If only I had my video camera. While working at the Pittsford Triathlon Sunday I had the honor of seeing events I had never before witnessed.
1. This triathlon is a 300 yard pool swim. Competitors start every 15 seconds and swim in lanes, going under the lane markers to continue. It is a short distance in a safe environment, perfect for newbies and those uncomfortable with the water. It's also nice for more experienced triathletes who prefer a sprint triathlon.
I was assigned to sit there and make sure everything went smoothly with the volunteers and swimmers. An easy assignment as the lifeguards in charge had been doing this for years. Around 250 swimmers began the race. One man, in his twenties, obviously was new to the idea of swimming and did the doggy paddle and water bobbed in the shallow sections, taking about 14 minutes to finish. It was exhausting just watching him.
After more than an hour the last competitors lined up. A gentleman, probably 60 or so, had on his wire rimmed glasses, no swim cap, no goggles. He began swimming with the elementary backstroke...slowly. He swam into the pool wall. Later, much later, he switched to the sidestroke...slowly. It took him 22 minutes to complete the swim. That is almost 4 minutes per 50 yards. The average finish time was 6-8 minutes.
These two swimmers were not my favorites of the day. That honor goes to another 60+ year old man whose excited wife took photos of him in the warmup area. Okay, fine, lots of people did that. Then she kissed him right before his start like she wasn't going to see him again (it's a pool, you can watch the entire time!). At the end of every 50 yards she took his photo again as he stopped and rested. Twice she kissed him at the end of the 50 (I'm not making this up). He finished in 18+ minutes. That's a long time to be in the pool for 300 yards. Maybe if his wife hadn't got him so excited with the kisses he would have finished sooner?
Oh- I followed the last swimmer out of the pool so the timing and race crews would know who to look for on the bike. Unfortunately the woman I followed turned out not to be the last person. The 22 minute man went to the locker room and completely changed before heading out for the bike. He wasn't any better on the bike or run either. Slow swim, 8mph on the bike, 14+ minute miles "running". wow.
2. The crew is watching transition, anxiously looking for the last bikers to arrive. Mister lovey-dovey man comes in on his commuter bike with the rack still on. His wife runs after him, ignoring the rule about competitors only in transition. Ignoring the race announcer stating, "racers only in transition". She helps him park his bike, takes his race number off the back of his shirt. He changes his shirt, she pins it on the front. Then he takes off his shorts, standing there in his jockeys, in the middle of transition. He puts on dry shorts. Not running shorts, just regular shorts. His wife takes a few photos, helps him with his running shoes and...kisses him. He's off! The wrong way. He can't find his way out of transition and runs to the wrong side.
Here are some triathlon race tips:
A. When you are getting ready to race a triathlon, look around the transition, start and finish areas. Try to figure out the logistics. When you see a giant inflatable arch that says "Bike Exit" and another one that says "Run Exit", realize that this is where you exit on your bike and the other one is to exit towards the run. Duh.
B. Take the commuter rack off your bike. Take all the extra weight off you can, why carry this stuff around during a race and make the event even harder?
C. This will be controversial in today's world of "just do it". Frickin' train for the event!! Learn to swim, at least a bit. I can handle the doggy paddle guy, just feel bad for all the energy he used and the people he bogged up in the pool. Same with elementary backstroke man, you are not the only person in the lane. I pray these people don't get into an open water event. Practice on the bike. I'm sorry, 8 mph is really slow. Really. It was a decent day, practice first.
D. Don't stand in transition in your underwear, unless you are a young, hot woman or man. No one wants to see that.
D. Racers only in transition. I'm pitifully slow in transition, but Jan has yet to help me change. Maybe that's why I have such troubles?
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Monday, June 6, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Race Results
Recent results for Sal's runners and family affiliated with us:
Lilac 10k (warm, humid day)
Jan, Joanne and Lou came across the line together in 1:03:44. Amanda finished in 1:12:17.
Sahlen's Saranac 5k at the soccer stadium on Saturday, May 30. Jan won her age group in 26:33, an 8:34 pace. This was about a minute faster than expected and a nice step to her comeback. MM - dnf/bad hamstring - but had two free beers so the night wasn't a total loss.
Buffalo 1/2 marathon (very hot and humid)
Jennifer 1:46:07, 8:07 pace, 12/250 in age group! 54/1777 overall female! very nice.
Lou 1:57:48, 393/1214 males, 18/80 age group. If he only had two healthy legs think what he could do?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Lance - Guilty or Innocent?
