Tri for Les - Part 10

2013

Foot Fight: A minimalist runner’s road to recovery

Post author By Adam
Post date April 7, 2013
38 Comments on Foot Fight: A minimalist runner’s road to recovery

How my posterior tibial tendon dysfunction could have been avoided, and why it don’t always gotta be the shoes.

My feet used to be awesome.

After nearly two years of strong, minimalist running, they developed nice high arches, flexible toes and could happily handle all the bludgeoning that endurance and strength training threw their way.

Running used to be my strongest sport, and when I registered for Ironman AZ 2013, I was so jacked up to go out and dominate that I could barely sleep in the days that followed.

Excited, I kept training hard, set the course for the coming year and started to design my training plan.

But now, only a few months later, everything has changed.

Tags foot fight, IMAZ2013, running

2013

Dating Ironman

If you talk to anyone who has completed an Ironman, they’ll tell you three things:

1. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
2. It’s addicting.
3. It will take over your life.

Since I have yet to complete my first Ironman, I’ll refrain from speaking to the first two statements. All I will say is that simply committing to train for an Ironman is by far one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I can only imagine how I will feel once I cross that finish line. I can, however, speak to the third point. Training for an Ironman will take over your life.

For the past seven weeks, I’ve been eating, sleeping and breathing my training plan. I consult my training schedule and goals when deciding whether or not to go out drinking with friends, go on a trip, eat that candy bar, or stay up an extra couple of hours to watch The Bachelor. I get down when a training session doesn’t go well and I obsess about how I can make things better.

Basically, I’m dating the Ironman – and he is the neediest boyfriend I’ve ever had.

Tags IMAZ2013, inspired

2013

Stretch Like Gumby

Do you know how to properly stretch? We’ve all done it. You’re getting ready to head out for a run or play a game of flag football with buddies and you start to do the typical torso rotation, twisting your hips a couple times, leaning over to touch your toes, arch that back and look up towards the sky, swing the arms back and forth a couple times. Okay. Good to go!

Wrong.

Tags IMAZ2013, mobility

2013

Hit a wall? Avoid the couch.

Post author By Adam
Post date March 3, 2013
No Comments on Hit a wall? Avoid the couch.

Ryan

If you were to visit my townhouse, you’d probably think it’s a nice place, but nothing all that spectacular.

It serves me well as a low-maintenance base for the moment, but the ceilings stand low, carpet is nearing replacement, most walls are blank and I don’t have surround sound or cable.

I like the quiet, tree-lined street I live on and occasionally wrestle with simple projects to step the house’s game up. But you won’t see it featured in any home-design magazines.

However, the house does boast one undeniably spectacular feature: the couch.

Tags IMAZ2013, mobility

2013

How to be That Guy at the gym

Post author By Adam
Post date February 17, 2013
4 Comments on How to be That Guy at the gym

When I show up to the gym, I’m on a mission: to challenge myself, accomplish goals and complete that day’s workout quickly and efficiently.

My triathlon training incorporates about three strength-training workouts a week, and on these days, I try to spend as little time in the gym as possible. I’m not rude, but I’m not there to socialize. And given my affinity for obscure footwear and ragged, free exercise apparel, combined with facial expressions that say, “I’m about to puke,” or “Aaaaaggghhhh,” not many people stop me to chat.

And even though I’m OK being weird at the gym, this approach isn’t for everyone.

For some, the thought of making a plan and dominating goals may seem like too much work.

Perhaps working smarter, not harder sounds boring, and at the gym you’d rather focus on things like meeting someone, getting huge and hogging the mirror.

Then you – my friend – would be much better suited for the alternative, longer-lasting, less-intense and more vocal workout routine of That Guy.

Tags IMAZ2013, training plans