This was my 7th year racing 70.3 Timberman. I really enjoy this race and I have tremendous praise for race director Keith Jordan and the first class event he has built. I came into this year’s event on the back of a classic pre-race mistake. On Wednesday prior to the race, I had gone through a demo full body training session that had one heavy dose of calf raises. The training session was followed up with a track workout later in the day. I spent the next two days with my calves completely blown out and I was barely able to walk properly. On Saturday, I went down to the race site to watch friend and Timex teammate, Ian Ray, compete in the Sprint triathlon (he got 3rd overall!). Fortunately the massage tent was set up and I was able to get some work done on my calves. I spent the rest of the day trying to stay off of my feet and praying that I would recover in time for Sunday morning.
Race morning I awoke and took that first nervous step out of bed. The calves were still tight and a little tender, but much better then the previous three days. As I walked around, they started to loosen up and I was feeling a lot better about the run effort to come later in the morning.

Once we got down to the race start, the transition area was a buzz of nervous energy. I looked out at the water and it was nice and flat, sweet. We had one little hick-up as a early morning accident between a car and a deer out on the bike course forced a twenty minute delay. However, once the pros were in the water, the wave starts flowed smoothly. I went off in the 5th wave of the morning and I was able to find some clear water quickly. My Aquasphere wetsuit felt great. The remainder of the swim was extremely enjoyable in beautiful lake Winnipesauke. I was able to exit the swim in 27:16.
When I left T1 and jumped on my Trek TTX SSL, I started really looking forward to following the race strategy that my coach, Paul, and I had planned out on Friday. The game plan included taking the first 12 hilly miles in a conservative fashion to save my calves and really push on the flatter 32 mile out and back section. I hit the first 12 miles well, but I was having a hard time really dialing up my effort on the flat section. I felt good and my perceived effort felt about right, but I just couldn’t get into my higher racing zone. I settled in and tried to make the most of it. It was a very humid day and I tried to really concentrate on my liquid calories. I also wanted to make sure that I was taking enough salt tabs so I could avoid any cramping. My calorie game plan combined with the salt tabs worked well to bring me into the bike finish with a 2:19:21 bike split.
I got out onto the run and I quickly realized that I was going to need to stay consistent with my salt intake. The temperature was rising and the humidity was approaching 100%. The two loop run is always more enjoyable as I’m able to see a lot of teammates and friends multiple times. My K-Swiss K onas felt great. Due to my calf issues, Paul had asked me to make sure I really focused on shorter, quicker strides. This strategy really helped me to keep my mind off of the fatigue coming from my calves. In addition, I resisted the urge to over-stride on the downhill sections. By the time I hit mile 11, I was relieved that my calves had held up. I started to open up my stride a little and it actually felt pretty good. I crossed the finish line with a 1:21:27 run split and a total time of 4:10:54. This placed me in 8th overall and the top amateur.
Results:
Thanks for reading.

Ouch. We have oxygen in London. For some reason, the Rockies decided that oxygen was not as essential an element as my London lungs are used to. Despite coming out to Boulder (5430ft) ten days before the start of our 6 day, 113m adventure through the Colorado Rockies, acclimatization is proving difficult. But that’s all part of the fun! And FUN is definitely the word for this stage race.

The TRR is a two-man team race. Team Timex is Will and I. Will Kelsay, a gun XTERRA triathlete and Colorado local, is dragging my sorry behind across the Rockies so far as I wheeze like a winded moose hanging (today) off the back of a toe rope as we ascend 3000feet over the course of 3 miles of brutal uphill as part of a morning’s work.

We drove up to Buena Vista on Saturday, picking Jonathan of Salt Stick on the way. 3 hours later we were around 7400 ft and registering, and being given a LOT of kit. I must admit to having gotten a little altitude obsessed, especially since the WS4’s that Timex sent us last week have an altitude function. It came in very handy today to track how far up the ascent we were – moving from 9600feet to 12600 feet in 3 miles, my lungs were at threshold just walking up Hope Pass. But it was worth it for the downhill. Unfortunately I stacked it chasing after Will to the finish (descending 3400 ft in 30 minutes). The 10 miler today was actually light relief after yesterday’s SCORCHING 20 miler over fairly undulating trail and road. Had a few low points yesterday as the combo of altitude and dehydration kicked my arse into touch. Out of the pair, I am definitely the pace-limiting factor!

Despite my altitude issues, we’re still doing ok, finishing 8^th in our division both days (we think) and sitting around 11^th overall.  

