Marine Corp Marathon

I have officially signed up for my longest running race of the season (and ever) - the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) in Arlington, Va.

As part of Team RWB, this has been chosen as a team race in which as many people from TRWB entered as possible. I believe the latest number was close to 300 people. This will be the "A" race or priority race for most, and the final big push for fundraising efforts. I'm no different.

So, as part of this, I figured I would chronicle the weeks leading up to it, share my thoughts, my training, and my general attitude as I prepare. Oh, and yes, I'll still be asking for some fundraising help too.

For this race, I've chosen to download an actual "marathon training plan" from an institute called FIRST. The beautiful thing about FIRST is that it focuses on three quality runs per week; one speed, one tempo, and one long run. Currently, we (me and my training partner) are in week 3 of the plan and so far so good. Only 13 more weeks to go. And here's how it's gone so far.

Week 1
Tuesday - Speed - 5.04mi@45:56 
Thursday - Tempo - 6.0mi@57:24
Saturday - Long - 8.01mi@1:17
In addition to those runs, I also added a few extra for some triathlon specific training, and just general running.
Monday 4mi@36:05 & Tuesday night for 1.25@11:01.

Week 1's totals: 24.3mi@3:47:26.

Week 2
Tuesday - Speed - 5.08mi@44:09
Thursday - Tempo - 5.1mi@44:54
Saturday - Long - 9mi@1:33
Again, I had some additional runs thrown in this week.
Tuesday night for 2.04mi@18:08 & Saturday night for 3.15@28:19.

Week 2's totals: 24.37mi@3:48:30

So far, so good. I've had two of those runs where I felt miserable, but slogged through it, and the others have been pretty good. I'm defnitely not complaining.

For those interested or those that want to continue to help out with the fundraising, please feel free to visit my page. It's greatly appreciated!

Bubbles!!

Not too sure about this many bubbles at one time :)

Having fun

She's having way too much fun.

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Lunch prep

My little kiddo has really started eating lately. To cut down on the nightly prep we package a week at a time... sadly this is only four days worth.

I ran out of tupperware...

3 fruits and veggies a day. Not including the goldfish, cheerios, and yogurts...

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The Pledge

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

My bike

Why yes, that is my bike sitting in an empty cubicle at work...

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Sunday fun

Beating the heat on a Sunday afternoon...

She's absolutely loving it.

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Buster Britton Triathlon

Here's a quick recap and a few photos from the Buster Britton Sprint Triathlon on Saturday. It was a great race, I had a great time, and it felt really awesome representing Team Red White & Blue!

Swim: 400yards open water swim - 6:47 - 6/35 in the Age Group
Just like last year, as soon as I dove in, my goggles rolled down to my nose. I just had to make do. Went away from shore a few strokes before fixing them. Then it was business. Made several passes and since it was a short swim, I went for broke.

Transition 1: Swim to Bike transition - 1:55 

Worked quickly to get from the waters edge, through the transition fencing and to the bike. Once there, put on the helmet, sunglasses and bike shoes. Then it was off. I really need to work on a "flying mount" to save some more time here.

Bike: 13miles - 41:51 - 18.64mph - 16/35 Age Group

It was a simple out and back, except for the hilly Oak Mountain part. Lots of up and downs and very technical descents. I do believe I topped out at 40mph on some of the downhills, and got slowed to under 9mph on some of the climbs. Just a little slower than last years course, but I have a feeling that has a whole lot to do with the massive amount of work I've had that's cut into my play time.

 I made the mistake of dismounting the bike and riding the pedal too early. I wound up coasting down that small hill and taking it too easy. And because of that, the guy in red behind me caught me in transition. Another little thing to work on.

Transition 2 - Bike to run - 2:00

A quick move back through the transition area to rack the bike, throw on the running shoes, drop the helmet and go.

Run: 3mi - 26:11 - 8:43/mi - 22/35 Age Group

Again, it was another out and back course with a slight incline for the first 1.5miles. The good thing was the additional shade from the modified course, but still, uphill is uphill no matter how you look at it. I was doing great maintaining my form and keeping my pace pretty steady, until a yellow jacket decided to sting me at the 2mi mark. I guess it was a good thing that there was only 1mi to go.

