Showing posts with label Race Report. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Race Report. Show all posts
May 5, 2012
2012 Shore to Shore 10K - Race Report
This race I thought was going to be a great fun race. I turned out to be one of the most horrible runs Ive ever done. It was harder than anything I had previously done. this was my first official 10K race. Id run 10k before in training of course so the distance was no surprise to me. Many things played a huge roll in my DLF.
Yup I finished Dead Last. Well I was still alive. Not only was this humiliating and a huge blow to my ego but it was back home in my local hometown. Which made me feel like DNS>DLF.
I know I wasnt fully prepared for the race overall but I was capable of running the distance and I knew and expected to finish in under 1 hour. When I got there as I was driving into the park i got a very ugly feeling of what was ahead of me. The race would be run on the roads inside the state park and they were much hillier than I had remembered.
I thought going into this I would fare pretty well. Low numbers for the 10k Lots of 5k runners. AS the start time approached. It got muggier 90% humidity mid 80's I was OK as the race started and kept pretty good pace through the 3 mile mark when we hit the first Big hill. I was pacing at about 9:45 and I felt pretty good about it. I felt like I could maintain, but the heat and the hills caught up to me quick. At 2.25 We begin the first big hill climb. It was over a 100' of climb in a half a mile. I believe this hill and the the following hill were what drained my tank and stole all my energy and motivation. After getting to the top I felt a little bit relieved and head back down. I was slower and the people I had been pacing with were 100 yards ahead of me now. I knew I was slowing but I had some down hill and flat to catch up to them. I made slight progress until I hit the next hill, 120' of climb in .6 miles. This was where I stopped to walk the first time. This hill seemed to never end and walking killed my motivation. So disappointed. From here on out it was hill after hill and I just never regained my legs or my drive. I knew as I was in the last mile that I was maybe one of the last ones and I was pretty sure there was no 10K racers behind me. That only added to the de-motivation.
I was the last one to cross and despite the feeling of accomplishment of finishing my first 10k race I was angry at myself for letting my fitness level go so far that I was this slow and this out of shape to not even finish under 11 min avg. pace.
I hung around for awards just to give props to the other racers I ran with and embarrassingly placed in my age category. I hate that feeling. Not a good showing at all and Im not sure Ill run the race again...Or maybe I will just to redeem myself.
Apr 24, 2012
2012 Iowa Speedway "Where the Rubber Meets the Road 8k"
Race Results
I had mentioned I was going to do this race and Todd said he run it the year before so we convinced one another to run it this year. I was late and paid the idiot fee. so I waited till the day before to register but I knew Todd would be there so I couldn't back out. When I first got there I had no idea where to go and all the parking lots were empty. No signage or directiosn to direct racers where to go. I finally realized that we were supposed to drive our vehicles down into the infield of the race track. Kind of cool driving my crappy car where high end race machines have driven. :)
I picked up my race packet. Im Bib # 206 Yay even numbers!
Lots of people here way more than I expected. I wasnt at all prepared for this distance but I wanted to do it and it was good to get back into my running which this race forced me to do. I really only prepared by running the previous 2 weeks I was slacking big time.
WE all lined up out on the track and bang we were off!
The course was the draw of the whole race. You run around the race track one time then out into the parking area and down the interior roads that are part of the grounds then out on to the highway back into the parking area and around the track again.
I felt sluggish and icky as I started that morning. I knew it was going to be one of those runs where you just feel heavy like each foot fall is a million pounds. As we get out on the roads the first down hill begins. Going down a hill is great until you realize that what goes down must eventually come up. Similar to the law in physics this is the law of running and cycling. Coincidentally I think this may also be the law of late night partying in college.
Anyway as I trudge up the first hill I begin to feel better and by the time I reach the pavement I'm picking up my pace. Its a good thing my attitude improved because I was about to head straight into the hill that is Very long and steep. Every one was walking it. I refused. I would not walk this hill I swore to myself that no matter how slow I had to go I would maintain a jog and keep shuffling if it killed me. I passed lots of people walking this hill. Some even better runners then myself. It seemed to never end it just kept going and going and going. Eventually it did crest and you could see the track again and see the Really fast people already down on the track. I still had more than a mile left to run.
I kept my pace up and tried to regain some of the slowed time I lost on the uphill. Making my way through the parking lot and down on to the track again I begin to lose steam and then I got passed by a really old lady who obviously had run a marathon based on the shirt she was wearing proudly. Still what could I expect from my lack or preparation. As I rounded turn 4 and headed up the straight away for the finish line I put all the gas I had left in my tank into finishing strong and finished with my head high and my lungs empty.
Overall I had a good time and it was good for me to get back to running. Had a great time meeting Todd and his wife too.
 |
| Todd and I |
I picked up my race packet. Im Bib # 206 Yay even numbers!
Lots of people here way more than I expected. I wasnt at all prepared for this distance but I wanted to do it and it was good to get back into my running which this race forced me to do. I really only prepared by running the previous 2 weeks I was slacking big time.
WE all lined up out on the track and bang we were off!
The course was the draw of the whole race. You run around the race track one time then out into the parking area and down the interior roads that are part of the grounds then out on to the highway back into the parking area and around the track again.
I felt sluggish and icky as I started that morning. I knew it was going to be one of those runs where you just feel heavy like each foot fall is a million pounds. As we get out on the roads the first down hill begins. Going down a hill is great until you realize that what goes down must eventually come up. Similar to the law in physics this is the law of running and cycling. Coincidentally I think this may also be the law of late night partying in college.
Anyway as I trudge up the first hill I begin to feel better and by the time I reach the pavement I'm picking up my pace. Its a good thing my attitude improved because I was about to head straight into the hill that is Very long and steep. Every one was walking it. I refused. I would not walk this hill I swore to myself that no matter how slow I had to go I would maintain a jog and keep shuffling if it killed me. I passed lots of people walking this hill. Some even better runners then myself. It seemed to never end it just kept going and going and going. Eventually it did crest and you could see the track again and see the Really fast people already down on the track. I still had more than a mile left to run.
I kept my pace up and tried to regain some of the slowed time I lost on the uphill. Making my way through the parking lot and down on to the track again I begin to lose steam and then I got passed by a really old lady who obviously had run a marathon based on the shirt she was wearing proudly. Still what could I expect from my lack or preparation. As I rounded turn 4 and headed up the straight away for the finish line I put all the gas I had left in my tank into finishing strong and finished with my head high and my lungs empty.
 |
| Looks like my form is horrible! |
Overall I had a good time and it was good for me to get back to running. Had a great time meeting Todd and his wife too.
Oct 21, 2011
Peregrine Charities 2011 Triathlon - Race Report
Sorry it took me so long to get this up here.
Sat Afternoon I packed up all my "race junk", that's how my wife and I refer to the equipment I have spent all of our money on. I loaded it all into the van broke the bike down and took out the back seat. Not in that order. We packed an overnight bag and all the stuff for a new baby and took off. Despite speeding all the way up the drive took a lot longer then I thought it should, and in hindsight I cant explain why cause the drive home didn't take nearly as long.
We arrived at the lake at about 5 pm. Lots of people milling about but I found my way to the registration table and got my race packet picked up. Unpacked my gear and got my bike tagged and headed over to transition. Transition area looked 1/2 filled with bikes. I found a nearly empty rack and picked and outside edge. I then realized they were going to shove 7 bikes on each rack. these racks were not big enough to do that. Uggh! I knew in the morning my bike was going to be crammed in hard. I did what I could and put a garbage bag on my seat and handle bars and taped 2x GU packs to my repair kit bag I was not going to risk not having a GU pack because of clumsy hands or improperly secured nutrition again. Stepped back and surveyed what was sure to be a mess in the morning. I walked to the boat ramp and looked out across the lake. I smiled to myself and in my head I thought "Tomorrow I would be a triathlete". Then I looked at the posted water temp 63*. "Well maybe next year I can be a triathlete."
