On Sunday I competed in my 6th triathlon of 2008 with one more to go. I traveled to McKinney to compete in the Stonebridge Ranch Olympic Triathlon. This was my final tune-up for the Longhorn 70.3 on October 5th. I had a great a day out in McKinney that always starts with those pre-race nerves. Here are the details:
When I arrived to transition it was actually a little chilly outside. I got my bike racked and my transition area set up and then it was off to the swim start. The swim was 1500 meters and was two loops around this man made lake. The nice thing about the lake was that it was cool enough to make it wetsuit legal and the bad thing was the water tasted awful. As I started the swim I just wasn't feeling it but I motored on. I'm a slow swimmer and I like to take my time as to not use too much energy but I still had an O.K. time of 37 minutes. The run from the water to transition was down a hill and over a bridge. When I got on the bike I felt pretty good. The ride was tough. There here some tough hills that you couldn't get any speed on and I was also riding part of the race with Sprint Race people and at times it did get a little frustrating. After all was said and done I finished the bike in 1:06:48 which was a 21.6 mph pace. Pretty good considering the hills. I got back into transition and I began to realize that I was on a PR pace if I had a good run. The run was hilly as well. I had to run down hills through different tunnels and then back up another hill to the street. As I was running I began to get a little pinch in my right side and I had to slow down for a little bit to get my breathing in check. After the pinch went away I was able to pick up my speed and finished the run portion in 48:24 which was a 7:48 mph pace. That was awesome for me. As for the overall results I set a PR for an Olympic distance triathlon with a time of 2:38:13 which was 8th in my age group. I did not set out to do that. I just wanted get some training in for the Longhorn 70.3 next week. I am very happy with this time which is almost 17 minutes faster than my previous PR that I set in May.
Now one thing about me. I am a very competitive person. When it comes to triathlon I am competitive but it has always been against myself. I have always tried to improve and get better race to race. I know I am not the fastest so I just try to race well each time I go out. With this race I really did set out to just get some training in but when I realized that I was going to have a chance to PR it was opportunity to prove something to those people that don't take this sport seriously or who think they are better than everybody or who don't value me. There a few people out there that I just wanted to prove to that I can hold my own. Now I know that I really don't have anything to prove but it was nice beating some other peoples PR's who think they are better than everyone else.
I'm pretty anxious about Longhorn but I know I am ready. I am also ready to put an end to this tri season. I haven't been doing my job as a Dad and I need to get my act together. I'm looking forward to quality time with my kids.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Johnny Romano
It is with great sadness that I write about the passing of Johnny Romano. Johnny passed away yesterday. Here is an excerpt from Julie Romano's blog:
"Johnny is a trooper. He never cries, screams or complains. NEVER. Not once. Such a hero. But we never sees it that way. Heroes never do."
As I was typing in the excerpt from Julie Romano I was getting a little choked up. As a father of two I continued to be thankful for having very healthy and happy kids. There are times that I wonder why I stay with Team In Training. As a coach or a participant for the third straight event you start to get a little tired and you want to have your time back. All I have to do is read Johnny's blog and I don't have to wonder why I am here.
I have never had an opportunity to meet Johnny or his family. I hope to meet his family soon. I have two triathlons over the next two weeks. I have an Olympic in Dallas on Sunday and I have a Half-Iron in Austin the following Sunday. When I'm out there sweating, hurting and starting to cry and complain I will think of Johnny. I want to be a hero too.
"Johnny is a trooper. He never cries, screams or complains. NEVER. Not once. Such a hero. But we never sees it that way. Heroes never do."
As I was typing in the excerpt from Julie Romano I was getting a little choked up. As a father of two I continued to be thankful for having very healthy and happy kids. There are times that I wonder why I stay with Team In Training. As a coach or a participant for the third straight event you start to get a little tired and you want to have your time back. All I have to do is read Johnny's blog and I don't have to wonder why I am here.
I have never had an opportunity to meet Johnny or his family. I hope to meet his family soon. I have two triathlons over the next two weeks. I have an Olympic in Dallas on Sunday and I have a Half-Iron in Austin the following Sunday. When I'm out there sweating, hurting and starting to cry and complain I will think of Johnny. I want to be a hero too.
Monday, September 22, 2008
My Training
My training goes well. I have not done a lot of long distance training except since the PrairieMan Half-Ironman two weeks ago but I still feel pretty good. I am off work this week and plan to get in some long distance work in anticipation of the Longhorn 70.3 in two weeks. I really need time on my bike as I have only done one short ride which was today since PrairieMan.
