Post race reports like this are so awesome. Liz, way to go. I am very proud of you!
"Adam! 3:35....SICK TIME FOR ME!!!! oh, and a negative split! i felt awesome until mile 22.5. I wanted to push it once I got into Central Park, but it's just too hilly but I was very pysched just to hang on. :) THANK YOU!!! I truly owe it to you. I have run NYC 2x and never had so much fun. And never felt so good in any of my 8 marathons. Talk soon!"
Sunday, November 2, 2008
some recent pics. Blog needed them im told. :)
Simon Thompson as well as Craig McKenzie are two of my favorite racers. They are not only very competitive, but they are two of the best people you will ever get a chance to meet. I have been coaching Craig all year and we have finally worked out his bike power.
Simon (Thomo) came to visit me for a few days in Chicago. He helped put on some clinics for the kids team. He was great. Just thought I would post some pics.
I also like to put my wonderful wife up here when I can, and thank her for her support in 08!
Simon (Thomo) came to visit me for a few days in Chicago. He helped put on some clinics for the kids team. He was great. Just thought I would post some pics.
I also like to put my wonderful wife up here when I can, and thank her for her support in 08!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Kona Recap
Kona this year was an interesting experience. I felt better prepared then I have ever been before. Everyone around me was so much support I am very lucky to have such people in my life- Thank you.
A short race report:
Swim was a typical IM swim. Got the crap kicked out of me for the first 500 meters, then it was OK. The nice part about being a faster swimmer is usually you get some open water. Not here, everyone here is just too good; I had to swim amongst several swimmers the entire way. Swim was 55 min.
We got onto the bike and we had to go through town. I was chaotic. There were several turns, construction, people, etc and for sure we were all in packs for the first 5 miles as it was just about unavoidable. I felt terrible about it but tried my best to stay legal, just way too hard at that section. With all the turns and hills it was not as if we were setting records though.
Bike started out good. I wanted to ride with other riders for motivation. I really didn’t find too my people to ride along. It just so happened where I was we were very spread out. It was really fine with me as I just rode to power anyway. When we started catching the women pros that was pretty cool. Towards the end of the ride there were sections we were doing 11mph. It was so windy and hot. I tried my best to keep the water coming in but my gut would not let me drink everything I wanted. I felt strong the entire bike though and even passed several people at the end. My bike I think was a 5:09 which today, I was happy with.
Started the run and off the bike knew I was in a bit of trouble. I wanted to run a 3:30 or better. I wanted to start off with a good clip then settle in. Honestly I wasn’t sure if I was going to finish, or more accurately wanted to a few miles in. I was so hot I felt I could barely move let alone run. I decided to run for form and cadence and walk every aide station and drink 2 cups of whatever. It seemed to work OK as I was surprisingly sub 8 min miles for the first 14 miles. Then I slipped to 8:30’s for a bit and threw up in energy lab when I drank a hot red bull at special needs. I had to walk run 2 mile to just absorb some calories. Shot my averaged down to 10:02 pace and when I knew I wasn’t going to PR, I decided to just “jog it in”. Later found out it was 108 degrees in the energy lab! My SRM had an average temperature of 93 degrees for the bike!
I finished up in 10:07. I wanted to be less than 10 hours, but I really was satisfied with this race because with a melt down I was able to have a very respectable result. I faced all my demons this summer and came out OK. I tell my athletes anyone can race well when things go perfectly, what do you do when they don’t?
MY ATHLETES-
I had three athletes here. I'll cover them in finishing order.
Steve Johnson went 9:51!!! He passed me in the energy lab and looked very good. Not bad for his first IM ever! Well done Steve.
Rodney Adkison had a 20 min PR! Rod flew and was strong the entire run 3:26!
Craig McKenzie was one of the first high level pros I have ever coached. I was as nervous for his race as I was my own. Traditionally Craig is a great runner with several sub 2:50 marathons to his credit at IM events. He was never able to be close enough on the bike though and his highest finish time here was 23.
Craig’s issue this year was he has been putting off Achilles surgery to try to get through the race. We knew going in the run might not happen, but to give it a shot. Craig for the first time came off the bike in 23rd place and was the best position he has ever finished to that point. That was with a bad swim as well (another thing that normally does not ever happen)!
2 miles into eh run Craig’s foot hurt so bad he felt and was right it was time to call it a day. We know now he can do very well here. Had he ran a 3:00 yesterday he would have been 13th overall. 2:55 would have put him to 11th. He will be back.
