South Carolina Spartan Beast

So this past weekend I ran the South Carolina Spartan Beast with my good friend Chris and completed my Spartan Trifecta for the third year in a row.  This was my second time running the South Carolina Beast.  I ran it two years ago and found it to be a challenging course due to all the hills.  This year did not disappoint.  The race organizers were very good at utilizing the uneven terrain and natural water features of the course.  Within 2 miles you were wet and muddy and, if you are like me, had many tiny rocks in your shoes (I think I will be buying a pair of gaiters next year).

My friend Chris and I were well prepared for the race and were able to knock out the first half with relative ease, completing all obstacles with no burpee penalties.  I didn't have to do my first burpees until I hit the traverse wall.  I slipped off after only about 3 steps in and was forced to do burpees.  Chris however, had to do burpees on the next obstacle, the Spear Throw.  Now I am about 50/50 on this one but this time I nailed it.  Once Chris finished his burpees we were on our way and we cruised all the way until we hit the rope climb.  Now I am can climb a rope on dry land, but they don't put it on dry land.  They put it in waist deep muddy water.  So by the time we got there the ropes were slick with mud and it was dam near impossible to get a grip on it.  I usually employ the S technique and let my legs do the work, but with the rope so slick, my feet could not grip the rope.  Splash, down into the water I went and off to my second set of burpees.  Chris fared better than I did on the rope but still was unable to complete it.  He was dealing with a calf cramping issue and he completed his second set of burpees.

After that we were able to complete the rest of the course without penalty and we cruised to the finish.  The last time I ran this race I finished in roughly six and a half hours.  This time we completed it in 4:21:54.  Not too shabby.  I'm looking forward to possibly completing another trifecta next year however, I am trying to expand my trail running Ultra marathons so I am not sure if I will be able to fit too many Spartan Races in my schedule.  We shall see.  I have 2 more races this year.  The Chicago Turkey Trot and then the Huff 50k.  Once my season is officially over I will start to plan for next years budget.  Recommendations are welcome for Trail Ultras that are worth running.

Chicago Marathon Recap

Two more races in the books for October.  I completed the Chicago Marathon on October 12th and the Spartan Race South Carolina Beast on October 25th.

The Chicago Marathon was amazing.  This is one of my favorite races because of all the support that the City of Chicago shows the runners.  Not only are there thousands of volunteers that come out to help and support the runners, but there are hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the course cheering you on and providing support in some areas.  Last year was my first attempt at a marathon and I was disappointed in my finish at 5:04:35.  This year I managed to shave 20 minutes off my time and finish in 4:44:05.

I was able to finish faster this year by training harder and learning to pace myself better.  While I am not where I want to be yet in terms of speed, I found that being able to pace myself better helped tremendously.  I found, late in my training, that I was able to maintain a steady pace better if I ran without any music.  I found that when running with music I tended to subconsciously start running to the beat of the music which would change.  Without the music in my ears, I was better able to time my breathing and running so as to maintain a more steady pace.  Since I only figured this out a few weeks prior to the Marathon, I wasn't able to reap the full benefits of the training but now I know for future training.  Next year, I am looking for a sub-4:20 marathon.

Training

I hope everyone's training is going well.  It's less than 2 weeks until the Chicago Half Marathon and I have been training out of my mind.  Ok, well, the training I've been doing is for the Chicago Marathon, but still.  In just over 8 weeks of training I have put in over 224 miles of running.  I've gone from an average of about a 9:30 min/mile down to about a 9:00 min/mile.  My goal is to finish the Chicago Half Marathon in less than 2 hours and the Chicago Marathon in under 4:30.  Time will tell if these goals are attainable but I am confident that if I give it my best then I will conquer.

New Training Aids

This years racing got off to a slow and painful start with my knee acting up quite a lot and no matter what brace or sleeve I tried, it would always swell up during my runs which started a cascade of issues including my calf cramping and eventually my foot would go numb.  Unfortunately, I had these issues during my first few races this year including a poor showing at the Chicago Spring Half Marathon and the Soldier Field 10 miler.

