7:00am – Registration & Shirt Pick Up

8:00am – One Mile Fun Run

8:30 am- 5K

T-Shirts to all runners while supplies last

Entree Fee

$20.00 Pre-Entry- Received before September 6th

$15.00 Students

$25.00 Post Entry (not guaranteed shirt size)

$12.00 1 Mile Fun Run

Location

Band Shell-Arnold and Baltimore, Pt Pleasant Beach, NJ

• Awards to First 3 Overall winners- Male & Female
• Awards to first 3 Male & Female in their age groups
• Fast Flat Certified Course – Digital Clock Finish
• Mile Markers – Splits – Water Stations
• Drawing of a Nintendo Wii Package

Talk about inspiration!

Morning of the race, Marcel and I were parked by 5am and already in transition. I was super pissed when I heard the “no wetsuit” announcement. I have a skinsuit but did not bring it for all week they were saying wetsuit legal for sure. As you know, the swim is definitely my weakest link and I had a serious bike crash on May 20 in which I separated my shoulder. I was contemplating just baggin the whole race but I decided to go for it.

My wave went off and I remained calm. I was focusing on long strokes and trying not to panic as I was literally getting swam on top of. I thought I was swimming great! My sighting was right on and everything. I am normally a 42-45 min half ironman swimmer and with my injury and the current, I was thinking I would be 50 plus minutes. Imagine my disappointment when I got out of the water in 1:06!!!!

Got over it and got onto the bike and started to hammer away. I wanted to average over 22 mph for the course. I came close. Think i did not drink enough though and my shoulder was sore in the aeero position but I would not give up.

Onto the run, or the death march. I got out on the course and it was mass carnage. People were walking everywhere. I vowed that I would not walk, no matter what. Thank goodness for all the people who came out to hose us down with garden hoses! The aid stations were well stocked and I hit every one. Had to use the port o john once, which meant I was hydrated so I did not mind stopping for a minute. The run course did not have mile markers and it seemed to go on forever. I got to see several other familiar athletes on the course and everyone was suffering. Finished the race and went straight home. had to work the next day.

Was hoping for a Kona spot but with my injury and the performance I gave (my worst) it was just not meant to be. Hopefully Timberman will be a better race for me.

Started the day with some peanut butter on whole wheat bread at about 5am and was out the door by 5:30 with Mansfield and two other buddies as our house was only a few minutes away. We parked the car several blocks away and walked to transition. The advantage of traveling with several friends with the same “just have fun” mindset is that we laughed all morning which certainly takes the edge off. Most of the humor was directed at ourselves and our awareness of how under trained we were, not too mention that we looked we purcahsed our stuff at a garage sale compared to some of the bikes and gear we saw.

Arrived at transition and were greeted by several athletes walking back to their cars with wetsuits in hand, tough way to find out that no wetsuits were allowed. I am a decent swimmer and have done this distance without a wetsuit before so I wasn’t too worried. I was more disappointed that I just bought a sleeveless Xterra that I was dying to try…oh well!

Set up my area and immediately went to the Port a Potty line where I usually spend most of my pre-race time. I still wonder why every race never has enough of them as I would gladly pay an extra $20 to not have to spend 45 minutes on line. Took care of business and made my way back to the transition area but not before I was heckled by Barbara and Maggie in front of several hundred people waiting on the line for taking so long.

Due to the delay I had plenty of time before my 35-39 heat so I concentrated on staying hydrated and out of the sun. It was super hot by 7:30 am! Special thanks to Brian Shea of PBN for emailing me on Friday and reminding me to hydrate early. I got to watch a few waves start off and even caught a glimpse of the first pros coming into the swim finish. I got into the water with my heat and made my way to the back of the pack as I do not like to mix it up. I was really relaxed and just happy to be there at this point. A quick high five to Lance and we took off and I was on my way. I usually pass a fair amount of people as I come from the back and today was no exception. The water was fairly choppy but I seemed to be swallowing more than usual. I stuck with my usual routine of humming in my head “just keep swimming” from Finding Nemo to pass the time. As I rounded the first turn I started to pass a few of the swimmers in the heat in front of me which is not unusual. However, as I made it around the second turn I also began passing swimmers two and three heats in front which caught me by surprise. I finished the swim feeling good and made my way into T1. Swim time 46:41.

