A2A 38-mile race + 49 mile cool down. 10/7/2012

Casey skipped another A2A due to life curve balls; Candy's supposedly final racing season was ruined by crashes; I skipped the final 5 key training sessions due to family illness and weather.  Can't plan for everything.


_training
In 2011, my weekly skate consisted of 10 hilly miles.  I skated flat twice: 100k in August HHH and in September NYC.  12-day EuroRoll involved a lot of time in skates but not high mileage.

I continued to lower the bar for mileage required prior to A2A.  My 2012 weekly hill skate doubled in August but stopped 4 weeks prior to the race.  I skated 50 miles at Hotter n Hell then skipped NYC.  I counted on cross training to stay in shape.

During the Taiwan trip, skating was replaced by ad hoc hill running, hiking and biking.  Traveling also meant losing base of my calorie control.  I failed my weight goal for the first time.  I felt at peace with my decisions leading to my unpreparedness--I was at the part of the life journey where a race event took a back seat.  I cherished sharing my brother’s training for his Ironman.

My quads were weak after all the Taipei mountain funs.  I let them rest.  4 weeks prior to A2A, I totaled 15 miles of skating—just enough to keep blisters away.  On non-taper weeks, I ran 35 ~ 40 miles.


_plan
Racing 38 miles with 49-mile cool down had been my MO.  I wanted to skip the cool down for 2012.  Candy offered a ride—“but you have to get to Dacula quickly.”  She needed to support Morgan.

15 minutes before the race, all I hoped for was an injury-free skate and not to break down by the final 2 hills.  Hanging on to Lenny felt like a long shot.  I told Candy not to wait if I didn't show up with Lenny.  I packed cash for brunch while waiting for Dacula-Atlanta bus.


_start
A2A start suited my strength.  I took it for granted I'd end up in the lead pack and would have plenty of chances to decide what group to go with.  My legs felt great after first few turns.  Confidence soared: “I'll skate in chase pack and attack the final hill!”

I followed a dozen skaters behind the lead police car into a wrong turn.  I came to a complete stop before getting back to course.  I sprinted and got within 50 meters as Lenny pack crested a hill.  I knew chasing a group downhill was futile but did it anyway.  Legs fried.  My race was lost before mile 1.

The 3rd pack included familiar faces: John Charbonneau, Penny Streicher, Larry Griffin, Sam Fistel, JT, and my roommate Linchen Xiu.  Everyone worked well together.  I tried to stay positive.  "Just enjoy the day."

photo by John Charbonneau


I was frustrated having so much left on the final climb with no one to attack.  Alex, Oswald, and Susie smiled and invited me to the row of chair at finish line.  I didn't want to sit.  I felt robbed of an opportunity.

photo by Brian Geisel

#’s
38 miles
Time: 2:28:24
Avg speed: 15:36 mph


Candy’s support vehicle was long gone.  All I wanted was getting to Atlanta hotel and sulk.  The 3 top finishers were heading back to Athens.  Bus to Atlanta would leave in 3 hours.  Sandy offered to take me to Atlanta; I didn’t trust myself to contain the negativity.  I picked up nutrition and roll toward finish—Might as well lose a little weight for the December foot race.

Like previous years, Luke Sawh picked me up with happy skaters.  52-milers joined us shortly after.  We were in no rush.  A few skaters hadn’t figured out the downhill; we gave them time to catch up.

The sun came out; air temperature was perfect; legs felt strong; I skated among friends.  I forgot about the wrong turn.  A few us demonstrated more talent in skating than singing.

_young 52-miler
15-year-old BJ came out of a shopping center and passed us on a climb.  His light frame was immune to gravity therefore lost much ground going downhill.  The group watched him in amusement as he stayed in sight.  We talked about inviting him to join us; no one was willing to deliver the message.  The group swallowed him before Silver Hill.

_45.7 mph
For the first time, I had more than 2 skaters willing to hull ass at top of the Silver Hill.  Luke had the helmet cam and graciously offered me the lead.  I wheel-wobbled big time and set the personal speed record.


