My First Hotel Brick

Now was the time to start an awesome overnight workout regiment. Staying at the Hilton in Downtown Toronto which has an awesome gym and accommodating facilities, I was determined to finish what would become my first hotel brick. The pool was pretty much full around 11:00am with the ensuing Caribana 2010 Festival going on and people checking in, but the indoor cycling machine and treadmill was available for full utilization! Sleep last night was almost a lost cause as I went to bed at 2:00am and woke up at 5:00am. Three hours of sleep wasn't that much, but at I was rested well enough to conduct one flight from Atlanta to Toronto. I knew that I needed some nutrients so I grabbed a quick airport breakfast of Corned Hash, Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs & a Biscuit somewhere on the Atlanta A Concourse then headed to the plane. I ate enroute, we landed smoothly, took the local shuttle downtown to the airport (25 minutes) where I took a light nap, checked-in, got to my room and quickly put on workout clothes.

I did so because I knew that if I laid down for just 1 minute, I would fall asleep. I got on the indoor cycling machine and started hammering. I set the timer at 1 hour knowing that I could at least get my 20K/12.2 miles in and around 30 minutes, I started really hurting. I could feel that my lack of sleep wasn't contributing to the ideal body feeling but I kept on going. I finished w/ approximately 16.73 miles in 65 minutes (5 minute cooldown) but I have to say that the riding position is far from the real thing. Not sure if that's going to affect my actual rides but the workout did do a number on my thigh burn.

I had to refill my water bottle during the transition but in order to do so, I had to swap out the water jugs on the cooler. I took a little bit of a breather and started a light jog at 6.0. My legs were definitely a little mushy but I increased the pace to 6.5 and felt great! At mile 2.0, I hit a wall but I kept on going. I increased to 7.0, then to 8.0 at the last quarter and did a long cool down stretching at the same time. 3.63 miles total!

There was a point in the transition that I was going to skip the run altogether, but I was proud of myself that I kept on going. I even walked another 4-5 miles with the crew around Downtown! I have to head to bed early for a 4:50am van ride back to the airport so, goodnight for now. I might wake up early and do some upper body or maybe some early morning yoga streches in the room. Good times in training.

Thanks for the Birthday Wishes!!!

Nothing, except this video, can show you how I'm feeling right now! Please watch through 1:40 and just revel in this man's simple joy as I am doing so right this very moment! Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes!

Keeping up with my fitness workouts, since last Wednesday's NiteMovesSD 5K, I've run / trained on three more on some hotel treadmill goodness. Doing well, going steady and finding my stride!

Yet Another 5K w/ @NiteMovesSD (3rd one)

Going into tonight, I was all about the stride and keeping up a beat / cadence. I started off strong and on the right note but somewhere after the first 1.2 miles, I lost it. I tried keeping up with a guy that had a great pace but I still limped out and ended up 10 seconds behind him =( It's a little hard, but I'm definitely starting to feel it come into play. The next 12 days are going to be a little erratic being that I'm heading back east and flying again. Crossing the fingers hoping I can be headstrong and motivated to hit the hotel treadmills and local areas. My official time was 27:45 which was great since I was gunning for under 28 mins. I just forgot to stop my Garmin #FAIL I have to admit that the Tabe BBQ Truck Fish Burrito (I upgraded from the free taco) was AMAZING!!! I wonder if they'll "cater" the rehearsal dinner?

