2009 Boston Marathon Summary

Contributed by Keith Kolacia..
I have been honored this past April 20th to have run in the world's most prominent distance running event, the 113th running of the Boston Marathon. After weeks, months, and even years, I participated in my second running of 26 miles 385 yards from rural Hopkinton, Massachusetts to downtown Boston. The course is known world-wide as one of the more challenging marathon routes because of the amount of declines and inclines, and the four hills of Newton which include the infamous "Heartbreak Hill" at mile 20.

This years race featured over 26,000 registered runners and over 22,000 finishers. The temperature was an ideal 48-50 degrees with a head wind. The course was lined with over a quarter million spectators which include the famous women of Welsley College, and their deafening screams and "kiss me" signs. The encouraging throngs at Heartbreak Hill, the often joyful and slightly intoxicated Boston Red Sox Fans at Mile 25 and the deafening throng on Boylston Street, where you eye the finish line, and the noise will make you forget about the blisters on your feet, or the cramps in your calves. The Boston Marathon is known as the "Holy Grail" for thousands of distance runners, and this year's event did not disappoint.

Having run the course for the second time was a big advantage for me, the trick to Boston, is to run as even of a split, first half, second half, as your can. The first eight miles are all on a decline, if you start to fast, your quads will feel like they have been through the meat grinder come Newton and the hills. I used this strategy and held back on the first three miles, increased my pace on the next three and settled in on a consistent pace over the next eight miles as I approached Newton. My legs felt fresh as I started up the first couple of hills but by the last two, my leg were fatiguing, but I was able to keep my pace up and at the top of Heartbreak, I was able coast for a half mile until I regained some stamina in my legs. The next four miles (20-24) were getting more and more difficult as the course was taking its toll on me. As I looked up I saw a banner on the course that read "O.K. LEGS, THIS IS WHERE THE BRAIN TAKES OVER". This banner was strategically placed by the Adidas Company, because that was exactly where all of my training had brought me, this was the point where you cross the discomfort level, and your brain begins to will your legs and feet to turn-over. At mile 25, my feet were numb but that just meant I didn't have to bother with them any more, at before mile 26, I made my final turn onto Boylston street and the sight of the finish line was all I needed to give whatever kick I had left in my body. I crossed the finish line in 3 hours 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Considering some of the setbacks I had in my training, I was extremely happy with that time, it qualifies me to run next year's Boston Marathon.

As for next year...we'll see, I am signed up for the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4th, currently I am scheduled for a Plica resection in June, so I have that to look forward to.

Keith Kolacia

Check back soon for pictures from Keith's Boston run, and yes, he is wearing Fort Dodge Tri Sports gear.

Tuesday Group Ride Summary

Nice night for a hard ride. About 62 degrees, steady stiff wind from the ESE. Met up at sr. high parking lot. Eric, Travis, Ron, Paul, a resident doc Paul invited and myself. Paul had to stay close to town with being on call so he and the other doc head out on their own. We headed South, down through Coalville, took a right at the bottom of the hill scrubbing any speed from the down hill to tackle the first hill into Otho. Nice scenic hill, still goes up of course, but if your going to go up, might as well have some nice scenery. Held a 15-17 mph up the first half of the hill, to have Eric attack at the bottom of the steepest part to take the KOM, Travis 2nd and myself trailing in 3rd. Did not go below 11.2 with heart rate topping out at 201 (for me). Then headed thru Otho, on to Dolliver into steady East wind. Down into Dolliver and then up the South Dolliver hill with Travis carving out a small gap and holding it for the duration of the hill with Eric 2nd and myself not far behind. Heading on down to Lehigh, thru town up the third hill, steady 11 mph avg. with Eric taking KOM honors, Travis not far behind then myself. After a brief recovery, pace picked up heading North with an average of about 25 mph thru to the sprint for the Iowa State troopers building with Eric taking honor and Travis nearly catching him and myself trailing in behind. Kept the speed up near 25mph for the remainder of the road back to town, dodged a recliner in the road at the curve near the gypsum mill, got to remember it is junk day on the south east side of town. The avg. speed of 20 mph for the ride to the railroad tracks at S. 32nd St. and S. 15th Ave. Nice ride..

Iowa City Road Race

Contributed by Travis Jass...
The conditions just weren't conducive of good racing Saturday. I don't remember ever really getting rained on, however it had moved through earlier in the morning making the horse manure covered roads really slick. When the whistle blew at 9:05, we were kinda caught in the back chatting it up with old friends we hadn't seen in a while. The pack stayed together pretty well all throughout the first lap that included a short section where the right lane of the very narrow road was covered in mud. We witnessed one rider make an amazing save when he hit the mud unexpectedly. His bike went every which direction before recovering and getting right back in the mix. I tried moving up on the right side a few times and as I would get up there, it seemed as if there would be either and acceleration or the pack merged over and squeezed me back a bit. Just past the start/finish into the second lap, a few of us kinda faded a bit and a small gap formed. I ended up chasing hard only to watch them get further and further away. I had no help at first until a DMOS rider fell out the back and was chasing as well. We worked well together through several rotations, then as I was ending my turn on front, he wasn't there anymore. I continued chasing hard solo again when a Bike Tech rider drifted back. Same thing worked well together and seemed like we were making a dent in the gap until he dropped off my wheel. Ended up the last hour of an 1:50 min race averaged just shy of threshold power and heart rate +/-5 bpm. A few more riders here and there popped out the back and threw in the towel and I just treated them as if they were minute men, and motivated myself with the promise of a better finishing position with each one. After Tuesday's hammerfest and seeing Eric in great shape I felt bad for not being able to be there at the end to help lead him out. Bottom line is I need to get more comfortable in close quarters and even more comfortable in wet conditions. Thanks again for the leg treatment as well. They felt good and fresh going in and they gave me everything I asked of them on the day with never a flinch of cramping up....Travis

