This past week was one of those up and down kinds of weeks that happen...
Rachel and I decided that we "might" do a September triathlon and so that got me going! Ran 3.1 miles Tuesday morning with my friend Tom and then another 4 miles Thursday morning. Swam only one lap of Barton Springs on Wednesday morning cuz I'm out of swim shape and then swam 1000 meters with Jill Thursday evening at the neighborhood pool (boring swim but great company!)
Throughout the week I pondered the many blessings I have in this country of ours, even during these troubled times. I also was saddened by the death of our friend Marilyn Segner after a long battle with luekemia. You may remember that I mentioned her spirit and grace briefly in an earlier blog.
On Saturday Rachel and I rode with some Bicycle Sports Shop people from Austin to Gruene Texas... 48.8 miles. I was proud of Rachel who was very patient when I fell behind. The group leader was great as well. Very tired at the end but the waters of the Guadalupe sure felt good. Joan and Jill met us down there and we had a nice lunch at the Gruene River Inn. The 4th festivities culminated with a view of Austin Auditorium Shores fireworks from the 20th floor of the San Jacinto Center. It was quite spectacular!
After all the fundraising and training, the first day of the 2009 MS-150 was wiped out by a deluge that fell over the Houston to La Grange first day route. While it was disappointing to not have completed the full 150+ miles, the 2nd day proved to be an exhilarating and challenging experience for me and the other 11,000+ riders. Be sure to read the end of this report as I recognize some special people.
On Friday, Joan and I drove to Houston. It was pouring and I had a lot of apprehension about what Saturday would turn out like. The fields between La Grange and Sealy on Hwy 71 were flooding. The draining ditches and tanks were overflowing and we had to drive slow because of low visibility and hard rain. We arrived at the Anderson's house in Sugar Land and that evening heard the news - for the first time in its 25-year history, the MS-150 was rained out (see video report). But Sunday was still on for the La Grange to Austin route.
Lots of thought then went into logistics by the MS-150 organizers as well as each and every rider. How would I get to La Grange? Finally, we decided to drive back to Austin Saturday afternoon and drive to La Grange early Sunday morning. Our friends the Anderson's meanwhile, would drive that evening to stay in a cabin near Smithville where some friends were staying. As we left Sugar Land, the same storm was still raging, dropping buckets of water on East Texas. But as we approached La Grange, the skies lightened and the rain diminished. In fact, we even saw some cyclists out on 71 between La Grange and Bastrop.
Sunday morning the alarm went off at 5:15 and we were out of the house by six. Most of the cars on Hwy 71 held bicycles. As we got past Bastrop, we saw some enthusiastic cyclists riding both east and west. Like me, after months of prep work, they just couldn't wait to get on the road.
We were to start at the Courthouse in La Grange - one of the logistical changes made by the organizers. Cyclist of all shapes and size with jerseys of every color surrounded the courthouse, eager to start. Many groups couldn't wait and headed on out toward Bastrop. I met up with the Anderson's - Jeff and his kids, Katy and Chris. At 8am the Star Spangled Banner was sung and the cyclists went off in managed groups. At around 9am, we were finally off down the highway with 75 miles to go. Chris and I decided to ride together via the "Challenge Route" on FM 152 and through Buescher State Park and Bastrop State Park, while Jeff and Katy would stay on Hwy 71 using the "Express Route."
My biggest apprehensions were the park hills and the wind. The first few miles were nice country roads leading up to the park. A stong headwind, about 15 mph, hindered us but all was good. There is a juncture on this road when you reach the park entrance where you can return to Hwy 71 if you are unsure. No way! Around mile 24, Chris and I turned right to find the Park Rangers were cheering us on! The Bastrop State Park web site calls the route a "roller coaster ride." And they are right! The hills in Buescher/Bastrop parks are steep and short. Roads are winding and smooth. You have to stay alert and expend some energy. My legs were quite tired as we left the park after about 15 miles. But Bastrop was there in front of us where lunch was waiting.
