Alright before every one thinks that this a race report bashing Tom Wilkas and company, it's not. The race is one of the oldest in Connecticut and runs like clockwork every year, this year was no exception and we even caught the eye of NBC 30 out of Hartford who, ran a story about the event. Likewise it's an oddball among the major races it's run on a Wednesday night.
The conditions however where a different story. Over the last 4 days the mercury in the Northeast has been climbing in the upper 90's and low 100's. Yesterday was no exception. It was HOT people. I believe temperature at race time according to my car thermometer was a brisk 97F.
I took the day off from work and showed up to registration about 4:30PM got my bag and topped off the water bottles, and did about a 10 minute spin on the bike. I got back to Transition and met up with New Heatster Ken. My buddies Alex and Max from the Waterbury YMCA tri club were there, with Max itching for a little payback from the Griskus Olympic, in which Alex beat him by a little under a minute. As hot as it was the water was still wetsuit legal so I pulled on my Helix in the sweltering heat. I got some razzing from some of my training partners from the Y about not having a sleeveless. As usual I was in the first swim wave along with Alex, Max, Vin from HEAT and essentially all the old time regulars.
The swim: Welcome to the bath tub.
As Alex and I scouted the swim course there was a noticeable absence. The "Speedo Army" of high school swim champs didn't show up in their massive numbers this year. I seeded myself just wide of the buoy, to avoid the carnage that usually engulfs the inside track. When the starting gun went off, I had a couple of bumps and tugs, but overall not a lot of contact. By the third Buoy I was able to cut back inside and at the turn around I could count only a handful of swimmers in front of me. I managed to pick off one or two, and got out of the water in 5th place. I hit the Timing mat at T-1 in 12:55.
The Bike: Hammer Hammer Hammer!
I managed to get out of T-1 in about a minute flat and just began to pedal like a mad man. I decided to ride barefoot down the first hill until the 1 mile mark when I would be good and up to speed and could slip my feet in comfortably. I got passed by two guys ( ironically enough these would be the guys who would finish first and second overall. Chris Thomas and some kid John from Old Saybrook.) I was surprised at how well I was riding early in the ride. I managed to tear through the early down hills loosing very few spots. I managed to pass a guy from my age group at the toughest hill at mile 4. After this point the wheels started to fall off. After the down hill and three rollers at mile 5 I got picked off by a pack of 4 riders including the women's leaders. At mile 6 another group of 4 riders came around and then 1 guy on a Red Specialized that I would leap frog with over the last hill. He passed me going up I passed him going down and he passed me on the straight back to the park. The ride took about 32:26 just averaging a tick under 20mph.
The Run: This side hurts and that side hurts and my lungs feel like they're on fire.
I tore out of T-2 in :37 seconds ( my transitions are a far cry from the minute and change they were last year.) and took off trying to run as fast as possible. I took two cups of water at the aid station just outside of transition and tried desperately to find a rhythm. I ran the first half mile with my eyes closed. Just trying to keep myself in a happy place. It was oppressively hot. All I could flash back to were the Kona highlight shows where they talk about the heat and humidity. I got passed by a relay runner, as I went through the first mile at about 7:22. I was starting to get a stitch in my side, likewise my face and lungs felt like they were on fire, but I had to push harder. I saw the runners coming back from the turnaround and I knew I had to push it if I wanted to break 22. I went through the turn around and I saw a guy ahead of me doing the run walk. Mike Maxemenko came along side me and we paced through the next aid station. I grabbed some more water and tried to pull away on the flat hoping I would have enough in the tank to pull away on the hill. I managed to pass the guy in front of me. Mike got around me on the hill as I started to get another wicked side stitch. At the top of the hill I tried to reel in Mike but he had too much of a gap to bridge. I didn't dare look behind. I managed to come across the line in 1:08:27 pulling a 21:32 for my 5k one of my slower runs but just about average.
A few minutes later Max came across 1:11:39 ( he managed to get 3rd in his AG as 2nd and 3rd overall were in his AG.) Alex got pipped by Vin at the line as he crossed in 1:13:08. ( Max and Alex had been neck and neck on the run the last time I saw them.)
At the award ceremony I found out I had earned 2nd in the 25-29 AG and was 22nd overall. I held off 3rd in my AG by only 11 seconds. The performance marked the first time I had finished 2nd in my AG since I silvered in the 17-19AG back in 2003, hopefully this will not lead to 2 years of medal anguish as that result did.( 2006 and 2007 I finished just outside the medals.) Alex managed to pull a top 5 in the 25-29 and Max as mentioned Earlier got 3rd in the 20-24 overall it was a good night in Middlebury, now it's off to begin planning the next endeavour.
R.D.
Showing posts with label Griskus Sprint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Griskus Sprint. Show all posts
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thursday, July 9, 2009
23rd Annual Pat Griskus Sprint Triathlon Race Report
Well I raced yesterday. When I got up a 7am to pack all the stuff in my car ( because I'd be going straight from work to the race.) I was seriously considering not racing. I spent the morning as I packed and got ready for work thinking of excuses..."my dog ate my running flats." No too overused..."I'm tapering for a marathon session at work..." no...too lame, after finding no real excuses to get out of it I decided I'd better go...otherwise there'd be one really pissed off guy on Shelter Island threatening to kick my ass with his crutches....afterall he would kill to do any race right now...granted when he makes his comeback tour next summer things are going to be very interesting in the 25-29 age group.
