Tempe International Triathlon

Tempe, Arizona
The race got off to a late start which was ok with me because I wanted it hot by the time I hit the run. I want to some heat to deal with before I have to race in Hawaii in three weeks. I have to tell you, that I felt good for this race from start to finish. It was a good confidence builder for Hawaii. I have developed a working system of warm up, stretching, recovery and pre and post race nutrition that seems to be working. I finished this race in 02:38:39, which is pretty good for me given that this was just a race sandwiched into my training without any rest or pushing. Christian is doing well also. He took first place in his age category. He did the sprint and felt so good afterwards that he ran the second 5k of my 10 k with me just for the heck of it.

Splash + Dash

Tempe, Arizona

It was fun to do an aquathlon on a Thursday evening. I wanted to see how well I could swim. I had the fastest slpit in my age group.

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OC Half Marathon

New Port Beach, California
Although they advertise this marathon as a fast flat race, it was the least flat of the 6 half marathons I have done. California’s definition and Arizona’s definition of flat seems to be two different things. I was feeling good and took off at a pretty good pace. I wanted to beat my best time given what I anticipated from the course. This race has s a net elevation loss and I figured I could run it fast. I put the official elevation chart below. It is not accurate. I remember so many little hills, both up and down.

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I wouldn't call this one is more either:

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The race takes off uphill for about the first mile. I ran it fast full of tapered strength and excitement. Then at about a mile you hit this steady significant decline that goes for the next 2 miles. With my legs pumped up from a mile of incline, I decided I wanted make some good time on that downhill. I was pacing at way under my goal of 9 minute miles and feeling good. At about 2 miles and half way down the hill my left calf seized with a cramp. I tried to run through it and switched to heel striking to see if I could release it. I finally had to stop and use the curb to stretch it. I got it to release enough to continue in pain. The cramp troubled me for the next 2 miles or so and cost me the time I had gained in the first few miles and I would feel the cramp threatening on hills whether up or down for the rest of the race. I managed to keep a 9 minute average and finish at a 01:57:57. It was the most interesting and beautiful course of all the half marathons I have run. There was lots of crowd support too. I had opted not to carry water, so I was disappointed when the course had very few water stations. Other than that, I thought it was a well run race and would recommend it.

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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.