Ironman Coeur d'Alene 06/28/2010
 I was surprising calm the morning of the race. Probably due to the fact I knew that I already had my trip to Kona secured and partly that I've learned that nervous energy is wasted energy. Race moring was clear and quiet and 56 degrees just perfect conditions or so it seemed. I was up at 4am and went our for my customary 10 minute jog to awaken the body. Then I forced down some breakfast it was the last solids I'd have for 12-13 hours, but this is always tough for me. I went through my race morning ritual and then was off to make the 10 block walk from my rental house down to the race start. I arrived at the race start and went through my normal routine of getting body marked, dropping special needs bags and getting my tires pumped and my nutrition loaded on my bike. Being that I was #81 my bike was on the second rack so it would be easy to find. After all that was done I headed to get into my wetsuit and begin a little dry land warmup, by now the wind had come up and was blowing directly onshore as well there was about 200 boats milling around either as race support or out to watch the race which were also creating some chop it was going to be an interesting swim. I was positioned off to the far right of the beach in hopes of staying out the major melee that happens right up the buoy line. Finally the cannon sounded and we were off. I immediately found some nice clean water and was swimming pretty well considering the swells and confused chop we were swimming directly into. About half way to the first turn buoy I started to mix in with lots of other swimmers and things were physical. Despite being a lake there is some current As we approached the first turn buoy I took an elbow right to my goggle which slammed my google into my eye socket and the then my goggles were ripped off my head. I waved my hand blindly through the water and by luck or chance the goggles were in my hand. I paused and managed to get them back on but the pressure from my goggle really hurt the eye socket that got hit. The rest of the swim was tough, it was physical the entire way and never really spread out it was made worse in the rough water as people are being jostled into one another and with all the boats there was a constant smell of diesel. I exited the water in 1:05 a bit slower than I had hoped to but I was very happy to be out of the water. My first transition was uneventful. I've found that you just go about your business with steady intent and don't forget anything and it will be a fast transtion. I made the long run from the change tent to my bike and heard a few shoutouts from friends who were out to watch the race which is always awesome to hear. Out on the bike my plan was build as the bike goes, this is really tough to do as you get caught up in the frenzy of racing. I was quickly passing people and I was really moving despite trying to keep my effort under control, this race is 112 miles I kept telling myself. In my head I had a bike split of 5:00, but this course is a beast and if history was any indicator this would be one of the fastest times of the day overall if I could manage to ride that time. I was riding well and feeling good but the wind was blowing and and it didn't seem to matter where you were on the course it felt like you were riding into a headwind. I managed to survive the hills on the first lap out by Hayden Lake and as I came into town and hit the halfway mark I noted my time of 2:31, just off the 5 hr goal pace, things were going well. I continued to push on the second lap but the winds had acutally gotten stronger and I finally dark point where my energy and power seemed to dip a bit and I had some cramping in my quadricep, this is pretty typical but this lasted longer than it normally does. I was really glad to be off the hills again and pushing into the headwind on the flats and I headed for T2. I hit T2 in 5:13 with a 21.43 average speed I hit T2 and managed a nice rolling dismount and immediately had to visit the porta potty to pee. I just can't seem to pee while riding so I always have to make a stop before exiting T2. I headed over and grabbed my bag and headed to the tent. Again I was relaxed and steady making sure I had everything then I was on my way. My legs felt a little heavy as I headed out and I was worried that I had shot myself with that hard ride in the wind. I hit the first mile marker and my split was 7:51 and I thought there is no way I'm running this slow, At mile 2 my split was 5:35, ok the mile marker was off I was running 6:42 mile pace, whoa too fast. Again I had a number in my head 3:10. I was currently running at 2:54 pace, I wasn't going to hold that so I eased up the pace. The next 11 miles went by in between 7:00 and 7:10 per mile and I was feeling as good as one could expect given hard swim, hard ride and heat. I had a number of people say I was one of the strongest looking runners all day and I was catching many of the competitors who were ahead of me. I hit the half marathon in 1:34, I was holding a 3:08 marathon pace, which in my heart and mind I felt I could hold. At mile 15 I started to fall of the pace just a bit with a 7:20 and my legs were starting to feel the efforts of the day. At each aid station it was always the same routine, cola as much as I could down, ice and water, drink some water and then dump the ice into my jersey to try and