Eagleman 70.3 The Low Down

Well as mentioned in my post from yesterday morning, I got cooked pretty bad on the shoulders, so if I'm going no wetsuit at the Griskus the second degree burns on my shoulders are to blame, granted tonight I'm going to try to swim, I figure the cool water and chlorine will be good for the burns, the blisters should be healed by tomorrow or Thursday so hopefully I'll be good to go for Saturday. I could sit here and describe the commute down for hours, lets just say I need an EZPass. My hotel was about 30 miles from the race site so in essence it was just like commuting to Waramaug back home. I met Bob and Mary Ann Blais at the Expo the night before and found out a little more about what was happening with the foundation, but all that's for another post. Race morning began for me at 4:30 AM, Temp Tattoos went on along with liberal amounts of anti persperant, followed by my new Zoot tri gear. I put some sunscreen on my neck and arms but didn't get enough on my shoulders as I would have liked, hence the 2nd degree burns. I made my way out to the race site and parked at the lot for the expo and began to trek my way over to Transition on foot ( they checked in bikes the night before). I got a ride from this chick from Mass. Emmy Lyn, over to transition and began to set up my gear. I met Jerome a 30 something year old, who was battling anemia, then Kyle and Jeff from the Bucknell University tri team, and a few newbies. The temp at race start was already 80F (26C) it was going to be a scorcher. The pros went off at 6:45 with no wetsuits ( water temp was 75F(23C) pro rule is 72F is no wet suit zone Amateurs is 78F) They were followed by the 50+ Women and 55+ Men @ 6:52 and then my Age Group @ 7:00.











The Swim: 10 rounds with Muhammad Ali





I started wide and cut in as usual on the swim, but due to my lack of pool time and the fact that I was racing a higher class of athlete I wasn't able to get my usual fast break by the first turn. Needless to say I ended up racing side by side with one guy for about 200 yards. We kept hitting one another non intentional at first by finally he got fed up with me and twacked my in the head a few times then grabbed me by the midsection and pushed me back. Now some people would say what an Ass hole but that is the nature of the beast, claw fight and push your way forward, I'm sure I've given my fair share of bloody noses, so for all the guys I've hit, kicked, drafted ,and smacked the karma train got sweet, sweet pay back. The one good thing is the slight push backward he gave me allowed me to get to the inside and around him. Needless to say the physical confrontation took a little out of me. I still managed to pick off a good number of the wave in front of us but the Heat, combined with Salt Water, and a few good hits to the gut made me feel like I was going to be feeding the fish, luckily it didn't happen. I got out of the swim in a less than stellar 28:39 good enough for the 4th quickest in the age group and 69th overall.











T-1:



After a bit of confusion finding my rack I shucked off the wetzoot and crammed four gus into my side pockets and off I went. T-1 time was slow 3:41 but it took me nearly a minute to find my rack.











The Bike: Is this a Tri or Le Tour?





