Ran a 10k in June (2 Viewers)

[tri-man 47]

I don't handle drivers appropriately, so I doubt I am the best source. There is usually yelling, swearing, staring, and the occasional window punch. I mean if it is a case of the driver paying attention but we both kinda sneak up on each other, ok, but if you're doing a rolling stop trying to beat oncoming traffic not looking the other way while on your phone I will try my hardest to put a scare into you.

Running temper index:

gruecd >> MAC>Sand>BnB>>>Tri-man

Fixed.

:zen:

Actually, with all my city running, I'm surprised I don't have more close calls. I have made two bad decisions over the last several weeks and tried to go in front of right-turning cars that I thought didn't have room to move into traffic. One car got a stern look; I talked briefly to the other driver with mutual apologies.

In general, my response is a quick spit of disgust. Several years ago, I was in Kansas City for a couple days and went out for a morning run. I got caught on a tight two-lane road on the edge of town, but very near a local school. A lot of cars were out to drop off kids. I was running against traffic, but with very little room and no real shoulder to the road. An approaching pickup starting blasting his horn and the driver started hollering as he approached ..as though I had any sort of option. I instinctively spit ...but I was looking up, so a bit of spittle hit his windshield. Next thing I hear is him breaking hard after passing me and turning around in the middle of all the other traffic. When he got near me, he started yelling some more. I think he was ready to do more than yell, but I tried to act as old and feeble as I could (pretty easy task), and he finally just drove away.

 

[Annyong]

I have a HM in 5 weeks on May 10. Since I've been lazy as hell all winter and year, I have decided to run every day in April. My legs are already sore. I think going for a 7.5 miler right off the bat was a bad idea when I usually only have time to get 3-4 in.

Did you sign up for the Chicago Marathon lottery?

Sure did. Apr 14th I find out if I made it. Really wanna pop my cherry on that one

 

[ChiefD]

Several years ago, I was in Kansas City for a couple days and went out for a morning run. I got caught on a tight two-lane road on the edge of town, but very near a local school. A lot of cars were out to drop off kids. I was running against traffic, but with very little room and no real shoulder to the road. An approaching pickup starting blasting his horn and the driver started hollering as he approached ..as though I had any sort of option. I instinctively spit ...but I was looking up, so a bit of spittle hit his windshield. Next thing I hear is him breaking hard after passing me and turning around in the middle of all the other traffic. When he got near me, he started yelling some more. I think he was ready to do more than yell, but I tried to act as old and feeble as I could (pretty easy task), and he finally just drove away.

Yeah, sorry about that. I wasn't a runner then. And us Kansas Citians know an outsider when we see one.

 

[Brony]

Who all is racing this weekend? Tri-man and I have a half marathon along the lakefront in Chicago. I see Mac has a 5 miler. Who else?

Half marathon for me tomorrow.

Good luck! I knew I was forgetting someone!

good luck to all this weekend!

 

[IvanKaramazov]

***Race Report***

Today was my first race of the season -- a local 5K that benefits the Special Olympics. 30 degrees and 10-12 mph winds at the start; the course is basically a big square so theoretically the wind would balance out, but the final segment would be the headwind portion. This event is only in its 3rd or 4th year. Last year it had around 250 runners, whereas this year they ended up with just under 400. Last year's results suggested that the field would be slow as hell. After a two mile warmup I looked around recognized only a couple of people, so I unapologetically lined up in the second row, right behind the guy who won our 15 miler a couple of years ago.

In the first mile I passed a little kid, my female counterpart in the F40-49 division (we sort of know each other, or more specifically she knows my wife somehow), and some random 20-something who passed me back a couple of minutes later. That was it as far as jostling for position goes. I had lukewarm hopes of passing the next guy in front of me during the last mile, but while I closed the gap quite a bit, he still finished several seconds ahead of me.

Splits were 7:08, 6:58, and 6:54 (6:44 pace in the last little chunk). That was good for 21:49, an 8 second PR and AG win.

In hindsight, I wish I had done a more vigorous warmup, because I obviously left a few seconds on the course during that first mile. But last fall I was struggling to run 30 seconds slower than this as I was both out of shape and fat. After a good couple of months of training, I'm better conditioned and 8 lbs lighter, and it definitely shows.

My next race is another 5K on Arbor Day morning, but that's a week before my half marathon. Since I've already got a PR in the bag, I'll probably not race that one and just do it as a HMP tune-up run instead.

