Sunday, September 28, 2008

Operation Incline: Week 6 Recap


again... lets start with something other than triathlon BS. The Chargers got it done today. It started ugly... very ugly, but in the end they pulled it off and still have not lost to the Raiders in over 5 years. My sister is a Raiders fan (if you can believe that) and we had a bet. Now she has to provide the wine for Thanksgiving... no $5 bottles of Yellow Tail allowed (even though I am uge fan of the YT). Beth and I were on the couch rooting them on and back east in Virginia Beach my little brother and my nephew were represent'n!

Go bolts!


Well... this is the week. The Xterra National Championships are on Sunday and I am physically and mentally ready to race. In the big scheme of things this is the second most important race of the the year for me, with Worlds on 10/26 obviously being #1.

This will be my third year racing in Tahoe in 3 years of racing triathlons. The first year I was in awe and just so stoked that I even qualified for the race. I was flying blind with no expectations. Last year I went in the the mindset that the race wasn't mine to win (not my conditions) and rationalized my second unsuccessful attempt to tackle that course and have a race I would be happy with. This year I am going to race. No excuses.

I just finished the hardest, most focused, block of training that I have ever put in. I worked harder, recovered better than ever, and can't wait to get on the line next weekend. I know the conditions (cold, altitude) aren't ideal but who gives a shit. I am going to see what I am made of Sunday and go for it.

Ok.. enough of that. Now for the weekend activities... it was a good one!

Friday was mellow with an easy spin, some swimming at lunch, and then Beth and I hit the 24 hour fitness for a little core work and some dry sauna action. I was able to last 17.5 minutes in the sauna and Beth lasted for 20. I cracked! I am really liking the sauna and really think it's helping with my recovery. I take "the stick" in with me and get to work on the legs. It's not fun, but I wake up the next feeling good so I'll keep it up.

First thing Saturday morning Beth and I headed down to Moonlight Beach for an open water swim. The water was perfect. I warmed up and then went after it for a couple of laps around the course. After the swim I headed straight home (after a quick stop for some of my favorite coffee, 7-11) and got out on to the trails for some hard riding and running. I was feeling great and really started to think about the race.

sunday ride. 4800ft of climbing in just over 26 miles.


After my workout it was another quick transition. I quickly got into mechanic/sherpa mode. I got Beth's bike race ready, loaded up the truck, and we hit the road for the OC. Sunday was all about Beth (but what day isn't... just kidding champ!). We got up there around 3, got checked into the hotel, and after a little bit of a hassle (I am sure Beth will cover it on her blog) we got her all ready to go.

sherpa mode at 5am. give me some more coffee!


Sunday morning we were up at 4:30am for the race and got down to the race site with plenty of time. The venue for the race and course were killer. It's definitely a race worth doing... maybe next year. The swim is in a private lake, the bike course has a lot of of climbing, and the run is very Xterra-like. It's not the best spectator course because you really can't see any of the bike or the first 4.5 miles of the run but then there double out and back section at the end of the run where you can really see the race unfolding... it was killer.

the little monster getting her gameface on... kind of. I had to make her go warm-up and get her butt in gear. (she's probably going to hate on me for posting this photo)


After Beth was out of the water and on the bike I got a little bit of a break from my sherpa/race photographer duties. So I got in my run. I had a really good run on some pretty tired legs from the day before and from being on them for the previous two hours walking around the race. I ran the race couse as an out and back and it was definitely tough. A lot of hills and some good trails. I was able to really hammer my intervals and make back in plenty time to watch the end of Beth's race.... again she killed it. The little monster is getting fast. I won't steal her glory so just go read her report.

racer and sherpa


So that was weekend... it was busy but not stressful. Just a lot of good times. The last 3 weeks have been hard and I am definitely ready for a rest/race week in terms of volume. I have some shorter race pace stuff on tap for the beginning of the week and then I will be pre-riding on course on Friday... can't wait.

