No matter how many times you try the same thing such as the same race, there are a ton of things you can choose or not to choose to do, which make the outcome different. This year, it was no different. Most of the running the past couple months has pretty much been in the water aqua jogging with no speedwork, strength, or stretching, due to the double-injuries. As stated in previous posts, the right hamstring (7-year old recurring injury), then the left pulled quad from compensation during the Barking Dog Duathlon during the bike leg for the original injury to the hamstring.
Typically I'll have some toast before a race, then coffee. The toast is to settle the stomach acid from the coffee. The rest of the morning was pretty typical for a Bolder Boulder race, with the temps a little on the cool side. For obvious reasons, with a DNF at West Side Duathlon, a sub-par performance at Barking Dog developing the second injury, the mindset was on the low end of things. I jogged through the cemetery for a warm up, down 30th to the start just as normal--except I was feeling some aches & pains & without speedwork since the last duathlon, the day wasn't feeling too promising. Not to mentally get off on the wrong foot, but you know when you're not 100% or "on" for a race. Certainly, this was one of those days.
After who knows how many trips to the bathroom today, the near 2-mile warm up jog to the start & a few accelerations, I toed the line but somehow got right up to the front line of the A-wave (usually I'm about 10 feet back). What a great chance to get out of the mess of runners! Frank Shorter was only a few feet away from me when the starting pistol went off on this beautiful sunny Memorial Day. I wasn't as concerned about tagging onto the guy who beat me in my age group the last three years, because I had the rare situation of racing for the 2nd year in a row as a 44-year old. Last year the race was on my birthday, this year it was a day before my birthday. 1-year age categories in this monster of a race.
Mile 1-it was turning our great & my split was a little fast at 5:26 I think it was. By mile 2 marker it slid to 5:36 or so--still under the 5:37 pace I needed to match last year's time. Around mile 1.5 or 1.25, Andy Ames, another frequent local race pal of mine, tapped me on the shoulder (I didn't know he was racing). At this time, the wheels were already starting to fall off and people starting passing me like crazy (which kept up all the way to the end of the race).
Mile 3-suddenly the lack of toast to absorb the coffee came back to haunt me (I won't do that again!)
The issue with the coffee was is started to come back up...since there wasn't much in my stomach, it was just dry-heaving (which is difficult to do while running if you haven't tried it...) Quickly I told myself to slow things down, it doesn't matter how you do, you're injured and it is stupid to push it anyhow. Just use it as your first speed towards the summer racing. I kept pro triathlete Paul Ambrose in my sights, as I typically finish ahead of him in the Bolder Boulder. This year, he got me by 2 seconds though!
Mile 4-the best & noisiest aid station out there, just awesome! It is on 13th Street, near Moe's Bagels.
By this time there were kids and older guys passing me. There wasn't anything left in the legs, finishing was the only goal. There comes a point where finishing is just enough on those painful days--the competing can await a healthy body to return.
Mile 5-there was a guy who was in front of me who I *thought* was Joe Fogerty, a triathlete buddy of mine from the Springs. I sat behind him & slowed on the hill up to the stadium, hoping to out-sprint him. Turned out it wasn't him, but he sure ran & looked like him with his backwards hat on. Coming into the stadium I saw Paul Ambrose up ahead & tried to catch him, passing Tim Van Berkel (another pro triathlete training in Boulder). I'm sure Tim was just "jogging" but still...you know what I mean...it's cool to have a big name triathlete place behind you even if it was a jog for him.
The finish-a nice lady volunteer at the finish saw me cross the line, bend over & start dry heaving. She moved a giant trash can in front of me & said, "Here, do it in here..." After 2-3 minutes, I had recovered enough to stop the imaginary vomiting. Sorry to get graphical here, but it was really a crappy day out there for me. Once again, I was second in my age group, to a guy who had run in the Olympics when he was younger, in the marathon. He beat me by 14 seconds on a really bad day. Lots of folks beat me today. It's okay though. I can either dust off the shoes & come back at it in better shape next year, or throw in the towel. Certainly, towel throwing is a bit of a stranger in my world, so there is your answer. Just have to turn this ship around and give it time. This was my second worst Bolder Boulder time, but there will be others.
Congratulations to the Boulder Running Company athletes (we had the 1st overall amateur from our team). Thanks to Cody Hill of the Boulder Running Company and Adidas--the most awesome line of shoes out there, for sponsoring the BRC-Adidas team. I'm proud to run for them, now I need to recover and get back to my 2013 racing shape following these injuries. Until next report--which should be in about 2-3 weeks hopefully...keep the rubber side down!
KK
Monday, May 26, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Barking Dog Duathlon: Racing with Injury
By the time I hit the last run, my legs were so tired from basically pedaling with one leg (to protect the hamstring injury), that the run legs were gone. I was hoping to catch Andy on the second run but managed to lose about another 5 seconds. At the one "dog leg" I stopped briefly to tighten my right shoe as it was flopping around & annoying me from being too loose. This time there wasn't anything left in the legs to click into another gear. Again, aerobically, it was just fine, but no reaction from the legs. The issues do not seem to be one of cardio, but more of the chassis being underpowered. That's what happens when you get old I guess!
