did not register is still better than winning CWD...

js

/pink

---

The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

2 bike rides since mid October, both in early December...so 2 in the last 6 months. All bikes sitting on wheels without air at this point. Will try to get my first ride of 2016 in this weekend. It is going to be messy...even in the CWD.

Thanks for starting this on my birthday; 66 years old and still kicking ass!

Here in Shandaken at the north end of Ulster County the hills are bigger but the roads are not as steep as AZ. Do to a trip to South Beach Tri and then hand surgery, I finally got out for only my second mountain ride today and I bonked like I have never before bonked. Riding downhill from Hunter to Phoenicia I had nothing. All I kept telling myself was "at least you don't have to run 5 miles after this. I was tired yesterday for my hill run but got it done. I guess that's why I paid for it today. Swim only tomorrow. Same bike loop, Phoenicia, Shandaken, Lexington, Hunter, Phoenicia, on Friday. It will have to be better, it can't get any worse.

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Heading up there for 2 loops on Saturday. I'll be in great shape for CWD myself (geezer division anyway)

I need to get in better drinking shape so I'm hitting the Otter hard after the ride!

AmZof. Again. Woot!

Stillrollin, which Greezer division are you?

CDW needs more old guys!

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

I'll be there to Sherpa for a friend, heckle the guys she chicks, and generally congratulate myself that I still have enough sanity left to not compete in this bad boy. I'll probably train on the course the day before the race to stop me from bitching a few weeks later about the difficulty of the Quassy course.

50-54. You're safe ;)

I'll try to save some beer for ya!

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

So who is in for Long Course? This will be my third, hoping the adage is true about the third time.

I punked out after it took me 3 weeks to recover from last years Chris Gleason middle distance. What a great race. Really wish I was racing but that bike course (and run leg) is evil.

Sounds like you're down for some triyoda-inspired Irish Car Bombs.

I'm in for my second time at long course. I'm in the geezer division 50-54. Totally looking forward to the torture.

This thread is not official until King Murphy's Law decides to grace you with his presence.
Sadly I will miss AZ this year, but I will be at nationals in Bend. I will buy any AZ finishers a beer at the best place in Bend if you make it out to OR.

---

*********************
"When I first had the opportunity to compete in triathlon, it was the chicks and their skimpy race clothing that drew me in. Everyone was so welcoming and the lifestyle so obviously narcissistic. I fed off of that vain energy. To me it is what the sport is all about."

LC for me. Missed last year from a stress fracture in femur. Bike volume is down, run volume is eh, cognitive ability is dull...everything seems to say GO TIME!!!

I'm in for my 1st LC, but unlike Jelana suggests, I doubt I'll be chicking anyone here.

Did a two loop bike / 1 loop run scout last Saturday and concluded I'm in for a world of hurt come race day.

Has anyone ever crawled for a trail run before, or will I be the first?

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Definitely not the first! I remember repeating-run when you can, walk when you can't- over and over in my head once the 2nd run leg began.

The only thing more epic than lack of fitness or motivation would be pulling a Hafferty and racing up to LC after signing up for short or GCG.

Tsunami - I think I've crawled the second run during 8 of my 9 LC races. That's about all you can do when the body starts revolting. Which usually starts about 3 hours in.

Well ok then, it's settled. I will add knee pads to my gear list!

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Honestly, I don't know how you guys do LC.
Though one veteran told me he actually thought Middle Distance was tougher mentally.

Either way, my hats off to you guys. Ya crazy bastards.

I am the exact opposite. Lots of quality time on the bike thanks to trainerroad but due to a real grumpy achilles almost no running.

Oh well, this race has reduced me to the "AmZof Powerwalk" more than once why should this year be any different.

I'm in. short course. I don't know who in their right mind signs up for LC.

After taking 2 attempts (not counting my 2013 DNS) to complete the CWD I fully admit the decision to hit LC this year reflects a fair degree of masochism.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

''The only thing more epic than lack of fitness or motivation would be pulling a Hafferty and racing up to LC after signing up for short or GC.[/quote]
Last year there was a guy who signed up for CWD and then at registration stepped it up to Long Course. I don't know his name or how he did but he got a big round of applause at registration!

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

I don't remember it very well given my state of fatigue last year but I am pretty sure I crawled, walked, jogged and maybe even ran a little looking like the tin man from wizard of oz. Whatever it takes to get up the hills and to the finish.

I was getting worried that the race had folded purely based on the lack of ST chatter / smack talk. Thanks for getting the thread started. This needs to be page-1 from now until the race. Is it even sold out as of now?

Looks like just charity slots only are available. Always good for the iron-folk here on Slowtwitch wanting a real race to pony up for a charity slot that's really meaningful. Hell, I'm a Mohonk member and I live 700 miles away!

Based on my 4.5 hours on the bike yesterday, I'd kill to toe the LC start line again. But there's good beer to be had and Murphy's Law that's gonna need harassment.

I rolled 5:11 on Sat; wish it gave me confidence for LC. My transition run was sad! Oh well, I'm in it for the adventure anyway. :-)

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

gotta do LC at least once in your life time!

---

The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Got a nice ride in up there on Saturday. Overcast and 50 degrees, lets hope for the same in 3 weeks! Roads are in good shape thanks to the mild winter.

I think the hills shrunk. Or perhaps it was the new mid-compact ;)
Still managed 50+ going down Mohonk so having one less tooth on the big ring didn't seem to hurt.

Relieved to hear the race is sold out - some events shouldn't need promotion / and the RD sure as heck isn't doing anything in this department. Hope he puts in some practice time on the bagpipes, at least.

You have priorities in order... 1) Beer; 2) Harass ML (who may actually be getting into decent condition based on recent Strava workout post stalking - I think he's doing AmZof on a MTB this year?)

ML has gone totally dark. I think he is on some Rocky-esque chichen chasing training program and he's too worn out to post. I hope coach Mick starts to taper him down soon, so the legs can recover for the race.

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Meh ML, he'll find his way.

Where's Kathy (CeeCee)? She's the keeper of the awesome, inspiring pictures (the start line is my personal fave) and she puts ML in his place!

Another loss for the race; Mary D, a great local senior runner and triathete who has maned (womaned) the water stop since the start of the race won't be there. She will be busy running the stairs at World Trade Center Tower 1.

Good luck to her!

