I don't know what happened, but Santa must've thought I was good this year. He (or she) got me the Forerunner 305 and put it under the tree. I thought all I needed to run was my shoes, some nice clothes and my watch. With all the new mapping available on the net, I would just map my runs to get the mileage.
Now I got this high tech GPS HR monitor/watch. It's very nice and has lots of bells and whistles. Add the Motion Based website and zowie, now I can run anywhere and let the watch & computer do all the work. I'm having fun replaying mine and other peoples workouts. It monitors not only my position but my HR, pace, elevations and with the user profile, calories burned. For the bike I can add a cadence sensor but that's latter. Right now I can pull up the stats at any point of the workout when downloaded to MB. I'm just learning how to use it and have only done 2 runs and 1 bike with it. So far it seems accurate but I kinda doubt the elevations. I'm excited about this new toy and tend to push myself out the door just so I can record something. I'll report more as I learn more. Now what's that thing called an ipod?
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
End of 2007
Well I'll try to recap some of what happened in '07. First off I tried to make it on Team Hawaii Capital Management. This was a new start up and there were 4 of us. Good group of athletes and I felt excited to be part of it. But they never got me my tri gear until the Hawaii 70.3. By that time I had only planned to race one more tri afterwards. Then Dave (the owner of HCM) wanted his uniform back just before Tinman. Gave an excuse of changing the logo but none of the other teammates knew anything about it. Oh well, I guess I wasn't good enough to be on his team.
Did the North Shore Swim Series again. I love those swims and if you get a chance to try it, you'll love them too. They are a series of swims on the north shore of Oahu in the summer when surf is usually small. Beautiful water and marine life to take your mind off the swim. I like that it starts at 9 am rather than the usual 6 am starts for tris. More sleep is good!
Then of course the Honolulu Marathon. This year it was wet. Some heavy rains leading up and into the race made it cool. Bad part was not only dodging people but also large puddles. In some spots everyone squeezed to one side of the road and you had a bottle neck. A new timing system didn't workout so well and a lot of people had the wrong time or not time posted at all. I was lucky and my time registered correctly. At least according to my watch.
Just before the marathon my wife was talking to Chet the Jet and he was looking for one more person to go to Vineman in early August and asked if I'd be interested. Duh! This had been one race I'd hoped to do since I got into this nonsense. My wife asked me and told me it's ok with her. We wrote the check the next day. I am so excited to have a chance at this race. Currently I'm putting together a six month training plan but have started some early base building. I need to take care of the ITB in my right knee that flared up in the marathon. But for tonight I will watch Black Beauty with my daughter and have some coffee ice cream.
Did the North Shore Swim Series again. I love those swims and if you get a chance to try it, you'll love them too. They are a series of swims on the north shore of Oahu in the summer when surf is usually small. Beautiful water and marine life to take your mind off the swim. I like that it starts at 9 am rather than the usual 6 am starts for tris. More sleep is good!
Then of course the Honolulu Marathon. This year it was wet. Some heavy rains leading up and into the race made it cool. Bad part was not only dodging people but also large puddles. In some spots everyone squeezed to one side of the road and you had a bottle neck. A new timing system didn't workout so well and a lot of people had the wrong time or not time posted at all. I was lucky and my time registered correctly. At least according to my watch.
Just before the marathon my wife was talking to Chet the Jet and he was looking for one more person to go to Vineman in early August and asked if I'd be interested. Duh! This had been one race I'd hoped to do since I got into this nonsense. My wife asked me and told me it's ok with her. We wrote the check the next day. I am so excited to have a chance at this race. Currently I'm putting together a six month training plan but have started some early base building. I need to take care of the ITB in my right knee that flared up in the marathon. But for tonight I will watch Black Beauty with my daughter and have some coffee ice cream.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Metric Century
As I come over the crest near Halemano at dawn, I can see Haleiwa, the gateway to the North Shore. The ocean is relatively mild today with wind generated ocean swells breaking over the reef. I pull into Kaiaka Bay beach park which is the staging area of today's ride. At 7:30, a peleton of 700-800 will invade the North Shore for what is believed to be a great day for riding.
The Metric Century Ride is compromised of a 25k, 50k and 100k out and back ride along the North Shore of Oahu. Known more for it's epic surf, this is country living Oahu style. Rural communities, two lane highways and old beach front homes fighting the progress of newer housing development. I choose the 100k that will take me out just past the Crouching Lion to Swanzy Beach Park for the turn around.