Wife and I talked with Amber the race director for a few minutes. She was getting ready to give a course talk which I was not sticking around for and she gave me a quick run down. Nothing special I didn't miss anything. We hopped back in the car and then went and drove the bike course. It was going to be a good day tomorrow. Nice bike course.
We headed over to the hotel and checked in then I made a crazy decision to eat pizza hut. Ya Ya Ya I know not necessarily the best idea. But man it was good I ate a half large Pan supreme with Jalapenos It was divine! I haven't had greasy pizza in a long time. I know it was really stupid It could have ruined my race, but I didn't! :)
Back at the Hotel I prepped all my gear for the morning. Fell asleep to the sound of my son crying.
Race Summary and Results
Well there you have it my first Official Triathlon completed. 1:45:40.7
Im somewhat confused to my finish time because when I actually crossed the line the time above the finish read like 1:41 or 1:42 or something similar. I was in the first wave of swimmers so Im not really sure how the time got off. I know I wasn't penalized. Meh whatever.
This graphic shows the comparison to the other guys in my AG Its pretty obvious where my weak issues are.
Things for next year
Lots of swim training
Improve my 5k time to as close to 25 min as possible
Pedals & Shoes
Potentially a Gearing upgrade
Lose 15-20 more pounds by spring
Race Day
OMGIC - OMG Its Cold! Wake up and WIN! I showered ate apples and peanut butter and drank crappy coffee.
Got dressed and loaded my cheering section into the car. I felt bleh! not great just OK. I was getting race butterflies big time. Im always astonished at pre-race traffic. Its was still dark and 100's of athletes are making there way to the same place while others dream about pancakes and sleeping in another hour. Ok I too was dreaming the same things. No place to park...Im going to end up walking a half mile to transition. I hope this doesn't count against my time. I grabbed all my stuff and started trekking to transition.
Really glad I covered my seat and handle bars. Super Dewy! There was an extra bike on our rack. Already crowded with 7 bikes somehow we got lucky and some awesome racer decided they could fit there bike on too. I set up my area and decided I needed a second shirt which I didn't bring. I ran back to the vehicle and grabbed the long sleeve technical shirt that came with my packet. Glad for that I needed it. I ran over and grabbed my timing chip and barely made it back into transition before it closed. I through my wet suit on and got ready for the waves to start.
Swim
Standing at the boat ramp a few of us ask about waves and no one really knows we keep getting told someone will tell us. No one told us and All AG Men and Clydes took off at the same wave. which is Ok but no one knew that so there was alot of confusion at the whistle people standing on the boat ramp as half the swimmers took off. Already nervous, blind, and not disorganized my swim start sucked!
As I waded out and dove in I literally felt my chest implode from the cold. I immediately begin to have problems. The water was so cold I couldn't keep my face down. Every time I tried it would take my breath away. It was horrible. For all the swimming I did It seemed to not help at all I shudder to think how I may have reacted with less practice. I was 200 yards out and began to panic... a combination of not being able to see not being able to breath and the cold caused me to freeze up and forget what I was doing. I almost lost it. I managed to get control and breath and I told myself. "IF you stop you will sink and you will drown." It was really the only thing that kept me going. I felt so heavy and so slow. People were passing me like crazy. I just kept stroking knowing that I would eventually hit the shore again. I was 100 yards from shore and I looked over and saw a kayak and thought momentarily about swimming over to it to rest but realized it was 50 yards to the kayak and only 100 to shore. What a waste...so I kept going. I'm glad I did I was only wimping out. I hit the boat ramp and really felt like crap as I took my first 4-5 steps out of the water. Then I kind of cleared my head and ran into transition. I'm glad that's over.
Official time: 16:07.7
Official time: 16:07.7
T1
I knew my swim time was slow but there were other green caps in transition with me and there were at least a handful of green caps coming out of the water still so I wasnt last. I shucked off my suit and got my cycling gear on. I knew my transitions was slow and I was really still trying to get my head clear from the swim. I didnt realize how slow until later. Wow time was standing still. Oh...I forgot to put on my Chest Strap for My HRM.
Official time: 5:01.2
Official time: 5:01.2
Bike
Running out to the mount line and I am off. Its a little chilly and the wind is not strong but makes the temperature feel worse then it is. I felt really good on my bike until about 6.5 miles. I took my GU and instantly became acutely aware that my right foot felt weird. Annoyingly weird. I could not get it out of my head. I couldn't figure it out. was it numb from my posture? Or Just really cold? I wasn't sure. As I was mentally wrapped up in this I lost concentration during a small hill climb and geared my bike to far and Derailed my freaking chain. I was really making good time too. I stepped off my bike and my right foot hit the ground and I couldn't tell I was standing on it. I think I was stopped for more then 2 minutes. I could not get the chain unjammed from the derailleur. I did finally manage to get it back on and then carefully pedaled up the remainder of the hill in a gear far to low. I crest the hill and there is the turn around at halfway. I try and make up time but my foot is jacked up. Im convinced its the cold now as no other parts of my body feel numb or anything. I must have gotten my sock wet. As far as performance goes I dont feel im doing too bad. I feel much better then Hickory Grove at halfway. I come out of the rolling hills and only have a few small hills left and all flat I decide to really crank and try and make up some lost time. The wind is not quite at my back but it is helping me a little. I pass few of the people who gained on me from the chain issue. I know Im still down. I make a turn as I'm approaching the intersections before heading back into the park and Im hit by a wall of wind. I'm only 2 miles from the finish and I approach this poor girl completely in arrow wearing almost nothing. A sports bra and some short Spandex Boy Shorts. As I passed her I told her I felt for her cause I know she was way cold. You could see how cold she was in her eyes. I later found out she swam in the same outfit no wetsuit. I hit the no pedal zone and preform a Perfect running dismount !!!
Official time: 52:45.2
Running out to the mount line and I am off. Its a little chilly and the wind is not strong but makes the temperature feel worse then it is. I felt really good on my bike until about 6.5 miles. I took my GU and instantly became acutely aware that my right foot felt weird. Annoyingly weird. I could not get it out of my head. I couldn't figure it out. was it numb from my posture? Or Just really cold? I wasn't sure. As I was mentally wrapped up in this I lost concentration during a small hill climb and geared my bike to far and Derailed my freaking chain. I was really making good time too. I stepped off my bike and my right foot hit the ground and I couldn't tell I was standing on it. I think I was stopped for more then 2 minutes. I could not get the chain unjammed from the derailleur. I did finally manage to get it back on and then carefully pedaled up the remainder of the hill in a gear far to low. I crest the hill and there is the turn around at halfway. I try and make up time but my foot is jacked up. Im convinced its the cold now as no other parts of my body feel numb or anything. I must have gotten my sock wet. As far as performance goes I dont feel im doing too bad. I feel much better then Hickory Grove at halfway. I come out of the rolling hills and only have a few small hills left and all flat I decide to really crank and try and make up some lost time. The wind is not quite at my back but it is helping me a little. I pass few of the people who gained on me from the chain issue. I know Im still down. I make a turn as I'm approaching the intersections before heading back into the park and Im hit by a wall of wind. I'm only 2 miles from the finish and I approach this poor girl completely in arrow wearing almost nothing. A sports bra and some short Spandex Boy Shorts. As I passed her I told her I felt for her cause I know she was way cold. You could see how cold she was in her eyes. I later found out she swam in the same outfit no wetsuit. I hit the no pedal zone and preform a Perfect running dismount !!!
