Shawnee Appalachian Triathlon - Two Races TWICE THE FUN

and TWICE THE HURT!!!

Let me start by saying that in either of these two olympic distance races I was going to reach a new PR. I have to say that the courses that HFPRacing put together were exceptional both in its difficulty and the fun. Although, I talk a lot about the pain and how much it hurt while doing the race I need to say that the course was fun pretty fun as well. Up and down, sometimes more up that down but all together it kept me very much entertained from start to finish. It was a challenge to compete on the first race during the AM and then wait about 4 hours before the next race would come about. The cool thing is that we did not have the same bike course for both races. That made a world of a difference for me. I got a GREAT tour of southern Ohio and and I have to thank the organization for putting up a great event.

The AM race was a normal swim-bike-run with a bike course that took us from the bottom of the valley all the way to the top of the ridge and back down. The down hill portions of the race were fast and at some locations you had to very careful because of the hair-pin turns we had to go through. The run course was pretty brutal as it took us out and back in this access roads that were not flat by any means. I raced very consistently on the AM race. In the back of my head I wanted to leave a little something for the second race that afternoon. So, all things considered I got the following splits:

SWIM (1 Mile) = 27:02

BIKE (24.8 Miles) = 1:25:31 (17.4 MPH)

RUN (6.55 Miles) = 55:48 (8:35 Mile Pace)

TOTAL = 2:51:57 - SECOND PLACE in the 30-34 Age Group

So after all that swim-bike-run and the mandatory stretching Mrs. Clot Buster and I decided to go into town get some food and sit on my butt to rest the body for the afternoon's festivities.

At around 2:40 or so I started to get my things together and prepare for the second serving of triathlon racing but this time it was going to be BIKE-SWIM-RUN. In this case the bike course a "nice" out and back loop that featured a very mean 1.2 Mile climb that broke everyone down. I was the second to last to leave in a time trial fashion. Keep in mind that at this point the first people who started ahead of me had left the start about 35 minutes before I did. So, as I was approaching Mile 8 of the course I noticed that I did have not see anyone coming back yet and I was starting to get concerned about where the people who started ahead me were. So finally at around Mile 9 I see the firt few guys as I was cresting the last rolling hill before heading down this monster of a climb... and there they were everyone making their way up this mountain. This climb was without a question the hardest I've ever done. Hands down I have nothing to compare it with, steep long it had it all and it put my weak legs to the test. Somehow I got up this thing and finally to the transition area just wishing I was in bed waking up from this dream... I wish I had a video to show you the struggle it was to get into the wetsuit for the 1 Mile swim we had to complete next. Let me tell you that it was a show... there is a reason why you are asked to wear your wetsuit and I find out why the hard way. Very warm body enters cool, cool water the feeling is very refreshing at first but then the slightest move out of sync made both of my hammstrings cramp up. You can't really swim while cramping up but you can float away the cramp in your wetsuit... So after struggling through a 35 minute swim I finally got out and began my shuffle through the run course. To my surprise I kept a nice even pace and I got it done faster than I first anticipated. Of course I was way slower than the first time around but I knew that in order to win my age group I had to finish... so put me down for a FRIST PLACE FINISH in the 30-34 AGE GROUP for the PM Race.

You will notice in the next set of photos that I look a lot more worned out. I am sure you can guess why...

Although, I had to fight to get through these races I am very glad that I could do them both. It was neat to exlpore that region of southern Ohio and I look forward to come back some day and try some of these climbs once more. State Route 125 I will never forget you...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Shawnee Appalachian Triathlon Quick Report...

OOOOUUUUCCCCHHHH!!! It really hurt...

Just let me show how I looked like after the second race on the same day...

I almost felt like everything was sideways after the race... it took me a while to re-gain my bearings...

More to come later.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

(1Mile Swim + 25Miles Bike + 6.55Miles Run)*2=

Shawnee Appalachian Triathlon - May 26th, 2007


The Clot Buster's first race of the season is finally here... It is been a long time coming but finally it is here and I think that I am ready to go. Of course I would not be worried this much if I was doing only one olympic distance race but this weekend I am doing TWO of them... one in the AM and the other in PM.


Am I crazy? A lot people think so but I appreciate the challenge that this format will put infront of me. I have no idea how my body will react racing in the morning and then racing again in the afternoon. One thing is for sure, it will send a clear signal that we are in racing season...!


