2012 Baystate Marathon

We left early to get to Lowell High School so I could pick up my bib number.  After picking up my number, I went to get my Baystate T-shirt.  I needed a medium but there were only small and xxlarge left.  I got ready for the race inside the warm lunch room of the high school.  At 7:30 we went outside.
Not doing a marathon before, I wasn't sure which pace line to get in.  I went into the 10:00 line.  It was 7:45am and it was chilly waiting for the start.
After the American Anthem, they played I got a feeling just before the start.
After the gun went off, it took me a minute to pass the start line.
I started off too fast.  I slowed down before the first water stop.
When I got to the 1st mile marker, it read 10:20.
My plan was to walk at the water stops and drink water and run under 150 bpms and pick it up after mile 20.
After passing mile 7, I could see the bridge I need to run over.  Everything is going well.
When I passed mile 12, the lead vehicle passed me and so did the leader.  He was close to being done and I had another loop to do.
When I took a right over a bridge, Jenifer, Ryan and Krista were there cheering me on.  While I was going over the bridge, Krista ran with me cheering me on.  It was great seeing them.
Now the second loop.  Nutrition is going perfect and legs are still feeling good.
Going over the bridge again, I passed mile marker 18.
My legs started to hurt.
I kept running and kept walking at aid stations.
I hit the wall when I passed mile 21.

I slowed down and kept running.  Soon I started to walk.
I started to fartlek between the caution cones.  After running down a hill, I walked between cones and when I started to run again, I saw the 1 mile to go sign.  Yes!
I picked up the pace and just before the finish, Jenifer, Ryan and Krista were there cheering me on.  I took a left and it was .2 miles to go.
I finished!
I had a hard time walking so the medics checked me out.  I was OK.
The Baystate marathon was the hardest race that I've ever done.  Luckily I took Monday off to recover.

6/10-11/2012 Camel's Hump Backpack

On Sunday morning, I woke up at 3am and got ready for my trip.  I left the house at 4:15 and what I thought would be a 3 hour drive was a 4 hour drive.
Once I got to Appalachia, I geared up and was on the trail by 8:40am.  It will be 12.5 miles to Camel's Hump.
About a mile into the hike, I found a campsite.  Once the tent was somewhat set up, I continued up.  I'll finish setting it up when I get back.  Little did I know that I wasn't going to be sleeping there tonight.
To get to Camel's Hump, I had to climb over five mountains.
The trail was wet and muddy and there were many bugs.  One section I think the moose liked, there was poop everywhere.
The farther I got into the hike, the rougher it got.
I met a man that was heading south.  He told me that he was heading to Mass.  Cool.
Once I got to Montclair Glen Lodge, it was only 1.7 miles to the summit.
Now the real climbing begins.
Scrambling up many boulders, I was on the summit.
There were great views.
When I tried to eat my peanut butter sandwhich, it was very difficult because I was dehydrated.
When I headed back, I stopped at the Glen Lodge and filtered water.  After filtering two liters, I went and got another 2 bottles.  When I tried to filter water again, my filter didn't work.  Great.  So I filled two of them with water and I can boil them to purify them at camp.
It was 4:20pm when I reached the summit.  So I tried to go as fast as I could back to camp before dark.
Heading back, I was malnourished and still dehydrated, since I've only eaten a few Snickers bars and half and pb sandwich.  I tried to eat the other half of the sandwich but I couldn't.
I was going good on the flats but when I came to a climb, I slowed right down.  I had no energy.
I thought I was making good time but halfway back, it was dark, so I put my headlamp on.
Trying to follow the trail, I got lost.  I couldn't find any blazes.
I didn't panic.  I stood there for about 10 minutes figuring out what I was going to do.  I also looked around for any trail markers, none.  I have to spend the night here.  I'll have to wait here tomorrow and hope that Jenifer called Vermont State Police after 12pm (since that was our plan on my itinerary).  It may take all day to find me.
So my first priority was to change my wet cloths.  Great, I left my dry cloths at the tent.  So I put on my rain pants and rain jacket.
Now what am I going to use for a shelter?  I had a black plastic bag in my pack.  I use it to cover my pack when I leave it outside the tent.  I laid it out on the ground.  Then I got my emergency blanket.  I've been carrying that for about 15 years and now I'm finally using it.
I put on my headlamp and lit my candle lattern.  I grabbed some birch bark and twigs to start a fire.  The birch bark lit but the twigs didn't.  I tried to place the twigs on the bark as it burned so they would dry out but they didn't.
So now it was bedtime.
I wrapped the emergency blanket around me and laid down.  I tried using my wet t-shirt as a pillow but that didn't work.  The ground would be my pillow.
I was warm in my little makeshift shelter.  I was worried about hypothermia.  Every time I got the chills, I would adjust the blanket.  I also heard a few noices during the night but it didn't bother me.
I got up around 3am.  I looked around for a trail marker and not too far from my shelter, I found a blaze.  I slept on the trail, so I wasn't lost.  I ate a Pop Tart for breakfast and drank the last of my water.  I had water in the truck so I would have to wait until then to have some.
I put away all my gear, put on my headlamp, and I was off at 4:20am.  It would be 5 miles back to my campsite and 6 miles back to Vt. 17.
Soon I was dehydrated and malnourished again.
As I was going down the LT, I heard something in front of me.  To the left on a stump was a large porcupine.  I stopped.  I tapped my LEKI's on a rock and it climbed down the stump.  It looked at me, then turned around and ran down the trail.  As I was hiking down the trail, I almost tripped over the porcupine.  He stopped on the trail and I came about a foot from him before I seen it.  I took a couple steps back and the porcupine looked at me again.  Then it ran down the side of the trail.
Some of the climbs back were tough.
I got back to my campsite and broke it down.  Loaded up all my gear and headed to the truck.
A few more climbs on the way and I just didn't have the energy for them.
When I got close to the end of the trail, I could hear cars so I knew I was close.
It was the hardest hike that I've ever done.  25 miles.  I learned a lot on this backpack and I will do things differently next time.