 

[tri-man 47]

Just got one of these from a vendor of mine for Christmas. Who's giddy? Yea, me

Beer - have you been using this TomTom watch? I need to replace my Forerunner 305 ...the battery life is down to about 2 hours when charged. I've read that that can happen over the years, and I've had the Forerunner for about 3 1/2 years or so. I need a watch with a large display screen (yes, a function of age and weak eyes), and the TomTom seems to have a comparatively large screen. So Beer, tell me what you think! Easy to move between screens to view and track multiple elements (current and average pace, current and average HR, distance, etc.)? Did you get one with the HR monitor, and does the strap stay in place? TIA.

--

IK - way to launch the weekend!!! PR and an AG win - can't ask for much more than that on a cold and windy day!!!

 

[Juxtatarot]

Awesome, Ivan! I remember you shooting for such a time last year and struggling. Amazing that you get it on your first race after a terribly cold winter! Looks like big things are in store for you this year!

 

[Sand]

So this morning I got up at the crack of dawn, went and marked the course and ran the timing for the 5k that my wife organizes. I would have had a beer, but it is a pretty churchy function.

Anyway, my 14 year old went from 30:30 last year to 24:32 this year. At this rate he should have a scholarship offer from Oregon by the end of his sophomore year.

My ride tomorrow is up in the air as the weather is looking pretty ugly. I wonder how fun a 100 mile ride in constant rain is?

 

[Hang 10]

Damn right, Ivan! Congrats brother!

 

[Annyong]

I have decided to run every day in April. My legs are already sore.

Well that lasted long. ####ed out yesterday and took a nap instead. Getting ready to get back after it today.

 

[Annyong]

What the ####. Anyone ever have their Garmin crap out on them during a run? About 2 miles in my watch says it's out of battery, then decides to turn itself back on about 25 minutes later at full strength. This is the first time this has happened since I bought it last summer

 

[Sand]

What the ####. Anyone ever have their Garmin crap out on them during a run? About 2 miles in my watch says it's out of battery, then decides to turn itself back on about 25 minutes later at full strength. This is the first time this has happened since I bought it last summer

Mine glitches every once in a blue moon, but usually doesn't repeat itself.

 

[beer 302]

***Race Report***

Splits were 7:08, 6:58, and 6:54 (6:44 pace in the last little chunk). That was good for 21:49, an 8 second PR and AG win.

Way to kick off the season Ivan!!!! Great job man, congratulations!

Just got one of these from a vendor of mine for Christmas. Who's giddy? Yea, me

Beer - have you been using this TomTom watch? I need to replace my Forerunner 305 ...the battery life is down to about 2 hours when charged. I've read that that can happen over the years, and I've had the Forerunner for about 3 1/2 years or so. I need a watch with a large display screen (yes, a function of age and weak eyes), and the TomTom seems to have a comparatively large screen. So Beer, tell me what you think! Easy to move between screens to view and track multiple elements (current and average pace, current and average HR, distance, etc.)? Did you get one with the HR monitor, and does the strap stay in place? TIA.

Have used it everyday since I got it. As it's the first GPS watch I've owned I can't really compare it to anything so I'll give you the likes/dislikes. Battery life is 6 hours with a HR monitor, might be more w/o but then Ned's head would explode and nobody wants that. If you need a longer battery than that look elsewhere. It made it through both my 50k's but the battery was blinking both times. Not a fan of the watch band itself as the watch just pops in & out of it and I've come close to dropping it on concrete as you take it off but you do get used to it. The only nuisance I have is when you are scrolling through numbers for something. As you scroll through if you get to 9 instead of just continuing to scroll back to 1 you have go backwards 9,8,7 etc. Minor gripe. Aside from those I really like it. I've just recently discovered how to set it for distance, pace, HR, intervals, etc and it's added a whole new element to my training. I really like the scroll pad you use on the watch itself. Very easy to flip between metrics, the numbers are large and backlit so no problem to see. Easy interface to upload & charge that very easily translates to programs like Runkeeper, Map My Run, etc. Another nice feature is it downloads satellite positions every 3 days and saves the data so when you fire it up, it looks for the last position and then searches speeding up connect time but a lot. There has never been a time where I've had to wait on a GPS connection where almost everyone around stands around with their Garmins.

All in all I like the watch and would but one if I was looking for a watch. The HR monitor is sold separately which is kind of a pain, standard $69 I think. Also if you use it to bike there is a different version you would need to get that allows for that.

