Simon Lessing

Tuesday June 12th & Wednesday June 13th Training

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Tuesday, June 12 7h30 at the Res entrance. FYI, we will do the workout on the neighborhood roads.

Wed June 13 56 mile bike ride. We will meet at the Jay Road Fire Station at 10h30 (Girls are welcome!)

To book your massage with Lisa Click Here

Training Schedule 5th June - 10th June

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Tuesday 5th: Intervals at the Res 7h30

Wednesday 6th: Group ride 56 miles leaving from the Jay Road Fire Station at 10h30

Friday 8th: 10 -14 mile run to be decided

Sunday 10th: Group Ride 3h00 to 3h30 in the mountains. Leaving from the Jay Road fire Station at 09h00. The girls are welcome to tag along on the rides.

To book you massage with Lisa click here

Let me know if you are IN or OUT

Simon

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back!

Sunday, June 3, 2007

I have taken it easy this past week as I was really feeling rotten. I ended up going to the doctor and he informed me that I was on the verge of getting bronchitis. I have taken a few days off and I am now feeling better so I will start back up with a little bit of training tomorrow.

Anyway, the good side of taking a break is that my Achilles is feeling a lot better so I will try a staggering six mile run on Monday.

My next plan race will be Buffalo Springs but really I will have to see how I bounce back from the past few weeks of aliments!

I have been following the final of the Louis Vuittion Cup lately, it has been aired live on Versus every morning at 6h30. For those of you who love carbon fiber you may want to check this out! www.versus.com/nw/article/view/32595/?tf=ACup_ArticleView.tpl Unfortunately the team that I was supporting www.teamshosholoza.com came 7th in the series, but I thought it was a great result for a first time South African team using home grown talent for there whole operation, crew sails, boat management,etc.

Have fun.

Simon

Training Schedule Update

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Tuesday 29th: We will meet at the RES ENTRANCE at 7h30 for the interval session.

Wednesday 30th: We will meet at the JAY ROAD FIRE STATION at 10h30 for a 56 mile group ride (The girls are welcome.)

Friday 1st: We will meet at the Teller Farms trail head for a 10 - 13 mile run.

See you TUESDAY, don't be late!

To book your massage with LISA you can contact her at: www.simonlessing.net/about/massage/index.php

If you are look for the best PT you can contact Bob Cranny at: www.simonlessing.net/about/physio/index.php

Florida 70.3

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Well, 2nd place overall. The race went well, I felt a little rusty but all things considering, a solid start to the season.

The run consisted of 3 x 4.4 mile loops with 75 % of the run on rough grass terrain. My run was going well up until mile 8 and then......... I suddenly felt my Achilles go, the right Achilles that I have been nursing over the past few months! I felt I should stop but the little banker on my shoulder told me I was in the $$$

I continued slowly and had to walk a few times but I did make it to the finish line with my two daughters ready to greet me.

Thanks to Graham Fraser providing me with an ice pack, I started icing right away.

We flew back to Denver on Monday and I went straight to see my trusted PT Bob Cranny. Diagnostic - A slight exterior tear on my right Achilles.

The bad news is that I will not be running for the next two weeks and Honu 70.3 is out.

The good news is that it is still early season with lots of racing left on the calendar for June, July, August, September, October, November.

Crash & Disney 70.3

Thursday, May 17, 2007

It has been a long winter and it is now time to get back on the start line. Training was going relatively well until I crashed on the bike last week. The last time I crashed was during Alcatraz in 1995. I was riding with Michael Lovato and we both have no idea how I fell. I came down very quickly and was very fortunate not to break any bones. My left hip did take quite a beating.

We did go to Lake Wellington last weekend to camp (hence the lack of training updates) What a great place! I wanted to swim in the lake as the water looked so inviting but I decided to stay out of the water to let my wounds heel. I did do some very nice trail runs and at 8300 feet and I sure felt the altitude! I did ride over Kenosha pass (10 000 feet) on Saturday although I would of liked to of done some mountain biking. There will be an Exterra triathlon at this lake in June.

