2008 Review & Awards

2008 was the year of the PR in the Caba house. Despite our aging bodies, both Katie and I set PRs in the marathon, dirty half and 10k. It also brought victories in the Cascade Lakes Relay, Lithia Loop Trail Marathon and Turkey Trot, amongst several other podium (just out of the money) finishes.



2008 CLR Champions Left to Right: Ryan "Hobbit" Rein, Jeff Caba, Katie Caba, Kory Bright, Ryan Shaffer, Michael Dennis, Jill Gozdowski, Laura Fritz, Jen Sventek, Ahna Jura, Andy Martin. Missing from photo, all-star JJ Howard who was busting out a 10k leg.

2008 was also a year of discovery. Arm warmers became a new fixture in the wardrobe rotation. Although they had nothing to do with my speed, they at least made me feel fast, especially my Superman blue ones. Also wore running tights, the girly kind, for the first time. The jury is still out on this one but I kind of like them. Does that make me girly? Hobbit Rein introduced me to the Garmin 405, which is without question the best running watch invented to date...as long as you aren't wearing gloves, sweating or running in the rain. I also had my shoes screwed by the Footzone (sheet metal screws drilled into the sole). It's definitely a nice alternative to Yak Traks, but in new snow I think Yaks are better. I was also introduced by RWR, although not formally invited to wear, Stinger racing flats. Never knew there was such a shoe. Springs in the midsole? Really? Are they legal?

2008 was the year Runtopia.com almost happened. Still have the $800 logo to prove it. I think the domain is still reserved by the running Hobbit and one day, I tell you, one day we'll get it up and running. Until then, we'll enjoy the other hundreds of running websites and social networks available.

So what's in store for 2009? Hoping for a solid off season of casual running and skiing. Plan on picking up training again in February. Eugene will be my first major. Of course will run in the annual Dirty half and try to PR. No hope of winning that one with Martin and Max King running. Hopefully we can pull a team together and defend our title in the Cascade Lakes Relay in August. Probably will run a fall marathon, Chicago or Twin Cities would be nice, although that still needs wife approval. Might also venture back to Ashland for the Lithia Loop Trail marathon where my course record should get obliterated as the USATF marathon championship will be run on the course next year.

2008 AWARDS

Best memory of the year: Many great memories this year to choose from, including a weekend in Ashland for the Lithia Loop Trail marathon, 24 hour Cascade Lakes Relay and road trip to Sac town for the CIM, making this a tough decision. The winner... seeing Katie in her final 1/4 mile push towards a 2:58 marathon in Portland.
She didn't look this happy. What an awesome accomplishment. My wife is definitely faster than yours...unless you are married to Lisa Nye or Kami Semick.

Most improved: Another tough one. Sean Meissner put up some pretty good times, gaining victory at the Spokane Marathon and capping off his 2008 season with a 2:39 CIM. He's now a legitimate threat. The nod however goes to E. Stiles. 3:02 to a 2:49 marathon in 8 weeks! Are you kidding?

Most disappointing season: Difficult decision but Andy Martin's injury plagued season edges out Ryan Rein's fall from grace after the Cascade Lakes Relay. During late October Ryan was most easily found at his law firm's vending machine, shaking it violently while attempting to get two moon pies to fall from a single purchase. Meanwhile Martin was fixed to the couch, licking cookie dough off a wooden spoon, fading in and out of consciousness watching daytime talk shows and soap operas. Latest report is they are both shedding pounds and putting miles on their legs. Both runners should be fit and fast for 2009. Look forward to their return.

Best race of the year: Caba vs Martin in the high profile Turkey Trot. It was a back and forth duel to the finish. Definitely a running classic. Martin is still wondering what happened on that chilly November morning. Apparently delivering an early race stiff arm wasn't enough to overcome a recent foot operation. He discovered he needs two healthy feet to beat a true second tier runner like myself. I've already accepted my name will never again appear above his in the race results. CIM 2:36 was a close second.

Caba #64 forced to run wide by Martin #63 who is clearly cheating. Sean Meissner (singlet in 30 degree weather) receives incidental clothesline

Happy new year to all. Or at least the one or two people that will actually read this.

Remember Where You Came From

I am very concerned that your string of marathon wins and a sizzling marathon PR may cloud your memory of where you started, RunBend. Before you can reach your true potential, you must accept your past. It was not long ago that a certain fat, bow-legged hobbit runner managed to cross the finish line with you in New York.

Eugene Marathon Countdown

C(PR) IM

After a 4AM wake-up call, warm shower and a couple cups of coffee to wash down my two bananas and bagel, the marathon day routine had begun without a glitch. Glenn Miller and I planned to catch a 5:40 bus to the start from the Sheraton Grand for an approximate 6:15 arrival time. Unfortunately most of the other 5,000 runners had the same idea and by the time we went to line up for the bus, the line nearly circled an entire city block. Frantically we hailed a cab and $75 later were dropped off near the start- so we thought. After a mile or so jogging with our bags, we were finally able to see the lights of the starting line. I actually never saw Glenn again, but did see he finished in 3:26, a solid effort. After rushing around at the start I was able to weave my way up to the front, lower my pulse, and 30 seconds later start the race.
The first 8 miles went down easy at a 5:50 pace. I then hit my typical lull at mile 9, but was confident it would only last a mile or two. After 11 miles, my legs continued to feel heavier than normal and I slowly began to realize today was going to be a difficult day. By 13, I slowly dropped from the pack of four runners I was with and around mile 15, two runners caught me, one being the eventual second place woman. I feared being the runner that everyone sucks energy from and decided to give it what I had to stay with the two runners. After 1-2 miles it was just me and the woman, who gradually dropped me. By mile 18 I was toast and could no longer hold on to a sub 6:00 pace. I knew my goal of 2:35 was gone but I kept giving it all I had with the hope of a resurrection somewhere before the finish. It never came, but by mile 23, many runners had slowed, including the woman who passed me, which gave me a bit more energy. I was able to finish with a 6:03 and 6:02, crossing the line at 2:36:25, a PR for me, which on this day, seemed quite and accomplishment. I congratulated the other runners, specifically Chas Davis from Corvallis who helped motivate me the final 4 miles, grabbed a couple of finisher tin foil blankets, then saw Sean Meissner cruise across the finish line at 2:39:55. He ran a negative split and looked strong. Ultra runner? Try freaking fast marathoner!
And then there is Stiles, aka Runs with... monkeys, reins, goats...who also has a French alias of Stilet (stu-lay). Now I think he has earned the name Runs with Kenyans. In a matter of 8 weeks he has dropped his PR 13 minutes, finishing CIM at 2:49 and change. After the race, he bounced around the finish line in his Stingers like Muhammed Ali after a knock-out. I'll bet he found a local 10k race today in Sacramento to run. I figure in another 8 weeks he will surpass my new PR and we will all be attempting to run with Stiles.
Overall it was a great weekend. Enjoyed the trip and hanging out with Sean, Darin (3:13:57 and BQ!) and Glenn. Also props to Ryan Altman for his new PR 3:03:54! That's it for me this year. I'm done racing. Look forward to Eugene 2009 and the return of Ryan "fat boy" Rein to the racing circuit.
2009 Goals: Jeff- Sub 2:33, Katie Sub 2:55, Ryan and Stiles sub 2:45