like a schizophrenic squirrel and popping off the front at random intervals to put the bike through its paces. That thing is snappy. It actually climbs a lot better than I would expect from a TT bike. It is really stiff and accelerates well. Not surprisingly, it is super slippery in the wind. The bike was incredibly stable pointed into the teeth of the wind and made it really easy to apply force to the pedals smoothly. I was definitely impressed. Check out Inch's new one just so you have an idea of what the CD0.1 looks like.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJChJG2HL497BHB8TnVd6HDzTEDSjb9A3Iw3ZfQVQK0ptD21bXQ9qH2PORDdJE_w-j3qk0kjJdujYRBvlXrm7cZfjuaAMvxFyzazjN6cAU5Awaaq53KCopOUliJnbXjnDRIRBq0IHeFD25/s320/456737_334261069970968_102224329841311_900993_1533633818_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733318294491517298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">He looks like an idiot but that bike is so ILL.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Heather set me up with an illicito to ride for the rest of the weekend so more to come on that. After the ride, we headed back to the cabin and then onto our next stop. Hub Endurance!</div><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-51920991653535926232012-04-18T20:45:00.009-07:002012-04-18T21:20:29.523-07:00Team Evotri EPICAMP part I<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Hello all you internet-dwellers,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I am in a much better mood since the last time we spoke. As some of you know, I recently got back from the Team Evotri camp in Chattanooga. Turns out that was what I needed to jumpstart my training. I am already feeling this will be a multi-part blog as I am starting to blubber and blabber like a teenage girl before homecoming.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Let me start by saying this team RULES. It is a hodgepodge of hilarious and very different people. It is the perfect mix and they are all the best. I was stoked for camp as I haven't seen the team in a while. This weekend was also the team's introduction to our new member and my best buddy, Matt Inch. The team was already amazing and now Matt's in? Come on, world... you are too good to me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">We all rolled into Chattanooga and headed to our cabin. Sweet found a cabin located slightly out of town and right on the Tennessee River. It was a log sort of cabin with a jacuzzi and a million rooms. Perfect. But don't take my word for it... look at the views:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIpEJwbOfAblFjsZ941M6XBehE8Jhhu3UZ2FucMkr0JQ9lHVF2zxRNwig1vP-2nE0H-JUhIRefUq5aoDnFJKpTEIY_xhU-zkxEgIaz2NMXNL3RMO7qyCr42tn2f0eo4LyXSqkSa8nkuCq/s320/413557_335120763218332_102224329841311_903320_492380754_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732955717320000290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT9lHMRkNx89fBhNY3sHeDTWvILuCmnXFwrd5V1szJVDMJ064Z9giEekf-KVwF5oAK6XPvK-7_VvfJemu-ubfoOndtYmFIFdfCpSnCZSQUu4iE2be55-xaIkCQh-a-DZ-P9RA05i6zBEO/s320/458187_334246613305747_102224329841311_900958_673743044_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732955721908222002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The house would have made Shaq fire his realtor.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">We started the weekend by heading out for a jog. We loosened up the legs and rolled through the backwoods of TN. In a one mile stretch, I would guess we saw something like 15-20 dogs which was odd/nice/loud. We also saw several houses with what Charlie deemed "eternal yard sales". The $#!@ was piled about as high as the house and was cascading down the backyard in some sort of unnatural, but still beautiful, garbagefall. Apparently this phenomenon is also called Tennessee runoff. I liked that. Not surprisingly, multiple dogs were hiding in the mounds of trash, ready to strike if you intruded on their territory. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitomrI8JwjyGZzjBqS5fO38P2o-SL3d9Wm83F2lhF8QJyG6KZmOS2FUiQr8hO4tCbct06k8_-zZh7B2HYmxUbJRLh_9TvMF-eaS1P3TRyZuLUgZoS1YrUKkrTqCIjQiBc3AFJSea7jMw9N/s1600/464371_335139949883080_102224329841311_903392_1933879883_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitomrI8JwjyGZzjBqS5fO38P2o-SL3d9Wm83F2lhF8QJyG6KZmOS2FUiQr8hO4tCbct06k8_-zZh7B2HYmxUbJRLh_9TvMF-eaS1P3TRyZuLUgZoS1YrUKkrTqCIjQiBc3AFJSea7jMw9N/s320/464371_335139949883080_102224329841311_903392_1933879883_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732956804496523042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">After the jog, I floundered about in the river and posed for some glamor shots.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rhk2qmKCeP1_gyF-9nCtWU7gNUrtabfVfcNYySiQw4c2d-6xRB3hkJwWi2QE8H91MiHG7Q9pllGH4lA33dBxezWhPeJLipgiWRVUtBkLQf0P47D-jjqLN86dLOMHiIS4JXDhCzwB0st8/s320/465333_334261813304227_102224329841311_900996_740942910_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732960736467372210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Next up was our much anticipated trip to the headquarters of Quintana Roo! That will have to wait, dear readers. I am getting sleepy.</span></div></span></span></span></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-14515221396722765482012-04-09T09:50:00.007-07:002012-04-10T12:03:20.887-07:00Getting off the groundThought I would check in as it has been a while. I sort of lose the will to blog when I am not smashing the training so that's the reason for sporadic writing. The year of the Dragon has been cruel to me. Call 911 cuz I need a Waaambulance.