I finally got back from Austria two Fridays ago. I just moved into a new apartment right next to the CCSU campus. Austria was great but very stressful at the same time. I was there to spend time with my girlfriend and to study some Math and Economics. I was scared at first because I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle European universities. The beginning didn't seem too difficult but as the semester went on it got tougher and tougher. Towards the end I was in the library studying 10 hours every day. So much for spending time with my girlfriend. Starting just after Christmas I wasn't home much. I had one month to prepare for 4 final exams which I had to pass. Without these credits I would have had to add another semester in the US. I received my grades last week and I passed my classes. I haven't been happier in a long time. Now I am back trying to reorganize my US life....
Since I didn't have time to swim for over a month last week was my first time back in the CCSU pool. It felt weird and I was exhausted pretty quickly but I managed to get in 2000 yards. The time before Christmas I was swimming a lot in Vienna and I felt great in the water. Now I just have to get back to that...
on Thursday I finally got around to cleaning my bike and on Friday I went back on the road. It had been even longer since I road my bike so I started off with an easy 25 miler around Farmington/West Hartford. It was beautiful outside but the cold was taking a toll on my toes. I ordered a pair of shoe covers right when I got back. Yesterday I went out for a ride with Rob. He picked my up and we drove out to Lake Waramaug. At 35 degrees it was just above freezing but the wind around the lake was a real killer. At the parking lot we met this guy named Greg. He is a pure cyclist riding for a team in Boston. Really nice guy. So the first 25 miles we stayed with him until he went home. He lives right on the lake. I wish that house was mine. Greg has the best possible training roads that you could ask for. The loop around the lake is flat and if he wants to ride hills he has Gear Mountain right around the corner. After we dropped him off Rob and I did two more loops around the lake for a total of 42 miles. I couldn't go any further since my toes had no feeling what so ever...but I am glad to back in my life.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, September 25, 2008
7. Red Bull Flight Day
Last Sunday I went to the 7th Red Bull Flight Day. You might ask what it is.
It's a bunch of over motivated people trying to fly (glide) from a 20 feet high ramp with their self build "plane". Pre-flight performance, flight/glide length, and design were major criterion that decided over victory or loss. 38 teams participated in this visitor pulling spectactle. The price for the first place was a private pilote education course which I thought was really cool. Maybe I will start next year too. 60000 visitors gathered around a little bay in Vienna too watch these people jump into the cold Donau
It's a bunch of over motivated people trying to fly (glide) from a 20 feet high ramp with their self build "plane". Pre-flight performance, flight/glide length, and design were major criterion that decided over victory or loss. 38 teams participated in this visitor pulling spectactle. The price for the first place was a private pilote education course which I thought was really cool. Maybe I will start next year too. 60000 visitors gathered around a little bay in Vienna too watch these people jump into the cold Donau
here are some pictures of last Sunday's heros:
you won't believe it but that was the winner...unfolded.
aaaaahhhhhhhh....down it goes
Pola's dog (Teddy)
my favorite....perfect aerodynamics like my bike frame...too bad their plane was made out of metal and didn't glide too well
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Economics (my new passion) & Vienna
Since a few weeks I have been going nuts over everything concerning this worlds economy. I
AM HOOKED...
A few month ago I decided to change my major from Math (Secondary Education) to plain Mathematics with a minor. At that point I had no clue what minor I should work on but I knew that I only have 2 semesters left of which one will be in Vienna. I thought I could easily find a minor that I can finish in 2 semesters but I learn that it's not that easy. Prerequvisit here prerequisit there....everything takes at least 3 semesters is what I was told. I went to our econ department and met a realy nice professor that wanted to help me. He gave me permission to take three econ courses in Vienna at the same time. It might be a bit tough but if I don't want to spend another $8000 on tuition I better get through it. The funny thing was that I had no clue what economics was all about. I had no idea...
AM HOOKED...
A few month ago I decided to change my major from Math (Secondary Education) to plain Mathematics with a minor. At that point I had no clue what minor I should work on but I knew that I only have 2 semesters left of which one will be in Vienna. I thought I could easily find a minor that I can finish in 2 semesters but I learn that it's not that easy. Prerequvisit here prerequisit there....everything takes at least 3 semesters is what I was told. I went to our econ department and met a realy nice professor that wanted to help me. He gave me permission to take three econ courses in Vienna at the same time. It might be a bit tough but if I don't want to spend another $8000 on tuition I better get through it. The funny thing was that I had no clue what economics was all about. I had no idea...