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Back on Long Island after a week of great hill work in northern Ulster, Green and Delaware Counties. Three running laps of the Brickyard at Bethpage this morning. My goal this year will be to run, not walk, all the climbs for CWD. I'm starting to feel ready for it.

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

I think I should actually try running one of these mornings to prep. I've been employing a variation of ML's Total Aversion regimen, except to what amounts to about half of the race instead of a paltry swim.

Another loss for the race; Mary D[/b], a great local senior runner and triathete who has maned (womaned) the water stop since the start of the race won't be there[/b]. She will be busy running the stairs at World Trade Center Tower 1.

Good luck to her![/quote]


That's a shame. She'll be missed.

Even though one should know what direction to go at that intersection, in my fatigue induced hallucinating state, I always had to ask her.

Mary ran Big Sur Marathon this weekend; 4:49 on one of the toughest courses in the country at 66 or 67 years old. Many time 1st place age group Ironman and Kona finsher, when I asked her ''how come you don't race AZ'' her answer was;

''How come you do'''!

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Whats the rules about past f1 and CWD bringing past mugs to drink out of while they yell at the athletes they coach but they themselves never get their heart rate above 80?

---

http://www.johnhirsch.org
http://www.stronglikebulltraining.com

"Rules? There ain't no rules in a knife fight."



If you're bringing your own mug, it better be a "big honkin stein" and if you are filling one of those you better bring some beer!

---

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

OH MY GOD!! IS THAT??...

THAT'S MURPHY'SLAW's MUSIC!!!


Beer is (technically) only for race participants.

And Big Honkin' Steins must have been earned, that day.

IF you wish to drink beers out of a Big Honkin' Stein, you must man (or woman) up, register, and tote your bib around the course quickly enough to win said stein.

Otherwise, it's BYOB or solo cups for you.

---

float , hammer , and jog

So that's what it took to wake you up; someone drinking your beer! Slowtwitch grapevine says you have been training hard. Are you coming in ''ready to rumble''?

Long Island hillwork on the bike today for me. Hit all the steeps around Cold Spring Harbor and Oyster Bay. Most are steeper than AZ but much shorter. Only Fish Hatchery is long but not as steep.

It's never too late to add more hills!

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Like God giving Charlton Heston the spiel and setting it in stone tablets.
Counting on my winter atomic wing consumption to propel me downhill a little faster on a much more limited raceday schedule this time around. Two-and-a-half weeks beeotches!

Hey - Welcome back! And to the 50-54 AG!

CWD again?

Sweeney, this is not 'Nam, this is beer drinking.
There are rules.

Krol! Yes, Gravity is our friend in one direction, anyway.

Mark - yup, CWD.

As for my training, let me explain.
No, there is too much - let me sum up:

IF AmZof involved a MTB, I'd be golden.
Since it involves running (I missed all of Mar w a sprained MCL due to pilot stupidity) and skinny-tire cycling (see: MTBing all winter) I've got my work cut out for me.

Hoping to get my ducks lined up to maybe do a recon mission there tomorrow afternoon.
I'll know better where I stand if/when I pull that off.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Do it! Need you on the podium, so I have shot an AG mug!

Wuz there last week: 50+ on the road bike, no aero goodies - wheeee! I won't mention the uphill speed ;)

and of course the Otter for an IPA (or three) afterwards!

Looks like I'll get to take a lap around the bike course on Friday. Are there any bad spots in the road to watch out for. Last year, if I remember correctly, there was only one bad stretch, after the Granite Hotel, where you had to go to the center of the road.

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

If you mean where I think, they repaved that right before the race last year. My advice, which you probably don't need, is to trust what looks like beautiful pavement. I ride at the edge of the auto lane for that and in the shoulder otherwise for route 44. The shoulder of 44 is still pretty corregated in spots, feels more like bull riding to me than cycling, but looks less broken than the pavement 0-2ft to the left of the white stripe, so I ride it anyway. Some sections from the sharp turn onto Granite to the turn onto Mohonk have some damage very close to the edge of the road, but nothing I found I had to jump into the middle of the lane to avoid.

Have fun.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Nothing that left an impression.

IIRC, there is some road work being done before the last right turn but nothing to fret over.
Have fun, I hope the weather cooperates for you.

I'm Harriman bound on Saturday. Thankful for that as my local training ground.

I'm pushing back to Saturday. The weather looks a little better. Two laps. Then I'm going to refuel at Mexicali Blue. It's the first place I ever had a taco, over 40 years ago when it was called The Last Stand.

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Continuing our extended "we're not gonna see 70 degrees anytime soon" in Cleveland, seems like a good weekend for hill repeats!

Saturday's weather is supposed to be marvelous in Philly, but I'll be biking the flat roads of Delaware. Why? B/c I'm looking forward to doing an actual ride with actual people vs Zwifting away with virtual people, and that's where the crew doing IMTX wants to go.

On the one hand I'll feel like an underachiever by biking flats, on the other I'm sure it'll be windy so the suffer score will end up suitably high. And since I'm going I'd say the chance for wind is 100% (that's my super power, I'm the bringer of headwinds).

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Did a lap each today of bike and run.

Both courses in good shape. Better than I am.

According to Strava, I hit 56.6 mph max speed on the Mohonk decent. : )
Woulda had a faster time, but some jackwagon pulled out of one of the few driveways on the R side of the long straightaway right in front of me.

At the Otter now for some RecoverWrongs.
The Stone House Imperial Stout is yummy.
(And packs a punch at 9% abv)

---

float , hammer , and jog

Cool, looks like your ducks are feeling pretty good!

I'll be going around on Saturday. My wife might come along for a tour of the course.

---

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Nice!

Yeah, I might've sandwiched one of those stouts around their medicore IPA ;) Yum is right and I'm not a stout guy

You should have gone by him on the left. He would have crapped his pants right there at the wheel!

---

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Sounds like we can finally institute a neutral start. We'll have a quorum.

Hit Mexicali Blue tonite, after "rehydrating" at the Otter. HUGE fan of their blackened catfish burrito.

You were 20-something when you had your first taco?
Did you grow up under a rock or something?

PS - Saw Myron when I was finishing up my run, he was just heading out for one of his own.
He sends his regards.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Hugely talented guy. Glad to see that he's back after his scare a few years ago. Last year when I had my 20 minute, 3 tube flat change on the dirt road at the beginning of the second bike in F1, all I kept thinking was ''Myron is gonna be coming over that hill any second now!''

