Doublers

This past weekend Aimee and I became official Doublers at the Post Oak Lodge Challenge. On Saturday and Sunday Aimee ran a 10k then 1/4 Marathon while I ran a 50k then Marathon. Racing on back to back days was an awesome experience for us both. Obviously, this was the most running I have ever completed over the course of one weekend.

After day one I was beginning to ponder the possibility of not making it through the next day, but after finishing the Marathon on Sunday I surprisingly felt better than I did after the 50k on Saturday. My 50k time was 10 minutes faster than my race there in 2012 and it was good enough for 6th overall and 4th in my age group. Even better, the top 3 in my age group were also the top 3 finishers, so I won 1st in my age group! My marathon time was good enough for 14th overall and 6th in my age group and my combined 2 day total was 5th overall. In addition to all that, finishing 2 Marathons in 2 days bumped my Marathon Maniac status from 2 stars to 4! Yeah!

I really enjoyed the course as it was a nice mix of single track trail through woods, gravel and grass. There were several rocky sections and some difficult hills, including the "Hill from Hell", but all together they created a scenic and challenging but rewarding course. At the end, there was no doubt that you had just completed a true "challenge". Looking back at the weekend, I remain ever grateful for my ability to compete and finish races like this and I look forward to challenges like this that lie ahead.

My absolute favorite part of both days was the Marathon merging with the later starting Quarter Marathon and being able to run with Aimee to the finish of her race and the half-way point of mine. Our time to run together over the past few years has been limited, especially in races, so that short time together was the best.  

 

Winter Death Grip

I don't mind cold; temperatures in the 20's are tolerable to run in. Those days usually add up to one maybe two weeks of winter. This year however, 20's might to be the high temperature for the whole week. So far this winter my running accomplishment include: 

1. Completing a run at an official temperature of 0 degrees 

2. Running with below 0 wind chills

3. Running in the middle of a 10 inch snow storm (picture below) 

4. Going for a run only to learn school was cancelled while I was out running 

5. Missing 3 full weeks of school due to snow, ice and temps 

6. Running trails before and after the snow (picture above) 

7. Setting a new record of 5 straight miles on the Dreadmill 

I'm not quite sure how how people north of Missouri do this on a consistent basis, but it makes me wonder......

1. The cities are so good at handling snow there is always a clear path

2. Northerners really like the treadmill 

3. There are giant indoor running arenas 

4. Full body heated running suits 

Whatever it is I'm impressed, applaud you, and don't want to join you anytime soon. Good bye winter, return your article cold and let your runners free. 

Doubling Up

This week Aimee and I signed up for the Post Oak Lodge Challenge in Tulsa, OK. This trail run is held over the course of 2 days and gives participants several options.

Saturday runs are: 50k, 25k and 10k; Sunday runs are: Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, 1/4 Marathon. Participants can choose any single event or register as a "Doubler" and run an event each day, choosing any combination. I will be running the 50k and Full while Aimee will be running the 10k and 1/4.

I ran the 50k two years ago as my first Ultra Marathon. Don't be fooled by Oklahoma. You might want to envision Oklahoma = Plains = Flat, but this course is far from it and features "The Hill From Hell". Below is the awesome description from their website.

The POSTOAK Challenge Trail 50K, 25K, 10K is not a walk in the park, these are trails in the woods and it is not for the faint at heart. This is the TRC POSTOAK Challenge. The trails are a combination of less than a mile of existing gravel roads, old farm roads, a couple of chat trails, and miles and miles of single track trail winding through meadows and deep woods. As hard as we have tried there is no avoiding the hills of Osage County. It is a beautiful course with a little bit of everything. There are rocky areas, creek crossings, and a good chance of mud on the trail, but for the most part it is the hills that will give you the best workout. For this reason we have raised the difficulty rating to a seven (out of ten). If you plan to run this one fast then you need to train for hills, lots of hills.

The POSTOAK Challenge Trail-Road Marathon, Half Marathon, and Quarter Marathon will be run on part road and the remainder is run on trail surfaces. The road sections will be either logging road, gravel, or paved road. The trail section will be single track trails for the most part. There will be plenty of hills for everyone to enjoy, and you will all finish by running up the world famous "HILL FROM HELL". Welcome to the TRC POSTOAK Challenge!

This will be my first trail since 2012 and Aimee's first overall. So, in anticipation, we have been getting in some trail miles at our local St. Joe State Park. The pictures are from my run there this weekend. Live in the Tulsa area? You have through February 1st to guarantee a Doubler spot and medal.

Time Away

I have not blogged in almost 6 months. During that time we were busy. Here's a quick rundown.

