Pheeew Glad that is over. Till next year.
The day started out picture perfect. The water was calm the sun was out and it
was not to warm or to cold. It was interesting watching all 2700+ competitors
getting ready to start the race. The lake was 66 degrees as we entered the
water. When the cannon sounded the chaos ensued. It was like an extreme rules
cage fight. I was only not fighting for my space in the water for a bout 10
minutes of the hour + I was in the water. About half way into the swim the wind
started to pickup and the lake got choppy. I had several mouth fulls of water
in stead of air. NOT so much fun. I caught an elbow in the mouth and have a fat
lip, oh well next year I will wear a mouth guard or learn to swim faster so I
will be in the front and not the middle of the pack. My swim split was a
respectible 1:12The swim to bike transition went smoothly. Now the long part of
the day had begun. The first 40 miles went by in a flash. I was passed by a
ton of bikers, I was thinking to my self I will see you later on the run course.
The wind was at our backs and was getting stronger by the minute. I made the
first big clime and still felt ok. Legs where starting to tire. Not a good
sigh as It was just half way. That is when the wind got tough. I struggled
keeping pace. I was in the little chain ring and was having a tough time
keeping my heart rate down. So much for a 6 hr bike, The wind just kick my
butt.(note to self MUST LIFT WEIGHTS over the winter). The second big clime was
slow and painful and I was very happy to see the top of the hill. I was lucky
to have been slow in the bike as I missed the hail storm and rain. The decent
back into town was a blast. 50 mph on little skinny bike tires is a bit scary.
By now my hamstrings where telling me it was going to be a very long run. 6:47
bike time, not great but not to bad given the weather. Now for the fun part. I
started the run and held my self to 9 min mile pace. Boy did my hamstrings
hurt. I thought to my self it is going to be a tough run. 6 miles in I was
able to find a better gear and was running well. At the turn around I knew I
was in trouble. The wheels had fallen off. I was able to keep my turnover high
but had no push left. So with my HR just high enough to keep me warm I settled
in a nice 9:45 pace and kept on trucking along. I was forced to walk up all the
hills to keep from cramping up. Yep running is fun. I was able to hold on till
the last mile and 1/2. Then the world went all kitty wampuss on me and I
started to weave all over the street. So I walked for 1/2 mile or so and was
able to trot the last mile to the finish. WOW was I glad that was over. I got
my space blanket and made for the Pizza! That was the best Pizza I have ever
eaten in my whole life. Of course I could have been made of skunk and still
would have been the best. The run time was 4:23 not a great run but respectable
considering I blew up on the bike. Again note to self WORK ON STRONGER LEG
MUSCLES!!!
My total time was 12:31:08. It was a good day and am very happy with my effort.
That being said I have a lot of work before next year.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
10/2008 Rich B. Portland Marathon
Just wanted to let you all know I finished the Portland Marathon yesterday and overall had a pretty good race. My finish was a bit more of a struggle than I would have hoped for but I'm glad I hung on as long as I did. In true fashion I was able to squeak in under the Boston qualifying time for my AG of 3:20:59 by a "cushion" of about 5 seconds(!)
Weather was great for running; overcast skies and dry (but kind of breezy too). I was on track to run about a 3:18. I was hoping to go through 20mi. in 2:30 which would give me 50min. to run the last 10k. I actually went through 20mi. in 2:31 something. Sure, I can do that, I would have to run slower than an 8min. pace to lose it. Somewhere around mile 22 my legs started to fade really fast. I had the energy but they just weren't turning over very quickly anymore. I got really nervous when the 3:20 pace guy who I had last seen around the halfway point passed me with about 2mi. to go. I tried to go with him but couldn't keep up. I thought for sure I was going to blow up; and didn't this pace feel slower than 8min/mi.? When I crossed the line it was over 3:21 on the clock but my watch was at 3:20:52. I didn't really confirm my time until my friends Angela and Trent checked it out online while I was headed back home. I was so relieved! I figured out my last 10k was an 8min pace.I'm looking forward to running Boston but probably not next year. One thing at a time, right?
Health,
rich
Weather was great for running; overcast skies and dry (but kind of breezy too). I was on track to run about a 3:18. I was hoping to go through 20mi. in 2:30 which would give me 50min. to run the last 10k. I actually went through 20mi. in 2:31 something. Sure, I can do that, I would have to run slower than an 8min. pace to lose it. Somewhere around mile 22 my legs started to fade really fast. I had the energy but they just weren't turning over very quickly anymore. I got really nervous when the 3:20 pace guy who I had last seen around the halfway point passed me with about 2mi. to go. I tried to go with him but couldn't keep up. I thought for sure I was going to blow up; and didn't this pace feel slower than 8min/mi.? When I crossed the line it was over 3:21 on the clock but my watch was at 3:20:52. I didn't really confirm my time until my friends Angela and Trent checked it out online while I was headed back home. I was so relieved! I figured out my last 10k was an 8min pace.I'm looking forward to running Boston but probably not next year. One thing at a time, right?
