The Dam Half Training Update

I officially dropped my registration form in the mail for the 2008 "Dam Half" to be held at R.B. Winter State Park, October 19th. This race is my fall "Marathon." I wanted to do something this fall, but I didn't want to train for a full marathon. This is my compromise, a trail run in the Appalachian Mountains.

I have been training consistently for events all year, but in the last week I shifted my focus back to a longer running event. I'm doing a FIRST style program, but I'm not adhering strictly to the plan/distances/times. I have also shifted some of my training to afternoons as opposed to strictly morning runs. To do this, I have to utilize a quarter mile loop around my house, because I have to keep an eye on the boys after school. I get them situated then I run around the house. At no time am I ever out of view for more than 30 seconds. I had to switch to afternoon training because of work requirements. I can't say that I relish running quarter mile loops, but I can get a consistent workout, and stay in shape. I also find that the benefit is that I run better in the afternoons.

Sunday: 20 mile bike ride @ 16.5 mph
Monday: off
Tuesday: 5 miles with 3 miles at short tempo pace @ 6:40
Wednesday: 18 mile bike ride @ 16.5 mph
Thursday: Ran with the XC team, 7 miles total with 4x800 run "Indian Style." 21 minute cool-down
Friday: off
Saturday: 10 miles @ 8:15

Marshman Triathlon

I ran my last triathlon of the season yesterday, the Marshman Triathlon held at Marsh Creek State Park in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

Pre-race

Got up at 4:00, ate a bowl of cereal, loaded my bike and took off for Downingtown around 4:30. The transition area was scheduled to open at 6:00, so I wanted to be early in case it was first come first served. Arrived at Marsh Creek around 5:45. Parking was a pretty good distance from the transition area, so I loaded everything in my bag and made my way to the starting area. Check-in was easy. Spots in the transition area were marked and luckily i got a primo spot located near the bike in and bike out area. It was also on the end of the rack, which gave me a little more room.

Swim

The water temperature was 75 degrees, so wetsuits were allowed. I decided to wear mine for two reasons 1) to gain a little advantage and 2) I bought the thing, so I wanted to get some use out of it. Start was in-water, and I was in the second wave, 5:00 minutes behind the first wave. Got off to a good start, but couldn't get a real good rhythm going after that, and seemed to be struggling more that I should have been. I was swimming straight though and rounded all the buoys close to the left side without having to swim in. Came out of the water a little disoriented as usual, but not too bad. had a long through the transition area, and was working my suit off on the go. Ended up on the wrong side of my rack and for a few moments could find my bike until I realised what I did. Got the suit off, changed into my bike attire and I was off.

Bike

The course is short, but hilly. I rode well, shifted at all the right times and was only passed by one person, which was somebody on the 20-25 age group who must have started late. I got in a few battles on the flats, but dropped everyone I was riding near on the hills.

Run

Got my legs under me fairly quickly, but there was a fairly large hill - the biggest hill yet that I have had to face in a triathlon. I lost time going up the hill, but so did everyone else. It was an out and back course, so I made up some ground/time going the other way. I wasn't passed by anyone on the run, but did manage to reel in a few competitors before the finish.

Results and Final Comments

* 48th/497 - top 10%; 6th in my age group.

* The top 6 places in my age group were only separated by around 6:00 minutes.

* the wetsuit helped me on the swim, but my transition was slower, so I guess I didn't really gain anything.

* I should have pushed on the bike a little more, or at least pushed a little bit more on the downhills. I was off the pace of those in front of me by around a minute to a minute and a half. I coasted a little more than I should have.

*Run time was 4th best in my age group, bike was 6th best and swim was 6th best at least among the top 6 in the group.

* I was happy with my performance, and happy with the organization of the race. Piranha Sports does a great job.

An Afternoon Afield

Having been cooped up all day yesterday compliments of Ms. Hanna, I decided to take advantage of the nice weather today and do some hiking with the boys and their friend Nick.

We first hiked up to Governor Dick Tower. The boys enjoyed climbing to the top, but weren't as impressed with the views as I was. They were more thrilled to simply climb up and down a few times and count the the number of daddy long leggers that were on the side of the tower.

After Governor Dick, we made our way to Dinosaur Rock. The boys love climbing on, over and under the the large boulders that make up the "dinosaur." It was good exercise for them and I had a peaceful ride home as they were either sleeping or looking out the window with that far-away stare.

(Governor Dick Monument)

(Atop the Tower)

(Giant Leaves)

(Behold the Dinosaur! Unfortunately this Jurassic age treasure is too close to a road, and an easy hike, which makes it accessible for any knuckleheads with a can of spray paint)

Back In The Groove

School started for me this week, and things are going well. I have a room of my own and it is in a great location...as far from the office as is possible, well almost as far as is possible. There is one room father than mine. I really like the classes I have, and it has been fun these first four days. I'm teaching three sections of sophomores (world history) and two sections of juniors (global perspectives).

