Life of Riley

Lake George 2009

Yesterday I competed in my first Olympic distance triathlon, the Lake George Triathlon. An Olympic distance is composed of a 1.5k swim, a 40k bike ride, and a 10k run. The event was held at Lake George in Upstate New York. This was by far my biggest undertaking since starting doing triathlons a year ago.

I had my whole training regimen worked out and I did pretty good at following it...until I hit vacation time at the end of August. I was swimming and running pretty regularly and was even biking in my apartment when I could. My training schedule fell apart when I cam back home for Travers and labor day. The most I did was run 3 miles (once) and ride 30 miles (once). I did run last week once in preparation...but I certainly wouldn't say that I was in tip-top shape.

Well, race morning came and I was up and at 'em early as could be...about 5am or so. It was a lovely 40 degrees outside and still dark. I had a little bit to eat, got my stuff in the car and we were off...yep, Caroline made the trek with me bright and early.

By the time 8:30 rolled around, which was race time, it was up to probably 45 degrees or so and the lake temp was just shy of 70 degrees. I was in for a cold one and I knew it. It was so cold that I didn't want to get into the water until I absolutely had to...so I stood at the back of the pack while everyone else took off. The swim was...well, the swim. It was fairly easy for me, though my time wasn't as fast as I would have liked. The water was really choppy and they had us swimming against the current...both ways. Fun...but not really.

Then came the bike. I got out of the water, adrenaline pumping, and then I realized how incredibly cold it was. I started to shiver, which made it tough to get my socks, shoes, helmet & gloves on. I managed...finally...and was off on the bike. I felt pretty good...accept for the occasional shivers as I dried off. At about mile 9 or 10 it became extraordinarily hard to pedal my bike and I felt like I was lugging a million pounds behind me. I kept hearing a funny whirring sound, but I didn't want to stop to check it out, so I continued on. Well...come to find out, I rode the final 15 or so miles with a flat tire. Yep...completely flat. So that million pounds I felt like I was tugging along...it was just me and the back half of my bike. The course was tough...not gonna lie. There were plenty of fairly steep hills that made me want to get off and walk (I'm sure the flat didn't help here). It was pretty scenic as well...would be nice for a nature ride when the leaves change...in a car!

When I finally got in from the bike there were already folks finishing. It was a real-deal race, so I wasn't surprised. I was off on the run. Nothing too special here...some little hills here and there but a nice run course around the Village. The first loop was a little tough, but once the determination kicked in, I was able to kick it up a notch or three and finished strong. I was probably averaging about a 10 minute mile (or a little more) for the first loop and probably got that down to about 8 1/2 or so for the final 3 miles. I was happy with that performance...especially since I didn't stop to walk at all as so many others did.

All-in-all I had a blast. The race was so well organized and the folks at the Adirondack Tri Club put on an awesome time. The MC of the day did a great job keeping everyone in the loop...whether it was keeping us in check before the race started or anouncing everyone as we crossed the finish line, he was on point. The atmosphere was great after the race as well. It was nice to see that so many people stuck around after the race to hang out and enoy the food and music.

This race was probably the hardest thing that I have done to this point in my life. I am sore as sore can be today...my knees hurt, my hips are sore, my shoulders are sore...but I am totally looking forward to the next one! It was a great end to a great racing season. My goal for next year is quality over quantity. I finished 5 races this summer with respectable times at each. Next year I am going to tone that down by a few races and shoot for better times and better finishes.

Now it's off to football season...hopefully I can keep the activity level up there while I watch my 'Boys!

Trouble is brewing...

The Lake George Triathlon is in less than one week and I have not worked out or trained in well over a week. While I was home on vacation my training was basically put on hold in lieu of golfing, tv, and hanging with pups. I tried running a couple of times when I was home...the first time I felt like puking after 2 miles or so and the second time I was sore for three days after (a simple 3.1 mile workout). Seeing as how this is my longest race to date and I have sore quads after yesterday's Diamond Dash, I am extremely nervous for this race...extremely nervous!

Bored, Bored, and more Bored

I have my next race in less than one week and I find myself sitting here on my butt! I haven't exercised at all since Thursday and I don't know if I'll get more than a couple of miles in prior to the race on Saturday. Most things were or are my choice, but I am going a little crazy at this point. I am hoping that I will be able to slip my sneaks on in the morning and be able to get at least a few miles in before work. The new piece on my foot may hamper those plans a bit, though, as I am still a little swollen and running may not be as easy as I would like. The real trick will be getting through the race this weekend. I am not sure what I was thinking...wait, yes I do...Johnny is an amazing artist, he had an opening, I knew what I wanted, sold. Mind over matter all, mind over matter.

