rich roll

The work is done.

The race is 2 days off.

Feeling good.

First, wanted to thank everyone for the amazing outpouring of support I received today in response to the PETA piece. I received an overwhelming number of e-mails as well as Facebook and Twitter posts & ads. It was really cool.

But the coolest thing was that an inspirational hero of mine Eric Shanteau “re-tweeted” the article to his Twitterati. If you don’t know who Eric is, you should. Not only is he currently one of the World’s greatest swimmers, he is a cancer survivor. Just one week before the Olympic Trials, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer yet competed nonetheless, qualifying for the 2008 Olympic team in the 200 breaststroke. He delayed treatment and stay on the team and despite his obstacles, Eric swam a lifetime best at the Olympics. After returning home, he underwent surgery and was officially declared cancer free. Since that time, he has begun working with the Lance Armstrong Foundation where he is a new voice for young adult cancer awareness. Not to mention some eye popping performances in the last year which has catapulted him to super-star swimmer status.

Anyway, it was a great honor that he not only took the time to read / watch the piece but that he found it worthy of re-tweeting to his followers. Super cool!

So I’ve been out here in Kona for a few weeks, but I still feel like I just arrived. Days have been spent either training, working or running around doing countless errands. I often feel like the logistical prep for this race is more trying than the even itself. Just when I think I have everything I need, I realize I need 10 more things, then rush out the door again. A lot of this is neurotic over-prep — making sure I have more than enough of everything in the event something goes awry (on the bike). My biggest fear isn’t the distance, or the pain — its the unexpected. A mechanical, a crash, etc. But I am meditating on removing these negative thought patterns. I need to be prepared, but I also need to simply focus on what I can control. As a result I haven’t been getting as much rest as I would like, as the organizational prep seems to be endless.

Just today I realized I had no CO2 cartridges — these are small metal compresed air cartridges used to rapidly inflate a tire on the road. Now they are laying all over my kitchen table. When the maid came in it looked like I had been doing drugs all afternoon.

I also bought a series of large plastic bins at Wal Mart. One bin for each day, separating out all my attire for each day’s segment so I can easily find what I need. Plus a bin for race nutrition; a bin for post-race clothes, etc. Was this really necessary? Of course not. Again, neurosis in action. It seems I am looking for excuses to not sit still.

The care packages continue to roll in. Today I got a big box of the Jai Ultra white t-shirts for my crew which was pretty cool. All my race attire has arrived and just waiting on one last package of nutrition from Compton at Ascended Health – hope it gets here tomorrow!

Today I spun out on the Queen K for 2.5 hours and felt really good. Legs adapting well to the rest and feeling strong. Good sign.

Tomorrow I’ll put in a short ocean swim in the morning. My coach has me doing a 90 min run as well but honestly not sure about that. I’ve followed his program to a “T”, but at this point I am feeling like rest might prove more beneficial; I’ll decide when I see how I feel on Wednesday.

I also need to register tomorrow, which involves signing a ton of forms, etc. Then I need to grocery shop for Thanksgiving dinner — as the stores will be closed on Thursday, tomorrow is the last day to get everything I need, including dinner for 8! Then I’m heading up to the “Paddler’s Warehouse” with Jason Lester for another meeting with our paddlers. Hopefully I will still find some time to chill out – I need it!

I’ll check in again tomorrow…..Until then, Mahalo.

Here’s the video portion of my interview with PETA’s Lisa Lange:

Ultraman Athlete Rich Roll: Vegan Endurance Athlete

Check out this video interview & advertisement I did for PETA. Click HERE for the link to the complete text & video interview, including some plant-strong eating tips. Thanks to Lisa Lange for putting this together!

In a previous post last week, Jason and I brewed up a fruit based-based veggie-mix. Today we walk you through a vegetable-based brew in the below video and discuss our goings on at less than two weeks out from the Ultraman World Championships.

Sundays are generally a big run day — at least 3-4 hours of running. But this Sunday all I had was a 1 hour swim workout. Taper officially on. I almost don’t know what to do with myself. I am preparing for that uncomfortable feeling that always comes with the first week of a true taper. The body is so acclimated to the heavy volume, the constant battering, that it basically becomes confused when very suddenly this stops happening. Swimmers know — for a few days you feel lousy. Then you start to bounce off the walls. Its a fun roller coaster ride I have been looking forward to for a long time. Let it begin!

Today I will work in a 2 hour ride with one hard 45 minute climb and call it a day. Fine, as I have a ton of work to catch up on — lawyerly responsibilities calling my name.

I am so grateful to be here, but I’m missing my family a lot. My daughter Mathis sent me an adorable e-Card yesterday — it was so cute and all I wanted to do was hug her. And little Jaya skinned her knee at the beach back home. Julie had to hold her for hours. I was yearning just to hold her as well. And Jaya is not the only thing Julie is holding. She is carrying loads of energy — not just with all the kids, but big energy for me, for Jason and for our family journey. I can’t wait for them all to arrive.

