I got sucked into the facebook deal with invitations. Whoopee! I don't get it. I don't know what to do with fb. I don't care that you're going to Starbucks or that you are working late. Maybe you're someone I knew in junior high school or high school. Maybe that's cool to touch base and say howdy. But if we didn't hang out as friends back then, what's the attraction now?
And fb has wiped out blogging that occurred before fb was prevalent. There were some kick ass blogs that I used to keep up with....now, those bloggers have just kinda disappeared. And this blog has also been neglected.
But it's not all bad. I have met some cool people in the local running community! But I just don't know what to do with fb.
And twitter. What the hell is that? So now I'm supposed to get a little phone with a full freaking keyboard and write real-time about my Starbucks frappa-latte WHILE I'm driving down the road. Oh good grief. Not just no! I'll never twitter, tweet, or text...just forget it!
Showing posts with label Rants and Raves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rants and Raves. Show all posts
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
OK, I'm back! Been away from the blog for a month...
Sheesh, I have no idea how a month has slipped by and I've not kept my loyal reader(s) abreast of all that happens around here!
Austin Half-Marathon:(Feb 15th)
I'm disappointed with the Austin Half-Marathon and likely won't return.
[BEGIN RANT]
1) What's up with charging $97 for a half-marathon?
2) No race-day packet pickup and they wanted to charge me $7 to park the car to go inside the runner's expo to pick up my packet? You're trying to sell me a bunch of stuff at the expo and you want to charge me 7 bucks to park?? Austin, you're FULL OF YOURSELF! And your traffic sucks badly!
3) Inside the expo it took 45 minutes to pick up my packet, what's up with that?
4) They RAN OUT of tee shirts?! Ninety-seven dollars to run your crummy race and you ran out of shirts? This is 2nd grade math, y'all. Your event filled up well before race day. Each registration has a shirt size listed. Tabulate those numbers and you will know how many shirts to order. Geez.
5) The course bites. Not only is it hilly, NOT fast, but poorly laid out. Route the ENTIRE marathon runner flow through a single-lane alley after mile 3?
[END RANT]
Before the race, Sonya, Evan, Dennis, & Rick:
I went into the race with Plantar Fasciitis (foot owwie), but still managed a 1:46 time:
HEB did a great job of providing all sortsa GREAT food after the event! HEB is king:
A cool chic who took our group picture, Bianca:
Evan, Chris, unknown, & Kristen:
Rick and Evan enjoying some delicious breakfast:
Park To Park 5 Mile Race, Houston Museum of Natural Science, & Mountain Biking (Feb 21st)
Great little race in downtown Houston! It runs from Discovery Green Park to Herman Park. I ran a decent 37:00 race.
Evan, June, Stephen:
Pam (ran an INCREDIBLE 33:55!), Stephen, Geri, & Evan:
AFTER the Park-To-Park race, I was riding my bike back to downtown to return to my car, when I rode right past the Museum of Natural Science. People who know me know how I'm totally drawn to neat mechanical stuff. Go inside, nah. But WAIT, I'm right here, right now! I locked my bike and went inside to check out all of the neat Energy Exhibit stuff:
AFTER the museum, I decided to go Mountain Biking in Memorial Park. The last few times I've gone, I always ask people "where is the technical stuff" (challenging terrain). This time, a guy told me where the REAL stuff is! It's called "The Triangle"...He told me to ride down the sidewalk to the Arboretum, then RIGHT THERE at the corner of the driveway, there's an almost-hidden trail that "drops in". He told me that as soon as I dropped in, I'd see a tunnel that goes under Memorial Drive. "The Triangle" is the area bordered by 610, I-10, and Memorial Drive. A little known secret! Shh! He wasn't lying:
The Triangle IS thoroughly technical! Be careful, it's ROWDY! The picture does NOT do the terrain justice. Here:
The Houstex Machine and Tool Show, GRB convention center (Feb 25th)
Those who know me know my absolute delight in all things mechanical, especially machine tools! My great friends over at CeeSan Machine and Fabrication not only invited me to ride along with them, they had an admission ticket for me and fed me plenty of cold beers during the show! I just LOVE my friends!
