Fred D Mentor Group - Part II (Page 97)

That's easy : Bryan

But seriously.

I don't think Macca is a contender anymore. Not sure why but I have a feeling he has lost more on the long stuff than he has gained on the short. I think 2 years ago he was 'lucky'/'smart'

I don't think Michael Raelert is there yet.

Crowie is so consistent, it's hard to count him out. I would put Andreas Raelert in this category as well.

I would love to see a new guy like Kienle or even a Jordan Rapp. I don't think Jordan is there yet, mostly because of his swim. I watched the video of vegas and Kienle is a machine. I would love to see him go and nobody be able to catch him. I have heard so little of Jacobs so I don't have an opinion.

In order of who I would like to see win just because I like their public personna : Crowie, Rapp, A Raelert, Kienle

To me Crowie and Raelert are the ultimate gentlemen. Rapp and Kienle the raw talent.

Bryan is both raw talent and a gentleman. He just needs to works on his diplomatic skills

Kona thoughts on the most talked about:

• Crowie - It's "his" race until someone really takes it.  He's sharp and it showed in Vegas.  It got away from him there but very doubtful the group will let Kienle get that far away pending the winds of the day.  He's shown that he can adapt and won't make the mistake of letting anyone he thinks can run 2:4x too big a lead.
• Macca - He's the same age as Crowie so wouldn't count him over the hill yet.  The year off the distance at this point in his career may have been more of a good thing than a bad thing.  He's is probably the best tactical racer out there.  He's got 20 years of volume to back up an Ironman performance so wouldn't worry about that.  The speed work has kept him sharp and the increased swim focus for the Oly distance should solidify him up front for most of the day putting him in a good position.  If he has a good day he can win. 
• Jacobs - I really don't know what happened in Placid to him.  I heard a couple different things (checking the box to get in, just had an off day, hilly course...whatever it's not that hilly...).  Anyway, he had been my favorite but that performance really bothered me when I watched it live.  The guy has run incredibly well in the past though and I don't think this is going to be a bikers (as much as I favor the cyclists) race which benefits him.  If he doesn't get dropped on the bike, watch out.
• Germans - I like these guys.  Michael will be in the mix I just don't think he can win down the stretch due to his experience and the guys he's up against.  Good shot at podium though.  Andreas, I like him but not sure he gets it done.  Probably a good bet to be on the podium though again.  If he did win, I wouldn't be surprised.  I was shocked watching live when Macca took him down in some of the best online coverage I ever saw...I'm sure he thinks about it everyday still.
• Kienle - Not here.  Not yet.  I would love to see his power file from Vegas.  Man I saw that live when he blasted by the lead group on the bike like they were standing still.  It made me want to go hop on my bike right there.  I like the cyclists.  I was always routing for Lieto to pull it out and it would be no different if he went off the front.  I don't think he can do that here without going KABOOM  the last half half of the marathon.  Give the guy a couple years.
• Potts - I like Potts.  I give him a pass on some of his past Kona performances.  He was making his living in other events throughout the year and getting his swim bonus and then sort of letting the inevitable happen.  This year he has taken it more seriously, looks leaner than ever from what I hear and has made Kona a big priority.  That being said, I don't think he can pull it off.  He'll come out of the water, he'll wait for the contenders to come by and then what?  He can go with them on the bike maybe if he's lucky (btw I heard him say in an interview that he tries to average 350 watts in a 70.3 race...crazy huh?).  Then he can't hang with the best runners.  I will say in Vegas, he put up a good fight and it was cool to see.  He was out there with Crowie and Docherty for a bit.  That is serious firepower.
• Who else?  Luke Bell, Dirk Bockel...Good athletes for sure but someone has to win and from the list I don't think it's either of them.  Some people rise to the occasion on the biggest stage of all.  They are champions of champions.  By definition there can't be that many of them.  Is there someone who can step up and take it from this group of guys?  There's always someone hungry coming up the ranks so you never know, but this year, pending the conditions, anyone with a weakness is out.  You must be with the leaders on the bike and then be able to run low 2:40x to have a shot I think.  If you don't have a low 2:40x in you than I don't think you can do it.

That's my quick write up.  Will be fun to watch.  I can honestly say I'm not really sure who I'm even pulling for the most.  I like most of the guys on the list for different reasons.

edit: I didn't purposely leave Rapp out did I?  Oops.  I like him and appreciate his input on ST.  I think his gameplan would be to find Kienle somewhere early on the bike after they both don't swim up front, see if it is within him to get a pace towards the front pack.  Then, do a pulse check on how many miles are left and what he can do once he gets there.  I do think he can get off the bike with the leaders, but at what cost to catch them and them ride them or try to go with Kienle off the front?  Realistically, I just don't think he runs with the big boys after putting out the energy to get up there with them in the first place.  It would be cool though wouldn't it?

I have my own thoughts on Kona ... will share when I'm not in post-op stupor.

But I'm calling Luke McKenzie and Rappstar in the top 5.