• Basil turned 1 and is now 18 months. 
• I remodeled a house. Want to buy it? 
• Aimee and I have competed in a combined: 3 marathons, 3 half marathons, 25k, 15k, and a turkey trot with my mom for her first ever 5k. 
  
• We had so many snow days that I only taught 8.5 days from Thanksgiving through January 13. 
  
• I signed up for Ironman Louisville. 
• We gave our blog a make over. 
• And finally, I have decided to start a local 5k and 10k training group. This is something I have always wanted to do. Information can be found in the TRAINING tab at the top of the page. Want to join? 

Transitions

Since Boston I have been focused on Ironman 70.3 Kansas. That event was my first 70.3 in Lawrence, Kansas on June 9. It's now been almost 3 weeks since and I'm withing 12 weeks of the Sioux Falls Marathon where I hope to re-qualify for Boston 2014.

As I begin to up my running mileage I really miss the added components of swim and bike and look forward to getting back to all 3. I hope to complete another 70.3 this fall and hopefully register for a Full Ironman in Fall of 2014. I need to get a post updated about my experience at Kansas and I will, but I also just realized I have a full (or ultra) in each of the last 4 months of 2013: Sioux Falls in September, Dogwood Canyon 50k in October, Bass Pro in November and Rocket City in December. Sioux Falls and Rocket City will add two new states to my list, South Dakota and Alabama respectively.

In the meantime here is a really good article to keep you motivated through the training process. It also relates well with me since I am a teacher too.

Boston 2013: 3 Weeks Later

  

With Dad and Mom Approx 30 Minutes Before Explosion 

I decided to take some time away from my Boston blogging to reflect on what happened approximately and hour and a half after I crossed the finish line. My initial reaction as I sit in a bar with my parents and other finishers was disbelief, which quickly turned to anger. For the next 5 days I was glued to my TV and pretty much blocked out the world for that period of time. I was distracted and disinterested in anything other than Boston coverage. During that time I felt guilt for already being away from the finish line, and at the same time, I was thankful for my families safety. I ran a great race finishing almost 30 minutes better than 2009 (3:08:00 vs 3:36:00) and just missing re-qualifying by only 3 minutes. After running Boston for a second time I truly realized how special the course is and look forward to returning in 2014.

After the events of Marathon Monday I was interviewed by several local radio stations. This podcast below sums up my Boston experience if you have the time to listen. 

With Bart Yasso for Shakeout Run and Best SWAG Ever!

Boston Marathon 2013 Podcast 

Since Boston I have continued to focus on Kansas 70.3 which is now only 5 weeks away. The week after, Aimee and I ran in a local 10k to show support for Boston. I was the overall winner for the 2nd straight year and Aimee took 2nd female after being 7 months prego last year. Last weekend I completed my second ever tri (450 m, 15 miles, 5 miles) in 1:29:59 taking 22nd overall and finishing 12th in the run. I look forward to the new challenges that triathlons and the 1/2 Ironman will present. 

 Aimee and I before 10k; Dan and I exiting the Swim for Sprint Tri 

Boston 2013 Days 98-111: Race Weekend

Race weekend is finally here and minus a few minor injuries along the way I have safely made it to Boston. Unlike last time where I stayed out by the airport and commuted in everyday, this time I am in downtown in the heart of all the action and the feel of the marathon is just all around. There are banners, signs and jackets everywhere you turn. It is very exciting.

I picked up my packet on Saturday when I arrived and found the best race SWAG ever! A Sam Adams 26.2 bottle opener; so naturally I had to try some of the new 26.2 brew and it did not disappoint. Very good. The expo was packed with runners and running celebs. My roommate for Boston met Ryan Hall and many other elites have seminars or meet and greets throughout the expo. The colors for this years race are Blue and Yellow the same as when I was here in 2009 so that saved me some $, but I did see one of my favorite all time running shirts for Basil except she could not wear it for 2 more years so I just took a picture (below).

Today is Sunday and I went on a shakeout run with Runner's World Bart Yasso. It was really nice to meet him and he took time for everyone to take pictures and small talk; very nice guy who gets to do this every weekend (I'm sure his job is really tough). The group was about 25 large and we ran 2.5 miles along the Charles River for a really nice view of the city. I managed to snap a few pictures along the way and added an extra 1.5 after the group run just weaving through some of the south neighborhoods. These home were really cool to see al everything (road, sidewalk, homes) were all brick and build right next to each other. Very old, and very cool.

I plan non taking in a Red Sox game later this afternoon and then relaxing the rest of the day. Bus loads early in the morning then it's off to Hopkington for the start. Looking forward to tomorrow I am anxious to see how I do and ready to rub elbows with some of the best runners in the world.

Pictured below: Finish Line, SWAG, Favorite Shirt, Me and Bart Yasso, 25 mile mark Citgo Sign, Charles River