Mission Postponed

Wife was not feeling good Saturday night, so plans for Lowell got pulled Sunday morning.  Spent the day taking care of the kids and doing yard work.  Very very sad.  By the end of the day I started feeling punky, but kept my cookies.  Skipped swimming Monday and back into the pool on Tuesday, a few pounds lighter from my involuntary fast.

Speaking of swimming, I have no idea if I am getting faster, but I am having a good time.  Nothing like continuously holding your breath while your brain is screaming “BREATHE DAMN YOU!!!!”  I have been put into enough uncomfortable situations in the water that tri starts are going to seem boring.  Never know what Coach N8 is going to throw at you in the morning, and you definitely don’t want to be subjected to a disapproving look.  It’s pretty funny to see a lot of middle age folk cowering in the pool.  Ah, to be young again.  Go West Side!!

Mission is now switched to Easthampton.  I really didn’t want to drive across state again, but gotta do it. Two weeks in a row without a race is not an option.  More good news: an academic paper got rejected for a conference in Paris, which means I can extend my cross race another week in December.  Honestly, I’d rather race cross in the cold and snow than hang at a conference in Paris for a couple of days.  Going to a conference in Paris is not the same as going to Paris.  It is largely hanging around a hotel, and in this case a French hotel.  I guess I am a little world weary and busy to be enticed by baguettes and berets.  Cross racing more fun.  If the conference was in Belgium, that would be another story altogether.

Another Race, Another 4th

Good times at Plymouth South.  New course from last year due to a BIG football game.  Some old features.  Either way, it was a great time.  Average start (yes, that’s right, I said AVERAGE) meant some catch up.  I was able to barrel past a lot of people, but couldn’t quite get to third place who finished just ahead of me.  One more lap, and he was mine!!!!  Oh well.  I had good legs and good power.  That is something to carry forward into the remaining parts of the season.  I am starting to get that creeping sadness as the end of cross season approaches.  Missing the races is one thing; missing the people is another.  I really like the names and faces associated with the cross crowd.  The community is the biggest plus to doing cross.  I haven’t come across anyone I would consider complete tools.  Road racing has its fair share, tri people tend to be supportive but also narcicistic and self-absorbed.  Cross people fit the “salt of the earth” variety.  As it grows, it is going to be important to keep that vibe.

I watched the latest UCI race in Piljnacker.  What a great race between Boom and Albert.  Niels Albert is my new hero, until I find out he is a jerk, is doping, or kicks puppies, or some other thing.  He was getting slapped around, hung in there, and gave it a go at the end.  Well done by him.  Nys looked a little older, especially running up the stairs.  Hope he can turn things around, if you call third in a World Cup race a failure.

I am going to make a new committment to my blog: blog about the family more.  Female blogger typically talk about family, male bloggers not so much.  So, if you want to check out the family during Halloween, look at the video

Speaking of which, Hailey finally figured out how to stand on her own without pulling up on anything.  That is a big accomplishment for the little girl who continues to defy original expectations.  She is really putting sentences together now, and is a bit advanced for her age.  That’s pretty awesome.

And speaking of continuing to defy expectations, good friend Michael Hennessey continues to raise awareness for children with Trisomies, and did another Ironman in Florida.  That makes 14 in one (calendar) year, and right now on a hurt wheel.   If you have some extra cash kicking around, send it Michael’s way for his quest to break the World Record for Trisomy awareness.  Check him out at www.ironmanforkids.com.

Peace out.

Noho!!!

Yes, finally a podium after a lackluster season.  I’ve been able to manage some top tens, and even a couple top fives (not reflected in results, thanks scoring officials!!).  Thankfully I was able to string one together.

Racing with the big boys, such as the 1/2/3 race at Wrentham and suffering in the 1/2/3 35+ has definitely helped.  The first lap felt very tame in the 3/4 35+ race.  Got a good start from the fourth row, which put me in decent shape.  But, the people in front of me were still slow in the corners and on the straights, causing me to lose about 30 seconds on the first lap compared to my other lap times.  Raced hard with Eric from BRC for a bunch of laps, until he kicked my butt at the finish.  Hopefully I’ll get some photos of the race from someone.  There were podium pictures taken, but don’t know by whom.

Other pictures of this season’s festivities can be found at picasaweb.google.com/thedavidsma.  Plus some very cute pictures of the kiddies around Halloween.  I need to upload some trick or treat video as well.

Rest of the is rapidly approaching, with the end in sight.  Plymouth, Lowell, Sterling, Rhode Island, Natz Schmatz.  I am hoping to have one or two more results, and just get the Cat 2 upgrade.  I am planning on doing RI as a 2 in the 1/2/3 35+ slugfest or the 2/3 race.  For Natz Schmatz, Pro 1/2/3 for sure!  All the heavy hitters will be in KC.  Might as well race for an hour.

