Well I forked over some coins and put in my entry to the Park City Mossman. I figure it's a good late summer race and it will keep me motivated in the oh-so-long training period between Hopefully Providence 70.3 and hopefully Kona. If nothing else it will serve my inner power hungry speed demon, nothing like sprinting a mile getting on the bike and redlining for an hour, and then trying to floor it for 10k...Olys are fun aren't they? Other races on the definite list are Patriot and the Griskus Sprint...Providence 70.3 that's a tough one a couple of the guys I met in NZ (Rob and Chris ) are doing it and it does have Kona slots and what better motivation for a triathlete to get back into training than a day with friends and a possible trip to Hawaii....(also I've got enough frequent flier miles to get my ass to LA woot Quantas!) Is Hawaii my destiny?... the next couple of months will tell. Until then I'm going to catch up on class work and maybe ride tomorrow to singal my "return to training." Hey I want to race as an elite again at Patriot and hopefully walk out with a check...if nothing else at least the swim prime like I did last year...
I need to up the mileage on the bike and vary my workouts...I'm thinking of doing big gear time trials at the lake or TT's on the Griskus Loop at least twice a month.
I need to do more track work and fartlek running along with my usual LSD (Long "Slow" Distance).
Weights yeah I've got to get organized with that and start doing shit with kettlebells...gotta love TGUs and snatches and clean and jerks...man is it just me or do most weight lifting routines sound dirty? Regardless I need to start pumping the iron...it's sad when Catherine's arms are more jack than mine...then again she has her own personal weight Nazi, screaming " More deadlifts oh puny one!" in her face. Angry, job opportunity.
Swimming: Stef & Josie kick my ass, make me puke then send me back for more. I want people pissing in their wetsuits with fear when then see me.
Alright I see the road ahead and have fomulated a rough gameplan...onward ho!
Let the suffering begin baby!
The Machine
R.D.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
140.6 miles (226km) to Freedom : Ironman NZ Race Report
The short version: I swam, I biked, I ran, my Achilles didn't explode...and I would do it all again if I had the chance...well all but that pesky little Achilles issue. The race left me renewed and feeling better than I have in months.
The Unedited LongVersion:
Teaser:
140km in the bike I was watching my hopes for a sub 6 hour bike split slip away...I had to pee but couldn't relax enough to "let if fly" on the bike, my full bladder was really hindering my performance as more and more riders went by. I began to think about the run coming up..."I don't want to blow up out here." I thought to myself..I began to think the inverse of Judi's little saying " I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike..." I was praying for Spa Road and the descent into town, when I would throw on my running shoes and know if I was strong enough...If my leg would hold up or I would be another dreaded you tube clip...but that was down the road...I needed to grab a wrist band and make it to the next aid station...precious minutes be damned.
After hitching a ride to the race start from fellow Competitor Richard from NZ and his wife,I filled my water bottles and began the long wait until race start...I met up with Rell from Oz ( who was staying in the room next to mine) and dropped my camera off to her boyfriend...it really sucked Catherine wasn't here...having a friend wait for you outside transition always makes it a little easier, also she's a freelance photographer so you know if you hand her the camera the pics are going to be good ( although Craig Rell's BF was a good shot.) Anyway as I stood in line for the bathroom one poor guy had his front tire explode, as he changed the tire I remember my front was a little low, I would check the pressure before walking to the swim. The nerves were setting in. I pulled on my wetsuit and grabbed my stuff for the swim, I lost my cap on the way down and as I made my way to the starters table one of the volunteers shouted "#122" and waved my cap above his head. I grabbed it and thanked him. Caroline from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation gave me a hug for luck ( I donate to these guys every year.) I got my cap and goggles on and made my way toward the inside line of the swim. I bumped into Chris from Cali and we psyched each other up for the swim he was stoked and I sort of fed off his energy. I calmed down and began to joke with some of the guys around me. " Apologies in advance for any kicks or flying elbows." We all laughed we knew it was going to be Grecco Roman wrestling. The lights flashed 3 min...2 min...1 min...and then the cannon.