Starting out I was in the first 150 or so riders as we were led out of town with a police escort. Once cleared of Haleiwa we were set free and we all tried to stay with the stronger riders just to get the pull from their draft. I managed to hang with them for around 7 miles until a morning shower dampened the road. With the spray of water & dirt muddying up my glasses, I backed off into a free space. There I peddled solo for another 10 miles before being picked up by a second group. I jumped into the pace line and enjoyed the draft, giving my legs some recovery from working alone.
At the 50k turn around, some broke off the group for a rest or to turn back. I chose to keep going not giving up my spot in a group that was definitely my speed. I'm not sure how many total were left in our group but I know that I along with two others did the pulling for the pace line. A couple of time when I jumped out to pull I went too hard and dropped the group. I slowed to wait for them and did my share. Coming around Crouching Lion we could see Swanzy and we all stopped for a quick rest.
Because the ride started 30 minutes late, I was anxious to get back on the road. Electing to do the return solo, I ventured out before my new friends. Not having to pull or concentrate on being in a pace line gave me time to enjoy the ride and the views it had to offer. With a tail wind now, I could average a fast pace without as much effort. A couple of pace groups passed me by but I stayed solo. I stopped once more to refill by water at the 50k turn and again went out by myself. Past the shrimp farms and Turtle Bay Resort and the final 12 mile stretch towards Haleiwa. Then somewhere between Ehukai (Pipeline) and Waimea Bay I flatted my rear tire. I always wondered why the rear flats more than the front. A quick tube change while vowing never to by Continental tires again, I was again pedaling and praying I don't get that second flat.
Around Waimea, past Chuns and soon the Joseph Leong bypass came into view. It was now just 5k to the refreshments and camaraderie of my fellow cyclists. Eating a few figs and half a banana I rode down the heart of Haleiwa towards Kaiaka Park. It's such a pleasant surf town with wooden buildings and no sidewalks so that you're walking on the roadside. I enjoy coming here and wish I didn't live on the opposite side of the island. But perhaps that's what will keep it special for me.
The Metric Century Ride is compromised of a 25k, 50k and 100k out and back ride along the North Shore of Oahu. Known more for it's epic surf, this is country living Oahu style. Rural communities, two lane highways and old beach front homes fighting the progress of newer housing development. I choose the 100k that will take me out just past the Crouching Lion to Swanzy Beach Park for the turn around.
Starting out I was in the first 150 or so riders as we were led out of town with a police escort. Once cleared of Haleiwa we were set free and we all tried to stay with the stronger riders just to get the pull from their draft. I managed to hang with them for around 7 miles until a morning shower dampened the road. With the spray of water & dirt muddying up my glasses, I backed off into a free space. There I peddled solo for another 10 miles before being picked up by a second group. I jumped into the pace line and enjoyed the draft, giving my legs some recovery from working alone.
At the 50k turn around, some broke off the group for a rest or to turn back. I chose to keep going not giving up my spot in a group that was definitely my speed. I'm not sure how many total were left in our group but I know that I along with two others did the pulling for the pace line. A couple of time when I jumped out to pull I went too hard and dropped the group. I slowed to wait for them and did my share. Coming around Crouching Lion we could see Swanzy and we all stopped for a quick rest.
Because the ride started 30 minutes late, I was anxious to get back on the road. Electing to do the return solo, I ventured out before my new friends. Not having to pull or concentrate on being in a pace line gave me time to enjoy the ride and the views it had to offer. With a tail wind now, I could average a fast pace without as much effort. A couple of pace groups passed me by but I stayed solo. I stopped once more to refill by water at the 50k turn and again went out by myself. Past the shrimp farms and Turtle Bay Resort and the final 12 mile stretch towards Haleiwa. Then somewhere between Ehukai (Pipeline) and Waimea Bay I flatted my rear tire. I always wondered why the rear flats more than the front. A quick tube change while vowing never to by Continental tires again, I was again pedaling and praying I don't get that second flat.