But this race is more than just a race each day. The camping and social side of the experience is amazing. The people and personalities here have been an eye opener. The triathlon scene has some work to do!

Photos to follow soon!

Its that time of the year in Long Island Sound – red stinging jelly fish!  They are BIG this year.  I have also noticed sea lice as well, an extra benefit.  Someone suggested to me to swim in a near by lake.  He provided me the name – Lake Waccabuc.  He told me to park near the Church and follow a trail.  I had no names of roads or cross streets or anything.  After binged the location talked my neighbor into joining me.  At 6 am this morning we left with not a lot of deals of what was waiting for us.  We drove for 30 minutes and found a lake.  We drove around until we found a church and parked in a no parking zone.  We then proceeded to walk thru a field.  Yes I too am guessing it was private property.  We found this 1.5m long wide lake.  It was gorgeous.  I know its not wise to jump into a body of water with no knowledge, but we did.  Iy was fantastic.  From the water temperature to the rock face walls.  It was a fantastic Sunday morning adventure.  If ur in the neighborhood its a must swim!

Having directed 4 triathlons and 3 running races June through now (just one more left), I finally got to race twice myself the past 3 weeks. 

First up was the La Sportiva 10K Trail Run at the Nordic Center of Eldora Mountain (30 minutes outside of Boulder).  Heavy rains the night before made chips unusable, as race management worried that chips would be lost in the deep mud we would all be running through – they predicted shoes would be lost!  Well, it wasn’t quite that bad; but, it was gnarly enough to love it if you’re a true trail runner; which, at heart, I am.  Anyway, I solidly won my age group (50-59 … pays to be old) and a new pair of La Sportivas.  Nice!

But, this was just a tune-up for the August 16 Pikes Peak Marathon.  Billed as “America’s Ultimate Challenge,” you run up Pikes Peak 7,815 feet in 13.3 miles on a single track trail … and, then, run down.  The Peak is at 14,050 feet … not a lot of air up there.

Anyway, the day before the Marathon is the Pikes Peak Ascent – “just” the run up the mountain (shuttles down).  Team Timex superstar, Tim Hola, toed that line in the morning, and against over 2,000 competitors – runners – finished, uh, 18th (!) overall.  Major kudos to our #1 Real Man!  At the start cheering Tim on, along with myself, was Team Timex “Mr. Young Up-and-Comer,” Brian Schaning.  Brian was also decked out in full kit, getting ready for his day of a 6 hour bike ride and one hour run (prepping for IM Moo).  So, so cool to be there as part of Team Timex – we looked good!  Oh, and Tim ran good!!!

Sunday was my Marathon day, and it went great.  I was able to run the first 10 miles with just walking at the few aid stations there are on the course.  My training was not that focused for running this long, nor at this altitude; but, i seriously felt great.  I have been using Power Breathe ever since April, and I really do feel it has strengthened me for this type of effort.  You can literally hear everyone breathing and wheezing when at 12, 12, 14,000 feet; but, I was fine; well, maybe until about 13,500.  I ran 3:36 up, and 2:12 down, good enough for 7th out of 73 in my age group.  I was pleased.  I also used our awesome Sugoi compression socks in this race, and my recovery was absolutely aided.  We are blessed with such terrific, high performance gear!

Next up – Ironman Arizona in November.  But, first, this unpaid political announcement: I am running for Boulder City Council.  Please check out www.siffforcouncil.com … a new kind of ultra-endurance race!  Cheers all.  Barry.

The Timex Multisport Team is pleased to announce they are officially accepting applications for the 2010 season. Although the Timex Team is primarily comprised of triathletes, individuals of all sporting disciplines are encouraged to apply. Applications should consist of a one-paragraph essay explaining why we should consider you for the team, sports resume, photos, community involvement, and plans for the 2010 season.
Athletes selected to the team are required to race, host clinics, attend team training camp, blog and numerous other related tasks throughout the year. In exchange, athletes become a part of the most prestigious Triathlon Team that includes plenty of free Timex gear, apparel and much more.

Athletes selected to the team are required to race, host clinics, attend team training camp, blog and numerous other related tasks throughout the year. In exchange, athletes become a part of the most prestigious Triathlon Team that includes plenty of free Timex gear, apparel and much more.

Please send application material to TeamTimex@gmail.com or by mail to the following address:

Team Sports, Inc.
Attn: Timex Multisport Team
6228 West State Street
Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Application deadline is October 15, 2009. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.