Taper Time

Hard to believe, but it is time to start tapering for Wildflower. Taper strategy is an ongoing learning process year after year, and is very different for each athlete. I’m all about trying new things each time, hopefully remembering the things that work and learning from the things that don’t. This year I think that my training for the Wildflower long course has gone pretty much according to my overall plan. I feel like I’m probably where I need to be to have a decent race on the course, and it’s just a matter of getting the taper right. Some people don’t put too much thought into these final weeks until a race, while others analyze every minute detail. I’m somewhere in the middle. I don’t agonize over decisions, but I also try to come up with a thoughtful strategy that has a good amount of structure. This year I am cutting back on volume about 20% every week for three weeks, but trying to add in a little more intensity to my taper workouts than I have in the past. We’ll see how this goes, the truth of it all will be found in the results.

Welcoming Winter

Winter brings with it: shortened days, cooler temperatures, cold’s and flu’s, and the Holiday season. But winter also signals the beginning of training, and committing to Wildflower. At this point, all you can see ahead is a long road of training. Long sets in the pool, cold mornings on the bike and trying to get up the energy for a 10 mile run. But there is also a sense of comfort in embracing the routine, knowing that the next few months have been somewhat mapped out for you. The schedule keeps you focused, and as the weeks go by, the fitness gains keep you motivated. So as winter blows in, so does a familiar feeling of excitement as we prepare ourselves for another training season and another Wildflower.

I am looking forward to this training season with eager anticipation, as Shannon and I missed participating in Wildflower last year. But we will be making our return in 2009 in grand fashion. It will be our first opportunity to do battle with the infamous Long Course, and it will take discipline and commitment along with well structured and executed training to have a successful race. Welcome in winter and welcome in Wildflower.

Positively Optimistic

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."- Winston Churchill

Steve and I recently had a conversation about positive thinking, and it sparked some interesting thoughts and discussion. There have been all types of studies done on the power of the mind, and most everyone is convinced that attitude can go a long way towards achievement. Some people have a naturally optimistic attitude, and for me, it is easy to be around these individuals as they are forever uplifting and generally have a good natured presence.

The challenge becomes when we are presented with pessimistic energy. This type of energy can be draining and obviously negative. My feeling is that pessimistic/negative energy is the stronger of the two. It seems to take a lot less effort to discourage rather than encourage, finding fault instead of providing compliments. To be encouraging is to give hope, discouragement feeds doubt. Pessimism has the advantage in the battle, and it is much easier to be drawn in towards the “dark side”.

Anyone can find fault in a situation, it is the gifted individual that can turn your thinking and make you see the positive. These are the kind of people we should recognize and need to keep around.

Eat like a caveman

Evolutionary health/medicine and Paleo-themed diet plans are by no means new ideas. They just appear to be at the forefront of what I have been immersed in lately and thus have been absorbing a considerable amount of my "free-thinking" time.

I encourage you all to familiarize yourselves with the topic, not because it may be the gospel on health and nutrition, but because it is interesting theory based a lot on the work Darwin presented in "Origin of Species".

I find that my quest to obtain nutritional balance thus far has actually led to more confusion than answers. As I read these new Paleo-style books I continue to ask the questions: Is this the right way to eat and live......is this how the human body is meant to exist? So far, these evolutionary ideas make the most sense to me and I am encouraged by the methodology behind them.

Regardless....I remain discouraged about the way Americans approach health and how short minded most thinking is. Eating like a caveman may not be the answer for everyone, but the idea of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and nuts being the main products of subsistence can't be all that bad. I will always feel that preventative nutritional measures combined with an active lifestyle, is by far the most pro-active device we can use against problems caused by disease and aging, and I will continue to bombard those that will listen.

Here is a link for an interesting book on Evolutionary Health:

http://www.amazon.com/Evolving-Health-Origins-Illness-Modern/dp/0471352616/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219159713&sr=1-1

A bit technically composed, but interesting theories on how our biological structure has yet to catch-up with our cultural advances.

Fits right in with the Paleo-diet system that I am trying to gravitate towards:

http://www.thepaleodiet.com/

The basis of the diet plan presupposes that the human body of today has not evolved significantly from that of our paleolithic ancestors, and we should be eating much the same as they did to achieve nutritional efficiency.

Dr. Nutrition

“The physician of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” – Thomas A Edison

I read this quote the other day, and thought it was a very prophetic statement for a person during the late 1800’s.

We are only recently becoming more accepting towards alternative approaches and holistic remedies in treating health and health related disease. In this age of instant information and constant technological breakthroughs, we are actually behind in the way we approach health in the U.S. The American diet has been biased towards grains for hundreds of years. In fact it was only in April of 2005 that the USDA changed the complexion of the food pyramid to be more balanced within the food groups instead of structured on a foundation of bread and grains. Diabetics are very aware of the Glycemic index and the Glycemic load that food carries. This is information that everyone should be aware of, since it ranks a food source on how quickly it breaks down to it’s most simple component: Sugar. For more information on the Glycemic index and the Glycemic load of foods:

http://www.nutritiondata.com/topics/glycemic-index

I think it is crucial for everyone to nutritionally educate themselves and gather as much information as possible in order to make thoughtful dietary decisions. It is important to arm ourselves with this knowledge in order to fight the constant battle against aging and disease......much more to follow.

Surf Festival 2008

Another 6-man has come and gone. Although we are all getting older, this event continues to be one of the most enjoyable weekends of the summer. Our team’s combination of personalities and spirit is a great blend, and is a consistent crowd pleaser. The weekend provides the opportunity to reminisce and reacquaint with old friends, and of course make some new ones. Surf-Festival 6 man will always be the major highlight of the Manhattan Beach Summer.

This year’s squad:

TP- Hulk
Kantor- Ultimate Warrior
Rick D- Sgt. Slaughter
J Rod- British Bulldog
B Hirai- Mr. Fuji
J Hughes- Tito Santana
Duff- Chyna
Ryan- Randy Savage
Rick R- Rick Flair
Zimm- Andre the Giant
Matt- Nikolai
Labella- Piper
Jake- Jake the Snake
Shannon- CoCo Beware
Eric- Iron Shiek
Chief- Junk Yard Dog
Yours truly- Snuka

Complacency is not contentment

Complacency can become one of our biggest hurdles to overcome. Often we are mired in a situation or hindered at an impasse, but without proper perspective, don't even realize we have been wallowing and churning. One of my newer goals is to try to recognize these situations sooner. The awareness itself, while not a solution, can at least assist in pushing you in the direction of change.

This quote sometimes helps to remind me of this need:

Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor.- Oliver Wendell Holmes