_mile-71 check point
Bladder was full.  I could’ve asked the group for a team pee, but no one else seemed ready to stop.  I announced I’d use the porta potty.  "If I don’t catch up, I’ll see you at the finish."

I had fond memory of that rest stop.  I sat down there in 2011 defeated; Colleen offered me all ingestible in sight expect Guinness that I wanted.  I plotted but failed to steal a beer then hitch a ride to Atlanta that year.

I won the race to toilet before hugging Colleen without washing hands then started chasing Luke.  I heard Luke shouting behind me—BJ was the only skater who didn't stop at the check point.

 
_city skate
The group was down to Luke, Brice, and me.  We again watch in amusement as BJ tried to make it on his own.  We soon picked up BJ.  Brice wasn’t keeping up; we put him in front to go at his pace.  BJ no longer tried to break away.  The final set of little hills emptied everyone’s quads.

Once in the city, new challenges were headwind, gator surface, and city traffic.  I took the lead.  BJ, who climbed like god an hour ago, had difficulties keeping up.  He asked for mileage every few minutes.  “We’ve gone 0.4 mile since the last time you ask….”  A recovered Brice got impatient and took off with 7 miles to go.

BJ's struggled but didn't ask for help.  Luke and I left him.  I was envious of BJ's constructing his first A2A memory.  In a few years, he'd develop into a speed demon I had no chance of staying with.

Brice stayed in sight.  Luke and I thought it’d be funny if we chased him down, but it’s wasn’t that kinda race.  We enjoyed each other’s company and shared another good skate on the gentle Georgian hills.

photo by Brian Geisel

Luke's #’s
87 miles
Time: 06:28:33
Avg speed: 13.43 mph


_other results
Alex Van Duyne and Brian Oswald’s 38-mile title came down to playing chicken with a truck between the final turns.

Sam Fistel skated his usual A2A2A.  As he recounted his logistic issues with his 170-mile skate, I started to think of joining him after qualifying for Boston.

Candy put her 38-mile course record effort on hold after multiple crashes this season.  She brought large quantity of baked goods for the event.  I want t be there when she breaks the record.

Mike Pantelakis got the 52-mile title.  It was a lonely solo effort after dropping his teammate BJ.

Jarrett Paul beat Francisco at the line for men’s title.
Women’s top time were by Marcy and Jessica came in at 05:22:53 with Morgan.

Morgan’s 2008 race became a solo event after a pee break.  History repeated when 3 young punks attacked during a group pee break.  He needed to return with Stadium Pal (http://www.stadiumpal.com/).

John Charbonneau  and Peter Doucet made the same wrong turn before mile 1 and skated with slower groups than planned.  I felt small after learning Peter clawed his way through the field and ended up 10th.

Michael's Lin's Chicago marathon didn't go as planned.  33.5 min behind goal.

Photo by Lenny

Hotter n Hell 50-mile skate 8/25/2012

Something always got in the way of a solid 102-mile bike ride--bonking, crashes, injury, skating.  This year I put in so few bike miles I didn't bother reaching for the perfect ride.  50-mile skate was the logical choice given the circumstances.  (yeah, these were my identical words from last year)

_expo
I found 0 item on my shopping list:
1. Jersey with cool print
2. Iono or Aeon helmet for < $100
I still managed to drop $400.  With no foreseeable need for new 700c tires, I couldn’t resist 75% off.  Casey and I bought cosmetically challenged Perl Izumi running shoes for half price.  I stocked up on gloves, knee warmers, and other clothing items.  I failed to identify desirable bike shoes in the 75% off pile.  I wondered if my shopping habit would change when storage space disappears.

_dinner
I ate spaghetti with a former bike racer.  His best HHH time was 4:01.  When I sought advice on my bonking thresholds, he informed:
1.  I was too heavy.  Low body fat isn't enough.
2.  I rode mile 10~80 way too hard.  Can't expect to finish 100-mile ride with 100k speed.
This wasn't new info, but it's nice to have validation.

He laughed at my 6-bottle strategy.  What worked for him was going into deficit then finish the ride before trouble started.  He laughed harder when I said I'd skate it.

