2009: The Highlights.

Well for as much as I may complain about the 2009 racing season ( too short, spent too much money, didn't qualify for Kona....etc.) There were a lot of highlights so here are my superlatives for the 2009 season.



Best Swim: Ironman New Zealand. Although it was slower than last year, the Ironman swim was probably the smoothest, clearest, least physical swim I was in this season. I was in good shape for it and the fact that Lake Taupo is clear blue and there were multiple divers stationed at various points along the course waving up at us. Made it one of the most interesting of my season.
Patriot was second on the list although Rhode Island 70.3 was the first time I ever lost my cap on the swim and the current and waves pushing us back into shore were a definite help. Anytime the swim has massive waves that "cull the herd." I usually tend to be on the advantaged side of the cull.



Best Bike: Park City Mossman. In the race report I described feeling like Chris Lieto as I got off the bike in second in my age group. The course was flat an really built for hammering, and since I had kept myself in the wrong gear at Patriot this ride was a redemption for all the long rides that I had put in during training but just couldn't get the results out of in racing.
Honorable mention goes to the Griskus Sprint in that I had the fastest bike split in my age group which gave me my only podium of the year. Also Rhode Island 70.3 I did the whole thing in the big ring and was averaging over 20 mph until we hit Providence, they were good days but I know I still have a lot of untapped potential on the bike.




Best Run:
Overall was the ING Hartford Marathon. My buddy the Cranky runner and I pace each other to 3:20 and 3:21 finishes respectively. We had held 3:15 pace until the last 10k, and I was pushed to a new level of pain. Hell I set a PR in the Half Marathon during this race. It was a day that truly hurt but in a good way, I know I have a Boston qualifiying time in me, I just need to get my training organized and I'll make it happen.
Tri: The Patriot Tri housed my best run split of the Tri season. I ran a then second fastest Half Marathon Split pulling a 1:38 after a pretty dismal bike. The run course wasn't easy and had it's fair share of hills. But I guess that's the way I like it. Hard and ridiculously evil. Which I guess leads to the next category.


Most Evil Run course: RI 70.3 hands down. You run up and down college hill twice and on both loops I was watching a majority of runners dreams turn to carnage. Alot of guys complain about the pounding of the quads on the way down but personally I think the grind up is harder. You're breathing hard and pushing every thread of muscle and tendon to it's limit and that's what tri was made for baby.

Most Evil swim: RI 70.3 Swells, air temps in the mid 50's at race start. This swim was not for the weak. The race directors were offering a Duathlon option for the weaker swimmers just to prove how nasty this thing was. Hats off to the dude from Florida who did the thing in board shorts it was one of the most bad ass sights I've ever seen.

Most Evil Bike: Ironically it wasn't RI 70.3 ( which was pretty rough.) I'm going to go with the Griskus Sprint. Ok yes it's only 10 miles but you get some inclines in there that tend to take the sprint out of sprint triathlon. Also add in the high school swim studs who aren't used to competitive cycling and things are pretty interesting.

Most Evil Race: RI 70.3 hands down. Tough course, tough competition, it was a challenging race. The fact that it was a Kona qualifer and attracted a lot of fast west coasters added to the legend.

Most Racer Friendly race: Patriot Tri. The volunteers are helpful, the race director is approachable, and the entry fee is under $200. It's a bargain race that gives you alot of bang for your buck. Also the bike course is an oddity in New England, it's realatively flat. Expect a good time and a fast time at this race.

Best Race T-shirt: Ing Hartford Marathon. I'm a sucker for simply designed Long sleeve tees ain't going to lie.

Best Post race Party: Tie
Ironman New Zealand: ok the awards dinner is an awards dinner but afterward when everyone heads to the pub EVERYONE HEADS TO THE PUB! I managed to share a beer with Mike Reily and Bryan Rhodes if my hazy memory serves me correctly.

Griskus Sprint: It's a local race and one off the oldest in Connecticut. In the field you'll have guys and gals raging from multiple Ironman finishers to first timers. The food's so-so but the antics are worth it. The MC's are hysterical. Also it's a good way to meet alot of your fellow tri geeks.

