Soccer Sunday...

Two games Two loses this Sunday.

Just one of those days. I could not get anything going. Sometimes that is the way it goes. Next time I am sure we will have some better luck.

Much like triathlon and any other sporting adventure that you do... sometimes you are on and sometimes you are not. Last year, during the MedExpress Mountaineer Triathlon I was way off I could walk fast enough to get through the course. I wonder sometimes about the lessons we can learn from our lack of performance. I think that during that particular experience I did not prepare well for the course and totally overestimated what I could do on those hills.

What have you learned from bad races? What can you take away from plugging through and finishing what you did not think you could?

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Regular or Decaf?

Soccer Sunday Today - I hope that the lack of coffee does not hinder my skills... Last week I scored 5 goals during our game... Offensive explosion!

It is hard to believe that when I was a kid I told myself tha I would never ever drink coffee because I did not like the taste of it at all. But as I grew older and my taste developed some more coffee has become one of the drinks that I enjoy the most. Especially, when I get to have some sort of sweet with it. I have grown to love the combination of coffee taste and the given sweet I would be consuming at the time. I crave that combination the most in the mornings for some reason more than any other time of the day.

One of the hardest things for me to do is to get through the weekend without consuming any regular coffee. The headache that comes from the lack of caffeine is pretty intense at times but in my opinion is my way to fight the addiction to caffeine. In a way, I try to de-tox during the weekend from the coffee drinking during the week. I just don't want to depend on the caffeine too much. It may be a strage logic but that is how I try to operate. So, as I am typing this drinking my decaf coffee I am experiencing the lack of decaf headache... it does not last very long but you know that is there.

Good workouts this week I have to say. The swim sessions both on Monday and Friday went well. The arms are slowly coming around to sustain the efforts of my regular workouts. The running legs are improving but not running outside takes most of my motivation away. It is so hard to realize that the winter is really here after the mild start that we had earlier in the year. So, I don't know about you but I am definitely fighting the winter blues right now. Soon enough it will improve.

At this point, my wife and I are debating about my participation in NATT's Albuquerque, New Mexico's Education Conference. We are not sure if we can swing it but we will try to have the Clot Buster come and participate in this eventl. We will see how it works out.

If you get the Greater Cleveland Triathlon Newsletter, did you get to read the article about NATT? What do you think? If you are doing the race, would you stop by the booth to say hello? If you do, I hope to see you there.

Stay warm and thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Thinking about Summer...!

Is it here yet?

During these cold months with snow on the ground that question keeps ringing in my head. Soon enough it will be here but in the mean time I have to allow myself the chance to enjoy the snow. I continue to be amazed about how much more silent it is after a snow fall. You have to appreciate how peaceful it is. I do enjoy it a great deal. You know, having four seasons is very much enjoyable. There is something unique about each one of them that you have to enjoy as much as possible.

But there is alaways some room to think about the summer and what you would like to do during that time. I've been thinking about it and here is what I hope to do in the coming warm months...

~ Shawnee Appalachian AM & PM Triathlon (Portsmouth, OH) – 05/26/2007.
AM Triathlon = 1.0Mi. Swim; 24.8Mi. Bike; 6.55Mi. Run.
PM Triathlon = 24.8Mi. Bike; 1.0Mi Swim; 6.55Mi. Run.
For more information about the event please go to www.hfpracing.com

~ Cincinnati International Triathlon (Cincinnati, OH) – 6/10/2007.
0.9Mi. Swim; 25Mi. Bike; 6.2Mi. Run.
For more information about the event please go to www.fatrabbitracing.com

~ Fat Rabbit Racing International Triathlon (Delaware, OH) – 06/24/2007.
0.9Mi. Swim; 25Mi. Bike; 6.2Mi. Run.
For more information about the event please go to www.fatrabbitracing.com

~ Muncie Endurathon (Muncie, IN) – 07/14/2007.
1.2Mi. Swim; 56Mi. Bike; 13.1Mi. Run.
For more information about the event please go to www.muncieendurathon.com

~ Columbus International Triathlon (Columbus, OH) – 07/14/2007.
0.9Mi. Swim; 25Mi. Bike; 6.2Mi. Run..
For more information about the event please go to www.fatrabbitracing.com

~ Greater Cleveland Triathlon (Mentor, OH) – 08/12/2007.
1.2Mi. Swim; 56Mi. Bike; 13.1Mi. Run.
For more information about the event please go to www.trifind.net/cleveland

