State Masters Champ

Matt earned the cat 3 state masters championship in the Norfolk Criterium. Congratulations!

Ironman melted!

News Flash! Purported Ironman melts down during Kansas 70.3

The truth be told, I'm only a half-Ironman. And 1/2 Ironman melted on the hot asphalt of Kansas yesterday. The course marshalls simply hosed him off the tarmac after he finished. Randy and Matt know nothing about cramping until they've heard my story.

Let's start from the beginning. I guess the real beginning is where I decided to do a triathlon. That probably came from my picking up running again last year. Fared well in 10K, 15K and Omaha half-marathon, so I figure I might as well go for the whole enchilada and do a triathlon. Say, why not go for broke and try a bleeding half-Ironman? How tuff can it be? You're immune to pain!

Was going to do the Boulder 70.3, but had my name in the ringer for the Leadville 100 MTB race. By the time they told me I didn't get selected from the lottery for the MTB race, the Boulder 70.3 was full. So, I opted for the Kansas 70.3.


Knew I had to resume some swimming to train for this. Jackie2 worked with me during this winter off-season in an attempt to make me a sleek, efficient water-eating machine, like her. Unforunately, I remain a thrasher, despite her best efforts. The swimmer's mold was cast, but I was nowhere to be found when poured. But I did manage to swim the requisite distance of 1.2 miles w/o stopping in the YMCA pool. Pretty doggone impressive, considering when we started I could barely do a lap without panting like Pavlov's dog.

Race day: THE SWIM: So, when I actually took to the water to do the 1.2 mile swim during this half, the swimming didn't tire me out. But I lost scads of time lifting my dome up to see where I was. Plus the sunlight was bouncing off the water. The glare prevented me from seeing where I was in relation to the other swimmers. On the postive side of the ledger, I didn't inhale any suds, nor get tired, nor did I get knocked senseless by the flailing limbs of other thrashers. We did get to wear the wetsuits, so the added bouyancy really helped. I crawled out of the water in about 49th position. Ugly. Slow. But survived.

The T1 transition: Had to change quickly from water gear to biking gear. My 1st ever transition and I failed miserably. My time was like almost 5 minutes, compared to others getting swapped over in 2. Couldn't get the wetsuit off, had trouble putting on the biking top, finding the pockets to stuff GU into, you name it, it went wrong. Ugly. Real slow. GNASTY!

The Bike: Ahhh, now you're talking my language. Inhaled a GU. Warmed up slow. Then turned up the RPMS and starting kicking booty and taking names. To heck with Wholesome, steel cut goodness advice to rein it in on the bike. I cannot be stopped. I will soon be catching the pros. Well, I did catch a lot of those amphibious turds who slithered out of the water before me, and really only had one guy pass me, and he was a 44 year old stud. Stayed on him like glue. But, it wasn't as easy as it sounds. Half way thru the course, we had to actually stop, dismount, run around a patch of fresh oil in the road. When I remounted, my bike seat came loose. Ay caramba! Choices presented themselves. Stop and try to fix w/o tools. Keep going and don't get off the saddle for the next 25 miles. I opted for Door Number 2, where the lovely Vanna is standing. It worked, but my quads were screaming for relief by the end of the bike. Averaged 21.8, which I thought was slow, but the course was very hilly. No computer so I couldn't confirm the speed. Pretty. Speedy. Dat's what I'm talking about.It's all good. I ROCK.

T2: Bike to run. Nothing to it really. Take off bike shoes and helmet, put on Asics. Relatively fast.

