This past weekend's 5k race was rather nostalgic for me and monumental to my spirit. The Spring Assistance Ministries (SAM) 5k was the very first race I had ever ran (May 2011). Right before I registered I had just broken the three mile mark for the first time and I was starting to realize that I could actually run. For the longest time I believed that I was not capable of running farther than two miles without dying, boy was I wrong. I finished the 5k right at the 28 minute mark and I was very satisfied with that time.

Fast forward one year and my whole running ideology has changed. I not only want to race but I want to win or place in the events I register for. My intentions going into the race was to PR and to place as a finisher.

Since the location is only a few minutes from my house it was an easy morning. We got up, ate and loaded the kids in the car (not as easy as it sounds) to make our way over. We arrived pretty early and were able to size up the competition. My buddy, Scooter, registered at the last minute and almost missed being able to be time chipped. We lined up near the front and waited for the gun.

My strategy was to try and stay with Scooter and pace myself to have a reserve for the backside. Ha! So many plans go awry within the first thirty seconds. As the gun sounded we made our way to the front of the group and I realized quickly we were the pace setters (first and second). I missed starting my GPS at the gun somehow so I never received the first quarter mile pace update. I did get my GPS started about four tenths of a mile into the race and when the first quarter mile update announced I was averaging a 6:15 mile. I was pretty stoked. I had already started to back off a bit since I was already feeling the heat. My strategy at this point was to keep Scooter in my sights and hold back everyone behind me. When the next quarter mile update came I was averaging a 6:40 mile but I could already tell I wasn't going to be able to hold back the quicker guys much longer. Sure enough, I was passed right around the one mile marker by two guys, but I was able to hold ground for the next mile. Between the second mile and the finish I allowed three more people to pass. The course is flat with a lot of turns through the neighborhood. With the heat and humidity working against me I knew I was going to be close to my PR time but not exactly how close. As I neared the finish I pushed to a sprint and came in  at 22:55 which is 3 seconds slower than my 5k PR time.

Overall I am happy with the results. 7th place overall and 2nd place for men's 30-39 age group. Scooter wound up coming in first overall and winning a year's worth of Chick-Fil-A!

The best part of the whole experience is that within a year I have been able to cut 5 minutes from my 5k time and I know for sure I am capable of winning/placing in events. It only gets better from here!

I have always wanted to ride the MS150 and this year was no exception. When The Woodforest Cycling Team contacted me I jumped right on it this year. I was concerned about the fundraising aspect but that turned out to be a really good experience for me. I am very grateful for everyone that donated to the MS Society on my behalf to allow me to ride. I invited my friend Scooter to join the team since he just got started with cycling and triathlons as well.

On the morning of day 1 Scooter and I drove out to Waller Stadium and meet up with our team. The weather forecast for Saturday was not cycling friendly (cold and windy) so we prepared for a long day. After some group photos, tire pressure and bike readiness check we were off. Things went well till we reached Belleville (averaging 17-18 miles an hour) due to moderate winds. Once we reached Belleville though it was a completely different story with strong headwinds. I averaged 13 miles an hour for the remainder of the trip up to La Grange. I dealt with two rear tire flats and a chain derail the last 20 miles of the ride. Overall my day one average pace was 14.4 mph.

Once we made it to La Grange Scooter and I made a quick 3 mile brick run before showering and massages.

We hung out the rest of the day around the camp grounds and main event area. The catered bar-b-que was incredible and the company was amazing.

The next morning I woke up early for breakfast and was extremely sore. I worried about how the day would turn out because of how sore I was. We started out and it was pretty cold but I warmed up rather quickly. I suffered another chain derailment but that was the only distractor on Sunday. I made two stops (one for a potty break and another to refill my water bottles) but otherwise I rode straight through making excellent time. I pulled into Austin and crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 8 minutes. My average pace on Sunday was 17.1 mph.

Overall it was a great experience and I hope to do it again next year.

I found this picture that my wife had taken during the run on Saturday. It's kinda strange to see my stride in motion. Some additional pictures have been added.

• Conoco Philips Rodeo Run 10k Conoco Philips Rodeo Run 10k
• Conoco Philips Rodeo Run 10k Conoco Philips Rodeo Run 10k
• Conoco Philips Rodeo Run 10k Conoco Philips Rodeo Run 10k
•  

The weather was prefect! The crowd was insane and nobody lined up according to the pace groups. We choose the 7 minute pace queue area and it seemed to have worked out well. I ran past a bunch of people the first quarter mile and just maintained a 7:19 pace until we got to the hills. I was not expecting the hills up and down the overpass but felt prepared since I do hills and sprints in my normal training plan. I ate a gu gel at the 3 mile mark and had plenty in the tank to sprint it out once I saw the finish line. As I sprinted I had to pass a bunch of people on the right and it's a good thing because a guy in a wheelchair decided to stop and spin around in front of everyone. There was about 5 people that almost ran into the wheelchair and it caused a pretty big stink. I was more upset that water was not available immediately after the run shoot and had to look for it inside the post party area. Overall it was an awesome time and an awesome run. My goal was under 50 minutes. Looks like I overshot it. :) my first 10k race so now I have set the standard.