 

[parasaurolophus]

1:58:45 for my half today

 

[FUBAR]

Good review. Waiting for satellites sucks. There are days when I'll run 3 miles before the GPS kicks in.

 

[FUBAR]

1:58:45 for my half today

Good job!

How does that compare to goal and past?

 

[ChiefD]

1:58:45 for my half today

Nice!

 

[parasaurolophus]

1:58:45 for my half today

Good job!

How does that compare to goal and past?

First time I broke the 2 hr. mark. DIdnt have too much of a goal since it was early in the year and this winter has sucked.

 

[SteveC702]

Congrats Ivan and Para, nice PRs and way to kick off the weekend.

 

[Sand]

My weekend has been cancelled - soaking rain and 55 degrees = no ####### way I'm doing 104 miles on a bike.

Bummer

 

[Hang 10]

Great job, Para!

I'm looking forward to hearing from guys racing today.

 

[worrierking]

Nice job Ivan and Para!

 

[pizzatyme]

Ugh! Anyone out there experience Achilles tendonitis? And especially if you've had a ruptured Achilles?

Mine is swollen and tender. I've been taking ibuprofen, icing it, and elevating.

The inner webs say to do these and rest until swelling goes away and then work on heel lifts to strengthen.

Any other suggestions?

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Ugh! Anyone out there experience Achilles tendonitis? And especially if you've had a ruptured Achilles?

Mine is swollen and tender. I've been taking ibuprofen, icing it, and elevating.

The inner webs say to do these and rest until swelling goes away and then work on heel lifts to strengthen.

Any other suggestions?

I had this way back when. I stupidly kept pounding away on it until it got to the point where I could hardly even walk. The end result was exactly what you described -- about three weeks of rest and heel lifts to strengthen my calves.

______________________________

Congratulations on cracking the 2:00 mark, para. That's a great milestone! Looking forward to the full report.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Ugh! Anyone out there experience Achilles tendonitis? And especially if you've had a ruptured Achilles?

Mine is swollen and tender. I've been taking ibuprofen, icing it, and elevating.

The inner webs say to do these and rest until swelling goes away and then work on heel lifts to strengthen.

Any other suggestions?

Heel lifts on a stair, but with the focus on the lowering, not the lifting.

I used to also go to a PT who used ultrasound to help with blood flow to the area. And be sure to work out any tightness or knots in your calves, as that's often the root cause of AT.

 

[Brony]

***Race Report***

Today was my first race of the season -- a local 5K that benefits the Special Olympics. 30 degrees and 10-12 mph winds at the start; the course is basically a big square so theoretically the wind would balance out, but the final segment would be the headwind portion. This event is only in its 3rd or 4th year. Last year it had around 250 runners, whereas this year they ended up with just under 400. Last year's results suggested that the field would be slow as hell. After a two mile warmup I looked around recognized only a couple of people, so I unapologetically lined up in the second row, right behind the guy who won our 15 miler a couple of years ago.

In the first mile I passed a little kid, my female counterpart in the F40-49 division (we sort of know each other, or more specifically she knows my wife somehow), and some random 20-something who passed me back a couple of minutes later. That was it as far as jostling for position goes. I had lukewarm hopes of passing the next guy in front of me during the last mile, but while I closed the gap quite a bit, he still finished several seconds ahead of me.

Splits were 7:08, 6:58, and 6:54 (6:44 pace in the last little chunk). That was good for 21:49, an 8 second PR and AG win.

In hindsight, I wish I had done a more vigorous warmup, because I obviously left a few seconds on the course during that first mile. But last fall I was struggling to run 30 seconds slower than this as I was both out of shape and fat. After a good couple of months of training, I'm better conditioned and 8 lbs lighter, and it definitely shows.

My next race is another 5K on Arbor Day morning, but that's a week before my half marathon. Since I've already got a PR in the bag, I'll probably not race that one and just do it as a HMP tune-up run instead.

Nice. This what happens when you don't nap.

 

[tri-man 47]

Chi-Town Half Marathon

1:40:14 7:39/mile 173 HR

2nd in AG (of 14)

A really nice day for a race - high 30s and a bit of wind (though we ran into it the last four miles). Buddy Juxt came by my place and we drove into the city together. Got there in plenty of time for check-in and warm-ups. Given the winter training, my primary goal was to avoid a negative - I didn't want to get above 1:40 since I've started the last couple seasons in the mid 1:30s, though that was before this crappy winter. Not really knowing what to expect, I kept the focus on HR, which I normally do anyway. And really, my HR data was rather textbook for a HM. A 173 HR is consistent with other HMs, so no complaints or worries. I just need more training to run faster at each HR range.