Did you see his time at HITS Kingston Full? Smokin'!! at 66 years old!

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Any sign of the brush fire? Heard their having a hard time containing it. Hopefully Sunday's rain does the trick.

It really is a shame that they haven't updated their IPA. By today's (admittedly high) standards, it doesn't even taste like an IPA.

Picture of the fire from SUNY New Paltz

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Spot on. I thought perhaps I've just become an IPA snob.

Wow. Sad.

Soaker on Sunday in Rockland, I really hope it's the same 60 miles north.

I saw nor smelled no signs of this fire when I went by yesterday.
Saw that Minne was closed, but otherwise, it seemed pretty normal.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Some from Column A, some from Column B.

At the risk of blasphemy, many of the Otter's beers are just "meh".

The Three Pines IPA has always been just ok, at best - but considering where the IPA world has gone over the past 5-10 years, it's now more like a slightly hoppy Anerican ale than an IPA.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Beer talk is good but how bout getting some intel on what our beloved RD will be serving?

Some Marketing Director you are ;)

It may be heresy, but Bacchus has started making their own microbrews. Their IPA is outstanding if you like citrusy IPAs.

Cool ... I will check it out

Wife and I have been back and forth to the Kingston/New Paltz area going on 11 years now and have only been to the Otter once. We've always stuck to Keegan's for brews. I know for a long time there was nothing in the way of grub there though. I've actually been to Skytop (which I think is closed now) more than the Otter. Hell, what happened to Rhinebeck Brewing????!!

I'll have to pack up a few of our CLE brews for ya'll to sample, instead of my usual Red Bull contribution to the aid stations.

Brush fire - I thought it was from ML braking heavily on the Mohonk descent to avoid that pesky automobile that pulled out.

Sweet. Will hafta check it out.
I *heart* citrusy IPA's - Ithaca Flower Power is one of my faves.
Ballast Point Sculpin (and Grapefruit Sculpin for those who want actual citrus in their IPA) are some other tasty ones.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Yeah ... these were good IPAs ... a couple of years ago. I guess things move slower in your new age group :-)

Oh, like they suck now?

You young hipster punks always trying to be cool. ;-)
I bet you're all over sours now.

GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!

---

float , hammer , and jog

Ah, one lap plus one extra time on the first climb. I parked at the Yellow Church making it easy to get that extra climb at the end. I don't know what feels worse; hitting that first climb cold after a 2 hour drive from Long Island or hitting it after the five mile run takes it's toll on the legs. I do know that going up it right after the first lap is tougher for me than in the F1. I also know that I will never know how tough it is on the Third Lap. Never Gonna Happen!

The new IA16, here in front of the Yellow church;




was solid on the first decent hitting 50.1. It could be a real contender with a younger set of legs powering it. I'd have to push harder coming out of the turns at the top to get the speed on the straight higher. I'll see if I can get it faster on race day.

Recovery at Mexicali Blue with a Roast Pork and Pinapple Burrito. When I told the guy that the first time I was in there was 1973. He said ''that's way before my time, my parents were on 13 in '73''!!!

Two weeks to go. I hope you all are ready!

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Nice! Purty ride.

The 3rd climb up Mohonk is its own special circle of Hell.
One that I have experienced for the last time back in '09. Never again.

Another week+ to build a little more fitness, then it's taper time.
Game on.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Nice looking ride !

I finished my last long ride today, 101 miles in the cold Ohio rain. Tomorrow is my last long run.

Third time up is easier than the second. The second one has you questioning whether you'll be able to go for a third.

Roadworks in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park relegated me to doing loops on my favorite bike race course. 4 miles of nothing but hill. Let me tell you the loop sucks equally in both directions. Nice 5 mile transition run. Will be tapping into some just released Great Lakes Chillwave Double IPA's shortly. Two weeks....I. Like. My. Chances.

Based on my course scouting ride you're right, I did question whether I'd have anything left after climbing Mohonk a 3rd time. And I'm no more confident today after my last long ride. Man my legs are sore...

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Nice work getting done.

I got 50 miles in Harriman. My suffering paled in comparison to seeing many doing the Northface 50 Ultra. Ouch! Running up Tiaroti and Arden Valley cant be much fun. Glad I was riding!

Start line in sight!

You heard it here first:



Accueweather forecast. At least we can hope!

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---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Ha! Dare I dream? In my 4 year experience with this race I've come to learn to arrive prepared for anything. Fog lights for race bike? Check. Tights, toe covers, full fingered gloves when weather should be > 60, check, check, and check.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Hope is not a strategy.

Forecast will change a dozen times between now and then.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Last year onthe third run all strategy went out the window. It was more like "I sure hope I can get up the next hill"

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Gonna be what it's gonna be.

If you're doing the women's (like me) you ain't out there long enough to bitch in any conditions. Only the men's have that right!

After all we'll be drinking while they are dealing.

Froze on the bike for CDW three years ago;



I don't know how the long course people stayed on the bike for three laps

---

---------------------------
''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Running the North Face marathon was really good training for CDW. 4200 feet of climbing.



Watch out.....

That was the "surprise EPIC" day - forecast called for like "30% chance of afternoon showers", and it was cold and rainy all day.
My kinda conditions!!!
Very ML-friendly.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Yeah I didn't mind that day either.

Now, in 2011 I was stoopid enough to do the ITT. It rained for the 3 1/2 of the 4 laps.
7+ hours of being drenched, that sucked.

I'll take the wet/cold over heat anytime. Especially for 3+ hours.

2011 was pretty epic. But at least you guys had a few hundred people out on the course!
Harken back to the inagural....2005, with about 35 pre-registered after somewhat hasty late-in-the-year organization by tetsuoni. How'd word get around back then? Duathlon.com. 70-degree days preceded the race. Rain starts Saturday late afternoon. Temps dropped overnight. Race morning was rain and maybe 40 degrees (conditions held until sometime around around 3pm during my second run, at which point there was just fog). 17 of us showed up at the start. 10 of us finished. Tetsuoni's beer came in the form of bottles. I think all race participants received at least a case as a lovely parting gift.
Ahh, the good ol' days!

