Take what the day gives you

My Chicago Marathon results and report.

Sigh.  I've waited to do this to see how I was ultimately going to feel about it. Put a little distance between me and the marathon to gain perspective.  I won't leave you in suspense.  I finished.  That's what I can say.  I did not come close to making my goal, and it wasn't pretty, but I finished. I walked away from the finish line with two thoughts, and both of those are still intact 17 days later.  1.  I'm glad I did it, and b. I'm glad I never have to do it again.

Here are the numbers: 40,230 runners from all 50 states and 120 countries, 1 million spectators, 29 neighborhoods.  My time: 5 hours and 18 minutes.

Obviously way off my stated goal of 4:37. When I finished, I was not happy.  I was tired, sore, and generally disappointed with my performance. If you're interested, here's the story...

Once in Chicago, me and my Team in Training teammates headed to McCormick Place for packet pick up and the race expo.  Everything went smooth there and after getting my race bib and shirt and checking out the largest race expo I've ever attended, we headed back to the hotel. Rest and relaxation was on the schedule for a while until meeting up with my other teammates on "Team Jenny" and heading out to Tim and Caroline Carey's place close to Wrigley Field. I cannot say enough about these guys.  Even though this was the first time I had actually met them, I felt like I knew them from facebook, the 100 day burpee challenge group, and from their friendship with Jenny.  They were kind enough to host us with pizza, pasta and an amazing rooftop view.  It was an excellent way to spend the evening before the marathon.  Thanks so much guys!  If you'd like, feel free to follow them on their blog "Keep Calm and Carey On" here: http://www.thetimmyboytimes.com/

Race morning we all met in the lobby. First with my TNT teammates:

Team in Training Wisconsin

Then with my Team Jenny teammates:

Team Jenny

We started moving over to the start area, passing through security, and over to the corrals where over 40,000 are nervously waiting.  We passed by an area of dried red paint on the sidewalk and someone mentioned it looked like a crime scene.  The following photo op ensued:

Marathons are NOT for everyone!

Now that the humor was out of the way, it was time to get down to business.  The race starts and at first it's tough to navigate with all the people, but the spectators are amazing. First few miles go by and I'm averaging about 9:20 miles based on the watch of a teammate I'm running with.  Faster than I was thinking, but not crazy.  So far so good.  I pull off the course just after mile three to use the facilities and from then on, I'm on my own.  We head north towards Wrigleyville and in what is probably one of the coolest moments of the race for me, we pass a nursing/retirement home.  I look up in the windows and see so many older people at the windows looking down, waving, and cheering us on.   A lot of waves back, and I'm feeling good.

We make the turn back south, and the crowds are still amazing, and it's still fun.  At just past mile 8 I start to feel a pain on the outside of my left knee.  Not bad, but noticeable.  And it's a pain I have never felt before.  I stop about mile 9 to use the port-a-potty again, and when I'm done, I feel no pain.  I'm thinking "Great! A little resting it now and then and I'm golden!"  At this point, I have no clue what my pace is because I don't have a watch, but quick calculations at mile markers put me around 10 minute miles, give or take.

Make it back into downtown, and cross the river yet again, and pass the 13.1 mark.  Halfway done.  Starting to feel the knee pain again, but managing it with walking breaks. I didn't know it at the time, but this was the beginning of the end of my good day and fun. In my opinion, the second half of the course it not as scenic or fun as the first half.  The course heads west, then to Chicago's south side.  It has its moments.  The  Hispanic flavor of the Pilsen neighborhood with mariachi bands and sombreros is pretty awesome, and Chinatown is pretty cool too.  Other than that, it's not enjoyable, and it becomes more industrial and paralleling a freeway until you get to U.S. Cellular Field where the White Sox play.

At this point, I'm hurting.  Walk breaks have become more and more frequent, and the knee pain, which I have figured out is my IT band, makes it painful to run much at all.  I'm thinking that for my marathon aspirations, doing the Go Ruck Challenge two weeks before the marathon may not have been the best scheduling plan, but hey... "It could always be worse!"