I am working on a few things right now. Some on hold, some waiting for other's input, and some just waiting until I feel like getting there. Life is good and I'm happy...truly happy!

DQ Triathlon at King's Grant

This morning I competed in the DQ Triathlon at King's Grant. The course was comprised of a 1/4 mile swim, a 10 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run.

This was my second race organized by DQ Events and I was not all that impressed for a second straight week. The morning started with a lovely drive in a downpour to the race site, which was only about 20 minutes from the hotel I chose to stay at. Once I arrived at the race site, I realized that there was not designated race parking and, as such, was directed to park on the side of the road...about 1/2 mile out from the transition area. When I finally got to packet pick up, I was told that although I had registered (and paid) for a size medium t-shirt there were only large and XL left. I was not happy about this since I like wearing my race tees and a large is just too big for me.

The race finally started in the pouring rain (almost on time this week) with a standing start in the lake. The water was shallow enough that we were able to stand in the water while the horn blew. The lake was so murky that you couldn't see an inch and a half in front of your own face. This made it very difficult as many folks ended up zig-zagging across the pack they were with. After the swim came the 10 mile bike, which was flat and as fast as it could be washed over with the rain. The bike course was set up as three loops of one designated course. I don't like this at all! Finally came the run...which started out well, but quickly became tricky as they never altered the route to take into account the torrential rain. The run route made a very brief pass through a neighborhood en route to an off-road trail. With all of the rain the off road trail became flooded and we ended up having to navigate huge puddles, when possible, or just simply running through them. I ended up finishing the race in a time of 1:10:20...which ranked me 96th. MY FIRST TOP 100 FINISH!!

I am looking forward to having the next two weekends off with no races, but am eagerly looking forward to Crystal Lake on the 29th and Lake George on September 19th.

Triathlon/Duathlon for Autism - presented by Belmar, Lake Como & Spring Lake

 So I am just back from triathlon #3 Triathlon for Autism that took place in Belmar, NJ. The race was my first with an ocean swim and I have to say that it wasn't as difficult as I thought it may be. In fact, I think that it was a bit (just a bit) easier than a flat/calm/lake water swim. In any event, it was a 1/4 mile swim, an 11.5 mile bike ride, and then a 3.1 mile (5k) run. My goal was to finish within an hour twenty minutes...and I did...by 4 seconds! At least I didn't blow it by 4 seconds!! The race would have been a complete success if it wasn't for the two blisters that I developed on the insole of my right foot. I am hoping that they go away as quick as possible!!

Now I look forward to race #4...next weekend back down in Jersey...I think it's called the King's Grant and each leg is the same as this weekend's race. As long as the blisters go away I think it should be fun.

Pine Bush 2009

This past weekend I once again competed in the Pine Bush Triathlon. The Pine Bush is quite a bit shorter than the other races that I have completed since the last one, so I was pretty excited that I would be able to do really well and improve significantly over last year's time (about 1 hour 27 minutes). The course included a 325 yard swim, an 11.5 mile bike ride, and finished with a 3.25 mile run.

I randomly chose a goal of one hour and fifteen minutes in which to complete the race. But once I set the goal I started to think realistically about what I would need to do in order to meet this...I would have to work my ass off throughout in order to have any shot. Long story short...one hour, fifteen minutes, and 26 seconds. Yep...I missed the mark by 26 measly seconds.

I am pretty stoked that I was able to take 12 minutes off of my time from last year, but I am also bummed that I came so close to what I thought was an unrealistic goal without reaching it. Oh well, there's always next year...and I will be there again next year...shooting for an hour ten (small steps this time)!!

Big congrats to Caroline too for not only giving this a go, but finishing strong (and only walking once)! I am very impressed at the time she was able to post.

Next up...King's Grant in Northern Jersey somewhere on the 9th of August then the Crystal Lake on Travers' Day up near Albany. If those two go well I am thinking that the Lake George Triathlon may come into the picture. Only time will tell...

SBR Tri Series: Race #1

SBR Triathlon Series: Race #1
0.5 mi swim, 16.0 mi bike, 3.1 mi run

It was nice to get back at it...though I was pretty nervous pulling into the parking lot and seeing all of the tri-bikes. There were so many people that looked so much more serious than me. And those were just the people in the parking lot...doesn't count those that decided that the race wasn't enough and actually rode their bikes to the park!