T1 was uneventful and the only big decision I made was to go without socks. I did have to take a few extra seconds to put my tri top on as I opted to swim without it. However, I think the lack of drag in the swim equaled it out. While I had put some sunblock on before the swim I threw a trial size in my jersey pocket to put on as I got out on the bike. T1- 3:42.

Having done this race last year I was familiar with the course. I had a horrible bike time last year, 3:41 as I was caught off guard by the winds. I had resolved to go for broke this year in order to get off the bike course earlier due to the sun and heat. Not too mention that being on a bike for almost 4hrs sucks. It also doesn’t do much for morale when your friends are starting the run and you are just coming in off the bike. You can actually see the pity in their eyes as they say “Good Job, Looking Good” all the while thinking “thank god that’s not me”. I felt strong and managed to stay around 19mph and 92 cadence. I wanted to keep this pace for at least the first hour and ½. I was happy to see that I was moving along nicely and didn’t believe my Garmin. Most surprising though was not having to stop at the port a potties. I had pre mixed 2 bottles of Cytomax with carbo pro and salt caps and knew I needed to drink them all. I took some of the water from the aid stations but squirted most of it on my head through the helmet. At about mile 35 I started to slow a bit and shortly thereafter I developed an unbearable knot in my left shoulder which traveled into my head and was making it impossible to stay aero. I lost time due to this but managed to keep moving at a decent pace switching between aero and sitting up. At about mile 45 I was not feeling too hot and was cramping a bit and feeling the heat. I realized that I was behind on my fluids and forced myself to drink and take in some salts as my body was not interested. However, upon seeing the mile 50 sign much faster than I expected, I got a little second wind and pushed for home. I was really hurting at this point as I pushed hard to maintain my speed and dropped my cadence to 85-90. I knew I was under-trained due to work and family commitments this season and this is where it hurt. My back and neck were just not ready for that length of time on the bike. Anyway, I crossed into T2 elated to just be off the bike and 2/3 done. Bike Time 3:05:15, 18.1mph

T2. I was really hurting as I got into T2 and my legs were like tree trunks. I took a little extra time getting out of there just to try and regain myself. As I gathered my nutrition and put my sneakers on I realized I never put on sunblock for the bike and had lost it on the course. My only option was to smush a facestick into my hands and rub it on my shoulders and neck. It actually worked except for the two now purple spots on my upper back where I couldn’t reach and the jersey didn’t cover. I stopped on the exit in order to go to the bathroom. I hadn’t gone on the bike course and I knew I was short on fluids. T2 7:08

Run
I skipped the fire hose on the exit b/c I wanted to keep my feet dry (bad move). I managed to trot onto the road that borders the water but was forced to walk shortly after that. I was extremely over heated and actually had the chills. My quads felt like they were frozen stiff and I usually feel good off the bike. There would be no running until I cooled down. I seriously thought about jumping into the river for a minute but wasn’t sure if I would get DQ’d. So I stumbled to the first hose station and had the girl soak me down. It did the trick and I was able to start moving. I picked up another struggling runner from the Terrier Tri Club in NYC and we walked and ran ourselves till the turnaround. Every aid station was basically two or more cups of water on the head and body and drinking another one or two. I also had some ice cold Pepsi and Gatorade but mostly the water. Thank god for the Volunteers. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep up the pace after the turnaround since I couldn’t keep cool enough between aid stations and he pulled ahead. I managed to run walk for the next few miles only to have my hopes crushed when the snow cone machine stopped working. In my stupor I actually contemplated waiting the 5 minutes it was going to take to get it fixed. I though better of it and was back running/walking a few hundred feet at a time. I stuck with the water and had some gel, sport beans and salt caps. Despite the fact that I was miserable I was happy to be heading back to the finish. I met a lot of great people on the course who I got to run walk with and had some more laughs at our shared misery. I ran through what I had dubbed “death valley” last year, this is that brutally hot, unshaded stretch of construction road where everything looks dead and burnt out. I hate this part of the course and wanted to get out of there as soon as possible so I pushed as hard as I could. As I turned into the neighborhood I made the decision to take it easier, to keep up the pace I was doing hurt too much and it would have only made a few minutes difference. I did hit every hose station to be drenched, it was a god send but in return it felt like I had trench foot as every step was painful. I danced my way past the Virginia Tech party house and would have had the beer they offered me if I wasn’t pretty sure it would have killed me. I walked for a good part after here and am now kind of now asking myself what if I had run harder. However, by slowing down I was able to enjoy myself a bit and met a woman from Ocean City who was doing the race with her 16 year old daughter, a 65 year old Navy vet doing his 6th Eagleman, and a now slim first time 70.3er who one year ago was a 300 pound smoker.

