Jimmy Archer Racing

My story from Boulder 70.3 in LAVA Magazine

2011-08-08T17:03:00.001-06:00

http://lavamagazine.com/racing/boulder-from-the-sidelines#axzz1UTuiEh9f

Links

Gallery: Boulder 70.3

Nothing is worse for an athlete than not being able to compete, and nothing makes you appreciate competition more than forced abstinence. I had planned to race the Boulder 70.3, hoping for a strong showing in my hometown race, and perhaps even some redemption of failed prior attempts. However, a torn soleus (the result of running the last few miles of the Beaver Creek XTERRA bike with a flat tire) would keep me on the wrong side of the barricades for this year's Boulder 70.3.

Yet there is much to be learned from spectating and seeing the race unfold from a different perspective. Thus, I found I was nearly as excited heading out my door at 6 a.m. on race day as if I were toeing the line myself.

As usual for a Boulder event, the start list was deep in talent on both the men’s and women’s side. However, not quite as deep as I would have expected with the plethora of talent residing in Boulder for the summer—a fact that added salt to my wound of being sidelined for the event. This may have been an effect of the new WTC points system and/or the new date for 70.3 Worlds. Either way, both fields were far from soft, just not quite as deep as I would have guessed.

Naeth was obviously overcome with the emotion of finally reaching the top step of the podium.

For the first time in years the swim was a wetsuit legal affair for the pros which predictably lead to a blazing 22:47 lead swim split for defending champion Andy Potts. Potts quickly took up his customary position at the sharp in of the bike as well but was soon caught by a charging Joe Gambles followed closely by Fraser Cartmell. Potts would uncharacteristically continued to hemorrhage time as he was reeled in by a group consisting of Raynard Tissink, Jordan Jones, Bryan Rhodes and Paul Ambrose and would eventually drop to ninth entering T2.

Heading onto the run Gambles looked to be in another world entirely as the fast bike (26-27mph average) seemed to have taken its toll on the rest of the field with men leaving T2 in various stages of fatigue. Andy Potts seemed the worst of the bunch and having an off day as he literally staggered out of T2 and would drop out less then two miles later. Proof that even the best have off days.

The Boulder 70.3 run course is tough and utterly shadeless, and temperatures rise quickly in the high elevation. Effects of this could easily be seen as the pro men’s race was determined by attrition throughout the run. Yet, none of this seemed to phase Gambles as he scorched the run with a 1:15 half marathon, two minutes faster then the next best split and good enough to take the win and course record in 3:45.35.

Let me cut to the chase here. Without a doubt the story in the women’s race was Angela Naeth picking up her first 70.3 win after what seemed like a thousand second-place finishes. The real number was somewhere in the vicinity of 15 runner-up finishes in major 70.3 or half-IM distance races.

In Boulder, Naeth finally picked up the win and was obviously overcome with the emotion of finally reaching the top step of the podium. What I found truly impressive was the appreciation and support for this accomplishment she got from her fellow pro women on the day and via Twitter, Facebook, and so on. This was obviously a breakthrough many saw coming for some time.

How she did it was pretty much how Naeth always races, she destroyed the bike, putting up a 2:14 bike split, a full six minutes faster than the second best on the day. However, it wasn’t just the bike. Naeth also significantly improved her traditional weakness coming out of the water third and only two minutes down on strong swimmer and eventual runner-up, Kelly Williamson. She then put up the second best run split, again to Williamson, to solidify her victory.

In the end I had a nice little Sunday from my undesirable position on the sidelines. I learned what I already new: it sucks not being able to race. I also saw on any day anything can happen as Andy Potts and Angela Naeth testified to in two very different ways.

Some days we wake up asking why do I do this? We do this sport for the challenge and rewards and the various forms they take. If you need proof of this just try not being able to compete ... though I would strongly advise against it.

Don't miss our photo gallery from this event.

Top 5 Pro Men

1. Gambles, Joe - 03:45:35

2. Tissink, Raynard - 03:51:41

3. Ambrose, Paul - 03:53:01

4. Umphenour, Joe - 03:54:03

5. Russell, Matthew - 03:55:44

Top 5 Pro Women

1. Naeth, Angela -04:10:31

2. Williamson, Kelly- 04:12:42

3. Lovato, Amanda - 04:23:55

4. Garcia, Whitney - 04:26:10

5. Bromme, Uli - 04:27:16

Los Alamos Fire

2011-06-29T18:39:00.002-06:00

My hometown is on fire again. There is a 60,000+ acre fire just outside of town. Back in 2000 there was another fire (Cerro Grande) that took out 40,000 acres and about 1/3 of the houses in town including the one I spent the first 13 years of my life in.

In both cases the fire was caused by human carelessness. In 2000 by a "controlled burn" that was not prescribed and was the doing of a power happy forrest service manager. This time it started on "private property". My guess is that someone was lighting fireworks or burning trash etc. that's pretty standard in the mountains. (I know it's totally moronic, but I've seen it done many many times).

Either way, 100,000+ acres of some of the most awesome forrest I've every know are now toast.

I can't express how great it was growing up in Los Alamos and in the surrounding mountains. There's not much to do in Los Alamos in the way most people would find entertaining, but as a kid it was awesome. Anything and everything outdoor you could possibly want and in a small town with virtually no trail regulations etc. That's where I became a runner, cyclist, mountain biker, skier, and eventually triathlete.

To see all of this going up in flames...again, is literally like loosing a family member. Think of it this way. In my mind, Katrina and the whole New Orleans thing really wasn't all that bad. Everything was just a bit wet, and we're talking buildings. Ya just dry it out and rebuild what got knocked down, done deal. Worst case it takes like 10 years or something.

But fire, and what's happening in my hometown, now that really sucks. Many of these trees are the 100 year old type. And then there is the aftermath, erosion, etc. Unless I'm immortal (and I'm still holding out for that mutation to occur) the place I knew as a kid is literally gone forever. There's now rebuilding a forrest, it's gotta grow, and it takes a long time to do so.

So, that's where I'm at, and it sucks.

But part of why I'm blogging is cause I gotta cyber-bitch to someone about now this is being handled in the media. It's national news on every major network every night. But why? Not because the awesomeness of my youth is being destroyed. Not because this is the second time some dumbass has destroyed tens of thousands of acres. No it's because the moronic sensationalistic media has to jump on the "Wildfire threatens Nuclear facility" thing.

I expected it, it happened last time. But this time its even worse. I've never seen such blatant lies as are being put out with this story. In fact it destroys what little belief I have in major news outlets. Left wing, right wing, liberal, conservative, Fox, MSNBC, it doesn't matter, they all are just straight up lying. For example:

Los Alamos is not a major nuclear weapons lab any more and hasn't been since the 70's. Yet the news makes it out to be some giant wear house of warheads. Hell, the biggest thing LANL does with weapons anymore is non-plarifiration and refurbishment. The majority of the lab does various other things, most of them much more interesting and beneficial. Of course there is no mention of that my the media.

Next, the nuclear waste stored there is almost silly in its content. We're talking clothes, notepads, office equipment, and of course lots and lots of dirt. In fact a good bit of the "radioactive" dirt comes from a place called Bayo Canyon where we used to run my home cross country races. And its irradiated with tritium from the 40-50's, has a half life of 12 years, and is used in such deadly things as wrist watch illumination. Most all of the waste is precautionary from a time when humanity didn't know what it was dealing with as well as they do now.

Yet, even if we do accept that there is radioactive material/waste in Los Alamos where it is stored is about 12 miles from the nearest part of the fire and on a mesa where there are very few trees or combustable material. You see Los Alamos is on the slopes of an ancient volcano and built on mesas of compressed ash from the last eruption hundreds of thousands of years ago. The ecology changes drastically in the ten miles from where the fire is to where the waste dumps are. So, even mentioning this in relation to the fire is completely and totally irrelevant.

Lastly, the reference to weapons is maddening. Yes there is fissionable material at LANL and it's used for various reasons and none are weapons manufacturing. Plus the vault these materials are in is incredibly, amazingly...lets just say its really strong. It's designed to have a 747 crash into it, catch on fire (a'la 9/11) and burn for days. Sooo...that's another non-started for the media.

So, in light of all these facts the only story is a really kick ass forrest is burning due to some moron doing something stupid. But I guess that's just not good enough so fabricating some ridiculous potential disaster is the obvious solution.

That's it I'm out

2011 tri season officially underway. 5150 MIT race report

2011-03-22T12:09:00.002-06:00

Pro triathlon has changed a lot since I started racing 10 years ago. Back in the day there were just "the pro races". There was Chicago, Alcatraz, Wildflower, Memphis in May, and so on, and of course Kona. Basically everyone just raced all the races, the pro tour so to speak.

There weren't that many money races, and there weren't that many pros. Now, however, we have numerous series; 5150, 70.3, Rev3, Tri-Star, Challenge, Tri Grand Prix, XTERRA, Lifetime, and even IronMan is now a series of sorts. We have qualification systems into the biggest races. We have some races with huge prize purses, and frankly way too many races with $25k prize purses. We have 320 American pro athletes and at least double that internationally. And we can race, professionally year round.

On the up side, all this opportunity is awesome. On the downside, there's too much. Some weekends have 4 of the same format race on the same day (ie 70.3s) then you add in other series of formats and you may have 6-8 "professional" races on a single day. It dilutes the fields and weakens the draw, both of which are bad.

In the end it means that the average pro triathlete (and I'm talking the second tier guys etc. not the top echelon that is afforded more freedom of choice by more financial stability) has to be very organized and responsible about their season plan. You just can't be enticed by this or that race. You can't try to guess where opportunity may lie. There is now trying to predict which races will be soft or not. It's just too fluid and things can change in an instant.

Thus, you have to pick a plan and a goal and stick to it. Don't question it.

And thus, we come to my first race of the year, the 5150 Miami International Triathlon.

Let's do this French style, desert first (don't they do that?). I was 26th out of 30 something starters in the pro men's field. I swam a 19 flat to the leaders 16 and the lead packs 17. I rode a 59 to the leaders 52 and the lead groups 54s. And I ran a 34 to the leaders 31.

Pretty crap right?

Well, here's the thing. I went to this race hoping for a top 10, and expecting a top 15. My focus this year is on 70.3 Worlds in September and XTERRA worlds in October. Both over 6 months away. I wanted to build a very solid foundation this winter with lots of volume and LT work. And, I accomplished that.

However, coming out of CO where we have winter and doing the training I've been doing with the LT focus and developing a deep aerobic foundation I knew I would be sacrificing a bit to much of the group at MIT. Many of those guys are ITU racers who are looking at key races coming in the next month. Many are guys living in FL, or Hawaii, or AZ over the winter and approaching things in a very different way than I. So, I knew the deck was stacked against me...I stacked the deck against me.

I went into Miami tired and under trained for the speed of a 5150 field containing arguably the fastest swimmers, bikers, and runners in the sport of triathlon. In short, I brought a knife to a gunfight, and a knife I've spent the past 4 months dulling.

So, am I stupid for racing? I will argue no. I like to get in there early in the year and see where I stand. I know myself pretty well at this stage and how I will respond to specific training once it is applied. So, I like to kind of throw myself to the lions and see where I stand.

