Nope, not the Bering Sea

Where I do I begin?  The 2012 season has already dished up some of the hardest races I’ve done, and summer hasn’t even officially started yet.  Last Saturday I completed my 20^th Ironman distance race.  It was the hardest Ironman race I’ve done, and it will never take place again. 

Since doing Strongman Japan on April 15, I wanted to use that training and fitness to go into an Ironman race here in the US and it just so happened that Ironman St. George was just shy of three weeks after so I thought I’d attempt yet again an Ironman double.  The Strongman Japan race is only 16 miles short of an Ironman distance, but since it had a full marathon, and that’s really the part that counts.  Even though I went in with a very sore left Achilles tendon and some chest congestion that never shook off from Japan, the gamble worked and it was a pretty good day, but not without a fight between me and the elements of the Utah desert.

 To make a long story short, the forecast called for 82 degrees, a slight wind of 9 mph, and relatively calm conditions.  This was not the case.  The gun went off for us age groupers at 7AM and I was very excited to start Ironman #20.  As I walked down to the start I made my usual stop by the pro racks and said good luck to my friends racing including eventual race winner Ben Hoffman.  At the water’s edge, I said a quick prayer and was on my way.  About 10 minutes into the swim we took a 90 degree left turn, and that’s when it all happened. 

Yes, there IS a swimmer out there

 As soon as we took that turn the wind picked up and the white caps started.  About 500m later we took another turn and that’s when it really got bad.  Have you ever seen those clips on The Discovery Channel of a US Coast Guard Helicopter dropping a rescue swimmer in the middle of an ocean?  You know, when they are trying to swim through the downdraft of the turbine from the helicopter?  That’s what it was like.  Imagine that while fighting 4 ft. swells for about 45 min. just to try to see a buoy.  I was in a group of swimmers that kind of just didn’t know where to go.   I remember at one point a swimmer stopping and looking at me as if to say, “OK, so now what do we do?”  It was actually fun for me since I always have been a swimmer, but for some of the other athletes behind me, I knew it was a safety issue.  Turns out that about 200 athletes got pulled from the water.   I managed to slug it out in 58 minutes and heard a slew of curse words from a bunch of people in the changing tent.

This was the only way to see the buoys

The bike was worse.  The wind didn’t stop.  Just ask pro and PowerBar athlete Uli Bromme – she wrote a great race report you can see here.  Combine that with about 6,000ft. of climbing and that equals some very, very epic conditions.  It was two loops and I’d say about 65-70% of the entire course was on some sort of incline.  I never once thought about getting a certain time or bike split.  It was survival and a mental game for me.  Honestly I thought about all the people who were attempting their first Ironman that day, and how I was hoping that they all would make it, knowing full well that all 496 of them would not finish.  It’s very easy to think selfishly in this sport, but after getting wind (no pun) of some of the stories of how some athletes toed the starting line and what they went through, it took me back a little.  Like the guy who was up on stage at the carbo dinner telling Mike Rilley that he lost over 150 lbs during his training for the race.  And here he was ready to give this Ironman thing a shot – truly amazing.  I didn’t catch his name, but saw him before the race and told him he inspired me and thanked him for sharing his story. 

Checking in my QR on Friday morning

Scenic, hard, hilly, windy, = all of the above

During the 112 miles I did my very best and thought about all those great rides I’ve had and tried to put it all together once again. 

Crusing home at mile 100ish. Thanks for the pics Dave!

My QR CD0.1 rigged up with the super fast Challenge Forte tires really came through. I finished the bike in 5:51.  I really believe this sport is so mental.

Coming out of T1

The marathon was all in town and was 3 loops.  Yes, still more hills.  Since the city of St. George sits on a hill, we did out and backs on the city streets meaning we were either going up or down almost the whole time.  I felt pretty good the whole run considering the race I did 3 weeks prior. 

A slightly shorter stride as the layers peeled away...

For the first time I used a pair of Compressport Calf Sleeves with Ultra Silicone which is supposed to ease the pressure on your Achilles Tendon.  Those sleeves combined with PowerBar gels, water, sodium, positive thoughts, and a healthy dose of adrenalin that built up through out the day allowed me to finish in 10:14 as 16^th overall and 3^rd in the age group. 

Post race interview by Team Timex's media superstar Dave Erickson

In the end, I qualified for Kona for the 14^th year in a row – still very hard for me to comprehend and quite a milestone in my 17 year triathlon career.

Last week was my first full Ironman assignment of the year for Ironman.  I had the opportunity to interview lots of fantastic athletes and witness, for the second time, athletes on one of the toughest, if not the toughest Ironman course in the United States, Ironman St. George.  One of those athletes was age grouper, Brady Murray from Boise, Idaho.  He’s a ‘Kona Inspired’ athlete (read more below).  When you hear his story, I believe you’ll be inspired too.  Here’s Brady’s Kona Inspired LINK.

From Ironman.com

From now through May 31,  you can upload a 90-second video sharing how you represent the Ironman mantra, Anything is Possible, by going to www.konainspired.com or the Kona Inspired App. on Facebook. Once the video is uploaded, the community will watch, share and vote on their favorite inspirational athletes.

