Race Report - LV Tri Club - 3/19/11

Cold and silly windy. That pretty much summed up the conditions with the wind coming off Lake Mead and picking up a biting chill that truly cut to the bone. You could feel the athletes universally mentally saying, "Dude, please start this thing." A lot of movement and active stretching going on, me included.

Is there life beyond multi-sport?

My hat is truly off to the LV Tri Club Board and the great people who came out and volunteered to make the race possible today. I at least had the crazy excuse to be out here that I wanted to race. These people are out here freezing to death for the love of the sport or the love of a loved one who loves the sport. However it works out, these people are all amazing for their generosity. Thank you!

The race today is a Duathlon, with a 1m run/12m bike/3.1m run. I am treating the race as a "C" race with the goals of simply getting back into the swing of things with transition, the feel of racing and nutrition. Pace is the other key point for me today - getting the most out of myself without melting down.

As we get ready to start the race, props to the RDs for making the decision to announce that the bike ride was optional in the interest of safety. The crosswinds on Lakeshore Drive were definitely something to be concerned about. Of course, it seemed like everyone did the race as advertised.

So off we go. This is my first Duathlon and I have to admit that the run start is a little odd for me. I'm used to getting roughed up in the water at the start of a race. This has the feel of a road race and I start in the very back to avoid getting in the way. With the combination of being a slower competitor and treating this as a training race, it seems like it would be unfair to get in the way of others. I make a point to intentionally slow down at the beginning of the run. I want to make sure that I don't injure myself and that I work on pace.

After about the first quarter mile, I pick up the pace a little (it is a race after all) and start to pass a couple people. When I get back to transition I'm completely in race mode. It takes me a little longer to put on my shoes than I think it should, but that's why I'm here.

Run - 8:28/1.03m (8:14 pace)
T1 - 1:14

The wind definitely is the factor on the bike. The course is a lot of up and down, which even on a good day, puts a premium on strategy and patience. Regardless of the length of the race, this is truly a thinking persons course. I know, because I've blown up here before. I make it a point to gear up on the hills when I feel the desire to put the hammer down. I'm riding at about a 30 degree tilt about half the time. As I get back to transition I feel like I have put just the right amount of energy into the ride (or maybe just a tad too much).

DISMOUNT! DISMOUNT! DISMOUNT! I almost ride into the transition area. Come on man! Where is your focus!?!

Bike - 40:49/11.91m (17.5mph)
T2 - 0:34

The second run starts well. I let my legs ease back in and then get going. There is a guy about 250 meters ahead wearing a blue and black jersey and we are similar in size. I key into his pace. Breathing is good. During the outward bound leg, I close the gap to about 10 meters. I passed on water at T-2 and am now wondering if that was really such a good idea. There is an aid station at the turnaround and I thank the volunteers and grab a cup of water.

With 1.5 miles to go, I take inventory and decide it is time to open it up and see if it all works. The blue and black jersey turns out to be for Wounded Warriors. This guy is a warrior, because he is not willing to give me an inch. I am maxed out as I catch him with less than half a mile to go.

"I love the jersey."
"I was wondering when you were going to make the pass."
"Dude, this is all there is."
"I can hear the speakers, we've got to be close."
I grunt as I move ahead. I can't talk anymore.

The last part of the run is killing me. I can feel things getting heavy, I push through. As I cross the line, I call out my number, "15!"

"Jeff ECKELBERGER! Great job Jeff!"

I smile, I couldn't figure out my last name for the longest time either.

I catch my breath and turn around to shake hands with Wounded Warrior. What a great effort from him. Definitely worthy of his jersey.

Run - 25:23/2.88m (8:48 pace)
Total - 1:16:29

Dispatches From The Field 3/16/11 - Showdown at Sundown Scouting

I had a rice and bean burrito for breakfast.

I know that because 500 feet into a 14 mile run I can taste it in the back of my throat. The beans in particular are leaving a somewhat nasty, lactic note in my mouth. I want to vomit, but can't quite seem to get there. This is especially frustrating because every 3-4 minutes as the re-taste reoccurs, I give myself permission to get it over with. I want, no need, to get it out of my system. Just as I get hopeful, everything subsides and I go through the whole process again 3-4 minutes later. This is going to be a long run.

