Long Bike, long thoughts. June 15, 2008
Posted by anton in : Observations , 1 comment so farIt’s Fathers Day and I miss him horribly. Was out for a 4 hour bike ride today…spinning around the park getting in some miles and thinking about Dad. Not the whole time but, he kept drifting in and out of my thoughts. There is just to much to remember…and as I get older I know I’ve forgotten some things but I try and recall what I do remember from time to time. To forget even one little bit is a disservice to him.
He was a product of his generation and the depression and of course the War. I would have liked to have know him before he went to fight in the snow and cold. I wonder if we would have liked each other. He was hard at times. How could he not be. No one comes back from experiences like he had and is the same person…He moved on and maybe had to re-invent himself or maybe he was re-invented even though he didn’t want to be.
“Tell me I’m a good man, tell me I lived a good life.” the old Private Ryan says to his wife at the end of the movie.
Dad was. He did.
Triathlon and the Economy May 26, 2008
Posted by anton in : Observations , 1 comment so farOver at Trifuel.com there has been a thread going around about the economy and triathlon expense.
Posted this there and thought I’d drag it over here for posterity sake…
I think that Triathlon is expensive and it’s hard to justify the expense, when so many have so little…
Do all the triathlons you want…but don’t forget and make time to help, those less fortunate.
Just some random thoughts on the subject:
* It’s your money. Spend it on what you want.
* There are millions of people IN THIS COUNTRY who can’t afford the basic necessities.
* If you ignore that fact, and do nothing to help, I feel sorry for you.
* The average household income for triathletes is $120,000.
The median individual income for triathletes is $96,000 .
55% of triathletes have a median income of over $100,000.
( source: Katalist Multisport Management, Ironman Lake Placid 2007 Fact sheet
had similar numbers)
* The average HOUSEHOLD income in the US in 2006 was $46,000 (source: US Census office)
* The average income in Bangaldesh is $1.25 a day. (source: Washington Post)
* While Triathlon can make your life seem worthwhile, so can just plain old running
at a start up cost of less than $150.
* Don’t complain about the cost of triathlon while mom and dad are footing most of your bills.
If you are a single parent with kids you can complain all you want, about anything.
If you’re double income, no kids…no whining.
If your double income with kids and still able to do tri’s…you have a well paying jobs.
* Been using the house as an ATM to afford this sport?…Yikes!
* Triathlon is expensive but a new set of Callaway irons will set you back $1,200, not to mention
the woods, putter, bag, balls and green fees.
* Bring on the $5 a gallon or more gas. That way maybe we’ll get our heads out of our oil
dependant back sides and do something about mass transit, bike lanes and alternative energy.
( yeah, it hits me too, my gasoline bill has tripled in the last year)
* car pool to races.
* Triathlon won’t be cool forever. It will be cheaper when it’s not.
* If people complained about costs instead of just paying up, because “there might be a chance
I’ll go to Kona.” or because you feel some need to be ranked, the big corporate RD’s might
listen…maybe. Don’t know till you try.
* give back to others, always, even in this sport.
* You can get a group of friends together and set up an event and have a great time…for free.
* We are all just a spot of bad luck away from being on the street.
* Triathlon is the Polo of the current era.
Running Etiquette: 2008 March 25, 2008
Posted by anton in : Observations , add a commentFolks in my generation, when they come up against something new, often take out their false teeth and mutter something about Bob Dylan and “The Times They Are a Changing.”
Put the choppers back in and listen to some newer Dylan…”Things Have Changed.”
Running Etiquette: 2008
(Note: I’ve seen the examples I’m using and they are noted this way: (Disney)
Headphones:
ipods, and all the geegaw that goes with them. Even though the USA Track and Field, Road Runners Club of America, USAT and goodness knows how many running clubs clearly forbid their use, you’re going to continue to use them and hope you don’t get DQ’d. Yes, you can get DQ’d. You really should read the race literature.
Since you’re going to use them: Be more mindful of those around you and don’t let yourself slide into some Gnarls Barkley haze, ignoring those other runners around you. Look before you leap. If it’s heavy “traffic” point where you want to go. If you have to search for your “power song”, don’t slowdown or stop in the middle of the road. Move off to the side. Keep the volume reasonable so you don’t miss important stuff, like the ambulance coming up behind you. (Disney) If the crowd of runners around you suddenly parts, it’s not because they are in awe of you. It’s because they are getting out of the way of something you can’t hear. (Disney, MCM, Ironman) Please pay attention. If you get DQ’d for using a music player of some sort, don’t complain. You knew the job was dangerous when you took it.
