Friday, January 14, 2011

Late To The Party - 2010 Wrap Up....

This post kept getting pushed out because I'm still not sure how or what to write about 2010.  I can easily post my training volume and an overview of my race results (and I'll get to that), but that stuff is less than half the story.  I could also just say that 2010 was "awesome" or "incredible" or "life changing", but rapid fire superlatives wouldn't fairly describe the year either.

Maybe the true impact of 2010 will reveal itself later, and any trouble writing about it now comes down to the fact that I don't yet know what I am talking about.

All I can say now is that 2010 will be remembered as one of the most important years of my life.  2010 is the year I got back on my feet again.  2010 is the year where I matured as a person more than in any other time in my life.  2010 is the year where I buckled down and started to become more accountable again to friends and family.  But to use a training metaphor, I still consider the year a base training period, because I also know I still have a ways to go.

2010 wasn't all great.  Some ghosts of the past have resurfaced and have forced me to go on the offensive with some old business partners.  I can blame them all I want, but had I dealt with these issues when I should of, these ghosts could have stayed buried.  But I suppose the consolation prize is that I am handing these matters with a better standard than I could have a few years ago.  And regardless of whether something is to the good or to the bad, this is how you learn about yourself.

As far as actual training, I think it's probably fair to say that except maybe for running, I cycled and swam more in 2010 than I had in the previous 40 years.


I'm still not too disciplined in my training.  In other words, more often than not I just go out and run or cycle with very little attention paid to training "techniques" like speed-work or interval training.  That did start to change in 2010 - especially with swimming - but in 2011 I'd both like to both increase my training load and train smarter.

As far as racing is concerned, I participated in 5 sprint triathlons, 2 Olympic triathlons, 3 running races ranging from 5-10K and a Aquathlon.


I struggled early in the year mostly due to poor swimming, but by July I started to hit a stride and for the rest of the year finished all my races in the top 25%, which is more than I ever wanted to begin with.

One thing that's for sure is that I came out of 2010 stoked.  In 2011, I'm scheduled to run a half marathon (my first), compete in a half Ironman (again, my first) and take part in the Hood To Coast relay (yep, you guessed it - a first).  I'll be sprinkling in a few local Southern California sprint and Olympic distance races in as well.  And then I'll have to wait and see what happens.  I remember being at the starting line of the Desert Sprint Triathlon last March genuinely worried about the upcoming 500 meter swim.  And though my worry wasn't for naught (I blew the swim), I still made it through.  Now when I need to swim 500 meters it's (I dare say) not even a concern.  So who knows how I will feel on January 14th, 2012?  Hopefully, I will have successfully completed both a half marathon and a half Iron distance race and will be sitting here planning for a full marathon and full Ironman.  You never know.  At a minimum, I'll probably have 2010 fully figured out by then.

17 comments:

Kate Geisen said...

Congratulations on a great year! I'm looking forward to hearing how 2011 goes for you. I have no doubt that you'll rock that half marathon, and I hope you (or someone on your team) takes tons of pictures at Hood to Coast.

TRI714 said...

Ha Ha. It all sounds often. Plus you got me nagging your ass now. Trying to tag along and stuff. :0

Unknown said...

Excellent training numbers Patrick. it is amazing when you look at all the hours spent over a year on our little hobby.

Emz said...

yep. you.are.too.late

the party....
...it's over. well unless you are flying to az for dinner tonight.

Jason said...

From the looks of it and our email conversations 2010 was a great base year for you as you say and better things are still to come.

I love seeing your tweets and fb updates on how far you ran/swam/cycled and for how long. It truly motivates me so keep doing what you do b/c it affects more than just your lifestyle.

Anonymous said...

I posted my 2010 just this week too- so you're not alone there. Looking forward to what 2011 will bring!

Pahla said...

Late or not, this was a terrific recap. 2010 was obviously an excellent year for you - cheers to an even better 2011!

Unknown said...

You've had an amazing year and so many great things to look forward to.
I'd say you're hooked.

Chris K said...

You forgot to mention your WIN. That was awesome. See you in 3 weeks.

Tortuga_Runner said...

WOW 2011 is slated to be a little slice of super-fantastic-ariffic-er-est superlative pie.

Johann said...

You had a fantastic year and I'm sure 2011 will be even better. Party...? I missed the party completely myself.

KovasP said...

Really like how you are looking at 2011 as yet another stepping stone and not as a finite point to reach. As we get older, I think many of us start to look at the bigger picture and plan accordingly. Nice job in 2010. May it be the worst year of the rest of your life.

Glenn Jones said...

Interesting how hard work and persistence focused in the right direction pays off. Way to go Patrick!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

Hood to coast!! That's awesome! But, finishing in the top 25% in all your events is truly a feat!

Wishing you the best and healthy, continued training in 2011!

Jennifer said...

I have been a follower since early on, and I still remember some of the early painful runs and various new experiences. You have come a long way baby! Can't wait to see the rest of the journey. Remember- Always run the tangents, but never cut the corners!

You rock Patrick and your contributions to the sport(s)are very appreciated.

Big Clyde said...

Well done on 2010...the mileage is insane. But good for you for facing the ghosts of the past. Whether valid or not, it sounds like you really stood up and face it straight on. Not easy for most people.

Thanks for everything you have done for me: the constant encouragement, the extensive advice and the EAP. At the annual banquet dinner, I will nominate you for Dude of the Year.

Lucas R. Tucker said...

great year and a better one to come!!

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