Zeb’s Race on the Base Run

Mar 222011
 

My brother and I only had a few minutes to spare when we made it to the starting line.  My parents, sister and good friend, Dusty Edwards were there for support.  They got in positions with their cameras and my brother and I pretended to stretch prior to the race.  The starting pistol went off and the race was underway.  I immediately pushed my brother to knock him off-balance so that I could have a clear path ahead.  From that point on, I never looked back. 

I felt like I was keeping a really good pace, passing people left and right.  Although, I began to tire after about the second mile and the last mile was a bit of a struggle as people began passing me telling me to keep going . . . I guess I looked like I was about to keel over or something. 

I made it into the staging area and was well ahead of most of the runners, I quickly gathered my bike and sped off in my brand new Cannondale bicycle.

Race on the Base . . . Late???

Mar 212011
 

I told my brother I would pick him up around 830 to head to Los Alamitos from his house in Corona.  Los Alamitos is close to an hour away, so I assumed that we would have plenty of time to make it to the military base . . . and boy, was I wrong. 

It had rained heavily the night before and three roads were closed or altered on the way to my brother’s house when I arrived at 845.  He was sitting in his garage waiting for me and we left almost immediately from his house.  The drive to Los Alamitos lasted an hour, but the line to enter the base was enormous and moved slowly.  I was nervous and my blood pressure was rising as I did not want to be the cause for us to miss our race.  We had to run to the check-in tent which seemed like it was a mile away from where we parked. 

We rushed to check-in and realized that we were one of the last people to do so.  The staging area was probably another half-mile away from the check-in tent so we were rushing to accomplish everything on time and eventually did, but I was stressed out.  The good thing about being late was I didn’t really have any time to think about the race, we just set our stuff up, rushed to the starting line and within minutes we were off. 

Everything worked out in the end, but it sure was hectic.  I learned a valuable lesson at The Race on the Base and will be sure taht I am always early to my future events to make sure that all goes according to plan and that I am nice and relaxed on race day.  My brother played it off pretty smoothly, but he did tell me we should leave earlier.  I’m not going to say I’m stubborn and Rocky would never say “I told you so.”  But, if I were him I sure would have.

The Post Race Blues

Mar 152011
 

When I completed The Rose Bowl Half-Marathon, I was stoked. I had such a good time and was proud that I was able to complete the entire course without ever having even come close to running that kind of distance before. After the race; however, it was a different story. My knees were killing me and I could barely walk let alone train for anything.

That is when the Post Race Blues grabbed a hold of me. I became extremely depressed and questioned everything I was doing from my business to my friends and family. It was a time of self-reflection, but boy it hit me hard. My brother mentioned the post race blues in one of his articles which got me wondering if other athletes experienced the same things. Turns out many of them do.

One google search provided a plethora of articles about the Post Race Blues which is highly common. Many people attributed it to the accomplishment of a goal and then having to decide what the next goal should be, but for me this wasn’t the case. Because I had no idea that I would be running a half marathon until just a few hours before the event.

Many people attribute the post race blues to the reactions in your body that accompany the amount of physical exertion that takes place in a run that long, especially when someone is not appropriately trained and this sounds right to me. The post race blues was a difficult time for me, but it only lasted a few days and once my legs began to heal and I was able to get back to my training all was right with the world again.

Race at the Base – The Post Race

Mar 132011
 

I finished my first triathalon and I felt good. Our support crew was there and everybody was all smiles. I found out Zeb didn’t have to wait too long for my which was a relief. He was training really hard and I should have trained more.

Zeb and I felt great and after grabbing a few waters it was time to start getting out of there. We tippy toed back to the transition zone, trying to avoid the smallest of pebbles but I think I found everyone. I immediately got my shoes back on and was able to walk normal. We cleaned up our area, gave our support to the competitors heading to the swim and walked our bike to the exit station.

I was getting close to lunch time and we wanted to try a local resturant. We headed down Katella Avenue looking for anything that looked unique and good. So we ended up at what looked like most exciting resturant in town, “BEST BURGERS.” Whoever thought of that name, brillent. So we tried a few burritos at “Best Burgers.” They were good and but the company of our support crew was the best.

My first triathalon was completed. Zeb finished his second and the running brothers were one step closer to our goals.

Thanks to all of our supporters and we look forward to keeping you informed of our future activities.

Race at the Base – The Swim

Mar 122011
 

As you know by know from our previous posts, I am not a swimmer. Infact I would probably make a better anchor. But I was about to enter a pool for the very first time in a race situaiton but for me, swimming is more of a survival situation.

As I entered the tranistion from the bike i sent immediately for my spot. I locked up my pick threw my helmet on the floor, lost my shirt, shoes and socks and started to jog toward the pool. A few racers who already had finished gave me some words of encouragement and I ginger tried to avoid small pebbles on the path over to the pool.

Tip toeing over the asphalt, I looked very intimidating, I though sandels would be very nice. After nearly 50 meters of cringying and incredible foot pain I was at the pool. It seemed like hundreds of people where splashing, I surveyed the crowd and found found my support crew at the far side of the pool with my brother waving their arms.

