Run Day

Today was a run day. I went to bed thinking it was supposed to be 44 degree and when I woke up it was 58 degrees, so that is usually a good sign. However, I woke up with a lot joint and foot pain today. My stretch did not seem to really relieve the pain. It took about 3.5 miles before I warmed up, but the the last 4 miles I had solid pace and my leg pain went away and by the time I was finished I was ready to keep going.

I have decided on three races. I think I am going to run the Fall Classic Half Marathon, Turkey Trot and Ashland Half Marathon.

Limbo...Check In.

I have been in limbo since Rev 3 and I have started thinking about my schedule for next season.

It took me about 3-4 weeks to feel recovered from Rev 3, but I am back in full swing and I have been getting in solid runs swims and bikes. I have been keeping my distances up for my long workouts, and this past weekend I did my first brick since Rev. A 2.5 mile swim followed by 4mile run and it felt real solid.

I picked up new wheelset for my road bike a few weeks back and they are working out well. It is my first tubeless wheelset, so I will report back on my experience. However, I have not been able ride them as much as would because of all rain this fall.

A few weeks back, I ran the Bay Village Heritage 5K and it was fun race. Odd to run that short of distance anymore. It is a big mental shift from constantly thinking about pace to turning myself inside out for 5k. Ultimately, it was fun and I love running in Bay.

Side note regarding my psychosis from BVH 5K. I ran from my house to the race, and then once I got my race packet I ran back to my house. When I got back to my house, I ran back to the start and did a warm up run. After the race I did a short run before running home. Issues...I think yes.

Overall, I am enjoying fall training and recovery. I am starting to kick around ideas for next year, which I will report about later.

Rev 3 Pictures

Swim Finish

First Loop of Bike

2nd Bike Shot

Run shot still looking functional

Team Mozo in Full Support

Action Shot courtsey of Rocky

Hidration

Waiting for me to make a loop. What a great crew.

The Big Screen with Girls

Zoe and I coming down the Finish Shoot

Zoe and I crossing the line

Post Race Shot

Finish Pics

Training Notes: I was back training the Wednesday after the race. I just got back in the pool for a light swim to stretch that day and slowly worked in some workouts the rest of that week. I am pretty much back in full swing and I went for a long run of 12 miles this past weekend, which felt good and my legs are definitley feeling better.

Also, pondering some blog changes, so stay tuned and thanks again to everyone who supported me along the way.

And Now I Sleep (Cedar Point Full Rev)

Blogger is refusing to let me upload images, so for now we will leave you with these words:

There is too much to write about for this blog, so there may be a couple which ultimately make the recap of the Rev 3 Cedar Point Full Rev 2011 race. I will try and keep this to a simple race recap. This will be made more difficult with Anna interupting.

Friday: As I had said when I last left the blog, I had picked up the girls from their sitter that afternoon and decided to take them with me to registration and spend the evening at Cedar Point. Morgan and Zoe were much more patient than I ever would have been at their age through the process, but to the Rev’s Staff’s credit they made them as much part of it as possible - giving them Rev and American Flag tattoos and allowing them to take a race picture with me.

While standing in the weigh-in line, we did have the pleasure of standing next to Tamera Kozulina, a female pro, who was nice enough to humor the girls as they played around her and her beautiful Timex-sponsored bike.

Saturday: A busy day from the outset. I wanted to get a practice swim in before the race, so I needed to be at Cedar Point between 7-10 am. When I woke to torrential downpour, thunder and lightning, I was fairly certain my plans would change, but I got the bike and other gear together, as I needed to rack my bike this day.

I arrived at CP at 9:30, where the rain had stopped, but the lake had a serious chop going. I got a good practice swim and reviewed the course for the next morning. My nerves had started to kick in a little, but overall I felt good.

I had to hang out until noon, because I wanted to catch the first offered mandatory race meeting, which was uneventful, but keyed me into a few USAT rules that I really was not familiar with.

I got my bike racked shortly after the meeting and covered for the weather. Then I drove the first 50 miles of the bike course. I returned for grocery shopping, so I could put together linguine with pesto and sun-dried tomatoe grilled chicken as my pre-race dinner.

Sunday Wake: My alarm went off at 3:15 and needless to say I was ready to go. It was time to puy my plan into action. First on the list was to get about a 750 -1000 calorie breakfast in my stomach about 3 hours before the swim start. A chocolate brownie walnut Cliff Bar, 2 jars banana baby food, a banana and bottle of fruit punch Excelerade and I had about met my quota. I did a last minute check over my transition bags and then it was off to the race at about 4:15.

Anna: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

After getting to CP, the remaining set up for the race went smoothly and my nerves were relatively in check. I made my way down to the water before the sun was even up to check on the conditions of the lake where I found out that it was glass - and I mean absolutely still - without really even much of ripple. Seeing that made me totally psyched. One of the biggest factors of the swim was going to be a non-factor.

Swim: About 20 minutes before the race, I made my way down and was able to get a practice swim in before the Full Distance Mass Start, which totally help calm the nerves and stretch me out the last little bit. Just before the race start, my friend and training partner Phil found me and gave me some words of encouragement, which also helped to calm me down. I owe him huge for being on the beach that morning.

The swim went great. After the initial maylay of getting kicked and grabbed, I was able to find some clear water and get to the first buoy. When I rounded the first buoy and headed down the back straight I noticed the sun had come through the clouds and the predicted poor weather looked to be clearing into a beautiful day. Now I am not much for signs, but this was good one.

Overall I had good swim and exited the water at 1:15 on my watch and the timing pad in transition at 1:16. It was a good swim and right in the time I had planned, maybe even a little ahead. Transition went smooth and the volunteers were awesome stripping my wetsuit and helping get my bike shoes on.

Anna:
7:30 AM Girls and I are up and running. Pancakes for everyone! Since Scott didn’t know that I had invited everybody I have ever met to come watch him, I spent the majority of the morning gathering all the things that up to this point had been an abstract list on a post-it note.

As I grabbed the big cooler for water and pop, I noticed duct tape. Never a bad idea to have duct tape. Which made me think about other things it’s never a bad idea to have, which in turn became an entire bag of stuff that had never made it to my post-it list.

8:50 AM On our way. Have to stop at my mom and dad’s because my mom felt it necessary to wash the brand new shirts I gave her that I had painstakingly ironed on a Team MoZo logo and the decals came off.

Bike: The first 5 to 10 miles on the bike I was trying to find my rhythm for the day and begin executing my nutrition. My nutrition plan was to gel after 10 miles then 20,40,60, 80 and 100 miles. I also wanted to have taken in at least two bottles of sports drink and two of water over the course of the ride. I was able to get into a good rhythm on the bike and keep a good pace of 19-20 mph heading through the first 30 miles.

Side Note #1: At mile 40 something was the first time I saw Team Mozo and support, which was a good pick me up and a good thing to race back to for my second loop. Although, I believe they missed me on the second loop because of some Aid Station area chaos.

Anna:
9:45 AM Arrive at the Wooly Bear as the first biker passes and meet up with the Casey’s who are even MORE prepared for spectating because they brought their tent! Once Jason has finished supervising that set up he feels useless and goes down to get involved in the volunteer action.

10:30 AM Scott passes us and Team MoZo gets to cheer for a whole ten seconds before the girls go back to coloring and watching the movie Soul Surfer on the laptop about a girl that loses her arm in a shark attack and then goes back to surfing competitively. Why not?

A lot goes on between the first time we see him and when we should have seen him the second time. So much that I wrote a whole separate blog about it here.

Side Note #2: The town of Milan is on the route twice and very fun town on the route as it is small town with streets lined with people for the bike. Plus, there is steep quick climb coming into town where families chalk messages on the street, which is just a cool feeling. Anyways, I have to take a second to apologize to a volunteer I almost decapitated with a half-full Gatorade bottle. This volunteer had set up a baby pool with a big target backboard for pitching empties at after the aid station, so after refilling my sports drink bottle I gave my bottle a hurl and let’s just say it took off on me and nearly scalped the volunteer who decided to walk in front of the flight path.

Side Note #3: Gravel sealed roads for 25 miles will rattle fillings loose on a carbon fiber bike, if you are wondering.

Overall: The bike went well; I managed a 19.87mph average for just over 5.5 hour bike, which was exactly where I had wanted to be after the bike.

