Old College TRI 2017

8.20.17

year 4.  I know this course well.

I was scheduled to run the pikes peak ascent this weekend, but, my plans changed, and, as a result, I was a late sign up for OCT.

This is a fun race coordinated by Dallas Athletes Racing.  250 yard swim, 12(ish) mile bike, 5k run that ends on the football field with a 40 yard dash.

Swim:  I posted a 4:57 last year and figured I'd be faster this year, as I've spent quite a bit of time in the water.  I set 4:45 as my target time during registration.  As we were staging for the swim, a group of guys were calling a couple of their buddies to join them in line ahead of me.  I was hoping it wouldn't be an issue, but...it was.  I hit the water and felt great for the 1st 75 or so.  I passed a couple of swimmers and felt good.  Then things got congested.  One of the guys that moved up was slow, and I actually swam under him with quite a bit of contact as I passed him heading into a new length.  frustrating.  The swim continued to be congested, and I posted a mediocre 5:07.

T1:  uneventful.  1:37.

Bike:  this would be the 1st time to race this race on the new bike.  It was rolling really well, and I wanted to mash the pedals for this one.  I pushed hard for the 1st 5 miles, and averaged 21.4 mph.   I was passing lots of cyclists, felt great aero, and was really pushing the pace.  I made the turn a little after 6 miles, and, per usual, slowed a bit, as there are always hills and wind on the return trip.  That said, my 2nd 5 miles was still at a 19.4 pace.  I slowed slightly for the last 2.6, but, felt really good about my bike split.  A 19.7 mph average per Strava, but 18.7 per the results, based on the advertised 12 mile course (I posted 12.6).

T2:  uneventful.  1:26

Run:  I wanted to be in the "8's" for this one.  I got out to a good start and booked 8:42 for mile 1.   I wasn't sure that I could maintain that pace, but, was able to book 9:00 and 9:09 for miles 2 and 3, keeping me in the 8's for my average.  A PR for me on this run course.  I'll take it.

Overall:  1:14:25 -  my best yet on this course. (even with longer bike course)

2017:  1:14:25
2016:  1:16:30
2015:  1:15:19
2014:  1:21:20


Like usual, I was in the middle of the pack, placing 18 of 34 in my AG...that said, I was happy with my day.

2017 Trinity 5000 Summer Series Week 12

8.17.17

We'd been looking forward to this for several weeks...week 12.  The series winners had been decided, so, there was nothing to race for.

Our plan was to have a nice little shit show beer stroll.

We arrived early for our series t-shirts and pre-race beers.

I loaded up the backpack and off we went for a leisurely stroll.  Lots of beer, laughs, and good conversation along the way.

Total Time: 51:19.  Best 5k ever!

Griffin completed the 12th of 12 races.  I'm so proud of that little dude!

2017:
week 1:  26:54
week 2:  26:06
week 3:  25:30
week 4:  27:43
week 5:  26:47
week 6:  24:57
week 7:  25:52
week 8:  26:52
week 9:  36:10
week 10: 26:04
week 11: 27:18
week 12:  51:19


2016:
week 1:  27:40
week 2:  27:24
week 3:  27:34
week 4:  27:42
week 5:  28:17
week 6:  27:10
week 7:  out of town
week 8:  27:51
week 9:  26:50
week 10:  29:28
week 11:  out of town
week 12:  27:00

2015:
week 1:  didn't race
week 2:  27:30
week 3:  26:29
week 4:  26:17
week 5:  didn't race (traveling)
week 6:  didn't race (traveling)
week 7:  26:05
week 8:  25:26
week 9:  24:49
week 10: 25:12
week 11: 24:54
week 12: 24:01

Hot Rocks 2017

8.12.17

In 2012, this was my 1st bike rally ever.  I rode 57 miles on a hybrid that day, and, as they say, the rest is history.

I'd missed this ride the past 2 years due to racing conflicts, but, was glad to be back.

I planned to ride the 100k for this one, as my saddle time had still been lacking over the summer.

Lindsi, the boys, and I stayed with James and Lesli on Friday night, so as to make Saturday morning a little easier.

We were up and out the door early, and, to the race sight with plenty of time to get race packets and prep bikes.  We aired up tires and were about ready to go, when we ralizedthat I'd left Lindsi's helmet at James and Lesli's house.  The shorter routes were scheduled to roll 45 minutes after the 100k, so, she would have plenty of time.

I found a spot near the middle of the pack and waited for the 7:30 start.  As per usual, I planned to no stop the ride, and planned to try and push the pace.

The route changed slightly from last time I participated, with us heading out to John King, riding a few miles, turning back, riding through a corporate park (weird), and then heading out to the previous route.