That all being said, two of my best (and least painful) LC finishes were in abysmal conditions. Seeing that I'm not doing LC, and will be doing a hell of a lot of standing around after I decimate my CWD competition (although, of course, being the human chicken wing does come with serious possibility of becoming extra tasty-crispy out there...let's hope I don't get chicked) - I say bring on the heat. I could use some sun.

Yup, 2005 set the bar for epicness, that not even '11 nor '13 could match.

My wife spent the entire night prior - while it was T-storming - actively trying to talk me out of doing it.

Nobody had a clue how long it was going to take, or if we could even finish before dark.
Or finish, period.
It started in the dark at 7am.
40 and pissing rain all day.
Wet leaves everywhere.

And after the first lap of the bike, it got pretty lonely out there.

I've had good results on those epic days -
4th LC in '05, 1st F1 in '11 and '3rd in '13 -
so sign me up for more just like that!!

---

float , hammer , and jog

Shuffled...possible crawling this year. After doing LC 6 times, I still getting f*cking nervous about the bike...I hope the basement strength training I have been doing pays off, cuz the saddle time aint there.

I've been doing a shit ton of power hiking around home and in the Whites with an 80 pound backpack...so if anything, I have plenty of camp gear to camp out on the third run loop.

Since AmZof isn't nearly hard enough with my usual lack of training going into it...

I've just upped the ante.

Night before last, cat woke me at 2am to let him in. Since Mrs ML gets PO'd when he's out at night due to the coyotes in our area (and naturally it's all my fault if he goes out, and/or refuses to come back in) - I explode out of bed and down the stairs....

Where my foot slipped and I surfed my heels down 2-3 steps, only stopping when my foot then smashed into the banister.

Which dislocated my 2nd smallest toe.
Yay.

Can't run now, haven't biked since Sun.
What was going to be a "big" trail run week for me, is now the start of an uber-taper.
FML.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Here you go:

[/url]

Here's another good one:
[/url]

Run course (it's actually a pretty small area that you're traversing.... just keep telling yourself that!)



[/url]

And from back in the hand-drawn era..... the bike course:

CeeCee! Bringing the goods.

So - are you going to be putting the Canadian Womens into the CWD this year??

It's been far too long since I've had a piss-warm Appletini. ;-)

---

float , hammer , and jog

Oh man, that sucks.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

According to Active, it appears that registration is still open and dare I say I am about to pull the trigger and sign up, once again, for the dreaded but fantasmagorical long course. Why, why, why do I get drawn to this evil every year. I guess it's just that good. By the way, best beer out there now is Sip of Sunshine. Past Topper on my list recently. Am I really going to sign up and do this again?

---

Roar Lion Roar

Sadly, some idiot decided I should expand my tax practice now that the kids are older. The same idiot forgot that she also likes to be athletic. Bad combination. Digging myself out of a deep fitness hole after our April 30th tax deadline.

Still working on getting Tetsuoni to make a 1 loop trail run division for Cdn Womens CPAs named Cathy.

I would be SOOOO there for that, with framboise-y beers for you and the rest of the motley crew!

It's worth the price of admission to have random guys coming up to me in the parking lot, saying, Are you CeeCee? Can I have one of your Canadian beers?

We can usually smuggle over about 10 cans ;-)

Just give in....listen to that voice calling for you to come suffer with the rest of us

I'm not sure if it's the weekly nightmares of Mohonk Mountainmen jumping out from behind trees and me peeing all over myself or the memories of that dastardly third lap that keeps drawing me back to the Spring Farm Trailhead ...sort of like ML to the beer tap.

---

Roar Lion Roar

That idiot is a moron.

If you can't be an athlete - be an athletic supporter.

Not even gonna ask where you hide the cans.

---

float , hammer , and jog

A place where the beer flows like wine.
Where homely duathletes instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano.
A little place called AmZof.

---

float , hammer , and jog

1st lap: This kinda suck but I am ok, this is fun!
2nd lap: Feeling great, I am soooo going to kill this race!
3rd lap: WTF I was thinking... I am going to die :(

LOL

---

The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

ML - Sorry to hear you'll be hiking it with one of my local buds that I'm bringing out for his first attempt at LC. He's been nursing a calf muscle tear and hasn't run in about 6 weeks. Guess the beer handups for you blokes will be that much easier.

Oh Yeah! It's on.

Thanks. C'mon down, I'll save you that spot on the rack again! And drink your beer!!

Yeah... so I went out for a 4km training jog last night in flat old cornfield land here in SW Ontario. Not looking like I could even manage a 1 loop 8km trail run.

I still think you guys should bring a crew to Barrelman in the fall. Make it happen and I will buy the beer!

Sept. 18th...... http://niagarafallstriathlon.com/


Alternatively, Montreal the week before that. Race on the Formula 1 course! It's a qualifier for Du Worlds 2017, so there will be great competition.

Sept. 10th .... www.esprittriathlon.com

Looks like I'm gonna live. But I'll never play the piano again. ;-)

Got out for a road ride tonite, went pretty well.
Had to wear my old (roomier) road shoes, and keep the one latched loosely in the toe area, but I can still pedal a bike.

At some point, I'll hafta try some running.
That'll probably come in handy next weekend, right?

---

float , hammer , and jog

Can't run now, haven't biked since Sun.


Well, now your bike and run training is like your swim training...never slowed you down before.


Bummer, I probably would have broken the rest of my toes a few seconds later by connecting with the cat...

I showed this picture to a friend today and there reaction was OMG !!!!

Couldn't have said it better myself.

LOL. Thx, I needed that.

---

float , hammer , and jog

We've slipped to pg 2 so I'll ask, what are "Mohonk Mountainmen"?

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Got my second rain soaked run of the week done, so I guess I can consider myself prepared for that, just in case.

Final ride around the raindrops tomorrow, Mother's Day induced taper then replenish the supply of Captian's Daughter (getting nervous it may be one of those lean beer years) and we're off.

Let's do this!

Mohonk Mountainmen noun (proper): gnomes that hang out above Spring Farm between 6pm-6am that magically switch the caution tape on the run course redirecting the fast doods that KNOW THE COURSE, but miss the turn and run an extra two miles on the opening run anyhow.

Yes, I ran in the downpour this morning on the muddy trails at Bethpage ST Park just to pay my dues. I think the long range forecasters are trying to set us up, forecasting rain or showers every day next week then beautiful and sunny for Sunday then rain again again Monday. I'm not falling for it and unlike three years ago when I had two rain jackets with me and was wearing one before the start, I will wear one on the bike if necessary.