Interestingly enough the race will have some additional spice to it because it is not your usual line up... in the AM we will be doing the traditional swim-bike-run, however, in the PM they are switching things around and we will do BIKE-SWIM-RUN. How does that sound? I think that it is pretty interesting if you ask me...


Mentally I am definitely ready no question about it. The wild card here is how well the legs will respond to the effort. But you can be assured that I will finish both of the races even if I have to crawl to the finish line on the PM race.


So, it is Thursday already, have you place a bid for the Clot Buster's jersey? Don't delay if you want to look as good as I do while racing and training... REMEBER, LATEST BID is $45.00 as of this afternoon. You will be looking great and helping a very worthy organization!


Thanks for reading,


The Clot Buster

Shawnee Appalachian Triathlon PRE-RACE AUCTION === BID UPDATE

THANKS!!! To all of you had stopped by and showed interest in this auction.

HUGE THANKS!!! to those of you have placed a bid.

The highest bid as of 22:23 on 5/23 is $45.00.

This is a steal of a deal for a VERGE SPORTS jersey that will help a very worthy organization.

Keep those bids coming!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Shawnee Appalachian Triathlon PRE-RACE AUCTION

Greetings!

As promised, the week before every race this season I will attempt to have some items up for acution from which I hope to continue raising funds for NATT. As I've done in the past all of the net-profits from this auction will be given to NATT in behalf of the person winning the item's auction. This is a great oportunity to step up and provide NATT with much of the needed funds to continue in their mission to educate and create awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

So since the Shawnee Appalachian Triathlon is coming up the very first item for the pre-race auction will be a VERY SNAZZY CLOT BUSTER JERSEY!!! Yes, by winning this auction you can be wearing the same exact jersey the Clot Buster will be wearing for all of his races. This is a great quality jersey from Verge Sport which is race cut and ready to get out there in style! This type of jersey has an approx. value of $75.00. The initial bid for this jersey will be $30.00.

Well, here we are The Clot Buster and Mrs. Clot Buster modeling YOUR jersey!

The available sizes for the jersey are Medium and Large, so take your pick!
If you would like to make a bid please do it either through the comments section of the blog or just shoot me an email at polka40@hotmail.com. The auction will be open until midnight on friday so don't miss out in a chance to have your very own Clot Buster Jersey!

The Shawnee Appalachian Triathlon will be a very interesting race as I am planning on doing TWO OLYMPIC distance races in one day. More on that to follow... In the mean time please consider participating in this auction to help NATT.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

The countdown has started...

Wow, hard to believe that here we are less than two weeks away from my first race of the season... time sure flies by when you are having fun planting grass and trying not to kill it...

A blast from 2006... I hope the Clot Buster colors will fly high again this summer!

Yes, The Clot Buster is getting ready for the start of the season with some solid training this last few weeks. My bike mileage is not where it needs to be in terms of being ready for the half-iron distance races I have planned for later on. I have time to get up there... I think. In the mean time I am trying to concentrate in some speed work so that when Shawnee Appalachian Triathlon rolls around in two weeks I am ready to go. At least for one of the races I am doing that day. If you don't know that race features and AM and PM Olympic distance race where in the AM you do the traditional swim, bike, and run but in the PM you bike, swim, and then run. It should very interesting. I will talk more about it when the time gets closer. Right now, I am not worrying about it too much I just want to continue healing my shoulder and getting some good training under my belt.

This year, I am trying out some new things... of course my new aero dynamic look should help me a great deal, please see bellow...

but I am also exploring the use of the aero-bar mounted water bottle for some of the longer races that I am doing. I purchased the Jetstream model so we will see how it turns out while going at it during the races. If you have some experience with this aero-bar mounted bottle I would love to hear some of your wisdom... please pass on any comments you may have!

Also, if you know of anyone who has suffered from a blood clot in the past and they are looking for any type of information PLEASE make sure you point them towards NATT's WEBSITE. There is great literature that can help people find some of the answers they are looking for.

I am very excited about the possibilities of my fundraiser this summer.

Just remember ... $0.10 x 300Miles = $30.00 for NATT!!!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Recovering Nicely!

The auction for the Yara Sunglasses from my friends at DPMsports is now closed. Thanks to everyone who considered and participated in the auction. More auctions with more cool gear to come throughout the Clot Buster's Triathlon Season. Stay tuned to find out more during the season...