I got out of T-1 and rode a little slow as I slipped my feet into my shoes. I was passed by about 4 riders including one guy from my age group, and my elderly nemesis ( since Claire's is Grandpa I will call mine Pops) Anyway, Pops and I started leap frogging for a couple of miles I would accelerate, break way and then boom slow up for a curve and he'd get away again I leaped frogged with Pops and some 50 year old guy that we left in the dust at the 10 mile mark. About that time something that usually never happens happened I actually began passing people on the bike. At the 15 mile mark that high was short lived as a freight train of six riders including two from my age group rocketed past. I was determined to keep them in sight, If they were in sight I had a chance on the run. At about the 20 mile mark I took a gu and got passed by Alex from Georgetown's Tri club. I decided that if we worked together maybe we could catch the guys infront. The leap frogging began again. I would power ahead he would sit about 5 bike lengths back, then he would surge by and get 5 lengths ahead I would keep him in sight then surge again, we did this for about 15 miles and we began to reel in the stragglers, including Pops, then the three way leap frog began. I tended to drop back at the aid stations as I would dump empty Gu2O bottles and pick up Gatorade ( after my GU2O was completely spent and a bottle of water which immediately went over my head and down the jersey.) At the 40 mile mark I made my move I emptied the Gatorade in the aerodrink, put a bottle of water in the front cage and dumped my empty bottles and gu wrappers. I kicked it in the most powerful gears I could muster and got out of the saddle, the message from my brain to my legs "CHARGE!!!!!!!" For a few miles it seemed like it was going to work, but my legs just couldn't carry the pace, that and I ran out of fluid, Alex flew by with about 4 miles left...I had tried to break too early. I managed to keep the Hoya in sight. But that wasn't the worst part, I could deal with Alex finishing ahead of me he worked hard for it, overcoming a nice 5 min. swim gap. Pops got by but as we began our leap frogging again the Peleton came first it was 4 riders in a straight line. I was trying to cut in on a corner only to notice a guy on his Cervelo blocking the inside and nearly going into the grass as I was cutting in front of him. The dishonest win at all cost part of me wanted to drop to the tail of the pack and suck wheel, the honest and common sense part of me realized, 1) I really do not want to be in a pack with 20 sweaty angry 40 year olds, 2) It was too damn hot and I don't really have the pack riding skills to deal with such a large draft pack, 3) This isn't an ITU race, drafting is illegal and knowing my luck if I tried it I'd either wreck someone or get caught. I did the right thing I got in the bull horns and back pedaled letting the draft pack of about 20 cyclists and Pops ride off in the distance I ended up riding next to a pro for a little bit, he was having a rough day, I ended up repassing him with about a mile left. I ended up slipping my out of my shoes about 100 meters too early and rode them in. All and all despite the Heat it wasn't a bad day on the bike 2:38.51 averaging 21.3 mph.







T-2



I had to ditch some fluid consumed on the bike. I also decided against taking my fuel belt with me on the run, part of me felt it was a stupid move, but there were several aid stations along the way, also I knew that sports drink and coke were the way to go. Time 4:21







Run: Might as well be walkin' on the Sun.



Desire Ficker once said about Kona, "Nothing can prepare you for hot it is." The same could be said about Maryland.It became apparent as I shuffled out of T-2 that it was going to be a race between aid stations, one fan was handing out water and gatorade but I don't think that USAT could with good conscience DQ anybody for taking it. It was 103 degrees.( I didn't take any but I can't blame anybody who did.) I was passed by about 5 people out of transition I paced a few guys then dropped back. At every aid station they were handing out ice, Gatorade, water, cookies chips, gel, the ice and gatorade were my poison of choice. One cup of ice went down the the jersey, one went in the hat. And so the race went. the first mile was the slowest, I paced some guy from Maryland who was trying to break 5 hours then he was gone. Then I started chatting with some guy from Virginia Beach, we paced for about 3 miles holding just over 8 min mile pace, at the aid stations the ritual of ice, water and Gatorade continued . Everything was going well until mile 6 then we hit " the stretch" a mile of newly paved asphalt completely devoid of shade, the dude from Virginia got ahead of me and took off. About the same time I started reeling in a couple of guys walking. As I got to the turn around I saw one kid who had passed me early in the bike limpimg along. As I came along side I tried to fire him up " Hard Part's over, now it's just getting back." I said trying to hide my suffering. " I didn't give up man, but my back did. There are about 4 guys ahead of you." He said as he waddled along trying to get through it. I felt bad, this kid had gone balls out and the heat and his back were doing him in. I hit the next aid station and took coke, a potato chip and lots of ice as I tried to reel in some of the other guys in my age group. The ice worked great for about 10 seconds and then it was back to the heat and Humidity. At the last aid station on the stretch I loaded the hat up one more time, took some more water and tried to gut it out. As I hit the 8 mile mark my 8 and change/min miles melted down. The race had gone into survival mode. I saw a couple of the other Blazeman Warriors, shouted out some encouragement and slapped a few high fives. I passed Alex as he began to waddle along, then I began to reel in some more people, there were so many guys and gals walking it wasn't funny. Then some kid from the University of Virginia was the next victim, some shirtless 30 something year old guy blazed past as if he'd been saving up for this all along. I continued to run/jog along, my pace reaching the high 8 min low 9 min range. Every aid station more ice, the better it felt and the more I wished for one long aid station. I continued to pass and was passed as the long unshaded stretches were replaced by residential neighborhoods . The park got closer and closer, more aid stations, more ice, my neck and shoulders were sunburned, and the lack of shade on course was taking its toll exacerbating the burns. The park got closer, neighborhood residents began spraying us down with their garden hoses. On one stretch there were at least three sprayers working their magic. The relief was temporary, but it felt so good. Finally after a quick series of switch backs we passed the spectator handing out Gatorade and Water from earlier. About a half a mile to go. A few more curves and you could hear the loud speakers, then you entered the park, and saw the finishing chute I got close to the finish then "log rolled" the last few feet across, the same tribute to the Blazeman I had done in NZ.

