Team LIT Does Europe!

Funny thing happened to the Ironmate and I as we settled into our honeymoon trip to London and Paris.

 

After playing tourist about London proper, the first taste of a treasured visit from Team LIT came with a necessary stop at the London Marathon Expo to pick up bib number, timing chip, and goodie bag.

 

Marathon Expo

 

But still, Team LIT, although close to the mind and especially the heart, was only apparent in subliminal messages… like on the front of a truck in front of Westminster Abbey.

 

Making It Happen!

 

Next up was a friendly and very fun visit from a Team LIT representative from London.

 

Neil & Thor at The Albert

 

But wait! Just then, Jim and Michele, who the Ironmate and I accompanied to Scotland, made a cameo. They just had to tip back a pint of Fullers London Pride, the Pride of London!

 

Jim & Michele join Neil & Thor at The Albert

 

Almost to be out-done by a poor Old Boy (“’Cape Cod,’ never heard of it”), Team LIT wasn’t far behind.

 

Poor Old Boy tries to join our party before being briskly ushered out to the door step

 

And there, on the other side of The Albert (the pub), we made eye contact for the first time… Team LIT looked and the Ironmate and I, and we looked back, just as affectionately for what would be only the beginning of a fun journey as we pranced and played through London and Paris. So instead of the Heather and Thor and Jim and Michele romping around London and Paris together…

 

Team LIT joins the fun.

 

Team LIT in good hands at The Albert

 

Team LIT visits St. Paul’s Cathedral in London

 

Team LIT attends EPL football match between Tottenham and Middlesbrough in London

 

Team LIT still enjoying the soccer match

 

Team LIT runs and finishes the London Marathon in 2:59:33

 

Team LIT drank a little too much beer and had to slip out to the bathroom while…

 

Heather & Thor with Red Coats at The Albert

 

Next up was Paris!

 

Team LIT does Paris – Eiffel Tower!

 

As Team LIT stood by the side and shook its head rather embarrassingly…

 

Thor had to do the “guy thing” – it was only fair.

 

Team LIT visits Notre Dame

 

Team LIT (not pictured) drinks a lot of wine (reason for not being pictured) and eats too much cheese

 

Romance beneath the Eiffel – Team LIT does the nasty!

 

 

 

 

London Marathon 2008

London Marathon
London, England UK
Sunday, April 13 2008

Results
Finish: 2:59:33 (6:51 min/mile)
3rd American Overall
1063 Overall (of 35,000)

Splits
1st Half: 1:28:48
2nd Half: 1:30:45
Marathon-A-Month #20
Marathon #39
1st Marathon as a Married Man!*
*Yes, the ring WAS heavy to carry for 26.2 miles. Engagement ring in Tri-shorts pocket was lighter. I kid not.

Photo-Journal Race Report

Mile 9 – Loving the course, enjoying the day and the deep crowds.

 
Mile 24.8 – Hanging on with the guy in red, we worked together from 17 through 25, when I pulled away.

Mile 25 – Holding on for dear life with the London Eye in the background and Big Ben out of picture to my left

Mile 25 – Slipping by Big Ben, knowing I could hold on, wondering if good enough for Sub-3 hour finish.

Mile 25.9 – Rounding the final corner in front of Buckingham Palace running as fast and compact as I can.

Finish – Official Time: 2:59:33 – 3rd American in London!

Detailed Splits
1 – 7:09 – bump and grind crowded
2 – 6:51
3 – 6:28 – I guess I’m racing this!
4 – 6:39
5 – 6:31 – fast but feeling good
6 – 6:50
7 – 6:45
8 – 6:42 – still can’t believe I’m running LONDON!
9 – 6:47
10 – 6:52
11 – 6:46 – pace starting to require more effort
12 – 6:54
13 – 6:50 – started raining
13.1 – 1:28:48
14 – 6:50 – pace still good but wondering if I went out too fast
15 - 6:49 – ignoring the tire feeling, trusting my ability
16 – 7:05 – now pouring and growing cold
17 – 6:56 – struggling with footing and pace
18 – 6:53 - first breathing room since start… too crowded
19 – 7:15 – really starting to labor, into stiff wind with driving rain
20 – 6:47 – course very technical 15 thru 22, manholes very slippery
21 – 7:02 – getting yet more tougher, cobblestones hurt to run on
22 – 7:02 – stopped 10 secs to kiss and hug my NEW wife!
23 – 6:58 – renewed focus, I can do this!
24 – 6:45 – rain tapers as I hold on for dear life!
25 – 6:59 – maybe I started too soon.
26.2 – 5:56 – giving it everything in my soul

Boston Marathon 2008

Boston Marathon 2008
Monday, April 21 2008
112th Running

Splits
1st Half: 1:46:46 (8:08 pace)
2nd Half: 1:39:47 (7:35 pace)
Finish: 3:26:34

Race Report

The 112th running of the Boston Marathon was “freebie” race for me. Having qualified last May at Sugarloaf Marathon with a 2:56, a time that is very good for me, I had earned a spot in the 2nd corral. But having had raced a marathon in the London Marathon only a week earlier when I clocked in at 2:59:34, I wasn’t even sure if Boston ‘08 would happen. I knew it wouldn’t be smart to run Boston only a week after London, but Boston… it was too good to pass up.

So on Monday, April 21 2008, I toed the line of my 40th marathon of all time. Coming into this race with the only goal but to run easy and have fun, I dropped back from my starting position in corral 2 all the way to corral 8. Just as I did, I heard my name. It was Cristina and Kelly from my running club. Cristina and I have logged a handful of miles together over the years, but Kelly and I, although we knew each other, have not. They welcomed company in their quest to hold 8:15 minute miles. Seeing an opportunity to soak in the experience of the world’s most prestigious marathon with company, I jumped at the chance.

