The Old Bobby is coming back...is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Ok for the first in nearly two years I'm trying to plan out a season. Last year was crazy as I was trying to figure out if the Navy was going to take me, plus some crazy life issues. Now I've signed up for another Ironman. Now this time my Ironman will be different. In 2008 and 2009 Ironman New Zealand was my season opener. I essentially spent four months training with no races on my schedule. This year Ironman Kentucky is toward the end of my season, which now means I have to give thought into what races I should enter as qualifying for Kona is my ultimate goal. Now in a normal year I usually do 2 halfs, 2 olympics and 2 or 3 sprints. I know my body is capable of doing 3-4 halves but with the Ironman I have to watch my finances as well as my body as doing 140.6 miles in the peak of my season is a whole new ball game.
So 2011 has my inner coach fighting the inner accountant.
Initally I was planning on doing the Rev3 half at Quassy and the Patriot half. The positives to these two races is Patriot is $50 cheaper than most of M-Dot 70.3 races and Rev3 is in my own backyard so that cuts out a hotel. . Essentially I would spend the first half of my season building base and then work on going fast for the mid portion of it and then maybe race Montauk or Long Course Nationals to close it out. I wasn't planning on being able to get into an Ironman but when I saw that Ironman Louisville still had spots after Christmas I figured I would go for it.
So now I need to try to break my season down to be at optimal performance for August, which now has me wondering if I should break my season down further. Enter my inner coach.
My inner coach is saying well Rev3 or Patriot would be a good option and I should do Providence 70.3 as it falls in mid-July and would give me a good last warm up before Louisville. The problem Providence is more expensive than Patriot, and would require at least a one night hotel stay, and from experience a hotel for 2 nights in Providence would cost me the same as 4 nights with a rental car in Louisville.
I consulted another area athlete who has her degree in this stuff, essentially her call was play it by ear, and if I decided to race Providence to use it as a training race. $500 between race entry and hotel for a weekend in RI sounds like an expensive tab for a training day, so it looks like I maybe creating my own LD training race in mid July. Likewise I do have some shorter distance races that I usually do on the schedule. The Griskus Sprint like always, is on the list and my goal for that race is to try to top 15 as I was in the top 25 last year. I may go back up to Holliston and race my girlfriend's hometown Sprint, granted they shortened the distance, and I was thinking about going back to Park City to avenge a disappointing finish from last year. Ideally I want to do 5 races the thing I need to decide are which ones.
R.D.
Showing posts with label Rev3 Tri. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rev3 Tri. Show all posts
Monday, February 7, 2011
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Unleash the Cracken!
I don't know why that phrase was stuck in my head today as I ran 8 miles of the Middlebury Rev 3 Half Iron run loop, but it seemed to motivate me. For those of you who don't know about the Rev 3 course it's hilly. I figure that next year this is going to be my season opener as I didn't do any long distance races in 2010. Anyway I've been trying to train on the Rev loop whenever I have the chance. Today the weather was an absurdly warm for November 65F. My initial plan had been to run the full 13 miles but since I ran 8 miles yesterday and didn't really eat much today I bailed after 9 miles. The opening 3 miles are flat to down hill, and follow the bike loop for the Pat Griskus tris. At mile 4 or 5 the road goes from tar and chipseal to a weather beaten trail for about a mile to a mile and a half, likewise the trail rolls. There's a quick detour through a housing development to the turn around and then the loop continues around the backside of Lake Quassapaug. The changing leaves yet warm temperatures made it feel kind of surreal, that it was late November but it felt like spring again. It was good to run in short sleeves on a training run, granted since we got our first snowfall of the season on Monday I have a feeling winter is going to be pretty crazy, probably frigid one day then unseasonably warm the next.
But back to today's run. Today my focus was on just getting some miles and hill work in as I have two short road races. A five miler in Waterbury next Sunday, then the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving. I kept thinking ahead to next June, when I would be trying to attack on this leg of the race. I kept thinking about what some of my training partners had said during the summer. One comment was I'm one of the most underestimated local athletes. Let's face it at 175lbs. I'm not one of these skinny, anorexic, cyclist, marathoner types. I don't eat tofu, Ice cream is not the devil, and I'm pretty sure I eat enough red meat to be declared PETA's public enemy number 1. But where was I oh yes, I'm underestimated. Many a muscled bound athlete has looked at me at the start line and is like "No Prob I've got this pudgy kid beat I'll collect my medal, and probably have two beers and a few tofu burgers under my belt before this kid leaves T-2." Only to see me huff and puff by them on the run, or just not see me period until I'm going to the award stand...at least that's how it used to be. 2010 was the first time I felt vunerable. My training wasn't where it should have been. My mind wasn't with it and I was in a constant state of adjustment. So as I ran today I was trying to focus on staying positive, I was focusing on becoming stronger, I wanted to be that determined SOB that wasn't intimidated by distance, pain, or the fact the guys running against me had better muscle definition and six pack abs. Essentially I wanted to get back to the point where I would be able to take my run to a whole nother level. I guess the best motto for it would be "Unleash the Cracken." After all if the Cracken was a mythological beast that would bring about a difficult situations and shake the strongest of heroes to their core, then that's what I want my run leg to be. I want the uber cyclists looking back with dread. I want to be back at the point I was at Ironman New Zealand a few years ago, when I was passing more people on the run than I was being passed by. I want to know if I get beat that the people who beat me truly were the better athletes, so as I churned out the miles today I was thinking about how best to attack the hills. I was debating on how I should plan my runs, if I should start surging. I was trying to get back to a place where I was in 2007 when I was training for my first Ironman, I'm hoping 2011 will be the year I'll be able to get back to where I was in before I got tossed a life curveball.
Today's run was good my legs took a beating but they needed it, the soul needed it, the mind needed it. In general I needed the run because it's helping get back to where I belong. So this week I'll prep for my 5 miler, in another week I'll get a 4 mile road race and some turkey in my system and then the planing for 2011. Rev3's there and maybe a marathon before it, it's taken me a while to try to fight it but sport is my life and I need to take it back.
R.D.
