Here's a quickie...

Just signed up for Soma this morning. First Half-Ironman. In fact, its the first triathlon over a sprint that I will do. 8 1/2 weeks out. Swimming feels good. Need to get back on the bike and running will be ramping up next week. Til next time.

The Epic Grand Canyon...

Epic: 1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic 2 a : extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope

I am not sure a better word can describe the Grand Canyon, although many words have tried. An immense hole in the groud, cut through solid rock over millions of years. A plethora of various animals habitate there. Water seeps from the most solid of these rocks where the porous nature of these said rocks is questioned. Plants, trees, grass, and cactus all live here in an otherwise inhospitable environment.

The vista from the rim is the view that 95 % of visitors to the park see when they gaze upon its, almost, infinite quality. But, diving deeper provides a surrealistic envoronment that is hidden from the guardrails and ice cream parlours at the top.

I began my hike on August 15th at about 7am. It was a free fee weekend at certain national parks around the US, in order to encourage getting outside. Something our nation tends to take for granted too often. The wind at the top was pretty intense. A nice respite from the wind was welcomed after dipping just below the surface.

I chose the Bright Angel trail for a couple of reasons. For one, it has pretty reliable, consistent water sources located at various points along the trail. And two, because I was hiking alone, it was more populated and if, God forbid, anything happened, someone would be along shortly.

As is the case in most hiking stories of the Bright Angel, the tourists take the cake at the top. Hi-top Nikes and Converse are more common than hiking boots for the first mile and a half. The further you descend, the less crowds you have to fight to pass. And after Indian Gardens, the numbers dwindle even more greatly.

I was feeling great heading down. The air was cool, the sun was rising, and I just happened to be smack dab in the middle of one of God's greatest creations.

I had hiked in the Canyon once before this. The far western section of the South Rim, by Dripping Springs. But I had yet to see the river. That was my goal.

I couldn't have prepared myself for what I would encounter. I have hiked a lot in my young life. I have been to the tops of mountains and through valleys. When you descend into the Grandest of Canyons you leave the preconcieved notions of what you thought the canyon was behind. You can look down from the scopes from in front of the Bright Angel Lodge and see hikers far below, maybe a mule train. But, hiking in, ironically, makes you feel like you are out of the canyon, even though you trudge deeper in. By this I mean that once you leave an overhanging or a ridge and the trail flattens out, you forget that you are in a canyon. You are no longer looking at the Big Picture from the top, you are getting the intimate welcome from the Canyon itself.

It holds another ironic notion. The desert, the dry, the inhospitable becomes the friendlist place on earth as you encounter other hikers enjoying the same thing you are enjoying. Short conversations with individuals in passing brought smiles to my face. A runner (passed once each way) on the longest, hardest running leg of his life, has time for some friendly conversation. No names need to be exchanged, maybe a place of origin, but the enjoyment of being deep in where few people, relatively speaking, have ever gone is just remarkable.

Overall, it was an incredible place. I have fallen in love with the canyon again. I told my mom yesterday that although I have never had that 'WOW' moment when first seeing the Canyon. I love it just the same, if not more than most. My parents tell me that I was only 7 months when I first went to the Canyon. We would go up every new years day. I think I need to bring back that tradition. I can think of no better way than celebrating the new year.

I hiked out, not quite feeling as good as I did going down, but I made it. 19 miles. Rim-Ranch-Rim. I have already vowed to go back. I had forgotten how amazing hiking is. As a runner, you tend to think, "How do I get to the finish as fast as possible?" The destination, in hiking, is only as important as the journey there. And I have missed that.

My parents and I went back again on Sunday. One, because it was another free fee day and my parents wanted to go again. But, also because our one and only President, Barack Obama, was going to be there too.

My sore legs weren't going to allow for too much hiking on Sunday. But, we took it leisurly, did the tourist thing. Waited with the masses for 50 minutes for the 30 second passing of Obama as he left in his bullet proof outfitted vehicle and 17 car entourage. (No kidding, probably 17 cars) Went to the Imax. Ate Navajo Tacos. It was an incredible day. God really does bless those who love him. And...It was my parents 23rd wedding anniversary.

