Ironman

Number 6 is in the books. For those that didn't follow, I finished in 10h 47m, good enough for 260th overall (2300 starters), but unfortunately only 53rd (444 starters) in my age group. Some how everyone is getting faster but me? Last qualifying slot this year was 9:55, when conditions were worse than last year! That is nearly a 2o minute increase from last year. As I have said before, if you can't run a marathon in 3:30 or less, you won't qualify. I did run better this year than last, 3:57, compared to 4:05. But not good enough. My strategy of going easy on the bike to run better, didn't seem to make a difference. I think 10 min slower on the bike, but only 5 min faster on the run. May as well just bike hard... it's more fun!!
The swim was very rough. Lots of scattered waves in your face going out, and BIG chop at the turn around. At times I would look up to breath and see people far above my head going over the next wave. Amazingly, I swam nearly exactly last years time.

After a very long transition that I put on my winter wind front base layer, arm warmers and full fingered gloves, I was off on the bike. My goal was average 200W, no more than 250ish. That was not possible. Some of the hills just to keep moving and not walk I had to get in the 300's for less than 30sec. Still no HR above 150. I'll down load the info later, but at no time was I breathing hard. Almost bored though. I was cold at times early, than warmed some during brief periods of sun, but then got cold again as the clouds and wind rolled in.

For the run, I figured I would be working hard, so I got rid of the arm warmers and winter shirt. In retrospect, maybe I should have kept one of them? It was cold! Plus the wind, made my hands frozen. At least the pounding in my legs kept my mind off my hands, until I would try to use them to drink. By the end, all my fingers were white. Luckily, I finished just as the rain started so I didn't get too cold. Go figure, 3 years ago I was here in 95 deg temps and dying. Today, 55 deg and rain.

That should be the end of the Ironman days. Despite a few different training methods and schedules, I can't seem to run much faster in ironman. Rather than torturing myself more trying to qualify, I think it's time to just ride my bike(s).....

rk

Yard Project

With all the down time for not having to train much lately, we have been able to nearly finish the side yard project. What was going to be a simple "table for next to the hammock" turned out a little bigger. Much nicer however. A little less grass, a little more relaxation spot. Not a bad trade off. Just a few more rocks for the patio section and it should be done. Just in time for me to relax the rest of the summer!? Karen will be off training for her mid-mountain marathon in September, so maybe I can catch some Z's in the Hammock!!
R

Run like a Kenyan

This is the theme for my run this year. After practicing shorter steps and higher cadence, I saw a video of the Kenyan's and Craig Alexander running at last years Ironman. What do they have in common? They look the same. Well, not just skinny and blazing fast, but with short strides, flat foot strike and high cadence. Though the Kenyans do it at 4:40 pace, I just hope to be able to make 8:00 pace. So, for Sunday the theme in my head will be bike like a turtle and run like a Kenyan!!

rk

False Start...

So saturday was to be the first race of the season. A half-ironman distance race in ID called Vikingman. Driving there Friday night we ran into VERY windy conditions (30+mph) and driving rain at times. By the end of Dinner it had stopped raining, though was still pretty Chilly. Went to bed after getting the bike all ready, clothes laid out and a review everything was working.

4:30am Saturday am, I wake up to the alarm, trying to deny to myself I am actually thinking about getting up and racing, but I actually do. I set two Eggo blueberry waffles in the toaster, open the JIF peanut butter and Honey jar ( a new find which kicks ass!!) I have had it everyday for breakfast thus far since then!! Anyway, then I open the door....... RAINING, 48 deg. and wind blowing. @$**%^$ $#%*(%$(....... Okay, do I race or go to bed? The SLC weather report said HI 65/Low 50, 20% showers in PM. So, for my warm clothes I packed a long sleeve Under armor cool gear shirt and arm warmers. No rain jacket, no wind breaker, no down Everest Suit!! After alot of language I don't think the Burley people would approve of, I decide to bag the race. Since my weight is now 162 and I was standing outside in denium pants, two shirts, socks, all DRY and SHIVERING, I did not think I would get more than 1-2 miles on a flat bike course. Not to mention the wet roads and Coeur d' Alene in 2 weeks. So we left Burly after less than 12 hours and came home to a gorgous day. I went to the airport to get a workout in, aeo helmet, disc wheel the whole works. Just happened to be the state TT race that time. Got permission to just ride on the road, I think in the middle of the Cat IV race. Road 40 miles, then ran 14 at race pace with good sensations in the legs!! Kept the run under 8:00/mile pace and the bike average at 22.5 (200W strict!). Hard to do when all these guys are riding hard around you, but I kept to the plan. So, the rocket ship is ready, the run legs are coming!! Now the mental games begin.....