He was open about his reasons for not going pro: unwillingness to lose weight, uncertainty about PED, and general lack of courage.

I met pre-law and pre-med Stevie and Adrian at Ann's.  It's nice to make new young friends.

I was envious when I saw Roger's Grand Canyon photos.

_50-mile course
Casey led me out ahead of the official start in the dark before our heart rates became too far apart.

I was determined not to skate the rough surface between mile 20 and 30.  I looked for 50-mile cyclists at the rest stop then followed them passed the splitting point.

Middle section of 50-mile was a lonely route with lots of well marked turns.  The surface wasn't horrible by HH standard.  I kept HR around 70% max; speed stayed near discrete points: 7, 11, 16, 21 mph.  People were friendly and encouraging.  A cyclist shouted lewd complement when passing me.  She brightened my day.

A RV clipped the former Hell's Gate at the rest stop.  Volunteers went banana when the inflatable structure came down.

Casey caught up to me before the turn to Highway 44.  We shared our experienced at the rest stop.  We had a good day so far.  We didn't attempt to stay together.  100mm urethane and 700c rubber had incompatible speeds.  We knew what's coming.

_9 miles of headwind
The new course lengthened its usage of Highway 44, but the extra section had skater-friendlier surface.  I was content behind a triathlete averaging 11 mph before surface turned rougher.  I jumped behind a gentleman twice Casey's size.  He silently absorbed the attention as spectator hollered at the blader glued to his rear wheel--I thought he could be annoyed.  He later thanked me for keeping him going, "I would've stopped if you weren't there."  It felt good to make positive impact.

I spent extra time chatting with strangers at the rest stop before AFB.  I was in no rush.

_Sheppard Air Force Base
Beautiful pavement; tolerable crosswind; great weather.  I raced random dudes inside the base.  It was reckless and simple fun.  I loved going through the high-five tunnel of young soldiers.

The final 5 miles lasted 8 miles--mostly headwind on nice road.  A 100k cyclist insisted on going at my speed.  Marty had problem outputting consistent wattage but managed to inspire everyone around to squeeze out more energy.

A tandem bike passed us during the final mile, determined to beat the rollerblader.  Everyone smiled as the husband chanted "I think I can.  I think I can."  I stayed in his blind spot before hawking the line, beating him by a wheel.  The wife thought it was the funniest thing.


#'s
skates: custom Simmons, carbon Hopi frames, worn 100mm Street Fight wheels
GPS distance: 53.5 miles
avg/max HR: 138/178 bpm
avg speed (including stops): 10.9 mph

El Scorcho 50k 7/15/2012 midnight run

Casey found the midnight event after it sold out.  Unobtainability led to desire led to wait list led to 2 unprepared guys paying late fee to get in the race.  We didn't know how to prepare for

1.  Darkness.

2.  Nutrition for midnight start.

3.  Terrain.

4.  Pace.

This was a "D" race.  The priority was a good experience with no injury.  Trying new things and dropping out were allowed.

_Training

I received conflicting training advices for the 10-lap race.  I settled on a reduced version of a plan from Casey.  The key was a long run every other week, which was extended by 2 miles each time.  My longest run was to be 26 miles 3 weeks before the race.  I chopped that session to 20 miles.  It's better to be 10% under- than 1% over-trained.

During the week, the sessions were specific for A2A, Hotter n Hell, and White Rock Half Marathon.  I shortchanged each event.

I went to gym once a week: hamstring, hip abductor, and hip adductor.  3-machine wasn't a completed program but fitted my work schedule.  Research showed balancing these muscle groups minimizes chances of some injuries.

Casey's training went less well.  He changed to 25k race.

_Practice Run (6/15 Friday)

Petzl rep Martha encouraged  us to demo new products.  She offered me the  200-lumen headlamp that lit up raccoon eyes from unreal distance.  Other runners didn't appreciated it when I turn my head to answer the rhetorical questions.  It was hard to stay focused; the brain was deformed under the weight of the batteries. 

The 15k practice was a life saver.  Lighting, terrain, and pace became clear. 

