Monday, June 27, 2011

Day Of First Times



     Well it was a group of firsts this week at the Mighty Wolf Triathlon.

-First time doing a sprint distance triathlon
-First time using USANA Nutrimeal shake for my breakfast as well as using USANA Rev3 energy before the race.
-First time getting a flat on the bike during a race
-First time getting a DNF next to my name on results

     Overall it was still a success! Yes walking 4 miles in my biking shoes was not ideal but it allowed me to relax enjoy the nice weather and just think about things.  Also I got to meet a lot of new people, which is always a lot of fun.  Meeting new people through triathlons always good because you know for the most part they are all good quality people.  Went up to do this race for my coach Mike P from Your Training Zone, was a big team event and never realized how many people are coached through the team.  With such a large team it amazing how I still always have a personalized training plan for me each week. 

     The part of the race that I did complete went well.  The swim was in a big man made pond which I wish so bad that we would have one near Madison.  I of course happened to find the only rock in the nice sandy beach while running into the water at the start and really hurt my foot.  I felt really smooth and fast in the water, which is exactly the kind of motivator I needed with Munci 70.3 coming up.  I excite the water and for once had a fast T1.  Jumped only the Black Beast and flew away.  It was only a 15mile bike so I figured I would just hammer it until my legs got to tired to peddle and by the time that came it would be time to run the 3mile run.  Felt strong on the bike and was happy with my new bike position. Felt really comfortable and  relaxed so I could put all my effort into the peddle and not waist any trying to get getting comfortable.  Then little after I passed the 10mile mark I herd a hisssssssss.  Was hoping that I could maybe ride slow enough all the way back and through down a solid run to still put up a strong result but did not want to risk screwing up my race wheels.  I did not have a spare tube or repair kit with it only being a 15mile bike so I started walking.  Few people asked if I needed help but knew that no one would have an extender to fit my wheel.  So I cheered people on as they flew by on the bikes.  That’s the 2nd flat in the past week so just have to get one more to get the “Group of 3” out before Munci. 

     After the race there was a party at coaches house which was really fun.  Good company, good food, good music, good drinks and great weather.  Great way to finish up the day.

Thanks for reading!! GTGTG

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Elkhart Lake


Elkhart Lake USAT Midwest Regional Championships

Going into this race I had 3 goals
1. Have FUN
2. Learn How to Race a triathlon
3. Not have the cramps in the legs like past three races