So enough about my GI issues for now (which go beyond the upset stomach, but never mind). The real reason I am out here is to spend some time on the Showdown at Sundown Course. My experience with short course events in the Las Vegas area is that they all follow pretty much the same two courses, depending on whether the swim is in Lake Las Vegas or if the swim starts in Lake Mead.

Showdown had some difficulty early on and there were questions as to whether the race would even be held (Coach Cyndee mentioned that I might want to do Rage in the Sage instead). I wanted to do this event because it starts in the afternoon. With daylight savings, I don't think I am going to get to run in the dark, but I'm going to try and get in a couple runs to get used to it. The event is now definitely on, but the course has been changed to something new for the area.

The swim is in Lake Mead from Boulder Beach (normal). From T1, the bike leg will move down Lakeshore Drive to Northshore Drive out toward Calville Bay and back (normal). Then, instead of going back to Boulder Beach, athletes will ride out of the Lake Mead Basin to Bootleg Canyon which is a pretty good, extended climb (new). T2 will be here with the run from Bootleg Canyon down the hill and toward Henderson for 6.55 miles before turning around and coming back along the same course (new). For those who have not done any hill training, this is going to hurt.

I have ridden the River Loop Trail several times, but have taken the opportunity this week to refresh my memory about some of the nuances of the trail. Earlier this week, I did a brick here with Shawn and today I decided I would come back and do the run course.

Which is why I'm chugging along wishing I could just either throw up or die. Either one would be fine.

The weather today is actually pretty good. A little windy with a little overcast. Every once in awhile, both the wind stops and the sun peeks through. When that happens I start to roast a little and wish for the wind and the clouds. People, where did I put my rattle and pacifier?

On the weekends, this trail is busy. Today, midweek, things are quiet. I get passed by a handful of cyclists and I pass an older couple that is out hiking, but that's about it. Ordinarily I would really enjoy this solitude. Today I am listening to wine questions and answers that my friend recorded and in 90 minutes, I haven't heard a word he has said.

I make it to the bathroom and dirt parking area at the Equestrian access point. Just over 7 miles, this is going to be my turnaround today. I stop in the bathroom to just get it over with, maybe eau de la toilet will help me, but nothing. I sigh and start to crank myself up again. Everything is uphill to one degree or another on the way back with a couple of rollers along the way to break up the landscape.

Bat Habitat done as an Eagle Scout Project at the Equestrian Access Point

The trail follows the outside of the mountain, giving you the ability to see what is coming for a long way. I have to say that the desert has a special beauty at this time of year. Grasses poke their heads up bringing a delicate green hue to the hills. Desert flowers of yellow and purple become little splashes of color that make a bold statement in this landscape. The constant desert breezes move everything adding changes in light and texture. It always amazes me how a landscape that advertises itself as a barren wasteland can harbor so much vibrant life if you are just willing to look.

The Road Back...

The hill up the back side toward the Railroad Pass Casino is long, but goes by with surprising ease. Dare I hope that my stomach is settling. I am getting excited for the run back. I chug up the hill, trying to look smooth and easy for the guy riding his dirt bike through the desert. Hey, we all have our pride...

Railroad Pass Casino from the Boulder City Side

Cresting the hill I see an old man rock prospecting. I wave and wonder what he is looking for. I know there is a Gypsum mine out next to Blue Diamond (it's why they built the town), but I don't know what's here. I'd like to ask, but I gotta keep going.

From Railroad Pass to Boulder City the trail is gently up hill with rollers just to mix it up. The trail runs between the Cascata Golf Course and the Boulder City Railroad. If you live in the area and have kids, you should go check out the railroad on the weekends when they run the trains. The kids riding the train love to wave at the cyclists on the trail.

Still mindful of my stomach and the upcoming hill, I keep my pace easy and try to keep my heart rate down. Stomach is still good and I feel like I have turned the corner.

