So... I have a lot to write about, but don't have much time.
This weekend I ran the Wild Hare 50 Miler with my friend Ben. It was his first ultra! I was so pumped for him to just skip the 50k and go straight for the 50 miler! I'm planning on finishing up a quick race report tonight at work. Should be up by tomorrow morning.
I was really surprised that my legs felt as fresh as they did after the 50K last weekend. I never felt like I was really working this weekend and was happy to finish feeling like I could do plenty more!
I also sent n my application for the Florida Double Iron triathlon! While this definitely seems like I'm in over my head, feel confident that I can finish within the 36 hour cutoff :) I'll be posting much more about that in the near future!
Congrats to everyone at the 50 miler this weekend! Tejas Trails put on another awesome race as always!
_Jacob_
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Louisiana Trails 50K Race Report
I hate titling this a "race report". This was most definitely not a race. I just went out and had a blast doing what I love while enjoying some beautiful Louisiana scenery on the single track.
Looks like total there were about 15-20 people in the 50K this weekend and I ended up 2nd overall. Ended up being a great run and I felt unbelievably strong. With my lack of training I never expected to feel that good the whole day.
Anyways, I'll cut to the chase. Below is the "race report". Shoot me a line if you have any questions about the race. Next week it's the Wild Hare 50 Miler for me! Can't wait to spend 8-12 hours on the single track :) And I'm camping again!
*************************************************************************
Pre Race:
When I looked this race up last year I pretty much made up my mind I was going to do it. I really wanted to cross Louisiana off my 50 states list, not to mention run a challenging 50K in November.
I also made up my mind around September that I was going to camp at this race. It wasn't until I got into the ultra running scene that I found out a lot of ultra runners will camp at the race sites sine the majority of them are in state parks or other camping friendly locations.
So on Friday after our wedding shower at Courtneys work I hit the road around 3:45 for Shreveport from Dallas. On the way out I hit some nasty storms and knew that they were heading for Louisiana. It was at this point I called Court and Scott to see what they thought I should do, and have them look up hotels for me. I just wasn't in the mood to set up my tent in that kind of rain.
Soon enough I had pulled past the storm where it was still dry. After talking to Scott, I figured I'd give the camping a try. I figured if I could get there quick enough, I'd be all set up before the rain hit.
I exited off I-20 and headed into the backwoods of Louisiana. Ohhh yay. After about 20 minutes I arrived at the race site to find about 2-3 other campers. I quickly set up my little two man ultra light tent and got inside before anything came down.
I had a bite to eat and called Court to say goodnight and tried to get some sleep around 8:30-9:00. I woke up around 11 and quickly went back to sleep, then finally woke up around midnight to some GOOD rain and wind. This was a brand new tent so I still wasn't 100% confident in it, but everything held up great. I could hear the guys next door running for their truck. The temps began dropping and got to I'm guessing the low 50s. I zipped up my sleeping bag and tried to fall back asleep but wasn't able till around 1:30.
I woke up to people parking at the race site around 5:30, then fell back asleep and wasn't up again till my alarm went off at 6:30. I made a quick french press with my JetBoil and headed over to packet pick up with fresh coffee in hand :)
Opted to leave the tent up till post race. I changed into my running stuff and headed over the start line about 7:20. The race was set to go off at 7:30.
Run:
I went into the race looking for two things.
1) A finish so I can cross Louisiana off my 50 states list
2) A strong finish, without killing my legs.
I registered myself for this 50K and a 50 miler the following weekend, so this race was never meant to be a race. I was just going for a good time and to get another 50k under my belt.
The start gun went off and we headed down at pavement road for about a half mile till we filed one at a time into the muddy single track. I was quickly caught off guard at how firm the trail was. While it was wet and slick it wasn't at muddy as I was expecting after the rain last night.
The course was two laps of 13.1 miles followed by a little 5 mile loop. On this first lap I spent the first 5 miles or so in a train just hanging out. The pace felt a bit fast a few times, but I didn't feel like I was pushing to hard so I just cruised along with everyone else.
The trail was beautiful. I felt so lucky to be able to run this race. After not doing a trail race since early this year it was amazing how fast it all came back.
