All posts by Robby
Tri-completed!
July 21, Saturday, Tri-day
| Place | Bib | Athlete Name | City | State | Age | Gender | CLASS | PENALTY | Finish Time | Division Place | Swim Time | Bike Time | Run Time | Transition 1 Time | Transition 2 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1287 | 688 | ROBERT F. O’ROURKE | JACKSON | NJ | 75 | M | M75-79 | 0 | 01:51:47 | 6 | 00:19:45 | 00:48:42 | 00:35:45 | 00:04:42 | 00:02:51 |
9
So, I didn’t get very much sleep last night in anticipation of my first triathlon. I gathered all my gear and put it in the car last night before I went to sleep. I was pretty nervous about this whole adventure I have to admit. Woke up at 5:15 this morning, drove to the park and went through the ritual of setting up my transition. It was somewhat imposing with all of the other athletes but I think it worked out pretty well. I met up with Maura and Andy Perry before the race who are also competing. I also met up with Kevin whose bike I am using before the race. Matty O’Rourke also showed up with his dog killer. Killer weighs about three and a half pounds I would guess.
I experienced a lot of nervousness and excitement in anticipation of the entering the water at 7:55. Andy took off in the flight before me and Maura took off into flights behind me. They were very nice and supportive before the race which helped a lot.
The swim segment of the event was a bit daunting, but I did manage to get through it under 20 minutes which was my goal. There were parts at which I was a little bit disoriented and breathless, but I managed to recover and I think I finished pretty strong. I have concluded, however, that I am not a strong swimmer.
The transition to the bike went very well but still took over 4 minutes. I was very happy to have my 5 gallon bucket to sit on. As I prepared to upload on my bike I mis-stepped and did a little bit of a flip. I cut up my knee and elbow on the right side but it didn’t affect my performance for the rest of the race, just looked a little bloody. As a result of the bike falling I believe I unsettled the timing mechanism so that the data was not recording and I was kind of at a loss throughout the 11 and a half miles as to time and distance. It was a little disconcerting. But I got through the 11 and a half miles and made the transition to running again in just over two minutes. Kevin was very helpful at each transition encouraging me and assuring me I was doing well. It took a while to get started on the 5K and my heel was a constant ache on each foot- strike, but I was able to concentrate on my breathing rhythm and belly breathing to distract me. I managed to run 35 minutes for the 5K which was better than I expected given all the circumstances. I met my goal on each of the legs of the event. I broke 20 for the swim, broke an hour for the bike and I broke 40 minutes for the run. Total time including transitions 1 hour and 51 minutes. All in all a tiring but rewarding and successful experience.
Now I have to get my foot straightened out and get some rest.
Stats next time.
T-PAT TODAY
July 19, Thursday
This morning I had a super sonic treatment called T-Pat. It was a painful experience but I hope it has an effect for the next 2 days. And hope I can get everything under control for my competition.
Getting strong and well
July 18th, 19th, 20th
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
My plan is to desist from workouts for the next three days with the hope that I will experience surcease of pain in my heel as my body gets strong. I am scheduled for the first of 3 treatments of E-PAT on Thursday to help relieve pain. Could work…..?
Injection of traumeel had no noticeable positive effect heel discomfort.
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology !
After my Triathlon event on Saturday I will post all relevant information including the effectiveness of E-PAT.
Invigorating A.M. Ride
July 17th, Tuesday
I set the clock today for 6 a.m. in an effort to beat the heat. After a day off yesterday I was determined to get some good work done today and tomorrow. The morning was crisp and clear and cool and I rode for 11 and a half miles in 55 minutes. I stopped for coffee and a donut before I peddled the final mile home.
STATS-
Weight = #153
Diet = 8 out of ten
Sleep = 5 hours. Need nap now.
Heel discomfort = 6
a.m. HR not taken 9 a.m. HR = 68 after ride and coffee
60 Minute Man
July 15, Sunday
https://youtu.be/je5wMVo4sd4
Another day of sixty minutes in motion. I did 15 minute consecutive swim, 15 minutes running in the water and 30 minutes of pretty tough work on the bike. Followed that with a beautiful 30-minute walk on the boardwalk in Avon with Arlene. What are you close to a perfect afternoon and evening.
