Last weekend was the one year anniversary of my first IronMan. It was in Cozumel and it was one of the most exciting things I have ever been a part of. As I was getting updates on Lauren, Laura and Johnny who were doing the 2nd annual event I couldn't help but be a little jealous. It was such an accomplishment for me to finish that race and I really wanted to be there racing it again. I first want to say that I am very proud of Lauren and Laura for finishing their 1st IronMan event. They have both been good friends to me and I'm really excited for them. As for Johnny, he had a tough day having to stop racing due to an illness. I know this sucks for him but anyone who knows Johnny, knows he will be back stronger than ever.
I just wanted put a few thoughts down regarding the event. I really loved this event and I hope to do it again in the future. As for me, the training is moving along well. I am very excited for 2011 and what the new race season will bring.
Later Dudes!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Turkey Trot 2010
On Thanksgiving I did my first Turkey Trot. I did this run in Dallas and it was a lot of fun. The run consisted of 2 distances a 5k and a 8 mile run. I chose the 8 mile run. Here are the run details:
When I woke up to head to downtown Dallas I was not sure what to wear for the run. It wasn't super cold but it was supposed to get colder as morning went on. I decided to bring warm and cool weather gear and I would decide before the race started. When we arrived downtown my decision on what to wear was not any easier so I ended up in shorts and a running jacket. This ended up being a good decision. It was windy and cold and I felt just right with what I wore.
The start line was a little bit of a mess. There were non-timed runners mixed with the timed runners and knew I did not want run through the people that were not going for time. Norma and I started making our way through the crowd and eventually made it towards the front of the pack. As we waited for the race to start we saw that we were standing next to a kid in a Gumby suit that was stretching and was looking to run a fast race. I thought to myself just don't let Gumby beat you. As the race got underway Gumby took off and I thought so much for not letting Gumby beat you. I just hope he was only running the 5k.
As the run started I was a little sore and the wind and cold were getting to me. I felt like I was running in place but I had a decent pace going. As I reached mile 1 I was looking forward to a an aid station because I needed some fluids. Unfortunately there was no aid station in sight. I kept going as I felt pretty good overall and I knew I could go another mile. At mile 2 there was an aid station but there was only water and I was hoping for some Gatorade. Nevertheless, I motored on keeping a decent pace. I wasn't sure if I could maintain my pace without the Gatorade but I was determined. As the turnoff for the 5k approached I thought about cutting my run short but thought better of it and kept on. As I reached the halfway point of the run there was a boy, probably 8 or 9, who asked me what run route we were on. I told him that we are on the 8 mile route. He threw his hands up in the air in disgust. It seems he missed the turn for the 5k and he really was not prepared for the 8 mile run. Two men running near me told the boy he was their hero and that he could run with them. They took off and I never saw them again. I'm glad I don't get bothered by little kids kicking my but in these events anymore. As I made my way to the aid stations at mile 4 and 6 I was disappointed to find they were stocked with only water. I knew this was as good as its going to get. I was regretting not buying some Gatorade prior to the run but I knew I would make it. The last few miles were tough because a couple of overpasses that I was not prepared for but I held it together. Overall, I felt pretty good for the event and the final for the 8 miles was 1:07:23. Not too bad for my 1st road race since the 2009 Houston Half Marathon.
After the race I finally found some Gatorade. I refueled and headed back onto the course to find Norma. I found her about a mile from the finish and she was moving well. I ran the last of the race with her and this allowed me clock in 10 miles for the day. I had a great time and I thought this was a good event that I would definitely do this race again in the future.
After not doing any cycling or running events in 2010 I found a way to do one of each in a 5 day period. Not too bad.
Bye for now!
When I woke up to head to downtown Dallas I was not sure what to wear for the run. It wasn't super cold but it was supposed to get colder as morning went on. I decided to bring warm and cool weather gear and I would decide before the race started. When we arrived downtown my decision on what to wear was not any easier so I ended up in shorts and a running jacket. This ended up being a good decision. It was windy and cold and I felt just right with what I wore.
