More Road Work Ahead

Sorry for being away

2011-12-16T22:57:00.001-08:00

I am double sorry, for not posting more often and for not having many stories to tell.
Life goes on at a faster pace, and I have devoted my days to work, thankfully being productive on that side.
Today deserved a blog post because I finally found a good app for blogging from my IPhone, and because it is my wedding anniversary.

I thank God for my health, my beautiful and smart wife, and all the comfort I have, able to write a blog post from a warm place.

I recommend you take care of minutes, for hours will take care of themselves. ~ Lord Chesterfield

Older and Wiser

2011-05-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

April 12th was my birthday, and since my last post I can state I am older and wiser.

On 04/10/11 I started making wiser decisions when I switched my long bike ride from 100 miles to 60 miles as I did not train at all, and that was my first long bike ride of the year. Doing that I was able to enjoy the rest of a sunny Sunday with my wife, and walk straight for the following days.

As work has taken the best of me, I am in fault to proper training, but continue challenging myself in order to keep my sanity, and halfway health. On 05/01/11 I ran OC Marathon, in my third consecutive year, and used a run-walk strategy to be able to finish without getting hurt. Pasadena Marathon came next, two weeks later, and the rain on half course and the hills made me slower than LA Marathon, but I was proud of my strong finish.

Now thinking about Ironman Arizona I have started to diversify my training (or, in other words, start training properly...), I swam 3200 meters at Coast to Coast Swim Challenge and started making plans. Right on time when Buckeyeoutdoors had a massive meltdown and lost all my training log and plans.

Today I ran the Brentwood Run 10K in order to assess my fitness, before starting proper training. I did suffer during the run, but finished right according to my predictions. Pace 8:51min/mile, with bonus of placing 253 overall in 521, 26 out of 41 in my age group, without any speed training.

So much seriousness and commitment need a escape valve. Older and wiser, now I have hardened on my music preferences and embraced Heavy Metal. All day long, regular radio does not soothe me anymore.

Thinking again, maybe not that wise. For two of the last three marathons, I went to shows four days before the races. But I'll say it is all part of the challenge...

Marathon #32: This one is for the kids!

2011-03-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

LA Marathon has always been a beautiful show, especially after the new course was designed, covering the most prominent LA's landmarks. All ages, all shapes, all fitness levels. Due to work, I came to race day without proper training, but with a full heart as I was running for St. Baldrick's Foundation and all kids battling cancer. I could not avoid to think that kids with cancer always come to the challenge frightened and unprepared.

I knew I was not alone in my hopes and questionable fitness, as I met my friends from Marathon Maniacs for a group picture (some of them ran a marathon on the day before, some came running to the start).

And this was lesson number one: YOU ARE NEVER ALONE, IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO YOU ARE.

As all the runners crossed the start line at Dodgers' Stadium, the first drops of rain started to fall, announcing a challenging race. Winds started to pick up as well, making a chilly endurance statement. Seasoned runners like my friends and I started to worry about risk of hypothermia, but that all added to the race thrill, especially considering we all woke up about three hours before, and now our homes were very far away. The pretty sightseeing kept coming by, coloured by the racers and their jerseys and jackets, but the cold started to pick up. At mile 14 I was soaked, and the cold wind in my chest woke up my asthma, bringing fears of shortness of breath and race quitting. I knew if I was able to continue running I would warm up, get dryer, and breath better, so I kept going.

And this was lesson number two:

WE ALL HAVE FEARS, WHAT MATTERS IS WHAT YOU DO WITH THEM.

One of the nice surprises of this new course was to have the race coming to my neighborhood, running just few blocks from home. It was a blessing from Heaven to see my beloved wife on the corner, and a kiss was the medicine I needed to cross mile 16 running light with a smooth pace. That made me sure I was going to conquer this challenge without any horrible happenings.

Lesson number three: YOUR FAMILY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE, AND YOU SHOULD COUNT WITH THEM.

I came across a lot of concerns during this race, and the worsening weather did not help at all. Having passed the middle point at about 2 hours and fifteen minutes, I knew my finish time would most likely be above four hours and fifty minutes. The rain rushed my stride, and running along my friends reinvigorated my legs. In an attempt to improve my time, and also to avoid the rain, I resorted to my secret weapon: to close my eyes... I always use this in order to avoid looking at the watch or the mile markers, staring the uphills, or getting afraid of the long distances in front of me. I simply look inside my brain and rekindle my courage.

Lesson number four:

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF: YOU CAN DO MORE THAN YOU THINK.

After a sprint over the last two miles, I finished the race in 4:42:42, with few tears hidden by the rain, at least eight minutes faster than my expectations.

This is the report of my marathon #32, not my fastest, but my best marathon, because this one was for the kids!

Boldly Bald

2011-03-14T23:15:00.000-07:00

Now I can say the 2011 season has started. And I started head first. Last Saturday I shaved my head at a local St.Baldrick's Foundation event, in my way to become a hero.

It feels like Triathlon season again!!!

Becoming a Hero!

2011-03-06T23:01:00.000-08:00

I have been working hard on my resolutions. And so as in my job.

That means I have been taking somewhat good care of myself; I have kept my weight around 173-174, have done Yoga almost every day, and slept better. I have run more often than last year, not yet every day. At work, I have been doing a lot, and that has brought a lot of contentment and new tasks. I have been busy for these first months of 2011, but I still have in mind my future races, with the big event being Ironman Arizona.

Talking about big events, I have been involved with St. Baldrick's Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding childhood cancer research. Everything started on 2000, with a head-shaving event to benefit kids with cancer on St. Patrick’s Day; today the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is the leading non-governmental organization funding research in childhood cancer. From their website:

“The St. Baldrick's Foundation has made more than 250 grants totaling over $55 million for childhood cancer research since 2005, its first year as a foundation. In 2010 alone, over $14 million was funded - more than by any other foundation making grants for research to cure childhood cancers. The St. Baldrick's Foundation has made more than 250 grants totaling over $55 million for childhood cancer research since 2005, its first year as a foundation. In 2010 alone, over $14 million was funded - more than by any other foundation making grants for research to cure childhood cancers.”

On March 12, 2011, LAFD and LAPD come together to host a fundraising event to support St. Baldrick’s Foundation, in North Hollywood. It will be a beautiful morning with music, magicians, free IHOP and Starbucks breakfast, family fun, and, of course, head shaving! Up to now I have counted 82 shavees, myself included :) !!!

For more information and donations please go here.

In preparation for this great event, I am growing my hair, and have started team “Bold Baldrick”, a team for everyone who believes all kids should have the opportunity to be silly, to laugh loud, to play all day long and be happy, instead of being scared by devastating diseases and fearing nurses and doctors. I am going to “baldly” race a series of events this year to honor our brave young cancer fighters: LA Marathon, Pasadena Marathon, Magic Mountain Man Half Distance Triathlon and the Ironman Arizona Triathlon.

St.Baldrick's Foundation is working hard to save kids from cancer, and I am doing my part giving my hair, sweat and support to their cause.

Resolutions 01/01/11

2011-01-01T20:56:00.000-08:00

#1. Keep myself healthy; I'm almost forty, and people are dying around me.

#2. Yoga and run EVERYDAY; same reasons mentioned above.

#3. Keep my weight below 172 lbs; same reasons mentioned above, plus I need to get faster...

#4. FINISH every race I start; even if that means fewer races.

#5. Have a baby before forty; ... same reasons mentioned above.

Welcome 2011 !

2010-12-31T13:21:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I was raised with the belief that everything you do on the last day of the year will be repeated throughout the next year. And as an endurance athlete, I live by the motto that happiness requires sacrifice.

I wish I could run a race today, but with the bad shape I am right now I probably would bring a very frustrating 2011. Right after ten days in Brazil, eating delicious home-cooked meals and killing my homesickness, my current weight is about 5 pounds higher, and my muscles are stiff of many hours of airplane trips. But my spirit is the same, and over the last week I have spent hours on planning the next season, and pondering the near-misses of 2010.

I cannot complain; I was able to finish my first Ironman distance triathlon (Full Vineman), and did not have any major injuries. I have discovered Yoga, low-carb diet and Total Immersion, successfully started a new and promising job, and I live in a beautiful place, with blessed weather. Oh, and I was able to register to Ironman Arizona this time!

Still savoring the bitter taste of my first DNF, I am carefully planning the new season, now taking into account the new job. Of course, the goals are to improve my personal records, and for that probably I will not be able to race as often.

Right now I am cleaning my desk, catching up on the Yoga routines, and tuning up my bike. Just bought my first formula at Infinit, and renewed my contract with Sugoi Brand Champions. Finally had time to post in my blog and check my racing plans. Yeah, 2011 will be an awesome year...

Half-racing

2010-10-24T22:21:00.001-07:00

I am officially declared out-of-shape for this rest of the year. Today I just ran the inaugural Dodge Rock'n'Roll Los Angeles (you know, this is the first, I had to do it...), and suffered as much as in a marathon, running a half-marathon AT MARATHON PACE. Not just that, but I had to walk few hills, felt sick and hit the wall at Mile 6, and, for the third race finish in a row, medical volunteers came to ask me if I was OK.

Emergency measures are required, specially because I have a marathon in three weeks, the year still has two months to go, my training was jeopardized by my new job, and I want to have big endurance plans for 2011.

First Step is start including my training on my written daily schedule. Even if it is a 30-minute run or a 15-minute Yoga session, something EVERYDAY, of course alternating intensity and listening to my body. Anything is better than nothing (current status).

Second Step is to go for a medical check-up, as now my gastrointestinal problems got me to believe I may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome: my frequent toilet visits start now the day before the races, and not only on race morning, causing me to become dehydrated even before the races start.

Third Step is to start again taking better care of myself; my weight is still the same, but I've been drinking way too much coffee, eating erratically, delaying Yoga for more than a week long, and sleeping poorly.

