Spartyka Warrior Challenge

 09 December 2012

The Spartyka Warrior Challenge is a beach based obstacle course that I have now navigated twice. 

Though I really had a great time at the 2011 installment, it took some taunting and peer pressure from my good friend Paul to drag me back to Virginia Beach to make another go of it. 

The reason for my hesitation was due to the fact that I had turned away from doing obstacle courses in order to focus on my marathon efforts.  However, occasionally you have to step out of the norm and do something different, particularly when a buddy wants to go all in.

Once I decided to repeat the event, I began to get excited.  I performed really well there in 2011, with a finish time of 26:33 that landed me a third in  the age bracket.  I knew that I was now in much better shape and would likely be faster than I was the year before. 

Upon arrival, my ambition was halted with the news that the event would be a untimed and a noncompetitive event.  I allowed this news to take my hype from me for a short period of time, but then I remembered what the draw to the event was for me, an adventure with a buddy.

I had three family members come out to support me, a good reason for me to showcase my ability with a genuine effort on the course.  Paul was going to have a great time as he was prepared to execute the course with his wife in what was certain to be an extreme couples outing.

The race was delayed due to rain but that just gave us more time to figure out how to use the elevation training mask, which had proven to be the hardest portion of the 2011 race.

 Once the ceremony commenced and the start was sounded, it was familiar business. I utilized the same game plan that I used the year before, start hard while no one can breathe, with hopes that once on the sand the separation would be too much for anyone to recover from. Just as it did the year before, the aggressive approach to the early portion of the race where the restricted breath caused suffering for all gave me a clear advantage.  The front seven ran away from the crowd.  Slowly, it became clear how it would all pan out.  The course was comprised of the same obstacles that were previously presented; however, the order was changed.  It seemed as if more thought had been put into the accumulative effect that the athlete would be forced to endure via a compounding scheme.

I finished completely exhausted.  This speaks to the level of difficulty--I mean after all, I am a solid marathoner.  A 5K course should not begin to tap into my conditioning, but I am glad that it did.  I have no idea what my finish time was.  However, official or not, I know that I was 7th overall, because I do keep score. 

My buddy and his wife finished some time later, grinning ear to ear and sporting the kind of swagger that comes with a strong sense of accomplishment.  They were cute as they recapped a piggyback ride during the ammo can carry, a shared sand bag, and assistance over the wall for his wife.  They crossed the finish line hand in hand.

I am glad that I came, it was an experience that was every bit as good the second time through, despite the lack of officiating.

The primary beneficiary of this event was The Wounded Warrior project

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

I sincerely hope that this event continues for years to come.

Three Bridges Marathon

 3rd Annual Three Bridges Marathon

On 02 Dec 2012  (The Ragged Mountain Running Shop) hosted the 3rd annual Three Bridges Marathon in Central Va.

(Host Organization)

http://www.raggedmountainrunning.com/

This race is one of those intimate small runs that is designed for the local runners of the region to give a late effort at qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  To me this implied that it would be a small fast field.  I was not disappointed.

(The Field)
The marathon only had 50 runners, 21 of who had finish times under 3:30.  I point this out because I was number 21 and my goal was to be under 3:30 (an 8 minute pace for the duration of the distance).  In most circles sub-3:30 is considered a solid completion time that will set you apart from a large majority of the field, but on this day my personal record of 3:29:42 barely put me in the top 50%.  All and all, I was roughly average in this field and oddly enough that fact seems like something to boast about.

(The Course)  Detailed course map.
It is fair to say that the course was not what I expected.  The race started on an old country road on a cold morning near Whitehall Vineyards.  It consisted of a 2 mile feeder road then an out and back on a three mile stretch of rural road. The course lent itself to being fast; it had a constant gentle grade in one direction.  This meant that every three miles it changed from moderate incline to easy decline.  Oh, and as advertised, the mile markers were clear and accurate. 

(The Character of the Race)
This race was super intimate and super friendly.  The organizers kept it simple: a clock and three aid stations.  The supporters were able to offer smiles and cheers for the people that they came to encourage no less then 5 times, so at no point was there a lack of audible motivation.   The racers themselves got to know each others' faces very well as they nodded, waved, or even cheered for one another at every turn.  At the finish line congrats were heavy and a tailgating style area offered everything from brats and burgers to chicken noodle soup.

