panchotri’s blog

________________________________________
From: anaelvira [mailto:anaelvira@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 9:13 PM
To: ‘joaqui magana gomez’; ‘Magana, Mauricio’
Cc: ‘marco_magan@hotmail.com’
Subject: RE: Responder: Re: California Interntional Marathon

Oficial:

3:29:39

Nos VAMOS A BOSSSTOOON NOS VAMOS A BOOOOSSSTON. Canten conmigo NOS VAMOS A BOSTOON NOS VAMOS A BOSTONNNNNNN!!!!!

Enseguida abrí la pagina de Boston y las registraciones ya están cerradas, el cupo esta lleno para 2010.

Como mi carrera fue después de Octubre por lo que los organizadores de Boston y el comité de atletismo nacional respetan el tiempo a esos corredores que calificaron para el siguiente ano. O sea que voy a Boston in 2011!!!!!

Gracias por sus comentarios.

Pancho
CIM200932939

—–Original Message—–
From: joaqui magana gomez [mailto:marcoman@avantel.net]
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 7:13 PM
To: Magana, Mauricio
Cc: anaelvira@sbcglobal.net; marco_magan@hotmail.com
Subject: Responder: Re: California Interntional Marathon

guuuuua a a a a uuuuu !
QUE TIEMPASO PANCHO FELICIDADES !
LLEVAS UN RECORD O ARCHIVO DE TODO LO QUE ESCRIBES ?
porque son increibles tus vivencias , en hora buena
joe

—– Original Message —–
De: “Magana, Mauricio”
Fecha: Domingo, Diciembre 6, 2009 7:44 pm
Asunto: Re: California Interntional Marathon

> Woooowwwww!!! Mr dejaste sin aliento!
>
> Asi se hace, estoy orgulloso de ti.
> Un abrazo muy fuerte
> Mauricio
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> De: anaelvira
> Para: Magana, Mauricio; marcoman@avantel.net
>
> Enviado: Sun Dec 06 19:23:06 2009
> Asunto: California Interntional Marathon
>
>
>
> Bros:>
>
>
>
> Primero: gracias a ustedes saque la carrera. Estuvieron siempre en
> mi mente y me ayudaron mentalmente a cumplir mi gol. La carrera se
> las dedique
>
> Segundo: Muy competitiva por que es rapida y sirve para calificar
> para Boston, Los Trail Run Nationals, ademas es selecta por
> primerizos y los que quieren un nuevo PR. Se cerro la inscripción
> hace tres meses
>
> Tercero: Mi acondicionamiento fisico no estaba de acuerdo a la
> carrera, me falto,”Speed training” Nunca lo pense que seria tan
rapida
>
> Cuarto: Vi mi tiempo desmoronarse en la milla 23 cuando los
> dolores del esfuerzo aplicado llegaron a un nivel anabolico que no
> pude contener por mucho tiempo. Ahí estaba marcando 7:35pace o
> para llegar en 3:20. Pare y me entro una angustia muy fea. No
> podia haber golpeado “the wall”, mi alimentación e hidratación
> estaba al dedillo. No aceptaba caminar pero no podia correr,
> entonces camine media milla cuando me pasaron tres que marcaban un
> paso justo y a tiempo, como buenos corredores, decidi pegarmeles
> para cargar su energia y para que me jalaran. Les aguante el paso
> hasta la 25 en donde me di cuenta que 3:30 estaba muy justo para
> terminar.
>
> Mi mente actuo rapido como buen coach y me empezo a repetir: mi
> dia es hoy y mi momento es ahora. No iba dejar mi esfuerzo de
> todo un ano irse por la borda. Los minutos pasaban y mi angustia
> crecia. Cuando di la vuelta en Main street vi el capitolio(muy
> grande) y el “shut” de llegada. El reloj marcaba 3:27. El dolor
> era parte ya de mi cuerpo y nada podia hacer por quitarmelo. No
> pense sino en “sprint” hasta cruzar el tapete rojo. Pare mi reloj
> en 3:28:53. Extraoficalmente habia calificado para Boston. Mi
> GOL del ano.
>
>
>
> Mis resultados son muy buenos llenos de experiencias que me
> serviran en carreras futuras.
>
>
>
> Un a abrazo
>
>
>
> Pancho
>
> CIM2009(3:28:53(no oficial))
>
>

The swim at The Bigh Kahuna triathlon was cancelled due to the fog. The organizers converted the tri in duathlon. This is my report:

I woke up at 3:30 am packed the bike and gear in the car and drove 1:30 to Santa Cruz. Once in transition I placed my self in a quiet zone and began the ritual of getting ready. By 6:45 all were standing in the beach listening to the last instructions, it was still dark. The strongest jumped into the sea to warm up. The night ended but the fog appeared keeping the sky shadowy. You could not see buoys and the lifeguards in the paddle tables. The organizers decided to cancel the swim and turn the event into a duathlon. There was a discontent among some but the word safety spread rapidly and they calmed down. By waves they let us go from the beach to T1. I was disappointed because this is the year that I have put more time training in the pool than ever and I wanted to see the results. While lining up in the beach I decided to give everything in the bike and hang though in the run. If I was going to break it was going to be in an “improved duathlon” and not in a tri. I was going to see how far I can push my limits.

