German Clearwater Magazine Article

Hey,

    So at the Clearwater Race this year a magazine writer by the name off Sina Horsthemke  contacted me and interviewed/asked about my race at Clearwater and followed up after the race.  She ended up using some of my answers in her article which was just published last Wednesday in a Germany Triathlete magazine (www.tri-mag.de).  If you look at the link below and flip to page 5 you will see a nice picture of me on my bike at Clearwater.  The article is all in German so I am not sure what it says, but see my last name throughout the article so I must be included in something.  Take a look, if you read German enjoy a good read if you don’t enjoy looking at all the picures. Haha I would like to give a BIG thank you to Sina for asking me to help out with the article, hope you help you out in the future again. 

  Thanks for reading, PJE  GTGTG

Article Link: German Clearwater Article

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!! Hope everyone has/had a very blessed Christmas and is reminded what this day is really about.  The birth of are saver Jesus Christ.

I got to spend lots of time with family and even got my annual Christmas day run in with my Santa hat and newly gifted Santa shirt.  Also pictured is a gift from my parent and my new hope for next years race nutrition.  EFS  

GTGTG





Berbee Derby

On Thanksgiving last week I ran the Berbee Derby in Madison.  Have only ran couple easy times since Clearwater, so all I wanted out of the race was to simply HAVE FUN! I have always wanted to run the Berbee Derby but always had swim practice in High School and last year I couldn’t.  So couple days before the race I signed up.  After my past two run splits, in my triathlon race breakdowns I was so excited to just go RUN and run fast.  My mom went along with me and got to see lots of friends at the race which was sweet. 

This was my first ever open 10k so when the gun went off I just started running, no race plan, no strategy, no watch, and no pressure just free running.  Got up with the lead group which included some fast guys that I recognized “never thought I would ever be able to run with them” and just plugged away the first couple miles.  I was doing my normal “thank you’s” to the volunteers, looking around, and just enjoying the race.

By mile 2 “the future winner” of the race looked at me and said “man your nice and haven fun” 

I smiled and said “Its all about haven fun, its not like we are racing for money.” Then the lead pack of about 5 proceeded to start talking, joking and enjoying the race.  That made the race for me, spreading my joy of the sport to others.

Came by the 5k turn around, around 16:15 or so which was a big surprise to me.  Could tell coach’s run training for Clearwater paid off (past 5k PR was in High School 17flat).  Around mile 4 I started drifting from the lead pack.  It was cold, windy, and hilly but FUN.  I could have pushed a lot harder on the way back but there was no sense in pushing the body during a “off season” race.  Don’t get me wrong I tried and worked really hard but not as hard as the “race mentality” would have.  Came through the finish line; smile big and thumbs up with an ending time of 34:51. 

Funny aftermath is that someone mistaked me with fellow GEARGRINDER Joe K which was a big complement to me haha : )

Was a overall fun race! Happy, blessed and thankful that I got to race. 

Thanks for reading.

Ps Mom and Jennifer (sister) you are running that race with me next year! : )

                                                

70.3 Clearwater World Championship Race Report

Leading up to this race I was feeling great, faster and stronger than ever before.

Woke up that morning around 4:30am and left the house by 5:00 to get to race sight by 5:40.  Got all the stuff ready on the bike and then just chilled out with family and friends until my start time at 8:00am.

Swim- 26:04

Got into the water about 15 minutes before start time to warm up little bit.  Gun went off on time, when running into the ocean I tripped falling into the water forcing me to jump up and just about sprint the first 400 to catch up to the lead group.  “pretty funny looking back at it” The ocean was pretty choppy and I hated the taste.  Never really got to feel any power or speed during the swim which sucked, but never got that dead upper body feeling like have gotten in every half distance swim this year.  Came out slower then I wanted but was not overdone at all which was great.  Did not enjoy my first ocean swim to much but made it out safe.