Here's what I came away from Miami with. I gave up 1 minute on the swim because I'm stupid and didn't get out quick, used old goggles that fogged, and didn't attack the turn buoys. All early season mistakes that you get out of the habit of doing well when you spend the winter in a pool and not doing open water swims. So, easy enough to correct that. Plus all my training has been LT based in the water and I felt it. I could have gone and gone, just not at 17 pace. So, implement some higher end work and bam.

On the bike and run, Again, that same feeling of wow, I can hold this for another 40 k but I can't go faster. I was breathing easy but was muscularly fatigued. Coming from altitude that's to be expected if one hasn't been doing speed work. I've got lots of 30 min type efforts and very little 2 min VO2 max type. So, I get into a race and feel exactly like the work I've been doing. Again, pretty much exactly what should have happened considering how I'm trained at the moment.

Ok, great, so I went all the way to Miami to get my ass kicked and learn what I already knew? Well, frankly, yes...in a way. The past few years have been inconsistent for me. However, the last 6 months have been very good. I wanted to a test to see if I was where I should be, and I am. Now the fun begins.

There's a saying about training, and periodization. "The broader the base the higher the peak". Well at this point I know I have a very broad and deep base. Now I get to let myself go and start actually training fast rather than holding back and building LT and aerobic efficiency.

The trick with altitude is understanding this principle. This is why altitude trained athletes are invariably superior. We are able to develop such a deep aerobic capacity that once race pace intensity is added we are able to do more with it. At least that's my feeling (and the Kenyans, and most elite cyclists, and swimmers, and most of the best triathletes).

So, I went to Miami and got my ass kicked by some of the best guys in the world, and I'm totally stoked by it. Everything is on track and I'm ready for the next step.

More to come...

Jimmy

Checking in and catching you up...

2011-03-03T11:43:00.003-07:00

Well, I've fallen off the face of the cyber earth...well maybe not that extreme, I've just not been blogging as much as I would like. So I thought I'd crank something out to get you caught up with what's new and profess (yet again) my intent to blog more.

Actually, the thing is, blogging took a big hit in general with the advent of Twitter or micro-blogging. It's easy, you can do it from your cell phone, it's a concise simple though, BAM, your done. It's also become a viable marketing force and a pop culture phenomenon. However, I see a resurrection coming for blogging. Frankly, people have more to say then 140 characters can provide and more to expound on than Charlie Sheen's latest rant.

So, I'm gonna go ahead and proclaim a future comeback of the blog.

That said, here's my deal:

Well, If you follow me at all you know 2010 was kind of nuts. If anything it was a huge kick in the ass to get organized, get fit, and get going in pursuit of my goals and aspirations.

It's been a really good winter. I sat down in October and figured out what I wanted and what it would take to get there. I consulted with several highly valued coaches, sponsors, family, and friends on what they think. Then I took all of that, laid out a plan, and started climbing the ladder.

This is a concept I'm rather fond of- climbing the ladder. I don't really see life, athletics, business, what have you as a destination with a start and end point. Rather it is an endless ladder. I am where I am on that ladder and what I want is on up the ladder. So, worrying about the past or where I am now if pointless. I am where I am and if it's not where I want to be I have to start climbing.

I see this concept a lot with other athletes or people a coach. They focus so much on where they want to be compared to where they are. The fact is, it's fine to have lofty goals but you can't paralyze yourself with thoughts of how far you are from where you want to be, again, you are where you are, you just gotta start climbing.

So, that's what I've done, and part of the reason this blog has stalled. For whatever reason when I have a distinct goal and a laid out plan of how to get there I tend to put the blinders on, put my head down and just get to work. It's easy for my to put everything else to the side. The downside of this is eventually I lift my head up, look around, and realize I haven't been social in quite a while, and I've let all non-essensials slide. So, I'm trying to be better about being a serious committed athlete as well as being present in all other aspects.

That said, the ladder climb has gone well. I began my training with a few basic goals, I wanted to implement a distinct progression to my training. Meaning, don't rush it early and lay a solid foundation before building upon that. This meant building up to full volume (5-6 swims, 5 bikes, 7 runs) slowly and steadily and implementing a certain amount of intensity within this entire build. The idea of "base" is pretty much dead any more. It used to be that athletes would do many months of high volume/low intensity before implementing the higher intensity workouts. However, it's been proven that it is important to always keep a hand in the intensity. Which can be tricky for may coaches and athletes as it is difficult to monitor adequate intensity while consistently building volume. Both are vital to the end result but it is a delicate balance when you are really pushing the envelope as a pro athlete and trying to do just as much as is possible without tipping over into fatigue and/or injury.

Anyway, maybe I'll write more on that later. The point is. It's gone well. I put my head down got the training done and am happy with where I am in the first week of March. I'm riding as well as I ever did last year and my run is better than it's been for many years. My swim, is good, it can always be better as I was never specifically a swimmer. But It continues to improve.

On the race and sponsorship front things have developed nicely.

I've stayed on with Specialized which is massive for me. It is invaluable to be associated with such a strong passionate brand and group of athletes. Also, I have a lot to prove to Ian, Bobby and the guys and I'm excited to do that aboard a Specialized in 2011.

I've also continued with PowerBar, Blue Seventy and Native Eyeware.

I'm very happy to have wheel support with DT-Swiss, tires from Challenge, gruppos from Shimano and running support from Brooks and Boulder Running Company.

I'm still hunting for a "title" sponsor (for lack of a better term) to help cover the numerous travel, license, and ancillary expenses but I think I have some strong prospects.

All in all things are good. Training is going very well, I'm not where I want to be or where I can be just yet but the progress is going better than planned.

That's it for now. Keep checking back at www.iamspecialized.com or follow me on twitter at @jimmyarchertri for updates and more blogs coming at least weekly.

Jimmy

Update

2011-02-04T17:50:00.002-07:00

I haven't been blogging much lately. Through Jan. I was stepping up the training, and frankly I've kind of had my head down lately. Nothing crazy. I'm not doing thousands of miles or anything, just putting in the work.

I've been swimming consistently and getting back to where I was last year which was Ok. I'd like to drop another 30 seconds or so from my 2k.

Running and cycling are going well also, although there's been a bit too much indoor work over the last week. But, again just getting in the work.

That's kind of the frustrating part of this time of year. You're not racing much so there isn't a lot of feedback on how things are going. But, I can see and feel improvement week to week which is all that matter.

My real focus has been on taking care of the small things that don't seem to matter as much like core, plyos, diet, and organization. These are the things that seem insignificant sometimes but can have huge pay back.

So, that's it, just getting the work done and getting ready for March.

Coaching/Exercise Science educational state or lack there of: RANT

2011-01-03T16:21:00.003-07:00

Above is a picture of the books and resources I've read or referred to in the last 4-6 weeks. Nothing major, just a small cross section of my library. Lots of it is just re-reading for the hell of it, or cross/comparative referencing, or just trying to expand my knowledge base (ie, The Fighters Heart, and the Book of Five Rings (not picured)).

However, I also have a degree in Exercise Physiology, as well as 15+ years of experience coaching and as a professional athlete. Plus, at least that many years keeping my mouth shut and learning from many of the best coaches and athletes in the world who I have had the privilege to learn from and work with.

Why am I saying all this? Well, because I am getting (back) into the coaching game. I've interviewed with a few companies and have made myself available for private coaching, see www.jimmyarcher.com.

In considering everything that goes into coaching and/or opening a coaching practice/company my thoughts naturally went to, "am I ready? Am I on top of the latest info, theory, and practice? What needs improvement? and so on". Yet, and this brings me to my point, in researching various other coaching options I am astonished, ASTONISHED I tell you, by the utter lack of education and/or experience in this field.

At least 50% (if not more like 75%) of people calling themselves professional triathlon coaches have no formal education. They simply took USAT's silly course and felt ready to start charging for their "incredible" breadth of knowledge. And it doesn't stop there, look at many of the so called "coaches" writing training articles for the mags or websites. At best most only have a certification of some sort.

It all drives me freakin nuts. If someone can operate a fire extinguisher are they ready to join the NYFD? Because you can use a calculator should you be an accountant? Because you can hold a knife should you be a surgeon? No, HELL no. Yet for some reason hundreds, maybe thousands of people in this country think because they have done a couple of races and coughed up $500+ bucks to USAT (p.s. so some other know nothing can impart their "expertise"), they are ready to turn their MBA into a coaching career.

You know, I did actually learn stuff for those four years I was siting through "colloquium for Kinesiology".

As per usual the Slowtwitch forum and twitter are the cause of this rant.

But seriously people. Put some thought into who you are hiring. Coaching, program design, technique training isn't easy, and if done wrong it can be dangerous. There is a reason for seeking out the truly qualified.

If you are looking to get a coach, please, do some research. Hell, hit me up with questions, I'll direct you to good people (free of charge) if you don't want to hire me. Just don't run off and hire some fool just because they spend time on the Slowtwitch forum or can drop names on twitter. Just put a bit of research into your decision.

That is all,

Jimmy

2010 a look back, 2011 a look forward.

2011-01-02T11:08:00.004-07:00

First off, if you follow me or my blog you know I'm...musically oriented. I always seem to find significance in song lyrics. Something about words and music just clicks for me and will provide a mantra that can last days, weeks, even years. So, without further ado I give you (one of) my 2011 theme of sorts:

To effectively look back on 2010 I have to reflect on everything that lead to 2010 which goes back to pretty much 2005. I won't rehash the details...again. You can find them on this blog. However, since 2005 I've had a variety of bad luck, bad decisions, crashes, injuries, and just plain erosion of my physical and mental state. I've all too often contemplated quitting triathlon, leaving Boulder, and just plain trying to find a fresh start to life in general.

You see, as a professional athlete it is very easy to let your self worth and entire world view become your sport, those who do your sport, and how well (or not) you are performing at your sport. This totally happened with me, and I damn near lost myself to it. Over the past 5 years I've not had a time when something wasn't going wrong and distracting me from the task of truly being a professional athlete. Most of these things were my fault or choice, such as taking a job or starting a pro team that would demand more time then I could afford and still do what needs to be done to be a success on the race course. However, there have been a variety of other issues that were not in my control, getting west nile virus, having a bone spur removed, falling in love. Ultimately they all lead to a tumultuous 2010. A year where everything came to a head and caused me to finally face the hard question of...basically, what the hell am I doing with my life?

I have to be very clear and succinct in the following statement: Nothing of what I just mentioned is an excuse. I'm not going to pick out this or that and fall into the coulda, shoulda, woulda trap. Although that is just what my mind would like to do as it's the easy out. "Oh, if this thing wouldn't have happened I could do blah blah blah". The fact is, what happened happened and you can't change the past so just shut the hell up about it and move on. Focus on how you can accomplish what you think you should have done all along. People are far to apt to live vicariously through what they could have done if only the universe had not conspired against them. And in triathlon especially, just look at all the human interest stories that litter our sport, many are this very situation of "oh, what if".

So, no excuses.

