tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23802882790612215682024-02-18T21:04:53.882-05:00Budden in TrainingTraining for what...I have no idea. In fact, I don't really like training for anything.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-23016727339317493012010-12-21T07:59:00.003-05:002010-12-21T09:15:34.948-05:00XTERRA Nationals<div>Two weeks after the SOS triathlon, and I still hadn't had the time to get in a single workout. Even though I felt like crap, I was hoping that I'd be well rested and somewhat still acclimatized to the altitude to be able to perform somewhat decently at XTERRA Nationals (Ogden/Snow Basin, Utah). It was a quick weekend trip, and Kristin came with me to this one!!!!<div><br /></div><div>The event was cool. XTERRA always puts on a good show. Nationals marks the end of the US racing season, and its by qualification only. I finished the season ranked 2nd in the Northeast Region (M 30-34) after <a href="http://www.boothdays.com/">Dave</a> who was in first (I'll get you next year buddy). The two of us and Suzie made up our little East Coast Crew. This is us on the way to the pre race dinner/awards ceremony.</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKGd2GMacZpgA8Q8sNktk9yGdyN-JdcidX0pLaPgA9aPT2GfT1laXuhyn4CvtLGwDkKUG1UWK0uiifJu7LXoMAkuqgH1S9p_zN2oYzxss6Yz_zfYS-hJFWv7tFKG987RB101fj2rr9QSZ/s1600/IMG_6500.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKGd2GMacZpgA8Q8sNktk9yGdyN-JdcidX0pLaPgA9aPT2GfT1laXuhyn4CvtLGwDkKUG1UWK0uiifJu7LXoMAkuqgH1S9p_zN2oYzxss6Yz_zfYS-hJFWv7tFKG987RB101fj2rr9QSZ/s400/IMG_6500.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553128471292554226" /></a>The swim started and I lasted about 2 mins before I had to float on my back. Don't know what it was, maybe a combination of altitude, tight wetsuit, cold water and over-excitement. I guess it could be summed up as a panic attack, which I cannot believe happened to me. But there you have it, I was gasping for air, floating on my back, and trying to meditate myself back to some type of normalcy. Seriously contemplated raising my hand to have the water patrol pluck me from the race. After what seemed like forever I started to get back under control and continued swimming, but was limited to about 75%t of normal effort. Anymore and I couldn't breathe enough to keep up.<div><br /></div><div>Got on the bike, and same feeling... had nothing from the get go. Was limited to about 75% of what I was hoping for. Not good since the bike already plays to my biggest weakness - climbing. It was a 20 mile, almost entirely uphill ride. Felt like I was going backwards, got passed by over 100 people.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJUxABUudvcdfI8bJ3Vey7cRGtAB2T2spdYf9fwILEYc0enGK_7RBGvxW9JsIBuDDbU2raa9vJmflFCgdChYiYfMhpu5NteruDMNl6oqaOhVIeMzYf3GKR0sdI0EU5TR7td2vq1PpuOdU/s1600/IMG_6540.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJUxABUudvcdfI8bJ3Vey7cRGtAB2T2spdYf9fwILEYc0enGK_7RBGvxW9JsIBuDDbU2raa9vJmflFCgdChYiYfMhpu5NteruDMNl6oqaOhVIeMzYf3GKR0sdI0EU5TR7td2vq1PpuOdU/s400/IMG_6540.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553128464447643506" /></a>Then came the run. After my first few steps I already felt better. Trail running at altitude was a very familiar feeling thanks to the TRR experience the month before. I settled into a good pace an had a good run in the hilly/technical trails at Snowbasin.</div><div><br /></div><div>I crossed the line in 3:29 something. Was 146th place overall, 21st in my age group. I guess that is not so bad considering that only the 350 fastest Americans were competing, and I live at sea level. But this will go down as my worst, and most disappointing performance of the year. Not planning on doing this race again anytime soon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cmM1JbpgKrjDWY0FpE0Fw9Jitv_F0jOeH_ltURE8QeuNxwXTjaiQVQQjHuVOwbmKznFW8_OaJhmShG9fEERssSAm9zD8odE_WOHACLhM6w5yV-j1fkYhlcZUkP0o12RkrwQdFGu4aYQZ/s1600/IMG_6571.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cmM1JbpgKrjDWY0FpE0Fw9Jitv_F0jOeH_ltURE8QeuNxwXTjaiQVQQjHuVOwbmKznFW8_OaJhmShG9fEERssSAm9zD8odE_WOHACLhM6w5yV-j1fkYhlcZUkP0o12RkrwQdFGu4aYQZ/s400/IMG_6571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553128455074059122" /></a>After the race we headed down into Ogden. There was a street fair going on with live music, all kinds of shops, food stands, bars, and a Crit race. Kristin and I hung out and had a great time all evening. Very cool place and vibe that you just don't get around here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbfcWifft_y-qCL-XmiyyzFXK6aVRHAyCK3BYovU2CVvOi3koLBwb8w3FNJO5yheyreYGXqftzBkUjubbLdOkDsj7Bp4YqFdl8RTnIkMc_7LeZFLbShQvtp5OukSqihJY_yUbaxXd2T5_/s1600/IMG_6574.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbfcWifft_y-qCL-XmiyyzFXK6aVRHAyCK3BYovU2CVvOi3koLBwb8w3FNJO5yheyreYGXqftzBkUjubbLdOkDsj7Bp4YqFdl8RTnIkMc_7LeZFLbShQvtp5OukSqihJY_yUbaxXd2T5_/s400/IMG_6574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553128445497281522" /></a>Here is a great recap video of the event... </div><div><br /></div><div><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SAaMlAgS_1g?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SAaMlAgS_1g?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-53405484473690832872010-12-19T20:39:00.006-05:002010-12-19T20:49:11.776-05:00The Festive 500<div style="text-align: center;">I can't think of a better way to get my butt of the couch next week. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SM4VQmX3w4pr88T5tu75hWku32AgUS0gDWRc_PmfGVv2GmZkMCCKeV5y_nV-DEa4m3PbSvHUQ5Njc6QN9lgLe2WKdq48byOPd7z88Elp4mqD-VHqWo5yg3ORJrNErdY7qSxYnvB15Ccu/s1600/rapha_500_km.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SM4VQmX3w4pr88T5tu75hWku32AgUS0gDWRc_PmfGVv2GmZkMCCKeV5y_nV-DEa4m3PbSvHUQ5Njc6QN9lgLe2WKdq48byOPd7z88Elp4mqD-VHqWo5yg3ORJrNErdY7qSxYnvB15Ccu/s400/rapha_500_km.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552573283016780274" /></a><a href="http://www.rapha.cc/the-rapha-festive-500"><br /></a>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-86656637129615154352010-12-19T18:09:00.003-05:002010-12-19T20:04:23.591-05:00Survival of the Shawangunks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarsZMbwI1hx2rYEyjrQ_K9Jx0hyn_kAZegf6n1pGRace_iEcC7LopJcR2MmVPi1chHQHppcr40zAxmw7HAZgI5BY1-vK_iCG2eo1_Q8toUa3E6ijUqOxonIogwLS0G7sFlfifPURDltWP/s1600/sos+banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 48px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarsZMbwI1hx2rYEyjrQ_K9Jx0hyn_kAZegf6n1pGRace_iEcC7LopJcR2MmVPi1chHQHppcr40zAxmw7HAZgI5BY1-vK_iCG2eo1_Q8toUa3E6ijUqOxonIogwLS0G7sFlfifPURDltWP/s320/sos+banner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552536053187454962" /></a>Referred to as "the champagne of adventure races" in the video at the bottom of this blog. This race was great. Click on the SOS triathlon banner above for more of a course description, but basically this was an 8 stage triathlon in the Shawangunk mountains: 30m bike, 4.5m run, 1.1m swim, 5.5m run, .5m swim, 8mile run, .5m swim, .7mile run/climb.<div><br /></div><div>I got back from the TransRockies and was buried in work. Literally zero time to do any type of training or anything other than work. Really dissapointing as I wanted to see if I could turn an intense running block at altitude into some serious sea level speed. So anyhow after 15 days of nothing (I did manage to squeeze in one 20mile bike ride) I drove up to New Paltz with Brian (my crew) to do this race. I didn't have a chance prior to the race to figure out what I was going to do with my shoes during the swim portions. Note to others: have this one thing dialed in before the race, practice your technique until perfected, this is an important element of this race. More on this later.</div><div><br /></div><div>Starting on the bike was interesting. I thought drafting was going to be an issue, but it spread out really quickly and wasn't at all. This photo is about 50yds into the race. Why do I look so much bigger than everyone else?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTKXnABkFpPq1SlcQ1vbC06VAHQ8OjKZ8iqBcMcDEjPtXnFhxtRbYB8lyDj38JL0AWeRwVEQoMvl6j4KVFuFvv5BgYhEF-HVrgAAYg39UObD-6HLB0tbsmB4RJuK19vQKRCIECnWR4y_S/s1600/IMG_6179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTKXnABkFpPq1SlcQ1vbC06VAHQ8OjKZ8iqBcMcDEjPtXnFhxtRbYB8lyDj38JL0AWeRwVEQoMvl6j4KVFuFvv5BgYhEF-HVrgAAYg39UObD-6HLB0tbsmB4RJuK19vQKRCIECnWR4y_S/s320/IMG_6179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552536054265328690" /></a>The bike leg was beautiful and pretty flat and fast for the first 25 miles... then straight up hill for the last 5 miles. I took it very easy for the whole climb, did not want to tire the legs at this point in the race..</div><div><br /></div><div>Arrived at the transition, handed my bike of the Brian, grabbed my shoes, goggles and cap and started running. This first run was the hardest of the runs for me. For some reason I never really felt comfortable, and it was slightly up hill almost the whole way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Got to the first lake, took my shoes of and stuffed them down the back of my tri-shorts and eased into the water to start the 1.1 mile swim. The drag of shoes in shorts was a little uncomfortable, and after about 2 mins, the shoes had floated right out. I stopped, turned around, grabbed them, and tried to tuck them in even further into the shorts. That lasted about 30 seconds before they wriggled out and went floating away again. I decided that this wasn't going to work anymore so I just put them back onto my feet and and started swimming again. Swimming with shoes on your feet is not fun, and it slows you down a lot. But thats how it was going to be for the rest of the race so I had to make the mental adjustment right there and then. Other than that, all the lakes where beautiful, crystal clear, and cold - 63 degrees, just how I like it!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a photo of me coming to the end of the second swim: Lake Minnewaska<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqupN58O2eSYoZxIn9rqCTMZtDJvoCL9IPnZQEpRl7hDbz2oEw9gfS6saXTpnOoNXY1XFmIJFjwsbFttvzEBIGpMq1Cuehialn86B1pa13lXXEFTbPDIGmi3x62E5b_POJvPprYoIa0Jm/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqupN58O2eSYoZxIn9rqCTMZtDJvoCL9IPnZQEpRl7hDbz2oEw9gfS6saXTpnOoNXY1XFmIJFjwsbFttvzEBIGpMq1Cuehialn86B1pa13lXXEFTbPDIGmi3x62E5b_POJvPprYoIa0Jm/s320/IMG_6188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552536045992353042" /></a>This is about half way through the third run, deep into the race. I put a lot of what I learnt at the TransRockies to work in this race, and it was paying off as chased down may of the people that passed me earlier in the race.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd7FsVz-PTC7WOT1fHT_2ZxsahjbPToARnVF-7i3THvfW9W0UD7LEAaDMsL5tfdYU2b2SZNJDWhEYs9gNjLRZ9p9Ovil0eVUBwlDVvucj_oXtOQWjo_VbAXGOyH8dL85Y98hWiKGL-kZh/s1600/IMG_6197.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd7FsVz-PTC7WOT1fHT_2ZxsahjbPToARnVF-7i3THvfW9W0UD7LEAaDMsL5tfdYU2b2SZNJDWhEYs9gNjLRZ9p9Ovil0eVUBwlDVvucj_oXtOQWjo_VbAXGOyH8dL85Y98hWiKGL-kZh/s320/IMG_6197.