Running Milestone

Since my schedule doesn't allow for a lot of cycling (or timely blogging), I have been running.  I also decided to use this time to attempt to scratch some accomplishments off the exercise bucket list as well as build the confidence to do the ultimate on my bucket list, complete a Kona Ironman someday.  So the running portion of the exercise bucket list consisted of a half-marathon and then a full marathon.  I tackled the first part of that about a week ago at the Austin Livestrong Half Marathon.  I ran the half marathon distance twice in the training leading up to the race so I was confident that I could run the full length.  I also wanted to run a sub 1:45 half marathon but I was nervous because I had heard the Austin course was somewhat difficult for a first timer and I had never run with any sort of group, let alone 18,000 people.

My beautiful wife drove me down and dropped me off as close as she could get me about 20 minutes before the start of the race.  I made my way into the start area and found the area for my "pace".  The race was set up so the fastest people start in the front and everyone lines up by pace behind them.  The weather was beautiful and soon we were off.  The first mile was hectic to say the least.  I quickly learned that a lot of people lined up near the front but had no intention of running a fast pace.  I also started out much faster then planned so the first mile or two was weaving up through the crowd.  It was still a large group at the first mile marker and I was serenaded by the sound of hundreds of fitness devices beeping the notification.  My pace continued to be higher then planned but I felt good so I tried to keep it steady.  The first four miles are slightly uphill before turning around and heading back down towards downtown.  The run was largely uneventful till about mile three when a spectator exclaimed loudly "it's him!!" as I passed.  I turned to look over my right shoulder at the spectator only to see Lance Armstrong catch and pass me.  He was followed by ten to fifteen runners pacing themselves on him.  I picked up the pace slightly and kept the gap close for a quarter mile before thinking better of it and backing down.  Apparently the pace had taken it's tole on the fifteen or so runners that had been following him as they dropped off and fell behind even me.  I followed Lance at a slight distance for the next two-three miles as he unassumingly ran through the crowd of runners.  He finally pulled away and disappeared a little before we approached downtown.

We turned west about mile eight to loop away from downtown before coming back to the finish.  At this point I realized my time was close to 1:30 pace but I was starting to slow.  Hitting 1:30 on my first half marathon would have been my ultimate accomplishment so I tried to pick the pace backup.  I continued to feel decent and catch runners as we hit the end of the loop and headed back towards downtown.  About mile eleven, my pace was good and I felt strong running down Enfield road when we came upon a big hill I had forgotten about.  The road dips down to a bridge over Shoal Creek before rising back up at about a 10% grade.  The hill killed my pace and took a lot out of my legs.  I spent the next mile trying to find my legs as well as running and breathing rhythm again.  I finally felt somewhat normal going into the last mile but I didn't have the pop I had hoped for to finish fast.  I ended up running a 1:31:48 which I can be proud of but to be that close to 1:30 and miss it was disappointing.

The biggest takeaway was the difference in running and cycling.  I read about the same time a thread on a triathlon forum about how running and triathlons are very much an individual competition as much as they are a group competition.  Even if you don't have a chance to place, you can still set a personal best and/or attempt to finish higher within your age group.  Cycling however is an all or nothing sport.  You either finish in the top or it doesn't matter.  There aren't any personal best or break outs.  I can see how cycling can be discouraging once you reach a category where your physical make-up or the time allowed for training in your life cause you to hit a performance ceiling.  At that point you can be relegated to mediocrity and pack finishes.   These aren't all bad and there is still the joy of racing but when you recognize your physical limitations and work/school severely limits your training, running and triathlon (or duathalons if you can't swim well like me) certainly hold a lot of appeal and can seem more rewarding.  I think I will probably focus more competitive energy towards running and duathalons at least till I can finish school and get that item off my plate.  That's my plan right now but we will see how it all works out.  In case you were interested, I provided a link to the Strava of my half marathon.

January Status

Here is a quick recap and links for January.

There's not been any racing going on but I have taken advantage of the break from school to get in some miles on the bike.  I picked up a Garmin Edge 800 (more details later) that provides the ability to create courses and have specific directions.  I have a few rides on it and really like the functionality it provides and the ability to ride new routes or get lost and have it take me home.  There is the argument that you could do all this with the Edge 500 combined with the iPhone.  This is true but I don't like the idea of mounting my phone on my bars or pulling it out of my pocket to check where I am.  Following are a few links that I have found interesting.

