Cat B SS Men - 3:00PM
Lap1: 5:57
Lap2: 8:47
Lap3: 8:53
Lap4: 8:49
Lap5: 8:58
Lap6: 9:02
Lap7: 9:05
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2013 "Stafford Lake Wildcat" CX
Cat B SS Men - 3:00PM
Lap1: 8:09
Lap2: 8:47
Lap3: 8:41
Lap4: 8:51
Lap5: 8:52
Lap6: 8:41
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2013 "Lion of Fairfax of Los Altos" CX
Great Venue. Horrible race on my part. I do feel comfortable blaming it on the gearing though.
Click to see in Strava
Click to see in Strava
2013 McLaren Short Track Challenge
2013 McLaren Short Track Challenge - September 7th 2013
San Francisco, CA
A little back story to how I entered this race. I haven't mountain biked in at least 20 years, but after watching the recap of Aaron Johnson's epic race across Colorado last month it definitely piqued my interest again.
After mentioning the idea to my parents, it just so happened that one of my friends dad's was trying to get rid of his 1996 Trek 9700 SHX. After doing a little research online I found out that this was one of the first full carbon fiber mountain bikes ever made, and with some TLC and a bit of money, it could be built up into a unique and surprisingly capable lightweight 26er.
I spent about 3 weeks building it up, and it came out perfect.
After mentioning the idea to my parents, it just so happened that one of my friends dad's was trying to get rid of his 1996 Trek 9700 SHX. After doing a little research online I found out that this was one of the first full carbon fiber mountain bikes ever made, and with some TLC and a bit of money, it could be built up into a unique and surprisingly capable lightweight 26er.
I spent about 3 weeks building it up, and it came out perfect.
After about 5 rides, Nate somehow convinced me I should race McLaren Short Track Challenge. Whats the worst that could happen right?
This was definitely the most un-prepared I have ever felt for a race. After doing the warm up lap I almost thought about bailing. Most of the course was alright, but once we got to the "advanced" part of the course I almost shit my pants. I was not expecting stairs, 10+% grade switchbacks w/ sharp 180 degree turns, or little bridges that were so narrow you would scrape your handlbebars going through them. Props to Nate & Ryan that claimed this was all "easy" and that I should calm down.
Once the race started things did get a bit easier though. I played follow the leader and stole other peoples lines through the technical stuff, and used my fitness to pass people on the non-technical parts. I was gassed after two laps, but ended up finishing 15th out of 60, which was WAY better than I thought I was going to do. To be honest at the end I just felt lucky I didn't kill myself on the stairs, and it was a bit of a wakeup call that I need to get in better shape for cylcocross season. I better stop skipping those Wednesday lunchtime rides @ Arastradero.
Congrats to Nate and Ryan for kicking ass, and to Alicia who got a podium finish in the women's beginner category.
Mens Sport 19-35
Lap1: 14:16
Lap2: 13:41
Lap3: 14:36
Lap4: 14:19
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Total: 56:54 (15/60)
2013 Vineman 70.3
Vineman 70.3 – July 14th 2013
Sonoma, CA
Swim: 33:54 ( 1:46 )
Bike: 2:29:22 ( 22.5 mph )
Run: 1:33:07 ( 7:07 per mile avg)
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Total: 4:41:13 ( 22nd AG / 110th OA )
Pre-Race:
A little info about myself: I’m 32 years old, weigh 155 lbs, my FTPw is 260watts, and my VO2max is 69.2. The past two years I have finished vineman 70.3 in 4 hours and 41 minutes. For 2013 my goals were a 30 min swim, a 2:30 bike, and a 1:30 run. Throw in ~ 5 minutes in transition and I was aiming for a 4:35 finish time.
5:30AM 3 Eggs, 3 pieces of bacon, toast and coffee. ( 600 cal )
5:30AM 3 Eggs, 3 pieces of bacon, toast and coffee. ( 600 cal )
7:30AM Bannana + water
8:30AM Race Start
Swim (1.2mi):
I’m not a strong swimmer so usually I just try and survive the swim and try not to fall too far behind. This time was a little slower than usual but I managed to finish top 25% of my age-group.
Swim Total: 33:54
T1: 2:33
Bike (56mi):
I have been biking A LOT since this time last year. One because its fun, and two because I thought it would be a prime way to save some time and get closer to my 4:35 dream. For 2013 I wanted to try and hold a constant 215-225 watts over the race; A full 20 watts more than last year. Hopefully this should give me a nice bike split and leave enough gas left in the tank to run a 1:30 half marathon.
I’m not a strong swimmer so usually I just try and survive the swim and try not to fall too far behind. This time was a little slower than usual but I managed to finish top 25% of my age-group.
