The death waivers are signed and packed away!  After we wrap up our Dr. appts tomorrow, we are off to drop our kids off with Terri's mom and then heading to Beaver Creek for Tough Mudder.  It is hard to believe it is here.  When we signed up, it was such a long ways off, but the time has come, and I believe we are both ready.  The course map came out a few days ago.......
Here it is....

In case it is hard to see, it will be 10 miles, 20 obstacles.  The 2nd obstacle is the electric eel, which is where you walk through an obstacle getting shocked, so it should be a good day.  Our start time is 8:20, the 2nd wave, so we should finish with plenty of time left in the day to celebrate.  Since the map has come out, Terri has been a little on the anxious side.  The cold water scares her.  She is afraid her body might go into shock and she might not make it through an obstacle.  The newest concern is when she jumps off the plank with shoes on she might not make it back up to the surface in time.  I have to keep reminding her that I used to be a lifeguard, and she does not have to worry about the water obstacles, and that it is all about fun.  Check back later for pictures.  Also, if you have not yet donated, please do so, here is the link:  https://register.toughmudder.com/fundraising/donate.aspx?event=13403&fundraiser=r7473298

My little brother returns tonight from his 10 month tour in Afganistan!  Because of this I thought I would take a minute to update the blog since it has been a while. Training has continued for Terri and I.  Tough Mudder is right around the corner (this Saturday).  We have been averaging about 5 workouts per week.  Terri has even given up her Saturday morning to wake up a 6 am to run about 6 miles with her running buddies.  I still do not give up my mornings, but have been logging some good workouts. 
About 4 weeks ago, Terri and I both did the Hastings YMCA's sprint Triathlon to test our conditioning.  We survived, but boy did it wipe me out for the rest of the day.  The killer part of the Tri was the 25 mile per hour wind we had to bike/run into.  It was brutal.  In the end, I was happy with my time, as was Terri.  During the Tri we had a 800 yard swim (about half mile), bike 12.4 miles, and run 3.1.  Terri finished in a time of 1:54:42, and I finished in a time of 1:29:31.  My goal was to finish under 1:30, so I did that.  Terri's goal was just to finish, and she did that as well. 

Here are some pictures of the event:

End of the race, very tired.  The kid behind me did pass me by the end.

Terri finishing the race!

 About half way through the run.  I could barely move my legs.  And yes, I am wearing a head band.

 Starting the bike.

 Terri riding into 25 mile per hour wind.  Ouch!

 She looks too happy here.

 And here...

Why am I smiling???????

Long time, no blog.  Not much has happened since blogging last.  In my last blog, I told about a book Terri and I were reading, Power, Speed, Endurance: A Skill Based Approach to Endurance Training.  In the book, it focused a lot on form in the pool and while running.  Trying to correct your form while swimming or running, is like learning it all over again.  First I tried running.  The book told to land on the ball of you feet and have your heal kiss the ground.  Both Terri and I tried to do this, and both of us could barely walk the next few days due to pain in our calves.  My calf pain lasted about a good solid 6 days.  while my calves were hurting, I got in the pool and tried to become a more efficient swimmer.  According to the book I was to leave my arm extended in front of my head until my other arm came over my shoulder and entered the water in front of my body.  It also recommended breathing every 3 strokes, so breathing on the right side of your body and left, alternating.  Wow! it is hard to tweek breathing while swimming without feeling awkward and swallowing a lot of water.  I finished that workout totally waterlogged.  Since that, I have reverted back to my old ways, figuring if it is not broke, I am not going to fix it.
Other than that, I am sticking with crossfit workouts, which are giving me a good workout.  Yesterday, I ran 8 400 meter runs with a 90 second break between runs.  With breaks included, I finished in 23 minutes 28 seconds, exhausted at the end.  I woke up this morning with the back of my right knee hurting from the runs.  I plan to be back at it today.  About 1 month until the sprint triathlon, and 2 months until Tough Mudder.

