Boise Half Ironman

Last weekend I did the Boise 70.3 half ironman triathlon. The picture is at about 1 AM after the race in downtown Boise- but first we really had to earn those car bombs!!
Drove over with Jason as we followed the van with our bikes on the van trailer. Ate lunch at the Wildhorse casino in Pendleton Oregon and made it over to Boise by late afternoon and did packet pickup and bought jerseys, socks, etc at the expo. Then dropped the bikes off at the Lucky Peak reservoir were it rained and was cold. Luckily I had a bike jacket packed for the trip. Then to an Italian place where we closed it down. The next day the race didn't start until 2 PM, so we had time to sleep in and go slow. By the time we got to the lake parking was almost full and we had to walk a ways. Got in line for the bike pump top off and Natalie had to go find the porta-pottie, so I wheeled both our bikes through the line and got air and she got caught in the porta line. Then they were saying "everyone out of transition" so we finished up and the pros started. I was about 35 minutes after the pros and Natalie was 40 minutes after, so we got ready and hung out saying good luck to everyone. The wind started to kick up and then into the water- omg cold. So I dunked my face to get over the initial shock of it being cold. Bob said to draft him and we'd switch after the first buoy. Started out and instantly forgot about the cold water and never thought of it again. Stayed with Bob about 30 feet and my left goggle filled up, so I was one-eyed and lost Bob. The waves had come up by then, so I found seeing the waves and spray was dizzying, so I closed my eyes and counted five strokes and looked up one-eyed for the buoys all through what seemed like a forever swim. Got a mouthful of water a couple times as the waves got bigger and bigger. Later I found out that a buoy had come loose and we did several hundred meters extra going around it. A kayaker was yelling to not follow it- but I didn't hear him and others didn't until they were almost to the buoy. Oh well! 2 buoys before the end someone kicked my arm at the exact right spot and off flew my watch- I felt it hit my leg and then off into the depth- so no watch the whole race. Came out and ran up the ramp to a large cheering crowd. Then something new for me- wetsuit strippers! Wow she was fast, laid down feet up stand up and the suit is draped on my arm all in seconds. I found out later I did a 43 minute swim- many others were over 50- roughest swim I've ever done.
The bike should have been great, it was a somewhat hilly course, but some speedy flats too. The problem was the black from sky to ground everywhere you looked. The ride started out great going 22-23 and then as the climbs started it started to rain. Then the course goes up a really steep hill to a birds of prey park. It was torrential downpour by then. People were flying down the soaked and riverlet crossed road. Me- I was braking in terror the whole downhill at a very slow speed. I have a full ironman in a couple months, so I didn't want to wipe out. Then we climbed up onto a mesa and the wind just beat everyone down on top of the on and off downpours. Then with it streaming down rain the last 6 miles or so were downhill into town. Got dicey in spots but I cranked as best I could safely go and finished with an 18.7 average for 56 miles.
Then to the run which was a two loop run along the river path in downtown Boise. Had to make a pit stop and when I came out Bob passed me. Saw everyone from the club that had come over to do the race on the run as it had a large out and back. The second loop started 50 feet from the finish line which should have been disheartening, but wasn't because you got to see the crowd and get cheered on. Jessica was there taking pictures and I slowed down to pose. The rain stopped for the run so you only had to dodge the big puddles left. At the end I sprinted along the edge high-fiving everyone and then did a flying leap and slapped the overhead finish bar. They got a great picture of me in mid air, but I haven't bought it yet. Finished with a time of 5:59:11. Good for 55 of 104 for my age group and 606 of 1186 overall. Great event and fantastic volunteers. They were out there in the pouring rain all day cheering and staying on course. After having pizza, myself, Natalie, Anita, Julie, Tom, and Jason found a bar and had car bombs and I also had 4 beers- very happy after that.

