Race Photos

Created with flickr slideshow.

Flickr photostream

Capstone Photography did another wonderful job with the pictures from Sunday.

I forgot to mention in my previous post some other information about the race:

Bib: 57
Gun Time: 1:49:06
Net Time: 1:47:46
Place in division: 43/89
Results Overall
Results by Division 

Taking over the Capitol

Wow, work has been getting in the way of my swim, bike, run lately. Working more than 50 hrs a week really takes its toll on the available gym/life hours. It seems lately that I have to choose between going to the gym and grocery shopping/haircut/laundry, etc.

I didn't let my lack of gym time affect my performance last weekend. I completed my second half marathon in our nation's capitol, Washington DC. The race was the Gynecological Cancer Foundation Race to End Women's Cancer. My friend, Hillary, is a GC survivor and asked me to run the race with her last month after the Maine half marathon. It sounded like a worthy cause and I've never really run with someone else before, so I decided to go for it. Well after spending Saturday roaming around Northern VA with Hillary, she ended up going to bed with a headache and woke up on race day with a 101 fever. She was out of the race. 

I drove myself to DC for the 7am start, put my bib number on and listened to the opening ceremony. RACE TIME. The gun went off approximately 7:10am on a nice cool fall morning. Sunny and low 50s...perfect. 

The race started out with a straightaway towards the Capitol building, very nice mile or so, then the course turned right and now the Capitol was on my left and the Washington Monument on my right. Really puts into perspective the location of this race. I find it strange that people actually work and live around all of these landmarks that are so significant to our nation's history. I digress...The rest of the loop (race map) was, don't know how else to describe it but "eh." There were 5 u-turns for each loop and a total of 3 loops during the 13.1 miles. That makes a total of 14 times where there is just no way that you can keep your running stride. My other problem (and now life lesson) is that I did not use the bathroom before the run. This caused a little bit of a problem during the third lap because there were no bathrooms on the course. I had to go to a walking pace about 4 times to let things...settle down. Live and learn!

Results:

Even though I slowed down on the third lap, I crossed the finish line in 1:47:46 which is an 8:13 pace. This is a solid 2 minutes better than in Maine. I think I could have done better had I used the bathroom before the race. Oh well. 

Next event:

During my visit to Birmingham, AL to visit my family for Thanksgiving, I am going to run a 10k "Turkey Trot." The event is the 33rd Annual Montclair Run. My race history does not include a 10k; only 5k and 1/2 marathon. This should be interesting.

Pictures to be posted soon, thanks Capstone Photography! 

I'll try to update a little more frequently.

Swim, bike, run...LIFE

New kicks

At some point during the Maine half marathon, I came to the realization that my current footwear may not be the greatest fit. Not only did my New Balance 1224 squeak with every step, but I just felt like my feet were sloshing around in the cavernous interior. I've also heard that the plastic and rubber start to break down after about a year in the shoe and my New Balance running shoes were over a year old. I decided to treat myself to a new pair of shoes, because, well not only did I need them, but I just ran a half marathon and needed some way to reward myself.

I strolled on over to Fleet Feet in West Hartford Center. When I was in the parking lot, I realized that maybe it was not the best idea to try on shoes that day because my legs were still sore from the half marathon. I tried to break out into a jog, and well, it hurt. But no pain no gain right? Game on, still went to try on some shoes.

The service at Fleet Feet was phenomenal. They looked at my feet and my running stride and based on that, decided I need a stability shoe. The New Balance 1224 is a stability shoe as well, so I knew this was a good start. I tried on a few pairs of New Balance running shoes, but in the end decided that the Saucony ProGrid Omni 8 was the shoe for me.

I was also fitted with a pair of Super Feet. The employee at Fleet Feet, who's name escapes me, informed me that wide green would be the fit for me. So I bought them. Maybe I'm a sucker, but I would much rather be safe and have less joint pain, than sorry and be popping pills all the time.

I went for my first run with them tonight and so far so good. Just took a nice easy 3 mile run and the shoes felt great. The fit was snug, there were no noises coming from them and there was no pain in the joints. Looks like these Omnis and my feet will be getting to know each other pretty well over the next 400 miles.

Now I just need to find more time in the day to run with these new puppies. I've been having problems with time lately, or lack thereof.

Swim, bike, run....LIFE

The results are in

WOW


Created with flickr slideshow.



I am still in shock at the results of the Maine Marathon yesterday. First the details and then the discussion.

