Ran a 10k in June (5 Viewers)

[El Floppo]

Even in something as extreme as a IM still requires very little in the way of sodium maintenance. There are a couple of scenarios where it might require some work.

-Someone in a cold climate doing a major event in a very warm climate

-Someone with a stomach aversion to things like gatorade etc. etc.

Really as little as 1 single cup of gatorade should provide you the salt needed for an hour, but if you are downing gus or power bars they will have more than enough salt.

Those living in hot climates almost don't have to worry about it at all as your bodies naturally adjust and will not secrete salt in concentrations seen in yankees and the like.

Gotta strenuously disagree with you here, C. It's really a case-by-case scenario that can only be determined by trial and error, and can't be happily summed up with 1 cup of gatorade or the like. I trained for a couple of years with a group of triathletes of varying abilities and fuel requirements. Electrolytes were all over the map with that group- with me towards the outer extreme of needing the most. I finally came up with what worked for me, but only after a lot of trial and error with different salt tabs and combinations with food and energy drinks.

ETA- And I grew up in CA playing soccer at a very high level all year- I never naturally "adjusted" to warm weather and didn't end up not having high mineral content sweat.

 

[GStrot]

GStrot... CONGRATS!!!!!!!Everybody has said it already- but you've got ZIPPO to be ashamed/worried/embarassed about. When you started this thread, I'm sure you never would have guessed you'd be upset with yourself over your time- not just finishing- a 10k.You did learn a valuable lesson though- and I've brought this up in regards to one of the reasons I like Out-and-Back workouts- even if you're training with friends who are the usually same pace as you, at the end of the day, you've got to run your own race. Because you and the wife probably hadn't discussed it clearly ahead of time, you were forced to do the absolutely right thing here- and run with your wife. it's a selfless and tremendous quality to put aside your own hopes for the race and help your wife, who may have really struggled if you had left her on her own. And you both will always have this race as something you did completely together- and definitely the brownie points won't go stale for a long time!So now you know that next race you charge on your own: friend, wife, family- makes no difference; it's not about finishing for you any more- it's about pushing yourself.I'm Incredibly proud of your accomplishments this weekend- and this whole thread. You've been diligent, inspiring and amazingly supportive of the rest of us. and

That is really, really nice of you. Seriously thanks.I am going to have to reread this thread but at some point "finishing a 10k" went from being an end point to being a stepping stone on a long path of running.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Well, first thanks for everyone's interest in how I did. This is going to be long, so hopefully you have your popcorn...I learned that you should not run with people you have not trained with or have similar goals as you do. You should also not run with your wife. If you train alone you should run alone.As you may remember, I was going to run this alone then the guy's wife and then my wife jumped on board. As we were driving down, my wife said she did not run alone. Based on the conversation we had with the other guy's wife, she had similar goals as my wife as far as finishing. I figured I would leave them after the first mile or so.Well, that plan was thrown out the window when at the 0.75 mile mark, the other wife got caught up in a crowd and ran ahead (the road was 3/4 bricks across and she ran to the pavement side with half the field and ended up getting swept ahead). Based on her predicted times, I figured we would catch up to her around mile 3 and I had the second half of the race to make up enough time to finish in under an hour. We never saw her again. So, I was there with my wife who had never run more than 4 miles but had run a few 5ks. We hit 1 mile at about 9:45 (I did not have a watch because I thought I did not care about time but there was a timer there). Turns out I had 30 extra seconds of chip time, too. So, I felt pretty good about getting under an hour after we caught the other wife at mile 3 and I could head out on my own. My wife hit the wall a little before mile 3. She had a heart rate monitor and she was checking it constantly. I think she also had a mental block at 3.1 miles because of her 5k experience. We hit 5k at around 32 minutes. I started doing the math and did not think that I could get 1 hour but was seriously thinking of giving it a try when I saw my wife struggling. I had no idea what to do. Should I just leave her there or stick with her.I stuck with her and was very proud that she made it in a pretty good time. But, my time sucked. For those that did not check I finished (the good news) in 1:11 (the bad news). The worst news is, I really didn't feel like I tried. At the time I felt like I was doing the right thing sticking with my wife, we were not that far off a 1 hour pace and I would have been happy with 1:05 or so (where the other wife ended up). But, the last 3 miles were a struggle for my wife and I kept thinking I would be happy just finishing. I am not.I started getting more pissed as the weekend went on. I was pissed that I really didn't feel that spent after the race. I could have run more and I could have run faster. I was more pissed when I felt really good for my wife for finishing the race and really gutting it out. I felt good for the other wife who did a great job in beating her target and was really spent after the race. I felt really good for my friend who finished his marathon in 3:27 which was under his goal of 3:30 and was 6th in his age group it turns out even though he was a mess and had to go to the medical tent for a while (not an endorsement for running a marathon). The only one who didn't accomplish what they wanted was me it turns out. I was more pissed when I got home last night and there are no 10k races any time soon in the Chicago area. I figured I would find another 10k and get in well under an hour in the next week or so (I know I could have done it Saturday). Then, I check in here and realize that people really did care and as proud of my wife as I was, you guys are not going to get that satisfaction because I really didn't run a good race.Looking back, I think the point where I wish I had made a better decision (besides not running on my own) was at the 5k mark when we did not catch the other wife and I was thinking what I would have to race the last 5k in 26 minutes and I didn't think I could. I should have ditched my wife and tried. Based on how I felt at the finish, I think I could have. But, the other thing I learned is, in shorter races, you don't have the ability to make up a lot of time. So, the good news is, I finished and I should be able to easily beat my PR next time.I need to find another race to set up some goals. The Indianapolis half marathon is in October and you run a lap around the Indianapolis speedway which sounds cool. Chicago has a half in September. I may shoot for that one even though it is not as cool. I will see if I can find a 10k I can go to in Indiana or Wisconsin or downstate IL in the next few weeks. I will be in outer banks, NC the week of July 4 and there is a 10k on July 7 in Wilmington, NC. I will see if I can convince my wife to delay when we leave to go home so I can run that. She owes me.I think I also want to work on my speed for 5ks as I know I will be running in a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving.I need to set a new goal soon because I want to get back out there running. Saturday was a training run as far as I am concerned and a crappy one at that.

I was very unhappy with my marathon experience at first, but now I'm pleased that I did one and finished. You'll feel better about your race too. You know that it wasn't your fault that you missed your time goal, so what's the big deal? You could always just go out next week and run 6.2 on your own, clock it in 55 minutes or whatever, and call it even. Enjoy your new fitness level and don't get hung up on a random thing like this.