_Race day

I woke up at 7am and felt lost.  All I had to do in next 12 hours were eating, resting, packing, and showing up.  I put Netflix subscription to good use: "Top Gear," "South Park," "Airplane II."  I tested manga apps on Android tablet to view graphic novels from Jiayu.  I shopped for pool sweep on ebay.  The house continues to be a money pit.

I felt overly rested and unequipped to run 50k.  The final training run--1 mile @ 7:00 pace--3 days prior was a distant memory.

_Nutrition

Caffeine:  Pre-race I usually took 200 mg pill + coffee, starting at wake up time.  This allegedly improved 2% time trial cycling in double-blind studies.  I doubled the dosage due to carelessness for 50k. 

Liquid:  I expected temperature to start in low 90 F then drop.  I decided not to carry a water bottle.  The organizer promised 2 water stops every 5k loop.  I hated carrying bottles.  We got lucky with air temperature; I never got close to be in trouble.

Calories:  Organizer was firm about its wishy-washy-ness on gel policy: "... limited number of gels.... You never know."  I decided carbo-loading would get me through at slow pace.  I arbitrarily decided 4 hours were sufficient between pho and start.

_Race

I started 10 minutes late for the 10-lap run jitterly.  I experienced caffeine overdose on a cool summer night on unfamiliar surface.  The 80-lumen headlamp shined on dust particles before I inhaled them.  Casey and I held 9:30 pace for 3 laps.  The number of participants and food trucks created festive atmosphere.  We slowed at inclines and walked water stations.  I wasn't used to the surface and could sense my changed gait; I worried about plantar.

_Issues

I had no rhythm on crushed limestone, concrete, grass, and asphalt.  I worried about footing throughout the night.  My heart skipped a bit every time I step on/into a crack/hole.  The right hamstring started cramp before 2nd lap.  I ignored it. 

Somewhere between caffeine and dinner, my gut chose to dump its content.  Casey waited for me.  I was proud of my efficiency going though the short delay.

My time tested race shorts were 2 spandex pairs.  This night I experimented with Zoot compression shorts wrapping high-dollar Under Armour underwear.  The combination could've worked if better lubricated.

Casey exhibited pacing issue at lap 5.  His PR half pace was in the mid 7:00's.  It's unpredictable how running speed are affected by environment.  Casey toughed it out and managed each lap in sub-10:00 pace.

_Second Half

I regrouped during the first solo lap: long pee break, futile shorts rearrangement, and unfruitful Vaseline search.  I swallowed the mid-race nutrition: SportLegs, Endurolyte, and Gu. 

My cardio heart rate hovered around 70% max but both quads cramps.  Maybe I should've practiced on non-paved surface.  I was concerned the legs would lock up while the bonk line felt forever away.

Holding pace became difficult during lap 7.  It was more mental than physical.  I couldn't find anyone to run with.  I got passed by shirtless non-Kenyan guys.  I promised myself food trucks after 3 more laps.  I wanted quit.  Casey cheered me on from a folding chair.

Runners were no longer ubiquitous after 25k runners departed the course.  I was concerned I'd run off the course.  The visual cortex had difficulties processing shadow created by my headlamp.  I kept pushing the nonexistent glasses up my nose.  I turned the lamp off whenever I could.

Life's problems felt distant--house, cancers, work....  Reality was to finish next lap without crashing.  I desired stopping yet wished the night wouldn't end.

I finally found partners during the final lap.  Pacers made a huge difference.  I wondered how many more laps I could've run.

_Post race

The anticipated food trucks left.  The advertised party peaked for the 25k'ers.

Casey took care of transportation between his house and the race.  This simplifies my logistics.

We postponed the celebratory breakfast.  We wanted to finished the chores, clean up, and get some sleep.

I didn't anticipate the joy during the short drive home.  I got away with another new experience.  The feet barely hurt.  I earned the shower and comfort food.  The beautiful sky smiled at me. 

I came home to find newly installed siding on ground.  I longed for simpler life.

Quads and hamstrings were stiff.  The core was inflexible.  I visited chiropractor Monday.  My calves were unexpectedly symmetrical.