The Swim: Not much I can really say after the cannon went off, we all fought for position and by the 5th or sixth buoy I found a line. For some odd reason I couldn't hold to the inside this year, maybe it was the current or bad sighting but I seemed to always be about 50-100 meters wide. We made the turn around and I passed one pro( they got a head start this year 15 min. just like the states.)...but I was pissed there was one dude doing BACKSTROKE ahead of me. WTF? Me beaten by a backstroker? I had to check my watch at the finish because Mr. Perisol beat me out of the water....if I was beaten by a backstroker my swim must have been in the 1:15 range...I checked the timing gantry as I ran up to T-1 55:00 not as good as last year..but not too bad either.
T1 Split: 5:32
The Bike: Da Kiwis and da Aussies like da hammerfest.
Heading out on the Taupo bike course is rough, you tend to sprint through town because you're feeling fresh and everybody is screaming for you. I was leap frogging with a couple of guys for about 20km and the pace was cooking ( holding over 20mph...pardon the conflicting measurements but the course was marked in km and my computer was in miles.) I dropped into another group of riders still holding a hard pace and I was impressed maybe a sub 6 bike split was in the cards then at about 35km...the granola I had for breakfast hit my large intestine... I needed to go and it was not the kind of going that you could let fly....I rolled through the aid station and guys ran through the routine "Water, Sports Drink, Chocolate, power bar, gel." "Bathroom" I shouted looking for the portolet. After a 3 minute "stretch "break and throwing granola on the list of things I will never eat pre race again...ever...until next time... it was back on the bike and back to hammering...part making up for lost time..part trying to stay in the top 10 in my age group...I had passed a few guys in the opening climb and was desperate to keep them behind. We got to the turn around in Reporoa and then it was back to Taupo for lap 2. It was about this time I was passed by Todd from Oz. Reasons why we will remember Todd. #1 he is in my age group. #2 competed in a pink speedo the entire day. We hit the next aid station and there was a little incident with a banana I was riding behind him when he attempted to place the banana on his person...afterward I shouted "Man I really didn't need to see that." I leaped frogged around him...about 5k later he went back around and pulled away. The rest of loop 1 was pretty uneventful...I cameback into town feeling pretty good a sub-6 hour bike split within reach...at least until I hit the hill the second time.
The hardest climb on the bike course is about 5km in, a nice 8-10% grade, the first time I went up I felt pretty good, this time my legs were feeling it. I was out of the saddle and struggling to hit 10mph..classic case of going too hard too early. I hit Broadlands Road and checked the speedometer still averaging 19mph..still hope for a sub 6 bike split. Got our first armbands and went on the "side trek" for the second loop. I tried to leap frog with a woman from Taupo ( they stood out with their sexy red race numbers.) I was still feeling good until I hit about 120km I had to pee...I'm not stopping before the turn around... I flew by the aid station and tried to let it fly on the down hill...no go...my bladder ached and the officials were out in force so no pissing on anyone's lawn unless I wanted a 4 minute stand down. I started thinking about the run as I hit the turnaround and it looked like my sub 5 hour goal was becoming a pipe dream. My legs were really tight and my bladder was starting to give me cramps in gut. My pace slowed as a pack of riders just chugged on past. 20km to the next aid station why did they have to be so far apart...we hit a section of newly sealed road and stopped for a second because I thought I blew a tire...hmmm..that field looks like it could use a little water...along comes Mr. Official on his motor bike... and I though better of it...15k...and it's all up hill....why? I started to repeat Judi's little "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike." phrase to myself but as more guys surged around me and 6:10 was looking like it was going to be close I wanted only two things a toilet and my running shoes...The old guys started passing me "I want off my fucking bicycle." Old guy passes " I want off my fucking bike." Old chick passes "I want to put on my freaking running shoes." Passed by 3 old guys at once..."and pass these psycho cyclists hating life." it was about this time Gus from Mass. Came along side I decided to leap frog with him for as long as possible...it would at least keep my mind off peeing as I was pushing more fluids to keep from getting dehydrated....finally like an oasis in the desert it appeared...the aid station complete with an empty toilet....I could talk about the breaking of the Hoover Dam...but I'll just say I left feeling relieved... now that I was lighter for the rest of the ride into town I didn't feel so bad, but my legs were still lead blocks...my speed was dropping I wanted the descent so I could go faster and stretch my legs. When we hit Spa road I took it a little harder than I did last year really having to get on the brakes for the left hander on to Lake Terrace and toward transition. I slipped my feet out of the shoes but I didn't do the sexy dismount. The Achilles injury was playing head games I normally dismount left and I didn't want to pop the thing dismounting. So after a cautious coming to a stop and stepping off I made my way into the T-2 tent.
