After much debate I decided I'm going to try it and see if it works. I have decided in my never ending quest to get to New Zealand, I have decided I will raise funds for the War on ALS ( Lou Geherig's Disease) www.waronals.com . My plan is the following:
I want to try to raise $ 1500-$2000 to cover my travel expenses and I have a formula that until I reach this goal I will donate 80% of funds recieved to the Blazeman Foundation, and 20% toward my travel expenses. After I reach my travel expense goal 100% of any funds raised thereafter will go to the Blazeman Foundation. If anyone is intrested in information, helping me set up fundraisers, or donating. Please send me an email at BobbyDoogs@hotmail.com
Rob.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
2 Tris in 48 hours, Bike Split Humble Pie , and A WIN by God! Waramaug and Litchfield Hills Post Race.
Okay as I sit typing this post my eyes a bleary form being in a sleep deprived state...(actually I lie I took a 5hour nap when I got back from New Hartford) but two days with 4:30am wake up calls take their tolls. Here are the Race Reports for the Nutmeg State Sprint and Litchfield Hills Olympic Tris .
Nutmeg State Sprint:
This was it! This was the put up or shut-up! This was the race I wanted to Win or die trying. ( Well I lie here too everyrace I do I want to win or die trying. But this one is different in that I would actually put my life in peril because I know the bike route.) I had suffered in the Swim at Niantic the week before and had a moderatley slow swim at the Waramaug Sprint in June...This race was my payback.
The Swim:
During the decided to take my usual strategy of start wide and cut in. It worked. Before I even reached the first Bouy I was on the inside track with the top 2 swimmers. As we Rounded the fsecond bouy the leader and I drafted slightly away from the 3rd person ( by drafting I got on the leader's ass and refused to move until he started sighting off course.). As we made the turn and approached the beach I saw the leader ( some high school punk with no wet suit...speaking of which No Wet suit girl was here as was angry runner)and saw the final bouy on approach. I made a bee-line for the bouy and for about 100 yards I was leading overall. As we approached the beach the former leader(high school swim punk) managed to get around me and darted up to transition as I started to pull off my "weetzoot" on the way to T1. Total swim time:11:04 2nd fastest overall.
T1: Use more freaking body glide.
Since parking was about 1 mile away by the time my sisters and I made it to transitionwith all my crap I just had enough time to set up. Get body marked, pee and throw on the wet suit. I didn't really lube up and could feel the chafe marks on my neck as I stuggled to get the neoprene beast off my feet. I threw on my helmet and bike shoes and tore out of t1 in 3rd overall.
Total T1: 2:26
The Bike: Angry Cyclist...I mean Runner triumphs once more but only just.
Yes it is true Angry Runner has once more ruled me on wheels alla Normann Stadler. Granted on this day he only beat me by about 10 sec. on his split.
As I started the ride everything felt good. I was in the big ring I was aero. I had only been passed by eventual winner and Waramaug sprint Champ John Hirsch, on his pimped out Specialized. As we approached the Golf Course Hill I came to the stunning realization that I had left my bike in too high of a gear.As I struggled grinding up the hill two old guys on their Cannondales shot passed. After what seemed like a small eternity of Climbing we descende and took the sharp right on to beaten and pitted Beardsley Rd. At this point I started hearing tire rub....Had my brakes been rubbing the whole time? I thought to my self. I didn't have enough time to check before I was in an age group battle with Mike from Georgetown. Now I had raced this guy before at the Griskus Olympic and quite frankly he can flat out bike faster than me. I gave him a good fight on the flat and magaed to repass him.( choke one up for CenTri) but as we turned on to a mini-pyreanean climb he kicked it into low gear and shot around me. I struggled up the climb shifting lower and lower as the bike creeped around the corner. Then is was a nice little descent I could still hear rubbing as I got passed by another cannondale. I started fiddling with the rear brakes. The rubbing didn't stop ( I would only be after the race that I found out my quick release was loose and one of the potholes on Beardsley had nuggled the wheel out of alignment and is was rubbing the frame...robbing me of precious Bitch Stomping Speed.) As I tried to play mechanic while riding Ken Davidson and some kid on a Giant got around me. The three of us stayed pretty close together as we rode into T2. Total Bike Split : 29:07 good enough for 26th Angry's split was 10 sec. faster good enough for 25th.
T2: I was putting on my race belt damn it!
as I threw on my running flats, grabbed a swig of HEED andput on my Visor I grabbed my race belt and decided I would clip it on the run ( accounting for my sister's "picking a wedge" comment as she snapped a picture as I left T2) All in all I was out in 56 sec.
Run: Macca Time
As we ( Ken, Giant guy, and dude from Cycle Center) stared up the first of several hills on the run course the guy from cycle Center picked it up and shot ahead. I quickly followed suit leaving the man of steel and the 15 year old kid to duke it out. As we climbed my legs were strating to fill with latic acid and I could feel myself starting to bonk ( due in part to losing the top to my water bottle on the bike and as a result not hydrating properly.) I saw Ken from Heat maning the water station at the 1.3 mile mark and grapped a dixie cup of much needed h20, as I continued to shadow the guy from cycle center. As we approached the turn around John Hirsch gave us a thumbs up and "looking good guys" as he crused down hill toward certain victory. I began to count runners a they went by 1 was Hirsch then some dude in a Cannondale Shirt, Swim Punk, Mike From Georgetown , some other dudes I'd never seen before. I was in ninth. As we made the turn the dude from cycle center began to sprint and pulled away from me. I saw HEAT Ken pacing Ken Davidson up the hill he shouted over at me "Damn it Rob catch that guy. He's in sight. " I kicked it up a notch but the dude from cycle center was gone..I saw Angry making the Climb I think I shouted to him "get angry" or something like that and he replied " I hate life." I grabbed another cup of water at the aid station and proceed after the dude from cycle center who was at the edge of my sight. My hamstrings felt the vibration of each step as I pounded down the hill toward the finish. Once again I crossed with my Hands in the air pose. Overall it wasn't too bad of a day.
1:05.35 total time 9th overall 2nd in age group.
