Mountaineer Half Pre-Race

Spirit of Mountaineer on tap this weekend. It is supposed to be HOTT, and not the skinny-triathletes-in-spandex kind of HOTT. Maybe I'll pack an ice chest for some relief at the start of the run??

It would be great to finally have a breakout half-IM race! With all the IM build training I think this is a good shot to do it...will the heat foil my plans? Only time will tell...

Tentative A+ race execution times: :28/2:25/1:40 ....must dig deep - no excuses!

See ya out there.

Leg Shredding

Hit a training weekend out at Deep Creek Lake with a bunch of good people. PAIN was the name of the game for our time out in the montagnes! Needed these hilly rides in preperation for IM Canada coming up in a few months....

56 miles of the Savageman course followed by a strong 55 minute t-run on Saturday. 95 miles starting from the lake down into the Monongahela Nat. Forest with an epic climb up to some HUGE windmills thrown in for good measure on Sunday. 50 minute recovery swim in the lake on Monday. Sparks, beer, fries, and ice cream for recovery nutrition!

Pics or it didn't happen:

Pre-JFK 50

Its the night before, and I'm a bit intimidated of whats to come starting bright and early at 7am. This "race" will blow my greatest one-time run distance right out the window. I get the same feelings of when I did my first triathlon...what to wear, freak out, what to eat, freak out, how fast to go - you get the idea.

The game plan is to try and stick to keeping the heart rate under 150 at all times, if this means walking some sections then so be it. Each heart beat is critical in a race of this distance, and saving some early on could pay dividends when the going gets tough in the latter miles. Hopefully this plan will stave off the desire to walk, as I'm confident in my aerobic capacity but not as sure about how the legs will hold up. All in due time.

So here goes nothing, off into the dark abyss that is endurance running. I think I can see the light...


Good Song: Ted Leo and Pharmacists - Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?

Another day another dollar

Marine Corps was just a week ago from yesterday. Where does the time go? A successful race, with a finish time of 3:27ish. Still looking to find the secret to running a strong final 6, and the ultimate 3:10 finish. Once thats in hand, the Boston Qual. should be a piece of cake. The legs are feeling good while just walking around now, but any attempt at running and some nasty soreness rears its ugly head again. The next challenge is the JFK 50 in a few weeks, and I'm definetly going to need a full/fresh set of limbs to finish that beast.

For a dose of cross training - an adventure into the western VA mountains was had, and some lovely leaves were a-changing. Good people, good weather, and good scenery made it a sweet day. The woods are where its at...

Good Song: Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

MCM is a go.

'Cross racing, bro.

Am I in first? Or am I in last? You'll never know!

I realized during this brief 30 minutes of atomic pain that, while cyclocross racing, your bike chain is either in 1 of 2 positions - Dropped, or in the process of being dropped. Its a downward spiral of frustrating agony as tattooed bike shop mechanics who look like they had 3 too many cases of PBR roll right on by as you slip in your personal puddle of tears while bending over to connect the gears again. Of course, they could easily kick my ass with one finger because, alas, I am a fragile mistake of a triathlete. Pathetic really, and for that I should be shamed for all eternity. Or just offered a bottle of MD 20/20. Your decision (choose wisely).

Bottom line: 'cross racing is some sweet stuff, no matter what goes wrong/right.

Good Song: Interpol - No I in Threesome

Back, maybe?

Ok, I feel the urge to write more updates but just never get around to it...thinking about focusing more on quantity than quality - and pictures. Everyone loves pictures, well, maybe not Britney Spears.

Currently tapering for the Marine Corps Marathon, my final 20 miler/new-ish running kicks caused some nasty bone cyst/bruises on the 'ol ankles. Switched back to an older pair, and bought a NEW pair but different brand of shoe. So far so good, and hopefully all will be golden again come Oct. 28.

MTB ride, Beer and Brats, a couple short runs, and my first 'Cross race look to be consuming the upcoming weekend. Looks to be a good one. Pray for some fall temps already!


Good Song: Cinematic Orchestra ft. Patrick Watson - To Build A Home