Loving the Luce Line

This past Friday (9/13/13), I used the Go Pro head strap setup while training on the Luce Line with the middle schoolers. The best part of cross country ARE the workouts. The U of M college boys were out there cranking repeats that afternoon as well. We let them them know we were in a recovery day and that usually we train at 4:34 pace. I think they bought it. ;)

Have a look at the video as I used some various editing features that brought in some interesting features.


Loving the Luce Line from Brian Maas on Vimeo.

Product Placement & Coming Later this Week

When I have had ample time to catch-up I will provide a full race report from my Arkansas adventure. After combining the triathlon time from Saturday's race (1st in 45-49 AG, 8th overall) with the duathlon time from Sunday (1st in 45-49 AG, 7th overall) in the Iron Mountain Stage event, I took first place honors in the Master's category.

Until then, you have two things to tide you over. First, I tried to do a little product placement while there. I wonder if anyone at Gear West will notice and give me a substantial marketing contract so I quit my day job and do tri's full-time?

Brian tries his hand at product placement.

Second, a short little video showing you the weather conditions the night before day one of the tri-du stage 2-day event and me picking up my AG 1st place award after the tri.

Race Result: Nun Run 10K

Location: Victory Sports Complex - Glendale, AZ
Race Sponsor: 4 Peak Racing

Over all results available here. Age Group results available here.

And the Maas men are bringing home some fine hardware from their respective AG podium finishes.



Brian - 5th overall in the 10K (195 total). 1st overall 40-49 (21 total). More later.

The Boy® - He decided to run instead of walk. I didn't know if this young 9-yo could actually do 3.1 miles. But run he did. And in his first 5K race what does he do? He podiums, getting 3rd in the 9-10 Male AG. And finished 90th out of 490 total participants (all ages). Awesome. Simply awesome. And best of all? He wants to do another one.



The Well Kept Wife™ - I would be remiss for not including the significant other. This was a true family event. She did the 5K walk but was chipped as well and thus, garnered an official 240th place. That was good for 37th out of 87 women in her AG. We'll take that. There was mention by the Boy® that perhaps she should try running next time, ahem.

As for me, hey, it was almost ideal conditions. Temp at start time was 59-F. A bit of a stiff breeze which hampered a bit on the course....not so much because of running into the wind but because this was off-road. So we were dealing with some dust.



My target had been 42:33 (6:51 pace) and I ended up with 41:32 (6:41 pace). I took mile splits through the first 3 miles, then as the 10K was a two lap course we ran into traffic. From baby strollers to people walking four abreast it was hard to navigate, let alone see the mile markers. So I was not able to take splits on the 2nd 5K lap.

Mile One - 6:23 pace
Mile Two - 6:41 pace
Mile Three - 6:42 pace
2nd 5K lap - 6:44 pace

I felt great and was happy for the result. My hamstrings had been bothering me the last two weeks but thanks to two massages, icing, heat, rest I had no issues until the last mile when the left hammy started to tighten. I'm happy with the race results considering it was off-road and the heavy traffic on the 2nd lap. You can view the race, via Garmin, here.

And like any first time event, one could say the field was a bit weak. Heck, think my 41:32 would mean squat in a big event? Nope. But I did find it interesting that my 5K split (19:46) would have won the 5K open event, period. So at least all the top dogs were running the 10K.

The awards were handed out shortly after. Here is a short video showing the start of the 10K (I'm the dude wearing a bright neon yellow singlet) and the Maas men getting their awards from the Sisters.



And thanks so much for all those you helped the Maas family raise $381 dollars for the Sisters. They truly appreciated it. Such great spirit in them. They had us laughing out loud several times. And provided some gospel that can give every runner relate to. From 1 Corinthians 9:

Our life is like unto a race.

9:24 Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win.

9:25 Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

9:26 I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air,

9:27 but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

I can tell you....no way I can maintain my projected 6:51 pace for the Fargo half marathon at this point. No way at all. But I have some time. We'll see. I'm not going to adjust my sub 1 hour 30 minute goal just yet!

I highly recommend this race to everyone. There will be a 2nd annual event next year. Please put it on your calendar if you are able to join!

Commuter Dreams

A Portland bike commuter and dedicated Tour De France fan gets up early to watch the TDF live, but as the stage ends he realizes he is going to be late to work. His exciting "race" to work is narrated by Tour de France TV commentators Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin.

What Triathletes Do on Their Off Days (aka The Man Cave)

I had another long week in which I somehow found time to put in 14+ hours of triathlon training on top of a 52 hour work week at the Real Job. On Presidents Day, the Well Kept Wife™ had the day off, the Boy® was off from school and I opted to be off work as well. So, what do triathletes do on an off-day?

See for yourself.

Triathlete Training Rooms and Vikings Football?

What Triathletes Are Thankful For

I borrowed a recent posting from EverymanTri in order to try out a new web based tool at Xtranormal. Here are the results!

Saturday Ramblings

Wow, I am having a great July as far as workout totals. I fact, if I keep on my plan for the weekend I will break my monthly bike total record this weekend. With twelve days left in the month I will be over 320 miles on the bike. And that will be a new monthly record since I started my triathlon comeback two years ago. Could I get to 400 miles for the month?

Of course, it hasn't been pain free. On Thursday evening, I had a windy 40 miler on the bike. Then I picked up some road rash in my friggin' driveway when I couldn't click out of my pedals and just fell over. Laugh a minute I am.

My fav rider (thus far) at this year's tour is Franco Pellizotti. Yours?



And am I the only guy who doesn't really like Mark Cavendish? Can't put a finger on why. I've never met the man. Never will. But I just bristle when I see him.



Me and a copper got into it the other day. It was captured on tape.



How can I get a yellow Specialized S-Works? Seriously. More on this bike here.



Of course, everyone wants to ride what Lance is riding. Which is a Trek Madone 6.9 If you want to play around, you can build your own Madone 6.9 to your own custom specs. Here are three that I created. Amazing that just under $9000, ahem, gets you a custom bike. The third is my favorite. I've been wearing orange when racing, so why not a orange bike? And this actually comes in at $8609.99.







I leave you with a short video of my whippets.

The Boy® at Swim Team

The Boy® does kick and free warm-ups at the beginning of another ninety minute swim team session.

Busy Week for The Boy®

The Boy® is having a full week of soccer camp in the mornings, swim club in the afternoons, then soccer in the evening (Tue & Thur) or swim team (90-min practices on Mon & Weds). I should be so lucky!

Video of the Week