Hello from the snow covered state of Kansas. It's not snowing much here in Salina, but it's blowing wind like crazy and it's WAY cold. I can't seem to escape this stuff.
In good news, I knocked out some good stuff in the pool the last couple of days, which is good considering I hadn't swam since last Thursday...gross!
Also, as it's so cold and blizzards are happening outside, I've only been able to run once since being here, but I'm putting in some decent time in the trainer. Truth be told, I may not be 100% on my workouts, but this is the best I've ever done.
Theresa seems to be in good spirits as we visit her home, and we are really getting excited (she is, she just won't admit it!) about the new addition to our family.
Maverick Thomas/Aspen Myler is now "full-term" and could come any day, but we're still expecting them in the middle of next month. I sure hope the little thing lets us get back to CO before comin' out!!!
Well, I hope and pray that you are all having a blessed Christmas and want to extend a warm "Happy Holidays!" to everyone.
Hasta later!
-Yorek
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Startin' to feel like an athlete!
Well, it was a great weekend for me...
Friday went well with an hour run and some good core work afterward to get nice and sore. Then Saturday was a solid indoor workout on the bike with 90 min. in the trainer then 30 more minutes on the rollers at a pretty good clip. It finally felt like I got in a good solid workout.
Sunday I woke up to howling wind of about 30 mph and a temp of about 15 degrees...aka GO BACK TO SLEEP WEATHER. Well, the weather didn't get any better and I was worried that laziness and rationalizing would take over and I wouldn't get my run in. For some reason around 3:00 I decided I'd brave the storm (it had started blowing sideways snow at around 1:30) and run to the indoor track to try and at least get a bit of a run in then run back home. I didn't think I'd get all 12 miles in, but at least I could say I did something. Well, Sean and I ran to the indoor track the long way, then after about a mile I actually started to feel good. I started clipping off 6:30's before I knew it and felt wonderful as I was just in shorts w/ no shirt indoors! I ended up running a little over 9 miles on that little track and even threw in a 5:20 ish mile just for kicks...it felt wonderful! I finally felt like an athlete again...I got home and had run exactly what I wanted to in the first place...good times.
This morning was my first time back in the pool after getting my lip split in two. I felt awkward the first few hundred yards and my lip felt funny under the superglue holding the two pieces together, haha. But I eventually found my stroke and knocked out 10x100 with Sean. I got in a bit of a cool down and got after about 2200 yards. Not too shabby :)
We came home and made EXCELLENT omelettes and just chilled for a while. Jake and I got into an argument about Tony Romo and the Cowboys (I get a little defensive when it comes to Romo...I'm not sure why, but I really want him to do well. This post season he'd better show up for me!!!) And I was ready to do my 2nd workout right at noon. I ran for about 45 min. easy to shake out the all indoor run that I did yesterday. My knees are awfully sore, but I think I just might be getting old. Ugh!
Well...that's pretty much it. Resie's taking a Calc final at the moment and we'll leave for Salina, KS to have Christmas with the Zackary family on Friday mornin'. I sure hope I can find a pool there!!!
Hasta later,
-Yorek
Friday went well with an hour run and some good core work afterward to get nice and sore. Then Saturday was a solid indoor workout on the bike with 90 min. in the trainer then 30 more minutes on the rollers at a pretty good clip. It finally felt like I got in a good solid workout.
Sunday I woke up to howling wind of about 30 mph and a temp of about 15 degrees...aka GO BACK TO SLEEP WEATHER. Well, the weather didn't get any better and I was worried that laziness and rationalizing would take over and I wouldn't get my run in. For some reason around 3:00 I decided I'd brave the storm (it had started blowing sideways snow at around 1:30) and run to the indoor track to try and at least get a bit of a run in then run back home. I didn't think I'd get all 12 miles in, but at least I could say I did something. Well, Sean and I ran to the indoor track the long way, then after about a mile I actually started to feel good. I started clipping off 6:30's before I knew it and felt wonderful as I was just in shorts w/ no shirt indoors! I ended up running a little over 9 miles on that little track and even threw in a 5:20 ish mile just for kicks...it felt wonderful! I finally felt like an athlete again...I got home and had run exactly what I wanted to in the first place...good times.
This morning was my first time back in the pool after getting my lip split in two. I felt awkward the first few hundred yards and my lip felt funny under the superglue holding the two pieces together, haha. But I eventually found my stroke and knocked out 10x100 with Sean. I got in a bit of a cool down and got after about 2200 yards. Not too shabby :)
We came home and made EXCELLENT omelettes and just chilled for a while. Jake and I got into an argument about Tony Romo and the Cowboys (I get a little defensive when it comes to Romo...I'm not sure why, but I really want him to do well. This post season he'd better show up for me!!!) And I was ready to do my 2nd workout right at noon. I ran for about 45 min. easy to shake out the all indoor run that I did yesterday. My knees are awfully sore, but I think I just might be getting old. Ugh!
Well...that's pretty much it. Resie's taking a Calc final at the moment and we'll leave for Salina, KS to have Christmas with the Zackary family on Friday mornin'. I sure hope I can find a pool there!!!
Hasta later,
-Yorek
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Feelin' better
Well, I feel much better after having done some riding on the rollers this week and some MUCH needed core work.
The last week has brought up some ample thinking time, of which I have been thinking of my unborn child (who will only be "un"born for about another month or so) and how I will need to take care of him/her.
Triathlon isn't exactly paying all my bills right now, much less Resie's or the baby's upcoming bills, so I have decided to go back to school...again...and attempt to get my master's degree in Coaching. It's completely online and offered here at Adam's. Some disagree with this decision, but I feel it's the best for me at the moment. Just pray that I stay focused and do what's necessary for my family to have a better life.
On a lighter note...I have been watching many a youtube vids (as one does when it's -9 outside with no TV) and have been seeing a lot of "10 greatest athletes" and "best athlete of the last decade" opinions that I certainly do not agree with. I mean guys like Reggie Bush are tremendous athletes, no question, but top 10 all-time?? Even of the last decade, I wouldn't put him in my top 10.
When I think of a great athlete, I think of someone who has a combination of endurance, power, grace, and sheer raw talent. Not necessarily in that order.
Somebody like Alberto Contador's endurance comes to mind, but the power and fluidity of his movements are so crisp and clean...or Nastia Liukin's uneven bar routines that are poetry in motion masking brute strength...or my overall top pick for World's greatest athlete of the last 2 years Usain Bolt. 6'5" and running 9.58 and 19.19...really? What he had done to the world is just sick, and makes me wonder what else is out there.
Though Bolt's good, and there are so many wonderful athletes in the world...there is one pick for athlete of the last decade that stands out above everyone. Stands WAY out!
Michael Phelps...nobody has dominated a sport more thoroughly before or since him. Yes, Lance Armstrong won 7 Tours...but that's it...just the Tour. Phelps dominated every major championship, every year, in almost every event. I mean, at 19 he won 6 golds and 2 bronze in Athens '04, then he won 8 gold medals in Biejing...8!!! Fucking 8 gold medals in ONE Olympics. (Sorry for the "F-Bomb" but I felt it necessary) And he's still not done...
Anyway, there are so many more athletes that I look at...Chrissie Wellington, Alistair Brownlee, Greg Bennett, Haile Gebreselassie, Bekele, Ronaldinho, Shannon and Mackenzie Yorek, Anna and Karrie Meares, Victoria Pendleton, Mark Cavendish, FABIAN CANCELLARA, Hicham El Guerrouj, yes...Reggie Bush, Colt McCoy, Wes Welker, LeBron James, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Therese Alshammer, Grant Hackett...and the list goes on and on.
K, I'm done :)
Hasta!
-Yorek
The last week has brought up some ample thinking time, of which I have been thinking of my unborn child (who will only be "un"born for about another month or so) and how I will need to take care of him/her.
Triathlon isn't exactly paying all my bills right now, much less Resie's or the baby's upcoming bills, so I have decided to go back to school...again...and attempt to get my master's degree in Coaching. It's completely online and offered here at Adam's. Some disagree with this decision, but I feel it's the best for me at the moment. Just pray that I stay focused and do what's necessary for my family to have a better life.
On a lighter note...I have been watching many a youtube vids (as one does when it's -9 outside with no TV) and have been seeing a lot of "10 greatest athletes" and "best athlete of the last decade" opinions that I certainly do not agree with. I mean guys like Reggie Bush are tremendous athletes, no question, but top 10 all-time?? Even of the last decade, I wouldn't put him in my top 10.
When I think of a great athlete, I think of someone who has a combination of endurance, power, grace, and sheer raw talent. Not necessarily in that order.
Somebody like Alberto Contador's endurance comes to mind, but the power and fluidity of his movements are so crisp and clean...or Nastia Liukin's uneven bar routines that are poetry in motion masking brute strength...or my overall top pick for World's greatest athlete of the last 2 years Usain Bolt. 6'5" and running 9.58 and 19.19...really? What he had done to the world is just sick, and makes me wonder what else is out there.
Though Bolt's good, and there are so many wonderful athletes in the world...there is one pick for athlete of the last decade that stands out above everyone. Stands WAY out!
Michael Phelps...nobody has dominated a sport more thoroughly before or since him. Yes, Lance Armstrong won 7 Tours...but that's it...just the Tour. Phelps dominated every major championship, every year, in almost every event. I mean, at 19 he won 6 golds and 2 bronze in Athens '04, then he won 8 gold medals in Biejing...8!!! Fucking 8 gold medals in ONE Olympics. (Sorry for the "F-Bomb" but I felt it necessary) And he's still not done...
Anyway, there are so many more athletes that I look at...Chrissie Wellington, Alistair Brownlee, Greg Bennett, Haile Gebreselassie, Bekele, Ronaldinho, Shannon and Mackenzie Yorek, Anna and Karrie Meares, Victoria Pendleton, Mark Cavendish, FABIAN CANCELLARA, Hicham El Guerrouj, yes...Reggie Bush, Colt McCoy, Wes Welker, LeBron James, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Therese Alshammer, Grant Hackett...and the list goes on and on.
K, I'm done :)
Hasta!
-Yorek
Monday, December 7, 2009
A man walks into a bar...
And let's hypothetically say he is celebrating his 26th birthday with some friends and has a few too many drinks. Let's also say, hypothetically, he is asked to leave the bar...walks outside...and is punched in the face splitting his lip badly and giving him a concussion when the back of his head hit the ground...
This guy woke up the next morning so sick from the week's earlier workouts, the cold, and the celebrating that he could not speak for 4 days straight.
Ok...it's not hypothetical, I'm sitting here in the comp lab after my first day with the ability to speak (though still very hoarse), a headache and pretty nice lip that causes people to stare.
This is not the way I had planned the birthday night going, but I guess that's what happens. I'm not sure who hit me, or even why...neither is anyone else, but the good news is that I am recovering well and I was back on the trainer earlier today.
I'm certainly not proud of what took place, though I was actually behaving quite well and having a wonderful evening with some great friends, and I am only sorry that my poor pregnant girlfriend had to look after me these past couple of days. It should be the other way around!!!
Well, time to start training for the Desert Classic Du in Phoenix, AZ at the end of February...
Hasta later!!!
P.S. I'd like to apologize for letting things get in the way of my training...to my family (including Resie), my friends, my coach, and the people who support me. It's all focus all the time from here on out to get ready for 2010!
This guy woke up the next morning so sick from the week's earlier workouts, the cold, and the celebrating that he could not speak for 4 days straight.
Ok...it's not hypothetical, I'm sitting here in the comp lab after my first day with the ability to speak (though still very hoarse), a headache and pretty nice lip that causes people to stare.
This is not the way I had planned the birthday night going, but I guess that's what happens. I'm not sure who hit me, or even why...neither is anyone else, but the good news is that I am recovering well and I was back on the trainer earlier today.
I'm certainly not proud of what took place, though I was actually behaving quite well and having a wonderful evening with some great friends, and I am only sorry that my poor pregnant girlfriend had to look after me these past couple of days. It should be the other way around!!!
Well, time to start training for the Desert Classic Du in Phoenix, AZ at the end of February...
Hasta later!!!