Tuesday Group Ride Summary

Well, the second Tuesday night ride is in the books. Wow, the wind was ridiculous, very stiff from the Northwest. Left from senior high parking lot, nice group of 5. The usual suspects of Travis, Eric and myself. Paul Dayton was along for the ride as was Ron Jacobson, nice to see Paul back and Ron out tonight too. Headed out again out on Badger blacktop, 15-16 mph into the wind, nice way to warm up, I guess. Turning East toward Vincent gave a break but not without a bar gripping side wind. Got a nice little pace line going, quickly ramped it up to 25-26 mph, pretty much held it all the way to Vincent blacktop were the party ended with a turn to the North and into the brutal headwind. Grinded along toward Vincent ending with a short sprint at Vincent with Travis (I think) taking it. Continued on and then heading West toward Badger where the wind was not so bad, still bad though. Able to keep it to about 17 mph. Approaching Badger, Travis provided an impressive ramp up to 25, held it for an impressive distance considering the wind, with Eric taking sprint honors to the Vincent sign. Continued on and finally got to head South on National Ave. where things quickly jumped to 27-31 mph. Motored along nicely with some lactic acid building in the legs, headed up and down the hill near Kennedy park with ERic making a nice strong jump in the big ring, really looking strong. Headed past the apple orchard, along river road (N. 7th St.) finishing with the grind up Loomis hill and Eric taking KOM honors with an 19.7 average speed for the ride to top of Loomis. Will give averages for this ride to this point, average speed goes down a bit once get in to town and cool down. Think Eric and Travis are certainly ready for the races this weekend in Iowa City. Keep checking back for results and pictures of the Iowa City races.

The Boston marathon is this Monday, April 20th. Fort Dodge resident and FD Trisport member Keith Kolacia will be running his second Boston. Check out www.bostonmarathon.org or click on the link to the right on Monday to follow Keith's progress during the marathon. Keith's bib number is 3604. Follow the instructions on the Bostonmarathon website using Keith's bib number to track Keith. Stay tuned for pictures from Boston. Good luck Keith.

DATE: SATURDAY, APRIL 18

THE COURSE
3 Mile Mud Run
This unique trail running race is sure to be fun and challenging for all participants and spectators. Racers of all abilities will have a great time throughout the course, with mud, a few obstacles and the Mucky Mud Pit! The course will feature a 3 mile trek with several obstacles to pass through. At the end of the race, participants will venture through the Mucky Mud Pit to the finish. Bring towels and extra clothes as make-shift showers will be provided.

DEADLINE

Online Registration Deadline
($22 Entry Fee**)
Register from April 12 to April 16 (ONLINE ONLY)

Race Day Registration
$25** on-site at participant check-in

**Entry includes a Mud Run T-shirt, post race refreshments and an ISF Mud Run gift.

SITE
Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
4051 Dean Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50317

TIME
Check-in: begins at 8:00 am
Race Starts:
9:00 am - 3 Mile Run
10:30 am - 1 Mile Fun Run

COMPETITION INFORMATION
3 Mile Divisions
Separate male and female divisions will be offered in the following age groups: 12 & Under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 & Over.

1 MILE FUN RUN
This shortened course will include a fun 1 mile run through several mud pits and a few obstacles before racers venture in the Mucky Mud Pit. This event will start at 10:30 am following the 3 mile Mud Run. All participants will receive a finisher medal and a T-shirt.

FOR MORE EVENT INFORMATION AND

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLICK HERE

Doug Smith's Bike Accident

Doug Smith's Bike Accident

From Tim McCoy

To my cycling friends, friends and family,

Today started out like most Saturdays as the spring finally begins to dawn in Alaska, uh Iowa. We left Rasmussen's Bike Shop at 7am headed toward Winterset. I have cycled on this road twenty to thirty times. There was a group of eight of us who turned around in Winterset. It was a glorious day and an awesome ride. We were making our way back to Des Moines when from behind us a horn started to blow. It got louder and louder and then you could feel something large very close to the group, way to close for anyone's safety. Then, in a split second tragedy struck our group. I was at the front of the group and close to the white line on the right. Our friend Doug Smith was right next to me on my left. We were riding at about twenty miles per hour. The next thing I knew is I felt pressure against the left side of my body and bike. In my mind I said I am going to crash. The next moment I heard screaming as the truck raced past us. The force pushed me to the side of the road but I was still standing and ok. I looked back and there was our friend Doug in the middle of the road. The girls continued to scream now with anger at the truck that literally ran over our friend and kept going. The emotions at moments like this are legion. I started to cry. I started to curse, filled with anger but oddly enough not at the man who did this but at the fact Doug was in the road possibly dying and I was helpless to do a damn thing about it. I prayed dear God please do not let Doug die. I felt grateful, riding out of Winterset I was in Doug's position in the pace line. This could just as easily have been me. I was stunned. i could not believe this was actually happening.