So I slumped through my 7 hours at work and pulled an Indiana Jones style arrival at Quassy getting all my stuff ready just in time to be at the water's edge @ 5:45PM..thank you to the volunteer who sturggled with my wetsuit zipper for five minutes to help me get the damn thing on.
The Boxing Match ...er I mean swim.
At 6PM the first wave went off. We were a "elite" swim wave...ie the guys who finished in the top 50 last year or the race director just happens to know, or happen to be in the paper all the time for winning their events in the high school swim season. When the gun went off I tried to stay with the lead pack of swimmers and instead found my self in a boxing match with the guy on my left. Every 4 strokes one of us was hitting the other in the head. I would try to aim right going as far over as I could without hitting the buoys and it was like he was powerless against my wake and would continue to come far right with me. I finally lost him at the turn around and had clear water all the way back to the beach, and began to strip off the wetsuit. They shouted my Split as 11:15 and after the run up to the beach it was recorded as 12:03 not too shabby but almost 2 minutes slower than the leaders.
The bike: Red line it.
After a somewhat slow transition...seriously for a Half IM 1:27 would be blazing. I hammered out of T-1 and tried to make up as much ground as possible on some of the spots I had lost granted I started getting passed like it was my job at about the 5 mile mark. I managed to keep on group of riders in sight and made them my goal group to keep contact with as I took all the climbs after mile 5 in the big ring...including the "Smiling Death Last Hill". It showed as I dropped nearly a 30 seconds off of last year's split a 31:58.
The Run: Just don't puke.
I got off the bike and after another somewhat slow transition ( I almost ran out the bike in.) It was onto the run. I spotted Tony, my running partner ( who would also win the 25-29 men's group.), just about 100 meters in front so I pushed to catch up with him. All the liquid I had taken in on the bike was rearing it's ugly head and thought I was going to be pulling a Linda Blair and puking Green Gatorade, but somehow it stood down. I caught Tony by the first Aid station and we paced together trying to reel in some of the faster cyclists. By the last hill my legs had had it and I watched helplessly as Tony motored away. I still motored along trying to see if I could break the 20 min. barrier for a 5k I came up 14 seconds short, as I ran a 20:13. I broke the tape in 1:06:41 about a minute and change faster than last year. Good enough for 36th overall ( if you count the three relays that beat me.) and 3rd in my age group for the second year in a row. Next year I enter Tony's domian in the 25-29 bracket. Be afraid guys be very afraid.
Josie also managed to medal in her age group as one of the 25-29 women won the overall...her feat was quite impressive since her pre race nutrition consisted of Indian food. Amazing feat for the Iron stomach.
On the age group thing here's the kicker the two guys that beat me both beat me in the swim. The guy who won my AG was the first overall out of the water and managed to back up his aqua skills with the fastest run split in my AG. I tied for the second fastest run split in my AG nearly 3 minutes slower...yeah homeboy was fast.
Also this week's sign of the Apocalypse: I threw down the fastest bike split in my age group...I know I'm sacred too....I think I was possessed by the Spirit of Bjoern.
Well all that said and done time to knuckle down for Providence...
R.D.
So I slumped through my 7 hours at work and pulled an Indiana Jones style arrival at Quassy getting all my stuff ready just in time to be at the water's edge @ 5:45PM..thank you to the volunteer who sturggled with my wetsuit zipper for five minutes to help me get the damn thing on.
The Boxing Match ...er I mean swim.
At 6PM the first wave went off. We were a "elite" swim wave...ie the guys who finished in the top 50 last year or the race director just happens to know, or happen to be in the paper all the time for winning their events in the high school swim season. When the gun went off I tried to stay with the lead pack of swimmers and instead found my self in a boxing match with the guy on my left. Every 4 strokes one of us was hitting the other in the head. I would try to aim right going as far over as I could without hitting the buoys and it was like he was powerless against my wake and would continue to come far right with me. I finally lost him at the turn around and had clear water all the way back to the beach, and began to strip off the wetsuit. They shouted my Split as 11:15 and after the run up to the beach it was recorded as 12:03 not too shabby but almost 2 minutes slower than the leaders.
The bike: Red line it.
After a somewhat slow transition...seriously for a Half IM 1:27 would be blazing. I hammered out of T-1 and tried to make up as much ground as possible on some of the spots I had lost granted I started getting passed like it was my job at about the 5 mile mark. I managed to keep on group of riders in sight and made them my goal group to keep contact with as I took all the climbs after mile 5 in the big ring...including the "Smiling Death Last Hill". It showed as I dropped nearly a 30 seconds off of last year's split a 31:58.
The Run: Just don't puke.
I got off the bike and after another somewhat slow transition ( I almost ran out the bike in.) It was onto the run. I spotted Tony, my running partner ( who would also win the 25-29 men's group.), just about 100 meters in front so I pushed to catch up with him. All the liquid I had taken in on the bike was rearing it's ugly head and thought I was going to be pulling a Linda Blair and puking Green Gatorade, but somehow it stood down. I caught Tony by the first Aid station and we paced together trying to reel in some of the faster cyclists. By the last hill my legs had had it and I watched helplessly as Tony motored away. I still motored along trying to see if I could break the 20 min. barrier for a 5k I came up 14 seconds short, as I ran a 20:13. I broke the tape in 1:06:41 about a minute and change faster than last year. Good enough for 36th overall ( if you count the three relays that beat me.) and 3rd in my age group for the second year in a row. Next year I enter Tony's domian in the 25-29 bracket. Be afraid guys be very afraid.