P.S. I'd like to apologize for letting things get in the way of my training...to my family (including Resie), my friends, my coach, and the people who support me. It's all focus all the time from here on out to get ready for 2010!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Good Weekend Workouts
So, I didn't do anything crazy, but knocked out 2 solid hours on the bike (which doesn't sound like a lot, but it was on the schedule) on Saturday and then did about 12 miles of running on Sunday morning.
It was awfully cold on Saturday, but I was ok as I've learned how to dress finally. I would go back and forth between 30 second efforts of high cadence and 53-11 power work to take my mind off of the mundanely flat Alamosa roads.
Then there was the baby shower for Resie and I at Sandra and Juan's place. A big thank you goes out to them for holding it for us and to the ASC soccer girls for showing up and making it a fun time! We got a lot of needed things for the baby, and I think it was really helpful for Resie to get some well deserved attention and social time.
Sunday morning was a great long run, had I not been wearing a watch...it was much tougher than it should have been to run 6:45 pace. I'm sure it's the altitude and the fact that I'm putting in much longer runs than in recent training, but it's ok.
I then went to church with Sean and met up with Resie for breakfast at Campus Cafe!! So good!! There is nothing better after a long run than a breakfast burrito and pieces of a cinnamon roll :)
As for today, I slept in while the rest of the house (Jake, Sean and Resie) went to the pool. I did not go as I will be working out with the ASC swim team for the first time this afternoon. We'll see how that goes!
Well, I'm off for a little 45 min. run before a little lunch and then to the pool.
Hasta later!
It was awfully cold on Saturday, but I was ok as I've learned how to dress finally. I would go back and forth between 30 second efforts of high cadence and 53-11 power work to take my mind off of the mundanely flat Alamosa roads.
Then there was the baby shower for Resie and I at Sandra and Juan's place. A big thank you goes out to them for holding it for us and to the ASC soccer girls for showing up and making it a fun time! We got a lot of needed things for the baby, and I think it was really helpful for Resie to get some well deserved attention and social time.
Sunday morning was a great long run, had I not been wearing a watch...it was much tougher than it should have been to run 6:45 pace. I'm sure it's the altitude and the fact that I'm putting in much longer runs than in recent training, but it's ok.
I then went to church with Sean and met up with Resie for breakfast at Campus Cafe!! So good!! There is nothing better after a long run than a breakfast burrito and pieces of a cinnamon roll :)
As for today, I slept in while the rest of the house (Jake, Sean and Resie) went to the pool. I did not go as I will be working out with the ASC swim team for the first time this afternoon. We'll see how that goes!
Well, I'm off for a little 45 min. run before a little lunch and then to the pool.
Hasta later!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Altitude!!
So, turns out, there's no oxygen up here!!! Yes, I knew it was coming, but I had never put this much time in the pool up here before...it's nuts. Every time you take a breath, you only get half the good ol' O2.
That's ok...I'm enjoying it and will be all the more fit for it.
Yesterday was only a one workout day as the pool was closed and I ran about 11.5 miles. It's been awhile since I've put in a solid run like that up at this alt., but I rather enjoyed it. It going to take some getting used to, but won't take long. I've got to take another trip back to Texas for Thanksgiving next week, then to Kansas for Christmas w/ Resie's family...but after that it's head down and long, hard training through to the summer.
This morning was a great pool workout ending up with about 3200yd...which is the longest I've put in the pool in a while, and certainly more than I've ever done up here. I'm still nowhere near the yardage I need to be at, but I'll get there.
Well, that's about it for now. Run 45 min. easy and core workout later w/ Mr. Harwin.
Hasta later
That's ok...I'm enjoying it and will be all the more fit for it.
Yesterday was only a one workout day as the pool was closed and I ran about 11.5 miles. It's been awhile since I've put in a solid run like that up at this alt., but I rather enjoyed it. It going to take some getting used to, but won't take long. I've got to take another trip back to Texas for Thanksgiving next week, then to Kansas for Christmas w/ Resie's family...but after that it's head down and long, hard training through to the summer.
This morning was a great pool workout ending up with about 3200yd...which is the longest I've put in the pool in a while, and certainly more than I've ever done up here. I'm still nowhere near the yardage I need to be at, but I'll get there.
Well, that's about it for now. Run 45 min. easy and core workout later w/ Mr. Harwin.
Hasta later
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Austin to Alamosa...and all the stops
Austin
So...after a crazy Friday the 13th of my last day of work, saying goodbye to Austin, and a really weird bank issue, I got up early Saturday morning and rode just over two hours by myself to just think about what has happened, and what will happen. It was wonderful weather and a wonderful morning...then everything went from zero to CRAZY.
Houston
I ended up needing a U-Haul trailer, so I spent about an hour hooking that up to my truck that is slowly dying, then packed everything I own...in 25 minutes. I then took off to Houston driving as fast as my 4-banger pick-up could tow that trailer (topping out at about 60). I made it in just over 3 hours, with 15 min. to spare for my Aunt Kristin's wedding north of Houston in Huntsville, which was beautiful, then we had a great time at the reception. From there I drove down to my mother's place in the Woodlands (about 40 min. South of Huntsville, 30 min. north of Houston) Then PASSED OUT! I woke up and did my 12 mile long run in the gorgeous neighborhood around my mother's before getting back in the truck for the 4-hour trip up to Fort Worth.
Fort Worth
Once I arrived in Fort Worth I watched to Cowboys get demolished by the Packers in a pitiful showing for my 'boys. Roy Williams dropped two essential passes and Romo threw a pick on the goal line to once again leave our great defense out to dry. (We'd better get our $*#@ together for the NFC East game against the Redskins!) Anyway, then I hung out with my Dad for dinner talking about the child that I'm about to have and how in the world I'm going to continue in my quest for the Olympics when I will have BILLS TO PAY. It's gonna hurt, but I'm hoping something comes along, or else it's time to hang up the pro card and get a job. I finally went to bed at about 9:30 before starting my trip up to Alamosa at 3 A.M. ...gross! And let's just say I got there at 3:00 PM even after the time change...not a good trip...I don't even want to revisit the memory.
Alamosa
Once arriving in Alamosa, I went for a jog with my new roommate Jake Raines of about 40 min. easy, then for a swim later in the evening w/ my other new roommate Sean Harwin. The altitude is 7,544 ft. up here, and that hurts!!! It's also really cold, but my rides these last couple of days weren't too bad with proper clothing. It's nice to have Sean here to train w/, at least on the bike and to go to the pool with :)
As much as I have always talked about disliking Alamosa, I really enjoy the setup I have right now, and feel that I will get into great shape! Oh, not to mention, I am FINALLY back with Theresa. I've missed her, and her I. It's time to help with setting up the house and getting ready for the kid :) Amazingly, and very unexpectedly...I'm happy.
Hasta later!
-Yorek
So...after a crazy Friday the 13th of my last day of work, saying goodbye to Austin, and a really weird bank issue, I got up early Saturday morning and rode just over two hours by myself to just think about what has happened, and what will happen. It was wonderful weather and a wonderful morning...then everything went from zero to CRAZY.
Houston
I ended up needing a U-Haul trailer, so I spent about an hour hooking that up to my truck that is slowly dying, then packed everything I own...in 25 minutes. I then took off to Houston driving as fast as my 4-banger pick-up could tow that trailer (topping out at about 60). I made it in just over 3 hours, with 15 min. to spare for my Aunt Kristin's wedding north of Houston in Huntsville, which was beautiful, then we had a great time at the reception. From there I drove down to my mother's place in the Woodlands (about 40 min. South of Huntsville, 30 min. north of Houston) Then PASSED OUT! I woke up and did my 12 mile long run in the gorgeous neighborhood around my mother's before getting back in the truck for the 4-hour trip up to Fort Worth.
Fort Worth
Once I arrived in Fort Worth I watched to Cowboys get demolished by the Packers in a pitiful showing for my 'boys. Roy Williams dropped two essential passes and Romo threw a pick on the goal line to once again leave our great defense out to dry. (We'd better get our $*#@ together for the NFC East game against the Redskins!) Anyway, then I hung out with my Dad for dinner talking about the child that I'm about to have and how in the world I'm going to continue in my quest for the Olympics when I will have BILLS TO PAY. It's gonna hurt, but I'm hoping something comes along, or else it's time to hang up the pro card and get a job. I finally went to bed at about 9:30 before starting my trip up to Alamosa at 3 A.M. ...gross! And let's just say I got there at 3:00 PM even after the time change...not a good trip...I don't even want to revisit the memory.
Alamosa
Once arriving in Alamosa, I went for a jog with my new roommate Jake Raines of about 40 min. easy, then for a swim later in the evening w/ my other new roommate Sean Harwin. The altitude is 7,544 ft. up here, and that hurts!!! It's also really cold, but my rides these last couple of days weren't too bad with proper clothing. It's nice to have Sean here to train w/, at least on the bike and to go to the pool with :)
As much as I have always talked about disliking Alamosa, I really enjoy the setup I have right now, and feel that I will get into great shape! Oh, not to mention, I am FINALLY back with Theresa. I've missed her, and her I. It's time to help with setting up the house and getting ready for the kid :) Amazingly, and very unexpectedly...I'm happy.
Hasta later!
-Yorek
Monday, November 9, 2009
4th place...and oddly ok with it
So, I competed in the Run For the Water 10-miler yesterday.
Through the hills of Austin we raced...and raced...and raced...then we hit mile 5 and got to the big hills. haha, it was a long race.
Newbie (to Austin) Keith Pierce ran away from the pack of Darren Brown, Kyle Miller, Derick Williamson and myself at the half mile. We had no idea who he was and expected him to come back to us...he didn't.
Derick went after him at mile 2 and I went with him. After chasing for a while, Derick fell off pace and I went at it alone until Darren and Kyle rolled up on me. After just hanging on through the toughest part of the course, Darren and I pulled away from Kyle, and shortly after than, Darren pulled away from me.
That's how the race basically went until Kyle Miller passed me back with about 600m to go and I had nothing left to come back with.
This is how it ended:
Keith Pierce 00:51:33 (Cedar Park TX 10 Miler M 25-29) Darren Brown 00:52:16 (Austin TEXAS 10 Miler M 20-24) Kyle Miller 00:53:02 (Austin TX 10 Miler M 20-24) Derek Yorek 00:53:11 (Sunset Valley TX 10 Miler M 25-29) Derick Williamson 00:54:57 (Austin TX 10 Miler M 25-29) Adam Perkins 00:54:58 (Austin TX 10 Miler M 25-29)
I don't know why it shows me as "Sunset Valley, TX" I don't know where that is. Also, Derick Williamson and Adam Perkins were sent the wrong way with about a mile to go, so take off about 30 sec. to get a more accurate time for them.
Well, that's all for now!
hasta later!
Through the hills of Austin we raced...and raced...and raced...then we hit mile 5 and got to the big hills. haha, it was a long race.
Newbie (to Austin) Keith Pierce ran away from the pack of Darren Brown, Kyle Miller, Derick Williamson and myself at the half mile. We had no idea who he was and expected him to come back to us...he didn't.
Derick went after him at mile 2 and I went with him. After chasing for a while, Derick fell off pace and I went at it alone until Darren and Kyle rolled up on me. After just hanging on through the toughest part of the course, Darren and I pulled away from Kyle, and shortly after than, Darren pulled away from me.
That's how the race basically went until Kyle Miller passed me back with about 600m to go and I had nothing left to come back with.
This is how it ended:
I don't know why it shows me as "Sunset Valley, TX" I don't know where that is. Also, Derick Williamson and Adam Perkins were sent the wrong way with about a mile to go, so take off about 30 sec. to get a more accurate time for them.
Well, that's all for now!
hasta later!
Friday, November 6, 2009
End of a season
Well...this has been a long and eventful season...I've been on top of a few races including CapTexTri, a few sprints, a few du's and a couple running races. I've been on the bottom...DNF'd at NYC and Dallas, and I've been in the middle...4th at SuperSeal and Austin Tri, 15th pro at Buffalo Springs 70.3 and 6th Pro at Malibu Classic Tri.
I've learned a TON this year, which was the goal. I wanted to win a pro race, which didn't quite happen and mix it up with Olympic medallists, which did happen.
Now, I've got the Run for the Water 10-miler on Sunday, then it's into hibernation up in Alamosa for the winter to do some major base training with new coach, Dr. Josh Merrick DPT with http://crosstrainingendurosports.blogspot.com/. He's a former Adams State All-American, current tri pro and one of the best duathletes in the world. Not to mention a new father which...
