From our family to yours ...

And a NORSAtastic New Year!

Team NORSA's EYE of the World 5K!

This past Sunday marked Team NORSA's first self-sponsored and organized competitive race, the EYE of the World 5k! Participants braved the cold and wind to race for bragging rights over this prestigious event.


NORSA regulars and Louisville Ironman participants/supporters Alan Stewart, Julia Brockman, Adam, Taylor Hinson, and Anna Blount, were joined by NORSA newcomer Reagan (Ian's 9 month old black lab).

Results:

1 - Reagan
2 - Adam
3 - Alan Stewart
4 - Julia Brockman
5 - Anna Blount (tie)
5 - Taylor Hinson (tie)

Special thanks to the ever-kind Newport News host Ian Harris, as well as the Mariners' Museum and the Riverside community for providing an excellent race venue.

Turkey Chase 2008

NORSAites Steven, John and Matt completed the 10K Turkey Chase on Thanksgiving Day. Sadly, last year's record setting appearance of 9 NORSA members and affiliates was not matched because of [insert unsatisfactory excuse].

Unlike last year, runners faced cold conditions as evidenced by a layer of morning frost. As usual, the 6.2 mile course took runners on a tour through Bethesda, MD, passing NIH, downtown Bethesda, and the neighborhoods.

Results:
Steven: 50:16
John: 57:41
Matt: 1:02:47

Here is Steven, captured in his smooth running form:

Followed by brother John:

And tall Matt:

EYE of the World Oyster Roast and 5K Fun Run!

Team NORSA is partnering with EYE of the World to sponsor the first annual EYE of the World Oyster Roast and 5K Fun Run!


What: EYE of the World 5K Fun Run
Where: Lion's Bridge, Newport News, VA
Why: To support EYE of the World
When: Sunday, December 7, 2008
Start: 10:00 AM
Packet Pickup: 8 - 9:30 AM
Course: The race will be a 5k (3.1 mile) loop starting on the Lion's bridge and traveling through the Riverside area of Newport News, VA. There will be two water stations and plenty of course and post-race support.
Prize: Overall course winner will receive a free ticket to the Oyster Roast (see below)
Registration: Online (see link below)
Registration fee: $15 for adults, FREE for kids ages 15 and under!


What: First Annual EYE of the World Oyster Roast
Where: James River Marina
Why: To support EYE of the World
When: 2:00 PM, Sunday December 7, 2008
About: Come meet EYE of the World's board of directors, learn about the program, and enjoy all you can eat Steamed Oysters, Chowder, and Jambalaya
Registration: Online (see link below)
Registration fee: $35

Sign up for both events for only $40!

- Select Event -

Oyster Roast $35.00 5K Fun Run $15.00 Oyster Roast & 5K Fun Run $40.00 5K Fun Run (age 15 and under) $0.00

*To register an under-15 competitor, simply send an e-mail to 5Krace@eyeotw.org. Be sure to include name and age of the participant, and a return e-mail address so we can send a waiver.


We'll see you there!

2008 Turkey Chase

It is time to sign up for this year's Turkey Chase: Registration is $26 before November 24. Several thousand people participate in this race, making it one of the DC Area's largest. It is also a NORSA favorite - last year 9 NORSA members and friends ran the event. See the 2007 NORSA Article.

Team NORSA at the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

On Wednesday October 15th, 2008, Team NORSA member Adam flew to Baltimore to take part in the 19th Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. His brother and fellow NORSA member Mark had been planning on traveling to Galveston, Texas to participate in a different sailing regatta; however due to the recent hurricane his plans changed. Mark came to the docks at Fells Point with Adam and was able to secure a position on the same boat.

One of the largest schooner gatherings on the East Coast, the Schooner Race raises money for charitable organizations involved in conservation of the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay. The event begins in Baltimore with the parade of sail through the inner harbor and other pre-race festivities through the night. The next morning, the schooners shove off from Fells Point and make their way to the starting line south of the Bay Bridge just off of Annapolis. After jostling for position in a low wind start, the fleet sped off south towards the finish lines (Class B, C: Windmill Point; Class AA, A: Thimble Shoals light).



Much of the race was neck and neck between the two flagships of the Bay, the Pride of Baltimore II and the Virginia. Historically, the older Pride had won every race with the exception of last year, when the sleek Virginia claimed the prize. The rivalry between the boats is fierce and there was much anticipation leading up to this year's race. However, late in the night, the Virginia broke its main gaff, thus allowing the Pride to shoot away and win back the title of fastest schooner on the Bay.