On the advice from a friend, I purchased a new sleeve for my knee with the hopes that it would help alleviate the in-run swelling.  I purchased my Copper Wear Knee Sleeve but did not receive it in time for my spring races.  After I got the sleeves in the mail I immediately started using them and noticed an immediate improvement.  Since getting them, I no longer have any issues with in-run swelling in my knee nor any of the other issues related to it.  I have all so improved my stride and cadence to better suit my running style which may have contributed to the improvement but the sleeves were very helpful nonetheless.

Just recently, I have added Tailwind Nutrition Endurance Fuel to my training regimen and have noticed substantial improvement in my energy levels during my run.  I am still just starting out with it but felt it was worth mentioning for anyone looking for an energy boost during long training runs or races.  I plan on incorporating it into my half and full marathon races  as well as the Huff 50k that I plan on running in December.  I have been using the Caffeinated Raspberry Buzz, which contains caffeine for an extra boost but will be purchasing the non-caffeinated version as well.  I will post more about it later on once I've really had the opportunity to evaluate it's effectiveness during long endurance races.

 Good luck to everyone in their upcoming events!

Chicago Spring Half

I ran the Chicago Spring Half Marathon on Sunday, May 18th.  This was the first time I ran this race and I was pleasantly surprised with the setup given the small number of participants(6,000).  I had issues with the registration for the race and didn't find out until 2 weeks before that I had somehow accidentally registered twice for the Chicago Half Marathon in September instead of the Chicago Spring Half.  Life Time Fitness' customer service was very helpful in getting the matter straightened out and signing me up, even after official registration had closed.

I had high expectations of myself going into the race.  I had been training hard for several months but a lot of it had been on the treadmill.  I was hoping for a sub-2 hour finish which meant I had to keep at least a 9:00 min/mile pace.  The morning started off well with some light stretching and breakfast.  I parked in the building I work in, since it was about a mile from the Start line and I like the cheaper parking.  A friend and I that rode together walked the mile to the Start area at a brisk pace and it offered a good opportunity to warm up the muscles.  

Once at the Start/Finish area we found the gear check and stashed our belongings.  In order to keep from getting hungry during the race, I snacked on a Cliff bar while we stretched near the Start line near the Yacht Club.  

I felt really good and loose before the start and was feeling confident in my ability to finish in my goal time.  That went down the drain quickly.  The horn blew and the race started.  I was in Corral C so there was a 10 minute wait until I started.  Once I got going, the first mile went by well.  I passed the first mile marker in 8:30.  I was ahead of my goal pace and was feeling rather well.  Around Mile marker 2, which I passed with the same pace, my left knee started acting up again.  This has been an ongoing issue now since last September.  I was still able to hold my pace for another 2 miles and then I had to stop and readjust my knee sleeve.  One of the Race Medics stopped to inquire about my situation.  After a brief explanation, he gave me a packet of Biofreeze which helped alleviate some of the pain for a while but at that point my pace was shot.  The stopping and going tired me out and I was no longer able to maintain my pace.  I spent the rest of the race slowly bleeding time all while tring to push through the swelling in my knee and calf.  

I ended up finishing the race in 2:13:21.  That is a minute off of my previous PR and well off my goal time.  All in all, it was a wonderful race with a great after party with a lot of freebies and a nice post race meal.  Another cool perk was that you got to take home a flower of your choice to plan in a garden to commemorate the event.  I do think I will be running this race again next year since I want redemption.  It is a pretty flat course with only a few inclines and a beautiful view of the lakefront.

This upcoming weekend I have the Soldier Field 10 mile on Saturday.  This is one of my favorite races and it will be my 3rd time running it.  It runs on almost exactly the same course as the Chicago Spring Half, except it's 3 miles shorter.  2 weeks after that I will be doing my first Ragnar Relay with team Midwest Vikings.  200 miles from Madison, WI to Montrose Beach in Chicago.  6 runners a few volunteers riding in a van over the course of 24 hours.  Should make for one fun, smelly adventure!

After the Ragnar Relay, I have a 2 1/2 month hideous since my wife and I will be getting a puppy.  In that time I will be resting my knee, rehabbing and strengthening it.  With any luck, I will be able to PR at the Chicago Half Marathon in September.