I quickly remembered how much I like this event.  The roads are far better than most of the area bike rallies.  After getting through the 1st 5 congested miles, I averaged just shy of 20 mph for the next 15.  The bike was rolling great, I was blowing past lots of cyclists, and I was spending a lot of time in the aero position.  By mile 25, I'd finished my 1st aero bottle and needed to pee, so, I made an unplanned stop at the 25 mile rest stop.  I refilled my aero bottle and peed, and checked in on Lindsi.  She had gotten started, but, her bike was not rolling well.  She was going to try and continue, but, was struggling a bit.  I headed back out and averaged about 19.5 for the next 10.  I stopped quickly to check on Lindsi again...she was having a mechanic look at her bike.  She was thinking she may have to sag back.   I continued on and followed all signs towards the finish.  I reached the finish line at mile 48.6.  Apparently, there was supposed to be another loop somewhere, but, I never saw it.  A point of frustration, as I'd planned on the 100k.  Poor course marking by the organizers.  Lindsi finally sagged back.  Fortunately, it was a minor bike issue.  She was still able to complete about 30 miles.

All in all, a good day for me.  The stats:  48.6 miles, 1467 ft of climbing, 18.4 pace.  I'll take it.

2017 Trinity 5000 Summer Series Week 11

8.10.17

Week 11.

still feeling slow...

This has been a fun series.  Not much to report on this one.

Mile 1:  8:23
Mile 2: 8:26
Long walk at water stop
Mile 3: 9:41

Overall time:  27:18.  2nd in fat boy division.  1 week to go.

2017:
week 1:  26:54
week 2:  26:06
week 3:  25:30
week 4:  27:43
week 5:  26:47
week 6:  24:57
week 7:  25:52
week 8:  26:52
week 9:  36:10
week 10: 26:04
week 11: 27:18

2016:
week 1:  27:40
week 2:  27:24
week 3:  27:34
week 4:  27:42
week 5:  28:17
week 6:  27:10
week 7:  out of town
week 8:  27:51
week 9:  26:50
week 10:  29:28
week 11:  out of town
week 12:  27:00

2015:
week 1:  didn't race
week 2:  27:30
week 3:  26:29
week 4:  26:17
week 5:  didn't race (traveling)
week 6:  didn't race (traveling)
week 7:  26:05
week 8:  25:26
week 9:  24:49
week 10: 25:12
week 11: 24:54
week 12: 24:01

Blazin' Saddle 2017

8.5.17

3rd time to do this one.  I'd skipped it the last 2 years due to race schedule conflicts, but, in an effort to get some saddle time in, opted in for this year.  Due to the new weekend schedule, I've lost my ability to race on Saturdays, so, this would be the 1st bike rally of the year.

Lindsi's new found love for cycling has been great, as she had already completed 2 bike rallies over the summer.  She would join for this one.

This course is a beast, with 4000 feet of climbing on the 75 mile route.  Having not had much saddle time this summer, I opted for the 46 mile route.

I planned to no-stop this ride, and, was eager to see what the new bike would do on a tough course.

Lindsi and I arrived a bit late, and, by the time we got parked, got the bikes ready, filled up water bottles, etc, we were behind the pack.  We rode together only briefly, and then I went ahead.  She was riding the 20 mile course, so, she would finish before me.

The 1st hill on this ride is Skulls Crossing, a 18 steep, short ascent.  Apparently, there is a bail out for this climb.  As I was approaching the turn off, I missed the turn as a cyclist was blocking my path to the turn.  I had to stop and circle back (stop #1).

I headed up skulls crossing, and, as per usual, there were several cyclists walking their bikes, or struggling to pedal up the hill.  I found myself moving from side to side on the hill as I looked for room to ride.  To my right, a woman tipped, taking out another cyclist in the process.  I moved around the carnage and kept pedaling.  Finally, I worked my way through the slow traffic and made my way to a flat stretch.

About that time,  I realized that my back wheel was rubbing the frame.  The bike had felt sluggish thus far, and I decided to stop and take a look (stop #2).  I got off the bike and attempted to spin the back wheel.  It wouldn't spin long before stopping due to making contact with the frame.  I spent a few minutes trying to get it adjusted, and, finally, success.  I hopped back on the bike and headed out. The bike felt like it was rolling well.

Just a few miles later, I saw Jason Hill on the side of the road.  I stopped to check on him.  He'd popped a spoke.  I stayed with him until he was ready to roll again. (stop #3).

Jason and I would ride together much of the rest of the day.

At one of the upcoming rest stops, I rolled through it, not realizing that it was a turn-off for the ride.  The road markings and signage were poor.  I continued on a few miles before I realized my mistake, stopped, and double back.  (stop #4).

I took advantage of that rest stop for a quick pee break, reconnected with Jason, and headed out (stop #5).


I tried to keep a steady pace for the remainder of the ride, but made 1 additional stop at the last rest stop. (stop #6).

3 hours and 14 minutes after starting (2:51 ride time).  I'd burned 23 minutes at stops, after not planning on stopping at all.  

I'd forgotten how bad the chip seal is on this ride.  Quite honestly, although challenging, its just not fun.  Not sure I'll be back.

1959 feet of climbing over 46 miles at a 16.2 pace.