Up Early: January 2010

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

After my prize frozen pickle finished defrosting in the fridge I came to realize that this is no normal pickle in a jar with glitter. It is in fact a standing pickle with big eyes...

Sunday, January 17, 2010

With new goals perched on the mirror, I found myself itching for a race. After reading a unique write-up on a local winter running series called the Pickle Run, I was all set to find out what 2010 would have in store.

Race morning brought a break from the frigid temperatures that have been blanketing the area. Sunny and in the 40s, it would be ideal running conditions. I got to the park with plenty of time to spare, after mentally noting the hunters gathering near the park entrance to hunt deer. I guess there would be no lack of motivation to run fast!

After a little over a mile warm-up, that included the steepest and longest hill I can recall running on, I ditched my watch (a rule for the race since a prediction run was also taking place). This would be a rare time for me to run with no idea how fast or how far along I would be. Without a lot of expectations it didn't seem like a bad idea.

After a few administrative items, the races finally got under way, and I found myself fairly alone off the front of the pack. I could feel the morning chill on my lungs, but I just kept pushing, while holding a relaxed and furious tempo. A duo passed me just shy of the halfway point, but with the return stretch being uphill I was confident they wouldn't get too far away.

I was able to run in their draft for a bit, but eventually they pulled away. Around this time we were passing the rest of the field running in the opposite direction. It provided a nice level of encouragement and a realization that I wasn't very far from the lead.

I had noted a few landmarks on the opening stretch and as they came back into view on the return, I knew that the finish wasn't far off. I was able to reel in a member of the pair that passed me early on and did my best to do it decisively, so as not to have to run shoulder-to-shoulder with him over the closing quarter mile or so.

As I crested the final rise, I could see the finish and put in the best kick I could muster. I was shocked when I saw the time clock still showing 18 minutes. I was sure it was about to click over to 19, but I was quickly proved wrong as I crossed the finish line in a very surprising 18:50 (6:03/mile).

That's a new PR (by :37), the first goal to get crossed off in 2010, and the second goal to get crossed off in 2010 (care of my first place finish within my age group). Overall I ended up finishing in a very surprising 7th place. I guess I'm capable of some pretty fast times, so long as I don't psych myself out when I run fast splits.

For my efforts on the day I received a very unique first place trophy. It is in fact, the very sought after frozen pickle in a jar with glitter. I knew you were jealous!

In an effort to celebrate a little more when I accomplish my goals I promptly headed over to the store to pick up a filet and some asparagus (to be joined by mushrooms and onions, a yuengling, and some green onions). It was a very savory and rewarding celebration! Here's to many more filets in 2010!

Goals and Totals

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

2009 Goals:
Sub 5:30 Mile
~~5K Sub 19:30~~
~~10 Mile Sub 1:10:00~~
~~Oly Tri Sub 2:30:00~~
~~20 mph on Bike~~
~~Place in Age Group~~
~~750 Miles Run~~
2,000 Miles Bike

I came up just shy on my mile goal with a 5:35 at the track last week, but I was pretty thrilled with that time with no training and really cold temperatures. As for the bike, I think I over shot a little. The year end running build-up for the half also put a damper on those miles. No matter, these were all new high totals for me.

2009 Totals:
Swim
61,856 yards / 35.15 miles (15:16:12)

Run - 896 miles (118:39:03)
From my apartment to Madison, Wisconsin.

Bike - 1,420 miles (85:26:38)
Just 54 miles shy of biking from my apartment to my home in Dallas.

Dallas White Rock Half-Marathon

In early December I headed home to Dallas to run a half-marathon with Ian. The morning started very early and a bit chilly, perfect for running.

With nearly 20,000 runners (and their respective family and friends) competing in the marathon, marathon relay, and half-marathon, the start area was a zoo. Somehow, Ian and I met-up, got in a warm-up, and worked our way into our starting corral. Thank goodness for our quick goal times that put us up front.

The plan was to start out at 7:00 miles and then see how we felt for the closing half of the race. However, the over-the-top start with rockettes, confetti canons, a fly over, and cowboys on horses led to a very disjointed beginning and we struggled to settle into a good pace. Miles 1 and 2 both went by in around 7:15.

Ian and I were weaving through all the slower runners and I think the slow early pace had me anxious to get the time back. I looked down at my watch at mile 3 and it was in the 6:30s and then looked around and realized Ian was nowhere to be found.

With no idea where he was I realized I had to settle into my own race from there on out. I ran past my family around mile 4, had a minor panic at mile 5 when I realized everyone around me had marathon bibs on (thinking I’d missed the half-marathon turn), and then ran past the first set of photographers.

Around this time I realized that my racing flats had reached their life expectancy. With a small amount of condensation on the ground I found my feet slipping constantly, especially on any type of climb. It felt like I was only pushing off at 75% with 100% effort. It was really frustrating, but I did my best not to let it mess up my stride or mentality.

The race was pretty uneventful from then on. I ran a little slower than I had wanted on miles 6-8, finally spotted Ian on the turn around, and then headed back toward the finish.

After a few more glances at the watch and finally passing mile 10, I decided to let it loose to see how much time I could get back. One more sighting by the family later and I was really moving on the closing stretch with all my miles well under 6:50.

The finishing stretch was fairly quiet, though I did get a little encouragement from a fellow runner urging me on. He ended up crossing ahead of me, but care of his head start at the beginning, my finish was actually ahead of his.

I finished about 8 seconds behind any other runners (and 15 ahead of the next), so the crowd was pretty quiet until I started clapping, high-fiving, and doing anything to get them excited. It worked really well and made for a fun close to 1 hour 30 minutes and 40 seconds of fun.