Out of T1, as I mounted the bike I heard lots of cheering, the street was narrow, people was there next to me, it was great. Apparently many had the same intentions as me because we were still in the city streets and we were hammering 24mph, and turning sharp corners fast. Once in the highway we spread and tried to keep from drafting but not until mile 10, after I crossed the railroad tracks, I saw a justifiable distance between riders. At the crest of the first hill I narrowed my distance with a group of 4 riders, later I was going to find out they were going to be my competition, I passed them going down and I thought I was going to forget about them but quickly I got pass by number 125, then 380, a minute later by 85 a gal 29 years old with very strong legs, and by a big cervelo pc3, with a warrior on it. This guy was big but not fat, he had grayish arm warmers that look more like a pipelines, large legs and narrow hips, when I turned to look at him I didn’t see his face, I had to look up. All but Ms. 85 were in my age group. The race was on. At the turn around point, we meet again within seconds. I was second behind Ms. 85 who took a glimpse of me and took off. At that point all the pre-concerns of holding back to save fuel were gone. It was all about keeping up with the big gal and guys. The second half of the ride was the same but faster. Dangerously we rode road and many times blocking traffic. Now that I have a moment to reflect on it I realize how restricted my opportunities are in my day to day activities. Today when we live day by day with a stressed economy and a constant rhetoric of slump is hard to be happy, to feel free, to take a risk or two. Last Sunday’s ride provided me with the physical, psychological and spiritual edge of adventure to keep challenging myself and keep looking for a better tomorrow. Life is more than 9 to 5.
Bike time: 2:48

Out of T2 I bumped into the big cervelo guy who didn’t look so impressive any longer, he look heavier and was breathing heavy. I moved faster to stay away from bad vibes. My nutrition was close to perfect in the bike. In the run I carried my energy belt and I planned not to stop in water stations, may be in the portap but it was not my priority. Right away I knew I had to mark the pace from the beginning and let my running skills take control. So I did. I passed every single runner in front of me. I targeted one after the other. I stopped in the portap not because it was urgent but because I felt I need it to calm down and let my heart rate drop and take the pee as an excuse. I was marking 7:45 pace at mile 6. It was good timing. At the turning point marked by a wooden carved big kahuna head I made contact with Ms. 85, I glimpse at her while I was passing, never saw her again. The way to the finish line was sweet, down the hill trail to the railroad crossing tracks then to the city streets to the beach walk to the sandy beach to the FINISH!
Run Time:47:07

I placed the pics in the photo gallery

30 days out to my come back

Last tri was September 16 2007. In 2008 had the car accident, then back rehabilitation, then training again. Training has been long; I began training at the end of May. I saw spring go by, summer has come and gone, I’ve read all RR, updated my blog, participated in the forum, it’s dark out for my bike commute, fall is here and so is my peak training. I am tired, I feel tired, I want to not go for long rides on Saturdays or sneak out for a swim at lunch. I don’t know if my wetsuit fits anymore, ohoh! I need a wetsuit. 2009 began with the completion of a marathon, which sealed my doubts about my back issues. I can’t stop thinking about the triathlon . I’ve done Big Kahuna 3 or 4 times before, yea, 5 or more years ago when I had courage and bold attitude, I am softer now, think twice of what would be if. I am older, I dont recover as fast as back then, even two years ago. The long way of recovery and training put me in my best shape ever thou, my weight is up but have more muscle mass and more power in my legs, thank you to the hill repetitions and to the pool that I visited more often. I want to see how much I have grown. I will not know until after Big Kahuna is over, there is nothing I can’t control right know, I am rolling and everything seems to be set up and ready to go. The regressive count has started.

