With the limited exception of running with Iron Wil on part of the IMWI marathon course, I've been taking the "off season" following my own Ironman pretty seriously. My wetsuit and The Pol-R Express have remained at the house, and my running shoes are sitting under the bed. I've been enjoying some of the foods that I passed on during the height of training. And I've been trying to tackle a few tasks that have been sitting and waiting for "the right time."
Today, I resolved a couple of big hitters, and they fall squarely into the "geek" category. And that got me thinking. And I figured it was high time I had a post that was unrelated to triathlon. It's good for the soul (and the sole). So, here are a few sure signs you are an uber-computer geek.
1. You happen to know exactly what a Dell PowerEdge Server does. Bonus points if you are sitting anywhere within 10 feet of one or more.
2. The term RAID array means something besides an arsenal of bug spray.
3. Scuzzy (SCSI) isn't used to refer to a person.
4. Your friends call you to fix their computer after three years of not updating it. Bonus points if you consider that a "boring" day.
5. You can rattle off the IP addresses of computers and/or servers in your home, as well as your friends' homes.
6. You actually have a server in your home (see item 1).
7. Any piece of computer equipment in your possession has a "hot-swappable" anything.
8. You have more than one computer sitting in your garage because it's "obsolete" but you figure it might come in handy, some day.
9. Challenging new software (say Adobe Photoshop and ImageReady) is a weekend learning opportunity.
10. You have more than two office suites on your computer. Bonus points if you have the trifecta (all three major suites, Corel, Microsoft Office, and Lotus).
11. You have more servers/storage capacity at home than at work.
12. You consider it a reasonable swap to give up phone service (or small children) to pay for ultra high speed Internet service.
13. Your storage devices come in terabytes.
I spent most the day getting one of my servers back on-line. Yes, I said ONE of my servers. The other is at my feet just begging for the same attention. I have to get it straightened out quickly, as Mrs. Pol has a paper to write, and she will be less accomodating than I to the rather large computer sitting in front of our desk.
I also need to get them all running as it is almost time for training to come back on line. I figure October will be dedicated to fairly light training to get back into the swing of things. November, like last year, will be a swim focused month, and I will once again focus my efforts on daily swims. That turned out so well for this season that it is worth another shot.
I also have some major blog related irons in the fire, and there will be some huge announcements coming in the near future. In the hopes of major traffic numbers in the next few weeks, I'll leave it at that.
Showing posts with label Random Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Random Thoughts. Show all posts
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Voice from the Past
I received the following in an E-mail, today:
As you journey towards accomplishing an Ironman triathlon, there have been a great many steps along the way. Some good, some disappointing.
The start of the journey has been full of excitement and fun. Learning the ropes, meeting members of the TBC, and trying to register for IM MOO 2007 (missed it by THAT much). The idea of registering for a race a year away seemed odd, but you took the shot, anyway.
As the 2007 IM race in Madison approaches, you should be in full swing to participate as crew for Team raceAthlete. You will have the opportunity to join in the excitement. Make sure you are ready to sign up for 2008, and remember to write a new note for that race.
It takes a lot of work to forge iron. Don't lose track of where you started, where you are going, and how far you've already come.
I wrote this note last year after I was unable to register for IM Wisconsin, BEFORE learning about IM Louisville. I had it delivered by FutureMe as a reminder of what I was thinking that day and had already forgotten about it by the time I signed up for what became my first Ironman.
It's amazing how a few short days can change the perspective with which we view both the past and future.
As you journey towards accomplishing an Ironman triathlon, there have been a great many steps along the way. Some good, some disappointing.
The start of the journey has been full of excitement and fun. Learning the ropes, meeting members of the TBC, and trying to register for IM MOO 2007 (missed it by THAT much). The idea of registering for a race a year away seemed odd, but you took the shot, anyway.
As the 2007 IM race in Madison approaches, you should be in full swing to participate as crew for Team raceAthlete. You will have the opportunity to join in the excitement. Make sure you are ready to sign up for 2008, and remember to write a new note for that race.
It takes a lot of work to forge iron. Don't lose track of where you started, where you are going, and how far you've already come.
I wrote this note last year after I was unable to register for IM Wisconsin, BEFORE learning about IM Louisville. I had it delivered by FutureMe as a reminder of what I was thinking that day and had already forgotten about it by the time I signed up for what became my first Ironman.
It's amazing how a few short days can change the perspective with which we view both the past and future.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Honey Do List
I want to thank everyone for the positive thoughts while I was on the IMKY course, and for all the awesome comments throughout the day. It really helped, and there must have been some prayers to help a tired runner, because shortly after I started walking at mile 14, Rebecca Roan (#1641) of Effingham, Illinois came up alongside me. She was on her first lap, and started walking at mile 3. We walked to mile 16 (four for her), and she said she was "walking one, running one," and I joined her. That "run one" was bit short, and we kept on going. At mile 19, our conversation had taken my mind off the condition of my body, and I decided to see what I could manage by way of a run. She really salvaged my marathon, so all of you who were throwing up prayers, know they were answered.
It's late after a long day getting home, and I have work in the morning. So, here's my "to do" list for the next few days.
First is an "Executive Summary" of the race. That will be the short version of how the day went with some of the "need to know" details. After that, expect a rather lengthy "thanks to" post. That will be something like the Academy Awards speeches where you wonder why rotten vegetables aren't more plentiful. After that will come the full blown race reports in all their glory. There is a lot to get straight in my head before I can get it all on paper.
In the video of the 2006 Ironman World Championships, Faris al Sultan comments that he doesn't really remember crossing the finish line in 2005 when he won the race. Hearing that in the week prior to Louisville, I didn't understand. Now, I do (and have the pictures to prove it's probably true). Sure, I remember the lights and general setting. But there's no song running through my head. I only vaguely recall them saying my name. I just remember the finish line, and really wanting to be on the other side of it. I remember the long tunnel of darkness with a bright light at the end. Fitting that the end of a race that leaves you filling dead looks like that.
So, give me a couple days of less detailed posts, and then I'll give you more details of the Iron Pol perspective of Ironman Louisville than you ever wanted to know.
It's late after a long day getting home, and I have work in the morning. So, here's my "to do" list for the next few days.
First is an "Executive Summary" of the race. That will be the short version of how the day went with some of the "need to know" details. After that, expect a rather lengthy "thanks to" post. That will be something like the Academy Awards speeches where you wonder why rotten vegetables aren't more plentiful. After that will come the full blown race reports in all their glory. There is a lot to get straight in my head before I can get it all on paper.
In the video of the 2006 Ironman World Championships, Faris al Sultan comments that he doesn't really remember crossing the finish line in 2005 when he won the race. Hearing that in the week prior to Louisville, I didn't understand. Now, I do (and have the pictures to prove it's probably true). Sure, I remember the lights and general setting. But there's no song running through my head. I only vaguely recall them saying my name. I just remember the finish line, and really wanting to be on the other side of it. I remember the long tunnel of darkness with a bright light at the end. Fitting that the end of a race that leaves you filling dead looks like that.
So, give me a couple days of less detailed posts, and then I'll give you more details of the Iron Pol perspective of Ironman Louisville than you ever wanted to know.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Timing
Have you ever experienced something where the only thing you can say is, "Wow! That's REALLY bad timing."
A classic example is discovering a pimple right in the middle of your forehead the morning of prom (or any other major life event).