I was right back where I left off.
There were two other races starting at the same time as the 50K. A half marathon and the marathon, so there were a lot of people on the course. (~130 total) I just tried to not run off with some half marathoner and blow up later. Around mile 7 I found a running buddy and we ran the next 4-5 miles together. These miles just ticked away. Around mile 9 we came to an open field/jeep road and headed back towards the starting area.
Around mile 11 we came RIGHT by the starting line then headed back out for a short 2.1 mile section to total 13.1 for the loop. I finished the first loop in around 2:04 feeling really good.
I grabbed a gel and a clifbar from my tent and headed back out for another loop. As soon as I got back on the single track I was in heaven. All the half marathoners were gone and I was all alone. Finally. A chance to breathe. This is the part of ultras I live/run for. When you're 15-20 miles into a race in the middle of the woods and you can't see anyone. It's such an awesome experience.
On this second lap all the aid stations that had been manned on the first lap were no longer manned. So I'd pull in, fill up my bottle, grab a few M&Ms and get back on the trail.
Around mile 15-17 I had my typical down period, but after 17-18 it was gone and I was feeling freah and happy. At mile 22 or so, I was walking out of an aid station and some guy comes popping out of the woods on a side trail. He was backtracking a bit and I figured he was lost. I asked him if he was OK and he told me he was making sure he was on the right trail.
I asked him what race he was in and he said the 50K! HAHA. I was like riiiiggghhhttt. That would mean your like 5 miles ahead of me and I'm on pace for around a 5 hour 50K.
Well sure enough this guy was winning the 50K (I was in 3rd at the time). I assured him he was on the right trail. He asked if he could pace with me for awhile. I of course said yes and made it my goal to help him finish as fast as possible. He was hurting for sure. At this point I picked up the pace quite a bit, probably too fast, but I knew it was so fast, so around mile 24 we took a walk break and he stayed with me. Around mile 24.5 we started running again. It wasn't till around 25.5 that I dropped him and finsihed my 2nd lap in around 2:14. Only 10mins slower than the first lap.
I grabbed some M&Ms and headed out for my final 5 mile loop. As I was walking out I saw my new friend win the 50K! Awesome for him.
Now begins ultra fun. Everything past the marathon mark. I walked for about a half mile here and after that didn't stop running till the finish. The more I ran the better I felt. The trail was drying nicely and even tacky in some spots.
Around mile 29 I started thinking about the 50 miler next weekend and how I hope I feel this good. Soon enough I was off the single track and running the last half mile into the finish to see my 1st place 50K friend waiting! He was really thankful I ran it in with him. This was his first ultra, and he found it funny that I would pace first place in while in 2nd place.
Post-Race:
I grabbed my finisher shirt and medal, then headed over the tent to begin packing things up. I chatted with my new friend for a bit, then hit the road for Dallas.
******************************************************************************
Hope everyone is having a great week! 50 mile run this weekend!!
_Jacob_
Looks like total there were about 15-20 people in the 50K this weekend and I ended up 2nd overall. Ended up being a great run and I felt unbelievably strong. With my lack of training I never expected to feel that good the whole day.
Anyways, I'll cut to the chase. Below is the "race report". Shoot me a line if you have any questions about the race. Next week it's the Wild Hare 50 Miler for me! Can't wait to spend 8-12 hours on the single track :) And I'm camping again!
*************************************************************************
Pre Race:
When I looked this race up last year I pretty much made up my mind I was going to do it. I really wanted to cross Louisiana off my 50 states list, not to mention run a challenging 50K in November.
I also made up my mind around September that I was going to camp at this race. It wasn't until I got into the ultra running scene that I found out a lot of ultra runners will camp at the race sites sine the majority of them are in state parks or other camping friendly locations.
So on Friday after our wedding shower at Courtneys work I hit the road around 3:45 for Shreveport from Dallas. On the way out I hit some nasty storms and knew that they were heading for Louisiana. It was at this point I called Court and Scott to see what they thought I should do, and have them look up hotels for me. I just wasn't in the mood to set up my tent in that kind of rain.