 

[El Floppo]

Wow, this is very similar to my race earlier this year. My first ever 5K and I told my wife I would run with her. You get mad when you have to tell people your time knowing you could have gone much faster. You did the right thing Gstrot. It sucks, but it was the right thing. 5 races from now and several sub 1:00 10Ks from now you will still have those "husband points" and that 1:11 will be a distant memory. Congrats on finishing, and we look forward to the next race.

Thanks. Glad to hear someone else "survived" the same experience. Funny about the telling people your time because that thought has run through my head. Is "My wife and I ran it together and finished in 1:11." too much of a cop out?

I still do this with my IM- I had a target goal during training, but got injured a couple of months before the race. My finish time was almost two hours slower than my target and I still have to add the caveat of "ummm... well, I was injured" when people ask about my time. It's stupid as hell- but I can't let go of my pride with that one... so I guess I'm not the right one to answer the cop-out question.

 

[GStrot]

Wow, this is very similar to my race earlier this year. My first ever 5K and I told my wife I would run with her. You get mad when you have to tell people your time knowing you could have gone much faster. You did the right thing Gstrot. It sucks, but it was the right thing. 5 races from now and several sub 1:00 10Ks from now you will still have those "husband points" and that 1:11 will be a distant memory. Congrats on finishing, and we look forward to the next race.

Thanks. Glad to hear someone else "survived" the same experience. Funny about the telling people your time because that thought has run through my head. Is "My wife and I ran it together and finished in 1:11." too much of a cop out?

I still do this with my IM- I had a target goal during training, but got injured a couple of months before the race. My finish time was almost two hours slower than my target and I still have to add the caveat of "ummm... well, I was injured" when people ask about my time. It's stupid as hell- but I can't let go of my pride with that one... so I guess I'm not the right one to answer the cop-out question.

wait, IM as in Iron Man? And people are asking about your time?

 

[GStrot]

I was very unhappy with my marathon experience at first, but now I'm pleased that I did one and finished. You'll feel better about your race too. You know that it wasn't your fault that you missed your time goal, so what's the big deal? You could always just go out next week and run 6.2 on your own, clock it in 55 minutes or whatever, and call it even. Enjoy your new fitness level and don't get hung up on a random thing like this.

Thanks.Just gives me another goal to shoot for. The only thing I am wondering about is, could I have ditched my wife (and hoped she would get mad at the other wife) but didn't want to because I was afraid I wouldn't make my goal? I quickly dismissed it because I was on pace in my practice runs and know I can do it but until I do it, I won't be happy.Almost forgot: title of the thread updated.

 

[GStrot]

if you can't run a 10k in under an hour after 4 months of training, you should kill yourself. seriously.good luck!

ok, maybe rereading this thread was not such a good idea. This was post #3.

 

[culdeus]

Even in something as extreme as a IM still requires very little in the way of sodium maintenance. There are a couple of scenarios where it might require some work.

-Someone in a cold climate doing a major event in a very warm climate

-Someone with a stomach aversion to things like gatorade etc. etc.

Really as little as 1 single cup of gatorade should provide you the salt needed for an hour, but if you are downing gus or power bars they will have more than enough salt.

Those living in hot climates almost don't have to worry about it at all as your bodies naturally adjust and will not secrete salt in concentrations seen in yankees and the like.

Gotta strenuously disagree with you here, C. It's really a case-by-case scenario that can only be determined by trial and error, and can't be happily summed up with 1 cup of gatorade or the like. I trained for a couple of years with a group of triathletes of varying abilities and fuel requirements. Electrolytes were all over the map with that group- with me towards the outer extreme of needing the most. I finally came up with what worked for me, but only after a lot of trial and error with different salt tabs and combinations with food and energy drinks.

ETA- And I grew up in CA playing soccer at a very high level all year- I never naturally "adjusted" to warm weather and didn't end up not having high mineral content sweat.

I just don't see how that's needed. I worry that a lot of people get too worked up about sodium. A glass of gatorade is gonna have some 500+g of sodium. If you are really drinking right and running through several liters an hour then there is no way in the world you'll go low. I'll usually try to put down 500ml of accellerade for every 3000ml of water. Then tack on the gus (50g a pop x 5) the power bars (250 a pop X 3) and then whatever snacks they'll have at the stops. That's plenty.

 

[El Floppo]

Even in something as extreme as a IM still requires very little in the way of sodium maintenance. There are a couple of scenarios where it might require some work.

-Someone in a cold climate doing a major event in a very warm climate

-Someone with a stomach aversion to things like gatorade etc. etc.

Really as little as 1 single cup of gatorade should provide you the salt needed for an hour, but if you are downing gus or power bars they will have more than enough salt.

Those living in hot climates almost don't have to worry about it at all as your bodies naturally adjust and will not secrete salt in concentrations seen in yankees and the like.

Gotta strenuously disagree with you here, C. It's really a case-by-case scenario that can only be determined by trial and error, and can't be happily summed up with 1 cup of gatorade or the like. I trained for a couple of years with a group of triathletes of varying abilities and fuel requirements. Electrolytes were all over the map with that group- with me towards the outer extreme of needing the most. I finally came up with what worked for me, but only after a lot of trial and error with different salt tabs and combinations with food and energy drinks.

ETA- And I grew up in CA playing soccer at a very high level all year- I never naturally "adjusted" to warm weather and didn't end up not having high mineral content sweat.

I just don't see how that's needed. I worry that a lot of people get too worked up about sodium. A glass of gatorade is gonna have some 500+g of sodium. If you are really drinking right and running through several liters an hour then there is no way in the world you'll go low. I'll usually try to put down 500ml of accellerade for every 3000ml of water. Then tack on the gus (50g a pop x 5) the power bars (250 a pop X 3) and then whatever snacks they'll have at the stops. That's plenty.

I'm glad it works for you. Doesn't for me. Thus the trial and error factor. And it might be different for me because the bike is where most of the fuel-intake happens in triathlons- underfuel on the bike (for 1/2 IMs and longer) and you're toast on the run.

Unless you're suggesting I am actually doing it "wrong" because your requirements don't work for me.

 

[El Floppo]

if you can't run a 10k in under an hour after 4 months of training, you should kill yourself. seriously.good luck!

ok, maybe rereading this thread was not such a good idea. This was post #3.

I'm just remembering that one guy's warped view of "average" finish times... skip over that whole discussion, G!

 

[El Floppo]

Wow, this is very similar to my race earlier this year. My first ever 5K and I told my wife I would run with her. You get mad when you have to tell people your time knowing you could have gone much faster. You did the right thing Gstrot. It sucks, but it was the right thing. 5 races from now and several sub 1:00 10Ks from now you will still have those "husband points" and that 1:11 will be a distant memory. Congrats on finishing, and we look forward to the next race.