Josie also managed to medal in her age group as one of the 25-29 women won the overall...her feat was quite impressive since her pre race nutrition consisted of Indian food. Amazing feat for the Iron stomach.
On the age group thing here's the kicker the two guys that beat me both beat me in the swim. The guy who won my AG was the first overall out of the water and managed to back up his aqua skills with the fastest run split in my AG. I tied for the second fastest run split in my AG nearly 3 minutes slower...yeah homeboy was fast.
Also this week's sign of the Apocalypse: I threw down the fastest bike split in my age group...I know I'm sacred too....I think I was possessed by the Spirit of Bjoern.
Well all that said and done time to knuckle down for Providence...
R.D.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Race week
Well it's here, race week. I have a sprint on Wednesday, then two days of light training and then the race Sunday...and the big question? Is a crazy dream worth economic suicide. Part of me feels that if I get that Kona slot I should just turn it down...save my money after all Kona isn't going anywhere and when I'm 30+ I'd be better prepared for it, I might enjoy it more. But the other part of me is this could be a one time shot...one of those deals that you get only once, and either you take it or you don't. Either you suck it up and go after you dream or you kill it. You end up Moonlight Graham, that 70 year old doctor still wondering what it would have been like to get that one major leauge at bat as a 20 year old kid. If I get that slot there is going to be a lot of soul searching and cost benefit analysis going on in those 10-20 minutes from result posting to roll down.
My training this weekend went well. Lots of miles in the saddle and an open water swim. I needed to fix the front deraileur but luckily I had the issue on a training ride not a race. My new HEAT gear in today. The jersey is a little snug but it'll stretch with a few races. When I throw on my race gear nothing else matters...it's just go like Hell and hang on for dear life. Sure there's a stack of bills on the table worries on if I'll get my degree over the summer or if I'll have to suck it up until December, the real world questions of what to do with my life. But those are for pre-race and post race in the race there is nothing else that matters but the finish line.
Part of me wonders if racing is worth all that I put into it. Sure it makes me happy but is it worth the time I could devote to a second job. Is it worth the money I put into it...after all my stack of bills isn't getting any smaller. Is it make me focus more on the short term and not enough on the long term? I really don't know if it's hindering or improving my life but I do know I'd be partially empty without it.
My training this weekend went well. Lots of miles in the saddle and an open water swim. I needed to fix the front deraileur but luckily I had the issue on a training ride not a race. My new HEAT gear in today. The jersey is a little snug but it'll stretch with a few races. When I throw on my race gear nothing else matters...it's just go like Hell and hang on for dear life. Sure there's a stack of bills on the table worries on if I'll get my degree over the summer or if I'll have to suck it up until December, the real world questions of what to do with my life. But those are for pre-race and post race in the race there is nothing else that matters but the finish line.
Part of me wonders if racing is worth all that I put into it. Sure it makes me happy but is it worth the time I could devote to a second job. Is it worth the money I put into it...after all my stack of bills isn't getting any smaller. Is it make me focus more on the short term and not enough on the long term? I really don't know if it's hindering or improving my life but I do know I'd be partially empty without it.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Sprint Brick...
This weekend was spent mostly glued to my computer screen as due dates are rapidly aproaching. So far I'm about 4-5 pages into my 18-20 page thesis, and 2 pages in to my 8-10 pager for modern Germany most of that work was done yesterday as I have 2 different versions of each on my computer. ( some how I think I spent way to much time on introductions on the first versions so I restarted.) The modern Germany paper is proving to be more difficult than I thought. In either case this blog isn't about my academics it's about my athletics so here is the bloody gory.
Saturday: as mentioned I've been battling my sinuses/ head cold so I flaked on doing my normal swim workout on Friday..instead I napped and it was good. Saturday I worked, typed some more of my Thesis and decided to go for an early evening 8-9 miler. I did it in a not too shabby 1:11.
Sunday: After being a heathen once again and not going to Church in order to sleep. I got an email from Josie seeing if I was still down for a ride and possibly a run. I know I should have devoted that entire beautiful afternoon to paper writing. I know I should have sat hunched over my laptop with a pot of coffee I know I'm going to be paying for this sin tenfold as I'll mostly like be up late tonight and tomorrow typing away. But I hadn't been on the bike in two weeks, it was sitting in the basement screaming out "Ride me Bobby...Ride me." And so I relented I told Josie I'd meet her at 4:00 for a "short" ride/ run brick.
