And that is how it looked
Tomasz
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
HARD WORK PAID OFF AT SILVERMAN
The 2009 Silverman full-distance triathlon was unlike last year’s. The weather was much improved, and while the winds were still in our faces, regardless of the direction we went, there were no 50 miles/hr. cross winds.
The swim of the full-distance race started at 7AM in calm and chilly (68.4F) Lake Mead, following a 10 minute warm up. After the initial 500m the field of swimmers dispersed, so everyone had ample space to swim without having to encounter excessive body-contact. It also took me about 500m to settle into a comfortable pace. Navigating the course was easy for the first 1.9km as we swam west. This became very different on our way back to the shore with the sun shining straight into our eyes. Exiting the water proved to be the most challenging aspect of the swim for me. With the blood gone from the legs and a rocky bottom I slipped, fell and felt a slight pop in my toes. The concern lasted for a few seconds, that is, until I noticed my swim time – 1hr 12min.
Transition 1 was swift, and within a few minutes I was climbing my Kuota bike up a 1.3 mile, 6% access road onto the main highway. It all felt great and continued that way for the next 112 miles. However, as I was riding, I felt a discomfort in my foot when pushing down on the left pedal. It felt like a large blister on the sole of my foot.
The bike course was very challenging with 12,000 feet of combined elevation. Descents were quick and short, while assents were long and steep, though, they must have suited me well for riding that day, as I averaged 17.3 miles/hr in a 6hrs 26min bike portion of the race. I was particularly pleased with this time, which gave me the third fastest in my age group.
Transition 2 went even faster, and in about 2.5 minutes I began my marathon run. It took about 30 minutes to get into a rhythm. The marathon took all the athletes on a two 13-mile loops and offered 2,000 feet of climbing. I felt good for the first 15 miles hoping that my foot will not give me more trouble, but at that time my stomach began to be upset. With about 11 miles to the finish line my tempo slowed down considerably, which allowed two of my age-groupers to pass me toward the end of the run. I hoped to have a faster marathon time considering the 1hr 50min first loop. Perhaps, I went out too fast? My final marathon suffered as a result of it and I finished the run in 4 hrs. 45 min.
Elated, nevertheless, I finished this grueling race, considered by many as the toughest full-distance race in North America, in 12hrs 33min, good enough for a sixth place in the M45-49 age group, and 44th overall. After the race, I had a relaxing soft-tissue massage, post-race dinner, and eventually returned to my hotel about 10PM. Here, I realized what was bothering my left foot. In fact, it was not a blister but a purple and swollen third toe, which I must have injured when exiting the swim. I hope it’s not broken, but, if it is, it will be added to the “collection” of minor injuries we all suffer.
Silverman closed my racing season in 2009, and I am already looking forward to plan for 2010, which will be my last year of racing in the 45-49 age-group. Congratulations to all my teammates on a great racing season, as we now can focus on some deserved rest.
The swim of the full-distance race started at 7AM in calm and chilly (68.4F) Lake Mead, following a 10 minute warm up. After the initial 500m the field of swimmers dispersed, so everyone had ample space to swim without having to encounter excessive body-contact. It also took me about 500m to settle into a comfortable pace. Navigating the course was easy for the first 1.9km as we swam west. This became very different on our way back to the shore with the sun shining straight into our eyes. Exiting the water proved to be the most challenging aspect of the swim for me. With the blood gone from the legs and a rocky bottom I slipped, fell and felt a slight pop in my toes. The concern lasted for a few seconds, that is, until I noticed my swim time – 1hr 12min.
Transition 1 was swift, and within a few minutes I was climbing my Kuota bike up a 1.3 mile, 6% access road onto the main highway. It all felt great and continued that way for the next 112 miles. However, as I was riding, I felt a discomfort in my foot when pushing down on the left pedal. It felt like a large blister on the sole of my foot.
The bike course was very challenging with 12,000 feet of combined elevation. Descents were quick and short, while assents were long and steep, though, they must have suited me well for riding that day, as I averaged 17.3 miles/hr in a 6hrs 26min bike portion of the race. I was particularly pleased with this time, which gave me the third fastest in my age group.
