Training Update & Race Radar '08

RUNNING
Long run recently up to 50mins with no knee trouble. Still no real flow to my roll, a real absence of running mojo. It will take time to get my form back near where it was 12/07. Stomach bug setback doesn't help. Anyway, running every other day. Started at 10mins six weeks ago and added a few mins each time. Slowed the progression when I reached 30mins, stayed at 30 for a few, then bumped to 35 for a few, then 40, then 45, now 50. Thinking I'll keep it here and vary 'em between 40-55mins for awhile, maybe try some 35-40min runs on back-to-back days.

The 1979 Raleigh, spruced up.

RACING
Officially pulled out of the Memorial Day weekend of triathlon madness known as the American Triple T - 4 triathlons in 3 days. The race organizers agreed I can transfer my entry to the 2009 race.

Currently entered in just one race for 2008. The Nation's Tri here in DC in Sept. 14 (Olympic distance: swim 1500meters, bike 24.8miles, run 6.2mi). Couldn't resist. Registered at the last minute just as it was filling up. Only a few years old, and the only tri in DC, it's grown to 3,500 racers. This is huge for a tri. Hay-yoooj. I can only guess how many waves of swimmers this will be broken down into for the start, maybe 40? 50? More?

Meanwhile, the priority for me is to get healthy so as to really train and enjoy the summer, and to really race in Sept. Plan to enter some small fitness-tester races for fun along the way. These races are not likely to fill, so I can do last minute entry. Everything will be short distances until September. If I'm feeling good at that point I may go longer (my preferred distance) to finish the season.

All together, currently on my 2008 race radar:

• June 29 - General Smallwood Oly distance race in Indianhead, MD. Have raced here a couple times years ago. Really like the rolling course.
• July 12 - Diamond in the Rough Oly distance race in Perryville, MD. Did this a few years ago as well. Hilly bike, flat run.
• August 16 - Cheat Mountain Challenge. Cycling only. Snowshoe, WV. 105mi and 68mi options. Mountainous terrain. This would be a decent fun training day in prep for the Sept. 27 Aqua Velo. In 2006, 93 finishers, 20 DNF for the long ride, most finished in 7-9hrs, first finisher just under 6hrs, last ~10.
• August 17 - Northeast Oly distance race - North East, MD.
• September 7 - Annapolis Oly distance race.
• September 7 - Delaware Diamondman Half Iron race (swim 1.2mi, bike 56mi, run 13.1mi). Bear, DE. Pancake flat. Raced here many times. If healthy, I'll be tempted to go for a PR here and forget about a true peak effort or AG competitive race in DC Sept. 14.
• September 21 - Savageman Half Iron distance race. Perhaps return to Deep Creek, MD seeking some vengeance for a tough day there last year.
• September 27 - ChesapeakeMan Aqua Velo. An interesting option here, the Ironman without the run - swim 2.4mi, (super flat) bike 112mi. Would be a great opportunity to get a taste of the Ironman experience, get a notion of swimming and biking for 8hrs and contemplating a run of 26.2 after.
• October 12 - Brierman Half Iron race, Boonsboro, MD. Race day driveable.
• October 12 - American Zofingen long distance duathlon, New Paltz, NY (5mi trail run, very hilly 84mi road bike, 15mi trail run). Maybe this will be the year to cross AmZof off the life to do list.

Pedal and Pull, no Stride.

Took the plunge (yah) on aqua running, gave it a go Fri. Tough to keep my cadence anywhere near 90. May give it a go again, see if I can figure out the art. I'm not changing my stripes yet, still a "runner."

Mario

Felt really good, really normal, so was cocky when heading out for a run attempt Sat.
No luck (cue sound of air leaking out of balloon). Right knee there again after 10-15mins and progressing toward bad as ever, well, bad as Jan. 6 when it threw the monumental you're-gonna-gimpwalk-3 miles-home tantrum.

Feeling benefits of the deep muscle therapy, just not in the knee. Yet. I hope. Scheduled to get a gait analysis in conjunction with my next therapy/chiro appointment.

Managing to thrash myself nicely on the bike and in the water. Rode the trainer last Wed., Fri., Sat. and finished outdoors Sun. with a nice 3hr hilly ride in crisp sunny 40F weather Sun.

Tue./Thur. 6-7a swim sessions are getting tougher. Gotta push the envelope. I go harder and faster in these sessions than solo. Nice thing about swimming is you can feel absolutely shattered at the end of a workout but recover much faster than with a similar run, with biking being in the middle ground there recoverywise.

American Levi Leipheimer (5'7", 140, age 34) won the recent Tour of California, the biggest pro cycling race in the U.S. He finished 3rd in the 2007 Tour de France, 31 secs behind the TdF winner and fellow Discovery Channel team rider Alberto Contador (5'9", 140, age 25). Discovery thereafter got out of the cycling sponsor biz.

Making like Dan Snyder, team Astana, (sponsored by the Astana group, a coalition of state-owned companies from Kazakhstan and named after its capital) signed little Levi and Alberto, and a slew of other top pros. Astana looks to be the strongest team on the circuit, at least on paper. But... earlier this month Tour dF organizers recently announced they are banning Astana, apparently deeming their complete change in team makeup and management insufficient corrective action after recent doping issues with prior team riders.

Levi fans have initiated a petition to the Amaury Sport Organization under the name Let Levi Ride, requesting Levi be allowed to race due to his distance from the cited doping incidents. Perhaps Levi's win in Cali will add some oomph.

(Daily Peloton)

At nearly 41, Mario Cipollini has returned to the pro tour. The Italian fashion horse and long time sprint champ was signed to the American owned Rock Racing team and rode in the Tour of California last week.

Shout out to Wayne in Fla.
Ever notice how some of the best people sometimes get hammered with bad breaks? Well, if the Karma Police are out there, listen up, you've got a rogue element attempting to administer some very misguided punishment. Hang in there W! They'll come around and you'll be back in action soon.