Previously Boulder 5430 Half Ironman, this race was no different than years past. I was excited motivated and I predicted a very fast race. The fast part came to a screeching halt during a very hot run. I started in the 12th and final wave, so the good news is I would have people to reel in all day long. At the start of the swim the announcer asked who is going to lead this swim. I enthusiastically waved my hand but it was a joke. I never considerd myself a fast swimmer, But with the Sweet Xterra Vendetta and some hard winter work, I was turning into a different athlete. As the gun went off, I attacked hard and fast and realized my turn over wasnt slowing down. I bumped into countless other athletes from multiple waves ahead but I kept going strong. I exited out of the water in 26:39. Now you might question the validity of the swim course but based on what the swimmers are capable of, this was right on. In comparison, I exited among the times of several other pro men and had the exact same time as Tim Deboom. I flew through transition and boarded my trusty steed. I built quickly into a fast and powerful rythm. Here comes mistake #1. The pro men were starting their second lap as I was starting my first. I saw Richie Cunningham and we played back and forth for a while and I decided to put in a short strong effort to drop him. It didnt work but none the less I rolled on and we played cat and mouse for about 20 more miles. Then a pack of 5 pro’s rolled by, 1 guy seemingly doing the work and 4 others not working as hard but also just outside of draft zone. After they passed I realized I was reeling them back in and instead of being caught in the middle I kept going past them, then they would all pass me again. what? Mistake #2, I put in a very strong move for about 20 seconds to try to gain some distance, and yet they passed again, I sat up let them get some distance on me before I continued my race. I started my second lap alone and kept moving through the field but some of the very high efforts were playing catch up. My 26.8mph Average for the first 30 miles was evaporating and I just wanted to hold on. I headed back to T2 with a 26.1mph average, an improvement by 4 minutes on this bike course for 2:08. I headed out of T2 with a full water bottle and a gel flask. My thirst was unquenchable and my legs were not my usual running legs. (seat height adjustment on Thursday?) I found a rhythm after about 3 miles it lasted for about 4-5 miles and then painfully and tiredly I trudged on. It was a death jog with a run time of 1:30 compared to last years 1:24. I finished in 408:48 for 13th Overall. I finished to the same exact second as last year, How is that possible. My run didnt show up and it cost me dearly. I know what I am capable of, what my training indicated. A PR in the swim and the bike was negated by a painful, fatigue induced run. This will be fixed.
Half Max Nationals October 2nd Myrtle Beach
Jim Hallberg-Longmont CO
Every year or so I like to do Mt Evans Hill climb. Its a bike race that starts in Idaho Springs off of I-70 at around 7,000ft. The Finish at the top of Mt Evans and the route is along the Highest paved road in the US. Your finishline is 28 miles of climbing to 14,180ft. Now I am sure plenty of people have hiked a 14teener. But this is different.
I am a triathlete riding Cat 3 a pretty competitive group just under the Pro1,2 guys who just ride. They are not training for 2 other sports. I knew what to expect and as we gradually climbed I wiggled my way from last place to the front. Made some small talk with a few I knew, and from there on No one wanted to help with the pull up the hill, around mile 5 it kicks from 4% to 6% grade and thats usually where some fun begins. Around mile 7 I made a slight acceleration just to see the response. Everyone responded. Then another kid made an acceleration and so I picked up the pace and road his wheel I looked back and I was the only one to go with him. About 300 meters later he asked me to come around him and help out. I came around and put the pressure on. Every tree lined turn I would gently accelerate. Out of sight out of mind. Within a few miles I would no longer see any of the Cat 3′s. I applied pressure whenever possible consistantly pushing the pace. Because I know at some point the altitude will start to hurt. Every switch back I would take a glance back and see no one. I was flying up the mt catching other categories. I would pass people in the citizens category who would be talking with a sudden change in their discussion to Holy …. I flew on. Higher and Higher until tree’s and plants can no longer grow. I was floating above the clouds and now I was burning my fuel and was beginning to reach where the blue skies above turn dark blue almost black because the ozone is just so thin. I hit summit lake, a false flat with a down hill before it really kicks back up. I looked back and saw them, the hunters and I was being hunted. Mile 22 came and so did 13,500 ft hit me like I was pedaling through sand. I was hardly breathing and hardly moving, I felt sleepy, and light headed. I took a quick drink of water and my muscles, my entire inner core freaked with lack of Oxygen. The kid leading the charge said I “I Finally got you”, good I had to make him work for it. His last US race before he goes to Belgium. I climbed and climbed and the final few kilometers are just ridiculous with switchbacks. You see the top straight above you but you cant get there, you just keep pedaling telling your body to breath. Any response any pick up is dearly paid for with agonizing energy loss. I finally made it. I had beat my previous best time and I was ever closing into that mark of under 2hrs. But this time it was 2:03.55 a 6 minute improvement. 6th in the category.