On June 1,  the entries will be narrowed down to a group of 45 semi-finalists by Ironman representatives based on online votes, views and their representation of the Ironman mantra. The semi-finalists will then be randomly split into three groups of 15 to be voted on during three, two-week voting cycles. Each voting cycle will result in two winners (six total) based solely on the videos with the top number of online votes by the endurance community. Once those six winners are chosen, Ironman representatives will choose two more “wild-card” stories from the remaining semi-finalists, taking into account online votes, to bring the total to eight Kona Inspired athlete stories. The eight winners will receive slots to the 2012 Ironman World Championship and will be highlighted as media athletes.

The inspirational stories of athletes crossing the finish line in Kona have helped to shape Ironman into the global sensation that it is today. Kona Inspired will be an exciting opportunity that unites the global endurance community in picking an amazing group of athletes to represent them at the Ironman World Championship in 2012. Who will be the next Team Hoyt or Lew Hollander?

Remember to check out my past “On Assignment” video reports on Ironman’s official Youtube Channel including the 2012 Ironman 70.3 Panama, 2012 Ironman 70.3 Texas and now Ironman St. George.

Never miss an update by following me on twitter @IMDaveErickson and see more than 550 original swim, bike, run and athlete interview videos on SwimBikeRunVideos.com and on my Youtube Channel.

Pico de Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines

May 7, 2012

After weeks of riding of riding laps on an 18km (11mile) flat circuit near Pico de Loro, I decided that today I would ride repeats on the big hill to the north.

Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club is the resort where I am based with my pro-triathlete wife Ali, in the Philippines.  Pico de Loro means “Parrot Peak” because of a rock formation at the summit of a local peak that looks like a Parrot’s beak.

Pico de Loro "Parrot Peak" - 2178 ft./664 m

It was named thus by the Spanish 400 odd years ago.  Nasugbu is a regional town around 18kms away on the other side of some big hills, and for some reason that I do not understand the address of where we stay  includes this town.  Probably the nearest place of significance.  Batangas is a state on the Island of Luzon, which is where Jungle Training happens.

Power meters to local farms

This adventure actually only takes me 6.6km (4miles) away from where I live, the distance being split roughly in to thirds – the first third is flatland, the next third is steeply uphill, and the last third is less steeply downhill the other side, then a u-turn and back to where I started.  I did this 4 times, to give me roughly 50kms (30 miles) of riding today.

Local farmhouse that I pass daily. My best cheer squad lives here

The flat part was fast and easy through subsistence farmlands, slowing for a small village called Patanungan around half way toward the start of the hilly climb.  Patanungan provides for a multitude of novelties, least of which is a small but growing knot of little kids who position themselves strategically and yell “HI!” at the top of their voices as I go past.  I have found over the weeks that I can actually “train” different “knots” as some I yell “HI!” and they say “HI!” back to me, whilst others I yell “HELLOOOOOO”, and they mimic the same back to me.

Rooster ruling the road

In the village and associated approaches there are a host of dangers that I need to watch out for, including cracks in the concrete road, rocks on the road, cattle, water buffalo, goats, roosters, chickens, dogs, cats, kids, people, motor tricycles, cars, trucks, motor-bike riders, and my friend goose.

My mate Goose was a real problem on the road

Goat making strategic exit from road

Goose is a particular concern, for when he/she/it as a large he takes a proprietary interest in his patch of road and defends it with much energetic honking.  He strategically places himself (usually dead ahead of you) so that you have to brake almost to a stop.  When stopped you are at a great disadvantage from goose attack.

Erratic mob of cattle trotting down road

From being goosed you can move on to cattle (and sometimes water buffalo), who are smart enough to know that roads are great for getting from A to B quickly, but leave a long trail of pads advertising their passage.  Again ya gotta slow right down – they are rarely aggressive, but are too big to tangle with at speed, and they are inclined to do sudden and unpredictable things when startled.

One of my loyal cheer squad of kids - they are great!

From the lowlands you angle sharply upwards, by my estimate an average gradient of 10%, for another 2.2kms (1.4miles) to the top of the hill, then a winding slightly less aggressive downhill to the end of the road a similar distance beyond.  The concrete road then ends abruptly and beyond is an unknown wilderness to me.

End of the road to me, with unknown wilderness beyond - note rocks on road

This hilly part is through tropical jungle, which combined with the incredible rainfall they get here, provides significant challenges to the engineers trying to provide safe and reliable roads.  The rain saturates the soil and accompanying rocks, which then seek to find the shortest and fastest route to sea level.

A well-vegetated landslip closing half the road. Spot my bike?

The road has evidence of significant land slips in several places, large boulders that have dislodged and come to rest by the road, huge wash-outs at the edge of the road, and lots of small rocks over the road from fretting in cuttings.

A big landslip out of photo to R has caused a big chunk of concrete road to crack

The massive "suicide crack" in the road provides a handy bike stand while I take pics

Add all this to cracking in the concrete road, sundry cattle and jungle animals, plus countless cow-poos, and you have an interesting ride.