(Charity Beneficiary)
The event raised money for Meals on Wheels.

Since 1977, Meals on Wheels has been delivering hot, nutritious, lunchtime meals to people who are not able to prepare meals for themselves and who have no one to prepare meals for them. An entirely independent, local non-profit, Meals on Wheels receives no government funding for our operating budget, but instead relies on local businesses, individuals, and organizations to support our home-delivered meals program. Last year, with the help of 300+ volunteers, Meals on Wheels delivered over 63,000 meals to our homebound neighbors. In 2011, the Three Bridges event was able to donate $4000 to Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels

 

 (Community Beneficiary)

RMR Olympic Development team is a multi-faceted organization whose primary goal is to provide post-collegiate athletes with an environment and community in which they can develop both professionally and personally, ultimately in preparation for national and international level competition.

RMR Olympic Development team

 

 

 

This event is one that I will remember.  Its simplicity, intimacy, and professional presentation made it one to keep on my schedule for years to come. 

 

I would also like to says congratulations to an amazing 38% of the field for qualifying for Boston.

Potomac River Run Marathon

On 18 Nov 2012, an intimately sized race that featured beautiful foliage and scenic views of the Potomac river took place in memory of Dean Shulman. 

This race has been referred to as the easiest marathon in America.  Though this fact could be debated, I would be willing to go on record saying that it is the most user friendly marathon in America.  The race allows the participant to tailor the experience to their personal needs or wants in a unique way.  Let me explain.  You can run the half marathon or the full, you can have an early start or a slightly later start, and the race is run twice a year, so you can run in the fall or in the spring.

The course itself is a out and back set on a 6.6 mile stretch of the historic C&O canal towpath that begins and ends at the Carderock Recreation Area.  The race surface is gravel and packed dirt, with a minimal elevation change occurring only when needed to cross over the locks.

   

As with most races, the event organizers elected to contribute proceeds and raise awareness for a program that does great things for people in need.  The "Buy a Brick Foundation" was the more than deserving charity partner in this instance.

Learn about the Buy a Brick foundation: http://buyabrick.com/

I experienced both of the 2012 installments of this race.  In the spring, I accomplished the full marathon with a time of (3:38:02) and I came back in the fall to accomplish the half in (1:36:08).  Both instances were well worth the price of admission and the 4 hour drive each way from my home in Central Va.

This race will always be special to me because of the organizers, the atmosphere and of course my first ever....drum roll please......first ever over-all half marathon VICTORY!!!  Okay, I got it out of my system, it may never happen again, so please forgive the public celebration.

 Many thanks go to Jay Wind of the Safety and Health Foundation for the amazing experience at the Potomac River Run Marathon.

Learn about The Safety and Health Foundation http://www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/index.php

The Freedom 5K

10 Nov 2012

The Freedom 5K is a fun community-centric race set on a beautiful route that features both roadway and trail in the scenic town of Crozete, Va and presented by The Family Fund.

The Family Fund's mission:  Supports and encourages programs providing care, support and joy to children and their families. The Corporation will strive to fulfill its mission by supporting tax exempt organizations that promote the health, education and well being of children. The Corporation will raise funds and visibility for selected nonprofit organizations. This year two very deserving organizations were equal beneficiaries (Folds of Honor) and (Blue Star).

Learn about Folds of Honor here: http://www.foldsofhonor.org/

 

Learn about Blue Star here: http://bsfcv.avenue.org/Mission.htm

The race is billed as a celebration of freedom that brings families of the community together in a healthy activity that gives thanks to service members and their families. The event was held on a weekend that celebrated both the Marine Corps birthday and Veteran's day, it featured volunteers of all ages, shapes and sizes waving flags and holding patriotic signs.  Military members accompanied with families and friends came out in droves.  I think that the environment radiated patriotism; the freedom 5K had captured its theme perfectly.

