Vacation mode

I sent the text to the boys early this morning letting them know that I would not be at the workout this morning. With two workouts yesterday and a late hockey game I had nothing left to give this morning and decided that it would be best to get some rest before leaving for my trip tomorrow. I'm going to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I'm really looking forward to relaxing and letting my body rest. It's been a tough routine that i've been in since christmas. The team has been working hard and will continue to workout hard.

I will not be blogging from the DR. The next week will be known as blog if you want week. Tdisc members will have the oportunity to keep the fans updated by entering a blog here and there.

Till sometime next week,
TDP

"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." ~Seneca

Get hammered by the dog days

Today was extremely tough. After the weekend, getting up for a run in -10 weather is really tough. As a team we ran quite well. Although I hung on for most of the run I felt pretty well. We did the usual down broadway past KRock run. You know it's winter running when you have to keep wiping your eyelids in order to see.

Last night a few texts went back and fourth with Josh Vessey. He was not pleased with the decision to be put on probation. I explained it the best I could. It's an honor to be a part of Tdisc and we just felt like he was slightly taking advantage of his tryout agreement. The captain gave him a private pep talk this morning. Rumour has it that he told him to shake it off and be ready to go. According to the fan poll things don't look good for the rookie.

Tonight is ed-fit and tomorrow we are back in the pool.

It's a very special day today. 30 years ago our big gun came into the world. On behalf of Tdisc and all of us at bloggingwithtdisc.blogspot.com happy birthday Admiral.

TDP

" I always prefer to believe in the best of everybody - it saves so much trouble."- Rudyard Kipling

Josh Vessey put on Probation

Scratches: Josh Vessey (Ankle)

Bloggingwithtdisc.blogspot.com has confirmed that Tdisc has put Josh Vessey on Probation. Basically what this means is that he has been given his final warning. One more missed day and he's back to 100 days again. Be sure to check out the new poll in the right hand column....Will Josh Vessey get cut?

Friday is finally here...it's been another long week. We did bike sprints this morning followed by a bull power abs workout. Spirits were pretty high considering that we had to put someone on probation today. Bull is Josh Vessey's mentor and all he had to say today was "I'm really disappointed."

Tomorrow has become optional. For most it will be a run and ed-fit.

Also, it's the big 2-7 for Tdiscbull. Happy Birthday bull from all of us here at bloggingwithtdisc.blogspot.com.

TDP

"Seize the opportunity by the beard, for it is bald behind." ~Bulgarian Proverb

What Tdisc means to me by The Captain

Todays Scratches: The admiral (Parenting)
Tdiscpye (H1N1 Vaccine)

Yesterday was a day full of shots. I got one in each shoulder. Thinking nothing of it I just continued on with my regular routine. So I went to bed like usual...Great time...just a little after 10. 2 a.m rolls around and i'm feeling really sore in my right shoulder. So I got up and moved it around...I could hardly lift my arm above my shoulder. First thought "I can't swim." Frig! so as I was laying there in my bed I started going through my swimming stroke....couldn't do it. So I text the coach to let him know. 6 am rolls around and still nothing from the coach. So I call...still nothing. Not wanting to leave the boys hanging I sat on the side of my bed and waited for a response. Finally I touched base with the coach aroun 6:20am, back to bed I went.

Yesterday was a nightmare on the legs. This years camp has really kicked into a tougher gear. Yesterday we did some tough sprints followed byEverything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler. - Albert Einstein legs, legs, and more legs at the ttf.

Tdisc means a lot to us. Today I have the honour of presenting to the fans an article written by our Captain that featured in yesterday's Toronto Sun.

Last September, I joined a group called Team Discovery. I joined because it seemed like a good way to get in shape and have some fun with some great athletes through the tough winter months. I never really knew if we would race or do a triathlon, but I was going along for the ride.

As time went on and training stayed constant, we seen guys come and go but the big four always stuck it out. I admit if I was not living with the Admiral I would not be on this team. If I was behind schedule in waking up, (happened a lot) Admiral would pop his head in and say you coming to Greggy? and I would respond yep and off we would go. I know that there was a lot of this going on at the MacPhee household because the Coach and blog master shared a home.

When this team started, I was working, going to school, coaching and had a pretty demanding social life. Last year before Tdisc I never thought I would wake up at 6:00am and exercise? that soon changed, I NEVER thought I would go to bed before 10:00pm??? that soon changed, I never thought that a workout would become more important than a night out partying, very quickly changed.

For me 2010 is a big year. I have changed my sleeping habits, social life, diet, (big time) and put everything towards fitness. Tdisc has been a major impact on my life, I eat healthier, exercise twice a day, rarely drink or go to the bars, and always feel I can push myself more. I am looking forward to seeing the outcome of all my hard work when it comes to the triathlon season. This is the year I get to see the benefits of my sacrifices.