After Bastrop, we thought it would be smooth riding with few hills. How wrong we were. The headwinds grew stronger as the FM-969 route was more wide open. The Montgomery County Courier called it "grueling." We bypassed the first rest stop at 4.5 miles but were pretty exhausted at the next stop 11 miles later. However, only 2 more rest stops and 17 miles we would be in Austin! Just thinking about that kicked in an adrenaline rush that had me feeling good. When we turned onto Manor Road in Austin and caught a brief glimpse of the Capitol, all the riders were excited. I zoomed under I-35, turned left onto Red River and heard "Dad!" and turned to catch a glimpse of my daughter Jill over my right shoulder. Cool! Lots of people were lining the streets and the cyclists forgot their weariness and picked up the pace. Right on MLK and left Congress and under the long-awaited Finish Line banner. I slowed down and heard "Tom!" and found my wife Joan and friend Bill Hatcher among the crowd of well-wishers. (Watch KVUE report) After 8 hours of riding, I was home!
I would like to thank the following people for their support, encouragement and inspiration.
To Amber, who is dealing with MS and thus became my inpiration to ride. I have a turquoise "Champion" bandana for you!!
To my wife Joan who drove to Houston to Austin to La Grange to Austin this weekend without complaint and who never grumbled when I left for a 2-hour training ride. Thanks for being there at the finish.
To my daughters, Jill and Rachel, who checked up on me many times.
To all who generously supported my efforts and the fight against MS. You are making a big difference and are listed on my MS-150 web site. So far I raised $1190; my team, Team Newland, raised over $21,000; and the event raised over $12 million!
To the Anderson's from Sugar Land, for hosting us Friday night. And to Chris, who rode with me, often switching to the lead position to face the wind.
To Team Newland, who generously supported my ride with two jerseys and lots of encouragement.
To Bill Hatcher who has ridden the MS-150 before - for being their at the finish with enthusiasm for my accomplishment.
To all the enthusiastic people along the route who encouraged the riders,
To those of you who have ridden or ran with me during these months of preparation.
Some of you may ask if I plan to ride again. Yes, for sure! But my dream would be to develop a "Forward in Faith" Cycling Team from my church, Abiding Love Lutheran, who would participate in this event or the MS-150 in San Antonio. Peace and Love.
I had a great ride Saturday - 62 miles out in the hill country called Pedal Power Wildflower, benefitting the Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center. This is a great training ride for the MS-150 in two weeks. I rode the 36 miler last year and knew that they had a well-organized ride out there near Stonewall and so looked forward to a warm and sunny Saturday ride. I rode most of the time with my friend Travis and that made for great company. The ride starts at the LBJ National Park and heads north. The part that I did not ride last year, called the Willow City Loop, has some pretty amazing hills. We got onto Hwy 16 which includes a thrilling downhill that last several minutes. I was breaking like crazy and still going 38.5 mph. I overhead a young lady telling her friends that she was going 44 and passed some motorcycles, yelling "on your left!" Not sure if that was true or not but you get the idea. All the way down, I kept reminding myself that at some point we will have to go back up. We got off Hwy 16 and onto some true country roads. Around mile 40 that serious hill loomed ahead. Turns out to be a 2-mile constant climb of varying degrees. Sad to say, but this 55-year old could not stay on the bike... but I wasn't alone. I got off and walked the steepest grade (24%) for about 100 yards then returned to the saddle to finish the remaining climb. I was gassed at the top and took a long break, enjoying an incredible view. The remainder of the ride was great. Plenty of hills to challenge my tired legs including one particularly steep one at mile 50. But once you get close to the finish you are cruising on a gradual downgrade. (Don't let that really steep hill around mile 58 worry you - you already did that on the way out and you turn left right before it on the way back in!) A big plate of spaghetti awaited the riders at the end of the ride. Throughout there are plenty of friendly volunteers which makes this ride the best - even with a total elevation gain of over 3600 feet.
Saturday was a beautiful, sunny morning! I planned all week to go for a bike ride and so, after gobbling up the pancakes I prepared for Joan and me, I pulled on the leggings (45 degrees outside), put the bike rack on the back of the Prius, loaded up the bike and all the stuff and headed out for my "Tour de Veloway"!