But back to today's run. Today my focus was on just getting some miles and hill work in as I have two short road races. A five miler in Waterbury next Sunday, then the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving. I kept thinking ahead to next June, when I would be trying to attack on this leg of the race. I kept thinking about what some of my training partners had said during the summer. One comment was I'm one of the most underestimated local athletes. Let's face it at 175lbs. I'm not one of these skinny, anorexic, cyclist, marathoner types. I don't eat tofu, Ice cream is not the devil, and I'm pretty sure I eat enough red meat to be declared PETA's public enemy number 1. But where was I oh yes, I'm underestimated. Many a muscled bound athlete has looked at me at the start line and is like "No Prob I've got this pudgy kid beat I'll collect my medal, and probably have two beers and a few tofu burgers under my belt before this kid leaves T-2." Only to see me huff and puff by them on the run, or just not see me period until I'm going to the award stand...at least that's how it used to be. 2010 was the first time I felt vunerable. My training wasn't where it should have been. My mind wasn't with it and I was in a constant state of adjustment. So as I ran today I was trying to focus on staying positive, I was focusing on becoming stronger, I wanted to be that determined SOB that wasn't intimidated by distance, pain, or the fact the guys running against me had better muscle definition and six pack abs. Essentially I wanted to get back to the point where I would be able to take my run to a whole nother level. I guess the best motto for it would be "Unleash the Cracken." After all if the Cracken was a mythological beast that would bring about a difficult situations and shake the strongest of heroes to their core, then that's what I want my run leg to be. I want the uber cyclists looking back with dread. I want to be back at the point I was at Ironman New Zealand a few years ago, when I was passing more people on the run than I was being passed by. I want to know if I get beat that the people who beat me truly were the better athletes, so as I churned out the miles today I was thinking about how best to attack the hills. I was debating on how I should plan my runs, if I should start surging. I was trying to get back to a place where I was in 2007 when I was training for my first Ironman, I'm hoping 2011 will be the year I'll be able to get back to where I was in before I got tossed a life curveball.
Today's run was good my legs took a beating but they needed it, the soul needed it, the mind needed it. In general I needed the run because it's helping get back to where I belong. So this week I'll prep for my 5 miler, in another week I'll get a 4 mile road race and some turkey in my system and then the planing for 2011. Rev3's there and maybe a marathon before it, it's taken me a while to try to fight it but sport is my life and I need to take it back.
R.D.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Hard week of training: Reflections
The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step- Chinese Proverb.
This week kicked off the begining of my training for 2011 season 1 race is on the list so far The Rev 3 Half at Quassy. This race is in my backyard so much of the next 18 months will be spent getting myself acquainted with it's lay out. I've already started joking with some training partners I should toe the line at this bitch wearing Under Armour with " Protect this House" etched on the back. Essentially this race in one my normal hunting grounds so I have some homefield advantage. It's like living in Kona and doing repeats of the Energy Lab, you can work the hardest parts of the course and get prepared for what it's going to take to perform.
So needless to say I've been spending alot of time in Middlebury. I also took a good hard look in the mirror and a good hard look at the scale. I'm pushing a heavy race weight, I've been training like garbarge and eating like garbage because I've been feeling like garbarge, and quite frankly that garbarge has got to stop. So this week I wrote a training plan and decided to stick to it. I managed to swim about 10,000 yards in a week for the first time in months. On the running front: I did two 9milers and about a 12 miler on the Rev3 course this week. The 12 miler came on a 90 degree day. As I cranked out the miles, that video in my head started playing that one that always comes out when I'm running the one where I'm in Kona and I'm going to win the damn thing. Now maybe it's only a dream, but I felt pretty damn strong as I ran along. I got out of my daydream and I started taking notes of what race day will be like at Rev, I started making notes of how I felt in different sections. Trying to make notes of hills, pavement quality and how I felt. I did pretty well on the first 8 mile stretch, it's well marked and shares part of the route with the Pat Griskus Sprint Bike loop. I ended up taking a wrong turn at about mile 10 and ended up on the back half of the old run loop/ Griskus Tri Run loop. I was feeling pretty tight and running out of water so I finshed on the route I was going on. I managed to get the 11.5-12 miles out in about an 1:43. Not blazing for a race pace but pretty damn good for training day.
Today my buddy Alex and I went for a 72 mile bike ride from Middlebury up to Lake Waramaug. I think I still have a bad habit of going too hard to early, as my legs were pretty fried by the last 10 miles. The loop was pretty challenging as we rode the back half of the Old Lake Waramaug tri route. The race has changed venues but I still remember the old route, and the hills are just as tough. The loop took you around the lake and then up a short steep hill by the golf course then down hill to a flat section before you climbed another short little wall and then shot back around the lake. We then rode up into Bantam and around Bantam Lake and got back on the the Griskus Olympic route and finshed off the ride. Things went pretty well except for some toatsy legs and a frightening flat. As Alex and I were heading down a pretty fast downhill in Washington at about 35 miles per hour my front wheel felt funny, I could feel a lot of vibration, and the bike became harder to control. The front tire went flat. I immediately began feathering the brakes, to slow down as the tire lost air, hoping it would stay on the rim. I switched to using just the back brakes to stop on flat road as I felt myself losing control, and nearly took a header. I unclipped called for Alex who was about 200 meters up at a stop sign, to let him know I didn't beef it. We changed the tire and got the rest of the ride done with with no further incident. On the cycling milestone note: This was the first flat I've gotten on a ride that I was able to change on the road and salvaged a ride finish.
While Rev is on the list and I'm still waiting to hear from the Navy, I debating Ironman again. I'm not planning on going anywhere crazy or exotic this time around granted I do want to head back to Taupo eventally, but I've been noticing IM Louisville hasn't sold out yet. Part of me is tempted. Likewise it's late season one of the last races before the Kona Qualifying cut off. Part of me is screaming do it, another part is saying "hold your horses cowboy...remember what happened the last time you went with your gut. You had some good racing but buried yourself in debt, and eventually you do want to buy a house, marry, possibily pop out 1.5 offspring..." I'm stuck on this decision do I go with the idealistic dreams of a boy or the wisdom of a man.
I mean I know I could get a good flight deal out there with those IM NZ induced frequent flier miles I need to redeem by Decemeber, but now I've got X-factors, a girlfriend, a more important job, hefty bills, hopefully a place. Real life that surpasses the fantasy. One of my training partners was saying to me after the Griskus Sprint where I was in the top 30, "You're getting to a point where you're becoming a contender. If you bring your "A-game" you might actually have a shot to win some of these local things." I shrugged it off but he went a little further " Seriously you're doing this well with no coach, old equipment, just think of how you would do it if you could take this a little more seriously." "Dude I can barley afford my car note let alone a coach." I retorted. "Have you thought about tracking down some sponsors? Seriously you're reaching a point where either you'll be the local guy who top 20's every year or you could go beyond where you could be a serious threat." As much as I wanted to block his rationale out of my head I couldn't. One of my dreams has always been to go pro, and for the first time this summer I was really beginning to think it was just a stupid dream, I'd been left homeless, was getting hounded for money I didn't have essentially the whole idea of taking $50-$100 of my paycheck and tossing it down so I could play speed demon was feeling kind of pointless. ParkCity didn't go well, I took a little break essentially just running and swimming to stay in shape, essentially this whole year has been about just trying to stay fit while I'm in holding pattern. And then two weeks ago I looked in the mirror I was looking fat and lazy. I read through some blog posts, looked at some of my race photos, and looked at my races from this year...nothing Long. Next year that changes.
Everyone keeps telling me Kona will be there when I'm older but quite frankly I don't know if I'm going to be there when I'm older. Eventally I will have to grow up and become a respectable, mature responsible adult...whatever that is..... If I'm going to make a run at it it has to be before I'm 30 because essentially in the 30+ age groups I'm going to need pro speed to get a slot. So I'm debating do I go to KY and give it a go....
