Day 118

Toughman Competition
Day 2

Got to bed around 1am after working at the Potters House. Woke up at 5am to head over to the Kum and Go to pick up my bib number for the Kickin Route 66 Mother Road Run Half Marathon! I met with Richard White (running the marathon) to hitch a ride to my start line 13.1 miles down the road in order to save some $$ that I would of had to pay to ride the bus. Unfortunately the race didn't start till 8am.. and I was dropped off at the start line at 6:30am. lol. So, out there in the middle of nowhere in the dark I waited for people to show up for the race.




It was kind of cold out there so I had a hoodie and pants on.. but I was 13.1 miles away from my truck, so I tried to think of how I was going to get my stuff bike to the finish line. luckily someone from my high school ran the race and his parents drove to the start line! The start line consisted of a small yard sign next to a junk yard with porta johns across the street that if you didn't hold onto the bar on the door in front of you.. you might fall off the seat. lol. =) Great start line!!

As soon as the sun popped up on the horizon I could feel the warmth! The race began and Iled the back again! I debated falling in behind someone to "draft" off them but good thing I didn't! I went out in a 6:30 mile pace. got a 18:30 5k.. my arms and hands were freezing for the first 4-5 miles. Yet again another perk of being in the front is somewhat being able to use the lead car to pace you. But it wasn't like the guy on the bike, the cop would be there one minute and then speed off and then after mile 4 he was gone for ever. lol.

I really enjoyed that the mile markers were counting down. I was able to keep my pace up really good for a majority of the race! (I wish I would have hit my lap button on each mile so I would have my splits b/c they were pretty good!) I didn't suffer from any muscle cramps! So that was a big plus! I only looked behind me twice, once to switch sides of the road, and once in the last mile to see if the 2nd place person was close or not. I was tempted to turn around and look but if they were far away I would have slowed down my pace (whether that was b/c I purposely did it, or subconsciously did it) Instead I kept pushing myself not knowing where he was!

When I reached 5 miles left to go I kicked it into high gear, and every time I passed a mile marker I would speed up! Good thing I did b/c if I hadn't... I may have been over taken. I ended up finishing with a personal best of 1:21!!!!! 1 place over all!!! =D

Day 117

Toughman Competition
3 Races in 1 weekend

Saturday October 1st

Wasn't sure what to expect for this morning... I really wanted to do the Panther 12k or 5k... but I ended up doing the 2 mile because the race was at 8:30 and the Pregnancy Care Center 5k was at 9am. I wasn't sure how much time I would have between the races and dealing with parking and traffic. However, if I would have known the 2 mile wasn't timed or awarding medals then i would have went ahead and did one of the others, which after I finished the 2 mile I realized I could have!

I picked up my packet for the Panther Run and then quickly went and got the packet for the PCC 5k. The Panther Run had a great atmosphere and I spoke with a guy at the start line about cross country missions b/c he saw my new jersey . He ended up winning the 5k.



I coasted into the finish line at 10:56. 2 seconds slower than my PR. I quickly left and went to Jordan Valley Park to start the 5k. I ended up having plenty of time between races. Next year(if its the same set up) I will do the 12k followed by the 5k.

PCC 5k

While waiting at the start line I saw loads of people I knew, including a guy from the SBU alumni race with some friends of his and then a guy I met at one of the other races who is an awesome Christian. We started the race and again, I led the race which I didn't want to do. However, I am beginning to realize that I will be doing this alot more. So.. I ran and ran and it was actually nice being the lead b/c I was able to pace off the bike (leading the race) a little!! Probably around the last 400 meters a really fast guy (who was only behind me because he was helping pace his friend) passed me. I had it in me to stay with him, but instead I just let him over take me. Shame on me. But, I still got 2nd overall and 1st in my age group. When I went to get my trophy I jumped over the big gap (the stage was positioned in the middle of a water fountain that was surrounded by water)

Day 103-116 Part Two

Sunday 18th
Branson Sprint Triathlon

I stayed up till about 3am watching movies with my parents and got up at about 5 am to head to Branson b/c the bike transition would close at 6:45. My race did not start till 8:30am so I had a loooong wait.. While i was putting air in my tires the guy nxt to me noticed my reeds spring jacket and we struck up a conversation that led to me finding out he ran with my older brother on the xc team in HS. Then while I was waiting for the start I ran into Aaron, a HS running mate from xc. He was lifegaurding for the race, and then later I saw Garrett who was also lifeguarding. While I am mentioning all these people I should say I saw Maggie at packet pick up also! ;) yay having friends!

We were lined up single file and went in 2 second intervals, when it came to be my turn I was dancing it up to the blaring music!! Boo Ya! The swim went pretty good, but my legs were very heavy when I got onto dry land. I did much better in my transition period than I have in the past and went pedal to the metal on the bike portion as best as I could. There were two interesting hills I experienced...

