June 2008

June '08


Thursday, June 26, 2008
Load 'em up- move 'em out! Buffalo Springs 70.3-- Lubbock, TX
Heading to Lubbock in the morning. First father/daughter trip. super pumped for trip and to see how I can fair just 2 weeks from my last half!
http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/buffalosprings70.3/?show=resultsTo follow me along during the race (to see how i'm doing and my time splits) click on the link above, then athlete tracker for 2008 (should be up saturday evening). Type in my name or number. If you don't know my name, dig around. Or look to the left. Wish me luck!!
About the RaceBuffalo Springs 70.3Open water lake swim. Wave starts (approximately 200 per wave), rectangular course counter clockwise, entry at beach area and exit on cement boat dock area, within 20 yards of the transition area.Bike course is a modified out and back, out of town farm to market roads, limited traffic, flat with 8 challenging hills, ranging from 2.9% - 8.9% grade and a quarter of a mile to 1.2 miles in length.Run is on asphalt, flat with 3 challenging hills, ranging from 10-14% (not the same hills as found on the bike course) grade. The hills are approximately 300 yards to 880 yards in length. Partially shaded, tough, scenic course.

posted @ 6/26/2008 1:55:58 PM (1) Comments
Monday, June 23, 2008
70.3 KS in a few more details.
Ironman KS 70.3 Recap June 15, 2008


Swim- 41:20
Long counter clockwise rectangle-ish. Start was really really good. Myself and Robyn were at the very front until the first buoy.

Then, I forgot my ability to swim in a straight line. Along with swimming in a zig-zag pattern, this was the roughest swim I can remember! Super choppy, big rollers. I don’t mid that so much, because I feel like I can deal better than others. But, I had to stop and “choke it out” at least twice. One of my favorite swim coaches used to say “do not breathe the clear blue liquid.” This time it was more like “Definitely do not breathe the milky brown, pudding looking substance.”

My watch said 39 something, and the clock says 41. So, two things: I know I wasn’t going blazing fast, but I was swimming more like a 33, not 39. The course was long (look at pro men’s results). Then, there was a 350 yard “run” to the transition area. Yikes!! That’s still about 12 minutes slower than my last half ironman in September 2007!! WOW!

T1- 1:50
I calmly gathered my things here. No huge rush when you’re going 70.3. This was pretty quick considering the size of the TA.

Bike- 3:44.12
Slow, steady. This course is really difficult. Very hilly, very windy. I thought I would average closer to a 16, but with the wind, I’m pretty pleased with the 15mph average. Slow, but, I felt pretty good.

This course has the “IronCross” which is a collection of 4 right hand turns in the same place. On the first section, at about mile 14 I saw a guy on a stretcher, and a guy that looked really hurt and dazed. Hearsay is that the two collided on the downhill (very very fast downhill section) and slammed into the Gatorade aid station and the bridge railing. I later learned they were life-flighted out.

I kept seeing Dawn yelling at the top of her lungs, and Alyson with the doggies all over the bike course. It was super motivational to see them!

On the last portion of the bike leg, headed back to the TA I saw my fiancé’s truck. I didn’t think he was going to make it out. Then, I saw two guys jumping up and down in thongs. Oh. My. God. That was my fiancé and brother. The funniest thing I have ever seen. My friend Alyson was there too, with her doggies. It was hilarious.

T2- 1:34
Again, I wasn’t blazing fast thru here, but I should have gone a little faster.

Run- ?
Bad stomach cramps forced me to walk the majority of the first couple miles until I found a bathroom. I was still run/ walking for a bit after that, but then was feeling better, so much better, that the last mile split I caught, was a 10:05!! The first two were over 15 min/mile.

Then, somewhere after mile 6, everyone was being shoo’ed into the corral- there was an impending storm (never happened) and they had called the race. I just pulled my hat down and started crying because I was feeling better and really trying to salvage what I could of my race.
As I crossed the “finish” line and was handed my “finisher’s medal” I looked up and saw Robyn. I could see she was bumming, but I was in no mood to commiserate. I found the closest tree, and went behind it. I dropped down on my knees with my head in my hands. I was sobbing. I just bent down there and let it out. I have never not finished a race. I know a few people have said that those that were forced off while still on the way to completion, should be considered finishers. I just can’t find it inside of me to agree. I heard someone come over to me, ask if I was ok, or if I needed medical help. I saw his shoes and bike tires, but I never looked up. I just kept saying, “I’m ok, I’m ok.”
Who ever that nice man was patted my back and said “I’m really sorry,” finally realizing why I was so upset. I still don’t know who he was.