There is an initial turn into the hill that is a false hill. You go up for a little bit before the trail turns back on itself and moves toward the veterans center, before turning again and working around the base of the hill before the real push up the hill to Bootleg Canyon. I am ready for the false hill and watch my effort here, trying to avoid blowing up on the final push.

At the base of the final hill, I turn it on. Which means I look like someone trying to run in quicksand, but hey everything is relative and zone 5 heart rate is zone 5. Teeth clenched and arms and legs pumping I grind my way up the hill. How far left to go? I'm afraid to look at my Garmin. It would beg the question of whether my glass is half full or half empty and I am not feeling particularly philosophical at the moment.

There is a kid crawling up the hill on his BMX bike. He's probably somewhere between 7-10 years old, out of the saddle and pumping. As I catch him, I want to ask him how his watts look, but I don't think he would enjoy my humor and the hubs on his bike don't look right anyway. He looks over at me and starts to race me. You have got to be kidding me! I am a middle aged, overweight triathlete and this kid is going to make me suffer further? Alright my man, it is game on! He's got me by 30 years and I'm probably 4 of him in weight, but I have the benefit of life experience that he lacks. We battle each other in some macabre crawl up the hill, both of us grasping. My stomach kicks in again. The kid is not going to be happy when I hurl on his shoe. I squeeze my eyes closed and focus on my breathing.

We finally reach the top of the hill on the trail and as he prepares to dust me on the downhill, I turn left and continue up the hill the last 1,000 feet to the parking lot.

He calls after me, "no way Dude!"

I mentally give myself a tie. Ah yes, life experience still counts for something. I wave over my shoulder and pant and gasp my way to where it all started a few hours ago. I'm glad I didn't stop today before I started. The whole day is a little brighter for the effort.

2:47:30 / 14.25 miles

The Scale 3/19/11

THE NUMBER = 251.8 (-5.0 pounds last week)

Promising.

Upcoming Events

Just a note:

This Saturday is the first event for the season for the Las Vegas Triathlon Club. It is a Duathlon and my first ever. I will be treating this as a "C" race for my season. My goal is to not try to chase everyone I see down, but rather to run my own race and work on pace between the disciplines. I am hopeful that Melissa can make it to the event and Tweet the race for me @Libationguy.

The following Saturday is a little more important for me. This will be my second Half-Ironman distance event at The Showdown at Sundown. While a "B" race for me, this will be my first real indicator of overall fitness this season and will give me a comparison against the Half Silverman that I completed in November. This race was a little shaky earlier and there were questions about whether it was going to happen or not. They have changed to course and, as a result, I think this event might actually be harder than the Half Silverman was. I am very interested to see if I can beat my time from November. I am hopeful to have live Tweets from this event as well.

Stay Tuned...

Weekly Schedule 3/14/11 - 3/20/11

MONDAY
Swim - 1:00/2600m - 100s & 200s
Run - 0:30 - Easy Run

TUESDAY
Strength - 1:00
Bike - 1:30 - Tempo Ride

WEDNESDAY
Run - 2:30/14 mile - Long Run

THURSDAY
Off Day

FRIDAY
Swim - 0:50/2200m - 25s & 250s

SATURDAY
Bike - 2:00/35 miles - Long Hilly Ride

SUNDAY
Brick - 1:40/23 miles - 20 mile Bike + 3 mile Run

TOTAL TIME THIS WEEK
Projected - 11:00:00

PREVIOUS WEEK
Swim (Projected/Actual)
Time - 2:45:00/2:37:54     Distance - 6900/5400
Bike (Projected/Actual)
Time - 5:35:00/7:07:23     Distance - 70/87.07
Run (Projected/Actual)
Time - 2:50:00/3:29:19     Distance - 12/17.65
Strength (Projected/Actual)
Time - 1:00:00/1:00:00
TOTAL (Projected/Actual)
Time - 12:10:00/13:35:40

The Scale 3/12/11

THE NUMBER = 256.8 (+4.8 during last 2 weeks)

Dietary Changes

This journey really began for me almost two years ago in my doctor's office. I was vomiting at various points in the day that seemed to have no pattern. I couldn't tie it to diet or anything else that would make sense to me. I am the kind of guy that would not go to a doctor unless I was on my death bed. It was seeing blood in my vomit that made me see the doctor. Truth be told now, I thought I had some sort of cancer.