http://community.webshots.com/album/582951382LYlggs

2012 Pumpkinman Sprint Triathlon

Friday 9/9.

To rest up for the Pumpknman Sprint Triathlon, I took Thursday and Friday off from work. I did get some rest of Thursday.
Friday morning I met Dave, John, and Dan at Knights Pond for a 6:45 swim. As we headed down, we noticed fog on the pond. Down on the shore, we could not see the buoys.
When we started to swim, we headed towards where we thought the 1st buoy would be.
We found it, but we couldn't see the 2nd buoy.
We tried to follow the shore but we could barely see any trees or the shore. About 2/3rds of the way there, we saw the buoy.
The fog started to lift and we had no problem heading back to shore. It felt good to get a last swim in before the tri.
After the swim, John and myself went up to Spring Hill and saw Kat. We grabbed some no parking signs and we went out to sweep the Sprint and 1/2 Iron bike and run courses.
There was a lot to clean up on the Sprint bike course. The 1/2 Iron course wasn't bad.
We finished up around 12:30pm.
My parents visited for the Pumpkinman Traithlon Festival. Around 4pm I went with my Mom to Spring Hill for early packet pickup.
When I got home, I took down my bike and put my race number on it. Then I leaned it on the compressor so I could put it in my truck in the morning.
Saturday 9/10.
When I woke up at 4am, I was surprised. I slept through the whole night.
After breakfast, I went out to put my bike in my truck. When I went into the barn, my bike was on the floor. It fell during the night. I picked it up and didn't see anything wrong so I put it in my truck. I gradded the rest of my gear and headed to Spring Hill.
I pulled in at 5:45am and headed down to the volunteers parking.
After parking , I did my triahtlon warmup drill sets. Then I did a 16 minute warm-up run.
After stretching, I set up my bike on the trainer.
Once on the bike, I started my warm-up. I tried to shift to the front large chanring and I couldn't. I tried to adjust the cable but it didn't work.
"Bob, the race is up there" I heard. John Sutherland was there. I said that I was giving everyone a head start. I told John my problem and he suggested to bring my bike up to Papa Wheelies tent. "Great idea John, thanks." I wasn't sure if I should bring it up now or after I do my warm-up. I figured that I could do a warm-up on the middle chainring, then get the bike checked out after body marking. So that 's what I did.
When I brought my bike to Papa's, there was a mechanic there and I told him the problem. When he was checking out the bike, he asked if I took off the back wheel. I said no but it did fall down overnight. He said that was enough to move the back wheel so it wouldn't shift. He fixed it! "Thanks Papa Wheelies."
I headed over to tranisition.
I started to set up transition when I heard "5 minutes before the prerace meeting". "Great". I came here earlier so I would have more time in transition.
I rushed to get everything set up and wetsuit on. Then I headed down.
The nerves started.
When I got near the shore, I saw Dave. We chatted a bit, then I headed closer to the water.
After the meeting, "I got a feeling" was playing on the speakers. The Elite were going to start soon.
My wave started a minute after theirs.
"GO!". The Elites were gone.
So my age group headed into the water. I was in the middle of the back.
"GO!". I started to freestyle.
I got bumped many times. Once the chaos was over, I was 1/2 way to the 1st buoy. When I went up for air, (the water was so choppy from all the swimmers) I got a mouth full of water. I had a hard time after that.
My plan was to swim freestyle and when I needed to, I would side stroke to get my breath back. Then freestyle again. But now I was in survival mode. I couldn't clear the water out of my throat.
I got to the 1st buoy and headed to the 2nd. About a 1/3rd of the way there, I saw all these green swim caps racing to the first buoy. "Great"
I continued to side stroke towards the second buoy. It felt like my legs were sinking. I didn't think I was gonna make it. "I'll never do this again".
If the green swim caps passed me, I never saw them.
Once I got (luckily) to the second buoy, I felt a little better. I did some freestyle but I still couldn't catch my breath. I heard "Looking good Bob" and I had no idea who said that. Then I seen Jason in a canoe on the course. I freestyeled a few more times but near the finish, I side stroked.
Once I felt the shore, I had a hard time walking. It may have taken me a minute to finally get out of the water. I started to run up the hill but I couldn't find the zipper cord in back of the wetsuit so I started to walk. I had to walk up Powderhouse. When I got to the top, I ran to my bike.
It took me a little while to get my focus back.
Once on the bike, I started to get better.
The bike race went good. No problems on the course and I went up Great Hill faster than ever before.
After a 48 second T2, I was on the run.
The run started off tough. Once I turned onto Junction Road I was feeling good.
After passing Spring Hill and heading towards the hill down to the finish, I had two 40's in front of me and I wanted to pass them. I attempted a pass in front of the garage but I didn't have it in me.
"Finished!"
I grabbed a water and seen Jenifer, Ryan and my parents.
After I cooled down, I went to check the results.