I sometimes forget that my parents aren't true natives of this great region. Dad being from all over, mom from california. But, this region is as much a part of their lives as it is mine. I can't tell you how much of a priviledge it is for me to have grown up in the family I live in now. They afforded me the opportuinities to get outside. To enjoy what God has provided and really appreciate the place I live. Too many kids don't get that same invitation anymore. It is a huge shame.

I will leave you with a few more photos from my hike on Saturday.

Pacific Coast Triathlon re-cap...

Where to start? The week leading up? The drive to Southern California? Waking up at 2:45 on race morning? The starting horn? Are your nerves running as high as mine were? Enjoy this...

Last week was long. Not in the sense that 5 days magically stretched into more. But, I worked 8 straight days and they were hard days. That made getting to my weekend California trip all the more painful. Especially when I was anticipating a national championship triathlon.

Thursday and Friday were by far the longest of those days. I did no exercise...none. I was recovering from the previous weeks' training efforts, in order to be race ready on Sunday. I began slowly packing on Friday morning. I was getting ready for a late night/early morning departure.. I also had work from noon til 6pm. Off work, finish packing, dinner, sleep. I set my alarm for 11:00, which incidentally means 11am because my clock is on 24-hour time or military time. I forgot. I get woken up by my phone buzzing because it's already 10 past midnight and my travelling partner, Lauren is wondering where I am for her 12am pick-up. Oops. Not starting good. Hoping it gets better. All my things just need to get loaded and I am out of my house 10-15 minutes later after hurriedly getting up. Pick up lauren, see friends selling themselves on the corner at 12:45 downtown, get gas, leave town.

The Journey officially begins... with a seven hour drive.

I still hold my opinion that the only worthwhile drive out of Flagstaff is south toward phoenix. Going west toward California is not really pleasant (deserts) or scenic (deserts). But, it wasn't that bad of a drive, I think only driving half the time to tucson is worse than seven hours to LA.

Anyway, Lauren slept 5 of the seven hours, leaving me to ponder my nervousness. And my anxiety of big cities as we weaved in and out of the mass movement of vehicles entering LA. Surprisingly, didn't have any problems and got us right to the hotel. Go figure. It is now about 8am. Breakfast, and packet pick-up.

We go to the race site after a nice detour along balboa peninsula which, despite the gorgeous weather and beautiful homes, was not on the schedule. A huge line awaits us for registration. No glitches, grab my timing chip, numbers, and goody bag. We walk to the ocean to check the swim arena. Waves are pretty tall and ominous. I have never swam in the ocean before. I say a little prayer.

Back to the hotel, check in, shower, sleep. We head back to the site of our detour and decide its a good place for dinner. Albertson's seems like a nice place to grab a quick dinner and take it to the beach to eat. Ceasar Salad and apple slices w/ caramel. Sunset over Newport Beach and Lifeguard harpin' on the swimmers with no fins. I have a lot of respect for what lifeguards do. They Guard Life! Got to have respect for that. But, not when you are sitting in your truck, speaking through a PA system, turned to 11, parked right behind me. Chill out Bro. Early to bed. Britni makes it to the hotel at 1:30am from San Diego. Alarm set for 2:45.

Lauren and Britni didn't understand why i needed to be there so early. Race wasn't til 7:00am, why are we leaving at 4:00am? For one, there was a parking lot, right next to the transistion area, that only had 150 spots in it and the race packet said it would fill by 5:30. I tend to go back to my car 5, 6, maybe 15 times after I set up my transition area. If we didn't get a spot in that lot, its at least a 1/2 mile walk one way. We NEED to leave at 4:00am. This was despite the fact that transition officially opened at 5:00am and I am a huge believer in the 'hurry-up-and-wait' philosophy. At last year's Mountain Man Triathlon, transition opened at 4:30, I was the second car there at 4:20. Hurry-up-and-wait. And wait I did.

Transition was set up by 5:00am. Bathroom run, shake out run, shoe tests, water and granola bar ingestion. Good to go.

More people started filtering in. The excitement began to grow as the start approached. The excitement balloon grew and then was subsequently popped with the information, at 6:30am, that the swim had been cancelled due to high surf. You could hear disappointing growns as I waited in the bathroom line for a second time. You could inmistakably hear some shouts of joy as well. I think I saw one woman jump up and down shooting her fingers like pistols in the air. Cancelled swim made everyone feel different. Pacific Coast Triathlon just became Pacific Coast Duathlon. Run-Bike-Run instead of Swim-Bike-Run.

