Sunday, August 7, 2011

Captain Carl's/ The Falls 30k Trail race

Wow....wicked good times. I really missed trail running and this was a great way to kick it back into gear.
My race started at 7:15 PM and it was a little over 100 degrees when we started. Freaking HOT! I started the race towards the middle of the pack as I knew that I was not trained for this distance and terrain. I stayed with a group of folks for the first 30 minutes. Then when we hit the dried up river banks I decided to move forward. I started moving through the other runners focusing on keeping my heart rate as normal as possible. I was concerned about blowing up towards the end of the race and going to hard at this point would totally make that happen.
After the second aid station I was in a really good grove and knew there were people ahead of me that I wanted to catch. I just stayed focused and made sure I putting time into them. By the next aid station I caught them. Big smile here! I topped off my water bottle and as they were walking back to the trail I ran quickly to get out. Right out of the aid station there was a really really long downhill. I forgot that I might actually have down hills running skills as I flew down the hill passing more people than I thought I would. By this time the sun was gone and it was time for lights. Running in the dark it a totally different type of racing. Shorted strides and you never take your eyes off the ground.
At this point I had a girl right behind me with this crazy bright light so I just kept mine off and used hers. She was a cool cat and we watched out for each other for the next 4 miles.
By the next aid station I was starting to feel the pain. I was pretty dehydrated as my black J&A's hat was totally covered in salt. The angel Leah Neyfler was there and she made me take on my electrolytes that I normally do and then forced me to eat a Popsicle. That totally helped as I started feeling a little better.
With about 3 miles left there wasn't much company which is fine by me. I just followed the glow sticks hanging from trees and tried not to step on any spiders. Yes...spiders we hanging out on the trail as we ran. You could see them using the your light as their eyes reflect the light from your light. Yes....creepy! At the last aid station I stayed for a little longer than I usually would to take on extra water. Well....that didn't help because when I left I had 4 guys right on my tail. Running int he dark on the trail is way harder on the guy up front and I wasn't about to let those guys come around so I had to pick it up and do my best without killing myself.
The last aid station was 2.82 miles from the finish and I ran like it was. I dropped all 4 guys and caught 4 more people. I had one more guy in my sights with a half mile left and I tried to catch him but he saw me coming and he held me off.

Absolutely awesome race. Not too hard but just tough enough. The hills weren't too bad for me at where I am right now and I am happy about that.
After the race I was talking with the race director Joe. He asked where I had been since I dropped off the face of the earth from trail running about 5 years ago. I laughed a little and he says to me, "It's that triathlon shit.....that stuff sucks." I had a really good laugh at that and promised he'd be seeing more off me more often. I really like Joe so being able to speak with him after a while was nice. He's the god father of Texas trail running.

I have no idea what my actual time was but it was something like 3:25 for 18.6 miles.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