The start line was a little bit of a mess. There were non-timed runners mixed with the timed runners and knew I did not want run through the people that were not going for time. Norma and I started making our way through the crowd and eventually made it towards the front of the pack. As we waited for the race to start we saw that we were standing next to a kid in a Gumby suit that was stretching and was looking to run a fast race. I thought to myself just don't let Gumby beat you. As the race got underway Gumby took off and I thought so much for not letting Gumby beat you. I just hope he was only running the 5k.
As the run started I was a little sore and the wind and cold were getting to me. I felt like I was running in place but I had a decent pace going. As I reached mile 1 I was looking forward to a an aid station because I needed some fluids. Unfortunately there was no aid station in sight. I kept going as I felt pretty good overall and I knew I could go another mile. At mile 2 there was an aid station but there was only water and I was hoping for some Gatorade. Nevertheless, I motored on keeping a decent pace. I wasn't sure if I could maintain my pace without the Gatorade but I was determined. As the turnoff for the 5k approached I thought about cutting my run short but thought better of it and kept on. As I reached the halfway point of the run there was a boy, probably 8 or 9, who asked me what run route we were on. I told him that we are on the 8 mile route. He threw his hands up in the air in disgust. It seems he missed the turn for the 5k and he really was not prepared for the 8 mile run. Two men running near me told the boy he was their hero and that he could run with them. They took off and I never saw them again. I'm glad I don't get bothered by little kids kicking my but in these events anymore. As I made my way to the aid stations at mile 4 and 6 I was disappointed to find they were stocked with only water. I knew this was as good as its going to get. I was regretting not buying some Gatorade prior to the run but I knew I would make it. The last few miles were tough because a couple of overpasses that I was not prepared for but I held it together. Overall, I felt pretty good for the event and the final for the 8 miles was 1:07:23. Not too bad for my 1st road race since the 2009 Houston Half Marathon.
After the race I finally found some Gatorade. I refueled and headed back onto the course to find Norma. I found her about a mile from the finish and she was moving well. I ran the last of the race with her and this allowed me clock in 10 miles for the day. I had a great time and I thought this was a good event that I would definitely do this race again in the future.
After not doing any cycling or running events in 2010 I found a way to do one of each in a 5 day period. Not too bad.
Bye for now!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Red White and Bike
Last Sunday I did the Red, White and Bike in Hockley. It was my first organized bike ride in over a year. This was a ride that benefited the children of Purple Heart recipients. The proceeds provide bicycles to these children. As for the ride it was a tough one. The route was hilly and it was a very windy one. I rode the 40 mile route with my tri team and I had a great time. I didn't ride for speed (at least for the most part) I just rode to get the miles in. One a great note due to the the tri team having 20 riders we were able to have a bike dedicated to a child in the team's name. I want to thank Lori Ivanoff for organizing everyone to do this event. This is a great cause and it was a lot of fun!
Sorry for the short post. Pictures will follow.
Bye for now!
http://www.redwhiteandbike.org/
Sorry for the short post. Pictures will follow.
Bye for now!
http://www.redwhiteandbike.org/
Monday, November 8, 2010
2010 Trail Run to Benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
On Sunday November 7, 2010 I ran the 2010 Trail Run to Benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This was a fund-raiser for those of us running in one of the TNT events in January. It was 3.85 mile trail run through the Memorial Park Mountain Bike Trails. I have never done trail running but I had a blast. It was tough running and I was very sore after but I definitely want to try my hand at a trail run in the future. Here are the run details:
We started the run near the Picnic Loop and made our way to the Mountain Bike Trail. After a brief run through the trail we exited along Memorial Blvd and then we had to complete an obstacle. It was easy, just a quick run across some 2 X 4's. At this time I was in 5th place and I was feeling good. We then re-entered the trail and weaved through the woods. It was fun but not the fastest running. After about 2.9 miles of tough running we exited the trails and we had another obstacle. This time we had to run through tires and then crawl through some tubing. This was little tougher because the tubing moved as you crawled through it. After making it through I made it to the aid station where one of the runners ahead of me dropped out. This put me in 4th. We then ran back onto the trails near the baseball fields for the last portion of the race. The trails were basically the same and we exited close to the bridge that crosses Memorial. This is where the 3rd and final obstacle was. For this challenge we had to Army crawl under a tarp and then run through some more tires and then it was a straight shot back to the finish line. At this point I was tied for 3rd. As we made it towards the finish I turned up the speed and finished 3rd overall. This was obviously a very small event with a little over 30 runners. With that said I was still excited to finish 3rd overall. It was my 1st podium finish ever. After the run, I put in another 7 miles of running. It was slow and I was hurting but I needed the miles.