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552536038397035154" /></a>After the last swim, the trail goes very steeply up to the finish at Sky Top Tower, I had my shoes on already and I felt great, so I went for it and managed the 9th fastest climb split of the race! Finishing 22nd overall, and 4th in my age group... All things considered, I was very happy. Next year I'll be back to go sub 5 hours :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRAuHXUdpePn5cUMiMc8w_przOasMSBMqDgK2ONX7GBkTaG7B57luLf-VWnlbEOZSNO9VoZivMIlMkTSycJnTiskX1oPVtuPxy71DUjmEofK82MUniA67h11CskjqPfQBHo1QoztJcKli/s1600/IMG_6200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRAuHXUdpePn5cUMiMc8w_przOasMSBMqDgK2ONX7GBkTaG7B57luLf-VWnlbEOZSNO9VoZivMIlMkTSycJnTiskX1oPVtuPxy71DUjmEofK82MUniA67h11CskjqPfQBHo1QoztJcKli/s320/IMG_6200.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552536032487502978" /></a><div>Complete Results/Splits <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/results/10/ny/Sep12_Surviv_set1.shtml">HERE</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a great little TV segment on the race... See you next year.</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nMafTOVA6DM?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nMafTOVA6DM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-17029565484310391402010-12-18T16:18:00.004-05:002010-12-18T16:43:04.564-05:00TransRockies Run Stage 6<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Stage 6: Vail to Beaver Creek - 23.4 miles, 5,100 ft elevation gain</span></span><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwoa_QEsx1sSguzt7HAna1bt0bLIHRRhxwV8qDR99mf1zRBaNqAIz1xb09Pxy_OEvwcLui_hL6MBP7AHLZHk0jVCapfi1BoRrw2Qx2Kg2CXRBaiBOrmkBRnfXKILuGr2N7bTHrhfxcSpX/s1600/Stage+6.png"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwoa_QEsx1sSguzt7HAna1bt0bLIHRRhxwV8qDR99mf1zRBaNqAIz1xb09Pxy_OEvwcLui_hL6MBP7AHLZHk0jVCapfi1BoRrw2Qx2Kg2CXRBaiBOrmkBRnfXKILuGr2N7bTHrhfxcSpX/s1600/Stage+6.png"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 77px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwoa_QEsx1sSguzt7HAna1bt0bLIHRRhxwV8qDR99mf1zRBaNqAIz1xb09Pxy_OEvwcLui_hL6MBP7AHLZHk0jVCapfi1BoRrw2Qx2Kg2CXRBaiBOrmkBRnfXKILuGr2N7bTHrhfxcSpX/s320/Stage+6.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552136000330915250" />This was the hardest stage with 3 major climbs. The third of which came very late into the race, on a very hot day.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is Brian and I pre start. I just noticed that Amber Monforte is behind us to the right. She broke her arm an cut open her knee on stage 2, and still continued the race!!! Unbelievable! Two month after this photo she went on win the Ultraman World Championship by setting a new women's course record (Ultraman = Double Ironman or 281.2 miles). Tough Chick.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYPmS8oGjd-1QP7VCXfKvJg7XZrh43NCrDtCJNYo2SBcUPaxBX7Nj00YhBbr8NUIeLsE4AkTX-HsBlBGd_v98aLWjLy2sxpEkUHtaPE842hdWHxJQe3PK4gBUPJ8wgKTyQqIAcP1nFQz-/s1600/IMG_6145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYPmS8oGjd-1QP7VCXfKvJg7XZrh43NCrDtCJNYo2SBcUPaxBX7Nj00YhBbr8NUIeLsE4AkTX-HsBlBGd_v98aLWjLy2sxpEkUHtaPE842hdWHxJQe3PK4gBUPJ8wgKTyQqIAcP1nFQz-/s320/IMG_6145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552135994433947538" /></a>Climbing up and out of Vail thru the Aspen trees<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVMv-HDJAk0t08QRL7zKez1v5NCjViDPt2_f8QHFEfJ74FwSj85v9jGzcYlFFg13RqBqkIpxxcVUITuNZWHUuLCeGZWp5WegOvLlTsThUXKkisFy36x6UWd7J8xekvLBGhSbqTAWgPP9M/s1600/IMG_6146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVMv-HDJAk0t08QRL7zKez1v5NCjViDPt2_f8QHFEfJ74FwSj85v9jGzcYlFFg13RqBqkIpxxcVUITuNZWHUuLCeGZWp5WegOvLlTsThUXKkisFy36x6UWd7J8xekvLBGhSbqTAWgPP9M/s320/IMG_6146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552135987874974130" /></a>I think this was just after the 2nd summit, the beginning of a long downhill through waist high grass and so tight you couldn't see your feet or where you were stepping.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYJ8s8szV8U5Wrq6g6kxRZMYFjmOoFvffHn7SQyS5Z9DmzPxTP4ea1cBx1lQ0eQelN-YBfupfKa3AFlh2QaWTbyarg6P6bfKePVJ-9fWhTIJBaUO6BBcwK4AcHs9kV4UBsVQ7a9DaHgSg/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYJ8s8szV8U5Wrq6g6kxRZMYFjmOoFvffHn7SQyS5Z9DmzPxTP4ea1cBx1lQ0eQelN-YBfupfKa3AFlh2QaWTbyarg6P6bfKePVJ-9fWhTIJBaUO6BBcwK4AcHs9kV4UBsVQ7a9DaHgSg/s320/IMG_6149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552135982002621650" /></a>Mission accomplished! 6 Days, 6 Stages 120Miles. Two happy dudes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEGAXkhL2KU_XsCzrjur_AHNuyf4aea-bL7ZOJCxWTaY6qTkc_WT6ZFMARNNFEyDnIJXaHoK3BEReH-XyblYuSYVNZ8JzChyphenhyphen6QkzDIclpGs2YyiFY3xf52CkzXuZwBrEOg8UJSzncSmvo/s1600/IMG_6154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEGAXkhL2KU_XsCzrjur_AHNuyf4aea-bL7ZOJCxWTaY6qTkc_WT6ZFMARNNFEyDnIJXaHoK3BEReH-XyblYuSYVNZ8JzChyphenhyphen6QkzDIclpGs2YyiFY3xf52CkzXuZwBrEOg8UJSzncSmvo/s320/IMG_6154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552135978274667202" /></a>Results:</div><div>Stage Place: 10th (Men's Open Category)</div><div>Stage Time: 4:16:51</div><div>Overall Place: 10th (Men's Open Category)</div><div>Overall Time: 23:39:07<br /><br /></div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-20584875473576026402010-12-18T15:49:00.004-05:002010-12-18T16:10:06.226-05:00Transrockies Run Stage 5Stage 5: Red Cliff to Vail: 23.6 miles, 4,200 feet elevation gain.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZmJrN01wV5UCPuHhhCczi64JFMi6MIXm8OV0-va-Z8uhcK4gLRfApvdbl3hdjxx59APcxHk19NAKHyDWnhne8zqu7zcWT9jZM4QGygWK2caiH1yeSz7RSwAIt0NZtsMZ7mxwlg0Ij5jA/s1600/stage+5.png"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZmJrN01wV5UCPuHhhCczi64JFMi6MIXm8OV0-va-Z8uhcK4gLRfApvdbl3hdjxx59APcxHk19NAKHyDWnhne8zqu7zcWT9jZM4QGygWK2caiH1yeSz7RSwAIt0NZtsMZ7mxwlg0Ij5jA/s1600/stage+5.png"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 77px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZmJrN01wV5UCPuHhhCczi64JFMi6MIXm8OV0-va-Z8uhcK4gLRfApvdbl3hdjxx59APcxHk19NAKHyDWnhne8zqu7zcWT9jZM4QGygWK2caiH1yeSz7RSwAIt0NZtsMZ7mxwlg0Ij5jA/s320/stage+5.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552128542709511298" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I think this video pretty much sums up the awesome that was this day...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FlrTYwZGDBY?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FlrTYwZGDBY?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Check out this dude's blisters!!! Thankfully for my Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra Shoes, not a single foot problem for me the whole race.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq87pTOg3-JRA0lh_XSVn77nPDMQdwGpof5Iwl1AY3rtdOIGQh49IQJKLyNBONIKPbcZYdY7OOsHv-2vPokyZWrxCFNjyab6ifm6LdYV1hn4UaHwBnY2MWSDrHJmU0wZF8Zxe4Vqv-YSU/s1600/IMG_6140.JPG"><br /></a></span></span><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq87pTOg3-JRA0lh_XSVn77nPDMQdwGpof5Iwl1AY3rtdOIGQh49IQJKLyNBONIKPbcZYdY7OOsHv-2vPokyZWrxCFNjyab6ifm6LdYV1hn4UaHwBnY2MWSDrHJmU0wZF8Zxe4Vqv-YSU/s320/IMG_6140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552128537535999634" />Results</div><div>Stage Place: 10th (Men's Open category)</div><div>Stage Time: 4:36:18</div><div>Overall Place: 10th</div><div>Overall Time: 19:22<br /><div><br /></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-71286469855429820942010-12-18T15:17:00.002-05:002010-12-18T15:39:12.418-05:00Transrockies Run Stage 4<div>Stage 4: Camp Hale to Nova Guides 14.2 miles...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVtGqoqxtHisfWSmn3vEIgdsq2E_N6UNxLuDlza6E_YEfsg6-BoxHs_0QWUIsHOOXnMxlzgY8tpqNh4u5_O7LdMVqRgb4qRfX9XhTkC1MBge4pg0Gd9C_Ehoh6R0qykMFKaIUijDkIHZD/s1600/stage+4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVtGqoqxtHisfWSmn3vEIgdsq2E_N6UNxLuDlza6E_YEfsg6-BoxHs_0QWUIsHOOXnMxlzgY8tpqNh4u5_O7LdMVqRgb4qRfX9XhTkC1MBge4pg0Gd9C_Ehoh6R0qykMFKaIUijDkIHZD/s320/stage+4.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552119784792236226" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This about sums up how we were feeling before the start. We're only half way through the event, but looking forward to a slightly easier stage today.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxUuMtASfIxXCwNL9wbyi39Jlb-uQ5wSXUGE7GIVtWs9JvtiD4iT5FpC5niAsh6ZRe-tYAZdccGpS_e44Bgfw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this photo.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzeyKKq7zBEcZJlqOGsdtekxrcLjoIqi7HIkmavVyEQO1A8IOcRl_iLWUhXNpPlE6_WTLQGCRuCFO_JlZAI4eHcJZq0dC-aZOBLZAWcvizQHzgqPep_4rYu18rVJwFcTAMlkBmtcN0rrk/s1600/IMG_6101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzeyKKq7zBEcZJlqOGsdtekxrcLjoIqi7HIkmavVyEQO1A8IOcRl_iLWUhXNpPlE6_WTLQGCRuCFO_JlZAI4eHcJZq0dC-aZOBLZAWcvizQHzgqPep_4rYu18rVJwFcTAMlkBmtcN0rrk/s320/IMG_6101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552119782111557634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzwkudHuJc3bXWhHgFtDw6yoYJxTIrxUehlG_NAW-gCc4AsJAntUdSSTR7vpvROqGgg3ym8D7MJfL2z8MTb8A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fun stage, especially the whole running through ice cold water thing, feet went numb for a while, and that was a good thing!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tired campers...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy9vTfE5kVxvncHBbSuxXM9asBEayrwbdswnQVfraj9Dl7a_TG63tNN5JH5yReV6YeeHV_-YZKccclv6998enFES2qbrzTkW3qpby4OTrh79huQ67VekJGwkg3Bm-c4_c5VDIjdYpbOZr/s1600/IMG_6118.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy9vTfE5kVxvncHBbSuxXM9asBEayrwbdswnQVfraj9Dl7a_TG63tNN5JH5yReV6YeeHV_-YZKccclv6998enFES2qbrzTkW3qpby4OTrh79huQ67VekJGwkg3Bm-c4_c5VDIjdYpbOZr/s320/IMG_6118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552119772157277234" /></a>Results</div><div>Stage Place: 10th</div><div>Stage Time: 2:52:10</div><div>Overall Place 10th</div><div>Overall Time 14:45:57</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-74555132739488027812010-12-18T14:46:00.004-05:002010-12-18T15:12:24.135-05:00TransRockies Run Stage 3<div>Stage 3: 24.2 miles</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ArheQPOqccIVKsVaVo_AE-OCXmkKVhCujX7Fo93xnResk1cGxuxjSuYOaDwSLcGW3xCYTd-h2A9-vzTizGC925dI3OyyVsdmWTPRmhbQDm7s5X0aw1r_NDTcLoIMEyTLxWqrGy9TezJZ/s1600/day+3.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 77px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ArheQPOqccIVKsVaVo_AE-OCXmkKVhCujX7Fo93xnResk1cGxuxjSuYOaDwSLcGW3xCYTd-h2A9-vzTizGC925dI3OyyVsdmWTPRmhbQDm7s5X0aw1r_NDTcLoIMEyTLxWqrGy9TezJZ/s320/day+3.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552114264478964594" /></a>A nice little warm up coming out of the town of Leadville, then steep climbing. Then a long downhill singletrack section from about the midpoint on.<div><br /></div><div>This is Brian and I about half way up the first of two climbs.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvo_mAHZ7ZTuTO71DR9zcoyaBLNGaKjK783rm9vcWFfvtO9Wrf5AZsTeJc6hkxCD9drmF83xFa1B1W0BgtjrndekWSaKwrRlMDR1OMpXNkfMyaUFiC6QzjqqaQAjnwZVpQyX7iF2Glm7c/s1600/IMG_6063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvo_mAHZ7ZTuTO71DR9zcoyaBLNGaKjK783rm9vcWFfvtO9Wrf5AZsTeJc6hkxCD9drmF83xFa1B1W0BgtjrndekWSaKwrRlMDR1OMpXNkfMyaUFiC6QzjqqaQAjnwZVpQyX7iF2Glm7c/s320/IMG_6063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552113527152512418" /></a>About half way up the second climb we caught up to Dean Karnazes, whom was running the event with a different partner each day. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCItR1N-vdRC9xhoo4aQQedsHWBvjXAe6MmR_15oTvtzvia-dly626uKglojJhBVseXObET9bjT8IHg49QXErES_F7CnJeXHFOQNBIoCk4Go9EZfBzQ9AtHRb27TsZtHs03vQj2pyt5xp/s1600/IMG_6067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCItR1N-vdRC9xhoo4aQQedsHWBvjXAe6MmR_15oTvtzvia-dly626uKglojJhBVseXObET9bjT8IHg49QXErES_F7CnJeXHFOQNBIoCk4Go9EZfBzQ9AtHRb27TsZtHs03vQj2pyt5xp/s320/IMG_6067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552113526176934978" /></a>His partner was similar pace to us, so we ran together for a little while, took pictures, had some laughs. Then for the last several miles a group of about 5 of us followed his lead through the single track. We were flying, its amazing what running with someone like that will do for you. A definite highlight of the trip.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzadcDABGAJAHIfl-zWKrRxPO4rIAPPlCufcoZQaNFi-4Mp_FVviaaYI5ko6JQZvA1EbyvamJSQCGUEtoR6B6y6C71gamf2TiCTCm2jtmTIl4awuPMjaemZ16ievOpTmPQpfIIDF21hg5G/s1600/IMG_6068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzadcDABGAJAHIfl-zWKrRxPO4rIAPPlCufcoZQaNFi-4Mp_FVviaaYI5ko6JQZvA1EbyvamJSQCGUEtoR6B6y6C71gamf2TiCTCm2jtmTIl4awuPMjaemZ16ievOpTmPQpfIIDF21hg5G/s320/IMG_6068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552113519021317714" /></a>Camp Hale: tent village<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLde_8FdPKZgc1S46-_aNOG7wZgROHkop5u4fGi9dKsReyhBjJGAiRq3WiIekaW5gsX99_XElOEZ7IepCGMRZ3uyxa4msWJplO7CCRL4zr_nbrQaNFLmfhs3WzIfkd0RfE5W73e8Qbfaf/s1600/IMG_6083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLde_8FdPKZgc1S46-_aNOG7wZgROHkop5u4fGi9dKsReyhBjJGAiRq3WiIekaW5gsX99_XElOEZ7IepCGMRZ3uyxa4msWJplO7CCRL4zr_nbrQaNFLmfhs3WzIfkd0RfE5W73e8Qbfaf/s320/IMG_6083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552113505529160834" /></a>Results:</div><div>Stage Results: 10th Place (Men's Open Division)</div><div>Stage Time: 4:42:51</div><div>Overall Results: 10th Place</div><div>Overall Time: 11:53</div><div><br /></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-44507129892553411702010-12-18T14:08:00.004-05:002010-12-18T14:43:21.102-05:00TransRockies Run Stage 2<div>Stage 2: Only 13.5 miles this day, but it started out with a 3 mile, 3000ft climb. That was steep!!!! and pretty much kept us at a power-walking pace. When we got close to the top, we really felt the lack of oxygen, but when we remembered to look around the views where well worth it. I didn't recover well from the first days run, and I don't think I ate enough either, so I had a nice bonk with a few miles to go in this stage. I did learn that running downhill is an artform that I had never been exposed to before. I was putting way too much effort into braking and staying undercontrol, and we were getting passed left an right by people who had it figured out. It's just basically a controlled fall, that looks like your completely out of control. I got better at it as the event went on, but my ankle, only 3 weeks of a bad sprain would only let me get a way with so much before yelling at me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the profile</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jPCdIe7MHSk_fuUVjce5prMT9Z0g-wcSpej6Z6V3TF_PW5QfuzdlIWLX868jyzhjBZvyC2k8KarFW2-76OsfuheDgjlKXttb2pdK-5czbpxzHqOBTZsFpPsCXcys4CrLZhkLM39g_czR/s1600/stage+2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 77px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jPCdIe7MHSk_fuUVjce5prMT9Z0g-wcSpej6Z6V3TF_PW5QfuzdlIWLX868jyzhjBZvyC2k8KarFW2-76OsfuheDgjlKXttb2pdK-5czbpxzHqOBTZsFpPsCXcys4CrLZhkLM39g_czR/s320/stage+2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552102921370684722" /></a>This was our home for the night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeWDDU7OYl2RnncRLvjRevXaTYwWJvuLUxHCjkGNDmpUBoAboGfgw_IXW2JokSmd8_dfdwsUd66A4pcCIl_fQntu6_nFsLFDEPRsz48tgwf_7CLlsDRIchNYj9r_gjf6rhcpWiIFiiBXI/s1600/IMG_6035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeWDDU7OYl2RnncRLvjRevXaTYwWJvuLUxHCjkGNDmpUBoAboGfgw_IXW2JokSmd8_dfdwsUd66A4pcCIl_fQntu6_nFsLFDEPRsz48tgwf_7CLlsDRIchNYj9r_gjf6rhcpWiIFiiBXI/s320/IMG_6035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552102695874611106" /></a>Start of the stage in Vicksburg, CO<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn29tSQD8jfXq9MEtEp_xJgdDsUVgMyztmFwGWyI7Zy_XUIgtJ-gK5hMjmT3iQjLTYuC4_nKWjFPY60GAdn2wqXck4ZeyvnQnaVUE3jCqLMvLo11D9R0XzKHbjuf5YIgGBhnWMk8TG3Jp/s1600/IMG_6036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn29tSQD8jfXq9MEtEp_xJgdDsUVgMyztmFwGWyI7Zy_XUIgtJ-gK5hMjmT3iQjLTYuC4_nKWjFPY60GAdn2wqXck4ZeyvnQnaVUE3jCqLMvLo11D9R0XzKHbjuf5YIgGBhnWMk8TG3Jp/s320/IMG_6036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552102687745834690" /></a>Brian going up and up and up... shortly after this photo I gave him my pack to carry. He was doing better than I this day<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9qzs404AT0WbYcw08Kus_fEw1XvynmJCMAMjJeAZ2urop5bwTE1vvXl40l3-L6mO7ma1VcBVO1ShHPoxoa7_64hPgkG4Q8ahorLyOfIlN1de3DT27c4amShS_28Lv92zeUaEotKOOxdB/s1600/IMG_6040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9qzs404AT0WbYcw08Kus_fEw1XvynmJCMAMjJeAZ2urop5bwTE1vvXl40l3-L6mO7ma1VcBVO1ShHPoxoa7_64hPgkG4Q8ahorLyOfIlN1de3DT27c4amShS_28Lv92zeUaEotKOOxdB/s320/IMG_6040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552102681295343602" /></a>after the stage ice bath. This felt fantastic, really help clear the toxins from my lower half<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX6xe3aayYcah8vEZm_0VS4EepXfNjmkjRlj6gT23luuvQ8LSBvsr_xrRsg-x-TIsR7O-8Jgez6B1iP662hNW4LM1fdz9qb7AQqiLcP337MBfJp_Jj0yTgw_dqZ9hc-JGpOuqVCC0rDsW/s1600/IMG_6055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX6xe3aayYcah8vEZm_0VS4EepXfNjmkjRlj6gT23luuvQ8LSBvsr_xrRsg-x-TIsR7O-8Jgez6B1iP662hNW4LM1fdz9qb7AQqiLcP337MBfJp_Jj0yTgw_dqZ9hc-JGpOuqVCC0rDsW/s320/IMG_6055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552102675320660034" /></a>Then straight to the massage tent<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZuB6yRbgtzJBC3App8RksOdO6D_fqQ7FPK2lAKuRSGdCVxok0fQZ8_-iQGkhWDKU7Y07ACmhG9SPWblQ_mP1YDeloOlNvKdNdQZtcMQtYWfP_2jJ_-9ELroC9G2lTJTl0kir8Xa5WZEk/s1600/IMG_6056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZuB6yRbgtzJBC3App8RksOdO6D_fqQ7FPK2lAKuRSGdCVxok0fQZ8_-iQGkhWDKU7Y07ACmhG9SPWblQ_mP1YDeloOlNvKdNdQZtcMQtYWfP_2jJ_-9ELroC9G2lTJTl0kir8Xa5WZEk/s320/IMG_6056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552102669813029154" /></a>Video from out way up, and then the top.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJKznqo5QOAat2aZHC7fF_GKEa_CFcl14J4hflHilmmKZCAN6zI1hRRwAS7dEQUsmITeEFqfeqe1CDr3DFog' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwB6QPEiFFDXQd3JONS_PPgpr-iJ-fBgwYOdniZFF9p0St9W7iYydSgDV1-8Fx7gNlLDwE61PTVXDrqIH4Jog' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Stage 2 Results. </div><div>Stage Place: 11th (Men's Open Category)</div><div>Stage Time: 3:21</div><div>Overall Place: 10th (Men's OPen Category)</div><div>Overall Time 7:10</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-19375823424073359342010-12-18T13:33:00.004-05:002010-12-18T14:45:02.953-05:00TransRockies Run Stage 1<div>Been a little busy lately, but that has changed, and its time get get this blog back on track!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>The TransRockies run was an adventure of a life time. Brian talked me into being his teammate for this crazyness, and I'm glad I agreed to do it. The event held in the Colorado Rockies is 6 Days, 120 miles, with 20,000 feet of elevation gain. Never having competed or completed any run longer than a marathon prior to this, I had no idea how this was going to go...</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the overall stage map and elevation profile.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5ZI3LZI1j4PvdoUzpk0veqtqZ8r9Lh3Dwz6OAqM96ZT1JJUWnsZE6pWg-LTYWSiR0oy0bpSJFpbvgsJl4JIUjAWqQuzgafPgAtJKf6Cr2_o77-y5s0ioUOsXNvZ_nZHNwLBO_RdCrLba/s320/Stage+Map.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552094196912739746" /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxRmrIcV7yTgXgCgGoG1aHKdCZVMokB7HYK40fKVTWiFGTLIz5nTCKj-wxGpf9gDYn1NIrxpq1FZqOvxHqhHYA8upZFq_6zyrPgg5I1jB0PVC4BEWaTIDIEdsjAwhPLZsd_HpYXXwNnpW/s320/TRR09-full-profile.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552094194700081330" /></div><div>Here is the profile for Day 1: 20.6 miles This was the flattest and lowest altitude stage, and it got very hot out there for the last half</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 77px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDjLk4_3TGHPpTGvjigneGOWb1icpeHuqOf2iPjczrAD3eyz33qDcTVoliT0XX48L_C9N0Q-69Wp4D7TzR3_6bFsUjgHCtYEOwgMqNMRO_RyaAULX4eA9VomJ6qlKYqmEjRXlKa33f8HB/s320/Stage+1+profile.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552094188531530882" />A few minutes prior to the 9am start...<br /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWwTgjp9zqvtfqHOWIuSEVk7kcCJ0A8PgxhmXoHB7hyphenhyphenqT88NPplt9mNgItChngoHxzjcuCYqBezzxg5NOE87dAbRFVrozpbL9YWNraa3TxSmcom_d3EFhPR2mOXGA_cvwl7SMNBj2ZPUb/s320/IMG_6019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552094207424640642" />About 15 miles in, Brian took this one of me. We where trying to pace of the Salomon women's team there ahead of me... the left us in the dust at about mile 17<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNtPoulXjM-trjyPVVFQgFG2ITutFj8DCq1J9qdzWb0sg0-2QMLWtNSngU-l2Ourac6feX3TXM-KHfL7b9plIfkh1PiyXi2R-eJ6oftuCY4q9suyTKIRVPZHbtK1FwDKN6gNcw6XE__6t/s1600/IMG_6026.JPG"></a></div><div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNtPoulXjM-trjyPVVFQgFG2ITutFj8DCq1J9qdzWb0sg0-2QMLWtNSngU-l2Ourac6feX3TXM-KHfL7b9plIfkh1PiyXi2R-eJ6oftuCY4q9suyTKIRVPZHbtK1FwDKN6gNcw6XE__6t/s320/IMG_6026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552094214910122818" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div style="text-align: left;">This is a video with just a few miles left. I was pretty cooked at this point, the heat really got to me. I was thinking that there was no way I could do this for 2 days in a row, let alone 6!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNtPoulXjM-trjyPVVFQgFG2ITutFj8DCq1J9qdzWb0sg0-2QMLWtNSngU-l2Ourac6feX3TXM-KHfL7b9plIfkh1PiyXi2R-eJ6oftuCY4q9suyTKIRVPZHbtK1FwDKN6gNcw6XE__6t/s1600/IMG_6026.JPG"> </a></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz5RnfItGn2z_39_TVnFReHFGLDfMGgNjwgWDrbLKNCLWwcrygREHo2tWSO_nMi8RE6aV2WuM6VjK9zgb0I' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;">Results</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stage Place: 9th (Men's Open Category)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stage Time: 3:49:33</div></span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-48502690414888400432010-08-20T23:45:00.002-04:002010-08-20T23:51:41.128-04:00A Little Cross-Training Today...Run in Buena Vista, bike in Salida, 4X4 from St. Elmo over Tin Cup Pass to Taylor Park, then back over Cottonwood Pass. Need a rest day from this rest day! Tomorrow is race check-in!