Soon enough I had pulled past the storm where it was still dry. After talking to Scott, I figured I'd give the camping a try. I figured if I could get there quick enough, I'd be all set up before the rain hit.
I exited off I-20 and headed into the backwoods of Louisiana. Ohhh yay. After about 20 minutes I arrived at the race site to find about 2-3 other campers. I quickly set up my little two man ultra light tent and got inside before anything came down.
I had a bite to eat and called Court to say goodnight and tried to get some sleep around 8:30-9:00. I woke up around 11 and quickly went back to sleep, then finally woke up around midnight to some GOOD rain and wind. This was a brand new tent so I still wasn't 100% confident in it, but everything held up great. I could hear the guys next door running for their truck. The temps began dropping and got to I'm guessing the low 50s. I zipped up my sleeping bag and tried to fall back asleep but wasn't able till around 1:30.
I woke up to people parking at the race site around 5:30, then fell back asleep and wasn't up again till my alarm went off at 6:30. I made a quick french press with my JetBoil and headed over to packet pick up with fresh coffee in hand :)
Opted to leave the tent up till post race. I changed into my running stuff and headed over the start line about 7:20. The race was set to go off at 7:30.
Run:
I went into the race looking for two things.
1) A finish so I can cross Louisiana off my 50 states list
2) A strong finish, without killing my legs.
I registered myself for this 50K and a 50 miler the following weekend, so this race was never meant to be a race. I was just going for a good time and to get another 50k under my belt.
The start gun went off and we headed down at pavement road for about a half mile till we filed one at a time into the muddy single track. I was quickly caught off guard at how firm the trail was. While it was wet and slick it wasn't at muddy as I was expecting after the rain last night.
The course was two laps of 13.1 miles followed by a little 5 mile loop. On this first lap I spent the first 5 miles or so in a train just hanging out. The pace felt a bit fast a few times, but I didn't feel like I was pushing to hard so I just cruised along with everyone else.
The trail was beautiful. I felt so lucky to be able to run this race. After not doing a trail race since early this year it was amazing how fast it all came back.
I was right back where I left off.
There were two other races starting at the same time as the 50K. A half marathon and the marathon, so there were a lot of people on the course. (~130 total) I just tried to not run off with some half marathoner and blow up later. Around mile 7 I found a running buddy and we ran the next 4-5 miles together. These miles just ticked away. Around mile 9 we came to an open field/jeep road and headed back towards the starting area.
Around mile 11 we came RIGHT by the starting line then headed back out for a short 2.1 mile section to total 13.1 for the loop. I finished the first loop in around 2:04 feeling really good.
I grabbed a gel and a clifbar from my tent and headed back out for another loop. As soon as I got back on the single track I was in heaven. All the half marathoners were gone and I was all alone. Finally. A chance to breathe. This is the part of ultras I live/run for. When you're 15-20 miles into a race in the middle of the woods and you can't see anyone. It's such an awesome experience.
On this second lap all the aid stations that had been manned on the first lap were no longer manned. So I'd pull in, fill up my bottle, grab a few M&Ms and get back on the trail.
Around mile 15-17 I had my typical down period, but after 17-18 it was gone and I was feeling freah and happy. At mile 22 or so, I was walking out of an aid station and some guy comes popping out of the woods on a side trail. He was backtracking a bit and I figured he was lost. I asked him if he was OK and he told me he was making sure he was on the right trail.
I asked him what race he was in and he said the 50K! HAHA. I was like riiiiggghhhttt. That would mean your like 5 miles ahead of me and I'm on pace for around a 5 hour 50K.
Well sure enough this guy was winning the 50K (I was in 3rd at the time). I assured him he was on the right trail. He asked if he could pace with me for awhile. I of course said yes and made it my goal to help him finish as fast as possible. He was hurting for sure. At this point I picked up the pace quite a bit, probably too fast, but I knew it was so fast, so around mile 24 we took a walk break and he stayed with me. Around mile 24.5 we started running again. It wasn't till around 25.5 that I dropped him and finsihed my 2nd lap in around 2:14. Only 10mins slower than the first lap.
