Bikram Yoga instructor Reggie Meneses

“Move first, think later. It’s very liberating. Avoid paralysis by analysis.”

So what does it mean?

As triathletes, we tend to over analyze the simple decisions we need to make. For example, we debate in our minds questions such as:

• Do I sign up for this race because my friend PR’s on this course?
• Should I ride an extra 10 minutes even though I’m finished the ride but my training schedule says I need to ride 10 minutes more?
• Should I eat X because I heard that a pro eats X?

It’s relatively easy to get stuck in our heads and unable to make a decision. We become paralyzed in thought as we debate all the possible outcomes and permutations. We spend excessive amounts of time thinking and take no action.

No action. Nothing changes. We’re stuck.

As Reggie says, “Move first; think later.”

In others words, don’t over analyze your decisions - just take action. It may not be the best possible action, but it is action. Done. Move on.

Live life richly and boldly!

David

—-

David B. Glover
Experiential Writer, Elite Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

©2008 David B. Glover

Veronica unpacking her bike for the Quelle Challenge

“Should I take my bike on the plane or ship it to the race site? How do I pack it securely?”

There a few considerations, namely cost and convenience.

Although I have on one occasion shipped my bike to the hotel where I’ll be staying, I usually take my bike with me on the plane so that it travels with me. Plus, I can train with it up until the last possible moment rather than have pack up and ship ahead of time. All airlines require a fee. I’ve had to pay the airline’s bike fee about 50% of the time. I’ve found that I sometimes get away with not paying the fee when checking in at a large airport with the electronic check in terminals, as there is not usually a menu option for bicycles. This strategy worked for my friend, Brady, this weekend for travel to Phoenix. Fees vary by airline with Southwest on the low end at $50. I’ve heard that some airlines are charging up to $150 each way so shipping via UPS or FEDEX Ground might be a cheaper option depending on your airline and your luck. Also, be sure to check if there any weight restrictions so that you don’t get double charged for the case and the excessive weight.

A third option is a group like Tri Bike Transport that will pick up your bike from a local bike shop and drive it down to a larger race like a 70.3 or Ironman Triathlon. The advantage is that you don’t have to break down your bike as much. I have not used them before, but the folks that have seemed happy with the service. The downside is that you will often need to drop off your bike at least a full week in advance.

Because I’m traveling with my bike to Tempe, AZ, this weekend to do some riding and watch Krista race in the Best of the U.S. Triathlon Championship, I was able to take some pictures of how I pack my tri bike:

Photo: My QR Lucero packed for plane travel

The first step with packing a bike is to mark the position of any parts that you break down such as seat post or aerobars before you take the bike part. I like to use either finger nail polish or white out because they are permanent until removed. Tape works, too, but can be rubbed off or slide. When breaking down parts, the key is to break down as little as possible and as simple as possible. For example, I removed my seat post by loosening to bolts rather than my seat, which require a more complex adjustment to reassemble to its proper position. I also removed my aerobars at the handle bar stem, front brakes and pedals.

In order to protect the carbon fiber frame from scratching or chipping, I wrap it in pipe insulation then secure the pipe insulation with blue painter’s tape. Both items are readily available in a local hardware store like Lowe’s or Home Depot. The blue tape is nice because it does not leave a sticky residue on the frame and can be reused for the return trip. The case has four straps, which I use to secure the bike in place then I wrap with either bubble wrap or towel and secure any other loose parts like bike shoes that could potentially damage the frame. Other items that I put in my case are my helmet, empty water bottles and wheels.

Photo: Securing loose gear in bags and with straps

Thankfully, the bike arrived when I arrived. Direct flights are always preferable since your bike is more likely to arrive when you do especially if you have a short layover on non-stop flight or board a smaller plane to reach your final destination.

Safe travels!

David

—-

David B. Glover
Writer, Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

©2008 David B. Glover

Brad Rex, Race Announcer

Brad Rex, who I jokingly refer to as my “uncle from California,” dabbles in a lot of different things: cycling, rowing, race announcing, sailing, environmental restoration, etc. Since meeting him years ago at the Great Floridian Triathlon where he announced and I raced, we’ve become good friends over the years and now every year I fly him in from Santa Rosa, CA (home of Vineman) to announce the Luray Triathlons.

Like many people, I tend to get “stuck in my head,” as I’m always worrying about all the things that “I have to do.” I play over and over in my mind: go to Home Depot, order t-shirts, contact sponsors, answer emails, create a survey, update my website, call my parents, etc. The list goes on and on! As soon as we cross one thing out, another appears. It’s never ending and seems to keep me from doing all the things that we want to do. We get frustrated.

Rather than take responsibility for our choices and actions, we easily fall into a pattern of blaming others or outside events for our current situation:

• I can’t train for an Ironman because I work too much.
• I don’t have enough time to train.
• I can’t be faster because I have other commitments like a family.
• I can’t do what I want to do because I have all of these other things that “I have to do.”