Official time: 52:45.2
T2
What do I do in transition? Seriously I have no clue how I managed to burn almost 2 minutes in T2. I did have to move my Garmin from my bike to my wrist and I switched gloves and I grabbed a 2nd GU that I had to dig through my pack for OK I see BUT...I didn't have to switch shoes Or any clothes other then putting on a hat and gloves.
Official Time: 1:58.8
What do I do in transition? Seriously I have no clue how I managed to burn almost 2 minutes in T2. I did have to move my Garmin from my bike to my wrist and I switched gloves and I grabbed a 2nd GU that I had to dig through my pack for OK I see BUT...I didn't have to switch shoes Or any clothes other then putting on a hat and gloves.
Official Time: 1:58.8
Run
Do you know how hard it is to run with only one foot? Wow...My foot is jacked up! I was actually gimping along. Im really struggling to get my pace down while my foot doesnt seem to exist. The almost naked girls passes me. I realize the stupid feeling in my foot is all in my head and push it out and just focus on being smooth, light, and easy. I check my pace and breathing and try to get loose and stay focused. Finding my groove actually came pretty quickly. I felt however that I was struggling to maintain my pace. My foot was warming up and feeling was starting to come back. It was nice to see the groups along the way cheering people on and despite it only being 5K it seemed much shorter. I managed to keep my pace at 10 Min or faster the whole way which was a feat all its own. I have never until 4 days prior to this race ever done a sub 30 min 5K and it appeared as long as I could hold this pace I was going to pull this off in competition. My goal was to just keep pace and finish. I had put 2+ miles under my belt on the run when I began to realize my really was irritated. If it hadn't been cloudy and zero sun all day I would have guessed my neck was sunburned. Some girl had put a Lei around my neck and I thought Oh crap its causing the irritation so I pulled it off even though I only had it on for a few minutes. I just focused on hittign my pace and pushing out to the end.
As I come around the curve I see the crowd, and the cheering is louder, the finish line is right there and try and give it a really good speed boost but just dont have a lot left and only manage a real minor surge.
Official time: 29:49.8
Do you know how hard it is to run with only one foot? Wow...My foot is jacked up! I was actually gimping along. Im really struggling to get my pace down while my foot doesnt seem to exist. The almost naked girls passes me. I realize the stupid feeling in my foot is all in my head and push it out and just focus on being smooth, light, and easy. I check my pace and breathing and try to get loose and stay focused. Finding my groove actually came pretty quickly. I felt however that I was struggling to maintain my pace. My foot was warming up and feeling was starting to come back. It was nice to see the groups along the way cheering people on and despite it only being 5K it seemed much shorter. I managed to keep my pace at 10 Min or faster the whole way which was a feat all its own. I have never until 4 days prior to this race ever done a sub 30 min 5K and it appeared as long as I could hold this pace I was going to pull this off in competition. My goal was to just keep pace and finish. I had put 2+ miles under my belt on the run when I began to realize my really was irritated. If it hadn't been cloudy and zero sun all day I would have guessed my neck was sunburned. Some girl had put a Lei around my neck and I thought Oh crap its causing the irritation so I pulled it off even though I only had it on for a few minutes. I just focused on hittign my pace and pushing out to the end.
As I come around the curve I see the crowd, and the cheering is louder, the finish line is right there and try and give it a really good speed boost but just dont have a lot left and only manage a real minor surge.
Official time: 29:49.8
Race Summary and Results
Well there you have it my first Official Triathlon completed. 1:45:40.7
Im somewhat confused to my finish time because when I actually crossed the line the time above the finish read like 1:41 or 1:42 or something similar. I was in the first wave of swimmers so Im not really sure how the time got off. I know I wasn't penalized. Meh whatever.
This graphic shows the comparison to the other guys in my AG Its pretty obvious where my weak issues are.
Things for next year
Lots of swim training
Improve my 5k time to as close to 25 min as possible
Pedals & Shoes
Potentially a Gearing upgrade
Lose 15-20 more pounds by spring
Sep 30, 2011
Sept 17th, 2011 Jacob Krumm - 2011 Off the Beaten Path Trail Run
Jacob Krumm - Off the Beaten Path - News article about the winners
Sept 17th, 2011
I decided to do the 3K race even though I know the 6K would have been a breeze for me. I had my Triathlon the following weekend the so I didn't want to risk stressing my knee or my hip. So I stuck with the 3k ya short distance but I really wanted to see how much I improved from last year anyway.
I alos convinced my sweet daughter to run it with me. By "convinced" I mean forced. She whined about it the whole time..."Its so cold" It was a little cold.
We got her registered and then I took her out on the trail to show her the hill. She seemed unimpressed and cold. We wandered around mingling and talking to other racers a bit waiting for the race to start. I found there were about 3 other guys in my age group that would definitely give me some competition.
The race was getting ready to start so I grabbed a quick drink of water and got to the start line with my daughter.
Ready, Set, Go!
We start of carefully pacing and I watch my pace closely on my Garmin because going out to fast before the big hill ruins you. I had planned for us to be near the front but not in the front. So we were out in front with the majority of the crowd behind us. On our way up the hill we maintained a good steady pace and I had one of my direct competitors right beside my daughter and I. Man that hill just goes forever. We get to the top of the hill and I keep my pace the same and recover from the hill for about 100 meters before I increase my pace to a full min/mile faster. My Daughter pick right up with me like I didn't even make a change. We drop several people as we move out in front there really is only 1 or 2 guys in front of me as we merge with the 6K runners the path becomes filled with other runners we get passed and pass some others One Old man smokes my daughter and I man he was booking for a 6K pace. 7min/ mile maybe?
We are on the back side of the lake now and the rolling hills start short steep inclines one after the other. Nice run completely secluded by trees. I pick the pace up more and we settle in for the back half. I feel real good and My daughter is rocking it good too. I think she is hanging back with her Dad so she can run with him. We approach the last big hill and I slow down a little. My quads are burning Last year this is where I stopped and walked. Not this time!!! I did slow down though and I told my daughter not to wait on me Go ahead and push hard to the end. I told her to bring the speed now you have less than a 1K. She took off and left me in the dust. As I crested the Hill I see her making her way across the dam with only a few people ahead of her. She is moving pretty quick and looks good. I get up on the Dam and realize this is it. Its time to push hard I increase my pace to full speed, just as I see her cross the finish. I really power through the last 100 meters and finish hard. Coming in at a about a 6 min/mile pace. I cross the finish line and look at my Garmin...Im very happy.
As I wait for results I talk with my wife and daughter and the few other racers who have finished. Its a good sign when there arent many people at the finish line yet.
Results start getting posted.
Official time 16:49 w00t!!! 5Min and 10Sec improvement from last year.
My daughters official time 16:15
I took 2nd place in my AG and 3rd OA Male
My Awesome daughter took 1st in her AG and 1st OA Female
Sept 17th, 2011
I decided to do the 3K race even though I know the 6K would have been a breeze for me. I had my Triathlon the following weekend the so I didn't want to risk stressing my knee or my hip. So I stuck with the 3k ya short distance but I really wanted to see how much I improved from last year anyway.
I alos convinced my sweet daughter to run it with me. By "convinced" I mean forced. She whined about it the whole time..."Its so cold" It was a little cold.
We got her registered and then I took her out on the trail to show her the hill. She seemed unimpressed and cold. We wandered around mingling and talking to other racers a bit waiting for the race to start. I found there were about 3 other guys in my age group that would definitely give me some competition.