I grabbed some M&Ms and headed out for my final 5 mile loop. As I was walking out I saw my new friend win the 50K! Awesome for him.
Now begins ultra fun. Everything past the marathon mark. I walked for about a half mile here and after that didn't stop running till the finish. The more I ran the better I felt. The trail was drying nicely and even tacky in some spots.
Around mile 29 I started thinking about the 50 miler next weekend and how I hope I feel this good. Soon enough I was off the single track and running the last half mile into the finish to see my 1st place 50K friend waiting! He was really thankful I ran it in with him. This was his first ultra, and he found it funny that I would pace first place in while in 2nd place.
Post-Race:
I grabbed my finisher shirt and medal, then headed over the tent to begin packing things up. I chatted with my new friend for a bit, then hit the road for Dallas.
******************************************************************************
Hope everyone is having a great week! 50 mile run this weekend!!
_Jacob_
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
No motivation or a change in priorities...
I just spent about 30 minutes looking back through a lot of old blog posts and training log posts. On November 24th, I will have been logging my workouts on beginnertriathlete.com for three years. February 2nd will be my 4 year anniversary of logging workouts in general.
It's so weird going back and reading everything I had to say back then. My motivations were totally different. Now I ask myself... Do I no longer like triathlon? Do I not want to do it anymore?
I definitely don't think that's the case, but I do think that my priorities are different. I think SO many triathletes get so off track from what's really important, and I used to be one of "those" triathletes. Over the past year or so I've discovered that you can still do triathlon/endurance sports AND have fun doing it! You don't have to devote every living second to training and the triathlon mentality.
Currently I'm struggling with my role on Team Ironhead. I've been racing for them for about three-four years now and love everyone on the team, but to be honest I barely race triathlon anymore. I'm gonna go volunteer at Brondas DU in a few weeks and make a call after that. If I'm not kicked off I'm gonna hang around and keep helping Ironhead Race Productions as much as possible.
Ok! Enough emo posting. I have a 50K run this weekend and I'm totally excited and totally unprepared. My training as usual is lacking, but I'm confident I can finish regardless. I've heard great things about this race in regards to the course and I'm pumped to get to run a challenging 50K this close to home.
I'm also going to try camping this weekend at the race! I'm going down there solo so I figure this is a great way to save some $$$. Unfortunately the forecast is for a 40% of rain so I'm crossing my fingers that holds off till Sunday!
I've gotta get back to work, but just wanted to share a few thoughts with everyone! Below is a song by Boards of Canada that I loveee. Just for your enjoyment.
Also, go check out my friend Bens blog. CLICK HERE to check it out. He's doing his first 50 miler next Saturday!! GO BEN!
_Jacob_
It's so weird going back and reading everything I had to say back then. My motivations were totally different. Now I ask myself... Do I no longer like triathlon? Do I not want to do it anymore?
I definitely don't think that's the case, but I do think that my priorities are different. I think SO many triathletes get so off track from what's really important, and I used to be one of "those" triathletes. Over the past year or so I've discovered that you can still do triathlon/endurance sports AND have fun doing it! You don't have to devote every living second to training and the triathlon mentality.
Currently I'm struggling with my role on Team Ironhead. I've been racing for them for about three-four years now and love everyone on the team, but to be honest I barely race triathlon anymore. I'm gonna go volunteer at Brondas DU in a few weeks and make a call after that. If I'm not kicked off I'm gonna hang around and keep helping Ironhead Race Productions as much as possible.
Ok! Enough emo posting. I have a 50K run this weekend and I'm totally excited and totally unprepared. My training as usual is lacking, but I'm confident I can finish regardless. I've heard great things about this race in regards to the course and I'm pumped to get to run a challenging 50K this close to home.
I'm also going to try camping this weekend at the race! I'm going down there solo so I figure this is a great way to save some $$$. Unfortunately the forecast is for a 40% of rain so I'm crossing my fingers that holds off till Sunday!
I've gotta get back to work, but just wanted to share a few thoughts with everyone! Below is a song by Boards of Canada that I loveee. Just for your enjoyment.
Also, go check out my friend Bens blog. CLICK HERE to check it out. He's doing his first 50 miler next Saturday!! GO BEN!
