Sunday, April 24, 2011
Bike Wreck
I'll update more later. I wrecked on my bike yesterday day morning; hit a pothole and wiped out. The crash was one thing. It was missing my peak week of long training that has really ruffled me. Pictures of the mess on facebook.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Boston (!) Results and Rememberance
The 2011 Boston Marathon was contested on Monday. It's an incredible race that I spend much of the morning following via whatever contemporary blog feed is being used (this year it was Twitter). Fantastic weather produced amazing times and PRs (personal records) for numerous runners. The world's fastest, and America's fastest marathon was run, though due to the course conditions, those times won't be recognized as records. Though unfortunate, I generally agree with that assessment. The Boston Athletic Association has results, and lots of coverage is provided at Runner's World.com.
The running world did suffer an unfortunate loss. Legendary runner Grete Waitz passed away this morning after a six year battle with cancer. Amby Burfoot at Runner's World and CBS offer more complete summary's of her contributions to running. She won the New York Marathon nine times, setting the world record three times (once during her first attempt at the distance).
The running world did suffer an unfortunate loss. Legendary runner Grete Waitz passed away this morning after a six year battle with cancer. Amby Burfoot at Runner's World and CBS offer more complete summary's of her contributions to running. She won the New York Marathon nine times, setting the world record three times (once during her first attempt at the distance).
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Semper Paratus
I told myself I wouldn't sign up for any fall races too early. I know my exercise takes on a special purpose when I have a race down the line, and I think a break/pause in focused training is necessary. I don't know if I ever really had one after the City of Oaks Marathon. Sure, I didn't have any planned races or structure training for most of the winter, but that was primarily from forced rest due to my injury; which I'm sure anyone who has been injured can confirm, is not restful. Nevertheless, I was reminded that registration had opened for the Medoc Trail Marathon and despite being a relatively low key event, it fills up quickly. So I went ahead and signed up. I'll just have to do my best to decompress after White Lake Half Ironman. Still I think the Medoc Marathon will be a good introduction into ultra running. I was planning on doing my first as a 40 miler that is held the same weekend. But starting off with a trail marathon help reinforce my mantra to take it slowly. Better to savory each accomplishment upwards, than to skyrocket to 100milers and burnout.
It was interesting weekend; an All-Hands training for the CG Reservist in Sector North Carolina, held at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, due to available facilities. I probably over-thought my runs. I had decided to wait until Saturday evening and try to go off-base to run in the nearby Croatan National Forest. However, without Internet access, finding a public trail access was unsuccessful. Furthermore, severe weather was creeping in. Though I normally scoff at bad weather, I figured I was doing the safe thing by not running. However, some encouragement from a friend had me re-assessing and I did head out for a good trot. One way was nice; being pushed forward by the wind is a unique sensation. The other way sucked being pushed back to almost running in place.
Still I got in before the worst of it. We briefly lost power in the housing unit. And for a good while, I can best describe the storm as endless strobe light. I seriously tried determining if there was some expansive emergency beacon flashing, or if it really was the lightning (it was lightning).
In closing:
Nothing is more inspiring than being on a base for colors. Being a Reservist, and unaccustomed to typical base demeanor, I was taken aback when, near the end of my run, I notice all the cars stopped in the middle of the road; passengers out and at attention for evening Colors. Hoorah.
Turns out a good acquaintance with the Coast Guard is an accomplished triathlete. Our parents knew each other, and we had happened to enlist and go through boot camp together. Never did much to stay in touch though. Meeting up at the All-Hands, I come to discover is also a triathlete, at the moment well on his way to qualifying for the Olympic (distance) Nationals. Good luck Andy!
Pictures are up for last weekend's races:
Tarheel 10 miler
Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon
I like the half photos better.
It was interesting weekend; an All-Hands training for the CG Reservist in Sector North Carolina, held at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, due to available facilities. I probably over-thought my runs. I had decided to wait until Saturday evening and try to go off-base to run in the nearby Croatan National Forest. However, without Internet access, finding a public trail access was unsuccessful. Furthermore, severe weather was creeping in. Though I normally scoff at bad weather, I figured I was doing the safe thing by not running. However, some encouragement from a friend had me re-assessing and I did head out for a good trot. One way was nice; being pushed forward by the wind is a unique sensation. The other way sucked being pushed back to almost running in place.
