USATF Southwest Region Indoor Championship Masters and Open

Over the winter break after the Brickhouse Triathlon I decided to mix up my winter training and work on some running speedwork. I found the USATF Masters was hosting their regional meet at UH, so of course that sounded perfect.

Training
I created a training plan that had 1 speed workout and 1 strength run a week; a couple recovery runs and a couple days of easy cycling. Core speed work focused on repeats at mile pace, or just slightly under. My goal was to get to a 5 min mile. Most of my speed work ended up at a 5 min mile pace, which set me up race day for a 5:08-5:10 goal mile. Assuming 1 sec slowly per 400, plus another 1.5-2 for the full distance.

USATF Masters Southwest Indoor Mile - Houston

Race Day

I decided race day to give the 5 min mile a go, fully knowing that my times didn't reflect it. Warm up consisted of about a mile and half jog, 4x100 strides a bit faster than mile pace, lots of stretching and waiting.

I went out at goal pace and held on through 1009(first lap of the mile is 209m), with 2 laps to go the wheels really fell off and the struggle set in. The first lap we were in a nice line, on the second lap 6 of us went clear and a gap started top open between 4 and 5, so I went around and moved into 5th to close the gap. Then on the 4th lap the gap infront of me opened up. They went on to run 4:50 ish. I ran in no mans land the second half of the race and caught lapped traffic on lap 7. Overall pretty happy with a 5:04, Masters PR and the same time I was running in High School.

It was pretty nice to also have a big cheer squad with Sarah and Ava joined by my parents. Snagged a "Gold" in the masters 40-44 division.

USATF Masters Southwest Indoor Mile - Houston - Sam Luna

Results

Comments

Austin 20-Miler Marathon

So first, I did not finish, I pulled out at mile 20. I did not have it in me, so another day, another race. I am a bit disappointed, but I have learned a lot during the training. Thank you to all for the well wishes! The plan: Take the first 3 miles out with the 3 Hr pace group uphill and then use miles 4-7 downhill to make up a bit of time. Miles 8-11 get into a comfortable pace. Work up the hill at 11 and then rolling hills through 18. 19-26 are somewhat down hill so pick up a bit of speed heading back in. Take a gel every 4 miles, and 1 gel right at the start. Alternate between water and powerade at every water stop. I thought if I could get through the half around 1:29 I could run even or better the second half. Race Recap: Race morning was really nice, cool and windy. Temp was in the 40's and it looked to be overcast. The race started 15 mins late, that does not seem like much, but when you have nutrition and bathroom duties to take care of it can be a little problem. The rac...

Midnight Moonlight Ramble

Over the weekend Bike Houston put on a great event, the Midnight Moonlight Ramble . I had the pleasure of riding the 20 mile route with some good friends. The ride starts and finishes at the George R. Brown Convention Center and takes you through the Galleria area and down Memorial and Allen parkway for a scenic tour of Houston. By the way, the ride starts at 2 AM with the festivities beginning at midnight. The ride is for everybody, Hard Core Roadies, Nob heads, sub-culture messengers and families with tow-alongs. Pics of Team Moose . Thanks to Dakine for the Moose head!

RunTex 20 Miler

This was my first running race since the 10k in August of 2008. I have completed 8 weeks of marathon training in preparation for the Austin Marathon Feb. 15. 1 - 6:48, started off nice and easy 2 - 7:01, got comfortable and relaxed 3 - 6:50, joined into a group training to run a 3hr marathon (6:53 pace) 4 - 6:50, spot on, even pace, good group of 6/7 guys, gu #1 5 - 6:54, 1/4 of the way done, hills are rolling up and down 6 - 6:21, 2 of the guys stretched it out on this downhill mile 7 - 6:37, group gets back together, but we were pressing some with the rolling hills 8 - 6:33, the pace is staying even, I was going a bit faster than I wanted, but I didn't want to run alone so I stayed with the group, gu #2 9 - 6:33, this mile took its toll later on, I went with 2 of the guys in the group and we gapped the rest of the group 10 - 7:52, 1st half 1:08:24, uphill and getting windy, I let the 2 guys get ahead of me while I recovered. 11 - 6:28, used the down hill to pick up some leg s...

The Life and Times of Sam Luna

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