Upcoming Cycling Events

Upcoming Cycling Events

February 16 and 17

Wolfpack Cycling Classic

For the first time, this staple of the ACCC Collegiate Race Season will have USAC-Road categories. Come out and test your legs a week before the Greenville Training Series.

Race Flyer: www.geocities.com/crazybikerfromtheaccc/2008raceflyers.pdf

Saturday, February 16

Wolfpack Cycling Classic Road Race in Chatham County, NC (just north of Sanford)

The new and improved course is an 18 mile loop that will be run in a clockwise direction. Terrain will be rolling with one fair sized climb per lap and an uphill finish.

Registration: www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5727

Sunday, February 17

Wolfpack Cycling Classic Criterium in Raleigh, NC

Located on NC State University's Centennial Campus, the course is a fast 1 km D-shaped course with a short uphill and tight chicane and two left hand turns. This is the same course that has been used the past 6 years.

Registration: www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5728

*********************************************************************

Greenville Spring Training Series

Kicks off on Feb 23 in Greenville, SC

http://www.teamhincapie.com/

*********************************************************************

March 15 and 16

Out Like a Lion Race Weekend

Remax Town and County Road Race - Albemarle, NC

Food Lion City Park Criterium - Salisbury, NC

The event brochure is now posted on www.charlottesportscycling.com

*********************************************************************

Maxxis Southern Classic MTB Series

http://www.southernclassicmtb.org/

*********************************************************************

Sunday, March 30

Sally's Y Ride in Denver NC

Ride For Sally's Y March 30,2008

www.activezach.com/events/eventDetails.cfm?pEventId=2416 or www.sallysy.org/

Start Date: Mar 30, 2008 1 p.m.

E-mail: bloodsweatgears@bellsouth.net

Distance: 15 - 30 - 50 mile

*********************************************************************

Saturday, April 19

SouthPark Cycles and BlackDogBikes.com present

THE 6 HOUR GRIND ON THE GREENWAY

Anne Close Springs Greenway will play host to a super exciting six hour mountain bike race on April 19. Don’t let the name “Greenway” fool you, the race at Anne Close Springs Greenway is about 98% fast and challenging singletrack. The event will be held from 11AM to 5PM. The start and finish of the event will be at the Field Trial Barn. Categories, registration and all other pertinent info will be posted soon

This event is being held in conjunction with the Earth Day celebrations organized by the staff at Anne Springs Close Greenway

www.charlottemtnbike.com

*******************************************************************

Saturday, April 26

HIAWASSEE, GA - Our 5th annual recreational bicycle ride to celebrate the Tour de Georgia will be held Saturday, April 26, 2008. Starting in Hiawassee, GA at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, just minutes from Brasstown Bald, the ride will begin with a mass start after the pre-ride briefing at 8:00 AM. Ride options will include a 12-mile rolling course and a 36-mile, challenging, hilly course that circles Brasstown Bald. You can ride a portion of the same route that the world's best professional cyclists, like past champions Floyd Landis, Tom Danielson and Lance Armstrong, have ridden.

Then, spend the afternoon cheering on the pro peloton as they assault Brasstown Bald and finish Stage 6 atop the highest point in Georgia. Pre-registration guarantees a commemorative T-shirt to the first 300 participants. The registration fee is $25 postmarked before April 19th, $30 postmarked after April 19th or on-site. 1,000 Rider Limit. Register at www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1521091 or www.sabacycling.com.

Proceeds for this event go to the development of the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail Project, which will provide additional recreational opportunities and economic development for Clay County, NC and the adjoining Towns County, GA.

*********************************************************************

Saturday, May 3

Dilworth Criterium - Charlotte, NC

www.charlottesportscycling.com

*********************************************************************

Start Training Now

Uwharrie Xterra - May 4, 2008

For more info, visit www.middleringcycles.com

*********************************************************************

May 24 & 25

The BURN 24 Hour Challenge is the Southeast's Premiere 24 Hour Mountain Bike Solo & Team Relay Race featuring an amazing trail system, electronic timing, kid's races, great prizes, the infamous Alien Abduction, and free BURN Energy Drinks throughout the event. This is your source for race details, registration options & race rules. While you are here please add your name to the mailing list. We hope you can join us in at Dark Mountain Trails in Wilkesboro, NC on May 24th & 25th, 2008. Details can be found at http://burn24hour.com

*********************************************************************

August 15-17

FOOL'S GOLD 100/50 Mile Mountain Bike Race & Festival

"Thar's gold in them thar hills!"

