My First (Super) 5K and Dailymile Meet-Up

Had a great time running the Super 5K this morning in Novi. Paula and I got there with plenty of time to see a bunch of friends and get a warm up on the course. For the beginning of the race, I wedged my way to the front and kicked it into high gear for the next 18 minutes to come in 33rd overall and 5th in my age group. Fun times!

After the race, we headed to Mo's to meet up with a bunch of Daily Milers that had also raced this morning. It was really good to meet so many of you. Fun day!

Winter Wolf Race - 15M

Well, Paula and I packed up our gear, extra clothing, and a bit more clothing then headed 120 miles North to Omer, "the smallest city in Michigan", for out first official race of the year - The Winter Wolf.

With the temperatures at a brisk 9 degrees and a wind of 8mph, 6:30pm is always the best time to start a race. A wonderful run along two-tracks, back roads, and through fields covered in a foot of new snow - in the dark. We got into town in time to register and change with plenty leftover to hangout and see friends as they arrived for the race.

At 6:15, the race director gave the last minute directions and course information. I should state that it sounded something like; "go down the road and turn left, then turn right at the tracks, this will lead you to a field - go into the field and follow the ribbon, turn right on the tracks, then left...I tried to mark the trail as good as I could, but I kept getting lost". After that, it was time to put the headlamp and MICROspikes on for the walk to the start line and get moving.

Afterward, as everyone trickled in, we met up at the Old Courthouse for awards and chili (I had two heaping bowls). Most of the RUT team members that made it up walked away with awards; I took 6th overall (2nd age group) and Paula A. took 1st Place overall for women. Rachel I., Hong W., Don, and Kathy A. all took home age group awards. Mark M., Rick L., and Fara K. also had strong finishing times.

This was my second year doing the race, mostly due to the people who put it on. Thank you for doing a great job making everyone feel at home, the well marked course, and the great chili at the end.

First Annual New Years Day Get Your Hung Over Fat Ass Running 26.2

I had a great time beginning the New Year with a FA Marathon this morning. The weather was mild and the company good, so the run was well worth the effort. Afterward, off to Antoniou's Pizza I headed for some carbs with some of the RUT group that attended the FA - Paula, Kai, Hong, and Andrew. Good way to start the year off - hanging out with friends, old and new.

1st Annual RUT Fat Ass 50K(ish) at Pontiac Lake

Had a great time running this morning with a big group of crazies on the trails. Perfect weather conditions and company made for really fun time. Thanks Farra and everyone for putting on such a great non-event.

Dances With Dirt – Devil’s Lake 50 Miler

Running Fit has done it once again; they found a way to make people use expletives while praising their event. This was the hardest f@!%ing, most exciting race I’ve ever done. This race was 50 miles of running, 6000 feet of climbing and descending, temperatures hitting the high 80s, and trails covered in roots, rocks, stones, running water, and asphalt. It was awesome!

Running Fit was directing the race; it is one of four of the Dances with Dirt races that they set up. And, since Running Fit also runs the (RunningFit Ultramarathon Team) RUT, a bunch of us just had to be there.

After a lot of different plans, I finally set up a rental and room at the Devil’s Head resort; the location of the start and finish. We planned to drive out the day before and head back after the race. Just a quick, cheap trip to do the race. Friday morning came up and out the door I went. I swung by Farra's and Kai’s houses, and headed west. We were on our way to Baraboo, WI. More specifically, to Devil’s Lake; I now know that the name is appropriate for the occasion. After a nine hour drive, we arrived at our destination.

The race start was 5:30am, Saturday morning. We were up and ready with the rest of the runners watching the sun rise and the day come alive. Then I ran…

My first Ultra Marathon – 50 miles of running! Playing in the woods with friends for 10 hours was a great way to spend the day.

Thanks Kai, for suggesting the race. To Farra, Kai, Andrew, Mark, Ellen, and all the others - it was great fun and I look forward to the next one. To the Head Goat - "thank you" for letting us shower at your place after the race.