Serial poos call for great skill and cunning riding; especially downhill

The positives are that whilst I am only around 80-90kms (50-55miles) as the crow flies SSW from Manila (near the West coast), the area is considered relatively remote, and traffic by Philippine standards is negligible.  Those tricycles, motorbikes and Jeepneys that do pass you are intrigued by your novelty, and energetic waves are accompanied by friendly toots on horns.

Great views to the flatlands below

This little corner of paradise is about to change, as in the unknown wilderness beyond the end of the concrete there are people digging a tunnel through a mountain.  Once this is done and a few last stretches of road are paved, then the travel time from Manila will be almost halved, and this little-trafficked road will become a major thoroughfare.  Paradise to hell currently stands at around 9 months hence.

Rocks on road and sharp drop-off at the edges mean you stay on-road at all costs

And a few people familiar with the local area have told me that this area was, until quite recently, a favoured haunt of PLA (communist) guerrillas.  I assure myself that the occasional guns discharges that I hear are simply local farmers out hunting game.

The intimidating water buffalo seem to have a very gentle nature

The real challenges, notwithstanding, are the heat and humidity, which are suffocating.  There is no breeze, and the uphill grind gets you really working.  I end up drinking around 5 litres (1.3 US gallons), or a litre every 10kms (a quart every 6 miles) for my 50kms/30miles, then I drink non-stop for several hours after I finish.

My bike jersey and nicks are saturated in perspiration, with sweat sheeting off, draining in rivulets down my arms to my gloved hands, and down my legs and across my calves, and inside my shoes.  It all then overflows to the road.

I ride the obstacle course slowly downhill, squeezing my rear brake really hard with my sopping hand, my rear rim becoming red hot.  Then out from the right darts this big monitor lizard, around 1.2m long (4 feet); I brake harder to avoid him, and he darts back in to the jungle.  A near miss.

Woman & girl, probably mother & daughter, washing clothes with water from a well. Filipino country folk wear colourful clothes, and take great pride in clean clothing

On my last repeat up the hill I stop at a tiny shop in Patanungan to top up one of my 4 bidons as I was getting critically low on water.  A little boy, maybe 5 or 6, quietly sidles up to my bike and checks the pressure in my front tyre, apparently very pleased with himself at being so bold.  He gives me a cheeky smile.

There are 8 or so teenagers’ playing cards in a shady alcove nearby.  The appearance of a “white-skin” shopping, an oddity and a rare occurrence in their little village, is accompanied by giggles and laughter, no doubt someone making the sort of joke that people the world over make in such situations.  It is probably a little rude, and understandably so, or else it would not be so funny.

I smile and laugh too, which is taken in good grace and everyone looks around sheepishly.  The girl serving kindly fills my bidon no charge, and risking further ridicule I chance my hand and say “Salaamat”, my version of “thank you” in Tagalog, the local language here.

The leading jokester playing cards corrects my faulty emphasis and says “Tagalog Salamaat”, with a stress on the final syllable.  I mimic exactly what he says, “Tagalog Salamaat” to the approving chuckles of everyone, and head on my way.

A gathering crowd of little kids, both the “Hi’s” and the “Hello’s”, watch with big eyes as I disappear down the road, dripping sweat behind me.

Not a long, but an interesting jungle training ride.  Average speed 17kms/hr (10.5mph).

With teeny-weeny horns, this beast was more interested in food than in passing bikers

Each week, Roger Thompson and I take you inside the world of endurance sports with real world insight, interviews, news and news makers on the Endurance Hour podcast. Each episode is available for free here on iTunes and/or here on Stitcher Smart Radio. Find previous episodes of the Endurance Hour – Archive List.

In this April 30, 2012 free audio episode:  Interview with 2011 Wildflower Champion, Jesse Thomas, Lance Armstrong gets chicked for cancer, Ironman St. George preview and changes ahead for next year, the FINIS Agility Paddles, and so much more!

LISTEN HERE

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Follow me on twitter @IMDaveErickson and see more than 535 original swim, bike, run and athlete interview videos anytime on my Youtube Channel.

My other favorite multisports-related websites include, SwimBikeRunVideos.com, and IronmanUniversity.com.

I must say that one of my favorite things about this “job” is getting to work the expo!  Our local Timex rep, Adam Motes and I had a blast this week.  As you can see, we are very well represented and this was our chance to make the Marathon shine!  If you can see closely enough, Adam’s lanyard is custom designed to read “Marathon GPS $99.95.”  Let me just say that this little marketing piece got TONS of mileage.  For 2 days in Nashville, we fielded all sorts of questions from interested runners.  The overwhelming support came in the price point; people were absolutely shocked that the price was so low.  The functionality is pure and simple, put the watch on and take off!

Over the course of 2 days, we probably spoke with close to 1,000 people.  The expo was HUGE and we had a great location on the floor of the Nashville Convention Center.  Of course, we had all of our other stars present as well: the Run Trainer, the Race Trainer Pro and the Cycle Trainer to name a few.  We really made a push to showcase our GPS products and we are adament about gaining more of the market share in the specific category.  Not only did we have fun, but I really felt as if we were educating those who were genuinely interested.  All in all, a wonderful experience and something that I will most definitely look forward to doing again soon.