I'm about to be! That's right, Resie and I have a little one on the way! She is due January 15th and the baby will be born at 7,544 ft. alt (woo hoo!!) at the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center in Alamosa, CO. She wants to be surprised when the baby comes as to which gender it is, so we've come up with names for both sexes...
Boy: Maverick Thomas Yorek
Girl: Aspen Myler Yorek
We're incredibly excited and WAY scared, but it will be a challenge that we are both up to.
In other news: Justin Gabriel is slowly making a comeback from his near fatal fall he took a couple months ago and is at the Texas Neuro Center here in Austin.
I'll try to get more posts up in the coming future about training, my new coach, and will (hopefully; still praying) be adding more sponsors in the near future!
I've learned a TON this year, which was the goal. I wanted to win a pro race, which didn't quite happen and mix it up with Olympic medallists, which did happen.
Now, I've got the Run for the Water 10-miler on Sunday, then it's into hibernation up in Alamosa for the winter to do some major base training with new coach, Dr. Josh Merrick DPT with http://crosstrainingendurosports.blogspot.com/. He's a former Adams State All-American, current tri pro and one of the best duathletes in the world. Not to mention a new father which...
I'm about to be! That's right, Resie and I have a little one on the way! She is due January 15th and the baby will be born at 7,544 ft. alt (woo hoo!!) at the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center in Alamosa, CO. She wants to be surprised when the baby comes as to which gender it is, so we've come up with names for both sexes...
Boy: Maverick Thomas Yorek
Girl: Aspen Myler Yorek
We're incredibly excited and WAY scared, but it will be a challenge that we are both up to.
In other news: Justin Gabriel is slowly making a comeback from his near fatal fall he took a couple months ago and is at the Texas Neuro Center here in Austin.
I'll try to get more posts up in the coming future about training, my new coach, and will (hopefully; still praying) be adding more sponsors in the near future!
Friday, September 18, 2009
JUSTIN GABRIEL!!!
Dear Friends,
Late last night I heard that one of my best friends, Justin Gabriel, is in the hospital. He is in critical condition in the ICU and at the moment is unresponsive. He is a strong guy who's been running for a long time, so he's healthy and I'm sure he's bound for a comeback.
Your prayers and any positive thoughts or messages would be wonderful!!
You can keep up to date at this website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/justingabriel
Justin was the one that recruited me to Adams State, and he was my first college roommate. He was always a great friend and teammate. Though some thought of him as a rebel, he did best what most of us are still trying to figure out how to do...enjoy life.
He was also the man that got me on my feet here in Austin, and has been there for me countless amount times to just chill and hang out.
Justin Gabriel is one of my hero's...a great athlete, a good friend, a poet, a party guy, and a man who is not afraid to be himself.
Come ride with me, Justin :)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Done and done!
Ok...here's how things went down.
Thursday night I raced the Driveway crits here in Austin. The first race was the 3/4 race that was 40 min. long. Early on there was a break of about 5 riders. We let them go thinking we would eventually reel them back in. Well, 10 min. went by and they weren't getting any closer and no one seemed to want to work to bring them back. I decided that I was going to bridge, but I didn't want anyone coming w/ me, so I waited for someone to take a really hard pull, sat about 3rd wheel until they got tired, then went...hard! I was off the front alone and the break was coming to me in a hurry. Within' 2 laps I bridged and we still had a good amount of time on the pelaton. Then I started motivating the group telling them about our gap and that we could make it.
The group worked together in fantastic unison. I pulled hard on my pulls and tried to make sure that we stayed away, and that the group's legs were getting heavy. Then with a lap and a half to go, I went hard and got a good gap. I crossed the lap to go sign, taking a prime, and then just held on for dear life. One guy tried to catch me coming off a lead out from a teammate, but I was gone. I took the win with enough time to sit up and celebrate a little bit.
Then in the 4/5 race, I did NO jumps or breaks until the last 100m, where I ended up finishing 2nd in the mass sprint. Nothing great or awful about that race, but it was a nice way to start things off to the racing mania that was going to be the next few days.
Ok...I'll have to post about Friday a little later. I apologize for the delay and I swear I'm not doing it to raise suspense...no really.
hasta
-Yorek
Thursday night I raced the Driveway crits here in Austin. The first race was the 3/4 race that was 40 min. long. Early on there was a break of about 5 riders. We let them go thinking we would eventually reel them back in. Well, 10 min. went by and they weren't getting any closer and no one seemed to want to work to bring them back. I decided that I was going to bridge, but I didn't want anyone coming w/ me, so I waited for someone to take a really hard pull, sat about 3rd wheel until they got tired, then went...hard! I was off the front alone and the break was coming to me in a hurry. Within' 2 laps I bridged and we still had a good amount of time on the pelaton. Then I started motivating the group telling them about our gap and that we could make it.
The group worked together in fantastic unison. I pulled hard on my pulls and tried to make sure that we stayed away, and that the group's legs were getting heavy. Then with a lap and a half to go, I went hard and got a good gap. I crossed the lap to go sign, taking a prime, and then just held on for dear life. One guy tried to catch me coming off a lead out from a teammate, but I was gone. I took the win with enough time to sit up and celebrate a little bit.
Then in the 4/5 race, I did NO jumps or breaks until the last 100m, where I ended up finishing 2nd in the mass sprint. Nothing great or awful about that race, but it was a nice way to start things off to the racing mania that was going to be the next few days.
Ok...I'll have to post about Friday a little later. I apologize for the delay and I swear I'm not doing it to raise suspense...no really.
hasta
-Yorek
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Day 1 of 5 starts tonight!
Alright! These are the weekends that I live for!!!!
I will be competing 7 times over the next 5 days, and at least once every day.
The racing festivities will begin tonight, Thursday, with the Kenny Hill Autowerks Crit races where I will race the 3/4 crit and the 4/5 crit back to back. (That's bike racing for those who don't know)
Friday evening will consist of two legs at the Zilker Relays consisting of 2.5 miles each leg. I will be running a 4 leg relay w/ Scott Kimbell of Adams State (who will do the other 2 legs) vs. the UTexas alumni team of Darren Brown, Kyle Miller, Erik Stanley, and Joe Thorne (all of whom are DI track all-americans).
Saturday will be a cycling road race of 38 miles w/ the Velossimo Racing Team. This one will be fun b/c I'm going to try and lead another teammate to victory...something I don't usually do ;)
Sunday will be yet another crit race w/ the Velossimo Team. This one I will be going for the win.
And finally....the most difficult of the 7 races, the Austin Triathlon on Monday, Labor Day, September 7th. I will be racing the likes of James Cotter (defending champ), Paul Terranova (Kona Age-group #1, soon anyway), David Kahn (USAT Amateur athlete of the year for 2008, now a pro) and Mr. Andrew Yoder (fastest cyclist in triathlon....period, and 4th at the NYC tri).
Good times...good times.
Wish me luck and I will keep all 3 of you, haha, up to date!
Hasta,
-Yorek
I will be competing 7 times over the next 5 days, and at least once every day.
The racing festivities will begin tonight, Thursday, with the Kenny Hill Autowerks Crit races where I will race the 3/4 crit and the 4/5 crit back to back. (That's bike racing for those who don't know)
Friday evening will consist of two legs at the Zilker Relays consisting of 2.5 miles each leg. I will be running a 4 leg relay w/ Scott Kimbell of Adams State (who will do the other 2 legs) vs. the UTexas alumni team of Darren Brown, Kyle Miller, Erik Stanley, and Joe Thorne (all of whom are DI track all-americans).
Saturday will be a cycling road race of 38 miles w/ the Velossimo Racing Team. This one will be fun b/c I'm going to try and lead another teammate to victory...something I don't usually do ;)
Sunday will be yet another crit race w/ the Velossimo Team. This one I will be going for the win.
And finally....the most difficult of the 7 races, the Austin Triathlon on Monday, Labor Day, September 7th. I will be racing the likes of James Cotter (defending champ), Paul Terranova (Kona Age-group #1, soon anyway), David Kahn (USAT Amateur athlete of the year for 2008, now a pro) and Mr. Andrew Yoder (fastest cyclist in triathlon....period, and 4th at the NYC tri).
Good times...good times.
Wish me luck and I will keep all 3 of you, haha, up to date!
Hasta,
-Yorek
Monday, August 24, 2009
Long Sat Ride, Short Sun Run
Well, the weekend started off great. I got to sleep in for the first time in what seemed like forever. Then I met Justin Litchfield at Starbucks on Congress & 6th (a beautiful place to be in downtown Austin) for a quick cup of coffee, then we headed out for a ride that took us for a total of 67.3 miles according to my new handy dandy Garmin 310xt :) It was a good ride that got awfully hot (around 103) toward the end.
Then I got off the bike and ran just short of 4 miles. Ugh...that was tough.
Afterward I just chilled down at RunTex and ate a chicken sandwich (a HUGE chicken sandwich) before finally meeting up w/ Justin and Ira for a nice meal at a Korean place downtown.
On Sunday, I woke up...finally at around 10:00 which was nice, but I just felt lazy for sleeping in so late. Then I had some cereal, watched a movie, and fell asleep again. It was terrible! I just felt like crap and that I could sleep for days.
I finally made myself get up and do some laundry at the laundromat. Again...terrible! After finally getting everything folded and hung up...ish, I got myself to the trail for a run. What was supposed to be 10-12 miles ended up being just short of 8 miles as I ran 8:13 for my first mile and wanted to quit right there. I'm not sure why, but I felt horrible. I sucked it up for the rest of the run and there were 3-4 miles that weren't too bad, but it was starting to get dark, and I was done.
I went home, ate, and fell asleep.
Today has been great, I knocked out an easy hour on the trainer this morning, am about to leave work where I had a pretty good day, and I'm going to run and swim over at Pure Austin (Quarry Lake).
Tomorrow mornin' will be hill repeats on the bike! I can't wait to tackle Jester Road! It's a crazy hill here in Austin that I've never ridden, but heard crazy things about. It's gonna hurt bad, but I'm gonna crush it!
hasta later,
-Yorek
Then I got off the bike and ran just short of 4 miles. Ugh...that was tough.
Afterward I just chilled down at RunTex and ate a chicken sandwich (a HUGE chicken sandwich) before finally meeting up w/ Justin and Ira for a nice meal at a Korean place downtown.
On Sunday, I woke up...finally at around 10:00 which was nice, but I just felt lazy for sleeping in so late. Then I had some cereal, watched a movie, and fell asleep again. It was terrible! I just felt like crap and that I could sleep for days.
I finally made myself get up and do some laundry at the laundromat. Again...terrible! After finally getting everything folded and hung up...ish, I got myself to the trail for a run. What was supposed to be 10-12 miles ended up being just short of 8 miles as I ran 8:13 for my first mile and wanted to quit right there. I'm not sure why, but I felt horrible. I sucked it up for the rest of the run and there were 3-4 miles that weren't too bad, but it was starting to get dark, and I was done.
I went home, ate, and fell asleep.
Today has been great, I knocked out an easy hour on the trainer this morning, am about to leave work where I had a pretty good day, and I'm going to run and swim over at Pure Austin (Quarry Lake).
Tomorrow mornin' will be hill repeats on the bike! I can't wait to tackle Jester Road! It's a crazy hill here in Austin that I've never ridden, but heard crazy things about. It's gonna hurt bad, but I'm gonna crush it!
hasta later,
-Yorek
Friday, August 21, 2009
A Good Friday
Well, things are starting off well for me this mornin'. I knocked out a swim at Pure Austin that went pretty well and things at work are cheery as it's Friday, haha.
Last night I competed in the Kenny Hill Autowerks Crits and did well and terrible all at the same time. Turns out, I STILL don't realize that I don't have to be in every, single, solitary break that goes off the front, but I was. In the 3/4 race I went off the front about 5 times until about 2.2 laps to go when my teammate, Justin Litchfield, saw an opportunity to launch me and did so perfectly, only a lap early it turns out. I got a nice gap on the field, but got sucked up with a lap to go. Also, I won both primes earlier in the race. I still thought I had enough to make an effort to sprint for the win, but when the time came to sprint, I didn't have any legs left and ended up 10th.