keep my core temp down. You're body only sore so much energy and once you deplete those stores it's tough to replace what you've lost so it becomes a battle to sustain energy. At mile 19 things began to look and feel a little bleak. My hamstrings were tight and a little crampy which begins to have a serious effect on you're ability to extend and push off and this killing my speed. I was still moving but I was slowing pretty badly I had also started walking the aid stations. My goal is always to walk as little as possilbe in the aid stations, I've learned over a few of these races that walking is a time killer. So I was religious about walking while I was drinking and icing then immediately start running again. I limited my walking to about 20-25 seconds per aid station. In my first Ironman was was walking 2 minutes per aid station starting at mile 15 for example and this will kill you're time. Once I got to mile 24 I knew I was home I had to just keep trying to go as fast as my legs would allow. It was really hard to tell who you are racing on lap 2 of the run as all the lap 1 and lap 2 runners begin to mix together. I felt like I was well up in the overall standings and in my AG but really had no idea. As you come to the top of Sherman Ave. you have a 500 meter straight away to the finish with both sides of the street packed with spectators. At this point my hamstrings were barely functioning and and the tops of my calves were starting to cramp as well. I wanted to push and finish with a sprint but it wasn't happening, at this point I just kept telling myself don't cramp and fall on your face. I ran down the finish chute and saw 9:50 on the clock. I hit the line in 9:50:39 in 45th place overall and 4th in my age group. A 16 minute PR on what I can only describe as a tough day. Now for a little recovery time and then we'll start the build for Kona.  Ironman Hawaii 70.3 (Honu) 06/11/2010
Rain, rain, rain and yes more rain. That's been the story in Seattle this spring not to mention cold, cold and cold. I had decided to go race at Honu several months ago but it was looking like even a better idea given our weather. The plan was for a big final training week before starting my taper to Ironman Coeur d'Alene. Touching down in Kona and walking off the plane and down the stairs is like entering Heaven (very hot and humid but Heaven none the less). My friend James and I were there to get some focused training in and race at the the end of the week. We had a great townhouse in the Mauna Lani resort which was fantastic and a great deal. We spent the week hammering the bike on the Queen K, running hard through the lava fields and getting in lots of quality time at A-Bay and Hapuna Beach. It was a good hard week with a half day taper to a very hard 70.3 race. Race morning came early at 4 am and as I woke up I could hear the wind ruffling the palm trees it was going to be a fun day (i.e. - rough swim and windy bike). We caught the bus to the race start prepped our bikes and pumped the tires and headed down to get in our swim skins. The wind was blowing off shore which meant that the outside of swim course would be rough. Treading water at the start line bumping other athletes waiting for the cannon I wondered how my body would feel today would I have power and energy or come out flat from the big week. BOOM, time race. I swam hard right from the gun and found clean water all the way to the first buoy. At the first buoy I found some feet and sat on them. As we turned at the second buoy we were swimming directly into the current and had choppy water to deal with but I stayed with the feet. The swim in Hapuna is amazing it's completely clear water and you can see the bottom, fish, coral, turtles even in 80 feet of water. I exited the water in 31:47 in 110th place overall and 16th in my age group. The transition is tough across the sand, grass and then up a 200 meter steep hill to the bikes. I had a good transition and then flubbed the mounting of my bike by kicking one of my shoes off the pedal having to stop, unclip my other food and go back for my other shoe. Once that was taken care of I was on my way. Today I felt good on the bike right from the get go. The first few miles are fast with a tailwind before turning back into the howling headwind. I kept the effort high and started to make my way through the field. Like most of my rides it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to really get warmed up and into my rhythm. After an hour I was feeling good and then hit a little "dip" in my energy and focus. Several riders went by me in this section but didn't fret it and just stayed with it knowing what was to come in few miles. At the sign marking 7 miles to Hawi (5 miles to the turnaround) this course gets tough the wind is hitting you in the face and it's uphill. When I hit the sign I upped the effort and was quickly reeling in and passing the riders ahead of me. After the turn at Hawi it was time to scream back to T2. This can be a white knuckle ride but today it wasn't too bad just fast as I was holding 35-40 mph for the next few miles still catching and passing others. Finally back on the Queen K I held the effort back to the Mauna Lani and T2. I had ridden hard but I still felt like I had plenty in the tank for the run and I'd need it. Out of T2 I opened with a 6:20 mile across the grassy fairway which was already heating