After several months of abuse, I was reading back through all my old blog posts today. I hadn’t realized my lack of attention to my personal blog until that point – it’s been almost 6 months since my last update…that’s a lot of racing!
I wish I was as good as Mario Minelli in keeping my blog up to date with race results and stories, but I’m just not. As such, I’m going to just hit the highlights of the mid and late year race season and leave out some of the lesser interesting details. Where to start…
After returning from India
Turtleman Duathlon
I digress. My next memorable race of the season was the Turtleman Duathlon. This was a race formerly run as a triathlon but they were forced to take a year off including the swim portion because of issues with the lake. This was a fantastic event – probably my favorite of the year. It featured a 3k R1, 28 mile bike and 8k R2. The race started with the elites (~10 of them) and then featured a time trial start on R1 in order of your bib. I didn’t necessarily care for this format given your bib number was meaningless with respect to age group or ability.
Given it was a 3k R1, I elected to aggressively start, go hard on the bike and cross my fingers on R2 with a longer, nearly ~5 mile run finish. A few highlights for this race:
- I ran my fastest R1 for the year – approximately a 5:50/mile pace (give or take, I don’t have the exact numbers in front of me).
- The bike course was a FAST, FLAT route that I splitted nicely on. However, this was the first and only race this year I got passed on the bike. I think the guy’s name was Guy or something like that. Super nice guy and very humble. I told him he was the only dude who had passed me all year and he thought that was hilarious. The guy was really talented but thought he wasn’t.
- My R2 was respectable as well. Overall, I came in in 13th place and won my age group by several minutes. It was a really competitive field, given it was one of the races in the state championship series.
- This was my first and only race this year where I beat Charlie Roach. He had some trouble on the bike, then dehydrated/cramped on R2. I beat him by a minute or so.
Race results here: http://www.pigmantri.com/jmsracing/results11/turtle11b.html
This is the landmark event for me each year, even though technically it’s not the most competitive. Yeah, there are some good athletes there, but the really good ones for one reason or another avoid this one. Perhaps it conflicts with another big tri somewhere. Despite that fact, this is the first race I ever did and is close to my heart in getting my career started. It’s also the largest race I do all year, so my numbers look more impressive. J
The course for Minneapolis
- Off the start (R1 is a 5k), this little dude absolutely took off. I mean he threw up dust and left us wondering what the hell happened. I’d noticed him talking to a bigger guy at the start and made an early assumption that he might be on a relay. The kid turned out to run low 5’s both R1/R2 (ridiculous) and was indeed part of the relay. However, he would play a role in this race for me later.
- I didn’t feel my R1 was the best of the year. My first mile was solid, then I settled in at a slower pace than normal. I was chicked twice – the second one was carrying a full conversation with the guy she was running with. But as is usually the case, my bike split saved me…
- Coming out of R1, I was around 10th place or so. Within the first 3-4 miles (18 mile bike), I had passed all but three, at least that’s what I thought.
- When arriving back at T2, my wife was going nuts. As I flew past her into transition, she yelled that I was in second. Second? I thought I was 4th (possibly 3rd if the speedy kid was part of a relay). I presumed he was the one ahead of me.
- When I started R2, I had a hunch that perhaps I was actually winning but didn’t know for absolute sure. The guy I’d criss crossed on the bike wasn’t the speedy kid, he was a thick guy. I thought he was the speedy kid’s partner. However, I didn’t remember passing two other guys who I knew were ahead of me. Where were they? I thought maybe Kathy was wrong.
- About mile 2.1, a guy passed me. He was one of the guys I hadn’t remembered passing. About 3/10ths later, another guy flew past me. Okay, what place am I in now??
- Turns out I had been in first coming off the bike – the other guy was indeed a relay. The two guys passing me took 1st and 2nd (in a landmark sprint to the finish – one second apart). I took third by < 30 seconds.
It was a good effort but dang. I almost WON Minneapolis
Race results here: http://www.mtecresults.com/race/show/458
ParkTool (Fall Classic) Duathlon
This turned out to be my best and most exciting effort of the year. This is the same course as Oakdale (took 7th this year). I’d raced ParkTool last year and flatted after moving up very nicely in the race. A few highlights:
- This was a chilly race – one of the coolest ones this year (minus maybe Falls
- R1 was one of my better efforts. I came in second off R1 by less than a minute. My bike split was practically the same as Oakdale this spring. I passed the #1 guy at about mile 3 (of 14). I got him on the one big hill coming out of the park and never saw him again until transition.
- Taking the first hard left out of the transition (heading out of the park), I nearly crashed. I was so keyed up knowing how well I was doing, I didn’t brake hard enough on the corner. I started to realize about mid turn I wasn’t going to make the corner without wiping out. I straightened up and went straight into the ditch. I quickly recovered, went back up the ditch bank and kept going. Seriously, Heneke.
- I came in off the bike in first by over a minute. The guy who I saw in second as I ran out of transition was a younger guy I knew I’d out run in R1. I also assumed he was going to have a good bike split because I noticed he had some sort of a junior cycling team logo on his bike.
- R2 was a game of cat and mouse. I knew I was ahead of the guy who had beat me in on R1 by probably 2 minutes. I had no idea what he’d have left or how fast I could go. It was one of those crazy/scary/exciting times where you’re constantly looking back over your shoulder. I could swear I heard footsteps the whole time.
