Race Report: 2009 Goofy Challenge

Last year I heard about this crazy race that included a half-marathon and a marathon during the same weekend. Since at the time I had never run a half-marathon, let alone a full marathon, my first thought was, "that sounds like fun, I should sign up for it." A year later, still never having run a full marathon before, I am flying down to Florida for the Disney Marathon weekend and ready to complete the Goofy Challenge. My was not as extensive as I originally planned, but was also working through some physical therapy for some foot pain that has been ongoing for about the past two years. A special shout out for Danielle at Finish Line PT, who was able to zero in on my issues and decreased my foot pain in no time at all. If anyone is looking for a physical therapist in the NYC area, definitely check them out!

On Friday, Jan. 9, I landed in Florida and headed to the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex to pick up my race packet and wander through the race expo. After picking up my numbers, goody bag and some extra gu (chocolate outrage and espresso love for anyone who cares) I decided to check out all the go fast gear that would be wasted on me. Lots of shirts and items with amusing messages. Some of my favorites:

• Will run for beer (margaritas, cookies, chocolate, ice cream, etc. were all common varieties)
• 3 months ago this seemed like a good idea
• If you can read this, you've been passed by a really slow runner (on the shirt back)
• If you can read this, at least I won't finish last
• Running is cheaper than therapy
• My sport is your sport's punishment

Saturday morning came pretty early with a 3:45am wake-up call to make the 5:50 am race start. Since I only slept for about 4 hours the previous night, I had a feeling I wouldn't be getting a lot of sleep for the weekend. The race got off to a slow start due to the large number of people and number of walkers in my wave. As a result the first couple of miles was probably at around a 14 minute pace. But since I was running a marathon the next day and planned to stop and take pictures, I was not too concerned about the time.

The weather for the half was great, that early in the morning the temperatures were still in the sixties with plenty of water stops available on the course. One of the fun things about the Disney race is that the course goes through the different theme parks. For the half, we ran through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center. By the end of the race I was feeling really good and a little bored so I decided to pick up the speed. The last 3 - 4 miles I probably ran between an average 8 - 10 minute pace. At the end I finished the half and earned my Donald medal. All in all, the half-marathon was a lot of fun and very enjoyable.

Now, having run a half-marathon and scheduled to run a marathon the next day, the smart thing to do would be to go back to the motel, and rest up. So, of course I spent the next 10 hours wandering around Epcot Center. To be fair, I tried to go on the rides and attractions that allowed me to sit down and took a little snooze during one particularly long attraction. After a dinner at the Macaroni Grill, I was ready for bed and a few hours sleep before waking up to do it all again, just twice as far!

As can be expected, the next morning came pretty early, and I was once again standing outside Epcot before dawn waiting to start running. Despite the larger crowds, my wave started at a faster pace than the half, the previous day. I made a point to not go out to fast and also to give my legs a chance to work out any stiffness that had set in from the previous day. Luckily, they felt pretty good. Once again the race course took us though the Disney parks, we started off running through Epcot Center and then made it into the Magic Kingdom. You can't help but smile as you are running along and see on one side crowds cheering for you, on the other side Mickey, Goofy, Donald and a host of other characters waiting to take pictures with you. Especially as you are running and see up ahead that iconic symbol of Disney, the main castle in the Magic Kingdom. Other parts of the course are along some of the main roads and back alleys of the Disney parks, which are interesting in that you would never get to see them at any other time.

I have to say that after about 16 - 18 miles, things started to get a little painful. Having never done a marathon before, I was very pleased with the amount support that Disney provided along the race course. It seemed like there were water and Powerade stops at least every mile. Plus at least three stops that have bananas along with gus or gels. Cliff shots were available on the race course at several stops. I am a fan of the Cliff Shot blocks, especially black cherry and margarita flavor. However the day before I tried their apple pie flavor during the half and it was nasty. So I stuck with my chocolate and espresso gus for the marathon. Also, lots of medical tents along the race course with extra lube, Tylenol and bio-freeze for sore muscles. Yay Bio-freeze!

The final part of the race had us running through Disney's Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios theme parks before the final run through Epcot Center. I've never been so relieved to cross a finish line before and accept my mickey medal and the additional goofy medal. After the race walking was painful and the long walk back to the car at Epcot was extremely sloooow. It was so bad that when I tried to get into the car, I was unable to lift up my leg to step into the back seat. I actually had to fall backward into the seat and slide my body in. However, after a cold water soak and hot shower later, I was ready for a nap.

