First and foremost the relay feels like cheating. Sure I am quite sore today from a very intense run for me but no where near what I felt after the LA marathon. It is cheating because you get all the marathon perks but you only run a few miles. I ran the second leg, which, missed the downtown area and before the beach. What did I get on my race course? Highway, buildings, and hills. I asked my fellow relay mates if I could run the leg with the most hills to help me prepare for Ragnar Utah-Wasatch Back. I got em. My leg was 7.2 miles long and I wanted to run my 10K pace and see if I could hold on for whatever was left. If I averaged 9:15 for the whole leg then I probably ran my 10K in 56-57 min or so. That would be a 10 K PR for me especially on a hilly course. Total I ran 1:07:02. That ranks 91/198. As a group we were 6th in the mens relay out of 14. Overall relay rank was 36 our of 198. Not too shabby. Total 3:56:31. Not that fast overall but fast for me considering I am getting stronger and stronger on hills. I had some serious right and left camber as well. My ave HR was 175 bpm and my max was 188 bpm. This Wasatch-Back training may be something I need to do to carryover this strong running lately. I think I am also riding the coat tails of the training I did for LA.
The race itself is big. Again lots of runners and logistically a nightmare to get around. 25,000 runner and 198 relay teams. There are 4 runners per team. My group had 2 teams, the men and the girls. My team was "Buzzed and Bald." Since we are all virtually hairless. The first leg was 7.4, 7.2, 6, and 5.8. It is very interesting to have no idea what the start or the finish was like. I didnt do either one. What I did do was ride the trolley a whole lot. While it is a nice mode of public transportation, it interferes with race watching. I didnt see my wife until she found us in the see of people after she finished. It was a nice way to have a trip but a crummy way to enjoy a race. I would do it again at the right race because overall it was fun. Just seemed a like we cheated. Afterall, I ran right by tons of people. The were doing something harder than I was, yet I blew right by them. Holding a drum stick at the same time. We passed it along like the baton in track and field relay. Overall fun.
The expo was fun. I met some Marathon Bar people but no athletes. I only saw one live on the race course and he was far away!! What they did have was a good deal on the Garmin 310Xt. Yeah I finally bit the bullet and splurged. I have been wanting to see what heart rate training could do for me and the price was right. I love it. Coincidently it matches my marathon bar gear. In the process of getting it all ready I think I dumped my race data. Nope found it! The more I play with it the more I realize this piece of equipment is powerful. What an impressive watch/software situation. I love it. I cannot wait to use it more often. I am also quite interested in the Tanita BC-1000 Body Composition Monitor. Might prove to be a helpful piece of equipment. Anyone have any experience with this device?
Monday had a good swim. 16 laps very consistent pace. 4 groups of 4 laps: Total 19:19. 4:23, 5:01, 5:00, and 4:54. Avg 4:49. So 200 m in 4:49 is 2:20 per 100. Getting faster, just not great yet. Also played softball and had to pitch. My L knee is quite sore. Decided to take tonight off. Quote:
The world does not pay for what a person knows. But it pays for what a person does with what he knows. Laurence Lee
I hope that with the new information I get with the gadgets I can make it all work for me.
11 comments:
I have thought about Silverman as a relay with me running the marathon, but then I think the same thing, I would feel like I was cheating too. I would be flying by those who had just swam 2.4 miles and biked 112 miles and cross the finish line in a race that I only did 1/3 of. I don't think I could do it. Rangar makes it better because everyone is relaying it, unless you get some nut that runs the whole thing (Dean).
PS Do you think the camber on the road is why your knee is so sore?
OMG! I just got the Garmin 310xt with all the accesories on Friday and love it. Despite a few glitches with uploading, which i finally figured out yesterday, it's awesome. You are going to love it! The data you upload from the watch is incredible. The feedback (ie. heartrate, vibrate/beep at every mile) is extremely motivating. Can't wait to see how it works for you.
Relays must feel just like aquabikes, when your done, you go "umm am i really done??"
RUN DMC - great shirt!
Great job on the relay Ron!!! You are going to have a blast on the Wasbatch relay too. Oh I can't wait to do another Ragnar Relay in November! Keep up the training!
LOVE that quote at the end...also sounds like u are rockin those hills....keep it up!!
That sign is awesome!
You look awesome in your Marathon Bar shirt! Great job on your relay leg!
I have done a relay before and I know what you mean about feeling like cheating - I was on the last leg of the relay, and I was passing folks who were on their 22nd mile and they are like, "You look great!" I am thinking, holy crap, these guys are cheering ME on?? It was fun though. I LOVE that 26.2 Hell and back sign.
The tech shirt looks good on you! :) No pictures of the XT though??? :(
Congrats on the relay. Sounds like a great way to do the race... although your hilly part doesn't sound so fun! You did awesome though! Keep it up!
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