Sunday, December 13, 2009

1:36:40, and damn proud of it

The race is in the books and with a time of 1:36:40. I'm extremely happy and satisfied with this time and my performance today. This transformation into an athlete has meant learning lots of things about myself for both preparation and on race day. I made what I thought was a complete list of things to do and check and be aware of. I watched for my markers during the race and did my systems checks the way I planned. Two things I didn't plan for and cost me, but should not disappoint me.

Chicago, and other races I've run, have had clocks at each of the mileage markers. I'm conditioned to look for those. This race, there were banners for the majority of the miles. I think there were only four clocks on the whole course. So when I was looking for markers to gauge how I was doing, they weren't there early on. Also, the Polar footpod I use needs to be put ON the shoes I will race in, calibrated on a track early in the week and then the rest of the training for the week be done in an alternate pair of shoes. The first two miles or so I thought I was on pace only to discover that I wasn't, and badly.

So where I planned for 7:25 for the first three miles, it really was more like 8:00. And that's an average of 8:00 because I think I ran the first two in 8:30 and then the third in 6:42 when I scrambled to get caught up.

But the rest of the race I averaged and did better than my goal. Even after having to dig out of that hole early, I was still putting down 6:58 - 7:05/mile in the last quarter of the race. Can't be anything but thrilled at that.

So the final tale of the tape told me that I done pretty damn good:

Chip time: 1:36:40
Overall finishing place: 308/7807 (top 4%)
Gender finishing place: 257/3452 (top 8%)
Age group finishing place: 33/616 (top 6%)

Once again, I cannot thank all of my family, coaches and friends enough for their encouragement, support, guidance and teaching as I begin this journey. And it really is only a beginning. I look forward to where the road takes me and sharing it all with you. My humble gratitude and love to each and every one of you.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Half Marathon for Daddy!

I am in Dallas, Texas, getting ready to Run the Rock. This is the 40th year of the running of the race. They have both a half and full marathon that starts and finishes at the American Airlines Center right in downtown Dallas. I'll be running the half, part of the winter regimen of my training program that my coaches have me on.

The morning started a little frenetically. I had a 7:00 departure from Chicago and made it to the airport in enough time to use the remote lot and was riding the tram to the terminals. I flew United Express so according to the signage on the tram, it left from Terminal 2. So, I exit the tram, clear security and am looking for my departure gate and find the board.

If you know O'Hare's geography, you'll understand when I say that standing in front of the E gates at 6:30 with a 6:35 boarding time, I found out that I was leaving from not just Terminal 1, but the C concourse and gate C2. Couldn't have picked a further away place!

So, I do the OJ (the old Hertz commercials, not the cutlery thing) and book it to arrive JUST in the nick of time...for a plane that has been delayed. But I got here, took the ride in the Super Shuttle and all the itinerant joy that goes with it but for $17 it's well worth it. There is no public transportation to speak of from DFW to downtown and a cab ride would've probably run me around $45 or thereabouts. Each way.

Got my number and am kicking it at the Westin. Had a GREAT dinner tonight at a restaurant called Dali. Leave it to me to find a wine bar to have dinner at. Two weeks without refined sugar (other than a breakdown last Saturday night) and alcohol (no breakdowns) and I'm ready for tomorrow. My goal is 1:35:00 or better.

All the credit for this goes first to my family who have put up with me so kindly as I've found this new outlet. I sang barbershop for seven years with the New Tradition Chorus. It was a lot of fun and I stayed with them because I liked competing at a high level and being the best in the world at something. If my time holds tomorrow, I'll finish in the top 5% of all finishers for the half-marathon; quite the accomplishment. I've spent time on Google Maps reviewing the course, making notes, mnemonic devices (H&T Seafood, Free Long and GMC) for points on the race I need to be aware of to take inventory and evaluate my condition. As my love for triathlon and endurance and multi-sport life grows, I hope it sets an example for my children as they grow up about the importance of health and exercise. I feel like it's rubbed off with some people at my work as well who are getting healthy and I have the highest regard for their efforts as well.

And props as well to Steve, Val and Bob, three people who have been guiding me on this journey since the summer. The direction you provide provide me with opportunities I never dreamed I could possibly have, and with each new accomplishment comes a shared sense of gratitude. Major props to you all.

And with that, below is a little before bed musing. I missed Kelly's infamous annual Cookie Bake and Exchange today; and I'm sorry that I did. But I take solace in knowing I get to come home to a house full of cookies and YUM, YUM, YUM!

See you all at the finish line tomorrow. You can follow me online if you want right here.