On another note I have had three great weight training sessions in the last week. Weight training is my first love but it tends to get in the way of the whole swim, bike and run thing. I realized something the other day when I hit gym. I was wearing an old shirt at the gym and the shirt was big on me. This was a shirt I wore in my pre-tri years. I used to really fill this shirt out specifically in the arms. I really need to spend some more time lifting. Maybe after Longhorn, or the San Antonio Marathon, or the Houston Marathon. I guess not. Its the price I have paid to the Triathlon Gods.
Later
On another note I have had three great weight training sessions in the last week. Weight training is my first love but it tends to get in the way of the whole swim, bike and run thing. I realized something the other day when I hit gym. I was wearing an old shirt at the gym and the shirt was big on me. This was a shirt I wore in my pre-tri years. I used to really fill this shirt out specifically in the arms. I really need to spend some more time lifting. Maybe after Longhorn, or the San Antonio Marathon, or the Houston Marathon. I guess not. Its the price I have paid to the Triathlon Gods.
Later
Lonestar Half-Iron Team and the Nation's Team
Saturday was the first official practice for the Lonestar Half-Iron Team. We had a small group for our first practice but it was a good practice. We did two loops around the park and the team did a good job with the run. We have our first swim and bike practices this week and I am anxious to get the team started.
As for the Nation's Team Saturday will probably be the last time that I see most of these guys. There has been and I am sure will be many social gatherings with this team, however I will probably not attend. For one thing the dates getting kicked around for a reunion party conflict with events on my calendar and I think I need a break from the team. I was very proud to be part of this team and very proud to see the improvement of everyone but as the season went on I became very frustrated with a number of the participants. I know as a coach that you have to be patient and understanding with those you are teaching. I am also aware that each person was out there was trying to raise quite a bit of money. But as the season went on and you are having to repeat simple things that we had been talking about for months it becomes frustrating. People would be whining about stuff that we had been doing all season. You begin to wonder if anyone reads your e-mails or listens when you are speaking. There was also entirely too much partying from this team. Now anyone that knows me will probably look to see if they are reading my blog. I have been known to be a pretty hard charging partier but when it came down to the training and more specifically race day I was there ready to go. I never drank before practice and there is no way I would drink anywhere near race day. However some of the team would come into Saturday's practice with 2 or 3 hours of sleep and obviously hung over. Lastly, the thing that really burns me up is that I gave up some of my personal things including money with no thanks. I had tools and other equipment that I would loan out and would come back broken with no apologies. I made donations to several participants with very little or no thanks given. That is just rude. There of course is more to this story but I think I made my point.
If anyone from the Nation's Team reads this I know it will come across as very negative. I want to say that it was an honor to coach this team. The one thing that would make me smile was when someone would say thanks. That meant more to me than people know. I didn't get into this coaching gig for money. I got into it to share my love and knowledge of triathlon. I hope that everyone appreciates the knowledge I had to offer and the sacrifice of time and money that I made to coach this team. I'm sure that I will get over how I'm feeling very soon.
As for the Nation's Team Saturday will probably be the last time that I see most of these guys. There has been and I am sure will be many social gatherings with this team, however I will probably not attend. For one thing the dates getting kicked around for a reunion party conflict with events on my calendar and I think I need a break from the team. I was very proud to be part of this team and very proud to see the improvement of everyone but as the season went on I became very frustrated with a number of the participants. I know as a coach that you have to be patient and understanding with those you are teaching. I am also aware that each person was out there was trying to raise quite a bit of money. But as the season went on and you are having to repeat simple things that we had been talking about for months it becomes frustrating. People would be whining about stuff that we had been doing all season. You begin to wonder if anyone reads your e-mails or listens when you are speaking. There was also entirely too much partying from this team. Now anyone that knows me will probably look to see if they are reading my blog. I have been known to be a pretty hard charging partier but when it came down to the training and more specifically race day I was there ready to go. I never drank before practice and there is no way I would drink anywhere near race day. However some of the team would come into Saturday's practice with 2 or 3 hours of sleep and obviously hung over. Lastly, the thing that really burns me up is that I gave up some of my personal things including money with no thanks. I had tools and other equipment that I would loan out and would come back broken with no apologies. I made donations to several participants with very little or no thanks given. That is just rude. There of course is more to this story but I think I made my point.
