Well I have to admit there is a lot of fear mongering about crossing the Southern border. If one stays on the beaten path and participate in “normal” activities experiencing a foreign country is quite enjoyable. It’s been about year or so since being in Mexico last. Lately my infrequent trips south have only been for breakfast/lunch at one of Baja California’s famous restaurants, La Fonda. The drive down for SD  offers great views of the pacific ocean and various “3rd World” towns along smooth toll roads.

I heard about this event, Ensenada half marathon, about a week ago and was offered a ride share down to the race (with fellow TCSDer Greg S.)… had to take advantage of the offer. No fancy website,  just a basic web page that gave date, time and location. I read a few blogs from others who had participated in the past. Many running events in Baja California are free of charge and offer prize money, not chips, no computers. This event fit my budget perfectly.

The drive down was pretty eventless,  arrive early to get a grounding of the area. Parked about 2 block away for race central, Sullivan Sports Complex. The complex has a great cushioned track as part of the facility.

Since no web page/site, I had no idea what the course was like, but no worries. It was just time to get an intense run workout and

What is EFS:  Electrolyte Fuel System.

It comes in two formats powder/drink and liquid shot format. This write up will be about the drink/powdered format.

I have only once previously tried with 1st Endurance  and have finally purchase a full 25 serving bucket to use long term. For me, I think the 25 serving will last about 2 months or about 800 miles of  riding. I’m gonna try to track how long it really last. I am three weeks in on the Fruit Punch flavor. I have heard the Grape flavor is great (that will be my next purchase)

just lost my write up… have to do it again..sucks!

I decided to forego my usual hydration/electrolyte mixture and go all the way for this weekend’s race, Showdown at Sundown, with Fruit Punch flavor of 1st Endurance EFS.

Benefits/ Features of EFS

• highest electrolyte content – over 1000mg compared to 162 to 430mg per 12 ounces.
• prevents cramping and dehydration
• mix at varying strengths (just about all powders are)

Other info (per 12oz)

• 96 calories
• 200% DV of vitamin C
• 16g of sodium
• 24g of carbohydrates

What are electrolytes (salts)? Calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium) and anions (of chloride, carbonates, aminoacetates, phosphates, and iodide). These are nutritionally called macrominerals. These are lost through perspiration or other forms of dehydration, particularly in heat stress situations.

Why are electrolytes important? They allow cells to generate energy, maintain

Location: Mission Beach, CA
Weather: Overcast but great running
Distance: 5.1 miles not the 5.5 as noted, thank goodness.

4 starters. 3 finishers, Andy, Sandbar-bartender, Pedro-Sand Bar cook, and me.

Great beach run, low tide conditions so sand was nicely packed for cushioning. Running into the wind (south) slowed pace down quite a bit.

I started of pretty fast…probably too fast, held the lead for a few minutes then faded to second by the first turn around. Put in some surges in to retake the lead as we passed the start/finish line. Not having run tempo/fast evens since before Thanksgiving my endurance and speed was about all gone and I started to fade even more. At the second turn around (heading back into the wind), the leader now, Andy, continued to increase his lead. Eventually Pedro, caught up to me and I was able to keep ahead of him, until the last quarter mile where made his pass. I tried to stay with him but just did not have it in me.

Pedro, take 2nd with his holiday Cons.

This was a serious run/evaluation to scope out foot issues. Foot say ok, but not perfect and continuing to increase miles kinda say no go. Looks like 2011 will be a Aquabike year. Now I have to get in the pool and start chalking up the CompuTrainer miles.

Thanks Pat at Tugs-T for putting

So now I have the Kestrel 4000 all adjusted and ready to put it and me thru the paces. Shifter/aero bars were still way too far out, but I marked a maximum hand reach position for these test rides. Also, I did not have a correct size stem, so I rode with the Specialized fit stem system, making sure it was all bolts were securely fastened for it is labeled not for outside use.

Test ride 1: Fiesta Island 40K
This is my home turf TT ride. TCSD club races are held here, TCSD bike workouts and quite a few local events use the island. Earlier this year I have been training on it with my supped up mountain bike. I have only done a handful of full rides here on my road or TT bike. Easy ride over to the island and gauging the wind, seemed pretty light which is great for PR. Fiesta Island is known for having every changing wind conditions; one day dead still the next head winds on the back side and sometimes getting head wind on both sides…. very hard to duplicate the conditions.

Earlier this year, April, I part took in my first time trail, that is no swim or run… just biking. Time trialling is quite a bit different from a triathlon. One needs to pedal harder… more power, no need to conserve energy. An efficient pedal stroke is not need – maximum power all the time. That day, the wind was blowing pretty