2012 ITU World Cross Triathlon Pictures

Final Prep for World Cross Triathlon Championships

A quick update on my Father.....After 11 days they finally were able to remove the breathing tube from him.  He remained in ICU for another couple of days fighting an infection before being moved to rehab which is the final step before he comes home.   How you get an infection in a hospital?  Apparently this is common.  That is why I do not like hospitals.  They make you sick :-). 

The big week has arrived.  This weekend we will be heading to Alabama for the 2012 ITU World Cross Triathlon Championships.  I really wish this event was later in the summer.  Form is no where near to what it needs to be. Training as been limited and I am still about 10 lbs short of my racing weight.  My goals for this weekend are just to try my best and have fun.  If I get top 10 in my age-group I would be very, very happy.   Top 15 is what I expect given my current form and level of competition - it is the World championships.

What is a cross triathlon?  No it is not a triathlon using a cross bike (that would be cool if it was).  Those Europeans call off-road triathlons Cross Triathlons instead of the licensed Xterra brand which has become synonymous with off-road triathlon here in the USA.

I got in my Team USA uniform while I was down in Florida.  I never like to race in something new.  This has not always been the case however.  I used to bring out new jerseys for big motocross races as I felt it was good luck.  Seemed to work really well for me as I seems to always bring my "A" game to big races and great results.  That or crash my brains out.   Anyways, I did my final test workout up at Smithville wearing the kit. Several people in the parking lot did double takes while I rode by.  They looked  at me like "who the hell is this guy"?    I guess I would look the same way if I someone was out training in a essentially a swimming suit.

I mentioned a testing working above.  When I am training seriously, which is not much anymore, I usually do aerobic (sub-max) test workouts to see how my fitness is improving.  I do these monthly test for running and cycling. The test is done at my aerobic (L2) heart of 150 bpm for a set distance.  The course is one complete lap at Smithville (basically the old BB36 course).  This is about 10.5 miles.  Although some may feel performing this test off-road my lead to pour results, I believe it is more of a real world test of your aerobic fitness level.  An added benefit is I can also test equipment.  For example, which is more efficient a 26er or 29er?   In theory I would be able to turn a faster time at a given heart rate on the most efficient bike.  Yes I know that course conditions and things such as weather and other trail users will impact any test.  I performed the test on "fresh" legs and similar course conditions for each monthly test.  Luckily I was able to get most of my test on clean trail and only had to stop once to help a fellow rider after she crashed.       

Below are the results   As you can see my form has steadily improved over the last four months.  At the same hear rate (effort) I got steadily faster.  Part of this was due to a decrease in weight, but I would like to think I am getting in better form as the season progresses.  O.K. so which bike am I bringing to Pelham?  Which is more efficient?   Efficiency to me is the name of the game, especially in a multi-sport event such as triathlon.  I want to be able to ride within my self at the fastest pace possible and still have the energy to run fast. 

Bikes:
2011 Giant Anthem X w/10spd XT, Fox Fork, Nevagal UST and Ritchey Shield Tires @ 28 psi.
2008 Turner F/S 29er w/9spd XTR, Manitou fork, Nevagal Tires, Ritchey Shield & Crossmark (ust)  @ 25 psi.

Results:

• February on Turner (Ritchey Shield): 1:02:56
• February on Giant (Ritchey Shield): 1:02:23
• March on Turner (Kenda Nevagal): 1:01:43
• March on Giant (Kenda Nevagal): 1:01:30
• April on Turner (Maxxis Crossmark): 1:00:21
• April on Giant (Kenda Nevagal): 1:00:03
• May on Turner (Maxxis Crossmark): 58:30
• May on Giant (Kenda Nevagal): 58:49 (stopped to help fallen rider)

What did I learn?  I learned that it is mostly the rider and not the bike that matters.  I did carry more speed on the flat sections on the 29er, but made up time on the 26er on the tight sections.  I was able to go around corners faster and with more control on the 26er.  I contribute some of this to the UST tires. I felt faster accelerating out of corners on the 26er.   I was able to navigate the rocky sections slightly better on the 29er.   It comes down to what am I more comfortable on?  The answer is the Giant 26er. On runs after each test I had better running times on the 26er.