After my DNF disaster two weeks ago, I thought an easy half-marathon in less than two hours would be a nice workout. I am happy I had this wake-up call just in time for Thanksgiving.

By the way, my unofficial time was 2h07min; and I am working on Thanksgiving.

Good News, Bad News

2010-10-12T09:13:00.001-07:00

Pardon me my transient disappearance. I just started a new job one month before my first Ironman distance triathlon on July, and I am still catching up. As a miserable age grouper, I kept following my race schedule without adequate training after recovering from the big race. Happy to say I did not get physically injured. But naturally you can imagine what happened: I had my first Triathlon DNF.

First the good news: I have completed my first Ironman distance race in less than 16 hours, a lifetime experience that I am sure I will repeat multiple times. In my trainng for it I learned to adjust my metabolism to burn fat, to trust Yoga for all my physical needs and build a stronger body, to disassemble my bike and pack it for flights and to swim longer distances (even though at the same slow speed...). After Vineman I did Malibu Oly and Malibu Sprint Relay, and finished my fastest Sprint race at the Los Angeles Triathlon.

It took me almost two months to feel back to normal after Vineman; I had a skin infection on my right index finger, and then five weeks of diarrhea after taking antibiotics. I felt like a pro when I got diarrhea again on the night before LA Triathlon, sleeping only about four hours, and still being able to achieve a PR. On the week before Magic Mountain Man 70.3 I was working 12-13 hours a day, and started again with gastrointestinal problems on the night before the race. Even without having rushed visits to the port-a-potty on race course, I had to stop after biking 16.6 miles in 1 hour and 58 minutes at 90F degrees, not sweating for about 40 minutes. I would have continued after a break at the first water stop if it was a flat bike course, but that is a very challenging one, and I knew I would not make the time cut-off, not talking about crashing.

Talking about good and bad news, my hero Macca became the World Champion again, and Chrissie Wellington got sick and did not continue her championship streak.

Just a week before I was questioning the value of a finisher's medal, but a DNF makes you relearn your priorities. Maybe I am getting older and recovery is taking many more weeks, maybe I am working too hard, but this is Endurance life...

I need to schedule my next races, more road work ahead.

Birthday, and a book review

2010-04-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

My 38th birthday was last Monday, and, of course, this whole month will be a month of reflection and contrition. As a personal rule, I never regret past acts, as I cannot change them, but I always try to learn from each days' mistakes.

I have been happily busy, as work is going well, opening opportunities for the future as I continue devoting huge efforts in order to build them. That is awesome if you are not trying to train for an Ironman distance race.

For the Full Vineman in July 31st, my goal became to be able to complete it despite less-than-optimal training while building my future. Part of the job description of being a working young adult... And my wife is already complaining I am always away training for the race.

As part of my efforts on trying to renew energies and recover out-of-work reading, I joined http://www.booksneeze.com/ as book reviewer, and I gladly came across with The Map, curiously very opportune for a birthday month (or maybe I am biased...).

Below is my book review:

The Map: The Way of All Great Men, by David Murrow

Every book has equal chance to influence the reader, but it will all depend on reaching the reader at the right opportunity. Even an award-winning bestseller depends on that golden moment in the reader's life to best deliver its message. This book has hit me at the right moment, and I recommend this book as a challenge to readers in order to dare to question the author’s diligent work.

Murrow is an award-winning television producer and writer, and employs all his skills to describe an elaborated story of suspense and drama about the search for a mysterious ancient map hidden in the Bible that would lead men to a life of greatness. Using this exciting tale as a parable, Murrow brings his findings and conclusions of many years of studying the Bible.
More than just the first bright of suspense book that the editorial reviews advertised about, I was interested in learning Murrow’s message, as the author of the 2005 bestselling book Why Men Hate Going to Church, and director of Church for Men, an organization dedicated to restoring the masculine spirit in Christian congregations. I wanted to see how an engaged religious man could write a suspense book, or even a self-help book, for that matter.

The Map is an interesting book with a bold proposition, in two parts: a fictional suspense story and a non-fictional argument presenting Murrow’s proposition. It showed me a different way to understand and live my faith, and maybe it will really serve as a guide to greatness and living life to the fullest.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to lose." - Lyndon B. Johnson

Love your bike, part II

2010-04-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have already written about how much I love my bike, but this post is about tough love. On March 7, 2010 I went to San Diego to once more take part of the Gran Fondo Colnago San Diego, on his second presentation.

Of course, I registered for the century, 101 miles with about 4157 ft of ascent on a beautiful course around San Diego, outstanding organization, and this year offering a 53mile and a 32mile courses. And, of course, it was raining the whole course. Sorry, no pictures this time, the Iphone was in a plastic bag.

Instead of skipping to the shorter courses, I tried to complete the century, as it was the only one to offer a challenging KOM segment that killed my body last year. Unnecessary to say I paid for my audacity. The ride started under pouring rain, with 10 minutes delay waiting for the Amtrak train to pass, with all riders soaked to their underware. The extent of the damage was just felt at the first stop at mile 15: my computer had died, and I was uncontrollably shivering at lower efforts. I even took a wrong turn going into the shortest ride, when I decided to continue the daring enterprise.

I happilly did the KOM segment: 6.75 miles, grade 3%-12% (averaging 5.2%), total vertical of 1,858 feet, in 1:10:37, still very slow for a real ciclist, but about 20 min faster than last year (of course because of multiple rest stops...). But right after the KOM I noticed that my breaks weren't working properly, and when I had to stop with a flat rear tire, I saw my break pads were almost complete worn down, probably because of the sandy wet course.

At mile 67 I had to stop, as I was going to face more downhills, and I couldn't trust my breaks. That, and I had to wait for an hour in the rain for my wife to come to pick me up. At least I was able to complete a metric century, and do the KOM once more.

Now I know why, even if it is fun, the pros don't like to ride in the rain. And my love for biking killed my computer (now working again after drying for a week), my break pads (switched to higher quality ones) and my drivetrain (now switched to a real Shimano Ultegra).

My tough love to myself upgraded my bike, and taught me new lessons. Waiting for the next year's new lessons...

Nursing 2010

2010-02-24T14:58:00.001-08:00

I am happy and proud to say I'm busier than ever. Work is productive, the new apartment is comfortable, I am in control of my diet, and I am doing Yoga every day, all following my own schedule.

With the commitment of doing my first Ironman-distance race, the Full Vineman race in 07/31/10, I have since last December started Yoga practice, what became a basic daily need of my body and soul. Together with periodization of my diet following the principles taught by coach Bob Seebohar, I lost about four pounds, feel better and have more energy. Burning more fat, I can stand longer periods of time without food (5-6h instead of 2-3h), and I don't have the highs and peaks of blood sugar. My core is stronger, I don't have back or neck pains, and I sleep beter. I don't need daily doses of Ibuprofen anymore.

Of course, training time and activities have to increase. I am still working on setting up my training slots adapting myself to this new reality, but comparing to last year I am already more active. I bought a cheap hybrid bike to be able to bike to work and swimming workouts without being afraid of losing my beloved tri-adapted bike.

I am posting from my Iphone, so then I can post on the go, but unfortunately I cannot add pictures and make it prettier. But I really had to update my blog, after thinking about this post for over a month. I know this is probably a prolonged honeymoon with my improved me, but this has been my reality for two months. Just ran Pasadena Marathon last weekend, and suffered a good bit with poor training and gastric upset, but I felt good over the first 15 miles, finishing about the same time as the average time for previous marathons.

I am happy with myself and know what to do. Ready for more road work ahead.

Proudly announcing I'm a BookSneeze reviewer.

2010-02-23T21:39:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay on my posts.
Thank God I've been very busy, very productive and happy.
Ramping up the training, of course, preparing for Full Vineman on 07/31/10.

To catch up on my reading, and get another incentive to write blogs more often, I joined BookSneeze as a reviewer; I will share my book reviews, read during my rest hours.

Posting soon!

Malibu International Marathon

2009-12-21T19:26:00.000-08:00

Zuma Beach, in Malibu, CA, has a very special place in my heart. It is a beautiful place where I had planned my first A race, where I first got panic at open water swim, where I first noticed my bike strength was not enough, where I will always be able to watch the ocean without people interrupting my view.

That is essentially why I was mesmerized by the idea of running a marathon through PCH finishing at Zuma Beach. I knew there would be hills at the last half, and without proper training this would not be a race to get a personal best. But as usual, being this the first event there was a special attraction. And I had to run another marathon for 2009.

It was a chilly morning (43-45F), and parking was available near the finish line, with shuttles to take the runners to the start. My wife was running the half, and would start at the middle of the full course, two hours later, so we had to go separate ways. There was a small number of racers for the full marathon (331 finishers), and the sun came out right before the start.
Following my training on forefoot running, I decided to make this my first marathon on flat lightweight shoes, my old pair of Asics DS Gel Racer that I used on my sprint triathlons throughout 2009. Addionally to that, I was three weeks on my low carb diet, lighter and feeling more energetic. My watch battery had died, so there would be no time monitoring, what contributed to decrease my anxiety.

I felt really good at start, and decided to leave behind the 4:30 pace group, as I was able to run confortably at 9 min/mile pace. When we reached the Pacific Coast Highway there was a strong headwind for about two miles, what required extra energy spenditure. But I kept the 9 min/mile until mile 15, when everything came down, as I started to climb the hills. Probably I had muscle fatigue resulting from the current diet mixed with the different running technique. I had to do walk breaks, mostly on the hills, as I did not have a watch to rigorously follow a schedule. At that point, it became a fun run, and I started to chase the other marathon maniacs and interesting people.

To help me finish the last three miles, I met a runner training with Galloway using an interesting device to time the run/walk/run schedule. That tiny box with loud beeper really pushed me forward, and we finished the marathon few minutes after 4:30, without being passed by the pace group (that or I was really short of oxygen).

