2011 Great Cow Harbor Race 10-K Race Report

After I ran my first Cow Harbor Race 10-K four years ago, I made a goal to run a sub 60 minute 10K. Last year became known as my 1 min over disappointment, and since then, I promised myself that this was the year! It was a little cool in Northport, New York, waking up to a 58F morning, but the stars did align and...I DID IT!!! (My official time clocked in at 57:27.2)  I'll admit that the the calve guards by 2XU also helped me push for a fast time.  They felt AMAZING!  The course record, set by Ryan Hall in 2006, was even broken by five seconds by Mo Trafeh, who recorded his third straight year of Cow Harbor Race wins!

The big deal this year, for me, was that one of my best friends, Matthew Pitfick, was chosen to design the Cow Harbor Race t-shirt. I'll admit that the shirts of past years were only bed worthy, but I knew with him at the drawing board, the design would actually be wearable (it was also his intention). Bottom line, the shirt came out awesome and you could hear people talking about how great it was to have a shirt that looked good. His family even had a half page article in the Observer, a Northport newspaper. Matt also designed a great poster which is going to be hanging in my house but unfortunately, the poster, which should have been showcased, was not. Signed and numbered, and even priced reasonable, I was disappointed that it wasn't more of a big deal. Matt showed me posters from the first few years of the race, and it's just an overall shame. I'm sure that people would have been lined up to buy them! Maybe next year?

Take a look at the poster!

Another big deal for me this year was that I was able to finally get my wife, Adelle, to come out and race. Cow Harbor Day and the race in Northport has actually become something that I look forward to every year because I get to spend the weekend with a bunch of some of the nicest people I know. Given the fact that they are invested in the race and town, makes it just an overall good feeling time. I'm really happy that she got to experience race day!

And one other awesome thing about this year's race was that our good friend Esther ran it too! It was her first race and she freaking ran fast clocking in at just over 51 minutes! Congrats to her and Adelle!

To go with the race, here's is my Garmin data! Check out the climbs. Fun times all around and I can't wait to try and make it under 55 minutes next year!

I do hope that next year they have a starting time mat and halfway mat. It'd be even more cool if New Balance, who is a primary sponsor, help with the shirts and make 'em tech t-shirts!

The 2011 TriRock: San Diego (My Second Sprint Tri)

I really thought that 2011 would be the break out year for me after my first Sprint Tri, but seeing where I was going in my lack of motivation and training, I ended up sticking to the sprint distance instead of racing the Olympic. My biggest hurdle is yes, still the swim portion, and I thought that the bike and the run would be easy...I was wrong. I'm also just going to keep this a "short" race report. Pre Race: Leading up the race, I wasn't able to get any swim lessons in and before the Wednesday prior, the last time I went for a good swim was about a year ago during the last Sprint Tri. I felt good in the pool at 24 Hr Fitness and actually even "trained" a bit in breathing every three strokes technique. I was loose and pretty confident. I was running here and there but a 5K to me is just not that daunting to where I felt the need to train. I also had a good 25 mile bike ride the Labor Day Monday before w/ my Uncle Romy and once again, I was glad to have my legs still with me. I only completed one training brick and that was all indoors at a hotel gym so no, nothing indicative of road conditions. The expo was about 20% the size of last years which was disappointing and the vendors had little of whatever inventory to sell. From what I was over hearing, the prices were just too high for this race so many didn't care to participate. Shame on Competitor because I was really looking forward to it. I did happen to find another good tri top and short from Zoot replacing my 2XU stuff from last year. I spoke to Stephen from One Tri in Orange County, CA and he was awesome. Full of information and knowledge, he was fun to talk to. What ended up in the swag bag was a lot less than last year's goodies. =(

I prepared well the night before by laying everything out but unfortunately, contracted the pre-race jitters resulting in 55 mins of REM sleep.

The Race: Driving down to the start was a breeze without traffic. My wife and I arrived with plenty of time and a good parking spot. I setup my transition area, met some new friends and started to prepare mentally. I was happy to have my family there with me for the start and even have the little one wake up for the event!

I was in the third wave and after some pretty awesome 9/11 ceremonies, off we dove in. I got into the water feeling good but once I started stroking, I found myself exerting too much effort. Either my wetsuit wasn't on all the way or what, but I couldn't get a descent stroke in with the suit forcing my arm ahead of me. Frustrating as it was, I was going nowhere. It's the same Xterra suit I used last year and haven't put it on since and it was rough. Once again, I did a combination of strokes and got out of the water almost 5 minutes later than last year. The transition was a lot faster with getting my wetsuit off and bike equipment on, but I found out that I should actually put on the bicycling gloves on first rather than fidget with them while riding so that slowed my down greatly. I also forgot to turn start my Garmin Edge 500 until .5 into the bike. I didn't train with aero bars so I wasn't going to put them on last-minute and still regret it. Cycling the last-minute updated 2 lap course, was "easy," but I couldn't find a good groove to really start mashing. Transition to the run was easy but even then, I must have started with my left foot because what I had in mind wasn't what my body was doing. Disappointing but it was a great race, I finished, and my wife, mom, sister and niece were there to celebrate the finish with me. I promise to make it worth while for them next year! Thanks for waking up early and coming out!

Conclusion: The theme to this year's sprint tri... Elijah couldn't get his groove back. From a lack in form, cramping and no good motivation, I wasn't prepared. I knew that going into it, but I didn't think I would suffer that horribly. Yes I still came in under my goal of 1:30 but the course was shorter this year. Yes, I'm also one year older, but it was frustrating. I'm definitely going to sign up for the 2012 San Diego Spring Tri Rock, not only because I have a 50% off coupon, but because I know that I'll be in a different mindset and want to perform. I'm still contemplating the 2012 Oceanside Half Ironman which gives me a good 6 months to train, but the only open slots are for those than can fundraise $650. Till then, here's to the Cow Harbor Day 10K Race on Saturday!!!

I might have forgot to mention that the night before, I had an awesome pre-race dinner at The Tractor Room with a Gage Caudell from Range Traveler. He'll tell you how we first met. I just know that I want his Leica M9-P but I'll have to may e just settle for the Sony NEX-7 in November for a fifth of the M9's price!

Here's a "candid" pic that he took on the fly.

And for those that do care, here is my Garmin Edge 500 Data. It's not accurate what so ever but maybe when Garmin releases an update to their 310xt, I'll have some better data.