The RUN: Oy, it hurt. After the first few strides, I knew I was in deep kimchi. Legs felt like hedge posts. Only 13.1 endless miles to go for my first triathlon. By now, I've got no frigging idea where my competitors are. There could be 58 of them ahead of me and I didn't give a rat's patootie. I went into survival mode. There would be no dominating performance on this run. I no longer ROCK. I am a rock. Rock legs, rocks for brains. The miles go by so slowly. 12, 11, eternity. Stop! Just throw in the towel. Go home with your tail between your legs. Fess up, you bit off more than you could chew. Now you know that was NOT going to happen, but I was wrestling with demons by now. I slog on. I OD on gatorade, I douse myself with ice water. I see Jesus and it made sense that he was there. I plod on. I notice I'm passing some turtles with my age group painted on their calves. I'm not going fast, they are just going slower than me. Finally, the last turn. About 2 miles to go. Merciless, senseless, brutal miles. Good hearted fans chanting "good job." If only they knew the truth! It was a horrible job. I'm weak. I'm feeble. I'm just hanging on by the guilt associated with being tagged "quitter." Eureka. The finish line is a couple of hundred yards away. The brain commands the legs to keep moving forward. I'm simulating a run, but moving at a walk pace. I had envisoned some glitzy victory salute when crossing the line. All I could drum up was a DEATH MASK. I stumble across the line. No burst of euphoria, no miraculous victory dance. Some wise medics realize the train wreck that just crashed in their turf and grab me. Despite my assertations that I'm perfectly fine, they realize that I'm lying through my teeth and whisk me away to the Medic Tent. They lay my living corpse on a nearby stretcher/cot. In my delirium, I ask for someone to remove my shoes, telling them they need to depress the red buckle release to take them off. Later, I realize that I actually have on my running shoes, not my biking shoes. Silly Pete. I'm cramping from the bald spot on my noggin to the little toes. I cramped in so badly I'm gnawing on my index finger knuckle trying to divert the pain elsewhere. Does this illustrate how much this race hurt?

But hey, it wasn't all bad. I eventually recover. They have to physically yank me up on my feet. My pegs protest, but I walk a step or two just like the Tin Man after his first shot of oil in years. I'm mobile again. Say now, what's this? It occurs to me. I HAVE SURVIVED! It is in the books! I'm half-Ironman. They can read that at my eulogy.

The results: I blunder my way into 8th place out of ninety-eight registered 50-54 year olds. (The guy before me was a relay participant so he doesn't count) I surpass my projected finish time of 5 hours, 15 minutes, with a finish of 5.01.57. Oh, for a quicker T1!! A minute or two off and I would have been in the magical 4 hour category and moved up a spot or two. I really got dusted in the swim.

Results and splits can be found here: http://www.ironmanlive.com/tracking.php?race=kansas70.3&year=2010

1 PYLE, STEVE
4/1/1 52/M50-54 00:31:11 02:23:59 01:34:57 04:33:16
2 BENNATAN, ANDRE
3/7/2 51/M50-54 00:31:03 02:42:18 01:31:30 04:49:44
3 REYNEN, PAUL
8/4/3 50/M50-54 00:34:16 02:33:21 01:37:42 04:50:53
4 MCCLENDON, JAMES
19/8/4 51/M50-54 00:35:50 02:39:37 01:37:18 04:56:39
5 SALINAS, OMAR
11/13/5 51/M50-54 00:35:05 02:45:51 01:32:44 04:57:37
6 RUMSEY, ANDY
10/6/6 51/M50-54 00:35:01 02:39:12 01:42:01 04:59:56
7 DICK, SAMUEL
18/5/7 54/M50-54 00:35:50 02:37:52 01:43:07 05:00:16
8 SWENSON, ANDY
5/4/7 52/RELM 00:37:12 03:01:20 03:01:00 06:44:17
9 DURYEA, PETER
45/9/8 53/M50-54 00:41:11 02:33:29 01:41:13 05:01:49





I finish in the top ten, which was pretty ambitious considering this was my first triathlon ever. As I sit here typing, as the pain slowly subsides, as the brain elimates the negative and moves forward with the positive, a little, evil voice is whispering in the back of my gray spaghetti. You know what it is saying. Maybe you've heard the same voices. Mine is saying: Uh, dude, what you say we try a FULL BLOWN FREAKING IRONMAN!! 2.4 swim! 112 mile bike! 26.2 marathon run. Double the pain! You love it. You were made to absorb it, wrap yourself in it and immerse yourself in it. You only live once, and your days are numbered. Sack up. Can you say Coure de Alene?

