Ran a 10k in June (3 Viewers)

[tri-man 47]

Another close connection to the Boston bombings came up last night. I'm facilitating an on-line, MBA, managerial accounting class, and a recent discussion topic was strategic vs. tactical decisions. Someone brought up marathon running, so of course I added comments and managed to mention Boston. It turns out one of my adult students is the sister of Beth Roche, who was one of the severely injured spectators. Beth's daughter had just crossed the finished line, and Beth's leg was wrecked by the first bomb. She was in the Boston hospital for 2 1/2 months (I think she might have been the last to get out of the hospital) before returning to Indiana. She actually has another surgery soon to remove more glass and metal. My student mentioned how "devastating" this has been for the entire family. It's a reminder of the broad and ongoing reach of the terrible incident. Beth has run a marathon. At this point, they are all just hoping she will be able to walk normally again. I've found my motivation for the 2015 race.

 

[SteveC702]

I'll try to keep this one short, as I don't really have much to put in a report other than a bunch of mile splits.

On Sunday I ran the Tucson Half Marathon in a last attempt to qualify for the 2014 USA Half Marathon Championships. The course starts at approximately 3800 ft elevation and has a net elevation loss of approximately 1100 ft to try to offset the altitude. I took the lead about 5 steps into the race and stopped hearing footsteps about 2 minutes into the race. I had looked at the elevation chart of the course earlier in the week and worked out the splits I needed to hit in order to run my qualifier, and unfortunately I was 5-10 seconds off consistently through the first 3 miles before I got a really bad side stitch at 3 miles which lasted for about 10 minutes or so. My quads were heavy by mile 8-9 and with my time goal out of reach I decided to back off a notch so my legs wouldn't cramp up and cost me the win (or even worse, open the door to an injury).

I crossed the finish line in 70:45, the same time I ran 3 weeks ago in Vegas and finished off my 2013 racing season. (unless I jump in a local 5K or two, but it's not likely with all the snow/ice out on the roads/sidewalk right now)

Despite some pre-race reports of bad organization from the event, I actually found the event to be quite well run. I wasn't a fan of having to getting up at 4 AM to catch a shuttle by 4:40-5:20 to get up to the race start. However, the buses stuck around the start and we were able to sit on there right up until the race started and it took me all of 5 minutes to walk from my bus to the start line (and drop my gear check bag along the way).

One thing to keep in mind is that just because the course is downhill doesn't mean you'll automatically cruise to a PR or BQ, it's fast but only if you have trained yourself to handle the pounding and take advantage of it. When I looked through the race reviews on marathonguide.com the marathoners mostly PRd by a good 5-10 minutes if their legs managed to hold up. (the marathon starts up a little higher but has something like 1700-1800 ft of elevation loss). The women's course record holder ran it in 2:41 last year but has never broken 2:50 anywhere else, so for some of you who have long-term Boston plans, (if you run it next year you likely won't be able to run Boston til 2016) definitely consider it.

 

[koby925]

Ho hum. Who jumps into a Half, wins it and runs 70:45???

 

[tri-man 47]

I took the lead about 5 steps into the race

This sounds like beer's race report from a couple/few years ago ...but he started late and ran the wrong direction. Other than that, exactly the same.

Sorry you didn't hit your marks, but congrats on the win and a still-impressive time!

prosopis, this was the marathon course you ran, right?

 

[Ned]

Beer - thats a friggin badass run. Congrats!!!

Steve - Sorry you didn't hit your goal, but dang dude.... I'd love to have an off day and still win a HM outright.

Fubar - Awesome! Keep it up.... you're body is adjusting!

---------

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

 

[2Young2BBald]

Ho hum. Who jumps into a Half, wins it and runs 70:45???

Seriously, another reminder of the ridiculously talented brain trust we all have free access to here. CRAZY.

 

[tri-man 47]

I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

<obi-wan> This is not the Ned we're looking for. :handmotion: <\obi-wan>

 

[Hang 10]

Impressive as always, Steve.

 

[2Young2BBald]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I checked WebMD and it appears you are suffering from is an affliction called normal. Go find something to fill the void for a month or so; take some spin classes, yoga, SWIM, boot camp, etc. There has to be a Groupon for something close by you can try. I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week. Once I do, I have a 20 session yoga Groupon ready to be cashed in and am thinking about the 5 minute plank program. Run burnout does have to equal off exercise cold turkey.