Meanwhile back at the Funny Farm, I am rather unhappy and in a bit of pain but it went better than anticipated (the internal tissue was so rotten from infection the oral surgeon didn't have to do too much wrangling or breaking of anything to get the tooth out) but boy that smell was hideous. He let me check out the tooth and tissues that he cut away (and a bit o' bone as anticipated) afterward and damn they were disgusting.

TMI. I blame laughing gas, trauma, and Ultram. Aside from the sick and twisted personality.

Pics or it didn't happen...

Yanti, I saw a bit of Tom Hanks in" Castaway" last night and thought of you. I suppose it could be worse: you could have been shipwrecked on a deserted island with only the butt-end of an ice skate... Really hope you are going to finally be on the mend - you really have had a rough patch, huh?

Two-and-a-half year rough patch! Thanks, Rusty.

Yeah, that scene from Castaway has been coming to mind too *shudder* ... also, there are people even in this country who die from a tooth infection. Gotta count my blessings.

Believe me, I was ready to take pics of it ... and of the maxillofacial surgeon, who looks like a chipmunk and sings very bad '80s love songs very off-key while he works on you. I think this is only a good thing when it's along with nitrous.

Re: Kona...I am so excited to watch the race this year. It seems like it's more "up for grabs" than any other recent year. Especially so for the women, and it's not due to lack of talent but rather a strong field of possibilities. 

It's also really exciting when you know some age groupers who are racing

Talk about great service.

I brought my road bike to my LBS (where I bought it) to have a cleaning done. They take the bike apart, clean it and re-assemble. I told the guy I didn't need it back for a week because I was away.

I call this morning to see how he is doing. He tells me that while disassembling the bike they found a small defect around the BB, called Cervelo and a new frame would be there by tomorrow, assembled by Friday as promised.

So tomorrow I will have a brand new frame. I thought that was kind of cool.

Elaine, sometimes I feel like I am barely hanging on the the back-end of this fast-moving group, so sorry this is late, but that really sounds like things are moving in a positive direction, yes? How did the meeting witht the ortho go? If you do decide to swim this weekend, just try to have fun - now is the time to heal up - next season will be here before we know it and it is important to be 100%. Let us know how you are getting along.

I think I am barely hanging on to the back end of those barely hanging on to the back end ... but considering the PACE BOO-TAY in here, it's a great view!

Glad you got some relief on the lower leg, Laney Day. Keeping my fingers crossed about your knee.

Ortho was a jerk - told me triathlon is bad for my joints, suggested i try therapy instead of so much exercise.

All feelings aside - I'm on a week of rest, and I'll just swim at Superfrog. He thinks the swelling is just fluid in my knee. He gave me a cortisone shot - said one week off, one week easy, and if it's still bugging me, to get an MRI.

I got recommendations from a friend on where to go if I'm still having problems in 2 weeks.

So, I'm headed for a MUCH more relaxing weekend in San Diego, without a pesky 70.3

Sorry the race plans didn't work out, but at least you get to go hammer a nice swim in the ocean    And now you can kick LA's butt since you don't have to bike/run

X2!

well, it seems we have a nice 'B' group forming up off the back in the Autobus. I think Rudy flatted a while back - I am sure he will catch back on soon and pull us all back up to the lead group....

On Thursday and Friday I am usually traveling away from campus, but today I am here for meetings but a couple of them got rescheduled. Kinda nice to have some unexpected work time to catch up, but first I might actually try to get my BT logs updated. Don't know why I seem to be unable to keep them up. I have no problem with my trainingpeaks logs...

So I need the group's input.  Last year to this year I went from about 230-235 depending on the day to about 206-210 depending...    Made a huge difference in my run and training in general.  Literally, for the first time since I started in 2005 I did not have some sort of running injury (hammie or calf).  What a relief that was

But I feel like it's only part way there.  My wife says not to lose more weight, but I am adept at ignoring her (j/k, well... maybe on this topic  ).  My problem is food.  Duh.  I am an addict, and have an unhealthy relationship with food.  It's a reward/punishment type of thing, rather than an issue of fuel.  If I didn't care as much about being functional day to day, it'd probably just be alcohol.  Also have body image issues which skew my perception.  I used to see photos of myself and I'd be shocked how big I looked.  Now I see photos and am shocked how ,,,,,   not big I look (I hesitate to say skinny).  Not sure if anyone can relate. 

I'd like to change that paradgim, and I've lost that bit of weight, but still don't eat particularly healthy.   Granted, don't eat like I used to, but still on the carb and sugar train. 

I also don't know where I should end up.  My wife says my body will find an equilibrium, and I've stalled out about 206-208, but it doesn't feel done.  I found an old medical record that said I was 176 at 14 years old, and I was not overweight or the fat kid, I have always just been bigger than everyone else.

Feels like this off season is a time to make more strides.   I know it's sort of a vague rant, but anyone have any advice on how to move forward?  Anyone use a nutritionist?  Sports nutritionist?  Experiences to share?