I just read through the athlete's packet for The K-Swiss/ Amica Ironman Providence 70.3. There are 3 Clearwater and 2 Kona slots up for grabs in my Age group. So my margin for error has gone from having to podium to having to top 5 to be assured something and top 10 to have a chance. I just hope the bank has enough to cover this. I guess I have to look at it this way if Kona is meant to be then it will happen by some means. The best I can do is race my ass off and worry about getting there after I get there. I still have a 1.2 mile swim 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run to get through with New England's best young guns. Guys that in the past have been able to tear my race to pieces with blazing cycle legs and runs splits that make me look like a tortoise. Because of this there is still a shot I'd finish where I did last year and not even be in the neighborhood of qualifying. Hence it is a bridge I will cross if/when I get there.
Until then I've got to go like hell there are some things I can control and other things I can't. On July 12 the only thing I can do is move forward at a hopefully swift rate of speed, and maybe when the chips are down and the dust has settled I will have my Kona Slot and then I can work on the implications of that. But until then I've got to keep training,I've got to keep working, I've got to keep moving forward....
R.D.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Heart Issues Claim another one...
Everyone already knows about the tragic death of Steve Larsen from Cardiac issues. Unfortunately today I found out yet another uber biker had his career tragically cut short. Torbjorn Sindballe, retired (Click here for the story ) due to a malformed valve in his heart. Luckily he was able to catch it before it cost him his life, but still it sucks to see such a great athlete's career cut short but a genetic defect.
This leads me to think about my own athletic career. Heart Conditions run in my family. Part genetics, part high stress, part really shitty eating habits. I have a feeling that as I get into my40's and 50's residue of McDonald's burgers past will rear their ugly head, so I should probably start worrying about that now along with my bills, degree, trying to make something of myself, my job...essentially I should probably start eating better so I'm not forking over $75 a month for my Grandfather's Blood thinner cocktail...or worse...keel over on my 10 miler.
R.D.
This leads me to think about my own athletic career. Heart Conditions run in my family. Part genetics, part high stress, part really shitty eating habits. I have a feeling that as I get into my40's and 50's residue of McDonald's burgers past will rear their ugly head, so I should probably start worrying about that now along with my bills, degree, trying to make something of myself, my job...essentially I should probably start eating better so I'm not forking over $75 a month for my Grandfather's Blood thinner cocktail...or worse...keel over on my 10 miler.
R.D.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Busy Weekend: Or did Bobby get his Groove back?
The short version:
I donated Money to the Indians.
I rode my bike pretty quick on Saturday.
I rode my bike somewhat long and felt like my old self again on Sunday.
Friday: Casino Night
Well in our quest for Wampum we got wamped by the Mohegans.
Saturday: I went out to Lake Waramaug and did a nice "on the rivet" Time trial. I did one loop of the Lake in the small ring to warm up. Then 3 loops in the big ring riding "on the rivet" or right on the front of the saddle for optimum power. Let me tell you this is not the most comfortable postion on a bike but it is powerful. I was back up to my old speeds on the front half of the lake as I was hammering the whole 23+ miles (roughly 40k). I managed to average 21.5mph. Not as fast as the "good cyclist." But getting back in the right direction. I cooled down with a 2-3 mile spin in the easy gears for a total of about 33 miles.
Sunday: I met up with Josie at about 1:30 to get our long ride in. In her words either I was riding well or she was riding lousy ( recovering from a migraine) because I led most of the ride. Including the hills. Now this is shocking for three reasons.
1) Josie is built like a climber. She's small and she's light. She has about a 50-60 lbs. weight advantage over me when it comes to going up steep inclines.
2) She rides a compact crank...which means while I'm cranking out massive watts in my "Manly Climbing Gear" (The standard 39 tooth small ring on 52 X39 Crank set. Compacts usually have a 50 tooth Big ring and a 30-34 tooth small ring.) trying to get up hill, she can spin by merrily and more efficiently.
3) She rides a full carbon Spawn of Satan...I mean Cervelo. Regardless Carbon Fiber is lighter than Aluminum and definitely hurts less when you go over roads that haven't been paved since Jimmy Carter was in the White House.
Anyhoo the ride was pretty uneventful. I met up with Dave a fellow Tri geek as we did our loops of the lake and then on our second loop we hunted down an older Gentleman on a White Giant.