Bike Split:6:08:22
The Unedited LongVersion:
Teaser:
140km in the bike I was watching my hopes for a sub 6 hour bike split slip away...I had to pee but couldn't relax enough to "let if fly" on the bike, my full bladder was really hindering my performance as more and more riders went by. I began to think about the run coming up..."I don't want to blow up out here." I thought to myself..I began to think the inverse of Judi's little saying " I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike..." I was praying for Spa Road and the descent into town, when I would throw on my running shoes and know if I was strong enough...If my leg would hold up or I would be another dreaded you tube clip...but that was down the road...I needed to grab a wrist band and make it to the next aid station...precious minutes be damned.
After hitching a ride to the race start from fellow Competitor Richard from NZ and his wife,I filled my water bottles and began the long wait until race start...I met up with Rell from Oz ( who was staying in the room next to mine) and dropped my camera off to her boyfriend...it really sucked Catherine wasn't here...having a friend wait for you outside transition always makes it a little easier, also she's a freelance photographer so you know if you hand her the camera the pics are going to be good ( although Craig Rell's BF was a good shot.) Anyway as I stood in line for the bathroom one poor guy had his front tire explode, as he changed the tire I remember my front was a little low, I would check the pressure before walking to the swim. The nerves were setting in. I pulled on my wetsuit and grabbed my stuff for the swim, I lost my cap on the way down and as I made my way to the starters table one of the volunteers shouted "#122" and waved my cap above his head. I grabbed it and thanked him. Caroline from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation gave me a hug for luck ( I donate to these guys every year.) I got my cap and goggles on and made my way toward the inside line of the swim. I bumped into Chris from Cali and we psyched each other up for the swim he was stoked and I sort of fed off his energy. I calmed down and began to joke with some of the guys around me. " Apologies in advance for any kicks or flying elbows." We all laughed we knew it was going to be Grecco Roman wrestling. The lights flashed 3 min...2 min...1 min...and then the cannon.
The Swim: Not much I can really say after the cannon went off, we all fought for position and by the 5th or sixth buoy I found a line. For some odd reason I couldn't hold to the inside this year, maybe it was the current or bad sighting but I seemed to always be about 50-100 meters wide. We made the turn around and I passed one pro( they got a head start this year 15 min. just like the states.)...but I was pissed there was one dude doing BACKSTROKE ahead of me. WTF? Me beaten by a backstroker? I had to check my watch at the finish because Mr. Perisol beat me out of the water....if I was beaten by a backstroker my swim must have been in the 1:15 range...I checked the timing gantry as I ran up to T-1 55:00 not as good as last year..but not too bad either.
Swim Split: 55:49
T-1: I'm never drinking a 2 liter bottle of water before a race as long as I live....
T1 Split: 5:32
The Bike: Da Kiwis and da Aussies like da hammerfest.
