"You never know what events are going to transpire to get you home." Og Mandino

Or to Flagstaff, which is quickly becoming, "home." Since moving here in November, I have been able to put more pre-season base miles in than ever before, have gotten back into mountain biking, have earned both my USAT and USA Cycling coaching licenses, and begun coaching with Grasky Endurance. Overall, a very positive experience.

Fezzik and Mia Back Country Skiing

With 2012 come some new experiences and hopefully achievement of some long standing athletic goals. Anyone who has read this blog before knows that I am trying to earn my USAT Elite license. I think with the dedication I have committed to this season's base, training at altitude, and working with my coach, Brian Grasky, this goal will finally become reality this spring. Also I will be coaching my first triathlon camp this coming March. Grasky Endurance Coaching is hosting its 5th annual Tucson Winter Training Camp from March 10 - 17, for which I will be present and assistant coaching.

That's all for now; time to go enjoy the altitude!

Just Remember to Breathe

I arrived in Flagstaff one week ago and am loving it. I have been diving right back into training and the local endurance scene. Everyone I've met has been great; Trijacks team, other local athletes, The Chamber and local businesses, and the neighbors have all made it incredibly easy to become part of the community.

Yesterday, I, along with Nicole Ewert of the NAU Trijacks, ran the Tusayan / Grand Canyon Half Marathon. It was a pretty challenging course with lots of hills and a pretty solid headwind on the return trip, not to mention the average elevation was over 6,600 ft. With only a week living at altitude, I was gasping for air the entire race. Nicole and I won were the overall male and female winners with a 1:29:56 and 1:47, pretty respectable for the type of course we were running. Plus, it was Nicole's first time racing a half marathon. Awesome! Go Trijacks!

Course Profile

This win was a great confidence builder and a great way to start off my AZ racing resume. I'm excited to get rolling as both a coach and athlete for Grasky Endurance Coaching and I'm pretty sure I've finally found where I need to be to achieve my personal, racing, and career goals.

Heading for a Big "Sun Break"

Moving to Flagstaff! I have started packing boxes and clearing out excess stuff from the house and will be hitting the road by the end of October. Once in Flagstaff, I will be attending the Exercise Science program at NAU, coaching with a new company, and excelling in my own training in a more conducive environment.

It was a fairly strange end to the season this year; DNF at Calgary 70.3, new PR in half marathon, 2nd overall at the Ft Lewis spring, a month in the Philippines, and a painful 4:55 70.3 to close it all. Rather unimpressive closer but let's see what a few months training in the sun and altitude does. Looking to crush it at Oceanside and Wildflower!

Practice What You Preach

When advising people for racing and training I continually preach the importance of proper recovery in order to make maximum gains and to be at peak performance come race day. This past month, with an impending trip which will cut my race season short, I found myself focused on building a larger race resume for 2011. I tried packing 5 races into a three week period. I ended up being exibit A for over trained, over raced, over exherted, and under recovered.

July 11th was Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island, 17th Ft Lewis Triple Threat, 18th Summit Plummet, 25th Seattle Seafair Olympic, 31st Ironman 70.3 Calgary.

4:37 at Rhode Island, 34th overall
1:06 at Ft Lewis, 1st overall
2:07 at Summit Plummet, 2nd overall
1:53 at Seattle Seafair, 3rd overall

Calgary.... DNF. The day after Seafair I was hit with a severe stomach bug. I thought it was food poisoning, but it continued coming back in waves throughout the week. Despite resting all week and trying to recover from 4 races so I could finish the season strong at Calgary, race day came and my body was not able to handle it. I had to toss in the towel at about mile 24 of the bike; I was dehydrated, weak, throwing up, and was just driving myself into the ground.

It was quite a disappointing end to the season, but also a huge learning experience. Despite thinking I could continue putting out 100% effort every weekend it came back to bite me. I should have been smarter as I have been racing for 6 years and know how to read my body. Take away for next season... PRACTICE WHAT YO PREACH

http://www.nwguardian.com/2011/07/21/10636/dressel-matson-outrace-field.html

Hot Weather Recap

Thanks to you, the tax payers, and the US Army, I had the good fortune of spending the last month out of cold, rainy Washington state and instead training in North Carolina and Arizona. I have been attending the Military Free Fall Parachutists Course, AKA tactical skydiving.

I took advantage of this school's location, Ft. Bragg, NC, and Yuma, AZ, and brought my bike and training gear to put some miles on in the sun and heat. I think the month down south has done me well; heat has always been my weakness by the time I get to the run so I hope I have been well acclimatized going in to Rhode Island, July 10th. I plan on having a great race. Hopefully 1st amateur, and top 10 overall.

Also while in AZ I was able to spend time In Flagstaff and visit NAU. Come October I will be relocating to the Flagstaff area to live and train at altitude and attend Northern Arizona's Exercise Science program. I think this move will be a major improvement in the quality of training I have prepping for my races, and overall quality of life. Goodbye Washington, enjoy your rain.

Even ugly feet need running shoes that fit | Fitness - The News Tribune

Even ugly feet need running shoes that fit | Fitness - The News Tribune

2011 Racing is Here!

I'm cold, I'm wet, and I'm covered in mud... Ah, to be an endurance athlete in Washington state. We are at a distinct disadvantage to our competitors to the south of us. In order to succeed we must want it for ourselves; put on your gloves, zip up your jacket, and push through the elements. What is your desired end state? A new PR? Overall win? Go out there and do what you need to do to get it! You'll be happy you did!

Good start for 2011-
2/13 Cupid's 1/2 Marathon, Rochester WA - 1st - 1:21:52 (6:15/mi)
2/27 Fitness for Vitality 10k, Seattle, WA - 2nd - 36:20 (5:52/mi)