Cutting Edge Half Classic 2012

photo credit: SJP

This weekend I traveled to Effingham, IL for the Cutting Edge Half Classic with Stephen. It was a fun little trip aside from my passenger door not closing and then not opening. I'm sure it looked like a clown car with Stephen climbing out after me through the driver's door.

This was my first 70.3 mile triathlon since 2010. I was only a runner in 2011. For those not in the know, this is considered a half. We swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles. Yes, in that order.

The day started with an overcast sky. The swim had excellent buoys that I could actually see.

On the bike we traveled due west for 28 miles, turned around, and came back. On this day, we had a 15 mph West wind. Fighting the wind was a struggle. At one point I looked down and saw I was going 14 mph. When I figured out that meant it would take me 2 hours to get to the turnaround, I LOL'd, for real. Once I turned around, it was excellent having such a strong tailwind. Of course, it started to die as I went. Also, the sun really started to come out.

The run was 13.1 miles of sun baked gravel and pavement. The temperature at finish was 93 degrees. I could hear my shoes sticking to the hot tar in the pavement. With 3 miles to go I started to run out of energy and really wish I could find a port-a-potty. Needing the facilities really slows my running down. As you can tell from the picture, I have a more on my mind than simply finishing.

Finished 6th in my age group and 40th overall. Even with all the wind my bike was just under 6 minutes faster than my previous best bike. Thanks, Big Tree Cycling!

WhiteWaterRaftin'

I'm going rafting this weekend!! That is what happened last time, those are my feet. Maybe I'll stay in the boat this time, but falling out is so much fun!

photo swiped off the web

Groundhog 2012

A couple Sundays ago was my almost annual running of the TLC's Groundhog 10k. It is almost annual because Stephen and I missed it for his wedding reception last year. I think that is an excused absence.

The race is held underground in the Hunt Midwest Subtropolis. It was a giant limestone mine that has been turned into the largest underground business complex (according to the owners). It has a post office and a bunch of businesses built in this thing. And roads. Yes, roads underground that are big enough for semis! You can watch a little promo video on that link up there and see a truck in this thing to give you an idea of the size. I bet you're thinking something like, 'wow semis under ground. that is big.' Well it gets bigger, areas have TRAIN TRACKS. BIG.

In a place that big why not have a race at the end of January. They hold a 5k and a 10k. The 5k is one lap of the place and the 10k is 2 laps. In terms of racing it is a great place. 60-65 degrees, virtually completely flat, no wind. It really makes for an amazing experience. My only two faults for it are a couple tight turns that we have to take and a sewage smell in one area that lasts for about 25 meters.

Stephen and I arrive an hour or so before the start so we can pick up our packets, pin our numbers, and warm up. I also had some quality time checking out a lady that I was too chicken to talk to until after the race. I think she was too young anyway.

Our plan was to not blow out the first few miles and pick up the pace to the end. When we started my legs didn't really get moving and Stephen was out in front of me quickly. I got up to speed and kept the distance between us constant for a few miles. Other runners around me were stomping, panting, gasping, falling back, and just generally losing it. I have noticed in a certain range of paces you have the people that have been running for awhile yet haven't figured out how to start at a sustainable pace. I used to do this and eventually they'll learn.

Around mile 4 I started to notice I wasn't in good shape. Mile 5 I slowed pathetically but was able to start to pick it back up right at the end. Stephen finished ahead of me in 117th place with a time of 45:11.8. And I ended up finishing 149th in 46:50.1. In our age group we were 21st and 25th. A total of 1172 people ran the 10k against us.

Now for a few pictures. These below are interesting just because you can see one complete stride in the series. I like seeing how I run. How I think I run vs how it looks. How much I swing my arms. How my feet land. I can see why my soles wear out the way they do. I still need to get my elbows in and swing my arms only forward and back. I have too much cross body motion.

