Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Decreased Training Promotes Increased Productivity ...

Did you ever see the Episode of Seinfeld when George decided not to have sex anymore? With his brain no longer being preoccupied with sex he becomes extremely productive and downright brilliant. Of course he ends up having sex and is back to the same old George by the end of the episode.  Well, replace "have(ing) sex" with "training" and this basically sums up how the off time has been for me.


It has been a little over 3 weeks since my last race and I have been on a self-prescribed recovery period.  My main goal was to take some time off from the day-to-day grind of following a specified training program.  The thinking was this would allow both my body and mind to relax and be ready to tackle the next training program with laser-like focus and intensity.  Being that I have either been doing P90X or Triathlon training non-stop since the Fall of 2008 I find myself with a lot of time on my hands.  Now I have not cut out training altogether.  Still running 15-18 miles per week and spending a day or two on the bike and in the pool.  But compared to my previous volume I still have time to spare.  So, I have been doing a lot of "other" things to keep myself occupied and here are a few of them:

-  I've read 3 novels and 2 Triathlon Books.  On June 21st I will begin training for the IronStar 70.3 and one of the books I read was The Essential Week-By-Week Training Guide.  I've decided to use the Phase 10 Half Ironman Training plan from this book to do my training.  It is going to be intense and I am in the process of creating a spreadsheet (which I will link on Google Docs) for reference and tracking but if I follow this plan as intended I will be more than ready come November 7th.














-  Along with playing with the wheelset on my TT bike, a lot of time has been spent sitting in the garage with a cold beer "tinkering".  I've basically taught myself how to service and maintain the bikes using mostly Annie's Trek 1000 of course.  Now the reasons for learning about the How-To of Bike Maintenance is because it is expensive and time consuming to take our bikes to the local bike shop.  But the main reason is that I am a typical dude who just likes to know how things work.  The benefits from this is the I really learned again how to appreciate a cold beer on a hot day and that I should be able to handle most of our future bike maintenance issues.  Also, it is just fun!  

-  I've briefly tried out a new product called, Anti Monkey Butt Powder.  First off, has there ever been a product name that better fits the personality of a blogger?  I think not!  I went on a quick 12 mile bike ride yesterday in 94 degree heat and used the Anti Monkey Butt Powder on my bike short chamois.  All I can say is that it was glorious and I will never ride a bike again without the Anti Monkey Butt Powder.  On Saturday at least 30 miles is planned so I will give a thorough review of the product (and get a chance to type:  Monkey Butt a bunch more times ...hehehe).  EVEN BETTER is that on Tuesday a Give-A-Way will be held and one lucky guy and gal will each receive a bottle of Anti Monkey Butt Powder and you too can also have a chance to experience the joy of not having Monkey Butt!













- I have also been watching a lot of baseball.  Last night I watched the Washington Nats battle the Pirates and last seasons #1 Draft Pick, Stephen Strasburg, made his Major League Debut.  Now if you do not follow baseball just know that this kid is probably the most hyped prospect in the last decade.  Heck, maybe the most hyped since A-Rod.  He is a 6'4" 220lb 21-year old that throws a 100 MPH fastball and has off speed stuff that will make your knees lock.  Well, he did not disappoint:  7 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts and the hype is legit.  I've never seen a pitch make throwing so hard look so effortless.  He is going to be a fun one to watch.  If you want to see video of his performance Click Here.

-  On the political front, I have been actively following the Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie.  I am enamored with this guy for the way that he is governing with common sense and fiscal responsibility.  As far as     taxation of states goes NJ is taxed more than any other state in the union. Because of this the population is declining and the state is on the brink of bankruptcy. If tough decisions are not made NJ will soon be lining up for yet another Federal Bailout.  Since Christie has taken over as Governor he is cutting wasteful spending the same way a lumberjack takes down a tree - fast, efficient, and forceful.  This guy is the Anti-Politician! If you have not heard anything about Gov Christie than take a look at these two YouTube clips and you'll understand why I'd love to see this guy in the Oval Office in 2012: 

Christie Smacks Down a Journalist

Christie Smacks Down Teachers Union


- And speaking of Governors -- Our Texas Gov, Rick Perry, shot a coyote that was about to attack his puppy while he was out running (BTW, Perry is a Triathlete).  It was all over the media and of course some animal rights groups were appalled and blah, blah, blah.  So when I receive this email this morning it cracked me up (No offense Patrick ..hehe):

California vs. Texas

Governor of California is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A Coyote jumps out and attacks dog.

#1. Governor starts to intervene, reflects upon the movie "Bambi"
and then realizes he should stop; the coyote is only doing what is
natural.

#2. He calls animal control. Animal control captures coyote and
spends $200 testing it for diseases and $500 upon relocating it.

#3. He calls veterinarian. Vet collects dead dog and spends $200
testing it for diseases.

#4. Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for
diseases from the coyote and on getting bite wound bandaged.

#5. Running trail gets shut down for 6 months while wildlife
services conduct a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is clear
of dangerous animals.

#6. Governor spends $50,000 of state funds implementing a "coyote
awareness" program for residents of the area.

#7. State legislature spends $2 million investigating how to better
handle rabies and how to possibly eradicate the disease.

