Ireland
Ocean Camping
Aug 26, 2013
Aug 3, 2013
Seattle 5K Foam Fest - Race Report
The Foam Fest was not on my to-do list this year, but my daughter had already registered and decided to opt out to do a l4 mile training run. Rather that let a good registration go to waste, I transferred the registration to me and committed to trashing an old pair of shoes in a mud pit.
The short report - this event was very casual and quite a bit of fun. A lot of runners and teams had creative costumes, there were more porta-potties than necessary (rare at any event), and they provided medals and decent t-shirts at the finish. I was covered in soapy slimy foam and mud by the end.
Now the longer report - this is not a race. I should write this up as a casual stroll through a state park with giant inflatable rides, a water obstacle and a broken 50 foot slide (more on that in a bit). The start was staggered in waves about every 20 minutes which was nice as it allowed the runners to spread out and there were minimal waits to attack an obstacle. I was a bit surprised that after the 3rd obstacle, half the runners just started to walk to the next obstacle. This thinned the field further, making it very easy to knock down the next obstacle and keep going.
The obstacles included 30 and 50 foot inflatable slip n slides, floating "lilly pads", the requisite electric shock mud crawl, foam room, 5 and 8 foot vertical walls and a cargo net climb. There were a few others, but they were pretty simple. Their flagship obstacle, the 50 foot giant slide of awesome, was not that at all. They had 2 of these giant slides, and they looked pretty cool. One deflated, so my wave was looking at a 1 hour wait in line to go down the one working slide. I opted out - they were cool, but not "let's stand around after being muddy and wet for an hour" cool. They did offer to take $10.00 off next years entry for those who did not want to wait. My answer to that was "You can guarantee both will work next year?" Blank stares were my response. Other than that, the event was well run. The staff were great, they had a lot of volunteers, and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun.
My favorite obstacles were the lilly pad and cargo net. Both were simple, but not as simple as they looked. I was able to jump off the lilly pads into the lake to rinse all the mud and foam from earlier obstacles which was nice. The inflatable slip n slides would follow. All in all, it was a lot of fun, but I won't be back. If I get the bug to do an obstacle event in the future I'll probably find something with fire to jump over.
Here are a few pics and video clip of the lilly pads.
The short report - this event was very casual and quite a bit of fun. A lot of runners and teams had creative costumes, there were more porta-potties than necessary (rare at any event), and they provided medals and decent t-shirts at the finish. I was covered in soapy slimy foam and mud by the end.
Now the longer report - this is not a race. I should write this up as a casual stroll through a state park with giant inflatable rides, a water obstacle and a broken 50 foot slide (more on that in a bit). The start was staggered in waves about every 20 minutes which was nice as it allowed the runners to spread out and there were minimal waits to attack an obstacle. I was a bit surprised that after the 3rd obstacle, half the runners just started to walk to the next obstacle. This thinned the field further, making it very easy to knock down the next obstacle and keep going.
The obstacles included 30 and 50 foot inflatable slip n slides, floating "lilly pads", the requisite electric shock mud crawl, foam room, 5 and 8 foot vertical walls and a cargo net climb. There were a few others, but they were pretty simple. Their flagship obstacle, the 50 foot giant slide of awesome, was not that at all. They had 2 of these giant slides, and they looked pretty cool. One deflated, so my wave was looking at a 1 hour wait in line to go down the one working slide. I opted out - they were cool, but not "let's stand around after being muddy and wet for an hour" cool. They did offer to take $10.00 off next years entry for those who did not want to wait. My answer to that was "You can guarantee both will work next year?" Blank stares were my response. Other than that, the event was well run. The staff were great, they had a lot of volunteers, and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun.
My favorite obstacles were the lilly pad and cargo net. Both were simple, but not as simple as they looked. I was able to jump off the lilly pads into the lake to rinse all the mud and foam from earlier obstacles which was nice. The inflatable slip n slides would follow. All in all, it was a lot of fun, but I won't be back. If I get the bug to do an obstacle event in the future I'll probably find something with fire to jump over.