Overall Thoughts

Team Magic does a great job putting on this race. It's a sprint triathlon, friendly to beginners, and a litmus test to the high caliber athletes. I haven't had a single complaint in the three years I've raced it and they haven't started now.

I finished #17/35 in my age group and #162/389 overall.

And this race opened several opportunities for me to share the awesomeness that is Team Red White &and Blue. And if you still haven't checked them out, or visited my fundraising page, you definitely should do so!

And if you'd like to see the Garmin files from the race, here they are: Swim, Bike, Run.

Tattoo

Think the tattoo will stay until Monday?

(yes its temporary)

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The transition

Live from Buster Britton Tri at Oak Mtn.

Here's the setup that takes us through all 3 sports.

Today: 400 yard swim, a 13mile bike and a 3.1mile run.

Let's go Team Red White & Blue

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Garage Inhabitant

So this has been living in our garage for a little over a week now...

Oh yea. It's a new 2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS (in silver). We struck a decent deal and ditched the Honda Pilot from our lineup and replaced it with a much more fuel effecient (and newer) vehicle.

So far, so good!

(We'll take better pictures soon. This one was just captured on it's maiden night in the garage)

First hand report on Team Red White & Blue

Just to show you more about Team Red White & Blue and what they do for our veterans.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Enjoy.

Pensacola 5k - Post Race

The race went well. So, how about a recap...

Pre-race routine:
Woke as normal, downed a coffee, a couple crackers, sipped on a gatorade, and took care of business.
Easy Peasy

Event warmup:
None.

Showed up, stood in line forever getting a timing chip, and then waded into the water. Took a couple strokes to fit goggles and cap, but that was it.

Swim:

Started behind a group of Auburn University swimmers. Figured I would attempt to ride their feet as long as possible and see where it gets me. But, I didn't want to go too hard too fast on this race.

When the gun started, either I took of WAY slow, or everyone else was WAY fast. I was getting passed quickly. Started to speed up to stay with everyone, but I didn't. I began backing it down a little, while working to stay with a group of swimmers.

(the little dots in the middle are us...the finish is on the other shore)

At one point, I started counting strokes per bridge span to make sure my pacing was consistent, which it was. I knew that once I got to the hump, I'd be okay and I could start turning on the gas and making my moves. I reached the hump at 51'; 3mins behind my halfway goal time. At this point, I started making course corrections away from the bridge to setup the final turn into the finish line.

I came up on a group of kayakers and paddle boarders shadowing some swimmers and used them for a visual as I made passes. I fell into a upbeat 3stroke/breath pace and let it go. Passed the swimmers and the paddle boarders and started working to pick off other swimmers.

(making the pass)

Here's where I realized that I had been swimming too close to the bridge and had to start making some serious course corrections to avoid having to swim extra around the boat dock. The whole swim I had been sighting left with the occasional right, but here's where I started looking forward to guage a bit more accurate. I spotted the yellow bouy (0.5mi to go) and got on track.

At this point, really started picking it up to pick off the last of the folks I could. I remember making a few passes, especially of a guy doing the backstroke coming in.

(rounded the last bouy. coming home)

I got the course corrected and proceeded in. I noticed it was so shallow that I could've easily stood up and walked it in, but knew that would be much much slower. Plus, I had no need.

I swam until my hands dug sand, then stood to run. Obviously, it's hard to run after swimming that long. Slightly dizzy so did a "drunk run" to the finish.

Felt great.

Final Standings:
Age Group 25-29: 5 out 12. Total time 1:48:53
Overall Rank: 55/228.

What would you do differently?:
Go faster, earlier.

I saw 1:21 on the watch, and knew I had a bit to go, so the pipe dream of 1:30 was out. I still thought I could reach the time of 1:38, but saw it leave as I had 0.5mi to go.

Guess I should've gone harder.

Apparently the swim times were slow by 8-10mins from last year, so something affected it, which is the difference of my estimated time...

Final thoughts:
Great race. Definitely something fun to do. Standing on the shore looking out is one thing. Being in the water and swimming it is something totally different.

Staying busy

This is how we stay busy while waiting at Children's...

(She's getting tubes placed today)

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Sleepy...

After a long weekend at the beach someone passed out on the way home...

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