TriSupporter

Ironman Kansas 70.3 Pre Race

KS70.3 packet pick up line

Tomorrow is the second annual IMKS 70.3 in Lawrence, Kansas. We spent about 3 hours at Clinton Lake doing quite a bit of walking and waiting. Walking from the althete parking to the Expo site. Waiting in line for almost an hour for packet pickup. Walking another 1/2 mile or so to the T1 to rack the bike, then walking all the way back to the car. Today was a gold medal TriSupporter day.

As for the race, this year the race is still at Clinton Lake but it is different in many ways and not different in one.

While the tri is at Clinton Lake, it is at a different part of the lake, has a different bike and run and includes two transition areas about 1/3 mile apart.

As you can see in the photo, the weather is threatening thunderstorms which is what cut short the race last year. Let's hope the weather holds out till the last athlete crosses the finish line.

Good luck to all of you racing tomorrow!!

Ding, ding

KC Triathlon Recap

Due to some technical difficulties, I wrote much of this yesterday but couldn't post till today.

Yesterday was the first annual KC Triathlon. Kudos to those who worked tirelessly to make a race that was great for triathletes and TriSupporters. It was easy to watch the swim, bike, and run without having to haul all over the place.

Rianman and I got a bit of a late start when we both hit snooze a few too many times. Despite that we got to the race site by about 5:20 AM and Rianman was able to get an excellent inside, end spot on a rack close to the bike in/out. The end gives you the benefit of spreading out your transition set up without being squeezed in by others.

As usual, I took a picture of the dawn breaking. I think I do this because I so rarely see the sun rise and must capture it for evidence—yes, I can wake up early if I need to.

As Rianman was setting up, the clouds from the overnight thunderstorm passed and a rainbow appeared…it was a sign of the great race day to come.

Once Rianman was set up, Christy and Marcus called to say they arrived to cheer and thankfully they were nice enough to bring me a much needed caffeine hit…why isn't there coffee at these races? You know how many people would pay a lot for coffee at a tri? Hmmm…there's a thought.

At 7 am, I sprayed Rianman down with TriSlide and he put on his wetsuit and walked to the swim start. There were 4 waves, male and female each for the Olympic and sprint to start at 7:30am.

At 7:30 the boom was heard and all Olympic men were in the water. 5 minutes later the women were off and after about 20 minutes or so the first woman came in only after a handful of men….she caught up and passed probably 100 or more men…what a rock star!

Once Rianman ran by us after about 31 minutes (not his best swim by a long shot but it was his first open water in 8 months), we were off to see him at T1. He had a nice time coming in under 2 minutes (woo hoo) and was off on the bike. At that point, we headed to Raytown Road so we could watch as the riders would pass us twice. I forgot my cow bell so it was a lot of clapping. Rianman looked good on the bike and based on our watch, he was having a good ride. He did end up averaging 19.6 so he's really happy…that's a big improvement over last year's averages even on fast courses.

 

Once he was off on his run, we found a shady spot near the finish line. We watched and cheered and were very impressed by the men who wore Speedos and not much else…ouch?!?!

Rianman came by us to round into the finish with a time of 2:41:26. He felt good and was happy with his transition times, bike and run. The swim will come with some open water practice which is to start this week.

We had a great first race of the season and in just 2 weeks we'll be in Lawrence for the 70.3…can't wait!! All kinds of triathlete stars will be there and many of our friends. It's going to be another great cheering day.

Again great job to all those we know who raced, volunteered, and put on the first KC Tri.

KC TRI: Longview Lake Loop is LONNGGG

In just a few hours Rianman and I will be setting out to Longview Lake about 30 minutes southeast of us for the first annual KC Triathlon organized by a committed crew of local triathletes including Coach Ken and KC's own tri pro Ben Schloegel. As has been our habit for the last 4 seasons, we went off to the race site the day before the race so Rianman could check out the area. We've been there before and Rianman raced Jackson County Tri last year which is held at Longview Lake later in the summer.

