IMC race coverage

Big props to Jordan... perseverance paying off.

From IMlive.com:

Rapp Wins Subaru Ironman Canada

The men’s race here at the Subaru Canada had the makings of spectacular race, and it didn’t disappoint. We had a great mix of athletes with statesman of the Ironman: Thomas Hellriegel and Lothar Leder, young up-starts like Jordan Rapp, Mark Van Akkeren and Andi Boecherer and veterans Jasper Blake, Luke Bell and Andriy Yastrebov.

It was Germany’s Andi Boecherer who made his presence known first as he took control of the race just before men hit the turn into McLean Creek Road (17 kilometres) on the bike with Luke Bell and Van Akkeren closely in tow.

As the men passed through Oliver at 40 kilometres, the top-ten were separated by a mere 3:45 with Boecherer and Bell to pulling away. When the men hit the top of Richter Pass, the field had stretched out further with Helrigel, Aigroz, Rapp, Lavelle, Van Akkeren, Cupitt, Scott and Guembel all remaining within striking distance of the leaders.

Rapp started making his move in the out and back at Keremeos, working his way to the lead just past Yellow Lake at 150 kilometres. Rapp came into the run transition carrying a 0:38 lead over Boecherer and 2:56 over Bell.

Rapp proceeded to hammer out consistent miles while the field fluctuated in positions behind him. At one time early in the run, Bell started to chew into Rapp’s lead, but could not sustain the pace and later faltered badly in the late stages of the marathon. Meanwhile, Mike Aigroz, 2006 Subaru Ironman Canada Champion Jasper Blake and Courtney Ogden started running through the field.

Rapp had the fastest run of the day at 2:55:33 and was never in any danger after he made the return trip of 21 kilometres from Okanagan Falls to Penticton. He ran down the final kilometres of Lakeshore Drive to finish line with a smile on his face knowing he was about to win his first Ironman race here in Penticton in a time of 8:25:18, followed by Agroz at 8:40:17 and Odgen at 8:44:37.

You could say the ex-varsity rower is a quick study. The 28 year-old American had only 3 Ironman races under his belt prior to his win. He was 5^th here in Penticton in 2007 and had 2 third place finishes at the spring and fall editions of the Ford Ironman Arizona in 2008.

Rapp has lived in Penticton with his fiancée, Canadian Olympian Jill Savage since May and credits his win to being knowledgeable of the local weather conditions and the course. “I bet I have ridden up Yellow Lake 40 times in training,” explained Rapp. He went on, “I have done a lot of long runs here in 36C weather … I knew what it was going to feel like.”

Ironman Canada quick synopsis

A bit disappointed in my performance. Swim-blah...whatever. Bike, did what i do in training... wind could have caused me to push a bit too hard...we'll see upon file download. My run has been going exceptionally well as of late (out the door/long lazy run pace 6.50-7.00) and was shooting for sub 3.10 based upon that with the normal, "I'll slow down towards the end" mixed into the equation. Wore the garmin to help chill me out early on and then settled in. Tried to stay right around 7 flats and really slowed at the aid stations and be pro-active about the fueling. As for fueling all day... got some secret sauce that i used for the first hour then switched to four powergels an hour and some salt... run... just coke and water.

Back to the day...good and steady (hills slowed the pace at points) all the way to 16 when the gut started to disagree with me. Couldn't take much in and by 20 the bonk was on hard. Started puking up foam and liquid and then did some proactive run/walking to let what i was sipping down settle so i could get moving again. Pushed all the way to the line as Nigel Gray was still back there. Med tent for 90minutes.

Sick to my stomach with roll down in an hour + here. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed that slot!

Ironman Canada

I know I have not been the most diligent in keeping this updated during the massive prep for Ironman Canada but with moving and brother's wedding you pair the things you do down to only the most essential. A good field is here for the race tomorrow and lots of talent will be toeing the line. It is going to be a very hot day and attrition is more than likely to come into play. Be smart and sacrifice early speed in the goal of finding the finish line fastest. It has not been announced yet, but the temperature is going to be very close for the wetsuit/no-wetsuit call. We will find out in the morning. Since arriving in town things have been very relaxed as I am staying on the far south end of town with fellow professionals Haley and Katya. One last good meal and some more visualization and an early bed time and we'll be ready to rock. Check my twitter tomorrow afternoon or (hopefully) follow along with the live updates at www.ironman.com

Till then....

CEO Mackey: Whole Foods on Healthcare

Something of a contentious editorial in the Wall Street Journal that has lead some folks to turn on Whole Foods but regardless of his point/statment/opinion/position his last four paragraphs I find to be spot on.

Full article here... http://bit.ly/A7d7l

Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health.

Unfortunately many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese. Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending—heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity—are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices.

Recent scientific and medical evidence shows that a diet consisting of foods that are plant-based, nutrient dense and low-fat will help prevent and often reverse most degenerative diseases that kill us and are expensive to treat. We should be able to live largely disease-free lives until we are well into our 90s and even past 100 years of age.

Health-care reform is very important. Whatever reforms are enacted it is essential that they be financially responsible, and that we have the freedom to choose doctors and the health-care services that best suit our own unique set of lifestyle choices. We are all responsible for our own lives and our own health. We should take that responsibility very seriously and use our freedom to make wise lifestyle choices that will protect our health. Doing so will enrich our lives and will help create a vibrant and sustainable American society.

The Man in the Arena.... T.Roosevelt

Thanks to Linsey for this...

The Man in The Arena
Theodore Roosevelt
April 23, 1910

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

A review of "In Defense of Food" by fellow posse member and certified Rocket Scientist: Andrew Hodges

Find his review here... http://ajhodges.blogspot.com/2009/08/in-defense-of-food.html

His sentiments very closely echo mine in this review.

Sale Items (updated)

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING & HANDLING

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Cervelo OEM Tri Saddle (brand new) $45 (think it's selle italia)

SHIMANO Dura Ace 7800 groupo/parts: 18 months old... both STI (2 mos old) and bar end shifter options

$875 w/STI's (MSRP $1379)

TYR Tracer Race Top Men's M: brand new never used

$45 (msrp $98)

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Shimano TR-51 Carbon Tri Shoes sz47.... $170

Avia Avi-Lite II sz13 brand new never worn $50

TYR Drag suit: brand new never used

$15

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TYR Drag suit: brand new never used

$15

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/markavan/P4130019.jpg

TYR Drag suit: brand new never used

$15

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/markavan/P4130017.jpg