Worse yet, we might lash out at others in jealousy and fear. You can see this on message boards where it’s much easier to hide behind the anonymity of the Internet than it is to look at oneself in the mirror and ask the difficult questions: What’s going on with me? What insecurities am I projecting onto others? What choices am I not making out of fear? Etc.

Ultimately, we’ve lost control our lives and ourselves. We become unhappy, stressed out victims of the outside world.

Ughhh…..! What to do?

“There is only one thing you have to do in life,” offered Brad.

He’s right. The only thing I have to do is die. Everything else is optional.

True, there are consequences if we don’t do some things. If I don’t pay my mortgage, I may lose my house. If I don’t walk my dog, she’ll make a mess in the house. If I don’t eat and drink, I’ll waste away into nothing. If I miss a bunch of workouts

But, ultimately, we don’t “have to do” anything - we make choices about everything we do. By recognizing that we do have choices to make, we can empower ourselves and transform what we “have to do” into what we “want to do.”

Suddenly, not being the fastest in a triathlon is OK….I am making a choice to spend more time with my friends and my family rather than train all time. I am choosing to work longer so that I can get a promotion. I am choosing not to race because I want go to a wedding. Etc.

How do you deal with the “I have to do’s” in your life….?

Live life richly and boldly!

David

—-

David B. Glover
Experiential Writer, Elite Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

©2008 David B. Glover

I had the privilege and opportunity to star in the latest Conte’s Bicycle and Fitness Equipment commercial that was shown in the Washington, DC area during the Olympics:

The Cervelo P3 with Zipp wheels rides very smoothly and very quickly!

Live life richly and boldly!

David

—-

David B. Glover
Experiential Writer, Elite Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

©2008 David B. Glover

The Power Of Team: Three Ordinary People and Their Run to Greatness
by Peter Wortham

I had the opportunity and privilege to meet Joel Burrows AKA “Ghost” when we both participated in the Special Operations Force Academy in the last week in April. With an extensive background in endurance events including Ironman-distance triathlons and marathons, Joel was the one participant at the Academy with whom I could most closely identify. Joel earned his nickname “Ghost” by maintaining a low profile during the week - by staying under the radar. Yet, on the final day and night, Ghost took over as the team leader of the 44 participants (our initial group of ten from the week long Academy merged with 34 more participants for the final 24-hour SEAL Adventure Challenge).

Joel had also done something, which still seems incomprehensible to me now: he, along with his then wife, Nancy, and friend, Dave, won outright three of the four “Racing the Planet” Desert Races. The “Racing the Planet” races are a series of seven-day, 250-kilometer (~150-mile) footraces across the world’s largest and most forbidding deserts - the Atacama Desert in Chile, China’s Gobi Desert, the Sahara and finally “The Last Desert” in Antarctica. Each participant had to carry 30 pounds of their own survival gear, clothing and food on their backs, running across sand and rock, climbing dunes and mountains.

I asked Joel afterwards why he chose the Special Operations Force Academy. This is what he had to say:

After 11 Ironman races, more marathons than I can count, and winning outright 3 of the 4 Racing the Planet Desert Races, I was looking for a new challenge. In 2003 I saw a flyer about this camp, and it has been on my mind ever since. Now that I am going through my divorce and am able to choose the events that I want to participate in, I felt this was the time to go after the SEAL camp. I began training in January and only took about 6 days off between then and the start of the camp. I am always looking for the next challenge and really wanted to show up to the camp in the best shape possible. I felt like I achieved that goal.

(more…)

Given the recent heat wave we’ve been experienced in the mid-Atlantic region, I thought I would share my “Staying Hydrated in the Heat” answers that I shared with a reporter earlier this week.

Q: If someone has dark urine could it be because they are dehydrated?

A: Yes, dark-colored urine is a good indicator of dehydration. Urine should be clear, pale yellow like lemonade if fully hydrated.

Another indicator is weight loss during an exercise session or race. Weighing yourself before and after an exercise session (or race) in the heat and taking into account fluid consumed during the session is a good way to determine what your fluid replacement needs are.

Q: If you do become dehydrated what can you do to treat it instantly?

A: Drink fluids to rehydrate as soon as possible. When training and racing for more than an hour and especially in the heat, I would use a sports drink with electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) to both replace electrolyte loss from sweat in order to mitigate cramping and to replace energy stores. Taking in sodium will also mitigate a condition called hyponatremia, which is essentially water intoxication caused by too low of sodium levels in the blood.

Dehydration could also be accompanied by heat conditions such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In that case, it’s necessary to get person out of the heat ASAP, cover with cool towels and seek medical attention.
(more…)

Mouse Popsicles? What the heck are Mouse Popsicles…? I’m not sure that I want to know.