2nd Brick in the Bag

Getting out to perform another brick was a little bit more of a task than the first. Motivation wasn't necessarily high but I knew that I should do it up so I donned my Saxo Bank Cycling Suit and headed out. I put on earbuds this time w/ my iPhone Quattro set to shuffle my 'Recently Added Music' Playlist as well as drinking a full bottle of liquid. That wasn't the best idea, but for nutrition, I had half a Costco pizza, polish dog and a chicken caesar salad w/ diet coke to boot. Mix in a couple of samples from the Sunday Costco Buffet and that was it. I can't say that it was good energy, but nonetheless, I was ready. I didn't have anything else to work out. I was making good time on the bike ride but near the end of the last climb, a weird muscle that I've never felt on my back start to pain me a little. It slowed me down tremendously, but I kept on rolling. This ride was definitely a lot more "boring" without a pace setter w/ me (ala @juanrcm) but it was a good ride overall. When I got to the house, I changed quickly and for the first time realized how hard it is to actually change from bicycling outfit to running shorts with all the sweat in between. I almost didn't make the change because it was like taking off a wetsuit and putting on another wetsuit. Gross I know, but seriously sucks!

I stepped outside and started jogging forgetting to grab my new Garmin Wrist Strap for my Garmin Edge 500 GPS.  I didn't want to delay further so I set out at a mild pace. At about .2 miles, I noticed how my legs felt as if concrete had dried up in my veins. It was a rough first mile, but I got through it. I'm definitely happy that this time around I was able to ride 12.9 miles and jog ~3.4 miles mimicking the full route for the San Diego Tri-Rock. I felt good overall but I'm still lacking in the swimming portion. I better get on that huh?

Here are my Garmin Connect Maps from yesterday's brick.

Another Wednesday, Another Nite Moves San Diego 5K (@NiteMovesSD)

As much as I wanted to run below the 27 minute mark, I was forced to walk more than run.  I haven't been this fatigued since the first time I became a weekend warrior and ran a 10K.  My legs basically just said no.  It's not excuse but the night prior, I finished my first brick which I was still hurting from. However, I did beat my previous week's time by a couple of seconds, 5 to be exact, so I'm happy with that.  I was put to shame by a mother with a dual race stroller with two babies in carriage.  I could have overtaken them but it was near the finish line and I didn't want to look like the over zealous douche.  Being courteous is all part of the game right?!

Tonight, I got to meet a bunch more of the guys and had a good time enjoying some FireStone Beers and more Tabe Taco Truck!  I had a chance to speak to Jenner (the awesome guy that setup Nite Moves in San Diego) and volunteer my services for the run or two.  I also got a chance to hear about the possibility of adding a swimming portion for next year in the channel just adjacent to the Naval Training Center Liberty Station Park which would be awesome!  I can't wait till next week!

Here's some data from Garmin Connect:

Books & My First Brick

As previously noted just a day ago, I signed up for my first Sprint Tri.  More specifically, I signed up for the San Diego Tri-Rock which is just under 58 days from the publishing of this post.  I have the bug and I can't deny it.  Buying a couple of magazines tonight and reading the last two editions of Competitor Magazine San Diego Edition, I'm all about getting fit and doing it right.  Well, starting off on the right foot at least.  I thought that I could get off to a simple easy start w/ more magazines so I set out to Barnes and Nobles in Mira Mesa and picked up a couple more.

One of my friend's had a book entitled "Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance" by Matt Fitzgerald which looked good so I thought of picking that up too.  Of course, the only one that they had in stock was on hold but I might as well just buy the book from Amazon anyways.  I also found another book by critically acclaimed trainer, coach and athlete Joe Friel conveniently titled "Your First Triathlon" so I added that to the cart too.  Expect reviews on adellelijah.com in the upcoming weeks.

Click on these links below to check them out via my amazon affiliate link!

Since I decided a couple of days ago to do this sprint tri, I thought that I should get a head start and do the bicycle and running portion of the race.  Apparently this is called a brick with whom I was enlightened by Mr. Espiritu (@ly0n123).  Today was the first full day that I was back in San Diego, so I made it my goal to do the 4S Ranch CC Loop (which conveniently happens to be a 20K (12.4 miles)) followed by a 5K (3.1 miles).  I also got to ride with a new colleague, Mr. Juan M. (@juanrcm)who found me on Twitter as a cyclist in his neighborhood.  I kept a great pace with a goal in mind to beat my previous 55 minute trial and riding alongside Juan made it easier and more enjoyable. Check them out here via my Garmin Edge 500 from Garmin Connect. note: I still have yet to pick up the Garmin Quick Release kit so that I can wear my G500 on my wrist instead of gripping it in my hand while jogging. Maybe I'll pick it up tomorrow at REI in Convoy.