Evan, Curt, Festus:
I'm always so pleased to check out cool tooling:
Hanging out with Danny O from MLC Cad:
The Prickly Pear 10 Mile Trail Race, San Antonio (March 7th)
I had the pleasure of running in the Prickly Pear 10 mile race! Great event! Those who run might be aware of the "runners high" that you experience when the endorphins are flowing (or whatever it is that makes you feel so euphoric). Trail running amplifies the runners' high by about a factor of 10! Prolly because you're so very focused on ONLY the rugged, rocky trail right in front of you! Good stuff! Patti, Dennis, Sonya, & Evan:
I'm pleased with my 1:33!
Austin Half-Marathon:(Feb 15th)
I'm disappointed with the Austin Half-Marathon and likely won't return.
[BEGIN RANT]
1) What's up with charging $97 for a half-marathon?
2) No race-day packet pickup and they wanted to charge me $7 to park the car to go inside the runner's expo to pick up my packet? You're trying to sell me a bunch of stuff at the expo and you want to charge me 7 bucks to park?? Austin, you're FULL OF YOURSELF! And your traffic sucks badly!
3) Inside the expo it took 45 minutes to pick up my packet, what's up with that?
4) They RAN OUT of tee shirts?! Ninety-seven dollars to run your crummy race and you ran out of shirts? This is 2nd grade math, y'all. Your event filled up well before race day. Each registration has a shirt size listed. Tabulate those numbers and you will know how many shirts to order. Geez.
5) The course bites. Not only is it hilly, NOT fast, but poorly laid out. Route the ENTIRE marathon runner flow through a single-lane alley after mile 3?
[END RANT]
Before the race, Sonya, Evan, Dennis, & Rick:
I went into the race with Plantar Fasciitis (foot owwie), but still managed a 1:46 time:
HEB did a great job of providing all sortsa GREAT food after the event! HEB is king:
A cool chic who took our group picture, Bianca:
Evan, Chris, unknown, & Kristen:
Rick and Evan enjoying some delicious breakfast:
Park To Park 5 Mile Race, Houston Museum of Natural Science, & Mountain Biking (Feb 21st)
Great little race in downtown Houston! It runs from Discovery Green Park to Herman Park. I ran a decent 37:00 race.
Evan, June, Stephen:
Pam (ran an INCREDIBLE 33:55!), Stephen, Geri, & Evan:
AFTER the Park-To-Park race, I was riding my bike back to downtown to return to my car, when I rode right past the Museum of Natural Science. People who know me know how I'm totally drawn to neat mechanical stuff. Go inside, nah. But WAIT, I'm right here, right now! I locked my bike and went inside to check out all of the neat Energy Exhibit stuff:
AFTER the museum, I decided to go Mountain Biking in Memorial Park. The last few times I've gone, I always ask people "where is the technical stuff" (challenging terrain). This time, a guy told me where the REAL stuff is! It's called "The Triangle"...He told me to ride down the sidewalk to the Arboretum, then RIGHT THERE at the corner of the driveway, there's an almost-hidden trail that "drops in". He told me that as soon as I dropped in, I'd see a tunnel that goes under Memorial Drive. "The Triangle" is the area bordered by 610, I-10, and Memorial Drive. A little known secret! Shh! He wasn't lying:
The Triangle IS thoroughly technical! Be careful, it's ROWDY! The picture does NOT do the terrain justice. Here:
The Houstex Machine and Tool Show, GRB convention center (Feb 25th)
Those who know me know my absolute delight in all things mechanical, especially machine tools! My great friends over at CeeSan Machine and Fabrication not only invited me to ride along with them, they had an admission ticket for me and fed me plenty of cold beers during the show! I just LOVE my friends!