Once in the car, I plugged in the Itouch, put it on shuffle and first song out of the box, I kid you not, was "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens.
Morning Has Broken like the first morning Blackbird has spoken like the first bird Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them springing fresh from the Word!
Parked in our Church parking lot and headed off on the bike through Western Oaks, to Beckett, through the neighborhoods to Escarpment, out Escarpment to 45, to Spruce Canyon, back around to La Crosse and over to the Veloway.
On the first Veloway lap, I began to get a little tired. But I am spurred on by my friend Marilyn who , after endless treatments, after a bone marrow transplant, after a short period of remission, and, finally, after learning the disease is back - asks if she could borrow our stationary bike to get some exercise. Her husband Gerald picked it up this morning before I left. What spirit! I pedal on!
On the second Veloway lap, I'm all alone. I pass noone and noone passes me. I am a Rock, I am an I-I-Island. But I'm feeling the pain. 18 miles on my odometer.
But then I start to think about all my friends who have shown an interest in my training for the MS-150, some of whom have even donated to the cause. Just check out the Honor Roll on my MS-150 personal page and you'll see what I mean!! I am encouraged and pedal on! On the third Veloway lap, I'm still all alone. Everyone seems to be bunched at the entrance or perhaps we are like the planets orbiting the sun at opposite ends of the solar system.
Ah the sun! Warming up things now. Right before I get off the Veloway to head back to Church I pull up my sleeves. Must be 60 degrees now and the breeze has picked up. I arrive back at church - 23.7 miles. Praise for the morning!! Let's do it again next weekend. Pedal On!
Almost year end and I just turned the "double nickel" a couple of days ago so its time to reflect and look forward... What a year its been! The economy is a mess and there seems to be lots to complain about in our world but I have much to be thankful for and therefore its been a wonderful year! I think Joan, Jill and Rachel would join me in this sentiment. Here are a few reasons why.
Joan continues to work at Abiding Love Lutheran Church as the business assistant. In June, for her birthday, she received a puppy from a dear friend. "Lottie" joins Mocha as part of the family. Fun and energy rolled into a little black ball. Joan does a lot of good beyond her work including Bible Study, working with Christian Education and Sunday School, singing with Mixed Blessings. She also takes care of me!
Rachel continues at University of Texas, searching for her career path. She makes great grades and plays for the UT Ultimate Frisbee team who finished 9th in the nation last year! We also enjoy her boyfriend, Perry. Rachel lives in a neat little house with two fo her Ultimate friends and works as a babysitter for a cute little boy and for the Comacho Rec Center as a counselor. She is often seen running with her dad around Lady Bird Lake. Rachel also did a fantastic job in her first Sprint Tri - the Danskin. So she now joins Jill in that accomplishment who did the Danskin in 2007.
Jill completed her year with Lutheran Volunteer Corps in Washington DC in August where she worked for the Alliance for Global Justice. Upon her return to Austin, she began seminary at the Lutheran Seminary of the Southwest. Now she is reassessing her goals because the school, a branch of a Chicago Seminary, will be shutting down in June. Jill lives in a cute apartment near the seminary and UT and enoyed fixing it up with paint and furniture.
We spent some great times together as a family this year, including a trip to Padre Island right after Thanksgiving. It was nice having dinners and going for walks together from time to time. Joan and I were also able to go to Boulder with Rachel for the Callegiate Ultimate Frisbeen Championships and make a short return visit the Rocky Mountain national Park to see the elk.
As for me, I had a great year at work in spite of the economy. In my spare time I volunteered as Director of Christian Service for my church, trying to figure out ways to encourange people to be involved in our community. I also sang with Mixed Blessings.
As far as my passion for exercise, it was also a very good year. No real injuries to report which is good news for a man my age! I set a number of goals for 2008 and actually reached them all. First, I wanted to run three Sprint Triathlons and I did - Aquarena Springs, CapTexTri and Burnet Tri-Hard at Inks Lake. I had little problems with each but that is what makes it fun and challenging. Secondly, I wanted to break 22 minutes for a 5K and I finally did it with a 21:53 at the Run for the Water 5k in November. Finally, I wanted to win an age group competition and after a couple of 2nd places, I was first in my age group at the Run for the Water race.
