Taking the year..... almost off....

MEN 30-34
1 1 911 BRIAN WILSON 30 2 1:10:05
2 5 515 MATT GENOVESE 31 2 1:10:08
3 7 1380 BRIAN DILORETO 34 2 1:10:09
4 13 1201 JIM LUBINSKI 30 2 1:10:12
5 16 449 JEFF CARCHIDI 34 2 1:10:13
6 19 684 JOHN SINNOTT 33 2 1:10:14
7 20 714 TYSON VON G 31 2 1:10:14
8 34 1228 CHAD HOLCOMB 30 2 1:10:54
9 48 987 CORY OSTH 33 2 1:12:00
10 51 799 SETH GRAHAM 30 2 1:12:03
11 52 1310 JT LYONS 34 2 1:12:05
12 59 619 MAX MILLER 34 2 1:12:14
13 67 1221 BRIAN MANKIN 34 2 1:12:42
14 105 703 CHRIS TEAGUE 32 2 1:14:09
15 126 665 ALAN REVILAS 32 2 1:14:36
16 145 722 BRIAN WERNER 34 2 1:15:58
17 147 659 JOE PUNSALAN 33 2 1:16:01
18 148 473 STEPHEN COTTON 34 2 1:16:01
19 175 508 VICTOR FOX 34 2 1:17:15
20 245 420 ANDREW BARLOW 30 2 1:21:12

I think this year I will focus on building each individual leg of triathlon separately. Starting with the bike, then as my leg gets better, (i.e. hamstring) I will see what I can do become a better runner. As for now, I am happy with a second place finish at this years Bulldog Bike Race..... Thanks to my cousin Tyson for the last min. pull into the sprint!

Well........ I had my worst race ever!

This picture of me finishing the swim pretty much sums it up! My last race of the season was supposed to be fast and I was supposed to feel great when I crossed the finish line. See all I had to do was finish in the top 5 to win the overall points standing for my age group; it would have been my second year in a row. I thought for sure this race was a lock despite being sick, I thought I could at least finish 5th, I mean I finished top 3 in almost every race this year! Not exactly what happen……

To keep it short, I had a fairly strong swim, went into the bike leg in 1st or 2nd, then my problems started. I felt like my stomach was in knots, I had a really hard time breathing, it seemed like there was a lot of tension in my chest, whatever it was it slowed me down big time! I got off the bike now in 3rd or 4th and that was that. I watched guys blow past me in the first 400 yards, I had nothing, stomach in knots, chest not clearing, basically I had to back off and put it in cruise control, so I did.

The greatest thing happened in the mist of all my troubles…… I enjoyed just being out there! I knew I was loosing, I knew I probably wouldn’t even finish in the top 10 but I didn’t care, I was burnt out and enjoying the sun, ocean air, and the people I passed as we had our witty one liners to boost each others morale. I realized what my family had been telling me for that past 2 years, it’s just about having fun. I mean you don’t win money, you don’t even get a big trophy or a cool watch, its all about having fun! I have to admit that in my last race of the year I actually had a little bit of fun, I enjoyed not hurting, I enjoyed talking with other people along the run, I enjoyed the bay on one side and the beach and ocean on the other, my family was right!

So to my whole family, thank you, I love you and you are usually right on! But I have to say, that touchy feely shit is for the birds, it wears off when you cross the finish line and see all those guys you usually never see because they are starring at your ass! So next year it’s on! See you all at the bar until then! GO BREAKAWAY!!!!

Single Speed?

(Picture of James Walsh "future Xterra World Champ" and I)

Ouch, this one hurt! Some days you have it and some days you don’t, yesterday I was somewhere in between.

The swim went well; I pulled left a bit and ended off course going to the first buoy, but still ended up 4th out of the water. Then I had a great transition leap frogging me into 1st on the bike, I stayed in 1st until the last mile or so and just stayed with Brad (the guy who always wins). We took off on the run basically 3 sec apart and that was it. I just can’t run with some of these guys, I guess a mid 6 min mile is not good enough.

Unfortunately my running problems didn’t end there! My boy Dave Platfoot was looking out for me at the turnaround and pointed out these two guys that were new on the scene. I thought I could hold them off but right at about .5 miles to go, the small skinny one past me, then about 8 seconds later the big cut up one followed suit. I have to say after all the hard work it’s really starting to piss me off that I get passed in the final .5 miles. I am going to have to do something about this! Maybe I will just trip them as they run by next time? Kidding, kidding……… Train more?