The change definately played into my strengths. I was not a great swimmer, but have put more training time into that poriton of the race than any of the others. My run, after my continued injuries this spring wasn't eactly where I wanted it. I would have to rely on a good bike split.

The swim was supposed to start at the far end of Crystal Cove State Park, a 1/3 mile walk down the beach would have gotten you there. Since the swim was cancelled, the same walk down the beach, in the other direction, was now going to be our opening run. 1/2 mile run instead of a 1/2 mile swim.

7:00am. After a delayed start, 4 waves spaced 3 minutes apart and a 20 min break, I started at 7:40am. I was started with all the men aged 24 and under. I was racing with some post collegiates and some 12 year olds. Good times. I thought I could keep up with all the guys. It was only a 1/2 mile and I am from 7000 feet running on a beach. I was wrong. These kids kill it. Running on the beach is not my strong suit as well as doing zero speed work since last fall. I finished the first 1/2 mile 23 seconds behind the first kid. I was just glad he was in the younger age group. 3:14 for the first half mile.

Transition 1. Threw the shoes off, put the bike shoes on, swig of the water bottle, helmet, bike off the rack, I am off! 55 seconds. They time your transitions from entering the transition to leaving the transition. So all the running in and out of the transition area is also counted. I am heading out with a large group of guys.

Bike. We head out of the parking area and onto the Pacific Coast Highway. Also commonly known as Highway 1. The bike course is 12 miles. Two, 6 mile loops up and down a coned off portion of the highway. Each way had about a lane and a half of space to ride in. As you enter onto the highway and take a right out of the state park, it is immediately downhill. You merge with other cyclists who started in that initial 4 waves, as they have already done one lap during the time you where taking that 20 minute break. As we were merging with other cyclists and being the large gaggle we were creating, it was hard to not to break the rules that were being strongly enforced. These rules including: Drafting, the act of following closely behind another rider in order to save energy by the leading rider breaking the wind. And Blocking, the act of staying to the left of the bike lanes after passing another rider. When there are 20 riders surrounding you and only a lane and a half of width to share it gets difficult to follow these rules. As was said earlier, the bike course started out downhill from the transition area. But, as most educated individuals can deduce, if you go downhill on a looped course, you have to come back up. And come back up we did. The whole course was rolling. Out of the saddle, aero, out of the saddle, drive, aero, you could never get in a good rythm. As we went the first mile to the first turn around and back the length of the course (3 miles), 5 or 6 riders in my wave were cruising about the same speed. Some were intentionally drafting each other. I didn't want to get penalized for their actions and tried to stay to the left of them, but then I was blocking, also illegal. Predicament. By the end of 4 miles and the second turn around, I decided I needed to distance myself from them. I was doing much better on the climbs then they were and used it to my advantage. I earned a little lead. In all fairness, this course, despite the difficulty, was really fun! I caught a lot of my wave and kept cruising. I should have brought a water bottle onto the bike course, but consciously decided against it. I am now consciously kicking myself for that decision. By the end of the bike portion i knew I was dehydrated. I still had 3 miles to run. 31:47 for 12 miles.

Transition 2. Finished the bike feeling pretty far ahead. I slip my feet out of my shoes before I get to the transition so that when the dismount line approaches, I can hit the ground running. Rack my bike, slip the runner's back on, helmet off, swig some water, off again. 58 seconds.

Run. I started the run feeling pretty good. I was right behind a 17 year old. I kept trying to pace off of him, but by the first 1/2 mile I knew this was going to be a battle. My legs felt OK. But, my breathing was off, I was a tad dehydrated and was on the verge of a cramp that formed later. I am suspecting my lack of run training and going so hard on the bike on a hard bike course may have done me in. The sport of triathlon is interesting for many reasons, one of them being the body marking. In a sport that lacks plentiful clothing, creative ways to identify you need to be used. Hence Body Marking. You get your race number on your arm, thigh and your age on your calf. The latter of which, as far as I can deduce, is only for other athletes to know if you are in their age group. I used this bit of info plentifully. For every one who passed me on the run, I would check there calf first. 17, 16, 16, 18, 19...No one in my age group. But, that young group were studs. We are running along a paved path that parallels the PCH. After the first mile or so, we turn left and down a pathway to the beach. Another sand run. And again, use the noggin, you go down...you must do what? That's right, go back up. After 1/2 mile on the beach and being passed by two in my age group, we head up a very steep, very uncomfortable, very slow going kind of hill. Even for my 7000ft lungs, I was huffing. But, the brightside was a water station at the top and a gradual descent to the finish. No more people passed me. 19:10, 3 mile run.

