Friday evening I forgot to mention the importance of nutritional discipline, and how it basically tends to disappear once the triathlon season ends. This fall I started to fall off the caffeine abstinence wagon (I never fully abstained, but managed to reduce daily intake to somewhere around 40 to 50 mg). So yesterday, in my predictable overly reactive fashion, I COMPLETELY abstained from caffeine. I felt fine until I woke this morning with a raging migraine headache! A nice breakfast, a couple Advil and a stiff cup of coffee later and I am now back among the living. Obviously pumping my body full of stimulant has adverse effects on heart rate. Caffeine addiction is practically celebrated among endurance athletes. Not good...
So yesterday morning I said yes to a game of pick-up football. With the stop & go sprinting involved in that sport, I had legitimate fear of bad Afib onset. Early in the game my heart was fluttering a bit, but I was able to keep a quiet mind (also a factor in preventing onset) and prevented my heart from racing. As my body adapted to the game, all symptoms completely disappeared. My old fast twitch gifts kicked into gear and I generally had a blast. So what happened? How could I possibly completely redline and avoid Afib symptoms? I HAVE NO IDEA! It is simply a mystery. Somehow my cardiovascular system found a state of equilibrium as it was simultaneously being thrashed.
So what will happen today as I complete my run workout? My main set will be 2 x 2.5 miles at a zone 3 pace (of 5 training zones). My prediction... If able to keep a quiet mind I'll complete the main set without having to shut it down. If not, I'll be walking. We'll see what happens!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Change of Seasons
Alrighty… time to post. Life marches onward.
The boys both won their respective football championships last weekend. I’m proud of them. Not because they were on the winning side, but because they are thriving and generating their own glory days (Although I must admit, watching Kyle pick off two passes and score two touchdowns & a 2-point conversion in the semi-final game caused my voice to disappear for a couple of days!). Their discipline and attitudes remained strong through a long season. I’ve become a big believer in youth football. I could go on about that subject but will save it for future post. Suffice to say, I welcome the youth football debate!
On to basketball we go. Kyle made the Hempfield 5th grade travel squad. I’ll be coaching Colin’s 7th & 8th grade team. Hope the boys are ready to run! :-)
Unfortunately my incidence of heart arrhythmia is on the rise. This is precisely the time last year that it first surfaced with some continuity. (Reflecting on my life before triathlon 7+ years ago, I can remember some incidences during pick-up basketball games). Why? My theory – that no doctor seems to fully comprehend – as follows:
• Stress... October through March is “make or break” time for my department. During these months we simply must acquire about 80% of the work that will carry us through the coming year. Finding, advocating, proposing, defending, risk reviewing, and negotiating… I take these responsibilities and the livelihoods of my employees to heart. I think literally.
• Change of seasons... Darkness. Cold. Cold weather seems to make a difference. Of interest, my father died from a heart arrhythmia in late October several years ago. I don’t think this is coincidence! I think it’s genetic.
• Change in training stimulus… By now I’ve cycled down from my late summer – early fall training peak. I’ve gone through some period of “de-training.” Now I hit myself with short & intense workouts aimed at boosting functional threshold and VO2 max. This might not be the best approach for a chap with my condition.
I’m going to stick with my training plan unless the Afib turns chronic. If it does, I’m going to have to shift gears and follow a more traditional training approach. I’ll keep you posted! My outlook is good, regardless of outcome.
Happy Thanksgiving…
The boys both won their respective football championships last weekend. I’m proud of them. Not because they were on the winning side, but because they are thriving and generating their own glory days (Although I must admit, watching Kyle pick off two passes and score two touchdowns & a 2-point conversion in the semi-final game caused my voice to disappear for a couple of days!). Their discipline and attitudes remained strong through a long season. I’ve become a big believer in youth football. I could go on about that subject but will save it for future post. Suffice to say, I welcome the youth football debate!
On to basketball we go. Kyle made the Hempfield 5th grade travel squad. I’ll be coaching Colin’s 7th & 8th grade team. Hope the boys are ready to run! :-)
Unfortunately my incidence of heart arrhythmia is on the rise. This is precisely the time last year that it first surfaced with some continuity. (Reflecting on my life before triathlon 7+ years ago, I can remember some incidences during pick-up basketball games). Why? My theory – that no doctor seems to fully comprehend – as follows:
• Stress... October through March is “make or break” time for my department. During these months we simply must acquire about 80% of the work that will carry us through the coming year. Finding, advocating, proposing, defending, risk reviewing, and negotiating… I take these responsibilities and the livelihoods of my employees to heart. I think literally.
• Change of seasons... Darkness. Cold. Cold weather seems to make a difference. Of interest, my father died from a heart arrhythmia in late October several years ago. I don’t think this is coincidence! I think it’s genetic.
• Change in training stimulus… By now I’ve cycled down from my late summer – early fall training peak. I’ve gone through some period of “de-training.” Now I hit myself with short & intense workouts aimed at boosting functional threshold and VO2 max. This might not be the best approach for a chap with my condition.
I’m going to stick with my training plan unless the Afib turns chronic. If it does, I’m going to have to shift gears and follow a more traditional training approach. I’ll keep you posted! My outlook is good, regardless of outcome.
Happy Thanksgiving…
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Playoff Bound...
Both boys' football teams look strong heading into the playoffs this weekend. Kyle had another big 50-yard reception last week to help seal a 14 - 0 win. So cool! Hopefully we have games for a few more weeks!
I started my Endurance Nation Off Season plan this week. My focus for the next 15-weeks will be low volume, high intensity - an attempt to boost my top end speed on the bike and run. I'll say bye-bye to the pool for a little while.
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