And now for the ladies, you can drool over a picture of Stephen and his awesome legs. Just be careful to not drool directly into your keyboard. And he is TAKEN, so don't ask. Also, his W will kill you then I will.

photos copied from Action Sports Images, LLC

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving 2011. I'm thankful for life, my family, my friends and of course my readers!

My day started out with a 7.8 mile run with my BF and BFW. The run was cold at first but after a mile I realized I was much to over-dressed. I told them about being creeped on at a bar, which was fun. The creeping and telling of said creeping was fun.

Bro arrived around noon and we hit the road to the Northland. We ended up being tasked with what seemed to be a wild goose chase. We eventually found the cream of mushroom soup but not without having to visit walmart. walmart on Thanksgiving day in a small town is interesting. The people were either really friendly, happy, and into the day; or really pissed off at life.

We arrived at Gow Gow's and discussed the usual things first. These include but are not limited to politics, the turkeys in the back yard, the deer in the back yard, the squirrls getting into the bird feeders, leaves covering the yard, what tree is dying, the rental houses on the farm, health issues, and other various items.

As the cooking was progressing along the big issue was when would the turkey be done. Now Gow Gow is 95. She has been cooking for a few years now, she started at age 8 when her mother died. I'm not sure how long she has been cooking turkeys but every year the discussion becomes at what temperature is the turkey done. At one point my mom, aunt, and Gow Gow are all standing around the open oven saying things like 'do you think it is done?' 'is 160 hot enough?' 'where are you supposed to stick the thermometer?' After this went on for some time I said, "I don't think it will cook very fast if we stand around the oven with the door open." This was not exactly viewed favorably but it got the job done. The oven was promptly closed and Gow Gow opened her giant cooking binder that can't even be closed, flipped to the T section and pulled out her notes on turkeys. Now, I noticed a period of time longer then my life the temperature at which a turkey is done has ranged from 160 to 190. However, all agreed upon the location where one should check the temperature, stuffing and the inner thigh. (i like to check the temperature at the inner thigh myself) After another 30 minutes in the oven I tested the turkey and informed everyone of the temperature. After discussion it was deemed done and out he came.

Bro was tasked with carving the turkey.

While Gow Gow sat, I drank wine took pictures and helped on the gravy, Aunt Ann fixed the salad, and Uncle Tom watched.

Before we ate Bro said a very good prayer. It hit all the major points Granddad used to: thanks for providing, thanks for family present and away, let us make good decisions, help the politicians make good choices. Basic yay god boo devil kind of stuff.

We always have pecan and pumpkin pie for dessert. I only eat pumpkin as I find pecan too sweet. Gow Gow makes her own whipped cream. She puts some powdered sugar and vanilla extract in and it makes it better than heaven in your mouth. Also, I don't drink coffee much but Gow Gow only drinks it from a true coffee CUP and saucer so I think I have to for the sake of tradition.

Also, Mom had her cast taken off so now she is just in a splint with her pins sticking out of her finger. Cats are dangerous.

You are all welcome to come next year if you'd like!

Rock & Roll Marathon STL

Sunday October 23, 2011 I knocked 33 minutes of my marathon personal record.

The run started in earnest 18 weeks earlier. That's when I started on the training plan from Hal Higdon. The whole process was actually new yet familiar. I had followed one of his plans for a half marathon earlier in the year. It worked very well for me so I tried it for the full 26.2 miles. Let me tell you, 18 weeks is a long time to be following a plan.

Race weekend arrived. I made this journey with my best friends, StAshley or Stephen and Ashley. They're married and I have to say, awesome. This was Ashley's first marathon and she wanted Stephen to run it with her. He did and she ended killing my first marathon time, and Stephen's. While it is very obvious her accomplishment is fantastic I don't want Stephen's to become lost in the shuffle. Most people don't have any idea what it is like to run a long distance race at someone else's pace. It is an extremely selfless act.

The morning started off dark and chilly. I was in corral 1. The race started and I ran. I can't say I was really focused on my speed. I started with everyone around me but also made sure I was being slowly passed by those people. See, I have this little problem of going out too hot. It is occasionally used to get a laugh now and again.

