First Tri(athlon) and Running On

Negative Splits

2008-09-06T21:47:00.007-05:00

Late Summer, will the heat ever begin to diminish? Let's hope the day dawns cool soon so we can all kick up our heels and raise hossanas that we trained through the South Texas summer and lived to tell about it. Let's start the final countdown to the San Antonio Rock'n'Roll Marathon and start racing.Truth is, I'm not much of a racer. I generally don't care who passes me or who I pass, though I

Summertime training - HYDRATE

2008-07-28T19:39:00.003-05:00

Here in South Central Texas we are nearing the traditional cap of the summertime heat, at least that’s what the statistics tell us. However, anyone who has trained for the Fall race season knows that there are still brutal heat conditions which linger through August, often not allowing any appreciable cooling until early or mid-September.For about six years I lived and worked in Mexico, first

Dealing With Loss - contributed by Brenda Baker-Jackson

2008-04-18T14:09:00.011-05:00

Each of us approach loss in different ways. As a type A personality, I approach any emergency as a need for action. I need a plan to cope. If there is no plan, I feel totally lost and adrift. Thus is my story on learning of the loss of my great nephew… Upon receiving the news of the death of Brody, I immediately began thinking of how I could honor him, this little one whose life was cut so

Remembering Brody

2008-04-16T00:58:00.001-05:00

I have often thought that if we need to know how to run, or to tumble and fall, or engage in an activity unconditionally, we need only watch kids. Oh, they know nothing of form or pace, or running a negative split, but kids do know that they run for the joy of it, and that’s all.I was reminded of all this these past couple of days as I have watched many different children, especially my

Individual or Team?

2008-03-12T22:41:00.005-05:00

The first athletic games I learned were baseball and football. Somewhere in the mix were croquet and badminton, both of which I played with a passion to win, but neither kept me from going back to baseball and football. My brothers and I, there were three of us, would make up football plays, handoffs we were sure would score touchdowns. We challenged the Bell Brothers, our black friends, and

The Texas Independence Relay 2008: “Simply the Coolest thing I’ve ever done!”

2008-03-06T15:09:00.017-06:00

Like kids waiting for Christmas morning to finally roll around, team Mid-Texas Symphony finally had its opportunity to see what the new day had brought them. Would it be a weekend of wonder, or a huge sack of coal? For sure, it was dark as we rose at 4:30 am, with dense fog to boot.Seven of our team of runners and drivers had arrived Friday evening, February 29, in Seguin. Three were runners I

203.67 miles? You gotta be kiddin’!

2008-02-25T22:50:00.003-06:00

That was pretty much the reaction my team of six runners had last May when we opened our bag of goodies from the Beach to Bay Relay in Corpus Christi, Texas. We were in our second year running Beach to Bay, and were already feeling pretty good about our prospects. More importantly, running Beach to Bay the year before had bonded us into not just musician colleagues playing with the Mid-Texas

Some sole searching

2007-09-12T03:38:00.000-05:00

We are a society of bargain hunters, attracted to the marketplace of Walmart or the internet. I'm surely one of the worst culprits. But when it comes to buying shoes, specifically athletic shoes, it might make sense to buy local from a retailer who knows the ropes.There's no intention of making any commercial endorsement here. San Antonio offers several shops which specialize in gear for the

Blue skies and drier air

2007-09-12T03:17:00.000-05:00

NOTHING lifts the spirits of a runner faster than a favorable break in the weather. This has been an extremely unusual summer in South Texas. We are accustomed to battling through summers, running early or running late, cursing the heat which towards the end of the season can linger at 85 degrees at one in the morning. The pavement radiates the day’s heat back into the faces of those bold enough

Heart rate monitor

2007-09-05T23:52:00.000-05:00

It is certainly possible to train without a heart rate monitor. You can always pause and get a pretty good estimate of your heart rate as you are working out. But the benefit offered by a heart rate monitor is that you don’t have to pause, you are monitored constantly, and you can produce a report after the workout which gives some interesting statistics which can help you plan a more effective

Making music and Making tracks

2007-09-05T01:56:00.000-05:00

It's tough enough to rehearse and perform a challenging orchestral program compressed into a couple of days. But my friend Dorian Ramirez not only played cello for the weekend with Mid-Texas Symphony, but she and her husband Fred then turned around and swam, biked and ran the Austin Triathlon. Talk about endurance sports!Congratulations to my good friends Dorian and Fred Ramirez who turned in