Transition 2 went even faster, and in about 2.5 minutes I began my marathon run. It took about 30 minutes to get into a rhythm. The marathon took all the athletes on a two 13-mile loops and offered 2,000 feet of climbing. I felt good for the first 15 miles hoping that my foot will not give me more trouble, but at that time my stomach began to be upset. With about 11 miles to the finish line my tempo slowed down considerably, which allowed two of my age-groupers to pass me toward the end of the run. I hoped to have a faster marathon time considering the 1hr 50min first loop. Perhaps, I went out too fast? My final marathon suffered as a result of it and I finished the run in 4 hrs. 45 min.
Elated, nevertheless, I finished this grueling race, considered by many as the toughest full-distance race in North America, in 12hrs 33min, good enough for a sixth place in the M45-49 age group, and 44th overall. After the race, I had a relaxing soft-tissue massage, post-race dinner, and eventually returned to my hotel about 10PM. Here, I realized what was bothering my left foot. In fact, it was not a blister but a purple and swollen third toe, which I must have injured when exiting the swim. I hope it’s not broken, but, if it is, it will be added to the “collection” of minor injuries we all suffer.
Silverman closed my racing season in 2009, and I am already looking forward to plan for 2010, which will be my last year of racing in the 45-49 age-group. Congratulations to all my teammates on a great racing season, as we now can focus on some deserved rest.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
ONE MORE DAY TO GO
Another beautiful day began with a 5:30AM wake up call, and a 30-minute training run. It was perfect, although, one can feel the the effects of higher elevation here. Henderson is at about 1,700 feet, while the Upper Valley, NH, at 560 feet above the sea level. Yes, the air is thinner, for sure.
Today's agendum has been relaxing. A morning breakfast in the Silverman Village, and a chat with Dave "The Man" Scott took care of the morning routines. For those who do not know Dave, he is one of the Ironman triathlon racing icons, with six wins, three second places, and a fifth, when he was in his forties. This year, Dave had a serious biking accident, after which he ended up with several metal pins in his wrists.
In a little while I will be taking my bike and transition bags to the swim start. All has to be in by 6PM. I feel relaxed with my feet on a chair, as I write this update from the Panera headquarters. So, this may be it until Monday. But then, who knows.
Today's agendum has been relaxing. A morning breakfast in the Silverman Village, and a chat with Dave "The Man" Scott took care of the morning routines. For those who do not know Dave, he is one of the Ironman triathlon racing icons, with six wins, three second places, and a fifth, when he was in his forties. This year, Dave had a serious biking accident, after which he ended up with several metal pins in his wrists.
In a little while I will be taking my bike and transition bags to the swim start. All has to be in by 6PM. I feel relaxed with my feet on a chair, as I write this update from the Panera headquarters. So, this may be it until Monday. But then, who knows.
ILL BUT DETERMINED-MY MANCHESTER 1/2 MARATHON REPORT
Just a few words about the Manchester 1/2 Marathon I ran last weekend. First off I went there with quite low expectations since I haven't been able to train as much as I had last year. I also had a cold which I got over about a half week before the race so I was thinking that I would be happy with a time between 2 hours and 2 hours and 20 minutes. I got to the race fairly early, wondered around a bit, warmed up and then stretched while in line for the Jiffy John. After the JJ I headed over to the starting area. The weather was decent considering it was nine in the morning and the time of year. (No rain which was a plus.) The race seemed to start before I knew it. For some reason I figured they would have the mayor, who was there, or someone making an announcement but instead everyone just started. I started out with a comfortable pace. The first couple of miles are fairly flat so I was able to ease into the race. When I got to mile two they had a time clock and I was at about 19:30 or 19:40 and I was thinking that it wasn't bad considering it took a while to get over the timing mat. I kept up the pace through most of the race. At each time clock I kept checking my progress and notice I was doing about 9 minute miles which for me is a pretty good pace. One point in the race where I gained some ground was through Livingston Park which has a gravel path we went through. People must not be used to running on it or are afraid of rolling an ankle because I was passing people left and right. I guess all my trail running this season paid off in that section. Anyways I was able to keep up the 9 minutes mile through the rest of the race and even picked it up some at the last mile or two. I know I picked it up the last mile since it is downhill or flat the whole way. I finished with a gun time of around 1:56:25. My net time was 1:55:46. It still wasn't enough to place me in the top half of my age or gender but I was still very happy with my time since it was a person best for me for half marathons. I also was happy because I wasn't expecting much with how I've been training. I final note. The race was great again this year as far as community coming to cheer us on and the police and volunteer clue was plentiful. (At least on the 1/2 marathon section.)
