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