Until then let the flogging continue until morale improves.
R.D.
This week kicked off the begining of my training for 2011 season 1 race is on the list so far The Rev 3 Half at Quassy. This race is in my backyard so much of the next 18 months will be spent getting myself acquainted with it's lay out. I've already started joking with some training partners I should toe the line at this bitch wearing Under Armour with " Protect this House" etched on the back. Essentially this race in one my normal hunting grounds so I have some homefield advantage. It's like living in Kona and doing repeats of the Energy Lab, you can work the hardest parts of the course and get prepared for what it's going to take to perform.
So needless to say I've been spending alot of time in Middlebury. I also took a good hard look in the mirror and a good hard look at the scale. I'm pushing a heavy race weight, I've been training like garbarge and eating like garbage because I've been feeling like garbarge, and quite frankly that garbarge has got to stop. So this week I wrote a training plan and decided to stick to it. I managed to swim about 10,000 yards in a week for the first time in months. On the running front: I did two 9milers and about a 12 miler on the Rev3 course this week. The 12 miler came on a 90 degree day. As I cranked out the miles, that video in my head started playing that one that always comes out when I'm running the one where I'm in Kona and I'm going to win the damn thing. Now maybe it's only a dream, but I felt pretty damn strong as I ran along. I got out of my daydream and I started taking notes of what race day will be like at Rev, I started making notes of how I felt in different sections. Trying to make notes of hills, pavement quality and how I felt. I did pretty well on the first 8 mile stretch, it's well marked and shares part of the route with the Pat Griskus Sprint Bike loop. I ended up taking a wrong turn at about mile 10 and ended up on the back half of the old run loop/ Griskus Tri Run loop. I was feeling pretty tight and running out of water so I finshed on the route I was going on. I managed to get the 11.5-12 miles out in about an 1:43. Not blazing for a race pace but pretty damn good for training day.
Today my buddy Alex and I went for a 72 mile bike ride from Middlebury up to Lake Waramaug. I think I still have a bad habit of going too hard to early, as my legs were pretty fried by the last 10 miles. The loop was pretty challenging as we rode the back half of the Old Lake Waramaug tri route. The race has changed venues but I still remember the old route, and the hills are just as tough. The loop took you around the lake and then up a short steep hill by the golf course then down hill to a flat section before you climbed another short little wall and then shot back around the lake. We then rode up into Bantam and around Bantam Lake and got back on the the Griskus Olympic route and finshed off the ride. Things went pretty well except for some toatsy legs and a frightening flat. As Alex and I were heading down a pretty fast downhill in Washington at about 35 miles per hour my front wheel felt funny, I could feel a lot of vibration, and the bike became harder to control. The front tire went flat. I immediately began feathering the brakes, to slow down as the tire lost air, hoping it would stay on the rim. I switched to using just the back brakes to stop on flat road as I felt myself losing control, and nearly took a header. I unclipped called for Alex who was about 200 meters up at a stop sign, to let him know I didn't beef it. We changed the tire and got the rest of the ride done with with no further incident. On the cycling milestone note: This was the first flat I've gotten on a ride that I was able to change on the road and salvaged a ride finish.
While Rev is on the list and I'm still waiting to hear from the Navy, I debating Ironman again. I'm not planning on going anywhere crazy or exotic this time around granted I do want to head back to Taupo eventally, but I've been noticing IM Louisville hasn't sold out yet. Part of me is tempted. Likewise it's late season one of the last races before the Kona Qualifying cut off. Part of me is screaming do it, another part is saying "hold your horses cowboy...remember what happened the last time you went with your gut. You had some good racing but buried yourself in debt, and eventually you do want to buy a house, marry, possibily pop out 1.5 offspring..." I'm stuck on this decision do I go with the idealistic dreams of a boy or the wisdom of a man.
I mean I know I could get a good flight deal out there with those IM NZ induced frequent flier miles I need to redeem by Decemeber, but now I've got X-factors, a girlfriend, a more important job, hefty bills, hopefully a place. Real life that surpasses the fantasy. One of my training partners was saying to me after the Griskus Sprint where I was in the top 30, "You're getting to a point where you're becoming a contender. If you bring your "A-game" you might actually have a shot to win some of these local things." I shrugged it off but he went a little further " Seriously you're doing this well with no coach, old equipment, just think of how you would do it if you could take this a little more seriously." "Dude I can barley afford my car note let alone a coach." I retorted. "Have you thought about tracking down some sponsors? Seriously you're reaching a point where either you'll be the local guy who top 20's every year or you could go beyond where you could be a serious threat." As much as I wanted to block his rationale out of my head I couldn't. One of my dreams has always been to go pro, and for the first time this summer I was really beginning to think it was just a stupid dream, I'd been left homeless, was getting hounded for money I didn't have essentially the whole idea of taking $50-$100 of my paycheck and tossing it down so I could play speed demon was feeling kind of pointless. ParkCity didn't go well, I took a little break essentially just running and swimming to stay in shape, essentially this whole year has been about just trying to stay fit while I'm in holding pattern. And then two weeks ago I looked in the mirror I was looking fat and lazy. I read through some blog posts, looked at some of my race photos, and looked at my races from this year...nothing Long. Next year that changes.
Everyone keeps telling me Kona will be there when I'm older but quite frankly I don't know if I'm going to be there when I'm older. Eventally I will have to grow up and become a respectable, mature responsible adult...whatever that is..... If I'm going to make a run at it it has to be before I'm 30 because essentially in the 30+ age groups I'm going to need pro speed to get a slot. So I'm debating do I go to KY and give it a go....
Until then let the flogging continue until morale improves.
R.D.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Reving Back into Gear
2010 was in some ways a disappointment. No long distance races which for me is frustrating ( as I live for the LD.) Right now I know there is no way I'll be ready for the Hartford Marathon ( which is in 2 weeks). I'm debating the Manchester City Marathon in Manchester, NH in early Novemeber but I'm still in play it by ear mode. So far my longest run is a 13 miler and after straining my achilles nearly 2 years ago I've been a little leary on major increases in my running in a short period ( yet I still managed to clyde crash cup a PR at Hartford last year.) Likewise I've still got bills to pay, I've got to find a place and I've got to wait for the Navy to give me the Go/ No Go for OCS. I should know by the end of October ( one thing that is true about Government projects is there is a lot of "hurry up and wait.") If I get taken for an OCS class it won't be until early 2011,so I may be commissioned in enough time to be able to do some racing next year. If I'm not commissioned, I want to do at least a Half Ironman next year. Which has me thinking " Which races will motivate me to train through the winter? Right now if I don't get selected for OCS I have two races on the short list.
Rev 3 Quassy or Eagleman.
