Ran a 10k in June (6 Viewers)

[SteveC702]

Pleased with my training run this morning. 13.1 miles in 1:35:37 which averages 7:18 including the first 3 miles each over 7:30. One of those runs that I accidentally ran faster than I had planned but felt reasonably comfortable throughout. I'll have to shave about 40 seconds per mile from that pace to run a PR for my half marathon a week from tomorrow. That will be tough but I've run 13.1 training runs the last two weekends so I'm starting to get comfortable with that distance again.

Nice one man. 13.1 miles @ 40s over PR pace is usually at minimum a planned hard run. To do it feeling that comfortably means you are definitely ready for a break through.

 

[beer 302]

Nice run Juxt!

Tight wads, spring for a freaking headlamp if you're gonna run at night. I do 90% of my running in the dark, can't imagine running without a headlamp, especially where there aren't any street lights.

Got in about 10 on the trails today. After a little set back with the ankle last week managed a pretty decent 6.5 miles with the Saturday group I run with sometimes then went back out for some more punishment on my own. Walked a fair amount on the second run but wanted to spend some time on my feet today. Felt pretty good after but my conditioning is awful, hopefully I can string so consistent training together and get some of it back.

 

[sho nuff]

Pleased with my training run this morning. 13.1 miles in 1:35:37 which averages 7:18 including the first 3 miles each over 7:30. One of those runs that I accidentally ran faster than I had planned but felt reasonably comfortable throughout. I'll have to shave about 40 seconds per mile from that pace to run a PR for my half marathon a week from tomorrow. That will be tough but I've run 13.1 training runs the last two weekends so I'm starting to get comfortable with that distance again.

that is fast

That is right at my PR.

:finger:

That is faster than mine...

:double bird...one for each of you:

I was happy a bit and then cautious.

Found some motivation to get out for 10 miles today...cut it off at 9 though.

At about mile 5, I cut through a path through some trees to get to another neighborhood and must have hit an uneven bit of ground or a big tree root and felt a twinge in my ankle.

It seemed ok for a bit but started really hurting about 7.5 miles in...at which point I knew I was about a mile and a half from home.

I finished up the 9...then walked about a quarter back the house.

Its been pretty stiff and painful on and off today (after freezing my ### off an getting soaked by pelting rain and a tiny bit of hail/sleet coaching my son's soccer game).

######## coach of the other team whined when the refs were going to call the game 5 minutes early (we were up 1-0)....so they delayed it for about 15 minutes.

Then we went out and finished the game.

We really should have been up about 4-5 to 0 but narrowly missed a few goals.

So...when he complained about it and made us all wait it out...I put my best players in...told my son (fastest kid on our team and one of the fasted in the league) that he was on D...but was to push up on offense too and keep the ball on their side. The ball never left the other side of the field.

Lesson for that coach...don't piss me off if he wants his kids to have a chance to move the ball.

 

[SteveC702]

Nice job, Jux. You're ready to roll.

I did a 10 miler in 7:25 pace (7:30 out 7:20 back) today. That distance starting to feel comfortable.

Steve, I may do a race before but Manchester kind of is my goal race after the disappointing effort last year. This year I know the course and know what to expect from that 2nd uphill mile. Shooting for sub 6 pace for the 4.75 mile course. It's a pretty cool environment and very competitive race.

Yeah it's an extremely competitive race despite the odd distance, I think there's usually field of 15-20 pros/sub-elites. You still have a few weeks to get in some more solid training too, but it sounds like sub-6 pace should be easily doable.

 

[tri-man 47]

A good day: Drove up to Milwaukee area to cheer on my university's D III cross country teams. The women's team has one top senior and then mainly a crop of decent freshmen. They ran fantastic - a few had PRs on a hilly course, and the senior ran strong and got all-conference. After that, I stopped to pick up my marathon (#2) AG award. Dang, is this thing beautiful - all glass; 3" tall, and then 2" by 1"; engraving on the glass in back; and "floating" in the glass is, like, a brushed-glass winged running shoe. I'll see if my tech-savvier daughter can get a pic or two of it (for FB, if nothing else). Best award I've ever received, and it's not even close.