The good news is I don't have a pimple. And somehow, at nearly 39 years old, it is bizarre that there is even a need to address pimples. That, however, is another post.
The "something" that I'm dealing with is a ruptured ear drum. Either I've encountered a fluke of reality, or the rumored hazards associated with water in the Ohio River are true. Yesterday's Gatorade Swim resulted in a bit more than increased comfort with the swim course.
Luckily, ruptured ear drums are nothing new, to me. Because of a cleft palate as a child, ear infections are just a fact of life. The constant use of drainage tubes as a child and young adult left my ear drums perforated and weak. Between water skiing, scuba diving (which I'm now medically disqualified from doing), and diving at the pool, I've ruptured my ear drums numerous times. I'll just have to pay a visit to my ENT after the race. He can determine which part of my patchwork ears have been destroyed, now.
In the end, it will be a bit of an inconvenience and perhaps somewhat annoying. Nowhere near as devestating as a zit in the middle of your forehead the day of prom.
A classic example is discovering a pimple right in the middle of your forehead the morning of prom (or any other major life event).
The good news is I don't have a pimple. And somehow, at nearly 39 years old, it is bizarre that there is even a need to address pimples. That, however, is another post.
The "something" that I'm dealing with is a ruptured ear drum. Either I've encountered a fluke of reality, or the rumored hazards associated with water in the Ohio River are true. Yesterday's Gatorade Swim resulted in a bit more than increased comfort with the swim course.
Luckily, ruptured ear drums are nothing new, to me. Because of a cleft palate as a child, ear infections are just a fact of life. The constant use of drainage tubes as a child and young adult left my ear drums perforated and weak. Between water skiing, scuba diving (which I'm now medically disqualified from doing), and diving at the pool, I've ruptured my ear drums numerous times. I'll just have to pay a visit to my ENT after the race. He can determine which part of my patchwork ears have been destroyed, now.
In the end, it will be a bit of an inconvenience and perhaps somewhat annoying. Nowhere near as devestating as a zit in the middle of your forehead the day of prom.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Endless Pool
I don't have the ability to post the video, but trust me when I say that today's Gatorade Swim in the Ohio River was interesting. The comment heard most often when describing the swim was "Endless Pool." And for the upstream portions, that's exactly what it was.
It was incredible watching the swimmers trying to make headway and getting nowhere. And watching people going downstream at an incredible clip without taking a single stroke. At our blogger dinner, the concensus was that the swim change was the right choice.
After checking in, we hit the expo for a short bit, and I managed to walk about about $150 lighter, the proud owner of some sharp looking IM Louisville attire.
And now, since my daughter is taking her clothes and dancing, I have to sign off.
It was incredible watching the swimmers trying to make headway and getting nowhere. And watching people going downstream at an incredible clip without taking a single stroke. At our blogger dinner, the concensus was that the swim change was the right choice.
After checking in, we hit the expo for a short bit, and I managed to walk about about $150 lighter, the proud owner of some sharp looking IM Louisville attire.
And now, since my daughter is taking her clothes and dancing, I have to sign off.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Amazingly, this race has already warranted a post detailing the situations that fall into the good, bad, and ugly categories.
In the good AND bad category, they have determined the current is likely to be too strong for the original swim course to be used. Heavy rainfall is predicted to increase water flow even further. So, there will be a few changes.
First, the "upstream" portion of the swim will be in a more protected portion of the stream. And the downstream portion will be a larger percentage of the total swim. It will, however, now be a counterclockwise swim. Bad news for those of us who breathe to the right.
Second, they have been measuring water temperatures, and current temps are about 87F. For those unfamiliar with USAT rules, wetsuits are prohibited in water temps over 84F. I've done 5000 yard swims without a wetsuit. It appears I may get to do my first Ironman the same way. The final determination will be made Sunday morning. Fun.
Finally, due to the nature of the area where the swim will start, we will be starting a bit differently than your normal Ironman. To minimize congestion, this race will be a time trial start. Each racer will cross a timing mat at the beginning, and they will start us in "expected time" order, going every couple seconds. More fun.
So, the good is that I'm here. It appears my worries over the mass swim start have been alleviated. The bad is that I'll be swimming the wrong way. The ugly is that we may not be able to wear our wetsuits.
The race hasn't even started and the bizarre stories are presenting themselves.
In the good AND bad category, they have determined the current is likely to be too strong for the original swim course to be used. Heavy rainfall is predicted to increase water flow even further. So, there will be a few changes.
First, the "upstream" portion of the swim will be in a more protected portion of the stream. And the downstream portion will be a larger percentage of the total swim. It will, however, now be a counterclockwise swim. Bad news for those of us who breathe to the right.
Second, they have been measuring water temperatures, and current temps are about 87F. For those unfamiliar with USAT rules, wetsuits are prohibited in water temps over 84F. I've done 5000 yard swims without a wetsuit. It appears I may get to do my first Ironman the same way. The final determination will be made Sunday morning. Fun.
Finally, due to the nature of the area where the swim will start, we will be starting a bit differently than your normal Ironman. To minimize congestion, this race will be a time trial start. Each racer will cross a timing mat at the beginning, and they will start us in "expected time" order, going every couple seconds. More fun.
So, the good is that I'm here. It appears my worries over the mass swim start have been alleviated. The bad is that I'll be swimming the wrong way. The ugly is that we may not be able to wear our wetsuits.
The race hasn't even started and the bizarre stories are presenting themselves.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
At No Point
At no point in the first 37 years of my life did I ever plan on becoming an Ironman. In fact, it can be safely said that at no point in the first 35 years of my life did I ever plan on even becoming a marathoner. And, yet, here we are.
Seven days and a wake up away from Ironman Louisville, arguably one of the toughest days I will ever face in my life. Apparently, planning and doing aren't necessarily mutually inclusive.
It's been a long journey from there to here. After 10 years in the Navy and three years of college, I was overweight and out of shape. I was pushing 220 pounds, wearing size 38 pants that were starting to get tight, and suffering from an array of weight related issues. Another list of things I never planned.
The next twist of fate on the journey was being diagnosed with sarcoidosis. A benign enough condition, it did put me into the care of a pulmonary specialist that asked me to run a few miles a couple times each week to monitor pulmonary function. Despite a general hatred of running, I followed the doctors orders, and those occassional short runs turned into more frequent runs of longer distances. While I didn't gain a love of running, I did gain an appreciation of the challenges of being a runner.
Over a period of years, those distances started adding up, and I racked up several half-marathon finishes, and signed up for my first marathon. Oddly enough, it was the near ridicule of a co-worker that pushed me into that first full marathon race. His comments motivated me to sign up for a race, regardless of whether I finished it. The goal was to at least start it.
Even after completing numerous full marathons, the concept of doing a triathlon never entered my mind until I was challenged by a group of 8th graders to do one. And that was sort of like being double dog dared to eat worms. No matter how difficult the task might be, it must be done.
It wasn't until Roman Mica and the other founders of raceAthlete started talking about the opportunity to "Train Like a Professional" that I considered signing up for an Ironman. Wisconsin, that is. The irony is how upset I was after being unable to register for IM MOO. I was angry about being unable to sign up for an event I never planned on running. Go figure!
Enter IM Louisville. After missing Wisconsin, the opportunity presented by a brand new race seemed like an early Christmas present. And so, here we are.
