Tyler Mayforth

Official Website of Tyler Mayforth | Delaware Born | NOLA Living

Category: Athletic Achievements Page 1 of 2

Molly Seidel Taught Us All Something In Olympic Marathon

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On August 6, 2021

In Athletic Achievements, Marathon

Molly Seidel taught us a lot about heart on Friday in the Olympic marathon.

Seidel, running in just her third marathon, earned the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics with a sensational effort on a day where athletes faced oppressive conditions from the heat and humidity. She is just the third American woman to ever medal in the Olympic marathon.

The former Notre Dame cross country and track & field star finished in 2:27:46 with a huge negative split. She went through half in 1:15:14, before ratcheting down the pace the rest of the way to close in 1:12:32.

Seidel ran alone for the final 2K, a spot where marathoners know they have to dig deep. She kept eventual Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir (2:27:20) and silver medalist Brigid Kosgei (2:27:36) well in her sights the whole way. It should be noted that Kosgei entered the race as the reigning Olympic champion and set the women’s world record at the Chicago Marathon two years ago.

On a personal note, I lined up next to Seidel about 20 months ago at the Rock N Roll San Antonio Half Marathon. That’s where Seidel qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials – a race where she’d finish second – after dipping well below the qualifying standard in 1:10:27.

Want to know the crazy part? I didn’t notice that aforementioned fact until after the race when I looked at post-race photos! Either I’m totally oblivious or so locked in before a race that I don’t notice what’s going on around me (There is also a chance that it’s both of those instances).

Tonight, we shall raise a glass to Molly Seidel for an amazing effort in the Olympic marathon and hope to replicate at least half of her tenacity the next time we toe the starting line of our own marathon (Speaking of which, I’ll be racing the Chicago Marathon in October and will be coming nowhere close to the mark that Kosgei threw down two years ago).

The Genesis of The Tyler_Runs_Lifts Instagram Account

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On May 17, 2021

In Athletic Achievements, Fitness

A little more than three years ago, a recent ex-girlfriend requested that I stop posting so many fitness-oriented pictures on my personal Instagram account and while I can’t remember the reasoning behind it, I chose to heed that call instead of telling her that the “Unfollow” button is far easier.

All the while, I noticed that those fitness-oriented pictures and posts had quite a bit of engagement compared to my normal fare and opened a new door for me into the world of fitness-oriented Instagram accounts. As I dug deeper into the #InstaFitFam, I decided it was somewhere that I would like to carve out my own little niche. It would not only push me physically – for obvious reasons – but it would also stoke my creative fire, which is definitely something I needed at that moment. Plus, social media is a big part of my current – and future – career path, so I might as well hone my skills, right?

Well, from all of this, @Tyler_Runs_Lifts was born!

I waffled between several other permutations of that handle, but once I saw that @TylerRuns, @Tyler_Runs, @TylerRunning, @RunningTyler & others were already taken, @Tyler_Runs_Lifts would be the next best option, since it culled together two of my favorite things – running and working out.

Truth be told, I didn’t know what to expect when I started it. I’d be lying to you if I didn’t have an outlandish goal of gaining 10,000 followers in my first year (That was a SERIOUS pipe dream). At the same time, if I got ONE follower, it would have meant the world to me, because someONE wanted to connect with me. Well, one follower turned into 10, which grew into 100 and then 500 and then 1000 and finally to 1074, where I am right now.

PlayNOLA Kickball Champions

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On June 30, 2017

In Athletic Achievements, Kickball, New Orleans

Last week I did something I had never done before.

Win a championship in a team sport.

“Faces Loaded,” the kickball team I was part of for the 2017 PlayNOLA spring season, came from behind to beat “Booze on First” 8-7 in the championship.

Pretty sure this was the eighth (?) kickball season I took part in through PlayNOLA so you better believe I was hankering to get my hands on that trophy – and taste the wonderful champagne that came with it.

Something just clicked for us throughout the season. I can’t explain it.

We weren’t the most athletic group of people out there, but we cared about each other and came together when it mattered.