He Proceeded to charge in front of us on a quick up hill. I proceeded to chase him down and drop him like a bad habit on the flat. ( OOORAH Man Gear!) The rest of the ride was Bobby vs. the Climbing efficiency of the Compact as I tried to put out as many watts as my legs could muster. decided to borrow a tip from Normann Stadler in which he said " I like to suffer on the bike...I need pain I just love it." So on Route 109 I went out with full intensions to make myself suffer. In Bethlehem this worked well as I usually had a nice decent to help give me momentum up the climbs but as we hit Woodbury Josie climbing advantage won out yet again. I managed to get around her on the flat and hold her off back to the car. The ride went pretty well we averaged just over 17 mph including the "rest loop" around the lake.
While I'll probably not be up to Speedy Claire's Blazing Bike splits anytime soon...and Josie will probably be back to her Lance Armstrong style climbing skills that kills, it was a good day in the saddle. Hopefully I can at least match my bike split from Providence Last year and maybe...dare I say it. Get that slot I've been coveting for the last 3 years.
Today not much on tap an 8-9 mile run and 3500 yard pool workout. Just enough to keep in shape.
R.D.
I donated Money to the Indians.
I rode my bike pretty quick on Saturday.
I rode my bike somewhat long and felt like my old self again on Sunday.
Friday: Casino Night
Well in our quest for Wampum we got wamped by the Mohegans.
Saturday: I went out to Lake Waramaug and did a nice "on the rivet" Time trial. I did one loop of the Lake in the small ring to warm up. Then 3 loops in the big ring riding "on the rivet" or right on the front of the saddle for optimum power. Let me tell you this is not the most comfortable postion on a bike but it is powerful. I was back up to my old speeds on the front half of the lake as I was hammering the whole 23+ miles (roughly 40k). I managed to average 21.5mph. Not as fast as the "good cyclist." But getting back in the right direction. I cooled down with a 2-3 mile spin in the easy gears for a total of about 33 miles.
Sunday: I met up with Josie at about 1:30 to get our long ride in. In her words either I was riding well or she was riding lousy ( recovering from a migraine) because I led most of the ride. Including the hills. Now this is shocking for three reasons.
1) Josie is built like a climber. She's small and she's light. She has about a 50-60 lbs. weight advantage over me when it comes to going up steep inclines.
2) She rides a compact crank...which means while I'm cranking out massive watts in my "Manly Climbing Gear" (The standard 39 tooth small ring on 52 X39 Crank set. Compacts usually have a 50 tooth Big ring and a 30-34 tooth small ring.) trying to get up hill, she can spin by merrily and more efficiently.
3) She rides a full carbon Spawn of Satan...I mean Cervelo. Regardless Carbon Fiber is lighter than Aluminum and definitely hurts less when you go over roads that haven't been paved since Jimmy Carter was in the White House.
Anyhoo the ride was pretty uneventful. I met up with Dave a fellow Tri geek as we did our loops of the lake and then on our second loop we hunted down an older Gentleman on a White Giant.
He Proceeded to charge in front of us on a quick up hill. I proceeded to chase him down and drop him like a bad habit on the flat. ( OOORAH Man Gear!) The rest of the ride was Bobby vs. the Climbing efficiency of the Compact as I tried to put out as many watts as my legs could muster. decided to borrow a tip from Normann Stadler in which he said " I like to suffer on the bike...I need pain I just love it." So on Route 109 I went out with full intensions to make myself suffer. In Bethlehem this worked well as I usually had a nice decent to help give me momentum up the climbs but as we hit Woodbury Josie climbing advantage won out yet again. I managed to get around her on the flat and hold her off back to the car. The ride went pretty well we averaged just over 17 mph including the "rest loop" around the lake.
While I'll probably not be up to Speedy Claire's Blazing Bike splits anytime soon...and Josie will probably be back to her Lance Armstrong style climbing skills that kills, it was a good day in the saddle. Hopefully I can at least match my bike split from Providence Last year and maybe...dare I say it. Get that slot I've been coveting for the last 3 years.
Today not much on tap an 8-9 mile run and 3500 yard pool workout. Just enough to keep in shape.
R.D.
Friday, June 26, 2009
I guess part of me is looking for trouble...