This year I ran about 360 miles, biked about 825 miles, swam nearly 32 miles and walked another 160 miles or so. That means I spent a lot of time out in this beautiful world. While much was spent alone which can be good therapy, much of it was also spent with family and friends.
In additional to the sprint triathlons mentions above, I ran two 10Ks, five 5Ks and, one of my favorites, the Turkey Trot 5-miler on Thanksgiving Day. Jill ran the Run for the Water 5K with me and Rachel and I ran the Capital 10K, the Nike Human Race 10K, and Trail of Lights 5K.
So maybe you can see why I think 2008 was a very good year. I have great hopes for 2009 and all the challengesa and opportunities that lie ahead. Happy New Year!
The CapTex Tri 2008 on May 25th had some humorous happenings that sometimes made me and, I am sure, my two nephews who also ran the race, feel as Wikipedia suggests, "totally incompetent." A triathlon is pretty complex to begin with. So much gear to organize, many rules to obey and directions to follow. And when there are over 2700 athletes participating in multiple events (First Tri, Sprint, Oilympic, Relay) and starting at different times well, it can be quite confusing.
I was entered in the Sprint Triathlon which included a 750 meter swim in Lady Bird Lake, a 20K bike ride through downtown Austin and a 5K run. I dropped off my bike the night before as required and showed up in plenty of time to prepare for my race and watch some of the elite runners come out of the swim. I found my nephews, Father Brian Eliers and his twin, Bradley Eilers, and talked with them a bit. I was in the very first swim wave for the Sprint (based on age) and so I had few minutes before the start, confident that I had it all under control. I strolled to the dock where you would jump in the water and there the fun began.
Everyone in my swim wave had flourescent green swim caps. Everyone that is except me. Mine was black and very conspicuous. In a sort of panic I found an official and explained that my cap wasn't the right color. Fortunately, she directed me to a table next to the dock designed to resolve these kids of issues. Why did I get the feeling that someone off to the side was laughing at me, having stuffed a black cap into the packet of race #2482 just for fun?
So, no problem there. I swapped caps, pulled it on top of my head and seconds later jumped into the water to begin the five minute treading before the starting horn. Soon, I was off with the other swimmers, staying closer to the shore than most to avoid being in the midst of all those thrashing arms and legs. The swim goes well although I kept rising to check my bearing only to learn I am a zig-zagging bit off course. Seems I list to my left just a bit.
25 minutes later, Brian and Bradley are out on the dock for their start. Now, they have the right color caps plus the bright idea of not jumping in the water with everyone else but rather staying on the dock until the actual start in order to avoid treading water. Good idea - in theory. However, when Bradley jumps in the water his heart monitor falls off and it's panic city. He struggles to gets it re-situated, doing a bunch more water-treading than anybody else this day. He also swallows plenty of lake water. Still, he gets himself headed in the right direction, heart monitor properly attached. I told you there was a lot to think about...
Bradley's great adventure continues when he gets out of the water and grabs his bike. Now I've read about this sort of thing but this is the first I've heard about it happening in one of my Triathlons. For some reason when he set up his gear, Bradley placed his running cap on top of his bike helmet. In triathlon, you always try to arrange the gear in the order you will be needing it. Bike Shoes and socks, sunglasses, bike helmet, race number belt first... Running hat and shoes later. You guessed it. Bradley, in a rush to get a good transition time, grabbed his Bike Shoes, socks, sunglasses and... running hat! Then he grabbed his bike and dashed out of the transition area, jumped on at the starting point and actually got away with riding 6 miles without a bike helmet before an official told him to "get a helmet or get off the course."
If only I had known what Bradley was up to, I would have pulled my bike over to the side and waited for him to pass by!! Fortunately, when the official made his demand, Bradley was near the transition area (the Sprint Bike Course was 2 laps). He rode toward the transition and, realizing that it was going to take quite a long time to run and get his helmet, began yelling, "is anybody finishing the Sprint Bike that can lend me a helmet?!" And sure enough, someone did just that so Bradley was back on track.
