I’m kinda board with the traditional triathlon, swim, bike, run, big whoop. Its time to spice things up a bit, don’t ya think…Well not really, but it is kinda an interesting story.
Welcome to the first (hopefully not annual) Eyjafjallajokull Volcano Pentathlon. Are you up for the challenge? Run 13.1 miles, Fly 8,044 miles (2 x 4022), volcanic ash dash, and Bike 100 miles. An explosive event that you will not soon forget!
First Leg – the Run – 13.1 Miles
On 10 April 2010, I participated in the Campwannarunamileormore 1/2 marathon, easy for me to say :p. The event was sponsored by Tri Fitness located in White Bear Lake, a great little Tri store run by good folk with everything the triathlete needs, plus some excellent bargains from time to time. The event was a fund raiser for Camp Odayin, a camp for kids with heart disease, a great cause. Turn out for the 1/2 marathon and 10k was very lite. Not sure why, it was a great day, a scenic run around Bald Eagle lake, and like I said, a Great cause! The CEO of Camp Odayin spoke before the race started and told a story about one of their campers, Woody. Woody was at camp with his family and was talking with his sister. She had commented to Woody that she wished she could come back for the summer. Woody kinda looked at his sister funny and said, you can’t come during the summer, you don’t have a special heart…read more.
The day did not produce a PR but I did get to run from the front for a change. Kind of an odd experience actually but fun.
Second Leg – the Flight – 4,022 Miles
On 10 April 2010, several hours after completing my 13.1 mile run around Bald Eagle Lake, I boarded Delta Flight DL40 bound for London. I was off on a week long business trip to Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, about 80-miles east of London . I sure wished I would of bought that pair of compression socks that were on sale @ Tri Fitness a few weeks back. I drank plenty of water, watched Avatar again, and did not sleep. Other then being uncomfortable for 8-1/2 hours, the flight was without incident and we landed in Great Britain just before noon on Sunday, 11 April. Beyond the obvious, work, I managed to get in several training runs throughout the English country side. There is absolutely no better way to get up close and personal then running through the narrow streets and winding single lane country roads of the English country side. The weather was beautiful for the 11 days, no ash clouds in site…I think the English just tell us that the weather there is bad to keep us out.
Third Leg – MN Masters, Short Course, State Meet @ the U of M
On 18 April 2010, I was scheduled to swim the 50 (yard) Free, 200 Free, and 1650 Free, but due to Icelandic Volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupting and closing down most of Europe’s and all of the UK airways, I was not able to make it back for the event. So in lieu of swimming I went and visited Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. Hey it is not often that you get to use the old Volcano erupting excuse…
Fourth Leg – the Flight – 4,022 Miles
On 21 April, 2010, 5 days late, I boarded Delta flight DL41 for the trip back to MN. Ironically we flew pretty much right over the top of said volcano (which I didn’t get to see). Again, no sleep, swollen calves, cramped quarters, but pretty uneventful.
Fifth Leg – the Bike – 100 Miles
On 25 April 2010, I participated in the 44th Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride. A 100 miles of wind and rain. Actually it was much better then last year’s, sleet, rain, wind, and freezing temperatures. This year was warmer, with less rain, but at least as much wind. Amazing windage is all I can really say…truly amazing!
A big piece of Humble Pie to go please! Even though I knew going into the event that two or three out door rides was far from proper preparation for a century ride, I really thought I was in better condition then I was. I’ve been training on the bike since January, riding on the trainer and spin at the club. I’ve put in dozens of two+ hours rides and was feeling confident that I would see improvement on the bike over last year. This ride made it very obvious that if I have any real shot at getting anywhere near my goal time at Madison this year, I better start getting serious on the bike.
If your looking for a challenge, I strongly recommend this event. Unfortunately, this particular volcano only erupts every two hundred years. Sign up early; it fills up fast…and is a real BLAST!
