It's been a while since I have been able to sit down and talk about that last Willow weekend. Its getting hot, and it's not even summer yet. Ambient temps hit 102 on Sunday, and throwing a CBR1000RR around the track for 36 laps of racing left me depleted for a couple of days after.
The day started off smooth, a last lap pass in Open Superbike brought my 13 win in a row. It was a nervous start to the weekend. Lowry is starting to get the new R1 figured out, and Jeremy had also entered this race. It was not an easy race at all, Toye is strong, doesn't make mistakes, and he won't give you anything so you have to take it. We swapped the lead multiple times and this was only a sign of what the F1 race would hold.
I got off the line good in F1, tucked in behind Karl and was very patient as I watched Jeremy open up a few second gap. I made my way up to second and I could see I was taking a tenth off Toye with the next couple of laps. I made my way into turn six on a chase, when my left clipon rotated in half way to the gas tank. This scenario is a scary one and the first time I had to solve it during a race. I had to let Karl by and focus on pushing the bar out slowly which took a couple of laps. I was surprised I got it straight enough to work my way back up to Lowry with 8 laps to go. I knew if I tried to charge by him he would be able to counter my lap times and risk moving the bar again so I sat and waited. I don't like having to sit on the rear wheel for lap after lap, but considering the circumstance. I made my move starting the white flag lap and set an easy pace to take second place, only half second in front of Karl.
The good news is I am still leading the points, in fact I didn't even lose a single point. Bad thing my win streak is over. No big deal though losing my first race, I have been around long enough to know be happy with what you have, because you never know when it is going to change. And it will change, but I am looking forward to June's race and the chance to win that purse money again.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Xterra Del Valle
Thoughts on the weekend that come to mind.
The course, awesome. Lot's of nice people and that's what I love about Xterra races. Laid back.
The organization, now that's where it gets complicated.
Blue Adventure's I have no experience with. I show up Saturday afternoon for packet pickup as usual and the adventure race is just wrapping up. This is when the worst fears came crashing down and came true race day.
I had worried about course layout for weeks leading up. The mountain bike and run were not easily mapped, and even tougher followed during a race where volunteer's struggled to direct the athlete's. This area you cannot fault the organizer's for and I give them credit for doing the best job possible, but I just don't get it. You need to know the course when you have two separate route's with a huge mix in skill.
Swim went great. With only 35 starters in my wave, which was 15 minutes after a packed long course wave, it was nice and easy to find smooth water. Soon we ran into the middle of the second loop for the long course swimmers. That was an easy obstacle, and I found myself next to a strong swimmer sharing the orange color cap of the short course athlete's. As I exit the water second to him it is apparent quick that I just got beat by a 12yo boy! It was a great moment for him and the crowd, but with a swift pat on the back on my part I bid my time and ran first into transition which was at least a 2 minute run to my MTB bike.
1st out of 35 with a 12:26 600m swim.
No issues and off on the trail, a beautiful mix of fire road and single track through the Livermore hills. I start battling right away with the AG of the long course, but separate myself very quickly after the first few downhills and technical section's. I pass a few trail forks with volunteer's, but by the time I realized I was going a long way out for a 7 mi bike I was over a half mile off course and too far. This is where you learn the hard lesson's. I was ready to give up and just go drive home. I mean no way was I this far off and still going to make a charge back to the podium. Here's where luck and persistence pay off and I grumble my way back to my route and bitch and moan to every person I caught up with. Next thing I know I am looking at my Garmin reading 40 mph downhill, and that section lead right into an empty transition area and I promptly rack my lonely bike, but still pissed off about the detour I forget to grab the Garmin I had ready to use for the trail run.
5th of 35, 48:55, actual 8.3 mi and 10.0 mph/avg.
