Going Down Under

Fred Maggiore headed down under last weekend to compete in Ironman New Zealand on March 1st. Although this will be Fred's first Ironman race, he is optimistic for a podium finish and a berth to Ironman Hawaii in October. Check out Ironmanlive.com on race day for live splits of Fred's day. Good luck Fred, I share your pain!

Rainy Day Schedule

There once was I time I would put on the layers and head out for a ride no matter what the weather. It was raining on and off all morning so I totally wimped out and road my trainer.

Storms Brewing

Tempo run this morning with Mike and Rusty's training group. Warmup 4 miles, 5 miles tempo at 7:10/mile, 4 mile cool down. We were suppose to descend our miles but Jill and I kinda pooped out the last mile. It's been looking pretty stormy all day. Not looking good for my ride tomorrow.

Day After Marathon

Tour de Cali

Looks like a nice rainy day today. While the professional cyclists time trial up in Solvang today, I'll elect to ride my trainer a bit watching a movie.

Divine Inspiration

Sometimes when I do my track workout I take some inspiration where ever I can get it. Yesterday at the track with Mike Swan: 2x400 @ 95 sec, 1x800 @ 3:18. Four times thru.

Old School

I found this postcard from Ironman Hawaii circa 1985. Check out the skid lid!

Paradise Found

Early in the season I always find climbing hills gets the most bang for the buck. So off I went up Old San Marcos, Painted Cave, down to the Paradise Store where I sat in the sun a bit to warm up, then up and over La Cumbre peak. I haven't done this ride since training for IM Canada in 06 and it felt like it. Probably 5 or 6 K of climbing!

Best Dressed

My Grandfather was quite the well dressed cyclist in his day. This picture was taken in the early 1900's in Hawaii.

The Comeback

While I haven't been totally inactive over the past year and a half since IMC, I took a prolonged break from racing. I only recently unpacked my bike from the bike case! I signed up for the half ironman Honu race in June so that's my big motivation. I've been reading Chuckie V's blog and found some renewed inspiration. Chuckie has been posting the training of Angela Naeth , a triathlete wunderkind who is the second coming of Paula Newby Frasier. For those who have never met Chuckie, former IMC champion, he is an affable, laid back kind of guy. As a coach, he seems to be pretty on top of things. He can quote VO2 max's and anaerobic thresholds with the best of them. So with a little renewed motivation, I gear it up one more time. Tomorrow. Or maybe this weekend.

More Thoughts

Some more thoughts on Ironman... For me I have always enjoyed the journey of preparing for an Ironman race. The race itself is almost secondary. This year I had a bit of a detour with the passing of my mother, but in a way, the long days alone training gave me an opportunity to cope in my own way. I really had no expectations going into race day. I have found that in an Ironman race you just take what the day gives you, no more or no less. Suprisingly this was one of the easiest Ironman races for me physically. I was happy with my results. Next year is the 25th anniversary for IMC. Organizers say they are going to open the race up to 3,500 people! I think that is absolutely crazy. Needless to say, I won't be back. I am a bit disappointed in how corporate Ironman has become. It has lost a lot of its original appeal for me. I am not sure what my next big challenge will be. Maybe I'll work on that 200 fly.

It's Over

WOW!! It's over! Over 2,300 started the swim Sunday morning. I thought the weather was perfect. Bright and sunny. I think the temperature bearly topped 90 in the afternoon. Here's how the race went down:
Swim split: 58:24- I started at my secret spot that Chuckie V showed me during the 2001 race. It was pretty much clear swimming. I was happy with my time considering I have been struggling at masters lately.
Bike split: 5:55- The first 30 miles goes by pretty fast. The climb up Richter Pass was longer than I remember. The climb up to Yellow lake was shorter. One thing I notice in these big races, when I get passed on the bike it is not by one or two people at a time, its by a freakin peloton. 20-30 guys grouped together. That happened 2 or 3 times and that really kinda ticked me off. My back tightened up a bit mid way thru so I backed off to prevent further suffering. All things considered I was happy with my ride.
Run Split: 4:13- 9:41/mile splits doesn't seem very speedy, but during the run I felt like I was moving fairly well. I passed far more people that caught me and my splits were even- 2:05 going out, 2:08 bringing it home.
Total Time: 11:14:36 , 320 place of 2,175 finishers
All in all it was a good long day training.

Ironman eve

Ellen and I had a nice dinner and I'm hanging out at the hotel room. I figure I'll wake up at 4 am, eat a little something warm up and stretch a bit and then head over to the start. I'm ready to go!

1983

In 1983 the winning time of the first IMC was 10:41 by Mike Wigstaff. That time would bearly crack the top 10 in the 45-49 age group today!

The Day Before

The transition area was just starting to take shape when I dropped off my bike and gear bags this morning. Tomorrow this place will be rockin'! The weather is starting to heat up a bit. Afternoon high is in the 90's.

Chillin at the Lake

Ellen and I hung out and had a BBQ at a small lake around 30 minutes from Penticton. The lake even had its own beaver cruising around. Way cool.
Swam and biked a bit today. Just relaxing getting ready for the big day.

