I’m sure most of you would answer with a puzzled affirmative. Well for me, kinda, not really, not yet. I haven’t done any races yet this year. Time for training and that extra bit of motivation to just enter a race has not been as high as in years past.
In April 2005 I entered my first “competitive” race. Competitive in that there were prizes for the top finishers. I’ve always disliked distance running but my goals of weight loss, control of high blood pressure, and staving off diabetes has changed my tune.
My competition was just to finish. It was the Santa Cruz Half Marathon. I was totally sold on it when the gun went off and hundreds of us were off. The sound of all those running shoes hitting the pavement on that beautiful crisp and clear oceanfront morning sounded just like rain coming down on a tin roof. Comforting somehow. I totally forgot my “race plan” and just had a blast until about mile eleven when I ran (pun intended) out of juice and struggled to the finish. I was amazed and delighted that I finished much sooner than I expected.
The next year I was introduced to triathlon by my coworker Jim. The first one (olympic distance) was small and not perfectly run but still very challenging and fun. The second was Wildflower (olympic). The “Woodstock” of triathlon. Big and wonderfully run. I was really hooked! For 2006 and 2007 I did a few half marathons and two full marathons as well as bunch of triathlons including an off-road XTERRA, the famed “Escape from Alcatraz”, and the “Vineman” half iron distance race. I finished in the mid pack or behind in most but I finished and I am proud of myself. Some of the races, particularly the San Francisco Marathon, were exceptionally difficult. All my race reports, should you find some time, are available on the eBig race link to the right.
It’s not actually true that I have not registered for any races. I’ve registered for the San Francisco Marathon in Aug., the San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island in Nov., and the Disney World Marathon next Jan. I need to find one soon so the year can feel more normal.
Lot’s of excuses. House fix-up, job, helping with the kids, church, landscaping, etc. I’m not real good at organizing my time and I don’t easily get up early in the mornings. Something has to give. I know that I need to periodize my training and be consistent to improve. I read the magazines and the websites. I listen to the podcasts. I just need that extra spark. Sometimes I think that I may just call this year a long base building phase to improve my aerobic conditioning and get ready for next year to really improve. I’m hoping to do a full iron distance event in 2009. We’ll see.
I am making progress though little by little. More swimming and mountain hikes. I need to really work on the bike and do my weekly long runs. I’ll get there. I find a lot of motivation from others in the same boat that I am.
Ok, it’s off to work on the sprinkler system and try to go for a trail run this evening. Maybe I’ll get online and find an upcoming event in the near future so MY year can get under way.
My favorite race quote goes something like, “Winning the race is not necessarily finishing first but may be getting to the starting line at all.” Train smart and avoid injuries and I hope to see you at a race!