kypdurran

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I got my wetsuit today. I'm possibly going to attempt my first open water swim in it tomorrow in Lake Maurepas or Lake Ponchatrain.

I woke up at 5AM yesterday and loaded up my running belt with carb gel packs, Accelerade and water and then headed for L.S.U.   The air was crisp and slightly chilly but it had an electricity to it I just can't describe.  I parked at Baton Rouge Beach which is right on the outskirts of L.S.U. and was really surprised to see around 5 or 6 other cars there that early in the morning.   I've never been part of the 'running club' and I guess getting up at the crack of dawn to run is part of what the membership is all about.   I stretched for for 5 - 10 minutes then started out on my quest.

I can honestly say that the first 12 or so miles were some of the best running I've done in my life.   The feelings that I was having were indescribeable.   I can only count a few times in my life where I was at total and utter peace.  As I was running down the levee yesterday morning watching the sun rise and listening to the steady strike of my feet on the pavement, my slow rhythmic breathing and the various animals awaking from slumber I felt that peace.   I 'got it'.   For a breif fleeting moment I had no cares whatsoever and I had the world by the tail.   It was surreal to say the least. 

Things started getting difficult at around mile 14.   I was on the other side of the state capital building near the governor's mansion and started to feel the first twinges of exhaustion.    It's strange but every time that feeling comes on it's not in my legs, arms or chest.   It's in my shoulders.   I knew that anything past 14 miles and I was in uncharted territory.  I'd never run over 14 miles at once and had only done 14 a few weeks ago.  15 came slowly and my pace steadily decreased.   My legs were beyond heavy at 18 but I knew that I only had half the distance one of my morning runs left.   "I could surely make that," I continued to rationalize and compromise with my conscience.  With my Honda Element in sight at Baton Rouge Beach I increased my pace and burned out the last half mile to finish my first 20 miler in 3:15.   Not going to be qualifying for any Olympic trials with that time but it was a great accomplishment for me nonetheless.   I guess I can tack another hour on that time to see approximately what I will finish the 26.2 in in exactly 3 weeks from today.   I'm chasing a dream and I'm so close now I can taste it!

So this week starts the taper.   I think this will probably be more difficult than the actual training.  I've been running so much that the thought of actually NOT running or rather reducing my mileage considerably is going to be hard.   I wonder if biking and swimming is off limits?  :)

 

I find it strange that I am actually looking forward to waking up at 5AM and running my last long run (20 miler) before I start tapering next week to prepare for the Mardi Gras Marathon on February 24th.   I have my route planned which will include a scenic run around the L.S.U. lakes, down the levee through downtown Baton Rouge with my turnaround point somewhere near the Hollywood Casino.    Hopefully this long run will give me some indication of how my body will feel when I complete the marathon next month.   

The tri event in Dallas was cancelled due to weather so my buddy and I had to improvise and organize and participate in the first annual Hunad Challenge. We were the only participants but we did the exact distances of the event that was cancelled today. (350m swim / 13mi bike / 5K run) I'm absolutely worn out. By the time I got to the run my legs were jelly and the first mile was tough. The last 2.5 were cake though. I got in the zone and finished the last two miles with around a 8:30 average pace. We both had a great time and I can't wait to participate in my first 'sanctioned' event. I finished in 1:21 and Hunter finished in 1:29. He probably would have smoked me if he would have been on a road bike instead of a mountain bike.

It's official, I am now a triathlete! Cross another goal off the list! :)

The pic below is a couple minutes after Hunter finished. More pics of the events are at http://www.chadsoileau.com/racesandtriathalons/hunad

Well here I am 1 week away from my first triathlon and a little over a month away from my first marathon.   "Wow!" was the first thing that came to mind when I finally came to the realization that I would actually be able to make the 26.2.   The sun was rising and I could hear a bird caawing in the distance as I crested the levee on my trek from L.S.U. to downtown Baton Rouge.  For the first time since I started my journey it was at this moment I 'felt' like a runner.  I had a nice stride, my breathing was right on and I was in the zone.  I was more than a little skeptical last weekend after my 13.26 'long run' but after today's 10% distance increase there is absolutely no doubt.  I finished 14.25 miles in 2hours 39 minutes.  I'm really gonna do this!   I'm going to run a &^#($#! marathon and I'm on pace to do it in 4 hours too!