I will be racing the Disney 70.3 this weekend. As always, the first race of the season is always a shock to the system so I will just have to see how it goes. It is a stacked field so it will be a fight all the way to the finish line.

I am going to try and enjoy the race which is something that I have not done too much of over the past few years.

Have you bought your Raffle Ticket? You have until June 2nd to do so and I would urge you to spread the world to any relevant parties. I think it is a win win for everyone.

Friday Run and Sunday Bike

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Friday Run: We will meet at the Teller Farm Trailhead at 7h30 Friday.

Go east on Arapahoe - cross over 75th (continue going east for about 1 mile) Watch out for the Teller Farm Trailhead Brown Sign on the left hand side of the road.

This is a great run so don't miss it! Bring water, gells, etc., as you may want to fuel yourself

Sunday Bike Ride: 10:00am at the Jay Road Fire Station We will go up into the mountains so be prepared.

Get your charity raffle tickets here.

Book your massage here!

Camping

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

I have decided not to race St. Anthony's as I feel I have only a limited time to get ready for the Florida 70.3. I did go camping with the family this past weekend at Colorado Monument State Park.

I managed to do some great trail runs and I must say I was a little weary about mountain Lions after some friends said they were sure they had seen one the day before!

We have not done anything this winter so it was great to get away and have a change of training location, be it only for a few days. My girls had a great time with their friends tearing up the camp ground on their bikes.

My training has finally started to click so a few more weeks of hard work should get me ready to race in Florida on May 20

The Simon Lessing Athletes for A Cure raffle is up and running so I would encourage you to buy some tickets and pass on the link to some friends. Thanks to my sponsors for donating the kit. The funds raised from the raffle will be used for prostate cancer research.

A few statistics

• 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• Prostate cancer is the most common non skin cancer in America
• A man is 35% more likely to develop prostate cancer than a woman is to develop breast cancer.

Even More Snow!!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Guess what, we are expecting more SNOW! Our local news paper says we can expect 8-12 inches of snow in the Denver Metro area. So once again we brace ourselves for slushy roads and frigid temperatures that will undoubtedly put a damper on the next few days of training.

I have decided not to do Wildflower as I have been battling an Achilles tendon flair up on my right ankle. It has not stopped me running all together but has prevented me from doing any of my key longer runs.

I am toying with the idea of doing St. Anthony's as I am sure I will be able to guts out a 6.2 mile run. I have been doing our weekly interval workouts so ironically, I have done more speed work this winter than I have done at anytime over the past few years.

I gather it will be a last minute decision!

On another note, I plan to get the Challenge Coaching site up and running by October so don't forget to register your interest. We will also have details of the Lanzarote Challenge Camp by August, so once again if you are vaguely interested in joining us please don't forget to register. It will be a great opportunity to kick start a new year of training in a warm environment.

Friday Run - Sunday Bike

Thursday, April 12, 2007

As you are all aware, we are supposed to get 6 - 12 inches of snow tonight.

For the FRIDAY RUN we will meet at POTTS FIELD at 07h30 and run on the Creek Path.http://www.colorado.edu/campusmap/map.html?bldg=W-PF

I know a number of us are fighting niggles so the idea is to avoid the unstable footing of the Artic. 07h30 will enable those of you who want to make the 09h00 Flatirons swim.

Sunday Ride 10h00 at the Jay Road Fire Station I know that a number of you wanted to ride Saturday but Sunday will be F 60 and hopefully the snow will have melted by then!

To book your Sport Massage: www.simonlessing.net/about/massage

Group Training Update

Friday, April 6, 2007

Due to popular demand we are changing the Thursday long run to FRIDAY For the time being we will meet at the East Boulder REC center at 8 am This will start next Friday the 13th We will change this time to 7am towards the end of April.

I would also like to propose that we rotate the Friday run to various different locations. I can send an e-mail to the group to clarify a meeting point.

The Res interval workout will resume at 8 am on the 10th of April.

Sunday Group Ride As the weather is going to be bad Fri and Sat we will ride at 9h30 from the Jay ride Fire Station. Please confirm if you plan on coming on this ride.

