By the time race day for Bridge to Bridge Run 2009 arrived, I'd been on competition-hiatus for nearly 3 months. I skipped Escape from the Rock due to first-rain-provoked water quality concerns. My previous event, Alcatraz Challenge 2009, was fun, but I didn't expect to do as well in this pure footrace. Brunch at Zazie and some time at Lovevolution on Saturday didn't qualify as recommended preparation either! (The unexpected tween-fest at the music-fest may be worth a whole other post at some point...)
Weather was forecast to be cool (about 52 F) and breezy (gusting to about 14 mph), blowing against runners for most of the exposed course. In practice, the wind was hardly noticeable and sunshine temperatures were comfortable. Speaking of sun, I was grateful for my hat and sunglasses!
After walking to the Ferry Building (local races are so awesome), I found a spot a few yards from the start line. The Garmin 405 (sans heart rate monitor) proved useful in a concerted effort to control my initial speed and avoid a repeat of my pace collapse in 2008. Thanks to Pink-Shirt-Girl, Blue-Shirt-Guy and Grey-Shirt-Guy for their help! (The latter two dropped me on Marina Boulevard and Crissy Field respectively).
In spite of this, my pace still flagged a little around mile 6 (as others hit the throttle for the home leg). On the long, uphill, final stretch, the clock read around 49 minutes. In my relief, I eased off too much and was passed by two sprinters in the final yards.
My official finish time was 49:18, my fastest 12 km to date. (My 2008 time was 50:28).
Results. Photos. My bib number was 262.
PS While writing this I found a useful resource.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Alcatraz Challenge - July 12th 2009
I'm an Alcatraz Challenge fan. No bike, hotel or camping needed. Same day packet pickup for everyone. Run across the east side of the Golden Gate Bridge. If the Bay water was guaranteed to be clean and warm, it would be perfect!
This was my third consecutive year to participate. I hoped for a luckier day than previous outings. Swim conditions in 2007 were the toughest I've experienced. My timing chip failed in 2008. The 2009 event was advertised as sold-out but as in the previous year, it clashed with another local race; this time it was Tri-California's renamed, rebranded, rescheduled San Francisco Triathlon.
I hadn't run since Escape From Alcatraz on June 14th. I traveled to Italy for a wedding from June 16th to 22nd. On July 1st I cut both feet while swim training at YMCA Embarcadero wearing "zoomers" that were a little too big. A bachelor party in San Diego kept me busy July 3rd to 5th.
During the same YMCA swim session on July 1st, I had to exit the pool early due to persistent coughing and breathing difficulties. I tried USF Koret three times in the week prior to 'Challenge and I think I'm a convert.
The day before the race, I realized my old watch had finally given up the ghost after leaking at Lake San Antonio in March. Lombardi Sports supplied a Timex T5E901 replacement.
In an unexpected coincidence, my parents were in town and made the early morning trip to Crissy Field to lend their support.
Swim (40:59.7): Faster swimmers were advised to jump out the left door of the boat and swim/sight right while slower swimmers were advised to do the opposite...This meant a little traffic navigation was necessary after the start but I got off the boat early so wasn't delayed. The organizers' post-race review read "water conditions were a little rougher than normal, the clouds a little grayer and the currents a little slower". Sighting was a little difficult but the surf was a more of a problem than the fog. Driven by the wind, the waves consistently pushed me farther left than I intended.
T1 (1:23.2): After a brief assessment of the weather, I left my sunglasses behind and didn't bother to reapply sunscreen.
Run (46:44.4): Several runners passed me during the climb to the Golden Gate. The southwest wind helped me across the bridge but it was strong enough that I removed my hat for the return journey for fear of losing it. In spite of the foggy, cold, windy weather, there were a number of tourists out. As ever, many seemed oblivious to the race but I didn't see or experience any collisions. Back on Crissy Field, I spotted a familiar figure (another regular participant) and closed the gap but couldn't catch him before the finish. Some head-music favorites kept my pace up - it must have shown on my face as several people remarked on my big grin as took it home.
My bib number was 245.
Results. (Archive pdf). My finish time was 1:29:07.3. (Some versions of the results mistakenly report me as winning the Male 30-34 age group. I was third. There were extra, separate awards for the overall winners and two were in my division so the results got a little messy).
Photos. Swim. Run 1, 2.
PS Staffan Westerberg, one of the guys who beat me, won his age group on Treasure Island the previous day.