The end result was about a minute behind Andy & about 4-5 places from where I would be when healthy. Obviously some fast guys showed up, but no way my placing is indicitive of where I will end the season. Since West Side Du a few weeks ago, there is no place to go but up. With a new sense of focus on nutrition and recovery from this past weekend, it is time to buckle down & buck up...the season is upon us & I'm behind the 8-ball. It's time to pump up the volume so bring it! Errr....as long as the body holds up that is.
After the race I was talking with a young chap and his wife who had just moved here from Arizona. Pretty funny story...I was explaining how after the timing mat was crossed at T1 on the bike exit--that I jumped on the bike (I saw signs but no "line" on the ground). The refs yelled to get off the bike & re-mount at the line (which again, there was no line on the ground that I saw, just signs). After hopping on the bike a THIRD time in total...with rubber bands on the shoes already broken...I "stop-mounted" the bike and then my right heal came down on the teeth of the chainring, completely tearing the entire heel off my right foot compression socks (those aren't cheap either!) No injury was incurred. In explaining to the young couple, I said now I guess I'll throw out the compression socks. He quickly requested them to take...used, dirty/sweaty, with holes in them. So I took them off right there & handed the socks to him. That was actually just about the best thing of the day because *inside* I was laughing my arse off. Love a good laugh!
Notice the above pictures during the run where the socks are on, then the podium shot where there are no socks. By this time--the third overall place guy (Brian) had already left with his "award" lol!
Which reminds me, racing on what is now a four year old bike with nearly 15 year old race wheels, and 6+ year old tubulars. My gear is getting out of date. It seems to still be working & I still seem to be competitive when not injured, so no point in getting anything but new tires at this point so flats don't happen. Although I need a new race kit...half of my stuff is so old it is in a *dry rot* state. Elastic on the leg grippers are starting to go. The big A race of the year isn't for another 3.5 months so time to heal up & lay the foundation. Sure hope I'm healed better for Bolder Boulder...much further behind than last year, that is for sure! Until next time...you can either toss in the towel or use it to just wipe the sweat off of you & keep going.
One thing I did different due to injury, was to use the KSwiss shoes as they were super light & needed to take as much strain off the injury as I could. At least until I get a new pair of ultra-light ones from Adidas. In hindsight the Adidas would have had a lot better traction and may have helped on the dirt trail quite a bit more.
As it is a day after the race, I'm barely sore. which tells me racing with injury has left me sensible enough to race UP to the point or threshold of just under making injury worse. At least it was enough to win the 45-45 USAT Rocky Mountain Regional Duathlon Champion title. Nothing feels worse, as in re-injuring the hamstring--which tells me there is a good sense of awareness on what line not to cross. Hats off to all the competitors for racing fast this past weekend...until the next race...Kevin
(Just call me ===> KK)
Special thanks to Rachel Ames (Andy's wife) for the spectacular pictures.
Monday, April 14, 2014
2014 Big Sky Duathlon Results
Race report: Above you can see that a morning where I finally decided to show up for a 9 AM race at only 6:15 AM that morning, can turn out to be a good thing. It had been snowing hard in Boulder, but an athlete I coach, Grant, lives near the race site. I called in him in the morning & found it was raining there--something I could deal with if there were enough of the right clothes packed. I got to the site of the race okay after having Grant guide me over the phone on how to get there (my bad I should have MapQuested it but do not have a Garmin in my car either).
*NOTE: know where you're going by race morning. Since I had never done this race before I've never scouted the course either. There would be some fast guys there, namely my Team USA room mate Andy Ames who is always a bugger to race--he's the 2013 ITU Duathlon World Champion and US National Champion for 50-54. He happens to be the 2014 US Cross Country National 50-54 running champion as well (crowned just a few months ago). Andy always puts the hurt on me when running! Hey, give me a break, he's a freaking freak of nature and World Champion so I try best I can to hold pace with him. There would also be Mr. Timex (Tim Hola) racing as well as a guy I've never beaten before, Jim Halberg.
I woke up at 6 AM, had some toast, jam on it, then stopped by Amante for a 20 oz. of my fav. I'd been on coffee detox for a week because it wasn't having the useful effect it normally does. This really got me alert. It snowed, sleeted & rained the entire way there. I took 3 pair of running shoes, 5 pair of gloves & 3 pair of hats, 2 pairs of leg warmers.
*NOTE: Use run shorts that have elastic in the legs to hold up leg warmers rather than just a hem.
To shorten the story, I had a ton of clothes to prepare for about anything.
*NOTE: Bring a balaclava when whether is bad, or one of those scarf/headband/balaclava thingys.
Fast forward: Really I had three trips to the bathroom before the race, with about a total of maybe 4 minutes of warm up. At my age, I need to be more diligent about that, especially in a sprint race. The elite wave/young guns went off at 9 AM. My wave and older (45-49+) went off at 9:05. It turns out I had the fastest FIRST and SECOND runs of the day out of the entire field, including the elites. That really surprised me because at US National Cross Country Championships I was so out of the mix from a) not having raced since I think the fall/ITU World Du Champs b) having done ZERO speed work all winter long. I'm used to being fast in transitions & ended up with the top T1 & T2 times as well, with the 2nd fastest bike split of the day. Here's how it went down after the gun went off...Andy took off like a bat outta hell as usual, I parked on his shoulder. I decided to have a little fun and speed up to shed the group, but then just after taking the lead my right leg warmer fell down to my knee and trying to catch a moving leg at 5-something per mile pace and pull it up at the same time just wasn't easy to do. Andy took the lead again & then I recalled coming into the park before the race, the wind was going to be in our face after a mile. I stayed parked on Andy's shoulder to use him as a shield and conserve for the bike and second run. Andy likes to be in front and since I've been averaging 5-6 hours of total training a week for who knows how many months now, I was happy to have him do the work.