A Long Way for Mexican Women

2007-08-05T15:51:00.000-05:00

As I watched and cheered the Mexican golfer Lorena Ochoa on her way to winning the Women’s British Open, I was reminded of the advances women athletes have recently made in Mexico. And I believe the Mexicans appreciate it as well. Although there likely won’t be a repeat of the celebration which took over Avenida Reforma when the Mexican National Soccer Team advanced into the quarter finals of the

If you think that’s cold……

2007-07-16T16:37:00.000-05:00

Have you ever dipped your toe into the pool and shivered while declaring: “That water’s too cold!”? It could be you were already looking for an excuse not to swim that day. But the truth we mostly know is that once you are in and begin your routine, the water temperature is not that much of an issue.Imagine now the feat just accomplished by the Brit Lewis Gordon Pugh, who on July 15th took a dip

How much is Too much exercise?

2007-07-04T01:20:00.000-05:00

They’re at it again, those who contend that any exercise beyond three sessions a week is excessive. In an earlier post, I responded to such a report I had seen on television which labeled as addicted to exercise those who work out four or more times per week. The latest report to bristle my dander was on, of all places, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO). To be honest, Mr. Gumbel was also

1st Tri becomes 2nd Tri

2007-06-20T03:34:00.000-05:00

I have now officially started and finished a triathlon, and have a much better idea of what the fuss is about and also about the challenges of the sport. The Heart of Texas triathlon series is run each summer here in San Antonio, overseen by John Purnell of Run A Way Athletic Club. Last Sunday was the second of the series of five mini-triathlons, paving the way for the Heart of Texas Triathlon

Another day, another first tri….

2007-06-13T02:32:00.000-05:00

After hearing encouragement from a couple of triathletes, including Shelly Campbell, to check out the Heart of Texas series of triathlons I signed up for their next event, which is this coming Sunday morning. I really don’t know what to expect, though here is what the organizers have to say:“This 25th annual event is held in a 50 meter outdoor pool. 300 meter swim. 10mi bike on loop course, 2

Racing Against the Clock - a review and some comments

2007-06-08T13:25:00.000-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to see the DVD titled Racing Against the Clock and then to write a review of the documentary film by Bill Haney. This has sparked some interesting exchanges with several friends whom I invited to see and hear the review.Hopefully, this has also sparked at least a modest spike in sales of the DVD. The film really is that good. Check out my review, both written and

Bout of depression and a Faux triathlon

2007-05-31T22:30:00.000-05:00

I was determined to not become depressed following the unfortunate cancellation of the Capital of Texas Triathlon. After all, and as I am quick to point out to any who will listen, I am casual about marathon, ultra-marathon and even the new dimension of triathlon, not driven like all those “a” personality types.Unfortunately, if I am more “b” than “a,” I am also a recovering alcoholic and one who

I’m so sorry..........Rained out

2007-05-29T17:15:00.000-05:00

Condolences reading “I’m so sorry….” were received from both Zetta Young and Shelly Campbell recently. Had I not immediately understood, I might have feared the word was out about the goldfish which went belly up last week.But no, Zetta and Shelly were saying “I’m so sorry” not just for me, but for the thousands of athletes who suffered equally from the cancellation on Memorial Day of the 2007

Final week, and Beach to Bay

2007-05-22T20:40:00.000-05:00

Like Texas thunderstorms, races always seem to blow up on you in a hurry. It’s why you learn with experience to take advantage of those early and middle weeks of prep so as not to be caught under-, or worse yet, un-prepared come race day.I recall wondering before my first marathon if I was really prepared. How would I feel at mile 20, or 22? This is one of the appeals of these things, though it

I love swimming

2007-05-10T23:14:00.000-05:00

Who would have thunk it, that the same guy who was reluctant to get his feet wet 8 or 10 weeks ago, would now declare his love for swimming? Admittedly, I remain apprehensive about encountering open water with hundreds of others all around me. (Oh please don’t kick and scratch me and hold my head under water. <--bad flashback to a cousin who was a bully.)Now that I have gotten beyond the water

Stress-breaker

2007-05-10T21:35:00.000-05:00

As many of you may already know, this blog and the related podcast, iExercise, originate to some degree from Texas Public Radio. I’m James Baker, and my day job (which is actually an evening shift) is hosting classical music on the radio. I’m also a working musician in addition to being a wannabee athlete. But what is important here is the relationship to public radio. I’ll only say it once

If you can train for a triathlon….