Scratching An Itch At The Crescent City Classic

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On May 25, 2017

In Athletic Achievements, New Orleans

When the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it.

My girlfriend offered me a chance to run the Crescent City Classic since she had two charity bibs – one from her father’s doing and one from her own – and I wasn’t going to pass up the chance to run a competitive 10K for the first time in a while.

The Crescent City Classic is held the Saturday before Easter each year and it winds through the streets and neighborhoods of New Orleans. One of the largest 10Ks in the United States starts on Poydras Street and ends at City Park.

I told myself in the days leading up to the race that I wouldn’t take off from the start and get swept up in the emotion. I’d take it easy, settle in and pick it up as I saw fit.

Well, that idea lasted all of two minutes until I stepped on the starting line.

Adrenaline took over and I took off like I was back in college running at the University of Delaware as soon as I heard the crack of the starting pistol.

I quickly realized I didn’t have the ability of my college-aged self and regretted my decision when I got to the 1-mile mark. My goal was to “go out” or run the 1st mile in about 7 minutes. When I looked at the clock, I came through in 6:06.

As much as the next 5.2 miles hurt, I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s not that I’m a glutton for punishment, because I’m not. I just really enjoy competitive running and it had been forever since I put myself in that atmosphere. Things just felt “right.”

My 5K split was 20:16, which averaged out to a 6:32 pace.

By the finish I had slowed down to a 6:47 pace and crossed the finish line in 42:02.

I wanted to break 45 minutes and did that. I wanted to prove to myself that I could.

Who knows when the next race will be, but I’m glad I had that opportunity.

Flipping That 504 Fitness Tire Until My Body Can’t Take It

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On December 1, 2016

In Athletic Achievements, Fitness, New Orleans

Before last Saturday I had never thrown up from a workout.

If you’ve read this blog at all since it’s creation, you know I love to stay active, go to the gym and that I was a former Division I cross country and track & field athlete. In other words, there have been no shortage of opportunities for me to blow chunks.

I just never did. My body had never found its breaking point.

That all changed this past weekend when I flipped the tire once again at 504 Fitness.

It had been a while since I last attempted that challenge. You know, the one where you have five minutes to flip a 400-pound tractor tire as many times as possible.

I woke up last Saturday feeling good and decided to give it another go. One check of the weather revealed that the temperature had finally cracked and it much cooler than it was the last time I went out there (60 degrees versus 92 and humid),  so it was all systems go and I set my eyes on 90 flips, which would break the gym record.

I started strong and even had a small cheering section out there (two people).

I hit 20 flips per minute for the first two minutes and put myself at 65 with three minutes to go. I dug deep with each one and even impressed myself with that pace.

Then I hit the wall — and I hit it hard.

Each flip brought me closer to the record, but the tire got heavier and heavier.

By the time the last flip rattled off the cement ground, I broke my own personal record of 80 flips. I managed 82.

Jon asked to take a customary picture to show my exhaustion afterward and I obliged, sprawling out on the tire. I could have fallen asleep on it right there.

I walked around the gym a bit, then went outside. Breakfast wanted to say “Hey.”

 

My First Disc Golf Tournament

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On August 7, 2016

In Athletic Achievements, Sports

This past weekend I competed in my first disc golf tournament, hence the title of the post. I picked up the sport a few years back while living in Texas and continued playing in Georgia and then to New Orleans, where there are a few area courses.

Here are a few takeaways that I had from the tournament held at Lafreniere Park.

  • Playing in a best-shot doubles tournament, as a single, is hard work. The concept of that style is simple: You and a partner both shoot and whatever lie you like better, you use. When you roll solo, you don’t have that option. It’s just one shot. You mess up? Tough luck. Make up for your mistake the next time. And it’s safe to say I made quite a few mistakes out there.
  • I was supposed to have a partner, but those plans fell through. Then I was supposed to have ANOTHER partner, but THOSE plans fell through. I told the organizer I’d play a level up if a single needed a partner in an advanced group, but that wasn’t to be. I was told I could be refunded or compete in the tournament, so I decided to compete since it was a great experience.
  • I finished the first round at a 16-over-par 88 for the 24-hole course. All things considered, that’s not terrible — but I was 25 shots out of first and 13 shots out of the money (top-4 paid). The two groups I played with said I fared well considering the circumstances (solo, first tournament, etc).
  • “Treezus” is real. That’s the God of Trees in disc golf. Treezus giveth (kicks your disc into a favorable spot) and taketh away (swallows discs whole). You must always thank Treezus whether or not you get a favorable result.
  • Dropping out after the first round sucked at first (It was a two-round tournament), but I gave it my all. If I had a playing partner, there is no way I would have tapped out. This time, though, I had enough after 24 holes.

