Dog Bite

Okay, 2 posts in 1 day...yep I need a life. As promised here are 2 photos of Rachel's battle wounds. Also I have included a photo of the dog that bite her. I am sorry to know that it is going to be put down, but it is the right thing to do after this attack and the other 2 that it has been involved in. These photos are 6 days old and the healing is well under way. I am happy to inform you that there are no broken bones, ligament damage and as of now no nerve damage. The swelling has went down drastically and she is only complaining about tenderness in the index finger. But you will notice that is the main "chomp" area. Lutsen is a 7 year old German Shepard that I used to play fetch with all year long and run with from time to time. Not sure why he snapped a few months back and again I am saddened by this attack and the results.

Race Recap

What?!?! How bad?!?! These are the words that came out of my mouth Saturday afternoon during a phone call from Rach. She first told me to be calm, don't get mad or yell...but that she is at the ER for a dog bite. Now if Jack, our fat 7 lb Yorkie bite her that's fine...nope a 65-75 lb German Shepard pulled her off of a couch by her right hand while she was attempting to paint her toenails. I will try to post a few photos of the puncture wounds that she suffered. The worst part is that she can not start her externship in North Carolina on time now and will be there into November. Needless to say, I did not stay calm; I yelled, swore and was more than likely not real comforting for her. Sorry dear....I'll try better next time.

This past weekend I again carpooled to a race. Not with the Bates' family though, this time it was a long lost racer, C Millner. We meet at the butt crack of stupid (sorry Kate, I love that line) in Eden Prairie and started the drive to Annadale for the 23rd running of the Heart of the Lakes Triathlon. The weather was little goofy, AGAIN. Can't we just show up race day and have clear blue skies with a temp of about 70?? The fog was so bad during the swim warm-up you could not see the long course turn buoys in the water. The short course were bearly visible and we had to swim past those. I started in the elite wave again, making this swim a non-wetsuit one. The water temp was said to be at 72 and that means no wetties folks. So at least everyone was on the same playing field in my wave, no worries. I was told earlier in the morning that my stellar swim in Waconia would not happen again because I was not able to wear a wet suit for this one. Again no worries, the assface that informed me of my luck in Waconia, I was able to draft him in the water and come out on his feet; I didn't beat him to the finish but it was a huge mental victory for me. I jumped on the bike and took off down the road for the 21 or 22 mile loop. The roads in the past for this course have been terrible. Not anymore, they repaved them and they are great. I held a good pace and was able to pick off a few of the better swimmers. About half way into the bike I take my usually Hammer Gel feed break, get what I think is all of it out of the package and stuff it into the leg of my suit. Wrong, I didn't get all of it. You know when you see a little kid with sticky hands ans you want to stay away from them as they do the "sticky hand claws" move. Pretty much what the back side of my knee and calf felt like. So the last 8-10 miles of the bike I had Raspberry Hammer Gel running down my leg, not overly pleasant; note to self for future races. I dismounted and racked the bike, it felt like a fast T2 and that was confirmed by results as it looked to be 4th fastest. Really happy about that. I heard someone yell "Go Mark, your looking good, run hard" while racking my bike. Voice didn't sound real familiar around a race venue and I was in a hurry, you know its a race, so I didn't look in the direction of the voice. Kind of a mistake. A big one. Yeah, it was Rach. She had left EC early in the morning to come and see the only race she was able to make this year and I didn't even see her, not just in T2, but the entire race. She was cheering in about 4 different spots. I'm a jerk, I know...okay now lets all say it together...Mark's a jerk. Anywho, on the run I knew that I was going to push myself and make it hurt the entire time. Enough of this running 6:45-6:55's miles to finish a race. These times are killing me at the finish. So I put my head down and went for it. I was past by 2 younger people, they are runners so I was not feeling bad. I was able to keep them in contact for about 2 miles before they went a round a corner and than another and I lost them. I had a gentlemen pass me with about 1/2 mile left, I felt like hell and didn't even contest the pass. As we entered the finishing area I heard a few people yell "he's right behind you and coming quick." So I increased my pace and started to recatch the guy that had just passed me. I ended up repassing him and out sprinting him to the line by 1 second. The guy behind me, no, I was the guy that was coming fast on the gentlemen that had passed me already. Anyway I got the spot back and had an awesome race. I am super happy with a 20th place finish and how everything went. Now a few weeks off and than Turtleman. Again, another one to leave everything on the course.