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Just plan for rain. That way you won't be disappointed.

It's likely gonna be swampy for the runs, regardless.

Builds character.

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float , hammer , and jog

Ah yes, I remember that.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

It just seems more appropriately AmZofian if it's raining, cold and sloppy. If it ain't, you really haven't experienced AmZof.

"Just plan for rain. That way you won't be disappointed."

"It just seems more appropriately AmZofian if it's raining, cold and sloppy. If it ain't, you really haven't experienced AmZof."

And this is why I'm not riding/running outside in the rain. I want to save myself for AmZof so I can really savor the experience, should it be raining, cold, and sloppy next weekend.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

A creature of sorts, which vaguely resemble man, that freely roams about the Mohank preserve dressed in a kilt with bag pipes slung to its back and a growler of Keegan's Ale in its arm. I've spotted this wretched creature only once on my third and final run loop in 2012. It was there, in the middle of the final meadow as I emerged from the woods half broken, smirking at me, then it was gone. Haven't had a good night's sleep since.

---

Roar Lion Roar

Registration is still open on active.com

---

2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

I think you have been slacking off on your marketing

---

2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

Much like our inspiration Powerman Zofingen in Switzerland, the worst the weather, the more epic the race

---

2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

Given all the recent rain, plan on having your running shoes sucked off your feet with in the first quarter mile of the Run

---

2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

The worse the weather, the more need Bagpipis!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

That's not the only thing I've been slacking off on of late.

You gonna come out in your skirt and strangle that bag o' cats again this year?


PS - I emailed ya over a week ago, never got a reply.
Anyway, let's make it official - please drop me down to the CWD.
(I registered for GCG, but no way I can complete that, much less compete in it.)
Or tell Tom Ganz so he can do the honors.
Thx!

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float , hammer , and jog

Just home from my last pre race loop on the bike- little rain this morning but the run course is a swamp- I'm thinking at least two sets of kicks and socks.

Hey Rip Van Winkle, it's 2016. Change your signature line or your marketing department will be getting complaints that nobody was there on the wrong date.

Pouring right now in New Paltz. More rain possible Fri, Sat, Sunday morning.

Don't forget to bring your Wellies!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

What's a Wellie? I've got a few days left to acquire one, if needed.

Anyone care to remind me what I wear to be comfortable running / biking in rain at 50 deg? I can do warmer and wet, and colder and dry, but am drawing a blank here.

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To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

I'm a pretty huge fan of neoprene kayak gloves for those conditions.

I recognize it tends to be cooler on the Western part of the course, so if wet, maybe better gloves would be good. Just not sure I'd want full fingered in anything above 50. I'll pack for the worst imaginable scenario but still need to think through what I'd actually wanna grab in T1.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

I've got some SealSkinz gloves which also work well for days like that. Better dexterity than the kayak ones.

Also have my fall/spring/winter MTB PI gloves (forget the model, they're wind/water resistant, not proof) that I'll probably use - they won't keep my hands totally warm or dry, just not miserable, which is really all I'm aiming for next Sunday.

For anybody trying to decide which kit to use, here's a Pro tip:
Bring EVERYTHING.

Better to have it all in the car with you, so you can make a last minute decision on what to use, based on what Mother Nature decides to throw at us.

---

float , hammer , and jog

Final hill work out on the bike this afternoon. Hit everything around Cold Spring Harbor one last time. Tomorrow's a hill run again. Then I'll start to take it easy. At 66 I need extra time, even for CWD

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Shit, at a 22 yrs younger, I'm not even working out as hard as you are! But I'm in for the long haul. Nothing can save me now anyway...

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To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Yes, but when you complete LC you will know that you have done something that not many have done. On the toughest course in the country!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

I took an o-fer this week for running, not surprisingly. Ugh. Less than ideal.
Was hoping to maybe get in one today, did a casual family hike instead. Toe was mostly ok-ish for that.

2 decent bike rides on Thurs and Sat, hit some local hills.

Got the DreamCrusher Express all gussied up in her dancing shoes today.

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float , hammer , and jog

Hey everone,

I'm an AmZof newbie, trying to find some basic info, and hoping for a little help. What time does the race start? I found the info from 2015 - will it be the same? Does everyone get their packet the morning of the race?

Thanks!

Lack of info is one of this race's charming qualities. Don't get dropped on the run or you'll never figure the course out.

And no, packet pickup is generally the day prior, in recent years held at the gazebo at the Mohonk Preserve. Hours though - your guess is as good as mine. Try noon to 3 pm, that aught to be safe, I think.

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To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

******** EDITED *********


Usually the Long Course race starts at 7:00Middle Distance GCG F1 at 7:30 and CWD (short course) at 8:00

******** start times are all :30 mins EARLIER than what I had posted prior. ***********

(In 2012 and prior, the start times were indeed :30 mins later)

I've always gotten my "packet" (such as it is) on race am.
I know sometimes they have pickup the afternoon before, so if you happen to be in the area then, swing by.

Rack spots are usually first come, first served.
But honestly, unless you're gunning for the overall podium in whatever race you're doing, it probably doesn't really matter much where you rack, it's not going to make much difference overall.

There are 2 real bathrooms, and several porta potties.
Please let the LC racers use them first, as there's plenty of time for everybody else later.

Overall, it's a very chill, casual vibe.
And then the race starts... ;-)

There's nothing better than BEING FINISHED RACING at AmZof.
You get to hang out and drink beer, swap war stories, and heckle whomever is still racing.

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float , hammer , and jog

Finished my last "hill" workout today. It consisted of 10 trips up and down 4 flight of stairs carrying furniture and boxes. Moving my daughter into her apartment...ugh.

Awesome. Thanks so much. Super helpful. Are the run and bike routes marked? I'll do my best not to get dropped but . . .

Bike route has people at most turns. I drove the route prior to my first race and still found some places where I wasn't sure which was the main road and which the side road once I was on my bike. Maybe I'm navigationally challenged.

There are markings for the run, caution tape or something. My 1st year I blindly followed others on the first lap, looking down at my footing more than up at blazes on trees, and found myself confused when I ran again alone. But if you watch the blazes on R1, remember them for R2, and remember your adventurous spirit, you'll be fine.

