2010 Update

In December 2009, I started a project with Cloud Peak Energy, the Powder River Basin coal mining spin off of global mining giant, Rio Tinto. The Gillette, Wyoming based company was not an easy commute from Southern Utah. After 5-6 hours of flying puddle jumpers and waiting in airports, time for working out was severly limited on Mondays and Fridays. During the week however, running tread mills at the hotel was about the only option when temperatures dipped as low as -27°F (-33°C). In April, 2 things helped jump start workouts: 1) a new consultant, Scott DeLong, joined the team. He had triathlon aspirations and inspired me to up the intensity. 2) Gillette opened a new state-of-the-art recreational center.

The new Campbell County Recreation Center after a May snow storm

For a couple of months, I was able to swim, ride stationary bike, and run track a few times a week. Those occassional workouts did not offset the 6 months of high calorie food and inconsistent exercise, but it felt good to once again have the dull muscle ache that come from a challenging run or set.

When the project ended in June, I decided it was time to obtain some much needed stability for me and my family. I joined an up-and-coming consulting firm, Slalom Consulting in June and returned to Orange County, CA.

I am looking forward to re-joining the fantastic swimming and triathlon community here in Orange County and getting back on track physically. The consultant diet and lack of exercise time means that I have a few pounds to lose. The next several months could be a commercial for a weight loss product. My weight loss plan: exercise and sensible diet. It has been scientifically proven that eating fewer calories than you burn causes you to lose weight. :) With a little weight training, I expect to build some muscle mass too.

Runs in Albuquerque

Spent the Thanksgiving weekend with family in Albuquerque, NM.  Did a couple of runs around the Albuquerque Academy.  My younger brother set a good pace that had me running faster than I cared to on the uphill, but pride forced me to continue.  I was grateful for a good run.

Returned to Dixie today and did a short 3 mile run along the Virgin River with the accompanying pull-ups, push-ups, and situps.

Ride and Run in Dixie

Had to limit my workout to 3 hours today so I did an abbreviated 30 mile bike ride from Bloomington Park with the Color Country Cycling Club.  I rode with them up through Kayenta and then headed back to Bloomington instead of going to Veyo.  Did a quick transition and ran a couple of miles.  It has been a while since I did the bike to run transition and I forgot what prolonged riding does to your running legs.  I need to practice that more- I can't imagine what a 112 mile ride will do to my marathon legs.  Finished it up with a push-up, pull-up and sit-up routine.

October Part 2

Several multi-state trips, cold weather, and irregular schedules have meant that my exercise schedule encountered some serious obstacles to consistency.  3-6 miles jogs a couple of times a week have been the workouts during the past couple of weeks.  Praying for some more schedule stability in the coming weeks!

Mid October

Did 4 runs of 4-6 miles during the week and a 30 mile road ride on Saturday after taking the kids hiking in the Santa Clara River Gorge to look at the Indian petroglyphs.

Fall is here

Did a nice 3-5 mile run nearly every day this week- admittedly a little later than normal as pre-dawn temperatures here dipped into the 40s. I mixed it up with the regular core strength exercises of push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups.  Gotta admit, I've missed Orange County weather this past week.  I'll be back there next week.


On Saturday, spent the morning doing a 60 mile bike ride from Bloomington to Veyo and back with the Southern Utah Triathlon Club. They made me push myself a little harder than normal and also realize I've got to do some intense hill work to get ready for the Ironman in May.


Good news this week: Lynn Kubasek, a fantastic kayaker for my Catalina swim, bagged her own solo swim across the channel on Wednesday. Congrats, Lynn! I received my Abu Dhabi Tri Club jersey. Thanks Chris! I also enjoyed watching the Kona Ironman Championships- inspiring.


Sad news: I hadn't posted it before, but the Abu Dhabi jersey reminded of the great folks I worked out with there in the Middle East. Coach Mark Pringle, a fantastic coach full of spunk and positive energy, finally died of the injuries he sustained in a hit and run accident there in the capital. Unfortunately, Abu Dhabi is a less desirable place to be with him no longer there. LINK

Workouts This Week

I was up late Sunday night and early Monday studying for an exam. After passing the 4 and 1/2 hour exam...I figured my body would survive a day without a cardio workout.

On Tuesday I did my loop around Bloomington with an extra intensive bout of situps, pullups and pushups that left me with a nice soreness for a couple of days.

This week, I finally got in a workout with Lynne Lund, the local swimming legend and found the legend was deserved. She was great and quickly picked apart my stroke and gave me a number of helpful technique helps. While St. George may not have the huge master swimming programs found in Southern California- its hard to get that kind of personal attention there either. I'm looking to get my 100 meters down in the mid 50 secs in the coming months.

On Saturday, I took off at 7:30 in cold and finished up after noon. Did 58 to 59 miles up to Veyo and down the 18 behind the St. George Marathon to Snow Canyon and back. I had to stop a few times due to police and race officials who wanted to make sure I didn't interfere with the tail end of the race. I believe it is the longest distance ride I've done- need to get the average speed up.