Tdisc really does change lives.....

Captain Tdiscgreggy

Tonight it's Ed-Fit. Tomorrow we are back to more legs.

Just like to welcome a new addition to Tdisc nation...Josh Whiteway. On behalf of Tdisc and bloggingwithtdisc.blogspot.com we say thank you for following our Journey.

TDP

"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein

Coaches Mid-month Report

The following was posted on Coach TDISCKREE's twitter account on Tuesday morning.

" As coach of the team, I am pleased with how things are going so far this month. Everyone is working hard and being on time. We've pushed the envelope in terms of our workouts but TDISC is not approaching 2010 like any other year. This is the year TDISC get's off the porch and plays with the big dogs. I look forward to embracing the dog days and gaining momentum into the Bluephin 5k."

On each member :

Vessey - "Love how he's bought in from the get-go. Some people say that the fear of failure is greater motivation then the prize of victory. This guy is fighting for survival everyday and gaining a lot of respect from the other 5 of us."

Pye -" We haven't seen the extreme highs and lows we are used to from this guy. Me and the captain granted him a week off in late Jan to go to a wedding in the Dominican because he's worked hard this fall and winter. He'll come back energized."

Bull -"When I caught him sleeping in the middle of the day at the TTF this week I realized this guy is giving TDISC everything he's got. Bull has gone from being the rookie to being a good mentor for Vessey. It's good to see."

Admiral -" When I heard he sprinted the telephone polls last thursday on his own...I first thought he was nuts, then I laughed, then I said to myself " thats why he's our big gun." he's eating the dog days for breakfast this time around."

Captain - " When we chose Tdiscgreggy as captain we knew we'd need a good leader to get this team through the dog days of winter. He's been on time and motivational at all workouts...it's been impressive."

Coach - " I am feeling good about my performance so far. My bowels have been in check and I haven't even thought of retirement yet. I am more focused and relaxed this time around."


Coaches Monthly Theme - "If you don't work like a dog you'll stink like a skunk." TDK

Keep on Keepin on

Today was a dog day! Everyone had the same opinion about today, that it was extremely hard to get going this morning. As hard as it was the team still put in a good morning. We ran for 40 minutes finishing hard on the backstretch.

The rookie(josh vessey) continues his quest to be the 6th member of tdisc. It's no secret that last time we as a team wanted him to fail. This time it's a different story. The rookie is being mentored along the way. Saturday night around midnight he was spotted outside The Jug getting advice from Bull "1ke"(pronounced ike) Patterson. This morning he was given advice from the coach on how to run with runners trots. It's a long journey but so far he proven that he's a different guy this time around.

This week the schedule has been tinkered with. We will switch our swim days to Tuesday and Thursday. It's going to be a tough week for Tdisc. The highlight of the week will come when we celebrate the birth of the big gun on Friday.

TDP

"Pain is the body’s way of ridding itself of weakness."

300th blog post

300 posts! It just seems like yesterday that I was storm stayed and coming up with this friggen thing. This week has been a bad week for the blog. Operation SFA has been taking up all my blogging time. With a workout in the morning and either Yoga, Ed fit, or hockey in the evenings, my down time has been rest.

It was a tough week for Tdisc. We put in some hard mornings at the TTF. Tuesday the whole team did a bike and leg workout. Fire an ed fit and a hockey game on top of that and it's a full day. On wednesday we hit the pool. We swam pretty hard for close to an hour. Everyone kind of did there own thing. Tdisckree battled a bad wing and kicked for most and the admiral had a beef with his stamina so he ripped off a large amount of consecutive laps. Thursday morning we did arguably the toughest sprint workout ever on the track. I don't often find myself bent over gasping for wind but on that day was. Other than Bull nearly taking out an 80 year old man everything went well. The admiral was a game day scratch due to parenting, but admitted later that he ran around the block at home sprinting the poles after he finished work. Thursday night I was back at ed fit for the second time this week. It has really been catching on and last night it drew a record crowd of 23.

I woke up this morning to a text that said "I don't have a ride, see you at yoga."-Josh vessey. My first reaction was "that frigger is pulling the shoot." I tossed and turned for a few minutes thinking of excuses not to go. I came up with a lot but knew the admiral was going to be sitting there waiting so I got up and took off for the pool. Tdg(work), TDK(upper body) and Josh Vessey (no ride) were all scratches from the swim. The swim class has turned into a real bagger every friday morning. Today was no different.

Tonight was my third trip to yoga. Tdg, Tdk, and Josh Vessey also came with me to give it a try. I'm becoming much more comfortable with my breathing and some of the positions. My hip flexors and hips are extremely tight. Tonight by times I thought they were going to pop. It's great!