T1 3:04

Running up the beach to T1 grabbed all the water I could to get the nasty salt water taste out of my mouth.  Most people would not be impressed about this, but I thought it was awesome, they had this shower we got to run through that had to have a million water sprockets shooting fresh water on the athletes.  Into T1 I yelled my number as well as all the volunteers but no one seemed to be able to find it, finally got it, and threw all my bike stuff on while losing my goggles and cap in the process.   Got my bike/ helmet/ banana and ran out yelling hey to family and Team manager John White which was a nice surprise seeing him.  Did my first “Flying start” onto the bike, which basically means shoes were on the bike and I just had to jump on which saved some time compared to my usual start.

Bike- 2:13:24  25.19mph

Got away from the big crowd, Velcro’ed up my shoes, drank some fluids and prepare for a powerful bike leg. 

Let me take a minute to explain the Clearwater bike leg.  Going into this race everyone said there would be lots of drafting going on and that you could not help it because there was just not enough room on the course.  VERY untrue, EVERYONE in that race had a choice to ether A jump in a peloton draft pack, allowing you to unfairly ride faster and have fresher legs for the run, or, B ride fair and safe without drafting using all the hard work you put into training for this race.  Of course I chose B which was a lot more of a mental challenge then a physical challenge for me.

Cranked up the first of two good sized inclines along the bike course.  After I enjoyed some free downhill speed I looked down at my Powertap CPU and got up to my “Race watts.”  By mile 10-15ish I had my first A or B decision. Came up to a good sized pack which I could tell was a lot of people in my age group,  I rode by knowing if I caught them I should be able to continue what I was doing, pass and forget about them.  But for you that know how drafting works, the pack passed by me with little sign that they were trying at all.  Of course I was stuck behind them again getting sucked into the draft, so I rode by again, again they rode by me,  this continued about three times until I was fed up with them getting a free ride on me. Put my head down and did a good 10 minute hard effort to get by them and not giving them a chance to jump back on my wheel.  This may have been a match that I should have not used but I was sick of the unfair riding by them.  I continued for a while with nothing to exciting, just enjoying the weather, course, and scenery that the lord gave us to enjoy. 

I loved the feeling that my legs were giving me, could tell that the new type of training with my coach was paying off.  Holding watts and speed that I did not think would be able to do until a couple years down the road.  By the turn around I was excited for that head wind to turn into a tail wind.  Around mile 40 I saw someone in a pack get smoked by a cone and into the ground.  I continued to pass everyone that I came up to with no problem and was happy with the fact that had not been passed by many if any people yet. 

Then around mile 40-45 the hatred for the people who chose choice A given above began to pass me.   Heading down the highway you could see back for a long distance, when I glanced back I felt like Lance Armstrong being chased down by the peloton at the Tour de France.  I pushed down the watts more with the hope of being able to hold the pack from catching me before T2.  Of course they ended up catching me and the pack of about 30 had no problem barreling by with little effort. I was so angry; I worked my ass off for this race just to see so many people cruise by with no effort, it pissed me off.  Instead of yelling vulgar things at the cheaters I started to cheer for them, congratulating them on all the hard work they must have put into training for this world championship race to be riding so fast.  “With lots of sarcasm”

T2 2:54

Came into T2 feeling good and not over worked at all which made me real excited.  

Threw on my blue Nike Lunar Racers and Geargrinder Hat and ran out, excited to show off all my hard work for this run. 

Run- 1:47

Ran the first mile slower then race pace to get the legs ready but, before I could get into race pace my legs said NO and I went down to my knees.  My Vastus Medialis Quadricept muscle cramped SO bad!  It was the same muscle that cramped at my last race in Louisville a couple months ago.  I was in a lot of pain, I thanked the lord for everything and asked for some help.  Then out of no place a guy asked if I needed some salt tablets.  I said, if you have some extra, that would be greatly appreciated.  I got jogging again with this gentleman that decided to help me out.  He reminded me how nice most people in this sport are.  I thanked him for his help and went off, I am determined to “Pay it forward” when my time comes to help someone like he helped me.  I got jogging again but again the quadricept muscle said no and that continued for the rest of the race.  I tried everything to calm it down but nothing helped.  By the second loop my stomach joined my quadricept in saying no and everything started coming out. 

