Back in the Saddle

I started riding again. It's been pretty hard to ride this year. I have been running much more and feel that I want to focus more on running. This being said I have barely rode 100 miles this year. That's it. This time last year I rode over 2,000. That's a big difference.

I have also noticed that I have run almost the same distance as I have cycled.

Ironman training sure beefed up these numbers last year. My schedule was also more flexible last year. What am I going to do in a few years when I want to do another Ironman? I will try to figure something out??

Oh, yesterday was my first day back in the saddle in quite some time. I made it out 50 yards on my way home from work and I went down. Down I went and I was pissed. My goal this year was not to crash. What did I do? Maybe next year?

Moments Like This

I got a chance to watch Ironman CDA live this year online. Ah yes, Ironman. I dream about it, I long for it, I thrive for it. I can't believe it's been over a year. I shed many tears of sweat training for it. Many days I had two workouts and some even had three. I made many sacrifices training for the race and my training was well worth it!

I got a chance to see two friends make their Ironman dreams come true.

• Andy Murtha
• Craig Henry

Both did a fantastic job and I am very proud of them!! Way to go!!

So...will I do another Ironman?? Maybe in a couple of years. I want to wait till Ariel is old enough to have an idea of what Daddy is doing. Maybe even participate in the kids race?

Running and Sleep

Not too many posts lately. I've been pretty busy and occupied with other things. I remember last year I was posting at least once a week and sometimes daily. I really got into blogging, but I think the novelty wore off some.

So what's new?

Being a dad has been fun. It's really neat to see Ariel change. Her eyebrows have changed shape and has gained a few pounds. Her hair has even a little longer.

I have been running. That's it. No swimming, no cycling, no working out at the gym. 2-3 workouts per day are history...for now. It's been extra hard because sleep is an issue. I have been getting sleep...some. Some days are better than others. The quality of sleep is fair. I can't wait till Ariel starts sleeping at night. I will not complain about the sleep though. Nicole has had it rough the last couple of nights. It's been hard for her to sleep during the day when Ariel sleeps the most.

My running club, RMRR, celebrated it's 50th Anniversary. This included a full weeks worth of events. I didn't attend them all, but quite a few. I hosted a Tuesday night fun run at Washington Park in Denver. We went to Bonnie Brae Tavern afterwards and had an enjoyable dinner. There were around 30-45 people who came. That is pretty good considering the weather.
Wednesday was a track workout.

Friday was a 1.4 mile predict run. I guessed 8:10. I ran 1.4 miles in 8:00. That is 5:42 per mile. Incredible.
Saturday was a fun gathering at the track. It was a relay event and the goal was to run 50 miles on the track. Our group ended up running 150 miles instead. Of course several of us crazy runners ran 12.5 miles or 50 laps around the track. Not sure if I'd do it again.

Bolder Boulder for Baby

This Bolder Boulder is going to be very different this year.

I've almost always had a good night sleep before running this 10K Race. I've run the Bolder Boulder for 12-13 years now. The race always take place on Memorial Day. I only took one year off because of my hand surgery.

There will be two major difference for me this year.

1) Won't be staying at my parents house

2) Not sure how the sleep thing will be?? Baby has changed some things things.

With this being said, I still hope to have my personal best. I hope to run under 37min. Setting tough goals makes me extra nervous come race day.

New GU Athlete

Serious Athletes Need Serious Fuel

(fyi, baby only consuming breast milk, please don't feed the baby daddy's exercise nutrition)

Ariel Madison Greene

Our new baby has arrived. Her name is Ariel Madison Greene. She is so precious. We love her so much!!!

Ariel Madison Greene

Born 5/6/09 at 10:03am

5lbs 14oz, 19 inches long

Wolverine

Went go see the movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine tonight. Nicole, my younger brother, David, and his friend Patrick came along. Guess What??

I dressed up and shave my beard a little...

My hair looked better tonight!!!

Salt Lake City Marathon Race Report

Pre-Race Meal
The pasta party was held at the Cannella's Italian Restaurant. I wanted to make sure I had lots of carbs the night before the big race. I bought the ticket a few weeks in advance to guarantee a plate. I am glad I did because the tickets sold out. Dinner time was at 5:30pm and I was hungry. I had two full servings of pasta, salad and rolls. I thought I would never get full...until I couldn't eat the last roll.

Night Before
I stayed at the Howard Johnson's Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. It was a pretty clean room and I was able to change rooms; one with a microwave and fridge. I wanted to make sure I had my oatmeal before the big race. I went to bed at 9:30pm.