I had a 10 minute transition which included changing my outfit + shoes and waiting for my sister. It all worked out in the end, but I copped out and only completed 2 miles. Here's my excuse if you care to know: It was getting dark and I decided that I should head in.

I still think that I did a pretty awesome job with it being my first brick workout and all. I'm going to be at Nite Moves SD tomorrow night anyways for a full 5K so I don't feel that bad. Come check it out!

If you're asking, I'm thinking about swimming tomorrow or sometime later in the week. Not open water just yet, but we'll see.

Going All the Way!!!

I figured that since I'm pretty serious with training for a Sprint Tri I have to enhance my personal motivation, so I took the next step and I committed myself.  I signed up for the San Diego Tri-Rock Series which takes place on September 12, 2010.

This specific Sprint Tri includes a 500m swim, 20km bike followed by a 5K run.  I'm not that scared but you can say that the swim frightens me a little bit.  I was able to swim 600m the other day at the apartment pool but I was taking breaks here and there.  My next goal this week is to really condition myself at the local YMCA or maybe the LA Fitness.  I'm not sure how I'm going to do this but I have some time!

Time I have left to train for my first sprint tri: [fergcorp_cdt_single date="September 12, 2010"]

Nite Moves SD 2010 a.k.a NiteMovesSD via @NiteMovesSD

This afternoon, only because my friend and fellow blogger Ryan Espiritu's very convincing methods, I signed up to run one session in the Nite Moves SD 5K happening today at 6:30pm.  I'm actually looking forward to the Tacos and Beer!

Post-Race Party Details

5:30pm: Race registration

6:30pm: 5K race starts

6:30-8:00 Kids run, Firestone beer garden at Joao's Tin Fish, tacos from Tabe BBQ truck, live local band, giveaways, swag, family fun!

I'll have some details and update to follow! Wish me luck! As of this posting, I was also able to recruit my sister and another buddy, Jerome C.! LET'S DO THIS!!!

UPDATE: my time was 28:19 averaging a 9:07 pace.  I have to be honest that I launched rather aggressively trying to follow a buddy that has ran a couple of marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks and even has a trainer and that just basically wiped me out about 1.5 miles into it.  I pulled through though and enjoyed the rest.  It might have been a personal best for me even.  Check it out here at my Garmin Connect Profile Nite Moves SD 2010 5K Track

Fitness is the new Goal

I've always been into some kind of staying in shape activity but lately, I've definitely felt the need and desire to take it to a different level. I'm feeling more competitive, energetic and just want to do a lot!  It started with the Mud Run a couple of weeks back with my good friend and groomsman Bobby Nourani.  I've also done a 10K with Matty P in Northport, Long Island New York and the St. Patty's 10K in San Diego, all three which I didn't train for.  I'm not proud, but I think that I need to get a little more serious. I'm sure you've noticed that I've also been cycling quite a bit over the last year but because of my erratic work schedule, I haven't been able to keep a constant build.  Even my friend Ryan Espiritu has passed me up in cycling accomplishments and we started around the same time!  Bottom line, I'm going to try harder.  You can check out the past 20 or so days since the Mud Run below.  You'll see my stats and everything that I'm logging on Garmin Connect.  You can also track me on my Garmin Connect Identity here: irija Fun times!!!

Free Giveaways via Comments (via @dcrainmakerblog)

Click here or here directly dcrainmaker.com to enter for a free Garmin Forerunner 110 from DCRainmaker! I've been reading his reviews and it was because of him that I bought the Garmin 500 setup w/ the Premium HR monitor and cadence sensor for my 2009 Specialized Roubaix Expert. I'm loving it!

