No this isn't related to the V TV series (either the current version or the 80's one), but it is the 5th element of long-distance triathlon. The common 4 are:
Swimming
Cycling
Running
Nutrition
All are critical for success in long-distance triathlon but the 5th element has arisen in recent years with the growth of the internet, social marketing and importantly blogs and twitter etc. No longer do you get to race and just race not really knowing who is in your field or what results people have had this season.
Now, you go to a race and through the various social marketing outlets you know exactly what form people are in, how they have prepared for the race, what their season results have been and what they are expecting to do.
So just for reference my training has been lousy the last few weeks, not feeling it at all, if I ride away on the bike just let me go as I will probably just blow up and walk the run :-)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Suckas.......& Limpets.......
You get these people everywhere and increasingly I am seeing them in the pool more and more....who are they? they are SUCKAS!
Suckas appear anywhere and at any time.......they might be part of the regular group ride, they might be those people that you ride by and then 10km later they are still hanging on for dear life! Yep, you all know who I am talking about and to be honest we have probably all been one at least occasionally in our lives. They hang with the group the entire ride and sit just off the paceline taking in the enormous draft and cruise along enjoying the scenery. If ever they get to 2nd wheel they are the ones that pull off at exactly the same time the front swings off and hey presto they never have to do a turn.
Fortunately you don't get them too much while running, it's tougher to hang onto someones heels. But just of late they are getting into the pool as well, yeah, like a limpet they swim in the lane next to you and try with all their might to stay at the same pace. I'm sure they are getting a good workout in but when they are all kitted out with fins and paddles it makes you wonder why they don't just strap an engine on as well. It's almost comical though, how when they take all the toys off, they flail around like they are drowning. If they just concentrated on technique and drills rather than going as fast as possible for 25yards they would become better swimmers....
Small rant over, if you hadn't guessed there were a few in the pool at lunch today.........
Suckas appear anywhere and at any time.......they might be part of the regular group ride, they might be those people that you ride by and then 10km later they are still hanging on for dear life! Yep, you all know who I am talking about and to be honest we have probably all been one at least occasionally in our lives. They hang with the group the entire ride and sit just off the paceline taking in the enormous draft and cruise along enjoying the scenery. If ever they get to 2nd wheel they are the ones that pull off at exactly the same time the front swings off and hey presto they never have to do a turn.
Fortunately you don't get them too much while running, it's tougher to hang onto someones heels. But just of late they are getting into the pool as well, yeah, like a limpet they swim in the lane next to you and try with all their might to stay at the same pace. I'm sure they are getting a good workout in but when they are all kitted out with fins and paddles it makes you wonder why they don't just strap an engine on as well. It's almost comical though, how when they take all the toys off, they flail around like they are drowning. If they just concentrated on technique and drills rather than going as fast as possible for 25yards they would become better swimmers....
Small rant over, if you hadn't guessed there were a few in the pool at lunch today.........
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Kinetic 1/2 Ironman - Race Report.......
The first 1/2 ironman of the year took place on Saturday and it was the first real test of the season so far. As I mentioned in the earlier post, there was some good competition in this race and it would allow me to gauge my fitness for the later 'A' races of the year.
Everything in the lead up to the race had gone pretty well, I got a good nights sleep and was raring to go come the morning. The water was a balmy 71 degrees with air temperatures to match, but the wind was gusting big time, up to about 30-35mph. I was hoping that my 160lbs body would be able to keep the bike with rear disk and front deep dish on the road!
As at Rumpass a few weeks ago Lake Anna was looking distinctly choppy, enough that as we started in the first wave, they were still trying to relocate one of the turn buoys that had broken loose. Despite the rough conditions I felt as though I was swimming much better than I did at Rumpass. Perhaps I had more of an open water groove, perhaps it was the new wetsuit or I had just chosen the right people to draft off, but I came out the water in 23mins (yeah the course was a couple of hundred yards short of the 1.2m) and was only 90secs down from the leader and in 12th place. Definitely an A+ for effort there!
Lake Anna in the morning
Through T1 I must have gained about 5 places as in the first few miles of the bike there was a short out and back section and I counted I was in 7th. Nice way to start the day :-) The bike course turned out to a real doozy of a race, the roads were rolling with some distinct headwinds and with the exception of the leader who was dangling off the front a couple of minutes ahead (it turned out post-race that he had been waved through the turnoff for the out and back section!), there was a small group of 5 who were just riding hard and keeping honest :-) Fortunately I was one of those 5 and it turned into a good tactical battle for almost 56 miles. You don't want to tow the group around for the 56miles but you also don't want to "under" bike the course allowing racers from behind to catch up. In the end it was just a hard and fast bike ride in tough windy conditions. Going across the bridges with the wind coming from the side gave some moments to worry about, but in general it was ok with the FFWD disc and F9R front.
