Ruidoso Sprint Triathlon 6-8-13

An interesting twist to this event, I woke up at 3 am and could not sleep.
The pillow was too thick.
This was a fun event.
It is Kathy and Mark Wade's first triathlon.
It is always fun to support new members to the sport.
My report card
2:50:31
run 53:08
bike 1:35:38
swim 18:46
The biking part was the killer.
It was like climbing the hill in front of Sandia Casino 4 times!
I had a bad cramp in my thighs during the last hill!
But, as always, I am grateful that I finish it without injury!

2012 Coyote Carrera Triathlon

This is a special one.
I did it with my son Ryan and my daughter Rana.
It is Ryan's second triathlon.
It is Rana's first triathlon.
Ryan 1:18:08
Rana 1:24:58
Me 1:28:36 ( Run 29:11, Bike 39:51, Swim 15:37 )
It was a fun event.
It is local.
It is my best race.
I was planning to run 45 minutes. I am really surprised with my time. It is my weakest link.
I was really tired when I got to the swim part.
The important thing is, we completed it.

Official Result: City of Santa Fe Triathlon

So,
this is the final version!

After work,
I went to May Cafe instead.
I did not sleep well the night before,
so I thought a bottle of Tsing Tao will help.
I also had my usual Fried Catfish with rice.

The drive to Santa Fe was good. I went to see the route. It gave me some good idea.

The hotel was clean. I found out that they gave me a first floor room! Just what I wrote for the diary :)

The sleep was good. The beer did help. I went to bed at 8:30 pm. I set 2 alarms but did not need them. I got up before they went off.

Everything went as planned that morning. I got there before 5 am. I was able to park real close to the Community Center.

The race started on time. We were off at 6:30 am. The first part was not bad. My shin area was tight. I tried to stretch them when I take my walk break. I did the walk/run in 37:09, better than my prediction! The best part of it was when I got close to the end. I found some volunteers in the water stand. They asked if I wanted water. I said yes. Then two of them held the water jug up. I slowed down and said, "Are you serious?" They said, "Yes! We lost all our cups!". I did get some water. I let them pour the water into my water bottle. That was funny!

The transition was not bad either. I did what I planned to do.

At the start of the bike, I took my time. I wanted to warm up a bit. Towards the turn around point, I had to stop twice, I can feel my calves tightening. I was so thirsty when I was climbing up towards the turning point. The road was bad too. Finally, I got to the point. They had water! I thanked them for saving my life! When there is uphill, there is downhill! I was very happy to take the hill back down. Then when I got to Richards St, my left calf cramped up! It was painful. I had to stop and walk. Thank God, it loosen up. I was able to finish the ride. At that point, the thought of quitting did enter my mind. I made it to the transition area after 1:08:49!

At the transition area, when I bend down to change my shoes, my right calf cramped up! I had to walk to the side and sat on the curve to change my shoes. To swim or not to swim? I do not want to have a cramp while swimming. Somehow I decided to proceed.

The pool was empty when I got there. I jumped in. I took my time. After two laps in that 50 meter pool, my left knee was cramping. It was not a good sign. I took my time. Thanks to the nice lifeguard, she suggested that I could do a back stroke. I did. With half a lap to go, she suggested that I pull forward using my arms. I did! Thank God, I made it to the finish line! It took me 19:50 to finish the swim.

I do not know what when wrong.

Not enough training?
The beer?
The altitude?

I really do not know. For the next race which is Warrior Triathlon in October, I will definitely added more running and biking!

By the way, the final time was 2:05:48

"City of Santa Fe Triathlon"

July 16, 2011
Saturday
12 noon

Dear Diary,

I just got home from Santa Fe.

This was my first time to run that race.

I went to Santa Fe Friday night after having the noodles from Vietnamese 2000. As usual, it was good. I ordered a Jackfruit shake to go.

I arrived at Santa Fe at 7 pm. There was still a lot of light in the sky. So I went to the race site to take a quick look. Then I went to my hotel. Holiday Inn Express was very close. The staff was very nice. I got a very clean room in the first floor. I was able to bring my bike into the room.