Knowing I couldn't let Andy be near me after the bike, I kept laps 1 & 2 as an easy-then medium effort. However, I missed the turn around on Quebec Street and reached the cop cars about 5 yards beyond the actual turn around--so lost some time there. To top it off, my leg warmers kept falling down and had to stop pedaling to grab them & pull them up like 3 times! Each lap gaining about a hundred fifty yards on Ames. Jim Halberg was putting big time in on the bike way up in Wave 1 and figured I'm just trying to hold off Andy in my wave...never saw Tim Hola the entire race up there probably because I was too busy keeping my eyes on the road and not wipe out on the wet pavement and avoiding other Wave 1 folks. Lap 3 I pushed it a little harder on the bike but not enough so there wasn't anything left after the bike to counter a move from Andy. As it turned out, my second run was just sort of an effort of comfort. The bugger was I lost a serious number of seconds while running just to slow down in order to pull up my leg warmers. I counted 6 times for sure in the first mile--possibly as many as 3 times. Wardrobe malfunctions stink! I could always have picked it up more and the pain threshold never really got in the way much. One of those days where you can keep pushing but not really feel it, possibly because it was so damn cold I was numb? I don't know...either way, after the long downhill and turning back towards the stadium/finish, I got a glance at the trail behind me to see where Andy was--couldn't see anything but trail so I just geared it down to the finish line and went over right away to see Andy so I could cheer him on.
I went to the announcer to tell him to say, "Here comes Andy Ames, the reigning World and National Duathlon 50-54 champion!" I felt Andy deserved all the glory there because he has accomplished amazing things the past year and should be recognized for it. To top it off, he is the Master's Duathlete of the Year for 2013.
At the end of the day, I'm not sure what happened and why I raced to be the only athlete under an hour all the fastest everything but the bike split...in the entire field. Maybe it was the coffee, maybe it was the lack of training so I've been rested, maybe it was the crappy weather. My dad always said when the weather is cold and bad, advantage goes to me. He was right in this case. Maybe it's the Swedish blood in me, or being a former Nordic ski racer for years while in college. Who knows, either way, it sure surprised me how it turned out...it was a good day!
Friday, February 7, 2014
On to 2014...
It seems Blogger has made it less user friendly to post a new post so actually accessing Blogger took a little research--Google has infiltrated the process and made it a PITA giving me grief whenever trying to log in to post.
On to 2014...I've ended the year of 2013 on a decent note with a 4th at ITU World Duathlon Championships as the top American Master in the Olympic Distance race in Ottawa, Canada. I've actually been lucky enough to place 16th overall out of all age groups, just missing a bronze medal by one place. Any other age group but ONE other--I'd have podium placed with a World Championship medal...wow, on the first try. Good stuff for a 44.5 year old.
Due to some rather ridiculous/illogical schedule changes in my work hours at my "day job" I've found myself short training time in the afternoon, so 2014 will greatly limit my training. Having to adjust to an early schedule isn't my cup of tea and will prove to be a personal challenge.
That said, I've been swimming & biking mostly, working on that which doesn't take much time, resorting to more quality training than ever--which is all I've ever really trained like.
2014 starts off with racing at the US National Cross Country Championships in Boulder, CO. My first ever...and first race of its kind since racing Division II XC back in college days. Luckily I was recruited by the Boulder Running Company/adidas Master's team. This should be exciting, painful and exhilarating all at the same time. As my first race of the year, I think back to XC days...how the "studs" would race in our nation's championship race...how far above it was from high school & college racing. The guys who race in the Olympics in Track & Field will be here...the big names of tomorrow and years past. I'll be in the 8k Master's race, so not quite toeing the line with the 12k current day pros...but there will be the "old farts" pros from yester-year on the same line.
Swimming has been a lot of fun & I've been posting some pretty good times for me. Finding my stroke flaws & paying attention so so many details that make such a huge difference. Since this is an Ironman year for me again, the focus will be on that big race at Ironman Boulder in August. New age group, local race--only 3 miles from home...can't beat the price for an Ironman! I'm super stoked & just hope the body holds up and is ready for race day. All races until then are merely training days. While I'd like to race at Du Nationals in July, it seems that is the same day as Boulder Peak...so I'm already signed up for the Boulder Peak & tri series...looks like it's all eyes on August!
There will be some equipment changes...minor ones like a new saddle & possibly a Garmin. Aside from that, the plan for a new Zipp 808 rear doesn't seem likely. I do not see a huge $ per watt improvement in the wings...and think it'd be better just banking that away for retirement at this point. Or getting the house painted...logical stuff that we triathletes usually pass over for equipment.
This past winter I've decided to pass on the Chilly Cheeks Duathlon series & may hop in the last one last minute but I'm not sure as I've not been riding the bike. The motivation to bike hasn't been there & swimming/running has been a little more convenient and fun for me lately. I'm like that...a "mood training athlete" who when I have time, train in whatever it is I have time for. Oh memories of the days of few other commitments! Looking forward to an exciting 2014!
