End Of The Year

It has been an incredible year. I've seen myself grow. As someone that never considered himself athletic, I can now see myself as an athlete. I can see what I've accomplished and if asked 2 years ago if I would or could do any of the things I achieved this year, I'd say no way. This year has prepared me for things to come in the future. When I set out to run and then do triathlons, I wanted it to become a lifestyle. I didn't want it to become something I had to do, but something I wanted to do. That certainly has become the case. I'm about to set off on a new adventure next year. It's going to be a challenge to train as I won't have access to many of the training facilities I've had this past year. So I'll have to get creative. I'm not going to lose the fitness I've gained, not after being recognized for the work I've put in this year.

I was honored by the Atlanta Triathlon Club when they awarded my the "Most Dedicated Member" award this past weekend. I was shocked and left speechless. According to one of the coaches, it was unanimous. Thank you.

I have been inspired by many in the club. When you have a group like this, that is so encouraging, motivating and welcoming, it's hard not to get caught up in that energy. I couldn't have done it without the support of this club. If you're in the Atlanta area and looking for a group to train with, make sure you check them out. You won't be disappointed.

One of the highlights of the end of the year party is the slideshow. It's a great reminder of not only the accomplishes we've made as individuals, but the memories we've shared that can't be replaced that I will always carry with me.

How can you not want to be a part of this club. It's been hard training, but there have been some good times shared.

Since the season is over, I don't plan on posting my normal weekly training schedule. I have not stopped training. As a matter of fact, I'm working with a swim coach and she's helping me with my form. Already, I've taken 10 seconds off my 100 yard swim. I'm still running and although biking has come to a stop, I'm still doing spin bike sessions once a week.

Next year, training will be less structured. I'm not sure what I'll be posting. Depending on how creative I get in getting any kind of training, then that may be the subject that I'll cover. In the mean time, I'll go through and write up reviews of equipment I've put through the paces this year.

Atlanta Half Marathon - Another PR

Atlanta Half Marathon
Date of Race: 11/24/11
Total Time = 1h 45m 17s
Overall Place = 1218/8528
Age Group = Male 40-44
Age Group Place = 146/657

Pre-race:  I woke up early and had my normal cereal with soy milk and banana, followed by a cup of coffee. I had some extra time and did some stretches at home. Specifically with the foam roller and my IT Band. I've been having issues and was concerned when it would act up. I didn't have high hopes for a great race. I had been drinking plenty water the day before and drank a bottle of gatorade during the drive and while I sat in the car before the start. I also took 2 salt stick. This is probably one of my favorite races due to the location. I'm less than 10 minutes away and parking has been so easy the last 2 years. I had plenty of time once I parked. I wasn't too sure what to wear, except that I was definitely going with my tri shorts. I had the option for additional layers and decided against it and went with my long sleeve ATC tech shirt.

Atlanta Marathon - My 1st Marathon

Finally got around to writing my race report. The trouble with the Garmin delayed it and my trip to spectate at Ironman Florida.

Atlanta Marathon - 26.2 mile

Date of Race: 10/30/2011

Total Time = 4h 20m 30s

Overall Place = 500/1128

Age Group = Male 40-44

Age Group Place = 60/99

Pre-race:  Had my normal breakfast of cereal, soy milk, banana & cup of coffee. Race start was at Atlantic Station, so it was convenient to get to. I was a bit worried about traffic and parking. E-mail from the race said to use 16th street or Market street entrance and only pay $5 for parking in the garage. There was no one collecting for parking, just the normal grab a ticket and pay at the parking station. I thought that parking would still be $5. Turns out it was $12 and I was charged by the hour. There were several posts on Atlanta Track Club's Facebook page and some paid up to $14. There was a mix up or someone didn't show up in time. Hopefully they'll take care of this for next year.

Parking was not a problem. There were plenty of spaces. I drank about 16oz of Gatorade on the drive and before the start. 30 minutes before the start I had a gel and walked over to the staging area. 

