| San Marcos Circuit Race | 16th place out of 50 in the Cat V race. For details, check out http://spokethenurse.blogspot.com/2008/07/soloist-races-at-last.html. | Mike Nies 8/3/2008 11:54:43 PM |
| Musselman Half-Ironman | My first half-ironman on July 13 was held in Seneca Lakes, NY. It is called Musselman because there are zebra mussels in the lake. I knew it was going to be a interesting day when we arrived at the race venue and were greeted with very gusty winds. Thunderstorms were in the forecast but they held out for the swim. My goal for the race was to finish without having the race be a suffer-fest.
SWIM: there were 2-3 foot waves which made swimming and sighting difficult. My swim was OK.... 44:09 (7th AG). T1: fast... from all my years of short course racing. 1:43 (1st AG) BIKE: I was conservative on the bike and was able to maintain my goal speed despite the headwinds and the hard rain during the last 20 miles or so. My speed varied from 14 mph to 25 mph depending on the wind direction. 3:05 (6th AG). T2: 1:25 (2nd AG) RUN: The run was really hilly and part of it was loose gravel but I ran (if you want to call a shuffle a run) up all the hills and was determined NOT to walk. The rain was coming down in sheets and there was thunder over the lake. The water started to pool along the course.... running through lakes and rivers in the road has a tendency to slow you down. 1:58 (12th AG) Half-distance is definately a challenge for pacing. I was happy with my effort... especially for my first half. I ended up getting 4th AG overall... who would have thought.. especially with my time (5:51). Tons of people DNFed... that was unfortunate. All in all.... a nice race in a beautiful venue... it would really be great on a nice sunny day. | Angie Ridgel 7/16/2008 11:03:00 AM |
| Caeser Creek Sprint Tri 7/6/08 | A little background:
A week earlier, I raced a Half Ironman (Spirit of Morgantown, Morgantown, WV) and really struggled. I completely lost power after 30 miles of the bike and suffered through the last 26 miles on a hilly course, then really struggled with the 13.1 miles of running. It was especially frustrating because I pride myself on my running intensity - which just wasn't there. Fast forward one week: Fresh off of my inner struggles after the Morgantown 1/2 IM, I decided that I needed to "go short" to feel a bit better. Unknowing to me, the HFP Caeser Creek race was going to be the next weekend - its usually one week later. I was going to be in the Cincy area anyhow over the 4th weekend, so I registered for the sprint - figuring with very little training this week (rest week after the 1/2), I should relatively fresh and able to hammer out a short race. Race day: Caesar Creek is HFP's biggest Ohio race (over 700 athletes). I got there way early to get set up and simply chill out. Good thing too... They ended up starting 20 minutes late 'cause of the HUGE line of folks waiting to do packet pickup at the last minute (I heard Deer Creek was the same way this year... unusual for HFP). Anyhow, my goal was to red-line this race - go uncomfortably hard on the swim and bike then give it my all on the run. I figured if a good lung-burning couldn't get the bad taste out of my mouth, nothing would... Mission accomplished: I hit the swim hard and fast - not all out, but definately hard enough to make my lungs squeal a bit. I came out of the water 2nd in my AG and quickly caught the dude in front of me the first mile of the bike. The bike was interesting - again, going real hard but not all out, at about mile 3 I started following (legally - 3 bike lengths) someone who was obviously stronger than me. I was able to pace him until about mile 10 when he began pulling away. No problem. I turned up the intensity a bit more and was feeling good about my race... ... That is until 1/2 mile to go on the bike. A fast dude in my AG caught and passed me. Morgantown flashed in my head all over again. I started thinking too much - why am I getting weak late in races. A 1/2 Iron I can understand - but a sprint ?? PLEASE... Maybe I'll catch this dude in the run - after all, the plan was to go all out... ... on to the run. I took the first 1/4 mile at 90% effort to loosen up the legs. I was gaining on the dude that passed me on the bike. No problem... maybe I can do this and stay comfortable. Spoke too soon !! As I was about to pass this guy, I heard footsteps coming hard behind me. I'm guessing its a 20 something or an elite who I could care less about... nope, its another guy in my AG blowing by me. SH*T !!! My anger from the previous week, at that very point, boiled over. I told myself that I will not get blown away, yet again, by bunches of people on the run. Then I thought of what a buddy of mine told me after his outstanding 1/2 Iron effort at the end of his run: "I can do anything for 20 minutes" (he poured it on at the end of his half marathon). Well, I had about 16 minutes to go... So, I completely red-lined it - everything I've got - I'm either gonna win my AG or get beat giving my best effort. I quickly run up behind him, pace him for about 200 yards then make my move. Luckily it was on an up-hill and I think I had better power than him, so, I could get a few yards in front. Approaching the 1 mile marker... I can do anything for 13 