End of October means the end of swimming with running shoes!  Tomorrow we’ll see how much faster I’ve become!  Onward!

Fun, fun, fun.

Last two weeks of racing have been fun, with better “sensations” in the legs.  Gloucester was beautiful (see photos) even though I rolled a tubular on Day 2, ran to the pit DFL, and then had to bury myself to pass two guys before being lapped by the leaders.   So, at least I wasn’t the very last person in the 35+ 1/2/3 race.  Day 1, lousy starting spot at the back of the grid, worked hard, finished mid-pack.  Good times. Plus, the family came up and caught the action on Day 2.  The girls had a great time, as evidenced in the picture above.  Hard to argue with some good family time.  This is Hailey’s second time at Gloucester, and she is only two year’s old!

This last weekend, ventured to Canton for a very fast course.  Also a lot of fun.  Lined up in the 35+ 1/2/3/4, got a horrendous start, but moved up and finished strongly, beating the guys that were in my pack with a very hard last lap.  This is the first time I am able to make up time on the corners.  Nice feeling.  Next weekend I am in for the MRC Wrentham Race.  Unfortunately, my daughters have a Halloween party from 10:00 to 12:00.  Amelia has been talking about it for the last month.  That means the only race I can do is the 1/2/3 race.  I can’t imagine the front of it being much faster than the 1/2/3 35+.  But, the back of it sure will.  Hoping not to get decimated for 60 minutes.

I’m a winner

Steven Wright and I were able to take 1st (me) and 3rd (Little Stevie) at the Ashland Off-road duathlon, known as the Mud, Sweat and Gears.  It’s an nice little race that I just found out about on Thursday.  Given the closest cross race was about 1 1/2 hours away, it was a pretty easy decision to travel 1/2 hour to Ashland.  I didn’t know much about the course, but figured it shouldn’t be too hard given it is a FIRM race and not a mountain bike race.  All I had to go with was the cross bike, with my newly glued rear tubular.  So, it would be a nice test to see if the tubular worked.

After a quick pre-ride of the course and a warm-up jog, Steve and I lined up on the front row.  I was able to get the hole shot for the 1.8m run.  Another guy pulled in front of me, and he was going pretty good, so I just sat in second.  After going the wrong way once (thanks to Steve for calling me back).  Made my way back to the course and to transition in second.

The bike course was basically the same as the run course.  Some pavement, some double and single track, roots and rocks.  Nothing too crazy.  One big hill that was not rideable on the cross bike because of steepness, so a shoulder sling run.  The new chain was working well, and the tubular holding.  I was able to stay close to the front, finishing third off the bike behind Steve and another guy from Team Psycho (who was railing the downhills on his full suspension carbon mountain bike).  Into T2 in third, trying to get my Sidis off without having to undo the buckle.

Steve was hooked up with the leader, and I was chasing.  I was able to close down before a mile into the 1.8 mile loop.  Once I caught them, I went by.  Leader kept with me on the uphill, but I lost him on the downhill and flats.  Cruised into victory in 46 minutes and change by about 20 seconds.  I won a sweatshirt and some Hammer gel.  NICE!!!  First duathlon ends with a win, and people were talking about the two MRC guys who did the race on cross bikes.  Onto Gloucester!!!

Why are you a mess?

These were the words spoken to me by my daughter Amelia when I returned home with mud all over my face.  The reason, honey, is that daddy spent 45 minutes riding around in the mud at Quad Cyclocross race.  It was a roaring good time with a lot of rain over the preceeding days, and of course day of.  Such a difference from last year when it was hot and fast. Now it was cool and slow.  I got my typical lousy start, which has been pissing me off.  I was able to work my way through the field fairly quickly, though, although the efforts were leg-sapping.  The course became technical due to the mud, and it was hard to power through certain sections because the mud would just catch your wheels.  Tire selection became very important, as did power output. Go too hard and you’ll spin your wheels (literally).  Not go hard enough and you are a loser.

I was able to keep the front of the group in sight, but had a few problems with shifting and then my chain slipping off going over the barriers.  I hope to have solved that problem with a new chain.  The other one was pretty stretched.  All those efforts to catch up only to lose time with stupid stuff took its toll.  I was able to keep things together better than the previous weeks, however.  I was going nose to nose with a guy from HUP United, and was able to pass him when he bobbled a couple of corners.  On the positive side, I was able to get 7th place.  On the negative side, I got 7th place.  Should be doing better, but still don’t have that gear.  I have read that it can take 2 months to fully recover from an Ironman and be race ready.  We’ll have to see, because right now is just over 2 months, and in fact the legs are feeling better.  No ‘official’ races this weekend, but next weekend is Gloucester.  I am going to get destroyed in the 1/2/3 35+.  But, hopefully racing faster will make me race faster.

