Lake-to-Lake Tri, etc...

On Saturday, BSG, Molly, Sarah James and I were side liners... While Craig and other HEP'sters raced, Petra and Brian James rode the MS150 and Kristina knocked out her biggest brick to date...we cheered. Craig hammered it at Lake-to-Lake, 4th overall, 2 weeks out from IM Switzerland...friggin' stud has only one gear...FULL ON!

Also caught up with Jen and Grabel...and I took some pictures...an affinity that was certainly not passed down from my father who took about 200 picture out of focus at IMCDA last weekend, God love ya man!

I think in the off-season I'll take some classes, finally! I'll get you all the pics...

Sunday, I washed the car...I know that doesn't sound nearly as epic as it was. In short an entomologist perfect specimen...more bugs in one place than I ever though humanly possible...and blogged! Feels good to be back up to speed!

Post Race

Kristina, mom & dad, Chris, Jackie & Gordy, Petra, Brian, Suzanne, Dee and Luna! Thank you for putting in a long day for all of us! You only have one first Ironman and you have all made mine.

Kristina, thank you for all of your support throughout my training. As anyone who has done this before knows all to well...getting there in one piece is the trick. I couldn't have done it without your help...I've got your back now!

And...last, but by no means least, Craig - your support, direction and friendship have made me an Ironman. Every week with my plan you thanked me for my effort...I am equally thankful brother!

Jessica, BJ, Brian and Craig I couldn't have dreamt of a better first time with all you guys. Congratulations and thanks Ironmen!

The car ride home was brutal! 20-ish hours...will never drive again! All I wanted to do all week was sleep...and tomorrow it starts again...5430 Long Course, Steamboat Triathlon, Boulder Backroads & Denver Marathons, then rest!

Last Friday, I got the tattoo...

Ironman, from the day you commit until you cross the tape is all about lessons...As you go, you learn...what works, what doesn't? what needs work most, how do I get faster, how do I get stronger? will I have a better race? Until next time...Madison '09

Race Day

Race day morning, up at 3:30 am. Bagel, oatmeal, coffee...nerves. The same as always. Nerves mean bathroom. A lot. I felt like we were leaving late, worried we wouldn't be there on time...but when we arrived everything that we normally do in smaller races was done...transition bags - check. Bike - check. We dropped off our special needs bags for the day, got numbered, got sun-screened. Everyone was meeting at the "silver" trailer near Gatorade Bottle Hill...but I had one more thing to do.

For those of you that don't know...Josey, one of our two rotties was supposed to be in CDA with us, and even though osteosarcoma took her almost six month earlier ...she was there. Her and I had a quiet moment before I got the wetsuit on for the swim. I knew her strength would give me strength when I needed it.

The last to head down to the water, I didn't get a chance to warm up other than a quick dip n' pee in my wetsuit to get things going. The Star Spangled Banner...chills and a small cry in my goggles. The canon fires. Its on! The swim start is described best as being "trapped in a washing machine", which is for the most part an accurate assessment. For the first length of the two-loop course I was jammed in with the masses. The first turn was like a 50 lane highway merging into one lane, FAST...Relax. Breathe. As soon as I rounded the corner, I got hit in the chin with an elbow...wake up time....game plan changed. Instead of being defensive, I swam more offensively and moved to the inside of the buoys where there was less congestion. I had even splits on the swim and headed into T1 at 1:22.

Coming out of T1, I saw our CDA cheerleaders in force, pom-poms and all...and probably every other inhabitant from within a twenty mile radius of CDA cheering us all on. I haven't said it yet, but the support at this race is incredible...CDA loves its Ironman!!!

The 112 mile ride consisted of two loops, most all of which were breathtaking. Rolling hills, climbs, fast windy descents. I saw Craig, Brian and Jess on the ride, which is always nice....knowing that your pals are not too far out of reach...there is some sort of comfort in that.

Back thru town, on to the second loop. Shortly after the half way point of the ride we grabbed our special needs...A welcome treat of ginger snaps and gummy bears...and a handful of chamois creme to shove down my shorts. Lovely!

The energy coming thru the crowded streets of downtown CDA was indescribable as I headed out for the second loop. Second loop definitely tougher that the first, those pretty rollers seemed steeper and a little more aggravating as the day rolled on. The last turn into town, a steady descent, was met with a headwind each time, for which I am pretty confident in saying, we were all well prepared. Overall, the I felt good on the ride, never getting out of z3, trying to keep something in the tank for the run. 6:43 ride time.