On to 2014...I've ended the year of 2013 on a decent note with a 4th at ITU World Duathlon Championships as the top American Master in the Olympic Distance race in Ottawa, Canada. I've actually been lucky enough to place 16th overall out of all age groups, just missing a bronze medal by one place. Any other age group but ONE other--I'd have podium placed with a World Championship medal...wow, on the first try. Good stuff for a 44.5 year old.
Due to some rather ridiculous/illogical schedule changes in my work hours at my "day job" I've found myself short training time in the afternoon, so 2014 will greatly limit my training. Having to adjust to an early schedule isn't my cup of tea and will prove to be a personal challenge.
That said, I've been swimming & biking mostly, working on that which doesn't take much time, resorting to more quality training than ever--which is all I've ever really trained like.
2014 starts off with racing at the US National Cross Country Championships in Boulder, CO. My first ever...and first race of its kind since racing Division II XC back in college days. Luckily I was recruited by the Boulder Running Company/adidas Master's team. This should be exciting, painful and exhilarating all at the same time. As my first race of the year, I think back to XC days...how the "studs" would race in our nation's championship race...how far above it was from high school & college racing. The guys who race in the Olympics in Track & Field will be here...the big names of tomorrow and years past. I'll be in the 8k Master's race, so not quite toeing the line with the 12k current day pros...but there will be the "old farts" pros from yester-year on the same line.
Swimming has been a lot of fun & I've been posting some pretty good times for me. Finding my stroke flaws & paying attention so so many details that make such a huge difference. Since this is an Ironman year for me again, the focus will be on that big race at Ironman Boulder in August. New age group, local race--only 3 miles from home...can't beat the price for an Ironman! I'm super stoked & just hope the body holds up and is ready for race day. All races until then are merely training days. While I'd like to race at Du Nationals in July, it seems that is the same day as Boulder Peak...so I'm already signed up for the Boulder Peak & tri series...looks like it's all eyes on August!
There will be some equipment changes...minor ones like a new saddle & possibly a Garmin. Aside from that, the plan for a new Zipp 808 rear doesn't seem likely. I do not see a huge $ per watt improvement in the wings...and think it'd be better just banking that away for retirement at this point. Or getting the house painted...logical stuff that we triathletes usually pass over for equipment.
This past winter I've decided to pass on the Chilly Cheeks Duathlon series & may hop in the last one last minute but I'm not sure as I've not been riding the bike. The motivation to bike hasn't been there & swimming/running has been a little more convenient and fun for me lately. I'm like that...a "mood training athlete" who when I have time, train in whatever it is I have time for. Oh memories of the days of few other commitments! Looking forward to an exciting 2014!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
The OCEANIC tide of 2013
Quite honestly, I'm writing this without looking as to the last post I did. Somewhere between then & now has been a roller coaster of life in 2013. Many things such as having my car totaled in my driveway & being tossed into my wife's car in the spring--by a lady who passed out at the wheel for starters, shook things up. We were in the house & heard a large BOOM! Next thing we know, neighbors were saying a lady just drove into our parked cars. Alas, the joys of having to have a car payment now.
We survived the Boulder 500 year flood but still had significant damage as our basement had to be torn pretty much down to the studs. Luckily, my niece & boyfriend had moved in the week before after landing jobs here in Colorado. Just in time to help move the basement "upstairs" if you will...it is still a work in progress & we at least came away with our home & lives despite the damage. Many in Boulder were not so lucky. One neighbor had 4 feet of water in the basement & were on vacation, only to return to sewage and half of their belongings having to be thrown out in a dumpster as wide as their house.
My son's school was out for two weeks due to damages, I've been playing daddy daycare for him & one of his friends periodically, while trying to do as many clean up & repairs on the house over the past three weeks while working full time. I don't know what not working means any longer. Sleep, work, go to work, sleep (very little sleep at that). Not sure what training is any longer either. I'd like to get back to it, but hopefully I can do that once my son goes back to school. There is so much to do and so little time. It just never seems to end. Need a different line of work so I can work from home and get some of these "must do" lists off the agenda.
That aside, the big TV just quit working...should I say, turns ON/OFF/ON/OFF...over and over again. Wifey discovered this was a common issue & there is a class action lawsuit we are entitled to for Samsung to fix the problem. Should be taken care of in a few days.
Racing scene...did so-so this season with short course & trying new things. Went to Duathlon World Championships (ITU), Team USA--finished as top Master, as well as 3rd American overall (out of 372 athletes from USA), 16th overall out of ALL countries in the Olympic Distance race. It is nice to know I was up there with the elite of the sport and ahead of nearly all US competitors. Had I been in any age group but two others, I would have medaled at World's. However, this was on the heels of Boulder 70.3 Half Ironman--FIVE days prior. The plan was to race Boulder 70.3 "just fast enough" to nab a slot to Vegas 70.3 Worlds. I did that on a "half ass effort" basically. I was hot not tired at the end of Boulder's race. I did not want to jeopardize ITU World Championships too much so had to pull back on the pony.