This is a sign along Hwy 28 in South Carolina just north of the Town of Walhalla. I’ve passed this sign dozens of times over the years while riding my bike up and down that stretch of the road, which leads to Georgia then North Carolina - three states in one ride! Every time I pass the sign, I’ve always wondered, “What the heck are Mouse Popsicles?” I can guess but the vision in my mind is not a pleasant one.

Why is the sign relevant?

It’s a piece of a memory that I associate with that section of road and the rides that I’ve done on the road when training for Ironman triathlons in the past. In past years, my friends Steve and Brady have both ridden with me along this road, which leads to a punishing 7 mile climb up to to the Town of Highlands. It’s one of those climbs where if you’re not feeling good, it’s really going to suck. Ahh, the memories of the suffering, lightheadedness and muscle burn as we went up that climb!

So when I took the picture, I had to send it them. “Hey, guys, remember the Mouse Popsicles?”

I still don’t know what Mouse Popsicles nor do I really care. It’s the other memories that matter.

Peace,
David

–
David B. Glover
Professional Triathlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

© 2008 David B. Glover

Photo: My view riding at the back (not the front)

Normally, by this time of the season, I’m fully engaged in training for an Ironman, feeling strong and eager to toe the line in a race. However, right now, I’m just not “feeling” it.

After I had watched the Columbia Triathlon a week ago, Krista had asked me, “Did you miss not racing?”

I answered, “No, I was happy to just watch.” Truthfully, I was.

I guess it’s not surprising when I think about it. I’ve raced in 24 Ironman-distance triathlons since 1997. Last year was an amazing year for me: Marathon PR of 2:46 at Disney Marathon the day after running a 1:22 in the Disney 1/2 Marathon, Ironman PR of 8:51 at the Quelle Challenge in Germany, winning Vineman and being inducted into the Vineman Hall of Fame.

I think it’s time for a break until my desire returns. I’m not sure if that’s a few more days, a few more weeks or the rest of the season. No idea.

I like how Timothy Gallwey in his book, The Inner Game of Work, talks about desire:

Desire wants what it wants. Desire is a feeling that can produce a picture or a vision of what it wants. It may or may not be similar to what other people want, but true desire is never borrowed from anyone else. So the hardest thing about getting a clear picture of your direction is to be able to distinguish your picture from that of the many pictures that are painted by other people.

I’m trying to get a clear picture of my direction and my true desire. Last year, my desire was to go faster in Ironman so that set my direction: train smarter and harder. I’m not feeling that same level of desire for triathlon this year.

Does this mean no swim, bike or run? No, of course not! It just means swim, bike and run how I feel. So likely I’ll be riding less at the front.

Participating in the Special Operations Force Academy a few weeks ago re-opened my eyes to all of the other cool things out there to experience that I’ve ignored in the past because of my singular triathlon focus: waterfall rappelling, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, diving adventure racing, ultra running, XC skiing, hiking, etc.

I’m excited to try some new things!

Peace,
David

–
David B. Glover
Professional Triathlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

© 2008 David B. Glover

“The only easy day was yesterday.”
- Navy SEALs motto

Photo: David ready to skydive (Photograph by: Gunnar Örn Arnarsson)

Each day was different. Each day brought new challenges to push each of us outside of our comfort zones.

We learned to skydive and ended the week with an assisted freefall jump. Two skydive instructors jumped with us out of the plane at 13,000 feet and stayed with us until we arched, located and threw our pilot chute at which point we were on our own. We became certified in open water SCUBA driving beginning with the classroom then moving to the pool and finally to Lake Rawlings to practice in cold water. We learned about navigation at night with a compass and map to get from point A to point B, estimating distances by counting our steps and moving cohesively as a team while remaining undetected. We learned combat medical skills that we practiced on each other: stop the heavy bleeding first then worry about the breathing. We learned to shoot rifles, shotguns and pistols.

The days and nights blurred together.

The only constant evolutions each day were the PT sessions. We never knew when a PT session would begin, and once it began, when it would end. “Be in the moment,” became my mantra for coping with the uncertainty of what was next.
(more…)

“There are 2 aspects in life that will haunt you for the rest of your life that will last forever: Regret and Glory…which one do you want burned into the memories of your soul - Regret or Glory?”
- Special Operations Force Academy Instructor Jono

Photo: Team “Slit Throat” dressed up for our late night Field Training Exercise (I’m in lower right hand corner)

The following is a copy of an email that I sent to the Instructors of the Special Operations Force Academy (SOF/A) and SEAL Adventure Challenge (SAC):

Dear SOF/A and SAC Instructors:

Second, as an athlete, I hit a bad spell of overtraining a little over a month ago - I was sick, tired, irritable, had an elevated heart rate, slept poorly, etc. I decided not to do Ironman Arizona on 4/13 because of health concerns. I also experienced weakness, especially on the right side of my body, to the extent that I could not even do 10 push ups (truth).
(more…)