August 15-17 2008 in the mountains of North Georgia

The Fool's Gold 100 is Georgia's first and only 100 mile mountain bike race, brought to you by the race director of the largest and most fun 24 hour mountain bike race in the Southeast, the BURN 24 Hour Challenge! Fool's Gold 100 will be the 6th race of the 2008 National Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike Race Series. Expect lots of singletrack with a few gravel road grunts. Be prepared to ride hard..and drink a few brews. We promise, you won't be disappointed! With the low entry fee, great schwag, all of the essential amenities (i.e. food, lodging, beer) ALL WEEKEND!, and cash payout for the Open Men’s/Women’s class in the 100 miler, we think this one will be on your race calendar for good!

C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race - Book Review

C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race:
The True Story of the 1928 Coast-to-Coast Run Across America
By Geoff Williams

I read about this book in one of the 30 magazines I read every month and thought it sounded like something I'd be interested in because it mixes two of my favorite subjects: history and feats of endurance.

I was actually surprised to find it at the large book store, B**d*rs, since they've successfully diluted anything interesting to read by carrying so much poorly written, albeit well-funded, works. Thus, leaving little room for interesting and mind-piquing literature...but I digress.

C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race is a true story of a promoter who conjures up a running event of 3,423 miles, beginning in Los Angeles and finishing in New York City. It takes place in 1928 when feats of endurance (and sparse sanity) are prevalent, such as marathon dancing, pole sitting, and eating contests. With $25,000 in prize money ($296,184.80 in today's value - I looked it up), men would come from all walks of life for a chance at winning the money and, thus, changing their lives for the better in many ways.

The diversity of the participants is a cross section of America, farmers, athletes, unemployed, old, young, black, and white. Some were great athletes and others, well, others were not. They, all 199 of them, had the heart and motivation to start, but only 25% of them would finish. Imagine running 30-50 miles per day for 85 days in a row.

C.C. Pyle

Although easily unlikeable, like most promoters, C.C. Pyle has to be regarded in his gumption, enthusiasm, and flexibility to keep the thing going when problems occur. Some would call him a conman, but a year before the Great Depression he did give hope and dreams not only to the inspired participants, but to all the spectators in all the towns they stopped in each night.

You don't have to be a runner, or athlete for that matter, to enjoy this book. The detailed insight into the characters' minds are relevant to all of our worries, dreams, defeats, and successes.

Winter Mountain Bike Series

Winter Mountain Bike Series

Neal Boyd has grown the Winter Short Track Mountain Bike Series substantially over the last seven years. It's a great way to get out to exercise and compete during the grey days of winter. All abilities are welcome. The course itself is short (hence, the name), fast, and less technical than the courses of the summer series events. Last week they had nearly 200 riders join them on the trails.

The 7th Annual East Blvd Bar and Grill Winter Short Track Series presented by Heartwood Tree Service
When: January 27 & February 2, 3, 10 & 16, 2008
Where: None other than the infamous Renaissance Park Short Track in Charlotte, NC
What: Food, Fun and lots of Fast Racing
www.charlottemtnbike.com

For the 2008 Series, Charlotte Sports Cycling has teamed up once again with East Blvd Bar and Grill, Heartwood Tree Service and the Dirt Divas to host the always exciting Winter Short Track Race Series.  The winter race series kicked off SUNDAY January 27 and will consist of five races.  Rain or shine. We plan to have food, coffee, hot chocolate, an event photographer, and music at all of five of the events.

The series is once again sanctioned through USA Cycling, so the registration is broken down into those who carry an annual USAC MTB license and those who do not have an annual MTB license. 2008 USAC MTB licenses are now available online at www.usacycling.org 

“But Officer, It’s Just an iPod”

“But Officer, It’s Just an iPod”

By Tim Long

Three miles into a run, warmed up to a smooth stride, foot strikes in time with every other beat of the fast techno song pouring through your iPod; you’re in the zone. What could possibly be wrong with that? Well, a lot of things according to some who oppose the use of mp3 players not only during races, but also just out for your after work de-stress run.