What happened over the next few hours was amazing. Neighbors came out of their homes to assist Doug. Mark, one of our riders whom I do not know very well got on his stomach in the middle of the road and held Doug's hand and felt his pulse. At first he was unconscious, then he awoke not knowing what had just happened to him. I do not know if I could have done what Mark did. It was such a simple act and yet so profoundly powerful at the moment. Doug's beautiful carbon fibre bike lay in three pieces. I stared at it for a few seconds or minutes. I turned and walked up the road away from Doug's body. I then noticed two trucks barreling toward us. Of course they would, they had no idea. I waved my arms to stop them and told them what had happened. One young man described a truck he had passed and asked me if this was the truck. i said yes. The man turned around and caught up to the truck. The man who ran over Doug did come back to the scene probably a half hour later. The delay was good because the anger toward him was huge. I hugged Maria and Keely as they cried. I could not cry at this moment. The Ambulances came. The attendants worked efficiently to stabilize Doug. He was alive! The Ambulance left and there we were, seven people who had our own wounds to deal with.

Trauma needs meaning and significance given to it in order to heal. This made no sense. It had no meaning I could think of. The actions of the farmer, senseless. Surely he did not do this on purpose. Cyclists on the road are incredibly vulnerable. All of us who ride know it. We all have our stories. As I searched for meaning Keely's dad Rick pulled up. John Reed pulled up. Barb Standish pulled up. Spontaneous hugging began taking place everywhere. We were all alive, crying, smiling, hugging, expressing our gratitude for each other and the various roles everyone played to deal with this tragedy. In the midst of our busy lives it came to me. People, relationships, love that is what matters, that is what gave this meaning. A senseless farmer and our friend Doug taught me that this morning.

Everyone went to the hospital immediately except me. I was quiet and on the verge of tears on the way home. Sitting next to Barb reminded me of how short life is and how quickly it can be taken away. I went home and showered. I ate. Then, I sort of woke up and knew I needed to be with my friends. I was scared that one of our friends would not be alive when I arrived. Barb and I walked into the emergency family waiting area to find Doug's family, his wife, his daughter, his dad, his mom, Rick, Keely, Heather, John and the hospital chaplain. "Doug is going to be all right". He has a fractured skull, a broken pelvis, a torn urethra but he will recover. In spite of his injuries I cannot tell you how good it was to know he was alive and would recover! Sally, Doug's wife thanked us all and said if it were not for us Doug might be dead. I hold back the tears as I write this right now. You know, I might be dead if it were not for
all of you. I needed to write this to you all for me. From the bottom of my heart thank you for whatever role you play in my life.

I am so grateful to be alive and to know such wonderful people like you. For those of you who pray please pray for Doug and his family.

Tim

Tim McCoy

Tuesday Group Ride Summary

Well, first group ride is in the books, nice weather for it yesterday (Tuesday 4/14). Able to ride with shorts and jersey only, nice change. Nice to see Paul. Five riders met up at senior high, headed out to Vincent blacktop via 25th Ave. N., little bit of a northeasterly wind. Had a nice wind up of speed, steady 18-20 mph culminating in a 3 man sprint to the Vincent town sign with Travis providing the lead out and Eric Knox taking the sprint. After a little recovery and turn toward the West toward Badger with a bit of a tailwind, speed held nicely at 25-26 mph with Travis stuck again with a nice 27 mph lead out and again Eric taking the sprint for the Badger town sign. I had my computer maxed a 36.8 mph at the sprint. Held a steady 24 mph until turning west toward the apple orchard, then slowed a bit into the wind. Rode on through to river road, tried to take a nice pull for Travis and Eric to go at it up Loomis Hill, was able to hold 24 mph to the bottom of the hill with Travis and Eric grinding it out for KOM honors. Think Eric took it at the top, did not look like by too much, hard to say when still half way down the hill grinding it out. Nice ride to get some the legs and lungs moving. Thanks for the ride guys. See you next week, same time and place. Ended up with 36 miles, comfortable hour 50 minutes.

Tuesday evening moderately fast ride, 5:30 pm, meeting at senior high parking lot. Last year, ride typically went to Vincent, Badger, came back along West side of Kennedy park (apple orchard rd.) to river road and up Loomis hill. Ride is about 38 miles finishing in an hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours. We typically sprint for the Badger town sign coming into town from the East. Looking to make this a pretty standard time and ride with the first one scheduled for Tuesday April 14th. Ask Ben Acree, Travis Jass or Eric Knox for more information.