Ironman Arizona and Next Year

I am going down to Tempe to watch friends race and for that I am happy, but it will be bitter sweet since I am not racing. It will be good to hang with friends and meet new ones for the first time, but I think I will be very conflicted. I have gone up and down in depression since dropping out. The first six weeks were hell, then I got better, now I am in a deep funk. I hope this reactivates me.

I am volunteering (body marking) but I am not signing up for next year. My plan is to focus on weight loss and shooting for a 1/2 IM distance June 5th - VikingMan. At that point, if my weight is where I need it to be and if my training has helped me get through my first 1/2 IM, I will sign up for a community slot for AZ (if there are any left). If not, maybe RedMan in September.

Coaching? I am looking for a new coach. Any referrals would be appreciated!

Elk Hunting 2009

Well, no elk this year, but we had a great time! Becca and I drove to Meeker and met up with Adam and Melissa and we all headed to elk camp. This year there were only the four of us (we were missing Joe, Tyler, Kyle, Greg, Ron, and Kelly).

The weather was fantastic, we saw two moose, some big horn sheep, turkey, deer, and that beautiful Colorado landscape . . majestic green forests punctuated with the golden shimmer of quaking aspens, the clear blue sky dotted with an occasional puffy white cloud drifting lazily by, the fresh scent of pine floating on crisp zepyhrs though the meadows with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Heaven! And of course, hanging with Becca, my sweetie! Enjoy!

CAF

Want to help me raise some cash for challenged athletes? Maybe you could donate just $1 or $2, or maybe even $3? By helping me reach my goal of $500, you will help people with physical challenges realize their dreams. Your donation will go to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, an incredible 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides funding and inspiration to hundreds of physically challenged athletes each year so they can participate, compete and live life to the fullest.

If you would like to donate, please go here: Donate

Thank you for your support,
Duane

In the Doldrums

Nothing to train for, nothing on the schedule. Hmmm. Volunteering at IM AZ and focusing on weight loss but I still need events!

Maybe the Jingle Bell Tri in December, maybe a 100 mile bike ride by January (if it doesn't snow too much), something else?

Ideas anyone? And I desperately need help redesigning this blog! Anyone game?

Glenwood Race Report

Well, I have mixed emotions over this race. But first, as far as the weekend goes, it was great as Becca and Kelly were my sherpas. I love my girls and hanging with them is fun. They even are getting along! LOL!

Kelly won our annual putt-putt golf outing (AGAIN!). Redemption shall be mine! (Becca in foreground)

And of course Kelly is never without her IPOD.


Now for the race. Of course I should be happy I finished. That is always nice, but I wanted to smash my time and I did not.

THE SWIM (825 meters): On the swim I felt strong and fast and was passing people and even drafted a couple times but my time shows I was full 27:11 AND I was penalized 5 minutes for not being out in 25:00. Two other athletes were penalized 5 minutes, but there were 7 others who were not, yes I earned the 5 minutes but I think fairness needs to be applied here. Not a big deal, but still. On a good note, there were 5-6 athletes still in the pool behind me so that was nice for a change :-)

T1: 4:09, getting better.

THE BIKE (15 miles):Started out strong, was cruising about 23 MPH as it is slightly down hill and them my bike computer stopped working and I didn't know my speeds the rest of the time. One lady would pass me on the uphills going about 2-3 mph faster than me, then I would blow by her on the down hill where i was screaming fast (well, for me anyway!) We passed each other back and forth several times, then we hit the turn around and mile 7.5 and started the slight climb back into town. Here was where my hopes of killing my bike time were dashed. Mile 7.5 through about mile 12 are in the narrow part of the canyon and the wind is compressed and it was howling! I slowed way down and was pushing hard. Even the fast guys were grinding hard. By the time I got to t2, my thighs were screaming! I only chopped off 5:25 from my bike time, I was shooting for 20. Pete says that is good considering the conditions, but I am still a bit disappointed. Ok, more than a bit.

T2: 1:58 (Now that I like!)

THE RUN:My thighs were toast. I headed out and knew I would finish but I knew I would be slow. I ran more on this than any other tri I have done, at least a mile, maybe another quarter. Becca and Kelly were waiting for me a about 100 yds before the finish line and promptly told me to get my butt running! So I ran in and ended up doing the five miles in 1:48:41, not what I was aiming for.

TOTAL TIME: 3:48:12. Chopped off a whole 39 seconds for a new PR. Doesn't seem like a PR. I think the whole eight months of trying to train for IM and not losing weight still has me in a funk. And obviously at this weight, I could never do an IM, it took me almost 4 hours to do a sprint! Argh!

The race is still fun, the directors run a good show, the swag always has a really nice long sleeve workout shirt (drymax kind of stuff) and you even get a pass to the Hot Springs which Kelly and I enjoyed very much! I still intend to go back and smash my PR next year, I WILL be under 2:45! Pics hopefully tomorrow!

I was interviewed by the local paper, check this out: Story

And congrats to Mike and Jenny Wimmer(they really showed toughness yesterday by finishing), Chris Lopez, Laura Nyhaus, and Triboomer!

Time for a nap!

Just did 41 miles with Brandy. She barely broke a sweat, I am toast! 40 miles does not usually wear me out, but today I was 20 minutes faster on my 40 miles than my best so far. I guess not wanting to slow her up toooooooo much pushed me a bit. I was also toast already, as I started back training with Jess and last night we pushed a sled loaded with weights back and forth across the gym. I wanted to puke. So, I am going to take a nap and enjoy my Saturday afternoon!

Rattlesnake Fun

Volunteered at Rattlesnake Oly today, body marking (of course, bike out, and water heading out of transition for the run.

Tea had a PR! Yay Tea!

Volunteer swag? Hooded sweatshirt, wind-breaker, and a cooler!