I love free stuff but even more so when I win 'em! Stay tuned at adellelijah.com for a comment giveaway coming up in the next few weeks!

By the way, a friend of mine, Ryan Espiritu, setup a new blog documenting his journey in training for multiple marathons. Awesomely titled "Marathonin', Like Pimpin', Ain't Easy. My Pursuit of (running) Happiness" Check it out here: http://three-fifty-nine-fifty-nine.blogspot.com/

adellelijah.com

If you aren't aware yet, and you probably aren't, I decided to venture off yet once again ultimately resulting in a split of stories you might find on elijahnicolas.com.  You can find the story by navigating to the first post of the new blog and I would love to invite you read it.  Just to make it even easier, you can find it here. adellelijah: Part 1 of the Softlaunch. Since blogging, podcasting and doing a whole lot of surfing the internet, biking the coast, flying for your friendly skies, I've been in and out of happiness, bewilderment and just 'being.'  Ideas coming and going, never executed well or at all, etc., etc.  But...I do think that I have finally found a medium that will combine what I really seek in life and what I really want to do on my downtime at the random cities and hotels that I end layover-ing.

It's not that I thoroughly enjoy camping in front of a computer nestled away in my hotel room, but sometimes, there is really only so much you can do in a city that you've been to more than 10 times.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to world class visitor cities with attractions galore, but for instance, I'll be overnight in Bloomington, Illinois tomorrow night followed by an 18 hour stint in Killeen, Texas!  The hotel pool is nice, but that's about all the excitement there is.  I might have even posted a posterous pic or qik video on how creepy the hotel is in Bloomington with the little lady girl painting haunting my room!  Maybe I'll camp out in the lobby this time, but I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be safe!

So, from now on, I'll definitely be concentrating most of my efforts on the new company / venture, and I want to invite you along for the ride.  I'll still be hanging around here from time to time posting things that aren't aligned with adellelijah.com e.g. my flying stories and such, from everything else....adellelijah.com is where it's at!

Okay, it might have not been that creepy watching it all over again, but seriously, there are worst ones sprinkled throughout the hotel premises!

The Future of Gizmodo and Responsible Journalism / Blogging

During the last week, the tech world has been all a buzz on the next generation iPhone (iPhone 4th Generation).  With blogs posting pictures of a phone that was left in a bar to actual video and tear down followed by the final outcome of a letter from Apple's Executive Counsel demanding the return of stolen property, there have been positive and negative views in terms of how this whole thing was handle.  Jason Chen went on video showing the actual iPhone 4th Gen, then hours later Gizmodo posted a story on the actual individual that left the iPhone at the German Beer Serving Pub.  Granted because of this, Lufthansa is offering an all expense paid flight in business class to Germany for the poor Apple Engineer, but I feel it's still a little harsh that Gizmodo publicly harassed the guy. Who knows, Mr. Powell will be forever infamous just like the little kid who cost a team the championship. I don't know. To date, Gizmodo has been accused and admitted to purchasing the device for a purported $5,000. It has been pointed out by others (prominently John Gruber of Daring Fireball) that these acts were a clear violation of law. Codes in California were even outlined and discussed concerning the transaction and sequence of events that transpired during the resulting loss of the 4th generation iPhone.

It has come to my attention that this entire mess, now comically dubbed iPhonegate, while it did generate an absurd amount of page views on Gizmodo, was mishandled. I have to admit that I am, what some might call, a geek, a tech fan boy, a lover of Apple and such but there is a line to be drawn.  I believe that media outlets, have a responsibility; a civic duty to the companies we all love.

The secrecy that Apple goes through to product their product launches and hide their work from competition is second to none in the industry.  This is also a reason why we get so excited and that excitement was taken away by the greedy.  What kind of "umph" does Steve Jobs and the rest of the crew have?   I'm sure they are scrambling around to get together some new slides (probably some depicting Gizmodo in a bad light.)  sidenote: are they still going to be invited to the conference?