So, I make the turn at the ball park and head over the freeway.  I can see downtown and have an idea how far I still have to go.   I'm prepared to start heading towards the tall buildings, but...NO! Over the freeway we turn right and continue heading away from downtown and the finish line. It's only for a couple of blocks, but mentally, it's a killer.  I'm just past mile 23, and all I want to do is finish.  I don't remember ever feeling this bad before.  I'm physically in pain, my goal is all shot to hell, and all I can do is keep moving forward. I pass the mile 25 sign, then the one mile to go sign.  I get down to 800 meters then 400 meters.  I start to realize that it's really almost over.  I'm actually going to finish and be a marathoner.  Only a right turn and left turn still to go.  After the right turn is the only significant elevation gain on the course (how cruel is that?), then a quick left turn and I can see the finish line.  I cross in 5:18.  41 minutes after my goal time. I find one of the medical personnel and make sure they know what I'm about to do is on purpose (I learned this lesson at Escape from Alcatraz) and I dropped to do my burpee. I get my medal, and actually have to hurry back to the hotel to change and get a cab, because I have tickets to see Arlo Guthrie at the Old Town School of Folk Music and because of my (self believed) sub par performance, I have to hurry.

I'm pretty sure I was the only one at the Arlo Guthrie show with a Chicago Marathon Medal, and the show was amazing.  If you ever get the chance to see him, don't pass it up!  He's an outstanding musician and amazing storyteller!

Arlo Guthrie singing "Alabama Bound"

For the rest of the day and part of the following day I am upset, disappointed, and overall just not happy with the way the marathon went.  I mentor and coach endurance athletes, and they often ask for my advice on race day.  This is what I always tell them. "Train well, mentally prepare, and do everything possible to set yourself up for success.  But remember, things happen. No matter what, have fun and take what the day gives you."  Funny how it's so hard to follow your own advice, isn't it? I mean, I just finished the Chicago Marathon.  One of the six major marathons in the world.  A distance most people will never attempt or have no desire to.  I'm healthy, fit, and have a Chicago Marathon Medal and will always be a marathoner, and I'm depressed because I failed to cross the finish line before some arbitrary self imposed time?  I did the best I could on that day.  I had fun (mostly), and can cross it off my list.  I have no right to be upset.  And as if I needed confirmation, I see this story, of a man with muscular dystrophy that took 17 hours to finish the same Chicago Marathon I did. http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/maickel-melamed-chicago-marathon-227642901.html And I'm unhappy with 5:18?  Kinda puts things in perspective.

Here's what it all comes down to: I had a great year filled with amazing events like Escape from Alcatraz, America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride, Ragnar, GORUCK Challenge, Superior Man Triathlon and the Chicago Marathon. Finishing any one of those events would be a successful year, and I did them all.  I'm really pretty lucky.

Before the Chicago Marathon, I though this link was humorous.  After?  It's downright HILARIOUS!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/video/kevinmcshane/the-8-stages-of-running-a-marathon

Final thoughts on the Chicago Marathon. A.  I'm really glad I did it! and 2.  I'm really glad I never have to do it again!  Will I want to? That may be a different story one day.  But not today.

Is fear my friend?

It's race week again and time for the dreaded taper.  I wrote a post earlier this year before Escape from Alcatraz that I titled "Let Go or Be Dragged".  Feel free to go back and read it here:  http://motivationninja.blogspot.com/2013_02_01_archive.html  A lot of the same feelings are creeping in now.  The Chicago Marathon is Sunday and I had my last run last night. I have to be honest people, I am really sweating this race.  I am worried and I am scared.  This will be my first marathon (yeah, yeah, I know..but I'm telling you Ironman does NOT count!).

My longest run is 18 miles, and my long runs in general have been painful.  For those of you that are facebook friends or follow me on twitter (@MotivationNinja feel free to follow me) you remember after 16 miles I said "Marathons are stupid. That is all." That run hurt, and I was completely prepared to say "screw it" right then.  And I have to run 10.2 more than that. I'm not sure I'm prepared, I'm not sure I can actually run 26.2 miles all at once and I'm unable to let go.  This week I am being dragged.

