Why do the FLATS have hills???

They call them the flats. The region along the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland. Well...on Saturday at the St. Malachi 5 miler, I saw more hills than flats. Thats okay and it was not a shock to me. I have raced triathlons that have us dip down into the flats on the run portion, but its always a test when you face those inclines...without a car.

I met fellow blogger and triathlete Daisy Duc before the race and chatted a bit with her afterward. Hi Daisy. If you read her blog, you know that she is prepping for the Boston Marathon and that she likes to race alot. I have usually just raced in triathlons but Daisy pointed out that its good to run some road and or trail races to work on your tempo for the run. Good advice. Thanks!! She kicked my butt, but I am happy to report, I met my goal.

Goal was to average 9 minute miles. I hit a 8:28 per mile pace. First mile was 8:00, second split was 8:20..slowed a little on mile #3, held steady the next couple miles and then finished 42:20 chip time. Killer hill for last quarter mile to the finish. Finished 25th in my 50-54 age group of 65 guys. About 450th out of nearly 1,100. All in all a good effort.

I am looking for another race to run in the next month. The immediate goal would be to go sub 8:10 pace in a 5k. An earlier post had me setting a goal of sub 1:53 in the Cleveland Half Marathon in mid may. My effort yesterday convinces me that I should aim for a quicker time.

BOBBY MARTIN

Thanks for all the comments about my recent post of inspiring football player Bobby Martin. I have been toying with the idea of having more motivational aspects to my blog, with stories like Bobby included. I can also quiz the athletes I cover on what inspires them. Whattya think??

Could call it "JT's Motivation Nation".

DON'T DOUBT DUSTIN

In the meantime, check out this video of Dustin Carter. He is as inspiring, if not more than Bobby Martin. His workout regime is insane!!!!!.

FASHION BY JAMES

Props to hoops and fashion icon LeBron James for gracing the cover of Vogue Magazine. He is only the 3rd man to be featured thusly. I have to ask him if he will open up his own fashion line, seperate from Nike. Maybe he idolized Oscar De La Renta, instead of Oscar Robertson as a kid. Triathletes might know that he owns a piece of Cannondale Bike company and that biking is a big part of his training. Would love to see how he would do in a triathlon. Is he a good swimmer????

THE FOAM REMEMBERS???

Finally, its called memory foam...and some mattress company touts it in their ads. I ask how can the foam remember your bodies setting, when I forgot what I had for breakfast.