The semester hasn't even started and I have read the entire microeconomics book, I have been to a trading seminar on CFDs (Certificate for Difference), participated in 2 online seminars on trading, and I have been reading the financial section of the Vienna newspaper (I never read the newspaper my entire life). Let's see where my new passion is going to take me...
Vienna:
I am in love...I am in love with the "Wiener Stadthallenbad"...I am in love with my new pool.
No...the pool doesn't only look long and wide in the picture...it is. Rob I am sure you are jealous right now (unless you swim in a similar pool)...50m lanes (150yards).
At least two lanes are reserved for athletes (and wanna be athletes) only. The lanes are wide enough so that two people can pass a slow swimmer at the same time. The pool is phenomnial. I already bought a half year membership card for the winter. This is gonna be where I will be beating myself to better swim splits.
At least two lanes are reserved for athletes (and wanna be athletes) only. The lanes are wide enough so that two people can pass a slow swimmer at the same time. The pool is phenomnial. I already bought a half year membership card for the winter. This is gonna be where I will be beating myself to better swim splits.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Vienna City Triathlon Race Report
The morning of the race my head was a bit like my rubiks cube - lots of pieces in the wrong place. Most of my equipment I packed the night before but when I got to the race sight I realized that I forgot my water bottles, my race belt, and my power gel. Not sure what I was thinking but luckily it was only 10am and I had 2 hours left until race start. Pola went home for me to supplement my scaddered brain.
I wasn't feeling like racing until I got in the water. We were swimming in the Donau which isn't known for cleanliness. The water looked a bit muggy and the wind created some smaller waves. The day of the race Vienna experienced a temperature drop from 86 degrees to 50 degrees within one day.
My brother, his girlfriend (Linda) and Pola were watching the swim start from the top of a bridge. It was a trianglular course of 700m + 100m + 700m. Since SI experience a jelly fish attack all summer I lacked serious swim practice for this race. I went swimming 3 times in Vienna to get a feeling for the water. As soon as the start signal went of I was glued to the feet of the guy infront of me. I felt great. After a few meters someone passed us so I saw my chance to glue myself onto his back end. Until the second turn we were a group of four. One guy lead the entire way and three drafting. I was in fourth position when the guy infront of me couldn't close the gap between himself and the second guy. With a quick sprint I passed #3 and tucked myself behind #2. 700m to go and I felt great. On the second turn I looked to my right to see where I positioned myself in regard to the 180 other triathlets and to my surprise I saw a lot of flying arms. #2 and I kept drafting off #1 until about 150m before the swim exit. We swam below the bridge where my mini fan club was waiting. I got out of the water still not knowing what position I was in. When I came to the transition area I saw 5 other guys and about 170 bikes still waiting for pickup. I GOT OUT OF THE WATER IN 12th POSITION. This was by far the best swim I ever had. 0:26:11 for 1500m!
I wasn't feeling like racing until I got in the water. We were swimming in the Donau which isn't known for cleanliness. The water looked a bit muggy and the wind created some smaller waves. The day of the race Vienna experienced a temperature drop from 86 degrees to 50 degrees within one day.
My brother, his girlfriend (Linda) and Pola were watching the swim start from the top of a bridge. It was a trianglular course of 700m + 100m + 700m. Since SI experience a jelly fish attack all summer I lacked serious swim practice for this race. I went swimming 3 times in Vienna to get a feeling for the water. As soon as the start signal went of I was glued to the feet of the guy infront of me. I felt great. After a few meters someone passed us so I saw my chance to glue myself onto his back end. Until the second turn we were a group of four. One guy lead the entire way and three drafting. I was in fourth position when the guy infront of me couldn't close the gap between himself and the second guy. With a quick sprint I passed #3 and tucked myself behind #2. 700m to go and I felt great. On the second turn I looked to my right to see where I positioned myself in regard to the 180 other triathlets and to my surprise I saw a lot of flying arms. #2 and I kept drafting off #1 until about 150m before the swim exit. We swam below the bridge where my mini fan club was waiting. I got out of the water still not knowing what position I was in. When I came to the transition area I saw 5 other guys and about 170 bikes still waiting for pickup. I GOT OUT OF THE WATER IN 12th POSITION. This was by far the best swim I ever had. 0:26:11 for 1500m!