Anna:
1:00 PM Decide it is time to pack it in and head to Sandusky. I am praying that we missed him in all the confusion. Because if we didn’t, he’s either blown a tire or gone off the reservation (in which I think he would have a found a way to call) or has been in an accident (in which someone would have called me, because he wears a RoadID with my number on it).

1:45 PM Yell out “Go Dad!” as we drive past him in on Route 6. He’s just making his way back to transition, but this means we really did miss him and he is definitely on track.

Run: I planned to take it easy in T2 and just concentrate on a smooth transition to the run. Once again, my volunteer was great as he unpacked my bag and sorted my shoes, visor and race number, and he packed all my bike gear and helped with my shoes.

Coming off the bike I felt good, but a little dizzy and in hindsight I may have been drinking too much water to close out the bike. Plus, I could feel mind starting to wander a little bit, which for me I have learned is sign that I am starting to hit little walls.

Anna:
2:00 PM Set up camp in a closed auto repair parking lot in a questionable part of Sandusky. I say questionable, because a car stopped at the corner and yelled out to me, “What the hell is going on here?” She wanted to go one block left, but the race made it one way and she could only go right. I tried to explain that all she had to do was go around a couple blocks and come back up, but apparently this was a day of unreasonable people and all I got was, “Well, this is just fucking crazy.”

“Kids are you noticing all this plight? Roll ‘em up!” – Clark W. Griswald.

I took off out of transition with stop at the bathroom. My plan in the first 5k was to hold back and not over run the course. The plan did not go as planned as I went off and ran the first mile in 8:00 minutes and I knew I needed to dial it down. After the first mile, I had a little water and GU packet. However, I had hit my limit and my stomach would not stand for much more GU.

Side Note 1: I ran into Team Mozo and all supporters at about this point, which was a definite pick me up, even if I did not quite look like it was. It was really awesome to see everyone that turned out and all the work Anna had put into the bringing support to the race.

Anna:
By this time the Williams, Rocky (an old family friend), and Scott’s parents have arrived, followed closely by my parents and Aunt Charlie. In time to see him on Mile 3 of his run. Not looking particularly happy, but it’s early in the run and I know that it will take him a while to loosen up from the long bike, so not worried.

3:00PM Zoe has to pee and can NOT wait. We set her up in a patch of low weeds between two cars in the parking lot…not my proudest moment as a mom, but she was able to go, which surprised me.

Not much later, Morgan has to go, and she’s all about peeing outside, so my mom and I help her out and I tell her to go ahead and pee, to which she replies, “No, I have to poop!” YIKES! “You can’t POOP in someone’s parking lot!” Nana and Papa take the girls to find a restroom in the car.

3:45ish PM Scott passes on Mile 11, looking much better than before.

I continued to try settle into to a fairly good rhythm for the first 6 miles, but my legs were starting to feel the days toll. I made it through the first half marathon in decent shape having only walked a few aid stations, but my goal time was slowly slipping away as I got more sick on the course and my legs would not respond.

Side Note 2: At the Special Needs Station( Station where volunteers have a bagged I packed gear such as Pepto, Bazooka, Gu, socks and baby powder) at mile marker 13.1. At this point, my socks and shoes were soaked with sweat and I wanted to avoid blisters as long as I could, so I powdered my feet and threw on a second pair of socks. During the stop, I could feel my stomach was starting to get pretty upset from the liquid diet, it was really just wondering which escape hatch it was going use in my body that caused me some concern.

Anyways I was off for the second half-marathon and left once again still at run/jog. At mile 14.5 I started to dry heave and then at mile 15 I lost it and yakked all over the side of the run course. Looking back at the race, I believe this is because I came off my nutrition plan on the run and definitely took too much water in on the first part of the run, which was a regrettable decision. At this point, my Ironman got much more difficult with 11 miles to go.

About a 1.5 miles later I ran into Team Mozo, at which point I freaked Anna out when I told her I had vomited at mile 15, but I was going crazy and I had tell someone. I was able run most of the next two miles after mile 15, but at mile 17 my wall was hitting me directly in the face and I was forced to walk a large portion of next 4 miles.

Anna:
5:30ishPM Kerbers have arrived by now and our Team MoZo group looks AWESOME! Getting ready for Scott to pass again. I take the girls across the street to give him high fives as a concession to Morgan who is upset she is not going to see the end of the race. (Have to go see world-famous Itzhak Perlman play the violin at Oberlin College.) He heads over to the curb, gives each of the girls a kiss and whispers in my ear, “I threw up at mile 15.”

Okay….yes, that is gross.

6:00PM The Kerbers head out to another spot on the run. Scott’s parents, Zoe, and I head in to the park where my Aunt Cheryl and Uncle John have arrived. I start to get nervous and call Phil to find out just why he chose to tell me that particular bit of information. Was it code for “please call an ambulance”? Phil assures me everything is okay it was probably just a mental thing.

I’m sad for Scott that he is not going to make his goal and I hope that knowledge isn’t making the run harder than it already is.

Side Note 3: During the walking portion I last mentioned, I ran into Phil, Michelle, Paige, Sloane and others, who gave me a huge boost. Especially, thank you to Phil who gave me a little pep talk and let me vent for couple hundred feet as he walked with me.

After seeing them, I was able pick up a jog again and my stomach began to turn the corner. I also began to sense that I was going to make it to the finish. Although, my goal time had passed, I was going to finish, which was the ultimate goal.

For the last 5k, I was able to pick up a run and a female athlete coming over the causeway with me exchanged the same words as we looked up and said “there it is…I can see the finish”.

Anna: 7:00PM Even though I have talked to Phil again and know that Scott is still doing okay and he is not even due in at this pace, I am starting to get anxious for his return. But when he rounds the corner he is actually jogging so I know things are good, even if they aren't great.

Crossing mile 26 of marathon, I ran into Anna, Zoe and my parents and I was told Zoe wanted to run the finish with me. So in mad scramble I had Zoe join me at the top of the finish chute and for the last 250 feet Zoe and I ran the finish together and crossed the line in 12 hours and 29 minutes to end my Ironman.

Anna:
Now is the time I am expecting a collapse, but he suddenly looks perfectly fine, like he didn’t just completely wreck his body.

When we get the results I look to see what place he would have come in if he had met his goal of 11 hours. 4th place in his age group! 4th place! Only Scott would choose that goal for himself in his first ironman. But it’s over now and all I can say is, next year...we are tail gating!

Thank you again to everyone that came out and supported Team MoZo: Mom and Dad, Anna's Mom and Dad, the Casey's, Rocky, the William's, Anna's Aunt Charlie, The Kerbers, and the Kirschner's. We can't thank you enough or begin to express how much your showing up meant to us.

The Horses Are In The Barn

Two days until the race. The training is done and now its time to run. I had a good last weekend of training with a strong long bike and run brick. Also, had a great open-water swim on Saturday morning while the sun was coming up over the city.

Let's hope the weather takes a turn for the better and is slightly better than predicted for Sunday. According to predictions the winds are shifting and the lake should calm down for the weekend. The lake has already cooled substanially, considering the hot summer and it should be a good wetsuit swim on Sunday.

I have panicked a few times at this point, questioning what I have gotten myself into. Otherwise, I have been at peace with with race and final preparations and I am now excited to get started.

I am going over my final nurtition plan tonight. It will be interesting to see how much Gel/Gu my body will take and trying to get down a couple thousand calories during the race.

One main funny obession I have had recently is trying plan out my bathroom stops, but it is totally perplexing. Plus, you know you have issues when start considering going on yourself to save time. Rest at ease that was not the final decesion.

Will head out to Cedar Point to pick up my registration, and since it is Anna's book club night I will take the girls on the rides for a while.

Keep an eye out on Sunday, as I am sure Anna will be posting updates. In keeping with the theme of the blog only 140.6 miles and I get some sleep.

The Bytheville Run With The Dog Whisperer and Rev 3 Registration

If you by chance read my wife's blog, you realize we just returned from our summer vacation in Hilton Head, after the Vermilion race.

So after the race we took off for South Carolina and I had decided that we were going to drive to Rock Hill, SC for Day One. On the way, I declared I was taking the day off the following morning, considering the race that day and the drive. Well, the drive was going well and I was a little wired, so we hit Rock Hill and decided to push a little further, making it to Blythville, SC - just short of Columbia, SC - which left us about 3 hours of driving the next day.

As we were pulling into the hotel, I told Anna that I was wired and that I was running in the morning before we left...it is an illness.