The Run I was in my glory. Josie made the mistake...I mean decision to try to run with me. We decided to continue our Griskus Preview by running the run loop. Needless to say I went out like a house on fire...I hit the 1 mile mark in 8:06 granted the markers were based on the course starting at Quassy amusement park ( proud home of the Pat Griskus Tri series, and the Rev 3 triathlon.) so realistically we were about 300-400 meters ahead of the markers. Sub-8 minute mile pace...this was turning out to be a tempo run instead of a transition. I looked back and Josie was about 200 meters back stating "I suck at running." We made our way down the hill to the turn around I hit it and started back and started clapping as I ran past Josie...I think I remember hearing something about hating running and I'm going to hurl.... I hit the 2 mile mark in 16:06 ( remember we are still about a quarter mile ahead of the markers...) I made it back up the hill and o the park I turned around to collect Josie who was about 200 meters behind... " I almost puked.." she stated huffing and puffing...We made it back to the cars in about 29 minutes. She did about 3.5 miles according to her Garmin so she was well under 9 min/ mile pace...with my loop back I did about 3.6 so I was right at the 8 min/mile threshold give or take a couple seconds.
Needless to say training this weekend wasn't a total loss granted I was coughing like I lit up two packs of Marlboro's at the end of it....stupid head cold...so yes if I'm pulling these splits under trained and sick imgaine what I can do when I'm healthy and "in shape" ....be afraid New England Tri Circut...be very, very, afraid.
Well back to the papers....
The Flying Academic
R.D.
Saturday: as mentioned I've been battling my sinuses/ head cold so I flaked on doing my normal swim workout on Friday..instead I napped and it was good. Saturday I worked, typed some more of my Thesis and decided to go for an early evening 8-9 miler. I did it in a not too shabby 1:11.
Sunday: After being a heathen once again and not going to Church in order to sleep. I got an email from Josie seeing if I was still down for a ride and possibly a run. I know I should have devoted that entire beautiful afternoon to paper writing. I know I should have sat hunched over my laptop with a pot of coffee I know I'm going to be paying for this sin tenfold as I'll mostly like be up late tonight and tomorrow typing away. But I hadn't been on the bike in two weeks, it was sitting in the basement screaming out "Ride me Bobby...Ride me." And so I relented I told Josie I'd meet her at 4:00 for a "short" ride/ run brick.
We met up in Middlebury and decided to do two loops of the Griskus Sprint loop.
The first loop of the ride it was evident my legs had a little rust in them also I was experimenting with different gearing on some of the climbs (Bjoern had noticed I had used a lot of power gears on climbs.) So needless to say on some of the hills I put myself into too low a gear and was immediately spanked by Josie as I was quite literally spinning my wheels and going no where. The first loop wasn't too bad although Josie was proving to be the uber climber. The second loop I contiuned my experiment, this time I had figured out my gearing a little better on the climbs. Granted Josie was still a better climber...after graduation I need to start doing hill repeats ...and lots of them trying to find the perfect balance between cadence and power...also some crossfit wouldn't hurt. Irregardless we did the 20.6 miles at an average speed of 17.5 mph in a time 1:10:48.The Run I was in my glory. Josie made the mistake...I mean decision to try to run with me. We decided to continue our Griskus Preview by running the run loop. Needless to say I went out like a house on fire...I hit the 1 mile mark in 8:06 granted the markers were based on the course starting at Quassy amusement park ( proud home of the Pat Griskus Tri series, and the Rev 3 triathlon.) so realistically we were about 300-400 meters ahead of the markers. Sub-8 minute mile pace...this was turning out to be a tempo run instead of a transition. I looked back and Josie was about 200 meters back stating "I suck at running." We made our way down the hill to the turn around I hit it and started back and started clapping as I ran past Josie...I think I remember hearing something about hating running and I'm going to hurl.... I hit the 2 mile mark in 16:06 ( remember we are still about a quarter mile ahead of the markers...) I made it back up the hill and o the park I turned around to collect Josie who was about 200 meters behind... " I almost puked.." she stated huffing and puffing...We made it back to the cars in about 29 minutes. She did about 3.5 miles according to her Garmin so she was well under 9 min/ mile pace...with my loop back I did about 3.6 so I was right at the 8 min/mile threshold give or take a couple seconds.
Needless to say training this weekend wasn't a total loss granted I was coughing like I lit up two packs of Marlboro's at the end of it....stupid head cold...so yes if I'm pulling these splits under trained and sick imgaine what I can do when I'm healthy and "in shape" ....be afraid New England Tri Circut...be very, very, afraid.
Well back to the papers....
The Flying Academic
R.D.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
It's On!
Well Bjoern and I are signed up to do battle at the Griskus Sprint this July. Right now I'm hoping that he doesn't dust me like he did on Saturday's ride...alla Lance Armstrong. Then again on Saturday's ride it was first time I had touched in almost 2 weeks. Josie nearly got around me as we summited the hill... after I had beaten her up it by nearly 5 minutes a little less than a month ago. I was really suffering. But anyway back to the Griskus Bjoern has me on the bike no doubt about it, but I know I still have the advantage on the swim and a slight advantage on the run ( granted that advantage is mostly due to his injury...in a 5k when he's healthy we're about dead even.) I could take the cowards way out, use the race as a warm up and qualify his win that "I was resting for Providence...blah blah yadda yadda..."excuse. But such a lack of effort would cheapen our mutual competitiveness..I'm going in with my A-game because to beat him I'm going to need it.
So Bjoern it's on...
So Bjoern it's on...
Monday, March 23, 2009
Damn Girl!