Still I got in before the worst of it. We briefly lost power in the housing unit. And for a good while, I can best describe the storm as endless strobe light. I seriously tried determining if there was some expansive emergency beacon flashing, or if it really was the lightning (it was lightning).
In closing:
Nothing is more inspiring than being on a base for colors. Being a Reservist, and unaccustomed to typical base demeanor, I was taken aback when, near the end of my run, I notice all the cars stopped in the middle of the road; passengers out and at attention for evening Colors. Hoorah.
Turns out a good acquaintance with the Coast Guard is an accomplished triathlete. Our parents knew each other, and we had happened to enlist and go through boot camp together. Never did much to stay in touch though. Meeting up at the All-Hands, I come to discover is also a triathlete, at the moment well on his way to qualifying for the Olympic (distance) Nationals. Good luck Andy!
Pictures are up for last weekend's races:
Tarheel 10 miler
Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon
I like the half photos better.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Double Race High
I had a great weekend in which I ran two road races: the Tarheel 10 miler yesterday [Saturday] and the Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon this morning [Sunday]. Hopefully their locations are implicit. It's not typical, or often recommended to run two races back-to-back like this. But for one, I just really was interested in doing both these races. Secondly, running the half marathon on somewhat tired legs helps prepare my system for when I get to the run leg of the half Ironman (HIM).
Both races were run by different groups/companies and had their own quirks. For the Tarheel10, I thought the races was a little under-managed given the advertised scale of the event. Routine updates were few and post-race results were slow (given current trends/standards. A few years ago, an afternoon results posting would be fine, whereas today, you've got to have them up within a few hours). There was also very little direction from parking to the race start, where they were not in close/visible proximity to each other. At Raleigh Rocks, the parking was 100 yards from the start, so this was a non-issue. I also thought it course was better marked (or maybe I was just more attentive). However, I was little disappointed to in a cotton T-shirt, and the embroidered cap that I expected to be "performance" as simple cloth. While I know I am sounding picky, I am more just stating how the race management differed from some "standard" procedures. Raleigh Rocks definitely gets kudos for speedy race results, which were posted within minutes of finishes.
Of course my own performance should be the most important thing and in both cases I met my goals, and met or exceeded my expectations. For both, my goal was a sub-7:00 min/mile pace. For Tarheel this was also my expectation, given a solid training week and bare-requisite taper. For Raleigh Rocks, the sub-7 was a goal, but my expectation was more along a 7:15 min/mile pace, given some tired legs and more rolling hills (Tarheel can be called hilly as well; there were fewer, but more substantial). I can happily report (Tarheel results; Raleigh Rocks results sub-7:00 paces for both races. Tarheel 10 miler I was 1:09:25 (I think gun-time, still waiting for chip-time), for 95/2201 overall (84/942 men, age group unknown) Raleigh Rocks I was 1:30:26 for 18/1169 (17/450 men, 2/33 20-24 age group). I don't put a whole lot of weight into rankins; the size and make-up of the field can have big effects. I am happy with both times, which gave me my sub-7:00 paces, which are huge confidence boosters.
My one fear coming out of the half is my fueling/hydration. Fueling has always been difficult, and during a race paper cups make it significantly harder, lessening my chances of trying to take anything in. If I'm smart I'll try to remedy this in training, but... I'm not always that smart...
Saw a couple of people running with Vibrams Five Fingers, the shoes behind/associated with the barefoot/minimalist running trend. I bought a pair at REI and will ideally humbly begin to incorporate some running with them.
And yah, Diet Supernova (Diet Dew Challenge won. Again: tastes like liquid Skittles.