#8. Governor's security agent is fired for not stopping the attack
and for letting the Governor intervene.

#9. Cost: $75,000 to train new security agent.

#10. PETA protests the coyote relocation and files suit against the
state.

Texas : 

#1. Governor shoots coyote and keeps jogging. Governor has spent
$0.50 on a .45 ACP hollow point cartridge. Buzzards eat dead
coyote.


Any wonder why California is broke????

Thanks for Reading,

Jeff

24 comments:

  1. That is the best name for a product I have ever seen!

    You're so smart to take some down time. You'll come back fresh and raring to go for it.

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  2. Great post - had me laughing hard a few time! Thanks.

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  3. You said Monkey Butt! He he he... Looking forward to the full review and a chance to win!

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  5. Stumbled over your blog yesterday while searching for training motivation for my first tri and some other competitions. I have enjoyed the reading thus far. Oddly, when used to compete in martial arts I was more productive in school (undergrad and grad school) when I was training. -LT
    Fatlete.blogspot.com

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  6. Phase 10!?!? Yikes! I just finished up phase 6 and it powered me to a 5:15 HIM. I'm thinking of jumping up to level 7 or 8 for my next one, but 10 just sounds crazy!

    Back at Christmas, someone had Anti Monkey Butt as a white elephant/gag gift. No one understood why I actually wanted to get "stuck" with it.

    Finally, congrats on increasing your bike maintenance knowledge. I agree with you that it is just plain fun to do your own work, if not a time/money savings as well.

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  7. Ha ha, you are soo very funny! I am still chuckling. BTW I am so happy the picture of your pug finally came up; what a cutie pie!

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  8. I think it's awesome that you're learning more about bike maintenance. I am so bad with the ins and outs of my bike. Luckily, my husband knows a lot and does all of our tune-ups, adjustments, etc. It's awesome because it's free! :)

    I've heard of Monkey Butt, but have yet to try it! I can't wait to hear more about it and have a chance to win some! Woohoo!

    Ha ha..the coyote email was great!

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  9. I saw the first video when that story broke. That was when I decided the I really liked the guy. I loved the second video. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Hahaha. Great post!

    Can't wait for the monkey butt review... that is fun to type HAHA.

    Props to Texans my friend. No nonsense and don't mess with Texas! I would do the same thing, except, I don't run with my gun haha... maybe I should start?

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  11. Loved the Christie vids. I've seen him several times and his "tone" is refreshing.

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  12. That's what I love about your blog... always many things to comment on.
    Let's get the gov. of NJ on Biggest Loser first before the Oval office.
    Shoot the coyote?? Hell, shoot the governor.... that's what a true Texan would do..

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  13. LOLOL you use the wifes bike to "fix", LOLOL thats funny!!! I bet she wont think so if there was a boo boo

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  14. Monkey butt.
    cracked me up. I started calling my bro this at age 14 --- guess who still gets called monkey butt at 37....awesome.

    YAY for "down" time!! I've been "down" ever since I did my 31 push-ups - can't freaking move my chest [yes, that was 4 days ago --- chuckle away]

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  15. "effing spot on!" about everything you posted! had no idea about the NJ Governor. We need to bring him over to NY, cuz we ain't doing too well either.

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  16. Is it sad that I've heard of this product before? ROFL!

    Anyway, great post, Jeff :) I think a little downtime is always needed. It's funny you mention this because I was discussing this just the other day. Given your (and mine) personality, even downtime will have exercise built into it, and you'll most likely sign up for something not too far down the road. But the "me time" is important. It allows you to, as you wrote, learn something new and also it can help you appreciate the little things in life like a cold beer while tinkering on your bike.

    Keep it up!

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  17. Gotta love Seinfeld. Not a day goes by that I can't find something that happens to remind me of an episode. I'm glad to hear that the anti monkey butt really works well b/c the bag balm ain't cutting it here anymore, sigh! Bravo on the DYI bike tinkering!

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  18. Your blog always cracks me up. Very funny stuff - all of it.

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  19. I LOVE that episode of Seinfeld. I think I like all episodes of Seinfeld.

    Monkey Butt!! giggle.

    AND can that guy from NJ please move to Maine? Pretty please?

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  20. Hi Jeff,
    Everyone needs a rest...you deserve to have a little down time!

    It has been way to long since I have seen an episode of Seinfeld:)

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  22. So Jeff...what's going to be your "Portugese Waitress" moment? :)

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  23. Definitely sounds like you're enjoying your rest time!

    I can top the Monkey Butt stuff....I'm going to review some "Toe Juice" soon!

    : )

    btw, Amazing Grass is powdered wheat grass with all sorts of extra goodness in it. I really think it helps my immune system.

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  24. Jeff—another hysterical post. No one ever says anything about the amount of time I spend training—least of which my wife—who has been incredibly supportive. Perhaps it is because she has recently resumed her dancing career. Anyway... my immediate family seems to think that if I had more time away from triathlon that I could probably develop a cure for Alzheimer's, or some other chronic illness.I try to convince them that I NEED to train... it keeps me sane. Kudos to you for reading or enjoyment. I forgot how to do that years ago.

    p.s. I am drinking my first beer in weeks. It is a Lion's Stout (8%ABV,) so feel free to completely ignore my ramblings.

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