If anyone from the Nation's Team reads this I know it will come across as very negative. I want to say that it was an honor to coach this team. The one thing that would make me smile was when someone would say thanks. That meant more to me than people know. I didn't get into this coaching gig for money. I got into it to share my love and knowledge of triathlon. I hope that everyone appreciates the knowledge I had to offer and the sacrifice of time and money that I made to coach this team. I'm sure that I will get over how I'm feeling very soon.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
IKE
I am sitting in my hotel room in Washington, D.C. getting ready for the Nation's Triathlon and I have to say I am very worried about my friends in Houston. My family was able to go to San Antonio on Thursday and they are safe so I am relieved about that. It was disappointing to not have some our team not make the trip due to the storm and various other reasons but I know that the team is ready and will do well on Sunday.
I just got off the phone with Norma and she has no power and no water and she was trying to see if she could get a a hotel room but they are all on generators and not renting out rooms right now. She says there is damage around her place and you can't really get around. I know she will be O.K. but I still worry. I am anxious to get back home and check on things. Everyone be safe out there and I'm praying for all of you in H-Town.
I just got off the phone with Norma and she has no power and no water and she was trying to see if she could get a a hotel room but they are all on generators and not renting out rooms right now. She says there is damage around her place and you can't really get around. I know she will be O.K. but I still worry. I am anxious to get back home and check on things. Everyone be safe out there and I'm praying for all of you in H-Town.
Monday, September 8, 2008
PrairieMan Half-Ironman
So yesterday was my first Half-Ironman of the season with one more to go. Needless to say I was freaking out on my way to Dallas feeling that I was not as prepared as I should be. I thought to myself just use this as a training session in preparation for the Longhorn 70.3 next month and my Ironman events next year. I tried to convince myself of that but I was still nervous.
On Saturday morning I started feeling a little sick but I thought it was just my allergies. I learned later that day that I was getting a cold. While I was arriving in the Dallas area there was a sign that said that it was an Ozone Action Day and that you should limit your outdoor activities. I remember thinking that I was dead meat. Not only am I sick but the sun will probably melt me. When I arrived at the hotel I got my things together and just rested for the evening.
I woke up at 4 am on Sunday and I immediately ate my pre-race meal of Cap'n Crunch cereal. That's right Cap'n Crunch, it works for me. I left about 5 am for the race. I was real nervous and my cold had me feeling worse than Saturday but I was determined to give it my all. Prior to the Half-Ironman was the Sprint Race. While the Sprint was going on the Half-Iron participants were having a meeting with the self proclaimed rude race director. The cool thing about the Sprint was that first 3 people out of the water were ladies. It got a big cheer. The funny thing was when the first man got out of the water someone yelled out that's nice the first man is out of the water. It got a big laugh.
After the meeting it was time for the race. My nerves were still a little shaky but I knew I could make it around the swim. The swim was very tough for me. The water was very choppy and you felt like you were getting thrown all over the place. This made it very hard to breath and to sight. You either couldn't see where you were going or you were drinking water when you wanted to breathe. After I made the final turn on the swim my goggles started to fog up and I could not see where I was going. I had to keep stopping to get an idea of where the finish was. After I made it out of the water it was on to the bike. As soon as I got on the bike my quadriceps were on fire. It took me about an hour for my legs to feel good. When I do a race I try to find a person that I can pace off of to keep me on track and to keep my mind focused on the task at hand. I found this person about 6 miles into the ride and her name was Stacey. She was a very funny gal that was in the same wave as me. (All the men and women in all the age groups started together) When I pulled up near her she yelled out "that looks like Batman passing me". She said "that looks like Batman's bike" and I responded "I've heard that once or twice". I stayed with her for the majority of the bike with her passing me towards the end of the bike loop. Now the run. When I arrived at the race it was 66 degrees when got off the bike my computer read 96 degrees. Yay! After I racked my bike I switched out the Fuel Belt bottles that I froze the night before with the ones Norma had in my ice chest. The ones I froze were already thawed and very hot. I got out on the run and I'm not feeling to well. My cold was getting the better of me but I still had my legs. As I started running I thought this shouldn't be too bad if I can keep this pace and if I stick to my nutrition and hydration plan. Part of my plan was to take my electrolyte tablets at mile 3 as I did on my previous Half-Iron. The only problem was that it gave me a very upset stomach that bothered me for rest of the race. As I plugged along I caught up to a familiar face that I saw on the bike course. It was Stacey and she called back "is that you Batman"? I said "yes" and we ran together for a while even properly introducing ourselves at one point. At the point that we did the turn back to the finish (mile 6 I think) my left calf began cramping. This is the same calf I strained the previous week so I was a little concerned. I told myself if you stop running you will never make it to the finish. I kept plugging away and tried to put my upset stomach, hurt calf and the heat out of my mind as I ran to the finish line. Now the one thing I want to say about this race was my goal was just to finish. I was not thinking of a time except that I would probably finish in 7 hours. I set out to take it easy and just finish. With that said, I kept looking at my watch and one point realizing that I should be able set a new PR for myself at this distance. So as I pulled into the finish I was very excited to have a time of 5:55:49. This is 27 minutes better than my previous Half-Iron time.