Rev3 has a lot of benefits, don't have to get a hotel. It's on home turf ( essentially I'm riding portions of the route almost every time I head out on the bike.) I'm training myself on it's run course because it's a measured 13.1 miles. I know the race won't sell out until well after I have news on OCS,and even after that it has a flexible transfer/ deferment policy. There are a lot of pros to the Rev. Likewise my supporters get free access to the Quassy Amusement park ( which isn't as good as Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT but at least riding the bumper cars or the water slides for a few hours beats waiting for me to finish in the middle of nowhere.)
The big cons: a hefty price tag for no qualifying slots to Kona or Clearwater. Also the bike course is on my least favorite terrain, massive New England Hills, granted with all the big gear work I do climbing is becoming less of a weakness ( but it's still painful.).
Eagleman is another one that's on my radar, it does have some cons. WTC doesn't have as lenient of a transfer policy as Rev so if I end up in Pensacola for Flight training in early June ( or Newport for Surface warfare) and I can't get leave then I'm out $250. Likewise nothing against the wonderful people of Cambridge MD but there's not really a lot for supporters to do for the 4-5 hours while I'm competing. Add to it it's hot and humid, it makes it a long day for my friends and fam, if they come down. The other big issue is even though it hasn't sold out as quickly as it has in year's past, it will sell out before I get news from the Navy boards to see if I'll be in Newport this winter earning my bars. Likewise despite the fact this race has Kona slots it will be really hard to get one. The competition is firece, not to mention drafting is epidemic on the bike course.
The pros for Eagleman: The terrain is favorable for an excellent bike splits. Vigo and the crew from the Columbia Triathlon Association put on a pretty good show. If I decide to do it and I need to go the Community fund route, the proceeds go to the Blazeman Foundation for ALS. Likewise the prospect of Kona slots is always a huge motivator to get you using your A-game.
So the debate is raging right now on which race and one is going to happen in 2011, I need to get my workout plan in place. Starting in the next posts I'm going to outline my plans to get myself back into shape and ready to haul ass.
Stay tuned
R.D.
Rev 3 Quassy or Eagleman.
Rev3 has a lot of benefits, don't have to get a hotel. It's on home turf ( essentially I'm riding portions of the route almost every time I head out on the bike.) I'm training myself on it's run course because it's a measured 13.1 miles. I know the race won't sell out until well after I have news on OCS,and even after that it has a flexible transfer/ deferment policy. There are a lot of pros to the Rev. Likewise my supporters get free access to the Quassy Amusement park ( which isn't as good as Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT but at least riding the bumper cars or the water slides for a few hours beats waiting for me to finish in the middle of nowhere.)
The big cons: a hefty price tag for no qualifying slots to Kona or Clearwater. Also the bike course is on my least favorite terrain, massive New England Hills, granted with all the big gear work I do climbing is becoming less of a weakness ( but it's still painful.).
Eagleman is another one that's on my radar, it does have some cons. WTC doesn't have as lenient of a transfer policy as Rev so if I end up in Pensacola for Flight training in early June ( or Newport for Surface warfare) and I can't get leave then I'm out $250. Likewise nothing against the wonderful people of Cambridge MD but there's not really a lot for supporters to do for the 4-5 hours while I'm competing. Add to it it's hot and humid, it makes it a long day for my friends and fam, if they come down. The other big issue is even though it hasn't sold out as quickly as it has in year's past, it will sell out before I get news from the Navy boards to see if I'll be in Newport this winter earning my bars. Likewise despite the fact this race has Kona slots it will be really hard to get one. The competition is firece, not to mention drafting is epidemic on the bike course.
The pros for Eagleman: The terrain is favorable for an excellent bike splits. Vigo and the crew from the Columbia Triathlon Association put on a pretty good show. If I decide to do it and I need to go the Community fund route, the proceeds go to the Blazeman Foundation for ALS. Likewise the prospect of Kona slots is always a huge motivator to get you using your A-game.
So the debate is raging right now on which race and one is going to happen in 2011, I need to get my workout plan in place. Starting in the next posts I'm going to outline my plans to get myself back into shape and ready to haul ass.
Stay tuned
R.D.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Rev 3 Race Report
Well ok technically it's a volunteer report as I decided to toss my scant resources toward Providence 70.3 and my crazy dream of a Kona slot. I will say this it's wired wearing the other T-shirt, but at the same time it's kinda relaxing. I mean not having to sit there and think about decents, gearing, wear on the running shoes, am I trained enough, what do I eat tonight so I preform at my best? For once it felt good to show up with a Great one from Dunkin Donuts and two chocolate Donuts and not feel like a hypocrite.
On Saturday I showed up early in the AM and Bsed with Bob and Mary Ann Blais at the War on ALS booth. I met up with Robin the volunteer coordinator and got my T-shirt then headed over to transition. My first task of the day was going around with Cinda ( who was Belinda Granger's homestay ironically enough.) and stapling race numbers on the transition racks. As I went through I say some familiar names including some of my buddies from HEAT ( Tony, Dave, Slowpoke, Gabe, Raf, etc.) and then out of the Blue on one rack Claire Badass Mofo. Well this necessitated a quick phone call with a stupid voicemail message along the lines of "I didn't know you were racing this bitch." or something stupid like that. The last few months I've been in work, class, train, classwork, repeat mode so my people skills are well...sort of non-existent. I also bumped into Bree Wee.
Well after stapling 700+ race numbers to the transition "boxes" I moved over to check in. I essentially became a transition escort. I would help guys find their transition spots answer basic questions such as "where is the bike out?" "How much space do we have for gear?" Claire came in asking questions for the Aqua bike that apparently none of us knew. I sent her to race info hoping they were better prepared than we were...unfortunately as I would later find out trying to find info for the Aqua bike would require consulting a Buddhist holy person on the top of a snow covered mountain.
I worked Transition until 1:30 and then ran into town for a bite to eat and met up with Josie for our afternoon ride. We made it out to Waramaug and after one loop of the lake decided to bypass the Bethlehem section of the loop. Again she throttled me as she averaged over 17 mph and my dead ass pedaled in a good 5-10 minutes behind. I covered our 50 miler averaging about 16.7 mph I need to find my form on the bike and fast. Granted I think I might need to be refit as there were some sections where she was able to stay perfectly areo and I was either in the bull horns or out of the saddle not so much for power but to relieve pressure on my lower back. Regardless, this week there will be more time spent on the bike.
I got back to the park at about 6:00, and hopped in the endless pool demo to wash some of the salt and road grime off, so I wouldn't be scarring the late check- ins away with the rank of aroma of eau-de 80km ride. I went back to transition and helped check in the last minute stragglers. After that it was off to the Volunteer dinner/ meeting. I figured out where in Litchfield I was supposed to direct traffic and what time I needed to be at the park to help with body marking.
