Slipstream-Chipotle bosses planning Tour debut

So, on one hand, I was happily surprised to hear the there is a team taking over where Postal Service/Discovery left off for the TDF. It was a sad day when discovery announced that they were closing up shop. With the best run ever in the Lance days, it is surprising that they did not have the momentum for the long run. I always thought it would make more sense if Discovery aired the tour. Instead we have to pick up the random OLN station from Canada.

Although, argyle is way cool, I am not sure I want a subsidiary of McDonalds who slings Americanized tacos and Chimmy Chongas, Chipotle/Slipstream to represent the US to Europe and the cycling world. At least the Postal Service had a noble heritage.

Well, regardless, if a US based team can put together a world class team, I will be rooting for them. Go team argyle.

http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/13632.0.html

My Portland Marathon - Close but missed the mark

Having trained for the ½ ironman this year, I had a good endurance base going into the summer. I figured a go at the Portland Marathon would be fun. I ran a 3:34:41 back in 2004 to my frustration. I went out too fast and fell apart at the end. That was my second try at Portland and I didn’t improve much after all that training. Motivated to put in a decent time, I headed up to Seattle a month later and put in a 3:29:04 time on that course. I was pretty happy with this since I ran even splits and finished strong on a hilly course.
This year, I figured, why not try to qualify for Boston. I have always wanted to go and my time of 1:29 at last year’s run like hell ½ marathon gave me some hope that I could do it. So with a lot of biking but not much else, me and my best girl suz started training. Since we were late and had other things going on, we ended up missing all the organized 20 milers with the local training group. We threw together a self supported 22 mile training run in Forest Park. It was a fun run but I ended up injuring my knee and spend the next couple weeks nursing that.
Last Sunday, we showed up at the start of the Portland course. The forecast was for rain but it turned out quite nice with just a sprinkle or two. The temperature was perfect in the high 50s topping out in the low 60s. This year they had pace groups every 5 mins or so. This was perfect. I mentally told myself, you just gotta stick on that 3:10 leader and you will get there. The first 13 miles or so where perfect. I stuck around the group, just going ahead for aid stations and a quick porti-potty stop. The pace did start to feel really fast. As the St. Johns bridge approached, I knew I was not going to stick on the back. The group did slow down for the approach ramp but not enough. I slowed way down and fell behind the group. I am glad I did. The one thing I think I have learned is to listen to your body on these things. Push a little past that tipping point and you end up walking 5 miles at the end. From 20 miles on, I ran my own race. We had quite a head wind so I tried to sneak in behind clumps of the big guys. I think it was a big help; mentally if nothing else. Having given up on my 3:10 finishing time, I just focused on keeping up a good rhythm. I recognized a number of runners that were formally in the 3:10 pace group walking as I went past. I definitely felt good about slowing down for the bridge. Pretty soon I was crossing the steel bridge and back into downtown. I heard them call out the time of 3:06 at 25 miles. Damn, know way to run a 4 minutes mile plus. I pushed on the end got 3:13:34. About 2 ½ minutes off the Boston cut off. I felt good that I left all my game on the course and ran the whole distance. There is not much more I could ask for. 16 minutes off my PR is a big accomplishment but I could not help but thinking that I really want that Boston time.
Looks like I am going to be chalking Portland up to a training run and heading down to Sacramento for the California International Marathon. A downhill point to point race in another city sounds perfect. I love Portland but I hate the Portland Marathon. With a dull course and a bad personal history, it is not a fun event. I figure I should have not problem shaving 3 minutes off my time. We will see on December 2nd.

PCHI - Finished

My goal this season was to finish a half ironman length triathlon. So by that measure, I am succeeded. I finished the pacific crest half-ironman. It was pretty tough. I think a big part of the competition was the logistics setting up the transitions and getting to the start on time. AA sports puts on lot of events in the area so should know how to setup a course. They could have done a better job. There was little to no signage on how to get to T1 and T2. No one seemed to have an idea of what was going on at the event. I had to find the race director to find a person who knew what was going on. I am sure if I do this again next year, it will be much easier. I big part of triathlons is being mentally prepared and streamlining your transitions. This is always easier the second time around.