ITU World Championships was a blast, with my room mate (and 50-54 gold medalist), Andy Ames from Boulder. A quiet guy, Andy and I bummed around Ottawa, Canada in a low-key type fashion. I had a pretty good race and was happy about it, aside from the fact I sort of blew on the bike somewhat. After the first 20K, my legs were smoked and couldn't bike any harder. Certainly the 70+ miles of racing less than a week before took a lot more out of me than I expected. Either way, it was a great experience and without having peaked for it, combined with the racing so soon before, it was a marginal success I'd say. No regrets, I wouldn't have done anything different I think.
After ITU's, I basically spent the weeks before Vegas, off the bike, with only 2-3 bike rides (it was about 3 weeks between races), then a few runs. I'd say around 3 hrs of training a week (if I was lucky). Realizing I really did not want to race Vegas I instead, used it as a road trip for the family to have fun. I did not care about the race & it was a C-race for me. Didn't train for it, follow my typical routine, not to mention was lucky they let me register. Took the kid out of school, wife out of work for a few days, drove, but arrived Friday night about 7:30 PM. Registration closed at 4 PM. What? All the races I've done that were 70.3 you could register the day before. So when they told me it was over, I was pissed as to the time and expense we made to get there. There was a girl "April" from WTC...she read me my rights basically, rude as hell. She was mean, bitchy--should not be working for Ironman. Turns out 30 others had other commitments they just couldn't get away from with extenuating circumstances as well. So we chased around all over Vegas, meeting here & there, rushing up until dinner time the night before the race, spending all day stressed out. Needless to say, we barely ate, rested or hydrated all day due to this cluster. The entire process was a mess. The T1 or swim area was a muddy mess, clearly the most disgusting and poorly organized race start area I ever saw. Bathroom were few, it was a downpour all throughout the morning and bike. The wife and kid ended up going back to the hotel while I raced. They made it there for the finish just in time.
Racing in the colder rain was dangerous with all those hills, but it was super-fun being out there in the rain. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The run was one of those days you wish you hadn't eaten garlic. One of my rules of "don't do" things. One mile into it, I had just caught another local gal who started some waves ahead of me (Sonja Wieck), as I started to get stomach cramps. It was the garlic. At mile 1 aid station, I dove into the porta-john. I was nearly 3 minutes in that porta-toilet. Better to take the time and fix what is ailing you than to continue in pain. It was a long, long time, knowing I was losing a lot of time. It didn't matter, it was a C-race right? A C-race with a near 3-week no training layoff after ITU Worlds, running around the day before without rest, food or de-stressing myself in the heat. It was just a really bad time & I didn't want to be there racing. It was about as self-destructive of an effort you could make for a race--totally out of character for me with shoddy results to prove it. Even the first five miles of the bike I rode sitting up braking to avoid crashing, until we got off the highway and heading towards the "out and back" section of the bike. It may have been more than five miles, but since I hadn't even seen the swim, bike or run course until I raced it, I wouldn't know. I did EVERYTHING I tell the athletes NOT to do before a race. Living example of just how wrong you can screw up a race without preparation. I almost have to laugh at how poorly executed the entire lead-up was.
Since Vegas, I've been pretty much in flood damage control, hoping that maybe, just maybe, 2014 will be a better year. Certainly training will be much more of a challenge in 2014 with the Boulder Tri Series on tap, with a changed worked schedule which will flip my training life upside down after 14 years (shame on them!) Sometimes though, what you need to do in order to get to the next level, is get a good kick in the ass to get moving and stop the coasting. Take charge of your life, your situations, reach for those goals/aspirations--and quit the routine in order to find a better routine. You may have to take a step back before you take two steps forward, but in the end, you'll be better off for it. Things are what they are & in the end, you CAN control where your ship sails. That is, with a bit of help from fate. I know that sounds ironic a bit, but fate starts you out down a path, it is up to you whether to stay on that path to get to your destination. You can stall out in life, or go far. In the end, HOW FAR DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT?
PS: The picture here is a giant spider attacking the Canada Parliament building when I was at ITU Duathlon World Championships...Godzilla was nowhere to be found to save the day...
We survived the Boulder 500 year flood but still had significant damage as our basement had to be torn pretty much down to the studs. Luckily, my niece & boyfriend had moved in the week before after landing jobs here in Colorado. Just in time to help move the basement "upstairs" if you will...it is still a work in progress & we at least came away with our home & lives despite the damage. Many in Boulder were not so lucky. One neighbor had 4 feet of water in the basement & were on vacation, only to return to sewage and half of their belongings having to be thrown out in a dumpster as wide as their house.
My son's school was out for two weeks due to damages, I've been playing daddy daycare for him & one of his friends periodically, while trying to do as many clean up & repairs on the house over the past three weeks while working full time. I don't know what not working means any longer. Sleep, work, go to work, sleep (very little sleep at that). Not sure what training is any longer either. I'd like to get back to it, but hopefully I can do that once my son goes back to school. There is so much to do and so little time. It just never seems to end. Need a different line of work so I can work from home and get some of these "must do" lists off the agenda.
That aside, the big TV just quit working...should I say, turns ON/OFF/ON/OFF...over and over again. Wifey discovered this was a common issue & there is a class action lawsuit we are entitled to for Samsung to fix the problem. Should be taken care of in a few days.