 

[BassNBrew]

My son had a great event yesterday in his trail distance debut. 18 miles mostly single track, 5200 ft climbing, 3000+ ft net elevation gain. 3h 23m. Would have been good for 49th of 205 if he'd be able to pin on a number. Worked his way up from the mid 50's towards 30th before cramps set in and he had to fight them to the finish. He was on a sub 10 min pace through 13.5 miles I asked him about packing it in and calling it a good day early several times and he wanted nothing to do with it. Listening to him tell people about his event, he's busting my chops big time about even giving consideration to the thought of quitting. Pretty proud of him for being that mentally tough.

It will be interesting to see where he goes from here. He loves distance events but doesn't care for training. Basically got ready for this event with one long run (8-12 mi) and two 5ks a week over a six week stretch. The very near future probably holds a few weeks of speed training for a turkey day 5k.

Speaking of good days, my girlfriend son's soccer team, ranked #202 of #203, in the country upset #6 yesterday in their home finale.

 

[sports_fan]

New York City Marathon is on ESPN2.

 

[Ned]

Pleased with my training run this morning. 13.1 miles in 1:35:37 which averages 7:18 including the first 3 miles each over 7:30. One of those runs that I accidentally ran faster than I had planned but felt reasonably comfortable throughout. I'll have to shave about 40 seconds per mile from that pace to run a PR for my half marathon a week from tomorrow. That will be tough but I've run 13.1 training runs the last two weekends so I'm starting to get comfortable with that distance again.

Nice one man. 13.1 miles @ 40s over PR pace is usually at minimum a planned hard run. To do it feeling that comfortably means you are definitely ready for a break through.

My son had a great event yesterday in his trail distance debut. 18 miles mostly single track, 5200 ft climbing, 3000+ ft net elevation gain. 3h 23m. Would have been good for 49th of 205 if he'd be able to pin on a number. Worked his way up from the mid 50's towards 30th before cramps set in and he had to fight them to the finish. He was on a sub 10 min pace through 13.5 miles I asked him about packing it in and calling it a good day early several times and he wanted nothing to do with it. Listening to him tell people about his event, he's busting my chops big time about even giving consideration to the thought of quitting. Pretty proud of him for being that mentally tough.

It will be interesting to see where he goes from here. He loves distance events but doesn't care for training. Basically got ready for this event with one long run (8-12 mi) and two 5ks a week over a six week stretch. The very near future probably holds a few weeks of speed training for a turkey day 5k.

Speaking of good days, my girlfriend son's soccer team, ranked #202 of #203, in the country upset #6 yesterday in their home finale.

Apple didn't fall far from the tree, I see!

 

[Ned]

Taper week 1 was a good one.

Tue - 8mi MLR @ 8:49/142. Kind of sore/tired, but good run.

Wed - 11mi MLR @ 8:37/140. Incredible. Single best MLR ever.

Thu - 5 mi Recovery @ 9:32/132. Heavy legs.

Fri - 9mi w/ 5LT. Legs still heavy, but solid run. 5LT miles were 7:03/173.

Sun - 17mi LR. Swirling winds (20mph with 30mph gusts) drove me crazy today. Good run considering. 8:51/146. Made sure to hit the hills again.

 

[beer 302]

Taper week 1 was a good one.

Tue - 8mi MLR @ 8:49/142. Kind of sore/tired, but good run.

Wed - 11mi MLR @ 8:37/140. Incredible. Single best MLR ever.

Thu - 5 mi Recovery @ 9:32/132. Heavy legs.

Fri - 9mi w/ 5LT. Legs still heavy, but solid run. 5LT miles were 7:03/173.

Sun - 17mi LR. Swirling winds (20mph with 30mph gusts) drove me crazy today. Good run considering. 8:51/146. Made sure to hit the hills again.

Looking good Ned, you're going to crush this race!

 

[FUBAR]

Camping this weekend with my oldest, so no miles except three hour+ hikes, two with 40+lbs of gear.

Totally worth it.

 

[tri-man 47]

My son had a great event yesterday in his trail distance debut. 18 miles mostly single track, 5200 ft climbing, 3000+ ft net elevation gain. 3h 23m. Would have been good for 49th of 205 if he'd be able to pin on a number. Worked his way up from the mid 50's towards 30th before cramps set in and he had to fight them to the finish. He was on a sub 10 min pace through 13.5 miles I asked him about packing it in and calling it a good day early several times and he wanted nothing to do with it. Listening to him tell people about his event, he's busting my chops big time about even giving consideration to the thought of quitting. Pretty proud of him for being that mentally tough.