I ended up making it to the finish line, a lot slower then I had hoped but still with a SMILE on my face, and that’s what counts.  After I crossed the finish line and made it to my family, I was hit with emotions that I can’t explain which really showed me no matter how much different a race goes then what I am expecting that I really do love this sport.  I was disappointed at first and the following days but after thinking more and more I am not disappointed at all.  I am truly blessed to even be able to race at a World Championships at an amazing place.  Its hard keeping your head up after such a different race then what you are expecting but it was overall a good race and another GREAT learning experience.

Overall- 4:32

I would like to thank Geargrinders for everything they have done for me, I would never have been able to race at Clearwater without them.  Thanks Mike from Your Training Zone for helping me bike faster and more powerful than ever before.  Thanks PeakPerformance Massage for helping me get to the start line injury free.  Thanks so much to all my amazing Family and Friends who have been there for me no matter what, you all are the BEST.  Most of all, I give thanks to the Lord, for none of this would be possible without you. GTGTG

THANKS for reading, Sorry the report was so long; have so much to say and hard to put into words.  God bless you all. PJE 

55 Min massage?

1 Week until race day!!

Could you use a Free 55 Minute massage?   If so, I am putting on a little competition for whoever can guess the closest to my finishing time in Clearwater next week Saturday.  If you can not comment on my Facebook page you can simply comment on my blog instead. Your guess needs to be down to the second.  (If same guess is given, the prize will go to the person who gave that guess first)  The closest time will receive a free 55 minute massage from Peak Performance Massage in Madison.  I have been getting Massages from Megan at PP for couple months now and can truly say that I would not have been able to do the quality amount of training for Clearwater as I did without PP.  Thanks for voting!! PJE

Really...the last wave

About 2 ½ weeks till the big day.

Just found out my bib number last night and I am number 1577 and starting in wave 17 "LAST WAVE!" That is where this blog entry begins.

WHY at the half ironman “world championship” would you put all of the young, fast men in the LAST WAVE!?! I understand that at smaller races you would put the women who are, no offense, slower in the earlier wave to allow the race to wrap up a little quicker and give them a better race experience. But why at one of the main races of the year would you still put them in front of the faster people?

The first issue is it is a safety risk. You wouldn’t put the slow Model T in front of the Ford Mustang on the highway with little room to go around, we know how that would end. Or put the row boat in front of the big bass boat, same outcome.

The second issue is that no one can put forth his or her best effort. The slow people are getting trampled in the swim and bike, while the faster people have to slow down so they don’t trample over the slower people. It just does not make sense to me at all.

That is the way racing goes I guess. You play the cards you are dealt. I have been dealt a hand and I am going to play it to the best of my ability. Everyone else in my age group has to deal with the same thing so I won’t be the only one.

I think I may try to make the race into a little game, how many people or waves I can catch by the time I am done with the 70.3 mile race? As well as how many people I can motivate by smiling at them and saying, “Good job!” or, “Keep it up!” as I pass.

Thanks for reading and hope no one takes offence to my remarks, PJE

"Student of the sport"

4 weeks and 3 days till race day.... Last week was a rest week which is making this week so much better!!  With my extra time last week I was able to spend even more time becoming a "Student of the sport."  With only 2 years "really one year" of racing under my belt, I feel it will helpe me become more experienced to help me reduce my "Rookie Mistakes."  Kona was this past Saturday and I was glued to my computer watching every second of that race.  I learned so much from the pre race videos/ articles leading up the race and even more while watching the race on Saturday.  Experience and knowledge wins races, so I am trying to gain all the experience and knowledge I can and use that in the races to come.  Hopefully I can slowly but surely use the knowledge I learn and spread it off to you readers.  Thanks PJE

Rest Week

Down weeks are the best but worst thing ever! I hate when I have to relax on the training but know how important it is to have them.  Only recently have a really grasped this rest thing and not a, "all out, balls out" every day I am training.  With the help of my coach I am getting the proper rest resulting in some of the best workouts I have ever done. (Hard Day = Hard, Easy Days = EASY) Thanks for reading... PJE

Group Training

Lets just say "Buckling up and putting the nose to the grindstone" this week went real well.  Feeling fast and light on the run and powerful on the bike. 

