Moving Home

Let's just go ahead and get it out on the table. It'll be quick, like ripping off a band-aid. I'm moving back in with my parents to train full time.

Yeah yeah, call me a quitter, or a mama's boy (partially true), or a slacker. Fact is, I gave up a seat in dental school to pursue triathlon, so I want to DO that as best as I can. I am moving home to cut costs, so that I can train full time, work part time, and then have money left over instead of spending it all on living, traveling, and business expenses... (yeah, like new bikes!) So you can call me whatever you want, but I will be watching the Star-Trek marathon from my parents basement between workouts!

Actually, I hate Star-Trek... and I will be keeping pretty busy.

You can probably tell from my last few posts that my training has been going awesome, but everything else in my life is falling to the wayside. This is not how I want to live my life, and when push comes to shove this means I am going to have to cut some things out. I am nowhere near ready to cut out triathlon, so I am moving home to cut a lot of the other stuff out that comes with living on your own as well as living in the city... and lets be honest, I am a country boy!

Yeah, my top-5 least favorite things include parking garages, stop-and-go traffic, and Affliction T-shirts. All of which are abundant in downtown Denver.

...Also topping the list are giant squid and any music by Pink or The Cranberries, but I can still avoid those in Nebraska.

And, most importantly, I won't have to be quiet when I cheer for the Huskers! And, CU football fans would be like, number 6 on that list of least favorite things... Yes Shook, Rachel, and Hogan, this includes you, but only on game days!

This is not a permanent solution. I love Colorado, and I know I will be back here within a couple years... Just not downtown Denver. This state is the perfect place for triathlon training, I just can't afford it right now. After a year at home, we will re-evaluate based on my training, race results, and savings, and go from there.

Now, expenses are obviously cut down by like, 90% by moving home, but I will basically have to act as my parents' groundskeeper and cleaning guy, which I am OK with. I have also got some sweet opportunities for part-time work that will fit in with my training. Bottom line is, I am not exactly going to be like Will Ferrell in Step Brothers, except that you do have to call me Night Hawk or I will put my balls on your drum set.

This decision may seem rushed, but I actually considered it pretty seriously right after college. This year in Denver has been awesome and I wouldn't trade it or any of the people I've met during it for anything. I am so grateful to have been given so many opportunities out here, and I hope to receive half that many when I come back. But, right now, I just can't make it work.

I will be moving the first week in May, but there are already lots of times in my schedule that I will be returning to the mountains. I am excited to move home and to be able to train full time and see where this takes my performance. I will miss Colorado, but its not like I am moving to Mars. I will totally come back and sleep on your couch for a weekend and train at altitude!

Wish me luck, because as soon as I move home, my training gets amped up! Thanks for your support, and FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!

Training update

Whatever happened to the days when I could just go for a run, ride, or swim? When I didn't have to worry about paces, heart rate, or nutrition?

Well, I'll tell ya. Those days should've gone away when I decided to give up a seat at dental school to pursue triathlon. They should've gone away again when I qualified for this sweet card that says "elite" instead of "Men 20-24." But, ultimately these days did not go away until I hired a coach. I've said it before and I'll say it again, having a coach has made all the difference.

Its the organization, the periodization of the training year, and the consistency that have taken me to that next level. Zane is a detail guy, and this has caused me to pay attention to those details as well and see how they fit into the big picture.

For instance, before every workout I think about what kind of mood I am in, what is on my mind, what my nutrition has been like that day, how I slept the night before, and what kind of soreness or fatigue I have from prior workouts. All of these things play a big role in how the workout will go, and if I make a note of them all, we can see how they trend.

This may sound like a lot to consider, but hey, its my job! And besides, it has paid off for me a ton. I now realize how consistent I have to be with nutrition, sleep, and attitude in order to have my training at the level I need.

Writing off purchases like wetsuits as "business expenses" is one of the perks of an elite license. Can't WAIT to try this thing out!

Had to trade in donuts for apples as snacks lately... ahh, sacrifices...

3.5 hour ride on my birthday... I'd be hard pressed to call this a "sacrifice" though... I finally got away from the concrete jungle! And the mustache made me faster.

Lovely evening ride up Lookout Mountain... I am just now realizing these pictures don't really have anything to do with the rest of the post... my bad...