I ran Malibu more than two months after my last marathon (Kauai Marathon, 09/06/09), and a month after I burned out after Magic Mountain Man (10/10/09), so it was my secret pleasure to finish it. I was finally reclaiming my running form back, in time for Baton Rouge Beach Marathon in 12/05/09, and a happy 2009 closure.
To have the same result as previous marathons was reassuring, with the new diet, the new technique and the new year to come. I was finally going back to my roots, becoming a better runner and triathlete.

Before I forget...

2009-11-23T20:01:00.000-08:00

Visit RuncastTV

GUILTY AS CHARGED!

2009-11-13T20:02:00.001-08:00

I have to apologize for all these months without posting.

Major part of it is that I have been very busy at work, thank God. I have accomplished many steps in my career, and have made the plan for the next few years, so that was worth. Now I can pay more attention to my wife, my life in details, and my blog. I have done many races, as you may see on the sidebar. I promise I will bring details in further posts, at least I will never run out of topics. Probably will not write a lot about Giants and Trojans, as it seems they will not do very well this season.

Another reason for my absence is Twitter. Most of my need to communicate with the Earth and its inhabitants was satisfied by using those 140-character microposts. And you can see them all on the sidebar as well.

I promise I will continue this blog, as I am alive and well (see the picture of me and a friend at my last race). Even happier on giving continuation to my blog. And doing Yoga more often. And eating healthier low carb diet. And having moved to Beverly Hills adjacent. And having started a small garden in my balcony. And planning my first Full Ironman Triathlon distance.

Talking again about the sidebar, please notice my insatiable hunger for challenges keeps me registering for races.

I am guilty as charged for not giving attention to my blog, but as you can read, I am still the same impulsive, elegant hard worker-but-bad-schedule-follower as before. I love my wife, my life and this blog. I love triathlon, endurance sports, children and puppies.

More Road Work Ahead.

Vineman 70.3: Lessons to Learn

2009-08-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

Going for bigger challenges, I had on Vineman 70.3 my second half-ironman triathlon. It was my first registration, my A race, while Wildflower was to be my rehearsal. Vineman was special because of the M-dot logo, I should say.

It taught me a lot of lessons, I am happy and proud to say. First lesson was never to travel on the previous day of a long distance race. Trying to save time and money, I went from LA to San Francisco on the morning of the previous day, spent hours driving and dehydrating, wasted my lunch time at the expo, and ended having lunch at a supermarket at 4PM, about fifteen hours from the race start. Bad plan.

Driving back and forth along the bike course, still made to have dinner with colleagues from LA TRI, at a place to have a pizza "to die for", with an old ambulance for deliveries (see picture).

Slept well, but worried through the hot night for have forgotten to check again the race course, with no Internet or IPhone access to do so at bedtime. That was my second lesson: study carefully the race course, months and weeks before.

Transition area and swimming start were crowded, with many colorful distractions and loudspeakers, and I almost missed the start of my wave. The Russian River is a beautiful place, and its warm calm and shallow waters were a pleasure to swimmers of all levels. At mid-course I regretted to wear full wetsuit, sweating while touching the bottom with my hands. At the end, I regretted not to have trained better: 57:32, in such ideal conditions. Of course, transition area was half empty. Little problems packing everything, and T1 was 4:19.

Best bike ever was followed by my worst run ever; cooking under the hot sun, I had foot cramps over the first four miles, followed by excessive fluid intake up to mile 6 and consequent abdominal cramps and nausea over the last six miles: 2:44:20. Last three miles were
a slow long nightmare, watching the minutes fly over my tired legs and dizzy head.

Packing everything under the hot sun and my burning rage, recovering from nausea and abdominal cramps, I felt the bitter taste of dissatisfaction. 7:16:50 was my time.

One last lesson was still to be learnt from Coach Brian Melekian, at the exit of transition area.

"Hey, are you OK?"-he asked.
"I am upset because I did not break seven hours."- I said.

"DID YOU have FUN?"- he returned.

Yes, ideed. It was fun, probably even when I was hurting.

That's why I love Triathlon. And that's why I will come back to Sonoma.

"A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it." - Anonymous.

Race Week!

2009-07-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

Vineman 70.3 is one week ahead, and finally I can take a break in the push for training (or the guilt of not training harder).

This time I cannot say I did not peak my training. And I have seen myself faster, more confident and more comfortable, at least on the bike. Of note, training for my second half distance race I did two marathons in six days (LA Marathon and San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon), happily completed my second Century (LA River Ride), and was able to conquer hills with the group rides. I can proudly say now I do not stay last in the group rides.

Hungry all the time, now I can indulge on ice cream and bananas and cake at night, and eat as many times as I feel hungry. I had sports massage two days ago, and now I can feel my body without awkward posture or tightness. I go to be earlier, and sleep until late evertime I can. This time I am enjoying race taper.

Worried about the forecast of 95 F for Sonoma on race day, I have spent time exposed to the hot weather, doing short runs or half hour walks. That is a real threat.

As part of the taper, I am catching up on my movie going activities. Yesterday I went to a documentary festival, and I watched Beauty Mark and Bicycle Dreams. It may be I am in a sensitive mood theses days, but I have to declare my love to these two movies.

Beauty Mark is centered on Diane Israel, a world-class triathlete and psychotherapist, discussing body and self-image, and athletic bulimia, with interviews with many former champion athletes, including Dave "The Man" Scott.

Bicycle Dreams is an award-winner documentary that follows the epic Race Across America, touching the souls of all endurance athletes, showing cyclists in search for their inner truths struggling in this challenging race.

Training is complete, I am completing another big step in my life, and I am happy. Looking forward the next challenge.

Wildflower !!!

2009-06-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

Wildflower long course was my first Half-Ironman Distance in my short life of triathlete. One should expect months of hard training and commitment, and so did I.

But life came on the way. Months coming to this race I was having a hard time at work, not able to eat, sleep or train accordingly. All I had was the thrill of the first Half distance, and the challenge of beating the course closure times. Truth to be told, I registered for Wildflower as a rehearsal for Vineman 70.3, certain that I needed a wake-up call. With all the bad schedule, that was the right decision, and I came to Paso Robles, CA with the goal time of less than 7hours and 30 minutes. Talking about rehearsal, this was my first race on a Sugoi trisuit, and I have to say: it was more comfortable than wearing pajamas.

After touring the bike course by car, on race morning I set up my transition time almost certain that I would not be able to climb Nasty Grade all along. I just did not do my homework, and I knew I missed precious training hours over the last few months.

I was not nervous, I knew what I could do thanks to my previous races and my training. But again made the mistake of not avoiding anything new on race day: worried about foggy goggles, I tried the anti-fog spray on my Aqua Sphere goggles; by the second buoy I had water on my goggles, and since then my sight was blurry, and at the turn around I missed one corner, being instructed by the officials to turn back. After that, I lost my confidence, and my pace was jeopardized by more often blurry sights. I finished the swim in 57:58 and with a red eye that lasted two days to heal, possibly a chemical conjunctivitis. It was less than one hour, as expected, but probably I could have finished the swim leg in less than 50 minutes. I need new racing goggles, that is for sure.

T1 was a little bit more than five minutes, due to a mix of run/walk on rough cement and dizziness at wetsuit strip.

For the bike leg, the challenge was to finish before the course closure, what meant to be completed in less than five hours. I was not sure about my abilities, and for that reason I was a bit anxious for about three-fourths of the course. I had lumbar backpain, probably because of the swimming efforts followed by the climbing right at the beginning, and that contributed to my almost despair. I did not stop, until the last few yards of the Nasty Grade, when, as expected, I had to walk my bike. I was not alone at that point, but I swore I will never do that again in a race. Another valuable lesson. Nutrition was not a problem, and I was able to keep myself up-to-date with pieces of Triple Threat Powerbar and gels. To my surprise, I did the bike leg in 4hours and 5 minutes, a nice surprise to myself, not before feeling angry on seeing people finishing their run while I still had the whole half-marathon ahead. Those made my T2 about 2 minutes, not bad for such a large transition area.

I really enjoyed the run, at least the first 11 miles, because of the trail course, and because I did not bonk. But I was rushed to finish, and forgot nutrition. Took only three gels during the whole leg, and paid the price; at mile 10 there was a long hill, and I had to walk. Even running the last mile and a half, I finished the run in 2hours and 24minutes, not enought to beat my goals.

I finished in 7 hours and 36 minutes, happy to be able to complete a Half distance, but upset by 6 minutes on my expectations. But I will never forget my fond Wildflower memories, and I know what went wrong, and I am ready to improve. That is all that matters.

Long Time No See...

2009-04-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy at work, so many things happened, so few hours in the day...

Let me start reporting that I had a real Catholic Lent: for about six weeks I worked hard, almost completely keeping myself away from serious training, eating badly, and sleeping 4 to 6 hours a night. And as a real resurrection, I had my birthday on Easter, finally (but late) resuming my training for Wildflower Long Course.

Not that I had some fun and endurance challenges during the last months... On March 1st 2009 I took part in the Gran Fondo, a challenging ride at San Diego, my first Century. Let's say a century hurts more than any marathon. And it was a good lesson: I did not take enough fluids for a Tmax of 75F, and started cramping at mile 35, and had to walk my bike for many points of elevation. But I really wanted to finish, and did it, in 10 hours and 15 minutes, right when the finish line was being disassembled. Result: I earned unforgettable memories and experience, and up to today I did not receive my medal (promised to be sent by mail) and my jersey (also promised to be sent by mail by the organizers).

All that effort brought unexpected results: on 03/21/09 I ran the Stand for Hope 5K race around the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (see the first picture) and got a new PR, 21:10. On the very next day I ran the Pasadena Marathon and also got a new PR, 4:13:32. Better than that, I was able to run the first half few seconds less than 2hours, in a hilly course, in a happy preparation for Wildflower.

Aware of my urgent need to increase my hours on the bike, on 03/28/09 I took part in the Spring Metric Century organized by the Orange County Wheelmen, on the Santiago Canyon, happily finishing 66 miles in 4:18, less hurt, without cramps or dehydration.