There were around 25,000 people at this race. The first aid station was just over a mile in. With so many people I was having a bit of an issue getting a drink while being polite so I bolted to an open spot. Went to grab a cup but instead knocked the whole cup onto the volunteer. As you can tell we still had a lot of people at the 5k mark (24:43) from the picture below. You might also notice the very attractive lady over my right shoulder. Turns out she ran the half and beat my best half marathon time by 1 second. What a B! (Kidding, good work. Wanna go have dinner?)

Next big deal was around mile 8. Mom was going to be there. Well, supposed to be there. She was late. I thought about how Ashley would at least have some cheering for you and laughed about how she would try to ask them where I was. She sometimes doesn't understand what it's like on the course but I'm always happy when she is able to come to a race. This is also where we split from the half-marathoners. The course thinned out but we still had a lot of spectators and a fair number of runners.

Half way point was next (1:47:59) and arrived there feeling very good and being very impressed with my time. I thought, wow, I'm rollin.

That feeling changed around mile 20-22. This is when the struggle bus arrived and I got on board. I just started making deals with myself. Thinking about how I only had X number of miles. It's funny how easy 4 miles is at the front end, and how impossible it can be at the back end.

I crossed the finish line after 3:47:45 of running. This blew the old record out of the water by 33 minutes. Did I want to be faster, of course but am I happy with my time, ABSO-FRIGGIN-LUTELY!

Bourbon Chase 2011

This was the best event I've ever been a part of.

The Bourbon Chase is a 200 mile overnight relay race from Jim Beam to downtown Lexington. Along the way we pass Heaven Hill, Maker's Mark, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve.

I was roped into doing this over a year ago by a bunch of people I only knew via twitter. During this last year leading up to the event I've visited them several times and was even a guest at a wedding between two of the runners, Dooch and Jess.

After meeting up with most of Team Shirlock at a Waffle House (it's a house not a home) we went to Patty's. Patty is the sister of a former team mate from 2 years ago. She's obviously a really cool lady because she offered her BEAUTIFUL 1864 farmhouse for us to stay pre and post race. She and her husband, Steve, even made us breakfast.

We picked up the rest of the team at the Louisville airport and headed to Jim Beam. I've never been to a distillery. It really is an impressive place. I think the neatest aspect is the barrel warehouses. These building are HUGE. Stories tall, hundreds of feet long, and tens of feet wide. They are just packed with barrels of bourbon. There really isn't much room to walk. All the barrels are in racks on their sides towering up and into the darkness.

Dooch started us off at 2:45 in the afternoon on Friday. From here we just kept running. Person after person and leg after leg. We were supposed to have 12 runners but we only had 10. Some of us ended up running 4 legs with others running the standard 3.

Two of my 4 were at night. Around 1:30 and 3:30. I pretty much hauled the mail on the 1:30 leg. Averaged a 7:27/mile pace. If darkness can be gorgeous this was. All of the runners are required to wear a reflective vest, a headlamp, and a red taillight. The run was a road that was miles of straight pavement with slight elevation gain. When i would look behind me there was an endless stream of tiny white bouncing lights and ahead of me blinking red lights. I don't know what was so interesting about this scene, maybe I was delirious from lack of sleep but several times I'd look at this and smile and laugh. The next leg at night was much more challenging. It was me, the darkness, and my breath in my headlamp. Well those things along with the 3 runners that past me. It was tough; all alone, long, sleepy, hoping i wasn't lost, hungry.

My last leg I almost don't want to mention. Only 4.2 miles but so difficult due to cramps I would have quit if I didn't have a teammate waiting on me to hand them the slap-bracelet. Yeah, we had a slap-bracelet and I know you're jealous.

The best 28 hours 29 minutes ever. Pictures do much better justice than my words.

I want to see a movie

First, I don't call them films. I grew up calling them movies so that's what they are to me. I'll use film as a more detailed description of a movie, but in the end it's a movie.