Then, after the emotional recognition of Kevin Underhill, the man who died in a crash at last week's race, we started the 4/5 race. I sat...and sat...and sat for what seemed like forever until they rang the bell for the prime lap and I caught a small break of guys that went off the front. I set up perfectly for this and outsprinted a guy to take the prime and sweep all three primes offered in the 3/4 and 4/5 race. Then I just kept going off the front before getting sucked back up again. With one last effort, I followed a guy off the front for the sprint, but we were passed at the bottom of the hill (a small, steep hill about 1/4 mi. from the finish) and again, my legs just weren't there to sprint. I ended up 6th for a grand total of 2 points for the entire evening. The next time I go out there will be JUST for points and I am hoping to sit in the whole time. We'll see how that turns out.
Ok, that's it. I've got a long ride tomorrow w/ Justin Litchfield then a long run on Sunday....which I haven't done in FOREVER.
Hasta later,
-Yorek
Last night I competed in the Kenny Hill Autowerks Crits and did well and terrible all at the same time. Turns out, I STILL don't realize that I don't have to be in every, single, solitary break that goes off the front, but I was. In the 3/4 race I went off the front about 5 times until about 2.2 laps to go when my teammate, Justin Litchfield, saw an opportunity to launch me and did so perfectly, only a lap early it turns out. I got a nice gap on the field, but got sucked up with a lap to go. Also, I won both primes earlier in the race. I still thought I had enough to make an effort to sprint for the win, but when the time came to sprint, I didn't have any legs left and ended up 10th.
Then, after the emotional recognition of Kevin Underhill, the man who died in a crash at last week's race, we started the 4/5 race. I sat...and sat...and sat for what seemed like forever until they rang the bell for the prime lap and I caught a small break of guys that went off the front. I set up perfectly for this and outsprinted a guy to take the prime and sweep all three primes offered in the 3/4 and 4/5 race. Then I just kept going off the front before getting sucked back up again. With one last effort, I followed a guy off the front for the sprint, but we were passed at the bottom of the hill (a small, steep hill about 1/4 mi. from the finish) and again, my legs just weren't there to sprint. I ended up 6th for a grand total of 2 points for the entire evening. The next time I go out there will be JUST for points and I am hoping to sit in the whole time. We'll see how that turns out.
Ok, that's it. I've got a long ride tomorrow w/ Justin Litchfield then a long run on Sunday....which I haven't done in FOREVER.
Hasta later,
-Yorek
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I'm BACK!!! (uh, blogging that is)
Hey everyone!!
I sure have a lot of news for ya to catch up with, but that will have to come in time. First and foremost, I have a new sponsor...Swiftrock! Swiftrock is a financial company owned by a Mr. Derin Scott who has been graciously helping these last couple months. He, and his large, friendly family, have been a huge support system for me and I am so happy to be around them.
Along w/ sponsoring my triathlon career, he has given me a job at another one of his companies, Orion Processing, where we help people with Debt settlement.
It's a great job that allows me to work and get in workouts as well.
Soon, though, I'll get a couple more sponsors and will be able to do tri's full-time! Then we will be able to start really seeing some improvements.
As far as racing goes, I won the Couple's Tri, flatted at the NYC tri, won Jack's Generic, and just recently won the Texas Duathlon State Championship at the Darnd'st Du in San Marcos. I am undefeated in multisport races so far in the state of Texas and I am hoping to keep that streak alive at my next big competition, the Austin Triathlon.
This will be a much deeper pro field than what I've seen in Austin, so it should be a great race. I have been working very hard on my swim and my biking is coming along great, so I'm confident that I'll be able to do well.
Well, that'll have to be it for now. I should be able to keep updated more often ;)
hasta later,
-Yorek
I sure have a lot of news for ya to catch up with, but that will have to come in time. First and foremost, I have a new sponsor...Swiftrock! Swiftrock is a financial company owned by a Mr. Derin Scott who has been graciously helping these last couple months. He, and his large, friendly family, have been a huge support system for me and I am so happy to be around them.
Along w/ sponsoring my triathlon career, he has given me a job at another one of his companies, Orion Processing, where we help people with Debt settlement.
It's a great job that allows me to work and get in workouts as well.
Soon, though, I'll get a couple more sponsors and will be able to do tri's full-time! Then we will be able to start really seeing some improvements.
As far as racing goes, I won the Couple's Tri, flatted at the NYC tri, won Jack's Generic, and just recently won the Texas Duathlon State Championship at the Darnd'st Du in San Marcos. I am undefeated in multisport races so far in the state of Texas and I am hoping to keep that streak alive at my next big competition, the Austin Triathlon.
This will be a much deeper pro field than what I've seen in Austin, so it should be a great race. I have been working very hard on my swim and my biking is coming along great, so I'm confident that I'll be able to do well.
Well, that'll have to be it for now. I should be able to keep updated more often ;)
hasta later,
-Yorek
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Long Ride and Very Short Race
Hello!
Well, Saturday was a tough day as I rode for ~ 4.5 hours in the hot Austin sun with some Ironmen (& Woman) around the outskirts of Austin.
It wasn't a bad ride, but I certainly need to be eating MUCH more while I'm on the bike. Although I was feelin' pretty beat up near the end of the ride, I was still able to flip the "on" switch in my head and get up and down the hills on 360 (a highway here in Austin) pretty well.
Then on Sunday I decided to hop in the Congress Avenue Mile. It's a downhill mile that ended up having a bit of a headwind oddly enough. This was definitely not what my body had in mind the day after the longest ride I've ever done, but I thought it'd be fun to see what I could do. (On a side note, Resie ran in her first race since middle school off of almost zero training and ran a 6:25...not too shabby for having ACL surgery in November!)
So, after a couple of miles to warm up, I was standing on the start line of the Open Elite field and thinking to myself that this was a very bad idea. I was already tired just from the warm-up, then the gun went off and a couple of guys took off. "Great", I thought, "this is gonna be TONS of fun". After finally catching up with those guys by the quarter mile mark, I tried my best to settle into a pace, but it just wasn't happening. By the half mile mark, I finally found my legs and decided to take the lead and see if I could just run away from these guys...well...that didn't work. They stuck right on me and at the 3-quarter mark Scott Kimbell of Adams State went right by me and I thought the race was over right then and there. I was feelin' pretty crappy at this point and my only instinct was "ok, just stay on his heals!". This I did for about 100m, and decided to throw down my hand and hope the finish line came quickly. Turns out I didn't do too shabby...I won by 4 seconds in 4:12. I just kept accelerating for as long as possible then hung on 'til the finish line.
What a great feeling it is! I absolutely LOVE winning races. It's where I feel the most "at home".
I cooled down about a mile with Resie then we had lunch and she got on a bus back to Kansas to take care of some things and get her car back. Afterwards I started feelin' guilty for not having run enough mileage earlier in the day, so I went back to the trail and knocked out another 7 miles. Now THAT, was a death march. Crazy hot!
Anyway, I've since recovered and this morning did some hill repeats with Derick Williamson. I think I'm getting pretty fit and am excited to see how this weekend goes at the Lake Pflugerville Sprint Tri. This is simply a training race, where I won't even wear an aero helmet or use race wheels, I just want to get in a good workout and work on transitions.
Well...that's it for now.
Hasta later,
-Yorek
Well, Saturday was a tough day as I rode for ~ 4.5 hours in the hot Austin sun with some Ironmen (& Woman) around the outskirts of Austin.
It wasn't a bad ride, but I certainly need to be eating MUCH more while I'm on the bike. Although I was feelin' pretty beat up near the end of the ride, I was still able to flip the "on" switch in my head and get up and down the hills on 360 (a highway here in Austin) pretty well.
Then on Sunday I decided to hop in the Congress Avenue Mile. It's a downhill mile that ended up having a bit of a headwind oddly enough. This was definitely not what my body had in mind the day after the longest ride I've ever done, but I thought it'd be fun to see what I could do. (On a side note, Resie ran in her first race since middle school off of almost zero training and ran a 6:25...not too shabby for having ACL surgery in November!)
So, after a couple of miles to warm up, I was standing on the start line of the Open Elite field and thinking to myself that this was a very bad idea. I was already tired just from the warm-up, then the gun went off and a couple of guys took off. "Great", I thought, "this is gonna be TONS of fun". After finally catching up with those guys by the quarter mile mark, I tried my best to settle into a pace, but it just wasn't happening. By the half mile mark, I finally found my legs and decided to take the lead and see if I could just run away from these guys...well...that didn't work. They stuck right on me and at the 3-quarter mark Scott Kimbell of Adams State went right by me and I thought the race was over right then and there. I was feelin' pretty crappy at this point and my only instinct was "ok, just stay on his heals!". This I did for about 100m, and decided to throw down my hand and hope the finish line came quickly. Turns out I didn't do too shabby...I won by 4 seconds in 4:12. I just kept accelerating for as long as possible then hung on 'til the finish line.
What a great feeling it is! I absolutely LOVE winning races. It's where I feel the most "at home".
I cooled down about a mile with Resie then we had lunch and she got on a bus back to Kansas to take care of some things and get her car back. Afterwards I started feelin' guilty for not having run enough mileage earlier in the day, so I went back to the trail and knocked out another 7 miles. Now THAT, was a death march. Crazy hot!
Anyway, I've since recovered and this morning did some hill repeats with Derick Williamson. I think I'm getting pretty fit and am excited to see how this weekend goes at the Lake Pflugerville Sprint Tri. This is simply a training race, where I won't even wear an aero helmet or use race wheels, I just want to get in a good workout and work on transitions.
Well...that's it for now.
Hasta later,
-Yorek
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Long time!
Well hello! I know it's been FOREVER since last posting. This whole internet/computer debacle should be figured out and dealt with in the next couple weeks and I'll be able to start posting on a regular basis again.
So, I did not end up racing in the ITU race, which ended up being a terrific idea. Instead I raced the Invitational wave at the CapTexTri and won the whole thing!! It was a fun race, but I could definitely improve in several areas.
My swim was yet another PR (I've PR'd in every Olympic distance swim I've ever done...crazy!) 21:44, but I could have swam much faster had I not been swimming in jagged, crooked lines the whole way and beating up poor Jen Perez the whole way.
My bike was by far the most impressive leg for me. I rode 59:00 for over a 2 minute PR on a pretty hilly and turny 4 loop bike leg. Of course, I rode so hard that my run fell all to crap at the end of the race.
My first 2 miles were 9:58, so right on pace...but after taking the overall lead just before 3 miles, I slowed way down. The heat started to get to me, and so did that 59 min. bike leg. I ended up running a pitiful 34:20 run split (though I felt a little better when I found out it was .2 long) Still...not was I was hoping for.
Of course, that all said, I won my first big triathlon and am not officially qualified for my pro/elite card.
The next race will be at Lake Pflugerville to tune up for what I've training for since March...the Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3. I'm right where I wanted to be...pro card at CapTex, 3 weeks of crazy long training with the J & A boys, a warm-up race, and the pro field debut at Buffalo Springs. I'm pumped!!
Though this will be my first "pro" race as well as my first 70.3, I believe that I can do well. I have talked a bit with Derick Williamson at Soure Endurance (www.source-e.net) about some longer training and hooked up with T3 (www.austint3.com) for my swim workouts.
With the help of Jack and Adam's and my always supportive brothers at Multisport Ministries...I believe that I can start to make this dream really come true.
I love you all and I'll put up some of my training over the last couple days so you can see how I've picked up the training :)
Saturday=3.5 hour ride followed by a 4-mile run @ 5:30 pace
Sunday=14 mi. long run at about 6:45-7 min. pace followed by an hour of cross-x workouts at Pure Austin
Monday=1500-2000m in the pool nice and easy and a run/bike brick workout with Pure
Tuesday=2 mi. wu; 6xstratford hill repeats (~2 min. crazy hard, ~2:45 jog back down); 2 mi. cd
& I'll do about 90 min.-2 hours in the trainer later.
Love you guys!!
hasta,
-Yorek
So, I did not end up racing in the ITU race, which ended up being a terrific idea. Instead I raced the Invitational wave at the CapTexTri and won the whole thing!! It was a fun race, but I could definitely improve in several areas.
