River Trail 15k 2013

Here’s the recap of race #2 in a series of three weekend races, The River Trail 15k!

The River Trail 15k took place on Feb. 2^nd.  This was my 5^th year to participate in this race.  I would call this one of my go to races for the year.  I like the distance since it can be completed in just over an hour and allows to pretty much go all out with maybe a little pacing strategy in mind.  This is also one of the first races of the year, so it gives you a good chance to measure your current fitness through the winter.  The race also lines up well with the Little Rock marathon and half which takes place the first weekend of March. 

The River Trail 15k takes place at the Burns Park Soccer complex in North Little Rock.  The race is a fairly flat race that uses the river trail and a small sections of roads in Burns Park.  The weather for the race was looking excellent as the day started.  The forecast was calling for temps in the mid-40s and clear sunny skies!  As I arrived at the race site, there were some scattered clouds, but it was clearing quickly.  My goal for the race was to average 7:15-7:20 per mile pace.  I was hoping to beat my PR from last year of 1:09:21.  Below are my previous results:

2009 – 1:17:40, 2010 – 1:10:14, 2011 – 1:11:38, 2012 – 1:09:21.

The race starts on the road next to the soccer complex parking lot.  I lined up just a couple rows behind the front.  My first thought for the beginning of the race was to control my pace early, so that I could push the pace towards the end of the race.  The first two miles of the race run along the road, before hitting the river trail.  I was able to hit mile one at a pace of 7:07 a little faster than I would have liked, but I was feeling good. 

Heading out - thanks Arkansas Outside for Pics

Along the trail - thanks Arkansas outside for the pics

 

 Mile two is still flat and by then I’ve settled into a pace I was looking for at 7:16 for that mile.  Miles 2-6 were as follows 7:16, 7:16, 7:13, 7:17, and 7:16.  My strategy was that once I hit the 6 mile mark, I would feel where I’m at and hopefully push the pace over the last 3.3 miles.  I was feeling good and the short uphill and back towards the finish.  This part of the course is overall downhill, so it gave me the chance to increase my pace which able to hit the 7:12 for mile 7.  Mile 8 does have an uphill portion before the last part.  I didn’t quite hit my pace for this finishing this mile in about 7:22.  Looking at my watch with about 2 miles to go, I knew I could finish in around 1:08.  Now’s the time to start to run!  My legs are feeling tired, but I’ve got great control of my breathing and HR, so I know I can finish strong.  I’m able to finish mile 9 in about 7:03.  As we approach the finish with about .25 mile left, there is a man reading out the time.  I reach him around 1:05:xx.  I can make this under 1:08 maybe?  Increase the pace goes through my head, push to the finish. I can now see the finish.  The clock is ticking towards 1:08, I see 1:07:5x counting, run faster!  I reach the line at 1:08:02!  A new PR, but so close to under 1:08!

 

 

What a great way to finish the race and a great race overall.  I was able get 61^st overall out of 465 racers.  The most surprising part was that I finished 12^th in my AG!  There were a lot of fast racers out there on this day that’s for sure.  Last year, I was able to finish 6^th in my age group as a comparison. 

Takeaways from the race were as follows:

1.       I felt my pace throughout felt really good.  I didn’t do a full taper for this race.  I race 16 miles through 3 runs during the week with my Thursday run being pretty fast. 

2.       My training for the half is going pretty well based on the results for this race.  Over the next couple of weeks, I need to focus on race pace execution. My goal is under 1:40 which I’m clearly there now, and I’m right on the 1:35 goal that I have for the race.  I felt that I could have held this pace for another 4 miles if I had to.

3.       Even a after the race and the next day, my legs felt pretty good.  The increased frequency of running for this half marathon training has really helped with the recovery.

Well there’s my report from the 2013 River Trail 15k!  Up next – Cadron Trail Run Feb 9^th!

Adventures in Brewing

 

Tried to post this from my phone last night, but the text didn't come through. 

