A run to forget....

Knowing that the treadmill miles I am racking up are not going to 'cut it' I was determined to get outside this past weekend for my long run. Some way or some how.

On Friday night, I did my bike/run routine with a friend of mine. We ride 15 minutes then run 15 minutes and repeat this 3 times. So, in total, you get 45 minutes of riding and 45 minutes of running. I decided this week to push the bike really hard and pushed a big gear...I really struggled through my last bike but got it done. On Saturday, my legs were quite tired from the biking.

In Cleveland we still have quite a bit of snow and most of the sidewalks are still covered but I was still determined to NOT do another long run on the dreadmill. My plan was to stick to the sub-divisions and run on the street. Being that it was Sunday AM, there was next to zero cars. As soon as I started the run, I could tell my legs were tired...and thought to myself....you are just getting warmed up...you will get loose. At mile 2, I could tell that the run was going to be difficult. My legs were quite tight and every step was work...there was no getting in the groove. I am thinking this had to be from the bike on Friday. I struggled through 16.5 miles feeling pretty much like crap the entire time. I was running slow at just over 8 minutes per mile. The last mile I was hurting and doing a shuffle just to get home. My normal routine would have been to do an extra 'lap' around my neighborhood to get to the 17 mile mark.....but I was happy to just to make it home. In hindsight, I should have cut the run short and done it another day.

I am hoping this run was just one of those off days and I will bounce back. My legs were crushed on Monday...REALLY sore..so sore I skipped my swim. I tried to go out on Tuesday and do some speed work but my legs were...and still are....quite sore. I bagged the speed work after 2 1000's. I think I am going to hit the pool today, rest my legs, and see what happens.

Runnin' and stuff

I have been lame about posting lately but have been lurking around. I am starting to ramp up my running a little to get ready for Cleveland Marathon. Unfortunately, the weather here has not been cooperating. I don’t mind running in the cold or snow…but am not a fan of below zero wind chills. It is tough to get anything long done under that type of condition….for me anyway.

I did do a longer run on the treadmill on Sunday….17 miles…which is by far my longest treadmill run ever. I think the mental part was a lot tougher than the physical. All in all it wasn’t too bad. I just set the pace at 8 min/mile and was off. The worst part was the chaffing I realized I got once I hit the shower….ouch.

I need to get my running moved outdoors!

I swam last night 300 swim, 6X50 kick, 100 pull, 12X25 @ 30 sec, 5X200 with 20 seconds rest, 50 easy, 3X100.. Total 2350 I think. I pulled every other 200 as my legs were a bit dead from the run on Sunday.

Let's play tag!

I got hit by triEric. I think it is so funny to hear all the funny bits that people have worked through in races. Here is mine from the Mr. Buckeye.

1. Describe a memory from your first triathlon ever

My first triathlon was the Huntington Beach sprint tri in 2002. This seems to be a popular one for first timers in Cleveland! I swam 2 times the week before the race, borrowed a bike from a friend and went at it. The 400 meter swim felt like 5 miles, the 12 mile bike felt like 50. I actually got a sore butt on the ride!

2. Describe a memory from your most recent triathlon
What a crappy day! Lorain Triathlon 2006. It POURRRRRRED rain and I ended up riding the bike course backwards! It was a character builder.

3. What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you in a tri?

My most embarrassing 'racing' moment happened at the end of Cleveland Marathon in 1998. This was pre race chip days. When the gun went off, I thought, I am going to start my watch when I cross the start line..which I did. When I was on the home stretch of the last 200 meters or so, I looked at my watch and it was at 3:58 and some change. I thought to myself "I have almost 2 minutes to get to the finish to break 4 hours...no problem." Of course not compensating for starting my watch late at the start. It is me and the finsh...no one in front of me. The announcer jumps on the mike and screams "He is going to try to make it in under 4 hours!" It was then that I actually saw the race clock and thought "oh @#$#" I only have 25 seconds!! So I kicked it into a full out sprint, the crowd cheered, the announcer "and he is NOT going to make it!!" followed by a collective awwwwwwe by the crowd. 4:00:02 The saga actually continued. As I walked down the race shoot, they had people there to tear the bottom of your race number off (old school remember). Well, I had thrown away my tee-shirt and was in just my running shorts. There was a woman sitting there who pulled the race number, well...she grabbed my shorts as well...and yanked my shorts to my ankles! So I was standing there nude and I tried to bend over to pull my shorts back up and I couldn't as I was too stiff (my legs that is). So the VERY apologetic woman helped me pull them up.

4. What's the most thrilling thing that's happened to you in a tri?

I have had a couple of epic finishes...where it is you, and another person, step for step REALLY pushing each other to the limit. Then after the finish, a good hand shake to the other race for the great competition. I wish I could say I have won all those dramatic finishes....but I haven't...but I love to get into the deul.

5. What is something you discovered about yourself by doing triathlons?

I never thought I would be able to swim..like a real swimmer...or bike..like a real biker. With commitment, it can happen!

6. What is The Big Goal that you're working towards?

I am going to do Celveland Marathon this spring followed by a HIM in June..my first.