Multi-Sport RacingTriathalons and Adventure Racing have been sweeping the nation at a phenomenal rate. Multi-Sport Racing is one of the few sports where just completing a race is often considered a victory. Learn all about this sport, post photos, meet potential teammates or brag about your performance in a race.
I'm trying to beat my time from last year of 2h 35m 44s. I'm a bit worried, my body has no top gear lately. I've been struggling to get below a 7:30/mile on the run, and my rides have been very blah. My knee has been sore, so I'm hoping it holds up over the weekend. It's supposed to reach the high 90's on Sunday, so it'll be hot. Luckily, my wave goes out at 6:30am. So I should be done by about 9am, and avoid the heat!
I've done one swim in the past 2 weeks, so I'm a bit nervous. I think I might just red line the entire swim and see where I end up. Should be fun! I'll probably just get into a comfort zone and try to beat my time on the bike and run. I'm shooting for a 42:00 10K, so if I can run that, I'll be in good shape.
I've been resting as much as I can, icing as much as I can. I just hope my body responds on Sunday. I'm learning my limits though, which I know I will appreciate when I start my Ironman training. If I push my limits now, they will expand and I will become better. Hopefully....
Now, I go eat, drink water, eat, sleep, and drive to the triathlon mecca that is Boulder. Wish me luck all, I'll post pics and a race report on Sunday or Monday. Until then, ride it like you stole it!
E
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
__________________
"Maybe you're not as fast as the person in front of you, but certainly faster than the person who never started" - John Collins, creator of Ironman.
Best of luck, Eric. We'll be looking forward to your report. I love Boulder! Kick some ass!
__________________ “I have always done my duty. I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me.”
-- Zachary Taylor, 12th U.S. President, 1849-1850
Well, it went great. Thanks for all of your positive thoughts, I really needed them.
I got out to the Res about 4:50am, and got my tires pumped, water filled, and body marking. I got a great transition area, and made a few new friends from both the CU and CSU triathlon teams. They were really nice guys, and ended up being SUPER fast!
My wave went out at 6:40am. I was positioned at the front, outside of the swim group. I went out pretty fast, and tried to get a good rythem going, which I did. I finally attached to a group, and we all traded turns pulling, kind of like a swim pace line. It took me about 15 minutes to really get comfortable, which is a while for me. But I just kept telling myself to settle down, breathe, and it worked out alright. Swim time - 24:51 (1.5 km)
T1 was alright. Nothing special.
The bike was good, but tough. I went out slower, because Olde Stage was looming. I took a gel about 10 minutes in, tried to settle into aero, and just spin. Olde Stage is a 15% grade for 2/3 of a mile, and is just a brutal run killer. If you go too hard up it, you're done for the day, literally. It's cool because people go out there and chalk up the street, and there are fans everywhere, even a few devil outfits and plenty of cowbells. It's really a cool scene. Once you crest Olde Stage, it's a beautiful descent into Lefthand Canyon. I hit about 40 mph, and was getting passed, which blew my mind. But again, I just had to settle into my race, and enjoy it. I'm sure a few of you heard about the triathlete that hit a bear last year at the Peak, and they had a mile marker sign posted that said "Bear Crossing" where she drilled it last year. Got a chuckle out of me. The rest of the ride felt really good, just hammering my big ring, and trying to beat last years time. I averaged exactly 20.0 mph over a 28 mile course. Bike Time - 1:18:17 (42 km)
T2 was quick. Again, nothing special.
The run was bad. I felt strong for the first mile and a half, and then the cramps set in. First, my stomach. Then, my right knee got tight. Then, my quads, just on the inside of the knee cap (tear drop muscle), just locked up. It was incredibly painful. My only solution was to meditate. So I just tried to think positive thoughts, think about anything else but my knees. I dumped water on myself at every aid station, and just tried to find people to catch ahead of me. I caught quite a few of them, but it wasn't the run I had set out for myself at the beginning of the summer when I was planning my season. But it happens. I averaged 7:15 miles, so that'll just have to do! Run time - 44:16 (10 km).
It was a tough race, but a really fun one. I'm hurting right now, big time. But I'm icing, treating myself to a little Light Ben and Jerry's, and just relaxing. I had a good massage right after the race, the masseuse worked my like a $2 hooker. It hurt, but felt really good too. It was a really fun day. It's not often that you can crack a smile and just enjoy the morning when you're pushing yourself the way I was today. It was a great day, and just showed me again why I love this sport.
E
PS - Camera was out of battery, so I'll post race pics when they come up!
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Nice work Eric.
I'd love to swim that fast down a rapid river.
Great bike and run splits too.
Looking forward to seeing the photos.
__________________
"Maybe you're not as fast as the person in front of you, but certainly faster than the person who never started" - John Collins, creator of Ironman.
Nice job, Eric. You make a guy consider doing one of these things someday. I'm afraid I'd drown, though.
__________________
“Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, 'Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapeños.'"
You won't drown. Just stay to the back and outside on the swim, and you'll be groovy.
Man, I'm hurting today. My legs are fried. It's a good hurt though
E
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Great job, E. Too bad about the cramps *cramping* your style! Still, a very respectable run in my book.
__________________ “I have always done my duty. I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me.”
-- Zachary Taylor, 12th U.S. President, 1849-1850
Yeah, I think I just went a bit too hard on the ride. It's okay, I still beat last year, both overall and the run, so it just leaves room from improvement next year!
E
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Location: Philly on one side, Pittsburgh on another, the Green Between...
Posts: 5,857
Mmmmmmmmmmm...tri DOMS! NOICE! Good race report, brother. It looks like you learned a little more about what you're made of, and that's what htis sport is ultimately about, no? That pain will go away, but the fact that you fininshed a REALLY tough race will be with you forever (unless you get Alzheimer's, in which case I'll send you e-mails t remind you).
Tell that lovely fiancee f yours to baby you, keep hydrated, stretched and iced. Congratulations, e. Post teh pixxors when you can.
Great job, Eric! I'm especially impressed at how you kept at it when it got tough!
I always enjoy your tri stories. Can't help but feel like I never push myself at all when I read those.
__________________ The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same. -- Carlos Castaneda
Why thanks Bill. The hard part for me is that I always feel like I could have pushed myself harder. But thanks for making me feel cool!
E
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Great job emartin. I'm hoping to start competing in a few years when I start getting burnt out on the weightlifting and reaching my late 20's. Currently try to ride and run every 2 weeks to stay in decent shape. I was a decent swimmer in high school, so i have a base. Living in colorado, the Boulder Peak definately sounds intriguing.
Did you start off with mini triathalons to help get you ready for longer ones, or did you just train and go big. I see these half-triathalons, where they time you on an indoor pool and then start you shortly after that on the bike session. All 3 legs are shorter.
I would absolutely start with some shorter distances, and build your training miles up. Races like the Mini Haha in Ft. Collins and the 5430 Sprint in Boulder are both great starter races. While you're training for those, build up your base mileage and then start attacking the Oly's and Iron distances!
E
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Boulder Peak Triathlon
I'll probably just get into a comfort zone and try to beat my time on the bike and run. I'm shooting for a 42:00 10K, so if I can run that, I'll be in good shape. 
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