I began 2010 with tendonitis in both knees from riding in a too far forward position in '09 trying to fool myself into feeling faster. I was in the third year of a relationship that, in hindsight, was falling apart. I had alienated nearly all my friends (and said girlfriend) by loosing myself in creating a tri team, folding that same team, falling into the he said she said drama that can be Boulder, and wallowing in my own frustration at not having accomplished an iota of what I would consider success in my current chosen profession (if you can even call my previous attempts a triathlon that). I was very negative. I had all but totally lost myself, my drive, and my optimism.

Luckily, I have an awesome family and somehow, was fortunate enough to have Specialized as a sponsor. Without these two things I'm certain I'd be done with triathlon and perhaps more than that, a lot more than that, I'm talking contemplating the ultimate bad decision (not to worry I'm past all that now).

Obviously family is huge. Familial love is unconditional and I am blessed to have the best parents and brother ever. I don't think I express that enough and I doubt they fully grasp their importance to me, this is something I should be better about. But they are the foundation and what I always go back to when I start wondering, why?

And Specialized? What the hell does a sponsor have to do with anything? The fact is I am extremely grateful for Ian and Bobby and their counsel and perspective at a time when, really, I had nobody to talk to. Also the fact that my association with the brand connected me to all the Danes (Rasmus, Martin, Michael, and all the guys) which reinvigorated my belief in myself and my passion for triathlon. My experiences in Denmark and Playitas will serve as the beginnings of whatever is to come. Finally, being part of a team like the Specialized tri team with the absolute best in the world challenges me to rise to their level or move on. For me this the best situation. I respond to challenge, no matter the perceived impossibility.

So there it is. I started 2010 pissed off at the world, physically beat up, alienated from most everything I love and ended it feeling reinvigorated, strong, and happy, but with a long way to go till I'm satisfied. What's changed is acceptance and realization of where I've been, where I am, and where I want to be. I'm single, which is what it is. I'm satisfied with my attempt at the Olympic dream and I'm eager to pursue what best suits me and my talents. I've attempted to rectify any damaged friendships/relationships, all are not perfect and I know there are some people who either hold a grudge or have no faith in me. I love my sport. It IS my profession and I intend to make a real career out of triathlon. I have lofty goals but I now have a plan and a path to success.

Sure there are things I would like to change, fix, alter, but I don't have a time machine so all ya can do is move forward. Things are going well, I'm continuing with Specialized and intend to repay them for their help and faith in me. My brother is now in Breck so I get to see him a ton more. I do wonder if there is a chick out there who can put up with me, and I probably listen to a bit too much James Blunt at times. But hey, for every minute of that I listen to a hell of a lot more Social D, Clash, AC/DC, Iron Maiden and so on. Basically I spend more time being awesome then I do reminiscing.

2010 was a crazy year, and probably the most influential I've had. I traveled the world, finally did a world cup, didn't race too well, but learned a ton and laid the foundation for success.

I don't think I've changed. Instead I just think I'm back, back from the brink...Back, Back in Black (if you know anything about the history and meaning of the song you'll get it. Just do a bit of research on Bon Scott)

Jimmy

Behind the Barriers cameo

2010-12-15T17:47:00.002-07:00

If you don't know of Behind the Barriers, check it out. It's a video series of J-Pow (Jeremy Powers) and his racing in the US cyclocross series' and then in Europe leading up to Worlds.

(on the down low I'm hoping to do something similar this tri season)

I have a few cameos in the below Episode 10. Good times

"Behind The Barriers" Episode 10 from Behind The Barriers on Vimeo.

New Website

2010-12-15T15:02:00.003-07:00

Hey all I build myself a new website. Check it out at www.jimmyarcher.com

It should cross link from this blog but I'm working out some bugs.

Let me know what you think.

2011 Sponsorship update

2010-12-09T16:40:00.004-07:00

Considering I just got a big surprise from DTswiss I guess I need to crank out an update blog before my tweeting undermines the whole blog idea.

Things are actually looking really good for 2011 on the sponsorship front. Lots of computer time and guarantees that I'm done chasing the ITU thing has shown me that there are plenty of people out there who have faith in me as a triathlete (just maybe not as an ITU triathlete).

Anyway here's the list thus far:

Specialized Bicycles
DTswiss
Native Eyewear
PowerBar

I am waiting to hear confirmation on swim, run, and gruppos/gearing those three are all but finalized.

Specialized:

I chose to stay with Specialized Bicycles because, honestly, I feel they make the best product out there. Plus they have helped me out the last two years when I was going through some tough times with injuries and so on. I know the guys at the company. I like where the company mentality is. They are constantly pushing the envelope and genuinely support me in all my endeavors. They have stuck with me when they didn't have to and some would say shouldn't have. Now that I'm healthy and ready to rock I very much want to repay that commitment.

If there is a downside to Specialized it is that they are who they are and everyone wants to be sponsored by them. True success under the big red S is often no less than a World Championship. Just look at last year. Macca wins Kona, Rasmus wins Roth, Javier take the WCS title, Conrad Wins Maui XTERRA, Lisa, Mel, Jordan, and Ben are constant winners and will contend for a World title. That's some tough company to break into. Which is another reason I stayed on with Specialized. I'm motivated by the challenge. I want to show them I can do what I have said I can do.

DTswiss:

DT has made many of the hubs, rims, and/or spokes you have ridden, even if it was labeled something else. They are a fixture in the wheel realm and make what is in most opinions the best hubs on the market.

I was fortunate to meet DT at the right time when they are looking to break into the tri market and are coming out with some cool new product. I'm super excited to be on with DT, the make some awesome stuff, and I like that I won't be making a reflex choice to be on what everyone else is on.

Native Eyewear:

Native has been big in the "outdoor" demographic for a while. Like DT I was lucky to meet and get involved with them now as they are looking to get into the endurance market.

I was helped out with a few pair of glasses last August and really liked them. They all have interchangeable lenses and cool ass frames. The lenses are quality and don't distort or glare. I can run, ride, ski and do anything in the glasses. They fit and work. So, I pursued sponsorship and was lucky enough to get on board. Look for some cool new stuff coming out from Native soon.

PowerBar:

I've been on with PowerBar for a few years over my career and got back with them last year. For me nutrition is about simply taking it in. If I don't like something I will haul it around with me all day and not eat or drink it. It's all about taste with me. Because of that I went back to PowerBar. I like their stuff. I use it I eat and drink it and it works for me in races. Some will say that since they are owned by Nestle that they aren't truly a nutrition company and are basically making candy. I strongly disagree. Just look at the C2 max carb blend they are using. This is exactly what recent studies have suggested is needed by endurance athletes; a mix of various carbohydrates rather than a single source.

I'm hoping to have my other equipment sponsors sorted out very shortly. I'm still searching for a "title" sponsor and am open to suggestion, but I have several irons in that fire as well.

More to come,

Jimmy

Cicero's Six Mistakes of Man

2010-12-02T12:48:00.002-07:00

Partly due to the recent melancholic events of my life, and partly (ironically) due to my unshatterable believe that I can do better in all aspects, I've been reading a lot, and getting into philosophy both classical and modern.

In the process I was reintroduced to Cicero's six mistakes of man, listed below:

The delusion that personal gain is made by crushing others.

The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected.

Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it.

Refusing to set aside trivial preferences.

Neglecting development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring the habit of reading and studying.

Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.

Or slightly more specific:

Believing that one man can profit by crushing another.
The proclivity people have of worrying about things they cannot change.
The tendency people have of insisting that something is "impossible" just because they can't do it, because they can't conceive how such a thing might be accomplished.
People holding fast to trivial pride, preference, and prejudice.
The fact that people stop learning and do not continue to hone their minds, particularly by acquiring the habit of reading and studying.
People's consistent and insistent attempts to compel others to believe and live as they do.

I find it amazing how a guy who lived over 2000 years ago can devise a philosophy that a) is still so relevant and 2) can so closely mirror everything I have noticed and am currently experiencing with people both close to me and society in general.

I believe this is an indication to the truths of human nature. "We" progress in many way, technologically, economically, mechanically, and so on, however, socially, and as human's we have an underlying foundation of behavior which can be applied to any age.

In short, people have a real tendency to suck ass and be lazy if you leave the majority to their own devices.

For me this is incredibly frustrating and annoying. I'm a card carrying idealist and dreamer, yet, I'm very frustrated by illogical actions and situations.

Take for example the current energy situation: does global warming exist? Should we be using foreign oil or drilling anywhere there is a slight possibility and trying to squeeze every drop out of sand, shale, whale brains and anywhere else?

It's all moronic and painfully illogical. Fact; burning oil is bad. It's dirty, inefficient, expensive, and politically complicated. Fact; American's are a gluttonous lot.

There should be no debate about global warming, oil, usage, etc. It's as simple as there are opportunities for better options. There are avenues to be explored that are not being considered or utilized for political or economic reasons. "We" are stagnating for stagnation sake. Change is needed, possible, and scary. However, humanity, Americans, are stuck in at least 3 of Cicero's six, if not all of them.

Hey, but this takes us to #2 right, why should I worry. Well, I suppose for some reason I don't think it's hopeless and unchangeable.

Which brings me back to me and triathlon. I too am seeing Cicero's six popping up daily and significantly in my life. There are the psychic vampires that want to see you fail or at least drag you down (3,4, and 6). There are those who have forsaken me and my ambitions (1,3,4,5 and 6). And there's me (at least a bit #2 on that one).

Look, this isn't a bloch session (blog bitch session, I just made that up). The point is, what Cicero tells us is lots of people suck, it's just human nature but we/I can't stress on that (#2). You have to accept it, realize that a few of us humans have known this for over 2000 years, and move on to accomplish success.

So, after all that rambling my point is, by rediscovering Cicero I've found comfort in his words and significance in my dreams and pursuits. I cannot hope to find belief from others but only within myself. It is my faith that will lead to success and enlighten non-believers.

I know it's a bit hokey but the philosophical, psychological stuff usually is.

The point is, understanding this stuff will make me a badder ass athlete, and that's the point right?

Jimmy

PS. stuff like badder ass is on purpose, so Jordan Rapp can suck it. ;)

Sorting out 2011

2010-11-19T12:56:00.003-07:00

Below is the spreadsheet I've made to try to sort out what the hell I'm doing in 2011.

It's amazing how many races there are these days with some sort of prize purse. For that we are very fortunate.

However, it kind of sucks that there are so many races with so-so prize purses. Of course I shouldn't be saying that. Something is better than nothing, so shut up and don't complain, right?

Add to that the fact that there is now the WTC points systems (KPS, 70.3PS, 5150PS) which pretty much forces you to focus on WTC events if you want one of their events to be your "A" races. Really I don't mind this too much, it's just if I'm gonna be forced to do the WTC series I'd like to see more races with $100k plus purses rather than several on a single weekend with $25k or less. These $15k purses are a freaking joke. (keep in mind that is 15 divided by 2 for men and women, so 7.5 each side, ridiculous)

Also, the lack of depth is a killer. Pro racing has reached a point where there really aren't any cherry pick races. Yet, most of the races only pay 5 deep. So, if you aren't top 5 you get a goose egg.

It all makes for a rough time trying to sort what the best options are.

Oh and not to mention, while there are appearance fees, there aren't many, so that plays virtually no role for a guy like me.

I could sit here an complain for hours. However, the fact is it all comes down he pros not putting on a show worthy of a deeper prize purse. We need to be better about being pro.

