Thursday is Thor's Day - Fun and Funky Race Vibes

In case you haven't noticed, we're a little bit fun and a little bit funky. We like being slightly different and are fine when you call us special. There's a certain wacky pride in doing different stuff, and to be sure, doing triathlons is "different stuff."

We have fun doing a wide variety of races - there's joy to be found in the small, local sprint tri; there's joy to be found in the polished, very professional atmosphere of a corporate "production" tri; and there's a whole boatload of joy in the slightly off-kilter, fun and funky vibed races that are out there. We've had the pleasure of finding a few of them and figured we'd share. Please do not take this post as a bash of WTC, who puts on Ironman branded races. We've done a branded 70.3 race and have experienced two 140.6 venues. Those races are absolutely top notch and we have great memories of the races - they each have their own character within Ironman. We're just talking here about the "fun and funky" vibes that are out there. 

The first crazy vibe race we stumbled into was a small, local tri called Riverstock. Sadly, it hasn't survived. It was a tough course and low participation numbers (plus Hurricane Irene) managed to kill it off. This race had a crazy Woodstock-y vibe -- they gave out tie-dyed t-shirts (that we still wear!) and age group prizes were old 45s with a peace sign sticker and the race details. This was the first hint that chaos was out there to be found.

The next entrant in the crazy vibe line-up is the American Triple-T. It's a four pack of races over three days in an absolutely gorgeous state park in southwestern Ohio. You know that a race weekend is awesome if folks are willing to drive out to SW Ohio. There's something special about camping before a race and being so tired each day that you nearly fall asleep in the campground shower. The race organizers herd the cats very well and aside from the very plastic-y race singlet (mandatory to wear) - the weekend of racing is just top notch. Check them out here: http://www.americantriple-t.com/ 

The insane vibe category belongs to SavageMan. This is simply the best race we've ever done - jaw dropping scenery, tough hills (check out the fail video on the homepage: http://www.winthefight.org/savageman/ ), perfect organization, and a run course that goes right by your tent in a cruel twist of "there's my pillow, why am I out here running" insanity. Just an amazing atmosphere and all the staff and volunteers are amazing. 

The next two races we haven't done yet. But, we've organized our 2013 seasons around them. You already know about Norseman if you've read this blog before. The other "fun and funky" vibed race we're doing is Epic Dartmouth. We heard about this one last year, but weren't able to make it work. We checked out the race reviews and it just sounds like a solid combination of low key, focused event and quality organization. As a snapshot of why we think this one is going to be a winner - within 24 hours of registering, we each received an email from the race director offering to assist with questions or logistics (the race is up in Nova Scotia). That certainly counts as going the extra mile in our books and gets a shout out. Check them out at http://epicdartmouth.com/ 

All those races have the usual social media presence, so give them a look. And if you're thinking about a tri, we'll vouch in two directions. The larger well-known races are large and well known because they do things right and put on quality races. But the smaller, off-the-beaten track races have a lot to offer and have a character and soul all their own. There's no right or wrong answer to selecting a race. But we're finding that fun and funky has a special pull - and our 2013 season is headed in a distinctly fun and funky direction, with a healthy dose of hills and chaos.

Thursday is Thor's Day -- We Don't Get It.

We've been neglecting this blog for too long, so in an effort to kick things back off...and since Thursday is Thor's Day (and there's that whole Norseman connection)...yeah, look for new posts by Thursdays. 

First up...in case you were under a rock, there's this famous cyclist who also happens to have started a philanthropic organization who has been in the news lately. Rather than getting into Oprah's lane...here are some of the random conversations we've been having in our little slice of the universe. 

1) We don't get it. This is mostly directed toward the age group athletes out there who are using anti-aging products, or PEDs, or other banned substances. Maybe we're missing something, but none of us are getting paid for competing/completing tris or 5k's or mud runs. This is "sport" - it's supposed to be fun. We'll be the first to admit that our ego's look at the ranking and see how we stack up, but really. In order to win an essentially made-up sport (none of us are running to provide for ourselves or feed ourselves) people are out there using banned or illegal substances. Like I said, we don't get it. It's supposed to be about the process - it's supposed to be about being better / stronger / faster tomorrow than you were today through your own effort and hard work. It's not supposed to be about who can manipulate their blood / hormones. 

2) We think there's an element of entertainment in pro sports. I mean, let's face it -- would the NFL be as hugely popular if it was normal sized people running and hitting at normal speeds. Now, obviously, they (and the other pro sports)  have some version of a testing protocol in place and we're not trying to implicate every pro athlete. But, a lot of pro sports are more Roman Coliseum and entertainment than "pure" athletics (whatever that means).

3) Setting aside the whole pro sports as entertainment piece - how do we, as a society, ensure that the folks who want to compete on a level playing field can do so. And, possibly more importantly, how do we ensure the health and safety of the kids and teens so that their bodies develop on a natural path and so that they can compete cleanly. 