In just over 7 days, I will toe the line in Louisville, Kentucky with about 2500 other triathletes. I will be wearing bib number 1675. And I will do all I can to set a good precedent for future athletes wearing that number in Louisville. Since we don't have historic information for this race, I went to some of the other races from this year.
CDA - M45-49, 14:01:07, Overall place, 1401
USA - M45-49, 11:27:04, Overall place, 324
Arizona - M45-49, 11:49:33, Overall place 466
That's some pretty good company. If I fall somewhere between the fastest and slowest times, I'll consider it an amazing day. If I continue the streak and finish the race, I'll call it a great day.
If Athlete Tracker is up for Louisville (far from a given, at this point), you'll be able to track my progress there. In addition, there will be a special guest blogger making periodic updates on this site via phone updates from Mrs. Pol.
Seven days and a wake up away from Ironman Louisville, arguably one of the toughest days I will ever face in my life. Apparently, planning and doing aren't necessarily mutually inclusive.
It's been a long journey from there to here. After 10 years in the Navy and three years of college, I was overweight and out of shape. I was pushing 220 pounds, wearing size 38 pants that were starting to get tight, and suffering from an array of weight related issues. Another list of things I never planned.
The next twist of fate on the journey was being diagnosed with sarcoidosis. A benign enough condition, it did put me into the care of a pulmonary specialist that asked me to run a few miles a couple times each week to monitor pulmonary function. Despite a general hatred of running, I followed the doctors orders, and those occassional short runs turned into more frequent runs of longer distances. While I didn't gain a love of running, I did gain an appreciation of the challenges of being a runner.
Over a period of years, those distances started adding up, and I racked up several half-marathon finishes, and signed up for my first marathon. Oddly enough, it was the near ridicule of a co-worker that pushed me into that first full marathon race. His comments motivated me to sign up for a race, regardless of whether I finished it. The goal was to at least start it.
Even after completing numerous full marathons, the concept of doing a triathlon never entered my mind until I was challenged by a group of 8th graders to do one. And that was sort of like being double dog dared to eat worms. No matter how difficult the task might be, it must be done.
It wasn't until Roman Mica and the other founders of raceAthlete started talking about the opportunity to "Train Like a Professional" that I considered signing up for an Ironman. Wisconsin, that is. The irony is how upset I was after being unable to register for IM MOO. I was angry about being unable to sign up for an event I never planned on running. Go figure!
Enter IM Louisville. After missing Wisconsin, the opportunity presented by a brand new race seemed like an early Christmas present. And so, here we are.
In just over 7 days, I will toe the line in Louisville, Kentucky with about 2500 other triathletes. I will be wearing bib number 1675. And I will do all I can to set a good precedent for future athletes wearing that number in Louisville. Since we don't have historic information for this race, I went to some of the other races from this year.
CDA - M45-49, 14:01:07, Overall place, 1401
USA - M45-49, 11:27:04, Overall place, 324
Arizona - M45-49, 11:49:33, Overall place 466
That's some pretty good company. If I fall somewhere between the fastest and slowest times, I'll consider it an amazing day. If I continue the streak and finish the race, I'll call it a great day.
If Athlete Tracker is up for Louisville (far from a given, at this point), you'll be able to track my progress there. In addition, there will be a special guest blogger making periodic updates on this site via phone updates from Mrs. Pol.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Getting Close
This morning it hit me that we must be getting close to Ironman Louisville. Was it because I looked at my countdown clock and saw a much lower number? No. Was it because I received some kind of vital "down to the wire" paperwork from the race director? No. Was it because someone sent me an e-mail and said, "Oh my God, look at how close it's getting!" No, it wasn't any of those.
It might have been:
1. Waking up and going to the pool for a 2300 yard swim despite there being no swim scheduled for this morning. Just because getting up and swimming is how things normally go.
2. Realizing that I see more of the lifeguard than my wife or kids.
3. When asked for directions to my house, I give them to the person, only to have them call me from either the YMCA or the state park where I start my bike rides.
4. I reviewed my training statistics since signing up for IMKY and realized just how much effort has been dedictated to getting to the starting line.
Swim - 283,356 yds
Bike - 907.2 miles plus 46 hours 10 minutes on the trainer
Run - 522.3 miles
Total time - 282 hours
The next time someone questions who is and isn't an Ironman based on finishing a race or, worse yet, which race was completed, simply remind them of numbers like that.
It might have been:
1. Waking up and going to the pool for a 2300 yard swim despite there being no swim scheduled for this morning. Just because getting up and swimming is how things normally go.
2. Realizing that I see more of the lifeguard than my wife or kids.
3. When asked for directions to my house, I give them to the person, only to have them call me from either the YMCA or the state park where I start my bike rides.
4. I reviewed my training statistics since signing up for IMKY and realized just how much effort has been dedictated to getting to the starting line.
Swim - 283,356 yds
Bike - 907.2 miles plus 46 hours 10 minutes on the trainer
Run - 522.3 miles
Total time - 282 hours
The next time someone questions who is and isn't an Ironman based on finishing a race or, worse yet, which race was completed, simply remind them of numbers like that.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Small Changes
In the movie "Contact," the lead character, played as an adult by Jodi Foster, is shown in her childhood learning to use a ham radio. Her father is teaching her that small changes are needed when searching the airwaves for signals. As an adult, she applies that knowledge as a researcher working for SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence).
It is advice we can all take to heart in our pursuit of triathlon.
As we hone our skills in the various disciplines of our sport, we must remember that small changes are best. Rather than attempt to become perfect swimmers overnight, we seek gradual improvement through drills that reinforce one small change. Then we move onto a another small change.
As we strive to make our bikes as comfortable as possible, we make minute adjustments. Millimeters, clicks, or portions of a degree are all that are needed when altering heights, lengths, or angles. Major changes are likely to create more problems than they solve.
On the run, we do everything we can to stay in the same shoe, as even minor differences between pairs can cause discomfort. As we tweak our outfits, nutrition, and stride, we seek that perfect mix that we will use, without change, as long as possible.
And the day to day changes we see are also small. Weight loss fluctuates so wildly that it is difficult to tell if that half-pound loss is water, actual loss, or an erratic scale. Changes in physical appearance and clothes size are also hard to judge. From our perspective, improvements in performance may be negligible or non-existent.
Over time, though, those changes quickly accumulate. Physical changes that seem non-existent on a daily basis become readily apparent when viewed over a six month time frame. Clothes that barely fit in December are three sizes too big in August. And workouts that would have killed us a year ago are now standard weekday sessions.
Diligence in training pays huge dividends. If you struggle to see these changes, find aco-worker or friend who exercises less consistently and have them train with you. If they complete a workout with you once or twice a month, they'll be able to tell you how quickly you are improving.
Small changes. They're difficult to see, but they make all the difference. Whether trying to find signs of alien life, run that first 5K, or complete an Ironman triathlon, those small changes the key to success.
It is advice we can all take to heart in our pursuit of triathlon.
As we hone our skills in the various disciplines of our sport, we must remember that small changes are best. Rather than attempt to become perfect swimmers overnight, we seek gradual improvement through drills that reinforce one small change. Then we move onto a another small change.
As we strive to make our bikes as comfortable as possible, we make minute adjustments. Millimeters, clicks, or portions of a degree are all that are needed when altering heights, lengths, or angles. Major changes are likely to create more problems than they solve.
On the run, we do everything we can to stay in the same shoe, as even minor differences between pairs can cause discomfort. As we tweak our outfits, nutrition, and stride, we seek that perfect mix that we will use, without change, as long as possible.