I know a few of those “purists”. One actually emailed me one afternoon after seeing me earlier that day with headphones on while running. I won’t mention any names (Chaz), but his email said something like, “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those people.”

I’m not one of those people, or rather, I guess I am. But I’m also one of the other people who understand the dangers of listening to music while running on roads and in races. I’d say on average I probably listen to my iPod while running less than five times in a year. That’s only five out of 300 runs. I don’t think it’s right or wrong. I just love to hear and feel my breathing, my foot strikes, the different sounds of the various surfaces I’m running over, etc. I attain a much higher level of focus and zen-like experience without any technical gadgets, especially a distracting iPod. Why on those five runs then do I choose to wear one? I do it for much of the same reasons as everyone else… motivation. Knowing I need to get out for a hill workout and not being in the mood for it, I’ll grab the music. It helps. Thankfully, I love to run so much that it’s very rare to need any motivation other than a clean pair of socks.

I’d like to hear opinions on this issue from others. I know some people feel pretty strongly about it. Marathons are disqualifying people for wearing iPods. That would tick me off after paying $100 for entry and training for it.

Here’s the USATF rule, which leaves me wondering, “TV’s?”.

USATF rule 144.3b:

The visible possession or use by athletes of video or audio cassette recorders or players, TV's, CD or DVD players, radio transmitters or receivers, mobile phones, computers, or any similar devices in the competition area shall not be permitted.

Further explanation by USATF officials as follows: Participants wearing headphones are less aware of their surroundings and may not be aware of (1) starting line announcements; (2) instructions on the course from race management, volunteers and police officers; (3) warnings that a car is in the immediate vicinity or that participants have strayed off course; (4) friendly warnings from another participant that is approaching to pass; (5) finish line/chute announcements; and, (6) directions in the recovery area. In basic terms--when you can't hear what is going on around you, you lose one of your most valuable senses--at a time when you need all of your senses working. Even if a participant is cognizant of their surroundings and "wants" to be aware, the inability to hear clearly is a significant risk factor that cannot be ignored. Event personnel must be able to communicate with participants before, during and after the race.

What do you think? Click on “comments” at the bottom of this article and let us know.

2008 Uwharrie 40 Mile Trail Run – Race Report

Though it's understood that many of our readers are normal folks, who enjoy normal activities and normal distances, from time to time we like to offer a glimpse into some of the less sane events and people who participate in them.

2008 Uwharrie 40 Mile Trail Run – Race Report

By Tim Long

Sunny, cool day in the woods, challenging race course, great new friends, and enjoying it all for 40 miles, what more could one ask for? Ibuprofen perhaps.

The race itself is very well organized. The volunteers act as though they get paid $1,000 each to be there for the day. Everyone who is a participant in races needs to remember to thank the volunteers profusely, and then thank them again. Without them there seriously would be no events.

I was a nervous wreck for the week leading up to the race, worrying about everything from DNFing at my last 50 miler in September to the small injuries and pains that seemed linked together one after the other over the last three months, so I was happy to have the alarm go off at 4:00AM on race morning. I’ve noticed over the years of competing that on the morning of the event right up to the start line my worries are gone. It’s like a light switch goes off during the night before a race. Even sleepy, I’m focused and efficient those mornings.

Arriving at the event at 5:50AM, I had plenty of time to sit in my truck, listen to music and go over the strategy for the race: start slowly, stick to that pace at least until the 20 mile turn around, test myself by picking up the pace a little, then tear into it, all while eating, drinking, taking in electrolytes and trying not to fall in the creeks. I thought about this until it became a mantra, “start slow, then go,” start slow, then go.” Typically, it’s been the opposite for me, “go hard, then hold.” That, however, has failed me twice now and only seems to work in races of 50k and under.

After dressing and standing in the dark by the big campfire with everyone, I made my way over to the start. Ultras are interesting to me (in many ways) in that no one jostles for position to be at the front of the start line. There are typically five people who plan to race one another at the front, then everyone sort of stands around talking and joking with one another.

From the top of a big Rubbermaid container, a petite woman gives some directions on where we enter the trail, then yells “Go!” and we’re off. A very large group has already put a gap on the rest of the field and it takes every atom of my brain screaming, “Don’t you dare go with them!” to keep me from pushing my pace. My plan is to make the turn around somewhere between 3:05 and 3:15 hours.

