The Tin/Tri Man

     8-8-08.  It’s an interesting date for an interesting race.  This is the second time I’ve participated in this event.  The report on my first SFMarathon can be found on my personal website HERE.

     No matter how good or bad any race has gone to date, I can say that I learned something in each.  This race was no exception.

     Life has a way of getting in the way of my training plans.  Work, home, family, lack of good time management, etc.  We all have our priorities and my training takes a back seat to many at this point in time.  It’s no wonder that I failed to accomplish my training goals fully.  The biggest thing was not getting in a long training run over fifteen miles.  I knew that my goal of finishing under five hours was unlikely and I didn’t want to kill myself like last time so I formulated a PLAN.  Yep, I did. The plan was good but in the end I let my ego win out and became a bit over ambitious.

     Following instructions on the Jeff Galloway website, I formulated a run-walk-run plan but decided to shoot for the five hour mark.  Too ambitious for the training or lack thereof.

     The day went really great overall.  I got out of the house a little later than I wanted but quickly found parking on the street close to the start.  I knew where the short lines were for the port-o-potties and took my time getting physically and mentally ready for the run.   I walked around enjoying the sights and sounds and didn’t join my wave group until it was ready to go at 0625.  We were out of the chute and I almost sprained my ankle twenty feet off the start line finding a partially consumed bottle of water underneath the mass of people, Yikes!  

     The hard part was taking those early, but required, walk breaks.  I wasn’t tired and people would pass me like crazy but I knew the breaks would help me later in the day.  It was overcast and cool, just the way I like it.  It was fun running along the wharf area and around to the base of the Golden Gate.  My favorite visual, like last time, was at the crest of the GG looking at all the people going both directions over the bridge.  I had to wait in line for a “natural” break at the turn around on the north side of the Gate.  I was pretty comfortable up to about mile eighteen, just leaving Golden Gate Park, when I started feeling the signs of cramping.  One nice thing is that over the last few years, I’ve come to recognize the different sorts of pain I tend to feel during training and racing.  Of course there is going to be some pain but the trick is recognizing if it’s the precursor or result an injury.  We don’t want to go there for sure.

     So for the last eight miles I got to experience pain.  Believe me, I paid attention to it.  I will never drop out of a race unless I am physically unable to continue or they pull me off the course.  Run, ouch, hobble, feel better, walk, run, hobble, repeat.  It’s not what I was hoping for but not really unexpected.  There were quite a few people experiencing similar days by the look of it.  I finished very close to the last time I did the SFM but felt much, MUCH, better.  Took in a little nourishment and headed back to my truck for the drive home.  Had lunch and worked my regular shift that evening.

     So what did I learn?  First off, that run walk run thing works pretty well but it takes discipline.  Two, it’s fun to do the same event again because I already know the ropes.  Three, once again, I continue to learn to manage obstacles and endure to the end.  Some life lessons there as well.  Think I’ll have to do it again next year!

This is my third year racing Triathlon and my fifth doing running races. Guess what? I’ve never felt like I was in a competition until June 8th, 2008.

My only “competition” in all my races to day was myself. Avoiding injury, having fun, managing my suffering, and getting to the finish line were really my only goals.

One of my friends from work that I had races with once before had entered the San Jose International Triathlon (SJIT) and said I should enter as well. His times in other races have been pretty close to some of mine. We are aslo in the same age group. For the first time in recent history, I felt like I needed to beat him in this race. My swimming technique has improved, my biking is a little stronger, but my run is still highly questionable. Haven’t figured out the quad/knee cramps and a left calf problem. Regardless, my goal was only to beat Gregg.

We met that morning in transition an racked our bikes next to one another. We’d both know who was where, at least with regard to transition. We got set up and warmed up together in the water then made our way to the starting line for our wave start at 7:25am.

Swim - I thought the lake was in much better condition than 2006. I did not hit bottom with my hands and the duck/goose poop seemed to be much better controlled. The lake seemed small for some reason, oh yeah, because people kept runing into me or trying to knock off my goggles. I did manage to draft for a few hundred meters here and there so that was cool. Out of the water and up the ramp into T1. As I came to my bike I saw Gregg already there and putting on his bike shoes. I hurried to do the same when he said something out hitting the port-o-potty. Cool, I may be able to get out of T1 ahead of him. He was back very quickly but I still managed to head out of T1 before he’d gotten his bike off the rack. I yelled “Say HELLO when you pass me” and he said “You got it”.