~ Great Lake Escape (Marblehead, OH) – 08/19/2007.
0.9Mi. Swim; 25Mi. Bike; 6.2Mi. Run..
For more information about the event please go to www.fatrabbitracing.com

OR

~ Portage Lakes Triathlon (Akron, OH) – 11/16/2007.
0.9Mi. Swim; 25Mi. Bike; 6.2Mi. Run.
For more information about the event please go to www.hfpracing.com

Will I have the chance to see any of you at any of these races? If you happen to be there keep an eye out for the polka-dots!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

P.S.: Believe it or not I was able to run on the treadmill two days in a row (Saturday and Sunday) for a total of 11 Miles... not too bad if I say so myself.

Pondering...

Why is it so hard for me to motivated myself to get on the treadmill?

For some reason I don't have any trouble getting on my bike trainer and doing a spin workout between 40 and 55 minutes (as I said on a previous post just about one hour is all I can handle) without any trouble. However, to get on the treadmill I really need to have some time alone and talk myself into getting on that machine an going. I could have the best music or the best shows on TV and even then it is rough to get on. So, because today I have a choice between staying at home and riding on the trainer or going to the gym to run on the treadmill I think that the first alternative wins once more!

Just in case my Lovely wife gets the chance to check my blog while taking a break from taking care of me I just wanted to say...

So, trainer here I go. Let's see what type of workout I can do this time.

Do people out there have a variety of training videos they watch riding on the trainer? I have one from Spinervals and after watching it a few times I memorized all of the workouts so now I just do them while watching regular TV. It works for me so for, but I always wonder, should I try and get other workout videos for this time of the year on the trainer? If so, then what I should I get to help me improve and keep me interested?

We need to keep the hope that soon enough we will be outside training again. In the mean time I have to get going to catch the rants of the fools on PTI...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster.

How are those early workouts going?

I wish that I could answer that accuratly... but after indulging in all of my mom's special "treats" I need to make a serious effort to get back on track. This one dessert that she makes for me is a small piece of heaven for me... Oh, this pastry is soo good I can't even begin to describe it. Of course, you can't taste it but if you take my word for it your socks would drop if you try... I am so fortunate to have the chance for my mom, dad, and brother to come and visit us. Unfortunately, it is only once a year but they are promising to do it more often down the road. I have to say that would be sensational...!

Notice my dad wearing his head gear like you should in the winter.

The workouts are coming around slowly. If it ever stops raining buckets around here maybe I will be able to get outside for a change. In the mean time, I need to be content with building my base miles while being inside. Thankfully, I have the places to do it. I just need to find some good music to play to keep me going.

Where are those ribs!?! My brother asks... I could not calm him down.

I think that the joker in me I got through my family... we are always up to be messing with each other. That is how we do it when we are together... some great memories I have from those time...

I better go so that I can wake up early and get on the trainer to hammer out whatever I can do over an hour before I go insane!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Slowly getting back in business!

As I get the wheels turning here in 2007 I am very glad to have my racing schedule all squared away. Now, I know what I have coming and I am pretty excited about the new races that I will be trying this summer. It should be interesting to see what I can do on those races. These races will be adding up for a total 300 Miles... a nice and round number for people remember and to consider when thinking about donating money towards NATT for every mile that I race this summer.

In the mean time, I am enjoying having my parents and brother staying here with us for a while. I am lucky to be able to spend sometime with them especially when my brother and I plotted to surprise my folks as they were coming here without knowing about his arrival. It was sensational to see their reactions. Something I will never forget for sure.

I will be motivated to get back to full workout mode after my mom's treats during this time. I wish that you could taste some of this stuff...

Thanks for Reading,

The Clot Buster

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

May all your wishes become reality in 2007!

We, at the Clot Buster household, hope that 2007 brings you all the happiness, good health, and good fortune you can handle.

This year the Clot Buster hopes to continue raising some green backs for NATT along with spreading the word about the organization. Of course, I hope to improve my performance in the Half-Iron distance races I will be doing this year (If anyone has any tips on how to improve my half-marathon times... I am all ears!). I hope that people THANK and APPRECIATE the volunteers working at the races, without them we would be in a world of trouble. Also, I hope to bring new people to the sport... at least have someone attempt their first triathlon. I always enjoy seeing people do them for the first time.

What are some New Years resolutions people are making for 2007?

Let's have some fun this year. I can't wait to see how things will turn out.

Thanks for Reading,

The Clot Buster