Now the fun of trail running. What I didn't expect was two major factor's. First off, again a 2.9 mi run turned into 4+ mi. and when you have to run waist deep in water while avoiding rattlesnakes, that sucks. But all that aside when I struggled into finish first, you really don't think about that stuff too much more. I had way underestimated my time and was so dehydrated it was pure suffering the last 30 minutes. The clock has my run as 14:22 Min/mi average based on a 3 mi run, and I know even though I was dying and slow I was for sure turning 10min/mi leading me to believe that I finished most of the long course run. It was a great course. Creek running, and rock gardens. I Love that stuff and with a proper Xterra trail run going on I was some what relieved that the other behind me where in for a tough go.
All and all a win is a win and I will humbly take it, even with poor performance on the run which I walked some hills. This won't stop me from entering another Blue Adventure race either, since they learned some valuable lessons on course layout and volunteer planning.
Willow this weekend, and the bottom line is that is what matter's this year.
Go Ducks, hope they win game 7!
The course, awesome. Lot's of nice people and that's what I love about Xterra races. Laid back.
The organization, now that's where it gets complicated.
Blue Adventure's I have no experience with. I show up Saturday afternoon for packet pickup as usual and the adventure race is just wrapping up. This is when the worst fears came crashing down and came true race day.
I had worried about course layout for weeks leading up. The mountain bike and run were not easily mapped, and even tougher followed during a race where volunteer's struggled to direct the athlete's. This area you cannot fault the organizer's for and I give them credit for doing the best job possible, but I just don't get it. You need to know the course when you have two separate route's with a huge mix in skill.
Swim went great. With only 35 starters in my wave, which was 15 minutes after a packed long course wave, it was nice and easy to find smooth water. Soon we ran into the middle of the second loop for the long course swimmers. That was an easy obstacle, and I found myself next to a strong swimmer sharing the orange color cap of the short course athlete's. As I exit the water second to him it is apparent quick that I just got beat by a 12yo boy! It was a great moment for him and the crowd, but with a swift pat on the back on my part I bid my time and ran first into transition which was at least a 2 minute run to my MTB bike.
1st out of 35 with a 12:26 600m swim.
No issues and off on the trail, a beautiful mix of fire road and single track through the Livermore hills. I start battling right away with the AG of the long course, but separate myself very quickly after the first few downhills and technical section's. I pass a few trail forks with volunteer's, but by the time I realized I was going a long way out for a 7 mi bike I was over a half mile off course and too far. This is where you learn the hard lesson's. I was ready to give up and just go drive home. I mean no way was I this far off and still going to make a charge back to the podium. Here's where luck and persistence pay off and I grumble my way back to my route and bitch and moan to every person I caught up with. Next thing I know I am looking at my Garmin reading 40 mph downhill, and that section lead right into an empty transition area and I promptly rack my lonely bike, but still pissed off about the detour I forget to grab the Garmin I had ready to use for the trail run.
5th of 35, 48:55, actual 8.3 mi and 10.0 mph/avg.
Now the fun of trail running. What I didn't expect was two major factor's. First off, again a 2.9 mi run turned into 4+ mi. and when you have to run waist deep in water while avoiding rattlesnakes, that sucks. But all that aside when I struggled into finish first, you really don't think about that stuff too much more. I had way underestimated my time and was so dehydrated it was pure suffering the last 30 minutes. The clock has my run as 14:22 Min/mi average based on a 3 mi run, and I know even though I was dying and slow I was for sure turning 10min/mi leading me to believe that I finished most of the long course run. It was a great course. Creek running, and rock gardens. I Love that stuff and with a proper Xterra trail run going on I was some what relieved that the other behind me where in for a tough go.
All and all a win is a win and I will humbly take it, even with poor performance on the run which I walked some hills. This won't stop me from entering another Blue Adventure race either, since they learned some valuable lessons on course layout and volunteer planning.
Willow this weekend, and the bottom line is that is what matter's this year.
Go Ducks, hope they win game 7!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Mother's Day, Never underestimate it!
Usually I would be stoked to hang out with the family for a Mother Day get together. But since traveling to the bay area is such a headache. Imagine 13 hours in a civic?????
It turned out just fine actually, and my wife cooked a wonderful brunch Saturday morning, with huge thanks to all the family for their efforts in cooking!. The grandparents and in-laws got together for some much needed bonding, mean while the youngsters tried to figure what to do with the weekend.
