tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309236966246143202024-03-05T08:49:38.423-08:00TriJunkieTriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-12394248015389421262014-07-07T19:39:00.003-07:002014-07-07T19:43:29.475-07:00Tri for Ole Glory 2014 (Triathlons are tough, even tougher without a saddle.)<style>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Race report for Tri for Ole
Glory 2014</span></div>
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Let me start this by saying that last year’s Tri for Ole
Glory was a blast despite the torrential downpour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although not without hiccups, the race was
lots of fun and was not one that I could justify being a spectator for this
year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVXV4HrL82uXgX3fZ6UJiQrs8nap2Y4Tj-O6CycwL33NZdN6tyEIdkTbCm8JKMM4Q2tp33GCLBA_uQ8RBcK5918SQDrSMgOgYk0cHghZxHGGRT4zu53qbHv1x3wZiKLAptK2TLka08-BG/s1600/Team+Pic+Tri+for+Ole+Glory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVXV4HrL82uXgX3fZ6UJiQrs8nap2Y4Tj-O6CycwL33NZdN6tyEIdkTbCm8JKMM4Q2tp33GCLBA_uQ8RBcK5918SQDrSMgOgYk0cHghZxHGGRT4zu53qbHv1x3wZiKLAptK2TLka08-BG/s1600/Team+Pic+Tri+for+Ole+Glory.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This report can’t be written without the obligatory pre-race
prep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My expectation for this race was
to “have fun.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have not ridden my
mountain bike since last year’s Tri for Ole Glory, not that I don’t enjoy
mountain biking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t find the
time to fit it in the schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
borrowing a friend’s 29’er for last year’s race, I was not motivated to ride my
26-inch mountain bike for “fun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did,
again, borrow the 29’er for this year’s race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made it to the course late Thursday evening to do one loop, check out
the two jumps and preview some of the other “gotchas” on the course from last
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also discovered the river rocks
that were used to fill in the erosion areas on the powerline, which added a little
bonus pain to the top of the hill climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The last lesson from my preview was that tinted glasses on this course
would not be a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it
was late in the evening, I could tell the dense canopy kept the wooded area
very shaded and clear lenses would be important to prevent unplanned delays
(aka crashes).<br />
<br />
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Friday was planned to be a light day of road biking to
maintain my training for road triathlons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This plan was soon subverted when I was invited to do 104 miles with a
few friends, none of whom were racing Tri for Ole Glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gladly accepted and proceeded to do my
first century ride on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This first
also included a “second,” that is my “second” dog-instigated bike crash in the
last month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, the result was
less troublesome than the first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minus a
scratched brake lever and cracked helmet, I escaped with just a few minor
scratches and a sore shoulder and was able to complete the 104 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I followed this ride with a late night of
Huntsville Stars baseball and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nutrition included a ballpark hamburger and
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t try this strategy
for your “A-race”.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NRo5fBJDFKtc9Wc8avXLOCfXKm5Fr6gNvlGUamadI2cWastOBTvfQTtRaH7G5oEQwq7c2YuYu1QLOaG-Z3pIoNhYjs_hyXX6YIDp_jgwsQiMp_dXyPyxHimorFm8qTlI0PgSnMd2BifY/s1600/Lacing+Shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NRo5fBJDFKtc9Wc8avXLOCfXKm5Fr6gNvlGUamadI2cWastOBTvfQTtRaH7G5oEQwq7c2YuYu1QLOaG-Z3pIoNhYjs_hyXX6YIDp_jgwsQiMp_dXyPyxHimorFm8qTlI0PgSnMd2BifY/s1600/Lacing+Shoes.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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Race day morning, I violated the rule of “superstition
nutrition,” and only fueled with a banana and peanut butter toast. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After putting some lock-laces in my running
shoes and getting my transition area set up, I did down a Honey Stinger waffle.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last business was a quick team pick by
Melissa Johnson with fellow Fleet Feet Tri Team members, Paul Erickson, Wendy
Tyler, Donny Neal, Jess Ahrens, Dink Taylor and Tonya Hardy.</div>
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I was in wave#2 for the start and managed to get my goggles
on prior to entering the water this year – improvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swim was uneventful, although it was very
difficult to see the first buoy due to the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>T1 was slow as a result of the extra gear associated with mountain
biking: socks, lace-up bike shoes, gloves, and Camel-bak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUb1ojdaBVxBRFcT35ZfBJiJEecMBzSM7rzqw5kDwmxMT_kCShLUmPrwhnMICk5gtqmJKiXVi90wgM5JetQrIgNoFJS_qVGzB8zXTtq53Pb4cR1EpWVXDTkYOZGGLLylBMfqKub4n0zbC/s1600/Race+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUb1ojdaBVxBRFcT35ZfBJiJEecMBzSM7rzqw5kDwmxMT_kCShLUmPrwhnMICk5gtqmJKiXVi90wgM5JetQrIgNoFJS_qVGzB8zXTtq53Pb4cR1EpWVXDTkYOZGGLLylBMfqKub4n0zbC/s1600/Race+Start.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVeL40BRBlv0hxfArtPq79sm-3EYse0HOyobcboW0RhKXj_tox5unu6MRKCKDXt5sfUJ6aioTmLzsO2HYFaDpEQ02wru5b-Os2seVcu75J9bqTvmUeEs7JT74dL3O2EzzrRaZPBuPOLn3/s1600/Explain+this.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVeL40BRBlv0hxfArtPq79sm-3EYse0HOyobcboW0RhKXj_tox5unu6MRKCKDXt5sfUJ6aioTmLzsO2HYFaDpEQ02wru5b-Os2seVcu75J9bqTvmUeEs7JT74dL3O2EzzrRaZPBuPOLn3/s1600/Explain+this.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><br />
Then the fun began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About a half mile
into the mountain bike course, I felt my seat tilt to what I thought was a very
steep inclined angle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking the
bracket must have loosened, I continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two jumps went okay, but the log just prior to the wooden bridge
proved fatal to the seat post. It wasn’t the bracket that was loose. The carbon
seat post had broken right at the clamp, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">and it fell to the trail as I crossed
the log. </span>What to do now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought was, ‘this race is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I ride this course without a seat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a mountain biker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a good idea (unplanned colonoscopy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Explaining this to the ER nurse would be
uncomfortably comical.’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped,
picked up the saddle with its broken post, got back on my bike and started to
carry it with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard enough to
mountain bike without a saddle – don’t try carrying an item in your hands too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realizing that wasn’t an option, I threw it
off the trail and went back to racing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrZo0M4nv74k8rPqlqH6Qf4daWNygJS3dtSyGdb3pQvQXt2gpqVGkXtDY7syHvOTXhCp7DMrcgjUUBhxsCIGHYG-0B0Ya6wuvHwY8HxO7weGBsJETLQgV4bEnopsemLbvUtaRDwFlrKCD/s1600/The+seat+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrZo0M4nv74k8rPqlqH6Qf4daWNygJS3dtSyGdb3pQvQXt2gpqVGkXtDY7syHvOTXhCp7DMrcgjUUBhxsCIGHYG-0B0Ya6wuvHwY8HxO7weGBsJETLQgV4bEnopsemLbvUtaRDwFlrKCD/s1600/The+seat+1.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></span></div>
Conveniently
pushing the ER nurse situation out of my mind [until Julio Driggs speeding up
behind me was kind enough to remind me of the risk].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seatless mountain biking does change your strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I must say, if my legs weren’t fatigued
from the previous day’s mileage, they were on fire by the end of the mountain
bike course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also discovered how
important a seat is for things other than sitting. It is also a big part of steering and maintaining a good center of gravity while
mountain biking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I was passed
by a few bikers, I finished the two loops (sans saddle). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope this was due to my fatigue as a result
of standing the entire course… or maybe the ballpark hamburger.</div>
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T2 was relatively quick since I “parked” my bike in the bushes
next to transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean you can’t
really hang it on the rack without a seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I switched shoes, dropped the helmet and Camel-bak, and grabbed my hat
and sunglasses.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsM_s58R-_C1n7MqTamTzUM37m-5-7u-OSHt0wUpQqVDwp8xf9zXXZUS3QXIs4IacRHcI5aeKaWO3Ljp_DGJqsI6jdQf7tq85_xWsOTUNb6boLGmHB7pS0OctWcWAJN6zz_zTEw5nr5lm/s1600/Final+turn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsM_s58R-_C1n7MqTamTzUM37m-5-7u-OSHt0wUpQqVDwp8xf9zXXZUS3QXIs4IacRHcI5aeKaWO3Ljp_DGJqsI6jdQf7tq85_xWsOTUNb6boLGmHB7pS0OctWcWAJN6zz_zTEw5nr5lm/s1600/Final+turn.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvF_DzH-bB_OuDLJ3OVmbiSmUT4A09KNLO8GY7WnBScbNrYlbaeBTpljstdz1iacUXDinFxCd5aT91fygQ5BJPXKLfz1UJxwnEWv998gicIOcYtH_boCeXH_fPzM4p_wOc9sMxZPxRQOt/s1600/Final+turn+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvF_DzH-bB_OuDLJ3OVmbiSmUT4A09KNLO8GY7WnBScbNrYlbaeBTpljstdz1iacUXDinFxCd5aT91fygQ5BJPXKLfz1UJxwnEWv998gicIOcYtH_boCeXH_fPzM4p_wOc9sMxZPxRQOt/s1600/Final+turn+2.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>This year’s run course went around the lake and then back to
the power lines for an out and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Powerline hill was not fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legs
are toast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I got to hit the
water station twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way back in,
Gregg Gelmis, had retrieved my saddle with the broken seat post and passed it
to me as I hit the pavement coming off the powerline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I was at the Olympics’ opening
ceremony, and he had just passed me the torch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks to the hill (and the seat post) I can say that I negative split
the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>run, even though it was a slow 5K.All
of this effort resulted in 2<sup>nd</sup> place in my age group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it does pay to be in the same age
group as the Overall Male Winner, Jonathan Krichev.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuldVC0aJOfqp4i6CZGcw0mQkK1uHOLdQY4ox8pYxxvKjEsuA00Bht7tMwPkjOjEvtRTUN7CBXhAyX-e3WY4shX4HpWhuL_9P25-b1-dsymYuihI1LWGOOmCJeXhKMcXElwaDiURN3U62/s1600/Olympic+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuldVC0aJOfqp4i6CZGcw0mQkK1uHOLdQY4ox8pYxxvKjEsuA00Bht7tMwPkjOjEvtRTUN7CBXhAyX-e3WY4shX4HpWhuL_9P25-b1-dsymYuihI1LWGOOmCJeXhKMcXElwaDiURN3U62/s1600/Olympic+Finish.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>Thanks to RD Dan Pline, the sponsors, and volunteers that kept this race
going: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric Broyles, Dink Taylor, Rick
Greif, Mike Gerrity, Melissa Johnson, and many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> As always, a huge shout out to Gregg Gelmis for taking incredible race photos. </span>I hope this race will grow and mature, as it
has great potential as a local favorite and a perfect beginner race for
off-road triathlon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Team Rocket Tri Club has a host of quality races, so get out of your comfort zone and sign up! </span></div>
TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-6599707244618993932014-05-04T20:00:00.000-07:002014-05-08T19:27:47.591-07:00Festivus of Mysteri-ishness<style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ1LXUvAEQjsDQahFjP-aAjXsCqmNDBkjQuVRzZiNZL-k959BizKWvvkP7xBE0oXEMfR7VmDISfbN0QimeMruHqlWU0KuQxd7z4w2-7x2FRb5UeL4l93AuxlL15T6ILBUc6y6CWozD1pS/s1600/Festivus+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ1LXUvAEQjsDQahFjP-aAjXsCqmNDBkjQuVRzZiNZL-k959BizKWvvkP7xBE0oXEMfR7VmDISfbN0QimeMruHqlWU0KuQxd7z4w2-7x2FRb5UeL4l93AuxlL15T6ILBUc6y6CWozD1pS/s1600/Festivus+Logo.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I said after last year’s Guntersville Olympic experience of
43 degrees and rain that I would not be back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not to mention the 7.1 mile eroded trail run that kept me out of running
for almost 2 weeks after the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, when I saw the announcement of a Festival (aka Festivus) I was
unable to resist the temptation to participate in another epic Parker Edmiston
extravagahnzaaaa!</div>
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The morning started with the early wake up, picking up Doug
Wright for his first Olympic distance triathlon and arriving at Guntersville
State Park at 6:00 a.m. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I racked my bike
in rock star parking and commenced to stand around trying to convince myself to
go for a warm up jog or bike ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
eventually rode a short distance to mechanically check my bike and then back to
standing around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next decision was,
“Is it really cold enough to justify a wetsuit?” (I think the announced water
temperature was 72 degrees).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
convinced that I swim slower in my wetsuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It feels like I have giant rubberbands wrapped around my shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ultimately caved to peer pressure and the
chilling idea of treading water waiting on the start horn and donned my wetsuit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZcFiBWlba91SCSffEr4fuTsuNjdwj2oAFR9l8QzK5dzVlBkQdGqqNGWap_c3-xx4R0GtwNV4sX6EFsDsXXakt2wuuLIt_fSAIclo7AYZKkBuq4EpANZOdGp3D3Qe2pwk13anSEmODILK/s1600/Grief+Sean+Connery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZcFiBWlba91SCSffEr4fuTsuNjdwj2oAFR9l8QzK5dzVlBkQdGqqNGWap_c3-xx4R0GtwNV4sX6EFsDsXXakt2wuuLIt_fSAIclo7AYZKkBuq4EpANZOdGp3D3Qe2pwk13anSEmODILK/s1600/Grief+Sean+Connery.jpg" height="200" width="126" /></a>I started in the 2<sup>nd</sup> wave with the League of
Extraordinary Gentlemen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at the
results and you will see that of the approximately 8 of the Top 25 male Olympic
racers were in the 40 and older category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another interesting statistic was that the Top 5 male finishers were
from 5 different age categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
mention this to show that this sport truly is for everyone and age does not
have to be a discriminator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swim was
1500’ish meters, and I knew after the first 200 meters that it would be a slow
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My shoulders were getting a much
heavier workout than should be expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My swim time was just under 33 minutes and proved to be a weakness in
the overall race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is usually my
strongest event (relative to my age group) and provides a few needed minutes
versus the guys that are running sub 7 minute miles on the 10K. I will have to