Thanks. Glad to hear someone else "survived" the same experience. Funny about the telling people your time because that thought has run through my head. Is "My wife and I ran it together and finished in 1:11." too much of a cop out?

I still do this with my IM- I had a target goal during training, but got injured a couple of months before the race. My finish time was almost two hours slower than my target and I still have to add the caveat of "ummm... well, I was injured" when people ask about my time. It's stupid as hell- but I can't let go of my pride with that one... so I guess I'm not the right one to answer the cop-out question.

wait, IM as in Iron Man? And people are asking about your time?

It never ends... I had a coach who was the #2 Ultra IMer in the world (probably out of 5 people who do the damn things), and people still asked him about his times.

 

[culdeus]

Even in something as extreme as a IM still requires very little in the way of sodium maintenance. There are a couple of scenarios where it might require some work.

-Someone in a cold climate doing a major event in a very warm climate

-Someone with a stomach aversion to things like gatorade etc. etc.

Really as little as 1 single cup of gatorade should provide you the salt needed for an hour, but if you are downing gus or power bars they will have more than enough salt.

Those living in hot climates almost don't have to worry about it at all as your bodies naturally adjust and will not secrete salt in concentrations seen in yankees and the like.

Gotta strenuously disagree with you here, C. It's really a case-by-case scenario that can only be determined by trial and error, and can't be happily summed up with 1 cup of gatorade or the like. I trained for a couple of years with a group of triathletes of varying abilities and fuel requirements. Electrolytes were all over the map with that group- with me towards the outer extreme of needing the most. I finally came up with what worked for me, but only after a lot of trial and error with different salt tabs and combinations with food and energy drinks.

ETA- And I grew up in CA playing soccer at a very high level all year- I never naturally "adjusted" to warm weather and didn't end up not having high mineral content sweat.

I just don't see how that's needed. I worry that a lot of people get too worked up about sodium. A glass of gatorade is gonna have some 500+g of sodium. If you are really drinking right and running through several liters an hour then there is no way in the world you'll go low. I'll usually try to put down 500ml of accellerade for every 3000ml of water. Then tack on the gus (50g a pop x 5) the power bars (250 a pop X 3) and then whatever snacks they'll have at the stops. That's plenty.

I'm glad it works for you. Doesn't for me. Thus the trial and error factor. And it might be different for me because the bike is where most of the fuel-intake happens in triathlons- underfuel on the bike (for 1/2 IMs and longer) and you're toast on the run.

Unless you're suggesting I am actually doing it "wrong" because your requirements don't work for me.

No, that's fine whatever works. I know a lot of people that make themselves really sick taking down too much electrolyte solution in various forms when all they really need is H20. That's the big concern that in the process of taking all that salt your stomach is It really does affect the balance of your GI tract especially when it's practically empty.

 

[meeka]

Wow, this is very similar to my race earlier this year. My first ever 5K and I told my wife I would run with her. You get mad when you have to tell people your time knowing you could have gone much faster. You did the right thing Gstrot. It sucks, but it was the right thing. 5 races from now and several sub 1:00 10Ks from now you will still have those "husband points" and that 1:11 will be a distant memory. Congrats on finishing, and we look forward to the next race.

Thanks. Glad to hear someone else "survived" the same experience. Funny about the telling people your time because that thought has run through my head. Is "My wife and I ran it together and finished in 1:11." too much of a cop out?

My wife caught on to that quickly and I almost erased all my brownie points when telling others about the race. From then on I let her tell the story. Too many -we were running really slow, -it was a really slow pace, -I told her I would run with her. It probably feels like a cop out to you, but not to many people you are telling could run a 10K. Telling people you ran a 5k in 33 minutes is different, a lot of people can do that.

 

[brettdj]

Don't worry about running with the Mrs. I ran a marathon with mine. It was the only way whe would get thru it. She knows it was way below my pace and she is grateful for the support.

Just as you have learned try to push the story in a light that makes her feel good.

 

[Chunky Soup]

Wow, this is very similar to my race earlier this year. My first ever 5K and I told my wife I would run with her. You get mad when you have to tell people your time knowing you could have gone much faster. You did the right thing Gstrot. It sucks, but it was the right thing. 5 races from now and several sub 1:00 10Ks from now you will still have those "husband points" and that 1:11 will be a distant memory. Congrats on finishing, and we look forward to the next race.

Thanks. Glad to hear someone else "survived" the same experience. Funny about the telling people your time because that thought has run through my head. Is "My wife and I ran it together and finished in 1:11." too much of a cop out?

I still do this with my IM- I had a target goal during training, but got injured a couple of months before the race. My finish time was almost two hours slower than my target and I still have to add the caveat of "ummm... well, I was injured" when people ask about my time. It's stupid as hell- but I can't let go of my pride with that one... so I guess I'm not the right one to answer the cop-out question.

Dude. Exactly what happened to me about the injury. The thing about telling people about my IM time is that most that ask have no idea what time is typical. I could say 24 hours and they would not think differently. To these people I had no problem sucking it up. Still, when people who do triathlons or compelted IMs ask me I somehow suck it up. I figure the risk of me looking like a jackass outweighs me caring about my time. In the end, I think I was in it for more of a finishing thing. By the time I got to Lake Placid, I knew it was really just about finishing as much as I would never admit that a few months prior.

 

[RoarinSonoran]

Chaka- some questions:- How many long (20m) runs did you have prior to the Marathon?- I don't remember the weather on race-day... significantly hotter or more humid than your training?- Do you usually have a high mineral content in your sweat?- What kind of gels did you use?- Were they really handing out Accelerade on the race course, or did you run with a camelback/fuelbelt?- Were you taking in the same amount of calories and electrolytes you typically took in during training?- Did you take Electrolyte pills during the race?