My swim was yet another PR (I've PR'd in every Olympic distance swim I've ever done...crazy!) 21:44, but I could have swam much faster had I not been swimming in jagged, crooked lines the whole way and beating up poor Jen Perez the whole way.
My bike was by far the most impressive leg for me. I rode 59:00 for over a 2 minute PR on a pretty hilly and turny 4 loop bike leg. Of course, I rode so hard that my run fell all to crap at the end of the race.
My first 2 miles were 9:58, so right on pace...but after taking the overall lead just before 3 miles, I slowed way down. The heat started to get to me, and so did that 59 min. bike leg. I ended up running a pitiful 34:20 run split (though I felt a little better when I found out it was .2 long) Still...not was I was hoping for.
Of course, that all said, I won my first big triathlon and am not officially qualified for my pro/elite card.
The next race will be at Lake Pflugerville to tune up for what I've training for since March...the Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3. I'm right where I wanted to be...pro card at CapTex, 3 weeks of crazy long training with the J & A boys, a warm-up race, and the pro field debut at Buffalo Springs. I'm pumped!!
Though this will be my first "pro" race as well as my first 70.3, I believe that I can do well. I have talked a bit with Derick Williamson at Soure Endurance (www.source-e.net) about some longer training and hooked up with T3 (www.austint3.com) for my swim workouts.
With the help of Jack and Adam's and my always supportive brothers at Multisport Ministries...I believe that I can start to make this dream really come true.
I love you all and I'll put up some of my training over the last couple days so you can see how I've picked up the training :)
Saturday=3.5 hour ride followed by a 4-mile run @ 5:30 pace
Sunday=14 mi. long run at about 6:45-7 min. pace followed by an hour of cross-x workouts at Pure Austin
Monday=1500-2000m in the pool nice and easy and a run/bike brick workout with Pure
Tuesday=2 mi. wu; 6xstratford hill repeats (~2 min. crazy hard, ~2:45 jog back down); 2 mi. cd
& I'll do about 90 min.-2 hours in the trainer later.
Love you guys!!
hasta,
-Yorek
Thursday, May 21, 2009
ITU here I come!!
Well, I finally found a place to get on the internet, and as I sit here at the Austin Public Library, it occured to me that I have not been in a public library in quite some time. This is a shame! I remember when my mother used to take me to story time at the Mineral Wells (TX) public library.
Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that my training isn't too bad lately, and I've finally caught up on some rest. Now, I will be racing the ITU Pan-American Continental Cup race on Monday. I'm not sure my swim is quite fast enough yet, but I didn't do too bad at the Splash N Dash on Tuesday, so we'll see how it goes. I got crushed by two Brazilian ITU guys out of the water and couldn't quite run them down.
I might have some even bigger news soon, so stay tuned, and I'll let you know how the race turns out and some other stuff going on as well ;)
Hasta,
Yorek
P.S. Please pray that I get my/Justin Litchfield/James Davison's ITU suit made up in time for the race! That would be very bad...and also give thanks that a good friend of mine, Brad Miller, was willing to let me borrow his road bike for this draft legal race. Hope is works out!!!
Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that my training isn't too bad lately, and I've finally caught up on some rest. Now, I will be racing the ITU Pan-American Continental Cup race on Monday. I'm not sure my swim is quite fast enough yet, but I didn't do too bad at the Splash N Dash on Tuesday, so we'll see how it goes. I got crushed by two Brazilian ITU guys out of the water and couldn't quite run them down.
I might have some even bigger news soon, so stay tuned, and I'll let you know how the race turns out and some other stuff going on as well ;)
Hasta,
Yorek
P.S. Please pray that I get my/Justin Litchfield/James Davison's ITU suit made up in time for the race! That would be very bad...and also give thanks that a good friend of mine, Brad Miller, was willing to let me borrow his road bike for this draft legal race. Hope is works out!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
So Sorry!!
Hello everyone! So, I'm finally back home in Austin, Texas and it's great. Unfortunately, I don't have internet, so I won't be able to be posting much.
Well, I have to go.
Hasta soon!
-Yorek
Well, I have to go.
Hasta soon!
-Yorek
Sunday, May 10, 2009
It's all over!
Hello again!!
Well, it's all over. I have my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. That's still very weird to say, but I guess I should just get used to it. Now, it's over to Kansas tomorrow mornin', then down to Austin, TEXAS on Friday mornin'. I simply cannot wait. I'll working at RunTex and training very hard to get into good races, so that I can get a contract and try to get on the ITU scene.
As one would expect, training these last couple of days has been erratic at best. But I'll try to catch everyone up. Thursday I did absolutely nothing but take my last two finals and clean my room. Later on that day I went out to see my mother who had rented an RV and was a couple miles outside of town at a KOA with my Gramma and my Aunt. It was wonderful to see them!
Friday mornin' I got up and went to the pool, but I got to warm up and do 500m at race pace 'til my shoulder started hurting and decided to end the swim session to save my shoulder for the next day. So I went home and rode the bike for about an hour. That was it, because I spent the next few hours taking my family around to see the few sites here in Alamosa. I can tell you about that stuff later ;)
Then on Saturday (graduation day) I got up early (after going to bed at 4 a.m. waiting for my poor sister (Shannon) to get here as she got lost on her way from Albuquerque N.M....she flew in from DFW) and went on a very easy, chill run by myself to just enjoy the morning and prepare myself for the craziness that would come with graduation. That was only about 7 miles, and was my only workout of the day. It was a very long, but very great day after that. I got to spend some time with Reed and Sean (from the MsM team) that drove up from SoCal Friday afternoon. Then it was off to dinner with the family. Great times...everyone was proud and I was proud to have them there.
This morning was a fantastic run with Mr. Matt Levassiur. About 10-11 miles of just easy running and talking of sponsors and races and life. He's a great runner and a great guy. I have learned a lot from him. Then I went to Campus with my mother, my sister (Mackenzie) and Resie for breakfast, then took my mom and sis back to the RV with my Gramma and Aunt and they all left to go back to Texas.
Now, its back home to pack, perhaps a bit in the trainer later, then getting everything ready for the trip that's comin' tomorrow.
Thank you to everyone who has wished me well and supported me throughout my 7 year wait for the college degree. Now it's time to focus on training and really see what this body can do!
hasta,
-Yorek
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Celebrating with a run? What a nerd, haha.
Thank all of you so very much for the prayers that continue to help me. It turned out that the paper I thought was due on Thursday was actually due yesterday. So, starting at 7:45 am yesterday, I went 90 mph taking finals and knocking out a paper. By the time 2 pm came around, I had it all done. I don't know how I did it, (actually yes I do, the grace of God) but I passed all of my finals and turned in the paper on time.
To celebrate this momentus occasion, I went home, put on my running shoes, and knocked out an 11 mile run at about 6:15-6:20 pace, haha. I would have went even further, but I had some issues with under arm rubbing that hurt, so I cut it short.
Anyway, I don't have any finals today, so I knocked out 2 hours on the bike this morning, and I'm about to go run 60 min. with one of the fastest milers in the United States...Aucencio Martinez. He's a former National champ that I ran with at Adams, and has run the 1500m in 3:40 on 4 different occasions. He's due to break that stubborn 3:40 mark very soon.
Then later I'm going to FINALLY get in the pool. I really need to get back to work on my swimming. Once a week just doesn't cut it, haha.
Well, I'll certainly have some things to say after my last 2 finals tomorrow.
hasta later,
-Yorek
P.S. Please say a prayer (or 2-3) for fellow MsM teammate Chris Branson. He's working on finishing up his degree as well, and could use some help coming into the last few days. Thanks!
To celebrate this momentus occasion, I went home, put on my running shoes, and knocked out an 11 mile run at about 6:15-6:20 pace, haha. I would have went even further, but I had some issues with under arm rubbing that hurt, so I cut it short.
Anyway, I don't have any finals today, so I knocked out 2 hours on the bike this morning, and I'm about to go run 60 min. with one of the fastest milers in the United States...Aucencio Martinez. He's a former National champ that I ran with at Adams, and has run the 1500m in 3:40 on 4 different occasions. He's due to break that stubborn 3:40 mark very soon.
Then later I'm going to FINALLY get in the pool. I really need to get back to work on my swimming. Once a week just doesn't cut it, haha.
Well, I'll certainly have some things to say after my last 2 finals tomorrow.
hasta later,
-Yorek
P.S. Please say a prayer (or 2-3) for fellow MsM teammate Chris Branson. He's working on finishing up his degree as well, and could use some help coming into the last few days. Thanks!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Finals Week!
Well, turns out, the prayers are working. So long as I pass all of my finals this week (3 on tomorrow & 2 on Thursday) then I will get my degree. Thank you again for your prayers.
I ended up taking the day off on Saturday. Though I needed it, it really threw off my training. So on Sunday I did two hours on the bike, and planned on a run later on in the day that never happened.
Today I did a brick consisting of 90 min. on the bike and then a 40 min. run of a little over 10k with some strides to finish out the day.
I had planned on going to the pool this evening, but I don't think that's going to happen. What with 3 finals tomorrow morning and a paper that's due on Thursday...I'll probably take a hit in training volume this week.
Also, plan on only a couple of updates this week with all this going on. I appreciate it and I'll be back to training hard again the next week while I'm in Kansas.
And just a reminder, I'll be moving in to my place down in Austin on the 15th this month!!!
Hasta later,
-Yorek
I ended up taking the day off on Saturday. Though I needed it, it really threw off my training. So on Sunday I did two hours on the bike, and planned on a run later on in the day that never happened.
Today I did a brick consisting of 90 min. on the bike and then a 40 min. run of a little over 10k with some strides to finish out the day.
I had planned on going to the pool this evening, but I don't think that's going to happen. What with 3 finals tomorrow morning and a paper that's due on Thursday...I'll probably take a hit in training volume this week.
Also, plan on only a couple of updates this week with all this going on. I appreciate it and I'll be back to training hard again the next week while I'm in Kansas.
And just a reminder, I'll be moving in to my place down in Austin on the 15th this month!!!
Hasta later,
-Yorek
Saturday, May 2, 2009
$h*& hits the fan!
Ok, so, yesterday...I'm all pumped about getting to graduate, I passed my stupid tech proficiency test, I'm all ready for a hard workout, just have to take this psych test real quick.
Well...I bombed it. I mean, Hiroshima bombed it. Which drops my avg. to a "D". I have to either hope that the prof finds some kind of amazingness in the answers that I gave or that I get a 100% on my final.
That's about all I want to say about it 'cause it really knocked me through the floor. Just say a prayer for me that I snap out of this and things work out.
Once this happened, my motivation for training went out the window and wow did I get depressed. Finally, after my bike stared at for a good two hours, I got on it and knocked out 90 min. in the trainer pushing a big gear...I'm thinking 53-14 or 53-13 something like that.
I still have yet to work out today as the weather here is horrible and it is starting to rain/snow. I'll probably get in a bit on the trainer later, but we'll see. Other than that, I've been trying to clean/pack up my room and get ready to move back to Austin.
In good news, I've signed up for the CapTexTri. I'm hoping that they let me in the invitational wave, but they have certain criteria that I have no idea if I fit. I don't technically have my elite triathlon card yet, and I have no idea where I'm ranked according to USAT. Really...it doesn't matter to me where I start. I just want to hear the gun (horn) go off so that I can let loose on downtown Austin, TX. After training so hard up here, and now with a ton of motivation to go out and show that I was born to do this, I want to light that place up and win overall. So far, my run at the Austin Triathlon (30:56) is the fastest run split ever seen in Austin...I'm hoping to smash it and tack on a nice swim and wicked run with it!
Again, please say a prayer for me over the course of this next week. There's a lot of work that needs to be done, and I need all the help I can get.
hasta,
-Yorek
P.S. It is because of you (even if you are the only person in the world that is reading this blog) that I cannot and will not give up on my dreams...and neither should you...
Well...I bombed it. I mean, Hiroshima bombed it. Which drops my avg. to a "D". I have to either hope that the prof finds some kind of amazingness in the answers that I gave or that I get a 100% on my final.
That's about all I want to say about it 'cause it really knocked me through the floor. Just say a prayer for me that I snap out of this and things work out.
Once this happened, my motivation for training went out the window and wow did I get depressed. Finally, after my bike stared at for a good two hours, I got on it and knocked out 90 min. in the trainer pushing a big gear...I'm thinking 53-14 or 53-13 something like that.
