Blogalveston 70.3

Where do I start...

Months of riding my bike had me very ready to put down a great PR bike split.  Some serious work in the pool (I thought).  and as always, a little bit of running.  I think I need to turn this order around in the future.

                                               
                                                      Industry Sprinters, and the MAV
I departed more than a week early to hit up TriFest at Trisports.com for work.  They put on a great expo, and even better I got a chance to ride Mt Lemmon finally!  I took off not knowing what to expect but with a smile on my face and ready for a great trip.  I made it to Tucson and departed on the Mt Lemmon ride the following morning with about 100+ other people in town for TriFest.  After a long ride to the base, I kicked into my normal big ring mashing up the mountain.  Being my 3rd ride on my tri bike since September, I was amazed at my power and ability to ride at a strong pace without fatiguing even at altitude.  This was a great sign to me.  Until I dropped my chain shifting, and tipped over.  Oh well, I haven't done it in a long while. Long story short, it was a fun ride and put me in good spirits for the upcoming race.

                                                   
                                                          11 or 13 miles up Mt Lemmon

The day after TriFest, I hopped in the Aqua Sphere MAV and set out for Houston.  After two days of driving, I arrived in Houston and met with the people at Bike Barn and gave some quick clinics on our awesome product.  Then it was off to Galveston.  I got there a few days early and immediately jumped on my bike and headed out on the course.  My legs felt awesome after a week of very little exercise and sitting in the MAV.  The course is a straight out and back with zero elevation change probably.  I was looking forward to Sunday and I still had an expo to do.

Thursday I got up early and found an awesome empty pool to get a quick swim in.   I then tried to set up our tents, but the weather didn't really cooperate, so we decided to start early the Friday.  I headed back to the hotel and hopped on the trainer and got some dinner.  Katie arrived late on Thursday night and we tried to get some sleep.  An early morning Friday for setup, and long day standing at the expo was a good way to spend a Friday.  I did get an awesome present from Jayme at 2XU, a brand new kit to help me stay fresh to death.  Katie and I got our bikes setup and headed out for last minute checks on our bikes before heading to the expo on Saturday.  Another long day on my feet ended with tearing down the expo setup and racing back to our hotel to eat and hit the sack. We ate, and I meticulously counted every strand of fiber in my shoe laces... not really, but I did take forever to get everything set up.  Finally I was ready and got to sleep.

4:15 wakeup and get our stuff together to head over to the race.  We got our transition spots set and headed over to the swim.  We both donned our Aqua Sphere Phantoms and got ready.  A quick hug, kiss, and go get'em and Katie was off in the 3rd wave, running.  We apparently took too long to get over there.  I was two waves later in the 2nd of two 30-34 age group waves.  I couldn't push my way to the front to be the first in the water, but I quickly realized that I have very obviously aged up with 3 Freak of Nature suits and a lot of other very expensive wetsuits sitting at the front of the line.  Game on kids.  Hopped in the water and swam straight to the line.  I never warm up.  Maybe someday I'll start.  After about 3 minutes of treading, and two guys climbing on my back, the gun sounded and it was off to the races.  I typically stay far from the buoys to avoid dragging someone along and not having to swim through slower swimmers.  I watched as the rest of the white caps faded away and I settled into a strong pace.  After what felt like a very long swim we made the turn to the swim out and I noticed a white cap coming up, so I pushed harder to take down what I thought would be an age group swim lead.  To no avail, I missed one guy and let him go apparently.  He must've been the one swimming inside the buoys.  26:43.  4th AG, 47th OA

Headed to my bike and was getting very excited.  I decided to take a little extra time and take my shoes off my bike and throw them on.  Very bumpy roads for the first mile didn't seem like an ideal place to struggle to get my feet in my shoes.  Glad I didn't try it, as the wind in the face was immediately realized and I settled in for what was going to be a tough ride to at least the turn around.  My legs felt a little fatigued early, but I slammed some nutrition and pushed hard to the turn around.  Only two guys slipped by me, but I was confident I'd pull them back in on the way back to town.  The headwind had me struggling a little mentally, but I pushed through it and was happy to hit the turn around at 28.5 miles.  I chugged down more than a third of my first bottle of nutrition and slowly picked up the pace on the way back to transition.  Everything was looking great, until about mile 35ish.  At that point I developed a bad glute cramp that I couldn't work out and forced me out of the aero position.  I figured that I was still able to hold at least a decent pace sitting up, so I split the time in and out of the drops.  One minute in the drops, one minute sitting up.  Not my idea of a great ride, but I kept it moving, trying to over come the cramp.  When I made it back to the seawall, about  3 miles out, I gritted my teeth and pushed to finish off the bike. I had watched a stream of guys ride by me and I had decided I would just have to play the cards I was dealt.  Off the bike and into T2 at 57 miles.  2:32:05, 21st AG