Up ahead, I was nearing the finish. My bike was really fast for me (19.2 mph) and my run was steady but not particularly fast. As I approached the finish area I got disoriented and thought that the runners pealing off to the right were Olympic Event athletes. Olympic participants basically doubled the course of the Sprint athletes. So, in my mind, they were going right to somehow loop around and I was going straight to the finish. Wrong! As I ran straight I began thinking, "where's the finish line - it's gotta be around here pretty soon!" Of course, I had it backwards. Those turning right were the Sprint triathletes finishing up, those headed straight were the Olympic triathletes going for their 2nd loop. After a while, I began to ask around, "where's the Sprint finish?" Finally someone said, "back there" so I turned around, missed the now left turn, turned around again and found the finish. I also saw Joan who was rooting me on proudly, unaware of my exploits. She should be proud. I ran 3.4 miles instead of 3.1! Someone give me a medal!
For the record, here's my results:
Clock Time
1:38:38
Overall Place
340 / 785
Gender Place
242 / 446
Division Place
8 / 15
750M Swim Rank
451
750M Swim Time
20:55
750M Swim Pace
2:47/M
T1 Time
05:00
20K Bike Rank
193
20K Bike Time
38:39
20K Bike Pace
19.2MPH
T2 Time
03:59
5K Run Rank
321
5K Run Time
30:02
5K Run Pace
9:38/M
Brian and Bradley did well in the Clydesdales 30-34 age group. Brian finished 2nd at 1:28:52. And Bradley, depite all his foibles, finished 4th in 1:34:07.
A while, I'm at it - a shout out to my daughter Rachel who completed her first Triathlon on June 8th at the Danskins Triathlon at Decker Lake. She needs to teach me transition strategy (see below):
It was a very challenging 15 days, exercise-wise. Or maybe exercise-unwise is more suitable. I signed up for a gauntlet of activities and looking at the schedule I began to worry that I bit off more than I could chew. The events included:
March 30 - Capital 10K April 5th - Pedal Power Wildflower 36 mile bike ride April 10th - Abiding Love Golf Tournament April 13th - Texas State Sprint Triathlon
It all started with the Capital 10K, the largest 10K in Texas, on March 30th. I signed up early and it looked like I would be running alone until the last when my daughter Rachel, and my friends Tom Fritz and Michael Sorensen asked to run with me. Oh, and there were 16,500 other friends running with us as well. The rain that began falling at the start of the race failed to dampen our spirits as the 4 of us dodged slower runners in route to an 8-minute first mile. Michael was chomping at the bit and soon took off in his high school cross-country runner exhuberance. Rachel and Tom and I plodded on around the Capital and through the course and over the hills.
At around 2 miles Rachel fell a bit behind and at 3 miles Tom stopped at a porta-potty. I ran through the turn at the Mopac and was soon caught by my nephew, Bradley Eilers. We discussed how we were both getting tired and ran together for about a mile until Bradley started to leave me behind.
Little did I know that Tom and Rachel met back up at that 3 mile marker and ran together the rest of the way, so that was good.
Once I turned onto Cesar Chavez at 4 1/2 miles, I really began to tire. I was running too fast a pace for me (). I knew my last mile was going to be slow and it was. For the record, I ran 2 minutes faster than two years ago so I felt good about that. Here's our results:
Me (51:52 63rd in age group) Rachel (53:32 49th in age group) Tom Fritz (53:24 46th in age group) Michael (43:26 21st in age group) Bradley (49:22 105th in age group)
My calves were very sore for 3 days afterwards. All my training was 4-5 miles on the Hike & Bike Trail. I had a Bike Ride to get ready for!!