It will be interesting to see where he goes from here. He loves distance events but doesn't care for training. Basically got ready for this event with one long run (8-12 mi) and two 5ks a week over a six week stretch. The very near future probably holds a few weeks of speed training for a turkey day 5k.

Speaking of good days, my girlfriend son's soccer team, ranked #202 of #203, in the country upset #6 yesterday in their home finale.

I was thinking the same thing Ned said about the apple not fallin' far from the tree! Cool about the gf's son's team, too.

FUBAR - great weekend, for sure!

 

[Sand]

My son had a great event yesterday in his trail distance debut. 18 miles mostly single track, 5200 ft climbing, 3000+ ft net elevation gain. 3h 23m. Would have been good for 49th of 205 if he'd be able to pin on a number. Worked his way up from the mid 50's towards 30th before cramps set in and he had to fight them to the finish. He was on a sub 10 min pace through 13.5 miles I asked him about packing it in and calling it a good day early several times and he wanted nothing to do with it. Listening to him tell people about his event, he's busting my chops big time about even giving consideration to the thought of quitting. Pretty proud of him for being that mentally tough.

It will be interesting to see where he goes from here. He loves distance events but doesn't care for training. Basically got ready for this event with one long run (8-12 mi) and two 5ks a week over a six week stretch. The very near future probably holds a few weeks of speed training for a turkey day 5k.

Speaking of good days, my girlfriend son's soccer team, ranked #202 of #203, in the country upset #6 yesterday in their home finale.

Awesome stuff. Not 18, but I managed 7.25 miles in the woods today. Nice weather - good stuff.

And my kids team (who is like 1-7) beat their last opponent (who was 5-4 or so and a massive favorite) 31-28 on a last second field goal. 4th down touchdowns, goal line stands, interceptions in the end zone. Had it all. Twas awesome.

 

[gruecd]

Kind of a weird run this morning. I had a full day scheduled at work today, so I got up at 3:45 for the third time this week to get a run in before going to the office. Which clearly sucks, but that's beside the point for the purposes of this story. Anyway, my wife gets up around this time pretty much every weekday to run since she doesn't have the luxury of going out mid-day like I often can. She typically runs out where we live, whereas I prefer to go into campus instead.

Today, though, she suggests that I should just run with her. Uh, okay. So out we go at about 4:45. We live in the sticks where there are no streetlights, and it is absolutely pitch dark. A little starlight, but no moon. I can barely see the road in front of me. If I lived in western SD instead of eastern SD, I would be seriously concerned about getting attacked by something. Only five miles, but the whole time I was completely paranoid about stepping into a pavement depression and face-planting. Good to spend time with Mrs. K, but I'm not a fan of running the dark.

Our sidewalks here in town have so many monsters (1 to 2 inch differentials between sections) that it's safer to run on the roads in the dark.

I've done the "Superman" on more than one occasion after being tripped up by sidewalk monsters...

 

[gruecd]

A good day: Drove up to Milwaukee area to cheer on my university's D III cross country teams. The women's team has one top senior and then mainly a crop of decent freshmen. They ran fantastic - a few had PRs on a hilly course, and the senior ran strong and got all-conference. After that, I stopped to pick up my marathon (#2) AG award. Dang, is this thing beautiful - all glass; 3" tall, and then 2" by 1"; engraving on the glass in back; and "floating" in the glass is, like, a brushed-glass winged running shoe. I'll see if my tech-savvier daughter can get a pic or two of it (for FB, if nothing else). Best award I've ever received, and it's not even close.

Better than your woody???

 

[gruecd]

Taper week 1 was a good one.

Tue - 8mi MLR @ 8:49/142. Kind of sore/tired, but good run.

Wed - 11mi MLR @ 8:37/140. Incredible. Single best MLR ever.

Thu - 5 mi Recovery @ 9:32/132. Heavy legs.

Fri - 9mi w/ 5LT. Legs still heavy, but solid run. 5LT miles were 7:03/173.

Sun - 17mi LR. Swirling winds (20mph with 30mph gusts) drove me crazy today. Good run considering. 8:51/146. Made sure to hit the hills again.

Looking good Ned, you're going to crush this race!

 

[koby925]

Nice job, Jux. You're ready to roll.