Racing scene...did so-so this season with short course & trying new things. Went to Duathlon World Championships (ITU), Team USA--finished as top Master, as well as 3rd American overall (out of 372 athletes from USA), 16th overall out of ALL countries in the Olympic Distance race. It is nice to know I was up there with the elite of the sport and ahead of nearly all US competitors. Had I been in any age group but two others, I would have medaled at World's. However, this was on the heels of Boulder 70.3 Half Ironman--FIVE days prior. The plan was to race Boulder 70.3 "just fast enough" to nab a slot to Vegas 70.3 Worlds. I did that on a "half ass effort" basically. I was hot not tired at the end of Boulder's race. I did not want to jeopardize ITU World Championships too much so had to pull back on the pony.
ITU World Championships was a blast, with my room mate (and 50-54 gold medalist), Andy Ames from Boulder. A quiet guy, Andy and I bummed around Ottawa, Canada in a low-key type fashion. I had a pretty good race and was happy about it, aside from the fact I sort of blew on the bike somewhat. After the first 20K, my legs were smoked and couldn't bike any harder. Certainly the 70+ miles of racing less than a week before took a lot more out of me than I expected. Either way, it was a great experience and without having peaked for it, combined with the racing so soon before, it was a marginal success I'd say. No regrets, I wouldn't have done anything different I think.
After ITU's, I basically spent the weeks before Vegas, off the bike, with only 2-3 bike rides (it was about 3 weeks between races), then a few runs. I'd say around 3 hrs of training a week (if I was lucky). Realizing I really did not want to race Vegas I instead, used it as a road trip for the family to have fun. I did not care about the race & it was a C-race for me. Didn't train for it, follow my typical routine, not to mention was lucky they let me register. Took the kid out of school, wife out of work for a few days, drove, but arrived Friday night about 7:30 PM. Registration closed at 4 PM. What? All the races I've done that were 70.3 you could register the day before. So when they told me it was over, I was pissed as to the time and expense we made to get there. There was a girl "April" from WTC...she read me my rights basically, rude as hell. She was mean, bitchy--should not be working for Ironman. Turns out 30 others had other commitments they just couldn't get away from with extenuating circumstances as well. So we chased around all over Vegas, meeting here & there, rushing up until dinner time the night before the race, spending all day stressed out. Needless to say, we barely ate, rested or hydrated all day due to this cluster. The entire process was a mess. The T1 or swim area was a muddy mess, clearly the most disgusting and poorly organized race start area I ever saw. Bathroom were few, it was a downpour all throughout the morning and bike. The wife and kid ended up going back to the hotel while I raced. They made it there for the finish just in time.
Racing in the colder rain was dangerous with all those hills, but it was super-fun being out there in the rain. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The run was one of those days you wish you hadn't eaten garlic. One of my rules of "don't do" things. One mile into it, I had just caught another local gal who started some waves ahead of me (Sonja Wieck), as I started to get stomach cramps. It was the garlic. At mile 1 aid station, I dove into the porta-john. I was nearly 3 minutes in that porta-toilet. Better to take the time and fix what is ailing you than to continue in pain. It was a long, long time, knowing I was losing a lot of time. It didn't matter, it was a C-race right? A C-race with a near 3-week no training layoff after ITU Worlds, running around the day before without rest, food or de-stressing myself in the heat. It was just a really bad time & I didn't want to be there racing. It was about as self-destructive of an effort you could make for a race--totally out of character for me with shoddy results to prove it. Even the first five miles of the bike I rode sitting up braking to avoid crashing, until we got off the highway and heading towards the "out and back" section of the bike. It may have been more than five miles, but since I hadn't even seen the swim, bike or run course until I raced it, I wouldn't know. I did EVERYTHING I tell the athletes NOT to do before a race. Living example of just how wrong you can screw up a race without preparation. I almost have to laugh at how poorly executed the entire lead-up was.
Since Vegas, I've been pretty much in flood damage control, hoping that maybe, just maybe, 2014 will be a better year. Certainly training will be much more of a challenge in 2014 with the Boulder Tri Series on tap, with a changed worked schedule which will flip my training life upside down after 14 years (shame on them!) Sometimes though, what you need to do in order to get to the next level, is get a good kick in the ass to get moving and stop the coasting. Take charge of your life, your situations, reach for those goals/aspirations--and quit the routine in order to find a better routine. You may have to take a step back before you take two steps forward, but in the end, you'll be better off for it. Things are what they are & in the end, you CAN control where your ship sails. That is, with a bit of help from fate. I know that sounds ironic a bit, but fate starts you out down a path, it is up to you whether to stay on that path to get to your destination. You can stall out in life, or go far. In the end, HOW FAR DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT?
PS: The picture here is a giant spider attacking the Canada Parliament building when I was at ITU Duathlon World Championships...Godzilla was nowhere to be found to save the day...
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Summer Update!
Here we are mid July & plans for 2014 have already changed. Rather than Ironman Sweden 2014, with the advent of Ironman Boulder new to the family of Ironman for 2014, I will choose that instead as it will be a lot cheaper to ride my bike to the start than hop on a plan half way across the world. Although, it won't be as fun or exciting! Anyhow, new age group in 2014 so time to mix things up with some different athletes.
