Lincoln National Guard Marathon

Well at the last minute, my orders came in. Got Nadine's ticket and room set up and we was on our way. Two different flights and two different ways across the country but had the same destination.Lincoln was a lot more calm then I thought it would be, seeings it is a collage town. Although they did have one hell of a farmers market! Got there Friday late afternoon and really didnt do to much besides catch up on some sleep. Saturday I had a few meetings and a class to go to, along with race packet pickup and the expo. It was a good set up for a race of 10,000, the National Guard had a bunch of stuff there with people working the expo. Which was good cause usually each state takes turns working it, so we didnt have to this year. 
Race day I got up early to check the weather, Rain with hail that had just passed. Rain was coming and going, according to the news the worst had passed. Walked up to the start and did the normal pre race stuff. It was getting humid from the rain but nothing I aint seen before. The word was it was gonna be hot and I looked forward to it. Gun goes off and things get moving, not real packed on the roads had plenty of room to move around. Pace was right where I wanted it for least half of the race, Garmin was splitting right ahead of time every 5th mile. Nadine catches me at mile 9.7 and says I am not tracking? Splits was never coming across her phone and after I walked and talked to her a minute; told her I was just gonna keep running and see what happens. Half way I guess she started getting my splits but I never knew any was. After all the 1/2 runners cut off the course got even more open. Course got into the rolling hills on a bike path along the river ( by far the worst part of the race) and I knew with the turn around at mile 20; I was gonna have to repeat this part of the course. More hills out there then I thought. Everyone I talked to seemed to think it was gonna be flat but never worked out that way. Temps. was over 80 by this time and people was dropping out fast, the first guy I passed on his back was at mile 8 ! Later would find out that they ( medical) had run out of IV's on the course. 16 to almost 20 seemed to be up hill into a head wind, could not wait to hit 20 and turn around. Had to lose the shirt at 15, got lucky it was there as I passed on my way back through. In all it was and felt all of 26.2 miles, just glad my time chip started working. Fun race and I look forward to running with the guard again.

After I got back to FL, I got a email from the marathon people. They asked about my time and that I only ran the 2nd half of the course. After sending what I had from Garmin ( because my final time was clock time of 3:44:38) to them and telling them when I started, they was nice enough to take me off the DNF / DQ list !! Also corrected my time after doing some research about it. Thank you Lincoln Track Club ! the DQ bothered me more then the 3:44 for sure. Final official time is now 3:36:37 - Overall I was 221/ 1169, Males 179 / 684, and Age group 38 / 125. Not sure if I will ever make it back to Nebraska but I sure had a heck of a time there. If you ever have done any of the military races, such as the Marine Corps Marathon, Air Force or Army 10 Miler; I suggest looking into this one too ! Hurry though they only take 10 grand entries and it sells out in about 20 days. Opens early Dec. 

Lincoln Marathon

So its Monday and no orders yet, when am I gonna see them. I have been in contact with the FL Marathon Team and have everything I need to go to Nebraska but the orders to fly. There is three of us going from the state, to race against all the other states teams. Things have been set for us, for weeks now and really looking forward to racing for them. I just wish I would see some news. I got a in touch with the people looking for my orders Friday, said I should have them today but as the military works, no news yet! No big shocker really but it does stop the rest of my plans. Nadine is going with me but we cant get her room or ticket till I see if I am even going. So the price keeps going up for her each day. My tickets , room, and registration is done, hers is the issue right now. Im good if the team captain gets them but till someone does , limbo is how I sit. The taper is driving me crazy and I either wanna workout or get ready to race. The race is now 6 days away, guess I will see later this week 

306 Degree Athlete

I had been offered earlier this year to be a part of the 360 Degree Athlete team. Never been asked for anything like this but it has been so much fun racing for them. Natalia takes good care of me, hands down. Although I couldnt race in my suit I did get to take a few photos for her and these a a few. I like the suit, its just the body is a bit short and pulls on me from bottom and top. A 2 piece is in the works and cant wait for it. 

