Friday, June 26, 2009
What a tune up!
Hats off to the folks at TrySports on my tune up (on the bike, me personally - I am beyond repair). Took the trike out for a 13 mile ride today to burn off some energy...and it handles beautifully, shifts like a dream (no dropped chain) and is as smooth as silk. All prepped for Kure Beach on Sunday. Thanks TrySports team....you guys rock!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
must be something in the water
Don't really know what it is this week - but it has been a great week for training. Maybe it's the fact that we've crossed $8,500 in fundraising, maybe it's folks coming up to me and asking about or talking about the 40 in 40, maybe its the ongoing communications with fellow Tahoe and TnT teammates...but it has been a great week - and it's only (approximately) 1/2 over...
12 miles of running
4,000 yards in the pool
20 miles on the bike
That's only since Monday...woo hoo - Kure Beach Tri here I come.
Now - one thing about Kure Beach Tri...it's an Ocean swim, something I've done but not in an organized fashion and my longest stints in the ocean were usually as a kid in the water off the coast of Maine on Family vacations...which, even in August would just about give you hypothermia... Trepidation does rise up every now and again as this will be a different format for a Tri for me. Instead of the usual single transition spot, there will be two separate ones, swim to where we transition to run, run to where we transition to bike. These are usually in one place but they will be two different locations. Hopefully I put my running shoes at the run transition and not my bike shoes - those would not be fun to run in, hell they're hard enough to walk in.
TrySports has tuned up the tricycle - so I am looking forward to it shifting a bit better.
Off to start prepping my Tri bag...so I don't freak out on the 4 hour ride to the beach on Saturday.
Thanks everyone for your support and kind words.
12 miles of running
4,000 yards in the pool
20 miles on the bike
That's only since Monday...woo hoo - Kure Beach Tri here I come.
Now - one thing about Kure Beach Tri...it's an Ocean swim, something I've done but not in an organized fashion and my longest stints in the ocean were usually as a kid in the water off the coast of Maine on Family vacations...which, even in August would just about give you hypothermia... Trepidation does rise up every now and again as this will be a different format for a Tri for me. Instead of the usual single transition spot, there will be two separate ones, swim to where we transition to run, run to where we transition to bike. These are usually in one place but they will be two different locations. Hopefully I put my running shoes at the run transition and not my bike shoes - those would not be fun to run in, hell they're hard enough to walk in.
TrySports has tuned up the tricycle - so I am looking forward to it shifting a bit better.
Off to start prepping my Tri bag...so I don't freak out on the 4 hour ride to the beach on Saturday.
Thanks everyone for your support and kind words.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
it's not about the time.
That may sound like something someone who didn't or isn't having the best races and finishing times might say..and in some cases that is true here. I truly appreciate the kind words about the times I post, and will continue to post them. It spurs some interesting dialogue with friends, family, fellow racers and co-workers to be certain.
But the times I am posting after each event aren't about me, they're about keeping track of what I am doing, and at the end of it all, my few hours out on the roads, or in the water over the course of these 40 events will mean that many more hours that I've been working to raise awareness and funds to defeat blood cancers. With the success so far in fundraising and a big push over the next few months to increase fundraising, awareness and knock off a few more races - I hope that I can continue to share with all of you some of the truly important reasons I am doing this - and where all the dollars raised are going to go. what they will accomplish.
I can't do this without your continued support. So let me know of some races and maybe we can do them together. Let your friends know about what I am doing - if you haven't already. The more we engage in this endeavor the better. I will be working on some more corporate sponsorships to add to the support TrySports is giving me, as well as my potential involvement in the Karhu (http://karhu.com/) Explorer program...
Once I determine if that (Karhu) will work in the best interests of the LLS, their mission and my overall goal, I will provide more detail here. It's been a great day so far....now out to the boat!
Go TEAM!
