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The Weekend Recap

A spot of good weather (FINALLY!) had a very large contingent of TT regulars chomping at the bit to go outside and ride or race. Here is the WEEKEND RECAP.

Masters team kicked off the road racing spring classic season at Battenkill, NY for 60 mile road, hilly road race. Almost the full team went out there to race. got 3rd, 8th, 10th at Tour of Battenkill in the 30+ (Max Lippolis, Steven Badger, Scott Bodin). Also there were Abdul Kabia, Tom Toal, Matt Emeott and Ed Angeli. Entire team rode well. Mike Allaire got 2nd in the 50+. Bart McDonough road well in Cat 4's despite various problems training. Next up: Quabbin Road Race (63 mile event). Same team will go do 35+ plus Rob Weiss and Rick.

Did 2 outdoor rides -- about 25 participants on Saturday AM with 3 groups split between very fast, fast and medium -- 42 mile ride. Sunday did 25 mile ride that Ray Forehand organized for Pan Mass Challenge participants. Rick joined to help out group. Ray and Ann Marie hosted out of their lovely house in Southport.

Ciao

Muzzin

Eneas dashes to Donnelly run win

The weather man predicted colder temps and light rain, just what everyone wants to play outside in, but what we awoke to was yet another day of perfect spring weather!

Jogging stroller strapped to the roof rack and me on my bike, Nancy, Caden and I made our way to a local running race in Fairfield, Donnelly Dash, this morning for a little fitness test a week out before national duathlon championships in VA.

The course was a pleasant 3.5mile test with some rollers and a bit of wind. With baby in our race engineered jogging stroller, which by the way was a gift from my TARGETRAINING coworkers the year Caden was born, Nancy quickly made her way up the start line for a brisk walk along the course leaving me to chase them down 20min later.

Small local races like this are great tune up events or form guides when preparing for bigger season goals. The smaller fields and a low key atmosphere make them low stress events that the whole family can enjoy.

After a brief 1.5 miles of gauging the strength of my fellow runners I soon found myself alone chasing down the nice Porsche Kian lead car. Suffice to say that I never caught the car but I did catch Nancy just before the finish line taking the win and ave. a respectable 5:37/mile pace.

It's been a year

A year ago, I was fortunate enough to have found out I had early-stage testicular cancer. Fortune plays a role. I went to Dr. Batter of Norwalk Urology Associates, who immediately sent me to get an ultrasound. I had a cancerous testicular tumor, which Dr. Batter removed. Then I went to the Whittingham Cancer Center, which is part of Norwalk Hospital. There Dr. Rich Frank assessed the situation (you need the tumor analyzed to know what to do). Stage 1A seminoma cancer (quite good in the overall scheme because it moves slowly and is treatable).
Off the bike for a couple of weeks so that I could heal, then I was back racing again. And then Dr. Pathare, an expert Radiation Oncologist (it means he knows how to use radiation to eradicate cancers which are susceptible to such treatment), prescribed 17 days of therapy (skipping the weekends). I continued to race through the treatment and I trained every day. I did get tired and certainly was nauseous most of the time. No, I did not lose my hair (that's chemotherapy). I did lose bone marrow cells and my red blood cell count was measurably suppressed (it has not yet fully recovered -- it takes a year or so).

Why I am retelling this story? Well, Dr. Frank has just published a book called Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers.

I recommend that anyone who has to deal with issues arising from cancer (family or friend related) should read this book from a person/hero who's entire life is devoted to helping others. Now, we are trying to get Dr. Frank to come exercise with us (he has two young boys and is a busy man, but so are we all and we know health starts with you).

He is doing two book signings:
Stamford Town Center Barnes and Nobles 4/22 at 6 pm
Westport Barnes and Nobles 4/29, 7 pm
And here's the link to the book. published by the Yale University Press.

Hope to see you there. And in the meantime, I have a few bicycle races to go to. Thanks Doc.

Dom's hi-tech swim analysis at the OTC

What you are looking at is Dom simulating a sighting drill while tethered to a resistance unit at the end of the pool. The system will record the changes in linear velocity and represent that in the dynamic line graph at the bottom of the frame. The slight changes in kick, stroke and turn are then recorded as the video camera follows in unison to the length of cable. From here the swim coach can analyze the information and make suggestions to the athlete on how to improve their movements. Be fast Dom!

Ciao,

Muzzin