FACTS (link):
Bib #: 3135
Distance: 13.1 mile
Gun time: 1:52:12
Net time: 1:50:12
Pace (net time): 8:24 min/mile
Place in age group: 64/131
Overall place: 491/1863
Weather: low 60's, no breeze, cloudy
Photoset

THOUGHTS:
Race day started out at 6:30am when I woke up in Brunswick. We eventually made it into Portland (minor traffic in Maine...crazy) and made our way over to the starting line. I had barely enough time to stretch and take a GU before the national anthem and the proceeding gunshot were heard. This did not leave me enough time for my nerves to get the best of me before the race started. I was in the back of the pack at the gunshot, but eventually made it to the the starting line where I was finally able to start running and not walking. At this point I was thinking that it was going to be a long run, but even if I had to walk a bit, I would finish....my goal.

The first 2 miles or so were very crowded. There was lots of weaving between groups of runners. I thought I might had been going too fast to maintain, but I figured I had no clue what pace I was going anyways so I might as well just go with it. The miles just seem to fly right past. Even without music, the intensity of the race kept my mind constantly moving and I was constantly passing people. Everything felt great...I even skipped the first two water stops.

The beginning of the course (link) was real scenic. It followed along a cove and then went over a bridge with water on both sides. Granted, I was more focused on the running, than the scenery, but I did manage to get some peeks in on occasion. The course then went through some neighborhoods where residents were outside their houses cheering everyone on and some even had water and orange slices. Definitely interesting. Around mile 6 I realized that I was nearing the longest run of my life... I hadn't stopped to walk, I didn't have cramps, my legs felt fine, everything was great. About a mile from the turnaround the first relay stop provided a bunch of cheering. Even though there was no one in the crowd specifically for me, the sounds and cheering gave me a little turbo boost. After the cheering section there were a couple of small hills, but nothing I couldn't handle....apparently.

After the turnaround I figured I would start slowing down from fatigue, but that wasn't the case at all. I wasn't passing as many people, but I was keeping pace with the pack in front of me. The last mile marker I remember was mile 10 when I realized that I only had a 5k left. I realized that I could push through it without stopping, which was utterly unbelievable to me. I couldn't remember my last run without slowing down from cramps or something.

I heard some people talking about how the last mile of the race was awful because as you are rounding the cove in the home stretch, you can see the finish line, but it just seems to get farther and farther away. Well that was definitely the case. With all the turns at the end, the finish seemed to never come, but was in sight. But then...then I pushed with everything I had and ran through the finish. One hour, fifty minute, and twelve seconds later.

Then I saw my father at the finish. He managed to snap a shot of me at the end of the race, giving it all I had. I couldn't believe what I had just accomplished...I still can't believe.

An 8:24 pace. I don't think I have ever run any significant mileage at an 8:30 pace, let alone 13 miles at this pace. The results of this race make me believe that I am capable of running in the half Ironman. I was concerned for a bit, but I just did it. I just ran a half marathon.

My legs are in pain today, it definitely feels like I ran a half marathon yesterday. I am so glad that my office doesn't have stairs.

Next race: GCF Half Marathon November, 8, 2009. I am actually going to train for this one. Granted its only 4 weeks away, but I'll do more training than I did for the Maine marathon. I still have yet to decide what my time goal is going to be.

Swim, Bike, Run...LIFE

The nerves begin to set in

Today is Friday which of course marks the end of the work week, but also the beginning of the weekend. Now most Fridays, while exciting, do not make me as nervous as this Friday. I'm nervous because as I
previously mentioned, I am registered for the Maine half marathon this Sunday in coastal Portland Maine. I wasn't very nervous until about Tuesday of this week when I actually realized exactly what I had signed up for.

This reminds me of my first mini triathlon last summer at Winding Trails in Farmington, CT.  My friends Ashley and Hillary had been talking about triathlons and adventure races the previous year but it never really sounded like something I would be interested in. For one, the last time I had participated in a sporting event was probably soccer in 4th grade and I was generally not interested in beating myself up that much to spend however many hours were necessary for the race.

Even after I initially bought my mountain bike last summer there was still not really any interest for me. I would run a few miles every now and then, bike every now and then after work, but never swim. Well Ashley raced in one of the Winding Trails mini triathlons after work on a Tuesday and started talking up the race and told me I should try it. I proceeded to inform her that it had been forever since I had fully submerged my person in a body of water. She kept on me until I caved and decided to try it out for myself. I practiced a few laps at the local YMCA in Granby and then put my bike in my car on a Tuesday morning ready to go. The previous weekend I had gone to buy a pair of triathlon shorts. Everything was fine until I got there and I saw all of the thin and trim athletes in their wet suits readying their bikes and getting prepped at the starting line.

It seemed to me like all the other athletes had competed in the race before and knew exactly what to expect in the upcoming race. My stomach, with all the extra insulation (read: fat) was doing flips upon itself in anxiety. The sub 7:00min 1/4 mile swimmers were in the first wave so that gave me time to calm down a bit. I lined up on the beach with the 50 other racers and waited for the GO...I was hooked.