Run time 1:54.04 8:43 min/mile pace
Total time 5:09.33 Bjoern has braging rights for now.....

I could go on about the aftermath, meeting Bob and Mary Ann at the finish ,being sprayed down like a small brushfire but it would be all mute point. It was hotter than hell, I was sunburnt crispy. I'm pretty happy with the result but I still need to improve on my hot weather training. Also more pool time and time on the bike is required before my epic two Halves and a sprint in 8 days. At the roll down meeting the top 2 in the Age group wanted the Clearwater slots, a lot of guys left right after the race so Kona Rolled down to 6th place. ( Jeff from Bucknell) Sadly I was in seventh, so I guess now I can joke I was a minute away from the big trip to the Big Island. So it was a good weekend in Maryland despite the sunburn. Now I've got to settle down and prep for the rest of the season.

The Road Worn Warrior
R.D.

Mad Burnt Son!

Well, Eagleman went pretty well. I've got a second degree sunburn on my left shoulder, but it isn't too bad. I've got a long drive ahead but I figured I'd post to let everyone know I survived. I finished in 5:09.33 had the fastest 56 mile bike of my life a 2:38.51 averaging 21.3mph the Swim was a little slower than I hoped same with the run but in 103F weather I'll take it. Sadly I will not be going to Kona this year, the slot rolled down to the 6th Place person in my age group and I was in 7th. I still have a shot for Clearwater in Rhode Island, and this time around I'll definitely being going heavier on the sun screen.

The Crispy Critter
R.D.

Less than 24 hours...

before I leave and I still have so much to do. Got to shave....or in the words of Ken I will "crash and die most horribly." ( that and I want every little advantage I can get.), clean and wax The Bitch Stomper, get the final go, no go from Chrissy, try to get the car clean, maybe go for a quick ride or run, and try to get to bed early so I can get on the road early. Last night I went to the Y with full intent on paying my membership but the girl seemed a little more intent on talking to her friend on her cell about the basketball player with rock hard calves that came in before me...so I got in for free again.... I hit the pool and managed to get in 2800 yards. I got kicked out just as I was starting my last 200 on 2:50 ( it was 9:00 PM Closing time, that's what I get for showing up at 8:20) . (1000 swim warm up on 14:00, 5x 200pull on 3:00, 5x 200 Free on 2:50 did 4 ) I was holding between 2:35 and 2:40 so 1:17-1:20 pace. So it was a good night, I go into Sunday's race feeling confident. I've scoped out the competition, I should be one of the top swimmers, the bike it all depends on how flat this thing really is, I'm seeing 2:12 bike splits so if I can average 20 mph for the ride I have a shot at Kona. The Half marathon, I don't know what's in the water down there but last year's run splits were in the low 1:20's I'm just hoping I can get a big enough coushin on the swim to stay in the hunt on the bike, and pull the half marathon split of my life. Well back to the grind,

R.D.

T minus 48 hours.