<br /><br />I have started finally ticking it over for a couple weeks now and I think I have sorted out my injures to some degree. I have had it all this year. Broken wrist, torn hammy, knee troubles, bursitis, periformis issues, IT band problems, SI joint pain, and calf troubles. DAYYYUM. Most of that was minor but it all needed to be addressed so naturally training has been impacted.<br /><br />Anyway, my last little twingy thing was some knee tendinitis coming flaring up mainly on the bike. I figured it was time to head back into Hypercat racing to get my position tweaked to fix the issue. I went to see the fit wizard, Phil Casanta and we quickly fixed the cleat position. We also had been discussing making a gearing change for about a year now and we finally swapped out my 53 tooth front chainring for a SRAM red 54 tooth ring.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWDgGTkV48A1ZfrXdzD3ueRAkhEZtFkqthXPX-_94snZk0oXP2unLsWq5_FUj7zelVLpEXCHMThB7IzN0VoFyxOVnX34EV1cZ_vbjOG16JNaLBMRvjTl-UnqSiLFXx6gA13H2I-dQMFSr/s1600/22033.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWDgGTkV48A1ZfrXdzD3ueRAkhEZtFkqthXPX-_94snZk0oXP2unLsWq5_FUj7zelVLpEXCHMThB7IzN0VoFyxOVnX34EV1cZ_vbjOG16JNaLBMRvjTl-UnqSiLFXx6gA13H2I-dQMFSr/s320/22033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729447470357965730" border="0" /></a><br />This dinner plate essentially gives me a little more speed in every gear. I tested it out and it is stupid. I can grind out higher speed than I ever thought possible and it feels more efficient. I think it suits my riding style as I am a masher and it gives me extra gears in the tailwinds/ downhills.<br /><br />I have tested it out in 2 workouts and immediately set a personal best. I went after it again to see the impact of the gear. I was noticing a difference cruising into a headwind and especially coming down slight hills. I felt like the gear was taking advantage of my strength on the bike, which is pushing a low cadence. I usually go around this loop in about 25.5 mph at best and I clocked in at 26.6 mph! Boom. I also did some super short intervals cruising up to 29-31 mph in the flats... Wow. I was stunned. It's like I went from a V6 to a V8. I can push so hard, I barely am sitting on the seat. I am hovering over it and all energy and bodyweight is going into moving the bike fast.<br /><br />I am getting stoked for our upcoming Evotri team camp in Chattanooga. We will be visiting Hub endurance and Quintana Roo, which I am quite excited about. But more than that, I am pumped to get together with the team. Hopefully I will be injury free and can take advantage of some good training grounds too. More to come.JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-35058013849251380262012-03-08T19:49:00.005-08:002012-03-08T20:08:36.525-08:00Charles Barkley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmfFp4ouCNUrBdF_WyVdmcuk7ZNojfnSriRTMfkJl92w1N55g4Bx1ARGD6_6y8MAxefxljVYW_XBusCiLtkAvjk3EhKK0GeEZLPd0BuO8KliyS5qEx_6b6K3Ci0xLe5LlxR3dbksCUWXv/s1600/barkley-chains-001248760bmF.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;">I am one week in and I am quickly realizing how much work needs to be done. The first 7 or so workouts have been banked and they have had some serious stank to them. It's kind of exciting being this out of shape. It has been a while and it has lit a fire under my behind. I talked to my buddy affectionately known as Larry Legend for his feathery hair and incredible Birdlike performances. He is planning on whipping my ass into shape and taunted me by calling me Shaq. How wrong he was... Right now I am Charles Barkley on a pizza bender.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidX9tCPM5ISlIpYvfyM81q4Umtxd_u5eNybB6FOc1XFywIa0eu1rdEupWEyezmrorxGGTvOr9svJoofErPo4RRoUTJuw-w2-xxbwMQvBHTYXMN2OCWpgaFpsZvijV9mvzM2nd1ofm_AivC/s320/Charles-Barkley-eating-pizza.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717739990052506338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How does that taste, Chuck? Like shame?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The thing about Sir Charles is he could turn ugly very quickly. That's what I'm about to do. I am about to do work in the paint. CHARLES UNLEASHED.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmfFp4ouCNUrBdF_WyVdmcuk7ZNojfnSriRTMfkJl92w1N55g4Bx1ARGD6_6y8MAxefxljVYW_XBusCiLtkAvjk3EhKK0GeEZLPd0BuO8KliyS5qEx_6b6K3Ci0xLe5LlxR3dbksCUWXv/s1600/barkley-chains-001248760bmF.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmfFp4ouCNUrBdF_WyVdmcuk7ZNojfnSriRTMfkJl92w1N55g4Bx1ARGD6_6y8MAxefxljVYW_XBusCiLtkAvjk3EhKK0GeEZLPd0BuO8KliyS5qEx_6b6K3Ci0xLe5LlxR3dbksCUWXv/s320/barkley-chains-001248760bmF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717742277896874722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">ROUND MOUND OF REBOUND!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Things are about to get turrible around here really quick... well actually, it is going to take a considerable amount of time. But you get it.</div></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-73561511769337550262012-03-02T13:59:00.004-08:002012-03-06T19:59:44.067-08:00Starting from scratch<div style="text-align: left;">My wrist has finally healed and I am out of the cast just in time for my hamstring injury to properly stop my leg related exercising. Despite the annoyance of not being able to do my thang thang, I had to get back into swimming anyway. So since I couldn’t do any of the fun sports, I got into the pool. The swimming came back faster than usual which I am hoping goes for biking and running. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>I am also taking out my frustration on medicine balls. Slams are the best release ever for the injured athlete. Throwing a ball as hard as you can over and over is the best. Outside of the pure anger of the motion, the best part is the dull unrewarding thud of the ball. There is no glory in slams… only the next slam. I have destroyed 3 medicine balls slamming them too hard which has been gratifying hassle for the sporting goods store. Balling also has been quite effective and, as a result, my core is stronger than usual. I look like pink, but I am way taller, a better singer, and a man.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesx8Xv2WTiosf3Cv9avUyTtVIVOMtEJN3A5bEQSXOMSnHN8VnOrEoFIfIWX0BdR_TENaJsdpisJ3p87ZFbpzphUIGYsuwVFBltdA0Q3yZbpRSS3AF3_I6ZcvUfkcrsSArRv5aksndrHFX/s320/pink-bikini-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716998419925383186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">uhhhh.....</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><br />My roommate, Becky, is a PT and has been scraping my hamstring. It’s an unpleasant process but speeds the healing. I started jogging lightly 3 days ago and I realized I literally have zero fitness. I feel like a combination of Cartman and porky pig. I am definitely behind the eight ball for this season, but it will be a long one and I will come back like the furious pigly thing that I am. Get ready for this swine to Ball OUT full force. More blogging to come as things are on the up on and up.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's all folks.</div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-9235784621272465192012-01-26T11:25:00.000-08:002012-01-26T15:49:45.763-08:00Despair and Star WarsAnd now for something completely different…<br /><br />It has been a while since writing. This is mainly due to doing things other than the routine swim, bike, and run. The other things have captured my full attention. My triathlon lately has been drink scotch, play games, and eat loaves upon loaves of bread. Not surprisingly, I am really good at this new triathlon. Quite surprisingly, I am actually reasonably fit. I am considering writing a book about alternative triathlon training methods. I think people have got base training all wrong.<br /><br />I am now playing soccer and I have been focusing on getting ready for the effort so I won’t be sore for a week after each game. My body has adapted really well to moving slowly in one line which lends itself to pitiful soccer skills. So I have been doing a lot of change of direction running, plyometrics, and core stuff to change my body up. Well, I am happy to report that my first game went well. We balled our way to a sweet victory and I scored 2 goals and had an assist. I am however quite unhappy to report that I broke my wrist in said game. I fell on the same wrist twice. On the positive side, the second time I demolished the wrist was on a lofty clean cross to an incredible header for a goal. I fell over onto my wrist as I crossed it but, in a way, the goal made it worth it. As I was laying on the ground, I winced and thought I had just sprained it really bad. I still had some semblance of range of motion in the joint. The thing swelled up quickly and started looking like a flesh balloon. A very painful flesh balloon.<br /><br />The next day I headed to the urgent care as it had continued to expand. I promptly found out it was busted. Bummer. This has sidelined me for a while from swimming and my usual groove.<br /><br />In the follow up soccer game, we smoked a bunch of whiners from Camarillo. We had no business beating them as they were dripping with talent but also oozing entitlement and so they blew it. Unfortunately this game caused a micro tear in my hamstring which has completely stopped my training and cast me into a depressed funk. As you all know, life is pretty pointless if you aren't running around for some self-imposed purpose. I have been a thoroughly worthless log this week. The only thing keeping me going is star wars related humor for some odd reason.<br /><br />Enjoy<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5GgazlTrERC4W9UF9EjS0zX3MLvNJOatKHJQXrrePKMopexFjy1mBlnzV3k1gcwY89KrqhqMiMkC2BYFXO3oyr6fd3k27N-Fj6m5RGwcUW2RaBwN7HLCwRg7QYz5ozTD6QsxPtPeDse1/s1600/lmLxZ.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5GgazlTrERC4W9UF9EjS0zX3MLvNJOatKHJQXrrePKMopexFjy1mBlnzV3k1gcwY89KrqhqMiMkC2BYFXO3oyr6fd3k27N-Fj6m5RGwcUW2RaBwN7HLCwRg7QYz5ozTD6QsxPtPeDse1/s320/lmLxZ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702026907640913426" border="0"></a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQCg7LyrvYcOq73uHxYl8VYvcTpPh95XDG8YqRF1kPr2AcbG_jv1AB1ob5a98gvl2NZ0NdgA7kmFnOm8vrhRDv_oD_9xvjjRpGTlravDZfH9jeGLtjxvK0H3wWL3aPk7cc3rI_BAp6OKy/s1600/395330_10101653405469004_2307383_78481216_2119660555_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQCg7LyrvYcOq73uHxYl8VYvcTpPh95XDG8YqRF1kPr2AcbG_jv1AB1ob5a98gvl2NZ0NdgA7kmFnOm8vrhRDv_oD_9xvjjRpGTlravDZfH9jeGLtjxvK0H3wWL3aPk7cc3rI_BAp6OKy/s320/395330_10101653405469004_2307383_78481216_2119660555_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702027236382908706" border="0"></a>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-73192262988120438122011-12-17T12:28:00.001-08:002011-12-17T16:14:55.559-08:00This year in reviewHey all,<br /><br />So I have been reflecting on this year as a whole. Obviously it was the best year ever as I got married, went to Scotland, Hawaii, got a real job, and won a Ironman. All of which meant a lot to me. But there is much more to a year than several highlights... You are made of all the days no one sees, sweat, and looking into the mirror often. So here is a look into the mirror.