Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Shamrock Run 15k
Had a pretty good race on Sunday at the Portland Shamrock Run. More than 21,000 people registered to participate in the 15k, 8k, 5k and kids run (about as many people who run the Boston Marathon!! GO PORTLAND!). I ran the 15k (which is the first race I EVER ran five years ago), and clocked in a 52:32 (5:38 pace). My time was good enough for 17th overall (only 9th in my age group though) in a field of almost 4,000 runners. The front end of the field is pretty damn competitive with plenty of dedicated runners who run on Nike sponsored teams and such. It was both humbling and confidence building to be able to run amongst some of them. This is a pretty challenging race because from .5mile in to 5.5miles in, its pretty much all uphill (where I was averaging about 5:59 pace), then you get to go downhill the rest of the way until about .8miles to go where it flattens out. I was able to hammer out a 5:26, 5:14, and 5:11 for my last three miles! Coach had me hold back a little the first 3miles and keep my heart rate in check. After that the leash was off and I was able to let loose. This was a good confidence and strength building race, but will likely be the last 'just running' race I'll do the rest of the year as Triathlon season is right around the corner.
In other news, training has been going extremely well. I am not putting in HUGE 20hr plus training weeks, but I have been getting consistent 16-17 hour weeks in and have not missed a scheduled workout in months. I'm taking great care of the body as far as recovery and resting goes. I've also been very dedicated about eating healthy, and have made a personal goal to give up alcohol completely until after Ironman CdA (its been four weeks now). I have gone out a few evenings with friends and had a great time, laughing and joking around with everyone completely sober. Since the waitresses and bartenders are annoyed by the "water guys", I still tip for good water service! I've never been a huge consistent drinker but if I did go out and drink on the weekend I would usually drink a lot and it affects my big weekend workouts the next day. This year I owe it to myself to see how great of an athlete I can really be. Since I am single or the first time since I took up this sport, I can keep a simple life of training, eating, working, training, eating and sleeping. And I am completely happy with that!!
Up Next: Spring Classic Duathlon- 5k run, 15mi bike, 5k run Saturday, April 3rd
In other news, training has been going extremely well. I am not putting in HUGE 20hr plus training weeks, but I have been getting consistent 16-17 hour weeks in and have not missed a scheduled workout in months. I'm taking great care of the body as far as recovery and resting goes. I've also been very dedicated about eating healthy, and have made a personal goal to give up alcohol completely until after Ironman CdA (its been four weeks now). I have gone out a few evenings with friends and had a great time, laughing and joking around with everyone completely sober. Since the waitresses and bartenders are annoyed by the "water guys", I still tip for good water service! I've never been a huge consistent drinker but if I did go out and drink on the weekend I would usually drink a lot and it affects my big weekend workouts the next day. This year I owe it to myself to see how great of an athlete I can really be. Since I am single or the first time since I took up this sport, I can keep a simple life of training, eating, working, training, eating and sleeping. And I am completely happy with that!!
Up Next: Spring Classic Duathlon- 5k run, 15mi bike, 5k run Saturday, April 3rd
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
2010 baby!
Whats up! I've been training strong, steady and consistent so far this year. Most importantly I have been recovering/bouncing back from big workouts very well. While I do have some added stresses in my life with the new business, new office, new employees for GrindStone, life at home is quiet and stress free.
On Jan 24th I pr'd at the V Lake Half Marathon in 1:14:09 (5:39 pace), a 1:02 improvement from 2009's race. I had to fight and pass two guys in the final two miles to take 10th place overall. Only two years ago I would have won the race by a minute with that time, but that race is getting more and more competitive each year!!
Ironman training is underway. The big race this season is Ironman CdA on June 27th. For the first time, I do not have any races on my schedule for July and beyond. Everything I do in training and the lifestyle sacrifices I am making are all about this race. If all goes as planned, I will only have one more race after June 27th......and that wont be til October!! ..Stay tuned...
Until then, I'll be running strong at the Shamrock Run 15k on March 14th. This exact race is the first race I ever entered (after 3 months of training myself running, not knowing what the heck I was doing)....On 3/13/05, I dragged all 204 pounds of me through that race at a 6:55 pace, finishing in 1:04:32. I was so happy and fell hard for endurance sports on that day.
April 3rd- Spring Classic Duathlon- Going try and win this race for the 3rd year in a row! I should have some tough competition so it will be interesting and I do not expect to run away with this one....it will be a fight.
May 1st- Wildflower Half Ironman- Looking for some redemption at this race after last year. I felt I had the fitness and strength to finish at least 10minutes faster than I did. But I raced the course the wrong way, attacking the bike way too early and paying for it the rest of the day. This year I'll be playing my cards right, and will look to make an early statement two months before CdA.
-Monda
On Jan 24th I pr'd at the V Lake Half Marathon in 1:14:09 (5:39 pace), a 1:02 improvement from 2009's race. I had to fight and pass two guys in the final two miles to take 10th place overall. Only two years ago I would have won the race by a minute with that time, but that race is getting more and more competitive each year!!
Ironman training is underway. The big race this season is Ironman CdA on June 27th. For the first time, I do not have any races on my schedule for July and beyond. Everything I do in training and the lifestyle sacrifices I am making are all about this race. If all goes as planned, I will only have one more race after June 27th......and that wont be til October!! ..Stay tuned...
Until then, I'll be running strong at the Shamrock Run 15k on March 14th. This exact race is the first race I ever entered (after 3 months of training myself running, not knowing what the heck I was doing)....On 3/13/05, I dragged all 204 pounds of me through that race at a 6:55 pace, finishing in 1:04:32. I was so happy and fell hard for endurance sports on that day.
April 3rd- Spring Classic Duathlon- Going try and win this race for the 3rd year in a row! I should have some tough competition so it will be interesting and I do not expect to run away with this one....it will be a fight.
May 1st- Wildflower Half Ironman- Looking for some redemption at this race after last year. I felt I had the fitness and strength to finish at least 10minutes faster than I did. But I raced the course the wrong way, attacking the bike way too early and paying for it the rest of the day. This year I'll be playing my cards right, and will look to make an early statement two months before CdA.
-Monda
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