What level, you ask, is the level I now need and can attain? Well, lets just say I have been hitting running and cycling paces that would've been unheard of as recently as 2 months ago, and I have been swimming times I haven't hit since I was in college. The intensity in my training has picked up a ton, basically since right after Clermont, and I can already tell I the athlete named Sam Holmes who will race in Mazatlan is not the same athlete who raced in Clermont.

Well I hope your training is going as well as mine is as the season starts to pick up! Until next time, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!

Me-Time

You know when you go to a restaurant, and they give you 4 slices of toast, and only one pad of butter? Well, sometimes I feel like the tiny pad of butter, and all the roles I have to play in life are the giant slices of toast!

We could all use a hand sometimes, and I am so lucky to have such great friends and family who are so supportive and understanding of me and my commitments. But even with this incredible foundation of support, I can't have Libbie go to work for me, or have my mom finish this threshold workout for me.

Its true, as a professional triathlete who works, commutes, coaches, blogs (sometimes...) and tries to be a sociable human being, I can feel pulled in a lot of different directions at once. I think sometimes I would forget how to sit down if I didn't have to do so in order to ride my bike.

The only way to handle these many different roles is to manipulate them. Sometimes, I can't be the best boyfriend in order to be the best triathlete I can, so I have to cut the phone call short in order to get the sleep I need to recover (sorry, Anna). Sometimes, I can't be the best employee I can in order to be the best triathlete, so I finish the workout and come in a couple minutes late (sorry, guys).

I am sure this is the case with anyone who is pressed for time, and we all have to find our own ways of managing, but the most important thing to remember to take care of is YOURSELF!

My favorite "me-time" moments often include getting out of the city. Whether this be a trail run near Horsetooth Reservoir (which is amazing, if you haven't done it, you're missing out) or a long ride in the mountains this is an easy way to recharge the batteries away from traffic, parking garages, and the St. Patrick's day crowd on Blake Street.

A nice, long ride, all by my lonesome, at Chatfield reservoir. The phone was on airplane mode, so if you tried to reach me.... well... sorry!

Sometimes I just feel like cookin! Eggplant parmesan, late-night. Nobody to talk to but me.

Here is a hand when I needed one. Beat from a long day and a late night of training, I came home to find teriyaki tofu waiting for me. Thanks Libs and Sev!

Sometimes it just takes turrning my phone off and ditching an hour of sleep to read and eat a late dinner by myself. However it is that you get your "me-time," make sure that you get it! After all, the most important role we all play in life is that of ourselves. FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!! ... but only if it fits into your schedule...

Clermont

Hello everyone! Here is my recap of the race I competed in a couple weeks ago in Clermont, Florida.

Going into Clermont we knew I wasn't quite "race ready," but sort of like how the Huskers always schedule teams like Deer-Turd State Dental College the first week of the season, we knew I needed a tune-up. I have been training really solid (hence the hiatus from blogging... sorry!) and I wanted to use Clermont as a learning experience to get my feet wet in the ITU draft-legal style of pro racing.

The moments leading up to the race are a bit hazy as always. I can tell you that we walked out in a line to the start line that was about waist-deep in the lake, and other than that all I remember is the mass panic after the horn sounded (or was it a gun? I don't know,  a loud noise of sorts...)

Now, non-drafting racing is like trench warfare, and there are hints of civil war, gentlemanly manners. You know your trenches have been dug for the bike in the past months, because "Them rebs a'comin" and there is almost an attitude of "go ahead, lets see what you can do."

Draft-legal racing however is like a bar fight. I got punched, dunked, kicked, and jumped on. I had people pulling on my ankles, and grabbing at my arms. Having 60 guys who are faster, as fast, or maybe slightly slower than me in the water was.... well, frankly, weird for me. At the swim exit, we had to run through knee-deep water for about 50 meters, and I lost the front group here. The portion we had actually swum I was in the lead group, but I lost them here, a matter of 10 seconds.

My co-worker and friend Brandon was giving me shit just the other day about being a couple minutes late. He said something like 2 minutes isn't a big deal here, but in a race 2 seconds can be a big deal. This thought was burning in my head as I hopped on the bike and pedaled like a madman, essentially time-trialing trying to catch the lead pack.

