Last Saturday I completed the Windsor Tribute Triathlon. 500 yard swim. 18 mile bike. 3.1 mile run. It was a lot of fun and I'll probably try to do a couple more races next year. I might have said earlier that I've always wanted to do the Shawnee Mission Tri. I intend to sign up for it again next year. I still need to finish that thing.
Anyways, back to Windsor. 12 minutes something coming out of the water. Pathetic. An hour and two minutes on the bike. 24:47 on the run. 1:42:04 officially for the whole thing. Nothing to brag about. Middle of the pack for my age group.
It's easy to be intimidated when you show up for one of these things. There's a lot of athletic-y looking people there with great bikes and cool spandex outfits. I don't have such a great outfit. At my last tri I had a hard time getting my bike jersey on, so this time I cut the sleeves off of an old Old Navy tee shirt and wore it with my bike shorts. Perhaps not so cool, but I got that shirt on a lot faster.
One more thing. The girls at these races are very fast. I got beat by two of them. I can tell you though, at Shawnee Mission I would've been bested by scores more.
Enough about that. I have my eyes on another race. There is a cyclocross race in Hermann, MO in September. Time to start training.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
First Triathlon Race Report
My first triathlon ever was called due to rain and lightening. Bummer! To be fair it was a heck of a storm. It followed us back home to Clinton and blew over a bunch of trees and limbs, including a large maple tree limb in my yard.
Probably the best way to do this is using the Socratic method. I will provide the answers.
Q. So, overall, how did it go today?
A. Well, I didn't die, if that's what you're asking.
Q. No, just trying to get a general impression. Um, how was the swim?
A. Horrible. The water was a hot eighty-some degrees, which I'm sure sapped my strength, causing me to almost drown two times. I did finish in like 27 minutes or so, in spite of the thick water in SM Lake.
Q. Thick water?
A. Yeah, I wasn't used to it.
Q. OK...let's talk about transition one. Had you practiced transitioning from swimming to biking during your training?
A. Why would I? I already know how to put on a shirt and shoes.
Q. So, you didn't have any problems with T1?
A. Well, actually, it took like 15 minutes to get my shirt on. My torso was wet with that thick lake water, and all my shirt wanted to do was wad up in my pits and above my nips. It was embarrassing.
Q. Wow. So on to the ride. Were you able to make up any time after dealing with the, uh, you know, thick lake water?
A. Actually, again I was at a disadvantage. Everyone else had high dollar bikes with clipless pedals. I got passed like an arena league football.
Q. So do you think you should've trained differently?
A. I said they had clipless pedals. Did you not hear me?
Q. How was the route?
A. The route was up hill the whole way.
Q. I thought it was a loop.
A. It was.
Q. Hmm. OK, I'm done. Goodbye.
And there you have it. Just like the race report, the race ended when I was on the bike. I really wanted to finish, and I think I could have. The swim was harder that I expected, the biking about as hard as I suspected it would be. The run? I'll never know. Oh well, I have another race in two weeks in Windsor. See you there!
And now for some pics:
Probably the best way to do this is using the Socratic method. I will provide the answers.
Q. So, overall, how did it go today?
A. Well, I didn't die, if that's what you're asking.
Q. No, just trying to get a general impression. Um, how was the swim?
A. Horrible. The water was a hot eighty-some degrees, which I'm sure sapped my strength, causing me to almost drown two times. I did finish in like 27 minutes or so, in spite of the thick water in SM Lake.
Q. Thick water?
A. Yeah, I wasn't used to it.
Q. OK...let's talk about transition one. Had you practiced transitioning from swimming to biking during your training?
A. Why would I? I already know how to put on a shirt and shoes.
Q. So, you didn't have any problems with T1?
A. Well, actually, it took like 15 minutes to get my shirt on. My torso was wet with that thick lake water, and all my shirt wanted to do was wad up in my pits and above my nips. It was embarrassing.
Q. Wow. So on to the ride. Were you able to make up any time after dealing with the, uh, you know, thick lake water?
A. Actually, again I was at a disadvantage. Everyone else had high dollar bikes with clipless pedals. I got passed like an arena league football.
Q. So do you think you should've trained differently?
A. I said they had clipless pedals. Did you not hear me?
Q. How was the route?
A. The route was up hill the whole way.
Q. I thought it was a loop.
A. It was.
Q. Hmm. OK, I'm done. Goodbye.
And there you have it. Just like the race report, the race ended when I was on the bike. I really wanted to finish, and I think I could have. The swim was harder that I expected, the biking about as hard as I suspected it would be. The run? I'll never know. Oh well, I have another race in two weeks in Windsor. See you there!