Angry Runner was 28th overall and 3rd in the Age Group
and Claire (No Wet Suit Girl) snagged 50th overall and 3rd in her age group. Not a bad day for Team Blog. Also as a side note I did bump into Anthony from CenTri. His comments after a pretty decent race..."I think I like offroad better." So hey maybe CenTri will be sending a guy to xterra.
After the race it was off to Pizzanos in Waterbury, for breakfast with Angry and Claire. We shared tri and trainning stories, how Angry is actually as grumpy as his blog suggests and how weird it is that these blogs seem to reflect our personalities. Also the fact that my smallest sister ( Julia who came to this race with Chrissy the middle sister/child), seemed not to care at the flaggrant use of obsenites we seem to use. I did try to control my language ( stomp ho's instead of bitches, in which I was then told to say it right damn it. If Julie starts cussing like a trucker don't blame me.)
The Litchfield Hills Olympic Tri
As my alarm went off at 4:30 this morning I didn't feel as grogy as I did the day before...prehaps it's because I was out cold by 11pm or perhaps it is that my body is starting to get used to the torture I put it through. 2 tris in 2 days....why did I Ken talk me into this.....because he mind tricked you Rob that's why.....Because it's team Championships and HEAT needs to stomp bitches....because you live to do insane shit like this because it makes for interesting reading material. Melissa and Chrissy accompanined me up to New Hartford, as I arrived well before the volunteers. Ken showed up about 5 min. Later spare HEAT Jersey in tow. I was greatful...If fact I made the remark that now Raphael and I don't need to go out and get the HEAT logo tattooed to our chests and run shirtless. Ken suggested we do that anyway. After about 10 min. the rest of the field started to filter in along with the volunteers. After a quick inflation of the tires. I was off to packet pick up and body markings. ( unfortately I didn't have the luck of being the same number as yeterday so now I have some pretty funky body art on my arms and calves.)
As I set up for transition I realized I had left my sunglasses in the car. I looked for my sisters ( whom had my keys ) as I did my warm up jog but they were no where to be found. I hit the portolet and then went back to transition lubed up and slid on the wetzoot. As we made our way down the rocky path to the water I realized that this was not going to be a short little jog. I ran back to transition and grabbed my bike shoes ( for those of you who have never seen my tri gear..I ride in mountain bike shoes because when I bought the bike I had never gone clipless before and decided I wanted something I could walk in and unclip easily). I ran down in my bike shoes and set them up past the swim course timing mat. Hey if I was going to have to jog (or as angry calls it yog.) to T1 I might as well get as much done by the water as possible. I found my sisters and told them of the plight of my sunglasses, I told them not to worry about it and got psyched up for the swim.
The Swim: a nice Sunday morning plunge in the Cleanest Lake in CT.
Ok the race brochure didn't lie you could actually drink the water...if you wanted too. I did an easy little warm up and noticed I could see the bottom in most of the shallow sections. I swam back to shore and lined up on the far end, with Raphael, Dean, and some of the other HEATsters after a quick pre race briefing and a round of goodlucks to and from all the guys in my vincinity, the familar commands of swimmers ready, set, and the bullhorn blast to start us off rang out over West Hill Lake. As I jockeyed for postion ( cut in across the lake to draft the leaders) I could see that HMF had redeemed itself after the dismal swim last week in Niantic ( in which the bouys were not explained. Today they had white bouys to sight and orange bouys for the turns, and it was explained to all competitiors at the pre-race and pre swim briefings.) By the first orange bouy I was in the lead group of 4 swimmers ( 1 dude no wet suit, Max from HEAT ( who is going to Kona) Ken and myself. ) At the turn around to the beach, ( 3rd Bouy 2nd orange) the guy with out a wetsuit had dusted the 3 of us as Ken and I followed Max into toward the beach. ( Ken sorry for all the foot rub but I was quite literally swimming blind.) We barely managed to get a sight on the last white Bouy (due to sunglare) but managed to approach the beach nonetheless. We got out of Water in formation Max in 2nd, Ken 3rd, me 4th.
Swim Time: 22:56 ( Hot Fire Bitches Hot Fire!)
T1: Escape from New Hartford.
Now the Escape from Alcatraz swim has the infamous mile run to transition, here it was only a quarter mile but it still requires useage of footwear. As I crossed the timing mat I was pulling off my wetsuit. I decided to take it off before the transition area to cut on T1. The wetsuit came off the bike shoes went on as I ran up the path Lake Placid Style ,Wet suit over my shoulders, I dumped the swim gear at my spot put on the helmet and grapped the bike. I was leaving T1 in 4th overall but that would change quickly. As Al Tratwig stated in his Ironman coverage I was "a symbol of soon to get caught."
The Bike: I always ride like a granny when I don't know the course.
The first half mile wasn't bad I rode and descended some gentle hills in aero. Nothing too tough...then came the oh shit hill into Torrington. As I statered the descent I unclipped and slowed down over the rough pavement at the top. As I saw too guys fly past, and looked at the climb beyond I clipped back in and let go of the brakes...If I was going to crash and break something I'd rather have a story of going 50mph than 25, that and that little climb would be a bitch if I had to out of the saddle it, and quite frankly my legs were a little too tired for that. After grinding up the little climb and turning onto Torringford Rd. It was all down hill for the next ten miles. I kept my hands switching between brake hoods and aero bars ( using the hoods on some of the nastier descents because like I said I didn't know the course and I didn't want to go into some sharp hairpin at 45mph and go flying over a guardrail to my bloody and gory demise, plus there was a nasty little cross wind on 44 in Winsted and 202 in Canton.) There were some little climbs between mile 10 annd fifteen but it would be in the last ten miles that I would pay for the early Hammerfest. When we turned on to Route 202 in Canton we were greeted with this slow gradual mile long climb. I kicked into my climbing gears down shifitng as I approached the summit. I watched as Vin from HEAT rode by. ( by this point I had been passed by at least 15 people.) I got to the top of that little bitch of a hill as we rode down 202 a little more and then turned to the back roads. Now the REAL climbs began. For the next 6 miles the road undulated. A steep little climb, suicudal downhill, long gradual down hill ,and then the wall.My legs ached as I powered up the last climb 5 more guys got aroung me including Raphael and one guy for Shoreline Sharks. When we got to the top the volunteers instructed us that it was all down hill from here. I never welcomed a descent so much in my life. I rode in aerobars, switching to brake hoods as I prepared to slow for the turn in. My hear went out to the guy from Shore line as he pulled to the side of the road screaming "fuck!" I saw a shoe on the road. " need tools"I shouted as I slowed up trying to offer some help. "No I'll be alright." " Just lost the shoe?" I asked " Whole damn pedal." he replied back. As I got closer to Transition I realized the volunteers had lied. I kicked into the climbing gear as I climbed one final hill then turned into T2.
