Adventures by Troy

It’s that time of year again!    The New Year is just around the corner, so it’s time for everyone to pause in order to reflect on the past, and make their New Year’s resolutions.   We create BHAG’s (Big, Hairy and Audacious Goals), and drive towards them with a burst of tremendous energy and enthusiasm.   Goals like losing weight, finding a better job, starting a new business, improving money management or improving a relationship are all fairly common.    Inevitably, that energy and enthusiasm begins to falter, usually around the 2 nd or 3 rd week of January, and we’re back to the status quo.   “Oh well!”, we tell ourselves, “I’ll start up again next month.” Sound familiar? I know I’ve done this more times than I can remember, and I’ll likely do it again.    The question I keep asking myself is “Why?”. Why do I fail to succeed at accomplishing things that are so important to me?     Intellectually, and as a linear think...

Tucson is such a great place in which to ride a bike.  The terrain varies from steep mountain climbs to false flats, and everything in between.  Factor in awesome weather at this time of year (70's and 80's) along with bright sunny skies,  and it's pretty hard to beat. Tucson Cycle Camp Class of 2017! I started doing triathlon and cycling camps in Tucson in 2001 with my friends, Colleen Kelly and Mike Urquhart, who lived in Flagstaff at the time.  Our first camp attracted 15 triathletes from throughout the U.S., and we based it out of Starr Pass Resort.  Needless to say, we were a little 'green' at the time with regard to the Tucson camp management and logistics! Looking back at that time, I'm just happy to say no one got hurt or killed!  Flash forward over 15 years, and we offer very 'dialed in' training camp experiences where safety and participant experience is most important.  Wow, what a long ride it's been... with an estimated 300+ ...

Since I started coaching triathletes and cyclists for a living in 1992, I've been writing training plans for athletes from different sports, backgrounds, etc.  I can't even begin to tell you how many plans I've written; for individuals, for groups and 'generalized' training plans for the public... but it must now range in the thousands!  Gotta work on my guns! Every time I write a plan, I notice that I implement a process.  Since I just wrote the PWR Cycle Training plan for April , on behalf of Life Time, and the Spinervals Super6 plan too, I thought I'd share my process with you.  Who knows, maybe if you're an aspiring coach you can learn something. Even if you're not, it'll give you an inside look at how I "make the sausage".  Writing a Training Plan 101: Step 1:  Know your athletes.   I always start off by determining who I'm writing the plan for, their training history, skills and abilities, fitness level and goal...

Our 4th annual Life Time Endurance Cycle / Tri Camp in Vegas was yet another awesome experience.  Ideal weather conditions, super nice people, great local organization (thanks to Pat Treichel and his crew), and scenic routes lend themselves to a wonderful training camp experience for all 38 participants from throughout N. America. Trail running near Red Rock. Held each year in Summerlin, NV (20 minutes north of The Vegas Strip), 'basecamp' is at Las Vegas Cyclery.  LVC is the most spectacular Bicycle Retail and Outdoor Adventure store you'll ever visit, and is situated next to The Element Hotel, a nice hotel with great amenities including kitchenettes, and a complete hot breakfast served daily.   Campers enjoyed packed schedules each day, including swim practices at the nearby Life Time Athletic, as well as Yoga for Cyclists.  Riding routes took campers up and around the majestic Red Rock State Park loop, including a challenging 4 mile climb to the top, w...

Starting to ramp up my run volume now for the Leadville Silver Rush 50 mile run, spending more time running in the desert.  Here in Tucson, we have incredible expanses of open desert that's accessible to the public (with a permit), both State and BLM land. You can literally run or ride for miles and miles without seeing a man made structure, or another person. I love the desert.  It's raw and unforgiving in terms of the terrain, the vegetation (cactus are pokey.... ever had a jumping cholla grab you?) and the critters.  At the same time, it's beautiful and unique in many ways to this part of the world. As a transplant from the East coast over 8 years ago, I have a great appreciation for it.  I like the green rolling hills and green pastures of the east, but the mystery of the open desert speaks to me even more.  Combine that aspect with the mountains and the open SW sky, it's just awesome. Now, back to the critters.  In the SW desert, the critters can b...

Heading out on my ride, wearing my PWR Cycle, and LT Tri Team Kit! I know, not matching well, as Jen tells me daily. I'm big on the idea of spending your time doing what you love, and trying to have a positive impact on the world in the process. It all started for me about 29 years ago when I discovered triathlon.  I became passionate (alright, practically addicted) to the sport.  I read everything I could, experimented with diet and training methods, raced as often as i could afford as a student (thanks mom and dad!).  I even did this crazy race back then called Ironman... back in the day when there were only a handful worldwide.  I was passionate about the fitness, the competition and the lifestyle.  And that's why I became a coach... to monetize my passion and to help others enjoy the sport. Flash forward 29 years, and I'm one of the lucky ones to have forged a good living around doing something I love.  Everyday I get to not only exercise, whe...