But the times I am posting after each event aren't about me, they're about keeping track of what I am doing, and at the end of it all, my few hours out on the roads, or in the water over the course of these 40 events will mean that many more hours that I've been working to raise awareness and funds to defeat blood cancers. With the success so far in fundraising and a big push over the next few months to increase fundraising, awareness and knock off a few more races - I hope that I can continue to share with all of you some of the truly important reasons I am doing this - and where all the dollars raised are going to go. what they will accomplish.
I can't do this without your continued support. So let me know of some races and maybe we can do them together. Let your friends know about what I am doing - if you haven't already. The more we engage in this endeavor the better. I will be working on some more corporate sponsorships to add to the support TrySports is giving me, as well as my potential involvement in the Karhu (http://karhu.com/) Explorer program...
Once I determine if that (Karhu) will work in the best interests of the LLS, their mission and my overall goal, I will provide more detail here. It's been a great day so far....now out to the boat!
Go TEAM!
Race #11. Ada Jenkins FIRE 5K Saturday June 20
Another 11th hour decision, but another good one. The Ada Jenkins FIRE 5K was in it inaugural year, and I made it race #11 - good to get the running in by 8:30 AM as it is supposed to reach the mid to upper 90's today.
This race was raising funds to benefit the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, NC, http://www.adajenkins.org/. The "goody bag" was a home emergency kit, with a flashlight, am fm radio, packaged drinking water in a canvas backpack all in bright orange. Seemed odd, but after further inspection it's a really cool idea. There were about 50 - 60 runners registered, and lunch was a BBQ - we passed. I have a sneaking suspicion this will become a much bigger 5K in future years, once the word gets out. I'll go back....and stay for some Que!
Good course, a little twisty and turny, but tree lined streets through a couple of neighborhoods in and around the Davidson, NC area. Well supported, extremely well organized and run. All the volunteers were great.
Ran into Kevin Shea, fellow LLS Board member, and met his children...unfortunately, I am blanking on their names right now...senior moment I suppose. His kids did the fun run - and said they had fun - so that seems like a success.
Race recap - took off a bit too fast - with a sub-seven minute first mile, pulled it back to avoid overdoing it or injury with a Sprint Tri next weekend and 29 more races to go, and pulled back too far...wound up having a good race albeit unbalanced in terms of pace. Got to complete another event, support another worthwhile cause, and get cheered on by Sheila and Maggie - our dog - who loves to go to races - but hates watching everyone run by.
Got home, went to breakfast at Shuffletown - mmm mmm mmm - western omelet, wheat toast, biscuit and hash browns...then mowed the lawn for my cool down - so to speak.
Next up - Kure Beach Double Sprint, and $10,000 is RIGHT around the corner in terms of fundraising...we're so close to being 1/4 of the way there.
Thanks for reading, thanks for the support.
21:20 11 down 29 to go
This race was raising funds to benefit the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, NC, http://www.adajenkins.org/. The "goody bag" was a home emergency kit, with a flashlight, am fm radio, packaged drinking water in a canvas backpack all in bright orange. Seemed odd, but after further inspection it's a really cool idea. There were about 50 - 60 runners registered, and lunch was a BBQ - we passed. I have a sneaking suspicion this will become a much bigger 5K in future years, once the word gets out. I'll go back....and stay for some Que!
Good course, a little twisty and turny, but tree lined streets through a couple of neighborhoods in and around the Davidson, NC area. Well supported, extremely well organized and run. All the volunteers were great.
Ran into Kevin Shea, fellow LLS Board member, and met his children...unfortunately, I am blanking on their names right now...senior moment I suppose. His kids did the fun run - and said they had fun - so that seems like a success.
Race recap - took off a bit too fast - with a sub-seven minute first mile, pulled it back to avoid overdoing it or injury with a Sprint Tri next weekend and 29 more races to go, and pulled back too far...wound up having a good race albeit unbalanced in terms of pace. Got to complete another event, support another worthwhile cause, and get cheered on by Sheila and Maggie - our dog - who loves to go to races - but hates watching everyone run by.