Tomorrow it's a long run in the morning and then Ed.fit. Rest day on Sunday.

Also just like to wish our captain...Tdiscgreggy a very Happy Birthday. He turns 27 Tomorrow.

TDP

"Before you've practiced, the theory is useless. After you've practiced, the theory is obvious." -David Williams

Josh Vessey speaks

Tdisc believes in second chances. When Mr. Vessey opted out of his tryout agreement it was almost like a slap in the face to Tdisc. Well I think I speak on behalf of the team when I say that we were shocked when he decided to give it another go. We could see from the start that he was a more mature Josh Vessey. We decided to start the clock again. With 7 full days in he addressed the media just outside the TTF.

Josh Vessey:First off all, a big thanks to all the members of the team for accpeting me back on for a try out agreement. I'm a new man this time around and am determined to make the most of this glorious opportunity. Having done this once before has better prepared me for what to expect and I am much more mentally focused to tackle this grueling winter training with team TDISC.

I realize that there is much doubt surrounding my return to TDISC and the idea of me making through the vigorous 100 day tryout. But I am going to let that negativity roll right off me because I am feeling great being reunited (bright and early, every morning) with the team and I know they have my back. I couldn't be happier with the team support that I've been receiving and being as it has become the one and only Bull Patterson's job to coach and mentor me through the try out, I'm basically set for success.

I know it won't be easy, but would i want it to be? Absolutely not. That's not what TDISC is all about.. it's about dedication, perseverance, teamwork, and punctuality (right, Admiral?).

Thanks again for the opportunity to be apart of something this special. Second chances don't happen everyday, better take advantage of this one.

-"Time to nut up or shut up."



We had a good run this morning. It's hard to believe that it is almost the middle of January and we are still running outside. Although it was quite cold, the conditions ideal for running. The captain and I hit up yoga again tonight. I feel like I had a better night. I was more familiar with the positions. I really look forward to going again on Friday. Tomorrow it's bike and weights followed by Ed Fit in the evening. Op. SFA is in it's second week. Feeling great!

TDP

"Opportunity is just success looking for a place to happen." -Greg Hickman

Friday morning bagger

It's common knowledge now that when you swim on Friday morning you are going to be completely gassed. There were times when I literaly thought that I was going to drowned. The funniest part of the swim was when I was doing my warmup and I looked up to see Vessey out of the water and stretching his hamstrings on the diving board. It's even funnier to see him up there with phelps tights that are too tight and often show half of his crack. I have to give him full credit for sticking it out for the whole class. When I got out my body was totally exhausted and I probably could have eaten the back end out of skunk I was so hungry. The showers were a little different then usual...it was basically body care products 101. I now know a lot about face creams.

Operation SFA has got me back to where I was before christmas. I'm sore but I feel great going into an off day. Today the team ran but with hockey the Captain and I had to scratch. My off day will be today and tomorrow will be a run.

Anyone interested in joining tdisc(w) please contact Tdisc as soon as possible. There is some serious interest that may lead to a start date as early as this Monday.

Looking forward to an off day,
TDP


”We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit. ”
- Aristotle

Dropped......again!

"I'm going to prove them wrong." -Josh Vessey (talking about the results so far in the fan poll.) p.s he's still there.

It was good to have that big break at christmas to rest the body, but getting back to where I was before has been tough. My food addiction flared and over the holidays I gained 9lbs. As a team we gained 46lbs. For me it was extremely disappointing. I didn't really notice it until ed fitness on Tuesday night. I felt really heavy throughout the whole workout. It was at that point that I decided opertation SFA had to come into effect. SFA simply stands for Stop Friggen Around. So i'm working hard on my food addiction as well as 1 yoga and 2 ed fitness classes on top of the usual tdisc workouts. Operation SFA is in it's 3rd day.

As I walked in the TTF this morning I looked up at the tv to see the movie Rick and Dick Hoyt playing. It was put on by the coach to motivate the boys as it was gettting late in a tough week. We sat for a few minutes then the admiral piped up "alright let's go." As I was going upstairs to the track I could feel the affects of operation SFA. As we began our first set around the track I knew I was going to struggle through it. So we did 6 laps of the track then 5 sets of stairs 5 times. As I hit the 3rd set I was dropped by the group. It's always disappointing to get left behind but with a year under my belt I understood that good runners have to keep getting better as well. This is what I needed...this is what got me better last year...and this is what's going to get me better this year. After we finished that we separated into 4 corners and sprinted from corner to corner. It was a tough workout...something Tdisc really needed.

On Wednesday we had a good hard 45 minute swim. I was in a lane with the admiral and the coach and basically just tried to stay on their heals. It was great!

Tonight i'm back at Ed Fitness. Tomorrow it's swim class.