Rianman was supposed to have a short swim, bike, and run workout today and I decided to bring Horny to get a little ride in. The bike course loop is about 12 miles so I thought it would be a good workout for me. Once we got there, set up was in full-swing and we saw Coach Ken, Ben, Trish, and a number of others practicing and setting up. Rianman dipped his toes in and decided it was too cold without his wetsuit, which he didn't bring, so he didn't swim. Tomorrow will definitely be wetsuit legal and people will wear them even for an Olympic.

After Rianman picked up his super snazzy MTC Headsweats visor from Coach Ken, we set up our bikes and got ready to ride the course. This would be my first time ever riding it and only my second ride of 12 miles. I have to say I was a bit nervous because 1) I didn't know the course and 2) my elbows have been killing me for 2 weeks and I was worried what an hour would be like on them. But I figured Rianman was there and he had to go slow so I wouldn't hold him back too much and if my elbows really hurt, I'd just turn back.

Now, I'm not going to turn this into a blog about my riding so I'll just cut to the chase. Rianman didn't know the course as well as he thought (surprise!) and we got a little lost once we got ahead of Coach Ken and Ben marking the course. (Lesson learned there.) We added about 3 miles to the short 12 mile loop and let me just say that the couple of hills in the last third of the course weren't easy for me and Rianman and I somehow survived a major threat to our marriage.

When things were there worst at about mile 12, I walked up one last hill--I'm not ashamed to say--and there were vultures looming over head. I just knew if I stopped they would attack me as they could tell their prey was weakening! The crest of the hill approached and I rode the rest of the way in. Our 15.3 mile ride took 1 hour 25 minutes and we averaged 10.5 mph or something...I'd say not bad. Coach Ken might say Rianman shouldn't have been out there that long but Rianman didn't really have a choice. He did skip the run though.

So I can at least say this, I did the KC Tri Bike Course!!! But have no fear, I will always be a TriSupporter and NOT a triathlete.

Good luck to all athletes tomorrow!!

Ding Ding

I got Horny

It's been a couple weeks but I thought I should put it out there that on May 9th I entered a world that my husband has been enjoying for years. I resisted but it was time for me to get Horny.

Meet Horny.

 

Horny is my Gary Fisher ARC Super and it's a road bike--with SPD pedals and all! I finally gave up on my old and heavy Specialized Hard Rock I bought from Village Cycle Center in Chicago in 1992.

I checked out a few bikes, the Specialized Dolce Elite and the Trek 2.1 but I chose the GF partly because, well, the color. I love the color! And it was in stock in my size and it had a bit more carbon in the rear...that should help my...rear...right?

So what does a new road bike mean? New pedals, new shoes, new gloves, new sunglasses, new gear plain and simple. I'm turning into my husband!

How do I ride this thing?

When we went to pick up the bike and test it around the parking lot, the very helpful Trek dude passed the bike over to me and said, "Here you go." I looked at him, and said, "Um, I don't know how to use these pedals." So began the humiliating process of having him straddle the front wheel and hold me up while I learned to clip in and out without falling over. Rianman simply held onto my purse while watching (and probably laughing) from at least 10 feet away. I didn't fall and it was fairly easy. After some adjustments to loosen the pedals to make it easier for me, I tested it around the parking lot and did not crash...though they did have to 'catch' me when I couldn't quite get out of my clips after the first loop.

I spent the next couple days just practicing going up and down my street and getting used to shifting and getting in and out of the pedals.

In the 10 days since, I've been out with friends, alone on the streets, and in my first official group ride with the Spin Pizza Monday night group. That was a hellish first group ride because the first half was very hilly and I'm not in great shape. My legs can get me up those hills but my heart was like, "You have got to be freakin' kidding me?!" It's a great ride but I won't be back till I get my cardio in check and try out some flatter beginner friendly rides.

I've ridden the last two nights and I was going to join the Ride of Silence tonight but I've got Golfer's elbow and think I should take it easy and get Horny fitted.

Why Horny?

I almost forgot...it's really not a great story...just driving home with the bike and needing a name. I was thinking, It is green...toads are green...Horny. Now when I say, "I gotta get Horny" you'll know what I mean.

Here I am getting Horny for the first time.

