I have an interesting observation about my blog. Whenever I have a post detailing my questionable lifestyle, I get fewer comments and more page views. When it's a responsible, training specific post, I get more comments.
I wonder why that is?
Some of the other blogs I enjoy reading that show their page view stats have half the visits of my blog and get far more comments. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for comments. I'm just curious what makes the difference?
Alice thinks it's because I write so truthfully with 100% openness and that most people are intrigued to read what's going to happen next in the crazy world of "Training Payne". She thinks most are just "peeking in" like it's a soap opera, similar to the movie "The Truman Show".
Again, I DO NOT want comments and this is NOT a play to get more comments. I'm just intrigued by it. (Frankly, I much prefer the electronic Bic, which is a code work for C's. If you hear "flick that biC", you know what to do. I'm very close to getting the Kegerator).
However, if you are a regular reader and don't want to be identified, please leave me an anonymous comment with the reason why you read my blog and secondly, why you have never commented or identified yourself. I sincerely want to know. It's driving me crazy.
Changing gears, I think I've finally found an ideal work and training routine, a nice balance. Since I've sold the business, I get up much earlier and without an alarm clock. What does that say? (That's a different blog post). The moment I get out of bed I'm now on the computer working at my kitchen table.
My work nowadays is primarily Internet marketing based, which means I'm constantly learning. I LOVE IT!!! I'm learning many things new everyday and most importantly, I'm enjoying it. I haven't felt this work-alive in a long, long time.
I've got the training down to a morning or lunch session and a post dinner session. I can't stress enough how the training keeps me mentally fresh and balanced.
Today was a prime example. I started at 8:00 am and didn't look up from my computer until 1:30 pm. Then I started eating and working and eating and working (repeat some more) until 5:30 pm. By then I was getting fried, but didn't want to stop. I finally pried myself from the computer and drove Reid to do his weights.
Then when I got home, I avoided the computer and drove directly to the track for my running speed work. It was a hot one, with Humidex it was 38C. I LOVED IT!!! I was running that track and feeling the heat. It was awesome, it's like the air is giving you a big hug.
The net result, was when I got home I felt like a new man and my head was clear. My internal equilibrum was reset. I was also craving a beer and as the current writing of this blog, I've resisted. I feel like I've been taking in too many calories sitting at the kitchen table all day, AND, why drink if your not going to go for the buzz or beyond?
Anyway, back to my point, I'm breaking the day up with training and it feels wonderful. It's a great way to keep energized and fresh. I can't stress enough how much I'm enjoying life right now. I feel a level of freedom and purpose I haven't felt in a long while. (Another blog post).
One last and unrelated comment. "Why I don't like doing shorter than Half Ironman distance racing". First off, I want to say, I have nothing against the shorter distance races and in a way they can even be harder because of the higher intensity and especially if you go out "too hard too soon". It's like running, I prefer a marathon over a HARD 8 km road race.
The reason I like the long distance races is because I don't want to get up early and then get to a race two hours before the start, only for it to be over in less than two or three hours. I want to make the getting out of bed and the pre-race wait worth while. It's that simple.
I'm not elitist, I love all races triathlon, I'm just into time benefit management. If they had sprint and Olympic distance races that I didn't have to get up early for and could show up 30 minutes before the start, I'd do every one.
Speed Run - 32:20 / 6.29 km / 5:07 km
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16 comments:
I read all your posts via RSS. I don't often comment because I'm not activly training, and don't have much to add in that regard, and as far as the partying goes, well, if you weren't there you kinda sound like a d, adding comments about it. :)
Cheers,
AO - aka m750
B-
You KNOW you are going to go more crazy if you get an anonymous comment that intrigues you - lol - ive seen it unfold before! haha...nice groove on with the training/work/family thing you got going at the moment...ride it!
-D
also- I too dont understand the drink unless going for WELL BEYOND - haha
D, I usually wait for one post reply, but can't help myself. Your right about the Anonymous comments, I thought of that before hand. But have committed to be a good boy about it for this post only. Nice one calling me out on the carpet on that one. Haha.
Yeah I'm with Alice on this one - it's the soap opera effect. More on the family please?
Also some additional love interests would be nice other than you and yourself or you and John Barclay. Haha (Sorry John but you guys did seem kind of "tight" in China hahahahahahaha)
Alright, was gonna comment about your post but Simon made me laugh pretty hard about you and your butt buddy being "tight" HAHAHAHA!
Running in the heat has been hurting me lately, but like you said, it FEELS AMAZING to be just pouring out sweat during the workout. Wouldn't change it for the world.
Good job on balance, I can't balance myself working from home. It is because I hate my job and I look for any distraction possible to skip doing work. I even make up huge reasons in my head of why I should go walk out to the garden to see how my potatoes or beans or cucumbers are doing. Then I go out again a half hour later because I forgot to check on my strawberry bushes haha.
I knew you would call out the white elephant in the middle of the room one of these days. I often look at your "where people are from" widget and see tons of hits all over the place and never see comments. I am a smart ass and enjoy your personality, that is why I comment. In response to the first guy, why the hell would I feel like a "D" commenting about your hilarious life happenings?!