give a sleeveless wetsuit a test to see if this will improve in the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKdjbiM7FZMBPvZQMZoVFxtqu6x4FaIbYoQBx48bP4P1XLS7A3C99AZayc3Hpa2mxdhdyx3O582Ef6XK7elQQomekIbCimCaGk20kvjZhcKkYhQRC87unrfqhyGGRu71bHtMX5iSQqL3J/s1600/Bike+Festivus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKdjbiM7FZMBPvZQMZoVFxtqu6x4FaIbYoQBx48bP4P1XLS7A3C99AZayc3Hpa2mxdhdyx3O582Ef6XK7elQQomekIbCimCaGk20kvjZhcKkYhQRC87unrfqhyGGRu71bHtMX5iSQqL3J/s1600/Bike+Festivus.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeQAsbBvBmJRAI_BkWkDlt_KFsW79u_rX07yeWJPvHGmZ70TreXzy0aXLc0HYB_IseuPEkHZ0mfjbXRlzXABrGAIHMKJFQLlHRgoPoyjDr4ykwtx3S7AEGbLghlSr-oqAKihyphenhyphenByRVAG3N/s1600/Run+Festivus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeQAsbBvBmJRAI_BkWkDlt_KFsW79u_rX07yeWJPvHGmZ70TreXzy0aXLc0HYB_IseuPEkHZ0mfjbXRlzXABrGAIHMKJFQLlHRgoPoyjDr4ykwtx3S7AEGbLghlSr-oqAKihyphenhyphenByRVAG3N/s1600/Run+Festivus.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span id="goog_1926045270"></span><span id="goog_1926045271"></span>T1 was unremarkable and off for the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rolling hills going out of the park and
on the first portion of Hwy 227 kept things at a slower pace for the first 5
miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course isn’t difficult, but
can be deceiving if you fail to respect the climbing portions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt good coming off the bike and T2 was
pretty quick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did choose to run in my
Hokas and wear socks due to the expectation of a tough, hilly, and graveled run
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This added a few seconds to T2
trying to get socks on.</div>
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I headed out on the run dreading the big gravel hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept a 8:10 pace for the first 2 miles, up
to the start of the big hill at about mile 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was reduced to speed walking the last 25 yards or so of the hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking was faster than my run pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up with an average of 8:31 min/mile. The
good news is that this year the 10K was actually “only” 10K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished the day at 2:45:17 with a 4<sup>th</sup>
place finish in my age group for the Olympic Triathlon.</div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/2014-Lake-G-Trail-Run/i-Z5nxJ2x/1/M/_MG_9643-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/2014-Lake-G-Trail-Run/i-Z5nxJ2x/1/M/_MG_9643-M.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day was still young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next up was a 3’ish mile trail run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marty Eaton was the course director and he
did not disappoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not an
accomplished trail runner, but I venture to say that this was a relatively
challenging course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started off the
gravel hill from the Olympic 10K course and made a giant loop around a pretty
large hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like most of the
course was uphill, but somehow I ended back up at the start point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a lot of fun, but around 2 miles in,
the woods were getting hot and there was absolutely no wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was praying that 3’ish was closer to 3 than
the “ish”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ended up being 3.3 miles
on my Garmin and was advertised as an “active recovery” by Marty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha! I say to whoever believes in the myth of
active recovery within 3 hours of completing an Olympic Triathlon. </div>
<br />
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<a href="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/2014-Guntersville-Hill-Climb/i-BT5Jbbg/0/S/_MG_9789-S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/2014-Guntersville-Hill-Climb/i-BT5Jbbg/0/S/_MG_9789-S.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>What next you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, a 2.1 mile King of the Mountain (KOM) hill climb with an average grade
of 7% and the maximum grade at 19.5%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>steepest
.25 mile section gaining about 200 feet in elevation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It began at the campground store with a time
trial start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first section was nice
climb, but manageable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second half
was a BEAST!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great that the crowd
of family supporters were all stationed at the steepest part, yelling and
ringing cowbells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I resorted to the
serpentine technique (aka “delivering the mail”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully this concluded day 1 and my legs
and lungs were both ready for a break.</div>
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Sunday morning started with a quick trip to the buffet and
Guntersville Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Festivus Event
#3 was the dip and dash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a
1500’ish meter swim and a 3 mile run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, I fought the wetsuit idea, but decided I just wasn’t comfortable
having not completed any cool temp open water swims this season without a
wetsuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point (to borrow the
phrase from Suzanne Erickson) I had become more of a "completer" than a "competitor".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The run felt good considering the "fun" that
my body had endured on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> After the run </span>I gladly
retreated to my camping air mattress in the shade to recover before the next
event.</div>
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After a very short rest, the 5 mile individual time trial
commenced and brought on the leg burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was from the beach parking area to the park entrance and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember the hills being such a
challenge during the Olympic Tri, but I suppose the cumulative effects of the
Festivus events were now entrenched in what remained of my physical will
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never participated in a
time trial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This being my first, I just
tried to hit the wall in 5 miles and not pass out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must add here, that as the number of events
progressed, the level of competition was still very high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed that this type of sustained torture
attracted the elite triathletes, as well as a few non-swimming runners and
cyclists with fresh legs as they were only participating in a few of the
events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/2014-Guntersville-Hill-Climb/i-SMmVw4L/0/M/_MG_9822-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/2014-Guntersville-Hill-Climb/i-SMmVw4L/0/M/_MG_9822-M.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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Last event of this epic weekend was the Team Trial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It consisted of a 10 mile out and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The "SOB Squad" team had some minor
adjustments and supplemented the roster just before race start. Considering that Josh Pierson and I were on
our 6<sup>th</sup> event of the weekend, I think that we had a great
“completion” of the team time trial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/2014-Lake-G-Trail-Run/i-RzWcctB/1/M/_MG_9692-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/2014-Lake-G-Trail-Run/i-RzWcctB/1/M/_MG_9692-M.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>In closing, this was a very different experience than I
could have imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was much more about
the experience of testing your body’s ability to push a little harder even
though fatigue has a firm grip on every muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was unsure how to approach the multiple events, so I elected to race
each one as though it was my last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t know how to evaluate this strategy, but I thoroughly enjoyed the
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And for what it's worth (nothing) I was the only 40-44 year old male that completed all the events....so that makes me 1st Place in my age group. </span>Lots of thanks’ish to Parker
Edmiston, Dawn Edmiston, Doug Tinkham, Marty Eaton, and KatieBeth Pierson<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the host of volunteers for putting
together this event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another thanks to
Gregg Gelmis (<a href="http://www.werunhuntsville.com/">http://www.werunhuntsville.com/</a>) and Katie Beth (<a href="http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/">http://katiebethpierson.smugmug.com/</a>) for the great photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shout out to<a href="http://www.fleetfeettriracinghsv.com/2014.html" target="_blank"> Fleet Feet Huntsville TriathlonRacing Team</a> for a great race day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOho_SrnkAxxQc7BWItP5HOXMAoogJp7tR9E-c0SPb8QGwCgkNSE5MDoRqPi7qQ3IVxhZAZzBMpf0YDHpLTocTberZ-iuSSbC-dMxkcIEGXPsLtbWkkvbBkPf7HZjXeszCgdaYaqHZOcJH/s1600/Festivus+Team+TT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOho_SrnkAxxQc7BWItP5HOXMAoogJp7tR9E-c0SPb8QGwCgkNSE5MDoRqPi7qQ3IVxhZAZzBMpf0YDHpLTocTberZ-iuSSbC-dMxkcIEGXPsLtbWkkvbBkPf7HZjXeszCgdaYaqHZOcJH/s1600/Festivus+Team+TT.jpg" height="371" width="640" /></a></div>
TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-48775769361141301252013-09-22T20:30:00.000-07:002013-09-22T18:23:35.335-07:00How does your gear rate...when it breaks?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNtxCMx1eg58sFXzvU-FMdhprRii97fASKaCf3Fi9MGbplyum4ZdkaaCPBocuYsGAlKdZalfxxdrecBTKNCR8YOa1qdfU43jA_ZGfM1u5nO24f10TacOiaabaqHBTM0w2_IUS9VDUBW6E/s1600/mark-43723_150.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNtxCMx1eg58sFXzvU-FMdhprRii97fASKaCf3Fi9MGbplyum4ZdkaaCPBocuYsGAlKdZalfxxdrecBTKNCR8YOa1qdfU43jA_ZGfM1u5nO24f10TacOiaabaqHBTM0w2_IUS9VDUBW6E/s1600/mark-43723_150.png" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've been meaning to blog about something other than race reports, so here it goes. I am always looking to find what quality products have good customer support to back them up. I don't mind paying a little more for a quality product, but IF there is a problem with the product I want the manufacturer to back it up. Yes, I know everyone has their favorite brand of shoe, or bike, or watch, etc. I am just offering a few of my own experiences that might help others break the tie if they are can't decide between brands. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My first notable experience had to do with my <a href="http://sites.garmin.com/forerunner910xt/#" target="_blank">Garmin 910xt</a>. I bought it used, but purchased the Premium HRM Transmitter with soft strap through <a href="http://heartratemonitorsusa.com/" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">heartratemonitorsusa.com</a> in May of 2012. In </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnsFC55tFJYMcMWPCP1tmC7C0HsfABnheuGXp8iWZCIyHHXFZ1DxPec4r_ztZNf9nEF31Qc_JLLpxnd5u3AKPaDKn22eAYO4Bsx7O0vFLDFVrS6tzMwwnnv6QpmJg0x1loi7W30fM6m4-/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnsFC55tFJYMcMWPCP1tmC7C0HsfABnheuGXp8iWZCIyHHXFZ1DxPec4r_ztZNf9nEF31Qc_JLLpxnd5u3AKPaDKn22eAYO4Bsx7O0vFLDFVrS6tzMwwnnv6QpmJg0x1loi7W30fM6m4-/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" height="200" width="185" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">January the HRM starting giving erratic data and I went online searching for answers. I checked all</span> the normal blog sites and Garmin FAQs. I followed the troubleshooting procedures and even changed the Transmitter battery, but it was still giving erratic and erroneous data. In February, I called the Garmin customer service line and explained the details, and was told to email a copy of my receipt from Heart Rate Monitors USA. A quick Garmin reply was received the same day that a new Premium HRM Transmitter with soft strap was being shipped to me. The only caveat to this warranty service was that I could prove purchase of the HRM was within the 1-year warranty period. That is customer service!<br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />Item number two was a set of the <a href="http://www.profile-design.com/profile-design/products/aerobars/aluminum-aero%20%20bars/airstryke.html" target="_blank">Profile Design AirStryke Aerobars</a> purchased</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovirpsZhnawmQebX-kN86w_KBU6J4PMhjsx_r1iO9m0SSqDR4V8xzlejKFVkUu5vZaYWqPAcOxUa87uYpZmkgAmJncJLkFalqEPq-1CKOvQC7nSAG5zSodudV6G_0lqcnJJiQEKWrKQ8L/s640/blogger-image--386329996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovirpsZhnawmQebX-kN86w_KBU6J4PMhjsx_r1iO9m0SSqDR4V8xzlejKFVkUu5vZaYWqPAcOxUa87uYpZmkgAmJncJLkFalqEPq-1CKOvQC7nSAG5zSodudV6G_0lqcnJJiQEKWrKQ8L/s200/blogger-image--386329996.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in March of 2012. The flip up design seemed like the way to go, despite some of the reviews that mentioned the spring on the flip up arm rests being problematic. I have been very pleased with the Aerobars and the AeroDrink Bracket. I can easily switch between the 32 oz. AeroDrink and the 50 oz. Aqua Cell which makes a difference on longer unsupported rides. </span>As expected one of the springs on the armrests did eventually break. I called the Profile Design warranty line and explained the problem. The customer service representative took my name and address and said he would ship a replacement spring kit out right away. This is too easy. <br />
<br />
Item number three was the <a href="http://www.saris.com/" target="_blank">Saris CycleOn Pro</a> bike rack. I purchased the CycleOn Pro from <a href="http://bikeguyswarehouse.com/" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Bikeguyswarehouse.com</a> in May of 2012 and then the 2 bike add-on a few weeks later from <a href="http://bikeahead.com/" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors="true">bikeahead.com</a>. With the 2 bike add-on it is quite heavy and is not something you want to take on and off every day. I looked at different stand-up carrier options and this one seemed to be the right rack to carry all of the family's bikes. The damage occurred in May of 2013. Driving out from <br />
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the greenway parking lot my wife's bike fell over while in the bike rack. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqQRjGpky9YJz8hgNW7v7V8jiPi8RaWxb3Nf3GJUp56J6ycK6N3oiXMWqBepGCHRzQOj8A9VxHKOJvCMB0vbrJMSegvHnHJgsrL1ChvjIZ67dcGdE5rOLq4OfIEn97Q0EDRBDc7O6B4nW/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqQRjGpky9YJz8hgNW7v7V8jiPi8RaWxb3Nf3GJUp56J6ycK6N3oiXMWqBepGCHRzQOj8A9VxHKOJvCMB0vbrJMSegvHnHJgsrL1ChvjIZ67dcGdE5rOLq4OfIEn97Q0EDRBDc7O6B4nW/s1600/photo.PNG" height="152" width="320" /></a></div>