2011 IMCDA race report

2011 IMCDA race report

It’s taken me some time to get my head wrapped around writing this dam thing. I guess it’s now or never.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is quite a bit different than Austin, TX. The big difference is the weather. Holy shit it’s nice up there compare to what we have going on down here. The grass is green, the flowers bloom and you may even need a jacket at night. It’s a resort/ touristy little town of about 44,000 people. The locals love the event since we pump a ton of money into the local economy and we’re all usually gone by Tues.
I stayed in a house with Natasha and Steve from http://www.triteamtransport.com/ and the famous Capt. Jim and Capt. Jim’s wife (Michelle). We had great local!!! Nice little 3 bedroom with a lawn and back deck. We were about a 10 min walk to the race site which was PRIMO!
The first 2 days we were there was the basics: Pre race swims, rides and runs, driving the bike course, pack pick ups, bike check ins and hanging with Hills at Recovery Pump . http://www.recoverypump.com
What was the most interesting thing about the pre race was the water we were swimming in. Holy crap was it cold. About 55 degrees with a nice steady wind to make the waves just so much fun. The swim on Friday was interesting. Capt. Jim, Michelle, Natasha and I all went down on Friday morning to swim the course a bit and when we got there we kinda all thought about coming back the next day. The water was just brutal with white caps all over the place. We all ended up getting for a bit but what felt like 30 minutes was more like 11 minutes. Not turning back now so we sucked it up.
Race Day:
Early to bed. Early to rise. Fish like hell and make up lies.
Ooops…..wrong event!
Race morning went as planned. Bike check, bags check and bathroom time. Nothing out of the normal there. It took a long time to get down to the water. Not enough room for athletes and too many spectators in the damn way. Once down to the water I realized I had my J&A’s wool cap on and my Oakley’s. Shit!!!!! I didn’t want to lose them and I couldn’t find Capt. Jim (not racing). So I prayed to the lost and found gods to help my stuff get back to me. So I tucked them in a corner and hoped. Once I made it to the water I jumped in real quick after they said not to to get a little used to the cold temps of the water. Chatted with some folks I didn’t know and then BANG!!!!! The cannon goes off. Of course I lined up incorrectly and end up in the washing machine that is most IM swims. It’s just nuts. Add that to the cold waters temps and it totally sucked. I had to stop about 2 minutes in because I was hyperventilating. I treaded water for about a minute and caught my breath, convinced myself that I wasn’t going to die and off I went again. The swim of an IM event is like none other. You get hit from all angles and there isn’t a ton you can do about it until it thins out or you go way off course. This being a 2 loop swim made the moshpit feeling last that much longer. Because once you jump back in you’re back at it with getting knocked around. Oh well…..this ain’t my first rodeo.
Swim time: 2.4 miles in 1:15:48. Exactly where I thought I would finish.
T1: 6:43 -Nothing to eventful here except the guy who flipped out when I dropped my bike stuff on the ground next to his. He got all worked up that we were going to mix stuff together. Listen guy…..if you were trying to an AG spot to Kona you would have been out of the water a long time ago. Asshat.
Bike: 112 miles
I did this course in 2009 and had a pretty good idea of what to do and what not to do. 2 years ago I came out like Lance Armstrong and dies at about mi 70. This year I took my time to get into the swing of things and not crush the first loop. Nice and steady on the flats and controlled on the hills. I felt pretty good one the first loop of 2 loops and that carried into the 2nd loop. But as usual my back started to really bother me @ mile 90. Wow did it hurt like hell. Thank the lord that my friend from San Diego, Brittany came up next to me with some words to say (she was talking shit) that helped me make it through the remainder of the ride.
** The Frito incident: I love Fritos any time anywhere. I eat them while I train and I had some with me for the race. I out a bunch of them in my bento box (a little box that goes on your top tube that has a Velcro cover on it so nothing flies out) so I could snack away all I wanted to. At mile 60 I stopped to fuel up on some Gatorade. I didn’t get off the bike I just stopped and straddled the bike. I realized I had to pee so I just went right there. This is come practice in triathlon so it’s not biggie. Once done I start riding again and its Frito time! I reach in and grabbed a Fritos and then I realize what I did. I pee’d all over my damn Fritos.  This sucked! Oh well…..shit/ pee happens and I had a race to finish.
Bike time: 5:53:59. About 19 mph
T2: This is where the wheels came off for a moment. I got off my bike and I could barely stand because my back was totally F’ed. I struggled through changing into my running shoes and then while getting sunscreen applied I dropped. I couldn’t even stand up anymore. I was helped over to the ART guys in T2 and they worked on stretching my back out for about 10 minutes. They did what they could and sent me on my way. This marathon is going to hurt.
T2 time: 13:31
Run: 26.2 miles
Once onto the run course I was happy just to be able to move but the way I felt I knew that if I did one quick move I would be done for the day. So I just stayed straight and made as little turning as possible. The first ½ of the marathon was solid. I average about 9:10 per mile and that was just where I wanted to be. I felt good and my legs were in the right place. Once through the ½ point I started to mentally crumble a bit. I just didn’t want to run anymore. It happens…the tough part is starting back up again. So I did about 3 miles or so of walk/ run. It sucked and I could see everything kinda slipping away. Time to rally but I need some motivation. Where do you find motivation? You find it in the form off a 5 foot 1 inch tall red head with freckles and like to talk shit. Yes…Brittany was now on my radar. I saw her on the first lap and she was 8 minutes ahead of me. The second time I saw here she was 4 minutes up. I was gaining and this got me moving. I had 6.7 miles to the finish and I was determined to hunt her down. So I hit an aid station, grabbed some fuel and said to myself, “Fuck it dude….lock and load.” The next 6.7 miles were all or nothing to me. I was going to run as hard as I could for the remainder of the race and I didn’t care how much it hurt.
Now when people say that an Ironman is mostly mental they aren’t kidding. You gotta have your head right and in the game or you’re toast. The 6.7 miles started on an uphill that a ton of people were walking. So I ran it with the hopes that I could. I got the top and ran down the back side of it. Feeling ok here. My feet were on fire but this is something that I can deal with. Next was the Vancouver Canucks fan that I needed to pass. On my way by I reminded him that his goalie sucks and the bruins are the greatest. Next up was the little hill that I hate so much because it goes on forever in my mind. Again, people walking so Logan runs it. By this time I can’t see Brit and I know there is only 3 or so miles left. Where in the hell is she? I keep pushing and I make it to the neighborhood that kicks ass. Tons of people, music and support. I would have loved to enjoy it all but I was on a mission, so I put my head down and kept pushing. Come Brit you little pain in my ass….where are you? I finally forgo my damn watch and ask someone what time it is. Someone yells out 6:40 p.m.. Math time! I have 2 miles left and I need to get there by 7 because I want to break 12 hours (we started at 7:00 a.m.). I know at the current pace that I was running that I could run 2 miles in 20 mins but I also knew that the next 1.5 miles were mostly uphill. Keep running Logan……you got this! I continue to run up the hills and I take a moment to cheer on a guy who’s 72 and doing the race. Way to go young man.
With a ½ mile left to go you take a turn onto Sherman Ave and it’s all downhill to the finish. This is one of the best finishlines in the IM world. Straight, slight downhill and there are a million people the entire way cheering you on to finish. By this time I realize 2 things…….Brittany has beat me and I am finishing under 12 hours. That’s all good in my book. I run down Sherman Ave with only one guy around me and this guy wants to race to the finish. Sorry folks but this is a totally shit ass thing to do to someone. If you have enough gas in the tank to finish the race going all out then you cheated yourself during the event by mot pushing it. If you do this then you are a tool and a few choice other words. I let the d-bag just go one by. I soon hear Mike Reilly calling my name and I’m finally in the finishers shoot with about 50 m to go. I give a few high 5’s to the crowd and take a second to think about the things that are important to me. Once at the finishline I cross my arms like I safe in baseball and call it a day.
Run time: 4:26:19….last 6.7 miles were at a 9:20 pace
Total time: 11:55:57
Found Brit in the massage tent after the race and she has beaten me by 3 mins. I guess she had the opposite in mind when she saw me last. “Jesus don’t let Logan chase me down!” I’ll get you one of these days Brit.