I have no idea what my time was, how far I really ran, or where I placed.

I was telling my dad about it, and he offered to take me to another.

This morning after the race, I looked a up other 70.3 series races, found a few, called coach lady and asked for her suggestion. Then called Dad and he said he was down, so, here I am, booked for another half in 2 weeks.

Buffalo Springs 70.3 in Lubbock, TX on June 29th. Hopefully I can redeem myself there. Also, I’m super excited that I get to go with my dad. He’s really pretty much taking care of everything, and we’ve not done a tri trip before (usually motocross) so this is going to be really really cool!!!

Plus, I’ve never been to Texas for a tri, and this is going to be super hot, and super hard. Just the way I like ‘em!!!

Thank you::

Trisports.com, Fluid Recovery, Tropical Xtreme Tanz


posted @ 6/23/2008 7:41:20 AM (0) Comments
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Weight Watchers
Well, I jumped on board with Meggie Mac and GeekGrl to joing the Weight Watchers bandwagon.
There's a lot to explore on the site, and I'm just getting started. Alas, my biggest races for the year are either behind me, or withing days, so it won't have much affect on my racing- maybe for the sprints- but it will have impact on the marathon if I can successfully get the weight off, as I did for ironman (but it popped back on just weeks after the race. figures.)
Also, I seem to keep forgetting that I have a wedding in the upcoming months. My first alteration is in late August, so hopefully the gown will need a few nip/tucks. It fits pretty well now, but a little big (well, last I checked in mid April, so who knows now).
posted @ 6/17/2008 8:07:08 AM (0) Comments
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Finishing Place?
Well, the so called 'Results' are posted on www.IronmanKansas.com, however, I'm pretty sure that not only are they significantly inconclusive, they're totally wrong.
But, for the time being, I'm posted as finishing 4th. However, there's a girl listed below me, that I know beat me. So did I beat people in front of me? Did others behind me actually finish, or "finish" before I did?
Well, for now, we'll say I got 4th in my division, but it's subject to change.
posted @ 6/17/2008 6:23:31 AM (0) Comments
Monday, June 16, 2008
Teexxxxxaaaasss!
YEEEEHAAW!

So I'm pretty pumped about racing in Texas. I've swam there, but this will be my first tri there. Super Super exticited!!!

So, in honor of the Buffalo Springs 70.3 I have changed my background (again).
posted @ 6/16/2008 11:46:55 AM (0) Comments
Monday, June 16, 2008
Teexxxxxaaaasss!
YEEEEHAAW!

So I'm pretty pumped about racing in Texas. I've swam there, and gone to motocross races, but this will be my first tri there. Super Super exticited!!!

So, in honor of the Buffalo Springs 70.3 I have changed my background (again).
posted @ 6/16/2008 11:46:38 AM (0) Comments
Monday, June 16, 2008
IM Kansas 70.3, and a new race to the schedule!!!!

Ironman KS 70.3 Recap

Race only and in condensed version — will add more later.



Swim-
Long counter clockwise rectangle-ish. Start was really really good. Myself and Robyn were at the very front until the first buoy. Then, I forgot my ability to swim in a straight line, however, my watch said 39 something, and the clock says 41. So, two things: I know I wasn’t going blazing fast, but I was swimming more like a 33, not 39. The course was long (look at pro men’s results). Then, there was a 350 yard “run” to the transition area. Yikes!!

T1- 1:50
I calmly gathered my things here. No huge rush when you’re going 70.3. This was pretty quick considering the size of the TA.

Bike- 3:44.12
Slow, steady. This course is really difficult. Very hilly, very windy. I thought I would average closer to a 16, but with the wind, I’m pretty pleased with the 15mph average. Slow, but, I felt pretty good.

This course has the “IronCross” which is a collection of 4 right hand turns in the same place. On the first section, at about mile 14 I saw a guy on a stretcher, and a guy that looked really hurt and dazed. Hearsay is that the two collided on the downhill (very very fast downhill section) and slammed into the Gatorade aid station and the bridge railing. I later learned they were life flighted out.

