Cadron Trail Run

On Saturday Feb. 18th, the Cadron Trail Run race took place at Cadron Settlement Park just outside Conway, AR.  This trail run is part of a series of trail runs run by DLT Events as part of the Arkansas Trail Run Series.  The series includes 4 races at distances between 3 and 4 miles.  It is meant to introduce people to trail running.  Most trail runs are usually at longer distances and DLT wanted to put on some shorter distance races to allow all people to be involved in trail running.  The series involves the following races below.

Cadron - Conway, AR - Feb. 18th
Spa City - Hot Springs - Mar 17th
Scout Trail Run - North Little Rock - Apr 7th
Degray Trail Run - Arkadelphia - Jun 24th

This was the second time I've run this race and the second year of this race.  The nice thing is that the start time for this race is 10am.  I woke up around 7:30 and ate some cereal and OJ for breakfast.  I headed out to Cadron on this cool and cloudy morning.  The weather was around 44F and the rain was just going to hold off for the race.  My goal for this race was to beat my time of 34:31. 

The course is a two lap 2.1 course around the trails of Cadron.  The Cadron Park has around 6 miles of total trails for MTB, running and walking.  The course is not flat!  The course starts off uphill before a slight flat and then going back up hill towards the pavillion.  The trail then dives back downhill before a short a short section of flat and winding trails.  The final section of trail heads back up hill before a series of small quick uphills and downhills.

We lined up at the entrance to the park and started the race.  I knew I wanted to get at least a little towards the front.  Last year, I was stuck behind a couple of slower people and took awhile to pass them after the first uphill.  I get through the first uphill feeling pretty good and head towards the second climb and start to feel it a little.  The quick downhill gets me going and work on moving up the field in the flats.  I pass a couple of people and settle in.  I don't see anyone in front of me for awhile now and have a couple of people a few second behind me.  I work through the quick up and down section and towards the second lap.  I see two people ahead of me heading back uphill and realize I'm about 30 seconds behind them.  I work myself back uphill and now my legs are starting to burn and the walking demon is talking in my head.  I say to myself to get to the pavillion because the downhill is after that.  I have someone about 10 seconds behind me and feel them getting closer as we head towards the pavillon.  Back downhill we go and at that point I put some distance between me and the guy behind me.  I keep the pace up though the flats, but not to hard knowing the up down section is coming.  I'm gaining on the two guys in front of me.  We then hit the flat section and I'm about 10 seconds behind one guy.  I try not to go to hard, but he adds some distance between me on the downhills.  I fall about behind and know that I'll probably not catch him as the finish approaches.  I see him in front and try to sprint as hard as possible to the finish but still finish 7 seconds behind.

I was really happy with this race.  Last year I ran it in 34:31 and this year I was able to finish in 31:57.  My goal was 32:00 and I just got under it!  The only thing I could have done better was to push myself a little harder towards the end, but I gave it all I could.  I ended up finishing 8th overall out of 32 people and 1st in my age group!  In terms of series points, I will be second in my age group because the 3rd OA was in my AG.  This is a good way to start the series.

The next race is the Spa City which I will be run.  Looking forward to it!  The pictures and video below were taken by Arkansas Outside.  Thanks for the pictures.

First Two Races 2012

Well my first two races of the year are complete!  The two races were the hour track in Russellville on Jan 22 and the River Trail 15k in North Little Rock on Feb. 4th.  I have had really consistent training this year since the day after Christmas slowly building mileage with running, biking, and swimming.  I have not completed a lot of interval training so far, but still was interested to see how both of these races would go.

The plan for the Hour Track Run was to run farther than last year's distance.  The track run is run a standard 440 yard track, and the goal is to see how many laps you can complete in 60 minutes.  Last year I completed 30 laps plus the extra distance for a total of 7.5 miles.  My goal this year was at least 31 laps, but I was really hoping for 8 miles.  I knew I had to maintain at least a 7:20 pace to reach my goal.  The run started on misty Sunday afternoon.  The temps were in the upper 40s, so the weather was pretty good for running. The first lap went by quickly and then I easily settled into my pace of just under 7:15 miles.  I was able to hold this throughout the laps and even was able to increase the pace over the last 10 laps.  I was able to complete 32 laps plus some distance for a total 8.12 miles.  A new PR for this distance!

The second race of the year was the River Trail 15k.  This would be the 4th straight year that I have participated in the race.  Last year I ran a 1:11:04.  My PR came two years ago with 1:10:24.  The goal this year was to go under 1:10.  The pack pick up was very easy and quick.  The weather for the race again started with a light mist, but the temps were in the mid to upper 50's making for really good weather.  I lined myself up in the middle and just a little short of the front.  I didn't want to go out to quickly, so I usually line up just short of the front.  The horn goes off and away we run.  The first mile is flat and fast.  I was able to go out in a 7:16 which was a little fast but close to the 7:25 pace I was hoping for.  The next couple of miles go by with 7:20, 7:29, and then a 7:27.  There are a couple of hills around this area, nothing too hard, but enough to slow me down a little!  The miles start to go up and I hit a 7:23 during a flatter section, but the next two miles become hard 7:37 and then 7:38.  Ugg, starting to fall off my pace, but I know the last two miles are pretty flat to the finish, so I'm hoping to finish strong!  Mile 8 goes by 7:31 and finally hit mile 9 at 7:24.  Knowing that the finish is coming up, it is time to push it until the end.  I ran the final .3 in 2:10 with a pace of 7:13.  Not bad, but wish I could have finished faster.  The final time was 1:09:21.  A new PR!  This was my longest run of the year so far, it was nice to be able to set a PR for this distance early in the year.  The training is coming along really well!  Now to prepare for the next race!

