Ed McDevitt Race Report

My friend (and great athlete), Ed McDevitt, had an awesome race in IMAZ this year. He was forced to not start Kona because of a sinus infection, but pulled it together six weeks later and laid down a big PR. You can read his race report here.

Thoughts cont.

Over two years ago I was staying in Billings, Montana on my way to Penticton, BC. The motel I was staying in had a notepad that had a title of "Your Thoughts." Since I had nothing better to do for next 18 hours I decided to keep it and write down my random thoughts while driving across a large chunk of America. Today I was out on my bike for a few hours and I was thinking about that day and about a blog post that Will Frishkorn wrote a couple years ago that listed his thoughts during a race. The following is what I recall thinking today while riding up and down Lefthand Canyon a couple times.

*Its warmer than I thought it would be; I'm going ride up the canyon

*Its windy in this canyon

*That car passed me awfully close and had a bumper sticker asking me "Am I driving cautiously?"

*I wonder if people consciously drive differently once they have that sticker on their car or after someone calls.

*Does anyone ever call?

*That flag is OUT. Its windy.

*Ok, school bus going over the center line of a blind corner. I'm going to just hang out on the far side of the road for a while.

*Hey there's Marek.

*I think Marek's top tube is a bit long.

*I wonder if I could tell him about his Top Tube if I preficed it with "can I offer some constructive criticsim?"

*When someone says that to me I can't help but initially think "Sure #@!$#@!%*&er. Go ahead."

*Ok, back up the canyon.

*There's Marek again.

*I think he and I are the only people in this canyon.

*I should remember that ice patch when I descend back down.

*You know who I have respect for? Cows and horses that live in Gunnison County. I can remember driving to the pool when it 36 degrees below zero and those guys were hanging out, no worries.

*Ok, at the top time to descend. Remember the ice.

*Its kind of cold.

*ice

*Actually its quite cold

*ice

*I'm freezing.

*Sand

*If Gordo wants to complain about the heat in Noosa, he best not do it to me.

*I don't think I should climb this high again. I can't feel my fingers.

*Ok, starting to warm up.

*I never beat Marilyn once in the sprint at the bottom of this canyon.

*But she's not here today.

*Victory.

-jd

Football Season

Well, last night marked the end of the Texas A&M regular season. I personally think the 6-6 record is good when one considers where the team was last year and how many true freshman started this year. I think Jesse Palmer said something (last night) along the lines of "80% of TAMU production this season (sacks, rushing yards, passing yards, etc.) came from freshman." I have no idea of the accuracy of that statement, but I get the idea: the team is young. The low points of the season came against Arkansas, Kansas State, and Oklahoma. TAMU was an absolute disaster in these games (particularly against KSU and OU), but I get that. At least, I understand how someone can have days when they don't even recognize themselves. I've certainly experienced it in my own racing. I've toed the line on some days in the past where anyone with a pulse could have kicked my ass. However, I do believe that over time I have consolidated these moments to one or two times a year (Boise 70.3 would take the cake this year). If they could reduce this to 1-2x next year, and less the following year, then I think they are right on track for being the team they want to be. (Especially when the team is lined with Juniors and Seniors that have been playing TOGETHER for 2-3 consecutive seasons).

The middle ground for TAMU was beating Utah State by 8; losing a close game to OSU at home, and losing an OT game to CU on the road. I suppose on paper it would seem that the CU game was the worst, but CU is an interesting ball club. I get to see them play more than any team, since I live in Boulder, and I honestly cannot understand why they have the record that they have (but that's a whole other story).

The high points of the season came with the other five wins (obviously) and clearly the victory over Texas Tech in Lubbock was the highest of all. It certainly saved Kines and Sherman from a lot of severe scrutiny (they still get plenty). If you had swapped that Tech victory with a loss againt KSU or CU I don't think folks would be as confident in Sherman and co. He needed one stand-out victory and that was it.

Now its time to wait for bowl selection. It looks like it might be the Texas Bowl versus Navy or the Independence Bowl against Tenn or Georgia. Hopefully they can close out the season with a victory to make 2009 a winning season.

