Shiner GASP / The Rookie Tri

This weekend, like last year at this time, I overdosed on sports and sacrificed sleep by cycling 100 miles on Saturday and volunteering for a triathlon on Sunday. The ride was the Shiner GASP, and the race was the Rookie Tri. Both were great events, but some day I'm going to have to learn how to have a relaxing weekend.

Republic of Texas Triathlon

The Ides of April. Other than normally being tax day, it doesn't have quite the portent as the Ides of March. While I would hardly call this April 15 doomed, it certainly didn't go as originally planned. The plan was for a half distance (70.3) triathlon at the inaugural Republic of Texas Triathlon Festival, which is something of an outgrowth of the Corpus Christi Triathlon I did last year. However, due to dangerously high winds, the swim had to be cancelled (as it was Saturday for the sprint distance race), and a 6-mile section of the bike course over the harbor bridge had to cut out. Also, for reasons that weren't explained, the bike turnaround was moved, cutting out five mile from each of two loops, making the course a total of 40 miles. The run course was unaffected, and remained two ~6.5 mile loops. I was kind of disappointed about not having the swim, I was hoping to show off the work I've done in the pool since Longhorn 70.3 in October, but as my time still wouldn't have been all that competitive, I wasn't devastated. Plus, it would have been my first time really swimming in salt water, which I was a bit nervous about, and didn't have a chance to attempt on Saturday afternoon when I got into Corpus due to high winds (making very rough seas). So, while I didn't have the day I might have had with calmer weather, I was pleased to at least average over 20 mph on the bike (which I so narrowly missed at Longhorn), and had my best half marathon time so far in 2012 (but far from my PR) of 2:34:11, for a total time of 4:34:57. Beyond my personal performance and a couple of minor gripes, it was a very good, well run event, as all High Five Events I've done have been.

Blue Norther Duathlon

Once again, I did a race I probably would have been better off skipping. If I hadn't registered back in January, there's no way I would have. Still recovering from the knee injury, suffering from a stiff neck the past few days, plus rain and daylight savings time, it would have been easy to stay in bed this morning. But I got up and did this race, and I actually felt pretty good about it. I'm a little disappointed I didn't beat my time from last year, and even worse I don't think I beat my bike split (I don't have clear data) despite a year with the bike and race wheels. I am pleased, however, that I was able to run more than I have cumulatively since 3M, with little complaint from my knee. I'll blame my 1:38:36 being 1:35 slower than last year on the light rain during the first run and half of the bike.

Austin Marathon Race Report

I probably should not have attempted to do a marathon today. I probably did for the wrong reasons, namely that I was already registered and I wanted to finish the Distance Challenge. But, I did start the Livestrong Austin Marathon, and good idea or not, I did finish my first full marathon. While I didn't finish anywhere close to the time I had hoped for months ago, I met my expectations on the day, still recovering from major knee pain suffered during the 3M Half Marathon three weeks ago, with a 6:27:47. Since I knew I would be going slowly, and not being one for a crazy costume, I thought I would tweet along the way. Those tweets are collected here.

3M Half Marathon

After good showings in the first three legs of the Austin Distance Challenge (IBM 10K, Run for the Water 10-miler and Decker Challenge Half Marathon), I had high hopes for my second running of the 3M Half Marathon (2011 report). However, it seems training for the full marathon has not been kind to my legs. On top of the foot pain I've been having since before Decker, I hurt my left knee running 18 miles last weekend, and had a bad right calf cramp Thursday night at swim practice.
While I had a pretty good 10K this morning (~51 minutes), that was about all my knee could take. I started walking near the halfway point. I tried once or twice to pick the pace up to a jog (10-12 minute miles), but walking (15-16 minute pace) was as fast as I could go without severe pain.
It was rather demoralizing, walking as everyone ran past. First it was the 1:50 pace group, then 1:55, 2:00, and eventually 2:10. After that I didn't feel quite as bad, as there were a lot of people taking walk breaks. At least I wasn't in the way as much at that point. For a while, in my head, I was saying to the passing runners "Yeah, well I had a better 10K than you did," which is of course completely moot in a half marathon.
I seriously considered stopping at one of the many convenience stores on the route for real food, a drink and ibuprofen, but I was quite sure any stop would be the last. I had stopped early in the walking phase to chat with a friend spectating and was barely able to start again. At that moment, with almost six miles to go, I seriously considered withdrawing and getting a sag ride to the finish. But, I figured a DNF would be a more lasting pain than my knee, so I kept on.
At the final turn, onto Congress in front of the state history museum, I made one final attempt to pick up the pace, but the pain was too much. I crossed the finish line with a time of about 2:40, got my finisher's medal, picked up my dropped clothes, and boarded a bus back to the start.
The drive home was quite painful as well, having to work the clutch in my manual transmission car. Surely there is a line between tough and stupid, and surely I have crossed it.