La Jolla 1/2 Marathon Update and controversy!

Well, it seems that there were some shenanagins going on with the incredible runner I was pacing during the La Jolla 1/2 Marathon as detailed in my Sunday "Leading out the Runners" post.

Full article from Today's San Diego Tribune sport's page.

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Incident in La Jolla makes waves in NYC

Half marathon winner loses entry after DQ

By Don Norcross
STAFF WRITER

April 30, 2008

The New York City Marathon rescinded Allen Wagner's complimentary entry to this year's race yesterday after the Ocean Beach runner admitted he deliberately broke a rule to enter Sunday's La Jolla Half Marathon.

On Sunday, Wagner, 27, the first runner to finish the race, intentionally tried to pass himself off as last year's official winner, Sean Birren. Birren had given Wagner his entry. Both runners sought to embarrass race officials because of events that transpired since last year's event.

When reporters questioned Wagner's identity Sunday, saying he didn't look like Birren, Wagner said he had lost five pounds in training and that his hair was lighter from the sun.

“We are absolutely miffed as to why an Olympic Trials qualifier would so flagrantly break USA (Track & Field) rules and cause that kind of disruption to an event,” David Monti, the New York City Marathon's professional athletes consultant, wrote Wagner in an e-mail.

“The part about how you attempted to explain the difference in your appearance as you pretended to be Sean is particularly reprehensible. We know that you had a beef with the race organizer and perhaps saw this as a way to protest, but cheating is never the way to accomplish that goal. There is no room in our race for someone who would engage in this kind of behavior.”

Wagner yesterday apologized to LJHM race director Bill Uncapher and Monti for his actions.

“In retrospect, I deserve it,” Wagner said of being denied entry to the New York City Marathon. “Running is even more important to other people besides me. Running is very important to the race director at La Jolla.

“Running is so important that even people not living in this area could ban me from a race on the other side of the country. It's a gift you can't be flagrant with, which I was.

“I'm sorry for what I did. It was not worth it.”

Wagner and Birren were upset with LJHM officials on multiple fronts.

Wagner said he was called a cheater by the race announcer when he neared the finish line last year. While leading the race, Wagner told members of the press truck he was not the runner who corresponded to his bib number. He admitted he had purchased the bib from another runner.

Michael Curran, the race's longtime announcer, denied calling Wagner a cheater.

“I've never in my life said anything like, 'He's a cheater,' ” Curran said. “I might have said, 'Hey, next time get a bib.' ”

Wagner and Birren were also disappointed that some top-level runners did not receive entries into this year's race.

Uncapher said those runners applied for entry after the race was sold out. Dave Kloz, who manages the Carlsbad-based BSK Runner Center team, said he attempted to enter those runners in February.

“I was just angry at the way the race was run,” Wagner said. “I wasn't thinking about my future or what the consequences could be.”

Scott Keenan, director of Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn., said he considered rescinding Wagner's complimentary entry for the June race.

Keenan changed his mind, based on a conversation with Wagner yesterday.

“He was very apologetic,” Keenan said.

Said Wagner, a respiratory therapy student, “I would rather never run a race again than be considered a bad person in my community.”

Wagner qualified for the Olympic Trials last June at Grandma's. He placed 25th at the November trials in New York in a personal-best 2 hours, 18 minutes, 25 seconds.

“If I'm guilty of giving somebody a second chance, if I err on that side, I don't think that's bad,” Keenan said. “As I told Dave Monti, it wasn't that bad a day for Allen. He's batting .500.”

Wagner is not permanently banned from the New York City Marathon.

“If he runs well, runs by the rules, doesn't have problems with any other race officials, I'm sure we would certainly reconsider,” said Richard Finn, a race spokesman.

Under race rules, Wagner and Birren are banned from the LJHM for five years for violating rules by exchanging entries.

While it is against USA Track & Field rules to exchange bib numbers, it is a common practice among runners because many races sell out.

Wagner said he would like to perform volunteer work for the LJHM to demonstrate that he's genuinely sorry for his actions.

“I want it to be sincere. I don't want it to feel like just words,” he said.

Meanwhile, numerous runners complained that on a day when record high temperatures were recorded across the county, the LJHM race did not have sufficient water or volunteers.

“The lack of water and replenishment on the course for the novice was unacceptable,” Rick Asher wrote in an e-mail. “At Mile 5, the trash cans of water (being used), the volunteers are filling reused cups (which) have sand in them.”

“It was messed up with the water,” a writer posted on the Web site BeginnerTriathlete.com. “Thankful for the people with water hoses near the end – saved me.”

Uncapher said 30,000 extra cups were ordered in anticipation of the heat.

“Obviously,” he said, “the lack of hydration on a course is inexcusable for any race.”

Training Log - April 28 - May 4

Monday: Rest day.

Tuesday: Spin Class. Totals were just under 14 miles with 990 calories burned.

Wednesday: I had planned a 4-5 mile walk tonight after class but thought it would be better to rest my aching foot. I've been wearing an arch brace all day feels like it is really helping.