<br /><br />What went right?<br /><br />- Every race went reasonably well with no overall disasters other than a sunburn at kona that derailed hopes of a fast marathon. Some were better than others but the consistency was really solid.<br />- I went into the grave during several races including salvaging what could have been a shameful performance at Kona. I went deeper than I thought was possible and that made me really proud.<br />- I won an Ironman. That was an incredibly gratifying way to end a good season.<br />- My running improved significantly and, with the help of Jill, I figured out how to properly put intensity back into the training without putting myself into a big hole.<br />- It was fun the entire year and I didn't burn out at the end.<br />- I was consistent all year, didn't get injured, and rarely went 72 hours between training sessions of each sport. Consistency is king in triathlon and I put together a great year in that regard.<br /><br />What went wrong?<br />-I lost the ability to maturely exercise and became one of those meat-head idiots who goes out and tries to compete whenever people are around. This really impacted my pacing in races. I was less in tune with what I should be doing in races and more interested in competition. Good and bad but mostly bad, especially in longer stuff.<div>-Overall, I was a little bit sloppy in my preparation for races and careless with nutrition. If you aren't disciplined about nutrition in training, you can expect issues when you are racing and that's what happened. Twice.<br />- I strayed from steady long TT efforts on the bike which detached me from understanding my pace on the bike.<br />- Again, I was fairly unfocused in the water and probably should have done more group swimming... but I just hate it so much<br /><br />Overall the best year of my life in triathlon (and outside) with loads of room to get better.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>In other cool news: I listen to this triathlon podcast called IM talk. I am a huge follower of it and listen almost every week. I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard that they had given me a shout out for the HITS win. Check it out below... It's pretty funny and made me really happy.</div><div><br /><div id="kadoo_video_container_16403033-26f"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.divshare.com/flash/video/v3/videoplayer_sv.swf" width="250" height="190" style="undefined" id="kadoo_video_player" name="kadoo_video_player" bgcolor="#000000" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="direct" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="data=YTo2OntzOjU6ImFwaUlkIjtzOjE6IjQiO3M6NjoiZmlsZUlkIjtpOjE2NDAzMDMzO3M6NDoiY29kZSI7czoxMjoiMTY0MDMwMzMtMjZmIjtzOjY6InVzZXJJZCI7czo3OiIyNDk1MDk0IjtzOjQ6InRpbWUiO2k6MTMyNDE2NjE5MDtzOjEyOiJleHRlcm5hbENhbGwiO2k6MTt9&autoplay=default&id=16403033-26f"></embed></div><br /></div></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-27407008003505027972011-12-10T08:05:00.000-08:002011-12-10T08:21:56.574-08:00Lookin for fun and feelin' groovy<div>Hey all,</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a week removed from my last race. I have been content in not talking or thinking about triathlon, which is a huge rarity for me. This last race allowed for a level of closure that I haven't experienced before. I am not over analyzing every detail and don't feel that overwhelming annoyance at small mistakes made during the race.... although I am aware of all of them.... EVERY one. I am not obsessing over them, which is definitely abnormal.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was truly a race with no pressure. </div><div><br /></div><div>Despite not thinking about triathlon, I have been thinking about the finish line a lot because it was a huge relief. HITS put out a video of my finish line "experience". They edited out a lot of stuff, for which I am grateful. In the future, I'll have to act like I've been there before. Clearly I havn't. Embarrassing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o6cXqr3TaYo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-86501427995478230272011-12-05T14:05:00.000-08:002011-12-06T20:50:03.978-08:00Duh, Winning.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph1A4HcSvWvMblxTs5lY6Lf3p25qrn4FV6v1CbkIcQ_hFHQppz2INlsGuEUsJ2rwcktmNXF18uB0fIfbeCju3Jt50RsOLr_byD8zG_xvphTz-ackMcJX0MCXNlxF6QY__HBKQRQERtZ5w/s1600/DSCN4456.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">My first Ironman win!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><div><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Wow… the headline sounds cooler than it is, but it’s still pretty cool. Wonders of shock journalism. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">First off, the disclaimer: it was a tiny race so it's really not that big of a deal, except to me. I was pretty jazzed because I don't win very often and this was a full Ironman!