The swim course was intimidating. I had never swam that far before but one the race got on, it was not major problem. I got out the mix and let the others battle it out. I find that keeping relaxed and not banging in to other swimmers gives me a much better time than going out too fast. My swim time was decent considering that I am not much of a swimmer. Pushing more there is not going to help much. I was happy that I did not wear my race shirt since it always seem to chaff. I put on a sleeveless bike jersey at T1. It was great for the bike; so-so on the run. My bike time was decent. My bike computer died as I started but that was actually for the best. I was forced to listen to my body rather then trying to keep it pegged at a certain speed. It is effectively what the power meters are doing. I find that in a race, I have plenty of motivation to keep pushing even with out feedback. My average speed was actually better than I have done on the Blue Lake olympic distance tri. The problem is that I lose so much feeling in my legs towards the end, I think I really lost a lot of time on the bike and the run. The clip on aerobars can only provide so much comfort. The seat tube angle on my road bike is never going to be optimal.


T2 was fine. I knew were everything was, I just couldn’t convince my legs to start running. Eventually, I got up to speed. I feel like everything was great at about 8 min/mile until about 6 miles from the finish. I just could not get enough air. It was an awful feeling. I have bonked before and this felt totally different. It think it was an effect of the altitude. I was very similar to when I have really exerted on mountain climb. 1:30 is my PR for a straight ½ marathon. At 2:00 I was slow. I am should have been able to take at least 15 minutes off my time if I could have sorted that out.


This year I finished in 5:25. Since it was my first one, I am happy with a middle of the pack finish. next year, the goal is to hit 5:10. That should get me in the top 15-20%. Preparation, Bike Setup and a bit more time to acclimate should get me there.

Race almost here

Well, my big race for the year, the Pacific Crest Half Ironman, is only about a week away. I didnt get all the training in that I hoped for but I guess that is how it goes. I trained while I could and now it is time to taper. I am going to do an easy brick workout tomorrow and then take if fairly easy next week. The one thing I better do is get some open water swimming in...but were to go?

Mt Hood Cycling Classic

After a trainging ride around Mt. Adams, I got to see the last stage of a race out in Hood River Or last weekend. It was a crit, the last stage of the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic. It was cool to see some pros cranking it out for the win. Most likely the winners had already been decided in the previous stages but it was a good show.

BZ Corners - Glenwood WA

From a random map we gave a new route a go in Washington State just north of Hood River. The ride starts at BZ Corners, a popular put in for kayaks and rafters. Parking is free at BZ Corners and basic services are available. Heading up hill towards Mt. Adams, you can catch views of the White Salmon River. There is traffic but it is moderate. The climb is steady upwards for 1000 vertical ft. We decided to take a right on Warner rd to cut off about 5 miles. Great farms and few cars made this seem to be a good choice. Left on Sunnyside and right onto Trout Lake – Gledwood Hwy. This is were the good climbing starts. A steady grade climbs out of the valley an into the forest for another 500 vertical ft, the highest point of the route. From their it is rolling hills through Glenwood and then back on BZ – Glenwood Hwy. Much of the route passes through a wildlife refuge which makes for a some great bird watching. The views of 12,000ft Mt. Adams around Glenwood are the best I have seen anywhere. The end of the route is a treat with a steep ride back down to BZ with tight corners. My favorite new ride.

Longitude (miles):42.28
Elevation (feet): Min:713.24 Max:2,358.01
Accumulated Height (feet): Up:2,772.31 Down:2,805.12

Portland, Council Crest Park -- And the Po Po

One of my favorite rides is to leave my house and head up to the highest point in Portland, Council Crest Park. It is a burner. 1000 climb in only a few miles. Portland, a great town for bikes, has some over zealous cops. After crossing the river, I was pulled over my one of Portland’s finest, a cop on a motorcycle. It seem that I had gone through a yellow light and a red light over the last mile. Ok, so I am a cautious driver. I never run red lights but on a bike, I figure it is my own business whether I get hit by a car or not. I mean, a 14 year old kid can ride a bike with out a license. How can the police give me a moving violation on my bike? So I get $500 worth of fines or ( cue the music ) a class with Trauma Nurses Talk Tough – Share the Road. Really, I agree that bikers should not blow through stop lights but shouldn’t these guys be chasing the guys that blow through stop signs at 50mph around my house? Moral? If you are in the upscale part of Portland, watch out for the po po.
Anyway, here is the ride:
Longitude (miles):15.71
Elevation (feet):Min:-10.59 Max:1,033.36
Accumulated Height (feet):
Up:1,686.35 Down:1,778.22