2007-04-29T03:07:00.000-05:00

If you can train for a triathlon, learn to swim a half mile, mile or more, finesse yourself into becoming one with your bicycle, or find the will to keep running all the way to the finish at 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers or 42 kilometers, then you’ve got what it takes to play the guitar, or the cello, or the horn. The techniques of goal setting, making a disciplined plan to achieve that goal and

Swimming gear

2007-04-23T02:42:00.000-05:00

A month or so ago I went to visit Carroll Voss at his store, Fleet Feet San Antonio. Carroll is a runner, a tireless race organizer (Big Bend 50K) and also runs an annual marathon training group. He’s a veteran triathlete and one who has given me a good deal of advice and support in my rookie effort at triathlon. Thanks, Carroll.On this particular visit Carroll brought in a bag full of swimming

Boston marathon report

2007-04-19T22:43:00.000-05:00

My friend and fellow musician-triathlete Dorian Ramirez flew up to Boston this week to cheer for her brother in the Boston Marathon. I thought you might be interested in Dorian’s perspective. Thanks Dorian.“It was well worth the hassle of taking a 6:00am flight to Boston the morning after our concert! Luckily the weather cooperated and I arrived on time to wet and cold conditions. I met my

Wake up and smell the chlorine

2007-04-18T02:29:00.000-05:00

There are the rare triathletes who come at the sport from a swimming background. But it seems that most of us come either as runners or as cyclists, both terrestrial based activities. Ask someone new to triathlon what has kept them away from the sport thus far and you are likely to hear something about not being a swimmer. That was my reply, and it continues to be my greatest concern as I count

Space station marathon

2007-04-17T17:56:00.000-05:00

A couple of recent items on television are of interest, one because I am somewhat flustered and the other because it is so neat.First, a peeve. There was a short item on local San Antonio television suggesting that many of us are overdoing it in terms of exercise. “Do you exercise for an hour or more?” was one of the issues raised. The segment also asked whether you feel a compulsion to exercise,

Lonestar Triathlon Festival report

2007-04-09T13:39:00.000-05:00

When last year I organized a team of six runners from the Mid-Texas Symphony to run in the annual Beach-to-Bay marathon relay in Corpus Christi I found myself short one female runner. I wanted a balanced team of 3 guys and 3 gals, so my friend Liz Levin Pittel, an avid runner, suggested her stand partner and fellow cellist Dorian Ramirez.I wasn’t sure what kind of runner Dorian was, but signed

Two a days

2007-04-06T02:30:00.000-05:00

When I first talked to Zetta Young back in December I quickly learned she is not only enthusiastic about offering advice and help, but she also has the experience to know what she is talking about. Zetta is accomplished in triathlon and also in the individual challenge of marathon. She has qualified for, competed in, and completed the Hawaii Ironman. Ditto for the Boston Marathon. I mention this

Swimming progress

2007-04-04T02:08:00.000-05:00

I guess it must have been my dad who first taught me how to swim. He wasn’t a particularly good swimmer, so you can imagine what kind of swimmer he made of me. Nevertheless, I spent a lot of time in a pool during the summer months as I grew up in Victoria, Texas. We lived just a quarter mile of so from what was the only public pool at that time in Victoria. It was called Pleasure Island; much of

Kitchen scales, or bathroom scales?

2007-04-03T15:04:00.000-05:00

Let’s talk diet, chew the fat (as they say) about the somewhat contradictory nature of how we eat, why we eat, and what we should eat.Although we all know some general rules, like cut down on the junk food, the fast food, the fat and calorie laden food, how many really abide by these general rules? Not many, from the looks of our general population. Come on, let’s dig in and resist the popular

Runner's high

2007-03-29T01:07:00.000-05:00

All who exercise, especially those who exercise vigorously, come away with a sensation of elation: call it a runner’s high, a biker’s high.....(and I’m not talking about the high those guys on the Harleys sometimes have), whatever. If you exercise, you know what I’m speaking of. If you don’t, you likely believe we are simply delusional, or just dishonest about this sensation which accompanies the

