Monday, April 30, 2007
Thank You Sponsors
A big THANK YOU to our sponsors - SBD Group, Citizens Bank, COOP Food Store, and Home Quest Builders for their support of Team IRONTOM.
Michael (T2) of Team IRONTOM Runs to APD Podium Position.
Michael ( T2 ) Libuda, running for Team IRONTOM gathered a podium postion at the 19th Alice Peck Day Hospital (APD) 5K Road Race on Sunday. He blazed sub-7:00 minute miles to an overall 21:25 time to take 3rd place in his age group. After receiving the coveted Lou’s Homemade Pie Prize, T2 commented “It was tough but satisfying race in the rain, but I was inspired by the IRONTOM team gathering the night before. Good food and good company are the key elements for race day preparation.”. Libuda further commented, “I’m going to take this pie all the way to Lake Placid”.
NEW Team IRONTOM Race Suits are a Huge Hit
Well, it was like Christmas in April as the Team got together last night for some good food, good fun and good company. The highlight of the evening was the official introduction of the new Team Irontom racesuits. Pics to be posted soon. Like a kid at Christmas I couldn't wait to try it out this morning for a "test run" (and to burn up some of the calories I consumed from the delicious food.)
I am happy to announce the race suits performed admirably. I wasn't sure how I would like the longer legs but after running in them this morning I believe that they perform much better than the shorter shorts that will typically "ride up" your quad during a race.
This is a good thing considering I maybe wearing them up to 17 hours on Race day. Thanks to Tom B and Becky for being such wonderful hosts last night...
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Joe is Set to Race at St. Croix Ironman 70.3
On May 6, Joe will be representing our team at St. Croix Ironman 70.3. You can follow Joe's race at www.ironman.com. We will keep our fingers crossed. Go and get them, Joe.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Kona-Like Conditions at Ironman Arizona - April 15, 2007
That is how Paul Huddle summed it up on Monday morning during the Awards Ceremony. But first thing first. Kasia (my IronWife) and I arrived in Tempe Thursday night. The next morning we went to register for the race and check out the newest tri-gadgets on the market. The vendor selection was not huge but the new Newton running shoes were worth trying on. Michelle Jones, Peter Reid, Joanna Zeiger, Michael Lovato and others were on hand to meet and talk. Saturday was a day for swimming in the cool-water of the Tempe Town Lake, racking the bike and dropping off transition bags.
It was still dark when we arrived at the transition area on the race day, Sunday, shortly before 5AM. After re-checking my 'Norminator' and the bags, it was time to put on the wetsuit and head out for the lake with 2,100 other athletes. The swim consisted of a single-loop, deep water mass-start with the initial 1.2 mile of swimming straight into the raising sun. I am not sure what I have done differently this year but for some reason had not encountered excessive traffic out there. I have encountered, however, noticeable cramps in my right shin and my left quad. Needless to say, after 1hr and 15min swim I was ready to get out of the water. Cramping continued during transition which pushed my T1 time to over eight minutes. No, I did not have breakfast in the transition tent.
Finally, on the bike I started pushing the tempo and got by the faster swimmers. The bike course consisted of three, approximately 38-mile loops. Half of each loop was against what was described as the Kona winds. It was estimated that the head and cross winds hovered between 40 and 50 miles/hour – nice. It was discouraging to see at times, people in front riding at an angle to the pavement and the speedometer read 19 miles/hour going down small hills. As in Ironman Florida, there was no time for respite or down time for one's legs. Since there was no active perspiration (the wind and heat took care of that) I had to remind myself to drink constantly and to alternate between consuming water, electrolytes, and salt tablets. Can't remember how many salt tablets I swallowed but it must have been over 30 (just on the bike). Experiencing no cramps in my legs at any time on the bike, I was confident this strategy had worked. I felt great. The only cramps were those in my hands from holding too tightly onto the handle and aerobars. Needless to say, reaching out for fluids at aid stations was a serious matter. There were numerous crashes, ambulance pickups, and athletes fixing their tires on the road side. Putting too much pressure in them on that day may have not been such a 'hot' idea. By the end of the third bike loop I could not wait to get onto the run.
After riding for 5 hrs and 52 minutes and much faster T2 (approx. 3 min.), I was ready to put on my racing flats. Getting onto the run felt fantastic and I was ready to chase my age-group competitors that were ahead of me. The run was a repeat of the bike in a sense that half of the distance was against similar winds we experienced earlier on the bike. I averaged about 7:25/mile in the first 4 miles. After that things got worst. My average tempo began to drop. It was for the first time in my Ironman racing that I experienced such discomfort, and later, out right pain in my feet and leg muscles. It seemed like there was a disconnect between my neurological and muscular systems. It was as if my brain was saying 'go and get them' and my muscles countered with 'there is no way'. Some of it was probably due to my still unhealed Achilles tendon. Eventually, my brain succeeded and forced my body to pick up the pace, though, not enough to finish the marathon in the time I initially planned.