I still have yet to work out today as the weather here is horrible and it is starting to rain/snow. I'll probably get in a bit on the trainer later, but we'll see. Other than that, I've been trying to clean/pack up my room and get ready to move back to Austin.
In good news, I've signed up for the CapTexTri. I'm hoping that they let me in the invitational wave, but they have certain criteria that I have no idea if I fit. I don't technically have my elite triathlon card yet, and I have no idea where I'm ranked according to USAT. Really...it doesn't matter to me where I start. I just want to hear the gun (horn) go off so that I can let loose on downtown Austin, TX. After training so hard up here, and now with a ton of motivation to go out and show that I was born to do this, I want to light that place up and win overall. So far, my run at the Austin Triathlon (30:56) is the fastest run split ever seen in Austin...I'm hoping to smash it and tack on a nice swim and wicked run with it!
Again, please say a prayer for me over the course of this next week. There's a lot of work that needs to be done, and I need all the help I can get.
hasta,
-Yorek
P.S. It is because of you (even if you are the only person in the world that is reading this blog) that I cannot and will not give up on my dreams...and neither should you...
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Last Friday of My Collegiate Career! :)
Hello everyone! First, I'd like to apologize for missing yesterday, I actually got some homework done and started some research on my last paper. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to be graduating. Though I never really wanted to graduate or to have a degree, it is with great pride that I will walk across that stage because I know my Grandmother and Mother will be jumping for joy. This has been the longest, hardest, and most arduous race of my life, and I can see the finish line!
Anyway, enough of that, I still have another week where I can mess this all up, haha. So yesterday was finally an easy day. I ran about 8 miles at noon in the glorious sunshine that has been hiding from me this past year. Later on, I knocked out a little over an hour on the trainer to get in two hours on the day.
Today I have my staple brick workout consisting of alternating 800m runs at 2:30 or faster and 5 min. race pace on the trainer. I'm hoping it will be another beautiful day, which is usually not the case here, and to do the workout on the outdoor track. If not, it will be done on the indoor track yet again. Later on I'm hoping to get in the pool.
Well...that's it for now. I'll post up how/if ('cause ya never know with me, haha) the workout went later on tonight or tomorrow.
Hasta,
-Yorek
Anyway, enough of that, I still have another week where I can mess this all up, haha. So yesterday was finally an easy day. I ran about 8 miles at noon in the glorious sunshine that has been hiding from me this past year. Later on, I knocked out a little over an hour on the trainer to get in two hours on the day.
Today I have my staple brick workout consisting of alternating 800m runs at 2:30 or faster and 5 min. race pace on the trainer. I'm hoping it will be another beautiful day, which is usually not the case here, and to do the workout on the outdoor track. If not, it will be done on the indoor track yet again. Later on I'm hoping to get in the pool.
Well...that's it for now. I'll post up how/if ('cause ya never know with me, haha) the workout went later on tonight or tomorrow.
Hasta,
-Yorek
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Hump Day!!
So, yesterday's tempo took quite a bit out of me. I went to the Rex (the rec center here at ASC) with Resie, to do a bit on the cool TV screen bikes they've got there now. These are machine bikes that have a screen on it with other riders, a "pacer", and tons of different scenes, all while letting you know your heart rate, power, mph, and anything else you would want to know. The only problem is...I'm WAY too competitive for this thing. If you put someone in front of me, fake, cartoon, what have you, I'm going to pedal harder to catch and pass them. 15 min. into this "recovery" ride I was pushing over 300 watts and my HR was through the roof. After making an attempt at controling myself, I just got off the bike at 30 min. So much for a little supplemental riding. Anyway, I went and did some pull-ups afterward and just called it a day.
This morning I got up at 6:15 and went to the pool. Though I only swam 2000m, it was awfully tough. I was still probably too tired. So I went to class after breakfast and felt much better at about 11 a.m. and decided to go enjoy a ride outstide. After about 30 min. I started my 6x4 min. workout (4 min. hard, 4 min. easy) I felt great, and on the way back I used the street mile signs to figure out how fast I was going. (I can't afford the fancy computer gizmos, haha) So my 5th interval started right on the mile marker and I was able to get the splits when I hit the next marker...2:07 for the first mile (wow, that's almost 30 mph!), I was pumped and decided to just keep going to the next marker, no matter how long it took. Well, I got there at 4:20. It turns out the trainer workouts have been working, haha. Then on the last one, I went by the mile marker 1:38 into the interval, so I just tried to keep form and push through the next mile marker...and it was 3:38 on the dot, right at 2:00 (or 30 mph). Wow, that was fun. I got home and still had about 35 min. to get to 2 hours so I just finished up in the trainer. Good workout.
Later on, I went out for a very chill 60 min. run that ended up being about 9 miles. 4 hours on the day...not too shabby ;)
I'm pretty excited about how my training is coming along, and can't wait for the CapTexTri. I talked my mother into helping me out with the entry fee for my graduation gift, haha. Wow, I hope that never has to happen again!
Well, speaking of graduation, I'd better get to work on some papers or they won't let me walk across that stage.
hasta,
-Yorek
This morning I got up at 6:15 and went to the pool. Though I only swam 2000m, it was awfully tough. I was still probably too tired. So I went to class after breakfast and felt much better at about 11 a.m. and decided to go enjoy a ride outstide. After about 30 min. I started my 6x4 min. workout (4 min. hard, 4 min. easy) I felt great, and on the way back I used the street mile signs to figure out how fast I was going. (I can't afford the fancy computer gizmos, haha) So my 5th interval started right on the mile marker and I was able to get the splits when I hit the next marker...2:07 for the first mile (wow, that's almost 30 mph!), I was pumped and decided to just keep going to the next marker, no matter how long it took. Well, I got there at 4:20. It turns out the trainer workouts have been working, haha. Then on the last one, I went by the mile marker 1:38 into the interval, so I just tried to keep form and push through the next mile marker...and it was 3:38 on the dot, right at 2:00 (or 30 mph). Wow, that was fun. I got home and still had about 35 min. to get to 2 hours so I just finished up in the trainer. Good workout.
Later on, I went out for a very chill 60 min. run that ended up being about 9 miles. 4 hours on the day...not too shabby ;)
I'm pretty excited about how my training is coming along, and can't wait for the CapTexTri. I talked my mother into helping me out with the entry fee for my graduation gift, haha. Wow, I hope that never has to happen again!
Well, speaking of graduation, I'd better get to work on some papers or they won't let me walk across that stage.
hasta,
-Yorek
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tempo results
6 miles...5:06, 5:05, 4:56, 5:05, 5:06, 4:47...30:07 So close!! I got too complacent with miles 4 and 5. Those should have been 5:00 each. Oh well, I'll take it. The NCAA gives 1:54 adjustment for altitude up here, so it converts to approx. a 29:15-29:20 10k at sea level (tacking on a minute for the .2 miles to get to 10k). Not too shabby for a triathlete ;)
Monday's easy day and today's upcoming hard day
So I went out for a nice little bike ride yesterday and turned around right at 30 min./10 miles (no really...it was weird how that worked out) and turned right smack into a head wind. Now I know why 20 mph was so ridiculously easy, haha. It took 34 min. to get back home, then I put the bike into the trainer and finished out 90 min. After which I went out for an easy 40 min. run averaging about 6:30 or so.
I never did get into the pool, which is really dumb because that's where I obviously need to the most work. So this morning I got up and went to the pool, I got there at about 8:45 a.m. and thought it closed at 9:30...well, it closed at 9. So I got in a solid 1200m and that was about it. I'll go again tomorrow mornin' and make up for it...(I Hope!)
The real worrisome workout for me today is the 6 mile tempo I have planned. (It was going to be a 12x400m on the track, but former track coach and Texas running guru Chris Schrader suggested otherwise...smart guy) This will take place in almost exactly 2 hours. What makes it bigger than a normal tempo is that I haven't done a good, hard tempo run in a while. Up here at altitude, these things can hurt pretty good, not to mention, it is a great staple in knowing where you stand at the moment. I know I'm in pretty good shape, so it will be nice to see where I am. The goal is to break 30:00 for the overall 6 miles. A nice relaxed 5:15 first mile should lead to some pretty even 5:00's, then hopefully close in under 4:50. Much easier said than done, but I'll update you later on today about how it goes.
On a side note, I was hammered with good news and motivation from my always trustworthy source, Multisport ministries. Reed McGinnis called me up and told me that Adam Ogden (formerly of Austin, now in the OC), Sean Harwin and himself will be driving all the way from the OC to see me graduate! I couldn't believe it! These guys are awesome. And as if that wasn't good enough news, Mr. Scott Archibald of Las Vegas, NV emailed yesterday and just pumped me up to train as hard as I can and to race with all I've got. These guys just continue to make my life better and better.
Well, I'm off to get some homework done and then to class before the tempo.
Hasta,
-Yorek
I never did get into the pool, which is really dumb because that's where I obviously need to the most work. So this morning I got up and went to the pool, I got there at about 8:45 a.m. and thought it closed at 9:30...well, it closed at 9. So I got in a solid 1200m and that was about it. I'll go again tomorrow mornin' and make up for it...(I Hope!)
The real worrisome workout for me today is the 6 mile tempo I have planned. (It was going to be a 12x400m on the track, but former track coach and Texas running guru Chris Schrader suggested otherwise...smart guy) This will take place in almost exactly 2 hours. What makes it bigger than a normal tempo is that I haven't done a good, hard tempo run in a while. Up here at altitude, these things can hurt pretty good, not to mention, it is a great staple in knowing where you stand at the moment. I know I'm in pretty good shape, so it will be nice to see where I am. The goal is to break 30:00 for the overall 6 miles. A nice relaxed 5:15 first mile should lead to some pretty even 5:00's, then hopefully close in under 4:50. Much easier said than done, but I'll update you later on today about how it goes.
On a side note, I was hammered with good news and motivation from my always trustworthy source, Multisport ministries. Reed McGinnis called me up and told me that Adam Ogden (formerly of Austin, now in the OC), Sean Harwin and himself will be driving all the way from the OC to see me graduate! I couldn't believe it! These guys are awesome. And as if that wasn't good enough news, Mr. Scott Archibald of Las Vegas, NV emailed yesterday and just pumped me up to train as hard as I can and to race with all I've got. These guys just continue to make my life better and better.
Well, I'm off to get some homework done and then to class before the tempo.
Hasta,
-Yorek
Monday, April 27, 2009
Multisport Ministries...My Savior for Motivation!
Multisport Minitries (www.multisportministries.com) is a Christian men's organization that focuses on building faith in Christ through the fellowship brought about by the training and racing of triathlon.
This organization has completely revitalized my motivation for training. The men that make up this organization are the most supportive group of people that I've ever come across. No matter where I finish in a race, these guys are going to be there telling me that I did all that I could and pushing me to achieve that next level.
The MsM team helps all of us to realize that there is more out there than what we see in our daily lives. They teach me to use my body in the best way possible because it was a gift from God, not to win races and get my picture taken...(a hard thing for me to get over). Though I love being in front of people and performing, it is so much more rewarding when I can just enjoy the opportunity God gave me to push my body to new limits and inspire people to do the same. This team of extremely talented and driven men helps me to understand that.
We help each other through every problem, no matter how small or big the problem seems. Anytime I am feeling depressed or down (which happens more often than it should) I get an email or phone call from one of the MsM guys saying, "Hey man, I was just thinking about ya and wanted say that I'm praying for ya." It's amazing how great it is to hear words of encouragement like that.
If you have ever felt like you are just kind of lost or stagnant, or just want to be a part of a team that is more than just triathlon...shoot Erik or Reed an email at the MsM website (above). It's nice to have a support team that's there 24/7/365!
Much love to my MsM boys!
Hasta later,
-Yorek
P.S. No workouts yet...I was lazy (again) this morning, but I plan on a little bike/run later with a swim this evening. Wow, I need to get in the pool more!!!
This organization has completely revitalized my motivation for training. The men that make up this organization are the most supportive group of people that I've ever come across. No matter where I finish in a race, these guys are going to be there telling me that I did all that I could and pushing me to achieve that next level.