Admittedly, I can't wait to fall in line all over again, buy two iPhones, one for me and the other for my fiance, and start video chatting.  I want to know more about the new iPhone but that's what the pent up demand and interest lead to... anticipation and excitement.  Leaks are completely different and are approached as rumors which make it fun. With the devolution of almost all the surprises, June/July 2010 is going to be less exciting.

It would have been a smart move to keep it amongst themselves and "do the right thing" for this slip up crossed the line.  If you want to read all about the next iPhone...check out Gizmodo's iPhone page!

Apple's Free Marketing?! updated: lost and not a hoax // Apple wants it back

Spanning over the last couple of days, two of my favorite tech blogs (Gizmodo / Engadget) released amazing images of what appears to be the next iPhone 4th Generation.  (I'm not going to refer to it as the iPhone 4G because I don't think that it is going to have a 4G chipset i.e. MircoSIM card slot or maybe that's what LTE is going to have)  Initially deemed to be real, then fake, now *definitely* real after a tear down revealing Apple logos in the internals, the weekend included people calling each other names, pointing out pictures from other forums, and tying this phone to a Japanese knock-off.  But the most blatant fact is that it happens to be recognized by iTunes.  Conveniently being remotely wiped by Apple when it was reported by the scared individual, I hope that this guy still has his job.  Although now I'm even thinking that it maybe was his job. I initially thought that there was only "one" lost iPhone 4th Generation but both blogs, I guess, are playing nice and sharing their spoils!?  The internet, particularly Techmeme, is all the buzz on iPhone 4G news and it's two months before the purported launch.  That's 60 days of free marketing and stock price adjustment!  Can anyone say amazing marketing scheme?!  It's all free, becoming viral and an exponential rate, and everyone knows that us tech pundits that haven't upgraded to the 3GS are eagerly & tirelessly waiting for a complete redesign since last year.  Of course the nerd, geeks, Apple fanboys, and dorks are going to be gobbling up all these good stories.  People at work today are going to be talking all about the good news.  Daring Fireball has even went on record stating that he does believe in fact that Apple has lost an iPhone.

The question here is who dropped this phone?  Was it really just an accident or a planned & amazing way to generate crazy excitement and hype?!  Did an exchange of money happen?  Viral explosion has definitely proven to be the best way of marketing on the internet.  Trending on twitter already for the last few days as well is creating a lot of buzz.  Even Jonathan Ive just reported via twitter "This isn't good" What really is going on lately with all the leaks at Apple?  If this leak was unintentional, I hope Steve Jobs doesn't go crazy or have a heart attack due to an increase in blood pressure.  I can imagine emergency meetings all over the Cupertino Offices right now.  On the other hand, I bet the guy that's tied to this phone is in Apple's dungeon getting some form of punishment.  All these stories in just the past few days are causing a frenzy and it's not going to stop until it's released!  It seems to be trumping all the iPad news but I guess in tech world, the Apple iPad is old news.  Coinciding with AT&T revoking any vacation for June, it's working out to bet a perfect media storm.  Everyone loves summer and I'm hoping that the "one more thing" is that it's going to be offered on Verizon!  Better yet, Sprint with it's $69.99 EVERYTHING plan!

(another story one about a Canadian Wireless Carrier claiming the iPhone 4th Gen in June)

update: Well, there we have it...the lost & stolen iPhone belonged to an Apple Software Engineer by the name of Gray Powell.  He happened to be drinking too many German Beers and the result: left his disguised iPhone at the bar.  I wish him well in the tech world. I'm sure he's famous now and can start his own blog too. (via @Gizmodo)

update2: Apple wants it's phone back. Gizmodo states that they didn't know it was stolen!? Seriously?! Here's the letter and the link! (via @Gizmodo)