Priorities

It's nice to see some people have their priorities straight.

Logo Fever

Anything you could possibly want is available here- with an Ironman logo.

Registration

I'm one of the many waiting to pick up my packet.

Welcome to Penticton

We flew into Vancouver yesterday and drove over to Penticton. The drive was way longer than I remember... maybe thats because last time Cook was driving 100mph. We pulled in around 10pm and I slept like a rock.

Packing it in

Spending the evening packing for tomorrow's trip up to Canada. I know I'm forgeting something. I guess I'll find out when I get there! I remember one time I forgot a key part of my bike and I had to have Hazard's Fed Ex it out to IM Florida. That was the same trip the airline's lost some of Cook's baggage. Nothing like adding a bit of stress!
AM: Master's IM day
PM: ride, mostly easy, 90 minutes
Off to Canada!!!!

Taper, Taper

My legs still feel a bit stiff so I'm trying to stretch a bit more. AM: Masters swim-3x300,3x200,3x100,4x100
PM: easy bike 60 minutes

1 Week to Go!

This was taken last March when I first started training for IMC. It snowed that day. Boy, that sure seems like long ago...
Today: moderate bike 4 hours. Then some strides to loosen up my legs.

8 days

Down in LA today managed a hour plus run this AM. Tomorrow, a moderate bike.

11 Days

AM: Masters- IM day
PM: cycle 1 hour

12 days to go

After a few rest days I'm back at it.
AM masters- 100, 200, 3x100, 200, 100, twice thru
PM: track- 2x800, 1 mile, that's it!

Mobile Blogging

Getting everything ready to do some mobile blogging at IMC.

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Taper Time!

Traditionally for me when ever I taper for a race I feel terrible until race day. Something to look forward to. At any rate, I'll probably workout most every day, decreasing volume as I get closer to race day.

Super Brick

My last big workout today and it was a doosey! 2 hour ride to Refugio, 1 hour run, 2 hour ride up Painted Cave, 1 hour run, 2 hour ride to Refugio, 1 hour run. All the transition time changing in and out of sweaty gear and refilling water bottles made it a long day. 2 weeks 'til Canada!

So Long, Farewell!

My friends Josh and Angela are off to Santa Cruz at the end of the month. We had a nice party at Hazard's to send them off. It will be sad to see them go. Josh is a top mechanic and he took great care of all my rides. Cook and Flood also made an appearance. They take great pride in shaving each others heads and dressing alike. Go figure.
AM: Masters swim. Kind of a complicated set. Some easy, some kick, some fast.
PM:80 minute ride
Tomorrow my super brick! Last hard workout!!!

The real thing

A patient brought these back from her trip from Peru. Its made from the extract of the leaves of the coca plant. The native indians chew on coca leaves for that extra boast and to battle fatigue. I'm going to save this baby for the last part of the marathon at IMC!
AM: Masters- main set-100,100,100,200,100,300,100,200,100,100
PM Track- 3x800,1mile, 2x800, 1 mile

Watch Out Madona Buder!

My Auntie Vi told me she just took up jogging. She's 85!
AM: Went for a short masters swim.
PM: Easy ride for 60 min.

Back in SB

Nothing like some shave ice while visiting the North Shore!
Back in SB today.
AM Masters- First workout in a week. Swam with the kids Andrew and Melanie. Main set: 4x150, 6x100, twice thru.
PM: Ride up old San Marcos. about an hour

Kamaka

While most people visit Hawaii to bask on a sunny beach and drink mai tai's, I dropped a visit to the historic Kamaka Ukulele factory in downtown Honolulu. Second only in nerdyness to maybe the accordian, the uke is none the less a great instrument. It connects me to my parent's past.
Friday workout: Ran for 1 hour

Saturday: Ran along the Honolulu Marathon course. Probably 20 miles.

Palmetto Bug

In Hawaii everything is better. I call this a big freaking roach. In Hawaii, they call them "palmetto bugs".

Punchbowl

Yesterday was my mom's memorial service which was held at Punchbowl in Honolulu. I laid her ashes next to my father's who passed away 6 years ago. That was pretty sad.
AM: Ran around Diamond Head 2 times. 1:45

In the Pink

Here I am staying at the Pink Lady on Waikiki Beach. The Royal Hawaiian is a grand old hotel, ironically built the same month and year of the birth of my mom. Went for a run this evening. Ran for an hour, worked up a good sweat in the humidity. I'm thinking all this heat training should pay off in Canada.

Refer Madness

In case you are wondering what the Wanger keeps in his refer: watermelon, unidentified leftovers, 2 cartons of soy milk, bottle of water and 2 tubs of yogurt.
Swam a bit this morning. This evening I'm packing and heading off to Hawaii for my mom's memorial.

Feeling Flat

So I'm around 10 miles into the bike and I blow my rear tire. Not really too much of a problem but I couldn't get the friggen sew up off the wheel. I kept telling myself this was only a training race and my time didn't matter but it still bugged me watching everyone pass me by. After 20 or so minutes of prying and hand cramps I finally got that tire off. I put on a ratty old spare and I continued the ride, scared to death that it was going to roll off at every corner. I finished in 5:34. Felt pretty good all day and all in all it was a good day training.