Chaka's from Escondido, so he had home field (weather) advantage. Personally, the weather was significantly cooler (~40degrees ) and much more humid than here in Phoenix. It was GORGEOUS! My wife and I couldn't understand the people walking around town wearing jackets. It got a little warm in the late stages (>20mi??) as the sun burned off the clouds, but it was perfect before that. I got salt-encrusted as well, but not so much that I really noticed it. I only had to wipe sweat from my brow a few times early on.I used PowerGels, one every five miles, then took my remaining one at 23 just trying to get a boost to the finish. I alternated water/Accelerade, but there were a few stops that were water-only, so I probably could have used more Acc. I had one cup of Acc knocked from my hand as I took it , so I had to settle for water (it was the last table of Acc, and I didn't want to turn around and go back ). I also downed a salt packet around 15-16?, and I think I managed to actually get salt out of it. lol"The wall" for me is probably some combination of running out of gas and negative thoughts ("oh crap, ANOTHER hill!!" ). I'm just a skinny mofo, so I don't have lots of fuel reserves. I try to carboload, but it just isn't enough. Up through mile 19, I was feeling great and actually having POSITIVE thoughts (which can be just as detrimental). I was 5mins ahead of what would be a 10min pace (19mi * 10:00 = 190min, but I hit 19 in 185min = 3:05). I walked a little at the 18.5mi water station because I got tired of getting water up my nose (the previous two stations), and again at 19.5 to take some Tylenol. But I got to the overpass at 19.8 and my body shut down, saying "eff this!". From that point on, I had to struggle to keep moving, as I knew that a great time (and PR!) was in reach. I started doing the math and saw that I had to do 12:00s (I reached ~21.2 at 3:30, so I had an hour to do the final 5mi). Here's where the Ipod really helped, as I started thinking "ok, run for at least a chorus". As I posted last week, I crossed the finish line with a nice kick as planned to "Tusk". I saw my former TNT coach at 9 and 22 (and another former coach at 22), so that was a boost as well. Missed seeing my family at 9, mainly because my Garmin wasn't accurate once again (it was 0.4 off by mile 8), so I misjudged when I needed to look for them. I also missed them at the finish, as they arrived a few minutes late.

if you can't run a 10k in under an hour after 4 months of training, you should kill yourself. seriously.good luck!

ok, maybe rereading this thread was not such a good idea. This was post #3.

Hey don't let it get you down bud. You're a little down now, but you'll have forgotten it after you get a few more races under your belt. Call it the cost of getting started, the cost of learning.Good job Chaka and GStrot!

 

[RoarinSonoran]

More observations.

Southwest Airlines :finger:

Turbulence during the entire flight.

Cute flight attendant - no wait, check that - cute BUSTY flight attendant wearing the clingy Polo shirt as uniform of the day

Turbulence during the entire flight. (see previous regarding busty flight attendant)

Dumb bass male flight attendant who took the basket of peanuts from busty flight attendant just before she got to my row.

Inconsiderate passengers who take every window and aisle seat, leaving the middle seat open, then sit there trying to will the rest of us not to sit in the middle.

Did I mention the busty flight attendant?

 

[meeka]

Wow, this is very similar to my race earlier this year. My first ever 5K and I told my wife I would run with her. You get mad when you have to tell people your time knowing you could have gone much faster. You did the right thing Gstrot. It sucks, but it was the right thing. 5 races from now and several sub 1:00 10Ks from now you will still have those "husband points" and that 1:11 will be a distant memory. Congrats on finishing, and we look forward to the next race.

Thanks. Glad to hear someone else "survived" the same experience. Funny about the telling people your time because that thought has run through my head. Is "My wife and I ran it together and finished in 1:11." too much of a cop out?

I should have added an update since the Mrs. and I ran the 5K. She has since gotten more into running and has set some of her own goals for running. This may not have happened if I left her during our race and she had a bad experience. She just did 3.1 on the treadmill in under 30 minutes last week, and she really wants to run in another 5k event soon. She has taken to running with her ipod, and said that next time we run we can run alone. She has come to realize that in running, when you have goals of your own, you have to run your own race to achieve those goals. Her goal for the first 5k was to finish, and mine was to run it under 29 minutes. Now she sees how we can both have our own goals for the race. Maybe she likes her ipod so much she no longer wants to have to talk to me when we run an event, and maybe she is already seeing the day when I become the anchor. Either way it is a nice change since the first run.

 

[Chaka]

Chaka- some questions:- How many long (20m) runs did you have prior to the Marathon?- I don't remember the weather on race-day... significantly hotter or more humid than your training?- Do you usually have a high mineral content in your sweat?- What kind of gels did you use?- Were they really handing out Accelerade on the race course, or did you run with a camelback/fuelbelt?- Were you taking in the same amount of calories and electrolytes you typically took in during training?- Did you take Electrolyte pills during the race?

Chaka's from Escondido, so he had home field (weather) advantage. Personally, the weather was significantly cooler (~40degrees ) and much more humid than here in Phoenix. It was GORGEOUS! My wife and I couldn't understand the people walking around town wearing jackets. It got a little warm in the late stages (>20mi??) as the sun burned off the clouds, but it was perfect before that. I got salt-encrusted as well, but not so much that I really noticed it. I only had to wipe sweat from my brow a few times early on.I used PowerGels, one every five miles, then took my remaining one at 23 just trying to get a boost to the finish. I alternated water/Accelerade, but there were a few stops that were water-only, so I probably could have used more Acc. I had one cup of Acc knocked from my hand as I took it , so I had to settle for water (it was the last table of Acc, and I didn't want to turn around and go back ). I also downed a salt packet around 15-16?, and I think I managed to actually get salt out of it. lol"The wall" for me is probably some combination of running out of gas and negative thoughts ("oh crap, ANOTHER hill!!" ). I'm just a skinny mofo, so I don't have lots of fuel reserves. I try to carboload, but it just isn't enough. Up through mile 19, I was feeling great and actually having POSITIVE thoughts (which can be just as detrimental). I was 5mins ahead of what would be a 10min pace (19mi * 10:00 = 190min, but I hit 19 in 185min = 3:05). I walked a little at the 18.5mi water station because I got tired of getting water up my nose (the previous two stations), and again at 19.5 to take some Tylenol. But I got to the overpass at 19.8 and my body shut down, saying "eff this!". From that point on, I had to struggle to keep moving, as I knew that a great time (and PR!) was in reach. I started doing the math and saw that I had to do 12:00s (I reached ~21.2 at 3:30, so I had an hour to do the final 5mi). Here's where the Ipod really helped, as I started thinking "ok, run for at least a chorus". As I posted last week, I crossed the finish line with a nice kick as planned to "Tusk".

Yeah the weather was great. Overcast but not chilly, IMO, I was in a compression t shirt and shorts and was not cold. It was not particularly humid for me, but compared to Phoenix it must have been. My long training runs usually started around 10am so they were significantly warmer than race day for me.I have no idea what the mineral content of my sweat normally is but I am a sweater and I wear a hydration belt (4 x 10oz bottles) with PowerGels (0mg caffeine) in the pocket on my training runs.For the race I had 6 PowerGels and Accelerade was the drink provided on the course, this was the first time I ever had it, which I know can be a mistake but I did not want to wear my hydration belt when water was provided every mile and accelerade almost as often, it did not make sense to carry the extra weight.Overall I took in more calories on this run then on my training runs with the PowerGels and the Accelerade, usually I carry only water.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Great to hear the stories from the races guys ran this weekend. The inspiration continues.

