Ride for Saturday

Riders,

So, I missed last Saturday's ride... and from what I could tell... so did many of you!!! Except for Nascar and Mr. NameSake... who are reported to have ridden in the RAIN!!! but for me, my appointment which was made 4yrs ago was my daughter's graduation!!!!

What's that smell you ask? it's not the smell of thigh burning hill repeats!!! nor the smell of rubber burning on the pavement from high intensity interval training... it's the smell of me burning with envy for those who can ride on Thursday evenings while I weed the mulch beds, pick up sticks from the paper birch trees... and spray Round-up on wild grasses...
In order to correct this, we're ALL gathering for a Saturday ride.... we roll out from New Spring parking lot at 0800.... not a minute sooner, not a minute later... remember my motto... no need to wait on the fast guys.... (and gals)... as they always seem to "reel" me in...

So, join us for the SVR... (Saturday Vance Ride)... we're sure to have some fun... Please note, NEXT weekend, the SVR will defer to the IVA SAFE HARBOR ride in Iva, SC.. it's one of the best rides around and benefits a great cause... so, sign up!!!!

Props to you guys who did an outstanding job last weekend at the Anderson Tri... that includes the leaders, THE volunteers, and THE family members... and last, but not least... you racers!!!! cuz you KNOW without "them"... racers could NOT "get'r dun"... so, if you see one of "them"... give them an extra "THANK YOU"!!!

Here's well wishes to Fast Freddie for a speedy recovery....

and to our OWN Scott CR1... our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. May God grant you everything and more and may He pour blessings upon you as you fight the good fight my friend.

Half-Man Madden

He Fell

Readers,

At the White Lake 1/2 Iron Distance race, there was an accident between an Anderson Racer and a traffic cone. Two Anderson Racers were at mile 12 of the run. In triathlon, every racer encourages those who they pass. In keeping with this, the 2 Anderson guys passed Racer 243 and told 243 to "run with them"... so, he did. As they ran in the limited space available, the 2 Anderson Racers "singled filed" while racer 243 ran beside them. A few words of encouraging bantering went back & forth... you know how that goes with the SVR group... then, the trailing Anderson racer hit a traffic cone... and down he went. He was quickly picked up by the other Anderson Racer and 243.... and all three went on to finish the race.

IronMike memorialized this event by writing the following...

Just as I immortalized Vortex in song after his bike wreck, I've done the same with Racer 1 collision with a road cone. It goes to the tune of "That Smell" by the greatest rock band ever, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Note: This is a rough draft.

HE FELL
The finish is near, it's all downhill
Road cone you're in my way
He scraped his hide and bruised his pride
Look what I'm going to write about you

CHORUS:
Ooh, ooh he fell
I bet it's going to swell
Ooh, ooh he fell
Your brother comes to join you

Yeah,
The finish line is upon you
Six hours is in the bag (you fool you)
So take a misstep, fall into the road
One more car, fool, would kill you (hell yeah)

CHORUS:
Ooh, ooh road cone
Did my jersey fool you
Ooh, ooh road cone
Your brother comes to join you

Now they call you Mad Dog
Can't speak a word when Russ is around
Say you'll be alright tomorrow
Completed the swim and did not drown, but

CHORUS:
Ooh, ooh he fell
I bet it's going to swell
Ooh, ooh he fell
Your brother comes to join you

Aw, you fool, you
You're going to be sore tomorrow
I know I been there before

One little problem that confronts you
Your toenails turn black
Just one more shoe, Lord, might do the trick
One hell of a price to get your fix (hell, yeah)

CHORUS:
Ooh, ooh he fell
I bet it's going to swell
Ooh, ooh he fell
Your brother comes to join you

CHORUS:
Ooh, ooh road cone
Did my jersey fool you
Ooh, ooh road cone
Your brother comes to join you

Oh, you, fool you
Signed for an Ironman
You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool

That's the truth...

The Announcer

5-9-09 Ride

Riders,

Have you had enough rain? Hopefully, we’ll get a few hours of sunshine Saturday morning so we can ride! I think most of the regulars are back from last weekend’s excursions to out-of-state locations. From what I saw, there was an injury that has side-lined one tri-guy… and after excellent medical attention and the application of a beautiful Clemson orange soft case, it is reported he’ll return sometime next month…. Until then, we’ll need someone to take an extra pull at the front… won't that be YOU!!!