Well tonight my buddy Ryan from Nashville, The Angry One, and my friend Adam will be making our Semi-annual trip to the Mohegans in hopes of bringing back much Wampum...hopefully they won't wampus in the process.
Here are the draw backs tomorrow I have work and a ride I can't miss. So there will be little to no "liquid courage" going down my gullet tonight. Also it's a Friday so we need to find the rare $5 table and hit it hard until it becomes a $10 table. Hopefully Ryan's luck, Angry's Probability Skills, Adam's cyncism, and my risk taking will be a mutually profitable proposition. But enough on the Craps table.
Yesterday I got a 9 miler in for my first run since Patriot. This morning I threw down about 3000 yards in the pool as I was into work late. Tomorrow a Ride/ run brick is in order. Sunday another ride/ Run Brick ( more emphasis on the run on Sunday.) The training is coming along but having Ryan in town has helpped me get some of the rest I need. Also my race photos are posted at Capstone. I like the run pics but I look like Jabba the hut on the bike. I need to do more weight work so that will be my focus after Providence because if I'm going to Kona I'm going to need it for endurance and injury prevention, or if I'm not I'm going to need the strength and power.
Well that's it for me Come on 5 be good to Bobby!
R.D.
Here are the draw backs tomorrow I have work and a ride I can't miss. So there will be little to no "liquid courage" going down my gullet tonight. Also it's a Friday so we need to find the rare $5 table and hit it hard until it becomes a $10 table. Hopefully Ryan's luck, Angry's Probability Skills, Adam's cyncism, and my risk taking will be a mutually profitable proposition. But enough on the Craps table.
Yesterday I got a 9 miler in for my first run since Patriot. This morning I threw down about 3000 yards in the pool as I was into work late. Tomorrow a Ride/ run brick is in order. Sunday another ride/ Run Brick ( more emphasis on the run on Sunday.) The training is coming along but having Ryan in town has helpped me get some of the rest I need. Also my race photos are posted at Capstone. I like the run pics but I look like Jabba the hut on the bike. I need to do more weight work so that will be my focus after Providence because if I'm going to Kona I'm going to need it for endurance and injury prevention, or if I'm not I'm going to need the strength and power.
Well that's it for me Come on 5 be good to Bobby!
R.D.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Operation Re-gain Manhood:
After some ample smack talk between myself and Speedy Claire I have gone through three stages of bad bike leg guilt: which has left me considering am I good enough? To the I need to make myself suffer this weekend mantra , to the almost throwing down some obsurd challenge like You and me chica IM NZ this March ( or a North American Equivalent) a take no Prisoners Battle Royale for 140.6 miles... let's see your bike speed save you now...kinda dare. Granted I realize that in that last instance my balls are larger than my check book. ( proabably still swollen from the pounding they got this weekend.)
I have come to one conclusion...My cycling sucks. Ok so it's not bad...but for the times I want to go and the way I like to compete, it's just not at the level I want.
I could sit here and blame my gearing at Patriot for my "poor" cycle leg all day long...but my biking needs and overhaul. Comparing swim and run splits to the guys in my age group my Run was one of the best my swim is one of the best, but my 56 mile ride is pathetic. The top guys in my AG beat me handily...Claire beat me handily hell they all could have gotten massages, taken showers and ordered a pizza waiting for me to come off the bike. I need to make myself suffer on the bike on Saturday and Sunday. Josie is getting an email and the orders not to stop and wait for me on our normal 100k ride ( unless I'm like on the side of the road in a puddle of my own blood or I suffer a major mechanical like both derailleur cables snap leaving me in the Big Ring- 12). I need to get faster so I have to set a goal of staying within 5 minutes of her. I need to go hunting damn it I need to go past the point of pain, bonking, exhaustion I just need to lay on the hammer for an entire ride or until I go into Krakatoa mode, and end up a nuked, shelled, quivering mass on the side of the road, covered in his own tears, blood, dried sweat and vomit. I need to not treat my training rides as comfortable I need to go out an anhilate myself, ride routes that's sole goals are the destruction of my psyche and body. I need to beat myself like a red-haired step child I need to look at my bike and equate it with pain. I need to suffer....and then wake up and do it all over again for a week straight.
The guy riding with a ball gag.
R.D.
I have come to one conclusion...My cycling sucks. Ok so it's not bad...but for the times I want to go and the way I like to compete, it's just not at the level I want.