Mark and Adam were crewing on the Martha White, a 68 foot bluenose schooner (Class B) out of Chestertown, Maryland. Owner/Captain Bob Kay and First Mate Cherri Reese primarily use the boat as a traveling venue for their bluegrass band "Schoonertime" but once a year push the boat to its limits in the Schooner Race. Also serving on the boat were James Boicourt, Adam's friend and a former student at North Carolina State University, along with mild mannered Kevin, fiery Parker, calm/collected Peter, feminine mystique Lisa, and irish nobleman Jerry.

The winds were calm for much of the afternoon for the Martha White, but as darkness fell a cold front came through and blew the fleet to Thimble Shoals in an almost exclusively downwind race. Both crew and vessel sailed well, but were hard pressed to match their second place finish of 2007. Considering the 5% handicap placed upon the boat for its performance last year, the crew decided to sail as best as they could without undue stress.

In the early afternoon on Friday the 17th, the Martha White rounded Thimble Shoals Light and leisurely made its way into Portsmouth for the post race festivities. A total of 51 schooner's took part in this year's race including such famous vessels as the Lady Maryland (part of the Living Classrooms foundation in Baltimore), the Woodwind (as seen in the movie "Wedding Crashers"), the Amistad (as seen in the movie "Amistad"), the 177' Gazela out of Philadelphia, PA, and the When and If (formerly General George S. Patton's personal sailboat).

Special thanks go to Captain Bob and First Mate Cherri for their great hospitality, James for providing NORSA with a spot on the vessel, NORSA member Steve Long for serving as Baltimore host, and Travis Dozier for serving as Norfolk/Portsmouth host.

Those of you who would like to get a chance to see the schooner fleet on the Bay, two more opportunities exist this Fall: the Downrigging in Chestertown, MD, and the Cambridge Schooner Rendezvous. Walk along the docks, tour the boats, and don't forget to stop in and say hi to the crew of the Martha White. Come back to the docks late at night after the bars have closed and you'll probably see them on deck with their banjo and fiddle playing an impromptu concert.

2008 Giant Acorn Sprint

On Saturday, October 4, 2008, NORSA sachem Steve completed the Giant Acorn Triathlon, which is a standard sprint distance race (750 Meter Swim, 20K Bike, 5K Run). This is the second time Steven has run the Giant Acorn, the first being in 2006. The race was held at Lake Anna in Bumpass, Virginia. [Matt – the essential information has now been disseminated. You may stop reading here, or “hang up the phone” if you want. “OK. Got to go. Bye.” *click*]

Although the race began at the appealing time of 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Steven decided to leave the Baltimore-Washington area on Friday so that he could go to the early packet-pickup and hang out with friend Andrew “Lat-man” Latimer, who resides in Richmond.

The drive to Lake Anna takes one off of I-95 and onto a nice series of country roads. After hugging some nice curves, Steven arrived at the Lake Anna Beach Marina and picked up his race number. In the first of several coincidences, Steven discovered that his race number was 429 – which is his birthday: April 29.

After picking up his race number, Steven had time to spare and decided to drive over the bike course so that he would be nice and familiar with it on race day. The bike course was a counter-clockwise square that consisted of gently rolling countryside. The views were great with 4 water crossings over Lake Anna.

So familiarized, Steven continued on his country drive before finally rejoining I-95, almost already in Richmond. Upon arrival, Steven met Andrew, who lives in his 3rd converted warehouse loft (this one made “paper boxes of every description” – see below).

The weather was perfect on race day: 75F and sunny. The lake, which is heated by a nuclear power plant, was 74 degrees. In a second coincidence, Steven’s car odometer rolled over to 40,000 miles when he parked at the race site.

Wearing his ridiculous NORSA jersey (without anybody there to make him!), Steven completed the race in 1:21:37. This was exactly 8 minutes faster than his 2006 performance (1:29:37). He placed 16th of 44 in his age group and 143 of 339 men. Steven improved in every category over his 2006 race. His second transition time is noteworthy at 37 seconds - 1st overall in his age group and 3rd overall of the men. Age Group Results.

The majority of the competitors were parked in until 1:00, which made the post race party large and fun. Two huge vats of Chili were cooked for all of the 650 competitors. When the crowds began to thin, Steven went back to Richmond and accompanied Andrew and his girlfriend to an Italian Street Festival. After eating, Andrew had to go to a football game. Steven, meanwhile, decided to go to Richmond’s best hot tub at Andrew’s former apartment building.