up and getting humid. Mile 2 was a 6:30 and I backed it off a bit to 7:00 minute per mile pace knowing what was to come. I was in a bit of no mans land not catching anyone and not getting caught. I finally started to close the gap on a few as we headed towards "the road", it's a 3 mile out and back section on a paved road that runs right through the lava, I call it the "road to hell". When I hit the road I hit the gas, I could now see my competition and started to make up some ground running 6:30-6:40 mile pace. As we exited the "road" and back onto the golf course for the final two miles. I was still running hard but feeling the effort from the road. I caught 3 runners with about a mile to go and got passed by a seriously fast guy and tried to go with him but with no luck. I continued t o run hard and had my eyes on one more athlete ahead of me. With 800 meters to go there was a runner about 30 yds ahead of me and I was determined to catch him. The guy kept looking back to see where I was and continued to close. With 300 meters to go I caught him and sprinted by him to the finish. I crossed the line in 4:35:48 a new PR by 18 seconds. I had finished in 24th place overall (out of 1391) and 3rd in my Age Group. The big surprise was managing to get a slot for the Ironman World Championships (i.e. - Kona) in October as the second place finisher in my age group (by 12 seconds) already has qualified and passed on the slot. So I'll get another shot at the big dance in October and it means it's go for broke at IMCdA. See you in Idaho.  Finish at Ironman Hawaii 70.3 Mercer Island Half Marathon 03/23/2010
My coach said hey I gave you a one day taper what do want. Well my taper day was filled with 5 hours of relaxing pressure washing in the beautiful Seattle sunshine. I woke up on Sunday with a slightly sore lower back and hamstrings. Well I got what I asked for, now off to the races. The M.I. half marathon is a great race, always very competitive and a seriously challening course. It had been 8 years since I last ran the race and now I remember why I hadn't been back, it's just plain tough. I had a good warmup avoiding the parking nightmare by the race site by parking at the overflow parking about a mile from the race start and I ran over to the start for my warmup watching all the Half Marathon walkers, 10k and 5K runners out on their way around the course. Lots of good runners in the area and this race always draws out a few good ones. My plan was simple hold back early and build beginning about mile 8. BANG... and we're off. I started of easily and found a nice comfortable pace. Mile 1 was a 6:08 split....oops maybe a little too fast. I should really back it off a bit. Mile 2 a 6:12....decision time really back it off or try and go with this pace and see what happens. I went with the latter and would pay dearly later. I was in a group of about 5 and we were rolling along trading time at the front and working the pace. Around mile 4 we hit the serious beginning of the hills and I went to the front and pushed the pace. This were going wonderfully until mile 7.5 when well the wheels started to come off the car, and by car I mean me. Hey guys where you going and I watched the group slowly slip away from me up the road. I downed my Jet Blackberry GU (mmmm.....) at mile 8.5 and that helped me get ready for the tough hills that were about to come. I managed kept fighting and managed to keep most of the group in sight but wasn't making any progress of closing the gap. Finally we were in the final 3 miles after a long rolling downhill we hit a savage uphill section before hitting the final mile. I regrouped and pushed hard for the final mile. I thought I was going to finish strong but....whoa who puts a 200 meter 10% hill with 500 meters to go in the race. I managed to finish in 39th place overall in 1:23:57. Good enough for 5th in my AG. Pretty happy considering my "taper" and the time of year. Time to start thinking about the next one, not sure when that will be but be sure I'll be there ready to race hard and a little smarter. Ironman Canada Crash Report 09/01/2009
I was confident heading into Ironman Canada on Sunday. I had been racing great this season and my training has been fantastic. Probably in the best shape since college. I had a great plan was ready to post a great time. I slept well the night before the race. Went out for a 10 minute job just before 4am to wake the body up and then had a little breakfast before getting showered and dressed and then walking down to the start. I got my bike tires inflated and my nutrition on my bike hit the porta-potty line which was only about 25 minutes and then got into my wetsuit and headed to the beach. I've been swimming well this year in training and in my other races. I positioned myself just off to the left of the main buoy line in the front row. At the start I got off fast but despite this with 2600 people all going the same place things still got a little physical for the first mile to the first turn. After the first turn I locked into a group of about 10 people and we swam as a group to the finish. I had a great swim, swimming 1:01:07 which was my fastest IM swim split by 4 minutes. In two years I've taken 15 minutes off my IM swim time which is huge. I was out of the water in 221st place and really happy and feeling great. Off on the bike I eased out of transition and got into my