Sunday, April 17, 2011
OMG, just ate a pretzel
It was kinda salty, but marginally less so than the others in the bag indicating that it was either insufficiently salted at the salt factory or that some of the salt had been knocked off in transit. Technically speaking, the higher altitude may have played a role in the decreased salt content, or quite possibly I have just become habituated to elevated salt levels in the wake of my extra salted-pre nats spaghetti. Either way, the salt content of that pretzel is surely of such importance that it required a post on my BLOG. In fact, this analysis is likely incomplete and will require future posts to fully capture the saltiness that was that pretzel.
Some Fun Triclub Stuff:Helmet Cam included
Team Swim! Thursday Morning...
Also got the helmet camera going again this spring. Just in time for some killer awesome tri club rides. Go team. Here is the cold TT to Jamestown day:
An easy ride:
The "where the heck are we going ride":
Pre Pancake Breakfast...
Team breakfast at casa del pancakeo. I had everyone over to my place and we made LOTS of pancakes!!
The party rock video is coming....
Also got the helmet camera going again this spring. Just in time for some killer awesome tri club rides. Go team. Here is the cold TT to Jamestown day:
An easy ride:
The "where the heck are we going ride":
Pre Pancake Breakfast...
Team breakfast at casa del pancakeo. I had everyone over to my place and we made LOTS of pancakes!!
The party rock video is coming....
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Full Interview for competitor...
This article was posted on the competitor magazine website after my good friend Hunter Reed (UVA '10) interviewed me. They cut it down for the publication, but I spent so much time writing it I figured it was worth posting the whole thing.
http://triathlon.competitor.com/2011/04/news/q-and-a-with-usat-collegiate-nationals-winner-karl-kahser_26317
What sports did you participate in growing up?
Well, I played baseball all the way through Junior year of high school. That was a big mistake considering it is the stark opposite of an endurance sport, but unlike a lot of serous high school swimmers and runners, it prevented me from burning out. I ran cross country my senior year and got into triathlons right before starting college at UVA.
What came first: Swimming/Biking/Running?
Probably swimming. I swam in summer league for 13 years before going to college. We never really did much "training" but just having exposure to the water was a major advantage. Triathletes are notorious for being poor swimmers; I still have a lot of work to do on my swimming as well.
When was your first triathlon/how did you do?
It was a sprint in Virginia, and it was a disaster. I had a surfing wetsuit (a shorty) and the water was a 55 degree mountain lake. It was so cold I couldn't even put my head underwater, so I swam the entire thing on my back. Then, having never done a brick run before, I came off the bike and ran the entire 5k hunched forward because I couldn't straighten my torso.
What's your favorite sport S,B,R?
Definitely biking. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing all three. A nice easy swim to loosen up is always awesome. A long run as the sun is rising is unbeatable. But when the season ends late in the fall, the only one I cant break from is biking.
On average how many hours do you train each week?
About 20 if you don't include eating. I mix it up obviously, but a couple long rides gets you to 20 pretty quickly. As any triathlete will tell you, prep and recovery can really add on to that time, so I optimize my schedule to cut the waste and max the training.
Favorite race?
I always really enjoyed Big Lick Triathlon in Huddleston VA. It was the East Collegiate Championships a few times and was a good metric of my progress from year to year as I got into the sport. The venue is a remarkably clean swim, a rolling bike, and winding run through the park. I developed more at this race than any other.
When was your first College Nats experience/ how was it?
My freshman year of college at UVA, it was my second olympic distance race after having done Big Lick Triathlon the fall before. My friend Andrew Hodges (member of Team Timex) was finishing his masters, racing for UVA, and providing me some guidance on training. He got me a spot in wave 1, and although my swim and run were kind of mediocre, I almost out-biked him and ended up 18th.
Quickly breakdown the race this year for us:
Well, I had an ok swim. I started out strong but wasn't feeling as good as I had 3 weeks ago at our regional champs at Lake Havasu AZ. I came out of the water a little ways back of the others (and 2 minutes behind the leader, Dustin McLarty), but overall my swimming has improved tremendously this year. On the bike, I took back about 40 seconds on Dustin on the first lap and then really turned it on during the second lap. I caught him on the second of the big hills on the way out. I punched it hard at the bottom of the hill and stayed in the aerobars passing with about an 8mph differential. I never looked back and crushed it to T2 where I had built about a 2 minute lead.
On the run, all I was thinking was to keep them out of sight through the first half hills and then cruise on the second half flat. I was holding 5:35 pace for the first 4 miles and Dustin had not made up much time. I had perfect tunnel vision and was thinking so hard about running I forgot to drink! It turned out to be a really dumb move since it was so hot and at about mile 4 I knew I was in trouble. My pace dropped to about 7min miles and he passed me just as the finish was coming into sight--mile 5.5. I dragged myself across the line, an emotional and physical wreck. Having lost the race in the worst way, it was quite an emotional roller coaster to be told that I had won only 2 hours later.