The overall course was fairly difficult. The bike course started with a slow incline that gradually led to an awesome 2-3 mile twisty, downhill that ultimately would be my favorite part of the course. I started out pretty hesitant on the downhill, afraid to get too fast for fear of flying off the front again. Once I got my nerves under control I let as loose as I could as was hitting 30-35 around the twists and turns...I forgot how great that feels. I was a little nervous about the amount of wobble in my front tire though...something I'll need to get checked out soon.

The run course was a mile and a half out and back trail run which was nice as well. It was wooded and the trails were maintained fairly well. I enjoyed being in the shade of the woods, which definitely kept things cool. And the trail definitely made my knees a little happier than the pavement would've.

I was disappointed that I didn't get a t-shirt (though I did get a bag that I'll probably never use) and feel the $80 entry fee was a little high with lack of any entertainment or anything to keep folks around after the race. The after race refreshments were pretty standard...bagels, bananas, and energy bars...with nothing special to talk about. In the end I'm glad that I did it and I met my goal of finishing under 2 hours (barely, but it still counts).

I'm starting to see why people say that these things are so addictive...I'm already looking at bumping the scheduled 3 races to 6...maybe more, hopefully with an Olympic at the end of the summer. And I even think that I'm going to fit in a 4 mile run on July 4th. The next couple tris that I am doing are a bit shorter, so I'm trying to decide what my goals will be for them.

birthday challenge...done and done!

While surfing some fitness websites back in July I came across the B-Fit B-Day Challenge. At that time I decided that if I could find a place to swim, I would go for it and complete the challenge for my birthday. Well, a few weeks back, I made a plan to come back to Saratoga for the weekend, get a day pass to the new YMCA and get this done...2000 yard swim, 8 mile run, & 28 mile bike.

The last week has been hell! I came down with a nasty head cold on Tuesday, felt like death by Thursday and thought that I was just about over this thing last night. But I woke up again this morning just as congested as any other morning this week and feeling like crap. I was, however, too stubborn to give up my plans to get this challenge complete.

Once I got my butt out of bed shortly after 8 I stepped outside really quickly to assess the possibility of actually doing the run & bike outside. I actually considered it...although it was 7 degrees outside. After about an hour of humming and hawing, I decided that it'd probably be best to just get everything done at the Y.

I got things going at just about 11am on the treadmill. After 6 miles I decided that I needed to switch things up a bit, so I got on the bike. I knocked out the first 14 miles and decided that I needed a little rest, so I headed back to the locker room for a little snack and some rest. After a 15 minute hiatus I was back on the bike to complete the last 14 miles and then came the final 2 miles of the run.

Having only my swim left I headed back to the locker room and suited up. My legs were pretty tired at this point, but I was determined to get this thing done. Less than half way through I started to get nasty charlie-horses in my legs each time I pushed off the wall. I managed to get through them and get through the swim in pretty good time.

I was at the gym for a total of 5 hours and 10 minutes, but that includes my breaks here and there. My times for each part were: run (8 mis) 1:25:36, bike (28 mis) 1:34:58, swim (2000 yds) 51:06. I'm happy that I managed to complete this and am even happier that I was able to do it at the "gold" level. I probably would have gone for the platinum if it wasn't for this GD head cold...there's always next year!

crystal lake tri

Yesterday I completed my second triathlon. I competed in the Crystal Lake Triathlon down in Averill Park, which is a little more than an hour south of Saratoga. Up before the birds...and before the bars closed...I was out the door and on my way by 5:30am. The event was very well planned and the volunteers were very helpful.

I was a bit overwhelmed looking out at what a half mile swim actually looked like...but I got over it pretty quickly. The water was actually very nice...not too cold, not too comfortable. The bike course was full of hills...I am not sure there was a flat stretch of more than a few hundred yards at any given point...killer! The run course was fairly flat...but it also had its fair share of hills.

I finished right in the middle of the pack overall and not last in my age group. I improved on my run time a bit as well as my bike average, so I was happy about that. I am seriously debating the Lake George tri...which is in another 3 weeks and is quite a bit longer...but only if I can put together a team.

at it again...

I have signed up for another triathlon this summer. I am a bit disappointed as there is no real beneficiary for this race...the funds go to support the local triathlon club. This is fine, of course, but it is always nicer to know that my registration dollars are going to a 'good' cause...like cancer research or the local YMCA.