Evan, Curt, Festus:
I'm always so pleased to check out cool tooling:
Hanging out with Danny O from MLC Cad:
The Prickly Pear 10 Mile Trail Race, San Antonio (March 7th)
I had the pleasure of running in the Prickly Pear 10 mile race! Great event! Those who run might be aware of the "runners high" that you experience when the endorphins are flowing (or whatever it is that makes you feel so euphoric). Trail running amplifies the runners' high by about a factor of 10! Prolly because you're so very focused on ONLY the rugged, rocky trail right in front of you! Good stuff! Patti, Dennis, Sonya, & Evan:
I'm pleased with my 1:33!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Hey man, ENOUGH with the freaking fireworks, EH??!!
Geez, it happens twice a year. While I'm not trying to be a 'stick-in-the-mud' and agree that it's a person's prerogative to shoot off fireworks as allowed by our society and laws. But DAMNIT!! Shoot 'em off on the day you're celebrating, NOT for 1 week prior and another week after the day of celebration. ENOUGH ALREADY!
There's a guy nearby who loves firing his shotguns, and 4th of July and New Year's sound like a war zone in my neighborhood. Scares the HELL out of my dogs. But now my dogs have been hiding deep in my storage building or following me around for about 2 weeks. They get to sleep inside the house, which they often do on cold nights. Heaven forbid should I actually want to spend the night out or go on vacation during these periods. Nope, I've gotta be RIGHT HERE to shelter my pets. Freaking IDIOTS (fireworks folks, not dogs)! Here's what happens every night, including last night:
On New Year's Eve 2002/2003, my beloved Border Collie, Brembo, escaped my yard and ran about a mile away in a crazed escape from the fireworks. My running buddy, Sonya, likely remembers the somber run we shared for the New Year's Day Cobweb Chaser Run at McAllister Park. Before the run, I walked her over to my truck and pointed out the dead, stiff corpse of my dog. Because of the rocky terrain, it took me 5-6 hours of crying/digging/busting rocks to dig a suitable hole in which to bury her. RIP Brembo:
I went over to a friend's house the other day and they were SUPER BUMMED! Their dog was freaked out by fireworks, escaped, got run-over and killed.....geez...
There's a guy nearby who loves firing his shotguns, and 4th of July and New Year's sound like a war zone in my neighborhood. Scares the HELL out of my dogs. But now my dogs have been hiding deep in my storage building or following me around for about 2 weeks. They get to sleep inside the house, which they often do on cold nights. Heaven forbid should I actually want to spend the night out or go on vacation during these periods. Nope, I've gotta be RIGHT HERE to shelter my pets. Freaking IDIOTS (fireworks folks, not dogs)! Here's what happens every night, including last night:
On New Year's Eve 2002/2003, my beloved Border Collie, Brembo, escaped my yard and ran about a mile away in a crazed escape from the fireworks. My running buddy, Sonya, likely remembers the somber run we shared for the New Year's Day Cobweb Chaser Run at McAllister Park. Before the run, I walked her over to my truck and pointed out the dead, stiff corpse of my dog. Because of the rocky terrain, it took me 5-6 hours of crying/digging/busting rocks to dig a suitable hole in which to bury her. RIP Brembo:
I went over to a friend's house the other day and they were SUPER BUMMED! Their dog was freaked out by fireworks, escaped, got run-over and killed.....geez...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Switching Gyms? FAIL.
FAIL.
I ain't signing no freaking TWO year contract! Hahahaha!!
Gold's Gym doesn't have the FitLinx system, they have nothing.
Totally freaking queer music videos that have ZERO artistic value? Yep, they got 'em.
Ceiling fans above the treadmills and elipticals? Nope.
Swimming pool? Nada. Just how the hell am I going to do my cumulative 1/2 hour of swim training for triathlons next summer??
According to old running buddy, they can jack the price within the contract period.
TWO YEAR contract? You're out of your mind, shame on you!
Gold's Gym, FAIL!
The YMCA will welcome me back.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Ok, let the whining begin! Hot weather is good, cold is not...
I really didn't have a problem with the summer, it was easy this year. Yeah, there were some warm days, but nothing approaching unbearable.