Chairs in transition....how cool is that? I had a seat, a snack and a cold towel for my neck. Collected my thoughts, changed my clothes and headed out of T2, was rubbed down from head to sock with sunscreen by some "tender" volunteers. Only 26.2 more miles of this 140.6 mile day.

The run for me was two halves....the good half (about 2:15 for 13.1, if my crap math was anything close to accurate) and the not-so-good half...which consisted of a visit to most of the porta-potties...pleasantly called "Honey Pots" in Idaho and lots of walking. At mile 15-ish, I saw Craig Wilson...he said one thing..."keep your head in the game". As I headed out of town, Kristina, Luna, my mom & dad, and the rest of the entourage cheered me on and gave me the focus that I needed to HTFU.

Shortly after leaving town, the wheels came of the wagon a bit and things slowed down a lot. Run turned to walk-run to just plain old walk...The turn-around hill - take 2 was a beeatch! At mile 18, I did some more race course math...only 6 more miles...you're there dude...50 minutes on a normal day. Mile 19. Mile 20...6 more miles again. Shit I thought I had 6 miles to go 2 miles ago. Lesson - race day math is seldom right.

From here on out, no more math...and lots of broth, pretzels and coke...an unbeatable combo...now I too, am a believer. The dynamics of the race is always changing at this point...you pass the guy whose sitting on the curb, 30 minutes without a coherent thought passes, you look up and he's in front of you...how the hell does that happen? Some people you see for a second and then never again. The group on the run is different than the group on the bike...how's their race going?

With about 2 miles left to go, the coke must be doing its thing...I felt like running again and did...In the distance, as we wound thru the neighborhood streets of CDA to see some people for the fourth time, ...you began to hear the roar...Mike Riley's voice...One more hill and a split in the road...to the right the arrow says "2nd loop", to the left "to Finish". There were still athletes on their lonely way out to the 2nd turnaround... eeks!

A right and a quick left onto Sherman Avenue...and there it was...the Ironman Arch...I was so fixated on it I ran right past Kristina, Luna and Craig, who were screaming at me in the street! I felt so strong....I kicked it...my eyes welled up...people lined the street cheering...under the arch onto the carpet...bleachers full of spectators and Mike Riley letting me know that my day was done...I am an Ironman!

Pre-Race Report

So much to write..I need to empty my mental memory card because its full! The days and hours leading up to the biggest race that I have ever done were filled with newness, places, experiences, emotions...you name it.

With list checked in customary OCD fashion, 3 times too many, we loaded the car the night before we left. Bright and early on 06.17.2008 IM, we headed north for the Boze, caravanning with Jess, BJ, Lhasa and Harry. We've never been much farther north than Ft. Collins, CO so the significant majority of this trek was new ground, as our bubble only extends so far.

Within and hour and a half we were in Wyoming, and I was wishing that I had brought my cowboy hat rather than my stretchy pants, as I did get some strange looks...The drive thru Montana to Bozeman was epic...some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen; vast, surreal...so much depth it almost looked fake. Big Sky country fo' shiz...Lunz was a trooper for the whole ride, Kristina got thru a book on tape much to my surprise and delight and was a great co-pilot.

Day 2 was a much shorter leg of the trip that was slightly stalled as a result of my lovey dropping her cell phone in the toilet whilst texting the St. George's in the wee hours of the morning to establish their whereabouts...None the less we are off in good time, to arrive in CDA and then on to our haven on Hayden Lake in time for our 3 pm check-in.

The "Boathouse" while being a teence bit far from the hub-bub of Ironman Village, was perfect. The rest of the day Wednesday was spent unpacking and chillin', with a short 15 mile ride on some of the most beautiful, canopied and winding roads I've ever pedalled on.

Thursday the reality of IM began to settle in...4 days to race day...The nervous excitement was certainly begin to build inside. We all met up in town (some of us earlier than others) for a dip in Lake Coeur D'alene, to confirm if it was actually as cold as we had been told. That fact was indeed confirmed! The second your face hit the water, your breathe was gone...after a few minutes though, it was pretty OK.

