NYC Marathon

My bib number is 33370 if you want to track my progress. There should be a link on http://www.ingnycmarathon.org on race day. I am scheduled to start at 10AM in the "Green" corral so hopefully I'll be done by a little after 2. Just in time to get cleaned up and have a tasty beer.

Fall Classic Du

Last weekend I did my last duathlon of the season, the Fall Classic that is put on by my Tri Club. The race is a short fast course consisting of a 2 mile run, 14 mile bike and then another 2 mile run.

I got to Lake Overholser early to help set up and hand out packets. There were a lot of new people out there so I had to answer a lot of questions, which was fun. It was VERY windy and everyone was concerned about that. Last year a lady was blown off her bike and broke her pelvis. Pretty crazy. About 30 minutes before the race I started getting ready checking everything one last time. This was my 3rd year doing this race. In 2006 I did it in 1:34:54, last year I did it in 1:34:57, so pretty close.

A couple minutes before the start we all made our way up to the line. We took off at the shot gun start and I was in the front quarter of the pack. Since this is a pretty short race every one was really pushing it. I made it to the turn around I was feeling really good so I kept pushing. I entered into the bike area at 13:54, a little under 7 min/mile. I was out on the bike course in under 30 seconds (fast for me) and started hammering on the bike.

I passed my share of people but got passed by a few too. The first part of the ride was really nice, slight downhill and the wind at our back. We made the first turn and got sideswiped by the wind. Not too long after that it was straight into the 25mph wind and everyone was crawling. It was just a matter of keep spinning and get through this part. Finally made it to the bike turn around and had the wind at my back again. Flying along again until the wind in the home stretch. Ended up finish the 14 mile bike in 43:45. Transition was 18 seconds since I just had to take my helmet off.

The second run was just go as hard as you can and hang on. I started out and felt like I was so slow, but I was running 8min/mi pace. Finally got my legs back and pushed a little more. The final turn came and I was able to keep in front of a guy I heard sneaking up. I did the 2 miles this time in 15:10 for a finishing time of 1:13:33.

I was 30th out of 127 and 4th in my age group. Less than 2 minutes kept me from placing. So close. The good thing was now my wife says I need some race wheels to go a little faster on the bike. Who am I to complain? I think I know what I am going to ask for for Christmas.

Next up is the NYC Marathon.

Travel Time

I spent this week traveling in Atlanta for work. It is amazing how much meetings can wear you out. Just something about sitting around talking all day. I would rather be at my desk banging out work on my keyboard. It was nice to see some friends again and hang out. It makes up for all the other stuff.

I was still able to get my runs in so I am still on schedule for the marathons. I can't believe we will be in New York in just a couple weeks. Tuesday I did 4 miles, Wednesday I got in 7 and Friday 10. I did find a cool greenway with a sidewalk through the woods. I think I am going to take my head lamp next week when I go back so I can see a little better. I got freaked out by a couple fawns running out in front of me. This weekend I have my last duathlon of the season so I get to break out the bike one more time to race. Then back to Atlanta for another few days. Fun stuff.

Race For the Cure

This weekend I ran in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 5k. This was my first 5k run since July 4th, so I really wasn't sure how fast I could go. I have been focusing on distance not speed. Kim was doing the 1 mile walk with a couple of her friends. We got there about 15 minutes before the race started since the street we were on was closed and we had to walk a ways. There were a LOT more people than I thought would be there. I heard there were over 15,000 people out doing the walk and run. I made my way up to the very front of the huge pack so I wouldn't have to dodge people the whole way.

The gun went off and we all took off in what felt like a sprint. Probably because we were. My heart rate about a mile in was 190 beats per minute. My max is about 208, so I was redlining it and stayed right there the whole time. I just tried to keep going and only thought about how I was a quarter done, half done, etc and just ignore the pain. We turned the last corner and saw the finish line and I was at about 21 minutes. I started into my last sprint kick and crossed the line in 21:54, a new record for me by about 30 seconds. I felt like I was going to throw up, but it was the good feeling. I got some water and met up with Kims friends and headed back home to relax and watch some football.