I attributed it to the arm that holds down pressure on the front tire becoming loose and the numerous potholes in the green way parking lot. Thankfully, the bike remained in a horizontal position on the bike rack. However, it was heavy enough that when it fell it damaged the arm that holds the front tire in place. I reported the situation to Saris Cycling Group, and I was planning to buy the replacement arm myself. I assumed that this type of damage was not something they would cover under the warranty. After explaining the situation, they sent me a new arm. The only cost was that they asked me to ship the damaged one back to them. I probably could have gotten them to send me a shipping label to cover this cost, but I felt they had been more than accommodating already.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMFO9ypBn39OUGC3sIKFv6YYzrVo2v67y4KnNU7dlpb-13U9LLPyXCZt6M7AYWVtn0ms0N3T5b8FFA00ZqAVlKucVprny0rkHCRPdb4-oi3FgoSUQ8rGwGJeN71UYTrUZVifPATB1OPez/s640/blogger-image--175412939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMFO9ypBn39OUGC3sIKFv6YYzrVo2v67y4KnNU7dlpb-13U9LLPyXCZt6M7AYWVtn0ms0N3T5b8FFA00ZqAVlKucVprny0rkHCRPdb4-oi3FgoSUQ8rGwGJeN71UYTrUZVifPATB1OPez/s200/blogger-image--175412939.jpg" width="200" /></a>The last item that I had to make a warranty claim on so far this year is my <a href="http://www.louisgarneau.com/us-en/products/305572/Triathlon" target="_blank">Louis Garneau Tri-Lite</a> shoes. I purchased them in Aug of 2012 from <a href="http://bhambicycle.com/" target="_blank">Birmingham Bicycle Company</a> (BBC). In July of this year, I noticed that the heel cap had come unglued from the sole of the shoe. It was barely hanging on by the rivet on the heel of the shoe. A phone call to Birmingham Bicycle Company and they requested I email them a picture of the damage. They contacted LG who sent them a new pair of shoes and then BBC shipped them to me with a return label so I could send the old shoes back. This was very convenient and avoided driving to Birmingham to pick up the new shoes. Again their stated warranty period is for 1 year, so I can't say what the outcome would have been after the 1 year period. However, they didn't question the purchase date or even ask for a copy of the receipt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TkPnh-v6KUKkJ_QSJ0-mMxQv9uJuwuozfED-7vT2l2MefCbvh7xpjIr-LbyIPZTDXx3MwQSlEiajkWZaSGsr_iDO66ZVwPSu7yWuGmc07Lcs4fvwh4d1idGu1suCKrYdJBGQUfDmgmX2/s1600/automotive-62827_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TkPnh-v6KUKkJ_QSJ0-mMxQv9uJuwuozfED-7vT2l2MefCbvh7xpjIr-LbyIPZTDXx3MwQSlEiajkWZaSGsr_iDO66ZVwPSu7yWuGmc07Lcs4fvwh4d1idGu1suCKrYdJBGQUfDmgmX2/s1600/automotive-62827_1280.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Sure, some of you are probably thinking that I should buy better equipment. Granted you would like to buy things that never break, but I have been completely satisfied with the performance and value of the items I described above. Things break, maybe I'm a little hard on my gear, but when the manufacturer stands behind their product it keeps me coming back. I will continue to buy products from these companies because of my personal experience with their customer service.TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-23680542781738879822013-09-07T19:00:00.000-07:002013-09-10T18:30:29.095-07:00Frantic Frog 2013 Race Report
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUvOl_fWJ4P9qUL-tojJSPeXmTHbCHLn6WG2Gsb42xzzVb0qnsh-1Yz1wA1G07_JdC0ILyARFAXgWSZlNXPx9zYOO_tLAGpf_rwZ8kZdA_gKi0txCgYhqTzdXgKMvGmKalWVBReSP9-tD/s1600/IMG_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUvOl_fWJ4P9qUL-tojJSPeXmTHbCHLn6WG2Gsb42xzzVb0qnsh-1Yz1wA1G07_JdC0ILyARFAXgWSZlNXPx9zYOO_tLAGpf_rwZ8kZdA_gKi0txCgYhqTzdXgKMvGmKalWVBReSP9-tD/s1600/IMG_0092.jpg" height="146" width="200"></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Frantic Frog Triathlon, 7 Sept 2013<span>
</span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">400m Swim, 24K Bike, 5K Run</span></i></span></div>
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This is my tenth triathlon of 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always like to mention what went on the day
before a race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s very rarely relevant
to racing, although sometimes it can impact the race day performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s important to enjoy the sport and
be competitive, but still enjoy the rest of your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of “us” (me included) can occasionally
let our triathlon training take over our lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t met anyone lately who is making a
living doing triathlons, and “triathlon” will not shed a tear when we are gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So keep it real and have fun racing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpw1udGkggi_29hAmxmPZTxx6bG7je4sOBHFd_WtBy9wb1Z77_WVLc9QdXGruEpuLXJqOzFGqa-C5Nd-25GgMXzWhdeF4mRlE-tKnzBPH-ybpZBDYRIGc56o7eHFXYAP9E1OMMvwYvwers/s1600/P1020530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpw1udGkggi_29hAmxmPZTxx6bG7je4sOBHFd_WtBy9wb1Z77_WVLc9QdXGruEpuLXJqOzFGqa-C5Nd-25GgMXzWhdeF4mRlE-tKnzBPH-ybpZBDYRIGc56o7eHFXYAP9E1OMMvwYvwers/s1600/P1020530.jpg" height="150" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocketman 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ0GjTP4MCWIpYjn2MijArAUEAYegSLDqdlis2hIU5zSqZl_wfQWB4udZdVH5mXPy5MJMt9_PqbEisAPa6NF1t9WUyrC4QmFt_awFcIp_8CVgNOutiRqmvU1jIuyieWIKtMXTdgiMEn2C/s1600/Callaway+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ0GjTP4MCWIpYjn2MijArAUEAYegSLDqdlis2hIU5zSqZl_wfQWB4udZdVH5mXPy5MJMt9_PqbEisAPa6NF1t9WUyrC4QmFt_awFcIp_8CVgNOutiRqmvU1jIuyieWIKtMXTdgiMEn2C/s1600/Callaway+2012.jpg" height="133" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Callaway Gardens 2012</td></tr>
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On that note, my Friday night was spent watching local high
school football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later that night the
Bius Family drove up from South Mississippi to spend the weekend with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great to see friends and looking forward to
racing with my good friend Joel for the third year in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the one to blame for my triathlon
habit, since he talked me into doing the 10K as a relay team with him in 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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A late night made race morning came early since I wanted to
get a bike rack near the bike in/out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Normal morning routine and I even shared my superstition nutrition with
Joel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he has been short on
training time this year, I knew he could use the boost. We departed home at 0500
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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As we arrived at Goosepond, it was evident that two cultures
were trying to occupy the same <span id="goog_1727089123"></span><span id="goog_1727089124"></span>space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bass fishing and triathlons…interesting mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just for the record, most of the bass <span id="goog_1727089118"></span><span id="goog_1727089119"></span>fishermen
were there long before the triathletes began to arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy bass fishing when I have the
opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can honestly say I
never got up at 3:00 a.m. to fish!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Wish I could say the same for triathlons. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Even though we arrived at 6:00 and went straight to the bike
racks, we still weren’t the first bikes to claim a space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Packet pick was nice and simple, as always at
this race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I had time to set up my transition
area and enjoy the time catching up with lots of folks at the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got a good warm-up on the bike, but took
longer than I normally do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This resulted
in no run warm-up, and I missed the team picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pyIIPlow4_p3xD35SvgSMhNF_Mfsuz3S9tBU9hHCojYo725NvupO8ECMrVrINGhzI-fedrTVUnwqx-3MPKG9gxvRj9yMNPdrXcu6_KOWNdi_7fb9YPbb1jDif_4cPtOlxjNmSSGGV07u/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pyIIPlow4_p3xD35SvgSMhNF_Mfsuz3S9tBU9hHCojYo725NvupO8ECMrVrINGhzI-fedrTVUnwqx-3MPKG9gxvRj9yMNPdrXcu6_KOWNdi_7fb9YPbb1jDif_4cPtOlxjNmSSGGV07u/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" height="156" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frantic Frog with Joel Bius 2013!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I made it to the dock as the swimmers were lining up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bib number was 18, even though I think I
was closer to 30<sup>th</sup> going in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I’m not that fast, but I had to be back in
Madison to coach a soccer game that started at 11:00 so I took a “few” seconds
off my estimated swim time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Added bonus
of being at the front of the line was seeing all of the fast people at the
beginning of the race, instead of while they were finishing as I started my
run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br>
<span id="goog_1727089134"></span><span id="goog_1727089135"></span>Last year, I was putting my goggles on as I jumped off the dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year I was goggled up and ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, my right goggle must have been
over my swim cap and filled up with water almost immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can swim with one eye, but at the turn
buoy, the left goggle fogged up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
should have emptied them and resealed, but (for some unknown reason) I
didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I started at the front,
there weren’t very many swimmers to follow in, and I couldn’t see anything but
swimmers going the opposite direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tried to stay towards the buoys and keep the outgoing swimmers in view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This resulted in swimming back towards the
starting dock and then angling over to the swim exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My gps track showed I swam 543 meters in
10:11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year’s swim time was 07:41,
so I’m thinking the swim might have been a little long this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also compared some of the top swim times
and most of them were approximately 1.5 -2 minutes longer this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I made it to the shore eventually and jogged into T1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This run felt a lot longer than it really is,
but in and out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a psychological
boost to see all the bikes in transition as I’m headed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who cares that it’s a time-trial start, I
like the mental boost.</div>
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Right out of T1, Will Barnwell comes by me doing warp speed…mental
boost gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall bike seemed to be a
very fast course this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed a
fellow age-grouper around mile three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since my calf sleeves cover my age, I politely let him know (as I passed
him) that if he needed any motivation that we were in the same age group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must have worked because we proceeded to
pass each other about 6 times for the remainder of the bike course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may have helped him, since he was 8<sup>th</sup>
in our age group and I came in 11<sup>th</sup>, but it helped me to push harder
on the bike, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My average bike speed
was 22.3 mph compared to last year’s 21.8 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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T2 was quick and my fellow age-grouper and I departed on the
run at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I introduced myself and enjoyed the first ¾ mile with Jeff
Summerlin-Long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me he usually
runs about a 7:15 pace and I knew that I couldn’t keep that pace on the
winding, rolling Frantic Frog run course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He ended up running a 7:03 to my 7:22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another PR for my 5K pace in triathlons this year! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also owe part of that time to Dink
Taylor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started to pass me in the
woods a few hundred yards short of the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, he started the swim way later than me, and is a fast bike and crazy
fast runner, but out of principle I couldn’t let him pass me at the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can say that I crossed the finish line
ahead of a 6-time Alabama <a href="http://tinyurl.com/novttoo" target="_blank">50-miler state record holding </a>runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran a 6:15 pace and finished in 1:09:20,
great job Dink!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DpFk8Ci_3tDAsVkiqcgp4ZkJP2ndZY3fv4nm2tURtM3UTVj_8u6wVDzZVlitnbm4s3Oh0Rqwbh2-J7ySTT0cnEcpwsPoC2nG_UfL0qAac2yXCV4ddIg2t2A_uMBNTMcGpeyf6-oP-3id/s1600/1185950_611980345502527_1905278850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DpFk8Ci_3tDAsVkiqcgp4ZkJP2ndZY3fv4nm2tURtM3UTVj_8u6wVDzZVlitnbm4s3Oh0Rqwbh2-J7ySTT0cnEcpwsPoC2nG_UfL0qAac2yXCV4ddIg2t2A_uMBNTMcGpeyf6-oP-3id/s1600/1185950_611980345502527_1905278850_n.jpg" height="200" width="200"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK_9lIxyaJbTsoaYiP_VxsJwkqod67h3ezAm5V7KlTudxqbBxkTi0hJ1IpqLQs9K9roM2zEAu9vAxLVGF0z5oHDP13FtPxBFEzU_NUAvjZnHwDm6bt4mK1bj_gyT98L7X82A26GjMlt_a/s1600/IMG_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK_9lIxyaJbTsoaYiP_VxsJwkqod67h3ezAm5V7KlTudxqbBxkTi0hJ1IpqLQs9K9roM2zEAu9vAxLVGF0z5oHDP13FtPxBFEzU_NUAvjZnHwDm6bt4mK1bj_gyT98L7X82A26GjMlt_a/s1600/IMG_0062.jpg" height="200" width="133"></a>All of this made for a great day and I still got to coach my
younger daughter’s soccer game and watch my older daughter play soccer later in
the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shout out to my pastor
and friend, Andy Wulff, for completing his first road triathlon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He beat his goal time by 4 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great job by Doug Wright today, he also
exceeded his goals for the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fleet
Triathlon Team took 12 of the top 50 overall places and 12 podiums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://scottsborotrisport.org/" target="_blank">Scottsboro Trisport Club</a> puts on a quality race
with great after party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking forward
to racing in the 40-44 age group here next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>David Rawlings captured the 1st place podium this year in the
40-44 AG, and he only beat me by 9 seconds. Maybe I won't have to ride a mountain bike in the rain to get a podium next year.</span>
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I mentioned in my last report how important it is to be
fast in Transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost prophetic,
since this race I was 57<sup>th</sup>, 63<sup>rd</sup>, and 53<sup>rd</sup> in
the respective race events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, due
to my transition times I ended up 39<sup>th</sup> Overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four weeks and “a taper” remaining before
the <a href="http://goosepondislandhalfdistancetriathlon.com/race-overview/" target="_blank">Goosepond 70.3</a> grand finale!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0Goosepond Drive, Scottsboro, AL 35769, USA34.5972859 -86.06271170000002334.571145900000005 -86.103052200000022 34.6234259 -86.022371200000023tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-2726898190221240552013-08-25T07:30:00.000-07:002013-08-30T19:17:15.007-07:00Rocketman Triathlon 2013 - Best Olympic Tri in Alabama<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv816fpjTExWNJzScW9XGrH_fcvhNIygGk2GEIV5AhpfJV5csT_VHFRl3ea6cKbsdQfGGqHThpNV3Szitrb7sKDB1AxgajXxyJwIhkS3izC0cL37iOqcaZJlc_zc6WwPJz7UFBFDfoJH9/s1600/001+Sunrise1239922_10201550311627240_1047165107_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv816fpjTExWNJzScW9XGrH_fcvhNIygGk2GEIV5AhpfJV5csT_VHFRl3ea6cKbsdQfGGqHThpNV3Szitrb7sKDB1AxgajXxyJwIhkS3izC0cL37iOqcaZJlc_zc6WwPJz7UFBFDfoJH9/s1600/001+Sunrise1239922_10201550311627240_1047165107_n.jpg" height="171" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPS4Yu2cAb51ue289yOTrEsNBk_ZqOqaTAiw9iHfb977VX6K9aNxNEGmxWD970fGP-Kws3WRSFJsShT9ay1cG7UMdZW0fZCvRdy67cs50Pofmt3upOgPp4Pk9ba0pe6PJTJta2yGScK0T/s1600/001ROCKETMAN+LOGO+JPG.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPS4Yu2cAb51ue289yOTrEsNBk_ZqOqaTAiw9iHfb977VX6K9aNxNEGmxWD970fGP-Kws3WRSFJsShT9ay1cG7UMdZW0fZCvRdy67cs50Pofmt3upOgPp4Pk9ba0pe6PJTJta2yGScK0T/s1600/001ROCKETMAN+LOGO+JPG.gif" height="121" width="200" /></a>Excuses
out of the way up front...I have been traveling the 2 weekends prior to the
Rocketman. No matter how good my
intentions were, training suffered.