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Caitlin and I talked about winning the race the day before and I was having visions of snapping the tape before I had even started. How ‘bout I Tarantino it and start at the end? </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The sun was slowly going down as I hit the turn into the final 200 meters. The race staff, volunteers, and crowd were all lining the finishing chute and screaming. I was jumping out of my skin. Arms spread wide, I airplaned down the final meters, high fiving everyone, and laughing my ass off. Holding the finish line tape above my head was incredible. They had multiple cameras trained on me and I went nuts grabbing the camera and shoving my face in it, spitting everywhere. After the celebration they gave me a slick trophy and the race director interviewed me. It felt pretty nice. I love winning.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">FADE OUT!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">7 am the whistle sounded and we were off. The water was colder than an abandoned piece of salmon at the bottom of your freezer. I was swimming well and came around the first loop in third feeling relaxed. The second half of the swim was tough as my arms were going a bit numb and felt sort of floppy. Michigan blood served me well and I sucked it up. I managed to stick with the group and I exited th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">e water to see my buddies Christina and Larry. Larry won the Olympic distance race the day before, so we were hoping I could handle business and complete the double for us. Caitlin yelled that I was out in 51:50! 51:50???! Come on. Talk about short. I swam well, but I’m not Michael Phelps</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Off onto the bike and feeling good. </span></span></p><div class="WordSection1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWh7RR88u5gletI9sgQyWzbSfWEIiA5xcqT8pi-KiVCSbZMkY5_S-1lX3ZfR5pf99d0ajShZM8Kjlm-lhUctqqR5IhGjQeCzeLs4ozxcnW5gQSbVOArylbPaAx2H1tUiqWLR69LiffvTj/s320/DSCN4451.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683235172853653170" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ballin</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The wind was calm and I was focused on getting the first loop done as fast as possible to avoid as much of the wind as I could. As a result, I overbiked a bit and set off on the second loop feeling a little drained. The roads were shit shakers to say the least and each pothole was very leg draining. The wind had picked up and my speed had dropped considerably. Very annoying, however at mile 80 I got to survey the damage and found out I had laid waste to the field. I was clear of second by at least 35 minutes. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph1A4HcSvWvMblxTs5lY6Lf3p25qrn4FV6v1CbkIcQ_hFHQppz2INlsGuEUsJ2rwcktmNXF18uB0fIfbeCju3Jt50RsOLr_byD8zG_xvphTz-ackMcJX0MCXNlxF6QY__HBKQRQERtZ5w/s1600/DSCN4456.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph1A4HcSvWvMblxTs5lY6Lf3p25qrn4FV6v1CbkIcQ_hFHQppz2INlsGuEUsJ2rwcktmNXF18uB0fIfbeCju3Jt50RsOLr_byD8zG_xvphTz-ackMcJX0MCXNlxF6QY__HBKQRQERtZ5w/s320/DSCN4456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683237181606891458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px; " /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It doesn't even look like I'm at a race does it?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I rolled into transition feeling rotten and annoyed that I had to run. I waddled out of transition and up the first and only hill on the course. I settled into my rhythm. I needed to get food on board as soon as possible. Being an inaugural ironman, the aid stations lacked some of the luxuries and volunteer support that the larger races enjoy. Weird gels and incredibly high fiber bars are not a good recipe for long distance racing but not having coke felt like sticking a needle in my eye. That stuff may not be for everyone, but it's my lifeblood. Hollatcha boy, Coke. I took what I could and was ticking off miles at a pretty low heart rate. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Mile 8-14 were a debacle. My gut had completely revolted and the chicken broth and syrupy goop were acting as Che Guevara. I will spare you the details outside of the fact that I got very acquainted with the various port-a-potties along the way. At mile 14, I lectured a volunteer about getting coke the next time they do a race... within a half mile, a race staffer poured me three cups out of the back of his SUV. He then proceeded to stock multiple aid stations that I would lean on like a delicious highly caffeinated crutch. I came around after the coke kicked in and started feeling lucid again.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I finally saw second place. I was at mile 17 and he was at mile 11 and seemed like he was in a tough spot. The next guy was another 2 miles back, but running quite well. I had them covered as long as I kept moving. I kept thinking, “Don’t waste Caitlin’s time. She’s been out here running around for you for hours. Just win and then you can go home and sleep. Don't lose after you've been leading for 8 hours.” </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I knew the course was a touch long as I was doing the mental math. Dammit. When you're racing an ironman, the last thing you want to do is run extra. Time doesn’t matter anymore, just win and run fast. I covered the last 12 miles at slightly above 7:30 pace and rolled into the last half mile as the sun was setting. The finish line was better than I could have imagined. After snapping the tape, I looked over at Cait who was grinning like a goblin. It could not have played out better if I had written it.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Caitlin was a COMPLETE LEGEND and saw me at least 50 times on the course. No joke. She got me through some really dark spots. Cliche, but seriously I could not have done it without her.