Well It's 48 hours and counting until I pack up the Subaru grab my trusty transition caddy, and blaze through 6 states for a date with the Eagleman 70.3. Now two things definitely have my confidence high going into this thing. First they're paying Amateurs a swim prime. I've looked at splits psyched myself up, I feel confident that I could be in contention for it. The second are the familiar growns of faster athletes in my age group, complaining about heat, humidity, having to bring extra salt tablets. I've been on semi taper for this race so I feel like my bike and run will be solid. I haven't trained with as much intensity as I did last year on the bike , but I definitely have more mileage under my belt, so lasting the 56 miles will be cake, I know that I should be able to average at least 18mph, depending on wind, and if humidity is taking its toll on my competition I should be able to make my move on the run and gain some time. I did a 15 mile death march last week in severe humidity so I know I can do 13.1 in at least 1:45, granted some guys are pulling 1:20's. So this is it on Sundayat 7:00AM my 2008 season officially begins. If I qualify for Kona it means I was the perfect combo of lucky and good, so I better buy a few lotto tickets. But as long as I can at least top 10 the age group it was a good day, If I top 5 it was a great day, and if I podium I will be able to go pro one day. Well those are my ramblings of the morning

R.D.

Take that mapquest! Eagleman Status update.

Well in my efforts to avoid a route that would put me on the West Side of Manhattan and cause me to sell my first born for toll money. I have finally mapped out a route that will get me around NYC and probably still cost me an arm and a leg in tolls but at least I won't have to worry about mid-morning traffic on the West Side. To answer Angry " why not just reverse your route?" I did and that 's how I ended up on the West Side Highway on a completely different route from the one I had taken down there. So I decided to let the wheels turn a little bit and mapped my way to Tarrytown, NY and the Tappan Zee and then the Tappan Zee to CT. ( Sadly Fordham closed the All Girls' University Marymount @ Tarrytown Last year...darn...no desperate college girls for Bob-O.) there are still Tolls involved but I'm assuming the NY State Thruway is a little more reasonable than the Holland Tunnel. So that's that.



Upon looking at the stack of emails I recieved last night one of them was from xterra Wetsuits and the race organizers stating they are paying Swim Primes to the best Male and Female pros and Male and Female age groupers, and also doing a contest if you can guess the swim split. Now $250 ain't much but I'll take it. I now know what I must gun for, First wave pros prepare to meet the wrath of Bob-O. Let's see I did the Ironman swim in 55 so that's roughly 22:30 for a half split so subtract the fatigue factor a 21:45 -22:15 looks possible. If I break the 22 barrier I think I might be able to get that prime . Worst case I'm entering the free raffle: Brain Rhodes with a swim time of 21:05.

My parents said they'll toss me some cash. Granted I hate having to borrow money, when that stimulus check comes in it is definitely going to be a big help. Having to borrow from friends and relatives always makes me feel terrible, selfish, "un-manly". I'm 23 I'm still in college but still it's the principle I feel like bum. I should be able to take care of myself, granted I have helpped out at the homestead in the past month. In either case I should have enough to get my butt down there and back. If I qualify for Kona, there might be some desperate phone calls being made, various non-essential organs will be dealt over the black market, first born children will be sold off...in essence I'll do what ever it takes to get there. I might be making some calls to one of my friends going to the U of Hawaii at Hilo asking for a place to Crash, and a ride to Kona...but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Right now it's all about getting to Maryland and back and hauling major ass in 90 degree weather. Rold Gold Pretzels and GU2O are good sources of salt, other wise I will be raiding Wendy's for Salt packets. Low tech...yes but it's cheap and it works. I have gotten surprisingly good at racing in adverse weather, granted Hot and Humid sucks. I'll never forget my first marathon and the horror show that ensued the last 13 miles when the sun broke, hopefully I'll be able to take what I learned from that experience and put it to good use.

