So, for this evening's post I originally planned to talk about resolutions. But, after some deliberation, I decided to save that cliché for tomorrow. Tonight I wanna talk about what we will all have tomorrow. That's right, this post is about hangovers! (no, I'm not talking about illegitimate children or STDs... I hope my readers have some class!)
Almost everyone of age will have at least one glass of champagne this evening, and those of us who have... *ahem* ...a few more might wake up feeling a little rough tomorrow morning. Which could put off your New Year's Resolutions even further! Well, I would say just be responsible, but what's life without a little vice?
Now obviously you have to be smart, if not responsible. Things like drinking water, taking it slow, and not mixing beverages of choice are solid ways to not feel like your head is on an elevator tomorrow. Get some sleep, eat a big greasy breakfast, and go get on with your life!
As a 24 year old and having gone to UW, I have experienced my fair share of hangovers. Now, as a professional athlete, I have commitments bigger than just showing up for class, I've gotta perform physically 19 out of 20 days! What it comes down to for me is this; when you're hungover, you still have to do everything you've committed to, you'll just not want to do them. Get up, get it done, its the only thing that will make you feel better.
However, your track workout will go a lot better if you don't polish off a 5th of Maker's Mark the night before, so think about what you've gotta get done tomorrow, and keep your debauchery as a once-in-a-while thing. Go have fun tonight, but remember your commitments! Until tomorrow, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
PowerBar Top-5
As a challenge to myself to bring in 2013, I have decided to write one blog post a day for one month straight. I think this will get me back in the rhythm of blogging more, so that you all can enjoy my steady stream of ranting BS....
In all seriousness, lately I have been slacking in my professionalism; not only in training, but in my commitments and in life in general. Well, I'd say the New Year is a good time to change that, but why wait until Tuesday?? Lets get started now!
To kick this off, I am going to fulfill a sponsor requirement for PowerBar, one of my sponsors for 2012 and 2013. For those of you who aren't familiar, PowerBar is one of the leading companies in the sports nutrition industry. I am glad to have them on board, both because their logo looks SICK on my race kit, and because their patented blend of glucose and fructose (called C2 Max) is shown to deliver 20-50% more energy to working muscles. I will spare you the biochemistry lesson and get down to my favorite things to snarf before, after, and during training!
#5: S'mores Triple Threat Bar
Ok, seriously, I don't feel like I need to go into a lot of detail here. You read the word s'mores, you're already sold. I use these for a quick snack while at work or on the go. They taste great, and with protein and the C2 blend of carbohydrates, they keep you going longer than a candy bar, and taste even better.
#4: Peanut Butter Performance Energy Bar
When I found out PowerBar had their classic bars in peanut butter flavor, the fat kid inside me wiped his Kool-Aid stained mouth with a sweaty hand and jumped up and down with delight... for a few seconds before he got tired. Anyway, I carry at least one of these on any ride longer than 40 miles, and scarfed 2 of them in my last HalfRev race. Again, energy that works, but also tastes great.
#3: Cola Energy Blasts
From the time I first started cycling as a sullen 15 year old, my Dad always taught me that there is no better way to stave off a bonk or bring you back from the dead than an ice cold, real Coke. Well, Dad, I beg to differ. Cola Energy Blasts from PowerBar have that same coke taste, C2 Max blend, as well as caffeine to jump start your dead batteries. A word to the wise; when taping these to your top-tube for a race, consider keeping them in their packaging when in Dallas in June... cleanup gets a little, well, sticky.
#2: Dulce de Leche Protein Plus Bar
Yep, you read that right. Not only does it taste like dulce de leche, its got 30 grams of protein to rebuild muscle, stabilize blood-sugar, and keep you satisfied after a workout or for a meal on the go. More importantly for me, its got a nice chew to it. I don't know about y'all, but I like a protein bar that has just the right amount of chewiness, somewhere between shoe leather and phyllo dough...
#1: Strawberry Banana Energy Gel
So you get this gel from a vendor at a race right. Its last minute, you tell him your with PowerBar so he hooks you up, and you end up taping it to your top tube along with four of its brothers. At mile 15 on the bike, you throw one down and think you've been given a frozen yogurt with EPO in it... and you pretty much have... minus the EPO, and add some caffeine and C2 Max... Well, that's a nice story, and that's how it happened to me (and its been love ever since!), but don't wait for your next race, go out and buy some now!
Well, this is just a fraction of the great products offered by PowerBar. Check out my favorites at powerbar.com and let me know what you think of them. Feel free to add a few of your favorites to this list and spread the word! Until tomorrow, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!
In all seriousness, lately I have been slacking in my professionalism; not only in training, but in my commitments and in life in general. Well, I'd say the New Year is a good time to change that, but why wait until Tuesday?? Lets get started now!
To kick this off, I am going to fulfill a sponsor requirement for PowerBar, one of my sponsors for 2012 and 2013. For those of you who aren't familiar, PowerBar is one of the leading companies in the sports nutrition industry. I am glad to have them on board, both because their logo looks SICK on my race kit, and because their patented blend of glucose and fructose (called C2 Max) is shown to deliver 20-50% more energy to working muscles. I will spare you the biochemistry lesson and get down to my favorite things to snarf before, after, and during training!
#5: S'mores Triple Threat Bar
Ok, seriously, I don't feel like I need to go into a lot of detail here. You read the word s'mores, you're already sold. I use these for a quick snack while at work or on the go. They taste great, and with protein and the C2 blend of carbohydrates, they keep you going longer than a candy bar, and taste even better.
#4: Peanut Butter Performance Energy Bar
When I found out PowerBar had their classic bars in peanut butter flavor, the fat kid inside me wiped his Kool-Aid stained mouth with a sweaty hand and jumped up and down with delight... for a few seconds before he got tired. Anyway, I carry at least one of these on any ride longer than 40 miles, and scarfed 2 of them in my last HalfRev race. Again, energy that works, but also tastes great.
#3: Cola Energy Blasts
From the time I first started cycling as a sullen 15 year old, my Dad always taught me that there is no better way to stave off a bonk or bring you back from the dead than an ice cold, real Coke. Well, Dad, I beg to differ. Cola Energy Blasts from PowerBar have that same coke taste, C2 Max blend, as well as caffeine to jump start your dead batteries. A word to the wise; when taping these to your top-tube for a race, consider keeping them in their packaging when in Dallas in June... cleanup gets a little, well, sticky.
#2: Dulce de Leche Protein Plus Bar
Yep, you read that right. Not only does it taste like dulce de leche, its got 30 grams of protein to rebuild muscle, stabilize blood-sugar, and keep you satisfied after a workout or for a meal on the go. More importantly for me, its got a nice chew to it. I don't know about y'all, but I like a protein bar that has just the right amount of chewiness, somewhere between shoe leather and phyllo dough...
#1: Strawberry Banana Energy Gel
So you get this gel from a vendor at a race right. Its last minute, you tell him your with PowerBar so he hooks you up, and you end up taping it to your top tube along with four of its brothers. At mile 15 on the bike, you throw one down and think you've been given a frozen yogurt with EPO in it... and you pretty much have... minus the EPO, and add some caffeine and C2 Max... Well, that's a nice story, and that's how it happened to me (and its been love ever since!), but don't wait for your next race, go out and buy some now!