In roughly 20 mins the first group is out of sight and I’m settled in trying to focus on clean, efficient footing and drinking constantly. Soon, a small group of four of us are the second pack. I start talking with Steve Core from Virginia. He’s running with a buddy from NJ who’s having trouble. For some reason I stay with them at a very slow pace for 45 mins. Then Steve must have told his friend that he was leaving him, because Steve, with me in tow, increases his pace noticeably and we’re off on our own with no one in sight behind us. I feel better at this pace. It hasn’t occurred to me yet what time I may have lost in the meandering pace we’d been doing for an hour. Steve and I chat constantly about his club, the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club. There are some heavy hitters on that club: Annette Bednosky, Sean Andrish, and Brian Schmitt to name a few. Steve’s definitely no slouch himself and is a smart ultra runner, so I’m happy to be running with him. Following him through the numerous water crossings was almost comical; he was like a monkey on the sparse rocks and on fallen trees, all of which he used like a bridge. He didn't get a drop of the ice cold water on him. I, of course, tried to mimic his footing and fared well enough, even over the frosty tree trunks, one of which was no more than 4" in diameter and slippery as though it was covered in axle grease. At one of the deeper crossings, I lunged for a rock, shot off the edge of it like a wet bar of soap and plunged my right foot up to mid calf in water that must have been defying physics by not being frozen solid, because it was certainly cold enough. So now I have the odd sensation of one dry foot with all the feeling in it and one foot completely soaked and frozen numb. I had to take it for granted that it was doing what I wanted because I had no idea without looking at it, since there was no feeling. I also have a tendency to linger at aid stations chatting with the cute girls “manning” them (come on, cute girls handing you cookies, filling your water bottles and saying you look great.....can you blame me?). If I wanted to keep up with my new running partner, there’d be none of that today. He only stopped at every other station, and even then just for an instant - barely enough time for me to get a recipe for the super homemade cookies they had.

As we’re getting close to the 20 mile turn around, Sean Andrish (current champion and eventual winner) is coming back our way. He crosses our paths at 3 hours, so now I’ll know how far back we are from the leader, once I get to the turn around myself, check the elapsed time from 3 hours, and double it. The other leaders start coming at us and I count off nine of them. So now I know I’m in 11^th place (behind Steve, who’s in 10^th technically). That’s the way we arrive at the 20 mile point at 3:13 hours. I’m a little nervous at the slow pace I’d been running for the last three hours, so I dropped off my warm clothes, put on a short sleeve shirt, tightened my shoes, and grabbed some food all in one fluid motion.

I run best alone, so I was a little relieved when Steve had to adjust his shoe. Now I was in 10^th place and running alone. I gradually increase my pace and find it very comfortable. All the other 40 milers, including the lead women, are coming at me on their way to the 20 mile point, so there is a little extra effort watching the footing while crossing paths (the women's race was wide open without last year's top finishers present, and the first five women were within 3 mins of one another just before the 20 mile point). There were also some hellacious rocky downhills. I’ve trained specifically on sections like these, and have gotten to a point where I can fly downhill. It’s a lot easier to make time on someone going downhill rather than up.

The 20 mile participants are now coming at me (they started an hour after the 40 milers). I recognize and know a surprising number of them. They’re very motivating, “Go, Tim!” “You look strong!” "Catch them!" the typical stuff you say at races, but still feels good. I’ve now gone through a couple aid stations, at mile 23 and 26 and have an idea of my true pace. I’m running a negative split! This is virtually unheard of in ultra events. The ratio of splits is typically 1 : 1.3. [You figure it out, I need to get back to the story]

So, now I’m on fire mentally and feel pretty much as well as I did three hours earlier. I pick off the guy in 9^th place, then the guy in 8^th. I’m in my element now, running alone in the woods with all senses firing. Every time I go by them it’s like they’re standing still. I know how they feel and sympathize. Then I see the guy in 7^th place at the top of a very long climb. I’m on him so fast that he says, “Man, you came up on me like a cat!” It bolsters my confidence and focus even further. I run with him long enough to chat. His name is Ronnie from the Triangle area, and, like most ultra runners, is down to earth, and very nice. I begin to pull away from him and soon don’t hear him behind me anymore. I’m beginning to get a binding cramp in my right quad, but tell myself it’ll go away (the cramp, not the quad).