Still in the same spirit, I went for a ride with experienced LaTri athletes on the Santa Monica Mountains, and of course got left behind in a 50+ hilly course, but got home sure that I was able to tackle a harder course than the real Wildflower Long Course.

Joining LA Tri Club and USAT meant the beginning of my mature age as a triathlete (not to mention all the perks and discounts). Last weekend I had another beautiful bike ride on Palos Verdes, at a very mellow pace, followed by a short run at the beach and a barbecue.

Of course, with maturity comes accountability and hard reality; I could be "more ready" for Wildflower. An unrealistic goal of 6hours and 30minutes came down to a threatening attempt to at least beat 7 hours and 30minutes. But I am really having fun, achieving new PRs and exciting experiences. Considering Wildflower will be my first 70.3 distance, I am going to enjoy the most.

And still have time to prepare my redemption at Vineman 70.3.

Experience is not what happens to a man.

It is what a man does with what happens to him.

Aldous Leonard Huxley

Marathon #20

2009-02-22T22:33:00.000-08:00

Sarasota Marathon (02/15/2009) was a fortuitous finding for a business trip. After a week in a conference, to take the opportunity to run my first marathon in Florida was an easy decision. Moreover, this was my eleventh state to run a Marathon, completing my qualification to join the 50 States Marathon Club. I had to do it, even with broken legs.

As usual, it could not be easy. Two weeks after Surf City USA Marathon, in midst of Triathlon training, with a jet lag of three hours. And I had to finish it fast, in order to be able to have time to take a shower and still catch my flight.

The plan was simple: to do run/walk/run, goal time 4:30, 4:40 at least. I knew it would be hard, with tired legs and mind.

It all started in the dark, and sunlight came just when most of the runners were at mile 5; but it was warm and humid: funny as it seems, everybody was drenched in sweat at mile 2.

It is for a reason they call Sarasota Marathon "A Run with a View". Everywhere we ran there was the beach town atmosphere, and most of the places the course interrupted long lines of cars going to beach. At mile 11 there was the hilly point, going over a bridge, to cross back again at mile 20. And that was exactly after mile 11 I knew it would be hard to achieve my goals.

The humid and hot weather made my tired legs feel heavier, and even the compression socks could not make things easier. Negative thoughts came then to my mind, and everything looked ugly. But I kept the pace at about 10min/mile, doing 3min run, 1min walk. It payed back at mile 19, when I saw myself strong and steady, still able to keep the pace.

It was hard to finish the last miles trying to stick to the pace, but that was the first time I noticed my legs were running on their own, just following the watch. I finished at 4:35:23, proud of my feat, limping to the car, from the car to the shower, from the shower to the airport.

Chinese Thigh Destroyer

2009-02-22T21:18:00.000-08:00

One week after Surf City, I had a busy weekend on February 7-8, 2009. With the rainy forecast, it was exciting and exotic to have a Saturday bike ride followed by a Sunday 10K race in Chinatown.

I can tell I have learned my mature bike riding skills in group bike rides. After buying my bike in April/08, I only did long rides in fun crowded groups: City of Angels Fun Ride (35Miles) and LA River Ride (70 Miles). That was why Firecracker Fun Bike Ride 20 Miles was attractive, over a well-known course to me. I rode about 5.9 miles to the course and back home, increasing the total mileage.

Because of the wet previous night, just about sixty riders came to the start, but it never rained during the ride. It was a blast to run over wet and muddy streets, with police motorcycles closing the streets. At the finish I had my first Chinese post-race meal. I took the opportunity to get the race packet for the next day’s race.

That afternoon I slept extra two hours to ensure recovery.

Next morning I came to the start line with tired thighs and mildly sore hamstrings, and I knew it would be hard to achieve the goal time of less than 50 minutes. The course had a surprising uphill over the first two miles, for what I was not prepared. Total number of runners for the 5 and 10K was more than five thousand, mostly students, making this event a huge party with strong smell of tiger balm. It was drizzling, creating a cold start and a muddy course.

I can say I had the best views of Los Angeles, running on Elysian Park around the Dodgers Stadium. All runners should come at least once to have pictures, but be warned about the uphill. Afraid of creating an injury a week before Sarasota Marathon, I had to slow my pace in the ascent and descent.

Finish time was 53:05, not bad for all my concerns during the race.

That afternoon I slept extra three hours.

Pictures: I am getting better on the Iphone!

Honored to be part of SUGOI Brand Champions Team

2009-02-20T00:10:00.000-08:00

It is an honor to have been selected as SUGOI Brand Champion; I have to say, one of the reasons I became interested in Triathlon was because of the looks of the SUGOI apparel.

You can follow my blog posts at Sugoi website at http://brandchampions.sugoi.com/.

The word SUGOI is a Japanese term for “Incredible”.

With my new apparel I will certainly be faster and look prettier in the pictures.

Fresh start for 2009

2009-02-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

First marathon of 2009, overt triathlon training, my wife running the half-marathon, and completion of the California Dreamin‘ Series. Surf City USA Marathon (02/01/09) started with multiple commitments, and I was eager to face the challenge. To be able to continue my marathon addiction without interruption of my Half Ironman training, I decided to use the Galloway’s run-walk-run method for the first time in an official marathon. Actually, with my busy schedule I have Sarasota Marathon two weeks after Surf City.

It was still dark and cold (48 degrees F) when we got to the beach start, at 5:30AM. There was a lot of people, mostly running the half-marathon with wave starts about an hour and a half later. Because of all that, this was my very first car-in-the-parking-lot-start. About twenty minutes from the start I left the car and ran about a mile to the start line, just in time for the gun.

I ran straight for the first four miles, in order to warm-up, then able to remove gloves, arm warmers and headband. My run-walk-run technique was then to run for four minutes and walk for one, targeting pace between nine and ten minutes. My ambitious goal time for Surf City was 4:15, realistic 4:20 and acceptable 4:30. I tried to use the iPhone and iMapmyrun to get GPS documentation of the whole marathon, but the cell battery finished before the end, creating unreliable data.

The course plan was excellent, avoiding a crowded course diverging the half marathon start times. As promised, we had a glance of the ocean in more than 60% of the course. It was a nice pleasure to run again in Huntington Beach Central Park, where I did 21 laps last December 27 running the Big Cat Challenge. In fact once more I felt how comfortable it is trail running for me, running at the park and on dirt path at the beach.

Nutrition went well, with a gel every 30 minutes, and sports drink for most of the run. Usually I run marathons with a water bottle in my hand, so I have freedom of choice of when to drink, avoiding the crowds. I can say I never really hit the wall, but at mile 20 my pace was a little slower, mostly feeling the heat (72 degrees F) and I had to pick up a little over the last four miles. Finish time was 4:28:50, making up a pace of 10:16.

I got two medals this time, with the completion with the California Dreamin’ Series (San Francisco Marathon, Long Beach Marathon and Surf City), a nice running jacket, and reassured a new running technique.

Next day I was able to hit the bike trainer for a nice hour.

2009-01-25T12:47:00.001-08:00

Precious assets

2009-01-25T11:20:00.001-08:00

I have never been faster and more dedicated. Since I got my Iphone on January 1st I earned an exceptional personal trainer. In the midst of training and planning for 2009 season, this device has made me a better athlete, all by allowing me to follow training principles that I have neglected in the past.

Time. It all starts with better time management. More organized, I am finally able to plan my days and save more time for training and rest. Now I do not have to choose between my different activities. I even have more time to watch tv!

Training Journal. I have kept an account at Buckeye Outdoors for the last few years, mostly to keep track of my races. Now I can log my workouts instantly and analyze my week from anywhere. During my rest I can compare my performance and engage on challenges with other athletes in the website.

The third training principle I have met this month is "what can be measured can be improved". I can use GPS technology through Imapmyrun and Imapmyride apps and have detailed and reliable info about my outdoor workouts, even for walks. I can even send a Twitter update of those activities.

Nutrition. I can finally keep real-time track of my food intake, using the app from livestrong. I am still making daily mistakes, but at least I can control my calorie intake and my weight pattern.

Dedication. I recently found many friends who care about the same goals and ideas, with whom I can talk endlessly about running, triathlon and endurance sports, joining Runcast.TV and Racenation online communities. They help me to stick to training, and give me energy to push forward, by telling their stories or challenging me. Twitter keeps me online with my friends, during training or rest. To keep this blog has also helped me to organize my ideas and goals, at least once a week.

It was really a good resolution to have started listening to my body, my mind and my friends at the dawn of 2009. Those are my most precious assets.

Hero of the week:

Lance Armstrong, putting public his life and sweat, defending a noble cause.

Quote of the week:
“Don't feel entitled to anything you didn't sweat and struggle for.” Marian Wright Edelman.

Happiness

2009-01-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

This week I took a day off training because I felt tired, and the next morning I was very upset to myself after seeing somebody running on the sidewalk. In a stessful week at work, the question came to my mind: What makes us happy?

With so many people not able to swim, bike or run, for health problems, money or time constraints or psych blockage, should we be happy on being able to finish a race, or be ready at the start?

Always moved by adrenaline and endorphines, we push ourselves week after week, collecting miles and hours in training logs, worn off shoes and race bibs. Many times we loose the focus, because of tiredness, hunger or pain. My reaction to work stress invariably throws me to find new challenges, the crazier the better. Is happiness the absence of injuries, or a busy race schedule?

Permanently planning for the next race, days, months and years go by with stubborn preparation. We chase results, racing our peers. Can we train to be happy? If results matter, is an elite athlete happier than an age-grouper?

Science and Medicine more and more bring evidence that physical activity and wellness are intrinsically related and dependent on each other.

To be an athlete is not a profession, a badge, or a status; it is a state and a way of life. It takes dedication, sweat and pain, but so it is life and all pleasures.

Are we happy because we're athletes, or we are athletes because we're happy?