Well, this is just a fraction of the great products offered by PowerBar. Check out my favorites at powerbar.com and let me know what you think of them. Feel free to add a few of your favorites to this list and spread the word! Until tomorrow, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Cancun
Almost 2 months ago (I know, I know super late as usual) I went to Cancun for my first World Cup
race. I was excited about this race for a number of reasons; first off, I
wanted to redeem myself after Buffalo. Also, it was a sprint race on a fast
course, and most importantly, it was in Cancun!!
I don’t need to sit here and rub it in your face with fall
already here and winter well on its way… but I am going to anyway! Cancun is
gorgeous if you haven’t heard, I literally felt like I was in a postcard the
whole time. White sand beaches giving away to clear blue water, palm trees, and
warm breezes welcomed us as we landed.
The airport proved to be a lot nicer than Mazatlan (go
figure!) and my parents were tempted by some slippery dude trying to give us a
tour of his hotel, as well as like 7 bottles of tequila, a free day at a spa,
and a free stay there next time we come. Do you smell that bull sh*t? Maybe its
just our generation who has been getting spam emails from the time we were 14, but I am so skeptical of anything like this that sounds too
good to be true… Find some other white people to scam,
dude. Traveler’s tip: When in Cancun, if anyone asks, tell them you’ve already
been there, and that you don’t want to tour their damn hotel! Ok, done ranting.
We stayed at an all-inclusive resort, which was very nice
and perfectly located, if the room was a bit musty. The pre-race meeting was on
Friday, and as always it was good to see my triathlon buddies. Saturday I swam
the course, got a step count on the entry, walked transition, and took a couple
laps on the bike course. The water was very clear and not very deep. Watching
fish swim away as my shadow passed overhead, I now know how hawks must feel
when they fly over mice.
This course familiarization is always an important
preparation for me. I like knowing where I am going to race, even more than who
I am going to race. To quote Frederich the Great, “It is pardonable to be
defeated, but never surprised.” I definitely do not want to be surprised by the
course on race day, although your opponents will always surprise you, one way
or another.
After an easy bike to the hotel (which was only about 2
miles away!) and an easy jog, we ate dinner and were actually able to watch the
Huskers play Ohio State! And it wasn’t even in Spanish! Tragically, Nebraska
did not execute as they should have.
Their head coach, Bo Pelini, always talks about “executing,”
which to me means focusing on doing your job and letting the chips fall as they may. I like this idea, control what you can and don't dwell on what you can't.... and fortunately for me I do not have to rely on 10 other guys on the field to
also execute!
Race day I was actually up early since the race started at
11. I had breakfast and biked down to the course. After watching the women (but
mostly Flora Duffy, whom I’ve realized I have a huge junior-high crush on…)
swim I took a light jog and did a few strides. I watched the women finish and
headed down to the water to double-check my step count and warm up.
Since I have no WTS points, I my number was 50, and I had to
start way off to the right. This meant I had to fight the current to get to the
first buoy, and was not ideal. It also means you can see me at the start, I am
the big gringo in red! Click below for a 3 minute video recapping the race, I've got a couple nice cameos in there, but *Spoiler Alert!* I don't win....
My step count proved solid and I had a great swim to the
first buoy. I was leading the
group to the right, you can see me in like 2nd or 3rd
place in the video, but coming into the buoy the current pushed everyone into
me and I got tangled in the melee. After this, I stuck with the pack and
finished out the swim just hard enough to make the pack.
And make the pack I did! I executed, Bo Pelini would be so
proud! The first kilometer out of transition I pushed my way up to the front of
what had become a massive group. I found myself behind Joe Maloy, and figured
that meant I was in pretty good position.
I think of Joe sort of like my triathlon older brother, largely
because he has been at all the ITU races I have, so he’s been there for my
“growing up” in the sport. I remember the first time I made a pack, in Dallas,
and I caught up to him, grinning like an idiot. Just like my real older brother Will when I told him I'd lost my virginity, Joe gave me a nod and a smile like, "Yeah, its pretty cool huh?"
So there I was, grinning like an idiot again, racing in
paradise, taking a few pulls at the front in a pack loaded with Olympians and
WTS racers. How do you know when you’ve made it? I don’t know, but I feel like I could see it from there. I was living the dream.
Yes, the run was decent, but it was not what I should have
gone or even close to what I wanted to go. Sure, it was hot and humid, but what
it really came down to was losing position into transition (say that 5 times
fast!) and not packing up with the right guys. Still, I look at this race as a
success. I executed everything to plan. I placed top 40 at my first World Cup
which means I got points, and I PR’ed on a sprint course (56:28) and it was in
freakin’ Cancun!
After a couple more days relaxing on the beach drinking Dos
Equis we came home, back to fall weather, and back to training. I did one more race this season, a Rev3 in Florida. I will give a brief recap on that, and then a season recap and a plan for next year! Until then, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Buffalo
Ah, Buffalo... This was a weekend of firsts for me. The first time Zane got to come to a race, the first time both my parents came to a Pan-Am Cup, my first Elite Nationals... Also, it was several negative firsts for me. The first time I have ever missed a flight, the first time I ever got a time penalty, and my first bad race, through and through, to the point where I have a hard time finding positives.
Rather than dwell on it, I will try to keep this as short as possible. To begin, my parents had decided to come with me, and also Zane got to come up for the race as well as for a USAT coaching conference over the weekend. Traveling with my parents is great, I love them very much, and I always enjoy spending time with them. However, I hadn't realized how structured my travel to races has become since I usually travel alone. Since they were along and I hadn't prepared them or myself, it added another stressor.
We missed our connecting flight in DC due to some Oldzilla who took a solid 15 minutes to deplane and the ridiculous inefficiency of the Dulles Airport. Like seriously, who designed that hell hole?!
This set off a bad sleep and nutrition schedule, as well as a bad attitude going into the weekend. We were able to get into Buffalo a couple days out from the race in spite of this, but I was sleep deprived and cranky.
Now, going into the race, there were glaring details that I had overlooked, and I would like to share them with you now so you may learn from my stupidity. I did not have a race plan written up, and given my personality type this is like a quarterback snapping the ball without having called a play. Also, I hadn't looked at course maps, nor done a good job of previewing the race course, especially the transition area. That turned out to be a big mistake. I did not communicate well with my parents, and on race day morning I did not have a nutrition plan which is crucial when the gun doesn't go off until 2:30 pm.
The common theme in all of this was a lack of focus. I think having my parents there caused me to revert to being a kid going to a swim meet again. I am no longer a kid nor a swimmer, I am a grown-ass man and apparently a professional triathlete! I need to act like one! Going into the world cup this weekend, I have a totally different approach, but that's a whole other blog post...
