CCC - 15 April

Late post on this race…..

I spent a lot of time training for this one….like 2-3 months.  My plan was that this was to be the pre-cursor to my re-entry into the triathlon world.  Specifically, this was going to be the springboard into preparation for Olympic Trials training.  The plan was to spend the first quarter of the year focusing on my run.  Get my base down and then focus on the swim and bike.  The CCC 10k was an opportunity that I could get at or under 6 min/mile…I was close halfway through (6:11), but didn’t quite finish that strong (6:26).

I’m discouraged and not just by my time.  The training hasn’t been as easy as it was in the past.  Not because of anything in particular.  Just seems to be tougher to get out and to get a pace I want.  Age, perhaps?  Getting old.

By the numbers:

Age Group Finish (30-34) – 24^th overall

Overall Finish – 97^th

Mile 1 Time – 6:13

Pace @ 5k – 6:11

Pace for 2d 5k – 6:39

Pace Delta - :28

Finish Time/Pace – 39:54/6:26

Two Weeks till Boston

On Sunday, 28 February I'll be in New Orleans with the family to qualify for Boston at the New Orleans Rock'n'Roll Marathon.  My distance work lately has been much more consistent compared to November and December.  Although I've largely ignored focusing on my designated paces for each week of training, my legs feel really strong.  I need to lean into my core workouts this week, but no other issues than that.

As I'm two weeks from attempting to qualify, I'm so ready for this to be finished.  Having skipped a few races as potential qualifiers, my training has really been dragged out...and its taking a toll on me.  Not only that, its been a big adjustment for the family.  There haven't been as many leisurely 5-mile runs with Crystal and Samuel.  Especially when Dad needs to do speed workouts or a 20-mile long run, the family often makes a sacrifice on their own.  I'll get home from work, throw on my shoes to knock out 6-miles, and get home just in time to bathe Samuel and put him to bed.  That being said, when I finish two weeks from now (and hopefully qualify), the family will be qualifying just as much as me.  If I qualify when I cross the finish line, it'll be their victory as much as it is mine.


Two Weeks Out:

Training Pace: 6:00min
Long Run: 20 miles
Music: Brady-Pod took one for the team a few weeks back.  I've been going sans music, but have Crystal's iPod as an alternate.  That being said, I'm really working hard on curating my 2016 Dance Commander playlist.  Will probably use this on race day.

Weeks 15 & 16: A New Goal

I’ve decided not to use the Louisiana Marathon (January 17^th) as my qualifying race for Boston.  Unfortunately, I’ve had enough issues with staying healthy and with hitting all my long runs that I don’t think it’s the race for me.  To clarify, I feel like I could qualify at the Louisiana Marathon, I just don’t think I could do it at the pace I’d like.

My new goal is to qualify at the New Orleans Rock N’ Roll Marathon (February 28^th).  My backup to this race will be the Zydeco Marathon in Lafayette a few weeks later.  Honestly, I’m ready to be finished with marathon training.  The marathon is just an odd distance/speed for me.  I’m really comfortable with anything at or below 13.1 miles, or anything longer than a marathon (although, I haven’t done any ultras in quite a while).

Week XV:

Training Pace: 6:10 (have been hitting it pretty consistently)

Long Run: doesn’t matter…haven’t been hitting it.

Music:  Started the book Leadership and Training for the Fight by Paul Howe.  It’s not great, but it passes the time.

Weeks 13 & 14: Weight Management

Over the past few weeks I’ve had some legitimate issues getting in my long runs and this is beginning to weigh heavily on me.  Although I’ve not had any real issues hitting my paces throughout the week, I worry that my lack of long distance mileage will come back to bite me in the ass.  Although I’m uncertain now, I’m contemplating just doing the half-marathon at the Louisiana Marathon.  I would then attempt to qualify at the Rock N’Roll New Orleans Marathon in February, or the Zydeco Marathon in Lafayette in the middle of March.

We had an all-hands, medical stand down this weekend in New Orleans for the Marine Corps.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that I weighed in at 161 lbs, my ideal race weight.  I need to be careful not to drop too much weight, but this is great to have hit this milestone.  I much prefer how I look when I’m about 20lbs heavier, but I love how I feel when I’m cruising at this weight.  I’m trying to eat only fruit and water before noon each day.  I’ll eat pretty much whatever for lunch, but in moderation.  Dinner, I’m trying to eat just a small enough portion of whatever we’re having so that I’m not quite full.

Week XIII:

Training Pace: 6:20

Long Run: 14 miles

Music: Finished the book Living with a Seal by Jesse Itzler.  Itzler is the husband of the woman that’s the CEO of Spanx.  He met Navy Seal David Groggins during an ultra-marathon event and ultimately asked him to move in with his family and train him.  Although the workouts Groggins puts him through are of questionable training value (Itzler’s going to end up getting hurt if he sticks with that training regimen), the intensity with which they workout is admirable.  It’s a good, easy read.

Week 12: Back Spasms

Thursday morning, after my morning 6-miler at 6:30 pace, my back felt funny.  It didn't hurt, just felt sore like maybe I'd slept on it oddly.  I largely ignored it and made a point to stretch my back throughout the day.  While at work, I changed clothes and laced up my shoes at lunch to knock out a quick 2 miles.  As soon as I finished the quick run, my back completely seized up and I could barely move.

I've since been to the doctor, received two steroid shots, and am still taking oral steroids to help with the pain.  For the most part, it doesn't hurt, just feels uncomfortable.  I can still tell that something is weird with my back, though.  Sunday I got in a few "test jogs" to see how it felt, and I'm reasonably certain I can pick back up with little to no issues.  Fortunately, my training plan doesn't have me upping the mileage or pace this week.

Week XII:

Training Pace: 6:30 (was nailing it until my back spasms showed up)

Long Run: 14 miles (didn't get it because of the back issues)

Music: Finished "41", meandering through podcasts now

Week 11: Houston Treadmills

I hate treadmills.

Spent four days in Houston this week for work, which meant I got to spend some quality time on the conveyer belt.  The only thing worse than having to occupy your mind while knocking out 6 miles on a treadmill, is having to do speed workouts on a treadmill.

I missed my runs on Friday because of travel and because I felt tired.  Not just my legs, but overall was just tired.  I struggled again on Sunday with my long run and ended up splitting it up (6 miles in the morning, 6 in the evening).

Week XI:

Training Pace:  6:40
Long Run:  12 miles (split it up, 6/6)
Music:  Still working on George Bush's book about his dad...an interesting look at 41's presidency 

Week 10: Head Cold and Rain

The aftereffects of a head cold and day after day of rain have made this week's training interesting.  I only missed two runs, but never had any issue maintaining my goal pace for this week (6:50).  That being said, 6:50 is a weird pace to consistently hold (overall run time isn't an issue).  I think because this speed is just below my normal "cruising" pace, I have difficulty discerning between cruising it out and pushing it just a little bit.

Week X:

Training Pace: 6:50

Long Run:  12 miles - I did the first 6 alone and nailed 6:50.  Crystal and Samuel joined for the second 6, so I slowed it down.

Music:  I started George Bush's biography of his dad, "41 - A Portrait of My Father"

Like I said, difficult to discern a 6:50 pace from my cruising pace of 7:00...but my overall run pace was 6:47.