Corpus Christi Triathlon and Duathlon

This year the Corpus Christi Duathlon served as the USAT South Mid West Region Championship race. The turn out was a bit light but that's what you get when the Regional Championship race is scheduled on the same day as the USAT National Duathlon Championship (held in Richmond, VA this year). I'm not sure why the SMW Regional board can not find a race that does not conflict with Nationals!

But take nothing away from STARR, the Corpus Christi Tri club that puts on this race (26 years running!). The course was flat and fast with the exception of when you had to run or bike into the 30 mph headwinds! I ran the first 5k in 17:26 and then headed out on the out and back bike course. Into the wind on the way out it was all I could do to maintain 20 mph but once I made the turn, I headed back into town averaging 31 mph! Fun while it lasted. I was able to bike myself into the lead by the turn around and then extend that lead to a comfortable margin before heading out onto the run. I was pleased that my second run (17:47) was only 21 seconds slower than the first.

Needless to say I was mildly surprised to take the overall win and take home a nice check!

In the triathlon, Kyle Mays braved the 4 to 5 foot seas very successfully exiting the water in 19 minutes (1000m). A solid bike and run earned him a second place finish in his age group. If you ask Kyle, he'll tell you it was the most challenging open water swim he has ever completed.

STARRs put on a nice post event awards party in Cole Park. All in all it was a nice weekend get away for me and my family. If you are looking for a challenging race and a nice place to take the family to, try the Corpus Christi tri or du sometime.

Boston Marathon Race Report from Kristin

My 10th marathon, the Houston Marathon in January 2009, was my Boston Qualifying marathon. That was the defining point in which I called myself a runner. Running Boston has been a goal of mine for several years and the training and discipline finally paid off. It was still hard to believe that in April, I would toe the line with the some of the nation's and world's best runners to run the oldest marathon in America.

Many people gave me tips and pointers on how to run the race, what the course was going to be like, where I was going to hurt, how painful Heartbreak Hill was, how the downhills get you early on etc...so on race day, I took all of that into consideration. Running Boston wasn't about a PR for me, rather, it was a celebration of all of the hard work and sweat culminating from several years. With that said, I still wanted to respect the course and do the best I could, while enjoying every step of the 26.2 miles! Afterall, this was the 113th year of the marathon and I would be running on the same roads as the elite and other famous runners, many of which made history during their race. I ran with a camera to capture the course from a runner's standpoint and managed to take 60 pictures- mostly in focus!The crowd support for the marathon was absolutely incredible. From the beginning of the race in Hopkinton all the way to the Finish Line at Copley Square, people lined the course cheering on the runners.

It was like a 26 mile tailgate party with people barbecuing, kids playing, stereos cranking out music, and continuous updates on the score of the Red Sox game ( they won 12-1 by the way!) With all of the crowd support, it was easy to feel like a Rock Star and the road was your stage. They didn't know who I was, but they sure encouraged me anyway. Around mile 12, there was a sign that said "Brace your Ears" and you soon found out why. About a half mile away, you could hear this faint high pitched noise. Yep, the Wellesley Girls and the screaming tunnel. Wow. Shortly after Wellesley was Newton and the infamous Heartbreak Hill. I remember hearing someone at the bottom of the hill yelling out "strong and steady! strong and steady!" so I chanted that to myself the whole way up. Before I realized it, Heartbreak Hill had come and gone and I was on the downhill side of it, still able to run. ( must have been all of that hill training on Flintridge!) Nothing in my way now!

Boston College came shortly after that and the yelling and cheers from the students lining both sides of the street were like an extra shot of caffeine. From that point on, the streets were lined with wall to wall people. It was easy to draw strength from their encouraging words, smiles, high fives and signs. The Citgo sign appeared at mile 25. While I was excited to be near the finish line, I was also sad knowing that my race was almost over. Shortly after that, I heard my name from the side and it was Michael- he made it from the T just two minutes before I ran past him. I was still feeling great. Up ahead were the final two turns: Right on Hereford and then left on Boylston. After turning left on Boylst on, I wanted to stop in my tracks and just stare at the masses of people lining the streets and the finish line ahead. The noise level of the crowds echoed between the buildings and was so energizing. Crossing the finish line in 3:57:47 was bittersweet. I reached my goal of going sub 4 in Boston, but my marathon was over. Not to worry, I WILL be back!

Lonestar Triathlon Festival

A vast majority of local triathletes, and many Finish Strong athletes, competed in one of three races held this past weekend in Galveston. The Lonestar Triathlon Festival offered a Sprint race on Saturday, and a Quarter and Half Ironman on Sunday. The three races drew over 2400 participants (974 in the Sprint, 795 in the Quarter and 638 in the Half)!

In the Sprint tri, Rodrigo Abascal placed 5th in the under 18 age group (and 34th overall) with a time of 1:11:23. Richard Mac Namee, associate Finish Strong Coach, placed 3rd overall with a blistering time of 1:01:47.

Tim Monk has taken some time from his training for Kona to race a few shorter races early in the season including the Quarter distance in Galveston. He still showed some good speed by placing 2nd in his age group and 5th overall with a time of 2:13:20. Deb Crawford raced well in her first Quarter distance race with a time of 3:34:18.

In the Half Ironman race, Tommy Sustala led the way for Finish Strong coached athletes with a time of 4:52:31 which placed him 8th in his age group and 54th overall. Tommy’s time was a 35 minute PR! Jim Harrington (5:12:07 and pictured above), Kyle Mays (5:20:54), David Molthen (5:22:56) and Brian Waldrop (6:44:01 in his first HIM) also did well.

New Orleans 70.3

Wow! What a great venue for a half Ironman! Race Director Bill Burke knows how to put on race!

This was the first year for this race and while it had a couple of issues I'm sure they will be taken care of before next years race) the organization and race course were wonderful. Over 3,000 athletes, and 10,000 spectators enjoyed the race, including athletes from all 50 American states and 23 countries came to race and enjoy the great food and historical sites. Having the finish line near Jackson Square in the historical French Quarter helped provide the unique atmosphere of the race.

Conditions were near perfect for the race – the day began slightly overcast and the swim was very smooth, followed by moderate winds and temperatures in the low 70s for the bike and run. The swim was point-to-point in Lake Pontchartrain which went very smoothly. The bike course was completely closed to vehicle traffic! While the race was huge and I started in the 15th wave, I never had to contend with packs of cyclists. In fact, I did not see a single pace line! The run course was a simple point to point course that started from the transition area at the University of New Orleans Research Campus and ran along Lakeshore Drive then headed down into City Park before heading south along Esplanade Avenue to Decatur Street and the finish line located at World Famous Jackson Square.

Finish Strong athletes racing included Mike Bard, 5:21:50 (PR and improved his run by 1:03/mile), Todd Gibson, 6:07:18 and Marshall McInnis, 6:14:22.

I had a fairly good race clocking a 4:42:16 which was good enough to win the age group and earn a slot to the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida in November.

I would encourage all to sign up for 2010 race now while you can!