rhythm quickly. The first 40 miles of this ride is fast and my plan was to really hold back until I got over Richter Pass. Every few minutes I kept telling myself to back-off, back-off, back-off. I rode a really easy effort but was still just flying. I hit the 40 mile mark at the bottom of Richter Pass with an average of 25.6 mph and I went through the 56 mile mark in 2:22. Just after halfway my stomach staged a revolt, it had been bothering me for about 10 miles but at this point I started to throw-up (ala Norman Stadler in Kona). I continued to try and get nutrition, hydration and electrolytes down but it wasn't working. I was simply hurting at this point. At the out and back section of the course I had to stop at two different aid station porta-potties. As I headed up Yellow Lake which is a Tour De France style section with crowds all over the roads rooting the athletes on I decided that I'd finish the bike but I wasn't going to run. I didn't have anything to prove to anyone or myself by suffering through 26 miles of upset stomach in all likelihood walking most of the marathon in the 90 degree heat and forest fire smoke. I made it over Yellow Lake and descended well into Penticton (I still would have come off the bike in about 6:25). Then about 2 miles from the transition I was coming up to an intersection still going about 25 mph and I went over a steel plate covering a valve or something and my back wheel slipped out to the left and my bike shot right 4 feet into the curb, my front wheel hit the curb and knocked the bike out from under me and I flew off the bike through the air. In that instance I saw that I was going to hit a light pole. I was flying through the air with the pole heading towards my chest and mid section. In that instance I tucked my body a bit and my body rotated a bit and I hit the pole glancing off my ribs and took the direct hit on both thighs and my arm and fell to the ground. I feel really lucky that I didn't hit my head or chest directly into the pole as I probably wouldn’t be writing this if I had. There was a family there watching and a police officer as it was an intersection so they immediately called for a ambulance. I was assessing how badly I was hurt pretty quickly I figured nothing was broken. As I was lying on the ground the kid who was there with his family picked up my bike and was holding it for me, I politely informed him I wasn’t going to be riding it anymore today and he looked at me and said “that was epic”. The ambulance arrived within a couple minutes but pretty funny they parked right in the bike course and I had to tell them to move the ambulance back around the corner. They did a quick assessment to check if anything was broken checked my head and then loaded me on the stretcher and gurney and took me (and my bike) to the medical tent at the transition zone. I was hurting at this point because my legs were starting to cramp not from the crash but from the bike ride. They admitted me and did their triage assessment. The medical tent hadn't really gotten busy yet so it was pretty much just me and about 30 doctors and nurses. They got me in and sitting down and got ice on my legs and cleaned my few cuts and scratches and got me some electrolytes and took my vitals. After about 40 minutes I felt better and got up to try and hobble around. I was getting dizzy so they decided that was due to my stomach problems I was dehydrated so they took me in for an IV. At this point I was on my 4th doctor and would have to give the information and details of the crash over and over again. After two bags of saline they took me over to have a massage therapist to work on my legs a bit. So after 4 hours in the medical tent I started the long slow walk back to my hotel. After a shower, some food and phone calls to family, girlfriend and coach I walked back to the finish to get my bike and transition bags only to have everyone I passed say “congratulations” which I just politely and quietly replied “thanks”, it was just too much to explain. It was not the way I wanted to end my day but better on a day where things weren't going well than on a day when things are going well. Now two days later I’m very sore and not moving much at all, but glad it wasn’t worse. I’m already plotting for my next race. For the record my bike fared much better than I did. A few little scratches on the wheel and handlebar. Thanks for all the support and well wishes and I'll be back to race another day. Vineman 70.3 Race Report 07/21/2009
 Drove straight through on Wednesday from Seattle to St. Helena in around 12 hours. Stayed at the vineyard, winery and home of some family friends in St. Helena which is about 40 minutes away from T2 and an hour from T1. It was a special treat to get to stay there and the place is fantastic and quiet. It was searing hot all week leading up to the race with temps in Windor (T2) in the mid 90's and in Napa Valley the temps were in the 100's. Swam in the Russian River at the race site on Thursday and decided I wouldn't swim with a wetsuit but opt for a swim skin given the really warm water (75 degrees). Swim and T1: The swim is in the Russian River which has no real current to speak of, is really warm and very shallow (a few spots only 2.5 feet). The course is very narrow as it's a narrow river. I was in wave 2 behind the pro's which was cool as my previous few races I've gone off in later