Posted: Mon Jun. 08, 2009 10:18 am
My second attempt after computer crash so this is a shorter version>
In October I signed up for Mooseman half ironman to make me train over the winter because I did not teach spinning.
Fast forward to March 9th, Ok I turned 40, so instead of doing the right thing and hit a spring training ride, I went to Savannah Georgia for St, Paddy's day beer and BBQ. Arrive home 211 pounds later.
After finding Benji at the starting line, we decided we both wanted to break 7 hours. take it easy, and enjoy the day.
I dug out my wetsuit and put her on. I then realized by ironman phsique of 187 fit in it nicely. My 200 pound physique didn't. I could barely breathe. Go! 200 yards into it, my chest was tight, I felt like a anaconda was squeezing the life out of me. Then I decided to open up my arm hole and let in the 59 degree waters of Newfound lake. Sure enough I broke the seal and flooded my body, but it eased the pressure on my chest, and my breathing came back into it. The water was choppy and I drank a few waves, but managed a 42 minute swim, just behind Benji.
I got onto the bike and caught up to Benji, and we decided to part ways as we both had different biking goals. Mine was to average 18mph, but it was impossible. The roads were too smooth and there was too much downhill. I was cranking. Its a good thing I am not a great swimmer because I had lots of time to make up. The hills were not any huge task, and my pace was smooth. I managed the first lap without being passed and decided to pick it up the second 28 miles. I came up on a first time french canadian, who apparently didn't like to be passed, as we approached a hill, he attacked me, he even looked back. Feeling pretty good, I accepted the challenge. He crested the hill about 20 yards ahead of me pedaling like a banshee down the hill. I crested and tucked in the aerobars. I passed him on the downhill smiling and coasting. On the flat I put him out of site. I manged 2:55 bike and 19.1 mph ave with a couple of pee stops (dan would be proud) and without being passed (at least while my bike was moving).
The run. When will I cramp I asked myself? I enjoyed taking Gurney's advice and Sportlegs as they worked. I started off running 9 minute miles, even steady just waiting for tinges in the legs. The course was an out and back, that you did twice. I saw the leaders coming home in their last mile. Looked like a close finish as they were only 100 yards apart with just over a mile to go. I kept humping the 9 minute miles hoping to keep the cramps at bay. I finished the first loop (6.5 miles) in 55 minutes, and thoughts of a sub 6 hour race entered my head. I kept slogging till mile 9 when the first of the cramps happend. but not terrible, I stretched and walked them out a couple times, and entered the last mile. I caught one of my age groupers (40-44) but each time I came up on him, I would cramp and have to stretch, walk it out, and try again. I let him go as the finish music started, and another age grouper tried his luck getting by me. Not this time, I outkicked him once the smell of cheeseburgers hit my nose.
5:49, Survival of the Shawgunks here I come in 2010.
Well done Benji! and Massa! (incredible effort)
PJ
|