The training is still going well and I hope to get a few more runs and rides in this week. I feel like I am getting closer to being ready for the Goofy Challenge and the Houston Marathon. I'm looking forward to both.
Bye for now!
We started the run near the Picnic Loop and made our way to the Mountain Bike Trail. After a brief run through the trail we exited along Memorial Blvd and then we had to complete an obstacle. It was easy, just a quick run across some 2 X 4's. At this time I was in 5th place and I was feeling good. We then re-entered the trail and weaved through the woods. It was fun but not the fastest running. After about 2.9 miles of tough running we exited the trails and we had another obstacle. This time we had to run through tires and then crawl through some tubing. This was little tougher because the tubing moved as you crawled through it. After making it through I made it to the aid station where one of the runners ahead of me dropped out. This put me in 4th. We then ran back onto the trails near the baseball fields for the last portion of the race. The trails were basically the same and we exited close to the bridge that crosses Memorial. This is where the 3rd and final obstacle was. For this challenge we had to Army crawl under a tarp and then run through some more tires and then it was a straight shot back to the finish line. At this point I was tied for 3rd. As we made it towards the finish I turned up the speed and finished 3rd overall. This was obviously a very small event with a little over 30 runners. With that said I was still excited to finish 3rd overall. It was my 1st podium finish ever. After the run, I put in another 7 miles of running. It was slow and I was hurting but I needed the miles.
The training is still going well and I hope to get a few more runs and rides in this week. I feel like I am getting closer to being ready for the Goofy Challenge and the Houston Marathon. I'm looking forward to both.
Bye for now!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Triathlon Season is Over
I know I haven't put a post up in a while due to nothing really to report. I have made a tough decision to end my triathlon season at 6 races. I had planned to do Iron Star on November 7th but I think my time would be better spent on a fund-raiser that I have going on that morning and I'm just not sure what I would get out of this race. I know I could complete it but I definitely don't feel like I normally do going into a race of this distance. When I do long course racing I need to be in top shape physically and mentally and I definitely don't feel that way now. With all that said 6 triathlons is a good number. It is the earliest I have ended my multi-sport season since 2005 but I stuck to something I promised myself, take it easy in 2010. I have done no running events and no cycling events to date and my triathlons consisted of 3 Sprints and 3 Olympics. All in all not a bad triathlon season.
So what's next? I do have two big running events in January. I have the Goofy Challenge (please donate to my fund-raising) and I have the Houston Marathon. I also have the big race of 2011, IronMan Texas in May. That is the big focus for now. I know I will be back at it with a number of long course races in addition to IMTX in 2011.
Lastly, I am saying that I'm not feeling up to doing a half-ironman but I have been training. My running is going very well and the cycling and swimming is not too bad. It just doesn't feel right at this time. I will be updating my blog a little more frequently with my training updates and you never know I might sneak in a running or cycling event before the end of the year.
Bye for now!
So what's next? I do have two big running events in January. I have the Goofy Challenge (please donate to my fund-raising) and I have the Houston Marathon. I also have the big race of 2011, IronMan Texas in May. That is the big focus for now. I know I will be back at it with a number of long course races in addition to IMTX in 2011.
Lastly, I am saying that I'm not feeling up to doing a half-ironman but I have been training. My running is going very well and the cycling and swimming is not too bad. It just doesn't feel right at this time. I will be updating my blog a little more frequently with my training updates and you never know I might sneak in a running or cycling event before the end of the year.
Bye for now!
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