Bike Split 1:16.22
The Run: Go until the Latic Acid fills your eye balls.
As I darted out of T2. Chrissie handed my my sunglasses as I ran by an now I was ready to go As Melissa and Critiano were shouting encouragement. ( the glasses are part of my poker face, that and in the post race photos I don't want to see how bad I was suffering.) I could see Raphael in front of me I paced him as we ran out of Brodie Park. I wished him luck as I passed him on the service road out. I passed another HEATster on the road. the Andre, clad in blue Rudy project gear. Andre and I paced each other for the first three miles as we tried to reel in a guy infront of us. but as we ground up a hill a the 3 mile mark it was apparent both of us were shot from the bike split. We looked back no one was remotely close to us , so we ran at my half marathon pace for the next 2 miles. We talked a little bit, about clubs, races, getting sponsors, life in general, as much as 8 min. mile pace would allow. At mile 5 he told me to go on a head. I started to pick it up a little. I made the dart down hill then onto the service road. Crossing the finish line in 2:32.50 with a run split of 48.16 Andre finished 30 sec. behind after a quick high five and sportsman like embrace, I made my way over toward my sisters who were a little ticked off "You know we get up at the ass crack of dawn, we give you your sunglasses, we cheer you on. And the first thing you do is go back to the finish line to high five some guy you don't really know, and discuss crap with your teammates." I gave them a hug. then they started griping "ewww you're all sweaty." I told them I was going to get a masage as I watched Jim and Raphael cross the line. After about 5 min. of waiting for a massage, Jim and I were like fuck this, and went to go do our indivivdual strech routines. after about ten min. the results were posted. I had finished 20th overall and won my age group (WORD UP BITCHES!) it was about freaking time. I celebrated at the HEAT Tent with a Sam Adams Cherry Wheat brew, before awards. ( thanks for the beer Raphael.).
All in all it was a profitable weekend in Litchfield County here are the stats:
Miles Swum: 1.5
Miles Biked: 36.00
Miles Run: 9.2
Total time: 3:38.25
Bottles of HEED consumed: 2
Dunkin Donuts Medium Coffees (light/no sugar ):2
Age Group Wins: 1
Age group Podiums: 2
Team Titles shared in : 1 (Go HEAT!)
Unofficial Team titles shared in: 2 (Team Blog! Angry Team!)
Waking up @ 4am 2 days in a row, going through untold physical fatigue, and liking it that way: PRICELESS!
Nutmeg State Sprint:
This was it! This was the put up or shut-up! This was the race I wanted to Win or die trying. ( Well I lie here too everyrace I do I want to win or die trying. But this one is different in that I would actually put my life in peril because I know the bike route.) I had suffered in the Swim at Niantic the week before and had a moderatley slow swim at the Waramaug Sprint in June...This race was my payback.
The Swim:
During the decided to take my usual strategy of start wide and cut in. It worked. Before I even reached the first Bouy I was on the inside track with the top 2 swimmers. As we Rounded the fsecond bouy the leader and I drafted slightly away from the 3rd person ( by drafting I got on the leader's ass and refused to move until he started sighting off course.). As we made the turn and approached the beach I saw the leader ( some high school punk with no wet suit...speaking of which No Wet suit girl was here as was angry runner)and saw the final bouy on approach. I made a bee-line for the bouy and for about 100 yards I was leading overall. As we approached the beach the former leader(high school swim punk) managed to get around me and darted up to transition as I started to pull off my "weetzoot" on the way to T1. Total swim time:11:04 2nd fastest overall.
T1: Use more freaking body glide.
Since parking was about 1 mile away by the time my sisters and I made it to transitionwith all my crap I just had enough time to set up. Get body marked, pee and throw on the wet suit. I didn't really lube up and could feel the chafe marks on my neck as I stuggled to get the neoprene beast off my feet. I threw on my helmet and bike shoes and tore out of t1 in 3rd overall.
Total T1: 2:26
The Bike: Angry Cyclist...I mean Runner triumphs once more but only just.
Yes it is true Angry Runner has once more ruled me on wheels alla Normann Stadler. Granted on this day he only beat me by about 10 sec. on his split.
As I started the ride everything felt good. I was in the big ring I was aero. I had only been passed by eventual winner and Waramaug sprint Champ John Hirsch, on his pimped out Specialized. As we approached the Golf Course Hill I came to the stunning realization that I had left my bike in too high of a gear.As I struggled grinding up the hill two old guys on their Cannondales shot passed. After what seemed like a small eternity of Climbing we descende and took the sharp right on to beaten and pitted Beardsley Rd. At this point I started hearing tire rub....Had my brakes been rubbing the whole time? I thought to my self. I didn't have enough time to check before I was in an age group battle with Mike from Georgetown. Now I had raced this guy before at the Griskus Olympic and quite frankly he can flat out bike faster than me. I gave him a good fight on the flat and magaed to repass him.( choke one up for CenTri) but as we turned on to a mini-pyreanean climb he kicked it into low gear and shot around me. I struggled up the climb shifting lower and lower as the bike creeped around the corner. Then is was a nice little descent I could still hear rubbing as I got passed by another cannondale. I started fiddling with the rear brakes. The rubbing didn't stop ( I would only be after the race that I found out my quick release was loose and one of the potholes on Beardsley had nuggled the wheel out of alignment and is was rubbing the frame...robbing me of precious Bitch Stomping Speed.) As I tried to play mechanic while riding Ken Davidson and some kid on a Giant got around me. The three of us stayed pretty close together as we rode into T2. Total Bike Split : 29:07 good enough for 26th Angry's split was 10 sec. faster good enough for 25th.