Total time was 56:04. No penalties. Thank God. I was sure those other kids had gotten me caught. 7th in my age group. 59th overall. 4 min and 11 seconds behind the winner.

Its a bummer that the swim didn't go, but God had other plans. I did my duty and accomplished the goal set for me. Now...Do i go to Australia or not?

Almost here...

The weather has been gorgeous lately. Can't ask for a better climate to liv ein during the summer.

I am only a handful of days away from the Pacific Coast Triathlon. If you are just joining me, it is the sprint national championship and the sole world championship qualifier. Since my last post, i have bought a new wetsuit, which is interesting to say the least, and kept up my training. My swim is getting better and my run is coming along. Still not where i want but i think it will be good enough for the race. I am unsure where my cycling is. I know I have the strength, but i am not sure where my speed is at.

I ran the "Four on the Fourth" race on July 4th. It was the Flagstaff inaugural installment of the race. 4 miles on the wonderful urban trails we have in Flagstaff. It is an interesting race because everyone starts in waves according to their age and gender. For instance the oldest women start before everyone else. In this particular case, the first wave went off 12 minutes ahead of the last wave, which happened to be mine. There were something like 65 or 70 runners in the race. Meaning, being the last to start, that I had to pass every single person if i wanted to win. It makes it nice for me, because i am a back of the pack kind of runner. Meaning, I go faster when I have people to catch and pass.

I wasn't expecting much from the race due to the lack of any speed training yet this summer, but, as usual, I surprised myself. My first mile split was 5:53. I have not run under 6 minutes since december because of my constant injuries and build-up training. So, it was good. I finished the race in 10th place. Although, I think I had the 3rd or 4th fastest overall time. As I said earlier, someone who started, let's say, 6 minutes ahead of me could run five minutes slower in total time, but cross the finish a minute ahead because of the handicap. Kind of a bummer. But, the top-10 won certificates, so I can't complain. And knowing that I was faster than most in the top-10 anyway makes it easier to digest anyway.

To more recent news. I did my first 'brick' workout today. A bike-transition-run workout. I know, it is probably too late to get any benefit from the workout before next weekends race. I felt alright, although my legs had nothing for the hills towards the end of my run. Otherwise, it wasn't too bad. And my transition felt pretty 'ok' too.

I am still really nervous for the race. It is the biggest one of my triathlon racing career so far and I am just praying that everything goes good. It is going to be quite exciting, no matter the outcome.

104 mile debacle...

A recap of the Flagstaff Barn burner.

The beginning of the day seemed to be foreshadowing the conclusion. By that i mean, rain.

Alarm goes off at 4:00am. Yeah, that's the morning. Most of my gear and food and water was set out the day before. It was just a matter of double and triple checking everything i had, eating, showering and loading up for the hour drive to the race venue. At about 4:30, I realize it is raining outside, not really hard, but constant and wet. Great. I say that with some sarcasm, when in all truth, it wasn't really bothering me. Even on the drive up 180 and across the miles of slick, muddy, pot-holed roads, i didn't really care. Which is odd.

I left the house about 5:15 after not being able to find the socks i had pulled out of my dresser (they were in the dryer, nicely folded, where i left them as i was looking for something else). I also couldn't find my hand pump. Probably should have looked for it yesterday. Thanks for bringing an extra Mr. Pfannenstiel.

I fell in line with a caravan of cars heading in the general direction of the temporary city set up for the race. This inaugural event had over 400 riders in all teams! it was an impressive site as we drove closer. I have experienced this same shanty race living once before when i raced on a 4-man team at the 24hours in the Old Pueblo. Still blows my mind.