The race was getting ready to start so I grabbed a quick drink of water and got to the start line with my daughter.
Ready, Set, Go!
We start of carefully pacing and I watch my pace closely on my Garmin because going out to fast before the big hill ruins you. I had planned for us to be near the front but not in the front. So we were out in front with the majority of the crowd behind us. On our way up the hill we maintained a good steady pace and I had one of my direct competitors right beside my daughter and I. Man that hill just goes forever. We get to the top of the hill and I keep my pace the same and recover from the hill for about 100 meters before I increase my pace to a full min/mile faster. My Daughter pick right up with me like I didn't even make a change. We drop several people as we move out in front there really is only 1 or 2 guys in front of me as we merge with the 6K runners the path becomes filled with other runners we get passed and pass some others One Old man smokes my daughter and I man he was booking for a 6K pace. 7min/ mile maybe?
We are on the back side of the lake now and the rolling hills start short steep inclines one after the other. Nice run completely secluded by trees. I pick the pace up more and we settle in for the back half. I feel real good and My daughter is rocking it good too. I think she is hanging back with her Dad so she can run with him. We approach the last big hill and I slow down a little. My quads are burning Last year this is where I stopped and walked. Not this time!!! I did slow down though and I told my daughter not to wait on me Go ahead and push hard to the end. I told her to bring the speed now you have less than a 1K. She took off and left me in the dust. As I crested the Hill I see her making her way across the dam with only a few people ahead of her. She is moving pretty quick and looks good. I get up on the Dam and realize this is it. Its time to push hard I increase my pace to full speed, just as I see her cross the finish. I really power through the last 100 meters and finish hard. Coming in at a about a 6 min/mile pace. I cross the finish line and look at my Garmin...Im very happy.
As I wait for results I talk with my wife and daughter and the few other racers who have finished. Its a good sign when there arent many people at the finish line yet.
Results start getting posted.
Official time 16:49 w00t!!! 5Min and 10Sec improvement from last year.
My daughters official time 16:15
I took 2nd place in my AG and 3rd OA Male
My Awesome daughter took 1st in her AG and 1st OA Female
 |
| Male and Female OA Winners |
Sep 2, 2011
Hickory Grove 2011 Race Report
Race Day
Sunday Aug 28th 4:30 am
*ALARM*
I slept good I feel rested. Its time to put something in my stomach. I prepped some John McCann's Steel Cut Irish oats last night so they would be ready to heat & eat. Because I am OCD about forgetting crap I had gone through my gear bag a dozen times last night and laid out the stuff I would be putting on in the morning. I do my morning routine and eat some awesome oatmeal with some brown sugar.
I load the car up with all my gear and then pack all the cheerleaders in for the trip.
We are off! WAIT!
One quick stop at Perkins for some of that delicious Super Dark Blend coffee.
Ok now we are off...
======~48 min later~======
We arrive. There are already alot of athletes milling about moving gear and bikes warming up etc... I find a place to park just on the back side of transition and run off to find where I need to check in to pick up my timing chip. On my way to check in I bump into my friend LittleRachet from over at "Tri-ing to be a triathlete" Much of this craziness that I'm involved in is her fault. since this is my first Tri she is checking on me making sure im ready asking me questions. I have no clue my head is spinning from the excitement! I get directed to the proper tent to pick up my chip.
After chipping myself I go unload all my gear and find a spot for my bike and bag in transition. I dont know alot about transition strategy but here was mine. "Be able to find where I left all my stuff while Im out of breath and freaking out about why my legs have suddenly stopped listening to my brain." I decide that a spot on the end of a rack is best and find one next to a large oak tree. The 3rd tree in from the run exit. I place all my gear and check my tire pressure and my gearing. Then I tuck a Mocha Gu pack into my bike tool bag strap so I have it on the first leg of the bike. (<--this is important)
I have about 15 min before transition closes and the pre-race meeting begins. I eat a bag of Jelly Belly Sport Beans and talk with Little Rachet and my Wife for a few minutes before I run to the Port-o-John. LONG LINES but they are moving fast. I get done just as the pre-race meeting starts.
Race Meeting: Blah blah blah
Because the swim was cancelled they split the run and I will now be racing 1 mile run/15.5 mile bike/ 2.1 mile run
The Race
First run
Im racing as a Clydesdale (fat guy) so Im in the 5th wave of runners. My group is called up and I put myself about the middle of the pack. Im a short fat guy so standing in the middle of this Clyde pack was like being surrounded by sequoias. Im really getting wound up my heart rate is elevated Im way more nervouse then any 5k Ive ever run. I mentally try to calm myself as I know being this worked up will make me pace faster then I want too.
I honestly dont remember if there was a horn, or a shot, or just a "Go". I just started running when everyone else did. It seemed like everyone was pacing really fast and 100yards into the run I started rethinking my run strategy. This was only a mile run I can recover quickly from a mile run especially in the 2-3 transitioning from run to bike and gettign going on the bike. I up my pace a bit and and just stay with it to the end. finishing hard accross the line. In looking at my Garmin It was under 9 minutes I could have gone harder and wish I had after the fact. This race was a different dynamic.
T1
Running into transition I easily find my way to my spot either because I just remembered or because the prep of locating the big tree actually worked I dont know. I get to my bike put my helmet on and my gloves and unrack. I begin running through transition to the bike exit. The bike exit sits ono top of what is essentially a 4 foot vertical wall. Well its a road and transition is in the ditch so there is a 4 foot incline to get to the the roadway. I thought as I was leaving that incline was really steep and sucked. Little did I know! Once I get on the road I fumble gettign mounted and get going I must practice the mount a bit better. Things to work on. It was nice to hear Little Rachet tell me to calm down and just get going. Its strange I didnt see anyone but through all the commotion I hear this voice. Thanks!
Bike
I get going and I feel good legs feel strong and I feel like a slender reed slicing through the air. As I exit the Park there is a big Downhill grade somethign that will get me well over 30 MPH quickly. I get up to speed and immeditaley at the bottom of the hill I have to slow to make a corner. I stay very solid through the first Hill and once I get back on the main road to the out and back I feel great Im staying strong and passing a few people. I am of course gettign passed by the disk wheel/sperm helmet crowd but I expected that. There are alot of different levels of people on this ride. I hit the turn around and start powering back. The plan was to take my GU pack at the turn around. The turn around is followed by a hill back up. So I wait to take my gu pack till I get back to the flat. Wehn I crest the hill I situate to get back into a groove and go for my Gu pack just as I move my hand to grab it from the strap It slips from the strap and falls to the side of the road as I cruise on by. I say good bye to the only nutrition I brought with me on the bike. Im upset. I let it get to me. I know that Ive done bike rides this long before without nutrition boosts but for somereason my plan got disrupted and I let it get to me. A mile later I kick myself in the ass and tell myself to quit sulking about it and just SPIN on. Nothing I can do about it now. I settle back in and realize Ive lost some momentum and begin to try and make it up. I do a little. As Im finishing my last lap I begin to feel the effects of being worn out. Whats wrong. then I realize I havent been drinking much. Its a nice day out and not hot and I felt good and I drank a little but not much. I begin to drink water a nd then relaize What Im doing I have less then a lap left and 3/4 of a bottle of Nuun. I start drinking every few minutes By the time I reach the turn around I know Im almost done but Im seriously slowing down only averaging about 15-17 mph and slow on the hills. I pound the last of my nuun hoping its not to late to get the hydration back in my system. Drink more water as I come back round to the park entrance. I take the left to renter the park and push hard to the end. Again I hear Little Rachet..."How was that?" Louder then the rest of the crowd *Cowbell Clanging* I yell back, "It was Awesome!" and I dismount flawlessly. Within 3 strides I realize that my legs arent holding me up its my mind forcing my body to levitate as my legs pretend to work. Thats when the Steep incline heading back into Transition suddenly becomes the most difficult obstacle in the world. I dont know how I manged to make my legs do what they did but They held me up and I ran my bike down that hill and into T2.
