Friday, August 8, 2008
How many more weeks left??????
On Monday I looked at the calendar only to see that four weeks are left before the race. WOW...four weeks...wow...four weeks.....yeah.......
Monday, August 4, 2008
Muncie Endurathon - Bike
When I finally came out of the water, I saw the dark gray clouds and the rain coming down hard, and thought to myself - "56 miles in the rain...nice."
My attitude for half-irons are completely different than olympics and sprints. In the latter, it is a rush rush mentality...I need to get through as fast as I can. In half irons or 70.3s, I relax and take my time because there is a long ride ahead of me. That day, I was even less of a rush because of the rain.
I am not a strong swimmer at all so when I reached the T1 (1st transition), half of the bikes were gone. Cycling is my strongest part, especially since I have been racing bikes since I was 12, so I wasn't too worried.
The course was nice and smooth until the last 10 miles or so. The beginning leg of the course went through what looked like former railroad tracks that were paved over and not used as a bike path. After that we made a left on to some a 4 lane road which was still smooth.
My strategy for these races is to warm up for at least for the first third or first half and spin on the small front ring and then shift to the larger ring on the second half of the course.
Although the rain was sometimes painful, it did provide relief from the heat.
I didn't get passed too much and the people who did pass me looked like pros...all decked out in their aero wheels.
I pretty much traded spots with a few people but then at the end picked up the pace until the end.
One of things I am always amazed about is the aid stations because trying to grab a water bottle at 15 mph is tough and with the rain, it made it funny. I saw many people grab the bottle but then drop it and volunteers running alongside the riders to hand them bottles.
This is a big difference from the sprints and olympic is distance is the presence of aid stations.
After being the saddle for 3 hours, I was glad to see the transition....
My attitude for half-irons are completely different than olympics and sprints. In the latter, it is a rush rush mentality...I need to get through as fast as I can. In half irons or 70.3s, I relax and take my time because there is a long ride ahead of me. That day, I was even less of a rush because of the rain.
I am not a strong swimmer at all so when I reached the T1 (1st transition), half of the bikes were gone. Cycling is my strongest part, especially since I have been racing bikes since I was 12, so I wasn't too worried.
The course was nice and smooth until the last 10 miles or so. The beginning leg of the course went through what looked like former railroad tracks that were paved over and not used as a bike path. After that we made a left on to some a 4 lane road which was still smooth.
My strategy for these races is to warm up for at least for the first third or first half and spin on the small front ring and then shift to the larger ring on the second half of the course.
Although the rain was sometimes painful, it did provide relief from the heat.
I didn't get passed too much and the people who did pass me looked like pros...all decked out in their aero wheels.
I pretty much traded spots with a few people but then at the end picked up the pace until the end.
One of things I am always amazed about is the aid stations because trying to grab a water bottle at 15 mph is tough and with the rain, it made it funny. I saw many people grab the bottle but then drop it and volunteers running alongside the riders to hand them bottles.
This is a big difference from the sprints and olympic is distance is the presence of aid stations.
After being the saddle for 3 hours, I was glad to see the transition....
Thank you for your support
My blog is not always completely updated so I hope to finish up my thoughts from the muncie race and continue with a brief description of my training regiment these past few weeks and the next 4.5 till race day.
I would like to take time to thank all of those who came up to me and showed their support. I have dedicated this race to my family, especially my mom who is suffering from kidney failure and dad who is very supportive of her, Our Lady (who has protected me) and the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius.
I was trying to bring awareness to kidney problems but the many organizations that I contacted weren't very helpful. On the contrary Fr. Phillips and St. John Cantius and the parishoners have been very supportive my efforts to not only finish the race by race money for the Canons.
I have been training all spring and summer amidst the stresses of life and various injuries but when I see all of you approach my display, talk about triathlons and donate whatever you can, it helps get through the 100 mile bike rides and and 13 mile runs.
I have finished the race yet so please stop by and and say hello, it does mean a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the Canons.
I would like to take time to thank all of those who came up to me and showed their support. I have dedicated this race to my family, especially my mom who is suffering from kidney failure and dad who is very supportive of her, Our Lady (who has protected me) and the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius.
I was trying to bring awareness to kidney problems but the many organizations that I contacted weren't very helpful. On the contrary Fr. Phillips and St. John Cantius and the parishoners have been very supportive my efforts to not only finish the race by race money for the Canons.
I have been training all spring and summer amidst the stresses of life and various injuries but when I see all of you approach my display, talk about triathlons and donate whatever you can, it helps get through the 100 mile bike rides and and 13 mile runs.
I have finished the race yet so please stop by and and say hello, it does mean a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the Canons.
To do list
It is less than a month until the race and I still have many things to add to this blog. Here is my list:
1. running styles (updated)
2. running shoes
3. difference between sprint and olympic vs. half-iron vs. iron - preparation, strategy, clothing etc.
4. hydration - fuelbelt vs. water bottles vs. camelback
5. nutrition
6. stretching
7. clothing
I may be competing in the Longhorn 70.3 in October so I hope to get through all of this by then.
1. running styles (updated)
2. running shoes
3. difference between sprint and olympic vs. half-iron vs. iron - preparation, strategy, clothing etc.
4. hydration - fuelbelt vs. water bottles vs. camelback
5. nutrition
6. stretching
7. clothing
I may be competing in the Longhorn 70.3 in October so I hope to get through all of this by then.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Muncie Endurathon - Swim
Last weekend I competed in the Muncie Endurathon. This race has a long history and was well run.