I arrive just after 6am at the race. Final instructions are being belted out by the announcer from the safety of the barn (hence the name "Barn Burner"). A final racer meeting is set to start at 6:15. They are surprisingly right on time. Mumbles circulate through the crowd about the mud. Shoes are inches higher from the build-up of the sticky stuff. Race start is Le-Mans style...200meter run to the bikes. Should be a great time trying to clip in with mud-clogged shoes.

Final inspection of the bike and off to the rack. Andy shows up just in time to go over some last minute instructions. He is going to be my feed man for the first couple laps.

We pilgrimage to the start. Count down. GO! and then the gun goes off. Late. As we run passed. Whatever. I am running on the grass, trying to stay out of the mud as much as possible. Give andy a last minute hoot and holler and a pat on the shoulder as i run passed. I miss my bike in the rack. Have to go back for it. I am off. Surprisingly, i have little problem getting my shoes into the pedals. Mud is flying everywhere off tires. I can feel clumps hitting every part of my body.

To the course. 4 laps, 26 miles each, 1700ft of elevation gain per lap. I have one gear on my bike, no suspension and no food on the first lap. Didn't think i needed it. Bad choice on all three of the previous descriptions. The first lap is fast. I am at a disadvantage with only one gear on my bike. While everyone else can shift down to go faster down hills. I have a limit. I hate that. I know i can physically go faster but my bike won't allow it. I kill it on the uphill. Some say this is also a disadvantge. On a bike with gears, you can shift up and make the hill easier. I can't, obviously. Most of everyone who passes me on the downhills gets passed back and their pride a little hurt as i cruise passed with one gear. This first lap seems to go on forever. I don't know where we are. By the time i ask someone how far we have gone he says 22 miles. Nice. I am about 1.5 hours into the first lap. Starting to feel hungry and wishing i had brought some food with me.

There are two large ascents per lap. One about halfway through the course and the second right before the end of the lap.They just keep going! You will get little breaks as the hill levels out for 100m, but then start back up again. Killed my legs. As i said earlier, with only one gear, you can't shift up to make the pedaling easier. I had to crank up every hill. No easy way out.

Lap one is done. I come through the barn. They record my time, and I am out the other side. Andy is waiting with my food. Trevor was also there to help with support. I have to say that he was sick the night before and still got up to come cheer me on. Thanks trevor. I should have put more food in. I asked for a powerbar gel and an apple. I also got filled waterbottles. I down the gel, take a bite of the apple, stick it in my mouth and i am off for a second lap. My chain starts acting up and coming off. Its an easy fix, but when it happens every 2 minutes, it gets frustrating. I had no problem the first lap, now i do. About a mile in and at the conclusion of my apple eating, i realize i am going to need more food. This lap, now that i know the course, is mentally clicking by. It is going by quick. A few other single speeders pass me. I think i was the first single speed to finish the first lap. I am now in fourth. Just after one of these single speeders passes me and says, "Nice, rigid" (commenting in my lack of suspension) we come up on a self-serve feed table. They have gatorade, water, power bars and powerbar gels. This guy gets a flat. I fill up, grab my goodies and am out again. I down a powerbar, another gel and and some gatorade. I start to feel much better. Before the energy, I was thinking of throwing in the towel, its no fun being hungry, bonking and just pounding out the miles.

Its also no fun having zero suspension. I heard this was a fast course and it sure was, but the lack of any reprieve from rocks sucks. I thought it shouldn't be any problem, i was wrong, once again. After every climb usually came a descent. Most likely a rocky descent. Holding onto the handlebars for dear life, makes your hands feel like they are on fire. I would literally let go to shake them out from time to time and my fingers would hurt to straighten because they were so cramped. Let alone just getting pounded by the vibrations. My biceps began to hurt. Never again.

Second lap is over. I feel pretty good. It was a tad slower lap, but it went by a lot quicker in my mind because i wasn't blind to the. course anymore. I switched, my sweaty, muddy jersey for a new one, picked up more gel, almonds, and some kiwi chips. Another water bottle as well. Third lap. Andy had to go to work after this feed. Lauren and Mick were taking his place. My parents were also coming out.

About a mile into this lap, after feeling good while picking up my food. My legs began to weaken. I ate some more, but wasn't really hungry. I drank but that wasn't it either. My legs were tired and they were letting me know it. I still had 25 miles til the end of this lap. I could tell i was a lot slower. My chain came off a couple more times. More frustration. I thought if i could make it to the self-serve energy bar, i could take a short break and get some gatorade. it helped me last time, maybe this time too. The difference on this lap was the constant counting of miles. It made the energy bar come mush slower. I hadn't even hit the climbs yet. I was dreading it already.

