I've cracked...

The 7 weeks of put in of base training this summer was tough. I put in more miles on a consistent basis than ever before... and I did it right. I didn't push the intensity, but 6 hours on the bike isn't easy no matter whether you are pushing it or keeping it mellow. Let's just say 7+ weeks of averaging 20+ hours of training, 215+ miles of riding, and 35-45 miles of running cracked me... and I don't mean physically. My body feels great. It's more mental...

I have been really into music since I was a freshman in high school. I was really into punk and hardcore and spent many days going to see small bands in basements and in small clubs. I'll admit it... I was kind of a music snob until a couple of years ago. My taste in music changed a bit. I was still into a lot of hardcore and punk, but way more into indie rock and continued to go to a lot of shows. I also have always listened to a lot of rap... I mean a lot. This kind of surprises some people because I 've always been a scrawny white surfer kid. Ok... so what does this have to do with me cracking?

Since I started triathlon I haven't been making it to many shows so most of the music is listen too is while riding or running. I have playlists for everything depending on the workouts I am going to do:

Base run: Rap (the cool kids, atmosphere, kidz in the hall)
Hard/Interval run/ride: Metal (slipknot, metallica (mainly the old stuff), As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Emery)
Recovery Ride: Mellow tunes (nada surf, the get up kids, minus the bear, death cab, the decemberists, iron & wine, Brand New, Cursive)

Here's a video of some of my favorite rap... The Cool Kids. They rap about BMX bikes... does it get any better?


Now here's the interesting one...
Base ride (4-6+ hours): These playlists usually contain a bit of everything.... rap, metal, indie, punk... everything I got... and that's a lot. I still am really into music and buy/download a lot.

So during this last block of base training where I rode my bikes more than ever it was hard to stay focused on some my long solo missions and I was completely over all my music. I searched through my music library and scoured itunes for something new (or old) that would get me excited to turn on the shuffle and grind away miles in the saddle. First I downloaded a lot of old hardcore that I grew up on and didn't have the original albums any more. For a couple rides music by Gorilla Biscuits, Insted, 7 Seconds, and Minor Threat got me through... but then I kind of got over that too.

Then it happened... I cracked... completely and downloaded an new album by Jamey Johnson. Yep... it's a country album. It was advertised on the front page of the itunes store and a took a listen and it was a Johnny Cash-esqu with songs about drugs and drinking. I downloaded it and added to one of my long ride playlists... and I have to admit... I was really into it. So I proceeded to down more... and more... and more country tunes & albums. I couldn't/can't get enough of this "crap". I say crap because I will admit I have "hated" on country music for as long as I can remember, even while being a fan of a lot of folk indie bands (Lucero) which are very similar to country music. Like I said before I was music snob.

So I now confess to liking country music... I really can't believe I just typed that, but there is something about music about whiskey and women that make the miles tick by. My family is going to give me so much shit for this. My parents listen to a lot of country and are the ones that have heard me talk crap about country music for year and years. So there is it... I am not longer cool... Just another way triathlon has changed me.... first it was spandex, then shaving my legs, and now country music.... maybe it's time to find a new sport before things really start getting weird.

This is kind of a random post... as for training... It's going really well. Yesterday I had one of the best run workouts I have had all year. I felt like I was flying out on the trails... It's been a while since I felt like that in training. It may be the first time this year. I have been really paying attention (more than ever) to my recovery & pre-workout nutrition. Not that I didn't before but Trevor has helped me really dial in my schedule so I have adequate time to rest/recover from the intense efforts. It's making a huge difference. I can't wait for Tahoe!

I am going to start listing my workout playlists and I hope some other people start doing the same. I need some more good training tunes.

the run:
threshold and above threshold intervals in San Elijo Lagoon. I nailed this one!
playlist: Slipknot - I loaded three slipknot albums on my shuffle and kept it in shuffle mode. I have found metal (especially Slipknot) works the best for me on interval runs.




I started and ended this run at Flether's Cove about 30 yards from the beach. So within 5 minutes of finishing this hard run I was in the water. Nothing feels better... and then it was off to a massage. definitely a good day!

Recovery ride this morning... mellow, mellow.
Playlist: Iron & Wine and Lucero

have a good weekend...