I threw on my Blade lights and headed out with my sweet orange Aqua Sphere head buff.  Katie was nice enough to let me borrow her Spy Screws, and thankfully, as I could not see out of mine off the bike, so a fresh pair was awesome.  I headed out and settled into a pace I decided was perfect.  Just under 6:30 and I felt that I could hold this, I was looking at my watch and figured if I could at least hold a 1:30 pace, I'd come in under 4:30 and that would be great.  Lance, Kelly Williamson, and Michael Raelert all ran by me in the first mile.  I tried to catch Kelly's pace, but wasn't having it.  I'm pretty sure I totally lost focus and couldn't force myself to keep running.  This has never happened to me, and I didn't realize it until yesterday, that I had talked myself out of running.  I basically figured it out in my head that I needed to keep X pace to finish under 5 hours and allowed myself to watch the race slip away. I tried to give myself small goals to "run to this", then "run to this", I eventually broke.  Tough to admit this as I like to think that I have a strong mental focus and have pushed through a lot of hard things.  Not this day.  I slogged along and looked forward to seeing Katie out there.  She put a smile on my face, and I was having a good time.  I thought she was going to catch me.  I kept looking back, but didn't see her.  After a long walk/ run I crossed the line.  Exhausted, I looked back and saw Katie cross.  I couldn't have asked for a better place for us to both be at the same time.  I won't share my run split, but it's not hidden. Oh, and I managed to not get chicked by Katie.  But it was too close for comfort.  Nice work dear.

               
                                                                         GNAR

I have lived to race another day, and it's time to get back to work.  I just made it to Mesa, Az after 3 days of driving.  Only a few more days on the road and then I'll be back in SD just in time for Easter!

I've put two more races on my calendar and hope to train right and have some fun doing it with friends.

To say this is going to be a busy year for me at work is an understatement.  A three week trip kickoff almost over and I have 3500 miles of driving down already.   Purveying FY Factor all over!

-always awesome
jake

Bacon Sandwiches!

Yum, bacon sandwiches!

At work, almost every day people ask me "how's it going Jake?"  My answer, living the dream folks..

This was kind of a big week for me, with my 3 year anniversary of my sobriety, and today being one year from the day I broke my collarbone.  Both these events have their place in my life and weren't just normal days for me.

Please allow me to thank all of my family and friends for your support.  While my sobriety isn't something I normally talk about, it is something that I am very proud of.  My sobriety wasn't born in AA anything like that.  While there is a reason, basically I decided one day that it was time for me to grow up and start focusing my attention on more productive things.  Don't get me wrong, I have zero problem with alcohol, and don't judge or view anybody that imbibes any differently than I hope they would view me.  Really, it isn't a huge deal.  Just something I feel pretty good about.  The anniversary has now passed and I won't really think about it again until next February 8th.

My collar bone, now mechanically enhanced by a 6 inch "S" shaped titanium plate with 7 screws mounted on the top of my right clavicle.  It was a very unfortunate crash at the Tour de Palm Springs last year, about 70 miles into the ride.  I got a flat and somebody ran me over.  I decided to have surgery, and I fell off my training and had to back out of IM St George.  I did my return and I think that I have recovered fully and have no side effects to mention.  Hell, I even went a year without crashing.  Not even tipping over at a stop light.  Most people know, I used to do that all the time.  I did have a momentary loss of balance for a few seconds today at a stop light, but I saved it.  Katie was laughing at me when I turned around.

I have now jinxed myself I'm sure.

If you are looking online for swim advice, I might suggest doing your research.  I've noticed a lot of ill advised recommendations such as band workouts, and 30 minute time trials, from people that are calling a swim mask a dorky thing to wear.  Honestly, if you are swimming a 1:30+ scy base or better yet, you swim on rest intervals rather than a base, you shouldn't be telling people what to do in the water, nor criticizing people for their goggle choice.

