Catching up

Well, it's been a long time since I've written in the old blog. Too many blog posts start this way, but hey, I have to acknowledge it. After the intensity of the build-up to and actual Ironman competition, I had to back-off a bit on triathlon. In addition, "real life" has been putting the squeeze on my training and all outside activities for that matter. Strange how I/we consider work to be our main purpose and other thing to be extra, or outside. So, time to catch-up.

Quite soon after Ironman I came down with a, still not positively identified, illness that kept me from any serious training for a few months. Best I can tell, after an endless list of tests and medications, is that I had multiple sinus / lung infections. Also, my foot issues linger. I seem to be able to run for the most part, but it's often sore.

Through all of that, I still managed to make it to the start line of the Tempe International Triathlon in May. One of the highlights, aside from a 8th overall and 2nd place age-group finish, was a chance to try-out my new Zoot Zenith 2.0 wetsuit. Even after only trying it on I knew it was a major improvement over my old suit. But, soon after the swim start, I realized just how much better. The mobility in the shoulders and the the way it just propped my hips up in the water were astonishing. And, it came off much easier as well. Thank you Zoot!

I should back-up, earlier in the year, I ran a small local 5k to try to put up a qualifying time for the Bolder Boulder 10k in Boulder Colorado. It's now the largest road race in the country with 50,000+ finishers this year. In order to qualify to race in the very first wave, I had to run the 5k in under 18:20 and I ran 18:04 and finished 2nd overall.

So, two weeks after Tempe International, I was on the starting line of the largest road the country, nervous as can be! The elevation (5,430') and my inconsistent run training could have been a factor. But, mostly I was anxious because I wanted to place high enough to get an age-group award. Each age is it's own group and awards go 15 deep. Still, I'd have to run close to a 6 minute per mile pace to do it. I ran my guts out and it hurt as bad as anything. I managed a 37:38 and 11th in the 37 year-old division (352 nd overall). So, I'm waiting for my Bolder Boulder medal in the mail!

Most recently I raced the Deuceman 1/2 Iron distance triathlon at the Trisports.com Deuces Wild Triathlon festival in Show Low Arizona. Another high race at 6,500'. I love this race and this would be my third time for the half and my fourth participation overall. Again I had an almost enjoyable swim in the Zoot Zenith 2.0 and managed to swim over a minute faster than last year. I really can't say enough about that suit, I'm really loving it.

I manged 4th out of the water (though I didn't know it) and ended up trading places for second and third for 50 miles of the bike until the eventual second place finisher passed by.

My legs were toast by then and I had nothing more to give. I couldn't chase. When I came in to T2 I only saw a few bikes on the racks, but didn't really make the connection. Nor did I realize how hot it had become. I hoped my legs would come around on the run, but they never really did. My run pace was nearly 1 minute per mile slower than last year and I thought surely I was out of contention.

The first of two loops of the run was AWFUL, I felt totally lifeless, just trudging along, completely unable and unwilling to chase. I took tons of water and even walked for nearly a full minute. During a half I walked! It felt more like a bad Ironman run instead of a half. Things started to come around on the second loop and I felt like I was running, but I still couldn't manage a very good pace. I ended-up fourth overall and actually had the second fastest run-split of the day. The heat got to everyone. I learned some lessons about assumptions during races and never giving-up.

So, now, I'm gearing-up to head back to Boulder next month to race the Boulder Peak Triathlon. This is another favorite and this will be my third time at this race. However, I plan to really focus and give it a good, full effort and see where I end-up. It's a big race in a triathlon Mecca. I'm excited about the challenge.

Thats all for now. I'm going to try to get more regular here. (famous last blog words)