Road Trip

Drove up to Corte Madera to stay with the Wanger last night. I was a bit surprised its a bit cool and drizzlely up here. I'm glad I brought a sweatshirt! Today I'll drive up to Santa Rosa to pick up my race packet, otherwise I'll just chill out today.

Cooling trend

Bugman turned 15 last month and although he is totally deaf now, he still is amazingly spry for an old guy.
AM- Masters swim- IM day today
PM- easy spin for 1:20
Tomorrow I'm off to Vineman. I'm staying with the Wanger. I'm really curious to see if he has any furniture in his house. We seem to have gotten a little break in the heat which is a bit of a relief.

Mini Taper

I've been on a mini taper this week. Heading up for the Vineman half ironman this weekend. Its been nice and hot up there so there should be plenty of excitment!
AM masters: 2x100, 200, 2x50, 3 times thru.
Lunch time at the gym
PM- Ran for a little more than an hour. I stuck in 1 mile at 6:50 pace just to stretch it out a bit.

Amazing

AM Masters- Amazing but true- Jane showed up for swim workout. It was nice seeing her!
PM- Easy spin for 1:20

Yikes!

Michael Rasmussen, Tour de France King of the Mountains. Yikes!
AM Masters - 300m, 2x150m 3 times thru
Now I think I'l eat a pint of Hagen Das

Global Warming

The Wanger was in town today so we rode out to Ojai up to the summit above Santa Paula. The temperatures topped 100, with some humidity to add to the pleasure. Total ride was 100 miles. I ran for about 20 minutes afterwards. The heat has been absoulutely crazy. Penticton has been hovering around 100 so if this keeps up I'm in for a long day!

Hot Times

It was cooking in LA today. This was their 17th consecutive day of triple digit temperatures. I ran 90 minutes this morning when it was a brisk 85.

No more creaking

Painted Cave climb this evening. Josh fixed this annoying creak in my Orbea so it was a great ride.

Crazy

Here's Morgan going crazy waiting for me to chuck her ball.
AM Masters- 50m, 100m fast, 200m, 100m fast, 50m. 3x's. My swimming is really sucking lately
Lunchtime at the gym
PM: Track- 10x 800, 1min rest, 3:25 pace.

Spin

Nice easy 70 minute spin today.

Monday, Monday

AM Masters: Main set- 400m, 2x200, 400m, 2x150, 400m, 2x100, 400m 2x50
Thats enough for today. Now for some rest!

Run and Done!

Long run today. 2:30. I was a little stiff from yesterday, but I shuffled thru. Then it was off to LA to take care of some business.

Jalama!

I did this ride for the first time 5 years ago with my friend Santi while training for IM Canada and it remains one of my favorite rides. Santa Barbara to Jalama Beach and back. 125 miles. Ran 30 minutes afterwards.

Swim and Rest

AM masters- 2x50, 100m fast, 100m, 2x50m fast, 4 x's
Rested up a bit for tomorrows long ride!

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday's workouts:
AM Swim Masters- A triathlon celebrity, Wendy Ingram, join our lane for a swim. Main set- 100m, 2x150m, 1oom, 3 times thru. The 2nd 100 was fast.
Lunchtime- to the gym for a core workout.
PM- Track- 8x1000. Just tried to hold a steady effort, 6:40 pace
Thursday:
I overdid it a bit at the gym and I'm a little sore today. Rode 90 minutes

Easy Ride

75 minutes on the bike. Gearing up for a big weekend. Stay tuned!

Not What it Used to be

My lane at masters is a far cry from the good ol' days. Today I swam with two random visitors. Gone are the days of the old reliable swimmers like Jane and Dave. I am now solo swimmer.
This morning: 400m, 2x200, 300m, 3x200m, 3x100m.
PM: easy spin for 1 hour

Long run

I've been in LA for the past few days so I haven't had much time for training. It's stinking hot down there! Back in SB, ran 4 hours. Kept it a pretty easy pace at the beginning, picked it up the last five miles.

Summer is going Strong!

Last night at Rick and Adele's place. What a great 4th BBQ!
AM- Masters Swim- 200m, 2x100, 200m, 3x100, 200m 4x100.
Lunchtime- at the gym for some core
PM- Track- 4x2000m. Ran around 7:10 pace. I was happy to get thru today. I was beat!

Happy 4th!

For my July 4th holiday I rode the lake twice. I thought that was pretty good until Bruce at Hazard's said Shiggy does a triple! I guess thats why he's a 8 time Hawaii Ironman vet. Total ride today- 125 miles

Rest Day

Resting up today. Tomorrow hopefully a long ride.

Hot Day in the Valley

Yesterday I was in LA all day, rested up a bit for today's long brick.
Finally there was some hot training weather. I drove over to the valley. Rode 100, ran 2:40. The run felt pretty good, except I couldn't bring quite enough fluids and I got a bit dehydrated at the end.