Shamrock Marathon, Virginia Beach - March 18, 2012!!

The 2012 race season began just as the 2011 race season ended...with a marathon!  On Sunday, March 18 Chris and I competed in the Shamrock Marathon in beautiful Virginia Beach, VA.  St. Patty's Day celebrations had to be postponed for a day, but it was worth the wait.  Joining us for this great event were fellow PTC friends Denise, Joe, Tommy D. and Jessica.  Jessica's family was kind enough to host us for a pre-race dinner in celebration of her sister Jennifer completing the 8k that day and her niece Katlyn's first marathon.  Jessica ran both races with her sister and niece, and her father, General George Joulwan had the honor of announcing the marathon start.  Truly a family affair!

Race morning was a chilly mid 50's start, but was soon to warm up.  At 8:30am we were off on this pancake-flat, but windy course!  The energy of the cheering spectators and adrenaline of the runners made for a fast start, so I had to keep reminding myself to dial it back a little in order to stave of that dreaded marathon "wall."  Highlights on the course were running through the military base and high-fiving the soldiers, viewing a sea of creative St. Patty's Day themed outfits (from runners and spectators alike), trying to draft a pack of runners in the headwind on the boardwalk and finishing right along the Atlantic Ocean.  Spectacular!  At mile 24 I caught up to Chris and we ran together for a little over a mile till he told me, "Go!" and I followed a little surge to the end.  True to form, we finished just over a minute apart!

With the race being sponsored by Yuengling, each participant was generously awarded with up to 4 beers at the end (though I don't think they were keeping close track!).  We also enjoyed entertainment from a live band and party on the beach.  Overall, this was a great race in a great setting and I enjoyed sporting the TriSports apparel for the first time with a marathon PR!  Here's the breakdown of our results:

Polly:
Time:  3:16:24
Age Group (F35-39):  3rd
Gender Place:  16th
Overall Place:  147th (3303 finishers)

Chris:
Time:  3:17:31
Age Group (M35-39):  28th
Gender Place:  138
Overall Place:  156th (3303 finishers)

A little sunshine from the Age Group award!

Team TriSports 2012!!

I'm very excited to be a part of this amazing team for 2012!
http://sponsorship.trisports.com/athletes

Mega 2XU Sale at TriSports!

GO TO:  http://trisports.com/2xu-2011-special.html

On Deck For March 2012!!

Shamrock Marathon:  Sunday, March 18th, Virginia Beach, VA!!
http://shamrockmarathon.com/

TriFest:  Friday & Saturday, March 23rd & 24th, Tucson, AZ!!
This will be a training weekend with my team sponsor - TriSports!!
http://www.facebook.com/events/200325763400618/

February 2012 - Love Thy Training Plan and it Will Love You Back?

An unusually mild winter brought much love for the great outdoors this month (less for the indoor bike trainer, which is always a good thing!).  Here's February's breakdown:

Wednesday February 1 - Thursday March 1  Date Workout Planned Actual Workout Activity Time Distance Pace Time Distance Pace Wed, Feb 1 Cycling Cycling 00:55:00 14 Miles 00:03:56 00:55:00 14 Miles   00:03:56 Thu, Feb 2 Cycling Cycling 00:55:00 14 Miles 00:03:56 00:55:00 14 Miles   00:03:56 Running Steady Run 00:43:00 5.6 Miles 00:07:41 00:43:00 5.6 Miles   00:07:41 Fri, Feb 3                 Sat, Feb 4 Cycling Cycling 01:00:00 18 Miles 00:03:20 01:00:00 18 Miles   00:03:20 Cycling Cycling 02:45:00 41 Miles 00:04:01 02:45:00 41 Miles   00:04:01 Sun, Feb 5 Running Conversation Pace 02:37:00 18.2 Miles 00:08:38 02:37:00 18.2 Miles   00:08:38 Mon, Feb 6                 Tue, Feb 7 Swimming Main Set   3000 Meters     3000 Meters     Wed, Feb 8 Cycling Cycling 01:00:00 18 Miles 00:03:20 01:00:00 18 Miles   00:03:20 Thu, Feb 9 Running Steady Run 00:50:00 6.2 Miles 00:08:04 00:50:00 6.2 Miles   00:08:04 Fri, Feb 10 Swimming Main Set   2500 Meters     2500 Meters     Sat, Feb 11 Running Steady Run 02:51:00 20 Miles 00:08:33 02:51:00 20 Miles   00:08:33 Sun, Feb 12 Cross Training Yoga 00:30:00     00:30:00     Mon, Feb 13 Cycling Cycling 01:00:00 18 Miles 00:03:20 01:00:00 18 Miles   00:03:20 Tue, Feb 14                 Wed, Feb 15 Running Steady Run 00:30:00 4 Miles 00:07:30 00:30:00 4 Miles   00:07:30 Swimming Main Set   3200 Meters     3200 Meters     Thu, Feb 16 Running Steady Run 01:01:00 7.8 Miles 00:07:49 01:01:00 7.8 Miles   00:07:49 Fri, Feb 17 Cycling Cycling 03:40:00 50 Miles 00:04:24 03:40:00 50 Miles   00:04:24 Sat, Feb 18 Running Conversation Pace 02:23:00 13 Miles 00:11:00 02:23:00 13 Miles   00:11:00 Sun, Feb 19                 Mon, Feb 20 Swimming Main Set 01:20:00 4000 Meters   01:20:00 4000 Meters     Tue, Feb 21 Running Steady Run 01:02:00 8.3 Miles 00:07:28 01:02:00 8.3 Miles   00:07:28 Wed, Feb 22 Cycling Cycling 00:55:00 14 Miles 00:03:56 00:55:00 14 Miles   00:03:56 Cycling Cycling 01:00:00 16 Miles 00:03:45 01:00:00 16 Miles   00:03:45 Thu, Feb 23 Cycling Cycling 00:55:00 14 Miles 00:03:56 00:55:00 14 Miles   00:03:56 Running Steady Run 00:55:00 7 Miles 00:07:51 00:55:00 7 Miles   00:07:51 Fri, Feb 24 Swimming Main Set   2000 Meters     2000 Meters     Cross Training Yoga 00:30:00     00:30:00     Sat, Feb 25                 Sun, Feb 26 Running Steady Run 02:49:00 20.3 Miles 00:08:20 02:49:00 20.3 Miles   00:08:20 Mon, Feb 27 Cross Training Yoga 00:30:00     00:30:00     Tue, Feb 28 Swimming Main Set   3500 Meters     3500 Meters     Wed, Feb 29                 Totals: 32:36:00 338.71 Miles 32:36:00 338.71 Miles