After Saturday’s Bikesport Grosse Isle Duathlon, some overhearing Tom Demerly’s comments regarding his placings in the Nankin Mills Duathlon and the Grosse Isle events have begun to speculate that that perhaps Tom will be shopping for a new rocking chair to replace the bikes and running clothes. Others believe Tom will only become more focused on training even harder. Overtraining?
Please weigh in on this one and help Tom to make up his mind. Should he accept his performances and be satisfied? Should Tom just give up and give in to his frustration at not performing better than he hoped after training so hard already and find a new sport to pursue? Should Tom get more serious and focused about training to improve his performance? Will you offer to deliver the rocking chair to Tom’s house? Has Tom compromised his performance by giving in to a temptation of the flesh even after claiming he had given up on this? He seemed awful friendly with a female participant at both events.
I’m fat and old. A little injured too. But I’m getting faster…
I’ll race (or some version of it) as long as I can. I love it.
The girl is my friend whom I dated once upon a time and parted company with on very, very good terms. She is a dear friend whom I love dearly- and a wonderful person. If you read my editorial about my love/hate relationship with the water- she is the girl who said she pictured herself as a mermaid and grew up on (and still lives on) the water. Likely you’ll see her at other events as she is a fine athlete.
I do have a girlfriend, unlikely anyone will ever see her at a race. She is a fine young lady though and it was really tough getting out of bed this morning at 4:30 AM when she looked so cute and cuddly.
I tried to stay with Sean Tyrrell on the first run today, and did so for about 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Then, I just started having a tough time. I think I am a little heavy- maybe 7-10 pounds, and a little weak too. Some weight training for my legs would probably help a lot right now- I’ve had success with that in the past.
Also, I feel like I have no “top end” right now, I can cruise at 22,23,24 mph no sweat but can;t seem to get it to the hyperspeeds the Tyrrell’s, Fernando’s and Brigg’s are cruising at. That will change.
Fact is, I haven’t been doing a ton of training. We have been busy here and I just wrapped up a huge writing project and sent it off to my agent Monday.
I think I will get a little faster- not sure how much though. I’ve never been 42 before- I don;t know what it is supposed to feel like. Also, remember, I haven’t REALLY raced in four years.
One thing I can tell you though, it is really nice to be at a race with so many friends and people offering encouragement. That is really cool. I appreciate it very much.
I hoped my earlier post would not offend or upset you.
I’m glad to to see that it didn’t and was accepted in the spirit it was offered, fun.
As for cruising speed, 22, 23, 24 mph is mortal stuff, my range, even now. I’m eleven years your senior. 42 is no excuse, give it up! You used to make me stand still at those speeds as you ramped it up to 28, 29 30 mph on Wednesday night group rides. Maybe you are slipping a little?
Good luck with the training and future performances. I hope you exit the hurt locker soon, too.
We had to wear water wings with our skinsuits! The water was a real drag, greater than air. Especially when it got above the bottom bracket and then your feet get soaked.
The first two riders disappeared under the water that was at Middlebelt Road. They never reappeared on the other side. The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol is down there now looking for them. After this misfortune, the event was suspended.
Seriously, the event was cancelled yesterday, realizing the flooding would not subside by this morning.
The neat thing about Hines Drive is that on Saturday mornings and early afternoons it is closed to traffic except for the first time trial in April (this year it was closed for it too, some other event at same time).
That is a good idea, though, in the event Hines is flooded or unavailable. But it defeats the purpose of riding the same course each time for the purpose of evaluating individual fitness/performance.
Tom, you may be “fat and old” but you still look pretty studly. These are from Nankin Mills du, shot by my wife. (Yeah, we were the little family with the digital SLR and the big mouths… - hey somebody had to cheer for you guys!
Hey Zo, thanks for the photos. Awesome. I won’t be fat and slow long. I hope. At least my legs look tough. Man, those white panels make you look humongous. We have new Bikesport uniforms on the way- I hope they are more slimming (or I am slimmer) by the time we get them- either by Seahorse on June 6th or Ann Arbor on June 13th.
Thanks again, and I appreciate all the friendly support. You have no idea how much it really means to me.
- hey somebody had to cheer for you guys!
