Final Steelhead post... I promise!

Well, I don't thin I have to say much about this picture... Did it hurt? What do you think?

Butt, there is nothing like a massage after the all out effort. This saved me from some serious pain the days after the race. SOO GLAD these ladies were there. I enjoyed every minute of that session. I highly recommed it to anyone. The recovery so much faster after a nice massage.

You see, I am even smiliing after the massage. It did wonders for me if your consider the firt picture in this post.

Am I last? Nope, 77th in the 25-29 age group and 630th finisher overall. Just glad that I finished!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

 

We are getting closer...

Wow, this picutre has to be towards the end of the run... I was in all kinds of pain during the last 2 mile of this run. The only good thing about this picture is that I make the polka dots look "good"!!!

13.1 Miles were quickly coming to an end on that finishing straight... I gave it all I had to beat my best half-iron distance time by one minute according to the Clot Buster's unofficial watch timing... Time for the run 2:20.57. There is plenty of room for improvement here...

I still think that I make those polka-dots look incredible...! I think I should order this picture from the race photographers. Is it worth it?

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

 

70.3 Steelhead Triathlon - Some Bike Pitctures Part II - 56 Miles

At this point, I was not too far from the end of the bike course. It was a breath of fresh air to see Mrs. Clot Buster at this point to give me a big cheer. My pace picked up some more after that... Total time for the bike 2:36.47 for an average speed of 21.4 MPH. I was very impressed with that split...

Even when she is not competing, Mrs. Clot Buster gets some love from the photographers... she even got some Gatorade from one of the aid stations. It must be her charm!

Some day we will see her out there... throwing down the hammer at a half-iron distance triathlon!

 

70.3 Steelhead Triathlon - Some Bike Pitctures Part I - 56 Miles

All right, here we are getting all the goods on so that we can get moving... getting my make up on in a rush like that is always difficult.

Looks like I am ready... Check out the Clot Buster Socks... If I could only get a helmet to match the outfit... that would be sweet!

It is hard to run with your bike shoes on... I could start telling you about all the near misses I have had over the years... What is up with the guy wearing the arm-warmers. It was not that cold.

You can't stop me now... Just hope to contain me!

 

70.3 Steelhead Triathlon - Swim Pitctures - 1.2 Miles

We started from the pier way back there...really it is that far!

Steadily The Clot Buster swam through the field for a swim time of 31:05

Here is the start of a half mile run from the beach to the transition area.

I am serious... this race was more of a 70.8 than just 70.3. Our finisher medals are just that much sweeter.

 

Did it hurt...!?!?

Well, I have to say that it did!

The 70.3 Ironman Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon is officially in the books. Throughout the run I never thought that I would finish the race as once again I pushed the bike as hard as I could and for the run I only saved 7 miles worth of effort...

Either way, I am very happy about my race. I FINISHED THE RACE!!! No one can take that away from me. Secondly, I improved on my previous best time at this distance by a whole minute (I had to work for that minute let me tell you!). I also had a blast just being out there amongst 1,425 finishers all searching for the same goal… that bloody finish line!

Not much time to write but before I go from this post I have to express my disappointment on the lack of race marshals on the bike course. Throughout the entire 56 Miles I never saw one and the drafting was just out of hand. I saw 4 groups of people, ranging from 7 or 8 all the way to 30 or so, just going at it not even on the aero-bars just shooting the breeze taking turns in an organized paceline. Where were the marshals? That is what I would like to know…

Other than that, the volunteers were incredible. Many Thanks to everyone out there at the aid stations. The course, was sensational along with the organization. I come away from this race with great memories…

All right, now I really have to get going… Mrs. Clot Buster will be busting my chops here soon…
Stay tuned for more later on…

Thanks for reading.

The Clot Buster

Will it hurt…?

It better!