Most spectator Friendly race: Park City Moss Man: The bike and run are multiple loops with a large median so your loyal supporters can set up camp and not be stuck waiting to ride by for you for hours at a time.

So those are my 2010 superatives what are yours?
RD



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Work, Class, Train, Papers, Sleep, Repeat.

Alright to explain a little bit on the April Fool's post....I'm not becoming a Catholic Priest although at one point I was realistically considering it ( no lie, just ask Angry Runner.)... the no wife/girlfriend/ sex ...ever and do what the bishop tells you to do even if you don't agree with it clauses really didn't appeal to me. (Especially the latter due to my stance on gay rights/ separation of Church and state.) It's not for everybody so my hats off to the guys who do it.

Alright that out of the way, my life is starting to get back into routine post spring break and post New Zealand...I'm starting to get a little more sleep at night, my workouts are starting to get scheduled around courses, and I'm getting back into order. Life is starting to get into balance...the sad thing is...now the papers are coming due....I have a proposal to crank out for my 25 page thesis, a five pager on late Wiemar/ early Nazi Germany, A memo for law, A ten pager for my modern Germany course, get things organized with my professors and deans so hopefully I'll be handed my degree and not an empty envelope in May....meet with my advisor just in case I have to comeback in Sept. which also means filing financial aid just in case.
All that is a little confusing....but we wouldn't be UConn's bastard sibling....I mean the wonderful Connecticut State University system if it weren't for our bureaucracy.

I renewed my USAT membership for 2009...now I just have to enter one more race to make it worth the $40. They got rid of the online processing fee but instead jacked up the annual fee...seriously I looked at the registration for Tri NZ $5NZD That's $2.50 USD for a memebership...granted NZ has ACC so if some psycho motorist takes you out...the state covers your medical bills ( well this they cover anyway.) and damages although this means you can't sue....Cat seemed to look at me perplexed when I commented on a dude I knew at Fordham.He got hit on his entry level Trek and upgraded to a pimped out version with the proceeds from his suit...mental anguish pays dividend$! Also apparently you can insure your bike down there ( similar to auto insurance),but anyway $40 is seeming like it's a little ridiculous.

I'm going to wait until my next check to sign up for Patriot...I'm planing on going as an elite again to try to set a blistering pace in the swim, also it will be a good hard tune-up for Providence, and it's always nice to have a clear road on the bike....if I can manage to place I'm not going to lie a $300 or $200 check would be sweet, but even an overall top 5 or top 10 would be a huge morale booster.

Still have to sign up for the Griskus Sprint...then the season after Providence is up in the air. I have Park City to keep me motivated... if I make Kona then all resources will be pooled to that...if I don't Niantic might be a fun race to do again, and the Hartford Marathon...or just the marathon...or maybe the Redman full? or just pool up for my next Ironman. Haven't thought about that yet but 09 looks to be better than 08.

Looking ahead.
R.D.

The Rhode to Kona goes through Providence

Ok I know spelt Road wrong it was deliberate. Providence 70.3 offered Kona slots and it was relatively cheaper than Rev 3 ( don't worry I plan on volunteering at Rev 3...figure I'll give unathlete a shot at an age group win.) I still have 2 races I want to add to the schedule the Griskus sprint and Patriot ( Patriot gives me an excuse to race with Claire and catch up with Gus...plus I need to defend the elite swim split...granted it's in June this year so the elite field will most likely be larger.)

So 5 tris for 2009...if I have cash/ don't make Kona/ planets align I might throw 1 or 2 more on the schedule but I think that I managed to spread my season a little better this year 1 race a month well 2 in July....figure that will give me time to utterly abuse and waste myself this summer in prep for the throw down in the Ocean State....if I make Kona I'll worry about it then other wise I'll have the money tucked away for New Zealand 3.0..any cute single/sporty girls in the Taupo, New Plymouth, or Auckland area...pleasant, personable, and well groomed triathlete is seeking a home stay/ gear Sherpa/and moral supporter... will do laundry, cook, clean and move freight :)

But all that aside Providence is now on the schedule and will be my "A" race this summer...hopefully there won't be as many tri animals from the North (Triathletas Candanais)* Last year some of these speed demons from the land of Molson, Hockey, the Bare Naked Ladies, Cervelo, Argon 18, Peter Reid, Lisa Bentley, and the mighty Maple Leaf came down and smoked some of us New England Types like Canadian Bacon...eh. To put in perspective how fast my age group was last year I finished 197th out of nearly 1300 entrants and was 17th in my Age group....yes it was a fast field...hopefully it won't be as quick this year...or at least I'll be a little quicker this year.