Anyway, I need to have this sorted by December 1st. I'll keep you posted as to how things progress.

	My RACES	70.3	Rev3	Challenge	Tri-Star	5150	ITU	XTERRA	Other
Jan 2, 2010
Jan 9, 2010									Snow Mt Ranch CL
Jan 16, 2010	Winter Tri Nationals	70.3 Pucon							WinterTri Nationals
Jan 23, 2010		South Africa							Gov Cup Devils Thumb
Jan 30, 2010									1/2 Marathon Nats.
Feb 6, 2010									UNM Red River & Frisco & Cross Country Nats.
Feb 13, 2010
Feb 20, 2010	Costa Rica Rev3		Costa Rica						Mt. Taylor Quad
Feb 27, 2010	Triathlon America Conference
Mar 6, 2010								Philippines	Steamboat Pentathlon
Mar 13, 2010	Miami 5150		Knoxville			Miami International		Saipan	San Diego International
Mar 20, 2010		Puerto Rico & Singapore
Mar 27, 2010							WC Mooloo
Apr 3, 2010		California			Nevis
Apr 10, 2010	70.3 Texas	Texas					WCS Australia	NZ
Apr 17, 2010		New Orleans					WC Ishigaki		Sea Otter Classic
Apr 24, 2010
May 1, 2010	Wildflower (?)	St. Croix		Fuerta Ventura		St. Anthony’s	Cross Wrlds		Wildflower
May 8, 2010							WC Monterey
May 15, 2010	70.3 Florida	Florida				5150 New Orleans	WCS Japan
		Mallorca
May 22, 2010	Memphis in May	China				Memphis in May
		Austria
May 29, 2010				Barcelona	Germany			Italy
Jun 5, 2010	Quassy or Alcatraz	Hawaii & Mooseman	Quassy	Kraichgau		Frankfurt	WCS Spain	4 Corners	Escape from Alcatraz
		Switzerland
Jun 12, 2010	?	Kansas & Eagleman				Klagenfurt		Richmond
		Boise & Italy
Jun 19, 2010	?	UK				Wash DC	WCS Austria
Jun 26, 2010	?	Buffalo Springs				5150 Provo		Austria	Philly Triathlon
Jul 3, 2010
Jul 10, 2010	Peak	Muncie				Boulder Peak & Zurich	WC Edmonton	France
		Rhode Island
Jul 17, 2010	70.3 PR Deadline	Racine & Vineman					WCS Germany	Beaver Creek
Jul 24, 2010		Antwerp							Alpe d’Huez?
Jul 31, 2010		Calgary							London Triathlon
Aug 7, 2010		Boulder			Estonia	NYC Triathlon	WCS London	Eldora
Aug 14, 2010	Euro Champs	Lake Stevens & Steelhead					WC Tizzy	Czech
		Euro Champs & Philippines
Aug 21, 2010		Timberman						Germany
Aug 28, 2010		Brazil						Lory	Chicago Triathlon
Sep 4, 2010	HyVee	Ireland		Walchsee	Monaco	HyVee		Canada
Sep 11, 2010	70.3 Worlds	WORLDS & Muskoka	Cedar Point			5150 Georgia	WCS China	Swiss
Sep 18, 2010		Syracuse & Branson
		Cancun
Sep 25, 2010		France & Augusta					Duathlon Wrlds	USA Champs	Weihei ITU LD & Duathlon Worlds
Oct 2, 2010		Pocono				5150 Las Vegas
Oct 9, 2010			South Carolina				WC Mexico
Oct 16, 2010							WC Korea
Oct 23, 2010	XTERRA Worlds	Austin				5150 Galveston		Worlds
Oct 30, 2010
Nov 6, 2010							WC Colombia
Nov 13, 2010	5150 Finals					5150 Finals
Nov 20, 2010
Nov 27, 2010

Some pics...

2010-11-17T11:34:00.004-07:00

Here are a few pics that I bought from Mountain Moon Photography.

The pain face is because...well, it's cross, but also because my forearms were totally cramping after racing the previous day. It was drier on Sunday and therefore bumpier. I was pretty useless. Although I was one place better than the day before in 55th, and moved up from my call up of 59th. So, I guess that's worth something.

After todays Wed cross workout I feel like I need another couple of races, another week of training and I'll be back to where I might have a shot at top 10 at states in a month. Not bad for a tri geek racing some of the strongest guys in the country.

Good times, need more like this soon.

2010-11-06T14:11:00.008-06:00

I found some pics from a million years ago on the external hard drive I thought I lost. I'll post more maybe, but here are some of the best. Weird how things have changed so much, yet at the same time seems nothing has.

Escape from Alcatraz 2002

Keystone XTERRA in either '02 or '03

Bowling, how come we never go bowling anymore?

My best Big Labowski moment.

Half Moon Bay XTERRA 2002. I think this was the first year I beat Ned.

Winning and course record at Harvest Moon 1/2 IM. Maybe...'04 or '05

I'm finally getting back to that fitness. 2011 will be a good year.

The first, last, and only time I've worn a Tux. Not last as in I'll never do it again, but last as in the last time I did. Damn...um...'04 I think?

Change of CX plans

2010-11-06T14:02:00.002-06:00

I decided to bag a day of thorns at the res for the CX race today. The course was all dirt road a bit of sand and right through the thorn patch (from what I hear).

I'll head to Castle Rock tomorrow instead.

That's the beauty of the off season, no obligations. So, I'm savoring today as my last off day. Might go for one of my patented 6 hr hikes from the house up Flag or something.

Next week real training begins. Nothing huge, just more structure.

I'm sorting out what I'm gonna be doing for where to swim and who'll be my coach next year (not just swimming but everything).

Trying to sort out a race schedule as well. It's difficult with all the options. I want to have a solid schedule that won't be changing a ton (there are always little changes). It's tough when you don't know exactly what each race will be in terms of prize money, importance to sponsors, media obligations, etc.

Anyway, it will all be sorted out soon enough.

The scourge of cross in CO

2010-11-05T18:21:00.002-06:00

I HATE the freakin things:

Back home in Neuevo Mexico we called them goat heads. That's pretty much the standard I guess. Some of you easterners never seem to know what we're talking about. But this is they.

They SUCK!

For some reason they seem to be extra prevalent this year. I've been getting flats nearly every ride this year. You kind of learn what to look for and areas to avoid but even all my experience has been useless this year. I might have to break down and either get spin-skins or a Stans injector for tubes, or tubeless wheels. I'm talkin to you DT Swiss or Specialized.

Anyway, I'm a bit nervous about what to expect tomorrow out at the res for the School Cross at the Res race. That place is notorious for goat heads. I guess, we'll see. Hopefully they were all ridden out already during the UCI race.

Look for a report tomorrow afternoon.

Jimmy

5 most treasured things in your life.

2010-11-04T15:29:00.002-06:00

I'm sitting here watching Dr. Phil of all things. I'm recovering after a busy training day and prior to a meeting so lay off me for watching Dr. Phil.

It got me thinking though. He is dealing with spoiled, entitled (and actually totally moronic) young women. One of his exercises is to ask what their 5 most treasured item in their life are. Theirs were jewelry, hair extensions and the like. This got me thinking, what are mine?

First, I put considered these stipulations. It has to be something owned, so nothing like: relationships, health, experiences, and so on.

Here's what I came up with (in no particular order):

My grandfather's flight sunglasses from his days as a bomber pilot in WWII.
My condo (even though it's not all I'd want in a perfect world)
My college track and XC uniform and spikes in which I won the conference Steeplechase and was All-American
My medals, ribbons, etc. from my youth through High School.
My photo albums

I wanted to add my cat, but I don't think I can count her as a possession. I think she allows me to feed her and in return she hangs out.

What are yours?

I broke down and did it...

2010-11-03T22:10:00.002-06:00

After watching both of the UCI cross races in Boulder County last week I got a serious case of wrong-side-of-the-fence-itis. I broke down and renewed my UCI license and entered both of the UCI races in two weeks in Ft. Collins.

Cross is just too damn fun.

Plus it's a good energy blow off since I'm not doing IM AZ. I've had my time off and it's time to get back to training, start getting ready for some redemption in 2011.

Step 1 is building power and sustainable strength on the bike. It might be a bit debatable but I've always felt very good on the bike after a season of cross.

Plus I have Winter tri nationals on Jan 16th. So, again, cross will be beneficial.

Good times. First race is this weekend. Check back for pics etc.

Jimmy

Catharsis

2010-11-01T11:36:00.003-06:00

Ok, I recently made it official I won't be doing Ironman Arizona. To which I got lots of comments about dodging a strong field, being a wuss, being lazy, and so on. So, I'm compelled to lay it all out here and move on. So, here's the deal...be patient it's not all bitching and excuses.

Where to start? There's a lot I want to say but don't want to be rambling on for days.

First, Kristen and I are done. I'm single, that's that, end of story. It was not quite amicable, primarily on my end. But, you can't force that stuff, so, you accept it and move on. We are and will be friends. It's a bit awkward now, as it always is early, but you just gotta let it slide. It takes a while to release three years.

Next, I've been all over the place this year, in every sense of the term. I've literally circled the world this year traveling to races and training camps. I was racing in Mexico in early March, was off to Japan three weeks later for my first World Cup, heading to Europe to train with the Danish National team a few weeks after that for 2 months, back to the US for 4 weeks before learning I was headed back to Europe to help Rasmus Henning in his pre Kona preparation. Then back to the US, but living on the east coast for 2.5 weeks and racing a 70.3 and Olympic race, then back to CO, then Austin 70.3, and then the plan was AZ in late November. It was a pretty crazy year.

Now consider that year and the fact that I was never quite 100%, physically, mentally, financially and it's been nuts. Certainly NOT the best way to be competing to the best of my ability. So, why was I so...disorganized?

It all began about 5 years ago. I've mentioned on this blog before of my past bad luck, here is the laundry list:

2005- I was anemic over the winter after trying to do IM FL, winter triathlon, nordic skiing, too much extreme altitude and so on. You just can't race IM, XTERRA, and ITU/Olympic distance all at the same time. This is downside of loving your sport and being pretty good at most disciplines, you get tempted. Also, I was hit by a car while riding and sprained my knee badly at XTERRA Crested Butte.
2006- Slipped on black ice in my parking lot and compression fractured my hip 2 weeks prior to IM AZ this contributed to a strained calf during Escape from Alcatraz which lingered the entire season and was re-strained at XTERRA Worlds
2007- Started the year with nine significant insect stings within 3 weeks and eventually ended up with West Nile Virus (don't know if the two were connected). WNV is not unlike Chronic Fatigue or Mono in its effects to your energy and immune system. Basically it lays you out for 3-6 months. In September when I was finally feeling ok I had a stupid backward fall onto a curb in a parking lot taking my mtb off a car while avoiding another car in the next parking space, causing another compression fractured hip.
2008- Started the year feeling great but kept having problems with my left foot/ankle which then began to cause cramping and strain of my calf and hamstring. Eventually it got to the point I could barely run, but as a stubborn athlete I kept trying to gut it out. In September I found out I had a bone spur pinching a nerve and blood vessel as well as impinging the joint (actually I almost cut the nerve in half with the spur). Luckily it was operable and I had it removed. All was and is good
2009- After surgery I was not able to really train till February. I just plain rushed things after that. This coupled with poor decisions on bike fit and being way to far forward lead to patellar/quad tendonitis which I was still feeling starting 2010. Just stupid over eagerness after being held back for four years prior.