The myth of swimming

2007-03-28T20:57:00.000-05:00

Runners are an opinionated bunch. I know because I am a runner, and I am opinionated.When we as runners chose running over other exercises each of us had our reasons. For one thing, it’s pretty economical. Shoes are the main expense and most can get themselves on the road with an outlay of under $100. Although running itself is not so easy, getting there certainly is, as long as you don’t mind

Capitol 10K: a fun experience

2007-03-26T16:37:00.000-05:00

As I have stated before in this blogspace, I am not a particularly fast runner and 5 and 10k races are often a struggle for me. Nevertheless, I had a great time at this year's running of the Capital 10K over in Austin.Despite the efforts of race organizers to sign up 30 thousand participants, this 30th running of an Austin tradition found around 15 thousand takers shoulder to shoulder, curb to

Prisoner of the blue lines

2007-03-23T19:11:00.000-05:00

Joni Mitchell sings of becoming “a prisoner of the white lines of the freeway” and I can’t help but relate this to the “prisoner of the blue lines of the swimming pool." I really should be thankful for those blue lines because they at least keep me from swimming in circles, something I have been assured is a possibility once I get into the open water of Boerne City Lake or Austin’s Town Lake.

Hot weather means hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

2007-03-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the (by my quick count) 69 finishers of last weekend’s Prickly Pear 50K, put on by the San Antonio Roadrunners. The Prickly Pear 10 miler, which I thought about running but didn’t, was finished by over 300 runners.It’s a reminder that there are plenty of distance and trail challenges right here in the San Antonio area. Also, the Spring racing season gets off to both a highly

And now there are three

2007-03-10T22:20:00.000-06:00

I know some runners who swim, not with intentions of adding triathlon to their goals but merely as a less-stress workout. And I know runners who bike for much the same reason: they want to spare their legs and joints the pounding of running while still getting in something of a workout. So the three disciplines of triathlon would seem to complement each other since each activity requires

Legal or illegal bikes?

2007-03-07T02:23:00.000-06:00

My friend Mary Dell recently left the following comment/query:I was wondering what the specifications are for the bike part in a triathlon.I've been introduced to folding bicycles, and although they look a little funny, they are fun to ride. Are there officials checking the bikes at the beginning and ending of that segment to insure nothing 'funny' is going on?Surely one of our true bicyclist/

Black Gap 50K on iExercise

2007-03-07T01:31:00.000-06:00

I just published a new segment of iExercise which recounts the January 2007 running of the Black Gap 50K ultra-run in Big Bend National Park. The race is organized very professionally by Carroll Voss of Fleet Feet San Antonio. Check it out. The segment is called, quite logically, iExercise021 – Black Gap 50K.James

Bumps and bruises

2007-03-02T22:54:00.000-06:00

It looks like we're off and rolling on this blogging and triathlon experience. And I'm also off and rolling. After years of locomotion purely on my two feet, I now am peddling madly my sporty red Trek bicycle. I've always said that red makes cars go faster, and I am about to believe the same about bikes. First, let me admit I'm no stranger to two wheels. I ride a motorcycle. It's not red, but it

Bike, Helmet, Run shoes, goggles and time to TRI!

2007-03-01T09:53:00.000-06:00

With the list of basic equipment complete you are now ready to go! Thanks for taking all of us on this exciting journey with you. Zetta and I look forward to helping you along the way and watching you conquer the course in Austin (Capitol of Texas Triathlon) on Memorial Day! How appropriate as it will truly be a day to remember:-).

2007-03-01T09:14:00.000-06:00

Go James Go! Shelly and I are both excited to watch James finish his first Triathlon. I am delighted for him to start seeing all the enthusiasm we share in all of the disciplines of the sport. I hope he doesn't become to overwhelmed with all that we "tri geeks" feel the need to have to participate in our races! We can certainly get caught up in all the gadgets that we want to! I know that with

Let's get started

2007-02-26T17:19:00.000-06:00

First, a quick word about this project. I’m new at this, both triathlon and blogging. So bear with me as we take off on the maiden voyage of First Tri(athlon) and a first triathlon. Like many of you, I have trained for and accomplished some important goals, namely to have the fitness to run a marathon. In fact, I have four marathons behind me, plus two 50K ultras (the Big Bend 50K Ultra in 2006