Cell Phones:
The NTSB has stated that on average, automobile drivers slow down three to five miles per hour when on their cell phones.
The same appears to be true of runners. If you receive a call or have to place a call mid race, again, pull to the side. You WILL slow down and it’s quite annoying to those running behind you. (JFK 50 Mile, Disney, MCM, oh heck…every race I go to) Even though your loved one may be at an aid station five miles ahead waiting for you, and you wish to let them know…don’t yell into your phone. They’ll be able to hear you just fine. Those runners without earphones don’t want to hear you yelling half a conversation. If you have a phone with you and you see a problem, such as a runner down, use it!
Cell phones music devices and anything you carry for that matter:
Hold on to that stuff! I’ve seen nasty accidents involving faces smashed onto pavement and blood and busted knees, because someone dropped their electronic device of choice and stopped on a dime, only to be bowled over by three or four people behind them. (MCM, Disney, JFK and a bunch of short races)
Dogs:
Never appropriate to run with your hound in a race. Ever. It’s not safe for other runners and it’s not safe for your pooch. (National Marathon, Frederick Marathon, shorter races) I used to love the old Triathlantic Races where Brad would DQ you for even bringing one to the race site.
Read the race Literature:
It’s full of great advice and information you need to know like how long the race is and where it stops. It will also clearly outline what is acceptable and what is not on race day. If the information says “No baby carriages/strollers” it also means your three wheeled baby jogger, even if you are using it as a rolling aid station for you and six of your friends. (MCM)
If the literature says “Pacers strongly discouraged” it means it. Please tell your friends it’s not ok to run the last ten miles of your race with you.
(MCM, JFK, Ironman) It adds to the crowd, they aren’t covered under race insurance if something goes all wrong, and frankly, you should be able to do this on your own. Tell them to sign up and run with you next year.
Finally, the etiquette you should already know:
If you missed a time cut off, be gracious. Don’t argue with the Race Director. (JFK, Cat 50K, Disney, for crying out loud!) Train harder and smarter and come back next year.
Always smile and say thank you to the volunteers.
Always be helpful to other runners.
Don’t run in the shirt you get for showing up to packet pick up.
Number goes on the front.
RD’s: The horse is out of the barn. You guys need to decide how you’re going to handle the new etiquette. Stop making an issue of some of this stuff or start DQing folks who do break the rules. If you DQ one, you have to DQ them all. Restrict everything, or let it all go.
Disclaimer: I never run with head phones, even if they are attached to my ipod. I carry a phone on long training runs but never in a race. I read the literature and don’t own a dog.
Why can’t we just run? December 29, 2007
Posted by anton in : Observations , 2 commentsThe story goes like this:
Many years ago John Salathe was standing around in Camp 4, in Yosemite Valley, listening to the other climbers talk about the days issues. Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard and the like waxed on about climbing’s rules, ethics, equipment, what was a good climb and what wasn’t. It got pretty hot during the discussion as things do when people are passionate about things.
They turned to John. A true leader of the climbing world who, even in his 60’s, was a bold figure. They asked him what he though about it all. In his heavy German accent he said:
“Vy can’t ve just climb?”
Stride clinics, Pose Method, Evolution Running, Chi Running…the other day some kid asks for advice.”Should I breathe in for three striders and out for two or the other way around?” Something to that affect.
I rail against all this crap.
Running is running. Period. Yes you can follow one coaches advice about speed work or long runs and another’s about duration and frequency…learning from the greats is too cool. When someone comes along and starts playing around with HOW you run…my eyebrows go up.
Indeed some new folks may need a little guidance on foot fall, stride length and what not…but after that I’m not so sure it has much value. Folks change form and obsess about it for a few extra seconds that could be found by training smarter with the style you have.Some folks do well with what they have. Others don’t. And this is the rub. Not everyone can be a good runner, no matter how much they fool around with it. Other runners are awesome. They are just that way. Everyone is different. Sameness is a curse. Trying to shove everyone into the same style of running mold is a slap at our uniqueness.
At your next race pay attention to the runners around you…the leaders if you can see them. You’ll see people who some folks would say have really bad form, running an unbelievable pace and others with perfect form who shuffle. I know of a runner who has hands that flop. Another’s arms go almost behind his back. Heads down,heads up, feet like ducks or feet like pigeons’. All of them can scoot!