And looks like my crew is finally coming together. I am blessed to have Mike Field as my paddler. This guy is not only one of the best competitive paddlers on the Island, but anywhere. He is a STUD. I have been trying to connect with him since I arrived, but he has been a bit under the weather. 2 days ago I walked into the local burrito shop when a guy rolls up on me and says “Are You Rich?” Sure enough — Mike Field, divine providence bringing us together. He has great energy and is super psyched to work with me. Were going to actually go out in the bay and practice our strategy, nutrition handoffs, etc. Awesome.

As for the bike / run legs, Julie has landed a fascinating couple who will be making the trip — Alan Blackburn and Nicole Duran. I have yet to meet them in person but spoke to Alan the other day and am very excited about having him on board. I’ll post later on these 2 fascinating people.

On to the nutrition. In this video we throw alot of stuff into the VM, so thought I would just note it in writing with some other things I may have added had we had them stocked:

VEGGIE VITA-MIX:
Kale
Celery
Carrot
Beet
Ginger Root
Red Pepper
Tomato
Star Fruit
Lemon
Water
Apple Juice (just a small amount)
Flax Oil (or Flax Seeds)
Hemp Oil
Coconut Oil (tablespoon each of the oils)
Hawaiian Sea Salt (white or red)
Chia Seed
Macca

I hope you enjoy this video. Of course, more to come!

Something happened yesterday. Something big. If you have been following along, you know that I have been staying with Jason Lester here in Kona. Jason is an inspiration to thousands as an avatar of faith and perseverance in the face of tremendous disability and obstacles. When he was just 12 years old, he was struck by a car and suffered the devastating loss of use in his right arm. His life setbacks were compounded by a very difficult childhood. But Jason has never let any of this slow him down. Instead he has leveraged his disability and challenges to inspire others. He is a true messenger of World Service and is healing the Planet in every moment of his life. With every step he runs, stroke he swims, climb he attacks and breath he draws, he is a boundless source of faith, hope & inspiration.

Imagine swimming 6.2 miles in ocean currents with only one arm. Not only did Jason get it done in last year’s Ultraman, he finished despite severe jellyfish attacks that left him teetering on anaphylactic shock in the last mile. He was hauled into a support boat and advised to drop out. But when he overheard the boat captain radio the shore that Jason was puling out (and would thus be disqualified), he hopped back in the ocean and finished. That’s the kind of guy I’m talking about.

Now imagine getting right on a bike and riding 90 miles with 7500 ft of elevation, then getting up the next day and riding 170 miles with 8600 ft of elevation, all with only one arm to balance him in ridiculous wind gusts that want you face down on the pavement. During the final miles of last year’s Ultraman, I remember the winds were so severe descending the Kohalas it was all I could do to stay on my bike with 2 strong arms and hands holding on for dear life. Just the other day, Jason and I were out riding on the Queen K in heavy cross winds. An 18-wheeler blazed by us and the wind gusts were so strong I had to hold on with everything I had just to stay upright on my bike. I turned my head back in a panic, absolutely certain I would see Jason sprawled out on the pavement. No way — he was still rocking, despite later telling me that he actually had his functional left arm off his handlebars at that very moment. How does this happen?

Which brings me to yesterday. For the first time ever, Jason was able to balance his body with force on his right arm to actually stand up off his saddle and peddle his bike in an upright position. If you know cycling, you know this is a key ability when you want to exert additional power when attacking a climb. But until yesterday, this ability had totally eluded him. In my opinion, this is nothing short of incredible. Over 20 years since his accident will Jason regain sensation in his right arm? Maybe, maybe not. But in my book, yesterday qualifies as a miracle into itself. And in the words of Jason — NEVER STOP BELIEVING.

There is something going on. The planetary energies are strong. There is a plan unfolding. A plan that involves healing and service. And Jason is in the vortex.

Check out this video. It brings tears to my eyes. I feel privileged to have been there to witness it for the first time.

This was a BIG DAY — double run day with two 2 hour runs for a total of almost 30 miles of running today. Seems like alot at just 2 weeks out from Ultraman, but I am feeling fit and more than able to handle this kind of volume. It was a weird day. Generally I like to get my morning runs done as soon as I can in the morning when I feel fresh, but I woke up late and had some work to attend to, so didn’t get the first run started until about 10:30. By this time it was already quite hot, albeit overcast, thankfully.