I came in 123/401 overall and 16/29 in my age group.

My swim was almost 2 minutes faster than last year. How?
I also moved up 49 spots from last years finish.
It was an excellent triathlon but it was also my hardest yet.
I learned a lot and I have a lot to work on for 2012.

7/10/11 Breadloaf, Wilson, Camels Hump Backpack attempt

I got up at 2:45am and took a shower. I loaded up the truck and was on the road by 4am.

On Rt. 4 heading to Concord, I stopped at the Hess gas station in Chichester. When I tried to use my Visa Card, it said "See Cashier". So I went in.

I told her that the pump didn't accept my Visa. She told me to go out and press pay inside, then come back in to pay. So I did. When she tried to use the Visa to pay for it, it didn't work. She kept trying, and it didn't work. She called her manager and nothing.

I called Jenifer (which was camping with our kids) to tell her what was going on. She called Northeast Credit Union. First they said that we didn't have any debit cards. Later they said we had cards and that they should work. When Jenifer called again after failed attempts with my card, NCU said that there was a glitch with their systems and noone could use their cards and they didn't know how long it would take to fix it.

Jenifer was able to give them a credit card number over the phone. PAID!

Now I was on my way to Vermont.

I geared up and was on the Long Trail by 10:10am (3 hours late).

After the 1st mile, I started to look for a campsite. After 2.5 miles, nothing. GREAT!

So my planned backpacking trip became a peak bagging hike.

I took my tent, sleeping pad, pans and stove out of my pack and stashed them behind a tree a little ways down the Burnt Hill Tr.

My original plan was to find a campsite close to the road so I wouldn't have to carry the heavy pack. So after I bagged Breadloaf and Wilson, I would hike back to the camp, spend the night, and leave early the next morning to drive to Came's Hump for another hike. If I carried the heavy pack 5 miles to a campsite, I definitely wouldn't have enough energy for the next days hike.

With the lighter load, I was able to move fast.

The Long Trail was narrow and very rough. Mud, rocks, moss, roots and water. My feet started th hurt.

I saw fresh Moose tracks on the trail. Soon I had to avoid stepping in Moose poop.

Soon I was on the wooded summit of Breadloaf. There was a spur trail from the summit that lead to a view west.

The trail from Breadloaf to Wilson wasn't too bad. When I got to the top, I almost walked by the summit. There were a few logs in front of the summit. Another spur path lead to a lookout east.

After taking a break, I headed back.

My feet, back, and shoulders were hurting. Down, up, down, up.

Heading towards the Boyce Shelter, I got the idea that if noone was at the shelter, I could put my sleeping bag in the shelter to hold a spot. Then head over to the Burnt Hill Tr. to pick up my gear, set the tent up in the shelter and spend the night.

When I got to the Boyce Shelter, 2 people and a Saint Bernard were there. Plus I couldn't find water nearby so staying at the shelter was not an option.

So when I got to the Brunt Hill Tr., I went down and picked up my gear.

My shoulders were hurting for the rest of the descent.

When I got to the truck, I dropped the pack in the bed. I set up my stove on the tailgate and cooked Chicken Ramen noodles with Pepperoni for dinner.

I called Jenifer while the Ramen was cooling. I told her about my day and that I was heading home after I ate.

This was my second attempt for Camel's Hump. Denied.

It still was a great hike. I bagged 2 more peaks for the New England 100 Highest list. 65/100.

Hiking 15.8 miles, there was no way that I could of hiked 25 miles the next day. This morning I had a hard time walking.

http://community.webshots.com/album/580518288xdNpah

7/2/11 Parker Mountain Backpack

7/2/11

I got to the trailhead for the Carter Smith Tr. around 2pm. I put on my heavy backpack and started to head up Parker Mountain.

The trail starts off easy, then becomes steep and eroded. It took a little while to get use to carrying a heavy pack again.

Heading up the trail, I saw the downed tree that points to a lookout. From the lookout I could see Blue Job Mountain. At the lookout there was a cross with plastic ivy on it. I wondered if someone got hurt.

After leaving the lookout, I started to climb again. Soon I saw the faded path on the left that leads to my campsite from last year.

I set up my tent and checked out the views. I could see Blue Job again.

I grabbed my pack and continued towards the summit.

After some more climbing, it levelled off. Then I was at a clearing with great views. I could see the smoke stacks in Newington but it wasn't clear enough to see the Atlantic Ocean.

