Category Archives: Training Diary

Boston Redux

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Al

The maudlin media got to me. “Boston’s a tough town, a resilient town.” “You picked on the wrong group of people – marathoners. They run faster than you, and they don’t quit.” The Boston Marathon is unique in the running … Continue reading →

Posted in Training Diary | Comments Off on Boston Redux

The Orange Tribe

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Al

I can feel the stiff breeze coming in from the northwest, bringing soft little specks of rain. One lone lighhtening flash plays of the coast near Captain Cook to the South. I almost feel at home here. Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii Stories, Training Diary, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on The Orange Tribe

Kawaihae

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Al

Kawaihae is a dirty little place, and I seem more snake bit by it than usual this year. Situated at the crossroads east to Waimea and the road upcountry over to the Hilo side of the Island, south to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii Stories, Training Diary, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on Kawaihae

The Boogeyman

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Al

Before I was a triathlete, I was a mountain biker. As a matter of fact, my tradition of coming to Hawaii in October for a triathlon World Championship started in 2000, when I first signed up for the Xterra race … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii Stories, Training Diary, Triathlon Central | 1 Comment

Touchdown

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Al

September 29th, 2010. I’m lying in a grotesquely uncomfortable hospital bed, which seems to purr and vibrate whenever I try to move, attempting to prevent bedsores, I guess. I’m preparing questions for the doctor’s morning rounds, questions I want to … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii Stories, Training Diary, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on Touchdown

Castle Creek Road

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Al

August, 1962. My father had just picked me up at the Denver train station. Back then, people still mostly traveled by rail, not air, and kids my age (13) could spend 36 hours or more unaccompanied in a passenger rail car, and no one thought the worse of it. Continue reading →

Posted in Aspen Stories, Training Diary | 2 Comments

Ragnar: Part III

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Al

At this point, we’re all pretty much zombies. I mean, we’ve had two hours sleep, more or less, followed by driving back and forth along I-70 in Glenwood Canyon in a cramped mini-van, and running 3-6 miles somewhere in there. … Continue reading →

Posted in Races, Training Diary | 2 Comments

Ragnar: Part II

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Al

Vans 1&2 had now finished the first 76 miles of the 188 mile relay in 11 hours and 37 minutes – approximately the time it took me to finish many of my Ironman races. By all rights, we should now … Continue reading →

Posted in Races, Training Diary | Comments Off on Ragnar: Part II

Ragnar: Slumber Party for Endorphin Junkies

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Al

The rear window of the van carried a stark warning: surrounding a skull and crossbones, the words “Kills” and “Killed” were smudged in ripply white window paint. The parking lot at Copper Mountain Resort was filled with large vehicles of … Continue reading →

Posted in Races, Training Diary | Comments Off on Ragnar: Slumber Party for Endorphin Junkies

Stubborn

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Al

“Why are you doing *this* race, Teri?” We’re riding in a rental Ford Escape up to Yellow Lake. I’ve finagled a ride with Steph and Teri from Colorado and Utah, to “drive the course” here at (the last) Ironman Canada. … Continue reading →

Posted in Races, Training Diary, Triathlon Central | Comments Off on Stubborn