Got home, went to breakfast at Shuffletown - mmm mmm mmm - western omelet, wheat toast, biscuit and hash browns...then mowed the lawn for my cool down - so to speak.
Next up - Kure Beach Double Sprint, and $10,000 is RIGHT around the corner in terms of fundraising...we're so close to being 1/4 of the way there.
Thanks for reading, thanks for the support.
21:20 11 down 29 to go
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Race #10, Tri Latta weekend, Part 4: Run to Finish!
I head towards the woods along the trail...I see Coach Steve AKA Scuba Steve, Kevin and Cheryl as I leave transition, then Sandra, Sheila, Stacey as I make the turn into the woods. Nice trail run - although a bit harder course than a couple years ago. There is this one kid, a young boy of probably 9 or 10...maybe older but its hard to tell because he is running so fast and getting FURTHER and FURTHER away from me...holy cow. How does he run that fast? His legs are half the length of mine. He looks like Speedy Gonzales...eepah, eepah, andale, andale...
Anywho - back to the run - we make our way out and back, and I come back to where I saw Sheila and company...climb the last little hill and turn towards the finish.
Make the last turn and pick it up a bit. I know my run was slower than I would have liked, but in reality - the competition is to raise awareness of blood cancers, the ongoing research and much needed support, not my overall time in an event, or segment of an event....but I am competitive by nature. So - note to self.
At the end of the day - all 35 TnT'ers finished all with smiles on their faces. We accomplished something pretty great that day - and will continue to work towards even greater things. Setup Events as always - did an awesome job with this race. The TnT coaches did an amazing job training us all for the event. The TnT Team - did and continues to do amazing things, raising awareness, funds and support for the battle the LLS takes on each day.
Thank you all for your support thus far. Keep the comments coming. I look forward to hearing from you.
1:40:35
10 down 30 to go, with over $7,000 raised and recorded thus far
Anywho - back to the run - we make our way out and back, and I come back to where I saw Sheila and company...climb the last little hill and turn towards the finish.
Make the last turn and pick it up a bit. I know my run was slower than I would have liked, but in reality - the competition is to raise awareness of blood cancers, the ongoing research and much needed support, not my overall time in an event, or segment of an event....but I am competitive by nature. So - note to self.
At the end of the day - all 35 TnT'ers finished all with smiles on their faces. We accomplished something pretty great that day - and will continue to work towards even greater things. Setup Events as always - did an awesome job with this race. The TnT coaches did an amazing job training us all for the event. The TnT Team - did and continues to do amazing things, raising awareness, funds and support for the battle the LLS takes on each day.
Thank you all for your support thus far. Keep the comments coming. I look forward to hearing from you.
1:40:35
10 down 30 to go, with over $7,000 raised and recorded thus far
Race #10, Tri Latta weekend, Part 3: Bike to T2
violated this rule and fidgeted with my watch...for probably 30 - 40 seconds. Waste of time - but I came to my senses eventually and hit the road.
Clean mount (you have to get on the bike at or just past the "mount" line) and away we go. Knowing the bike course is always very helpful - so one can make sure they are in the right gears and pushing it appropriately for hills, flats, downhills, sharp turns etc. It helped knowing the course Sunday - I had a great ride and was really enjoying it - then as I shifted around mile 12...dropped my chain (I KNOW Cat - can you believe it?). The chain popped off the small ring, and while I can usually pick it back up in mid pedal stroke...it was too far off. So - I dismount and put it back on...grumble, grumble, grumble...and get going again. 5 more miles
Make the final turn into Latta and head for the transition and a 5K run.
As I near the dismount line, I recall the race 2 years ago...I had fun then - and am having just as much fun this year. Knowing that I will have completed 10 races out of the 40. Knowing I am making a difference - and hearing the coaches, friends, Sheila cheering...gave me goosebumps.