After the National Anthem and a flyover by two fighter jets, we were off, clicking 8:10 minute miles or under for 13 miles.

At about mile 9, Kelly saw up ahead the camera bridge and had the three of us close in together for a picture.

Mile 9 – Pacing Kelly (left) and Cristina (right), both of whom needed no help.

We continued with easy chatter (or, really, me telling stories) and high-fiving children big and small by the side of the road.

Shortly after mile 10, Kelly, feeling good and looking extremely strong, pulled away to run her own race. That left Cristina and me running side by side.

Through Wellelsey College with the half mile long line of screaming girls, where I of course stopped for a sweaty but very sweet kiss, we contined on pace or slightly under until I knew the point came where Cristina wanted to slip into her zone.

So starting at mile 15, I pulled away and got more into the crowd. By mile 16, I was having a blast and getting all Goofy. 

Mile 15 – Getting Goofy

Over the Newton Hills, I picked up pace until just after Heartbreak Hill where I stopped for hugs from my nephews, little niece, and brother and sister in law, the very spot where I see them every year. I talked with them for about a minute before prancing onward for what I believe are the 6 very best miles in just about any marathon.

By mile 24, I had slapped so many hands, cheered so loudly, that my voice was going rasp and my arm was getting tired. My hand even hurt from all the slaps. So much fun it was that I had to keep going, all the way through the finish, with high-fives and breif stops to shake a little boy’s hand and even one who’s mother wanted a picture.

Mile 25 – Bringing it home in style with a smile – this was fun!

April Fitness Focus

April Fitness Focus

Goal: Get married, have a great honeymoon, love life, run London Marathon in a good (as in fun!) time, run Boston Marathon a week later in a good (as in fun!) time, and enter the next phase of my life with the confidence that I know I have my biggest fan now nestled by my side and supporting my endeavors. The only goal this month is to come out with month number 20 in my Marathon-A-Month madness and also tackle my 40th marathon of all time at Boston. After recovering from that, I’ll get back on the bike for a huge push all the way until Ironman Lake Placid. Until then, the fun begins now!

Run:
o Boston Marathon
o London Marathon
o Keep the daily streak alive in all the hectic wedding, honeymoon, and travel days.

Bike:
o Before wedding: Keep on keeping on!
o After wedding: Once rested after Boston, get Trainer session back to 300W avg.
o Hit the roads and do some hills.
o Start going long on the roads.

Swim:
o Before wedding: Keep on keeping on!
o After wedding: Resume.
o 60 laps once.
o Continue speed intervals.

Brick:
o Whatever: squeeze in when I can.

Life:
o This is gonna be fun!

March Fitness Recap

March Stated Goals

Goal: Continue building speed on the swim while also bumping endurance, continue power phase on the bike while also increasing quality endurance, and get back to more proper speed work on the run while also logging month number 19 for the marathon-a-month quest.

Assessment: I did it. If you could plan a near perfect month of base building around training, I did it this month. I stayed focused on working on strength (as opposed to speed) and remained motivated with the results I obtained. And not only that, but this month was special for the quality – but easy paced – runs, where I kept focus on fun. I mean, how cool is it to have a marathon hosted by a great friend and call it a Bachelor Party. It was special. This month I nailed month number 19 in my Marathon-A-Month madness, and I loved every moment of it!
GRADE: A

Run
o Get back to proper speed work. (Focus speed over hills.)
PASS(B-): did many tempo’s and much unfocused hill repeats; could have been more focused.
o Continue a semblance of hill work. (Focus is speed this month.)
PASS(A)
o Stag Run – Month number 19 in marathon-a-month.
PASS(A+): A-plus because it was so much FUN! 4:32:02 total time.

Bike
o Get consistently over 300W on normal Trainer rides.
PASS(A+): passing 300W regular now
o Weekly quality Trainer session of 1:30.
PASS(A+)
o Long quality Trainer session of 2 hours.
PASS(B): didn’t hit 2 hours, but the quality of 1:45 (once) and 1:30 (many times) makes up quite a bit. I have no doubt I can pop off a 3 hour road ride based on current training.
o Insert workout at least twice in month of bigger gear/high cadence work for top power output.
PASS(B+): changed workouts around a bit
o If roads are conducive to riding comfortably, get out and ride!
PASS(no grade)

Swim
o Weekly speed session. Try to get at least one 100 yard interval close to :45 seconds per lap for 1:30. (Lofty goal since I’ve never hit :45 secs.)
PASS(A-): doing speed intervals two times per week. Not hitting :45 secs.
o Hit 60 laps once in month.
PASS(A): hit 60 twice!
o Do semblance of Drills.
FAIL(F): Nada. None. Nil.

Brick
o Continue brick run once per week after long Trainer ride.
PASS(A+): Brick run has been quality. Legs feel great after hard session.

March Totals

March was a solid month in all three areas: swim, bike, and run. With two marathons and two other runs longer than 18 miles, I came in with healthier than normal numbers on the run.

I started ramping up time spent on the Trainer, and I even went longer in the swim. Although I feel a slight bit more tired in the body than last month, I also feel much stronger.

Swim: 12.64 mi (22250 yards over 10 sessions) – last: 9 mi
Bike
Trainer: ~300 mi (14:35 hours over 13 sessions) – last: 211 mi
Road: 16 mi – last: 0 mi
Run: 217 mi (31 sessions) – last: 147 mi