A short race report:
Swim was a typical IM swim. Got the crap kicked out of me for the first 500 meters, then it was OK. The nice part about being a faster swimmer is usually you get some open water. Not here, everyone here is just too good; I had to swim amongst several swimmers the entire way. Swim was 55 min.
We got onto the bike and we had to go through town. I was chaotic. There were several turns, construction, people, etc and for sure we were all in packs for the first 5 miles as it was just about unavoidable. I felt terrible about it but tried my best to stay legal, just way too hard at that section. With all the turns and hills it was not as if we were setting records though.
Bike started out good. I wanted to ride with other riders for motivation. I really didn’t find too my people to ride along. It just so happened where I was we were very spread out. It was really fine with me as I just rode to power anyway. When we started catching the women pros that was pretty cool. Towards the end of the ride there were sections we were doing 11mph. It was so windy and hot. I tried my best to keep the water coming in but my gut would not let me drink everything I wanted. I felt strong the entire bike though and even passed several people at the end. My bike I think was a 5:09 which today, I was happy with.
Started the run and off the bike knew I was in a bit of trouble. I wanted to run a 3:30 or better. I wanted to start off with a good clip then settle in. Honestly I wasn’t sure if I was going to finish, or more accurately wanted to a few miles in. I was so hot I felt I could barely move let alone run. I decided to run for form and cadence and walk every aide station and drink 2 cups of whatever. It seemed to work OK as I was surprisingly sub 8 min miles for the first 14 miles. Then I slipped to 8:30’s for a bit and threw up in energy lab when I drank a hot red bull at special needs. I had to walk run 2 mile to just absorb some calories. Shot my averaged down to 10:02 pace and when I knew I wasn’t going to PR, I decided to just “jog it in”. Later found out it was 108 degrees in the energy lab! My SRM had an average temperature of 93 degrees for the bike!
I finished up in 10:07. I wanted to be less than 10 hours, but I really was satisfied with this race because with a melt down I was able to have a very respectable result. I faced all my demons this summer and came out OK. I tell my athletes anyone can race well when things go perfectly, what do you do when they don’t?
MY ATHLETES-
I had three athletes here. I'll cover them in finishing order.
Steve Johnson went 9:51!!! He passed me in the energy lab and looked very good. Not bad for his first IM ever! Well done Steve.
Rodney Adkison had a 20 min PR! Rod flew and was strong the entire run 3:26!
Craig McKenzie was one of the first high level pros I have ever coached. I was as nervous for his race as I was my own. Traditionally Craig is a great runner with several sub 2:50 marathons to his credit at IM events. He was never able to be close enough on the bike though and his highest finish time here was 23.
Craig’s issue this year was he has been putting off Achilles surgery to try to get through the race. We knew going in the run might not happen, but to give it a shot. Craig for the first time came off the bike in 23rd place and was the best position he has ever finished to that point. That was with a bad swim as well (another thing that normally does not ever happen)!
2 miles into eh run Craig’s foot hurt so bad he felt and was right it was time to call it a day. We know now he can do very well here. Had he ran a 3:00 yesterday he would have been 13th overall. 2:55 would have put him to 11th. He will be back.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
WOW
I am very excited to go to Ironman but a few things recently have helped me keep my perspective on the event. Talk about putting things in perspective. As important as this is to me, there certainly are things out there that are bigger. It is easy to lose perspective at times.
A friend of mine was in a near fatal car accident. She is lucky to be alive. Trying to balance family and work with training is always fun. Most recently however though, my wife’s grandmother had a stroke.
The woman is in her 90’s and still mows her own yard – 3 acres!!! She is amazing and I only hope to be so fortunate when and if I live that long. She was a bit out of it as she fell and hurt her neck and head pretty good. After a couple days in the hospital Lindsay, who is there, called to give me a status report.
We were unsure how such an independent woman would face the facts that she is basically paralyzed now on her left side. Her first comment to Lindsay: “Well, I never got to deal with a challenge like this before”. – WOW!! Can you believe that?! No Poor me, no, what am I going to do, just hmmm, this should be interesting. She is amazing.
I know I could learn a lesson or two from this woman and how to have a positive outlook on life no matter what cards are dealt. Talk about a perfect mental approach to triathlon. Heck SHE should be doing Kona next week.