Sunday
I showed up at the park at about 5:30 to help with body marking. Things went pretty smoothly. I marked up a couple of my teamamtes,Tony, Karen, a few of the locals I know and the youngest competitor in the race a 14 year old racing with her dad. I listened to one of the women getting marked up by the guy next to me. Then came the Question, "Rob, umm this chick's got a low number and she wants her age on her calf." I looked over and saw the tell tale bikini top, it was Bree. "She's a pro." I said to the dude, Bree looked up..." Can't I just compete with the age groupers?" She said with a smile. Sadly I had to be the big mean scary race number Nazi. "Sorry Bree you're a pro it'd be unfair." Claire came over sporting her Aquaphor gear...part of me is think I should have applied/signed up... as it looked pimp.
As I started to see the people shuffle to the water in their wetsuits part of me was regretting not racing..or at least I was until I drove to my spot on the bike course. As I rolled over some of the hills I realized how much of a bear this thing was and despite my hill training there is no way I would have been ready to go as fast as I would like to this weekend.
I arrived at my road block which split a rather large farm completely in half and set up the "Road Closed "sign with the Litchfield Cops and got the warning that these things very rarely work. Well that theory was tested early ( read my other post for this) when some bimbo in a Saab made the comment she couldn't get around on the otherside to get home, since she lived on the road I let her through. I would let 4 cars through not including the farm dumptruck and a couple of state police crusiers and oh yes a rather rude woman in a white ford F-150 with a horse trailer. More on that later. I got up to my post at about 7:30 and waited for the leaders to come through...they were expected at about 8:15...that came and went...then 8:30...then at 8:45 the sate police entourage came through. A cruiser, two motorcyles followed by...Matty Reed...and the TV crew... I was a bit shocked what happended to Luke Bell... about two minutes back Richie Cunningham blew through followed by a pack of three pros....I sat there and wonder where Luke Bell was he was the favorite to win this thing. Then the pro women came through first I couldn't make out the leader but I could see Joanna Zieger in 2nd. Then Natascha Badmann rolled through and shouted "thanks" you could tell it was a rough course as she was only half smiling...
Then came the pack...Jo Lawn , Belinda Granger, Mirinda Cafree going 3 wide traffic be damned. Some dude in a subaru cut right as I had to direct some of the fastest age group men around the stalled car. Then Bree came through and about 5 minutes behind her came the age group packs, and stragling pros...still no Luke Bell...so assumed he DNFed. Gabe rolled through then Tony, Karen, Claire, Dave, other Dave, and so it went on for about 3 hours. As the packs went through there would be little breaks...one rider slowly chugging along, and then no one for about 5 minutes then 5 or 6 together...then no one then another lone rider...then no one...and then the mechanic's truck..."You've got one more about 5 minutes back."
Then 10 minutes later..." #7XX is the last one she's about 15 minutes back..." 15 minutes later she rolled through and my duites were done. I drove back to the park and met up with some of the HEATers found out Erica had been hit by a car at mile 1 of the run as somebody blew through the massive local/ state Police road block seriously there must have been at least 10 cops and five crusiers. Tony had come in in the 5:25 range..not a bad day...a good tune up for Louisville. Natascha was sitting with some of my teamates discussing shoulder rehab. Bree made the comment she was going to hit some rides as she had a knot in her stomach and hoped it would lossen it up. Found Claire and met Grease Monkey...and her dog Kona...no the name does not refer to a certian town on a certain volcanic island which hosts a certain sporting event in mid October, which would drive this particular gathering of masochists buck wild.
So that was REV 3 watching all those athletes was good motivationto get me back into my training. Monday I did an Olympic Distance brick, yesterday I swam about 3300 yards and tonight I've got a run and swim on tap. Hopefully Patriot will be a good kick start to my summer season.
So to all those who Reved or are Reving up I salute you.
R.D.
* sorry I will add the pics later, it's just I can't up load them at work.
On Saturday I showed up early in the AM and Bsed with Bob and Mary Ann Blais at the War on ALS booth. I met up with Robin the volunteer coordinator and got my T-shirt then headed over to transition. My first task of the day was going around with Cinda ( who was Belinda Granger's homestay ironically enough.) and stapling race numbers on the transition racks. As I went through I say some familiar names including some of my buddies from HEAT ( Tony, Dave, Slowpoke, Gabe, Raf, etc.) and then out of the Blue on one rack Claire Badass Mofo. Well this necessitated a quick phone call with a stupid voicemail message along the lines of "I didn't know you were racing this bitch." or something stupid like that. The last few months I've been in work, class, train, classwork, repeat mode so my people skills are well...sort of non-existent. I also bumped into Bree Wee.
Well after stapling 700+ race numbers to the transition "boxes" I moved over to check in. I essentially became a transition escort. I would help guys find their transition spots answer basic questions such as "where is the bike out?" "How much space do we have for gear?" Claire came in asking questions for the Aqua bike that apparently none of us knew. I sent her to race info hoping they were better prepared than we were...unfortunately as I would later find out trying to find info for the Aqua bike would require consulting a Buddhist holy person on the top of a snow covered mountain.
I worked Transition until 1:30 and then ran into town for a bite to eat and met up with Josie for our afternoon ride. We made it out to Waramaug and after one loop of the lake decided to bypass the Bethlehem section of the loop. Again she throttled me as she averaged over 17 mph and my dead ass pedaled in a good 5-10 minutes behind. I covered our 50 miler averaging about 16.7 mph I need to find my form on the bike and fast. Granted I think I might need to be refit as there were some sections where she was able to stay perfectly areo and I was either in the bull horns or out of the saddle not so much for power but to relieve pressure on my lower back. Regardless, this week there will be more time spent on the bike.
I got back to the park at about 6:00, and hopped in the endless pool demo to wash some of the salt and road grime off, so I wouldn't be scarring the late check- ins away with the rank of aroma of eau-de 80km ride. I went back to transition and helped check in the last minute stragglers. After that it was off to the Volunteer dinner/ meeting. I figured out where in Litchfield I was supposed to direct traffic and what time I needed to be at the park to help with body marking.
Sunday
I showed up at the park at about 5:30 to help with body marking. Things went pretty smoothly. I marked up a couple of my teamamtes,Tony, Karen, a few of the locals I know and the youngest competitor in the race a 14 year old racing with her dad. I listened to one of the women getting marked up by the guy next to me. Then came the Question, "Rob, umm this chick's got a low number and she wants her age on her calf." I looked over and saw the tell tale bikini top, it was Bree. "She's a pro." I said to the dude, Bree looked up..." Can't I just compete with the age groupers?" She said with a smile. Sadly I had to be the big mean scary race number Nazi. "Sorry Bree you're a pro it'd be unfair." Claire came over sporting her Aquaphor gear...part of me is think I should have applied/signed up... as it looked pimp.
As I started to see the people shuffle to the water in their wetsuits part of me was regretting not racing..or at least I was until I drove to my spot on the bike course. As I rolled over some of the hills I realized how much of a bear this thing was and despite my hill training there is no way I would have been ready to go as fast as I would like to this weekend.
