Due to some upcoming race volunteering (which we feel very strongly about at Endurance Obsession www.enduranceobsession.com) I've inherited a couple of free or almost free race entries on weekends I wasn't planning to compete. With that, it appears I'll be competing 4 weekends in a row starting this weekend…..in order they look like this…
Las Vueltas de Mountainair bike race - Mountainair, NM
Las Campanas Sprint Triathlon - Santa Fe, NM
Survival of the Shawangunks Adventure Triathlon - New Paltz, NY
Patriot Triathlon - Rio Rancho, NM (as part of a team)
The schedule looks very doable and there are some fun races that I've never done before….I think I'm looking forward the volunteering as much as the racing…
Since I'm here I might as well tell you about the Altra One2 (One Squared)….and how much I love these shoes. I was looking for a pair of lightweight racers and had read some very good things about the One2 in the Altra Ambassador group. "Light" "responsive" "comfortable" were all descriptions posted about them. Since I'm not light, responsive, or comfortable…I figured maybe they weren't for me….but on a leap of faith I ordered a pair.
For me, these might be the most perfect shoes ever made….they are light, very comfortable, and extremely responsive. These are true featherweight racers….the thing that caught me by surprise is how much protection they give while doing all of the other things so well. The shoe definitely has more cushion than a traditional racing flat…but is just as light (if not lighter). The zero drop platform has a really nice amount of cushion in the midsole area which is exactly where I strike. Because of the wide toe box, the shoe seems unbelievably stable to me….almost like a training shoe. I'm getting the best of both worlds when I train and race in these things. I've run a half marathon and done several runs in the 8-10 mile range with NOTHING but comfort from the One2s…and will put them to the test in my final long run in prep for the SOS tri….a 16-18 miler next week. As far as how many miles I can get from them…I have no idea….but I do know that I'm enjoying every one I get in them now!
I'll also be racing the SOS tri in these shoes on September 7th in New Paltz, NY. The SOS is an 8 stage adventure tri that is bike/run/swim/run/swim/run/swim/run (no…you didn't read that wrong). The race is point to point thru the Mohonk preserve so whatever you start the first run with you must carry with you for the entire course. That includes swimming across 3 separate lakes with your shoes, socks, and whatever else you feel you need. I've been training with my Altra 3Sums by shoving them up the legs of my shorts prior to swimming….but the One2s are even better because they have a collapsible heel that'll fit better…plus that have more cushion in less weight. I'm completely psyched to race this event after thinking about it for a dozen years…..
Which leads me to 2015…..
As I was out running this morning (pretty good run BTW), I began thinking about what my goals would be for the season. The EO team is already going back to Tough Mudder AZ in March for the 4th year in a row…..and Michi and I will definitely want to race the Tempe International Tri in May (one of our favorites)….but with no more Ironman 140.6 races on my horizon I didn't have much else in mind. I decided that before I get much older I want to lay down a slew of running PRs (since running is my most challenging discipline) and next year is the year to do it. I've decided that I would like to pursue a running PR at every distance next season from 5K to marathon. I'll need help…in the form of a good running coach…because I've gone as far as I can go with what I know. Scheduling will be an issue as well……as I really don't know which distance to pursue first and what order to put them in.
For the record…my lifetime PRs are
5K - 22:10 (I would love to run under 21 minutes)
10K - 47:55 (under 45 would be great)
Half marathon - 1:54 (under 1:50 is kind of a dream for me)
Marathon - 4:25? (I'm not even sure….I've only run 2-3 marathons outside of Ironman and never really trained for one….I just kind of did them on residual training. Under 4 hours would be the target)
Let's face it…..I'm not a gifted runner. It's like the accountant trying to be the life of the party….it takes a lot of work and goes against type….that's me and running. I figure I'm at the point where I'm not naturally going to get any faster….so hitting these goals all in one year will be tough…but I'm up for the challenge.
I figure the only way I'm going to make running my ally rather than my enemy is to dive into it….with a good plan, some good races, and a good coach….I think I can make this happen.
Ok 2015…..the gauntlet has been laid down…..let's get to work!
Peace….