As usual I began slow an didn’t start to build until I was about 30 minutes in. But I felt quite good, fresh and light and continued to ramp up to a 7:30 and below pace which felt very comfortable. It was an out and back on Ali’i Drive followed by a loop into the nearby Old Airport where the Ultraman run finish will be set up. I felt solid, negative splitting my run by about 5 minutes the second half — 14.5 miles total. Hydration was intact and celebrated with a jump in the ocean which felt great, despite storm clouds looming.

After the run I worked for several hours, playing catch up on my lawyerly responsibilities. By the time I reached a comfortable stopping point, it was already getting dark and that second 2 hour was still looming. I was fried, it was dark and it began to rain. Hard. Truthfully, I really thought about bagging this run. It would have been so easy — too much work, too tired, dark…rain….only 2 weeks out of Ultraman — I need some rest!

No way. Jason and got dressed and I armored myself in full compression gear – compression shorts and calf sleeves and we headed out. As you will see in the video, the rain really started to come down. We parked at Starbucks on Palani and headed up the Queen K, where the shoulders are wide and we would be safe from traffic. I actually felt pretty good, amazingly. The rain was refreshing and countered the humidity. And in truth, it was one of the most blissful enjoyable runs I have ever had. As we neared the airport, Jason turned back before me and I continued ahead past the airport. Alone, serene and with long stretches where there were no cars or streetlights, total blackness interrupted only by the occasional lightning flash. I could barely see my feet, let alone the pavement ahead. It was like being entombed in an isolation chamber. Nothing but my breath. A complete and utterly blissful meditation. Truly beautiful. Captured only by the moment, time stopped…floating, timeless….perfect peace. It was that moment that every runner, every yogi, every meditator seeks. And I found it in the most unsuspecting place, out on a dark rainy lava field.

That said, the last 30 minutes were tough. I buckled down but my fatigue began to catch up to me. I pushed hard to home, negative splitting the course (as is my practice) knowing that I have pushed myself to the utter limit. Exactly where I wanted to be. Had it been too easy I would have thought I hadn’t done enough. Too hard and I would be worried I am overtraining. Instead, it was just perfect. And to think I almost bagged it altogether. 14.4 miles. Just shy of what I ran in the morning, yet on super fatigue legs. Mission Accomplished.

Were officially 2 weeks out and now will begin to taper. Still some hard sessions ahead, but more rest interspersed with some lighter training. Looking forward to my body recovering, building power and speed. I am ready for Ultraman.

Thought you’d enjoy some video from our ride on Wednesday doing climbing repeats up to Waimea. It was a beautiful hot day on the northern end of the Big Island. Jason & I had some confusion when we got seperated on the climb but all ends well. Good one to have under my belt and legs feeling strong!

If you read my previous post, you know (or maybe you already know) that today is a very auspicious spiritual day on many levels.

I celebrated today by starting off with an amazing one hour ocean swim in Kailua Bay. I swam 20 minutes out past the Royal Kona Hotel, then rolled on my back, stared into the deep blue sky and gave thanks for this amazing blessed journey I am on. Taking a deep breath, I connected with my inner gratitude and gave thanks for the day, where I am in life, the beautiful challenges ahead and most importantly, the JOURNEY itself — complete with all its obstacles, pitfalls, setbacks, frustrations and impediments. For without these, would the journey bear the deep meaning I feel? I think not.

I also took a moment to thank the Kahunas for allowing my presence on the Island and asking permission for my residence here and for the challenge that looms just two weeks ahead. I cannot articulate how grateful I am to be here now, living, training and just being present on the Island.

And what has truly given the visit real meaning for me is sharing the experience online. Posting videos and communicating via Facebook and Twitter, its been nothing short of amazing to discover that there are so many people out there enjoying the journey along with us and even gleaning some helpful information and insight from the nutrition posts. So despite missing my family terribly and that nagging feeling of guilt that I am out here enjoying myself so thoroughly without them, I take comfort that in some small way I can be of service to others.

Swim done, Jason and I hopped into my new rented pickup and headed out to Waikoloa to ride. We headed north from the Village about 30 minutes, then began a long hard 45 minute climb into the town of Waimea. Its a 2300 ft ascent with grades ranging from 4-6% without relent. So although its not super steep, it never gives in. And it was hot! I got to the town, hydrated up and headed back down to the bottom and did it again. Descended again then back onto the Queen K headed south past Waikoloa for a spell and back to the Village. 4 hours and almost 6K feet of climbing in the bag. Legs are strong and I’m feeling ready to rock.

A couple more tough sessions and then I’ll start dropping it back to taper. I am focused, strong, lean, tough and confident. I am fitter and more experienced than last year. I am ready to race. All I can do is prepare the best I can and then lay all my cards on the table come race day. What happens after that is out of my control. But I’m here to give it my best shot. Can’t believe its almost here.

In Gratitude,

Rich

Jason and I check in from Kona and talk swag and training. Only about 2 weeks out from the 2009 Ultraman World Championships!