Author Archives: Al

Shopping in Kona

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Al

With the Hawaii Ironman coming up in two weeks, I’ve decided to convert my stories from my trip to the race in 2006 from the old Bikrutz web site to this blog. There are about 15 (!) of them, so starting today, a new one will appear daily until the race aftermath. Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii Stories, Triathlon Central | 1 Comment

Ironman Lake Tahoe

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Al

During my 6.5 decades, I’ve learned to rely on a few of my personality traits that have served me well: optimism, prudence, analysis, and a poetic sense of story. I feel pretty stupid for once again letting the early part of the bike mess me up … Continue reading →

Posted in Races, Triathlon Central | 3 Comments

The Curiosity: A Novel

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Al

Searching through the North Atlantic for “hard ice”, a Big Science team has found a man encased in ice. But this is no hapless sailor or prehistoric seal hunter. Rather it was Judge Jeremiah Rice, 38, who fell overboard while accompanying a daring exploratory journey out of the old sailing haunts just north of Boston. Continue reading →

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Lake Tahoe Race rehearsal #2

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Al

Given the temp and the sun, I feel good about the run; I hit my nutrition numbers, and finished at the same pace i started. So I got the necessary confidence going into the race. Now, I’ve just gotta drive my fitness machine in two weeks. Continue reading →

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FDR’s Second Bill of Rights

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Al

We need a powerful voice in the mold of proud liberals such as FDR and the Kennedys, winners of the economic race who recognized that a richer polity, a stronger nation, is best created through the efforts of all its people. And those efforts are not possible when one is struggling simply to eat, find shelter, and stay healthy. Continue reading →

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East Meets West

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Al

This week, I finished a book and movie, which both explore a well-trod path, encounters between the Atlantic and the Orient. England and the US have ruled the world for the better part of four centuries. Throughout that time, we’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | 2 Comments

Ironman Lake Tahoe Race Rehearsal #1

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Al

Lesson learned: take the bigger water bottle next time! Continue reading →

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Whiskey Dick

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Al

Thirty one years is a lifetime in triathlon. The Big Daddy, Hawaii’s Ironman, got its start in 1978, effectively kicking off a stream of wannabes and look a-likes. In Washington State, a number of communities started putting on their own versions of swim/bike/run soon after. Continue reading →

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Missoula Marathon

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Al

Here’s the learning for this race … if you do all these things properly – pacing, nutrition, acceptance of the increasing effort needed … it’s almost like cheating. Continue reading →

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Tahoe’s A Comin’

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Al

Altitude is like heat: you can’t overcome it with will power alone. Like running up a hill or into the wind on a bike, you just have to back off as much as the environment demands. Continue reading →

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