Overall:
Great race for me and the event. Besides pissing on my Fritos and my back issues the race was awesome. With that being said I don’t plan on doing any IM’s for at least the next 10 years or so. I just can’t swing the commitment and my back really likes ½ IM’s better. Going back to trail running which is what I do best. Gonna give the Bandera 100k (yes that’s 62 miles) a try and then go for the big dog and find a 100 miler to try.

The next day:
We went down to the race expo the morning after the event to check things out and see Hills at Recovery Pump. While making our way to hills I noticed a lost and found area. I was pretty sure my glasses and skull cap were gone. But I thought I would at least look. Well holy shit! My J&A’s skull cap was there. This thing is a collectors item! Glasses were gone but I just didn’t care. Getting my cap back was the highlight of the day.


Thanks-
As always thanks to my mom and family. You guys keep me going. Thanks to Megan and Cassidy for listen to my meltdown a few days before the race. My coach Zane. Thanks to Pain for all the mental coaching a guy could ask for….you are the greatest! Thanks to Molly and Seba for not being normal and keeping me laughing all the time. Thanks to Capt. Jim and Capt. Jim’s wife for dealing with me for 5 days. To Natasha and Steve for shipping my bike. To Jack and Adam’s for all the mechanical and nutritional support……oh and free parking! Thanks to everyone that sent kind words before and after race day. Thanks to Hillary Hanson for saving my life after the race with food and water.

And thanks to Fitzhugh Road. You’re a piece of shit and I really do f’ing hate you.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Pretty dang cold for Austin

22 degrees when I woke up this morning. Yesterday was 17 and tomorrow everyone is freaking out because there is a chance of snow. I'm more pissed because the 2 pools I swim at are both closed. Shit, even the bosses are thinkng about closing the offices tomorrow. What's up with that? I'm gonna be freaking bored all damn day if I don't go to work.
Ran after work today and it was 29 degrees. Yeah, that's cold with the crappy wind blowing. I was still able to bust out 7 miles and 2 of them were 6:40's. I still got it.
After I finished I sent a text to a friend of mine and she said I was crazy. I replied.....I'm just determined. I think that's a good way to look at it. Although another 15 minutes outside would have done me in.
Good news: The heel is getting better and my running form is getting back to normal.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

A bit behind

Lots of things in the pipeline the past 2 weeks. Here's a brief overview.

