Tri - Runner's Roost

A blog from a "Middle of the Pack Marathoner" starting his journey from Newbie to Ironman. The ride is awesome!

 
I Don’t Wanna Stop

Add a video to your site Webratsmusic.com
Update your profile
History
I started running in January of 2004 to get in shape. I had gained too much weight and felt terrible. I was able to run my first 5K 3 months later. 2 years later and 50 lbs lighter, I have continued to push for greater goals and have run 5 marathons and I am training for an Iron distance triathlon now. Everyday I wake up with a positive attitude towards life, training and my future.
Marathons Completed
Arizona RockNRoll 2007
Salt Lake City Marathon 2006
Steamboat Marathon 2005
Boulder Backroads 2005
Las Vegas Marathon 2005
Why do I Tri?
Should be why do I want to Tri? I want to see just how far I can push myself. With everyday I am in the best shape of my life. And I'm never going back!!!!
Sponsors
Elite Family Fitness-Canon City
BB's Tanning and Massage
Scheduled Races
Littlefoot Triathlon
Bolder Boulder 10K
Highland Ranch Sprint
Boulder Long Triathlon
Redman Iron Distance
Buffalo Creek Xterra Race Report
June 22, 2008




The 2008 Buffalo Creek Xterra was held on Saturday June 21st. The race was everything I expected and more. Let me elaborate ---->


We (my girlfriend and kids and I) left on Thursday evening for the campground around Lake Wellington. We got there just before dark and were happy to find out the we would be able to camp with the volunteers setting up the race on Friday. I had e-mailed the Race Director and found out the we would be able to help set up on Friday. He graciously paid for our camp site for the night. We got a temporary campsite for the first night and set up camp - we were tired and hit the sleeping bags early.


After a restless night's sleep - yeh, I forgot how hard the ground actually is. I awoke early and headed down to the lake to find Robert - the Race Director. I found him easily and got my first assignment - tearing the safety seals off of Gatorade bottles. That was fun "NOT" but after 2 blisters and help from Kim, my girlfriend and several other people we got all 5o0 bottles done. After that we help with a variety of projects and had everything set up by 4pm. After that I talked with several of the other athletes and got pointers for the bike course. I did get in a 1/2 mile practice swim as well. the lake was perfect. Temperature was about 65 degrees and very calm. I then worked on my bike and got everything ready for the race. I fell asleep early.


I slept better - guess the rocks got softer overnight. I woke up nervous with jitters in my stomach as usual before a race. The transition area filled up quickly. I think a major part of my anxiety came from the fact that my bike was not built for racing, downhill extremes, or any hard riding. That is what the warning on the front fork says. Everyone else out there had bikes that could survive this kind of race. I had a bike that was built to go to work and back. I was worried about folding the front fork over.


The race started on time - good thing because I don't think I could take waiting anymore. I was finally in the water and on my way. My swim was right on - I felt great..... the water was wonderful and my stroke was the best yet - my breathing was calm and rhythmic. It was a 2 loop swim with a short beach run. The Race Director offered to anyone that if after one lap you could not go on you would be able to do the short course instead. That though never occurred to me. I hit the beach ran to the next buoy and back in the water. I wanted to go the second lap - it felt good. I never thought I would be saying that about swimming.


I got into transition and felt great - I took my time and put socks on so that my mountain bike shoes would fit better. I grabbed my stuff - gave Kim a kiss and headed out. Knowing she would be there when I got back was a big drive to finish. The mountain bike course was brutal for a street triathlete. It started with the 4 mile "Buffalo Plunge" a hair raising downhill down a forest service road with washouts all over the place - I saw to athletes with severe road rash on the way down. Somehow I survived the plunge and then it was uphill out of there. I cannot begin to describe the course except to say that it was mostly on single track bike paths through the woods, over rocks, with some very steep uphills that needed to be walked, and a lot of granny-gear uphills that I survived somehow. I don't know how I made it through most of it because it is all a blur in my mind right now. The last 4 miles consisted of going back up the "Plunge". In the smallest gear that my bike had a pushed and pushed and pushed till I thought I would have no more. I was surprised at the amount of riders I passed on the uphill, many walking their bikes up the hill. I finally got to the top and headed to transition.


