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February 21, 2014

My First Trail 1/2 Marathon is Sunday

I haven’t run on trails much, period, and now I’ve decided to hit the woods for the Dry Creek 1/2 Marathon put on by my friends over at Nashville Running Company. This will be another first.

My “goal” is to use it as a training run, but since it is technically a race, we’ll see how that goes. I should also probably run in my trail shoes once before I do a half marathon.

The thing is, I’m really thinking about how to run this (and future events/workouts) as pure meditation. Not that I won’t push myself, but how do you stay in that gliding zone? How do you move the mental needle and get faster without grunting and killing yourself along the way?

I mean why do we feel trepidation over something we know we can do? I really think it’s fear.

This how fear could crush me this weekend.

I could be worried about my shoes. I’ve never run in them and I’ll surely get blisters and new foot pain. Then, I will be waiting for it the entire run in an effort to justify my thoughts.

I will also worry about getting hurt. Trails are “dangerous” and it’s not worth the risk to wrench an ankle. So, I will be running scared. Thinking about running rather than running.

I’ve never run this trail, so I will imaging rocks and limbs and boulders to be bigger and more imposing than the reality. I will abuse my comfort zone before I show up.

But this is how I will not let fear crush me this weekend.

I will marvel at how awesome shoes are these days. It’s not like when I was in high school where you had to break in your ProKeds for two painful weeks before they worked. I will embrace the comfort of my Pearl Izumis Trail N1’s (which are available at NRC…mention Crushing Iron to get no discount).

Instead of worrying about injury, I will think about how much stronger and well rounded running on uneven ground will make my muscles. A half marathon on trails will demand more energy, but cross training remains king in my book.

And instead of imagining the worst, why not embrace the beauty of the trails? The Zen-like nature. The solitude and peace. I live in what most would consider a “rough” part of town, but it is really quite serene when the pit bulls aren’t barking all night. My preconceptions of the neighborhood had me creating false illusions long before I moved in, now you can find me running often at 10pm.

So, I don’t expect any records and I don’t expect it to be easy. But I will not give myself premature blisters, injuries, or beat downs. The mind is a powerful place and I will be using a lot of it on Sunday.

October 8, 2013

My Private Predictions for Ironman Wisconsin #IMWI

This is a blog I wrote about a month away from Ironman Wisconsin, but never posted because I thought it might jinx me. I also thought it was outlandish, especially because I had covert designs on being a long-shot for a slot at Kona (10:37 was the magic number in my age group). As it turned out, Kona was silly talk, but considering I finished in 11:58, I don’t feel as bad about actually “saying” this stuff and never beat myself up for aiming high. Following are my unedited predictions and actual times at Wisconsin.

SWIM PREDICTION FOR IMWI

I swam Muncie 70.3 in 37 minutes and felt like I took awful lines. Hopefully it won’t be so confusing at Wisconsin (it was and more). I think the Muncie set-up was nice and anxiety free because everyone was so spread out, but Wisconsin should offer more swimmer-ahead-of-me sighting and less chance that I will get way off course. I also hope to get caught up in the man-made-current.

37 minutes at Muncie and I felt good at the end. I believe I can be a little under double that, especially since I have swam a lot more since then and feel like my swimming is much stronger now.

Swim Prediction: 1:10 (Actual IMWI swim time 1:20)

BIKE PREDICTION FOR IMW

I know the bike will be tough, but I feel like I am going to rise to the occasion. I’ve done 110 on Natchez trace in the rain in under 6 hours. I really feel like 95 miles in isolation on the Trace will be about the equivalent of Wisconsin. Add the crowd, etc and I’m thinking I can have a pretty good bike split. My ass is more prepared and as long as the conditions are right, I’ll be ready to attack with wisdom and not go over my limits.

Bike Prediction: 5:45 (Actual IMWI bike time 6:03)

RUN PREDICTION FOR IMWI

At Muncie 70.3 I really did feel pretty strong on the run. First and second half paces of the run were 8:12 and 8:35, but thought I could negative split if it weren’t for the burning feet. If my feet hold up, I really think I can fight through the rest of the pain and run a decent marathon. I could be completely fucked up on this thought, but I think on a perfect day I can hold a 9 minute pace. I think 10 is probably more reasonable, but also know that anything can happen out there. I’m gonna side in the middle of that and go with a 9:30 pace.

Run: 4:09 damn… we’ll see… I’d sure like to get that below 4. (Actual IMWI run time 4:23)

So… with transitions that brings me in around 11:15 or so, which would be phenomenal, but not Kona…. I would need to cut about 30 minutes off to be in that discussion and it will obviously have to happen on the run. When I think back to Muncie I know I could have done an 1:46. Times 2 that is 3:32 for the marathon. Yikes… I would need a 3:40 to be in the Kona discussion. This seems unreasonable, but like I said, I think my legs will hold up, it’s just the other things. Or, I could be totally crazy. I’m way over thinking this.