I told my self just jump in and pretend like you know what you are doing. It was only there and back twice, but there was a long way and back was long way. The frist lap went well and to my surprise I caught the person in front of me. For the time being I was better than some of the other “swimmers.”

At the end of the pool a lot of people collected to catch their breathe. I didn’t want to wait I could see the finish line. I weaved through the resting swimmers and started down the next stetch and half way down I started to feel it. My legs stopped kicking and I started getting passed. I made it to the next wall and this time I need to catch my breathe. I saw Zeb montioning his arms to get me going. I wasn’t quite ready but I pushed off and started on the next leg.

I made it to the final wall and the crowd was cheering us on. It really helped, it was the final stretch and I had some open water infront of me. I headed for home and with 25 meters to go I realized I may not make it. I did one or two doggy paddles and then said screw it. I put my head down, kicked as hard as I could and pulled hard.  Then I looked up and I it looked like I had 30 meters to go.

I eventually got there and I was helped out of the pull. I quickly got my anckle braclet over the timing sensors and then tried to stagger for a place to sit. My legs were wobbley but I finished and I felt good.

It was a little cold but I grabbed a water and headed for the racers exit. Just then my sister found me and started a post race interview. I have seen some post race interviews and think those guys are not good talkers. Well I didn’t give the best interview either, being exhausted and cold means I was not thinking very well. After a few questions and some lackluster responses the rest of the support crew meet up with us. It was really nice to have them all there and to chat about the race.

A few high fives and some hugs and we were left to chat about some of the race specifics.

Race at the Base — The bike

Mar 112011
 

As I entered the transition zone my shadow fell off my pace and I knew where I was going. Our bikes were on the second to last rack  on the end. I was hoping by the time I got there all the bikes would be gone. I ran so fast most of the bikes were still there.

I tried to set up my bike and helmet so I would have a quick tranisition and it worked out pretty good. I grabed the helmet put it on and unhooked my bike and started running with it. I didn’t buckle my helmet and as i started running I tried to buckle it one handed. That did work, so I stopped and tried the two handed buckling technique. My hands were shaking from the run and it took me a few tries. I got it and headed for the exit of the transistion zone.

Immediately out of the transition zone was the mounting area (FYI Its not as fun as it sounds).  People were backed up here. Many people had the fancy bikes with pedels that required locking in shoes, I had the generic flat pedels and didn’t have this problem. As people stopped in the path and tried to mount their overly complicated bike I found a path through the mess and did a running leg throw mount and I was off and going.

It was three laps on the runway and I felt like I was moving. But I was gettin passed by everyone. As we headed into the wind I changed gears and tucked my head down. Going downwind I sat up and got to my fast gear,  I  was started moving or i thought I was. I was getting lapped my many of the good triathletes and I was expecting that but I was getting passed by a lot of people on mountan bikes and I felt like I was pedaling my road bike much faster. But at least I was knocking off those miles.

At the end of the second lap after the downwind stretch there was a 90 degree turn on to a taxiway and everyone slowed down for it, but we wanted to carry as much speed as possible.

Well the girl on the Huffy who passed me was carring a little too much speed and went over the side of her bike, sliding to a stop. I would like to know the etiqute on situations like this. She immediately got up as I managed to miss her fallen bike and race staff were running to her aid. Should I have stopped? Keep in mind I wasn’t setting a course record or tring to place but I wanted to try to catch my brother. What should I have done?

After one more lap I was coming back to the transition area and it was time to get mentlally prepared for the swim. I am not a swimmer and I didn’t train at all for the swim. I was just hoping that I would not need help from the lifeguard.

Race at the Base — the Run

Mar 082011
 

You already know our times but by now I’m sure you are eagerly awaiting our commentary and play-by-play of the Race at the Base.

The 2011 Race at the Base was my very first triathalon and while I was excited about it I was a little nervious. I didn’t want to be embarassed by my performance, since the Rose Bowl Half Marathon I missed a lot of training. But running brothers stick together so I was doing it with my brother.

At the start line we are excited and do our normal joking arround and pick the people we are gonna beat (in my case it was try to beat). Before we know it the race blow horn sounds and people are moving. Only a few step past the finish line we run into our first hurdle, who gets to the front of the pack at the start line and starts WALKING. Literally 5 steps after the start line people were already walking. Don’t get me wrong they were walking good but they were really clogging up the running path.

The road block kept zeb by my close for a little while be we managed to squeeze by the walkers and were on our way. Zeb took off. I tried to keep up and I did for about 10 seconds. The course lead us on the Los Alimitos Base runway. Which sounds exciting but let me tell you aircraft runways are very boring. It was long and straight (thats what she said) it was also windy.

After what seemed like 5 miles I finally came by the mile 1 marker, this was going to be a long run. Then we ran by the supporters area and we got cheered on by our supports it was nice. I knew they would have cameras so I wanted to make sure I looked strong and had good running form. I puffed out my chest, opened up my stride and really swung my arms.

However, there was one problem. I looked around at the people who would be in the picture with me. I was running next to a stomper not wearing running shoes, a 9 year old boy and a lady with one leg. I am a perfectly health 26 year old man and these people are looking much better than me. I am not trying to be mean about these people but on paper I should be farther up in the pack. I tried to pick up the pace.