Dismount, I do not fall over, or trip over myself, or crash into anyone...which is good. Jog into transition, presto change-o into my running shoes, put on my running number (it's the same as the rest of the numbers, just more visible for ID when you cross the finish line, and if you don't have it - it is a two minute penalty...and one more thing to worry about in transition) ditch the bike helmet and gloves and I'm off.
Clean mount (you have to get on the bike at or just past the "mount" line) and away we go. Knowing the bike course is always very helpful - so one can make sure they are in the right gears and pushing it appropriately for hills, flats, downhills, sharp turns etc. It helped knowing the course Sunday - I had a great ride and was really enjoying it - then as I shifted around mile 12...dropped my chain (I KNOW Cat - can you believe it?). The chain popped off the small ring, and while I can usually pick it back up in mid pedal stroke...it was too far off. So - I dismount and put it back on...grumble, grumble, grumble...and get going again. 5 more miles
Make the final turn into Latta and head for the transition and a 5K run.
As I near the dismount line, I recall the race 2 years ago...I had fun then - and am having just as much fun this year. Knowing that I will have completed 10 races out of the 40. Knowing I am making a difference - and hearing the coaches, friends, Sheila cheering...gave me goosebumps.
Dismount, I do not fall over, or trip over myself, or crash into anyone...which is good. Jog into transition, presto change-o into my running shoes, put on my running number (it's the same as the rest of the numbers, just more visible for ID when you cross the finish line, and if you don't have it - it is a two minute penalty...and one more thing to worry about in transition) ditch the bike helmet and gloves and I'm off.
Race #10, Tri Latta weekend, Part 2: Swim to T1
So, with and hour to go, time to try and relax. So, I break out the iPod, drink some more water, stretch a bit...pass the time. Sun comes up. The day is turning into a spectacular day to go for a swim, a bike ride and a run...with some wardrobe changes in between.
I decide it is time to go check out the lake....
As I approach the lake, there are several young kids who will be doing the race, seemingly a bit anxious about the swim "you can't see the bottom", " wait, there are fish in there"...I calmly reassure them that the sharks sleep in on Sundays..nice of me - no?
So - unlike the previous Tri - which was a pool swim - they send the swimmers off in waves. On this day, it is men, in two groups alphabetically (A-L then M-Z) , then women in two groups, alphabetically, then the mens and womens "master" categories, which are racers 40 years and older, then relay teams.
Wave one goes off at 6:30 AM, wearing white swim caps...they're the white caps and they're churning up the water, appropriate. I missed this little tid bit but heard about it from another blog, apparently there was a water snake sliding through the water - right behind the first wave of swimmers. Nice.
I am in wave two - John is right there beside me - always friendly and making jokes, nervous energy or just who he is? It's just who he is..he's not nervous.
So at 6:34 - the horn sounds and off we go.
So - my impromptu, self designed open water swim (OWS)the other day was a good idea. The water is murky, warm, and I probably would have had a harder time settling in if I hadn't done it - and yet...I still have this dysfunction about OWS...I swear my legs are dragging behind me, not kicking...I didn't try and breathe with my face in the water this time, but still...sheesh.
So we head outwards, out towards the turn buoy (regular marker buoys are usually orange cylinders, turn buoys are usually a different shape, such as a triangle/cone, or a different color) and I notice - guys from the first wave are headed right towards me.
See when you swim in open water, there are no lane markers to tell you your going straight-ish...so you're supposed to "sight" every couple of strokes to make sure you're headed in the right direction. Sighting is when you pop your head up and look forward to find the next buoy and adjust accordingly.
It appeared that the first few guys in the first wave were sighting off the wrong buoy and headed back the way we came, or were going - depending on where you were in the swim. And - one wrong turn, and a little follow the leader, and you have a half dozen guys off course.
I try to wave them in the right direction but they blow past me...someone will get them turned around as there are course marshalls on the swim - in kayaks and motor boats in the event of a missed turn, or swimmer in trouble...