The Cramps

No, not the punk band. Matt O'Donnell and I raced the Norfolk Classic RR today. The EVCC served up 64 miles of racing, with plenty of wind and humidity for us. Matt raced the 3s, I was racing 4s and we both cramped up during the race. Matt took a flyer in the 1/2/3 race and had a nice solo break going for 6 miles before they reeled him in. After that, it was cramping time. A long stretch by himself, but he finished 11th in the 3s race out of 18.

The 4s race was fun (36 riders-a fairly large group, especially for Nebraska), but there was a lot of negative racing: anytime someone initiated a break, you would end up with some clown getting in and doing no work or screwing up the rotation, or someone with no possible hope of placing well killing themselves to chase it down. Still, it was fast in spite of the headwind that never seemed to go away (the wind actually shifted during the race, so this is literally true). We almost caught the 1/2/3 peloton at the end. On this day of attrition, I was in the lead group of 10 riders that survived acceleration after acceleration. With 2 miles to go I was hit with severe cramping, to a point where I could barely turn the crank. Lost 59 seconds, was passed by a group of 3 and ended up 13th. Still, my fitness is coming along, and if I had remembered to bring electrolyte tablets, I would have survived in the lead group. Live and learn...

Photos from today: Matt and myself.

It's showtime!

Gulp! Next weekend is the real deal. To date, the single hardest effort I've ever made was the race up Mt. Evans in 2006. Relentless, grueling ascent to 14200ft from Idaho Springs at 7500. That ride chewed me up and spit me out.

It might pale in comparison to the next madness. I'm inked the deal to the tune of 230 clams, to suffer in the half-Ironman in the Land of Oz. Heading to Clinton Lake outside of Lawrence to test my inner mettle. Gonna thrash water for 1.2 miles, jump on the sweet new Orbea TT bike and pound pavement for 56 miles, then lace up the Asics for the 13.1 miles death blow.

Expectations? Not sure. Finish is priority 1, even if I have to drag myself on the pavement to the finish line. Priority 2, finish in top ten of my age group. I suspect there will be some real players here. I don't think a lot of fat slouches, present company excluded, sign up for these 1/2s.

I'm gonna redefine the art of suffering. I'm gonna slam Gu every 10 minutes. This is epic! No rest for the wicked. Flog me please.

Map my Velo Ride ride

Ain't good lookin' but you know I ain't shy.. Fellow Velo's today, three riders became 10 plus riders, and it was a party train on wheels. Taking this road and rippin' on it wide. Penetrating the hills like One Cosmic Ray (pg 282, Webster's). We cut seamlessly through with no trace behind. With electrolytes and Perpetuem dripping down the legs (bad water bottles), I assumed a paceline position and gave thanks for it all anyway. Didn't need no stinkin' PowerBar leftover from last season; Velotrain swallowed me whole, kept me safe and compressed lending supersonic synergy needed to empower an explosive attack('cept I didn't attack cuz these guys are really nice and who knows where the next turnoff was) BUT you just don't show your stuff off when you got the stuff from your own team! Not now anyway. We knock out more hills and straights. Pass a church right after an impressive incline.."thanks God for gettin' me here..OMG another /^#@*impressive incline, back-to-back!" Life is sneaky sometimes. Fred talks like it's a picnic and encourages me to let me be myself and blow this *@*/ off for good. Pete, my martyr(Webster's, pg 762) has taken off on another route, missing my chance for a good 'Where'd ya get your socks ' conversation; drats wingman next time! Last downhill and I didn't even know it till Troy sped up, if he's takin' it then this must be over I thought. I just had to kick it out now and Shoot to Thrill, play to kill...playin Smoke on the Water, then we had to stop at the stop sign. I hate stop signs but they can save your life. There's all my guys from the break off. And we all take part in this manisfestation of the rides realities, at Scooter's, where the bathrooms are presumably clean. Thanks fellas for making me feel like Queen of the Wheel today. BIKE TRIVIA: In 1927, Tulio Campagnolo invented the what? A: The quick-release wheel. The Italian racer was in the snow when a tire punctured. His hands were too numb to undo his wingnuts! ;D He abandaned the race.
o-o~Speed Queen

Pump, run and pizza

The truth is.....I am Ironman!