Coming into T2
Finally hit the crest of the hill out of T2
The long and lonely road of an Ironman
Everything in the lead up to the race had gone pretty well, I got a good nights sleep and was raring to go come the morning. The water was a balmy 71 degrees with air temperatures to match, but the wind was gusting big time, up to about 30-35mph. I was hoping that my 160lbs body would be able to keep the bike with rear disk and front deep dish on the road!
As at Rumpass a few weeks ago Lake Anna was looking distinctly choppy, enough that as we started in the first wave, they were still trying to relocate one of the turn buoys that had broken loose. Despite the rough conditions I felt as though I was swimming much better than I did at Rumpass. Perhaps I had more of an open water groove, perhaps it was the new wetsuit or I had just chosen the right people to draft off, but I came out the water in 23mins (yeah the course was a couple of hundred yards short of the 1.2m) and was only 90secs down from the leader and in 12th place. Definitely an A+ for effort there!
Lake Anna in the morning
Through T1 I must have gained about 5 places as in the first few miles of the bike there was a short out and back section and I counted I was in 7th. Nice way to start the day :-) The bike course turned out to a real doozy of a race, the roads were rolling with some distinct headwinds and with the exception of the leader who was dangling off the front a couple of minutes ahead (it turned out post-race that he had been waved through the turnoff for the out and back section!), there was a small group of 5 who were just riding hard and keeping honest :-) Fortunately I was one of those 5 and it turned into a good tactical battle for almost 56 miles. You don't want to tow the group around for the 56miles but you also don't want to "under" bike the course allowing racers from behind to catch up. In the end it was just a hard and fast bike ride in tough windy conditions. Going across the bridges with the wind coming from the side gave some moments to worry about, but in general it was ok with the FFWD disc and F9R front.
Coming into T2I came off the bike in 2nd place with the 2nd fastest split of the day (2hr 23mins) and was approximately 2mins down on 1st place (it would have been different if he had done the out & back). All to play for with another 2 racers just a handful of seconds behind in 3rd and 4th. Straight out of transition was the steady climb of the course and it was just the 1st time of three that we would have to do it. As such it felt like I was crawling away from T2, but managed to get through the first mile in 6:40! I then hit my stride and was running 6:15's for the next few miles which were more rolling.
Finally hit the crest of the hill out of T2I'm not sure if it was the hills or a slight nutrition deficit from the bike (I didn't take in as much as needed) but I wasn't feeling really great on the run and although I was still rolling along at 6:30's, I was caught by 3rd place at about mile 7. I tried to keep with him but through the backside hill he stretched away and I was alone in 3rd. I couldn't see anyone behind and so the aim was to stay on the podium. The run was getting hot, there wasn't any shade and fortunately after 1hr 26mins I finished the run, 3rd fastest of the day and was pleased with an overall time of 4hrs 15mins. The iced water and towels were a godsend!
The long and lonely road of an IronmanFirst 1/2 Ironman race done for the year, 3rd overall and I ended up about 3mins down on the winner (the guy that passed me for 2nd). It was a great confidence booster and I know that the fitness and form is building nicely for Eagleman 70.3 on June 13th. Once again a big shout out to Kestrel Bicycles, FFWD Wheels, Fluid, DPM Sports and Beaker Concepts.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
The Meat & Potatoes........
Now we are getting into the meat and potatoes of the race season and this weekend is the first major test of the year. On Saturday is the Kinetic 1/2 Ironman race down in Lake Anna, VA (other side of the lake from the Bumpass race).
It's the first long-distance race of the season and from the start list it should be a good competition esp. in my age group which is the main focus as we head into Eagleman 70.3 and IM Lake Placid. There are a number of good athletes that are going to be competing for the coveted Kona spots come June and July and Saturday will be a great test to see where I am and where I need to be. Obviously a lot can happen between now and the races later in the year but wouldn't it be a confidence booster to be up there competing. It also would give great motivation for the training blocks ahead.......
As such, the race on Saturday although not an "A" in the big scheme of things is critical in terms of how things are progressing.......we'll see!
The key is to be solid and compete, the biking has been strong of late, the run is always there for me but after Bumpass the swim has needed some work, either that or it was just a bad day. Yes, I have a new wetsuit now and I know I need to make sure that time lost is limited, there is only so much time you can gain back (I know, same old story!)
