Triathlon is unique because it requires skill and mental toughness in multiple disciplines, along with money, gear, and time. One of my proudest moments in sports was emerging from Lake Coeur d’Alene in my first Ironman, having successfully swam 2.4 miles for the first time in my life. Never mind there were still 112 miles to bike and 26.2 miles to run — sometimes the greatest thrills are from conquering weaknesses.
I was shoulders deep in puke-green muddy waters when a body floated on by, belly-up. Another group of intrepid souls outfitted like Navy SEALs in dark wetsuits clung to the side of a lifeboat nearby. Bodies were everywhere — in the water, out of the water, on the docks, and on a bridge overhead — and the air was filled with primordial screams, raucous cheer, and lots of adrenaline. The stars and stripes flapped above in a steady-but-violent breeze, and with each pass of the wind over the hairs of your skin, you could feel the tension hanging in the air. Continue reading »
For Ironman Arizona, I will be following a different nutrition strategy than in either the 2003 Ironman Coeur d’Alene or 2004 Vineman Triathlon. Namely, I will be relying entirely on liquid nutrition during the race instead of solid food.
The reasons for this include: 1) when racing, it was difficult to rip open food wrappers and then chew, 2) in theory, a lot of the body’s energy is diverted to digest this food, and 3) one is more prone to stomach problems when racing hard. Continue reading »
As I get ready to leave for Ironman Arizona (which is on Sunday), I’ve prepared a checklist of stuff to bring for an Ironman triathlon. I figure I especially need this considering how I forgot my wetsuit on the drive to Ironman Coeur d’Alene from California a few years ago and had to turn around at the Oregon border (already 375 miles into the trip) to go fetch it. Continue reading »
These are the most challenging events I’ve ever done, listed in order of difficulty. The difficulty is completely subjective, but it gives you an idea of what I think are harder: e.g., double centuries vs. marathons! Continue reading »
Watching Lisa and Sharon race in the annual Santa Cruz Sentinel olympic-distance triathlon. The weather was great; the water just a bit cold. I think this was Sharon’s 3rd time doing the race. They both did great!
2004 was supposed to be an “off” year for me training-wise, and my goals for this race were modest: (1) To better my 2003 Ironman Coeur d’Alene time and (2) to actually run the entire marathon leg instead of walk, limp, or hobble! Continue reading »