Followed up my "test" 5K on Friday with my first 4 mile run on Sunday, felt pretty good, although it took 41:00 to do it. I guess the point of the "long run" is to take it at a slow pace and increase distance. Of course to me, it doesn't feel slow, it's still hard. In my very limited experience I always have run the same distance everytime, slowly increasing that distance, but I don't think I've ever reached 4 miles before. It seems in looking at the various training plans that a once-weekly longer run is the standard, so I'm looking to incorporate that.

Looking at a couple potential 10Ks to sign up for, I'm thinking one on August 3rd looks good. May do a 5K in a couple of weeks as well just to get the race experience.

Side note, Floppo is it you that's from Marin (that's where I live now)? As I indicated in my first post, I read the entire thread from the start over a few day period last week, and posts/posters kind of blurred together.

 

[Steelnation]

More observations.Southwest Airlines :finger: Turbulence during the entire flight. Cute flight attendant - no wait, check that - cute BUSTY flight attendant wearing the clingy Polo shirt as uniform of the day Turbulence during the entire flight. (see previous regarding busty flight attendant) Dumb bass male flight attendant who took the basket of peanuts from busty flight attendant just before she got to my row. Inconsiderate passengers who take every window and aisle seat, leaving the middle seat open, then sit there trying to will the rest of us not to sit in the middle. Did I mention the busty flight attendant?

 

[El Floppo]

Great to hear the stories from the races guys ran this weekend. The inspiration continues.

Followed up my "test" 5K on Friday with my first 4 mile run on Sunday, felt pretty good, although it took 41:00 to do it. I guess the point of the "long run" is to take it at a slow pace and increase distance. Of course to me, it doesn't feel slow, it's still hard. In my very limited experience I always have run the same distance everytime, slowly increasing that distance, but I don't think I've ever reached 4 miles before. It seems in looking at the various training plans that a once-weekly longer run is the standard, so I'm looking to incorporate that.

Looking at a couple potential 10Ks to sign up for, I'm thinking one on August 3rd looks good. May do a 5K in a couple of weeks as well just to get the race experience.

Side note, Floppo is it you that's from Marin (that's where I live now)? As I indicated in my first post, I read the entire thread from the start over a few day period last week, and posts/posters kind of blurred together.

Born and raised in Sausalito... wish I could afford it and/or the wife liked it. I'd be back there in a heart-beat.Where are you, SFduck?

 

[El Floppo]

Chaka- some questions:

- How many long (20m) runs did you have prior to the Marathon?

- I don't remember the weather on race-day... significantly hotter or more humid than your training?

- Do you usually have a high mineral content in your sweat?

- What kind of gels did you use?

- Were they really handing out Accelerade on the race course, or did you run with a camelback/fuelbelt?

- Were you taking in the same amount of calories and electrolytes you typically took in during training?

- Did you take Electrolyte pills during the race?

Chaka's from Escondido, so he had home field (weather) advantage. Personally, the weather was significantly cooler (~40degrees ) and much more humid than here in Phoenix. It was GORGEOUS! My wife and I couldn't understand the people walking around town wearing jackets. It got a little warm in the late stages (>20mi??) as the sun burned off the clouds, but it was perfect before that. I got salt-encrusted as well, but not so much that I really noticed it. I only had to wipe sweat from my brow a few times early on.I used PowerGels, one every five miles, then took my remaining one at 23 just trying to get a boost to the finish. I alternated water/Accelerade, but there were a few stops that were water-only, so I probably could have used more Acc. I had one cup of Acc knocked from my hand as I took it , so I had to settle for water (it was the last table of Acc, and I didn't want to turn around and go back ). I also downed a salt packet around 15-16?, and I think I managed to actually get salt out of it. lol

"The wall" for me is probably some combination of running out of gas and negative thoughts ("oh crap, ANOTHER hill!!" ). I'm just a skinny mofo, so I don't have lots of fuel reserves. I try to carboload, but it just isn't enough. Up through mile 19, I was feeling great and actually having POSITIVE thoughts (which can be just as detrimental). I was 5mins ahead of what would be a 10min pace (19mi * 10:00 = 190min, but I hit 19 in 185min = 3:05). I walked a little at the 18.5mi water station because I got tired of getting water up my nose (the previous two stations), and again at 19.5 to take some Tylenol. But I got to the overpass at 19.8 and my body shut down, saying "eff this!". From that point on, I had to struggle to keep moving, as I knew that a great time (and PR!) was in reach. I started doing the math and saw that I had to do 12:00s (I reached ~21.2 at 3:30, so I had an hour to do the final 5mi). Here's where the Ipod really helped, as I started thinking "ok, run for at least a chorus". As I posted last week, I crossed the finish line with a nice kick as planned to "Tusk".

Yeah the weather was great. Overcast but not chilly, IMO, I was in a compression t shirt and shorts and was not cold. It was not particularly humid for me, but compared to Phoenix it must have been. My long training runs usually started around 10am so they were significantly warmer than race day for me.I have no idea what the mineral content of my sweat normally is but I am a sweater and I wear a hydration belt (4 x 10oz bottles) with PowerGels (0mg caffeine) in the pocket on my training runs.

For the race I had 6 PowerGels and Accelerade was the drink provided on the course, this was the first time I ever had it, which I know can be a mistake but I did not want to wear my hydration belt when water was provided every mile and accelerade almost as often, it did not make sense to carry the extra weight.

Overall I took in more calories on this run then on my training runs with the PowerGels and the Accelerade, usually I carry only water.

Thanks for the answers, Chaka.I was looking for any tell-tale signs for the salt-caking and fatigue (from my experience).

- Normal weather- so extra heat/humidity wasn't the cause.

- On your longer runs, do you normally have salt-caked skin at the end? I always do.

- Was your gel consumption the same as your training consumption in terms of gel/time?

I'm going to guess that given you normally drink only water- you were over Electrolyted. Accelerade has a lot of good stuff in it, but if you're used to water it's going to be more than you're used to (has more than regular Gatorade which does nothing for me)- even if it's diluted more than normal due to the sheer volume being prepared. That sounds offhand like a lot of gels for the time too.

The over-consumption would account for the excess caking, and maybe a little bit of fatigue. At one point in my own training/experimentation I took electroylte pills every 15 minutes and ended up a little weaker and heavily coated more than usual with what I call my Elizabeth the First makeup.

Did you feel like you were well prepared in your training? Did you do a couple of those longer runs?

