We-Tri Eastside YMCA

What better way to begin a Sunday morning in December than an indoor triathlon? Four Sals members battled it out for pride and a bottle of wine. Congratulations to Loubikekiller Katz for winning the contest!

We can also now count MW as an official triathlete, as he finished his first three- sport contest.

Points were scored for the number of swim laps, bike and run miles completed. Lou, Mike and I completed 28 laps in the pool in 15 minutes (700 yards). Jan floated along to 800 yards. Lou completed 8 miles on the bike, MW 7.5 miles, Jan 7.1 miles and me, Mrslowtransitionman, 6.6 miles. That's what happens when you sit toweling off for too long in the changing room.

In the run Lou did 2.26 miles, MW 2.25 miles, Jan 1.98 miles and I did 2.29. Each event lasted 15 minutes, with transition times of 5 minutes, except for me, who took over 6 minutes after the swim. Overall Lou was 3/4 in his age group, Jan 2/11, MW 3/9 and me 4/9.

Total points were; Lou - 223.7. MW - 218, Jan 214, Me - 209.5.

Breakfast Club Philosophy?

There is a belief in some circles that this is why a certain group of people in Spencerport insist on running at 5:30am, no matter what the weather;

"They go running in the morning, before their brains figure out what they are doing."

Quote modified from original at Run The Planet.

Cell Phones

Yes, I'm an admitted cell phone hater. Maybe it's because I work in a library and am surrounded by mindless cell phone users who think their scintillating conversations are worthy of everyone else hearing them.

Well, they aren't. Take the damn phone outside the library fool. Can't there be one quiet place for people to study? Let's see, you can't use the phone in class, not allowed in the computer lab connected to the library, but you think it's okay to talk so loudly that everyone within 50 feet can hear you in the library? Idiots.

Anyhow, I'm in the Race with Grace on Thanksgiving Day. Around 3.5 miles into the race I come up on some guy talking to himself, loudly. I begin to pass him and realize, he's not talking to himself, he's on his cell phone telling someone where he is in the race. I'm not sure if the person he was talking to was also in the race. We live in a sad society if you can't be without your cell phone for 45-50 minutes while you are in a race!

I know USATF rules state this is illegal. But even if they didn't, it's just stupid and sad.

At least it was hands-free and I beat him, by minutes. Maybe he had more conversations that slowed him down?

Grunts, Groans, Wheezing

Runner's World online has an article on loud runners. Many people have posted comments on how annoying these loud runners are. A couple of people admitted they are loud runners, but the majority hate us.

Yes, us. I am a loud runner. Training partners know I'm not running hard enough if they don't hear the "bear". I don't do it on purpose and would really prefer not making any noise. It actually makes my voice and throat sore for a day or two if I really pushed the pace. It also startles some people, or makes them laugh at me, or warns competitors that I am near.

It's not asthma, been checked. Seems to be weak muscles in my larynx area that close up with repeated deep breathing. I'm a sensitive old man, give me a break, I don't breath loudly on purpose, but if that's what it takes to get the best out of me, so be it.

Keep wearing your headphones, then you won't have to hear me.

GRTC Hall of Fame

One of our own, Richard Withrow, was nominated and approved for the Greater Rochester Track Club Hall of Fame! Dick was the GRTC president during the 1980's, when club membership was at an all time high. He directed local races, served as volunteer coordinator for the Lilac 10k for many years and coached at the high school level.

Dick was (and still is) a formidable racer, especially as a masters runner in his 40's. He ran a marathon in the 2:40 range and consistently won or placed in the top 3 in his age group at every race he entered. Dick competed equally well among runners half his age for many years.

It is an honor to know him, run with him in the Spencerport area, and now, train for triathlons together.

Race With Grace 10k

When I first ran Race with Grace race I had almost a full head of hair, including a beard and mustache. Think of Forrest Gump ("Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows")running across America, but with a little bit more style to his hair. Though the only wind I blow is after a heavy meal and usually clears out a room.

I have had the honor of completing 17 of the 18 times this race has been run. My race times now are what used to be a tempo run (43:22). But, I'm still at it and managed to somehow get third in my age group out of 61 and earning some valuable RROY points. Even better was beating MW and other members of the Breakfast Club!

Mytriathlete wife was 9/43, with a 50:11 (8:05pace). LouImsofastandskinnyK set a 40 second pr, 6/45 in age group. Our daughter Amanda came up from Kissimmee, wore 7 layers of clothes to stay warm and also finished the race.

Of course the afternoon was filled with food, wine and later, a walk to make room for desserts. Yes, desserts. Why have just one?

Once a Runner

Finally completed my newly acquired copy of John L. Parker's book, "Once a Runner", available in hardcover at your local Fleet Feet store. A great novel about running, one that I will definitely keep to read again.
Here is one quote from the novel, Cassidy, the main character, is talking about his disgust for xc (or is this MW?), "over hill and dale out in the middle of nowhere. Spit freezing on your goddamn chin. Five hundred complete wild men in the mud, running up on your heels with long spikes. Oh, I love cross-country all right. I also like being flayed alive with a rusty straight razor."