Keep on Keepin on,
TDP

"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."
- Beverly Sills

Tdp and Tdg try yoga

It's no secret within tdisc that my flexibility isn't where it needs to be. I've often talked about doing something about it but it just never seemed to happen. Well yesterday the text came in from the captain. "yoga tonight at 5:30." I quickly responded back with "not a chance." A few more texts followed and next thing I knew I was in the car and on my way in to yoga. I was clean terrified. It was a very comfortable setting, and I found a way to kinda hide at the back. For the first little bit I couldn't look over at the captain without laughing. All I could think of was wow if only my grandfather knew about this. It has always been preached in the MacPhee family that men don't do yoga, men work! The captain was doing some kind of fancy breathing that kept making me laugh, but I would quickly refocus as I began to feel my groins tear. Oh frig, then the crazy positions started. My worst fear had come true. I was lying on my stomach reaching back trying to grab my feet. Unfortunately my hands and feet weren't coming together. Next thing I knew the teacher is reefing on my feet trying make the connection. My back was cracking and it felt like I was going to pop a blood vessel in my head. Then I hear..."just relax and let your body feel the stretch." I almost snickered as my head was about to explode. Then my hands slipped...my feet catapulted back at such a speed that if I was near the wall they would have went right through it. I became much more relaxed after that because I pretty well figured I couldn't get any worse. Believe it or not I actually really enjoyed the class. I can see it becoming very helpful for my triathlon training. Unfortunately for me I had to start somewhere.

I was quite tired getting up for the workout this morning. The yoga took more out of me then I thought it would. We started off on the bikes and yes Vessey made it to day 2. We also had the pleasure of working side by side with pei's own...ordinary joe's. Some found it a little tough to stay focused with the admiral only a few feet away rag dolling the bike pedals. Tdiscbull put us through about a half an hour of sprints then we went into a weights set. Our focus in the second half is going to be on our legs. Today we did three different leg sets with abs in between. We paired up today and Tdiscbull was matched with Josh Vessey. He has been giving the daunting task of mentoring Vessey along this journey. The coach then gave the bull a little incentive. Pointing at Vessey tdisckree announced "if he makes it 100 days, you're an assistant captain."

Tonight it's back to Ed. Fitness. The greatest circuit workout on earth. For more info on it just contact the blog.

Till next time,
TDP

"My god given talent is my ability to stick with training longer than anybody else."
-Herschel Walker

It's not a resolution- It's a lifestyle.

As I packed my bag last night and prepared my running gear for this mornings workout I couldn't help but feel a little excited. I set my alarm for 6:18...due to the pending weather conditions I gave myself 2 extra minutes. That move paid off as I arrived at the TTF just as the admiral pulled in. We walked in together and like usual as I approached the door I slowed up to make sure the admiral got to walk in first. "Vessey...what are u doing here?" a surprised admiral asked. As I turned the corner I spotted him. "I'm back boys." said Josh Vessey half pleading to the Admiral. After we got over the initial shock...we said "good to have you back Vessey." Rule 22 in the Tdisc handbook clearly states that we cannot deny anyone this lifestyle. The clock has started again. Be sure to check out the new fan poll in the right hand column. How long with Vessey make it this time?

It was great to be back with the team. The conditions weren't great for an outdoor run but everyone was pull of pee and vinegar so we went outside. We went for about 40 minutes and then finished with a lengthy stretch. It was very icy but we didn't have any injuries other than a few severe cases of the runners trots. Shortly after the run TDK released a short statement. "I'm pretty pleased with what I saw today. I was real surprised to see Vessey at the TTF this morning - this just might be the time he makes it 100 days. Everyone seemed to be tired but in good spirits. It's good to have a unit of 6 heading into the 2010 season. In an attempt to keep all six guys safe I am appointing a safety comitee within TDISC - Tdiscadmiral will be the chair and Josh Vessey will work as his side-kick. they will look into ways that will make the runs a little safer for each member (ie. reflective vests, monitoring running/weather conditions."

I'd also like to reveal January's theme that was brought forward by TDISCBULL :

"IT'S NOT A RESOLUTION - IT'S A LIFESTYLE."

Nice job on that one Bull.

TDK "

We held a team meeting on Saturday night in which we discussed the next few months. It was decided that Tdisc had to up the pace. Longer morning workouts had to be in store. It is the year of the triathlon orrrrr the 70.3? Yes you read it right. Tdisc has made a new goal. On August 29th we will compete in a Half Ironman. It will be double what we did last year. More details and team goals to come.

It's good to be back,
TDP

"You don't need to be a fantastic hero to do certain things - to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals." -Edmund Hillary

The blog turns 1!

I just don't know what to say tonight. I'm low! I've sickened myself on food and have hardly worked out at all. I need a night to regroup before I bring my thoughts to the blog.

Big news is coming folks...