Schedule and/or weather really took a toll in the 3 weeks leading up to
the race. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now on
with the story of Alabama's finest Olympic Triathlon --- <a href="http://www.teamrockettri.org/content/races/rocketman-triathlon" target="_blank">ROCKETMAN</a>!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is
my 2nd year to race Rocketman (not counting 1 year on a relay), so I felt
confident that I could improve my times and be able to say "PR" when
it was over (caveat with the swim time/distance). Pre-race day
schedule....Sleep in, Rocketman Volunteer, coach soccer game, finish Rocketman
Volunteer, and Daddy-Daughter date...Nothing to motivate you for race day like
Smurfs 2. Woke up at 0400 so I could secure
a good parking spot, since rack position is based on race number. Parking was different this year, so showing
up early wasn't really worth it. But it
still gave me plenty of time to mentally prepare without feeling rushed. I unsuccessfully tried to bribe my way to the
volunteer parking (it was a little closer).
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Found my
bike rack and set up transition. It
wasn't a bad spot, but was middle of the row about 3 rows from the front of
transition, and I knew I would end up going down the wrong row coming out of
the water. Got in a short warm-up on the
bike. Not the best warm-up with traffic
congestion and I prefer a flat area to do a few openers. A little surprised to see a uniformed USCG
Auxiliary Commander come cruising around traffic in my lane angrily pointing at
bikers (trying to warm up) to get out of his way. I really wanted to stop right in front of his
car and ask him why he didn't show up earlier. It would have been very
entertaining, but I decided I didn't have the time to deal with the tardy
Commander. I appreciate their support on
the swim course, but this guy was a hazard to all the bikers and had a bad
attitude. Finished up my bike warm-up
and made a short 1 mile run to make sure all the joints were awake. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Again, I
am late for the picture?..Nope, it's picture time and as I'm leaving my running
shoes in transition I spot Gregg (woo hoo!).
I remind him our team picture is at the swim start in about 10
seconds. When I get to the swim start
and finish the team picture, I decide to take a look up river to try and find
the first turn buoy. Can't see it! It's out there somewhere. As the swim numbers began to tick off, I line
up 3 places behind Dennis Mix. Objective
is to catch his feet and draft the whole course. I ended up entering the water 2
"goes" behind him and never found him.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">SWIM: Found a set of feet early on as they passed
me, but after a few hundred yards the swimmer kept slowing down to site. This caused me to keep running into his feet. So I decided to pass him and swam the rest
without the advantageous draft. Overall,
the swim went well. I avoided the crowds
and held a pretty straight line between the buoys. I think I left a little speed out there, but
came out of the water feeling good and ready to bike.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">T1: Steve Skonieczny and I came out of the water
at the same time and fortunately he was racked right next to me and he remembered
which row our bikes were on. I followed
him into transition and made it out of T1 in 44 seconds. This was 2nd fastest in both the Military
Division and in my AG. I point this out
to show that I have no "free speed" left. If I want to get faster, I've got to train
more or buy it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlBtW7BLUq-QcQXkeHBIAftUyKr6p-54fdUZ5Mu8lSlWPvMB9f8oYv1GhJHkGzFgaF-x1ua34ohdY1f6ohqdlqnFuZ5tyh13mo9EZyW3tjo97P3Ug_02_mFnarK9sBejYTMgp2Vab_n4A/s1600/005RMTBike-9633-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlBtW7BLUq-QcQXkeHBIAftUyKr6p-54fdUZ5Mu8lSlWPvMB9f8oYv1GhJHkGzFgaF-x1ua34ohdY1f6ohqdlqnFuZ5tyh13mo9EZyW3tjo97P3Ug_02_mFnarK9sBejYTMgp2Vab_n4A/s1600/005RMTBike-9633-X2.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>BIKE: Bike course was as expected. I used 2 Apple Cinnamon <a href="http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/hammer-gel.hg.html" target="_blank">Hammer Gels </a>and
sipped a one-hour bottle of <a href="http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/sustained-energy.se.html?navcat=fuels-energy-drinks" target="_blank">Hammer Sustained Energy</a>. Still testing out different nutrition
strategies as I prepare for the <a href="http://goosepondislandhalfdistancetriathlon.com/race-overview/" target="_blank">Goosepond 70.3</a>.
This is my home drone and didn't hold any surprises. The only excitement came as I was making my
way up the final hill and noticed something in the road. At first I thought a biker had wiped
out. Then I realized there was no bike,
so maybe a runner had tripped over their feet.
Alas, as I came closer it was <a href="http://werunhuntsville.smugmug.com/2013-Rocketman" target="_blank">Gregg Gelmis </a>taking another set of awesome
triathlon photos. The Huntsville
triathlon/running community is incredibly fortunate to have Gregg. He takes awesome pictures and makes them
available right away. The negative side
of the day was the wind. It felt great
pushing 26+mph on the east bound sections of the course, but this was negative
by the 16 mph average ont he west bound sections. I averaged 20.3 mph which is 2 mph faster
than last year. IF I can pick up that much speed again before next year's race,
there could be a podium in the MILITARY category. Always optimistic.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzezvfhH5VLoLyGJY9F_WONet0Bzrab9bzuj8-6JlvPqe77gfYFrBTwCFsOPg40BqpFZTEUbAwdP_UBFknvKHz7-oQ8til4dpflpGr6-ET8Gjdurr0cTxGtm1GPr9Ir-DKlBE-9Ng4_9MY/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzezvfhH5VLoLyGJY9F_WONet0Bzrab9bzuj8-6JlvPqe77gfYFrBTwCFsOPg40BqpFZTEUbAwdP_UBFknvKHz7-oQ8til4dpflpGr6-ET8Gjdurr0cTxGtm1GPr9Ir-DKlBE-9Ng4_9MY/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOXQu-l4a97EiiwwuqfQvUyu1-8s2hv-N78blXRgYff08VOjmdli9sLIkPtKpijBwwA1iySGsgeTY70KKazANvxTF_5RNENK0YFvcuV_yIQG7iE2IoePF6vANq8GQDJ_da7B7n6FJtrgh/s1600/001+LIttle+bill+10835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOXQu-l4a97EiiwwuqfQvUyu1-8s2hv-N78blXRgYff08VOjmdli9sLIkPtKpijBwwA1iySGsgeTY70KKazANvxTF_5RNENK0YFvcuV_yIQG7iE2IoePF6vANq8GQDJ_da7B7n6FJtrgh/s1600/001+LIttle+bill+10835.jpg" /></a>T2: Another fast T2, even though I decided to wear
socks with the new Bondi Speed <a href="http://hokaoneone-na.com/bondi_b_speed-men.html" target="_blank">Hokas</a>. I've only been running in the Hokas for about a month and
haven't tried them sockless. I can say
they are almost as light as my Sauconys and they provide incredible cushion,
especially on a hilly, gravel course section like Rocketman. Even though they
are heinously ugly and look as big as Little Bill's shoes. I only have about 50 miles on them, but I’m very satisfied with their performance. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"> RUN: You can’t always compare the swim
because the distances can vary from year to year, believe it or not. You can’t always compare the bike,
because a wind can make a difference.
But the run is usually pretty much the same, minus some minor chance of
an unseasonal heat wave. I wanted to break
8 min/mile this year. Got the first mile
in at this goal, but slowed down after that and ended up averaging an 8:16
pace. This was 14 seconds per mile
faster than last year, so..wait for it….PR!!! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVFX0pqpEa_7gTE8mR8d8SvqxU9O-zvHsnCPFTpfKL2wTcj9f5xalI1MvVh8D86FpDW8rD-PNRz9F1Cq1LXOsYRvIkCcYekQp7Yx42rhcQ2p1vTEaTSxZf-o9bHftbBmfQ9vXli8S8lLk/s1600/009RMTRun-0771-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVFX0pqpEa_7gTE8mR8d8SvqxU9O-zvHsnCPFTpfKL2wTcj9f5xalI1MvVh8D86FpDW8rD-PNRz9F1Cq1LXOsYRvIkCcYekQp7Yx42rhcQ2p1vTEaTSxZf-o9bHftbBmfQ9vXli8S8lLk/s1600/009RMTRun-0771-X2.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
course brings it all….trail, gravel, hills and
heat. Oh yeah, and that wind on the bike
course, never saw it on the run course.
The “<a href="http://water-bag.com/index.html" target="_blank">Water In A Bag</a>” on the race course was great. No it didn’t taste like heaven, but it
was wet, cold, easy to drink, and served a dual purpose of cooling, if you “stored” it next to your skin before
drinking it. It was definitely easier to
drink from than a cup, and you could carry it and consume it at your own pace
between aid stations. Furthermore, I
discovered that if you happen to have a spare bag and you’re approaching the next station you can use it to squirt
the runners going in the opposite direction….not that I would…, but you can. I’m not sure that this was an intended use. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_1pi0L74FKBgfcEwXk77umGeeho7qWltYJXO9_Ih2dmI0vMkMTgyyTGuTmqzO7jHhLfQn8uzhIA2rOxnI_83z0pdzzPRewEPkJrAqxZOqfdXT9L-trVlUbIeKSyuHS__5RqgeDjeRgNX/s1600/015RMTWedding-1336-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_1pi0L74FKBgfcEwXk77umGeeho7qWltYJXO9_Ih2dmI0vMkMTgyyTGuTmqzO7jHhLfQn8uzhIA2rOxnI_83z0pdzzPRewEPkJrAqxZOqfdXT9L-trVlUbIeKSyuHS__5RqgeDjeRgNX/s1600/015RMTWedding-1336-X2.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Made it
7/29 in the Military category at 2:39:08.
This would have put me at 19/38 in my AG. This was another well directed race by The
Rocketman Mike Gerrity. Kudos to
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/KatieBethPiersonPhotography?ref=br_tf" target="_blank">Katie-Beth Pierson</a> as the volunteer coordinator. As a racer, it seemed to be a very smooth
race. Saving the best for last was the
Rocket Wedding. I’m not sure that I will ever again have the opportunity to attend a wedding at
the race venue immediately following the race.
Triathlon weddings are pretty cool, and I generally don’t like going to weddings.
Congratulations to Mike and Debbie!
See you all at <a href="http://scottsborotrisport.org/" target="_blank">Frantic Frog</a>. !!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span>TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-302632117067520872013-08-10T19:00:00.000-07:002013-08-15T20:45:53.796-07:00Race Report for Mountain Lakes Sprint Tri, Guntersville, AL 10 Aug 2013<style>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Mountain
Lakes Triathlon, Saturday August 10th, 2013.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2k-HyTrg8pSTocnLUhAIWBcvTY2pacssh00B23TZXCMTceHlk2_OsfFNSVQ31fttVq04xNw5izzy0U_UyYXKjIPBP8w0cisY1TTQRtziaypPiPLVvkL4NyBaITOeTtKSlQDSAUWGZksXt/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2k-HyTrg8pSTocnLUhAIWBcvTY2pacssh00B23TZXCMTceHlk2_OsfFNSVQ31fttVq04xNw5izzy0U_UyYXKjIPBP8w0cisY1TTQRtziaypPiPLVvkL4NyBaITOeTtKSlQDSAUWGZksXt/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">600 yard
swim, 16.2 mile bike and 3 mile run.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">It was
nice having a couple of weekends off and enjoy some family camping and the
Summer Sizzle Super Metric Century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Training has been pretty good overall the past few weeks, considering
that my kids soccer season is underway and school has started back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know some people wouldn't think much of it,
but I was a little concerned about doing a 75 mile bike ride the weekend before
Mountain Lakes Tri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll let the results
(or impact) speak for itself.</span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Enjoyed
some family activities on Friday night and as usual did not get to bed as early
as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normal routine race morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loaded up water bottles, bike and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>consumed my superstition nutrition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you not in the known on
superstition nutrition, it is whatever you tried that worked and didn't cause
intestinal distress during your race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mine just happens to be caffeinated coffee, a small glass of OJ, 1 slice
of peanut butter toast, and 1/2 serving of quick oats with craisins, brown
sugar and cinnamon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="Body1">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I took
about 50 minutes to drive to the rec center in Guntersville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No rush to get a primo rack spot since this
race racks you by bib number. I arrived about 0545 and went through the packet
pick up, which was painless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was bib
#351.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got my transition area set up and
went for a short jog, then followed that with two 1-minute openers on the bike. Last bit of nutrition was a <a href="http://shop.honeystinger.com/" target="_blank">Strawberry Honey Stinger</a> waffle about 20 minutes before race start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one race where the "bucket
people" are on to something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
usually don't see the need to bother cleaning my feet after the swim, since
you're gonna pick up more gravel on the way out of transition. However, I used
it last year, and again this year decided to put a small square plastic
container just big enough to step in and out of in transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It washed all the grass/mud off my feet and
then I stepped onto a small towel before sprinting out of transition.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Swim
start is time trial start and I think the bibs started with 317.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought the swim was </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2whVRU-x1TBMZURxohbduOOQZ1PjCDRw2sNqHySmc8BjsOhbILUHpA9o3Ge3n5RVrHSgRbiABwN_-Z7Z2LwHlKisxhaqEIf3ZAZ-FYCw_r0r_r-Fj6alY3AKKyZvYrQ-Q_l6Yi0781ePw/s1600/072-IMG_5134-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2whVRU-x1TBMZURxohbduOOQZ1PjCDRw2sNqHySmc8BjsOhbILUHpA9o3Ge3n5RVrHSgRbiABwN_-Z7Z2LwHlKisxhaqEIf3ZAZ-FYCw_r0r_r-Fj6alY3AKKyZvYrQ-Q_l6Yi0781ePw/s1600/072-IMG_5134-L.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">overall pretty
average.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at my time, I could
tell that I did not push it hard enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think this was attributable to being in the front of the swim pack and
also not being able to find a set of fast feet right off the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't have any problem with the turns or
sighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, the final turn
towards the beach was looking right into the sun. I just swam towards the
burning reflection of the rec center roof. This worked as the lone buoy on the
final stretch surprised me directly in my path, as I was blinded by the sun
most of the way in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't pass as
many people on the swim, but that seems to come with being in the front of the
swim start line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I already mention
the wet grassy mess between the swim exit and getting to transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must say it was a wet July in Alabama.</span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Transition
was pretty fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering the
distance between timing mats and the other racers in my age group (who have
been doing this a lot longer than I have) I am very satisfied with 1:14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you're not racing in T1 & T2 you are
giving up precious seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flying
Batman bike mount and off to the [cycle] races.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveu7xALjwLq-hgEyTbqDQ41U_l2HwJdhNaCidipzuU_0eXYOPpttMMO_GGYqMRFn5a9gTtCG-0DAy_4e7ljiEVJLcTDQ6FDF4WSk4NdDT_rgBbG-uCwtlufvNhyBrCnQDeuTGbyQ-VBpw/s1600/143-IMG_5215-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveu7xALjwLq-hgEyTbqDQ41U_l2HwJdhNaCidipzuU_0eXYOPpttMMO_GGYqMRFn5a9gTtCG-0DAy_4e7ljiEVJLcTDQ6FDF4WSk4NdDT_rgBbG-uCwtlufvNhyBrCnQDeuTGbyQ-VBpw/s1600/143-IMG_5215-L.jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">The bike
course has a lot of shade, it is a pretty smooth course and has a few rollers
on the backside of the loop. I started
strong hoping to maintain a 22 mph average for the course. I started passing some of the relay team
bikers and then around mile 6 the "fast group" on their really cool
Tri bikes <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPfFJ8jrci9irhLWytYkFU9wmrPkfycoX8YORYmbio08zFL3gayqMNcT3DqeETHQdeJubPLTU30inhur8RW_mdMk686Gabewsipd_kD7fKlpStl5Qbglqb4v85Wr8l8_pwxC1yVafjm8A/s1600/197-img_5286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPfFJ8jrci9irhLWytYkFU9wmrPkfycoX8YORYmbio08zFL3gayqMNcT3DqeETHQdeJubPLTU30inhur8RW_mdMk686Gabewsipd_kD7fKlpStl5Qbglqb4v85Wr8l8_pwxC1yVafjm8A/s1600/197-img_5286.jpg" height="200" width="71" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Waldo Whisenant."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(someday soon) with disc wheels rolled by (swoosh, swoosh, swoosh). This was to be expected and I didn't let it
bother me. Once they were out of the
way, I began to focus on passing the USAT junior triathletes (no small task). Those kids were strong swimmers, and proved
to be pretty fast runners, too. As I
made the turn onto the causeway, I noticed the two law enforcement vehicles
with lights blazing heading the opposite direction. Apparently, a motorist made the left turn off
the causeway, straight through the cones and had a head-on with a cyclist. Fortunately, the cyclist was reported to be
okay, except for the landing that ruined a perfectly good bike helmet. I guess that is better than ruining a good
cranium. In other news, let it be known
I kept a good eye out for Waldo Whisenant on the bike course, and I suggest you
do the same.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="Body1">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Quick
transition (4th fastest in my AG) and onto the run course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started off fast and ran my first half mile
at a 7 min/mi pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowed this down to
reality and was aberaging a 7:39 pace at the turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remembered that Dennis Mix said he was
going to catch me on the bike, well that didn't happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I didn't see him on the run, so after the
turn-around I was expecting to hear him come running by me and heckling as he
did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what do you do under these
circumstances?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it's called
"Run like you stole it!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
that is what I did. I picked up the pace and high fived most of my teammates on
the way back into the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran
the last 1.5 miles 25 seconds faster than the first half!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="Body1">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Final
finish time was 1:19:42.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strong bike
with an average speed of 22.2 mph. My run pace of 7:35 was a new PR pace for
sprint triathlons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must credit Dennis
for this motivation, even though he still beat me by 30 secs overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I placed 6th in my age group and beat my time
from last year by 5 1/2 minutes.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="Body1">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Mt Lakes
has a great venue and is well directed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The transition layout is done very well and the mill foil was
considerably less of a factor this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The swim distance mapped out very close to 600 yards per my Garmin's
calculations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After race pool party and
shower facility is always nice to have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Thanks again to Gregg Gelmis and <a href="http://werunhuntsville.smugmug.com/Other-1/2013-Mountain-Lakes-Tri" target="_blank">WeRunHuntsville </a>for the awesome photos. Congrats to fellow <a href="http://www.fleetfeettriracinghsv.com/index.html" target="_blank">Fleet Feet Tri Team</a> members, Jeff Schertz and Dink Taylor for taking 1st in their age groups. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Two weeks
to get ready for the second Olympic distance of this season and THE best race
in all of North Alabama......[drum roll] <a href="http://www.teamrockettri.org/content/races/rocketman-triathlon" target="_blank">Rocketman</a>!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-27724274537134161962013-07-20T07:00:00.000-07:002013-07-21T06:57:57.220-07:00Wet Dog Triathlon, 20 Jul 2013, Race Report<style>
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Wet Dog Triathlon, Decatur, AL – 20 July 2013</div>
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400m Swim, 15km Bike, 5km Run. </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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So, pre-race routine was an experiment in what "not to
do."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> the night before a race. </span>After picking up my race packet on
Friday, I went with the family to Point Mallard waterpark compliments of
Alabama Pediatric Dental Associates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
left the water park around 9:00 pm and arrived back home at 9:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I had not eaten dinner yet…pizza to the
rescue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I polished off half of a large
pizza around 10:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly the time
or the meal to expect great things from on race day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Race Day - Early wake up with the usual “superstition
nutrition”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picked up a friend<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and arrived at transition at 5:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grabbed a good spot on the bike rack, picked
up my race bib, and went through all the normal set up routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took a short jog and then a warm up on the
bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tried something a little different
this time for the bike warm-up...I did three 1-minute intervals at approximately
90% RPE with 1-minute rest in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Made it back to transition and hurried to the start line to barely make
the team picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to snag Gregg on the way and used my "search" for him as my excuse for being a little late. 73<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande";">°</span></b>F and
93% Humidity, yeaaah, love this Alabama weather. Last thought before going in the water, "Why didn’t they play
the National Anthem before the race?"</div>
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SWIM – 6:43. Swim line up was a little hectic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kinda, sorta by race number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IF the estimated swim times were accurate
(they were not, judging by the number of "wet dogs" I had to pass) it would be nice
to see the line-up order better enforced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had estimated a 7:29 swim so I expected to pass a few people but not
every 5 strokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t able to find a
set of feet to follow this race and had to maneuver around a lot of other
swimmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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T1 – Other than the slow jog from the water to the bike,
transition was smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came out of the
water pretty winded and jogged through the gates and into transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got passed by a little kid who ran around
me as I was jogging through the bike racks….youth, ha!</div>
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BIKE – 23:45/22.7mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The plan was to never let my speed get below 23mph on the bike. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I averaged 21.2mph at last year’s Wet Dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After getting my feet secure in my shoes
without the shenanigans from my last race, and witnessing what was almost a
nasty bike pile-up I was able to get to 23mph within the first minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Please, if you are trying to get your feet
in your shoes just stay to the right side of the road and keep your wheel
straight.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept the speed above 23mph
and passed lots of disc wheels and tri-bikes (evil laugh).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I turned back into the park, I must’ve run
out of gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t keep the speed up
for the last mile and averaged 20mph coming back to the transition area.</div>
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T2 – No problem on the dismount, but my legs were definitely
feeling the effort on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost
collided with a volunteer who was “moseying” through transition as I tried to
get to my bike rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Checked my Garmin
and heart rate was showing 179bpm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is not where I want to be starting the run with the heart rate maxed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shoes, hat, glasses and I’m off, wondering
how I’m going to get my heart rate to settle down.</div>
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RUN – 24:18/7:52 pace. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goal was to run a 7:40 average pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Started the run and immediately I knew I was
going to pay for the fast bike time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
hamstrings felt like they were tied in knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had not drunk enough on the bike due to concentrating on keeping my
speed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So now I’m dry-mouthed and
feeling a little overheated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed an
8:06 for mile 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water station must have
been prepared early, but the water wasn’t cold enough to help cool me
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(side note: If only the sponsors
would provide paper cups because it’s really <a href="http://www.racedirectorresource.com/water+stations" target="_blank">hard to run and drink from a Styrofoam cup</a>). The next mile was even worse at 8:17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I had to make up time just to stay
under 8 minute miles for the run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
make matters worse, at the turn-around point I kept going straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness there was a runner behind me. He whistled me back into consciousness telling me “Left!, Left!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was completely zoned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looped back and hit the water station and I
must have woken up from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came
out of my funk and knew I had to make up time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I turned in a 7:25 for mile 3 and sprinted through the finish line with
a goofy photo op for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/Werunhuntsville/" target="_blank">Gregg Gelmis</a>. </div>
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This was my 7<sup>th</sup> triathlon this year but the first
repeat race from last season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good to be able
to compare and see some progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
shaved 5:15 off of my total time and improved significantly on the bike and
swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 9<sup>th</sup> in my age
group and 34<sup>th</sup> overall with a final time of 56:38.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hot and humid race day made the run a little
more challenging than a 5K should be, despite the trail being mostly shaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colder water stations with paper cups would
be nice, and I need to make sure and get more liquid down during the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">More bike-run bricks will hopefully improve
the first half of my run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another good show of support for <a href="http://www.bbbsmcal.org/index.htm" target="_blank">Big Brothers Big Sisters</a>. </span>Great race support on the course and great to see local athletes and volunteers making a difference in support of a worthy cause. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Lots of podium
spots from the <a href="http://www.fleetfeettriracinghsv.com/team.html" target="_blank">Fleet Feet Tri Team</a>! </span></div>
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Short plug for the <a href="http://www.cepcompression.com/1922-Progressive-Calf-Sleeves.aspx" target="_blank">CEP calf sleeves</a>. Foremost, all the cool triathletes wear them, just ask Rick Greif or Wes Johnson. Psychological or physiological, I couldn't say. If you read other reviews, you'll find the jury is still out, and maybe you should try a pair and make your own decision. You can wear them during the swim and they don't absorb enough water to notice. They claim to improve circulation and help prevent shin splints. I've had problems with shin splints in the past so maybe this is an ounce of prevention (compression IS a medically accepted treatment for shin splints). I have started wearing them this season and my run times are getting faster (and it's not because I'm training more for the run). They do help to keep your muscles more stable which should help
conserve energy, and compression helps prevent your blood from collecting in the
lower extremities during longer races. Science or pseudoscience? Stop by <a href="http://www.fleetfeethuntsville.com/" target="_blank">Fleet Feet Huntsville</a> and give 'em a Tri.</div>
TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-4893237518602510982013-07-19T15:06:00.002-07:002013-07-19T15:06:49.306-07:00Sunfish Sprint Tri Race Report Jul 2013 in Meridian, MS
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hC3A3xqlns22xcYunBENIU-mRwCVG2nFtvLi-EJ5EIAzwEX7CQzg6DU9uW8317LkLoqgMPSUPu65E9mPy5Mwgnu9QMBqfZEpmvuND8IDPqjmp504JoFXrn_wl-GTrFjfHURmV1re8sU/s1600/Sunfish+Logo.tiff" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hC3A3xqlns22xcYunBENIU-mRwCVG2nFtvLi-EJ5EIAzwEX7CQzg6DU9uW8317LkLoqgMPSUPu65E9mPy5Mwgnu9QMBqfZEpmvuND8IDPqjmp504JoFXrn_wl-GTrFjfHURmV1re8sU/s1600/Sunfish+Logo.tiff" height="190" width="200" /></a>Sunfish Sprint Triathlon, Meridian, MS July 13<sup>th</sup>
2013. </div>
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1/3 mile swim (586 yds)/17mi bike/5K run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather at start time: 70<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">°</span></span>, Sunny and 88% humidity
and 5-7 mph northerly winds.</div>
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I put this race on the calendar in coordination with a
weekend trip to see family…what a coincidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Left home and drove to Meridian on Friday afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picked up my race packet on the way into town
(Bib #83) and got some takeout grilled seafood from Outback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Convenient to stay with family, but the guest
bed is a double and we’re used to a king size mattress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my wife and I kept each other awake
just due to lack of space and the “extra firm” (concrete) mattress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This resulted in almost no sleep the night
before the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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After at best 2 hours of sleep, I followed my normal
nutrition plan and headed back across town to the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got to the race site around 5:30 and set up
my transition area on a rack about halfway between the corners that were
designated as bike IN and bike OUT points. All along I felt like I was missing
or forgetting something - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>very
uncomfortable feeling for a new race course and and out of town race. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Made a short jog around 6:20 to get the legs
moving and then hopped on the bike for a test ride to check gearing and
brakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bike mount line was right at
the bottom of a short but significant “hill”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made a couple of barefoot starts with my shoes clipped in to be sure
that I could get up the hill without causing a crash or embarrassing
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Racked the bike and then got
to chat with my wife and Mom for a few minutes before lining up for the swim.
With 2 young children my support crew usually opts to sleep in on race
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice change, since the kiddos were
not with us, to see my wife right before the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t describe what a good feeling that it
was to see her right before the race and again headed out for the run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes,
triathlon is a mental sport. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyDX9oV5N0HyE5sEpBYvlpIBlQbNci1699EuH3ns4ispH6xZeBhPcbM_xGKVz3uE9bsYyeUw4a_2FwTquSEEizhDpGKw7pDgk-BHvkJJbWcdCGh4hXjVo8ubQWZBy-UFxRAytnsGtGDU/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyDX9oV5N0HyE5sEpBYvlpIBlQbNci1699EuH3ns4ispH6xZeBhPcbM_xGKVz3uE9bsYyeUw4a_2FwTquSEEizhDpGKw7pDgk-BHvkJJbWcdCGh4hXjVo8ubQWZBy-UFxRAytnsGtGDU/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SWIM – 1/3 mile, 10:34.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Different approach at this race
to seed the starting order for the swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a time trial start by bib number where race bibs were numbered
based on registration order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I line
up for the swim, I’m thinking that despite being #83 in the water, there will
be lots of swimmers to pass since it was based on registration order and not
estimated swim time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I entered the water
and within the first 50 yards another swimmer passed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that I would test the swim drafting
theory and got right on his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
checked his sighting the first 25 yards or so and he was right on course, so I
kept my head down and just followed his feet the rest of the swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stayed straight on course. I rolled into
T1 feeling more rested than ever and my breathing and heart rate were
completely under control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
great!</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
T1 - 0:40.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty smooth
transition, and felt really fast (only 14 racers were faster!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Found out later that my wife took a photo as
I exited the water, and by the time she made it to the bike mount line I was
already pedaling away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bike<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- 17 miles, 19.5
mph avg, 51:44.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it up the hill
pedaling barefoot on top of my shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
I reached the flat section crossing the lake dame, I attempted to slide my feet
into my shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Left shoe slide in easy,
but before I could Velcro the strap it came unclipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please don’t let me lose my shoe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fixed that emergency and went to work on the right foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Velcro strap had came out of the metal
loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun time threading that back
through while riding across the lake dam and not becoming a hazard to the other
cyclists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After finally getting all
strapped into my bike, the course takes a nice steep downhill off the pond dam
and I used it make up the seconds lost arguing with my shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the park and onto the highway and
hello hill climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had ridden the
course so it wasn’t a surprise, but still no fun hitting 3 hills about 100
feet/.25 mile each right out of the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxoEg2eDkjJSOicNr1xLvtj8ymGFzLrEUuXiknCpkk9L5_AwuCw_7P7GRGmgbegTwFNm1HAZ5prL3GSIKFqNxFkwM5OEPg0WVuR4SkHlpP9N1SpJJ6uV1LdV4kcssg6Fyvn0nV4IiqGg/s1600/Sunfish+Elevation+Profile.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxoEg2eDkjJSOicNr1xLvtj8ymGFzLrEUuXiknCpkk9L5_AwuCw_7P7GRGmgbegTwFNm1HAZ5prL3GSIKFqNxFkwM5OEPg0WVuR4SkHlpP9N1SpJJ6uV1LdV4kcssg6Fyvn0nV4IiqGg/s1600/Sunfish+Elevation+Profile.jpg" height="93" width="200" /></a></div>
Doesn’t seem like much on paper and I know some people enjoy it, but
I’ll take the flat course any day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rest of the bike <span id="goog_413292177"></span><span id="goog_413292178"></span>went well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did get passed
by some really fast bikes, considering that there were plenty of fast racers
behind me on the swim entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caught up
with Rocketman on the course and noticed he was pulling another racer along
(incidental drafting on her part I’m sure<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course did take a nice jaunt down a
county road between miles 4 and 8 and thus began the Paris-Roubaix of
Mississippi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This again, not a surprise,
but the road was as bumpy as riding down cobblestone, only without the
cobbles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the upside, the local
residents had taken care of the dozen plus dogs that chased me when I rode the
course back in May.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTf4BI3p4kKuB4SYAO_ZaF4-G5xwVm4U_g8RGtkYxg5IoUconmgDeavoT386Gmo7mEP-Qyen135y_5Fpsr2oMZjsjfzLKuyJtSXZJ1HA_RnPq0eAHrRj1pgFqjcPn0ImOV9GgU2M0nlR0/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTf4BI3p4kKuB4SYAO_ZaF4-G5xwVm4U_g8RGtkYxg5IoUconmgDeavoT386Gmo7mEP-Qyen135y_5Fpsr2oMZjsjfzLKuyJtSXZJ1HA_RnPq0eAHrRj1pgFqjcPn0ImOV9GgU2M0nlR0/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" height="105" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
T2 - 0:44.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No problem
on the dismount and bike racking. Slid into my running shoes, grabbed my
sunglasses, hat, and race belt and out the runner’s shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually clip my belt while standing in
transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little things to save time…
and putting on the hat, glasses, and belt while running out of transition does
make a little time back (from my slow bike).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-QiaqjqFYsvqMSVk7Sk6aChvwhfwnSRhZoxb9B96e2DwXH4quJdbUHnu56xhdYc4ATWmXVTwFx4Q0tBL1jgsvidGcU8Z9JEsJjBWqUi9tW7u6XxpoAZhUw6Q4iKka62bpPgKqQLhO4U/s1600/Sunfish+Aerial+Run+Course.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-QiaqjqFYsvqMSVk7Sk6aChvwhfwnSRhZoxb9B96e2DwXH4quJdbUHnu56xhdYc4ATWmXVTwFx4Q0tBL1jgsvidGcU8Z9JEsJjBWqUi9tW7u6XxpoAZhUw6Q4iKka62bpPgKqQLhO4U/s1600/Sunfish+Aerial+Run+Course.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a>Run<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- 5K, 23:36, 7:49
pace (Garmin recorded a 7:33 pace over 3.1 miles).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure why the 16 second difference between
the race time and my Garmin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Run started
out fast as I clocked a 7:19 on the first mile and wasn’t sure what to think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I was running way too fast for my
normal pace, so I slowed down for the second mile not wanting to bonk on a 5K.
Lots of water stations in this race (3 stations, passing each one twice) and
another first was getting an icewater sponge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ice water sponges make for great heat relief under the hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it worked great on the back of my neck,
too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second mile came in at 7:44, more
like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kept a steady pace through mile
3 and even pushed it up the hill back onto the lake dam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picked up the pace the last 1/3 mile and
finished strong at 1:27:13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stepped off
the course and under the showers just past the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a nice touch that I would recommend
to every race director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helped to
cool your body back down and was nice to rinse off the race sweat before
heading to the food tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of good
eats afterwards and shady spots under the tents with tables and chairs to enjoy
the food.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6X31Rvmj33lONFj_YiTgZ-dcGoCAA5X59uuKzc8UW4zjdUlHrWLH55bPZI98u9BFdzEAl8FgVQgtYPXVwWiDk243SNdZ__5c6Ja8N8SOEeZ1Lp3JsPv4YC1OZlB2WOCdqNGYXi2P5Us/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6X31Rvmj33lONFj_YiTgZ-dcGoCAA5X59uuKzc8UW4zjdUlHrWLH55bPZI98u9BFdzEAl8FgVQgtYPXVwWiDk243SNdZ__5c6Ja8N8SOEeZ1Lp3JsPv4YC1OZlB2WOCdqNGYXi2P5Us/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18th AG, 86th OA, 1:27:13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0RTIX_UMkgaWldnF3WNiV4x38FE_jZsFIbj9m7dgWFnUqsWvn55KlUMy_OwhQzJ3bEJJ5vlG0YAwJ-oQS_N0WucazLqZ9YF4DJUkN5CvMRKP3KeXdhMyMsbzv919TUzQyRkDw1p54iQ/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0RTIX_UMkgaWldnF3WNiV4x38FE_jZsFIbj9m7dgWFnUqsWvn55KlUMy_OwhQzJ3bEJJ5vlG0YAwJ-oQS_N0WucazLqZ9YF4DJUkN5CvMRKP3KeXdhMyMsbzv919TUzQyRkDw1p54iQ/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>This was a small race but the USAT certification brought out
some very fast racers <span id="goog_413292251"></span><span id="goog_413292252"></span>in all age groups<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>[James Bales- Air Force orthopedic surgeon, world class athlete
and 2012 Olympic hopeful, Bain Foote - VP of Skin Sake, and first year
pro triathlete and Sunfish 1<sup>st</sup> overall male Ben Hall, to mention a
few]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span>That explains how there were 15
cyclists that averaged 23 MPH or better on a very hilly bike course. Parking
was okay if you arrive early but they used all the space available and I even
noticed some spectators had to park along the highway since they arrived after
the race started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meant over a mile
walk to the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great venue
overall and nice lake view with plenty of shade trees and even picnic tables on
the hill overlooking the transition area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There were at least a dozen
kayaks in the water for the swim course, lots of volunteers on the bike course,
and as already mentioned, lots of water stations on the run. </span>The ice water sponges and Finish Line showers were a huge hit in my opinion. Shout
out to Rocketman’s daughter, <a href="http://www.trioptimumperformance.com/Coach_Bio_s.html" target="_blank">Denise Joplin</a>, for taking 1<sup>st</sup> Overall
Female!!</div>
TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-75915550733113385242013-07-04T07:00:00.000-07:002013-09-09T12:30:14.159-07:00Tri for Ole Glory 4th of July 2013 Race Report<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">Tri for Ole Glory.</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></i></b></span><br />
<div class="Body1" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">July 4<sup>th</sup>, 2013.
200 meter swim, 8 mile mountain bike, and 3 mile run.</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Let it be
known, I am not a Mountain Biker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I own
a mountain bike, and that is as far as it goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s limited to neighborhood
rides with the kids and family strolls on the local greenways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I approached this race as something different
and expecting that much of the faster triathletes would be elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus giving me a small opportunity to podium
in my age group.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I spent
some time in the weeks leading up to the race practicing on the bike course
(remember </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">not a mountain biker</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using my pre-98
model 26-inch Trek 800 was a great workout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got in about 5 laps around the course on it and was rewarded with 3
flats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a few days before the race a
friend offered his 29-incher equipped with <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan</a></span><a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span></a><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">s NoTubes</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a significant "technological"</span> <span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">
improvement and (could be psychological) made the course much easier from both
an exertion and technical perspective.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04leLhdU97lQzLG9EwOASC0NVgMa-yEGABZCA_bPOXr7AaPAogey1uEiB_MmPVOuhEqrbr5e7li8e7EZ7aH2wEhk9Cl-_kfUZh4hNR49Ps3m35GMxgl5q43kPvOOrIoR_B2x9X_F1qXE/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04leLhdU97lQzLG9EwOASC0NVgMa-yEGABZCA_bPOXr7AaPAogey1uEiB_MmPVOuhEqrbr5e7li8e7EZ7aH2wEhk9Cl-_kfUZh4hNR49Ps3m35GMxgl5q43kPvOOrIoR_B2x9X_F1qXE/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG" height="200" width="170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dBZM6XR282t9-j3Mu_ycIrm8dmfhI9PDYpDlDUrthZjBLhsbxifkWlM9paJJdh5Z687BmLDDawmS0vKDS9B_UN3WQ5rzZcORNBxuq6sqJb_oLLfdaVJM0atkr7kPQNM89U-H_i0TzSg/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dBZM6XR282t9-j3Mu_ycIrm8dmfhI9PDYpDlDUrthZjBLhsbxifkWlM9paJJdh5Z687BmLDDawmS0vKDS9B_UN3WQ5rzZcORNBxuq6sqJb_oLLfdaVJM0atkr7kPQNM89U-H_i0TzSg/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Race day arrived with the forecast of 90% chance of rain.
It did not disappoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived early
and admired the brain trust of Rick Greif and Mike Gerrity as they laid out the
transition flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I got to watch
Rick graffiti the parking lot with arrows</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">.hmmm, I'm thinking he may
have done this before--in places not associated with triathlons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was the first racer there, so I got the
primo rack location, even though the transition area was very small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met up with a friend that was doing the
race as his first ever triathlon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
enjoyed the scenery filled with nostalgic military aircraft while contemplating
what type of carnage might result from the host of rookie/amateur mountain
bikers on the new and muddy course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of the aircraft on display, I actually flew during my days as a helicopter
pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">m not that old, but the UH-1 has been around a loooong time.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgn_Mf0hD_3fi-LQ-NHd0cYCkJjOJR8My6EKDR0lWOV4BUEPqzUAa8y9a3gtPNV_FfMnRizusFqHBH-F786G8eKX2mrnpXo68thdAwg_yyYA7KnM3BkmT4Xvox1YnYkC6shTuShi6Ky8/s1600/swim+1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgn_Mf0hD_3fi-LQ-NHd0cYCkJjOJR8My6EKDR0lWOV4BUEPqzUAa8y9a3gtPNV_FfMnRizusFqHBH-F786G8eKX2mrnpXo68thdAwg_yyYA7KnM3BkmT4Xvox1YnYkC6shTuShi6Ky8/s1600/swim+1.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6n8wwKUt-X056FZ48ho0GIMgdDx_NbGMSNF5vmNGjFa9qC3UVsihWoD5K6VnphyYinQ_AR8NT_UJdq4Sv_U2SMi-riNPTX3gz7lFR5flJD6wsmsacHQZYJ4sNl12-4sKIfRJSCs4pIk/s1600/Swim+2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6n8wwKUt-X056FZ48ho0GIMgdDx_NbGMSNF5vmNGjFa9qC3UVsihWoD5K6VnphyYinQ_AR8NT_UJdq4Sv_U2SMi-riNPTX3gz7lFR5flJD6wsmsacHQZYJ4sNl12-4sKIfRJSCs4pIk/s1600/Swim+2.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The race
was a wave swim start by age group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved
out onto the platform for the start and waited for the horn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, apparently, was still waiting when the horn
blew, and off the platform I went, with my goggles still on my forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attempted to remedy this mid-air as, I
entered the water, and ended up swimming with one eye full of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could still see well enough to notice
Jonathan Krichev was exiting the water as I cleared the half-way buoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, I think I was 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup>
out of the water and jogged through the crowd and into transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">By this
time the rain was coming down in sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A little slow in transition, and I must have allowed 1 or 2 racers to
get ahead of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bike shoes, camelback,
mt bike gloves, helmet and off for the fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOzeUU7AvODBFf1NOQ66TW-ouVfeEw_q4GreVPjEDLbduD52SEWoKCQTtX1AN-6XXfVfCr4i_-vdZI6T2klIhDvEvIm0lAVlBa4T5hyl6wX5RxTZvggJfv7UDJW2XyE2eFajApuklDKQ/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOzeUU7AvODBFf1NOQ66TW-ouVfeEw_q4GreVPjEDLbduD52SEWoKCQTtX1AN-6XXfVfCr4i_-vdZI6T2klIhDvEvIm0lAVlBa4T5hyl6wX5RxTZvggJfv7UDJW2XyE2eFajApuklDKQ/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The first loop around the
course was pretty uneventful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
slick but you could still get some traction on the uphills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Came through for the 2<sup>nd</sup> loop
expecting the worst, knowing that the course would be closer to </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">mud-bogging</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> than mountain biking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passing people this time around was not too
bad, as most all of the racers were very quick to move to the right or stop in
order that I could pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only tumble
came during a short steep climb on the 2<sup>nd</sup> half of the loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I </span>announced my intent to pass on the LEFT,
but the racer ahead continued (at slow speed) to attempt to climb the
hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As expected he made it about one
third of the way up the hill and then fell over to his LEFT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time I had my speed up for the
climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I elected to avoid riding over
him and switched to the narrow piece of terrain remaining to his right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This did not work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was quite apologetic, and we were both
uninjured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran up the hill, clipped
back in and off again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got in some short
words with Joshua Pierson (broken wheel) and Melissa Johnson (free race entry)
before exiting the bike course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hats off to Josh to finish the bike course with a locked up back wheel, and I'm
pretty sure Melissa was reconsidering what a good deal her "free"
race entry was as she was slogging through the muddy woods in the pouring rain.