2014 Indiana Spartan Sprint

So this past weekend I ran the Indiana Spartan Sprint in Laurel, IN.  As usual, Spartan Race delivered a great event.  The weather was a perfect 80 degrees and sunny.  This is the first time in 4 years that this event wasn't freezing.  This year I ran with a group from the Midwest Vikings.  I have recently become more active in this group and have gotten to know the founders, 'Tata Mam and Michael Fenwick.  I will be joining Michael in running the Chicago Ragnar Relay this June with 4 other people on an Ultra team.  We all had a great time and collectively, we finished all of the obstacles.  The only one that I failed at was the Rope Climb.  It was the next to last obstacle and right after the Hercules Hoist (high pulley with over 100 lbs).  My hands had no grip left in them and it was in 3 feet of water.  The water rope climb has always been my weakest obstacle.

All in all, it was an awesome race.  I am now looking forward to the Chicago Super and South Carolina Beast to complete the Trifecta.

Gear

Shoes: Salomon Speed Cross  3's
Socks: Injinji Toe Socks
Top: Under Armour Compression Short Sleeve and Reebok sleeveless Dri-Fit shirt
Bottoms: Under Armour Running Shorts with liner

Before: That's me in the Blue

After:

Ultra-Marathons

So I am still looking for 1 or 2 ultra-marathons to run this year.  I had several on my list that I wanted to do but unfortunately, they all fell on dates that I am already busy.  I still have a few that I am pondering but have yet to pull the trigger on.

24 Hour Run at Sunset Hill Park - Valparaiso, IN - June 21st -22nd
This Run looks interesting because there is no minimum required distance.  It's a 5k loop that you run as many times as you can in 24 hours.  This is a no pressure run that is great for training and race prep.

Potowatomi Trail Run 50 Miler - Pekin, IL - April 5-6

This is supposed to be a somewhat easy course and great for beginner Ultra-Marathoners(which I am).  I need to make a decision soon though because the race is in a few weeks.

Chicago Ultra - Chicago, IL - April 5th

A very Flat course along the Lakefront in Chicago.  With a 7 hour time limit, I would have to push myself for this 50k, but should be able to finish without a problem.  Again, need to make a decision soon as its the same weekend as the Potowatomi.

So I need to figure out if I am going to run any of these three for the Spring.  I am hoping to get in a 100 miler in the fall but I have to find one that doesn't conflict with other races I have already signed up for and within a reasonable distance of Chicago.  Any suggestions would be welcome.

Fall 2013 recap

So I have been slacking on my blog posts since October.  After a disappointing finish to the Chicago Marathon, I wasn't in much of an inspirational mood.  I have been dealing with a Knee/Leg injury since last September.  I somehow injured my leg while moving into my new home a month before the Marathon.  Because of this injury I was worried that I wouldn't be able to compete in the race.  I ran anyway, against my doctors advise, and finished in 5:04:34.  Very disappointing for me.  Before the injury I was hoping for a sub-4 hour time.



After the Marathon, I took some time off to rehab my knee and allow it to heal, which it never really did.  I ran the Spartan Race Texas Beast with 2 friends and had no pain.  It took us over 6 hours to complete the race due to one of my friends having cramping issues almost the whole way.  Wer had a great time and I have a full Trifecta planned for 2014 again.

Two weeks after the Texas Beast, I ran the Huff 50k in Indiana.  This was my first Ultra-Marathon and I loved it.  I dealt with calf cramping early on but soon fell into pace with a few friends that I found along the way.  We stuck together for the entire race and finished in a little over 8 hours.  I could have finished faster but decided to enjoy the experience with friends instead of pushing the limit.  Unfortunately, because we took so long to finish, they ran out of Medals and promised to mail them out.  Well, the race was on Dec 28th and it's now March 19th and I have yet to get mine, nor have the other roughly 25 runners that didn't get any.  Lesson learned.

As far as 2014 goes, I ran my first race in early February.  My friend Chris and I took a trip down to St. Louis and ran the Sand Mine Challenge.  It was definitely an experience.  The entire race was underground in an abandoned Sand Mine.  We thoroughly enjoyed the race and will be returning next year to complete the Quad, running the race 4 times.  I will be posting my race schedule for 2014 as it stands now.  There may be some more added but it is pretty set as of right now.