Team UR 2013!

Good Afternoon -

It's been a few months since I posted last on my blog here and have a TON going on, both in the Triathlon World and my personal life, but don't we all?

I'm officially in training for 2013.  My schedule has about 10 different races slotted in this year - a mix of Running and Triathlon with a few Biking and Swimming Events spattered throughout - but I'll speak to all of that later!

What's awesome about this year?  I'm officially being sponsored by UR Performance Fuel!  UR was the primary liquid fuel of choice during the 2012 training season and while racing Ironman Madison last year.  UR is a smaller company with a ton of potential, mainly because of the quality of product they're putting out there. 

UR is a liquid performance fuel (powder form mixed with water, juice, etc) like many other fuels on the market.  It's caloric count and protein/carbo ratio's are not that much different either.  I have used it to fuel from as "weak" as 1 scoop per 24oz of water up to as strong as 6 scoops per 24oz of water - whatever's needed for your taste and caloric needs.

So, you ask why do I use UR then?  First of all, the taste isn't to "sugary".  Some fuels are to sweet to consume over a lengthened period of time (Ironman, Century Rides, Etc.) - this was my issue main issue with Infinit and Ironman Perform.    UR has an average taste is palatable for long rides, events.  I use GU's as well (Strawberry Banana), but after 5 of the same flavor - it gets brutal!

Second - the ingredients do not cause GI distress.  I have never had a problem with bloating or GI issues while using UR.  I have discussed this with others as well, no issues with UR.  This was my main issue with Accelerade.

UR is an awesome product that is going somewhere.  I recommend you pick up a canister of this amazing fuel.

http://www.ur-theanswer.com/

As always, Keep up the Endurance...Keep up the Intensity!

Jake

2012 Racing Season Wrap-Up

The 2012 Racing Season is Complete. (Voices in My Head Cheering!)

What were my goals at the start of 2012?

Primary Goals:
1.) HAVE FUN - COMPLETE
2.) Improve my Physical Fitness - COMPLETE

Secondary (A) Goals
1.) Finish Ironman WI - COMPLETE
2.) Run my 1st Marathon - COMPLETE
3.) Finish Ironman 70.3 Racine - COMPLETE

Minor (B) Goals:
1.) 8:00m/m Marathon (changed to Boston Qualifier Times 7:10m/m (2011) - missed this by 2min)
2.) Sub - 5hr Ironman 70.3 Racine  - COMPLETE
3.) Sub 13hr Ironman (changed to Sub 11hour) - COMPLETE

I can say with an immense amount of enthusiasm; I have accomplished all of my Primary and Secondary goals this year.  Yesterday morning, I was able to sit down over breakfast and review the season with my coach, Carla Hastert of Training Bible Coaching.  We discussed the success I had, some misteps and challenges that we overcame, and started discussing 2013.

I'm a very goal driven person.  I'm the donkey chasing that carrot on a string in front of me...I thrive off of that attitude with determination.  While discussing the season yesterday - I stumbled upon an anaology that I wanted to share.  My season turned into an onion, having multiple layers.  As you can see, my minor (B) goals changed during the season - all becoming more aggressive.  I was lucky enough to see a drastic amount of improvement this year; with that improvement, I adjusted my goals to contine to chase a goal always at the tip of my fingertips  I recommend you constantly analyze what your goals were/are, then set and adjust them as needed.  Keep your carrot in front of you!

I've been recovering from Ironman Wisconsin for 6 weeks now.  Plantar Fascitis still plagues my left foot so I continue to treat it with Strength Training and Physical Therapy Exercies.  I have started to set my Secondary goals for 2013....for now though, I'm sticking with my Primary Goals of having fun and Improving my Physical Fitness.  I'm attempting to improve how I eat, while also just enjoying the workouts - with minimal expectations for now other than to HAVE FUN!!!

As you wrap your seasons:

Keep up the Endurance...Keep up the Intensity!

Jake

 

The Age Grouper and the Tri-Spouse

My last post was about how I started triathlon.  This is a fairly new sport for me...wrapping up my second "official" season.  Some might be asking, WHY is HE writing a blog about Endurance, Triathlons, etc?  I definately welcome everyone to view/comment on this blog and I hope everyone can gleam some knowledge or at least an "ah ha!" or "hmm" moment.  That said, I'm not writing it for the 10hr Ironman, the 3hr Marathoner, the 18min 5K runner - I'm writing it for the age grouper.  This is for the guy or girl that has to squeeze their workout in at 5:00am before a 9hr workday so as to not take away time from their family or job.  It's for the person that gets on the trainer at 9pm in the basement on a Saturday night because they chose the zoo instead of a 40mile bike ride.  This is for the athlete that is training for their first 5K, maybe their first half marathon and fighting shin splints and needing a nudge to keep going.  This is for the age grouper!