Time to make the Tubbies

After my unfortunate end, and negative prognosis, regarding my newly glued tubbies, I decided to give it a go myself.  What is the worst that can happen? It come off again?  Might as well get some practice in and try it myself.  So, after cleaning the rims (again) with Goof-Off, wiping them down with some acetone, and cracking open beers, I was ready to implement the “secret Belgium method” as told by GeWilli who learned it originally from the Peanut.  I can’t go into details (because it’s a secret), but can say that no, it does not involve tape.  What Belgian would use tape?  Please!  Had to wrestle with the tire a bit to get it on the rim, and made on (hopefully) small error, but it rolls without a wobble, looks like it is on there, so who knows.

Won’t be able to use them this weekend of course.  Looking forward to Bedford.  Might be a mudfest.  Raced all last year without rain, and now might have wet conditions two out of three races.  I’m signed up for both the 3/4 35+ and 1/2/3 35+ because I am a bad person and deserve all of the suffering.  Perhaps through experiencing pure pain I can reach a true spiritual realm and oneness with (insert your preferred diety here).

Speaking of which, swimming has been going well, if you considering suffering to equal “going well.”  Westside Swim is a great set-up, and I am enjoying the punishment and sore arms.  You never know what to expect, which is nice at 5:30am.  Good to start the day off with surprises.  Triathletes beware!

Inauspicious

That’s the word to sum things up at the moment.  Two races down, nothing spectacular.  Amesbury went fairly well for a first race.  After being held up at the start, I was able to work through the field and nail a 5th place.  However, the crack scoring crew had me 25th or something like that (behind people I lapped), so I was denied my glory of 5th.  I hurt like a dog during the race, which was pretty wet and energy sapping.  At least there is a cool picture of me coming out of the woods with my ‘game face’ on.  Too bad it didn’t translate into a better result.

The next race was Sucker Brook, and I was pumped to put out a better performance.  Lined up in the second row of a course that should suit me being less technical and more power.  Too bad things didn’t work out as expected.  I rolled a decent start (still not great) and was railing pretty good.  However, two F’ ups did me in.  My front tire hit a stair section, causing it to get out of the drop-outs and jam.  After a quick fix I was back at it.  Trying to pass people that I already passed.

Then, I screwed up the sand section and had to dismount.  Got passed by people I passed TWICE and had to try to pass them again.  So, there were a few that I pass THREE TIMES in one race which is not a healthy way to approach things (pictures here).  I finished 10th, which should have been better.  Still don’t have the wheels to get into that next gear.  I did the Cat 3 race just for some more fitness and abuse.  Just rolled getting a workout until the fourth lap when I railed right into the back of a guy who was stuck in the sand, went OVER my handle bars, onto my back.  Thankfully I was in soft sand, so no damage.  But, my family was there to see the carnage, and I had to assure my 3 1/2 year old that daddy was okay.  I rolled an extra lap just to let her know that I was okay since it would not be good to have her see daddy pack it in after wrecking.  I pulled 30 minutes into the 45 minute race because I was toast after the first 40 minutes in the other race.

Big Bad Cort ended up with the win for MRC.  Way to be!!  Hopefully more to come for him.  I’m going to try to find my stride.  Hopefully this weekend.

Catastrophic Failure

What a better way to update an un-updated blog that to describe complete and catastrophic failure on a number of levels.  Wednesday cross practice at Wrentham.  There’s a tree in the way.  No problem.  I have a chain saw.  I’ll just cut that thing and move it.  Right?  Wrong. Chainsaw refused to cut, leaving me looking like a total dumb*** with my manly Craftsman chainsaw.  After repeated attempts, a lot of smoke from the burning wood, and finally the thing thankfully running out of gas, the tree remained.  It wasn’t until three or four guys just moved it out of the way that the obstruction was no long a nuisance.

So, after FAILURE #1, onto bigger and better things.  After only getting 1/2 lap warm-up because of my woodsmanship, I lined up for the first lap.  No problems there as I was able to maintain a pretty good pace with the front group, and was generally feeling good for a change.

Onto the second interval which was two laps of the course. Again, good start, grooving through the sections, feeling fine.  Until the second time around I nailed something and started to hear that familiar *hiss* of air escaping my tire.  Just to make sure I flated, I nailed another something and finished the deal, proceeding to run my bike through the woods.  That makes for FAILURE #2.  Thankfully I just bought a bunch of tubes, so I was stocked and ready for tire-changing action. After a quick change, onto the last interview of THREE laps.