I arrived at my road block which split a rather large farm completely in half and set up the "Road Closed "sign with the Litchfield Cops and got the warning that these things very rarely work. Well that theory was tested early ( read my other post for this) when some bimbo in a Saab made the comment she couldn't get around on the otherside to get home, since she lived on the road I let her through. I would let 4 cars through not including the farm dumptruck and a couple of state police crusiers and oh yes a rather rude woman in a white ford F-150 with a horse trailer. More on that later. I got up to my post at about 7:30 and waited for the leaders to come through...they were expected at about 8:15...that came and went...then 8:30...then at 8:45 the sate police entourage came through. A cruiser, two motorcyles followed by...Matty Reed...and the TV crew... I was a bit shocked what happended to Luke Bell... about two minutes back Richie Cunningham blew through followed by a pack of three pros....I sat there and wonder where Luke Bell was he was the favorite to win this thing. Then the pro women came through first I couldn't make out the leader but I could see Joanna Zieger in 2nd. Then Natascha Badmann rolled through and shouted "thanks" you could tell it was a rough course as she was only half smiling...
Then came the pack...Jo Lawn , Belinda Granger, Mirinda Cafree going 3 wide traffic be damned. Some dude in a subaru cut right as I had to direct some of the fastest age group men around the stalled car. Then Bree came through and about 5 minutes behind her came the age group packs, and stragling pros...still no Luke Bell...so assumed he DNFed. Gabe rolled through then Tony, Karen, Claire, Dave, other Dave, and so it went on for about 3 hours. As the packs went through there would be little breaks...one rider slowly chugging along, and then no one for about 5 minutes then 5 or 6 together...then no one then another lone rider...then no one...and then the mechanic's truck..."You've got one more about 5 minutes back."
Then 10 minutes later..." #7XX is the last one she's about 15 minutes back..." 15 minutes later she rolled through and my duites were done. I drove back to the park and met up with some of the HEATers found out Erica had been hit by a car at mile 1 of the run as somebody blew through the massive local/ state Police road block seriously there must have been at least 10 cops and five crusiers. Tony had come in in the 5:25 range..not a bad day...a good tune up for Louisville. Natascha was sitting with some of my teamates discussing shoulder rehab. Bree made the comment she was going to hit some rides as she had a knot in her stomach and hoped it would lossen it up. Found Claire and met Grease Monkey...and her dog Kona...no the name does not refer to a certian town on a certain volcanic island which hosts a certain sporting event in mid October, which would drive this particular gathering of masochists buck wild.
So that was REV 3 watching all those athletes was good motivationto get me back into my training. Monday I did an Olympic Distance brick, yesterday I swam about 3300 yards and tonight I've got a run and swim on tap. Hopefully Patriot will be a good kick start to my summer season.
So to all those who Reved or are Reving up I salute you.
R.D.
* sorry I will add the pics later, it's just I can't up load them at work.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Swimming laps with Pros.
Ok so it was only one pro. I was doing a 3500yard swim workout at the Waterbury Y when I noticed some Chick with a Team Powerbar Cap stretching out by the bleachers. Since the Age group team was taking up 4 lanes and lane 6 had been conquered by the Aquarobics crew I figured I'd split a lane. Nothing sucks worse than having a great workout planned and not having a lane. So as I began my kick set I'll called over that I was willing to split. Now I figured maybe she was some elite Age Grouper, maybe She hoped in an did the introduction thing " I'm Bob Almighty*" I stated " Belinda Granger"..she said back. Belinda Granger...The Belinda Granger...The winner of Hawaii 70.3 last weekend....I was a little star struck for the rest of my sets. I'm sharing a lane with Belinda Granger...it took awhile for the shock to subside even after the practice...it's just something I'm not used to. I did want to pick her brain a little thankfully I'm a notoriosly slow changer so she was able to slip out rather quickly, and unaccosted.
If Cam Brown or Bree Wee show up to the HEAT swim tonight...someone may just have to use that defibulator on me.
Almost Kinda Sorta a bigshot
R.D.
* ok I used my real name.
If Cam Brown or Bree Wee show up to the HEAT swim tonight...someone may just have to use that defibulator on me.
Almost Kinda Sorta a bigshot
R.D.
* ok I used my real name.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
No training Wednesday: All set for Rhode Trip Redux
Yesterday I had a training plan. I was going to work hard, but when I got home from work I decided to take an hour nap...figured hey I need to catch up on sleep. Well an hour turned into 2 and then I got a call from an old friend and then my parents decided to get the piano early...and then one of my friends was playing with her Jazz band at a club in Watertown, needless to say no training got done. Today, I have at least a swim on tap. Tomorrow a run and swim with the HEAT crew, Saturday a ride between my volunteer shift and the volunteer meeting. Sunday I'm hoping for a short ride post REV3. Yep I have grandiose plans hopefully they will come to fruition.
On the Providence 70.3 front I just reserved a room at the Marriot Downtown, I booked for Saturday and Sunday nights figuring I'll just drive home on Monday morning. I don't want to barge in on my sister's friend again to use the shower. Plus I figure I'll just take the shuttle down to the beach, and save on gas and parking. But all that is settled so now it's just getting the mileage in.
Feelin' fat and lazy
R.D.
On the Providence 70.3 front I just reserved a room at the Marriot Downtown, I booked for Saturday and Sunday nights figuring I'll just drive home on Monday morning. I don't want to barge in on my sister's friend again to use the shower. Plus I figure I'll just take the shuttle down to the beach, and save on gas and parking. But all that is settled so now it's just getting the mileage in.
Feelin' fat and lazy
R.D.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A couple of confusing weekends
Well this weekend is the Rev3 Triathlon so I'm in a confusing tug of war between aquatics and the bike course. They have me Lifeguarding Saturday and doing Body marking and directing traffic out in Litchfield on Sunday on the corner of Webster and Rt. 63. Anyone that lives in the greater Litchfield area and wants to make my day on Sunday, just show up with a Box O' Joe and a quart of half and half...oh and bring some coffee for the other volunteers :)
Next Weekend Grad Party for my sisters and myself, well more for my sisters as I try to iron things out with the Anth department at CCSU. I'll try to pass along invites to the locals ( seriously it's just a low key thing.), but right now I'm not even sure how long I'm going to be there because I have to train for Patriot and pack to move. But at the same time I'm getting threats from my sisters and my parents I'd better show up...seriously I'm not really all that thrilled I mean I got* my BA big whoop...then again I always sort of down play anything I do...
The following weekend is Patriot, I debating on if I should just drive up morning of or if I should rent one of the rooms on site for $50 or a hotel for $95. I've got to see what the bank book looks like next week and if my entourage is coming with me. I still have to book a room for Providence and that's going to be at least $100 granted I'm hoping my sister can use her "Salve Connection" and get me into a dorm in Newport for the weekend for cheap or one of my fellow HEATsters needs a roomie.