Hero of the week: Haile Gebrselassie won the Dubai Marathon yesterday in 2:05:29. Because of the rain, he could not break his own current world record of 2:03:59. “I’m really pleased with this performance,” he said at the press conference, “this is my best time in this sort of weather. (...) This is better than Dubai last year (2:04:53) for me, so I’m happy.”

Quote of the week: "If you want to be happy, be." Leo Tolstoy

I'm a member.

2009-01-13T12:18:00.001-08:00

Runcast TV is a video community for runners by runners.
You will have friends all over the world sharing your goals, pains and finishes.
You should check it out!

Movie Break

2009-01-11T21:13:00.000-08:00

After watching "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" a lightning struck me. Unnecessary to say, the movies that become our favorites always bring reflections of our inner truths or beliefs, but I could not avoid another opportunity to learn to live with myself: what are the favorite movies of an endurance athlete?

I could not avoid its resemblance to Coppola's Youth Without Youth, and ancient Greek tragedies, showing men and women fighting against predetermination of their destinies. That is one of the reasons we cannot forget them. You can choose fictional characters (Birdy, 1984) or real people (Bird, 1988), journeys of self-discovery and life-changing stories are always inspiring, pushing us to our limits (if there are limits...).

Talking about life stories, we cannot forget epic movies like Gone with the Wind, Doctor Zhivago, The English Patient, endurance tests on themselves for time seated on hard chairs. I always think of them when I am swimming, running or biking large numbers.

Because of its obvious action appeal, all Indiana Jones, James Bond and Mission: Impossible series are always fun, even after the twentieth replay, but unconscious action is always dangerous, as depicted in A Clockwork Orange and Minority Report.

Looking beautiful in the picture (like The Matrix series), or dirty and dehydrated (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) we all try to be the heroes finishing our endurance tests, official or private, outdoors or indoors. We seek for our inner truths, challenging predetermination of limits, making our lifes a gift to our loved ones (if you did not watch it, Run for your Life).

It is not just about fun.

Love your bike

2009-01-07T15:07:00.001-08:00

I have never written how much I love my bike (2007 Scatante T560). It is one of the closest things to my heart, together with my wetsuit and my sunglasses. It amazes me how far and how fast it can take you (with appropriate training). There is also the green appeal, with the bonus of avoid driving in crazy cities, like LA. And there is the nostalgic feeling from our childhood (but I have to say: this bike hurts A LOT more than all my previous ones...).

That is probably the main reason I bought a trainer. Of course it was a good idea for ramping up the Ironman training, without leaving my wife alone for many hours on weekends (she still does not have a bike). It is also a big bonus to be able to train at 11PM in a weekday. I really needed to increase my time on the bike.

Setting up the trainer in the balcony of my new apartment seems almost an unfair advantage for me to beat the competition. If it really does not help me with biking, for sure it will help me with my running, as it has already done.

Finally I am ready to take ahead more serious training. I probably will need to buy more bike shorts.

Sent from my Iphone.

Next races: Surf City USA Marathon (02/01/09), Pasadena Marathon (03/22/09), 27th Annual Avia Wildflower Triathlon Long Course (05/02/09), Vineman Ironman 70.3 (07/19/09).

Heroes of the week: San Diego Chargers on the playoffs. Support your local team!

Quote of the week: “Talk of nothing but business, and dispatch that business quickly." Aldus Manutius.

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-01T14:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year for all of us!!!

It is a new year, full of hopes, promises and resolutions, and this is my first post from my Iphone. It is a wonderful gadget that I will talk about later,after learning a little bit more. First things first.

On 12/27/08, following great expectations, and after one day of carrying heavy furniture moving from my old apartment, I finally ran the Big Cat Challenge. Few running aficionados got together at Huntington Beach Central Park to run consecutive two-mile loops and complete, to their will, a half-marathon, a marathon, or as much as they could run in 12 hours. Of course I chose the 12 hour challenge, to finish 2008 with a high note. That was still part of me learning to live with myself... My plan was to use the run/walk technique, targeting a pace around 10min/mile, with run over 3min and walk for 1 min.. My primary goal was to beat my previous result in my first ultra of 37.28 in 12 hours, with secondary goal of completing 60miles in 12 hours.

The official clock was marking 7:32am and 38 F degrees at start. I set up a bag on the floor as my HQ at the first aid station, allowing me to avoid carrying too much weight and to keep my own food and fluids. First hour was completed at 9 min/mile pace, bringing hopes of a better than expected performance. First 13 miles were ran in 1hour and 58 min.. The marathon was completed in about four hours, a new PR. At mile 28 I changed my shoes from the Kanadia trail to wide mildly-wore Brooks Adrenaline, to prevent foot injuries. At six hours, 36 miles were completed. After that, I was not able to keep the pace, and the walk breakes became erratic and frequent. At 7:32:13 I stopped, after walking a whole lap with my asthma flaring up for the second time that day.

I was able to meet my primary goal, achieved a new marathon PR, learned how to run for many hours, and finished first in my age group. Not bad at all! And once again I felt how nice is trail running...

Now I really feel I am ready to face 2009, with a big smile and bold goals.

Next races: Surf City USA Marathon (02/01/09), Pasadena Marathon (03/22/09), 27th Annual Avia Wildflower Triathlon Long Course (05/02/09), Vineman Ironman 70.3 (07/19/09).

Hero of the week: Robert English, the man behind the Big Cat Challenge, on its third event on 2008; the first race had only three participants.

Quote of the week: “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." Benjamin Franklin.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

The year 2008 may be ending, but a new season has already started. Health-conscious athletes everywhere are carb-counting and eating a lot of vegetables. Training logs are registering scale results and future plans. 'Tis the (2009) season to be jolly.

This is the time to wrap-up the gains and medals, to pass stories on and to look ahead for new gifts and blessings. My main achievements this year were to become a triathlete and to start this blog. That is why it is important to me to come here every week. Over the next posts I will publish complete lists of races in 2008 and personal records, but now it is the time to simply celebrate, without looking back, without cleaning closets, without calculations or predictions (those are all for next week and next year).

Happy Holidays to all!

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home. Carol Nelson

Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. Mary Ellen Chase

Learning to live with myself, part 2

2008-12-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

Again running after fun and auto-discovery, objectively training for the Big Cat Challenge taking advantage of a business trip, I took part in the North Face Endurance Challenge 2008 in San Francisco, CA. Because of the challenging course, I decided to run the half-marathon. Maybe next year I will be ready for the 50K or the 50M courses.

This was my very first trail race, with the usual extra hardships: I arrived at San Francisco at 11:50PM on the night before the race, after travelling for about twelve hours (from Miami), and waking up at 4:30 AM in order to be able to get to take the shuttle to the start, at the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. Temperatures were around freezing 44F on the morning of the race day, promising a very interesting race. Dean Karnazes was there hosting the event, less than 24hours after coming back from his trip to Antarctica, and classified this course as difficulty 8/10.

Besides the excitement and the challenge, the idea was to use this race as a rehearsal for the Big Cat Challenge, testing new trail running shoes and Injinji running socks. I have to say: I am impressed! Besides multiple compliments about my shoes, I could run wildly over the sandy fire roads, comfortably and fast on downhills. No blisters, no pain. I just regret to have bought white socks, and just one pair!

During this race I could really feel I was flying on downhills, but uphills were brutal, and I have learned my lesson on specific training: train on hills, to be able to run uphills!

It was a real pleasure to run those trails, where the only people you could see were the runners, and there was no cell signal in many areas. That is a definition of heaven on Earth...

I was really happy to participate in that race, and my prediction of 2:30 finish was not wrong: I finished 2:38:23, with no injuries, no falls, no blisters. My muscles were sore for a week after the race, mostly on the abdomen, and this was a good training race for the Big Cat Challenge. Again I ran a race by curiosity and impulse, but at least I was running in the right direction.

This was my first step to finish 2008 with a strong kick and to solve once for all my growing pains.

Next races: Big Cat Challenge 12-hour Ultramarathon (12/27/08), Surf City USA Marathon (02/01/09), Pasadena Marathon (03/22/09), 27th Annual Avia Wildflower Triathlon Long Course (05/02/09), Vineman Ironman 70.3 (07/19/09).

Heroes of the week: the San Diego Chargers came back to spotlight, bringing hopes for playoffs. Support your local team!

Quote of the week: “Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second." William James.

Learning to live with myself, part 1

2008-12-14T11:38:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since my last post because I was on a trip, so I will divide my news in two parts. I have learned a lot about myself playing hard over these last weeks, and this actually came adequately as end-of-year reflection.

On 11/30/08 I raced the Turkey Tri (0.5M swim, 14M bike, 4.5M run), in commemoration of Thanksgiving and Triathlon season finale. I neglected swimming and cycling for a while, and I knew I would pay a price for that. My prediction was a finish in 1h50min, without knowing the course.

Bonelli Park is a beautiful place, with mountains at sight, a big central lake, and a lot of green. But the water was dark and cold, the bike course is moderately hilly, and the run path is narrow. That together with my unpreparedness brought a weird result to a beautiful day and a beautiful course. If you can believe, the race organization did not track transition times, even using chips. So my times were: swim 28:31, bike 56:35, run 40:31, finish 2:05:37.

During the swim I had shortness of breath, probably a mix of cold water, bad technique and panic, and I needed to float for about three minutes.
The first buoy was very far from the start, and all swimmers had navigation problems. On top of that, many experienced triathletes had the impression that the course was longer than 0.5 mile. At T1 I checked my time, and then I started a personal race against the clock. The bike leg was exciting, with many turns and rolling hills, my first using cyclocomputer. From that I know my bike time was 49 min, with probably T1 5:35min and T2 2 min. My legs complained a little on the run course, but I still could have a relative catch-up. I placed overall 318/601, and age group 54/76.