minutes... I keep it redlined - lungs screaming at me - legs feel pretty good though. I see the elites coming back the other direction - not bad - especially since they had a 3 minute head start in wave 1. Turn around approaching - hmmm I wonder how far back he is. Make the turn - yep - he's only 5 yards behind me, but his face is beat red - it was clear that he was going to try to pace me and out sprint me at the end... damn, I don't want to get into a sprint race. I HAVE to win this now - not in the last 50 yards. Run harder. Run angry - remember how bad you felt last week when your strength was completely gone... Approaching the 2 mile mark... I can do anything for 6 minutes.... The legs now are starting to tire a bit - but not much - still feeling strong - lungs about to come out of my body. With a 1/2 mile to go, again, I hear footsteps coming fast and hard. I'm thinking - well he's making his move - maybe I'll have to pace him and get into a sprint at the end - man, I don't want to do that.. The pass happens - wait, its not him - its someone from the 40-44 AG - wow is he fast - I don't care - not my AG, and besides, he has a 3 minute lead given his wave start. 1/4 mile to go - I can do anything for 2 minutes. Hit the 3 mile marker... I wonder how far back he is - I refuse to look - give it your all - I can do anything for 30 seconds. go. go. go. Cross the finish line. Look back. He's right there, 9 seconds back. We both double over in pain and slap hands. Hell of a race - I'm sooo glad we didn't get into a sprint out !! Caesar Creek is a great course. The bike course roads are really good - not holes, big bumps, etc. Rolling hills makes it a bit challenging, but not too bad. The run course is mostly cross-country and scenic. Definately worth doing again. | Mark Durno 7/15/2008 9:47:36 PM |
| Cincinnati One World Triathlon | I went to race with my friend Natalie and our friend Mitch who lives in Cincy. We were very disappointed to learn Saturday afternoon that the swim was concelled due to a high bacteria count. It was to be Mitch's first tri, and now it wouldn't be official.
This was the first year for the race, and there are kinks that need to be worked out. First, you've got to have a swim. There was nothing they could do about the river, but if high bacteria levels are not uncommon they may as well not schedule the race at all. Second, the run they added to replace the swim was over cobblestones, mud/gravel, and very narrow. During the first wave police were rousting a homeless camp. Not acceptable. Third, the last third bike course had many twists and turns as it toured a forlorn part of downtown Cincy. Narrow turns are hard to negotiate on a tri bike and make it easy to get lost. Just extend the highway portion of the course. Fourth, there was a huge piece of drywall on the course that many hit. (I almost went down.) Not acceptable. Fifth, the run included a set of forty stairs. That's cool for an Xterra race, but this was supposed to be a big city tri. It's just my opinion, but that was an amateur move to include that obstacle in the course. Finally, the timing chips were only set to record T1, and not T2. No commentary necessary. On the positive side there were plenty of volunteers to point out turns (though it would be better to have fewer turns to begin with), and there were lots of water stops on the run course. I appreciated that. The run was also very plesant and scenic, save the stairs. I have a good 2-mile run to begin, did well on the bike but lost my concentration on both loops when it got into the city and had to deal with all the turns. The first 5k of the run was strong, but I started lagging after hitting the stairs. Unannounced in the packet, they threw me for a total loop. Overall, 5th in my age group (of 35), and 21 in the Olympic (of 215). I doubt I would have placed as high if there had been a swim. Then again, I'm not sick now, so it was probably worth it to cancel the water start. | Ian Hoffman 7/2/2008 4:46:37 PM |
| Summer Solstice Stage 4/Overall | Field:5/Cit
Place: 4th (stage)/2nd (overall) Race Report: The final stage was super flat and very windy. Again, no one managed to make a break stick, thanks in large part to the five riders from the Buckeye Cycling Club working to chase everything and protect the overall leader, who was from their team. On the last lap someone sprinted up front and took off, and I went with them. Three riders shot around me in the final straightaway, and I held on for fourth in the stage, and secured my second place in the Overall. This weekend was a well run set of races, and is definitely on the calendar for next year. | Mike Nies 6/26/2008 7:58:33 PM |
| Mill Creek Park Criterium | DNF | Matthew Orehek 6/25/2008 11:56:51 PM |
| Mid-Ohio Road Race | 3rd | Matthew Orehek 6/25/2008 11:56:29 PM |
| Race at the Lake #4 | 11th (field) | Matthew Orehek 6/25/2008 11:56:04 PM |
| Race at the Lake #3 | 9th | Matthew Orehek 6/25/2008 11:55:48 PM |
| Race at the Lake #2 | 4th | Matthew Orehek 6/25/2008 11:55:34 PM |
| Race at the Lake #1 | 13 (field) | Matthew Orehek 6/25/2008 11:55:16 PM |
| Summer Solstice Stage 3 | Field: Cat 5/Cit