Also I would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to all who have contributed to the charity I am racing for in Kuna. Race to Cure Blindness is an organization my friend Michael Stone was instrumental in helping to set up. Michael is in a battle for his eyesight. You can read more on this on the website I created for him: www.fightblindness.org/goto/zucco.
A friend of mine was in a near fatal car accident. She is lucky to be alive. Trying to balance family and work with training is always fun. Most recently however though, my wife’s grandmother had a stroke.
The woman is in her 90’s and still mows her own yard – 3 acres!!! She is amazing and I only hope to be so fortunate when and if I live that long. She was a bit out of it as she fell and hurt her neck and head pretty good. After a couple days in the hospital Lindsay, who is there, called to give me a status report.
We were unsure how such an independent woman would face the facts that she is basically paralyzed now on her left side. Her first comment to Lindsay: “Well, I never got to deal with a challenge like this before”. – WOW!! Can you believe that?! No Poor me, no, what am I going to do, just hmmm, this should be interesting. She is amazing.
I know I could learn a lesson or two from this woman and how to have a positive outlook on life no matter what cards are dealt. Talk about a perfect mental approach to triathlon. Heck SHE should be doing Kona next week.
Also I would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to all who have contributed to the charity I am racing for in Kuna. Race to Cure Blindness is an organization my friend Michael Stone was instrumental in helping to set up. Michael is in a battle for his eyesight. You can read more on this on the website I created for him: www.fightblindness.org/goto/zucco.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Not even sure what to Title this one.
Ok, sometimes I swear things are stacked against us just to test our mettle. Training you would think is hard enough, but add the sense of humor of God at times and we have a unique concoction of small miracles and just making ourselves look like complete asses.
Enter Adam-
I have a wonderful daughter and stepson. They definitely add a unique dimension to the daily “To Do” list at times, but always worth it. My daughter and I get to enjoy her gymnastics practices every Monday and Wednesday night together. Before I continue let me explain that I do not live full time with my daughter, she lives with her Mom. I see her very frequently usually 7 days out of every 14 so I work very hard to maintain a very active roll in her life. In addition to that, when I have her I try to make most functions centered on the kids and giving them the attention they deserve.
Back to the gym- These being my nights with her, I was not extremely excited to have to observe her through an observation window for 90 min. My daughter isn’t too pleased that it cuts into our time either, but I think it is good that I play a roll in as many aspects of her life as possible.
99% of the time I have everything done and am able to watch her do her practice in entirety. With crunch time for IM training, this particular day I was running behind and justified leaving for 40 min of the 90 to do my short run. After all, most of the other parents do not stay, so I really would not be a bad Dad doing this…
Ok, I take her in, it’s already raining, and I am thinking this is really going to suck running in the rain, and changing out of wet running clothes in the car, but I am committed and to get it done today, it is what is required. Back to the car, I put on the running gear and go to put on my running shoes – no insoles! Come ON I think, I must have switched them as they had my orthodics in them. OK, I am resourceful, Ill take them out of my casual shoes and just make the best of it. My shoes I’m wearing this day have insoles glued in… I pick at them for a second now willing to totally ruin the shoes to get them out, but it is not happening. OK, Ill run without insoles, it’s a short run, I’ll be OK. After a quick inspection I realize I have the new Nikes with the ability to put the pod or whatever it’s called in them. Well I do not have a Pod, so I have a damn hole with a hard plastic rim in the center of my arch. This is getting ridiculous I think, OK Ill try it. At this point what do I have to loose?
I start running, of course feel it a bit, but try to draw on my Marine Corps days and pretend I do not want the Drill Instructor to know I screwed up and forgot something knowing the discomfort of whatever I am currently experiencing will only be compounded if I go noticed. On we go, and it really gets to be OK.
Of course I am SOAKED, to the core. I come back from the run and assemble the best I can the dry clothes on the passenger seat, knowing I have 50 min of “safe time” to change in the parking lot until the class of 5-7 year old girls and Moms’ pour out of the building in mass to all the cars- I can do this.
The parking lot seems very crowded today and I can’t seem to figure out why. Well I found out. There is a NEW class also going on. That class gets out 45 min before my daughter’s or more accurately exactly the point in time I whip my wet clothes to the back seat and am totally exposed! Shit! I scramble to get my underwear up my wet legs which of course is rolling up and getting caught on everything. There is no way I am going to make it and I scramble for my shirt and a towel to cover up. Oh, this is going to look real great I think to myself, imagining the headlines in the Police blotter the next day and having to explain to my kid why she had to help bail Dad out of jail.