Alarm goes off at 6:00 and I throw on some running clothes and take off into Blytheville. Generally, I love going for runs in new towns for the obvious reasons that there is new stuff to look at and the general thought that there is some adventure in getting lost in a new town.

About a mile into the run, two dogs come running out of what I thought was their yard into the street and start barking. Now the one dog doing all the barking was a small mixed breed that reminded me of the little dog from the Tom & Jerry Cartoon and just behind him was the enforcer a much larger dog. They gave chase to the property line and then backed off. A little rise in my blood pressure.

I thought nothing of it and kept running through some nicer neighborhoods for another 5 miles and headed back to the street where all the hotels were located and decided to run the access road that was behind the hotel and gas stations between all the businesses.

As I am headed back towards our hotel I hear a bark from the gas station and think a dog in a car must see me and is barking. So I keep running, iPod going the whole time, and realize the barking is not going away. I now look behind me and that same T&J dog is now chasing me with four other dogs through the parking lots. Blood pressure spikes quite a bit.

At this point, other than terror, I was remembering a story I had read about a women in Georgia who was mauled by stray dogs who held up in a foreclosed home and when she ran past the house the dogs came out and attacked her, biting her to death.

Suffice it to say, this horse picked up his pace, but the little dog starting chasing harder and so did the rest of the pack. Now I am getting a little more than worried, so I pick up the pace a little more. So does the T&J dog and it is clear this is going to end badly, if something doesn't change quickly. I mean, I'll take my chances with one small dog, but 5 dogs I have no chance.

So the picture is now: me - at pretty much a dead sprint - through this hillbilly town with 5 dogs coming down on me and I luckily see a guy pulling into a bank for work and I decide I am going to sprint for him as he gets out of his car. I can only imagine what he was thinking when he stepped out his car and saw me sprinting at him through a parking lot with 5 dogs in tow.

I got to within about 15 feet of the guy and looked back one last time as if to say to the dogs "look there is two of us now." T&J dog pulled up and just kept barking with his gang.

I now graciously thank the man and sneak around the bank and haul ass for my hotel, where I walk in and regale Anna with my morning run. I proclaim that I will be calling the Bytheville City Hall, which has yet to happen.

On the training side on things, I am officially registered for the REV 3 Full and had a great last week of heavy training. It culminated this weekend with a 3 mile swim on Friday, 20 mile run on Saturday, 102 mile bike on Sunday followed by a short run. It is time to TAPER.

Editor's Note: Wow, wasn't aware that Scott knew the meaning of the word TAPER.

Vermilion Olympic Tri Recap

I flew solo for this race. No training partner, no family, just me and my bike. Due to the new start time (7:00a.m) I was up way too early.

My alarm went off at 4:05 (like I said, way too early). I am usually really excited about this race, but this year I had hard time focusing the Saturday before and even considered bailing on the race, since the girls and I were leaving for Hilton Head the same day.

I digress. I had luckily gotten everything in order the night before, so the morning was smooth and I started to eat a little breakfast before I got in the car for the race. Banana baby food, as always.

I was out of the house by 4:45 to the beginnings of lightening and a strong “breeze” over the lake. I decided to keep my bike off the rack and just packed it in the back of the car. A good thing, since it dumped rain on my way out to the race – along with thunder and lightning my entire ride out to Vermilion. There was part of me that was thinking that I was not going to have to worry about racing because there was not going to be a race.

I got to transition a little after 5:30, which is way early for me and only a handful of people had arrived. I got my favorite spot on the bike rack, on the end, next to the aisle. I got my transition set up and had no line for the port-a-pots, which I later noticed were atrocious.

The only thing about being there that early is that it gives you a lot of time to stew, so I decided to walk to the swim course and get a good stretch, while I also watched the lightning and the lake conditions – a little ugly with 3-4 foot waves crashing on shore and a solid swell further out. My first thought was the swim was going to be an adventure, if they let us take it on.

Then the announcements started flying. The race was going to be delayed for a ½ hour for weather. All tri athletes were free to transfer races to the du because of water conditions.

The internal debate began about what I should do, because I came with mindset of doing a tri, not a du. I was not up for the extra running in the du anyways. However, the little voice in me tries to guess their intent of the announcement...are they saying it’s too dangerous to swim…am I a strong enough swimmer, all the negative thought. So I said F it and threw my wetsuit on to give the water a try and then make my decision.

Once in the lake, it was definitely rough, but I ultimately conclude it is manageable, especially with a wetsuit. Then comes the announcement that it will be a half mile swim for everybody, including the Oly tri, and there is no decision.

Moving on… my wave goes off at its newly scheduled time without issue and the swim went well. Especially since the advertised ½ mile swim was much more like a ¼ mile swim.

When I got out of the water I was totally focused and ready to ride. The ride is why I love this race. The Oly bike course is a great test with some good climbing. It really makes me push myself. The first 12 miles are brutal as there are at least 3 big climbs, where they have crushed your speed to nothing at the bottom. I had great pace going out and was just eating up the distance.

I love climbing in races, because it can be such a confidence boost when you get out of the saddle and start crushing it up hill, especially if you can start picking people off.

About 9 miles out I got in a group with two other cyclists and we ended pushing each other through the entire course, which made the second half of the course fly by. Also, the legal and illegal drafting that may or may not have occurred did not hurt the speed of the group.

I also noticed neither of the guys were in my age group, which either meant I was getting blown away or I had gotten ahead of the group.

I came in from the bike and I had a good transition of under a minute and I was off and running with one my cycling compadres. This worked great, because we both pushed each other at first with 7:00 minute miles and going into third miles we had dropped under 7:00. At 3.2 miles I decided I was going to pass my running partner and I got ahead of him for about quarter mile.
That must have sparked him, because I heard his footsteps and he caught back up me just after 4 miles and pulled ahead. He also picked it up one more gear and I dropped behind by about 25 feet (which really pissed me off) but I was able keep it there for the last two miles. I was starting to get a blister on the top of my foot, because I had gone barefoot again and thrown on my shoes too quickly.

Regardless, I finished the race in 2:04:10, which I was happy with. At the time, I did not know where that would place me, although I had not seen many guys in my age group around me.

I did not hang out for the results because, as I said, the girls and I had a car trip to start. So I said goodbye to a family friend who was volunteering in transition and I took off. As always, the volunteers in Vermilion were great and Linwood, as a race site, is also great.

In the end, 2:04:10 was good enough for 1st in my age group and 11th overall for the Olympic Race.

Editor’s Note: I can’t believe we missed a blue ribbon race!

Editor’s Note 2: There have been a couple trips to Spin in the last few weeks for tune ups and tweeks. During this time, I have noticed Scott “talking” with his bikes. Welcoming them home from overnight stays. Worried? Me? Nah.

Editor’s Note 3: One additional note on our stay here in Hilton Head…the bike is in the hallway, not the bedroom. It’s a little lonely.

Giant Eagle Multi-Sports Festival Olympic Triathlon Redux

Last Sunday was the Giant Eagle Multi-Sports Festival Olympic Triathlon.

To start, there was the 4:00 am wake up call. As I looked at facebook that morning, I was reminded that there were people just getting home from the night before.

This race was different because it was a point-to-point Olympic race, which meant I needed to have 3 transition bags packed for the race. I had a swim bag with my wetsuit, goggles, and pre-race essentials. I had a T1 bike bag with my helmet, sunglasses, and shoes. And a T2 running bag with running shoes and nutrition.

Much to Anna’s dismay, she was made official team car driver. This meant she was up at 4:45 so she could take me and PK to the start of the race and drop off our T2 bags.

(Editor’s Note: This ungodly hour would have come easier if I hadn’t had to keep telling the junior Team MoZo members to go to sleep instead of giggling about their camp out on the floor with Aunt K. Thank you again for the great hospitality and the babysitting.)

Otherwise, it was a normal race morning: banana baby food, cliff bar, banana, and sports drink. I was a little sore, so I started stretching from the minute I woke up until the swim.

Since the race was point-to-point, we had racked bikes the night before at T1 in Alum Creek. We got to transition around 5:45, which was great because we beat the shuttle buses bringing the rest of the athletes from the hotels and gave us about 20 minutes in transition with very few people and an empty port-a-pot line. The turnout for this first race was good at little less than 1000 people.