Following the swim, it was registration/latte time, ...then off to get the Zipps and soak in IM Village...all before an 11 am massage, which I desperately needed as my back was so jacked up from 17 hours in the car and a heavy cooler. It was troubling me a wee bit (mentally as much as physically), just a few days before the race.

With everyone in CDA, Thursday night we gathered at the St.George's for a memorable evening of Pasta Putanesca a la Petra, a few glasses of wine and some last minute virtual coaching and a goody bag from the Howies. Words of wisdom, from the man (and woman) who helped to get us where we all were that day. I held the tears back then, as I was under the microscope by Kristina's sly video taping...but am having a hard time now. It is moments like that, that solidify for me the fact that Craig is WAY more than a coach!

Huckleberry pancakes Friday am, followed by rest. "If you're standing - sit. If you're sitting - lay down. If you're laying down - sleep". Talk about hard to do! Friday night, Craig Wilson and I prepped our transition and special needs bags...I tapped his prior race wisdom to try and get'r done. Gear, zip-locs, tehno-food and every other type of related crap was strewn everywhere...mostly by me. Interestingly my obsessive compulsion with order went out the window as it was overshadowed by he who has more OCD than I...

One day to race...Saturday we had a pretty full day taking care of all the last minute business that needs taking care of! A quick swim, bike and run to work out the kinks that have accumulated between taper, long car rides and rest...dropped off transition bags and bike...no turning back now...Tomorrow we will be IRONMEN!

Race report in progress...

Ironman Coeur D'alene was an incredible first Ironman experience! Thanks to friends and family and to Craig for his guidance and support! After an iron-distance road trip we are home...The official race report will be out very, very soon...

Small daydreams...

This whole week was a bit of a challenge for me...physically mostly...little aches, clicks, tightness... the volume down to just about nothing in order to be fresh on the day. Everybody that has ever done IM, who I have told this to all said the same thing "totally normal".

Mentally, as well, the struggle lies in being able to shut down. I also wonder "am I ready for this?"... I know the answer. I have put in the time, the miles. It will be an incredible day!

In one week (and 30 minutes) the canon will fire and the day the I (we) have prepared for over the last 6, 8, 10 months...will finally be here! The day will be perfect...I have small daydreams and visions of its perfection everyday.

Its all coming together...Yesterday I picked up my new 2008 frame, rebuilt...she's a beauty...I was so excited to ride it...for my 17 mile hammer (ha)... and then on to 3.5 miles on the Dry Creek Trail....where I have put in what seems like a bazillion miles over the last several months...

Last minutes prep today and tomorrow. Tuesday we hit the road early with Beej and Jess for the first leg of our two stop, in Bozeman, on the way to CDA!

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it's too low and we reach it"

-Michelangelo

Thanks Adrenaline Tri-Sport...

Thanks to Roger and Gail at Adrenaline Tri-Sport in Niwot, CO for letting me preview the IM CDA course on their compu-trainer.

I got to ride the first 36 miles of the 56 mile course, which, come J22 we will do twice. The compu-trainer perspective was really sweet...it had cars in the road, fans cheering, other cyclists, spray painted encouragements along the course in the road (which IM officials and host cities have seriously frowned on, particularly as of late), and possibly some milestones that I may look for on race day...Like the huge log cabin on the left side of the road after what is a long and steady climb for about 10 miles, between miles 15 and 25 (maybe 3-4% grade).

Other stuff worth sharing includes a few short 10+% short climbs with 12.3% being the biggest I can recall. The bulk of the course appears to be in the 6-8% range with continuous rollers that gradually descend on the other end. The two major climbs are a little over two miles in length each. Mile 45 to 56 (completing the first loop) looks to be a steady decent, though I didn't ride it.

11 days 8 hours and counting...before we know it, race day will be here...

Tick tock....

In my head the clock is ticking...two weeks from today...IRONMAN. HOLY friggin' CRAP!

Had a solid brick on Saturday...rode 52 miles with Brian in about 2:50 and finished off the day with a 12 mile run, 9:35/mile.

Time to start making my lists in preparation...another endurance event in and of itself....

New frame & Stroke n' Stride #1

Colorado Multisport and Cervelo come thru. I'd like to thank Ryan for taking care of biz. I will have my new bike frame next week, a week before IM to dial it all in.