 

[FUBAR]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

What cross-training do you do? Hit the pool!

 

[FUBAR]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I checked WebMD and it appears you are suffering from is an affliction called normal. Go find something to fill the void for a month or so; take some spin classes, yoga, SWIM, boot camp, etc. There has to be a Groupon for something close by you can try. I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week. Once I do, I have a 20 session yoga Groupon ready to be cashed in and am thinking about the 5 minute plank program. Run burnout does have to equal off exercise cold turkey.

How is this different from the 30 day challenge?

Day 16 was today - 2 minutes each (F,L,R). Day 30 is going to be brutal.

 

[tri-man 47]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week.

I'll bite. Race event? Duck Dynasty Wednesday night marathon? Three-way? Kayak convention?

 

[FUBAR]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week.

I'll bite. Race event? Duck Dynasty Wednesday night marathon? Three-way? Kayak convention?

Competitive 3-way in a kayak with Duck?

 

[2Young2BBald]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week.

I'll bite. Race event? Duck Dynasty Wednesday night marathon? Three-way? Kayak convention?

Not a race and I am not going to jinx it (and, hell, its really only a big deal to me). I should have an update tomorrow. In hindsight, I should have gone for the three-way.

 

[Ned]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week.

I'll bite. Race event? Duck Dynasty Wednesday night marathon? Three-way? Kayak convention?

Not a race and I am not going to jinx it (and, hell, its really only a big deal to me). I should have an update tomorrow. In hindsight, I should have gone for the three-way.

I am going to take a look at that Plank challenge right now. I definitely need something. Eating like a hog and not burning it = :X

 

[Juxtatarot]

Probably about time for year end reports, right? Will we have a standard format? If I recall correctly, Tri-man is in charge of this.

 

[beer 302]

Ho hum. Who jumps into a Half, wins it and runs 70:45???

Steve?

Are you new here or something? Happens all the time ;-)

tri-man nailed it though. There is a ridiculous amount of info in this thread from all aspects of running. Every conceivable distance has been covered ad nauseum, we had a freaking week debating the length of shorts you wear when you run for God's sake! Thanks again guys, keep it coming!

Ned, HTFU

 

[tri-man 47]

Probably about time for year end reports, right? Will we have a standard format? If I recall correctly, Tri-man is in charge of this.

I'll post the suggested format by the end of the week.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I checked WebMD and it appears you are suffering from is an affliction called normal. Go find something to fill the void for a month or so; take some spin classes, yoga, SWIM, boot camp, etc. There has to be a Groupon for something close by you can try. I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week. Once I do, I have a 20 session yoga Groupon ready to be cashed in and am thinking about the 5 minute plank program. Run burnout does have to equal off exercise cold turkey.

How is this different from the 30 day challenge?

Day 16 was today - 2 minutes each (F,L,R). Day 30 is going to be brutal.

Can you send a link to the program you are doing? I'm seeing about 50 different versions of the 30 day challenge...

 

[MAC_32]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week.

I'll bite. Race event? Duck Dynasty Wednesday night marathon? Three-way? Kayak convention?

Not a race and I am not going to jinx it (and, hell, its really only a big deal to me). I should have an update tomorrow. In hindsight, I should have gone for the three-way.

I am going to take a look at that Plank challenge right now. I definitely need something. Eating like a hog and not burning it = :X

I haven't dared trying to run since pulling my calf Friday. I have felt it for a while, but it hasn't gotten worse - just maintained, last week's excessive yard work finally did me in. The first pull isn't something that will keep you out for long, but if you come back too soon the second pull can keep you out a long while. Hoping to be back out there by the end of the week, but I'm not optimistic.

The plank challenge is barely keeping me sane, but, it is. Today we progress to 90 seconds!

I may need to add something else though...

 

[MAC_32]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I checked WebMD and it appears you are suffering from is an affliction called normal. Go find something to fill the void for a month or so; take some spin classes, yoga, SWIM, boot camp, etc. There has to be a Groupon for something close by you can try. I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week. Once I do, I have a 20 session yoga Groupon ready to be cashed in and am thinking about the 5 minute plank program. Run burnout does have to equal off exercise cold turkey.

How is this different from the 30 day challenge?