T2: I was putting on my race belt damn it!
as I threw on my running flats, grabbed a swig of HEED andput on my Visor I grabbed my race belt and decided I would clip it on the run ( accounting for my sister's "picking a wedge" comment as she snapped a picture as I left T2) All in all I was out in 56 sec.
Run: Macca Time
As we ( Ken, Giant guy, and dude from Cycle Center) stared up the first of several hills on the run course the guy from cycle Center picked it up and shot ahead. I quickly followed suit leaving the man of steel and the 15 year old kid to duke it out. As we climbed my legs were strating to fill with latic acid and I could feel myself starting to bonk ( due in part to losing the top to my water bottle on the bike and as a result not hydrating properly.) I saw Ken from Heat maning the water station at the 1.3 mile mark and grapped a dixie cup of much needed h20, as I continued to shadow the guy from cycle center. As we approached the turn around John Hirsch gave us a thumbs up and "looking good guys" as he crused down hill toward certain victory. I began to count runners a they went by 1 was Hirsch then some dude in a Cannondale Shirt, Swim Punk, Mike From Georgetown , some other dudes I'd never seen before. I was in ninth. As we made the turn the dude from cycle center began to sprint and pulled away from me. I saw HEAT Ken pacing Ken Davidson up the hill he shouted over at me "Damn it Rob catch that guy. He's in sight. " I kicked it up a notch but the dude from cycle center was gone..I saw Angry making the Climb I think I shouted to him "get angry" or something like that and he replied " I hate life." I grabbed another cup of water at the aid station and proceed after the dude from cycle center who was at the edge of my sight. My hamstrings felt the vibration of each step as I pounded down the hill toward the finish. Once again I crossed with my Hands in the air pose. Overall it wasn't too bad of a day.
1:05.35 total time 9th overall 2nd in age group.
Angry Runner was 28th overall and 3rd in the Age Group
and Claire (No Wet Suit Girl) snagged 50th overall and 3rd in her age group. Not a bad day for Team Blog. Also as a side note I did bump into Anthony from CenTri. His comments after a pretty decent race..."I think I like offroad better." So hey maybe CenTri will be sending a guy to xterra.
After the race it was off to Pizzanos in Waterbury, for breakfast with Angry and Claire. We shared tri and trainning stories, how Angry is actually as grumpy as his blog suggests and how weird it is that these blogs seem to reflect our personalities. Also the fact that my smallest sister ( Julia who came to this race with Chrissy the middle sister/child), seemed not to care at the flaggrant use of obsenites we seem to use. I did try to control my language ( stomp ho's instead of bitches, in which I was then told to say it right damn it. If Julie starts cussing like a trucker don't blame me.)
The Litchfield Hills Olympic Tri
As my alarm went off at 4:30 this morning I didn't feel as grogy as I did the day before...prehaps it's because I was out cold by 11pm or perhaps it is that my body is starting to get used to the torture I put it through. 2 tris in 2 days....why did I Ken talk me into this.....because he mind tricked you Rob that's why.....Because it's team Championships and HEAT needs to stomp bitches....because you live to do insane shit like this because it makes for interesting reading material. Melissa and Chrissy accompanined me up to New Hartford, as I arrived well before the volunteers. Ken showed up about 5 min. Later spare HEAT Jersey in tow. I was greatful...If fact I made the remark that now Raphael and I don't need to go out and get the HEAT logo tattooed to our chests and run shirtless. Ken suggested we do that anyway. After about 10 min. the rest of the field started to filter in along with the volunteers. After a quick inflation of the tires. I was off to packet pick up and body markings. ( unfortately I didn't have the luck of being the same number as yeterday so now I have some pretty funky body art on my arms and calves.)
As I set up for transition I realized I had left my sunglasses in the car. I looked for my sisters ( whom had my keys ) as I did my warm up jog but they were no where to be found. I hit the portolet and then went back to transition lubed up and slid on the wetzoot. As we made our way down the rocky path to the water I realized that this was not going to be a short little jog. I ran back to transition and grabbed my bike shoes ( for those of you who have never seen my tri gear..I ride in mountain bike shoes because when I bought the bike I had never gone clipless before and decided I wanted something I could walk in and unclip easily). I ran down in my bike shoes and set them up past the swim course timing mat. Hey if I was going to have to jog (or as angry calls it yog.) to T1 I might as well get as much done by the water as possible. I found my sisters and told them of the plight of my sunglasses, I told them not to worry about it and got psyched up for the swim.
The Swim: a nice Sunday morning plunge in the Cleanest Lake in CT.
Ok the race brochure didn't lie you could actually drink the water...if you wanted too. I did an easy little warm up and noticed I could see the bottom in most of the shallow sections. I swam back to shore and lined up on the far end, with Raphael, Dean, and some of the other HEATsters after a quick pre race briefing and a round of goodlucks to and from all the guys in my vincinity, the familar commands of swimmers ready, set, and the bullhorn blast to start us off rang out over West Hill Lake. As I jockeyed for postion ( cut in across the lake to draft the leaders) I could see that HMF had redeemed itself after the dismal swim last week in Niantic ( in which the bouys were not explained. Today they had white bouys to sight and orange bouys for the turns, and it was explained to all competitiors at the pre-race and pre swim briefings.) By the first orange bouy I was in the lead group of 4 swimmers ( 1 dude no wet suit, Max from HEAT ( who is going to Kona) Ken and myself. ) At the turn around to the beach, ( 3rd Bouy 2nd orange) the guy with out a wetsuit had dusted the 3 of us as Ken and I followed Max into toward the beach. ( Ken sorry for all the foot rub but I was quite literally swimming blind.) We barely managed to get a sight on the last white Bouy (due to sunglare) but managed to approach the beach nonetheless. We got out of Water in formation Max in 2nd, Ken 3rd, me 4th.
Swim Time: 22:56 ( Hot Fire Bitches Hot Fire!)
T1: Escape from New Hartford.
Now the Escape from Alcatraz swim has the infamous mile run to transition, here it was only a quarter mile but it still requires useage of footwear. As I crossed the timing mat I was pulling off my wetsuit. I decided to take it off before the transition area to cut on T1. The wetsuit came off the bike shoes went on as I ran up the path Lake Placid Style ,Wet suit over my shoulders, I dumped the swim gear at my spot put on the helmet and grapped the bike. I was leaving T1 in 4th overall but that would change quickly. As Al Tratwig stated in his Ironman coverage I was "a symbol of soon to get caught."