This was my third consecutive year to participate. I hoped for a luckier day than previous outings. Swim conditions in 2007 were the toughest I've experienced. My timing chip failed in 2008. The 2009 event was advertised as sold-out but as in the previous year, it clashed with another local race; this time it was Tri-California's renamed, rebranded, rescheduled San Francisco Triathlon.
I hadn't run since Escape From Alcatraz on June 14th. I traveled to Italy for a wedding from June 16th to 22nd. On July 1st I cut both feet while swim training at YMCA Embarcadero wearing "zoomers" that were a little too big. A bachelor party in San Diego kept me busy July 3rd to 5th.
During the same YMCA swim session on July 1st, I had to exit the pool early due to persistent coughing and breathing difficulties. I tried USF Koret three times in the week prior to 'Challenge and I think I'm a convert.
The day before the race, I realized my old watch had finally given up the ghost after leaking at Lake San Antonio in March. Lombardi Sports supplied a Timex T5E901 replacement.
In an unexpected coincidence, my parents were in town and made the early morning trip to Crissy Field to lend their support.
Swim (40:59.7): Faster swimmers were advised to jump out the left door of the boat and swim/sight right while slower swimmers were advised to do the opposite...This meant a little traffic navigation was necessary after the start but I got off the boat early so wasn't delayed. The organizers' post-race review read "water conditions were a little rougher than normal, the clouds a little grayer and the currents a little slower". Sighting was a little difficult but the surf was a more of a problem than the fog. Driven by the wind, the waves consistently pushed me farther left than I intended.
T1 (1:23.2): After a brief assessment of the weather, I left my sunglasses behind and didn't bother to reapply sunscreen.
Run (46:44.4): Several runners passed me during the climb to the Golden Gate. The southwest wind helped me across the bridge but it was strong enough that I removed my hat for the return journey for fear of losing it. In spite of the foggy, cold, windy weather, there were a number of tourists out. As ever, many seemed oblivious to the race but I didn't see or experience any collisions. Back on Crissy Field, I spotted a familiar figure (another regular participant) and closed the gap but couldn't catch him before the finish. Some head-music favorites kept my pace up - it must have shown on my face as several people remarked on my big grin as took it home.
My bib number was 245.
Results. (Archive pdf). My finish time was 1:29:07.3. (Some versions of the results mistakenly report me as winning the Male 30-34 age group. I was third. There were extra, separate awards for the overall winners and two were in my division so the results got a little messy).
Photos. Swim. Run 1, 2.
PS Staffan Westerberg, one of the guys who beat me, won his age group on Treasure Island the previous day.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Escape from Alcatraz - June 14th 2009
My first Escape From Alcatraz was in 2007 and I was lucky to draw another spot for the 2009 event.
My right knee had been bothering me after an over aggressive brick followed by work-related flights to LA and Chicago. Advil, ice and rest meant it felt okay on race day but it still prevented me running or biking during the two weeks prior.
While sitting aboard the San Francisco Belle discussing nutrition, I realized I left my Thermolyte capsules buried in my transition bag. This explained earlier misgivings about my empty-looking inverted bike helmet (that I ignored in my rush to get on the bus). The dumb mistake cost me valuable time in T1 and T2.
Swim: This was my inaugural event wearing my Sailfish one. An Aquatic Park test-swim led to chafing so I was especially careful to seal the neck correctly this time.
I was racing in the 30-34 age group but I jumped off the boat soon after the Elite athletes. (If you're close enough to the doors, the eager crowd's pushing leaves you little choice!) Weather conditions were good. All the major sighting landmarks were visible, the wind was light and the Bay was only a little choppy. However this didn't prevent most swimmers, including the pros, having problems. Swim times were about 6 minutes slower than 2008 or 2007.
I encountered a few other issues. About halfway across the channel, my right hand plunged into what I initially hoped was seaweed but turned out to be a jellyfish...I was lucky my wetsuit was long sleeved so only my hand was mildly stung. Closer to shore I received a vigorous elbow to the face. Fortunately my pride was all that was injured.
T1: I decided not to leave running shoes at the post-swim transition area and instead jogged barefoot directly to the bike transition. The half mile on pavement worked out fine and the choice paid dividends - my split time was in the top 10 in my age group despite having to rummage in my bag for the forgotten salt pills. Getting out of the water relatively early also allowed me to run at my own pace - the route to bike transition became packed as more swimmers arrived...
