"No Mike, we are only in Holley, there are still 30 miles to bike". "Why are we going into the wind, I thought you said it would be at our backs?" "I don't want to see the lake, Eileen". "What day is it?"
This is some of the conversation you can expect on a bike ride with Mike W. On a beautiful Monday morning four of us rode from Spencerport through Brockport, Holley, Kendall, Hamlin Beach State Park, Hamlin, before returning home. It turns out I was a little off in my mileage estimate of 44, as we completed over 53 miles.
The ride turned out great and was the farthest Mike has ridden by more than 20 miles. Despite some whining he did great.
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Recent Sals Results
Mike and Eileen scored big Rochester Runner of the Year points in the Lilac 10k. This is a tough race to score any points in due to the large number of fast racers who always turn out.
Dick W. finished first in his age group at the Rochester Spring Classic Duathlon held at Mendon Ponds park.
Congratulations to Jennifer K. for completing the Buffalo Marathon (her first) in a time of 3:48. Jen was 6th in her age group - top 20%. Rumor has it Lou, her father, will let Jen sleep inside the house again. Lou reportedly said, "run a sub-4 hour marathon, or continue sleeping on the deck". He's tough.
Dick W. finished first in his age group at the Rochester Spring Classic Duathlon held at Mendon Ponds park.
Congratulations to Jennifer K. for completing the Buffalo Marathon (her first) in a time of 3:48. Jen was 6th in her age group - top 20%. Rumor has it Lou, her father, will let Jen sleep inside the house again. Lou reportedly said, "run a sub-4 hour marathon, or continue sleeping on the deck". He's tough.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
WDW 1/2 Report
Congratulations to first time 1/2 IM finisher Amanda and 3x finisher Jan at the Florida/Disney World race! A seemingly long swim, followed by 56 miles of flat to rolling hills(12 miles) to flat (into wind)bike course ended with three loops on a suffocating course that blocked any breeze as the temperature rose to the mid-80's.
On my second loop of the run course I caught up with Amanda, who was in the third mile of her first loop. We walked for about 1/2 mile, when I made the ridiculous decision to try and run again. Within 30 feet my left calf cramped worse than ever in my long life. When I sat on the ground the front of the same leg and my foot also began severe cramping. By some miracle we had stopped about 50 yards from a medical area. Two medics came over with ice packs and one began massaging my left leg. Then my right hamstring siezed up. I was screaming in pain. It wasn't pretty. Long story short, my race was done as I was carted off to the main medical area at transition and received 2 bags of fluids through IV.
A big thank you to Amanda, who stayed with me until the cart took me away, then was still able to finish the course. I am so proud of her. It was also fortunate that Andrea was there and made sure I was cared for in the medical tent. I couldn't imagine going through that without her. Thank you for putting up with this old man in a traumatic time.
Top Ten Memories of Florida WDW 1/2 Ironman, in no particular order:
10. Not getting chewed on by gators (but I swear I heard animal noises while I was in that lake)
9. Staying in a Fort Wilderness cabin, so convenient.
8. Screaming like a baby on the race course and medical tent. A life lowpoint.
7. The first 20 miles on the bike, so flat, so fast, so easy.
6. Not reading any newspapers, email, or national news, and yet the world still went on.
5. Having fun at Epcot, even after 6 trips finding things we had never done before.
4. Watching the new Star Trek movie on a rainy Florida day.
3. Taking photos of Flat Stanley and Bethanie on a stick.
2. Hearing that Jan completed the course and being able to watch Amanda finish.
1. Spending the weekend with family, being cheered on by people who stood out in the sun for hours waiting for the three of us. I think it's harder sometimes to be the loving supporter than the participant.
On my second loop of the run course I caught up with Amanda, who was in the third mile of her first loop. We walked for about 1/2 mile, when I made the ridiculous decision to try and run again. Within 30 feet my left calf cramped worse than ever in my long life. When I sat on the ground the front of the same leg and my foot also began severe cramping. By some miracle we had stopped about 50 yards from a medical area. Two medics came over with ice packs and one began massaging my left leg. Then my right hamstring siezed up. I was screaming in pain. It wasn't pretty. Long story short, my race was done as I was carted off to the main medical area at transition and received 2 bags of fluids through IV.
