Backing off on racing - 2014

After not a lot of thought (I was halfway there anyway) I decided to tone down my training and back off from races this year. I just could not get myself motivated enough to do Full Vineman or Ironman Tahoe – I could have just pulled through and finished, but decided that I just don’t want to end up with a 16+ hour Ironman. I’d rather wait for the motivation to come back and do it with some proper training and passion.  

With my mom visiting us, I took a month off from coaching and just enjoyed some time with her. I can’t remember ever taking a month off from Saturday runs…and for a change it was nice to just relax over the summer weekends. We had a trip down to L.A. to see the fireworks on the July 4^th weekend and spent some time celebrating various things with friends and just enjoyed the easy paced weekends.

With travel on our minds – we intend to make a few trips next summer and I am looking forward to those short weekend trips and longer travel vacations.

For the rest of the year, I’ll be sticking to short rides, swims and runs – still undecided on my 10^th Chicago marathon…but I may just go there and have fun.  

My Alcatraz swims:

My Alcatraz swims:

2001 - 00:54:19
2002 - 00:56:42
2003 - 01:01:45
2009 - 00:51:55
2009 - unofficial swim from Alcatraz with Doug & Tandy
2011 - unofficial swim to and back from Alcatraz with Chakri, Mouli and Murali Krishna
2014 - 00:58:02 - Run (54:25) - with Karissa Johnson (7/20/14)

2015 - 01:15:42 - With Shashi (8/16/15)

2017 - 01:16:00 with Sumit & Rochan - got caught in the current near the beach (10/22/17)
2019 - 00:51:44 Odyssey swim with Maneesh, Ranjit, Suryakanth, Yuvraj & Sumit (9/21/19)

2021 - 00:46:34 Pacific Open Water Co. 3/17/21

2021 - 00:39:54 Odyssey Swim - With Maneesh and Deepak BH (5/1/21) PR

2021 - 00:40:53 Pacific Open Water Co. 6/11/21 - with Sumit. NO WETSUIT SWIM.

2022 - 01:02:54 Enviro Sports duathlon (Run 55:35) - First in age group! (8/20/22)

Alcatraz XXXIV Escape from the Rock - Duathlon (2014)

A return to Alcatraz swim after 3 years!

Just finished my 8th Alcatraz swim:
Still as slow as I was 13 years ago :)
Cool, overcast morning with light wind. While the water was a bit choppy at the start, it was not too bad...in fact, the water was awesome and not too cold at all - had to change direction to counter the tide towards the end and probably spent 4-5 mins swinging left of the Aquatic Park entrance. Felt strong and relaxed. The 7 mile run was good too, 00:54:25 about a 7:45 min/mile pace.

(volunteer horsing around at the turnaround point - Fort Point)

Left home at 4:40AM back at 10:40 - nice morning. Given the lack of training in July I was out like a light in the afternoon.
Results:

Felt good to be back!