We are still in need of donations.  Please donate here:  https://register.toughmudder.com/fundraising/donate.aspx?event=13403&fundraiser=r7473298 

It's a fun time of year!!!!!  March Madness Baby!!!!!

Each year at work, I get 2 personal days (vacation days) to do with what I want.  For the past 5 years I save both days for this time of year.  For one, it is a good time to take a Spring break.  Another, more important reason, is I get to watch the opening rounds of the March Madness college basketball tournament.  It is a good way to spend a few days, which only could be topped by spending this time of year in Vegas watching all the games in a sports book, which is where I will be next year.  So far, my only big mistake has been taking Wisconsin into the sweet 16, they lost in the opening round.
Taking a day off from work also gives me the chance to take my time and get a good workout in.  A few days ago, I checked out a book from the library about endurance training.  I finally got a twitter account a few months ago, and began following Mens Health and Crossfit accounts.  On twitter, I came across a book: Power, Speed, Endurance: A Skill Based Approach to Endurance Training by Brian Mackenzie.  After reading part of the book, I have again changed up my workout plan.  Before reading the book, I was trying to log as many miles as possible in the pool, on the bike, and on the road running.  However, now I am going to do 4 to 5 days of crossfit, mostly doing the workout of the day on crossfit.com, and add interval training in the pool, bike, and running, with one day a week of a long swim, run, or on the bike.  Today I did my first official crossfit day.  The workout of the day was to do the following:

Complete as many rounds and reps as possible in 12 minutes of:
150 Wall ball shots, 20 pound ball
90 Double-unders
30 Muscle-ups

 Let me just say that this was the hardest workout I have done in a long while, and I did not even get through it all in 12 minutes, I was only able to do the 150 wall ball shots and 90 double unders and I was spent.  After that, I got in the pool and did interval swims.  I did 2 minute swims at a medium to fast pace 4 different times.  Then I spent the rest of my time swimming working on my form.  After reading the book I mentioned earlier, I realized I have horrible swimming form.  Just about everything about my form is incorrect.  Trying to change form is like trying to learn to swim all over again.  Good thing I have time to make adjustments.

After taking 2 days off due to a very sore back, legs, groin, and various other parts, I was back at it today.  I was hoping to ride my bike outside, but due to rain showers, I went to the YMCA and rode the bike and ran on a treadmill.  I ended up riding for 10.1 miles (42 minutes), and ran for 3.2 miles (30 minutes).  One thing I am noticing more is that my armpits are chaffing more as my workouts are getting longer.  We were watching the finale of Biggest Loser that we recorded from yesterday, and my t-shirt was rubbing my chaffed area to the point I had to go shirtless.  I am going to have to address this problem.  I might have to lube up my armpit with vaseline.  After showering up and adding deodorant, the deodorant brings tears to my eyes if it comes into contact with the irritated area.  If you have ways to address this problem of mine, please let me know.

Yesterday was Hastings annual Whoopers and Hoopers basketball tournament.  Teams from all over come to play 5 on 5 basketball.  I got a call on Wednesday to join a team, and I agreed to play even through I have not shot a basketball for about a month now.  Our first game was at 9 am, so I woke up early to eat breakfast and have enough time to drink my coffee and have the food settle.  However, when I woke up, my lower back hurt.  Every now and again, my back hurts, not a muscle hurt, more of a pinched nerve hurt.  So before the game, I sat in the hot tub, and stretched it the best I could.  I survived the game (we lost), then had 4 hours before our next game began.  The down time gave my back enough time to start tightening up, and was pretty sore come time for the second game.  As my luck would have it, it was a very rough game, and I ended up on the court a few times.  I also survived the second game and then retired to the couch for the rest of the day.
Last night while I was sleeping, I woke up each time I moved due to my back hurting.  I think I slept on it wrong again, or maybe yesterday's activities are settling in, because my entire back now hurts, and it is painful to move.  In addition, my left knee is also acting up, so I am gimping around whenever I move.  I do believe it is time to take a few days off to recover.