Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Recovered!

Tomorrow is back to work for me. I'm sort of looking forward to it, you know, holding people hostage to my "mud run" stories, and getting back into regular business. Thanks to the photo below I decided to "Bic" my head....NOTE THE MALE PATTERN BALDNESS.
looking Fierce...and OLD!

I guess that's how it goes. Luckily Not feeling that way! here are some other pictures I downloaded from Nu Vision of the past weekend.
Laugh Out Loud.

The Start!

Yeah..They glow in the dark!

Last fire jump before the finish.
A lot of the Facebook Ultra Beast page is buzzing with recent activity from other people. Some are still hurting, some are racing 50 milers as I write this. I find myself somewhere in between. While I have been taking it easy I feel like a big part of recovery is just dealing with the aches and pains of yesterday. My next endeavor is the Bobby bell 5 Mile road race in lovely Haverhill, MA. This race will actually go right past my front door...Literally. After that will be the Bay State Marathon, which claims to be one of the "fastest in the country". And lastly I am on the fence for the Spartan Race Fenway park Time trial.
 
Bobby Bell
Today I wanted to give myself a "test" at the shorter distance of 5 miles. While it isn't my specialty I really like these shorter fast races. After an hour or so on the mountain bike (9+miles) I set out to see where I'm at for this distance. Fueled on energy drinks, coffee, and a bean burritos (smothered in siracha chili sauce of course) I took off on a somewhat flat, somewhat fast run. I ran at around 80-85% and was able to clock around a 33:30 5 miles averaging around 6:45 per mile. I was pretty satisfied with these results and I am setting my goal time 32:10 for the Bobby Bell. I think I can handle it on a days rest. This race is also being sponsored by the BEST RUNNING SHOP IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA.
 
Bay State Marathon
Bay state takes place in Lowell, MA. It's not exactly on my doorstep like the Bobby Bell but it's still pretty local. Bay State claims to be the best road race to a BQ (Boston Marathon Qualification).  Since B.A.A. (Boston Athletic Association) has raised the bar for a 29 year old male I would need to run a 3:05 (7:0X minute mile). Needless to say this will NOT happen for me. My first marathon was a disappointment at 3:50(something). I bonked super hard and walked my last six miles. The course was very hilly at 600+ vertical gain and 80+ degrees however I can't blame a slow time on those factors. I simply didn't plan my nutrition well, and my race plan was non existent. This time I will plan better and try to force myself to consume calories, in the form of my beloved clif shot blocks. Goal time >3:35 8:20 mile. The handy Runners world APP seems to think (in it's incredible algorithmic wisdom) I can run a 3:16 or so, I'm leaving the bar a little lower.
 
Fenway
Spartan Race HQ announced this time trial a while ago. I was NOT interested, until realizing that I was world ranked in the top 100 (according to Spartan Race) on points after only 2 races (Amesbury Sprint and Vermont World Championship Ultra Beast). The marketing genius behind making me feel like I am a remotely decent athlete/runner/obstacle racer is incredible.. I am, looking for reasons NOT to run this time trial. Please comment below if you find one for me. Sadly it took the Ultra Beast to open my eyes to slowing the hell down on obstacles. Until the UB I had always Burpee'd on the log lillypad and wall traverse. Neither of these proved a problem when I was in energy conservation mode as opposed to speed mode (Amesbury). With that being noted I feel like I can do well and really rack up some points for 2013 (genius I tell you!). Because I Will (if I am afforded more leave from my new USCG job) being applying for the Ultra Beast AGAIN!
Spartan World Rankings (I think I have dropped a few spots since this screenshot but I'm satisfied with it!)

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