T2
This seemed faster then T1 to me. But it wasnt! I racked and stripped my gloves and helmet. grabbing my hat I turn to go then I rmember I have other Gu packs in my bag. I shove my hand in and grab one and rip into it on the way out. Squeezing it into my mouth as I trudge out of T2 and down the long trail out to the course. I realize that the reason they tell you to take those things with water is because if you dont your mouth becomes a gooey things that makes you freak out. I pass my awesome family cheering me on the sidelines my little girls and my wife. It was so great to actually see someone. Man I could use some water to wash this Gu pack down. And then the cramps start!
Second Run
My calves are cramping into tennis balls I breath and try to relax but continue to run. I slow my pace a little and allow my body to adjust. The hard cramping goes away but I still feel the tension and know if I push hard they will come back. Arrghh! Its because I didnt drink sooner on the bike. I know it is hydration. I hope that the late ingestion of Nuun hits me pretty soon. This run is all trail, grass and dirt. As I approach the first hill the tension in my calves ease and I begin to feel better. I settle in and begin to just run finding a rhythm and just going. I increase my pace a bit trying to make up a little time from the cramping. I know its only a short ways but my head keeps screwing with me tell me the finish is a long ways off. I just keep pushing forward the calves are just sore from the cramping and I think im clear. I see a water table up ahead and volunteers handing out gatorade and water... I Should have taken the gatorade instead of the water. I see a girl really struggling and give her an encouraging word as I pass by. I keep trudging and I have less then a mile left. I feel tired. Im angry that I didnt drink more on the bike. Oh well lessons learned as I hit the short hill coming across the lake dam muscles just inside my knee on the bottom of my quads start to cramp and with each downward foot plant It seems to get worse. I eas my speed back again and try and minimize the cramping. Some little girl is directing traffic near one of the turns and I dont know what happened but she is telling us to stay to the left and the runners headed oout are being told stay to the Right and we are criss crossing each other and its very confusing. I can see the end and hear the crowd and I get that boost of knowing im almost done. Rachet is yelling at me to go and Im expecting some cowbell but I got nothing!! So I forget about the cowbell and push to the end .
Someone hands me a bottle of water and takes off my timing chip.
WOW Im done what an incredible experience. I wish it had been the real deal but Im still glad I did it and I learned some valuable lessons.
Things I learned
1 mile isnt very far push harder (only appropriate for shortened duathlons)
Secure nutrition to my bike better
Take more then what I need in case other accidents happen
Drink Drink Drink!
Practice Mounting while running.
More Bricks
More hill trianing (both running and cycling)
Seek out some guidance on gearing
Sunday Aug 28th 4:30 am
*ALARM*
I slept good I feel rested. Its time to put something in my stomach. I prepped some John McCann's Steel Cut Irish oats last night so they would be ready to heat & eat. Because I am OCD about forgetting crap I had gone through my gear bag a dozen times last night and laid out the stuff I would be putting on in the morning. I do my morning routine and eat some awesome oatmeal with some brown sugar.
I load the car up with all my gear and then pack all the cheerleaders in for the trip.
We are off! WAIT!
One quick stop at Perkins for some of that delicious Super Dark Blend coffee.
Ok now we are off...
======~48 min later~======
We arrive. There are already alot of athletes milling about moving gear and bikes warming up etc... I find a place to park just on the back side of transition and run off to find where I need to check in to pick up my timing chip. On my way to check in I bump into my friend LittleRachet from over at "Tri-ing to be a triathlete" Much of this craziness that I'm involved in is her fault. since this is my first Tri she is checking on me making sure im ready asking me questions. I have no clue my head is spinning from the excitement! I get directed to the proper tent to pick up my chip.
After chipping myself I go unload all my gear and find a spot for my bike and bag in transition. I dont know alot about transition strategy but here was mine. "Be able to find where I left all my stuff while Im out of breath and freaking out about why my legs have suddenly stopped listening to my brain." I decide that a spot on the end of a rack is best and find one next to a large oak tree. The 3rd tree in from the run exit. I place all my gear and check my tire pressure and my gearing. Then I tuck a Mocha Gu pack into my bike tool bag strap so I have it on the first leg of the bike. (<--this is important)
I have about 15 min before transition closes and the pre-race meeting begins. I eat a bag of Jelly Belly Sport Beans and talk with Little Rachet and my Wife for a few minutes before I run to the Port-o-John. LONG LINES but they are moving fast. I get done just as the pre-race meeting starts.
Race Meeting: Blah blah blah
Because the swim was cancelled they split the run and I will now be racing 1 mile run/15.5 mile bike/ 2.1 mile run
The Race
First run
Im racing as a Clydesdale (fat guy) so Im in the 5th wave of runners. My group is called up and I put myself about the middle of the pack. Im a short fat guy so standing in the middle of this Clyde pack was like being surrounded by sequoias. Im really getting wound up my heart rate is elevated Im way more nervouse then any 5k Ive ever run. I mentally try to calm myself as I know being this worked up will make me pace faster then I want too.
I honestly dont remember if there was a horn, or a shot, or just a "Go". I just started running when everyone else did. It seemed like everyone was pacing really fast and 100yards into the run I started rethinking my run strategy. This was only a mile run I can recover quickly from a mile run especially in the 2-3 transitioning from run to bike and gettign going on the bike. I up my pace a bit and and just stay with it to the end. finishing hard accross the line. In looking at my Garmin It was under 9 minutes I could have gone harder and wish I had after the fact. This race was a different dynamic.
T1
Running into transition I easily find my way to my spot either because I just remembered or because the prep of locating the big tree actually worked I dont know. I get to my bike put my helmet on and my gloves and unrack. I begin running through transition to the bike exit. The bike exit sits ono top of what is essentially a 4 foot vertical wall. Well its a road and transition is in the ditch so there is a 4 foot incline to get to the the roadway. I thought as I was leaving that incline was really steep and sucked. Little did I know! Once I get on the road I fumble gettign mounted and get going I must practice the mount a bit better. Things to work on. It was nice to hear Little Rachet tell me to calm down and just get going. Its strange I didnt see anyone but through all the commotion I hear this voice. Thanks!