I found a few wild blueberries, Yum!

There were a few more ups and downs before I reached the summit cairn on Parker Mountain.

I took my pack off and took a break. After some GORP, I headed back down.

When I got back to the tent, I filled my Therm a rest and organinzed inside the tent.

I found a flat rock a little ways from my tent. This will be my kitchen for this evening

I started to boil water for 4 cheese lasagna from Hamburger Helper, minus the hamburger. I added the powdered milk to the boiling water. Soon it overflowed and spilled all over the place. I put in the pasta and sauce mix and mixed it. I had to add more water so it would cook. 10 minutes later, it was done. It wasn't bad but it burned to the bottom of the pan.

After dinner, I cleaned up the kitchen. Since I couldn't find water and I didn't have enough water to clean the pan, I brought it down to my truck, since I didn't want to store it and have a bear for an after dinner guest. The truck was only a 1/2 mile away.

After I came back to the tent, I changed my clothes and hung out in the tent.

6:11pm. Hopefully it will not be a long night.

7/3/11

I had a rough night trying to sleep. I left the sleeping bag at home and I wanted to try sleeping on the Therm a rest with a pillow and blanket. I read "The Appalachian Trail Backpacker" and went out a few times to roam the area.

I read until 9pm and blew out the candle lattern.

Fireworks, motorcycles, and dogs kept me up for quite a while. I was able to sleep on and off until around 3am. Then I set my alarm for 4 to get up.

At 4am, I was up and wide awake.

I organized inside the tent, then went out and started up the stove. As the water started to boil for my oatmeal and java, my headlamp died. I went into the tent and got my candle lattern.

From the ridge where I camped, the views were to the east. The sun was rising as I put my tent into its stuff sack.

I loaded up my backpack and headed down.

5:30am. Cool! I can go home and make pancakes!

This was an excellent warm-up backpacking trip. I learned a few things to do and not to do for next time, Vermont!

http://community.webshots.com/album/580454488wzuGcM

6/25/11 Aggieman Triathlon

I woke up @ 4am to finish getting ready for Aggieman. Jenifer got up a little later and we left and got to the Eliot Boat Basin before 6am.

We dropped the kayak off near the boat dock, then I parked the truck. We were the 1st ones there.

While I was doing my Drill Sets, I heard thunder off in the distance. Soon it was over us thundering and raining.

I went and did my 16" warm-up run, then headed over to registration to get my timing chip and body marked.

Then while I was setting up my bike trainer, a person from Aggieman annouced that the kayak was going to be cancelled due to the weather. "Great" If that was the case, we would do a duathlon or the race would be cancelled.

While I was warming up on the bike trainer, Ed Harvey (Race Director) announced that the weather is going to clear up but he wanted to wait a while before he decided if we were going to kayak.

My support, Jenifer, had to go to the 7:30am support crew meeting.

Just as she started heading over, Ed said that we were going to kayak but was going to start the race a little later.

At 7:50, Ed had a pre-race meeting on the beach. He said that the kayak was a go and the men were going to start at 8:11 and the women at 8:14. After the meeting, all the men got in their kayaks and headed out to the start line.

I've only kayaked a few times before the race and I was nervous.

Ed stood on the beach and he was the start line.

"1 minute to go. 30 seconds. 15 seconds. GO!

I started to paddle and shortly after I watched everyone pull ahead of me.

The kayak course was to go around an island, then head back to the finish. There were 3 of us bringing up the rear.

Halfway to the finish line, a few women passed me.

When I got out of the kayak, I had to run up the stairs to T1.

I had to take off my life vest and Teva's when I got to my bike. I forgot to wipe my feet off and when I did a flying mount, I had grass and small pebbles in my bike shoes.

Due to the rain, the bike course was slippery.

Halfway through the 25 mile bike course, it started to rain. Then it started to rain hard.

I stood up on the pedals to stretch my legs. When I raised my heels for a calf stretch, my left calf cramped up and almost knocked me over. I slowed down a little and most of it went away.

I didn't have a problem with the rain but when I was going fast on a curvey section of Josiah Norton Rd., I almost lost it.

Soon I was getting close to T2. It was a bit deceptive because I started passing parked cars on the right, but T2 was way ahead of me.

I didn't see my truck parked on the road and I got a little nervous. "Did Jenifer make it?"

Just before T2, I saw my truck, YES!

When I dismounted, Jenifer was there with my transition towel and Zoot visor and Kapilani's. It was a good thing she was there. My feet were numb and she had to hold me up while I attempted to put my Zoots on.

I finally got them on, then I headed down the dirt road. I started off slow because my left calf was still hurting. Soon I picked up the pace.

Once I got on the Cedar Brook Tr., I got a hamstring cramp on my left leg. I had to walk until the pain subsided.

Before I turned onto the Goosefoot Tr., I saw a man standing there in a red rain coat. When I got closer, he pulled out a camera and took my picture. He was from Capstone.

It was still raining hard. I had to duck under many branches that were weighed down by the rain. I also started to feel lonely since there was noone around and I had no idea what position I was in for the race. I had to walk several sections because they were steep and slippery. Also I ran through some mud but the big puddles washed my sneaks clean.