I’m looking forward to the next tournament, whether it be a true singles format or a doubles format where I can find a partner to play with. Until next time, though…

504 Fitness Chronicles: Exhaustion, PRs And Tire Flips

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On July 21, 2016

In Athletic Achievements, New Orleans

I only felt complete, total-body exhaustion twice in my life.

The first? Back in 2010.

The second? Last weekend.

Six years ago I participated in The Avia Austin Triathlon. Held on Labor Day Weekend on Lady Bird Lake every year, entrants have a choice of either competing in the sprint or the Olympic versions. The sprint triathlon is comprised of a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride and a five-kilometer run. If you jump up to an Olympic triathlon, the distances are doubled (1500, 40, 10) — as is the pain.

Photo Credit: AustinDowntownDiary.com

I chose the latter to push my body and to atone for a mistake I made the previous year. In 2009, my parents came down to watch me take on the sprint version, but after I miscounted the laps I needed to do on the bike (two, instead of one), I auto DQ’d myself. I still “finished,” but wasn’t considered an official finisher.

Temperatures reached the mid-90s as I tried not to drown, pedaled my way through the streets of Austin and got enough feeling back into my legs to where I could make up some ground and time over the final 6.2-mile run.

Somehow I willed myself to the finish line in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 44 seconds. That ended up just four minutes longer than the average male finishing time.

I think 30 minutes passed before I moved from my spot on the ground in the hospitality tent after the race.

Fast forward to last weekend.

I stared down the 300-pound tire at 504 Fitness. We have our share of history.

I told Jon, who came up with the idea of The Endurance Board at 504 Fitness, that I wanted 70 flips to break my old personal best and put some distance between me and third place.

Humidity wasn’t my friend as I churned out flip after flip after flip… Let’s be honest, though: Is humidity ever anybody’s friend during the summer in New Orleans?

With less than 30 seconds to go in the five-minute time limit, I blew past 67 and topped 70. How many more could I squeeze out of my body?

71… 72… 73.

My body ached and constellations began to form in front of my eyes.

“Get near the tire,” Jon said. “I want a picture for my Instagram.”

“Give me a second.”

“No. I want to see the exhaustion.”

“No problem. I got you, fam.”

Working Out, 504 Fitness And The Board

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On June 2, 2016

In Athletic Achievements

It’s hard to miss.

Whenever I walk in the weight room of 504 Fitness, I see it.

Placed on the wall in the back, right-hand corner is “The Board.”

Well, actually there are three boards — one for men’s powerlifting records, another for the women’s powerlifting records and the third (the one I pay attention to most) is the “Endurance Board.”

Every serious gym in which I’ve worked out — namely 504 Fitness and the San Marcos Athletic Club (SMAC, for those of you in the know) — has “The Board.” It’s there for competition and “positive motivation,” as it says on the one down here.

I know I’m never going to bench 350, deadlift 400 pounds or squat 450, so those boards for the lunkheads — and I mean that in the most endearing way possible — are off-limits for me. Instead, I turned to what got me to the dance in the first place: my stamina. That’s how the “Endurance Board” stole my gaze in 504 Fitness.

There are 10 different categories in which you can test your muscular longevity, but I focused on tire flips and how many you can do in five minutes. To get on the men’s half of it, I think it takes 36 (Record is 88), so I decided I would at least be able to get 40 based on my current fitness level. I also figured I would make Saturday my “tire day,” since it’s usually a basic, odds-and-ends workout in the gym anyway.

The first time I flipped the tire, I got 55. I surprised myself.