I paid the price for not being prepared, and I will have to live with that. But within a context of Half-Ironman training for next season, this showed me this is the time to stop racing for fun and curiosity, to know courses and have experience, and start objectively racing, with defined training plan, goals and purpose. I already know I can do it and finish it, even without preparation, but it is time to train against myself. I am always very enthusiastic and hungry for new experiences, bright characteristics of Aries natives, but hard-headed and hard to adhere to hard long and steady plans.

Now it is time to be a grown-up triathlete and focus my time and energy.

Next races: Big Cat Challenge 12-hour Ultramarathon (12/27/08), Surf City USA Marathon (02/01/09), 27th Annual Avia Wildflower Triathlon Long Course (05/02/09), Vineman Ironman 70.3 (07/19/09).

Hero of the week: Manny Pacquiao, who won against the odds and the media, making history starting a new era in boxing.

Quote of the week: “The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise.” Alden Nowlan.

Holy Water and multiple blessings

2008-11-26T10:39:00.000-08:00

Finally rain came to California, watering the plants and cleaning the air. Now it does feel like Fall and Thanksgiving week.

But I'd like to talk about other waters. Last week I returned to swimming training, after a month off, because of trips, marathon training and recovery, and cold nights. It was like a rebirth, or a baptism, if you like. Streaming through the swimming pool, I experienced the same joy I felt when I was able to swim 200 meters without stop for the first time. This is what I live for. That night I dreamt I was flying.

As expected, Brian did better than expected. He finished Ironman Arizona in 10:09:48 (overall 171/2300, age group 23/201). As I said before: this guy is living the dream! Congratulations!

Talking about heroes, Dean Karnazes has started his journey on The Last Desert, an ultramarathon in Antarctica, seeking to be the first to complete all four deserts in a year (Atacama, Gobi, Sahara and Antarctica).

Talking about blessings, I just bought a my first cycling computer. This is my first step to start flying on the bike. Last weekend I had my last ride without it, and of course I forgot my watch. During the same ride I had my first flat; I estimate I was back on the course in eight minutes, approximately.

Still talking about blessings, the controversy is on about swimming speedsuits. USA Swimming has proposed new swimsuit regulation, coming together to the concerns about technological "doping". This questions all world records achieved during last Olympics, and probably will turn them unreachable. It will be interesting to see what will be the final solution.

This is Thanksgiving Day, and here I register my humble gratitude for all the joy and happiness achieved this year. This weekend I will compete in the Turkey Tri, my fourth sprint triathlon. This year I became a triathlete, and through triathlon I was able to make a myriad of new friends, have multiple additional reasons to smile every day, and have found new goals in my life.

Thank God, this year has been a year of hard work, and that is why I play hard. Next week I am traveling to San Francisco, and I will take opportunity to run my first trail race, in The North Face Endurance Challenge. Because the trail course involves ascent of more than 900 feet, I will run the half-marathon, instead of the 50K or 50M courses. But do not worry: to extend my limits I have registered for the Big Cat Challenge 2008, a 12-hour ultramarathon.

Next races: Turkey Tri (11/30/08), The North Face Endurance Challenge Half-Marathon (12/06/08), Big Cat Challenge 12-hour Ultramaraton (12/27/08), Surf City USA Marathon (02/01/09), Vineman Ironman 70.3 (07/19/09).

Hero of the week: Brian Melekian. Every week he shows me new possibilities, new goals, new dreams.

Quote of the week: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." Mahatma Gandhi.

Asthma Attack!

2008-11-17T17:41:00.000-08:00

Just after posting about healthy thoughts and smoke, I come back reporting my first asthma attack in Los Angeles. The smoke created by the multiple wildfires over Southern California turned the air quality unhealthy, causing cancellation of the Pasadena Marathon, the cycling rides of most of the cycling clubs, and even the swimming workouts at the Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ), the Masters swimming program I attend. Unaware of everything happening around me, I woke up late and arrived 15 minutes before the start of the Run for Her 5K race (this one did not get cancelled), and just after running the first mile in 6:15min I felt something was wrong.

My lungs did not follow my legs during the second mile, and soon my legs did not follow my will. Still managed to complete mile 2 in 13:50, and then my race was against my body, trying to beat my PR of 22:36 achieved last year at the same race. Finished strong, and marked 22:42, six seconds above my PR! I soon started to blame the course change this year, the weak pre-race warm-up, bad nutrition, when I noticed my burning nostrils and the cough coming frequent over my fast breathing.
It was an old familiar feeling, and everything came together when someone told me the Pasadena Marathon got cancelled due to unhealthy air quality. I had taken my usual two puffs of Albuterol before the race, but those were not enough. And of course the pump was at home. After meeting my wife, I spent about fifteen minutes controlling my respiration and considering if I should go to the medical tent. Little by little, the cough became less frequent, and all the phlegm came out, assuring the beginning of recovery.

This was the first time California has failed me, and this was painful. In New York I needed daily use of long-acting beta-agonists to treat my asthma, most likely because of allergies to tree pollen during Spring, but since I came to Los Angeles, I never needed medications again. I was happy and free. Suddenly, I could not get outside my apartment, and came across limitations to my training. This was scary and sad. All the radio reports and images on the TV were describing people losing their homes, and wildfires devastated in hours, with firefighters not able to contain most of the fire. This has shortened my breath more than any asthma attack, with no fast-relieve medicines. Imagine Saturday night I thought the Moon looked beautiful bearing a dark orange brightness.

Today, the strong smell of smoke still in the air and all the newspapers remind me the same feeling I had during the race, when it did not matter how hard I tried, I could not move my body to my will.

Healthy thoughts

2008-11-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

I just briefly mentioned on previous post another reason to dislike New York: the large amount of people smoking over you. Probably this is just an impression resultant of so many people crowding Manhattan, but the fact is I am not as exposed to cigarette smoking here in LA. Even worse: for the whole 26.2 miles of the New York City Marathon I had at least ten times smokers throwing their air pollutants over the runners; approximately at mile 25 there was a guy smoking cigars at the race course! Maybe I am being too sharp, but that came to me as a disrespect to all runners, not to mention public health.

Talking about health, the day before New York City Marathon I had a trauma to my right shin caused by my luggage, and that created a very painful shin splint, felt only after the race, until two days ago. For the first five days after the race I could not walk properly, and only now I have stretched enough and recovered my balance. A wonderful realization was to learn that exercise accelerated my recovery, through spinning and treadmill training, avoiding excessive load on the legs. It is always nice to see that my body takes better care of itself than I do.

Mental health was another issue this week. The concerns of being injured, together with pain at every step lasting more than three days threatened my sanity. My plans on running Pasadena Marathon this weekend were put aside, even because the race was sold out while I waited to register after my recovery was evident. The urge to sit and plan my next year schedule has started to cause me nightmares, and this probably will make me busy next weekend. Only the idea of a new sprint triathlon in two weeks (the Turkey Tri) and Vineman Ironman 70.3 on next July can make me forget my current frustrations and push me forward.

Talking about happiness, the current streak of victories of the Trojans and the NY Giants have an important role, but what fills my soul and blows my mind is Brian Melekian and his journey to Ironman Arizona. To read the posts on his blog is always inspiring, even though his numbers show me I still have a lot of work to do. Now he just launched his online coaching website. It is an honor to know he reads my blog. For all these next days and during the race on November 23rd you can bet all my good thoughts and strong energy will be with him.

Feeling well again comes together with the joys of the Holidays, and the hope of an even better year. Tomorrow I will participate for the second time in Run for Her, a 5K race to raise awareness and funds to support ovarian cancer research, as part of my sprint triathlon training. I have started again to be able to plan ahead and project goals, and this is my healthiest state of mind.

Next races: Run for Her 5K (11/16/08), Turkey Tri (11/30/08), Surf City USA Marathon (02/01/09), Vineman Ironman 70.3 (07/19/09).

Hero of the week: Lance Armstrong. He is the inevitable hero; well-accomplished, gifted and well-spoken. Above any criticism and all the media, he is able to catch the public attention to important issues and his cause. He managed to be a landmark to whom athletes compare themselves, for better or worse...

Quote of the week: “If you leave the smallest corner of your head vacant for a moment, other people's opinions will rush in from all quarters”

George Bernard Shaw.

New Marathon PR!

2008-11-06T16:24:00.000-08:00

After a rushed weekend I have the pleasure to tell I have achieved a new marathon PR: 4:22:15. This and the fact that I ran NYC Marathon for three times probably may turn it into my favorite marathon, but it is still debatable.

I had forgotten how rough New York is, and that was for sure reminded in a three-day-stay. It all started with a crowded train from Newark to NYC, and people kicking your bag and pushing you to the side at Penn Station. At the marathon expo, rushed people trying to conquer space on narrow walkways and expensive merchandise and food were additional slaps on the face of a tired jet lag sufferer. At the hotel, twenty minutes of waiting at the front desk, staff people screaming at the corridors and windows facing brick walls.

Do not get me wrong: New York has its own charm; the abundance of convenience stores and Starbucks on almost every corner, the exotic foods from all over the world, the Central Park, and the lights of Times Square. But to appreciate all of that requires to overlook ugly people on dark clothes, avoid hundreds of smokers on the sidewalks and forget people stepping on your neck to run the blocks.

Getting to the Expo on Friday, left Saturday for rest, and we took opportunity to watch Run for your life, a documentary about New York City Marathon and its greatest architect, Fred Lebow. It was a very inspiring movie, perfect for few tears and fueling for the race. The pasta dinner was another perfect New York postcard, with a long line, rushed people and crowded tables, but the best was to eat and leave early.

For about a week I was dreaming with the race, but the two nights before the marathon I was so tired I slept deeply straight. Buses took us to Staten Island for the start and then the real marathon began. The morning was cold and windy, about 38 degrees Fahrenheit, with people squeezing together under tents for about four hours and a half, wearing plastic bags and trying to relax. Unnecessary to say that Port-a-potties ran out of paper.