Hill #1 had a "Caution, Extreme Downhill" sign. I went flying down the hill and before I knew it my bike was shaking and was wobbling really badly. I slowly applied brakes as best as I could and started to let out some pretty intense yells. haha. I was just picturing myself crashing and tumbling down that hill. ooooh geez.

Hill #2 was an extreme sudden uphill, I tried my best to pedal up it, but I had to get off the bike and run the last couple feet. The run section treated me well and I pushed as hard as I could for the majority of it. I ended up getting 49th over all and 4th in my age division. Missed 3rd by 5 minutes to a guy who happened to go to MSU with me. lol.



There isn't any training worth mentioning except for the weekend when I went to Camp Galilee to help with a fall youth retreat. I woke up early morning when it was still dark outside and hit the road. I ran out to the highway and just kept on going and going. I was running into a BEAUTIFUL sunrise. The sky was just lit up with the most amazing colors of Gods Wonder! Eventually I had to turn around b/c I was worried I wouldn't be back in time (forgot my watch). But when I got back I still had a good half hour left, so I went out for a lap on the trails. It was very interesting how when I was running, it was still basically dark and then suddenly it became light. It wasn't gradual, it was just like Bam! Good Morning! haha

Later in the week I hit a few good distance runs, just trying to get into a good groove!

Day 103-113 Part one

September 17th
Americans Diabetes Association 5k!!




The night before I was at The Potter's House and shoot were we busy!!! I got home around 1 and went to bed around 2am. Jeremiah was sleeping on my couch when I got home (a friend from SBU) but when I woke up he was gone. Headed over to Panera where the race start was and awaited the start call. I lined up in the front of the crowd at the start line and awaited the Go. I led the pack for the first 200 meters or so (something I do not like to do, but in a race as short as a 5k I am not going to slow my start pace to not lead. I go out with what I got). Eventually an older guy slowly passed me and slowly but surely he widened the gap between us. I did not like this and I felt like I could have gone at a bit faster of a pace, yet he got away from me. There wasn't anyone close behind me at all so I just worked myself and tried not to let go of my pace. It was a very nice route through some side neighborhoods.

I ended up finishing 2nd overall and 1st in my age division with a 17:44. A much better time then my past couple 5ks. I would like to see that get down to a 17 flat or even better a 16:something by the end of the season!







I almost went onto to talk about the triathlon on the following day but then I remembered why I mentioned Jeremiah! Him and his fiance were at the race, I didn't even know he was gonna be there. Also, a girl from youth/camp was at the race as well, Hadley.

I left springfield in the afternoon to go pick up my packet for the triathlon on Sunday, but stopped for gas briefly. I left the keys in the ignition and thought to myself don't lock the door, yet out of habit I somehow ended up locking the door. So I stood looking at the locked truck door (a scene I have seen twice before) and was very worried, b/c if I had to call a locksmith or break into my truck I would be late to packet pick up and they did not have race day pick up! So I started looking in the bed of the truck for a wire hanger and by chance happened to find my extra set of keys that I specifically put back there the last time I locked myself out. Praise GOD!

Day 91-102

Monday the 5th

Coach White sent me a message asking me if I was going to run in a half marathon on saturday and I was greatly thinking about it! But... Monica text me asking if I wanted to go for a run on monday morning. And here is another good tip, if a pretty lady asks you to go on a run with her and you can... you should say yes. lol. Thus began the week of early early morning runs with her. She is a very enjoyable running partner and we always have lovely conversations as we run. I wish I could continue to run with her but after the first week my practicum started so I'm up by 7am and don't get off work till about 12 am.. So 5 or 6 am hour+ runs just don't work for me.

On Friday I had to run the mile in my measurements and evaluation class for my P.E major. I have not ran the mile on its own since the last day of practice in high school. My last day of track practice in HS I was helping Rusty train for state and we did a mile mock race. I had never gone faster than a 5:00 minutes mile before, and on that day at practice I ran a 4:54... That was crazy!! Since then I competed in the 800 at SBU and then 5k, 10k+, but never a mile again.
I calculated the splits I needed to get at least a 5 flat for the fitness test today and unfortanetly got off. I went 5 seconds too fast on my first lap which threw off the rest of my run, resulting in a 5:06 mile time.

Saturday the 10th

I had a 11 mile run that was a bit of a struggle to keep up a good pace. Every now and then I would realize I was going to slow so I would speed up again. It turned into one of those runs where I played the same song over and over again starting at about mile 6.. that song happened to be "Rawkfist" by Thousand Foot Krutch. something very strange happened on this run, my lips seemed to dry out? they filmed over with a white chrusty skin film. very strange.. I was going to look at my mouth in the mirror when I got back but I ended up getting stuck at a RR crossing for about 5 minutes around mile 10. So as I paced back on forth waiting I attempted to scrape it off my lips. very strange.