I have a feeling that after I start the race on Sunday, even if unprepared, the adrenaline flowing through my body and the power of the racers around me will make me hooked on long distance road races as well. Or I'll hate it, but I can't hate it, because I have to run a half marathon in the Ironman 70.3....so I have to suck it up.

Wish me luck on Sunday.

Swim, Bike, Run....LIFE

Already slacking

Well, I started this blog with the intention of keeping track of my training for the 70.3 and already it has been two weeks since my last update. Part of the reason is time, or lack thereof (read: work), and part of it is my lack of actually training (read: lazy). There really should be no excuse for me to not do at least something every day. I did really well at the beginning of the week. I went to the gym the morning before class and the morning before the WPI info session, but then nothing the rest of the week. That is pretty lame and entirely unacceptable.

Even with my lack of physical activity, I recently registered for the Maine half marathon this weekend. The race is on Sunday 10/4/09 in Portland, Maine. I was supposed to run the half marathon with my friend, KG, but she backed out to drink at the Harpoon Brewery Octoberfest this weekend. So I'll be running alone. One of my coworkers is running the full marathon! Good for him I say. I have not been running very much, so the Maine half should be interesting. I hope to basically use this as a forced run this weekend. Probably not the best for my body in terms of slowly increasing mileage but that's ok. And I definitely will not be setting any records. I am not nervous about this weekend yet, but with 3,000 other runners, I am sure that race day will be overwhelming.

I've realized that with the end of the triathlon season, I'm beginning to long for my next one already. The whole triathlon way of life really does seem to be addicting. Just knowing that I am able to complete even the smallest sprint tri gives me such a great satisfaction that I just do not get walking out of the gym. I mean going from the end of my freshman year (picture) to the finish at the Marlborough tri this past season, I have definitely gone through a transformation (picture). The feeling is next to impossible to explain to someone who has been athletic, or at least slim their whole life, but it is simply an incredible and euphoric experience.

Unfortunately, living in the northeast, the next triathlon for me will not be until the Oceanside Ironman 70.3. The tri is months away, yet I already feel like I am not ready for this. I try to become motivated, but life is just such a big distraction (and so is the interwebs). It's so important that I somehow find my inner drive to continue, or should I say begin, my training.

Things to do this week:

• Sign up for masters swim league 
• Complete the Maine half marathon
• Call to replace Mazda's tires (they are balding like my head)
• Start tracking caloric intake using Dailyburn and Foodscanner
  

Time for bed, again...I wish there were more hours in the day.

 Swim, Bike, Run....LIFE

The confusion has set in

My goal tonight, after I got home from our work BBQ, was to review a training schedule that my buddy Dan has put together using his knowledge of previous training experiences and through the help of a book that I bought but never read, "The Triathlete's Training Bible." Well the night is slowly progressing and this training schedule is just too confusing for a lay-trainer such as myself.

The training plan has 9 different stages. Right now, at the onset of the training regimen, we are in Prep, in two weeks this progresses to Base 1, etc.. All of these stages focus on different areas of training in the area of swim, bike, run and weight lifting with different time requirements and focuses for each day of the week.

Herein lies my problem...I can barely get myself to the gym (which I realize is bad news) but then I have to tailor my workout for something specific. Well, I am not very good at this. I like to just get something done when I want to do them. For instance, this morning I went to the gym at 6am and was supposed to have an easy run for an 1 hr and lift weights for half an hour. Well first off, I was only at the gym for 1 hour total and to top it off, I did interval running for 15 minutes and swam for 20. Nowhere close to my scheduled workout. But, I went to the gym...good news! And I'm slowly starting to teach myself and my muscles how to breathe from my right side as well as my left side while swimming. I do not want to end up like Zoolander and only be able to turn one direction. Currently, about 80% of the time when breathing from the right, I end up just breathing out and not back in. This method does not prove useful for the sustainability of critical life functions.

Moral of the story, training schedules are difficult to understand and follow, but a necessary evil to focus my attention and blood, sweat and tears.

Ok time to figure this training plan out for real.

Swim, Bike, Run....LIFE

Out with the old, in with the new...a beginning

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." ~Semisonic

The era of laziness and overall apathy has come to an end and the time for hardcore training and fitness is upon us.

For those of you who may not know, about a month ago I decided to start training for Ironman 70.3 in Oceanside California in March. Now I may not be the most fit 25 year old out there, but I see no reason that I would not be able to complete this event given more than 6 months to train.

Speaking of training, I need to get to sleep so I can swim in the morning. More posts to come...thoughts on sacrifices, troubles, tribulations as well as the successes and triumphs. Should hopefully be entertaining!

I'm trying to think of a good sign off, but in the mean time....gnight