Jim Hallberg, Longmont CO
Next race is Boulder 70.3
It was time for Boulder peak triathlon and a time for me to defend my overall amatuer title from very stiff competition. I was requested to “bring my A game” to Boulder peak. A lot had happened in my eyes from last year and even from last month. I made some changes on my bike to help me bring back the Power I had known and relied on last year that was missing earlier on up tell last week actually. With the Help of a Phenominal fitter I was back in the Game. Nothing remarkable about pre-race other than I was the last wave of 13 to go off. Wow, would it be busy out there. The swim was directly into the sun and I had a few difficulties sighting bouys but none the less I got out in just over 22 minutes. Out on the bike I put the hammer down and chewed up ground passing what felt like thousands. I made it hurt, it was all or nothing. I arrived back into T2 posting a bike split that would be hard to rival at 61minutes 27sec for 42k wicth included a climb 2/3mile long at 15% grade. Out on the run I quicly found my legs and tried to push the pace, without going into the asthmatic state. I realed in a few people and crossed the finish line in 35:49 for the 10k, and 2:01. 21 total time. Nearly 4 minutes faster than last years time. Now the waiting began. I finished 2nd overall by 2 seconds. By the time you read this sentence, was the difference between me and another age grouper in wave 12. The nice thing is I had the 2nd fastest 10k in the amatuers and I had a faster bike split than Tim Deboom, Matt Reed, Stephen Hackett, Joshua Rix and all but 2 male pro’s Tim Odonnell and Tim Reed and the 1 guy who got me by 2 seconds.
Next up Boulder 70.3 August 8th. And its Payback time.
Jim Hallberg,
Longmont CO
Whenever I go to a race, I go with a pyramid of goals. Starting with At least ,I need to do ….., I would love to do this. Well I had one of my best swims ever, I mean, I have never stayed with the front 2-3 swimmers and actually drafted without getting pummeled by 20 others. This time it was just us. Thanks to that nice flexible and fast Xterra Wetsuit. I left transition in 4th place, and by mile 4-5 I had caught and passed the leaders. I had one guy stick with me and a few miles later he pulled up to me and said your Water Bottle is about to fall off. My never reach system was nearly dragging on my tire. I rode about 30 more seconds before it finally snapped. I stopped ripped off the mount and bottle and tossed it into the grass. I was now in 2nd. 30 seconds later my Garmin 305 mounted to my Bike had lost its strap, I turned around picked it off the ground and tossed it into the grass. Now It was time to play catch up. I was at least a minute down now maybe more. I can see how on this course, if you KNOW the course you can really make up time, But this is not an easy course to memorize. It was crazy, swooping turns, Hills like walls. I kept passing female pro’s but I would never catch the lead guy again. 1 goal unattained. The fastest bike split overall amateur, 2nd goal unattained. I just sucked down water at aid stations and sucked on gel before coming to an aid station. I started the run fairly uncomfortable in the stomach. But we push on. Around mile 5 I actually started to feel better and started moving up the pace or effort. The hills made my legs feel like lead weights. I finished 2nd overall Amatuer, 1st in my Age group-1 goal accomplished. The best part is I had family there from the East coast I have not seen in 18 years and a few others not much more frequently. They where there in full support of me and Team Snapple there first triathlon experience and it was a good one to see.
Next weekend Boulder triathlon series kicks off with the sprint triathlon. New race, more goals
Jim Hallberg, Longmont CO.
