2009 Race Schedule

Since it seems to be the thing to do this week, I thought I'd update my previous post regarding my upcoming race season.

• Myrtle Beach Half Marathon - February 14, 2009: Not really a "race" for me... More like, I entered the full prior to eating pavement, and was only able to reduce down to the half. I'm going down to have a good time, and support my teammates racing in the Mary. Goals: 2:45? No real goals here.. I've run twice since November. Ooo- Goal - don't get injured.
  

• Backyard Burn Series - March 8, 2009: I'll probably register for the 5 miler, just for a fun trail run... It should give me a good idea how my run has progressed since, well, no running? Goals: average a faster pace than I did at the MB Half. Should NOT be hard to do..
  

• Scope It Out 5K - March 29, 2009: Our team volunteers as "polyps" (the race is to raise colon cancer awareness). Goals: Given that the IM'ers will most likely have a 10 mile run prior to the race, I'm shooting for a sub 28. Goal 2 - get a picture in the giant inflatable colon. :)

• Cherry Blossom 10 Miler - April 5, 2009: Only if I can get a transfer bib number. Goals: Break 1:30.
  
• Backyard Burn Series 10 Miler - April 4, 2009: If I can't get a bib transfer, I'll do this local trail run instead.
  

• Rumpass in the Bumpass - April 18, 2009: Olympic distance triathlon down at Lake Anna. Serves as a good triathlon kick off, and will get me ready to race Kinetic Half in a month. Goals: A race for the 3's - Top 3 in age group, at or below 3 hours, or top 33% of age group.
  

• Colonial Zones 1 Mile Swim - April 24, 2009: Just a 1 mile time trial. It's held at the George Mason aquatics center... a nice 50m pool. Goals: Hardware. Shouldn't be to hard to obtain at this one.
  

• Kinetic Half Iron – May 9, 2009: My very first Half Iron triathlon. I haven't decided whether I will go all out on this one, or save my absolute peak for Mooseman. Both races are qualifies for the HalfMax National Championships. I'm leaning on this to be my A+ (yes, I'm making up a system as I go..) half race over Moosey, which will be an A- race. I suppose some of my deciding factors include how I feel race day, and what my field is like. Being in the 20-24 AG, there aren't too many entrants. Goals: A goal: Top 3 in age group, qualify for HalfMax. B goal: Sub 6:15 C goal: survive.
  

• Kinetic Sprint Tri – May 10, 2009: I wanted to do a back to back weekend last year, but had a pretty shady season due to injury. Goals: Actually wake up and attend the event. Not out to race or place, just to complete.
  

• Mooseman Half Iron – June 7, 2009: This will be my final prep before Ironman Lake Placid. Set in Bristol, NH, the bike and run routes supposedly are a great mix to finalize all IMLP nutrition plans. As mentioned above, this is also a qualifier for the HalfMax National Championship. Goals: Shave some amount of time off the Kinetic Half final time. Nail nutrition, and feel ready for Placid.
  

• Tour De Cure - June 14, 2009: I'm riding the metric century with a co-worker and his fiance. Nothing exciting here, no goals, other than the joy of raising funds (aww).
  

• =PRR= Twilight 4-miler - June 27, 2009: Again, a race with no real goals. Just out to support a local run shop.
  

• Ironman USA – July 26, 2009: This will be my very first Ironman. Looking forward to the challenge Placid will be. Also, hoping for no rain, unlike last year's torrential downpours. Goals: A Goal: finish around 11:45, hopefully qualifying for Kona. B Goal: Finish while its still light out. C Goal: Survive.
  

• Nation’s Triathlon – September 13, 2009: 80% sure I will register for this one prior to Feb 13th (price increases again!). The first year I did this race was my first Oly race. I didn't end up training, and thought I could just poof, go out and do it. around 4 hours later, I realized you really DO need to train more than riding your bike twice in 4 months, and run more than 3 times. Second year, I became a victim of the Potomac Plague. I have never had such an awful race. Despite better training, I still finished around the 4 hour mark. For an olympic distance. TERRIBLE.FAIL. The course has been redesigned again this year, and I think they finally got things right. Goals: Kick this course in the ass, as it has done to me the prior two years.
  

No real plans are set in stone after Placid. For all I know, I may never want to compete in the sport again after Ironman. Or, I may qualify for something. TBD races include:

• The TBD Races, in order of importance:
  
  • Kona – Ironman World Championships – October 10th, 2009: As Ray stated - Simple enough – either I qualify…or I don’t.
  • HalfMax 2009 National Championships - September 19, 2009: Again, straight forward. Race in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  
  
• If I fail to qualify for either of the above, I'm undecided between:
  

  • Savageman - September 19, 2009: Not sure, either Oly or relay the half. Or, if I'm super adventurous, race the half. Goals: 1) not wreck like it seemed half our team did during training rides. 2) If I race the half... take a shot of liquor at the top of Miller Hill. 3) If I relay again...drink up on Miller Hill with Es again.
    
  • Ironman 70.3 Augusta, GA - September 27, 2009: Might as well do a race my birthday weekend... right? This race is new to the IM circuit, though it looks flat and fast. Goals: attempt to qualify for Clearwater?
  • ChesapeakeMan Aquavelo - September 26, 2009: Again, a race on my B'day. Might be interesting to see my times for the AquaVelo.
  • Bassman Triathlon - October 4, 2009: Options include a half or a sprint. Team Z is racing.. final tuneup for our Ironman Florida peeps. Goals: Finish the season with a podium finish?
    
  • End of the season marathon? Akron Roadrunner Marathon (hometown.. though this year they are ALLOWING headphones? sounds like there's going to be no one to talk to...), Marine Corps Marathon, The Richmond Marathon, Goals: improve my marathon time from IMLP.
    

I also have to fit in some time to lay out by the pool to erase the inevitable tan lines that are going to come with biking so much... My sister's wedding is August 15th, and a close friend's wedding is at the end of October. Ha, maybe I'll ride in a strapless top.


Wow. I just realized how much I'm trying to pack in this year. Cheers to being young, recovering quickly, and ::knock on wood:: injury free.