Steven had to get into the pool using his best James Bond skills. He entered the apartments through the freight elevator in the back of the building, then changed into his bathing suit in the main elevator. Emerging from the elevator with a towel over his neck and his sandals on, Steven pretended to talk on his cell phone (ask Tom about Steven’s fake telephone conversation skills) until he could follow somebody into the locked gym-pool area. The hut tub was nice, and the accompanying pool was the expected frigid 60 degrees, making for some nice hot-cold recovery cycles.

All in all, the Giant Acorn is probably Steven’s favorite race. It is held when the weather is just right, the smell of fall is in the air, and the leaves are beginning to change. Steven definitely plans on competing next year and hopes to see some more NORSA support!

Also, thanks to Setupevents for another smoothly run event.

NORSA Represented at 2008 Kensington 8K

NORSA member Tom Saffell participated in the annual Kensington 8K to benefit area schools. The very hilly running course begins by the old Kensingon armory, which is now the town hall, and immediately spills out on to historic Antique Row as it follows Kensington Parkway. After the runners approach their first mile marker, they then enter Rock Creek Park and run on Beach Drive up to Connecticut and then back down until it hits Old Spring Road. Once there, the course then cuts into the neighborhood of Rock Creek Hills and up a monster hill on East Bexhill Road until it re-joins Kensington Parkway. The home stretch is around the circle at the Noyes Library for Young Children and then a sprint down the flat straightaway of Armory Avenue.

The morning of the race dawned humid and damp as it had rained all through the previous night. The runner's were spared the precipitation, but they had to contend with the damp and, in the park, the junglish heat that was very unusual for late September. Dodging huge puddles and areas of light flooding along Rock Creek, many runners found themselves hindered by fallen branches and even passing deer. It was a very interesting run, indeed.

Tom raced alone for NORSA and finished the race in exactly one hour (and 51 seconds), an addition of eight minutes to his previous year's time. He attributes the extra time to a combination of his own lack of preparation and the sloppy conditions of the course. Furthermore, he looks to next year and hopes to beat his previous time of 00:52:53 in the 2007 Kensington 8K.

Team NORSA Wins One for the Gipper at the Nation's Triathlon in Washington, DC

On Sunday, September 14, Team NORSA tore down another wall by finishing the Nation's Triathlon. NORSA veterans Adam, Steve, Matt White, Leo Weitzenhoff, and Jon Spurlock were joined by NORSA newbie Russ Morton for this olympic-distance triathlon running through downtown Washington, D.C. The race started with a 1.5 kilometer swim through the AIDS-infested waters of the Potomac river, followed by a 40 kilometer bike up and down the Clara Barton parkway and a 10 kilometer run (or walk, for some) around Hains point and the Mall, finishing up on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Newcomer Russ Morton stunned the rest of Team NORSA by coming in with the best time on the team. He was followed by Leo Weitzenhoff, Steve, Jon Spurlock, Adam, and Matt White. This was a special day for Matt, who almost beat the guy in the wheelchair. Almost.

Matt White Fails to Deliver NORSA Article

Although he told NORSA members Adam D. and Steven L. he would be covering the Nation's Triathlon on the NORSA website, Matt White has failed to produce anything. In fact, this post is an experiment to see how often Matt even checks the NORSA page. Do not tell him about this post. Let's see what happens.

(File Photos)

NORSA Films Visits Iron Furnace!

Team NORSA members Alan Stewart and Tim Josey took a canoing expedition to Iron Furnace last weekend. NORSA Films was in tow to document the expedition. Enjoy!



A NORSA Films Production

The First to "Brown" Themselves Loses

What: The first ever NORSA-sponsored "McTrouser-Gravy-Bike Challenge."
When: 3:00 PM, Sunday, September 21st, 2008
Where: Raleigh, NC
Why: ...

Following on the heels of the previously NORSA sponsored "Pork and Beans Race" and "Gallon of Crappy Ice Cream Escapade" comes the "McTrouser-Gravy-Bike Challenge." Conceived at a bar and nurtured through many beers, this event carries the NORSA name to new depths.

Rules:

Team NORSA Featured on Nation's Triathlon Main Web Page

Another groundbreaking feat was accomplished by Team NORSA when member Steve appeared on the Nation's Triathlon main web page. The web page cycles through a group of pictures at random, and sometimes, Steven shows up. Neat-o!

140.6 Miles - Team NORSA Completes IRONMAN Louisville!

Team NORSA has reached new heights. On Sunday, August 31st, 2008, at 7:22 AM, tri-team members Alan Stewart and Adam hopped into the Ohio River in Louisville Kentucky to culminate a long year of training. Over 14 hours later, they were Ironmen.

