Kevin Beatty

Feeding the addiction...my 2010 race schedule

2009 has been a busy year for me athletically.  I've been blessed enough to have completed 3 half marathons, 3 triathlons, 2 10k, Vineman 70.3 Ironman, and the New York City Marathon.  Overall I couldn't be more pleased with those results.  

For those of you out there that challenge yourself to compete in races - you know the feeling that you get right before the gun goes off.  It's that drive and determination and most importantly the dedication that got you to where you are.  All of the training is behind you.  The preparation has led you to this moment of truth.  Did you train enough?  Will you reach your target time? Or did you slack on a few days and skip scheduled training days?  For me race day is an incredible experience.  Planning my race schedule is the first step. 

I've been planning the 2010 race schedule and here's my planned races so far.  If you have any suggestions of races to do please do tell.  I'm still researching which Ironman 70.3 I'll be doing in 2010, so details to follow.

Feed the addiction...

1. Carlsbad Half Marathon - January 24, 2010  Goal time: 1:35

2. Carlsbad 5000 - April 5, 2010 Goal time: >20 minutes

3. Ragnar Relay - 186 mile run from Santa Barbara to Dana Point, CA - April 23-24, 2010

4. Pittsburgh Marathon - May 2, 2010 Goal time: 3:30

5. San Diego International Triathlon - June 27 Goal time: 1:50

6. Coronado Independence Day 10k Run - July 4, 2010 Goal time: 43 minutes

7. Tahoe Sierra Century 100 mile cycle event - Sept 25, 2010

8. Mission Bay Triathlon - October 3 Goal time: 1:05

9. New York City Marathon - Nov 7, 2010 Goal time 3:20

NYC Marathon Eve - Training Update

It's less than 18 hours away until my first time experiencing the New York City Marathon.  I must admit that when I look back on my training for this race, I feel like I could have done more.  But isn't that a common feeling we all have when we're preparing for something?  I could have studied more for that test, prepared more for the board meeting--- it always seems to haunt us as we reach the moment of truth.  I could have trained more, but all things considered: personal life, work life, training life - I must say that I'm very close to reaching a harmonizing balance.   

Sure I may not beat a world record, or even come close to placing within the top 20% of my age group - but I feel great about my accomplishments so far.  In this year alone I've completed 3 half marathons, 3 triathlons, a 70.3 Ironman, and in 20 hours I will have crushed the New York City Marathon course.  Not too bad for someone who just started running a few years ago.  During the ING race expo yesterday, I started to feel an incredible amount of gratitude for all of the friends and supporters that have been a part of my training these past few months.  From the online donations to the good luck cards I've received in the mail - I couldn't ask for better friends and family. 

The addiction to Triathlons continues...

A week ago I completed my first Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, an experience I'll remember forever.  When I started competing in triathlons one year ago, I had no desire to train nor compete in any type of an Ironman event.  It wasn't that I didn't believe I could finish such a race, but I just had no desire to.  The thought of swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles, and then running a half marathon sounded borderline clinically insane. 

But now that I've been competing in triathlons I've noticed a trend with all of my fellow 'patients'.  Just like any other addiction, once you get the Tri bug, it's really hard to kick.  Fortunately it's not a bad addiction to have, you might just get banged up, crash a few times on your bike, or end up with runners knee.  I can definitely identify with the feeling of needing something more...the desire for a 'high' better then the previous 'high' you felt.  I started by doing a Sprint Triathlon, consisting of 1/4 mile ocean swim, 9 mile bike, 3 mile run.  But I finished that race feeling unsatisfied with what I had just accomplished.  I needed more, a colossal event that would leave me in tears from the hard work and dedication required to finish.  The only way to see if the Ironman 70.3 race was that event started with an online registration for Vineman.  

The race was a very rewarding experience, however I still haven't got my complete fix yet.  So a continuation to the next level begins...next stop a Full Ironman race in 2010.  Stay posted with updates on which race I select and the training period via my Twitter page and this blog.

Thank you again for everyone that supported me in this quest.  I truly wouldn't be able to do it without the assistance, guidance, motivation and sheer support I receive from my friends, family, and loved ones.  To that I dedicate each race I compete in. 

Cheers,

Kevin

A Triathlon Training Weekend in Warner Springs by Kevin Beatty

I'm just gaining composure from an extremely rewarding weekend at Warner Springs Ranch, Warner Springs, CA.  Below is the breakdown of our training weekend.  Triathlon training is a crazy addiction to have, but when everything is said and done - you feel like a million bucks!!!  More pictures to follow...

Saturday, June 13th

    9:30am - A Humbling Bike Ride 34 miles:

About 60 plus Active.com employees and friends gathered in Warner Springs, CA.  If you're not familiar with Warner Springs it has an incredible backdrop of rocky mountains, rolling fields, and a hint of a spiritual fog that brings shivers to anyone.  The game plan was an out and back ride 17 miles on S2 road.  The morning started off cold and definitely required long sleeves and possibly layers for the beginning cyclist.  At an elevation of 3000 feet, the first 6 miles of the ride was a gradual climb into the beautiful landscape.  At about mile 7, we started our 9 mile steep descent.  Fast and tight turns down the mountain allowed no room for error as we peaked at about 48 miles per hour.  That may not sound that fast in terms of a car, but on a road bike it feels like 100 mph.  The sound of wind produced an intoxicating soundtrack that whisked you away to a fantasy land of thought.  A peaceful ride like this allows for a very therapeutic soul searching session the people typically pay several hundred dollars per hour.  Our session was free.  At the bottom of the hill the group stopped at the 1/2 way point destination; mile 17.  The ride back was the humbling part.  A 9 mile climb with very few points for allowed rest.  Even the slightest downhill parts were countered by massive cross winds that almost blew us off our bikes.  We also had a professional photographer with us this weekend, and it just so happened that he was strategically placed at steepest parts of the climb to capture the perfect picture.  I'll post the pictures as soon as I get them.  The final 1 mile straightaway was like Star Wars when they blast away into hyperspace.  This time substitute stars for nasty flying crickets.  At first I thought it was just a stone kicking up from a passing car.  Of course, this was until I had 3 attack me in the face, chest, and sunglasses while bouncing off me. A minor setback, but made for a good story.  Overall 3 PowerBar Gels, 2 Water Bottles and 2 hours and 5 minutes later the ride was complete. 30% complete for the day. 

    2:00pm - A Brick Workout To Remember

After a brief lunch at the local country club (for the record an absolute horrible idea before a brick workout) we headed up to the pool to prepare our transition zone.  There we setup our swim to bike transition and the bike to run transition.  Our workout consisted of 7 laps of a 25 meter pool, 1 mile bike ride, 1 mile run...4 sets.  After the 3rd set my quads began to shake uncontrollably.  Great workout but definitely exhausting. 

Sunday, June 14th 

    9:00am - 5 Mile Trail Run

The Active X Workout Crew met early for a great run in the early morning sun.  The trail run was moderately flat with a few hills here and there.  Humidity made the run not my fastest, but I was happy with my 7:45 pace considering the previous workouts from the weekend.  Overall a great weekend, extremely rewarding, and definitely needed as I prepare for San Diego International Triathlon and Vineman.  I'll update more as the preparation continues for my races.

- Kevin Beatty