I did a 10 miler in 7:25 pace (7:30 out 7:20 back) today. That distance starting to feel comfortable.

Steve, I may do a race before but Manchester kind of is my goal race after the disappointing effort last year. This year I know the course and know what to expect from that 2nd uphill mile. Shooting for sub 6 pace for the 4.75 mile course. It's a pretty cool environment and very competitive race.

Yeah it's an extremely competitive race despite the odd distance, I think there's usually field of 15-20 pros/sub-elites. You still have a few weeks to get in some more solid training too, but it sounds like sub-6 pace should be easily doable.

I think (hope) it's doable but I don't think it will be easy. That 2nd mile kills me. My writeup from last year:

I ran in the Manchester (CT) Road Race on Thursday morning. 15,000 registered runners and they estimate another 1000 or so bandits. I had read that the second mile of this 4.75 mike course was challenging but I underestimated it. Plus I didn't know how fit I'd be since running 15-20 mile weeks since mid sept. Anyway, it was a good chance to run in a great race so I went... Mile 1 - I was in the seeded section but there were still a lot of people who had no business being in there or were running just for fun. So I had to do some weaving around but not too much. I wanted to go out conservatively knowing mile 2 was a bear. Crossed the mile mark in 5:54 Mile 2 - this isn't so bad, where are these big bad hills I'm thinking from 1-1.2 as I maintain pace....oh, there they are...hill, slight crest, hill, slight crest, repeat repeat repeat. I don't like hills even when I am fit so this was brutal. Plus some clown in the crowd jumped in front of me at about 1.75 cut me off and slowed down to the point where I ran into and pushed him out of the way. I didn't see my 2 mile split since I was huffin and puffin so bad but it had to be close to a 7 minute mile. My slowest raced mile of my life by far. Afterwards I read that the leaders went out in 4:22-4:25 and ran the 2nd mile in 5:00-5:10 which is really slow for elites in a short race. Mile 3 - mostly downhill allowed me to somewhat recover. Came through in 18:54 Mile 4 - at this point it's obvious that sub 28 is not happening but I start feeling a bit better as im passing people left and rifht and do some math and think sub 29 is still possible when....I turn my left ankle on the side of the road. I limped off the course thinking my race was done since I have really weak ankles but I stretched it and loosened it for 12-15 seconds and started thinking of my wife and father in law waiting in the cold for me to finish and I re-engage to some encouragement from the crowd. The ankle hurts but I can run on it and I pass 4 miles in 25:06. So about a 6:12 mile with the ankle twist and stop. Last .75 again I do some math and realize it will take a sub 6 effort to break 29:30. But I bear down and at least finish well and cross the line in 29:25. Not great but I was proud of myself for finishing. The 6:12 pace was slower than my 10k pace earlier this year and not much faster than my half. Oh well, I wasn't in optimum condition, my father in law got to see me race which he got a kick out of, it was a great experience and now I have a time to aim for if I run it again next year.

 

[tri-man 47]

A good day: Drove up to Milwaukee area to cheer on my university's D III cross country teams. The women's team has one top senior and then mainly a crop of decent freshmen. They ran fantastic - a few had PRs on a hilly course, and the senior ran strong and got all-conference. After that, I stopped to pick up my marathon (#2) AG award. Dang, is this thing beautiful - all glass; 3" tall, and then 2" by 1"; engraving on the glass in back; and "floating" in the glass is, like, a brushed-glass winged running shoe. I'll see if my tech-savvier daughter can get a pic or two of it (for FB, if nothing else). Best award I've ever received, and it's not even close.

Better than your woody???

I had actually considered making that comparison. But yes, better than the 'woodies' I received after a few of the trail races a few years ago.

 

[parasaurolophus]

10 miles saturday and 1 mile swim on sunday. Foot felt fine until this morning. First step caught me off guard quite a bit. Hurt like hell, way better now, very strange.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Taper week 1 was a good one.

Tue - 8mi MLR @ 8:49/142. Kind of sore/tired, but good run.

Wed - 11mi MLR @ 8:37/140. Incredible. Single best MLR ever.

Thu - 5 mi Recovery @ 9:32/132. Heavy legs.

Fri - 9mi w/ 5LT. Legs still heavy, but solid run. 5LT miles were 7:03/173.