Thursday: Two climbs up Soledad. Today we had a guest rider, Troy who is an alumni having done the Tuscon Century last season. He's a very strong rider although he hasn't been riding lately. It was nice to have some company on the climbs. We did the normal Soledad Mountain road route and finished up with another trip down and up the Nautilus face. Totals were 15 Miles, 1700 feet of climbing.

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: Long Mileage day. 83.66 Miles, 5300 ft of climb!

Sunday: 15-Mile loop around Mission Valley including two big hills.

The Miles are Starting to Show

Looking over last week's training log, I see that the totals were 133 miles and over 8000 feet of climbing. The miles are starting to show.

1) I've recently had to replace my bike chain as it was stretched out from all the heavy riding I've been doing.
2) Thursday, I had my first flat.
3) Also on Thursday, one of the screws fell off of one of my biking shoes cleats while I was riding. I didn't find it out until I tried to unclip and couldn't. Without the point of resistance from missing screw, my cleat just spun around not allowing me to unclip. I had to do the last part of the Soledad ride unclipping from the opposite side than I am used to. Got a little squirrely there for a bit..
4) I need to true my back tire as it is starting to get a little too wobbly for comfort.

Now for the body:

A) sore lower back
B) a bit of a knee twinge
C) very sore Vaste Externe muscles. See chart below




















D) Foot pain that I suspect is Plantar Fascia Strain
E) and finally some very sore quads.

Today I'm feeling particulary dehydrated and can't seem to catch up with my hydration despite drinking like a fish all day.

Consequently, I took a well deserved day off from working out.

Leading out the runners

Today I was scheduled to do the La Jolla 1/2-Marathon. This is a long standing local event and is considered to be a pretty tough race due to the course taking you over a couple of significant hills. The last few weeks, I have been wavering about whether to actually do this event as I was already signed up for it. I decided not to do it for three reasons

1) Long mileage biking on Saturday's really takes a lot out of me.
2) I've got a nagging foot injury that just won't heal.
3) I took a long hard look at my walking shoes and they are played out. Breaking new shoes in during a 1/2-marathon is a bad idea.

But sometimes things work out. I received and email mid-week inviting me to help out with the race by "leading out the runners". Myself and two other Team in Training people were asked to help track the status of the top runners. My mentor Jay, Coach DJ and myself in full regalia were first out of the starting gate on our bikes and paced the top runners over the entire course. We stayed contact with the race organizers and reported times at each mile markers so that the announcer could report it to the spectators. A very nice high profile opportunity for TnT.

What a blast. I was selected to stay with the top runner and kept ahead of him for the first 5-miles until the field spread. After that I would race up ahead and wait for him at the mile markers and record the time when he passed it. Then I would sprint up to catch the pace car and report the time.

Part of the course takes you up and through Torrey Pines State Park which is some pretty serious uphill. I had raced ahead anticipating being a bit slow climbing up the hill. I started the climb and maintained a good 7-8 MPH pace which is very respectable. About three quarters up the hill I look over my right shoulder and see the lead runner right on my wheels. I scurry to the left to get out of his way and he passes me on the uphill going 10 MPH. Amazing. Once the course levels out, I regain ground and my respectability and get ahead of him again. I didn't get the runners name but he was incredible, finishing the race in 1 hr -11 minutes.

The rest of the event was pretty uneventful. I cross the finish line about 30-secs behind the lead runner. I had swung back to let him enjoy his first place finish. It was about 2-3 minutes before the second place runner showed up.

It was a very tough course and it was brutally hot, with temperatures in the high 90's. Several runners had to be taken off the course in ambulances.

After the race, we hung out a bit and enjoyed the atmosphere before heading back. We rode back to the starting line and then Jay and I, got free brunch from fellow B3 team mate, Naomi who runs the Torrey Pines Hilton restaurant. She had invited us to stop by after the race for some grub. Excellent hook-up as the food was fabulous and she spoiled us rotten.

Overall I had a great day, even with the heat. I managed to get in nearly 30-miles and 2000 feet of climbing.

Hot Hot Hot

Today's ride started in Escondido at Kit Carson Park. The plan for the day was 70+ miles with lot of hills. We had our core group today with only Head Coach Rick as an additional rider.

2-Miles into the ride, Coach Rick and Mentor Jay cross tires and Rick goes down hard. He stays down for sec before getting up. He was a little scraped up with the elbow getting most of the damage. We are now brothers in elbow road rash. His jersey pocket full of GU energy gels also burst creating a mess. He says he's fine and we proceed on. About 25 miles in at the first rest stop, the other coaches convince him to pack it in for the day. Better safe than sorry.