This is why I think many triathletes’ prefer the bike. It’s easy to micro-manage the bike, and goodness knows Tri-heads (most anyway) like to tweek EVERYTHING…Micro-managing the run? Ya just gotta shake what your Mommy gave ya and make it go fast.
It’s so easy to gunk up something that is easy to do and make it a source of stress when it really doesn’t have to be. Don’t let all that tripe get between you and the moment you are in. Run, here. Run, now.
Just Run.
Found It. December 12, 2007
Posted by anton in : Observations , 1 comment so farI lost it…I’m not sure when. I’ve been looking for it the last 10 years. Didn’t know where it went. I know why it went.
Today it came back.
Running around the lake,easy, nothing in mind. Just being there. Passing the beaver lodge and across the bridge and it hit me like the answer to a koan. One of the Lost Boys found. The Ark dug out of that warehouse.
The Pace.
The Pace I used to have that disappeared. The one where I can run all day and I simply don’t breath hard…where it all flows. Where everything fits.
I know why it came back.
I’m running everyday. Like I used to. Before Ironman. Before I started juggling three sports. Before my mind became fractured. Before my heart was broken and some of the pieces were lost. The pieces came back today. Slotted into where they should, and with that the engine was whole and worked again…like it used to.
I hope it’s still there tomorrow…but if not…at least one day, again,
I found it.
Space/Time and MCM October 27, 2007
Posted by anton in : Observations , 1 comment so farI had to go back and look at my last post date before I could remember the last time I wrote here…I’ll be better, I promise.
Tomorrow is the Marine Corps Marathon and it seems like that sign up was just yesterday. Have several goals…1. To finish without feeling like I have to sit in a hot tub for two weeks. The JFK 50 miler is in three weeks and I like to go into that race feeling fresh and not beat up…John K. likes to do his pre JFK marathon earlier in October… maybe next year. 2. This year I’m going to help folks if they need it. You know, walk with someone if they seem like they are having a bad day…carry some extra food and offer it up if needed…We see lots of amps at this race and they can use a running partner sometimes…Take some of my race time and give it to others…
Time has been on my mind a lot recently. I went to the Double/Triple Ironman and was the crew for a guy who was doing the Triple…The event spun me on my head about sports and endurance and time and covering distance and understanding yourself and what limits really are.
What I felt and experienced and saw and learned during three days there is almost to personal to relate…some of it wouldn’t make any sense to those who haven’t seen it. I did learn that a Double Ironman has as much in common with Ironman as a dog does with a cat…and a Triple has as much in common with Ironman as a cat does with a lizard. To get even stranger…Doubles and Triples are about time and space both outside your head and in.
Next year…I’m there.
Race report tomorrow.
Time July 10, 2007
Posted by anton in : Race Report, Observations , add a commentTime, n.,adj., v., 1. the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other. 2. A system or method of measuring or
reckoning the passage of time.
There are 67 other definitions for time in the Random House Dictionary of the English Language (unabridged.)
I been reading recently, the blogs of others here at trifuel…especially Tracy and “J”. They are about time and basicly about being too wrapped up in watches, heart rate monitors, GPS devices and anything else that triathletes use to measure time in relation to distance.
How many times do you see pictures of people crossing a finish line and in a moment of what should be happiness, they are scowling at the face of their watch. I often pass people in races who’s heart rate monitor is beeping like mad because it says they are going too fast even though they look fine and could go faster…Folks with running pace beepers that beep everytime your right foot should be hitting the ground to help you maintain a specific pace… others with a GPS strapped to their wrist in an accurately measured race with the distance well marked on a well known course. It’s all about time…and THAT is the sad part. It shouldn’t be.
It’s about the day, the people you race with, the sun and warmth or the rain and cold, about knowing yourself and learning more. About finding just how deep you can go before you reach the bottom and the well is dry. It’s about screwing up and getting it wrong…and then laughing and bouncing back and coming back another day.
On June 30th I went to Tupper Lake in the ADK to participate in the Tinman Half Ironman… I’ve stopped saying race and now say participate because with the exception of a few folks out in front or in the top of your age group…races like that are endurance events. In saying that you eliminate some of the pressure right off the bat…Anyway, to Tinman.
I didn’t wear a watch.
Had no idea what time my wave started or what time I got out of the water or how long my bike took or how fast I ran…not until the results came out anyway…It was monster fun! The day went by feel…a very nebulous concept that many folks seem loath to trust.Participating by feel…how fast to go,when to drink and eat…by feel. It’s not for everyone…I have years of endurance sports background and know myself very well. It’s about knowing your “self.” I think it unfortunate that people do races or events and would rather trust a watch than what their body is telling them.