How many people in the U.S. have such name recognition that you can just call them by their first name and most will have heard of him/her?
This investigation into whether Lance Armstrong used EPO and other performance enhancing drugs during his pro bike career bothers me. He is retired. What good does it do to drag this all up? What real proof can be found? He passed every drug test throughout his career, whether it was 100x or 500x he was tested, it doesn't matter. If Lance and his trainers knew how to beat the system, as some people attest, then why didn't they share that knowledge with other cyclists on his team (like Tyler Hamilton and Floyd Landis)? It used to be the French seemed totally against Lance. Now it's the U.S. leading the witch hunt.
George Hincapie, Lance's teammate for more than a dozen years, has never tested positive either. Is George also guilty? Shouldn't the Feds be going after George? Did Hincapie take PED's during his 18 year pro career? According to the experts he must have, right, or else how could he have been at such a high level for so long? In fact he still rides with the best in the world.
Supposedly "everyone" was doing it (taking PED's). I'm not sure I believe that. Yes, drug usage is high in cycling, similar to baseball, football, tennis, wrestling and probably many other sports that don't bother to test. We know that if nothing else, there are PED's you can take that will help you recover faster, thus allowing for more times you can exercise at a high intensity. This is a huge advantage in any sport. But, since several baseball players, such as Manny Ramirez, are known drug users, does that mean all of them are? Is Jeter? Must be, right? How could he possibly be playing at such a high level for so long without PED's?
People say Lance must have taken PED's, he couldn't possibly have won without them against such a high quality of competition, especially since we have tests results that prove they were taking drugs. The Tour, though, isn't just about one rider. You do not win those types of races without a team. You have to build an entire organization dedicated to training and race strategy. Every detail has to be looked after. The Tour de France is not always the same course. Armstrong would train over and over again during preview rides of the course so he knew when to attack. His team worked towards nothing but getting Lance to be the victor. He peaked for the Tour de France, not every rider or every team did this. Lance trained through other races, sometimes performing well, other times not. His focus was France.
People and teams that win over and over again have systems built up that help them succeed. On a very modest level, the Byron-Bergen girls track teams were like this. Once they won one Section V championship, the coaches figured out how to maintain this level of success. Recruiting, training properly, peaking at the right time, staying healthy, same coaches, parent support, school administration support in addition to the talent of the girls, all played a role in winning the title 6 out of 7 years, with the non-winning year a second place by 2 points. Armstrong and his team leaders figured this all out, albeit on a significantly higher level of athleticism. But the basics are still the same.
Truth be told, I don't want Lance to be guilty of taking PED's. I don't want to be disappointed again. I can still watch repeats of some of his stage victories in the Tour and be impressed. I really don't want that to change and it will take more than known users such as Hamilton and Landis coming out and accusing Lance to convince me that he did it.
I want a hero.
This investigation into whether Lance Armstrong used EPO and other performance enhancing drugs during his pro bike career bothers me. He is retired. What good does it do to drag this all up? What real proof can be found? He passed every drug test throughout his career, whether it was 100x or 500x he was tested, it doesn't matter. If Lance and his trainers knew how to beat the system, as some people attest, then why didn't they share that knowledge with other cyclists on his team (like Tyler Hamilton and Floyd Landis)? It used to be the French seemed totally against Lance. Now it's the U.S. leading the witch hunt.
George Hincapie, Lance's teammate for more than a dozen years, has never tested positive either. Is George also guilty? Shouldn't the Feds be going after George? Did Hincapie take PED's during his 18 year pro career? According to the experts he must have, right, or else how could he have been at such a high level for so long? In fact he still rides with the best in the world.
Supposedly "everyone" was doing it (taking PED's). I'm not sure I believe that. Yes, drug usage is high in cycling, similar to baseball, football, tennis, wrestling and probably many other sports that don't bother to test. We know that if nothing else, there are PED's you can take that will help you recover faster, thus allowing for more times you can exercise at a high intensity. This is a huge advantage in any sport. But, since several baseball players, such as Manny Ramirez, are known drug users, does that mean all of them are? Is Jeter? Must be, right? How could he possibly be playing at such a high level for so long without PED's?