I slowly made my way through the final parts of the run and could only think about the finish, the pain started to disappear a bit and I was able to pick it up for the last half mile and carry my two year old daughter across the finish. The struggle was over and all those cold and hard months of mediocre training got me through to the end. Not a pretty end but the end nonetheless. I also managed to beat my last year’s time by three minutes. Total “Run” time 3hrs 1 minute

In retrospect I regret not training harder when I could have, but I did what I set out to do, finish. I managed to do it while working hard at my career and maintaining my family life and that is all I could ask for. I also realized that I am not the only one who looks bad in a tri top!

I am now settled here in Krabi, Thailand. I love the first week in Asia as the time change puts me to bed early and gets me up before dawn. It’s5 a.m and I am bright eyed. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not much of a morning person. As a child my parents let me stay up late to watch Johny Carson and the Honeymooners, so most nights I was up till midnight at least. This pattern has carried into my adulthood. During my 4th year of college, Coach Watts would drive to my condo to pick me up for morning run because I kept missing so many of them. I would say, “Coach it’s not like I am not going to run, I just like to sleep in. I just can’t seem to get up, I sleep right thru my alarm. So if I sleep in till 7 or 8 I will run then”. He didn’t think that was very funny so he started calling me on his way to campus and would then swing by to get me. Thanks G.W.!!

So anyway I left last Sunday evening with a quick stop over at The Bike Boutique in Singapore to get my new Cervelo P4, finally arriving here on Wednesday. I met James Tuesday morning at the airport and we headed straight to the shop where the guys started working immediately on our new bikes. It was great catching up with James!! We had a nice swim and easy run along the beach to wake our bodies up. Wednesday morning we headed back to the shop and got a quick fit on the Retul System before packing our bike and heading to the airport. It was also very nice to meet the guys at the shop and to see Alex again. I love to visit Singapore and hope to go back soon.

TBB Singapore

Me and Black Betty

It’s great to be back in Asia! There is a familiarity to the way the air feels and smells, it’s like this most feeling with a touch of a smokey scent. So here I am settled in for the 7 weeks…. Below are some photos from the symposium.

Doug Rice and I
Doug is the President of The Sandyhookers Triathlon Club, which is my local club. Doug has been at the forefront of triathlon in New Jersey for the past 25 years. We hope to get some stories up on the Team TBB sight about the Sandyhookers in the coming weeks and months.

JT and I
This is John Thomas Hughes of the JT Foundation for Autism Awareness. This season I have decided to race for Autism Awareness. It is my belief that you must be willing to give in order to recieve so throughout the year I will be posting stories and blogs about Autisim, raising awareness for the disorder that affects 1 in 150 children in the U.S More on this later, but my hope to do stories on how prevelent Autisim is and what are some forms of treatment that are used in each of the locations I either train or race at. For example, I have already learned that here in Thailand, elephants are used as a form of therapy to help children learn how to better communicate.

JT and I infront of a Cervelo P4
O.K. time for morning run!! I guess this is what happens when you go to bed at 9p.m., up bright and early, thus becoming more productive!
SD

Wanted to pass along major PROPS to the 2010 Tough Mudders Team. Headed by police Officer Brian Mansfield the team climbed, slid, ran, jumped, ran through fire, and basically fought through 7+ miles of what they called HELL. Oh and this was all for fun…..and beer at the end.

These guys represented the Team for Autism at this event and we want to give them a major Thank YOU>

Team Captain Wall Township Officer Brian Mansfield!

]]> http://thejtfoundation.com/?feed=rss2&p=355 0 http://thejtfoundation.com/?p=363 http://thejtfoundation.com/?p=363#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 00:25:29 +0000 jhughes http://thejtfoundation.com/wordpress/?p=363 Saturday, June 12th

Once again The JT Foundation’s Team for Autism will be loading up our bikes and heading to beautiful Lincroft, NJ to take part in the annual Ride for Autism. The Team has participated in this event since 2005 and it has become one of our staple events on the calendar.

