Hey SW, make with the race report.

[Kzoo]

We need all the details.

[Page Turner]

38 minutes ago, Kzoo said:

We need all the details.

...you can leave out any parts where you threw up.

[Dottleshead ★]

1 hour ago, Page Turner said:

...you can leave out any parts where you threw up.

Either that or provide a link on YouTube

[Square Wheels]

I don't think I have one for this year.

Last year I trained really hard.  I had a coach who really prepared me.  I was running a lot and cycling a lot.  My short runs during the week were 5 miles, usually 6 or 7.  Weekends were 8 to 10.  On the weekends I would go out to a local hill about an hour away and run hills for at least 2 hours.  Same for the bike, there was a bike route about an hour away that I rode hills on for 3 to 5 hours.  My life felt consumed by getting ready to run Washington under 2 hours, and do the 109 mile, hilly century a month later under 6 hours.

For last years run, the weather was pretty cold and very windy.  My wife claims that's why I finished at 2:10.  Then I gave it my all on the century, lots of hills, 6:30.

I felt terrible after these two events, they really broke my spirit.  I gave training my all, I weighed 25 pounds less than I do now, and I still failed.  I had no idea how much this affected me, still.

I gave up my couch, I gained weight, I got a new position at work that takes a lot of my time, I pretty much gave up training.

This year I had no expectations, wasn't even sure I could finish, or finish under the required time.

It wasn't as cold as last year at the top, it was in the 40s with 40+ mph winds  Still not friendly, but doable.

I finished 2:26, the cut off is 3:05.

I'll do it again next year, but I'll train for it - I hope.

[Ralphie ★]

Nice report!  Sounds like the 80-20 rule to be, or even better!  A decent result with much less prep. 

[Airehead]

Still a nice effort. Many people would have failed to start

[Page Turner]

[Kzoo]

You rock

[Razors Edge ★]

9 hours ago, Square Wheels said:

...do the 109 mile, hilly century a month later under 6 hours.

...Then I gave it my all on the century, lots of hills, 6:30. 

I felt terrible after these two events, they really broke my spirit.  I gave training my all, I weighed 25 pounds less than I do now, and I still failed.  I had no idea how much this affected me, still.

Doing a solo century in under 6 hours is tough enough. Add an additional 9 miles, and it gets much harder. I know it was a "goal" of yours and it sucks to miss it, but that was a relatively high bar. On "race day", it's hard to gauge how those extra 30-50 miles will feel vs the shorter training rides you were doing (since I doubt you pre-rode the route full gas).

Definitely don't beat yourself up over that time.  Do beat yourself up the running nonsense.  Running is just stupid. 

[Dottleshead ★]

6+ whatever hours for a century is pretty rad. No joke.

[Zephyr]

2:26? I salute you SW, you have done something a large majority of the population (including me) could ever accomplish.  

Too bad we dont live closer so you could push me.  My riding has been hit and miss lately and i lack motivation to get on the bike.  I need someone to kick me in the ass now and then.