So there it is. I don't like laying that out there. It all feels like excuses, or stupidity. Maybe it can just be chalked up to "shit happens". I don't know. I just want it behind me.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel pressure to perform this year (2010). I began the year focused on ITU racing and trying to get to the Olympics. I think every athlete has this motivation at one point or another in some way. Most thought this was laughable since my swim has such a poor history and ITU is so very swim focused. However, I had a really good off season swimming. I was putting up good numbers in the pool. I had some TT's that were just about where things needed to be. So, I was eager and excited. To be honest, if I'm 100% without and fractures, blood issues, and so on I'm not worried about my run. I know I have 30 min 10k's in me when the work gets done, it's just getting the work done. Starting 2010 the work was getting done.

However, it was not long before I realized although I was a much better swimmer I was not an ITU swimmer. I could swim a high tempo but didn't have the get out speed over the first 400m. I would get gapped and just stay that same distance behind. I was frustrated when I went to the Team Specialized camp in April after a swim related DNF at Ishigaki World Cup. There I met Rasmus who invited me to Denmark to learn how it's done. I decided, "hell, this opportunity won't come again" so I went for it.

I was supposed to do Holten WC and a CC as well while in Europe so it seemed perfect. However, while I was in Denmark it became apparent that due to ITU points, etc. etc. I would not be able to get into a Olympic qualifying position even if my swim was perfect. Olympic bids begin nearly 6 years out these days and with 2 years to go it was not going to happen. So, now what?

Well, 70.3 obviously, right? There are tons of races, all with some ok prize money, how hard could it be? Actually I'm not that naive. I knew what I was getting into and coming back from Europe I was very fit and going well. However, having my TT bike broken on the trip back from Europe, having to borrow a size too small, getting dq'd for loosing my # on the bike at Boulder 70.3 and trying to race at altitude less than a week after coming back to the US was not the best plan.

Ok, so lesson learned. Get re-aclimated, pick a good race schedule and aim toward 70.3 Worlds. And all was going well, till I had another rare opportunity. Rasmus really wanted me to come train in the Canary Island during his pre Kona camp. I said no, he insisted, Specialized agreed, and I was on a plane. Over 2010 I've got to know Rasmus and the Dane's well. I love Farum, where they train. I like the guys, and I count them all as true friends. Rasmus wanted my help and I wanted to see him win Kona in the same dominating fashion he had won Challenge Roth. So, bam, I was on a plane straight from the San Francisco Alcatraz Tri without even stopping by Boulder on my way out of the country, and off to an experience of a life time. I just wish some of my recent misfortune had not rubbed of on Rasmus' Kona performance. I tell you, he was ready to kill it in Kona.

Then it was back to the US, again. This time I hit a couple of sea level races and had good efforts, but again not without a BS drafting penalty at Syracuse 70.3, and forgetting my speed suit for Westchester (something that probably didn't matter much).

Syracuse sealed my fate for 70.3 Worlds, I would not qualify for the 2010 edition. If I were to be totally honest that was the beginning of the shut down for the season and the end for Kristen and I, thus I was already mentally shutting down. However, after some reassessment and consideration of the new WTC Kona qualification I chose to finish with IM AZ. On the way to that goal I would also do 70.3 Austin.

If you read my LAVA magazine reports you know how Austin went. I was having a great race which was ended with a puncture which wouldn't patch. So, on to AZ? I went through the motions for a few weeks. Training was actually going really well. My personal life sucked (ha, does anyone have one of those anymore with all the social media). But, I literally have under $1000 to my name at the moment. Too much fruitless travel. It's November, I need (needed) to make a plan for 2011. And, I felt like I was just trying to keep things from unraveling before IM AZ.

In the end I don't want to go to (another) race that way. In the midst off all the travel, emotion, and changes in focus and direction, I've discovered that, "hey, I'm pretty decent at this sport. I really love it. I have complete freedom at the moment and the ability to dedicate my life to excelling at this". What I haven't had in a long time is focus. For physical, mental or whatever reason I've had distractions and interruptions. In 2011 I want to eliminate all that. Ironman Arizona will not help me to do this. In fact it will only postpone it's application.

So, I'm not doing IM AZ. I may not do an IM next year either, at least not prior to 70.3 Worlds. I want that to be my focus, 70.3 Worlds. I want to focus on that one goal and do everything I can to make that happen.

Right now on November 1. I am beginning the journey toward that goal. I won't be racing ITU. I won't be racing IM. I will do some Olympic non-drafting and XTERRA as is beneficial to 70.3 and my earning potential. But I won't make poor choices on those fronts. And, (knock on wood) I won't have any physical issues.

And that's that. I'm not dodging a strong field. I'm not being lazy. I'm making a choice to be the best athlete I can in 2011, not the 70% version of the past 5+ years. I know most of my competitors and acquaintances have little to no faith in me. I know in the small Boulder elite triathlon circle I'm somewhat of a laughing stock. But, hey, not many know the whole story, and now, there it is up there, so enjoy.

In the end I am reminded of something that former XTERRA World Champ Anke Erlank told me several years ago: "Everybody's your brother 'till you have nothing to offer". I know its kind of like "everyone's your brother till the rent comes due". But either way it is something that has resonated with me. It all comes down to the fact that I am the only one who really knows me. I know how I feel at 300 or 350 watts, or 6 min or 5 min pace, or 1:10 or 1:20 pace. I know what I can do and that's all I really want at this point; to prove to myself (and those who have, and still do, support me) what I am truly capable of. Hopefully this mission will help to motivate a few people and get a few asses off the couch and toes on the line.

On to 2011...

NACT Colorado Cross pics

2010-10-30T19:45:00.003-06:00

It was a kick ass day in Boulder. A bit warm for cross. But that will change soon enough, probably next week when I start racing.

I would have been in there today but I didn't renew my UCI license. Something I'm questioning now. It's all good. We have 2 months of cross left this year. I think I might give State a descent shot.

As for now, here's some pics.

The sand on the Res Beach at lap 1

Trebon and Johnson

A bit dusty

Ok crowd. I would have liked to see more.

Timmy J and my Specialized teammate Todd Wells in the barriers.

Todd mounting after another sand section by the lake.

Pics from Austin

2010-10-20T16:13:00.005-06:00

General feeling about the race. I hate dnf's. Some times you eat the bar and sometimes you ride like a dumb ass and flat on a railroad track.

Unpacking at the homestay. Lots of stuff. Gotta be prepared, like bringing a rain jacket when it's mid 80's everyday and blue skies.

The Austin Specialized source. Bicycle Sports Shop. Pretty descriptive name as well.

Hey, they stole my bike and hung it from the ceiling.

I wanted a PK Ripper so back when I was a kid. I wonder if Specialized would mind if I got a Big Ripper for a cruiser?

Line to drop off the bike at T1 the day b4 the race. Sucks.

Cool little trail system behind the homestay's house toward Barton Springs area.

The Bicycle Sports Shop has a real menu of rental options. Maybe next year I'll rent a bike rather than pay the airline fee.

Austin 70.3 Report

2010-10-20T14:32:00.001-06:00

This is my rough draft for LAVA. I'll have something more personal asap:

Let’s be honest the triathlon world revolves around Ironman Kona. Thus, hosting a race the week following Kona can be a difficult prospect. On the one hand the triathlon world is in a collective exhale and sinking back into the couch after being on the edge of their seat for the past two weeks. However, on the other hand there are those athletes who are totally amped up and eager to get out and start their bid toward Kona 2011. This was the feel at last weeks Austin 70.3, 2200 fired up athletes ready to do battle over the rolling hills of central Texas.

(Did you know this is where the movie Dazed and Confused took place and the famous moontowers actually exist? There’s a bunch of them right there in the heart of Austin)

Training had been going well for me and I was excited to get out there and represent after watching my Specialized teammate, Chris McCormack, win one of the best Kona battles of all time. I was finally coming into a race ready and not fresh off a trans-continental flight or trying to develop power on the bike after taking my eggs out of the ITU basket. Yet, I knew Austin 70.3 would be no cake walk. There were forty strong names on the men’s pro start list and thirty of the same level on the women’s, and many of them were from Austin, one of the countries quickest growing tri-meccas.

As is often the case in the pro race there was debate from the get go. WTC has recently increased it’s wetsuit legal swim temperature to 76.1, and the water in Decker Lake felt at least that warm. Yet, the race would be wetsuit legal at a claimed 73 degrees. Diving into the lake at 7:30am I could feel from the start that this would be one of those swims you were hoping would have an aid station at 1k. But, we’re all on the same course so you put your head down and see how long you can hang onto Bryan Rhodes feet. To my surprise it was quite a while and I only lost contact with the lead pack of five at the second buoy, coming out of the water less than a minute off the lead pack but nearly two minutes off ITU veteran and swim leader Marko Albert.

Meanwhile the women’s race was unfolding much the same way. ITU star Nicola Spirig and Nina Kraft would string out the group and make up their two minute starting deficit on many of the men, something that would come into play later.

As we headed onto the single lap bike course through the rolling hills east of Austin I could see the lead motorcycle and the front of the race. It’s been a while since I’ve been in that position and I started having that guilty feeling like I forgot the second half of the swim or something. But, again, you don’t worry about that stuff, you put your head down and try to bridge that gap. Something James Cunnama, Lewis Elliot, and I were doing quite well until about fifteen miles into the course when it felt like someone dropped a refrigerator on my back. Gaps opened, other guys passed me, and I was dragging. It felt like I was riding in glue. Actually I was (in a way) I had hit a set of railroad tracks oddly and evidently caused a puncture. The tire was down to about 50 psi when I stopped and discovered that Vittoria Pitstop, a crack pipe (inflation adapter), and disc wheels don’t mix. I was able to get about 90 psi and hopefully some sealant into the tire and started chasing like a man possessed. I had been at the front. I liked being at the front and I wanted back ASAP. I was able to ride back up to Trevor Wurtele and Cunnama just as the tire lost psi again. After another inflation and chase I was getting pretty fried. Just then the main group of seven guys came by and I was able to settle into their tempo. Now, before you start thinking “draft pack” we were being good and were escorted by a draft marshal the whole time I was there. Yet, as my tire went down for the third time I was surprised to see Nicola Spirig tacked on the back of the group. Good for her, I suppose. If you can swim down the two minute starting deficit and race with the men’s tempo then I guess that’s how ya roll.

My day was done before I could get to the hilly and mostly cross country two loop run. Which sucks, I love that kind of running, it takes me back to my college days. Evidently it had the same positive effect for James Cunnama as he was able to make up a six minute deficit off the bike and lay down a blazing 1:12 half marathon on a tough course to claim victory over a strong field including 2009 defending Champion Richey Cunningham.

For Spirig the days fastest run was not needed as she lead off the bike by seven minutes. Yet, she did it anyway with a 1:25 half marathon for a decisive victory that backed up the female ITU athlete dominance of the US tri scene over the past few weeks at LA and Dallas.