The whole lap was a constant internal battle whether to give up or not. Numerous times i came to the conclusion of quitting only to tell myself that i was way ahead of my goal time and i could take a 15 minute break when i got back to camp and then pound out the last lap. This happened a dozen times over the third lap.

Less people seemed to be out this time around, i knew that some would be finishing soon. I knew that after 52 miles, everyone would get spread out. It was nice to know that i wasn't getting passed all the time. I walked up the first climb, for the first time. Someone passed me on the climb for the first time. I was losing the battle. I kept hashing out the miles. First climb over. First large descent, over. Long stretch of gradual uphill, over. Here comes the final, huge, steep climb. I need a break. I drop my bike on the side of the road. Eat a little. Two minutes might have passed. Here we go. I decide on that climb, that i don't, can't put myself through another lap. My body was telling me to stop. I wasn't ready to go 104 miles. I did 78 and DNFed.

I have never, not finished a race. I don't sign-up for races with out the intent to finish and do well. I can only imagine what would have happened if i went out for that final lap. I would have walked, i would have gone slow, i probably would have finished and earned the coveted belt buckle that was my main motivation for signing up in the first place. But, it would have been huge pain. It wouldn't have been fun and I very well might have raced myself into some form of weakened health. The lack of fun and physical and mental break down was enough for me to call it quits. I am still second guessing my decision. I feel like a quitter. I had already completed 3 of 4 laps. What was one more? I can't tell people that it was a struggle, but i finished. I have to tell them that i dropped out. Doing 78 miles, while a huge accomplishment, isn't 104 miles. I will eventually forgive myself. But, this race is going to be that black mark on my racing career.

miles...

Back again for another installment of the blog. Summer seems to be in full swing. The temperatures have been cool as of late. Cooler than a normal June would allow to believe. But, I have been reassured by the 'trusty' weatherman that we are supposed to warm up this week and finally peak over the 80 degree mark.

It was my birthday yesterday and I am no longer a teenager under law. A new decade has arisen in my life.

I am racing in a 104 mile mountain bike race on saturday. Do I think I am ready for it? probably not, but i am going to give the ol' fighting try and keep pedalin' til the finish line. Its only 12 hours of riding right? Stay tuned for a re-cap of that race early next week.

I am still trying to fight off a minor cold i have been dealing with since early last week. It comes on as a stuffy nose and doesn't seem to be shaken.

My running is coming along. I am up to about 3 miles at a time. Once i feel comfortable doing that distance i will increase it a little more and sooner or later i will be getting in a good amount of miles every week. I am doing no speed work until July. Not even strides at the end of a run. I want to make sure my legs have enough miles under them before I add any speed.

I believe that is it. Work is still rocking my socks. And I can't believe that one of my literally 3 days of vacation this year is going to be mountain biking 104 miles. Whatever.

Oh Boy....

June has finally arrived. The rain has finally left and the summer is kicking into high gear.
Work is still kicking my butt. I have worked overtime the last three weeks. Which are incidentally the first three full weeks of my summer vacation.

I have been trying to get at least two workouts in everyday with one rest day a week. So far its been going pretty good. There are some days when i can only get one or none in because of work. But, i shake that off and continue on the next day.

I am up to about 2.5-3 miles per run now. Still really easy running. I don't want to push myself at all at this point. I am going to gradually work up a base and continue the gradual increase of mileage. I am expecting not to do any speed work before my triathlon in July. Then, hit the track and the trails for some faster work for the World Championships in September (hopefully, if i qualify).

I also have a 104 mile mountain bike race coming up at the end of june. I think its only in like two weeks. I can't believe how fast it is arriving. I might not be ready for it at all, but i think my mental drive and determination not to quit will keep me rolling over the long miles. Plus, they are awarding SWEET custom belt buckles to the individuals who break 12 hours. I think i can do that and the belt buckle is my one and only motivation.

Anyway, I am about to go swimming this morning for my second pool session this week. A short run after that and probably a mountain bike ride later on. Today is one of my coveted days off this week and i intend to use it fully. Later.