They both signed up for this grueling day on September 13, 2007. Since that day, they swam, ran, and biked their way through training injuries, miles of pavement, and countless laps in pools and lakes. Training involved swimming in the NC State pool and nearby Lake Jordan, running half and full marathons, and spending hours on the bike - both in the frigid cold and the blistering sun. As of three weeks ago, they were as strong as they were going to be. The final long workouts were scheduled before beginning a two-week taper in timid anticipation of race day.

On Thursday at noon, the team departed Raleigh (along with supporters Taylor Hinson and EYE of the World member Anna Blount - they were later joined in Louisville by NORSA veteran Julie Brockman) in the decorated team car, and drove nine hours to northwest Kentucky.

Friday and Saturday were spent registering, prepping gear, checking in equipment, and previewing the bike and run courses by car. After a final carb-loaded dinner Saturday night, the racers went to catch a few hours of sleep. They awoke at 4:30 in the morning, made their way down to the transition area to do final preps to the bikes, and then headed to the swim start.

This race is unique in that the age groupers have an individual time-trial start. Instead of a mass start which features much unintentional grabbing, kicking, and fondling in the water, the racers stepped over a timing mat one by one before jumping in the water. The swim was a 2.4 mile up and back in the Ohio river. The water temperature was 83 degrees making it non-wetsuit legal (which are allowed up to 78 degrees and help with buoyancy).

Out of the swim and into the transition area, racers were handed a bag with their bike apparel and headed to a changing tent where helpful volunteers took their swim gear and sprayed the racers with sunscreen.

Leaving the transition area, bikers headed northeast for 112 miles in the rolling hills of Kentucky horse country. Temperatures were in the mid-90s with a triple-digit heat-index. Both the hills and heat took their toll on the racers, but were fortunately supported by 9 aid stations and 1 special needs bag hand-off. The two-lap course passed through a thick cheering crowd in the town of LaGrange twice before beginning the 30 mile descent back to Louisville.

Special note needs to be given to the Team NORSA IRONMAN support team featuring Alan's parents Dawn and Paul, Alan's sister Tana, Adam's parents Piotr and Maria, SWH3 member Doug/A.C., and of course, the 'That's What She Said" cheering squad of Julie, Taylor, and Anna. Seeing them at the transitions, in LaGrange, and throughout the run course was incredibly motivating.

This motivation came in greatest need on the run. After a beautiful and fast bike, the racers changed into running shoes and began the final portion of the event. They headed out to cheers of "You're almost done!" which were both appropriate and lies at the same time. The majority of the event had already been completed - both in time and mileage - but the thought of that didn't ease the fact that they still had to run a marathon - 26.2 miles.

Aid stations were positioned every mile. Sometimes, even that was too far. The greatest pain the racers felt wasn't in their legs or knees, but rather in their stomachs. Nutrition and hydration were the biggest challenges of the day, and it took every bit of effort to keep putting countless packs of PowerGel and Gatorade-Endurance down.

As night fell, the racers were given glowsticks, but as the night approached, so did the finish. The ultimate goal was to cross the finish line alive, standing, and ahead of the 17-hour limit. Alan and Adam both succeeded.

The Race

The Finish

Adam's stats. Alan's stats.
Adam's official race photos. Alan's official race photos.

Check out Alan's description and additional photos at http://sailnaway.blogspot.com/.

Thanks again to the support team at the race and everyone who followed online. Thanks to everyone who spent miles on the bike and pavement training with us. A super NORSA thank-you goes to the team host, David Wicks. David is a Watertribe member and three-time Everglades Challenge competitor who hosted the team at his wonderful house, took them kayaking late at night, and introduced them to the wonders of Kentucky.

And by the way, if you think an IRONMAN teeters on the brink of absurd, how about a double, triple, quadruple, or even 15X IRONMAN? That's right, a 36 mile swim, 1680 mile bike, and 393 mile run. The current world record is 312 hours and change.

What's the next grand feat for Team NORSA? Who knows, but we'll try and keep it interesting.

Louisville Countdown!

With less than a week to go until the 2008 Louisville Ironman, NORSA racers Alan Stewart and Adam are at the peak of their taper and are focusing on being as strong as they can for race day.

In Louisville?
There are many places to watch the athletes. Either from downtown to view the swim, run, and bike transitions, or LaGrange to watch the bike loop.

Where do the athletes plan to be during their day? Here's a projected breakdown (with some time allowances):

Sunday August 31st, 2008:
7:00 AM ~ 10:30 AM - Swim and swim-bike transition
10:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM - Bike and bike-run transition
5:00 PM ~ 10:00 PM - Run

Both Alan and Adam are shooting for a finish time between 13 and 15 hours.

Not in Louisville?
Follow Team NORSA live online! Right here at teamnorsa.blogspot.com!