[Rant ON] I do not do cold weather! It seems I'm going to have to trade in my shorts for jeans and put on another sweatshirt. I'm freezing out there! [Rant OFF]
[Rant ON] Ok, on a different note: Massage Envy. Good grief. After moving a bunch of stuff earlier this year, I was feeling Plantar Fasciitis. Even through my years of running I'd only heard about it, never felt it. I reasoned it had to be from lifting and moving a bunch of stuff. I contacted a local massage therapist who didn't return my call. Finally I decided to go to Massage Envy on Market Street in The Woodlands.
1)A 1 hour massage is only a 50 minute massage.
2)A 6 month contract is really a 7 month contract.
3)They recommend the gratuity to be paid to the therapist and I recall reading that gratuity is automatically added for 1 1/2 hour or longer session.
4) I didn't use up my massages that I had already paid for. My 7 months expired and I was told that I lost the 4 sessions because my membership had expired. But I had already pre-paid for the sessions, months earlier. "Our computer won't let us do that".
5) A 50 minute massage is really only a 45 minute massage. Complain about it and you'll again get another 45 minute session, next time.
[Rant OFF]
[RAVE ON]
Damn I miss Sher!! She's in San Antonio, www.bodiesbysher.com. She's THE BEST Massage Therapist IN THE WORLD! She's totally hardcore and does very well for herself! Why and How does she do so well? She's totally knowledgeable and she WORKS her ass off! Most/many massage therapists are totally flaky people who just kind of irresponsibly bounce around in life. Not Sher, she works very hard. There is NO WAY I could have done all the great running and tri stuff without her! And you should hear the foul language coming from my mouth when she gets really deep into my deep tissue massage. Very bad language! She's petite and very attractive with a great personality. But I've never had any sort of 'arousal problem' while on her table. While she's finding stuff WAY deep, it's often uncomfortable/painful. You find yourself asking, "I pay money for this?" Sher is great. Here:
We used to go trail running in San Antonio Ranch and Government Canyon. I've also cycled a good bit with Sher. Good times, great memories!
[RAVE OFF]
[Rant ON] I do not do cold weather! It seems I'm going to have to trade in my shorts for jeans and put on another sweatshirt. I'm freezing out there! [Rant OFF]
[Rant ON] Ok, on a different note: Massage Envy. Good grief. After moving a bunch of stuff earlier this year, I was feeling Plantar Fasciitis. Even through my years of running I'd only heard about it, never felt it. I reasoned it had to be from lifting and moving a bunch of stuff. I contacted a local massage therapist who didn't return my call. Finally I decided to go to Massage Envy on Market Street in The Woodlands.
1)A 1 hour massage is only a 50 minute massage.
2)A 6 month contract is really a 7 month contract.
3)They recommend the gratuity to be paid to the therapist and I recall reading that gratuity is automatically added for 1 1/2 hour or longer session.
4) I didn't use up my massages that I had already paid for. My 7 months expired and I was told that I lost the 4 sessions because my membership had expired. But I had already pre-paid for the sessions, months earlier. "Our computer won't let us do that".
5) A 50 minute massage is really only a 45 minute massage. Complain about it and you'll again get another 45 minute session, next time.
[Rant OFF]
[RAVE ON]
Damn I miss Sher!! She's in San Antonio, www.bodiesbysher.com. She's THE BEST Massage Therapist IN THE WORLD! She's totally hardcore and does very well for herself! Why and How does she do so well? She's totally knowledgeable and she WORKS her ass off! Most/many massage therapists are totally flaky people who just kind of irresponsibly bounce around in life. Not Sher, she works very hard. There is NO WAY I could have done all the great running and tri stuff without her! And you should hear the foul language coming from my mouth when she gets really deep into my deep tissue massage. Very bad language! She's petite and very attractive with a great personality. But I've never had any sort of 'arousal problem' while on her table. While she's finding stuff WAY deep, it's often uncomfortable/painful. You find yourself asking, "I pay money for this?" Sher is great. Here:
We used to go trail running in San Antonio Ranch and Government Canyon. I've also cycled a good bit with Sher. Good times, great memories!
