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.
Catch UP
Posted by anton in : Training , add a commentMy training of late has not been as focused a it should be…It took quite awhile to get the bottom of my feet back to normal after losing most of the skin to blisters in April (see the previous post). But after a rousing long run yesterday with Scott, down from New Jersey, all seems go.
Plans are to build on biking distance in the next month, finishing a double century in June, July and August. August has me going to N.J. for The Turkey Swamp 50k and at least one 50 miler. First weekend of September is the 24 Hours of Booty (No, not that kind of Booty!) A 24 hour bike ride where I hope to hit 350 miles.It’s a charity ride to raise money for the Livestrong foundation, which helps with quality of life issues for cancer patients.
That will bring me up to the Virginia Double / Triple Ironman weekend the first weekend of October.
The only problem has been the pool…I just have not been motivated to get in the water and swim…but I think I can get past that in the next week or so here… have been doing my pullups and kettlebell workouts to build shoulder and back strength…that will make swimming easier.
For those of you interested, I passed my first Anatomy and Physiology class with an “A”. Part II is this summer.
The school year is winding down and can’t get here soon enough…bring on summer.
24 Hour Ultra: Plenty of Gas, two flats. April 13, 2008
Posted by anton in : Race Report , 1 comment so farI’ve been looking forward to this for awhile…The Virginia 24 Hour Run and Relay. A fund raiser for the American Cancer Society…I’m running to honor my parents.
It’s all about time. 24 hours. Person with the most milage in the end wins. Simple. Run on a flat, 3.75 mile loop on dirt roads and a forest trail. Easy.
Just stay up for 24 hours and keep moving. Fuel up right, be smart and reel in the miles. Scary. No finish line waiting 4 or 10 or 17 miles down the road…no “I can tough this out for the next 10 miles” business. More like, “Can I tough this out for the next 13 hours?”
I drive down Friday evening and get to the Sandy Bottom Nature Park, get a camp site (10$!) and walk through a course preview…meet the RD get some dinner and wait. To sleep early with the bullfrogs and spring peepers and actually get six hours uninterrupted.
Up at four, break camp and and schlep over to the start area.
The RD provides water. You bring everything else, so I set up an aid station with chair, cooler and “Box o’ Stuff.” The box holds first aid items, clothes, extra shoes, socks, an assortment of hats, head lamp, ipod and whatever else I may need for a whole day.
There are 30 solo runners and an assortment of relay teams…after a brief meeting and welcome, George, the RD says “Ok, you can go now.” And it begins at 7:08 am.
The plan is to adhere to a strict 4/1 ratio for 50 miles. Run four minutes and walk one. After that..run as I can.
All goes well for quite awhile…I’m sort of in the back at the start, but by 20 miles have moved up through the field. At 30 miles I’m feeling…well super!
It’s hot. 80 degrees. Humid. and I”m just soaked with sweat even though most of the course is shaded. The sweat runs down my legs and into my shoes… About 3 pm clouds pop up…a brief shower which helps for awhile, then more sun and a spike in temps.
A pattern develops. Run/walk. Arrive back at the start, check in to make sure they are counting laps correctly (they do) and a stop at my aid station to pick up gels and snacks, water and gatorade and later Pepsi and Pringels. Back on the trail after a brief stop. We run and talk and wave and generally just keep moving.
Mile 45 comes around and I notice a few hot spots on the soles of my feet…I consider stopping and changing socks and shoes. I decide to do after the next lap.
My mistake. By the end of the the next lap at 48.75…I sporting raging blisters on the bottoms of my feet. I stop, pop them, put on some blister pads and duct tape, new socks and shoes and go back out to see how bad it is. Blisters on toes, no problem. Bottoms of feet, another story.
It’s bad. I come in and the end of lap 14, 52.5 miles in 11 hours flat…walking the whole last lap. To continue would be folly and would be risking some serious damage…I’m having trouble walking on them.