I could sit here and blame my gearing at Patriot for my "poor" cycle leg all day long...but my biking needs and overhaul. Comparing swim and run splits to the guys in my age group my Run was one of the best my swim is one of the best, but my 56 mile ride is pathetic. The top guys in my AG beat me handily...Claire beat me handily hell they all could have gotten massages, taken showers and ordered a pizza waiting for me to come off the bike. I need to make myself suffer on the bike on Saturday and Sunday. Josie is getting an email and the orders not to stop and wait for me on our normal 100k ride ( unless I'm like on the side of the road in a puddle of my own blood or I suffer a major mechanical like both derailleur cables snap leaving me in the Big Ring- 12). I need to get faster so I have to set a goal of staying within 5 minutes of her. I need to go hunting damn it I need to go past the point of pain, bonking, exhaustion I just need to lay on the hammer for an entire ride or until I go into Krakatoa mode, and end up a nuked, shelled, quivering mass on the side of the road, covered in his own tears, blood, dried sweat and vomit. I need to not treat my training rides as comfortable I need to go out an anhilate myself, ride routes that's sole goals are the destruction of my psyche and body. I need to beat myself like a red-haired step child I need to look at my bike and equate it with pain. I need to suffer....and then wake up and do it all over again for a week straight.
The guy riding with a ball gag.
R.D.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Breaking the Sound Barrier: The 2009 Patriot Half Race Report
Well I finally did it I busted down that wall and got a sub 5 hour half. Part of it is due to a shorter than normal swim and a blazing fast run split, imbupart to an error on the bike.
I risked life and limb driving through Providence and then South Shore Mass, via Fall River put my bank book in the red, but I made there and back. I crashed at the camp the night before the race and took advantage of staying on site to get a swim and ride in. The only draw back to staying at the camp: No internet and no TV, so I was rocking to my i-pod before I passed out a 10:30. I woke up at 1:00am to shut my light off and then woke up for good at 5am. I showered threw on my sun screen then my War on ALS tats and made my way to my car. Since Dunkin Donuts was only a mile down the road I hopped on the bike for a quick warm up, something didn't seem right as my rear brake was rubbing. Got my self my traditional pre Patriot breakfast an iced coffee and Crossiant and rode back. I grabbed my gear and as I was getting ready to walk over to transition one of the guys who stayed with me at the camp asked for some pins, he forgot his race belt so I lent him my spare and then made my way to the mechanic. Apparently the rear wheel was little skewed so she tightened the spokes and The Stomper was ready to rock. John Hirsch was there and ready to rock the elite wave as were 7 other men and 5 women. I bumped in to Claire BadassMofo at the water's edge before entering the swim corral. Several jokes about being rounded up like sheep and one cattle prod reference was made. As we were sent over the mat to await the swim start.
The Swim:I think we're a little short.
Last year I had the day's fastest swim split so I was hoping to repeat the performance. When the gun went off I cut through the group to the inside, sadly I went a little to far to the inside, as I was about 10 meters left of the lead two (Ray and John) I got close to John's feet at the third Bouy but sighted too far inside on the return leg. The managed to open up about 30-40 seconds on me. I hit the beach and as I ran into transition on of the volunteers warned me to watch the turn into transition. I saw on guy on the ground in pain (Ray), figure he had cramped up on the run up, so I ran past slipped out of my wetsuit and got on the bike as a sea of explatives came from transition. Apparently Ray and John both tore into T-1 sided by side and slipped on the grass. John managed to hit dirt Ray got a foot full of metal fence post and would require some stitches. Hence the sea of explatives.
Looking at the splits I'd have to conclude that the swim was a little short as I pulled a 19:56. Now I'm fast but I usually average a 26, but whatever, measuring a swim course isn't an exact science, some years it's long some years it's short...doesn't really take away from the overall enjoyment.
The Bike: Hmm maybe if you put it in a higher gear.