The End

Predicted time 11:15 (Actual IMWI Time 11:58:58)

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POST RACE THOUGHTS

I was a little ahead of myself with these predictions, but shit happens. In all honesty, a 45 minute miss isn’t as far off as I think it would have been had I hit my swim time. Right or wrong, that 1:20 swim put me in “play it safe mode” because, as the race progressed, a 12-hour goal seemed most “reasonable.” A 1:10 swim raises the stakes and likely would have made me take a few more chances on the bike to get that number closer to 5:45. That’s a reasonable 28 minutes right there and may have had me focused on sub 11:30 versus sub 12. The run was a wild card, but in retrospect I believe I could have knocked off another 10 minutes if I had the 11:30 target in front of me.

It’s easy to sit here and say these things, but talking it through has been a major key in my progress. I like to learn and keep pushing for higher levels. In retrospect, I think I ran a smart race. I could have pushed bigger gears on the bike and cut some time, but doing my first Ironman in sub-12 is a huge accomplishment. I am very happy with that time, but far from satisfied.

August 24, 2013

Ironman Louisville – Friday Night

Fellow Fab 5’er, Daniel, and I just had a little dinner at Bearno’s Pizza. I ordered a family salad and we each had individual pizzas. Then we walked over to Ironman headquarters at the Galt House and found THIS on the IM registration table! More than a little bummed at the moment.

The mood here is calm. Didn’t see too many racers traipsing about, but did get a look at the mighty bridge that will not be a part of this year’s run course. I think it’s a fair trade for the heat this town keeps pouring on the athletes. Even tonight, the warm winds had me reaching to take my shirt off.

Yeah, we went looking for some action at the Galt House, but didn’t see much other than this hook-n-ladder cruising the strip. I reasoned the mayor must have thought these guys were slacking and told them to go put out some fires. Inside the Galt House, it was a bit festive and Thelma’s Coffee House was clearly open, but nobody was working. Daniel graciously volunteered to serve many of the sleepy competitors. The practice swim is from only from 8-10! And this will not be wetsuit legal. If you’re caught in the river before 8 or after 10 you will be disqualified and escorted out of town in this horse drawn fairy tale.

I really love this town for some reason. I think it’s because it’s so damn cool, but not packed. There are tons of great buildings and cool little places, but it still feels undiscovered. Not to mention, there are a ton of possibilities, and 1,000s of athletes will soon be exploring them.

August 23, 2013

Track The Fab 5 at Ironman Wisconsin #IMWI

It’s official, we are all signed up for GPS trackers at Ironman Wisconsin, so, if you care, you’ll be able to follow our journey in real time with the My Athlete app. It’s free.

The Fab 5

Daniel Hudgins – Bib #1112

Kevin Gammon – Bib #1284

Mark Scrivner – Bib #2109

Jim Schwan – Bib #2448

Mike Tarrolly – Bib #2705

The app is pretty cool and shows athletes moving along the course. We would love it if you happened to catch some video on your phone and send it to us later to help with our documentary. I’ll have a server address.

Please pass along this link to anyone you know who will be spectating Ironman Wisconsin and have them contact me if they’d like more information on how they can help with the film. I will also be posting an update on what everyone will be wearing so it’s easier to pick us out. Thanks for your help.

My email is: [email protected]

Day 16 Lesson from Neighbor James – Man, you start forgettin’ what day it even is. Could be Thursday or might be Tuesday. Don’t matta. You know what TIME it is. It time to put on that big ole’ watch and run your little white ass down the block a few times.

August 22, 2013

The Next Few Days Are About Louisville

As much as possible, I am trying to “let go” of Wisconsin for a few days. The Southeast is heating up again and it’s time to reflect on a major reason I am in these shoes: Ironman Louisville.

Last year at this time I agreed to drive up to Louisville with Jim to watch Racer K tackle his first Ironman. Jim and I settled into Skyline Chili along the way, then went to the Galt House to find Kevin before regretting that I overloaded at Skyline Chili.

It was all so foreign to me at the time and I couldn’t believe how many people were milling around the host hotel talking about swim, bike, and run. I knew something big was about to happen, but didn’t quite understand the magnitude.