Your life is TOO GOOD to NOT comment haha! I mean, Reid is eating your chocolate cigars and you had to hide your chocolate beer from him because he was eying it up?! This stuff can't write itself B!
Lastly, I drink for the buzz... errr uhhhh for the carb loading, yeah thats it ;)
I would laugh pretty hard if you don't get more comments today because you called everyone out!
I would say more of a reality show than soap opera, I think there is a difference. In your stories you haven't slept with any other members of your wife's family, or murdered anyone, at least that you've posted about. Oh and soap opera stars would drink wine or scotch, not beer.
In a reality show you can identify more with the "star". For me, I live in the same general area, have started tri's to get back in shape, will also be racing Welland (Saturday race), and having watched the Ironman in Hawaii in person dream about getting there some day.
Unlike you, though, I only "dream" about being able to drink as much beer as you, stay up till 4 listening to music, and still function the next day. Maybe once we have kids I'll learn to function on less sleep...
Finally, for me reading triathlete blogs makes being an arm chair fan of the sport better, you have someone to check the results for on race day and wait for the race report. Though none of the other ones are video blogs posted from a toilet seat, which makes you the winner!
Corey Philp
I think your wife is pretty on the money here. You're like a soap opera. You seem a bit unreal, training on hangover, staying up all hours. A couple drinks and I'm worthless the next day. You probably have some extra crazy gene or muscle the rest of us don't have.
While I have left one comment, during your Utah IM, it was one of "adoration" of your efforts ( that bathroom scene was a little difficult to watch though)
Your blog is a regular reading event because you are entertaining, appalling, unreal in the way I wish to be real. I'll probably be a regular lurker, in the least obxious sense ( I like to believe). By the way, your wife should get a medal for putting up with you, and she should probably kick your ass regularly.. just because you probably deserve it.
Love the stories on your son. I had a similar experience with one of my children, now she's quite a rock star on the lacrosse field.
I'm off to "Bic".. everyone needs a kegerator!
I would love to see a video of you on a drunken 4:00am rambling balanced life/training rant at your bar. It would be AWESOME! Later, Bob.
Regarding the lack of comments on posts detailing your questionable lifestyle, it could be that people refrain from offering up comments that oppose your thoughts, opinions, or actions because you have a tendency to react harshly to these.
There really isn’t much to say about your questionable lifestyle; as a grown man you don’t need anyone telling you about the myriad issues involved with drinking 12 to 20 beers a night with such frequency. What would anyone have to say about this that you don’t already know?
I read your blog to learn from your triathlon experiences. You are very good at managing a work/life balance. Because you are so open we see what works for you and, perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t. I have taken away some valuable points from your blog and incorporated them into my triathlon preparation and racing.
If nothing else, I stay away from buffets.
-C.C.
I read your blog through my blog reader so I never actually go to the website or feel the need to leave a comment. I just like reading what everyone is doing for training for LP. I'll be there too. Ironman LP here we come.
C.C. is clearly not familiar with this theory, clearly rooted in sound science - Corey P
"the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine! That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."
I started reading your blog when you posted about Mantracker on the TriRudy website a while ago (maybe a year now?).
Living also in Ontario, I find it really fascinating to read about your training and learn some new things about triathlon training.
I'm one of those people who simply reads your blog religiously every day but never comments. Why? Because I'm not sure I have anything interesting to add. I do recreational triathlons (maybe 3-4 per season if I'm lucky) and stick to short distances. I'm such a slow "athlete" that I really feel like I'm in a different world than you. It's almost like a feeling of shame for not being that good but hoping that maybe one day, with enough training and determination, I'll finally get better?
Anyways, keep up the posts because they are entertaining and educational. I do love the Reid and Nazaire stories though! :))
Zoey.
HEY! I just flicked the bic (somehow, that sounds a little dirty to me...), you are that much closer!
LOL at Simon's comment and Matty's after.
How can someone not comment on the funny shit you write about? Just saying. Sometimes work keeps me away from blogs. So sad.
Solid training, I am carbo loading right now. Bic
I read all your posts, and usually I comment when one of three things is happening...1) When I feel especially inspired to go out and train, 2) When I have had a few beers and feel goofy or 3) When I am not feeling lazy and/or am not in a rush. Haha...but I enjoy reading your blog because its a good mix of training and real life. Its great!
Hey, what Bob said, I want video of you and Alice at the bar at 4am, drinking and telling stories!!
ps - I try not to comment on every post cause I don't wanna be a stalker. I do return to read the comments on older posts, some of those are as entertaining as the blog itself. I access from work and home so I count for 2.
If you really want to know...
I started reading your blog a few weeks before China. You were so well prepared and so in the zone, it was very inspiring. I stayed up all night (eastern time zone) watching your progress on ironman.com, my wife thought I was losing it. ("You don't even know this guy")
I was pushing 220 lbs at the start of the year and your blog was helpful in getting me kick started. I just finished my 2nd sprint tri and am under 200 lbs for the first time in 5 yrs. Thanks for showing how it can be done.
I actually dread the posts about drinking and eating garbage. They are contrary to what I am trying to do. But who am I to judge, so I stay quiet.
You seem to be happy and have a nice family. Good luck to you. Thanks for sharing your life with mostly anonymous readers like myself.
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