Last Sunday I did the Frost Bike 50 that started up at Cy-Fair College. I did this ride last year but I only did the 45 mile route. This year I did the 55 mile route (actually came in at 52 miles). It was cold but it wasn't as bad as last year. The temperature never cracked 50 but it was good riding weather. The ride was pretty uneventful but it's one that I enjoy. After the ride I did a short run. I really need to start some bricks. I have not done one in a few months and my legs reminded me of it. I still feel pretty good about my training and things are all coming back together.
This week I have not done as much work due to work, my birthday and just being tired. Since Sunday I have done one short swim and I did an 11 mile run yesterday. Today I plan to swim and lift weights and then I plan on riding with the team tomorrow. The plan is 56 miles. Sunday I want to get in a long run but I'll see how I'm feeling.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Houston Marathon
Sunday I ran the Houston Marathon. I finally had some good luck at this event. Before I get into the details of the race I want to thank my family for coming out and watching me run. Thank you Alex, Jessica and Mary. It meant a lot to have you out there.
Now for the race. I woke up a little before 4am and I started fueling up for the race. Shortly after I woke up I stepped awkwardly on my left foot and my ankle and my Achilles tendon became very sore and I of course was very worried. This soreness would present some problems during the race.
We arrived to the race around 5:45am and as usual I was nervous. I was stretching inside the convention center and I just couldn't get my ankle feeling right. Around 6:45 am I headed out to the start line where I ran into Skyler who was running his first marathon. A little after 7am we were off. Initially Skyler pulled ahead of me and about a mile in he slowed because he felt his pace was a little too quick.
My ankle and Achilles were sore throughout the race but the pain was manageable initially. Skyler kept running at a good pace and were on target through 9 miles. At mile 11 which was around Rice University we ran into Dave Vega and he ran with us for a little bit. Skyler and I kept trucking along and at the halfway point we pacing at a time of 4:15:00. This was right where I wanted to be.
As we continued on from miles 13 to 20 the pain kept increasing but we seemed to be keeping our pace. My Achilles at this point felt like it was going to snap but I wanted to keep going. I knew I was going to make it when I reached Woodway because I knew that it was a straight shot to the finish line. As Skyler and I reached Memorial Park which was around mile 20 the pain really became intense and I really wanted to stop and walk. Thank God Skyler was there because I probably would have. This is also the point where the runners start to fall apart.
During the run up Memorial and through the park there were bodies everywhere. The heat was starting to increase and I know the pain was unbearable for most of the runners. As we continued up Memorial I pointed up the road to the Michelob Ultra stand I could not wait to get there. I downed a beer and it was the greatest beer I think I have ever had. Skyler and I motored on and we ran into Liz who gave us some Motrin that would have to get us through the race. I asked her why we did these things? She reminded that I am an Ironman. I accepted it and moved on. A few minutes later Skyler asked me the same question and my answer was because we are stupid.(sorry I was hurting) We kept moving along through mile 22, 23 and 24 walking for a minute here and there. We saw Dave again around mile 24 along with Heather and the rest of Skyler's family. At mile 25 we were walking and we ran into Nikki and Jonathan who ran the Half Marathon. At this point we started running again and Jonathan ran the rest of the way with us. We really picked up the pace at this point and the pain was excruciating. Skyler pulled ahead of me as we sprinted in to the finish.
My time was 4:24:59 which was around 3 minutes better than my previous PR. I am very happy that ankle held up and that I was finally able to have a good day at this event. I also want to thank Skyler for running with me. I don't think I would have done as well without him there.
As proud as I am of my own achievement I want to say that I am even more proud of all of the athletes that I coach that finished the event. With that said I want to give credit to Liz for getting most of these athletes started with endurance events but I had the honor of taking them to the next level. Nikki Vardeman just completed her second half marathon since joining the Lone Star Team and Skyler Moss just completed his first marathon. The Vellecas finished their first half marathon and even though they trained with the marathon team and our team I am sure our multi-sport training helped. Nikki Frank and Ashley Hester set PR's and Crystal had a great day as well. A week ago Lori Ivanoff finished her first half marathon and it was her longest run to date. And of course it was Norma's first half-marathon and I am very proud of her and this great accomplishment. I know she had a few injuries and she was still able to make it to the finish line. Congratulations to all who finished the event.
This is the first event of my 2009 schedule. I have a busy year and I am hoping that my body will hold up. Sunday I am riding the Frost Bike 50 so hopefully it will be another productive day.
Now for the race. I woke up a little before 4am and I started fueling up for the race. Shortly after I woke up I stepped awkwardly on my left foot and my ankle and my Achilles tendon became very sore and I of course was very worried. This soreness would present some problems during the race.
We arrived to the race around 5:45am and as usual I was nervous. I was stretching inside the convention center and I just couldn't get my ankle feeling right. Around 6:45 am I headed out to the start line where I ran into Skyler who was running his first marathon. A little after 7am we were off. Initially Skyler pulled ahead of me and about a mile in he slowed because he felt his pace was a little too quick.