Both races were run by different groups/companies and had their own quirks. For the Tarheel10, I thought the races was a little under-managed given the advertised scale of the event. Routine updates were few and post-race results were slow (given current trends/standards. A few years ago, an afternoon results posting would be fine, whereas today, you've got to have them up within a few hours). There was also very little direction from parking to the race start, where they were not in close/visible proximity to each other. At Raleigh Rocks, the parking was 100 yards from the start, so this was a non-issue. I also thought it course was better marked (or maybe I was just more attentive). However, I was little disappointed to in a cotton T-shirt, and the embroidered cap that I expected to be "performance" as simple cloth. While I know I am sounding picky, I am more just stating how the race management differed from some "standard" procedures. Raleigh Rocks definitely gets kudos for speedy race results, which were posted within minutes of finishes.
Of course my own performance should be the most important thing and in both cases I met my goals, and met or exceeded my expectations. For both, my goal was a sub-7:00 min/mile pace. For Tarheel this was also my expectation, given a solid training week and bare-requisite taper. For Raleigh Rocks, the sub-7 was a goal, but my expectation was more along a 7:15 min/mile pace, given some tired legs and more rolling hills (Tarheel can be called hilly as well; there were fewer, but more substantial). I can happily report (Tarheel results; Raleigh Rocks results sub-7:00 paces for both races. Tarheel 10 miler I was 1:09:25 (I think gun-time, still waiting for chip-time), for 95/2201 overall (84/942 men, age group unknown) Raleigh Rocks I was 1:30:26 for 18/1169 (17/450 men, 2/33 20-24 age group). I don't put a whole lot of weight into rankins; the size and make-up of the field can have big effects. I am happy with both times, which gave me my sub-7:00 paces, which are huge confidence boosters.
My one fear coming out of the half is my fueling/hydration. Fueling has always been difficult, and during a race paper cups make it significantly harder, lessening my chances of trying to take anything in. If I'm smart I'll try to remedy this in training, but... I'm not always that smart...
Saw a couple of people running with Vibrams Five Fingers, the shoes behind/associated with the barefoot/minimalist running trend. I bought a pair at REI and will ideally humbly begin to incorporate some running with them.
And yah, Diet Supernova (Diet Dew Challenge won. Again: tastes like liquid Skittles.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Umstead
This weekend was the Umstead 100 mile Endurance Run. I did not run. I had told myself that when[ever] I do my first or any one-hundred, it wouldn't be this one. It's 8 laps of a 12.5 mile loop, with a couple of out-and-back type sections. However, I may be eating my words. Last Wednesday I had to opportunity to volunteer with some of the race setup. I'll admit, I was drawn to the energy and excitement of the other volunteers (many who were also running the race) and the race director. You could tell they had a well-oiled machine. Also, the volunteer "swag" doesn't distinguish me as a volunteer (vs. a competitor), which of course makes me feel obligated to "earn" the right to don the gear.
The past couple weeks I've much more running at Umstead than I have in the past. Last weekend was a pre-dawn long run in the dark and rain. Needless to say I got lost. Yesterday I was out there again, during the mid-afternoon, so getting lost was much harder... but not impossible. Though I worried about not getting enough in, of course I ended up doing a little too much. It was ok, I was able to see a little bit of the race. And I just got smittened by the sheer scope of Umstead. You can really feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere. I was excited to experience so much single-track trails. I look forward to doing a lot more trail- and ultra running.
I'm also enjoying the taste of the Diet Mtn. Dew Supernova. It's part of the marketing scheme to choose the next diet soda, between the strawberry-melon Supernova and berry Voltage. Personally: I like the Supernova. It tastes like Skittles.
The past couple weeks I've much more running at Umstead than I have in the past. Last weekend was a pre-dawn long run in the dark and rain. Needless to say I got lost. Yesterday I was out there again, during the mid-afternoon, so getting lost was much harder... but not impossible. Though I worried about not getting enough in, of course I ended up doing a little too much. It was ok, I was able to see a little bit of the race. And I just got smittened by the sheer scope of Umstead. You can really feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere. I was excited to experience so much single-track trails. I look forward to doing a lot more trail- and ultra running.
I'm also enjoying the taste of the Diet Mtn. Dew Supernova. It's part of the marketing scheme to choose the next diet soda, between the strawberry-melon Supernova and berry Voltage. Personally: I like the Supernova. It tastes like Skittles.
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