Much to my chagrin, though, the guy who writes your name on “The Board” has to see you accomplish it, so it didn’t count as I was one of the only people in the gym at the time. I understand that logic, because someone could say they did 55 and well…

The next week I went in determined to set a personal best and lo and behold, the guy wasn’t there that time either. I gave it another go and managed 60.

Two more weeks passed and our paths finally crossed: It was game time.

One flip at a time I worked my way up and down the breezeway. I matched my old mark of 60 with about 45 seconds left (It’s a luxury to have someone else time you. I timed myself those other occurrences and valuable seconds elapse when you have to run back and check your phone) and pushed on. When the tire finally settled and I was thoroughly exhausted (Got quite light-headed and wobbly-legged), I had done it 67 times. That’s good enough for second place behind the standard holder.

Long story short, my name is now on “The Board” and it feels pretty good.

I honestly don’t think it matters what tangible carrot dangles in front of you, though, because once you finally taste it, you’ll try your hardest to munch on it once again.

Edit (July 16): So I got back in there again for another go at the tire and hit that Barry Bonds number (73). I don’t know where those other 15 will come from to tie the record, but I’m going to try my best every month. Slow and steady, right?

Kickball Supremacy And Life Lessons From Ric Flair

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On May 26, 2016

In Athletic Achievements

A wise man once eloquently said, “To be ‘The Man,’ you gotta beat ‘The Man.'”

That man is legendary professional wrestler Ric Flair, who cut some of the best promos during his run at the top of the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).

That line sprung to mind last night as “Black Balls 2.0” took on the reigning kickball champion, “Swift Kick in the Grass” during the final game of the regular season. Last time we played them it didn’t go so well. We got destroyed 17-2 in a humbling loss.

This time was a bit different.

Our team defense was flawless once again.

We got breathing room early (four-run first inning).

Pressure didn’t fluster us.

By the time the dust settled on a controversial final play, “Black Balls 2.0” walked out with a 5-4 win.

That thrilling victory pushed our record to 4-1 and we’re currently in second place. A loss earlier this season to “The Alcoballics” — a team that has an identical mark of 4-1 — owns the tie-breaker and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

I guess you know what that means: We’ll just have to beat them, too.

P.S. — Since y’all know I love to keep stats, I went 1 for 3 with an RBI single last night. That makes me 9 for 15 on the season with two home runs and eight RBIs.

Kickball Recap: It Just Keeps Getting Better

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On May 6, 2016

In Athletic Achievements, Kickball

If I ever had a better time playing an organized team sport than I did this past Wednesday during our weekly kickball game through the PlayNOLA league, I’d be hard-pressed coming up with it on the spot.

I mean, the first game “The Black Balls” ever played together was pretty epic (Seriously. Read that post), but there was something even more remarkable about the most recent engagement.

Maybe it had a lot to do with how the game transpired.

We trailed 6-1 after the third inning and it really looked like we were about to get blown out. Our defense struggled (mine included) and whenever we had runners in scoring position we’d kick it right to a fielder.

Then something clicked.

We didn’t allow a run the rest of the way, had a few 1-2-3 innings and pushed three runs across to make it 6-4 going into the bottom of the seventh. League rules allow us to play seven innings or an hour, whatever comes first, if it’s not a run rule.

As we switched sides after retiring them in the top of the frame, a guy on the other team said, “This is either going to be a great comeback or an epic choke.”

So which one would it be?

I came up third and with one out and a runner on second, I ripped a shot out of the shortstop’s reach. The ball split the outfielders too and I motored around the bases to score the game-tying run. I clapped loudly and let an expletive fly as I touched home plate as the excitement of the moment washed over me.

Three “batters” and one out later, the winning run crossed home plate. It was a 7-6 victory and we improved to 2-0 on the season.

What I really think made this game special is that we’re all friends now and we know what makes each other tick. We can push each other’s buttons and through that we gel not only as a team, but as a group (if that makes any sense at all). They know I’m ultra competitive and I own it.

Stay tuned as we find out if “The Black Balls” can stay undefeated next week and beat one of the better teams in the league.

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