Here's what the timing people said:

We've researched your issue. It looks like they unfortunately may have given you the wrong bib number. You were originally assigned 2187, and it looks like you ran with 2287. Your time was 29:14, and did place you 3rd in your AG. We will update the results online.

So that's good. Got a little chest infection going on. Will take it easy this weekend and do my social networking!

Alright then. Time to resurrect the blog - on Olga's instructions. Latest is that I got diddled out of 3rd place at the Lago Vista Firecracker 5k 'cos my chip didn't work :( Actually I don't care that much, but I'd like to know my time. I can never seem to remember to stop my watch in races - what a dimwit I am.

Lots to follow this summer. Paul and Meredith doing the 100 Slam and IM Kona, Cheryl Zwarkowski attempting a Badwater Triple, Josh Winter doing his first 100 at Leadville. And Andrew doing his second IM in 3 weeks. Did I miss anything out? And then there's the Olympics. We have tix for Taekwondo, Archery and Track&Field.

But first I have to get through the weekend of Wimbledon. Just like a number 9 bus ......we don't get anyone in the finals for ages and then 2 come along together. Murray and Marray.

18 miles in the rain and mud

Today I had to ramp up the miles to 18. This will be the longest run I will get in for the 50K. Not long enough really, but it'll have to do. Today was hard because it was very muddy, and the mud balls up on the shoes, you slide around, and feet get wet. So it's like doing the run with ankle weights on. But I did 4hr 23ish, which was at 14.38 average pace. So actually I was quite happy as that's an improvement on the 25K. PLus I don't feel completely beaten up, which is good because the 50K is in 2 weeks. Next weekend will be another taper!

A Race

Thinking of switching the A-race from Old Dominion to Kettle Moraine (same weekend). KM is in Wisconsin and has a 30-hour cutoff.

Wild Hare 25K

My first race in the trail series leading up to the 100 was disappointing. I made basic errors like going out too fast, then allowing others to push me along despite my best efforts to slow down. The first has to do with optimism: wow I'm feeling great today, if I do this pace I'll get a PR. The second has to do with ego: Would you like to pass me? No - you're setting a great pace. Thinks OK - I'm great at setting a good pace (despite the fact it is still too fast). Thankfully my next race is only 3 weeks away so I will remember this lesson, especially as in a 50K I would really pay for going out too fast.

Then it was humid. I got cramp in my calves, which is very rare for me. I semi-fixed it with electrolyte tablets but should have realized it before it became a problem. To be fair I wasn't the ony one. Quite a few people dropped from the longer races.

So I just hung there for a slow time of 3hr 46min. Just over 15 min/mile pace. This is too slow for just 25K when I'm wanting to do 100 miles. However, the 2 weeks before the race were really bad for race prep (work and sick child) and I'm not 100% either - I have some kind of ongoing stomach issue (probably same as Phoebe). I knew something was wrong around mile 4, when my water bottle felt awkward and heavy and I kept having to switch hands. I never normally even notice I've got it. Then my whole core and stomach started feeling stiff and tight. I ate a ginger remedy and that helped the stomach some.

Need to just move on to the next race now, and try to remember the lessons learned.

One Year On

On Monday it will be a year since my half Ironman. Quite a bit happened, much of it not good (athletic activity wise). Just after the race was over I developed plantar fasciitis. Never had it before but it hurt. I tried active release and massage but that didn't cut it, so I went to a podiatrist who gave me a cortisone shot (I was up all night afterwards - couldn't sleep at all). He also taped my foot. It did feel better after this so I had it taped for Bandera and decided I'd probably drop at the end of loop one (50K) but I'd see how I felt. The foot wasn't too bad but the rest of me was complaining so drop I did. I asked Joe if I could switch from 100 to 50 miles for Rocky Racoon, and he was cool with that. But 5 miles in I rolled my ankle really badly and had to stop. I spent a month in a boot and two more weeks in a soft brace. Then I started running again. Podiatrist said I should never run on trails and never further than a half Marathon :( So I went to physical therapy and they helped me a lot. I ran a couple 5k races in the blistering heat of August. Then I decided that what I had done training-wise for the last two years was not up to the task. I'd had several DNFs and was picking up injuries. So I decided to get a coach (Olga Varlamova). She has many 100 milers under her belt. So I'm 10 weeks in to her training program. It was unfortunate that last weekend I was supposed to race a half marathon on the road but it got cancelled becasue of the storms in the pre-race hours. So I'm signed up for Warda 25K as a substitute. Then ther will be some 50 ks and a couple 50 milers before the A-race in June: Old Dominion. I will post sporadically to let you know how I'm doing. I got an early birthday present from Andrew and Phoebe; a Garmin watch and heartrate monitor so now I can make my training sessions more effective.

The Rest

Once over the finish line it was time to grab some food and drinks and get the gear bags. Luckily for me Andrew had got my bike already. We had to sit in the traffic jam for a while to get out of the Expo Center but I took the time to get my brand new birthday present compression socks on. They look naff but they really do work. I then cracked open a pickle juice and a bag of crisps (I should have taken 5 pkts at the food tent while I was at it). I got a pencil and the back of an envelope and started the birding challenge. I had forgotten all about it earlier when I could have got some ducks on the lake. First up was a black vulture.

8 birds later and we were at NXNW. We found some friends inside but decided to snag the tables outside to allow for more folks to show up. We ended up pretty much taking over that area. It was great - close enough to the oompah band to hear them but far enough away to be able to chat with frinds, many of whom I only get to see occasionally. I had a couple of beers and enjoyed the time there. All too soon it was time to roll and get back to Lago for party #2. This would have been the time to have a second pickle juice but I was feeling rather full.

We had to stop to pick up the pizzas on the way home. A few folks were already at the house plus my family so I got outside 5 slices pdq and cracked open another beer. Then it was time to do my slideshow about being a geologist, quickly followed by the lighting of candles on my 5 cupcakes (in the center of the massive tray of 50). 2 cupcakes devoured I had to wash sticky fingers and play my violin. I had a very appreciative audience of 5 and 6 year olds who took to dancing and capering about. The adults listened politely! Then someone asked about car washing and Andrew mentioned push ups. I summarily dismissed those as stupid ideas and did the bedtime story instead. It ws then bedtime for the kids (and me) and I decided I was done.

Next up for me will be Bandera 100K and another bash at Rocky Raccoon 100 miles.