Bike: Most triathlons start each wave 5 or more minutes apart. However, one of the many cool things about Escape is that everyone starts within 6 minutes of the pros - you get to race with people you would never otherwise. This is especially fun (for me anyway) when the field includes athletes like Jenny Fletcher and Kathy Winkler. I found it a little difficult to focus on my biking and was loathe to overtake either of them! Winkler acquired an entourage of a half dozen other guys before they all dropped me on the return to Legion of Honor. She also inspired a female spectator to scream "1836 [Winkler's number], come back! My neighbor loves you!...[Something unintelligible]...He has a new job!!" (Both women won their age groups and Fletcher was fastest female amateur).
The Clif Bar DJ was absent so I tuned to head music and filled the void with Leftfield's Phat Planet while descending Lincoln Boulevard.
Run: My right hamstring felt tight while running past the same spot. This passed but both my quads locked up as soon as I stepped onto the sand stairs.
My mental and emotional reserves were low going into this race. In spite of awesome support throughout, my mood deteriorated until I was truly miserable by the end. Crossing the finish line gave me no sense of accomplishment or even relief...In retrospect, maybe I bonked a little in the second half of the run but there are definitely other issues I need to work on too...
My bib number was 426.
Results. My time was 2:48:10, about 6 minutes slower than 2:42:18 in 2007.
Photos. Some favorites.
PS I've completed 7 Alcatraz crossings:
2 Escape from the Rock +
2 Alctraz Challenge +
2 Escape From Alcatraz +
1 Alcatraz 100
but some Bay Area locals are close to 600!
My right knee had been bothering me after an over aggressive brick followed by work-related flights to LA and Chicago. Advil, ice and rest meant it felt okay on race day but it still prevented me running or biking during the two weeks prior.
While sitting aboard the San Francisco Belle discussing nutrition, I realized I left my Thermolyte capsules buried in my transition bag. This explained earlier misgivings about my empty-looking inverted bike helmet (that I ignored in my rush to get on the bus). The dumb mistake cost me valuable time in T1 and T2.
Swim: This was my inaugural event wearing my Sailfish one. An Aquatic Park test-swim led to chafing so I was especially careful to seal the neck correctly this time.
I was racing in the 30-34 age group but I jumped off the boat soon after the Elite athletes. (If you're close enough to the doors, the eager crowd's pushing leaves you little choice!) Weather conditions were good. All the major sighting landmarks were visible, the wind was light and the Bay was only a little choppy. However this didn't prevent most swimmers, including the pros, having problems. Swim times were about 6 minutes slower than 2008 or 2007.
I encountered a few other issues. About halfway across the channel, my right hand plunged into what I initially hoped was seaweed but turned out to be a jellyfish...I was lucky my wetsuit was long sleeved so only my hand was mildly stung. Closer to shore I received a vigorous elbow to the face. Fortunately my pride was all that was injured.
T1: I decided not to leave running shoes at the post-swim transition area and instead jogged barefoot directly to the bike transition. The half mile on pavement worked out fine and the choice paid dividends - my split time was in the top 10 in my age group despite having to rummage in my bag for the forgotten salt pills. Getting out of the water relatively early also allowed me to run at my own pace - the route to bike transition became packed as more swimmers arrived...
Bike: Most triathlons start each wave 5 or more minutes apart. However, one of the many cool things about Escape is that everyone starts within 6 minutes of the pros - you get to race with people you would never otherwise. This is especially fun (for me anyway) when the field includes athletes like Jenny Fletcher and Kathy Winkler. I found it a little difficult to focus on my biking and was loathe to overtake either of them! Winkler acquired an entourage of a half dozen other guys before they all dropped me on the return to Legion of Honor. She also inspired a female spectator to scream "1836 [Winkler's number], come back! My neighbor loves you!...[Something unintelligible]...He has a new job!!" (Both women won their age groups and Fletcher was fastest female amateur).
The Clif Bar DJ was absent so I tuned to head music and filled the void with Leftfield's Phat Planet while descending Lincoln Boulevard.
Run: My right hamstring felt tight while running past the same spot. This passed but both my quads locked up as soon as I stepped onto the sand stairs.
My mental and emotional reserves were low going into this race. In spite of awesome support throughout, my mood deteriorated until I was truly miserable by the end. Crossing the finish line gave me no sense of accomplishment or even relief...In retrospect, maybe I bonked a little in the second half of the run but there are definitely other issues I need to work on too...