So 4th place was the finish, not great, not terrible, but I will take it!! OH, I almost forgot, I sold my tri-bike and bought a Single Speed, basically picture a bike with no gears, like half Road Bike, half BMX…….. Everyone thought I was crazy, but my bike time will tell all………. Stay tuned!

Solana Beach, Best Race Yet!

After a long wait and canceled last race, what a great Sunday! 2nd place finish, raising money for Erica Davis my CAF athlete of choice, and finishing the last 100 yards with my good friend and 1st time triathlon finisher, the Goat! I mean what else can you ask for, a fast and fun race, friends to compete with and against, family to cheer you on, and some solid podium spots for Breakaway Training!

So my race went like this..... Just an OK swim, lost my goggles again after the first set wave hit me, but not bad enough to fall out of the top 5 out of the water. Transition 1 solid, some problems with my right shoe while on the bike, but not everything can be perfect. Off the bike into the run and feeling good. All I could think of was, well, I am not going to catch the guy in 1st because I can see him 50 yards ahead and he usually runs a faster 5k then I do, yet I know the guy in 3rd (my boy Dave Plattfoot) and he shouldn't be able to catch me because its only 3.2 miles. See, I can hold off Dave if the race is short enough, or should I say if the run is short enough:) 2-1-3 as pictured. Dave that Brad is no joke brother, lets see if one of us can get him by the end of the year!

I just wanted to thank my friend Dave Dale and of course my Dad and Virginia for waking up so early just to support me. I love competing, but I love sharing my experiences with those I love even more! Now, lets finish the year strong and help Erica meet her goals, please visit the CAF website by just clicking on the CAF logo on the right side of my page and lets make a difference!!

More California Fires!

I was really looking to add one more great race to this years list at the 2008 Donner Lake Tri-, but due to the fires in Northern California the air quality was so bad they had to cancel it. At first I was really bummed because I felt really strong and for the first time in a long time my leg was feeling really good. I have been working with a massage therapist to help loosen up my piriformis muscle and IT band which is the cause for my tight and injured hamstring. I structured my training specifically to hill climbs knowing that this race would be won and lost on the hill climb. If you want an idea of what it is like to climb the 6-8% grade at Donner Pass at 7200 feet above sea level.......... all you need to do is tie a shirt around your face covering your mouth restricting your breathing and then go climb for 3 miles straight. Now I mean with no breaks, no middle sections where you can spin the blood from your legs, nor a nice down hill so you can catch your breath, but 3+ miles of 8-12 mph of "F my life" as my younger brother Brad likes to call it.

Anyway back to why I am not bummed any more........... Because while I was frustrated that I had trained for some amateur short distance race that was canceled on me, others were loosing their homes, pets or possibly even their lives. So enough said, please visit this websites to see if you can make a difference in those peoples lives who now have nothing........ Make a difference now if you can, because you never know, some day you may be the one who needs the help!

http://sanfrancisco.about.com/b/2008/06/25/northern-california-fires-how-to-help.htm

I Ran Like a (wounded) Dog!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kGh5Ag8NsBQ

I cant tell you how frustrating it is to work and train hard for each race, yet this race I ran like a dog and finished 8th. I was just never into it, ready, nor looking forward to hurting on the run. I have been nursing a right hamstring for most of the season now and it finally came back to bite me. This is a picture of my dog Hurley...... he is the ish!

So the race went like this, I had a decent swim getting out of the water 5th, smooth T1, and really felt strong on the bike, legs were warming up nicely and I made up 3 spots putting me into 2nd going into the run. Yet again, knowing my run is the weakest leg of the 3, I started off slow and began to pick it up until the 4th mile. That's when my toes started tingling and my right hammy started cramping up........... lets just say I kept punching myself in the back of the leg to try to keep the muscle from ceasing up on me. It worked, but I couldn't run like I usually do come race day. See usually I run as fast as my lungs will let me until the race is over, but this race I just had to sit back and put it in cruse control. 8th may not sound bad out of 100+ in my age group, but I don't compete to finish in the top 10, I do this because I want to win!