Crowley Movie and Decorating

I decided to start fixing up my Very neglected house. So my daughter is my decorator and I'm the payee. I found a really cool black glass dining room table at Dania, but she said "no" and we went to Furniture Connexion and found this glass wine rack table. The perfect table for a Vineman (I did the 70.3 last year and am doing the full Vineman ironman this year)themed dining room. She got inspired and we shopped and she painted and assembled while I was at work and these are the pictures! Since then she has done window treatment. Putting the centerpiece inside the table under the glass was genius to me and makes the whole thing. Then she picked the colors and painted the whole upstairs in a rush because I'm having new carpet installed as I write this. To sell I should have gone hardwood floors, but after I quit triathlons, I can do the hardwood myself. The only reason I wanted to sell and move to Camas was because that's where I work out all the time. Since losing Natalie, I don't go to the club very often. Still train with the Headhunter's, but not everyday anymore. So when I meet a girl who will accept a ring, then I'll worry about moving. Enough weird ranting.
Did my first film job since 2007 this week. The project is called Crowley and is a CBS movie with Brandon Frasier and Harrison Ford. I was in a hospital scene where Brandon Frasier runs in looking for one of his kids. I started out at a flower stand in line with the camera with a beautiful woman and ended up walking in front of Brandon as he rounds the corner instead. Since I'm as tall as him I think I'm just a block so they know when to switch scenes- probably won't be seen because I was right in front of the camera and between Brandon and the camera and no make-up. Talked to one incredible girl on set who was also an extra. She models and had done a shoot in South America and does mostly hiking pictures. She was really pretty and animated.
Two weeks until the Boise 70.3!! I feel ready. It's the Vineman full that I don't feel even remotely ready for- we'll see. Two months until that- but one race at a time. Boise here I come!

Eugene Half Marathon and Ride Around Clark County

Did the Eugene half marathon Sunday after doing the 67 mile Ride Around Clark County ride on Saturday.
Started out with a 2100 meter group swim Saturday morning and then after a short hot-tub sit, we saddled up and started on the RACC ride from the club I go to which is on the route. Had a group of about 12 people and rode along with it mostly dry with a couple sprinkles here and there. It was raining hard when we started swimming, but it stopped for the ride. The ride goes out in the country north of Vancouver and has some hills, but is a fairly easy ride. Afterwards 6 of us decided to run an easy 2.5 mile brick run and we started out slow, but sped up by the end. Then showered, dropped the bike at home and off to Eugene. Packet pickup closed at 6, I made it by 5:30. Checked into the motel and went to find Laurelwood golf course. Got lost, but eventually found it. Really nice 9 hole course with lots of hills to hit off of and then walk down and back up. Did really good for me and found that I could hold my front knee steady and really hit it straight. Ironman training has given me more control of my body! Finished as the rain started and it was getting dark.
The next morning I woke up to the sound of heavy rain but it stopped right before it was time to go. Walked over to Hayward field for the start. Alot more people this year than when I did the full marathon last year. Started out in a crowd and went the speed of the crowd until the second mile or so and was keeping a 9 or so pace for the first 4 miles and then it opened slightly and I could move up and get a good rhythm. A little more climbing this year than last year. At mile seven I heard my name and looked over and saw Dedee who was there to cheer on a friend. Pushed myself to stay steady and then at mile 10 started to speed up. Started slowing down after about a hlaf mile, but pushed it back up and by my Garmin was around an 8 minute pace from mile 11 to the end. Came in at 1:55:52 which is 40 seconds off a pr, but I was thrilled with my time. Good enough for 59/113 for my age group and 719 out of 3077 overall. An 8:51 pace. Then I drove south of Eugene and visited three wineries which were very good. Ate lunch at a small cafe in the tiny town of Lorane Oregon- it was very good. Then back to Eugene to RiverRidge golf course and got to do the back nine without waiting for a very good bogey round which for me is great golfing.

Oregon Masters Swim Meet & Beaver Freezer Triathlon

Last weekend I drove down to Bend and did my first swim meet. What a blast! Got there on Friday and signed in for the 1650 yard swim. I asked the girl if I had time to go and come back and she said "sure they haven't posted the start times yet." I didn't know how meets worked and didn't know that as soon as the sign in ends they post the start times and start no delays. I drove back to the hotel and unloaded my bike and got lost going back to the pool and walked in and saw my name on the scoreboard and Mikita was swimming two lanes from where I was supposed to be! They wouldn't let me swim a later heat, so Friday and my 1650 swim were shot. The next day I did a 50 yard freestyle (34 seconds) and 200 yard free (2:44.61) and a 50 yard backstroke (57.42 my first backstroke swim for time). Did a 4-person relay freestyle and I led off. Dove in and my goggles came off- I have contacts- so I swam with my head up and out of the water for 25, fixed my goggles and finished. Naturally, we finished last in the relay. Sunday I wore my glasses instead of the contacts and met Mikita and got a picture with her. Swam the 500 yard and was in a lane beside Bob C and his wife coach Denise. Bob and I battled the whole way and at the last 25 I sprinted all out and beat Bob by one second for 3rd in my age group with a 7:32.25. Mikita took a picture of me starting the 500 yard swim (lane 3). Swam the hundred and another relay. Just a fun meet. Saturday I was done early and did a 20 mile bike ride up Awbrey Butte and saw a road called Starview Rd, so went down that one and saw my dream house, very nice. Then ran 4.3 miles along the river in the Old Mill District- very pretty.
Early April I did the Beaver Freezer sprint triathlon in Corvallis. Drove down by myself. Natalie dumped me back in Feb, but I had already paid for her to do the Beaver Freezer. She rode in the team van and refused to even talk to me at American Dream Pizza. For the race it was blue sky, but 32 degrees. Luckily it was a pool swim. I was one of the last waves, so by the time I got to the bike it had warmed up a lot. Swam with Julie and Ruth Ann in my lane and we switched at the hundred to draft, but the other person in the lane got in between and messed us up, so I just swam and did a 7:58. Got on the bike with my new aerohelmet and zoomed along with a 20 or so average and then to the run where I was anaerobic the whole time- at one point Sarah said "don't die before you finish" because I was gasping so hard as I passed her. Did a 7:48 pace for the run. Finished at 1:12:29 about a minute slower than last year.
Last year I got third, this year seventh for my age group. Julie got second female overall. Coach Denise won her age group. As I crossed the finish line Natalie was waiting and gave me a big hug, but still wouldn't talk to me. I also paid for her for the 70.3 at Boise in June- oh well. On the drive home I saw a sign for Ankeny Hill Winery and stopped there. I was the only customer, so I talked to the owners for a bit and met the dog Hershey who has a Pinot Noir named for him.