A big thank you to Amanda, who stayed with me until the cart took me away, then was still able to finish the course. I am so proud of her. It was also fortunate that Andrea was there and made sure I was cared for in the medical tent. I couldn't imagine going through that without her. Thank you for putting up with this old man in a traumatic time.
Top Ten Memories of Florida WDW 1/2 Ironman, in no particular order:
10. Not getting chewed on by gators (but I swear I heard animal noises while I was in that lake)
9. Staying in a Fort Wilderness cabin, so convenient.
8. Screaming like a baby on the race course and medical tent. A life lowpoint.
7. The first 20 miles on the bike, so flat, so fast, so easy.
6. Not reading any newspapers, email, or national news, and yet the world still went on.
5. Having fun at Epcot, even after 6 trips finding things we had never done before.
4. Watching the new Star Trek movie on a rainy Florida day.
3. Taking photos of Flat Stanley and Bethanie on a stick.
2. Hearing that Jan completed the course and being able to watch Amanda finish.
1. Spending the weekend with family, being cheered on by people who stood out in the sun for hours waiting for the three of us. I think it's harder sometimes to be the loving supporter than the participant.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Apologies to Jimmy Buffett
Disney World ½ Ironman (Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett)
Swimmin' in Bay lake
Watchin' the sun bake
All of those athletes covered in oil
Paddlin' my hands
as quick as I can
Hoping the gators think I’m spoiled
Sweating away again in Disney World
Searchin' for my last bottle of Heed
Some people claim that I look ready to hurl
But I know there’s really no need
Don't know the reason
Came down here this season
Amanda agreed, she’s insane
And we both feel the drain on our brains
Sweating away again in Disney World
Searchin' for my last bottle of Heed
Some people claim that I look ready to hurl
Now I think --- hell, I agree
I blew out my second tube
Stopped at another port-a-john
Blisters on my feet, had to walk on back home
But there's booze in the trailer
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me forget.
Sweating away again in Disney World
Searchin' for my last bottle of Heed
Andrea claims I can catch Janine
but I’m ready to hurl
Andrea claims that
I can catch Janine
But I know it’s only a dream.
Swimmin' in Bay lake
Watchin' the sun bake
All of those athletes covered in oil
Paddlin' my hands
as quick as I can
Hoping the gators think I’m spoiled
Sweating away again in Disney World
Searchin' for my last bottle of Heed
Some people claim that I look ready to hurl
But I know there’s really no need
Don't know the reason
Came down here this season
Amanda agreed, she’s insane
And we both feel the drain on our brains
Sweating away again in Disney World
Searchin' for my last bottle of Heed
Some people claim that I look ready to hurl
Now I think --- hell, I agree
I blew out my second tube
Stopped at another port-a-john
Blisters on my feet, had to walk on back home
But there's booze in the trailer
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me forget.
Sweating away again in Disney World
Searchin' for my last bottle of Heed
Andrea claims I can catch Janine
but I’m ready to hurl
Andrea claims that
I can catch Janine
But I know it’s only a dream.
Monday, May 11, 2009
WDW 1/2 Ironman
It's here at last! Sunday, May 17, at sunrise, three McCulloughs will attempt to complete the Florida 70.3 mile event. For Amanda and I, this race is the culmination of months of training and worrying about being able to complete the 1.2 mile swim. Jan is using the race as preparation for her Lake Placid IM in late July and to kick our butts.
Ironman.com is supposed to have updates during the race. Remember that the three of us will probably be starting in separate waves, possibly many minutes apart. I hope to pass Amanda on the bike and Jan on the run.
For big events like this, I've always felt it's important to have three goals.
1. To live. I count the day as successful if I survive the swim with 2,000 people beating on me, gators circling below looking for food and come out of the water before the time cutoff. No wetsuits allowed in the "Tea colored water" (Ironman description of lake). Who picked this damn race!
