2009 Inline Event and Training Schedule

For those interested, here's my Inline Skating race and training plan for this summer:

Events
The first three are the standard events I have done the last four years. I've committed to a new one and I am very excited - the Northshore, the largest in the country. Also, notice that Hayward this is year 30 miles. Great way to kick things off!!

1. August 8th, 2009 - Hayward Races - 30 miles

2. August 15th - St. Paul Inline Marathon - 26.2 miles

3. August 22nd - St. Micheal Half Marathon - 13.1 miles

4. September 19th - Northshore Inline Marathon - 26.2 miles

Training
Official training on skates starts April 18th. I been doing dryland work since the beginning of the year (i.e. boosting heart rate on elliptical machine, weight lifting, and form/balance exercises.)

Here's a link to my detailed schedule.

Goals
These are preliminary.

1. I want to be down to 190 lbs by the first race in August. I am at 223 right today. Should be no problem with all the activity but I believe firmly that any fat loss on any program/diet comes 80% from nutrition. I definitely will burn enough calories but for me the challenge will be eating right (i.e. NO processed carbs). I want the loss the be fat while maintaining muscle.

2. I want to beat my 1 hour and 40 minute pace on 26.2 miles. Wow would I love to get under 1 hour and 35 minutes. If I can drop weight to 190, I think 1:35 is very realistic. I will crystallized my time goals a few weeks into skate training after my skate muscles return to form.



I am always looking for people who are interested in pushing me a long. For instance, if you like to bike you are welcome to ride along with me. I typically head out early morning between 5:30 and 6:00 am. Leave a comment and let me know.

St. Michael Inline 1/2 Marathon Race Report

My goal was to finish the 13.1 miles in 45 minutes. I am very happy that I finished in 44 minutes and 18 seconds. My mile pace was 3:23 and that is just over 17 mph. This is the fasted I've skated all summer. I am actually quite surprised because at times I felt like I was going very slow during the race.

The weather was excellent. The course was really good...lots of tar snakes but as long as you keep your eyes on the road these can be avoided. I started out with a very fast pack. Just before the first turn around at 3 miles or so I thought my heart was going to explode it was racing so fast. I decided to drop off the group and calm things down a bit. I ended up skating to the next turn around all by myself but that was alright with me as it took me that long to slow my heart rate down.

I found another group to skate with for the last 6 miles. There was a group a head of us and behind us so I decided to see if I could push/pull the group to catch the pack in front of us. A few other skaters responded. This is where things got really fun.

With 4 miles left about eleven of us packed together and we really picked up the speed. Some times the backend of our group would have to split out to the left because we were going too fast for the whole. With 3 miles left I started planning on how I could break out in front and position myself for a sprint to the finish line. With a mile left and the finish line in sight I followed a skater out to the left of our group and said "Let's go" I turned to look behind me and said to the guy right behind me "C'mon let's hammer it to the finish." We broke off and then there were two lines screaming side by side. MAN! That was fun. I said to our group "We're bookin!!" Another guy behind me responded "No Sh#@, this is scary." It was the fastest I've gone on skates all year without the help of a big down hill.

With 100 yards left I decided to push off the group and go for it to the finish line and to try to beat these skaters. One guy came with me and I could feel him breathing down my neck. He literally was spitting for breath. There was 20 feet left to the finish line and I entered dream state - that slow motion running feeling. My facial muscles started to quiver and I knew I hit a wall. I've noticed this is what happens to me when my muscles are maxed, the right side of my face quivers. I just needed to stand up for another five feet and I would make the line. Right at the line the guy passed me. He finished at 44:17 and I was 44:18. The next 9 skaters in our group all finished from 44:19 to 44:27.

I placed middle of the road at 8th out of 16th in my age group. I really don't care because my overall goal was to beat 45 minutes and I did. It was a great event!

Hayward Inline Races Report

Did I really write that I would try to beat my personal best time? Was that me? Yes.

Crossing the finish line yesterday at 1:52 was a stride forward toward humility. My first words to my joyful wife as she greeted me with a huge smile was "That was a (B- word)." Sorry Babe. I wish I would have had a smile too. What was I thinking....beating my personal best at HILLY Hayward? Yeah right!

I've had some time to process things and I don't feel as bad about my time today. I learned the course was actually 27.4 miles, according to some other skater's GPS units. An extra 1.2 miles that added at least 4 minutes to my time. Also, the course was a bit different this year. Last year the main turn around was on a flat stretch but this year it was in the backwoods, as the rest of the course, and that just means more hills. I figure there was an extra 3-4 miles of hills added to the course. I heard the pros even comment at how much more difficult the course seemed this year (who by the way skated close to 41 miles in the 39 miles challenge!) The overall marathon winning time was close to a full 10 minutes longer than last year. So with this perspective I am not as disappointed. Nevertheless I keep learning how to get better. Hayward made me a better skater.