One time while listening to a triathlon training seminar I heard that during a race you should be prepared to feel some degree of pain because you are RACING and therefore pushing harder than you usually do. For some reason that comment stuck with me and I think about it every time that I race. It does not matter the race I think about it and it helps me to understand how my body should feel as I am getting through the event. For some people other thought processes help but for the Clot Buster that is the solution.

So, during this 70.3 Mile journey you can expect him to be making all kinds of funny faces as he attempts to cope with the pain he is feeling because he is racing. Perhaps my wife will be able to capture some of the faces and I can post them here for your entertainment.

So, because you are racing you should be feeling pain. With that pain, here are the goals for the race if I had to classify them in order of importance, from most important to “Man, I wish I could do that, pass the pain killer IV over here…!”:

Goal Number One: TO FINISH THE RACE (even if I have to crawl to the finish…)
Goal Number One***: TO HAVE A BLAST!
Goal Number Two: To be able to put together a solid 13.1 Mile run (in past Half Iron races the run has failed me big time)
Goal Number Three: To cross the finish line faster than my previous best time of 5 hours and 36 minutes.
Goal Number Four: To aim for a 5:15 finish time.
Goal Number Five (A lot more pain that I am willing to handle, I think): To possibly add another race to my race schedule… in Clearwater, FL.

Let’s see how things end up Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Thanks for reading.

The Clot Buster 

HALF IRONMAN @ The Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon

Wow! It is already here, the time for The Clot Buster to make his way to Benton Harbor, MI to the shores of Lake Michigan to participate in this challenge of 70.3 Miles of racing.

Without a question this will be the biggest race in the Clot Buster’s racing resume. Today is Tuesday and I’ve been having butterflies in my stomach since last Tuesday…

Am I intimidated about this distance? Not so much, just hoping that on Saturday I can put together a race that would improve my time from my last half ironman attempt in Morgantown, WV. I should be in good shape this time around as Mrs. Clot Buster will be around to cheer me on and as long she is there I should be able to make my competitors see red polka dots blow by them…

I do seriously believe that I race better when she is around at the race. Specially this time around when I am racing representing or spreading the word about the organization that she cares so much about and for which she dedicates an enormous amount of time and effort. I am just inspired by all of her hard work (and all of the rest of the people who is and has invested so much for NATT) that during the times I am suffering out there the polka dots carry me on even if I am reduced to a walk during the running portion of the race.

Speaking of inspiration, this weekend I had the opportunity to finally meet in person someone who is riding across the United States and has suffered from multiple blood clots that have seriously affected her lungs. Cheryl and her husband Tom have been riding for the better part of a month and are now pedaling their way to Washington D.C. for their arrival on August 8th. It was an honor to be able to ride with them from Sandusky, OH until their first rest stop at the Lakeview Park some 30 Miles East of Sandusky. Her smile and positive attitude is simply contagious. Everywhere she goes she talks about blood clots and blood clotting disorders. She is an “awareness creating” machine. If you get the chance please checkout her site at
http://www.nwclotbusters.org/

She is doing her part in this challenge that we have ahead of us. Are you? You may not feel like riding across the US but there are many other ways to do you part. You can learn more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders by visiting NATT’s Website (www.nattinfo.org), you can help NATT by donating what ever you can so that this organization can continue their education and support quest across this great land of ours. Great things are being planned that will help many people!

Stay tuned for a report from the race… if I survive of course!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster 

Up Close and Personal...

That is what you see when the Clot Buster blows by you...Nothing but Polka-Dots... or as NATT people knows them Red Blood Cells!

 

Now is MY Turn!

A rare photograph coming out the water.

Yesterday, I posted a tribute to Mrs. Clot Buster and her success on her very first triathlon but because I would not let her out shine me I also threw down the hammer on this race and just because things work out in an interesting way the Clot Buster also finished SECOND in his age group!!! I was very pleased with my performance in this race when compared to my times in this exact same course from last year.
How do you like the snazzy white shoes...?