Here are a few pics and video clip of the lilly pads.
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| Lilly pad, i'm running across the top |
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| Electric Mud Crawl |
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| Lemons above, water below.. or something. |
Post mud crawl. Notice how many went around (clean legs)
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| Done |
Aug 1, 2013
And so it begins. Again.
It's been a while since my last post, which I actually deleted after I decided not to retire the blog. I'm giving it another shot. We have had a pretty exciting year and things are shaping up for this to continue.
I'll be posting my training as I get back into running and CX this fall. I'm hellbent on finishing summer with better fitness than I entered with.
More to come!
Jul 28, 2011
Seafair Tri Race Report
It was a good day for Team 1Fish2FishRedFishBlueFish. The Good Doctor threw down a 11:36 800 swim, I managed a 41:29 (17+ mph) for the 12 mile bike with my aero pig mt bike, and Becky knocked down the 5k in 21:44 (then ran 12 miles home with Kenaia)
We took 4th in the mixed 106+ team category.
Best part of the race for me - I managed to pass one Cervelo while keeping the rest of the flat bars behind me.
I haven't done a tri since IMC and I really haven't missed the sport. After hanging at the start of this race and watching the buzz of the morning I did feel a bit nostalgic about it all. Watching everyone set up in transition, listening to the first timers and offering up some advice (which had to come across a bit odd from a guy on a relay team with a mt bike), then hammering down the road was really a lot of fun. I'm pretty sure I'll be back, but an off road tri will likely be first.
We took 4th in the mixed 106+ team category.
Best part of the race for me - I managed to pass one Cervelo while keeping the rest of the flat bars behind me.
Aero Pig
I haven't done a tri since IMC and I really haven't missed the sport. After hanging at the start of this race and watching the buzz of the morning I did feel a bit nostalgic about it all. Watching everyone set up in transition, listening to the first timers and offering up some advice (which had to come across a bit odd from a guy on a relay team with a mt bike), then hammering down the road was really a lot of fun. I'm pretty sure I'll be back, but an off road tri will likely be first.
Jul 3, 2010
Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon and Mountain to Sound relay
Last weekend was fairly epic; Rock n Roll Marathon on Saturday, Mountain to Sound Relay on Sunday.
The Rock n Roll was an interesting experience for me. I didn't really train for it. I had been running a bit (and did run a half recently) so I had some base, but nothing that qualifies as training. About a month out I figured I better throw in a few long runs, nothing over 15 and nothing near my original plan. It's just a marathon right? Race day comes and we head to the start. Last year it only took 20 minutes to get to the start area to drop a runner so I didn't think to double check the road closures for this year. Same race, right? Bad call.. there were more road closures resulting in a very long line of cars to the start. Result - I was 20 minutes late. I've never been late to a race start. Ever. I was extremely frustrated, and pretty much ready to bag it. Since I don't quit either, I calmed down (I'm sure Becky has another perspective), jumped out of the car and was happy to see that runners in corral 23 were just getting to start. I think there were 36 or so corrals, it's a big race. Finally, 55 minutes after the race started, I was on my way.
I'm not really a marathoner and I'm not a fast runner. I'm usually a multisport athlete and typically too busy thinking about nutrition or hydration or transitions or how my gear is holding up to spend a lot of time chatting with other racers. I'm also never late to race starts. I'm usually early and setting up or warming up, or too busy wondering if there are sharks in the small ice cold lake to chat with other racers. Since I was late, I was not too worried about anything, I just wanted to get going. While walking to start, I met an amazing guy from Nashville who had done a bunch of RnR races, super cool guy and our conversation took my mind off being late. Met another guy from California who was handing out TP he purchased on the way to race in the Port-O lines, too funny and so many people needed it. Met a half marathoner from Tri-Cities who was pondering his first Ironman, saw my IMC hat and struck up a conversation about how amazing Penticton is. I have never seen so many people at a race so excited to chat with everyone, it was crazy.