_Jacob_
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
RCP CAT1 Mtn Bike Race
This whole story starts last week, and I'm going to tell it all.
So last Tuesday I went out for a nice ride at Arbor Hills next door to the apartment. I was going to hit up a lap there, then ride to FL and do a lap, then finish up with one more lap at Arbor Hills. Well I ride over to Arbor from the apartment and quickly jump on the single track. (This was also my first ride on my new tubeless set up!)
I'm flying down the trail feeling awesome! Well about 3 minutes in I get to this really rooty drop so I speed up and "coast" over it. Well all the sudden it's like I slammed the breaks on and it feels like all hell just broke loose in my rear wheel. I come to a full stop and look behind me to find my rear derailluer jammed into my rear wheel!!
It was UGLY! About 3-4 spokes were broken in half and it obviously wasn't rideable. Thanks goodness I was only a mile from the apartment and not at FL. I call Jay and he says to bring it up there so he can figure out what's going on. (race on Sunday)
I walk home and load the bike onto the back of the car. I get to Sun & Ski and Jay quickly gets to work. I of course had to snap a few more quick pics.
I end up leaving the bike with Jay so he can work his magic and head back home to get ready for work. This is now the second day I'd been up to S&S because the day before I bought my new tubeless kit and chain! He ended up replacing the rear derailluer and 14 spokes!
I had to work all week, so I left the bike with him and didn't get to pick it up till Saturday. (The day before the race) As soon as I picked it up around noon, I headed over to RCP to get a quick ride in before the race and see how the course was. Well about 33 minutes into that ride my rear wheel started rubbing the frame, so I stop to check it out and 4-5 spokes had come totally loose so now the wheel was out of true pretty bad. Awesome I thought!!!
I of course call Jay again, but forgot he was about to be in a wedding. He texted me a bit later and we decided I'd drop the bike of at the shop and he'd drop it off that night after he swung by the shop to check it out.
That night he dropped off the bike and everything looked good. He informed me that sometimes spokes will come loose after getting replaced, but that hopefully they'd stay put this time.
Well, the next morning I got up around 6:30 to head out to the race. I look downstairs to see Jay and Lindsey already headed out! I load up and get there around 7:30. My race went off at 9am. I did a quick lap on the single track start and everything felt ok. Jay had brough an extra 29er wheel just in case I wanted to run that one. I decided against it and ended up paying the price.
Me and the other "CAT1 Sr Men 19-29" lined up at 8:58 and were ready to go. The gun went off and we were racing! The first few seconds of the start weren't too bad and I entered the single track in 5th place out of 8. We were hauling some serious ass. What a huge difference btwn CAT2 and CAT1 already. I wasn't having too much of a problem keeping up and was happy to be hanging on in 5th. About 10 mins in it looked like the other 3 guys had fallen off pace a bit. I was hanging on to the front group! By the time we made it around to the start area again I was still hanging on for dear life.
When we entered the actual trail head I could tell I was in the process of getting dropped. At that point I thought it was over, but soon enough I could see the 3 guys ahead of me! I worked pretty hard to get real close to catching them, and right before I did someone happened to my gearing and I think my chain got caught btwn two cogs. Gahhhhhhh. Once I was good to go again, they had another huge gap. Well, let me tell you this. A gap in CAT1 means you are so screwed. I spent the rest of that lap trying to catch them and finished the first lap about a minute behind them.
On the second lap everything started going downhill. I kept thinking spokes were coming loose again, and at one point actually STOPPED in the trail to check them. At that point they felt ok, but mentally I was totally out of the race. About 5mins later a tree caught my jersey and ripped a huge chunk out of it (and my shoulder).
Towards the end of that lap I could hear my rear wheel rubbing a bit and knew something was awash. That was it. I was done.
Just before crossing the line to start my third lap I bailed and DNFd. Went over to see Jay and we chatted for a bit. I knew I should have used the other wheel he brought, but didn't go with my gut feeling. With that said, I'm not an excuse kind of racer, and I was getting it handed to me out there by those other CAT1s!