The Bike: I always ride like a granny when I don't know the course.
The first half mile wasn't bad I rode and descended some gentle hills in aero. Nothing too tough...then came the oh shit hill into Torrington. As I statered the descent I unclipped and slowed down over the rough pavement at the top. As I saw too guys fly past, and looked at the climb beyond I clipped back in and let go of the brakes...If I was going to crash and break something I'd rather have a story of going 50mph than 25, that and that little climb would be a bitch if I had to out of the saddle it, and quite frankly my legs were a little too tired for that. After grinding up the little climb and turning onto Torringford Rd. It was all down hill for the next ten miles. I kept my hands switching between brake hoods and aero bars ( using the hoods on some of the nastier descents because like I said I didn't know the course and I didn't want to go into some sharp hairpin at 45mph and go flying over a guardrail to my bloody and gory demise, plus there was a nasty little cross wind on 44 in Winsted and 202 in Canton.) There were some little climbs between mile 10 annd fifteen but it would be in the last ten miles that I would pay for the early Hammerfest. When we turned on to Route 202 in Canton we were greeted with this slow gradual mile long climb. I kicked into my climbing gears down shifitng as I approached the summit. I watched as Vin from HEAT rode by. ( by this point I had been passed by at least 15 people.) I got to the top of that little bitch of a hill as we rode down 202 a little more and then turned to the back roads. Now the REAL climbs began. For the next 6 miles the road undulated. A steep little climb, suicudal downhill, long gradual down hill ,and then the wall.My legs ached as I powered up the last climb 5 more guys got aroung me including Raphael and one guy for Shoreline Sharks. When we got to the top the volunteers instructed us that it was all down hill from here. I never welcomed a descent so much in my life. I rode in aerobars, switching to brake hoods as I prepared to slow for the turn in. My hear went out to the guy from Shore line as he pulled to the side of the road screaming "fuck!" I saw a shoe on the road. " need tools"I shouted as I slowed up trying to offer some help. "No I'll be alright." " Just lost the shoe?" I asked " Whole damn pedal." he replied back. As I got closer to Transition I realized the volunteers had lied. I kicked into the climbing gear as I climbed one final hill then turned into T2.
Bike Split 1:16.22
The Run: Go until the Latic Acid fills your eye balls.
As I darted out of T2. Chrissie handed my my sunglasses as I ran by an now I was ready to go As Melissa and Critiano were shouting encouragement. ( the glasses are part of my poker face, that and in the post race photos I don't want to see how bad I was suffering.) I could see Raphael in front of me I paced him as we ran out of Brodie Park. I wished him luck as I passed him on the service road out. I passed another HEATster on the road. the Andre, clad in blue Rudy project gear. Andre and I paced each other for the first three miles as we tried to reel in a guy infront of us. but as we ground up a hill a the 3 mile mark it was apparent both of us were shot from the bike split. We looked back no one was remotely close to us , so we ran at my half marathon pace for the next 2 miles. We talked a little bit, about clubs, races, getting sponsors, life in general, as much as 8 min. mile pace would allow. At mile 5 he told me to go on a head. I started to pick it up a little. I made the dart down hill then onto the service road. Crossing the finish line in 2:32.50 with a run split of 48.16 Andre finished 30 sec. behind after a quick high five and sportsman like embrace, I made my way over toward my sisters who were a little ticked off "You know we get up at the ass crack of dawn, we give you your sunglasses, we cheer you on. And the first thing you do is go back to the finish line to high five some guy you don't really know, and discuss crap with your teammates." I gave them a hug. then they started griping "ewww you're all sweaty." I told them I was going to get a masage as I watched Jim and Raphael cross the line. After about 5 min. of waiting for a massage, Jim and I were like fuck this, and went to go do our indivivdual strech routines. after about ten min. the results were posted. I had finished 20th overall and won my age group (WORD UP BITCHES!) it was about freaking time. I celebrated at the HEAT Tent with a Sam Adams Cherry Wheat brew, before awards. ( thanks for the beer Raphael.).
All in all it was a profitable weekend in Litchfield County here are the stats:
Miles Swum: 1.5
Miles Biked: 36.00
Miles Run: 9.2
Total time: 3:38.25
Bottles of HEED consumed: 2
Dunkin Donuts Medium Coffees (light/no sugar ):2
Age Group Wins: 1
Age group Podiums: 2
Team Titles shared in : 1 (Go HEAT!)
Unofficial Team titles shared in: 2 (Team Blog! Angry Team!)
Waking up @ 4am 2 days in a row, going through untold physical fatigue, and liking it that way: PRICELESS!
Friday, August 10, 2007
I must crush you.....
The famous words of Ivan Drago will be the sole mantra for my races this weekend. As the Angry Runner v.Bob-o bike split smack down contiunes I have yet another phrase from Rocky IV to describe tomorrow's epic battle at the lake. "If he dies...he dies.." Angry has already made it a ready fact that he is gunning for me on the bike, which might leave his "glycogen fueled Hot Fire" desperately needing fuel on the run, which begins as a 1.7 mile climb. All in all it should be interesting. This time around I will take my own advice on the swim and go wide and cut in to avoid the chop and possible course cutting that ran rampant at Niantic. Also I'm wearing my sexy new "wetzoot" which most of the field will probably need after today's weather foray back into the 50's. The bike is realatively flat and now since I have gotten better at this whole aero-tuck thing...I'm expecting to be Hot Fire. Today I managed to get in a 4 mile run in 34:09 my legs feel pretty good since I've been on an "unplanned taper" so tomorrow and Sunday I should be ready to haul ass. I will stick up a post/pre race report as I prepare for a long weekend of battle. A double header of sorts. Tomorrow I go for individual glory..Sunday it's about bringing home a team title for HEAT ( not to mention a little bling for myself.) So all in all here are my closing remarks:
Angry: Prepare to be smitten like you have never been smote!
Team Mossman: If you can't take the HEAT stay out of New Hartford! ( after saying this comment I will probably be passed by every guy from Team Mossman, to those on Team Mossman this is nothing against you personally I'm just trying to get my fellow HEATers fired up.)
