Saturday, February 27, 2016

TBF Happy Kids Duathlon #2 (Anna)

Date/Location: 2/27/16, Granite Bay
Distance: 1mi R – 3miB – 1mi R
Time: 30:32 (9:06 - 13:08 – 8:18)
Place: 2nd overall
Teammates: n/a

160227_Anna_start2Start
Go! And we were off.

I start running on the path following the lead kids. Some kids are in front of me, some are behind me. I keep running and we start going on a trail.

I’m able to pass some kids but not all.  I’m behind a girl in my age. 160227 Anna run 1 finish2160227_Anna_run_1_finish_t1She’s fast but I stay behind her all the way to the transition.

T1
I grab my helmet and get on my bike so fast that I am able to start the bike ahead of her.  I run my bike to the line and swing my foot over to the pedals and I am off.

160227_Anna_bike_start_bigBike
I bike fast.  I get on the bridge and see far in front of me a girl about my age. So that means so far I am 2nd! She looks like she is going fast on her bike just like me. I get across the bridge and turn.  I see people giving water to some people doing a 5k I think. I keep going, turning and twisting. I come to a turn-around and see a boy behind me. I pedal hard. I can now see the other 160227 Anna bike finish_bigbikes biking towards me. The boy passes me but I try stay behind him. I get back on the bridge but I do not see the girl in front of me.  But I know that I did not pass her yet. I get all the way back to tradition, put my bike up, take off my helmet and I am off.

Run
160227_Anna_run_2_trail2I follow the path. There are two boys in front of me. The arrows say go this way but a big branch has fallen and the boys ran the other way.  But I call them back because if you look closely to the left there is a path.  I am in front of the boys now. I keep running and staying in front of the boys. 160227 Anna finish sprintWe cross the road and keep running.  We are on an open path now. I run by grownups and they say good job. I run up a little hill and turn.  A sign says FINISH this way. I turn and run in the finish 2nd.

160227_Anna_podium_3

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Davis Stampede 1/2 Marathon (Troy)

Date/Location:

2/21/16, Davis, Ca

Distance:

13.1mi R

Time:

1:39:54

Place:

14th

Teammates:

Robin Soares, Melissa Penwell, Steve & Carrie Chavez

I lost track of the days.  After spending the week at Disneyland, and then getting sick, I suddenly realize I have a 1/2 marathon the next day! With my body aching from a cold I want to just bail on the race.  But experience tells me to always try and maybe I’ll feel better when the race starts.

It’s a special day because 5 of us are racing. Anna & Ariel doing the 5k. Robin & I the 1/2 marathon. And Robin’s mom is doing the 5k.  Her mom and dad are visiting from San Diego.

I wake up feeling a little better.  I plan to run a slow mile warm-up to to melt aways the aches and stretch well.  But with limited time I’m only able to run about .6 and now we line up.  I focus on stretching a lot.  After not running for 6 days and being sick, the best plan is to run a slower pace, Robin’s pace, and help her meet her goal of 1:37.  If I feel terrific suddenly, I could take off and try for something faster, but I feel like expecting to go fast in the circumstances would be greedy. I think this is God’s plan for today.

It’s great seeing Carrie & Steve Chavez and racing with them.  Steve is always very fast, but lately Carrie has become remarkably fast, too!  What a team.  And our fast friend, Melissa Penwell is racing going for a sub-1:30 despite being sick herself.

Go!  It feels good starting, pretty much every race feels good starting now that I think about it. Team Chavez and Melissa pull ahead.  I get a little ahead of Robin and rein it back.

Mile 1, 7:13.  Our Garmins are different.  That concerns Robin. The pace feels good for me but I have to remember this goal is a stretch for Robin and keeping each mile consistent and relaxed for her is important.

Mile 2, 7:24. we turn off the long straight road and head towards the bike paths. A little concerned that the pace is already feeling a little difficult for Robin.  I feel good, just a little sore, but this is feeling like it will be just the right pace for my come-back run.  I’m talking to Robin a lot, trying to help relax her and give her tips for getting ahead, like maximizing little descents.

Mile 3, 7:26. It’s perfect weather.  I make sure we both take water at each station.  An older gentleman has joined us, also wanting to break 1:40.  He’s trying to qualify for the NY Marathon (I didn’t know you could do that with a 1/2 marathon).

Mile 4, 7:29.  We’re now on another long street. Robin’s heart rate is starting to get too high for this early on.  165, 167, . . I say things to help her relax, relaxing her arms, chest, etc, and try not to look at your watch, just feel pulled along.  It helps to keep the HR from increasing, but not getting it lower.