Sun - 17mi LR. Swirling winds (20mph with 30mph gusts) drove me crazy today. Good run considering. 8:51/146. Made sure to hit the hills again.

Such a different level you guys are on. You are going to crush this.

 

[SteveC702]

Taper week 1 was a good one.

Tue - 8mi MLR @ 8:49/142. Kind of sore/tired, but good run.

Wed - 11mi MLR @ 8:37/140. Incredible. Single best MLR ever.

Thu - 5 mi Recovery @ 9:32/132. Heavy legs.

Fri - 9mi w/ 5LT. Legs still heavy, but solid run. 5LT miles were 7:03/173.

Sun - 17mi LR. Swirling winds (20mph with 30mph gusts) drove me crazy today. Good run considering. 8:51/146. Made sure to hit the hills again.

Such a different level you guys are on. You are going to crush this.

 

[Ned]

Taper week 1 was a good one.

Tue - 8mi MLR @ 8:49/142. Kind of sore/tired, but good run.

Wed - 11mi MLR @ 8:37/140. Incredible. Single best MLR ever.

Thu - 5 mi Recovery @ 9:32/132. Heavy legs.

Fri - 9mi w/ 5LT. Legs still heavy, but solid run. 5LT miles were 7:03/173.

Sun - 17mi LR. Swirling winds (20mph with 30mph gusts) drove me crazy today. Good run considering. 8:51/146. Made sure to hit the hills again.

Such a different level you guys are on. You are going to crush this.

Definitely feeling confident these days. The uncertainty that usually comes with tapering hasn't crept in yet. I'm very OCD and I go crazy on runs that don't go exactly how I expect them. This time though, I just know that the fitness/speed is there and I don't care if I don't hit my marks perfectly. I don't know how to describe it... I've never felt this way before.

 

[sho nuff]

Took a rest day today to ice the ankle some more.

Still a tiny bit of stiffness and discomfort when I woke up.

Did get a bit of a workout with the weights today.

 

[MAC_32]

This bug, whatever it is, can go #### itself. Legs wanted to burn today, so did my cardio - body gave them all the finger. Still, 3 miles in 19 minutes, but I got done and outside of the hacking cough and snot being spat up I felt absolutely fine.

 

[FUBAR]

This bug, whatever it is, can go #### itself. Legs wanted to burn today, so did my cardio - body gave them all the finger. Still, 3 miles in 19 minutes, but I got done and outside of the hacking cough and snot being spat up I felt absolutely fine.

At least you got out. I've been spending most of the day on the toilet. Diarrhea is better than vomit I guess, but this sucks.

 

[beer 302]

Taper week 1 was a good one.

Tue - 8mi MLR @ 8:49/142. Kind of sore/tired, but good run.

Wed - 11mi MLR @ 8:37/140. Incredible. Single best MLR ever.

Thu - 5 mi Recovery @ 9:32/132. Heavy legs.

Fri - 9mi w/ 5LT. Legs still heavy, but solid run. 5LT miles were 7:03/173.

Sun - 17mi LR. Swirling winds (20mph with 30mph gusts) drove me crazy today. Good run considering. 8:51/146. Made sure to hit the hills again.

Such a different level you guys are on. You are going to crush this.

Definitely feeling confident these days. The uncertainty that usually comes with tapering hasn't crept in yet. I'm very OCD and I go crazy on runs that don't go exactly how I expect them. This time though, I just know that the fitness/speed is there and I don't care if I don't hit my marks perfectly. I don't know how to describe it... I've never felt this way before.

It's called confidence, you should embrace it because you are as well prepared as I have ever seen anyone in this thread. I think too that because of that confidence in your abilities & training your perpetration has been so much better this year over last. There has been no doubt in any of your runs like there have been in the past from time-to-time. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that there is some motivation from your mom as well. Whatever it may be, trust in it because it is fueling you right now.

 

[The_Man]

Definitely feeling confident these days. The uncertainty that usually comes with tapering hasn't crept in yet. I'm very OCD and I go crazy on runs that don't go exactly how I expect them. This time though, I just know that the fitness/speed is there and I don't care if I don't hit my marks perfectly. I don't know how to describe it... I've never felt this way before.