It was an awesome experience racing with those guys and I can't wait to do it again. I definitely wouldn't have placed, but I feel I could have taken 4th or 5th if I'd been able to finish. I'll be back to try the XC series next year as a CAT1. Huge thanks to DORBA for putting on such an awesome event. Those guys put on fun races that are well organized and exciting for all involved. I ended up volunteering for the CAT2 sweep job and had fun doing that.
Congrats to Jay and Lindsey for both killing it out there. You guys rock! I can't wait for the next one. See everyone out there!
For now, I've gotta do some running cause I have a 50K in two weeks :)
_Jacob_
So last Tuesday I went out for a nice ride at Arbor Hills next door to the apartment. I was going to hit up a lap there, then ride to FL and do a lap, then finish up with one more lap at Arbor Hills. Well I ride over to Arbor from the apartment and quickly jump on the single track. (This was also my first ride on my new tubeless set up!)
I'm flying down the trail feeling awesome! Well about 3 minutes in I get to this really rooty drop so I speed up and "coast" over it. Well all the sudden it's like I slammed the breaks on and it feels like all hell just broke loose in my rear wheel. I come to a full stop and look behind me to find my rear derailluer jammed into my rear wheel!!
It was UGLY! About 3-4 spokes were broken in half and it obviously wasn't rideable. Thanks goodness I was only a mile from the apartment and not at FL. I call Jay and he says to bring it up there so he can figure out what's going on. (race on Sunday)I walk home and load the bike onto the back of the car. I get to Sun & Ski and Jay quickly gets to work. I of course had to snap a few more quick pics.
I end up leaving the bike with Jay so he can work his magic and head back home to get ready for work. This is now the second day I'd been up to S&S because the day before I bought my new tubeless kit and chain! He ended up replacing the rear derailluer and 14 spokes!I had to work all week, so I left the bike with him and didn't get to pick it up till Saturday. (The day before the race) As soon as I picked it up around noon, I headed over to RCP to get a quick ride in before the race and see how the course was. Well about 33 minutes into that ride my rear wheel started rubbing the frame, so I stop to check it out and 4-5 spokes had come totally loose so now the wheel was out of true pretty bad. Awesome I thought!!!
I of course call Jay again, but forgot he was about to be in a wedding. He texted me a bit later and we decided I'd drop the bike of at the shop and he'd drop it off that night after he swung by the shop to check it out.
That night he dropped off the bike and everything looked good. He informed me that sometimes spokes will come loose after getting replaced, but that hopefully they'd stay put this time.
Well, the next morning I got up around 6:30 to head out to the race. I look downstairs to see Jay and Lindsey already headed out! I load up and get there around 7:30. My race went off at 9am. I did a quick lap on the single track start and everything felt ok. Jay had brough an extra 29er wheel just in case I wanted to run that one. I decided against it and ended up paying the price.
Me and the other "CAT1 Sr Men 19-29" lined up at 8:58 and were ready to go. The gun went off and we were racing! The first few seconds of the start weren't too bad and I entered the single track in 5th place out of 8. We were hauling some serious ass. What a huge difference btwn CAT2 and CAT1 already. I wasn't having too much of a problem keeping up and was happy to be hanging on in 5th. About 10 mins in it looked like the other 3 guys had fallen off pace a bit. I was hanging on to the front group! By the time we made it around to the start area again I was still hanging on for dear life.
When we entered the actual trail head I could tell I was in the process of getting dropped. At that point I thought it was over, but soon enough I could see the 3 guys ahead of me! I worked pretty hard to get real close to catching them, and right before I did someone happened to my gearing and I think my chain got caught btwn two cogs. Gahhhhhhh. Once I was good to go again, they had another huge gap. Well, let me tell you this. A gap in CAT1 means you are so screwed. I spent the rest of that lap trying to catch them and finished the first lap about a minute behind them.
On the second lap everything started going downhill. I kept thinking spokes were coming loose again, and at one point actually STOPPED in the trail to check them. At that point they felt ok, but mentally I was totally out of the race. About 5mins later a tree caught my jersey and ripped a huge chunk out of it (and my shoulder).Towards the end of that lap I could hear my rear wheel rubbing a bit and knew something was awash. That was it. I was done.