The first few miles of the race were pretty slow with lots of people on the course. The bands were fun and folks really got into the rock n roll of the race. By mile 6 folks were settling down and getting into their grooves. I was feeling great and knew as I was approaching Seward Park I'd see some Becky and the kids (which I did, big boost!). Shortly after mile 8 the race splits and the marathoners head out I-90. I knew there were a lot more half runners, and after turning off it felt like a much smaller race. The out and back was easy but boring, but I've ridden across the bridge a few hundred times so I knew what to expect. Next up was the drop into town and up onto the viaduct. Mile 13 came and went in about 2:12 (slower than expected, but not surprising) and my legs started to remind me that I hadn't trained. I was expecting this a bit earlier, so I was happy I made it this far without issues. I kept plodding away, kept the fluids and GU's going and mile 16 was suddenly upon me. Saw Becky and the kids again, as well as her bro and his family. Miles 16 - 19 were simply not fun. They were not painful, wasn't tough terrain, no issues with heat etc. They were just work. Every half mile or so I had to walk to keep my heart rate down, I was having a hard time dialing in a pace that I could hold. Finally, as I crossed mile 20 I got my mojo back. I felt like I was flowing from 22 - 24 and once I crossed 24 I knew I was done so I just put cranked em out. At least it felt like I cranked em out, but it was slow. The band at 25 was the best of the day, really helped the last mile go by.
So it's done. The marathon I really didn't need to do, or maybe shouldn't have done. I had a blast, and managed a 4:48. Not too bad considering.
What's the best thing to do the day after a marathon? Another race of course!
I did the kayak leg of the Mountain to Sound Relay. Much like the marathon, I didn't train. Not only did I not train, the last time I kayaked was a couple years ago. A friend asked if I wanted to join the team on short notice, and I said "Sure!". I managed to get in a short paddle on Thursday in my friends kayak and called it good. I was at least familiar with the boat, and I felt like I could at least finish. Sunday morning comes, my legs are dead, I get to the transition area early :-) and I'm ready to go. The biker comes in and hands off to me, and I launch. Immediately, my hamstrings are yelling. Shut up I say and I paddle on... for 3 hours... 12 miles down the Sammamish Slough.. in a sit on top Ocean Kayak.. with lots of food and water. Good times. I was slower than most and faster than a few. When I finished my arms were rubber and my hands blistered, but our team had a blast and that was all that mattered. I managed to catch Becky and the kids a few times too, and that was unexpected. Each time I saw them I was pumped up for a few miles. Now I'm thinking MTS would be a worthy Iron challenge.. maybe next year.
The Rock n Roll was an interesting experience for me. I didn't really train for it. I had been running a bit (and did run a half recently) so I had some base, but nothing that qualifies as training. About a month out I figured I better throw in a few long runs, nothing over 15 and nothing near my original plan. It's just a marathon right? Race day comes and we head to the start. Last year it only took 20 minutes to get to the start area to drop a runner so I didn't think to double check the road closures for this year. Same race, right? Bad call.. there were more road closures resulting in a very long line of cars to the start. Result - I was 20 minutes late. I've never been late to a race start. Ever. I was extremely frustrated, and pretty much ready to bag it. Since I don't quit either, I calmed down (I'm sure Becky has another perspective), jumped out of the car and was happy to see that runners in corral 23 were just getting to start. I think there were 36 or so corrals, it's a big race. Finally, 55 minutes after the race started, I was on my way.
I'm not really a marathoner and I'm not a fast runner. I'm usually a multisport athlete and typically too busy thinking about nutrition or hydration or transitions or how my gear is holding up to spend a lot of time chatting with other racers. I'm also never late to race starts. I'm usually early and setting up or warming up, or too busy wondering if there are sharks in the small ice cold lake to chat with other racers. Since I was late, I was not too worried about anything, I just wanted to get going. While walking to start, I met an amazing guy from Nashville who had done a bunch of RnR races, super cool guy and our conversation took my mind off being late. Met another guy from California who was handing out TP he purchased on the way to race in the Port-O lines, too funny and so many people needed it. Met a half marathoner from Tri-Cities who was pondering his first Ironman, saw my IMC hat and struck up a conversation about how amazing Penticton is. I have never seen so many people at a race so excited to chat with everyone, it was crazy.