Bike - I know Gregg had ridden the course a few times so I didn’t really have an advantage there. I just pushed a little harder than I might have on my own. I could tell. I felt really good and was glad to see my speed in the 20+mph range on the way out of town. It was a beautiful day and cooler than 2006. Each time someone passed me, I expected to see Gregg. My climbing strength is not very good so the one real hill on the course really had me expecting to see Gregg. Didn’t happen. I had no mishaps. I’d planned on taking in a gel on the bike but my stomach wasn’t interested. I did manage to get a few electrolyte pills down with liquid in preparation for the run and trying to alleviate cramping. I was into T2 before Gregg. Now to stay tough.

Run - There is one small out and back segment on the first part of the run. If Gregg didn’t pass me, I knew I would see him and be able to gauge my lead. I was doing OK and after the turn around, I was getting happier by the meter as I’d yet to see Gregg. Then…. I just caught sight of him, almost missed him, and said “Hey Gregg!”. He looked tired. Sweet. I figured that he was about three quarters of a mile behind. If I maintained a reasonable pace, I would not have to push it.

Then the plot thickens. I start feeling that familiar cramping pain just above the knees where the quads tie in. Ok, slow a bit, relax and we’ll see. Some pulling in my left calf. I thought I’d gotten rid of that injury. Shorten up the stride. I ended up walking on the short up hill sections (for the calf) and through the aid stations (rubbing the knees). My arch nemesis, the sun, was warming things up a bit but not bad. “Hang in there and do your best” I told myself.

The last quarter mile I could smell the finish and while my stride was considerably shortened, I picked up the turnover as best I could. Ah…….. Victory!

I didn’t have long to wait as Gregg was the next finisher only about 35 seconds behind me.

This was a new experience for me. A little extra anticipation and tension before and during the race with a greater sense of accomplishment after. I could see how this could be addicting. The key is to maintain that same motivation even when the result is different. I should be good a that considering where I usually finish in the pack. I know that I would still be happy to make it to the end after all my real goals are to maintain my health and be around as long as I can to enjoy my wonderful family.

Next race, without any direct competition by the way, is the San Francisco Marathon in August. See you there!

I’m sure most of you would answer with a puzzled affirmative.  Well for me, kinda, not really, not yet.  I haven’t done any races yet this year.  Time for training and that extra bit of motivation to just enter a race has not been as high as in years past.

In April 2005 I entered my first “competitive” race.  Competitive in that there were prizes for the top finishers.  I’ve always disliked distance running but my goals of weight loss, control of high blood pressure, and staving off diabetes has changed my tune.

My competition was just to finish.  It was the Santa Cruz Half Marathon.  I was totally sold on it when the gun went off and hundreds of us were off.  The sound of all those running shoes hitting the pavement on that beautiful crisp and clear oceanfront morning sounded just like rain coming down on a tin roof.  Comforting somehow.  I totally forgot my “race plan” and just had a blast until about mile eleven when I ran (pun intended) out of juice and struggled to the finish.  I was amazed and delighted that I finished much sooner than I expected.

The next year I was introduced to triathlon by my coworker Jim.  The first one (olympic distance) was small and not perfectly run but still very challenging and fun.  The second was Wildflower (olympic).  The “Woodstock” of triathlon.  Big and wonderfully run.  I was really hooked!  For 2006 and 2007 I did a few half marathons and two full marathons as well as bunch of triathlons including an off-road XTERRA, the famed “Escape from Alcatraz”, and the “Vineman” half iron distance race.  I finished in the mid pack or behind in most but I finished and I am proud of myself.  Some of the races, particularly the San Francisco Marathon, were exceptionally difficult.  All my race reports, should you find some time, are available on the eBig race link to the right.

It’s not actually true that I have not registered for any races.  I’ve registered for the San Francisco Marathon in Aug., the San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island in Nov., and the Disney World Marathon next Jan.  I need to find one soon so the year can feel more normal.

Lot’s of excuses.  House fix-up, job, helping with the kids, church, landscaping, etc.  I’m not real good at organizing my time and I don’t easily get up early in the mornings.  Something has to give.  I know that I need to periodize my training and be consistent to improve.  I read the magazines and the websites.  I listen to the podcasts.  I just need that extra spark.  Sometimes I think that I may just call this year a long base building phase to improve my aerobic conditioning and get ready for next year to really improve.  I’m hoping to do a full iron distance event in 2009.  We’ll see.

I am making progress though little by little.  More swimming and mountain hikes.  I need to really work on the bike and do my weekly long runs.  I’ll get there.  I find a lot of motivation from others in the same boat that I am.