Health,
rich
6/2007 Patty's New Balance 1/2 Ironman Report
Hello Teamfastt ~
Thanks to all of the Teamfastt members for thinking of me and sending out your well wishes and congrats before and after the New Balance 1/2 Ironman in Victoria, B.C. on Sunday.
For those of you interested, I've compiled a short but hopefully sweet race summary:
Time: 5:09.59 (this 1/2 Iron is a bit short -- the swim is the same at 1.2 miles, the bike is a little short at about 50 miles and the run is 12.4 miles (20k))
Age group finish: 7th out of 50 women in the 35-39
Overall Women finish: 27 out of 226
Number of times doing this race: 2
Number of times doing the 1/2 Ironman Distance: 3
Weather: Cloudy and fairly cool. A bit choppy on the water and a slight cross wind on the bike. The sun peeked out for the run.
Swim: I felt good. It seemed long (but don't they always).
Bike: My race wheels zoomed down the hills. Unfortunately there was also lots of climbing. I started getting cramps in my quads the last 7 miles.
Run: Beautiful run around the lake twice. However, my quads were quickly turning into rocks due to severe cramping. I kept the cramps at bay but my run was a bit slower than it should have been.
The Best Part of the Race: My new tri bike felt awesome!
The Worst Part of the Race: The cramps. I also didn't get adequate sleep the two nights prior to the race. My three and one year old sons did not sleep well in the hotel. Therefore, I got 2-3 hours of sleep on Friday and about 4 hours of sleep on Saturday.
What I learned: Don't sleep in the same hotel room with your young children one-two nights prior to a race (ideally). Also, I need to work on my nutrition. Most likely I need more sodium to prevent future cramping.
What I'd bring next time: A towel to specifically wipe my face off after the swim so that my sunglasses on the bike don't fog up right away. Also, bring extra end caps for my handle bars and/or black tape. This is the second 1/2 Ironman that I've lost an end cap and risked being penalized by the officials.
Best post race food: Snicker bar and Coke
The Best of the Worst: Not getting a spot for Ironman Canada (I am on a waiting list for a possible left over spot). I am not so sure I am ready for that distance anyway.
Kathryn Klepinger also did the race. Hopefully she will share her thoughts too. If anyone would like more of the gory details I would love to share them with you. I highly recommend the race. Those Canadians know how to put on a good quality race!
For additional results and more race information you can visit:
http://www.island-multi-sports.com/Half%20Iron/NB_Half_Results_Photos.htm
Congratulations to all of you that did 5 mile lake. Teamfastt made a great show!
God bless,
Patty
Thanks to all of the Teamfastt members for thinking of me and sending out your well wishes and congrats before and after the New Balance 1/2 Ironman in Victoria, B.C. on Sunday.
For those of you interested, I've compiled a short but hopefully sweet race summary:
Time: 5:09.59 (this 1/2 Iron is a bit short -- the swim is the same at 1.2 miles, the bike is a little short at about 50 miles and the run is 12.4 miles (20k))
Age group finish: 7th out of 50 women in the 35-39
Overall Women finish: 27 out of 226
Number of times doing this race: 2
Number of times doing the 1/2 Ironman Distance: 3
Weather: Cloudy and fairly cool. A bit choppy on the water and a slight cross wind on the bike. The sun peeked out for the run.
Swim: I felt good. It seemed long (but don't they always).
Bike: My race wheels zoomed down the hills. Unfortunately there was also lots of climbing. I started getting cramps in my quads the last 7 miles.
Run: Beautiful run around the lake twice. However, my quads were quickly turning into rocks due to severe cramping. I kept the cramps at bay but my run was a bit slower than it should have been.
The Best Part of the Race: My new tri bike felt awesome!
The Worst Part of the Race: The cramps. I also didn't get adequate sleep the two nights prior to the race. My three and one year old sons did not sleep well in the hotel. Therefore, I got 2-3 hours of sleep on Friday and about 4 hours of sleep on Saturday.
What I learned: Don't sleep in the same hotel room with your young children one-two nights prior to a race (ideally). Also, I need to work on my nutrition. Most likely I need more sodium to prevent future cramping.
What I'd bring next time: A towel to specifically wipe my face off after the swim so that my sunglasses on the bike don't fog up right away. Also, bring extra end caps for my handle bars and/or black tape. This is the second 1/2 Ironman that I've lost an end cap and risked being penalized by the officials.
Best post race food: Snicker bar and Coke
The Best of the Worst: Not getting a spot for Ironman Canada (I am on a waiting list for a possible left over spot). I am not so sure I am ready for that distance anyway.
Kathryn Klepinger also did the race. Hopefully she will share her thoughts too. If anyone would like more of the gory details I would love to share them with you. I highly recommend the race. Those Canadians know how to put on a good quality race!
For additional results and more race information you can visit:
http://www.island-multi-sports.com/Half%20Iron/NB_Half_Results_Photos.htm
Congratulations to all of you that did 5 mile lake. Teamfastt made a great show!
God bless,
Patty
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