A close miss, a 10K and some end of season pain

The real end of season has arrived. Not the almost end of season or it's just around the corner end of season. It's actually here with all the benefits of the off season awaiting. If only I would heed them. 

Napoleon and I bashed out of the end of season marathon. The twin cities marathon is fantastic event that is becoming the staple of my calendar. Such a beautiful race with some fantastic crowds all along the diverse route. From lakes to boulevards to hills. It's all there with a fantastic finish, albeit sadistic, downhill in to the finish. Sadly, as much I would have liked to have broken the elusive 4 hour barrier, it wasn't to be. Missing the mark by a meer 4 minutes. It was indeed a PB, but a poorly paced first half marathon took its toll in the final 10k and even though the Napoleon slowly faded, my legs weren't enough to burst through that 4 hour line. Luckily, I discovered this would be the case by mile 24 and the trusty beer vendor, who is reliably there every year, gave me the alcohol induced boost to finish the final miles. I don't care what people say, a stand alone marathon hurts far more overall than an Ironman. I'm convinced of this now. We get to walk without prejudice during the ironman marathon. No such relief awaits during the stand alone version. Next year perhaps the 4 hour barrier will be crushed. I hope so. 

Thereafter, came the next trusty race on the calendar. It is somewhat of a "drive", but taking the time to fly back to the homeland to run in order to raise money for my old elementary school IT department is always worth. This year, joined by my wife made it all that more special. With my parents on the sideline again (our family house positioned well on the course) the race has become a staple on the calendar as long as the schedule allows. It's a stunning and challenging 10k that I would recommend to anyone. The Frieth Hilly 10K. It was truly a smash fest this year. Pouring everything I had in to the course. Sadly, another goal was missed. A sub 50 minutes too far from my reach to round off a great jet setting weekend. 

Unfortunately, all this jet setting and running at tempo was always going to catch up with me. I tried to take the week off but it's just not in my nature. After being bated by my coworker to head out for a gentle 6miles in one of my favorite running cities, Little Rock, 3 miles in and the right calf - the adjoining tendon having bothered me all year- finally gave out and it was a limp fest back to the hotel. Clearly, The Frieth Hilly was the last straw. Good news is that the pool beckons and the bike will get a lot of love for the winter. 

For the next few weeks I will play and work my way through the one hour workouts on the triathlete.com website to maintain the fitness I have worked so hard to gain, hoping not to throw it away on my winter of relax and gluttony. Food is such a favorite of mine, particularly the sweet kind. Here's to some rest and reading. Lots of books to chug through whilst the calf works it's way back to good health. 

Good luck to us all!!