Speaking of winning, big ups to Beth Gerdes for winning her 25-29 age group! Beth has been coming back from a serious leg injury and a broken arm from a "training" bike crash and even though she doesn't know it , the Olympic/International distances are were she will dominate! I wonder if it has anything to do with her boyfriend James Walsh, one of the nations top amateur Xterra athletes pushing her? Naaaa!

Lastly, I want to blow up Dave Plattfoot for his 6th place finish last week! I have a feeling that if I could have been a better rabbit and stick in 5th place, Dave would have still run me down like he does every Thursday in our track workouts allowing him to finish 4th......... Sorry Dave, I tried brother!

One Year Ago Today!

The Encinitas Sprint Triathlon is a great race for several of reasons, its organized, has a great location, and for some reason the waves seem to be decently sized come race day. I felt rested and strong and was ready to capture my first win of the year. This picture of the always fun pre-swim watch check before the horn goes off, evidently I never did hit the start button, I think I was a bit excited!

So the horn blew and I was in first place going into the 1/4 mile buoy, rounded the turn and feeling strong, (I have to remember that each of my top swim results always follow a good speed swim workout the night before the race, metal note, noted!) so I was on my way back into the "lineup" as we call it when we are surfing, and I looked back to see if I could catch a wave in. Only I was to far on the inside when a nice 4 foot wave came and broke right behind me, not good. If you surf or have ever tried you know that there is one place you don't want to be regardless if your paddling out or into a wave, and I was there! Only this was worse, because by the time I saw the wave it was to late to catch it, and to late to get out of its way, so I just did what all good surfers do, relaxed, held my breath, and waited for my well deserved body slam. After I came up now without my swim cap and goggles and looking for my next breath and wave to take that vary breath away again, I realized that I could almost stand so with one more wave to the head and a short burst of energy I body surfed in finishing the swim in 4th place.

On to the bike leg with busted tri bars? I was half way through my bike leg picking up two spots when I realized that every time I hit a small dip in the road my bars would drop, really not good! Carbon tri bars are not meant to be tightened down really tight because it compacts the carbon forcing them to break, but if they are loose and move, you can go down pretty quick, regardless I had a pretty strong bike leg which put me in 3rd going into the run.

And then there was the run...........

I felt weak at the beginning of the run, but started to feel stronger as the 3.1 miles persisted. I got to the final 400 yards when this guy in a red jersey slowly moved passed me on my right. I was not about to let this whole race go by and loose a spot in the final sprint, so I turned it on!

I have to admit that when he passed me at the top of the hill, I wasn't sure if I could stride it out to the finish with him, he was moving pretty good. But, when I saw the finish line I figured I would die trying, it just so happens that you always have a little left in tank if you are willing to hurt in order to tap into it. Here is the photo finish for 3rd place, I think I got him by 3 seconds. One year later, 5 spots and 4 min. faster thanks to Breakaway Training.......... I'll take it!

Cyclists are not cool, say who?

This is my family, starting from the left, Mike (Dad), Brad (Little Bro), Virginia (Step-Mom), Megan (Beautiful Sister), Me (Me), Mike (Big Brother, or should I say older!), Felicia (Sister in-law). This picture was taken at South DoHo, just north of San Clemente along our favorite ride "The Laguna Diego". See, most of my family live in Laguna Niguel, but Mike, Felicia and I live in San Diego, so we take the train up to Laguna and ride home with the family, its the best 52+ mile ride/race I say! Or as my Dad says, "its not a race"! But we all know he only says that because way back when, before baseball, softball, tennis, golf, or basketball tournaments, the old man was a VERY strong rider, like CAT1or2 strong, now NOT SO MUCH!! But I will have to say that he can still hold his own with the help of his "younger" stoker pushing him up the climbs, right Virginia!

Making Strides!

Spring Sprint 08', what a fun and fast race! Just one mix up and your out 2-3 spots, but that's what I love about the sprint distance.

My swim was terrible, I started out fast but just past the first buoy I got pinched between two other guys, trying to get around them, or in triathlon over them by pushing them down or to the side. I came out of the water 8th dizzy and struggling to catch my breath. To add insult to injury I had trouble with my helmet in the first of two transitions, I am not sure what happened, oh that's right, my ears are too big and when I tried to put on my aero helmet they kept getting caught, folding over and pinching the side of my head.