I added to my own stress by imposing a time goal to meet.  I shouldn't have done it, and it's not smart, especially for my first marathon, but somehow I couldn't help it.  Now I'm sure everyone wants to know what that time goal is.  So, why not add even more pressure and put it out there for anyone who doesn't already know.  4:36:59.  Yeah, it seems like an odd number.  I read somewhere recently that the average US marathon time last year was 4 hours and 37 minutes.. That's an average pace of 10:34 per mile.  I know that on my 18 mile run, I averaged a 10:06 mile pace, so I figured, "Hey...that's doable!  I just want to be better than average!" Why?  I have no idea.  It makes no difference at the end of the day, and I'll get the same medal no matter when I finish.  I'm nowhere near fast enough to worry about placing in my age group, especially in what was the largest marathon in the world last year! But, that's what my mind does to me. So now, I get to sit here not only worried about finishing, but finishing in a certain time.

The one "redeeming" factor for this marathon is why I chose to do it.  Many of you know that we lost a friend and training partner in January when she was murdered by her soon to be ex-husband.  Some of us have dedicated out entire race season to Jenny by wearing pink compression socks at every race.  And several of us decided to run the Chicago Marathon this year for her.  She ran it last year and it was her last race. We even had shirts made.  Her nickname was "Peanut" and her favorite color was orange, so...

Anyway, wish me luck. If for any reason you want to follow this train wreck, here's a link that should help. https://register.athletetracking.net/bacm/index.html  My bib number is 49440.  You can choose to get updates to your phone, facebook, or twitter.  Go ahead, buy into the fear with me. It's gonna be great.

Gulp.

Go Ruck Challenge - Winning Hearts and Minds

This past weekend, I completed my first GoRuck Challenge. If you don't know what that is, I'll try and sum it up for you.  Take a backpack (aka Ruck), add six bricks to it.  Show up at a predetermined location at 1 am.  Take about 25 other people that you've never met before, throw in one or two combat experienced military Special Forces operators (your Cadre), and prepare for the unknown for the next 8-10 hours and 15-20 miles (that's a minimum.  Under promise, over deliver.)

In this case, the city was St, Louis, MO.  The start point was the Art Museum at Forest Park.  The Cadre were Cadre Bert and Cadre Brad.  The details, well, we'll leave those out.  Every challenge is different, and to understand it, you need to experience it.  I'll tell you we bear crawled, flutter kicked, duck walked, did push ups,  carried logs, chairs, each other, and more weight than you even want to think about. We got hot, wet, tired, and sore.  We went 17-19 miles over 12 hours.  But we started with 25 people and we ended with 25 people.  We started as individuals and finished as a team.

It was definitely one of the hardest things I've ever done.  It was also one of the most satisfying.  If you've ever wanted to know what it is like to put your trust and faith into other people, this is for you.  If you've ever wanted to know what a true sense of camaraderie is, this is for you.  If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to depend on other people, and have those people depend on you to be successful, this is for you.

It was an honor and a privilege to spend a few hours with the other members of Class 792 and Cadre Bert and Brad.  There were lessons taught that I will take with me throughout my life, and try to pass them on to the people I train and coach with Team in Training.  Some of those lessons include:

"It could always be worse". Your feet are sore, and you have blisters? At least you have shoes. You're doing more push ups, bear crawls and flutter kicks than you ever thought possible? At least its not raining or snowing. You're carrying your ruck, someone else's ruck because they're injured, you have the team weight and it hurts to move, but you still have miles to go? At least you're not getting shot at. It can always be worse.