I had scheduled a 3 ¼ hours ride today but when I heard the thunderstorms at 6am I had to start thinking in plan b. The rain was steady, last night forecast called for dry skies so I went to bed planning the route for today. I made time hoping the rain stop, drink the usual mix, proteins and Gatorade, change the tube in the back tire. Not that the tire was flat but it was not full. Last Thursday ride back from work was a bit rough, a lot of debris in the road and I thought it was better put a new tube. I cleaned Rocinante, wash the cassette, ate a cliff bar and hour and a half later the rain was still coming down steady. So I changed the ride for the run. The schedule called for 100 minutes run. My goal for BK run is 100 minutes, a lot of ambitious there, but hey if I think I can run it I am not going to change it. So change biking gear for running gear, actually I run with the compression shorts on top of the tri shorts, the same way I am going to run in BK, put a t-shirt, hat, the kayanos, and water belt and off I went. The rain was harder than what I could see from inside the house. It was good decision not to ride. I run Saint mary’s trail down hill and back. I pretended it was race day, focus all the way, practiced eating and drinking at exact times. In two occasions I could had stopped to catch a breath, but no, I kept running. Got back home drenched, the right calf was hurting, that feeling that sooner or later the muscle is going to pull, the left knee was acting and complaining but the pain was manageable. Came right on time for breakfast with the family so took a quick hot shower and had two arepas with sunny side up eggs with Tabasco sauce and a large cup off hotmilk with coffe (latte!). Then the wife send me to do errands. I am looking at my chronometer and indicate 1:51.21, I am counting the miles and they are 14 all together and that my friend makes 7.9 pace average.

I’ve looking for this day since last week. I have completed the first 6 weeks of base training and I need a well-deserved rest. I have to say that I am rusty and it has been hard adapt to 6-8 hours week training. The last 3 long rides were slow, uphill and long rides.  Previous years I rode by skyline and said; this hill is not for me, it is a killer. Well the last three weeks I rode from Home to Grizzly Bear, throughout skyline and yes, it is a killer hill but it can be managed. I’ve put long, no so slow, hilly runs on Sunday. I got a nice sun tanning in my arms and shoulders in yesterday’s run. I have been trying to hit the pool twice a week but  I missed a couple of sessions. I am going to take this week extremely easy, rest, and sleep as much as I can.   

learn to swim, again and again, this time I realized that lifting a bit my head up water won’t go in my nose. 2 hours ride with hills, moraga-skyline-fish ranch and back, In my way back two riders passed my by and the chase began. I used the chase as a drill. I was catching up at the top od the hill, then at the traffic light I met the rodies, one gal and her partner. Downhill I took off, put myself in areo position, rested my harms and did not look back. Today I wook up with a running nose, may be because we went to see the fireworks at the golf course and it was cold at night. So I wated until noon to go for the long run. 60 minutes with hills. I like the street with the steep hill, the street before to get to sven eleven. BBQ again the left overs, took a nap and I feel sick. I think I cought the cold.

Yesterday’s swimming practice killed me. I went to the pool during my lunch break and when I was back in my office I did not stop sneezing and blowing my nose. It continued until late into the night until I took running nose suppressant.  I woke up this morning all stuffed up and worn out. I did not ride my bike to work and at lunch went to my car to take a nap. I am getting better as I write but man all the water that went thru my nose killed me.  I confirm that my swimming technique has not improved and that I need nose plugs until I learn to swim…:( 

The intimidating sounds of today’s ride: the sound of the air going throughout my helmet in a downhill. It does sound like the engine of a car behind me.  the sound of the pack of rodies passing me by, like a storm.  Tomorrow I will wrap up week two of my training with a 50 minutes run with hills. so far so good, of course is only week two!

01/03/09

 here I am, another year, another dream. Like all new years I start with good wishes. I hope this year is different and to make my wishes come thru. I will try to keep up with my training, blog, work and life…in that order. 

01/19/09

Did track workout on Tuesday, run during lunch W, TH & F, ez 6 miles SA and 10 miles Sunday. Overall the first week of taining went well. Saturday supposed to be ez but went a bit fast and pushed at the end. SUnday had my legs tired, first 4 miles were for adjustment then my tempo click in and felt better. I am not putting to much attention in my time yet but I did it in 9 min/pace. I aiming tu run the marathon under 3:15.  (CAUTION: Lots of work ahead) 
I registered roday for The Avenue of the Giants (AVe of the Giants). Is in Humboldt county, about 5 hours driving from San Francisco and 6 from the bay area. May 3, 15weeks from now, at 8am. They said its  beautiful course and passes thru giant redwood trees. Two out and back that I still dont unterstand, low registrations, few sponsors kind of a local race but it is Boston qualifier.
The following 2 weeks will be about the same, excepting of increasing the miles.  I am thinking to begin swiming on W am before work but mentally i’m not ready. I guees I’m gonna have to do the nike approach…