As I set up transition I knew I wasn't focused. I kept second-guessing myself, and re-setting things. As I warmed up I felt solid, but all the physical preparation in the world cannot overcome a lack of mental preparation. As I toed the line (it was a dive start, which is good for a former swimmer!) I had no note of who was where or even a plan of how to approach the swim. As such, when I found myself leading the middle group, I went hard left to pack up with another group I saw rather than waiting until the buoy to merge. Had I paid attention, I would've seen the stronger guys to my right, and known that the current would push them in a bit as we came to the buoy.
I did slowly move up during the swim, and I was in decent position (about 17th) coming out of the water. I ran hard to T1, but without a plan or my head on my shoulders I grabbed my bike and got going. Only when I had the thought, "how can I put my helmet on while I'm riding?" did I realize I'd made a mistake. In an ITU race, your helmet must be on and buckled before you can take your bike off the rack. Penalty box, here I come!
On the ride I was way under-geared. This causes your heart rate to climb, although it feels easier on your legs. Generally speaking, by shifting up you will push a faster speed and lower your heart rate, but you will burn your legs a bit more. Had I known this, I probably would have shifted up, but at the time I was in self-preservation mode. Not even Zane telling me (yes, telling; he speaks very calmly during a race, less Bo Pelini, more Buddha) to shift up could convince me. As a result, I got dropped time and time again, and I consider myself to be a decent cyclist... not someone who gets dropped in a continental cup. Since Buffalo, we have worked a lot on this and I will not make the same mistake ever again.
Being in a bad position, getting dropped, having a time penalty, and doing all this in front of my parents and coach had me in a BAD mood going into the run. I should've pushed it anyway, I am capable of going much faster than I did, but I had checked out mentally and basically did a tempo run off the bike.
Well, this race was a learning experience to be sure. I am done beating myself up about it. It is important to have a short memory sometimes, like Eli Manning! The dude can have 3 terrible quarters of football, and then blow it up in the 4th and win the game!
I now know I have to have a specific plan going into a race, and how it is important for me to follow it. In the long run, I think it was a good thing to have a bad race like this, it is easier to learn from failure than from success. I can promise you I won't make these sorts of age-grouper mistakes again, and I have a totally different approach going into the world cup this weekend in Cancun.
Once again, wish me luck and FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!
Transition... it looks innocent enough, right?
Rather than dwell on it, I will try to keep this as short as possible. To begin, my parents had decided to come with me, and also Zane got to come up for the race as well as for a USAT coaching conference over the weekend. Traveling with my parents is great, I love them very much, and I always enjoy spending time with them. However, I hadn't realized how structured my travel to races has become since I usually travel alone. Since they were along and I hadn't prepared them or myself, it added another stressor.
We missed our connecting flight in DC due to some Oldzilla who took a solid 15 minutes to deplane and the ridiculous inefficiency of the Dulles Airport. Like seriously, who designed that hell hole?!
This set off a bad sleep and nutrition schedule, as well as a bad attitude going into the weekend. We were able to get into Buffalo a couple days out from the race in spite of this, but I was sleep deprived and cranky.
One of the few things I did right... spaghetti and meatballs at the little hole-in-the-wall Italian place
Now, going into the race, there were glaring details that I had overlooked, and I would like to share them with you now so you may learn from my stupidity. I did not have a race plan written up, and given my personality type this is like a quarterback snapping the ball without having called a play. Also, I hadn't looked at course maps, nor done a good job of previewing the race course, especially the transition area. That turned out to be a big mistake. I did not communicate well with my parents, and on race day morning I did not have a nutrition plan which is crucial when the gun doesn't go off until 2:30 pm.
...Don't worry, my race-day nutrition wasn't this bad... finding a good coffee shop while traveling is a skill in itself, but that's a whole other blog post!
The common theme in all of this was a lack of focus. I think having my parents there caused me to revert to being a kid going to a swim meet again. I am no longer a kid nor a swimmer, I am a grown-ass man and apparently a professional triathlete! I need to act like one! Going into the world cup this weekend, I have a totally different approach, but that's a whole other blog post...
Wearing red on Game Day like a good Husker fan... even when I have to race! Tragically, I raced worse than they played... which isn't always the case!
As I set up transition I knew I wasn't focused. I kept second-guessing myself, and re-setting things. As I warmed up I felt solid, but all the physical preparation in the world cannot overcome a lack of mental preparation. As I toed the line (it was a dive start, which is good for a former swimmer!) I had no note of who was where or even a plan of how to approach the swim. As such, when I found myself leading the middle group, I went hard left to pack up with another group I saw rather than waiting until the buoy to merge. Had I paid attention, I would've seen the stronger guys to my right, and known that the current would push them in a bit as we came to the buoy.
I did slowly move up during the swim, and I was in decent position (about 17th) coming out of the water. I ran hard to T1, but without a plan or my head on my shoulders I grabbed my bike and got going. Only when I had the thought, "how can I put my helmet on while I'm riding?" did I realize I'd made a mistake. In an ITU race, your helmet must be on and buckled before you can take your bike off the rack. Penalty box, here I come!
On the ride I was way under-geared. This causes your heart rate to climb, although it feels easier on your legs. Generally speaking, by shifting up you will push a faster speed and lower your heart rate, but you will burn your legs a bit more. Had I known this, I probably would have shifted up, but at the time I was in self-preservation mode. Not even Zane telling me (yes, telling; he speaks very calmly during a race, less Bo Pelini, more Buddha) to shift up could convince me. As a result, I got dropped time and time again, and I consider myself to be a decent cyclist... not someone who gets dropped in a continental cup. Since Buffalo, we have worked a lot on this and I will not make the same mistake ever again.
Being in a bad position, getting dropped, having a time penalty, and doing all this in front of my parents and coach had me in a BAD mood going into the run. I should've pushed it anyway, I am capable of going much faster than I did, but I had checked out mentally and basically did a tempo run off the bike.
This sums up the race in a word... "grundle."
Well, this race was a learning experience to be sure. I am done beating myself up about it. It is important to have a short memory sometimes, like Eli Manning! The dude can have 3 terrible quarters of football, and then blow it up in the 4th and win the game!
I now know I have to have a specific plan going into a race, and how it is important for me to follow it. In the long run, I think it was a good thing to have a bad race like this, it is easier to learn from failure than from success. I can promise you I won't make these sorts of age-grouper mistakes again, and I have a totally different approach going into the world cup this weekend in Cancun.
Once again, wish me luck and FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!
Kelowna
So, I figured I should finally post this before I have
ANOTHER race (this weekend!) to procrastinate writing a report for! The Kelowna
Pan-Am cup race I did in August was one of the most beautiful venues I have
ever seen. It was my first time in Canada, and I wasn’t disappointed.
I was told Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley where it is
located are a lot like Napa Valley in the states. They certainly had the mild
climate, farms and vineyards, and beautiful scenery! Flying in I was surprised
to see a patchwork of fields, but felt immediately comforted. Pastoral people
are good people, and being from Nebraska I felt right at home.
I did a home-stay with one of the nicest people I have ever
met. She showed me around town, introduced me to some great people at a couple
parties we went to, and I never felt unwelcome in her home. I understand she is
quite the runner too!