On the last portion of the bike leg, headed back to the TA I saw my fiancé’s truck. I didn’t think he was going to make it out. Then, I saw two guys jumping up and down in thongs. Oh. My. God. That was my fiancé and brother. The funniest thing I have ever seen. My friend Alyson was there too, with her doggies. It was hilarious.

T2- 1:34
Again, I wasn’t blazing fast thru here, but I should have gone a little faster.

Run- ?
Bad stomach cramps forced me to walk the majority of the first couple miles until I found a bathroom. I was still run/ walking for a bit after that, but then was feeling better, so much better, that the last mile split I caught, was a 10:05!! The first two were over 15 min/mile.

Then, somewhere after mile 6, everyone was being shoo’ed into the corral- there was an impending storm (never happened) and they had called the race. I just pulled my hat down and started crying because I was feeling better and really trying to salvage what I could of my race.

I have no idea what my time was, how far I really ran, or where I placed.

I was telling my dad about it, and he offered to take me to another.


This morning I looked some up, found a few, called coach lady and asked for her suggestion. Then called Dad and he said he was down, so, here I am, booked for another half in 2 weeks.

Buffalo Springs 70.3 in Lubbock, TX on June 29th. Hopefully I can redeem myself there. Also, I’m super excited that I get to go with my dad. He’s really pretty much taking care of everything, and we’ve not done a tri trip before (usually motocross) so this is going to be really really cool!!!

Plus, I’ve never been to Texas for a tri, and this is going to be super hot, and super hard. Just the way I like ‘em!!!
posted @ 6/16/2008 11:32:49 AM (1) Comments
Friday, June 13, 2008
How Do You Measure Up?