I would take next 4 weeks easy: Skate Boston 2012, Veloway climb, and Nicole promised beautiful trail run. 

upcoming events:

8/25 Hotter n Hell.  102-mile bike.  "C" event.

10/7 A2A 38-mile skate.  "B" race.

12/9 White Rock Half Marathon.  "A" race.

_#

GPS/official distance: 31.10/31.07 miles

GPS/official pace: 10:03/10:04

avg/max HR: 143/169

parcipants:50k: 142; 25k: 307

splits/lap pace:

     5K       9:20/M

   10K       9:28/M

   15K       9:37/M

   20K       9:32/M

   25K       9:59/M

   30K      10:50/M

   35K      10:37/M

   40K      10:38/M

   45K      10:33/M

   50K       9:59/M

Bath House Duathlon, White Rock 5/20/2012

2 + 9.5 + 2 miles

$75 is expensive for the distance: $60 reg + $12 lic + fee
but this one fits my schedule.

_start
I looked at the small field and decided to start up front--it took little effort to hold 6:00 pace for 200 meters.  I asked big-bicep to my left how fast he would run.  "Slow."  Next thing I knew he and a shirtless kid led the race.  I hovered around 5th place.  Tracking placement was easy at such small race.

_T1
Everything went as planned except I forgot to hit Garmin's button.  I felt top-5 was mine to lose despite my weak bike.

_crash
I remembered to leave the bike shoes clipped and unstrapped but unclipped the left shoe in effort to wiggle the foot in.  I decided to take it safe and came to a complete stop but forgot to unclip right shoe and crashed at 0 mph.  The chain came off.

I lost 110 seconds while competition flew by.  My multi-sport bike crash rate was now 50%.  Sigh....

I was racing against athletes with uneven strength.  We pass each other at the few hills around the lake.  The lap around the lake made it easy to spot each other.  I was confident in reeling in more runners at the final leg.

_T2
Barefoot hurt running on rough surface.  I had 2nd thought about my decision to park near transition exit--parking near entrance would involve higher downhill difficulties.

_2 miles to go
Running out of transition was easier than expected.  Maybe I didn't bike hard enough.

I passed a few runners before counting the leaders at the out-and-back run.  15-year-old Zach had the race in the bag.  30 seconds behind him was a 30-year-old making no progress.

I thought about Seth's sub-6:00 running pace again.  I was inspired watching him at Frost Fanny.  There's no reason I couldn't run like that.

Biff got his cowbell out telling me I was doing OK.  This time he wasn't lying.  Biff could've done well at this race, but family obligations came first.

I timed the final pass before 1-mile mark such that Jamie Pennington had to take an extra step at the turnaround.  I thought I got him for good.  Then he sneakily re-took the lead.  It was maddening that I couldn't close the gap.  Jamie had eyes on his back and responded to my surges.  He eventually beat me by 2 seconds @ 11th over all.

Post-race was poorly run: award took a long time, the advertised recovery fruits were missing, splits will probably never be available, email communication was frustrating--David Hartwig felt like one of those MIT bots who pretend to be human.

result:
Goal:  < 1 hr.  7:00 pace run + 20 mph bike + transition.
Actual: 58:16

Per Garmin 305, the final mile was in low 6:00's.  I want be in the low 5's.

fantasy speed:
   400m: 56 seconds (Duane's best)
   5k: 19 min (20-minute seemed too realistic)
   marathon: 3 hr (Lance Armstrong first marathon)

Katy 5k Thursday 5/10/2012

I trained through this annual race.  The only change to weekly routine was replacing Tuesday Yasso 800 with 1 mile tempo.

I arrived Reverchon Park 2.5 hrs before the start and went apartment shopping.  The high-rises on Turtle Creek were a different world than West Plano suburb: concierge, porter, valet, dog walkers.  I fantasized high-cost but low-maintenance living.  This is opposite of what I worked toward.

I warmed up and stretched in the rec center.  Everything below the neck felt flexible--a good spine days.  Pain-freeness is wonderful and addictive.