I toddle over to see George and tell him I’m done. That simple. Done.
Packing up and saying some goodbye’s I’m a bit angry at myself…Here I am with plenty of gas in the tank and two flats and no spares. Today as I sit here writing I can honestly say I’m not a bit sore or tired. It’s just the feet that are trashed. I’m confident I could have broken 100 miles.
Next year.
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.
Nope, nope, nope. February 29, 2008
Posted by anton in : Training , 1 comment so farTomorrow is the Greenway Trail 50K and Marathon. I’m signed up. I won’t be there. I decided to bag it. Easy to do as sign up is race day. This is a great race, well done and a gem of a race. It’s very much an enhanced Fat Ass Ultra. Point to point. A rural race in an urban setting.
Still suffering with a bit of an ankle problem, lingering from the JFK, It’s a good idea to ease up a bit. When it comes to this sort of thing, I remain the soul of caution. I know folks who have bad knees, hips and ankles…it’s often the result of not listening to your body and taking time off when you need to. How many times do you go to a race and see people who are running injured? What’s up with that? Better to back off for awhile and run for many years into the future than run for the next two weeks and have to leave it all behind….forever.
Still on the radar is the Virginia 24 hour Ultra Run in April. Perhaps the Old Dominion 100 miler in June.
I’m going to lay low with the ankle for another week (swim and bike,walk some) pick up running again the next week.
Carrying The Bear January 21, 2008
Posted by anton in : Race Report , add a comment
You have to “Embrace the Mouse” when you go to Disney World to run the races there. I think it makes for a much better fun. Look at the Men’s winner this year. Adrian Bastos garnering his 5th Disney Marathon win…running the whole distance in a Goofy Cap! He gets it. The guy who dressed up as Tinker Bell..he gets it. So do all the Minnie’s, Goofy’s, Donalds, Jack Sparrows who run the race in costume. It’s great fun.
Then you get the folks who don’t get it…who complain about the traffic and the early hour and the wait for the start and think the starting gun fireworks are a bunch of garbage. Sad, those folks.
Disney puts on the best road races. Period. The Masters of Magic know how to show folks a good time.
Mary Lou and I went down to Disney World for the Marathon Weekend, January 12th and 13th. ML ran the Half on Saturday and I ran My third Goofy Challenge. Run the Half on Saturday and the Full Marathon on Sunday.
Got into Florida with no problems, although I was a bit paranoid about the flight getting messed up and not getting to packet pick-up on time…But not to worry. Got in on time, got to the hotel and off to the expo to pick up numbers and snacks for the run. Ten packs of Gel don’t fit into a one quart plastic bag, and I refuse to check bags in this day and age…and with good reason. Evidence the woman we met on the way back to the hotel. The airline had lost all her bags and she had to buy new everything for the race, including shoes.
I’m always nervous before races even after years of this, so I know Mary Lou’s stress level was up heading into only her second Half Marathon.
I knew she would do well. She had trained well, tapered well and was uninjured. She was fit and her attitude was just stellar.
Race Morning at Disney is always a hoot. Up at two in the morning. Get organized and catch the busses to the start area at three.Everyone walking around with slits for eyes. The race starts at six. This is all made better by the Runners Retreat, which you pay extra for. Carpeted, with chairs and bagels, coffee, tea and Mickey and Minnie! AC if it’s hot, heaters if it’s cold. Sa -weet.
We wait around till about five when we begin the hike over to the start area…an easy twenty minute walk. We are in different corrals, based on previous times. ML moved up a corral this year! Wishing each other luck we part ways for the next few hours. Gobs of people around and I chat with a few, waiting for the starting gun and Fireworks to go off. After the anthem and greetings from Mickey (Man! That mouse is everywhere!) The darkness is banished with loud bangs and whistles and star shells and red bursts of light…
It’s warm. Like, 62 degrees warm. You really can’t get going at a good clip right off the bat because of all the folks…but that’s ok. It’s Disney!