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Great end to a great year. Thanks to everyone who supported me through the year, thanks to evotri, the great sponsors who keep us moving, my friends and family, and Caitlin who is the absolute best.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I love you guys.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "> </p></div></div></span>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-84971178170364933692011-11-28T18:33:00.000-08:002011-11-28T18:55:08.927-08:00In the beginningOne of my friends asked me how I got into triathlon and it got me thinking. So here it is...<div><br /></div><div>I was a late bloomer of the latest degree. In fact, at 26 I am just now figuring out exactly how to shave and I get carded like I'm Justin Bieber begging for margaritas at an Applebees. My golden years of athletics were elementary school. But damn, they were good. I was dominant at soccer, the mile run, and just about everything you could imagine... I was like the Michael Jordan of North Creek Elementary. But it couldn't last. The testosterone of an 8 year old can't compete in modern high schools and I was left in the dust. But I simply couldn't let sports go. I bounced around from tennis, to golf, to soccer, searching for dominance but the well had run dry. I was pissed and turned to candy as my escape from my sporting woes. I ate more candy than you could possibly imagine. I regularly scarred my taste buds with the strongest candies. Altoids and warheads were consumed by the gross. 20 dollars worth of candy in one sitting was a Saturday morning routine. Turns out I have an addictive personality. Chubbiness soon followed. Meanwhile, my little sister was completely ruining the state at cross country. She was a scrawny little baby and was making everyone look stupid at these races. She was also getting faster than me...</div><div>As any prideful big brother would do, I took up running. I ran in the dark because I was completely ashamed of both my blubber and my waddling speed. Seriously. I kept running at night and soon I was enjoying it. I ran for two years and still sucked at soccer, but I was starting to do ok at the practices where we ran.</div><div>I decided to forget about soccer and see if my sister's mojo would rub off on me. I joined to cross team. I got so excited and I was running pretty well in the summer. I put in a huge running summer for me and totaled 500 miles in something like 2.5 months which was astronomical compared with my usual running. </div><div>I ran well in one meet and then overtrained myself and was completely mediocre. But I had gotten just slightly faster than my sister and I had found something that I liked.</div><div>Then came the fateful day. My friend Jessie and I were sitting at her computer talking about Michigan State and surfing around on the internet. She found this thing called triathlon and taunted me saying, "I bet you can't do this". Bullshit. I would at least try. </div><div>I figured it would at least be a good way of meeting people and so I went to the first practice of the MSU triathlon club. It was then that I discovered I could ride a bike pretty well and I hit puberty. The perfect storm. I had found my sport.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-60247236829381272011-11-13T08:53:00.000-08:002011-11-13T09:20:42.863-08:00Big Day<div style="text-align: center;">Caitlin ran her first half marathon and here's the tale!</div><div><br /></div><div>She has been training for around 4 months for this and pushing her mileage up slowly to the point where the next logical long run would be 13.1 miles. On Friday, we headed up to Santa Barbara to register and crash at a hotel. We got her checked in and ready to go. I saw a bucket of sample lara bars and took roughly 50 of them for later indulgence. Then we headed to get a massive meal of barbecue turkey and brisket. Food coma ensued which made our musty motel 6 room much more appealing. </div><div>Race day came and it was clear, comfortable, but windy as hell. No worries. We headed to the start and Cait prepped her Ipod with Dave Ramsey podcasts of all things... </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Who the hell listens to financial podcasts as motivation in a race?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWq4KVhVp9FaS15op4f7fD_zfsniPcRjKDwuTJjjco8912yGL5opH26pI-YXGeRFZ_ZDgyEdbzk03XyEUentR2Exx-TZUN6EK-HCrcQ-HiBnaOPUQh6iCb1uEDM2f46UEYfU7ifTmQNMy/s320/298043_10101333477686844_2307383_77080012_1046349783_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674525685898655394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">THIS GIRL!</span></div><div>The race blasted off and Cait got rolling. She was super nervous so the plan was to cruise through mile four imagining it was a training run. I was biking on my Quintana Roo which would help me play sag wagon/ race support for the day. I saw her at the mile and she was comfortable and smiley. Good sign. I took off to catch her at another point and promptly got lost. My race issued fisher price map was of absolutely no help as it just showed toilet icons and water icons instead of useful things like street intersections. Dumb.</div><div>I found an overpass around mile three and waited but she didn't pass by. I missed her so hopped on the bike path and missed her again at another point. The marathon and half marathon had merged so it was impossible to gauge the pace of the runners. 