Bad Genes, Golf Balls & Old Blades

 How quickly things can change.  Just last week I was making final plans for a solid training month leading up to my big event of the year.  Fast forward a week and I am down in Florida visiting my Father in the hospital.  My Father Al had  Quintuple bypass surgery last Friday.   He is not doing so well and is currently in an induced comma in ICU.  Like many, I hate hospitals.  I have spent far too many days in them and have a real dislike.  My Uncle Wallace, Al's little brother, came with me several times to keep me company.  While we were there we discussed all the family members who have passed away.  Most from accidents, but many from heart disease.  It appears I have some very bad genetics with many having heart problems.  At one time in my life I wanted to live until I reached 100 years old.  But with this recent discovery I might have to reduce that to 75 or so. 

I have been working hard this week helping my Mom and working remotely at my normal job. Needless to say I have been very stressed, worried and tired.  Normally I like to exercise when I get really stressed as it helps me cope.  Saturday was not as busy at my parents business so after the mail ran and we got the deposit together I head off to the beach.  I really needed an open water swim and what better body of water to do that in than the ocean.  Conditions were very good today at South Beach Park.  Temps around 85 and very little wind which meant good swimming conditions.  The goal today was to just relax and find some peace out in the ocean.  As I entered the water I noticed a swimmer approaching swimming about 75 yards off shore.  I decided to swim out and follow him to practice drafting some. All was well until he headed toward shore then I was all alone. I continued swimming North towards Spanish River Park.  As I continued along I started to see golf balls on the ocean floor.  Or at least I thought they were which would make perfect sense because I was swimming past the Red Reef Executive Golf Course along A1A.   I decided to take a break from swimming and tried to dive down to retrieve one.  The depth I was swimming at was just too deep for me to reach them so I continued on trying to maintain a good swim stroke/position and find that "Inner Peace" that I was searching for.  As I did I remember this little story about Golf Balls and Life which helped me some.  I started to get a little sick from waves and my shoulder was starting to hurt from the constant swimming.  I turned to shore and was happy with the distance I had covered - nearly reaching Spanish River. 

With no bike to ride my next best option for a leg workout was to buckle up a set of rollerblades.  It has been a long, long time since I rollerbladed.  I must have looked like a real "Queen" trying to rollerblade along A1A shirtless with old blades and a set of poles.  My balance was off.  I do not know if it was from using the poles or what but I definitely revered to Newbie status.  After several miles I finally settled in and started to glide well.  This brought back a lot of fond memories of spending time rollerblading with this sweet little blond girl from Pennsylvania that I had met about 20 years ago.  I remember blowing my entire paycheck on a new set of Rollerblades for her.  We were both hooked and loved rolling along with not a worry in the world.  One day we ventured out and bladed all the way from her house to Deerfield Beach (well over 20 miles), had lunch and enjoyed an adventure all the way back home.  That was a great day.  My little ride today almost ended badly for me.  As I was working my way back to the car I took a side road which had some damn speed bumps.  I guess I was still dreaming and thought I could Rollerblade like I used to 20 years ago.  I tried to jump the speed bump and lost my balance big time.  Luckily I had the polls and used them to act as a tripod skidding along.  As you can see by the picture above, I wore right through the rubber ends trying keep from falling.  I do not know how I did it, but I saved it.  I may not be able to walk straight tomorrow, but I saved it.

Behind the Eight Ball

Drains the Life out of you.....It took two weeks, but I have finally recovered enough from promoting 3 events to resume a normal life and training schedule.  It is amazing how event promotion just drains the life out of you.   It would not be as bad if you did not have to worry about the weather and trail conditions or have to answer the hundreds of emails about "is the event going to take place" or "it is raining at my house is it raining on the course", or "I am afraid to get wet".  I am glad that is over.

Behind the Eight Ball.....Saturday I ventured over to participate in Roger's Lanterne Rough 10K Time Trial. Earlier in the week I got my TT bike out and did some test rides.  I was happy that my position felt good and some short interval efforts resulted in some good times (15:10 & 15:26  for 10K repeats) especially considering I have not really done much interval training this year.  Most of my training has been OD/End type training as I was not expecting to race much this Spring.  My goal was close to 15 min and hopefully be around 14:50 or so if I had good legs.  Saturday morning was one of those days that I would just as soon forget.  Stomach problems on Thursday/Friday left me feeling very weak and not really wanting to ride let alone race.  But I wanted to go out and participate in the last Lanterne Rouge TT and support Roger.   Conditions were a bit windy and chilly prior to the race.  I wish I had brought my new long sleeve CX kit but thought it would be too warm for it.  I was wrong and did my best to keep warm and get ready for my 9:20 start time.   I rolled up to the start and got into position with Gerard holding me.  That was nice of Gerard to volunteer for the event helping out at both registration and as the designated holder.  5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and I am off.  First mile went well I thought and I was pushing a big gear into the head wind.   Some rollers kicked in during the next two miles. Those combined with a strong wind really kicked my already tired butt.  I had to drop down several gears just to make it over the hills as I was just not producing any power today.  By the time I reached Roger at the turn-around I was done.  I could hear Roger yell "you have the wind now".   No amount of wind could help me on this day.  That was the longest 3 mile return back to the start ever.  I think I could have run back quicker.   A very disappointing 16:20 finishing time does not really reflect my current form.  I am "Behind the Eight Ball" as far as form goes, but I should have done much better.  

