Fall schedule

I've been trying to focus on running this Fall. If I can run 5 days, swim 2 days, and start mixing in some riding...I should have a good "base" for my "base" training to get ready for 2009.

The plan is to run the Outback 1/2 marathon on Thanksgiving...and have a Post College Personal Record (PCPR). My best 1/2 marathon was at the Breast Cancer 1/2 marathon last February...1:30 something, so my goal is to go under 1:30. It seems, at least for me, the key to a good 1/2 marathon is not dying the last 5k...that's when the pain REALLY sets in!

After the Outback 1/2, at least the plan right now, is to do the Jacksonville Marathon in December. Now, I don't and won't have the miles I need to do really well...but think I may be able to gain a Boston Marathon qualifying time. The good thing about the Jacksonville Marathon, is that since it is so late in the year, you can use the time for one of the next 2 years. I wouldn't be able to do Boston in 2009, but maybe 2010. Not to put the cart before the horse, but the good thing is that since your qualifying mark is for the age you will be the year you do Boston...which would make me 40 next year...I would only need to run a 3:20. Although this shouldn't be difficult normally, the problem is that I'm sort of doing it on short notice...so won't have all the miles I should. I'm ramping up pretty quickly right now, so if I don't injure myself during this process...which is a distinct possibility, it should give me a good chance to break 3:20.

I'll keep you updated.

Sween

Shawn Burke goes 9:23 at Ironman Florida!!

I'm not sure how to say this...but HOLY SHIT...last Saturday was Ironman Florida and Shawn Burke posted a 9:23!!

Shawn (Velocity Multisport) has had an incredible year...he grabbed his first Kona spot when he took 9th at IM Arizona in a virtual sprint finish. Then he took a short break and started building up for Hawaii and IM Florida. He enjoyed his first Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, and finished with a little still left in the tank...and then 3 weeks later does Ironman Florida. I don't think Shawn had broken 10 hours in an Ironman before, and I think his PR was around 10:10...well, at Ironman Florida he shattered his best time with a 9:23!

He took 8th place in the ultra competitive 40-44 age group.
Overall: 61
Total time: 09:23:59
Age group place/total in group: 8/378
Swim: 56:06
T1: 4:01
Bike: 4:52:10
T2: 3:20
Run: 3:28:23

Congrats Shawn you put in a lot of work around an already busy schedule...looks like you have to make another trip to Kona next year!