It's called confidence, you should embrace it because you are as well prepared as I have ever seen anyone in this thread. I think too that because of that confidence in your abilities & training your perpetration has been so much better this year over last. There has been no doubt in any of your runs like there have been in the past from time-to-time.I suspect, but don't know for sure, that there is some motivation from your mom as well. Whatever it may be, trust in it because it is fueling you right now.

A couple of very

Can't wait for this race for you, Ned. You can't fake a marathon, and your confidence comes from knowing that you don't need to fake it. You are ready.

My son's Conference Championship is tomorrow. I think he's pretty ready too. I passed along the advice about a longer taper being better for a shorter race and he took it. They did a light practice yesterday, but their last real workout was Saturday, starting with running a timed mile to compare to the timed mile they ran at the start of the season. He did a 5:04 -- which made me question the veracity of the course! That's compared to the 5:34 he ran at the start of the season. He says he feels like he's bursting with energy right now.

The four-time champ they're trying to knock off tomorrow posted something on their website about going undefeated during the regular season and being "heavily favored to win a 5th straight title." I forwarded it to the coach who read it to the team - real-life bulletin board material! That same school is also letting its high school students out early tomorrow to attend the meet, which is actually pretty cool - my son's school might let kids out early for a big football game or something, but that would never happen for cross country.

Totaling up all my son's JV races, he has been beaten by about 10 guys in dual meets this season. So I told him all he has to do is beat just one of the guys who beat him earlier this year to earn a Top 10 finish. I'd be pretty psyched if he could pull that off and break his current PR of 19:00 - but even if he doesn't, it's been a great season.

 

[Ned]

Definitely feeling confident these days. The uncertainty that usually comes with tapering hasn't crept in yet. I'm very OCD and I go crazy on runs that don't go exactly how I expect them. This time though, I just know that the fitness/speed is there and I don't care if I don't hit my marks perfectly. I don't know how to describe it... I've never felt this way before.

It's called confidence, you should embrace it because you are as well prepared as I have ever seen anyone in this thread. I think too that because of that confidence in your abilities & training your perpetration has been so much better this year over last. There has been no doubt in any of your runs like there have been in the past from time-to-time.I suspect, but don't know for sure, that there is some motivation from your mom as well. Whatever it may be, trust in it because it is fueling you right now.

A couple of very

Can't wait for this race for you, Ned. You can't fake a marathon, and your confidence comes from knowing that you don't need to fake it. You are ready.

My son's Conference Championship is tomorrow. I think he's pretty ready too. I passed along the advice about a longer taper being better for a shorter race and he took it. They did a light practice yesterday, but their last real workout was Saturday, starting with running a timed mile to compare to the timed mile they ran at the start of the season. He did a 5:04 -- which made me question the veracity of the course! That's compared to the 5:34 he ran at the start of the season. He says he feels like he's bursting with energy right now.

The four-time champ they're trying to knock off tomorrow posted something on their website about going undefeated during the regular season and being "heavily favored to win a 5th straight title." I forwarded it to the coach who read it to the team - real-life bulletin board material! That same school is also letting its high school students out early tomorrow to attend the meet, which is actually pretty cool - my son's school might let kids out early for a big football game or something, but that would never happen for cross country.

Totaling up all my son's JV races, he has been beaten by about 10 guys in dual meets this season. So I told him all he has to do is beat just one of the guys who beat him earlier this year to earn a Top 10 finish. I'd be pretty psyched if he could pull that off and break his current PR of 19:00 - but even if he doesn't, it's been a great season.

5:34 -> 5:04 is a huuuuge improvement. He's got some wheels! A season of indoor and outdoor track would do him a world of good.

 

[koby925]

The_Man, sounds like the coach prepared the team well. This is the time the kids should feel like they're bursting with energy. You take the trade off of a few possible heavy legged races mid-season for the benefits it brings in championship season. Good luck to your son and team.

 

[BoomBoom]

First half marathon under my belt. Ran it on Sunday, weather conditions were upper 40's at the start and nice crisp morning. Between my training setbacks with foot pain and only having run 10 miles max, I figured the last 3 miles were going to be my biggest challenge...and they were. Definitely a lot mental. The course was relatively flat the first 5 miles and I was pacing along at my usual 9 min/mile clip. Around mile 4 I grabbed a water cup and tried to drink while jogging and practically choked myself, so I decided I would stop and chug at all future drink locations.