And the day to day changes we see are also small. Weight loss fluctuates so wildly that it is difficult to tell if that half-pound loss is water, actual loss, or an erratic scale. Changes in physical appearance and clothes size are also hard to judge. From our perspective, improvements in performance may be negligible or non-existent.
Over time, though, those changes quickly accumulate. Physical changes that seem non-existent on a daily basis become readily apparent when viewed over a six month time frame. Clothes that barely fit in December are three sizes too big in August. And workouts that would have killed us a year ago are now standard weekday sessions.
Diligence in training pays huge dividends. If you struggle to see these changes, find aco-worker or friend who exercises less consistently and have them train with you. If they complete a workout with you once or twice a month, they'll be able to tell you how quickly you are improving.
Small changes. They're difficult to see, but they make all the difference. Whether trying to find signs of alien life, run that first 5K, or complete an Ironman triathlon, those small changes the key to success.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Freak-Out Countdown
I was looking at the countdown to IMKY and felt an oh-so-slight twinge of anxiety. Nothing major, mind you. I didn't have to run to the bathroom to fight down the nausea. There were no worries of peeing my pants in fright. (Well, boxers, it IS late at night).
Just a small, short lived sense of, "Wow, it's nearly down to seven weeks. Given taper, that's only about a month of training left." And a bit of goosebumps as I realized how short things are getting.
All too soon we'll be running the final preparatory races. Not long after that, taper begins for real. Build weeks, recovery weeks, breakthrough workouts, they'll all go by the wayside. Packets will start going out letting us know our race numbers. And months will turn to weeks, which will turn to days.
At some point, the small, short lived hint of anxiety will be replaced with the real thing. The physical battle will be replaced with a mental battle. And some friends I haven't discussed in some time will be back.
Gremlins!
They'll start trying to tear down the foundation that has been laid over the past 10 months. They'll pose questions about the effectiveness of swim training. They'll bring up problems from the past. And they'll definitely question preparedness. Was the training enough? Are you ready? Is success really a possibility?
That's when the mental game begins. Defeating gremlins is as vital to race day success as 8-week aerobic base sessions, century bike rides, and nutrition plans. If gremlins find a chink in the armor, a year's worth of training can be rendered pointless by our own minds.
Get ready! Because the gremlins will come. Are you ready to smoosh them?
Just a small, short lived sense of, "Wow, it's nearly down to seven weeks. Given taper, that's only about a month of training left." And a bit of goosebumps as I realized how short things are getting.
All too soon we'll be running the final preparatory races. Not long after that, taper begins for real. Build weeks, recovery weeks, breakthrough workouts, they'll all go by the wayside. Packets will start going out letting us know our race numbers. And months will turn to weeks, which will turn to days.
At some point, the small, short lived hint of anxiety will be replaced with the real thing. The physical battle will be replaced with a mental battle. And some friends I haven't discussed in some time will be back.
Gremlins!
They'll start trying to tear down the foundation that has been laid over the past 10 months. They'll pose questions about the effectiveness of swim training. They'll bring up problems from the past. And they'll definitely question preparedness. Was the training enough? Are you ready? Is success really a possibility?
That's when the mental game begins. Defeating gremlins is as vital to race day success as 8-week aerobic base sessions, century bike rides, and nutrition plans. If gremlins find a chink in the armor, a year's worth of training can be rendered pointless by our own minds.
Get ready! Because the gremlins will come. Are you ready to smoosh them?
Thursday, June 21, 2007
R.E.S.P.E.C.T
One of the first things I learned when taking up endurance events was respect. First, and most obvious in this category was "Respect the distance." One of the biggest mistake any endurance athlete can make is failing to show proper respect for an upcoming race. Whether it's a 5K charity run, a full marathon, or an Ironman triathlon, the distance must be respected. Many an athlete has crashed and burned after shorting the training needed to achieve a goal.
Then, there is "Respect the successes of others." In the same manner, everyone deserves respect for their accomplishments. An "elitist" attitude won't serve anyone well, and it might just turn someone off from the sport. If someone is a confirmed couch potato, we should celebrate with them when the complete a walk around the block. And we should continue to affirm their accomplishments as they occur. Walk around two blocks. Walk a mile. Jog a quarter-mile. Complete a 5K walking. Run a 5K. Swim 200 yards. The definition of "long" varies from person to person. And everyone deserves respect if they are pushing to improve themselves.
This weekend, I will attempt my first half-Ironman. While I haven't yet hit the full court press of nervous energy, I have maintained respect.
I certainly respect the distance. The bike and the run are little concern, except they come after a 1.2 mile swim. And that is something I truly respect. I still have difficult time getting my head around 1.2 miles in open water. If it doesn't hit me before, I KNOW that getting into the water in my wetsuit on Sunday will bring it home. That and being unable to see the final marker bouy.
I will also get to meet several people whom I already respect. And we haven't even met. Each of the bloggers and Team raceAthlete members heading into town has accomplished a great deal to get to the starting line. In addition, there are dozens of new Tri Foxes competing in their first triathlon. For that, they all have my respect.
Finally, I respect my wife for allowing me to take this journey, and for being there every step of the way. I could probably be a marathoner and triathlete without her support, but it would be much more difficult and much less fun.
This weekend, I continue on a journey down a new path. And I will venture further down that path than ever before. Tonight, it is too early to truly have a healthy fear of the race. But I will always have respect for everything surrounding it.
Oh yeah, just for the record, here are my goals/predictions for the race:
Swim - 45 minutes
Bike - 3 hours 7 minutes
Run - 2 hours 15 minutes
Transitions - 8 minutes
Total time - 6 hours 15 minutes
And my "Wow, that exceeded my wildest expectations" goals:
Swim - 40 minutes
Bike - 2 hours 40 minutes
Run - 1 hour 55 minutes
Transitions - 6 minutes
Total time - 5 hours 21 minutes
Then, there is "Respect the successes of others." In the same manner, everyone deserves respect for their accomplishments. An "elitist" attitude won't serve anyone well, and it might just turn someone off from the sport. If someone is a confirmed couch potato, we should celebrate with them when the complete a walk around the block. And we should continue to affirm their accomplishments as they occur. Walk around two blocks. Walk a mile. Jog a quarter-mile. Complete a 5K walking. Run a 5K. Swim 200 yards. The definition of "long" varies from person to person. And everyone deserves respect if they are pushing to improve themselves.
This weekend, I will attempt my first half-Ironman. While I haven't yet hit the full court press of nervous energy, I have maintained respect.
I certainly respect the distance. The bike and the run are little concern, except they come after a 1.2 mile swim. And that is something I truly respect. I still have difficult time getting my head around 1.2 miles in open water. If it doesn't hit me before, I KNOW that getting into the water in my wetsuit on Sunday will bring it home. That and being unable to see the final marker bouy.
I will also get to meet several people whom I already respect. And we haven't even met. Each of the bloggers and Team raceAthlete members heading into town has accomplished a great deal to get to the starting line. In addition, there are dozens of new Tri Foxes competing in their first triathlon. For that, they all have my respect.
Finally, I respect my wife for allowing me to take this journey, and for being there every step of the way. I could probably be a marathoner and triathlete without her support, but it would be much more difficult and much less fun.
This weekend, I continue on a journey down a new path. And I will venture further down that path than ever before. Tonight, it is too early to truly have a healthy fear of the race. But I will always have respect for everything surrounding it.