Of course the car next to me must have been designated the car pool van for the day and more kids then clowns getting into the cars at the circus are able to pile in, all the time, thank goodness the mom is focusing on strapping in these youngsters and not thinking to look at the covered up half naked man in the car next to her. Finally I am able to finish getting everything on without being discovered and become fully clothed – RELIEF.
As I get out of the car and give the Mom a waive I think to myself, “Boy that run was worth it”. Man the things we do to fit everything in at times.
I just wanted people to know I can relate to having to fit things in around a very busy schedule. It gets to be tough at times, but you know what, it is worth it.
Enter Adam-
I have a wonderful daughter and stepson. They definitely add a unique dimension to the daily “To Do” list at times, but always worth it. My daughter and I get to enjoy her gymnastics practices every Monday and Wednesday night together. Before I continue let me explain that I do not live full time with my daughter, she lives with her Mom. I see her very frequently usually 7 days out of every 14 so I work very hard to maintain a very active roll in her life. In addition to that, when I have her I try to make most functions centered on the kids and giving them the attention they deserve.
Back to the gym- These being my nights with her, I was not extremely excited to have to observe her through an observation window for 90 min. My daughter isn’t too pleased that it cuts into our time either, but I think it is good that I play a roll in as many aspects of her life as possible.
99% of the time I have everything done and am able to watch her do her practice in entirety. With crunch time for IM training, this particular day I was running behind and justified leaving for 40 min of the 90 to do my short run. After all, most of the other parents do not stay, so I really would not be a bad Dad doing this…
Ok, I take her in, it’s already raining, and I am thinking this is really going to suck running in the rain, and changing out of wet running clothes in the car, but I am committed and to get it done today, it is what is required. Back to the car, I put on the running gear and go to put on my running shoes – no insoles! Come ON I think, I must have switched them as they had my orthodics in them. OK, I am resourceful, Ill take them out of my casual shoes and just make the best of it. My shoes I’m wearing this day have insoles glued in… I pick at them for a second now willing to totally ruin the shoes to get them out, but it is not happening. OK, Ill run without insoles, it’s a short run, I’ll be OK. After a quick inspection I realize I have the new Nikes with the ability to put the pod or whatever it’s called in them. Well I do not have a Pod, so I have a damn hole with a hard plastic rim in the center of my arch. This is getting ridiculous I think, OK Ill try it. At this point what do I have to loose?
I start running, of course feel it a bit, but try to draw on my Marine Corps days and pretend I do not want the Drill Instructor to know I screwed up and forgot something knowing the discomfort of whatever I am currently experiencing will only be compounded if I go noticed. On we go, and it really gets to be OK.
Of course I am SOAKED, to the core. I come back from the run and assemble the best I can the dry clothes on the passenger seat, knowing I have 50 min of “safe time” to change in the parking lot until the class of 5-7 year old girls and Moms’ pour out of the building in mass to all the cars- I can do this.
The parking lot seems very crowded today and I can’t seem to figure out why. Well I found out. There is a NEW class also going on. That class gets out 45 min before my daughter’s or more accurately exactly the point in time I whip my wet clothes to the back seat and am totally exposed! Shit! I scramble to get my underwear up my wet legs which of course is rolling up and getting caught on everything. There is no way I am going to make it and I scramble for my shirt and a towel to cover up. Oh, this is going to look real great I think to myself, imagining the headlines in the Police blotter the next day and having to explain to my kid why she had to help bail Dad out of jail.
Of course the car next to me must have been designated the car pool van for the day and more kids then clowns getting into the cars at the circus are able to pile in, all the time, thank goodness the mom is focusing on strapping in these youngsters and not thinking to look at the covered up half naked man in the car next to her. Finally I am able to finish getting everything on without being discovered and become fully clothed – RELIEF.
As I get out of the car and give the Mom a waive I think to myself, “Boy that run was worth it”. Man the things we do to fit everything in at times.
I just wanted people to know I can relate to having to fit things in around a very busy schedule. It gets to be tough at times, but you know what, it is worth it.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Nice Work!
Congratulations to my 3 athletes who raced Wisconsin.
Paul W, nice PR and you finally got your Kona spot!!!
Jim D, Kona for you as well, and doing so with an Age Group record by 30 min!
Dennis J, 30 min PR for you on a tougher course.