It takes me five minutes to get to the start line. It will take Mary Lou fifteen. Thanks goodness for chip timing! Your time doesn’t start until you cross the start line.
I keep my pace easy as I have to run a marathon tomorrow. Eating and drinking as needed I’m soon at the Magic Kingdom heading up Main Street and aound to Cinderella’s Castle. Through the Castle, finish the Magic Kingdom and back on the road to Epcot and the finish line.
I pass the tail end of the race heading in the other direction at 1:20 race time. I’m approaching mile ten they are at mile three, closely followed by the SAG wagon who will pick them up soon because they are going too slow. Races have cut off times. They have to. You can’t have a race be open ended. Train harder and smarter and come back next year.
Soon, I’m zipping into EPCOT and before I know it the finish line is there and I’m done…1:59. Now all I have to do is wait for the Babe. I get some food and go through a coke, a bottle of water and Power Aid while chatting with other guys who are waiting for their spouses. Finally she comes through the food tent and big hugs ensue… her time? 2:45. A PR by fifteen minutes over her time of last year! I’m about to bust my buttons, I’m so proud of her! We get a picture together holding up our medals and her vacation can begin…I have to do this tomorrow and longer.
We go into the parks in the afternoon and on the way back on the bus meet the most delightful young woman from Brazil, Carol. She is running the Marathon in the morning and is full of questions… We become fast friends. She tells us that in Brazil you don’t hit the wall in a Marathon. You “Carry the Bear.” What a hoot! and really, thinking about all the times I’ve hit the wall, “Carrying the Bear” seems much more apt!
Race morning number two and the ever supportive ML is up with me, although I encourage her to sleep in. The same rig-a-marole as yesterday and I’m in the Runners Retreat chatting with Roy and a table full of Brits who are here for “Making Dreams Come True” foundation. I talk to Raj.
He’s nervous. Aren’t we all?
The hike over to the start at five, the wait around, the gun, the fireworks. It’s warm. 65 degrees warm and humid. Humid, like you can see it humid. I find out later the humidity is at 100%. I run the first half mile and am soaking wet from sweat that’s not evaporating. It’s will be a day like that. Well, as Yogi Bera once said…”It’s not the heat, it’s the humility.” We run through Epcot and head off to the Magic Kingdom after making a big loop and passing the start line again. The rumor is that that some folks walked off into the woods after the start and rejoined when we came back by four miles later. Shame. They missed a timing mat at 3.1 miles and would be DQ’d if it’s true.
I love this race…Lots to see and hear..High School bands, cheerleaders, a high school steel drum band, DJ’s, Characters and great aid stations.
Have to drink early and often today, the sweat just pouring out. I’m not alone in thinking it’s nasty. Although, at one point I pass these two women who happen to remark “Isn’t this weather great?” (75 degrees and 100% humidity) “Where are you from?” I ask. “Tampa!” is the reply.
I run through the Magic Kingdom and see Alice in Wonderland. I shout “Hey Alice!” She Jumps up and down and waves and pointing says “Hooray for you!” Passing by the back of the Grand Floridian Hotel I spy Mary Poppins. She’s with Bert and the Penguins. “Mary Poppins!” I shout. She looks and makes eye contact. “Mary Poppins, would you be good enough to explain all this?” (A line from the movie) She looks at me and says ‘Why, I don’t know what’s going on here!” She missed her cue. Everyone knows the correct answer is “I never explain myself!” Oh well…can’t let the little things ruin your race. Like the weather. It’s not the best weather conditions but I don’t end up “Carrying the Bear.” In fact It’s not too bad. I eat every 3 miles and drink and walk through every aid station. It must have been bad though for some. We are told at the start that 18,000 people are starting. 12,964 finish. Even if 18K sign up and you have the usual 5 to 10 percent no show…that’s over 3,000 Did Not Finish.