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vjfZasxGzkM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vjfZasxGzkM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-81031183093063291432010-08-19T22:10:00.002-04:002010-08-19T22:25:55.032-04:00More Altitude Preparation...2nd Day out here in the Rockies. Morning trail run in Buena Vista, then spent the day up at Leadville, had lunch just down the street from the start/finish of the Leadville 100 (which was here last week). Did some 4 wheeling to checked out the old mines in the mountains above Leadville, got up to about 12,000 ft for a while. Then drove around Turquoise Lake and started heading back to Buena Vista. Passed a sign that said North America's Highest Golf Course. We couldn't resist. A 2 hour (9 hole) walk at 10,000ft was exactly what we needed... Mt. Massive Golf Club. I was hitting my 8 iron like 200+ yards, crazy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZmEC9S3znyA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZmEC9S3znyA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-48314294745395552322010-08-18T19:45:00.002-04:002010-08-18T19:47:23.988-04:00<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FLIumQ5zy0A&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FLIumQ5zy0A&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Little video from our first day in the Rockies. The air is thin up here!!! Hope we start getting used to it by Sunday.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-48105089079275404932010-08-14T06:24:00.005-04:002010-08-15T15:16:03.193-04:00Wildcat Epic 100<div>Busy week! Can't believe its taken me all week just to find a little time for a blog post. </div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGziG8n2Kp-czeq_utlOW-HNAt6u0oqRlZA1RnoCfhtSn0lffwjWj2Ybg1jK5STiTzWxmgytV4c6xEctZo78xpY7b0qG01ZAE-RBPJ6hrT8CNT-7Leh0S5ldf8UdG5hlJwvTTlnTR0pTn/s320/wildcat_epic_logo.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505709160068623410" /><div><div>This race was awesome! 2 days, 50 miles each day starting and finishing both days in New Paltz, NY. Day 1 was hilly and super scenic in the Shawgunks. Day 2 was farms, orchards, rail trails, fun singletrack, and a cave.</div><div><br /></div><div>Day 1 - Drove up with Kristin, arrived an hour before the start, registered, made sure I had all my gear, went to the starting line for the pre-race instructions, and then we were off. First 1.6 miles were neutral as we rolled out of town, and the group all stayed together behind a lead car.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgbaHrf6TAhyphenhyphenFeV2laSx2D9-oVHYhVI1GQfMfKtSw19Mm23-DDvOv_xwh_41n1lMvo8eumwO4akfrgB4q8kVDbhTefq37Oc-rBiIyyYb0o16IqDRDA1guKzXiLNIVNzWTAgJ7Ql5U9WNE/s1600/wildcat+start.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgbaHrf6TAhyphenhyphenFeV2laSx2D9-oVHYhVI1GQfMfKtSw19Mm23-DDvOv_xwh_41n1lMvo8eumwO4akfrgB4q8kVDbhTefq37Oc-rBiIyyYb0o16IqDRDA1guKzXiLNIVNzWTAgJ7Ql5U9WNE/s320/wildcat+start.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505709152736004594" /></a></div><div>We got to a dirt road, the pace car pulled aside, and the racing was on. Some dudes were jockeying to get to the front, but most were like me, and had been a little scared by the elevation profile map of the course. [Map with Profile <a href="http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/815825">HERE</a>] Basically it looked like the first 20 miles were all up hill. So I just eased into a nice pace, and fell into a group of 5 doing the same. The climbing ended up not being nearly as steep or aggressive as I was expecting; the paths were smooth and the speeds were actually kept pretty high for the most part. Fun way to climb! The first aid station came at 14 miles. Kristin was there, gave me a fresh bottle of Perpetuem and some salt pills. I was the only one of my group of 4 now to stop. I was only stopped for like 30 seconds, and immediately after the aid station it started to get steeper and they all slowed down a bit so I was back with them in no time. Up and up we went until we got to a ridge with AMAZING views. Rode across the ridge and were still climbing slightly. I was feeling great, and very happy with myself for staying under control so far, and getting mentally ready to attack the downhills. First came some downhill switchbacks, then a loop around a lake, and then a blazing fast section back to the 2nd aid station. I stopped, Kristin filled up my camelbak while I got something to eat, and was off. More miles of fast downhill, and drifting gingerly through the higher speed turns. The crew I was climbing with was long behind me now, and I was picking off riders ahead. Then more climbs, some singletrack, until a bunch of women on horses came onto the trails. I came around a corner and the horses were already spooked, jumping around all crazy, and the women were all panicked. So I just stopped, waited for them to get things under control, then carefully squeezed by. At mile 47-ish the course markings got a little confusing, I think some hikers messed with the signs at an intersection. I wasn't the only one that picked the wrong direction; seems like most people made some kind of mistake there. I then caught 2 other riders, so we thought we were on the right track, and we kept going down the mountain, and popped out of the trails onto a farm road, didn't see any trail markers, so we kept going out to the main road, still no markers, we decided to go left because it felt right. Rode for awhile, nothing looked familiar. Came to an intersection and asked a driver where New Paltz was... He pointed us in a direction, we set off and eventually found ourselves back on the course about a 1/4 mile before the finish. Crossing the finish line I had 55.3 miles on my computer (5 extra miles!). I'm usually disappointed when something like course markings affect the outcome of the race, but in this case I didn't care, the day was awesome, and I rode my face off. I was like 10th across the line (came in with 8th and 9th place). Then I don't know what they did after that to adjust for the course markings, but they gave my official results for that day as 5th place. Which sounds about right; there were a few guys already at the finish line that I had passed earlier in the race. Official time 3:53:00 (actual time on my watch was about 3:58:45) Avg speed 13.9mph</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh2wLE6W5DrD5jMTSU_TD05XQq_hCISuVoqII6r8Xb-r1xdBd0E7jI16Y0jRiKzjJL5pzqZKqS849YcXGZdhPyGHuLM9C9fsbztMlG52MSFByQX2Aux_T-FFnmdLSWg_zW3so4rCzyp2m/s1600/wildcat+view.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh2wLE6W5DrD5jMTSU_TD05XQq_hCISuVoqII6r8Xb-r1xdBd0E7jI16Y0jRiKzjJL5pzqZKqS849YcXGZdhPyGHuLM9C9fsbztMlG52MSFByQX2Aux_T-FFnmdLSWg_zW3so4rCzyp2m/s320/wildcat+view.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505709148152381874" /></a></div><div><div>Day 2 - Totally different experience. Same neutral start, but then we got to a rail trail and the racing was on big time... The pace was high, the front of the pack being driven by two Pro's from the Jamis Factory Team. I couldn't hang on for too long or I'd cook myself too early. So I let them go, about 12 of them. I was completely alone then, nobody behind me. Did some really cool riding in apple orchards and farms, not very hilly but lots of tall grass to add some resistance to the pedals, and hide all the sneaky little bumps and holes. Then back onto a rail trail for what I'm guessing was like a 12 mile stretch. I just put my head down and went, it was dead straight, no one ahead, nobody behind. I was keeping a consistent 19-20mph. Then we climbed up a road and into some awesome single track, it was slow going, but really fun. Highlighted by a ride through a pitch black cave where the course was marked by a line of what seemed like glowing chalk that we followed all the way through. Back out to a road where we found the 2nd rest stop at mile 37. I refilled my camelbak, got down some fuel, mixed some perpetuem into my bottle and was off. Long road climb into some hilly single track, I was starting to get pretty zapped from the heat, but kept pluggin away. After a few miles the trails led back to the rail trail for a 3-4 mile straight shot back to the finish line. I felt much better, and hammered it home. Crossing the line in 3:34:42, 11th place for the stage. Avg speed : 14mph</div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogxYFd8aWERDv-Cyu0PN7aGPGvJLgwHv3CUEVUo1mGcuX1968CwQGZ1hweYMu2n6x9s5jkm33bVE01ltgfhIw1pcy4gi8Bfvyy5_voMZUcSudzow1rpbhPfIYXe7SOJG4JvR98FCMvKCl/s1600/Wildcat+FInish.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogxYFd8aWERDv-Cyu0PN7aGPGvJLgwHv3CUEVUo1mGcuX1968CwQGZ1hweYMu2n6x9s5jkm33bVE01ltgfhIw1pcy4gi8Bfvyy5_voMZUcSudzow1rpbhPfIYXe7SOJG4JvR98FCMvKCl/s320/Wildcat+FInish.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505709143494704642" /></a><div><div>Ended up finishing 9th place in the GC (overall) with a combined time of 7:27:42. Official Results <a href="http://www.wildcatepic.com/2010%20Wildcat%20Results.pdf">HERE</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This race will definitely be on my calendar next year! Who's coming with me!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now if you want to read an awesome blog entry about this race. Check out David Alden's Blog posts for <a href="http://x-blog-x-team-x.blogspot.com/2010/08/wildcat-epic-100-day-1.html">Day 1</a> and <a href="http://x-blog-x-team-x.blogspot.com/2010/08/wildcat-epic-100-day-2.html">Day 2</a>. He finished very close behind me on both days. Great recap.</div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-35405455386397603682010-08-04T15:02:00.003-04:002010-08-04T16:09:07.753-04:00Darkhorse 40<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73B3hKONrY5TvAFtwMS_aXBdH0NZiyZaCrWYuB5UCamSLN09e8A-uE5HVDJie4Y9JD5nPHIu_pWDot03vEknpmoP4kel6xpU9az5MReracGDW41jk8_TasWhQDWzlu_8RhGsrAh9v-_jy/s1600/Darkhorse+Sticker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501633979815811170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73B3hKONrY5TvAFtwMS_aXBdH0NZiyZaCrWYuB5UCamSLN09e8A-uE5HVDJie4Y9JD5nPHIu_pWDot03vEknpmoP4kel6xpU9az5MReracGDW41jk8_TasWhQDWzlu_8RhGsrAh9v-_jy/s320/Darkhorse+Sticker.jpg" border="0" /></a> Rick and I raced this as Team Powershot on Sunday. And not only did we survive I think we did pretty well. Finishing 3rd place in the Team category. It was two 20 mile loops of the track in the map below. I did the first lap, Rick did the second.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAJS_30wsmIAEgUJDerMZr2syXXxs1fVcli8x8YgIl4OWq0NCQPxEYUrxBH8V-yFRX6HTbA6z2r6IoMkdoqX2k6QAoXVoTsHo7w_HMaOI6wtcnzgPhwftXhi0A1IxbtQPWiiuMdIkdnCA/s1600/2010+DH40coursemap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501633973640629410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAJS_30wsmIAEgUJDerMZr2syXXxs1fVcli8x8YgIl4OWq0NCQPxEYUrxBH8V-yFRX6HTbA6z2r6IoMkdoqX2k6QAoXVoTsHo7w_HMaOI6wtcnzgPhwftXhi0A1IxbtQPWiiuMdIkdnCA/s320/2010+DH40coursemap.jpg" border="0" /></a> The start was about 3/4 of a mile on a slightly downhill paved road. So as you can imagine, I was having a hard time containing myself. I knew that if I really wanted to I could be the first into the singletrack, but this race has bitten me before, plus I did a marathon 32 hours earlier. So I was very unsure about how the body would react.