ChesapeakeMan: I Can’t Fake an Ironman
ChespeakeMan was an experiment with a sample size of one – me. I learned that I can’t fake an Ironman. This is good news for all the triathlon coaches out there (including me) – following a structured, periodized, Ironman-specific training program does make a difference! For me, there was a 2 hour difference between my 8:51 at the Quelle Challenge in Germany last year and my 10:55 in ChespeakeMan this year. I offer no excuses. I did what I could do on race day. My swim was decent, my bike was reasonably fast although I did lose time when I took a turn too fast on wet...
Read MorePura Vida Adventures: Adventure Racing in a Nutshell
Pura Vida Adventures: Five Day Adventure Racing Camp September 10-14, 2008: Pisgah Forest, NC Web: pvadventures.com Ever since the Special Operations Force Academy in April, I’ve been toying with the idea of doing some adventure races for something new and exciting beyond triathlons. “Expedition-style [multi-day] adventure racing is the closest thing that you’ll get to the experience of the Special Forces” was what I was told by the instructors. Rather than learn through experience over years of racing, I wanted condensed instruction and practice in the skills needed...
Read MoreSelf-empowerment: Breaking out of the “I Have to” Pattern
“There is only one thing you have to do in life.” - Brad Rex, race announcer Brad Rex, who I jokingly refer to as my “uncle from California,” dabbles in a lot of different things: cycling, rowing, race announcing, sailing, environmental restoration, etc. Since meeting him years ago at the Great Floridian Triathlon where he announced and I raced, we’ve become good friends over the years and now every year I fly him in from Santa Rosa, CA (home of Vineman) to announce the Luray Triathlons. Like many people, I tend to get “stuck in my head,” as...
Read MoreHiking the Swiss Alps Days 6-7 of 7: Ramslauenen to Oeschinensee to Kandersteg
Day 6 of 7: July 22, 2008 After eating a typical breakfast of muesli with yogurt, coffee with steamed milk, rolls, croissants, cheeses and meats, we began our last day of real hiking. The morning was damp with dense fog. We had two options: around the side of the mountain or over the mountain. On the advice of our host from the Berghaus Ramslauenen, we chose to go around the mountain, as the hiking the ridge line at the top of the mountain in the dense fog would be hazardous. Along the way, we came across a helicopter team who was grounded and waiting for the fog to lift. Once one the other...
Read MoreHiking the Swiss Alps Day 5 of 7: Alpiglen to Ramslauenen
Day 5 of 7: July 21, 2008 My first good night’s sleep was at Alpiglen! My stomach FINALLY seems to be settling down after four days of nausea and frequent bowel movements. After a typical breakfast of rolls with butter / jam / honey, coffee with steamed milk, meats and cheeses, Dave and I leave the Berghaus to hike along the Eiger Trail along the base of the Eiger mountain. We decided to hike the trail after several hikers had recommended it to us. Although thick fog mostly obscured the views along the trail, we caught glimpses of the valley and the mountains like surreal dreamlike...
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