Any plans to turn pro?
Well, I am now eligible, but it is not something I am dying to rush into. Ultimately, I do triathlons for fun, and I have no need to make it stressful. I am going to keep training and working hard to get better, and maybe one day I will be good enough to enter pro racing. When I look at the pro field, I dont think I am fast enough to make the switch...yet. Plus, there are a lot of top age group races that I would still like to dominate.
What are you studying in school?
I am doing a PhD program in chemical engineering here at CU and was also a chemical engineering major at UVA. I am still taking a few classes right now but have also started research in a catalysis lab. Specifically, I am looking at controlling selectivity of supported metal catalysts using self assembled monolayers. Beyond this esoteric nonsense, I am basically looking at new methods for processing biofuels and petrochemicals. Ultimately, I hope to use this background in energy technology to work in energy policy--a field that I feel needs more scientific influence. Oh yeah, its a 5 year program, so I will be here a while...
Favorite Movie?
Oceans 11. Even though I know just about every line, I can watch it over and over and still be captivated. Its pure entertainment.
Favorite Food?
I really like kroger premium selection moose tracks. The chocolate kind with fudge swirls and peanut butter cups. Yum. Besides that, I LOVE beans a rice and eat that just about every night. Plus I drink like 2 gallons of milk a week. And as my team can attest, I am really into pancakes as well...
Whats the rest of your season look like?
I am planning on doing REV3 Knoxville as well as the Boulder Tri series. Hopefully AG nationals too! It would be great to do well there.
Have the sponsors been banging down the doors since your win?
Haha. No, I got some cool free stuff at the awards ceremony but nothing serious. Everyone always jokes that I should be sponsored by Rudy Project since I am Rudy...
UVA or CU?
Both have been instrumental in my development as a person and as a triathlete. My education and experiences at UVA shaped who I am today and I owe thanks to all my professors, classmates, and friends back in Charlottesville. I can only imagine what a few more years at CU will do to me. In short, both are incredible.
Coolest part about living in Boulder?
Wow, there are so many things from the weather, the exercising infrastructure, bike/running paths, to the beautiful mountains. But the best part has to be the CU triathlon club. They are best in the country for more than just winning nationals--its a great group of people.
Going to defend the title next year?
Next year I want to lift the tape.
Do you have a website or blog?
No, I dont think I would care enough to read about my own life, so I doubt many other people would. If you are interested in what I am doing on any arbitrary day, here is an example that would likely apply. Woke up at 6am, ran, did engineering research and ridiculous problem sets all day with a bike ride or a swim mixed somewhere in there, finished by eating a LOT of beans, rice, and chicken and some moose tracks for dessert. If I were to start a blog, I would include super important things like, "OMG, just ate a pretzel! It was salty."
Anything else you would like to tell us?
Sure, I wont tell you any secrets to success except one, and it isn't really a secret. Training with and becoming a member of the Colorado Triathlon Team has elevated me to a new level, and I am certain that if it were not for them, I would not be answering these questions right now. I can hardly claim any individual success without recognizing those who made it possible--my teammates. Thanks to each and every one of you. Go CU!
http://triathlon.competitor.com/2011/04/news/q-and-a-with-usat-collegiate-nationals-winner-karl-kahser_26317
What sports did you participate in growing up?
Well, I played baseball all the way through Junior year of high school. That was a big mistake considering it is the stark opposite of an endurance sport, but unlike a lot of serous high school swimmers and runners, it prevented me from burning out. I ran cross country my senior year and got into triathlons right before starting college at UVA.
What came first: Swimming/Biking/Running?
Probably swimming. I swam in summer league for 13 years before going to college. We never really did much "training" but just having exposure to the water was a major advantage. Triathletes are notorious for being poor swimmers; I still have a lot of work to do on my swimming as well.
When was your first triathlon/how did you do?
It was a sprint in Virginia, and it was a disaster. I had a surfing wetsuit (a shorty) and the water was a 55 degree mountain lake. It was so cold I couldn't even put my head underwater, so I swam the entire thing on my back. Then, having never done a brick run before, I came off the bike and ran the entire 5k hunched forward because I couldn't straighten my torso.
What's your favorite sport S,B,R?
Definitely biking. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing all three. A nice easy swim to loosen up is always awesome. A long run as the sun is rising is unbeatable. But when the season ends late in the fall, the only one I cant break from is biking.
On average how many hours do you train each week?
About 20 if you don't include eating. I mix it up obviously, but a couple long rides gets you to 20 pretty quickly. As any triathlete will tell you, prep and recovery can really add on to that time, so I optimize my schedule to cut the waste and max the training.
Favorite race?