June 13, 2008

Japan, Seeking Trim Waists, Measures Millions
By NORIMITSU ONISHI
AMAGASAKI, Japan — Japan, a country not known for its overweight people, has undertaken one of the most ambitious campaigns ever by a nation to slim down its citizenry.
Summoned by the city of Amagasaki one recent morning, Minoru Nogiri, 45, a flower shop owner, found himself lining up to have his waistline measured. With no visible paunch, he seemed to run little risk of being classified as overweight, or metabo, the preferred word in Japan these days.
But because the new state-prescribed limit for male waistlines is a strict 33.5 inches, he had anxiously measured himself at home a couple of days earlier. “I’m on the border,” he said.
Under a national law that came into effect two months ago, companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups. That represents more than 56 million waistlines, or about 44 percent of the entire population.
Those exceeding government limits — 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women, which are identical to thresholds established in 2005 for Japan by the International Diabetes Federation as an easy guideline for identifying health risks — and having a weight-related ailment will be given dieting guidance if after three months they do not lose weight. If necessary, those people will be steered toward further re-education after six more months.
To reach its goals of shrinking the overweight population by 10 percent over the next four years and 25 percent over the next seven years, the government will impose financial penalties on companies and local governments that fail to meet specific targets. The country’s Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check.
The ministry also says that curbing widening waistlines will rein in a rapidly aging society’s ballooning health care costs, one of the most serious and politically delicate problems facing Japan today. Most Japanese are covered under public health care or through their work. Anger over a plan that would make those 75 and older pay more for health care brought a parliamentary censure motion Wednesday against Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, the first against a prime minister in the country’s postwar history.
But critics say that the government guidelines — especially the one about male waistlines — are simply too strict and that more than half of all men will be considered overweight. The effect, they say, will be to encourage overmedication and ultimately raise health care costs.
Yoichi Ogushi, a professor at Tokai University’s School of Medicine near Tokyo and an expert on public health, said that there was “no need at all” for the Japanese to lose weight.
“I don’t think the campaign will have any positive effect. Now if you did this in the United States, there would be benefits, since there are many Americans who weigh more than 100 kilograms,” or about 220 pounds, Mr. Ogushi said. “But the Japanese are so slender that they can’t afford to lose weight.”
Mr. Ogushi was actually a little harder on Americans than they deserved. A survey by the National Center for Health Statistics found that the average waist size for Caucasian American men was 39 inches, a full inch lower than the 40-inch threshold established by the International Diabetes Federation. American women did not fare as well, with an average waist size of 36.5 inches, about two inches above their threshold of 34.6 inches. The differences in thresholds reflected variations in height and body type from Japanese men and women.
Comparable figures for the Japanese are sketchy since waistlines have not been measured officially in the past. But private research on thousands of Japanese indicates that the average male waistline falls just below the new government limit.
That fact, widely reported in the media, has heightened the anxiety in the nation’s health clinics.
In Amagasaki, a city in western Japan, officials have moved aggressively to measure waistlines in what the government calls special checkups. The city had to measure at least 65 percent of the 40- to 74-year-olds covered by public health insurance, an “extremely difficult” goal, acknowledged Midori Noguchi, a city official.
When his turn came, Mr. Nogiri, the flower shop owner, entered a booth where he bared his midriff, exposing a flat stomach with barely discernible love handles. A nurse wrapped a tape measure around his waist across his belly button: 33.6 inches, or 0.1 inch over the limit.
“Strikeout,” he said, defeat spreading across his face.
The campaign started a couple of years ago when the Health Ministry began beating the drums for a medical condition that few Japanese had ever heard of — metabolic syndrome — a collection of factors that heighten the risk of developing vascular disease and diabetes. Those include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of blood glucose and cholesterol. In no time, the scary-sounding condition was popularly shortened to the funny-sounding metabo, and it has become the nation’s shorthand for overweight.
The mayor of one town in Mie, a prefecture near here, became so wrapped up in the anti-metabo campaign that he and six other town officials formed a weight-loss group called “The Seven Metabo Samurai.” That campaign ended abruptly after a 47-year-old member with a 39-inch waistline died of a heart attack while jogging.
Still, at a city gym in Amagasaki recently, dozens of residents — few of whom appeared overweight — danced to the city’s anti-metabo song, which warned against trouser buttons popping and flying away, “pyun-pyun-pyun!”
“Goodbye, metabolic. Let’s get our checkups together. Go! Go! Go!
Goodbye, metabolic. Don’t wait till you get sick. No! No! No!”
The word metabo has made it easier for health care providers to urge their patients to lose weight, said Dr. Yoshikuni Sakamoto, a physician in the employee health insurance union at Matsushita, which makes Panasonic products.
“Before we had to broach the issue with the word obesity, which definitely has a negative image,” Dr. Sakamoto said. “But metabo sounds much more inclusive.”
Even before Tokyo’s directives, Matsushita had focused on its employees’ weight during annual checkups. Last summer, Akio Inoue, 30, an engineer carrying 238 pounds on a 5-foot-7 frame, was told by a company doctor to lose weight or take medication for his high blood pressure. After dieting, he was down to 182 pounds, but his waistline was still more than one inch over the state-approved limit.
With the new law, Matsushita has to measure the waistlines of not only its employees but also of their families and retirees. As part of its intensifying efforts, the company has started giving its employees “metabo check” towels that double as tape measures.
“Nobody will want to be singled out as metabo,” Kimiko Shigeno, a company nurse, said of the campaign. “It’ll have the same effect as non-smoking campaigns where smokers are now looked at disapprovingly.”
Companies like Matsushita must measure the waistlines of at least 80 percent of their employees. Furthermore, they must get 10 percent of those deemed metabolic to lose weight by 2012, and 25 percent of them to lose weight by 2015.
NEC, Japan’s largest maker of personal computers, said that if it failed to meet its targets, it could incur as much as $19 million in penalties. The company has decided to nip metabo in the bud by starting to measure the waistlines of all its employees over 30 years old and by sponsoring metabo education days for the employees’ families.
Some experts say the government’s guidelines on everything from waistlines to blood pressure are so strict that meeting, or exceeding, those targets will be impossible. They say that the government’s real goal is to shift health care costs onto the private sector.
Dr. Minoru Yamakado, an official at the Japan Society of Ningen Dock, an association of doctors who administer physical exams, said he endorsed the government’s campaign and its focus on preventive medicine.
But he said that the government’s real priority should be to reduce smoking rates, which remain among the highest among advanced nations, in large part because of Japan’s powerful tobacco lobby.
“Smoking is even one of the causes of metabolic syndrome,” he said. “So if you’re worried about metabo, stopping people from smoking should be your top priority.”
Despite misgivings, though, Japan is pushing ahead.
Kizashi Ohama, an official in Matsuyama, a city that has also acted aggressively against metabo, said he would leave the debate over the campaign’s merits to experts and health officials in Tokyo.
At Matsuyama’s public health clinic, Kinichiro Ichikawa, 62, said the government-approved 33.5-inch male waistline was “severe.” He is 5-foot-4, weighs only 134 pounds and knows no one who is overweight.
“Japan shouldn’t be making such a fuss about this,” he said before going off to have his waistline measured.
But on a shopping strip here, Kenzo Nagata, 73, a toy store owner, said he had ignored a letter summoning him to a so-called special checkup. His waistline was no one’s business but his own, he said, though he volunteered that, at 32.7 inches, it fell safely below the limit. He planned to disregard the second notice that the city was scheduled to mail to the recalcitrant.
“I’m not going,” he said. “I don’t think that concerns me.”
Copyright 2008The New York Times Company



posted @ 6/13/2008 10:50:43 AM (0) Comments
Friday, June 13, 2008
Good Race, Not Good Luck
My friend Andrea just sent me this email. I thought I'd share because I agree with her!

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I want to wish you all a "Good Race" on Sunday.

I don't want to say "Good Luck" because luck has nothing to do with it. We've put in the hours, weeks and months of training - luck is not going to get you through this - your training will.

That and your spirit...your inspiration...your motivation.

We all have our reasons for doing this race, or triathlon for that matter. For some of us, the purpose is self-discovery. Some of us want to see what we're made of. Some of us want to be one of the "cool kids". And some of us just want to have FUN!

What ever your reason, what ever drives you to do this "crazy" thing, go forward knowing that you control you - this is YOUR race - and ONLY you are responsible for the results.

GOOD RACE peeps! I hope I see you this weekend!

Andrea V
posted @ 6/13/2008 6:49:30 AM (0) Comments
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Miss Popularity
WOWZA!
I have had 972 hits since 10am yesterday. That's an awful lot.
Okay, who's the stalker? Is it you? Or you? Or...
Thanks for the visits! Keep coming back to see me!



posted @ 6/12/2008 7:57:08 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tag! A Running Q&A.. sort of.
I was tagged by GeekGrl, inadvertently. 1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?Well. I set the middle school girl’s mile record. I think that was the first and last time I ran one mile straight, until freshman year of college. If I remember right, it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 7:42ish. That’s what happens when you’re 5’7 and 120lbs and, oh, about 12 years old. 2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?My best: Definitely the whole IRONWEEK from last year in Florida. The race was perfect, and I got engaged just days before while on the beach. It was amazing. My worst: HalfMax 2006. My first half ironman. Not only was I significantly undertrained, but I had no base whatsoever. I winged it, and just happened to finish. 3. Why do you run?Because some idiot decided that a triathlon would be swim-bike-run, versus my suggestion, of swim-bike-under water basket weaving while juggling on a unicycle. No seriously, if it weren’t for the running in triathlon, I never would have bought a pair of real running shoes.
I have realized, however, that when doing long distance running (i.e.: the later half of marathon training) my excess weight melts away. That’s nice since my next marathon (and first open marathon) is just two weeks prior to my wedding. 4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?“Pick up your feet.” It sounds so simple, but when you’re a heavy heavy heel striking shuffler, having your former track star boyfriend yell at you about your form is both simultaneously good and bad. Good, because, well, he was right. It’s like running with your brakes on. But, he was running next to me, up hill, BACKWARDS, at the same pace as I was going. 5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.I have circus toes. Ya know, in the movie Shallow Hal, and Hal’s friend dumps the super hot girl because the toe next to her big toe is actually longer than the big toe… well, I have that circus toe thing going on. It’s just not that much longer. 6. Tag Somebody.Robo, Rik Kirchner, Julie- this means you actually have to blog, Bree Five-0, Ron Hudnet , Dawn. You’re up. (PS Bree is racing IM Japan and Dawn is racing IM CDA in a few days- good luck!)

posted @ 6/11/2008 8:16:45 AM (0) Comments
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
In honor of the weekend
Please note the Jayhawk background in honor of this weekend's events in Larryville.