 

 See you out there!

 

Got a Sharpie?

Last Monday Rianman and I nervously watched our computer clocks as 12 noon approached. Repeatedly we refreshed the web page waiting for the exact moment we would be able to register as volunteers for the 2009 Ironman Wisconsin. We spent the night before analyzing all the volunteer opportunities and settled on body marking as our first choice. Body marking would mean an early rise but we'd be done by 7 am leaving us able to watch the entire race. Not to be unprepared, we had a 2nd choice and if we failed to gain a slot for our 2nd choice, we each had a 3rd and final choice.

The computer clock read 12:00 PM and I refreshed one last time. Nothing. The page wouldn't load. I tried again. Nothing. Microsoft wanted to diagnose the problem. I knew the problem--too many people were hitting the server...all trying to gain their favored volunteer opportunity. Hundreds? Thousands of people hitting the server at the same time crashing it. We refreshed and nothing. Rianman and I were experiencing the same problems just in different parts of the house. Our friend, Jodie, also trying for Body Marking with us was not having any better luck and she was in Wisconsin.

Finally at 12:22 pm, I got in! Every step of the process was nerve-wracking, what would happen when I hit Submit? Would my registration get lost in the ether? Well at one point in the process that is just what happened. While sorting the volunteer opportunities, the page went blank. Nothing. I looked at the URL and didn't know what to do. So I took a shot and hit the back button. My work was not lost and I submitted again and this time the gods were smiling down on me and the Sunday AM Transition slots appeared--oh the relief! I continued without problems and got my confirmation...I would be body marking on September 13th from 4:45 am to 7 am. Not long after, Rianman got his confirmation! And after a quick phone call to walk her through it, Jodie got hers!!

I felt like I did when I registered Rianman for the 2008 IMOO...the tension of beating out all the other people and beating the clock. When you're confirmed...you feel like you've won a race! You're exhilarated and exhausted..it's a little rush and on Monday at noon, the start of work week, it was the perfect jolt.

In just 4 months we'll be using our big Sharpies to write numbers on peoples' arms and legs...for most, these are numbers they'll never forgot. The numbers will be hanging in garages, basements, and captured in photos displayed online and on fridges...not permanent like a tatoo yet enduring. It'll be an honor and great fun!!

Oh yippee...Triathlete Magazine's Swimsuit issue is here

I opened the mailbox yesterday and it was full of magazines including a Martha Stewart Living that I never requested. Under that was the monthly Triathlete magazine which I just left on the foyer table. When Rianman got home, I tossed it over to him to tell him his new Tri Mag came. The cover finally caught my eye...it was the dreaded swimsuit issue.

This edition gets a lot of mail complaining about it and in support of it. In years past the letters to the editor in the edition that follows include comments from women in support of the issue and men who complain. I guess that's fair--you were probably expecting women complaining and men not, that happens too. Personally, I don't care if they have one but they should have some groundrules:

1. Models should be triathletes pro or amateur (and doing one sprint doesn't count).
2. Models should wear what they would wear in a triathlon.
3. There should an equal ratio of men to women .

I'll explain each groundrule in more detail.

1. Of course the models should be triathletes...the magazine is about triathletes and triathlons. Any magazine can hire a bunch of models to wear swimsuits. I've seen models that I doubt are triathletes in Tri Mag's swimsuit issue--ugh. This isn't SI...we know those ladies aren't athletes but they aren't supposed to be. This is not a general sports enthusiasts' magazine so the models should represent the epitome of the target market. (Tri Mag did a better job of this this year.) Oh, can I say..all natural would be a plus here.

2. Tiny bikinis? Really??? I haven't seen a female triathlete run in a string bikini...the day I do is the day I think they should have them as part of the swim suit issue. Also why are the women in tiny bikinis but the men are always wearing a tri top. I see many men come out of the swim without one...Rianman is one of those men. Some male triathletes have awesome bodies...I'd like to see them without the tri top on. You can keep the shorts on though...no one wants to see more than you can already see in a spandex tri bottom.