[RAVE OFF]
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Well ANY takers?? Clear Lake Olympic Tri, this weekend!***EDITED***
I REALLY shouldn't be doing this! I have a bunch of reasons why I should NOT do this tri! I'm not at all trained for it. I have a TON of stuff to do. I would miss my COVETED Run The Woodlands 5k. I still have stuff in San Antonio that needs to get moved NOW.
But that's not to say I wouldn't go do it. A challenge from a fellow competitor to show up (challenge only to show up and compete, not a performance challenge) would likely seal the deal.
Well? I dare ya! I double dare ya!! Let's go race this thing and go have some breakfast tacos following the race...Let's go!
****EDIT****
While at the gym this morning, I decided that I'd GO FOR IT and run this Tri!! With all of the rain, there won't be running in the forest on Sunday and motocross is surely not happening. Ah schucks, I can do this tri, piece of cake!
So upon checking online, the 2 remaining opportunities to register and pick up my race packet are BOTH down in Clear Lake!! ARGH!! I'm not driving to freaking Galveston to pick up a freaking race packet....ARGH!! THUMBS DOWN!!
But that's not to say I wouldn't go do it. A challenge from a fellow competitor to show up (challenge only to show up and compete, not a performance challenge) would likely seal the deal.
Well? I dare ya! I double dare ya!! Let's go race this thing and go have some breakfast tacos following the race...Let's go!
****EDIT****
While at the gym this morning, I decided that I'd GO FOR IT and run this Tri!! With all of the rain, there won't be running in the forest on Sunday and motocross is surely not happening. Ah schucks, I can do this tri, piece of cake!
So upon checking online, the 2 remaining opportunities to register and pick up my race packet are BOTH down in Clear Lake!! ARGH!! I'm not driving to freaking Galveston to pick up a freaking race packet....ARGH!! THUMBS DOWN!!
Monday, August 4, 2008
This is RANT/RAVE category....
I was SO happy to hear that Firestone was going to "make good" on TOTALLY CHEESY repairs that they charged my younger brother to the tune of nearly ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS to service. I purchased the car from him and found GROSSLY poor work! You BREAK the oil filter housing and smear epoxy glue on it to fix it???... NO YOU DON'T!!....they seemed SO caring when I called them on it and showed it to them......said they would make it right.....
....I'm riding my bicycle 20 miles early tomorrow to see what has and what hasn't happened, to pick up the car....I'm feeling MASSIVE LIES.....FAAAK, they don't EVEN know that I'm a totally professional "wrench" (wrench = mechanic = gear-head).....I've wrenched since I was like 4 years old and wrenched exclusively on Mercedes Benz all thru high school and college...supported my drag racing and jet skiing addictions...By day, I conduct engine R&D and design and build engines from scratch.....I'm the most wrenching wrench you could ever imagine going into a place like Firestone....Not guilty yet, but I'm hugely suspicious....:(:(:(
The dude told me that the engine mounts were bad and THAT caused their oil pan gasket to leak? (it didn't no way)...He UP-SOLD the opportunity and told me he could install new mounts for $950....he called me while my younger brother was at my house (bro got to hear him try to 'up-sell' me, Not JUST NO!!)....Unreal!!.....gotta go to sleep, I got's pedaling to do!!...:):):)
They've told me some unbelievable stories since last Friday...I think they're lying and are incompetent...I'll thunder in there on the bike at 7 am....