I'm asking all of this as much for me as for you- looking at my own first real Marathon in early November and would love to get this stuff worked out (although no matter what I do, I know race day will bring it's own unique bits o' hell).

 

[koby925]

GStrot, don't beat yourself up! In the big picture, you did the right thing ...and I sure hope your wife appreciates it!!! And hey, listen to yourself talk -- instead of being pleased with finishing a 10K, you're ticked that you couldn't push the pace. Go back and read post #1, and then read your race post!

A great, fun race: The Park Forest Scenic 10 on Labor Day morning. It's a 10 mile race, with most of the first half through a forest preserve, and then the latter half through a community with excellent neighborhood support - it's like their Labor Day parade. Entering/exiting the forest preserve you pass a string quartet, dressed in black, and then you have various musicians and cheerleaders and other stuff throughout the course. It's in the far south suburbs.

Culdeus, thanks for the comments.

I really need to reread that first post. Thanks for even more perspective.

Unfortunately, I am out of town Labor Day weekend. That sounds like fun.

That was something I forgot to mention in my first post - the race was through neighborhoods and there were a lot of people who put their sprinklers out so they were spraying the runners (who wanted it). There were lots of young families sitting out and cheering people on. It was really neat. The finish was a bit anticlimactic but still pretty cool as they had a recording of the band with the Notre Dame fight song (darren, wraith and Ivan> hi) and crowd noises so as you ran through the tunnel it was pretty cool and so was being out on the field. My friend had his name announced as he crossed the finish line (which, despite his state, he heard). So, a very good experience.

First, congrats on your first race. I missed a lot of the thread but you raced in South Bend? I'm curious about the course they had you guys run. Was the hill by St. Joe's high thrown into the mix?

 

[Chaka]

So what should I be doing today?

My legs are dead. If I sit for any period of time it takes time to start moving around again. I don't have any injury pain just soreness. I took an ice bath after the race and I plan to hit the sauna today but should I jump on the treadmill for 1/2 hour (fast walking) to keep everything loose?

 

[Da Guru]

So what should I be doing today?My legs are dead. If I sit for any period of time it takes time to start moving around again. I don't have any injury pain just soreness. I took an ice bath after the race and I plan to hit the sauna today but should I jump on the treadmill for 1/2 hour (fast walking) to keep everything loose?

Just go for a half an hour walk at a easy pace for the next couple of days until you recover.

 

[Chaka]

So what should I be doing today?My legs are dead. If I sit for any period of time it takes time to start moving around again. I don't have any injury pain just soreness. I took an ice bath after the race and I plan to hit the sauna today but should I jump on the treadmill for 1/2 hour (fast walking) to keep everything loose?

Just go for a half an hour walk at a easy pace for the next couple of days until you recover.

That seems like a loooooong walk right now.

 

[BassNBrew]

Well done across the board fbgs!!!

 

[Da Guru]

So what should I be doing today?My legs are dead. If I sit for any period of time it takes time to start moving around again. I don't have any injury pain just soreness. I took an ice bath after the race and I plan to hit the sauna today but should I jump on the treadmill for 1/2 hour (fast walking) to keep everything loose?

Just go for a half an hour walk at a easy pace for the next couple of days until you recover.

That seems like a loooooong walk right now.

A very easy pace. Like a stroll.

 

[RoarinSonoran]

Who's with me?!!??!!

Look what I stumbled upon. link

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge -- run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on one day, then run the WDW Marathon on the next day. The 2008 challenge is already full, so we'd have to wait until 2009 to send an FBG Racing Team.

Wouldn't a display like this look cool hanging on your wall (especially if you have kids)?

Let's do it! :bluto:

 

[SFBayDuck]

Side note, Floppo is it you that's from Marin (that's where I live now)? As I indicated in my first post, I read the entire thread from the start over a few day period last week, and posts/posters kind of blurred together.

Born and raised in Sausalito... wish I could afford it and/or the wife liked it. I'd be back there in a heart-beat.Where are you, SFduck?

I've been in Greenbrae for about 3 years now. Spent 2 years or so on the Headlands side of Sausalito when I first moved to Marin from SF 5 years ago, used to play hoops on Caledonia St. quite a bit. I can't really afford Marin either, but the wife was born and raised in Tiburon so we're not going anywhere for awhile - meaning ever. Oh well, worse places to be "stuck", that's for sure.

 

[Darrinll40]

Who's with me?!!??!!

Look what I stumbled upon. link

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge -- run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on one day, then run the WDW Marathon on the next day. The 2008 challenge is already full, so we'd have to wait until 2009 to send an FBG Racing Team.

Wouldn't a display like this look cool hanging on your wall (especially if you have kids)?

Let's do it! :bluto:

I was semi-planning to make that race my first marathon. If we could make it a FBG's event, it would be great. ps. That is the one in Florida, right?

 

[Chaka]

Who's with me?!!??!!

Look what I stumbled upon. link

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge -- run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on one day, then run the WDW Marathon on the next day. The 2008 challenge is already full, so we'd have to wait until 2009 to send an FBG Racing Team.

Wouldn't a display like this look cool hanging on your wall (especially if you have kids)?

Let's do it! :bluto:

My legs should have just recovered by 2009.I'm in.

 

[Darrinll40]

Who's with me?!!??!!

Look what I stumbled upon. link

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge -- run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on one day, then run the WDW Marathon on the next day. The 2008 challenge is already full, so we'd have to wait until 2009 to send an FBG Racing Team.

Wouldn't a display like this look cool hanging on your wall (especially if you have kids)?

Let's do it! :bluto:

My legs should have just recovered by 2009.I'm in.

My sanity just kicked in. There is no way I will be able to run a half one day and a full the next.I just can't see that happening.

 

[gruecd]

Race pics:

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event....B=1949&PWD=

Seriously, dude, like I said before--on some of those pics where you're turned sideways, I can hardly see you! Here's a link to my photos from Green Bay. I was #2 in the Clydesdale division at 3:10, behind this guy who ran 2:55. The guy claims that he weighs 210, which is about what I weigh. I call shenanigans; if you ask me, I'd put him closer to 185 or something like that. In any case, great job to all of you racing this past weekend, and great to see all of the newcomers, too.

I spent the weekend in Minneapolis visiting my sister and did a relatively hilly 8-mile run on Saturday morning including a couple of laps around the Lake of the Isles (after a late night out). I've been taking it pretty easy since Green Bay (keeping pace around 7:45-8:00), but it's been more than two weeks, so I think I might try a little tempo run tomorrow and see how it feels.

Keep up the good work, everybody!

