Night Run for Julee

Scottsdale, Arizona
Today held 2 firsts for us in the racing world. Today, my son Christian and I did a double header. We did a race in the morning and a race in the evening. The other first is that this is the first time we have raced at night. That is something I didn’t think through when I brought my thumps. I wore them anyway and was able to see ok. I gotta have my music. This race had a great course with fantastic food. They had pizza, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches etc. Most importantly this race went to benefit Julee Patterson who is a Scottsdale Police Officer who was diagnosed with breast cancer. All the sponsors did a great job and it was great to see all the support for Julee. Several of the valley's mascots were there in support. Big Red, Sparky, and Hairy were all there. Hairy is quite the character.

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Ride for the Children

Paradise Valley, Arizona
This course is gorgeous. My son and I did the 25 mile course and it was great. The organizers did a great job with this event. Great weather. Great event. That said, can I just make an observation. I don't mind hanging out with the swimming crowd. Runners are nice people too. Triathletes are pretty decent company for the most part. But every time I go to a cycling only event, I come away with the same impression. I love cycling, but I really don't care for the cycling crowd and “bike people”. They are by far the least desirable of the multi-sport world in my book.

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Splash & Dash

Tempe, Arizona
This event was cancelled. Once again Tempe Town Lake is un-swimmable. This lake is killing a lot of Multi-sport events. Christian hasn’t been able to use the wetsuit he got for Christmas and we are almost in May now.

Pat's Run

Tempe, Arizona

Other than a marathon event, this is the biggest run I have ever seen. There were almost 30,000 people doing this run. The highlight of the race is definitely running into Sun Devil Stadium and finishing on the 42 yard line.

Marquee Triathlon

Tempe, Arizona

Because of rain, this Olmypic triathlon turned into an Olympic Duathlon. Apparently the recent rains washed too much debris and dirt into Tempe Town lake for officials to give the green light for human swimming. Since the swim is my strongest discipline that did not make me happy. Also, since I am still in recovery mode from Ironman 70.3 California a week ago, the additional 3.1 miles of running was not exactly exciting good news for me either. I didn’t want to miss this triathlon because the bike course follows the same exact course as Ironman Arizona and I wanted to check it out. When I signed up, I thought it might be pushing it, but I could handle a 10k after a week of recovering. The 6.2 miles became two runs and a total of 9.3 miles. The first run went well. I cranked the bike course because that is why I was there. I held a 20+ mile and hour average which is good for me. It is a great course built for my biking strengths. The second run was difficult and painful. My left butt cheek cramped about 2 miles into the run and caused some of the worst pain I have suffered running. I did not stop however and it actually let up at about 5 miles. I was running slow however. Normally I would say this would be a good run course for me however. The run course closely mirrors Ironman Arizona also. I need some rest for more poor legs. They have been through a lot in the past week. My son Christian continues to amaze by placing 2nd place in the age category of 1-19. Red Rock Company puts on an excellent race.

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Ironkids

Tucson, Arizona

Christian placed fourth and qualified for Nationals. I don't know what it is about Ironkids, but both Ironkids Tucson and San Diego have been the coldest races we have ever attended.

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Carlsbad 5000

Carlsbad, California

I know it is a bit much to sign up for a 5k the day after and competing in an Ironman event, but the temptation of the Super Bowl of 5k’s where so many U.S. an World records have been set was just too tempting to resist. Plus it was only 10 minutes from our hotel. There were various 5K races throughout the day. I signed Christian and I up for the walk. I did walk most of it. I just wanted to go through the course. It is a beautiful course right through a section of outdoor cafés and then along the gorgeous beach front. Gorgeous day and this has got to be one of the most beautiful 5K courses we have seen. Christian and I also got a pair of Newton’s each at the expo for 50 bucks brand new. You can sign up to do 5 X 5K’s throughout the day for a total of 25K also. Competitor does a nice job with this race.

IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside

Oceanside, California

Dedicated to my brother Mark, whose diagnosis started me on this journey. Cum Domine Deo Sempre Frateri Amici Aeterni.

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So after over 4,500 training miles and more than a year of training almost every day I was ready!

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Swim: It was very exciting. I had a good swim. It was cool to know that I was swimming right by my family at the hotel. It got a little choppy as we neared the ocean, but nothing bad. I felt very relaxed during the swim. I swam hard, but nothing too strenuous.

Bike: The bike course was my greatest unknown and I was cautious trough out the course. This course sure has a lot of variety. I did well staying hydrated and fueled. There are a lot of phenomenal cyclists that do this event. Getting passed by hundreds of people impressed that upon me. 29 miles into the course all was going well and then I saw the first hill. It looked like a more of a mountain this Arizona flat land rider than a hill. It was pretty ominous looking ev en from a distance. To make matters worse I could not get my front derailleur to work, so I had to take that bad boy in the big ring. I said a prayer before I started the hill and several during the climb. I was pulling on my hoods so hard that I felt my triceps starting to cramp. My legs almost gave out towards the top and I was so afraid they were going to cramp or just plain fail and I would fall over sideways stuck in my bike shoes. There were some significant hills throughout the next 13 miles, but nothing like that first one. My bike and I made it and it was wonderful to see the family cheering as I entered harbor drive. They said I was smiling ear to ear when I saw them and I probably was. The bike course was the great unknown of this race and I had made it through. I ran out of hydration in the last 10 miles, but other than that it was a good ride considering the inability to use my lower gears. Seeing the family there cheering me on was the icing on the cake to finishing that ride. My smile faded as I headed towards transition and though about running a half marathon on the legs I had just spent on those hills. I marked the time and noticed that I was on track for my goal of finishing in less than 6 hours.

Run: I felt good starting the run. In fact I was ahead of schedule for the first couple miles. The run course is great lined with hundreds of cheering people. I stayed on pace until about mile 4 and then I began to fade. Try as I might I could not maintain my target pace. I couldn’t get down the Infinite solution anymore after the first fuel belt bottle. The water in the aid stations was cold and seemed to be what my body wanted. I have never experienced the sponges before. I became an instant fan. I looked forward to each aid station with Ice cold water and sponges. I started drinking two cups instead of my usual one. I started grabbing two, three, and sometimes four sponges. I have never needed aid stations before. I needed them in this race. I dumped out the rest of my race belt bottles when my stomach started to feel weird. I became afraid that I was going to have a GI emergency. I talked to a lady who was having one and desperately seeking a port a potty. I kept eating the gels every 3 miles though because I needed the energy. I grabbed three pretzels at an aid station thinking I could settle my stomach. I ate one and then spit the second out as I thought about it. In my readings, they always say not to vary from your normal nutritional plan. I had no idea what effect these pretzels might have on me, so that is why I spit the second out and tossed the third. I was instantly reassured my decision not to eat the pretzels was good one as I passed a guy who was throwing up. Continuing to run became my single focus. Just keep running. I did not train for a year and come here to walk. I may not have been running at my normal pace, but I was still running. As I neared the finish, I focused on form. Going down the chute I saw Lori hanging over the fencing to give me a high five. I high-fived her and Christian. It is a shame that the pain prevents you from enjoying those last moments a little more. I crossed the finish line and found a new depth of personal achievement. I went into the food tent and sat down. I was afraid to eat anything. I had also found a new definition of physical exhaustion. If I had been able to maintain my normal half marathon pace I would have finished in less than 6 hours.

Great location, great weather, great host hotel, great time, great race, great support, and a great experience that lived up to the hype and I will always remember.

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