Really, this was the race for me. I eventually realized my effort was futile (a well-managed pack will NEVER be caught by a single rider) and I let up to let a smaller group catch me that I could work with. I and a couple other guys did most of the work in this pack, but I was here to race so I was not about to let some pinche cabrón from Mexico take my position at the front. 

I cooked most of "my" pack in transition, and was reeling some stragglers in on the run (I split about an 18 flat off the bike, which is solid for a fish!) but I just ran out of real-estate. I knew with about 400 meters left that I had been too conservative.

I wound up placing about in the middle. Remember this day, this will be the last time ever that I am relatively happy with 34th place, simply because I learned so much.... like don't be 2 minutes late for work.... or 2 seconds late on the swim exit.

All racing aside, Anna and I had a great vacay down in Florida. Since Clermont, on the classy scale from 1 to Myrtle beach, is about an 11, we spent most of our time in Sarasota where I met up with Caitlin who I swam with in college. Ahhhh, I love hot, humid weather about as much as I love the mountains....

Transition area... Yes, we had no ITU boxes, so it didn't matter where I put my stuff!

Lake Louisa the night before the race... watch out for gators?? Are you kidding me?? Where I'm from, we're more worried about getting ice off the ponds!

Nosh session with Anna from a place called Munchies 420... Yes, it is run by a bunch of stoners... what gave it away? The name, or the mac n' cheese, chicken strips, mozzarella sticks, and onion rings on my burger? Not that this looks all that good, but it wasn't as good as it looks!

Sick rental vehicle! It acted as a safe haven for Anna and I from our dingy hotel room, and my pre-race nerves. I miss that jeep! No keys, push to start! #WizKhalifa

Finally, my nice dinner for the trip. At Tommy Bahama's in Sarasota (St. Armand's circle is awesome, I would go back to that area for sure!) where I had crab-stuffed-shrimp with mashed potatoes and a nutty, curry-like sauce. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, the crab stuffing was everything I liked about a crab cake, the mashed potatoes reminded me of Thanksgiving at Nana's house, and the sauce tied it all together. 9 out of 10!

Well, this sums up my recent adventures in Florida. Now we know what we need to work on before Mazatlán (April 21st) and I am already up to my eyeballs in training! Wish me luck, I'll do a better job of keeping you posted, and most of all FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!!

Valentine's Day for Triathletes

So, this post is a little late... ok a lot late, but I have had a busy week and I still wanted to post this ok??

Being a pro triathlete is a tough life, and that means dating one is a tough life too. In fact, the only benefits I can think of are that we look good naked and you get to tell all your friends you are dating a professional athlete! (Just leave off the "tri" at the beginning to avoid the awkward "what's that??" conversation)

Yep, aside from the top tier, you're basically just a scrawny dude who trains full time like an NBA player, but has the paycheck of a hobo who can occasionally sell a crack rock for a few hundred bucks. Do they cost that much? I don't know, I'm trying to correlate with a prize purse here.

So if you're unfortunate enough to be dating one of us, you can certainly tell people whatever you want, but really you're dating a bum who works at a bike shop and works out like an exercise bulimic. Yeah sure, you may want to go out on a Friday night, but... well... your significant other has to get to bed since he/she has a long ride in the morning... sorry...

Now, I obviously wouldn't be writing this if I was single. This poor girl had no idea what she was getting herself into when she started dating me, and I didn't either. I sort of felt like the dog who always chases cars and then finally catches one... what did he think he was gonna do?? But, its been a learning experience for both of us.

I'm still new to this, but I have learned the best way to avoid problems is to COMMUNICATE up front! She wasn't exactly thrilled the first time she came to visit me only to find out I had a 3 hour bike ride and a 5k swim on the Saturday she was hoping to spend together... This is crucial in any relationship, but I think it is particularly so when I am working 30 hours a week and training 30 more hours a week.

In a nutshell, communicate, be open, be realistic about your time, and make sure you have your priorities in order! Not that I'm Dr. Phil here...

See? Dating triathletes isn't ALL bad...

FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!

Race Schedule

So here it is, finally! My triathlon race schedule for the year, that is. It is going to be nice to actually have a plan, and have a coach to walk me through that plan as opposed to just flying by the seat of my pants again like the last two years. On the other hand, it is a bit scary knowing this dictates a lot of what I will do for the next, oh 6-8 months of my life!