"Winning the hearts and minds of others." That's our job.  As Cadre Bert explained, Special Forces are nothing more than the Peace Corps with guns.  Their mission is not to kill people.  It's to win hearts and minds.  That's what we should all aspire to in our daily lives.  Not win by brute force, but by winning over hearts and minds.  At one point during the challenge, we noticed a person down in a grocery store parking lot.  Cadre Bert went to them, stayed with them until paramedics arrived, and left the class to go to the hospital with this elderly person who lived alone and had a birthday the next day.  I promise you, Cadre Bert won over hearts and minds.  As we're walking through the streets, carrying a teammate in a discarded chair that Cadre Brad decided was necessary to complete our mission, being led by an American Flag and we see a man get out of his car and stand with his hat over his heart as we pass by, that's winning hearts and minds.

"Embrace the Suck." Things aren't always easy.  There are times when you have to dig deep and go to a dark place to finish what you started.  Vince Lombardi said it this way,  “The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory. That's the essence of it.”  Let me tell you, we got knocked to our knees.  But finishing in the face of challenge and adversity.  Finishing as a team.  That was the real glory.

"If you ever think, 'this isn't so bad', you're doing something wrong. Because I promise you one of your teammates is having the hardest time of their life.  You should be taking on more to help them."  Cadre Bert said this early on.  It's not about doing your "fair share".  It's about doing whatever is necessary to complete the mission.  Stronger people take on more weight.  That's life.  Deal with it.  To quote my Captain with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, Bruce Lee, "Life isn't fair.  A fair's where you go to eat cotton candy and ride the tilt-a whirl." Work to your abilities, whatever they may be.  The important thing is completing the mission.

People have asked "Was the GoRuck Challenge fun?" My answer "Hell no!" Something like this can never be described as fun.  It is however one of the most satisfying experiences of my life, and well worth it.  I'm proud to be GoRuck Tough.  

I'll finish with something Cadre Bert said at the start. "Marathons, lifting weights, triathlons, those all make people better.  We're here to make better people."  Thank You Cadre.  I get it.

Get Busy Living

"I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really.  Get busy living, or get busy dying." - Andy Dufresne,  The Shawshank Redemption

OK people.  It's been a while since this has been updated.  It has been a crazy summer and it is time to start updating.  On one hand, I feel bad that it has been so long since I've added a new post, but on the other hand it's has been because I've been so busy living life!  I will try and add new posts on a regular basis now, but I have to tell you that since my last post, I feel like a different person. 

Since you've last read an update, I have traveled to Europe for the first time in my life (amazing and life changing), attended Bhakti Fest Midwest (awesome experience), spent some serious quality time with my sons, Grant and Ben (they are growing up way too fast, and becoming incredible young men), raced the half iron distance Superior Man Triathlon with some great friends (top ten in my age group and new PR by 26 minutes!), met my fundraising goal for the Chicago Marathon with Team in Training (now I can focus on the running and the Marathon on October 13), found out I was selected as a Ragnar Ambassador for Madison to Chicago next year (see previous blog for Ragnar Report), got the chance to go to Atlanta for the Alabama vs. Virginia Tech Game (Roll Tide Roll!), finished the Burpee Challenge for the third time (and starting a new one next Monday ending New Year's Eve...who's in??), and am really starting to get pumped (and nervous) for the Go Ruck Challenge in St. Louis!

It hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows.  I've struggled with some personal issues, wondering if some of the life decisions I've made have been the right ones, missed my boys so bad it hurt when they went back home, lost one of my favorite personal trainers and motivators when she moved to Austi , tried to help others with their own struggles, and had many days when I just felt down, sad, tired, or all of the above.  

Each one of these probably deserves it's own blog post, and I'm sure as the days and weeks go by I'll share my thoughts and feelings on all of them, for those who care to know.  But one must never get caught up in living through others, and spending to much time comparing your life to the life of people you know or hear about.  Live your own life, get out and make your own memories.  Become the person you want to be. 

Get busy living, or get busy dying. 

Some days I need a sign...

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Last night I attended a Team in Training event.  It was a combination celebration for all the athletes that completed events this past season, and a kick off for all new athletes starting their training for the current season.  I was in the unique position of fitting in both groups in different ways.  I was celebrating finishing my first season as a Team in Training cycling coach, having coached some amazing athletes to finishes at America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe, and I was also kicking off my training as a participant this season preparing to run the Chicago Marathon in October.