Due to the hot summer, the debate started early in the week whether the race would be wetsuit legal or not. On Saturday, the Race for the Cure female tri that day had been wetsuit legal at 77 degrees, but as we were racking our bikes that night, the water was 84 degrees. Arriving Sunday morning, the first announcement was that the water was 84.9 degrees and not wetsuit legal.

My wetsuit has become a security blanket of sorts because it adds buoyancy and speed, so I was curious how mentally I was going to handle the swim.

Another interesting pre-race announcement was that the Olympic swim had been switched to a 2-lap half mile loop due to recent deaths in the lake. WTF? Too much information. Just simply “we changed the course” would have sufficed.

I actually got a practice swim in for this race and it tuned out to be a good chance to stretch. The water was like bath water and a wetsuit would have been a complete hindrance, so mentally I was fine for the moment.

Also, the water was really shallow. At the inside line of buoys there was no point at which a person could not stand. Even at the furthest out buoys it was only about 8 feet, so it was a very comfortable swim for people who focus on the depth of the water.

The pros went off first at this race, and both men and women just flew in the water. The first male swimmer finished his mile in about 18 minutes and was so smooth. My age group wave was the 5th in the water and slightly smaller than normal with less than 40 athletes.

The swim started out a little rough, as I got off course and started swimming to middle because I had spotted the wrong buoy. Once back on course, things smoothed out and the swim went well. I was out of the water at about 26 minutes, which put me 4th out of the water for my age group.

T1 was uneventful except for a little trouble I had clicking into my pedals on my bike. Also, I did not get my goggles in their designated bag, and they now have been donated to HFP racing.

The bike was fast. It was 25 miles that appeared to have a slight roll to it, but most of the ride was downhill to downtown Columbus. I averaged over 24 mph for 25 miles and finished the bike in about 1:03. Fifteen miles of the race were straight down High Street, and were handled exceptionally well by HFP and local law enforcement.




(Editor’s note: Except early on at T2 when the professionals were coming in and couldn’t see the turn because there was one person just standing there doing nothing. The spectators were yelling at the bikers to turn, until finally somebody came up with a flag – that was waved unenthusiastically – and eventually some more cones. A couple people missed the turn and had to back track. I can tell you I would be pissed with $30,000 on the line.
Also, someone wiped out turning from High onto Nationwide and an ambulance flew past us. I kept telling myself that it was way too early to be Scott, but was nonetheless relieved to hear it was a pink helmet. Guy did end up carrying his bike the rest of the course into transition and looked like he just had major road rash on his shoulder, but sucks to be him.)

On the entertaining side, I rode near a guy dressed as Aquaman for his kids, which was funny and had to be hot with race temps in the high 80’s. I was further helped out on the ride by my cheering section of Morgan and Zoe, Mom and Dad, Sister and Brother-in-law, and PK’s family.

T2 was great practice for the Full Rev as our run stuff was hanging on hooks by numbers in a tent, which you had to find and then change. I was able to handle T2 in under a minute, probably helped by the fact that I forgot my race belt

The run was hot, but I felt good. I wore my racing flats and went sock free for the second time. I started to get blisters at about 4.5 miles, but overall the sockless run went well. I was able to average 7:00/miles or a little under for the 10k run. Once again the family was a big help as I got to the finishing chute and finished off with a strong last mile. I came out of the run with two major blisters on my arches, but they have subsided already.




My final time was 2:14 and change which was good for 5th in my age group. I was al little annoyed with myself as there was only 45 seconds between 3rd and 5th and I felt I could have made that up on the course and wish I would have pushed harder.



Overall, HFP did a great job with the race and I would recommend it next year.

Plus, there is something for everyone with a 5k, sprint tri, super sprint for women, duathlon, and aquabike.

No racing this week. I need to have a big training week.

(Editor’s Note: For those that may or may not have caught my facebook post while we waited for Scott’s gear to make its way from Alum Creek…There was a female athlete waiting in the same area - obviously a professional – and a spectator was asking her a lot of questions about her EXTREMELY expensive looking bike. He wondered why she didn’t have a speedometer/odometer and how did she know if she was going fast enough. “If someone is in front of me…I’m not going fast enough.” A pretty ballsy quote. Until we looked at the race photos and she’s the one breaking the tape at the finish line. She can be as ballsy as she wants.)

Picture Pages..Picture Pages...Bay Village Tri

This the Huntington Beach/Bay Village Tri via a photo essay by my two youngest fans....

(Dad and the other dads stewing before the race.)

(First Wave into the water...Dad is in the next wave... what should we do?)

(Good time for pre-swim donut...Zoe)

(Dad's wave swimming out to the first buoy)

(Dad out of the water...4th out of the water and off to the bike)

(Good time for breafast for photographer number 2)

(Oops that donut was just too good and Dad zipps by with a good bike... there is his wheel)
(Dad coming up the hill on the run)

(Dad gives us a wave on the way into the finish)

Overall: Dad finished the race in 1:05:57 good for 2nd/32 in his age group and 11th out 292. On to another race, a new essay and, of course, another donut.

Thanks to my youngest fans for the support and pictures.

Training Milestone

Well, this weekend was my first 100 mile ride. I came off the bike feeling good and felt like I could go out for a run. It took about 5 hours 20 minutes to complete the training session. The best part of the ride was the comfortable numbness that came over my whole body while riding. I generally do not where an Ipod on my rides anymore, except for sometimes on long rides. Although, since this ride was going on roads I was not familiar with I did not where it. However, this provides for a lot of time to be introspective and on rides this long maybe too much. So, the best part is part of the ride is where everything is more like a low buzz and your just pedaling.

Otherwise, I had a good 14 mile run on Saturday and my run is progressing well. As for Monday, I think I will take a recovery day, and let my legs rest for a day and prepare for another big week. This Sunday is the Bay Village Tri, which is always a fun race loaded with familiar faces.

One tip I have from the 100 mile ride in 90 degrees is to use extra sun block or this will happen:

Lakeview Park Summer Triathlon Race Recap

5:15 am came early on race day morning.

The night before, Anna and I had gone out with friends until after eleven. I was fairly responsible and only had 3-4 beers over the course of the evening and mixed in some water. After going over my transition bag and getting the kids resettled in bed for the night, it was well after midnight by the time my head hit the pillow. Not necessarily the best pre-race night, but it was only a sprint race, so what was there to worry about.

It was a normal race morning with part of a Cliff Bar, some banana baby food for breakfast, and couple trips to bathroom. Picked up PK on time and was off to the race, which was just a couple towns over. I snuck a peak at the lake before I left for the race and it was like glass. I was still a little tired and my stomach was a little upset.

We got to the race about 7:05 and the parking was packed already, considering registration and transition opened at 7:00. We ended up parking at the back, made our way over to transition, and got decent spots on the racks. I had a fairly easy time getting registered and body-marked for the race.

Looking at my watch, I could tell I was running slightly behind. It was a little bit after 7:30 and I was just setting up transition. While getting set up, I changed routine and decided to eat a gel about fifteen minutes before the start. I think this may have been a mistake.

We got down to the water about 5 minutes before the race (not ideal), but we were able to get in the lake and swim a few strokes before the start of the race.
When this race was originally set up, the 35-39 age group was going out on its own. But on race day, the age groups were combined and everyone 39 and under was in the first wave off the beach. On this small course, this was way too many people.

The plan was to sprint to the first buoy, get ahead of the pack and have a relatively clear swim down the backstretch. Unfortunately, I did not commit as much as I should have and I got pinched in the first turn; then pushed into a break wall. I swam most of the backstretch dodging sunken boulders and wondering, as always, why the hell I was doing this to myself. Much to my surprise, I came out of the water number one for my age group, even though the swim felt less than impressive.

However, as I exited the water I realized I had a problem. The zipper on my wetsuit was stuck and I could not get it unstuck as I ran to transition. Officially, I was now panicking a little – yanking and grabbing at my neck. I was finally able to free the zipper, but I had lost decent amount of time. During this zipper fiasco, I watched a number of guys run out of transition ahead of me.


(I am in the guy in center struggling with his wetsuit)


On the bike, I was feeling some burn in my legs and I strangely had some cotton mouth. Maybe from the gel?...I don’t know. The whole bike/cotton mouth continually returned, except for about the last 3 miles. I had a solid bike – able to maintain a 23.5 mph average through the course and the one climb was strong. There were some good bikers on course ahead of me, but I felt like I was improving my position. Coming into T2 there weren’t many bikes racked yet, which gave me a boost. I came off the bike in 4th place for my age group.