I was eager to do this race as I was unable to a year ago due to Mortons Neuroma. In November I visited the Steadman Hawkins clinic in Vail and had the Neuroma removed from my left foot following 6 weeks off and a slow progressive recovery process. Today in my mind, was the start of 2010 injury free, the true test. It was a cool 45 degrees at the start of 6:45 in Downtown Denver 5280ft altitude. We headed East on the well known Colfax avenue with a gentle 250 ft elevation gain over 6.9 miles towards University Hospital. It was nice to wear my new SPIUK Sunglasses heading into the early morning sun. Just past 7 miles we head back down to downtown through tree lined streets with the Rocky Mountains as the back drop. I was closing in on taking over 4th place overall when I was having repeated burning rubbing pains in my left foot near the outer sole. I knew what was going on but it had to be ignored. AS well as a few small issues going on to distract from the racing pain I pushed on. I finished 4th of 1082 half marathon runners in a new personal best time for my 3rd ever half marathon run in 1:15.44. I got to take home a HUGE blister on my left foot that will need to be dealt with soon to get back in preperation for Rev 3 Half Ironman June 6th.
Jim Hallberg, Longmont CO
When I first started doing triathlons 12 years ago, I saw myself as a runner. Whats your strength, one might ask, my running, because that’s what I did in High School and College (although not to any outstanding abilities). I have evolved and realized, I am becoming a triathlete. I train like a runner, I train like a cyclist, and swim in the fast lane at masters. I focus so much of my time, my life to putting these 3 events together to have the ultimate race. That’s what separates an individual athlete doing a triathlon and a triathlete. A triathlete no longer fears any part of the race. A triathlete can hang with the cyclist, can run a good individual race, and hold their own in whatever you ask them to. I have become a triathlete so much so, that I don’t even consider myself a specialist at any one event. We might have our strengths (biking) but our weaknesses are not so weak anymore when we triathletes are standing on the podium.
Jim Hallberg- Longmont, CO
I dont want to be that person that talks about the training and does nothing to show for it on race day. So I wont, I will show you on race day. I will demonstrate how all the work, all the pre-dawn workouts, thousands of feet of climbing, the drive and somehow unending commitment to just go faster, will start to pay off in a few short days. I have built a new engine, made the old one, stronger, faster and more efficient. Like many I have sacrificed all for a few more seconds, few more watts, and chasing bigger goals. It is TIME and I am Ready.
I will start off with a local 5k, which last year I was put to 2nd place behind Ricky Gates US Mountain running champion. The following weekend I will do Lookout Mountain Hill climb a 4.5mile Bike Time trial uphill. A favorite of Tom Danielson who owns the record of 16:04. Following that I will do Denvers Colfax Half Marathon.
Jim Hallberg.
Longmont CO
Some things come easier for others. Like swimming. I learned to swim as a Juniorin College, not the fundamentls you get as a kid. Last year I had some very close races, races that I should have won. It was my goal to never lose so much time on the swim. So this winter I put in some work. I am not a huge yardage swimmer, big mileage cyclist or runner, I just try to make the time count. I am a runner by background but I am actually better where the race lasts the longest, the bike. I did the Winter Sprinter at my local pool. I swam a respectable 2:11 for 200yrds and I finally broke 6minutes for 500yds taking 2nd overall in both races. Again I am not a fishy. Put me on the bike and then we can play. upcoming notable races. (We start a bit late here in CO)
Colfax Half Marathon-May16th
Quassy Half IM- June 6th
Boulder triathlon series (defending my title in sprint, Boulder Peak, and Boulder 70.3) June 20th , July 11th, August 8th
Half Ironman Nationals October 2nd Myrtle Beach.
See you at the races!
Jim Hallberg (Longmont, CO)
Every year at about this time, the end of the season, I re-anaylize. I go back to the board, and make changes, find my rythm and my routine. I re-read and read some new material. Then I start putting it to use. I build something, I create a whole new animal over the winter. I redefine myself, re invent the strategy, find what racing is about. I build with every day, every training minute, with my goals in mind. The season progresses. The art and the purpose is being defined. Make whats strong, stronger, and make whats weak, unnoticable. Its not what you do or how much you train to win. Its how you train to win. Your dedidication is never questioned. When the race season kicks off, we see who has done the work, who is ready to take up the challenge and go beyond what others thought was the limit.
– Jim