Around Waimea, past Chuns and soon the Joseph Leong bypass came into view. It was now just 5k to the refreshments and camaraderie of my fellow cyclists. Eating a few figs and half a banana I rode down the heart of Haleiwa towards Kaiaka Park. It's such a pleasant surf town with wooden buildings and no sidewalks so that you're walking on the roadside. I enjoy coming here and wish I didn't live on the opposite side of the island. But perhaps that's what will keep it special for me.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Lazy Boy - First Race
Man have I been lazy. Haven't had time to post here and now the new race year has started. Did my first marathon in December and though it didn't go as well as hoped I finishe in 4:20. I felt I could have done under 4 but had a bad day on the road.
Anyway as far as the first race of the season, it was the Iroquois Point Triathlon. High wind gusts in the 20-25 mph range were expected but I think it had calmed down a bit for the race. Others thought differently.
The swim was clockwise from waist deep water with the men starting 5 min. before the women. I positioned myself up front but a little off to the right hoping to catch the feet of one of the faster guys. Worked out pretty good for the sprint off the line but as everyone began to settle into pace I got stuck on the feet of a slower swimmer. Passed him and made the first buoy just ahead of a guy next to me. He was cutting just outside the buoy and I had to bump him further out so I could make the turn. On the way to the second buoy I got rolled by an unexpected wave but didn’t throw me off. My sighting today was spot on and I made a decent time.
Got on the bike and noticed what a lackluster week of training does. My gluts were tight and I never really found my bike legs. Only hit bad headwinds in a couple of spots and my darn speedometer kept crapping out on me. My friend Dave passed me at the turnaround and I paced him for a bit until he dropped me.
T2 went as well as T1 and I got out quickly but I was hurting from the bike. I knew to keep on pushing and my run legs would catch up. They did around the 2nd mile and I found a nice rhythm. Spotted Dave up ahead about 1 mile into the run so I just took my time knowing I’d get him before the line. Around 2.5 miles I was about 10 yd behind him and he took a left turn and peeked back and saw me trying to sneak up. We ran together for the rest of the way until he began to kick. I thought he was going too early because I thought we had further to go. When we came upon a right turn I saw the blue fence for the finisher chute and sprinted trying to get Dave. He beat me by 1 second. Thankfully he’s in another AG.
Finished the race in 1:14:00 and took 2nd in my AG. Dave got 1st in his and my team manager got 1st in his AG as well. My line score was 12:22 (750 yd), 0:53 (T1), 34:39 (13 mi), 0:52 (T2), 25:15 (3.5 mi). Good race, fun day and got another medal for Nikki to show off at school.
Anyway as far as the first race of the season, it was the Iroquois Point Triathlon. High wind gusts in the 20-25 mph range were expected but I think it had calmed down a bit for the race. Others thought differently.
The swim was clockwise from waist deep water with the men starting 5 min. before the women. I positioned myself up front but a little off to the right hoping to catch the feet of one of the faster guys. Worked out pretty good for the sprint off the line but as everyone began to settle into pace I got stuck on the feet of a slower swimmer. Passed him and made the first buoy just ahead of a guy next to me. He was cutting just outside the buoy and I had to bump him further out so I could make the turn. On the way to the second buoy I got rolled by an unexpected wave but didn’t throw me off. My sighting today was spot on and I made a decent time.
Got on the bike and noticed what a lackluster week of training does. My gluts were tight and I never really found my bike legs. Only hit bad headwinds in a couple of spots and my darn speedometer kept crapping out on me. My friend Dave passed me at the turnaround and I paced him for a bit until he dropped me.
T2 went as well as T1 and I got out quickly but I was hurting from the bike. I knew to keep on pushing and my run legs would catch up. They did around the 2nd mile and I found a nice rhythm. Spotted Dave up ahead about 1 mile into the run so I just took my time knowing I’d get him before the line. Around 2.5 miles I was about 10 yd behind him and he took a left turn and peeked back and saw me trying to sneak up. We ran together for the rest of the way until he began to kick. I thought he was going too early because I thought we had further to go. When we came upon a right turn I saw the blue fence for the finisher chute and sprinted trying to get Dave. He beat me by 1 second. Thankfully he’s in another AG.
Finished the race in 1:14:00 and took 2nd in my AG. Dave got 1st in his and my team manager got 1st in his AG as well. My line score was 12:22 (750 yd), 0:53 (T1), 34:39 (13 mi), 0:52 (T2), 25:15 (3.5 mi). Good race, fun day and got another medal for Nikki to show off at school.
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