So regardless of my early struggles, I felt fairly strong on the bike leg passing 7 riders to now heading out of my second and fairly fast run transition into 2nd place. I could see the guy in first he was just 30 yards ahead, but there was a problem, I knew him, in fact I train with him 2 days a week and his strength is the run, me, not so much!

So how did I finish 3rd then you ask? Well I got passed by another guy in the run, not only did the winner pass me in the last 1.5 miles, but he passed my friend Matt Harder too! So Breakaway had a strong finish in the 30-34 age group with a Matt-Matt 2-3 finish!

I am making strides, my running is coming along....... all I need is to put together a strong overall race and the 1st place finish is not that far off. A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE THAT CAME TO SUPPORT ME!

Lets Make a Difference!

Please help me make a small difference this year, visit my website, READ HOW IT WORKS, send me an email....... I will do the rest!!

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=156947&supid=210838557

2008 Tri-ing to compete!

So last year was my first year in the world of Triathlon, and I learned a lot, yet humbled even more! This year is about trying to compete for the top spot in my new (now 30yrs of age) age group. I am told this is the toughest of age groups, yet it seems the top athletes are of all ages.

My focus this year is about having fun, surfing more, training the same or smarter and harder, leaving time for nights of beach bocce and beers, and winning. I have to say my training has been cut short on the run side due to an IT Band issue, but that is not an excuse for my 49min. 10k I ran at the Inaugural Superseal Triathlon. I think for the first time in any race I stopped running, not once, but 4 times because my feet were so tore up. I had to stop to pull the skin off and poor water in my shoes to try and wash the sand and blood off my sockless feet, lesson learned..... new shoes + no socks = trouble! But somehow I still finished 3rd ag? Must of been a lack of good athletes so early in the season!

2007 Recap

-Encinitas Sprint: 8th ag

-San Diego Intl Sprint: 1st ag

-Donner Lake Sprint: 2nd ag (4th overll)

-Solana Beach Sprint: 5th ag

-Imperial Sprint: 7th ag

-Paicfic Coast Sprint: 4th ag

-Mission Beach Sprint: 2nd ag

-KOZ Points Champion 1st Overall

Goal #2, Check!

So now that I reached my 1st goal I had to come to the table with another one! "Im going to win a race this year, hey you said it Barney, you have to do it at least once in your life!" So I have this theory that if you set goals and don't announce them to those you love and respect, your chances of reaching your goal is far less. Something about accountability and not delivering on what you say keeps you focused, again, just a theory!

Anyway, my next race was the San Diego Intl. (Sprint Distance) keep that in mind, sprint distance........ So I warm up with my brother, visualize my T1 and T2 (1st and 2nd Transitions) and walk to the water for the start of the race. This race is large enough that most "real" triathletes do the international distance which is longer then the sprint distance, but also, I get to race in the same heat as my younger brother. So get this, I beat him out of the water for the first time, and the last as of yet! But the picture shows the outcome, my 1st win (age group), goal #2 check! Thanks Brad, you inspired me then, and you inspire me everyday, I love you brother!

How it all started.....

I have 3 brothers and 1 beautiful sister, of those 3 brothers 1 of them has a screw loose, one has a team of 3 little groms that take up most of his time, and the last one enjoys inflicting pain on those around him that are foolish enough to follow him. By process of elimination that make me the foolish one, or am I?

The reality is when I was younger I excelled in two sports, baseball and golf, neither requiring much endurance. But just one year ago my youngest brother Brad challenged me to race in a triathlon with him, "just sign up Barny" and "you have to do at least one in your life time" I remember his words being. So, me being the anything you can do I can do better (which has proven itself time and time again, as far as I know) signed up and started training. No wait, I bought a bike then signed up and started training.

Encinitas or bust! My first triathlon was the 2007 Encinitas Triathlon, Encinitas CA. just 5 min. from my house. My goal was to finish in the top 10 in my age group, only I had never really spent any time swimming, riding, or running for that matter. I think I ran the mile in just under 7 min. back in high school then threw up once! Anyway, I trained, and swam, and ran, and road, and week in and weekend out got my ass handed to me by my younger brother. But when race time came I was ready, I had no idea what to do, other then go as fast as I could for as long as I could. I finished 8th..... goal accomplished, door opened, addiction started!