 

[tri-man 47]

ETA- And I grew up in CA playing soccer at a very high level all year-

This was before you fattened up, right?

 

[El Floppo]

ETA- And I grew up in CA playing soccer at a very high level all year-

This was before you fattened up, right?

I prefer to think of it as being pleasantly plump...(I was 6', 168 through college, 160 or so of that in my legs)

 

[GStrot]

Wow, this is very similar to my race earlier this year. My first ever 5K and I told my wife I would run with her. You get mad when you have to tell people your time knowing you could have gone much faster. You did the right thing Gstrot. It sucks, but it was the right thing. 5 races from now and several sub 1:00 10Ks from now you will still have those "husband points" and that 1:11 will be a distant memory.

Congrats on finishing, and we look forward to the next race.

Thanks. Glad to hear someone else "survived" the same experience. Funny about the telling people your time because that thought has run through my head. Is "My wife and I ran it together and finished in 1:11." too much of a cop out?

I should have added an update since the Mrs. and I ran the 5K. She has since gotten more into running and has set some of her own goals for running. This may not have happened if I left her during our race and she had a bad experience. She just did 3.1 on the treadmill in under 30 minutes last week, and she really wants to run in another 5k event soon. She has taken to running with her ipod, and said that next time we run we can run alone. She has come to realize that in running, when you have goals of your own, you have to run your own race to achieve those goals. Her goal for the first 5k was to finish, and mine was to run it under 29 minutes. Now she sees how we can both have our own goals for the race. Maybe she likes her ipod so much she no longer wants to have to talk to me when we run an event, and maybe she is already seeing the day when I become the anchor. Either way it is a nice change since the first run.

This is exactly what I am hoping for. That and when I run my next 10k or 5k on my own she will see that she can't hang with me and let me go (or motivate to beat me).

 

[GStrot]

GStrot, don't beat yourself up! In the big picture, you did the right thing ...and I sure hope your wife appreciates it!!! And hey, listen to yourself talk -- instead of being pleased with finishing a 10K, you're ticked that you couldn't push the pace. Go back and read post #1, and then read your race post!

A great, fun race: The Park Forest Scenic 10 on Labor Day morning. It's a 10 mile race, with most of the first half through a forest preserve, and then the latter half through a community with excellent neighborhood support - it's like their Labor Day parade. Entering/exiting the forest preserve you pass a string quartet, dressed in black, and then you have various musicians and cheerleaders and other stuff throughout the course. It's in the far south suburbs.

Culdeus, thanks for the comments.

I really need to reread that first post. Thanks for even more perspective.

Unfortunately, I am out of town Labor Day weekend. That sounds like fun.

That was something I forgot to mention in my first post - the race was through neighborhoods and there were a lot of people who put their sprinklers out so they were spraying the runners (who wanted it). There were lots of young families sitting out and cheering people on. It was really neat. The finish was a bit anticlimactic but still pretty cool as they had a recording of the band with the Notre Dame fight song (darren, wraith and Ivan> hi) and crowd noises so as you ran through the tunnel it was pretty cool and so was being out on the field. My friend had his name announced as he crossed the finish line (which, despite his state, he heard). So, a very good experience.

First, congrats on your first race. I missed a lot of the thread but you raced in South Bend? I'm curious about the course they had you guys run. Was the hill by St. Joe's high thrown into the mix?

Despite living there for 4 years, I was not as familiar with the area as it was mostly residential and unless it had a bar, I didn't visit there. About 90% of the race was down by the river area including along the bike path by the East Race. The start was at the Hall of Fame and the finish was at Notre Dame.Here is the map.

It was interesting to see all the really nice homes being built on ND Ave and Eddy Street south of campus by ND apartments as builders are front running the development of that area. You from South Bend?

 

[GStrot]

Who's with me?!!??!!

Look what I stumbled upon. link

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge -- run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on one day, then run the WDW Marathon on the next day. The 2008 challenge is already full, so we'd have to wait until 2009 to send an FBG Racing Team.

Wouldn't a display like this look cool hanging on your wall (especially if you have kids)?

Let's do it! :bluto:

2008 is already full? My wife has talked about getting back to Disney soon. Hmmmm. Although does calling it the "Goofy Challenge" really do it justice. Or maybe it is goofy to want to do that.

 

[BassNBrew]

The guy claims that he weighs 210, which is about what I weigh. I call shenanigans; if you ask me, I'd put him closer to 185 or something like that.

Check out the gunz on that dude!!! That guy is hualing a couple of sledgehammers around.

 

[RoarinSonoran]

Who's with me?!!??!!

Look what I stumbled upon. link

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge -- run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on one day, then run the WDW Marathon on the next day. The 2008 challenge is already full, so we'd have to wait until 2009 to send an FBG Racing Team.

Wouldn't a display like this look cool hanging on your wall (especially if you have kids)?

Let's do it! :bluto:

My legs should have just recovered by 2009.I'm in.

My sanity just kicked in. There is no way I will be able to run a half one day and a full the next.I just can't see that happening.

Who said anything about sanity? It's right there in the title, Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge. Besides, I just ran two marathons within five weeks. Sanity has absolutely nothing to do with it. I forget exactly what it was, but before the race, some guy walked by in some crazy costume (I think that's what led to this). I looked at another runner, and we both did the "WTF?" looks on our faces. I commented "well, you don't have to be crazy to run marathons.....but it helps. "(yes, in Florida)

You'd have a year and a half to train for it. Piece of cake.

I'm actually crazy enough to consider this. If you notice my sig, I'm already considering two halfs on consecutive days...one on each coast! (Labor Day weekend) What's another half on top of that?

 

[DolphinsPhan]

GStrot... CONGRATS!!!!!!!Everybody has said it already- but you've got ZIPPO to be ashamed/worried/embarassed about. When you started this thread, I'm sure you never would have guessed you'd be upset with yourself over your time- not just finishing- a 10k.You did learn a valuable lesson though- and I've brought this up in regards to one of the reasons I like Out-and-Back workouts- even if you're training with friends who are the usually same pace as you, at the end of the day, you've got to run your own race. Because you and the wife probably hadn't discussed it clearly ahead of time, you were forced to do the absolutely right thing here- and run with your wife. it's a selfless and tremendous quality to put aside your own hopes for the race and help your wife, who may have really struggled if you had left her on her own. And you both will always have this race as something you did completely together- and definitely the brownie points won't go stale for a long time!So now you know that next race you charge on your own: friend, wife, family- makes no difference; it's not about finishing for you any more- it's about pushing yourself.I'm Incredibly proud of your accomplishments this weekend- and this whole thread. You've been diligent, inspiring and amazingly supportive of the rest of us. and

Very Congrats GStrot! Just remember where you started out and how far you have come. After your race you posted that you ran a 10k and it was super easy. That is a HUGE accomplishment. You will destroy the hour mark in your next race!!!

