Hachie 50; 2024-04-20

This was to be the 2nd of my 3 "B" 2024 races.

The course was 5x 10-mile laps. I got a great parking space per race director Paul Box' heuristics the night befroe.

Weather at the start was far nicer than forecasted. Barely wet.

I got hailed on before lap 1 ended; race was "paused." I was 5th. Tesla SUV provided a warn and cozy space during the pause.

3 guys picked up the pace for lap 2 after race resumed--seeming to know the day would end early. I was 8th at mile 20.

I got pulled off the course near mile 23—-race canceled. Alex Barrientos invited me to reach marathon distance. Legs had no problem getting to my marathon pace. Very fun.

Everyone gets a DNF, but the computer seemingly randomly rank me 2nd. Almost like last-man-standing.

#'s
26.42 mi
4:03:40
9:13/mile
200w (Stry foot pod)

Stryd algorithm wasn't impressed. It lowered my critical power: 262w -> 253w. haha. I thought I could've safely finished 50 miles 'til I saw this photo.

I posted on Facebook:
Despite the unexpected weather ending the race early, the experience was run. The hail was intimidating, but my hair provided just enough cushion! Chasing Alex Barrientos added a fun and competitive spirit to the event.
I was really inspired by the energy and goodwill of all the volunteers who braved the conditions to cheer us on. Shoutout to Paul and his team for their exceptional handling of the situation. Their thoughtful decision-making and concern for participants under such challenging circumstances were admirable.

Grasslands Marathon; 2024-3-16

This is my annual long training run before Hachie 50. Moving pace of 10:00 translates to sub-4.5 hr finish on the 25.5-mile course. John Lai warned me 2024 course was lengthened. Weather forecast: 50% chance of rain by noon.

The course was prettier this year with the unusal warmth and rain in Feburary. Body functioned according to plan. After the 11-mile White loop, I left the singlet near start and became the least dressed marathon runner. Acceptable risk: I would be unable to hold the body temperature if I walked or stopped, but I felt confident on this cloudy day. I didn't need the sweat to increase my hydration needs.

The sun came out by mile 20. Ultraviolet felt good on the skin. The world felt right. I wondered how Yama did at Andy's. I was thankful the planet aligned for me to enjoy that very moment.

Brian McKenny volunteered at the final water stop. I congratulated him on Western State. 28:18 was more than respectable--just getting in was impressive.

Thunder started at mile 23. I figured I was just fast enough to avoid mud; I was wrong. Footing got harder. Each minute I made 100's tiny decisions between mud and water with unknown depth. I was soaked and elated--finally got to experience a proper wet Grasslands.

The course was 1k longer than 2023. I managed to stay upright the entire way.

Official time: 4:33:05

GPS 26.23 mi @10:25; 180w

_legs of an ultra runner

3M Downhill to Downtown; Austin

2023 result: 244w avg, 6:52/Mi, 1:30:29. 2024 result: 255w avg, 6:58/Mi, 1:31:22. upgraded Stryd foot pod with metal clip 2024 pacing strategy was based on Stryd wattage and perceived discomfort—as opposed to mile split. I chatted with the 90-minute pacers who admitted going too fast during first 9 miles in 2023. Plan: 250~255w first 10k. Expect pace = high 6’s. Adjust wattage as necessary. Ignore GPS pace. Things felt good ‘til 10k. Glutes experienced sharp pain—low enough intensity to ignore. left hamstring felt stiff. Took more effort to hold 250w. My pace dropped, I hanged on to 250w, believing I was on track for sub 90-min. I felt I executed the race well until I saw the result--aimed to improve on last year's result by 30s but ended up 53s slower. condition was good but slower than 2023 tailwind. Total Pace 6:58/M 5k Rank 247 21:03 6:46/M 10k Rank 263 42:28 6:50/M 15k Rank 277 1:04:32 6:55/M Finish Rank 290 1:31:21 6:58/M disappointed but feel blessed about sub-7-min-mile. Maybe look for an even faster course like Mount Charleston.

Dallas Marathon 50k; 2023-12-10

Given the dismal showing 5 weeks prior, I made this event a long training run. Goal: stay around 9:00 pace. chip time: 4:34:52 GPS: 31.24 mi@8:48; 210w; 4:34:57

DRC Half 2023-11-5

Prep race for Dallas in 5 weeks. Still unrecovered from Paris 100k hamstrings felt like lead. took focus to catch and stay with James Allen's 100-min pace group. 5 min slower than previous year. Disappointed. chip: 13.1 mi@7:37; 1:39:49 GPS: 13.14 mi@7:36; 138w; 1:39:50

Paris Pair 100k 2023-09-23 ; drama

100k in 10:54:30

chip pace = 10:32

Stryd: 58.08 mi@11:16; 164w

=> actual dist 94k

above was the fact when I received 3rd place award.

Few days later, the director informed me the 2nd place Popcorn and I made the same wrong turn that lead to skipping 6k. We were graciously invited back for 2024.

Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon; BQ 2023-07-30

3:23:39 chip: 26.2 mi@7:46. BQ by 11.4 min GPS: 25.97 mi@7:51; 226w The race didn't go as hoped. PR was realistic on this fast course even with incomplete preparation. I missed PR by 16 sec. I started 1 hr after the gun <= the event bus driver missed the exit to race start. Had to pass many runners. A nice surprise to see Harsha and Simon pacing Seattle trip was good. Biff is fighting battle multiple fronts: housing, work, endocrino, family, fitness. I hope he stays above water. the weather was a nice break from Texas heat.