Mile 5, 7:30. Pace is slower in effort to get her HR below 170. We curve through some beautiful paths now.  We have a few others hanging in a tight group with us going for sub 1:40.

Mile 6, 7:25. I’m excited to point out the 1/2-way point.  We’re on gravel paths now.  I like this part, but the unevenness can be hard on the legs.  I remind Robin how good she is on trails and to float over the gravel.  We’re currently on pace for a 1:39.  It’s going to be close.  I’m still running comfortably, thank you, Lord, but my goal is to help Robin.  I know she can break 1:40 but it’s going to hurt and I hope I can help her through it.

Mile 7, 7:30. We turn to head South.  I’m hoping we can get a tailwind or something.  Robin continues to hang tough.  At times when she hurts and has to slow a little she tells me to go ahead.  I don’t what her exerting energy being concerned with me, but she’s an awesome wife, wired to look after me, and that’s a hard thing to get her to ignore.

160221_stampede_half_troy_robinMile 8, 7:38. That was a hard mile on the gravel.  Robin says she’s so glad to get back on the concrete.

Mile 9, 7:32.  The hill up-and-over the pedestrian walkway is ahead.  Robin takes a gel.  She’s a great climber and I hope the change in grade will help her legs which are starting to lock up, front and back.  She pulls ahead of me on the climb.  We’ve met more runners around us and we all kind of celebrate on the top.  I tell Robin that the next 1/2 mile is hers to relax on before we get serious in the last 5k..

Mile 10, 7:34.  Good mile with the bridge climb.  5k to go!  I remind Robin of the triple 5k workout we did once and recreate it as we run…”we’re running by Karen’s house right now… climbing Maidu…”

Mile 11, 7:32.  My legs are getting pretty sore now.  But not like the pain Robin is in.  I tell Robin that this is the key mile to work hard on.  A girl in yellow ahead makes for a good target to stay with.  I keep bugging Robin with encouragements and tips and tell her that I will stop talking after this mile.  That the last mile will be all her, with peace and quiet.  I know this is very appealing.. it can be very annoying having someone coaching you every step when you’re in pain.  But it still helps.

160221_stampede_half_troyMile 12, 7:42.  Even though it was a slower mile, proud of Robin.  She pushed but a couple times had to ease up because of the quads/hamstrings.  I keep to my word and don’t say a thing this last mile.  Hurting the most now, she actually goes faster and I see that deep personal drive in her I’ve always been impressed with.  She wants to break 1:40 and knows it’s going to be close.

160221_stampede_half_troy_finishMile 13, 7:29. Great mile!  We can see the finish.  Her mom and dad are there.  Just about to the finish line, Robin is 3 steps ahead of me and Anna yells out, “Dad, don’t let Mom beat you!”.  I pick it up but Robin still finishes first.  Just under 1:40!

Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity.  It was all that I could do and all that Robin could do, and we got to do it together.  Perhaps being sick was just all part of God’s plan to let us do this.  Anna and Robin’s mom both got 2nd in their age.  We all celebrated at breakfast.  It was a great day.WP_20160221_001

Davis Stampede 5k (Anna)

Date/Location:

2/21/16, Davis, Ca

Distance:

3.1mi R

Time:

  • Ariel – 36:43 (Previous Best 33:07)
  • Anna – 28:00 (Previous Best 27:57)

Place:

  • Ariel - 5th out of 7 (1-9 Year Girls)
  • Anna – 2nd out of 15 (10-12 Yr Girls)

Teammates:

5K: Jan "Grammie" Heidt, Ariel
10K: Madison Chavez
1/2 Mara: Carrie & Steve Chavez; Melissa Penwell, Robin & Troy Soares

160221_stampede_5k_anna160221_stampede_5k_anna_finishGo! Off we went. I didn't start too fast because I didn't want to waste my energy. I kept going following the runners. After a while I saw the 1 Mile sign. I kept running ..turning and twisting and following the group. I heard something behind me and I looked back and saw a person on an electric wheelchair listening to music and going along. I stayed in front of him.

I kept running and I didn't see the 2 mile sign. I think they forgot to put it up. I saw the aid station and got some water. I drank a little bit. I kept running and turning. I ran past the starting line and I knew I was almost done. I rounded the bend and saw the finish line. I ran hard into it. I felt good! I got 2nd place in my age group.WP_20160221_001160221_stampede_5k_grammie_girls

Davis Stampede 5k (Ariel)

Date/Location:

2/21/16, Davis, Ca

Distance:

3.1 mi R

Time:

  • Ariel – 36:43 (Previous Best 33:07)
  • Anna – 28:00 (Previous Best 27:57)

Place:

  • Ariel - 5th out of 7 (1-9 Year Girls)
  • Anna – 2nd out of 15 (10-12 Yr Girls)

Teammates:

5K: Jan "Grammie" Heidt, Anna
10K: Madison Chavez
1/2 Mara: Carrie & Steve Chavez; Melissa Penwell, Robin & Troy Soares

160221_stampede_5k_ariel160221_stampede_5k_ariel_finishThe race director said go! We all went off the line. I started out with Grammie. She told me I can go ahead. I got running at a good pace.