Pre-Race
Before I left Denver I thought I was going to have problems getting to the starting line. No problem at all once I got to Salt Lake. I took the light rail system to the starting line. I even got a seat! The train was full, including all the cyclists for the bike tour. I used the restroom twice and felt that would be good. The lines grew longer and longer and I am glad I was done. About 15 minutes before the start I dropped off my clothes at the "gear check-in". I headed to the start line because I wanted to make sure I got in the front pack.

Start (Miles 1-8)
The start was amazing with the gospel choir singing and a brisk cool morning. I was positioned almost perfectly. I didn't get too close, but almost too far back. I was dodging people left and right at the start. I didn't want my first mile to be 5:45 or under. Race smart Eric, race smart.
Mile 1: 6:08, Mile 2: 6:25, Mile 3: 6:30, Mile 4: 6:32
Mile 5: 6:41, Mile 6: 6:33, Mile 7: 6:41, Mile 8: 6:33
Avg: 6:30/mile

Miles 9-16
I met several runners along the way. I was amazed at how my pace was going and was wondering if I was going to bonk towards the end. I asked a few runners what their goal pace was. Some said 3:10, some under 3. I ran with an awesome runner, Dane Rauschenberg, who is quite well known. He runs marathons quite often. He even wrote a book about his marathon experience when he accomplished 52 marathon in 52 weeks. I kept up with him for the first 9 miles. He started to push the pace and I decided to let him take off. I kept the same pace and he sped up. He was quite shocked that I was pushing my own pace when I told him my best marathon and what my goals were.
Mile 9: 6:41, Mile 10: 6:33, Mile 11: 6:37, Mile 12: 6:51
Mile 13: 7:05, Mile 14: 6:27, Mile 15: 6:37, Mile 16: 6:51
Avg: 6:43/mile
Half-Marathon Split: 1:26:57

Miles 17-24
I started to slow down just a little. Mile 24 was off a little because my GPS watch lost connection during the run. This happened several other times, but not for long. These miles were more challenging and required more mental power. I was holding up pretty good and realized about Mile 20 that I would break 3 hours. I passed mile 20 at
Mile 17: 6:50, Mile 18: 6:38, Mile 19: 6:51, Mile 20: 7:01
Mile 21: 7:02, Mile 22: 6:59, Mile 23: 6:37, Mile 24: 7:09
Avg: 6:53/mile

Mile 25-26.2

The last miles were pretty tough. Mile 24 was through a nice park, Mile 25 was up State Street. I say up because it was a nice hill to climb. There were lots of half-marathon runners I was passing too. After the long hill, the last mile was at a gradual downhill. Still lots of people to dodge. No marathon runners too close to me so I felt no need to sprint to the end.
Mile 25: 7:13, Mile 26: 7:09, Mile .2: 2:38ish

Post Race

The finish area was pretty cool. I was worn out. I almost felt like I could have run a little faster? I got a neat medal, water, energy drinks, yogurt and a banana. I didn't eat much right away, but I was feeling pretty hungry a little while later. I waited in line to get my gear check bag. That took about 30 minutes. Next I waited in line to get a message. I love getting messages after a big race. Well deserved.

I waited for a long time for the results. I got a chance to talk with other racers who waited for their times too. After waiting at least 2 hours I gave up. The race director said there were some scoring issues and they wouldn't be posted. I wasted to much time and even got sun burned.

Overall time: 2:58:14

Overall Place: 22/1086

Gender Place: 19/697

Age Div Place: 7/107

Overall Pace: 6:48/mile

I am extremely happy with my performance. I feel I have more work to do and a little more to improve. More pics to come...

SLC Marathon Update

The Salt Lake City Marathon has come and gone. It amazes how much you train for a race. You train, train, train. Lots of sweat, lots of stories. The anticipation drives you crazy. You can't wait till race day.

Race day comes, you complete the course. Get lots of satisfaction, and the race is over. Lots of stories to tell. Then what? Train for another race is usually the next best thing.

My SLC Marathon experience has been a success. I accomplished my goals and I am now going to Boston in 2010. YEAH. The official time on was 2:58:14. I placed 22nd overall and 7th in my age division. Will I ever place in my age group?? May for a smaller race :)

More stories to come when I arrive back in Denver.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I feel like a superstar!!

Night before...

Boy am I nervous. The race is almost here. I am looking at getting a good night sleep. My fear of getting to the race is gone. The light rail system is pretty cool and very easy to use. It's free too.

Ate a good dinner at Cannella's. I had to go back for seconds. I was so hungry. The earliest I have had dinner in a long time. Since college??

Anyways, having fun in Salt Lake City. Getting a little board though. Oh well. Maybe I will go watch some TV.