Double banana. No its not a plantain. Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
If You Didn't Race Yesterday There Are 120 People More BadA$$ Than You
The kickoff to the 2009 multisport season was April 26, 2009 with the 2nd Annual Winter BeGone Duathlon. Ok, there are indoor and indoor/outdoor events all season, but in MN this was the first (or close to it) fully outdoor event of the season. Mother Nature was not to kind to us as you can tell from the photo below (stolen from Steve In a Speedo blog).
First of all, it was in the low 40's. That's not too bad, but with wind and rain--its not good. The race was very close to being cancelled, but the director decided to call off the long course (5k run, 33k bike, 10k run) and make everyone who showed up do the short course. I wasn't too upset since I switched to the long course only 1 week earlier (I registered for the short, but decided I needed the training). I won the short course last year, but wasn't even close to winning this year. Sorta tough when a couple elites show up. However, even with them there, some regular ole age-groupers whooped me. Despite the weather, it was still a good time. Of the 130 or so that registered, 120 raced and 115 actually finished. That's a better finish-to-start ratio than usually occurs with nice weather. Go figure--when Minnsotan's (and a few from sconny) want to race, they WANT TO RACE!
Next up, the Falls Du.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Start of Season Delayed
Updated 2009 Tentative Race Schedule:
I had to remove the SEMYO 5k from the list as we went to the in-laws cabin and put in the docks on Saturday (04/18/09). So it looks like I am going to start the season with a du. I also decided to switch from the Winter Be Gone Short course to the long course. Why? Cuz I be dumm. Really, though, I didn't want to screw up the progress I made with my hammy tendon and thought that 9+ miles of running right off the bat could do just that. However, I've been running without problems thus far. I figured though, if problems come, I'd rather have them earlier than later and have a chance at salvaging the second half of the summer. But I am optimistic that I'll be fine. As long I train and race smart and don't do anything too stupid. I'm doing the long course at a pace I can tolerate and considering the race a trainer for future races.
Winter Be Gone Du, April 26 **
Falls Duathlon, May 2 **
Tri Roch TT's, May (TBD)
Stay Out of the Sun Run (5k or 10k?), May 15
Apple Duathlon, May 23
Pigman Sprint, June 7 **
Fairmont Sprint Tri, June 14 (a maybe)
Rochesterfest Tri (oly), June 28 **
Heart of the Lakes Tri, July 19 **
Festival Run (10k), Aug 8
Treadman Du, Sept 5
Cannon-Wells Duathlon, Sept 26
- races with ** I am already registered for -
Red= http://www.winmultisportevents.com/ event
Green= http://www.midwestmultisport.com/ event
Blue= http://www.finalstretch.com/ event
I had to remove the SEMYO 5k from the list as we went to the in-laws cabin and put in the docks on Saturday (04/18/09). So it looks like I am going to start the season with a du. I also decided to switch from the Winter Be Gone Short course to the long course. Why? Cuz I be dumm. Really, though, I didn't want to screw up the progress I made with my hammy tendon and thought that 9+ miles of running right off the bat could do just that. However, I've been running without problems thus far. I figured though, if problems come, I'd rather have them earlier than later and have a chance at salvaging the second half of the summer. But I am optimistic that I'll be fine. As long I train and race smart and don't do anything too stupid. I'm doing the long course at a pace I can tolerate and considering the race a trainer for future races.