I got out on to the bike course in second overall. I seemed like it was going to be a good day as I was pedaling almost effortlessly, then the first place woman got around me like I was standing still and then the third place man. As we got to the down hills where I normally make up alot of time I got passed by Craig from Tri Sports. Then another rider and another. I looked at my speedometer I was planing on holding back the first loop but I was only hitting 28mph on a down hill last year I was going 30-35mph. I choked it up to nutrition so I choked down a gu, I got passed by the third place woman and she opened a gap on me, then I got caught by 2 age groupers. I wolfed down a milky way bar figuring I really needed sugar, followed by another gu. As I looked at my split as I passed the camp I was only averaging 19mph....what was wrong with me. I put my head down to try to get more areo then noticed I was in the little ring on the front. It was my Aha moment...I kicked it into the big ring and pushed the big gears, I needed to make up time if I wanted a 2:45 bike split, and a chance to break 5 hours. I managed to gain back some time catching and passing the third place woman by the 45 mile mark, but the damage was already done. I watched 2:45 pass on my bike computer at about mile 56 with 2 miles left to the camp. As I got ready to pull into T-2 I slid my feet out of my shoes to do my dismount unfortunately my right shoe unclipped and nearly hit the asphalt. So I scouped it up and rode the last quarter mile with my barefoot on the pedal and my shoe in my hand. My sexy dismount was spoiled again.
Bike Split 2:53:54 I managed to get my average up to 20.1mph which means my second loop had to be in the mid 21mph range. Claire said later she can cross another item off her bucket list as she pulled a 2:35....you win this round Speed Racer.
Run: If you bike like a bitch you better run like a rockstar.
I was livid and determined to break 5 hours on this day. My bike had sucked but as I threw on my shoes and spun my race belt around I tried to talk myself down to eath and focus on my "second strength." " Alright Bobby you're a good runner, knuckle down run a 1:40 and make this sub-5 thing happen." I passed the third place woman like she was standing still and asked for a time check on tenth overall. The course marshall thought I was asking for bib 10 and told me the leaders were at mile 4. The aid stations all had flat coke this year and for this my gut was thankful. I managed to pick off some of the faster cyclists as I went went along sadly I was getting caught by some faster ruunner types. One young guy from Team Psycho went by. And then I was in no man's land for a mile as I looked ahead there were acouple of runners who looked to be slowing up. I got passed by another "Psycho" and Dave from Granite State Tri Club. I managed to keep up with Dave and ask what pace he was trying to hold "7:00-7:15" So I decided to stick with him for a while.We were able to havee a somewhat labored conversation as we checked splits at aid stations and began to reel in some runners. About mile 7 a 25 year old came around...Dave and I had held 6:30's for the past two aid stations and I figured maybe I could afford to kick up the pace for a little bit. I held with the 25 year old for about quarter mile. We hit a slight hill and he checked out and I looked back and shouted some encouragement to Dave, he was about 200 meters back. I hit mile 8 and began to reel in some more runners. By mile 9 I had caught the second place woman "Next Woman is about 20 minutes back." I told her "Not really much I can do about it now. But keep going you're flying." She said as she hobbled along. Mile 10 I hit the next aid station and was catching a few more runners. By the last hill at mile 11 There was only one person in sight but he was too far ahead to catch in only 2 miles. The last two miles were kinda uneventful, except for getting passed in the final stretch by a member of team Aquaphor. I crossed the line shouting "Freedom" Part of the Blazeman Warrior thing. and looked at my watch. I pulled a 1:38:21 Half Marathon only 1 minute slower than my best Straight Half Marathon. My overall time was 4:55:23. Good enough for 53rd overall and 5th out of 8 elites. I finally broke the 5 hour barrier. Now if I can have a miistake free bike in Providence I might...just might have a shot at that Kona slot. But overall it was a good day.
R.D.
I risked life and limb driving through Providence and then South Shore Mass, via Fall River put my bank book in the red, but I made there and back. I crashed at the camp the night before the race and took advantage of staying on site to get a swim and ride in. The only draw back to staying at the camp: No internet and no TV, so I was rocking to my i-pod before I passed out a 10:30. I woke up at 1:00am to shut my light off and then woke up for good at 5am. I showered threw on my sun screen then my War on ALS tats and made my way to my car. Since Dunkin Donuts was only a mile down the road I hopped on the bike for a quick warm up, something didn't seem right as my rear brake was rubbing. Got my self my traditional pre Patriot breakfast an iced coffee and Crossiant and rode back. I grabbed my gear and as I was getting ready to walk over to transition one of the guys who stayed with me at the camp asked for some pins, he forgot his race belt so I lent him my spare and then made my way to the mechanic. Apparently the rear wheel was little skewed so she tightened the spokes and The Stomper was ready to rock. John Hirsch was there and ready to rock the elite wave as were 7 other men and 5 women. I bumped in to Claire BadassMofo at the water's edge before entering the swim corral. Several jokes about being rounded up like sheep and one cattle prod reference was made. As we were sent over the mat to await the swim start.
