Photo Collection Sharing #3 - Video

Sometimes, I watch this video just to remind me of the joy of hard work paying off. (After the first minute, at 2:54 into the video is the interview with Welchie.) I think it's obvious why I like this one...



Vance

Race week movitation...

I think I found some great motivational tools for this weekend's race. It's been a long year, and these last few weeks it can be tough, when the body starts struggling with the taper, and you start questioning yourself. These are great for reminding me the fun of raceday! I thought others might enjoy these as well. For those of you in the winter months of cold climates, these could make great trainer entertainment!

2005 Ironman coverage: http://ironman.com/...hip/2005-kona-videos

2006 Ironman coverage: http://ironman.com/...hip/2006-kona-videos

2007 Ironman coverage: http://ironman.edgeboss.net/...nman/rebroadcast.wvx

2008 Ironman coverage: http://ironman.edgeboss.net/...008/kona/webcast.wvx

Enjoy!

Vance

#19

"When they kick down your front door, how you gonna come? With your hands on your head, or on the trigger of your gun?"
-- The Clash, "Guns of Brixton"

That verse and song represent the attitude I must have at IMAZ. The field is so tough, you're either going to surrender to them, or show them what you've got.

Numbers are up, and I'm #19. Middle of the pack number, for a guy who has middle of the pack expectations placed on him.

Vance

IMAZ Start List

Ironman Arizona is becoming the deepest field I've ever faced. (Kona was probably deeper, but I didn't really train for it or try to race.)

The funny thing is, the money isn't all that great at all. The reason so many guys are doing this is so they don't have to worry about trying to qualify for Kona again next year, (I'm assuming.)

Here is a sample of guys on the start list who have won an Ironman race in the past, with their name and the Ironman event I know they've won:

Jasper Blake - Canada
Chris Lieto - Japan, Placid
Bryan Rhodes - Canada, UK
Kieran Doe - Canada
Joszef Major - Arizona
Chris McDonald - Wisconsin
Jan Raphael - Florida
Francisco Pontano - Placid

There are bunch of other guys on the list who I respect a lot, who haven't won one yet, but are poised to do well. They include guys who have podiumed at Ironman events before, and guys who haven't done an Ironman, but have had a lot of success at the 70.3 distance.

At this point, the field is so tough, no one can predict what will happen, and who will win. I am actually more relieved that the field is this tough, as it forces me to just focus on myself.

12 days to go, and things are going well. My swimming is coming back, as I've been focusing more on it. I had a small arch strain in my right foot, brought on from a bad blister on my heel I got at Tahoe, which still hasn't healed. (Trust me it's nasty!) It's limited me for my last few runs, but it seems to be back to 100% now. One thing I am hoping is that the rest is exactly what I needed, and will force me to hold back during the taper. I think many of the guys are looking at the start list and thinking they need to get in those last hard workouts to make it happen.

One thing I know for sure, race-day never goes as people think it will. It will be interesting...

Vance

It's a new day

Vance

Photo Collection Sharing #2

Here's another photo I wanted to share. This one was taken by my good friend, professional photographer, Rich Cruse. Rich captured a pretty awesome moment in this photo, at the XTERRA World Championships in 2005. (Click on the photo for the larger version).

It is late in the bike leg, and I've swam fairly well, and riding fairly well. I'm in the top 25 at this point, and riding with Peter Reid, (behind me). I loved the fact that Peter and I were working together, it was a dream-made moment. I had idolized him and his accomplishments, and to be able to battle back and forth with him on the course was a great moment for me. It helped to show me that I had the ability to compete against the best.

What you can't see in this photo, is Ned Overend. Ned had caught Peter and I, and proceeded to drop both us, (on none other than "Ned's Climb", no less). One of the media folks on the course asked Peter and I during the race, on the climb, how it was going. Peter responded with, "We're getting beat by a 50-year old! How do you think we're doing???" Classic!

Peter and I did catch Ned and a few others on the run. Peter had too much legs for me on the run, and I faded to 17th, with cramps. I remember coming into the home stretch, and I was in 17th, but 11th was less than a minute in front of me. Close race.

It was this duel, which began a friendship with Peter, and later lead to him coaching me and helping me get 3rd at Ironman Florida, as well as 8th at Coeur d'Alene.

Vance

Anew...

It's rare that I ever post about politics, but this is a significant day. I'm proud to be an American. My wife cried when the news projected he would win. She was worried. I wasn't. I believe in dreams, and I believe that if you do the right things, and work hard enough, you will be rewarded. Much like Ironman.

Barack, congrats on your Ironman victory.




Vance