Lake Samish half marathon

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Nathan

Trying out the camera on the new phone, 45 minutes from my door straight south after a 30 minute Seahawks border lineup.

Closing on the middle of February, I wanted to see where I sat before I go after the Rock and Roll marathon on the 13th. I’m finding it a bit tough through the winter months to push myself on the track so I was using this to give me a bit of a shove.

I was running late and showed up @10, which was suppose to be the start time. Thank goodness there was about 40 people waiting for the shuttle, so they delayed the race til everyone was at the start.

From January to about the middle of February there wasn’t much for half marathons around B.C. so I looked south to see what was around. Ended up finding an event put on by the Greater Bellingham Running Club down at Lake Samish, a place I am very familiar with after swimming an open water race back in August. For 10 dollars you loop around the larger lake @ 6.5 miles twice with a nice down hill finish to round out the 13.l mile distance.

nice calm morning, this was the smaller lake that had the swim in August.

Going around the lake on a non rainy day made it easier to lace up and felt like I was racing around a giant scenic track. I wasn’t a fan of looped runs but this running course it didn’t seem to bother me. I was impressed with how the event was put on for a small event, and would look at running it again. A chipped run for 10 bucks, and you don’t get “another” shirt unless you want to pay for it, something I think most runs should look into. Ended up running my 6:30 mile pace and pretty sure my time will be official @ 1:24.54, with non-fall classic timing.

event website, results

Mission Trail chuck

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Nathan

Got out for a daylight run which was nice and relaxing. Drove out to Mission bridge for some off-road, uninterrupted running. Started out windy and cold, the got down close to the river for about half the run. Legs ended up loosing up after about 35 minutes and felt pretty dam good. Almost a 14km route heading east and coming back the same way, quiet day on the trail with only two other people out enjoying some much needed sun time.

http://www.dailymile.com/routes/511973-running-route

cool and windy..

...moving sky...

train was sitting on the tracks on the otherside of the bridge, got some interestinf shots...

Running and triathlons, tools and links

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Nathan

Friendly interface

Over the years I’ve been using different tools and resources to help me in my training and meet my goals. I’ve ran numerous marathons, half marathons, a few half ironmans, swimming races, and competed in Ironman Canada 2010. I have done all my racing and training without coaching, paid resources, or paid programs. All my resources have been found on the internet through various websites, online documents, you tube videos, and various blogs.

You need to be careful where the information comes from and if it is up to date. Don’t always use the the first article or section of information, read up from at lease 2-3 different sources to figure out if its something you want to try. I generally start searching from different blogs and read what other people have used as resources and go from there. Twitter, blogger, you tube and different running, triathlon magazines are a huge wealth of information to get you started in the right direction as well.

Trifuel is a source that I still use and structure by base training around. I did find it to be dated but after going through a lot of different training plans, this one had the best layout as well as secondary indexing for terms used for different types of drills and sessions. I used this plan to get me to the ironman finish line with my 10:42. So its officially been tested. This was a great start and I didn’t get any injuries from his plan from over training or aggressive training lengths. I have already modified this plan for this year but continually revert back to it.

I am also in the hunt for a sub 3 hour marathon and found a fairly simple plan that set me off in a direction that will hopefully get me to my goal in February from a UK site called runnersworld.ltd.uk.

For generating goal and pace times runningforfitness.org has a solid engine with a wealth of other calculators as well.

For mapping out routes and distances mapmyrun.com as well as mapmyride.com are pretty popular sites with a new interface coming out soon but I find it too busy with ads. I recently switched over to dailymile.com which has a lot less garbage and more useful tools such as workout tracking and just has a more web 2.0 friendly interface. It works really well for triathletes since it crosses over to all types of racing. Add your friends and make sure everyone is on track. Not sure if there is an app for phones but I am sure they are working on it Very powerful site.

Athlinks is a site I recently started using as well which is also very useful for finding out previous race times. You can also see who stole your identity and ran under your name.