Day 16 was today - 2 minutes each (F,L,R). Day 30 is going to be brutal.

Can you send a link to the program you are doing? I'm seeing about 50 different versions of the 30 day challenge...

This is the one my wife and I are doing

http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/classes/30-day-plank-challenge/

 

[SteveC702]

Thanks guys. I didn't have that extra gear on the day, but when I took a step back and looked at the whole situation subjectively I couldn't be happier with how things are going. This is going to be my lowest year mileage-wise since 2009 and at least 1000 miles lower than last year, but I am arguably in the best shape of my life 5K-HM (just don't have the race times to show it) and most importantly pretty much healthy. 2014 is going to be the year of redemption for me.

Ned, unfortunately that seems to happen sometimes with marathons. (long recovery period). Take it as a sign and don't push too hard at this point until you feel like you are ready. It's not like you have another race lined up in a month or two right? Even if that's the case, it's always good to err on the side of caution, only wish I could go back 8 months and give myself the same advice somehow.

I also haven't forgotten my promise on HR data. I was going to try to do a short MP run this week, but I may opt for a progression run and collect data at various paces instead. (Easy, MP+1min, MP+30s, MP, Threshold, and faster if I feel like it). Gotta go dig out my heart rate monitor.

 

[FUBAR]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I checked WebMD and it appears you are suffering from is an affliction called normal. Go find something to fill the void for a month or so; take some spin classes, yoga, SWIM, boot camp, etc. There has to be a Groupon for something close by you can try. I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week. Once I do, I have a 20 session yoga Groupon ready to be cashed in and am thinking about the 5 minute plank program. Run burnout does have to equal off exercise cold turkey.

How is this different from the 30 day challenge?

Day 16 was today - 2 minutes each (F,L,R). Day 30 is going to be brutal.

Can you send a link to the program you are doing? I'm seeing about 50 different versions of the 30 day challenge...

This is the one my wife and I are doing

http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/classes/30-day-plank-challenge/

That's the one. Add to it as you see fit. I like front, left, right with the time stated.

But, 5 minutes in each position will be... challenging.

 

[2Young2BBald]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I checked WebMD and it appears you are suffering from is an affliction called normal. Go find something to fill the void for a month or so; take some spin classes, yoga, SWIM, boot camp, etc. There has to be a Groupon for something close by you can try. I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week. Once I do, I have a 20 session yoga Groupon ready to be cashed in and am thinking about the 5 minute plank program. Run burnout does have to equal off exercise cold turkey.

How is this different from the 30 day challenge?

Day 16 was today - 2 minutes each (F,L,R). Day 30 is going to be brutal.

I think its probably close, but without the variation. Something like this: http://foreverasleep.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/30-day-plank-challenge.jpg I have a print somewhere that is close (should have bookmarked it) I can already do (2) minutes, at least I could before I ate my way through the last 2 weeks, so I am going to try and start at day 14.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I checked WebMD and it appears you are suffering from is an affliction called normal. Go find something to fill the void for a month or so; take some spin classes, yoga, SWIM, boot camp, etc. There has to be a Groupon for something close by you can try. I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week. Once I do, I have a 20 session yoga Groupon ready to be cashed in and am thinking about the 5 minute plank program. Run burnout does have to equal off exercise cold turkey.

How is this different from the 30 day challenge?

Day 16 was today - 2 minutes each (F,L,R). Day 30 is going to be brutal.

Can you send a link to the program you are doing? I'm seeing about 50 different versions of the 30 day challenge...

This is the one my wife and I are doing

http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/classes/30-day-plank-challenge/

That's the one. Add to it as you see fit. I like front, left, right with the time stated.

But, 5 minutes in each position will be... challenging.

What the hell, I'm in. (And just completed day one.) I think I'll stick to just one position, though. I'm an old man.

 

[FUBAR]

Sand, have you tried listening to an audio book on slower runs? Better than music on a slower pace

Can't do those while running. I don't pay good enough attention to really catch anything (I've tried). A lot of times I'll have music on random and not have a clue when I'm done what played.

I do podcasts when I'm trying to keep it slow. I like UltraRunnerPodcast.com, RunRunLive, and a couple different ESPN podcasts (Bill Simmons, Colin Cowherd).

