Plano Pacers "Bead Bash" 15K

I didn't have to to flash anyone my bird chest this morning to get beads at the Plano Pacers monthly run, with a Mardi Gras theme to it. I was hoping for a warmer start since temps have been near 80 all week, but to a fail, it was hovering just over 40.

I had a workout on schedule instead of a race, but I wanted to be around the others so I did a 25 min w-up at the start. My Garmin had died so I had my cell phone in my hand with stop watch mode ready to go. I had the best view on the course, like a fine wine. At least for the first 25 minutes. I need to change my racing approach. I've been doing it all wrong. Then I had to put some effort into it, a 2x15 min tempo to be exact at an approximated xx:xx exact pace. I was doing this on all grass pretty much to save my legs from the concrete for quicker recovery, while everyone else was concrete. After the first effort I ran myself into the third and that's where I stayed. I had short "recovery" or slower pace between, then another 15 min bout. I put some more effort into this one I thought I miiiiiight could catch 1st & 2nd but it was kind of a long shot. It's its about a 800 meter loop around a small pond to the finish, the runners were in sight and I was closing fast. Maybe with another 1-1.5 mile I would have had them. I finished the 15k part in just under an hour then went off and did a super easy 30 min cool down.

This next week, I'm going into a very light training week as I'm racing the St. Lukes Woodlands Half-Marathon. My running has been going well, but I'm ready to have some fresh legs now. It's also going to be a very busy week as I start my new job with EZ Flex Sport Mats and I'm moving to the Fort Worth area, which I'm really excited about.

Cheers,

Ritzy

2012 Tentative Schedule

If you don't know already, I am super excited to kick off this season in a big way. Since I've finished school and now have taken recovery modalities to the extreme between sessions, plus I am doing the work, getting it done. My fitness seems to be well ahead of where it was last year and in the year's past.

I still have a lot going on as I have always wanted to live in Fort Worth for years now and I finally got my chance. This week I will be busy looking for a place to live as I start my new job soon. Fort Worth is a great atmosphere for training as the Trinity Trails runs right through downtown and carries you out to the country pretty quickly. Not to mention my coach Brent Poulsen from rEvolution Multisport lives there. I imagine I'll be hanging onto him for some of my hard sessions to take my skills to the next level.

While 2011 didn't quite go the way I wanted it to due to some stupid decisions. I am back at it focused more than I have been before and I am reunited with my Coach Brent Poulsen, who I should have listened to from the very start of things. Brent's a great coach and has always been there for me. He keeps me in check when I start to get an ego and reminds there's a million other guys faster than me but also provides encourage, support, and motivation.

Here is my tentative schedule for the 2012 schedule of races I am either eyeing or registered to do. I say tentative because anything can happen in triathlon racing. It's pretty much the same as it was last year except for a few additions and some deletions. Still the main focus is on the 70.3's with some short course events sprinkled in because I love to race and it keeps you on your toes.

2012 Tentative Schedule

3.3 Woodlands Half Marathon

4.1 Texas 70.3

4.29 Kemah Triathlon

6.24 Buffalo Springs 70.3

8.8 Bridgeland

8.19 Spring/Fall Classic

9.9 World Championships 70.3 Vegas (Only without a roll down)

9.23 Branson 70.3

9.30 The Houston Triathlon

10.21 Tri Tyler Half Ironman

11.4 Oilman Half Ironman

I'm looking forward to a great year and seeing old friends and making new ones. Thank you again for another year of your support!

Ritzy