The Swim:I think we're a little short.
Last year I had the day's fastest swim split so I was hoping to repeat the performance. When the gun went off I cut through the group to the inside, sadly I went a little to far to the inside, as I was about 10 meters left of the lead two (Ray and John) I got close to John's feet at the third Bouy but sighted too far inside on the return leg. The managed to open up about 30-40 seconds on me. I hit the beach and as I ran into transition on of the volunteers warned me to watch the turn into transition. I saw on guy on the ground in pain (Ray), figure he had cramped up on the run up, so I ran past slipped out of my wetsuit and got on the bike as a sea of explatives came from transition. Apparently Ray and John both tore into T-1 sided by side and slipped on the grass. John managed to hit dirt Ray got a foot full of metal fence post and would require some stitches. Hence the sea of explatives.
Looking at the splits I'd have to conclude that the swim was a little short as I pulled a 19:56. Now I'm fast but I usually average a 26, but whatever, measuring a swim course isn't an exact science, some years it's long some years it's short...doesn't really take away from the overall enjoyment.
The Bike: Hmm maybe if you put it in a higher gear.
I got out on to the bike course in second overall. I seemed like it was going to be a good day as I was pedaling almost effortlessly, then the first place woman got around me like I was standing still and then the third place man. As we got to the down hills where I normally make up alot of time I got passed by Craig from Tri Sports. Then another rider and another. I looked at my speedometer I was planing on holding back the first loop but I was only hitting 28mph on a down hill last year I was going 30-35mph. I choked it up to nutrition so I choked down a gu, I got passed by the third place woman and she opened a gap on me, then I got caught by 2 age groupers. I wolfed down a milky way bar figuring I really needed sugar, followed by another gu. As I looked at my split as I passed the camp I was only averaging 19mph....what was wrong with me. I put my head down to try to get more areo then noticed I was in the little ring on the front. It was my Aha moment...I kicked it into the big ring and pushed the big gears, I needed to make up time if I wanted a 2:45 bike split, and a chance to break 5 hours. I managed to gain back some time catching and passing the third place woman by the 45 mile mark, but the damage was already done. I watched 2:45 pass on my bike computer at about mile 56 with 2 miles left to the camp. As I got ready to pull into T-2 I slid my feet out of my shoes to do my dismount unfortunately my right shoe unclipped and nearly hit the asphalt. So I scouped it up and rode the last quarter mile with my barefoot on the pedal and my shoe in my hand. My sexy dismount was spoiled again.
Bike Split 2:53:54 I managed to get my average up to 20.1mph which means my second loop had to be in the mid 21mph range. Claire said later she can cross another item off her bucket list as she pulled a 2:35....you win this round Speed Racer.
Run: If you bike like a bitch you better run like a rockstar.
I was livid and determined to break 5 hours on this day. My bike had sucked but as I threw on my shoes and spun my race belt around I tried to talk myself down to eath and focus on my "second strength." " Alright Bobby you're a good runner, knuckle down run a 1:40 and make this sub-5 thing happen." I passed the third place woman like she was standing still and asked for a time check on tenth overall. The course marshall thought I was asking for bib 10 and told me the leaders were at mile 4. The aid stations all had flat coke this year and for this my gut was thankful. I managed to pick off some of the faster cyclists as I went went along sadly I was getting caught by some faster ruunner types. One young guy from Team Psycho went by. And then I was in no man's land for a mile as I looked ahead there were acouple of runners who looked to be slowing up. I got passed by another "Psycho" and Dave from Granite State Tri Club. I managed to keep up with Dave and ask what pace he was trying to hold "7:00-7:15" So I decided to stick with him for a while.We were able to havee a somewhat labored conversation as we checked splits at aid stations and began to reel in some runners. About mile 7 a 25 year old came around...Dave and I had held 6:30's for the past two aid stations and I figured maybe I could afford to kick up the pace for a little bit. I held with the 25 year old for about quarter mile. We hit a slight hill and he checked out and I looked back and shouted some encouragement to Dave, he was about 200 meters back. I hit mile 8 and began to reel in some more runners. By mile 9 I had caught the second place woman "Next Woman is about 20 minutes back." I told her "Not really much I can do about it now. But keep going you're flying." She said as she hobbled along. Mile 10 I hit the next aid station and was catching a few more runners. By the last hill at mile 11 There was only one person in sight but he was too far ahead to catch in only 2 miles. The last two miles were kinda uneventful, except for getting passed in the final stretch by a member of team Aquaphor. I crossed the line shouting "Freedom" Part of the Blazeman Warrior thing. and looked at my watch. I pulled a 1:38:21 Half Marathon only 1 minute slower than my best Straight Half Marathon. My overall time was 4:55:23. Good enough for 53rd overall and 5th out of 8 elites. I finally broke the 5 hour barrier. Now if I can have a miistake free bike in Providence I might...just might have a shot at that Kona slot. But overall it was a good day.