But yeah June is looking pretty busy. My dad needs my help moving a Piano so that's going to cut into my evening so I'm hoping to get a run and a swim in, granted today is my run day so 8 more miles on my road worn trainers. Hopefully another 3500yds in the pool and tomorrow I'm not out of the office until 7PM so I might be able to get a "race the sunset" ride in. Friday I'm hoping to swim up at West Hill.
I should have some good pics of the action at REV3 and I'm already palcing my bets on a Swiss Miss ( Natascha Badmann)/ Island Girl( BreeWee) show down in the Women's race.
As for the men it's a crapshoot. Cam Brown's going to be tough, but the bike course is technical and favors hardcore cyclists like Chris Lieto. Local Fav John Hirsch will be showing up to do the voodoo that he does so well as will Jordan Rapp who has quite a winning streak on evil bike courses.
Also props to my teammates from CT's hottest tri club who will be tearing up the age group ranks.
Alright that's it from me the line's starting to back up here at work.
The Human ATM machine
R.D.
*The reciept of my Bachleor's depends on if I get a passing grade for my Anth 328 course...as I handed in a paper extremely late like due in December handed it in in April Late...on that note if you buy a flash drive go with a $20 scan disk, because the $9 wal mart special just don't cut it and "file corrupted" are the two most painful words in the english language.
Next Weekend Grad Party for my sisters and myself, well more for my sisters as I try to iron things out with the Anth department at CCSU. I'll try to pass along invites to the locals ( seriously it's just a low key thing.), but right now I'm not even sure how long I'm going to be there because I have to train for Patriot and pack to move. But at the same time I'm getting threats from my sisters and my parents I'd better show up...seriously I'm not really all that thrilled I mean I got* my BA big whoop...then again I always sort of down play anything I do...
The following weekend is Patriot, I debating on if I should just drive up morning of or if I should rent one of the rooms on site for $50 or a hotel for $95. I've got to see what the bank book looks like next week and if my entourage is coming with me. I still have to book a room for Providence and that's going to be at least $100 granted I'm hoping my sister can use her "Salve Connection" and get me into a dorm in Newport for the weekend for cheap or one of my fellow HEATsters needs a roomie.
But yeah June is looking pretty busy. My dad needs my help moving a Piano so that's going to cut into my evening so I'm hoping to get a run and a swim in, granted today is my run day so 8 more miles on my road worn trainers. Hopefully another 3500yds in the pool and tomorrow I'm not out of the office until 7PM so I might be able to get a "race the sunset" ride in. Friday I'm hoping to swim up at West Hill.
I should have some good pics of the action at REV3 and I'm already palcing my bets on a Swiss Miss ( Natascha Badmann)/ Island Girl( BreeWee) show down in the Women's race.
As for the men it's a crapshoot. Cam Brown's going to be tough, but the bike course is technical and favors hardcore cyclists like Chris Lieto. Local Fav John Hirsch will be showing up to do the voodoo that he does so well as will Jordan Rapp who has quite a winning streak on evil bike courses.
Also props to my teammates from CT's hottest tri club who will be tearing up the age group ranks.
Alright that's it from me the line's starting to back up here at work.
The Human ATM machine
R.D.
*The reciept of my Bachleor's depends on if I get a passing grade for my Anth 328 course...as I handed in a paper extremely late like due in December handed it in in April Late...on that note if you buy a flash drive go with a $20 scan disk, because the $9 wal mart special just don't cut it and "file corrupted" are the two most painful words in the english language.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Damn Girl!
Well yesterday my training partner Josie and myself decided to meet for a ride out in Middlebury. We opted to do the Griskus Sprint Triathlon loop. To anyone who has never done this race let me explain it. The loop is 10 miles long Miles 1-3 are mostly down hill with a pesky little "s" curve through a blind intersection, mile 4 has a short, steep pain in the ass climb Hint for anyone doing Rev 3 this is part of the run course :) Miles 5-9 are rolling with the infamous smiley face and "last hill" marking at the beginning of a half mile (800 meter) assent and mile 10 finds you back on the main road descending.
So yesterday I met up with Josie at my usual parking spot on the rail trail and we were off. This was her first time doing a hilly course on her new Cervelo P2C....everyone here knows my relationship with Cervelo...granted I'm almost tempted to go to the dark side...
The ride began pretty well but there was a wicked Cross wind/ head wind on the opening descent, and it really killed the speed. To put it in perspective areas on Route 64 where I'm normally booking at 25mph (40kph) I was going about 15 -20 (20-30km) . Josie held up surprisingly well on the climbs, as evidenced by her "I love this bike!" comments. I would cook on several of the descents and open up a gap and she would close it on the hills...except for that long gradual one at the end....that hill is mine! We did 3 loops and for some odd reason my second one is always my fastest, maybe it's because I have my gearing down and I'm still fresh, maybe it's because my legs are properly warmed up, I don't know but the second loop I was feeling fresh, the third was about average I felt if it had been a little warmer ( and I had brought my Bento Box ) I could have gone a little further. All said and done we ended up doing 31 miles (just about 50k) in 1:54..averaging just over 16mph(25.6kph).
I figure I'll be doing this loop a lot to work my legs for climbing speed....that and I want to medal in my age group again....seriously I want to see if I can better my performance at this Sprint from last year although I don't want to fry my legs before Providence...hard because they're both in the same week although Patriot is in June so it won't be the Half Saturday- Sprint Wednesday- Half Sunday routine like last year.
Josie seems to be well on pace for a smoking bike split if she can ride like she did yesterday she has a shot at medaling in her age group in most of the sprints she's entered and if she keeps working the hills she'll be a weapon of mass destruction at Redman.
Well that's it for me today is swimming and lifiting and an 8 miler..followed by research...yay!
Wants a Polka Dot Jersey and a 300 Euro Bonus.
R.D.
So yesterday I met up with Josie at my usual parking spot on the rail trail and we were off. This was her first time doing a hilly course on her new Cervelo P2C....everyone here knows my relationship with Cervelo...granted I'm almost tempted to go to the dark side...
The ride began pretty well but there was a wicked Cross wind/ head wind on the opening descent, and it really killed the speed. To put it in perspective areas on Route 64 where I'm normally booking at 25mph (40kph) I was going about 15 -20 (20-30km) . Josie held up surprisingly well on the climbs, as evidenced by her "I love this bike!" comments. I would cook on several of the descents and open up a gap and she would close it on the hills...except for that long gradual one at the end....that hill is mine! We did 3 loops and for some odd reason my second one is always my fastest, maybe it's because I have my gearing down and I'm still fresh, maybe it's because my legs are properly warmed up, I don't know but the second loop I was feeling fresh, the third was about average I felt if it had been a little warmer ( and I had brought my Bento Box ) I could have gone a little further. All said and done we ended up doing 31 miles (just about 50k) in 1:54..averaging just over 16mph(25.6kph).