Mile 1: 7:19 ...158 HR Sanded the start to get the HR up

Mile 2: 7:32 ...167

Mile 3: 7:27 ...167

Mile 4: 7:33 ...169

Mile 5: 7:31 ...172

Mile 6: 7:33 ...173

Mile 7: 7:37 ...174

Mile 8: 7:44 ...175

Mile 9: 7:38 ...177

Mile 10: 7:57 ..179 - back into the wind

Mile 11: 7:50 ..177

Mile 12: 7:57 ..179

Mile 13: 7:50 ..181

Final .1: 7:09 ..185

Now I can settle in to some decent training. And hey, the medal monger came away happy!

And wait til ya hear Juxt's report!!

 

[Juxtatarot]

Chi-Town Half Marathon Race Report

This report won't be that long. Although this is a beautiful course along Chicago's lakefront, my mind was in zombie mode. Unlike a Duck report, I have little memory of the details. Most of the miles are jumbled in my mind.

Everything pre-race was fine. Drove down with Tri-man (thanks again for driving!) and we got there in plenty of time for packet pick up and a nice warm up. Weather was nice for a race -- high 30s to start and probably high 40s by the end. Wind wasn't too strong but was a factor. I think the brunt of it hit us in miles 2 through 4 and 11 through the end. I think anyway. If Tri-man posts something different, he's probably right.

I wasn't sure what to expect for this time wise. Training has been pretty good although the cold weather forced me on treadmills which ate up my calves causing me to need more rest than usual. I had wanted to have higher weekly mileage. However, the last 3 or 4 weeks were solid so I thought I would, at least, have a decent time (for me). PR was 1:27:39 set last November. That averages about 6:40 per mile. I decided that I'd try to run miles in the high 6:30s and see what happens. If I had to slow, I was comfortable with that as a Plan B but would want to make sure I finished below 1:30.

Anyway, here are the splits:

1 6:35/garbage HR data

2 6:34/garbage

3 6:45/165

4 6:31/166

5 6:35/164

6 6:37/164

7 6:39/163

8 6:38/163

9 6:36/164

10 6:41/166

11 6:39/166

12 6:43/167

13 6:47/168

last .08 on Garmin: :29/169

Official time: 1:26: 48. New PR! 15 out of 687 overall and 2 out of 43 in age group.

Very pleased, of course. I struggled the last few miles and these were also against the wind but not too terribly.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

tri-man -- Not shabby at all after being cooped up all winter. Congratulations on the AG award.

Juxt -- Sweet! Nothing like starting the year off with a ~:50 PR! And on relatively light, weather-impaired training on top of it. Not sure what your other racing plans are for the summer/fall, but this sure bodes well for them.

 

[Hang 10]

Damn right, boys! Nice racing!

 

[beer 302]

Well done tri & Juxt!!! Great job this weekend by all the racers! I saw Steve ran as well but didn't look at the results to spoil the RR

 

[SteveC702]

Sactown Ten Mile Run:

When I was planning out my Boston marathon cycle I wanted to do a tune-up race 3-4 weeks out at sea level, and had thought it would be a half-marathon. But there weren't really any super competitive halfs in that time frame and as I was writing up my training plan I got an e-mail from one of my buddies from HS (we were co-captains of the track and XC teams my senior year, and were each other's groomsmen at our weddings) inviting me to come visit. Low and behold, there's a super competitive 10-miler 2 weeks out from Boston in his current city that also served as the Pacific Association USATF 10-mile championships. In addition to inviting a handful of5: national elites, the local competition was also pretty fierce, so it was a no brainer for me to sign up for this race and kill two birds with one stone.