I always really enjoyed Big Lick Triathlon in Huddleston VA. It was the East Collegiate Championships a few times and was a good metric of my progress from year to year as I got into the sport. The venue is a remarkably clean swim, a rolling bike, and winding run through the park. I developed more at this race than any other.
When was your first College Nats experience/ how was it?
My freshman year of college at UVA, it was my second olympic distance race after having done Big Lick Triathlon the fall before. My friend Andrew Hodges (member of Team Timex) was finishing his masters, racing for UVA, and providing me some guidance on training. He got me a spot in wave 1, and although my swim and run were kind of mediocre, I almost out-biked him and ended up 18th.
Quickly breakdown the race this year for us:
Well, I had an ok swim. I started out strong but wasn't feeling as good as I had 3 weeks ago at our regional champs at Lake Havasu AZ. I came out of the water a little ways back of the others (and 2 minutes behind the leader, Dustin McLarty), but overall my swimming has improved tremendously this year. On the bike, I took back about 40 seconds on Dustin on the first lap and then really turned it on during the second lap. I caught him on the second of the big hills on the way out. I punched it hard at the bottom of the hill and stayed in the aerobars passing with about an 8mph differential. I never looked back and crushed it to T2 where I had built about a 2 minute lead.
On the run, all I was thinking was to keep them out of sight through the first half hills and then cruise on the second half flat. I was holding 5:35 pace for the first 4 miles and Dustin had not made up much time. I had perfect tunnel vision and was thinking so hard about running I forgot to drink! It turned out to be a really dumb move since it was so hot and at about mile 4 I knew I was in trouble. My pace dropped to about 7min miles and he passed me just as the finish was coming into sight--mile 5.5. I dragged myself across the line, an emotional and physical wreck. Having lost the race in the worst way, it was quite an emotional roller coaster to be told that I had won only 2 hours later.
Any plans to turn pro?
Well, I am now eligible, but it is not something I am dying to rush into. Ultimately, I do triathlons for fun, and I have no need to make it stressful. I am going to keep training and working hard to get better, and maybe one day I will be good enough to enter pro racing. When I look at the pro field, I dont think I am fast enough to make the switch...yet. Plus, there are a lot of top age group races that I would still like to dominate.
What are you studying in school?
I am doing a PhD program in chemical engineering here at CU and was also a chemical engineering major at UVA. I am still taking a few classes right now but have also started research in a catalysis lab. Specifically, I am looking at controlling selectivity of supported metal catalysts using self assembled monolayers. Beyond this esoteric nonsense, I am basically looking at new methods for processing biofuels and petrochemicals. Ultimately, I hope to use this background in energy technology to work in energy policy--a field that I feel needs more scientific influence. Oh yeah, its a 5 year program, so I will be here a while...
Favorite Movie?
Oceans 11. Even though I know just about every line, I can watch it over and over and still be captivated. Its pure entertainment.
Favorite Food?
I really like kroger premium selection moose tracks. The chocolate kind with fudge swirls and peanut butter cups. Yum. Besides that, I LOVE beans a rice and eat that just about every night. Plus I drink like 2 gallons of milk a week. And as my team can attest, I am really into pancakes as well...
Whats the rest of your season look like?
I am planning on doing REV3 Knoxville as well as the Boulder Tri series. Hopefully AG nationals too! It would be great to do well there.
Have the sponsors been banging down the doors since your win?
Haha. No, I got some cool free stuff at the awards ceremony but nothing serious. Everyone always jokes that I should be sponsored by Rudy Project since I am Rudy...
UVA or CU?
Both have been instrumental in my development as a person and as a triathlete. My education and experiences at UVA shaped who I am today and I owe thanks to all my professors, classmates, and friends back in Charlottesville. I can only imagine what a few more years at CU will do to me. In short, both are incredible.
Coolest part about living in Boulder?
Wow, there are so many things from the weather, the exercising infrastructure, bike/running paths, to the beautiful mountains. But the best part has to be the CU triathlon club. They are best in the country for more than just winning nationals--its a great group of people.
Going to defend the title next year?
Next year I want to lift the tape.
Do you have a website or blog?
No, I dont think I would care enough to read about my own life, so I doubt many other people would. If you are interested in what I am doing on any arbitrary day, here is an example that would likely apply. Woke up at 6am, ran, did engineering research and ridiculous problem sets all day with a bike ride or a swim mixed somewhere in there, finished by eating a LOT of beans, rice, and chicken and some moose tracks for dessert. If I were to start a blog, I would include super important things like, "OMG, just ate a pretzel! It was salty."
Anything else you would like to tell us?
Sure, I wont tell you any secrets to success except one, and it isn't really a secret. Training with and becoming a member of the Colorado Triathlon Team has elevated me to a new level, and I am certain that if it were not for them, I would not be answering these questions right now. I can hardly claim any individual success without recognizing those who made it possible--my teammates. Thanks to each and every one of you. Go CU!
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