May 27 2007
Last week I was in San Jose for a job interview, so I decided to take up former Seattleite, Loren Pokorny, on his open invitation to visit his new place in Tiburon. I was lucky to choose the same weekend that Loren’s family was hosting Kaite Mactier, who is a legend (Olympic silver, amazing cyclist…check the link and be impressed).
Loren and I started off the mini-hell weekend with a 2 mile swim in “the lagoon” Continue Reading »
May 20 2007
This morning was the “Get Set, Tri” in Forest Grove,
Oregon, at the same course that will host the USAT short course
nationals June 30th.
Turned out to be more of a Get Set, ok, now wait another hour while we get organized…TRI! — But no matter…
I set a world record in my 1500 meter swim (9:04). I know it was a
record and not a falsely measured course because the race director
insisted that it was measured correctly even after Myself, and the 3
people a minute behind me easily blew away any previous, non-current enhanced,
open water mile records. (it was obvious to myself and everyone else
there that the director was surely not referring to the same meter
that the rest of us are familiar with).
My T1 was ugly (my first cold weather race after getting into
triathlons while living in Honolulu). I struggled getting off my
wetsuit, and slipped in the mud out of the water because I couldn’t
feel my feet.
Safely on the bike with a good margin between myself and second place
I settled into a pace (not as fast as I would have liked, but it did
the job). Then I realized that what had started as a light sprinkle
was now cold liquid pellets that stung my face on the descents (there
are lots of descents on this course, and consequently lots of ascents
too). Luckily, the only hairy corners on the course were my knees,
so I didn’t have to worry about falling on the wet roads. Overall a
great bike.
T2 - lost a shoe and had to go back for it, put on my running shoes
and bolted. Once my feet gained feeling again (did I mention it was
COLD?), I was able to focus on my own race and I finished the run in
35 minutes on a pretty hilly course. It’s hard to qualify a run PR
with the courses always changing, but that must have been close.
First overall win of the year, and a great race. There’s always
things to improve, but anytime I finish with a smile (as oppose to an
IV) I’m happy. Anyone going to nationals should be stoked for a
rockin’ (and very rollin’) course. Absolutely beautiful (especially
if they fix the swim).
Next up, Issaquah Triathlon outside Seattle June 2nd, and then the HY-Vee Triathlon in
Iowa June 17th!
p.s. In other news, my new Head Stinger 60’s are on their way (a big thank you to Anne Hed for the quick shipping)
May 16 2007
This weekend I’m racing in Forest Grove, OR in an Olympic Distance Triathlon called “Get Set, TRI!!!”
I’m pretty excited for my first Pacific Northwest Triathlon since 2005. I’ll head down after class on Friday and stay in Forest Grove for the weekend. It’s also the same course as USAT Nationals, so it should be a good indication of how my training is going. It’s a hilly course, but that’s what I do best, so it should be a good time. Continue Reading »
May 16 2007
School buses, dump trucks, SUVs and old cars are cramping my carbon neutral commute.
A few years ago while I was in New York City, a ban was passed on smoking in places of work (i.e. restaurants, bars, clubs, law offices, and even health clubs). There was a huge uproar of bar owners claiming people would rather stay home and smoke than go to a bar without their cigarettes, but everything turned out okay. A couple years later the same ban was created in Seattle while I was living here, then I moved to Hawaii and shortly after that they too banned smoking in public places. Seems to me clean air acts just follow me around.
What gets me is that the same people that will raise their nose and treat a smoker like they are inhuman will see I bicyclist on the side of the road and gun it to get by. This raises two issues: Continue Reading »
May 14 2007
This morning I made myself blueberry oatmeal and cottage cheese pancakes (don’t knock it till you try it), but I didn’t put enough oil in the pan and they stuck and turned to scrambled pancakes (feel free to knock without trying). That was dumb #1, and the “dumb” just got worse from there: Continue Reading »
May 10 2007
The University of Washington career center held an etiquette dinner last night sponsored by several local companies who recruit on campus. I went and sat at a table sponsored by Weyerhaeuser. Growing up thinking that Weyerhaeuser was just the name a really big pool (the king country aquatic center) made it quite a surprise for me to learn Continue Reading »
May 07 2007
Saturday I swam the 800m free. I was really nervous, having not been at a real swim meet since Ivy League Championships in 2005. It was all I could do to calm my nerves which is pretty unlike me. My best races always happen when I’m feeling overly confident, and I just know I’m going to be fast. I said before the race, my goal was to have fun, but 9:03.90 after I started I was pretty demoralized.
When I went to my coach to talk about it I was cut off by two of my teammates, Brian Davis (I’ll tell you how he did in a sec) and Peter Trahms who is the oldest non-has-been ever. “Dude, you got beat by a girl” Brian informed me. “Yeah, and dude, she’s 15.” Peter added.
Sunday I swam the 400 free (4:19) and the 200 IM (2:16), which was fast enough to win both events (And I whaled on Andie in both!). I also swam on the 200 free relay (26.08). Those were all pretty fun, so with a big smile on my face I was able to check off my goal for the weekend.
Brian Swam his 1500m Free on Sunday afternoon. He was shooting for a 16:06, which is ~1:04 pace, but about 300 into it he sank into the 1:05-1:06 range. He swam an excellent race, and the pacing seemed perfect for where he’s at right now, but not quite fast enough to qualify for open water nationals, he came in at 16:26. He is going to kick so much butt when he finally races open water.
May 03 2007
I found this site called the Camelot Climate Index, which rates the weather in 158 US cities compared to the “ideal” weather described in King Aurthur.
Note that Seattle is number 13 because it’s never too hot or too cold, and because we only get 39 inches of rain each year, but then look at the meager 43% sunshine, and whopping 157 days of rain!!
Honolulu is the first non-California town listed, in a solid tie with Eureka and Sacramento.
May 02 2007
This weekend is my first swim meet in two years. I’ll be swimming the 800 free on saturday and the 400 free and 200 IM on sunday. (I just couldn’t bring myself to sign up for a meet without the 200 IM, it’s still my love. [note to 400IM: you're still my love too, but your 100 breast stroke is just so hard on the knees]). My goal for the meet is to have fun, which should be easy considering my buddy brians goals… Continue Reading »
May 01 2007
That’s how I feel at school this week. I’m acting like I’m there, I’m physically there, but I have no idea where my mind and body are. I’m exhausted from training, and took the last of my first round of midterms this morning (gen chem). Positive thoughts though, I only have to wait two weeks for another round of midterms to start! My forethought in taking 19 credits this quarter was somewhat lacking, but challenges are what I’m best at, so I’ll just have to back half this quarter and finish strong.
On a lighter note, Continue Reading »