This is a small race (a little over 1000 people) but very well organized. The weather was great with a gentle breeze and (what felt to me) perfect racing temperatures. I purposely put myself 2-3 rows back because I knew how fast the leaders would go out, but still ended up going out a bit too hard myself before settling on my pre-race goal pace and then barely hanging on to come in right at my "C" goal for the race. Quick mile-by-mile recap below. (by the way, my garmin measured the course at 10.08 miles but my buddy knows the race director well so there's no way the course was long, so the split below are roughly what I remembered from the actual mile markers and the 5-mile split is based on what the race results showed, which matched up with what I remembered as well)

Mile 1: 5:07 (thought I found the perfect pack to settle behind by the end of the first miles, 5 guys wearing uniforms from two different teams battling it out in front of me)

Mile 2: 5:13 (nope, these guys went out too hard and are slowing down, so towards the end of this mile I made a move to go after the next pack)

Mile 3: 5:10 (caught a straggler, but he picked it back up so we're working well together)

Mile 4: 5:10 (this is more like it)

Mile 5: 5:12 (we caught another straggler who is picking it back up to run with us)

Mile 6: 5:12 (still 3-man pack here)

Mile 7: 5:16 (I hit a bad patch this mile and lost the two guys that I was running with, this is also the only "hill" on the race where we went over an overpass)

Mile 8: 5:14 (I found pretty hard this mile to catch one of the two guys, unfortunately the other guy ran this mile even harder and he's about 10s up on us)

Mile 9: 5:16 (I thought I picked it up and put a gap on the guy I'm running with, but it turned out later that he was cramping up and just backed off a bit)

Mile 10: 5:10 (I passed one guy this mile and knew it was going to be really close if I want to dip into the 51s, and I fought this mile with every ounce of energy I had left but I just didn't have another gear left, and got passed right before the line)

Final result: 52:00 chip time, 17th overall, 4th AG.

Really wish I had found another second somewhere, but after my setback with my calf/hamstring/groin a month ago and with a little bit less of a taper than I had in January before I set my HM PR, I was able to hold my half-marathon PR pace for 10 miles so I was pretty happy with it. Luckily my legs don't feel too beat up either so I should be able to get in one last tune-up workout in 3-4 days before my taper for Boston. I finally understand what a lot of experienced marathoners and coaches say that you shouldn't be able to run a fast half (or shorter race) when you are truly focused on the marathon because while I felt like I was going all out and redlining the last few miles I just haven't done the 5K/10K work necessary to allow my legs to tap into that next gear and couldn't run much harder than tempo pace. (i.e. the miles where I backed off and ran 5:15s felt fine, but I would push and then run 5:05-5:10 pace for awhile and felt that was too fast). Hopefully it translates into a performance than this 10-mile time would predict for me in Boston, but I guess we'll see.

 

[SteveC702]

Chi-Town Half Marathon Race Report

This report won't be that long. Although this is a beautiful course along Chicago's lakefront, my mind was in zombie mode. Unlike a Duck report, I have little memory of the details. Most of the miles are jumbled in my mind.

Everything pre-race was fine. Drove down with Tri-man (thanks again for driving!) and we got there in plenty of time for packet pick up and a nice warm up. Weather was nice for a race -- high 30s to start and probably high 40s by the end. Wind wasn't too strong but was a factor. I think the brunt of it hit us in miles 2 through 4 and 11 through the end. I think anyway. If Tri-man posts something different, he's probably right.

I wasn't sure what to expect for this time wise. Training has been pretty good although the cold weather forced me on treadmills which ate up my calves causing me to need more rest than usual. I had wanted to have higher weekly mileage. However, the last 3 or 4 weeks were solid so I thought I would, at least, have a decent time (for me). PR was 1:27:39 set last November. That averages about 6:40 per mile. I decided that I'd try to run miles in the high 6:30s and see what happens. If I had to slow, I was comfortable with that as a Plan B but would want to make sure I finished below 1:30.

Anyway, here are the splits:

1 6:35/garbage HR data

2 6:34/garbage

3 6:45/165

4 6:31/166

5 6:35/164

6 6:37/164

7 6:39/163

8 6:38/163

9 6:36/164

10 6:41/166

11 6:39/166

12 6:43/167

13 6:47/168

last .08 on Garmin: :29/169

Official time: 1:26: 48. New PR! 15 out of 687 overall and 2 out of 43 in age group.

Very pleased, of course. I struggled the last few miles and these were also against the wind but not too terribly.

Congrats on the PR man! and it's early in the season too. I think there are a couple of decently fast ones in the summer/fall coming up where you should be able to continue to lower that down to the 84-85s at the very least.

 

[Annyong]

Chi-Town Half Marathon Race Report

Official time: 1:26: 48. New PR! 15 out of 687 overall and 2 out of 43 in age group.

Congrats Juxt! You doing this one again next year? Sounds like a cool race.

 

[BassNBrew]

Ivan, Jux, Triman - Congrats on the hardware and great performances.

Steve - What's your Boston goal time? Are you going out the elites this year?

 

[FUBAR]

Steve - you're a monster.