People say Lance must have taken PED's, he couldn't possibly have won without them against such a high quality of competition, especially since we have tests results that prove they were taking drugs. The Tour, though, isn't just about one rider. You do not win those types of races without a team. You have to build an entire organization dedicated to training and race strategy. Every detail has to be looked after. The Tour de France is not always the same course. Armstrong would train over and over again during preview rides of the course so he knew when to attack. His team worked towards nothing but getting Lance to be the victor. He peaked for the Tour de France, not every rider or every team did this. Lance trained through other races, sometimes performing well, other times not. His focus was France.
People and teams that win over and over again have systems built up that help them succeed. On a very modest level, the Byron-Bergen girls track teams were like this. Once they won one Section V championship, the coaches figured out how to maintain this level of success. Recruiting, training properly, peaking at the right time, staying healthy, same coaches, parent support, school administration support in addition to the talent of the girls, all played a role in winning the title 6 out of 7 years, with the non-winning year a second place by 2 points. Armstrong and his team leaders figured this all out, albeit on a significantly higher level of athleticism. But the basics are still the same.
Truth be told, I don't want Lance to be guilty of taking PED's. I don't want to be disappointed again. I can still watch repeats of some of his stage victories in the Tour and be impressed. I really don't want that to change and it will take more than known users such as Hamilton and Landis coming out and accusing Lance to convince me that he did it.
I want a hero.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Problem with Triathlons
I swam at MCC during lunch today, unfortunately this is the last week of lap swimming here. I used a buoy and averaged about 1 minute faster per 300 yards. Typical for me and similar to wearing a wetsuit in a race.
No music at the pool, so my mind was wandering and this is what I came up with;
In biking you can get a lightweight bike, spend $2000 on wheels, aero bars, etc, still be legal, and cream people of similar ability riding lesser bikes. Swimming many times you can wear a wetsuit and be legal, save energy and float easier, move faster with less effort.
But when running all you can wear are lightweight racers, maybe save a few seconds, otherwise…no aids. This is why running is the purer sport. It’s not up to my wallet to make me faster. Train hard, consistently, don’t get hurt and you might get faster.
Biking and swimming, open my wallet, spend money, instant speed.
This doesn't mean I am against triathlons. My long range plans may include a 2012 attempt at completing a half-ironman again. I would like to make the finish line once. It does mean I have little chance of truly being competitive in my age group though, with guys spending $5000 plus on their bikes versus my $900. Really, what other sport gives you this option? Golf I guess?
No music at the pool, so my mind was wandering and this is what I came up with;
In biking you can get a lightweight bike, spend $2000 on wheels, aero bars, etc, still be legal, and cream people of similar ability riding lesser bikes. Swimming many times you can wear a wetsuit and be legal, save energy and float easier, move faster with less effort.
But when running all you can wear are lightweight racers, maybe save a few seconds, otherwise…no aids. This is why running is the purer sport. It’s not up to my wallet to make me faster. Train hard, consistently, don’t get hurt and you might get faster.
Biking and swimming, open my wallet, spend money, instant speed.
This doesn't mean I am against triathlons. My long range plans may include a 2012 attempt at completing a half-ironman again. I would like to make the finish line once. It does mean I have little chance of truly being competitive in my age group though, with guys spending $5000 plus on their bikes versus my $900. Really, what other sport gives you this option? Golf I guess?
Lake Placid 13.1m Race
Time is winding down to the Sal's running group adventure of traveling to Lake Placid NY and racing the Lake Placid Half-Marathon. Race day is June 12, only 25 days away, time for about eighteen days of training and seven days of trying to peak for the race.
Here is a link to the elevation chart from MapMyRun.com. The elevation changes may look dramatic on this chart. But from the start to 10k the course is mainly down, with just a few minor upgrades. There is a slight elevation change, 16', from 6.2-6.8m, before leveling out and slight down again until mile 8. For the next mile the course "climbs" 17' until 9.1 miles and actually dropping 20' till 10.1 miles. At this point we climb almost 100' until reaching 11.9 miles. Racers get a break until 12.8 miles, when the last hard climb takes us back to the track and finish line.
Summary
10k 1,671'
6.8m 1,687 +16
8m 1,670 -17
9.1m 1,687 +17
10.1m 1,668 -19
11.9m 1,763 +95
12.8m 1,757 -6
13m 1,787 +30
In other words, the biggest climbs occur in the last three miles, but there should be a few spots where you can recover after the uphills. Once you make it to 10, you know you can finish, it's just a case of how fast! Yes, the last hill up McLenathan Ave will look like a monster, but you are so close to the finish if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, no problem!