The MsM team helps all of us to realize that there is more out there than what we see in our daily lives. They teach me to use my body in the best way possible because it was a gift from God, not to win races and get my picture taken...(a hard thing for me to get over). Though I love being in front of people and performing, it is so much more rewarding when I can just enjoy the opportunity God gave me to push my body to new limits and inspire people to do the same. This team of extremely talented and driven men helps me to understand that.
We help each other through every problem, no matter how small or big the problem seems. Anytime I am feeling depressed or down (which happens more often than it should) I get an email or phone call from one of the MsM guys saying, "Hey man, I was just thinking about ya and wanted say that I'm praying for ya." It's amazing how great it is to hear words of encouragement like that.
If you have ever felt like you are just kind of lost or stagnant, or just want to be a part of a team that is more than just triathlon...shoot Erik or Reed an email at the MsM website (above). It's nice to have a support team that's there 24/7/365!
Much love to my MsM boys!
Hasta later,
-Yorek
P.S. No workouts yet...I was lazy (again) this morning, but I plan on a little bike/run later with a swim this evening. Wow, I need to get in the pool more!!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Church of the Long Sunday Run
A good friend of mine said today, "you can show just as much appreciation for God doing a good long run and enjoying the nature that He created as going to Church and sitting inside listening to someone talk about how to live 'right'" (Matt Levassiur). Though I do feel that Church is amazing and is a wonderful place to learn and pray and give thanks, I can certainly see his point.
Anyway, I ended up running about 15 miles. Most of it was with a young up & comer here at Adams State (and TEXAS NATIVE) Brandon Birdsong. We clipped along at about 6:00 until I split off to use the facilities, and he finished up the 1.5 left of his 12.
I then finished up pretty chill with Mr. Levassiur.
I'm not sure what the reasoning was, but I was hurtin' at about mile 4 and pushed through it. I just felt really tired, fatigued, and well...shitty. It has taken me a few hours now to recuperate, and I'm debating on another workout. I really want to swim...but again...no pool to swim in on Sundays. The Rio Grande river is just outside, but up here in CO, it's not quite the raging river that it is in Tejas! Meaning...it's about 2 ft. deep, haha.
Well, that's it for now. I think tomorrow (or even later on tonight) I'm gonna throw up an extensive shout out to Multisport Ministries and all that they do. In all honesty, I think of them as family, and would do anything for them.
Well, I'm out!
hasta later,
-Yorek
Anyway, I ended up running about 15 miles. Most of it was with a young up & comer here at Adams State (and TEXAS NATIVE) Brandon Birdsong. We clipped along at about 6:00 until I split off to use the facilities, and he finished up the 1.5 left of his 12.
I then finished up pretty chill with Mr. Levassiur.
I'm not sure what the reasoning was, but I was hurtin' at about mile 4 and pushed through it. I just felt really tired, fatigued, and well...shitty. It has taken me a few hours now to recuperate, and I'm debating on another workout. I really want to swim...but again...no pool to swim in on Sundays. The Rio Grande river is just outside, but up here in CO, it's not quite the raging river that it is in Tejas! Meaning...it's about 2 ft. deep, haha.
Well, that's it for now. I think tomorrow (or even later on tonight) I'm gonna throw up an extensive shout out to Multisport Ministries and all that they do. In all honesty, I think of them as family, and would do anything for them.
Well, I'm out!
hasta later,
-Yorek
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tryin' to keep fit
Well, I was lazy yesterday up until about 4:30. I got a little homework done, but I hadn't done anything of a workout. Finally...after sitting around watching TV and feeling ridiculous, I went and got on the bike.
What was going to be an easy hour on the bike turned into 2 hours of pretty tough riding followed by an hour run with my buddy/roommate/landlord/political advisor, Juan Altamirano. The run was nothing special, just about 6:45 average.
Then today was pretty tough itself. I made myself sleep in 'til about 10 this morning after a great evening with friends up at chili's. (Thank goodness I was able to keep myself from going out last night!!) I went and had breakfast with Resie, then around 12:45 I got on the bike to start my 3 hours in the saddle. It was tough, but I made it through. I'm grateful for the television set that was in front of me so I could get my workout in and watch the Mavericks beat the Spurs!!! (We're up 3-1 in the series in case you missed it) Then I went out for a 30 min. run that got quicker as time went on. First mile of almost 7 min. went to a 6:25, then to a 6:15 'cause I was thinking of how badly I want to break 4 hours at the Buffalo Springs 70.3 this summer. My buddy Brad Miller is always talking about how hard that race is and I want to be in shape enough to smash it!
At the moment I must admit to being in pretty good shape, but I've got a ways to go. I can hear Derrick Williamson (former Coach of mine with Source Endurance) in my head telling me that what I've done isn't anything yet, and that I'm capable of so much more.
Anyway, I'll do a long run with the ASC guys in the mornin' of about 17 miles and I would love to swim later on tomorrow afternoon, but the pool is closed on Sundays. I can't wait to get back to Austin and go to Barton Springs or the Quarry at Pure Austin after a long run!
Well, that's it for now.
Hasta,
-Yorek
P.S. If there's anything more you would like to see on the site. Hit me up and let me know! I'd love to hear from peeps.
What was going to be an easy hour on the bike turned into 2 hours of pretty tough riding followed by an hour run with my buddy/roommate/landlord/political advisor, Juan Altamirano. The run was nothing special, just about 6:45 average.
Then today was pretty tough itself. I made myself sleep in 'til about 10 this morning after a great evening with friends up at chili's. (Thank goodness I was able to keep myself from going out last night!!) I went and had breakfast with Resie, then around 12:45 I got on the bike to start my 3 hours in the saddle. It was tough, but I made it through. I'm grateful for the television set that was in front of me so I could get my workout in and watch the Mavericks beat the Spurs!!! (We're up 3-1 in the series in case you missed it) Then I went out for a 30 min. run that got quicker as time went on. First mile of almost 7 min. went to a 6:25, then to a 6:15 'cause I was thinking of how badly I want to break 4 hours at the Buffalo Springs 70.3 this summer. My buddy Brad Miller is always talking about how hard that race is and I want to be in shape enough to smash it!
At the moment I must admit to being in pretty good shape, but I've got a ways to go. I can hear Derrick Williamson (former Coach of mine with Source Endurance) in my head telling me that what I've done isn't anything yet, and that I'm capable of so much more.
Anyway, I'll do a long run with the ASC guys in the mornin' of about 17 miles and I would love to swim later on tomorrow afternoon, but the pool is closed on Sundays. I can't wait to get back to Austin and go to Barton Springs or the Quarry at Pure Austin after a long run!
Well, that's it for now.
Hasta,
-Yorek
P.S. If there's anything more you would like to see on the site. Hit me up and let me know! I'd love to hear from peeps.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Homework and whining!!
So, yesterday did not go as I would have liked it. Though I did run about 9 miles a little under 6:30 pace, I wanted to get in another 1.5-2.0 hours in the trainer, but that didn't happen. I decided to do homework instead.
I mean, ok, I got some much needed homework done, but I also wasted a lot of time watching youtube videos on Chrissie Wellington (a beast...just gross...aka, amazing!) And of course, now I want to go do a damn Ironman. Those of you who know me, know I have NEVER wanted to do a marathon, much less an entire Ironman. Nevertheless, here I am trying to figure out a way to get a full IM paid for and get my butt to the promised land (Kona).
Also of note today, I have yet to work out (my goggles broke before I could swim this morning) and I'm starting to flip out about graduation. Now, I've told quite a few people (and many more now, haha) about my plans to join the US Marine Corps as an officer. The only problem...I'm stuck between two places. The me on the right shoulder is saying..."Do it! You need the discipline, the stability, the financial security, and to finally grow up", but the me on the left shoulder is saying..."NO!!! You can make it as a pro and you can become the athlete that you always tell everyone that you will become. Don't throw away dreams!" I don't know, I do this a lot. I mean, it's kind of hard to race when you can't afford race entries, don't OWN a road bike (no really, I don't own a road bike) or even a back wheel. No joke, haha, I have one rear wheel that is an old spinergy that I use for everything because I don't have a rear training wheel. That makes things tough. Of course, there are people out there that find ways to make it work all the time. I guess I should quit bitchin' train my butt off, and just see where that takes me. Yeah, good idea.
Well, that's it for today. I'm hoping to get in a good hard run, maybe an hour in the trainer, and hopefully about 3000m in the pool later on. I'll let ya know how that all goes tomorrow.
Oh yeah, feel free to leave a comment telling me to quit whining. I welcome any and all advice...with anything really.
Hasta later peeps!
-Yorek
I mean, ok, I got some much needed homework done, but I also wasted a lot of time watching youtube videos on Chrissie Wellington (a beast...just gross...aka, amazing!) And of course, now I want to go do a damn Ironman. Those of you who know me, know I have NEVER wanted to do a marathon, much less an entire Ironman. Nevertheless, here I am trying to figure out a way to get a full IM paid for and get my butt to the promised land (Kona).
Also of note today, I have yet to work out (my goggles broke before I could swim this morning) and I'm starting to flip out about graduation. Now, I've told quite a few people (and many more now, haha) about my plans to join the US Marine Corps as an officer. The only problem...I'm stuck between two places. The me on the right shoulder is saying..."Do it! You need the discipline, the stability, the financial security, and to finally grow up", but the me on the left shoulder is saying..."NO!!! You can make it as a pro and you can become the athlete that you always tell everyone that you will become. Don't throw away dreams!" I don't know, I do this a lot. I mean, it's kind of hard to race when you can't afford race entries, don't OWN a road bike (no really, I don't own a road bike) or even a back wheel. No joke, haha, I have one rear wheel that is an old spinergy that I use for everything because I don't have a rear training wheel. That makes things tough. Of course, there are people out there that find ways to make it work all the time. I guess I should quit bitchin' train my butt off, and just see where that takes me. Yeah, good idea.
Well, that's it for today. I'm hoping to get in a good hard run, maybe an hour in the trainer, and hopefully about 3000m in the pool later on. I'll let ya know how that all goes tomorrow.
Oh yeah, feel free to leave a comment telling me to quit whining. I welcome any and all advice...with anything really.
Hasta later peeps!
-Yorek
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Oh Austin! How I miss thee! (Uh, the city)
First off, I road 1.5 hours on the trainer yesterday afternoon, but did not get in the 30 min. run I'd hoped for. I did, however, go bowling, which was fun. And instead of doing homework...again...I'm thinking of how much I miss and love Austin, TX.
When (if) I graduate on May 9, I will make a stop in Kansas to visit Resie's family for a bit, then we are headed to home sweet home! I'm hoping that RunTex (the world's greatest running store) will have room for me once again. I enjoy working there and getting to help people find shoes that will get them out and running and staying fit. That place is a great place to work, with some of the most underrated staff I've ever been around (http://www.runtex.com/). Anyone working there knows there stuff. Mr. Justin Gabriel (An Austin legend) trained me himself. Not to mention one of the most widely known runners in Austin's great running history Bernard Manirakiza. I love talkin' crap with that guy even though I've only beat him once! haha
Then there are the guys at Jack and Adam's Bicycles. I have to give credit where credit is due...these guys got me into triathlon. I went to watch the CapTexTri in 2005 and met Adam Reiser who told me that I could be a great triathlete. Then I started following triathlon and the Ironman where I watched Desiree Ficker take 2nd in 2006 and thought she was just amazing.
Quick side story... Thank God she'll never read this blog, cause the first time I met Ms. Ficker I was racing her at the SkirtChaser 5k (shout out to http://www.skirtsports.com/ and the DeBoom's...great people). I went to introduce myself and she was like "I know who you are...and I just hope you finish 2nd so I can win the money" then she shook my hand. Of course, I stayed cocky and told her I wasn't gonna let that happen. Just as soon as she turned to leave I looked at my buddy and roommate at the time Justin Litchfield and said, "Oh my God, Desiree Ficker knows who I am!!) Again, I'm so very glad she'll never read this blog, haha. Anyway, good times.