Only in Canada would they have a pre-race meeting in a
hockey arena. I have grown to like these meetings. It is like a reunion party
with the other racers. Obviously we are all leering a bit, sizing each other up
before the race, but as I get to know these guys I can’t help but like them and
become friends. At the end of the day, we are all chasing the same thing… and
besides, if they’re triathletes they can’t be all bad!
Race day morning I slept in, (this is why I LOVE Continental
cups… 3PM start time? Yes, please!) I enjoyed my breakfast on the patio (which
overlooks an orchard, which overlooks a golf course, which overlooks the lake
and the rest of the valley) and had an easy jog through the orchards. I went
down to the race site at around noon to warm up, set up transition, and get ready.
Toeing the line in an ITU race is all fanfare and nerves. It
is probably my least favorite part of the whole race, but it’s also cool to
have your name announced as you run out to your position (I generally make a
point to mean-mug the crowd, Dwayne Wade-style, or at least Tebow). I always
hate standing there, waiting, but this time I was focused and ready.
As the gun went off (or is it a horn? Or a whistle? It could
be a fart for all I know, I just know to go) I took off hard. This time I knew
my step count going in. For some reason, this little strategy from Zane helped
a ton. I had 5 steps to the right depth, and dove in. I missed the majority of
the bar fight that is an ITU start (aw, shucks!) and found myself in the front
pack. I felt good the whole first lap, and exited/re-entered quickly, again
using my step count. This is where I messed up; I saw the 4-5 guys ahead of me
sort of bowing out wide, so I tried to take a shorter line to the first buoy.
What I didn’t realize is how much harder it is to swim solo in choppy water. I
lost probably 5 positions before I figured out what was going on and hopped
into the pack again.
At the exit, we were really strung out in a straight line. I
came out of the water probably around 8th place. Sprinting to
transition 1 is always one of the hardest parts of the race. Your blood
pressure spikes from changing posture so drastically, which in turn spikes your
heart rate and makes you feel exhausted, and there is Zane in the back of my
mind yelling “MAKE THE PACK!!”
Coming out of T1 with my bike I could see the breakaway,
maybe 25 meters ahead, and another group of 2 about 10 meters up. I caught the
second group, just as one of them (who went on to win the race) sprinted up and
caught the pack. So there we were, Ryan Bice and I, with a decision. Obviously
we wanted to hammer it and catch those guys, which we tried, but they were well
organized, and after the first climb we realized we weren’t gaining any ground.
We sat up and let a few more catch us.
The ride was pretty uneventful after that. I honestly
thought we would reel in the breakaway like in Dallas, but they were too strong
and too organized. The one thing I did notice was how sharp my handling was, I
could gap about anyone on a corner.
The top of the one climb. Glad I got to appreciate this before the race, because I certainly wasn't appreciating much other than the descent to come during the race. Dad, you were right this time, "just one more hill," but there were 6 laps... so there was just one more hill 6 times.
Going into the run I knew I was a bit dehydrated. It was a
hot day (yeah, in Canada… who knew?) and I only had one bottle on the bike
(mistake) so I tried to get as much water down as I could at the aid stations.
I passed a couple guys on the first lap, and packed up with Ryan Bice… again!
We traded surges back and forth for the rest of the race. I hope I helped pace
him as much as he did me.
Aside from racing Ryan, I was able to keep up a good
internal dialogue that got me through this run… but that’s a whole other blog
post.
I eventually was able to gap Ryan in the last lap, and wound
up finishing 14th overall with a pretty salty run split for a
swimmer. It is interesting to see how far I have come. In Dallas in June I got
16th and was pumped, but here in Kelowna I was disappointed with 14th.
Well, going into Buffalo (Sept. 15th!) I had
dialed a few things in, but to no avail. That post will immediately follow this one, and thus you will
have both reports before I have even boarded a plane to go to Cancun and race
my first world cup! I will do my best to write that report within the week this
time… but lets be honest you’re not exactly holding your breath over there are
you? Until then, wish me luck and FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
OTC Camp
Alright, I know, this is way late (3 or 4 weeks, to be more specific) and I've since had a race in Kelowna. However, in the interest of keeping this chronological, I will post about the OTC today, and Kelowna tomorrow.
Dude, did you get fired or something? Why do you have all this time now?
Well, its not so much that I didn't have the time before, I just tend to over-think these posts... shut up and write, right?
For those of you who don't know, I got into triathlon largely because I was a collegiate swimmer at the University of Wyoming. I didn't know what to do with my early successes in triathlon until I got in contact with Barb Lindquist at Collegiate Recruitment. This program recruits Division 1 swimmers and runners and helps us become ITU racers with the hope that some of us will represent our country in the Olympics in the future.
I was never technically a bona-fide member of the program since I couldn't make the 3k run split until I'd already had a pro license and a coach... 10:12, pretty pathetic right? ...Then again, you runners' swim requirements are marginally faster than my warmup pace, so I don't feel too bad when you blow by me on the last lap of a continental cup!
Bona-fide or not, I got invited to a pretty exclusive CRP camp at the Olympic Training Center. 10 days of drills, lectures, ice cream, and workouts... and ice cream. Did I mention the OTC has ice cream at every meal? The fat kid inside of me peed his pants in delight.
Working with the Olympic Track Cycling coach, the OTC resident swim coach, and run specialist Bobby McGee were some of the greatest learning experiences I have had in this sport. I learned how to handle my bike. I saw how complacent I had become on my swim. I learned all about run mechanics and how I need to change my body to improve my run. I learned how to approach workouts and races from a mental standpoint, and how to cope when my thoughts start to break down. All of this has changed me as an athlete, and I now know what I need to do to get to that next level. This really re-affirmed my dream of becoming an olympian, no matter how far off that dream may be.
This was all good and fine, but probably the most important thing I took from this camp was a huge group of new friends! Turns out, most of us CRP recruits have the same foul sense of humor, desire for camaraderie, and balls-to-the-walls aggression on the race course. I miss all you guys and can't wait to see you on the circuit!
Dude, did you get fired or something? Why do you have all this time now?
Well, its not so much that I didn't have the time before, I just tend to over-think these posts... shut up and write, right?
The Olympic Torch
For those of you who don't know, I got into triathlon largely because I was a collegiate swimmer at the University of Wyoming. I didn't know what to do with my early successes in triathlon until I got in contact with Barb Lindquist at Collegiate Recruitment. This program recruits Division 1 swimmers and runners and helps us become ITU racers with the hope that some of us will represent our country in the Olympics in the future.
One of many souvenirs from the camp, my Team USA mug always gets me going in the morning!
I was never technically a bona-fide member of the program since I couldn't make the 3k run split until I'd already had a pro license and a coach... 10:12, pretty pathetic right? ...Then again, you runners' swim requirements are marginally faster than my warmup pace, so I don't feel too bad when you blow by me on the last lap of a continental cup!
Bona-fide or not, I got invited to a pretty exclusive CRP camp at the Olympic Training Center. 10 days of drills, lectures, ice cream, and workouts... and ice cream. Did I mention the OTC has ice cream at every meal? The fat kid inside of me peed his pants in delight.