 

[beer 302]

Sactown Ten Mile Run:

When I was planning out my Boston marathon cycle I wanted to do a tune-up race 3-4 weeks out at sea level, and had thought it would be a half-marathon. But there weren't really any super competitive halfs in that time frame and as I was writing up my training plan I got an e-mail from one of my buddies from HS (we were co-captains of the track and XC teams my senior year, and were each other's groomsmen at our weddings) inviting me to come visit. Low and behold, there's a super competitive 10-miler 2 weeks out from Boston in his current city that also served as the Pacific Association USATF 10-mile championships. In addition to inviting a handful of5: national elites, the local competition was also pretty fierce, so it was a no brainer for me to sign up for this race and kill two birds with one stone.

This is a small race (a little over 1000 people) but very well organized. The weather was great with a gentle breeze and (what felt to me) perfect racing temperatures. I purposely put myself 2-3 rows back because I knew how fast the leaders would go out, but still ended up going out a bit too hard myself before settling on my pre-race goal pace and then barely hanging on to come in right at my "C" goal for the race. Quick mile-by-mile recap below. (by the way, my garmin measured the course at 10.08 miles but my buddy knows the race director well so there's no way the course was long, so the split below are roughly what I remembered from the actual mile markers and the 5-mile split is based on what the race results showed, which matched up with what I remembered as well)

Mile 1: 5:07 (thought I found the perfect pack to settle behind by the end of the first miles, 5 guys wearing uniforms from two different teams battling it out in front of me)

Mile 2: 5:13 (nope, these guys went out too hard and are slowing down, so towards the end of this mile I made a move to go after the next pack)

Mile 3: 5:10 (caught a straggler, but he picked it back up so we're working well together)

Mile 4: 5:10 (this is more like it)

Mile 5: 5:12 (we caught another straggler who is picking it back up to run with us)

Mile 6: 5:12 (still 3-man pack here)

Mile 7: 5:16 (I hit a bad patch this mile and lost the two guys that I was running with, this is also the only "hill" on the race where we went over an overpass)

Mile 8: 5:14 (I found pretty hard this mile to catch one of the two guys, unfortunately the other guy ran this mile even harder and he's about 10s up on us)

Mile 9: 5:16 (I thought I picked it up and put a gap on the guy I'm running with, but it turned out later that he was cramping up and just backed off a bit)

Mile 10: 5:10 (I passed one guy this mile and knew it was going to be really close if I want to dip into the 51s, and I fought this mile with every ounce of energy I had left but I just didn't have another gear left, and got passed right before the line)

Final result: 52:00 chip time, 17th overall, 4th AG.

Really wish I had found another second somewhere, but after my setback with my calf/hamstring/groin a month ago and with a little bit less of a taper than I had in January before I set my HM PR, I was able to hold my half-marathon PR pace for 10 miles so I was pretty happy with it. Luckily my legs don't feel too beat up either so I should be able to get in one last tune-up workout in 3-4 days before my taper for Boston. I finally understand what a lot of experienced marathoners and coaches say that you shouldn't be able to run a fast half (or shorter race) when you are truly focused on the marathon because while I felt like I was going all out and redlining the last few miles I just haven't done the 5K/10K work necessary to allow my legs to tap into that next gear and couldn't run much harder than tempo pace. (i.e. the miles where I backed off and ran 5:15s felt fine, but I would push and then run 5:05-5:10 pace for awhile and felt that was too fast). Hopefully it translates into a performance than this 10-mile time would predict for me in Boston, but I guess we'll see.

Love reading your reports Steve, your abilities and insight are invaluable in this thread. It also cracks me up that I couldn't run a 10k in that time if I was being chased by a pack of rabid wolves. Nice job man, thanks!

 

[worrierking]

So I just signed up for a marathon in Columbia, SC. It's 3/7/2015 so if anyone of the locals around here are looking for something to do a year from now the price is unbeatable until April 8th, $37.15.

https://www.runhardcolumbiamarathon.com/pages/marathon.php

Beer, I am looking at this one too. I belong to a Runner's World online mileage game and my team is thinking of making this a meet-up.

Steve, Juxt, Tri-man, great efforts. Juxt, big congratulations on your PR.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Chi-Town Half Marathon Race Report

Official time: 1:26: 48. New PR! 15 out of 687 overall and 2 out of 43 in age group.

Congrats Juxt! You doing this one again next year? Sounds like a cool race.

Maybe. I'll start thinking about next year after the Chicago Marathon is over.