Miles 5-7.5 were on a decline, and running miles 7.5-10 up a hill were pretty brutal. I was gassed by mile 10 and had fallen off my pace quite a bit. Had a little arch pain but nothing I couldn't get through and really the worst pain I felt was in my quads around mile 12. They tightened up pretty bad but I stretched a little and powered through it.

I told my wife I was gunning for 2:15 because it was my first and didn't want to be disappointed if I didn't finish in a certain time. I finished in 2:15:15. Happy to have finished, and also know I have a LOT of room for improvement. Need to mix in some hill training and plan to run at least 2 half-marathons in 2014. Thanks for the words of encouragement and training advice/dealing with other issues.

 

[ChiefD]

Nice job Boom Boom.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Congrats BoomBoom! Nice first one, particularly considering your injury problems!

The water thing is a bit of a learned skill. Bending the lip of the cup into a V helps.

 

[tri-man 47]

First half marathon under my belt.

I told my wife I was gunning for 2:15 because it was my first and didn't want to be disappointed if I didn't finish in a certain time. I finished in 2:15:15. Happy to have finished, and also know I have a LOT of room for improvement. Need to mix in some hill training and plan to run at least 2 half-marathons in 2014.

Way to go! The hill training will help to strengthen the quads. And you'll certainly get better when you move through another cycle (year) of training and get more experience with the races. Congrats! A pickle for your first:

 

[Sean]

Nice job BoomBoom. I turn in to Ted Stryker when trying to grab a drink during a race.

With my current schedule I'm going to have to do most of my running in the dark these days. Looking at some vests - anyone have this one?

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage.html?PCODE=AMPXLED

I'm not sure if the LED lights would be annoying? The same vest without the LEDs is about 14 bucks cheaper.

 

[The_Man]

Nice job BoomBoom. I turn in to Ted Stryker when trying to grab a drink during a race.

With my current schedule I'm going to have to do most of my running in the dark these days. Looking at some vests - anyone have this one?

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage.html?PCODE=AMPXLED

I'm not sure if the LED lights would be annoying? The same vest without the LEDs is about 14 bucks cheaper.

Good work BoomBoom. I second the Ted Stryker comment - when I do a HM or Marathon, I cut a flexible drinking straw so it's 3 or 4 inches long, tuck it under the watchband of my Garmin, then pull it out and drink through it when I hit a water stop.

I don't think you need the LEDs. Any standard reflective vest does a great job of lighting you up in the headlights. I guess the LEDs could protect you if the guy didn't have his headlights on, but if he's driving around in the dark with no lights, the LEDs probably aren't getting his attention either.

 

[Hang 10]

Nice work, BoomBoom.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Sean, I wear a reflective belt . I wear it above my water belt. Works OK. I don't notice it on runs.

 

[Ned]

Congrats boom - you sound hooked!

 

[Sean]

Thanks guys, went with the Xinglet without the LEDs.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Definitely feeling confident these days. The uncertainty that usually comes with tapering hasn't crept in yet. I'm very OCD and I go crazy on runs that don't go exactly how I expect them. This time though, I just know that the fitness/speed is there and I don't care if I don't hit my marks perfectly. I don't know how to describe it... I've never felt this way before.

It's called confidence, you should embrace it because you are as well prepared as I have ever seen anyone in this thread. I think too that because of that confidence in your abilities & training your perpetration has been so much better this year over last. There has been no doubt in any of your runs like there have been in the past from time-to-time.I suspect, but don't know for sure, that there is some motivation from your mom as well. Whatever it may be, trust in it because it is fueling you right now.

A couple of very

Can't wait for this race for you, Ned. You can't fake a marathon, and your confidence comes from knowing that you don't need to fake it. You are ready.

My son's Conference Championship is tomorrow. I think he's pretty ready too. I passed along the advice about a longer taper being better for a shorter race and he took it. They did a light practice yesterday, but their last real workout was Saturday, starting with running a timed mile to compare to the timed mile they ran at the start of the season. He did a 5:04 -- which made me question the veracity of the course! That's compared to the 5:34 he ran at the start of the season. He says he feels like he's bursting with energy right now.

The four-time champ they're trying to knock off tomorrow posted something on their website about going undefeated during the regular season and being "heavily favored to win a 5th straight title." I forwarded it to the coach who read it to the team - real-life bulletin board material! That same school is also letting its high school students out early tomorrow to attend the meet, which is actually pretty cool - my son's school might let kids out early for a big football game or something, but that would never happen for cross country.

