It has been quite a while since I’ve posted to my blog – it’s kind of got a few cobwebs going on. Since I’m spending a lot of my free time training for triathlon right now, I figured I’d start posting about some of it. So, I’m going to try and post about some of the racing and training I’m doing along the way in case anyone cares — Mom, you may be the only one 
When it comes to physical activity I have had one thing on my mind this year – getting ready for Ironman CDA at the end of June. It will be my first Ironman and will put my body into places it has never been before. To get me to my goal, I started training with a coach which I have never really done before. I have been working with Charley from CP Fitness, and so far he has really helped out my training regimen by supplying me with daily workouts (sometimes twice daily) and helping me with my race goals.
I’ve put in a lot of training since December but did not race until last weekend in New Orleans. Why New Orleans you ask – well, there was a terrific promotion of $55 off because the Saints won by 55 points in a game. So I (and several others from the Runners Roost race team, RMTC, and my parents with their Iowa marathon crew) signed up to race the Rock N Roll half marathon in New Orleans. Good excuse to get down there for a fun weekend.
Going in to the race, I didn’t really know what to expect because I haven’t raced a half marathon in several years, and then I was around 20 or 30 pounds heavier. My PR was set back in 2003 when I ran the Drake Relays ½ Marathon in Des Moines Iowa in 1:32:03. Since then, I haven’t really run many ½ marathons. I am in better shape now than I have been in a long time, so I was pretty sure I’d be able to break 1:32 for a PR, but not really sure by how much.
Start conditions for the race were ideal. Our hotel was literally 1 block from the start line – actually closer than the porta potties. So, Jess and I decided to drop off our gear bags, warm up for a mile or so, and then head back to the room instead of waiting in line to pee. Fifteen minutes before start, we casually walked over to our corals. Coral 1 was loaded with people – so it was a bit difficult getting in. I squeezed in but was near the back with nowhere to move. Luckily, once the gun went off it was pretty smooth. Weather was perfect for shorts and a running singlet (since gear from this year wasn’t available yet, I raced in a mens small singlet which fit a lot better than I thought it might). I’m really looking forward to our new running gear from Nike and triathlon gear from Pearl Izumi.
I always go out too fast on the first mile in races, so I figured I’d just go with the flow with the people around me. This strategy worked well as my first mile clocked in at 6:11. Unfortunately my GPS watch had difficulty being in a new place and I was unable to get mile splits with GPS, so I went old school and based my splits off of their mile markers. After a mile I felt really good and decided I would try and hold a fast pace. About 3 miles in I saw another Runners Roost jersey ahead – it was Molly Smith. We ran together for a few miles down St Charles through the Garden District on some very flat roads. At the 10k mark we clocked in at just under 40 minutes – and that’s actually a 10k PR for me. I don’t usually run as fast as I was going but I just felt really good. After coming back through the French Quarter at about mile 8 I my legs started to get a tired, but I continued to hold a consistent pace until the finish line in City Park. I ended up finishing in 1:23:53 – definitely a PR and a great start to racing this year. As a cool down, I jogged up the course and met Jess (who looked extremely strong) and my parents on the course. I was able to run the last mile with Jess, although she took off and ran faster than I wanted to on my cool down. She ended the day with a great race!
I was feeling pretty good after 13.1 miles
After racing, we enjoyed Bourbon Street and the rest of New Orleans with some friends and my parents. Had a great time! Now… back to training.
Not sure why everyone is crouching here
Glad mom and dad were there
Enjoyed some treats
We enjoyed some grenades on Bourbon Street
This guy had the right idea - his tip jar had quite some cash in it
We rode the streetcar, and the transportation nerd in me had to take a few pics (there are a lot more than just this one)
Cruising in the Crown Vic
After racing, we went on a plantation tour with Matt and Molly
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