Well, kind of an Ironman, at least when it comes to pumping iron. So, how did you celebrate your birthday? Here's what El Guapo did. Geri from the SW Y, where I teach Group Cycle, convinced me to try out the Pump & Run event she was promoting at the Plattsmouth Community Center. They describe the event better than I can, so here's how it works:

The Pump and Run event includes both the 5K run and a maximal repetition bench press. The runner’s final time many times he/she cans bench press a percentage of their body weight. An athlete’s run time will be reduced by 1 min bench press rep.

So, I weighed in at the usual 175 lbs. For 50-59 age group, you take 80% of your weight, which played out to be 140 lbs. So, when my turn at the bench came up, they piled on 140 lbs. Sporting my new Velo gear, I did 31 reps. This was better than expected, as my previous best had been 27 reps at the Y.

I then hoofed it outside to the 5 K starting point. The course was FUGLY. Not any flat road, rather continual up and down steep hills. I planned on running a 20 minute 5K, and ended up finishing in 20:07. So knocking off one minute for each rep, that lowered my final score to -ll:07.

Ending up winning the whole competition of about 45 people. One young guy benched 32 reps, but I dusted him in the run. Next closest finisher was at -6 minutes. This had been one of my focal spots of the year, so it was satisfying to walk away with the overall win. Who said life ended at 50?

After a quick coffee fix at Paneras, brother Joe, Millie, CK and I hit Zio's for an anchovy and black olive pizza. OMG, mouth watering goodness!

So, now time to switch focus again. Next up, the real Ironman gig. Then we'll really find out how much iron I've got. Gulp!!

Fred on the rampage again!

This was from the OMaha World Herald. Fred is on his way back. More to follow. Super impressive showing again!

Duathlon: Omahan 3rd at nationals
WORLD-HERALD PRESS SERVICES


RICHMOND, Va. — Omahan Fred Galata placed third at the U.S. National Duathlon Championships for ages 55 to 59 Sunday.

A record turnout of 1,800 competed Sunday, including 53 in Galata’s age group. The duathlon was a 5-kilometer run, a 38K bike ride and another 5K run.

Galata, 59, finished in 1 hour, 46 minutes and 35 seconds, behind a 56-year-old from Minnesota and a 58-year-old from Tennessee.

Galata rides for the Velo Veloce Cycling Club of Omaha

Adopt a Highway Mission Report

Pictured l to right: Glenn, Todd, Connor,Jackie, Dave, Harvey, El Guapo, Josh, Fred, Troy. (click on picture to enlarge)
Velo is going green. We've adopted a one mile segment of Hwy 36 on the north side of town. Sunday the gang met and broke out the orange bags and reflective vests. Marched the one mile stretch of turf and scrounged up about 20 bags of senseless litter. Couple of dead critters, one driver's license, one license plate. No sachels of $$, rats! The roadside looks fab now, tho. Thanks a bazillion to all the Veloers who showed up. We'll do it again in about 6 months. Look for our sign soon on the section of well-bicycled road.

Litter pickup was followed by team ride through the Trace and Chute. A beautiful sight to behold, 10 Veloers in Tiger stripes on paceline. Like poetry in motion. Heck, we're starting to look like the REAL DEAL. See ya for Trek ride!

Velo Veloce flexes at Le Tour de Husker

Race report for Le Tour road race. El Guapo decides Friday night to punt on the Ironman training and opts for Le Tour road race on Saturday morning at Branched Oak. The lure of bike racing is like a drug. Needed my fix. So, hop in the Jeep, snarf some wicked chocolate covered, custard filled do-dos on the way done and guzzle a gallon of java the hut, fully leaded 93 octane jet fuel.

Colder than a well-digger's ass while we're getting ready, but as soon as we roll out things start to heat up for the 48 mile race. Dave the Dagger Randleman and El Guapo race Open Cat 4. On 2nd lap, I hear mass carnage occurring behind me. My first thought was that it sounded like carbon fiber breaking. Twas! No time to look back, but turns out to be true. Check out this pic taken after the race!