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To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Got it. Thanks again. I am definitely navigationally challenged, especially when gasping for breath, so I'll try to pay attention.

Forecast: 10% chances of rain he he he!

---

The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Bike course will have volunteers and/or State Police at intersections at turns, especially for the first two laps if doing long course. There will be aid stations at the exit of Spring Farm (aka transition area, gazebo), which is also in the middle of the climb up to Mohonk (end/beginning of each bike loop) as well as at the base of the decent off Minnewaska (roughly mile 17 or 18 of the bike loop). Mostly uphill. All right turns on course.
Run should be well marked with caution tape, spray chalk, and the crushed dreams of many an athlete. Run is sort of a figure 8-ish course with one aid station that you hit twice coming from different directions. You never run the same trail in different directions, but there are a couple of cross-overs. Also mostly uphill.

As for the comment about what to wear for 50's and rain, something slightly less stuffy than you'd wear for 40's and rain.

Charged the battery and pumped up the tires on my TT bike which had been sitting dormant since SOS for my longest (30 miles) and 6th ride of the year. Anyone have a gain 50 watts in 5 days training plan?

I am going to be perfectly content drinking beer from a Solo this year.

Just one minor clarification - you DO make 2 non-Right turns - one as you exit the Preserve entrance, you bear left and go UP the Mohonk climb.

(You'd think this would be idiot-proof, but they're always coming up with a better idiot. :-p
At least one racer has taken the "all R turns" thing too literally and gone DOWN the hill coming out of the gate.)

And upon completion of your lap (for CWD or F1) or 3rd lap for LC, you make a L to enter back in to the Preserve (this is the same road you drove in on to park that am) and then up that nasty steep dirt climb to return to transition.

So tl/dr - other than the exit/entrance to the Preserve, the bike course is ALL RIGHT TURNS.

One basic tip for the run - when you get to the run Aid Station intersection, make a LEFT.
You'll hit this 2x each lap coming from different directions. Hard LEFT there.

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float , hammer , and jog

There. I fixed it for you.

The navigationally challenged newbies thank you all!

Geez!
Well, at least I get the "mostly uphill" part right.
I'm not sure how anyone's ever gotten off course here. Then again, I'm also not sure how I figured out the run course on a blind, cold, wet run the day before the race in '95, with little more than a meager map that someone color coded the different trail/fire road sections in different colors:



The good thing is that all the volunteers are friendly. Those that finished ahead of you, maybe not so much.

This race goes back to 1995? I was figuring 2005.

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To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

'95.....2005.
Guess I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

Ha!

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To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

You showed up a DECADE before the first race? Talk about dedication!! ;-)

The color-coding kinda/sorta makes it a bit clearer:
Start at START (in red) heading out past the parking lot, across the field/swamp, then down the hill parallel to the road coming in.
It goes L into the woods/singletrack (just below the 4 on the map) and up a hill. Yay.
At the top of that hill, there are stone steps, and then a carriage road.
GO LEFT HERE.

(this is one of the areas that the Mohonk Mountain trolls like to F with the run course signage)

Down the carriage road a ways, then make a hard R into some more singletrack/climbing action.
At the top of this climb is the run Aid Station (where 1,2,3 all intersect).
GO LEFT.


Now you're on the blue segment (2). Continue down the carriage road a ways, and then make a RIGHT onto the singletrack trail.
You go down a hill, then across the wooden plank bridge, and then up.
In a short ways, you'll come upon a large table rock with many cairns stacked on and around it.
GO RIGHT HERE.
Some more singletrack brings you to the nastiest climb on the run course. You'll run it the first time.
Enjoy that feeling, because it won't likely happen again later.
After you top out, there's a slight descent, then bang a R, up a short trail with water-bars across it, then bear L onto the carriage road.
Follow the carriage road around and to the run Aid Station.
GO LEFT.


Now you're on the green segment (3) - the home stretch!! Down, down, down the carriage road, thru several turns and twists, and then just as you get to where you can see the parking lot and hear the commotion (and later, smell the food) at the Pavillion, you bang a right over a short plank bridge and into the last singletrack trail section.
It goes up, down, up, across, up, and then hard LEFT and down, down to the carriage road, where you make a LEFT at the bottom, and head across the the road that goes thru the grass field, which is a wonderful false-flat, that eventually brings you back to the TA and the Pavilion.


Got all that? : )

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float , hammer , and jog

//You go down a hill, then across the wooden plank bridge, and then up.

IIRC (an it's a good chance I don't), the "pa-dump" sound from the wooden planks which resonates through the woods is a warning that you are about to be slowed in your tracks by one steep mutha of a climb.

The only place I've ever stopped during a race. I won't admit to crying though ;)

YES ... not cheap but easy ... http://www.vivax-assist.com/...vivax-assist_4-0.php

How's the toe? Have you tried to run yet?

It's going to be an interesting bike leg if you have to walk the first run.

For me today was an easy 3 hour ride along the LIE Service Rd. Boy are my legs tired now that I'm backing it down.

Heading for Ulster Country tomorrow. Rest and swim in the new pool in Arkeville.

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

I did a short T-run after an hour-ish mod-hard bike ride last night! First run in 8 days.

(Nabbed some local descending KOM's as prep for Mohonk. Zoom zoom! )

Toe was mostly ok-ish.
For the first mile or so it was kinda like Bart Simpson "Ow! Quit it. Ow! Quit it." with every R footfall, but then I just tuned it out and it didn't bug me too much the last 2m.

Of course, then my "good" calf had to start barking out of the blue - because reasons.

Will try a trail run tonite. Fingers crossed.
(Not toes - that's how I got into this mess to begin with.)

IF I can survive run 1 on Sun, the bike should be decent, and then it's just dealing with the world of hurt on run 2, at whatever pace I can eke out.

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float , hammer , and jog

Bumpity-bump!

Weather has been beautiful since Sunday afternoon, and the current forecast calls for another 2 more of the same (today and Thurs), but then Fri and Sat is calling for rain.
Just in case you thought the grassy swampy areas might dry out....

Sun currently is caling for some sun, breezy, and cooler (low 40, high 57).

Whatevs. As we know, that'll probably change 3 more times between now and then.
And you can't even trust the forecast from the night before the race sometimes.