Keep in mind, this is still fairly tentative, but I wanted to get something relatively set so I could share it with y'all. If you'll be in the area or know of anyone in the area at any of these races, let me know! I would love a couch to crash on. (Warning: I am gassy, and I tend to drool, and I consider a pool workout bathing)

Here are the links to the home pages of the race series that I am focusing on. You can find any of these big races on there.

-Clermont, FL, Mar. 3rd. This will be just to get my feet wet with the draft-legal, ITU style of racing. Also, it will be a good way to figure out where I stand. And a nice little b-day vacay after! Thanks, Anna!

-Mazatlan, MEX, Apr. 21st. This will depend on a couple things, mostly budget, but again, an ITU Pan-American cup race.

-Kansas City 5150, May 20th. Non-drafting, olympic distance race. Hopefully score some prize money here, gotta pay rent right??

-Dallas, June 2nd  Key prep before rebuilding to Buffalo, and it looks like a flat, fast course! Again, ITU race. (In my best Bart Scott voice) CAN'T WAIT! 

-Boulder 5150, August 8th. Gotta get some of that local flavor in, and hey if I can score some prize money I am not gonna complain.

-Kelawna (Can) Aug. 19. ITU race, and a good last-chance to qualify for Elite Nationals if I haven't already. 

-Buffalo, Sept. 15 Nationals. ITU elite nationals. Gotta qualify if I wanna be legit. 'Nuff said.

If I don't qualify for Elite Nationals, I will look into the 5150 championships, or some other big race around the same time. 

Also, I am hoping to do the Omaha Triathlon, Loveland Lake to Lake, a couple other local races that will act as a fast brick workout, and a fun, half-iron distance race in San Diego at the end of September with the Kompetitive Edge team. 

Well, on that note, I should get a workout in... FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!!

Salmon Risotto

If you're like me, you're looking out your window at snow falling and the foot that has already accumulated and longing for those 90 degree, 90% humidity days back home in July. My dad always says "you know its a good ride when your water bottle is 96 degrees, but its still refreshing!" Well, Dad, looking out the window I don't think we will have a ride like that in a while.

Did I mention I can cook? Well, its not that so much as I am fearless to the point of being stupid in the kitchen. That's really all there is to cooking, just do it!

I have no sway with the weather gods, and even if I did I am not sure I am ready to be done with my powder days at Breckenridge yet. However, this recipe tastes like summer, and who couldn't do with that right now?

Mmm... I can almost smell it.

This is the same recipe, made with quinoa... ok seriously my mouth is watering...

Here is how to make it:

2 cups arborio rice (or quinoa!)
4 cups veggie or chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine (I love vouvray, Remi Pannier is my favorite)
1 onion
2-3 salmon filets
1 bag frozen peas
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 lemon, zest and juice
Garlic, salt, pepper

Season the salmon filets with salt and pepper and sear over medium high heat until rare (about 3-4 mins on each side). Set aside.

Chop the onion pretty finely and sweat over medium heat in a large pan in olive oil. Add the rice totally dry and stir until the edges are translucent. Add the white wine and stir. This will absorb within about 20 seconds, so have the stock ready to go - heated in a pot - and add about a half a cup to a cup.

Keep adding the stock a little at a time, as soon as the previous addition has been absorbed. Don't forget to stir! With one of the additions, add the garlic, salt, and pepper and maybe some italian herbs. With the last addition add the juice and zest of the lemon and the frozen peas.

Do you smell that???

Now stir in the parmesan cheese. Finally, Break up the salmon into bite-sized chunks and stir in. Put the lid on, and let everybody hang out for about 5 mins over low heat. Garnish simply, maybe a lemon slice and some parsley.

If this doesn't make you think of summer, then you probably live in Antarctica and don't even know the meaning of the word. Since so many people ask me how to make it, I figured I'd post it for y'alls! (You're welcome, Arianne.) Dad, we may be stuck on our trainers, but we can at least eat like summertime!

This is my adaptation of a recipe I got from a Williams-Sonoma cookbook. If you know me, you know I don't follow recipes, but rather use them as inspiration, which I hope you can do with this! FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!