Bike
I get going and I feel good legs feel strong and I feel like a slender reed slicing through the air. As I exit the Park there is a big Downhill grade somethign that will get me well over 30 MPH quickly. I get up to speed and immeditaley at the bottom of the hill I have to slow to make a corner. I stay very solid through the first Hill and once I get back on the main road to the out and back I feel great Im staying strong and passing a few people. I am of course gettign passed by the disk wheel/sperm helmet crowd but I expected that. There are alot of different levels of people on this ride. I hit the turn around and start powering back. The plan was to take my GU pack at the turn around. The turn around is followed by a hill back up. So I wait to take my gu pack till I get back to the flat. Wehn I crest the hill I situate to get back into a groove and go for my Gu pack just as I move my hand to grab it from the strap It slips from the strap and falls to the side of the road as I cruise on by. I say good bye to the only nutrition I brought with me on the bike. Im upset. I let it get to me. I know that Ive done bike rides this long before without nutrition boosts but for somereason my plan got disrupted and I let it get to me. A mile later I kick myself in the ass and tell myself to quit sulking about it and just SPIN on. Nothing I can do about it now. I settle back in and realize Ive lost some momentum and begin to try and make it up. I do a little. As Im finishing my last lap I begin to feel the effects of being worn out. Whats wrong. then I realize I havent been drinking much. Its a nice day out and not hot and I felt good and I drank a little but not much. I begin to drink water a nd then relaize What Im doing I have less then a lap left and 3/4 of a bottle of Nuun. I start drinking every few minutes By the time I reach the turn around I know Im almost done but Im seriously slowing down only averaging about 15-17 mph and slow on the hills. I pound the last of my nuun hoping its not to late to get the hydration back in my system. Drink more water as I come back round to the park entrance. I take the left to renter the park and push hard to the end. Again I hear Little Rachet..."How was that?" Louder then the rest of the crowd *Cowbell Clanging* I yell back, "It was Awesome!" and I dismount flawlessly. Within 3 strides I realize that my legs arent holding me up its my mind forcing my body to levitate as my legs pretend to work. Thats when the Steep incline heading back into Transition suddenly becomes the most difficult obstacle in the world. I dont know how I manged to make my legs do what they did but They held me up and I ran my bike down that hill and into T2.
T2
This seemed faster then T1 to me. But it wasnt! I racked and stripped my gloves and helmet. grabbing my hat I turn to go then I rmember I have other Gu packs in my bag. I shove my hand in and grab one and rip into it on the way out. Squeezing it into my mouth as I trudge out of T2 and down the long trail out to the course. I realize that the reason they tell you to take those things with water is because if you dont your mouth becomes a gooey things that makes you freak out. I pass my awesome family cheering me on the sidelines my little girls and my wife. It was so great to actually see someone. Man I could use some water to wash this Gu pack down. And then the cramps start!
Second Run
My calves are cramping into tennis balls I breath and try to relax but continue to run. I slow my pace a little and allow my body to adjust. The hard cramping goes away but I still feel the tension and know if I push hard they will come back. Arrghh! Its because I didnt drink sooner on the bike. I know it is hydration. I hope that the late ingestion of Nuun hits me pretty soon. This run is all trail, grass and dirt. As I approach the first hill the tension in my calves ease and I begin to feel better. I settle in and begin to just run finding a rhythm and just going. I increase my pace a bit trying to make up a little time from the cramping. I know its only a short ways but my head keeps screwing with me tell me the finish is a long ways off. I just keep pushing forward the calves are just sore from the cramping and I think im clear. I see a water table up ahead and volunteers handing out gatorade and water... I Should have taken the gatorade instead of the water. I see a girl really struggling and give her an encouraging word as I pass by. I keep trudging and I have less then a mile left. I feel tired. Im angry that I didnt drink more on the bike. Oh well lessons learned as I hit the short hill coming across the lake dam muscles just inside my knee on the bottom of my quads start to cramp and with each downward foot plant It seems to get worse. I eas my speed back again and try and minimize the cramping. Some little girl is directing traffic near one of the turns and I dont know what happened but she is telling us to stay to the left and the runners headed oout are being told stay to the Right and we are criss crossing each other and its very confusing. I can see the end and hear the crowd and I get that boost of knowing im almost done. Rachet is yelling at me to go and Im expecting some cowbell but I got nothing!! So I forget about the cowbell and push to the end .
Someone hands me a bottle of water and takes off my timing chip.
WOW Im done what an incredible experience. I wish it had been the real deal but Im still glad I did it and I learned some valuable lessons.
Things I learned
1 mile isnt very far push harder (only appropriate for shortened duathlons)
Secure nutrition to my bike better
Take more then what I need in case other accidents happen
Drink Drink Drink!
Practice Mounting while running.
More Bricks
More hill trianing (both running and cycling)
Seek out some guidance on gearing
Oct 1, 2010
Race Report:::2010 Pancake Day 5k - Sept, 25th 2010
Well I'm posting this pretty late. I haven't had a lot of time and have kind of had a rough couple of weeks with work. Additionally I have really struggled with my program and eating after this race.
Day before Race Day 9/24/10:
I had a post work picnic for work this evening. I worked until 5pm and then headed over to the picnic which started at 5:30. I was only going to stay long enough to eat and than take off as I had a 2 hour drive ahead of me. I didnt want to get up tomorrow to drive 2 hours and then hop out and race so I had planned to drive to my parents house and spend the night and have a 20 min drive to the race the next day. Unfortunately The picnic meal didnt get going till about 6:45 or 7 so I ate ( more that I should have) and bolted.
I drove to my house picked up my race bag with my garmin, my shoes, shirt, shorts, jacket and a change of clothes for the next day kissed the wife and kids and took off.
I arrived at about 10:15pm talked with Mom and Dad a little and then went to sleep.
Race Day 9/25/10
Pre Race
6:00 am - Wake up do my morning routine. Eat some breakfast 1 egg with and English muffin and some peanut butter.
7:15 am - Leave for the race. Its about a 20-25 min drive. I had my garmin on during the drive and noticed my resting HR escalate from about 68 when we left up to 77 by the time I arrived. Never really noticed
7:40 am - Picked up my Registration package. Went to stretch out and warm up. Its a chilly 62° F and I think it is about to rain
I was meeting my cousin to do this race. She had showed some interest in my progress and how well I was doing and she wanted to do this run so I offered to run this with her. As it turns out she brought her whole family. Her son, daughter, and husband all came to run with her. I was blown away. What a great bunch of support she has. Additionally her husband was recently diagnosed with cancer, Non hodgkins lymphoma I think. He was going to run too. I was seriously impressed and felt amped up about Her husband running.
7:58 am - Everyone is lining up. It looks and feels like it could rain. Honestly I don't feel the best about this race I just don't feel at the top of my game. We are all settling in and Im lined up next to My cousin and her husband. Im about middle of the pack halfway back. 150 participants lined up 10K, 5K, and 1 mile walkers.
The Race
8:00 am - Bang! We are off. Its kind of a mess lots of people are trying to jostle for position. I stay with my cousin and her husband Ill refer to them as A and J respectively. We stay together for the first 2 blocks and A my cousin kind of drops off a little slower. I should have as well but I stayed up with J as he was moving along pretty good. We begin to talk a little and he said he was doing great which was good to hear. I look down at my Garmin and see we are moving at a 9:30 pace much faster than I wanted to go out. I intended on running 12 min pace on the front half and 10 min pace on the back half. I slowed us down to about 11:30 pace it seemed to feel right and as I began to get into the run I really started feeling much better about the race.
8:10 am -We are just past the first 1k and J says he is doing good and I say something about how impressed I am and he says, "Ya me to I feel pretty good for having Chemo treatment on Wed." At that point I was blown away. I feel pretty good about how far I've come. This is going to be the first 5k that Ive run the whole distance without walking. Then J says he just had Chemo on Wed and I feel crappy about how little I have progressed but at the same time Just amazed at him. We keep going and we approach our 2k marker and J has to stop and walk I slow up a little and he tells me to go on. I really want to go on so I confirm that he is ok and then keep going. Im on my own now I get my pace back under control and start racing.