Hope yer tapers are going well, and you're getting mentally prepared for what awaits us on Sunday.

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float , hammer , and jog

I'm somewhere between "bring it, I'm ready" and "I wonder if I can finish this without vomiting all over myself". Hmm, maybe I should plan my clothing for what looks good with regurgitated Honey Stinger and Endurox products...

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To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

That's some racing weather right there!

Especially since there's no pesky swim in Lake Welch involved ;)

WORD.

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float , hammer , and jog

is it possible to ever really be ready ? Butterflies already and it's only Wednesday, I sure do love it !

Just had lunch on my deck here in Ulster Co. It's one of the most beautiful days ever.

Last prep run his morning. Legs like total crap. They have three days to heal, the race is close!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

I have butterflies and I'm not even coming to the race!?!?

sevenride wrote:

what are "Mohonk Mountainmen"?

A creature of sorts, which vaguely resemble man, that freely roams about the Mohank preserve dressed in a kilt with bag pipes slung to its back and a growler of Keegan's Ale in its arm. I've spotted this wretched creature only once on my third and final run loop in 2012. It was there, in the middle of the final meadow as I emerged from the woods half broken, smirking at me, then it was gone. Haven't had a good night's sleep since.

AZ 2011 Murphy's Law, Chris Gleason, TriYoda, Baliman, KAlber

Yes, Chris. May he rest in peace.

My tribute to him, his RR of that race. Perhaps the best AmZof recap ever written (and not just because I'm mentioned!):

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...ng%2Fboring#p3340503

??? = baliman.

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float , hammer , and jog

Thx for the awesome trip down memory lane!!
Good times.

R.I.P. Chris - miss you so much man.

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float , hammer , and jog

quote Murphy'sLaw]??? = baliman.[/quote]
thx. fixed it.

I'll be bringing some fresh meat for the altar of sacrifice (Bonticou Crag).
Caption Contest Wednesday![/img]

Please note that this leg is not mine.
The athlete this belongs to is set to toe the long course start line. We'll see if his (ahem!) manhood remains in tact.

It's only a flesh wound.

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Remember back when that bruise was what hurt most? Good times.

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float , hammer , and jog

El bumpo.

Today's the last day of nice local weather here, so make the most of it!
Rain tomorrow and Sat afternoon/eve.

"Theoretically" the rain should end overnite on Sat/early Sun am. LOL.

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float , hammer , and jog

that sounds like 2013 forecast...

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Indeed it does. We all know how THAT turned out...

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float , hammer , and jog

Beautiful morning for quick spin on the new rear tire. All systems go.

Optimistic that Saturday's showers move out, leaving the bog in its finest sneaker sucking condition and us with some wind to deal with. If it aint rainin, we aint complainin ;)

Tighten your shoes and get low, it's game time!

I'm way over in the PNW, but I look forward to this thread every year :-)
Wish it wasn't so far away...it sounds horrifying but crazy fun. Have a great race everyone!

Yeah, and the rain keeps getting pushed back closer and closer to the start................

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

It is indeed the best of times, and it's the worst of times.

Heading out for a final spin in the heat & humidity to acclimatize myself. Don't think we've had either of those since.....mid-September.
Since the Roubaix is in dry dock, I'll be crushing this bike course on my Tarmac. Sans aero gettup. Laugh now, but when you see how I climb like a goat (with the build of a linebacker), it's the end of days!

I'm rockin the Tarmac too!

Mostly cuz the 2005 Cervelo Dual was relegated to the trainer years ago and never replaced.

I finally gave in to geezerdom and put on a mid-compact though. Definately helps up Mohonk. Hopefully helps the legs on run #2 as well!

I left the new Felt IA16 home and using my 4 year old Kestrel 4000. I'm worried about the mud. The Kestrel was pretty new when the mud made a complete mess o f it three years ago. Don't want that to happen to another new bike.

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Wuss. ;-)

It's dirt and water. They wash off.

I'm rolling the P5 and race wheels.
Looks even more badass when it's muddy.

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float , hammer , and jog

pretty sure I have a pic of that somewhere too....

Wuss, you bet. Today I re-cabled my 15 year old Trek 5200. If things get bad enough, I'll be riding that one!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Is it muddy enough where trail shoes would be best ?

Gosh, I'm wearing trail shoes regardless.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Last year I wore my regular road running shoes and they were fine but it was dry.

I've done AmZof all but 1 year, and have never NOT worn trail shoes.

YMMV.

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float , hammer , and jog

Sad to say I will miss AZ again this year as I am down in Houston for IMTX. Hope it pours on you slobs-- the only way AZ should be raced. Enjoy.

Sorry I'm missing this year. Wish all you goons and gals an epic day with epic weather! Will pull out a prior year's Zofingen shirt on Sunday AM and wear it with pride. Cheers!

Rain Sunday? I guess my road bike could use a bath anyway.

---

Website: http://liveandeatbetter.com/

I'm missing as well. Kind of funny, my son and I are in N.C. doing long course nationals and I expect to finish MUCH faster than the short course A.Z. Go figure.

Be back next year and then I'll probably let him given A.Z. a go. My wife would never forgive me if he crashed on that 1'st bike downhill which in my opinion is the "hardest" part of the entire race.

80 and sunny for us Saturday.

Good luck this weekend. I did LC nationals in Dallas last November and enjoyed it thoroughly. Some fast people for sure. I sure don't understand the distance though. In my opinion, For long course it needs to be at least. 5k - 56m - 13.1m.

Thanks - I couldn't agree more that 5m/30m/5m is not long course (short course at AZ) which is one of many reasons we are doing it. If it was truly long course - we wouldn't .

We'll be hauling that Alberta Clipper (yeah, in May!) with us as we hit the road eastbound this morning. Should probably be out of New Paltz area by gun time, but will probably be keeping the shoe suck set on max.

STAY MOIST

Rain just started in Ulster Co. Supposed to be over by Sat midnight. Yeah right!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

I wore racing flats my first year, and felt every stone through the bottom of them. I could barely walk the next day.

Trail shoes the next two times, much better.

The time it was really wet (2013?), I had a second pair of shoes in a plastic bag in transition for the second run.

Wore road shoes (Saucony Kinvara) for F1, was fine even in the wet 2013.



Wore racing flats for CWD (Saucony A5/6 with drain holes siliconed shut) and that has been fine for me also.