I have made the adjustment of getting up at 4:50 to run, lift, swim or bike. It was a little tough at first as I was used to getting up around 6:00. As fall approaches, my biking program is going to suffer as it is growing darker earlier in the evening, and it is too dark to ride in the morning. I guess I will have to start riding on the trainer again, but I do plan on getting out on the weekend. I'm in the process of buying a new mountain bike, so I look forward to some trail riding in the woods when the leaves start to change colors. Running should be fine, and I can always get in for a swim early in the morning.

I have two races coming up. One is next weekend, The Marshman Triathlon, which is rather short - 400 yard swim, 12.5 mile bike and a 2 mile run.

I have decided not to do a marathon this fall for a number of reason, but I am planning on running a trail half marathon in October. This is getting back to my roots, so to speak, as the only race I did prior to my first Marine Corps Marathon was the Evansburg Challenge, which was a 10 mile trail run. I'm planning on doing a 10 mile run tomorrow morning to start preparing for longer distances, but Hannah might prevent that from happening.

Katfishin' with Kyler

Decided to head out on the river last night to do some catfishing. I'm back to the real world tomorrow, so it was my last chance to get out before I'm back in the school routine.

I took my buddy Matt and my son Kyler along. We got to the river just before dark and rigged up. It was a nice cool evening and the river was flowing calmly. It was also down from the last two times I was out.

We no sooner got Matt's and Kyler's lines in the water when Kyler struck into his first Catfish. At first he wasn't sure what happened. It was funny, because he said, "hey, what was that." I took the rod from him and knew he had a fish. I gave the rod back to him. He reeled with all his might, and landed his first channel cat of about 2-3 pounds.

About this time, it started to become dark and the temps went down quickly. I thought it was a perfect evening, but to a seven year old, the world became a scary place. It didn't help that he was tired. So, after his first fish, he was ready to pack it in. I convinced him to stay a little longer for Matt's sake and Matt ended up catching two nice fish. Kyler photographed the one pictured below.

Livestrong Challenge Philly, 2008

(Rob, Mike, Me)

Last year my friend Rob Duffield, a cancer survivor, rode the Livestrong 100 mile ride in Philadelphia. After I read his report, I told him I would join him in 2008.

Well, the year went by, and quite frankly, I forgot about the ride and my offer to be on his team. Two weeks ago, Rob sent out the information about the ride which quickly jogged my memory: "Oh no, I have two weeks to raise money and get ready for a full century." I quickly signed up for the event, sent emails to family and friends and began pedaling like a mad man. Fortunately, I was already signed up for the Covered Bridge Metric Century, so at least I would have a good tune-up ride under my belt.

My fund raising goal was $250.00, enough to cover the minimum required to participate in the full century. I was totally amazed that in two days, I not only met my goal, but exceeded it by almost $100.00. In fact, as I write this, I'm still receiving donations from people.

The ride was scheduled to begin at 7:30, so I left my house at 4:40 to make sure I would be down there early enough to get settled in and warmed-up. Rob picked up my registration packet the previous day, so I didn't have to contend with that, but as a former Marine, I have a hurry-up-and- wait mentality, and don't like to rush. Besides, most races begin early, so I was used to it.

I arrived at Montgomery County Community College, the staging area for the event, at around 6:15. I called Rob, and he was right in front of me in the line of traffic awaiting to get into the parking lot. We got into the lots around 6:30, and got our bikes and other gear ready then rode to the starting line to meet up with the other members of our team including Rob's brother and cousin. After everyone was assembled, we formed up with the other 100 mile riders in the corral.

The staging area was well laid out and there was plenty of room for all riders doing the 100 mile event. Lance came on stage around 7:45 and gave a few words of encouragement and thanks, and then we were off. Well, sort of, a couple of thousand riders on bikes just don't' get up and move. To be honest, this was the scariest part of the event because of having to clip into the pedals in a mass of humanity. Unlike the Covered Bridge Ride, I didn't fall and we got off to a good start.