This whole course is city streets in some very nice quiet neighborhoods. Slight rolling hills nothing to major. At the 3k marker I hit a very steep downhhill which is immediately followed by a very steep uphill. I bounce through without to much problem. Nice flat on the backside and I am able to recover quickly. Im just running and as I approcah the halfway I check my pace and pick it up a little to about 10:45. That didn't last very long. I startedinto this hill a few minutes after my pace adjustment that just kept going. By the time a reached the top my pace had degraded to about 15 min pace just barely going. I knew I was close to the the 4K mark so I pushed through. I heard my Garmin "BEEP"! 1 more K to go. By this time I had rounded the last corner approaching the finish. The finish line was still almost a kilometer away but I could hear the cheering crowd and see the finish. It gave me a mental boost and I pushed ahead a little harder. I could tell I was wearing out and didn't want to blow my last bunch till I was a bit closer so I held off a little. As it turn out it looked farther than I thought because it was farther than I thought.
I'm running down this straight away getting closer to the finish line and all of a sudden. "BEEP" my Garmin alerts me that another 1K lap as just started. I look at my time and I'm like 35:11 and I still have 300-500 meters before I hit the finish line. When that happened I just felt my body give up I felt defeated by the inaccurate distance. Knowing that I had completed the 5K yet I still had further to go.
I see my Dad and Sister at the finish cheering for me as I cross. I really pushed my self at the end and I could feel my lungs and legs were on fire. I walked around to the coolers to grab some water.
The Finish
I finished 55th overall and 4th in my AG. So Im still at the bottom of the pack but I really did improve. If I look at my finish time I cut a minute off my time from the last 5k on July 3rd and If I look at my actual 5k time due to the inaccurate distance I improved by almost 3 minutes a PR for me! I finished with an Avg pace of 11:58 which is better than I expected and better than last time. And most importantly I finished running the whole thing. That was a huge accomplishment.
I cheered A and J as they both came in. It was way cool so proud of them both.
Not so proud of the event staff. There was no water left as the last participants crossed the finish line. How could they run out of water. My cousin did not even get any water. Very disappointed with the preparation.
And it started to rain....
Day before Race Day 9/24/10:
I had a post work picnic for work this evening. I worked until 5pm and then headed over to the picnic which started at 5:30. I was only going to stay long enough to eat and than take off as I had a 2 hour drive ahead of me. I didnt want to get up tomorrow to drive 2 hours and then hop out and race so I had planned to drive to my parents house and spend the night and have a 20 min drive to the race the next day. Unfortunately The picnic meal didnt get going till about 6:45 or 7 so I ate ( more that I should have) and bolted.
I drove to my house picked up my race bag with my garmin, my shoes, shirt, shorts, jacket and a change of clothes for the next day kissed the wife and kids and took off.
I arrived at about 10:15pm talked with Mom and Dad a little and then went to sleep.
Race Day 9/25/10
Pre Race
6:00 am - Wake up do my morning routine. Eat some breakfast 1 egg with and English muffin and some peanut butter.
7:15 am - Leave for the race. Its about a 20-25 min drive. I had my garmin on during the drive and noticed my resting HR escalate from about 68 when we left up to 77 by the time I arrived. Never really noticed
7:40 am - Picked up my Registration package. Went to stretch out and warm up. Its a chilly 62° F and I think it is about to rain
 |
| Just before the start |
7:58 am - Everyone is lining up. It looks and feels like it could rain. Honestly I don't feel the best about this race I just don't feel at the top of my game. We are all settling in and Im lined up next to My cousin and her husband. Im about middle of the pack halfway back. 150 participants lined up 10K, 5K, and 1 mile walkers.
The Race
8:00 am - Bang! We are off. Its kind of a mess lots of people are trying to jostle for position. I stay with my cousin and her husband Ill refer to them as A and J respectively. We stay together for the first 2 blocks and A my cousin kind of drops off a little slower. I should have as well but I stayed up with J as he was moving along pretty good. We begin to talk a little and he said he was doing great which was good to hear. I look down at my Garmin and see we are moving at a 9:30 pace much faster than I wanted to go out. I intended on running 12 min pace on the front half and 10 min pace on the back half. I slowed us down to about 11:30 pace it seemed to feel right and as I began to get into the run I really started feeling much better about the race.
8:10 am -We are just past the first 1k and J says he is doing good and I say something about how impressed I am and he says, "Ya me to I feel pretty good for having Chemo treatment on Wed." At that point I was blown away. I feel pretty good about how far I've come. This is going to be the first 5k that Ive run the whole distance without walking. Then J says he just had Chemo on Wed and I feel crappy about how little I have progressed but at the same time Just amazed at him. We keep going and we approach our 2k marker and J has to stop and walk I slow up a little and he tells me to go on. I really want to go on so I confirm that he is ok and then keep going. Im on my own now I get my pace back under control and start racing.
This whole course is city streets in some very nice quiet neighborhoods. Slight rolling hills nothing to major. At the 3k marker I hit a very steep downhhill which is immediately followed by a very steep uphill. I bounce through without to much problem. Nice flat on the backside and I am able to recover quickly. Im just running and as I approcah the halfway I check my pace and pick it up a little to about 10:45. That didn't last very long. I startedinto this hill a few minutes after my pace adjustment that just kept going. By the time a reached the top my pace had degraded to about 15 min pace just barely going. I knew I was close to the the 4K mark so I pushed through. I heard my Garmin "BEEP"! 1 more K to go. By this time I had rounded the last corner approaching the finish. The finish line was still almost a kilometer away but I could hear the cheering crowd and see the finish. It gave me a mental boost and I pushed ahead a little harder. I could tell I was wearing out and didn't want to blow my last bunch till I was a bit closer so I held off a little. As it turn out it looked farther than I thought because it was farther than I thought.
 |
| Official time 37:07 |
I see my Dad and Sister at the finish cheering for me as I cross. I really pushed my self at the end and I could feel my lungs and legs were on fire. I walked around to the coolers to grab some water.
The Finish
I finished 55th overall and 4th in my AG. So Im still at the bottom of the pack but I really did improve. If I look at my finish time I cut a minute off my time from the last 5k on July 3rd and If I look at my actual 5k time due to the inaccurate distance I improved by almost 3 minutes a PR for me! I finished with an Avg pace of 11:58 which is better than I expected and better than last time. And most importantly I finished running the whole thing. That was a huge accomplishment.
I cheered A and J as they both came in. It was way cool so proud of them both.
Not so proud of the event staff. There was no water left as the last participants crossed the finish line. How could they run out of water. My cousin did not even get any water. Very disappointed with the preparation.
And it started to rain....
Sep 19, 2010
Race Report:::Off the Beaten Path 3k Trail Run - Sept 18th, 2010
Pre Race:
5:00 am to 7:00 am - Rain
6:45am - I slept in a little as the race didn't start till 9:00am and I had everything laid out and ready the night before. I had a light breakfast of cold cereal and toast. I wish I had taken a granola bar for a small snack right before the race.
7:50am - Get in the car with my Cheerleaders, My Wife and 3 year old daughter, to drive to the race. Check in time is 8-8:45am.
8:10am - Check in. Wind is blowing a little and its about 63degreees. Not too cold with a jacket on. I picked up my race packet. Got my number #233, My long sleeve tshirt, a sample of "Wheaties Fuel", some advertisements and race instructions.
8:45am - Begin to stretch and warm up a little before. I decided at this point after walking out on the course a ways that it was too wet to wear my good primary pair of running shoes. So I wore my older pair. This made me a little nervous as I had not run in them in a while and was hoping the change in shoes would feel weird and make me unstable. I also found a large mudhole 25 yards from the start line that covered the entire width of the trail and was 12 feet across. Based on the location of the mudhole I planned on starting up front and going out fast to avoid a back up and a crowd of people trying to get through it. Good stretching and warm up. I felt pretty good. My fingers are cold!
9:00 am - Race officials inform us that they are delaying the start of the 3k until the 6k runners have reached the half way point. Additionally a group of about 5-8 students showed up at about 9:04 to register for the race. Very uncool!