Only 200 yards to the finish. Once I was out of the woods, I sprinted to the finish. Jenifer was there and Ed asked me if I was alright.

Jenifer got me a water and I grabbed a sandwich. We didn't stay long since we were both drenched and cold.

Even though it wasn't the best conditions for a tri. I had a great, painful time!

Thanks Ed for a great event. Thanks Steve for lending me your kayak and thanks Karen for the helpful kayak tips.

This morning I planned on doing an Aggieman Triathlon workout on the course. I checked the tides, since it's a kayak start, and low tide was at the time when I wanted to go. So I loaded up my truck with bike and kayak and drove over to Eliot Boat Basin.

Jenifer and myself got to the basin by 10am. I took my bike out of the truck (and I didn't do a warm-up ride or stretch) and got ready to go.

The 25 mile bike course starts off easy but becomes hilly. The roads are pretty messed up from last winter.

During the bike ride, I saw Jenifer a few times. She drove ahead of me and took some pictures.

While I was heading to T2, I saw Jenifer in the distance.

T2 for Aggieman is a person waiting for you to grab your bike and helmet, and they also set up for the 3 mile run up Mt. Agamenticus.

She was taking a picture so I had to set my bike down and put my run shoes on.

The first mile of the run is on a dirt road. I was pretty sore and I was running a recovery run before I hit the trails.

I took a right of the dirt road onto the Cedar Brook tr. It's flat until I got to the Goosefoot tr.

The run started to get steep. Then I had a lot of boulder hoping to do. As I got farther up the Goosefoot, I had to walk a few times.

A left onto the Ring tr. and I was almost there.

Shortly I was on Witchhazel trail for the last .2 miles to the summit (finish).

I planned on running the whole way but my legs had somthing to say about it.

I ran the last section and crossed where the finish line will be in a few weeks.

I did the bike in 1:23.41 and the run in 26.26.

It was a great workout!

2011 Triathlon Season

Here's my tentative schedule for 2011:

04/03/11 Great Bay 1/2 Marathon
05/22/11 King Pine Triathlon (state championships)
06/25/11 Aggieman Triathlon (Relay)
09/10/11 Pumpkinman Sprint Triathlon
09/11/11 Pumpkinman 1/2 Bike and Run Course Director :)
11/24/11 Portsmouth 5k Turkey Trot

I have started the Prep stage of my 6 month triathlon training. My body is a little sore from lifting weights, since I haven't in a while. Running and biking is feeling good but I definitely need to work on my swimming.

My first tri last September was the Pumpkinman Sprint. It took 2 years of training to do the swim. I did it in 15 minutes. My new goal is to do it in 7 and if I can, I have a shot at the podium.

Let the games begin.

2010 Portsmouth 5k Turkey Trot

This morning I ran the Seacoast Rotary Clubs 2nd Annual 5k Turkey Trot. We got there at 7am (too early) and got a parking spot on Pierce Island. We were the first ones there.
At 8am, I did my 15 minute warm-up run. My legs didn't feel up to it. I think I need to taper more. 2 days was not enough. When I got back, Barbara and Daisy were at the car with Jenifer, Ryan and Krista. I did my stretches and went to the start line. I was pretty far back.
At 8:30am (start time), the race hasn't started yet. When the race started, it took just under a minute to cross the start line. No PR today :(
Because there were so many people at the race (1500), I mostly walked to Marcy St.
It was crowded on Marcy St.. I ran on the sidewalk to pass people.
Heading up South St., the crowd thinned a bit. I saw Diane Jackson and said hi.
By the time we reached Middle St., there was much more room to run.
I kept looking at my heart rate monitor and stayed in the 180-185 bpm range. I picked up the pace a bit when I passed the church. When I turned right for the finish, I picked it up some more and made sure that my feet stayed under me, instead of in front of me.
It felt great crossing the finish line but I was pretty winded.
After catching my breath, we went to get some water and treats.
Overall I was 241 out of 1243. 35/129 in my age group. My pace was 7:49 (I have to check to see if that's a PR) and my total time was 24:17. Guntime was 25:11. If I started closer to the start line, my overall would have been better.
This was an excellent race to end 2010. I learned so much this year and starting in December, I will start training for the 2011 Aggieman Triathlon and the 2011 season.

9/11/2010 Pumpkinman Sprint Triathlon

I slept pretty good the night before. I was all nervous that I wouldn't sleep. My alarm was set for 5am and I woke up 15 minutes early.

I ate breakfast, got all my gear in the truck, and my parents showed up. They came from Pompey, NY to watch the triathlon.

As planned, I got to the tri at 6am. I did my warm-up drill sets, stretches,warm-up run and bike ride. I grabbed my tri bag, got body marked, and went into transition. I was on schedule.

I was surprised how small my transition area was. When I set up my bike , half my transition towel was under my front tire.

Once I set up transition, I put my wetsuit on. 7:45am, not on schedule. I was planning on getting in the water for a 15 minute warm-up swim but I was rushing to get to the pre-race meeting. I also didn't have time to study the transition area.