The NYC Marathon will always be a wonderful spectacle because of the crowds of spectators and its course. The weather was warmer from the start, and the organization in corrals made possible to run your own pace in middle of a sea of runners. Once again my compression socks helped my stride, and the right combination of gels, energy bar, Gatorade and water made possible my journey without hitting the wall. I crossed the half point at 2:05:10, but started to slow my pace. About mile 18 I thought I would just be able to break my NYC Marathon PR (4:28:13), and stopped looking at my watch. When I crossed mile 25 at 4:12 it gave me new life, and finished strong summing up a pace of exact 10 min/mile, achieving a new Marathon PR.

Of course, New York still had to give its message: it took me an hour just to get out of Central Park, and when I got to the hotel I barely had time to take a shower before being expelled from the room by the manager in order to get future guests. After I met my wife, who also ran the marathon, it took from us twenty minutes and a walk for four blocks until we could get a taxi cab to JFK Airport to come back home.

Today I have just passed the usual tiredness and post-marathon depression, still treating a very painful shin splint. Inspired by my recent achievement, I have registered for Vineman Ironman 70.3, in July 19th, 2009. Now things are getting faster and more exciting. Just when I started thinking I was becoming too old for new records...

Talking about achievements, Dean Karnazes has finished the Sahara Race in second place. His feats always give me inspiration and strength.

Next races: Turkey Tri (11/30/08), Vineman Ironman 70.3 (07/19/09).

Hero of the week: My wife. She is my strength and my comfort. Without her I would never have the confidence and the boldness to face all these challenges. She is the one who allows me to throw myself in uncountable hours of training and racing, and hears all my complaints about hunger, soreness and race results. Without proper training, she went ahead and ran her second NYC Marathon with me, not able to enjoy New York the way she likes, going on shopping and dinning. And even after all of that, she had to take the flight back to LA without a shower, due to the hotel problems and the departure time.

Quote of the week: "The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." Michelangelo

In the heat

2008-10-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

From the top of my sore thighs I happily announce a new PR for 10K established yesterday at LA Cancer Challenge. As I previously wrote, this is one of my favorite races in LA, because of the crowd, the food, the course and the crowd. That together with the need for a tune-up for NYC marathon and reassurance about my physical condition made up the right conditions for a good race. Gun time was 49:17, Chip time was 48:49, with an average pace of 7:53, overall place of 141/735 and age group 20/48. Finally better than my usual middle of the pack place.

I am also happy to announce that the compression socks really seem to help. My running form is really better, they were perfect for the temperature of 56F in the morning, and made my recovery faster. I recommend to all runners to give a try: SLS3 compression socks.

Greetings to the Trojans, for another brilliant victory, now at week 9, 17-10 over Arizona.

Congratulations to the Giants, for their victory 21-14 over the Pittsburgh Steelers on week 8.

This week Dean Karnazes is running the Sahara Desert Race, and you can follow his adventure on his blog. So far, he finished the first stage yesterday in fourth, and today has finished the second stage in third. Here I bring some pictures he showed in his blog.

Now I started packing for New York, keeping the heat of this last weekend to warm my feet for my next East Coast adventure.

Next races: ING New York Marathon (11/02/08).

Hero of the week: Dean Karnazes, the Ultramarathon Man, who is running the in Sahara Desert this weekend, following his schedule of running four deserts in 2008 (Atacama, Gobi, Sahara and Antarctica), besides Badwater.

Quote of the week: "If you can't run, then walk. And if you can't walk, then crawl. Do what you have to do. Just keep moving forward and never, ever give up." Dean Karnazes.

Stretching the season

2008-10-22T00:27:00.001-07:00

It is October, and concerns about cold weather, Holiday breaks and 2009 racing calendar are up. Fall Marathon season is on for the runners at heart. Of course we all will try to squeeze as much as possible from 2008, before cooling down.

After my running lesson at Long Beach, all my focus is on New York City Marathon (http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/home/index.ph). As a tune-up race, for the second time I will participate in the 10K LA Cancer Challenge Run this next Sunday.(http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=264394). It is a very well-organized event raising funds for pancreatic cancer research, with a beautiful crowd, nice course and delicious pumpkin pancakes as post-race meal.

This is going to be my third consecutive NYC Marathon, thanks to guaranteed entry obtained while I was living in NY. After this, I will have to be lucky enough to qualify or win a place in the lottery. In 2006 it was my second marathon ever, and I finished in 4:28:13; in 2007 I hit the wall hard and finished in 4:36:44. The main challenge is survive the hours in the cold weather waiting for the start. Luckily, it did not rain or snow on both years. And that way I hope I can at least finish better than 2007.

It will be nice to see NYC once again, and feel the crowd and the cold. This is going to be a moment of real contemplation and inspiration about the blessing of living in California, with all the space, warmth and mountains at sight.

As usual, I am already looking for the next marathon, and it seems it will come sooner than expected: the first ever Pasadena Marathon, near home, in two weeks. The appeal of taking part of the first event, two weeks after NYC, is irresistible. It will really depend on finishing NYC in a non-humiliating time and without injuries.

It is also time to plan for 2009, and I am checking the Ironman website on a daily basis to decide what is the most realistic schedule.

It is really a matter of stretching as much as I can: the muscles and tendons, to ensure proper recovery and prevent injuries; the calendar, to avoid boredom; and the challenges, to guarantee my smiles and well-being.

I need to finish 2008 well in order to start a good 2009.

Next races: LA Cancer Challenge (10/26/08), ING New York Marathon (11/02/08).

Quote of the week: "If you can't run, then walk. And if you can't walk, then crawl. Do what you have to do. Just keep moving forward and never, ever give up." Dean Karnazes.

Long Beach International City Bank Marathon

2008-10-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

I really had to run this race. I did not properly train for it, and just have passed my peak at triathlon training, so a marathon out of nowhere surely would be painful, but I have a list of reasons.

reason #1: I had to catch up my marathon running. This was my sixth marathon in 2008, and my goal is to complete at least eight, as last year.

reason #2: I am a member of Marathon Maniacs (http://www.marathonmaniacs.com) marathon running club; that means I am addicted to marathon running, trying to complete as many as I can, hopefully at least one in each state. With this, I have ran sixteen marathons and one ultramarathon. That does not mean I trained for all of them, but I have earned the bragging rights.

reason #3: After running San Francisco Marathon, with completion of Long Beach Marathon and Surf City Marathon I will get an exclusive medal and a jacket for completing the California Dreamin’ RACING SERIES(http://www.caldreaminracing.com/).

reason #4: Long Beach is a beautiful and flat city. I just had to see it again.

reason #5: I needed to shake things up and tune up my training for New York City Marathon, in three weeks.

reason #6: It was my participation in the Phidippidations Worldwide Half Marathon Challenge (http://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com/cgi-bin/home). For those who do not know, it was a free worldwide event of people running together.

reason #7: I had to test running compression socks.

reason #8: I had to test a better nutrition approach for the marathon.

reason #9: October 11th was my mother's birthday. I had to celebrate this date, specially because she lives abroad and I miss her.

reason #10: As usual, Trojans won again (10/11/08, over Arizona State, 28-0) and I had to party.

reason #11: I had to run a marathon with the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles uniform.

reason #12: I love running marathons.

reason #13: I am addicted to marathon running.

reason #14: I had to face the challenge of running this marathon after intensive sprint triathlon training.

reason #15: It was a beautiful day.

But it does not matter how many reasons, but how you perform, and there comes a list of all mistakes I did:

mistake #1: Proper training: I did not train properly.

mistake #2: Do not increase your weekly mileage more than 10%: I do not even have the math...

mistake #3: Periodization: I ran a marathon right after peak training, and three weeks before an A race.

mistake #4: Proper pacing: I forgot my wristwatch, and they did not have any clocks on race course, so as expected I ran too fast in the first half, and wore myself off.

mistake #5: Nothing new on race day: I tried running compression socks for the first time in that race.

As expected, I did not PR: chip time was 4:47:30. But I was able to prove myself that without training I can finish a marathon in less than five hours.

The day started with mildly cool 66F, but during the race the temperature rose to 76F, with about 5-8 miles directly under the sun. As usual, I started the race with arm warmers and gloves, but warm-up was complete at mile 3.

I ran the first 10K at 9:17 pace, and the half was completed at 9:35 pace. At mile 13 I was passed by the 4:15 hours marathon pace group, and at mile 14 I started to have bilateral calf cramps, being forced to start run-walk pattern. At mile 18 I was passed by the 4:30 hours marathon pace group, and then the challenge was to finish in less than 4:50 hours.

Probably this was my second most painful race, but I was happy to finish in less than five hours, with accomplishment of the socks and nutrition testing. The socks really worked in improving my running form, but I can not tell about speed. My nutrition consisted in using water instead of sports drinks, using gels every three miles; this way I avoided abdominal cramping, but the cramps in my legs could be due to electrolyte deficit. Now it seems it is time for salt capsules.

Mission accomplished, one more medal in the wall, one more race in the journal. I have learned a lot, and now I have to evade the post-race depression planning my training until NYC Marathon.

I really had to run this race.

Next races: LA Cancer Challenge (10/26/08), ING New York Marathon (11/02/08).

Hero of the week: Chrissie Wellington, Ironman champion 2007 and 2008, finished more than ten minutes ahead of her fellow competitors at 9:06:23, even with a flat tire.

Quote of the week: "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein

Three-Triathlons-Triathlete, third part of three

2008-10-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

Happy for reaching my goal at Malibu, achy and tired, I was hungry for more. But then I had to accomplish the most difficult task: pleasing myself with my performance. Long Beach Triathlon (0.5Mi swim, 11Mi bike, 3Mi run) was a perfect race to finish my streak.

Once more I reviewed my bike, setting the bike seat higher, and packed up my triathlon bag. This was my first time at Long Beach, and I have to say: it is beautiful! Even better: it is flat and fast!

Not only the land course was flat that day; the ocean was calm and warm, better than a swimming pool. I did not have any excuses for the swim leg, and I did not need any: my time was 17:11.4, with just few elbow hits and kicks, no surprises.