Each competitor is given an assigned space to rack their bike. Some may not like this because of the position but for individuals like me who do not arrive super early, it seems fair.
The swimming went well and I enjoy racing this distance. Since it is a longer race, the swim appears to be more relaxed, free from the mad rush of a sprint and olympic. Unfortunately for me, I am not a good swimmer and tend to zig zag, resulting in swimming more than 1.2m. I still enjoyed the swim and wasn't panicked but I did get a little scared when I looked back and saw dark clouds. Midway through the swim, it started to downpour. Rain isn't necessarily bad...I was already wet but it just got a little dark.
I exited the water to cheering spectators followed by a long run uphill to T1.
Each competitor is given an assigned space to rack their bike. Some may not like this because of the position but for individuals like me who do not arrive super early, it seems fair.
The swimming went well and I enjoy racing this distance. Since it is a longer race, the swim appears to be more relaxed, free from the mad rush of a sprint and olympic. Unfortunately for me, I am not a good swimmer and tend to zig zag, resulting in swimming more than 1.2m. I still enjoyed the swim and wasn't panicked but I did get a little scared when I looked back and saw dark clouds. Midway through the swim, it started to downpour. Rain isn't necessarily bad...I was already wet but it just got a little dark.
I exited the water to cheering spectators followed by a long run uphill to T1.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
75 miles...my back hurts...
Last Saturday, I rode 75 miles through the Northern branch of the Cook County Forest Preserve from my parents home to Highland Park near the Botanic Gardens and back which is a 25 mile loop. I completed the loop 3 times for a total of 75 miles. After the second loop, I stopped to get some new water bottles.
When completing a ride that long three issues arise: 1) pacing; 2) hyrdation and 3) nutrition. When it comes to the pacing issue, I for the most part, just tried to keep a steady pace of 18-20mph with an average speed of 17mph..this worked well until I hit mile 65 when I just became really tired. The difference between cycling in a triathlon and a cycling-specific race is body position. Even in cycling specific racing, cyclist drop down to the lower part of the handle bars, this is not as demanding on the body as riding in the aero position of tri/time trial bike. I spend most of the time in that position but when I reached mile 65, I couldn't handle it anymore and even got to the point of sitting up because my back hurt.
Hydration, was not a problem. When you are doing such a long ride, it is important to do it in loops so you can get new water bottles. Drinking water will not suffice because the body does not absorb the fluids quickly enough. I drink Gatorade Endurance because it is high in electrolytes and is served in most of the races. I usually drink 70% Gatorade and 30% water.
Nutrition...I get so hungry on the rides. I eat Gu gels every hour and either fig netwons or peanut butter sandwiches every half hour. The carbs are good but practically speaking, I get sick of gels and need something substantive.
Next week...75 miles with a 45 minutes run...how fun!!!!!
When completing a ride that long three issues arise: 1) pacing; 2) hyrdation and 3) nutrition. When it comes to the pacing issue, I for the most part, just tried to keep a steady pace of 18-20mph with an average speed of 17mph..this worked well until I hit mile 65 when I just became really tired. The difference between cycling in a triathlon and a cycling-specific race is body position. Even in cycling specific racing, cyclist drop down to the lower part of the handle bars, this is not as demanding on the body as riding in the aero position of tri/time trial bike. I spend most of the time in that position but when I reached mile 65, I couldn't handle it anymore and even got to the point of sitting up because my back hurt.
Hydration, was not a problem. When you are doing such a long ride, it is important to do it in loops so you can get new water bottles. Drinking water will not suffice because the body does not absorb the fluids quickly enough. I drink Gatorade Endurance because it is high in electrolytes and is served in most of the races. I usually drink 70% Gatorade and 30% water.
Nutrition...I get so hungry on the rides. I eat Gu gels every hour and either fig netwons or peanut butter sandwiches every half hour. The carbs are good but practically speaking, I get sick of gels and need something substantive.
Next week...75 miles with a 45 minutes run...how fun!!!!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Continued Training
Even though I haven't been consistent about writing about my training, I HAVE been training. Last Saturday, I rode 50 miles on my bike. It was a nice ride but doing the loops more than once tend to get boring.
Last Sunday, I ran 9.5 miles based on a running schedule that my friend and I had created for me. I was a little tired from the previous day's ride but during the race I will be tired from the previous activity. I stayed below 80% MHR. It was a good run. Two weeks prior, I wasn't as prepared and after mile 7, I became hungry and delirious or deliriously hungry..thinking about pizza and ice cream. During this run, I packed fig newtons.
Monday was a rest day. Tuesday, I ran 3 miles with one set of fartleks. Today...I didn't have time to train as of the publication of this post, so I did some weight training during lunch.
Last Sunday, I ran 9.5 miles based on a running schedule that my friend and I had created for me. I was a little tired from the previous day's ride but during the race I will be tired from the previous activity. I stayed below 80% MHR. It was a good run. Two weeks prior, I wasn't as prepared and after mile 7, I became hungry and delirious or deliriously hungry..thinking about pizza and ice cream. During this run, I packed fig newtons.
Monday was a rest day. Tuesday, I ran 3 miles with one set of fartleks. Today...I didn't have time to train as of the publication of this post, so I did some weight training during lunch.
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