Just before crossing the line to start my third lap I bailed and DNFd. Went over to see Jay and we chatted for a bit. I knew I should have used the other wheel he brought, but didn't go with my gut feeling. With that said, I'm not an excuse kind of racer, and I was getting it handed to me out there by those other CAT1s!
It was an awesome experience racing with those guys and I can't wait to do it again. I definitely wouldn't have placed, but I feel I could have taken 4th or 5th if I'd been able to finish. I'll be back to try the XC series next year as a CAT1. Huge thanks to DORBA for putting on such an awesome event. Those guys put on fun races that are well organized and exciting for all involved. I ended up volunteering for the CAT2 sweep job and had fun doing that.
Congrats to Jay and Lindsey for both killing it out there. You guys rock! I can't wait for the next one. See everyone out there!
For now, I've gotta do some running cause I have a 50K in two weeks :)
_Jacob_
Friday, October 29, 2010
My grandmother made me do it...
What?!?! I'm actually updating and posting on my blog?
Why yes. Yes I am. I would tell you it's because I've had so many requests from all 12 of my loyal followers but that would be a lie. It's because the other evening my grandmother of all people asked me if I ever updated my website. Well Gram, this one is for you!
I'm gonna summarize my life since the last post in as few words as possible. This is gonna be a blur, so just hold on tight.
My last update was before the El Scorcho 50K. That was going to be my 7th or 8th marathon/ultra mary of the year. Well, I DNF'd that one. Why? Because I just wasn't having fun and went out SO ridiculously hard. Could I have finished? Yes. Does that matter now? No.
The week leading up to that race I was having some strange pains and that run (made it 22-23 miles) just made it way worse, so I took off another 6 weeks or so from running to make sure everything was good to go.
I decided to put my mountain bike back together so I could train on the trails. (cause everyone knows I love the trails) Well, long story short I decided to enter the Northshore 100 mile mtn bike race. Of 13 starters, I was the only finisher, and therefore I won. I decided after that, that I wanted to try a XC mtn bike race. I signed up for the Sansom Park CAT2 race and ended up winning that overall. Now I'm going to try the CAT1 race at Rowlett Creek Preserve on Halloween and see how I fare against the big guns. I also bought a new mtn bike a month or two ago picture below. It's a Scott Scale 29er with a few upgrades. Freaking LOVE this thing. 29ers are the way to go. i can roll over whatever I want :) Thanks to Jay up at Sun and Ski Sports in Frisco for helping me out. Those guys are awesome and definitely go the extra mile everytime I'm in there.
I did the Prarieman aquabike and ended up getting 2nd place there to Dave Jones who dominated the bike. By the way, I've only swam 2 other times this year and they were BOTH in triathlons, so a 32 minutes swim wasn't too bad for no actual swim training this YEAR! For the entire year I've now swam around 45minutes total and less than 4,000 yards.
I'm registered for the Louisiana Trails 50K on Nov. 13th, because I SERIOUSLY want to get back to my ultra running. For some reason I'd still rather mtn bike right now, so my running is very minimal. Like 10-15 miles a week minimal. Regardless, I don't think I'll hae a problem finishing the race. (I just want to cross Louisiana off my 50 states list!)
The next weekend I'm planning on running the Wild Hare 50 Miler in Warda, Tx. I know, I know. You're all laughing right now. But I think I can finish it... regardless of my serious lack of run training right now. Ultra running has A LOT more to do with your mentality than your skill/training than most of you know. I'm probably going to end up with another random injury, but I'm always asking for a good whooping and I'm sure a 50K followed by a 50 miler the next weekend should give it to me.
Courtney and I are still planning away on the wedding! (Ok, Court more so than me, but I'm doign what I can!) It's getting more and more hectic the closer we get. Crazy, because I thought we were wayyy over prepared, but apparently there is no such thing as being over prepared for a wedding. Haha. Courtney is doing an awesome job, and I appreciate everything she is doing. God has blessed me with an incredible woman that loves me like no other.