This weekend I went up north to a good friends place to train with over the weekend.  Boy I am glad I did, there is something about training with another person that you just cant replicate.  I enjoy training with people who are just plan better then me, because I think it really takes you to another level.  But its something that has to be done with a couple things in mind in order to not hurt yourself. 
1. Pushing each other is good but has to be done safe and in good spirits. 
2. Listen to your body, Training in a group in High School was something that got me hurt a lot I beleave, because I would not listen to what my body was saying instead end up racing each other every day including the easy days.  Make sure to still keep your hard days hard and your easy days easy, which is hard to do if train in groups a lot.
4. Make it fun and enjoy the company.
5. Still do a good amount of hard stuff by yourself because you dont get to have that training partner with you at all times in a race.  Need to be able to train/ race hard on your own as well.

So go find a training partner to push each other and enjoy the day.  Thanks for reading PJE

Back With Vengeance

Vengeance, Dictionary term (the desire for revenge.)

7 Weeks from today is when I will be racing in Clearwater Florida for the half ironman world championships!

Time to "Buckle up" and put the "nose to the grind stone."  I am feeling great at the moment and can hardly wait to toe the line in Clearwater.  But before I can do that there is a LOT of hard work to be done in preparation.  I know there will be one word in the back of my mind during it all. REVENGE! I was talking to a tri friends at the pool the other day and he was mentioning how there is no other race better then a "revenge race."  So I have officially named clearwater my revenge race of IM Louisville.  No I am not angry about Louisville or anything like that, but as most of you know it did not go nearly as well as I had wanted.  I have worked way to hard this summer to not have that "one" race result under my belt.  So I am going to take all that has been built up inside of me and all that I learned during that race and LET IT OUT with everything I have.  So with that said, I am going to go have some fun while Giving The Glory To God working on my revenge race. 

Thanks for reading PJE

First Blog Post of my Triathlon career.

Hey all,
My name is Paul Eicher and I am a young up and comming triathlete from Cross Plains Wisconsin.  I have now competed in 8 triathlons "2 Ironmans, 4 half IM."  To me this sport is all about, HAVING FUN, competing, pushing yourself to the limits and most of all Giving The Glory To God "GTGTG."  A quick list of triathlon events up to this point is this, I competed in Cross Country, Swimming, and Track in High School, I quickly realized that I should just add a bike and do some Triathlons.  My dream goal ever since I could remember was to do a Ironman, so the summer after my senior year I did the Ford Ironman Wisconsin (Home Town).  Every second of that day was AMAZING and quickly realized that this sport was going to be with me for a LONG time.  That winter I herd of a team called GEARGRINDERS (based out of Milwaukee) and ended up racing for them all this year.  They put faith in me before any one else did and helped me out a LOT, and am more thankfull then I can put into words.  With the help of GG this summer I was able to compete in the sport I love so much.  Ended up doing 1 half marathon, 2 duathlons, 2 (not true) olympic distance races, 3 halfs, and one more Ironman.  Also qualified for the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater Florida this November.  Throughout this summers journey I really got involved with the sport.  Started working at Endurance House (Triathlon store,) volunteered at races, meet lots of people in the sport, got aother part sponsorship from Peak Performance Massage (Legs Love). Then at the end of the summer I started working with one of the best triathlon coaches Mike P from YourTrainingZones, who I believe can really bring out my full potential and so excited for that.  Well I still have a lot more to say but I promised to try and keep this short.  Thanks so much for your time, Keep on moving, GTGTG PJE