Updated 6/13/08
Swim-Bike-Run
Autism Awareness weekend, January 10 & 11, 2009. A personal effort dedicated to my son Alex.
I've been running the last few years to be a little more healthy. There's been big improvements in some of my problem areas such as blood pressure, insulin resistance, and weight. I've dropped the medications I used to take and also about 30 lbs. In 2006 I found Triathlon and am totally hooked. Great people, really fun events, and a healthy lifestyle.
Running in the White Mountains of Arizona(2004). Brrrrrrrrrrr.
My "Stumpy" mountain bike.
Race(s) scheduled:
San Francisco Marathon - August 3, 2008
San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island - Nov 8, 2008
Goofy's Race and a Half - January 10/11, 2009
Past race photos and reports from 2005-07 are HERE!
Latest Race Reports Click on report to go direct.
San Jose International Triathlon - June 8, 2008
San Jose
International Triathlon - June 8, 2008
This is my third year racing Triathlon and my fifth doing running races. Guess
what? I’ve never felt like I was in a competition until June 8th, 2008. My only “competition” in all my races to day was myself. Avoiding injury,
having fun, managing my suffering, and getting to the finish line were really my
only goals. One of my friends from work that I had races with once before had entered the
San Jose International Triathlon (SJIT) and said I should enter as well. His
times in other races have been pretty close to some of mine. We are aslo in the
same age group. For the first time in recent history, I felt like I needed to
beat him in this race. My swimming technique has improved, my biking is a little
stronger, but my run is still highly questionable. Haven’t figured out the
quad/knee cramps and a left calf problem. Regardless, my goal was only to beat
Gregg. We met that morning in transition an racked our bikes next to one another.
We’d both know who was where, at least with regard to transition. We got set up
and warmed up together in the water then made our way to the starting line for
our wave start at 7:25am. Swim - I thought the lake was in much better condition than 2006. I did not
hit bottom with my hands and the duck/goose poop seemed to be much better
controlled. The lake seemed small for some reason, oh yeah, because people kept
runing into me or trying to knock off my goggles. I did manage to draft for a
few hundred meters here and there so that was cool. Out of the water and up the
ramp into T1. As I came to my bike I saw Gregg already there and putting on his
bike shoes. I hurried to do the same when he said something out hitting the
port-o-potty. Cool, I may be able to get out of T1 ahead of him. He was back
very quickly but I still managed to head out of T1 before he’d gotten his bike
off the rack. I yelled “Say HELLO when you pass me” and he said “You got it”. Bike - I know Gregg had ridden the course a few times so I didn’t really have
an advantage there. I just pushed a little harder than I might have on my own. I
could tell. I felt really good and was glad to see my speed in the 20+mph range
on the way out of town. It was a beautiful day and cooler than 2006. Each time
someone passed me, I expected to see Gregg. My climbing strength is not very
good so the one real hill on the course really had me expecting to see Gregg.
Didn’t happen. I had no mishaps. I’d planned on taking in a gel on the bike but
my stomach wasn’t interested. I did manage to get a few electrolyte pills down
with liquid in preparation for the run and trying to alleviate cramping. I was
into T2 before Gregg. Now to stay tough. Run - There is one small out and back segment on the first part of the run.
If Gregg didn’t pass me, I knew I would see him and be able to gauge my lead. I
was doing OK and after the turn around, I was getting happier by the meter as
I’d yet to see Gregg. Then…. I just caught sight of him, almost missed him, and
said “Hey Gregg!”. He looked tired. Sweet. I figured that he was about three
quarters of a mile behind. If I maintained a reasonable pace, I would not have
to push it. Then the plot thickens. I start feeling that familiar cramping pain just
above the knees where the quads tie in. Ok, slow a bit, relax and we’ll see.
Some pulling in my left calf. I thought I’d gotten rid of that injury. Shorten
up the stride. I ended up walking on the short up hill sections (for the calf)
and through the aid stations (rubbing the knees). My arch nemesis, the sun, was
warming things up a bit but not bad. “Hang in there and do your best” I told
myself. The last quarter mile I could smell the finish and while my stride was
considerably shortened, I picked up the turnover as best I could. Ah……..
Victory! I didn’t have long to wait as Gregg was the next finisher only about 35
seconds behind me. This was a new experience for me. A little extra anticipation and tension
before and during the race with a greater sense of accomplishment after. I could
see how this could be addicting. The key is to maintain that same motivation
even when the result is different. I should be good a that considering where I
usually finish in the pack. I know that I would still be happy to make it to the
end after all my real goals are to maintain my health and be around as long as I
can to enjoy my wonderful family. Next race, without any direct competition by the way, is the San Francisco
Marathon in August. See you there!
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