Well in the Words of Ceasar "The die is cast" May the tri gods grant me fortune .

The Rhode Warrior

R.D.

*I'm really struggling with the Latin here because I learned Classical and the Romans didn't have words for Triathlete or Canada...apologies in advance to all Latin scholars.

At worst I'll be doing 2 races this season...

Well I forked over some coins and put in my entry to the Park City Mossman. I figure it's a good late summer race and it will keep me motivated in the oh-so-long training period between Hopefully Providence 70.3 and hopefully Kona. If nothing else it will serve my inner power hungry speed demon, nothing like sprinting a mile getting on the bike and redlining for an hour, and then trying to floor it for 10k...Olys are fun aren't they? Other races on the definite list are Patriot and the Griskus Sprint...Providence 70.3 that's a tough one a couple of the guys I met in NZ (Rob and Chris ) are doing it and it does have Kona slots and what better motivation for a triathlete to get back into training than a day with friends and a possible trip to Hawaii....(also I've got enough frequent flier miles to get my ass to LA woot Quantas!) Is Hawaii my destiny?... the next couple of months will tell. Until then I'm going to catch up on class work and maybe ride tomorrow to singal my "return to training." Hey I want to race as an elite again at Patriot and hopefully walk out with a check...if nothing else at least the swim prime like I did last year...

I need to up the mileage on the bike and vary my workouts...I'm thinking of doing big gear time trials at the lake or TT's on the Griskus Loop at least twice a month.
I need to do more track work and fartlek running along with my usual LSD (Long "Slow" Distance).

Weights yeah I've got to get organized with that and start doing shit with kettlebells...gotta love TGUs and snatches and clean and jerks...man is it just me or do most weight lifting routines sound dirty? Regardless I need to start pumping the iron...it's sad when Catherine's arms are more jack than mine...then again she has her own personal weight Nazi, screaming " More deadlifts oh puny one!" in her face. Angry, job opportunity.

Swimming: Stef & Josie kick my ass, make me puke then send me back for more. I want people pissing in their wetsuits with fear when then see me.
Alright I see the road ahead and have fomulated a rough gameplan...onward ho!

Let the suffering begin baby!

The Machine
R.D.

Operation Juan Valdez...and other ramblings.

Well I managed to get extensions for most of my papers so tonight and Friday I will be glued to the computer writing on Piracy, Ethnicity, Israelis and Palestinians destroying one another for land rights, and the global capitalist agenda...I mean religious issues. (sigh I always find someway to do something involving the Middle East.) so tonight begins Operation Juan Valdez or I'm not sleeping until I finish at least one of my papers. I figure sitting in the library or student center with out my Internet cable will allow me to avoid "distractions" and Get R Done...oh crap I quoting Larry the Cable guy get me more red bull.

Other Ramblings

Team Zoot Gu is disbanding, so next year I will be racing unsponsored, figure I'll load up on my GU2O now, that and I won't feel like a douchebag wearing my HEAT livery ( which is Garineau.) Also 2009 for me is going to be a hectic year, with graduation, getting a real job, traveling to 2 races ( granted they will be a little more spread out than last year.) I figure I'll probably be racing a little less but more spread out than last season. Nothing was worse than the Amotivational Syndrome I suffered from mid-July to August, no races on the calendar just mounds of training for Nutmegman, which turned out to be all for nought. I figure if I sign up for one race a month ( June, July and August) in April I'll have at least 3 races on the calendar and motivation to train, and if I run into lack of fundage like last season I know I'm in to my big three well 4 ( I always do one Sprint in July.).