Heading out on the Taupo bike course is rough, you tend to sprint through town because you're feeling fresh and everybody is screaming for you. I was leap frogging with a couple of guys for about 20km and the pace was cooking ( holding over 20mph...pardon the conflicting measurements but the course was marked in km and my computer was in miles.) I dropped into another group of riders still holding a hard pace and I was impressed maybe a sub 6 bike split was in the cards then at about 35km...the granola I had for breakfast hit my large intestine... I needed to go and it was not the kind of going that you could let fly....I rolled through the aid station and guys ran through the routine "Water, Sports Drink, Chocolate, power bar, gel." "Bathroom" I shouted looking for the portolet. After a 3 minute "stretch "break and throwing granola on the list of things I will never eat pre race again...ever...until next time... it was back on the bike and back to hammering...part making up for lost time..part trying to stay in the top 10 in my age group...I had passed a few guys in the opening climb and was desperate to keep them behind. We got to the turn around in Reporoa and then it was back to Taupo for lap 2. It was about this time I was passed by Todd from Oz. Reasons why we will remember Todd. #1 he is in my age group. #2 competed in a pink speedo the entire day. We hit the next aid station and there was a little incident with a banana I was riding behind him when he attempted to place the banana on his person...afterward I shouted "Man I really didn't need to see that." I leaped frogged around him...about 5k later he went back around and pulled away. The rest of loop 1 was pretty uneventful...I cameback into town feeling pretty good a sub-6 hour bike split within reach...at least until I hit the hill the second time.
The hardest climb on the bike course is about 5km in, a nice 8-10% grade, the first time I went up I felt pretty good, this time my legs were feeling it. I was out of the saddle and struggling to hit 10mph..classic case of going too hard too early. I hit Broadlands Road and checked the speedometer still averaging 19mph..still hope for a sub 6 bike split. Got our first armbands and went on the "side trek" for the second loop. I tried to leap frog with a woman from Taupo ( they stood out with their sexy red race numbers.) I was still feeling good until I hit about 120km I had to pee...I'm not stopping before the turn around... I flew by the aid station and tried to let it fly on the down hill...no go...my bladder ached and the officials were out in force so no pissing on anyone's lawn unless I wanted a 4 minute stand down. I started thinking about the run as I hit the turnaround and it looked like my sub 5 hour goal was becoming a pipe dream. My legs were really tight and my bladder was starting to give me cramps in gut. My pace slowed as a pack of riders just chugged on past. 20km to the next aid station why did they have to be so far apart...we hit a section of newly sealed road and stopped for a second because I thought I blew a tire...hmmm..that field looks like it could use a little water...along comes Mr. Official on his motor bike... and I though better of it...15k...and it's all up hill....why? I started to repeat Judi's little "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike." phrase to myself but as more guys surged around me and 6:10 was looking like it was going to be close I wanted only two things a toilet and my running shoes...The old guys started passing me "I want off my fucking bicycle." Old guy passes " I want off my fucking bike." Old chick passes "I want to put on my freaking running shoes." Passed by 3 old guys at once..."and pass these psycho cyclists hating life." it was about this time Gus from Mass. Came along side I decided to leap frog with him for as long as possible...it would at least keep my mind off peeing as I was pushing more fluids to keep from getting dehydrated....finally like an oasis in the desert it appeared...the aid station complete with an empty toilet....I could talk about the breaking of the Hoover Dam...but I'll just say I left feeling relieved... now that I was lighter for the rest of the ride into town I didn't feel so bad, but my legs were still lead blocks...my speed was dropping I wanted the descent so I could go faster and stretch my legs. When we hit Spa road I took it a little harder than I did last year really having to get on the brakes for the left hander on to Lake Terrace and toward transition. I slipped my feet out of the shoes but I didn't do the sexy dismount. The Achilles injury was playing head games I normally dismount left and I didn't want to pop the thing dismounting. So after a cautious coming to a stop and stepping off I made my way into the T-2 tent.
Bike Split:6:08:22
T2: A place where everybody knows... your name...
Ok to explain the Cheers reference... I run the local 5k in town as my last warm up run for this thing. This year know exception I meet a lot of the locals and a few of the volunteers I try to remember names and faces Lu ( competing this year.)and her husband Steve, Wayne another of the Iron crew. Doug from last year. Well some of the guys I met last year came over to me did the hand shake thing as I was preparing for war. I taped my feet up threw on a fresh set of socks realized they were too short threw on another set of socks, and headed out. I took some fluids and sunscreen and it stung my neck where I always get a wetsuit hickie...I made my way to the foot bridge nearly crashing into the railing they guy behind me was like " dude you go first you're on a mission." My run began in a hectic start.
T2 Split: 5:18
Run: Just keep running just keep running....