Ironman Arizona was a great test of endurance, determination, as well as psychological and physical toughness for all the athletes and I would consider racing it again in the future. Hope, that by that time, the potholes and cracks will get paved over (bikes did not like it at all). There were a few course records set on Sunday as well as many DNFs. Ten-percent of amateurs and twenty-five percent of professionals did not get to hear that day Mike Raily calling them 'You are an Ironman.' As always, it was a great opportunity to test one's limits, make new friends and visit interesting places. With Ironman Arizona in the history book it is time to think about my next races this season – Eagleman Ironman 70.3, Ironman USA, and Timberman Ironman 70.3 are yet to come. Needless to say, improving nutrition and hydration strategy will be an important part of my training.
It was still dark when we arrived at the transition area on the race day, Sunday, shortly before 5AM. After re-checking my 'Norminator' and the bags, it was time to put on the wetsuit and head out for the lake with 2,100 other athletes. The swim consisted of a single-loop, deep water mass-start with the initial 1.2 mile of swimming straight into the raising sun. I am not sure what I have done differently this year but for some reason had not encountered excessive traffic out there. I have encountered, however, noticeable cramps in my right shin and my left quad. Needless to say, after 1hr and 15min swim I was ready to get out of the water. Cramping continued during transition which pushed my T1 time to over eight minutes. No, I did not have breakfast in the transition tent.
Finally, on the bike I started pushing the tempo and got by the faster swimmers. The bike course consisted of three, approximately 38-mile loops. Half of each loop was against what was described as the Kona winds. It was estimated that the head and cross winds hovered between 40 and 50 miles/hour – nice. It was discouraging to see at times, people in front riding at an angle to the pavement and the speedometer read 19 miles/hour going down small hills. As in Ironman Florida, there was no time for respite or down time for one's legs. Since there was no active perspiration (the wind and heat took care of that) I had to remind myself to drink constantly and to alternate between consuming water, electrolytes, and salt tablets. Can't remember how many salt tablets I swallowed but it must have been over 30 (just on the bike). Experiencing no cramps in my legs at any time on the bike, I was confident this strategy had worked. I felt great. The only cramps were those in my hands from holding too tightly onto the handle and aerobars. Needless to say, reaching out for fluids at aid stations was a serious matter. There were numerous crashes, ambulance pickups, and athletes fixing their tires on the road side. Putting too much pressure in them on that day may have not been such a 'hot' idea. By the end of the third bike loop I could not wait to get onto the run.
After riding for 5 hrs and 52 minutes and much faster T2 (approx. 3 min.), I was ready to put on my racing flats. Getting onto the run felt fantastic and I was ready to chase my age-group competitors that were ahead of me. The run was a repeat of the bike in a sense that half of the distance was against similar winds we experienced earlier on the bike. I averaged about 7:25/mile in the first 4 miles. After that things got worst. My average tempo began to drop. It was for the first time in my Ironman racing that I experienced such discomfort, and later, out right pain in my feet and leg muscles. It seemed like there was a disconnect between my neurological and muscular systems. It was as if my brain was saying 'go and get them' and my muscles countered with 'there is no way'. Some of it was probably due to my still unhealed Achilles tendon. Eventually, my brain succeeded and forced my body to pick up the pace, though, not enough to finish the marathon in the time I initially planned.Ironman Arizona was a great test of endurance, determination, as well as psychological and physical toughness for all the athletes and I would consider racing it again in the future. Hope, that by that time, the potholes and cracks will get paved over (bikes did not like it at all). There were a few course records set on Sunday as well as many DNFs. Ten-percent of amateurs and twenty-five percent of professionals did not get to hear that day Mike Raily calling them 'You are an Ironman.' As always, it was a great opportunity to test one's limits, make new friends and visit interesting places. With Ironman Arizona in the history book it is time to think about my next races this season – Eagleman Ironman 70.3, Ironman USA, and Timberman Ironman 70.3 are yet to come. Needless to say, improving nutrition and hydration strategy will be an important part of my training.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Welcome to TEAM IRONTOM!
Just getting started with the launch of this most excellent triathlon blog. Tune in for my Ironman Arizona 2007 Race report, coming soon!!!
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