I was running hoping to catch up with Anna but I didn't see her. I looked at my watch but saw I was losing to my virtual person. I wanted to go faster.

After Mile 2 on my watch, I started to get cramps. I started to walk. Then, I saw the 10K finishers and hoped I would see Mommy and Daddy but I didn't. I decided I would try to run the whole rest of the way. Then I saw the finish line and I raced in. I felt good after the race. I waited for Grammie to finish.160221_stampede_5k_grammie_girlsWP_20160221_001

Davis Stampede 1/2 Marathon (Robin)

Date/Location:

2/21/16, Davis, Ca

Distance:

13.1mi R

Time:

1:39:53

Place:

4th, F 40-44 (out of 30)

Teammates:

5K: Jan "Grammie" Heidt, Anna & Ariel Soares
10K: Madison Chavez
1/2 Mara: Carrie & Steve Chavez; Melissa Penwell, Troy Soares

Today we see if our Disneyland training plan has hurt us or helped. We didn't run for 3 days, just walked all day instead. Hopefully that won't make things more difficult. We will see! Troy has decided to run the race with me since he got sick when we got back. I am excited but also feel like I'll be holding him back especially if he started feeling great. I am hoping to be able to go around 1:37 which is about 7:24 pace. My training before Disneyland seemed to indicate this was possible.

My folks are in town so that my Mom can do this race. My Mom loves racing the 5K and always finishes well. She's in the 75-79 age group this time and will surely take home some hardware! Anna and Ariel will also be racing the 5K.

Troy and I get warmed up and ready to start. Our race along with the 10K starts first. My parents, the girls and us get together to pray. Early this morning we took time out to spend quiet time with the Lord and now prayer as a family...now ready to race!

At the starting line we see Steve and Carrie Chavez with their daughter Madison. Madison is doing the 10K and her parents are doing the 1/2 with us. We also see our track buddy Melissa Penwell. Melissa is also fighting sickness but I'm sure she'll still rock it today!

Ready, set, go! Everyone takes off and I try to hold myself back...even though Troy is a bit ahead of me.

Mile 1 is 7:14. Hum, I'm feeling good at this point so wondering what I'm I really capable of.

Mile 2 is 7:23. Still feeling good and on the pace I set out to do. My Garmin seems to be off by 3-4 seconds per mile. I just cannot trust it. Glad Troy's seems to be working better!

Mile 3 is 7:21. Troy and I continue to run strong. I notice my heart rate is already at 160-165. From previous races, I know that when I get to 170 and above, I start to redline it and burn out my energy. I am also getting concerned that he is holding back. Troy tells me to relax and breathe smooth to get the heart rate back down.

Mile 4 is 7:22. A masters runner asks us our pace. He's looking to break 1:40 today and qualify for the New York Marathon. We joke that we hope our Disneyland plan works.

My quads are surprisingly sore. It must be the lack of fast running this week. My heart rate is hovering around 165. I'm starting to get a little panicked about holding this pace and tell Troy that he is more than welcome to go ahead...and he declines. He tells me to relax, smile and have hope.

Mile 5 is 7:35. Ugh! This is not fun! The heartrate is still high. I'm starting to be more negative in my head and wanting Troy to run his own race.

I start to feel pretty good again and push hard to try to get back on pace.

Mile 6 is 7:27. Better but the heartrate continues to be an issue. We now start the hard 2 miles of running on gravel. As someone who runs trails, it seems like this should be a nice break. It is for a bit but then it just gets old. I continue to have moments of despair and then moments of "I can do this".

Mile 7 is 7:25. Troy is encouraging me and pouring his energy into helping me. I love him for that! I just struggle with my attitude when I feel like it's not all going to plan. I urge him to go ahead again but he's sticking with me.

160221_stampede_half_troy_robinMile 8 is 7:36. Finally off that gravel!! Our masters friend is with us still. We've caught up with some runners which is encouraging. At this point breaking 1:40 is the goal.