02/28/09

I am entering the 8th week of marathon training and it’s time to sit down and evaluate my performance. I was on target until the end of the 3th. week. I noticed harder speed workouts in the track. It was not because I didn’t do miles during the week, or because I was tired. It was because I have to carry more weight. I knew I was overweight or at least with more pounds than normal at the beginning of the program but I did not know that the extra weight will stay in the system even with the average of 30 miles a week.  Power walks, ez runs, recovery runs and long runs are ok because I am not putting speed, but track workouts are killing me.  I do the same eating than last year. Ceral w/ fruit, orange juice for breakfast, tea and cliff bar at mid morning, salad, tuna, or leftovers for lunch, cliff bar & tea in mid afternoon, homemade food, rice and a piece of meat for dinner. Occasionally, one or two sodas over the weekend and some chips. The diet is not different than when I was in my top performance 2 years ago. I am starting to think that at my age 47, 2 years is a whole lot difference. My system does not assimilate food as well as before.  I need to look more closely for the right type of ingredients so I don’t go hungry and feed my appetite and shape off some pounds at the same time.  I have to admit that my weight is not over the charts, 160 and I am 5’7”, it’s okay but if I want to be competitive enough to have a little chance to qualify to kona, I need to do it. I also have to admit that this is the beginning of a long training program. I hope the long runs coming up for the next 4 weeks help me to get rid off the extra pounds.

03/21/09

JUst came back from a 10k race and I feel pretty good. Finished time is 43.35.64 Legs responded well and a couple of times I felt reaching the acid lactic. I’ve been able to drop weight in the last 3 weeks and I noticed today. Huge difference!. This is a huge boost for the next days to come. 

04/23/09

 The place is beautiful, 5 hours driving north from San Francisco is Humboldt county, there the combination of beautiful views of the pacifc coast on one side of the highway and the green scenery of tall redwoods on the other side makes you feel peaceful. I have driven the Avenue of the Giants road once and I still remember how beautiful it is.  Now I coming back to run the road between the tallest trees in the region.  People that run the marathon before say the organization is poor, few people cheering along the way, few water stations, a crapy t-shirt and no goody bag.  That is exactly why I picked up this race. It is my return to a long distance race in fifteen months, after many tries and fails and a car accident that kept my spirit under the table. This race is what I need to return to my form, a low key, no money to spend race.  I have been training for long time for this return, long enough that I now I feel good to come a run again.  I did most if not all the runs in the training log and even more. In the rain, cold, hot, long, short, hills and speed work. But I still don’t know how I am going to race the race. Should I race based on my training, should I hold back and do the race, should I leave the watch in my car and run, should I do what ? I want to break PR because I have trained so hard for this but I don’t want to force my body and break my back and legs. I have to go back to work and can’t take time off for injuries, I need to send my daughter to college and pay mortgage, but what if I am okay? I hate the days before race day, I get grumpy and doubtful.
Good luck Pancho, you will know what to do in race day, have fun and go bring a PR don’t be a wimp (this is my triathlon body telling me what to do)

05/03/09

MARATHON REPORT AVE OF THE GIANTS

I did it! With a heavy rain Saturday and before of the race today and with a spectacular route I completed the marathon in a 3:40.  My back is fine, and overall I feel that my health is in great conditions.   We started on time and I let my pace to go with a  group of 4 marking 7:45 for the first part of the race, It was fast for my goal but I didn’t think about it then, after the first turn around, mile six , my group slowed down but I kept going, bad choice that I was going to pay later. At half marathon I was cruising with 7:35 pace. My thoughts were telling me not to conserve energy since I was feeling so good.  Then mile 20, my legs shut off!!. I did not understand why, I was not thirsty, my heart beat was not high, my breathing was normal, I was not hungry, what heck happened!  I hit the wall. I could barely walk.  I tried to compose myself, tried to run and stopped until I reached the next mile, then the same for the next miles, next water station I saw oranges and ate al the quarters the boy scouts had put in the table. I realized my glycogen was depleted. It was too late to make my time or to even think to break my time.  I just did my best for the rest of the race, Walk, jog, stop Repeat. 200 meters to finish I composed my self for the photo. I finished smiling and with my arms raised.
 
The best of all is that I am back baby!!!
 
Check the course in the short video

 06/06/09

 I tweaked BigMatt program to my needs, I am not a that level and I will trim the amount of training during the weak but I will Try to keep the weekend workout.  My goal is to start-off and evaluate my self at the half of the training period, in week 10. Once there adjust and commit myself for a strong 10 weeks.  I know my swimming is weak and I don’t dedicate time to improve.  Throughout the last 3 years the bike rides are getting better, I need to keep consistency in my rides, 4 rides during the week and a long ride over the weekend will do the trick. Running is the strongest and I am planning to run less during the week and  trade that time for a swim.  Food is not bad, keep healthy habits.  Although I think I have to gain muscle weight.  Rest, lost of cat naps and try to go to bed no later than 10, will be hard ‘cause family demand time.  Okay, here we go Pancho, do your best.