- Website is almost active. Lots of the behind the scenes drama with the server host.
- Firming up details for the annual Leakey Death ride. The Ryan's and Hills will be my camping guests this year. We're all wicked excited.
- Training my butt off. Had a major tire blowout last Sat. and that cost me some riding time but I made up for it with some hammering at the end of the ride.
- Holy shit cold outside. @ 5 it was 30 degrees and the wind was howling. So what do I do? I go for an 8 mile run on the trail. Nice and empty.
- Doing a race in May called the X-50. 1 mi swim, 40 mi bike and a 9 mi run. Capt Jim's wife and The Shop Boss Lady (Michelle and Angie) are coming with me and we're bringing the pop up. Another great road trip in the making.
- Business is coming along. Sending out quotes and lots of talking.
- Ordering another sound system next week. Louder and lighter.

For the folks back home:
Saw Chitwood made the news in Philly. Something about bullying. I'm pretty sure he'll soon have the schools on lockdown and the riot police standing guard at recess.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Busy

Wicked busy week. I'll update more this weekend when I have a chane to rest my head.

Oh.....and find BigMouth Announcing on Facebook and like the page. Thx

Saturday, January 22, 2011

What a day.

Wow...I am freaking tired. One hell of a day that saw a lot get done.
Woke up when I felt like it this morning. I love it being cold outside. I can be a candyass and ride inside my place. My computrainer is set up about 4 feet from my bed. So when I rolled out of bed this morning 20 minutes later I was on my bike. 2.5 hours on the CMPT today. It was fun out of the gate but with 45 minutes left I wanted off. Just don't have the endurance yet. I'll get there.
After the ride I changed quickly and headed out for a 6 mile run. I found out during this run that I live almost exactly 3 miles from J&A's. Not only the best bike shop on the earth but the best turn around point ever. Felt great during the run today. Please let race day be like this......yeah right!
After the run it was a quick shower and then lunch because I had a meeting at 3 that I arrived early for so I could get some work done.
I spent 3+ hours at Lift Coffee shop today with Cassidy. We worked on getting my website up and running. We ran into a couple of speed bumps but I had a blast hanging with her and we never lost patience with each other. Now that alone was awesome. At one point while we're there I look around the room. I knew all but 3 people. Everyone else was a cyclist or a triathlete. Guess Lift is a hot spot for badasses. Hell...Brandon and Amy Marsh showed up straight from a ride and that just raised my level of badassness to another level.
So after a long time dealing with GoDaddy and me telling everyone that I have an "in" with Danica Patrick we finally called it a day. I took Cassidy out for dinner and we kept talking business. This is exciting shit people and you better get yer ass excited about this stuff!!!!! Love me some shop talking with Cass.
Once home I jump back on my laptop to price out travel expenses for Knoxville. After some much needed research I think we might be having our own 1/2 IM in Austin that weekend. Just too much $$$$$$ for a race that doesn't need to be done by me at this time. But like a good sport I told my co pilot for this adventure that it was her call if we go. Totally passed the buck on this one.

Tomorrow is another long day with 2 meetings, a long run, lease renewal and a stop at the grocery. I need sleep!

Friday, January 21, 2011

First time for everything

Cranberry sauce update: Picked up a can on the way home along with Fritos, pickles, PB and a get well card. Going to the grocery with Logan. Always interesting.

So I did something that I have never done before. I actually did my own swim workout without a coach. They closed the pool at Circle C this morning because of the cold. I needed to swim and I just received a 1 year membership to Pure Austin. Pure has a pool at the Quarry that's outdoors but heated and covered. So I got out of bed at 5 this morning and drove north 20 minutes. I was the 3rd one in the door @ 5:35. At 5:40 I was in the pool and I was all alone. Nice!!!!! I drew up a workout in my head on the drive over there and it worked out to perfection. The funny thing was when I was doing interval sets I could still hear Pains voice saying, "And go.....".
It's nice knowing that I can pull it off. Both Pain and Zane sent me a text about me making it to the pool. Zane called it motivation. Pain said she was having a heart attack.
After work I hit the computrainer and did a workout for 75 mins. Good times and I had a nice sweat going.


Lots to do this weekend. Meeting with Dan and then another with Cassidy, long ride tomorrow followed by a 6 mi run, long run on Sunday, lease renewal and about a million other things. Busy busy busy.