Disney Bling

Overall I was happy with my races and how I felt afterwards. Especially considering the training I did or did not do, prior to the race. All in all, doing a race at Disney is a blast and I have already signed up for the 2010 Goofy Challenge. Who wants to join me? Go big or go home!

Emerald Nuts Midnight Run

The past two years I have celebrated new years by going to some parties and stopping by Central Park for the annual midnight run put on by the New York Road Runners.  It's a lot of fun and a great way to start off the new year. This year blistering winds and temperatures in the teens did not deter the crowd of 5,000 from joining in on the 4 mile run and party.  It was so cold that the water in the cups at mile two was frozen solid!  Here's a video for anyone who wants to see what it's all about.

Enjoy!

Happy New Year and a New Challenge - Wildflower 2009

Happy New Year to everyone out there in cyberspace and beyond. I've been very lax on updating the blog, but like my training I plan on improving that in the new year and becoming a little more regular. The new year always seems like a time for reflection. Three years ago I signed up for the NYC triathlon after receiving an email from my gym with an offer to register early. While, I had never done a triathlon, nor open water swimming or a bike race, this seemed like a good idea at the time. Current and future readers of this blog may notice a recurring theme.

Anyway, once my registration was accepted and committed the realization hit me that I would be swimming for close to a mile in the Hudson river, biking for 25 miles on the West Side Highway and then running over 6 miles to finish in Central Park. Needless to say, I should figure out how to train for one of these. After doing some research, I attended an information meeting for Team in Training. To paraphrase a well known movie quote, they had me at hello, or at least after the highly inspirational video. For those of you not familiar with Team in Training, they provide coaching and training for people to complete endurance events such as marathons, century (100 mile) bike rides and triathlons. In exchange for the coaching and training, athletes raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

That first year I completed the 2007 NYC Triathlon and raised close to $3,400 to support the mission of Team in Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fight blood cancers. The next year I was back and completing not one, but two Olympic Triathlons with Team in Training. Through the help of many amazing and generous people, I was able to raise $4,900 in the fight against cancer by completing the 2008 Capital of Texas Triathlon and the 2008 NYC Triathlon.

This year I decided to once again help in the fight against blood cancers by raising money with TNT to support the mission of the Leukemia Society. This year my goal is to raise $5,000 to support the fight against blood cancers. I understand that this has been a difficult year for many of us, so I am also raising the bar for myself. This year I am training to complete my first half-ironman distance triathlon. I will be completing the 2009 Wildflower Half-Ironman Triathlon in Monterey, Califonia. This race will require me to swim 1.2 miles, bike a hilly and challenging course for 56 miles and then run for 13.1 miles. I am willing to put in the work of swimming, biking and running countless miles, training outdoors in the freezing northeast winter and waking up early on the weekend to train while most people are still sleeping or deciding on their weekend brunch. While I would enjoy the company of anyone out there who would like to join me in training, I am not asking you to do any of that. What I am asking is that you take a moment to visit my page at http://curecancer.herbzoota.com and make a donation to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their fight against blood cancers. Any amount you can give will enable the society to conduct research into new treatments as well as provide valuable services to the current patients and their families.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year in 2009!

Reason Number 299 to always wear a helmet

It's always a good policy to wear a helmet during bike rides. There are many people who don't like to wear helmets because they think helmets don't look cool, helmets mess up their hair, they don't ride fast or on busy roads, or they never fall off their bike. I've had this discussion with a friend of mine who doesn't wear a helmet and I keep recommending that he does. I always wear a helmet when I ride and of course, a helmet is mandatory during races and group training sessions with Team in Training.

As you can see from the picture on my left, it's a good thing that I was wearing my helmet this past Saturday morning while riding in Central Park.

I was circling the north end of the park, when a rider in the left lane drifted into the right lane on one of the downhill curves. Normally that's not a problem unless I am already occupying the right lane. Add in the wet pavement and next thing you know my bike is sliding out sideways and I am slamming into the road. Luckily my head seemed to take most of the impact and my body protected my bike from any major damage. As you can see from the pictures, the helmet cracked with a visible crack from the bottom to the top along the left side.

View from the inside of the helmet

So in order to help those people who like my friend think that they are too cool for school and don't need to wear a helmet.

Here are the top ten reasons to wear a helmet while riding.