My swim went fine I felt good and never out of control… My bike…well that was different. I knew in a moment that it would be slow. My legs had no snap as I had been putting in a lot of miles getting ready for Ironman. Had a puncture…and don’t know how long it took me to change it. My run…I just flew…passing many people and just smiling the whole time…all by feel. walked the up hills and ran the downs and flats…crossed the finish line…looking at the folks around me with their cheery faces and cow bells…the blue sky, the finish line…..and no watch to scowl at. Freedom.
RoY G Biv April 12, 2007
Posted by anton in : Observations , 1 comment so farRed. Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Indigo. Violet.
There are days training when it is the last bloody thing you want to do.
I didn’t want to run this afternoon but sort of forced myself out the door.
Several miles into the run I felt like crap and wanted to turn around.
A thunderstorm was blowing in and I wanted to turn around.
The rain came and the temps dropped and I wanted to turn around.
Soaked to the bone and muddy and wondering how in the hell I was ever going to get through Ironman let alone the Double Ironman in October.
Out of the woods and across the dam at the lake…and I stop dead in my tracks…
There against the dark sky were two rainbows…
The top one was nice, going the whole Spectrum.
The bottom one…was…one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
It went red,orange,yellow,green,blue,indigo,violet,red, orange,yellow…and on and on. The whole spectrum repeating almost four times.
Both ends anchored in the water of the lake at my feet.
People crossing the dam in cars stopped…got out..and we just watched..no one spoke. Transfixed.
the next thirty minutes home found me skipping and splashing and tearing through the mud…my nine year old self,alive again.
That’s life. Sometimes you want to turn around because things just suck…but you keep going and you are led to one of life’s special moments.
It’s the razors edge all athletes tread…do I push on? Do I turn around? Only a moment. It can change your life.
Giving Back March 8, 2007
Posted by anton in : Observations , add a commentCan’t tell you how many times in the last 37 years I’ve gone to races and ignored volunteers. Sad. But I also can’t tell you how many times I’ve volunteered for races…and never get thanked..which is ok because it’s not about that…it’s about giving back, not about recognition.
I had the distinct pleasure of being a Volunteer at the Greenway Trail Marathon and 50k this past weekend. Even though it was a long day (9-5),it wasn’t nearly as long a day as some of the runners had.Time wise yes…effort wise no. I worked the after race picnic and so heard a lot.
Not having run the race …all this is second hand:
The first 15 miles were run on a sheet of ice.
The next 15 were run in muck the consistancy of wet concrete.
“I’ve never run on a glacier before.”
“I fell 18 times!”
” I got off trail…which was ok because it was better than the trail.”
Lots of Mud…lots of blood and the best part….
Smiles all around. I only heard a few complaints and they were from folks not used to running on trails.
It’s a razors edge…you wake up on the morning of a race and decide if it’s a go or not. It was a tough day for the runners no doubt…but I feel having listened to so many voices after the race, that those who stayed abed…had a poorer day.
Congrats to Ed on a race well run…and thanks.
Shaken not stirred.. December 31, 2006
Posted by anton in : Observations , add a commentHere we are on the cusp of 2007.
I remember being in primary school and thinking “I’ll be 46 in the year 2000!”
Tempus fugit..
Getting cranked up for running at Disney in 6 days and looking forward to it. All the training is done and I’m through it with no problems…Some years ago I wanted to do Disney after doing the JFK 50 miler in November. Someone flagged me off feeding me some crap about “Being too tired”…blah,blah,blah.
Did the JFK 42 days ago, and feel great…have put in some good runs (2.5 to 3 hours) since then. Good rides too as I build for next years Iron Shennanigans.
Swimming has been going well. Getting the form back and noticing I’m faster after a year of strength work.
Biking Is good…although I am chomping at the bit for LOOOONG rides but have to hold off till after The Goofy Challange.
Running…well,that always goes good.
Totals for the year:
Swim: 50 miles
Bike: 3,000 miles
Run: 1,500 miles
Strength: 71 hours.
Hours altogether:450…not much, but No Iron distance races this past year.
Why train for Ironman when you aren’t doing one?
Add in some hikes,rowing,canoeing climbing and other outdoor related stuff the total is up around 600 hours…
Also donated some bikes to Pedals for Progress, took some running shoes to a collection box for athletic programs over seas…and volunteered at some races.
Glad it was a laid back year…I plan on the next two being…bumping!
Happy New Year!