Ran the race on Saturday, July 10th 2010

Stony Creek MTB Marathon

I went out to the park today with Paula to meet up with the RBS Cycling team to ride the single tracks during the SC Marathon. This was a last minute decision, and I’m glad I decided to do it. The weather was great, the RBS turnout was large, and Paula also decided to race.

I signed up for the Sport class this year. I raced it last year as my first race ever, signing up as Beginner. It kicked my butt in 2009. So, I was a bit nervous about signing up for Sport this year (beginners do three 11 mile loops, while sport riders do four loops). But, screw it, if you’re gonna do a Marathon race, go big.

The race was great. I took my time and didn’t push it to the limit for the first three loops; rode it at a temple pace. I felt great until I started climbing the last big hill on the third loop; the left calf started to cramp. I slowed it down a bit, and after the climb the leg worked it out. But throughout the entire fourth loop, the calves were cramping periodically. Not too bad, just enough to remind me that they were working hard.

As I came into the finish shoot, I saw Paula waiting for me; she looked refreshed and excited. I finished strong and felt great – but a bit tired from the three and a half hours of riding.

We hung out with the RBS team for a few hours, watched the other riders come in, had some pizza and a beer or two, and watched the award ceremony. I placed 8th in my group and Paula placed 1st in her group – she rocked it! I should mention that this was her first race ever. I think she’ll be more competitive biking than running - and that’s saying a lot.



It was great fun. I really enjoyed sharing this day with Paula, the RBS team, and John and Jamie Martin.



Rode the race on Saturday, July 3rd 2010

The Big Fish Olympic Distance Triathlon

Well, my first triathlon has come and gone. It was a real experience, to say the least. I was really nervous about this race, mainly because I didn’t know when to really exert myself. I didn’t want to push too hard at the swim or bike, just to find out that I had run out of energy for the run. I should clarify; I wasn’t lollygagging through the race. I was pushing the entire time.

I’ve decided to break down the event into the three sports instead of treating it as one since I still have the mind-set that I went to the park to do three events, back to back.



The 1500 meter swim was first on the agenda, and started at 8:00am. This was a two loop, open-water swim in Big Fish Lake. It entered and exited on the beach area about 150 meters from the transition area. We went out clock-wise; which was better for me because I can get a better feel for where I am when I breathe on the right. But I still played it safe and swam at a comfortable pace and stayed wide of all the buoys. Exiting the beach area just a bit more than half of the pack back, I felt fresh and ready to get on the bike. It took me 32:49 to make the loops, and another 2:36 to transition onto the bike.





The 40K bike race was a blast. The out and back route was a scenic, rolling course with little wind. Not too much happened during this leg of the event except I realized two things. One, gearing really does come into play during a road race. I was riding a 50/34 chain ring while the Tri bikes were equipped with a 54/39, giving those riders an advantage on the down hills and flats; I still ended up passing many of them on the hills but could have done better with the bigger gear ratio. The second thing I realized was that riding was more legs than lungs for me. While I was exerting myself during the ride, I was limited by the leg muscles and the concern that they would be fatigued before the running began. I finished at 1:16:35, and was on to running less than two minutes later.



The 10K run was the last leg of the event. It was another out and back route, and was mostly rolling, shady dirt roads. This was just fun! I was in my element; I was experienced enough to push it to the limit without crashing. And since this was the last leg, I planned to give it all I had. I could feel I had another gear in me after mile one; my legs found their rhythm and I settled into a nice pace. Once I hit the first hill and realized that many of the racers were not prepared for the run, I picked up the pace and started to pass, and kept passing the entire time. I ended up finishing the run in a time of 43:37, and an overall time of 2:37:33.

After the finish, I felt great. I got some liquids and we hung out for the results and the drawing – I won some Heed! So I walked away from my first Tri feeling good, enjoying the lovely weather with Paula, and winning some swag.



Competed in the race on Sunday, June 20th 2010