Back to Jack and Adam's. Jack has taken care of me since I showed up in Austin thinking I was going to rule the triathlon world. An avid athlete himself at one time, he always let's me know how things are and tries to bring me into the real world, which is awfully hard to do. Not only that, but the people that work at J & A put up with my cocky attitude and lack of bike maintenance knowledge on a constant basis. (they draw the line at changing a tire, 'cause if you can't change a tire, you need not ride a bike...no really)
And finally, there is the beautiful people there in Austin. Not just beautiful in looks (though there are some awfully pretty people there), but just great, supportive, knowledgeable teams of people. For instance, the people at T3 (http://www.austint3.com/), a great triathlon team with great coaches and support, Dr. A.J. Zelinski and his staff at Advanced Rehabilitation (http://www.atxrehab.com/) have helped keep my body together with all of the crap I do to it, like breaking a collar bone, and finally the infinite knowledge of the guys at Source Endurance (http://www.source-e.net/), though I am easily the most uncoachable and inconsistent athlete on the planet, Derrick Williamson, Dave Wenger, and all of the people at source endurance have continued to help me hone my skills and use cutting edge technology to get the most out of the physiology that I have.
I am truly blessed to know all of these people and consider them friends of mine. The one wish I have ever had is the ability to be able to pay them back for all of the support they give me.
Thank you Austin!
Anyway, I'm off to class, then more homework that I keep putting off ;)
hasta!
Yorek
P.S. I know that this post looks like a huge commercial, but I am completely honest in everything that I say. I would not be the athlete I am today if not for the places and people that I know in Austin, TX. Honest truth.
When (if) I graduate on May 9, I will make a stop in Kansas to visit Resie's family for a bit, then we are headed to home sweet home! I'm hoping that RunTex (the world's greatest running store) will have room for me once again. I enjoy working there and getting to help people find shoes that will get them out and running and staying fit. That place is a great place to work, with some of the most underrated staff I've ever been around (http://www.runtex.com/). Anyone working there knows there stuff. Mr. Justin Gabriel (An Austin legend) trained me himself. Not to mention one of the most widely known runners in Austin's great running history Bernard Manirakiza. I love talkin' crap with that guy even though I've only beat him once! haha
Then there are the guys at Jack and Adam's Bicycles. I have to give credit where credit is due...these guys got me into triathlon. I went to watch the CapTexTri in 2005 and met Adam Reiser who told me that I could be a great triathlete. Then I started following triathlon and the Ironman where I watched Desiree Ficker take 2nd in 2006 and thought she was just amazing.
Quick side story... Thank God she'll never read this blog, cause the first time I met Ms. Ficker I was racing her at the SkirtChaser 5k (shout out to http://www.skirtsports.com/ and the DeBoom's...great people). I went to introduce myself and she was like "I know who you are...and I just hope you finish 2nd so I can win the money" then she shook my hand. Of course, I stayed cocky and told her I wasn't gonna let that happen. Just as soon as she turned to leave I looked at my buddy and roommate at the time Justin Litchfield and said, "Oh my God, Desiree Ficker knows who I am!!) Again, I'm so very glad she'll never read this blog, haha. Anyway, good times.
Back to Jack and Adam's. Jack has taken care of me since I showed up in Austin thinking I was going to rule the triathlon world. An avid athlete himself at one time, he always let's me know how things are and tries to bring me into the real world, which is awfully hard to do. Not only that, but the people that work at J & A put up with my cocky attitude and lack of bike maintenance knowledge on a constant basis. (they draw the line at changing a tire, 'cause if you can't change a tire, you need not ride a bike...no really)
And finally, there is the beautiful people there in Austin. Not just beautiful in looks (though there are some awfully pretty people there), but just great, supportive, knowledgeable teams of people. For instance, the people at T3 (http://www.austint3.com/), a great triathlon team with great coaches and support, Dr. A.J. Zelinski and his staff at Advanced Rehabilitation (http://www.atxrehab.com/) have helped keep my body together with all of the crap I do to it, like breaking a collar bone, and finally the infinite knowledge of the guys at Source Endurance (http://www.source-e.net/), though I am easily the most uncoachable and inconsistent athlete on the planet, Derrick Williamson, Dave Wenger, and all of the people at source endurance have continued to help me hone my skills and use cutting edge technology to get the most out of the physiology that I have.
I am truly blessed to know all of these people and consider them friends of mine. The one wish I have ever had is the ability to be able to pay them back for all of the support they give me.
Thank you Austin!
Anyway, I'm off to class, then more homework that I keep putting off ;)
hasta!
Yorek
P.S. I know that this post looks like a huge commercial, but I am completely honest in everything that I say. I would not be the athlete I am today if not for the places and people that I know in Austin, TX. Honest truth.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Workouts...finally ;)
Ok, I am finally ready to sit down and fill you in on the workouts I've been doing lately. I've found that I am in amazing shape, which kind of blows my mind, but I'll take it! I always start my weeks with Sunday, so I'll start there and work to this morning. :)
So, I ran with the Adams State red-shirt freshmen on Sunday morning, which may have been a bad idea because they are all in great shape, but I wanted a good hard run. I ended up running 15 miles, but the nice part was that after mile 3 I went 6:00, 5:49, 6:04, 5:50, 5:54, 5:17 (I always like to throw in a quick mile in the middle of my long run to shock the system) 6:15 (recovery mile, haha), 5:45, 5:50, 6:00, then I just kind of jogged the last two on my own at about 6:30 pace. That one hurt as I had done a 3-hour brick the day before, but that was it for Sunday.
On Monday, I have quite a bit of personal things happen and training kind of went out the window. It just felt like everything I needed to do before I graduate on May 9th all came down on me in one swoop. This was probably a good thing as my body probably needed a rest, so I just did maybe 20 minutes of jogging and then kicked the soccer ball around with Resie (a.k.a. Theresa, my girlfriend).
Yesterday (Tuesday) was a great workout. I didn't get a chance to workout until about 4:00 pm as I have class all day and more homework to do (which I should probably be doing now, haha) but it was FINALLY a nice day here in Alamosa, so I got on the tri bike and rode to Monte Vista (the next town over about 15 miles away) and back with 6x4 min. hard 4 min. easy thrown in the middle of that ride. I finished the 30 miles in 1:22 (give or take a minute) and then ran inside to thrown on my runnin' shorts and trainers and was out the door again about 2 min. later. I wanted to run 2 miles at about race pace, then chill a couple miles, then do another mile hard. I wanted to get to the first mile at about 5:30 then try and run 5:00 the 2nd mile, well...I got to the first mile in 5:03 (whoa!) and then thought I was dying, but hit mile 2 in 4:50. Wow!! That was great! This was on dirt at 7,544 ft. alt. (about 15 sec/mile adjustment to sea level), so I was haulin'! After that I jogged along at about 7 min. a mile for a mile then back to the ending point of the fast mile and hit it hard again. I wanted to try and break 5:00 again, so I just maintained form as best I could and tried to keep my breathing under control. 4:45!!! "Yeah, I can run", haha, I thought to myself as I began a 1.5 mile cool down back to the house. Nice work Yorek, now just learn how to swim and you might be able to do somethin!
That gets me to this morning, where I swam about 2200m. I can't really do a whole lot of yardage quite yet as I'm still trying to get my shoulder back to full working form after I snapped my right collar bone in a cycling race a little over a year ago. I can swim my 200m intervals on 3:00 min. at the moment, but I need to get much faster much quicker! At my last race, I swam 22:03 which was over a 2 min. PR, but I need to be swimming sub 20:00 in about a month and sub 19:00 by the end of the summer. We'll see how that goes.
Well, that's it for now. I'm hoping to do about 1.5-2.0 hours on the bike and another 30 min. easy run later on today, but I'll let ya know tomorrow if that's how it worked out.
Today is HUMP day! My favorite day of the week, which means bowling tonight. I hope everyone enjoys the day.
Hasta,
Yorek
So, I ran with the Adams State red-shirt freshmen on Sunday morning, which may have been a bad idea because they are all in great shape, but I wanted a good hard run. I ended up running 15 miles, but the nice part was that after mile 3 I went 6:00, 5:49, 6:04, 5:50, 5:54, 5:17 (I always like to throw in a quick mile in the middle of my long run to shock the system) 6:15 (recovery mile, haha), 5:45, 5:50, 6:00, then I just kind of jogged the last two on my own at about 6:30 pace. That one hurt as I had done a 3-hour brick the day before, but that was it for Sunday.
On Monday, I have quite a bit of personal things happen and training kind of went out the window. It just felt like everything I needed to do before I graduate on May 9th all came down on me in one swoop. This was probably a good thing as my body probably needed a rest, so I just did maybe 20 minutes of jogging and then kicked the soccer ball around with Resie (a.k.a. Theresa, my girlfriend).
Yesterday (Tuesday) was a great workout. I didn't get a chance to workout until about 4:00 pm as I have class all day and more homework to do (which I should probably be doing now, haha) but it was FINALLY a nice day here in Alamosa, so I got on the tri bike and rode to Monte Vista (the next town over about 15 miles away) and back with 6x4 min. hard 4 min. easy thrown in the middle of that ride. I finished the 30 miles in 1:22 (give or take a minute) and then ran inside to thrown on my runnin' shorts and trainers and was out the door again about 2 min. later. I wanted to run 2 miles at about race pace, then chill a couple miles, then do another mile hard. I wanted to get to the first mile at about 5:30 then try and run 5:00 the 2nd mile, well...I got to the first mile in 5:03 (whoa!) and then thought I was dying, but hit mile 2 in 4:50. Wow!! That was great! This was on dirt at 7,544 ft. alt. (about 15 sec/mile adjustment to sea level), so I was haulin'! After that I jogged along at about 7 min. a mile for a mile then back to the ending point of the fast mile and hit it hard again. I wanted to try and break 5:00 again, so I just maintained form as best I could and tried to keep my breathing under control. 4:45!!! "Yeah, I can run", haha, I thought to myself as I began a 1.5 mile cool down back to the house. Nice work Yorek, now just learn how to swim and you might be able to do somethin!
That gets me to this morning, where I swam about 2200m. I can't really do a whole lot of yardage quite yet as I'm still trying to get my shoulder back to full working form after I snapped my right collar bone in a cycling race a little over a year ago. I can swim my 200m intervals on 3:00 min. at the moment, but I need to get much faster much quicker! At my last race, I swam 22:03 which was over a 2 min. PR, but I need to be swimming sub 20:00 in about a month and sub 19:00 by the end of the summer. We'll see how that goes.
Well, that's it for now. I'm hoping to do about 1.5-2.0 hours on the bike and another 30 min. easy run later on today, but I'll let ya know tomorrow if that's how it worked out.
Today is HUMP day! My favorite day of the week, which means bowling tonight. I hope everyone enjoys the day.
Hasta,
Yorek
Monday, April 20, 2009
Hello!
Wow, what a day to start my blog. To save you (by you I mean the 2 or 3 people who I told to look at my blog, haha) the grief of listening to me whine, which I do really well, I'll just start with a simple introduction...
My name is Derek Yorek and I am a 25-year-old professional triathlete. I am a big brother to two beautiful little sisters, Shannon, 23, and Mackenzie, 18. I am currently attending Adams State College in Alamosa, CO, but my 7 year tenure here will (as long as I pass my remaining classes) will be ending on the 9th of May. Yes...I said (wrote) 7 years. "Lots of people go to school for 7 years...they're called Doctors!" I am a Christian man and am proud to be a part of Multisport Ministries. Also, I am a member of the Jack and Adam's Triathlon team. I'll explain these teams in more detail later.
I was born and raised in Texas and I will forever be a Texas man. I consider my home Austin and I will be returning to that particular home just as soon as this school nonsense is over.
Well, that's it for now. I will be posting pictures and talk about my training later on as well.
Hasta!
-Yorek
My name is Derek Yorek and I am a 25-year-old professional triathlete. I am a big brother to two beautiful little sisters, Shannon, 23, and Mackenzie, 18. I am currently attending Adams State College in Alamosa, CO, but my 7 year tenure here will (as long as I pass my remaining classes) will be ending on the 9th of May. Yes...I said (wrote) 7 years. "Lots of people go to school for 7 years...they're called Doctors!" I am a Christian man and am proud to be a part of Multisport Ministries. Also, I am a member of the Jack and Adam's Triathlon team. I'll explain these teams in more detail later.
I was born and raised in Texas and I will forever be a Texas man. I consider my home Austin and I will be returning to that particular home just as soon as this school nonsense is over.
Well, that's it for now. I will be posting pictures and talk about my training later on as well.
Hasta!
-Yorek
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