I’ve started working out at a new gym called Studio E2. It’s very cool in that it has a wall with pulleys in different configurations that allow a whole range of exercises. It’s hard to explain, so I’ll just use a video:

It’s an all over body workout where most exercises start with a lunge, squat, or on a ball. This causes you to activate your core before you begin an exercise. Exercises also use a complete range of motion and multiple joints, rather than just targeting a single muscle group. Excellent stuff!

You can find out more at their web site -  www.studioe2fit.com.

After a long layoff, I’ve started training for my next Olympic distance triathlon – The Spudman!!

Okay, I’m serious. There really is an event called The Spudman and it’s held in Burley, Idaho on July 28, 2007.

I’ve been running now for a few months to try to get myself back in shape. I recently ran the Barber to Boise 10k. I recently relocated from the SF Bay Area to the Boise area. That explains all of these Idaho events, doesn’t it? My 10k times are still really slow, but I ran it in 57 minutes which was what I was shooting for – under an hour.

I’ve been running 5 – 7 miles three times a week interspersed with time on the bike 2 – 3 times a week. It’s been down to 16 degrees this week so I’ll be switching to the trainer very soon. I’ll be training this year with a new coach – Jim Crouch at Next Step Cycling.

I’ll be posting my workouts, progress, events, and my experiments with new technology right here. I recently started using a RS200 Polar HRM and a Nike+ Plus iPod Sport Kit and have been really happy with both. I’ll be posting reviews on both in the next week or so.

Until then…

So what’s my current plan? Am I training for anything?

Well, I’m being lazy, that’s for sure. I’ve run once since I got back from Austin and haven’t been on the bike at all.

How about swimming? Well, I know this won’t seem too bad to you east coast or northern people, but it’s been below freezing here in NoCal and I’m not about to jump in an outdoor pool right now.

My real goal for this winter has been opening up the Pilates and Yoga for Dummies videos I bought a month or so ago. It hasn’t happened yet.

I have signed up for the Napa Valley Triathlon for May 2005, so I have a new goal. Now I just need to get off my keister.

MON - Did another “mini” personal triathlon to work on my transition skills. 1000 yd swim | 6 miles bike | 1.5 mile run – time 52 minutes – transitions averaged about 1 min 15.

TUE - simple stretching and strengthening exercises.

WED - Jog/walk 5 miles. Felt decent, but my leg started to give out a bit around mile 4 and I walked the last mile. I’m concerned that my IT Band isn’t really better and my running is going to suffer.

THU - 1650 yd swim (=.93 miles, my race distance) in my best time yet – right around 35 minutes. With more swim drills, open water, some drafting, and a wetsuit, maybe I will make my 30 minute race goal.

FRI - rest

SAT - 31 mile ride. Rode with some friends down to Sunol and over Calaveras to Milpitas. It took a while, though, because the temperature was 100 – 105 degrees and one of the guys went out too hard (and ate a Dove bar in the middle of the ride – wierd) and had some major heat exhaustion problems. We didn’t think he was going to make it and I poured a lot of cold water from my hydration pack over his head. After some long breaks in the shade he managed to drag himself over the last few small hills and make it back.