Back to Rachel's hand; its healing nicely. She went to the doctor on Tuesday and got the packing pulled out of the teeth marks. 3 of the 4 holes are starting to scab over and the 4th one, which is a big deep sucker, is looking good. Today when I was home for lunch she showed it to me again and flexed her hand, it looks like a hand puppet's mouth. A little disgusting but for her medical lifestyle she was able to laugh and chuckle about it.

Real Quick....

Okay for those that have a few seconds and want see perhaps my favorite new race photo. Click on the link for a photo from Timberman; you will need to go to http://www.minnefotamoments.com/ and in the search box, enter IMG_9187; hopefully you can spot me. If not, I am the good loooking one in the blue SCS suit. I just showed Rach as she was walking in from school and she was very very impressed; as was Jules. I might have found my new calling in life!

Up North

Another fun filled weekend of racing. Again Mother Nature decided to throw us a curve ball in the shape of wind, choppy water and cool cool temperatures for the middle of July. This past weekend took myself and 14 fellow racers to Grand Rapids, MN for the 24th running of the Timberman Triathlon. The group had rented 2 condos about 500 yards from the race site, making it very very convenient for getting ready on Saturday morning. Being at the race venue for the weekend, it took me a little while to get my game face on Saturday. We woke up, took our gear to transition and then went back to eat and get ready for the race. Now its at this point were I felt like I was waiting around for that last person to show up at an early morning group ride. But nonetheless I got back to transition a little before 7 and started to warm up, get marked and pick up my timing chip. Slowly but surely the game face was coming out; well the best game face I have.
The swim, like I said was little choppy. The water temp was said to be about 62, I think it was much warmer than that however. Upon exiting the water I heard a few people yelling that I was 6th out of the water. Sweet!! I got through T1 a little slower than I would have liked, but I was told I was still in 6th position leaving the resort grounds to go and battle the hills and wind that were waiting for me. About 1 mile into the ride I saw 2 racers up a head and set my sights on them. I over took the first one rather quickly, happy to now be 5th. Just as quick as I had that thought I remembered a few of other racers that typically beat me, they are old and had to start 3 minutes after me; I started in the 40 and under wave. Regardless of that thought I was gunning for a top 10 and a top 3 in the 25-29 age group. I continued to bear down on the rider in front of me and overtook him just before the first big climb. This was a new bike course, 2 loops. Each loop having many a hill to climb and again plenty of wind. I was now in 4th spot for the random spectators along the road. About 3/4's of the way into the first loop, WHHHOOOOOSSSSSH!!!!! Holy crap, it would have been less embarrassing if I was anchored to the road when I was passed by this 41 and over wave starter. I was very supportive and yelled "Go get Rhett they can't be far ahead!!" Okay, so I was passed by Rhett Bonner. He's good if your wondering. I held my spot for the next 10-15 miles before in about the same spot on the climb Brooks got me. WTF!!! I was hoping I was a better rider/climber than this. Not today. Again, no hard feelings...if Brooks wouldn't have gotten me on he bike I can guarantee you he was going to crush me on the run. Basically it was inevitable that he was coming as well. I was passed by one more rider and than beat him out of T2, Steve something or another. Nice guy, you know the kind that's able to carry on a conversation during the run as you are pretty much red lined. My run was my normal run....foot issues AGAIN for the first mile and half and than it loosened up and got better. I ran one of my better 10k times and finished 13th overall and 3rd in my age group. Not the top 10 I was gunning for, but with the 3 pros in the field finishing all in the top 5, that makes it a little tough. I am super happy with my race and got a sweet minnow bucket as an age group award. This is a great race and I can't wait to do the Silver Anniversary next year.
For the most part this blog is about me and racing and training. But now as I sit and ponder what is coming up in the next 2 weeks, it sucks. Rach is heading to NC for 3 months on the 25th. I didn't really think that it was going to be that big of deal, 12 weeks right. Well, now that its 11 days away, I'm pretty bummed. I wish her well, she is doing great in school and will do great in NC as well. She has a ton of work experience and is super knowledgeable in her field. The one nice thing is that she will being staying with her aunt and uncle in Charlotte. Being surrounded by family will help here out and with phone/email we are really never that far apart. So sweet-heart, I will miss you dearly and wish you the very best in finishing your schooling!!!! Knock 'em dead Racecar! (okay, maybe not the best line, seeing how she will be dealing surgical patients)