I get to the 32 mile aid station at 5:09:30 hours with only 8 miles to go. Amazing. I’d run the last 12 miles in 1:56 hours. At this pace I figure even with the somewhat slow early split and even if I run a little more conservatively the last 8 miles, I could finish in 6:27 hours. Then the unthinkable happens. I come to an ambiguous part of the course where it crosses a creek. For illustration purposes, the course at this point is shaped like an “F” with me running from the bottom-up. The correct course is the first right turn, but it’s not well marked and if you pass it, there is another right turn about 30ft beyond it that is very wide and “obvious”. I ran to the second path, looked at it for a minute, then crossed the creek and started running up that path. I start to get a sickening feeling when I don’t come across any white markings on any trees after a while, so I stop, look up the path further and see “Private Property” signs on a couple trees. My heart sinks and I’m so mad at myself that I can’t think straight. I look at my watch to see how long it takes me to get back on track, so I can gage how much time I wasted and turn back around. The whole time I’m running back to the correct course, I’m swearing constantly and quite audibly. Finally, I’m back at the correct turn and try to regain focus. Ten minutes later I finally catch back up to Ronnie (again), who looks perplexed at my ability to pass him once then pass him again 3 miles later. I explain what happened and he seems genuinely sorry for me. Now, I’ve slowed my pace some, knowing that no matter how hard I run I won’t catch the top five guys. I’d been getting splits from the aid stations on the runners in front and was certain I’d catch all but two of them. I do catch the guy in 6^th, who looks like a mess. I tap him on the arm and tell him to stay on it, but he just looks at me blankly with salt caked around his eyes from sweat.

I run the last couple miles comfortably but at a nice pace and finish in 6:40 hours in 6^th place (to give an idea of the talent out there this year, that time would have been good enough for 2nd place last year). Not counting the minutes added on while lost, I had run the last 20 miles faster than everyone, even the winner of the race. Turning an even (or negative) split in a 40 mile race would've been sweet. Next time for sure. Is getting lost an excuse? Hell no. It's part of ultra races in the woods. I finished where I finished and the rest is speculation. Congratulations to all the competitors; there was some hot speed out there. The disappointment and frustration of running off course is smothered by the satisfaction of finishing 40 miles and feeling well enough to do a cool down run afterwards. In other ultras where I’ve gone out too fast and/or didn’t hydrate correctly I couldn’t walk back to my truck afterwards. This was a huge step forward in my ultra running. Nice little spread of food at the finish. I had a couple bowls of soup and talked with some new friends. I can’t wait to start training under Howard and get back out in the woods again for some long runs.

A special thank you to Dr. Mike Duffy of Greenapple Sports and Wellness (one of my main sponsors - and friends). The confidence he gives me by making sure my body is in top working order is like a gift. Dr. Duffy pinpoints problems and applies the correct treatments that keep me running comfortably, day after day. I owe this race to him for being so good at what he does.

Frosty 5k, February 2, 2008

Race reviewer, Jim Payne, continues his coverage of the Frosty 5k Series at the second event of three on McAlpine Creek Greenway's 5k course.

Frosty 5k, February 2, 2008

By Jim Payne

Today was the second race in the Frosty 5k series. It was held in scenic McAlpine Creek Park. The park is very robust with soccer fields, a dog park, plenty of walking trails and an excellent cross country 5k course. This is the same place that the Wendy's Invitational Cross Country race is held. The first 5k race was at Mallard Creek and the third and final 5k race is going to be held at Freedom Park.

Showing up at 8am, the temperature was around 30 to 35 degrees. A very cool start was on the docket. Charlotte Health and Fitness organized the start of the race just as they did before. This is good as once you have something that works and works well, no need to change it. They had a very organized and orderly pre-registration and day of registration tables. Also was the every present chip pickup table. Surprisingly enough there were no long lines, even though there were many people running. This was a testament to the many volunteers present. Just as before, the race packet was put together with good info and trinkets. They included another box of raisins and a long sleeve shirt. My daughter "confiscated" my first race shirt and I am sure this one will find the same fate.

With the cool weather I struggled with deciding what to wear. Long sleeve tech shirt or short sleeve? Shorts or long pants? Hat? It really is funny, looking back, how much you can worry about something like long sleeves or short. I ended up wearing a long sleeve tech, long pants and of course, my Sharksbite singlet. I met up with Marcus and Alba (Marcus' wife) and we walked over to the start line together. The sun was out but it was cold. I was resigned to the fact that this was just going to be a cold run. But a cold run is so much better than no run.