According to the results the area of most improvement has been the swim. I've been able to cut over 3 minutes from my swim time so that I could cover the 1500 meter course in 25:08 which was good enough for 19th place overall. After putting on my snazzy new white cycling shoes (which complement my outfit so well!!! Stacy and Klinton from "What Not To Wear" would be so proud!) I headed out on the bike course to light things up to the best my legs could do. After 5 laps, each worth about 5.1 miles I was able to average a speed of 22.1 MPH for a time of 67 minutes 28 seconds on the bike course.
Heading into T2 ready for the run.

I have to say that the Fat Rabbit Racing really puts together a tremendous course. In how many races can you say that you raced your bike on a highway? It is so neat and fast I can't wait until next year's race. I also have to give another BIG THANK YOU to the Fat Rabbit Racing organization for allowing me to include the Clot Buster flyers into the race packets. I hope very much that people had the chance to read them and learn about NATT and what they are all about.
I look like I need a hug...

Believe it or not after the fun joy ride on the course I still had some juice left in the tank to put together a very respectable 10K run. It is been a while since I felt this good in a run but the legs were ticking over very nicely and in a time of 47:17 I reached the finish line to the encouragement of Mrs. Clot Buster who refused to give me a hug...I thought love was unconditional...I guess that I was sweating a little more than what I thought.

So, the countdown continues...Four races down, only 2 more to go! From the original goal of 255.5 Miles I have covered 153.9 Miles and there are 101.6 Miles left to race. Please don't forget that your contribution matching every mile that I race will help out in a great way an organization that is doing a lot of good. Checkout below some examples of how donations can break down if you are interested...

$$ Nickel per mile = $12.78
$$ Dime per mile = $25.55
$$ Quarter per mile = $63.88
$$ Double Quarter per mile = $127.75

Until the next post.

Thanks for reading.

The Clot Buster

 

Mrs. Clot Buster’s TRIATHLON DEBUT…

Should a "first timer" be smiling like that...?!?!

Let’s just say that she put the hammer down on her very first attempt to race a triathlons…I could not believe it but my lovely wife had a tremendous race finishing SECOND in her age group!

I think that in the future we will be hearing more about her success as she told me after the race that she was “Hooked” on the sport. I look forward to sharing the starting line with her in races to come.

The format of this race is well suited for first time racers. Since the organizers use a “time trial” start, where competitors start their swim in intervals of 3 seconds, there is not the mass start that usually scares so many people. Liz was able to overcome some early panic on the swim portion to complete the 750 meter course and head on to transition for the bike portion of the race. She told me that on the bike she averaged over 20 MPH and she enjoyed every minute of it. After the 15 miles of biking the run came and knowing my wife she lit up the 3.1 mile run course to complete her first triathlon and take a spot on the podium of her age group.
Mrs. Clot Buster running so fast the photographer could not focus on time...

I am very proud and delighted to see her complete this race. I think that I better watch out…she might take over the Clot Buster “franchise” instead of just sharing it with me…

Hopefully, in the near future we will have the pleasure to have Mrs. Clot Buster’s report on this blog. I am working on it so stay tuned…!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

 

Columbus International TRIATHLON

Outside of being the 4th race in the Clot Buster’s series of triathlons this season this race on Sunday marks the debut of Mrs. Clot Buster in the world of triathlon. For a number of years she was the queen of duathlon just winning in very race that she entered. This time around she will be jumping in the water with the rest of us and give it a try. She is been swimming more than NEMO in the first 5 minutes of the movie. I am really proud of her taking the challenge on the Sprint Triathlon.

I wish that I could be on the sidelines to cheer for her as she is coming out the water, going by on the bike, and kicking it home on the run. Unfortunately for her debut I will be racing as well but I am lucky since this time she will also be sporting the Clot Buster’s kit and I will be able to see her in passing to cheer for her. I look forward to hear how it goes for her out there. I am sure she will leave a lot of people on her wake…

This is without a question one of my favorite races of the year. We can ride our bikes from home to the transition area. The course is very unique as you get to ride on Ohio Highway 315 and really put the hammer down on the nice flat straight road. The run is pleasant very pleasant along the Olentangy River multi purpose trail. Flat and fast great to post your best times of the season.
Keep your fingers crossed for the TEAM CLOT BUSTER in action on Sunday.