http://ironmankansas.com/
Swim Course - 1.2 Miles - 1 Loop
The swim is a semi-triangular course. Athletes will enter the the water on the southern tip of the beach, swim in a counterclockwise direction and exit on the northern end. They will then enter the northern end of transition and bike exit on the southern end of transition.
First wave starts at 6:40 AM - Limit of 150 per wave - 13 -14 waves at 5 min. intervals - last wave will start at 7:45 or 7:50 AM
SWIM MAP >>
Bike Course - 56 Miles - 1 Loop
Start: Bloomington Park Beach (south large parking lot)
Leave the parking lot of Bloomington Beach and travel west on 1190 Rd.
Turn Left (South) on E 550 Rd.
Veer Right (Southwest) on N851 Rd. Diagonal Rd.
Turn Right (West) 458 Rd. Take 458 (it veers North) to the town of Stull. Turn-around at Stull and return on 458 Rd.
Turn Right (South) on 1023 Rd. (N 851 Diagonal Rd.) through the town of Twin Mound veering left on E 100 Rd.
Turn Right (West) on 460 Rd. Turn around at the Douglas County Line. Return on the same course back to the intersection of 458 & 1023 Rd.
Turn Right (Southeast) on 458 Rd. Take 458 to 1029 Rd. Turn Right (South) on 1029. Take 1029 Rd. across Highway 56 turn around at the Douglas County line. Return the same way back to the intersection of 1029 & 458 Rd.
Return to the transition area via N851 Diagonal Rd. the same way exited.
Finish: Bloomington Park Beach
BIKE MAP AND PROFILE >>
Run Course - 13.1 Miles - 3 Loops
Athletes will exit Transition from the North end of transition and follow the marked path North towards the lower dock parking lot.
Runners will turn Left at the lower dock parking lot and follow the lower dock road clockwise until reaching 1190 N. Road.
Turn Right at 1190 N. Road. Follow 1190 N. Road westbound.
Turn Right at 700 Road. Follow 700 Road to the second entrance into Cedar Campground.
Turn Left into Cedar Campground. Follow outer road of Cedar Campground clockwise. Runners will make a complete loop of the outer road of the Campground before exiting the same location they entered.
Turn Right back onto 700 Road. Follow 700 Road back to 1190 N. Road.
Turn Left at 1190 N. Road. Follow 1190 N. Road eastbound.
Turn Left into the Sailing Club's entrance. (first entrance to the lower dock)
Follow the Sailing Club entrance road through the lower dock parking lot.
Follow marked run path across green space past Transition. Southbound.
Follow marked run path across Beach Parking Lot to bike path.
Follow bike path into Hickory Campground.
Turn left upon entering Hickory. Follow outer road of Hickory clockwise until completing the perimeter road.
Runners will exit Hickory at the same location they entered.
Follow bike path back to parking lot and return to Transition. This will complete one loop of the course.
3 loop course.
RUN MAP AND PROFILE >>

Gatorade Endurance Formula will be on-course at the 2008 Ironman 70.3 Kansas Triathlon!
Course Hydration
Each bike station will serve water and Gatorade Endurance Formula (orange flavor). This Gatorade Endurance will be served cold and given to athlete in the “Edge” bottle that is made for bike cages. Based on years of extensive research with elite and endurance athletes, Gatorade Endurance Formula contains a unique five-electrolyte blend including nearly twice the sodium (200mg) and three times the potassium (90mg) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher as well as calcium, magnesium, and chloride to help you better replace what you lose in sweat during longer and more intense active occasions. For more information about the Gatorade Endurance Formula, go to www.gatorade.com/endurance.
There will be 12 aid stations on the run course – approximately every mile. Each station will serve Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon-lime flavor) and water. This Gatorade Endurance will be served cold and given to athletes in cups.
posted @ 6/10/2008 6:58:40 AM (0) Comments
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
87 at 72% Humdity for Race Day. :) oh joy.
Daily Details forLawrence, KS
Day
Night
Mostly Sunny
High87°FPrecip10%
Wind:
SSW 8 mph
Max. Humidity:
62%
UV Index:
10 Very High

Sunrise:
5:55 AM CT
Avg. High:
85°F
Record High:
101°F (1946)
Showers
Overnight Low66°FPrecip40%
Wind:
SE 3 mph
Max. Humidity:
72%



Sunset:
8:48 PM CT
Avg. Low:
65°F
Record Low:
50°F (1969)
Last Updated Tuesday, Jun 10, 8:12 AM Central Daylight Time
posted @ 6/10/2008 6:35:23 AM (0) Comments
Monday, June 09, 2008
Athlinks Link
Hey folks!

If you're a triathlete, runner, swimmer, etc., you NEED to have an athlinks account. It's like crackspace, but for endurance athletes!