4th lap, about a mile before the dam, it's my turn. Some clown goes down about 5 bikes in front of me. I scream out "Scheizer" as I eat pavement. (That's shee-yat in German) Nothing broken, just bleeding, so I hop back on my sled and burn rubber out of there as the rest of the unlucky sods are rolling in agony on the tarmac. The lead group is now about 1/4 mile away, so I go into TT mode and go red to catch back on. Rest briefly in the back, slam in a Gu on the way across the dam. As soon as we turn west, things start to pick up in earnest. Kaos Kyle hits the gas, others not quick to react, so I take opportunity to bridge up. We get a gap of about 50 yards. Kyle and I work together the next 3 miles with the pack of rabid wolves nipping at our heels, but our lead holds out to the final turn into Lieber Point. I've got second secured and can't match Kyles strength as he wins by 10 yards or so. The pack finished about 20 seconds behind and the Dagger strikes for 4th place. It was great working with the D, as we both watched out for each other thruout the race. Far freaking out. Roasted like a 'mallow at the end, but it felt GRRREAT.

Mike and Troy race Cat 5, but I'll let them report in on that action.

Everybody loves Tiggers!

Twin Bing Hurricane

2010 Team Picture at Twin Bing race in Climbing Hill, Iowa
Left to Right in back row: Troy Perry, Jack Perry (junior), Matt O'Donnell, Dave Randleman, Pete Duryea, Rusty Reno, Glenn Houtchins, Andy Keffer
Front row: Nick Ruiz, Simone Duryea (juniors)

So, we met at Zoo and boogied up to the metropolis that is Climbing Hill Iowa for the first road race of the year. Biggest surprise of the day was the gale force winds out of the SE. Made the rolling hills heading east brutal, followed by the flat section heading south. The big moves of the day occurred on the turn to the south. I missed out on the initial breaks there and suffered chasing the rest of the 45 mile B race. Foolish me. I knew it was coming too. Live and learn. I emptied the tank just trying to get back up front. Ended up riding second lap entirely with two others. The lead group was just out of reach ahead, but we couldn't close in. Suffered up the Climbing Hill to finish 10th out of 68 or so. Bummed. Thought I was in shape, but mental lapse was enuf to torpedo any grand illusions of podium. Better luck next year. EL GUAPO

Juniors performed admirably. Simone got lost for 6 miles due to course ignorance and no volunteers at critical turn in Bronson. She rode 31 miles instead of 25. Anybody else out there got a feeble excuse like mine? Please post additional pix and race reports.

MOD's route we should try

Here's a route from Mark Savery-perfect for a ride from the shop:

Riders on the Podium

Dave Randleman finished 2nd yesterday in SS at the Jewell MTB TT, Connor Randleman finished 2nd in Juniors, and Todd Eyberg finished 2nd in Men's 35+ Cat 2, only 5 seconds back of 1st. Rob Livingston rode well, finishing 6th in Men's 35+ Cat 2, only 35 seconds back of Todd. Great job guys!

Cancellara is studly

What an impressive win:

1st Mountain Bike Trail Ride on new mntn bike

theBest and Worst of my First new mountain bike ride, on new bike, and first ride at all this year (FINALLY)! 3)the Best: Those quick steep uphill spurts when you grind up the Glutes and can be Queen of the Hill at the top for those few quick seconds! 3)the Worst: Those quick steep angled slopes that approach you and just say 'Are you kidding?'. 2)the Best: Falling the best way possible, remembering it in 3 simple steps as if in slow mo..."now this is happening...now I will do this..". 2)the Worst: Dead pine needles stuck inyour spandex like a porcupine after falling on the "Easy" path. And 1) the Best: The wide, open fields where you can see forever all at once, including the red wig and mannequin parts right where a bike spill would really be funny. 1) the Worst: Having to pass that same spot again the opposite way because you can't find the way out. This was a fun experience overall. Wrists a little tender, I have new appreciation for this! Trivia: In the Tour De France, how many switchbacks does the infamous L'Alpe d'Huez have? A:21 I enjoyed the skill requirements at Tranquility for these both left and right!

Speed Queen

Out with the old!