At 8:30 pm, I went to bed after a warm shower. I set my alarm for 4 am. The bed was clean and comfortable. I slept like a log.

My eyes opened just as the alarm went off. I set 2 alarms, 5 minutes apart. I went for my usual bathroom routine. I had Mr. Brown Coffee and a piece of toast with peanut butter. A perfect way to get my bowel moving.

I left the hotel at 4:40 am. I got to the parking lot at 4:50 am. The volunteers were great. I took a short walk and got to the transition area right at 5 am.

I went through the usual setting routine and got my time chip and body marking. The weather was just slightly cool. The light jacket that I brought was perfect. As usual, I walked around to warm up and did some stretches. I also ate my half peanut butter sandwich at 5:30 am and Quaker breakfast bar at 6 am.

We were at the starting line at 6:25 am. The gun went off at 6:30 am. I stayed at the back of the pack. I stayed with my usal routine of one minute running and one minute walking. I was able to run the way Nike told me. I went back to the transition area right after 40 minutes.

The transition was a breeze. I put on my helmet, changed my shoes and off I went. It only took 1:15.

The ride was a bit hilly but no big deal. I was able to keep a constant pace. The road was not too bad. All in all, we had a lot of room. I checked in after 45 minutes.

The second transition was also easy. I took off my helmet, removed my glasses, removed my belts, my shirt and finally shoes and socks. I grabbed my goggles and nose piece, put on my shoes and ran to the gym. It took my 1:15.

I was actually great to dip into the pool to cool down. We started at the deeper end of the pool, 50 meters to the other end. I used my trusted breast stroke. I kept my pace. I started really easy. The rhythm was great. The breathing was perfect. I reached the ladder after 13 minutes!!!!

total time:
1:40:30

Up Coming Events

October 1, 2011 Warrior Triathlon, Albuquerque, NM
March 25, 2012 Bataan Memorial Death March, White Sands, NM
May 2012 Jay Benson Triathlon
August 2012 La Luz Trail Run

Introduction

This is a new start for a nerd who grew up with books only.
At age 50,
I am very happy to report that I am getting in shape.
I love triathlon!
For me,
it is the perfect way to get fit!

Race Record

1. March 15, 2009 Saint Patrick Day Run 5K Rio Rancho, NM 38:51
2. September 13, 2009 Chips n Salsa Half Marathon Albuquerque, NM 2:13:04
3. November 26, 2009 Thanksgiving Run 10K Rio Rancho, NM 1:11:25
4. January 17, 2010 Phoenix Rock n Roll Half Marathon Phoenix, AZ 3:13:15
5. May 2, 2010 Run for the Zoo 5K Albuquerque, NM 35:21
6. September 12, 2010 Patriot Triathlon Rio Rancho, NM 2:06:08
7. February 20, 2011 Desert Classic Duathlon, Phoenix, AZ 3:13:09
8. April 23, 2011 Coyote Carrera Triathlon, Albuquerque, NM 1:50:52
9. May 1, 2011 Run for the Zoo 5K, Albuquerque, NM 35:44
10. May 15, 2011 Santa Fe Century 25 miles, Santa Fe, NM
11. June 4, 2011 Tour de Cure 25 miles, Albuquerque, NM
12. July 16, 2011 City of Santa Fe Triathlon, Santa Fe, NM 2:05:48
13. September 25, 2011 Tour de Acoma 25 miles, Sky City Casino, Acoma, NM
14. October 1, 2011 Warrior Triathlon Albuquerque, NM 1:43:47
15. April 21, 2012 Coyote Carrera Triathlon, Albuquerque, NM 1:28:36
16. June 8, 2013 Ruidoso Sprint Triathlon, Ruidoso, NM 2:50:31
17. July 6, 2013 Gallup Triathlon, Gallup, NM, 1:59:32
18. July 13, 2013 Rock N Glow 5K, Albuquerque, NM, 39:00