So far it has been in interesting 2013 with everyone I coach just "KILLING IT" be they on a bike or triathlon, or running. I'm carrying quite a few athletes (pretty much maxed out), so keeping it all in balance has been a challenge. In light of this, I've managed to qualify for TEAM USA Duathlon World Championships in Ottawa, Canada in August. Not a duathlete...it seems I've proven I can race another sport quite well aside from triathlon and pure running. One thing I've found out is that my transitions (save for a once-in-a-while "lemon" race), my non-Ironman distances--are pretty much among the fastest if not the fastest. Who would have thought that by thinking & planning ahead just a little bit while changing gear would actually give a HUGE advantage (not just talking a few steps here). I'll continue to focus on fast transitions as I seek to move up in the results as I get older. Someone contrary to what should happen as I age. The goal here is to stave off the aging process as long as possible so I don't feel like an AARP person before it is really time!
Boulder Peak Triathlon is in the morning & after a couple weeks of walleye fishing in Ontario & being off my bike & out of the pool...this should be the last non-trained for race of the season. Time to buck-up & get out the door with some consistency as it certainly hasn't been that way the past few months. That is what happens in a non-Ironman year for me anyhow...lots of slacking. Despite that, things seem to be going fairly well, although all races have been quite short. The real test will be if I survive Ironman Boulder 70.3 while attempting something totally crazy by racing ITU World Duathlon Championships only 6 days later.
It may come down to backing off on the effort for the 70.3 & use it as a training day then race Worlds with less fatigue issues. HOWEVER...if I am in the mix for the 70.3 I may just finally accept my slot to Las Vegas World's in September. Decisions decisions...it'll be a spur of the moment decision for sure on race day in a few weeks. Don't ask because I don't know myself yet!
So far it has been in interesting 2013 with everyone I coach just "KILLING IT" be they on a bike or triathlon, or running. I'm carrying quite a few athletes (pretty much maxed out), so keeping it all in balance has been a challenge. In light of this, I've managed to qualify for TEAM USA Duathlon World Championships in Ottawa, Canada in August. Not a duathlete...it seems I've proven I can race another sport quite well aside from triathlon and pure running. One thing I've found out is that my transitions (save for a once-in-a-while "lemon" race), my non-Ironman distances--are pretty much among the fastest if not the fastest. Who would have thought that by thinking & planning ahead just a little bit while changing gear would actually give a HUGE advantage (not just talking a few steps here). I'll continue to focus on fast transitions as I seek to move up in the results as I get older. Someone contrary to what should happen as I age. The goal here is to stave off the aging process as long as possible so I don't feel like an AARP person before it is really time!
Boulder Peak Triathlon is in the morning & after a couple weeks of walleye fishing in Ontario & being off my bike & out of the pool...this should be the last non-trained for race of the season. Time to buck-up & get out the door with some consistency as it certainly hasn't been that way the past few months. That is what happens in a non-Ironman year for me anyhow...lots of slacking. Despite that, things seem to be going fairly well, although all races have been quite short. The real test will be if I survive Ironman Boulder 70.3 while attempting something totally crazy by racing ITU World Duathlon Championships only 6 days later.
It may come down to backing off on the effort for the 70.3 & use it as a training day then race Worlds with less fatigue issues. HOWEVER...if I am in the mix for the 70.3 I may just finally accept my slot to Las Vegas World's in September. Decisions decisions...it'll be a spur of the moment decision for sure on race day in a few weeks. Don't ask because I don't know myself yet!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Tonight is the Big "Oprah" Night
I've largely kept quiet on the entire L.A. issue but with things blowing up in the media on the much anticipated Oprah interview with @lancearmstrong slated for tonight, it is time to ponder his direction and future in sport.
First, let me keep Lance the guy who has done so much for cancer completely separate from Lance the athlete. Argue if you will, he would clearly not have been able to do all he has done in such as short amount of time without the success in the sport of cycling. That is besides the point. Lance the athlete seems to have merely one-upped his competition in doing similar things his competition has done throughout history of the sport, he just took it to a more professional level.
Believing in the myth or storybook hero of the world's best Tour rider ever, after personal tragedy struck, inspired so many in sport--outside of the cancer patients. I, for example, cannot express how many times I visualized Lance speeding along the road in my training, trying to imitate the tempo, the smooth pedaling and motionless upper body style while trying to achieve a solid ride. Although admittedly, I am not that great of a cyclist so it is somewhat embarrassing to know it never really helped a result for a race. Regardless, Mr. Armstrong was the inspiration to get back into shape for the 2012 Ironman Hawaii, in hopes that after he announced that his goal was to race or win Hawaii. Although he would race as a professional and myself as an amateur, it would have been "cool" to be on the same course at the same time to catch a glimpse of him, despite likely finishing about an hour-plus behind him. Now we know the real story, he would NOT have finished that far ahead of me "legally" as all those years of drug abuse, have resulted in a massive advantage in building up the body to such a high level it would be hard to compete with legitimately.
It was only few months before Hawaii, I had already qualified at Ironman CDA, in Idaho, USA. Lance was within one week of getting his qualification at Ironman France before all hell broke loose. The beginning of his downfall for years of lying, abuse, manipulation. "The Boss" finally was going to get what he deserved according to many of public opinion. He has certainly lost a lot, but for some reason, some say he thinks he will be able to fully get back to where he wants to be, in the winner's circle. As his biological clock ticks down, even with a potential reduced sentence from his life-time ban from all WADA sanctioned sports, would anyone really want to race him? Personally, he still seems mystifying as he certainly commands much attention anywhere he goes. Publicly, he is done, he burned that bridge. I would not want him representing my products, nor would I any longer want to be in a race against him. Time to pay the price, "The Boss" is not a boss any longer, but one of among many magicians, one who will go down in history as a fraud by the way things look for him right now. The lawsuits line up, media continues to print he is attempting to worm his way out of things through big dollar settlements. Intelligently, the government and others don't seem to be falling for it. Lance no longer holds the cards so his plan continues to fall apart.