HITS Triathlon Series 140.6

March 24 we got to race and met up with Nat and Laura, plus got to see the open triathlon run. Spent most the day taking pictures and scoping out the race course. The open was fun to watch, bunch of first timers and a few who was using it as a warm up for Sunday. Feel like it would have been good maybe if I would have joined them but took it as a rest day instead. 

March 25, race morning. Got to event early, did not leave my bike the night before cause of storm that was passing through. Bike was set pretty easy, nutrition took most of the time then double and triple checked things. Had the feeling something missing just could not figure out what it was. As it turned out, I did forget the Salt Stick and Anti Fatigue Cap but had enough to cover me anyways. 6:45 headed to water while putting wet suit on for a warm up. 7:15 was the start because the sunrise was little later and 7 was still dark. Start kicked off and the games had begun, normal at first with all the madness at any start. Soon found a line and stayed with it. Ended up swimming the entire first 2000 meters wedged between a guy and this girl ( ones in top pic in dark caps) on the dock I seen Mark and Nadine. Thought I should let them know I was 1/2 way and jumped out of water for the pic. Left the other two there and set out alone for the second half. Going out on lap 2 seemed to take forever, back went way quicker. Passed Mark Wilson and my buddy Mark as I got out of water 1:10:22 they yelled. Huh not bad little faster then I was thinking and had a few hundred meters to T1. I was hit with 4th out of the water as I made it to transition, had to deal with a few of the athletes doing the half who was just in front of me. T1 passed pretty quick for getting off wet suit 2:23 was it. As I got on the bike thats when it hit me bout the Salt Stick, grabbed one each out of shirt and was off. Knew it was gonna be rolling hills for the entire course so mentally had a rough day expected. By mile 5 I was passing the half bikers, not sure how many I did but there was a bunch. Nadine and Mark was all over the bike course and was giving me splits to the leaders in front. Good or bad I dont know but never stopped them. Started at 5min then time kept dropping and finally passed the 4th and 3rd place doing the full. Stayed in 2nd the rest of bike after passing the 3rd place guy at mile 60. I was telling myself, take it easy we still gotta run but found I kept wanting to charge on. Came off the bike at 5:22:12 in 2nd place over all and Mark made sure I knew it as I was in T2. As much as I had told myself for days before I was feeling my game plan slip away for the run. 2:25 and I was out of T2. Plan was to run a 8- 8:30 pace and hold it long as I could. NOPE ! 7:25 out the gate and couldnt find a way to slow. Chasing first place and trying to put as much distance I could from 3rd place got me in trouble. Knew it was a matter of time after mile 10 that he was gonna catch me and by mile 16 he did as I fell apart. Ended up walking cause stomach was wanting to empty. Stopped in the woods for a bathroom break and found hydration was blown !! It was hot , like 86 but thought I had a good jump on hydration from the bike, I was wrong. Around mile 18 I knew I needed to be at mile 20 within 3hr if I wanted to go under 11 hours for the day. Made my mark but walking was eating up a lot of time. Finally changed from water to Coke and the stomach settled, was able then to run/ walk way more then before. With the finish coming, pulled things together and ran. Out of the woods Mark yells at me, letting me know 3rd overall was me! WOW I was thinking, what a day ! Hit the finish line where all I seen was Nadine, what a sight for sore eyes. I finally get my kiss I been waiting on since my warm up swim where they went to the dock and I didnt get to seen them again. My run time was 4:04:31, bout 15min slower then I wanted but with being forced to walk I will take it.  10:42:58 time on clock, 1 hour 7 min faster then my last 140.6 time. Had a good day and feel had I stuck with my running plan, it might have been faster. It really hit me hard this day that this distance is by far my favorite of all. Sure I will run any distance but my true enjoyment is on the long course !! Looking for another and it just might be TX on April 29, who knows maybe I can pull it off and try it again. 

Things been going good, finally go to the ocean for a open water swim today. Water was great 72* and flat. It was a toss up for the wet suit but figured I will be in it next week for the race, so decided to wear it. Stayed out for 41min and just over 1 1/2 miles. Time looks kinda bad, was having issues with goggles. I made them looser the other day after a long swim. Going to tighten them back up tomorrow. I think we are gonna run the brick and hit the ocean again. Nadine really wants to get in the open water and tomorrow should be nice, if we get on the road early. Monday or Tuesday taper is gonna start. I am not looking forward to it, I get way to bored and go stir crazy. Thats it I'm feeling good and after the next 2 OWS its only gonna get better. 