Oh yeah, just for the record, here are my goals/predictions for the race:
Swim - 45 minutes
Bike - 3 hours 7 minutes
Run - 2 hours 15 minutes
Transitions - 8 minutes
Total time - 6 hours 15 minutes
And my "Wow, that exceeded my wildest expectations" goals:
Swim - 40 minutes
Bike - 2 hours 40 minutes
Run - 1 hour 55 minutes
Transitions - 6 minutes
Total time - 5 hours 21 minutes
Saturday, June 16, 2007
While You Were Out
Time has a way of rolling by while we are occupied with our lives. And things of note have a way of just continuing to happen whether or not we are paying attention.
At some point in the very near past my site clock climbed over 10,000. I am grateful to everyone who visited and made that happen. For those who return often, thank you for taking part in this journey. I might be able to do this without you, but it would be so much less enjoyable, and so much more difficult. I appreciate your words of advice, wisdom, motivation, and encouragement. For those just passing through, thanks for visiting and leave a comment so I know you were here.
Just as the site clock continues to count up, the race clock continues to count down. And it seems to be a bit more predictable. It seems to go down by one every single day. If this continues, 10 weeks from tonight I will be in Louisville, Kentucky trying to sleep despite pre-race nerves.
Another constant in any Ironman's life is training. Today was no different, and the training did much to improve my confidence. Instead of being a 5000 yard swim, or a 6-hour bike, a simple 30-minute swim gave me a boost. It was 30 minutes in the lake, with a wetsuit, essentially alone. There were a few other tri-club members around, but for the most part, I had the swim area to myself. While 30 minutes is far from sufficient to complete an Ironman swim (or my upcoming 70.3 race, for that matter), it was enough to make a small, but very important, deposit into my IM Louisville account. Thirty minutes with my face in the water, with nothing to see but algae and nothing to focus on but form. Thirty minutes of allowing the wetsuit to provide added comfort in the water. Thirty minutes to prepare for much longer swims that are on the horizon.
Time will continue to pass. Other notable things will happen. Each is simply a stop along the way to something else. 10,000 hits is a milestone on the journey to 100,000. Thirty minutes in the water is a part of the process to reach two hours (or whatever it takes to complete 2.4 miles). High Cliff is one race on the road to Louisville. And this is only one journey in one season. We all have our own lives to lead. Others are pursuing different races at different distances. Each is just as important as the next. And every journey completed is simply the start of the next.
And while we're focused on our lives, time just keeps rolling by. And things of note have a way of just continuing to happen whether or not we are paying attention.
At some point in the very near past my site clock climbed over 10,000. I am grateful to everyone who visited and made that happen. For those who return often, thank you for taking part in this journey. I might be able to do this without you, but it would be so much less enjoyable, and so much more difficult. I appreciate your words of advice, wisdom, motivation, and encouragement. For those just passing through, thanks for visiting and leave a comment so I know you were here.
Just as the site clock continues to count up, the race clock continues to count down. And it seems to be a bit more predictable. It seems to go down by one every single day. If this continues, 10 weeks from tonight I will be in Louisville, Kentucky trying to sleep despite pre-race nerves.
Another constant in any Ironman's life is training. Today was no different, and the training did much to improve my confidence. Instead of being a 5000 yard swim, or a 6-hour bike, a simple 30-minute swim gave me a boost. It was 30 minutes in the lake, with a wetsuit, essentially alone. There were a few other tri-club members around, but for the most part, I had the swim area to myself. While 30 minutes is far from sufficient to complete an Ironman swim (or my upcoming 70.3 race, for that matter), it was enough to make a small, but very important, deposit into my IM Louisville account. Thirty minutes with my face in the water, with nothing to see but algae and nothing to focus on but form. Thirty minutes of allowing the wetsuit to provide added comfort in the water. Thirty minutes to prepare for much longer swims that are on the horizon.
Time will continue to pass. Other notable things will happen. Each is simply a stop along the way to something else. 10,000 hits is a milestone on the journey to 100,000. Thirty minutes in the water is a part of the process to reach two hours (or whatever it takes to complete 2.4 miles). High Cliff is one race on the road to Louisville. And this is only one journey in one season. We all have our own lives to lead. Others are pursuing different races at different distances. Each is just as important as the next. And every journey completed is simply the start of the next.
And while we're focused on our lives, time just keeps rolling by. And things of note have a way of just continuing to happen whether or not we are paying attention.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Weathermen and Yardage
Yesterday, the plan was to ride to and from work. Wednesday night, a quick check of the weather indicated the "from" portion of that plan might pose a few problems. You know, minor things like hail. And tornadoes.
While little things like wind and rain won't deter me from a ride, solid rain and 80 mile an hour winds are another story. And the two co-workers in on the ride were more concerned than myself. After a final check of the forecast, we call off the ride.
On the way to work, it was beautiful. High 50s, little wind, no rain. That was expected as the forecast called for the conditions to deteriorate throughout the day. Around lunch, people started talking about how windy it was getting and that the storms were coming.
I checked the satellite maps and disagreed. Still, all the weather services were calling for severe weather going into the afternoon and evening.
On the ride home, I noted how nice it was. A bit windy, but actually quite nice. Even then, I held out hope for the forecasters. After all, were I on my bike, the ride would take much longer than in the car. By the time I got home, no rain. No hail. No tornadoes. But the forecasters were showing all the tracking maps and continued to issue severe weather alerts for our area.
Showtime for the kids. No bad weather. Snacktime. All clear. Bedtime. No flashes of lightning. No funnel clouds. Nothing. Clear skies. And a neighbor mowing his lawn. An odd thing to do were we in the middle of a tornado.
Darn weathermen. I knew I should have risked the ride.
On a lighter note, today was a swim workout. And a major milestone in swimming. While last year was far from a "massive" swim year, I completed about 169,200 yards. Today, I completed 169,600 yards for 2007. It seems Coach Mike's plan for increasing yardage has worked. In two weeks, we'll see how well beneficial the swim focus has been when I compete in my first race of the year, the High Cliff half-IM.
Now, get out there and train. The weatherman is probably wrong.
While little things like wind and rain won't deter me from a ride, solid rain and 80 mile an hour winds are another story. And the two co-workers in on the ride were more concerned than myself. After a final check of the forecast, we call off the ride.
On the way to work, it was beautiful. High 50s, little wind, no rain. That was expected as the forecast called for the conditions to deteriorate throughout the day. Around lunch, people started talking about how windy it was getting and that the storms were coming.
I checked the satellite maps and disagreed. Still, all the weather services were calling for severe weather going into the afternoon and evening.
On the ride home, I noted how nice it was. A bit windy, but actually quite nice. Even then, I held out hope for the forecasters. After all, were I on my bike, the ride would take much longer than in the car. By the time I got home, no rain. No hail. No tornadoes. But the forecasters were showing all the tracking maps and continued to issue severe weather alerts for our area.
Showtime for the kids. No bad weather. Snacktime. All clear. Bedtime. No flashes of lightning. No funnel clouds. Nothing. Clear skies. And a neighbor mowing his lawn. An odd thing to do were we in the middle of a tornado.
Darn weathermen. I knew I should have risked the ride.
On a lighter note, today was a swim workout. And a major milestone in swimming. While last year was far from a "massive" swim year, I completed about 169,200 yards. Today, I completed 169,600 yards for 2007. It seems Coach Mike's plan for increasing yardage has worked. In two weeks, we'll see how well beneficial the swim focus has been when I compete in my first race of the year, the High Cliff half-IM.