My bib number was 426.
Results. My time was 2:48:10, about 6 minutes slower than 2:42:18 in 2007.
Photos. Some favorites.
PS I've completed 7 Alcatraz crossings:
2 Escape from the Rock +
2 Alctraz Challenge +
2 Escape From Alcatraz +
1 Alcatraz 100
but some Bay Area locals are close to 600!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Bay to Breakers - May 17th 2009
Bay to Breakers 2009 featured revised rules and warm weather. The former inspired a San Francisco combination of protest and initiative. After having a blast in 2008, I hoped to repeat the run first, party later approach.
This year's event also marked the introduction of a new corral system at the race start - I lined up with the first amateur group (A - Orange) and hoped to beat 55 minutes for the 12 km run (my PR of 51:09 in 2007 was after a start directly behind the Elites). This was my first race sporting Asics Gel Kayano 15 and Skins CROM shirt.
The pre-start porta-potty line took 35 minutes...the toilets were too close to the B corral - those in line couldn't prevent inevitable queue-jumpers. The wait led to my race-buddy and I being separated but his speed would have been too much for me anyway! (Check out results for bib number 2536).
I sucked down a gel before we began but some fluid-chaser would have been welcome. During the run I managed to avoid any lasting effects of Mexican food the night before. I cleared most of the traffic before Hayes Street Hill but my lack of training showed again - those I had been keeping pace with pulled ahead as we progressed through Golden Gate Park.
The party on the walk back could not be described as subdued but it did not compare to the total mayhem of last year. It seems the new restrictions and initiatives were at least a partial success...
Results. My bib number was 941. My time was 50:11.
Photos.
PS In the days following the race I tried 2XU's Compression Recovery Socks. Unfortunately I tore a hole in one of them immediately...I flew with Southwest four times in two days and my luggage was delayed so I wore the socks longer than expected...Smelly or not, they seemed to help my aching calf muscles. :-)
This year's event also marked the introduction of a new corral system at the race start - I lined up with the first amateur group (A - Orange) and hoped to beat 55 minutes for the 12 km run (my PR of 51:09 in 2007 was after a start directly behind the Elites). This was my first race sporting Asics Gel Kayano 15 and Skins CROM shirt.
The pre-start porta-potty line took 35 minutes...the toilets were too close to the B corral - those in line couldn't prevent inevitable queue-jumpers. The wait led to my race-buddy and I being separated but his speed would have been too much for me anyway! (Check out results for bib number 2536).
I sucked down a gel before we began but some fluid-chaser would have been welcome. During the run I managed to avoid any lasting effects of Mexican food the night before. I cleared most of the traffic before Hayes Street Hill but my lack of training showed again - those I had been keeping pace with pulled ahead as we progressed through Golden Gate Park.
The party on the walk back could not be described as subdued but it did not compare to the total mayhem of last year. It seems the new restrictions and initiatives were at least a partial success...
Results. My bib number was 941. My time was 50:11.
Photos.
PS In the days following the race I tried 2XU's Compression Recovery Socks. Unfortunately I tore a hole in one of them immediately...I flew with Southwest four times in two days and my luggage was delayed so I wore the socks longer than expected...Smelly or not, they seemed to help my aching calf muscles. :-)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wildflower - 3rd May 2009 - Olympic
Amateur triathlete rule of thumb; train in each discipline at least twice per week. Math skillz tell us that over 15 weeks that's 30 times for each sport. Here's what I did in 2009 before Wildflower:
This was my first attempt at the Wildflower Olympic course. It was also my first race in the Male 30-34 age group (USAT uses racers' end-of-year age...), and my latest start to date; 9:25am. The start time might not seem like a big deal but I cannot swim with solid food in my stomach (my swim training normally begins at about 6:30am). Staying energized until that "late" was a challenge.
My (conservative) goal was to beat 2:45 or roughly 23 minute swim + 82 minute bike + 50 minute run + 10 minute transitions and Wildflower "adventure time".
Swim: At the start I turned into that guy as I charged my way past or over swimmers ahead. Traffic from the 4 earlier waves was noticable but not egregious. I didn't notice until after the race but my TNT wetsuit is showing its age - it shed black rubber all over my neck and tri-suit...
T1: Sprinted out of the swim but ran past my spot again.