3. I know tris are heavily dominated by men and the target audience for the magazine is men. But, as the person who actually maintains Rianman's subscription...I read it too and I would appreciate a little eye candy. I put up with a lot...throw me a bone...er...you know what I mean. Plus for all the female triathletes out there, don't they deserve more than one male model?

So...maybe you thought I would be indignant and up in arms about the issue...did I surprise you? I'm not one to cancel the subscription like people say they will, but I just think a few guidelines would minimize the annual debate and gain some fans. But maybe Tri Mag is smarter than we think...they welcome the debate. Can't hurt but sell more copies right?

Who is the Triathlete?

We're about off to Cabo for a nice little vacation before all time off is, well off-limits, till the 70.3 is in the history books.

When you go to a triathlon race or event, I think most people can sense there is a definite core demographic...the cars in the parking lot are pretty sweet, the bikes are sweeter, and all the gear is worth a small fortune. The largest waves are men in the 30s...at some races they dwarf some of the other waves. So what does the research actually say about the US Triathlete?

Check out the recent demographic update at USAT.

Let me leave for vacation with this: IsTriathlon the golf for the 21st century?

March Madness

Coach Ken--do not read this.

Okay so March Madness has begun. If you don't know (I'm not sure what American wouldn't)...the madness occurs every year when 64 NCAA men's basketball teams compete to all the way to the Championship. Why madness? Well it causes people to bring t.v.s to work, call in sick, and ditch their wives, girlfriends, etc.

It apparently also causes some to skip their workouts. I know this because Rianman came home and has been glued to the t.v. ever since...skipping his spin class. This is definitely the year AFTER the Ironman.

I guess what's one day? Oh, well the madness lasts for 2 weeks so let's hope the not all the workouts conflict with the games.

To Whey or not to Whey

Last night Rianman came home with a big jug of whey protein from Vitamin Shoppe. He needs to supplement cause frankly it is really hard to get the 145 or so grams protein he needs just from his diet. When I checked the ingredients, as I always must, for milk or milk products, there it was. I mentioned the vanilla flavored whey mix has milk and he was pissed mad at himself for not having checked first.

After dinner, we went to GNC (nutrition store 2) to find a whey protein that didn't have milk or lactose. A very ripped, smooth-armed attendant helped us find a whey protein that didn't have lactose.

Maybe you're wondering why we need to find whey without lactose...well Rianman is lactose intolerant...he basically can't have any milk products so bars, drinks, supplements etc MUST be lactose-free.You do not want to be on a group ride with him if his bar has milk in it...trust me.

 

I'm sure he's thrilled I'm sharing this but...it's my blog, not his.

Well we found the whey protein and came home where it was then time to start placing a big Hammer order to restock gels, bars, etc. Rianman rifled through all the Hammer reading materials and found one on....you guessed it, whey protein. Reading (scanning at best) the flyer, he was convinced he needed Hammer's Whey Isolate which is different from the whey we bought (figures!) Apparently whey isolate is extremely low in lactose and a purer form of protein than whey concentrate. It also can be absorbed by the body at rest...like when you're sleeping. Hammer's whey isolate also has double the glutamine that others have--this is true, we checked the two jugs of whey sitting on our counter.

Later this week I expect to get a very large box and in it will be the third jug of whey protein to grace this house. My next to-do, returns to Vitamin Shoppe and to GNC. Ah the life of a TriSupporter.

The best little sherpa in Kansas

Well I may not be the best...but I have to toot my own horn. I was up at 5:30 this morning so I could accompany Rianman to the local high school track. "Did you run," you ask. Heck no! I sat on a towel with pad and pen shivering in the morning chill. The sun wasn't even up. As Rianman ran laps as fast as he could, I took down his heart rate as he shouted it as he past me. He ran past me about 18 or 20 times...I don't recall. It is a wonder I could write while barely awake. When he was done, I drove us home but made a stop at the golden arches for a healthy breakfast of a nonfat latte and egg mcmuffin (no cheese). Rianman had a scrambled egg. Yes, you can order just an egg there. When we got home it wasn't even 7 am...the time my alarm goes off on normal mornings. I'd say I was a pretty good sherpa today. Wouldn't you?