Overall the race was a great success and benefitted from unseasonable weather and a great course. I, however, will be back next year to finish what started out as a breakthrough day.

Team Specialized Playitas Pre-Kona training with Rasmus Henning and Martin Jensen

2010-10-09T12:05:00.016-06:00

I should probably of posted these earlier, but with all the Twitter-ati active right now maybe more people will actually see them today- Ironman WC race day.

Below are pics from the Specialized Pre-Kona camp that Rasmus Henning, Martin Jensen, and I did at the Playitas resort on Furetaventura in the Canary Islands.

Enjoy.

Leaving the Copenhagen, Denmark airport. Lots of gear=lots of fees on the airlines.

Before we leave here are a couple of pics of Farum, Denmark where the Danish national team trains. This is Farum So (Lake Farum) There is a trail system around the entire area.

This is what the trails are like. Awesome. Can't get better running conditions.

Playitas Resort

Entry way to Playitas. This doesn't really do it justice.

We had to do a loosen up swim the day we arrived. The best part of my day is when the swim is finished. But at Playitas you have a 50m pool and awesome ocean to choose from. Good facilities always make it easier.

There are tons of hills in Playitas. The riding is Awesome. Mostly deserted roads, and you're in Spain (technically) so the traffic when there is any is pretty mellow. This is looking toward Playitas from on of the higher climbs.

This is looking the reverse direction. Rollers for as far as you can see. Not many trees, but you get used to that. Perfect Kona training though.

This is a huge climb up to a restaurant (you can see in the distance). It's very Alpe'd Huez-ian, switchbacks for about 20-30 k. Fun climb, with 3 more right behind it.

Fun times. Even though hanging on to these guys can really put ya on the rivot.

Good times

My view for the better part of two weeks. Rasmus on the right, Martin on the left.

It's all smiles in hour 1. 5 hours later, not so much.

Get to be a mechanic as well. Tweaking front D of Rasmus' bike. I'm a perfectionist. He didn't mind the rubbing, I did.

Core strength training post swim

Lots of media interest in Rasmus

Bit of recovery with Nutella and "Norma" i.e. Normatec MVP

There is a 1.5k loop within the resort which is great for paced tempo efforts off the bike.

Cinder trail surface. Soft, perfect. Today was 3:30 per k for 30 min after 5 hrs on the bike.

Part of the loop is on the "promenade" by the beach.

Recovery. Just taking it one day at a time. It was too daunting to think of what happens tomorrow.

Rasmus' Shiv and SL3 as well as my Transitions. Lots of Specialized red and white.

Chillin on the deck after a big day. Nice view.

This is how I roll. Big plate of food (Rasmus wanted me having two of these so I could keep keeping up) and the remote. Of course nothing but German and Spanish TV or BBC and Eurosport in English. But with internet TV is overrated.

I've gained international stardom...

2010-09-29T16:05:00.002-06:00

Actually I just got an interview with the Danish website www.tri365.dk.

And, the article is kind of a "Who the hell is this guy who Rasmus is training with?".

Here is the link http://www.tri365.dk/?p=90

Here is the translation: (but check out the site, just use Google Translate, its pretty cool and just getting up and running)

Who is Jimmy Archer?

Posted on September 16, 2010. Tags: 70.3 , Boulder , Craig Alexander , Hawaii , Jimmy Archer , Kona , Michael Krüger ,Rasmus Henning , XTERRA

We have probably been some pieces that just had to check the name Jimmy Archer, when Rasmus Henning took a 2-week pre-training camp in Kona Playitas with him. So who is Jimmy Archer? Jimmy is from the U.S.. He is, like Rasmus Henning, a part of Team Specialized Multisport Team. He cultivated both running, biking and cross country before he finally switched to triathlon in 1998.

Tri365 have talked with Jimmy about his 2010 season, his plans for 2011 and on Rasmus Henning and Hawaii.

How does the rest of your season like?

It will only 70.3 contests. I will prepare Syracuse 70.3 in New York on 19th September, where I hope to qualify World Cup on the distance to 70.3 in November. Then I make Austin 70.3, where my goal is a Top 5 placement. After Austin is a variety of options. Maybe I'll make a race known as "Tinley's toughest" in California. It may also be that I'll make XTERRA Worlds, or maybe Miami 70.3. It all depends on whether I should make 70.3 Worlds. If I can find the motivation and the money, I'd like to finish the year with 70.3 Asian Championships in Laguna Phuket in December, but it is long to think ahead at this time.

What will your 2011 look like? Someone changes? What about London Olympics 2012?

2010 has been a difficult year for me in many areas. I started the year by focusing on the 2012 Olympics, but it's not going to succeed because of two reasons.

1) The U.S. has already taken a gross Olympics squad of 6 male and I'm not one of them.

2) I swim simply not fast enough. Perhaps I could improve myself enough within 1 year, but by then it will be too late.

Then in late June, I changed focus. I came to Denmark in 6 weeks in June and July to train with Rasmus Henning and the rest of the Danish national team and to find out what I wanted. The Olympic dream is hard to let go, and I found myself thinking about whether 2016 would be possible. But I found out was that I more than anything else, just not bothered to be poor anymore. It would be useless to continue to pursue a dream where my talent does not come into its own. Basically, I was forced to face the fact that I'd like a triathlon career - that I'd like to live on my sport. I would simply love to get to the Olympics, but perhaps it is just not in my cards.Fortunately, a triathlon sport with many great opportunities and ambitions than the Olympics. So with advice from Rasmus and my coach Michael Krüger, I decided to switch focus to the 70.3 distance for the remainder of 2010.

In 2011, I might make an Ironman or two. It all depends on how the rest of 2010 is going to go. After I left Denmark in July, I went home, told my job and started as an online triathlon coach. It is time to pursue triathlon 100%. I would regret it if I never gave the sport my absolute focus, which is something I have not previously done.

Now I'm in pretty good shape after 2 weeks with Rasmus on Playitas and with a few races left this year, where I hope to have drawn attention to myself. My results the rest of the year, will determine what options I have for sponsorship in 2011 and what further opportunities in relation to this, could give me. If all goes well, I would like to compete in the U.S. this spring and have an early season before I would return to Denmark next summer. Then I might again take on pre-training camp in Kona Playitas, and then even go to Kona and participate. But at this stage it is very difficult to say. I am much wiser in November.

You have trained with Rasmus Henning in 2 weeks on Fuerteventura? How do you see his form? Do you think he'll be a real threat to Craig Alexander in Hawaii?

I do not know if I should give any secrets away. Actually, I was in Boulder before training camp with Rasmus, where many of Hawaii favorite trainer at the moment, including Craig Alexander, and I would argue that Rasmus is a very serious threat to others. I know what many of the other triathletes in Boulder doing and have done. Now I have followed Rasmus closely for 2 weeks, and honestly, then they should be very worried. I do not know if I've ever seen anyone with so much potential on the race. I believe that Rasmus on a good day, can move the final run up to a whole new level. His greatest strength is that he is so solid in all 3 disciplines.

Who do you think is Rasmus' biggest competitors in Hawaii?

Craig Alexander is obviously the biggest favorite. But he has won 2 times now with the same formula. Does that mean the others will follow his tactics? The same goes for Chris Lieto. Everyone knows what Chris Lieto will try - the question is how the others will adapt? If there is one thing we know about the Kona, it's that anything can actually happen on race day. I believe that he who can get the details of operating in training, and then adjust up and downs on race day will win. There are several guys who have talent in one way or another. It may all boil down to getting one's talent, training, and individual level to hit the maximum, while one should be able to respond to and minimize crises underway.

I personally believe in a strong European year with Eneko Llanos, Andreas Raelert, Dirk Böckel and of course Rasmus as potential winners.

You can read more about Jimmy on his blog and on his website , but be aware that it is not very updated, as Jimmy is about to improve. He has famously made no race in the Bundesliga this year, and his focus is now no longer on the 2012 Olympics, but at 70.3 years, and maybe the Ironman distance in 2011.

Westchester Tri Race Report

2010-09-28T17:49:00.002-06:00

Find this also on the LAVA Magazine site.

Last weekend there were four pro level triathlons in the USA with decent prize purses to choose from: The USA Triathlon and XTERRA National Championships, the Augusta 70.3, and the Jarden Westchester Triathlon. Considering its company I’m sure most triathlon fans are asking, “What the heck is the Westchester Triathlon, and why should I care?” This is a valid question. Wouldn’t all the “real” pros be at the other events?

Not necessarily.

You see, race selection often comes down to more than just who’s putting up the biggest purse (don’t get me wrong, that is usually factor number one). On Sunday however, some of the pros who chose to race Westchester did so because their focus is neither ITU nor XTERRA, and a 70.3 just didn’t fit at the moment. Others were racing because they had made a decision to take a stand against the WTC $800 pro membership fee, and therefore would not race 70.3 or Ironman events. Still other pros were racing, like myself, because either they were local, or were still in the area after last week's Syracuse 70.3. For these athletes, it seemed logical to make the short drive to the state's second richest county for a back-to-back race week—and in my case, hopefully a bit of redemption.

The winding roads and rolling hills of Westchester county are perfect for the “out of sight out of mind” tactic.

The Jarden Westchester Triathlon is not lacking in setting. Hosted in Rye, N.Y. on the shores of Long Island Sound (only minutes from NYC), the race is based at Playland Amusement Park, a National Historic Site built in 1928, and the setting for a variety of films including Big. As I mentioned, Westchester County is wealthy, the seat of “old money." For one, I spotted a Lamborghini Murcielago, Aston Martin DB9, two Audi R8’s, and nearly got nailed by one of those Yakuza-style big black Mercedes while on the bike course. I also happened to notice that the tennis club at mile five of the run enforced the “tennis whites” dress code. Yep, these are the little things I notice while racing.

Race day dawned a bit overcast and cool, but with perfect race conditions. The swim was a single dogleg loop from the Playland beach. Surprisingly, the water was a warm 71 degrees, disallowing wetsuits for the pros, but not for the 1200-plus age groupers. Also, with a field of only 20 men and women, both pro fields would start together. This is always an odd dynamic since some of the top women pros swim as fast or faster than most of the men, as is the case with my Specialized triathlon teammate, Kristen Peterson. I find this serves to string out the group a bit rather than having larger packs swimming together. Plus, with international caliber swimmer John Kenny in the field I was certain the swim would be key. That said, I was sure to be first off the line, sprint like a mad man down the beach, and then hope to hang onto the draft long enough for the pace to settle. (Mission not accomplished, unfortunately.)

I got out well, but not well enough and missed the group. The first pack of two-time defending champion Andrew Starykowicz, Kenny, Eric Limkemann, Javier Cuevas, and Jamie Stephenson would come out in the low 17:00s, followed just under a minute later by Peterson and five more men with second-place woman Laurel Wassner and myself another 50 seconds off.

On to the beautiful, hilly, technical, and rough (gotta love those New England roads!) bike course. Starykowicz would use his previous two years of experience at Westchester to throw down over the first 10 miles of undulating climbing and thus shatter the lead group. The winding roads and rolling hills of Westchester county are perfect for the “out of sight out of mind” tactic, and nearly all the pros would spend the ride feeling alone even while within a minute of the nearest competitor. Only brief glimpses ahead would allow you a moment of motivation before returning to chasing the ghosts of who might be just ahead. This was a day for mental toughness and focus on the bike (oh, and seeing how many super cars you could pick out).