Very exciting to watch you 3 today!!!
Paul W, nice PR and you finally got your Kona spot!!!
Jim D, Kona for you as well, and doing so with an Age Group record by 30 min!
Dennis J, 30 min PR for you on a tougher course.
Very exciting to watch you 3 today!!!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Learning from some of the best
It has been awhile since my last post. I just seem to never find the time to do these.
I came back from Boulder a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to train for a week with Macca, Paul Ambrose, Brent Sheldrake, Simon Thompson, Cam Widoff, Bryan Rhodes, Wes Hosbson, Gordo and others. Well, Wes and I didn’t technically “train” unless you count watching the Olympics and sharing some great laughs.
I was able to do all of this because this year I have been getting some help from Macca and he was kind enough to let me tag along for a bit. These guys are simply on a different level. They are amazing to watch train. It has been a tremendous learning process to be able to train with the guidance of a current World Champion and get his insight into success.
What is interesting to me is their mental willingness to have fun, laugh at each other, encourage each other and train hard. We all know they train hard, but what I was most impressed with is the mental approach all these athletes have.
I am getting ready to go to Hawaii in just over a month. I know I’m prepared; I’m racing the best I ever have. I was totally honest with Macca about my being excited, but also nervous. He had some great insight into how he approaches his race there, and shared tips with me he has learned from others, as well as his own experiences.
I have spent so many years racing “scared”. I have been criticized by people who want to see me fail, people I thought were my friends, and the worst yet- myself. In so many races I have raced to “not do bad” versus “the best I think I can do”. These guys simply do not think this way. All of these guys have had amazing races as well as very poor races and even DNF’s. I used to think that they would DNF because they had to race again to earn a different paycheck. While I am sure this is true, I would guess now it is because they just lay it out on the line. They are willing with the consequences of their effort. They are willing to laugh at themselves, learn, and move on to the next race almost immediately.
I had some insight into this mental aspect while training with all of these guys in Boulder. It is hard work as an age grouper. We invest so much time energy and emotion yet still have to balance the “daily grind”. I have found myself a long the way forgetting to have fun. Macca told me specifically to not get so caught up in analyzing that I forget to execute.
My promise to myself going into Hawaii, and the thing I have been talking to all of my athletes about is to not forget to enjoy the moment. As Macca told me, make sure you do not over complicate something that is supposed to be very simple: Swim, Bike, Run.
I came back from Boulder a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to train for a week with Macca, Paul Ambrose, Brent Sheldrake, Simon Thompson, Cam Widoff, Bryan Rhodes, Wes Hosbson, Gordo and others. Well, Wes and I didn’t technically “train” unless you count watching the Olympics and sharing some great laughs.
I was able to do all of this because this year I have been getting some help from Macca and he was kind enough to let me tag along for a bit. These guys are simply on a different level. They are amazing to watch train. It has been a tremendous learning process to be able to train with the guidance of a current World Champion and get his insight into success.
What is interesting to me is their mental willingness to have fun, laugh at each other, encourage each other and train hard. We all know they train hard, but what I was most impressed with is the mental approach all these athletes have.
I am getting ready to go to Hawaii in just over a month. I know I’m prepared; I’m racing the best I ever have. I was totally honest with Macca about my being excited, but also nervous. He had some great insight into how he approaches his race there, and shared tips with me he has learned from others, as well as his own experiences.
I have spent so many years racing “scared”. I have been criticized by people who want to see me fail, people I thought were my friends, and the worst yet- myself. In so many races I have raced to “not do bad” versus “the best I think I can do”. These guys simply do not think this way. All of these guys have had amazing races as well as very poor races and even DNF’s. I used to think that they would DNF because they had to race again to earn a different paycheck. While I am sure this is true, I would guess now it is because they just lay it out on the line. They are willing with the consequences of their effort. They are willing to laugh at themselves, learn, and move on to the next race almost immediately.
I had some insight into this mental aspect while training with all of these guys in Boulder. It is hard work as an age grouper. We invest so much time energy and emotion yet still have to balance the “daily grind”. I have found myself a long the way forgetting to have fun. Macca told me specifically to not get so caught up in analyzing that I forget to execute.
My promise to myself going into Hawaii, and the thing I have been talking to all of my athletes about is to not forget to enjoy the moment. As Macca told me, make sure you do not over complicate something that is supposed to be very simple: Swim, Bike, Run.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
