Ramblings and Ketchup

Yeah, so it's a lively Saturday night and I'm just catching up on old blog entries and relaxing a little bit. This week was a rest week and a significant reduction in volume as compared to previous weeks. (Last 3 before were 13/13.5/15 hours total - even WITH a trip out to Las Vegas the weekend BEFORE the final four tournament...long story)

But things have been pretty good lately. The sponsor for this year BERTS bikes, opened up a new shop located on 100 Jay Scutti Boulevard (same plaza as the BJ's wholesale superstore and right by Marketplace Mall) and they are officially open for business. If you haven't been in there, I highly suggest checking them out and stopping in to say HI. They have a massive wall of bikes (Four high!) to the right when you walk in and a little something for everyone (triathletes included!!)

On the plus side of things, Berts FINALLY threw a jersey my way (a bike jersey....but it's a start, at least it is something with their name on it so I can show my support!) and I actually wore it today on a nice training ride. They are apparently getting together some slick looking triathlon uniforms for me and the Egger's (I assume) and I'll post some photos of those later on when they arrive.

Other than that, things have been pretty status quo around here. I'm still kicking and will have some fun packages coming in the next few weeks from the sponsor that I'll be sure to post about when it arrives. But other than that, just laying down some good solid base IM training in prep for Ironman USA coming up in less than 4 months. (take 2) I'm finally doing intervals and structured bike training, so we'll see if I can hang with the guys in my age group this year on the bike. I have a very ambitious goal of breaking 10 hours at IMLP and it will take going fast on the bike AND the run to do so.

The Spring Forward 15k run is coming up in about a week or so and that's usually the race that gets the lead out of the legs and sees how the base training went, at least running wise... I went a 55:08 there last year and I would really like to see if I can bust open a sub 55 there this year. (that would beat my college 15k PR - and I'm self coached!!!) :o) So we'll see what happens. I was about 15 seconds behind Mr. Carl Johnson last year and that would be a big bonus to be able to squeeze out another W against him this year, but we'll see. He always knows I'm rearing for him and I'm calling Frozen Assets a fluke....for now.

Well it's about bed time for me (well maybe not...) but I want to be done, so I'm gonna head out. Train well and rest even better friends. I'm stoked that the sun is shining and we're all back out on the roads again (my neighbors really appreciate that...) I'll see you in the sunshine. JFT friends, cheers!

Snow Cheap #6 (finale) race report

So as not to miss the entire month of March, I will throw a little post your way on the blog to let everyone know whats been going on. First off, the Fleet Feet Snow Cheap Winter Trail Race Series is over. The last race was some Wednesday back a few weeks ago and it was a blast as per normal.

Since daylight savings time hit, we really didn't need the headlamps for this one. The thaw had hit, and it was a nice night for a run. I don't really remember too much about it other than people telling me not to screw it up before the race by placing 2nd. I am somone who does not really like to let people down so I usually just replied with, "I'll try my best!"

I know I like to "front run" at some of these smaller local races...most people that race with me know that too. That night, my friend Alan decided to give me a little brief scare and BOLT off the start line and play with my head saying things like, "you don't want any blemishes on your perfect series" and crap like that. Within the first 1/2 mile, I had passed him and never heard anything from him again. Other than that, I don't remember too awful much. It was a fun technical race and I was ready to roll. I had just come off of a rest week and was playing around and just bombing thru the woods.I ended up winning it and sweeping the entire series. It didn't matter whether it was a snowshoe or trail run either. I placed first in all 6 races in the series and it was a cool thing to be able to stick to my goals and guns and do something that i thought I wouldn't be able to pull off. Winning a single race is something that as long as you play your cards right and have the ability, it's pretty simple. The whole series racing thing is a different beast all together!!! :o) And I like it! :o) The first few races are easy, then suddenly you have a target on your back and EVERYONE is after you... it's intense. I'd like to focus on series racing sometime down the road.