New Wetsuit

I did it. I ordered and received my new wetsuit. This was a hard decision, but a 50% deal was hard to pass up. I found my last wetsuit on ebay and paid only $50. That's right $50. I am still planning on keeping it, but its getting old and I have to keep repairing it. No fun.

Here is my new wetsuit! Oh boy. I have been to the reservoir twice now and it seems to be fine. The wetsuit is snug, and I hope I never gain too much weight. It won't fit if I gain too much weight.

Endurance Races

I love this video. It was posted on Endurance Planet. This reminds me back when I did my first marathon. My legs burned so much and it was nearly impossible to walk. The better you train, the less you feel like this. Enjoy.

US Wins Gold

US Wheelchair Rugby Team won Gold!! I was able to watch the entire game on the internet! Go Jason!! I can't wait to see the medal.

Click the link to find out more about Wheelchair Rugby.
http://quadrugby.harlequins.org/

US Wheelchair Rugby Team

Go US Wheelchair Rugby Team!! They are now in the finals and will be playing against Team Australia for the gold. I'll keep you posted.

2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES: U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team Defeats Great Britain, 35-32, to Earn Berth in Gold Medal Game

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2008

BEIJING, China –Four years ago at the Athens Paralympics, the United States didn’t even have the opportunity to play for the gold medal. The team was upset by Canada in the semifinals and had to settle for bronze. Since that day, the U.S. has been on a mission to get back to the gold medal game and sit atop the medal podium once again. On Monday, Team USA got one step closer to its goal, defeating Great Britain, 35-32, to earn a berth in the championship game.

“We’ll definitely enjoy this win for a little bit, but it’s not over,” said U.S. head coach James Gumbert (Austin, Texas). “Our ultimate goal is to win five games. It feels great to get the fourth win under our belt, but now it’s time to refocus and get ready for the last one.”
As it’s done all tournament long, the U.S. rotated an endless array of line-ups into the game to wear down the opponent and keep up its own energy and momentum. Despite the fresh bodies, the U.S. was having a difficult time putting a run on the Brits. With the U.S. and Great Britain entwined in a back and forth contest – the U.S. held just a 25-24 lead entering the fourth quarter – Gumbert said it was the contributions of two of his youngest players that helped make the difference in today’s victory.

“What Nick Springer (St. Petersburg, Fla./New York, N.Y.) and Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala.) gave us today was unbelievable. They’re the two youngest kids on the team and they came out and played like seasoned veterans. Their defensive performances were just phenomenal,” said Gumbert.

With five and a half minutes to go in the fourth, the U.S. turned the ball over on a bad pass and an ensuing Great Britain goal tied the game at 27. Seth McBride (Portland, Ore./Juneau, Alaska) quickly scored to put the U.S. back up by one and then tough defense by Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.) on the inbounds pass forced Great Britain to fumble and give the ball right back to the USA. A goal by Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.) gave the U.S. the two point lead and put the British away for good.

“The USA’s biggest strength is that we’re 11 guys strong. There are 11 different starters on this team and we can confidently play any one of them at any point in the game. That helps all of us go out on the court and give it our all knowing there are seven guys on the bench that can back us up and come in fresh and ready to go,” said Springer, who had eight assisted blocks in the game.

Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.) once again led Team USA, tallying 13 goals against Great Britain. The other top scorers for the U.S. were Kirkland and Cohn who each chipped in five goals. Cohn also had seven assists.

“This is where we wanted to be. Every one of us that was on the Athens team [that lost in the semifinals four years ago] remembered what that bus ride felt like and we didn’t want to feel that again,” said Mark Zupan (Austin, Texas). “We played our butts off and it showed. But, this is just a step. We didn’t come here to play in the gold medal game. We came here to win the gold medal.”

The U.S. takes on Australia in the gold medal game on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Science & Technology of Beijing Gymnasium.

For more information, or to arrange an athlete interview, please contact Susan Katz at susan.katz@usoc.org

Go Me!

I love this picture!!

Tri for Your Cause

I was asked to join a Team for the Tri for Your Cause Triathlon on Saturday. It was spur of the moment and I was asked just a few days before. I didn't know the team, but one of my friends Chilly does. Here are the results:

Team Name: Banana Splits
(Anna, Jason and Eric)
Swim: 13:34
T1: 0:29
Bike: 1:04:15 (24.3mph)
T2: 0:21
Run: 24:12 (6:03/mile)
Total: 1:42:49.3

WOW!!! Very impressive. I did the run segment. I thought I was going to have the fastest run time total. I had the 3rd fastest time. Our team ended up 2nd or 3rd Overall. We finished 2nd, but the final results posted shows us 3rd.

My goal next year is to get faster on the run during Triathlons. I am great running by itself, but not in triathlons.

Special Day

Today marks my 4th wedding Anniversary. Nicole and I have been married for 4 years now!! We have known each other for 10 years. We met at Show Band "band camp" at Adams State College in Alamosa, CO in 1998.

I love my wife! Thanks Nicole for being such a sweetheart.

Photos

These photos are long overdue. Enjoy.