And now for some pics:
We celebrated our anniversary in Overland Park. Here's a view from our hotel. We stayed overnight since I had to be at the park so early.
Trying to be brave, before the swim.
My wife tried to get a shot of me swimming. That's me under the surface of the water, drowning.
Transition 1, and The Lotus.
How do these pedals work?
Weeeee!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
This is It
Tomorrow is the umpteenth running of the Shawnee Mission Triathlon, and I'll be running, along with biking and swimming, though not in that order.
All the training is done. I may be in the best shape of my life, or in at least as good of shape as I've ever been. I'm down to 156 pounds, which is where I hovered throughout most of my time in the Navy when I was 21-25 years old. My training consisted of free weights, running two or three times a week, swimming a couple of times a week, and biking a couple of times a week. In total it added up to about an hour a day on average. I took Sundays off. I didn't change my diet one iota. I'm not exactly a glutton, and I don't live on junk food, but I pretty much ate what I wanted.
People keep asking me, "Are you ready?" To which I say, "I guess." Like I said way back when I decided to run, I won't be competitive. However, I hope to turn in a respectable time. I'd like to finish in the 25th percentile of my age group, but I have no idea what kind of time that would be.
For more info, and maybe even some race results later, check back here.
Swim .62 miles, bike 18 miles, run 4.5 miles. Pray for me.
All the training is done. I may be in the best shape of my life, or in at least as good of shape as I've ever been. I'm down to 156 pounds, which is where I hovered throughout most of my time in the Navy when I was 21-25 years old. My training consisted of free weights, running two or three times a week, swimming a couple of times a week, and biking a couple of times a week. In total it added up to about an hour a day on average. I took Sundays off. I didn't change my diet one iota. I'm not exactly a glutton, and I don't live on junk food, but I pretty much ate what I wanted.
People keep asking me, "Are you ready?" To which I say, "I guess." Like I said way back when I decided to run, I won't be competitive. However, I hope to turn in a respectable time. I'd like to finish in the 25th percentile of my age group, but I have no idea what kind of time that would be.
For more info, and maybe even some race results later, check back here.
Swim .62 miles, bike 18 miles, run 4.5 miles. Pray for me.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day
After we'd toured the Samuel Adams brewery, we got to chatting with a fellow at the Stony Brook station. He'd been through the tour with us and was heading back downtown. He was from Tennessee, but he was in town because of some function at his kid's school. Turned out he had one kid at Harvard, another at Boston College, and his third was set to go to Stanford. I fell on my knees and cried, "Teach me!"
I personally know a few other fathers whose adult kids have all turned out well. Maybe they didn't all go to Harvard, but they all grew up and are leading productive, happy lives. One example is our Sunday School teacher. He has three seemingly well adjusted grown kids who are all doing well, but the thing that strikes me about them is they all attend our Sunday School class. This tells me that they've all embraced their father's faith, and respect him so that they continue to listen to his instruction.
That's all I want. Well, that, and all my kids to attend a fine college.
Thanks, Dad, for pointing me in the right direction. And thanks to all those father's for proving that you can raise kids that manage to stay out of jail and still come around once they're grown. God bless you.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Another Race Report
A couple of Saturdays ago I drove over to Sedalia for the Spring Into Summer Duathlon (is there such a thing as a unathlon?). My day wasn't starting very well because at midnight the night before I was still driving home from a T-Bones game in KCK. I get to bed about 1:30AM, and get up at 5:30AM. I suppose real racers would recommend a few more hours of sleep before a race day.
My friends, mentioned in the earlier 5K race report, told me about this duathlon and invited me to run. I consented thinking, well, it'll be a good training run. The race consisted of a 2 mile run, a 12.3 mile ride, and then another 2 mile run. I arrived at the park where the race is held about an hour early, cause that's how I roll. The only significant thing I really noticed before the race was that there were some serious bikers present. There were a lot of Cannondales, Treks, Cervelos, Giants, and some other expensive looking rides. Me? I roll up on The Lotus. I believe I had the only Lotus in the race. The Lotus is an adequate bike, but it didn't take me long to develop some serious cycle envy.
My goal for the first two miles was fifteen minutes. I did it in 15:12. Beyond that I had no goal, and that might have been a problem. I finished the ride in 42:15, and the second run in 15:53. I heard someone say that you shouldn't push too hard on the ride, because you need energy for the run, but I realized later he was talking about an Ironman, not a short duathlon. I probably could've ridden a little faster, but the runs were about as well as I could do.
So, again, I finished second in my age group. However, that is not at all impressive when you consider I finished 21st overall, and there were a number of forty-somethings that beat me as well. There were also four ladies that finished ahead of me (two of them in my age group!). Another lady that beat me was forty-five years old! How did they do it? They obviously had high dollar bikes. I'm sure that's it.