This year I will be going up to support coach Robbie, Corey and Wasky (pictured in that order below). Three guys that I’ve spent a ton of time with this summer and must be literally sitting on the edge of their seats as the clock counts down to cannon.I haven’t quite “been there” yet, but I’m guessing there’s not much you can do those last few days other than pack up your shit and battle anxiety. There’s nothing left other than not losing your mind and finding a zone. It’s one of those weird places where you don’t want to be distracted, but really need a distraction.

I’ll be in Louisville tomorrow night, then getting up early to ride the bike course in case I choose to put myself through the fires of hell in August one day in the future. I may even run around the town a bit and down 4th Street to see if I can imagine the electricity that will be filling that finish line on Sunday night. I’ve seen it and it is definitely something to write home about.

Then Sunday morning, I will tread lightly as three close friends stand in the swim line ready to culminate months of hard work. And this is what I imagined when I created Crushing Iron. Being around people who push themselves to the limits to see how far that will take them. And while I’m not racing, this morning will be about the incredible journey we’ve taken together.It will be about all those little things that help keep everyone on track. About the selflessness we all shared in order to bring out the best in each other. Hundreds of days and thousands of little inspirations that have all come down to this day. Now, it’s time for them to show everyone else why we have so much faith in what they’re about to do.

This is it boys, make no mistake where you are.

17 Days Out Lesson – from my Neighbor James – My lil James Jr. gonna come out that door right there and start yellin, “Mr. Mike, Mr. Mike,” and you gonna be like, “Damn, James Jr. out here screamin ‘Mr. Mike’ again.” And you gonna be right, but he just wanna say what up. Take a minute to say he a good kid.

August 6, 2013

How Do You Follow Up a 110 Mile Bike Ride?

Sometimes you get a sense that everything is fine, and that’s how I felt after Saturday’s 110 mile ride on Natchez Trace. It was my longest cycling experience by nearly 40 miles, but for some reason I wasn’t nearly as wiped as any of these much shorter rides. I have a feeling it had a lot to do with nutrition, but also increased mileage an fitness.

As we ate the post-ride meal at Corner Pub, I could tell I was tired, but it wasn’t one of those beat down exhausted moments. Robbie, Jim, Allison, Wasky, and Marc chatted around me and I had a renewed energy for Ironman Wisconsin. It started with a break-thru swim on Friday, now 110 miles (half in pouring rain) on the Trace, what would be next?

On to Sunday.

Those first few steps out of bed can be telling. I shuffled to the bathroom and was amazed I could stand. I fully expected to put off my two hour “easy ride” to the afternoon, but I felt surprisingly good at 8 am. Let’s do this.

I started sipping Perform and did so for about an hour until I clipped into the bike. Then it was off to Zone 1 (I’m still not quite sure what that is) for a trip to the Dam and back. Rebekah joined me and it was nice to take in some scenery after yesterday’s blazing ride that glued my eyes to a rubber tire.

I didn’t “push it,” but did do a little slow climbing to work things out. I felt pretty good and as we coasted down the street toward home I realized I had been sitting on my Adamo race seat for 8 hours in the last calendar day.

But it wasn’t over.

I was gonna do a straight up brick, but was advised to take an hour, so I ate a peanut butter/jelly sandwich with some chips and salsa. (Triathlon cravings are ridiculous).

Then, I had a big decision. Which shoes should I wear?

Most of my runs have been in Pearl Izumi Streaks (which are now out of print) but after a problem at Muncie, I bought Mizunos that I thought I liked, but am not so sure after a few runs. The Pearl’s were my main squeeze until Muncie but my feet started burning like nobody’s business and I dropped them like they were hot, literally. THEN, I got the same burning sensation from my bike trainer ride a couple weeks later and realized I was wearing the same socks that I wore in Muncie. Hmm… could it be the socks??

The Mizunos felt great at first, but after a few runs they seemed a little too stiff and my left foot would start slapping the pavement after 5 miles or so. Something just wasn’t right, so yesterday, I pulled out the trusty Pearls and set out on my two hour run.

This was supposed to be a build/feel run. 30 minute easy, 30 faster, 30 faster, then cool down for 30. My Garmin didn’t charge so I was relegated to a chrono watch and this process was not easy. I tried to use the mile markers on the Greenway, but kept forgetting times and whatnot, so I just worked on a steady pace with small gains in effort.

I have no idea how far I ran, but it felt far and my legs were dead. This was the indicator day for me. This is how it will feel on September 8th . . . probably worse. Legs shot and all you have left is your mind to carry your marathon. I’m guessing I hit 13 miles and the thought of another 13 was daunting . . . but didn’t seem out of the question.

So, now, I put my faith in the conditioning that is left and the taper that will follow. How will 112 miles and a marathon feel with strong and fresh legs? The same, better, worse? I guess time will tell.