For those looking for a sports massage contact LISA at 303 530 34 21 or cell 303 641 5943

More Snow!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

I woke up this morning nervously anticipating my first long run of the year. The weather has been really nice over the past few weeks (70's) so I must say I was a little surprised to see half a foot of snow on the ground this morning.

I will have to bag the long run for a few more days now! I have been deliberately conservative with my running this winter, just taking it one step at a time. After three months of rehab I feel that I am now at a level where my back is stable enough for me to start ramping things up. I think this conservative approach will actually do me good and will have its benefits towards the middle to later half of the season.

There has been a few comments about the eight 70.3 races on my schedule. I have learnt over the past few years that in any season, there are a few hick ups along the way.

The 70.3 races that I will be at are: Disney, Honu, Vineman, Timberman, Clearwater 70.3 World Champs. With regard to the other 70.3 races listed, will just have to see how it goes.

Don't forget the "Simon Lessing Charity Raffle" - For More details please click here

Feels Like Spring

Saturday, March 24, 2007

After suffering most of last season from excruciating lower back and leg pain (it reached a stage where I could not bend down to put my shoes on) and after pursuing every other option of alternative treatment available to me, I decided to have back surgery in December.

I was diagnosed with two herniated discs at S1, L5, L4 and severe spinal stenosis in the same area. Triathlete Magazine will be highlighting my decision to have surgery and the article will also include both my Neurosurgeon and Physical Therapist pre and post operation point of view. They are both accomplished Ironman Athletes and have a clear understanding of the physical demands we as triathletes put on our body.

Prior to my back pain issues, I must say that I was totally unaware of the sheer number of active people that do suffer from back problems on a daily bases with no end in sight.

I have taken my time getting back into training this winter concentrating a lot on physical therapy exercises and stretching. From a fitness perspective, I would say that I am about four to six weeks behind where I would usually be at this time of the year. I hope to be on the start line for Wildflower although I will have to see how the next 6 weeks of training goes.

Thankfully, it feels like spring here in Boulder and things are warming up! I am sure it wont be long before we have our influx of transient athletes that find a temporary home here in the summer months.

Weekly Training in Boulder

Sunday, March 18, 2007

I have started an informal running group in Boulder that will be meeting twice a week.

Tuesday's 8:00 am: Intervals and Fartlek at the Boulder Reservoir. | Google Maps

Thursday 8:00 am: Slower and longer run. Meeting at East Boulder Recreation Centre | Google Maps. We usually run between 60 minutes and 1 hour 30 mins, depending on what group you would like to join.

If you live in Boulder or are just visiting, please feel free to join us.

If you have any questions please refer to the ask Simon Section.

Snow

Thursday, February 15, 2007

I have been in Boulder, Colorado for four years now and this is most definitely the coldest winter I have ever experienced. The past few years winter conditions here in Boulder have been mild with the occasional winter storm that would disrupt my training only for a few days.

This winter we have had snow on the ground for the past 8 weeks and I must say it is starting to wear on me. There is only so many treadmill runs and home trainer workouts that you can do!

It does not help that here in Boulder we are surrounded by die-hard workout fanatics who will literally brave any conditions to get their heart rate up. What inevitably happens is that I get a guilt trip for a few hours with a little voice at the back of my head saying "You should be out there" Have I become soft after so many years of swim, bike and run? I say no, just a little bit more sensible.

A lot of people have asked me why I do not go somewhere warm for the winter. In the 90's I never really experienced a winter in 10 years. I would pretty much pack up and go anywhere warm my credit card would allow me.

Over the past 5 years things have changed quite considerably, I have a wife and two daughters. Amelie is 5 and started Kindergarten this year. Karla is 3 and is in Pre School. Between Lisa and I we are kept very busy trying to keep up with their various extramural activities. I hear from the well informed that it only gets worse as they get older. That's a good thing, keeps them out of trouble!

So no, at this stage of the game I prefer to stay at home, being Dad and helping out with my parental duties. I have found out that even as a long seasoned Pro, having a family sure helps you get your priorities right!

Anyway, I plan to update this site on a regular basis and keep you informed on the various projects that I am working on for 2007 and beyond.

Train Hard!

Simon