Eerily similar to me. I'm almost always a podcast guy, with URP and Simmons two of my favorites, along with Endurance Planet, TrailRunnerNation, TalkUltra, and of course The Audible as we get to the Fantasy Football playoffs.

Listening now, LOVE it. http://www.enduranceplanet.com/brett-blankner-of-the-zen-and-the-art-of-triathlon-podcast-on-getting-the-most-from-yourself-training-tips-his-journey-in-sport-and-much-more/

 

[worrierking]

Great races Steve and Beer. Tremendous.

I have been extremely busy and have been very limited in my running and posting. I have been held to mid 30s for weekly mileage the last two weeks and I just decided to make it a three-week taper for Saturday's half. I really wanted some decent mileage here, since I have Houston in five weeks. I will just have to put in two 60+ weeks after the half and then get tapered for Houston.

The good news is that while my mileage has been slacking, I have been running a lot more faster stuff. Just about everything has been at MP or faster, so it might have a payoff in spite of my weak mileage. Weather looks crappy for the half Saturday. If you want a cold front to come through your town, just aske me to run a race there, the cool front will come through about an hour after I finish.

 

[beer 302]

If you want a cold front to come through your town, just aske me to run a race there, the cool front will come through about an hour after I finish.

grue would pay you to follow him around from August to October

 

[Prince Myshkin]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I checked WebMD and it appears you are suffering from is an affliction called normal. Go find something to fill the void for a month or so; take some spin classes, yoga, SWIM, boot camp, etc. There has to be a Groupon for something close by you can try. I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week. Once I do, I have a 20 session yoga Groupon ready to be cashed in and am thinking about the 5 minute plank program. Run burnout does have to equal off exercise cold turkey.

How is this different from the 30 day challenge?

Day 16 was today - 2 minutes each (F,L,R). Day 30 is going to be brutal.

Can you send a link to the program you are doing? I'm seeing about 50 different versions of the 30 day challenge...

This is the one my wife and I are doing

http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/classes/30-day-plank-challenge/

That's the one. Add to it as you see fit. I like front, left, right with the time stated.

But, 5 minutes in each position will be... challenging.

What the hell, I'm in. (And just completed day one.) I think I'll stick to just one position, though. I'm an old man.

Thanks. just completed Day 1 as well...I did front, left and right, but I might bail on the sides - i may try to do half the normal time on each side.

 

[Ned]

In on plank challenge and like others will do the basic and 2 sides. Did 20sec of each. The basic was easy, but those sides at least made me shake towards the end. I'll follow along the plan for now and adjust if I have to.

I'm also going to fire up an oldy but goody; 100 pushups. I gave this a go years ago and quit after I hit the 40s. Maybe I can finish it this time.

Initial pushup test = 14

I hate these rotating pushup bars I have, but my wrists can't handle the flat floor.

 

[sho nuff]

Im in on the planking...just finished as well.

#### pushups. my shoulders have always killed me when doing them. No other weight exercises have ever hurt me like that...but pushups kill me and I have no idea why.

 

[SFBayDuck]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week.

I'll bite. Race event? Duck Dynasty Wednesday night marathon? Three-way? Kayak convention?

Competitive 3-way in a kayak with Duck?

Wait, how did I get pulled into this? Fine, but I'm not going to 2Y2BB during it.....

Beer - thats a friggin badass run. Congrats!!!

Steve - Sorry you didn't hit your goal, but dang dude.... I'd love to have an off day and still win a HM outright.

Fubar - Awesome! Keep it up.... you're body is adjusting!

Agreed on all three!

 

[2Young2BBald]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week.

I'll bite. Race event? Duck Dynasty Wednesday night marathon? Three-way? Kayak convention?

Competitive 3-way in a kayak with Duck?

Wait, how did I get pulled into this? Fine, but I'm not going to 2Y2BB during it.....

Just don't ruin the moment bragging about what heart rate zone you are in or any of that "ultra runners do it longer"

 

[SFBayDuck]

I started the plank challenge last month, but petered out about 15 days in. I'm in on doing it again and completing the thing. Then, I think I'll look at the pushup challenge as well - time to get some strength training mixed in to my overall training as I look to move up past the 50M mark in 2014.

