Friday, January 19, 2007

We now return to our regular schedule.

Woah, it has been a week already. Time sure flies when you are having fun :)

Work - Compare to last year, 2007 started off very well. I have been known to be disorganize and now I make sure my desk is clean at the end of everday. Everything is listed and categorize. Even though I am looking for another job, I like what I do. I am the type of guy that just like to go on my own and find my own solution. My company, being small, offer me this work enivornment. It must be the entrepreneurial side of me wanting to come out.

Fellowship - A few weeks ago my Pastor told me, 'Cliff you are pastoring your fellowship'. His words came true. I have spent a large amount of time with individuals listening to them and some of the struggles they are going through. One brother's parents kick him out of the home over the weekend and had been living in a shelter. I took him to a motel for the weekend and took care of the bill. I told him that this isn't from me. I am only a steward and doing His work.

Training - If you come on this blog, most likely this is what you want to read. So how's my training? My coach give us a template on trainingpeaks. If anyone know how I can put my training schedule on here, let me know.

If you follow my blog from last year, you would pick up that my training methodology is largely composed from Gordo Bryn. My coach's methodology is different. I talked to him last week and here is some of the biggest changes I notice:

- Gordo does a three weeks build up and drop on the fourth. Coach approach is more of one up one down one up one down one up and one drop down all the way
- Gordo does not recommend putting long bike and long run back to back. Coach feels that it is important to train on running tired legs in IM distance (my only concern is injury)
- at some week, Coach will put the long bike and long run together. Like a long brick (there is one that is 5 hr bike + 2 hr run...hmmm I like I like)
- Gordo does not recommend running more than 2-1/2 hours. Coach feels it is important to run to 3 hours (good for me, I miss running 3 hr)

For this season, I am going to take a chance with my coach. After all, I got his template schedule and if I have to make it work, I have to follow it. I did approach him on increasing some of the distance (tomorrow I am doing a 2:15 bike, seriously, 3 hr is more like it) and he didn't object.

Bling situation - With coaching comes $$$. My plan is to talk to the coach once a month for an hour ($50/month). I am part of his team (race4kids.ca) to raise money for kids with cancer (POGO is the organization). Each member of the team receive a template base on his/her experience. There are three templates: finisher/expereince and pro. I picked finisher b/c this is my first IM and the goal is to FINISH. So I get a coach and a training schedule.

I am going to stop seeing my swim coach for this season. Even if my swim time drop from 1:56/100 m down to 1:45. That will equate to saving 7 minutes in the IM swim. 6 minutes in a IM is not significant.

Dawn asked me about is there a link for donation. Yes, the link is http://www.race4kids.ca/athletes.htm. If you would like to donate, you can donate under my name 'Cliff Tam' using paypal. Thanks a lot guys...the other team member has to raise $2,500 (and pay IM entry fee on their own). Since I register to IMUSA already, I don't have to do that. I seriously think raising the money is harder than the race itself. But that's no excuse...I gotta do my part to kick cancer in the butt.

That's about it on my end. It might seem heretic but I have been feeling pretty good. I still have time for some solo time to reflect and even go out for dessert.

Life is good. That's all I can say. Have a great weekend....train lots and spend time with your love ones.

12 comments:

Carrie said...

Yes, as long as you can fit in dessert, life is good!

Fe-lady said...

Sounds as if you have some solid plans for 2007-I think the swim coach drop is a good idea if you are that fast of a swimmer! Now, the only thing that is missing is an Xterra race sometime in the future! :-)

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Definitely sounds like life is good. Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Some people talk the talk and others walk the walk. You are clearly in the latter category. I know you are a great encouragement to your fellowship.

Anonymous said...

Great post. Thanks for the update and I'm glad you're back to the "regularly scheduled program", lol. I loved the last part about training lots and spending time with your loved ones.

Robin said...

PS I am trying to breathe right now, not fund raise :-) "Going Ling" just came in from Amazon.com today...I am reading it with my HIM in mind.

Darren said...

Hi Cliff
It's interesting to see the different approaches to long course training. One thing is clear, there is no 'one way' to do it. You sorta have to figure out what is best for you and adjust as necessary.
Probably a good move dropping the swim coach. From your video you have the fundamentals down and it's a matter of 1)always thinking about technique and 2) building endurance. You can do both of those on your own. Cheers bro!

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

I think it's a good decision to listen to your coach. One way or another, you've got to pick a side and roll with it. Life is good, indeed!

Anonymous said...

Great cause for your race, Cliff. I find there's no better motivator.

Stay tuned...

Anonymous said...

Interesting point about the long bike/run being back to back. I've never had any other option than to do them Sat/Sun but would love if my schedule allowed some flexibility there!

Rae said...

Sounds like you're having a great 2007!! Keep up the great training!