I knew going into the race it was not going to be a PR day on the marathon...my training was scant...the weather was hot and humid..but I still wanted to keep my sub 4 hour streak alive. So I pushed it I got my first armband. The spectators in town were screaming my name, the Girls from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation were my own personal cheering section it definitely took away from the suffering...funny last year I felt like I was flying on this leg this year it was an aid station to aid station battle...coke , water, ice...bunch of screaming spectators, occasionally a smile...just keep moving forward. As I approached the turnaround I saw a lot of guys walking...especially guys in my age group..keep moving forward...keep running and pick them off. I made the turn around...and got passed by Jo Lawn...about 500 meters later I re passed her, then she passed again...for good. As we had gone through the aid station everyone was taking water and ice...the heat was feeling oppressive, as we made our way back to the airport..."just rain already" I mumbled to myself...someone up there must have heard it because the skies opened for about 5 minutes briefly cooling things...I flew on the way back to town picking off groups of walkers... my hips were starting to ache but my calves and heels felt fine I continued to go and pushed the fluids...at one point I felt nauseous and took pretzles to get my salt levels up...I ran past the special needs bags and got my second wrist band. I passed Chris and he ran along side...he was like "Dude you're kicking ass I'm not going to be able to hold with you for long but keep it up." Chris dropped back and I surged forward...each km each aid station the same routine...in my head the clock ticking down...20km to go...15km to go...people cheering me legs growing weaker then a little pressure in the ankle...oh no not now...not this close... still running the turn around 12km more 7 miles almost there.The airport hill aid station again...10km...down hill into to town the crowds cheering the high fives..almost out of the woods...just silently hoping my aching legs held up. 5km to go..please... make it please make it...I look at my watch 3:45...it's not going to be a sub 4 hour day.I pass 2 guys with in a 2km of the finish they pass me on the chute as I take some time to enjoy it giving out high fives, I shoot past a guy and his daughter running down the chute.I break the tape and shout "Freedom!" Freedom from ALS maybe, Frredom from CF, possibly...Freedom from having to run another km...yeah but maybe it was more a freedom from doubt, from uncertainty...this year was different than last year...it hurt and the outcome was unknown until the end. It wasn't easy, it was work and it was worth it. It was a decent day 11:17:10. 3 minutes slower than last year with my slowest ever marathon 4:02:05...part of me was a little disappointed the other was estcatic that I did decently with very little training. That despite everything I made it, I finished in one piece and still felt good enough to limp back to my hotel, stopping along the way to encourage others in. As one competitor said "there are others out there who will never know what it's like to finish in daylight." I've been blessed in that I've done it twice.
Run Split 4:02:05
Overall time 11:17:10
Overall Place: 388th
Age group Place 8th ( Kona slot rolled to 5th spot...maybe next time.)
Now it's back to real life. I've got some summer races to train for, a degree to earn, work, bills...it just all hits so fast. It's like race day...time just flies by and suddenly it's here and over before you know it. My second experience in New Zealand was a little bit more memorable than the first I was a little crazier (ie a crazy night post race...what happens in Taupo stays in Taupo?) , met some more memorable people, set a land speed record with Frank from Taupo to Auckland, might have gotten a crew gig for this thing next year, and now am planning for trip number 3...hey I want to have this thing planned out early...
The Thunder from Down Under.
R.D.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Less that 24 hours to go...
Well the nerves have settled mostly after reading my post from pre Hartford. I'm number 122 so if anyone has nothing to do at the office tomorrow afternoon feel free to log on to Ironman live and follow my progress, take bets on if my leg will survive, finishing time, number of Aussies that will beat me/I will beat, Kona slot....etc.
The bikes been checked in and the weather seems like it will be better than last year...just need to fill my special needs bags.
I should have photos posted up on Monday ( here so Sunday night for you guys in the US and A)
Bjoern I'll throw a couple of entries in for you...maybe we can get the Howe brothers here next year for a CCSU reunion.
Last night I sat down after the carbo and reminded myself that the race is the fun part...all the crap it takes to get here is hard...but those 9,10, 11 hours on race day are what it's all about.