As part of the program, everyone gave a little information into their background and whether or not this was their first time with TnT, or their first endurance event.  For the great majority of people, it was not their first event.  Many people had multiple endurance finishes, and/or multiple TnT experiences. This led the Campaign Manager, Naomi, to remark how most of us are overachievers. This simple remark started a chain of thoughts through my head.  I began to wonder why we are like this?  I know I can be.  If a little is good, a lot is better. If I can run a 5K, why not a 10K? A half ironman? Why not Ironman Wisconsin? And on, and on.

I wondered why do I need more?  Why can't I be happy with what I have accomplished, rather than always wanting more? Every major world religion, and most of the minor ones, have strong beliefs about the importance of gratitude. The belief that the way to have an abundance of good things is to be grateful for what you have.  This can be a difficult concept in today's society.  Trying to keep up with people we know, wanting the newest and best technology, more money, a better relationship, all the things that we see in others.  It's easy to get caught up in that game.  But no matter what, that's a game we can't win.  Because even when we get what we think we want, there is always something bigger or better. So, what is the answer?  I think for me, the answer is understanding that if I'm grateful for what I have instead of envious of what I don't have, my life will be happier and more fulfilling.

This is a concept that is much easier to say than to put into practice.  And that is the operative word here... "practice". 

prac-tice: (verb) Perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency.  

I need to spend a few minutes every day just being thankful for the things I have.  My health, my children, my friends, my job.  The things that I have and tend to take for granted are the things that so many other people dream of and wish they had.  

Do your best to practice an attitude of gratitude.

 

Please consider a donation...it's easier than chemotherapy!

My Team in Training fundraising page.

 

 

Ragnar Report and More

 

Ragnar is over.  What a cool and amazing experience.  Especially when you consider that 8 days ago I didn't even know I'd be doing it. Taking a group of 12 people and running nonstop from Madison to Chicago is a logistical masterpiece when done right!  Luckily, I had the opportunity to join Rank Strangers, the only team that has run this relay every year it has been in existence.  That makes for some serious experience!  For those of you that don't understand how it works, it's about 200 miles from Madison to Chicago, and it is divided into 36 running legs.  There are two vans of runners with six runners in each, so each runner runs 3 legs. Van 1 started at 9 am in Madison.  Each leg there is a bracelet that is handed off to the next runner.  Van 1 took legs one through six, then handed off to Van 2.  They ran 7-12, and handed back off to Van 1.  This continued all day Friday, overnight Friday night and throughout the day Saturday until reaching Chicago just after 4 pm. Saturday.

I ended up having one of the shortest totals mileage wise.  My first leg was only 2.7 miles.  It was early on in the day as I was runner 3.  I started to find a rhythm about mile two, then it was almost over.  I handed off to the next runner and got back in the van.  My next turn was leg 15.  It started between 10:30 and 11:00 pm and was 5.3 miles.  Weather was cool, and it was dark.  It was a pretty cool experience looking ahead and just seeing red blinking lights of other runners ahead. After Van 1 finished that round, we headed to the next major transfer point.  We got to the YMCA in Racine in the middle of the night, and were able to pay $2 for a shower and a spot on the floor for a little shut eye.  A couple of hours later, it was up and back into the van as we got ready for our last legs.  My final leg was 5.6 miles that started along Lake Michigan and wound through some nice tree lined neighborhood streets. Teammates were asking me how I felt.  I was tired, stiff and a little sore.  I was pretty sure one of two things was going to happen.  Either, 1.  I was going to start slow, loosen up and have a great run, or b. Stay tight and crash and burn spectacularly.  It was really a 50/50 chance.  I was hoping for the former, but totally prepared for the latter.  As I started, the temps were cool and the views of the lake amazing.  I started out at what felt comfortable, and after a half mile or so checked my watch and realized I was at about a 9:30 per mile pace.  As I continued, I was feeling better and stronger, and noticed my pace was improving.  9:22, 9:13, 8:57.  When I hit the one mile to go mark, I was feeling pretty good and "Sweet Home Alabama" came on the iPod.  I decided to pick it up and finish as strong as I could, and my last mile I ran the fastest of all miles on the entire relay, about an 8:30 per mile pace! All in all almost 14 miles of  running over 3 segments with an average pace of 9:20 - 9:30.  Considering it was 5 days after my 100 mile ride around Lake Tahoe, I'm pretty happy with it. 