Kim was there waiting for me - I knew she would be. She is so good to me. I got into my running gear and with another kiss I headed out again. the run was very hilly at first - after about 1/4 mile I cramped in the quads. I was surprised it took so long. figured I would cramp a lot sooner. I walked it off for a bit and then started running again till the cramps came back. I was drinking loads of water and Gatorade. Finally as I got to the top and got some downhill in the cramps subsided some. I was then off and running finally. The run was absolutely beautiful. I ran next to a waterfall and a stream for a good bit. I finally got to a point where I could see the lake and ran down to the lakeside road. Knowing it was almost over I got into a rhythm and passed several runners that had slowed down. I got to talking with another runner and we encouraged each other and ran the last 2 miles together. Finally within shouting distance of the finish line I kicked it out and finished. And there she was again - waiting for me. I sure do Love her.......


I finished the race in good form and feel pretty good today. It was an experience that I would love to try again. with a better bike that is. It is a lot more challenging than a regular road tri. I did like it a lot. I did not place, but that is not what I expected anyway. I enjoyed myself and got the experience that I was wanting. Along with a lesson on mountain biking. I got the shit scared out of me on those downhills. God - I Love This Sport !!!!!!!!!
posted by Mondo @ 7:35 PM   0 comments
Sore and Tired
June 04, 2008


Well the training program is in full swing, and boy can I feel it.




To get caught up again;;;;;




Last week was my yearly visit to Boulder Colorado for the Bolder Boulder. This was my 5th race. It still amazes me to see that many runners and walkers in the same place. This year was no different with over 53,000 runners. Where are all these people when I need someone to run with?




I ran the race with my 11y/o grandson. He really ran a great race. For 11 y/o he pushed hard and we kept up a pace of 8:57min/mi. finishing in just over 55:30. For once it was a cool day to run, well---maybe too cool and rainy at the end. We were unable to enjoy the Expo afterwards. All in all, it was a great race as usual - if you have never done the Bolder Boulder then plan on it for next year. It's a fun day for all, runners, walkers and bystanders.




My swim training is progressing nicely. I am pushing total workouts of around 2600 yards. My aerobic sessions are now in the 2000's. I am still and always working on form more than speed. i feel the the better my form is the faster I will become. I have not had any open water practices yet but I am working on putting a few together.




My cycling is going OK also. I have had no trouble on the bike this year so far. Just a few flats but nothing else. This weekend I am suppose to do a long ride of 3 hours. I hope the weather holds or it will make for a sloppy ride. Tonight I am riding with the Canon City Cycling Group - They usually have a great turnout and ride pretty aggressively. I usually push myself faster and harder with the group then when I ride alone. I did notice that is is time to buy tires again. Seems like I am always buying something for this sport.




My running is going fine - I guess. I am not progressing at the rate I should be. I still feel slow - and long distances are a struggle. I am trying to push harder but I still feel clumsy and slow when I run. Thinking about running a marathon after a bike ride is still worrying me. But with perseverance over the next 3 months I hope to make up for it. I know that the Ironman will be hard and torturous - I just don't want to drop out.




So I just keep plugging along - I am starting to work on my nutrition better. I still hope to lose a few pounds before the race - but would like to be a little heavier going into the Ironman race than I was on the 1/2 Iron. Just so that I have more fuel for the long distance. The summer is here and the sweating will be bad. Hope everyone is enjoying the year so far. Until next week - CIAO !!!
posted by Mondo @ 2:18 PM   0 comments
About Me

HPIM0667 Name: John Maynard
Home: Canon City, Colorado, United States
About Me: In 2008 I completed a full Ironman. Since that time I have continued to keep myself in a decent shape with running and hiking. As the years have rolled on so has my midsection. With my 50th birthday behind me I have embarked on another journey in life. This journey will take me into my next decade in the best shape of my entire life. It's time to kick life into overdrive.
See my complete profile

Pueblo Tri T1.1 -->

Previous Post
Archives
Links
Template by

Free Blogger Templates

BLOGGER

 
Free Web Counters
Site Counter