The Ride for Autism is a one-day charity bicycle tour designed to raise funds for Autism New Jersey and also to raise community awareness about autism. It has also been an opportunity for socialization with other Team for Autism members either as a participant or as a volunteer. The ride is open to all levels of cyclists, from beginner to serious. Participants choose from five routes ranging in length from 10 to 100 miles, designed by the Jersey Shore Touring Society bicycle club. Rest stops and SAG support are provided on all routes. http://www.ride4autism.org/courseMaps.asp

Team Tent: We will have the Team for Autism Tent set up where you, your family and friends can campout and use as home base for the day and there will also be a vendor expo, one mile kids ride and kids activities take place throughout the day. We will have some Jersey Mike’s subs available when you finish. Again this is a great event for all ages and abilities…kids and families and GREAT training ride!

So, if you would like to join us for this GREAT day of riding please click on the following link that will take you to The JT Foundation’s 2010 Ride 4 Autism event page. Once you are there please follow the 2 steps and Join the TEAM! (Again you can ride and or volunteer at the tent!) http://www.thejtfoundation.org/2010autismridereg.html

Susan Mark’s prior to the start

New Jersey Marathon: The JT Foundation and our athletes where on the streets and in the waters literally all over the country. I wanted to put out a quick “Shout Out” of appreciation to them all! Thank you!

51 Team for Autism runner’s braved extreme heat (90+) to participate in the 2010 New Jersey Marathon Fistival. We had 6 relay teams, 2 marathoners and 17 – Half Marathoners in this year event.  We are in the process of gathering some of the personal stories to share with you and will be posting in the near future. If you would like to participate or volunteer in next year’s, 2011 event please fill out the application by clicking on the following link. http://www.thejtfoundation.org/2010Marathon.html

Check out pictures of the TEAM! http://picasaweb.google.com/108393150941025553895/NJMarathon2010A#

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Spokes Athlete Scott DeFilippis (on left) who just returned from his Pro training camp in Thailand  with his Team TBB, and put together his best full IM effort to date in a Sub 10 hour effort (and he was not happy with that time! ) at the IM Utah.  See Scott’s results here http://ironmanlive.com/tracking.php?race=st.george&year=2010

Scott’s next race will be locally on Sunday May16th at the Pier Village Duathlon in Long Branch, NJ. Come out to either race or give Scott some support.

Then Scott will be off to France where he will compete in 3 Triathlons in 3 months.

• June 27^th– Ironman France, Nice France
• July 28^th– Alpe d”Huez Triathlon, France ( a famous Tour De France leg)
• August 18^th– Emberman Iron Distance Triathlon, France

Scott then returns to the States and prepares to take on Ironman Arizona in Phoenix on November 21^st. To keep up and help support Scott throughout the season http://www.thejtfoundation.org/scottdefilips.html

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Joanne Jaeger competes at the Bassman Triathlon in Pinelands NJ. She has unselfishly worn the JT colors in dozens of races over the last 2 seasons. Check out her sister Jacqueline Houtman web site and learn more about the recent book that Jacqueline released. AGAIN….Thank You Joanne you are an inspiration to many who know you…keep it going.           http://www.jhoutman.com/

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Dinamic Duo- Carolyn Stellatella and Maggie Freeman trekked down I-95 into North Carolina and competed in a 1/2 Ironman this weekend . Both Maggie and Carolyn, like Joanne Jaeger frequently wear the JT colors and are fantastic ambassadors for The JT Foundation and Autism Awareness.  You girls ROCK!

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Mad Mudders!

Kenny Pace, Lance Nemiroff, Brian Mansfield, Dan Fishmann and Marcel Legrand all put on their Blue Team for Autism shirts and traveled to Bear Creek Pa. for 7 miles of pain! They competed in the Tough Mudder race where they ran through mud, fire and water. Climbed over hills and barriers and under barbed wire!  Trough tunnels and did I say fire?…..all for fun…and FREE beer ! From what I saw from the pictures I think they will be back for more next year and the team will be a bit bigger….I am planning on doing it! Foot NOTE – In addition to lance representing JT’s Team for Autism, so was his wife Susan, who ran 2 relay legs at the new jersey Marathon. The Nemeroff’s also ROCK!

Thanks GUYS!

What a GREAT weekend! Thanks to all!

It made me think and ask the following question? What is your favorite running story, or type of run. Running til you puke? Running with the rain dripping off the front of a running hat? Hitting a turn and accelerating through and out of the turn? Seeing someone in front of you, bearing down and catching them? passing someone on their bike?

Love to hear some stories. Please post it on the JT Foundation Facebook page or better yet on the JT Foundation Blog. http://thejtfoundation.com/wordpress/