I got dropped again by the initial group around 10 miles. Things were going great until that happened. Like St. Paul I found myself leading more pacelines. It is a lot of work. At the first water point I took the outside on a turn and another skater who had been drafting behind me took the inside and cut in front of me right before the water. I had to stop completely to avoid hitting her. By the time I got going again the group was a good 30 yards in front of me and pulling away. I tried and tried to catch them for at least two miles but I gave up. Earlier I had waited for a guy so I was waiting for him to return the favor. Nope. I skated alone for the rest of the race, another 10 miles or so by myself. I had some choice words for myself.

One highlight was when I won a sprint prem. A prem is a race contest with in the larger race. There was a flat sprint of about 50 yards. They blow an air horn, if you can hear it, you are part of the prem. I was behind four other guys and I decided to go for it. I sprinted hard and passed the first guy right at the finish. It was really fun and I won a set of 90mm wheels!

In spite of it being a slow day it was a great day! My wife was with me. She loved the experience and that made me happy. The weather was perfect and we made some new friends.

Next weekend I skate a 1/2 marathon in St. Michael, Minnesota.

Heading to Hayward For A Very Hilly Inline Marathon

I am leaving today about 3:30 to head up to Hayward, Wisconsin for my second year skating the Hayward Inline Marathon.

Last year I learned about this amazingly beautiful country course filled with big hills everywhere. I am filled with joy that my wife will be coming along for support (my great mother is taking all four of our children overnight...THANK YOU.)

My goal up until yesterday was to finish in 1:45. Yesterday I psyched myself out and changed my goal to 1:39 - I want to beat my personal best of 1:41 set last week at St. Paul. The weather is suppose to be perfect in Hayward and I am going to change a few things based on what I learned about myself last week. I still felt like I was holding back so this week when I feel like that I am going to push it. Also, I am actually a better skater on hills so I plan to use that to my advantage. Last year I didn't know what to expect, this year I will charge every hill.

I am excited as well to see what happens in my race class - which is actually based on weight, it's called Clydesdale and for skaters over 200lbs. I am 216 today. Last week I talked to the organizers and they thought there were only five registrants in Clydesdale. There are awards for the top three. I actually have my best chance to bring home some hardware, unless I skate against 200 lb pros.

St. Paul Inline Marathon Race Report

I've been waiting for this race since I crossed the finish line last year. It is such a great time. The weather came through, there was no rain and the heat stayed low. My only nemisis was the south wind.

I wanted to beat my personal best of 1:47 and I set a goal to finish in 1:40. I finished in 1:41 with an average speed of 15.5 mph. I was really happy with a top ten place in my age group - open men 35-39. Here are the other details of my results.

I started in the first wave of open skaters and the pace was very fast. Everyone was incredibly focused as we all jockeyed for the right pace line. Lines formed almost immediately. Before I knew it we made the first turn back at 5 miles. I found myself leading a few pace lines for a while. I hadn't done this in prior years.

Soon we merged with two other nearby lines between 7 and 10 miles and I was on the tail end of that line. Not sure why we did this but it turned out good for us as the course narrowed quite a bit. We're talking about 25 skaters and I'm guessing but we were probably pacing 18-20 mph as we passed by the first large group of spectators. My Wife and children, Mother and Krist Noser were there with cowbells and hoots and hollers. What a blast! Last year I missed seeing them but this time I positioned my self in order to look at them directly. We flew by fast but it was so great to see them. Thanks for coming out to cheer me on guys!

I was dropped off that large group at about 12 miles. The wind was very stiff and I tried to grab a breather but the group just kept moving. Then as we approached a hill the group sailed off and I was alone. I skated a very torturous windy mile to the next turn around. It feel like I was standing still. But I recovered as I made the turn and the wind was at my back. I was alone until coming back through where my family was watching. This time I tried to reach out and high five my daugher but I pulled back as I realized I'd probably send her flying as we connected. It was refreshing to see them again and this gave me the drive to pick up the pace and catch a group a head of me.

At mile 14 or so I caught a group and we formed a line. Again I found myself leading. But this time our line seemed to work much better together as we started taking turns in the lead. We kept a very steady pace.

Next thing you know I see the mile marker for mile 25. I'd soon be making the left turn up the finish hill.

I finished as strong as I could. I felt like I was sprinting but then again it also felt like running in a dream. But my wife said I looked strong and happy.

What a great race. I pushed it hard but I've spent the day thinking about what my time could have been if I would not have been dropped in the wind. Every time I race I learn something new, try something new, and push a little harder. I believe I still had something left in me and I could have gone harder (especially to make up that 1 minute.) Next Saturday I'll have a chance when I head to Hayward.