CenTri: Bjoern I missed my exit last night so I'm sorry for missing the meeting please shoot me an email.
Claire : I'm bringing my spare wet suit incase hypothermia wins out over ego.
R.D.
Good Coffee, bad weather, And the New Zealand Travel run around.
Well, those three statements sum up my day which began this morning with a 3000yard swim at the Southington Y. After a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts (good coffee) it was off to a stressful chaotic day in the Colosseum with the blood thirsty savages....I mean the office with the masses of people coming in to cash checks for the weekend. I went on lunch at 3:00PM ( dure to staff shortages) and proceed to get lunch and coffee on my boss ( ie he paid for it because The day was like being in the ninth layer of HELL).
As I type this I am preparing to throw on the rain jacket and get in a 4 mile trainning run in what should be a summer day in CT but is turning more and more into a fall/early spring evening. Seriously this morning it was 65 and when i left work it was 53 degrees... I'm starting to think if is this going to turn into the "Day After Tomorrow" in which I will be snow bound in the NY public library with Emmy Rosum...which hey she's cute maybe......
As I type this I am preparing to throw on the rain jacket and get in a 4 mile trainning run in what should be a summer day in CT but is turning more and more into a fall/early spring evening. Seriously this morning it was 65 and when i left work it was 53 degrees... I'm starting to think if is this going to turn into the "Day After Tomorrow" in which I will be snow bound in the NY public library with Emmy Rosum...which hey she's cute maybe......
Alright enough with my Emmy Rossum Fantasy from 2 years ago. Back to the task at hand.... 4 mile run, pizza, pick up brother, write more insane ramblings and smack about how I shall smite Angry Runner's bike split tomorrow and I shall pass doping without needing a B-sample, then I shall ponder on how I was able to let Ken Jedi mind trick me into doing the Litchfields hills tri....also Ken lend me that jersey for Litchfield so when we stomp Mossman on Sunday we all look like a team. Well before I go I'll leave some more pictures of Emmy up...this site should play host to more than just bike pjorn...
R.D.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Treks, Lance, Loyalties, Charitites, Climbing the Corporate Ladder, a Gallon of Latex Paint, Mt. Southington....
Ok all these random facts have a place in what has happended in my life in the past 24 hours. I will start at Tues. 3:30PM.
3:30Pm Drive out to Newington Cycle, a trek dealer feeling completely dirty as I asked the guys for what it would cost to get an equinox 7 (mid ranged tri bike). about $1400.00 and I can finance via Trek Card...(sweet maybe a tri bike is in the cards for NZ) bad news......only have them in size 58 (too big) and size 54cm(borderline)...good meet trek rep. Might cut Cen Tri a deal on the 5 new tri bikes we're looking to pick up bad news the new o8's are coming out so we won't be able to finalize prices until then...bad news only remaining 07's are 54 cm, 58 cm, and 60cm, unless we're buying the top end or next to top end...somehow have plenty of those...found next to top end bike that I love...if 
I win powerball or score promotion it shall be mine... (yes I like the fighter ace style, If I buy it would buy shit load of M-dot and 70.3 stickers each time I finish one put it on the bike like a kill sheet....sigh)
I win powerball or score promotion it shall be mine... (yes I like the fighter ace style, If I buy it would buy shit load of M-dot and 70.3 stickers each time I finish one put it on the bike like a kill sheet....sigh)5:30 after lookinging at bike porn and talking bike porn with Jeff and Trek Rep (Dave CCSU Alum.) Haul out to Winding Trails for HEAT Meeting. Park a mile out side the gates because I see a shitload of cars parked outside the gates. Walk in and tell them I'm volunterring , Guard says nice try charges me five bucks...urge to kill rising....Get to tri start..see road bikes...findout that I could do a road course...cuss to myself that I left the bike in Wolcott..... direct traffic as Shultz crosses into T-1 followed by kayakers......watch huge mass of swimmers come by 5 min.later....everyone's out of Transition, Take off T-shirt and decide to run in my bike shorts ( which I was wearing because I was hoping to get fit at Newington.) Wait for first guy into T-1...it's a kayaker/roadbiker....follow after him, pass him trying to learn trails ( this race is a training race I had HEAT's and the race director's approval to do this, heck I could have done an Aquathlon if I wanted to.) ...Get out into no-man's land....zen out...start thinking about granola....possible xterra....birkenstocks...get back to senses...pick up pace...get passed by race leader....get passed by 2nd and 3rd.....cross finish line...find out I shouldn't have..race director shrugs it off "shit happens" . Kid beefed it bad on mountain bike....hauled out of woods on tractor....get water and gatorade for him because they think he's dehydrated as well as beat up. Find out he lost conscientiousness IM warrior dude and I from HEAT comfort him...share greatest hits stories until EMS arrives.
7:00 HEAT Meeting...talk about sponsorship...Beer...new team hats...me going to New Zealand.....Dean looks at me "what jersey are you wearing?" sigh tell him I'm going in CenTri jersey ( if we order them by then) and HEAT shorts. Everyone laughs, "cross the finish side ways" Ken offers me sweat soaked Jersey...might take him up on it...( decisions....CenTri Jersey and HEAT shorts, HEAT Jersey and CenTri shorts.... socks, hats...who would have thought Ironman race apparel would be an ethical dilemma..HEAT is established force, CenTri is just starting out and needs something to make it badass at collegiate Nats...decisions...) Ken and IM Warrior dude (Raphael) convince me to do Litchfield Hills one day after Lake Waramaug Glory...if it's raining that bike leg will hurt.. Dicuss my plan to fundraise for charity...told to throw it in the forum..will do tomorrow... meeting adjourns get free T-shirt form 06. Walk back to car get ride from IM Warrior dude back to car. Drive home turn on SVU pass out...
1:00am wake up start down the cellar stairs to my bedroom. Knock over can of Beige paint...spills all over pile of dirty laundry...cuss to self...spend hour to hour and a half clenaing it up and trying to do damage control on clothes.
2:30-3:00 get to bed sleep.....
7:30 get up...hit shower to find there's no hot water....suck it up....go to DD get donuts and coffee , breakfast of champions...work...