The first few miles of the race were pretty slow with lots of people on the course. The bands were fun and folks really got into the rock n roll of the race. By mile 6 folks were settling down and getting into their grooves. I was feeling great and knew as I was approaching Seward Park I'd see some Becky and the kids (which I did, big boost!). Shortly after mile 8 the race splits and the marathoners head out I-90. I knew there were a lot more half runners, and after turning off it felt like a much smaller race. The out and back was easy but boring, but I've ridden across the bridge a few hundred times so I knew what to expect. Next up was the drop into town and up onto the viaduct. Mile 13 came and went in about 2:12 (slower than expected, but not surprising) and my legs started to remind me that I hadn't trained. I was expecting this a bit earlier, so I was happy I made it this far without issues. I kept plodding away, kept the fluids and GU's going and mile 16 was suddenly upon me. Saw Becky and the kids again, as well as her bro and his family. Miles 16 - 19 were simply not fun. They were not painful, wasn't tough terrain, no issues with heat etc. They were just work. Every half mile or so I had to walk to keep my heart rate down, I was having a hard time dialing in a pace that I could hold. Finally, as I crossed mile 20 I got my mojo back. I felt like I was flowing from 22 - 24 and once I crossed 24 I knew I was done so I just put cranked em out. At least it felt like I cranked em out, but it was slow. The band at 25 was the best of the day, really helped the last mile go by.
So it's done. The marathon I really didn't need to do, or maybe shouldn't have done. I had a blast, and managed a 4:48. Not too bad considering.
What's the best thing to do the day after a marathon? Another race of course!
I did the kayak leg of the Mountain to Sound Relay. Much like the marathon, I didn't train. Not only did I not train, the last time I kayaked was a couple years ago. A friend asked if I wanted to join the team on short notice, and I said "Sure!". I managed to get in a short paddle on Thursday in my friends kayak and called it good. I was at least familiar with the boat, and I felt like I could at least finish. Sunday morning comes, my legs are dead, I get to the transition area early :-) and I'm ready to go. The biker comes in and hands off to me, and I launch. Immediately, my hamstrings are yelling. Shut up I say and I paddle on... for 3 hours... 12 miles down the Sammamish Slough.. in a sit on top Ocean Kayak.. with lots of food and water. Good times. I was slower than most and faster than a few. When I finished my arms were rubber and my hands blistered, but our team had a blast and that was all that mattered. I managed to catch Becky and the kids a few times too, and that was unexpected. Each time I saw them I was pumped up for a few miles. Now I'm thinking MTS would be a worthy Iron challenge.. maybe next year.
Jun 10, 2010
Summer is finally here
Memorial Day is usually a kickoff to summer for us and this year was no different. We went to Spokane to support friends riding solo in the Round and Round 24 hour mountain bike race. The last couple years I've done this race on a team with them, it was really fun to support them as they took it on solo (one on a single speed).
We took the Apache with us to the race for the first camp of the summer. After figuring out what we forgot in Spokane we loaded up and hit the road the following weekend. We went to Newport, OR and played on the beach a ton. Beck also ran the Newport Marathon where she ran a great race (3:46) after having a rough start with her training.
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| Single Speed! |
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| Lap 1 |
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| Unicycle! |
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| JJ"s first race |
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| Mace tearing it up |
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We took the Apache with us to the race for the first camp of the summer. After figuring out what we forgot in Spokane we loaded up and hit the road the following weekend. We went to Newport, OR and played on the beach a ton. Beck also ran the Newport Marathon where she ran a great race (3:46) after having a rough start with her training.
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| Post race goofing around |
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| Cocoa makes the rain easier to deal with |
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| go beck go! |
Mar 28, 2010
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