Thanks for the Season TAMU. Keep it rolling in 2010.

jd

IMFL 2009

I always find it difficult to write about races that really did not go as I would have preferred. I sit around and try to think of writing a race report in a way that doesn't sound like I'm making excuses, but it never works out. Ultimately I will read my draft and toss it aside. Having said that, I will try to explain the race as I remember it without really trying to read (too much) into why things did not work out. The Swim: In the 24 hours before the race the east winds had picked up and we had a nice chop/surf on race morning. I prefer nice, flat water as I tend to have a lower swim turnover than some of my other colleagues. I had a less-than-ideal start, but eventually I felt better and started to swim with a nice rhythm. Unfortunately the group I was originally with gapped me when we turned east into the swells on the first loop and I ended up exiting the water about one minute behind them.

The Bike: I felt good for nearly the entire bike (its impossible to feel perfect the whole way, but this is probably as good as it gets for me in the pro race). There were times that were more heated than others, but I never felt weak, bonked, wrecked, etc. It was one of my better rides and after exiting the water in the 16th place, I came off the bike in 6th with 5th only a minute or so ahead of me. I also set a new 180K PR which was 4:32 (fastest of the day was 4:28 which was done by the eventual winner).

The Run: I was optimistic about how the day was going as I set out on the run. I know this run course very well and its easy for me to break it up mentally. I moved into fifth place around the 2nd mile of the run and kept rolling along at a pace of 6:30-35/mile. I set out to hold better than 2:54 marathon pace and everything was working out nicely. I was under the impression that places 1-4 were further up the road, but by mile 4 I had moved into 4th and I could see 3rd place was shortly up the road.

Things were going very well and I remember consciously thinking "be calm." I just wanted to keep rolling along at my pace as everything seemed to be coming together nicely. I was within 20 seconds of 3rd place when eventual 3rd place finisher, Massimo Cigana, caught me and ran by. No worries. He caught 3rd place quickly and they began to pull away together.

Even though they were pulling away, it was not because I was slowing down. I kept seeing 6:30/mile splits and as their gap grew I felt their was a good chance they would blow each other up. At any rate, I was still on pace to have a great race (for me) regardless of how they performed. However, just as I was reaching the turnaround I started to feel really lousy and by the end of Mile 14 I had gone from running to slowly jogging. I assumed I was experiencing some sort of bonk so I pounded sugar at the next aid station. These episodes are not common for me, but like most athletes, I have bonked while racing.

I kept this up for a couple more aid stations, but then it became clear that this was something more than blood sugar; I was just straight up slowing down. Regardless of having a good day until then, it was clear I was going to have to do everything I could to try and consolidate any spot in the money I was still in. However, soon enough I was pushed out of the top 8 and the last 7-8 miles of the day was really just some personal time as I tried to get to the finish line.

I finished the day in 8:48 and 11th place.

That is basically everything as I remember it. I can speculate about why I slowed down, but I cannot come to any definitive conclusion other than the undisputed one: just wasn't my day.

2009 has been all over the place for me and I am ready to put all my lessons of this season to use in 2010.

The season starts early next year: Challenge Wanaka (NZ) in January. See you all then,

 

jd

Ironman Florida

I will be traveling for the better part of the day to Panama City Beach, Florida. I am racing Ironman Florida on Saturday morning @ 6:45 CST. You can follow live web updates during the race on www.ironman.com. You can also follow me on twitter (though not actually during the race):

www.twitter.com/justindaerr

See you in fl,

j

Couple weeks to go.

37 degrees, rain/snow. That is the current scenario here in Boulder. The last two fall seasons in Boulder were certainly more ideal for training, but I'm not surprised this fall is not. Boulder did not experience its typical summer. Normally BoCO gets a serious warm spell in July and August, but it was temperate this year. I was not complaining at the time, but its led to a cooler-than-usual fall. The average high temperature for Oct is in the 60s, but I bet there have only been 5 days or so that got that warm this month. Working around the weather has definitely forced some different training ideas to come about. I'm not much for riding the trainer, but I have had little choice in the matter. I have come to embrace the trainer, but I still have a hard time being on it for more than 75-90 minuntes at a time. I'm better off doing multiple sessions in a day or doing bike/run/bike/run/bike/run combos which have been introduced in the last few weeks as well.