I missed the staging that started at 6:30 pace.  I climbed over the barrier and position myself next to a nurse from England shooting for 20:00 finish.  I set my GPS pacer for 20:33.  Close enough.  33 seconds seemed trivial to overcome; yet 10-second-per-mile felt unbridgeable.  Weird.

First mile went as planned.  I gained then bled just enough distance at end of the climb near halfway--amazing considering my limited experience with 5K.

Final mile was a struggle.  I was afraid to hammer.  I finally picked up the pace when 3-mile mark came in sight.  I had too much left at the end.  I recalled being more of a real man when paceline skating was a semi-weekly ritual.

I missed Timo while yapping with the nurse I failed to chase down.  Timo finished couple minutes behind me.  We missed each other.

Luke's Locker held a Nike Free 3 demo.  Nike lasts still didn't like my wide feet.  It reminded me of Micah True (Caballo Blanco)'s autopsy.  I wondered if I had cardiomyopathy.

It was ChihYang's birthday.  I thought about how his diabetes influenced both of our athletic lives.  I thought about Candy's big race in 3 days.  She was living out my dream.

Weather was great.  The buffet was great.  I had 3 goat cheese soft tacos.

#'s
morning weight: 141 lb.
result: 20:28 @ 6:34 pace.  PR
shoes: Green Silence

Texas Road Rash 04/22/2012

 I didn't skate pace line in 2012. I was anxious to see how the body would handle skating with only cross training.

_friends
Half the Texas Flyers are missing: Mike and Brenda stayed in Waco, Timo and Casey stayed home with their South Asian SO’s, Jerry didn’t make it.

Renee introduced her friend Jeff who had a big camera lens. 

I finally met Christine and car-racing husband. Mike from Wisconsin joined us for pasta dinner.

Tom got off the Myerson gig unexpected early and made it to hotel by 10pm; this was an imrpovement over sleeping couple hours in car before the race.

 Ryan McGee showed up with his Justin Bieber hair cut.

I realized I left my Garmin on top of the car as the pros took off. Sigh....

 _wave start
Without the pros, I got in the lead pack with little effort. My glut started to hurt couple minutes into the race, I waited for the next pack.

Wisconsin Mike accelerated. He seemed unclear 90% of the race was ahead. I shouted some advice but let him go--after meeting Lawrence Pelo, I no longer thought pack speed was always higher than solo.

Full distance chase pack skated half-heartedly. Half marathons lead pack passed us. Half the full-distance jumped pack. I sat at the back behind Renee, having no incentive to push the pace. I felt great. I love this sport.

We swallowed Mike and a few pro skaters before half marathoners' finish.

Steven, Jeff and I took our time. We just had to keep the gap behind us.

1.5 laps to go. Pros lapped us. Steven wanted to skate with the pro. I was skeptical but attached behind Simmons' Alex as pros dilly-dollied anticipating the final surge. I considered the best case scenario: we hanged on the lead pack for couple miles. The big guns would jump to a speed beyond my capability with 1.2 laps to go, legs fried. I let pros go.

3 of us reformed our pack, continuing lacking motivation to go faster. I could sense our chasers approaching. Maybe they'd catch us and force a sprint finish. That'd be fun. We picked up Doug and a few others with half lap to go. Steven pulled for the final section, unconcerned about the finish <= different age groups. 

_pros
Mantia no show.

Bont dominated with Justin Stelly, Harry Vogel, and Briana Kramer.

Rob and Alex made some tactical error and were out sprinted at finish. Ryan Chrisler won mater.

_post race
Eva led me for 5-mile trail run @ 9:09 pace. I ran another 5k chasing rec skaters.

 I was relieved to see a road rash-free Candy. She had 1 more hard week before the big race.

I was shocked with lack of outside edge in the photo (Thanks, Allen). This partly explains my blister issue in Mojos.

_lazy half day
Austin bike shops were less intimidating than RBM and Plano Cycling. I sipped cappuccino and shopped Nixon watches at Mellow Johnny’s. A clerk had a hard time calculating cost of my swapping tri bike frame. It’s tempting to upgrade the tri-bike frame, but it’s hard to give up the overly flexible but pretty Lucero. Sometimes vanity worked toward my financial advantage. Austin tri-Cyclist sold me the sample Zoot Ultra Race < 50% MSRP. It pays to have the standard foot size.