So little time to prepare.....One of my big goals in Triathlon was to make Team USA but my running form never allowed that.  However,  I was recently fortunate enough  to be selected to be on Team USA in the Male 45-49 division at the upcoming 2012 ITU World Cross Triathlon Championships.  One of the few things I have ever been o.k. at was riding off-road.  The bad part is I only have 3 more weeks to prepare.  As I mentioned before I was not really planning on racing much this Spring due to the events that I was promoting and my current work load at work.  If the event was going to be held in July/August, I would be much better prepared.  No use complaining however.   Time to get out there and train as hard has a can without over doing it.  That is the key for me - No Over Training.   Next weekend is the annual triathlon on the Fort Leavenworth base.  The bike course is really tough and will be a good test.  

The Bonder Bender 3/6 Hour Report

First I wanted to thank all the volunteers and sponsors that made this event possible.  There were over 20 volunteers that made the 4th Annual Bone Bender a success.  We could have used 20 more, but those that did take the time to give back to our sport I really Thank you!  Members of Cow Town Cycling, KTC, LMBC , Midwest Trail Patrol & the Lanterne Rouge really kicked in over the last two days to make it happen.  Thank you to our great sponsors who again supported the BB36: The Wheel Cyclery, Hammer Nutrition, Paceline Products, Pot Pie and Bart Cox Photography.

 One thing that I always like to have at our event is good food that is included in the event.  Thanks to Mr. John Williams, Mr. Anderson as always my lovely wife Carolynn we were able to bring some mighty fine food.
 

Two people that really made this event happen, gave me 100% support even through all my throw fits during that last week are Carolynn and Christopher.  I told them that this would be the last time they had to endure it and I meant it.   

Where did the Bone Bender come from anyways?

I started working the Bone Bender about 5 years ago.   I was planning an Xterra Triathlon with my friend/teammate Tige Lamb up at Smithville Lake.  Off-Road Triathlons are my favorite event and we did not have one in this area, plus I thought Smithville would be the ideal location for an Xterra.  I decided to put the event on hold mainly because I could not get the support for water patrol for the swim portion.  The liability was just to great and I did not want to take the risk at the time.  Fast forward a few months and I come to find out that ERTA (Earth Riders Trail Association) needs some help raising funds to pay off some equipment.  I offer an event that I was working on, the Bone Bender 3/6 hour MTB Odyssey up as a way to raise funds for local trails.  What better way to raise money and give back to the sport than to put on a kick ass mountain bike race.   We put together a good team of volunteers that first two years and produced two quality events up at Smithville.  I thought it was a good start to an event that the local cycling community could call their own and use to raise funds for ERTA.

Why did you move the Bone Bender?

As I start to work on the 3rd Annual BB36 I get this letter from the President of ERTA that states "ERTA will not be involved in the Bone Bender race in 2011".  Basically, Thanks for your support, but we do not need you anymore.  I must tell you that this really did hurt my feelings as I basically gave this event to them to use as a fundraiser. Carolynn and I took on all the liability with ERTA not being responsible for anything but cashing the check.  But like I always tell my son Christopher, "No One Owes You a Damn Thing".  I thought about about not holding the BB36 anymore, but still felt that this event could be a "community" event and help and benefit everyone.  Because that Smithville Trail Crew and ERTA did not want the BB36 anymore I had to find another location and benefiting organization.  As my Father Al always said "One person does not stop the show"  referring to the countless times when someone would not work or complete a job thinking that he would just quit or back down. 

Can we find a new home for Bone Bender?

I talk to my good friend Gerard and we discuss the possibility of moving the Bone Bender to Clinton Lake.  He agrees that it is a great idea and we move forward with getting permission (no small task) and permits.  A ton of work goes into the next two years to make and grow the Bone Bender into a regional event that attracts hundreds of riders.  

Where to now?

As of now I am unsure of future of the Bone Bender 3/6 Hour MTB Odyssey. I guess it all depends on if the "Community" still wants this event and will they continue to support it.  For me, I am taking a break from promoting.   Time to focus on my family and selflessly myself.