6-8 thousand people or whatever made it like a horrible game of where's waldo. I took off again and rode on the course ignoring chastising comments from race officials and police officers alike. Just as I saw the lead men for the marathon hauling ass up a hill, I found Caitlin. She was at mile 6 and blasting financial podcasts. It was hard to get her attention but she looked good, relaxed, and still smiling which was a good sign. </div><div><br /></div><div>I biked with her for a bit and then she got annoyed with my hovering and sent me up the road. I proceeded to become a human mile marker and cheer for about a mile's worth of runners while waiting for Cait. The course was tough with wind and some massive uphills, but there was live music on the side of the road at around 5 different spots which was distracting and pretty cool.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cait was clipping off the miles and I saw her at mile 10 which was the toughest part of the course. It was a half mile long climb at about 8-10% gradient. If that doesn't mean anything to you, just imagine something you don't want to run up. Cait and I had talked about this point in the course as basically the end as it was all downhill from that point. She tore into the hill just chewing it up and staying relaxed. She really made it look easy while all around her, people were crumbling.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSEmIX7FoAv9OiABi77CZaEvHhuDqSvJPYqkQc8AL-QEoHOV4ECOS0F8BmKedAdsGyJmvxQ04kV_4wy4UzdMFRZNQpTIjLGvqwtPDny-E_pEO0ko1Tzup_oo6CJcIs97_uplcvmL9o-FP/s320/302489_10101334035369244_2307383_77083418_970415993_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674527866955772338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Good illustration of pink lady running with marshmallow form and Cait looking like Craig Alexander. Mercenary.</div><div><br /></div><div>She crested it and rolled down the huge slope to the finish line and even had enough to out kick a college age guy with 200m to go. It was hilarious. Cait actually has ridiculous footspeed to the point where when she is kicking it pushes me to stay with her. I have seen her finish a run at 5:20 pace up hill! She unleashed her patented kick and this guy foolishly tried to counter. He was shown a clean pair of pink nike heels as Caitlin finished her first half marathon in a time 6 minutes faster than expected! Awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>She also earned one of the largest blood blisters in history for her efforts. Look away if you are a cry baby and the human body makes you tremble with fear like a coward.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVs64rgLfFm6HA7WW6PGOvYivMkMmC-vugey-qiLZe5ck9fx0AJ4mFccrLNkKAZHoWEyuMkKen4bWCr4awlz3oumPxucOtdUNDwie9xfRIK0fhWBuOB5Fy8W6M8fmrB2bkq3zo7tDpSck/s320/381152_10101334239759644_2307383_77084763_1588947035_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674530581339828898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">BOOM goes the dynamite</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-80635361529927153572011-11-04T20:53:00.000-07:002011-11-04T21:14:35.728-07:00American verificationSo my last update included a 400's workout in which I, in theory, ran much faster than ever before. Suspiciously faster. Usually my absolute fastest 400's are around 69 seconds. In that workout, I hit 63 seconds for a 400. I felt great but 6 seconds doesn't just come off like that so naturally my first thought was to blame the track for being inaccurate. It was a dirt track with no lanes so I thought maybe it wasn't quite up to snuff. <div>Naturally, I couldn't leave it alone so I promptly set off to confirm the accuracy at a trustworthy American track. I had some 1 minute fartleks scheduled so I changed the route to end at a track and had some of the intervals changed to 400's just to check. I hit 66, 66, 65, 63! I was wrong to doubt the Finnish track. It was bigoted of me to think that 400m is somehow less in Finland and for that I am deeply sorry... but I had to be sure.</div><div>I am so pumped with that speed. Cutting 6 seconds in a 400 over one season really is getting me geeked.</div><div>And with that, I am definitely in for the Ironman in December!</div><div><br /></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-62476312169084113372011-10-31T01:35:00.000-07:002011-10-31T12:02:32.337-07:00Misc.<div><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Hey all,</span><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I am currently in Finland. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>The trip over was a brutal 20+ hours of travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I despise flying mainly for the desert-like lack of humidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I hate drinking constantly and staying thirsty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Obviously the problem is exacerbated if the trip is interminably long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, I did get a chance to read which I never seem to make time for when I am staying in one spot and have endless amounts of free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I am nearly finished with Iron War, the new book chronicling the 1989 Ironman World Championships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is one of the best races of all time, with Dave Scott and Mark Allen slugging it out with the decisive move happening at mile 24.