I just completed and WON my first half-marathon!  Well maybe thats a little deceptive because my half-marathon wasn't sanctioned by any association nor did it have any sponsors and I was the only participant but nonetheless I ran the entire way and completed the first annual Chad Challenge 13.26 mile circuit in 2hours & 23 minutes.   No medals or awards were given away at the finish line and there wasn't even anyone on the side of the streets to cheer me on but it was a helluva accomplishment and I thought I'd share it with you guys.  It took just about everything I had to complete it but man am I sure glad I did.

I guess I can consider myself a long distance runner now among other things.   Oh and I have proof too.  Look at the highlighted data in the following link.  

http://www.chadsoileau.com/halfmarathon.gif 

I absolutely love my Garmin Forerunner 50.   Oh...   And 47 total miles this week.   :)

I'm knock, knock, knocking on 40s door.   No, not my age!  My weekly running total mileage.   I hit 34 miles last week and my goal is to increase my weekly mileage by 10% each week in preperation for the many triathlons, half-marathons and marathons I have coming up this year.   I'm at 32 miles right now after this mornings run and should be at damn well close to 40 after I do a long run tomorrow during the day. 

I joined the US Triathlon Association and I'm excited that I'll be ranked after I complete my first 3 triathlons.   I actually think that I'll be pretty competitive since I will be classified as a "Clydesdale" racer since I am over 200 pounds.   Don't let the title fool you though.   All muscle baby!  Heh.  Not really.  A better classification would be "All muscle and some sag!" :)

I'm really trying hard to get into the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon at the beginning of June.   They have a lottery since they only have limited slots available BUT they draw from each of the states seperately so as long as nobody else from Louisiana tries to enter I may get in!   Keeping my fingers crossed.

I finished in 53 minutes which is right around 8.5 minute miles.   I slowed down towards the end a bit because the sun came out and it got really hot.   They gave out medals to the top 500 finishers so that was pretty cool.

I've got the Mardi Gras Marathon and the Elmwood Classic 10K coming up next month along with a few
triathlons in the next couple months as well.  Should be fun!

Well my first race of the year, the Jackson Day Race in New Orleans, is on Sunday.   It's only a 9K but that's a start to the big ones I'll be doing later in the year and in 2009.   The weather is supposed to be perfect.  Low of 57 with no clouds and sun.  

My miles per week is up to just under 30.   I would have hit 30 tomorrow but I decided to take that day off from running so I can have fresh legs for the event on Sunday.   I'll be sure to post pics next week. 

Hope everyone has a great year!

I've been thinking a lot about setting some new goals for myself since I completed my original goal list.   I've carefully considered what new heights I want to reach over the next few years and have finally compiled my 'new' and updated goal list for 2008 and beyond.   The pinnacle of my goals will be to run the IronMan Hawaii.   So here they are in no particular order:

- Complete certification for ISAA personal trainer certification
- Complete a half-marathon (Mardi Gras half marathon in early Feb. 2008)
- Complete the Crescent City Classic in 2008 in 45 minutes or below.
- Complete a sprint triathalon.  (The Louisiana Triathalon in April is pretty much a sprint.   500m swim, 25mi bike, 5K run)
- Complete a full marathon and qualify for the Boston & New York City marathons
- Complete in a half-triathalon
- Complete the Boston Marathon
- Complete the New York City Marathon
- Complete the Goofy Challenge at Disney
- Complete an IronMan half-triathalon
- Complete a full triathalon
- Complete a full IronMan triathalon
- Complete the IronMan Hawaii triathalon

So these are a little bit more difficult to reach than the last set but I have no doubt at all that I will be able to meet and exceed these goals.  

I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday and I wish you all the best for the New Year!