When and Where To Watch

The St. Paul Inline Marathon is this Sunday, August 3rd. It runs along Shepard road down by the riverfront in St. Paul with the finish at Mears Park.

If your so inclined to get up early and come and check it out, here are my estimated times where I think I'll be crossing under Wabasha bridge which is a great place to watch all the skaters (and its a straight shot up Sibley to the finish line.):

Race start - 8:05-8:11
1st Pass (10 miles) - 8:40-8:45
2nd Pass (16 miles) - 9:05-9:10
Finish (26.2 miles) - 9:40-9:51

I will be wearing a red sleeveless shirt and my helmet is dark orange and black.

The heat will be on but I don't think it will reach the forecasted 94 degrees until later in the day.

Electro Man Ready To Ride The Lightning

This time next Sunday I will be heading out the door to the St. Paul Inline Marathon. I am ready to go after my goal of finishing in 1:40 or less. Although, I still do not have the skin suit so many of my "loyal" fans have promised me. I have been expecting something like....



Skin suit or not I will ride the lightning.

By the way, I did fall yesterday. After 10 miles at 15 mph I slowed to almost a completed stop at my driveway and raised my left leg to step over the small curb and down I went. No drama, no skidding, no major intense moment, just an embarrassing crumble over a 1 inch step...to keep me humble I suppose.

Profiled

I submitted my "racer" profile to Inline Skate Minneapolis and they posted it today.

Click here: Racing Profile

25.8 Miles this morning and St. Paul Marathon is 29 days away

My training plan told me I was to skate 24 miles this morning. I was up late last night celebrating the 4th with my family and ate one too many hamburgers. This morning when the alarm screamed at 5:00 I was not thrilled with what I planned to do for the next two hours. The pain in my neck that has persisted the last few days was also trying its best to persuade me to just stay in bed. I got up, stretched a ton and headed out.

In 1 hour and 58 minutes I was rolling back down the block toward my house after skating 25.8 miles. I went on my south route which is 18 miles and north which is 8 miles. I kept thinking 18 + 8 = 24 so I was determined to just finish my route. During the last 2 miles I realized my elementary math skills were off. Fine with me.

It was a great skate. Now I move in to tapering down my long distances over the next three weeks and focus on resting and staying flexible. I am also going to eat better by increasing protein and consuming only fruit and veggies.

Inline Training Update

I feel like I am really entering a groove with my inline training now. Below is a chart of the miles I've put on since April 5th and my average pace per minute (sorry, it is not a very good image.) I am hoping to get my pace down closer to a flat 4 minutes per mile by race time.



Goals for 2008

1. Finish St. Paul Inline Marathon on August 3rd in under 1 hour 40 minutes.

2. Finish Hayward Marathon on August 9th in under 1 hour 45 minutes.

3. Finish St. Micheal 1/2 Marathon on August 16th in under 50 minutes.

$2 Skate Fix

It worked. I found a solution to my broken skate problem. I got the idea after analyzing the bolt that fell out of our gliding rocking chair. I'm not that technical so it's hard to describe. It is just some kind of bolt with a cylinder and I slid two large washers on it to hold it in place. I found out this morning that I need some lock tight as one of the bolts loosened back out while I was skating.

Fast Training This Morning
I started interval training this morning. In intervals you skate faster at set times throughout the sessions - for a minute at time. Then rest for a minute, and so on. I actually skated 8 miles in 33 minutes. My pace was 14.06 miles per hour. Up until this session I've been averaging 11 miles per hour. At marathon time in August I want to be an average of 14 or more. Intervals will help me get there.

16 miles and my skate is totally broken now

Good News
I skated 16.33 miles in 1 hour and 22 minutes. It was a tiring skate with a little too much wind. But I am actually really happy with my time. Here is the route:



Bad News
The ankle cuff collar I reported last week now has complety released from the skate - I could feel my ankle go really lose at about 12 miles, I guess that's when it must have happened. I am going to try and fix it myself. I need to find someone with a heavy duty rivet machine.

Broken Skate

I discovered last night while changing the laces on my inline skates that one of the cuff rivets on the right boot is broken. The cuff has released from the boot all together. I am very disappointed because I purchased the skates less than a year ago.

I am researching things but what I know so far is there was only a six month warranty. I have contacted Rollerblade directly for more details and I am waiting for a response. Also, I made contact with a custom shop in Minneapolis to see if they could possible repair the rivet.

I actually think the bolt has been broken for some time now. I've always felt my right ankle seemed a little weak. I'll see how it goes tomorrow on my normally schedule training skate. I am going to have to find a way to skate this whole season on these skates.