Well yesterday my training partner Josie and myself decided to meet for a ride out in Middlebury. We opted to do the Griskus Sprint Triathlon loop. To anyone who has never done this race let me explain it. The loop is 10 miles long Miles 1-3 are mostly down hill with a pesky little "s" curve through a blind intersection, mile 4 has a short, steep pain in the ass climb Hint for anyone doing Rev 3 this is part of the run course :) Miles 5-9 are rolling with the infamous smiley face and "last hill" marking at the beginning of a half mile (800 meter) assent and mile 10 finds you back on the main road descending.
So yesterday I met up with Josie at my usual parking spot on the rail trail and we were off. This was her first time doing a hilly course on her new Cervelo P2C....everyone here knows my relationship with Cervelo...granted I'm almost tempted to go to the dark side...
The ride began pretty well but there was a wicked Cross wind/ head wind on the opening descent, and it really killed the speed. To put it in perspective areas on Route 64 where I'm normally booking at 25mph (40kph) I was going about 15 -20 (20-30km) . Josie held up surprisingly well on the climbs, as evidenced by her "I love this bike!" comments. I would cook on several of the descents and open up a gap and she would close it on the hills...except for that long gradual one at the end....that hill is mine! We did 3 loops and for some odd reason my second one is always my fastest, maybe it's because I have my gearing down and I'm still fresh, maybe it's because my legs are properly warmed up, I don't know but the second loop I was feeling fresh, the third was about average I felt if it had been a little warmer ( and I had brought my Bento Box ) I could have gone a little further. All said and done we ended up doing 31 miles (just about 50k) in 1:54..averaging just over 16mph(25.6kph).
I figure I'll be doing this loop a lot to work my legs for climbing speed....that and I want to medal in my age group again....seriously I want to see if I can better my performance at this Sprint from last year although I don't want to fry my legs before Providence...hard because they're both in the same week although Patriot is in June so it won't be the Half Saturday- Sprint Wednesday- Half Sunday routine like last year.
Josie seems to be well on pace for a smoking bike split if she can ride like she did yesterday she has a shot at medaling in her age group in most of the sprints she's entered and if she keeps working the hills she'll be a weapon of mass destruction at Redman.
Well that's it for me today is swimming and lifiting and an 8 miler..followed by research...yay!
Wants a Polka Dot Jersey and a 300 Euro Bonus.
R.D.
So yesterday I met up with Josie at my usual parking spot on the rail trail and we were off. This was her first time doing a hilly course on her new Cervelo P2C....everyone here knows my relationship with Cervelo...granted I'm almost tempted to go to the dark side...
The ride began pretty well but there was a wicked Cross wind/ head wind on the opening descent, and it really killed the speed. To put it in perspective areas on Route 64 where I'm normally booking at 25mph (40kph) I was going about 15 -20 (20-30km) . Josie held up surprisingly well on the climbs, as evidenced by her "I love this bike!" comments. I would cook on several of the descents and open up a gap and she would close it on the hills...except for that long gradual one at the end....that hill is mine! We did 3 loops and for some odd reason my second one is always my fastest, maybe it's because I have my gearing down and I'm still fresh, maybe it's because my legs are properly warmed up, I don't know but the second loop I was feeling fresh, the third was about average I felt if it had been a little warmer ( and I had brought my Bento Box ) I could have gone a little further. All said and done we ended up doing 31 miles (just about 50k) in 1:54..averaging just over 16mph(25.6kph).
I figure I'll be doing this loop a lot to work my legs for climbing speed....that and I want to medal in my age group again....seriously I want to see if I can better my performance at this Sprint from last year although I don't want to fry my legs before Providence...hard because they're both in the same week although Patriot is in June so it won't be the Half Saturday- Sprint Wednesday- Half Sunday routine like last year.
Josie seems to be well on pace for a smoking bike split if she can ride like she did yesterday she has a shot at medaling in her age group in most of the sprints she's entered and if she keeps working the hills she'll be a weapon of mass destruction at Redman.
Well that's it for me today is swimming and lifiting and an 8 miler..followed by research...yay!
Wants a Polka Dot Jersey and a 300 Euro Bonus.
R.D.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
To Enter or Not to Enter the Middlebury Trifecta...
" I think Cam Brown's going to have his work cut out for him in 09." me in an email to Catherine
"Well when you beat him next year..." Her reply.
Alright the above conversation was me referring to IM Canada Winner Brian Rhodes, but her reply speaks for itself, granted if I ever beat Cam Brown I think I would have quite the argument for a pro card.
Ironman New Zealand for 2009 is looking like it could happen but I'm still up in the air (I've done a lot of homework and price checking. I could still go for under $3k), I know I've got an Iron late in the season ( Arizona), peer pressure is trying to get me into a more budget/schedule friendly race in Florida, While part of me wants to make Kona before I turn 25 the other part of me is saying wait and yet another part is screaming give up on it all together. Well back to Cam Brown, it seems if I can't get to him the tri gods have arranged that maybe Cam Brown will come to me.
Everyone knows every year I race the Pat Griskus Olympic and Sprint Triathlons. Both races are staples on my schedules because they are on my normal training routes , through Middlebury, Woodbury, Washington, Bantam and Bethlehem CT..Well now a third race has been added to the schedule. Heather Gollonick ( don't think I spelled that right) has decided to go the path of Pro-triathlete/race director..well as fate would have it she chose Middlebury CT as the site of the 1st Rev3 Triathlon. Well the race is a half iron and has committed several top pros, including Bree Wee, Desiree Ficker, and the aforementioned Kiwi, Mr. Brown.