I've been SERIOUSLY toying around with the idea of doing the Tampa Double Iron Triathlon in early March of 2011. Actually I'm not really toying with it anymore, I planning on it. Court gave me the go-ahead, so as long as I can get registered before it sells out, I'm in. Again, I'll probably not be anywhere NEAR as prepared as I should be, but my mentality tells me otherwise...
Why yes. Yes I am. I would tell you it's because I've had so many requests from all 12 of my loyal followers but that would be a lie. It's because the other evening my grandmother of all people asked me if I ever updated my website. Well Gram, this one is for you!
I'm gonna summarize my life since the last post in as few words as possible. This is gonna be a blur, so just hold on tight.
My last update was before the El Scorcho 50K. That was going to be my 7th or 8th marathon/ultra mary of the year. Well, I DNF'd that one. Why? Because I just wasn't having fun and went out SO ridiculously hard. Could I have finished? Yes. Does that matter now? No.
The week leading up to that race I was having some strange pains and that run (made it 22-23 miles) just made it way worse, so I took off another 6 weeks or so from running to make sure everything was good to go.
I decided to put my mountain bike back together so I could train on the trails. (cause everyone knows I love the trails) Well, long story short I decided to enter the Northshore 100 mile mtn bike race. Of 13 starters, I was the only finisher, and therefore I won. I decided after that, that I wanted to try a XC mtn bike race. I signed up for the Sansom Park CAT2 race and ended up winning that overall. Now I'm going to try the CAT1 race at Rowlett Creek Preserve on Halloween and see how I fare against the big guns. I also bought a new mtn bike a month or two ago picture below. It's a Scott Scale 29er with a few upgrades. Freaking LOVE this thing. 29ers are the way to go. i can roll over whatever I want :) Thanks to Jay up at Sun and Ski Sports in Frisco for helping me out. Those guys are awesome and definitely go the extra mile everytime I'm in there.
I did the Prarieman aquabike and ended up getting 2nd place there to Dave Jones who dominated the bike. By the way, I've only swam 2 other times this year and they were BOTH in triathlons, so a 32 minutes swim wasn't too bad for no actual swim training this YEAR! For the entire year I've now swam around 45minutes total and less than 4,000 yards.
I'm registered for the Louisiana Trails 50K on Nov. 13th, because I SERIOUSLY want to get back to my ultra running. For some reason I'd still rather mtn bike right now, so my running is very minimal. Like 10-15 miles a week minimal. Regardless, I don't think I'll hae a problem finishing the race. (I just want to cross Louisiana off my 50 states list!)
The next weekend I'm planning on running the Wild Hare 50 Miler in Warda, Tx. I know, I know. You're all laughing right now. But I think I can finish it... regardless of my serious lack of run training right now. Ultra running has A LOT more to do with your mentality than your skill/training than most of you know. I'm probably going to end up with another random injury, but I'm always asking for a good whooping and I'm sure a 50K followed by a 50 miler the next weekend should give it to me.
Courtney and I are still planning away on the wedding! (Ok, Court more so than me, but I'm doign what I can!) It's getting more and more hectic the closer we get. Crazy, because I thought we were wayyy over prepared, but apparently there is no such thing as being over prepared for a wedding. Haha. Courtney is doing an awesome job, and I appreciate everything she is doing. God has blessed me with an incredible woman that loves me like no other.
I've been SERIOUSLY toying around with the idea of doing the Tampa Double Iron Triathlon in early March of 2011. Actually I'm not really toying with it anymore, I planning on it. Court gave me the go-ahead, so as long as I can get registered before it sells out, I'm in. Again, I'll probably not be anywhere NEAR as prepared as I should be, but my mentality tells me otherwise...
Alright, well for right now that's all I've got for you. Obviously, I'm still working nights if you look at the time of this post :)
I'm running 20 miles on Monday morning at the Northshore with my friend Ben if anyone else is interested in going. Also, the DORBA CX race at RCP is this Sunday (Haloween) if anyone is interested in watching or just hanging out. I'll be there all day, not to mention racing the CAT1 race at 9am.
Leave a comment and let me know what you guys think of the new layout! Take care and train safe :)
_Jacob_
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