I Have 7 Things To Say...

Here are some things on my mind, and I am not wasting any time getting to them:

1. Dogs- I like dogs. I even have a dog, but what I do not like is dogs running around without a leash. I have been chased, barked at and even tripped while out running due to dogs running free. I have thought about buying that doggy pepper stuff to use on the dogs, but I know the owners would freak, so maybe I'd use it on them also. All I am asking is for people to leash their pets unless it is a no leash area. I won;t run in the no leash area OK?


2. Wind- The wind sucks. Sunday it was very windy out on my run. I heard estimates of 30mph+ winds outside. All I know is that when I was running against the wind, I was about 15 seconds slower than normal. While I was running with the wind, I was about 10 seconds faster! It actually felt like I was being pushed from behind.


3. Shortcuts- It is not uncommon for me to change my routes while I am out running. There could be many reasons for me to change, but rarely are they good reasons, so I won't even list them. Sunday I had a predetermined route in my mind, and I was determined to complete the route. I am happy to report that I even added some distance to my run that day. Booyeah!


4. NCAA Championship- horrible.


5. Hot Pockets- not a fan


6. WWE- I admit, I have started watching it again on Monday nights since The Rock is back. It usually goes along with my Monday night trainer ride. I think it makes my ride go by faster, what do you think? (It doesn't matter what you think!) Rock reference.


7. Goals- I am leading a mentor group over on BT.com. As part of this group, we all have set goals for April, Here are mine. Bike 160 miles, run 45 miles and swim 12,000 yds.

Am I better at Racing or at Training for a Race???

9 weeks from yesterday (Jan 17) I will be running my first ½ marathon. This is something I have been working towards because I want to have a 13 miler under my belt before my HIM. So I have been running. I have been doing 2 4-5 milers during the week and a longer 7-9 miler on the weekend. I know now that I can cover the 13 miles needed to finish the race, the only question I have, Is how fast can I do this?

I like to set time goals for myself on race days. This way it doesn’t matter on if I podium (LOL like I have a chance!), it only matters if I can beat my goal. This is always much easier to do when you have ran that particular race before. Since I have never raced this distance before, I am having a hard time setting a goal.

Or maybe I am not having a hard time setting a goal; maybe I just do not want to set a goal. I mean, I really would love to finish this sucker off in under 2:00. This would mean I would need to run about 9 minute miles or so, which is doable. Right now I am not in the mindset of pushing myself to hit 9:00 miles for longer runs. Yesterday I ran 8 miles in 1:19 and I had a 9:51 pace, which is not that good. That would have meant the last 5 miles would need to be ran at an 8:00 mile.

I have been reading race reports of other ½ marathoners on BT.com and majority of them finish under 2 hours. I want to be less than 2 hours. I think I need to be less than 2 hours for me to feel like I am making the improvements I should be making after 2 seasons of Tris. I have always thought I was better at training for a race than I was at racing a race.

The more I am typing this, the more I am getting a “HTFU” typed of attitude towards this race. I have roughly 9 weeks to prepare, 9 weeks to get better and faster. So I am making a statement to all who read this. I WILL FINISH IN LESS THAN 2 HOURS! Mark my words.

2010 Race Schedule

I have been working on getting my 2010 race schedule worked out. I am doing some "firsts" this year as far as longer distance races, and I am also doing some repeats. It should be a great year. Not everything on here is set in stone, but right now, here is the plan:

January- I will start getting back in the saddle and riding, nothing intense this month, but I will be looking to get some miles. I will also start working more on running speed for the upcoming 1/2 marathon. I want to hit my goal time. I also want to start working on a "better diet" I want to work on getting leaner, not sure how I will do that, but that may be for another post at another time.

February- Will again be more of a running/ biking base building base month with speed work mixed in on the runs. I plan on doing the Valentine's Day Run/Walk 10k. on February 13, 2010. This will actually be the first 10k race I will have ever done. I think right now i am looking at a sub 60 minute 10k. I really think this is an obtainable goal.

March- March 21, 2009 I am signed up to run the Germantown Half Marathon. Another first for me. I have not run a 1/2 marathon before but I am looking forward to this challenge. It is an important race for me because I am planning on doing a HIM in Sept and I do not want my first 13.2 mile run to be after a 56 mile bike! I am unsure as what my goal time is right now, I am thinking around 2:15, but I would love to hit 2 hours or lower.

April- April will be a "get into triathlon racing mode" month. Plenty of riding, plenty of running and swimming, There is a possibly of getting an OWS towards the end of April.

May- Normally,
I would be racing the Memphis in May Triathlon, but instead I will be on a cruise relaxing and working on my tan! This will be a tough month to keep up my fitness cause I hear they feed you anytime you want on the boat. I am looking forward to the cruise and might even get to swim in crystal clear waters!

June- June 12, I am planning on racing in the Dragonfly Triathlon in Mississippi. This is a favorite race of mine because it is family friendly. The kids love playing on the beach. I did not compete in 2009 due to a 20 year high school reunion, so I am looking to tackle this race again. In 2008, I completed the course in 2:00:48. I have been training for 2 years and have a new faster bike to race, so I am looking for improvements!

July- 2 races in July. The MightyMite Triathlon on July 17 and the Sharpshooter Triathlon on the 31st . I have done both of these races before and again I am looking for major improvements. In 2009 I made a 15 minute improvement at the MightyMite (1:19), so I am looking for a sub 1:15 on this race. In the Sharpshooter, I finished in 1:05 in 2009, so I definitely think I can go under 1 hour.

August- Training, recovery month.

September- This is where is it gets nasty. I am scheduled to race Ironman Branson 70.3 on Sept 19, 2010. This is will be my first HIM and I am really looking forward to it. It will be a huge challenge. I am hoping to race with some friends, which will make it an even cooler experience. My wife, kids, parents and sisters family all are planning on going to see me finish the race. Very exciting times!

October- RECOVER

November- build base running miles for the full marathon. Work on training for December race. I might run a Turkey Trot around Thanksgiving with the guys again.

December- Third time is a charm right? I plan on signing up in m plenty of time to run the Memphis Marathon. Another first for me. 26.2 miles.

All of these races are on my personal path to becoming an Ironman in 2011. It is a goal of mine and I have been following my plan to hit the Ironman stage when I turn 40. So there is my "plan". I also want to recruit more people to get out and race.

2010 Race Goals

In the off season, you always want to work on your weak points. I tend to try and continue my running, spend alot of time on the trainer, build more strength and finally plan for the next year. I have some lofty goals for 2010, but I am positive they are all attainable.

In 2010, my main #1 goal is to complete a HIM. That's right, a 1 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13 mile run. I honestly feel like I could complete one already, but I am past just completing races. I want to compete, meaning I want to do as well as I can.

I already know that one of my biggest to date races will not happen in 2010. (I gots other plans which involve a big boat and warm weather. So the HIM will be my biggest race. I will also continue to do some Sprint Tris, like the Dragonfly, Mighty Mite, the Rebelman, maybe the Sharpshooter and the Los Locos Duathlon, but number goal is the HIM.

So to accomplish this, I have decided that I need to race some 1/2 marathons (13 miles) I do not want my first 13 mile run to be after a 56 mile bike! So I have a couple 1/2 marys in mind. One in Germantown (Mar 2010) and one in Nashville in April, which would also be a nice getaway for the wife and me). I think these races will be essential in my doing well on the half, so my running has to get stronger. Currently my longest runs in the last 2 months have been 7 miles, which is taking me just under an hour, so I have plenty of time to get ready for it, if I could get myself out of bed in the morning and run before work. It is just to hard to get away after work these days.