waves and had to fight through the crowds on the bike and run, not this day. I got out good in the swim but visibility was really tough as there was a bunch of fog right at the water level so sighting was tough but the river is only 40 meters wide so you can only get so far off course without running aground. At the course marker buoys just before the turn three guys hooked a left right in front of me and I kept swimming over their bodies towards the turn buoy another 80 meters ahead, the kayaker had to paddle hard to go get them back on course. I swam hard and had a good swim coming out of the water in the second group in my wave. I was 28th out of the water and through T2 in my AG (2nd/3rd waves) in 34:10, I’m guessing I was around 31:30 for the swim. My transition wasn't great in terms of time but no disasters.  Exiting the swim in the Russian River. No wetsuit for me just a swim skin with water in the mid 70's. Bike: I got on the bike and got quickly into my rhythm. The bike course is tougher than I thought as I had driven the course a couple days prior. There were only three short climbs one steep and one relatively moderate and one somewhere in between. The course just undulates the whole way so it's not one you can just lock in and go, much of the road surface is pretty rough and there are a number of technical sections. These courses typically don't suit me. There was only a couple of riders from my group that got out ahead of me (most of the fast swimmers were in the 3rd group). At mile 5 I caught two riders and immediately dropped them on first short steep climb. It was a very odd feeling as I was completely alone for the next 15 miles, no other riders in front, behind, no spectators and no race officials. At one point I wondered if I had made a wrong turn. Finally I caught sight of a group of three up the road and proceeded to reel them in over the next 4 miles. They were clearly working together and when I caught them I hit the gas and dropped them. Alone again. It would be another 20 miles until I saw a lone rider ahead of me I had caught one of the pro females who had started 8 minutes ahead of my group. Finally at the bottom of Chalk Hill Road two riders caught me and I managed to go with them and I can say we were riding the legal draft distance but working together to keep the pace high. I pulled ahead and lead them into T2 in Windsor. I was shocked when I checked my watch it looked like I was sub 2:30 which I've never done. I had a perfect running dismount and started on the long transition run and got through T2 with no issues. I finished up in 2:29:19 (~22.5 mph) with the 6th fastest bike split in my AG and a half IM bike PR. Makes me wonder what I could have done if I hadn't been all alone for 40 miles.  Heading out of T1 onto the bike at Johnston Beach.  Heading into T2 after a solid bike effort of 2:29:18 (22.5 mph) Run: This run course is a beast. It's just rolling hills (some of them pretty darn steep) with no shade, by far the toughest half iron run course I've ever raced on. My plan is always to go out easy and then pick it up at between 8-10 miles and negative split the run. I got out in a very comfortable pace but could tell it was going to be a tough run as it was already hot (80 degrees at just after 9:30 am when I started the run). I was shocked when I hit the first mile and checked my split a freakin’ 6:13 mile, way too hot a pace. I backed off a bit and at about 1.4 miles my leg cramped. It does it every race and no panic just stop rub the thigh cramp out and get back in my cadence. I got back in my cadence and the miles clicked off at between 6:50 and 6:55 for the next couple of miles. I had the pleasure of watching the pros heading back towards the finish aside from Joe Gambles who won they all looked like they were hurting, in particular Craig Alexander who finished about 17 minutes behind Gambles. Around mile 9, I was really hurting and only managed a 7:20, I felt like I had really fallen off the pace for good and stopped checking splits. In the end I had actually picked up the pace to near 6:45/mile pace on miles 10 and 11 and held it together for the final 2 miles to end up with another half IM split PR finishing the run in 1:30:14 (6:53/m) good enough for 11th best in my AG.  Heading out onto the hot and hilly run at 6:13 mile pace a little too hot.  A few yards from the finish and very glad to be done!!! I ended up finishing 7th in my AG in 4:36:06 a new half iron PR and the 48th best age group time. Best of all is I feel pretty good the day after. A few more weeks of solid training and then we'll let it rip at IMC and hopefully get a return trip to Kona. Overall impressions of Vineman. A really good race. It's a great swim especially for those who aren't the strongest swimmers or have a little open water phobia as if you panic you just stand up. The bike is tough but fair and has the potential to be fast. The run is hard it's hilly and hot but will really benefit those who are just plain strong mentally and those of us who live in Seattle and train on the hills day in and day out. If anyone has plans to do it in the future email me and I'll give you a few tips (especially for the transitions).  Kristen and I at the finish. I can see the light(ning) in Boise 06/14/2009