 

I started a new challenge today. I attempted to produce my own beer. I've always wanted to try and today I took that chance!

I came up with my own recipe after looking around online. It is amazing all the different ways to produce beer and the ingredients. There are online softwares that will help predict your beer in terms of alcohol content, bitterness, and color.

I started with 4lbs of Amber DME, 1lb of crystal/caramel 40l, 1 oz Columbus hops, and 1 oz Cascade hops. I added the 1oz of Columbus hops at the start of the boil and then add .33 oz of Cacade every 15 minutes until 0 minutes left out of 60. 

I now have about 3 weeks to see how my finished product turns out!

Scout Trail Run - Race Update #1

This is a first of a series of race updates that I've particpated in over the past couple of weekends.  My first race of the year was at the Scout Trail Run on Jan. 26th.  This was followed by River Trail 15k on Feb 2nd, and finally the Cadron Trail Run which will take place this weekend (Feb 9th).

The Scout Trail run took place on Jan 26th at Burns Park Park in North Little Rock. The distance for the race was 3.75 miles. The weather for the race was looking really good for a run.  The temperatures were supposed to be in the low 50s to mid 40s at race time (10am)!  It was nice to not worry about getting up early for a race.  Going into this race, I've had more run training over the past couple of months than I've ever completed before.  I wasn't sure how this race would turn out.  I took it easy during the week because I felt a cold or some other sickness coming on, so the 4 days previous I had no workouts. 

The race started off by the Log Cabin next to the BMX track.  The first part of the run takes you on pavement for about 500 yards before entering the Scout Trail.  I started off wanting to pace myself.  I know the trail decently from mountain biking out there on a few occassions recently.  I know the terrian is rolling with a shorter climb about 2 miles into the run.  After getting on the trail, the crowd thinned out pretty quickly.  I made a couple of passes, but my mile 2 I didn't have any behind really and just one other person in front of me.  I was able to get right up to him and was following him for the next 3/4 of mile.  The pace I was running was feeling pretty good and wanted to wait until about mile 3 before I made the pass and picked up the pace.  However, what I would come to find out that the race was about to end a little sooner than expected.  The race was supposed to come off the trail and onto pavement.  I was thinking that we would get back onto the trail for final 3/4 of mile.  As, we got on the pavement near the campgrounds, the guy in front of me starts to pick up the pace more.  I was thinking still got 3/4 of mile left, so I'm good.  As we get pack onto trail, I start to hear the annoucer and people cheering and I look at my watch and only see 2.88 miles, no way this coming to an end!  Sure enough, just up ahead was the finish.  I make my short final push to the finish and finish the race in 22:38 and a final distance of 2.98 miles. 

The finish was good enough for 13 Overall out of 55 racers.  I finished third in my age group. A couple of takeaways for this race would be since the race was only supposed to be 3.75 miles. I should have pushed the pace a little harder in the beginning.  Also, you should always know the course.  Had I realized that we were coming into the finish, I wouldn't have let the guy in front go.  I talked to him after the race and he asked, "you didn't know that the finish was up ahead did you?"  Nope! 

DLT events still put on a great event here and I am looking forward to the Cadron Trail Run on Feb. 9th. 

For the first race of the year, I was happy with the results especially since I didn't know how it would go after feeling under the weather the previoius few days. With the River Trail 15k coming up the next weekend, I was preparing for a PR if possible!

Jan. Update

The new year is in full swing now!  The training for the Little Rock half is going well.  I've been feeling great during my runs and have stayed injury free so far!  A couple of races are coming up the next couple of weeks that will allow me to see where my training is at.  The first one is Jan. 26th.  It is the Scout Trail Run out at Burns Park.  It is a 3.8 mile using the green trail.  While not a road race, I will be able to see how I feel after a long week of training.  The weekend after is the River Trail 15k.  This is one of my favorite races of the year. I will have a mini-taper to allow myself to hopefully have a great race.  The goal for the race will be to average 7:10-7:15 min/mile pace.  I will need to average this to reach my goal of 1:35 at the half.