I was impressed and annoyed by Salt Lick's 1-hour wait at 6pm.  Ray, Jenny, and I ate the take out at restaurant's playground picnic table watching Asher playing with older kids. I wished I could derive that much joy out of swinging a twig.

My body let me know which parts were out of shape. The quads never got comfortable after the race. The glutes were on fire during the 3-hr drive north.

Good Friday Long Run 04/06/2012 55 miles, 1q84, sub 7:00 pace

_Goal Jack shared his 100k experience. The running legs lasted 90k--almost done--but walking 10k took a long time. I ran a double marathon in 2011. 100k was a logical next step. If 2012 was anything like previous year, the last 10k would be mostly walking followed by a dinner with insufficient calorie followed by poor sleep. I reviewed 2011 mistakes:  Injury at mile 15.  Insufficient fluid and calorie throughout the day.  Unrealistic first 20-mile pace. Not wanting to make the run a dreaded annual event, I changed my approach when I watched Dara Torres ingesting recovery drink during workouts.  Start after sufficient sleep.  Moving speed slower than 11:00 pace for first 30 miles.  Finish within 24 hrs. Long breaks allowed.  Minimum 52.4 miles.  Last mile no slower than first mile. _7:15am I left the house after the sun came out. I was in no rush. I carried 400 calories of gel and beans. I came back to the house at least every 13 miles. _accident Kicking a concrete block was the highlight of 2011 long run. I thought the toe broke. This year I chose only well maintained streets. At mile 12.76, I stepped into a gutter and rolled the right ankle. I was looking at the GPS and didn't see the curved gutter around the fancy gazebo among the million-dollar townhomes. It reminds me of Candy's injuries. You can't focus on safety every second. The ankle didn't swell. Pain disappeared 72 hours later. _rest stops I stopped by RBM to check out Cervelo P4 and fortunately had no desire to upgrade. I went to Home Depot and haggled over LED light bulbs (yes, prices at clearance table are negotiable). I napped for 2 hour after 3-candybar lunch. I cooked instant noodle with egg at 5:30pm. I visited Pure Newtrition; charming but insufficiently educated Destiny tried to sell me her nutrition knowledge. Other fuels included gels, beans, and Blue Bell ice cream. I experiment with different shoes. Streak and Green Silence functioned as expected. Nimbus felt great at 10:00 pace--no wonder it outsold its efficient competitors. _mileage It was 11pm when I consolidated data from 3 Garmin Forerunner 305's. I still needed 6 miles to reach 100k. Last 8 miles was around 11:00 pace; feet hurt, but rest of the body felt great, cardio was under-taxed. I considered my Saturday schedule and late bedtime's implication on recovery. 100k was just a number. I quit at 55 miles. _1q84 I avoided thinking about my worries for the day: medical news from Asia unfinished lighting project at home ADA-compliant tax forms. This was the first weekend I didn't work or travel since Christmas. I would immerse in Murakami's 3-book novel at regular playing speed. I always found familiar elements in his stories. In _1q84_, the male protagonist was a sham math prodigy who practiced judo. Tengo communicates poorly with his father and move out of parents' house during early teens. He abandoned an academic career. He's a devoted novelist but all his effort only made him a superior technician. He made a living using a trivial skill acquired in school. It was a bit eerie. I fantasized movie version of the novel: Lynch directing Tengo and the teen writer; Tarantino directing assassin Aomame. I missed Robert Altman. _Boston qualifying time I read the details on the standard and realized the bar was raised by 6 minutes, not 5. The extra 60 seconds killed my desire to qualify this year. I considered qualifying on a faster course. The travel overhead made the experience feel artificial. I missed riding 35-mile RBM route with "A" group, which conflicts with optimizing training for December marathon. My half marathon experiences were mostly positive: the training allowed other sports; I always had fun. Goals: • sub 21-min Katy 5k • Yasso 800 x10 at 3:05 pace • half marathon at sub 7:00 pace • road cycling back to 2010 level • enough form for A2A 38-mile