14 miles

I set out to skate 12 miles this morning but I felt so great after 10 I decided to extend this session to 14 miles. I finished in 1 hour 13 minutes. Today was by far the best skate I've had since last season. I felt great the whole distance. I left the house this morning at 6:15 and told my wife "I do not want to do this." The hardest part about getting going is loosening up for the first couple miles, and then pushing through the pain in my hips, past seven miles. This morning I was lose the whole way. I finished the last half block toward my house in a full out sprint - that was excellent! My thighs will be sore the next few days, but it's productive pain. Tis this season for perpetual leg soreness anyways.

I also crossed over 100 miles for the season so far.

Upcoming Series - Shaving My Legs

After falling this last Sunday during my long skate of the week, I've decided to take the blade to my leg hair sooner than later. This just means I'll have to keep it up all summer - once, maybe twice a week. We'll see.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune ran an article about this very topic: Ultrafit: Male athletes wax effusive about shaving - their legs. I am by no means "ultrafit" but I do know what it feels like to suffer from major road rash. Here's my favorite quote:

Today Bullard's preferred brand of shaver is one his daughter gave him for Father's Day. The Gillette Venus has five blades and a "ribbon of moisture." It comes in pink and teal, and the company tags a slogan on the packaging: "Reveal the goddess in you."

I am into posting by series on this blog and now that FPU is over...I wonder how a very specialized instructional series would go over? I'll call it How To Shave Your Male Legs.

Inline Skating Goals 2008

Today I am kicking off the official official training of my "personal" inline marathon skating season. I started skating three times a week on April 5th and I already have 55 miles logged. But up to today I have not set official goals.

Goals for 2008

1. Finish St. Paul Inline Marathon on August 3rd in under 1 hour 40 minutes.

2. Finish Hayward Marathon on August 9th in under 1 hour 45 minutes.

3. Finish St. Micheal 1/2 Marathon on August 16th in under 50 minutes.

I wanted to get at least one marathon in sometime in June (either Baxter or Badger State) but I do not have the money nor the time.

Also, I still have yet to skate the largest inline marathon in the country, the NorthShore Inline Marathon. This one is in mid-September and it always falls on the same weekend as the very excellent marriage retreat sponsored by Faith Community Church. My wife and I have attended the retreat for the past 10 years. She has hinted about not going this year because of money and the difficulty of finding childcare for three days. Ya'know how tempting this is? But, I love my wife more, hands down, and I'd be foolish to believe she really doesn't want to go to the retreat. I'd be wise to work hard at finding a way to the retreat instead of the marathon....right?

The Dream

Thinking about these babies will surely invite too much temptation into my life. I could find a pair on my feet with two easy skipped debt snowball payments. Not.

2008 Bont Vaypors. Aren't they precious? Hypothetically...which color would be best on me?

Inline Training Starts Today

I officially declare today to be the first day of my inline training season. I'll be posting goals and my plan soon. Here is the route I took today - 5.2 miles:



P.S. Goodbye for now Burton. Unless I can convince you to get a pair of skates...?? Anyone?

Exciting News From The Inline Skating World

Exciting to me that is!

I'll spare all the reasons why this is really cool, great, awesome, fantastic, world-changing...and I'll spare you more superlatives. (I realize you probably did not read the entire story behind the above link. I am not offended if you did not because you probably only care somewhat about inline skating because you care about me, right?)

Seriously though, the news is world-changing in the inline community. Because it is something new and in the seemingly dormant sport of competitive inline skating, something new, especially if it has the effect of producing more non-pro fitness skaters, means the sport is regaining ground. The future is bright!

I plan to join this race series this year and so far two of the four races I want to compete in are part of the series. I expect the other two to be added soon.

Another item I caught from the linked story is the addition of a new division in the Hayward event. Up till now, participants are placed in divisions based on gender and age. But now, a new division, named Clydesdale, will be a place for "large-men" over 200 lbs. Hilarious! I've always joked about having finished 1st in my weight class in previous races.


My training plans include me getting under 200 this year. I am at 214 right now and I'll most likely drop under 2oo in the new few months. But should I now? Should I stay above 200 just to increase my chances of a top three finish...perhaps even a win? Will I really be a better overall skater at 200 lbs? No matter the questions...a Clydesdale division is creative and still very hilarious. I can't stop picturing a bunch a mammoth horses on inlines cruising in a paceline at 20 mph. Get the heck out of the way and look out ahead!

Thank You!

Inline skating is a minuscule slice of my life but for the last five months I have been pretty focused on it. I achieved my goals but not by myself.

To everyone, family and friends and anonymous donors, who all extended support, gave encouragement, listened to my training stories, read my blogs on inline skating, gave me money to buy skates, asked me how training was going, and so on.

To you all...Thank You!