Hopefully when the dust settles, the pain subsides and enough miles have gone by I'll have a slot to Kona...otherwise I'll just had another good race...tomorrow is all about finishing, erasing that bitter DNF that ended my 2008 tri season...It's another day at the office, a long brck if you will, granted I'm riding on the other side of the road and a bunch of people had the same idea.
Now it's off to meditate get myself away from the insanity for a few moments to breathe and relax ..to remind myself for a moment that triathlete means a person who does triathlon.
Ready for Ironman 2.0
R.D.
The bikes been checked in and the weather seems like it will be better than last year...just need to fill my special needs bags.
I should have photos posted up on Monday ( here so Sunday night for you guys in the US and A)
Bjoern I'll throw a couple of entries in for you...maybe we can get the Howe brothers here next year for a CCSU reunion.
Last night I sat down after the carbo and reminded myself that the race is the fun part...all the crap it takes to get here is hard...but those 9,10, 11 hours on race day are what it's all about.
Hopefully when the dust settles, the pain subsides and enough miles have gone by I'll have a slot to Kona...otherwise I'll just had another good race...tomorrow is all about finishing, erasing that bitter DNF that ended my 2008 tri season...It's another day at the office, a long brck if you will, granted I'm riding on the other side of the road and a bunch of people had the same idea.
Now it's off to meditate get myself away from the insanity for a few moments to breathe and relax ..to remind myself for a moment that triathlete means a person who does triathlon.
Ready for Ironman 2.0
R.D.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
T-minus 48 hours
Today was registration day. The day you get that little braclet with an m-dot that confirms what you already know you are an athlete. The nerves are starting to build as I ran through my gear checklist in the hotel room...wetsuit, goggles, cap and chip in the swim bag. Taped the bike numbers and put my bento box on the stomper, tested the wetsuit in the endless pool and got some quick free stroke analysis packed my run gear bag, complete with medical tape to avoid blisters like last year, figure there is no way in hell I can't find a roll of medical tape in transition.
I met up with Catherine this morning she couldn't stay long as she had to be back to help photograph a wedding. Found out one of her friends took her on as photographer instead of a bridesmaid...she was like "what gives?" Cat I'd make you my groomsma..woman if I ever decide to get hitched...which is probably never...but the thought is out there....also her boyfriend is a lucky man as she is into muscle cars....goddamn it why can't I find a girl like that in the US who isn't hitting on chicks too....
I ended up getting a new wetsuit as my old one was in need of repair...I managed to upgrade to a Blue Seventy Helix for $200 USD by donating my old one to their Tri NZ charity, they'll patch it up and give it to a kid like me when I was just starting out and hopefully he'll kick some ass earn a pro card and one day I'll be seeing him fly by me at Kona. The circle of Karma.
On the souvenir front they didn't have sling bags only green style shopping bags and backpacks. I need a new backpack so it's all good. Jonathan expect the shopping bag in the mail.
Bjoern I got stickers for the bike case and even more to boot.
Catherine as soon as they start selling the finisher's t-shirts..I'll send you one...just so that way you can gloat ....um...just be careful I don't enter you in the drawing for a free entry into this race next year...actually Bjoern, Jonathan...you guys want me to throw you in the drawing?
Everything else is falling into place...just have the carbo load tonight I managed to hitch a ride with some dudes from Singapore...
I got a pre race massage and a pre race triggerpoint demo needless to say I was tight as hell but it loosened me right up.
Well that's enough from me...I've got some carbs to munch.
Smoke on the water.
R.D.
I met up with Catherine this morning she couldn't stay long as she had to be back to help photograph a wedding. Found out one of her friends took her on as photographer instead of a bridesmaid...she was like "what gives?" Cat I'd make you my groomsma..woman if I ever decide to get hitched...which is probably never...but the thought is out there....also her boyfriend is a lucky man as she is into muscle cars....goddamn it why can't I find a girl like that in the US who isn't hitting on chicks too....
I ended up getting a new wetsuit as my old one was in need of repair...I managed to upgrade to a Blue Seventy Helix for $200 USD by donating my old one to their Tri NZ charity, they'll patch it up and give it to a kid like me when I was just starting out and hopefully he'll kick some ass earn a pro card and one day I'll be seeing him fly by me at Kona. The circle of Karma.