Off to the Animal Kingdom, over to the Hollywood Studios and the almost constant crowd support from mile 22 to the end. Into EPCOT and around the World Showcase to the finish past Space Ship Earth in 4:50.
The finishers medal for the Marathon this year is a beauty to celebrate fifteen years. The Goofy Medal for doing both is new too. Nice. Back to the Retreat and a great sandwich and coke…my baby arrives and off we go to spend a few more days in the magic.
“Uh-huh! Garsh!” January 5, 2008
Posted by anton in : Training , add a comment
One week away from the Disney races. Mary Lou will be running her second Half Marathon there and I’m in for my third Goofy Challenge.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, the G.C. is quite simple. Run the Half on Saturday. Run the full Marathon on Sunday. No problem.
It’s the other stuff that’s hard!
Getting up at 2 a.m. both days and catching the bus and the waiting around at the race venue till the 6 a.m. start. Not that bad really…and everyone else is in the same boat and it’s quite the party atmosphere so no one seems to mind.
I’m at the usual place in a race taper where I feel fat, dumb, and ugly, having cut back on the training and still eating normally. Legs feel good. Ran my last run of consequence today …a short 7 miler. The other runs this week will only be 30 minutes or so. Mary Lou admits to feeling a little of the same. This year however she has gotten through training without a knee problem and while admitting to a few butterflies, is stoked.
I am too…stoked… this will be our last Disney race and my last Goofy. Time to move on and do other things, race wise. It will be fun to be there for the 15 annual Marathon. They are promising a new style finishers medal to reflect that anniversary.
The ankle that caused so much problem last month (see the blog entry “Oh Snap. Crackle. Pop.”) is much improved. It’s not at 100% but it feels strong and it should be fine on the roads at Disney. I am a little concerned about it for trail running. I’ve noticed I’m a bit gun shy now about spraining it again and trashing my whole racing season…after Disney it’s back to the weight room and work to strengthen it. I would have liked a few more miles in my legs, and at least another long run, but had to take two weeks off after the ankle incident. Still feeling fit from having trained for the JFK 50 miler though.
A week out from the races and the weather looks like it will be a tad cooler than last years 80 degrees…but only just a tad. Sunny too, so the heat could be a problem. Go at a good clip till the sun comes up and the heat gets oppressive. Last year The medical tent was full and there were folks down everywhere the last few miles of the Marathon.
Will post a race report and pics on the return…
Hope all your workouts are going well.
If you’re not working out…start.
“It takes a lot of work.”
Posted by anton in : Training , add a commentPeople tell me all the time…”I can’t believe you’re 53! You look like you’re in your early 40’s.”
I tell them… “It takes a lot of work.”
In 2007, this is how much work it took:
Swimming: 82 kilometers ( about 50 miles)
Biking: 4,800 miles
Running: 1,480 miles
Hours: 680 (which also includes strength training and some yoga and hikes.
I’m lucky. Right now in my life I have the time and the desire.
But YOU don’t have to put in that much time to have a better you. Thirty minutes to one hour, five times a week. This stuff you hear about thirty minutes three times a week is bunk. Period. Yes, that will help you lose a little weight and will improve your heart some…but real change to your body and mind doesn’t come on that. You have to put in the work. Real work. Real sweat, heavy breathing, sore muscle work. Once a week you have to do it for more than an hour, at least, and once a week you have to have a short workout where you think you might puke. That’s it. Simple. Anyone who says different is telling you what you want to hear, not what you should hear.
Five sessions a week, including one long suffer fest, one short puke inducer and three easier workouts that are enjoyable.
Will this help you live longer? No.
You only have the moment you are in right now…no matter how fit you are.
Will this help you have a better quality of life as you get older? Yes.
Will you feel better and feel better about yourself. Yes.
You don’t have to live your life on the couch.
There is a direct connection between your weight and how much TV you watch. No amount of Wii is going to help you lose 50 pounds. That kind of TV doesn’t count either.
Change your life.
But be advised:
It takes a lot of work.
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.