After getting hit by a car on my to work Thursday morning I am recovering well. My right shoulder is pretty sore from the impact with a Nissan Exterra that pulled out of its driveway right infront of me. Luckily it was nothing major (I just needed to get my front wheel trued) but it was scary for sure. Someday cars and cyclists will be able to get along regardless of the time of the day.

Tuesday I am riding to work again. Let's see what happens next on my way to work...

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster

Don't you wish you had more time...!

With such a nice weather out there I can't help but to be outside doing everything but updating this blog...

Great training today with a ride to work in the AM (where I got to witness a very beautiful sun rise) about 21 Miles worth and then in the PM a nice 47 minute run at a conservative pace. I continue to attempt my build up for the season but my legs seem very shocked about the double effort today even after the several hours of separation. Slowly I am coming around I just have t be patient, I guess.

Hard to believe that I will be racing my first race of the season very soon. 300 Miles worth of racing for this year's fundraisng challenge.

Just remember ... $0.10 x 300Miles = $30.00 for NATT!!!

Don't miss the opportunity to contribute to this organization that is doing great good. If you would like more information about how to donate please drop me a line.

Are you still wondering about the Clot Buster's new hair style? Here is a little taste of the new look...

Check out the concentration on my friend's face... there is Matt the artist, doing his best to help the Clot Buster be that much faster than you..!

DON'T FORGET TO PLACE A BID ON THE AUCTION FOR THE YARA SUNGLASSES FROM DPMSPORTS!!! Please read below for more details.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Clot Buster's Fundraising Auction - Part II

This is a great opportunity to get your hands on a superior package of goods headlined with the super sleak Yara Eyewear from my good friends at DPMSports. Please checkout their webiste if you have the chance. The gear they have is simply fantastic...

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL OF THE NET PROCEEDS FROM THIS AUCTION WILL BE DIRECTED TO NATT IN A FORM OF A DONATION TO THE ORGANIZATION IN YOUR NAME.

If you are interested in any of these items please place your bid in the comments section of this post. If you don't have a google account please email me with your bid to polka40@hotmail.com (those people bidding through email will have their bids posted on the comments section by me, in order to give people a fair chance of knowing where the bids stand). The Auction will be open through Friday May 11th at midnight. The highest bidder at time will receive the goods with shipping arranged by the Clot Buster.

The YARA SPORT SUNGLASSES

The frame is made from Grilamid, a flexible, ultra-light, and resilient material. The frame ensures structural robustness and high stability with minimum weight which coupled with an anatomic nose bridge, interchangeable lenses and a design that adapts to your face with superior peripherial vision makes the YARA SPORT SUNGLASSES a must have when flying on the bike and eating up the competition on the run. Retail price for this glasses generally runs about $107.00.
Along with the sunglasses the Clot Buster and his friends from North Coast Multisport are throwing in 12 Banana Hammer Gels and 12 Chocolate Hammer Gels that you can fill in your own Hammer Gel Flask. Also, because we want for you take care of your eyes from the very start of the race we are including a pair of Aqua Sphere Large Format Goggles (Red Frame with UV protection). Plus, we are adding a copy of the 2007 Multi-Sport Directory (a $7.95 value) all yours because of your decision to help NATT in this auction.

The auction for the Yara Sport Sunglasses will start at $75.00

Please consider this package of goods and at the same time providing a donation to an organization that is doing great good out there educating about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

Thanks for reading and happy bidding...

Don't fear more goods to be offered as the season draws closer. I hope to have something up for bid the week before each of my races. So, checkout my racing schedule and keep an eye on the blog. Good things will be available at your finger tips. The bigger the race the cooler the gear up bids.

The Clot Buster

I am here...

Dear followers of The Clot Buster,

I did not count on being away from the blog for this long but after my 30th shin dig it took me this long to recover from the party we had...

I wish that I could tell you that I went away for a week to train for the start of the 2007 fundraising season but that is not entirely true either. The truth is that Mrs. Clot Buster and I took a nice vacation to attend one of my host sister's wedding in St. Johns, US Virgin Islands. I owe more than I can ever give back to my host family who provided me with the opportunity to come to this country and let me begin my journey to LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM. Getting invited to this wedding was an icredible honor and I am very pleased that we were able to swing it.

But don't fear I am not entirely out of shape yet although we did our fair share of celebrating down in St. Johns with the traditional "pain killers." So, The Clot Buster is getting back into the swing of things. Just wait until you get to see the new "island" due I am sporting these days...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster