Accent Fitness

Marlene wins 3rd Place: 2011 USA Triathlon Southwest Regional Championship Race

 This weekend, the San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island hosted the USA Triathlon Southwest Regional Championship Race.  The 2011 Regional Championship races occurring prior to August 12, 2011 qualify the top 33% per age group for the 2011 Age Group Nationals in Burlington, Vermont on August 20.

Race Recap:

This was my third year participating in the Treasure Island triathlon and first time participating in a Regional Championship event.  I was familar with the course and although it's a almost completely flat bike and a completely flat run, it always seems to be an exhausting race.  I believe it's because the bike is technical, with 6 loops, so you never get any recovery because you are constantly pushing on any chance to grab some extra speed. 

I decided to not show up at the crack of dawn when transition opened since my wave wasn't until 8:15am and the transition spots are assigned by number. I arrived around 6:20am and had plenty of time to get my packet and do the traditional pre-race activities.  I feel sort of fatigued in the morning and not in best form but was still going to give it my best shot.  On the swim, the water temperature wasn't too bad, felt around 63'ish.  I remember from last year that there can be tides and current in this sheltered area of the bay so I made sure to consistently sight and check my line as I was swimming.  

Once out on the bike, I was enjoying my new Sidi T2 Carbon bike shoes. There was some headwind and cross wind going on during the bike course.  I tried to not get frustrated with the headwind but instead, used it as an opportunity to pass more guys, who tend to struggle more when pedaling straight into the wind since them and their bikes weigh more than me and the Rocket.  I also decided to race with the Zipp Disc wheel. I wasn't sure if I should use it but I looked at pictures from last year's Pro race and saw there was a couple guys with Discs.  I think it was the right decision.  It feels faster to me. :-)

 After successfully completing the bike, I was off for the famous run.  Again, the most logical reasoning I have come to as to why this flat run course is very so straining ends up being that I exert too much energy on the bike.  Needless to say, it was a long 10K, ACTUALLY was long.  It measured 6.51 miles instead of the standard 6.2 miles (10K).  But I pushed through and was delighted to place 3rd at my first Regional Championship triathlon.  Jon B. from Affinity also placed 3rd in Men 45-49 age group and Rob H placed 4th in the same division.  A great day for the Affinity team!

Complete Photo Album

Ranking: 3rd Place in Age Group
Overall Time: 02:41:02
Swim: 00:26:42 
T1: 1:23
Bike: 01:15:15.  Marlene's Bike Race.
T2: 0:56
Run: 00:56:46. Marlene's Run Race. 

Ashley, Marlene & Jess

Jon B and Marlene

Blue Bomber Inaugural 4th of July Ride

I took the Blue Bomber out for her first official ride on the morning of July 4th.  It was amazing how nice and different it is to ride a real road bike, instead of a tri-bike.  Don't get me wrong, I love the Rocket but it is not much fun going up the hills.  I only went over to the coast twice in the Rocket twice this season because it was such pain to get back over the hill.

For this first ride on the Blue Bomber, I decided to tackle all of the major hills.  Starting up Old La Honda, then down 84 to Pescadero, up the Pescadero creek hill, then up the 1 to back over the mountain via Tunitas! Finished with a decent down Kings.  It was so much easier to handle the bike on the hills.  And how nice to be able to climb with a candence in the 70s and 80s, on a 8% grade!  On the Rocket, above that grade puts me at a 50-60 cadence.

Blue Bomber Inaugural Ride on July 4th: 57.44 miles. 4:23.

 

Product Review: Retiring my Rocket Science tri-bag

It is finally time for me to retire this Rocket Scienece tri-bag. I have been using this bag for about one year now.  It has been both my triathlon race bag as well as my daily gym/training bag.  It has definitely seen its share of use, wear and tear in my attempts to stuff as much stuff as possibly into the bag.  Overall, I highly recommend this bag.  Next up, I will be using a very cool Speedo bag, at least for my daily gym bag. For races, I might use that one or one of the various other bags we have floating around this house.  No storage of bags at the moment!

Farewell my bag friend!

Cool Stuff Review: Aquasphere Kaiman goggles

I received the Aquasphere Kaiman goggles as part of the Tri-California Ambassador Program.  At first, I was skeptical about these goggles because I have not had much success with goggles that do not have an adjustable nose piece.  But I was willing to give them a shot.  I adjusted the headstrap to a tightness that I thought would work best. 

My first swim with them was masters class at 6am.  I brought my regular goggles as a backup in case these ones were a failure.  Upon entering the dark pool waters, I thought that the goggles were creating a slightly blurry view.  The lane line at the bottom of the pool seemed blurred.  Then I attempted the flip turn.  With a previous pair of bigger Aquashphere goggles that I had years back, they would constantly leak whenever I did a flip turn.  The Kaiman did not, which was a good suprise. I later found that the goggles were not the source of the blurriness, it was just that the pool was not very clean.   So I am pleased that the Kaiman goggles do not leak on my face. 

Now the second most important test for me for goggles is their resistent to fogging.  It seems like every new pair of goggles never fogs but then after 2-3 uses, despite attempts to use all sorts of anti fog solutions, the goggles still get fogging.  At this time, I am three weeks into the using the Kaimans about3 times a week.  They are slightly foggy but I am not doing at anti-fog solutions since I don't really care to bother with that stuff while training in the pool. 

Overall, I would rate the goggles at 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Marlene selected as a Brand Champion for SUGOI!!!

Marlene is an official Brand Champion for SUGOI!  I can't wait to sport their gear at my next race! 

Check out the Brand Champions blog:

About SUGOI

The word SUGOI is a Japanese term for “Incredible” and it is in the exquisite details where it’s evident that SUGOI lives up to its “incredible” name.

Every single product is technically designed with a fervent appreciation for the consumer that will wear it, to be functional, comfortable, and athletically excellent. We dedicate ourselves to SUGOI’s “personal best” work ethic to create incredible sports apparel that includes highly technical performance clothing and equipment for triathlons, biking, running, swimming, and working-out.

SUGOI produces award-winning cycling shorts, R+R socks (Race + Recovery), running shorts, sports jerseys, bibs, vests, swim suits, jackets, and other clothing specifically designed for racing, training, layering, and casual wear.

Also find bike gloves, sports hats, booties, arm warmers, leg warmers, socks, and all-purpose bags in SUGOI’s large variety of biking accessories, running accessories, and apparel geared for race day. We are also expanding on our Culture line – flexible, technical, and fashionable apparel that moves seamlessly from lifestyle to sport and back again.

Whether you are a professional athlete or an enthusiastic rookie, SUGOI can dress you head-to-toe with quality, impressive sports apparel. At SUGOI, we know you strive for personal bests, and so do we, producing incredible products every time.