Everyone taking pictures... except B-Mac, who is in fact, posing for pictures
Awesome morning ride in the aptly-named Garden of the Gods park
This was all good and fine, but probably the most important thing I took from this camp was a huge group of new friends! Turns out, most of us CRP recruits have the same foul sense of humor, desire for camaraderie, and balls-to-the-walls aggression on the race course. I miss all you guys and can't wait to see you on the circuit!
The "Bike Room" ...needless to say, it got a bit crowded, but the boys got it sorted out!
Transition practice in the grass... although the safety of the cushy fall didn't save everyone!
Gettin' my stretch on with Z-Dogg
Highlights of the camp are definitely the brick workouts where we did different race simulations (both swim/bike and bike/run) and practiced some of the team aspects of racing. Also I loved climbing the incline at Manitou Springs (nearly 3000 ft. of climbing in just under a mile), but mostly I enjoyed the time with the guys in the cafeteria, on our late night runs (which were obviously filled with bullshitting) or in our Trigger Point massage parties. I didn't realize how much I had missed the team aspect of college swimming, so it was nice to get a taste of that again!
BRICK TIME!!
BALLER OF THE YEAR!
So in conclusion, I learned a ton, had a blast, and met some really cool people. This is the future of triathlon from the States. Watch out ITU world, we are coming.... and damn right, we will be Bolt-ing all the way! FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
How to be a swimmer
Being a triathlete means I frequently work with people from all different athletic backgrounds. Most triathletes did not start out as triathletes, but rather came from a swimming, running, cycling, or curling background...
...wait what?
Anyway, I came from a swimming background. Therefore, I feel it is my duty to share what NOT to do in a pool when trying to get a workout in. Things like this will get you labeled as a newbie, or worse a triathlete! As if your atrocious mechanics and immobile shoulders weren't enough of a giveaway...
Just like there is a certain Old-World sensibility in cycling, and a varsity-esque camaraderie in running, swimmers have a set of unwritten rules that they follow.
Here are 7 tips that I have gleaned through 17 years of swimming, each of them crucial to looking the part. Follow these, and other swimmers will at least think you're a swimmer. But don't worry, everyone else will still think you're a weirdo...
1) Wear a "speedo"
Or a "racer" or "briefs," whatever you wanna call them fellas, wear 'em! This one is obviously just for my male readers. I see it all the time... dudes who aren't comfortable with their pasty thighs, riddled with 3 inch leg hairs. This does not mean you are allowed to wear a jammer!! Only 8 and unders wear jammers, or if you are at a taper meet and it is a tech suit.
Even worse are square legs... these are only acceptable if you have a beard and an indistinguishable foreign accent, otherwise do not let me catch you in one! Drag suits are ok... if you like swimming slow... I guess?
Still not convinced you can pull off a pair of briefs? Look at this before/after photo.
And here below is the same guy, after putting on a speedo:
Obviously, we'd all rather be the second guy, right? WEAR A RACER!
.... Author's note; those may or may not be different dudes...
2) Don't Shower beforehand
I don't know why, but this is like, standard protocol for determining who is and isn't a swimmer. My guess is that real swimmers don't need to shower since they don't really sweat anything but chlorine, and its only been a matter of hours since their last swim anyway. Whatever the case may be, its just not something we do. And for all you entitled teenage lifeguards out there, don't tell me I need to rinse off before entering unless you would like to see me melt cheese with my eyes.
3) Pee in the Pool
Ohhh come on, whats the chlorine for anyway???
4) No wristwatches
Seriously, have you ever noticed the huge wall clocks? Those are your pace clocks! Besides, if you have time to stop and check your split on the wall, then you aren't doing a flip turn properly anyway.
While on this topic, why not learn some lingo? If a swimmer says "leave on the top," they mean leave when the clock hits 60 seconds. "On the bottom" is on the 30 seconds. And, if for instance you've got a set of 100s on 1:30, that means you have 1 minute and 30 seconds to complete the swim and your rest before leaving again. So, you're pushing off the wall every 1:30, that's not your target time!! (Unless you're doing breaststroke drills... or you're a runner...)
5) Understand your equipment
Fins, paddles, buoys, snorkels, and straps are great. However, simply carrying them around in your mesh bag just because you have them and want to feel "in the know" does not make you a better swimmer. Also, putting them all on at once and swimming is sort of like putting a body kit and a spoiler on your busted up 1997 Toyota Corolla.
Don't subject me to visual torture, use your equipment properly!
6) Cap it up!
Yep, wear a cap. Especially if you're a girl... nothing makes me question your chromosomal count like your long, green hair flowing behind you... Guys, I still say wear a cap. It's faster, warmer, and gives you more opportunity for ad space!
While on the topic of head gear, nosepieces and earplugs are generally frowned upon. In my 17 years of swimming experience, the best way to keep water out of your ears and nose is by staying out of the pool.
7) Speak incoherently, act sullen
Swimming has to have one of the highest burnout rates in sports, and this is apparent in the taciturn attitude on deck. Swimmers are generally not happy to be at the pool again, since their last swim was only a few hours ago. You wanna look the part? Just act pissed off.
However, once done with practice, goofing off, being profane and inappropriate, and talking as much trash as possible are standard protocol.
So you see, swimmers are not that different from everyone else... Ok, so they're pretty freakin' weird... and I don't know why you would want to look or act like one (I can say that because I was/am one) but maybe its better than looking like a triathlete! (I can also say that because I am one...)
Now that you look fast, its time to go fast. That's right, get to the pool and bust out a T-30 set, or some 400 IM repeats! And, as always, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!
...wait what?
Anyway, I came from a swimming background. Therefore, I feel it is my duty to share what NOT to do in a pool when trying to get a workout in. Things like this will get you labeled as a newbie, or worse a triathlete! As if your atrocious mechanics and immobile shoulders weren't enough of a giveaway...
Just like there is a certain Old-World sensibility in cycling, and a varsity-esque camaraderie in running, swimmers have a set of unwritten rules that they follow.
Here are 7 tips that I have gleaned through 17 years of swimming, each of them crucial to looking the part. Follow these, and other swimmers will at least think you're a swimmer. But don't worry, everyone else will still think you're a weirdo...
1) Wear a "speedo"
Or a "racer" or "briefs," whatever you wanna call them fellas, wear 'em! This one is obviously just for my male readers. I see it all the time... dudes who aren't comfortable with their pasty thighs, riddled with 3 inch leg hairs. This does not mean you are allowed to wear a jammer!! Only 8 and unders wear jammers, or if you are at a taper meet and it is a tech suit.
Even worse are square legs... these are only acceptable if you have a beard and an indistinguishable foreign accent, otherwise do not let me catch you in one! Drag suits are ok... if you like swimming slow... I guess?
Still not convinced you can pull off a pair of briefs? Look at this before/after photo.
And here below is the same guy, after putting on a speedo:
Obviously, we'd all rather be the second guy, right? WEAR A RACER!
.... Author's note; those may or may not be different dudes...