Moving right along, my training is going very well but very unstructured.  9 hours on the bike, 15+ miles running, and a lot of swimming.  I'm even close to actually looking at my Garmin data.. A whole years worth. That should be interesting. Lot's of early mornings and not late nights.  I don't think I can sleep passed 7 anymore.  I think Katie and I are competing to see who can get up earlier.  I won't win this.  Point Katie.

                                                                 Snickers, why wait?

I have found myself leaning towards hopping into a road race to see what I've really got.  Maybe someday I'll actually get there.  Not until next year probably.  Maybe Katie and I will get our acts together and get on a team.  After spending about the last 3 months riding with Swami's a few times a week, I've realized that while I can hold my own, without any teammates, things would be difficult, even at the CAT 5 level.  People don't seem to like to help if you aren't wearing their colors.  I do look forward to the day I make it to the line of one of these races.  Should be fun. Hell, I'm even starting to wear bibs and wear somewhat matching kits.  I know I know, I haven't shaved my legs or joined Strava.  Perhaps someday soon.  I'm starting to see a lot of creepy looks at my Ritte.  Guys it's a bike, please don't look at it like that.

                                                                       See, matching

Swimming was something I loved as a youngster, then loathed in high school, and ended up doing for a job in the Navy.  I think I have found my childhood passion again and I'm even in the water 2 days a week before the sun comes up with the "Toes in the Water at 6".  La Jolla Cove plays a big part in that.  It is absolutely the best spot to get 2 miles in before the day begins.  I've even had the pleasure of a few good friends joining the group and getting a cove-shores-cove swim in on Friday.  Thanks Steve and Rachel for coming out!  I'm just happy I can keep up with Rachel, did you see her swim split at Panama 70.3 today?  No wesuit and sub 21?  Yikes.  Nice work.

                                                                   Lots of spectators
     
A few days a week I'm making it to the pool as well.  I'm seeing my base get lower week by week and becoming a much better pool swimmer than I ever have been.  I'm really hoping to crack the 1:10 scm base here sometime soon.

                                                                   A bag full of fun

Running is not my favorite unless I'm running with Matt and go on an "easy run", aka let's see how fast we can run.  I'm looking forward to getting some of that in again this year.  I keep hearing he's getting really fast. Other than that, not much to mention on the run front.  It's coming along but I've got a long way to go.  Orange head buffs are coming back.  So if you see a tall skinny kid running up double peaks with a sweet orange buffs, that'll be me.  Just as someone caught me coming down the hill here:

                                                                       I'm Hungry

Work is getting ramped up for the travel season.  So much going on and things are shaping up to be a great year!  Did you see Lance in his sweet Kayennes today?

Custom

                                                                       The MAV

If you are one of the 27 lucky folks that follow me on Twitter (FOLLOW ME), you may see Katie and I mentioning the FY Factor and bragging to each other that our day has been harder, perhaps we could use a little bit of creativity to describe this, but plain and simple it's the Fuck Yeah Factor, hash tag it sometime.

My legs are tired and it's getting late (6pm), time for Katie and I to eat our early bird special and hopefully stay up past 8:30.  Not likely though.

I'm also trying to take some more pictures.  Standby for less instagram and more Nikon...

Always Awesome,
jake

First brick in the Wall

Yes, yes I am finally after long last back to my blog.  I apologize for neglecting you.  I promise to not let it happen again.

Life has happened and I'm adjusting on the fly and making big steps in the right direction.  Ending the year moving in with Katie was a move many months in the planning.  I couldn't be happier with my new roommate and our new location.  Walking out the door on to one of my favorite rides is great.  As a matter of fact, things have changed in such a big way in the last 6 years for me.  I remember living in Pensacola, Florida and deciding to move closer to a favorite bar with my roommate at that time.  Now I choose to move closer to work, which also happens to be much closer to great riding and running.

                                                           San Elijo Hills have some ok views

Did I fail to mention I turned 30 just a short time ago?  oops.