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is literally insane to watch/ hear about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The book is definitely not a disappointment as the subject is too good to ruin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s sort of like baking…generally if the food has enough fat and sugar in it, it will taste good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s hard to mess it up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The writing is not exactly spot on but the angles the author takes on mental toughness, perception of fatigue, and the background of Mark and Dave are pretty interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love Dave Scott. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>He has the biggest balls in history and, in defeat,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you see truly how deep he can take it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He ties up completely like a 400m runner down the stretch in the last 2 miles and his form breaks down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Any other athlete would slow down, but he forces his body to accelerate despite a complete systems failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He is so tough he literally can will his body to do things he shouldn’t be able to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the end he loses but in the most bad ass way in history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I like to watch people who race like animals and don’t cave mentally no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The race in my opinion is bittersweet as I don’t think it is indisputable that Mark Allen was the strongest on the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think he raced a tactically perfect race and did what he needed to do to win as he shadowed Dave Scott.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But the bottom line is Dave Scott dictated and did the all the work until mile 24 in the marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mark Allen drafted his way to the win but Dave Scott raced arrogantly and that’s what happens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Either way, both of those guys are hard as hell.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Back to real life,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am looking forward to exercise in Finland as it is just like Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Fall is my sweet spot for training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I ran last night at 8pm and again today at 4:30 am and I am starting to feel excellent. There is a pool 5 minutes away from my hotel so I swam after work. I got done, took a nap (damned jetlag) and went for another run. I found a track midway through and decided to cruise an aerobic mile. To my shock, I finished it in 6:12 and felt SO easy. I decided to open it up and run some 400's. I came around feeling super easy and looked down to see a 71 on my watch. Whoa. That was stupid easy so I shifted gears. The next one was 65, then another, then another. I couldn't believe it. I was ticking off 65 second 400's like it was nothing and then I finished with a 63. I felt like I was on fire. I am actually a bit suspicious that the track was off... I don't know why but I am just going to have to verify that workout on a good old-fashioned American track. I don't know what the meter to meter exchange rate is in Europe. Eh, just means another speed day.<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">After today, things are looking good for the December Ironman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Still up in the air, but I should be able to decide by the weekend which is hyping me up so much.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097384270949877180.post-10113582584494905112011-10-27T18:20:00.001-07:002011-10-27T18:31:45.739-07:00Kona: Aftermath<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"In truth, the pleasure comes </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">less from the suffering but from the knowledge that we overcame the impulse to relent."</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">No idea where that quote came from. I snaked it from my buddy Ken. It is excellent and I think it sums up how I feel about Kona. However, I take no pleasure in my performance athletically. The bottom line is that it was a death march that was about damage control and not speed.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In the weeks that followed, I chewed over this and, honestly, I am bitter about it. I feel like I wasted some good run fitness on an Oprah speed marathon. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I am thinking I may go after another Ironman before I take a year long hiatus. The HITS triathlon series is putting one on in December basically in my backyard. The roads are licorice and I like the area. I may just get one more bang out of my fitness buck before the year is out and take a crack at running a fast marathon.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I know I am a stubborn mule. I don't care.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The decision is still to be made. I am off to Finland on Saturday and I will probably make the call when I am traveling depending on how I feel. It's also my birthday.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px;font-size:11px;"><br /></span></span></div>JP Severinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08968216670922496660noreply@blogger.com1