Totaling up all my son's JV races, he has been beaten by about 10 guys in dual meets this season. So I told him all he has to do is beat just one of the guys who beat him earlier this year to earn a Top 10 finish. I'd be pretty psyched if he could pull that off and break his current PR of 19:00 - but even if he doesn't, it's been a great season.

Best of luck to the both of you. I am already suffering from CC withdrawal.

 

[BassNBrew]

Congrats Boom Boom.

 

[Hang 10]

Do any of you guys buy your gu's, chomps, energy beans, etc. in bulk online? If so, where?

 

[2Young2BBald]

Do any of you guys buy your gu's, chomps, energy beans, etc. in bulk online? If so, where?

I buy all my Hammer products (Gels, Endurolytes & HEED) on Amazon. With no tax and having Prime, I haven't found the items cheaper anywhere else.

 

[Hang 10]

Do any of you guys buy your gu's, chomps, energy beans, etc. in bulk online? If so, where?

I buy all my Hammer products (Gels, Endurolytes & HEED) on Amazon. With no tax and having Prime, I haven't found the items cheaper anywhere else.

Any recommendations?

 

[FUBAR]

My wife runs her first 5K this weekend!

Got back in the pool today, felt awesome. Just 2500 yards with the last 500 being 5x100 / 2 minutes - 1:30, 1:31, 1:29, 1:26, 1:27 I still need to improve my speed, but I'll take it for now.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Do any of you guys buy your gu's, chomps, energy beans, etc. in bulk online? If so, where?

I buy all my Hammer products (Gels, Endurolytes & HEED) on Amazon. With no tax and having Prime, I haven't found the items cheaper anywhere else.

Any recommendations?

I've tried just about everything and Hammer products agree with my gut more than anything I've tried. I love their Montana Huckleberry and the Apple Cinnamon (tastes like pie filling). I am not a big chocolate fan, but my wife like this as well. I found Endurolytes when I was cramping badly after leg 3 of a 10 leg tri. I literally ran the cramps away. Now, any at or over 2 hours and I am taking 2 or more per hour depending on the heat (and I take two after and it appears to help recovery). HEED is disgusting, no matter the flavor. However, it has also given me the best results; both in energy and how I can tolerate it over the long haul. I gave up on sports beans and chomps a while back and Gu turned my stomach.

 

[Ned]

Do any of you guys buy your gu's, chomps, energy beans, etc. in bulk online? If so, where?

I buy all my Hammer products (Gels, Endurolytes & HEED) on Amazon. With no tax and having Prime, I haven't found the items cheaper anywhere else.

Any recommendations?

I've tried just about everything and Hammer products agree with my gut more than anything I've tried. I love their Montana Huckleberry and the Apple Cinnamon (tastes like pie filling). I am not a big chocolate fan, but my wife like this as well. I found Endurolytes when I was cramping badly after leg 3 of a 10 leg tri. I literally ran the cramps away. Now, any at or over 2 hours and I am taking 2 or more per hour depending on the heat (and I take two after and it appears to help recovery). HEED is disgusting, no matter the flavor. However, it has also given me the best results; both in energy and how I can tolerate it over the long haul. I gave up on sports beans and chomps a while back and Gu turned my stomach.

I'm a Hammer Gel user too, thanks to 2Y2BB. Apple Cinnamon is awesome. Raspberry tastes like a jelly donut.

 

[Sand]

Thanks guys, went with the Xinglet without the LEDs.

I have that - works great.

Congrats Boom!

I buy all my Hammer products (Gels, Endurolytes & HEED) on Amazon. With no tax and having Prime, I haven't found the items cheaper anywhere else.

Pretty sure HEED is the strongest emetic known to man.

----

Pretty good week going, until now, at least. Trail run Sunday and a spin class last night (ick, but it was something). Nice 5 mile run at lunch. Heading to DC tonight and if I have any energy left at all I am going to try to hit up the Mt. Vernon Trail. After that I'll be stuck on a treadmill - bleh.

 

[FUBAR]

I've become a fan of HEED again after the B2B. It's somewhat expensive, but between HEED and Perpetuem, I felt pretty decent throughout the 70.3

 

[koby925]

Congrats, Boom Boom!