Work is going to be quite exciting this year with many many many days of travel, a lot of time in the Aqua Sphere Mobile Assault Vehicle(Sprinter).  Hopefully getting to race along the way.  First location being Galveston, first expo and first race of the year for me.  I've got lofty goals, but a seriously humble side that will keep me grounded this season.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Big things this year.

said Mobile Assault Vehicle (Sprinter)

A few months ago I finally had my Ritte Bosberg put together (this thing is sick), I'm in great debt to Moment Cycle Sport for getting it together in the matter of a few days in time for Kona!  JT talked me into going campy on this bike and I was easily persuaded (somewhat). Since then, I have taken a great liking to this bike and been putting in over 200 miles a week with some strong cyclists. 4 rides a week is making my girlfriend a little jealous needless to say. Something I am not really looking forward to, is getting back on my TT bike, but I will be very happy to have those big mile in my legs as a base.  Perhaps an upgrade here as well?  Who knows.

                                                                                             The old/ new bike


Between work, traveling, enjoying the "winter", and more traveling, I have really failed to keep up with swimming and running.  This has changed as of this month with a lot of swimming including ocean swims starting at 6 am.  It's cold, but very worth the workout with a great group.  Thank you to Rachel for coming out this Friday!  Lunch swims with Todd at work are seeing great improvements and gaining back some proper form and with more work, we'll get back to our strong pace we had last year.

Great swims with great training aids (yes my goggles have a pink strap)

                                               La Jolla Cove in the Winter doesn't look like Winter 
    
I hate running.  I won't try to sugar coat it.  I really don't like it.  But I'm back to running again with today being my first brick of the new year.  40 miles of big ring (is there a small ring?) work, and a nice 4 mile run with Katie.  It was a tough go at it but fun nonetheless.

I am really looking forward to what the future holds, and very much enjoying the company of my roommate and our adventures.

Real Bacon!

I promise that I will not make this a blog all about working out, though much of my life revolves around it.  There will be many stories of the road to share.

Always Awesome

Missed...

Ah, the things I've missed.  Where do I start?  Well, if you know me, then you know that I spend a lot of time with a couple things.  As of late I haven't been able to get on my bike, get in the pool, or go for a run.  To say that I miss these things is a little ridiculous to some people.  But for me, these three things are what I look forward to everyday.  As a friend of mine remarked about a new photo I posted on FB, "I saw you taking pics, looked like you were in love."  I was taking pictures of my bike.

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of the snowball that started this all... My first triathlon.  SuperSeal to be exact.  I competed in bike shorts and a T shirt for the bike, and board shorts and no shirt for the run (man I was cool).  I was hooked.  Last year on this day, the snowball getting pretty large,  I set a PR at the half iron distance.  SuperFrog.  4th out of the water overall, and led until about the middle of the run.  I was even more hooked.  This year I would have loved to have done SuperSeal to mark the anniversary and to warm up for IM St George.  But as you probably know I have a large scar on my shoulder and some metal holding my collarbone together, and can't do either.  It's been about a 4 weeks since the surgery.  What would have really made it better was that the guy that passed me on the run with less than a mile to go at SDIT last year raced here today. Revenge..  Oh well.

Instead of racing, today I got on my bike.  I rode my trainer for really the first time (last night didn't count).  It felt great.  I never thought I'd enjoy riding my bike inside on a sunny day.  I found a smile on my face right away.  It went so well in fact that I went to the Y right after and slid into the pool.  As soon as I did, I realized I didn't know what to do.  So I kicked.  I kicked some more, and then I kicked a little more after that.  (The new Aqua Sphere goggles were very comfortable, and they have a pink strap) It felt so great to be in the water again.  I have really missed that.  Alot.

This morning made a mistake,  I went to Costco around 10.  Terrible time to go to there.  No samples, lot's of old people.  That took forever.  I don't miss that.  But now I can cook again.  I haven't been doing this a lot lately.  I blame it on my bum wing (thanks Cory).  Something fresh off the grill and lunch for tomorrow.  Great.

Finally, I think my motivation is back.  We'll see how long that lasts.  Up at 5 to go for a run.  We'll see if that's a good idea.

This coming weekend is the start of Ironman expo's that are going to take me all of the country.  Spending tons of time on the road and training should be a fun balance.  Loving my new job.

These are a few of the things I have missed.  Training, cooking, enjoying work...

Trainer party anybody?  

Starting to get better, faster, and stronger...

-jake
Always Awesome

Broken

Here I sit 35 days post flying over my handle bars into a one handed cartwheel (that I didn't even know I could do) saving my face, my head, and surely my confidence of riding my bike.  18 days post surgery where a metal plate and 5 screws were placed on top of my collar bone to stabilize and ensure a proper union of the two sides. 14 days post starting my new job with Aqua Sphere.   