This time, the race director organized everyone at the start line. He made the usually announcement. Follow this arrow, look for this sign, don't get hurt, have fun, etc... Then he organized everyone. Very informal but yet, very effective. If you run sub 7 minute miles, get up front. If you run 8 and 9 minutes miles, start here. If you have a baby jogger, please start here. In my previous race report I talked about the family environment. Well, that held true with this event. Everyone lined up where they should. Honesty was certainly winning out which made me smile. We all have seen the up front runners having to dodge someone, someone like me, who is not in the same league. Hence why I always start in the back. Everybody took a minute and reorganized the start line. Then the race director counted down from 10 and we were off!

Once I got going I warmed up significantly. The first mile and a half was flat. Everyone spread out and fell into a running groove. It was cool outside, the sun was shinning bright and the air was clear. We were out running in a park and enjoying ourselves. I knew then this was going to be a good morning. I passed the first mile marker and looked at my watch. 8:16 and I thought, no wonder I was starting to get warm. I was running much faster than normal. There was only one hill to speak of and it was around 1.5 miles into the run. The last mile and a half was spent running around the lake and a soccer field. At one point I came up behind a guy who was walking. We had been passing one another back and forth for the last mile or so. I just said, "Come on. Let's go go go." He started running again and never stopped all the way to the end. Since someone helped me in the same way in the last race, this was my chance to "Pay it Forward". I came around the lake for the last time and crossed the finish line at just under 28 minutes.

Of course, Marcus was already cooled down by that time but we ran an extra lap around the lake anyway. Then we waited around for the awards ceremony. Wingate University cleaned town. They had their cross country team out and they were, well, fast sort of falls short of describing them. Still, Marcus placed second in his age group. Another coffee cup award for his Frosty 5k collection.

This was another good race by Charlotte Health and Fitness. They had good food at the finish line and plenty of water. Lots of volunteers and excellent race management. I hope they continue to structure more race series after the final Frosty 5k. They are good at directing the races and the races are good for the community. No reason not to have a 5k each and every month. Hint, Hint, CHF.

Athlete Profile - Audra Hausser

Athlete Profile - Audra Hausser

This is one of my favorite people stories in terms of someone progressing from sedentary to active. I met Audra just after I moved to Charlotte in 2003. We ended up being on the same flag football team in a league. The first practice I noticed she wasn't what you'd call 'athletic'. By looking at her standing still you'd never know it since she was slim albeit soft, but once she started trying to run around the field and catch passes, it was fairly clear we had our work cut out for us on this one.

After a couple of weeks of night games, that we typically lost, I suggested to Audra that she try running to get into better shape (not body shape, but cardio shape). After a look of disgust, Audra said....

Well, here's Audra's account of how she went from soft to a marathon running veteran:

Bubba And The Beast – Audra Hausser

Setting the bar

“If you see me running, you’d better stop and pick me up, because someone’s chasing me.” This is what I told my friend Nicole when she wanted me to take up running with her. Running wasn’t just my least favorite thing, I hated it. I’ve had asthma all of my life and I’ve never pushed myself aerobically. Having Asthma was always a great excuse and it worked on Nicole.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work with Tim. Tim was on my flag football team and had started Sharksbite Road Runners. I guess after many unsuccessful attempts to attract runners to the club, he decided he’d just create new runners. He wouldn’t accept my excuses, but offered to help me. He put me on a training program to run a 5K after seven weeks. It would have ended there. I could have humored him a bit, pretending to work on the program until eventually he stopped bugging me. But he unwittingly found my Achilles’ heel. “You’ll run it in 28 minutes,” he said.

He’d set the bar. By nature I can’t back down from a goal for fear I may disappoint someone. Even worse, when someone sets the bar for me I have to raise it. It’s a genetic defect that I must exceed expectations and I’m convinced it will eventually lead to my downfall. He’d set it at 28 minutes, but in my mind I raised the bar to 26:30 minutes. This was a lofty goal. Especially considering that I got winded just running from my front door to the mailbox.