There's the update so far.  Enjoy a little swim video to get your self ready for summer!

Happy New Year 2013

Welcome to 2013!!! Of course, it started 5 days ago, but I hope everyone's new year has started out great!  We survived the Myans before we moved into 2013, so I guess it is a new beginning.  I know a lot of people have resolutions, but I think of my year/life as a small series of goals that I try to reach.  Some small goals lead to larger goals, but I feel if I can break things down then it is easier to reach my goal.  So for 2013, I have a few goals/things to do. 

Being that I like to call this blog Pinnacle Adventure Travel.  There are already a few adventures, challenges, and races planned for this year. Keep reading and find out more.

The first big race of the year for me will be the Little Rock Half Marathon.  My goal for this race is to run under 1:40.  The second goal is finish around 1:35.  My training has gone well so far.  I've felt good as I've increase my running distance.  At end of Jan/beginning of Feb, I will get to race a couple of events that will allow me to see where I'm at.  I have the One Hour Track run the 27th and the next weekend will be the River Trail 15k.  Also, during this time, I run a couple of trail races from DLT Events and start training for a couple of rides.

I have so far signed up for two big rides for 2013.  The first one is the Ouachita Challenge.  This a 60 mile mountain bike ride located in Southwest/central Arkansas on April 5th.  The race starts in Oden, Ar, and the coursese combines the Ouachita Trail and the Womble Trail for 60 miles of epic mountain bike riding.  Since, I'm somewhat new at mountain bike riding, I need to start mountain biking more which would be small goal to lead to the race.  Below is the elevation and course map of this ride. 

The second big ride for 2013 will be the Death Ride.  What is the Death Ride, well it is a 129 mile tour over 5 passes in an area called the California Alps located in Alpine County, CA.  The total elevation gain is 15,000ft! 

This ride will be a test of endurance.  I've looked at some Garmin/Strava files and most people are on the bike for 10hrs or more!  With the Ouachita Challenge in April and this in July.  I will have lots of riding to do!  

The great thing about this ride is that it will allow me to also vacation out in the area and visit Yosemite.  Which is one National Park I've always wanted to vist.

As far as other races for 2013, I would like to do a 70.3 at somepoint in the year.  This will depend on how my training is going and what event will work best.  I have thought about Kansas 70.3 and now with Branson returning as Rev 3 event.  I may put this one down.  I will again race triathlons throughout Arkansas (Hot Springs, Conway, Heber Springs, Arkadelphia) to name a few.  Memphis in May is also on the list.

Again, as usual, I'm always one to enjoy traveling and the major travel goal is to get my passport stamped this year.  My passport was disappointed that it received zero stamps in 2012, so for 2013, I will find somewhere to go!  It may be toward the end of the year, but I have that goal.

The first trip of the year will be back out to San Francisco in Feb.  I plan on visiting a friend out there and it looks like it could be a ski trip also.  That would be great because I haven't been skiing in years!  The trip will be a whirlwind for sure though.  I plan on leaving after work on Wednesday.  My flight leaves at 6:00pm and I get to San Francisco at 10:00pm.  This leaves me with full days on Thursday-Sunday.  However, I will get my first experience with a red-eye flight.  I leave San Francisco at 12:53 am on Monday and arrive back in Little Rock at 8:35 am on Monday for the longest commute of my life!  This should be adventure.

Well there is a short description of my first half of the year.  It should be a great one!  I haven't even though about the second part of the year yet!

2012 in Quick Review

AIM Time Trail  - June

Toad Suck - Tri September

Sisters Wedding - St. Thomas - April

Hr Track Run - Jan.