Great late dinner of home made chicken broth with fresh veggies and a salad of even more fresh veggies.
STATS – All good with exception of heel soreness persistence.
Still trucking
July 13, Friday
Forty-Eight hours after receiving an injection of trameel, I did a 4-phase workout today. The workout was a 20 minute swim,, a15 minute water run, a15 minute bike ride and a slow 800m run as a test on advise of doctor. Throughout the 800m run I felt a slight twinge of pain with every foot strike. Not debilitating but clearly present. I think I got the sensation that the discomfort decreasing as I went along as I remember happening when I had achilles tendonitis. I kept telling myself that I probably could complete a 5k at that pace with that level of discomfort. I’m not sure what effect it would have on long-range healing, but I could probably do it.
Before I started the workout I practiced laying out my transition equipment and did a few run-throughs to see how the whole operation fit together. I think that I am getting it down pretty solid.
I have been icing and rolling and stretching at a highly accelerated rate for the last few days. The intent is that with the injection and all of the other activities I can accelerate healing and be prepared for next Saturday. The injection is of a substance called trameel which is a natural substance designed to reduce inflammation. Apparently it has no negative side effects it has been around for number of decades. There has not been a dramatic change in 48 hours, but I’m hoping that it gets better in the long term.
Happy with today’s progress.
Stats on stable.
Positive doctor’s visit
July 10th, Tuesday
A lot of good things came out of my visit to Dr. De Waters this morning. I am happy to have a plan in place to successfully complete the Triathlon in 12 days. New soft gel insoles, as shot of some herbal material designed to reduce inflammation tomorrow, and the first of three procedures of ultrasonic blasting on Thursday before the event. Apparently the cushioning on my heel pad has thinned with age.
Biked for 4 miles at 1st Liberty cross country practice tonight. This can be a good season.
July 11, Wednesday
Received an injection of trameel this morning. With new shoe inserts and increased intensity of stretching, I hope for positive results in next few days.
Light transition day
July 9th, Monday
Doctor’s appointment was rescheduled to tomorrow a.m. by the doctor.
Today I worked on a light swim, plus light water run, a practice transition rehearsal from swim to bike and a follow-up 4 mile bike ride. I did try to run a little after the bike ride but was forced to stop because of heel pain. That was about 30 minutes in motion.
Four out of five aspects of this workout were positive. The transition went smoothly. The swim, run and bike went off without a hitch and without any soreness or pain in my foot. However, within 150 yards of running very slowly my heel hurt to an extent I had to stop. I will get some advice from the doctor tomorrow on the possibility of completing in a triathlon in 12 days without causing serious injury to my foot. I will update.
Steady stats____
Promising Restart
July 8th, Sunday
Gotta get going…………!
With two weeks to go until my attempt at a triathlon there are a few things that come to mind as I start to write. First, I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow to get some advice about how to deal with my sore heel / plantar fasciitis. Second, Todd Engle from Liberty cross country has scheduled for summer time and meeting with a team on Tuesday of this week. I am looking forward to rejoining that crew. Third, I am continuing to work on and stress a little bit over my upcoming presentation at Push Your Pace cross country camp. Fourth, the past seven days of no workouts has been very discomforting.
Fifth, and most importantly, I did a very strong workout today on Kevin’s speedy bicycle. To my surprise I was able to complete 15 miles in 1 hour and 12 minutes. Now I wasn’t trying to go very fast and that is not a terrific pace, but being able to complete 15 miles gives me confidence that I have not lost a tremendous amount of fitness during the past three weeks with my intermittent training. And I have gained confidence in my understanding of the gears on Kevin’s bicycle.
So, The Beat Goes On………
Stats-
Weight = a surprising #152
Sleep = a steady 7,8,9 hours
AM heart rate = 54bpm
Left foot discomfort in AM = 6/7 .!!!!
Diet = Very good! Which probably explainswhy my weight has stayed down despite my lack of training for a few weeks.