Strava:  This site is great for tracking rides, finding good routes, and maintaining motivation.  You can also "follow" other riders so you can see keep up with their activities and performance.  There are Pro riders as well so you can review their rides and feel thoroughly humbled.  They recently added a running portion so I can now track both my runs and rides.  All you need is a GPS device or the app for the iPhone or Droid. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

DC Rainmaker: His blog is probably the best at reviewing fitness electronics.  If you want a thorough explanation of the features and functionality of a fitness device, look no further.  Here is a link to his review of the Garmin Edge 800 I purchased.  Why re-write what has already been explained in more detail and style then I ever could?
Also, I have come to enjoy his weekly recaps for the collection of interesting post, typically fitness related, that is a best of the internet for me.  Once again, I highly recommend this site.

Final link is actually from a DC Rainmaker weekly recap.  I thought the images here were especially interesting.

Well, my next semester starts now so we will see how it progresses and if I might be able to squeeze in a few events along the way.  See ya soon.

Flirting With The Dark Side

I started cycling mainly because I wanted to do cardio without running.  I once accompanied a friend to a marathon, observed participants limping around after the race and wondered what would posses someone to put their body through that pain.  After moving, I couldn't ride to work any more so I started looking for other ways to hold on to some fitness.  One option was....running.  I decided to run during lunch at work once or twice a week.  I purchased some Nike Free shoes and started doing some runs but still felt knee and back discomfort after runs longer then 3 miles.  It seemed that all my beliefs about running were true.

Then everything changed.  Claudia and I went to Peru and a member of our group that completed a 3 day hike to Machu Picchu wore Vibram FiveFinger shoes through the hike.  At the end of it, he seemed to be in better condition then those of us that wore hiking boots.  At the same time I was reading "Born to Run", a book about barefoot running.  After the trip I decided to take the plunge and purchased a pair of Vibram FiveFinger Sprints.  I quickly realized I had no idea how to run in these and actually started walking and then slowly working up to running again.  I quickly found that I could run without discomfort and my body recovered much faster then wearing shoes.

I did make a rookie mistake with my first pair of Vibrams.  I bought them and they were to big so I went down a size but in reality, I probably should have gone down at least one more size.  The thin sole combined with an incorrect fit led to them wearing through in the little toe.  So I purchased my second pair, Vibram FiveFinger Bikila LS.  These are a size smaller and combined with the lacing, have a much better fit.  They also have a slightly thicker sole allowing running over rougher conditions.

The other addition to my running arsenal finding a lightly used Garmin Forerunner 405 and pairing that with a Garmin footpad and my heart rate strap to begin gain the data to actually know how i'm doing.  All these tools have not only allowed me to run comfortably, but I actually look forward to runs.  Especially as the cold and wet of winter set in, I find that it's a lot more fun to go for a run then try to bundle up and ride.  Never would have guessed.....

Catching Up

So I've finished my first semester of grad school.  I did find time for my two favorite team rides, the Tour de Gruene and our annual Fredericksburg Winter Camp ride.

Tour de Gruene is a two man time-trial that I raced with Clint F.  Fortunately, my running has complemented my limited riding and I had decent form and we won our group.  But that ride is mostly about getting together, swapping stories from a year of racing, and eating good food.

The other ride is our annual Fredericksburg Winter Camp ride.  Every year our "coach" Richmond organizes a series of long rides over the holiday break including a big ride that is normally the largest Joe's Pro Bike group ride.  Fredericksburg always provides great roads and scenery and the conversation is fantastic.  This year, one of our teammates Marc did a timelapse capture of the ride.

Where Have I Been??

I've been absent and it will likely remain that way.  I've decided its time to complete my MBA so now I'm going to school along with working.  You don't realize how much free time you have till it goes away.  I haven't been riding much lately much less racing.  I'm trying to run more to stay in shape.  My goal is to do a half-marathon within 6 months and a full within 18 months.  I'll try to update but they will likely be infrequent as my school schedule demands most of my spare time.

Hoogerland

There's tough....

There's tougher.....

Then there's Hoogerland...

A MTB Build

So I finally finished the mountain bike build that I mentioned about a month ago. Well sorta, I'm still waiting on the bleed kit to finish the brakes. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how it came out. It weights 20 lbs 12 oz as pictured, feels great rolling around the street slowly (not much brakes). It was also a lot of fun to have a new, challenging build. There were a lot of things I've never done before including converting a fork to 29er, building Mtb wheels from scratch, and working with hydraulic brakes. Looking forward to getting out in nature and riding. I'll post up again after I've had a chance to do a real ride. This is also an excuse to put my name in the lottery for Leadville.

(yes, the yard is dead, no rain in two months will do that)