San Fran Jan

Cadron Trail Run - Feb

Hot Springs Tri - June

Boston - May

Atop Mt. Magazine - March

Takewondo

Petit Jean - Seven Hollows

Arkansas Snow - December

United Flight 93 Memorial

Pinnacle Race the Base - Dec.

St. Thomas Wedding Fun

Arkansas Tournament Nov

Philadelphia - May

Fun in the Rock

Chicago - Aug - Northside/Southside Challenge

2012 was a great year!  There were some new beginnings and got the chance to continue to see many new places and visit friends!  Let's up 2013 is even better!

White Christmas Arkansas!

Two years ago, we had the most the snow I've seen in Arkansas in the 20 years I've lived here.  I believe it was around 6".  Well tonight, I know we've exceed that amount.  Here is a short time lapse video of the snow from 6pm -9:30pm.  My battery ran out on my GoPro.  I also started about an hour after it started snowing.



Arkansas Snow from RJ Maguire on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!  Enjoy the holidays and stay safe out there!

It's about to snow here in Arkansas! Let it snow!  6" - 10" expected here in Conway!

Mt. Nebo Bench Trail Race

On Saturday December 16, I went out to Mt. Nebo for the 4 mile Bench Trail Race.  The race was to take place along the bench trail which runs around Mt. Nebo. 
The weather forecast was looking pretty good for the race. The rain from the previous evening had moved up and the cloud cover was going away as I made the driver out there.  However, when I got closer to Nebo, the clouds were still hanging over.

The drive up the “mountain” was interesting with the dense fog and the switchbacks. I was planning on riding up Nebo with my bike after the race, so this gave me a great chance to see what I was getting into.
I arrived at the check in where it was still dense fog and cold.  The wind was blowing pretty hard, which brought a pretty good chill to the air.  The start to the race was about 1/4 mile downhill from the check-in.  They had a truck and trailer available to shuttle people down.  I decided to take the truck down that way I could at least save my legs a little.  The grade downhill to the start is around 18%, so I would rather warmup closer to the start.

The start area was located on the bench part of the mountain, so that area was fairly flat.  It allowed for a good warmup.  At the time, I was still wearing long sleeves, but could tell that the air was warming with the cloud cover moving off.  Also, this area had significantly less wind. 
The start was a road start and went down the road a 1/4 mile before hitting the trail.

I know my problem with a lot of races is starting off quickly.  I’ve been trying at the beginning to allow some of the crowd to pass, so that I can allow myself to settle into my own pace. They described the elevation before the race and it looked something like this.

I was moving along the first mile getting there in about 6:40.  It was probably a little fast, but hey this a 4-mile race, it’s best to push hard.  The second mile didn’t feel too bad, but I could tell my hip flexors were a little tight and my legs were a little heavy.  I was still felt really good however.  My second mile was a 7:22.  Going into the third mile is when I was really starting to feel it.  The uphill section was a more of killer than I thought!


This Hurts

 


Smile!

At that point, I could really feel myself dragging, but knowing the end of was near I was going to fight.  Heading into the final mile, I started to feel a side stich coming on.  I had noticed that I wasn’t breathing effectively about half way through the race and this came back and bit me.  I was going to push through the pain and make it to the end.  Plus, I had someone behind me and I wasn’t going to let her pass! 

To the finish

You shall not pass!

I ended up with a time of 28:50 which ended up with a 15 overall placing and 3rd in my age group.  Some takeaways from this race are the following, practice breathing and start working on some more temp runs.
Overall, this was a great race.  The trail was wide and not technical at all.  The race shirt was great and the age group prizes were beer glasses, so you can’t beat that.  They also gave us Christmas ornaments that said 2012 Mt. Nebo Bench Trail Race which was a nice touch!  The after race food was some chili and potato soup which made for a nice meal before I started my ride!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Race the Base

Short post here

Great race with a challenging course. There wasn't a lot elevation gain, but it was rocky. The first mile was pretty smooth and the final two were tough. I was following a group of 5 and was able pass four before the end. We all finished within one to two seconds behind each other!