Now, get out there and train. The weatherman is probably wrong.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Perception
A local elementary school held a "Bike Rodeo" aimed at promoting biking and bicycle safety. The kids moved through a series of stations aimed at teaching them how to fit and put on a helmet, ride safely in the road, avoid hazards, and use hand signals. They also completed an "obstacle" course designed to reinforce the lessons learned.
In addition to these stations, various local organizations were present to lend assistance and provide information. Local police showed up with MacGruff the Crime Dog and a well received magician. A local bike shop provided a mechanic who tuned up bikes the kids were riding. Brandon's Champions, a group dedicated to promoting bicycle and helmet safety in conjunction with medical information carriers, provided packets for the kids and had helmets available for those in need of them.
I was able to attend as a representative of the Fox Cities Triathlon Club and shared information about both biking and triathlons. Though the bike mechanic was perhaps the most popular person there, the kids were very enthused about the opportunity to learn about triathlons and the equipment used in races. It made their day to learn that they aren't the only ones told they MUST wear their helmets. I'm sure the other gear helped keep their attention, as well. After all, the police had a magician, but I had a wetsuit.
While there, I also had the opportunity to speak with some adults about triathlon opportunities. The most common reaction was, "Oh, I couldn't do that." When asked why, their response was nearly uniform. "I could never (swim/bike/run) that far." In every case, they were completely unaware that triathlon could mean something other than "Ironman."
Several of them, after learning that their are local events with 220 yard swims, 8 mile bikes, and 1.8 mile runs indicated they might enjoy trying such a race. While most people are aware that there are dozens of different distances for running races, all too many people believe triathlon is synonomous with Ironman. Responsibility for this lies, in large part, on our shoulders. We must take every opportunity available to share our passion for endurance sports with others. And we must make sure we let people know that "endurance" doesn't have to mean 140.6 miles. No more than "run" means 26.2 miles.
Likewise, we should work to promote unity across the spectrum of endurance athletics. My local tri club does a lot in that effort. They participate in marathons, duathlons, and triathlons. They host both a triathlon and a major bike ride. They welcome endurance athletes of any type into the club, and membership is free.
Another free organization with a like mind is raceAthlete. While many of its members are triathlons, it is a group focused on all types of endurance events. Cycling, running, triathlon, ultramarathoning, whatever. And a great deal of effort is put into promoting events of all distances. The 5K runner is right next to the marathoner. The sprint triathlon is as much a triathlon as Ironman. A 30K time trial holds the same merit as a century ride.
We are all endurance athletes. And we are all ambassadors for the various sports we love. While much of our time is dedicated to training, some part of our day should be set aside for sharing our passion with others. As more people come to understand how many options they have, participation in all endurance events will increase. And that can only have a positive impact on the world.
In addition to these stations, various local organizations were present to lend assistance and provide information. Local police showed up with MacGruff the Crime Dog and a well received magician. A local bike shop provided a mechanic who tuned up bikes the kids were riding. Brandon's Champions, a group dedicated to promoting bicycle and helmet safety in conjunction with medical information carriers, provided packets for the kids and had helmets available for those in need of them.
I was able to attend as a representative of the Fox Cities Triathlon Club and shared information about both biking and triathlons. Though the bike mechanic was perhaps the most popular person there, the kids were very enthused about the opportunity to learn about triathlons and the equipment used in races. It made their day to learn that they aren't the only ones told they MUST wear their helmets. I'm sure the other gear helped keep their attention, as well. After all, the police had a magician, but I had a wetsuit.
While there, I also had the opportunity to speak with some adults about triathlon opportunities. The most common reaction was, "Oh, I couldn't do that." When asked why, their response was nearly uniform. "I could never (swim/bike/run) that far." In every case, they were completely unaware that triathlon could mean something other than "Ironman."
Several of them, after learning that their are local events with 220 yard swims, 8 mile bikes, and 1.8 mile runs indicated they might enjoy trying such a race. While most people are aware that there are dozens of different distances for running races, all too many people believe triathlon is synonomous with Ironman. Responsibility for this lies, in large part, on our shoulders. We must take every opportunity available to share our passion for endurance sports with others. And we must make sure we let people know that "endurance" doesn't have to mean 140.6 miles. No more than "run" means 26.2 miles.
Likewise, we should work to promote unity across the spectrum of endurance athletics. My local tri club does a lot in that effort. They participate in marathons, duathlons, and triathlons. They host both a triathlon and a major bike ride. They welcome endurance athletes of any type into the club, and membership is free.
Another free organization with a like mind is raceAthlete. While many of its members are triathlons, it is a group focused on all types of endurance events. Cycling, running, triathlon, ultramarathoning, whatever. And a great deal of effort is put into promoting events of all distances. The 5K runner is right next to the marathoner. The sprint triathlon is as much a triathlon as Ironman. A 30K time trial holds the same merit as a century ride.
We are all endurance athletes. And we are all ambassadors for the various sports we love. While much of our time is dedicated to training, some part of our day should be set aside for sharing our passion with others. As more people come to understand how many options they have, participation in all endurance events will increase. And that can only have a positive impact on the world.
Make Mine a Double
Just in case anyone is paying attention, you might note that the countdown timer has moved into double digits.
For most of us, countdown clocks start right at 364 when we register for an event the day after the most recent race. Even though registration for IM Louisville was well after the "year-early" date, the timer was well into the 200s when first set up. Seeing it move into double digits is certainly a wake-up call.
Ninety-nine. That's a pretty small number. We're rapidly approaching the "less than a summer vacation" area.
For most of us, countdown clocks start right at 364 when we register for an event the day after the most recent race. Even though registration for IM Louisville was well after the "year-early" date, the timer was well into the 200s when first set up. Seeing it move into double digits is certainly a wake-up call.
Ninety-nine. That's a pretty small number. We're rapidly approaching the "less than a summer vacation" area.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Things Change
Months ago, I posted about some co-workers, Belling Chick and K.C., trying to decide about signing up for the Green Bay Half-Marathon, which occurs just a few days from today. With four of us running either the full or half marathon, we made plans for a pre-race pasta party and all of our sherpas have planned their days. Their tapers are in full swing, and we are into the final restful days before the race.
If you had told me in December or January that the tables would be fully reversed and I would be cautioning any of the three against running the race, I'd have laughed. While injuries are always a possibility, the odds are certainly in our favor that we could all finish the race. And after years of encouraging my co-workers to try a half or full marathon, there is little that would lead me to encourage someone to have a DNS (did not start). And yet, things change.
Bellin Chick missed work on Monday, and a few well placed rumors suggested she might have had an attack of appendicitis. They were, of course, nothing more than well placed rumors. After all, Bellin Chick is back at work and there is nothing to indicate she had major surgery on Monday. No, she went to the hospital for an appendicitis. She left pregnant (and I believe she may have a legal case here). The hospital is sure to deny any culpability as she IS 14-weeks pregnant.
And this pregnancy is one they consider nothing short of a miracle. Having given up on children years ago, this situation is a pleasant and welcome shock. It also leads to an all too common dilemma. Run? Or not run?
I've provided what limited input I can. For many reasons, I'm very poorly qualified to give any real guidance here. But isn't it amazing how a few short months and a single piece of information can completely change perspective. On Monday, I was the biggest cheerleader, sending out taper information, planning the weekend, and ensuring everyone was on track for the race. On Wednesday, I find myself saying that it's just a race and there will be more, next year.
