My goal was to average no more than 10min/mi pace over the 39.3mi of running (2:07 for the half, 4:19 for the marathon). I kept it just a touch under that, including photos with the characters on saturday. But the best part of the weekend was the HOURS we spent inside the parks each afternoon. Who the hell spends 5hrs on their feet in an amusement park after running a half marathon and the day before a marathon? Well we did. However stupid that may have been, it was the only proper way to enjoy the weekend.

Last week while i was in California I registered for the Tour of the Battenkill. It’s labeled “Americas Toughest 1-day Race”. How can one not want to do that? It’s epic. 10 sections of dirt road, a covered bridge, and lots of riders. This is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!

I’ve tried to toss in 1 or 2 CrossFit, or CrossFit style, workouts into the routine each week. It’s a great challenge and a whole lot of fun. I’ve done a few now, but today’s session was a lot of fun. Here it is:

MR JOSHUA

5 rounds for time:

400meter Run

30 Glute-Ham Sit Ups

15 Deadlifts w/ appropriate weight (I did 95lbs but will work towards doubling that)

It took me 29:04 (was expecting to complete it in under 25min). I backed off just a tiny bit as I was not sure what it would be like in the later rounds if I went full gas from the start. It was hard, but I have more in me and I and I’m looking forward to working on this set.

Also, turns out this is a good BRICK simulation for the winter months. When it’s too cold on the east coast you can toss this workout in and maintain the feeling of BRICK sessions. The 400meter runs after the deadlift felt earily similar to the feeling of running off of the bike. Plus, you’re only running 400meters on the treadmill so you can crank up the speed and work on leg turnover.

More to come as I find stuff.

http://vimeo.com/channels/261962

Stage 1: 33:23

Stage 2: 49:36

Stage 3: 2:02:21

Bill 3:26:53

Stage 1: 33:51

Stage 2: 48:01

Stage 3: 2:05:01

Grant 3:33:17

Stage 1: 41:15 (Left instead of right)

Stage 2: 47:22

Stage 3: 2:04:40

Hammer 3:34:39

Stage 1: 33:06

Stage 2: 48:07

Stage 3: 2:13:26

Yup, we all got chicked this weekend at the Dirt Cheap Stage Race up in Rochester. Jenn ran a great race in all 3 stages. Solid running without going for broke and blowing up. My stupid running on saturday morning made me take a few more chances than I had originally planned on. She beat me fair and square. Pay dat girl her money.

The stage started with some rolling open dirt roads. I was running mug better than I anticipated, but knew we’d be paying for this sooner or latter. Bill and I teamed up and started to pace each other. Then we hit some harder rolling hills at this point we were about 2mi in and I was getting worried. I knew that these easy miles would be paired with something much much harder later on. Then it happened. Hit me like a ton of bricks. The trail turned up, and up HARD. Bill and I continues to stick together. At the top of the first big climb or two we were rewarded with some really nice trails along the ridge line that was some beautiful running.

As we hit mile 5 the trails started to leave their mark on my legs and my energy stores. The trails got more technical, steeper both up and down, and muddier. Bill and I stayed together and worked really well together through these sections. Somewhere along the line I looked at my watch to see the latest mile split: 15:45, and that was as fast as I could possibly go. Gives you an idea of the terrain we were running.

Then it happened. As we came thru 8.5mi Jenn caught us. Bill and I were fading fast and she was looking strong. We heckled each other a bit and then she dropped us.

Shortly after Jenn passed us we hit the top of Devil’s Bathtub, where we ran yesterday. We could see runners ahead of us heading out the other end of the little parking lot. Then we went left and down the stairs. This meant only one thing. We had to go down to the bottom of the Bathtub and come right back up. Yes indeed, that’s exactly what we did. (I think the course architect really liked being you up a hill and then right back down, or visa versa. Happened in every stage).

At the bottom of the Bathtub for the second time within a single mile, we finally hit the flats and headed towards the finish. Along the way we hit some more mud sections. Then finally turned up to the finish line. All worth it for an awesome hoodie.

(photos: (1) Jenn and Hammer sharing a finish line beer, (2) the sweet hoodie we got for completing all 3 stages)

After a little rest Bill and I headed to Stage 2 in Devil’s Bathtub. Jenn and Bryan really got me nervous about this stage. And when I saw the stair up to the finish line I freaked. Knew I was in for a rough run.

The stage started with a little up and down. Then we hit some mud that we ran to the side of which turned out to be technical. Then we hit a very technical section with some tight off camber turns. These things did a number on my ankles and hips. After that the trail opened up and flattened out and you could let your legs run a bit. You’d think you’d be happy about his section but the legs were ago toast by now that everything hurt. After the flats there was a section of downed trees to negotiate which was a blast. To finish it off we climbed the focus stairs out of the Bathtub which were really cool. Definitely favorite part of the course so far.

After the stage Bill, Bryan, Jenn and I went to Magnolia for a beer and some food. Then I hit the couch for nap. Ain’t nothing a nap and 2 Tylenol can’t fix.

Next up: the 11mi Queen’s Stage tomorrow