 

This is the second year that I have had the privilege of participating in this event.  In fact I enjoyed it so much last year that it went from being my first 5k fun run as an adult to being the race that I recognize as the beginning of a real commitment to running.  This year I was accompanied by my good friends Paul and Briana, I am pretty sure that if they get a chance they will be back for more as well.

Last year I was proud to say that I came in 16th overall and 2nd in the age group with a time of 21:09.  This year I am prouder to say that I accomplished the same course with a 4th overall and 2nd in the age group with a finish time of 20:46.

This is my blog so obviously I am going to post my results, but the real value of this event is the community involvement and the patriotism that emanates from the crowd in support of and pride in those that serve overseas in order that we can can all feel safe at home.

Bad to The Bone Endurance sports managed the logistics (course marking, timing, start/finish line, etc) for the event.

Learn more about (Bad to the bone endurance sports) http://www.badtothebone.biz/



USAF PT test 2012

 The USAF physical fitness (PT) test is a mandatory function that each airman (regardless of rank)  accomplishes at least once a year.  It is designed to assess a member's level of strength and conditioning.  The test consist of four elements (pushups, situps, 1.5 mile run, and a measurement of abdominal circumference).  Each element is timed, the pushup and situp present the member with a one minute time limit per exercise in which the requirement is to do as many repetitions as possible before time expires.  The 1.5 mile run is accomplished on a certified quarter mile track, usually one that is designed in accordance with scholastic competition standards.  Of course, the waist measurement is taken with a standard tape that just doesn't lie.

The four elements each hold a point value with a minimum that must be achieved.  It is worth noting the inability to pass the PT test will make a member ineligible for both advancement and renlistment.  A satisfactory score will require that you be reevaluated six months after completion.  An outstanding score (90% or higher) will carry you for a full year.  With extreme consequences and the reward of peace of mind being the only possible outcomes, the test is not something that Air Force personnel take lightly.

Though I think that I am in the best shape of my life, I still get nervous every time I have to step up to the challenge.  This is not a race or event that I can opt out of, and it is not for bragging rights, medals, or trophies. It has very real career impacting implications.  Like everyone else, I hoped that this would not be the day that I underperformed or failed to meet my potential.  I hoped to cash in on the benefits that I have worked so hard to gain through a disciplined diet and workout routine while participating in a test that is designed to reveal my weakness and identify areas that I need improvement.

I feel really blessed that I did not run into any complications (illness or injury) that would cause me to underperform. On this day I managed to gain every point that the run and the abdominal measurement had to offer, and minimal loss in the areas that I knew that I needed improvement in.  My score breaks down like this:

 1.5 mile run: 9 minute 34 seconds for 60 points out of 60 available

pushups: 48 in one min for 9.2 points out of 10 available

situps: 42 in one minute for 7.5 points out of 10 available

abdominal circumference: 33  inches for 20 points out of 20 available

for a grand total of 96.7 points out of 100 available

As a person that has the privilege of being a physical training leader, I put a ton of pressure on myself to score high in order that I can lead through example. I can't tell you how good it feels to have put the 2012 USAF PT test behind me with a solid showing.

Danger! Zombies! Run! 5K

On Oct 28, 2012 Bad to The Bone Endurance Sports hosted the "Danger! Zombies Run 5K", a race that started and ended in Charlottesville's historic downtown mall and wound through a few of the older neighborhoods in the city. The event was named after a philosophical zombie comedy that was produced by Amoeba Films and the Film Makers Republik. 

(Here is the teaser blurb that I found about this film:)

Zombies attack a crew filming a zombie movie. While the zombie actors chew the scenery, real zombies chew the actors. But what’s really gnawing at them can’t be outrun. Better tie your shoelaces. DANGER. ZOMBIES. RUN. asks why we run from zombies, and why they chase us. No, you can't always run away from your problems. Eventually, they will catch up with you. Written by the ensemble cast, and featuring the music of Corsair, Astronomers, Thrum and Christian Breeden of American Dumpster, DANGER. ZOMBIES. RUN. was conceived and directed by the creator of the the cultish Buddhist horror MANTRA and EAT ME: A ZOMBIE MUSICAL.

This particular 5K gave me another chance to serve as a volunteer within the running community, not to mention draft 6 of my colleagues.  We helped keep runners on course while encouraging them along the way.  I hope that they realize how important that they were to the event.