Last night I managed to get in a 3300 yard pool fest. I'm averaging about 1:18 per 100 yds. which isn't bad considering my last two weeks of training have kind of sucked due to my home situation. I'm still staying at Grandpa's until the basement fully dries out which could take a while then there is the clean up and de- molding and de-mildewing my room and furniture. He likes the company and I like being able to wake up in a dry enviroment so it washes out...no pun intended. I'm really think of holding a garage sale because I've got a lot of stuff I don't really use or need. Some of it is novelty items like mugs, prom favors, matchbox cars I have sitting in some bin in a remote corner of the basement that I haven't touched since 8th grade. I might take some of my baseball cards in but I doubt most of them are worth anything. ( Although I do have Ken Griffey Jr's Rookie Card.) Regardless if this whole month from Hell has taught me anything it is I need to reduce the clutter in my life, physical as well as emotional.
R.D.

I think Map Quest hates me.......

Well upon trying to plot a route to Eagleman this weekend....I'm trying to avoid tolls and NYC traffic at all costs. ( the Tolls because this month is financial hell for me as it is, the NYC traffic well self explanitory...I don't feel like getting shot for cutting off the wrong person.) I found getting to Maryland won't be a problem, but on the way home Mapquest seems intent on making me take the Holland Tunnel and West Side Highway. I lived in NYC for two years I know how bad the West Side Highway Sucks, plus the toll for the Holland Tunnel is a whopping $8. Seriously why won't these guys just give me a route back to the Tappan Zee. I'm almost at the point of tossing down for Amtrak because at least I'd save on Gas and tolls. But irregardless, I might toss down the $5 for a map of PA, NJ, NY just to map out a better route. right now it looks like Eagleman is a go, my parents said they'd toss me some cash for gas, I might sell a few of my DVDs and some racing collectibles I've had since I was a kid, but it all depends. If my stimulus check comes in that would be a big help, but I'm not banking on it. So I'm trying to get myself in the mindset to take on the commute and the race...If I qualify for Kona, there might be a lot of photos of me shamelessly begging at the awards....and emails to every and any one with a house in Kona for a home stay. Bree Wee, I can cook and do dishes, just no diapers....but that 's going to be a hard task. Looking at the splits I need to not only break 5 hours I need to be close to breaking 4. I have full confidence that I can shatter the sound barrier on the bike, considering the course is supposedly flat as a pancake, the swim is in a slight current, but then again I usually swim in the out side lane getting blasted by the filter jets anyway, the run well I've been under alot of stress lately and I noticed that I tend to store alot of that pressure in my quads and calves I'm just hoping mental fatigue dosen't set in. Also the fact that is supposed to be close to 90F (32C) and I sweat like a Turkish Weight lifter in a wool sweater, has got me a little worried about the run, but then again it's not supposed to be as humid as originally thought, and the run is my second strongest leg. So essentially for the race I'm mentally and physically ready. It's just the logistics that are stressing me out. I any one has directions from Jersey to the Tappan Zee, please let me know, I really don't want the kiss of death from Don Fabrizzio after I cut off his black Mercedes at 79th Street.

The Neurotic Navigator
R.D.

Edit: Bjoern has his race report up. It looks like it was one hell of a day. Click here to see the post.

Bjoern " Sex on Wheels" Boyer

Alright Ironman live screwed up his bike split although I'd be taking an hour and a half in T-2 if I averaged 42 mph on the bike. In any case Bjoern had a great day out there throwing down an impressive 5:07. a 32min swim followed by a sub 3 hour bike and a 1:48 half marathon, it seemed like it was a good day for him, so hopefully in Maryland Next week I will be able to join the sub 5 hr. club. If he does the Nutmeg State Half this year I might have my work cut out for me trying to get that age group win. But enough about me it was Bjoern's day in the sun today. He should have a race report posted soon and I can't wait to read about it. I seriously think if he can drop 6-8 min in his swim split he'll be in seroius business. He has one of the best bike legs I've seen and he seroiusly he lives on two wheels, it a shame that his work schedule doesn't allow him to race more because I think he'd be in serious contension for some age group honors in the USAT rankings. On that note the weather is good so I'm going to get another ride up to the lake this afternoon. Tomorrow I'm out of work early so I'm thinking a ride around town might be in the cards just to try to get a few more miles in. But it was a hell of a day in Zurich.