At any rate, I am almost within ten days of the race so the weather is beginning to become less relevant. I'm looking forward to getting a little Florida sunshine in 13 days.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Texas A&M actually beat Texas Tech IN Lubbock last night. Its the first time that has happened since 1993 and its only the second win in the last 11 years regardless of locale. The team bounced back nicely after what seemed to be one of the worst losses in tamu history last week. Its hard to know what team you are going to get in the future weeks.: The team that got absolutely slaughtered in Manhattan, Kansas or the team that got it together in Lubbock last night.

At any rate, it was nice to see them win.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I never mentioned it, but I went to Chicago two weekends ago to watch the marathon. A friend of mine was racing the event and I made the trip to see him race. The runners had really nice marathon weather; quite cool with no wind. It might have been a little better if it were 5-10 degrees warmer, but overall I think the conditions were rather ideal. The men's course record was broken by 2 seconds and the winner brought home an additional 100K bonus check for doing so.

I only got to see the elite runners in the first few Ks. I stood below the 4K banner and watched them go through in 11:38; averaging just under 2:55/K. Not too shabby.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The next couple weeks will be the normal routine as I wrap the finishing touches for IMFL. I travel there 72 hours before the race (Wednesday) and will follow up the race with trip to Jackson, Mississippi to have dinner with the local triathlon club there. We'll be discussing a wide range of topics related to triathlon as well as having an extensive Q+A that can last as long as the folks wish it to. If you live in Jackson and are interested in attending then drop me a note through the contact tab at the top of the page.

cheers,

j

Chicago Bound

In the spirit of constant travel, I'm off to Chicago early this afternoon. I will not be able to follow Kona online all day long which is a bit disappointing, but I'm glad to be able to leave 17 degrees and snow for 40 degrees and wind. My friend is racing the Chicago Marathon tomorrow morning and I am going along to make sure he gets out everything he put into this event. I should be able to get a nice perspective of the city riding a mtn bike around the course on Sunday. Then its back to Boulder early on Monday to get in my final few weeks of training before Ironman Florida. Hopefully the snow will be gone when I get back, but I've already adjusted to completing more and more training indoors.

Good luck to everyone racing today. I wish I was with you; next year I will be.

cheers,

j

Ironman Florida

I have entered Ironman Florida and will be racing again in five weeks time. I was not expecting to be racing this late in the season, but some early season hiccups have made me decide to continue to race before 2009 comes to an end. I have raced IMFL four times (2003,05,06,07) so it feels like a hometown race for me in some respects. I look forward to returning there one more time. j

Interbike 2009

Vegas. I'm not really much of a Vegas guy. I sort of assumed that, but after the past three days I think I can say I'm sure of that. Nevertheless, Interbike goes there every year and I decided to make the trip this year to try and see what is going on in the triathlon and cycling world.

Some of what happened....

***I was sorry that I could not make the power symposium that was held at the very beginning of the trade show. I landed in Vegas around 10:30 on Wednesday morning and the symposium began some time around there.

***I went by the Quarq (www.quarq.us) booth to check out their product. They have a power meter on the market that reads power from the spider on a crankset. The company is out of Spearfish, South Dakota and was created by a triathlete (and MIT alum) looking for an alternative to SRM. It is ANT+ compatable so you can use it with Garmin, Powertap, SRM, etc head units that read power; and it weighs in at 88 grams. Another company has a product called Vector: a power meter built into a Speedplay pedal that should be out next Spring.

***I went for a run on the strip on Thursday morning. That was quite possibly the worst running route I have yet to do. It was interesting to be out early and see how Vegas powerwashes the sidewalks before the day's festivities. Having said that, I was impressed by the number of folks (likely there with Interbike) that were out running despite the locale.

***I tend to get lost inside the Casino/Hotels. I reckon that's the idea.

***We stayed in the Imperial Palace, which everyone seemed to think was a total dump. Apparently they have not stayed in some of the places that I have.

***On Thursday night I went to watch the Pro Men's Crit. Around 2/3rds of the way through the race a rider from Bicycle Haus crashed into me. Literally. I was sitting in a spot without a barricade and he got pushed into the gutter forcing a crash. We both walked away unscathed and he managed to get back with the main group. Made for a good laugh.

