Ebensburg Homecoming Duathlon

Jamie, Adam and I went to Ebensburg to participate in the homecoming events (even though none of us are or were from Ebensburg). Jamie did the 5K and the Adam and I did the Duathlon. It was a beautiful day. Adam and I were feeling pretty good watching the 5K race. Then Jamie came in. He said it was super hot out there on the trail. So we had that to look forward to. I thought he ran well despite the heat. Ask him and probably wasn't thrilled but hey, it was a stone trail and it was HOT. Also he ended up taking a pie home, so not too shabby.

The Duathlon was a 2 mile run - 8 mile ride - 2 mile run. We did the run partly on the Rails to Trails and partly on the road. The bike was completely on the trail. I decided to use my Specialize. Locked out the front fork and I was good to go. I started out slow on the run, as I always do. Then when it came to the bike, I picked up some ground. I passed several people, which made me feel good. I wasn't racing anyone but when you pass someone, that is a good feeling. Then the fun part came, NOT! I hopped off the bike after 8 mileS and I could hardly feel my legs. I never had that happen that badly before. The last 2 mile run was a bear, for the most part. I made it thru though. I ended up with a time of 1 hr 10 minutes. I was the 14th male and 17th overall to finish. I was happy with that. I was also very happy because I won a pie. Yes a pie of my choice. Apple of course for me.

I had a awesome time and will definitely do it next year. Hopefully more people will join us. Are you in?

Too HOT to do anything

Temperatures are over the 100 degree mark, yesterday, today and tomorrow. I think I will take the day off. How about you?

Training

I woke up at 4:15 AM, strapped on my shorts, compression leg sleeves, reflective arm sleeves and ankle reflectors to prevent my being struck by a vehicle whilst running. Just so you know, because most people don't ever see 4 AM, it's still pretty dark, which was perfect! I hate heat, and after about 9 AM I can't really run comfortably for more than oh, say three yards. I have been training for my first marathon, which is coming up here on the 16th of October, and today was my long run. I've never run 18 consecutive miles prior to this morning. The longest actually was Hyner, and that was the first time I ever ran 16 miles consecutively. As it turns out, it was much much harder than I originally imagined. My route took me from the store through Duncansville, out past the Dream and onto Scotch Valley. From there, I jumped onto Brush Mountain, up Frankstown mountain and dropped down into Lakemont. Thankfully I took the route the way I did, because that is one heck of a drop from the top down into the valley! Up past the park and BCB, across 99 on the bridge, up the back way over to the Boulevard to Ruskin, 57th to 58th, where I missed Oak Ave. and tacked some mileage onto the course. I figured it out though and got back on track over to Mill Road. I don't remember that road having so many hills. It wasn't too rough until you got to the Altoona side of the Rt. 22 overpass and looked over at the hill that climbs to the buffalo farm. By then I was laughing at it and talking myself through the climb, which was actually much easier than the descent. For some reason, I do awful on downhills. I did scare some buffalo on my way past, but mostly they just stood there gawking at the idiot with matching bright green shoes, calf sleeves, arm sleeves and a green shirt. It was awesome, believe me. It was about the time I reached Burean (sp?) Baptist that I started to really feel it, so I made my way down Kuhn Ln. to 764 for the end of the... somewhere between 18 and 19 miles. I then walked/ran 764 down to the shop. Although not as brutal, I would say the effort today was on par with that I exerted on Hyner.

I had gotten a pair of calf sleeves from CEP yesterday and decided to try them out today, because the ones I received from Zensah did so well on my trail run this past week. They are not even comparable. I don't know if it's the size of my legs or what, but I literally could not get them off fast enough! So I would say if you are looking for a pair of sleeves but have larger legs, stick with Saucony or Zensah (at least they're better than CEP, in my own opinion.). Joel I imagine would do fine in a pair of CEPs. He weighs 45 ounces. If you grilled Joel, you would get the world's leanest, juiciest steak. I hear they are actually going to name a cut after him. This is mere rumor, but I could see it.

In summation, the run went well. I wish I would have had a better time, but the two route screw ups threw me off. 2.5 hours is fine for now! After it all, I went home, threw up, laid in the shower, laid in bed, then went to get some chocolate milk and a Panera bagel. So all in all: worth it. I am now a few steps closer to being ready for both the physical and mental aspects of what awaits in October! Now I will sit on my butt for the rest of the day and pray someone comes for shoes. Everyone enjoy your weekends and get out and do something!!

Change of Scenery

So B got me out onto his turf this morning... or more like off turf all together. Swimming to me has always been going in the pool and getting under water just to cool off, so actually trying to swim swim was a different experience. What was truly different though was seeing B in his speedo. Yeah... I have a long way to go, but I think that dabbling and getting in the okay-good range with a variety of different activities makes you better at your main focus and you get to be a well rounded athlete. Can we call ourselves that? This morning also made me realize the importance of weight training, so this week I gotta get back into the regiment. Running tends to make you a little more lean in the upper half than I like, but between marathon training, the store all day and Kel/friends at night it's hard to get anything else in.

I also tagged along with B and Joel on the road bike for the first time. I know now why they like it so much, it is nice to get out on the road and cover such a distance but still not be in a vehicle. Like Hemingway said, you truly appreciate the country for what it is when you experience it on a bicycle. So in the midst of wedding prep and the store, we still manage to stay outside! Not near as much as I would like, but you do what you can!! Now it's church time for those of us who aren't being heathen and going to watch a bicycle race instead of worshiping God...

Never Stop Exploring!!

Morning Runs are awesome

I have been running in the morning for the last 2 weeks. Adam has ran with me a few times. That has been fun. He starts out too fast, and I die after a few miles, but it has been fun. And making me push a little is a good thing. Morning running is great. Once you get awake, roll out of bed, get dressed and finally decide you are really going to run, it is great. Prior to gettting out the door, the thought of going back to bed runs thru my head 100 times, at least. Anyway, just get up and get out there and do it. If you need some encouragement or help, call Adam, he'll run with you. He might try to sell you shoes, but that is just par for the course.

Congrats on Fox Trot Runner by the way!!