I threw on my racing flats and I was out of T2. The run felt good and so did my Achilles. It took me a while to catch my breath out of T2, and my legs were a little tired as it was my third straight day of running. Overall, I ran a good pace at 6:58/miles and was able to run a solid course.

After it was all said done, I finished in 1:09, which was good enough for 4th in the age group and 15th/200(approx) overall.

It was a little disappointing that I came out of the water in 1st and virtually lost 3 spots in transition. But it was good to get out and race and push my legs a bit.

Editor’s Note: Team MoZo did not represent at this race. Instead (at about the time Scott was finishing the race) we were at the bakery, buying donuts in our pajamas. Morgan’s first question when he got home…“Did you get a medal?”…because we are all about setting high expectations. None of this “participation” crap.

Late Week Training and the Tour

I finished off the week with a 10 mile run. It is good to be back in the double digits. I felt good and my ankle felt strong.


I also got an open water swim in with PK this morning. The lake was like glass just a slight ripple and the water temp was in the mid 60’s. The conditions made for a good 1.5 mile swim. I wanted to swim longer, but I did not want to over swim today.


I followed the swim with a 4 mile run in my racing flats. I thought these shoes may have played a part in my injured Achilles, but the shoes felt good today and my Achilles does not feel the worse for wear. I’ll see how the Achilles feels when I race in the shoes tomorrow morning.


Forgot to mention in my last post that I am sucked in to the Tour de France and it’s only the first week. I will admit that I really have only become a fan since I have started riding in last few years, but now I DVR every stage and watch the races from start to finish.

This week's story has been tale of crashes and tole it has taken on the Americans. Along with the surprising slow start of Contador. I am a Andy Schleck and George Hincapie fan so I am excited to see the battles in the mountain stages. Contador and Schleck are both beasts in the mountains, so it should make for a good battle, especially with Contador having to come from behind. It is simply amazing to watch these athletes work.


I will check in later with race reports from both the Tour and my own.

Weeks in Review

First things first, the boot is off and I am running again.

Week of June 20:

Doctor’s appointment was on Monday and I was cleared to run. Truth to be told, I ran twice before the appointment. I was able to get in two runs this week and each were a little over 7 miles with no pain or swelling. I have switched running shoes to Asics Gel Nimbus, and so far I am happy. Two other high points were a 65 mile ride and 2.5 mile swim.

I was also able to get my in wetsuit on and do an open water swim . I had forgotten how much work open water is…so it was good to get out in the lake and get a solid 45minute swim under my belt.

Week of June 27:

I was able to run 3 times this week and all the runs were between 7-8 miles. I am also still putting in solid long swims. A side effect of the injury has been that my swim stroke has improved and relaxed. The high point of this week was a 75 mile ride, which I will officially say is long time on a bike. I did this ride on my road bike as opposed to my TT bike, and I kept the pace at about 19-21mph.

Also , I had a chance to get another open water swim. It was much smoother this time, but no matter the number of times I practice, I think it will always freak me out a bit.

Week of July 4th:

I was able to run 8 miles on the 4th, which I was psyched about as my legs were shot from the 75 miles the day before. Tuesday I really suffered in the pool, but I swam 2.4 miles. I think the overindulgence of every type of food on the 4th and too many days without break were starting to catch up with me.

Overall: A month ago I had written off the Ironman/Full distance triathlon, but now two weeks after my last appointment I am thinking I may make a run for it. It all depends on how my run shapes up as I progress. I will definitely run the Half at Cedar Point and I have already spoken to registration about upgrading about a month out to the Full. As a side note, I am running a sprint tri this weekend and looking forward to some racing.

REPORT FROM THE 4077

The road to recovery is probably much easier if you are a patient that listens to your doctors.

My doctor’s suggestion: I should be swimming and follow the instructions of my last blog entry.

Unofficial report: I have been swimming since the 4th day after my Achilles was booted. I could not resist. It was like a drug addict going cold turkey. I was feaning and swimming was a must. The good news is, the pain is gone.

In fact, about a week after the boot, I could actually see my Achilles again and I was walking down the stairs pain free.

Last week, I got back on my bike for the first time in three weeks. I was freaked out the whole time, thinking that I was going to reinjure myself. With every tweak or twinge, my mind was racing. I was able to ride 30 miles and get off the bike without pain.

So fast forward to this week, where I have been swimming and biking more regularly. I was ready to go out on Saturday and test myself with a longer ride. I wanted to ride at least 50 miles. I woke without pain in my ankle and the weather was great.
The ride was going swell for the first twenty-four miles. I had made my way out to Vermillion and was feeling strong and relatively fast.

On mile 25 I descended a hill and started climbing an overpass. As I approached the top I saw an expansion joint, but I had no time to react and before I knew it I was flying upside down through the air with my bike over my head still connected to my feet. That is worst feeling in the world – knowing you are just along for the ride.
Then came the pavement with my hip first and then my elbow and then my head. Then came the sliding down the concrete.

After the initial agony, I cursed out the sport and said I was done with the whole thing. Yes, I looked like a crazy person yelling at my bike on the side of the road.

In classic Scott fashion, I did not have any ID with me, had left my cell phone at home, and was now laying on the road in Vermillion. I gathered myself and got my bike together. It initially appeared I had been battered worse than my bike, so I decided to keep riding further west for a couple miles.

I then tried to shift my small ring of gears and noticed that I had snapped the shifter when I hit the pavement. Mind you, it was snapped clean off and it was solid alloy. I must have hit harder than I thought.

So after about 28 miles, I turned around and headed home. Looking down, I noticed my elbow and my knee were now bleeding from the road rash. I also knew my hip was a road rash mess.

I made it home on two gears and in good time. So 55 miles later, except for the crash, it was a great ride and I had no pain in my Achilles.

Although, I have begun to question whether someone is trying to tell me something or least whether there are such things as signs?

Editor’s Note: He somehow neglected to mention that he went out on another ride yesterday evening. Since he had immediately taken his race bike to the bike hospital, he was on his road bike. That left our bedroom a bike-free zone. I took a little time out of my busy schedule to appreciate the beauty.

From The Med Tent

Top 10 Things You Can Do While Wearing an Air Cast

10. Write to your pen pal in Singapore
9. Pose for a life-size statue carved from marble
8. Play Frankenstein for your girls.
7. Lay on you back in the front yard, yelling "Why, God? Why?"
6. Learn to knit
5. Fold 100 origami cranes
4. Build a scaled replica of the Millennium Falcon out of toothpicks and chewed gum
3. Yell obscenities at runners and cyclists from the front porch
2. Pretend you are Brendan Frazer in the movie With Honors
1. Finally finish that kitten puzzle you've been working on

As you can see I chose the second choice of tri season or a doctor and the winner was not me. The diagnosis was acute tendonitis and possibly a minor tear in my Achilles. The upside… it makes me much more satisfied with my marathon time, considering the injury. However, this will undoubtedly hamper my ability to race in the Ironman this season, which is obviously disappointing, but only a setback.

Officially, I am immobilized in an air cast for the next 4 weeks and I am not allowed to run, bike or swim, at all. Did you hear that? I just spontaneously combusted. The doctor said I could start to swim after 10 to 14 days and then in 4 weeks we would start wean me back to training, unless there is still pain and then we will be doing an MRI.

Unofficially, I got back in the pool today and had a good swim workout with little to no pain. The good news is that with the drugs and cast for the past four days the swelling has been substantially reduced and I can actually see my Achilles tendon again. There is still some pain when the cast is off and when I get up in the morning, but it seems like it is going the right direction. Maybe in a couple weeks I can ease my way back on a trainer and bike. Then hopefully, after my next visit, slowly rehab the run. Until then I will probably grow gills and spend as much time in the pool as I can.

I also have a new race schedule planned that I will put up in couple weeks. The schedule will still most likely include a half-ironman – maybe two, depending how everything proceeds.

2011 Cleveland Marathon

Scott / Anna

4:30 Alarm goes off. My head is not in the race. Ankle is still store with my first step out of bed. I tell myself to remember the mantra from my last blog. Oh, and I take two Advil. More to come later on that topic. Off to the Shower.

4:30 Definition of insanity. Since at some point in the wee hours Zoe has joined us, I switch to Scott’s side of the bed to get some breathing room. I find that he has already set the alarm for me. Where is the trust?