If you had told me in December or January that the tables would be fully reversed and I would be cautioning any of the three against running the race, I'd have laughed. While injuries are always a possibility, the odds are certainly in our favor that we could all finish the race. And after years of encouraging my co-workers to try a half or full marathon, there is little that would lead me to encourage someone to have a DNS (did not start). And yet, things change.
Bellin Chick missed work on Monday, and a few well placed rumors suggested she might have had an attack of appendicitis. They were, of course, nothing more than well placed rumors. After all, Bellin Chick is back at work and there is nothing to indicate she had major surgery on Monday. No, she went to the hospital for an appendicitis. She left pregnant (and I believe she may have a legal case here). The hospital is sure to deny any culpability as she IS 14-weeks pregnant.
And this pregnancy is one they consider nothing short of a miracle. Having given up on children years ago, this situation is a pleasant and welcome shock. It also leads to an all too common dilemma. Run? Or not run?
I've provided what limited input I can. For many reasons, I'm very poorly qualified to give any real guidance here. But isn't it amazing how a few short months and a single piece of information can completely change perspective. On Monday, I was the biggest cheerleader, sending out taper information, planning the weekend, and ensuring everyone was on track for the race. On Wednesday, I find myself saying that it's just a race and there will be more, next year.
Graphic Post
A great many triathletes love their data. They love statistics like heart rates, times, distances, elevation, power, etc ad nauseum. Like them, I also love to document my training. Let's face it, I'm a triathlete, an accountant, and a geek. Anyone who wants to compare data, I'm game.
But other than the occassional "I swam this many yards" or "I did this breakthrough workout," there aren't too many graphs, charts, profiles, or other training statistics on this site. In fact, most of what I do is by feeling, and the data I keep is for long term use. Basically, I like to track what I'm doing. In the short term, I really don't care all that much.
I do, however, have many of the toys and gadgets others use. I have a heart rate monitor and cycling computer. I time runs, including various lap points so I can gauge pace and average heart rates. I don't have a power meter, but will gladly succumb to peer pressure if anyone wants to make a donation to the cause. And I put all those little data points into a large variety of training documents.
This year, I returned to tracking run statistics, graphing pace to heart rate over known distances. Combined with a professional training program, an interesting result can now be seen. In February, I completed a 10-mile run at an average pace of 7:42/mile. My average heart rate for the run was 149 bpm. This morning, I completed a 9.1 mile run with a near identical average heart rate of 148 bpm. Average pace? 7:09/mile.
While the runs were different in nature, the data points are telling. Shaving 30 seconds per mile and having a slightly lower average heart rate is the kind of long term trend that motivates further training. And I believe that applies to most of what we track.
Whether it's weight, power on the bike, run/swim pace, or any of a wide variety of other factors, a good approach is to document daily and review infrequently. Today, three months after starting, was the first time I compared data. And the results were drastic and really made my day. If I had compared results every time I ran, the changes would have been less dramatic and actually quite boring.
If you are prone to collecting, reviewing, comparing, and obsessing over data on a regular basis, consider adjusting your focus. Let the graphs take care of themselves, and give yourself a three month reprieve. After that three month period, compare the start and end points and see what improvements have been made. You just might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
But other than the occassional "I swam this many yards" or "I did this breakthrough workout," there aren't too many graphs, charts, profiles, or other training statistics on this site. In fact, most of what I do is by feeling, and the data I keep is for long term use. Basically, I like to track what I'm doing. In the short term, I really don't care all that much.
I do, however, have many of the toys and gadgets others use. I have a heart rate monitor and cycling computer. I time runs, including various lap points so I can gauge pace and average heart rates. I don't have a power meter, but will gladly succumb to peer pressure if anyone wants to make a donation to the cause. And I put all those little data points into a large variety of training documents.
This year, I returned to tracking run statistics, graphing pace to heart rate over known distances. Combined with a professional training program, an interesting result can now be seen. In February, I completed a 10-mile run at an average pace of 7:42/mile. My average heart rate for the run was 149 bpm. This morning, I completed a 9.1 mile run with a near identical average heart rate of 148 bpm. Average pace? 7:09/mile.
While the runs were different in nature, the data points are telling. Shaving 30 seconds per mile and having a slightly lower average heart rate is the kind of long term trend that motivates further training. And I believe that applies to most of what we track.
Whether it's weight, power on the bike, run/swim pace, or any of a wide variety of other factors, a good approach is to document daily and review infrequently. Today, three months after starting, was the first time I compared data. And the results were drastic and really made my day. If I had compared results every time I ran, the changes would have been less dramatic and actually quite boring.
If you are prone to collecting, reviewing, comparing, and obsessing over data on a regular basis, consider adjusting your focus. Let the graphs take care of themselves, and give yourself a three month reprieve. After that three month period, compare the start and end points and see what improvements have been made. You just might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Something Stinks, Too!
In December, I violated another one of those unwritten rules of triathlon. I purchased a wetsuit, sight unseen and without trying it on, from an online store. I was, however, fairly confident about the purchase as I fell right in the middle of every size criteria listed on the sizing table. And given the sale price, it was tough to pass up.
When I received the new Orca Sonar wetsuit, I tried it on immediately. It fit just as I expected based on the comments provided by others. In other words, it took an incredible effort just to squeeze into the suit, and once zipped up, it felt like I was in a fairly solid bear hug. Once confident the fit was reasonable, the wetsuit went into the closet to wait for warmer days. Swimming in the lakes here in December require a chainsaw before anything else.
Today, the wetsuit came out of the closet. (For those of you thinking, "Wow, his wetsuit admitted it was gay," I already thought of that, and just couldn't think of a good way to add it to the post, so skipped it.) A beautiful day, I decided it was time to get the wetsuit into the water. I grabbed my gear and headed to High Cliff State Park, site of the High Cliff Triathlon in July. The first thing I noted when I got to the beach was the plague of lake flies. I had to keep a good grip on my gear, as the bugs kept trying to fly off with everything.
The second thing I noticed was the absolute lack of anyone in the water. It took little investigative work to figure out why. There seems to have been a horrible fish kill in the lake, this year. The shore is littered with dead fish. I wandered to several areas, hoping to find a clear spot, and had zero success. Both the sight and smell was enough to discourage anyone from entering the water.
I headed back to the car dejected. From frozen lake to disgusting lake. How's a guy supposed to get open water swimming in when the conditions are so brutal? Determined to try out the wetsuit, I left the state park considering other options. And luck was on my side when I discovered a park I hadn't known about while looking for somewhere with a beach. A park with a beach NOT plugged up with dead fish.
With only minor struggles, I got the wetsuit on and zipped up, relying on the belief that getting OUT would be easier. I waded into the swim area, and found that the only spot deep enough to actually swim was just OUTSIDE the swim area bouys. I figure they were about 70 yards apart and did 7 laps between bouys. I found the range of motion in the arms to be sufficient, and was't overly claustrophobic because of the suit. I like the added bouyancy, though the extra comfort doesn't completely balance the stress of open water swimming. The murky water, THAT does cause some claustrophobia. To put it in perspective, several times today I found myself hitting the bottom of the lake with my hands. Yet I never actually SAW the bottom. It's that murky.