Rank Strangers 2013 Ragnar Team    Madison - Chicago

 For the first time in a long time (quite possible EVER) I consider myself a runner.  I've always considered myself a triathlete, or a cyclist, or even a swimmer.  But even though I've done countless 5K and 10K races, and three half marathons, I've never really considered myself a runner until this weekend.  It's a pretty good feeling!  And, I think I'm well prepared for the second half of my year with events that includes the Dairyland Udder Half Iron Triathlon, a Go Ruck Challenge, The Door County Century Bike Ride, and the Chicago Marathon!

Now, in addition to continuing to train, I need to set my sights on fundraising. I am doing the Chicago Marathon in memory of a friend, Jenny Boyce, and doing it the same way she did it.  Fundraising for charity.  I have chosen Team in Training, part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I coach cyclists for TNT, and decided to do my first stand alone marathon as a participant.  I have agreed to raise a minimum of $1,900.00 for research and patient services for blood cancers.My goal is to raise twice that.  I'm asking for your help.  You can click on the link below to go to my fundraising page.  If you enjoy reading about my adventures, then please take a moment and donate what you can.  Even $5 or $10 helps.  Please pass the link along to friends, coworkers, family members, anyone you know.  It's a great cause and well worth it.  Thanks for your help!

 My Team in Training Fundraising Page

Motivation Doesn't Last - America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride - I Must Be Crazy

It's been a while since my last post, and I hate that.  I think most of us start off with the best of intentions, then start to slide back into old habits.  Once we do that, it's difficult to get back on track. Now, I've had a lot of things going in my life between work, training and personal stuff, but that's really no excuse. So, while I have written this post in my head numerous times, it's time to get back on track and do it for real.

My first season as a Team in Training Cycling Coach has come to a close, and what an amazing season it was!  Being able to coach some dedicated, amazing athletes, to a finish at America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride has been one of the most satisfying and rewarding things I have ever done!  At the inspiration dinner we learned that there were 1,200 Team in Training Cyclists participating in the ride that had raised $4.4 million for blood cancer research and patient services.  That is AMAZING!

A brief rundown of the weekend, we fly from Milwaukee to Reno and take a bus into South Lake Tahoe.  We pick up our bikes and try to relax.  Saturday morning the Wisconsin team takes a short 17 mile shakedown ride to make sure the bikes are all working properly and to get acclimated.  When you're at 6,500 ft above sea level, you get out of breath much quicker due to the fact that there is less oxygen in the air.  Good thing to know and get used to!  So while on the ride, about 20 yards in front of me, a bear darts across the road and stops.  Yep.  A BEAR!  I pass by the beast on the side of the road and realize she is about to cross back because her cub is in a tree.  I stop because part of my team is behind me.  They stopped, and the bear crossed back to her cub and we all proceeded on. Totally cool experience, but kind scary too!

Saturday night we had the inspiration dinner and then a team get together to sign and decorate jerseys.  I then had the chance to meet an incredible young man, Connor Cosgrove.  Connor is the nephew of one of our team members, Patti.

