Aaron Davidson's Group -- Closed. (Page 56)

That's the rub - it usually sells out within the first hour...so it's sign up or don't participate.

Other races would be primarily in Sept (I'm thinking of a similar schedule to the one I have this year with a sprint in late July, an Oly at the beginning of Sept and the HIM in the middle of Sept (Pumpkinman - the HIM that Warren's doing)).

I have heard absolutely incredible things about that marathon.  A friend is thinking of doing it this year through the fundraising avenue.  I think you could pull it off.  It's a full month after Pumpkinman, and you'll be trained for it.  How much is the entry fee?  If it turns out to be impossible for you to pull off, I guess you could eat the fee.

I agree with Aaron, if you have all those races lined up training for a marathon in a month is too much.  You certainly could finish it (by walking some, etc) but if you do one I am sure you want to do it to the best of your ability.  :-)
I am thinking of doing a marathon October 31, but think it is too close even for 2 months out.  Mainly because if I run it I would want to try to qualify for Boston. 

Ok, I stand corrected on the marathon idea!  Those guys know a little more about running than I do.

I'm heading over to register for the sprint (first race I've done which you HAVE to register the day before).  Maybe I'll run into Aaron, but it could be tough since there are 4000 athletes racing between the sprint and the half.

For those keeping score at home, it is typically kinda windy up here today, so if that keeps up at least the wind will distract me from the hills!  And Ray will get a kick out of this - it's supposed to be about 52 degrees at 7:00 AM for the start.  Only about 50 degrees less than you're used to.  I'm bib 540, Aaron is 1976.  I've also heard rumors that since Ironman bought out the Timberman this year, this could be the last year for the sprint distance.

My excuses are forming nicely.    I haven't slept well (r.e. at all) the last few nights as my middle son is having serious asthma issues.  It's scary to have breathing problems, though he seems much better right now.  I'm really on fumes (and some serious caffeine) today.  The more scary thing is the tendinitis in my elbow is back in a big way.  I tweaked it a few days back working on the dock and painting today really flared it up.  Drugs are in order I think, though I'm not sure how it will affect swimming or biking, if at all.  I know it's on fire right now.  I'm glad adrenaline is such a powerful drug.

Good points all about the marathon...let's hope this one remains popular and I can take it on in a few years - just not next year.

Warren - so sorry to hear about sleeping and breathing issues. I hope it gets better - truly scary. Grab a nap if you can! I recently read an article about how some people tell themselves before the start of a race all the reasons they won't do as well as they originally thought - that way if the race works out well for them they are pleasantly surprised but if the race works out as they started to tell themselves, they aren't dissappointed. So you could think of it as a strategy.

4000 athletes! Holy smokes that's a lot! and a 52 degree start? Could be a bit nippy coming out of the water, especially if it's windy. Think of Ray when you're cold.

Best of luck to both Aaron and Warren - we'll be tracking you all...wind aside - should be a nice, clear day on Saturday with a slight chance of rain on Sunday. Have a great race!

Thanks Jennifer, I should be fine despite the sleep.  It's "only" an hour and a half event, and I really think the adrenaline will trump all for that distance!  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous up here all summer, so hopefully it holds up for Aaron on Sunday.  In any event it's certainly better than some years when it's 90+ and close to 100% humidity.

Just got back from registration - it IS a little intimidating to see all those $5000+ tri bikes as I pull up in my $600 road bike special, but that will make it all the sweeter when I fly by them!

You could definitely be ready for a marathon in 2011, but I agree with everyone that your race schedule is too compressed with a HIM and Marathon in the fall.  They are also both good ideas as prep for the full IM in 2012, so if you still wanted to do both, I would consider a early season marathon, then start training for tri's in the fall season as you have planned.  But that means lots of treadmill probably since your in the north.

Good luck Warren and Aaron on Timberman races this weekend!!   Looking forward to those RR!

Happy training this weekend to everyone else! 

Thanks everyone for the support.  I had a great race.  My secret "if the stars align" goal was 1:24, and I hit 1:22:58!

Results posted are weird, with no transition times, but my splits with times and AG ranks were: 8:30, 1:26/100 (23/83), 46:05, 19.5 mph (16/82), 22:31, 7:30 (37/81).  Still need to work on the run obviously, and I think it was short of the posted 3 miles.  I'm amazed at the swim time since I had my goggles kicked totally off my head and I had to stop and find them about 75 yards into the swim.  It took me almost the whole rest of the swim to get back into a normal stroke again.

I'll do a full report later, but as others have said, this group rocks.

Edited by wbayek 2010-08-21 4:30 PM

awesome job...sounds like an epic effort to save the swim. Too good!

Woot! and that's on a road bike! What a fantastic job.

Warren, you nailed it as we all knew you would! Great effort and results on all 3 legs, especially that swim time is SWEET!  Great race!

I just checked out Aaron and he just finished Timberman HIM, he broke it open on the run, with a huge negative split!!!  Swim was 38:06, bike 2:57:11 (18.95mph) and run is avg. 8:25 ppm!!!  His last 4 miles were 7:45 ppm!!!  Crazy Holy smokes that's fast!  TT 5:30:45 YES!  GREAT JOB!!!

Andy Potts took 1st at 3:50:51!!!

Warren and Aaron, Great job on your races this weekend.  I couldn't imagine racing when it's that cold.  In fact I think I would just stay home under the covers and not give it a second thought.

I haven't been around much lately.  I've had a crazy week.  Sick for two days, super busy at work, training is a monster right now, and we got two phone calls about two babies that might be adopted.  Talking with DHS and the adoption service has kept my wife and I quite busy.

I'll be looking foward to reading those race reports.  Again, great job guys.

Jennifer,  I have absolutely no advice for you on the marathon.  But like others have said.  If I was to do one, it would be my 'A' race.  I don't think I would do one just for fun, because a marathon doesn't seem like much fun.

Great news about Aaron! (I saw that Chrissie came in at 4:10). Even though I haven't met any of you - I am so proud when you do well on a race or have a great training day. Motivates me to work harder. Great job all.

Best of luck for you Ray - you would make a fantastic father. Love the new sig line.

Race report is done.  Those pro times for the half are ridiculous!

Edited by wbayek 2010-08-23 12:32 PM

Warren and Aaron,
Congrats to you both on great races.  Warren, way to tough it out on the swim.  I'm a nervous open water swimmer, so that could have been the race for me.

I am so excited I had to share.  I just looked at the weather forecast for Hotter N Hell 100 next Saturday.  High of 94 and a low of 72.  This is great news as the high for today in Wichita Falls is 109!  The cool front is coming through here too, and it is supposed to be a high of 84 tomorrow. Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!  I'll probably need a jacket in the mornings this week, as the lows are going to be in the 50's.  Brrrrr.......

You'll have to rename that race to the kinda warm 100.   Great news.

50's?  You're living our life now!  Don't forget to swim first to get that core temperature as low as possible before you jump on the bike.

It is AWESOME when you hit or surpass your goal!  Congrats!

Awesome!  Have a great ride!

Awesome race report, we all need one of those Fan Vans LOL!!  Sweet!

Nice job, Aaron!  Very impressive time and that run was scorching!  Andy Potts is a freaking machine... I'm a big fan of his.  I hope he wins Kona this year... I think he was top 10 last year.