I had made plans for the Xterra Race and it turned out good. race results are posted and I am glad to come away with another win.
Race Report To Follow.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Dried, Cooked, Smoked!
That's the feeling of the week.
Worked my ass off this week, but such is surviving in los angeles. I could spend an hour venting on job time this week, but the next month will be just the same so I should STFU and be glad I have a job!
The San Diego sprint Triathlon went off Sunday and I had hopes for a solid finish (Big congrats to my boy Will Mudd for Wildfower also this weekend, 5:14 kicks ass!). What turned out was a star studded field of pro's and amateur's that kicked my ass and many other's I am sure.
I did my best for that day and that is what counts, at least that what you tell yourself. 12 in age out of 95. I won the last race in age group, so my anticipation was pretty high, bu you never know who will show and you never count on yourself until you are suffering, preventing the vomit and pushing to your limit.
I had a good swim, I love my 2XU wetsuit, I was top 10 out of the water and got to my bike quick. I had a slight bobble in transition which is usually my strongest area, but with my shoes pre-clipped in I ran barefoot to the mount line and was off.
Bike went ok, but some pre-race changes to my saddle height, crank arm length, and aero bar height cost some valuable time. but I know what I need to change for next race and that is all that matters. We all get so comfortable with what is usual for us, so I changed a bunch of things at once. I should know better, but the 170mm cranks feel good, and in training I had the seat just right, but went for a slightly lower position which felt bad right off the bat, plus raising my aero bars in effort to get my body more comfortable cost me wind drag. That all aside, I ripped off 23 mph avg. for the 9 miles, and was ready for a good 5K.
I haven't quite figured out the bodies ability to produce when needed, and my run was another baffling effort (I hit 6:30 min/mi avg. last race). I couldn't sustain the 6:.. miles needed for a strong finish, and just tooled along hovering between just under or over the 7:00 minute mark per mile. As always I got motivation at the end and started to get kicking the last half mile just beating a guy to the finish who not only from the looks of it, but by the way he ran was cutting the last 1.5 mile loop out of the run. I am just glad I beat him, but feel bad for the guys behind me that beat by this guy.
Worked my ass off this week, but such is surviving in los angeles. I could spend an hour venting on job time this week, but the next month will be just the same so I should STFU and be glad I have a job!
The San Diego sprint Triathlon went off Sunday and I had hopes for a solid finish (Big congrats to my boy Will Mudd for Wildfower also this weekend, 5:14 kicks ass!). What turned out was a star studded field of pro's and amateur's that kicked my ass and many other's I am sure.
I did my best for that day and that is what counts, at least that what you tell yourself. 12 in age out of 95. I won the last race in age group, so my anticipation was pretty high, bu you never know who will show and you never count on yourself until you are suffering, preventing the vomit and pushing to your limit.
I had a good swim, I love my 2XU wetsuit, I was top 10 out of the water and got to my bike quick. I had a slight bobble in transition which is usually my strongest area, but with my shoes pre-clipped in I ran barefoot to the mount line and was off.
Bike went ok, but some pre-race changes to my saddle height, crank arm length, and aero bar height cost some valuable time. but I know what I need to change for next race and that is all that matters. We all get so comfortable with what is usual for us, so I changed a bunch of things at once. I should know better, but the 170mm cranks feel good, and in training I had the seat just right, but went for a slightly lower position which felt bad right off the bat, plus raising my aero bars in effort to get my body more comfortable cost me wind drag. That all aside, I ripped off 23 mph avg. for the 9 miles, and was ready for a good 5K.
I haven't quite figured out the bodies ability to produce when needed, and my run was another baffling effort (I hit 6:30 min/mi avg. last race). I couldn't sustain the 6:.. miles needed for a strong finish, and just tooled along hovering between just under or over the 7:00 minute mark per mile. As always I got motivation at the end and started to get kicking the last half mile just beating a guy to the finish who not only from the looks of it, but by the way he ran was cutting the last 1.5 mile loop out of the run. I am just glad I beat him, but feel bad for the guys behind me that beat by this guy.