Sorry, no race pics today. I meant to take some photos but didn't get around to it. Well, I'd better get back to training. There's only 35 days until the Shawnee Mission Triathlon. See you there.
PS. The top overall time was 1:02:05. My time was 1:14:36.
My friends, mentioned in the earlier 5K race report, told me about this duathlon and invited me to run. I consented thinking, well, it'll be a good training run. The race consisted of a 2 mile run, a 12.3 mile ride, and then another 2 mile run. I arrived at the park where the race is held about an hour early, cause that's how I roll. The only significant thing I really noticed before the race was that there were some serious bikers present. There were a lot of Cannondales, Treks, Cervelos, Giants, and some other expensive looking rides. Me? I roll up on The Lotus. I believe I had the only Lotus in the race. The Lotus is an adequate bike, but it didn't take me long to develop some serious cycle envy.
My goal for the first two miles was fifteen minutes. I did it in 15:12. Beyond that I had no goal, and that might have been a problem. I finished the ride in 42:15, and the second run in 15:53. I heard someone say that you shouldn't push too hard on the ride, because you need energy for the run, but I realized later he was talking about an Ironman, not a short duathlon. I probably could've ridden a little faster, but the runs were about as well as I could do.
So, again, I finished second in my age group. However, that is not at all impressive when you consider I finished 21st overall, and there were a number of forty-somethings that beat me as well. There were also four ladies that finished ahead of me (two of them in my age group!). Another lady that beat me was forty-five years old! How did they do it? They obviously had high dollar bikes. I'm sure that's it.
Sorry, no race pics today. I meant to take some photos but didn't get around to it. Well, I'd better get back to training. There's only 35 days until the Shawnee Mission Triathlon. See you there.
PS. The top overall time was 1:02:05. My time was 1:14:36.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sedalia to New Franklin
Aaron, Mike, and I traveled by bike from Sedalia, Mo to New Franklin, Mo. 41 miles if you're counting. Here's the stating point in Sedalia:
The tree lined sections are great, keeping the sun off of you.
That's me. Aaron pointed out that the bridge is 100 years old this year, having been built in 1910.
Deon's Bar and Grill. We had lunch listening to old country and western. This is Pilot Grove, Mo.
Not French Lick, Prairie Lick.
We crossed I70 near Boonville, Mo.
Crossing I70.
The depot in Boonville.
I'm starting to see a pattern with the cabooses at the Katy Trail trail heads.
I noticed the architecture. It appealed to me. The cell phone camera probably doesn't do it justice.
After a long day riding, you can lose your money here.
Veterans Memorial in Boonville.
Crossing the Missouri.
Arriving in New Franklin, not to be confused with Franklin, which is about a mile away.
Race Report
OK, I read a number of triathlon blogs, and everyone posts a race report after a big race. Some are quite long, comprising several posts over a number of days, but after all, they just did an Ironman. Since I only ran a 5K, this race report will be quite short (depending on your level of interest in my life).
I drove over to Windsor, Missouri, for the 5K for Something or Other. I'd registered weeks ago, but a few days before the race I learned there was a 5K in my town the same day. Oh well, I'd paid my money, so it's off to Windsor. I don't know, I think it's like, 20 miles away. I've actually ridden my bike there and back a couple of times, so it's not that far.
Here's Windsor:
I get there about an hour early, cause that's how I roll. I checked in, got my obligatory tee shirt and proceeded to stand around. I stood around so long that I saw a married couple from my church, they were going to run as well. Other than that, I knew no one. Had I ran in the race in my own town I'd have recognized a dozen people, and felt obliged to chat with them.
It was chilly, so I wore pants over my shorts, and I wore a jacket, figuring I'd strip them off before race time. I didn't know the course, but I was under the impression it began and ended in the park where registration was. At some point, everyone started walking, so I joined them, not wanting ot be left out. I asked the fellow I was somewhat acquainted with because of our shared religion where we were going. He said we had to take a bus to the starting point, which was over at the Katy Trail.
Here's the caboose at the starting line:
OK, cool. I'll just leave my pants and jacket on the bus. Pick them up later. We were trundled over to the starting line and because I'm in the very back seat of the bus, I'm the last to get off. I ask the bus driver, "Are you going back over to the park?" She answered in the negative, and then said something I'm still puzzled about. "I'm going back to the school. You guys will have to walk back." Did she know nothing of her assignment that day, or was she only given the route, the rest kept top secret? She reminded me of a special forces helo pilot.