Walking down the hill to the swim start, the nerves started again. I saw Russ Lord down by the start and we chatted. My goggles kept fogging up.

My swim wave was 3rd. "30 seconds before the start". Deep breaths. "Go!"

I let the crowd go in first. I took my time getting in. Once I was near the first buoy, I was surprised that there were still people swimming behind me.

Between the 1st and 2nd buoys, I kept getting water in my mouth. Rounding the 2nd buoy, it seemed it took forever to reach the shore.

I made it. Now I have to run up the hill.

As I was stripping the top off my wetsuit off, I put my swim cap and goggles in my right sleeve. As I was running up the hill, they fell out. I saw the green swim cap but not the goggles. I'm not going back to find them.

Towards the top of the Hill Challenge, I started to walk.

T1 went well. Half way through the bike ride, my left calf cramped up. It was very painful and almost knocked me off my bike. I slowed down a bit and it got better.

The bike ride went well. It was my fastest time riding the Sprint course. 47 seconds and I was out of T2.

Shortly after starting the run, my calf cramped up again. Turning onto Junction Rd., the cramp was gone.

I picked it up for the last mile to the finish. Once back at Spring Hill, the adreneline kicked in. I pushed it down the hill to the finish. "Yes? I did it". Thanks to everyone that has helped me learn how to swim and train for traithlons.

1:27.10

172 out of 471

22 out of 38 age group.

142 out of 474 for the Hill Challenge.

It was a great 1st tri. I'm psyched! I'm looking forward to the 2011 season.

8/1-2/2010 Ellen, Abraham, and Mansfield Backpack/Hike

8/1/2010

I left my house at 3:45am and arrived at the Appalachia Gap in Vermont by 8am. The Long Trail (LT) crosses the road here. I geared up, put on my 48 lb pack, crossed the road and was hiking by 8:15.

The LT starts off steep. Pretty soon I had to climb up metal pipe steps and a ladder to get up the trail. Once I was a mile into the woods, I started looking for a campsite.

I couldn't find one. The woods were so dense. I thought I saw a few sites but I didn't want to tred on the fragile vegetation. Soon I was at the Spur path to Theron Dean Shelter. This is were one of my water supplies was so I checked it out. It was dry. I knew of another water site farther up the trail. I headed back to the trail and started ascending.

I climbed up a boulder and slipped. My left shin smashed on the boulder. A small flesh wound.

I was still looking for a campsite, and water. Nothing.

While I was heading up towards Stark's Nest, I saw two hikers heading towards me. I found out that one of them was thru hiking the LT and was heading north.

Soon I was at Stark's Nest ski area with a single chair lift. I can camp here. From the warming hut, I followed a road and camped on the side. I pitched my tent and I headed towards Mt. Ellen.

The trail was up and down and long. It was muddy in spots and some parts were eroded. I kept my eye out to find Holt Hollow. This is where I needed to get water. Thinking I missed it, I continued down the trail. "What does that sign say, Holt Hollow, Yes! I followed the spur trail and found a small puddle of water. I knew it was ok since I heard water trickling into it. I filled two water bottles (should of filled more) and headed back to the trail.

Once I climbed up to another ski area, I thought I went right by the summit. I ate lunch here and treated my flesh wound. Then I headed south on the LT towards Mt. Abraham.

1 minute back on the trail, Mt. Ellen. There's a small cairne on the summit in the middle of the trail.

Again, many ups and down. I met a hiker that was heading to Canada, Cool!

Now the trail got steep. Once I was at the top, I was on Mt. Lincoln. There was an observation deck on the summit and I could see Abe off in the distance.

I hiked over Baby Abe and headed down for the last climb up Mt. Abraham.

The views were great. I could see Lake Champlain and the Adirondaks Mt. Marcy to the west. I could see Mt. Ellen, Camel's Hump, Mansfield and the Jay Peaks off to the north. Looking east I saw Mt. Adams and Mt. Washington in the Whites. Killington was to the south.

Now for the hike back.

It went pretty well. I started to get tired and my left shoulder was hurting.

Once back to camp, I took a break. Then I made dinner. Hamburger Helper Stroganoff. Not good. I need to find something I can eat for dinner cold, no cooking required.

After dinner, I organized all my gear and headed into the tent for the evening.

I hiked 15.5 miles today. My plan was to hike up Camel's Hump on the next day but I don't think I could hike 25 miles round trip tomorrow. Plus in the morning I have to hike 2.5 miles down to Apps Gap. Instead, I'll head over to Mt. Mansfield tomorrow.

8/2/2010

I was surprised. I slept pretty good. I got up at 4am and wrote yesterdays trip report. Around 5am, I got up and made breakfast. After breakfast, I packed up and was on the trail by 6:15am.

My back was sore from yesterdays hike. I was surprised when I put my pack on, that if didn't hurt my back. Also yeserday when I found water, I only filtered 2 liters. I used most of it for dinner and the rest for breakfast. I had not water for the 2.5 mile descent, but I knew there was water in my truck.

I took my time on the descent. The trail was slippery and foggy. When I got to the several boulders with steel steps, I took my time and had no problems.