I really feel sorry for so many people who are at the mercy of "car care professionals"....people get TAKEN!! ALL the time!!.....Wish me luck in not going BERSERK on these guys tomorrow morning!....Chanting "be calm, be calm, be calm"
Faak, I wish I had someone to video this for upload to YouTube!! Sh*t Hits the Fan....;)
....I'm riding my bicycle 20 miles early tomorrow to see what has and what hasn't happened, to pick up the car....I'm feeling MASSIVE LIES.....FAAAK, they don't EVEN know that I'm a totally professional "wrench" (wrench = mechanic = gear-head).....I've wrenched since I was like 4 years old and wrenched exclusively on Mercedes Benz all thru high school and college...supported my drag racing and jet skiing addictions...By day, I conduct engine R&D and design and build engines from scratch.....I'm the most wrenching wrench you could ever imagine going into a place like Firestone....Not guilty yet, but I'm hugely suspicious....:(:(:(
The dude told me that the engine mounts were bad and THAT caused their oil pan gasket to leak? (it didn't no way)...He UP-SOLD the opportunity and told me he could install new mounts for $950....he called me while my younger brother was at my house (bro got to hear him try to 'up-sell' me, Not JUST NO!!)....Unreal!!.....gotta go to sleep, I got's pedaling to do!!...:):):)
They've told me some unbelievable stories since last Friday...I think they're lying and are incompetent...I'll thunder in there on the bike at 7 am....
I really feel sorry for so many people who are at the mercy of "car care professionals"....people get TAKEN!! ALL the time!!.....Wish me luck in not going BERSERK on these guys tomorrow morning!....Chanting "be calm, be calm, be calm"
Faak, I wish I had someone to video this for upload to YouTube!! Sh*t Hits the Fan....;)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tejas Triathlon Report....
Disorganized! Terribly disorganized. That pretty much sums up my tri outing last Sunday. Somehow, I didn't leave for the event early enough. Having left home at 5:30, I drove to Sugarland. En route, I recalled that the race starts at 7am and the 'transition area' closes at 6:45am. So I'm realizing that I'm going to be late and that I'm about to get shut out of the transition area due to my tardiness. I drove pretty fast and luckily didn't get lost or have a run in with the coppers.
I flew into the parking space, whipped the bike out of the trunk, tossed the wheels on (of COURSE the chain was all wadded up around the front sprockets and required my clean hands to intervene...chain is filthy greasy, needing maintenance). You've never seen anyone pump up tires as quickly as I did....NASCAR teams would scramble to hire me!! I crammed as much of my stuff into my little tri bag as I could and draped other items around my neck and HAULED over there (vagabond triathlete!)....into the transition area with 1 minute 'til closing! It was quite the site! Most people have an organized area beneath their bike that has their gear logically spread out, as you can see in the random tri photo that I swiped from the internet. My stuff was just dumped in a big pile in a very crowded transition area. I lacked safety pins to secure my racing number to my shirt. I scored some and the "transition police" would not allow me to re-enter to pin my number to my shirt... (where's my rolling eyes emoticon?).
There were a LOT of people and I was almost anonymous, but did see my friend Katy and her husband. The lake was nice, the venue was nice. My swim didn't quite go as planned. Of course there was no shortage of me kicking people behind me and being kicked by people in front of me. I inhaled a huge chunk of lake water very early in the swim, not good! That kinda set the stage for the rest of the swim. I again found myself breathing to the left every rotation of the arm, 'single-stroking'. I was just kind of 'clawing along' in the lake. After the turn around at the end of the lake, I began to regain composure. The 600 meter swim took me about 12 1/2 minutes...not too bad, not too good.
The first transition (switching from swimming to biking) had me digging thru the big pile of stuff that I had tossed on the ground. Of course I had to pin my number on my shirt and search out one lost sock....very poor transition time, 3 1/2 minutes, most did it in under 2 minutes.
The bike was good, I thundered pretty well, averaging 19.1 mph for the 11 mile course. The run felt pretty good, although really tough, not for the timid! I don't know if the run course was short, or timing is in error, as I don't think I ran as fast as the results indicate. But I'll take it anyway!! (Bowing to the crowds, "thank you, thank you") Run: 22:36 at a 7:32 min/mile pace. Overall finish, 22nd out of 44 in my age group, 1:08:18.