Womble MTB Trail Adventure from HWY 27

At the end of December, I decided that I wanted to purchase a MTB.  I had test ridden one a couple of weeks before I went to NZ and then rented one in NZ.  By the time I got back home, I was ready to purchase a new MTB.  I loved trail running before and enjoyed bike riding, so I was ready to step up to mountain biking.  I was also ready to explore more the trails that Arkansas has to offer.  My first long distance trip was to the Womble Trail!

Below is the trail map for the Womble Trail. The Womble trail is 37 miles with three places you can park to do some OAB.  After talking to the owner of the The Ride, he advised me to ride from the HWY 27 parking to HWY 270 as an OAB.  He mentioned that you can park at the Fisherman's Village and then ride across the street to the trailhead.  

Saturday morning I wake up and head down to the trail.  The trail starts with a quick and hard climb to the ridge that overlooks the Ouachita River.  The trail is single track and bench cut.  You have to be careful in some spots because it is a straight drop down.  The trail goes up hill before finally going back towards County Road 59.  Once you cross 59, it is single track with a pretty level track and a couple of small creek crossing.  I was able to make it just past CR61 before heading back to the car.  The ride back up the ridge is much easier than going out.  Of course, going it across it a second time I felt a little better. 

This trail is considered an IMBA Epic ride and I can see why.  I hope to get back down there again sometime and do some riding from HWY 270 trail head.  This would allow me to do a couple of outbacks.  Also, while researching this trail, you can call the Fisherman's village and they can arrange to drop you off at the far trail head at North Fork Lake and then you can ride back into the Fisherman's Village. 

Sh#$ Cyclist/Triathletes/Mountain Bikers Say

I saw these three videos today.  I may have said some of things in these videos.

Welcome 2012

Well here is the first post of my blog to welcome 2012 after  17 days!  The 2011 ended up with a great adventure to Australia and New Zealand.  During this time, I relaxed, had fun, and met new people from all over the world.  I arrived home on Dec 19th and have been chilling in Conway ever since.

Now that 2012 is here, I'm looking forward to the new year.  I will have a new job this year, and I'm sure I will create plenty of new adventures along the way.

While I don't subscribe the resolutions, I do have some goals and things I will do in 2012.  One of them being continue to travel.  I will try to focus the travel in US because there are plenty of places that I still haven't seen.  Also, I look to travel more in Arkansas.  To think, even close to home I've missed plenty of places around here.

I will continue to race and have fun training.  I may or may not set PR's but I'm going to go out there and have fun!  I have plenty of choices for races this year and I'm trying to narrow them down, but for sure I'll be particpating in the ArkRRCA series of races and local triathlons.  New for 2012 will be mountain biking.  I bought a new mountain bike before the new year and have been riding at least once week on trails since.  It's been a great adventure and a challenge also.

I will hopefully keep this blog updated more often, but we'll see no promises on that.

Here's to you 2012 and the adventures that I will see!

New Zealand/Australia Vacation

While I've arrived back in the US after a two month journey through parts of Australia and pretty much all of New Zealand.  I took over 3000 pictures, but went ahead and put them in this slide show.  So enjoy the show!  Here is where I visited over the 2 months in order:

Sydney-Canberra-Snowy Mts.-Wilson Prom-Melbourne-Auckland-Hahei-Raglan-Waitomo-Maketu-Rotorua-Taupo-National Park-Blue Duck Lodge-Wellington-Abel Tasman-Greymouth-Franz Josef-Queenstown-Invercargill-Milford Sound-Queenstown-Mt. Cook-Rangitata-Kaikoroa-Wellington-National Park-Rotorua-Auckland-Bay of Islands-Auckland-Brisbane-Byron Bay-Sydney

The Big Trip Australia/New Zealand from RJ Maguire on Vimeo.

Melbourne

Australia Wilson's Prom

More Sydney

I have really been enjoying my trip so far in Sydney. The weather has been fantastic and the city is beautiful. I understand why so many people love this place! You have city life but can easily get away to the beaches. I still have one more day here and then I begin a tour down to Melbourne on Monday. I even found a place to sample various Aussie beers!

Sydney!

Sent from my iPhone

On Board

Relaxing in Sky Club

Packed and Ready

I'm packed and ready to go to Australia and New Zealand! Let the adventure begin!

Planning the Trip

Guide books, notepad, calendar, and the Internet!

The Big Trip Australia/New Zealand

I am getting the chance to take a trip I've always wanted to take! I'm going to Australia and New Zealand from Oct. 18th till Dec 19th! It should be 63 days full of fun and excitement. I'll be exploring new places and meeting new people along the way. I will be traveling solo on this trip. I plan to spend the majority of my time in New Zealand, but will spend the first part on the trip in Sydney and then work my way to Melbourne, before flying off to New Zealand. I plan to leave Melbourne for New Zealand on Oct. 31st and then return to Australia around the 8th or 9th. Finally leaving Australia on the 19th.