Here's the link to my page--
http://www.athlinks.com/racer.aspx?rid=23719373

Now lets be friends!
posted @ 6/9/2008 8:06:27 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
We're Friends, That's What We Do. -Child saves another from drowning!
6-Year-Old Saves 5-Year-Old Friend From Drowning

POSTED: 3:56 pm EDT June 3, 2008
UPDATED: 1:41 pm EDT June 4, 2008


FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. -- Adults didn't see a drowning 5-year-old, but his 6-year-old friend did.
Haden Stusak, 6, of Fayetteville is being called a hero after he dived into a pool to investigate a shadow on the bottom that turned out to be his friend.
Josiah Buddah, 5, and Haden are buddies. Haden is a good swimmer, but Josiah can't swim without his water wings.
On Sunday, Josiah took off his water wings and sank to the bottom of the deep end.
"I was scared, I was scared," said Josiah.
An adult spotted a shadow in the pool, but couldn't get to it. No one knew the shadow was Josiah. But Haden got curious and dove down to investigate. He had been practicing diving to the bottom. When he discovered Josiah, he grabbed him and pulled him to the surface.
VIDEO: 6-Year-Old Saves 5-Year-Old Friend From Drowning
"Well, I grabbed him like that; he was like unconscious. I grabbed him and I was swimming like this," said Haden.
"He jumped inside the water; he helped me get back up," said Josiah.
Two nurses and doctor started CPR.
"They took me to the hospital," said Josiah. "I was dead and couldn't breathe."
It all happened in seconds.
"I could have been burying my baby this week, so just to know that he's here, No. 1, is amazing, because to see your child lifeless for a few minutes, you think it's over," said Josiah's mother, Judith Buddha.
"So I called 'Help, help, he drowned,'" said Haden.
Haden's parents told Channel 2 they ask him not to talk so loudly and to keep his voice down. This is one time they're glad they heard his screams.
Josiah is doing well and is now swimming with a float suit. He will start lessons in a couple of weeks.
And in true hero fashion, Haden says what he did was no big deal.
"We're friends. That's what friends do," said Haden.

Courtesy Action News 2 wsb-tv Atlanta http://www.wsbtv.com/news/16479379/detail.html
posted @ 6/4/2008 11:22:24 AM (0) Comments
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Holy Smokes!
Fuel tank blaze erupts as storms sweep area
A lightning strike apparently ignited a petroleum tank in Kansas City, Kan., this evening, sparking flames and billowing smoke that could be seen for miles.
The fire started about 7:30 p.m., when lighting hit the Magellan pipeline terminal at 410 E. Donovan Road, Kansas City, Kan., fire Capt. Stanley Castaneda said.
Magellan’s Kansas City, Kan., terminal handles commercial jet fuel, ethanol, diesel and various other types of fuel oil, according to the Magellan Midstream Partners LP Web site.
The burning tank contained unleaded gasoline, according to a Magellan spokesman.
Assistant Fire Chief Craig Duke said firefighters were pouring water on surrounding tanks to reduce the chance of the fire spreading.
“Our first concern was to keep the products cool,” Duke said of nearby tanks.
About 10 p.m., Duke said there were no issues with other storage tanks.
“At this point the fire is under control,” Duke said. He said firefighters would remain at the scene until the fire subsides.
Jon Jacobs, an area supervisor for Magellan, said the fire may have been caused by a lightning strike. He said two employees were working at the facility when the blaze erupted.
He said once the fire burns itself out, company officials will evaluate the tank and production for the facility.
The facility is one of about 50 Magellan terminals that connect petroleum products pipelines throughout the Midwest, according to the company’s Web site.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/v-print/story/648313.html



posted @ 6/4/2008 6:08:59 AM (0) Comments
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Crazy Triathlete Brides
I don't *think* this was directed at me, but funny, none-the-less.
http://elizabethfedofsky.blogspot.com/2008/06/little-things.html

posted @ 6/3/2008 2:27:36 PM (0) Comments
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Making the Rounds-- The Ironman Shadow
I'm not sure exactly who the original poster is (Dawn, and subsequently Julie, have both represented with this on their blogs), but this is so true.
My M-Dot tattoo, or hat, or bag, or my array of other gear have stopped people. They ask "Did you DO THAT!? ...ALL of it?" and "Which one did you do?" And then there's those that know the feeling. A nod, a hand gesture, and you see they've been there. Some are going there for the first time, others are veterans.
Without further a do...
"The Ironman Shadow"