4:45 Out of the Shower. Body Glide time for all those special parts that may chafe. Running close on time and the great debate begins as it has gotten considerable colder since I went to bed. Long sleeves or Tri top?

5:00 Downstairs for breakfast. My traditional breakfast of banana babyfood, Cliff Bar, part of banana and some sports drink. Start doing a little stretching.

5:00 to 5:30 Many trips to the restroom to rid myself unnecessary weight.

5:30 PK comes to my house to go to the race together. It is seriously cool outside and there is some even more serious fog. Cut through the flats and we are in the parking lot in no time.

6:00 Long Sleeves or Tri Top and arm warmers? I get out of my car and am immediately cold, so I make the gut reaction to wear a long sleeve running top. First mistake.

6:15 PK and I walk down to Browns Stadium for the start. BTW, props to the Browns for opening the stadium for the use of the facilities and shelter from the weather. Nerves are starting to kick in looking around at the crowd and the fact my dang Achilles is still sore. One more stop in the bathroom and even with all the bathrooms open there are still lines. Much nicer than port-a-potties.

6:15 Alarm goes off. Ugh…if I have any plans of getting in the shower, I cannot hit snooze. If I have any plans of people standing next to me…I have to shower. Morgan wakes up just as I turn the water off so at least I get to skip that argument.

6:40 PK and I make our way to the start line. The corrals were a little tight, but worked out fine. We find the 3:20 pace leader who happened to be the same person (Jay) from last year, which I was psyched about. Great pace leader. I didn’t recognize his co-pace leader. More to come later on that topic, also. Stretching is in full force now.

6:55 National Anthem and “Cleveland Rocks” song – which Cleveland can let go at any time and find a replacement – n o disrespect to Drew Carey.

7:00 The gun goes off and the chaos of 19,000 people leaving the start line begins. PK and I are immediately separated. My good pace leader has disappeared and the great salmon swim begins to catch back up. This is also when I realize the course I said I was not a fan of was going to make itself known. I catch back up with the pace group by about Mile 1, after steadily climbing hills for a mile. I am beginning to settle down, but my Achilles is in major pain. Fitness-wise I am loaded with energy and now completely focused on running. That first mile was a sub 7 pace to catch back with the group.

7:05 We leave our house. On time. I have made a deal with Zoe that she can stay in her pajamas until we get to our first spectator spot. I have packed a thermal sack with water, Capri Suns and a Zero. I have packed a bag with Zoe’s clothes, children’s books, coloring paper, markers, How to Ditch Your Fairy, the Lady Gaga edition of Bazaar Magazine, bags of goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, wipes, two large blue recycling bags and the camera. I throw two lawn chairs and the umbrella stroller in the trunk to join the blanket. I cannot even begin to tell you how impressive this is.

Mile 2 Concept of time of day has disappeared. I am feeling great (except for my Achilles) and feel like running a little faster than my pace group. I surge ahead and I am running at 7:10 per mile. PK catches up and is running lights out with me. Cruising into the Edgewater area. Love the crowds in this area of town

7:15 Pull out of McDonald’s with two McGriddles, a Bacon, Egg and Cheese bagel, three hashbrowns, two apple juice and one orange drink (their orange juice is too pulpy…blechhh).

10K I am still ahead of my pace group and running strong. PK has dropped off the pace. His knee will not hold out. Knowing I am in for the long haul on a bad wheel, I decide to cut back my pace and rejoin my pace group, which happens a little after mile 7.

7:30 Get off and West 25th and head to Scranton, pulling ahead of the aide station and race turn, so it is no longer between me and downtown (again, I’m surprising myself with impressive skillz). Park in front of a questionable house, but less than a block away from the police officer, so we’re able to eat our breakfast and get Zoe changed. Less the 10 minutes later the pros are heading our way (Jesus, that is fast.) Barely a light mist at this point. Morgan pushes Zoe’s stroller and I grab the chairs and bag to find our spot on the corner of Mile 9.

Mile 7-9 Running well with the group. However, the thought the Advil was doing nothing had crept in, and my adrenaline was working on other things. This is also when the bad pace guy takes over the flag carrying duties and the good pacer takes a port-a-pot stop. Almost immediately bad pacer jacks the pace up to 7:10 miles, which is 28 seconds faster then his designated pace and the group is being decimated. I am hanging but the added pressure is not helping and now I am getting pissed. In the back of my head, I think he going to slow down, so that his partner can catch up. No dice. Ten miles and we are now consistently running 7:10. My ankle is now throbbing and the thought of calling it a day at the half is going through my head. Note to the bad pace leader: the word pace is defined. You may want to look it up.

8:00-8:45 You don’t realize how fast people are actually running until you are trying to pick out faces. I knew no less than 10 people running the half marathon and was on the look out. I didn’t even realize it was Scott until he was practically in front of me, thus the picture from behind. I can confirm the bad pacer at this spot, because I noticed he was practically on top of the 3:10 group. We waited. Morgan’s best quote of the day. “It’s hard to look for Uncle Phil, because there are so many bald guys.” (I swear I didn’t teach her this, and I don’t think he’s bald.) As we finally give up to drive down town, I look up and catch Gregg rounding the turn, who despite allegations of being completely un-prepared, manages to call out hellos to the girls without any effort whatsoever.

Mile 13.1 I have made it here and laid down BQ half time. Maybe my best half time. Achilles is still killing, but the mantra from last blog kicks in and I keep running. Heck, I am halfway interested to see how things turn out. Then the head winds kick in and so does my grudge match with the marathon.

9:00 Me, queen of no sense of direction, gets the family downtown through the plight-dredged streets of Cleveland. The parking garage I had planned on was closed, but I easily made a correction. On the walk there, I force the girls to take a pee break at the Hyatt (I know a really nice public restroom in the basement there from my E&Y days). We casually make our way along the half-mile finish course where I finally spot another friend, or rather she spots me and waves (Go, Shannon!). The precipitation is getting a little heavier now and the temperature has dropped drastically. I should have worn a coat instead of sweatshirt, but the girls are actually dressed okay and we have the blanket. Nobody is even complaining about the walk.

Mile 16 My pace has dropped off a little. The dehydration of taking 6-8 Advil a day for the last two weeks has also started and now I’m fighting cotton mouth and some muscle issues. The good pace leader and I have rejoined forces around mile 15 and were still cruising a little ahead of the 3:20 pace. (Editor’s note: Scott is being modest here, because he told me later that he and his fancy watch helped out a big group of people and he became the un-official pace setter and cheer leader for a big gaggle of them for quite sometime before coming back upon the official guy.)

9:15ish Closing in on the Rock Hall and see Coach Patty (Morgan’s soccer coach) who has finished the half and walking back to her car. Grab a spot to sit for a while and wrap the blanket around the girls, but know for certain we cannot stay here for an entire hour (if he is actually keeping pace, which I believe is next to impossible with that ankle). It is too cold and the wind to brutal. Yet if we walk toward the stadium, it is a mad house and by the time we get settled there, we’ll have to come back if we want a chance to see him. Decisions, decisions.

Mile 19 This is where my race began…or shall I say…fell a part. I was starting to hit the wall. My Achilles was not going to let me stay with the 3:20 guys much longer, and I am starting to cramp from dehydration. Thank science for gels, because they were a lifesaver at times on this run. By mile 20 I had hit the wall on many fronts of cramping and pain, but I had still managed to get there in about 2 hours 33 minutes. My new goal based on my grudge match was just coming in under 3:30.

9:45 Find shelter (and a bench) up against the Rock Hall. In fact, it completely cuts off the wind and the now-steady drizzle. The girls are in great spirits and take out the coloring supplies. A half-er in shorts and a tank top makes her way to the shelter, waiting for her ride and I offer our blanket, because her shivering is making me cold. (Again …definition of insanity.) I enjoy some pop and fruit snacks and read a very small amount of my book.

Mile 22 Life is sucking. I have had to walk for about 30 feet and mentally I was fighting on every level. Back to the mantra and a new one which was “just keep running.” Just keep looking for the city and just keep running.

Mile 24 Fighting my way over the wall. Had some periodic walking, but still was managing under 8:00 minute miles when I was running. The grudge match goal was in reach.

10:15 Head down to the curb. The drizzle is back to mist and the girls pull out the garbage bags to sit on, letting me wrap myself in a blanket. Morgan and Zoe start up the chant, “Go, Daddy, Go!” for about ten minutes, which must have made the people wonder exactly how many daddies they had.