What a Weekend

I was back in Wiskee (WI) for the weekend with my entire family. Unfortunately Rach was unable to join in the fun, she was stuck working her last holiday and weekend shift prior to shipping out to NC. I got to town on Thursday mid-morning, took Jackster to the vet to have his stitches removed and than promptly to the ER to have stitches put into my Grandma.She slammed her finger in the service door of the garage and needed to be sewn up. If its my blood or injury I am fine, anyone else, that's a different story. My mom sat in the ER room with Grandma whilst the Dr did his thing.

Nolan playing on an empty pool

After Thursday afternoon the rest of the weekend was pretty enjoyable. I got a great 3+ hour ride in on Friday morning. It was nice to get out of the concrete/asphalt jungle that I live in now. I took a bunch of country roads where the trees formed a nice canopy over the road and just spun at a good pace. Its always fun to have animals running around in the ditches and deer crossing in front of you. I really really miss those kinds of rides and was in my own little world while I rolled around the country-side.

My brother and his 2 kids, as well as my sister and her 3 kids got into town during the mid afternoon on Friday. We had a great time sitting around and getting caught up with everyone. am trying to remember, but I am pretty sure the last time I saw everyone was during our Christmas trip in January. We are close family so that's a really long time a part.

Merrick just hanging out

Saturday morning came, I got up, had some water and Tylenol; and went back to bed. I was little foggy in the head, but it was my own fault for continuing to drink on Friday when i should have stopped. But I was in Wisconsin, that's what us Wisconsinites do; we also like cheese. I play into the stereo-type so well.

I finished my weekend chatting with my in-laws. I, unfortunately took up most of their Saturday and ruined their plans. But it was nice to see them again and just relax and get caught up. I had a great weekend with family and friends. The weather couldn't have been better as well.

I got back to town on Saturday night to spend Sunday with Rach. We decided to ride the bikes to breakfast; but first I had to swap seats and seat post to her bike. Funny thing about that, she asked me why I was on my tri bike during our ride. This is another mystery to me about women, you can bitch at us about doing something, in this case using her saddle post for my bike, yet totally forget about it 10 minutes later. I wasn't going to get upset though, she was out riding with me and we were having a great time.

1st Ride

So last night I took the new red machine out for its first little spin; I have yet to name it. This is a bike that I build with some help from Jeremy and Jason. The only down fall is not having a bike stand. So Rachel, my lovely lovely wife, would come home and the living room would look like a bomb was just set off. I had bike parts, tools, cables, etc all over the room. Poor Jack just sat on the top of the couch out of the way wondering "....what is he was doing, why is he yelling at himself and where did that blood on the back of his hand come from." Damn chain rings!! For those that have built up a bike before, you know it takes a little patience; something that I am pretty sure I was not blessed with. But nonetheless, it got built, tweaked, tweaked again and finally ready to roll. I had to steal the seat post off of my wife's bike in order to ride my new machine; she is busy with school and work so she wouldn't notice anyway. WRONG...the saddle had not been on my bike 4 hours. She comes home from class and wonders why her seat is missing off of her bike, one she has not ridden since last fall. Guys, I am not sure how women can pick something like that out, but that is a gift. She can't find her shoes most days, but a seat missing off of a bike that has been stowed away in a corner, whamO!!

Last night I was lucky enough to have a great ride with Shelley; although I am pretty sure she will never ride with me again. I am still pretty new to this whole cycling/tri community, so some of the unwritten rules are lost on me. I guess wearing shorts that are blue/red/white/yellow do not go with a red/black top. Strike one for the evening. Strike two came when we started to run into people that we knew, not that bad, they know that I am a a bit odd, but when we ran into a few people that just Shelley knew, she was not impressed with my fashion show. Don't feel bad S Nelson, Rachel agreed with you, I looked like a dork.