R.D.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
1 day out.
Well in about 12 hours or so I begin my odyssey to Massachusetts, to begin my 2009 tri season. Money's a little tight from some unplanned expenses so that has me a little on edge, and racing wise I'm hoping my run training's been good enough. I've been averaging between 16-24 miles per week for the last three weeks I even ran a 5k in my racing flats last night to see how they felt. I've got to load them with baby powder because I need to save time where ever I can on Saturday because I want to Podium in the elite division and fully finish in the top 20. A tall order when I look at my competition. Tonight has just been a chill out night. No training eat some carbs, watch some ITU highlights, listen to some angry stuff on the i--pod. Tomorrow I'll shave and then make the long drive out. Part of me is really hoping for a good result, but worst case scenario it will be a good training day for Providence. I already have my plan in place. Go for bragging rights on the swim. Stay strong on the bike, and run like a man possessed. Part of me is thinking of taking the first 7 miles more conservative than normal but I know I have a hard time kicking it up the second half of races. The tempo runs with Tony have helped because on Sunday I was going at 1:45 half marathon pace for 11 miles. The nerves have hit but right now I have more important shit to be nerveous about. This is supposed to fun. This is why I punch a clock for 6-8 hours a day, to pay to do this. The past week my mind's been in a really dark place, part of me was really considering just loafing this season and calling it quits until today at work.
One of my co-workers asked me if I got paid to do this. I sort of laughed annd explained at most races I compete as an amateur so there's usually no dinero in it for me. One of my other co-workers chimed in "So why you do it?"
"Because I enjoy it."
Her response "How do you enjoy it if it doesn't make you money?"
For a second I had to think...I ended up pulling one of Macca's interviews out of my memory banks. He talked about younger pros just being in it for the pay check and for him how it's the win he cared about the checks are a bonus. I guess that's where I'm at. I sit around money all day, I worry about money all day, I deal with people that worry about money all day. For me sport is a welcome break. It's something I do for the pure fight. It's something I have to work at. And while on Saturday I'll be racing in the elite division the rest of my racing season I'll be going for nothing more than bragging rights, maybe another Timex watch, a couple of Free water bottles and hopefully the honor to throw down some coin and race on the Big Island.
To be cliche I'll quote Bon Jovi: "You live for the fight when it's all that you got."
R.D.
One of my co-workers asked me if I got paid to do this. I sort of laughed annd explained at most races I compete as an amateur so there's usually no dinero in it for me. One of my other co-workers chimed in "So why you do it?"
"Because I enjoy it."
Her response "How do you enjoy it if it doesn't make you money?"
For a second I had to think...I ended up pulling one of Macca's interviews out of my memory banks. He talked about younger pros just being in it for the pay check and for him how it's the win he cared about the checks are a bonus. I guess that's where I'm at. I sit around money all day, I worry about money all day, I deal with people that worry about money all day. For me sport is a welcome break. It's something I do for the pure fight. It's something I have to work at. And while on Saturday I'll be racing in the elite division the rest of my racing season I'll be going for nothing more than bragging rights, maybe another Timex watch, a couple of Free water bottles and hopefully the honor to throw down some coin and race on the Big Island.
To be cliche I'll quote Bon Jovi: "You live for the fight when it's all that you got."
R.D.
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