August 28, 2009

Wind and seas calmed down from earlier in the week, so conditions pretty good. Air temperature average 61 and water temp was 66. Used Xterra speed suit for swim, wetsuit not needed for short swim and long T1. Started in wave 6, was first out of the water in the group and I don't think anyone passed me during bike and run. Swim only .25 long and 4-5 feet deep. Lots of dolphin action to get into the "deeper" water before actually take any strokes. Water was actually pretty refreshing.

Exiting T1 lots of "pedestrain" racers causing a slight delay.  Bike split of 19:13, slower than what I anticipated. This year a bit more bikes on course due to a later starting in wave 6. I think there were over 17 waves. The details: Avr wattage 224 with a max of 420. Heart rate averaged only 152 bpm. My max is 186 or so according to the Fit Method. I could have pushed myself a bit harder...but you still have to run.

Run was only 1.5 miles, no splits times and racing without a watch so I don't know my time at the moment. I had no one to race with or "catch", I was running alone. That kind of sucks because I had no sense of speed. My K-Swiss shoes did a good job in protecting my foot ailment, nice and cushy.

Anyways, a pretty easy race. Did not hang around for awards so wil lhave to review website for official times and splits. Think I placed well but I ded see some guys that looked fast in later waves.

Racing Sprint and International tomorrow tho complete the Chicago Triple Challenge

 June 27-28, 2009
Bend, OR

I have competed in back to back races before but like this week end. The only venue comparable to this one is the Triple T in Ohio. That one may be even tougher. Done the Chicago Triple Challenge and have done Back to back sprint Duathlon and Triathlons.

I have some friends up in Bend, OR and they wanted me to come up an visit and race with them. Was not able to do it last year but this year fit into my race and work schedule. Bend, OR is a great part of the country. Crisp, clean air, and still small. The economy has hit it hard otherwise i would think about moving up there for all the outdoor activities available, fishing, mtb, road biking, canoeing and winter recreation.

Back to the races. The logistics are a little rough. The bike is a point to point course, but it give opportunity to drive most of the bike course. The swim was one of my best experiences, crisp & cool water about 60 degrees, perfect. I was expecting the bike course to be a little tough from the course notes but it ended up being not bad. the road surfaces are very fast, except for the fist 7 miles or so. The scenery is wonderful, god's country here, lakes, forest, lava fields, Mt Bachelor.  I went along pretty good on the half marathon but i was conciously saving a little energy for the next days event, an olympic distance triathlon. The run was also great, meandering on the bike paths thru the low fields and river and vacation homes. Even a glider flying and landing right there. This is my favorite Half IM course (a 58 mile bike leg) I have ever done. 

That evening i wore my Zoot compressionRx tights to help with the recover and they must have worked because the next day I was ready to rock and roll. Was a bit relaxed on the swim again great conditions. The road surface for the bike course this time find of sucked, very rough but was able to manage over 20 mph. THe scenery was still beautiful. Back at Sunriver for T2 and the run. The run course was pretty tough. It seamed like it was constantly up hill. THat is a grade of 2 to 3%. I reeled a few competitors and moved into 3rd place with less than one mile to go. 

I plan on being back next year to do the double again.

4.06.08, Dan Dimas, California



Perfect weather, slight overcast low 60s



Swim: nice and calm, no glare and easy sighting of turn markers..not sure why some many athletes were not swimming the shortest distance to the markers.


Bike: 2 loop course on mostly fire roads/trial and thru some weeded pathways. Only a couple of real steep sections, one worthy of dismounting. My Speed was safe and under control-not wanting to slight out on the loose gravel at the turns. Course type allows for semi-slicks (less rotational weight).


run: Pretty challenging. With in the 1st mile a good steep climb. Not too fast as there are 2 mile more to go. Couple of other steep hils but for the most part a semi fast course.

I expected to do very well based upon last years results but i guess there were some others who saw the slow times from last year. Very stiff competition for the top 10-15 finisher.



no run training during the week leading up to event, still nursing the IT band at the hip.

I did the race last year and did pretty good in the standing without too much training so i decided to come back in 2008 with a lot of training and really kick some a**.



It was another new course in 2007, so i was familiar with the route which make thing much easier.



Well. I the early/off season was a recovery time me for the most part. I was not able to put in the 40-65 mile weeks as planned. I averaged only about 24 or so and only able to get in 2, 4hr runs.



That being said marathon and ironman are about 20 percent metal, and I have that dialed in pretty good.



I set a 6 minute goal spread 3:06 to 3:12 and as things turned out I spit it down the middle with a 3:09:xx. Overall very happy with results.



The LA Marathon is where it all started for me back in 1986, the first year it was put on and my first marathon. This was my 5th (??) time participating here.

the scoop on my slow swim time. 41:xx and low placement in the results.



My helmet got misplaced after I loaded thing up in the transition area in the morning. When I came back to get ready for the swim, about 10 minutes before my wave start. after long line for restroom, my helmet was not with my bike. I thought some one had taken it. I had to scramble to find a helmet. I ran back to my car (about a mile away) just to verify i did not forget, and on the way back to transition area I was able to get a loaner from one of the people working the event. I missed my wave start by 12 -15 minutes (estimate) thus the slower swim time. I also had to borrow a pair of goggles.



So it looks like I will be forced to do the race agin next year and hope all goes smoothly, last year my chain broke on course setting me back about 8-10 minutes.



Rest of the race- bike went good, a little windy so bike times were a little slower than anticipated and my run time was 5 minutes slower than last year.



Lesson Learned: Keep an eye on your your equipment for as long a possible. Relax, things will work out and in the end you have a great story to share.



I was able to get an application for IM Coeur d'Alene...that was the main reason for participating.

Qualifying Event at World's Toughest Half-Ironman (Duathlon) held in Aubrun, California for ITU World's Long Course Duathlon to be held in Richmond, VA in October.



Needed to be in top three of age group. I thought Iimissed the cut, thought I finished in 4th or 5th. But to my suprise, I came in 3rd. Good Enough!



Yes, the bike course is one of the most challengnig I have done (I have raced IM lake Placid, Worlds in Nice, France along with many others). Total elevation gain was over 10,000 ft (according to my Garim Forerunner 305).



I rode pretty safe. No scarry speeds on the desents and used caution when big chainring shifting, not wanting to drop a chain....so my bike time was not that great compared to other. The road surface was not that great, so had be be alert all the time. But i made up quite a bit of time on the run, think i had a top 5 run split.



the Saturday before the race i particpated in the local coummunity fun run 5k, just to get warm up my legs muscles. I came in 3rd overall (sub 19 minutes,) however I unofficially participated so no trophies or reconition for me. The course was very challenging but all on pavement.

races every week end
get a brake this week end for a long training ride (over 100 and a long run on sunday)

need to ratched up my hours of training these last 3 weeks in prep ro IM CDA.

Getting close to being in proper shape.

3 out of town weekend races in a row comming up again.

Train, Train, rest hard