This really has the gears turning, before I found out about this race I was planning for a very limited race schedule in preparation for "Operation School Bjoern" ( all in good fun man) with my opener being either the Patriot Tri or the Pat Griskus Olympic as my opener, The Pat griskus Sprint and either Park City or Niantic being boredom killers, and Nutmegman or Mighty Hamptons as my final prep for IM AZ. But now with a Half Iron thrown into my stomping grounds, I feel like I'm stuck in an old school under armour commercial as the words "We must protect this house!" are echoing in my head.
Needless to say my inner Risk benefit analysis computer is working overtime.
Pros:
I know the routes, I know the lay of the land, hell I train and have raced on these same routes before.
Pros in the Greater Waterbury Area...well I know I won't receive press coverage because I'm not from one of "The" Towns, Middlebury,Southbury, Woodbury, Washington, Nauguatuck, Watertown.... but local athletes going up against the world's best might make some head lines.
It's in early June, which if I'm not doing NZ is when I traditionally start my season.
Cons:
$250 entry fee!
Swimming at Quassy....could be good, could be bad...could be ugly...
I'll post more on this as I get more details.
R.D.
"Well when you beat him next year..." Her reply.
Alright the above conversation was me referring to IM Canada Winner Brian Rhodes, but her reply speaks for itself, granted if I ever beat Cam Brown I think I would have quite the argument for a pro card.
Ironman New Zealand for 2009 is looking like it could happen but I'm still up in the air (I've done a lot of homework and price checking. I could still go for under $3k), I know I've got an Iron late in the season ( Arizona), peer pressure is trying to get me into a more budget/schedule friendly race in Florida, While part of me wants to make Kona before I turn 25 the other part of me is saying wait and yet another part is screaming give up on it all together. Well back to Cam Brown, it seems if I can't get to him the tri gods have arranged that maybe Cam Brown will come to me.
Everyone knows every year I race the Pat Griskus Olympic and Sprint Triathlons. Both races are staples on my schedules because they are on my normal training routes , through Middlebury, Woodbury, Washington, Bantam and Bethlehem CT..Well now a third race has been added to the schedule. Heather Gollonick ( don't think I spelled that right) has decided to go the path of Pro-triathlete/race director..well as fate would have it she chose Middlebury CT as the site of the 1st Rev3 Triathlon. Well the race is a half iron and has committed several top pros, including Bree Wee, Desiree Ficker, and the aforementioned Kiwi, Mr. Brown.
This really has the gears turning, before I found out about this race I was planning for a very limited race schedule in preparation for "Operation School Bjoern" ( all in good fun man) with my opener being either the Patriot Tri or the Pat Griskus Olympic as my opener, The Pat griskus Sprint and either Park City or Niantic being boredom killers, and Nutmegman or Mighty Hamptons as my final prep for IM AZ. But now with a Half Iron thrown into my stomping grounds, I feel like I'm stuck in an old school under armour commercial as the words "We must protect this house!" are echoing in my head.
Needless to say my inner Risk benefit analysis computer is working overtime.
Pros:
I know the routes, I know the lay of the land, hell I train and have raced on these same routes before.
Pros in the Greater Waterbury Area...well I know I won't receive press coverage because I'm not from one of "The" Towns, Middlebury,Southbury, Woodbury, Washington, Nauguatuck, Watertown.... but local athletes going up against the world's best might make some head lines.
It's in early June, which if I'm not doing NZ is when I traditionally start my season.
Cons:
$250 entry fee!
Swimming at Quassy....could be good, could be bad...could be ugly...
I'll post more on this as I get more details.
R.D.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Curse What Curse? or Bobby Ends his medal drought.
On July 11, 2003 I placed second in the 17-19 age group at the Pat Griskus Sprint Tri, and since that rainy Wednesday I have not medaled in either of Middlebury, CT races since. 2004 and 05 I didn't race, 06 I wrecked on the bike, and in 07 I got picked off while in 3rd place in my AG on the last hill of the run, fast forward to this year. Normally the Griskus sprint is an A priority race, full taper, trash talk, shaved legs the whole shabang, this year it was a speed workout before RI 70.3, I was in the elite swim wave for the first time at this venue, ( after a quick desperate email to race director Tom Wilkas telling him how I always have one of the top 30 swim splits.) Needless to say after some BS with Alex, who is buying my beloved Road bike Enrico, and rode it in this race to 8th in the age group, Mike C. and Mike B. from my masters group ( coincidentally both have done all 22 Griskus races at Quassapug and Mike B. has done all 23 including the inaugural on Bantam lake in Litchfield.), Sean from HEAT, my former swim coach, (told me I'd never swim DI the proudest day of my life was when I walked into pick my sister up wearing my Fordham swimming Tee boo-yah!) Ray, one of my former teammates, Justin, probably the sickest runner in our age group. I could go on with the meet and greet, but I really don't want this post to drag like the last one.
The Swim: Jack and Jill......
