Wednesday, September 19, 2012

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 70.3

Despite the record-breaking temperatures we had a wonderful time in Las Vegas during the championship weekend. This was not our first trip there. We visited Las Vegas/Henderson twice before for the Silverman triathlon, although, we were there during a much cooler season. This time, we chose our lodging away from the race venue. Instead, we opted to stay within a walking distance to the Las Vegas Boulevard. Not experiencing the excitement of the race all the time was quite relaxing and allowed us to explore quite a few attractions the city has to offer. As an added bonus, being close to the "Strip" offered me the opportunity to do training runs on the Las Vegas Boulevard at 5:30 in the morning, in a more reasonable temperature.

The race morning started for me at 2:30 after a solid, five-hour sleep. Within an hour, we were in the car driving, mostly empty streets, to the Las Vegas Resort for the swim start. My swim wave (M50+) of about 200 athletes was scheduled for 6:45. The transition opened at 4:30, so the two hours provided ample time to double-check the bike and gear, and to do my warm-up run, still, in a total darkness.

Warm-up before heading to the lake

Time to get going, right after this picture, though. Jose and I first met on the plane to Las Vegas and kept running into each other before, during, and after the race. Even among 2,000 athletes, the world seems to be small, indeed.

All buttoned up. The gun will go off in a couple of minutes. Another, non-wetsuit swim. It was just announced, the water temperature is 83F. Even without the wetsuit the water will be too warm.

This was a deep-water start. Lots of water treading and buoy-hugging. Kasia had a great observation venue for taking swim pictures.

At 6:45 my wave started swimming into the raising sun, which significantly handicapped our ability to sight the yellow buoys. I wanted to make sure I stay in line and get enough open water. Well, it did not happen that way as the body contact with the other swimmers persisted for a better part of the 1,800 meter course. Nevertheless, I felt relaxed and occasionally able to get on some one's feet, if only just for a little bit. I knew my swim time will be slower than if I swam in a wetsuit, but considering the traffic and sighting challenges, I was quite content exiting the water in 39 minutes. Not great, but I will take it.

Glad the swim is over. Now, a long run around the lake to T1. You can see the transition port-o-lets in the distance.

After a reasonably good transition, I was on my way out of T1. There was an initial uphill run to get to the bike-mounting zone followed by a 2-mile gradual climb out of the resort to the main highway.

Leaving T1 behind. At 7:30 it is already in the mid 80'sF

Within the first couple of miles

Despite the raising temperature I felt really good and strong on the bike. I was familiar with this bike course from my Silverman racing experience and knew what to expect. The greenery of the resort was the last oasis the athletes would see for the rest of the day. In a couple of miles it will feel as if riding on the moon.

Well, I take it back. There was a little vegetation along the well-paved and well-maintained roads. The traffic was manageable and the course, for the most part, safe.

The 56-mile ride was quite challenging and comprised of long ascends and descents with a total elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. The deep wheels handled the road very well and rolled nicely despite the occasional cross-winds allowing me to stay in the aerobars on the fast downhills. I was pleasantly surprised to ride this challenging course in 2 hrs 45 min despite having raced Ironman Louisville just two weeks earlier.

Transitioning into the run went well, and in about 2 minutes I was running out of T2, into what felt like an "oven." It was getting really hot and remembering to drink (without feeling thirsty) became an obsession, as the dry heat was sucking up moisture out of the body. Failing to balance the salt and water intake would spell a meltdown in a hurry. The run course consisted of three, 4-mile+ loops. Half of the distance going down, the other going up. I am not sure which was more challenging. Fortunately, it all played out very well as the temperature had risen to over 100F by the time I crossed the finish line after 1 hr 50 minutes of running. My official time of 5 hrs 22 min placed me 35th/103 in M50-54.

Mile 13.1. Always a sweet moment.

The final jump

 Kasia volunteered at the race and greeted me at the finish line with the flag and medal.

With Mark Allen, the Ironman racing legend.

It was well worth the hard work and preparations to race with the best in the world at the 70.3 distance and to take home one of these. An unforgettable experience, indeed.

My work is done here. Leaving the Ironman Village but taking great memories with me to New England ;o)

Saturday, September 8, 2012

100F AND RAISING

Yes, this is the temperature which had welcomed us to Las Vegas on Thursday after a lengthy flight from Manchester.

On the descent to the Sin City. A majestic view of Lake Mead

A city in the middle of the desert.