Winter Be Gone Du, April 26 **
Falls Duathlon, May 2 **
Tri Roch TT's, May (TBD)
Stay Out of the Sun Run (5k or 10k?), May 15
Apple Duathlon, May 23
Pigman Sprint, June 7 **
Fairmont Sprint Tri, June 14 (a maybe)
Rochesterfest Tri (oly), June 28 **
Heart of the Lakes Tri, July 19 **
Festival Run (10k), Aug 8
Treadman Du, Sept 5
Cannon-Wells Duathlon, Sept 26
- races with ** I am already registered for -
Red= http://www.winmultisportevents.com/ event
Green= http://www.midwestmultisport.com/ event
Blue= http://www.finalstretch.com/ event
7:12 mile
Just a few days after Jace did the Fetzer 2 Mile race in 15:14 (7:37 pace), he had to run the 1 mile as required in school. This was on Wednesday, April 15. He beat his time in the fall by 15 seconds--running a 7:12 !!! Sweet!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
FORZE GPS BAR
I saw the huge fold out add in the latest edition of INSIDE TRIATHLON for the new Forze bars and thought it was pretty impressive. But this seems to be one of the latest trends in dieting--nutritions weightloss bars like FullBar, Special K Protein bars, etc. I was going to look into trying Forze, but forgot about it until I was sent an email from an Endurox / Accelerade affiliate. Now I gotta try them. Dave Scott (several Ironman WC titles) is one of their sponsored athletes. Not that having a high profile athlete makes the product better, but if you look at his history, nutrition is a top priority. Right now, if you order thru my link below you get free shipping. Mine are on the way.
From the email:
Now available on your club site is NEW FORZE GPS. Forze GPS is the first and only nutrition tool formulated especially to help athletes reach and maintain their optimal performance weight. Forze GPS uses a patented blend of healthy fats, protein and calcium, plus added fiber to activate the body’s natural appetite control signal. Forze GPS is designed to be taken between meals, as a snack replacement and to leave you feeling satisfied longer. Forze GPS helps control your hunger so you achieve your performance goals.FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS! Forze GPS currently is available in two great tasting bars, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Cranberry Nut. It is also available in ready to drink Vanilla. Just click on the ACCELSPORT LINK BELOW to get right to you club site for ordering.
From the email:
Now available on your club site is NEW FORZE GPS. Forze GPS is the first and only nutrition tool formulated especially to help athletes reach and maintain their optimal performance weight. Forze GPS uses a patented blend of healthy fats, protein and calcium, plus added fiber to activate the body’s natural appetite control signal. Forze GPS is designed to be taken between meals, as a snack replacement and to leave you feeling satisfied longer. Forze GPS helps control your hunger so you achieve your performance goals.FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS! Forze GPS currently is available in two great tasting bars, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Cranberry Nut. It is also available in ready to drink Vanilla. Just click on the ACCELSPORT LINK BELOW to get right to you club site for ordering.
Monday, April 13, 2009
First Race of the Season (not for me, though)
Well, the boy's season started before mine at the Fetzer 20k and 2 mile race in Rochester, MN. Jace is 8, so he did the 2 mile. He had a great race with a 7:37 pace! He finished 1st in his age group of '9 and under' and finished 12th overall of 75. We, mainly his mom, were worried about him going from relatively no running (except in gym class/recess) to 2 miles. I encouraged him to walk, stop, have fun, do whatever, start out easy, just have fun, etc. Well, he had fun by going hard. Sometimes I don't know about that kid...
Results of the races:
2 mile results by age group:
http://www.rochestertrackclub.com/Results/Results-Detail.aspx?resultsID=131
2 mile results overall:
http://www.rochestertrackclub.com/Results/Results-Detail.aspx?resultsID=132
12.4 (20k) mile overall:
http://www.rochestertrackclub.com/Results/Results-Detail.aspx?resultsID=130
Results of the races:
2 mile results by age group:
http://www.rochestertrackclub.com/Results/Results-Detail.aspx?resultsID=131
2 mile results overall:
http://www.rochestertrackclub.com/Results/Results-Detail.aspx?resultsID=132
12.4 (20k) mile overall:
http://www.rochestertrackclub.com/Results/Results-Detail.aspx?resultsID=130
Monday, April 6, 2009
Training is going...
Yep, it is. It's going.
This past period of training seemed to go on and on and on.... I just finished up the third, and last, week of Base 3--except for the R&R week that starts today. I'm training based on Friel's method, but I include aspects of other training methods, along with what seemed to work for me in the past--we all have our own spins and tweaks to our training. The final week of Base 3 had the highest volume of all weeks of the season so it was nice to get thru it.
