Wildflower !!!

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...

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

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

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!