As I limped around the race area satisfied with my race Norma informs me that she was bitten by a dog. The dog got her pretty good in the face. I didn't know spectators could get hurt =(. She survived and the dog was ejected but there were no hurt feelings. All in all it was good day. My cold is still kicking my butt and I'm a little sore but I am looking forward to the next race.
On Saturday morning I started feeling a little sick but I thought it was just my allergies. I learned later that day that I was getting a cold. While I was arriving in the Dallas area there was a sign that said that it was an Ozone Action Day and that you should limit your outdoor activities. I remember thinking that I was dead meat. Not only am I sick but the sun will probably melt me. When I arrived at the hotel I got my things together and just rested for the evening.
I woke up at 4 am on Sunday and I immediately ate my pre-race meal of Cap'n Crunch cereal. That's right Cap'n Crunch, it works for me. I left about 5 am for the race. I was real nervous and my cold had me feeling worse than Saturday but I was determined to give it my all. Prior to the Half-Ironman was the Sprint Race. While the Sprint was going on the Half-Iron participants were having a meeting with the self proclaimed rude race director. The cool thing about the Sprint was that first 3 people out of the water were ladies. It got a big cheer. The funny thing was when the first man got out of the water someone yelled out that's nice the first man is out of the water. It got a big laugh.
After the meeting it was time for the race. My nerves were still a little shaky but I knew I could make it around the swim. The swim was very tough for me. The water was very choppy and you felt like you were getting thrown all over the place. This made it very hard to breath and to sight. You either couldn't see where you were going or you were drinking water when you wanted to breathe. After I made the final turn on the swim my goggles started to fog up and I could not see where I was going. I had to keep stopping to get an idea of where the finish was. After I made it out of the water it was on to the bike. As soon as I got on the bike my quadriceps were on fire. It took me about an hour for my legs to feel good. When I do a race I try to find a person that I can pace off of to keep me on track and to keep my mind focused on the task at hand. I found this person about 6 miles into the ride and her name was Stacey. She was a very funny gal that was in the same wave as me. (All the men and women in all the age groups started together) When I pulled up near her she yelled out "that looks like Batman passing me". She said "that looks like Batman's bike" and I responded "I've heard that once or twice". I stayed with her for the majority of the bike with her passing me towards the end of the bike loop. Now the run. When I arrived at the race it was 66 degrees when got off the bike my computer read 96 degrees. Yay! After I racked my bike I switched out the Fuel Belt bottles that I froze the night before with the ones Norma had in my ice chest. The ones I froze were already thawed and very hot. I got out on the run and I'm not feeling to well. My cold was getting the better of me but I still had my legs. As I started running I thought this shouldn't be too bad if I can keep this pace and if I stick to my nutrition and hydration plan. Part of my plan was to take my electrolyte tablets at mile 3 as I did on my previous Half-Iron. The only problem was that it gave me a very upset stomach that bothered me for rest of the race. As I plugged along I caught up to a familiar face that I saw on the bike course. It was Stacey and she called back "is that you Batman"? I said "yes" and we ran together for a while even properly introducing ourselves at one point. At the point that we did the turn back to the finish (mile 6 I think) my left calf began cramping. This is the same calf I strained the previous week so I was a little concerned. I told myself if you stop running you will never make it to the finish. I kept plugging away and tried to put my upset stomach, hurt calf and the heat out of my mind as I ran to the finish line. Now the one thing I want to say about this race was my goal was just to finish. I was not thinking of a time except that I would probably finish in 7 hours. I set out to take it easy and just finish. With that said, I kept looking at my watch and one point realizing that I should be able set a new PR for myself at this distance. So as I pulled into the finish I was very excited to have a time of 5:55:49. This is 27 minutes better than my previous Half-Iron time.
As I limped around the race area satisfied with my race Norma informs me that she was bitten by a dog. The dog got her pretty good in the face. I didn't know spectators could get hurt =(. She survived and the dog was ejected but there were no hurt feelings. All in all it was good day. My cold is still kicking my butt and I'm a little sore but I am looking forward to the next race.
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