I'm not a great swimmer so when I'm in the pool, there aren't many drills yet--mainly just building up the distance while trying to keep in good form. I do some warm-up stuff, then descending pyramid-style lap intervals. The longest so far was 1200 yards straight. I think I'll build up to 1 to 1.5 miles to make sure I have the Olympic distance, possibly Half Iron, in me. So, last week got me up to 1200 yards for the longest interval. Then the weekend training was a 2 hr zone 3 brick of a 1/2 hr run, 1 hr bike, 1/2 run, on Saturday, with a 1.5 hr zone 2 ride on Sunday. That may sound like a normal weekend for some of you, but I am on limited training time. The dog, Elton, did the first mile of running with me, but he's no where near rabbit chasing form so I had to limit him to just that mile. For Sundays indoor drip fest ride, Sofia took her nap--she must have been pretty worn out too as she slept for about 3 hours! She needed the nap more than I needed the ride, but we both got it done. Mom got to relax for that time too. Nice all the way around.
When I say it was the highest volume week, I'm talking 10.75 hours. There's no Iron-training for me. My recovery weeks, like this week, are around 5.5 hours. Some guys, and you know who you are, put in 10 hours on the weekend and may call a 10 hour week, recovery. So, when it comes to training, its all relative to what your goals are. Last season, Sprint, to races a little longer went great for me on this amount of training. Actually, I am putting in about an hour or so more per week this year hoping that I can do Olympic distance without feeling like I am just struggling to finish, but I gotta say, that brick of 2 hours was killin' me. It was only the second real brick of the season, so hopefully things come around.
There are only 3 weeks till the Winter Be Gone Duathlon so I think things should be in place by then. I'm doing the short course because the long course has 9.3 miles of running in it and at this point in my training, I think that would do more harm than good. For the runners out there who don't like biking inside too much in the winter, the long course is perfect as the bike section is only 18.5 miles.
We'll see you out there....
This past period of training seemed to go on and on and on.... I just finished up the third, and last, week of Base 3--except for the R&R week that starts today. I'm training based on Friel's method, but I include aspects of other training methods, along with what seemed to work for me in the past--we all have our own spins and tweaks to our training. The final week of Base 3 had the highest volume of all weeks of the season so it was nice to get thru it.
I'm not a great swimmer so when I'm in the pool, there aren't many drills yet--mainly just building up the distance while trying to keep in good form. I do some warm-up stuff, then descending pyramid-style lap intervals. The longest so far was 1200 yards straight. I think I'll build up to 1 to 1.5 miles to make sure I have the Olympic distance, possibly Half Iron, in me. So, last week got me up to 1200 yards for the longest interval. Then the weekend training was a 2 hr zone 3 brick of a 1/2 hr run, 1 hr bike, 1/2 run, on Saturday, with a 1.5 hr zone 2 ride on Sunday. That may sound like a normal weekend for some of you, but I am on limited training time. The dog, Elton, did the first mile of running with me, but he's no where near rabbit chasing form so I had to limit him to just that mile. For Sundays indoor drip fest ride, Sofia took her nap--she must have been pretty worn out too as she slept for about 3 hours! She needed the nap more than I needed the ride, but we both got it done. Mom got to relax for that time too. Nice all the way around.
When I say it was the highest volume week, I'm talking 10.75 hours. There's no Iron-training for me. My recovery weeks, like this week, are around 5.5 hours. Some guys, and you know who you are, put in 10 hours on the weekend and may call a 10 hour week, recovery. So, when it comes to training, its all relative to what your goals are. Last season, Sprint, to races a little longer went great for me on this amount of training. Actually, I am putting in about an hour or so more per week this year hoping that I can do Olympic distance without feeling like I am just struggling to finish, but I gotta say, that brick of 2 hours was killin' me. It was only the second real brick of the season, so hopefully things come around.
There are only 3 weeks till the Winter Be Gone Duathlon so I think things should be in place by then. I'm doing the short course because the long course has 9.3 miles of running in it and at this point in my training, I think that would do more harm than good. For the runners out there who don't like biking inside too much in the winter, the long course is perfect as the bike section is only 18.5 miles.
We'll see you out there....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)