</div><div></div><div>Right from the gun a saw 4 riders go off the front, I gave chase and sat in behind them until the singletrack. Then backed off to a more comfortable pace, and let two more people pass me. After about 6 miles there was a straight long climb up a fire road, and I could see 5 of the 6 people ahead of me right there, riding in a pack and climbing together at what seemed like a slow pace... I hammered and caught the group as they were heading back into singletrack. I started to feel better and better, and starting passing them one by one. By mile 14 (where the course went through an abandonded factory, so cool!) I was all alone in 2nd and rode as hard as I could back to Rick. Was probably grinning the whole way, as the both the trail conditions and the weather where perfect!</div><div></div><div>Rick took it from there and had a great 2nd loop, hamering with his head down he missed a corner and had to backtrack, probably cost him about 2 minutes. Not sure if he tackled a tree before or after that, but it left a nice souvenir on his forearm. One person passed him, which is strange, and must have happened when he was off course, because he doesn't let that happen very often. Rick, any comments on that :) ?</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uw8rIRywDnkyXnqf3WT03GNHlTZFa4u9mYVAcKdl5yp_-wU7_O0DAUqPE6_aJFWsW11iMpe5x02Stjgn1mCCWXA_tPwjRrchhN_4eCL5HSCU-IjOqyb70KfMXCo0jTayTBmwlaog3N42/s1600/Rick+Scar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501633971377804850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uw8rIRywDnkyXnqf3WT03GNHlTZFa4u9mYVAcKdl5yp_-wU7_O0DAUqPE6_aJFWsW11iMpe5x02Stjgn1mCCWXA_tPwjRrchhN_4eCL5HSCU-IjOqyb70KfMXCo0jTayTBmwlaog3N42/s320/Rick+Scar.jpg" border="0" /></a>All in all, a fun time at a great race. And a nice little confidence boost for the Wildcat Epic 100 this coming weekend! Ankle is getting better everyday.</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-79312623703463866402010-07-31T21:22:00.004-04:002010-08-01T15:58:58.334-04:00Long Training Run<div>After a nice 5 day break to let the ankle recover a little it was time to start moving again. The <a href="http://www.srr.org/events/annual_events/24hour/2010/index.htm">24 Hours Around the Lake</a> in Wakefield, Mass was our venue to get in at least 5 hours on our feet. Way more fun doing a long workout at an event like this than just doing loops around the neighborhood. Brian's goal was to stick to a sub 10 minute mile pace, and mine was just to walk, and maybe sprinkle in some running if the ankle felt up to it. The race started at 7pm and the race was to see how many 3.18 mile (5K) laps around a lake one could complete in either 12hrs or 24 hours. There was also a marathon option (8 laps). </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrQX-X5zYABkUGeQ9wGxg3778VZ4Rcayn7DSzYkzgYvcHGYcndkJog1bbLwQhns2hsFWjhlzv03_3B2yR13Dloe8cXkA2XnfQLRDZlNiUVZE7G0m7IwDAxVAxOayab67ldqpw0oxWlvX9/s1600/24logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrQX-X5zYABkUGeQ9wGxg3778VZ4Rcayn7DSzYkzgYvcHGYcndkJog1bbLwQhns2hsFWjhlzv03_3B2yR13Dloe8cXkA2XnfQLRDZlNiUVZE7G0m7IwDAxVAxOayab67ldqpw0oxWlvX9/s320/24logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500247514611187922" /></a>Here is a photo at the pre race announcement. Lots of interesting characters at these ultra events.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3xd4C0Omy8txk7ByPw9YfNHtaZyFECGeVqAzPAUk5WJSYtMSrE4RWUD_VcCp1sO2rUuBwLbeCcJrPo38uxtQNOs3azYz_HWs8fUlysfWieKWlI7W6ZizOmnvDu90xsXeChB9ggLKzZj7/s1600/Lake+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3xd4C0Omy8txk7ByPw9YfNHtaZyFECGeVqAzPAUk5WJSYtMSrE4RWUD_VcCp1sO2rUuBwLbeCcJrPo38uxtQNOs3azYz_HWs8fUlysfWieKWlI7W6ZizOmnvDu90xsXeChB9ggLKzZj7/s320/Lake+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500247510001831778" /></a>Team GingerBalls pre start. Game faces on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtD30P_JGWPK23YTK4tEct6RQUReQatAcNxV8zifXrZduCykoTVv7BXqSItl8XaMVzbw87BbeuX9LhXEg3R1x5Ic6OjxP9C3A5Bc0K0B50zkUe6NrR7_za12xP3tq-9xvdoRPlPQkU7x0/s1600/Lake+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtD30P_JGWPK23YTK4tEct6RQUReQatAcNxV8zifXrZduCykoTVv7BXqSItl8XaMVzbw87BbeuX9LhXEg3R1x5Ic6OjxP9C3A5Bc0K0B50zkUe6NrR7_za12xP3tq-9xvdoRPlPQkU7x0/s320/Lake+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500247505385554610" /></a>Sun setting, I think I took this on the first lap. Beautiful lake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qu59PJ17DJg7FiKY5OXiStp7YjbsSoA7LqjultL7YYsvN6fxRRhqeGLwkAQx4YNhryCjOn8ujC6PXweke8RaobQgoMsv-9jk6sTosB4CgDb7VtivjokRT_WkK3doRpOdqP8hT8yb8qLM/s1600/Lake+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qu59PJ17DJg7FiKY5OXiStp7YjbsSoA7LqjultL7YYsvN6fxRRhqeGLwkAQx4YNhryCjOn8ujC6PXweke8RaobQgoMsv-9jk6sTosB4CgDb7VtivjokRT_WkK3doRpOdqP8hT8yb8qLM/s320/Lake+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500247501243601106" /></a>Coming across the finish line. 12:30 at night. Brian did 34 miles, I did 26.2. We completed the last lap together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItmBhFSJlI5TD9uDsKNroXQ_efWhzjgdEpiqch7dry8AtWso0vhnZzJg2xUEo9ygnuXaFJPlb8al1EbOaV7pgtjeLSYCikU17o95nV9LrACvZUSV8Vc7ayCCsExA-b-Ze3VKx-r_aKlsM/s1600/Lake+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItmBhFSJlI5TD9uDsKNroXQ_efWhzjgdEpiqch7dry8AtWso0vhnZzJg2xUEo9ygnuXaFJPlb8al1EbOaV7pgtjeLSYCikU17o95nV9LrACvZUSV8Vc7ayCCsExA-b-Ze3VKx-r_aKlsM/s320/Lake+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500247492974539762" /></a>Avg Heart Rate was 101bpm. When walking it would be around 85-90bpm, when running I never let it get over 120, was usually in the 113 range. Ankle felt OK until the last lap when it started to get tired. Only issues were some blistering and swelling in my feet. But I guess that was to be expected; I was wearing technical trail shoes with low profile, stiff soles (i.e. little cushioning) Vasque Transistors for first 4 laps, Salomon 3D Ultra for last 4 laps. Nothing too serious though. I used compression socks for the first 5 laps, and then removed just the one on the right foot so I could use my Injinji sock instead to help with blistering on that foot. Learned that I actually preferred not having the compression sock on. No perceptible difference in fatigue, and was noticeably cooler without sock.<div><br /></div><div>Here is some video...</div><div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z-nqLdUSE-o&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z-nqLdUSE-o&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-8635576755227862292010-07-29T19:39:00.004-04:002010-08-01T15:54:03.672-04:00Escarpment Trail 30KI can tell you right now that this post will not do the experience justice. It was a big experience, and as many things that I learned, I'd also like to forget about this race. So I'm keeping this post super brief.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499491680433013074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRofrOUQOq-n49mNPlupdvDiPko0JNv-CiRRzV4Sul3rhNGSBgWGivfo_1RJ3LchcveGbMl6BhwMRKf29B0JfbS5Kll_f7EW4VKHskJgS0oemT5DjSU1K89n_BGqINQbWevQypbWDgdQZ/s320/Manitousmall.jpg" border="0" /><br />Elevation Profile. Trail starts at the right of the map, and ends on the left.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLX-cX1b1IIAJdbC5GaCEY_ZDhcGQmjxXLMukNmP0XF-NScRg8MZI5L_X37ogM3bjzFYZXihcVSTdkCyFcBYXhbJrbcxHER7uw5grYM5ruqV2dkNQc-s_h3AZco5n1zVv3hWijNPXuBM5/s1600/Escarp+Start.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499491683353400210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLX-cX1b1IIAJdbC5GaCEY_ZDhcGQmjxXLMukNmP0XF-NScRg8MZI5L_X37ogM3bjzFYZXihcVSTdkCyFcBYXhbJrbcxHER7uw5grYM5ruqV2dkNQc-s_h3AZco5n1zVv3hWijNPXuBM5/s320/Escarp+Start.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, that's me and Brian feeling pretty good at the start... Weather was nice, and Kristin had just dubbed us Team Ginger Balls (a name we will take with us to the Trans Rockies). But after that things did not go as smoothly as planned. This trail was no joke. Incredibly technical, challenging terrain, just something I don't think either of us was ready for. We saw some nasty spills out there. It was a very new and enjoyable experience for both of us for a while. Seeing how much faster other people were covering ground versus us was a little eye-opening. I thought our fitness level was pretty good, but for this type of event, experience running on tough trails plays a major role. I found out the hard way. As we were entering the third rest stop, I took my eyes off the trail for a second, and boom, sprained ankle. I could tell by the reaction of the volunteers that it wasn't pretty. Learning that it was like a three mile hike down to civilization from there, I decided that we should press on... If I had only known that the most challenging part of the course was coming up. The climb up Blackhead (seen briefly in the video below), and then the descent down the other side, I would have definitely pulled the plug and stopped racing. That mountain was brutal. Brian was nice enough to hang with me for the race, and then patient enough with my super slow pace after the sprain, and then smart enough to decide that we were done when we got to the the 12 mile mark aid station. So after 3:32 minutes, we decided to 'DNF' and walked off the trail to get picked up. It took us 45 mins to get to a road, but fortunately, thanks to a volunteer remembering the name of the road (Stork's Nest) and Kristin having navigation in the car, we were saved. And I was really happy that was over with.<br /><br />Now I'm nursing a sprained ankle. The good news is that it is healing quickly, probably due to the fact that I had no ligaments left in my ankle to really sprain. Because of so many injuries my ankle is pretty much just supported by muscle, and maybe muscle heals faster than ligaments? Who knows, just a crazy theory. I'm just psyched that the pain and swelling are coming down nicely. Haven't done anything but intense ice and compression since Sunday, but may give walking a few miles at the 24 Hours Around the Lake race this weekend a try. See how it goes. If all goes well I'll hop on the MTB on Sunday for the Darkhorse 40 which I'm signed up for as a relay with Rick.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/T_j4F4qtjqk&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/T_j4F4qtjqk&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-9356171924094681092010-07-22T09:31:00.004-04:002010-07-22T11:45:35.244-04:00XTERRA Sky High<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa_3bqnGRDzEi1dKrSS_7Gt5RvFCumzoSjwPVG7LwWECiuxKTMUj9zRQZjO6MGqNsM1PpsaUDP8v1ByCltOa5WqlTlch3NtzHqzvsH-oC2-MmE0FUTIGoQwg1GMuqrLT3ve2vFsOz_HgX/s1600/xtsyhigh_banner_2010_10175532_std.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496726962602779170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 78px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa_3bqnGRDzEi1dKrSS_7Gt5RvFCumzoSjwPVG7LwWECiuxKTMUj9zRQZjO6MGqNsM1PpsaUDP8v1ByCltOa5WqlTlch3NtzHqzvsH-oC2-MmE0FUTIGoQwg1GMuqrLT3ve2vFsOz_HgX/s320/xtsyhigh_banner_2010_10175532_std.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Tubing is not the ideal day before a race activity, but what the hell. It was like 98 degrees, and our good freinds with an awesome boat invited us out last minute. We had a great time, even though I'm pretty sure I cracked a rib about 2 seconds after Kristin caught this photo of me holding on for dear life. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMgdHDY0BktFliDxLf-6EmZlQlyqQ_HuiMP6pk5FMb2xSDE3M-ZYpTIQqyrXUZZDsHn-QFm8hUb4gShBb4iUwqkmHybk3dlkuVXaPXIuzwwVr5dW3zdQ1y-ZgxoopkRSo5qVETCvgrurv/s1600/Chris+Sideways+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496726955736871922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMgdHDY0BktFliDxLf-6EmZlQlyqQ_HuiMP6pk5FMb2xSDE3M-ZYpTIQqyrXUZZDsHn-QFm8hUb4gShBb4iUwqkmHybk3dlkuVXaPXIuzwwVr5dW3zdQ1y-ZgxoopkRSo5qVETCvgrurv/s320/Chris+Sideways+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Didn't bother me at all for the race, or for 2 days after, but I'm really feeling it now...</div><div> </div><div>Anyhow, on Sunday I left home at 3:45am and drove the 3 hours to Grafton Lakes (a little northeast of Albany, NY). Arrived, signed in, warmed up and was ready to race. The race started about 30 mins later than planned because heavy storms had rolled through the night before and there were some trees/debries that needed to be cleared from the trails.</div><div> </div><div>Swim: Started with a 300 yd beach run then 500 yds swim, then 400yd beach run and 500yd swim. I took it easy on the first beach run, and jumped in the water towards the back of the pack and then maintained a steady pace. Was 10th after the first loop, and then 4th after the second and into T2.</div><div> </div><div>Bike: Came out of T2 next to a buddy of mine, we worked together for the 2.5 miles or so on fire roads, but then when we got to the single track and hills I couldn't hang with him anymore, and just rode my own race for the rest of the 20K bike leg. Course was technical rocky and muddy/slippery. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv7O4uTOrVOsgaVOmmX1PvpYeP73mTSui1wGvu8F7lrfHO0SpBcadZKKiBTaPqd0ryMEpx8oUStLn7UkrKsireNdNi1OvK-8MKqce32n_8u3osV8eT0GK6ES4OI9hnjxV4FHZsb8f5YI8/s1600/SkyHigh+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496726954235165202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv7O4uTOrVOsgaVOmmX1PvpYeP73mTSui1wGvu8F7lrfHO0SpBcadZKKiBTaPqd0ryMEpx8oUStLn7UkrKsireNdNi1OvK-8MKqce32n_8u3osV8eT0GK6ES4OI9hnjxV4FHZsb8f5YI8/s320/SkyHigh+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Run: Super technical single track, with lots of boulders and mud, one long steep climb up a fire road and then back down down before completeing the loop around the lake. I felt great, was focusing on my footwork, and was making up ground on the 2 people ahead of me, but just didn't have enough to catch them. </div><div> </div><div>Finished 9th overall, 3rd in my Age Group with a 1:44:27</div><div> </div><div>Official Results <a href="http://www.xterraplanet.com/races/view_results.cfm?race_id=1091">HERE<br /></a><br />Muddy day, here is the bike after the race...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk265JrFnK99CNl0385DTEORtTsLCbvMQrjppvJLWDZk3CrNQsauH9AML91SxhC1OzIBvVZ3rTRshgOMpYfNiztSYQQxCNM9PD62Y9Lh1SnF4bh2soL9ICeXNQv0NUp9eL1sfgwg4zxQP/s1600/SkyHigh+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496726946881152786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk265JrFnK99CNl0385DTEORtTsLCbvMQrjppvJLWDZk3CrNQsauH9AML91SxhC1OzIBvVZ3rTRshgOMpYfNiztSYQQxCNM9PD62Y9Lh1SnF4bh2soL9ICeXNQv0NUp9eL1sfgwg4zxQP/s320/SkyHigh+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Right now I'm ranked 1st in the Northeast Region for XTERRA Races (M30-M34)... That will change over the next few weeks as there are a few races that I will be missing. I'm sure <a href="http://www.boothdays.com/">Dave</a> and a few others will overtake me... But I should have enough points to remain in the top 8 now, and thus earn a slot in Nationals!!!</div><div> </div><div>Oh yeah, I tried out these <a href="http://www.aquasphereswim.com/us/products/sealxp_smk_en.html">Aquasphere Seal XP </a>goggles for the first time. They were perfect, no leakage at all, no fogging, very comfortable, and great open water swimming visibility. Think I'm going to stick with them for a while.</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-20134931645853739362010-07-12T16:20:00.006-04:002010-07-12T16:54:08.101-04:00Something DifferentGoing to attempt the Escarpment Trail 30K with Brian in two weeks. Probably the best race description I've read in a long time...<br /><em></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>"It is extremely rocky and a runner must expect to navigate over boulders, downed trees, gullies and hidden roots the entire distance... </em><em>There are sections of the course that travel along cliffs. If you're not careful, you could fall to your death. Very few runners go the distance without taking at least one painful spill"</em></span><br /><em></em><br />Yikes! More here: <a href="http://escarpmenttrail.com/">http://escarpmenttrail.com/</a>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-63000397268100625822010-06-29T17:16:00.004-04:002010-06-29T18:25:18.552-04:00Stamford KIC IT TriathlonHere is what I liked about this race:<br /><ul><li>Raised over $140K for Kids in Crisis charity... very impresive.</li><li>Fastest bike split of the day was done by a 37 year old mom... amazing.</li><li>This cool Black and White photo (thats me #6)</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRbox7smFP1DNxNpxOF8wYsScsm7oIEyTDGl-UzbIMspwmDHHwAu1G5r8OIHqKO-7fWGRYfX27fyRXZRGbqL0wrcpSqOVvmKSMxk8cYVu_o6R__oBYXDxv1fr5aaWOTYfhcd5cOeUSIXo/s1600/swim1.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488307843299963602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRbox7smFP1DNxNpxOF8wYsScsm7oIEyTDGl-UzbIMspwmDHHwAu1G5r8OIHqKO-7fWGRYfX27fyRXZRGbqL0wrcpSqOVvmKSMxk8cYVu_o6R__oBYXDxv1fr5aaWOTYfhcd5cOeUSIXo/s320/swim1.png" border="0" /></a>Here is what I didn't like:<br /><ul><li>The swim, and there only being a foot of water over about a third of the course. The bottom was rocky, sharp, and dangerous. Numerous foot injuries occured, many went to the hospital, some people seasons are completely over.</li><li>The whole two different transitions thingy... just too much of a hassle.</li><li>The heat. But thats nobody's fault... I just can't run fast in the heat.</li></ul>Here is photo of the Elite Wave start. That's me on the right, and Kristin 3rd from the right kind of hunched over. We had to run all the way to the first buoy before it was deep enough to start swimming.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhI4DzcZCXoB2LZ06M-eeFT9wgMRxpN5nk0jD6e_iFrrxvB3NOe00Ziz1B7JPodn1JvLjgi8p9zT7XIdrxuwPeahLpoWnhgBDbO4lT45oJpM8MtHY2zOwqKrFzN8Q3KZUM4ZAkMWGovb0/s1600/swim2.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488307837251327570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhI4DzcZCXoB2LZ06M-eeFT9wgMRxpN5nk0jD6e_iFrrxvB3NOe00Ziz1B7JPodn1JvLjgi8p9zT7XIdrxuwPeahLpoWnhgBDbO4lT45oJpM8MtHY2zOwqKrFzN8Q3KZUM4ZAkMWGovb0/s320/swim2.png" border="0" /></a> Same on the way back out of the water. Here is a good photo of Kristin running back to the beach.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjKAbPm8021ISXsqugiEX55xk9aDBSHeUfgEcMUMeIf7wQzpzCLuLPgwgEpD5ALrWjj_dPBNpTNp7ADbo0MSHtU708GASibDROdkh5SF1AZxTZ5VNxM0raFx07PvUfqeE9_2ls37Clr5P/s1600/swimk.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488307828968424226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjKAbPm8021ISXsqugiEX55xk9aDBSHeUfgEcMUMeIf7wQzpzCLuLPgwgEpD5ALrWjj_dPBNpTNp7ADbo0MSHtU708GASibDROdkh5SF1AZxTZ5VNxM0raFx07PvUfqeE9_2ls37Clr5P/s320/swimk.png" border="0" /></a>Ended up having a decent bike split, I was holding back a little because of the heat so I could have something left for the run. It didn't work. As soon as I started running I realized that I had nothing. I gave it all I had, but was still miserably slow (7:34 pace per mile). I came off the bike in 5th place, and dropped back to 21st place overall by the time I crossed the finish line. </div><div> </div><div>Results <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/results/10/ct/Jun27_Stamfo_set1.shtml">HERE</a></div><div> </div><div>Immediately after the finish line I went to the misting station to try to start cooling down, and watched the medic tent slowly start to overflow with bloody feet and shoes. I knew my feet were in bad shape, but I didnt feel like dealing with the mob scene going on there. So I just kept my shoes on until we got home.</div><div> </div><div>Once home, Kristin started performing a little "home surgery". Opening multiple cuts with tweezers, flushing them out with water, scrubbing them with a toothbrush, applying alcohol. Disgusting and very painful. Had to bite on a towel at one point. My left foot in particular was pretty shredded. Fortunately nothing was too deep. I could have probably used stiches in two spots, but the butteryfly strips and bandaging seemed to be holding... So we just went with that. Here is what my foot looked like the next day.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGYn1nckQ0qNwuA7jUbXzkO6RMVd_M-6yIOWF9sOxEhQDHrkfEUb7XiaxSw2RHJWFJwJ8MLC9jIFIXKITdQT0voLq0zuXYikf-TUCMI4HNP5Akvhpqi6tYS8p1ySebxBxL3ew7PI7oUkM/s1600/foot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488307819443909858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGYn1nckQ0qNwuA7jUbXzkO6RMVd_M-6yIOWF9sOxEhQDHrkfEUb7XiaxSw2RHJWFJwJ8MLC9jIFIXKITdQT0voLq0zuXYikf-TUCMI4HNP5Akvhpqi6tYS8p1ySebxBxL3ew7PI7oUkM/s320/foot.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><p>Going stay off my feet for a while to get this healed up. Tossing around the idea of swiming across the Great South Bay of LI this weekend. From Fire Island (Davis Park) to Sayville, about 4-5 miles. We'll see if I can figure out how to do it safely and with a support crew, and if the body is up for it closer to the date. Like 50/50 right now.</p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-23652012148015591682010-06-25T10:08:00.006-04:002010-06-25T11:16:16.786-04:00XTERRA East Championship<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd24hFbeRX806jFQ3xNTEHU5kGvNYUP2fNEbpUEK-KAI-6wMlwh0I_YrCqitD6MBS23tTpHU1wilWxmKNdg8uwWAKy0mgUmTlsOrugDnM32FpUSFMmMawUNBjm_cANsihtn7WTGYGXRA4/s1600/Richmond+Logo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486713867955254658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd24hFbeRX806jFQ3xNTEHU5kGvNYUP2fNEbpUEK-KAI-6wMlwh0I_YrCqitD6MBS23tTpHU1wilWxmKNdg8uwWAKy0mgUmTlsOrugDnM32FpUSFMmMawUNBjm_cANsihtn7WTGYGXRA4/s320/Richmond+Logo.gif" border="0" /></a> This was one of my "A" races of the year... I'd had my mind on this race for a long time, and was the first race of the year that I really wanted to do well at. Unfortunately the weather was too warm and humid for me to be my most competitive. Heat has never been my freind, and being a bigger guy, my body can't cool itself like the majority of skinny guys I compete against. I've learnt about my body in the heat the hard way, like DNF'ing at last years Florida 70.3, and Darkhorse 40 in 90+ degree temps... Both big learning experiences. So I threw away my original strategy, and just went for one of survival. My goal was just to finish, not have to visit the Medic tent, and be coherent enough to drive the 7 hours back home immediately after the race... solo.<br /><br />Here is a map of the race course... The transition area is basically in downtown Richmond! This is one town I would not mind living in at all.