2,771 miles down

We have almost made our way through Mexico. We will definitely be in South America by the end of March. Our weekly mileage, 431 road/18 water, was our best since the 3rd week in January, and we have several people that have not yet reported, so that could increase.

Rob threw out the idea of some smaller challenges to include within our quest to keep us interested. I think this is a good idea, does anyone have suggestions? Rob mentioned shooting for a 500 mile week. I thought it might be fun to keep track of your times in a 5K, 500m swim, and 15 mile bike all done in a given week, and then try to improve that cumulative time every month or so. I would love to hear any other ideas.

That is all for now because I am tired and need sleep. Happy miles.

2,326 Miles down, 28,474 to go

We made our way through Mexico City, and then headed back towards the Gulf. We came to rest in Veracruz. Our timing is fortuitous, we are just in time for the largest Carnaval celebration outside of Brazil.

Rob led in mileage this week, the first non-Wente-led week (I think Mike was doing a recovery week). Rachel Hohenstein became our second 100 mile runner, Mazel Tov. Dave Wente got on his bike for the first time this year. And lastly, I would like to acknowledge The Wife, she has increased her mileage each week so far in 2009. And good luck to the Women of Troy in the tournament.

Mileage Goal Progress

It just dawned on me that we are roughly 10% of the way through 2009. I already mentioned that Mike Wente was on track with his goals (just under 10% with biking, 11% of the way to the running and swimming goals). In addition, Rob Haaland is ahead of his goal-pace in running (12.7%) and biking (11.7%), and nearly there in swimming (9%). Lauren Liaboe is ahead of pace in running (11.5%) and also close in swimming (9.4%).

Everyone else is a bit further behind their goal pace. I am sure many put the bulk of their miles on during the more temperate months, and I know there are some who are building a base right now so they can pile up the miles later in the year (I know Becky and I fall into this category).

Congratulations to those that are on pace, that is very impressive for this early in the year. For those that are lagging behind, remember that the ultimate goal is health and fitness. Use your goals as motivation, but do not become a slave to the numbers. If you think you should take a week off of running, do so. If you want to Yoga or lift weights instead of biking for a while, do so. And then when you are ready, get back to the miles in a happy and healthy frame of mind.

1,827 miles down, 28,973 to go

We started off in Monterey, Mexico, and we are making our way towards Mexico City, with a little detour to see the Gulf of Mexico at Tampico, Mexico. I rely almost entirely upon the Wikipedia notes from Google maps to pick up info about the regions through which we travel, and Wikipedia does not have a lot to say about this particular region (come on residents of Tamaulipas, Mexico, do your part!). However, I did find out that there is a family that is taking a 2 1/2 year bicycle trip from Alaska to Argentina along the Pan-American Highway. In fact, the Vogels were recently in the very area that we find ourselves. Check out their progress, I think you will find it interesting.

Our mileage was a bit lower this week, but I expect those dips occassionally. I think until the weather gets nicer we will hover right around that 400 mile per week mark. A couple of milestones have been met. We reached 1,000 miles biking as a team, and 500 miles running as a team. Additionally, Mike Wente has reached 500 miles biking (over 9% to his goal) and 100 miles running (over 11% of the way to his yearly goal). Chris "Deep Fat" Fry competed at the Luther alumni meet this week, jumping 1.75m in the high jump, and 12m in the triple jump, not bad for an old lawyer. I would also like to recognize everybody's favorite celebrity couple, Megan Dabroski and Jake Abbott (or Jagan Abboski, as the tabloids have dubbed them). Cumulatively, they have totaled 48.5 miles running and 18 miles biking. Keep up the good work. And Jake, this would be a good time to practice those tire-changing skills, you will need to be sharp come July.

Everybody practice exercising while holding your breath this coming week, we are heading through Mexico City. If you are looking for realism, you might want to try exercising while smoking a cigar, or alternately try biking behind diesel vehicles all week long. And lastly, Mike Wente wanted me to pass the following message along to Dave: get off your butt you frickin' pansy (paraphrased).

Monterey, Mexico

"You boys like Mex-ee-co?! Yeeeeeehah!"

So we are officially international. After making a brief stop to tour the River Walk in San Antone, and a briefer stop to pay homage to one of the great recording artists of all time in Pearsall, we crossed over the Rio Grande at Laredo. We were lucky enough to pass through Laredo during the Washington Birthday Celebration, a nearly month-long party to celebrate George Washington. We were able to partake in the Jalapeno eating contest and a little Jamboozie (think Texas Mardi Gras). We finished up in Monterey, Mexico, not only one of the finest cities in the world, but home to one-time World's Largest Man, Manuel Uribe (weighing in at a svelte 1,257 pounds).

We are a month in, and this is the time the nagging injuries usually start. I'll share some advice from your peers to keep you healthy and motivated.

Even horses like Big Mike Wente back off a bit every month or so to let the body recover, so don't be afraid to take it easy every now and again.

Rob points out the importance of moderating your intensity while trying to build miles. You can't go high intensity and high volume at the same time, something has to give.

If something doesn't feel right, for God's sake take a little time off, better to miss a day or two than an entire month once it gets bad.

A number of people pointed out the importance of strength work. It is easy to neglect this aspect when we get wrapped up in mileage goals, but take your time and build a good base, including strength. The mileage will come eventually.

Lastly, I would encourage everyone to keep their egos in check. We are not all young anymore, our body does not recover like it once did, and we are not all in peak condition (yet). Take things slow. Slow, steady progress is the greatest motivator. People usually get sick of working out when they quit making progress or start feeling lousy (overtrained). These things can be prevented by setting attainable, short-term goals, and taking a conservative approach to achieving them.

Welcome aboard to Chris "Deep Fat" Fry, who has recently joined our quest. Congratulations to Dave Wente for logging his first miles of the year, and congratulations to Katie Green and Alysha for good weeks. Unfortunately Katie suffered a sprained knee while playing some racquetball and may be out of commission for a bit, but we will certainly all send get-well wishes her way.

Keep up the good work.