- As I ran back into the parking lot (where transition was), I kept looking back. No one. I rounded the final corner and saw the finish. A looked back – no one. I saw Kathy and realized I was going to win this race. It was one of the most thrilling feelings I’ve ever had. I brought it home the last 100 meters and felt completely elated. I’d just won my first major event.
First place overall!
MTN Recognition: http://www.minnesotatrinews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=921:fall-classic-stuff&catid=42:latest-race-coverage&Itemid=55
Monster Dash – 10 miler
At the end of October, I did the Monster 10 for the second year in a row. Maybe someday I’ll do the half, but I just love getting to 10 and being done. Unlike last year, I built up my miles pretty drastically until the week before the race (max 50 miles that final week). I felt great. I also knew the course was pretty easy elevation wise and felt confident.
Coach Jason had suggested I not “race” this time and plan on a 6:40 pace for most of the 10 miles, picking it up around mile 8 to the end. My personal goal was to hold an average 6:30. The race started out like most I do – too fast to start. I slowed way down and think I hit a 6:11 first mile. I continued to hold mostly 6:20-6:30 miles for the first 5. At about mile 6, I started to feel rough. Legs were wasted. I had a couple of rough miles but pulled it together around mile 8.5 or 9. When I got about a quarter of a mile from the end, I saw the finish and went for it. I was able to pass three people the last 20 yards, including the top woman. At last check, I came in 21st out of 2100+. Not a bad effort.
I wish I liked long distance running more. It’s painful and I have a hard time keeping my mind off the agony. But I’m pretty good at it too for just being a beginner. Maybe I’ll figure out how to deal with the pain…
Race results here: http://www.mtecresults.com/runner/show?rid=888&race=561
Band on the Run 5k
Kathy and I decided to do a 5k down in Marion
I raced this one like a rookie – really foolishly. I got way too caught up in being in the lead early and allowed the only other competitive guy drive me toward puking on mile 1. I got to the first mile split and hit about a 5:30. Oh no. I had no choice but to slow down and hope the other guy had done the same thing.
He had. My 2nd and 3rd miles were considerably slower, but I beat him by a solid 45 seconds. My first 5k victory.
Race results here: http://www.spandainc.com/pdf/race_results.pdf
Nightbeat 5k
I raced the Nightbeat this year, but didn’t put an all out effort into it. I just didn’t have the competitive spirit in me that night, but enjoyed the training run and talking with Mario (who took 3rd overall, first in his age group). I came in behind him in 4th (minute or so later) and also won my age group. The pizza afterwards was incredible as always.
St. Jude Half Marathon – Memphis
This past weekend, I ran the St. Jude Half with Jason Mott. He found me a race bib (I think my name was Allison) and we ran together. This was a leisurely run for me, but what a great time. We ran a 2:12 time but the time was insignificant. It was just plain fun. The city of Memphis
Gamehaven TRUE Cross Country Race
The final race I’ll briefly discuss is Gamehaven. I race this race with Shaun Stevens, who recently lost his young son. Jason (Shaun’s son) had run this race last year – it’s a very popular cross country race for high school kids. It was a fun time and truly a CC event. Rivers, sand, mud, leaves, hills, branches, hay bales – lots of obstacles. I had a good time and it felt good to run with my friend.
Final Race Thoughts
This was a great rookie season for me…a true breakout year. Of all the races I ran, I placed first in my age group in every one, except for Cinco du Mayo where I took 2nd in my age (though technically the 1st place guy is elite I think). I won two duathlons, one that I would consider a significant event. I also won my first 5k. I’m pleased with my progress and look forward to taking some time off racing and working hard this off season.
The early off season has had its ups and downs. I believe I suffered an ankle injury at Gamehaven – I will know more very soon. I’m hopeful it’s nothing and that I can get back into serious training soon. On the positive side, I’ve continued to keep up my biking and have started to learn how to swim. My longest lap effort thus far has been 1250 yards, well beyond the length required to do a sprint tri next year. I feel good about how quickly I’ve reconnected to my swimming.
I’m very hopeful that next year will be even better. I’m going to be a little more selective in my race selection and probably eliminate some of the lesser competitive events, focusing on those events where I can really go head to head with some great athletes. I will likely not do Gear West next year – I just don’t think races with trail running are my thing…plus, I’m not really trained to run trails. I’m trying to decide where my first triathlon will be. Perhaps it will end up being Rochester
Other Happenings
In a few SHORT weeks, Kathy and I will be off to Australia
Right now, I’m on my flight home from Memphis
In March, I’ll get back into the classroom. I can’t wait. I’m teaching Forensic Auditing and Accounting at St. Mary’s for the 4th time. I’m also picking up a budgeting class through RCTC (online). It will be a hectic early spring teaching two courses at once but I’m excited about the opportunity.
I’m also getting the itch to get back into the classroom in some capacity as a student. I haven’t decided yet if that’s my best idea. Kathy doesn’t think so. J I just miss it – we shall see.
Otherwise, life is good. Hoping to get good news this week on the injury and start to ramp up winter miles again.
Until next time, race on!
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