Fall Classic 2010 Round Up

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Nathan

: Site Link

Very cold day down at UBC with a -2 on the trucks temp gauge. As long as it wasn’t snowing I was ready to tackle this race and get my time down before February’s Rock and Roll marathon. I was fully suited up with ski socks, long sleeve, sweater, gloves, and two gels.

I have always enjoyed this race, not a big fan loop route but how the event is ran is second to none. I didn’t get a chance to pick up my package til race day and it was so easy and painless with time to spare. They had an interesting timing system this year, with the timing chip placed on the back of the number bib. I’m still confused how my time ended up, I was crossing the finish line at about 1:27.00 but the final results say I whacked out a 1:25.55. (didn’t start a minute plus from gun time)I can’t really argue since I forgot my watch, so I will stick with their time..so goal achieved.

I was also playing around with this website the other day and seems to have a descent database of previous race times. Type your name and find some of your results. Athlinks.com Not a bad little site.

Route Posted here.

: …

Run for Water 2

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Nathan

Almost the same medal as last year.

Last Sunday morning was another race, this time it was the Run for Water just down the street from my house. This was the second time I have ran it and it looks like it keeps growing every year. Its not the fastest course with a line up of rolling hills right in the middle of it all. The general design of the course is nice though built of mainly a giant loop, not too many twists and turns which makes for a good way to keep the leaders in view.

500 bucks for th winner which I wasn’t even close but did grab 9th and on the 12th I’ll find out what I won. Hopefully its not a donkey. Actually if it was donkey that would be sweet.

Ended up with a 1:28. Almost my split for the full, had some fun @ 8km with a 2-3 minute set back when a gel went down the wrong tube. Was on pace for a 38-39 10k, ended up with 42.00. Whoops! Feel pretty happy with the time, no tapper and was felling the 3 hours of riding and short run from Saturday. Got my eyes on Oliver this week-end and the Vancouver Scotia half on the 27th. Thinking I might do a mini tapper to get my time down where I think it could be for the 27th.

Just packing up for Oliver half iron and heading out Friday night.

Weekend Wrap-up.

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Nathan

Took off friday night with the camper in tow, and headed for the Walmart in Penticton. Got in @ 11 and crashed there for the night, even though they have signs everywhere with by-law crap on it. Other then a few groups of drunken kids walking through, we had a good sleep, and hit the road.

We took off @ about 8am with the sun and course ready for us. Goal is to ride the whole 180km ironman course, and still have some energy for a run on the Sunday. Slugged it out and finished up at about 2, and was so happy to get off my bike. Felt really good til about 120km and then had to fight it from the Bear fruit stand back to Penny. In the short time that I have been cycling, I am really starting enjoy it, the distances and scenery you cover is awesome.

Two solid weeks of training before Oliver half Iron, looking forward to another race. It will be a great learning and test for me.

Here is a great write up on the course.

Walmart morning

Traded straight up for this hog

First Fuel up stop @ the husky in Osoyoos

BMO Race Round up.

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Nathan

the old bip

Nice wet Sunday but wasn’t too bad with over 13, 000 in the race and close to 1,900 doing the full distance. Once again the race was well put on, well marked and had more then enough water and gel stops. Enjoyed most of it but I think the last mile was the best, coming in the 4 minutes to spare and my legs still working.

This was the third time I have done the Vancouver, and it still has to be the one I like the most. There wasn’t as many people watching this year, but I think the weather had a very large part in that. Finished up with a 3:06.28 and made the top 100. Now I am thinking a sub 3 hour might be in the cards for the fall.

Went out at a crisp 41 minutes for the 10k mark and was wanting around the 43 range, so a bit fast, then clocked 1:29.11 for the half and was able to hold on for with a 1:37.2. Felt good and could have maybe pushed the second half a bit more but overall was happy with the result. Next up the run for water half marathon on the 30th, but not before a trip up to penny for a ride on the ironman bike course.

Las Vegas Marathon Weekend with real-time updates

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Nathan

Today I’m heading off to Vegas to try and get me a spot for the Boston Marathon in April. I’m needing a 3:10.99 or less to get my butt there. Feeling a lot better then I did since I got back from Cuba and hope once I get to the desert things will come together.