So, my trusty old Cervelo is toast. I spent many a suffering hour on that sled. It served me well. But the time has come to upgrade. I sold the Cervelo to Ben out in west O, who wants to start doing triathlons.

Blaine, our shop's mechanical genius and the Midwest's best, is currently assembling a 2008 Orbea Ora for me. Sleek black and white scheme all in carbon. We're building it up with all Campy components, as it would be heresy to put on japcrap. The only non-Campy components are the brake levers, since Campy doesn't make any. I forked over a little extra dinero and bought some SRAM 900 TT levers, all carbon and super light at 99 grams.

With a little luck, I stumbled into a sweet deal on some aero wheels. I bought some brand new Easton EC90 TT wheels down at Bike Pedaler's in Lincoln. Thanks to Sean and Jason for treating me right on those gems. I promised them I'd bring Fred down and we'd do some of their Tuesday night TT training rides.

Not sure what the total weight of the beastie will be when all done. Certainly less than the 21+ lbs. that the Cervelo weighed. I'm hoping 18 lbs or less. Combine that with great aero wheels and I hope to fly down the TT road this year. Of course, I'll need the motor to be all tuned up to make the Ora gold. Uh, can you say sufferfest?

Let the party begin. More story to follow when Blaine calls to tell me the Rocket is Ready.

El Guapo

Saturday night's all right for sprinting!

A snappy outfit garners El Guapo style points

during the GoldSprints event at Bike Way!

Yo,

Some club members (Fred, Gene, Glenn, Andy, El Guapo) came to the Bike Way on Saturday for the initial GoldSprint indoor bike racing. This was an interesting experience and might not be my bag. I matched up against Aaron in the opening match, thanks to Fred for signing me up.

They said it was a 100 yd sprint, racing against each other on the bike and seeing the progress on the big screen computer. Something was screwed up tho, and we ended up doing the 800 yard race. So, I blew up thinking I only had a 100 yard race. We later raced again and Aaron dusted me. Good thing tho, I think getting eliminated early meant I didn't blow chunks like many racers did later. They had big yellow 5 gallon buckets next to each bike to hurl into.

Andy, Glenn and Gene all did well. Fred and I got tossed early, mostly cuz our feet unclipped during the race. Give it a try!

Trek the Tower

Betty and El Guapo ham it up before the 2010 Trek the Tower. All smiles here, but that soon changes to the Death Mask!





Are you ready to take on the Tower? 40 floors, 870 steps, and 633 feet into the sky, First National Tower is the tallest building between Chicago and Denver. Get your feet ready and your heart pumping to Trek up the Tower.







Velocistas,


While you were all tucked in and sleeping away Saturday morning, Veloers Betty "Crash" Cook and El Guapo were out cross-training by doing the annual Trek The Tower.

You know, sprinting up 40 stories to the top of the First National Building? Oh, behave!

Ok, maybe not sprinting. Maybe not even going fast, but we did it nonetheless.

And good results! Betty smokes it for a 10 min, 41 second outburst. The worst (or best) part was she wasn't even breathing heavy at the end. I guess its all the xc skiing she's been doing lately, eh?


El Guapo decides to try it for the 1st time too after Betty throws down the fitness gauntlet. Plus, it's another thing they can read over my cold, shriveled corpse at my eulogy. Yeah, something like Simone saying "My dad was a fitness fool. I remember one year when he decides it would be fun to hike up 40 stories of stairs. Rest in peace, you foolish old man, it's no wonder your heart exploded during this latest escapade." (whatever it is that finally does me in).


Hey, who's complaining? Just stuff my cremated remains into the downtube of my De Rosa and put it on your mantle piece (if permissible), or the attic and hand it down thru the generations.

Anyway, back to the Trek the Tower. Pardon my ramblings, it goes with the age.

But, speaking of age, El Guapo churns his way to 1st place in the 50-59 age group, out of 69 total old farts. And dines on quite a few young whippersnappers too, by finishing 9th overall out of 1100+ racers in a time of 5 min, 32 seconds.

Oh but for a few seconds more, could have moved up to 6th overall. Guess I should have picked up the pace the last few flights. Frankly, I don't know if that was possible. Sounds good now, a day after the brutality is over.