Stay tuned for an update after the race. Let’s hope that 1300 flyers we were able to make strike a note with some of the racers and motivates them to learn about NATT, get involved with the organization, spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders, and hopefully donate some green-backs for the cause.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster 

Jackie and Darrell - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

So, you probably think that The Clot Buster spent most of the weekend racking up the miles in training just preparing the body for the upcoming races of the season... Well, only part of that statement is true for this weekend. My wife and I sure racked up the miles but they were mostly driving to and from St. Louis to attend the wedding of my good friend Darrell.

It was a lovely wedding on the grounds of Washington Univeristy in St. Louis. This is the place were, according to my parents, the stress of engineering school prompted for all of my hair to fall out. I would like to agree with that but my Gentic Counselor wife would not let me have it. But, it was very nice to be back on campus seeing all the buildings I once occupied attempting to get through school. Darrell "The Man of Action", as his brother called him during the best man's toast, seemed to just cruise on and just make it look so easy. I guess that was because all of his hair was already gone so he did not have to worry about it... see, I think that this theory does work... it makes perfect sense.

We got the chance to do some running on Saturday before the shin dig and on Sunday just let the body rest after the night of celebrating and dancing. You should see the blister Liz had on her feet from breaking it down all night long...

So, only a few days to go before the fourth race on the series.

BIG THANKS to the FAT RABBIT RACING people for letting the Clot Buster include his flyers on the race packets for the upcoming race. 1300 of them have been produced and ready for people to read and learn about NATT.

So, that is all for now. I think that my rear end still flat from all the sitting while driving back from St. Louis. I need to go and walk around some more...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster 

Rebounding…2nd place in 25-29 Age Group…

Not a bad come back to racing after the Morgantown meltdown two weeks ago. The Caesar Creek Triathlon turned out GREAT!!! I think that it had to do with the support I got from Liz and Kath coming out to watch me race. I sure missed their cheering when I raced in Morgantown… but enough of going back to that race in WV. It’s behind me and now I need concentrate on the races left on The Clot Buster’s schedule.

On Sunday, the weather was perfect for racing. I could not ask for anything more. The swim I was able to complete in about 23 minutes and some change. Attempting to take off the wetsuit is always a show. So, my transition times from the swim to the bike are pretty high compared to races without wetsuits. But, it does not matter because once on the bike I put my head down and went at it. I tried to keep the fastest pace that I could and on the end I averaged 20.6MPH. From there, we headed out in the run. Believe it or not, the legs felt good and I was able to press a little and actually pass some people instead of getting passed by everyone else. I was very happy on how my body was reacting to the run and how I was able to keep it together with a time of 47:11 for the 10K. All together, The Clot Buster completed the third race of the season in 2 hours 24 minutes and 40 seconds for a second place in the 25-29 Age Group.

If you got the chance to read my post before the race, I wrote about having the opportunity to put The Clot Buster’s flyer (700 of them) in the race packets. Well, I have to say that the flyer along with the polka-dot outfit worked as I got to meet some people who suffered from blood clots or knew of someone who did. They were interested and glad to know about NATT and what they are doing to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders. Giving people the opportunity to know that NATT is out there for them is the best result I can ask for. We have made contact with a few people let’s see how many more we can bring into the fold. Let’s keep it going!

So, we continue to drive forward. 121.8 Miles of racing finished… 133.7 Miles left to go! Three races down – Three more races to go.

Keep an eye out for the guy in the polka-dot outfit out there. He just may come around you and leave behind on his wake… or you could come around and leave me on your dust. It could go either way…

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

P.S.: I have some more picutres to post from the race so keep an eye out for more pictures from the race coming up.