I make it to the turn and head back in towards shore - five words I love to say to myself as I am swimming...head back in towards shore... pass one buoy, then the next, then the last one. I almost get run over by some guy going hell bent for leather directly across my "bow" headed out towards the open lake - parallel towards shore - try to tell him "You're going the wrong way"...but a face full of foot and some lake water and it's lost...All I can think of at this point is of course, Planes, Trains and Automobiles...maybe his response was "How does he know where I'm going, yeah, right - ahh he's drunk"...but in fact I did know where he wanted to go...
Make it out of the swim - to the cheers of our coaches, friends, other spectators and head up the hill to transition quick smile for the camera and I get to the bike.
Now - one adage we are told time and again, and one I live by is "nothing new on race day" that means, don't wear brand new shoes, don't eat food you haven't eaten while training, don't decide to not wear socks while riding...and don't try to use different gadgets on your watch that you've not used previously on race day..
I violated this rule...why do I DO these things??!
I decide it is time to go check out the lake....
As I approach the lake, there are several young kids who will be doing the race, seemingly a bit anxious about the swim "you can't see the bottom", " wait, there are fish in there"...I calmly reassure them that the sharks sleep in on Sundays..nice of me - no?
So - unlike the previous Tri - which was a pool swim - they send the swimmers off in waves. On this day, it is men, in two groups alphabetically (A-L then M-Z) , then women in two groups, alphabetically, then the mens and womens "master" categories, which are racers 40 years and older, then relay teams.
Wave one goes off at 6:30 AM, wearing white swim caps...they're the white caps and they're churning up the water, appropriate. I missed this little tid bit but heard about it from another blog, apparently there was a water snake sliding through the water - right behind the first wave of swimmers. Nice.
I am in wave two - John is right there beside me - always friendly and making jokes, nervous energy or just who he is? It's just who he is..he's not nervous.
So at 6:34 - the horn sounds and off we go.
So - my impromptu, self designed open water swim (OWS)the other day was a good idea. The water is murky, warm, and I probably would have had a harder time settling in if I hadn't done it - and yet...I still have this dysfunction about OWS...I swear my legs are dragging behind me, not kicking...I didn't try and breathe with my face in the water this time, but still...sheesh.
So we head outwards, out towards the turn buoy (regular marker buoys are usually orange cylinders, turn buoys are usually a different shape, such as a triangle/cone, or a different color) and I notice - guys from the first wave are headed right towards me.
See when you swim in open water, there are no lane markers to tell you your going straight-ish...so you're supposed to "sight" every couple of strokes to make sure you're headed in the right direction. Sighting is when you pop your head up and look forward to find the next buoy and adjust accordingly.
It appeared that the first few guys in the first wave were sighting off the wrong buoy and headed back the way we came, or were going - depending on where you were in the swim. And - one wrong turn, and a little follow the leader, and you have a half dozen guys off course.
I try to wave them in the right direction but they blow past me...someone will get them turned around as there are course marshalls on the swim - in kayaks and motor boats in the event of a missed turn, or swimmer in trouble...
I make it to the turn and head back in towards shore - five words I love to say to myself as I am swimming...head back in towards shore... pass one buoy, then the next, then the last one. I almost get run over by some guy going hell bent for leather directly across my "bow" headed out towards the open lake - parallel towards shore - try to tell him "You're going the wrong way"...but a face full of foot and some lake water and it's lost...All I can think of at this point is of course, Planes, Trains and Automobiles...maybe his response was "How does he know where I'm going, yeah, right - ahh he's drunk"...but in fact I did know where he wanted to go...
Make it out of the swim - to the cheers of our coaches, friends, other spectators and head up the hill to transition quick smile for the camera and I get to the bike.
Now - one adage we are told time and again, and one I live by is "nothing new on race day" that means, don't wear brand new shoes, don't eat food you haven't eaten while training, don't decide to not wear socks while riding...and don't try to use different gadgets on your watch that you've not used previously on race day..
I violated this rule...why do I DO these things??!
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