This is beginning to sound like a verse in a country-western song. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">T2 was
even a little slower than T1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lock laces
weren</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t cooperating on the running
shoes and I should have just worn the mountain bike gloves instead of taking
the time to get them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OQnajjcz5o2lwvT7V1md50QsrdV_4A4YuZtaoN___EYbtJlU0aGnB6MFB5csQKQ9nKHEb7WuKyCh4iWFDefeQnSLoTQg9Z1T_PLCJRd195EFmtfMSEsHgkXeDuIUIWg5fNC0XVGVADw/s1600/IMG_0177.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OQnajjcz5o2lwvT7V1md50QsrdV_4A4YuZtaoN___EYbtJlU0aGnB6MFB5csQKQ9nKHEb7WuKyCh4iWFDefeQnSLoTQg9Z1T_PLCJRd195EFmtfMSEsHgkXeDuIUIWg5fNC0XVGVADw/s1600/IMG_0177.jpg" height="117" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The run
was (fortunately) a little short of the advertised 3 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was NOT short of lots of deep puddles that
WERE hard to see on the pavement during the heavy rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first water station (ha ha) was
un-manned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess you could just look
up at the sky and get a drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it
did bait me in to a nice deep puddle as I came by the table hoping to grab a
self-serve cup of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was passed by
2 runners on the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them
cramped up and I was able to pass him in the last mile, the other one was the 1<sup>st</sup>
overall female.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit the
cramping runner, did start a wave behind me, so he was still faster overall
even though I finished ahead of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Final time was 1:28:06, good enough for 3<sup>rd</sup> in my age group
and 10<sup>th</sup> overall.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMc35wZ0paJxjI-LiBgFLnp48zEwPnnWMJK1z7lnpvteBZ5rcwK6K2k9tMz3fJlOvJ603Q1S_PP5zVq_EdZ5UOGLdWJzfkDI6YTtfDJ-amsMkx1GPXtlHvjfOtBKXnwIEI0ZirB6rRHY/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMc35wZ0paJxjI-LiBgFLnp48zEwPnnWMJK1z7lnpvteBZ5rcwK6K2k9tMz3fJlOvJ603Q1S_PP5zVq_EdZ5UOGLdWJzfkDI6YTtfDJ-amsMkx1GPXtlHvjfOtBKXnwIEI0ZirB6rRHY/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsjiCgnVu5RoSNHxErTqxi-bkRli_V2oN8_BKHYj0DMxqHZa7w-L3vlwNtnClyIorPcNg_hlLkKZ-JiNZt9vetfBJEAhjvlyKRiakL7JJcTH4ch-WvbFP6MBTd7Ky5c1vgwf4l9GJhT4/s1600/photo.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsjiCgnVu5RoSNHxErTqxi-bkRli_V2oN8_BKHYj0DMxqHZa7w-L3vlwNtnClyIorPcNg_hlLkKZ-JiNZt9vetfBJEAhjvlyKRiakL7JJcTH4ch-WvbFP6MBTd7Ky5c1vgwf4l9GJhT4/s1600/photo.JPG" height="186" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">This was a great race and lots of fun for my first mountain
bike event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good to see the <a href="http://www.fleetfeettriracinghsv.com/index.html" target="_blank">Fleet Feet Tri Team</a> representing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kudos to race
director Dan Pline for pulling it off and all the hard work he put into
building the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to <a href="http://blevinsbicycleco.com/" target="_blank">Blevins Bicycle Company</a> for race day support and <a href="http://werunhuntsville.smugmug.com/Other-1" target="_blank">Gregg Gelmis</a> for the great photography despite
the nasty weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t forget the mountain bike course is open during daylight
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly recommend everyone get
out and give it a </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Tri</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> so you are ready for next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great venue with the covered "bubble" to keep
everyone out of the rain, too! (or sunshine next time)</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LHylRcWmjPQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Check out this little clip.... </span></span></span></span></div>
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TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-58261169060543812982013-06-24T20:39:00.000-07:002013-06-24T20:39:01.156-07:00Huntsville Sprint Tri race report by Mark Hudnall
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N0mxOda_Xn1QHXOtQYfglSN_i020E4ZgPpTJmiNqyqjKjxnWgPXhYmVyNGEuu_qZLCfANy0RcaFrMWLasKBN8QpukjPuXc8bFIbLmo_bAvhJql3HftnGdc1i4Mvqg1_eG_ww48bL5aab/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N0mxOda_Xn1QHXOtQYfglSN_i020E4ZgPpTJmiNqyqjKjxnWgPXhYmVyNGEuu_qZLCfANy0RcaFrMWLasKBN8QpukjPuXc8bFIbLmo_bAvhJql3HftnGdc1i4Mvqg1_eG_ww48bL5aab/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Huntsville Sprint Triathlon, June 22<sup>nd</sup>, 2013.
400m Swim, 7 mile bike, 3.1 mile run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Early start helping with set up and then bodymarking. Volunteering definitely takes the mind off
worrying about all the details on race day, but it didn’t allow for a warm-up
run or swim, oh well, minor detail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Transition setup was pretty simple, since it was such a short course
there wasn’t much concern with how much water to carry on the bike or any
nutrition during the bike course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
dropped 2 <a href="http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/endurolytes-fizz.elf.html?navcat=fuels-energy-drinks" target="_blank">Hammer Endurolytes Fizz</a> in my aero bottle and I’m ready to go.</div>
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I was bib number 57 and hoped I would avoid most of the
congestion (and maybe edge Ricky Bobby by a few seconds <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 150 meters I had passed 5 or 6 people and
was stuck in the pile up at the end of the lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to avoid the “pileups” on the next
few turns by getting under the lane early, and working to the inside of the
turn direction each length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passed a few
more in the last 200 meters and off to T1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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Quickest transition to the bike in my limited experience and time to pour it
all out on the bike course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Objective
for the day was leave it out on the road and hope that I could still muster a
half-way decent run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Started off strong
and enjoyed passing a handful of cyclists, before Dennis Mix came blazing by me
at the turn onto Triana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No chance I
could keep up with him…he was on fire!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Uneventful course otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Managed
to have a moving avg speed of 21 MPH, which is pretty fast for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Process Improvement” from Monster Tri - I successfully
extracted both feet from my shoes before the dismount line, waved to the
camera, and headed into T2. </div>
<br />
Almost forgot I was on the first rack and tried to run down
row 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise another quick
transition and out for the run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember, I planned to leave it all out on the road. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Checked the Garmin at the run start and the
HRM showed 180bpm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picked up the number
19 swimmer and ran with her for the first half mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she was planning to run a 7:30 pace,
so off she went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know my limits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nathan Graves and Tim Pitt came cruising by on
my first lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, they entered the pool
way later than me and finished well ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I finished the first lap, Josh Pierson was cheering on the runners…I
offered him cash to carry me on the second lap – he declined. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caught back up with “Number 19” and passed her
about the 2 mile mark and paced it out to the finish line with Jess Ahrens at just
under 8:00 min mile (according to my Garmin).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Any run course that makes me run multiple circles is mentally defeating,
but my pace turned out okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great to
get the chance to see lots of the <a href="http://www.fleetfeettriracinghsv.com/team.html" target="_blank">Fleet Feet Triathlon Team</a> out on the course<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VlPRm3of59odaiZH-wJZ8-DLJhPQu_U6r4OSvxjiCFbvHQ0CY417Y62YWNwwHWSsq8Dn5S3BLWiWPGj2VV0HT6xgwFMnJaRoehBvNHX6rV6c253sbMhArmByJmLfs8eLGAuub9EIL41R/s1600/Fleet+Feet+Tri+Team+HSV+Sprint+Tri+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VlPRm3of59odaiZH-wJZ8-DLJhPQu_U6r4OSvxjiCFbvHQ0CY417Y62YWNwwHWSsq8Dn5S3BLWiWPGj2VV0HT6xgwFMnJaRoehBvNHX6rV6c253sbMhArmByJmLfs8eLGAuub9EIL41R/s1600/Fleet+Feet+Tri+Team+HSV+Sprint+Tri+3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Great race weather and a very well oiled machine by the race
director and all the volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking
forward to cheering on my daughter at the <a href="http://www.teamrockettri.org/content/pesky-piranha-youth-triathlon" target="_blank">Pesky Piranha Youth Triathlon</a> and a little off-roading
at <a href="http://www.teamrockettri.org/content/tri-old-glory" target="_blank">Tri for Ole Glory</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>C’mon out and get
your tires muddy at the Space Rocket Center on Independence Day (unless you’re
in my age group and fast, in which case they need volunteers out on the course). Finish time 53:45 and 7/22 in my AG.</div>
TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-3361716070921411392013-06-15T21:00:00.000-07:002013-06-21T20:11:13.882-07:00Monster in Pulaski - Tri Race Report
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Monster Tri 2013, Pulaski, TN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>200 yd pool swim, 16.3 mile bike and 2.9 mile
run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My last race report somehow had
numerous superhero references.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to
continue that trend, but I must divulge a small token of my pre-race routine to
all aspiring triathletes out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
started off the pre-race mental prep by seeing Man of Steel at the Friday
afternoon matinee…coupled with the Ultimate Chicken Nachos to ensure a “balanced”
carb and protein loaded nutrition plan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No I did not race like Superman, but it’s the
thought that counts.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncIvkGJP2OfAitx3o_AQZ7x-lBn6TF2C-D1QtNxK9jt3gJswztQjW7k3tYXBxEC7W_qO3z0uHbNr68W53X7mUj5Z9mt0TVJ05ddP0rugbSK5_w5bju7zJoenBgHMuBHrAwvq_irbpRP4/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncIvkGJP2OfAitx3o_AQZ7x-lBn6TF2C-D1QtNxK9jt3gJswztQjW7k3tYXBxEC7W_qO3z0uHbNr68W53X7mUj5Z9mt0TVJ05ddP0rugbSK5_w5bju7zJoenBgHMuBHrAwvq_irbpRP4/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triathlon-camping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Race day started with
a 3:30 wake-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downed the standard
leaded coffee (it’s a treat on race day since I usually go decaf), peanut
butter toast, oatmeal and banana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
road at 4 am <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">and arrived uneventfully in Pulaski at 5:00. </span>Apparently, this is not early enough as
Carrie Wilson and Rick Greif were already there and staking out their tactical
spots in transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I did get
there before the race staff had cordoned off the upper parking lot and got
“rock-star” parking right next to transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I chose to set-up nearest the bike in/out despite not getting the end
cap position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this I joined Rick
and Carrie around <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the “campfire” as they enjoyed their hot coffee and waited
for the sun to rise. While admiring the
sunrise I pondered the irony in having the finish line right next to a
cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh how mortal we are, despite
our perceived achievements in this sport where the crown jewel is called
IRONMAN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhkUOcw6Ncb3P5ZeekWGHATnuqWb6c4-n-ztkZTcCX6emSuquvChSlkAXbKPsLAIToQ-1viRD2WfVfq0VMi0NxJTnWF9PS0qj5GWRETYnhbIcDFItEMfeBJ3foeSysSX2uQjVzFk8ClM/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhkUOcw6Ncb3P5ZeekWGHATnuqWb6c4-n-ztkZTcCX6emSuquvChSlkAXbKPsLAIToQ-1viRD2WfVfq0VMi0NxJTnWF9PS0qj5GWRETYnhbIcDFItEMfeBJ3foeSysSX2uQjVzFk8ClM/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the FINISH LINE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now back to reality, as there
was still pre-race paperwork to do… a new question came to mind, “Why does this
race not have a fleet of port-o-lets nearby transition?”. Race start time was 7 a.m. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good thing triathletes are type “A”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of those that thought the race started
at 8 a.m. still made it, albeit slightly rushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd moved into the pool area and I
noticed that some of the folks that had finished their warm up laps were now
shivering in the cool morning air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
elected to forego the warmup since the swim was really short anyway, and spare
myself the enjoyment of shivering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
number 26 this time and felt that with the short pool swim that I could at
least stay ahead of Rick Greif (#91), even if he would probably beat my total
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swim went pretty smooth, I
stayed well ahead of #27 and closed the gap on the #25 swimmer ahead of me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conclusion here was - I am not a big fan of
pool swims and would take the longer open-water swim any day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had relatively fast transition (0:57) and
off on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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This bike course was as advertised, with some nice rollers
and few good climbs (Please don’t laugh if you are part mountain-goat and enjoy
intense suffering and steep grades).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
good news is that [most of] what goes up must come down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was evidenced by the Garmin recording a
47.9 MPH descent just past mile 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming
in at mile 9 was a shallow curving ascent up a narrow road riddled with
potholes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibssp01-cMHcbQ3BLkiK0l7gzXy8_eFfMD-9xizkuwlhq_FReO804ZSlCTm5Dy3sQiHXJjNbUfxVGZXe5Q_Zh-_z6a4ys8-ZC_2MVW4ULWC5xQgRyMvqMQ3NZ4AIS0ve9pCBS5wZ_Vstg/s1600/monster+course.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibssp01-cMHcbQ3BLkiK0l7gzXy8_eFfMD-9xizkuwlhq_FReO804ZSlCTm5Dy3sQiHXJjNbUfxVGZXe5Q_Zh-_z6a4ys8-ZC_2MVW4ULWC5xQgRyMvqMQ3NZ4AIS0ve9pCBS5wZ_Vstg/s1600/monster+course.jpg" height="110" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t understand why I
was catching up to some of the stronger cyclists, but I passed them nonetheless
and enjoyed a fleeting moment of victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shortly thereafter we made the turn out onto HWY 64 and the long, slow climb
began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most if not all of the cyclists
that I had slipped by in that short climb promptly passed me again as my legs
were regretting the exertion from earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The course was smooth most of the way in, and the only other excitement