2) Don't Shower beforehand
I don't know why, but this is like, standard protocol for determining who is and isn't a swimmer. My guess is that real swimmers don't need to shower since they don't really sweat anything but chlorine, and its only been a matter of hours since their last swim anyway. Whatever the case may be, its just not something we do. And for all you entitled teenage lifeguards out there, don't tell me I need to rinse off before entering unless you would like to see me melt cheese with my eyes.
3) Pee in the Pool
Ohhh come on, whats the chlorine for anyway???
4) No wristwatches
Seriously, have you ever noticed the huge wall clocks? Those are your pace clocks! Besides, if you have time to stop and check your split on the wall, then you aren't doing a flip turn properly anyway.
While on this topic, why not learn some lingo? If a swimmer says "leave on the top," they mean leave when the clock hits 60 seconds. "On the bottom" is on the 30 seconds. And, if for instance you've got a set of 100s on 1:30, that means you have 1 minute and 30 seconds to complete the swim and your rest before leaving again. So, you're pushing off the wall every 1:30, that's not your target time!! (Unless you're doing breaststroke drills... or you're a runner...)
5) Understand your equipment
Fins, paddles, buoys, snorkels, and straps are great. However, simply carrying them around in your mesh bag just because you have them and want to feel "in the know" does not make you a better swimmer. Also, putting them all on at once and swimming is sort of like putting a body kit and a spoiler on your busted up 1997 Toyota Corolla.
Don't subject me to visual torture, use your equipment properly!
6) Cap it up!
Yep, wear a cap. Especially if you're a girl... nothing makes me question your chromosomal count like your long, green hair flowing behind you... Guys, I still say wear a cap. It's faster, warmer, and gives you more opportunity for ad space!
While on the topic of head gear, nosepieces and earplugs are generally frowned upon. In my 17 years of swimming experience, the best way to keep water out of your ears and nose is by staying out of the pool.
7) Speak incoherently, act sullen
Swimming has to have one of the highest burnout rates in sports, and this is apparent in the taciturn attitude on deck. Swimmers are generally not happy to be at the pool again, since their last swim was only a few hours ago. You wanna look the part? Just act pissed off.
However, once done with practice, goofing off, being profane and inappropriate, and talking as much trash as possible are standard protocol.
So you see, swimmers are not that different from everyone else... Ok, so they're pretty freakin' weird... and I don't know why you would want to look or act like one (I can say that because I was/am one) but maybe its better than looking like a triathlete! (I can also say that because I am one...)
Now that you look fast, its time to go fast. That's right, get to the pool and bust out a T-30 set, or some 400 IM repeats! And, as always, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Traveling to Races
Now, I am no expert on this topic. In fact, I would say I am quite bad at traveling to races (just ask my sister, Libbie, about our trip to Mazatlán!) but, I am getting better.
In my opinion, the definition of stupidity is doing the same (wrong) thing and expecting a different (better?) outcome over and over. In other words, a smart person learns from his or her mistakes, and a really smart person learns from other people's mistakes! Well, aren't you just a bunch of lucky freeloaders! Here, I am going to share some of my more epic travel faux pas, so you won't make the same mistakes I have.
Some of these obviously apply more to traveling abroad, and some only apply to ITU races, but I hope all of you (even you weirdos who travel for things other than triathlons) can find some good ideas from this that will help your travel go smoothly.
In my opinion, the definition of stupidity is doing the same (wrong) thing and expecting a different (better?) outcome over and over. In other words, a smart person learns from his or her mistakes, and a really smart person learns from other people's mistakes! Well, aren't you just a bunch of lucky freeloaders! Here, I am going to share some of my more epic travel faux pas, so you won't make the same mistakes I have.
Some of these obviously apply more to traveling abroad, and some only apply to ITU races, but I hope all of you (even you weirdos who travel for things other than triathlons) can find some good ideas from this that will help your travel go smoothly.
· Bring $200 cash, minimum. It can be difficult to get cash (especially in foreign countries) and it is a lot easier waving a $20 in the cab driver's face than explaining (in rusty Spanish!) that you need to stop at an ATM. Money talks!
· Print EVERYTHING! Race registration, flight and
hotel confirmations, any paperwork proving you’ve booked anything you have.
Assume no one will have your file, especially if you used a 3rd party booking site. In Mazatlán, I didn't print my hotel booking, and they almost didn't let me stay in the room I had already booked at paid for... luckily I was saved by the internet, and was able to email the manager my booking confirmation. What if there hadn't been wifi in the hotel? Or if my Spanish was crappy??
· Make sure your phone/watch/clocks are set to the
correct local time. This is another one from Mexico; I assumed my phone would re-set to the right time, but it was actually an hour ahead for some reason... evidently Verizon doesn't speak Spanish... So, I was thinking I was going to be a little early to my pre-race meeting, but I was actually a lot late... Good thing they realized I was a moron and took pity on me...
· Bring food, and know where you can buy more. It is easier, cheaper, and your GI tract will be happier if you get non-perishables before leaving and eat what you are used to rather than taking your chances at a restaurant. Do you know how hard it is to find peanut butter in Mexico??? How am I supposed to keep the fat kid inside me happy if I can't give him his daily dose of Skippy?!?!
·
Do your homework! Know local manners, language, exchange rate, etc. Don't be the ugly American... although we do all know this guy, no one actually wants to be him. Oh, and assuming that most people in non-english speaking countries can actually speak English is a lot like jumping into a pool and expecting to stay dry.
Do your homework! Know local manners, language, exchange rate, etc. Don't be the ugly American... although we do all know this guy, no one actually wants to be him. Oh, and assuming that most people in non-english speaking countries can actually speak English is a lot like jumping into a pool and expecting to stay dry.
·
(This one's from my pageant girl!) Have an emergency bag that you always pack with extras, but never open it or remove anything unless you need it! Some things to fill it with:
(This one's from my pageant girl!) Have an emergency bag that you always pack with extras, but never open it or remove anything unless you need it! Some things to fill it with:
o Gels/bars
o Athletic
tape
o Rubber
bands
o Spare
kit
o Tools
for bike
o Extra
cap/goggles
o Vaseline
o Race
belt
o Water
Bottle
o Anything
else you might forget (or have forgotten in the past!)
·
Bring tools for your bike, even if you won’t need them. If you can fit it, pack it, and at least you might be able to help someone else out. Good Karma always helps going into a race, and this way the dude who you loan a hex key to will be less likely to kick you in the balls on the swim... or not?
Bring tools for your bike, even if you won’t need them. If you can fit it, pack it, and at least you might be able to help someone else out. Good Karma always helps going into a race, and this way the dude who you loan a hex key to will be less likely to kick you in the balls on the swim... or not?
·
Bring EVERYTHING you need for race day!
Bring EVERYTHING you need for race day!
o Swim:
race kit, cap, goggles, wetsuit, towel, bodyglide
o Bike:
helmet, shades, bike, shoes, bottles, nutrition, spare kit, tools, lube, rubber
bands, tape
o Run:
Shoes, belt, hat?
o Extras:
Warm ups, towel, sunscreen, packet, ipod, nutrition, camera, pack of Marlboro reds and a 5th of Maker's Mark.... wait, what?
