"The Day..."

May 18. while this day has always been "my day" this one I was not looking forward to for some time as it was a "big one" so to speak. No need to know what the number in front of the one is either. But, doesn't take one to probably guess.

This was to be a day off of work, a day to do what I enjoy the most. And with that, I set of on my bike for a nice leisure ride till I felt my rear wheel go soft. Damn, Another flat! needless to say, that was number three in the last two days and not the way I wanted to start my day. So, with only one spare (usually have two) with me it was time to head home. After cleaning up a blood soaked hand from trying to change a flat (no questions please) it was of to Boulder (pic to the left) with Abbey to hike in and around the flatirons area. One of my fav's.

And while the day was a little overcast, the temperature was actually very nice! I over dressed with a long sleeve shirt that's for sure.

Aftewards, I headed over to the Boulder Running Co. (BRC) to pick up my bib and t-shirt for the Bolder Boulder and to purchase a pair of shoes that I desperately needed. Henry knowing it was A- my birthday (his is today) and being manager of the store comped me a pair! Woohoo, thanks bud. Once back home I tried to take a nap to no avail :( must have been that large coffee with the huge cookie and all the sugar with it as I was unable too.

From there, it was off to meet the running group then to Old C's for dinner. I arrived in a hailstorm to say the least as the sky's opened up big time! It was about 45 min's later that we got going as we waited for someone that was running late. The run was cut short as we had some people already over at Old C's waiting which was fine by me. Nice dinner followed by another pair of shoes AND a "voucher" for the cheese cake of my choice. All in all, a nice day made nicer by most of my friends. Thanks all!!

Ft.Collins Triathlon

May 16th 2010.
Fort Collins, CO.

What would have been my last race before the "big one" I decided I'd rather go cheer on and take a few shots of my friends racing instead.

So with that, I met both Troy and Beka over at the Epic center where the swim was to take place Sunday morning. And while I do love to compete more than just about anything, it really felt good to be there to lend them a hand and be a cheerleader AND run pacer for the day.

Troy had one of the first if not the first start times and was one of the first exiting to T1, swim to bike. After what seemed like an eternity, he was off for three laps.

Beka was to start about 25 min's later. So with that I made my

up to the main straight-a-way to cheer and shoot. Troy looked super fast on his "Red Baron" Specialized TT bike for sure on lap two as Beka came around the bend to start her first of three laps. From there, I'd told them both that I would do the best to pace them in on the run as I know how painful of an experience it can truly be!

I met Troy just in the nick of time, and off we went. I did my best to motivate him to keep chasing anyone that was in front of us. And while it may have cost me two beers, it was worth it.

By then, it was time to trot back and bring Beka in. I met her at about 3/4 of a mile into the run and from there we proceeded to go after some one that she'd mention was in her division/age bracket. It wasn't before long we went by her and proceeded to do better (at least in my opinion) with each mile. And while I've ran with Beka in the past this by far was the best I've seen her ever fly! and while we may have been past by only two others it didn't matter as they were not in her division. After they both finished we knew Troy had wrapped up 3rd but no idea on Beka as they were slow in getting her results. Long story sort, Beka like Troy ended up 3rd as well for the day! Woohoo! congrats to the two of you.

Now it was time for me to get a ride in on this magnificent day! Well done you two.

Evening with Frank Shorter

Boulder CO.

Last night I went to boulder with Felix and Raquel to listen to a presentation by multiple Olympic medalist Frank Shorter.

The venue was at Chautauqua park. And while I've ran the Mesa trail starting from there I had never known of all of the other neat and historical landmarks across the parking lot! A nice surprise to say the least.

And while most of us in the room knew about his running accomplishments what we didn't kow, well those of us that didn't know Frank personally is his reason for moving to Boulder 40 yrs ago (because they had an indoor track) how he started Bolder Boulder (originally a fun run to get kids into running) to creating passes for family and friends at the Olympics way back when, and how he has through the years brought runners, triathletes, cyclist to Boulder to train.
All in all, a great evening followed up by a nice dinner at the Cheesecake Factory!

Live Big 5k

Castle Rock, CO May 2, 2010.

Having been asked by Cat oh, about a month or so ago to do this I'd agreed as it was a fundraiser for her nephew that was killed in an accident at way to young of an age.

After getting somewhat "lost" once we got off the freeway and numerous "wrong turns" in the neighborhood, we finally found the start area. Along with Cat there was a couple of girls that work for her at the clinic as well as Dan Jones and Bob V. making the trip from Ft. Collins. Along with some friends of BV's.
And while I've not done any speed work as of late, any and all ideas of going sub 20:00 min's went out the door as in the process of getting lost we drove most of the course and found out this was a little to hilly for those thoughts!

The Start was sort of a cross country start as we started on a grass field heading to the first turn. I made it there in about 4th~5th place deliberately as I had no idea which way we went from there and certainly didn't want to go the wrong way. So with that, I let the other few lead till we got to familiar territory. Once there and for the first(?) time that I can recall I was leading a 5k! Woohoo. though I knew it would be short lived as I suspected the faster company was just warming up. And indeed just before mile 1, the eventual winner would come by and disappear. Drats. It also came as no surprise leading to mile 2 that Dan Jones would eventually come on by but to see Bob V...well, it didn't surprise me seeing him warm up even though he's only still recovering from knee surgery. Glad to see him back but not at my expense!! Ouch.

However, by then it was essentially the four of us running away from the rest of the field and try as I may to catch Dan or Bob, yesterdays long run and ride was creeping up on me and I had no sap what so ever. But, I also know and respect their speed so coming in behind them (for now) was ok. We ended up going 2,3 and 4 with Cat smoking all women in the process! all in all, not a bad day from the group.