More of the same with a tiny bit of exercise

Wow, I feel like I have been working everyday, all day to get this new Skinfit website launched. It has been a lot of work but we are finally close ( I swear!)and I am really excited about it. I have also been hammering out the 2010 marketing budget/plan and tapping into all of our resources to make sure we have a successful year and website launch. There is no shortage of stuff to do regarding Skinfit but the good news is that we are making some MAJOR headway! Seriously, some really good stuff on the horizon. In fact, we just signed a deal to sponsor the Tri Club of San Diego, which is the biggest triathlon club out there (thousands of people!). It is a great group and we are happy to be in their corner for 2010! Plus, we sponsoring Lesley Paterson 100% this year...she will be decked out from head to toe in Skinfit. Headquarters came through big on this one!

Switching gears, I was cleared to do some light riding this week. I am serious when I say light...30-45 min in my easiest gear. I have been doing it on the trainer. I also started back at Rehab United with stretching, super light strengthening, and ART. It does feel good to be active again even if it is for such short periods of time. I long for some hard riding and running but I feel so far off from that it is a bit discouraging to even think about it. So, baby steps and I hope things will turn the corner at the magic 6-8 week mark (post procedure). Living day-by-day at this point but I have come to accept it. Just focusing on the positives...good thing there are so many right now.

So, that is it from here. Just plugging along. I am certain all the hard work will pay off and you can bet I will be the first one celebrating when it does ;)

Have fun out there!
I found some good pics on the computer...sources of motivation for me in my quest to get back.

-First and last race as an Xterra pro (the past 2 years haven't been kind to racing!)

--The Skinfit boys at the West Champs (when it was actually in CA...bring it back!)

--Racing road trip...good times with good friends

Working hard....

Post Thanksgiving I am feeling FAT....ha, ha oh well. It was a fun holiday and I am rolling (maybe literally) right into Christmas!

I have been crazy busy lately trying to get the new Skinfit website up so we can maximize our exposure during the Xmas rush and Ironman World Championship viewing. I am so excited about our new website I can hardly contain myself. You will all see is soon!

I am still resting my knee, which means the only exercise I get is walking my dog on the beach (not bad I guess =) ). This Friday it will be 3 weeks post procedure so I think I will be cleared to do some light riding next week. We will see what the Dr. says. Whatever he says I will do b/c I want to be healed and back to enjoying the outdoors. So, if it means another week of nothing then so be it. I am going a little crazy but all the Skinfit work is keeping me more then busy. They say at 6 weeks the procedure should have regenerated the tissue. The procedure along with some "real" time off should do something good for me. I mean, really, all I want for Christmas is a healthy knee!!! Come on Santa!

Well, back to work. Just thought I would give an update. Have fun out there!

Skinfit athlete wins IM Cozumel!

Our very own Skinfit athlete, Yvonne Van Vlerken won IM Cozumel in stunning fashion yesterday! She CRUSHED the field! Congrats Yvonne...way to rock Skinfit on your way to your first IM win!

Checkout this article....

San Luis Obispo Training Camp....with Jim Vance and TrainingBible Coaching

This is going to be a great camp. I will be there training with the crew. If your looking to get away, ride some amazing roads, become a better, faster athlete you should do this. It is a great value and will be a blast!

Register here.


TrainingBible Coaching California Triathlon Camp - March 2010
TrainingBible Coaching California Triathlon Camp
March 11th-14th, 2010, (Thursday – Sunday)
San Luis Obispo/Atascadero, California

The Perfect Training Camp for Wildflower, St. George, or Oceanside!

Camp Features:
• All workouts are coach-led, by a TrainingBible Coach, for swim, bike and run!
• Training on Wildflower Triathlon bike course and surrounding areas
• Coach on-deck for pool sessions
• Fully-sagged rides
• Underwater swim video technique assessment for each athlete, ($100 value!)
• Run video technique assessment for each athlete, ($100 value!)
• 3 classroom sessions, for learning, Q&A, discussion and individual learning, totaling 4 hours in length!
• Free airport shuttle to those flying via San Luis Obispo Airport to/from camp hotel
• 16-25 hours of training in 4 days! (Swim 6 hrs, Bike 7-13 hrs, Run 3-6 hrs)
• Hotel discounted rate (Athletes are responsible for food, lodging and travel to San Luis Obispo.)


The camp will feature training totals of:
Swim - 6 hours
Bike - 7-13 hours
Run - 3-6 hours
Total Training - 16-25 hours in 4 days!

Costs:
March 11th – 14th Camp (Thursday-Sunday): $499 ($449 for TrainingBible Athletes!)