·
Know when and where everything happens! Including: pre-race meeting, bike check, packet pickup, course familiarization, wave starts, etc. Sometimes this can be unclear on the race site, so email the race director with any questions. This is their job, so they should be happy to help you out.
Know when and where everything happens! Including: pre-race meeting, bike check, packet pickup, course familiarization, wave starts, etc. Sometimes this can be unclear on the race site, so email the race director with any questions. This is their job, so they should be happy to help you out.
·
Know how long it takes to get from where you are staying to the race site/meeting site so you aren't guessing when you've got an hour to get to the course, setup transition, and warmup before the gun goes off... Ok, ok, to be fair, its been a while since I made that mistake. Fortunately, I was able to ride the adrenaline (and the Red Bull I just pounded) all the way through the race!
Know how long it takes to get from where you are staying to the race site/meeting site so you aren't guessing when you've got an hour to get to the course, setup transition, and warmup before the gun goes off... Ok, ok, to be fair, its been a while since I made that mistake. Fortunately, I was able to ride the adrenaline (and the Red Bull I just pounded) all the way through the race!
· Know your course! Look at maps 1 month out,
drive course when you get into town. Inspect swim venue (swim in it if
possible?) walk transitions, spin bike course and jog run course a couple days out. Look for things like currents, sandbars, the fastest lines, hills, cracks in the pavement, etc. Its better to know where these things are in advance than finding out when making a descent on the bike at 47 MPH... although that road rash really makes you look tough...
Bring some comforts of home, and try to keep
your routine as similar to being home as possible. For me, this means morning coffee, Food Network or SportsCenter on TV(I know, weird combo). Call your loved ones when feeling anxious, just
to take your mind off of everything.
This sums up my list, but I full encourage you all to make your own and add to mine based off of your own experiences. My thoughts are, the worse a mistake is, the less likely you are to make it again... and since I have made a good chunk of bad mistakes in my racing career, hopefully you can learn from the summation of them in this list rather than making your own, you idiot. Until next time, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT.... unless he's going to Mexico....
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I Ain't From Dallas, but I D-Town Boogie!
On June 2nd I raced in the ITU Pan-Am Cup race in Dallas. We had been focusing on this one for a while, so I had a combination of apprehension and confidence going in. In the end, I did pretty well, and I can tell all my training and experience is starting to pay off.
I went down to Dallas the week in advance to get a bit more acclimated, check out the race site, and have a relatively stress-free week going into the race. I did home stay with a very nice family. I once again really lucked out here- I rarely feel that much "at home" when I am not at home.
Mark and Mary, thank you so much for all your accommodation and support! You have a great family and a beautiful home, thank you for letting me into it for the week. To the kids, I will definitely come back and hang out, talk about Harry Potter and soccer with you until bed time any time!
The family's dog, Lexi. She and I became friends when I gave her a treat, and then we became BEST friends when I found out she can actually eat more peanut butter than me!
The week going into the race was awesome. It was rainy a couple times, but I got some good training in anyway. I got to meet a couple of Zane's other athletes (both of whom seem to share my inappropriate sense of humor... poor Zane!) and I was able to get very familiar with the race course.
Finally, I got set up with some race wheels! Profile Design Altairs from Kompetitive Edge. They accelerate like a Ferrari, have top end speed to spare, and corner like surgical instruments.
I set up my Cervélo P2 (which is a time trial bike) with a road-style cockpit and pushed the seat back, so now I had an aero road frame with race wheels! Sara, you've never looked better, and I was definitely glad to have the speed boost on the bike leg.
The Frankenbike, in all her glory! I have to attribute my solid race, at least in part, to a huge upgrade from my old Roubaix...
The race start was set for 2:45 PM... the hottest part of the day. We watched the women's race first, where half of the field DNF'ed. That's right, the heat got to 50% of the ladies! If that doesn't psych you out, I don't know what will...
As we walked over to jump into the lake (It was an in-water start) the pavement was baking my feet and I had to alternate standing on one foot lizard-style. The breeze only offered a bit of respite from the 98 degree temperatures, and as I jumped into the still, brackish water I hung on to that initial chill for as long as I could, knowing I would wish I had it again in about an hour...
As we swam up to the start line, I thought of a commercial I had seen recently. I looked at my competitors, and smelled blood in the water. "Everything we've worked for...." Check this commercial out if you haven't already:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4zJEk06O4g
The initial sprint (and the whole swim) felt razor sharp. Some punk was on my left creeping up, but I pushed him over to where there was a buoy in the water blocking a pole, and he had to slow down and go behind me... The phrase "pinching off" came into my mind, and my 13 year old self giggled with Mike Sup as his dad explained to us that the phrase referred to another driver in NASCAR, and not a turd...
I was 7th coming out of the water, and hit my transition hard. My experience in ITU racing paid off here, I ran so fast that I was mildly surprised when I got to my bike!
I went down to Dallas the week in advance to get a bit more acclimated, check out the race site, and have a relatively stress-free week going into the race. I did home stay with a very nice family. I once again really lucked out here- I rarely feel that much "at home" when I am not at home.
Mark and Mary, thank you so much for all your accommodation and support! You have a great family and a beautiful home, thank you for letting me into it for the week. To the kids, I will definitely come back and hang out, talk about Harry Potter and soccer with you until bed time any time!
The family's dog, Lexi. She and I became friends when I gave her a treat, and then we became BEST friends when I found out she can actually eat more peanut butter than me!
The week going into the race was awesome. It was rainy a couple times, but I got some good training in anyway. I got to meet a couple of Zane's other athletes (both of whom seem to share my inappropriate sense of humor... poor Zane!) and I was able to get very familiar with the race course.
Finally, I got set up with some race wheels! Profile Design Altairs from Kompetitive Edge. They accelerate like a Ferrari, have top end speed to spare, and corner like surgical instruments.
I set up my Cervélo P2 (which is a time trial bike) with a road-style cockpit and pushed the seat back, so now I had an aero road frame with race wheels! Sara, you've never looked better, and I was definitely glad to have the speed boost on the bike leg.
The Frankenbike, in all her glory! I have to attribute my solid race, at least in part, to a huge upgrade from my old Roubaix...
The race start was set for 2:45 PM... the hottest part of the day. We watched the women's race first, where half of the field DNF'ed. That's right, the heat got to 50% of the ladies! If that doesn't psych you out, I don't know what will...
As we walked over to jump into the lake (It was an in-water start) the pavement was baking my feet and I had to alternate standing on one foot lizard-style. The breeze only offered a bit of respite from the 98 degree temperatures, and as I jumped into the still, brackish water I hung on to that initial chill for as long as I could, knowing I would wish I had it again in about an hour...
As we swam up to the start line, I thought of a commercial I had seen recently. I looked at my competitors, and smelled blood in the water. "Everything we've worked for...." Check this commercial out if you haven't already:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4zJEk06O4g
The initial sprint (and the whole swim) felt razor sharp. Some punk was on my left creeping up, but I pushed him over to where there was a buoy in the water blocking a pole, and he had to slow down and go behind me... The phrase "pinching off" came into my mind, and my 13 year old self giggled with Mike Sup as his dad explained to us that the phrase referred to another driver in NASCAR, and not a turd...