Training Week in Review

Although technically I'm supposed to be tapering, I've increased some activities before my first marathon. I've cut my runs to only 2 days per week and distance has been decreased significantly. I got back into swimming 2 days per week and weight training. With just 2 weeks of lifting weights, I'm already feeling a bit stronger and can tell I'm toning up some areas that really needed to be toned up. I did my first ride since Augusta 70.3. It was a chilly morning of 40º, but it was not a hard ride. I didn't even bother to take any nutrition, just water.

I've got 5 days before my marathon. I'll definitely take it easier this week. No weights (well, maybe just upper body). Some easy swim and easy spin. I'm going try and keep my legs fresh for Sunday.

Date	Day	Activity
10/17/11	Monday	Swim - 2200 Yards
10/18/11	Tuesday	Rest
10/19/11	Wednesday	Cycle - Spin Weights - Legs
10/20/11	Thursday	Cycle - Spin Weights - Upper Body Swim - 800 Meters
10/21/11	Friday	Rest
10/22/11	Saturday	Bike - 1.5 hours
10/23/11	Sunday	Run - 6 miles

Training Week in Review

Still taking it easy on the run, but less knee pain, which means IT Band is getting better. At least I can run without having to stop. This week I double up on spin class since it's now being offered twice a week. I'm also getting back into weight training. I'm hoping by working out my legs, it'll help strengthen my legs and glutes and alleviate the ITB issues.

I ran 10 miles on Sunday at my marathon pace, about 8:40, which should put me at about a 3:50 marathon. My goal is to finish under 4 hours, so this gives me about 10 minutes of wiggle room. Pace felt good and I think I could go faster. My legs were still sore from lifting weights. If I had fresh legs, I think I could've gone faster. Right now my plan is to run 8:40 for 18 miles. Hopefully, I'll have enough in me to pick up the pace and either maintain an 8:40 pace or better on the hills.

Date	Day	Activity
10/10/11	Monday	Swim - 2200 Yards
10/11/11	Tuesday	Rest
10/12/11	Wednesday	Cycle - Spin Weights - Upper Body
10/13/11	Thursday	Cycle - Spin Weights - Legs
10/14/11	Friday	Run - 7 Miles
10/15/11	Saturday	Rest
10/16/11	Sunday	Run - 10 Miles

Training Week in Review

Been taking it easy since Augusta. No cycling only spin class. I've only been running 2 days a week. I've had some IT Band issues and have tried not to aggravate it any further. I ran 20 miles this week for my long run with the Atlanta Track Club Nike Pace Team. This covered about 80% of the Atlanta Marathon course. I felt pretty good and still had some knee pain due to the ITB issue, but I stretched at each water stop. I felt strong through out the majority of the run. It was on the last 2.5 miles that I started to slow down. Probably because that's where all the hills are. The pace leader mentioned that the last 6 miles are the toughest due to all the hills. I'll need to reevaluate my strategy for race day. I'm going to have to conserve some of my energy for those last 6 miles. I also haven't been taking in any nutrition on these long runs. I've only been drinking Gatorade. I'm going to need 3-4 gels if I'm going to have a good performance for my first full marathon.

Date	Day	Activity
10/03/11	Monday	Rest
10/04/11	Tuesday	Rest
10/05/11	Wednesday	Cycle - Spin Swim - 500 Meters
10/06/11	Thursday	Run - 7 Miles
10/07/11	Friday	Rest
10/08/11	Saturday	Run -20 Miles
10/09/11	Sunday	Rest

Augusta Half Ironman

Augusta 70.3 - Half Ironman Triathlon

Date of Race: 09/25/2011

Total Race Time = 5h 42m 48s

Overall Place = 967/3180

Age Group = Male 40-44

Age Group Place = 167/504

It took me a bit longer to write this up than expected. Actually, I wrote it up about a week ago and posted it on our club forum, but I also wanted to include some photos from the weekend. I finally got around to downloading them off my phone. It's a long race report and I'm trying to keep it to the most important details, but you may still need to grab a beverage as you read through. I'm hoping the photos help break up the page and provide some visuals from the weekend.

This race sold out a couple weeks before the event. It's the first time it sold out (only one other 70.3 has sold out) and we were informed that with almost 3200 athletes, it was the largest Half Ironman!