10. All the cool kids are wearing them.
9. Fashionable bike helmets are one of the criteria for PEOPLE Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive. That's why Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey, Jake Gyllenhaal and Patrick Dempsey made the list.
8. Even though you are an awesome rider; drivers, pedestrians and other riders may not be so awesome.
7. Especially for riding in Central Park - Tourists!
6. You never fall off your bike - until you do.
5. Helmets are required for many of the organized rides in the city such as those put on by the New York Cycle Club.
4. A head injury can ruin your whole day.
3. You won't have to listen to your mother say: "You should have been wearing a helmet," when you wake up in the hospital.
2. 900 People die each year in bicycle accidents, 75% of them from head injuries and 88% of all cyclist brain injuries could be avoided.

and the number 1 reason to wear a bike helmet
1. Helmets are less likely to damage the asphalt and leave a stain on the pavement.

Of course, the plus side of cracking my helmet and not my skull is that it gives me an opportunity to go shopping for new cool stuff. So below is my new helmet, a Giro Stylus.

Training Motivation

Team in Training coaches are willing to provide motivation to both TNT athletes and anyone else who looks like they need a helping hand.

Capital of Texas Triathlon Course

Last year I had the benefit of training for the most part on the race course that the NYC triathlon takes part on. While I didn't ride my bike up the west side highway in advance (not the most bike friendly road when the cars are on it), I was able to swim in the Hudson and run countless (and I mean countless) laps in central park.

This time I will be heading into Austin without the benefit of having trained on the race course. With the benefit of the official course map and a trip down to Austin for the annual SXSW festival, I have been able to remedy the situation. First the swim, and no I didn't jump into the lake and start swimming, although with the number of free parties and alcohol being consumed this week, some others may have. I nice smooth lake, no rough water and chop, but also no current assist as in the Hudson river. Apparently a bag of cheetos was able to finish the swim portion of the NYC triathlon faster than I did. Perhaps a new training plan base on a diet of Cheetos, or a new wetsuit design based on a colorful foil design?

Next up the bike ride. Across the River and up north into the downtown area. This appears to be a mostly flat ride. While I didn't have a bike to ride the actual route, I did spend a bit of time walking north into downtown. Although I usually didn't make it much past 6th street. 6th Street is well known for its selection of bars and live music venues which make up the little known 4th (or maybe 5th) leg of the triathlon. Depending upon whether you are counting transition as the 4th event in the triathlon, post race refueling is just as important an event. Being the team player that I am, I made sure to take some time and explore proper places for post race refueling. For example, this evening I visited the Chuggin Monkey. The Chuggin Monkey is obviously a friend to endurance athletes. Also there are a number of factors that are important to look into for a post race refueling location.

First, hydration is very important. Luckily there seems to be a good selection of beverages for re-hydration. Next availability of protein and carbohydrate past race meal. Once again 6th street seems to provide with a wurst stand and a taco stand on each side of the street and ready for consumption. Finally, whats the best thing for post-race recovery with sore muscles? A massage could be just the ticket. Luckily, 6th Street in Austin doesn't disappoint.

Located on the way to the Chuggin Monkey on 6th Street is the Midnight Cowboy "Modeling" Oriental Massage. Before you ask, no I didn't partake. Some things are best left to the imagination. I will say that when the doorbell was rung in the evening, the women who came to the door was neither Asian nor very happy to have people ringing her doorbell. Although, seeing an executive in the digital media/publishing industry performing the ring and run ( and I mean run) was worth the trip. Names and other identifying information have purposely been left out to protect the guilty.

Finally, the run portion. Got a little distracted by the post-race refueling. I was able run most of the race course and I will say that there seem to be no major hills and a very scenic crossing of the Congress Ave bridge.

All in all, I am confident that myself and the rest of the NYC TNT team will successfully complete our race in Austin as well as any required post-race refueling. For any Austin teammates reading this, I leave you with one final thought, "What happens in Austin, Stays in Austin."

Band at the Chuggin Monkey in Austin, TX

NYC Triathlon Team Training Begins

Today was the first group training session for the New York City Triathlon team. It was a little deja vu as we repeated the first training session from way back in December from the Capital of Texas team. It was practically balmy as the temperature read 41 degrees at 7:30am this morning as I was leaving to head to the park for the 8:00 am session. The difference this time is that I am now a mentor for the NYC team.

Today's run was a short fun to give everyone an opportunity to meet the members of the team and start getting into the habit of exercising. The muddy field didn't deter Coach Jay from stretching us out afterwards. Although we didn't lie down in the mud for core conditioning exercises. Maybe next week.

Two of my mentees, Catherine and Janine, enjoying the post run stretch.
While Catherine is smiling, Janine has her game face on!