T1 was awkward, due to a long sand trail at the beach; I ran half of it, until I had cramps on my calves, but no shortness of breath this time. I will include running on sand in my training: my time was a horrible 4:55.4.

Bike leg was exciting, wide and flat streets, with some sharp turns, but not crowded, so I managed to do better: 35:50.9. I have to confess: I need more training time on the aero position... Having a running background, biking always scares me with the possibility of a crash. That is the excuse for the bike leg...

T2 was a satisfactory 1:47.6. I need to train to remove bike shoes on the bike...

Excited with my time, I pushed the run. Basically, I started to chase my age-group competitors, not even breaking the pace for fluids, and felt great: 22:19.9 was my time. The weather helped a lot, low humidity, cool, not windy. The cheers of the spectators was another bonus.

The result was comforting and above expectations: 1:22:04. Now Long Beach is my favorite, and I have plans to repeat this streak every year: LA Triathlon, Malibu and Long Beach. Hard it will be not to go for olympic distances on the first two...

Now I am making plans for half and full-Ironman, if I have the money.

I already know I have the guns and the guts.

Next races: Long Beach International Marathon (10/12/08); ING New York Marathon (11/02/08).

Hero of the week: Chris McCormack. At least until next Saturday, he is The Ironman Champion. But I have to tell you: anybody swimming 0.5Mi in 10:29 (his time in Malibu this year) and finishing an Ironman in 8:15:34 (his time in Kona last year) or less has all my respect and will be my hero.

Quote of the week: "Fear is probably the thing that limits performance more than anything - the fear of not doing well, of what people will say. You've got to acknowledge those fears, then release them." --Mark Allen

USC Trojans win again

2008-10-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Week 6:

Oregon 10

USC 44

Three-Triathlons-Triathlete, second part of three

2008-10-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

You can say Nautica Malibu Triathlon (0.5Mi swim, 18Mi bike, 4Mi run) was my A race. This was my first registration, my goal setting and my main event (to support CHLA). That was not exactly a sprint triathlon, but LA Triathlon was a good rehearsal. My realistic predictions did not allow me to consider a time less than two hours, so my goal was to beat 2:10.

Focused on the race, just on the previous day I realized that it was an awesome party, with the huge number of participants and the presence of celebrities. A plus was Jennifer Lopez competing her first triathlon together with us. And everybody on the CHLA team was excited with the upcoming close race day and the numbers of the fundraising.

Because PCH is closed for the race, parking is difficult and participants have to arrive before 5:30 AM. Another day waking up at 4AM, but this time I had a car available. The number of athletes was impressive, increasing the distractions and traffic in the transition area, but outstanding organization made the whole event run smooth and enjoyable.

It was said the ocean was flat on the previous day, but that was not the exact description for that Sunday. As you can see in the pictures (guess who is in the picture?...), the long arm of Nature was heavy, as I felt on the third wave, when I was thrown back and almost lost my goggles. That slap was enough to turn on the adrenaline and make me faster, after few minutes of recovery in slow pace. On the way back, right before the surf, I saw one of the female coast guards who taught me my second open water swim clinic, and saw my panic attack freezing me and making me hold into her surfboard at 50 yards from the beach. In my dreams she recognized me and was admired of my success. Reaching the sand without other surprises, I did not feel as bad as on the previous week, and was surprised with the time. Official swim time was 22:06.

The dizziness of the previous efforts just hit me when I was removing the wetsuit, and that made my T1 last 3:14.5.

The bike leg was smooth, except for the uphills, and I finished in 01:02:07, with the certainty that I have more work to do to improve my bike skills. It was delightful to have a whole lane of PCH to ride.

T2 presented me with the corridors full of people, some throwing up, some bonking, some watching the movement, and with that was a kind of race within the race to be able to rest my bike and leave for the run. T2 time was 1:33.6.

The run started with abdominal cramps, most likely because of the two gels taken on the bike. But my legs continued running in front of my brain until they both got together at the turning point. It was very rewarding to see so many CHLA team members on the run, and to have all spectators cheering for us. Run time: 33:26.8.

With all the energy dispensed, and most likely because of the friendly wave on the swim start, I finished 02:02:28.4, beating my shy prediction of 2:10, but short of less than 2 hours.

Right after the finish, I felt the damage of two weekends in a roll of competition. Mild nausea did not allow me to replenish carbohydrates, and moderate pain on quads and feet requested prompt rest.

Malibu could have been my A race, but right on the night before LA Triathlon I had registered for Long Beach Triathlon. Do you want to know why? Because that was a shorter course (0.5Mi swim, 11Mi bike, 3Mi run), without the pressure for results in front of a lot of people; because my season probably would end that week (due to work issues for the rest of the year); because I still was on my peak; and (again...) because I still had to fight my fear of the open water swim.

Stubbornness, fear and waves can take you very far...

Three-Triathlons-Triathlete, first part of three (say it fast three times...)

2008-10-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

I am now very happy to consider myself a triathlete. After five months of preparation, I was able to throw all my energy in three triathlons in three consecutive weekends.

The first race I registered for was Nautica Malibu Triathlon, in benefit of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. With their team, I was able to learn Triathlon 101 and have group training and my first open water swim clinics. My eternal gratitude to coaches Chris Smith and Brian Melekian who showed me the joys of multisport and taught me to always have fun. It was an honor to wear their colors, and now all my pictures will be monotous because of the same uniform , but CHLA is one of the best children's hospitals in the world, and I am proud to declare that in all races.

Since the beggining I knew the swim would be my biggest problem: I could not even swim 50 M without stop, and in all of the open water swim clinics I got panic attacks. Joining the Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ) masters program and daily workouts made me begin to enjoy the swim. It was one of my most remarkable moments of my life when I finally was able to swim 200 M at once.

Because of all the fear of open water, I had to prove to myself that I could do it. That and the short swim course of the Kaiser Permanente LA Triathlon (swim 0.4 Mi, bike 19.5Mi, run 3.1Mi) made me sign up for my first ever race, one week before Malibu. That was a rehearsal, and it could not be done many weeks before simply because I was not ready at all.

It was a feat to wake up at 3:30AM on race day, bike 4Mi to take a bus to Santa Monica , and bike 3Mi more to Venice Beach ( do not ask me why: I do not have a car...). That was when I felt all the joy of multisport ; to see the sunshine at the beach , finishing nutrition tune-up and setting transition , this is divine. And I learned that I needed a headlamp to succeed in this sport.

I needed two swim warm-ups to feel confident enough to line up at the start. Funny how it really feels like you are swimming in a washing machine, with people all around you, grabbing your arms and legs, and suddenly stopping to kick you on the face. It was a good lesson, and I finished 0.4Mi swim in 18:43, mostly because of multiple stops to wait for people to clear my way, and because of bad navigation. But I was happy to survive swimming faster that predicted.

Transition time was 3:33, mostly because I was short of breath after the swim, but my transition was exactly at the exit, so I got it fast for my standards.

The bike leg was fun in the beggining, with me daring to go to aero position (give me a break: I had bought the bike just six months before...), then scary in the middle (hilly course) and exciting end with a huge downhill. Bike time 1:07:48, mostly because I got hypoglycemic on the last quarter of the bike. I have to confess: I can not avoid a smile when going fast downhill or doing a sharp turn. Maybe that will go with time.

T2 went 2:01, mostly because I had to understand where was the exit. My fault: next time I promise I will study the maps better...

The run started with a huge smile, because I realized I could finish in less than two hours (please understand: that was my very first sprint triathlon...). But I had to face the same hill of the bike course, up in the first 1.5Mi, down in the second half. No fluid stops, chasing competing age-groupers, finished in 25:22, happy to finish strong, already worried about recovery for next weekend.

Now I knew I could do it, and I had to improve. More road work ahead.

Next races: Long Beach International Marathon (10/12/08); ING New York Marathon (11/02/08).

Quote of the week: Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it. Margaret Thatcher

Here to stay!

2008-10-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Did you notice how many triathletes have blogs nowadays?

That is one of the many reasons I decided to start my own. This is a very good way to commit myself to my training, to save some time for rest (out of work, out of training), to make new friends, to talk unlimited hours about what we love, and to pay tribute to all my heroes.

Love; that is the motto of my life, and that is what I will try to write about. We all love multisport and to face challenges on a daily basis, this is written in stone. But I am talking about the feeling that moves all our bodies and minds against water, wind, pain and hunger. We do what we do because we love ourselves, and we love to be happy and healthy for our loved ones, to laugh, smile and cheer with our friends, in the name of all those who can not go out there with us. And that feeling has no limits, and always pushes forward.

That is the reason of the name of this blog: I am constantly preparing myself for the days to come, and does not matter who you are, what you do, where you came from, we all have more road work ahead, no end in sight.

I can finally brag I am a triathlete, after completing three competitions in three weeks: Kaiser Permanente LA Triathlon (09/07/08), Nautica Malibu Triathlon (09/14/08) and Long Beach Triathlon (09/21/08). I am very proud of my achievements, and I will talk about them in another time. To this date, I have ran 16 marathons and one ultramarathon, but nothing was a bigger challenge than to learn how to be a triathlete. Now I am six pounds lighter, eating healthier than ever, and loving this new lifestyle. You can follow my public training log in www.buckeyeoutdoors.com under tripleS.

Next races: Long Beach International Marathon (10/12/08); ING New York Marathon (11/02/08).

Hero of the week: Brian Melekian. That guy is living the dream. Brain tumor survivor, he spends his days training, preparing for Ironman. You can follow his blog at http://brianmelekian.blogspot.com/. Recently, he showed my newest dream bike: Cervelo P4. You can see pictures and comments at http://www.roadcycling.com/reviews/Cervelo_Debuts_The_P4_at_Interbike_002452_printer.shtml

And video at http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/interbike/2009-cervelo-p4/.

Quote of the week: If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell.

Lance Armstrong

This was my first post of an entire life to come. Please talk to me at tripleStalks@gmail.com.