Kristen Peterson threw caution to the wind and added to her lead out of the water with a strong 1:06:52 bike split—competitive with some of the men’s splits. However, her 1:20 lead off the bike would not be enough to hold off NYC local Laurel Wassner’s blazing run, and Peterson would be caught by mile four of the 10k.

On the men’s side, Starykowicz, who lead off the bike at the 70.3 Worlds a few years ago, was strong on the bike, posting a 55:55 bike split on a tough course. Jordan Jones put in a good effort on the run to take back 1:30, but would finish second with two minutes yet to gain. Second though eighth place was a good race, however with all seven men within a half mile of each other.

I had learned the term “bubble boy” the previous week from my Boston homestay, Fastsplits Multisports owner, Brian Hughes. Bubble Boy is the guy in Poker tournaments who is the first not to get paid. Today, bubble boy was sixth place in Westchester. As I came to the first out-and-back turn around at mile one of the run, I counted five guys ahead of me. For me that red and blue Kiwami suit 45 seconds up the road was a $500 rent check. I put my head down and tried to find the speed that a two-week Kona prep camp with Rasmus Henning and a Syracuse 70.3 don’t tend to leave in your legs. At mile three I was closer, at mile four closer still, and at mile five I was looking at girls in white tennis skirts but still a bit closer. As we entered the final 200 meters, some guy shouted “Kick damn you KICK!!” in the most brilliant New York accent. I dug deep and tried to find the former four-minute-mile pace, and almost did, but came up five seconds short ... of sixth. Evidently I had missed counted earlier, and was killing myself for sixth, not fifth. I wasn’t even chasing bubble boy.

In the end it doesn’t matter. I found something I hadn’t felt in a while. And, as I’m trying to come back to the level I want to race at, this was a step in the right direction.

All of this speaks to why races like the Jarden Westchester Triathlon are important. On a weekend with three "major" events this was a race that let a young pro like Kristen Peterson see what happens when you swim and ride harder then you "should." And, it let an old pro who wants to be "back" take another step in the right direction. The field might not have been as deep, but some 1200-plus athletes and double that in spectators got to see some awesome athletes lay it on the line for the love of the sport.

Syracuse 70.3 Race Report.

2010-09-21T12:12:00.002-06:00

The below is a bit formal since it is an idea of a way to go for LAVA magazine. But, since this is my blog I don't have to polish it up too much.

Enjoy.

After eleven years racing triathlon as a pro one piece of race advice I can pass on is to always attempt to expect the unexpected, but, more importantly, don’t freak out when stuff does happen. Because it almost always does. I don’t know if I can think of a single race where everything went as planned. The inaugural Syracuse 70.3 was no exception.

I had just completed a two week pre-Kona training camp with fellow Specialized tri team racer, Rasmus Henning at the Playitas resort on Fuertaventura in the Canary Islands (it’s one island over from Lanzarote which you probably know from the Lanzarote Ironman). I had planned on racing in Syracuse and considering I was coming in from Europe to the east coast it seems like an easy travel situation. Get in a race that’s on the way back to Colorado from Europe and pick up a 70.3 Worlds slot all at the same time. Now that’s just efficient planning.

That was until I discovered while trying to rent a car in Newark that my license had expired while I was away. Well that sucks. No car. No means of renting a car. How was I supposed to get from Newark to Syracuse? With the less than stellar salary of a pro on the comeback trail I was far from able to think of buying a plane ticket to Syracuse. However, after eleven years of racing the one thing I do have is plenty of friends. Thankfully I was able to catch a train to Boston and borrow some race wheels and a car from my friend, former XTERRA pro, and current owner of Fastsplits Mulisport, Brian Hughes. So, panic averted (for the time being).

After an awesome early fall drive through upstate New York I eventually got to Syracuse without a hitch and even had time to hit the world famous Dinosaur BBQ for dinner before my 4am wake up call on race day morning.

As we all do I bounced out of bed at 4am psyched and ready to go...um...ok, not at all. Actually, there was lots of “why do I do this”, “why aren’t these races at 10am instead of 7am”? But, you gotta do it, and in the end we love it. So, I was in the car at 5:30 am for the 20 min drive to the start. Unfortunately an hour and fifteen minutes later I was just barely pulling into the parking lot and frantically diving out of the car grabbing my wetsuit, bottles, goggles, trying to find my cap, wondering when I was suppose to get my timing chip, and convincing myself the run to T1 would serve as a pretty good warm up.

You see there is only one small two lane road into the Jamesville Reservoir where the start and transition are. Add 3000 or so cars all trying to go the same place and the lesson is, if you do Syracuse 70.3 next year, either take the shuttles provided or give yourself ample time.

Luckily the race organizer realized the issue and delayed the start 15 minutes. Just enough for me to actually set up T1 and get my Blue Seventy Helix and timing chip on, but not enough time to get in a swim warm up.

While Saturday was warm and sunny Sunday started out drizzly and densely overcast. A swim warm up would have been good as I stood shivering on the beach during the National Anthem.

At the gun the strong pro field of several 70.3 contenders sprinted into the mild waters. Within the first 500m the group of around 30 men was split in two with strong men, Paul Matthews, James Hadley, Maxim Kriat, and Andrew Yoder creating the separation. Unfortunately, I was the odd man out. Matthews and Hadley would lead out in 24:17 with Kriat at the back of the group in 24:47 and me about 1:15 off that. Thus, the benefit of a good warmup. Usually that is where you ready yourself for the initial speed at the start of the swim.

The bike course in Syracuse was rumored to be tough and it was. The difficulty of the many hills and winding roads was kicked up a notch by fog and the fact that at times visibility was as little as 50m and the roads were wet the entire day. Let me tell you, there is nothing quite like being spun out of your 53x11 in the aero bars flying down some hill you’ve never seen before into a cloud and just hoping there isn’t a tight bend coming up.

On the bike the air density was so high it was nearly impossible not to find yourself eventually riding in a group. Riding solo felt like the brakes were rubbing (trust me, I checked) but riding legal, even 20m behind another guy, and I felt like I was soft pedaling. Eventually the race sorted into two main groups with Matthews throwing down a killer ride to put 5 minutes into even the second best split. Curiously his Trek/K-Swiss teammate Andrew Yoder was on the side of the road just past 25 miles and would be the days only dnf. The rumor was that Yoder was working for Matthews and that is why Paul was so fast on the bike. I don't have any proof of that.

Unfortunately I was the only drafting penalty in the pro men and victim of yet another unexpected problem. I will save you the excuses, lets just say I don’t see how I can get the penalty when a guy pulls right across my wheel requiring me to stop pedaling and sit up to drop out of the draft box (anyway, that’s always annoying). However, it does no good to get pissed and try to argue, you just have to go to the penalty box and do your time.

Meanwhile the women were having a very different experience. Sam McGlone had lead out of the water and she and Rachel Challis were riding together while the swim gaps had caused most of the women to ride solo most of the day.

Off the bike, Matthew’s had a comfortable gap but would continue his dominance on the day with the fastest run split on the point to point half marathon into downtown Syracuse.

For me it was all about chasing ghosts. After my 4 minute penalty, which is always closer to 5 by the time the penalty tent guys find the watch and so on, I was running solo. I knew guys were up there but I just had to hope I could bring some back. Eventually I saw Dave Harju around 4 miles. Then there was another guy, and then another. In the end I was just able to run back up to where I was on the bike. That’s the downside of racing on point to point courses, there aren’t many “carrots”. You can’t see whose ahead so you don’t have anyone to chase. I think this makes the bike much more important on a day like this. If you can come off the bike with a lead then you can check out and be gone. This is what both Matthews and McGlone did on the day. While Paul was able to put up the fastest run Sam had the second fastest sacrificing over two minutes to eventual third placer Annie Gervais. But, Sam had done what she needed on the bike.

In the end this was a great race. Congratulations to both Paul Matthews and Sam McGlone for strong wins. I’m looking forward to next year, a renewed license, a proper swim warm up, and staying clear of the drafting police. But, for a first year event with 2500 athletes this was a well run event on a great course.

I ended up 10th. And I didn't get a slot to Worlds so that sucks. But, things are coming around. I had a solid swim and run. The bike could have been better but it's getting there. I'm eager to see where things are in a month in Austin.

Jimmy

San Francisco Alcatraz Triathlon...a bad race?

2010-09-10T10:37:00.000-06:00

I’m sitting on a plane somewhere between San Francisco and Chicago the day after the San Francisco Alcatraz Triathlon. I’m on my way to Denmark for the remainder of the week and then off to Fuertaventura, in the Canary Islands, for a pre-Kona training camp with my Specialized teammate Rasmus Henning. I’ve been contemplating this race report for iamspecialized.com, since the race ended yesterday. Trying to sort out how to spin the upside out of 15th and loosing 5-8 minutes on the bike. It seems I’ve been trying to put a positive spin on many things this season, and several years prior to that. To be quite honest I’m sick of it. Actually, I hate it! I’m pissed off, I’m dissatisfied, and I’m disappointed. I’m better than this. I’ve been better than this. 15th just isn’t good enough, and there is no way to spin that positive.

One of my clearest memories of the 6th grade is learning the definition of the term “journeyman”. I remember my teacher saying that it’s like a boxer who fights for many years, will never win or contend for a title, but he keeps doing it because he’s just good enough, and...well, it takes two to have a boxing match.

Every time I put up a 15th, or a 10th, or whatever I remember that day, and that term. Lately I’ve felt myself slipping, almost being pulled uncontrollably toward that definition. It’s incredibly frustrating after races to put on the forced smile and try not to be an ass by whining about why this or that should’a, could’a, would’a been better if...

You see 15th is pretty damn good to nearly everyone in the race, and to nearly everyone who’s done a triathlon. As fellow pro Amanda Stevens reminded me when I let my frustration slip a bit, I “don’t suck”. And that’s what’s most difficult. The wrenching gut, the utter contempt comes from the fact that I know with the utmost conviction that I am better than that performance.

I know that my training has been going well. I know that I’ve beat some pretty good guys in some little races in the past few weeks. But why not yesterday, why not when it counts? And what about everyone I let down? What about having to explain what happened to my sponsors and others who believe in me? How am I supposed to justify not being good enough? I mean isn’t that just the first part of that sentence? Shouldn’t it be; how am I supposed to justify not being good enough to be sponsored etc.?

These are the thoughts that go through your head when you care, when you know you’re capable of more. And these have been the questions screaming for explanation in my head. Yet, trying to explain the answers to those questions is where excuses start, and I hate making excuses. I prefer to look at the facts.