We made it to the end of the runway an made the turn back to the transition area, which meant we were running right in to the wind. Thise was an US track and field qualifiy event apparently so the rule is that there is no drafting. I thought drafting was only NASCAR. I was running pretty fast but i think I was about 180 MPH slower than needed for drafting.

None the less that did not stop a lady from finding the biggest person possible (me) to run directly behind. She was very polite about it though, she said “I hope you don’t mind”. I told her “Don’t worry about it” after I caught my breath I told her to “Enjoy the view.” Which didn’t get the response I was expecting, oh well.

Having someone follow me made me pick up my pace even more, I have no idea why but I really picked it up. We were passing people like crazy. I am sure my shadow was super impressed. Before I knew it, we were making the final turn for the transistion zone and I started to metally prepare for the bike.

Zeb’s Results for the 2011 Race on the Base

Mar 042011
 

If you read my raceday post, http://runningbrothers.com/744/race-day-los-alamitos-race-on-the-base/, you will know that I was trying to beat my distances in all of the areas of The Race on the Base Triathalon from last year.   

Here are my results from the 2010 Race on the Base:

Clock Time:  1:21:25.9

Gender Racers:  437;  Gender Place:  296;  Percentile 32.2 %

All Racers:  762;  All Place:  380;  Percentile:  50.1%

Times for each section:

  • 3.1 Mile Run = 23:49.5
  • T1 = 1:53.2
  • 12 Mile Bike = 47:54.7
  • T2 = 2:47.1
  • 200 Meter Swim = 5:01.2

Are you eager to see how much I improved . . . if at all?  Here are my 2011 Race on the Base results.

Zeb at The Race on the Base in 2011

Clock time:  1:21:50.7

Age Group Racers:  77;  Age Group Place:  32;  Age Group Percentile:  58.4 %

All Racers:  826;  All Racers Place:  227;  All Racers Percentile:  72.5%

  • 3.1 Mile Run = 24:19
  • T1 = 1:02
  • 12 Mile Bike = 49:39
  • T2 = 2:20
  • 200 Meter Swim = 4:28

I improved by 33 seconds in the pool, but was 30 seconds slower on the run and was 1 minute and 15 seconds slower on the bike.  I was a lot faster on my transitions, shaving off 2 minutes and 28 seconds. 

Although I did not beat my times in the run or on the bike, my percentile was substantially higher than last year which leads me to believe one of two things, either they made the course slightly larger, or the conditions were rougher this year than last year.  The last option is hard to believe though because last year it was raining. 

Last year, I finished the race just above the 50th percentile of all races and this year I was higher than 72%, which I am very happy about . . .

I want to eventually become one of the elites and towards the front of the pack, but know that it takes time and I am improving substantially and will continue to do so if I stick to my plan.

Rocky’s Results for the 2011 Race on the Base

Mar 022011
 

My brother completed his first triathalon and I could not be happier for him.  His results are impressive for his first time attempting a sprint triathalon. 

Here are Rocky’s results for the 2011 Race on the Base:

Rocky at The Race on the Base in 2011

Clock Time:  1:30:57.8

Age Group:  25 – 29;  Age Group Racers:  41;  Age Group Place:  32;  Percentile 22.0 %

All Racers:  826;  All Racers Place:  400;  Percentile:  51.6%

Times for each section:

  • 3.1 Mile Run = 27:25
  • T1 = 1:16
  • 12 Mile Bike = 55:13
  • T2 = 2:04
  • 200 Meter Swim = 4:57

Rocky, awesome job . . . according to the percentages, you did better compared with the field than I did for my first triathalon last year.  But I still demolished you . . . better luck next time bro. 

Race at the Base-the prerace

Mar 012011
 

This past weekend the running brothers competed in the Race at the Base triathlon and we had a few supporters. We also knew one of our friends, Ryan Miller, was also going to be racing. We had several things to look forward too but I was really nervous, since our half marathon nearly 3 weeks piror I hadn’t trained very much.

On top of my lack of training I had a very long night the day before. But none the less I was excited about my first triathalon. The race was set to start at 10:30 and Zeb wanted to pick me up at 8:30. It sounded like a plan, a very tight plan but I tend to get places too early so I trusted Zeb. We arrived at the Los Alimitos Air Force Base at about 9:45 and by the time we sorted everything out at the car we headed toward the registration booth.

We were the one of the last U-Z participants to pick up our packets. We quickly got over to the transition area to set up our bikes and it was very evident that getting there early would make that part easier. The bike racks were completely full. We had to move some other peoples bikes and neatly organized gear to fit our bikes. I dont know the etiqutue when it comes that kind of stuff but to be perfectly honest we needed some space.

We had just enough time to set up a bikes say hi to our friend and walk to the start line. Our support crew meet us near the start line and gave us words of encouragement. With that we headed to the start line and moved toward the group that looked like we they could run at our pace. After a rather long rendition of the Star Spangled Banner the race was set and I was about to start my very first triathalon. We didn’t have a lot of time to get nervous so I was able to ride my excitement all the way up to starting pistol.

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