2. No flats on the bike leg. That simple. If I get a flat I'm going to the side of the road, throwing my helmet, and mangling my bike into a mesh of metal that will fit neatly into a Wegman's canvas bag.
3. Finish the three legs of the race. I don't care how long, who beats me, if the sun is setting. I really do want to finish.
The weather, big surprise, may be a factor. Who knew it would be hot (90+) and humid for race day? I never expected such weather in May (not kidding). So, my only choice is to go all out on the bike and run and finish in under 5 hours. Hah. More likely EMT's will find a rusted bike at mile 39, a blue helmet, black bike shoes, red shirt and black tri-shorts covering a 2 inch deep puddle on the pavement. Sweat-boy meets his end.
Really the week will be a great vacation, seeing two daughters and other relatives, maybe a friend or two. I will try to savor every second of the race. Really. I mean it.
Ironman.com is supposed to have updates during the race. Remember that the three of us will probably be starting in separate waves, possibly many minutes apart. I hope to pass Amanda on the bike and Jan on the run.
For big events like this, I've always felt it's important to have three goals.
1. To live. I count the day as successful if I survive the swim with 2,000 people beating on me, gators circling below looking for food and come out of the water before the time cutoff. No wetsuits allowed in the "Tea colored water" (Ironman description of lake). Who picked this damn race!
2. No flats on the bike leg. That simple. If I get a flat I'm going to the side of the road, throwing my helmet, and mangling my bike into a mesh of metal that will fit neatly into a Wegman's canvas bag.
3. Finish the three legs of the race. I don't care how long, who beats me, if the sun is setting. I really do want to finish.
The weather, big surprise, may be a factor. Who knew it would be hot (90+) and humid for race day? I never expected such weather in May (not kidding). So, my only choice is to go all out on the bike and run and finish in under 5 hours. Hah. More likely EMT's will find a rusted bike at mile 39, a blue helmet, black bike shoes, red shirt and black tri-shorts covering a 2 inch deep puddle on the pavement. Sweat-boy meets his end.
Really the week will be a great vacation, seeing two daughters and other relatives, maybe a friend or two. I will try to savor every second of the race. Really. I mean it.
Race Updates
A busy week of racing between May 10-17 for Sal's runners and triathletes. I have been unable to locate complete results, but heard that Joanne (training for her MCM 10k in October) completed the race and Eileen W and Jennifer K finished 3rd in their age groups! Almost 1,000 women completed the race.
Special thanks should go to Mike W, Lou K and Dick W, who volunteered at the race.
Saturday, May 16th, is the Rochester Spring Classic Duathlon at Mendon Ponds Park. Dick W. will be racing along with ?
Sunday is the annual Lilac 10k at Highland Park. Mike and Eileen will be adding to their Rochester Runner of the Year points (we hope). Lou, fighting one old age injury after another, may run the 5k, or the 10k, or may be sitting in a tub of ice watching the race.
In two weeks Jennifer K. will be attempting her first marathon, at Buffalo. Lou registered for the race, but when they didn't send him a practice shirt decided not to run. Lou plans to bike along the course grabbing all the water bottles, gels and gatorade that he can, in order to get a good return on his money. He will also be the first person at the post-race party, stuffing his pockets with bagels and filling his water bottles with free beer.
Special thanks should go to Mike W, Lou K and Dick W, who volunteered at the race.
Saturday, May 16th, is the Rochester Spring Classic Duathlon at Mendon Ponds Park. Dick W. will be racing along with ?
Sunday is the annual Lilac 10k at Highland Park. Mike and Eileen will be adding to their Rochester Runner of the Year points (we hope). Lou, fighting one old age injury after another, may run the 5k, or the 10k, or may be sitting in a tub of ice watching the race.
In two weeks Jennifer K. will be attempting her first marathon, at Buffalo. Lou registered for the race, but when they didn't send him a practice shirt decided not to run. Lou plans to bike along the course grabbing all the water bottles, gels and gatorade that he can, in order to get a good return on his money. He will also be the first person at the post-race party, stuffing his pockets with bagels and filling his water bottles with free beer.
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