Apparently on a site called competitor wireless you can track races in real time here https://www.competitorwireless.com/ via your cell phone, pretty freakin crazy. Its obviously not free but 5 bucks lets me add five peoples phone numbers plus one free. I’ll test how the service works and see, if your interested in tracking, all you need is a last name and find the Vegas marathon and you will be able to get updates via text message.

You can also track via the net for free @ http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/ click on Las Vegas and then click on the LiveResults bug on the home page during the race and you will never be out of touch with 4 or 5 updates at different timing stops. I love how creative technology gets.

a little screen grab....

Staying @ the Wyndham Resort just off the strip, fingers cross that the hot tubs with be working…Leave tonight and get back Monday night, hopefully with a happy hangover.

Fall Classic round number 2

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Nathan

fall classic medal...pretty

Decided to head down to UBC for the Fall Classic for the second year in a row. Was a pretty cool and crappy morning but still had a pretty good runner turn out. Same route as last year but it seemed a little skinny on water stations. Did the walk up sign up for 80 bucks for the 8:30 start. Finished up with a 1:29.04 chipped time. Kinda happy with it, since there was a decent wind in some sections. One more run, and then I’ll be finished for the 2009 running season.

Tri-Training Day

Posted on November 8, 2009 by Nathan

Had a weekend that didn’t have me booked up so I decided to kick myself into gear. I needed to get a long run in (for Vegas) and also wanted to get a solid start on riding the old bike. I picked a hell of a Saturday to do it, with hail and some good down pour sessions. Some people might have heard me dropping f-bombs in the early afternoon after riding into a few hail storms. All in all was a nice long day of training and felt pretty good.

I have been getting pretty board of the usual training routes and sessions, so I thought I would get a little more creative. I headed to the pool out in Walnut Grove for an 8:30 start , did a 40 minute swim. Drove out to 232nd and the number 1 hwy and left my truck there. Suited up for a 31km run back to my house. Once I got to my house I hucked some food and water in me and headed out on a 32 k bike ride. The whole thing took almost 5 hours but was a nice little saturday. Oh and the sun came out right when I hoped off my bike. Awesome….

ON the way on just after jumping into the truck. Never found the gold.

On the way home just after jumping into the truck. Never found the gold.

The Finish to the day. Sun rolling in.

Clouds moving out

Vegas Marathon Dec 6th

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Nathan

A few days after finishing in a disappointing fashion at Victoria, I started looking for another run. Seattle happens on the 28th of November, and then Las Vegas on the 6th of December. I’ll be away in Cuba on the 28th, so Vegas is the next best thing.

Did some quick research on the run and this is the First Year the Rock’ n ‘ Roll style of Marathons has taken over for Vegas. I know a few people who have ran this one before, and they didn’t have much good things say about it. Hopefully with the switch over it will be better. Its also is a Boston Qualifier.

One tip , entry fee is 120 dollars but look around the net for a coupon code to get some money off. I used VEGASROCKS and got 10 bucks off…

Bike Time

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Nathan

As of yesterday I officially finished sign up for Ironman in Penticton. (already paid in August but now have all my info) I almost forgot to do it, September went by so quick, just remember during a long training run on the weekend…oops.

I did also manage to find myself a bike, indoor trainer and pedals,to get myself started. I also picked up, the apparently super important, bike shorts, can’t wait to find out how sore my ass will get. Getting pretty pumped to get a few good rides before the ugly weather comes.

Did the old craigslist hunt and grabbed, everything for 800 bucks. (bike, shoes,pedals and trainer) I wasn’t too pumped about getting a super expensive bike without even riding before, so hopefully this one will get me started. We will see if I will need to get a new bike by spring.

Kona Haole-- had a compter with it too.

Fairly new trainer for indoor riding.

Da Shoes

Innovative fitness half marathon and Royal Victoria Full Marathon

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Nathan

I’ve been stepping up my training in the last month for two runs that are coming up here in the next few weeks/month. Going to go hit up the Innovative Fitness Half-Marathon on the 20th of this month in White Rock, BC. Looking to go under 1:30, I’ve been told the course is pretty up and down so we’ll see if that will do anything to my time. Pretty pumped, I haven’t done a race in awhile.

