Starting Points: Heart Rate, Shoes and Joking on Jester...

Tweeting all your training to your EnduroFreak Friends.  Even tallies doughnuts burned!

The first real week back and there have been some changes added to the usual training schedule.  I have chosen a half-iron training plan from Triathlete.com.  This plan is a simple plan for intermediate level athletes.  I am following the plan during the week, well almost.  On Thursday I was so tired after the day and the weight session at ABsolute Fitness  with Ron that I did not do the forty minute trainer ride.  (Side note: This is smaller gym with a great culture and climate.  It is much more personal than the larger "other gym".)  I will say that during the weekends I might ride and run a little longer.  Yes, Tara and Kurt get me out there a bit longer.  I was in Raleigh for a NCAE board meeting and still was able to get a four mile run and twenty mile bike ride in the small hills of Cary.  (Follow me on The Daily Mile.)

I think it is smarter than me!

I recently purchased a Garmin Forerunner with a heart rate monitor.  After having read Rich Roll's Ultra Endurance and reading Dean Karnasez's blog about "The Black Hole", I realized that I probably spend a lot of my shorter runs in a higher zone and get no real benefit out of these runs.  I have been working to keep my short runs, except for the pickups, at a heart rate no higher than 150bpm.  The longer runs Kurt and I attempt to keep in the 140bpm range.  Now this is interesting because there are some serious hills in the Triad so we shorten our stride and slowly get up the hill; a totally new philosophy because I love to attack the hills and get up and over.  Isn't the ability to get up and over the hill faster than the other person what makes you the winner???  This slow endurance method is working because if my heart rate gets too high the Forerunner beeps, vibrates and basically screams at me to slow down.  I am curious to see the results of this work as the season progresses.  I also would enjoy any feedback for those who have done heart rate training on a regular basis.  (Yes, I am begging for comments here because this way I know you are READING!!!)

Yes, there are mail and random boxes behind this shot

Let's talk about shoes for a minute.  I have been an avid fan of the Brooks Pure Project Connects.  Brooks recently updated the Pure Project line and created the Drift which is a zero drop shoe.  I tried it on and it fit great around the midfoot but was completely sloppy in the toe area.  I didn't get them!  Jason at Off 'n Running (great LOCAL running store located in Greensboro and High Point.  Great RunNerds in the store that put up with me hanging out) ordered me a pair of the Connect 2's.  (The ones are the bright orange and the twos are the black.)  Brooks changed the upper and left the sole the same.  The upper is almost anti-anatomical and the burrito tongue wraps around the midfoot awkwardly.  The ones seem to simply fit my foot as if it were simply an extension of the foot.  The twos don't seem to slide on as comfortably.  If you look closely, you can see how the toe box curves on the two and remains more open on the ones.  Hopefully, after a few more runs the shoe will better adapt to my foot.  The only downside of the Pure Project line is that the shoes last between 200-300 miles, not like the old heavy stability shoes that would go for 500 miles or more, but they do promote a better running form.  

Taken at Off 'n Running Palladium

While I was trying on the new Pure Projects, Jason showed me the new Altra Zero Drop shoes.  Let me simply say that after running a few strides in them they felt like butter (or for us Vegans "fudder".)  The Torin (the black and yellow shoe) actually felt more responsive than the Instinct (the red and black one).  Needless to say, Connects your days are limited.  Jason even stated that he would order me a pair Altra's trail shoe to try out because I love running trails.  I can say this, The Pure Grit by Brooks is a TERRIBLE trail shoe.  If the ground is even slightly wet you are going to face plant into the dirt.  The Altra Superior Trail shoe has a removable rock plate... simply put less time in the dirt and more time on your feet!!

And now what you all have been really waiting for Joking on the Jester!!  That's right Justin Flint this section is all about Y-O-U!!

The Survivor and I calling out The Jester

You've been on Daily Mile doing some three and four mile runs... good stuff.  I don't see a bike on there!  What's this about your girlfriend going faster than you??  All right, one plus is you have gone fruitarian.  Yes we all know that Flints and Martines like the Steve Jobs diet because they are super smart.  I mean your sister Tara is starting a nutrition business, but I digress.  Azalea is in March!!!  Get on the bike.  Go for a swim!  Remember, I'm coming for you (meatless!  yeah, I read your DM comment, son!).  It is time for you to get with the program!  There are NO BAIL OUTS!!  You may beat me in the swim but the Speed Concept and I will crush you on the bike.  (Now that I have sufficiently talked a lot of blogsmack, I wish you the best and hope to see you on the battlefield.  Oh yes, Joking on Jester will be a regular feature on Tricraziness!)

Mmmm. Chipotle!

Folks, it has been a great first week back to regular training.  I actually got in the pool, TWICE!  This plan I'm following is really working progressively.  I suppose I'll close out this week because I have A LOT of work to do before work tomorrow.  (America where we take work home and continue to work... no wait!  that's called being in grad school, one more semester!)  Until next week, I'll leave with with today's delicious refuel on the right.  (I love guac!!)  

Follow ME!