I was 7th coming out of the water, and hit my transition hard. My experience in ITU racing paid off here, I ran so fast that I was mildly surprised when I got to my bike!
Here is my transition, I've never made up so much ground in these stretched as I did in Dallas!
Now, I was so pumped to have FINALLY made the front pack in an ITU race that I was all sorts of chatty with my competitors on the bike. Unfortunately, there seems to be some sort of unspoken (obviously!) rule that you just don't talk to each other during the race... everyone looked at me weird when I tried to crack a joke, and mostly just mean-mugged and shoulder-shrugged each other until someone would yell something like "CLOSE THE GAP!" or "¡Jale, Cabrón!" or something in French... sorry, Canadians, Je ne comprend pas francais!
All in all, the bike felt very tame to me. It seemed like no one really wanted to push it, especially after watching 20 of the women bonk... However, it was so slow that some of the runners who aren't strong swimmers were able to catch us! ...scrawny little punks...
I wasn't in the best position coming off the bike, but again I made up ground in transition. I knew within a hundred meters of the start of the run that it would be tough. I used every aid station, and did everything I could to keep my 162 pound body (which is like, morbidly obese for a triathlete) cooled off. There were several moments when I felt flaky, and at several points I had to choose between racing some guy and going for broke, or playing it safe and surviving the race.
The run did seem long, and all of the times were about 4.5 minutes off what the guys can usually run. Given that I went a 40, it was probably more like a 35 or 36, which isn't far off what I should've gone.
I passed a few guys, got passed by a few guys, and wound up finishing 16th. Not top ten, no prize purse, but I was close. This was the first time I have ever been "in" a race, and had conditions been a bit better I think I could've been top 10. Who knows, I am sure lots of dudes are saying that right now, and who is to say any of us are wrong?
The point is, I learned what it will take to be "in" any ITU continental cup race, and I can use that going into my future races.
My post-race indulgence, a coffee (to stave off the bonk) and a donut (cuz I'm fat!)
Whew, that got a little long-winded... sorry... but thanks to those of you still reading! I took a lot from this race. I now have confidence going into any of my upcoming races, and I will soon be a force to be reckoned with. I have a while before my next continental cup, and until then I will be focusing on dropping a few more lbs and upping my run. Until next time, FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Kansas City 5150
A couple weeks ago on May 20th I raced the Kansas City 5150. Although I had decided to focus mostly on ITU racing, I wanted to test out the non-drafting waters in the pro field. I went into this race on a short taper, and without any real expectations since I was mostly focusing on the Dallas ITU race on June 2nd.
The positives I took from this race (decent swim, good transitions, solid run, had fun!) outnumber the negatives, but the negative (slow bike leg) was heavy enough to place me 16th... *ahem* out of 16 in the pro field *cough*....
At least I beat all the age groupers, and all the pro women! (Phew!) So I can say I got 16th overall in what actually turned out to be a very fast and deep race.
Dad struttin' on the bike course before the start. That's right ladies, this is where I get my rugged good looks. No, he does not drive that motorcycle. But yes, he does have a mustache. Teach me how to Dougie!
The run was pretty good again! I ran a 35:45 off the bike, which is almost a minute faster than I have ever gone. The amazing thing was, once I saw I wasn't really catching anyone after the first lap, I let up a bit so as not to dig too much of a hole going into Dallas, but I still split it evenly and was able to have a PR run... I used to be a swimmer, when did I become such a triathlete?
After the race, Anna admiring my guns and telling me how sexy I looked while racing, and me talking about how sick my race kit is and asking when we can get some BBQ.
Ok so only like 50% of that is true...
The positives I took from this race (decent swim, good transitions, solid run, had fun!) outnumber the negatives, but the negative (slow bike leg) was heavy enough to place me 16th... *ahem* out of 16 in the pro field *cough*....
At least I beat all the age groupers, and all the pro women! (Phew!) So I can say I got 16th overall in what actually turned out to be a very fast and deep race.
I actually had a pretty good crew come down for this race! Anna and some of her friends were going to Kansas City anyway to celebrate one of their birthdays, so I had a few hot twenty-somethings to cheer for me. Also my parents, being as awesome as they are, made the drive to watch their baby boy.
Dad struttin' on the bike course before the start. That's right ladies, this is where I get my rugged good looks. No, he does not drive that motorcycle. But yes, he does have a mustache. Teach me how to Dougie!
This bag from Kompetitive Edge is awesome... it literally held everything I needed except my bike!
The swim was not wetsuit legal for the pros, which was good for me being a swimmer. (Wetsuits only level out the playing field, they help bad swimmers a lot more than they help good ones!) I was something like 6th coming out of the water, and passed the two guys with me in T1 with an aggressive- borderline panicky -approach to transition that I took from the ITU.
The bike is where I lost the race. Now, I have not trained this year as a time trialer, and these guys probably spend a lot more hours (and a lot more dollars!) than I do on my bike. As a result, I averaged significantly slower than all of the other pros on the bike. Getting passed 12 times on the bike hurts.
If I was going to focus on non-drafting racing, I would switch to more of a cycling focus in training, buy some sick race wheels, and a better TT specific bike. Until then, I'll do what I can with what I've got.
Full disclosure here- I probably should've kept a couple guys in sight and then tried to run them down... Oh well, ya win some, ya LEARN some!
The run was pretty good again! I ran a 35:45 off the bike, which is almost a minute faster than I have ever gone. The amazing thing was, once I saw I wasn't really catching anyone after the first lap, I let up a bit so as not to dig too much of a hole going into Dallas, but I still split it evenly and was able to have a PR run... I used to be a swimmer, when did I become such a triathlete?
After the race, Anna admiring my guns and telling me how sexy I looked while racing, and me talking about how sick my race kit is and asking when we can get some BBQ.
Ok so only like 50% of that is true...
My two best sponsors, biggest fans, and some pretty cool roommates as it turns out! I know they will always be there for me after every race, good or bad. Mom will be looking at the positive, and Dad will be reserved, only asking questions that someone who's been there would know. I hope this was a fun trip for you guys as well since it was right after Mother's Day and right before Dad's birthday!
After the race we went to Jack Stack for some Kansas City BBQ at the recommendation of my friend Matt. Oh man, I haven't had a meal that good in a while! First of all, the service was great. Then, the food was amazing! The ribs and brisket were smoked perfectly, the sides were made from scratch, the carrot cake was unreal, and the burnt ends... oh lord, the burnt ends! Seared, smoked, and seared again, they were the juiciest, most flavorful bites of meat I have ever eaten. If you get nothing else at Jack Stack, get the burnt ends... ok and some carrot cake too! Unbelievable.
Well, I hope this satisfies your craving for knowledge about my life... wait, you weren't craving any? Ohhh you're just craving barbecue, did I mention Jack Stack is good? Stop drooling, go getchaself some, and FOLLOW THE PACE RABBIT!
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