Started out fine again, in the first 10, feeling pretty good. That is besides my Michellin Jets sketching out all over the place.  Bad tire selection, but good for bike handling skills.  As I make my way up the short power climb out of the saddle.  I am suddenly left holding my handle bars which ceased to be connected to my bike.  That would be wrong.  FAILURE #3.  Handle bars should be connected to the steering tube when trying to ride the bike.

Since I was out of the saddle, I immediately went forward, nearly impaling myself on the newly sheared tube.  I sat on the ground, inspecting my new wound (future scar), waiting to see how much blood was going to come out.  It is that moment in between the injury and the realization of the extent of the injury.  Nothing really hurts yet, nothing much is happening, except there is an opening where there previously wasn’t an opening.

Luckily, no major bleeding and not much of a gash to speak of.  As I hobbled over with my broken bike, one of the spectators mentioned she is an ER doc, and she could look at it (thereby saving me three hours in an ER and a $75 co-pay).  No stitches needed (although certainly an option.  Just enough to cause some pain and discomfort, along with ripping my shorts so that I need a new pair.  Without any substantial medical equipment, I irrigated with a water bottle and then some basic dressing.    Not a bad job, considering I could have de-balled myself, cut into my leg in a bad way, and/or impaled myself onto the tube completely.

Or, I could have pulled one of these:

Ruminations on the “R” Word

Quite a while since the last post.  Not much to write about, which is nice.  Still coming to terms with the Lake Placid effort.  I’ve settled on moderately pleased but somewhat disappointed.  As the great contemporary philospher Bill Parcells says, “You are what your record says you are.”  Coming back slowly but surely.  Been hitting the cross bike getting reason for yet another season.  Ran 14 miles on Sunday, which was not all that pleasant. Legs still haven’t fully recovered to do any long efforts.  But, they are recovered enough to do 12 x 400m on the track last Tuesday!  Looking forward to the last tri of the season on Sunday, and then onto full time cross mode.

I’m looking forward to seeing my friend and partner in crime for Team TRIsomy Michael Hennessey come up for the Plymouth Iron Distance race in his quest to break the world record.  Michael has been doing an unbelievable job trying to raise awareness of chromosomal conditions, and demonstrate the value of the lives of those children born with them.  Michael and I come from different ends of the spectrum on issues: I am Pro-Choice and I would gather from Michael (although we avoid this topic) is anti-abortion.  But, in reality is stance on this is pro-choice in that parents should have the information necessary to allow them to make the best decision possible when their pregnancy has been diagnosed with a chromosomal condition.  The more stories I hear the more I realize that parents are often encouraged to just terminate (if before birth) or have a do not resuscitate order after birth.  This is such a tough issue, but ultimate the parents’ decision.  However, parents are often encouraged to comply with the ’statistics’ that show children with many chromosomal conditions (especially trisomy 13 or 18) will not survive long, and therefore not do everything they can to prolong their lives.  I guess the thought is since these kids can’t be “fixed” in the big picture, while “fix” the ‘little things’ (which cost time and resources). I am in Michael’s camp in these kids should be provided with the same standard of care as anyone else, and that parents need to be given all the information available before making any decisions.

Which leads me to the “R” word.  There has been a lot of fuss over the movie Tropical Thunder and its use of the word “retard”.  This is one of those words, like ‘fag’, that is tossed around quite a bit, possibly to the point that its meaning has changed.  I am in line with George Carlin in terms of where the meaning of words come from.   I am not one for “banning” words or censurship.  The issue becomes one of intent (does the use of a word mean to cause harm to a group of people) and impact (does the use of a word demean, devalue, or belittle a group of people).  The two are of course closely related.  When using words like ‘fag’, ‘retard’ or ‘nigger’ (etc), the problem arises that the use of the word demeans and devalues, which in the end can have an impact on quality of life.   If ‘retard’ is used to devalue a person, does that not mean people who are in fact ‘retarded’ are of less value?  If so, then should all manner of resources be expended on those who are of less value?

Having a daughter that could at some point be categorized as ‘retarded’, I’m a very interested observer in all of this.  All parents worry about their kids falling prey to bullying or hurt feelings.  However, individual assaults (you’re ugly, stinky, etc.) are different from group-based assaults (you retard) in the significance of the social repercussions of the labelling.  Once you are in a debased category, it is hard to integrate into the social order on even terms.  The use of the word retard, fag, nigger, etc. contributes to the devaluing in this way.

People have been bemoaning the fact that the inability to use the word ‘retard’ is another political correctness attack.  I beg to differ.  It’s not about being PC; it is about human decency.  It is also about contuing to contribute to the devaluing of a group of people.  So, while I do not expect such word usage to go away, I will not hesitate to point out the problems of its use to those around me.