Standing in the elite wave with all the white caps you got the feeling that this was more like a high school swim meet than a tri. Sure loads of us were wearing our neoprene, but there was a line of first timers and high school studs decked out in Jammers and Speedos, a few guys with fast skins. Also the swim is a little bizarre they have two sets of buoy, women start on one side men on the other and we meet in the middle on the return leg. I lined up to the inside and when the air horn went off realized this was a mistake as the swarm of high school studs swam over and around me. For a good 2 minutes, I was really wanting to be on the bike to make up some of the positions most of these guys would gain in the water. By the first buoy the field sorted out and I was on the tail of the lead group, and the leaders were setting a break neck pace. At the turn around the reason I hate this swim course became apparent, I began to sight off the women's buoys widening my approach to the beach and costing me valuable spots., I managed to get back to the inside but it was a frightening proposition as caps from the 3rd wave were getting off course and nearly collided with us guys and gals on the return leg., after a harrowing 11 minutes in the water I got out in 14th place I ran the 400 meters to T-1 and hit the mat at 12:42.
T-1: Wet Suit off, Helmet on, number on, Lift bike over dude next to me's back wheel, it was cramped quarters but I made it out. 1:05
Bike: May God Have Mercy on my legs.
I tried once again to do the bare foot mount, sadly it took me about a half mile to get both my feet in the shoes and it cost me about 3 spots, when a kid went whizzing by on a mountain bike that got my pissed, I got my foot in the shoe and sped off after him hammering down the opening descent like a man possessed. I managed to get around two high schoolers and then was caught by the women's leader, I followed her line through that pesky S-curve which thankfully was closed to traffic so I could apex, granted I still used the brakes a tiny bit. At the 4 mile mark the hills began, I managed to get around a couple of the dying swim studs and was passed by some of the more avid cyclists, one guy in my age group went by and I tried desperately to persue. Slowly I was reeling in some of the weaker riders, but the hills made it difficult ( note to self buy a climbing gear.) I managed to get Mike from HEAT in my sights on that dreaded last hill. I kept him close on the descent to the park as I slipped out of my shoes and did a rather cautious shoeless dismount and tore into T-2 total bike split 32:21 not the fastest on the planet but for all the climbing I'll take it.
T-2 Shoes on, helmet off, Timex Hat on, race belt around, Catch Mikey! T-2 took all of :53
Run: The heart is strong but the legs are weak.
As I took off in Hot pursuit of Mike, I could already feel a tightness in my legs, this was not going to be a PR run, but it would be a quick one. I caught Mike before we left the park. As we made our way down Route 64 I began to get some of the faster cyclists in my sights, yet at the same time I was caught and passed by another runner,from the rival shore line sharks. I made it through the aid station at mile one and forgot that I was wearing a hat not a visor so when I dumped a cup of water over my head it did nothing just beaded off the top. I made it to the turn around and began to reel in some younger looking guys, I wanted a medal and I didn't care how bad I was suffering, made a surge for the young gun ahead of me and passed him by the second aid station, again I forgot I was wearing a hat. ( note to self, go with the visor unless there is ice on course.) I got passed by two relay runners duking it out as I made my way up "the hill" No one in the same zip code with me, which meant no pip out this year, but I needed to finish strong , as there were alot of guys in my age group in the second wave and the stagger would be deducted from the time. I got up the hill and back on the home stretch as droves of runners were making their way from transition. I turned down the service road and kicked it into high gear across the line. Run Split 21:18 not my fastest but respectable, Overall time 1:08.16 4 minutes faster than last year. Good enough for 27th overall and 3rd in my age group, behind some dude from Hong Kong and the guy from Southbury who went flying by on the bike.
At the awards I got my usual Guinness from Mike B. Shot the shit with the HEATsters, Alex and Justin and for the first time in 5 years got a medal and a pimp Timex watch for my efforts. ( debating on whether I'm going to sell it on ebay or keep it as a spare to my other Timex.) and also like always I still didn't win crap in the raffle, but it was a good night.
Next Report RI 70.3
The Long winded one
R.D.
The Swim: Jack and Jill......
Standing in the elite wave with all the white caps you got the feeling that this was more like a high school swim meet than a tri. Sure loads of us were wearing our neoprene, but there was a line of first timers and high school studs decked out in Jammers and Speedos, a few guys with fast skins. Also the swim is a little bizarre they have two sets of buoy, women start on one side men on the other and we meet in the middle on the return leg. I lined up to the inside and when the air horn went off realized this was a mistake as the swarm of high school studs swam over and around me. For a good 2 minutes, I was really wanting to be on the bike to make up some of the positions most of these guys would gain in the water. By the first buoy the field sorted out and I was on the tail of the lead group, and the leaders were setting a break neck pace. At the turn around the reason I hate this swim course became apparent, I began to sight off the women's buoys widening my approach to the beach and costing me valuable spots., I managed to get back to the inside but it was a frightening proposition as caps from the 3rd wave were getting off course and nearly collided with us guys and gals on the return leg., after a harrowing 11 minutes in the water I got out in 14th place I ran the 400 meters to T-1 and hit the mat at 12:42.
T-1: Wet Suit off, Helmet on, number on, Lift bike over dude next to me's back wheel, it was cramped quarters but I made it out. 1:05
Bike: May God Have Mercy on my legs.
