Multisport Athlete

I'm posting in back to back days. Been a long time since that happened. Here is the run down on what's been happening.

I took the day off from the normal job today to work at the machine shop. It's so much better there than at a "normal" job. We had a new CNC lathe come in last week and we were running it today. It's fast and accurate, just want we wanted. I also started a little mock-up of a rear wheel tensioner for the new KHS Solo-One. It's very simple but will be strong, rust proof, and accept quick release and bolt on axles. It should do the trick nicely. I'm keeping the specifics on the down low for now but I will soon be working at the shop full time. YEA!

Thanks to a link from Mr. 24's site I spent some time yesterday emailing with Brent from www.twinsix.com. They are a small company kicking out some cool looking threads. With a little luck I might just be rolling with them this spring. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Check out the Argyle jersey, it so kicks ass.

I attended a CPR re-cert class tonight for the fire department. Have no fear, I'm trained to save your life if you every collapse on a ride or run! After that I hit the weight room for day one of my 14 week plan to Pigman sprint 2006. This included a 20 min run and some weights. As normal I was hungry when I returned so I hit the fridge for some chow.
That will wrap it up for today.

Ed Out!

Where does the time go? So far for me in 2006 time has gone to Working a full time job, Working a part-time job, and making some home improvements. Over the past week I've received an email, a phone call, and a blog post from people asking if I'm training and looking for tips as they try their first triathlons this year. To the people that contacted me I say THANK YOU! I looked up to the lunar moon last night and realized I'm 14 weeks away from my first Triathlon of the year and only 9 weeks away from my first Duathlon. Time for me to focus some time on to my 2006 race goals and still keep my 2006 professional goals in line.

For those of you that read and don't know me that well here is a little background so you can get an idea of who I am and what I have going on other than multi-sports. You'll see I'm an average guy with a family, a J-O-B, and a love for endurance activities.
Jeff Slade aka Eduardo the Cuban Cabana Boy
High School sports included baseball, basketball, football, and golf. Yes, I spanked whitie.
Age 26, not far from 27
Home owner, husband for 5+ years, father of a wonderful 11 month old, firefighter, and in two months a full time business partner with my father at our own machine shop.

Started riding at age 18 for that party called Ragbrai. At age 20 I met a guy named Carlos the Jackal(www.carlosdajackal.blogspot.com) and we started riding the local trails on Saturday mornings. The next year we both did our first mtb race in Decorah, Carl was hooked and I was still on the fence. A couple of years later Dirtram told me about the Iowa Games Triathlon and I said what the heck. Almost went under on the swim but I finished with a smile, and I was hooked!!!

This year marks the start of my 5th year in Triathlon and I'm looking forward to a fun season. Introducing people to multisports is more fun to me than ever taking home a first place medal. So for those of you that read, Thank you!

Let's get started on 2006! I'm going to follow a 12 week plan from slow twitch outlined here http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/beginner/notquite.html
Check out the link and follow along with me. I like the plan cause it's not too rigid and it has some good humor with it. Along with 4x20 runs in week one all also mix in some light weight training.

Good luck!

Time for what has become a weekly update, at best. Here goes.

#1 - I have purchased a new truck. I know, I know; walking, running, and riding are much betters ways to get to my final destinations, BUT. I need a truck!!! It's just the way my life is. I have to haul "things" and lots of them at different times. Oh yea, it's a 1998 GMS SLE 1/2 ton extended cab 4x4 with the 3rd door. Very handy for baby seats.

#2 - So while I'm spending money I should buy a bike right? RIGHT!!!! Saturday a new little SS MTB should be at my door via FedEx. It will go squish, squish...........Any ideas on what I bought Ted??? Keep in mind, if I'm hoping for any type of sponsorship from a bike company they need to make both SS's and Tri bikes.

#3 - I got to chat with Citron "29er" Rob this week. Always a good chat. He is heading out to Moab soon, can I go too??????

#4 - We are very close to setting a date for my departure from my current job and the start of full time hours at the machine shop. This is very exciting and very stressful. Self employment scares me!!!!!!!!

#5 - My sewer backed-up on Saturday, that was NOT COOL!

#6 - I have a drawing for a single piece full cnc machined bike mount. I like it, I like it a lot.

#7 - Decorah TT is the same day as Coulee Du.........which one should I do???? Can't do both, I would if I could.

#8 - I'm still not training yet........It will be ok, soon I will have the time. Oh yea, try the POM stuff that JK mentioned on his site. 4oz mixed with your morning smoothie gives you a little extra boost.

I'm out, looking forward to warmer weather, less stress, and more time on the trails.

Ed

So, it's that time a year when all magazines go bling bling on all the new products. I have to say after reading my new MBA and Triathlete Mag I'm dreaming bling bling. I'd love to hook up some of those 2K+ rides and the cool gear that goes with cycling and running, maybe some day. Of course Triathlete Mag rolled out the double issue with an Ironman guide special. I often wonder what all fuss is over an Ironman. I understand the commitment and I do feel it's a great achievment but please people, there are 28 Kona qualifiers and HUNDREDS of other distance events. I just feel they don't get there fair share of publicity most of the time.
I will give them tons of credit for putting Sarah Reinsertsen on the cover of the normal issue. Sarah is a challenged athlete and completed Kona this year. After watching her miss the time cut in 2004 (it was hard to watch) she brought it in 2005 and finished the race. For more on athletes like Sarah check out www.challengedathletes.org.
Also this months issue had a nice spread on Xterra. There is a good chance I'm going to spend most 2006 playing in the dirt. Why, cause it's fun!!! When I trail run it's refreshing; no cars, no worries. I hope introduce some other people to the dirt and have a couple of events to gain some exposure to the fun.
That's all for now.

ED

Really????? Has it been over a month since my last blog post? That crazy and not cool. I'll I can say is that work is in stupid crazy mode and I just took another promotion. That's two promotions after only working there 12 months. That is cool but the hole I have to dig out of is more like a cavern and the stress is pretty high. I haven't trained at all in the past month which has caused me to take a look at my goals for 2006 and change a few things. I'm not going to lower my expectations but I am going to push the season back a little bit. Not a big deal. I have struck a side deal with a certain company for obtaining a single speed bike. Trust me it is not a huge deal but it's a little support. Oh yea, I will hopefully have an additional SS in the stable with in 10 days or so! Sweet, pics to come.
Stay tuned for the restart of 2006 training, there will be more to come.