Mile 25 The realization that I had pushed my way to the finish had begun to set in, and I was happy about that. Plus, I knew I was going to see my girls soon, and that would make whatever portion of the race was left much easier.

Mile 26 I see Anna, Morgan and Zoe cheering at the Rock Hall. I run over and give them all high fives and cheer for them, since they have sucked it up in the rain and wind for hours now and cruise into the finish. I stop my watch at 3:28 and change, but closer to 3:29. I am satisfied with the time considering the conditions, my Achilles and all the other factors. After that stuff, I was only about six minutes slower then my pace last year.

10:30ish I think Scott shocked the girls by coming over for high fives, which made them very giddy. Well worth the wait. Started to walk towards the finish line and probably kept going a little longer than I should have before turning around. There was just too much madness to be able to try to find him and now it is legitimately raining and I sense a breaking point for the girl’s patience. Zoe is looking soaked at this point. So when we get back to the car, I let her change back into her pajamas and she is ecstatic.

11:00 I am so cold I am now shivering uncontrollably and can not find the girls in the rain and wind. I decide to call it quits and hope they do the same. I head to the med tent for a foil blanket and walk to the car. Call Anna and she has done the same.

11:30 I am heading home to let the stiffness set it in and EAT.

11:30 Heading home along the path of the race course and talking to Scott on the phone to get the scoop on the ankle situation (I know. Shame on me). There are literally hundreds of shirts littering the road after being discarded by the racers. Scott had a good suggestion that some organization should follow along after the race and pick them up to sell or give to clothes banks.

Overall: Another good race put on by Rite Aid and the sponsors. Huge props to Anna and the kids for supporting Dad through the journey. Props to the volunteers and all the spectators who braved the weather. This was a mental battle with the marathon and I got through it.

Sorry, I missed everyone else. Way to go Colleen, Kim, Beth, Lindsey, Meghan and John. I honestly don’t know how you do it. My legs cramp up when I take the stairs to the cafeteria.

Tri season next...and maybe a trip to the doctor.

Troy Is Falling

I think it was Hannibal on the A-Team that used to say, “I love it when a plan comes together.” This, after having endured many minor detours on the way to the end of that plan. Well…sitting on the precipice of the Marathon start Sunday morning… I hope that is what I am saying Sunday afternoon. The problem is I have been suffering through one of the detours for about three weeks now and there is no way around the fact that it will affect the race.

In the days just after the Oxford race, I started to have pain in my left achilles, which I first thought nothing about and attributed it purely to fatigue. Now three weeks later with an ice pack on it as I type this blog, the thought that it may be more than fatigue has sunk in completely – along with some swelling.

I have maintained my run training schedule throughout, with one additional 20 mile run about two weeks ago, but the last two weeks I have been in serious taper mode for run training and the pain has not subsided. In fact, on Monday I told someone it felt like spikes being driven up my achilles into my calf. What is more frustrating is that fitness-wise I feel great.

Ultimately, I have made the decision to still race because I have worked too hard to not give it a go at this point. It will most likely not be a PR, unless there is a small miracle between now and Sunday morning, but you never know. Advil, ice packs and heat are actually helping substantially.

Really, the only word to describe the whole thing is frustration, because it was only two weeks ago I was thinking that Boston was completely feasible. Now, sitting a few days out, that reality is slipping away.

I keep telling myself the goal has always been the Ironman this year, and that I have run the marathon before. So if this one doesn’t go as planned, it’s no big deal. This close to the event that perspective is a hard pill to swallow, especially looking back over the winter runs.

With that said, I am sticking with the mantra I told Anna about week ago, which is not as poetic as “I love it when a plan comes together”, but just as effective.

“*uck it, I am running.”

Editor’s Note: Looking forward to a day that I don’t wake up to the smell of IcyHot in the morning and am not asked “Does this look swollen to you?” As this will probably be the last post pre-marathon…Good Luck Team Mozo!

Season Opener

I know it has been a while since I last posted, but it’s season-opener time - time to get my ass back in gear.

I am sitting on my hotel bed the night before the first race of the year in Oxford, Ohio; and I have made the trip alone, which was unintended. When I first planned this race it was going to be a family affair, but the girls had to stay behind, because soccer was supposed to start on Saturday. Of course I got a call from Anna on my way down here and was told that soccer was canceled because the fields were too wet. That is typical luck.

After listening to the rain slap against my windows all night, I woke at 4:30 to a 48degree morning and the rain had stopped. Oddly, I was a little nervous even though it was only a sprint and my fitness is far past this distance. However, it was still first race of the year and my first tri since September. I had my normal race breakfast: a portion of a Cliff bar, a jar of banana baby food and a little sports drink.

Nice thing about a race at my alma mater is walking across campus to transition and not thinking about a Poli-Sci paper that is due.

I got a good spot on the bike rack and started to set up my transition area. The ritual of setting up a transition towel and my bike and running gear usually helps calm me down and settle in a little for the race, which it did for the moment.

The guy next to me was a newbie having a difficult time figuring out how to place his bike by hanging it by its saddle, so I lent him a helping hand and got his bike racked. The funny part is, the next thing I overheard was a conversation that this was his first tri ever, and then proceeds to say in a serious voice that he was going to win the race. Now I applaud the confidence but, not even a minute ago, he couldn’t rack his own bike. He may have been a little over zealous, but that’s what makes this fun.

I went through my normal stretching routines, took in everything and went inside for a warm up swim. I then realized my warm up was longer than the actually swim portion of the race, but it was tough to pass up a swim in a nice college pool.

It was time to race and I was in the third wave of racers. I was still a little nervous, but I think part of it was not knowing anyone in the crowd of over 1000 including spectators. My wave went off without any issue and my swim was underway, but I struggled for the first 200 meters. I had a lot going through my head and needed to settle down. After 200 meters I found my stroke and before I knew it the swim was over. I came out of the pool at about 7:40, and was already behind in my head.

As I ran outside to transition, I noticed it had been raining while I warmed up and it was now cold. I decided to throw on a long sleeve tech shirt to warm up on the bike and I was off, but it was a slow transition due to the extra clothing and wet skin.

The bike course was wet but great. It had some nice climbs and descents and I was having fun. I was definitely making time up. I was pushing and my legs were feeling great. I came back into town after about 13 miles in 37 minutes and felt much better.

Got through transition in about a minute and was off on the run. Within a quarter mile on the run I now felt great and was ready to run hard. When I got to turnaround (1.6miles) on the run, I knew I was moving well as it had only taken about 10 minutes, which gave me more energy to finish strong and enjoy a fast run through campus.

Ended up finishing in 1:08:52, which was about 2:30 minutes faster than last year and considering the weather, I was happy for the first race of the year. The time was good for 4th in my age group out of 50 and 16th out 550 overall.

Once again Miami held a good race and I was able to take swag home for the girls. I will be back next year, but for now it’s on to the more daunting task of the marathon next month.

PS. I have gotten in two 20 mile runs since my last post and things are starting to shape up.

P.P.S. from the Editor: In contrast to a 20-mile run, I benefited from a Bagel & Deli care package, for which I am eternally grateful. Wish we could have made the trip with him, however I did get the joy of hanging out at soccer practice on Friday in the blistering wind and helping take the Gold Butterflies in for their team pictures on Saturday in lieu of their Assistant Coach who was missed by one Butterfly in particular.

Big Saturday 2

So I put the “miles to go before I sleep” motto to the test this past Saturday.

Saturday was a long run day, but started a little earlier than most Saturday runs. I was scheduled to run 18 miles and needed to get it done before 9:00 am, because (to my surprise) I had been signed up to be an assistant coach on Morgan’s soccer team this year, and the first coaches meeting was that morning.

Why not run after the meeting, you say? Well, we had also agreed to host a PTA beer tasting at our house and I needed to get some food and house prep done.

So I was on the road at 5:50 and it turned out to be the best run of the year. I felt fast and injury free. Plus, as I ran west, I watched a huge full moon set and by the time I turned to come back east, I was able to watch the sunrise over the lake.

I made the coaches meeting at 9:00, was cooking by 11:00, cooked steadily from 11:00 to 3:30, changed out our vestibule light fixture, and was ready for the tasting by 7:00.

Had a blast at the beer tasting and way over-indulged for my age.