One last thing... the Padres season is now officially over (it was really over by the end of april). It was an ugly season and I am glad it's over. They finished 63-99 and it in the cellar. Now it's time for the MLB playoffs which should be really good. Time to root for some underdogs... I would love to see the Rays and Brewers make it to the Worlds Series. I am also stoked the Mets got the boot and I am hoping the Whitsox flop today and another of my favorite underdog teams, The Twins, get to the post season. Beth loves this time of year!!!

18 comments:

runninggunner said...

Looks like a great weekend. Good work on the support.

How do you like "the stick", I've been using a foam roller, but am thinking about picking up "the stick" as well.

Sean Crichton said...

dude - looking forward to toe'n the line with ya on Sunday...... looks like you've done it right this year for sure. I would say go ez on us - but I KNOW that's NOT gonna happen!!!!! c ya there.....

jakesmom said...

Kick some serious butt this weekend!

Yellowtail is too good for the Chargers, more like Two Buck Chuck...If the Raiders had even shown up for the 4th qtr the Chargers would have never had a chance but that is the story of my football life....

Sue said...

Wishing you the best this coming weekend...hope you post an early race report...we are going to Hawaii to watch IM..and have to read your race report prior to depature..:) no pressure though...:)just race your race

Cliff said...

Did you g/f put on war paint before a race? :)

Hmm sauna helps recovery..something i can play with.

I use the hot tub/whirl pool to stretch.

Ryan D said...

"but who gives a shit."

thats what the hell i am talking about!!!!!!!!!!!

nice work james - you're definitely gonna kill it up there this weekend!

Ryan Weeger said...

The Chargers win over the socalled NFL team (Raiders, 31 teams in the NFL, then the Raiders...) Also, how bout some love for the halos, better get on the wagon now, they are going to dominate! I am hoping for a Angels vs. Dodgers. Would be Bad-Ass.

ll said...

3rd time is always the one!

Have a great lead-up to the race and kick some at the race!!!

Todd Hatfield said...

Go Cubs!! Man, seeing those pics brings back some good memories of living in SD. Ahhh, the life....

Solid work on the training and I'll catch ya in Tahoe!

GZ said...

Dude ... I am pissed. No shots at this blog or Beth's regarding what the eats were afterwards? No vids of the Golden Spoon for recovery? WTF? Think you can throw us a little baseball and football and we are cessated ... its blood, sweat and BEERs man. ;)

More seriously ... I can't wait to read the race repo next week.

Luke said...

gotta love the afc west!
broncos wtf! chargers first 3 quarters wtf!
at least you guys still pulled it out...but we sure both didn't look like one of the top 5 teams we are acclaimed to be. ah well...any given sunday.
have a great week!

Jim said...

The Chargers still aren't PLAYING the entire game, but they had a better second half then the Raiders had first half, SOOO....they got the win.

Padres - at least they didn't crack the 100 loss ceiling.

Seriously, it sounds like you are physically and mentally prepared for Tahoe. If you get cold, just think warm thoughts. It just might work. Good Luck, just remember luck is where preparation meets performance. YOU ARE READY. KICK SOME ASS.

jakesmom said...

And another note, taking the "I am your big sister, it's my job to kick your butt once in awhile" position....

All of those winter mornings in VaBch for dawn patrol (including Nor'Easters) and NOW you have a problem with the cold? Time to suck it up cold or not.

beth said...

oh, i see how it is. i take all the good photos and you retaliate with THAT one...thanks...


good luck next weekend. you're lucky i won't be there to take bad photos of you.

Matt said...

Beth's result oughta be a nice little kick to start the count-down.

Just Win, Homey.

GW said...

It's all coming together - even for the Chargers. Can't wait to race with ya this weekend.

SixTwoThree said...

You guys are too cute. Have a great race Dude! Go GET 'EM!!

FatDad said...

Time to unleash the beast! Go get it, James.