Then in October I’ll be trying to better my time since Vancouver Full Marathon. On the 11th of October the Royal Victoria Marathon will be going down. I’m hoping if everything goes well to get down around 3:10-3:12. Boston qualifier for my age group is anything around 3:10 so that would be nice. I have ran this race in the past when I first started running and found it to be a pretty fun run despite spilling beer on myself on the last few kms. Scenic run with usually a pretty good turn out and a lot of people come out to watch.

Innovative Half in White Rock is 68 bucks race day ::link:: September 20,th 2009 . This run can also be done as a relay.

White Rock Route

Royal Victoria Marathon is 125 on race day ::link:: Oct 11th 2009, 2009 . This run is an official Boston Marathon qualifier as well. The boost about having a very high number of qualifiers from their run.

Vic Running Route

Ironman Weekend

Posted on September 2, 2009 by Nathan

Headed up to Penticton Once again this weekend, this time for the ironman. Had a friend in it last year and watch him conquer that bitch. He skipped this year but him and I and a few others went up to watch and sign up this year. Great weather, good time, and pretty pumped up for next year. Camped in the line up over night so we could make sure we would get our spot.

600 dollars for 3.8kms of swimmin, 180kms of bikin, and the old 42.2kms of runnin. The worse 600 dollars I ever spent. I plan on doing some fund raising with this stupid adventure and bloggin as much interesting info as possible.

Unfortunately this year one man die in the events 27 year history. A 60 plus man died of a heart attack just after the swim. I am seriously thinking about using the heart and lung foundation as my charity of choice, but I am open to suggestions as well.

Beach Running Route :: Sandlake Oregon

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Nathan

So while I was down in Oregon I was able to get a few training sessions in. I always enjoy looking for new places to run, but more importantly places to run with good scenery. So on the Saturday afternoon I ended up running a good route that I scouted in the morning. This run had everything, hills, beach, trail, and sketchy roads.

I strapped my backpack on with my camera and head out right from the camp site at Sandlake. I headed East, back to the main road and then jumped on the 101 hwy. This was a nice flat section which was about 2 miles. Once I got to the 101 is was all up hill. I’ve been doing a lot of hill training in the last two weeks but this was a lot more then what I wanted to do!.

The looped running route

So it was a straight up hike to the top of Cape Lookout. This area of the run was a welcome cool down. Cape Lookout usually has a lot of cloud and moisture hanging around it, Saturday was no different. The camp site had hot sun while the top of cape lookout was cloudy and felt like it was raining. I finally reached to top after about an hour and 40 mintues. At the top of Cape Lookout there were three trails. I want to explore them all but only one was able to make in a loop run and jet me back to the site. South Point trail was a 1.8mile straight down hike back. I think it took me about 20 minutes or so to get down.

about 3 qauters down

About Half way down, Cape Lookout to the right

Looking South...Sandlake is to the right

End of the trail. This sign was at the bottom of the trail.

Took my shoes off and ran the 3.11 miles along the beach. Great run. More shots here.

Some surfering going down at the bottom of the trail

Half way down the beach.

Tide was out-lots of room to run.

3 hours round trip-with photo stops.

::Nathan Veldhoen.com::

::Art, Photography, DIY and ironman training; a lifestyle of Nathan Veldhoen::

Tag Archives: Running

Lake Samish half marathon

More From nateveldhoen

Mission Trail chuck

Running and triathlons, tools and links

More From nateveldhoen

Fall Classic 2010 Round Up

Run for Water 2

Weekend Wrap-up.

BMO Race Round up.

Las Vegas Marathon Weekend with real-time updates

Fall Classic round number 2

Tri-Training Day

Vegas Marathon Dec 6th

Bike Time

Innovative fitness half marathon and Royal Victoria Full Marathon

Ironman Weekend

Beach Running Route :: Sandlake Oregon

More From nateveldhoen