The last guests left about 12:30am and I got my third wind, whereby I cleaned the house, so we had nothing to do in the morning. Still energized, I of course did some late night Facebook posting before bed and annoyed my brother in Denver.

Passed out…literally…sometime after 2:00 am. A 22 hour day is probably over doing it, but well worth it. (Thanks to all that helped and enjoyed.)

I was able to get in two outdoor rides this past week, including a good ride on Sunday to knock off the Saturday night cobwebs. Loving the new bike and being outside.

Otherwise, training is moving along. We are about 50 days until the marathon and 4 weeks until the first tri.

So many miles to go before I sleep…

Editor’s note: We have a vestibule and foyer. Scott refuses to use either word and insists on calling them both the front hallway, when they are clearly different. I’m not sure if the word “vestibule” offends his manly sensibilities, but I changed it anyway. So there!

Random Recap

Suffering from writers’ block this week, so I’m just going to do a quick recap of last week.

I stayed true to course and cut back my long run to 12 miles after a minor freak out during the week about my training plan for the marathon.

Tends to happen every year… I suddenly get this feeling that I am not getting enough miles done before a race. Then I over analyze my schedule and come to terms with the whole thing. It oddly becomes the thing I like about racing and training, because it is that moment where you begin to make peace with… whatever it is you’re about to do.

The course for the marathon was released this week which included some big changes with the Medical-Mart construction. Sounds like an exciting finish line for the smaller races which will get to finish on Browns Field.

Otherwise, the organizers really flipped the course around and it could make for a very windy last 10k into the west for the finish, but the fun part of the run through Lakewood, Ohio City and Tremont still looks good.

Other than the minor fact that I am fighting a decent amount of muscle fatigue and one nagging injury in my hip abdomen, things are starting to shape up for the season.

I just confirmed my entry for the Miami University Triathlon, which is a good season opener and fun to race back on campus.

This week has been a long week from both distance and time perspectives. Tomorrow is a 16 mile run. Based on the weather, I better pull out my snow shoes. Spring cannot come soon enough.

Fantasy Racing

So a lot of guys my age look forward to their fantasy football drafts. Or right about now its fantasy baseball draft time. Well, Saturday night I had my own version.

A training friend and I were supposed to go out for a couple of beers, but instead we decided to go over the 2011 race season and have those beers in the comfort of our home.

Like fantasy football, we had our own sort of big board. But instead of players, we had races. We had our 6 month calendar laid out before us and just started plugging things in. Totally dorky moment…but a blast, and we have races planned through November.

It’s interesting where we have come in a short time. When I first started, the big deal was scheduling around which Olympic distance races we were going to do. Now, in a weird way, the Olympic races have become standard. Our focus is around the obvious full “ironman” distance in September, but also where we are going to slip in a couple of half distance races.

Truly, this is an illness that I owe to the particular person that was sitting next to me.

On the training front, I had a good week, even considering it was “Blackout 2011” in our house which had our dog Potter and I huddled around the fire, sleeping in our 45 degree house. Not kidding… slept in running pants, wool socks, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, fleece pullover, sweatshirt, winter hat and I still used a two blankets.

Forgot to mention that our gas fireplace is in the draftiest room in the house.

The blackout was followed up by a blizzard on Friday, where on my way to swim I conveniently lodged my vehicle in a snow drift by my gym’s driveway and had to walk to the front desk for a shovel to dig my car out. Nice. Good stretching before my swim.

Saturday, I was able to increase my long run to 14 miles and I am still on schedule for the marathon. Tough run with snow and I had to take a lot of extra steps. Made for stiff legs on Sunday, but I was able to get on my trainer and swim before dinner.

The unmentioned workouts last week were fairly routine.

Although, one nice thing I have discovered – well behind the curve – is that I can watch Netflix on my phone while I ride my trainer. It looks odd, as I have my phone propped on the ironing board in front my trainer as I ride, but it was effective and a nice change of pace.

I watched the series Spartacus: Gods of Arena while riding. It is actually a decent series, but as I told Anna it’s like watching a mix of MMA fighting and soft-core porn.

This week I am going to taper a little bit in the run and push a little bit more swimming, otherwise it should be a normal week.

(Editor’s Note: He forgot to mention the three hours of shoveling he did in the backyard to make the 4 foot sledding hill/half-pipe for the girls to sled down. Every time I looked out the window he was shoveling more snow onto the thing.)

Big Saturday

As I left it, this past week was to be a ramp up week and the mission was successful. With the weather breaking into the fifties, it was a great week to run outside and all the snow and ice was gone.

Although, as I am typing the blog, the sidewalks and roads are filling with new stuff.

This week I started making a change to my swim, when I started breathing on both sides of my stroke.

This came about because where I swim my kids also take swimming lessons and my kids’ teacher is also the pool manager. So this means that I see her three or four times a week and she see’s me swimming.

A week or so ago she asked me why I don’t breathe on both sides of my stroke. My response was that I was not taught that way in swim lessons and I have never changed based on comfort even though I know it would make me faster.

Well… that was all the kick in the butt that I needed, so this week I started drilling for at least 20 laps a session, breathing to my opposite side. By Friday it was becoming much more comfortable, but I will tell you from the outside of the pool it probably looks like I am a drowning victim at times.

That “old dog new tricks” cliché rang true. I’ll keep at it though. If it shaves some time and keeps me straighter in open water, it’s worth a shot.

Also, my first lesson of this blog I learned on Friday evening. Do not attempt to swim 2 miles on two hours of sleep and an empty stomach after a days worth of work. It was ugly, long and painful.

Saturday turned out to be the biggest day of training this week. It was a scheduled long run day and I was adding miles for the marathon, so I ended up running 13.5 miles.

The second lesson of the blog…do not attempt this right after finishing the remaining portion of your kids chocolate covered donut. It made for a very unsettled stomach for about six miles, especially when I had gel at mile 8.

The wind sucked on this run. 20-25mph in my face for seven miles, but least it was behind me for good while when I made the turn. My pace was okay, but I was redlining during the run more than I should have been. I guess I was just off from a crazy week and a lot of training.

On Saturday afternoon, I got to take the new bike (BMC Racemaster) out for a spin and it was great. Now of course, when it was fifty out I didn’t get a chance. I went out when it was in the thirties. But even through the frostbite, I was able to get in 25 miles and to start to break the new ride in. The frame was great. It was stiff, responsive, and fast. It will be a great training and racing bike and plus it looks cool.

Overall, Saturday was a killer day and my body was pretty beat. No worries though, I rallied Saturday night for a rousing PTA wine tasting and dance lesson with my wife and some good friends and was no worse for wear.

Today I dedicated as a recovery day since it has been almost a month of training from the last one and my body is thanking me, although my legs came out of yesterday pretty fit.

(Editor’s Note: Wife, on the other hand, came out of the PTA event exhausted and a little too hung over for the yoga she attempted this morning.)

My Valentines and More…

This one goes out to my three Valentines that make it all possible. I may be the endurance athlete of the family, but Anna, Morgan and Zoe are the one’s that endure. The workouts, the races, the waiting and my endless drivel about each, but they are always there clapping and cheering at the end. So this is my first of many thanks of the new season, because their clapping and smiles at the end of races make the races that much more fun.

A big thanks to the guys at Spin Bike Shop for the fitting of the new road bike on Thursday and that I am psyched to pick up on Wednesday. Also, thanks for a cool event on Friday.

On the training front, I had a good Saturday run of 10.5 miles. I was able to run outside for the first time this week and temps were good. I have been fighting a cold that is stuck in my throat somewhere, so breathing has been a little tough and I have a little pain in feet.

Looks like the weather for the week may allow me to get the new ride on the road for a spin this week. It’s about time I start logging real road miles instead of trainer miles.

Swimming was good this week. However, probably not great for anyone that followed me in the pool, as I think I have been leaving a mucus trail in my lane all week. Let’s be glad there is strong chlorine concentration in my pool.

Although, chlorine didn’t stop the large clump of women’s hair that got stuck to my face this morning while swimming. As Anna just posted a list of things that are gross on her blog, this is at the top of the list for me.

This past week was supposed to be a recovery week, so this upcoming week I will be adding a little mileage running-wise. I will stretch out my run to 13-14 miles Saturday and hopefully get one of the bikes on the road for a ride, if the weather cooperates.

Editor’s Note: Awww…I thought he was going to ask his bikes to be his Valentines as he’s been counting the days until he gets them back home from Spin. This was a nice surprise.