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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Robbie Ventura and IMC

Rhys Spencer

Dec 4, 07 16:15

Post #1 of 19 (2088 views)

Robbie Ventura and IMC	Can't Post

I was doing some reading on saris.com and came across a recent write up from Robbie Ventura where he states:

"For me, the off season is all about EASY! I am doing Ironman Canada next year and improving my swimming and running is paramount."

THAT, should be an interesting addition to the mix in Penticton.

Gordo was doing some training work with Robbie's company lately too. Great pair to team up and give IMC '08 a go.

S~

Dec 4, 07 16:55

Post #2 of 19 (2020 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Rhys Spencer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The guy can't swim or run. I don't know if he learned how to float since 2006 but he wasn't the fastest on the bike course either. Of course that was a sprint race, he might pick up the pace on a full distance.
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It hurts so bad, it feels good.

linhardt

Jul 7, 08 6:45

Post #3 of 19 (1790 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Rhys Spencer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

A follow-up article.

Pro bicycle racer share hints on training to be your best
http://www.pantagraph.com/blogs/main/?p=2898

Tri Slow Poke

Jul 7, 08 6:56

Post #4 of 19 (1766 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Rhys Spencer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

He did his first tri (a sprint) in Wisconsin a few years ago. He was a bullet on the bike, but his swim and run weren't that great.

Still, I think it's great that he's finding other ways to test himself now that his pro cycling days are done. I hope he does well at Ironman.

Did you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24

tridaddy7

Jul 7, 08 7:10

Post #5 of 19 (1720 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Tri Slow Poke] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The thing about Robbie is that he is a "pro." If he puts his mind to it, he will make it happen.

TiDriver

Jul 7, 08 7:16

Post #6 of 19 (1702 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Tri Slow Poke] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I can tell you that he's doing his homework on the swim and run, although I'm sure his current 3-week gig will limit his pool time. I wouldn't expect him to blaze the IMC bike course though - he's a little too smart to fall into that trap - he's aware of his limitations on the run and will likely ride conservatively to make the best of it.

I, too wish him the best in Penticton.

Mike
_________________________________________________
"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare" - Juma Ikangaa

http://www.litespeed.com

saltman

Jul 7, 08 9:48

Post #7 of 19 (1577 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Rhys Spencer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

He has serious time constraints between commentating, running a successful coaching business, opening a Trek Concept store and a wife and 4 kids, not to be forgotten. He is not training like a pro, I doubt he is even training like a MOP age grouper. Hopefully people don't expect a Jaja type performance, that wasn't his goal.

Bibendum

Jul 7, 08 10:10

Post #8 of 19 (1530 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Rhys Spencer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think given what he has on his plate between his business, family, tour commentating obligations (If you would like a flavor of what that schedule is like you should see his blog from last year. I think there is still a link to it on the www.visionquestcoaching.com site) and training, that it will be a remarkable thing. I know that I'm already second guessing myself big time because I know I wouldn't have taken on and Ironman this year if I knew in advance just how busy I would be at work and I don't have half the stuff going on in my life that he has going on in his.

Initially my goal was to make it near the first mountain pass before he zoomed past me on the bike, but he's looked good in the water recently so I might have to re-evaluate that goal!

Tri Slow Poke

Jul 7, 08 10:24

Post #9 of 19 (1486 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [saltman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've met him a few times when living in Chicago and he always seemed helpful and informative. I remember competing with him in the Wisconsin triathlon. It was a pretty straght section of road on the bike and I was firing on all cylinders. I heard the swooshing of a disc wheel behind me and Robbie shot past me like a rocket!!! I usually hate getting passed, but riding the same course with an former TDF cyclist helped me understand the difference between a pretty good athlete (me) and a real professional (him).

I'm sure he'll be just fine in Canada if he paces himself accordingly.

Did you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24

Bibendum

Jul 7, 08 10:35

Post #10 of 19 (1457 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [TiDriver] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I too wish him the best in Penticton!!!!

He's always asking us triathletes to step out of our comfort zones and do some bike racing, and he practices what he preaches - - stepping out of his comfort zone and racing tris. I know that no matter what he'll be a positive force on the course.

saltman

Aug 25, 08 7:53

Post #11 of 19 (1186 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Rhys Spencer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Robbie went 10:49 yesterday. Considering his training load (really lack of), that is really impressive.

northwoods

Aug 25, 08 8:25

Post #12 of 19 (1076 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [saltman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Looking at the splits, he tore up the bike and paid for it on the run. Classic mistake, but shows how much a big bike can help the overall time.

Sub 11 for a first IM is pretty impressive.

NW

bootsie_cat

Aug 25, 08 9:56

Post #13 of 19 (900 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [Tri Slow Poke] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Robbie Ventura was nevera TDF cyclist

saltman

Aug 25, 08 10:29

Post #14 of 19 (813 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [northwoods] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would surprised if he rode beyond his means. He actually negatively split the bike which is something I think we all wish we could do after multiple IMs. That was his first marathon, he has been running very sporadically and I doubt he had any training runs longer than 13 miles. He was seriously undertrained on the run, I actually can't believe he was able to run what he did based on what I heard about his training.

140pt6

Aug 25, 08 10:35

Post #15 of 19 (791 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [saltman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Saltman... x2

He blew his ankle out @ the tour and could barely walk for a couple of days. Throw that on top of being undertrained on the run, then having to take a medical T-O from training cause of this, I'm massively impressed.

Blew himself up on the bike with that split? Umm... not so much.

__________________________________________________
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Breakfast is for Closers

Bibendum

Aug 27, 08 19:15

Post #16 of 19 (533 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [northwoods] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think he was having fun on the bike. That and what everyone else said about his run training....or lack thereof, he may have been more undertrained on the run than me and that is saying something.

Seriously, he joked about how glad he was to see me when he passed me, I looked up and caught a glimpse of VQ kit before he vanished. I only held him off for 17 miles!!! So much for holding him off until Richter...

Why is no one commenting on his amazing swim improvement!!!?????? That is as impressive with the sub 11 first half.

running2far

Aug 27, 08 19:35

Post #17 of 19 (493 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [bootsie_cat] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ventura rode in the 2003 Tour De France with Us postal

TomP_imc

Aug 27, 08 21:50

Post #18 of 19 (383 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [running2far] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi

google
"2003 TOUR DE FRANCE ROSTER
Lance Armstrong (USA)
Manuel Beltran (ESP)
Viatcheslav Ekimov (RUS)
Roberto Heras (ESP)
George Hincapie (USA)
Floyd Landis (USA)
Pavel Padrnos (CZE)
Victor Hugo Pena (COL) Jose Luis Rubiera (ESP)

From http://www.letour.fr/2003/us/index.htmlTOUR

he still kicked absolute ass at his 1st IM

tp

bootsie_cat

Aug 28, 08 8:16

Post #19 of 19 (206 views)

Re: Robbie Ventura and IMC [running2far] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sorry, he did crits in the USA with a US Postal kit on- no grand tours.