I'll be announcing which Ironman/ Ironmans I will be gracing with my Lycra clad arse in 09, just before Christmas, hopefully after pillaging the Mohegans, with Angry's Crap table probability skillz that kill, afterall nothing would be better than walking away with more money than I brought with me. But I will be doing an Ironman in 2009, even if it isn't an M-dot, or it's just me swimming at Waramaug, riding through Litchfield County, and running a personal marathon on my own. Who knows maybe I'll up the distance and make Connecticut a mecca for the >140.6 mi (226.2km ) crowd...who knows maybe I'll spawn my own crazy distance between Ironman and Ultraman...The Almightyman*? I could just see it now 3.1 mile (5k) swim 200 mile (320km) bike and a 36 mile (60k) run and a 24 hour time limit..yeah that would be hardcore...until I get sued for somebody actually attempting this distance, and dying/crippling themself.**
Also last night I got back in the pool for the first time in a week. I felt so fat and lazy that I need a 3000yd. exorcism of Turkey day left overs. I just have to survive a few more papers and I'm free to train again.

Alright that's enough out of me for the moment.

I need creamer with a back up of donuts
R.D.

*The Almightyman Triathlon title is considered my intellectual property...anytheft thereof will result in me calling you a cheap, un creative ( explative.)!
** I will not be held responsible for some out of shape moron going off and trying to attempt this distance, with out undergoing a proper training and hydration and Nutrition plan/ psychological and medical assesments before hand. Endurance athletics don't kill, stupidity does.

What I want to accomplish in 2009.

2008 was over ambitious on many levels , I know I said it a million times but here's a million and one. The main goal for me in 08 was to do some big name races and hopefully get to my ultimate objective: Kona. Unfortunately life stresses, made what should have been an awesome season a living nightmare. By the time I DNFed at Nutmegman I was glad for it to be over. With the collapse of what could best be described as a "pipe dream" to do IM New Zealand in 2009, and deciding bills are more important than entry in to Arizona, 2009 is not looking like it's going to be a busy year. Part of me is thinking a back to the minors approach is probably best, But ideally I'd like to race 2 or 3 local sprints/Olys, a couple half irons and an iron entered through either a training pack or a community fund slot. The goals for 2009 same as 2008 try to get to Kona or die trying.

For 2010 I want to go back and race in Taupo. Hopefully I'll have picked up a better paying job, or will at least have graduated so at the worst case I can work max hours at the bank, and pick up 2 or 3 side gigs, maybe I'll have a break out next season and actually pick up a pro card and sponsorship ( unlikely but I can dream.) and can make racing in New Zealand a reality, although maybe I should agree with most people and realize that that race was a once in a lifetime deal.

Another part of me is sitting here listening to the fiscal forecasts for the next decade and when the broadcasters are posting a list of " the following pets are great sources of protein." It hits home the fact that I'm a poor kid in the rich kids' sandbox, and chances for mobility are limited. My aunt always shouts out to me "be lucky you got a job Bobby many people ain't go no job." Part of me realizes that I've sacrificed a lot in career mobility to get a BA which might be worth little more than toilet paper or a fire starter. Part of me is thinking that maybe that happiness the sport gives me most of the time isn't worth it. That I should go into the Depression era mindset of "anything to make a buck." That anything that does not have a financial reward isn't worth working for. That relationships, races, family outings , are all distractions from the ultimate goal of dying as the kid with the most cake, or in this case cash. And then I stop myself. I remember how miserable I was when I was working 75 hours a week. Sure the money was good, but I had no life, I had no time for anything other than work. My job defined me as a person. I was not Bob, Rob, Bobby, insert name here..I was that kid at the bank, or the game shop, or that ass hole who wouldn't cash your check or give you a full refund because you bought Fantavision and it sucked balls. ( note to anyone with a PS2 or old school X-box don't buy Fantavision ( Activison's bootleg version of tetris.) it sucks balls.) I was nothing other than my job and my lust for money is what drove me, I took abuse I dished some out, I was absolutely miserable except for the days I was able to get a day off or get out early and train. So I've always been caught in a paradox. When I've had the money to be able to race how I want I haven't had the time to train and I've had the time haven't had the cash. Hopefully this BA will at least be able to put me in a spot where I can achieve a happy medium that I can get ( and hopefully keep) a decent paying gig so I can pay back some debts, enter some more races, travel, in essence do what I want to do with life. So that is the ultimate goal for 09...get myself into a better position because just like Fantavison, most of 2008 sucked balls.