It's the first long-distance race of the season and from the start list it should be a good competition esp. in my age group which is the main focus as we head into Eagleman 70.3 and IM Lake Placid. There are a number of good athletes that are going to be competing for the coveted Kona spots come June and July and Saturday will be a great test to see where I am and where I need to be. Obviously a lot can happen between now and the races later in the year but wouldn't it be a confidence booster to be up there competing. It also would give great motivation for the training blocks ahead.......
As such, the race on Saturday although not an "A" in the big scheme of things is critical in terms of how things are progressing.......we'll see!
The key is to be solid and compete, the biking has been strong of late, the run is always there for me but after Bumpass the swim has needed some work, either that or it was just a bad day. Yes, I have a new wetsuit now and I know I need to make sure that time lost is limited, there is only so much time you can gain back (I know, same old story!)
Monday, May 3, 2010
Weekend Racing Update......
A number of the ABRT crew headed up to do a double header of Pennsylvania races this past weekend. The arrival of the heat was a bit of a shock to the system but I like racing in the heat and so wasn't displeased.
First up was the 4/5 Turkey Hill road race on Saturday afternoon.....it ended up being a jaunt around the country roads of Lancaster County really. The race wasn't long enough to break the field too much, although we did end up with a finishing group of about 20 riders. There were three of us from ABRT in the field and as much as we spent all the time at the front, any attempts to break were quickly reeled in. This would have been a much better race if a) it was longer than just the 40km (I know, for a road race) and b) they had sent up the wall at least once. At least the free ice cream and lemonade was good!
After spending the night in Carlisle there were five of us that raced at the Carlisle 40km TT the following morning. This was a cool race, very informal, just turn-up and pretty much go at 1 minute intervals. It was the first time that I had done a TT in a long while, since back in 2008, and so I didn't know really what to expect. I have been riding well lately and so wanted to get a sub-hour t-shirt for me efforts :-)
Rocking the Spiuk Kronos
The course was rolling with a general climb for the first half of the out and back and obviously the descent on the way back. I went off at the same time as a tandem and for the first 10km or so I would overtake them on the climbs and then they would zoom by on the descents. It was actually good practice to keep the distance so not to draft, which is important for triathlon. The legs didn't feel too good for the first 10km, probably a little heavy from Turkey Hill, but they warmed up and I got to the turnaround in 29:30.
The way back was fun, as I said it was generally downhill and you could really motor. The Kestrel Airfoil and FFWD wheels were really rocking and brought me to the finish line in 56mins 40secs. Good enough for 7th on the day and first amongst Cat 4's.....just a shame there were no BAR points for it. It was a good day for ABRT as we all went under the hour and so could claim the sub-hour t-shirts :-)
All sub-hour - Ace, Me, Mike, Stu (L to R)
First up was the 4/5 Turkey Hill road race on Saturday afternoon.....it ended up being a jaunt around the country roads of Lancaster County really. The race wasn't long enough to break the field too much, although we did end up with a finishing group of about 20 riders. There were three of us from ABRT in the field and as much as we spent all the time at the front, any attempts to break were quickly reeled in. This would have been a much better race if a) it was longer than just the 40km (I know, for a road race) and b) they had sent up the wall at least once. At least the free ice cream and lemonade was good!
After spending the night in Carlisle there were five of us that raced at the Carlisle 40km TT the following morning. This was a cool race, very informal, just turn-up and pretty much go at 1 minute intervals. It was the first time that I had done a TT in a long while, since back in 2008, and so I didn't know really what to expect. I have been riding well lately and so wanted to get a sub-hour t-shirt for me efforts :-)
Rocking the Spiuk KronosThe course was rolling with a general climb for the first half of the out and back and obviously the descent on the way back. I went off at the same time as a tandem and for the first 10km or so I would overtake them on the climbs and then they would zoom by on the descents. It was actually good practice to keep the distance so not to draft, which is important for triathlon. The legs didn't feel too good for the first 10km, probably a little heavy from Turkey Hill, but they warmed up and I got to the turnaround in 29:30.
The way back was fun, as I said it was generally downhill and you could really motor. The Kestrel Airfoil and FFWD wheels were really rocking and brought me to the finish line in 56mins 40secs. Good enough for 7th on the day and first amongst Cat 4's.....just a shame there were no BAR points for it. It was a good day for ABRT as we all went under the hour and so could claim the sub-hour t-shirts :-)
All sub-hour - Ace, Me, Mike, Stu (L to R)
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