The lesson is...it really just depends on the person.

I have run it in flats and trail shoes in all sorts of weather over the past 5 years. Given the forecast for soggy conditions, tightly tied trail shoes will be better choice

I'm wearing my Hokas (Clifton's) just cuz that's how I roll.

You skinny little aero triathlete types should stop frettin bout the wet trails and start worrying bout how you're gonna stay upright on your bikes with all the wind they're predicting. Don't want you and your facny discs getting blown all over the place ;)

Cold and windy, perfect for the well insulated!

I have to pull out of racing this weekend. Is it worth me telling the RD so that they can give my allocated number to someone else? (Not sure if there is a waiting list or something)

The crappier the conditions, the more EVERYBODY ELSE slows down.

Nature is a Mother.

PS - just a reminder about start times:
I'm about 99.999% sure that LC goes off at 7am, F1 at 7:30, and CWD at 8am.

Going back to '12 and prior, the start times were all 30 mins later.

But since '13, it's been:
LC 7am
F1 7:30
CWD 8am.

Please make a note of it.

(I may have posted incorrect times earlier in this thread. )

---

float , hammer , and jog

I'll take wind as I've got loads and loads of wind experience on 650 404's under my belt. My concern is moisture since I've not recently been using brakes downhill on wet carbon rims.

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Thanks for posting that. I was going to arrive at 7ish, now thinking by 6:15.
I like to watch the crazy LC folks go off.

That's what I do too.

Plenty of time for pre-race banter and admin, watch the other races go off, then warm up and nut up for our race.

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float , hammer , and jog

@ ML - A start time and start line. It's really that simple. Let's race! AmZof baby!!!

And some cold beers after!

You left out the most important part!!!

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float , hammer , and jog

There's only one cross over. Most racers don't even realize it exists as they never see another runner coming the other way. One path is a wicked steep uphill and the other is 15 feet wide. No worries.

---

2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

First timer on the LC here. Can we do a clothing drop at an aid station? Or does that constitute abandonded equipment / littering?

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Just finished packing, didn't want to get screwed by a mother nature curveball so packed just about everything I own..if it ends up being dry and not too cold, I may just win the award for the most over packed person of all time.

not a chance. i trained hard for that award, and it's mine! ;-p

---

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.

Gorgeous morning today, hope it stays decent for tomorrow. Does anyone know if we can pick up race "packets" today out at the race site ?

I don't 'know' for sure if you can or not.
Generally, in years past, you could swing by in the mid-late afternoon to pick them up.

I've always just gotten mine race am.
I think the longest wait I ever had was maybe 4-5 mins.
No need for a separate trip.

Lovely out this morning!
Don't get used to it. ;-)

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float , hammer , and jog

Yes, beutiful morning. Going for a walk. Watch out tonight. Bring lots of shoes and socks.

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

It's fine to drop off cloths at an aid station. We'll do our best to return them to the pavilion.

---

2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

Beer? Watcha tappin?

Not sure yet. Any requests? Murphy?

---

2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

Packet pickup is at the race venue Sunday morning.

Parking opens at 6 am. Please arrive no later than 6:45 am.

Long course starts at 7 am, the middle distance at 7:30 am and the short course at 8 am.

Please yield registration line spots and bathroom spots to racers starting in an earlier field.

Parking is limited - please cooperate with the parking marshal. Parking is for racers only. Friends and families trying to arrive later must pay the park user fee and park in the assigned day use lot.

Weather looks ideal, but plan on wet trails from all the recent rain.

Good luck and be safe.

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2015 American Zofingen Du is May 17.
R.I.P. Chris Gleason

You getting kegs o' Keegan's again?
Or a pupu platter of cases?

If the former:
Mother's Milk, and 1 (or both) of Hurricane Kitty or Old Capitol, or whatever else they might have.

If cases:
SNPA, some good IPA (Flower Power, DFH 60 minute, Lagunitas, Sculpin, or similar.
And some other good ales.
Plus something lighter for those who like that.
And some PBR's for the f'n hipsters.

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float , hammer , and jog

Watch out, Jimmy Buff (our old racing comrad) on Radio says "hail later today and 30 mph wind tomorrow"

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

ML's got good taste in beer. Always prefer the draft. I'd put Sculpin at the top of that bottle list though.

Thanks for putting on the only race that matters once again.

See you gents in the morning!

Some totally random thoughts the day before....in order of importance

1. As a "maturing" athlete I am thankful to be able to get to start line again and thankful to those who put on this event.
2. I wonder if the angels of mercy will be there with those life saving oreo cookies at the run aid station
3. I hope there is beer left for me by the time I finish
4. We don't have "hills" like this in Central Ohio
5. Drove the course yesterday....did I really sign up for this again
6. Dammit my legs better not cramp again on the bike, pedaling with one leg is hard
7. I hope there is beer left for me by the time I finish
8. There is not a better "Start" line in all of racing
9. Why didn't I start doing this race sooner, highlight of my racing year
10. Hope the weather is ...oh never mind
11. For those that have not done this race....what are you waiting for ?
12. Hope my brakes work before that first right hand turn !
13. I really dont like that first bridge on the way up Mohonk, I always think I am at the top but NOOOOO, just a little more to go
14. Sure hope there are no more than 3 of us in the LC 50 - 55 AG...I want a beer mug !
15. This race and the lead up to it is a great reminder to not take myself so serious and to enjoy life.

See you all in the morning and best of luck to everyone !

Thank goodness we won't get shortchanged out of some epic weather this year.

It just ain't AmZof unless Mother Nature takes a hand.

Got out to the garage this am, prepping the DreamCrusher Express for today's pre-race shakedown ride, when I notice my F wheel is flat.
Not the usual "latex tubes lose 30 psi in 2 days flat", but flat-flat.
Better today than tomorrow!

Changed it out for a nice new latex tube, and got out for a quick, lovely ride.
Today is absolutely ideal outdoor recreating conditions.

Which is why we race tomorrow.

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float , hammer , and jog

F1 and CWD past champ will be live tweeting the race: @j_hirsch

Then driving me home. With my belly full of beer.

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Website: http://liveandeatbetter.com/

Sun is back out in Shandaken. Looks like most of the storm went north and south of us. We are all good for tomorrow

Let's go!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

It is Wrath of God HAILING here right now. Insane.

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float , hammer , and jog