Fall

It is kind of neat to see how everything was slowing changing. Every time I turned onto my street there was progressively more and more brown leaves collecting along the street curbs. One day there is hardly anything, and then a few days later I can hear the crunch as I run on them. Due to the busyness of my schedule I have been left with two options.. Waking up early to run, or running after work around 12am-1am, I chose the latter. All through out this week I had lovely 12-2am runs which happened to be very cold. The weather suddenly decided to take a dive. On one of my night runs I got a little paranoid and actually looked behind me a couple of times. lol.

Day 89-90

10 mile out... XC meet... 10 miles back
9/3

I woke up at 6am to the sound of the annoying alarm that comes with my cell phone. The night before when I got home around 11 from the SBU race I packed a couple of breakfast bars and a shirt into a water backpack. I filled the water pack with some water and ice in the morning and slid my phone in next to the food. I made sure to use the bathroom because this would not be a good day to have to go while on the run. I had planned on using my ipod but I decided that I would like to enjoy the peacefulness of the run in the early morning, experience God's awesome creation. I somewhat regretted not bringing it later.
I threw my keys in my hiding spot (probably not the best of places to hide them.. but oh well. No, I won't tell you where!) strapped on the water pack and hit the road. I have never ran with a pack on before... In fact I hardly run with a shirt on let alone a pack, but I needed to have water with me on this trip, and a shirt for when I got to the meet. The pack's straps weren't very comfortable and were scratching right above my nipples, luckily it wasn't too bad or else I could have ended up with scabs. lol. But it was very useful to have the water with me.

It was such a peaceful run! Not very many cars out and I took Kearney street instead of I-44 so I was running along an "old country road". I got into a good rhythm and the 10 miles just flew by. Last year that there was a High School XC meet in Strafford I road my bike to watch my high school race. I used this route a couple more times to train for my Ironman and I remember a spot where I had to cross train tracks, and they were somewhere close to the beginning of the route. Somehow I had passed over them without realizing it and the rest of the run I was thinking when am I going to run over these tracks and they never showed up. As I was running I kept looking for the water tower because once I saw the water tower I knew I was about 2-3 miles away. As I was running a guy was parking his four-wheeler in his front yard and said goodmornin, how ya doin? I said, good. Then he asked me how far I was going, and I replied 10 miles. He then said, Good job, keep it up, and I said thanks. lol. I ran the first 10 miles in 1:12

As I arrived @ the school my high school was unloading the bus. It was great seeing everyone, and crazy how lots of them are growing up. I got to cheer on both Reeds Spring (my high school), and El Dorado Springs (the school in town where I work at camp Galilee) The junior high team ran first and coach had me keep an eye on this cute little kid b/c he was worried he might lose the path b/c he wasn't very fast. And sure enough he was walking a majority of the race, but I made sure he didnt get lost. I ran all over the course making sure I was able to cheer on everyone plenty of times! Junior high boys got 1st place, and high school boys got 2nd place with Eldo close behind. I wasn't able to get the girls results but they all did great too!

It was a very very hot morning and eventually it was time that I couldn't hang around anymore and needed to head home (i left around 11ish am). So i filled my pack with more water said my goodbyes and hit the road again. It started out kind of hard but I eventually got into a good groove which was very helpful (I have to comment on the fact that I spent about 5 minutes trying to find out how to properly spell which.. b/c all that came to my mind was witch...) It wasn't so much that I was tired (mentally or physically), it was more of the fact that it was so hot and I had no shade! the entire run home did not have a single patch of shade till i reached the last mile, and the water in my pack was at best... luke warm, not very refreshing.

I was at a bit of a "contradiction" (if thats what we can call it). The begining of the run was a straight path that went on for about 5-6 miles and was very tiresome b/c when I looked ahead all I saw was a long stretch of road and the sun was just barring down on me. So I was longing for the part of the run where it turned into the curvy run, however, that also meant hills. In the end... it was the heat that made the run so challenging. Not the fact I had raced the night before, or that it was 20 miles, no it was the heat! When I got home I drink lots of milk and stretched!!!! After I took a shower I passed out on the couch for an hour.

9/04
I big mistake I see lots of people do is to be inactive the day after a big workout. When you are sore from a hard workout you need to at least go for a short jog to get your muscles warm and stretch them out, it will actually help reduce the soreness. So I went out for about a 3-4 mile easy run and got a good stretch in.

Day 84-88

Almost back into the swing of school again.. Haven't found the best time to run yet. It's either in the morning before school or when I get home late after work at the end of the day.

9/2
Very exciting and fun day! Today I went to Bolivar to run on the SBU Alumni team. No.. I did not graduate from SBU, nor have I even graduated yet. However, the coach still invites me to come run in the collegiate meet every year. Last year the alumni team was a small number but this year it was much bigger! I ended up scoring points for the team coming in 4th on the team. We missed 3rd place by one point!! Which is funny b/c a majority of the Alumni team hasn't been running since they graduated and we went up against teams that have been training. Results:
http://www.sbubearcats.com/documents/2011/9/3/2011_twilight_men_results_2011_twilight_men_results.pdf?id=323

One of the alums that I met has been training for an Ironman and I had a great time talking to him about running.