Bike: The mechanized portion did not begin well. I could not get my right shoe locked into the pedal and eventually had to dismount on Lynch Hill and jam it in. (After the race I discovered mud on my bike shoe cleat - oh the travails of Wildflower camping...). I also had to stop while climbing during the return leg to recover a dropped a caffeinated PowerBar Gel. In a turnabout from past performances I seemed to be stronger uphill versus flats and straights. This might be due to losing a few pounds (during a Costa Rica trip in December 2008) and not being trained properly...or maybe training while carrying extra (fluid) weight is paying dividends. I didn't stick to my nutrition plan - I paid later for failing to scarf all my Thermolytes.
T2: Forgot to re-apply sunscreen (one thick layer of factor 50 is not enough)...Luckily I was only mildly burned on both shoulders.
Run: My lack of nutrition discipline led to quad and hamstring cramps in both legs - sometimes all four muscles at once!
My bib number was 5783.
Results. My time was 2:39:46.
Photos: Event official.
This brings my tally to 13 triathlons:
2 Big Kahuna Half Ironman +
1 Sentinel (aka Santa Cruz Olympic) +
2 Treasure Island Olympic +
2 Wildflower Long Course +
1 Wildflower Olympic +
1 Escape From Alcatraz +
2 Escape from The Rock +
2 Folsom
Future thoughts:
- swim: 21
- bike: 7
- run: 8 (including brick workouts)
This was my first attempt at the Wildflower Olympic course. It was also my first race in the Male 30-34 age group (USAT uses racers' end-of-year age...), and my latest start to date; 9:25am. The start time might not seem like a big deal but I cannot swim with solid food in my stomach (my swim training normally begins at about 6:30am). Staying energized until that "late" was a challenge.
My (conservative) goal was to beat 2:45 or roughly 23 minute swim + 82 minute bike + 50 minute run + 10 minute transitions and Wildflower "adventure time".
Swim: At the start I turned into that guy as I charged my way past or over swimmers ahead. Traffic from the 4 earlier waves was noticable but not egregious. I didn't notice until after the race but my TNT wetsuit is showing its age - it shed black rubber all over my neck and tri-suit...
T1: Sprinted out of the swim but ran past my spot again.
Bike: The mechanized portion did not begin well. I could not get my right shoe locked into the pedal and eventually had to dismount on Lynch Hill and jam it in. (After the race I discovered mud on my bike shoe cleat - oh the travails of Wildflower camping...). I also had to stop while climbing during the return leg to recover a dropped a caffeinated PowerBar Gel. In a turnabout from past performances I seemed to be stronger uphill versus flats and straights. This might be due to losing a few pounds (during a Costa Rica trip in December 2008) and not being trained properly...or maybe training while carrying extra (fluid) weight is paying dividends. I didn't stick to my nutrition plan - I paid later for failing to scarf all my Thermolytes.
T2: Forgot to re-apply sunscreen (one thick layer of factor 50 is not enough)...Luckily I was only mildly burned on both shoulders.
Run: My lack of nutrition discipline led to quad and hamstring cramps in both legs - sometimes all four muscles at once!
My bib number was 5783.
Results. My time was 2:39:46.
Photos: Event official.
This brings my tally to 13 triathlons:
2 Big Kahuna Half Ironman +
1 Sentinel (aka Santa Cruz Olympic) +
2 Treasure Island Olympic +
2 Wildflower Long Course +
1 Wildflower Olympic +
1 Escape From Alcatraz +
2 Escape from The Rock +
2 Folsom
Future thoughts:
- Gear: I need to invest in a new wetsuit.
- Gear: I've said it before but I still need to buy a new bike helmet.
- Gear: New bike shoe cleats.
- Race: Find my transition spot...
- Race: Stick to my nutrition plan.
- Race or Gear: Put sunscreen *in* my run shoes or wear a long sleeve shirt.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Coachella 2009 - lineup revealed...
...and I'm underwhelmed. In three days of music I'm only excited about 7 acts and I've seen at least 3 of them before.
Friday:
PS I think this is my first post about something I didn't do. I hope it's not the beginning of a trend.
Friday:
- The Black Keys
- Girl Talk
- Felix da Housecat
- Gui Boratto
- MSTRKRFT
- Junior Boys
- Groove Armada (DJ Set)
PS I think this is my first post about something I didn't do. I hope it's not the beginning of a trend.
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