The 5K was used as a fund raiser for the Film Makers Republik.

What made this (fun run) particularly interesting was the fact that it wasn't really centered around being a race.  In fact it was more of a costume party/game of tag.  Here's a description of the race:

How does it work? Escape the undead as a human, or chase humans as a zombie and turn them into zombies by taking their life! As a human, have a 90 seconds head start, and you attempt not to be killed by any zombie. Your life will hang as a ribbon on your back. If you are killed, volunteers along the course will stand by with buckets of fake blood ready to zombiefy you. As a zombie, you'll attempt to chase and kill as many humans as possible by stealing the ribbon (life) on their backs. The zombie with the most kills will win.

Like any truly family friendly zombie event there were multiple ways to win.  Awards were given to the

fastest human male, fastest human female, zombie with most kills male, zombie with most kills female, best zombie costume male, best zombie costume female, best zombie costume youth boy, and best costume youth girl.

Now that you have a good grasp of what it was all about, I will tell you briefly about my experience at the Danger! Zombies! Run! 5K.  I met with the six colleagues of mine curious enough about the spectacle of masses fleeing from a horde of zombies that they were willing to show up at the early and chilly hour of 7am.  Once everyone had a grip on what there role in the event would be, we headed to a local coffee house and shared a social hour as we waited for the moments before the start.

I was located at the entrance to river view park, directing people to bypass the park as they entered into the second half of the run.  I saw momma zombies, papa zombies, little kid zombies, stroller bound baby zombies, coed zombies, and of course some normal looking humans fleeing the horde.  I was lucky enough to have a cowbell to ring emphatically as I encouraged the runners or even shouted warnings prior to a zombie ripping their life (ribbon) from them.  Once the last zombie crossed, I anxiously returned to the start/finishline to take pictures of and with some of the more impressive undead.

Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports hit a home run with this one.  My crew of volunteers and I had a great time.  I would imagine that anyone that participated in this event will have fond memories of a oddly clean and wholesome day filled with zombies and people running for their lives.

I would like to thank my colleagues for coming out; they were real contributers to this event, more than they could know.

I would also like to thank and give serious props to Bad to The Bone Endurance Sports for throwing an amazingly unique family oriented event that included ZOMBIES!!!!!

Fall Classic

On October 21, 2012, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports (BTTB) hosted the Fall Classic Half Marathon and 10K in Charlottesville, Virginia.  This race toured some of the most scenic areas of  the city while the fall color change was at its most dramatic. The scenic road course began on the historic downtown mall, traveled through many of the older neighborhoods, featured a beautiful 2 mile stretch of the Rivanna river, and winded back to the finish line at the downtown mall.

Finisher's medal

I waited to the last minute to register for the race, but I'd known for a long time that I wanted to participate.  I have had great experiences racing at BTTB events; I knew that this one would be no different.

My good friend Mac and his wife, Dena, accompanied me.  Mac ran the 10K and Dena cheered enthusiastically for the two of us.  They're awesome company.

Mac's race, the 10K, started 30 minutes after mine.  So, he and Dena came to the starting line to take pictures and cheer for me.  It was nice to have the company of my friends leading up to the time I needed to be at the starting line.

At the starting line, I had a few minutes to size up the competition through friendly conversation and get a good feel for whom I needed to roll with when the gun sounded.  When at last the race began, the first and second runners started very quickly.  I pursued hard in hopes of solidifying a top position.  For about the first 4 miles I maintained a solid third.  However, I began to slide back in position before mile 6.  I remember thinking that I should not allow anyone to push me beyond my ideal pace, but I also knew that I had a solid foothold in the race and felt a desire to fight for position.  This mentality would likely have been the key to my downfall in a marathon, but I knew that my conditioning was good for 26.2 so I convinced myself that I could handle the faster pace for 13.1.

I pressed to a pace that was just above my comfort level and opted to run past the aid stations. My position was solidified.  As I entered into the final stretch, I saw Mac coming out to meet me. We were roughly 200 meters from the finish.  He told me that if I wanted a PR it was all mine, but I had to go right then. So I dug deep and opened my final kick a bit sooner than what I might have otherwise.  When I rounded the corner, I saw the clock and pushed across the line.