Finding Inspiration

Theresa at my gym turned 50 last year. I was shocked when she told me her age. She didn’t look older than 35. When I told this story to my mother, she asked me if Theresa was a runner. She is. Sometimes she runs 20 miles just for fun. “That’s why.” My mother said. It turns out that my parents’ friend Len is also a runner. “Len looks like he’s in his50s, but he’s actually over 65. He’s retired and is an avid runner.” She said. Could running be a fountain of youth? Having tried several eye creams that promised to maintain a youthful appearance, but only burned my skin or stunk, I decided that running was worth trying.

Training

The program that Tim put me on started with alternating running and walking for 5 minutes at a time. It seemed short on paper. My first attempt was on a treadmill at the gym. I quickly found that running was the longest way to spend 5 minutes. My lungs and throat burned and my bronchial tubes felt like I had a huge hole in them. I hated Tim.

When I got to work, Tim had sent me an e-mail. “Did you start the program today? Walk 5 minutes/Run5 minutes for 25 minutes.” “Yes, I started this morning.” I responded to the pain mongrel. I hated him after only one day. I stuck with the program, pretty diligently. Which was difficult. There wasn’t a lot of room for days when I didn’t feel like running or when it was just difficult to fit into my schedule. But I was determined to meet my goal.

December 2, 2003, I ran 30 minutes on the treadmill without stopping! I was so excited! I e-mailed Nicole as soon as I got to work to share the news. She was very excited for me. The pain mongrel was very excited for me as well. It was a wonderful feeling. However, I still had not run 3.2 miles. On December 21, 2003, I ran 40 minutes without stopping. It was agony! All I could think about was my screaming lungs! It felt great to finish, but I wondered if it was worth it. I didn’t think it would ever get easier. If hell truly is your mind’s eye of hell, at this point in my training, I was sure that hell was an endless run.

Discouraged

I found that there were good running days and very bad running days, but no in between. The first time I ran outside was the worst day of my training. Without a treadmill to pace me, I pushed myself too hard. Not only did I have pain in my chest and throat, but now in my shins and thighs. I wasn’t able to run the full amount on the program. I began wondering why I was doing it in the first place. The pain mongrel tried to be supportive. He encouraged me with stories about Patrick’s (another of his trainees) training and progress. I protested that it wasn’t the same thing. Patrick was 5 years younger, taller and didn’t have asthma. The pain mongrel was not convinced.

Bubba

I managed to get through the training program and felt pretty good about my progress when January 3, 2004 arrived. The New Year’s Resolution 5K was held at the Police and Fire Training Academy. I wasn’t nervous about it, even though I still had not run 3.2 miles in under 28 minutes. It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm day, which I hoped would help my asthma. The course turned out to be the same course used to train police officers and fire fighters. It wasn’t anything like running on a treadmill or any of the courses that the pain mongrel had me run. It started out relatively flat, but soon I was climbing steps and running down a dirt trail. There were more hills, endless flat stretches and it seemed like it would never end!

Then came Bubba. The organizers had tried to prepare us. Bubba was a hill that was so steep and so long, I was sure you couldn’t drive a car up it and I didn’t know how I’d run up it. Of course it was at the last mile of the race. My chest hurt so badly, I was sure there was a hole in it. I could taste blood and you could hear me breathing within a one-mile radius. Half way up, I wanted to quit. But then I looked and saw the pain mongrel at the top of the hill. He had finished, won his division and was waiting at the top of Bubba for other members. Maybe I was hallucinating, but I swear with the sun behind him I saw the outline of devil horns and a pointed tail. After making it past Bubba, with encouragement from the sadistic pain mongrel, it took another quarter of a mile for my breathing to steady. I crossed the finished line having run the entire length of a 5K for the first time in 29 minutes and 10 seconds.

Addiction

Nicole’s husband, Kurt, told me that I would get addicted to running. He was right. Since the New Year’s Resolution 5K, I’ve run one other 5K race. I came in at 28 minutes and 44 seconds. I’m continuing to increase my speed and work towards longer distances. Every week it seems I set a PR. The feeling after running is incredible and it seems to get a little easier every time I do a course. By setting smaller goals for myself I feel like I am really working towards accomplishing my ultimate goal of running a 5K in 26 and half minutes.

Editor’s Note: Audra has since completed numerous marathons, taken up road cycling and mountain biking, trail running and swimming. In three years she went from an out of breath, soft girl plodding around the flag football field to a finely tuned athlete. Oh, and she has smashed her goal of a 26:30 5k.