On the souvenir front they didn't have sling bags only green style shopping bags and backpacks. I need a new backpack so it's all good. Jonathan expect the shopping bag in the mail.
Bjoern I got stickers for the bike case and even more to boot.
Catherine as soon as they start selling the finisher's t-shirts..I'll send you one...just so that way you can gloat ....um...just be careful I don't enter you in the drawing for a free entry into this race next year...actually Bjoern, Jonathan...you guys want me to throw you in the drawing?
Everything else is falling into place...just have the carbo load tonight I managed to hitch a ride with some dudes from Singapore...
I got a pre race massage and a pre race triggerpoint demo needless to say I was tight as hell but it loosened me right up.
Well that's enough from me...I've got some carbs to munch.
Smoke on the water.
R.D.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Surf Lake Taupo...
Well this morning I met up with Chris, another guy doing this thing solo, and we went for a swim from Tui Oaks to the turnaround ( Tui just happended to be the half way point between our hotels, he's in town and I'm out by the airport.) There was a fairly strong breeze from the lake toward shore and WHITE CAPS..yes that's right white caps on a lake. As we made our way out from shore to the bouys it was rough. The waves kept wanting to push you back to the shore as you tried to search forward...it was very similar to RI 70.3. Once we started on to the turnaround things got better..granted it was easier and faster to breathe to the left instead of the right. Chris and I got to the turn around picked our bouy and then swam to shore. I managed to get in pretty close to our bouy of choice but poor Chris was carried about 200 meters down the beach by the current. (To all Ironman NZ or Future Ironman NZ athletes...there is a current that pulls you back toward the Yacht club...so the 2nd half of your swim will be ungodly fast.) After changing out of our wetsuits he chimed up " Man that would be good to surf on ." It was if this guy from Cali was reading my mind as both of us kicked ourseleves for not having boards. He ended up meeting up with some of Ken's EST group includng Gus and Alicia from Mass. ( Mass being the New England State not a Cathloic/ Orthodox religious service.)
After breakfast stopped in at the Times they're running a follow up story and gave me Jude's number she retired last summer shortly after Catherine and Simon left. I got a massage to loosen my hip...Angry was right...the thing was tight as hell but this chick Tonnya from the massage service got it pretty loose and took care of the scar tissue in my ankle. Tonight I've got a 45-60 min run on tap tomorrow a bike ride and the town 5k then a get together with Catherine and company.
Things are going pretty well down here and I'm loving the $2NZD -$1USD exchange rate...I migt actually buy a few souveniers this time around.
Hanging Ten on the Lake.
R.D.
After breakfast stopped in at the Times they're running a follow up story and gave me Jude's number she retired last summer shortly after Catherine and Simon left. I got a massage to loosen my hip...Angry was right...the thing was tight as hell but this chick Tonnya from the massage service got it pretty loose and took care of the scar tissue in my ankle. Tonight I've got a 45-60 min run on tap tomorrow a bike ride and the town 5k then a get together with Catherine and company.
Things are going pretty well down here and I'm loving the $2NZD -$1USD exchange rate...I migt actually buy a few souveniers this time around.
Hanging Ten on the Lake.
R.D.
Bob-o's Back....
Well Hello New Zealand, it's been a little over a year since I graced your soil and I am back... jet lagged, hoped up on enough caffeine but I'm back nonetheless....
Alright posting on 4 hours sleep is not a good thing but I figure if I can get myself to crash it'll be ok.
Landed this morning at Auckland took a rather amuzing bus ride with Frank ( head of Ironman NZ's transport service.) and Hayden caught up with Ken and a few of the other athletes then got to check out my digs. They're nice and the hotel owner's kinda cool but there's no AC...and it's 80F over here. For all of my New England readers who are getting buried in a foot of snow...my deepest apologies...granted I'm secretly hoping it all melts by the time I get there. But for right now I'm enjoying sometime in the warmth. I managed to get the bike case open with the help of some paper clips granted the handle was once again shattered by TSA... regardless. I met up with a few of the remaing staffers I know at the Times, funny I sort of new the way to that office like it was the back of my hand. The Stomper has been reassembled and has been inspected so it's set for race day. All that's on tap for now is dinner and a quick grocery run and then sleep.