 

[Annyong]

Chi-Town Half Marathon Race Report

Official time: 1:26: 48. New PR! 15 out of 687 overall and 2 out of 43 in age group.

Congrats Juxt! You doing this one again next year? Sounds like a cool race.

Maybe. I'll start thinking about next year after the Chicago Marathon is over.

Classic Juxt!

 

[beer 302]

So I just signed up for a marathon in Columbia, SC. It's 3/7/2015 so if anyone of the locals around here are looking for something to do a year from now the price is unbeatable until April 8th, $37.15.

https://www.runhardcolumbiamarathon.com/pages/marathon.php

Beer, I am looking at this one too. I belong to a Runner's World online mileage game and my team is thinking of making this a meet-up.

Steve, Juxt, Tri-man, great efforts. Juxt, big congratulations on your PR.

DO IT!!! By today!!!! Price goes to $45 after tomorrow I believe.

 

[MAC_32]

Towpath 5 mile

Almost a perfect morning for running, a warm 35 at the start (sunny and no wind). 10 degrees warmer and that’d have been absolutely perfect, but I’m not going to complain about those conditions after the last 6 months. About 250 total runner’s in my race, 600+ in the half marathon my wife was running starting at the same time but on a different part of the course.

I did not run my last 5 mile race three weeks ago very smart, so my primary goal for this race was to run smarter then see what the clock has to say. My soft goals were in the 32:30-33:00 range, but I really didn’t know what to expect having only done the one 5 mile race in the last 3 years.

The lead pack took off from the opening bell, the lead woman trailed them then there were 4 or 5 of us not far behind her. The first ½ mile is slightly but steadily uphill, so I didn’t want to use much energy, just feel out the others and maintain a comfortably fast pace. The second half of the first mile is the most downhill portion of the course, so my plan was to use this to send me into my race pace. By the time I got to this part the lead pack was out of sight, the girl was getting there too, and my pack had thinned down to 3. I passed one as we got to mile 1 (6:35) and settled in about 5-10 seconds behind the other. As we started mile 2 I tried to get out of my comfort pace and into a race pace, but my legs were frozen. I guess this is what happens when you start slower in colder temperatures! It wasn’t a pretty mile as I tried to push the pace to get warmer without wasting energy, but my stride just wasn’t there. Stayed ahead of the one, but had fallen to more like 10-15 seconds behind the other as I completed mile 2 in 6:50. Then things got better as we got more into the sun and I finally warmed up. I closed the gap to about 5 seconds by the time we got back to the hillier final two miles as mile 3 was my fastest of the day in 6:30 and I had gained some separation on the guy behind me.

With some breathing room behind me and closing the gap ahead of me I made my plan of attack for the final two miles – conserve energy on all uphill’s then really extend the stride on the down hill’s and use them as booster’s to maintain an attack until I reached the next uphill. Only problem with this attack I found out throughout mile 4, the guy ahead of me was doing the same thing, despite not doing it over the first two miles. By the time I realized that was his plan it was too late. There’s a big climb at mile 4.3 and there was just too much space in between us to catch him unless that final hill killed him. I really took it easy up the hill just in case he went at it too hard, so I could out kick him, but to no avail. Final two miles splits were 6:50 and 6:45 to finish in 33:30, 8th overall and 2nd in age group - that guy I couldn't catch won the age group. Short of my soft goal times, but given how I ran and how I felt after there really wasn’t much else I could do. If I hadn’t froze on mile two I think I could have held it with that guy I couldn’t catch and may have been able to out gut him, but only could have shaved 10 and maybe 15 seconds off my time. I’m just not in 6:30 5 mile pace right now. Replace some winter fat with summer muscle and my goal is for that to change come Fall when I test my hand at the 5 mile (and 10K) distance again.

For now, shifting focus back to 5K’s for the next couple of months. Making one last run at sub 18 sometime in June. Recovery run today, increasing strength training beginning tomorrow, then track work begins later this week.

On a much brighter note, my wife completed her half in 2:01:19, a pr by 17 minutes. She has adjusted her goal for her half next month to sub 2 hours…and she’s going to kill it.

 

[Sand]

So yesterday (depressed in that I was too much of a wuss to ride 6 hours in 55F rain) I watched a bit of the Paris Marathon. I have to say that Kenisia Bekele has the most beautiful running stride I have ever seen. At :40 in this video this is him at 40k. Freakin' ridiculous how easy that looks.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Nice report, MAC. Particular kudos to your wife though --- that's a huge PR and she should have no problem going under 2:00 if she can 17 minutes off her time all at once.