Mile 9 is 7:32. The new issue seems to be my legs. The quads and hamstrings are tight and seem to be working against each other. I cannot push as hard so the heartrate issue gets better...but would rather have that than messed up legs. I ask Troy again to go ahead and he gets stern with me. He's not budging. He reminds me again to have hope. He asks what would make me smile right now and I say "being done." "Okay, then picture yourself lying on the grass at the end." He recites Psalm 23.

Over the overpass! Yeah! A couple passes us and the guy tells Troy he loves our FCA gear. It reminds me that I'm representing Christ and to watch my attitude. I try to stay with them.

Mile 10 is 7:34. Ugh! My legs! I want to shout "I can't" but I know that's not true. Troy continues to encourage and give me things to think about. "We can break 1:40." I get a bit of energy and push.

Mile 11 is 7:23. Troy tells me that this is the mile that counts. He promises he'll stop talking after this...okay, deaI...but I again start to feel dejected and slow down for a moment...no, keep going! Let's get there!

160221_stampede_half_robinMile 12 is 7:44. The couple goes by and I try to hang on. Troy and I are moving as fast as we can. Troy is quiet as promised. Why does the last mile always seem so long?! I see 4 girls including the gal with her husband that are pretty close. Maybe I can catch them. My toes on both feet are burning. What is the deal?

160221_stampede_half_troy_robin_finishMile 13 is 7:36. Al-most there! We round the corner and I try to push harder. Those girls are getting away from me but I'm still trying. We see our girls and my parents. I'm just a tiny bit ahead of Troy and Anna says "Dad, you're going to let Mommy beat you?". I see the clock...so close!! We cross the line just barely under 1:40. Phew! Thank you Jesus! What a mess I was mentally today...need to trust You more! I give Troy a hug and thank him. What an amazing man to stick with me!

WP_20160221_001

Saturday, February 13, 2016

TBF Double-Duathlon (Troy)

Date/Location:

2/13/16, Granite Bay

Distance:

2mi R – 6.5miB – 2mi R – 6.5miB – 2mi R

Time:

1:20:28 (13:58 – 19:31 – 13:52 – 19:53 – 13:14)

Place:

2nd

Teammates:

n/a

It was great watching Anna race first.  Now her, Ariel and Robin are waiting at the first corner to watch me. That’s a lot of great motivation.  My legs feel a little heavy from yesterday’s run workout but I know it’ll be good when the race starts.Troy_start_wGirls

troy_run_startRun

Go!  About 50 of us take off running towards the start of the single-track trail.  I’m about 12th onto the trail and then have to slow down.  I think that I should’ve sprinted more, but realize there’s over an hour of racing ahead, plenty of time to move up.  Soon the trail opens up with room to pass.  Anna gave me some advice about some muddy sections to jump over.. she was right.

My achilles is hurting a little.  I have to be careful.  On the paved section I try to open it up a little.  Coming back to the park I pass a girl who is pretty fast and move into 8th. The last section is flat across a levy road which I enjoy because it’s easy to run without strain of cornering.  I can see the lead runner already heading to the finish.  I come into transition in 7th.

Bike

I loose about 10 secs with an imperfect helmet buckling and slow shoe-slip-ons on the bike.  But soon I’m zooming along excited to try moving up.  I know this course well and utlize every sharp corner to my advantage.  I pass a guy to move to 6th.  On the way back I see 2 WeTri teammates about 40 secs ahead.  I push the last straight-away and then round the hot-corner, seeing Dave Campbell and his son-in-law Steve.  They are dedicated volunteers at this venue and they do a great job.  I have a great dismount and transition to running. 

Run

troy_runTurn-over is great heading out for a 2nd time.  I see the 2 WeTri guys ahead.  I pass the tall one after 1/2 mile, moving into 5th, and try to gain on the shorter one.  I utilize all the straight-aways again like the 1st loop.  I feel great about the effort, but, checking the splits, he is actually gaining on me and finishes 45 secs ahead.

Bike

troy_bikeThis transition goes better and I don’t lose any time.  Heading after him, I know he can get 10 secs on me in the run so I have to pass him on the bike and get an extra 10 secs if I want to make it stick to the finish.  It takes me until Dayton Pt before I’m able to go by him.  I keep pushing.  At the parking lot turn-around it’s great to see FCA teammate, Cliff Appleby.  The young WeTri athlete is only 5 secs behind me.  I take all the turns at full-speed and on the final straight-away I have a real good push.  After another good dismount, I transition to running shoes 1 last time.

