Our embracement of triathlons began in 2007 and dominated training and goals for five years but 2012 was the year we stepped away for a season and focused on the bike and a re-dedication to the run. While looking forward to getting back in the pool, swimming wasn't a part of either of our routines most of the year.
As is always the case, the first step in any process is establishing the goal and we put some fun ones out there over the course of the year. Early season biking goals had us logging more miles in the spring and late season running goals had the bike on the back burner through the fall. Through it all, we saw each other more than we have in years with monthly visits from March through August. 2012 was a perfect year and a model for how to make the most life has to offer with family and friends.
March Visit to Maine
Jake Foehl's end of season nordic event brought us to Maine and the opportunity for a visit with Chas and family for a night. Chas and I got out for a good run in the early morning
April Visit to MV
Chas found himself flying solo up in Maine during April vacation so he came down to join our family and the Orluks for a few days on Martha's Vineyard. We had a couple great rides and some good runs, too. With the Gran Fondo lurking a month away, we got in our longest ride of the season- 61 miles around the Vineyard. An earlier post explains how the New York Gran Fondo got on the calendar for late May. Preparing for a 110 mile ride requires some discipline and an unseasonably warm winter/early spring made it easier than normal to get outside.
The one question still unresolved was which running event would we bite off later in the season. When initial attempts to get into the New York Marathon were thwarted (for the best, it turned out), focus turned to signing up for the Philadelphia Marathon on November 19. Chas, Brooks, Tim and Karen Bock pulled the trigger on Philly in April with Cary Collins intrigued but unsure whether her body would hold up through training.
Berkshire Classic on May 6
One of the fun aspects of having goals is to keep track of things you wouldn't have done had the goal not been in place. The Berkshire Classic is a perfect example- riding 85 miles in early May would not have happened without the Gran Fondo staring us in the face. As it was, this was an amazing opportunity to log miles together on an excellent supported ride. Tim, Chas and I had an awesome day exploring South County and the nearby CT border towns.
New York Gran Fondo, May 20
Just two weeks later, we gathered together in NY for our 110 mile adventure with 5,000 of our closest biking friends. The ones on our group were Cary and Lew Collins, Tim Bock, me and Chas, '88 classmate Dave Greenberg and friend of Cary and Lew from Wellesley, Kevin. Before we dive into the Gran Fondo here's a quick story that's indicative of how our group of friends operates.
Any events that go on the calendar are meant to be as inclusive as possible. You want in, just make it happen. The Bock's were hosting us the night before the GF at their home in Scarsdale. Over dinner, Chas and Tim and Karen were discussing plans for a July visit to Maine. The Bock's daughter, Sarah, goes to camp in Maine and they would in Vacationland for parent's visiting day and stay with Chas and family. Chas mentioned there was a half marathon in Portland scheduled for Sunday. My ears perked up, along with Cary's, and not wanting to miss out on any adventures we quickly consulted calendars and spouses. Within five minutes a four family weekend gathering in Maine was planned- more on that great weekend below.
The Gran Fondo was an interesting day. Good times with great friends, overall, but the race organizers were not prepared for the numbers participating. The route was excellent with only the last 5-7 miles being a bummber weaving through heavy NJ traffic to the end.
In June, we got to see Chas, Rick and all the gang from Williams '87 at their 25th reunion.
Next up was our big Portland, ME weekend- July 20-22. An amazing time all around with both Foehl familes and the Collins and Bock's together at Chas and Sara's. Saturday was beautiful and we went out for a great ride that morning. Here are Lewis, Sara, Cary and Chas at the Winslow Homer house in Prout's Neck. The ride will be remembered because not only was Sara Mayo out on her bike, she threw herself into an all women's peloton which overtook us along the way. We had a tremendous breakfast at a great joint near the end of the ride.
The next day there were 13.1 miles to be run. As much as Cary wanted to be out there, injury kept her on the sideline. The runners that day were (pictured below before the race) Dave Foehl, Brooks, Tim, Chas and Karen.
Here we are again at the end, minus Dave, whose long run to date had been four miles. Chas and Tim crushed it running some insane pace that I can't even remember- low 7 minute miles.
One month later, we all were together again in Williamstown for an annual late summer gathering. Activites included an awesome ride up Mt. Greylock from the south. Pictured below are Tim, Cary, Chas, Brooks with Lewis being flanked by Brooks good friends, Julie Greenwood (Williams '96) and her fiancee, Kieran.
Philly Marathon trainging was in full swing for Chas, Brooks, Tim and Karen and we did a great 16 mile run on Sunday morning- here we are afterwards with Chas taking the picture.
The craziness of the fall took over as we all retreated to our lives and had to settle for sharing motivational messages with each other instead of miles on the road together. We were all doing our training for Sunday, November 17.
The weekend of the race, we gathered together at Karen's childhood home with her parents, Roz and Larry, taking great care of us. Chas drove from Portland to Scarsdale and he joined Karen and Tim for the ride to Philly. I joined them that afternoon and we went into town to pick up our race packets. The next morning, we were out the door at 5:15am headed back downtown for the 7am start. Here's a picture of Chas and Brooks trying to stay warm as temps were in the 30's.
Here's a great picture of Tim, Chas, Brooks and Karen after the race. Speaking of the race, Chas and Tim once again were insane, running together almost the whole way with Chas running a 3:12 with Tim right behind at 3:13. Karen logged a 3:56 with Brooks bringing up the rear at 3:58.
The marathon provided a tremendous exclamation point on the 2012 season. It will be difficult to replicate the great times we enjoyed with each other and our friends in 2013 but we're in the process of planning what the road holds ahead for us all.
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