Well I leave for the Bay Area tomorrow, gearing up for Xterra Del Valle. I signed up for the sprint race, so we will see how this weeks work toll has affected my performance.
Looking forward to next weeks Willow race with some new suspension tweakes thanks to Tige at Cyclemall/Catalyst Reaction.
I will check in next week with the post race Triathlon report, see you later.
Monday, April 27, 2009
A Relaxing Weekend - Finally
I really needed a break after last weekend at Willow Springs. I had made trips out to the high desert last week no less than three times, and throw in a 20 lap race on top of that, I was cooked. I took advantage of the time off to prepare for my racing activities the next couple of weekends and get my training back on schedule.
Triathlon's are a great addition I made to my life to help shed weight, stay healthy, and improve motorcycle fitness. I scheduled a pair of sprint races in the next two weekends, these are shorter version's of longer triathlon races that allow new athlete's to get their feet wet, and not have to get so serious about training for longer races. At this stage I like the shorter races. They fit my personality well since these races are an all out effort with no rest or worry about pacing. They are also relatively easy to train for, a short 300-500m swim, usually 10-12mi bike, and finish off with a 5K/3mi run.
Saturday consisted of running interval's. I put in 4 miles total, but my goal was to get my body used to the fast turn over needed to sustain the pace of a 5K. I was able to hold 5:30min/mi for a couple of minutes at a time and a HR of 180-190 BPM. This was a hard run and I managed to get only 40 minutes in including warm-up and cool down.
Sunday I wanted to go easy on the Time Trial bike, sort of a recovery day as we call it dictated by HR below anaerobic threshold. It didn't work out that well, with 2 cups of coffee in me, I immediately noticed an elevated HR (I am also still feeling effects of last weeks cold) and knew I wouldn't be able to maintain at a low effort, so I went hard right off the bat. I took the loop around Palos Verde, which ended being 34 miles. After the first hour went by, I had trouble maintaining the high HR and 20+mph pace, but I pushed all the way back to my apartment. I managed 19.2 mph avg. which was a good considering all the hills and climbing.
Next weekend is San Diego Sprint triathlon, followed by Xterra off-road triathlon in the Bay area.
Triathlon's are a great addition I made to my life to help shed weight, stay healthy, and improve motorcycle fitness. I scheduled a pair of sprint races in the next two weekends, these are shorter version's of longer triathlon races that allow new athlete's to get their feet wet, and not have to get so serious about training for longer races. At this stage I like the shorter races. They fit my personality well since these races are an all out effort with no rest or worry about pacing. They are also relatively easy to train for, a short 300-500m swim, usually 10-12mi bike, and finish off with a 5K/3mi run.
Saturday consisted of running interval's. I put in 4 miles total, but my goal was to get my body used to the fast turn over needed to sustain the pace of a 5K. I was able to hold 5:30min/mi for a couple of minutes at a time and a HR of 180-190 BPM. This was a hard run and I managed to get only 40 minutes in including warm-up and cool down.
Sunday I wanted to go easy on the Time Trial bike, sort of a recovery day as we call it dictated by HR below anaerobic threshold. It didn't work out that well, with 2 cups of coffee in me, I immediately noticed an elevated HR (I am also still feeling effects of last weeks cold) and knew I wouldn't be able to maintain at a low effort, so I went hard right off the bat. I took the loop around Palos Verde, which ended being 34 miles. After the first hour went by, I had trouble maintaining the high HR and 20+mph pace, but I pushed all the way back to my apartment. I managed 19.2 mph avg. which was a good considering all the hills and climbing.
Next weekend is San Diego Sprint triathlon, followed by Xterra off-road triathlon in the Bay area.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
WSMC April
WSMC April results.
1st Place, Formula 1 Best Time 1:21.6
1st Place, Open Superbike
1st Place, Open Modified Production
1st Place, Formula 1 Best Time 1:21.6
1st Place, Open Superbike
1st Place, Open Modified Production
Sunday, March 22, 2009
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