Okay, so nothing convinced me that going for the Ironman AZ next year is crazy, so as of noon today (when registration opened), I am registered! Also, last week I got a very persuasive email from USAT about early registration for the new Alcatraz Triathlon... and since I don't want to have to win a lottery to get in to the Escape from Alcatraz race, I jumped on it. So now my master plan for 2010 is even more locked down (and serious).
- January: PF Chang's half marathon
- June: Boise Ironman 70.3
- August: Alcatraz Triathlon
- November: Ironman Arizona
I think I should try to figure out another 70.3 to do between Boise and Phoenix... I could possibly still do the Mountain Man at the beginning of August and Alcatraz at the end of the month... may be the best choice.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Madness!
Well, I'm thinking about accelerating my plans to get to Ironman distance. I want to do a flat course for my first Ironman, and it just so happens that IM Arizona is one of the flattest there is. Since that is held in November, I'm thinking it is better to try it this coming year, rather than waiting a full year+ from my first 70.3.
So, here is my new master plan for 2010:
- January: PF Chang's half marathon
- February: Lost Dutchmen marathon
- June: Boise Ironman 70.3
- August: Mountain Man 70.3
- November: Ironman Arizona
I'm iffy about the Lost Dutchmen race, but the rest of that seems like a solid ramp-up. It might be better to find a different full marathon to do maybe in March or April. I would try to peak in June and then again in November (hopefully a higher peak). It's less than 2 weeks until the IMAZ registration opens, I'll have to decide whether this is nuts by then.
So, here is my new master plan for 2010:
- January: PF Chang's half marathon
- February: Lost Dutchmen marathon
- June: Boise Ironman 70.3
- August: Mountain Man 70.3
- November: Ironman Arizona
I'm iffy about the Lost Dutchmen race, but the rest of that seems like a solid ramp-up. It might be better to find a different full marathon to do maybe in March or April. I would try to peak in June and then again in November (hopefully a higher peak). It's less than 2 weeks until the IMAZ registration opens, I'll have to decide whether this is nuts by then.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Amica Sprint Championship
So I signed up quite a while ago for the last race in this new Amica Sprint series, the Championship down at Lake Pleasant in Phoenix. Now that it was coming around I really didn't feel that much like doing the race, but afterward I am glad I did (isn't that always the way).
The water at the lake seemed colder than even Lake Powell a couple weeks ago, which seems odd to me. But this time I was able to get out there and float around a bit, let the cold water get in my wetsuit and get warmed up. When the swim started I think I started a little fast, but then I got into a decent rhythm. I still have a hard time breathing properly when in an open water swim... I just breathe on every other stroke, rather than 4 or 6 like I can manage in a pool now. Not sure what that is, but I'm sure it isn't helping my times. Also, I need to find some new goggles to use there. It seems like mine are fine in the pool most of the time, but in races I just seem to have problems with them. I think a different (darker) tint would be good too. So, I managed the swim okay, and felt pretty good about it... and also managed to run up the boat ramp and actually pass people there. Total time for the swim and T1 was 21:51 (I think that's both).
This time in T1 I was more prepared than Lake Powell. I got my wetsuit off, and my socks and shoes on, got my watch on this time, and made my way out to the bike. The bike course was a lot more hilly than I was thinking from looking at google maps before. It was 2 main laps out and back, and each one had 3 hills on it I think. The hills as always killed my speed (well duh). But, the downhills were fun, I think I got over 30 maybe 6 different times. For some reason, after those 2 out and back laps, they have a little extra detour on the way back to transition. I don't know why they decided this race should be extra long on the bike (17 miles rather than around 12), but this little detour had a couple hills too. Time on the bike was 1:08:14, el pokey (14.4 mph).
Now for the run. I don't know if it was something I ate the night before (philly cheesesteak maybe not such a good idea), or my gatorade and bananas during the race, but either way, on the run my stomach was stabbing me. Every step would hurt or feel uncomfortable at best. I tried to find ways to run without bouncing so much, but to no avail. So, I alternated running and walking a lot, and was pretty slow overall. I felt like I had more juice than that, but would stop because of my stomach. Total time on the run ended up being 35:31, pretty slow, but not bad considering. I was still hoping I might break 2:00 for the whole race, so I fought through a bit more at the end (and always run more at the end with the people all there).... but that wasn't enough. Final time was 2:05:36.... not too far off my goal/estimate.
The water at the lake seemed colder than even Lake Powell a couple weeks ago, which seems odd to me. But this time I was able to get out there and float around a bit, let the cold water get in my wetsuit and get warmed up. When the swim started I think I started a little fast, but then I got into a decent rhythm. I still have a hard time breathing properly when in an open water swim... I just breathe on every other stroke, rather than 4 or 6 like I can manage in a pool now. Not sure what that is, but I'm sure it isn't helping my times. Also, I need to find some new goggles to use there. It seems like mine are fine in the pool most of the time, but in races I just seem to have problems with them. I think a different (darker) tint would be good too. So, I managed the swim okay, and felt pretty good about it... and also managed to run up the boat ramp and actually pass people there. Total time for the swim and T1 was 21:51 (I think that's both).
This time in T1 I was more prepared than Lake Powell. I got my wetsuit off, and my socks and shoes on, got my watch on this time, and made my way out to the bike. The bike course was a lot more hilly than I was thinking from looking at google maps before. It was 2 main laps out and back, and each one had 3 hills on it I think. The hills as always killed my speed (well duh). But, the downhills were fun, I think I got over 30 maybe 6 different times. For some reason, after those 2 out and back laps, they have a little extra detour on the way back to transition. I don't know why they decided this race should be extra long on the bike (17 miles rather than around 12), but this little detour had a couple hills too. Time on the bike was 1:08:14, el pokey (14.4 mph).
Now for the run. I don't know if it was something I ate the night before (philly cheesesteak maybe not such a good idea), or my gatorade and bananas during the race, but either way, on the run my stomach was stabbing me. Every step would hurt or feel uncomfortable at best. I tried to find ways to run without bouncing so much, but to no avail. So, I alternated running and walking a lot, and was pretty slow overall. I felt like I had more juice than that, but would stop because of my stomach. Total time on the run ended up being 35:31, pretty slow, but not bad considering. I was still hoping I might break 2:00 for the whole race, so I fought through a bit more at the end (and always run more at the end with the people all there).... but that wasn't enough. Final time was 2:05:36.... not too far off my goal/estimate.
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