At any rate, I can't leave my pants and jacket on the bus. Well crap. I hate it when I plan the work but then can't work the plan. I'd have to run with my pants on. I tied my jacket around my waste. Thankfully it was chilly that morning, so I never did get overheated, but there's another problem, I really have to pee, and I don't see a toilet close by. Personally, I'm not opposed to public urination. I don't see what the big deal is really, but I figured even in Windsor it wouldn't be looked upon favorably with so many women folk around, some in their teens. I'd have to run with a full canteen.
We all got up around the starting line, and some lady explained the course. Go this way, turn right onto the pavement, arrive at the park. I eyed the competition. There were two or thee guys and a couple of ladies that looked like serious runners. The rest may not have known what we were doing there, like the bus driver. I'm kidding, they knew.
Read set go. Everyone took off like a bat out of hell. I'm serious. Everyone from the 12 year-olds to the 60 year-olds. I thought I was running with Usain Bolt. A pack of Usain Bolts. No matter, after the first half mile I'd passed just about all of them. After one mile there were probably 6 or 7 people ahead of me, including one girl. I finally passed the girl. Now there were about 6 guys ahead. I couldn't tell exactly how many because some of them were way out front. I ran down two of them, passing the second with about three quarter miles to go, but by that time the lead runner was probably finishing.
I crossed the finish line in about 22 or 23 minutes. I forgot to stop my clock when I crossed and I didn't stick around for the medal ceremony.
The next day at church the guy I know handed me a medal. He said I got second in my age group. Wow! I can't tell you how proud I was to know that I went all the way to Windsor, Missouri and got second place for my age group. I'm serious, I can't tell you that.
OK, enough for now.
I drove over to Windsor, Missouri, for the 5K for Something or Other. I'd registered weeks ago, but a few days before the race I learned there was a 5K in my town the same day. Oh well, I'd paid my money, so it's off to Windsor. I don't know, I think it's like, 20 miles away. I've actually ridden my bike there and back a couple of times, so it's not that far.
Here's Windsor:
I get there about an hour early, cause that's how I roll. I checked in, got my obligatory tee shirt and proceeded to stand around. I stood around so long that I saw a married couple from my church, they were going to run as well. Other than that, I knew no one. Had I ran in the race in my own town I'd have recognized a dozen people, and felt obliged to chat with them.
It was chilly, so I wore pants over my shorts, and I wore a jacket, figuring I'd strip them off before race time. I didn't know the course, but I was under the impression it began and ended in the park where registration was. At some point, everyone started walking, so I joined them, not wanting ot be left out. I asked the fellow I was somewhat acquainted with because of our shared religion where we were going. He said we had to take a bus to the starting point, which was over at the Katy Trail.
Here's the caboose at the starting line:
OK, cool. I'll just leave my pants and jacket on the bus. Pick them up later. We were trundled over to the starting line and because I'm in the very back seat of the bus, I'm the last to get off. I ask the bus driver, "Are you going back over to the park?" She answered in the negative, and then said something I'm still puzzled about. "I'm going back to the school. You guys will have to walk back." Did she know nothing of her assignment that day, or was she only given the route, the rest kept top secret? She reminded me of a special forces helo pilot.
At any rate, I can't leave my pants and jacket on the bus. Well crap. I hate it when I plan the work but then can't work the plan. I'd have to run with my pants on. I tied my jacket around my waste. Thankfully it was chilly that morning, so I never did get overheated, but there's another problem, I really have to pee, and I don't see a toilet close by. Personally, I'm not opposed to public urination. I don't see what the big deal is really, but I figured even in Windsor it wouldn't be looked upon favorably with so many women folk around, some in their teens. I'd have to run with a full canteen.
We all got up around the starting line, and some lady explained the course. Go this way, turn right onto the pavement, arrive at the park. I eyed the competition. There were two or thee guys and a couple of ladies that looked like serious runners. The rest may not have known what we were doing there, like the bus driver. I'm kidding, they knew.
Read set go. Everyone took off like a bat out of hell. I'm serious. Everyone from the 12 year-olds to the 60 year-olds. I thought I was running with Usain Bolt. A pack of Usain Bolts. No matter, after the first half mile I'd passed just about all of them. After one mile there were probably 6 or 7 people ahead of me, including one girl. I finally passed the girl. Now there were about 6 guys ahead. I couldn't tell exactly how many because some of them were way out front. I ran down two of them, passing the second with about three quarter miles to go, but by that time the lead runner was probably finishing.
I crossed the finish line in about 22 or 23 minutes. I forgot to stop my clock when I crossed and I didn't stick around for the medal ceremony.
The next day at church the guy I know handed me a medal. He said I got second in my age group. Wow! I can't tell you how proud I was to know that I went all the way to Windsor, Missouri and got second place for my age group. I'm serious, I can't tell you that.
OK, enough for now.
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