My ankle and Achilles were sore throughout the race but the pain was manageable initially. Skyler kept running at a good pace and were on target through 9 miles. At mile 11 which was around Rice University we ran into Dave Vega and he ran with us for a little bit. Skyler and I kept trucking along and at the halfway point we pacing at a time of 4:15:00. This was right where I wanted to be.
As we continued on from miles 13 to 20 the pain kept increasing but we seemed to be keeping our pace. My Achilles at this point felt like it was going to snap but I wanted to keep going. I knew I was going to make it when I reached Woodway because I knew that it was a straight shot to the finish line. As Skyler and I reached Memorial Park which was around mile 20 the pain really became intense and I really wanted to stop and walk. Thank God Skyler was there because I probably would have. This is also the point where the runners start to fall apart.
During the run up Memorial and through the park there were bodies everywhere. The heat was starting to increase and I know the pain was unbearable for most of the runners. As we continued up Memorial I pointed up the road to the Michelob Ultra stand I could not wait to get there. I downed a beer and it was the greatest beer I think I have ever had. Skyler and I motored on and we ran into Liz who gave us some Motrin that would have to get us through the race. I asked her why we did these things? She reminded that I am an Ironman. I accepted it and moved on. A few minutes later Skyler asked me the same question and my answer was because we are stupid.(sorry I was hurting) We kept moving along through mile 22, 23 and 24 walking for a minute here and there. We saw Dave again around mile 24 along with Heather and the rest of Skyler's family. At mile 25 we were walking and we ran into Nikki and Jonathan who ran the Half Marathon. At this point we started running again and Jonathan ran the rest of the way with us. We really picked up the pace at this point and the pain was excruciating. Skyler pulled ahead of me as we sprinted in to the finish.
My time was 4:24:59 which was around 3 minutes better than my previous PR. I am very happy that ankle held up and that I was finally able to have a good day at this event. I also want to thank Skyler for running with me. I don't think I would have done as well without him there.
As proud as I am of my own achievement I want to say that I am even more proud of all of the athletes that I coach that finished the event. With that said I want to give credit to Liz for getting most of these athletes started with endurance events but I had the honor of taking them to the next level. Nikki Vardeman just completed her second half marathon since joining the Lone Star Team and Skyler Moss just completed his first marathon. The Vellecas finished their first half marathon and even though they trained with the marathon team and our team I am sure our multi-sport training helped. Nikki Frank and Ashley Hester set PR's and Crystal had a great day as well. A week ago Lori Ivanoff finished her first half marathon and it was her longest run to date. And of course it was Norma's first half-marathon and I am very proud of her and this great accomplishment. I know she had a few injuries and she was still able to make it to the finish line. Congratulations to all who finished the event.
This is the first event of my 2009 schedule. I have a busy year and I am hoping that my body will hold up. Sunday I am riding the Frost Bike 50 so hopefully it will be another productive day.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Oh my here we go!
So I am just a couple of days from the Houston Marathon and the start of my 2009 season. I feel like I am ready for the race but I wish my weight was a little lower. I'm still struggling with my holiday weight but I know I will be able to take it off over the next couple months. I am looking forward to the race on Sunday for a few reasons. The main reason is that I have not had much luck at the Houston Marathon and I want to turn it around. In 2007, Houston was my very first marathon and it was a disaster due to improper training, improper diet and the wrong shoes. In 2008 I had to drop to the half-marathon and ended up walking most of that due to a severe hip and calf injury. I have a sore back but I have been running with it for the past few weeks and it hasn't slowed me too much. With all that said I am hoping to at least match my time in San Antonio and come out injury free.
I'll will send my race report and hopefully a few pictures by Monday.
Later Dudes!
I'll will send my race report and hopefully a few pictures by Monday.
Later Dudes!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Rage 2009
No this is not another post about my anger management issues. This is going to be my first 1/2 Ironman of 2009. This is a race in Las Vegas in April. I am going to Vegas for a meeting and there happens to be a 1/2 Ironman the day after our meeting ends and I thought it would be a great start to my triathlon season. I am not sure if I will get a tune up race prior to Rage 2009 but I am sure I will be OK. This works out well in my training for my IM Cozumel race and it should force me to get my act together.
On another note my daughter informed me recently that she is ready to tackle triathlons. I've asked twice if she is serious and I will probably ask her one more time before I start training her. I think it would be awesome if she gets involved in the sport and it be great to able to spend more time with her. I am also hoping that my son will want to join us as well. So needless to say I am pretty excited about the prospect of the three crossing the finish line at the same race. Hopefully they won't beat me by too much.
On another note my daughter informed me recently that she is ready to tackle triathlons. I've asked twice if she is serious and I will probably ask her one more time before I start training her. I think it would be awesome if she gets involved in the sport and it be great to able to spend more time with her. I am also hoping that my son will want to join us as well. So needless to say I am pretty excited about the prospect of the three crossing the finish line at the same race. Hopefully they won't beat me by too much.
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