K. Todd Storch

A Great Day!

Trophy time!
Originally uploaded by K. Todd Storch.

My son Ryan has just earned his Camo belt in Taekwondo. He has been working so hard to learn his form, his weapons and now, his sparring.

He is just passionate about Taekwondo. I really understand what that passion feels like and I decided to take Ryan on a road trip Friday afternoon.

There was an ATA Taekwondo tournament in Lufkin, TX on Saturday. This would be Ryan's second tournament and was stoked that we were going to take a "guy's road trip"!

We headed out late on Friday afternoon and stayed at the host hotel in Lufkin. We had a great time during the 4 hour ride and of course staying at the hotel was a huge hit for him.

We were at the tournament from 8a until about 2p on Saturday and then went out to my aunt and uncle's house down the road in Diboll, TX. Jim and Marion came out Saturday morning and cheered Ryan on to his 4th place finish in weapons and form.

This was a really big deal for him because he was the youngest in his belt division and coming in 4th out of 16 was a big accomplishment.

Dad was proud, but more importantly, Ryan was proud of his accomplishments.

So what does this have to do with my marathon/triathlon training? Well, to begin with, I had no issues missing my Saturday run (there was a time this would drive me nuts...). This was just too important to worry about a training run.

If you are freaked out about missing a training day; don't. Do what is importatant, get your training in and stay mentally sharp.

This was a "road trip" that I'll never forget.

Photos here

20 mile long run

Ice Bath time!
Originally uploaded by K. Todd Storch.

Had a great 20+ mile long run this morning at 5a. The weather was a perfect, cool, low humidity day...perfect for a near 3 hour run.

My goal was to average a pace around 8:40 miles. I dropped bottles on the 10 mile out and back course to Flower Mound.  According to motionbased, I ended up with an average 8:39 pace for the run.  Bingo!

Big thanks to Todd and Curt for meeting me at mile 16 and running me back in to Coppell. They timed it so they could get in a 4 out and back run and knowing they were going to be there gave me some extra boost at the end of the run.

I had to catch a plane to Tampa around lunch time and never got a chance for my post-long run ice bath. So, time to improvise!

Got a trash bag from the front desk and loaded up at the ice machine. I figure in all my years of staying at hotels, I've probably used 2 cups of ice. Now I feel like I've gotten my monies worth!

Motionbased run here

42 days to the NY Marathon!

Texas Man Triathlon

Wet transition area
Originally uploaded by K. Todd Storch.

The morning started with driving rain and lightning...there was no way I thought the race would be able to start. However, a break in the weather around 630a allowed the streets to dry (somewhat) and we were a go.

The Olympic distance did get shortened to the Sprint distance, except for the 10k run.

I really wasn't too hyped up about this race after a red eye flight the day before and not much time in the water or on the bike due to my marathon training. But, like always, the race was a total blast.

Great job to all of the Team in Training racers that came in from all over the country for this race. I met some families from Idaho and PA that made the trip to Dallas for this season ending race.

I placed 11th in my AG and was a bit disappointed in the time. I didn't fly through the transition areas nearly as quick as I should of. I spent to much time putting on my watch at T1 and having to get the mud off my feet at T2 slowed me down.

The run was pretty strong, but I think I could of blew it out a bit more.

However, if you know me, I'm a freakin' nut job that isn't fully happy with much and tend to nit pick. But, based on nearly no time on the bike and in the water, I am pleased with the race.

It is always a total blast to be around triathletes and the people from Dallas Athletes. We have a very social group and reconnecting with folks is always a highlight.

Full results here

Photos here

I didn't know I had muscles there...

Tantalus Trail Run
Originally uploaded by K. Todd Storch.

This was an amazing trail run. Running up through the woods and "jungle" of the hills of Hawaii was a real treat. Of course, what goes up, has to come down and that was the real challenge of this run.

You don't really run down the trail; it's more like controlled "falling" down the hill. You just need to make sure you bounce with you feet and keep your knees high.

Regardless, my ankles and lower calves have been sore this week during my regular runs. Shout out to all the Xterra triathletes, because this was an amazing workout.

Motionbased.com activity here.

Aloha from Honolulu

Diamond Head
Originally uploaded by K. Todd Storch.

I'm loving life as I work this week in Honolulu. I came out early and spent the weekend with my great friend Ray and his family in Hawaii Kai.

Believe me, there are worse places to be working for a week! I'm getting in some good runs while here and you'll see a map profile of the Tantalus trail run we did on Sunday...what a beating!

All photos here