On another note, I had a "first" happen to me on my trail run this morning. About 1/2 mile in I caught my toe on a root or rock and rumbled, bumbled, stumbled trying to get my balance without falling off the trail down the embankment. Usually I'm able to get my feet under me but wasn't able to this time, and after probably a good 20 feet (I wish it was on video) I finally took a header. I'm a professional faller and put my forearm down to take the initial blow and then rolled onto my hip, coming to a stop on my back. I took inventory and had just a little blood dripping down the knee and a cut on the elbow, but everything else seemed good so I continued on to finish 6+ miles. It probably helped that it was 28 degrees, as my whole body was pretty numb. After the run I hop in the car and head home.

As I'm sitting at a stop light on the way home I'm starting to warm back up and de-numb, and I feel something strange in my right hip/glute area. I reach back there into my compression shorts - and find an entire handful of gravel, dirt, and sticks inside! I still don't know how I managed to get that much of the trail inside the back of my compression shorts - and then continue running for 6 miles and not notice it - but somehow I did. Maybe I need gaiters not just for my shoes but for my waist now......

 

[SFBayDuck]

I'm officially in slug mode. I'm sick of running and feeling like crap, so I haven't run since Friday. I'm 3+ weeks post marathon and still licking my wounds. This sucks.

I have a MAJOR 2013 goal that I hope to achieve this week.

I'll bite. Race event? Duck Dynasty Wednesday night marathon? Three-way? Kayak convention?

Competitive 3-way in a kayak with Duck?

Wait, how did I get pulled into this? Fine, but I'm not going to 2Y2BB during it.....

Just don't ruin the moment bragging about what heart rate zone you are in or any of that "ultra runners do it longer"

Oh I'll go longer...as long as there's an aid station within reach stocked with potatoes and salt.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

That's funny Duck! Glad you came out of it with not much more than some trail mix in the underoos...

Since we have been discussing "challenges", I saw a 100 burpees challenge the other day. It was 10 reps of 10 different burpee variation with a minute rest between each variation. Not sure I'm up to that one...I think 10 would kick my butt right now.

 

[MAC_32]

Im in on the planking...just finished as well.

#### pushups. my shoulders have always killed me when doing them. No other weight exercises have ever hurt me like that...but pushups kill me and I have no idea why.

Might be your hand positioning?

 

[FUBAR]

That's funny Duck! Glad you came out of it with not much more than some trail mix in the underoos...

Since we have been discussing "challenges", I saw a 100 burpees challenge the other day. It was 10 reps of 10 different burpee variation with a minute rest between each variation. Not sure I'm up to that one...I think 10 would kick my butt right now.

The 12 minute athlete has a workout where you do 10 sets of 10 burpees, 10 kettle bell swings. No rest. Yes, it will kick ###.

7 miles today in 60 minutes, 145bpm. 8:34 pace

 

[FUBAR]

In on plank challenge and like others will do the basic and 2 sides. Did 20sec of each. The basic was easy, but those sides at least made me shake towards the end. I'll follow along the plan for now and adjust if I have to.

I'm also going to fire up an oldy but goody; 100 pushups. I gave this a go years ago and quit after I hit the 40s. Maybe I can finish it this time.

Initial pushup test = 14

I hate these rotating pushup bars I have, but my wrists can't handle the flat floor.

You'll get there if you stick with it.

 

[Sand]

I'm also going to fire up an oldy but goody; 100 pushups. I gave this a go years ago and quit after I hit the 40s. Maybe I can finish it this time.

Finished that one week 5. :flex:

And, hell, if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[sho nuff]

Im in on the planking...just finished as well.

#### pushups. my shoulders have always killed me when doing them. No other weight exercises have ever hurt me like that...but pushups kill me and I have no idea why.

Might be your hand positioning?

My wife has that same complaint sometimes.

 

[tri-man 47]

As mentioned, I stopped the planks after reaching 180 seconds ...didn't quite like the one dimensionality of it. I am getting some regular strength work. This morning was 4 x 25 of push-ups, sit-ups, "ups" (leg lifts), and an old hand-held compression bar to work the chest and shoulders. (Other days I'll add/substitute squats and lunges). When my schedule slows up next week, and with a bit of strength regained, I'll get back to my iron gym pull-ups.

Enjoying visions of 2Young and Duck chasing some nimble little tramp up and down the trails ...

 

[Hang 10]

Im in on the planking...just finished as well.

#### pushups. my shoulders have always killed me when doing them. No other weight exercises have ever hurt me like that...but pushups kill me and I have no idea why.