Extended Camp Opportunity March 8th – 14th (Monday – Sunday): $799 ($749 for TrainingBible Athletes!) ****Extended camp opportunity is for those who want to extend the experience and enjoy a full week of training with the TrainingBible Coaching athletes and staff****

Register at Active.com

Camp Hotel – Best Western Colony Inn, Atascadero
Hotel Features:
• Free continental breakfast
• Free internet
• Pool access, (Kennedy Club)
• Special rate of $99-$105/night (Based on occupancy)
• Amenities include refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker

Send any questions to the Camp Coordinator, Orlanda Vance, at ovance at trainingbible dot com.

Hope to see you there!

Coach Vance

Rolling along...

Since my most recent PRP therapy on my knee I have been taking it easy...well, maybe it is better to say I haven't done once ounce of exercise since the procedure 12 days ago. The doctor said if I can mentally handle not doing anything it is best to rest it and let my body repair itself. At this point, what is the benefit of doing anything other then resting?! I have been out for about 7 months now so who really cares about a few weeks of inactivity. Sure, I hate not being out enjoy the weather on my bike or in my running shoes but I would rather be 100% come Jan 1st then still battling this injury. I do struggle with the lack of exercise and gaining weight but I have actually become pretty good at turning my brain off and just focusing on the here and now.

After all, why sit around and feel bad for myself...there are so many cool things to do and so much fun to be had outside of this small triathlon/athletic bubble we live in. Am I eating, drinking, "celebrating" too much? Yes, but I am having a lot of fun with family and friends at the moment so who cares?! I am sure there are some people out there that think I am being overindulgent and excessive but these people are likely the ones that need to actually step back, put some fun into their lives, stop chasing workout after workout, laugh more, and live a more balanced lifestyle.

Truthfully, I start to hate how one-dimensional us as triathletes/athletes are...we become so fixated on training and racing that we forget how much else is out there. I certainly think there is a balance and to be great you have to sacrifice but you don't have to be so one-dimensional and short-sighted when you do it. I have actually felt this way for a while but only now when I have been forced to sit on the sidelines do I realize how prevalent it is and how important it is to open your eyes and see what else the world has to offer. The fact of the matter is that I have hungout with a lot of professional triathletes/athletes and they are ALWAYS the ones that cut loose the most and have a lot of fun during all of their adventures. Perhaps some of the hardcore amateurs should take a page from their book? I am a 100% certain that if you live a more balanced life and stop being so anal you will be a faster athlete. Okay, I will stop rambling but I think it needs to be said b/c I see this attitude in San Diego more then anywhere else I have lived/traveled and I think it is detrimental to ones health and happiness.

Shifting gears, I can't believe it is Thanksgiving already! The year has gone so fast. Jess and I moved down here 1 year ago...crazy! It has been a roller-coaster ride but I think things are stabilizing and I am happy about this. This past year, I learned a lot about myself and how strong Jess and I are individually and as a couple. I am really thankful for all that we have...we don't really need anything more. We had money, company cars, a nice house, etc. and we walked away from it all one year ago. Why? B/c life is all about happiness, adventure, and risk. We were comfortable in our past life but comfortable isn't how we want to live so we took a chance, broke from practical and safe, and set out on a journey to find out what we are made of, what makes us laugh/smile, and to discover a life that will inspire others to chase their dreams. I don't regret for one minute leaving all those material things behind. Was life easy with the high paying job, expense account, great insurance, yadda, yadda? Could I have retired early with all the material things so many people chase everyday? Yes, but then I would have looked back on my working life and wondered what the hell I spent 50 years chasing and why I didn't try to have more fun. It pains me to see people work for 40 or 50 years so they can "live" when they retire. I would rather work until the day I die and have enough fun for two lifetimes along the way.


That's it from here. Enjoy the holiday and remember to have fun out there!

Skinfit makes the perfect Christmas gift!

Don't forget to place your Skinfit HOLIDAY orders! I know Thanksgiving comes first but keep us in mind for Christmas! Our winter gear and baselayers make perfect gifts!!!
Email orders to skinfit.usa@skinfit.eu or just go on the web and place your order (www.skinfit.eu, USA tab).

Keep living the Skinfit lifestyle!

My week in pictures....

Tons of fun up north...good times with good friends in SLO to kick it off. A very painful PRP procedure on my knee just before a great party in Los Gatos. Then a quick Big Sur trip, Radiers game (and some amazing chicken and waffles!) , another Big Sur trip and back home. Action packed to say the least!

















My life is good and I wouldn't trade it with anyone!!!!!