4:30...tell boss about plan to apply for position as sales assistant for investment services....has me telemarket him...tells me to bring in resume...wants me to be ready to kick this pig. Props for the Bossman...
5:30 change into newly acquired HEAT Shorts....and blue bike jersey, ride bike to Southington Y because Waterbury's pool's closed for cleaning. ride bike to Southington Y get onto pool deck told open swim doesn't start until 7:30...ride back to Wolcott...decide to ride up Southington Mt. instead of the golf course way I came down.....start climbing, kick into lower gear, keep climbing, kick into lower gear, ...keep climbing, average speed 7.0...6.5...6.0...6.5...keep spining in the middle ring...get to top...never got out of the saddle. 10% gradient ...1.25 mile climb.....who's my bitch!.....get home...grap Fajita...get sister....drive to Southington Y....go to pool...bump into Justin..BS...get into water swim about 2500yds. before guard kicks us out...get soda and bS with sister...come home feed dogs...check email....CenTri meeting tomorrow, set alarm for 5am it's ambitious but I want to get a 10 miler in....break in fuel belt...type on blog...tired...eyes barley open...need sleep....should fine tune resume...will do first thing tomorrow...after run....need sleep..caffine runing out...need snack...then sleep....thoughts going every direction...feeling zombified...until next time....REDRUM...I mean GINGOLB PEEK....
R.D.
Monday, August 6, 2007
A cause bigger than myself....or trying to fundraise for New Zealand and a good cause.
For those of you who have followed my blog since the beginning, (or at least the posts about the Patriot Half) you know about my admiration for Jon Blais who died this May from a prolonged battle with ALS. (If you don't know who he was see the you tube clip on the right.) Now when I did the Patriot Half I had decided that at one point I was going to try to fund raise for the Blazeman
foundation's War on ALS. (http://www.waronals.com/).
after reading the conditions of becoming a Blazeman warrior, I started to think that maybe it was a little too hardcore for me. ( Afterall I tried log rolling across the finish line once and med staff though I was having a seizure, that and it blocks the finish chute for the guys duking it out behind you.) But since I am traveling to New Zealand and I am trying to save and raise funds for my travel expenses, I figured maybe I should fundraise for a good cause. I was thinking of giving 75% of any money I raise to the Blazeman foundation. ( the other 25% going into the send Bob-o to Taupo fund.) . I'm not sure and this is just a tentative thought so give me some feed back. Because lately I've been feeling like a selfish prick and damn it. The other reason is I do have a relative that suffers from Alzheimer's and maybe if they can find treatments for ALS then maybe that will lead to treatment of other neurological diseases like Parkinson's and the infamous Alzheimer's, I don't know now I'm starting to get all emotional and shit. But if anyone thinks I should try to fundraise like this for this or any other cause, please post a comment.
R.D.
Niantic recap: What the Hell do I have to do to win my age group?
Well Today was the Niantic Bay Tri. Once again I finished second in my age group, yet in the top 50 overall. Here's the split by split analysis:
The Swim: Note to self stick with previous race strategy. Note to Race directors: make sure everyone stays on course.
Well this year against all my prior advice, I decided to start in the middle of the pack instead of my work wide and cut in. This proved to be fatal to my attempt to win the swim leg. As soon as the air horn went off I was getting pulverized. One guy knocked the swim cap straight off my head and I had to stop and get it back on. Then continued my charge to the front. What made this swim particualy challenging was the Fact the race directors put three bouys in a row on the way out but none to sight toward the finishing beach. As a result half of the first swim wave cut toward the beach at the second bouy as three faster gentlemen and myself swam around the third bouy. The approach to the beachsucked when I looked out to find I was approaching too wide, but since I could not make out anyone ahead of me I still thought I was leading....that is until I got toward the docks at the finish beach and I saw 6, 7...10 swimmers getting out infront of me. I was more pissed than Normann Stadler with 2 flats on the Queen K. My swim split a pathetic for me 15:07. good enough for 66th fastes overall a full 2:15 slower than last year. On the bright side no jelly fish stings.
The Bike: This week's sign of the apocolyspe Rob fairs better on the bike than on the swim. Tomorrow watch for fire and Brimstone.
As I approached T-1 3/4 out of my wetsuit. I was livid. I striped out of my neoprene beast and got on the bike a man pocessed. After having to run the bike a little futher out of transition than I would have liked ( I had it in too high of a gear.) I kicked into the big ring and got aero. I descend with reckless abandon and passed 4 competitors, on the opening downhill and the first couple of short climbs. I entered a battle with some 40 yearold dude. I would pass him on the short down hills or power climbs, he'd pass me back on a longer decent, He got around me for good when I slowed for a sharp right hander back onto Route 161 after a steep decent. All in all it was a pretty nasty bike split. I was only passed by about 4 guys all riding cervelo p3 carbon/composite bs. I did manage to repass two of them on a climb ( Long live Road Geometry!). I glided back into transition after smashing into a pot hole that ripped open my rear tire tube. The split was a pretty quick 33:33 good enough for 62nd fastest overall. So like I said I fared better on the bike than in the swim, be prepared for fire, brimstone, the dead walking, cats and dogs living together......
The Run: Damn XC studs!
As I left t-2 for the run I was pciking off anyone who finished remotely close to me on the bike ( little did I know I was leading my age group, I though this 17 year old High School XC kid was because he flew by me in transition and I was tracking him the entire race.) The first mile to mile and a half were good. I was passing people here and there, and setting a blistering pace. Then at the turn around with a mile to go....enter collegiate XC stud. The dude flew by like I was standing still. I kept him in sight until my side caught and awful stitch, (punishment for not hydrating enough on the bike.) Then two 30 somethings got around me...I felt like I was bonking big time....in my head part of me wanted to slow to a jog...then my senes came back to me...This is a FUCKING 5K YOU CAN'T LET YOURSELF BONK ON A 5K! Picked up the pace as much as I could without puking...at points it felt like I was going to go over this threshold. As I ran along the bluff back to the beach I could hear someone behind me I was determined to hold them off. We got onto a mini trail...I repassed one of the 40 somethings but I culd still hear the other guy behind me...We hit the side walk then the beach sand I could hear him beside me ..I looked left as he went around me on the side walk then cut infront of me. I tried to shadow him as we made for the heavier packed sand toward the water. He kicked and was too far ahead for me to catch...as I kicked to avoid being repassed. I crossed the line with my signature "Hands in the Air like you just don't Care pose." I clocked myself at 21.04 but according to offcial results I did the run in 20:55 not bad ( one day I shall break this 20 min. barrier and it will be glorious). In the aftermath I found out that the collegiate XC super stud was in my age group and he had won. ( alright I figured he was my age and had gotten around the other XC guy and I was looking at third.) When I found out I had finished second I was a little shocked but happy I had finished higher than I thought. Hey I may not be winning my age group but I'm a model of consistency, two years, two second places, now I just have to do the swim split I did last year (12:45) and I'll be in business.