Swim Total: 33:54
T1: 2:33
Bike (56mi):
I have been biking A LOT since this time last year. One because its fun, and two because I thought it would be a prime way to save some time and get closer to my 4:35 dream. For 2013 I wanted to try and hold a constant 215-225 watts over the race; A full 20 watts more than last year. Hopefully this should give me a nice bike split and leave enough gas left in the tank to run a 1:30 half marathon.
Bike Nutrition:
0-30min: H2O
30min: Honey Stinger Waffle (160 cal)
50min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks(66 cal)
1hr10min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks(66 cal)
1hr30min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks( 66 cal)
1hr50min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks( 66 cal)
2hr10min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks( 66 cal)
0-30min: H2O
30min: Honey Stinger Waffle (160 cal)
50min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks(66 cal)
1hr10min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks(66 cal)
1hr30min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks( 66 cal)
1hr50min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks( 66 cal)
2hr10min: 2 Cliff Shot Blocks( 66 cal)
I drank 3x 22 oz bottles of water during the bike but I think this turned out to be too much water for the 63-67 degree weather because the last 2/3 of the bike course I really had to pee to the point where I was literally dreaming of the bathroom in the transition area, and every bump I went over on the bike was killing me. Yes this happened in 2011 too.
Bike Total: 2:29:22
T2: 2:17
Run (13.1mi):
There was no real strategy involved in the run other than i tried not to go out too fast, and i tried to keep it under 7 min miles for as long as i could. Going out slow helped because i had zero cramping during the run. The only discomfort was that i felt "tight" as the race went on, and around mile 10 my knees started hurting. The biggest hiccup I faced was that I stopped to visit the restroom at mile marker 1 and had to wait and entire 53 seconds for the guy to get out of there.
Run Nutrition:
Mile 3: ½ Peach
Mile 6: ½ cup Gatorade
Mile 8: ½ cup Gatorade
Mile 11: ½ cup Gatorade
Mile 3: ½ Peach
Mile 6: ½ cup Gatorade
Mile 8: ½ cup Gatorade
Mile 11: ½ cup Gatorade
Misc: Drank ½ cup of water at every aid station & poured ½ cup of water on my head.
Run Total: 1:33:07
Race Total: 4:41:13
Lessons Learned. Apparently 4:41 is my magic number. 3 years in a row with the same time. The main difference was that i felt great during this one. I tried not to stress out too much before the race and i had wonderful support from the frechettes, my parents, and alicia. So both of those helped. I can also say that im in the best shape of my life. woohoo. Next year if i actually go to masters swimming, and don't waste a minute in the john i should be able to reach my goal of 4:35. It wouldn't hurt to start earlier in the day either, but im not one for excuses.
2013 The 103rd Annual Dipsea
The 103rd Annual Dipsea 7.4M – June 9th 2013
Looking on the bright side of things I was able to cross the finish line 241st and get invited back to do it all again next year. Congrats to Lucas Agricola and Jessie Smith for crushing it, Gordy Reid for qualifying for next year, and Erin Wager, Stephen Schneider, Mike Truong, Mike Voors for finishing
Mill Valley, CA
Run: 1:04:37 ( 9:23 per mile avg)
Run: 1:04:37 ( 9:23 per mile avg)
First run in 1905, the Dipsea is the oldest trail race in America. The 7.4 mile course from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful courses in the world, but this beauty comes at a price. The trail includes uneven footing, single-track footpaths, and almost invariably steep terrain, featuring about 4,000-foot (1219 m) elevation gain and loss over the course. The uniqueness of the Dipsea Race course owes largely to the opportunity for competitors to choose from any of several alternate routes on diverging and converging trails, adding a competitive premium for strategy, experience, and familiarity with the course.
After a great race last year in the heat I was able to earn a spot as an invitational runner. No more lotteries, no late start, just racing. My goal this year was to try and finish sub 60 minutes, which should earn me a spot in the top 100.
After a great race last year in the heat I was able to earn a spot as an invitational runner. No more lotteries, no late start, just racing. My goal this year was to try and finish sub 60 minutes, which should earn me a spot in the top 100.
I started the race strong. Last year year it took me 42:58 to complete the first 4.2 miles of the race (Depot to Cardiac), but this year was able to reduce that to 41:50. A full minute + faster. After reaching cardiac it all went downhill though. Not sure if the mud was just too sketchy for me but I was pretty hesitant / nervous passing people on the slippery steps and steep descents. This led to me being a full minute and a half slower on the final 2.8 miles to the finish. ( Cardiac to Stinson Beach ).
No dice this year with my goals. Last year I had the advantage of running a full fledged practice race two week prior to help with my pacing, but this year was too caught up with Team bike challenge to fit in proper run training. I thought biking 200 miles a week, and throwing in 2 runs a week would be enough. I was wrong.
Click here see this race in Strava.
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