Post by MarkD on Apr 24, 2010 15:25:49 GMT -5
The past 3 weeks have been a whirlwind. My job has been nuts. We're finalizing plans on a home addition (taking advantage of way low interest rates), and things have been busy with the CTC Board. Then there is prepping for 2 major races out of town and, of course, training and racing.
Two weeks ago we had a great day for the Club duathon. It was my tune up for the Wildflower Half Iron to come three weeks later (May 1st). I was afraid it would take too much out of me for Boston, but, I held back and I think it was a perfect way to get a final higher intensity long run in, having a bike sandwiched in between two three mile runs (plus 2 miles of light running).
Onto Boston week. Weather initially looked great (maybe a little warm), then it looked terrible (rain all day). In the end, it would be a perfect day. We had quite an adventure driving out there. Mr. Walsh, Mr. Doren, and Ms. Sewall all drove out Friday night, crashed in Rochester, NY for some carbo loading (whiskey drinkin') and then finished the remainder of the 10 hour drive on Sunday. We had some interesting mis-haps that can ONLY be told over drinks. It was good to hang loose for a day and a half before the race to chill out and enjoy Bean Town. Ben Miralia set up a great dinner for 40 on Sunday night and (from what I hear - I missed it) it was fantastic. I spent my evenings with Doren and Walsh sippin' wine, drinkin' water, basically behaving ourselves while enjoying play-off hockey.
Race day: We were lucky - Jim L. and his family/friends were in the same hotel we were. He is a Boston veteran and coached us through the entire race day logistics. Because of him - it was absolutely PAINLESS - thanks for all the help Jim! There is really no experience like the pre-game at "athlete's village" and the race itself. I was warned my many about how much your quads would get ripped to shreds the first 8 miles of this event - and they didn't lie. My left quad began seizing up about mile 9 and it hurt for the rest of the race. By the halfway point - both quad, both hips, and both feet were screaming at me. You long coursers are NUTS. "Just get though it without stopping" I kept telling myself. Luckily, there are over 500,000 fans out and its easy to stay motivated with people screaming at you for the entire 26.2 miles. This race was weird because I actually looked forward to the climbs (gave your quads a rest) - I thought heartbreak hill was easy (until the backside of it when you went DOWN hill). The finish was anti-climatic and was a welcome relief. After getting my gear bag back, I sat down on the asphalt. I couldn't get back up, my legs cramped up for the next 45 minutes everytime I tried to move. Luckily, I saw Jerry C. walk by - he helped me to my feet (then he left for the airport - ouch - could you imagine flying after that!?!). Reddy, Walsh, and Sewall were awesome IronFans - they, like Waldo, kept popping up - thanks for the support !! In all - it was a must-do experience if you ever have the opportunity.
Monday night we went out and got a bit "sloppy". Our goal was simple: Beer, Hockey, Wings. We got the first two - but the place we were at ran out of wings right as we got there. Bad omen! Luckily - they had great nachos and good boneless wings (not the same - but they did OK in a pinch).
A couple big "Thanks": My training partners - Dave D., Ken H., Jerry C. You all kept me going through the "dog days". Patrick K. for the great Boston advice.
This week was tough - my quads have never hurt so bad in my life. Yesterday, I went out for a light jog and they loosened up, so, I decided to give my favorite hometown 5K (in Fairview Park) a run - figuring it would be a jog at best. After about 1/4-mile, I realized my legs were turning over pretty fast, so, I turned on the jets, caught the leader and won the dam* thing. Funny thing was - I've done this 3 previous times and kept coming in second. I guess it took trashed legs to finally finish 1st... and they are trashed. The reality is - all the FAST people are doing the Hermes race and the Buzzard Du - its all about who shows up, right ??!!
OK - so - now its on to Wildflower next Saturday. 70.3 miles of triathlon bliss !!
I think I'll need a rest after this to tune up for a season of olympic distance fun.
Rock on!
Two weeks ago we had a great day for the Club duathon. It was my tune up for the Wildflower Half Iron to come three weeks later (May 1st). I was afraid it would take too much out of me for Boston, but, I held back and I think it was a perfect way to get a final higher intensity long run in, having a bike sandwiched in between two three mile runs (plus 2 miles of light running).
Onto Boston week. Weather initially looked great (maybe a little warm), then it looked terrible (rain all day). In the end, it would be a perfect day. We had quite an adventure driving out there. Mr. Walsh, Mr. Doren, and Ms. Sewall all drove out Friday night, crashed in Rochester, NY for some carbo loading (whiskey drinkin') and then finished the remainder of the 10 hour drive on Sunday. We had some interesting mis-haps that can ONLY be told over drinks. It was good to hang loose for a day and a half before the race to chill out and enjoy Bean Town. Ben Miralia set up a great dinner for 40 on Sunday night and (from what I hear - I missed it) it was fantastic. I spent my evenings with Doren and Walsh sippin' wine, drinkin' water, basically behaving ourselves while enjoying play-off hockey.
Race day: We were lucky - Jim L. and his family/friends were in the same hotel we were. He is a Boston veteran and coached us through the entire race day logistics. Because of him - it was absolutely PAINLESS - thanks for all the help Jim! There is really no experience like the pre-game at "athlete's village" and the race itself. I was warned my many about how much your quads would get ripped to shreds the first 8 miles of this event - and they didn't lie. My left quad began seizing up about mile 9 and it hurt for the rest of the race. By the halfway point - both quad, both hips, and both feet were screaming at me. You long coursers are NUTS. "Just get though it without stopping" I kept telling myself. Luckily, there are over 500,000 fans out and its easy to stay motivated with people screaming at you for the entire 26.2 miles. This race was weird because I actually looked forward to the climbs (gave your quads a rest) - I thought heartbreak hill was easy (until the backside of it when you went DOWN hill). The finish was anti-climatic and was a welcome relief. After getting my gear bag back, I sat down on the asphalt. I couldn't get back up, my legs cramped up for the next 45 minutes everytime I tried to move. Luckily, I saw Jerry C. walk by - he helped me to my feet (then he left for the airport - ouch - could you imagine flying after that!?!). Reddy, Walsh, and Sewall were awesome IronFans - they, like Waldo, kept popping up - thanks for the support !! In all - it was a must-do experience if you ever have the opportunity.
Monday night we went out and got a bit "sloppy". Our goal was simple: Beer, Hockey, Wings. We got the first two - but the place we were at ran out of wings right as we got there. Bad omen! Luckily - they had great nachos and good boneless wings (not the same - but they did OK in a pinch).
A couple big "Thanks": My training partners - Dave D., Ken H., Jerry C. You all kept me going through the "dog days". Patrick K. for the great Boston advice.
This week was tough - my quads have never hurt so bad in my life. Yesterday, I went out for a light jog and they loosened up, so, I decided to give my favorite hometown 5K (in Fairview Park) a run - figuring it would be a jog at best. After about 1/4-mile, I realized my legs were turning over pretty fast, so, I turned on the jets, caught the leader and won the dam* thing. Funny thing was - I've done this 3 previous times and kept coming in second. I guess it took trashed legs to finally finish 1st... and they are trashed. The reality is - all the FAST people are doing the Hermes race and the Buzzard Du - its all about who shows up, right ??!!
OK - so - now its on to Wildflower next Saturday. 70.3 miles of triathlon bliss !!
I think I'll need a rest after this to tune up for a season of olympic distance fun.
Rock on!
Onto the next - look forward to hearing how that goes, too!