Ironman It follows you everywhere. Like an ever-present shadow or an alter ego, and at times it can follow you like an annoying guilt-inducing time management stalker. But most often it follows you around as a confidence-inspiring best friend. Ironman is always with you.You realize in this crazy and dynamic sport that Ironman is not just a logo on the products that appear everywhere around us---on supermarket shelves, in clothing stores and bike stores. Ironman is not just a race or a goal. Ironman is a life-changing experience that irrevocably gifts you with intense lessons about yourself and a fitness level that is often unsurpassed.Whether you are training to race in your first Ironman, or you’ve finished nine World Championship Ironman races in Hawaii, this experience stays with you. When you mention the words of Ironman triathlon to other people, it changes things. It changes things in you, and it changes things in them. Telling someone you’re an Ironman or that you are going to do one commits you in a binding way. It has been said that when you fully commit to something or someone, you find it easier to tell other people. It’s also been said that once you are fully committed to something or someone, you are bound by your word and your internal commitment to yourself.Wearing an Ironman T-shirt opens the door for people to talk to you in airports, on the street, or in restaurants. And like a club with a secret handshake, when you see other people who have finished an Ironman, there is a silent understanding. Most relationships are forged with a common experience, and the bond of experiencing an Ironman is one that breaks conventional relationship boundaries. Just go to Kona---or Lake Placid or France---to witness people from all over the world with ultra-diverse backgrounds becoming part of a very special and supportive family.With the commitment to train and race in an Ironman, you’ve started along the yellow brick road that will present you with far more than the lions and tigers and bears of your own self-doubt and fear. Training gives you a strong heart, physiologically and emotionally. Racing will grant you courage. Finishing will give you dauntless confidence. This yellow brick road to Kona, Hawaii---or to any Ironman race worldwide---will be jammed with lessons. You’ll rapidly learn that biking shoes are like ice skates on the slippery floors of grocery stores and that a bike can seem just a few pounds lighter than your running shoes. You will also learn very difficult lessons that will shake and sort your priorities in life like a powerful earthquake, revealing the basic truths that support who is really important to you.If you’re not myopically focused on the size of your chain ring, or your finishing time, then Ironman just may teach you what you honestly value in your life. You will learn the basic lessons of what to eat, how to train, and how to run a marathon after being glued to your bike seat for more than 112 miles. You will learn that the wind, the rain, the heat and the struggle are often overshadowed, even forgotten, when you reach the last few miles of an Ironman and find the courage to break through your own boundaries. It is inevitable that when you watch an Ironman, or when you do an Ironman, the words never or never again will pass through your mind as you click your running shoes together at mile 15 of the run and say, “I wish I was home, I wish I was home.” But then you’ll realize that it’s within the Ironman experience that you just may find yourself more at home than laying in your bed on a rainy Sunday afternoon.Ironman may follow you like a shadow, but like all kids, you’re destined to find out that your shadow is a mere representative image cast by an object blocking illuminating rays. And that object is you, rebuilt with the adventurous fortitude of the Ironman experience. Let your running shoes click together in your next stride and glance down at your shadow. You’re home.

posted @ 6/3/2008 1:58:26 PM (0) Comments
Monday, June 02, 2008
Let's Say it Was a Learning Experience

So I learned quite a bit about myself, things, life, the country, etc. this weekend. Here's a bit of what I found out::

- I REALLY like going for bike rides by myself. I get to explore.
- On said bike rides I found that there is a buffalo and elk reserve less than 8 miles from my house. It houses hundreds of elk and buffalo. I had no idea it exsisted.
-It is smart to wear sunscreen and I shall continue to do so.
-Sometimes people can by civil for the sake of others.
-Wedding flowers are Ex-pen-sive.
-Buzz Lightyear is FINALLY going into space. This bit of knowledge is courtesy of my Dad.
-Potatoes take a very very long time to grill.
-Sunday's are best for sleeping in.
-It is possible for me to hold a baby for up to ten minutes with out it screaming, pooping, or dropping it.
-I will not be having children any time soon, thankfully.
-I want to live in Jenean's basement.
-Blue Springs is supposedly getting a Target and PetCo (yay!)
-Eric has very very vivid sleepwalking/ talking experiences.
-My hair is pretty much blonde again.
-There's some weird tradition in Detriot concerning throwing an octopus onto the ice during a play off game. It's kind of really gross.
-Alternating bricks suck.
posted @ 6/2/2008 5:37:58 AM (0) Comments