Race Reports/Encouragement/Kudos - 18 - 20 April

[ironz]

Awww, Matt....the updates on ST made the conditions sound brutal. So sorry about that! Sounds like the swim just trashed your day, and maybe some salt/nutrition issues to follow that up with all the cramping. I hope you will try again one day....it really is a spectacular event (maybe not that exact location in the heat). I'm very proud of your efforts, as you should be. It's a tough day. And as they say, Anything Can Happen.

You're a rock star for giving it a solid effort. And kudos to you for helping another athlete possibly finish the race with the Gatorade you gave him.

Hang tough, and get a nice recovery in!
Aren't you potentially getting deployed again soon? If so, good luck and be well....if not, I'll look for you at the races! (hint: IM St. George 2010 )

hugs!!!

 

[3DisneyKids]

Congratulations, Matt! I am proud to be on the WISH team with you!

 

[MouseDogMom]

Amazing race report, Matt! My body aches just reading it. Good for you for listening to your body, or maybe good for your body for knowing how to get your attention. Hugs to you and Cheryl - go out and enjoy the rest of your time in Asia, after a much needed recovery.

Jackie

 

[jmasgat]

Matt A+++++++ for effort--sorry it didn't go as you would have liked. You do all of us WISH'ers proud no matter how your race goes. Please rest up an take it easy for a bit. And we KNOW you have it in you to do this--just not today.

Maura

 

[twotoohappy]

Matt- you're such an inspiration finishing or not!
It's more important to try, do your best but to also take care of your body-
thanks for posting your race report and heal quickly
Enjoy sightseeing in Asia!
Can't wait to see your Sorcerer's Hat at my next race

 

[bubba73]

Matt What an awesome effort you have displayed! Regardless what the result, you tried something that most would not. For that, you deserve all of our admiration. Betsy said it best, I think. You are a rock star for trying!!


Great job Matt!!
Bryan

 

[deekaypee]

Allie: I'm glad to get the full skinny (although with your Cookie Dash, I'm not sure that's really a good descriptor) on your race. I love the decription of "cat and mouse." I've always called it leapfrog, but I like the slightly sinister connotations of your term. I'm adopting it. And I can't think of a better way to celebrate your birthday than with a good run followed by all those goodies. Yum, yum, yum! Congratulations!

Matt: You have so much to be proud of in your event. In a strong current, you swam harder than you ever had and accomplished negative splits. Your transition, despite being bloodied, was quick! You managed to get your heart rate to drop during the bike portion, in a race where conditions include 100+ degree temperatures and a 107 heat index and zero shade. With leg cramps starting at mile 20, you continued on until your legs seized.

Most important, you went out there and gave it your all. Everything you had without putting yourself into physical danger. You stepped up to the line and tested yourself, beyond what many people could ever imagine doing. You succeeded in so many ways. And in so doing, you inspire all of us here--all the WISHers who know you, all your friends--to become better athletes, to try and emulate you. In this event and in every event you do. Indeed, you are a rock star, our rock star! (And Cheryl is the perfect groupie and support crew.) I consider myself lucky to know you.

And know that if and when you do another IM, we'll be behind you 100%, following you and cheering you on.

 

[mkymsehi]

Matt,

Way to go brother! Thanks for taking us all along for the ride.

As they say, "If at first you don't succeed, tri, tri again!"

You inspire the WISH team buddy.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Matt, so proud of what you did over in China. You are amazing! What tough conditions, my gosh, 110!

Allie, Congrats on your race!

Kate, I'm heading out to the Boston Marathon in a little bit to cheer. I have my WISH shirt on, hope I see you! Best of luck, looks like a nice day here to run!

Allyson

 

[aldisneygrl]

Matt- WOW!!! I am so impressed you did what you did! You deserve kudos for that accomplishment. I can't even imagine what that would feel like on your body. I'm also glad you listened to your body when it said STOP! I am so proud of you!!

 

[blizzard]

I did my first Tour de Airdrie last year, as my first race ever. It was during a spring blizzard, and the conditions were terrible. I was looking forward to coming back this year and running the 10K as a more seasoned runner.

At the Tour de Airdrie, the available race distances are 5K, 10K and 21K. This year they added chip timing (D-Tag), onto an already well organized race. The race begins on a closed road and then moves onto paved trails for the remainder. The traffic intersections are all manned to allow the runners to cross freely. The water stops had a few problems, as they were using hard plastic cups and filling them as people stopped. After race food was a great spread including hamburgers, granola bars, fruit, water and coffee. The race fee also includes a long sleeve technical shirt and a nice grab bag of freebies (in a reusable cloth bag).

My plan for the race was to do the first mile in about 9:20-9:30, and then try to settle into a 9:10 pace for the remainder of the race. (9:10 is my target pace for the half marathon I’m doing in 6 weeks). Unfortunately I made the novice mistake of going out too fast. I was checking my pace on the Garmin as we ran and was surprised to see low 8’s for pace. I attempted to slow down some, but the first mile split was an 8:44. At that point, I knew I was going to be in trouble later on. Having tossed my planned race out the window, I was now concentrating on my second goal of finishing in less than one hour. My pace bounced around a bit with the hills in various places, but I did manage to finish in 59:21. I measured out the course on mapmyrun afterward, and it appears it is a little over 0.2km long, so I’m even happier to have finished in under an hour.

My mile splits were:
1 – 8:44
2 – 9:32
3 – 9:20 (5K – 28:55)
4 – 9:46
5 – 9:20
6 – 9:36
6.36 – 3:01 (5K – 30:24)

Overall, I’m happy with the race, but I have a few things to think about before my next 10K in 3 weeks.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Kate, My Little Warrior, gave us an update on her race....

Boston Marathon in 4 hour 22min!!! She is happy and will update us when she gets back home in the UK on Wednesday!!!

KATE!!

So proud of you!!!

Racey Tracy

 

[mkymsehi]

Congratulations on a great time Kate! Way to represent the U.K. and WISH Team!

Allyson said she scream teamed for you in her WISH shirt. She said you saw one another out on the course.

 

[jmasgat]

Carol Congrats on finishing under 1 hour! I know that was my goal when I did my first--and so far only-- 10k. By the time I line up next to you at the marathon next year, you will be speedy! (But don't worry, I still won't ask to run with you--gotta do that alone! )

Kate Major congrats on Boston. 4:22 is great! And yes, it is downhill--overall, anyway. But they don't call it Heartbreak Hill for nothing. I am majorly impressed at your time, and hope you are too.

Maura

 

[dsnyfan21]

Congratulations Carol!! Great work!!

Tracy

 

[mkymsehi]

Carol,

Great race report. Way to represent the team(s)!!!

 

[aldisneygrl]

Carol - Great job, and great way to recover your going out too fast! Under an hour is very impressive!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Carol, good job getting it under control and meeting your goal! Thanks for the report.

 

[smileyk8]

What a weekend of fantastic events everyone! I am staggered and continuously inspired by Matt and Carol, that was a wonderful 10k time and race. Allie your cookie dash sounds absolutely brilliant, great job.

I didn't want to take over the thread so i've posted a separate (and lengthy) report on Boston. Thank you so much for the support everyone!

 

[thndrmatt]

Thought I'd post the pics from Ironman China and two weeks before that the Ironman New Orleans 70.3:

http://www.marathon-photos.com/marathon.html?job=Sports/GKDE/2009/Ironman China;match=104

http://www.brightroom.com/go.asp?51840030

Think the NO race sets a record for number of times captured by the race photogs, but then again I'm out there a lot longer than most races.