Before I forget...

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GUILTY AS CHARGED!

I have to apologize for all these months without posting.

Major part of it is that I have been very busy at work, thank God. I have accomplished many steps in my career, and have made the plan for the next few years, so that was worth. Now I can pay more attention to my wife, my life in details, and my blog. I have done many races, as you may see on the sidebar. I promise I will bring details in further posts, at least I will never run out of topics. Probably will not write a lot about Giants and Trojans, as it seems they will not do very well this season.

Another reason for my absence is Twitter. Most of my need to communicate with the Earth and its inhabitants was satisfied by using those 140-character microposts. And you can see them all on the sidebar as well.

I promise I will continue this blog, as I am alive and well (see the picture of me and a friend at my last race). Even happier on giving continuation to my blog. And doing Yoga more often. And eating healthier low carb diet. And having moved to Beverly Hills adjacent. And having started a small garden in my balcony. And planning my first Full Ironman Triathlon distance.

Talking again about the sidebar, please notice my insatiable hunger for challenges keeps me registering for races.

I am guilty as charged for not giving attention to my blog, but as you can read, I am still the same impulsive, elegant hard worker-but-bad-schedule-follower as before. I love my wife, my life and this blog. I love triathlon, endurance sports, children and puppies.

More Road Work Ahead.

Vineman 70.3: Lessons to Learn

Going for bigger challenges, I had on Vineman 70.3 my second half-ironman triathlon. It was my first registration, my A race, while Wildflower was to be my rehearsal. Vineman was special because of the M-dot logo, I should say.

It taught me a lot of lessons, I am happy and proud to say. First lesson was never to travel on the previous day of a long distance race. Trying to save time and money, I went from LA to San Francisco on the morning of the previous day, spent hours driving and dehydrating, wasted my lunch time at the expo, and ended having lunch at a supermarket at 4PM, about fifteen hours from the race start. Bad plan.

Driving back and forth along the bike course, still made to have dinner with colleagues from LA TRI, at a place to have a pizza "to die for", with an old ambulance for deliveries (see picture).

Slept well, but worried through the hot night for have forgotten to check again the race course, with no Internet or IPhone access to do so at bedtime. That was my second lesson: study carefully the race course, months and weeks before.

Transition area and swimming start were crowded, with many colorful distractions and loudspeakers, and I almost missed the start of my wave. The Russian River is a beautiful place, and its warm calm and shallow waters were a pleasure to swimmers of all levels. At mid-course I regretted to wear full wetsuit, sweating while touching the bottom with my hands. At the end, I regretted not to have trained better: 57:32, in such ideal conditions. Of course, transition area was half empty. Little problems packing everything, and T1 was 4:19.

Best bike ever was followed by my worst run ever; cooking under the hot sun, I had foot cramps over the first four miles, followed by excessive fluid intake up to mile 6 and consequent abdominal cramps and nausea over the last six miles: 2:44:20. Last three miles were
a slow long nightmare, watching the minutes fly over my tired legs and dizzy head.

Packing everything under the hot sun and my burning rage, recovering from nausea and abdominal cramps, I felt the bitter taste of dissatisfaction. 7:16:50 was my time.

One last lesson was still to be learnt from Coach Brian Melekian, at the exit of transition area.

"Hey, are you OK?"-he asked.
"I am upset because I did not break seven hours."- I said.

"DID YOU have FUN?"- he returned.

Yes, ideed. It was fun, probably even when I was hurting.

That's why I love Triathlon. And that's why I will come back to Sonoma.

"A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it." - Anonymous.

Race Week!

Vineman 70.3 is one week ahead, and finally I can take a break in the push for training (or the guilt of not training harder).

This time I cannot say I did not peak my training. And I have seen myself faster, more confident and more comfortable, at least on the bike. Of note, training for my second half distance race I did two marathons in six days (LA Marathon and San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon), happily completed my second Century (LA River Ride), and was able to conquer hills with the group rides. I can proudly say now I do not stay last in the group rides.

Hungry all the time, now I can indulge on ice cream and bananas and cake at night, and eat as many times as I feel hungry. I had sports massage two days ago, and now I can feel my body without awkward posture or tightness. I go to be earlier, and sleep until late evertime I can. This time I am enjoying race taper.

Worried about the forecast of 95 F for Sonoma on race day, I have spent time exposed to the hot weather, doing short runs or half hour walks. That is a real threat.

As part of the taper, I am catching up on my movie going activities. Yesterday I went to a documentary festival, and I watched Beauty Mark and Bicycle Dreams. It may be I am in a sensitive mood theses days, but I have to declare my love to these two movies.

Beauty Mark is centered on Diane Israel, a world-class triathlete and psychotherapist, discussing body and self-image, and athletic bulimia, with interviews with many former champion athletes, including Dave "The Man" Scott.

Bicycle Dreams is an award-winner documentary that follows the epic Race Across America, touching the souls of all endurance athletes, showing cyclists in search for their inner truths struggling in this challenging race.

Training is complete, I am completing another big step in my life, and I am happy. Looking forward the next challenge.