Might be your hand positioning?

Might be his bird chest.

 

[prosopis]

I'll try to keep this one short, as I don't really have much to put in a report other than a bunch of mile splits.

On Sunday I ran the Tucson Half Marathon in a last attempt to qualify for the 2014 USA Half Marathon Championships. The course starts at approximately 3800 ft elevation and has a net elevation loss of approximately 1100 ft to try to offset the altitude. I took the lead about 5 steps into the race and stopped hearing footsteps about 2 minutes into the race. I had looked at the elevation chart of the course earlier in the week and worked out the splits I needed to hit in order to run my qualifier, and unfortunately I was 5-10 seconds off consistently through the first 3 miles before I got a really bad side stitch at 3 miles which lasted for about 10 minutes or so. My quads were heavy by mile 8-9 and with my time goal out of reach I decided to back off a notch so my legs wouldn't cramp up and cost me the win (or even worse, open the door to an injury).

I crossed the finish line in 70:45, the same time I ran 3 weeks ago in Vegas and finished off my 2013 racing season. (unless I jump in a local 5K or two, but it's not likely with all the snow/ice out on the roads/sidewalk right now)

Despite some pre-race reports of bad organization from the event, I actually found the event to be quite well run. I wasn't a fan of having to getting up at 4 AM to catch a shuttle by 4:40-5:20 to get up to the race start. However, the buses stuck around the start and we were able to sit on there right up until the race started and it took me all of 5 minutes to walk from my bus to the start line (and drop my gear check bag along the way).

One thing to keep in mind is that just because the course is downhill doesn't mean you'll automatically cruise to a PR or BQ, it's fast but only if you have trained yourself to handle the pounding and take advantage of it. When I looked through the race reviews on marathonguide.com the marathoners mostly PRd by a good 5-10 minutes if their legs managed to hold up. (the marathon starts up a little higher but has something like 1700-1800 ft of elevation loss). The women's course record holder ran it in 2:41 last year but has never broken 2:50 anywhere else, so for some of you who have long-term Boston plans, (if you run it next year you likely won't be able to run Boston til 2016) definitely consider it.

I have run both the full and half there. I like it quite a bit. I wish I knew you were in town we could have met up for a beer or something.

 

[prosopis]

I took the lead about 5 steps into the race

This sounds like beer's race report from a couple/few years ago ...but he started late and ran the wrong direction. Other than that, exactly the same.

Sorry you didn't hit your marks, but congrats on the win and a still-impressive time!

prosopis, this was the marathon course you ran, right?

yes

 

[prosopis]

I am also doing the 100 pushup challenge. I tested at 34. I am doing the plank challenge as well.

I have been regularly attending Krav Maga classes and for cardio cross training it is awesome. Biggest issue I have with it is that I have definitely cut down on my running since starting the classes. There is just not enough time in the day but I am still trying to find it

Not sure if anyone here does the Krav Maga stuff but I hope to test for yellow in February.

 

[Ned]

That's funny Duck! Glad you came out of it with not much more than some trail mix in the underoos...

Since we have been discussing "challenges", I saw a 100 burpees challenge the other day. It was 10 reps of 10 different burpee variation with a minute rest between each variation. Not sure I'm up to that one...I think 10 would kick my butt right now.

The 12 minute athlete has a workout where you do 10 sets of 10 burpees, 10 kettle bell swings. No rest. Yes, it will kick ###.

7 miles today in 60 minutes, 145bpm. 8:34 pace

now that's a kick ### effort.

 

[tri-man 47]

I am also doing the 100 pushup challenge. I tested at 34. I am doing the plank challenge as well.

I have been regularly attending Krav Maga classes and for cardio cross training it is awesome. Biggest issue I have with it is that I have definitely cut down on my running since starting the classes. There is just not enough time in the day but I am still trying to find it

Not sure if anyone here does the Krav Maga stuff but I hope to test for yellow in February.

I expect it will all pay dividends for you.

 

[beer 302]

Sick deal @ Joe's NB Outlet on NB 1260's today if you don't have clown feet. $39 for shoes that were originally $144

 

[Sand]

Sick deal @ Joe's NB Outlet on NB 1260's today if you don't have clown feet. $39 for shoes that were originally $144

Sadly I wear 870s. Never tried those upper end ones.