Well after all the crap on the swim and the hour and a half it took to put together the awards ceremony, I have to give a shoutout to endureitmultisports ( running the Lake Waramaug Series), The Guys at Terramuggus, Sun Multisports ( Patriot Half) and Tom Wilkas and staff at the Griskus Triathlons, you guys have run well oiled machines for races making the HMF look like a bunch of amatuers. The one thing the HMF has going for its multisports events are the guys from whole foods and dunkin donuts, the food was good, the bike and run were good, the logistics for the swim and a more timely tabulation of results need improvement. So all in all I'm set for the Nutmeg State Sprint. After proving I could be Smoke on the bike, knowing I can own a swim course, and gut out a sub-21 min. 5k I think I can own it. Until next time.
R.D.
The Swim: Note to self stick with previous race strategy. Note to Race directors: make sure everyone stays on course.
Well this year against all my prior advice, I decided to start in the middle of the pack instead of my work wide and cut in. This proved to be fatal to my attempt to win the swim leg. As soon as the air horn went off I was getting pulverized. One guy knocked the swim cap straight off my head and I had to stop and get it back on. Then continued my charge to the front. What made this swim particualy challenging was the Fact the race directors put three bouys in a row on the way out but none to sight toward the finishing beach. As a result half of the first swim wave cut toward the beach at the second bouy as three faster gentlemen and myself swam around the third bouy. The approach to the beachsucked when I looked out to find I was approaching too wide, but since I could not make out anyone ahead of me I still thought I was leading....that is until I got toward the docks at the finish beach and I saw 6, 7...10 swimmers getting out infront of me. I was more pissed than Normann Stadler with 2 flats on the Queen K. My swim split a pathetic for me 15:07. good enough for 66th fastes overall a full 2:15 slower than last year. On the bright side no jelly fish stings.
The Bike: This week's sign of the apocolyspe Rob fairs better on the bike than on the swim. Tomorrow watch for fire and Brimstone.
As I approached T-1 3/4 out of my wetsuit. I was livid. I striped out of my neoprene beast and got on the bike a man pocessed. After having to run the bike a little futher out of transition than I would have liked ( I had it in too high of a gear.) I kicked into the big ring and got aero. I descend with reckless abandon and passed 4 competitors, on the opening downhill and the first couple of short climbs. I entered a battle with some 40 yearold dude. I would pass him on the short down hills or power climbs, he'd pass me back on a longer decent, He got around me for good when I slowed for a sharp right hander back onto Route 161 after a steep decent. All in all it was a pretty nasty bike split. I was only passed by about 4 guys all riding cervelo p3 carbon/composite bs. I did manage to repass two of them on a climb ( Long live Road Geometry!). I glided back into transition after smashing into a pot hole that ripped open my rear tire tube. The split was a pretty quick 33:33 good enough for 62nd fastest overall. So like I said I fared better on the bike than in the swim, be prepared for fire, brimstone, the dead walking, cats and dogs living together......
The Run: Damn XC studs!
As I left t-2 for the run I was pciking off anyone who finished remotely close to me on the bike ( little did I know I was leading my age group, I though this 17 year old High School XC kid was because he flew by me in transition and I was tracking him the entire race.) The first mile to mile and a half were good. I was passing people here and there, and setting a blistering pace. Then at the turn around with a mile to go....enter collegiate XC stud. The dude flew by like I was standing still. I kept him in sight until my side caught and awful stitch, (punishment for not hydrating enough on the bike.) Then two 30 somethings got around me...I felt like I was bonking big time....in my head part of me wanted to slow to a jog...then my senes came back to me...This is a FUCKING 5K YOU CAN'T LET YOURSELF BONK ON A 5K! Picked up the pace as much as I could without puking...at points it felt like I was going to go over this threshold. As I ran along the bluff back to the beach I could hear someone behind me I was determined to hold them off. We got onto a mini trail...I repassed one of the 40 somethings but I culd still hear the other guy behind me...We hit the side walk then the beach sand I could hear him beside me ..I looked left as he went around me on the side walk then cut infront of me. I tried to shadow him as we made for the heavier packed sand toward the water. He kicked and was too far ahead for me to catch...as I kicked to avoid being repassed. I crossed the line with my signature "Hands in the Air like you just don't Care pose." I clocked myself at 21.04 but according to offcial results I did the run in 20:55 not bad ( one day I shall break this 20 min. barrier and it will be glorious). In the aftermath I found out that the collegiate XC super stud was in my age group and he had won. ( alright I figured he was my age and had gotten around the other XC guy and I was looking at third.) When I found out I had finished second I was a little shocked but happy I had finished higher than I thought. Hey I may not be winning my age group but I'm a model of consistency, two years, two second places, now I just have to do the swim split I did last year (12:45) and I'll be in business.
Well after all the crap on the swim and the hour and a half it took to put together the awards ceremony, I have to give a shoutout to endureitmultisports ( running the Lake Waramaug Series), The Guys at Terramuggus, Sun Multisports ( Patriot Half) and Tom Wilkas and staff at the Griskus Triathlons, you guys have run well oiled machines for races making the HMF look like a bunch of amatuers. The one thing the HMF has going for its multisports events are the guys from whole foods and dunkin donuts, the food was good, the bike and run were good, the logistics for the swim and a more timely tabulation of results need improvement. So all in all I'm set for the Nutmeg State Sprint. After proving I could be Smoke on the bike, knowing I can own a swim course, and gut out a sub-21 min. 5k I think I can own it. Until next time.
R.D.
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