I saw a couple of hikers heading up to Abe. Then I hiked through a wild bluebery patch. I was able to get a couple, MMM!

Close to the trailhead, my left shoulder started to hurt again and I was feeling dehydrated.

Once back to the truck, I had water, lots of water. I had some GORP, and more water.

I'm going to drive over to Mt. Mansfield now.

On the way over, the sky was blue except over Stowe and Mansfield.

I got to the trailhead and there were many cars and people heading up the mountain. Oh well.

Since I didn't want to carry my heavy pack again, I decided to go alpine style (minimal gear). So I grabbed my fanny pack, put on the water bottle parka with a 1 liter water bottle, camera, GORP, and I put a peanut butter sandwich inside the fanny pack.

I put the fanny pack on, grabbed my LEKI Khumbu's and was on the trail. I decided to have this hike be a triathlon cross training hike, so I hiked fast up to the summit. Mt. Mansfield is 2.3 miles to the summit from Rt. 108 on the LT south.

The beginning of the trail was easy. Then it got a little steep. By the time I got near the summit, it was boulder climbing time. YES!

The scramble up to the summit was very steep in spots. It leveled off towards the summit. I made it to the summit in 1 hour and 30 minutes. There was a panoramic view but clouds covered most of the summits. I could see Jay Peak and Big Jay (on my to do list). After I ate my sandwich, I looked around a bit. I saw an airplane heading towards the summit and it was pulling a glider. Then the plane let go of the glider and I watched him turn and fly away. After that, I headed down. It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to descend, or what I like to call "controlled falling"

This was an excellent hike. I learned so much and a few what not to do's in the future.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/578309430SUIjmi

7/23,24/2010 Parker Mountain backpack

7/24.
I left my house at 2pm and drove to the trailhead for Parker Mountain in Strafford, NH. I came to Parker for 2 reasons. First, to check on and replace an Ascender stamp for my "If Parker Mountain was Mt. Everest" Letterboxing series. Due to the past ice storm, I had to change a few clues, since some of the Spencer Smith Tr. was damaged. Second, to do a backpacking warmup trip to get ready for bagging 4 peaks in 2 days in Vermont in August.
When I returned to my truck after fixing the Parker Mtn. series, I gave
Jenifer a call. Then I grabbed my 41 lb pack and headed back up Parker Mtn.
It took a little while to get use to the backpack again.
Soon the trail got steep and I took my time heading up. I took a side trail to a lookout. I could see Blue Job mountain off in the distance.
Heading back up the steep, eroded trail, I got use to the weight of the pack. Soon I came to the downed tree that points to my campsite I found last year.
I dropped my pack, then set up my tent. The tent went up easy but I couldn't pound down a few stakes since I was camping on Parker Mountains Ridge.
I unloaded my backpack. Somethings went inside the tent, and the food and stove stayed out. I found a deer run that went through a wild blueberry patch but there were no berries. Soon I found a nice flat rock to set up my stove and cook dinner, Hamburger Helper 4 Cheese Lasagna, minus the hamburger. Believe it or not, it tastes good. The sky became overcast.
After it was done, I sat on a boulder along the ridge and ate. It was very peaceful, but I could hear a dog barking off in the distance. When I finished eating, I cleaned up and threw my food stuff sack over a tall branch to keep the amimals from my food. I also brought an extra piece of rope so I could hang my backpack near my tent so I could have much more room in my small 2 man tent.
I changed into my sleep shorts and headed into the tent. I organized inside and set up my latern. It's almost 9pm and it's dark outside.
I'll work on my LEKI Khumbu Speedlock trekking poles report, read a little Chi Running, then try to sleep.
7/25.
A few times during the night, I heard a few animals. Once I heard one sniff next to the tent fly. It was a little scarry, but neat at the same time.
Around 2am it started to rain. I also had a very hard time sleeping. I may have gotten 2 hours of sleep.
My watched beeped and it was 5am. Time to get up. It was still raining so I put on my rain gear and headed out. I set up my kitchen in the same spot and made oatmeal and coffee. Once I ate, I grabbed my coffee and went back into the tent. I also grabbed my backpack.
I drank my coffee and loaded the backpack. Then I packed up the tent and put it on top of my pack.
The descent was slippery and slow. I took my time and made it down without any problems.
It was an excellent backpack and I learned a few new tricks.
Now it's time to bag some peaks.

Here are some pictures:

http://sports.webshots.com/album/578252860LeFScz

P1 Sprints bike workout

After my morning nap, I did a P1 Sprints bike workout. Warmed-up, then 6x30 sprints in big gears. I stood for the first 10 seconds while increasing cadence to 90-100, then kept cadence for 20 seconds while seated.
When I was heading back on Blackberry Hill Rd., I saw a mother and a son up the road. I looked behind me to see if a car was coming and there was, but when I started to look ahead, I drove onto the shoulder. I stopped pedaling and held on for the ride. As soon as the car passed, I got back on the road. Phew!
It was a great workout, minus the headwinds.