came as I was nearing the end of the bike course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quaint tree lined section off of Elkton
Pike towards the high school had a nice 5-6 inch drop off on the edge of the
pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow I decided to bring a
little off-road triathlon into the mix and slipped off the side. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Held this position for a 100 yards or so and
was able to hop it back onto the road at the next gravel driveway without
flatting or crashing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is about the
edge of the road that just mesmerizes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s like a shiny object you can’t help but be drawn to….</div>
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Interesting to note the slight uphill at the bike dismount
line -- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only mention this as my fear
of stupid human tricks is greatest here when weighed against saving precious
seconds by performing the Batman flying bike dismount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
dutifully un-velcro’d my right foot approaching the finish line and attempted
to get the left foot clear but my legs were not cooperating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slight up-hill approach to the dismount
line wasn’t helping either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped at
the dismount line with my bare right foot and the left still strapped into my
shoe and clipped in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took a few seconds
for my brain to get my leg to unclip and then off to transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T2 was slower (1:00) than I would have liked
but the HWY 64 climb must of have done a number on my legs as they refused to
cooperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I was a bit worried that my run time was going to suffer due
to the lost training after Guntersville and the slow run performance at Mach
Tenn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I targeted an 8 min mile and
started off through the cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
suppose any cardiac events at this point in the race would be quite convenient
assuming there was an open plot nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
run course had lots of turns but plenty of volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was the water station coming out of
transition (whine)? At least the temperature and the clouds were helping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kept the pace near 8 minutes and got a couple
of high fives on the run course from fellow Fleet Feet Triathlon teammates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did let out a sigh of
relief that Rick’s bib number had given me the head start I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we passed on the run, I only had about 1
mile remaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is still the master
and edged me by 55 seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My finish
time 1:22:32, 60<sup>th</sup> OA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Incredible
weather and great race day! Great podium representation by the <a href="http://www.fleetfeettriracinghsv.com/team.html" target="_blank">Fleet Feet Triathlon Team</a> and overall big turnout from the Huntsville/Madison triathlon community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only downside was not getting my measly 1 point for
the <a href="http://goosepondislandhalfdistancetriathlon.com/southeast-triathlon-championship-series/" target="_blank">Southeast Championship Triathlon Series</a>…11<sup>th</sup> place in my AG is
worth zippo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Post race checkout revealed
the ample amount of Body Glide applied inside the heel of my running shoes took
care of any blistering in the Achilles area that I had from the last race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-73307704767694448652013-06-01T21:00:00.000-07:002013-06-21T20:17:27.246-07:00Mach Tenn at Arnold Air Force Base - Tullahoma, TN.Mach Tenn at Arnold Air Force Base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First time racing at Mach Tenn, so if nothing
else I set a new PR today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Superstitious
nutrition plan…don’t change it, EVER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oatmeal, peanut butter toast, banana and coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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Showed up early to get the pick of bike racks and set my
self up on the end of the rack right next to the bike in/out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got settled in and took the bike for a spin
on the run course to warm up the legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had driven the course the day before but this warm-up reinforced how much fun
the rollers would be during the bike and run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kudos to the race director and volunteers, the transition area was well
organized and body marking was easy to find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another nice touch was carpet coming out of the water all the way to
your bike rack. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Burning time…headed to
the FINISH line for the team picture…the one that was happening 45 minutes
before race start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Note: Race start was
at 8:15.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ran into Wes Johnson on the
way… yep, picture was already over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
took a selfie. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be 15 minutes early
next time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to don my neoprene super
hero disguise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really want a wetsuit
that looks like Spiderman or Superman.</div>
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The swim started and the best part of my race was over 15
minutes 22 seconds later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of chop
for the swim, but I was able to keep a steady pace and minimized the zig-zag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed lots of other swimmers and ultimately
only drank a little bit of lake water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stumbled out of the water and up the hill to get started on the
bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Bike mount line was a little tight with lots of folks jammed
up right outside the timing mats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
place for my Batman flying bike mount (superhero theme…I don’t know why).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally got moving and began the
rollers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like crosswinds or
headwinds the entire bike course, or it could be my lack of miles on the bike
in the last few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most importantly,
I held off Rick Greif until almost mile 8 on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what.. that he’s (almost) old enough to be
my dad and that he started 15 swimmers behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me to look the other way as he passed
me on the bike so as not to hurt my feeling (singular), what a nice guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched him pass others as he went out of
sight singing, “Merry Mach Tenn to all and to all a good ride”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought maybe I’d catch him on the
run….Nope. </div>
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<br />
The run began and I could see that my knee was still recovering from whatever
happened at Lake Guntersville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
wanting to walk the last mile, I kept the pace a little slow starting off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This transitioned to just plain slow thanks
to the gentle rolling Tennessee terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was able to add a little go at the end and made better time on my last
mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably should have started off a
little faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great support in the
final turn by Rick and Dennis Mix as they provided motivation to finish
strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way I finished with no
noticeable injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Post race blackeyed peas and cornbread was outstanding. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Came in 15/30 in my age group and 174/378
overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still enjoy this sport and I’m
looking forward to another “PR” at Monster Tri in 2 weeks!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great work by the volunteers at all of the
intersections today on the bike course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The water stations on the run course were frequent and very
appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-630923696624614320.post-31850598855041274522013-05-04T21:00:00.000-07:002013-09-09T13:02:20.574-07:00Guntersville Olympic Triathlon - Rain and Cold!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIaV5-Xne0OhAOLDT4iXANpzRn24AtsUqO1UqTLXJij3us8jyEJVsurBD7Z-se8pj0c_t0hSa0q14hHs1Luee883gPjhRy4jhM_-S2K8iZ99j8zMIg93Fpo82HPIM3QNsDRnVpSKIUVIx/s1600/010-IMG_2724-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIaV5-Xne0OhAOLDT4iXANpzRn24AtsUqO1UqTLXJij3us8jyEJVsurBD7Z-se8pj0c_t0hSa0q14hHs1Luee883gPjhRy4jhM_-S2K8iZ99j8zMIg93Fpo82HPIM3QNsDRnVpSKIUVIx/s1600/010-IMG_2724-X2.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>Details: 1500m swim, 24 mile bike and 6.2 mile run. Things were looking
miserable from the start at about 43 degrees and 10-15 mph winds. The
water was already choppy and getting worse. Trying to set up transition
in these conditions was something that I had not encountered before, as
all of my previous races met the standard definition of “blue bird
day”. This day however was closer to a snow goose. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl4Hc4xbVp_i4g-BpL3z-Fp3v5Hkt1K4l7oFiQY-HCPQK7HmJequQxuHF6eQ0tjUgmPNkyDwF8kfWo1Tqb84kLk0aGsp7YTUXKubQFFQvo6YOPnVzPEausgterHNl2rjs_A4hV9B5NQ6R/s1600/207-IMG_2937-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl4Hc4xbVp_i4g-BpL3z-Fp3v5Hkt1K4l7oFiQY-HCPQK7HmJequQxuHF6eQ0tjUgmPNkyDwF8kfWo1Tqb84kLk0aGsp7YTUXKubQFFQvo6YOPnVzPEausgterHNl2rjs_A4hV9B5NQ6R/s1600/207-IMG_2937-X2.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>SWIM - Once things begin to get started and I walked down to the beach
to enjoy the warming effect of 63-degree water my feet almost went numb
getting through the puddling rainwater. Fortunately, standing knee deep
in the lake water brought them back to life, and I waited patiently for
the 2nd wave. Finally my turn to walk back through the ice puddles and
then onto the metal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNXVRmqUYXsui3mTbHbczABU0VeibRDjK1n6vw8Ffl89RG4BKwoSpbdu9CtvmTf__EjKZY9iidG48JZgolmWsTmKgjnE-QRpGVGLejkKgB6Ink4JpprJfNEEe28GP9tkFziCoJkqzYku2/s1600/209-IMG_2939-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNXVRmqUYXsui3mTbHbczABU0VeibRDjK1n6vw8Ffl89RG4BKwoSpbdu9CtvmTf__EjKZY9iidG48JZgolmWsTmKgjnE-QRpGVGLejkKgB6Ink4JpprJfNEEe28GP9tkFziCoJkqzYku2/s1600/209-IMG_2939-X2.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>dock to for the wave start. The swim got going and
went pretty well. Thankfully, I have become more comfortable with
bilateral breathing, otherwise breathing on the right during the outside
loop of the swim only got you a mouthful of lake water due to the windy
chop of beautiful Lake Guntersville. First wet suit swim for me and I
appreciate the strippers, however the Garmin 910xt was not cooperating
with my wet suit sleeve. Fortunately Gregg Gelmis wasn’t there to
document the racer that was being attacked by the wetsuit sleeve. <br />
<br />
T1 - …longest transition ever. Try getting arm warmers, leg warmers,
winter gloves, skull cap plus all the usual “slips, trips and falls” of
transition while it’s raining cold misery. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Cnjq9Ikl22kVP6N_QHHNvryzMGtBE3MFVpkrf445aCTWl_mNBlZq9iESDzd4a18o7uhWsdADD_E9jwCciuPLhZorX2I-RUh8vXP9bLrHTQ5gpC8_belSE_A67gdV1CL9-XI5UvuOskFT/s1600/IMG_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Cnjq9Ikl22kVP6N_QHHNvryzMGtBE3MFVpkrf445aCTWl_mNBlZq9iESDzd4a18o7uhWsdADD_E9jwCciuPLhZorX2I-RUh8vXP9bLrHTQ5gpC8_belSE_A67gdV1CL9-XI5UvuOskFT/s1600/IMG_0022.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>BIKE - Finally got out on the bike and that is where the fun really
began. I chose to waive off the aerodynamic benefit and wore my Gore
jacket. It kept me warm despite the wind and rain. The rain made it
much more difficult to brake especially at the turn in/out of the State
Park…no doubt the heart rate monitor spiked both times at this point on
the course. Although it wasn’t sleeting during the race, it felt like
it as I was going down the one big hill on Monsanto Road. The bonus, I
did break a measly 34mph on the way back over the hill as a result of
“ride faster and it will be over sooner” syndrome. The only other
noteworthy thing was the large dead snake in the road and the one rider
that decided to play leap frog with me on the bike course. I convinced
myself that each time we passed each other that I was gaining some small
draft advantage. And of course, Brenda McGovern put a smile on my face
as we passed and I saw her biking in her wetsuit. Gotta give her kudos
for staying warm; hoping she had lots of Tri-Glide…<br />
<br />
T2 - Made it back into transition (safely) and headed out onto the run.
Definitely took a little longer to shed the soaked leg warmers and
gloves. I had biked sockless and decided to put on socks thinking it
might help feet warm up. My Gore jacket must’ve weighted 10-12 pounds,
but when I went to take it off my body hit hypothermic madness, and I
decided to go ahead and run with it, despite the extra weight. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAESQwkcm0asBfG_-gQxsvZwRMjx1sU74sAi0STftTwc33Q5YxEarHDwolHWEX9FOmH_IYu0uLOCcJY8rOialYmz6kEv9622X-CyhR0_mDhyphenhyphenw_em8paefXnSnGDCEXz1eoU7sTYPvKTgmj/s1600/495-IMG_3284-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAESQwkcm0asBfG_-gQxsvZwRMjx1sU74sAi0STftTwc33Q5YxEarHDwolHWEX9FOmH_IYu0uLOCcJY8rOialYmz6kEv9622X-CyhR0_mDhyphenhyphenw_em8paefXnSnGDCEXz1eoU7sTYPvKTgmj/s1600/495-IMG_3284-L.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPq7wX0llXMwXviHqKEEgtIdNMr1VLaIqY22aKn3BFoDJaHGSWly7v3kDVKtLOyHo5fMKWZD5opTOV9Q9xbUSPsW3VpY5A7j31uCnimzYTWZaiaexn-evzOcmpuI8CN49RNWmGfnR6st1E/s1600/672-IMG_3471-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPq7wX0llXMwXviHqKEEgtIdNMr1VLaIqY22aKn3BFoDJaHGSWly7v3kDVKtLOyHo5fMKWZD5opTOV9Q9xbUSPsW3VpY5A7j31uCnimzYTWZaiaexn-evzOcmpuI8CN49RNWmGfnR6st1E/s1600/672-IMG_3471-X2.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>RUN - Shout out to the volunteers on the run course, they were soaked to
the bone and still lots of encouraging words to all the runners.
Couldn’t feel my feet as the run started. Funny thing was about a mile
into the course, I thought I felt something in my shoe. I couldn’t
imagine what would have been in my shoe, but it began to feel like a gel
pack moving around under my foot. I decided to stop and took off my
shoe only to find nothing there but my toes. I guess it was just the
feeling of blood returning to my feet. The run course was brutal with
the broken pavement and active rainwater erosion making for an Xterra
experience. I thought it was Groundhog Day because the guy at the
intersection of the gravel road kept saying, “up this hill and around
the orange cone”. This “Groundhog holiday experience” was capped off
by my Garmin saying 6.2 miles and still knowing it was over a half-mile
to the finish line. All in all, I’m glad I made it to the finish line
uninjured (minus some runner’s knee due to running in the lower drop
Zoot Ovwas that I haven’t trained in all year) and can no doubt say this
will hopefully be the toughest race I encounter any time soon. I’’ll
take my 38th OA and 9th AG (toughest AG competition by far) for a finish
time of 3:11:05. Done!TriMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17148066539881312111noreply@blogger.com0