We get a good pace going and start eating up the miles. The weather forecast was for hot weather and that it definitely was. Climbing Champagne Blvd along at around mile 50 or so, I start to really overheat. I had about another 1-1/2 of climbing left to the top and considered just going for it. The group had seperated into three subgroups during the climb. Amanda, Mark and myself were in the lead group. A few minutes behind were Liz and Mike and bringing up the rear were Claudia, Naomi and Mentor Jay. We're struggling along and I start complaining. Mark tries to break down the hill into manageable sections. The yellow sign is 1/3 of the hill, that big rock is 2/3, etc. Not working. We ride through the shade of a single tree and I think to myself, you should stop. Nah, I decided to go for it. Bad choice. Getting hotter and hotter and started to fall back. A couple hundred feet up ahead and see more shade. This time, I decide to do the smart thing and dismount and cool down. My buds, hang with me for a minute but then move on. I take my helmet and shoes off, sit in the shade, drink water and just cool down. About 5 minutes later, Mike and Liz reach me. Mike is a former EMT from the fire department and makes sure I'm ok. I am. He decides to stay with me and cool down as well. Liz takes of. About 10 minutes later the remaining part of the team shows up and join me in the shade. All and all, I got about 25 minutes of sitting and cooling. Made the world of difference. We push on and make it to the top where one of the coaches had smartly stashed an ice chest full of ice cold water. Heaven. More rest and Mark decides to call it day. I strongly consider doing the same but decided to see it out as there was only 12 miles left and I felt much better.

We made a little unexpected detour on the way back and got semi lost. Actually as Jay pointed out, we weren't lost, we just didn't know the best way to get to where we wanted to go. We had a comical incident where we took a frontage road and actually ended on a dirt trail for a bit before turning around. We finally managed to find the right way with the use of google maps on Jay's phone and headed in.

The high temperature for the day was 97.8 degrees. The ride was torturous with little to no wind and blazing heat the entire day. Something like 6 riders were taken off the course due to a combination of mechanical or physical problems. Poor Chris from the C group had two flat tubes and one shredded tire. Liz from our B3 group also shredded a tire.

After the ride, a few of use hit a nearby On the Border restaurant for some well deserved Margaritas. The funniest incident was when Jay refused to accept money from Naomi (now famous for salt stained bike shorts) calling it salty sweaty butt money. Too funny.

Only 3 more long rides left with Tahoe just over a month away.

The 4th Face

Thursday night means climbing Soledad Mountain. It was a very rough day after staying late at work last night and getting an very early start today to meet all my deadlines. My last of three meetings let out at around 3:30pm. I decided to take the afternoon off and make the early (5pm) group at Soledad. I usually can't get there until nearly 6pm and go out with the later group. One advantage of making the earlier time is that you have enough daylight to make a third climb. One disadvantage of the earlier time is that you have enough daylight to make a third climb. Life is confusing that way sometimes.

Lead rider was Coach DJ. Also along for the ride was fellow B3 Orrin and Tonya and my mentor Lisa from the B2 group. First climb was our standard Lamont to Soledad Mountain Road to La Jolla Scenic to the top. Not quite a walk in the park but I've been there done that. At the steep part of the climb, DJ calls for everyone to get into their climbing gears. I scoff and inform him that I haven't used my small ring in 5 weeks.
Pride comes before the fall.

At the top, DJ says we're going to try a new route. The group splits at this part and everyone else but me leaves to do the Nautilus face. We take off westward and then scream down La Jolla Mesa Drive aka The west Face aka La Jolla Mesa Drive. It's a blast doing the downhill. I get into the biker's tuck and look down at my bike computer. 42 MPH! Wow. At some point during the downhill, I start to feel a sense of dread creeping in. It's been nothing but downhill and you know what that means...all uphill on the way back. At the bottom we turn around and I almost strain my neck looking up at the slope I'm about to climb. DJ gives a little devilish grin and away we go. Grind, grind, grind and guess what?...I had to do the whole thing in my climbing gear. The main part of the climb is about 3 straight miles of what has to be 4-5% slope. Brutal.

I finally reach the top gasping for breath and get the high five from DJ. I inform him that if he makes me do a repeat of that face, I'm quitting the program. Laughter ensues. At the top, we meet up with the other group and everyone but Orrin decides to pack it in so Orrin, DJ and I tackle the next face.

Cardeno blvd. Mums the word, with DJ and we start down . It's a beautiful curving road past many gorgeous homes...and it's straight downhill again. Fooled me twice, shame on me as the saying goes. After jokingly complaining about the last climb, I was duped into making an even harder one. I can't really describe the climb back up but it's safe to say that it is the hardest one I've done in the program. I get some good climbing advice from DJ. He shows me a technique where I scoot all the way back on my seat and push forward, through my pedal stroke. It works a different muscle and provides relief from the quad torture I had been enduring. We reach the top with my legs on fire and my heart nearly bursting out of my chest.

Trial by fire, rite of passage or whatever you want to call it, I was damn proud of being able to do all these climbs right after another. I've come a long way in the few months that I've been training.

Coach DJ


















This man is a sadist

Training Log - April 21-27

Monday: Nothing

Tuesday: Spin Class. 19-Miles, 1150 calories.

Wednesday: Nothing today :( Duty called and I worked until 9pm. Looking forward to Soledad Mountain tomorrow.

Thursday: Threepeat up Soledad Mountain. Totals 20.8 Miles, 2,410 feet of climbing! 1513 Calories burned. Steve strong like bull.

Friday: Rest day

Saturday: 65.5 miles in blistering heat.

Sunday: Leading out the runners for La Jolla 1/2-marathon. 28-miles, 1900+ feet of climbing.