Yeah. I know. It's been like six months. Get over it.
So let's see... Where did I leave off?...
Once the marathon was behind me, I started working more with the Team in Training cycle team. In June, the team traveled to Lake Tahoe for a century (100 Mile) around Lake Tahoe. Tahoe is a world-class place. The ride is America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (aka AMBBR- which isn't really much easier to say...)
I've done the 100 mile ride several times. So in one of my more lucid moments while training for the marathon, I went ahead and registered for the 35 mile boat cruise ride. I'm not so dumb after all. So after seeing the team off outside the hotel, I went back to my room, changed into my cycle gear, shaved, watched TV for a few minutes and then got on my bike and rode about 2 miles to the marina. Once I got there, some nice kids loaded my bike onto the Tahoe Queen and within a few minutes, I was having a lovely continental breakfast in the main salon. Good coffee, good crunchies and a beautiful cruise across the lake.
When we got to the other side of the lake, the captain did an impressive piece of maneuvering to bring us dockside. There was a strong onshore wind trying to push us the wrong way. I don't know if you can tell, but that boat don't turn on a dime! It's got a couple special features for maneuvering but still- A nice piece of seamanship!
On the bike. Geez- the ride is much easier when it's only 35 miles! I averaged about 14 mph back to the hotel. (Pretty good for me!) It's got one of the two most challenging climbs- Spooner Summit. I got to do the other one the day before on the team shakedown ride. (Emerald Bay)
One of the neat things about this ride was that I was able to get back to the hotel, shower, change and get back out on the course. (In the rented Chevy Trailblazer- Not my bike!) I fixed a few flats, shouted a lot and got to see most of the team.
It's a terrific event; a huge event for Team in Training and it's always so great to see so many people who never thought they could accomplish such a challenge succeed. Recruiting starts soon. Get a bike. Sign up. No whining.
Oh yeah... Fat Man Running!!...
Maybe just a little list...
May 2008: Hoyt 5K in Waltham. Perhaps you've heard of Rick and Dick Hoyt. They sponsored a 5K in Waltham. This is where I got smoked by the nun pushing the kid in the stroller. Smoked badly too. 00:36:05.
May 2008: Boston's Run to Remember. I did the half marathon. I'm an idiot. However, my finish time was under three hours for the first time. (2:59:38) OK- so not under three hours by much. The only running I did between the Boston Marathon and the Run to Remember was the Hoyt 5K. More on that later.
June 2008: North Medford Club 7 mile trail run. 1:47:00+. Just ugly. But I won a spaghetti strainer thingy in the raffle!
June 2008: The New Charles River Run 5K. A fun race. I just cannot seem to get a 5K in under 35 minutes. I think that's because I suck at running. 00:35:09. Shoot me.
July 2008: Peaks Island Road Race. It's on an island. In Maine. It's cool. There is Ice cream. Who cares how fast you run? 01:01:15. It's pretty hilly for an island. Really. (Motel 6 in Portland, Maine. Don't.)
September 2008: Canal Diggers 5K in Worcester. Another neat Sunday morning race. Relatively small field. Lt. Governor Tim Murray ran it also. I didn't see him. He, like just about everyone else, is faster that me. I did however, get it done in under 35 minutes! 00:34:49.
September 2008: Lake Tahoe Marathon 5K: 6,200 feet above see level. I did a 20 mile bike race the day before and didn't really feel the altitude. Running was another story. I'm embarrassed to post a time of 00:37:51. It was good enough for third place in my age group. (Out of three runners.) Actually, I could have beaten the guy who came in second. But really, who cares? :o)
October 2008: ING Hartford Half Marathon. Let me recap my training for this half. Boston Marathon, Hoyt 5K, Run to Remember Half Marathon, 7-mile trail race, Charles River 5K, Peaks Island 5 mile, Canal Digger 5K, Tahoe 5K. No training runs at all. (Well one 2 or so mile training run for my triathlon) and a 5K as part of the Timberman Sprint Triathlon. (More on that later.) So by not training, I have a new PR (Personal Record) for the half marathon distance of 2:58:28. Yeah- Not exactly blazing speed. I think it might have something to do with not actually being injured! It's a cool race. I ran the half because Kirsten from Team in Training and her sister Kim of 'How hard can it be- It's only a bike ride' fame? (Before showing up and riding the 109-mile El Tour de Tucson on a 30 pound hybrid bike with no training at all.) ran the full marathon together. Jill and Kirsten's husband Al ran the half also. (Al was pretty fast!) Kim had energy left after the marathon to run around with the mylar blanket she got at the finish line like a cape shouting "I'm a super-hero!!, I'm a super-hero!!. I hate Kim. Kirsten ran with an injury and was not quite up to leaping tall buildings. But everyone finished! A good time was had by all! A special treat for the half marathoners but not enjoyed by the full marathoners, was a run through part of Hartford where there were at least four or five cops per block. And they were NOT there to direct traffic! Professionally speaking, I found it very entertaining- Apparently, not only were there water stops but there were beer stops too! Who knew??!!
October 2008: Manchester NH Police Dept. Footrace for the Fallen 5K. 00:35:22 (Gun time- I was just under 35 minutes but of course, like always, I forgot to stop my watch at the finish line.) Jill Martha and Jay came out for this one. I ran into a bunch of people I knew. Martha and Jay won some lovely parting gifts in the raffle. Some of you know that I work for New Hampshire Marine Patrol during the summer. I noticed looking at last year's race results that there was no one from NHMP entered. I sent an email around to the guys I work with in southern Rockingham County. Kyle stepped up. Kyle runs all the time. He's running the ING New York City marathon in November. Kyle ran to 12th overall in first place in the male 20-29 division. 00:18:17. Imagine if he actually trained for the 5K distance. I hate Kyle too.
The triathlon deserves it's own entry. Since I'm at a caffeine deficit right now, I think I'll post on that later. Stuff to do, peeps to see, blah blah blah. So more later... Triathlon, Montana sapphires, four-wheeling in Nevada. Exciting stuff!!!
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