I have a friend* that made a movie. I haven't seen it but I want to. It is apparently so rad that it is premiering at the Vancouver Film Festival. The movie is titled All Ages. I'm not sure when I'll actually get to see the movie but if you have the opportunity you better go; I might have to break your kneecaps if you don't. Maybe it'll show at True/False, a guy can dream.

I told her I wanted to meet the actress and she shot me down faster than Jerry Miculek. But come on, you have to admit she's a good looking chick.


*She's a twitter friend and an entertaining blogger that makes me laugh. Chances are I'll never meet her and her has-to-be-awesome-as-all-get-out husband but they do have an open invite to the cabin along with all my other twitter friends. Interweb friends are fun to have.

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round

Saturday we headed to Hermann, MO for Oktoberfest. Priority number one was to celebrate Katie's birthday. Her birthday isn't for about another 3 weeks but that is just a minor rounding error. After all, October 1 and the beginning of Oktoberfest only happens once a year.

So we all piled onto a Moniteau County school bus and boozed are selves for the 64 mile drive. After arriving in Hermann we made our way to the Hermannhof Vineyards. It's a pretty nifty little place. We bought our bottles of wine, stood in the way of everyone else for awhile. This is where I saw the first fashion disaster. I didn't get a photo of this but she had on these black shiny tights, a white oxford that wasn't really long enough, and these fringy leather short boots. It was bad.

Our little crew eventually found a spot on the hill overlooking the town. Once everyone sat down I felt like I should start teaching them something. They ended up learning but it wasn't because of me.

We learned how to stack girls for pictures.

We learned how to do the chicken dance.

We learned how to propose and get a yes. This was probably the most fun part. Everyone on the hill saw this happening and we all started cheering once it was obvious she said yes. We think she said yes, or they were both real happy she said no. They also both turned to the cheering crowd and raised there arms in celebrated victory.

We learned how to hardcore make out in public. This wasn't the newly engaged couple, this was actually going on when the proposal happened. That's how we noticed them. When they finished her shirt was all screwed up and tangled in her bra and he was having trouble standing up. A lot of pocket work was going on to get things comfortable.

I can't seem to go anywhere without seeing a romper. They are the worst things ever and need to be banished to the bad decision bin of history. Nothing about that looks good.

Also saw this guy. Dude, first I'll let the fact that you are wearing a black suit slide and chalk that up to personal preference. However, never wear white shoes with a black suit. Also, last time I checked my calendar we've already sailed past Labor Day.

Next stop after the winery closed down at 6 (seriously why so early? we still wanted to drink your wine) was Tin Mill Brewery. I really should have snapped some shots of the old grain elevator in there and the brewing rooms but I think I was a bit sauced at this time and forget.

We also learned the proper technique for throwing the rock drink on a wine bottle thanks to my BF. He's kind of a pro so you may want to avoid pulling this move unless you are a trained professional. There is serious risk of injury, consider yourself warned.

The guys went down the street for a bit of Scotch Whiskey to celebrate The Gran. She was such a classy lady that loved scotch and golf. The Gran was BF's grandmother.

To cap off the night we had some trouble rounding everyone back up to get on the bus, obviously. It was like herding cats. I did get the joy of seeing a guy being thrown out of the bar. He was thrown out. Actually lifted up, placed horizontal, and chucked through the air like a stick of firewood. This would have been entertaining enough but the tossers didn't look to see if the approach and landing was clear. So on his way through the air he was impeded by a rather large lady. As you can imagine a lady isn't exactly expecting a man to be flying through the air so she was ill equipped to deal with the sudden impact of his body into hers. They both proceeded to fall to the ground scattering legs and arms all over the sidewalk. As you can imagine the guy wasn't too happy about this so on his way to his feet he pushed her down again. Then he wanted to take up the issue of being tossed with the bouncers that tossed him. They seemed to be doing a good job convincing him he was no longer welcome. The cops didn't think so so they got in on the action. Watching a drunk guy try to fight 2 bouncers and 3 cops is pretty entertaining.

All in all it was a great start to Oktoberfest!