9:17am - The late people are all registered and down at the starting line. They start to give race instructions. All the wooden bridges are very slippery and there are a few mud holes on the course due to rain.
The Race
9:20am - Ready, Set, Go
Im relatively close to the front and go out pretty quick. There really is only one way through the mudhole and I get caught behind one guy who wants to be careful luckily we both went out fast enough to still be out front. After the mud I backed off my pace a touch and settled into my real race pace. I rounded the first corner only 100 yards into the race and found a pretty good sized hill ahead of me. It was a bit larger than I had imagined unfortunately I didnt realize how big it really was. It just kept coming and kept going higher. when I finally did reach the top it was only a short while later and I passed the 1k marker. That stupid hill was almost a half a mile. At the top of the hill it crested and I had really the only flat for the entire rest of the race. I wish I had known that as I would have tried to recover a bit more.
I approached a Y in the trail where the 6k racers were entering the 3 k course. I felt defeated and I wasnt even half way. I began to descend the hill I just climbed and checked my Garmin. Surprisingly it seemed I was making really good time. I must have really pushed myself up the hill as I was coming down my pace seemed a little over a 9 min/mile. I felt great about that and kept up the pace I was at. A few of the students who started behind me began to pass me. I crossed a little wooden bridge which did seem a little slippery. This was about the half way point and as I progressed the course changed from open prairie grassland to a more secluded timber. The trail was a little softer under the trees and in some spots muddier almost as soon as I hit the woods the hills started coming again. Little steep suckers. They were short climbs but the grade was high. It made the run very difficult to recover. Every hill I crested at the bottom the next one would start. I really begin to feel like I wasnt going to be able to keep my pace. I passed the 2k marker and knew I had just over a half a mile left. That thought gave me a brief boost. I could see across the lake and could see the finish line where people were standing around. It was quite deceiving and I gave myself over to the false judge of distance. The hills keep coming. I finally began to realize that the finish line was a we bit further than I had gauged from my brief peak across the water. Just as that realization hit me I was confronted with the second largest hill on the course really it was quite moderate compared to the first one but as I began to climb it the whole of the rest of the race caught up to me and my thighs began to scream at me. I wanted to quit and walk right there and by the time I crested the top I nearly was at a walking pace. For a half a stride I said Im done and when I picked that back leg up and brought it forward I pushed on through. I could tell now that the dam of the lake which incidently was flat and was allso the final straight away to the finish line was coming up
I descended the hill and as it dipped down it came right back up another smaller one. I reached the top and was looking down into a steep descent to a clearing where the stright away began.
I dont know how but as I broke into that clearing I had a burst of energy that literally carried me through the finish. As I came down the final 100 yards I pushed I wanted to go faster but I just didnt have anything left in my reserve. I crossed the line at 21'59" about 2 min slower than I wanted but 2 min faster than I initially had thought I could do it when I signed up for it.
With every race I complete I learn a little more. I need more hill training. I should check the course out a little more. Dont get over confident.
I finished in 21'59" I placed 3rd in the Male, 30-39 AG.
Off the Beaten Path - Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve at Garmin Connect - Details
5:00 am to 7:00 am - Rain
6:45am - I slept in a little as the race didn't start till 9:00am and I had everything laid out and ready the night before. I had a light breakfast of cold cereal and toast. I wish I had taken a granola bar for a small snack right before the race.
7:50am - Get in the car with my Cheerleaders, My Wife and 3 year old daughter, to drive to the race. Check in time is 8-8:45am.
8:10am - Check in. Wind is blowing a little and its about 63degreees. Not too cold with a jacket on. I picked up my race packet. Got my number #233, My long sleeve tshirt, a sample of "Wheaties Fuel", some advertisements and race instructions.
8:45am - Begin to stretch and warm up a little before. I decided at this point after walking out on the course a ways that it was too wet to wear my good primary pair of running shoes. So I wore my older pair. This made me a little nervous as I had not run in them in a while and was hoping the change in shoes would feel weird and make me unstable. I also found a large mudhole 25 yards from the start line that covered the entire width of the trail and was 12 feet across. Based on the location of the mudhole I planned on starting up front and going out fast to avoid a back up and a crowd of people trying to get through it. Good stretching and warm up. I felt pretty good. My fingers are cold!
9:00 am - Race officials inform us that they are delaying the start of the 3k until the 6k runners have reached the half way point. Additionally a group of about 5-8 students showed up at about 9:04 to register for the race. Very uncool!
9:17am - The late people are all registered and down at the starting line. They start to give race instructions. All the wooden bridges are very slippery and there are a few mud holes on the course due to rain.
 |
| Just before the race |
The Race
9:20am - Ready, Set, Go
Im relatively close to the front and go out pretty quick. There really is only one way through the mudhole and I get caught behind one guy who wants to be careful luckily we both went out fast enough to still be out front. After the mud I backed off my pace a touch and settled into my real race pace. I rounded the first corner only 100 yards into the race and found a pretty good sized hill ahead of me. It was a bit larger than I had imagined unfortunately I didnt realize how big it really was. It just kept coming and kept going higher. when I finally did reach the top it was only a short while later and I passed the 1k marker. That stupid hill was almost a half a mile. At the top of the hill it crested and I had really the only flat for the entire rest of the race. I wish I had known that as I would have tried to recover a bit more.
I approached a Y in the trail where the 6k racers were entering the 3 k course. I felt defeated and I wasnt even half way. I began to descend the hill I just climbed and checked my Garmin. Surprisingly it seemed I was making really good time. I must have really pushed myself up the hill as I was coming down my pace seemed a little over a 9 min/mile. I felt great about that and kept up the pace I was at. A few of the students who started behind me began to pass me. I crossed a little wooden bridge which did seem a little slippery. This was about the half way point and as I progressed the course changed from open prairie grassland to a more secluded timber. The trail was a little softer under the trees and in some spots muddier almost as soon as I hit the woods the hills started coming again. Little steep suckers. They were short climbs but the grade was high. It made the run very difficult to recover. Every hill I crested at the bottom the next one would start. I really begin to feel like I wasnt going to be able to keep my pace. I passed the 2k marker and knew I had just over a half a mile left. That thought gave me a brief boost. I could see across the lake and could see the finish line where people were standing around. It was quite deceiving and I gave myself over to the false judge of distance. The hills keep coming. I finally began to realize that the finish line was a we bit further than I had gauged from my brief peak across the water. Just as that realization hit me I was confronted with the second largest hill on the course really it was quite moderate compared to the first one but as I began to climb it the whole of the rest of the race caught up to me and my thighs began to scream at me. I wanted to quit and walk right there and by the time I crested the top I nearly was at a walking pace. For a half a stride I said Im done and when I picked that back leg up and brought it forward I pushed on through. I could tell now that the dam of the lake which incidently was flat and was allso the final straight away to the finish line was coming up
I descended the hill and as it dipped down it came right back up another smaller one. I reached the top and was looking down into a steep descent to a clearing where the stright away began.I dont know how but as I broke into that clearing I had a burst of energy that literally carried me through the finish. As I came down the final 100 yards I pushed I wanted to go faster but I just didnt have anything left in my reserve. I crossed the line at 21'59" about 2 min slower than I wanted but 2 min faster than I initially had thought I could do it when I signed up for it.
With every race I complete I learn a little more. I need more hill training. I should check the course out a little more. Dont get over confident.
I finished in 21'59" I placed 3rd in the Male, 30-39 AG.
Off the Beaten Path - Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve at Garmin Connect - Details
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)