[BEGIN RANT] One quick RANT, while I'm at it. I'm 44, NOT 45! Apparently, USAT (the triathlon sanctioning body) NOW lists your age that you'll be on December 31st of the year! Good grief, don't be giving me an extra year that I haven't yet earned, or deserve!! AND they drew 45 on my arm and back of my leg! THEN they stuck me in the '45 and older' class. I'm only 44!![END RANT]
Great event, great venue! I'll do this one again!
I flew into the parking space, whipped the bike out of the trunk, tossed the wheels on (of COURSE the chain was all wadded up around the front sprockets and required my clean hands to intervene...chain is filthy greasy, needing maintenance). You've never seen anyone pump up tires as quickly as I did....NASCAR teams would scramble to hire me!! I crammed as much of my stuff into my little tri bag as I could and draped other items around my neck and HAULED over there (vagabond triathlete!)....into the transition area with 1 minute 'til closing! It was quite the site! Most people have an organized area beneath their bike that has their gear logically spread out, as you can see in the random tri photo that I swiped from the internet. My stuff was just dumped in a big pile in a very crowded transition area. I lacked safety pins to secure my racing number to my shirt. I scored some and the "transition police" would not allow me to re-enter to pin my number to my shirt... (where's my rolling eyes emoticon?).
There were a LOT of people and I was almost anonymous, but did see my friend Katy and her husband. The lake was nice, the venue was nice. My swim didn't quite go as planned. Of course there was no shortage of me kicking people behind me and being kicked by people in front of me. I inhaled a huge chunk of lake water very early in the swim, not good! That kinda set the stage for the rest of the swim. I again found myself breathing to the left every rotation of the arm, 'single-stroking'. I was just kind of 'clawing along' in the lake. After the turn around at the end of the lake, I began to regain composure. The 600 meter swim took me about 12 1/2 minutes...not too bad, not too good.
The first transition (switching from swimming to biking) had me digging thru the big pile of stuff that I had tossed on the ground. Of course I had to pin my number on my shirt and search out one lost sock....very poor transition time, 3 1/2 minutes, most did it in under 2 minutes.
The bike was good, I thundered pretty well, averaging 19.1 mph for the 11 mile course. The run felt pretty good, although really tough, not for the timid! I don't know if the run course was short, or timing is in error, as I don't think I ran as fast as the results indicate. But I'll take it anyway!! (Bowing to the crowds, "thank you, thank you") Run: 22:36 at a 7:32 min/mile pace. Overall finish, 22nd out of 44 in my age group, 1:08:18.
[BEGIN RANT] One quick RANT, while I'm at it. I'm 44, NOT 45! Apparently, USAT (the triathlon sanctioning body) NOW lists your age that you'll be on December 31st of the year! Good grief, don't be giving me an extra year that I haven't yet earned, or deserve!! AND they drew 45 on my arm and back of my leg! THEN they stuck me in the '45 and older' class. I'm only 44!![END RANT]
Great event, great venue! I'll do this one again!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
No Packet Pick-Up on Race Day?! Good Grief!!
[BEGIN RANT]
I've just about had it with these races that are adamant about "No Race Day Packet Pick-Up"! Races have been doing this for years, and few are relenting on this annoying and wasteful practice.
Take for example, the AT&T Austin Marathon. I understand WHY they do it. They want you to spend a lot more money in their city. They're banking on you spending the night in their hotel and spending lots on food.
But from my perspective, it's terribly wasteful. While living in San Antonio, I'd have to drive up there the day before to pick up my packet. That's 180 miles, round trip. And then do it again the next day for the race. That's a lot of my time and a huge waste of precious petroleum. WASTEFUL!!
Now I was looking at the 'Tejas Triathlon' in a couple of weeks. No race day packet pick-up. I emailed the guy and wrote that I'm not driving over 100 miles to pick up a packet. He didn't even bother to respond to my email.
I signed up for the Y-Tri in Pearland because they offer race day pickup. In the past at various events, I've been told by race directors that, "logistically, it's impossible to have race day pick-up" (or some other equally LAME excuse). YET, these same races require you to pick up your timing chip ON RACE DAY......DUH!! Ummm yeah, "logistically impossible"....Yeah, right. I've helped Roger Soler on many race days with many events over the years. Race day is no big deal, just gotta staff it and organize it well.