The results revealed that I had completed the 13.1 mile course in 1 hour 34 min and 49 seconds, a PR (personal record). It was good enough to land me a tenth place overall and a 1st place finish in my age bracket. 

Mac finished the 10K course in 59 min and 30 seconds. His goal was sub 1 hour; mission accomplished.  This time was good enough for a 3rd place finish in the age bracket.  He was surprised, but I know that he has put in the miles and had earned it.  

We celebrated with some silly pictures, biting our medals as if we were Olympians.  This race event was a great way to spend the morning.

The route itself was very hilly and had minimal straightaway, just how I like it.  Unfortunately, concentrated racing prevented me from soaking up all that the scenery had to offer.  It is a trade off :-)

I would like to thank Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports for putting on this exceptional event.

Buck Mountain Half Marathon

On October 13, 2012 I ran a local half marathon in the small town of Free Union, Virginia.  Though the course was challenging, it was not much more challenging then any other stretch of roadway in central Va.  That is, it was hilly as any half marathon that you will come across, however it was not as menacing as its title might imply (The Buck Mountain Half Marathon).  This race was named for its panoramic views of the beautiful Buck Mountain sitting off in the distance, as opposed to a 13.1 mile race that climbs said mountain :-).

 This race intrigued me a bit with a certain level of mystery.  I learned about it only 6 days prior while at a rainy pre-sunrise Sunday run.  It was brought up in casual conversation.  I learned the needed details (place and time) at a bit of a runner's social breakfast.  The curious thing is that when I searched for more details online, I found nothing indicating the race would even happen in 2012.  However I did learn that it was a race that had been going on for nearly a decade and that the race course had been fairly competitive with more than respectable times. It amped me up.  It was as if I had stumbled upon a secret by-invitation-only race that has featured some pretty fast runners.  Adding to the mystique was no entry fee, no t-shirt, and no medals.  This race was just about the race, no frills.  Just a pure old-fashioned foot race.

I showed up at 5:30 am for a 6:30am race.  The rural town of Free Union and its surrounding area was unlit.  The parking lot was a farmers field, roughly a half mile from the starting line.  People in the know showed up with head lamps, so I made nice with a few of them as they progressed to the starting area.

Once we arrived at the starting area the down-and-dirty no frills sense of the race was reinforced.  The starting line was a single line of white chalk spanning the width of the road.  There were no bibs and no timing mechanisms.  They announced that the course was measured accurately, and that we would be responsible for keeping our own times.  No results would be recorded.  The organizer likened it to a training run on steroids.  Though there was no bag check.  I had a bag and some warming gear to strip out of (due to a 34 degree start temp), so I asked the organizer about options for leaving it.  He offered to ferry it to the finish line.  Then, he called us to the starting area, wished us all a good run, and said good bye.

One person and I shot off into the darkness and ran parallel for roughly half a mile before I spoke to him, asking a simple question.  What are you gunning for today?   He replied, "1 hour 22 minutes."  I knew that he was my only competition and that if he was serious about that time then he was above my caliber.  It would be foolish for me to press the issue of a race.  So rather than pressing beyond my sustainable pace, I let him drift away and expected that I would manage a second place finish at best.

The sun was peeking over the horizon and began to reveal a silhouette of the mountains sitting in the distance. The view across the mist covered fields of this horse farming community was intense, almost enough to completely distract from the difficulty of the rolling hills running throughout this course.

In mile three I began to hear footsteps.  They trailed me for quite sometime, but without a doubt they were gaining on me. By mile four I had a new companion to run parallel with.  I learned that he had grown up in Africa.  We traded a bit of background and made idle chat about the enjoyable course that we were sharing.  He noted that I was not wearing my watch and offered to call out my time for me if he was at the finish prior to me.  He was a strong runner, a cut above me enough that he stopped at the self service water stops as I breezed on.  He did this three times catching me each time.  Around mile seven he began attacking the hills very aggressively.  It was clear that he was ready to create some separation.  I have not raced such a short race in a while and I am accustomed to preserving my energy and waiting for a later moment to truly exert myself.  I did not choose this moment to pursue.