Props to those White Lakers… The Anderson Area Triathletes (including our adopted tri guy from G’ville) represented us at a 1/2 Iron Distance Race last weekend…. After the float/spin/jog there was some pain and suffering inflicted by the distance. Then, we were rewarded by a culinary feast prepared by IronMike. Props to the competing athletes Mr. NameSake (Vance), One Star (Russ), Nascar (Dave), The Rookie (Jason), IronMike (Wheel-less Whaley), Mrs. Griz (Andrea), and the Adopted-One (Pete)... and the photo finish of Mike & Mike.... And BIG props to Ryno for putting up an incredible bike split on a badly sprained ankle… which caused him to reconsider the ½ marathon…

Props to TT-Bob for a fine showing at the Georgia Cup series and the Lowe’s TT in Charlotte… and props to those who rode various events last weekend… come share your stories as we rollout out for the first miles at conversational pace…

The group will convene this Saturday at the New Spring Parking lot for a rollout time of 0800. Distance will remain 42 to 45 (give or take, plus or minus) miles at an average pace of 16+mph…. there’s a group who’ll go much faster if you feel the need for speed.

Here’s some information about the Anderson YMCA Sprint Tri on Sunday, May 17th at 7:30am. NOTE: the race registration CLOSES on May 14th, so be sure to sign up early!!!

And we need some volunteers!!! The foundation of a great race is the volunteer staff, so if you’re not racing come volunteer and cheer on the athletes!!! If you can help, please meet in the Community Room at the Anderson Area YMCA at 6:30AM the morning of the race. Adults are needed on the bike course and younger volunteers can assist with directing runners.

For any questions about the Anderson Tri, please contact

Land Heintzberger
Email: landh@andersonareaymca.org

See ya on the road.

The Announcer

White Lake Report

Saturday Riders,
what a weekend!! I have a new found respect for the 1/2 distance.. it's not that I didn't respect the distance, it's just that I didn't have a measuring stick to put it against... the pre-race meal was great.. plenty of carbo loading with spaghetti...

Per the list, I packed everything I owned and then some.. including matches for the grill..

for me, race morning was a bit nervous... I had only one open water swim prior at Hickory Knob.. but, the swim at White Lake was nice... I did swallow some water... but, otherwise, I just kept on going... Iron Mike reminded me to not lose my technique... so, at times, I remembered to have a good catch, good pull and take long smooth strokes... I was able to follow some feet a few times.... exiting the water, I checked my watch and discovered I did NOT start it!!! so, I pushed the "go button".... T1 was long.. fighting the wetsuit and chugging the Boost... then, it was off to the races... the first part of the ride.. it was like hitting speed bumps on the interstate... bump, bump, bump... my deep well almost was ejected!!!! the only person I knew who trained for "bumps" was Jason... one of the last rides.. he hit no less than 3 yellow reflectors on the road.. he said they hurt... I settled down and started passing riders... I caught IronMike around mile 10 or so... on the way down, we discussed that I could put some time on him on the bike... since his bike time had been "interrupted by life".... NOTE: Stanland, somehow "we mere mortals" just can't execute your mantra of "don't let work (aka life) interfere with training!!!! but, we're working on it!!!

The wind was ALWAYS in my face... other racers said the wind was just as bad this year as last... so, apparently the conditions never change so race times from year to year are comparable??? that's what they were saying in T3.... during bike/gear "round-up"... I thought I had a good bike split... and after that.. I was looking for my legs.... and I did not find them.... the run started and I really tried to settle down.... there was a BIG guy right on my heels... he was snorting and grunting the first 3 miles... he'd move ahead just for me to pass him as he walked well beyond the aid stations... the blessing of the aid stations was the cold towels... I remembered Brooks telling me that the towels were recycled... and I could wear it, or squeeze the water out on my head... on the way out for my run.. every person I passed on the bike was now passing me on the run!!!! then, I saw the fast guys coming back ...Pete Edge, Vance, Russ and Nascar Dave... and Jason... then, just after the turn around... I saw Iron Mike and he was gaining on me... then, he was behind me... and gaining fast... he ran with me a few hundred yards and then left me... so, having been caught by IronMike.. I decided to hit the porta-john.

Around mile 10... IronMike had checked up and was "waiting-walking" on me...he may have had a hammie injury... as I approached.. we started running together... we'd refuel at the aid stations....

around mile 12... I met a long lost family member... cousin Orange Safety Cone... it had been years and years since we've been together and she jumped up and "took me down".... yep, as we ran I hit a safety cone... went down on the road... I skinned the knee and both elbows.... IronMike and racer 243 helped me up.... and I finished... of note, IronMike finished 2 steps ahead of me... and the race announcer made note... we have 2 Mikes finishing.. and both from Anderson, SC... it's gonna be a great photo..

My nutrition was okay... and I kept water in the well... and Perpetuem in the body...I learned a few things about triathlon outside of the swim/bike/run... like bento box set up... and carrying too much stuff!!!!

the post race dinner was great... IronMike and Russ went to pick up supplies and then IronMike fixed a dinner for a king.... KING MIKE!!! LOL!!!! it was a great weekend... and made a lot of memories....

and now, I have DOMS... delayed onset muscle soreness and my right great toe is going to need some TLC.. looks like I'm going to lose another toenail!!!!

that's the way I saw it... more or less.... considerably more than less, so to speak....

1/2 Man Madden