Edit #1
Well Ironman Kentucky is looking like a good back up as there are still general entry slots available so that will save me some coin. Also maybe if the Angry Posse's trip to Moehgan turns out to be uber profitable NZ could still happen...alright I'm talking like a crazy person but with gas prices tumbling ( boo-yah OPEC.) airfare is dropping like my 401k value. Like I said Jan. will be my official announcement on which IM I'm doing if any. And Yes Claire I will block air New Zealand on my internet browser.

To a better and more prosperous 2009.
R.D.

Vacation week is over.

Yep that's right my 7 day training extravaganza turned out to be a flop. School, fatigue, weather, and just plain lack of direction doomed it to failure. Today I plan on running, getting some work done before masters tonight. I'm wondering if Claire's still down for a ride in CT tomorrow, if not I might just do 60-70 miles on my own, depending on weather ( I mean if the weather sucks I'm not riding granted Sunday's supposed to be a great day to ride but it's going to be cold as balls. Better pick up the toe warmers while I can.) This week was a rest week somethings got put in perspective. I've got my career fair next week and I need to be overridden into my senior thesis so I can walk in May. Part of me is debating a return to Masters competition this winter, especially since NZ is most likely not going to happen ( I mean miracles do happen like random winning lotto tickets or going with some friends to the Casino and doubling our winnings and not spending it at the...[fine art gallery], but you can't count on it.) In essence I felt like I might have squandered a golden training opportunity but my body needed rest from the grind of work, school, train, repeat. So hopefully Monday I'll go back to the office with some renewed vigor. as for Arizona, part of me is thinking forgoing general entry in two weeks and throwing down extra coin in Jan/Feb for the Multisports.com package for about $1200. or raising money for a community fund slot $1300. I figure if I scratch NZ I'll have some money left from my income tax/loan left over. Multisports.com gives a training plan and race entry in a package so I'd be able to kill two birds with one stone....coaching and IM entry. The community fund thing well maybe it would put me back on the right track of the karma train. Regardless I've got a pay period to figure out a game plan, although I might just scrap an ironman all together and focus on qualifying for the Boston Marathon for 2010, I mean one of my friends from Fordham beat my time from Hartford by 3 min. and is running Boston. Damn she swam faster than and now she's running faster than me and she's richer than me...life is unfair, oh curse you drunk underclassman Bob-o!

Alright forget that nonsense of me not doing an Ironman in 09...worst case I'll go to Mexico extreme worst case I'll go to Western OZ or enter community fund for Kentucky or Arizona but they most likely will not sell out so I'll have a shot to do an IM in 09. ( note IM China is not in the consideration..I will not do that race until there is a Free or at least Autonomous Tibet .Dali Lama holla! Also in the words of Bart Simpson "Come on China you used to be cool?") Alright now that I am censored in the People's Republic I think I'm going to end this post. I have sources to look up and papers to finish.

R.D.

I think she's a keeper.... and other ramblings.

" Rob I could never make you give up training, I know how important it is to you..it's part of your soul."- the girl I'm currently dating/ seeing/ I don't know what people call it these days.



If that doesn't say keeper I don't know what else will...well maybe if she worked at a running store, her dad owned a bike shop, and her mom's a race director, her older sister was a massage thearpist.....well maybe in San Diego...



Nope I'm thinking my girl in Newport is a keeper although I'm sure I'll hear that girls in Newport are more trouble than the damned toll brigde.

This morning I managed to get in a 10 mile run after a late night date in Newport. I will say only one thing the portion of town I ran in had nothing close to a hill. Downtown, has a monster hill but I really didn't want to be running down tourist, and dodging BMW's and other finely crafted pieces of Euro-engineering, bent on my destruction. So I took off in the direction of Brenton Point State Park. Now seriously I picked the wrong sport to work on. Everybody and their brother was out on their bikes. I think next time I'm down in Newport I going to be rolling on the Stomper, becasue the bike culture is alive there. So this weekend was not a total waste training wise. Now I have a hardcore week of training and research ahead, hopefully I'll be in shape for next season although I've been getting scolded by one personal trainer/friend who says I should be working on my "non competitive" strokes and focusing solely on sprints next season...sort of a "go back to the minors" approach to triathlon. Work on winning the local tri for fun, then do like one big name race. Maybe that's the route I should go but I already know I'm more of a long distance guy,so what does 09 hold for me I don't know but I know there is going to be a least one iron,and one half.

R.D.

IM New Zealand Update and other 2009 tri ramblings.

Well I was not able to put my entry in to Ironman New Zealand Thursday morning, since a majority of my pay went to bills. ( Somewhere in North of Boston, my destiny is probably shouting..."see, see it's a sign! you're not supposed to go!" ) So I'll try again on Nov. 13 hopefully there will still be slots, also that week will be host to Bob's Hardcore sufferfest culminating with a century bike ride that Sunday.. ( wooooo..oooooo,Claire come down and ride with Bob that weekend this is your destiny calling...wooo..oooo.) crap did someone hear something...man it sure is drafty here in Newport...Yes Angry Newport be jealous... Today doesn't have much going on I'm down visiting my sister and some friends so we'll go out for breakfast and then I'll probably tack on some run mileage before driving back to the C-O -double N. Yesterday I did a 20 miler on the stomper, I wish I could have gotten a little more in but, 20 is a good start, figure next weekend will be back to back 60 milers. I figure even if IM New Zealand falls through ( ie sells out in the next two weeks.) the long distance base mileage done this winter will pay off, because absolute worst case scenario I'll replace NZ with Rev3 in Middlebury and just begin training for Arizona. Also I want to try to earn some prize money at the Patriot this year but because it's been moved up to June 20, so there might be a larger pro field, but I'll play that by ear, besides I like having clear water on the swim ..and after beating the winner of my age group by about a half an hour I don't want to go in a slaughter a bunch of Half-iron virgins...also on the same light if he drops the same amount of time I did over the course of a year he might be riding along side me saying " how do you like me now ...bitch!" So yeah Patriot 09 is going to be interesting, as I try to keep my streak of finishing everysingle one of them alive...( my streak at Nutmegman died with my derailleur malfunction.) Whatever Ironman or Ironmans I do in 2009 I'm feeling that it could be a great season. 2008 was over ambitious but I've learned some more important lessons ( and I know somepeople are like "you didn't learn anything if you're going back to NZ.") Hence my domestic schedule is a little less ambitious No Eagleman and $400 expenses for hotel food and gas, RI 70.3 is up for debate, depends on where it fits in and if I've done Rev3 or not. The Griskus Olympic is probably off the schedule unless it's CT club championships if I do Rev3,
so that's $70 in the bank, the Griskus sprint is a guarantee. So in essence except for the Griskus and the Patriot and IM Arizona my schedule is clear. So I have my plans set, my backup plans set, and my backup plan for my backup plan developing.

So close yet so far.
R.D.

It's fall in New England...I miss you summer

Well upon getting an email back from Catherine, she's started getting excited because its almost summer in the Southern Hemisphere, well for most of my readers and myself in the Northern Hemisphere this means winter is rapidly approaching ( and some dude at the equator is probably saying what are these "winters and summers of which you speak?") Well anyway, I think I got one of my last rides in shorts in on Saturday. By the time I finished the temps were in the high 40'sF ( >10C) and my feet were beginning to get numb. I picked a cheap set of tights on Sunday as my cycling tights from last year are MIA. I'll most likely plan on picking up toe warmers in a week or so because I'm planning on taking a week off in early November and getting a hellish training regiment in. At least 3 60+ mile rides during the week, plus a century on the weekend...ambitious yes but I want to be in ass kicking shape....plan B (ie my boss can't give me that week off.) is to save that week off and take it at the end of the semester and try to perform the said feat in the bi-polar throws of a New England Winter or count my pennies and sweet talk some friends out in California into taking in a winter refugee for 5-6 days, of hardcore, my muscles haven't ached like this in years training...alla the Southwest Airlines $200 special....in either case there will be a 5-7 day period of outright suffering this winter, most likely it will be close to home.



Ironman New Zealand and Arizona updates: It looks like I'll be able to pull this off. Don't ask how or why....My summer schedule will be a little light but with temps expected in the 90's in November in Tempe I'm going to need those long rides and runs in brutal heat and humidity to prep, myself, as John Hirsch posted in his Kentucky training posts acclimation is key.



If I qualify for Kona, well I'll deal with that if and when it happens. Granted if it happens after Tempe 09, it will allow me to start my season with a defined goal in mind...if it happens after Taupo 09..I live with the philosophy if it's meant to be then things will fall into place to let it be.

Well That's all from me, now I've got to make this degree thing happen.

R.D.

Operation School Bjoern. Part 1 Overview and Winter training

That's right the Gauntlet has been thrown down for 2009. Bjoern and I have committed to an Ironwar in Arizona next November. While we are friends and training partners it still doesn't mean we like losing to one another any better. So I have come up with my plan for the 2009 racing season Introducing OPERATION SCHOOL BJOERN

Objectives:
1. Improve Bike Split
2. Sub 5-hour Half Ironman
3. Sub 1:45 Half IM run split
4. Sub 6 Hour IM Bike
5. Sub 53 min. IM Swim
6. Sub 3:45 IM Marathon.
7. Beat Bjoern!



Going into our Ironman I have come up with a comparative analysis or strengths and weaknesses:

Experience: Me.
Bjoern has been doing tris since his soccer career ended in 2006. I've been racing tris on and off since 2002 and as my main focus since 2006. I've done 2 marathons and have an Ironman under mybelt. I'm no expert on all the little things, but going into a race knowing what to expect definitely takes a bite out of pre race nerves.

Swim: Me
Let's face it I was freaking born in the water. I spent 7 years as a Competitive swimmer, and usually rank in the top tier of the field getting out of the drink. Bjoern's strong and his swim skills are greatly improving..but I'm still confident that I can beat him out of the water.

Bike: Bjoern... by a lot.....
Normann Stadler and Thomas Hellgiel ( I'll just call him Hell on Wheels, because I can't spell his last name to save my life.) proved that you can essentially win an Ironman on the bike. In 2000 Hell on Wheels had 12 min. over Cam Brown at Ironman New Zealand and managed to beat the fast running Kiwi by 4 min. Normann Stadler..well we all remember how Kona 2006 played out against Macca, man if he only had one more mile....
Bjoern beat my bike split by 3 min. over 56 miles at the Nutmeg State Half Iron in 07. If things had kept stagnant...I could assume that it would be a 6 min. advantage going into the Marathon. Things have not been stagnant..Bjoern has made himself even more of an animal on two wheels, and while I've improved, he lives on two wheels, so his lead off he bike could be anywhere from 3-10 min. If I want a crack at him I need to work the bike leg and work it hard.

Run: It's a crap shoot.
While some people would tip the run leg in my favor, Bjoern and I have about equal splits. The x-factor for him is his knee, if he stays injury free, we may be re-enacting the famous photo of Ken Glah and Pauli Kiru making a mad dash for the line. All those years of soccer definitely pay off for him.

X-Factors:

Mental Attitude: Bjoern
If you've been a long time reader, you know life crap tends to get me down..especially when it comes to family crap. Bjoern just takes thing in stride, definitely the best attitude to have in 140.6 mile /226km sufferfest, in the middle of the desert, surrounded by nothing but Cacti and sand....

Injury: Me
Except for a case of "wrong shoe type" shin splints, and a strained shoulder from incorrect swimming technique back in my NCAA D-1 days, I've been pretty healthy. Bjoern has that blasted knee issue that keeps popping up but with sensible training and the proper preventatives he should be ok.

Sexy Equipment:Toss up.
I'm a gear whore...I admit it. Bjoern's bike has better wheels and components and I'm jealous....but I've got sexier running shoes...

Alright now that I've outlined the our strengths, I will now outline my plan on getting in shape.

Winter 2008-09 Training plan:

I plan on training like I did last winter, hopefully the weather will co-operate a little more and I'll actually do some hill work along with trainer sessions, and base rides. The cycling must improve!!!

Swimming a lot at harder, faster, stronger intervals. Stef said she was coaching masters so I will have my dominatrix of the lane lines.