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5Q8A25-Og_RGQA12geCkYwW01FLFA-4WihjqG0jaN2Ghi_Bm5CKYsXQNpGqdNDY5pYjZo8eh5jtMQ2KYSPXiC_7eJa1VmGLBeRtNs53VVr7Bt7fkgh7G71aq7hPQjtLAywmUP7BCZBxX/s1600/Map.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486713858315102114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5Q8A25-Og_RGQA12geCkYwW01FLFA-4WihjqG0jaN2Ghi_Bm5CKYsXQNpGqdNDY5pYjZo8eh5jtMQ2KYSPXiC_7eJa1VmGLBeRtNs53VVr7Bt7fkgh7G71aq7hPQjtLAywmUP7BCZBxX/s320/Map.png" border="0" /></a> Coming out of the water at the end of the 1K swim leg... Was fun swimming in moderate current and dodging river rocks, but not the best swim time for me. I'm still not swimming that well this year. No wetsuits allowed because of the warm water temps, but I did wear booties on my feet to protect from debries on the river bottom, the 100 meter trail run at the halfway point of the swim, and the long run back up to T1. (I did a test in the pool earlier in the week, swimming in booties slow me down by about 20 seconds per 500yds... small price to pay to ensure your feet are still intact at the end of a swim like this!!!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U4URTJyBHKwG1ywyUCAsPTF0CbS-zkVqA-OcC0N93hs6J2OPM-seCURxlIpakYly-MO1Hyv6cQwYdGiWXt-BLx_S2dXXvrf1-IhRhODJKyO-Z4wikNxeLs9SOQpFb6HWpGr0Bsq5Y8HE/s1600/Swim1.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486713849439813698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U4URTJyBHKwG1ywyUCAsPTF0CbS-zkVqA-OcC0N93hs6J2OPM-seCURxlIpakYly-MO1Hyv6cQwYdGiWXt-BLx_S2dXXvrf1-IhRhODJKyO-Z4wikNxeLs9SOQpFb6HWpGr0Bsq5Y8HE/s320/Swim1.png" border="0" /></a>Heading out of T1 and on to the 25K bike course... the trails are awesome, never a dull moment on the bike. I went through my 100oz camelbak, and large frame bottle, and could have still used more water... (was also taking salt/electrolyte blocks, and a gel)<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0VTxEa6wBFOKbYc303CeaBR1j2wre-uz0uhRnew43PYKqRCl5Z5erQAgVlDcgeRijpzOJdTVIzt66GY-t6XKrnuEfM2j7amUPQ6-WOwTk0F2SLhuAMardQrJ2V9C79UMXnINxSjcJlKF/s1600/Bike1.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486713846333714994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0VTxEa6wBFOKbYc303CeaBR1j2wre-uz0uhRnew43PYKqRCl5Z5erQAgVlDcgeRijpzOJdTVIzt66GY-t6XKrnuEfM2j7amUPQ6-WOwTk0F2SLhuAMardQrJ2V9C79UMXnINxSjcJlKF/s320/Bike1.png" border="0" /></a>Back from the bike in T2, I swapped hydration packs for the 10K run , this time using my Nathan 2 liter running specific pack, with 10oz of perpetuem, and more salt/electrolite blocks. Finished the contents with about a mile to go in the race... It was getting really hot, and there was no shade for the first half of the course... I've never drank this much in any race before, but it worked for me, and actually could have used more. I was probably abouty 10lbs lighter at the finish than at the start!!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dSCDGMQij15pexm3xpa1Z2v2HH5xp0BpdeUIgRYR9GP51pCQ2u3F_u9So4RwLNnz2bOIiQ8BKUc3urf0rlApKy2V-XhZhDQmOvXGcyqlcOW2c3ThvCFU1U9fhBILBFnvdm-utxWid5h8/s1600/Run1.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486713842741154402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dSCDGMQij15pexm3xpa1Z2v2HH5xp0BpdeUIgRYR9GP51pCQ2u3F_u9So4RwLNnz2bOIiQ8BKUc3urf0rlApKy2V-XhZhDQmOvXGcyqlcOW2c3ThvCFU1U9fhBILBFnvdm-utxWid5h8/s320/Run1.png" border="0" /></a> Mission accomplished. Finshed strong, no medic tent, and ready to tackle the drive up I95. </div><div></div><div>I ended up 7th in my Age Group with a time of 2:29:15. Earned a bunch of qualifying points towards XTERRA Nationals, and still ranked 2nd in the Northeast, after <a href="http://www.boothdays.com/">David </a>who's in 1st, had a great race here, qualified for Worlds in Maui, but most importantly, made is debut in one of my many pointless videos (see below)... </div><div></div><div>I took this video with <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=2590&modelid=18332">this camera </a>standing in the middle of the James river. Awesome.<br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p2j94mqhQHo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p2j94mqhQHo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /></div><div> </div><div>This race is definately going on the calendar next year. Who's coming with me?!?!</div></div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-32138697628801450912010-06-12T11:38:00.003-04:002010-06-12T12:20:38.019-04:00Ironclad Triathlon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWXO57Cu7yBSp1GRomRJZv9boZx4XTlt3x-j5aZ3A5fcHztH3PVhUwSV2q4dKuieq5s_KdX22x_Onv0QKkQGL8AWi3tlWNFUpx6Fyn-HMlmsPSehQGWNAoHpq-6EMgKL63Xyb92JqzyOm/s1600/ironclad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWXO57Cu7yBSp1GRomRJZv9boZx4XTlt3x-j5aZ3A5fcHztH3PVhUwSV2q4dKuieq5s_KdX22x_Onv0QKkQGL8AWi3tlWNFUpx6Fyn-HMlmsPSehQGWNAoHpq-6EMgKL63Xyb92JqzyOm/s320/ironclad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481912892403410562" /></a><br />K and I saw that this race was close by, and had a pretty nice cash prize for top 5 males and females... So we thought we'd give it a try. We both raced in the Pro/Elite Wave which was nice. It was a wave of 15 people that started a few minutes ahead of the Age Group waves. Which were several waves of 100 plus people in each.<br /><br />I was expecting to be able to stick with the lead pack on the swim, but I saw pretty quickly that wasn't going to happen... Maybe if I had been in the water more than twice this year I would have had a chance. I lost over 2 mins to the lead pack, which is pretty significant over a 1000yd swim. I was 8th out of the water.<br /><br />A steep run up to transition, then out onto the bike without any issue. The bike was two loops totaling about 12 miles... I had the 8th fastest bike split of the day, passing 2 people to put me into 5th place, and into the money. (avg. speed 22.7)<br /><br />Then came the run which was very xterra style, tight twisty single track almost the whole way. I felt better and better every mile, and posted the 13th fastest run split of the race (including relays), and fastest in my age group... Very exciting for me. I got passed 100yds from the finish putting me back into 6th place and out of the money... But was so happy with my running, that I didn't really care.<br /><br />Kristin suffered the same fate. The prize money brought out all the female sprint specialist, and she finished in 6th place... No doubt she would have chased most of them down in a longer event.<br /><br />Team PowerShot = 1st overall relay. and first time James Racer X Brittan has had a faster swim split that me. Don't worry James, I've been in the pool twice a week since this race, and that will not happen again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9C8po2rDeheToxULJU4OhpbtXpd5ffV2abslVgP4kpA5NW3Gf31kIuer9iJE9bWaaiN9j9Pz6YI83yhBzmoJsGlbGbHHJGS7udUK374XljTIkQcZKDMJCtnKHpbGl3ufYZGU8hVAewYP/s1600/Chris+Swim.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9C8po2rDeheToxULJU4OhpbtXpd5ffV2abslVgP4kpA5NW3Gf31kIuer9iJE9bWaaiN9j9Pz6YI83yhBzmoJsGlbGbHHJGS7udUK374XljTIkQcZKDMJCtnKHpbGl3ufYZGU8hVAewYP/s320/Chris+Swim.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481912881471013810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kECUjT9XhKVoBX9tNczaj-4KZjRgUJ3Fw-3oYt1S9yLOJc-POgwKr5o0i-JydoVIPYkJHKAXDBLmoOQTrl4KXRfwXRkkTf9QOVj75rXoGc66rYIAUVKjdYP7kaQA-YMnFbgCg7ilA-Ab/s1600/Chris+Bike.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kECUjT9XhKVoBX9tNczaj-4KZjRgUJ3Fw-3oYt1S9yLOJc-POgwKr5o0i-JydoVIPYkJHKAXDBLmoOQTrl4KXRfwXRkkTf9QOVj75rXoGc66rYIAUVKjdYP7kaQA-YMnFbgCg7ilA-Ab/s320/Chris+Bike.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481912878024406498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHj1fDhYpoW6FpRhmDvnkPEr-YDvF9LFQiMtMpWreornwEEdrqbnyumm6OMvj2kNPeIwiU_hYkWdINb_ayBLy0g_0KzqfXEwXoWqlCpz75lSVLl3-eLH0frvvxFBMoK1z4QDuWJAmRABY/s1600/Chris+Run.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHj1fDhYpoW6FpRhmDvnkPEr-YDvF9LFQiMtMpWreornwEEdrqbnyumm6OMvj2kNPeIwiU_hYkWdINb_ayBLy0g_0KzqfXEwXoWqlCpz75lSVLl3-eLH0frvvxFBMoK1z4QDuWJAmRABY/s320/Chris+Run.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481912858829226482" /></a>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-3343062791950973302010-05-17T07:02:00.008-04:002010-05-18T10:40:45.298-04:00XTERRA King of the Hill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxDwsXbf78T9re6tRUVFSpnNduZkFOL_3-D-3s52HC6ZyxQa7fBN-s5IhnPj1y_XqG3YXKAD0fsCc-2YA49qVOsHeJh8VonvK-Aytn1M5VDuVdWb-ocXtKtSacv-GaGT8ZNjXMHSsV-ox/s1600/logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxDwsXbf78T9re6tRUVFSpnNduZkFOL_3-D-3s52HC6ZyxQa7fBN-s5IhnPj1y_XqG3YXKAD0fsCc-2YA49qVOsHeJh8VonvK-Aytn1M5VDuVdWb-ocXtKtSacv-GaGT8ZNjXMHSsV-ox/s320/logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340783224429858" /></a><br />Kristin came with me to this one... Man, she is a one-person cheering machine, and with crazy whistling powers too! I spotted her all over the course taking pictures and jumping around for me, the long lost Booth relatives, and a bunch of other freinds out racing. So this one is going to be mainly a photo post using her pics...<br /><br />The start was a 300yd beach run to swim leg...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzweUe05EKZbJmakgd8CLwIpGWOgtz-LTuIj1k5-vmIt4PHzyLBK2vSRcCT3qfuoSJ4FKM3VPIpfgvBeLqTmNndb-t96Y6fqZ6WTwD_tLHIJo3dhIX5Aru3h5o-sSANo5vYs4k1N-a9LM/s1600/KOTH+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzweUe05EKZbJmakgd8CLwIpGWOgtz-LTuIj1k5-vmIt4PHzyLBK2vSRcCT3qfuoSJ4FKM3VPIpfgvBeLqTmNndb-t96Y6fqZ6WTwD_tLHIJo3dhIX5Aru3h5o-sSANo5vYs4k1N-a9LM/s320/KOTH+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340697986457762" /></a><br />Heading back into the water for the second swim loop... I ended up third out of the water. Swim was only half a mile, not long enough to give me much of an advantage...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYiV2LxfaWtcHyRLzfILP3gRtqQajvbXBDxZBIqnCQcZWdrZfaueKY7xkYWF1YZ2KbQ3t4xYMy9zAxxwHWGu_ryyRDbXIChsZoCpI3g9wBMsHXR0SsNZp0wIudHwQF-zI9JBh7gPdincv/s1600/KOTH+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYiV2LxfaWtcHyRLzfILP3gRtqQajvbXBDxZBIqnCQcZWdrZfaueKY7xkYWF1YZ2KbQ3t4xYMy9zAxxwHWGu_ryyRDbXIChsZoCpI3g9wBMsHXR0SsNZp0wIudHwQF-zI9JBh7gPdincv/s320/KOTH+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340695340805538" /></a><br />Out of transition and immediately down some stairs en route to a very hilly/rocky 12 miles...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvUd_A-CJeXVKywFul2UGMbqgCvjBmyJI7W5D_b2de-7Wc1KBCAVJEPdHBON7OytKnbm78pVFxyMOSfdQYw5uYCHWvCTkOD_WYW1HFqqrc5W_lsZlMQAOLAXEZqqn8r6tO9zCQXdSu_NW/s1600/KOTH+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvUd_A-CJeXVKywFul2UGMbqgCvjBmyJI7W5D_b2de-7Wc1KBCAVJEPdHBON7OytKnbm78pVFxyMOSfdQYw5uYCHWvCTkOD_WYW1HFqqrc5W_lsZlMQAOLAXEZqqn8r6tO9zCQXdSu_NW/s320/KOTH+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340691890723634" /></a><br />Towards the end of the bike leg, sitting in 10th place here...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA68y-2c6vq7XkH8VbNCNM4M0nTqMr2jsDDVkzt_Er0RlTUTsvYE4L9zXqo29h0VxSrDx8FJ6acskcsUxXiEOQFuGrOfJCElX18-JK27nLtjS2QZaLHe0jCATcy4bykrsw1xvpuKlgD6B5/s1600/KOTH+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA68y-2c6vq7XkH8VbNCNM4M0nTqMr2jsDDVkzt_Er0RlTUTsvYE4L9zXqo29h0VxSrDx8FJ6acskcsUxXiEOQFuGrOfJCElX18-JK27nLtjS2QZaLHe0jCATcy4bykrsw1xvpuKlgD6B5/s320/KOTH+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340686886430722" /></a><br />Out on the run about to head up Tobogan Hill chasing down the guy ahead of me...