These changes compare to the Spencerport 10k kick course. From Lyell Road to the top of Bernabi Hill is about 70' of elevation gain. Except at Lake Placid we will be making this type of climb after running 12.7 miles.
I hope it's a good weather day. Cool (below 60), low dew point, slight breeze, that's all I ask for.
Here is a link to the elevation chart from MapMyRun.com. The elevation changes may look dramatic on this chart. But from the start to 10k the course is mainly down, with just a few minor upgrades. There is a slight elevation change, 16', from 6.2-6.8m, before leveling out and slight down again until mile 8. For the next mile the course "climbs" 17' until 9.1 miles and actually dropping 20' till 10.1 miles. At this point we climb almost 100' until reaching 11.9 miles. Racers get a break until 12.8 miles, when the last hard climb takes us back to the track and finish line.
Summary
10k 1,671'
6.8m 1,687 +16
8m 1,670 -17
9.1m 1,687 +17
10.1m 1,668 -19
11.9m 1,763 +95
12.8m 1,757 -6
13m 1,787 +30
In other words, the biggest climbs occur in the last three miles, but there should be a few spots where you can recover after the uphills. Once you make it to 10, you know you can finish, it's just a case of how fast! Yes, the last hill up McLenathan Ave will look like a monster, but you are so close to the finish if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, no problem!
These changes compare to the Spencerport 10k kick course. From Lyell Road to the top of Bernabi Hill is about 70' of elevation gain. Except at Lake Placid we will be making this type of climb after running 12.7 miles.
I hope it's a good weather day. Cool (below 60), low dew point, slight breeze, that's all I ask for.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Act Naturally
In the 1960's Country and Western singer Buck Owens had a hit song called "Act Naturally"
They're goin' put me in the movies
They're goin' make a big star out of me
and all I have to do is act naturally.
My first day of riding my bike home from work this year and I was flagged down while riding on the canal path by WOKR-TV news reporter Angela Hong and a cameraman. My chance at stardom and I was going to grab it! I removed my bike helmet, fixed my hair and took off the sunglasses so I would look "marvelous". Do you look at the camera or the woman with the microphone? I wasn't sure. Angela was more attractive so I looked at her. Angela made me say my name, spell my name and they still got it wrong on the broadcast. McCullough, NOT McCollough. Strike one.
A few days before a man riding his bike to work was robbed at gunpoint. Ms. Hong talked to me for a few minutes regarding how safe I felt using the canal path. The cameraman and Angela asked quite a few questions about why I carried pepper spray.
Out of a 3-4 minute interview 17 seconds was shown on the news two days later. Strike two. This included me attempting to ride my bike past the cameraman, up a slight incline. Though the video makes it appear I rode first, then was asked questions, it was actually opposite. I couldn't get my left foot clipped in and wobbled a bit as I pedaled up towards them really using just one leg.
I was happy I didn't fall over!
So that's it. My television career on the cutting room floor. Strike three and I'm out, still just a librarian.
They're goin' put me in the movies
They're goin' make a big star out of me
and all I have to do is act naturally.
My first day of riding my bike home from work this year and I was flagged down while riding on the canal path by WOKR-TV news reporter Angela Hong and a cameraman. My chance at stardom and I was going to grab it! I removed my bike helmet, fixed my hair and took off the sunglasses so I would look "marvelous". Do you look at the camera or the woman with the microphone? I wasn't sure. Angela was more attractive so I looked at her. Angela made me say my name, spell my name and they still got it wrong on the broadcast. McCullough, NOT McCollough. Strike one.
A few days before a man riding his bike to work was robbed at gunpoint. Ms. Hong talked to me for a few minutes regarding how safe I felt using the canal path. The cameraman and Angela asked quite a few questions about why I carried pepper spray.
Out of a 3-4 minute interview 17 seconds was shown on the news two days later. Strike two. This included me attempting to ride my bike past the cameraman, up a slight incline. Though the video makes it appear I rode first, then was asked questions, it was actually opposite. I couldn't get my left foot clipped in and wobbled a bit as I pedaled up towards them really using just one leg.
I was happy I didn't fall over!
So that's it. My television career on the cutting room floor. Strike three and I'm out, still just a librarian.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Gaza Strip Marathon
This is one marathon I will never run. Hot, desert conditions in a war zone area? No thank you. Nine people finished the entire distance, others did a few hundred yards to several miles. They raised $1 million from donors across the globe to be used for summer camps for children.
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