35'53
11 miles
18.2 average mph
35 max mph

Todays Time Trail

After my morning nap, I did a T2 bike Time Trail. 15 minute warm-up on trainer and then a 10k TT. Its suppose to be done on a flat course but I enjoy the hills. The 5k out was easier than the 5k back.

When I returned, there was a headwind. After I took a right to go up Berwick Hill, a tractor trailer was following (pushing) behind me, but wouldn't pass. Towards the top of the hill, he passed.

It was an excellent ride and a good workout. This is the last week of my Build 1 traithlon training.

I ended with a strawberry/blueberry smoothie

20'20
6.3 miles
18.5 average mph
37.2 maximum mph

A wet Sunday Brick

This morning I did an E3 Intensive Endurance Brick on he Hills of the Berwicks. The Brick was a 1 hour bike ride and a 1 hour run.
T1 went well and I was on my way.
Shortly after I started, it began to rain. I rode for a half hour then turned around. I had to stop for a train crossing the road. Once I started up again, I saw a red fox cross the road.
Heading up a hill, I noticed that there were tiny pebbles in my wet shoes.
I made it back home in 59.05, wet. I rode 17.7 miles, 17.9 average mph, and 32.4 maximum mph.
T2 took a few minutes. My feet and fingers were numb and my sneakers were wet.
Once I started the run, it took a few minutes to loosen up my legs. I ran a half hour and turned around.
Coming back, the sun was trying to come out, but it didn't. I picked up my pace and made it back home in 56 minutes.
I ran 6.4 miles and ran an 8.45 minute mile. Total Brick in 1.58
This was an excellent workout. Now it's time to start Build 1 training.

2010 Triathlon Training

Here's a picture of me working out on my bike trainer during my Preparation period of my triathlon training. I will be starting my Base 1 training this Monday.

I'm still working on my swimming and hopefully I'll be ready for the June King Pine Tri.

2009's Garlic Harvest

I have been growing garlic for many years.

Last September I planted 90 cloves and I harvest 89 heads this year.

After I planted the cloves last year, I slowly covered the bed with leaves, to insulate them during the winter. After all the leaves are in the bed, I cover the bed with bird netting, so the leaves will not blow away and to keep cats out of it.

In the spring, as it warms up, I slowly take the leaves out of the bed. All the garlic shoots are yellow and quickly turn green.

After all the leave are off, I feed the bed with blood meal, then I put a layer of compost over the whole bed. Then I put shredded leaves in the bed as a mulch.

When there are only 4 green leaves left, I harvest the garlic.

Since we had a wet season, I'm letting the garlic dry for three weeks.

After the garlic is dry, I save 90 cloves for next years crop, which I'll plant the second week of September.

http://community.webshots.com/album/574148042nrwyyz

The York Day 5K

7/26/09

This morning I did my first race. It was the York Day 5K. We left the house at 6:30am to get to York High School early.

When we got there, we went inside the school to register. My number was 536. I got my number and timing chip.

Around 7:30am I did a 15 minute warm-up run. It felt good.

I saw Jenifer and the kids when I got back. Then I had to rush over to the start line.

There were a lot of people at the start line. It took me a while but I made it to the back.

While I was waiting to start, it started to rain.

Soon the gun went off and we started the race.

I was nervous since it was my first race. I was surprised how easy it was running in a group.

I kept a consistent pace. I tried to drink water at the 1 mile marker but I spilled 1/2 of it and had a sip and some went up my nose.

I picked up some speed at the last right hand turn towards the finish line. 1/2 way to the finish, I sprinted. While sprinting to the line, someone said "Farmer Bob!". I lifted up my arms then crossed the finish line.

After crossing the finish line, the commentator said "Here are the people who finished under 29 minutes.

I grabbed a piece of watermelon and found Jenifer, Ryan and Krista.

They posted the preliminary times and if I read it right, I was 71/97 and ran it at 27:13.

This was an excellent race and I can't wait for the next one.

Time Trial Training

For the last several months, I've been training for an Individual Time Trial on August 30th in Cumberland Maine.

I start the ride at Spinelli Cinema's parking lot in Barrington, NH. I head south on Rt. 125 to Lee Traffic Circle. I go around the circle then head north back to Spinelli. It's 8.3 miles.

While I was heading south, I heard "on the left" and a bike rider pulled up. He asked me how far I was going and I told him. He said something and took off.

I thought about keeping up with him but I kept to my own pace.

Traffic in the circle was a bit tricky but I made it.

Heading back to Spinelli, I was making good time but my body told me that one run was enough

I've been wanting to do two laps but I will start in August.

It's a good ride and hopefully it will help my chances for the Peak Performance Maine Time Trial Series #12 of 13 in August.

My Tri Training.

On weekends when I get a chance, I will do My Tri.

My Tri consists of first practicing breathing techniques in our pool for 10 minutes, with wetsuit, cap and goggles on. Then from the pool I go to T1, strip off my wetsuit and do a flying mount onto my bike. Then I ride 16 miles. When I get back to my house, I do a flying dismount to T2. Then I put my shoes on and run 3 miles.

This is a great practice and I can't wait to swim better so I can compete in an actual Triathlon.