Place: Fourth Race Report: This seven mile time trail is traditionally the deciding factor for the overall standings. Completely flat and exposed to the wind, this year was no different. After suffering through a headwind up the backstretch, I came in with a 17:30 run, pretty much exactly 24 mph. This stuck me in second place overall by around 24 seconds, with one more stage to go. | Mike Nies 6/25/2008 11:46:59 PM |
| Summer Solstice Stage 2 | Field: Cat 5/Cit
Place: Ninth Race Report: After things dried out the next morning, I saddled up for stage 2. Thanks to a three mile stretch of gravel road the field was badly fractured, but I hung on to the main group. Didn't fuel up right beforehand, though, so I had nothing left when it was time to sprint for the win. Most of the guys who passed me weren't racing for the General Classification, though. More details on my blog at http://spokethenurse.blogspot.com/2008/06/summer-solstice-stage-2-rollers.html | Mike Nies 6/25/2008 11:34:31 PM |
| Summer Solstice Stage 1 | Field: Cat 5/Cit
Place: Second Race Report: Cold, wet, flat, and a little windy. No one tried any breaks (thanks to slippery pavement), but I held out for second at the end in the field sprint. For all the juicy details go to http://spokethenurse.blogspot.com/2008/06/summer-solstice-stage-1.html | Mike Nies 6/25/2008 11:32:36 PM |
| Summi Tri 2008, Munroe Falls, OH | It was a great way to kick off the season. The weather was cool (60s) and overcast, but no rain. I'd practiced my transitions the day before after watching some practice videos on the ITU website, and was ready to bust out the shoes-attached-to-pedals technique for the first time. The swim was a little slow owing to getting boxed between some slow simmers and the lane line. I don't ever remember swimming over the top of people until this race. I guess that's a good sign in a way. Sorry to whomever I ran over. T1 went great, my only worry was mounting the bike like I'd seen in the videos and then slipping my feet into my shoes. While not quite the effortless spring over the bike I'd seen, it went smoothly enough that I maintained forward momentum -- a big improvement from past races. I got up to a decent speed before putting my feet in. I used the cross-handed technique I'd practiced in the parking lot the day before and it went fine. Once on the bike I passed lots of people and did not get passed myself. I'll give some credit to the new time trial helmet. T2 was the best. My only error was taking my feet out of the shoes about 0.5 miles from the finish. I should have waited until 0.25 or less. Live and learn. I was able to dismount while moving though. Again, a huge improvement from coming to a complete braking stop. In the transition area I just tossed off my helmet and slipped on the new racing flats. In and out in 20 seconds. A new record. I'm sure. The run was also good. In contrast to last year where I was lagging the whole way, I felt strong. I attribute that to three things: (1) no ride the day before, (2) lots of long runs this winter and spring, and (3) the racing flats (they've really made a difference in my speed workouts too). My miles were 6:45, 7:15, and 7:00. It was nice that I was able to come back in the third one a little. Overall, that was probably 45 seconds faster than any 5k tri I've run before. In the end, I was 3rd in my age group. I knew there would be five guys fighting for the top 3 spots. I got lucky in that one of us was in the top 3 overall, thus removed for age group awards. So, I beat one of the other four, good enough for 3rd. Last year I did not place, so it was a good direction. Best of all, I was 9th overall. A great result for me in a race of more than 160 racers. Kudos to SBR's Mel Bolgrin, who was the women's overall champ, and Martha Brennan, who won her age group. And to my friends Natalie, Jason, Cara, and Steve. It was Jason and Cara's first ever tri. Amazingly, Cara won her age group, as did Natalie and Steve. Jason finished despite a sore hamstring.
| Ian Hoffman 6/25/2008 2:17:47 PM |
| Maumee Bay Triathlon | The Maumee Bay Triathlon was held Sunday near Toledo. This flat and fast course is sometimes beaten with winds coming across the farmlands but is a great race close to home. Angie and Sadie were both at the race.
Angie Ridgel - competed in the olympic distance tri and finished 2nd in age group with a time of 2:30 Sadie Deckard did the olympic distance triathlon in 2:47:09 Mark Durno traveled to the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, to race in the sprint triathlon. His finishing time was 1:19:23 and would have placed him 8th overall and winner of his age group. Yes I said "WOULD HAVE". Mark was disqualified for not having his helmet buckled before leaving the transition area. For those of you not familiar with triathlon, USAT rules stipulate that all athletes must wear a helmet when on their bike. It must also be buckled. This rule is in effect at all times and people have been disqualified because of this rule while setting up transition before the race. It's all about safety and all triathletes must know the rules. Mark knows this rule but unfortunately missed buckling his helmet in the heat of battle. Mark will be more than ready for the Spirit of Morgantown Half IM triathlon this weekend in WV. I will also be racing the same distance with Mark. | Eric Gibb 6/24/2008 4:27:38 PM |
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