I want to write a note about the people that allow us be the endurance nuts we are.  I need to give a LOUD shout out to the spouses and family members out there.  We're endurance junkies, we're a little bit (or a lot) crazy.  Some of our significant others are cut from the same cloth, some are not.  Regardless, it takes patience, fortitude, and a TON OF LOVE to deal with us.  For me, 2012 has been an amazing adventure full of joyful tears, HUGE smiles, and of course the always roller coaster set of emotions that encompany workouts and races.  I have to say THANK YOU to my wife and my two boys for being there for me physically, mentally, and emotionally along the way.   I also have to say Thank You to my extended family of supporters, babysitters, and friends that enable me to accomplish my personal goals....you have ALL made 2012 possible. 

Maybe your race year isn't complete (my wife is running her first 1/2 marathon in November- GO FAITH!!), maybe you decided to not race this year...none the less - we're all supported by someone! 

I'm sure each of everyone reading this has a huge group of supporters that have given you the opportunity to attack your goals this year.  Say Thank You today...we forget to sometimes. 

Thank you Faith, Zachary and Benjamin!

Keep up the Endurance...Keep up the Intensity!

Who is Jake Dallmann? Why the Endurance Stuff?

I'm an endurance athlete.  

I have to admit that right off the bat (like this is an AA group).  I'm setting this blog up to talk about the average guy (or girl), the insanity of endurance sports, and the fun of our "addiction"! 

Where did this all begin for me, Jake Dallmann?  I was an athlete growing up - average at most sports with my "big" sports growing up being hockey and golf (in High School).   I did a stint of cross country in Middle School and lettered my freshman year.  Funny enough though, I hated running (especially racing); so I called that sport quits. 
I joined the Army National Guard while in College - was a 91B - Combat Medic - two summers of Army Training put 15lbs of muscle on my frame - taking me from a whopping 155lbs to 170lbs (soaking wet).  Like many other college students, I made the stupid choice and started SMOKING...up to a pack a day.  Because of the military though, I always stayed in shape, always worked out, always stayed just healthy enough to run 2 miles in 16 minutes (PT Test).

I graduated from college, stopped working out as much, continued to smoke, etc. etc.  Then came my wake up call....October 17th, 2009.  My wife was pregnant with our first child which was prepping me to quit, but the unexpected happened - my father in law was diagnosed with cancer.  Two days later, I had my last cigarette.  I have never looked back.

Boom - my weight blew up to 220lbs.  I knew lifting weights wouldn't cut it anymore - running commenced.  My knees didn't like 5 days a week of treadmills so I started doing 30 minute sessions on the spin bikes to take some pressure of the knees.  A co-worker had mentioned an old bike of his, he loaned it to me so I could try road biking, which I loved!  I was now a duathlete...why not add swimming right!!???

Like so many other triathletes though - I only knew how to survival swim.  I could get across a pool or to/from a raft in a lake, but NOT for endurance!  Looking back, my first swim at the YMCA was hilarious.  Once I hit the deep end of the pool, my "flight" kicked in and I felt like I was going to drown.  I knew how to swim...just wasn't comfortable in the water.  It tooks WEEKS for the "flight" mechansm in my brain to shut off.  YouTube videos, Books, and friendly advice gave me an OK enough stroke to swim an OK distance workouts.

I trained for triathlons for 6 months before I officially became a "triathlete"!  Three years after getting in the pool, I was an Ironman.  That's my journey to becoming an endurance athlete.  I believe everyone has the ability to enjoy the pride, happiness, and spirit that comes with endurance events.  It might not be 140.6 miles...maybe it's a first 10K or a Sprint Tri.  No matter the distance, the pride and happiness has been there almost exploding inside for every endurance finish. 

So that's my story.  I've made my share of stupid health decisions over the last 14 years - I've now fallen in love with Endurance. 

So - go for a swim, bike, run...exercise!  Have fun...find your own endurance pride!

Jake Dallmann