Today, he lost his Olympic medal. What is next?
There are others in sport doing the same thing every day. This fall, an age grouper from the south named Kevin Moats was found to have been taking steroids. He was at the top of the world winning Ironman Hawaii in his age group. It is rare that USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) tests ANY amateur, in competition or out of competition. From experience, I could likely name a good half dozen amateurs right here in Colorado that should be regularly tested out of competition for both HGH, EPO and testosterone. When you come out of the woodwork, to the degree some of these athletes have with such improvements it is ground shaking to the age group results, it sets off a red flag. Mark Fretta, an Olympic Training Center triathlete was recently found positive for EPO. Mark, while a nice guy (I met him personally a few years ago), wasn't even what I would call "first tier" level triathlete. He struggled for results. If Lance was beaten by some guys in triathlon, if Mark was beaten by a lot of guys, if Kevin Moats only had a few peers who could beat him, it makes me wonder, WHAT are those guys who beat these cheats possibly on?
How far up the ranks would we all be if all the cheats taking things on the WADA banned list were removed, move up? Sometimes, I wonder, but I still hope that it will catch up with them in the end and our final results will be where they should be. One thing for sure, should I get to Hawaii in the next couple years, although I'm taking 2013 off of long course racing, my results will be at least ONE place closer to the front. Thanks Lance, for helping me improve by one spot without doing any work at all!
First, let me keep Lance the guy who has done so much for cancer completely separate from Lance the athlete. Argue if you will, he would clearly not have been able to do all he has done in such as short amount of time without the success in the sport of cycling. That is besides the point. Lance the athlete seems to have merely one-upped his competition in doing similar things his competition has done throughout history of the sport, he just took it to a more professional level.
Believing in the myth or storybook hero of the world's best Tour rider ever, after personal tragedy struck, inspired so many in sport--outside of the cancer patients. I, for example, cannot express how many times I visualized Lance speeding along the road in my training, trying to imitate the tempo, the smooth pedaling and motionless upper body style while trying to achieve a solid ride. Although admittedly, I am not that great of a cyclist so it is somewhat embarrassing to know it never really helped a result for a race. Regardless, Mr. Armstrong was the inspiration to get back into shape for the 2012 Ironman Hawaii, in hopes that after he announced that his goal was to race or win Hawaii. Although he would race as a professional and myself as an amateur, it would have been "cool" to be on the same course at the same time to catch a glimpse of him, despite likely finishing about an hour-plus behind him. Now we know the real story, he would NOT have finished that far ahead of me "legally" as all those years of drug abuse, have resulted in a massive advantage in building up the body to such a high level it would be hard to compete with legitimately.
It was only few months before Hawaii, I had already qualified at Ironman CDA, in Idaho, USA. Lance was within one week of getting his qualification at Ironman France before all hell broke loose. The beginning of his downfall for years of lying, abuse, manipulation. "The Boss" finally was going to get what he deserved according to many of public opinion. He has certainly lost a lot, but for some reason, some say he thinks he will be able to fully get back to where he wants to be, in the winner's circle. As his biological clock ticks down, even with a potential reduced sentence from his life-time ban from all WADA sanctioned sports, would anyone really want to race him? Personally, he still seems mystifying as he certainly commands much attention anywhere he goes. Publicly, he is done, he burned that bridge. I would not want him representing my products, nor would I any longer want to be in a race against him. Time to pay the price, "The Boss" is not a boss any longer, but one of among many magicians, one who will go down in history as a fraud by the way things look for him right now. The lawsuits line up, media continues to print he is attempting to worm his way out of things through big dollar settlements. Intelligently, the government and others don't seem to be falling for it. Lance no longer holds the cards so his plan continues to fall apart.
Today, he lost his Olympic medal. What is next?
There are others in sport doing the same thing every day. This fall, an age grouper from the south named Kevin Moats was found to have been taking steroids. He was at the top of the world winning Ironman Hawaii in his age group. It is rare that USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) tests ANY amateur, in competition or out of competition. From experience, I could likely name a good half dozen amateurs right here in Colorado that should be regularly tested out of competition for both HGH, EPO and testosterone. When you come out of the woodwork, to the degree some of these athletes have with such improvements it is ground shaking to the age group results, it sets off a red flag. Mark Fretta, an Olympic Training Center triathlete was recently found positive for EPO. Mark, while a nice guy (I met him personally a few years ago), wasn't even what I would call "first tier" level triathlete. He struggled for results. If Lance was beaten by some guys in triathlon, if Mark was beaten by a lot of guys, if Kevin Moats only had a few peers who could beat him, it makes me wonder, WHAT are those guys who beat these cheats possibly on?
How far up the ranks would we all be if all the cheats taking things on the WADA banned list were removed, move up? Sometimes, I wonder, but I still hope that it will catch up with them in the end and our final results will be where they should be. One thing for sure, should I get to Hawaii in the next couple years, although I'm taking 2013 off of long course racing, my results will be at least ONE place closer to the front. Thanks Lance, for helping me improve by one spot without doing any work at all!
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