I tried once again to do the bare foot mount, sadly it took me about a half mile to get both my feet in the shoes and it cost me about 3 spots, when a kid went whizzing by on a mountain bike that got my pissed, I got my foot in the shoe and sped off after him hammering down the opening descent like a man possessed. I managed to get around two high schoolers and then was caught by the women's leader, I followed her line through that pesky S-curve which thankfully was closed to traffic so I could apex, granted I still used the brakes a tiny bit. At the 4 mile mark the hills began, I managed to get around a couple of the dying swim studs and was passed by some of the more avid cyclists, one guy in my age group went by and I tried desperately to persue. Slowly I was reeling in some of the weaker riders, but the hills made it difficult ( note to self buy a climbing gear.) I managed to get Mike from HEAT in my sights on that dreaded last hill. I kept him close on the descent to the park as I slipped out of my shoes and did a rather cautious shoeless dismount and tore into T-2 total bike split 32:21 not the fastest on the planet but for all the climbing I'll take it.
T-2 Shoes on, helmet off, Timex Hat on, race belt around, Catch Mikey! T-2 took all of :53
Run: The heart is strong but the legs are weak.
As I took off in Hot pursuit of Mike, I could already feel a tightness in my legs, this was not going to be a PR run, but it would be a quick one. I caught Mike before we left the park. As we made our way down Route 64 I began to get some of the faster cyclists in my sights, yet at the same time I was caught and passed by another runner,from the rival shore line sharks. I made it through the aid station at mile one and forgot that I was wearing a hat not a visor so when I dumped a cup of water over my head it did nothing just beaded off the top. I made it to the turn around and began to reel in some younger looking guys, I wanted a medal and I didn't care how bad I was suffering, made a surge for the young gun ahead of me and passed him by the second aid station, again I forgot I was wearing a hat. ( note to self, go with the visor unless there is ice on course.) I got passed by two relay runners duking it out as I made my way up "the hill" No one in the same zip code with me, which meant no pip out this year, but I needed to finish strong , as there were alot of guys in my age group in the second wave and the stagger would be deducted from the time. I got up the hill and back on the home stretch as droves of runners were making their way from transition. I turned down the service road and kicked it into high gear across the line. Run Split 21:18 not my fastest but respectable, Overall time 1:08.16 4 minutes faster than last year. Good enough for 27th overall and 3rd in my age group, behind some dude from Hong Kong and the guy from Southbury who went flying by on the bike.
At the awards I got my usual Guinness from Mike B. Shot the shit with the HEATsters, Alex and Justin and for the first time in 5 years got a medal and a pimp Timex watch for my efforts. ( debating on whether I'm going to sell it on ebay or keep it as a spare to my other Timex.) and also like always I still didn't win crap in the raffle, but it was a good night.
Next Report RI 70.3
The Long winded one
R.D.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Race Reports coming soon....
Next week you'd better have a jumbo mug of coffee ready as the Patriot Tri, Griskus Sprint and RI 70.3 race reports will be gracing the pages of Of Triathlons, God, and Random Crap.
Because of the busy race schedule I apologize that I haven't posted them sooner but it's hard trying to catch a break between work and traveling it's been nearly impossible to sit down and write. I did the Griskus sprint last night and finished in 1:08.16 4 min. faster than last year and good enough for 27th overall, the official race report will state where I finished in the age group.....let's just say I was happy with the result although I got beat by some dude from Hong Kong.
RI 70.3 is this weekend I'm opting not to stay in a hotel so I'm just going to drive down on Saturday and Sunday, figure $50 for gas is cheaper than $200 for a hotel. Although another part of me is saying just to scrap it, as some other expected and unexpected expenses are beginning to pop up.
As for the racing season after RI it is all based on Finances, if the money rolls around for Nutmegman great, if not I can live not doing it. Same with Park City and Niantic, I'd like to do them but they are a luxury at this point.
I figure the race reports will take up a lot of time during my rest week, I'm also going to continue looking for a part time job, to try to supplement my income, I've got bills to pay and future dreams I want to finance so this might be a wise decision, it always seems I run into a dilemma when I have money I never have time to do what I want and when I have the time I never seem to have the money. Well that's enough from me back to the grind.
R.D.
Because of the busy race schedule I apologize that I haven't posted them sooner but it's hard trying to catch a break between work and traveling it's been nearly impossible to sit down and write. I did the Griskus sprint last night and finished in 1:08.16 4 min. faster than last year and good enough for 27th overall, the official race report will state where I finished in the age group.....let's just say I was happy with the result although I got beat by some dude from Hong Kong.
RI 70.3 is this weekend I'm opting not to stay in a hotel so I'm just going to drive down on Saturday and Sunday, figure $50 for gas is cheaper than $200 for a hotel. Although another part of me is saying just to scrap it, as some other expected and unexpected expenses are beginning to pop up.
As for the racing season after RI it is all based on Finances, if the money rolls around for Nutmegman great, if not I can live not doing it. Same with Park City and Niantic, I'd like to do them but they are a luxury at this point.
I figure the race reports will take up a lot of time during my rest week, I'm also going to continue looking for a part time job, to try to supplement my income, I've got bills to pay and future dreams I want to finance so this might be a wise decision, it always seems I run into a dilemma when I have money I never have time to do what I want and when I have the time I never seem to have the money. Well that's enough from me back to the grind.
R.D.
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