I figure I'll be doing this loop a lot to work my legs for climbing speed....that and I want to medal in my age group again....seriously I want to see if I can better my performance at this Sprint from last year although I don't want to fry my legs before Providence...hard because they're both in the same week although Patriot is in June so it won't be the Half Saturday- Sprint Wednesday- Half Sunday routine like last year.
Josie seems to be well on pace for a smoking bike split if she can ride like she did yesterday she has a shot at medaling in her age group in most of the sprints she's entered and if she keeps working the hills she'll be a weapon of mass destruction at Redman.
Well that's it for me today is swimming and lifiting and an 8 miler..followed by research...yay!
Wants a Polka Dot Jersey and a 300 Euro Bonus.
R.D.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
On the Road again....
Well it's official I'm back to training. After two weeks of slacking off, eatting not so healthy food, and just being lazy in general...now it's back to work. I went for a 5 mile run today did it in 47:24...a little slow but for my first time running since the Ironman I'll take it. Tomorrow a ride with Josie and Caitlin..figure 30-40 miles. Monday it's going to be frigid so I'm figuring weights, pool, run, and study. ( I'm on break so I have my afternoons free.) Tuesday or Wedneday I might ride outdoors again, take advantage of decent weather while I can. But as for Today 5 miles in the legs is what has kicked off my hellish training regiment for Providence 70.3.
I also signed up to volunteer at Rev 3 hoping to work either transition or registration, hopefully they won't see my guard cert expires on June 30 and try to put me in a kayak.
Well that's all for me.
R.D.
I also signed up to volunteer at Rev 3 hoping to work either transition or registration, hopefully they won't see my guard cert expires on June 30 and try to put me in a kayak.
Well that's all for me.
R.D.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Poll: Rev 3 or Providence 70.3 If I go through the lotto does that make me tat worthy?
Well I'm looking at doing 4 races this summer, I'm already committed to one, and have tucked away for 2 more the debate is if I decide to do a big Half Iron which one do I do? Rev 3 or Providence and I CAN ONLY AFFORD ONE!!!!!
Pros for Rev 3:
Local: as in no driving to RI required.
On most of my training routes: Home field advantage?
Lots of pros.
Club Race: Do HEAT proud.
Big Age group prizes.
Huge event in the local community.
Cons for Rev 3:
The bike course can best be described as "bring your own Sherpa."
Pitted Bombed out pavement....
Quassy food....mmm.
Expensive race entry with no Championship slots at stake.
Early in the season and Patriot is 2 weeks later.
1st year event.
Pros for Providence:
Kona slots!
Done the race before...if the bike works it will be a good day.
KONA Slots!
Meet up with Chris and Rob from my NZ adventure.
KONA SLOTS DUDE!
Strategically situated in mid-summer for optimal performance.
Cheaper than Rev 3 until May 1.
HEAT vs. Psycho!
Excuse to go to Rhode Island for the Weekend.
The Blais family's working the expo.
did I mention Kona and Clearwater slots already?
Cons to Providence:
Killer waves dude!
Pitted bombed out pavement...wait that's just standard in New England.
College Hill with it's coughmorethancough 7% grade on the run X2.
Wolcott-Providence- Narragansett- Wolcott-Narragansett-Providence-Wolcott drive ....
or Hotel/ trying to crash at somebody's beach house....why couldn't this be a month later when Melissa moves to Newport.
The "compassionate" Providence Drivers.
FAST AGE GROUP FIELD!!!!
Well those are the factors I'm sort of leaning toward one over the other... worst case I will volunteer at one and race the other.
If I get a slot to Kona via the lotto ( yes I threw down $35 for an entry...figure that's what I would have spent on a half marathon that I'm not racing this year.) Then this debate was futile because I won't waste the money... ( I already did a sanctioned Ironman so that little loop hole is taken care of.) I'm just afraid that RI will sell out before they get back with the lotto results...also it makes the tattoo situation complicated...man the things I put myself through to get a little ink on the ankle. So here are the polls
Poll #1: Should I do Providence 70.3 or Rev 3?
Poll#2: If I get in to Kona via the lottery do I get a tattoo?
No. You have to qualify....that was the condition you set on yourself, if you fall into this mediocrity cult I will beat you to death with your areobars.
Yes. Kona is Kona.
Yes, But only if you finish in the top 10 of your age group. Earn it by decimating the punks who stole "your slot".
Yes, but some other condition ( race in a speedo, run barefoot, the tat must read Kona bandit..etc. please specify in comments.)
R.D.
Pros for Rev 3:
Local: as in no driving to RI required.
On most of my training routes: Home field advantage?
Lots of pros.
Club Race: Do HEAT proud.
Big Age group prizes.
Huge event in the local community.
Cons for Rev 3:
The bike course can best be described as "bring your own Sherpa."
Pitted Bombed out pavement....
Quassy food....mmm.
Expensive race entry with no Championship slots at stake.
Early in the season and Patriot is 2 weeks later.
1st year event.
Pros for Providence:
Kona slots!
Done the race before...if the bike works it will be a good day.
KONA Slots!
Meet up with Chris and Rob from my NZ adventure.
KONA SLOTS DUDE!
Strategically situated in mid-summer for optimal performance.
Cheaper than Rev 3 until May 1.
HEAT vs. Psycho!
Excuse to go to Rhode Island for the Weekend.
The Blais family's working the expo.
did I mention Kona and Clearwater slots already?
Cons to Providence:
Killer waves dude!
Pitted bombed out pavement...wait that's just standard in New England.
College Hill with it's coughmorethancough 7% grade on the run X2.
Wolcott-Providence- Narragansett- Wolcott-Narragansett-Providence-Wolcott drive ....
or Hotel/ trying to crash at somebody's beach house....why couldn't this be a month later when Melissa moves to Newport.
The "compassionate" Providence Drivers.
FAST AGE GROUP FIELD!!!!
Well those are the factors I'm sort of leaning toward one over the other... worst case I will volunteer at one and race the other.
If I get a slot to Kona via the lotto ( yes I threw down $35 for an entry...figure that's what I would have spent on a half marathon that I'm not racing this year.) Then this debate was futile because I won't waste the money... ( I already did a sanctioned Ironman so that little loop hole is taken care of.) I'm just afraid that RI will sell out before they get back with the lotto results...also it makes the tattoo situation complicated...man the things I put myself through to get a little ink on the ankle. So here are the polls
Poll #1: Should I do Providence 70.3 or Rev 3?
Poll#2: If I get in to Kona via the lottery do I get a tattoo?
No. You have to qualify....that was the condition you set on yourself, if you fall into this mediocrity cult I will beat you to death with your areobars.
Yes. Kona is Kona.
Yes, But only if you finish in the top 10 of your age group. Earn it by decimating the punks who stole "your slot".
Yes, but some other condition ( race in a speedo, run barefoot, the tat must read Kona bandit..etc. please specify in comments.)
R.D.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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.
"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.
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