Jack Frost Time Trial

Last Sunday I did the Jack Frost Time Trial bike race. It's at Vancouver Lake, the same place as the half marathon in January. In past years we had the Headhunter van and a tent set-up, not this year. Borrowed a trainer and warmed up (top picture). Sarah and Julie came by to say hi and cheer everyone on, so they took pictures, didn't get a start line picture. Started off and kept the same pace pretty much. A little windy going out and a little windy coming back. Finished with a 22.7 average fro 12.4 miles and good for 34 out of 44 for my age group and 20 seconds slower than last year. In spin class coach Denise had made a bet that whoever won between the two of us would have to bring donuts for the class. She was sick, but still showed up and I beat her by two and a half minutes.
Feb was a bad month for me- hopefully March will be better!

Vancouver Lake Half Marathon

Sunday I did the Vancouver Lake Half Marathon. Woke up to the yard and roads being covered in snow and a 31 degree temperature. It wasn't a problem driving though and made it to the lake and got the packet and t-shirt. Lined up and Natalie got up front and I stayed back with coach Denise and ran a medium pace to start and then about a 9 pace until the halfway point and then my right leg got stiff so I had to fall back from Denise. She yelled back "come on- you're faster than me." Kept running, but it felt like a crawl.
Came in at 2:05 for a 9:36 pace and ten minutes slower than last year. It was really fun saying high and high-fiving all the people from the club I go to that were doing the race. The club had a van and tent/awning type thing set up and had a stove with turkey soup made by Brian and hot chocolate. Got back to there and found out Natalie had won her age group!!
She smoked the course at a 1:36 even with slush on the path part of the course.
The day before Sarah, Julie, Natalie, and I went up to Mirror Lake by Mt Hood and did a 5 mile snowshoe. Natalie and I were first time snowshoeers, but Sarah and Julie were pros. We had to walk for almost a mile each way on the plow hill just to get to the trailhead because of no parking at the summer trailhead. Got to the lake and it was beautiful and we were alone. Sarah pulled out a flask and hot chocolate and we drank and made snow angels.

Then on the way down we did follow the leader going off trail in silly ways. Saw about 20 people coming up as we were going down. At one point we met a group of about 6 or 7 young girls, so Julie took their picture and they took our picture. Got back to the cars and went to the Huckleberry Inn in Government Camp for unhealthy, but filling food. That whole day was a blast- but may have tired my legs for the run. Pictures are courtesie of Sarah.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Since my last post- I lost the girl. Made tons of plans for the year and then bam.
Today (Jan 1st) I did the annual Sharkey swim at the club I go to for the third year in a row. It's a 5000 meter swim in the pool. Had five people in our lane and we each pulled a hundred meters 10 times. Rotating through the five people made it easy to count. At 3500 we stopped for about 30 seconds to regroup. One girl smashed her finger on someone's foot early on, but kept going and finished with a purple swollen finger. This was Natalie's first year doing the Sharkey, she had never swum over 2800 meters. Forgot to look at the time when we got out so I don't know how long it took, but I felt great and could have gone for a 112 mile bike ride no problem. The club had pancakes and sausage, but a group of us went to Rose's restaurant and I had a spinach and swiss cheese omelet.