Marathon team set

Today started sore soon as I stood up. Two days ago I said I was done with 2x a day workouts and it was a good call. Except for Sunday, its going to be the last brick day before race. Little close to race day but missed two of them while sick. I really do not think its going to hurt me to bad, not gonna be long maybe 50 and 5 I think. Did roll out a good swim today 4300 meters of speed/ sighting and hand paddle drills. Things was good, Saturday I will be in the ocean and try to fit in another 2 next week. 
So I got my orders and all travel papers done last weekend, for the State of FL  National Guard Marathon Team. Five of us was selected from the entire state. Now we will met all 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico in Lincoln Nebraska on May 6. Figure there will be between 300-350 Guardsmen running for a spot on the All Guard Marathon Team. Last year they took the top 57 runners for the team. Gonna have to have a good day if I wanna shot at the team. After this 140.6 in Ocala I am making the whole month of April, training for the race. I will still be on my bike, can not leave it out. Good cross training for off days from running. Just got my tickets in a email but need to call SATO Travel in the morning to straighten out the ticket. Ya know cant expect the military to get everything correct !! I am excited about the race but best thing is Nadine is going with me. Had I known I could take her I would have gotten us a room. Now she has to fly on her own and find a room close to race. I dont think she care all to much as long as she is there. A bad thing about it, if I make the team I have been told I will not make it to Afghanistan. I am OK with that I was trying to make the team  when I got deployed the last time, just stayed in the desert for 2 years to long !! Just hope my training has not been hurt getting ready for this up coming race. I am confident I can turn things around, just gonna take a little work but I'm good with that.

Time has passed

Not really sure where to start, it has been awhile. Last month training was going great, I was getting in some outstanding times and distances. Things was going good and felt on top the world. Then out of nowhere BAM! I was sick. Found myself in bed for 9 days, little food was going in but liquids was. A few time a day I would actually get up and try to move but always ended up in the same spot, back in bed. About day 10 I could not take it anymore and decided to stay up and get moving. Day 13 I went for a run, yeah not to good, could not run for more then 5min at a time without walking. Plus everything was off, I was still dizzy and was about falling over m feet. Then as fast as it came, it was gone! Nadine and I planned a open water swim but found a front coming in with high winds, that had the Gulf of Mexico with 2 foot seas and I was not letting her get out there for only her second OWS. Hit the bike that day for 100 miles with a 5 mile run after, maybe not the smartest thing but mentally I had to get out there. March 25th is the HITS Triathlon Series in Ocala FL. I am doing the full distance, but had not signed up yet. I gave myself to the 15th depending on how I felt. I was gonna drop back to the 70.3 but really still wanted to do the 140.6 distance. After the ride the next day I stepped out the door, looked around and thought lets run. Next thing I was at 17 miles and thought I better stop so not to injure anything. Next day was another 45 mile ride and that night slept on it. Got up early before Nadine and signed up for the race, couldn't take it anymore. So as it stands I'm in, feeling good and looking forward to the race. Whats gonna happen or how things are gonna go, well can't answer that one, just gonna have to see. I will keep a close eye on hydration and nutrition for sure, as always but even closer now. I can't say I scared or worried but its sitting on my mind for sure. This week I need to get to the ocean for some time in the open water but all the long training is done and taper will start next Wed. All I can do is hold things together and hope for the best along the way. Winds have been a killer on the bike, few days had 30mph gusts out there. Mentally I'm game, just hope with the 2 main weeks of training lost I didn't lose all that I worked so had for. It will be interesting for sure and can't wait till race day. I feel like there is a huge weight on my shoulders for this race. Like there is a ton on people watching or gonna be tracking me during and sure don't wanna flop on my ass. Hold things together in the water, push parts of the bike, fly through transition and keep in the moment on the run. Thats my plan and how I'm gonna work it.