Recap:


Betty and I arrive early after meeting at Panera's at 615. Downed a little Dark Roast jet fuel. We sign in early, get our numbers, take some photos. Do some stretching and then get in the "elite" line, as Betty has scorched these stairs before and I qualified for "elite" status due to running a 10K in under 50 minutes (40 min/Corp Cup).


We yak it up with some folks in line. Met Sarah "Smiles" B, who turns out to be an ex- Cat 1 bike racer for Penn State, and her dad Andrew, from Alva, OK. Andy gives me some great tips about how to attack the stairs. Sarah and I exchange emails and she may join us for some racing. Hot damn!


We stretch in line, right behind some Rocky Balboa look alike, jogging in place, all dressed in black. I'm super giddy, thanks to glomming the cups of caffiene. Finally, we work our way up to the starting scanner. Betty blasts first, then they launch me 7 seconds later.


I start motoring up the steps, 2 at a time. Catch Betty, who gives me a rebel yell and an adrenaline rush. I decide to keep my head down and not look at floor signs. Use the railings for some additional pull and start passing some folks. The stairs are surprisingly narrow, with just enuf room to pass shoulder to shoulder, but people are pretty courteous about letting faster folks by. I really only had one Clyesdale slow me down.


Finally lift my head up and catch a glimpse of a "27th floor" sign. Still got some juice in the tank and know I can make it now. By 35th floor starting to slow down a wee bit, and by 37 my legs feel like they are cast in cement. I get to 38th and I feel like a Chernobyl reactor about to melt down. I then spaz my way up to 40 and to the finishing scanner. Bring out your dead, bring out your dead!


No idea of my time, but felt like I did pretty good. I knew from a little research that the previous year's 50-59 winner Bob (who finishes 2nd behind me this year), crushed it in 5.50 or something. I had set some pre-race goals of sub-9 minutes, but then had to reevaluate after seeing the winning times from previous race.


I immediately plop down on a chair, and watch some firemen revive some dude that totally collapses in a sprawled heap on the floor. Definitely deep in the red zone for that gladiator. Been there, done that...can you say criterium around the Flatiron a couple of years ago?


Betty and I circle the 40th floor and let the screaming heart rates come down. Everyone up there is hacking up lung oysters due to something; the effort, the altitude change, the dust in the stairwell, whatever.


We finally board the elevator for the ride down to 1. Gather up some loot, cool shirt, free Whole Foods drinks and parfaits, then plop our sorry buns down at a table and try to equilibreate.
See some old buds from the Y, Vince, Dan, Ellie, Sarah our new bike bud, etc.


The results get posted. We wait in line and approach the results. Totally shocked and awed by my 9th place result. Oh, baby, I think what I'm supposed to say is "Good night now" or "unbeevable". (for you Romey fans). I had told some close friends that I planned on winning my age group, but that was bull talk from a one-eyed fatman. (Fill your hand, Ned! I aim to kill you right here and now or take you into to hang at Judge Parker's convenience. What'll it be?")


BC and I vacate the premises @ 930ish for the return trip to Panera's and some web surfing and Java. Never occurred to me there would be the award ceremony at 11 to stick around for. My YMCA spinning buddy Howie Halperin organizes the Trek the Tower event, so he'll surprise me on Monday night with my "award."


Afterthought: ugly, gasping raw throat choking, but no sore legs today. Good event for bikers to demonstrate their superiority to all those other sports disciplines like running, etc. Might do it again next year, but maybe I won't.