I made the turn into the wind onto a straight country farm road at mile 30 of the bike leg on Saturday, wiped the rain from my glasses, and hoped that I would see brighter skies ahead and all I saw was a lightening bolt streak down from the blackness and then the rain came down harder. I was already riding through an inch of standing water when a lower section of road had a torrent 4 inces deep racing across it. This was the state of things at Ironman Boise 70.3 for 60 miles of the race. You gotta love the Ironman PR machine...."athletes were treated to light rain for part of the day", obviously none of them were out on the course. In short it was the toughest race I've ever done but a very satisfying result. Issaquah Sprint Triathlon 05/31/2009
I got my 2009 Triathlon Season off to a fast start with the Issquah Sprint Triathlon. I always like to jump in a sprint race a couple weeks before my first big race of the season in this case that will be Boise 70.3 in two weeks.  Moving into 1st in AG into T1 passing slower swimmers in earlier waves.  Heading out of T1 onto the bike I ran out stripping off my suit and quickly passed the leader in my AG during transition. I was first out of T1 by 10 seconds. I had a quick running mount onto my bike and was quickly into my shoes. I quickly got up to speed and then I came to a screeching slowdown. There is nearly a mile at the beginning and end of the bike which is a "no pass" or restricted pass zone and this is where the no elite wave really hurt as I was stuck behind riders from the earlier waves who were slow. When I hit the pile up I was about 20 seconds up and then I was joined by a couple others in my AG as we slowing made out way through the limited pass zone. I traded the AG lead with fellow AG racer Tony Gerbino who I have raced a few times previously but have never beaten. We were quickly making our way through the maze of slower riders from the others in the earlier waves. I finished up the ride in 35:35 (25.29 mph avg.) the 11th fastest bike split overall. Many probably though a locomotive was coming as we were both riding with disc wheels and we were moving fast. We were slowed again as came back to the park. Tony and I had side by side high speed running dismounts and had to do some cyclocross style with our bikes to get around slower participants in transition. I had a solid T2 but struggled with getting one of my shoes on. Quickly out and about 5 seconds down to Tony. I quickly got into my easy rhythm and was continuing to dodge slower runners on the tight twisty and uneven trail run. At about half way Tony made a move and with all the twists and turns I lost sight of him and he put a little time on me. It was tough but I continued to run strong and finished well finishing the run in 18:21 (6:07 mile pace) and the 17th fastest run split. Overall I fninshed up in 1:01:20, 2nd in my Age Group (and 2nd Male Master as well) and 10th Overall.  Finishing Strong with 100 yds to go. This placing was both nice and a little disappointing. It was disappointing in the sense that if I hadn't been slowed by all the slower waves on the bike I very likely would have won my AG and may very well moved up several places in the overall. I don't think a race should be sanctioned by the USAT if it can't provide a "fair" opporunity to race and compete for all athletes and clearly those in the first couple of waves had an advantage. After the race I watched a bit of the Kids triathlon which was really funny but great to see all these little kids out there giving it there all. All in all it was a good day and I feel good heading into Boise 70.3 in two weeks. More to come in the two weeks from Boise!! Capitol City Half Marathon Race Report 05/20/2009
Finding my running legs after a few years off is an evolution not a revolution. Growing up as a runner I have a particular view in my mind of what fast is and this somethimes works against me. PACE 5K - Speedless in Seattle 11/03/2008
Ok I got talked into racing in this little 5K in Kirkland just a little over an hour before the start of the race by my friend Kristen. I was going to go do one of my favorite trail runs on Tiger Mountain but this was shorter and would be over quicker than the drive to the Tiger Mountain trailhead. Grand Columbian Half Iron 09/14/2008
There’s something about your first race. Technically the Grand Columbian Half Iron two years ago wasn’t my first triathlon I had done a sprint a few weeks before but I don’t count that because it was a comedy of errors. So I’ve returned to the race every year since. The race is in the tiny community of Grand Coulee, Washington home to largest concrete dam in North America, 3rd largest producer of electricity in the world, and home to a bitchin’ weekly laser light show which is projected on the face of the dam. Other things about the area, there is no McDonalds or Starbucks, the roads are mostly chip seal (rough roads), it’s hot and it can be seriously windy. | 2010 Race ScheduleMercer Island Half Marathon 1:23:57 5th AG/38th OA Hawaii 70.3 4:35:48 3rd AG/24th OA Kona slot Ironman Coeur d'Alene 9:50:39 4th AG/45th OA Beaver Lake Sprint Tri August 21st High Pass Challenge September 12th Grand Columbian Half Iron September 18th Ironman World Championships October 9th Seattle Marathon (tentative) November 2009 Race SceduleCapitol City Half Marathon 10th OA/2nd AG 1:22:46 2008 Race ResultsKirkland Half Marathon 1:25:27 2nd AG/10th OA ArchivesJune 2010 |
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