I really also want to tell my triathlon family that I love them....thanks for going the extra mile, working out plans B and C, putting out the hit, and really putting perspective to the whole situation. I am incredibly grateful to have such good people in my life...THANK YOU!!

Stroke n' Stride #1 - it turned out to be an incredible day, despite the cold and rain early on. 1,500 swim was a leisurely, mid-pack z2-z3, no real panic, only leaky goggles. 5k run was red line all the way...Good clean fun with friends for a Thursday night. Kristina had her first open water swim and did great! Nutella and pound cake is wicked!

Commence FREAK OUT!

Today, I was this close to blowing a gasket(this close)...I was getting ready for my lunchtime ride, took this weekend's race number off my bike and noticed a small hairline crack in the top tube, next to the seat post. Commence FREAK OUT!

I called Colorado Multisport, where I had bought the bike not 8 months ago, in a frenzy and brought it to them for further inspection...We tried long and hard to get the seat post out, but it was jammed into the seat tube at an apparent wrong angle....It took a dead-blow hammer to eventually get it out revealing a long and spidery crack down the inside of the seat tube, as well as a signifivant amout of dirt (???).

As well, Aaron at the shop checked the torque on the seat post clamp and informed me that I overtightened it... FALSE! ... Now anybody that really knows me, in all of my anal retentive, OCD glory; about my bikes, my lawn...my EVERYTHING, would know that I am a meticulous nut case....If the clamp says 4NM then you can damn well bet that it was tightened to 4NM (Newton meters). Apparently the "wedged" seat post had done something to displace the pressure on the seat clamp.

We commenced to take photos and sent them to Cervelo, as this crack should be well covered under their LIFETIME WARRANTY! No word back today...Continue FREAK OUT!!!

Let's hope the boys at Colorado Multisport and Cervelo do what's right and get me a P2C that isn't cracked and FAST....We leave for CDA in T-minus 11 days and counting...Let's face it, riding something other than the bike I have trained on for the last 8 months is certainly an unwanted mental obstacle, let alone a physical one.

To be continued...Still FREAKING OUT!

Race Report (finally)

Last week was a week of travel...travel equals little time, fatigue and blogless days. Had a 2 day trip to Arkansas, home and then right back out to Show Low, AZ for the Deuces Wild Tri, an Olympic distance and my first race of the year.

I drove down with Craig...which was awesome...some great master/student time, some good conversation, tons of snacks and books on tape.

A few hour into the trip the Howie van burned out a spark plug wire, delaying us for a few hours in the sex change capital of the universe...Trinidad, CO...strange town, weird vibe...we were hoping to get outta Dodge before sundown when the tranny zombies roam the streets in search of whatever it is tranny zombies are after. Thankfully, we didn't get to experience that.

Long story short, we pulled in really late and crashed shortly thereafter...about 720 miles and 12 hours on the road...give or take.

Friday, we spent about an hour going thru transition before we headed to the lake for a quick swim. After the swim we drove the course, got off course, back tracked and registered. The Arizona high country sure is pretty, and hot and windy. Jen thru down in the kitchen, as is often the case, and cooked the team an incredible carbo-loaded pre-race meal. Then off to bed.

The plan for race day was to go out front, and go hard on the swim...which I did...until I was pummelled into submission. There was a point, a very short point in time, where I wanted out of the water. I had to stop, regroup, breath...and let my heart rate drop out of z5. Once I settled in, I began to find a groove and everything was cool.

T1 smooth.

On to the ride...the course was beautiful; rolling hills with one long climb about half way thru. It was a little harder to breathe at 6,500 ft. Averaged 19.7 mph on the ride, which was OK with me.

T2 smooth.

Off and running...the first mile was a rough, rocky trail...semi Xterra-ish, so slower than normal going, which may have been a blessing...I was almost able to catch my breath. Miles 2 - 6 were almost all on rolling trails. It really started heating up as well...94 degrees was the high. PR'd, finished 11 minutes faster than my best Olympic time. 13th in my age group, 87th overall. The team all did great on the day...Craig took second overall, Thea 3rd overall female, Amy 3rd in her age group.

The ride home was long, but highlights included "Call of the Wild" on audio book (highly recommended) and Micky D's and Pizza Hut all in one day and Grabel , little man Howie's antics.

Great trip. 18 days until CDA...