The Damage is Done

The SAN DIEGO 100 MILE ENDURANCE RUN was a success. Thank you to Pam, Lindsay, and Tyler for pacing me and keeping me awake. Thanks to my family for coming out to support me. I don't have much to say. It hurt and at the same time was such an incredible feeling. It's been 3 weeks and I'm still recovering. My 2nd trip to the chiropractor/active release trainer will be in a few days. Needless to say...I'm pretty banged up. Here are a few videos from the race, which started at 6am Saturday and ended at 4:08am Sunday.




I finished at 4:08 am and it was about 42 degrees out. My total time was 22:08:36, which was a 13:17 min/mile pace on a 100% trail and mountain race.

I placed 14th overall out of 130 and 1st for my age group (Men 20-29).

Free State Trail Run - 40 MILES

3 minutes and 10 seconds...that's all that separated me from first place. This was an extremely fun run that included navigating rocky waterfronts, 99% single-track trail, and a whole lot of mud. The run went really well, except for my nutrition plan. I didn't bring extra Gu with me and it wasn't on site. This has become my main sustenance during these runs. Without it on Saturday made the race an energy exhausting race. Lesson learned.

Free State Trail Runs Website: http://www.psychowyco.com/id1.html

Brew to Brew and Free State 40

The Brew to Brew was a successful race. I took 2nd place in 5:33:45, which averaged out to be 7:40 per mile. The conditions were fairly tough. After 26 miles, the sideways snow and rolling hills started and really took their toll; but, I made it through the 43.5 mile trek. My parents made up my crew and did a great job. I even think I saw my Mom run with me for awhile to hand-off water bottles. What a great experience...I love this crazy stuff.

The Free State 40 takes place in 11 days in Lawrence, KS. It is all on trails at Clinton State Park. The 40 mile race should be great practice for running on trails in San Diego.

As the light begins to shine at the end of the tunnel, I am starting to wonder if I've trained enough. I have found that one of my biggest obstacles is self-doubt, in regards to my training, preparation, and recovery. I have also found this to be a great motivator. It helps me make my body a slave...

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Cor. 9:24-27

100+/wk.

In the heat of Ironman training, when I was running 50 miles per week, cycling 250 miles per week, and swimming 6 miles per week, I never remember being as run-down as I am now. The month of March kicked off the beginning of 100+ mile weeks strung back-to-back. This most recent 7 days, I've put in 110.2 miles in 13 hours and 4 minutes. This means my average mile is a 7:07. Too bad I can't maintain this over a 100 Mile Trail run. Speaking of that...I have entered the San Diego 100 Mile Run. It will take place in the mountains in eastern San Diego County. That race is definitely a motivating factor for me as I struggle to log over 100 miles per week.

In addition to the San Diego race, I'm planning on racing the Brew 2 Brew race from Kansas City to Lawrence in 2 weeks. The course is 43.5 miles of pavement, gravel, and trail that leads me back to my alma mater. Expect the results in a few weeks.

Rocky Raccoon 50 Miler

The first race of 2009 is done and was a success. The Rocky Raccoon trail runs take place in Huntsville, TX, which is about an hour northwest of Houston. There are two distance options - 100 Miles or 50 Miles. I chose the 50 Miler and ran a 7:10:43, which equated to a pace of 8:36 per mile. This was good enough for 4th place overall of a total of 214 racers. Thank God for the strength to endure.

Treadmill Test

Kansas City is cold. This past Sunday, I was forced inside by the snow and wind. My option was to freeze or to hit the treadmill. 20 miles later...I got off the treadmill. Man, I miss California weather.

Racing Recap - Fall 2008

The 2008 Triathlon and Marathon seasons are coming to a close. The only thing to do now is start training for '09. Here's how the last few months ended up:

Ironman Arizona Tempe, AZ
10:40:36
5 Age Group / 143 Overall (incl. Pros) / 2027 Total Field

Vineman Showdown at Sundown San Rafael, CA
0:52:49
1 / 2 /211

*Ironman Kansas 70.3 Lawrence, KS
4:38:41
2 / 37 / 951

*Qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship

Jackson County Tri Lee's Summit, MO
1:56:41
2 / 5 / 200

KC Marathon Kansas City, MO
2:53:59
7 / 22 / 1250

Rock Creek 50K Trail Run Lake Perry, KS
4:53:33
2 / 4 / 59