So, here we are the day before Ironman 70.3 World Championship. There are about 2,100 athletes here representing all fifty U.S. states and as many countries. To our surprise, we have learned that Poland is represented by a contingent of over ten triathletes. It was great meeting some of them today.

Friday was a registration day for me and, although the heat has been oppressivee, the Ironman Village was "pulsating" with energy and excitement.

Athlete number 366 - its official

In the middle if the Ironman Village before the crowd settled in

No matter how busy, I always find time to undergo a little ART therapy.

Under the skilled care of Dr. Marone. All the blood went to my head, but it was well worth it. She did a great job. Today, she repeated the treatment and I feel awesome.

Next, a little time spent in the village, getting the bike tuned up and meeting some interesting people. Some of you may know them.

With Heather Fuhr, former Ironman World Champion and a multiple Ironman winner.

With an Australian, Richie Cunnngham after his ART treatment. He is one of the best in the world at the 70.3 distance.

With Deede Grisbauer, an Ironman champion, at the Amway expo booth. Amway is making a strong entrance into the triathlon market.

Who would not recognize this man? Meeting Graig Alexander at the Panera Bread in Henderson. Graig is the defending Ironman 70.3 World Champion and a triple Ironman Hawaii World Champion. At 39 years of age he will be defending both titles this year. There must be something in the Panera bread.

Last evenings athletic itinerary culminated with the athlete welcome dinner at the Westin Hotel in the Lake Las Vegas Resort. The event was graced by the performance of a couple of the Russian Olympic team's artistic gymnastics team members.

I think, WTC has done a good job, there.

The room was packed. They only ran out of cookies this time.

Today was a busy day, as well. This is a point-to-point race which requires a lot of coordination and driving around to get things done. The transition bags have been dropped off and the bike racked.

The volunteers were awesome, as they always are.

Time to finish this update and get some rest before getting up tomorrow at 2:30 AM. I hope the hotel will provide the wake up call this time.The race starts at 6:30 AM. My wave gets in the water at 6:45. It should be a fun day.

The back side of the swim venue. We will be swimming underneath the bridge and head for the T1 to the left. Until the next time ;o)

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

THE OTHER SIDE OF LOUISVILLE


Some of you may know, I have lived in the Mid-West (Ohio) for a number of years from the mid 1980's to the mid 1990's and always look forward to returning there whenever I have the opportunity to do so. So, this year, Ironman Louisville was the reason for my trip to Kentucky and I enjoyed being there, tremendously.

Most of the time I write about, and post pictures from, my triathlon adventures. So this time, I wanted to share with you a few pictures from the places I visited while in Louisville. People there are awesome - warm, pleasant , and gracious. On top of that, I was also able to meet and visit with great friends.

 Fort Knox is located between Louisville and Elizabethtown

 Two army tanks welcome visitors to the center

I have seen it in pictures, but not up close and personal. A majestic building and nothing around it. People say its has got the goods.

Louisville is a world-renowned destination for the horse enthusiasts and hosts the annual horse racing extravaganza - the Kentucky Derby, the initial event of the triple crown.

Horses .......

.... horses

horses

and more horses, everywhere.

Louisville is a very lively city with a vibrant downtown. When it is not converted to the Ironman finishline, it serves as an entertainment center with music, restaurants, and bars.

On a Friday evening

With a live band

The biggest rock guitar

fun + Delicious

and Keith Stone. You are so smooth Keith Stone. Always!

Although, I am not a huge baseball fan, I could not leave Louisville without visiting the Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory and museum.

That is why it would not fit inside

Some of America's greatest players slugged with their bats

This is how they made them then ......

and this is how they make them now. There is only one employee left at the LS who can actually craft a bat by hand using a lathe. So if the computers crash they still will be in business.

The 21st Century museum on Main Street is easy to spot. Can you guess why?

Twice the size of the original statue of David sits in front of this worth-visiting museum of modern art. The statue is a constant topic of conversation and debate and competes with the Slugger's baseball bat for attention.

This penguin is made of recycled plastic and serves as one of the focal points in the museum. It rotates throughout the building and can be found in a different place each day.


In the past couple of years the greater Louisville neighborhoods have been devastated by tornados. This sculpture represents a tornado and is made up from items found in the wake of this natural disaster.

Louisville is full of entertainers .....

and the images of colonel Sanders. Yes, that is why we have the Kentucky Fried Chicken.

On Monday, it was time to say good bye to this awesome city.

The flowers and me