Grand kids/CousinsEric, Patty (from Omaha), Nicole

Shane and Eric at top of Mt. Evans Eric at top of Mt. Evans
Mt. Evans
Nicole at Summer Splash 5K
The Greene's Summer Splash 5K

Eric and Brett Summer Splash 5K

Me receiving 1st Place trophy

Daily Cup of Brew

I drink coffee. I also drink energy drinks, kool-aid and soda. Ever wonder why I am always go.go.go? Since I started my Ironman training, I would mostly drink coffee. I didn't drink too much soda. I had an energy drink every now and then.

Now that I am not in serious training mode...I have had a few more sodas and energy drinks. Everything else has stayed the same. Nicole and I don't buy too many 12 packs of soda because I will drink 1-2 per day....love the mountain dew!! I am starting to dislike highly carbonated beverages. Too much carbonation and it makes my stomach bloated.

I have a french press coffee maker at work and I really enjoy it. My co-worker, Ann, loves the coffee too.

Does this extra caffeine give me an extra lift. Sometimes. I have read a study that says caffeine 30min before a workout can make a difference. Your body doesn't hurt or ache as much during workouts. I put this to the test. I believe it.

5430 Long Course Race Report

Pre-race routine
I set my alarm for 3:45am, 4:00am, and 4:15am. I wanted to make sure I got up. I got up by the first alarm. My pre-race meal was my standard 1/2 cup of oatmeal. It seems to tide me over quite well. This race was a solo event for me. I didn't have my family come this time, so I drove alone. I went to 7-11 as I left and bought some gatorade and coffee. It took a long time for the coffee to cool down.



Event warmup:
Setting up my transition area was pretty easy. I had to go back to my car a few times to drop off my extra stuff. My restroom breaks were very minimal today, just like last year. What a relief!! I was able to get in the water for a quick warm-up. As I was in line for the bathroom, I noticed I still had my glasses on. What was I to do? The transition area was closed. I went to the volunteer area and asked if they would watch my glasses. YEAH!!!

Swim
I had such a great swim last year, this year was hard to compete. I think I started off too fast?? My tinted goggles work great, especially going right into the sun. It was really cool to see the hot air balloons. My sighting seemed to be pretty good and I was on the same pace as last year. After rounding the half-way point, I noticed I started slowing down. It took forever to get to the last buoy. I noticed my time on my watch and just felt trapped. I felt OK during the swim. I had a cramp for just a brief moment. I picked up the pace a little at the end.


Duane was cheering me on after the swim. What a neat surprise!! Thanks Duance for the support.
47:55 (2008)
39:25 (2007)



T1
Good transition. I thought it was pretty slow, but no problem!!. The baby pool just before transition saved tons of time so I can wipe my feet off.
1:58 (2008)
1:51 (2007)


Bike

I really like this course. The first part seems to be all uphill, but the downhills may it worth while. I didn't get a chance to ride the course this year, but it was nearly the same as last year. I tried to pace myself again this year with an average cadence of 90-100. My max speed was 43.7mph. Last year's max speed was 45.1mph. I wasn't playing leap from with too many people, but there were some awesome cyclists who passed me. I think I talk to much to the other racers as I pass them. I need to focus more and keep relaxed. I didn't seem to have any problem with loosing water bottles this year. I didn't go off the road and cut anyone off. YEAH!


There is one turn-around part that is very scary. I unclipped and took it slow. No crashing today. I think I saw my friend Laura while riding?


2:40:32 - 20.9mph (2008)
2:38:23 - 21.2mph (2007)

Here is the the time that my bike computer said:
Time: 2:41:36
Odo: 2612.8 miles
Max: 43.7 mph
Avg: 21.0 mph
Distance: 56.48 miles

T2
Very quick. I forgot to take my Garmin watch with me. I brought a hanky with me to wipe of my sunglasses. This was a good idea.
1:14 (2008)
1:28 (2007)


Run
I started off with a pace slower than last year. My hamstrings weren't burning badly this year. I brought my water pack with me this year. The pack really helps me stay hydrated and I drink every mile. I tried staying away from the ice water. I did have a little, but I tried to control myself. It was so cold!! I used the sponges just a little this year. Last year I carried a sponge with me almost the entire race. My pace was great for the first 5 miles. I started to slow down. Mile 7-8 I started picking it up again.

Graham from Parker Triathlon Club was riding his bike helping some club members. I am not part of the club, but he was helping me too. "Relax your shoulders", and I would do just that.

I did more training on the gravel, so it wasn't such a big shock.

I told myself last year that I would do more brick workouts. Did I do more? Not really. I am a much faster runner, but I always slow down quite significantly. The finish was pretty cool and my legs weren't as bad this year.
2:00:24 - 9:10/mile (2008)
2:00:14 - 9:12/mile (2007)

Total time:
5:32:01 (2008)
5:21:24 (2007)


Cool down
I tried stretching as much as possible. I got another message this year. I also took an "Ice Bath" when I got home. The Ice Bath wasn't the greatest, but I think it helped with my recovery. I didn't take a nap this year. It took me several days to catch back up on my rest.

I was pretty happy overall with my results. I was most disappointed in my swim, but I slacked too much during the month of July on swimming. I am not certain if I will do the race next year, but it sure does sound tempting.