I won't go through the entire story, but there were two things about me that really came out during that doctor visit. The first was that I was not ready to die and I would be willing to do whatever it would take to be here for my daughter and to be in good enough physical shape to support her and allow myself to enjoy her growing up. The second thing was wrapped up in the doctor's survey.

I had no real medical history, which meant I had to fill out a questionnaire that spanned over several pages. Along with family medical history, there was a section about my personal habits. As the nurse was doing my preliminary screening and entering my information into the computer, she had a question about my soda consumption, "you drink an average of 4 sodas per day?"

I had a thought, "How big is a soda?", I asked quietly.
She paused, "say a 12oz can," she said.
I looked directly at her, "12".
She acted as if she hadn't heard me and actually shook her head like she had a bug flying near her ear, "how many?'
I cleared my throat, "I drink like 4 Big Gulps of Diet Pepsi everyday, so the number would be 12 cans of soda."
She kept her face neutral and professional and didn't comment further.

Dr. Mason had some thoughts when he came in. The key things for what we are talking about here were that I had to lose weight and I had to cut back on the soda consumption.

I told Dr. Mason that I had to stop drinking soda totally. If I tried to cut back I would be right back where I started in the next 2-3 weeks. For me the reality was that a dramatic overall change was going to need a chain reaction off another dramatic change that was more focused. I was 306 pounds, vomiting for reasons I couldn't understand and undergoing a battery of tests that would stretch out over the next two months.

If no one else would say it directly to me, I would say it to myself. I am an addict to foods that are slowly killing me. I live a life on junk and processed foods that suck the life out of me and add the pounds on at every turn. I eat nothing but crap and now due to a lifetime of conditioning, I crave foods that are loaded with fat, sugar, salt and chemicals.

Whatever medical jargon Dr. Mason wanted to use, it all boiled down to one thing: I had to get my shit together.

Fast forward to today. I have gotten things under some kind of control. My medical issues have improved, although I am still working on my cholesterol, and I have lost some weight. The reality is that I am still classified medically as obese and I have a way to go. My weight loss has stalled and I need to push it forward.

I appreciated the kind words of support given to me a couple weeks ago and have looked at the suggestions I have been given. I have decided to go to a vegetarian diet which in my case we will call flexitarian. So what does that mean?

There are three things that I felt I needed to achieve with a change in diet:

1. It needed to be safe and allow me to achieve my endurance goals. People have been eating vegetarian since we began as a species. There is a growing amount of science that is showing the consumption of animal products adds another level of exposure to diseases made popular by western dietary habits including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. a growing number of endurance athletes are competing at a top level on vegetarian and vegan diets.

2. I need a radical change. Let's call it the Diet Pepsi Principle. As I have tried to simply curve my diet and make adjustments, ultimately for me, I fall right back into the same habits that got me here in the first place. I have spent an entire lifetime living a poor lifestyle for my personal health. I need a diet that will force me to make choices each time I put something in my mouth because I have not been able to do that for myself in any kind of consistent fashion. I think it would be fair to say that a vegetarian diet is generally not supported by our society. Look at any 7-11 or Fast Food Restaurant to see what we support. A vegetarian diet will essentially force me into businesses that support the kind of foods that I want to eat. A vegetarian diet is also limiting enough that it forces me to be aware of what I am putting in my body every time I eat.

3. I need to have a combination of some flexibility and simplicity. It is not fair that I force my behaviors on my family any more than the time for my training. If my wife and daughter want to take on a vegetarian diet, I would welcome that, but if they want to leave their diet unchanged, I certainly respect that too. I also want to be able to live my life without anxiety over food. This is not a political choice for me, but a personal one for health. When I have complete control over my food, I will make choices for the best product I can get my hands on. If I am eating in a situation where I do not have complete control over my food, I will do the best I can with what I have and I will eat free of anxiety.

As I move forward, my plan is to continue to adjust and improve my diet to maximize the benefit for my body that I receive from my food.

'Nuff Said