 

[wraith5]

Chaka - Congratulations on a great run!! Coming in under 10 min/miles is a great time! Unless you are a hard-core distance runner, just keeping yourself moving forward at a decent pace after mile 20 is excellent!!

Roarin – These runs are becoming business as usual for you by now… but congratulations just the same!! All these miles and you’re still hitting PR’s?!? Amazing stuff.

GStrot – Could not be prouder of you – not only did you finish the distance, but you did it by your wife’s side, sacrificing the time you justly deserved. It takes an athlete to finish 10k, but it takes a man to set aside his goals for someone else. Congratulations!

When you pick a Chicago race, let me know (there are a lot to choose from!!) – I’ll try to run it as well if I can. By the way: I didn’t realize you’re from PR. I was married at St. Paul of the Cross. Just had lunch at Moretti’s on Memorial Day… great area.

I did my first run since the race on Saturday - just 40 min on the treadmill. On Sunday I went for my first trail ride with a buddy and I am hooked! We went for probably 10 miles or so on mostly gravel roads near the paved trail I run & bike usually. The cyclo-cross bike held it's own, even when we were on dirt single tracks. Loved it!! I can't wait until I can get out there again.

Congratulations again to the guys who ran!! Great job.

 

[RoarinSonoran]

Roarin – These runs are becoming business as usual for you by now… but congratulations just the same!! All these miles and you’re still hitting PR’s?!? Amazing stuff.

It was kinda surreal out there. I was in the teen miles, feeling great, and it occurs to me that this may be my last marathon, and wouldn't it be cool to go out with a PR! These were some of the positive thoughts I mentioned in my earlier post. I tried to brush them away so I wouldn't get over-confident and then start getting stupid out there.I say "last marathon", as I didn't really have any plans for continuing any sort of a running career after the two remaining half marathons. I'm only doing the Rockstar races because I had a brain fart. Now that I know about the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, it looks like I may be running for at least another year and a half. However, I need to move to a cooler climate so I can eliminate the it's-too-freaking-hot-to-run excuse. lol

 

[pigskinliquors]

My training is slowing down quickly, as I have now tweaked my right calf. I screwed up this weekend, by following my brick on Thursday with a long run on Saturday (12m), long bike on Sunday (35m), then a tempo run yesterday at too quick of a pace

It flared-up yesterday afternoon, so I iced it down, had it massaged and did very light stretching. It isn't torn, as I was able to go for an extremely slow, short bike ride this morning, but I'm not going to run on it for a couple of weeks. My next race (Olympic tri) is six weeks away so I've got some time to heal prior to getting back at it, but my goals will certainly have to change. My battle looks like this:

Due to my back, I haven't swam in 3 weeks, and am taking 2 more off = I'll be able to get 4 weeks training in.

Due to my calf, I'm going to have to take a minimum of 2 weeks off from running = only 4 training weeks.

I can still bike, but my last ride prior to race will be next Wed. as the bike isn't going with me on vacation.

I'll also be training in cool of N. Cali, and flying into the heat of Dallas to compete in the Middle of July!!

Thus, my running, and swimming will only be trained tentatively, I won't be biking at all, AND I will have to adjust to the weather with no training in it. Hopefully my transitions can be quick

Getting Old Sux!

 

[brettdj]

Just started running again yesterday. Time to start getting in shape for Football officiating and a duathlon(5k, 25k, 5k) in the fall.

2 miles 17:54 after a short weight work session.

Today is 7 mile bike with trailer to pick up my daughter from daycare. And 9pm basketball.

Tomorrow a 6pm bike ride with a group from the LBS.

Also started up the South Beach Diet after returning from a week at Disney. Neep to drop 10 pounds and get the cholesterol under control.

 

[Darrinll40]

Made up a training schedule loosely based on the schedule at Runners World.

By the end of October I will be running about 26 miles per week with my long run being 11 miles. I threw in an extra rest day once a month, plus I will be running in a few other races before December. I haven't decided what it will look like in November and December.

I would follow the training plan from here, but my personal schedule will not allow it.

 

[koby925]

GStrot, don't beat yourself up! In the big picture, you did the right thing ...and I sure hope your wife appreciates it!!! And hey, listen to yourself talk -- instead of being pleased with finishing a 10K, you're ticked that you couldn't push the pace. Go back and read post #1, and then read your race post!

A great, fun race: The Park Forest Scenic 10 on Labor Day morning. It's a 10 mile race, with most of the first half through a forest preserve, and then the latter half through a community with excellent neighborhood support - it's like their Labor Day parade. Entering/exiting the forest preserve you pass a string quartet, dressed in black, and then you have various musicians and cheerleaders and other stuff throughout the course. It's in the far south suburbs.

Culdeus, thanks for the comments.

I really need to reread that first post. Thanks for even more perspective.

Unfortunately, I am out of town Labor Day weekend. That sounds like fun.

That was something I forgot to mention in my first post - the race was through neighborhoods and there were a lot of people who put their sprinklers out so they were spraying the runners (who wanted it). There were lots of young families sitting out and cheering people on. It was really neat. The finish was a bit anticlimactic but still pretty cool as they had a recording of the band with the Notre Dame fight song (darren, wraith and Ivan> hi) and crowd noises so as you ran through the tunnel it was pretty cool and so was being out on the field. My friend had his name announced as he crossed the finish line (which, despite his state, he heard). So, a very good experience.

First, congrats on your first race. I missed a lot of the thread but you raced in South Bend? I'm curious about the course they had you guys run. Was the hill by St. Joe's high thrown into the mix?

Despite living there for 4 years, I was not as familiar with the area as it was mostly residential and unless it had a bar, I didn't visit there. About 90% of the race was down by the river area including along the bike path by the East Race. The start was at the Hall of Fame and the finish was at Notre Dame.Here is the map.

It was interesting to see all the really nice homes being built on ND Ave and Eddy Street south of campus by ND apartments as builders are front running the development of that area. You from South Bend?

Ran Track and XC at ND so I know the streets all too well. Looks like they sent you on a pretty nice path. Down by the River is nice and a that's a great way to finish. Good to hear they are putting some nice places on Eddy. Did some runs on Eddy and the neighboring streets back in the day that had us with the boarded up houses and

 

[koby925]

My training is slowing down quickly, as I have now tweaked my right calf. Getting Old Sux!

I keep trying to get back into it and my left calf keeps acting up. BS