These last five weeks have been tough, and some difficult decisions have been made, most for the better, some to just be realistic.  First being the decision to have surgery, for me this was a no brainer.  The research I did found me exactly what the doctors told me and I was an eager subject from the moment I was given a choice.  Second being the decision to relinquish $400 and my entry to Ironman St George.  This was very difficult for me, and though I don't show much emotion and tears don't form in my eyes (other than when the national athem is played),  this was a time that I felt a great sadness to give up on something I had worked so hard to prepare for.  Third being one that I won't speak of but most definitely the hardest and will undoubtedly make my life even more difficult in the coming weeks and months.  

The realization that this injury has set me back even further than initially thought it would, has been very difficult. This injury has taken away the glue that holds my day to day life together (or so I have found). I haven't been out of the water this long since I was a senior in high school.  I haven't gone this long without physical activity since I was a child, or this could possibly be the longest I've gone in my 29 years.  I am happy to have an obstacle such as this to over come though.  "Only the strong survive", "pain is weakness leaving the body", "what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger",  and (most recently a new favorite of mine) "Harden the F#@k Up"...  Call it what you will, or use what you need.  Keeping an eye on the prize has kept me going.  I know I'll get back on my bike. I know I'll get back in the water.  I know I'll get back to running.  All just as soon as my body is ready for it.  This is the advice given to me by many, and what I have chosen to follow.  I can't wait to feel the aches and pains after a hard workout. I can't wait to put my appetite to good use.  I can't wait to go faster.  

This week I will ease my way back into the water (one armed), get back on the trainer, and attempt the treadmill or may the elliptical.  I am ready to start the climb to get back to where I was.  On a path to success.  

So many people have been helpful while I have been out.  I can't thank everybody enough for all you have done.  

Soon enough I hope to see you all out on the road.  I hope to see you all in the water.  I hope to see you all at the races.  

Just keep getting better, stronger, faster... 

-Always Awesome.. 

Tour de Fracture my Clavicle...

Just figuring that my having a whole bunch of extra time on my hands with my sudden stop in training for Ironman St George, I would try my hand at laying out my rebuilding phase.  Faster, Stronger, Awesomer...

What began as a bet from my employer, that he could beat me at the IM distance, turned into an all out attempt to push my body to it's limits.  3 months of building with the guidance of my coach Brian Maiorano from Triathlon Lifestyle Coaching, I reached a level of fitness I didn't know I could.  Riding my 3rd century ever under 5 hours with over 6500' of climbing, was a milestone that turned my motivation up a notch.  Running up to 30 miles a week and riding over 180 was a big load for me.  I was getting stronger day by day, and at the pace I was swimming, running, and riding my goals were well within sight.

Unfortunately, just over 3 months into my training I was struck by another cyclist on a ride, and I ended up with a broken clavicle. After about a week and a half in a sling trying to figure out life without my right arm, yesterday was finally the day where I met the Orthopedic Surgeon.  In this week and a half, I had plenty of time to do my research and figure out what my options where.  It was an easy decision with the assistance and recommendation of two surgeons, to go through with having a plate surgically installed on my clavicle.  This gives me a better chance of a full recovery without any future complications than the alternative of just waiting it out.  Tuesday the 1st of March I will go under the knife and begin a quick road to recovery.

At this point I am very torn at which way to turn with just over 10 weeks until Ironman St George.  I would really like to push through the recovery with lots of time on my trainer and "running" on an elliptical.  On the other hand, my goals for this race are in question at this point.  I won't be able to swim for at least 6 weeks.  With this, I would be afforded 2-3 weeks of rehab and getting up my speed and endurance to be ready for a 2.4 mile swim.

With the great uncertainty of recovery time and a lack of help from IM, it is now a question of costs.  The race is already paid for.  Lodging and travel will be an additional cost.  Not to mention the cost for my family who planned to be there to support me.

I will get back on my bike (trainer) shortly after my surgery and get started on regaining my strength on the bike, and see what I can do with running.

I'm looking forward to a challenge and making my final decision further down the road.  I couldn't do this without the awesome support system I have.  My family, my friends, my coach, and most importantly my girlfriend Katie.  Thank you, thank you, thank you... Here we go.. Faster, Stronger, Awesomer...

jake