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_zbhRxnlzkuRpXsIDu_Yw2986_QNpSjckjL7iIPGqI6FPYRI8CQ2AdXZCF0HJu2mMnlOcHObtsP7bVXhc13230s4g1CfJZzdUjijk5kCwRgfRANEYseNeQb90kK0K1AZD3Ed8R7cGaka/s1600/KOTH+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_zbhRxnlzkuRpXsIDu_Yw2986_QNpSjckjL7iIPGqI6FPYRI8CQ2AdXZCF0HJu2mMnlOcHObtsP7bVXhc13230s4g1CfJZzdUjijk5kCwRgfRANEYseNeQb90kK0K1AZD3Ed8R7cGaka/s320/KOTH+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340539347876370" /></a><br />passed him coming back down (that hill was brutal!)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooF2UwdEDDma5UW4Ljbc9hBk9m7_yf9heNTRzrQYidp3UJ_MvnuUYBbu7m5D92rBWUgnsLj_EeajbDIU19QX2lHUPTSbC6m2Ju9QxiZC87dq83mRaT0TUV9LsIvSD2pP24xLf4aQibeup/s1600/KOTH+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooF2UwdEDDma5UW4Ljbc9hBk9m7_yf9heNTRzrQYidp3UJ_MvnuUYBbu7m5D92rBWUgnsLj_EeajbDIU19QX2lHUPTSbC6m2Ju9QxiZC87dq83mRaT0TUV9LsIvSD2pP24xLf4aQibeup/s320/KOTH+6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340531777550242" /></a><br />a long sandy finish... Results haven't been posted yet, but I was 9th across the line (possibly 8th). Will update with offical results when they become available... Either way, still some good XTERRA qualifying points for me in my quest for Nationals<br />**Update: Official Results <a href="http://www.xterraplanet.com/races/view_results.cfm?name=_default&division=®ion=&race_id=1104&sort=asc&orderby=totaltimedt">HERE</a>**<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuw04QaIOLsxtsnlWfmo7unq5mB7J8YxwXJZ2Dm2UZVOPAuPx2IjCg9Dfs8olM3R2u9KY5CoyyC8pc-g2rpjVHtUoWhx_E-SQma5joe7C-VTVHuV15FzXka-PagAAA_Kc4flzyTalLPuf/s1600/KOTH+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuw04QaIOLsxtsnlWfmo7unq5mB7J8YxwXJZ2Dm2UZVOPAuPx2IjCg9Dfs8olM3R2u9KY5CoyyC8pc-g2rpjVHtUoWhx_E-SQma5joe7C-VTVHuV15FzXka-PagAAA_Kc4flzyTalLPuf/s320/KOTH+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340528723862514" /></a><br />Overall Winners... <a href="http://www.boothdays.com/">D-Booth </a> 2nd overall!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1Ha-xyEsuwtM5XZQ0FwAZ6FgD6qpylWj_J5RcskIjXY7sD3pJ5xBwC6HbneHO2lHXgjg9Vfdx6X3dnaHtsgavFndc_lplxjqcY4xfNWBC7Add_nuuL_gLm6bxMnwQIFw7w_J1aXFdkN3/s1600/KOTH+8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1Ha-xyEsuwtM5XZQ0FwAZ6FgD6qpylWj_J5RcskIjXY7sD3pJ5xBwC6HbneHO2lHXgjg9Vfdx6X3dnaHtsgavFndc_lplxjqcY4xfNWBC7Add_nuuL_gLm6bxMnwQIFw7w_J1aXFdkN3/s320/KOTH+8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340518601408978" /></a><br />R-Booth, first place in AG for the Duathlon Race... Reciever of a pimped out bobble-head trophy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrmMW_0WByjZROsl5o21x0sWd1nGhrQyWksyfHu9sVPv0Hhyphenhyphen6R8qOlRNynUFCLwT885dt-dPz_2a1yNeW-_AoDoB7Mv7vCFqHIFc0DcvMlcMXlGdrdKLti8Lofw25TX9Wm0Bg3vTwfdHa/s1600/KOTH+9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrmMW_0WByjZROsl5o21x0sWd1nGhrQyWksyfHu9sVPv0Hhyphenhyphen6R8qOlRNynUFCLwT885dt-dPz_2a1yNeW-_AoDoB7Mv7vCFqHIFc0DcvMlcMXlGdrdKLti8Lofw25TX9Wm0Bg3vTwfdHa/s320/KOTH+9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472340515095724354" /></a><br />Fun race in the books. Now contemplating what to do next weekend... instead of racing might opt to get in some long slow paced mileage... we'll see.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-5211251310567573922010-05-09T20:42:00.004-04:002010-05-10T06:18:18.695-04:00Carl Hart Mothers Day Duathlon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplTsBVRoWKv3Bz0STxrcKg97UECGQUJAwWVOwQvcAvrhN9cUKpcJ2UToGLt4NbhOqKUmp6IhaXKdfjTFox-Gdh8pHp88AH1iMhbaHiflMFJed2mZykG7X_wFjyVSLFXKkVz1gN5-1WtYL/s1600/Carl+Hart+Du+Spring+2010.jpg"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplTsBVRoWKv3Bz0STxrcKg97UECGQUJAwWVOwQvcAvrhN9cUKpcJ2UToGLt4NbhOqKUmp6IhaXKdfjTFox-Gdh8pHp88AH1iMhbaHiflMFJed2mZykG7X_wFjyVSLFXKkVz1gN5-1WtYL/s320/Carl+Hart+Du+Spring+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469435547270326210" /></a>It was cold, very windy, and I was getting muscle cramps in the car on the way to this race courtesy of yesterday's run. I don't know what kind of irrational thinking got me to the starting line, but I made it. And once we got started I surprisingly didn't feel too bad. Both runs were pretty standard. The bike was a little tricky, the wind played a significant role with gusts up to 50mph. Rick helped me make the last minute decision to run my standard spoked training wheel on the front versus my 808, and I definitely think that helped keep me straight.<div><br /></div><div>Finished 6th Overall, 2nd in my Age Group. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rick ended up 1st overall Relay with daughter Amanda doing the running for him.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Official <a href="http://www.eventpowerli.com/events/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89%3Acarl-hart-results&catid=35%3Aevents&Itemid=70">RESULTS</a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Avg. HR 151, Max HR 163</div><div><br /></div><div>Now hopefully a more restful week in preparation for XTERRA King of the Hill next weekend. Need to get me some XTERRA ranking points!!!</div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-87009395083061705212010-05-09T13:02:00.005-04:002010-05-09T20:39:20.301-04:00Greenbelt Trail 25K<div style="text-align: left;">Brian and I ran this one together... In short, I was not ready for this. I over estimated my fitness and under estimated the trail. Not a good combo... Went out too fast, made it to the halfway turn around in 1:13, and then hit a wall that I haven't hit in a long time and really struggled on the way back. Brian was very patient with me and my bonk, and helped me keep moving to the end. He kept himself entertained with hill sprints as I took my sweet time. His form is really starting to come together, mine on the other hand, has a long way to go. We crossed the line in 2:49:26 (which included about 10+ minutes of getting lost) Official results <a href="http://www.glirc.org/articles-archive/Greenbelt_Trail_Run_Results.php">HERE</a>. I was seriously exhausted, and he could have done it all over again!!! Crazy. But the positive is that I learned several things, like...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>Force myself to walk up steeper hills to conserve energy, especially early in a race.</li><li>Trail running with compression socks look ridiculous, but is even awesomer than I anticipated. </li><li>Aquaphor between the toes, on the balls your feet and around the heel, work really well to prevent blisters.</li><li>I need to remember to take in more nutrition while on the trail. I was forgetting to eat.</li><li>My Salomon XD PRO 3D ULTRA shoes (pictured below) worked really well for this: comfortable, low profile sole, good rock plate, heavy duty toe guard (saved me a few times!), and nice lace system.</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;">The plan was to capture a lot more of the race on video, but for some reason I couldn't get the camera to the right setting... Brian finally figured out how to do it with about a mile to go, and here is the result. Nothing to exciting, but you get the picture...I was delirious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk5YCV2um8k">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk5YCV2um8k</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is us at after the race... </div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3afFnsukuxzHGLJMPYG4zC9gmzXN6erBvvf00S2hybM3jTxf8aWeix81zDKc8hpvBo-YxjiumKs040imuN7kZhcaAqqKcALdYifesNKKluTfrgu8lAckAjmbAwIJlbTn6xDs7GuNRocs/s320/Greenbelt+25k.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469414039519939586" /></div><div><br /></div><div>These are the shoes that got me through it... love them.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrUHwft5bi4hzQmzsQpNwTPONsjWBCCch6yu9XFUFj8Sn7CPujNcHEvX2xBezaSd4ENYldAeHgYJWh5Tm2UTzvbnha0G1XqjVEEKVB7CJhp_1WIRQ4mX0lw92c-7pWruhyEyOqeA1raCD/s320/Zapps.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469414031894811570" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think we'll be back next year...definitely some unfinished business. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2380288279061221568.post-75381165600972279812010-05-06T08:09:00.004-04:002010-05-06T08:32:34.089-04:00Greenwich Biathlon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1Npls0j6hZvTdE3fceugpEYDfmNGlNnrEbfKSQaJHeSw-chs3yXqaI74JO0MKGKTokLPZjhZOr-4kQBgtRwrtdzWkJVuZVWl0pWcA1xMJP4gwPFyS3SBrIFjYuJDpXzXzw6_pCCoXsl5/s1600/gbi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468129723571565794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1Npls0j6hZvTdE3fceugpEYDfmNGlNnrEbfKSQaJHeSw-chs3yXqaI74JO0MKGKTokLPZjhZOr-4kQBgtRwrtdzWkJVuZVWl0pWcA1xMJP4gwPFyS3SBrIFjYuJDpXzXzw6_pCCoXsl5/s320/gbi.jpg" border="0" /></a> Had a harder time than I thought I would recovering from the Du Nationals weekend… The few workouts that I managed last week where all sluggish and painful. On Saturday I went for a 2.5 hours ride with Kristin, and had a hard time getting my HR over 108bpm, I think my average for the ride was 95bpm… I’ve never biked that slow before!!! After the ride I went down to the track for a few laps, my HR then decided to skyrocket. I didn’t last very long, after about 20minutes of regular running, and 10 minutes of barefoot running I called it a day. <br /><br />My brother got engaged on Saturday afternoon (very exciting!) so we went into the city to meet the families for an eating throw-down at a Churrascaria Plataforma. I came in second only to Kristin who put on a epic demonstration of human stomach capacity…. It was a little disturbing, one of the waiters wanted her autograph.<br /><br />After a sleepless night of meat-sweats, we weren’t thrilled about racing. We got ourselves down to the race site at 6am, racked our bikes and went off to warm up for the 7am start… after about 30 minutes of slow running and a few bathroom breaks I started to feel more normal… Kristin, not so much.<br /><br />The race itself was pretty uneventful… had a good run (2.5miles), good bike (10miles), good run (2.5miles). Felt better than I thought I would considering the night before. No splits available, but my overall time was about 2.5 minutes faster than I’ve ever done this race, so I was happy. My new running technique seems to be paying off. I'm feeling much more comfortable at a faster speed, and keeping up with people that would normally run right by me. Kristin ended up having a pretty good race too despite her stomach issues. <div>I was 9th overall, Kristin was 2nd overall female.<br />Full results <a href="http://www.threadsandtreads.com/tt_results_biathlon2010.htm">HERE</a></div><div> </div><div>Next up: <a href="http://www.glirc.org/events/Greenbelt_Trail_Run.php">Greenbelt Trail 25K </a>and <a href="http://www.eventpowerli.com/events/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46:ch-mothers-day-duathlon&catid=35:events">Carl Hart Mother's Day Duathlon </a></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04474029872869030735noreply@blogger.com0