Once again the race was just me and the scenery.  Colorful foliage, the occasional horse, distant mountains, rolling terrain, and fencing that went on for miles.  I pressed forward, passing mile nine with a sense of urgency.  I felt my pace was solid and it was time to become a bit more aggressive to try to beat my PR of 1 hour 35 and change.

I felt no pain and realized that I had too much left in the tank. I had waited too long; I would not meet my potential, but I still felt I could manage a PR.  I pressed solidly through the last miles of the race and heard my buddy from mid-race call my time: 1 hour 36 minutes 49 seconds (not a PR).  I was the third person across the line :-) and had run a respectable time.  

Like the rest of the race the finish was a non-event, just a chalk line that indicted the finish and a handfull of runners milling about and supporting the other runners as they finished their runs.

This race was a truly beautiful course, it had a good level of difficulty and felt like a race that was put on for the sake of giving runners a chance to race. I would do this one again, and I would pay for the privilege to ensure its future existence.

 I would like to thank The Charlottesville Track Club for hosting this exceptionally low key, yet awesome, event.

I would also like to thank the good folks from Ragged Mountain Running Shop for their tireless efforts in support of this event and the runners of the community.

The Buck Mountain Half marathon was a good race for me and it has upped my confidence at this distance. I now feel comfortable with taking a more aggressive approach in my next 13.1 mile outing.

Columbus Day Exploration

This year, Columbus Day fell on 08 Oct 2012.  If you are a federal employee you know this as a non-work day.  I am certain that I am not the only one unable to think of any tradition or ceremonial way to celebrate this holiday held in honor of Christopher Columbus's discovery of the "New World".

This year I could not let it pass by uncelebrated.  As a runner I have become familiar with heading out on expeditions.  Okay, okay... mine are not necessarily uncharted lands.  And, I must admit that I or someone with me usually knows the route.  However, I find adventure and discovery every time I set out on a new trail.  With this in mind, I knew how to celebrate the day of discovery this year.  It was time to take a voyage, something that would take me somewhere that I have never been before.

I enlisted the company of my friend Mac who takes pride in finding trails and routes to explore and make his own.  He had his eyes on a particular trail and had been wanting to try it for quite a while. So off I went to pick him up while he reviewed the trail map.

Our destination was the Stone Mountain Winery.  It included an awesome gravelly mountain drive called Wyatt Mountain Road. As we drove up, I knew the mountain vistas and colorful display of leaves would be our reward for the pending changes in elevation.

When we parked we could see for miles from the vantage point of the winery, our starting point for our mountainous trek (approximately 1,700 ft above sea level).  With a bit of rain and a steep grade we were off to a slow start for the first two miles.  I began to suspect that we might get caught in a torrential downpour but I wasn't gonna be the one to mention it. Soon enough the rain receded and the mountain's grade relented. Having reached the highpoint of the trail, we soon found ourselves making quick work of  a rolling descent that fed into a fire road and an exceptionally colorful non-technical stretch of the Shenandoah trail, connecting us to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Once on the Parkway, we saw ridge lines from miles away and peeked down on valleys below, like the view from a low flying plane.  The long straightaways in the roadway made it runner friendly, with low speed limits and unobstructed views.  We were only on the Parkway for a couple of miles before we came to one of the labeled overlooks that drivers stop at in order to appreciate the view.

The overlook seemed to be a good place to turn back.  As expected the return trip was full of awesome views and well worth the difficulty of the grade of the trail. This sociable nine mile out and back is now on my fall season must do list.

Of course a trip that begins at a winery had to end with a tasting and purchase of some excellent wine.  I hope that others make this trek, even if they don't experience it the way that I did.  The drive to the winery, the wine, and the overlook from the winery itself are experiences truly worth doing.

Like I said previously, I am not certain of how one is expected to celebrate the discovery of the New World.  But I think I found a pretty good way to not waste this federal holiday.

I would like to say thanks to Mac for researching the route and sharing it with me.
Also thank you Christopher Columbus for discovering the New World  :-)
Oh, and thank you Federal Government for declaring a holiday and giving me a day to play!!!