I raced this race last year and was really excited to give it a try again, placed 3rd last year and goal was to win this year.  They have a good amount of prize money for top 5 places, which brought me back.  Drove up to the beautiful summer getaway Friday afternoon to cold, rain and wind.  Checked into the race; number 66 and then went out to dinner with a couple friends followed by a movie which lead to a late bedtime.  Sodium loading the night before and morning of the race was one change in race plans to help correct the muscle cramping. 
                  Race morning came and of course it was cold and raining.  Eat my normal pre race breakfast and drove to the race.  Arriving at the race course right off the bat I saw 3 other P4’s, which was shocking.  Got transition set up and rolled around on the bike checking up on everything.  Was happy to see my family, girlfriend and coach before the start, which always brings up the moral. 
                  Finally the gun went off and off we go dolphin diving into the crystal clear water.  My goal was to come out of the water with the swim premium.  Found the lead swimmers feet and stuck on them for as long as I could.  But then he started to swerve around “Think he saw me getting a free ride and did not like that.”  I lost a bit of distance by the turn around and that one body length would NEVER shorten up for the rest of the swim.  I realized after that the swim must have been long because I was swimming a lot faster but ended up having a slower time.  I looked at a few other people who raced at Elkhart and all the times were a bit slower.  Kind of sucked because I was excited to see the result from all my hard work in the pool.
                  Into T1 I was pretty tired, of course I had an extremely slow T1 like normal.  When I finally got onto my bike I could not see the lead guy for the life of me.  “Really need to work on my transitions” Was focused on the task ahead, get within sight of the lead, get over the many hills, not exert to much effort and enjoy the new bike.
                  I started cruising and focused on what the goal for the race was “Learn how to race and win.”  At the start of the start of the ride I had to keep on reminding myself that I did not have to come off the bike in first.   Being within sight of the leader would be good enough for me, and then I knew I could show off my hard run work I have been putting in.  So slowly but surely I started seeing glimpse of the leader.  That glimpse started turning into a figure, that figure started turning into a silhouette, that silhouette turned into a person until I was finally right behind him.  Up to that point I was focusing on not working to hard.  I was watching the rider and realized that every up hill I would gain some good distance and on the flats I would stay the same.  So finally around mile 12 I put in a little extra effort around and took the lead.  I worked the next couple hills until I could not see him any more and then backed the effort level down again.  Finished up the bike un eventful other then cheering on the other age groupers going the other way which is always nice getting a couple smiles out.  Came rolling into T2 and saw my whole cheering section “Very supportive family, friends and girlfriend.”  Also had the surprise to see my coach Mike P from yourtrainningzone. For the first ride on the P4 I was really happy, comfortable and fast.  Not sure what I could have done if was putting down a hard effort but was happy that I saved enough for the run because that is one part of my racing that I need to work on.  “Not biking to hard so run falls apart”
                  Sad to say but my T2 was probably slower then what my grandma could do.  I even sat down to get my socks on; my hands were so cold that I could not tie my shoes or feel my toes haha. “I think I may be a wimp” Task ahead with my trusty Newton shoes under me, stay in the lead and have fun!  Also make it to the finish of the hard hilly run course.
                  The fans were awesome running out of T2; I could not wipe the smile off my face the whole time.  Even though I knew I hopefully had a good amount of time on second place I put the legs into high gear.  First mile split came in and I was shocked, heart rate was also haha.  Next couple miles where un eventful being out of the main cheering section so just focused on fast running and being smart.  At the turn around I was able to see all the chasers and dam did they look like they were running fast.  This freaked me out, still new to this running in the lead and all the competitors looked like they would catch me in no time.  With that panic I decided I should stop fooling around and try to put some more time in between them and me.  I was doing the worst thing a racer could do, kept on looking back to see if I could see any one.  I felt like the deer being chased by the hunters.  Finally around mile 3 or so, a spectator saw me looking back so often and he said a few amazing words.  “Dude your in the clear, don’t worry about them, enjoy yourself.”  At that moment my mind switched like a light switch, from going ahhh they are coming for me to, ahhh this if fun lets just enjoy the last couple miles and not hurt myself pushing to hard when I don’t need to.  Couple more hard hills went by and the finishing crowd finally came into sight.  Was so happy to see the crowd, family, and friends.  Gave some high fives, smiled and ran through the finish.  I was so happy, finally 3 races latter I was able to put together a race without a breakdown.  After smiling so much the whole race I thought that I would get a break from that but of course I did not.  The smiles went on for the rest of the day.
                  After a nice talk with my coach who I thank so much for the result, I got to be embraced by my family, congratulate the other competitors and talk to the press a bit.  For the rest of my time at Elkhart I simply enjoyed the amazing company and the beautiful area.  Before I finish up this long blog post I would like to thank Endurance House for helping me so much, Peak Performance Massage for keeping my body going, Yourtrainningzone for helping me train to my full potential and of course the Lord for everything he does GTGTG.  Hope you all enjoyed the post.


Saturday, June 4, 2011

The Black Beast

I FINALLY have a TT bike again!!! The result a shiny new “Black Beast” Carvel P4. After a long beginning of the year without a TT bike I feel like it was a blessing in disguise.  I have been using my gracious friends extra road bike for the beginning of the year and now that I am on a TT bike again I feel like I have a LOT more power on the bike then before.  Riding a road bike taught me many things and plan on trying to begin each season and other parts during the season on a road bike.  I love being on a triathlon bike a lot more but feel like mixing it up on the leg muscles helps a tremendous amount.  So yes I have one of the best bikes on the market now, but it still comes down to my own two engines that due the grunt of the labor.  Those to engines are primed and ready to race next week at Elkhart Lake.  Cant wait to show off all the hard work that I have been putting in. 



Thanks to Endurance House for helping me get my new bike,  Jeff D/ Mark H for helping me build/ learn how to build a bike,  my friends who helped convince me to go all out and get the P4 and my family/girlfriend who are just amazing!!  GTGTG
Thanks, Paul E