The Pedal Power Wildflower Rideis a well organized that starts out at the LBJ National Park near Stonewall. We (Bill Hatcher, J.D. Bostick and myself) left Austin at around 7:15am on Saturday and I was surprised at how many bike-carrying cars were headed out in the same direction. It was around 45 degrees when we and about 400 other riders started out on our journey so I opted for a long sleeve jersey with my yellow bike jersey pulled over it. Many of the other riders were headed out on the 60-mile ride but that would have been truly unwise for my circumstances.
The ride is hilly but not too tough through beautiful hill country roads, over several cattle guards and low water crossings. There was one difficult climb, it followed a cattle guard, a low water crossing and a sharp 90 degree turn so you hit the hill with no speed at all. I made it to the top where a rest stop awaited you with snacks and drinks. I stuffed the long sleeve shirt into my short sleeve bike shirt as it had become a beautiful day!
I averaged about 14.5 mph for the ride and at the end we enjoyed a spaghetti dinner. This was a very well-organized ride and I look forward to repeating it in the future.
The following Thursday, was the Abiding Love "Chip in for Children" Golf Tournament at Grey Rock (Circle C). This is my annual adventure at the links. My team consisted of members of Mixed Blessings, our Church's Praise Band - Philip Drake, Craig Hohertz, and Brent Karley. Bless his heart, Craig could only putt because of recent heart surgery but that didn't keep us from finishing 2nd to last! It was a gorgeous afternoon after a rainy morning and we had a blast. I mean, what other team would wave their arms trying to distract their teammate as he stood over a 4-foot bogie putt!
Saturday, April 12th, was more fun in the sun as Joan and I enjoyed watching Rachel and her University of Texas Melee teammates demolish 4 opponents in an Ultimate Frisbee Tournament.
Sunday was a rude awakening when the alarm went off at 5am. I had everything ready for the Texas State Sprint Triathlon but the race began at 7:30am in San Marcos. Unfortunately, I had an upset stomach and didn't sleep well but physically I was fine. I picked up my friend Jan Haas and we headed down to Aquarena Springs. The temperature was around 42 degrees and the walk from the parking lot to the bike staging area is about a half mile. By the time I got there, my back was killing me. I set everything up and tried to stretch out and began to feel a bit better, although apprehensive about a few things like the weather, my stomach and my back. But I was determined to do this since last year I bonked 30 yards from the finish line!!
The course before me was a 500 meter swim, a 14 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. I was looking forward to the swim. Not only would I be swimming without much interference through the clear, deep spring-fed lake but also I would be able to warm up in the 72 degree water. It is a shotgun start, where athletes go one at a time about every 3-5 seconds, men first by age, the women. Pretty soon my number 143 came up and I tip-toed to the waters edged and jumped in. I kept my stroke as steady as I could and did fine, although swimming is not my forte. After 15 minutes or so, I striggle out of the water and began the 50 yard hobble over rough, gravely road to my bike.
This is my 2rd triathlon and my transitions are slow. I was being very deliverate, making sure I drank enough fluids, and striggling with my socks and bike shoes. It took me four whole minutes to get on my bike and head down the road. It was very cool and my legs didn't seem to be working very well but I figured I would get warm eventually. After about 2 miles, Jan caught up with me. She is a very strong swimmer and good cyclists. After she passed me, she spit and I called out to her, teasing her that her spit hit me in the face.
Anyway, I stayed conservative on the bike through the hilly course but sped up after the turnaround at the seven mile mark. I never did catch Jan although I was close behind and notice her in the transition area. I did better in the 2nd transition (no socks to put on) and headed out after 2 minutes or so for the run.
The run is always my strong event. I started out slow and conservative so I could judge by health and slowly increased the pace. It was a nice run through Sewell Park. Unfortunately for Jan, she got stopped by traffic police when crossing the road. I caught with about a mile to go and sped up a lot as I neared the finish and realized I still had a lot of gas in the tank.
What a difference a year makes! I finished about 6 minutes faster than last year and wasn't too tired. In fact, I returned to see Rachel's last tournament game and swam the following Tuesday and ran on Wednesday. For the record, I finished in 1:35:39, 6th out of 7 in my age group. I was faster in every event than the 5th placed finisher but he blazed through the transitions and I was poky. Here's my breakdown:
