Key Bank Vermont City Marathon 2011

Last Sunday, the 29th of May, I finished my second open marathon - the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, VT.  It was hot, humid and, by the time we reached mile 20, the signs posted at the aid stations read, Caution - High Risk. While the race officials were Ready for the Heat, that didn't keep it from affecting how I felt while running. Not to mention the pothole I found at mile 7 (see the image of my foot below from Monday afternoon). That bruising and swelling did go away pretty quickly and, according to my awesome podiatrist, Dr. Marc Lederman from West Hartford Podiatry, there are no broken bones. I think I lucked out there.

Excuses, excuses, I know. My gun time was 4:17:30. That is 7:07 slower than my first and I was in WAY better shape for this race. What changed? Everything! I wasn't doing this race for me...well, I was, but in a different way. I was running this one with Ted (even though he is a little behind me in the first pic - we really did run it together!). This was his first full marathon. He got to experience all of the challenges first hand. We were using this race just for the experience, so he can know what to expect when we take on the ING NYC Marathon this coming November. I think we will be in a great position to really enjoy it!

So, about the race...it isn't my favorite course - by far. I think we crossed under the start line three different times, as the course is designed (as it was explained to me by a 3:45-finish pace leader) somewhat like a clover. It felt more like an X to me. Out and back one way, out and back another, etc. Also, while the 3:45-finish pace leaders were friendly and inclusive, I felt that they went out WAY too fast. There is a pretty significant hill at mile 15 that we were planning for by "putting time in the bank" early on, but by the time we got there, the group had thinned out significantly.

I haven't uploaded my splits from my Timex Global Trainer, but if my memory serves, we had at least three sub 8:15 min/mi with one definitely sub 8:00 min/mi. When you are shooting for an 8:35 min/mi overall pace, that is pretty quick early on - in my opinion. I am more of stick to pace in the beginning and then negative split the last few miles. I thrive on that model and, after this race, think I will no longer utilize pace leaders.

To wrap it up, I am glad that I did it. It was a good trip and I had another great race with Ted. Having a running and training partner is awesome. Enjoy! It is good to be back with you all.

Centering - Year of the Run

My multisport journey is not over...I am just taking a break.  Does that mean I'm done training completely?  Absolutely not.  In fact, my training is just going to shift somewhat.  I have decided that 2011 is the year of the run.  While I love triathlon, I really have to go at it alone.  Until I'm in a location with more triathletes that have similar goals and aspirations, I think I'll center my energies on running.  With a focus on running, I get to spend time with others (read Ted) and I love the camaraderie. 

Merriam-Webster defines camaraderie as a spirit of friendly good-fellowship, and that is exactly what I get when I'm out training with Ted.  When we head out on the rail trails and roads around Western Massachusetts, we enjoy some great conversations and spirited competition, pushing each other physically to limits we didn't know we could reach. 

For instance, I've done an open marathon, the ING Hartford Marathon, plenty of half-marathons and countless 10k and 5k races.  But never have I truly enjoyed them as much as I do when I'm running with a friend.  And while I reached a few PRs on my own, it has only been since I started training with Ted that I continued to meet success. 

The first big race of the year is less than five weeks away.  We signed up yesterday to run the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, VT.  And I am scared.  As I said, I've done an open marathon and it wasn't pretty.  I did well for 19 miles, on pace to a 3:30 marathon, and then I hit the wall.  I thought that "the wall" was a myth...and I was wrong.  When I hit that wall, it was miserable.  I went from a runner to an emotional basketcase sitting on a bench overlooking the river trying to decide if I was finally going to be a quitter.  I was _ _ that close to my first DNF.  Thankfully, I met some great folks who helped pull me through.  Would I have ever gotten to that point if I were running with Ted?  Probably not.  Which is why, although scared, I am really looking forward to taking on this challenge.

So, wish me...rather us...luck.  We are going to need it.  Stay tuned for more running updates.  I am also going to try to do a better job reviewing the shoes, equipment and nutrition that I use, too.  Also, if you have any advice, I'm all ears!

Business Embraces Cyclists

I love where I live.  The Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts provide some of the best cycling routes I've ever experienced.  They take you through and past farmland, challenge you with some heavy rollers and, best of all, let you ride in an area that, for the most part, welcomes and encourages cycling and cyclists. 

Last week, I read a great piece on the Active Travel section of MSNBC.com, "Growing number of bike cafes gear up to serve cyclists."  It talked all about how bicycle cafes are cropping up to serve a niche audience - welcoming us “weird alien space creatures.” Yes, when we go from fueling stop to fueling stop, or meet up pre- or post-ride for a coffee, lunch, and/or beer, we look weird.  We wear spandex, yes.  Our shoes make weird noises when we walk around.  Some of us might even shave - only to be more aero, right?  Either way, we are doing what we love.  And then, we keep the money in community, so we eat/drink where we ride.  Welcome us with open arms!

This article made me extremely happy.  For one, I love the fact that someone wrote it.  Two, I love the fact that this is a real trend...one that is cropping up across the country in some pretty interesting places.  I mean, I expect this to happen in Portland, Boulder, San Fran, Boston, etc., but Pittsburgh...wow.  You go Steel City, you get yours.

As for me and the folks that ride around the Pioneer Valley, we've got The Lady Killigrew.  This place wasn't made for cyclists and they don't have all of the other amenities that some of the Cycling Cafes have, but, they have a great staff, they welcome cyclists (read, they are nice to us and let us use the phone if we have a flat and then pinch flat our spare as we are heading out) and the food and drink is great. 

How about you?  Do you guys have a favorite?  Did you see the article?  Let me know!

Tuesday Ramblings

Hello, February?  Where did you go?  After coming back from a fun ING Miami Half Marathon vacation, I have been incredibly absent from my blog.  Maybe it was the ever-growing snowpack on my front lawn or the fact that I changed gyms…heck, it could even be that I just feel somewhat unmotivated.  Most likely, though, it is a combination of all of those along with the typical stress that comes with commuting two hours round trip everyday and having not yet signed up for an A race.

Regardless, I’ve been lurking.  I’ve been reading your posts, catching up on what is going in your world.  I was reminded about my own successes and remaining body issues by reading about where Patrick, over at the The Road, has come from and where he's headed.  Caratunk Girl shared her excitement about IMLP by posting the IMLP 2010 swim start video - you can find me in there somewhere - yeah, I did that.  Other Jeff at Dangle the Carrot - well, let me just say that, while my day will come, I definitely do not want to crash like that.  Also, maybe shaving isn't such a bad idea after all.  And Kovas, found at Midwest Multisport Life, provided some stellar endurance gear reviews and provided an interesting three-part guest post series with Barefoot Charlie.  This came right as I was finishing Born to Run (a fantastic book and a great read)!

There are countless others of you out there that kept me informed, up-to-date and entertained.  Thank you for helping me get through a tough five weeks.  The stress of life is not going to get any easier - especially for the next few weeks/months.  I hope to be able to report back more here later...in the interim, know that I will continue my running and swimming and tonight, tonight baby, I promise to be back on the bike.  The pain cave beckons and I must (Must.) heed its call. 

Train hard, race happy.

Jeff