February Hangover

Twice in the same day, I hear an athlete talk about the February hangover.  It happens to all of us; Athletes and every day Joes.  Let's get to the point; What is happening?  Lets talk basics:

January Pump:

1. You set goals for the year, long term goals not short term, e.i. day to day, week by week.
2. A new year and your still Fat not Phat, you put weight on for the Holidays, wait, and last year, this does not help you go fast, loss weight, or be fit.
3. Fresh start or new team, you need to train or concentrate on your health 24/7.
4. New gear, either got it for Christmas or your new team gear, it always fun to give the new gear a fresh run.
5. Everybody is doing it, getting in shape for the new year, puke.

February Hangover:

1. Man, the days are short, I need some sun.
2. I can't get rid of Mom's pumpkin pie that is sitting on my ass or is that the stuffing? Gravy?  Oh hell it's all of it.
3. Very little gains, the 4 lbs you lost in January, you put back on in February.
4.  The new equipment is getting old.
5.  The trainer, double puke.

February Fix:

1. Reset you goals, and put down the fork.  Yep, that right, put the fork down and get outside.
2. Buy a new pair of shoes, or something to get you excited to play.  New music on your player?
3. Stop looking backward, focus on the future, try something new.
4. Stop saying I'll do it tomorrow, fyi it's tomorrow.
5. Do it for you, it is your time

Let me know if I forgot anything.  Get busy living and be great.  Step up to the top of the podium.

Team

Team

Cashcall Mortgage training camp was great.  We won our first road race, got close and personal, measured each other, threw a couple of jabs, hurt some feelings and each other, but came out of the week ready to take on our next challenge.

Last week was the second time our team came together.  First was mini camp, where we rode a little and spent some time together off the bike.  This camp, the rubber was going to meet the road, 6 days of riding, a road race, and a crit.  I came into the week pretty tired from training at home, but wanted to finish off a block of hard training before resting and getting ready for 2013 race season.  Goals were simple:  Get use to my new equipment, ride hard, and start bringing the guys together as we form what will be Cashcall Mortgage Cycling Team 2013.

Our new KHS bikes, Jakroo Kits, Shimano shoes,  Kenda tires, Rudy Projects all performed great, which made for an easy transition from last year's gear.  I love putting my gear to the test and see how it preforms, it is a great way for us and our sponsor to meet, exchange information, and make improvements for the future.  Thank you in advance, for producing stuff I can and can't break.

The team, my favorite part.  As far back as I can remember, I have been a part of a team.  From soccer to cycling, I love team.  It is trust and friendship, leading and learning, growing and groaning, take it or leave it.  When you build a team everyone needs to be on the same page, react without thinking, trust without building.  When you have these type of things, you will win.  Super stars are just that, but a team wins with its supporting cast.  Everyone was there role to play, play it and be great, or watch as your team falls.

2013 will be great, engage and enjoy the ride.

trainhard4life, Mike

Train Like?

What are you training for:  Get in shape, Run a 5K, Ironman, Time Trial, Sprint, etc

What to do? Emphasize your strengths, and work on your weaknesses.  Train for you, and your goals.  Break down your goals and training.  Make sure your training meets your goals.  Test to make sure you are on track and moving forward. Don't give up, track, review, revise, and renew, your plan.  It is "ok" to change the plan if you are not getting the results you expect or want.

e.i. It doesn't matter how fast you are in a sprint if you can't get to the sprint;  Getting in shape is more then just walking 3 days a week, it is movement and nutrition, a lifestyle.

What not to do:  Expect results, with out working for them.

This guy

Tom Boonen, power guy on the cobbles.

Doesn't train like this guy

Mark Cavendish, pure sprinter.

The Hulk trained like no one else.

Especially not:

Dara Torres, Olympic swimmer.

Take home: 

Train and prepare for everything, but be specific as well.

Test to keep you on track.

Have fun, Never stop.

Stay healthy my friend, Be great today.

Train like you mean it, Trainhard4life.

Be like Mike?

Well I'm already Mike, so I want to be like:

I bet this guy Kicks Ass everyday.  Yep, be Great today!

It's over!!!

2012 that is.  The new year at the gym, all the new grumpy faces that do not want to leave the comfort of there couch.  It was so easy watching Good Morning America from the comfort of your warm living room, where you watch the cat and dog play and joke about a healthier year.  Well it is time to do the same this year.  Renew your membership to the gym, take one class, get some muscle soreness, pay for the gym for the next 6 months, but never darken the door, quit in July, and wonder why you look, act, and feel the same.  As April Hartsook http://aprilhartsook.com/ would say "Want Different....Do Different".  Try something different, make it a habit in 2013.  Get out and enjoy.

Make 2013 the best. Inspire. Motivate. Live. 

What to do:

1. Set REALISTIC goals.
2. Find Joy and Happiness everyday.
3. Find new and healthy foods that you Enjoy.
4. Do exercises you enjoy not endure through.
5. Get busy Living.

What not to do:

1. Set unattainable long range goals.
2. Try to make others happy before finding your own Happiness.
3. Emotional eat.
4. You can follow fabs, but make healthy life changes and stay with them.
5. Get busy dying.

It is time for the new you.  www.trainhard4life.com

Fast or Fit?

Fast or Fit?

Oh Holidays, have you stepped on the scale?  Did you work out on Christmas day or are you waiting for the new year?  There is no day like the present.

Politics aside, lol.  What do you want to do in 2013?  Do you want to be fit or fast?

Fast:

1. Push your limits everyday.
2. Learn you need to suffer a little or a lot during hard training sessions.
3. Prepare a diet that provides energy and recovery.
4. Know when it is time to rest and recover.
5. Go Fast or go Home.

Fit:

1. Do some sort of physical activity every day.
2. Learn the difference between good pain and bad pain.
3. Eat to live, not live to eat.
4. There are very few good excuses not to exercise.
5. Get into a Good strength training program.

2013 starts today, get off your ass, it's go time. 

trainhard4life

The Stache.

 Can you wear a mustache in Sport.

1. Simple you're Dave Z.

2.  You could be last years MVP in the NFL.

3.  You're one on the best performers of all time.

4.  You're Prefontaine, enough said with a name like Prefontaine.

5. You're this guy.  Well, if you are this bad ass, you can also wear a shirt with your name on it.

6.  Look at the hair, love it.

You pick what these gentlemen have in common and decide if you are worthy of the Mustache.  Feel free to comments or add to the list.