***I spent the rest of the time there cruising through a variety of bike, wheel, nutrition, helmet, chamois cream, saddle, compression, bike fitting, etc, etc companies. Some of the biggest companies like Trek, Cervelo, Giant and Felt decided not to attend the show, but pretty much everyone else seemed to have a presence there.

Now its back to reality in Boulder (is Boulder reality?) and time to start training again. The fall weather is definitely rolling in, but I still think I can make into the mountains a few more times.

cheers,

j

Ironman Wisconsin

Friends, I unexpectedly found myself in Madison, Wisconsin this past weekend. Some unfortunate circumstances had put me out of Ironman Canada (at the end of the bike) and I found myself toeing the line for another IM two weeks later. Ironman take two.

The race got to a less-than-ideal start for me as my arms seemed unusually flat while warming up for the swim. I settled into a pack for the first loop, but faded considerably on the back half and was three minutes off the second pack coming into T1. I tried to hussle up the helix to make up some ground, but apparently my heart rate can only reach 200 so little progress was made.

As I was running towards my bike down the long parking lot I realized that while my arms had felt blah; my legs actually felt pretty good. I had only seen the bike course by car, but I could tell it was honest course that would force everyone to work. As the bike went along I made up ground on some and lost a bit to others, but my overall position in the field had improved. I came into T2 feeling a little fresher than usual and the prospects of a good run seemed well in place.

I started the run in 10th place and had moved up into 6th after a few miles. All seemed well and good, but unfortunately mother nature came calling around 10K into the run and I was forceced to take a number of pit stops between miles 7 and 11. At this point in the race I stopped concerning myself with anyone else and just tried to look after me. In the past,I have made the mistake of focusing too much on others in a moment where I need to sort myself out.

It took a little while, but after another 4-5 miles I started to feel a little better and I had not given up my 6th position. However, 7th place was close behind and 5th was not too far up the road so I tried to give my all in the closing miles to better my position. The effort was good enough to hold my position, but not change it, and I crossed the finish line just under nine hours to take 6th Overall.

My performance in Madison was not my best to date, but I really felt I was able to maximize my day by applying lessons learned in the past. I enjoyed racing in Wisconsin and I would welcome an oppurtunity to return there some time down the road.

cheers,

j

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Ironman Canada next week

I think its about time for something more positive on the blog aside from a stolen bike. A new bike has since moved into my home and will be coming along for the race in Penticton next week. The final weeks of training for this race have all gone well. I had to make some adjustments based on equipment limitations, but it seems to have all worked out after all.

IMC looks to have another great field this year which is always motivating for me. I'm sorry that Bryan Rhodes won't be able to defend because of his AT injury, but plenty of quality folks will still be there on race day.

I will post periodic updates as race week roles around and will also post a detailed race report after I finish IMC.

cheers,

jd

Bike Stolen in San Francisco

Hey Everyone, My bike was stolen on Sunday, July 19th (around noon) from my friend's car in San Francisco. It was built up for racing so my Blackwell Wheels were on it at the time. I know a lot of people in California follow this blog so please be on the lookout for any secondhand Javelin Lugano frame/bikes as well as any Blackwell wheels on the market. If you see anything on the net please contact me through this website or report it online wherever possible.

Details:

BIKE:

Black size 54 Javelin Lugano frame with Blackwell Fork.

Full Dura Ace drivetrain with 172.5 cranks and Dura Ace Pedals; Zipp brake pads on Dura Ace brake calipers.

53/39 front chainrings with 11-23 cassette (Dura Ace; assuming wheels are with it)

Dura Ace bar end shifters.

Zipp Vuka Aerobars (integrated) and bars are actually chopped by 4 cm on the inside. The left extension actually has a significant fade in the coloring.

ISM saddle (black)

Two Black Arundel Water bottle cages

WHEELS:

Blackwell Research (both wheels)

Front Wheel is 50mm deep rim.

Rear Wheel is 100mm deep rim with Wireless Powertap Hub built in.

Please keep an eye out for me.

Much appreciated,

jd