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.

2009 Aggieman Triathlon

This was the second Tri that I volunteered for this year. It was another excellent experience.

I got to the start line at 5am. Soon I joined Jeff and Orville to set up the transition racks in T1. When that was done, I hung out and watched people setting up their transition areas.

After the swim, I helped Jennifer with calling out the athlet's number so she could mark it down plus the time. When the Kayaker's were done, I had to call out the time. That was fun.

I waited for the last bike rider to leave T1, then I had to drive the bike route and tell the Road Marshalls that the race was over and I had to pick up the caution flags and vests.

I didn't pass the last bike riders until I was on Rt.236. When I took a right onto Rt. 9, I pulled over and waited. When the last bike rider passed, I followed her slowly.

When the bike riders were on Mountain Rd., I passed them and stopped at T2.

I saw Tim, Stu and Chris there (fellow Riptide members) and we waited for the last riders to show up.

After they showed up, I head up the mountain.

I got to the top and hung out. I ate some food and listened to the results.

Hopefully I'll be ready next year to do Aggieman.

My Tri

6/12/09:
This morning I did my own Triathlon.
For the swim, I spent 10 minutes practicing breathing and kicking in my kids 12’x3’ pool, with the help of a kick board. Then I ran from the pool to T1.
Before I put on my wetsuit, I lubed up with sun screen. I wanted to see if that would help me take my wetsuit off faster. When I took the upper half of the wetsuit off, it got stuck on my left wrist. My watch was on the outside of the wetsuit. So I had to pull it back up to take the watch off. When I took off the lower half, it came off easily. Maybe next time I’ll try Pam on my wrists.
Then I put on my Tri top (still scraping cash together for a Riptide top), jersey, sunglasses and helmet. My sunglasses fogged up so I couldn’t use them. Then I did a flying mount onto my bike and I was off.
For the bike ride, I rode 16.4 miles through Berwick and N. Berwick on very hilly terrain. It took a while getting use to riding without sunglasses.
When I got close to T2, I undid my shoes and did a flying dismount. I took off my helmet and jersey, and then put my shoes on. This took a long time, since I haven’t gotten Yankz yet.
My legs were very stiff on the beginning of the 3 mile run. I kept a consistent pace and I sprinted up my driveway to the finish line.
My Tri took me 1.36.
It was an excellent workout and it is now part of my Triathlon Training.

Volunteering at the 2009 King Pine Triathlon

Today I was able to volunteer for the transition area at the King Pine Triathlon. It was a blast and I learned a lot.

Check out the photo's at:

http://sports.webshots.com/album/572734158VekmCu

5/9/09 Pumpkinman Tri Sprint Course ride.

This morning I rode my bike to Spring Hill and rode the Sprint course for the Pumpkinman Triathlon. It was the second day getting use to my new Aerobars.

Knights Rd. has a nice shoulder for bikers and runners.

Emery Bridge Rd. was interesting.

There's a lot of road damage and in a few area's the road banks.

I took a left onto Boyds Corner rd. and it was uphill. When I reached the top, it leveled off and I picked up speed. I knew Thurrell Rd. was on the left so I kept an eye out for it. I started to go faster, then there it was. My back tire skidded when I braked to make the turn.

Going up Thurrell, there's a horse farm at the top of the hill. Going down the hill was fast. I hit 32mph.

Feeling pumped, I took a right onto Great Hill Rd. Oh man, what a long ascent.

I made it up the hill then I started to pick up speed. Then I had to brake hard again for the quick turn onto Hopper Sands Rd.

Pretty soon I was back at Spring Hill. I took a short break, then headed home. It took me 53 minutes to ride the Sprint. Pond Rd. reminded me of Paris Roubaix's cobblestones.

The Sprint course is a challenge. There are more uphills then downhills and it was tough.

I can't wait to ride it again.