So, the facts. First, why not yesterday? Well, Alcatraz is a unique race. It is swim heavy which isn’t my strongest suit, but I swam mid pack, not all that bad. I went a bit wide and got out of the current (there are really strong ebb currents in the SF bay) that’s where I lost the lead group and a minute or two. The more important fact is that I had not had a real solid full distance race since the Escape from Alcatraz back in May. Initially in 2010 I had focused on Olympic format ITU racing. This focus changed mid season. Then I had my first foray to Denmark to train with Rasmus. Upon returning I was very fit but had unfortunate situations lead to a DNF at Boulder Peak, and a DQ at Boulder 70.3. So, this was my first high level race since May and I was a bit rusty on the top end. The old, “I feel really strong, but need the sharpness”. For me and my physiology that simply means I need to race more.

Next, all those other questions. Am I letting down my supporters and so on? Personally I don’t like to focus on what I’m not doing. It’s all about what I am doing, and what can be done better. Like I said, I need to race more to race better. That will happen since I have 5-7 more races this year. The more interesting question is what can be done better. On that note I would say all I could do better is to commit more completely to being a true “professional” athlete. Meaning being sure to take care of all those minor details that alone don’t seem like much but together have enormous value, perhaps 14 positions worth of value. This is what the best guys do very well. They attend to the details. Personally I think this is something Rasmus Henning does very well.

So, what can I do to improve this? Well, I suppose spending some time with guys who excel at this is a good start. So, going to Europe again will be a good thing with three weeks to go prior to the Syracuse 70.3 and my final chance to qualify for 70.3 Worlds. Add to that the “training camp” mentality of complete focus and lack of distractions has always been something that works well for me.

So, was SF Alcatraz a bad race? Yes, I was too damn slow. However, more importantly, No, it was just a reminder of what I want and what I know I can accomplish. It’s frustrating as hell, and I am definitely feeling pressure and expectation from myself, my sponsors, my friends, my family, and others. But, there is a good 3-4 months of 2010 left for me to prove my worth and my abilities. Late August is usually when guys are starting to shut it down or get ready for that one last World Champs race. For me August 29th feels like the beginning (or at least a second beginning) to my season. I know I’m fit, and now I’m even more fired up for Syracuse 70.3 and all the other races to come. I think that 15th might have been a good thing to get me in pissed off, fighting form for those big end of the season races.

...Hey, there’s that positive spin I was looking for.

10 best Metal videos of all time

2010-08-05T22:22:00.003-06:00

In honor of Whitesnake's video for Here I Go Again breaking 10 million views on YouTube I've decided to list what I think are the 10 best Metal Videos of all time. I didn't give myself many restrictions other than the following:

Bands must be Metal. No Hair Bands (although some are on the verge) and no "other than metal types" which means the videos are older since true metal is just now making a comeback, unfortunately modern metal bands don't make real videos any more (see next point)
Videos must be videos, meaning they must have a point other than just band footage.
They gotta ROCK!

Below I give you my top 10 Metal videos of all time.

#10: Whitesnake "Here I go again"

Whitesnake is arguably a Hair Band. Although I would say David Coverdale has a bit more talent and depth. He did go on to partner with Led Zepplin legend Jimmy Page. But, I'm still torn. But this video is classic. There is a point: Tawny Kitaen doing splits and cart wheels on Coverdale's Jag's. Thus, I'll give Whitesnake some leeway here and let them in at #10.

Oh, there are also the various nuggets of Metal video necessity present in the video such as:

Singing to a closed fist
Hot chick lip synching key lyrics
Lead guitarist licking his guitar during solo

#9 Judas Priest "Breaking The Law"

Priest. What can I say about Priest. They had to make the countdown. I mean they are one of the godfathers of Metal. And Rob Halford is certainly one of the top 3 vocalists of all time. However, they didn't put out many true videos, most were concert footage or just a bit dull.

Yet, then we have Breaking The Law. In this video we have Rob in a suit, yet sporting just a bit of studded leather bling that really makes you wonder how nobody every suspected he was gay for nearly 30 years. We also have a bank robbery done entirely with guitars, and add to that, bank patrons held at bay with metal guitars (obviously this was back when Metal was little more than annoying noise, and evidently weaponized when wielded in the right hands).

#8: Scorpions "Rock You Like A Hurricane"

At this point in '83 (when the video was made) Klaus Meine spoke only broken English in public, but seemed fine blasting lead vocals. The video is an absolute classic. Klaus singing with his hand twisted upside down holding the mic, swaying jail bars, jungle cats, weird space pod things, and painted ravenous women. Plus a very healthy dose of Euro Metal style to go with a legendary riff and epic guitar solo. The only thing lacking is continuity to the theme, which can be good or bad. The roughness of the video only adds to its appeal.

#7: Def Leppard "Rock of Ages"

Two lines: "Gunta Glieben Glouten Globen" followed by "I got something to say, it's better to burn out then to fade away". Absolutely timeless and unmatched.

And that's only the first 25 seconds.

This is old school Leppard. Rick Allen (the drummer) still has two arms. And Joe Elliot is still wearing his "I stole this from you golden retriever" bandanna around his neck.

Again we see the weaponization of the guitar as it transforms from a sword to free the chained maiden. Evidently chained by the wine goblet crushing hand guy.

Not sure where the chess game comes in, and the video is mostly the band. But I like the medievalness of it and the first two lines alone warrant top 10 status

#6 Living Colour "Cult Of Personality"

This was one of my favorite bands in '88-'89. Nothing like black Metal.

What I like about this video is it's timelessness and it's mention of great leaders (good and bad) throughout history and the fact that, love em or hate em, attaining global power does demand a Cult of Personality. We see the same thing today, and that will probably never change. Lyrically the video is as valid today as it was in '88.

Side note. Cory Glover's wearing of a Body Glove wetsuit during the video has got to earn some points for Metalness. Also, Vernon Reid is maybe the most overlooked yet influential Metal guitarist of all time.

#5 Van Halen "Hot For Teacher"

Honestly, I wanted to put this higher. This is Van Halen at their best. Diamond Dave as the rock star fool front man. Epic Eddy guitar solo. And a strong theme running throughout the video. Even a little treat of "where are they now" at the end.

"Sit down Waldo"...Classic

#4: Iron Maiden "The Trooper"

In the battle of greatest rock vocalist I always side with Bruce Dickinson. And when it comes to EPIC riffs I will always go with the galloping cadence of Maiden. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING gets my pre-race psyched like Iron Maiden, and The Trooper in particular.

Take all that, add a smoke machine, some absolutely awesome lycra, and a "we aint pretty, we're Metal" attitude and you have Maiden in The Trooper.

To get the theme of the video you have to know the lyrics. But there are lots of horse "crashes" and cannons which is always good. I would like to see a bit more Eddy. But for shier song quality I had to give Bruce and the boys a place in the top 5.

#3 Guns N' Roses "Welcome To The Jungle"

GnR didn't have many true videos. Mostly band footage. That was until November Rain which I always felt tried a bit too hard and was really just Axel's homage to his own egomaniacal self.

But, they started out well with "Welcome To The Jungle". Here we have Axel rocking almost Hair Band style (the last time we'll see that, although he may want to try that out again instead of the ridiculous corn rows) on stage. Yet, an innocent farmboy thing as he comes off the bus.

Watching this video now gives it and erie foreshadowing quality. We have an almost hermaphroditic Axle trying to find his place in the world. We watch as he sees and image of himself torn apart by media and the excess of "the jungle" I.E. LA.

Looking at this video now knowing how Axel and GnR evolved this video almost seems to be made as a retrospective look into how naive the band was before really breaking big.

#2 AC/DC "You Shook Me"

This was my class song...so...to tell ya the truth I'm a bit sick of it. Personally I think AC/DC have several better songs. But You Shook Me does rock. And the video seals the deal for a top spot on the countdown.

We have the AC/DC must haves of and Angus Young guitar solo done in full school boy uniform. We have Brian Johnson being the "backdoor man" he's famous for. And we have plenty of girls. But not just girls, leather clad girls...riding bikes...in crotch zipped leather lingerie.

#1: Metallica "One"

As I'm fond of telling anyone who will listen. One is Metallica's one degree of separation to CU (University of Colorado) and my alma mater. You see One is based on a book called "Johnny Got His Gun" written in '38 by Dalton Trumbo, a CU grad and namesake of the fountain in front of the UMC on the CU campus.

Anyway, the video makes very good use of the movie base on the book. So, we have a video, for a song, using a movie, based on a book and all rolling into one very well done and KICK ASS video. MTV didn't often show the video since it 8 minutes long. And that was a mistake. This is by far aesthetically and musically the best Metal video of all time.

Girls, pointlessness, fun, and excess are all aspects of Metal that make it a unique genre. However, One transcends all this. Watching One is like being in the audience of a Motzart recital...in Vienna...live...by Motzart himself. Simply, this video is without equal in its scope, musicality, meaning, execution, and eloquence.

For me, One represents a strong rebuttal to the non-Metal community and those who feel it is nothing but noise. This song will live on for ages.

#1: Dio "Holy Diver"

Yes, co-#1. The late Ronnie James Dio gets a nod at #1 for all the other reasons I didn't mention in reference to One.

In Holy Diver we have a weird and disconnected story line. We have no band footage whatsoever. We have those same red cloaked guys that we've seen in at least 3 other videos on this list (look carefully). And we have a long ethereal, and windy, intro.

So why #1 status? Simply because this is everything Metal is that One is not. The video is Metal because it's Metal. It is unapologetic, unexplanatory, it just is. Hell, I'm not even entirely sure what or who a Holy Diver is.

But for it's somewhat rambling, sword fighting, defeating evil, and rocking while doing so I am giving Dio a share of the top slot.

New Leaf Metabolic Test

2010-08-04T22:04:00.004-06:00

Colorado Athletic Club (CAC) sprung for a New Leaf system and RD Holly Klamer has been looking for some test subjects. Which worked out perfect for me since I need to get my nutrition dialed considering my move to longer distance racing. IM is nothing but an eating contest right? (Not that I'm moving to IM just yet).

Anyway, the test isn't too bad. Basically just your standard warm up followed by a stair step protocol up to LT or just above. We were looking for the point where I shift from a mix of fat and carb to burning only carbs. As expected this happened just about at LT, or just over 300 watts.

It turns out at that point I'm using about 20 calories a minute, which comes to about 2500 or so during a 70.3 bike portion. Guess a Big Mac should do nicely to cover that need.

Actually this is where it gets interesting. While that is what I will burn it is not necessarily what I will need to take in. If I tried to match my burn rate I would most likely not be able to process the calories fast enough and get the dreaded "GI distress". So, the trick is to find how and what your body prefers to take in the highest percentage of the calories actually burned.

Also, interesting for me is that I am a bit of a humming bird. I use a high percentage of carbs from pretty early on. This could mean I should work on training easier in order to be more efficient at burning fat. Or it could explain why I feel so good doing centuries while fueled by Mountain Dew and Power Bar Energy Blasts.

Basically, I do need to increase my efficiency. So, more easy and long sessions. But, I also need to be sure to fuel early and often since I demand a high octane (ie high sugar) nutrition strategy.

The New Leaf System doesn't give me all the answers but it does give me a good idea of which direction I need to head. Unfortunately nothing is as valuable as experience.

I will be implementing a more structured nutrition plan during Boulder 70.3 this weekend based on the New Leaf test. So, I will definitely have more experience after this weekend.

More to come...

Jimmy

Loveland Sprint Triathlon vid...race report to come.

2010-07-24T13:13:00.000-06:00