So, I thought I would get the year caught up and start anew for the upcoming one. Before I even look over the year's races and activities, a few thoughts about my activities seem appropriate.
Biking in 2009. I doubled my mileage from the previous year,
I participated in three races, the first MTB racing I've ever done, 
and I joined a riding club, the RBS/Lewerenz Medical Cycling Team (RBS Sport Team). All three were goals of mine at the beginning of 2009, and all three were accomplished.Running in 2009. I ran over 1000 miles for the year. I participated in sixteen races throughout the year, including two marathons (one of which was a Boston Qualifier) and a trail series, the Serious Series. I joined a running club, the Stoney Creek Running Club (SCRC). Lastly, I worked on becoming a consistent runner; one who has a basic plan on the amount of mileage and type of runs wanted and needed to accomplish certain goals (as opposed to just running as far as possible until becoming injured). The Serious Series, two marathons, seeing more than 1000 miles, joining a running club, cleaning up my running habits, and qualifying for Boston (actually a seven year goal – it’s only been three) were some of the highlights of the year. Most of which were goals I set out to do at the beginning of 2009.
Swimming in 2009. I’ve wanted to take up swimming for some time and after joining Life Time Fitness in December of 2008, I finally had the opportunity to get access to a pool and swim on a regular basis. I had a few goals for this; to learn how to breathe while swimming freestyle, to be able to swim constantly for 800 meters (one half mile), and to try to get at least fifteen miles of total mileage for the year. I accomplished these goals. I can now breathe while swimming, although I still have a long way to go to be really comfortable doing it. My typical workout in the pool is now 1600 meters. My total distance for the year was well over the mileage planned.
As for the racing over the past year, I should first say that I was dealing with leg problems throughout 2009. And while the running, biking, and racing have been exciting, to say the least, there were always the constant aches and sleepless nights that followed many of my activities. That being said, some of my highlights over the year include;
The Bayshore Marathon – Saturday, May 23rd 2009
This made the list for many reasons. Bayshore was my first marathon with Paula (her first); starting out that morning side by side. One of the highlights was seeing her catch up and pass me at the 18 mile point but ultimately beating her to the finish line to watch her come in with tears in her eyes. Sharing the race with family (Melissa, Daniel, and Paul), having Coldstone ice cream and some PBRs in the bay afterwards, and getting a personal record during the race made this a great way to start off the year’s racing.
Trail Races For Me
I ended up with almost half of my races on the trails, ranging from five and a half miles to twenty five kilometers distance. All were great, and all were completely different from one another. There’s nothing like taking a trek through some of the beautiful parks offered throughout Michigan. 
Two highlights of the year were the Serious Series and the Tahqua Trail Run. The Serious Series consisted of three separate races on three separate weekends; the Trail Half Marathon, the Flirt with Dirt 10K, and the Legend 10 miler. Finish all three and you receive a great pilsner. The Tahqua was a 25K race held in Paradise, Michigan and entered the Tahquamenon Falls National Park. The trail was a point to point along the North Country Trail, merging with the Lower Falls trails, and finishing up on a insane climb along the River Trail. Great views and perfect running conditions. Paula and I did a couple of races for a second time, the Crim and the Brooksie Way. Both were fun to do two years in a row. Between these, we managed to find some time to head to Mackinac Island for a race on the island, the Mackinac Island 8 Miler. The island has three races every year, the Lilac Festival 10K in the spring, the 8 Miler in the summer, and the Great Turtle Half Marathon in the late fall. With the running of the 8 Miler, I now have completed all three races offered.
The Grand Rapids Marathon – Sunday, October 18th 2009
The most challenging run of the year had to be the Grand Rapids Marathon in the fall. My legs were breaking down; I wasn’t getting enough training for the distance (averaged 20ish miles per week). The stress of Paula qualifying and registering for the 2010 Boston Marathon, with or without me, was taking its toll on my nerves. I had to hack off eight minutes from my PR. And it was the last opportunity of the year for me to qualify for Boston. A lot was riding on this race. The weekend started off early for me (and Paula).
FRIDAY. We decided to head up to Sagebrush Cantina in Lake Orion with some friends for dinner since Paula only had a half day of work on Saturday and I was off until Tuesday.
Well, it turned into more drinking than eating, and we all ended up having a great time, a long, late, blurry, great time. Until the next morning. SATURDAY. Paula headed to work at 7:00am (Jesus!) and I rolled out of bed to end up on the couch at about 10:30, got in the shower, packed, washed clothes, and headed to Antoniou’s Pizza by 12:30 to meet Paula for the drive over to Grand Rapids. The drive sucked and Paula slept. We got settled in at the hotel and headed to the expo, which was o.k. At the Expo, we decided to run with a pace group; the Pi group. They were planning to have a time of 3 hours and 14 minutes (3.14 – Pi). We headed back to the room to lie down before dinner. I felt like hell. Paula felt like hell. We needed food and went to the Olive Garden; the closest restaurant we could find. Went back afterwards, got ready for the race, and were in bed by 9:00pm.
RACE DAY! I was feeling great from the sleep. Paula was feeling better. We both were ready for the run. We went to the race early, and watched the slow people start off. Then, after a time, we lined up behind the Pi Pace group and started our run. My legs were a bit bothersome but not too bad as to slow me down. Paula was strong and I was holding my own alongside the group. Until mile 12. I got side stitches – bad. Really bad. I couldn’t let them slow me down, so I tried to run through them, which I did. But I ran like a monkey for a few miles, hunched over and dragging my knuckles. By mile 15-16, I was back to breathing regularly, but the process drained me of all my energy, and caused me to start to slip away from the pacers, the group, and Paula. I held on until mile 21, at which time I was exhausted and fell away completely. The next few miles progressively became slower until I reached mile 25, and did some fast calculations. I realized if I could just pick my pace up to just under 8:00 miles, I could still qualify for Boston. I gave it all I had. I pushed. I leaned. I grimaced. And I hit the Finish Line at 3:15:52; a whole 7 seconds to spare!!!!!
The race director was at the end shaking hands and so I gave him a big hug and told him, “next time I’ll be carrying a beer for ya”. He offered me one of his, which I declined gracefully as I saw Paula waiting for me just past the finish line with tears in her eyes after I told her I made it in time. We both PRed, I qualified for Boston, and we had free hot dogs to boot.All in all, I had an enjoyable year with quite a few new experiences. I made a horde of new friends. And I joined some first-rate groups. I look forward now to more of the same while adding some new twists. See ya, 2009 - it was fun.