I don't wanna make a career over your race. Look, I'm not gonna win it, I promise. But I won't be last, either. I look forward to waking up really early with great anticipation, and excitedly preparing for your race! I'm gonna show up and RUN your race! Oh HECK YEAH!! But I'm not excited that your event occupies 2 days, not just one (as it should). I'll come show up, run your race, drive home; simple. I only wanna spend one day on your race, not two. If I have to drive a long way to reach your running/biking store to pick up my race number and el-cheapo tee shirt and a bunch of wasteful paper garbage that's headed to our landfill on Monday morning, I'm NOT going to buy ANY of your stuff! Not even 1 pack of GU!
I'm ALL FOR supporting our running/cycling stores and not going to cheapy online stuff!! I LOVE local running/cycling/swimming stores and will defend and support them to the end!! But enough with driving over 100 miles to pick up my race number!!
This oil thing is just the tip of the iceberg, just watch! Think how much fuel is consumed by every participant having to drive across town because these folks are too lazy or ain't creative enough to figure out how to pass out tee shirts and race numbers to people who stand in line at a table to pick up their timing chips, ON RACE DAY. Good grief. These promotions are gonna have to shape up if they expect good participant turn-out in the future. [/END RANT]
Ahh, I feel so much better now!...Carry on... :):):)
I've just about had it with these races that are adamant about "No Race Day Packet Pick-Up"! Races have been doing this for years, and few are relenting on this annoying and wasteful practice.
Take for example, the AT&T Austin Marathon. I understand WHY they do it. They want you to spend a lot more money in their city. They're banking on you spending the night in their hotel and spending lots on food.
But from my perspective, it's terribly wasteful. While living in San Antonio, I'd have to drive up there the day before to pick up my packet. That's 180 miles, round trip. And then do it again the next day for the race. That's a lot of my time and a huge waste of precious petroleum. WASTEFUL!!
Now I was looking at the 'Tejas Triathlon' in a couple of weeks. No race day packet pick-up. I emailed the guy and wrote that I'm not driving over 100 miles to pick up a packet. He didn't even bother to respond to my email.
I signed up for the Y-Tri in Pearland because they offer race day pickup. In the past at various events, I've been told by race directors that, "logistically, it's impossible to have race day pick-up" (or some other equally LAME excuse). YET, these same races require you to pick up your timing chip ON RACE DAY......DUH!! Ummm yeah, "logistically impossible"....Yeah, right. I've helped Roger Soler on many race days with many events over the years. Race day is no big deal, just gotta staff it and organize it well.
I don't wanna make a career over your race. Look, I'm not gonna win it, I promise. But I won't be last, either. I look forward to waking up really early with great anticipation, and excitedly preparing for your race! I'm gonna show up and RUN your race! Oh HECK YEAH!! But I'm not excited that your event occupies 2 days, not just one (as it should). I'll come show up, run your race, drive home; simple. I only wanna spend one day on your race, not two. If I have to drive a long way to reach your running/biking store to pick up my race number and el-cheapo tee shirt and a bunch of wasteful paper garbage that's headed to our landfill on Monday morning, I'm NOT going to buy ANY of your stuff! Not even 1 pack of GU!
I'm ALL FOR supporting our running/cycling stores and not going to cheapy online stuff!! I LOVE local running/cycling/swimming stores and will defend and support them to the end!! But enough with driving over 100 miles to pick up my race number!!
This oil thing is just the tip of the iceberg, just watch! Think how much fuel is consumed by every participant having to drive across town because these folks are too lazy or ain't creative enough to figure out how to pass out tee shirts and race numbers to people who stand in line at a table to pick up their timing chips, ON RACE DAY. Good grief. These promotions are gonna have to shape up if they expect good participant turn-out in the future. [/END RANT]
Ahh, I feel so much better now!...Carry on... :):):)
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