Chillin' in the Southern Hemisphere.
R.D.
Alright posting on 4 hours sleep is not a good thing but I figure if I can get myself to crash it'll be ok.
Landed this morning at Auckland took a rather amuzing bus ride with Frank ( head of Ironman NZ's transport service.) and Hayden caught up with Ken and a few of the other athletes then got to check out my digs. They're nice and the hotel owner's kinda cool but there's no AC...and it's 80F over here. For all of my New England readers who are getting buried in a foot of snow...my deepest apologies...granted I'm secretly hoping it all melts by the time I get there. But for right now I'm enjoying sometime in the warmth. I managed to get the bike case open with the help of some paper clips granted the handle was once again shattered by TSA... regardless. I met up with a few of the remaing staffers I know at the Times, funny I sort of new the way to that office like it was the back of my hand. The Stomper has been reassembled and has been inspected so it's set for race day. All that's on tap for now is dinner and a quick grocery run and then sleep.
Chillin' in the Southern Hemisphere.
R.D.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Half way point.
As I sit here writing this I'm at LAX I'm surrounded by a lot of business travelers, cell phone talking teeny boppers and screaming kids...man they'll let anyone into the Admiral's Club nowadays...like scruffy looking triathletes from the East Coast that fly economy...seriously what is the world coming to.
Well my travels to JFK and Beyond were uneventful except I left the key to the bike box in my car. Luckily it's a simple lock and a regular screw driver will do the trick...or TSA will have added another scar to this well traveled case ( note: starting an active giving site for the buy Bjoern and Bob a new bike case fund.) Oh there was no extra charge for the case...two years in a row I am the Ben Gordon of baggage check! ( I would have mentioned Thabeet but he is nowhere near the prowess of Ben Gordon in his UConn hayday...ok random mentioning of UConn Basketball in a travel post done.)
Flight wasn't too bad granted I think I might have started spitting Lil' John's "Role Call" in my sleep. Also there was this 2 year old on the flight who was screaming every 5 minutes. Thankfully I had the i-pod on high.
It is a beautiful day 80F (26C) in LA and if it wouldn't be a comedy of errors getting through airport security or just general fear of having my carry-ons stolen I would be tempted to get out and run...instead I'll just sit here and take advantage of the complimentary internet and beverage service.
My flight leaves in 4 hours so my next post will be from the Land of the Hobbitts, and as Pants once stated " Nothing native can kill you." Now I've got to recharge everything and prep for 12 hours over the Pacific.
The Riff-raff that somehow sneaks into fine establishments.
R.D.
Well my travels to JFK and Beyond were uneventful except I left the key to the bike box in my car. Luckily it's a simple lock and a regular screw driver will do the trick...or TSA will have added another scar to this well traveled case ( note: starting an active giving site for the buy Bjoern and Bob a new bike case fund.) Oh there was no extra charge for the case...two years in a row I am the Ben Gordon of baggage check! ( I would have mentioned Thabeet but he is nowhere near the prowess of Ben Gordon in his UConn hayday...ok random mentioning of UConn Basketball in a travel post done.)
Flight wasn't too bad granted I think I might have started spitting Lil' John's "Role Call" in my sleep. Also there was this 2 year old on the flight who was screaming every 5 minutes. Thankfully I had the i-pod on high.
It is a beautiful day 80F (26C) in LA and if it wouldn't be a comedy of errors getting through airport security or just general fear of having my carry-ons stolen I would be tempted to get out and run...instead I'll just sit here and take advantage of the complimentary internet and beverage service.
My flight leaves in 4 hours so my next post will be from the Land of the Hobbitts, and as Pants once stated " Nothing native can kill you." Now I've got to recharge everything and prep for 12 hours over the Pacific.
The Riff-raff that somehow sneaks into fine establishments.
R.D.
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