I was to finish 9th overall and 3rd in my age group!

This was the first race of the Arkansas trail run series. Next race is the Mt. Nebo bench trail run. I'm excited for this run because I've never been out there.

Jumping out a Plane

This was from my trip last year to New Zealand, but I just recently figured out how to to take it from the DVD it was recorded on, transfer it to my computer, and then make it into a smaller file to upload unto to Vimeo.  I knew how to complete the last step, it was the first step that always got me.

Anyways, as I was traveling around New Zealand there are a few places that you could go skydiving that are pretty awesome.  My first attempt was going to be at Lake Taupo, but it ended up being to cloudy that day. Plus, I was hoping for a clear day!  Another good location was Able Tasman, but I was looking for more of a mountain setting than beach.  As we traveled down the west coast, I could have attempted it at Franz Josef, but thought the weather wouldn't clear.  I missed a good opportunity there, but still had at least two more chances.  Continuing down the coast, Lake Wanaka was another place, but there plane was in the service shop, so no jumping there!  Finally, we arrive in Queenstown and I signed up knowing that I was going to have a couple of days there and an oppoturnity to could open.

Sure enought the next morning, we wake up and the sky is clear and the winds are light and it's time to jump.  I decided that I wanted to go ahead and jump from 15,000ft.  Might as well go to the top and get that one minute free fall. 

We wait about 30 minutes before we are suitted up and taught some instructions for the jump.  I would like to say that I wasn't nervous at this time, but I was getting there.  Now it's time to head to the plane.  We all load up and I'm the first on the plane and I'm going to be the last one off! 

The ride up was very nice with the very of the mountains and the lake, but now I'm starting to get nervous.  We reach 12,000ft and the people at that height start to jump out!  4 groups jump at 12,000ft and I am left with one other person who is jumping also at 15,000ft.

We start our climb to 15,000ft and finally reach the jump point.  I think at this point I'm strangely calm realizing that there is only one way down.  It's time to jump!  We shuffle towards the door and being attached to someone you kinda of have to move forward.  We hang off the edge and now it's time to jump!  Watch and enjoy!


Skydiving Queenstown from RJ Maguire on Vimeo.

We freefall for a minute and the chute deploys.  From there, it's a slow drop to the ground enjoying the views along the way.  The freefall was awesome.  I was surprised how clear my mind was even though we were rushing toward the ground at a high rate of speed.  I even added a small swimming move and remember to show my hands for the way down! 

NZone did a great job from start to finish.  I did ask how many jumpers they had and the most customers in one day.  The stated they had about 40 jumpers and one of their busiest days, they had 300 people.  It was cool to be able to see them pack the chutes and get ready.  It was almost like clock work there!

Maybe one day, I can head back.

Martyn Ashton - Road Bike Party

I saw the above video awhile back and thought I would go ahead and share.  Pretty cool video!

Seven Hollows Trail Run

I've been wanting to go around and explore more around me close to home and today I went and decided to go for a trail run out at Petit Jean State Park.  I decided to run the 4.5 mile Seven Hollows Trail.  It was a great run and scenery.  Enjoy the pictures below.

Seven Hollows Trail Run from RJ Maguire on Vimeo.

Tour De Tour Bike Ride w/Go Pro

I just purchased a Go Pro last week and had the opportunity to get a good ride in today.  I mounted the camera on the drop and away I rode.  I rode the Tour de Toad short loop out towards Harris Brake Lake.  I set the Go Pro to take a picture every 2 seconds.  I then uploaded the pictures on iMovie and transitioned them every .25secs.  I didn't get the whole ride in, but at least until Pleasant Valley.

Here is the Strava file for the ride


Enjoy the show.

Harris Brake Ride from RJ Maguire on Vimeo.






Upcoming some time this week I will get out my race report on the Heber Springs Tri!