In 2010, Connor was a Division I athlete playing football at the University of Minnesota, when he was diagnosed with Leukemia.  Through Patti, I had the opportunity this season to learn more about him when she would share pictures and links to speeches he made.  I was always impressed by his humor, strength, and positive attitude through these videos and pictures.  I was hoping to get the opportunity to meet him when Patti said he and his family would be coming to Tahoe, and I'm so glad I did.  In person, Connor has ten times the charm and charisma he has digitally.  I got the chance to spend some time with him and we talked about a lot of stuff in a short amount of time.  What a great, fun guy.  Besides being inspirational, he's just so cool and funny.  I shared with him that if I ever had a life changing event like that happen to me, I would only hope I could handle it with the strength and grace that he shows.  Connor, if you happen to read this, I'm proud to call you a friend.  Follow the link below for more on Connor.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/04/26/mn-wr-wins-award-for-never-saying-no-to-leukemia/

On to Sunday morning and America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride! The Wisconsin Team had a 6:20 start time and we headed out for 100 miles of fun, beauty, and hills! As a way to have a little fun, the Team in Training Chapters all have items on their bike helmets to represent their location and be more identifiable.  For instance, the Los Angeles chapter had small Oscar Statues, Washington DC had a Capitol, Seattle had Starbucks cups, and Kansas had Flying Monkeys (Wizard of Oz...and the monkeys were sitting on beer cans.  Try and figure out why...) And from Wisconsin, we had...what else? Cheese wedges!  And since a coach has to have all the answers, I knew I needed help, so I brought a Jedi Master along for the entire 100 miles.

 Take a look at the ride profile:

 Starting at mile 11 is the climb to Emerald Bay.  Steep, technical, and with switchbacks, but once to the top, the view makes it worth it!

 After the climb, we get the descent.  Fast and fun! Until, I get a flat.  And I don't mean, just a flat, a loud, explosive blowout!  Luckily, I made emergency repairs to get to the next rest stop, where I was able to buy a new tire, get it on the wheel and carry on!  Nothing stops us!

As the day wears on and the miles click by, we pass beautiful views, lots of bikes, and Squaw Valley, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, all before getting to the lunch stop at King's Beach at mile 70.  At King's Beach, you get to look out at the most amazing views of the lake and snow capped mountains. The pictures just don't capture the beauty.

 After lunch at mile 70, there's a short climb, then riding along the lake until getting to mile 80.  Mile 80 is significant because that's where the real climb of the day starts.  1,000 feet and 8 miles long.  Wow.  8 miles can be a long way on a bike.  It can be an especially long way when it's all uphill!  No problem here, I had the force with me, and my Jedi Master gave me the strength I needed! 

The last 12 miles are downhill, with the exception of a few little rolling hills that seem much tougher than they actually are. Finally rolling back into South Lake Tahoe, the team all met a short way from the finish line, and we all rode in together. On Wisconsin!  Coach Art provided us with a breakdown of stats and numbers from his GPS.  It's well worth a look!

All in all, AMBBR was an amazing, incredible experience.  Now, it's on to the next challenge...

While in Tahoe, Coach Art approached me with an "opportunity". The team he's on for the Madison to Chicago Ragnar relay needed a fill in runner. Team "Rank Strangers".  If you're not familiar with Ragnar, here's a description from the Ragnar webite:

Ragnar is the overnight running relay race that makes testing your limits a team sport.
You and 11 of your craziest friends (or 5 of your crazier friends for an ultra team) pile into two vans and tag team running 200(ish) miles, day and night, relay-style. Only one runner hits the road at a time. Each participant runs three times, with each leg ranging between 3-8 miles and varying in difficulty. So, from the elite runner down to the novice jogger, it's the perfect race for anyone.

http://www.ragnarrelay.com

For those of you that know me, there was only one answer.  So, 5 days after riding 100 miles on my bike, I will start running in a 200 mile relay race to Chicago.  I couldn't say no.  I think I might be crazy.  Not crazy fun, or Steve Martin "Wild and Crazy guy" crazy, but completely, totally, clinically crazy, as in suffering from a mental defect.   What makes me do these things?  Century bike rides, triathlons, Ironman, Tough Mudder, Escape from Alcatraz, etc., etc., etc.  Oh well, that's another question for another day.  Until then I need to channel my "Inner Ninja".  Enjoy!