4) Part of what we don't like is the whole "everyone was doing it" attitude and the fact that it raises questions about anyone who turns in an exceptional performance. You can't prove a negative. Right now, it's too easy to be suspicious about everyone. And that isn't good or fair. And it's not right.

5) No, really, we don't get it. We're getting older. That sucks. It would've been nice to start this whole tri / endurance / (actually running more than 4 miles per year) thing earlier. But we didn't and we don't have 10, 20, 30, 40 + years of solid base training in our legs and bodies. So, that means we're going to improve slowly and when you factor in some age related declines - yeah, we're fighting to tread water. So, we just try to work a little harder and train a little smarter and pay more attention to recovery. And we don't even consider PEDs or anything along those lines. Because those things cheat you out of the pride of knowing the work you put in and the hours and sweat equity.

6) Yes, we take multivitamins.  And we train, sometimes slowly (ok, usually slowly).  If we improve at all, it's because we're busting our asses.  If we don't improve, it won't be because we weren't trying.  But if we do improve, it'll be legit, so we won't have to book a session with Oprah.

So, what are your thoughts? 

(This is a mild version from the ranter...the eloquent one was working on other stuff.)

What Hath Odin Wrought

The Norseman Lottery  

We did something a bit crazy and entered the lottery for the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon. It seemed like a good idea at the time. That's how most of these things go...very excited at the sign-up, slightly nervous as the days pass and you realize what you've done, terror at opening the email. Add in the horror that the "wrong" one of us got in. Dean was fired up and excited by the challenge; I was a bit hesitant and queasy at the thought of entering. Google Norseman Xtreme Tri (or just go to www.nxtri.com) and you'll see what I mean. No really, go check out the site and watch the video. Back - yeah - it's that epic. I mean, I don't even win scratch off lottery tickets, much less a powerball or megamillions, but sure enough, I had attracted Odin's attention (wrath?) and my name was drawn. 

The kind folks at Norseman put up the odds a day or so in advance of the email notification. For non-Norwegians, the odds were about 17% for the guys and 60% for the gals. While I'm not surprised that there were more guys than gals signed up...I was a bit surprised (concerned) that my odds were 3 times better than Dean's. I was hoping that signing up together (same reservation transaction) might tip the scales of justice. I thought wrong. So, after getting the "you're in" email, while I notionally had a choice - I didn't really have a choice. There's no rolldown - if I passed on the slot, it would go empty. With a total field of about 250 - and enough warnings and other signposts requesting you make *really* sure you want to sign up in advance - wasting a slot seems wrong. Especially a slot as potentially epic as Norseman. So, I'm in. I'm excited to be in, but at the same time - holy crapt. 

One of the quirks of this "race" is that, weather permitting, only the first 160 folks to show up at a mountain checkpoint (really, check the website) get to continue up the course and earn a black t-shirt. Number 161 and down follow an alternate course in search of a white finisher t-shirt. There is obviously no shame in a white t-shirt -- finishing Norseman would be epic enough -- but, oh, the lure of the insanity of the black t-shirt and mountaintop finish. As with all these things, goal 1 is to get to the start line healthy and goal 2 is to finish. But then the other goals creep in, whether it be time related, placement related, or - in a new and magnificently challenging twist - t-shirt related. And goal 3 must be, you guessed it, the black t-shirt. I don't even know if it's realistic. I don't know if it's possible. But, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want one. Yeah - going to Norway to do an extreme tri and all I can think about is the t-shirt. Nuts. 

So, what do I have to do between now and then (then being 03 August)? I have to train my arse off, both literally and figuratively.  Looking at my limiters (no particular order): I weigh too much (especially for a hilly bike course), I need to get stronger on the bike, I need to get faster in the water, I need to have enough run fitness to get through 35 kms of the run and rely on mental fortitude to manage the last bit up the mountain, and I need to learn how to descend well on a bike to avoid giving back time that I will desperately need. That's what I need to do in the next 8+ months. And, I need to remember the lessons from IMFL and not become anemic and pay attention to the details of nutrition so I can stay healthy and fueled. 

I've spent the last year working out (as opposed to training for something specific). That's about to change dramatically as my "something" was just set: 03 August 2013 -- Norseman. It seems a long way off, but it's not. I'm going to need help getting there. Dean continues to be the best coach ever and despite his disappointment, he's all in for this adventure. But, I'm going to need some extra mojo help along the way, so the Mortal Man Tri challenges will likely be back. And, there's a really good chance that Broccoli Man, Red Panda, and the Bear will be making some repeat cameos - once I stop hyperventilating, there'll be a video. And, I'll be trying to keep folks updated in various forms and sharing too much information. And, when you get into something like Norseman, there's no option but to hang out the window and beseech Odin. So, for those of you who've requested help from Odin before, give him a shout out your window for Norseman 2013.

ps-no, I didn't give Dean a chance to edit this one. sometimes, you're just stuck with the stream of consciousness.