Here are the official results from the Trek the Tower website:

http://www.onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=4570


Trek up the Tower
February 20, 2010 - Omaha, Nebraska

Overall Individual Results

Place Name City Age Sex Div/Tot Finish
===== ===================== ================= === === ======== =======
1 IVAN MARSH ASHLAND NE 35 M 1/157 4:31
2 RYAN WOLF OMAHA NE 27 M 1/156 4:58
3 GERALD KUBIAK OMAHA NE 35 M 2/157 5:08
4 JEFF MARSHALL OMAHA NE 48 M 1/124 5:15
5 BRIAN WANDZILAK LINCOLN NE 29 M 2/156 5:16
6 LEE MARTIN OMAHA NE 26 M 3/156 5:28
7 BRYAN WITT OMAHA NE 24 M 4/156 5:30
8 KELLY HALVERSON OMAHA NE 29 M 5/156 5:31
9 PETER DURYEA OMAHA NE 52 M 1/69 5:32
10 BENJAMIN GERBER OMAHA NE 24 M 6/156 5:32

MALE AWARDS


********** OVERALL RESULTS FOR MALE RACE ***********
1 IVAN MARSH 35 ASHLAND NE 4:31
2 RYAN WOLF 27 OMAHA NE 4:58
3 GERALD KUBIAK 35 OMAHA NE 5:08

********** TOP MASTER FOR MALE RACE ***********
1 JEFF MARSHALL 48 OMAHA NE 5:15

AGE 18 - 29
1 BRIAN WANDZILAK 29 LINCOLN NE 5:16
2 LEE MARTIN 26 OMAHA NE 5:28
3 BRYAN WITT 24 OMAHA NE 5:30

AGE 30 - 39
1 HENRY KINGHAM 38 OMAHA NE 5:33
2 CHARLES SMITH 35 OMAHA NE 5:43
3 BRIAN RONK 36 COUNCIL BLUFFS IA 5:45

AGE 40 - 49
1 JEFF MADDOX 41 NEBRASKA CITY NE 5:43
2 DAVID SEEVERS 42 GRETNA NE 6:02
3 DAVID FITCH 41 COUNCIL BLUFFS IA 6:03

AGE 50 - 59
1 PETER DURYEA 52 OMAHA NE 5:32
2 BOB HENCHAL JR 56 OMAHA NE 5:56
3 KEITH DOWELL 55 LAWRENCE KS 6:14

Snow Ride

Took the mtb out for a ride on the Keystone and Big Papio trails before they were cleared. 3-5 inches of power-sucking snow everywhere. It took 90 minutes to complete 11 miles. Here's why:

VO2 testing

Reminder!

Veloers and other esteemed guests,

If you didn't have a chance to do this before, you might want to consider doing it now before we get all wrapped up in the race season. My pal, Dr. Kirk Peck, top dawg at the Creighton University Physical Therapy Department, is putting together another VO2 testing regimen. He wants to test elite bicyclists and compare the results to elite runners.

This isn't the fully aspirated version, but involves a 1.5 mile full-out run, and 3 sub-max tests; indoor cycling, walking and jogging. Bottom line, the results turn out to be eerily similar to the full-blown V02 test.

Some of us did it last year. Fred was off the charts, and others tested well compared to elite runners and age groupings.

If you are interested in doing this, contact me at pduryea at cox dot net. I'll get you hooked up with Kirk. The testing should be coming soon, February or beginning of March.

Nebraska Cycling Assn. Meeting

President Ryan Feagan enterains the crowd with geek data from last year's cycling events and the survey sent out to Nebraska racers.

Six Velo Veloce riders met for the beginning of the year Nebraska Cycling Association's kick-off meeting. Gene, Andy, Ted, Randy, Rusty and El Guapo journeyed to Whole Foods in Omaha for this well-attended event. Dandy pizza was available to enjoy during the presentation by Prez Ryan. Many topics were discussed, MTB and road racing, race sizes, age categories, rider-of-the-year calculations, etc. Plus we elected new officers for the upcoming year.

Going from memory here, but Ryan was reelected President, John Spay from Norfolk was VP, Cheryl Gerkins Officials Coordinator, Craig Harding Treasurer, John Lefler Secretary and Kevin Burke Upgrade Coordinator. Good crew! If the crowd size was a good indicator, interest is growing in Nebraska racing.

The next evening, Gene, Andy and El Guapo went to the Waiting Room and snarfed pizza (again) and watched the Greatest Story Ever Told with about 50 other cyclists. This movie was about Eddie Merckx in the 74 Giro de Italia, winning for his 5 consecutive title.

Hope to organize a team ride soon. Looks like some above 30F temps are just around the corner. I'm ready!