Even if it doesn't completely counter open water concerns, I felt much better in the wetsuit than in just a swimsuit. I believe it will be a great benefit. It will also help me get more open water swimming done, and that will probably do a great deal to eliminate concerns about swimming in the lake.
Getting out of the wetsuit was easier than I thought it would. While it took some effort, I believe it will probably be worth it to wear it in any race with a swim greater than a quarter mile. I'll be closely looking at times for swims under 440 yards.
So, in the end, it's mixed reviews. Wetsuit, well worth the investment. Orca Sonar, a great wetsuit for the money. Wetsuits making open water swimming a "breeze," not so much. Swimming in Lake Winnebago, disgusting.
When I received the new Orca Sonar wetsuit, I tried it on immediately. It fit just as I expected based on the comments provided by others. In other words, it took an incredible effort just to squeeze into the suit, and once zipped up, it felt like I was in a fairly solid bear hug. Once confident the fit was reasonable, the wetsuit went into the closet to wait for warmer days. Swimming in the lakes here in December require a chainsaw before anything else.
Today, the wetsuit came out of the closet. (For those of you thinking, "Wow, his wetsuit admitted it was gay," I already thought of that, and just couldn't think of a good way to add it to the post, so skipped it.) A beautiful day, I decided it was time to get the wetsuit into the water. I grabbed my gear and headed to High Cliff State Park, site of the High Cliff Triathlon in July. The first thing I noted when I got to the beach was the plague of lake flies. I had to keep a good grip on my gear, as the bugs kept trying to fly off with everything.
The second thing I noticed was the absolute lack of anyone in the water. It took little investigative work to figure out why. There seems to have been a horrible fish kill in the lake, this year. The shore is littered with dead fish. I wandered to several areas, hoping to find a clear spot, and had zero success. Both the sight and smell was enough to discourage anyone from entering the water.
I headed back to the car dejected. From frozen lake to disgusting lake. How's a guy supposed to get open water swimming in when the conditions are so brutal? Determined to try out the wetsuit, I left the state park considering other options. And luck was on my side when I discovered a park I hadn't known about while looking for somewhere with a beach. A park with a beach NOT plugged up with dead fish.
With only minor struggles, I got the wetsuit on and zipped up, relying on the belief that getting OUT would be easier. I waded into the swim area, and found that the only spot deep enough to actually swim was just OUTSIDE the swim area bouys. I figure they were about 70 yards apart and did 7 laps between bouys. I found the range of motion in the arms to be sufficient, and was't overly claustrophobic because of the suit. I like the added bouyancy, though the extra comfort doesn't completely balance the stress of open water swimming. The murky water, THAT does cause some claustrophobia. To put it in perspective, several times today I found myself hitting the bottom of the lake with my hands. Yet I never actually SAW the bottom. It's that murky.
Even if it doesn't completely counter open water concerns, I felt much better in the wetsuit than in just a swimsuit. I believe it will be a great benefit. It will also help me get more open water swimming done, and that will probably do a great deal to eliminate concerns about swimming in the lake.
Getting out of the wetsuit was easier than I thought it would. While it took some effort, I believe it will probably be worth it to wear it in any race with a swim greater than a quarter mile. I'll be closely looking at times for swims under 440 yards.
So, in the end, it's mixed reviews. Wetsuit, well worth the investment. Orca Sonar, a great wetsuit for the money. Wetsuits making open water swimming a "breeze," not so much. Swimming in Lake Winnebago, disgusting.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Something Stinks
Shortly after the Tour de France, news of Floyd Landis testing positive for performance enhancing drugs was leaked to the public. Landis has consistently maintained his innocence and continues to contest the results. Many, both cyclists and outsiders, have serious questions about both the validity of the tests and the objectivity of the testing groups.
Now, another frightening twist has developed. Landis is now reporting that the United States Anti-doping Agency offered him a deal if he would provide information about a certain 7-time winner of the Tour de France. If true, the offer is both despicable and in violation of USADA policy. While athletes may be told that cooperation in identifying others who violate doping rules, the mention of specific athletes by the USADA is prohibited.
The circumstances surrounding Landis' positive test are highly suspect. The damage the allegation has done to his reputation and career are obvious. If this latest accusation from Landis prove true, it will indicate the need for a house cleaning at the USADA.
Now, another frightening twist has developed. Landis is now reporting that the United States Anti-doping Agency offered him a deal if he would provide information about a certain 7-time winner of the Tour de France. If true, the offer is both despicable and in violation of USADA policy. While athletes may be told that cooperation in identifying others who violate doping rules, the mention of specific athletes by the USADA is prohibited.
The circumstances surrounding Landis' positive test are highly suspect. The damage the allegation has done to his reputation and career are obvious. If this latest accusation from Landis prove true, it will indicate the need for a house cleaning at the USADA.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
The Nut Hut
My wife occassionally talks about wanting to open a bar and grill type establishment to balance places like Hooters and Coyote Ugly. The target market would be female, and it would be called The Nut Hut. It takes little imagination to get a visual of the wait staff, and I questioned the feasibility of such a restaurant. It is, however, her dream, so I leave well enough alone.
Early in my triathlon journey, I was encouraged to use Total Immersion Swimming as a starting point for learning to actually swim. In the first few pages of that book, the author tells the reader to go out and purchase a Speedo type swimsuit. When I read that, my first thoughts were of The Nut Hut, and my immediate response was, "Not gonna happen. Ever." True to my statement, my swim attire has always been tri shorts. Specifically, four pair of tri shorts.
I buy them two at a time, and alternate suits with each swim. Regardless, chlorine is brutal on the fabric. And the areas most susceptible to wear are the areas that will lead to the most embarrassment if failure does occur. Rather than walk around with a hut that reveals more nut than is socially acceptable, I replace my tri shorts more frequently than I might like. At $30-40 a pop, it gets expensive.
Yesterday, I gave in to the (financial) pressure and went to the dark side. I am now proud (?) owner of a bikini style swimsuit. I will, however, conserve some small shred of my dignity by using a pair of nylon drag shorts. It's frightening how I jumped through so many hoops (too long a story) to get the swim trunks I swore I'd never wear just 12 short months ago.
But I was able to stick to my guns in one regard. I didn't buy a Speedo. I bought a Tyr. Either way, it's a nut hut.
Early in my triathlon journey, I was encouraged to use Total Immersion Swimming as a starting point for learning to actually swim. In the first few pages of that book, the author tells the reader to go out and purchase a Speedo type swimsuit. When I read that, my first thoughts were of The Nut Hut, and my immediate response was, "Not gonna happen. Ever." True to my statement, my swim attire has always been tri shorts. Specifically, four pair of tri shorts.
I buy them two at a time, and alternate suits with each swim. Regardless, chlorine is brutal on the fabric. And the areas most susceptible to wear are the areas that will lead to the most embarrassment if failure does occur. Rather than walk around with a hut that reveals more nut than is socially acceptable, I replace my tri shorts more frequently than I might like. At $30-40 a pop, it gets expensive.
Yesterday, I gave in to the (financial) pressure and went to the dark side. I am now proud (?) owner of a bikini style swimsuit. I will, however, conserve some small shred of my dignity by using a pair of nylon drag shorts. It's frightening how I jumped through so many hoops (too long a story) to get the swim trunks I swore I'd never wear just 12 short months ago.
But I was able to stick to my guns in one regard. I didn't buy a Speedo. I bought a Tyr. Either way, it's a nut hut.
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