how cool is that picture :) thanks to my personal photographer - aka Pola
The bike course consisted of a 10km loop up and down the Donau. We had to loop around 4 times to complete the 40k. To my surprise the race wasn't draft legal since it wasn't the professional race. The 120 pros started 2 hours after us. The course was flat and slightly windy. On the first 5k of the loop I average 24mph and the on the back portion 22mph. After my first loop I saw people still entering the bike course from T1. Even though I felt fast on the bike I lost a few spots to some even faster bikers. At one point a drafting group of three past me but besides those rule brakers everyone seemed to follow instructions. The bike was fast and took its toll on my legs. My gatorade was way to sweet to consume without spitting up a storm. Every time I drank some I felt like puking on the nice flat pavement. I got back to T2 when I heard the commentator say that two more people (me and some other guy) will soon join the other 17 runners already on the run. I was still in 18th position which was amazing. I didn't feel too good anylonger but who cares? I was fast...1:02:00 for 40k.
After a 49 secong T2 I was on the run course. It was a 2km loop that everyone went through five times. Sounds really boring to see the same route five times but I kind of liked it. 1km seems to go by fast and it keeps me more motivated because I could quickly count my loop and do my 2463 calculations to keep me busy during the race. While running I always calculate how far I have to go, what is left and what's left if I finish this lap or the next. By the time I put every step in fractions I already past another km-stone which means I have to start my calculations over again. But the fun I had calculating was the only enjoyable thing about the run. I basically hit a wall at km 0.00. As mentioned before my legs were tired when I got off the bike and my running form looked like that of a cavemen. Even my mini fan club had to let me know how horrible I looked on the run (at least they are honest). Struggeling through 10k my first loop of 9min slowed down to a final 10:48min loop.
I finished 31st in 2:20:19. I ended up 5th in my age group. (#3 & #4 overall were my age and took the glory of a bronze medal) Overall I was very happy with my swim and bike but now it's time for a cranky speed workout. I have to get fast for the 2009 season.
official PDF results (I am the guy with the German flag in 31st position)
PS: notice how many people on that list are officale Tri-club members? This is insane. Alomst everyone is enrolled in a club. I am just saying...we need to watch out for those Austrians. They are fast and they have a lot of money for the nice equipment I always wanted to have.
me eating the driest piece of bread with meat that I ever had
Sunday, August 31, 2008
knee issues and trader @ brokerjet
I have 2 weeks to go and I am not feeling to good. I mean I am ok but my knee is giving me a hard time. On Tuesday the 26th I went to NYC for two days and there I must have done something to my knee. It might have been too much walking or the Strawberry Daiquiris that night or maybe both in combination... Today I went out for a 21km test ride to see how my knee reacts and it felt just fine until I started walking. The different motions on the bike don't hurt my knee. The only problem I have is when I fully extend my leg and put pressure on it. I get a stabbing pain on the side as if my knee is going to collapse sideways.
Tomorrow I will go for a run. Weird as it sounds but I think that even running won't hurt. It's just the damn walking. As long as I can run I am happy. Who needs to walk anyways???
In 4 days I am taking off to Vienna...I am excited. Pola will pick me up from the airport at 7am. I will be moving in with her for my time in Vienna. She is a bit nervous about me moving in since she never lived with her boyfriends but I think we will be doing just fine. A little family life is always exciting.
Over the last two days I have prepared an applications for a stock trader training program in Vienna (http://www.brokerjet.at/). Taking an application picture was an adventure. Oskar (the worst and most impatient photographer) took my picture. After about 40 I found one where my smile didn't look like an idiot. With Photoshop Pola and I worked some miracles to adjust the bad lighting and my tired eyes.
I sent my application out last night. Deadline is today and selection of the participants tomorrow. If I get in I will bust my ass to do well. This can be a great chance for my future career. I am not sure if I want to go that direction but it sure sounds interesting to me. If I don't get in I can participate in a bunch of free trader seminars which will be cool too. Let's see what's gonna happen...wish me luck.
Tomorrow I will go for a run. Weird as it sounds but I think that even running won't hurt. It's just the damn walking. As long as I can run I am happy. Who needs to walk anyways???
In 4 days I am taking off to Vienna...I am excited. Pola will pick me up from the airport at 7am. I will be moving in with her for my time in Vienna. She is a bit nervous about me moving in since she never lived with her boyfriends but I think we will be doing just fine. A little family life is always exciting.
Over the last two days I have prepared an applications for a stock trader training program in Vienna (http://www.brokerjet.at/). Taking an application picture was an adventure. Oskar (the worst and most impatient photographer) took my picture. After about 40 I found one where my smile didn't look like an idiot. With Photoshop Pola and I worked some miracles to adjust the bad lighting and my tired eyes.