Ok, it’s off to work on the sprinkler system and try to go for a trail run this evening.  Maybe I’ll get online and find an upcoming event in the near future so MY year can get under way.

My favorite race quote goes something like, “Winning the race is not necessarily finishing first but may be getting to the starting line at all.”  Train smart and avoid injuries and I hope to see you at a race!

Hello all!

While the info under the Blog Site title kind of sums it all up, I wanted to explain the main title.

While I did collect tin cans for charity events, as a Boy Scout many years back, the tin referred to here is that of the general usage related to aircraft.  I have worked, since October of 1987, for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller.  I have worked in two different towers and currently in an ARTCC (Air Route Traffic Control Center).  I work chunks of airspace from the ground in some areas up to more than sixty thousand feet.  I work Airliners, private and commercial general aviation aircraft, military, public safety, law enforcement, and even a blimp here and there.

It is/was a great career that I fell into by chance.  I’d applied to the FAA as an electronic technician having garnered some experience in college and the US Navy Reserve.  One of the software techs suggested I take the test for Air Traffic as well.  The FAA didn’t want me as a tech but I scored very well on the ATC test.

In my early career I worked in a small VFR (visual flight rules) tower and subsequently in a large airport tower.  I transferred to an ARTCC, big room with lots of RADAR displays, for a shortened commute and better wages though the ambiance deteriorated significantly.

It has been a great career until lately.  The last FAA Administrator, Marion Blakey, set out to turn the FAA into a business and break the current controller Union NATCA.  Safety was to take a back seat to the almighty dollar, by direction from her superiors I’m sure. After a short stint of bad faith bargaining to a premeditated conclusion, the FAA illegally imposed a set of work and pay rules that they refer to as a contract.  The leagal justification used by the FAA was faulty.  There was no Union concurrence and no ratifying vote by the controllers.  In the process, the FAA demeaned and belittled it’s controller workforce in a smear campaign of deceit and lies to garner support in Congress.  Even with a Republican controlled Congress, at the time, NATCA very nearly secured a legislative fix to the problem until President GW Bush twisted some arms.

The last two years have demonstrated an unprecedented exodus of veteran controllers retiring well prior to the mandatory retirement age.  We also see trainees just quitting outright  which has been virtually unheard of in previous years but now is common place.  The new pay scale that was forced upon them is of little value in a job that usually requires two to five years of training, is undoubtedly a daily stressful grind, reduces ones ability to prepare for retirement by forcing people out at the age of fifty six, and places individuals in supervisory positions above them with no requirements for ability, competency, or human relations skills.  There is no longer provisions for uninterrupted vacations during the year nor limits on placement of rotating shifts in a job that requires controllers 24/7.  In a job where concentration, memory and mental skills are of vital importance, there are no longer provisions for breaks in order to “rest” between sessions.

The current controller workforce numbers have dropped to where they were fifteen years ago while traffic is much higher.

How does this affect the flying public?  Many facilities are working individuals six days a week on rotating schedules.  Not good for the body or the mind.  Controllers are more fatigued than ever before.  With the lack of staffing at most facilities, controllers must work control positions combined that are normally separated for safety and efficiency.  Result: delayed aircraft, and more mistakes.  Safety is degraded.

Moral is at an all time low.  While the supervisors are hovering around the area waiting for controllers to say “nine” instead of “niner” or catch someone failing to put a meaningless piece of information on their personal status board, new and poorly paid controllers are expected to perform perfectly in complex situations without much practical experience.  Veteran controllers must constantly On the Job Training which increases stress and requires greater concentration levels.  We are nit picked daily in an increasingly hostile environment.  Management personnel are rarely if every held accountable for mismanagement and incompetence.

Ok, rant off.  The nutshell version is that the United States National Airspace System in dire straights.  Controller errors and close calls are at an all time high across the nation due to fatigue and short staffing.  We controllers generally love our jobs and continue to hang on as best we can.  I now worry every day about the possibility of being involved at work in a catastrophic event.  If you get a chance to look, you’ll see that at virtually every news conference about an incident the FAA talking head will say “Safety was never compromised.”  It is a lie.  If a controller fails to maintain the required separation standards then safety was compromised.  It happens every day and this needs to be fixed now.

Go to NATCA or http://www.natca.org to find out more and to help us pressure Congress to act.

Other great blogs related more specifically to Air Traffic Control and FAA ineptitude are:  Get The Flick,  The FAA Follies, and The Main Bang.

I hope future subjects will be much less dire!

I welcome comments and questions.

My best to all,

Tin Man.  Retirement eligible in 3 years 6 months and 30 days.