The first 30 miles of the event were a breeze. We stopped at all "Power Stops," fueled up, and drank plenty of water and Gatorade. The weather was cool and we were making good time. Now, for some reason, I thought the ride was going to be closer to Philly (It helps to check the map) and thus we'd be riding on relatively flat terrain. Well, we rode to the northwest and were in Berks County around mile 30 or so. Berks County northwest of Montgomery County consists of hill after hill and they came at us fast and furious. By mile 50, I knew there was a reason they called it the Livestrong "Challenge". I really shouldn't have been surprised, after all, the event supports the foundation of 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

The mother of all hills came at mile 57. It was a 1 mile climb, and it this point, numerous riders were off their bikes and walking. I was determined that I wasn't going to walk at any point in the event, so I shifted down and sucked it up and made my way to the top of the hill. On the other side of the hill was a rest stop in a little Village called Landis Store. Just like the Boston Marathon when I heard the Pink Floyd song "mother," which got me through some hard times, I was again reminded of my mother, because her maiden name was Landis. so, in a small way, my mother was with me again.

After the rest stop, we were elated that we were over the biggest climb of the course and were expecting it to be "all downhill" the rest of the way home. In fact, it was "all downhill," that is until the next hill. It got to the point where I was tired of riding downhills, because I knew what awaited once I was at the bottom. Mile 60-90 was definitely some of the hardest riding I have ever done, because of the distance and the terrain: a perfect storm of hurt. Actually, my legs didn't feel too bad, and I was able to climb well, but the climbs did hurt. Now, what hurt the most, however, was my a**. I now have a new appreciation for riders on major tours who ride 100 milers on consecutive days. I know my grandpa will be telling me that I need to get a bigger seat.

After mile 90 it was a pretty smooth stretch to the finish, and we were able to push it home as a team. Some of our team split off earlier and rode the 70 mile event, but Rob, Mike and I rode under the banner with the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that comes with completing a full century, the bikers equivalent of a marathon. After we passed under the banner, Rob split to the right and rode through the survivors chute and received his yellow rose. I was proud of his accomplishment and proud to have rode with him and for the memory of my mother.

After the ride, I made my way to the Livestrong Village and had my complimentary meal, which hit the spot: pizza, subs, salad, couscous and cookies along with beverages supplied by Michelob.

I sat down by myself, because the team all went different ways. As I was eating, a young couple came up to me and asked if they could sit with me. I said, by all means. We struck up a conversation, and I pulled out two buttons that we were throwing to the supporters along the way and gave them to them. They asked about the meaning of "Team Fish," and I explained to them that one of Rob's favorite quotes is "there comes a time in everyone's life when they have to either fish or cut bait." I also told them that "Fish Or Cut Bait" is the name of his blog.

After I told the story, a woman who was seated behind me asked, " did I hear you mention something about team fish?" She then showed me her button that she received from Rob last year. As it turns out, her name is Dianne, and last year on the ride she was between chemo treatments, in fact she scheduled her treatments so she could do the ride. At some point, Rob noticed that she was having a tough go of it and rode with her for awhile. That's when he gave her the button. She did the ride again this year and had the button on her jersey. She is 8 months clear as of yesterday. After hearing the story, I gave her a 2008 "Team Fish" button. I hope that it brings her the luck that the last one did.

On a final note, I'd like to say thank you to all the volunteers who made the ride a success. It was a great experience, and I am planning on doing it again next year. I feel blessed that after 23 years I have the ability to participate in an event that raises money and awareness for cancer research, and that I can honor my mother by raising donations.


Thanks to all who made this possible:

Andy B.
Anita and Brian B.
Brook and Cherry L.
Constance G.
Edgar R.
Gene and Kim E.
Tina E.
Kyle F.
Matt M.
Melinda E.
Phillip S.
Yvette C.
Ed and Jan S.
Bob and Jan E.

View Larger Map

(Elevation Profile, note: lost GPS power short of Finish)

Kraybill Geocaching Adventure

Our children's school always has a a benefit auction in the spring. One of the auction traditions is the the teacher adventure. Parent's and others bid on an "adventure" sponsored by a teacher. This year, my wife and I, along with 4th grade teacher Mrs. Smith decided to do a geocaching adventure for up to 10 students at Chiques Rock County Park. We weren't sure what it would bring in. We were flabbergasted when the final bid came in at over $600.00.

This past week I went out through the park and plotted 5 caches: 4 for the geocaching event and a fifth cache for the final adventure race. This morning was the actual event. 10 students showed up and I went through a lesson on GPS and geocaching then the students along with a parent and Mrs. Smith broke into two groups and went geocaching. They found the first four caches fairly quickly, so I had everyone report back to home base. When everybody was assembled, I had them turn off their units. I then explained that the next cache sought would be a race. When I said, "go," they turned on their units and quickly made their way into the woods to see which team would be the first to the cache. They both arrived at the cache at around the same time, but the first group found the cache and were declared "the winners."

Afterwards, we had a wonderful lunch prepared by my wife. All the students and adults involved said they had a great time. We're looking forward to offering it again next spring.