I sent my application out last night. Deadline is today and selection of the participants tomorrow. If I get in I will bust my ass to do well. This can be a great chance for my future career. I am not sure if I want to go that direction but it sure sounds interesting to me. If I don't get in I can participate in a bunch of free trader seminars which will be cool too. Let's see what's gonna happen...wish me luck.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Goals for 2009 Season
After today's bike ride I looked at my speedometer and noticed that I rode 1:10h over 40km. Not like a major breakthrough but than I was curious what it would take to get my speed up to pro level. For some reason I remembered that the pros and best age groupers at the 70.3 in Switzerland finished the bike in 2:20h which is exactly twice my time over 40km. Now you might think ok 40km + 40km = 80km (not 90km) but I am not that far off. After moving the crankset in my head a bit I calculated that it would take an average speed of 36km/h (22.5miles/h) to do the 90km in 2:30h.
1. Goal: ride a sub 2:30h over 90km
Winter training: As the season is coming to an end and I need to start thinking about what I want to concentrate on over the winter. I am leaving the US on September 4th to Vienna, Austria. Since I am not sure what kind of winter to expect I thought I would concentrate on bring my swim time to a competitive level. 0:32:45 was what it took me to complete the 1.2mile swim in Switzerland. So any minute that I can cut off my time would be a big step for me. Also I really need to get those flip turns and the two sided breathing going. If I could keep my head under water for an extra stroke I would be cutting time right there. Learning how to flip turn wouldn't help me too much during competitions but it surely would make me look good in the pool...
2. Goal: improve my swim (maybe a 30min swim over 1.2 miles? I might be pushing it...)
3. Goal: two sided breathing
4. Goal: flip turn
I don't know what to do about my run. When I was 17 years old the doctor told me to stop playing soccer since my knees can't take it any longer. That was the worst day in my life... Now I am back doing a sport that doesn't seem to be very knee friendly. I always have to be careful how much I do so running won't become my #1 priority but I think if I become more energy efficient in the water and on the bike I will end up winning on the run too. I won't set myself new running goals but I sure will see improvement.
1. Goal: ride a sub 2:30h over 90km
Winter training: As the season is coming to an end and I need to start thinking about what I want to concentrate on over the winter. I am leaving the US on September 4th to Vienna, Austria. Since I am not sure what kind of winter to expect I thought I would concentrate on bring my swim time to a competitive level. 0:32:45 was what it took me to complete the 1.2mile swim in Switzerland. So any minute that I can cut off my time would be a big step for me. Also I really need to get those flip turns and the two sided breathing going. If I could keep my head under water for an extra stroke I would be cutting time right there. Learning how to flip turn wouldn't help me too much during competitions but it surely would make me look good in the pool...
2. Goal: improve my swim (maybe a 30min swim over 1.2 miles? I might be pushing it...)
3. Goal: two sided breathing
4. Goal: flip turn
I don't know what to do about my run. When I was 17 years old the doctor told me to stop playing soccer since my knees can't take it any longer. That was the worst day in my life... Now I am back doing a sport that doesn't seem to be very knee friendly. I always have to be careful how much I do so running won't become my #1 priority but I think if I become more energy efficient in the water and on the bike I will end up winning on the run too. I won't set myself new running goals but I sure will see improvement.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Another Chapter of my Life coming to an End
Today I started packing for Austria...I still have 3 weeks to go on Shelter Island but I am going up to CT to store my belongings until I am back in January. This was the second summer I worked in Shelter Island and once again it was an amazing summer. Over the summer months I work as a Night Auditor for the Sunset Beach Hotel & Restaurant. Most of the money I make her goes right into my tuition. I have been saving up some cash so I don't need to take out anymore student loans. I wish I could buy my dream bike from Blue (T-16) but education comes first. This next semester I am going to live and study in Vienna Austria where my brother and girlfriend are living. After that I will be back for the last semester @ CCSU. One more year until I have my Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics....
That has been my summer....
The hotel...and my office (bottom right)
The sunset...
The crazy people that think they own the restaurant...
I am sad that the summer is coming to an end but at the same time I am excited to move on and finish college. I would like to get into the banking business when I am done but who knows what will happen...maybe I will be back at Sunset Beach for a third season. If anyone has contacts to banks in NYC, I am a hard worker that is looking to find a job very soon...
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