Welcome to Matt Lieto's triathlon home. Within these pages you can find out more about "BIGMATT" and his triathlon goals.

Matt is a professional triathlete who loves to share his joy of the sport and general fitness through his racing and coaching services. Matt lives and trains in Bend, Or. with his big brother, Trifuel.com founder, Paul Lieto.

May 10, 2007

One of these days!!

So, one of these days I will be back up and ready to race again. I had finally gotten back into a decent bit of fitness 2 weeks ago, running good, biking well, and getting the busted arm to swimming strength again. Until I finished a bike ride and found myself sick as a dog. I ended up with bronchitis for a week, and was pretty wasted. I finally felt good again after 10 days, and woke up with a nasty cold. Hey, does someone out there have a voodoo doll of me that I don't know about? This is getting a wee bit silly.

But seriously, things are coming around and I hope to be racing for the first time at Baja 70.3 in June. I am really looking forward to racing, but more excited in finding that rhythm of training I had in Australia in February. Things were just easy and smooth, and the fitness was just there. With a little patience, I will get there, and be ready to kill it in July- Nov.

I recently moved up the street to a bigger place with big brother Paul, and we are super happy in the new digs. Our old place was tiny, and the new place has room to stretch out and be a little more comfortable. The trails are super close, and there are good road rides just out the door- perfect.

I am taking an easy, and I mean EASY week this week to try and kick this cold so I can get back to business. I am going to race at Table Rock road race next weekend, where I will be defending my first Cat 1-2 race title. Weather is good, and I remember now why i live in Bend- Spectacular!! Till next time, get out there and ENJOY THE DAY- Matt :)

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March 16, 2007

What I Got

Here, I am sitting in the Portland Airport listening to Sublime waiting for my connection back to Bend after a quick trip to San Jose. I stayed at my home away from home at "Casa de Muddy" with my coach Muddy and his lovely wife Barbara. Just one night, but well worth the trip. Alcis had a kick off party for their Elite Triathlon Team. I finally had the opportunity to meet the rest of the Alcis Execs, Brian, Mark, and Reed, good times, pleasure to meet you all! And good to see you again Eric. Also had the chance to meet Todd Hinders, who put us all together, and has helped me out plenty. Todd, see you back in my hood at Pacific Crest. Met with Dr. Gino today, where he calmed me more than he probably knows, with an athletes perspective on my injuries.

So my injuries, well as I mentioned in the last post my confidence in my Australian Dr. was less than stellar. My hunches where correct, a little light in the ol' diagnoses doc! On top of my obvious broken elbow, I broke my wrist, have several bulging discs in my neck, some badly bruised ribs, and most likely recovering from a concussion. Good news, I am blessed to have great sponsors and friends that know their stuff, and have completely set me on the road to recovery. So Dr. Verhyden over at "The Center" or as I call him, straight shooting William Tell, set me up with a smooth riding titanium screw in my wrist. Man, that guy is good, I thought that surgery was supposed to hurt. I had no pain, and had to take his word (and the sweet xray) that he actually put a big ol' screw in there. Thanks Dr. V!

Next door to my boys at Therapeutic Associates, where Chuck and the crew set me up with a sweet splint. They also got me going with some exercises to ensure the swim will be back to normal when I am all healed up. Good news is it looks like I can ride on the trainer and run, and in a week should be able to get in the pool for some kick sets and some drill action. I LOVE KICK SETS!!!

Of course as stated before the fella's over at Chiropractic Family Healthcare, Brad & Shad, have been setting my crooked neck straight. The only setback is those guys are stinkin hilarious. Why is that bad? Well it puts me in tears with my ribs and back pain, but all the better for my general mood. No negative nancies here! Thanks fellas.

So I am actually in really good spirits, and am ready for some hard work to get to racing shape soon. My goal for the first race of the year is 70.3 Florida in the end of May. So keep your fingers crossed, but I am completely confident I will be ready to go. This has been a crazy couple of weeks, and I have learned that you really never know how things are gonna turn out. Everybody has struggles, but what defines you is how, and with what attitude you respond to them. So here I come, bring it on, cause what doesn't kill me makes me stronger!

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March 02, 2007

Em, ya maybe not!!!

So- disregard my last post. Yes, Australia is great, and the training was phenominal (I emphasize was), but I am getting on a plane on Monday to head back to the states.
So 70 miles into a ride with my new training and coffee partner Matty Clark, things went a bit wrong. Somehow coming out of a stoplight, due to loose handlebar tape, my hand came off the bars just when I hit a bump, standing getting up to speed. When the hand comes off when you're standing bad things tend to happen. So my chest bounced off the bars, and as far as I can remember I went over the bars head first into a guard rail, where I ricocheted off my head landed on my elbow then back, and slid to a stop. Like a loyal training buddy, Matt was the first one there when I got my bearings. I hung out in the street for a bit, just getting my breath, and Matt and I were convincing the small and very helpful crowd that an ambulance wasn't necessary. I got picked up by the Australian hospitality committee, Dave Hutchison, and Mr. ESP - Alan Cunningham, who called me minutes after the crash. Which was a good thing, cause I was gonna ride home, which wouldn't have helped my situation.

So I went to the local doc, who may not have had my situation as high a priority as for his busy schedule. I was diagnosed with a broken radius, but given nothing more than a cloth sling. "Em, did I mention that my helmet cracked in like 3 places", to which the doctor replied " you're not puking, and you can talk okay- so I am sure your fine". Sweet!!! My headache for the past 4 days makes me think that maybe a slight concussion is probably more likely.

So on the phone to get home, to go see all the specialists that I am blessed to have in my life back in Bend. Levi at Therapeutic Associates has already got me set with a Orthopedic Surgeon at The Center when I arrive back in town. I am sure I will be getting my fill of therapy at Therapeutic's as well- pretty sure I strained some back and neck muscles in the crash as well. And of course, my boys down at Chiropractic Family Healthcare, Brad and Shad, to take care of my TWEAKED neck and back, as well as convincing me that there is probably something pretty funny about the situation. Those guys are hilarious, which actually scares me a bit cause it hurts a hell of a lot when I laugh.

So that is what I am up to now. I am definitely pretty disappointed, this trip was a pretty big sacrifice, and I have been putting in a lot of hard work. I was feeling really fit, and was looking forward to racing well at IM Australia. I keep telling myself that it all happens for a reason. That is what your supposed to say - right! Hopefully my recovery won't be long, and I will at least be able to get on the bike and the run soon, so please keep your fingers crossed for me, I would appreciate it. Well, hopefully the next update will include more good news- check ya later- Matt

Oh- Bye Australia!! I've loved my time here, and thanks to all the help from my Roomie Dave, and the Cunninghams - you have all been amazing at making me feel at home, and helping me out whenever it was needed. Oh, and Matty, thanks for the training, and Bend here ya come!! And thanks to Mom, for being my emergency travel agent, you are a huge help! We will get you your Australia trip soon- I promise!

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