Running, well same as always, maybe some speed work if the track's not covered in ice.

Lifting, I need to lift heavy things to increase strength, power, and overall manliness. Does this mean I'll be doing curls ..No that is a deadly sin...although I might be committing other deadly sins...such as bench pressing and pec-flys with free weights, but for the most part extreme core work, medicine ball crap and squats will be the standard of my routines.

So that is the winter training plan. The race plan /spring plan is a little more intricate and will fill a post on its own.

Methodiacally planing
R.D.

To Enter or Not to Enter the Middlebury Trifecta...

" I think Cam Brown's going to have his work cut out for him in 09." me in an email to Catherine

"Well when you beat him next year..." Her reply.



Alright the above conversation was me referring to IM Canada Winner Brian Rhodes, but her reply speaks for itself, granted if I ever beat Cam Brown I think I would have quite the argument for a pro card.

Ironman New Zealand for 2009 is looking like it could happen but I'm still up in the air (I've done a lot of homework and price checking. I could still go for under $3k), I know I've got an Iron late in the season ( Arizona), peer pressure is trying to get me into a more budget/schedule friendly race in Florida, While part of me wants to make Kona before I turn 25 the other part of me is saying wait and yet another part is screaming give up on it all together. Well back to Cam Brown, it seems if I can't get to him the tri gods have arranged that maybe Cam Brown will come to me.



Everyone knows every year I race the Pat Griskus Olympic and Sprint Triathlons. Both races are staples on my schedules because they are on my normal training routes , through Middlebury, Woodbury, Washington, Bantam and Bethlehem CT..Well now a third race has been added to the schedule. Heather Gollonick ( don't think I spelled that right) has decided to go the path of Pro-triathlete/race director..well as fate would have it she chose Middlebury CT as the site of the 1st Rev3 Triathlon. Well the race is a half iron and has committed several top pros, including Bree Wee, Desiree Ficker, and the aforementioned Kiwi, Mr. Brown.

This really has the gears turning, before I found out about this race I was planning for a very limited race schedule in preparation for "Operation School Bjoern" ( all in good fun man) with my opener being either the Patriot Tri or the Pat Griskus Olympic as my opener, The Pat griskus Sprint and either Park City or Niantic being boredom killers, and Nutmegman or Mighty Hamptons as my final prep for IM AZ. But now with a Half Iron thrown into my stomping grounds, I feel like I'm stuck in an old school under armour commercial as the words "We must protect this house!" are echoing in my head.

Needless to say my inner Risk benefit analysis computer is working overtime.

Pros:
I know the routes, I know the lay of the land, hell I train and have raced on these same routes before.

Pros in the Greater Waterbury Area...well I know I won't receive press coverage because I'm not from one of "The" Towns, Middlebury,Southbury, Woodbury, Washington, Nauguatuck, Watertown.... but local athletes going up against the world's best might make some head lines.

It's in early June, which if I'm not doing NZ is when I traditionally start my season.

Cons:
$250 entry fee!

Swimming at Quassy....could be good, could be bad...could be ugly...

I'll post more on this as I get more details.

R.D.

Common sights on a Thursday after dark in New Britian

Freshman sneaking booze into Caroll Hall.
Drug deal going down on Stanley Street.
Freshman girls trying to remember the names on their fake ID's.
Guys jumping mountain bikes off stairs.
Ultimate Frisbie vs. Soccer for the quad.
100 guys following 2 girls in to Elmers.
My scrawny ass running loops of the campus.

That's right tonight I managed to get a nice 10k in. I stuck to the boring yet safe and well lit route around campus, as my training partner is off in Vienna ....damn it Bjoern, I need someone to run with on Tues and Thurs nights. Sorry for the negative puke in the last two posts but it's been a rough week, and 6.1 miles of therapy were just what the doctor ordered. Tomorrow not much on tap as my Grandpa heads up to the mothership ( Canada). So I officially have the house to myself, no wild keggers please. Comtemplating signing up for the HOTford marathon on October 11, figure I need to measure myself up to Speedy, Cranky and possibly the juggernaunt known as the Angry One. Next week I have my final race of the 2008 Triathlon season, after that I need to think out and methodically plan 2009.

R.D.