Jim
Jim
SILVERMAN COUNTDOWN CONTINUES
What a beautiful day it had been, today. Not a single cloud in the sky and about 75-80F, all day. What is even more exciting? Sunday's weather forecast: another beautiful day.
Friday was a very productive day. Most of it was spent working from my hotel room. Then, a 40-minute training run, registering for the race, visiting the Hoover Dam, and lastly, attending the athletes' dinner at the Henderson Convention Center. Dave "The Man" Scott (the six-time Hawaii Ironman world champion, and a three-time runner-up) was the keynote speaker, as he was there last year. And of course, just as last year, he had very interesting things to say. Among them, he discussed the fear of failure, acceptance, and disappointment.
But, back for a moment to the Hoover Dam. What a marvelous structure that is. The state border line between Nevada and Arizona runs straight through it, and with it, the time zone change. So, you can be an hour behind or an hour ahead depending upon where you are standing at that moment. The dam was built in 4 years, between 1931 and 1935. There are some incredible pictures showing many of the construction sites. There is another architectural marvel being constructed over the dam. A new "suspension bridge" overpass highway is being built there, which should be finished in 2010. It looks as if it had been built in the air, suspended by a gigantic arc connecting both states. A view almost impossible to imagine without seeing it.
It turned out to be another long day/night. Just finished tuning up the "Norminator" and setting up the transition bags. Saturday will be another busy day for me. More updates tomorrow.
Friday was a very productive day. Most of it was spent working from my hotel room. Then, a 40-minute training run, registering for the race, visiting the Hoover Dam, and lastly, attending the athletes' dinner at the Henderson Convention Center. Dave "The Man" Scott (the six-time Hawaii Ironman world champion, and a three-time runner-up) was the keynote speaker, as he was there last year. And of course, just as last year, he had very interesting things to say. Among them, he discussed the fear of failure, acceptance, and disappointment.
But, back for a moment to the Hoover Dam. What a marvelous structure that is. The state border line between Nevada and Arizona runs straight through it, and with it, the time zone change. So, you can be an hour behind or an hour ahead depending upon where you are standing at that moment. The dam was built in 4 years, between 1931 and 1935. There are some incredible pictures showing many of the construction sites. There is another architectural marvel being constructed over the dam. A new "suspension bridge" overpass highway is being built there, which should be finished in 2010. It looks as if it had been built in the air, suspended by a gigantic arc connecting both states. A view almost impossible to imagine without seeing it.
It turned out to be another long day/night. Just finished tuning up the "Norminator" and setting up the transition bags. Saturday will be another busy day for me. More updates tomorrow.
Friday, November 6, 2009
ON THE GROUND IN LAS VEGAS
Greetings from the Silverman. Day one is coming to an end. The trip was uneventful. All luggage and the bike case (with the bike inside) arrived on the same plane, which is always good.
I just found out, at the THRIFTY car rental counter, that when you rent a car from them and do not purchase their insurance policy, and should the car you have rented get involved in an accident (fault or no-fault), THRIFTY will charge you between $2,000-$4,000 for what they call having to take the car temporarily out of "business." I am just amazed at the tricks they continue inventing. And all, I think, to make the travel experience even worse than it already is. Guess what I didn't do?
Now, that I have vented, the Kuota is out of the case and already assembled. All lubed and waiting patiently. Tomorrow morning I will register and, in the afternoon, attend the athletes' dinner.
Well, it is almost 3AM over where you are on the east coast and, I suppose, I should not be surprised that I am a little tired. Until tomorrow, then.
I just found out, at the THRIFTY car rental counter, that when you rent a car from them and do not purchase their insurance policy, and should the car you have rented get involved in an accident (fault or no-fault), THRIFTY will charge you between $2,000-$4,000 for what they call having to take the car temporarily out of "business." I am just amazed at the tricks they continue inventing. And all, I think, to make the travel experience even worse than it already is. Guess what I didn't do?
Now, that I have vented, the Kuota is out of the case and already assembled. All lubed and waiting patiently. Tomorrow morning I will register and, in the afternoon, attend the athletes' dinner.
Well, it is almost 3AM over where you are on the east coast and, I suppose, I should not be surprised that I am a little tired. Until tomorrow, then.
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