We Don't Just Tri - We Do (Season 2) - Closed (Page 14)

Well, I finished my race this weekend and need to chalk it up to a learning experience and move on. My achilles and wetsuit were not cooperating. I still enjoyed the event and will definitely do it again next year.

You can read about my experience here.

http://tarabeeagain.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-second-triathlon-disappointing.html

Way to keep pushing through the wetsuit issue. I'm looking forward to my first open water swims, but definitely a little apprehensive about the wetsuits. 

Jynxy:

I haven't decided on my next race, have to work out some scheduling issues. But I have my eye set on one on June 29th, in Southwest Missouri, and another in August in Chicago. I'll definitely be doing olympic distance if I do either of them, but I'll keep you guys updated on which race(s) I pick. 

This weekend I have The Tour of Long Beach. A 30 mile ride with a Beer Garden at the finish line - Should be fun! 

Armando, Can't wait to see how your Ragnar goes - Good luck and stay healthy!

Congratulations! Sounds very cold and wet Are you ready for another?

I completed The Tour of Long Beach on Saturday in just over 2 hours and absolutely LOVED IT! I am going to find a longer tour and may be hooked on road races. My family gave me a gift certificate from my bike shop for Mother's Day and I am anxious to purchase some clip in shoes and pedals. 

The event was very well organized, had wonderful volunteers and everyone was in great spirits. I rode along with different groups and enjoyed pushing my speed. At the midway point there was a fabulous "rest area" with food, music, a water refill station and was quite the party atmosphere. I didn't start feeling fatigued until about the 23 mile mark. It was just my shoulders and my bum that were uncomfortable. A pair of biking shorts is in my future even though my kids don't want to be seen near me if I wear them The tour finished with a finish line festival including a beer garden, food trucks, a bike valet and of course music. Overall it was a great experience. I was able to raise $750 for our local pediatric cancer center and have a fun filled day. 

My achilles is still acting up so I am looking for an orthopedist. I am revising my schedule for the next month and will not participate in the Redondo Beach Triathlon in June, but will look for another bike tour and continue to swim. My next tri will hopefully be the Solana Beach Triathlon July 27th if I can get the achilles taken care of. I can't believe I am saying this but - I really miss running!

Hope all is well and everyone is healthy.

Hey Thom, 

I am sorry to hear about your achilles troubles.  I have tried to make the switch to zero drop but have been unsuccessful.  I have tried the five fingers which set me back 4 weeks because I developed heel pain.  Had to stop running altogehter. I still use them to walk around and in the gym but not for running.   Last year as a "reward" for finishing the IM I bought myself a pair of Newton Gravity shoes.  I put  100 miles on them, 2-3 at the time, trying to go easy and ensure the tendons stretch properly.  Things were progressing nicely until I started to increase the mileage.   I went out for a 6 mile run and had to call my wife to come pick me up.  It set me back another 4 weeks as I had to stop running to ensure I did not hurt myself any further.  The moral of my story is, if it isn't broken, don't fix it. I have had great luck with the Mizuno Wave Riders and now I am trying a pair of Scott eRide AF with good results as well.   I will continue to try to move to lower heel to toe drop but not sure I will make it to zero.  I am much more focused now on mid/fore foot landing and keeping my steps per minute to 180+.  these two have produced the best results over the past 12 months.    

Hope that going back to "regular" shoes helps your pain.   If so, maybe you can still make the Boulder IM.  

Armando

Hello everyone, 

So, Ragnar Cape Cod is in the books!!!  Although this was my 3rd Ragnar, it was significantly harder than the other 2 because we did it as an Ultra team.  The lack of sleep coupled with the struggles of a teammate meant that we had a longer race to stay awake for.  We started at Noon on Friday and finished around 6:30PM on Saturday.  Long Day yet very rewarding.  more about that in a minute.  

My objective for the race was to keep my cadence at 180 steps per minute, regardless of speed.  I am working on teaching my body to stay consistent as far as motion is concern which gets harder to do as I get tired.  I am happy to report that I accomplished the goal.  I ran 3 segments (multiple legs each) of 10, 11 and 11 miles and kept the cadence at or above 180 steps per minute.  My times dropped from 8:01 to 8:25 to 9:03 minutes per mile but the cadence stayed right were I wanted it.  This alone was success for me.  

The rewarding part came in as we were preparing for the 3 leg of the run.  We were all tired and there were a couple of team members who were starting to doubt their ability to finish their individual legs.  There were sore knees, tiredness and just general discomfort.  I would say that at some point, we all doubted our ability to finish the race.  One of our teammates had the longest leg of the race coming up, 3 segments totaling 15 miles.  She had very sore knees at this point.  After she took off, the rest of us started to strategize on how to re-arrange the remaining legs.   2 of the upcoming runners were unsure they could finish.  We developed a plan but had to wait and see if our current runner would finish the 15 miles.   After the first of 3 legs, she kept of running.  At the next checkpoint, she gave us the thumbs up and ran on to complete the 3 leg.   This created a sense of inspiration and our next runner stepped up and completed her legs as well.  I ended up taking on a couple extra miles so that the following runner could finish as well.  I felt strong for my last 2 legs and the remaining 2 runners brought it home.   I realize the above maybe a bit confusing....  All I am trying to convey is that one persons's perseverance resulted in 5 other's digging deep to do their part and finish the job.  It was quite possibly the best team experience I have had in my life!!!

And now that its over, I took 3 days off.  this morning, I was able to gather enough motivation to get back on the trainer.  I have to get back on the training plan as IMLP is fast approaching.    

Next up - A local tri that I will be doing with my 10 year old son.  It is interesting in that it will be a 3.6 trail run up a steep hill, followed by a 11.5 bike ride and finishing with a 2 mile kayak paddle.   I asked my son whether I should go all out or do it with him.  I am going to enjoy racing along his side.   

Hope everyone is doing well.   Keep those race reports coming. 

Armando

Thom  - So sorry to hear about your injury. I know it must be so disheartening to have to give up your summer races. Will you switch to bike tours during the  healing process? Your situation strikes a bit of fear in me since I am having heel issues and will see the ortho on Tuesday. I have been off running since the 4th with very little improvement.

I hope you heal quickly and can find another type of race to keep your spirits up.