Run

Robin says I’ve moved to 4th and I say with a smile, “I gotta hang onto it now”.  I run hard knowing that he will be catching me.  I talk to God and agree that I won’t look back, even at the end, just do the best I can.  troy_run_finishEverything goes well.  I don’t hear anything behind me.  I push the last levy-section well and now a sprint for home!  Still wondering if the young guy will come blowing by.  I’m going as fast as my Achilles can carry me and it’s performing well.  I thank the Lord and then see Ariel waiting to run in with me.  I grab her hand as people cheer and it’s a wonderful way to finish the race.  Thank you, God, for letting me go fast today, may you be glorified.

troy_podiumAriel & Anna surround me in the finish.  I shake hands with the WeTri athlete as he finishes 20 secs behind me.  I finished 4th overall.  3rd in my age.  But one of the guys ahead got DQ’d for a chin-strap infraction which moved me to 2nd. 

  It was a fun exciting race.  Now time to play on the beach with the kids.

Happy Kids Duathlon (Anna)

Date/Location: 2/13/16, Granite Bay
Distance: 1mi R – 3miB – 1mi R
Time: 32:33 (9:08 - 12:55 - 10:30)
Place: 1st overall
Teammates: n/a
Run,
Anna_transitionI get ready.  I’m at the starting line ready to do my duathlon. Anna_startGo! Off we go! I start running but not too fast. It is like a trail  until a big opening comes, but there is still a path. I keep going on the path jumping over mud puddles. Anna_runWe run across the road to a path on the other side. We run on the trail then we go down another path with bushes on the side of us. We keep running on the trail. We’re getting closer and I can now see the transition. I run up a steep hill and go in the transition and get ready for my bike. Bike, I get my helmet on and get my bike and start biking. I go up the hill and turn. I keep on biking. We cross the dam. We start on a road going up then down. Then we turn around but keep going farther and faster. I get back to the dam and keep biking. We are close to the transition I know. Anna_bikeSoon I see the transition.  I bike and stop at the line and run my bike in. I try to put my bike on the rack but the rack falls down. But somebody helps me and they put it back together. Run, Back on the run I go. Same trail and same opening. I keep going but I am tired but Jesus is with me. There is a boy behind me but he does not pass me. I cross the road and into the trail I go. On the dam I see the bikers coming back. I keep on running on the path. The boy is still behind me but he still does not pass me. Anna_finishI can see the transition now. I go up the steep hill turn left then turn right then turn right then turn right into the finish. I get 4th overall and 1st in the girls.
Anna_podium





Monday, February 8, 2016

Super Sunday Run (10k) (Robin)

 

Date/Location:

2/7/16 – Sacramento

Distance:

10k

Time:

43:58 (7:05 pace)

Place:

3rd / 133 age group

Teammates:

Laurn, Melissa

Heading to Sacramento without the family this morning to race the Super Sunday 10K. It's always nice to have my support crew with me but I don't want them to miss out on church. My neighbor Laurn pulled out of his driveway at the same time as me so he must be racing it too!

Troy helps me find a back way into Sac State. It's less than a mile from the start which is just outside Hornet Stadium. I register and get the lay of the land. The finish is on the field which is very appropriate for a race on Super Bowl Sunday!

Back to the car to drop things off, call Troy for last minute tips and prayer. I have a goal of 42:15. That is 6:48 pace which is faster than the 5K I ran in November. It's not going to be easy. I'm hoping the sweet potatoes kick in, my hamstrings don't hurt... but most importantly that I glorify Jesus today!

At the start I see Laurn and Melissa Penwell. Melissa is very fit and I wouldn't be surprised if she wins.

Okay, the count-down is on! Ready, go! Off the line I feel good! It's actually hard to hold back.

Mile 1 is 6:43. No hamstring pain, thank you Jesus!

Mile 2 is 6:52. Average looks good! We are done touring the campus and are heading over the "Golden Gate Bridge". It's the first hill and feels a bit tough. I'm feeling good but my heart rate is too high. I ignore that fact and start dreaming of a sub 42 finish. There is a big Fleet Feet pack ahead that I think I can catch.

Mile 3 is 6:52. Hamstrings good, head is clear (sweet potatoes help), but my body feels tired. The heart rate is still very high.

Mile 4 is 6:54. On the levy heading back to the bridge. Where is it? Ugh! Not feeling like I have the energy to keep this up. I'm going to have to fight for it every step. A girl goes by and I can't go with her. Lord, help me hang in there!

Mile 5 is 7:11. Oh dear! Hamstrings good, brain good...body bad! Crossing back over the bridge...feels like a huge hill now! Just focus on driving home as hard as I can!

imageMile 6 is 7:06. Into the stadium. I need to run halfway around the track?! Torture! I try to sprint and smile. It feels like slow motion but I get there! So relieved to be done!

Thank you Lord for sustaining me! Melissa did great - first woman overall! Lauren was 3rd in his age group!

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