 

[BassNBrew]

Horrible training weekend for me. Actually went backwards. I've been fighting the crude...congestion, sore throat, snotty eyes, tired. One a 1-10 scale the symptoms have been a 2-3. Decided to do a 2.75 mi 1100 ft hill climb. Felt like dog crap and was forced to power walk a majority of the climbing. Good news is that I set a PR with a 14'45" pace even with the walking. Bad news that I rolled my ankle twice on the descent and now have a nice grapefruit sized know on the outside. Probably screw for 2 weeks right at peak training time. Trails haven't been kind to me.

 

[SteveC702]

Nice race report Mac, sounds like a nice rust buster race for you and awesome news for the wife.

Thanks everyone for the continued support and encouragement, and sorry to hear BnB, hopefully you recover from that rolled ankle as well as get over being ill quicker than you expected and are back at it. Also, I haven't finalized my goal for Boston yet (and probably won't until 5-7 days out) but over the last few weeks I have fluctuated between 2:26:00-2:28:00, with my current projection being closer to the slower end of that range, but I still have 1 last significant workout that I'll be running on Wednesday or Thursday (a 10-mile run at marathon pace effort) that will probably be the last major decision at least on what pace I go out at.

And sorry to continue to disappoint, but I think I am definitely going to try to go out sensibly this year. When I was having issues a month ago and was thinking I won't be able to run the whole thing with the way my calf/hamstring was acting up I did have serious thoughts about just rabbiting the 1st mile or so, but this really might be one of the last times I am running this race for at least a few years so I want to have a solid showing.

 

[FUBAR]

20 mile run Sunday morning. First 15 MAF, next 4 pushed it a bit, ~8 min/mile, last mile cool down.

5 trips praying to the porcelain goddess Sunday night. (stomach bug) :X

Monday was a forced rest day, didn't leave the room.

Today I plan to swim and maybe run a few miles on the trail.

 

[beer 302]

Nice write up MAC, certainly draws a line in the sand for you to focus on and kudos to the wife, that's a pretty awesome PR!

Sorry to hear the news BnB, take it easy and do what you can. Knowing how you bounce back I'll expect a 50 mile training run from you on the Blue Ridge Parkway by the weekend.

Understand the decision to run your race Steve but think of all your fans in this thread man, sometimes it can't just be about you

 

[Ned]

Getting caught back up after returning from vacation in Bermuda for our 10th anniversary :lookatme: I managed to run 3x while out there. It was pretty cool to run their 'trails' - moreso just flat dirt with some good hills; nothing technical. I ran 2x with my wife, so I'd drop her off at the hotel after her 3mi and then sprint the big hills at the hotel. The island is deceivingly hilly! My friggin' glutes are still sore.

My 7yr old son and I shot in the NJ indoor archery state championships before my wife and I left for Bermuda. That little turkey won his class! To win a 12 and under class at the age of 7 is phenomenal. I've never been so proud. I shot very well myself and placed third. Missed out winning the whole thing by a single shot.

-----------------

Tons of updates since I last checked in; sorry if I missed someone!

Ivan - PR to start the season?! Awesome job!

Sand - pretty cool about the kid. He's going to be kicking pop's ### any day now.

para - Congrats on the sub 2!

pizzatyme - I fought AT when I first started out too. Unfortunately, RICE is about all you can do for it. DONT talk yourself into pushing through it. Get yourself some calf sleeves too.

Tri - Your huge base paid off for ya there. Also knowing your HR and where to (and not to) run is awesome.

Juxt - DUDE! Kick ### PR!! Those splits at the end look great for "struggling". Congrats!

Steve - a 52:00 10 miler as a C goal. Unreal!
MAC - solid 5 miler... I agree you'll be smashing that after shaking off the winter crap. Big time congrats to your wife!

 

[SFBayDuck]

Towpath 5 mile

Final two miles splits were 6:50 and 6:45 to finish in 33:30, 8th overall and 2nd in age group - that guy I couldn't catch won the age group.
On a much brighter note, my wife completed her half in 2:01:19, a pr by 17 minutes. She has adjusted her goal for her half next month to sub 2 hours…and she’s going to kill it.

Good stuff, for both of you. Looks like you are both primed for a great season.

Horrible training weekend for me. Actually went backwards. I've been fighting the crude...congestion, sore throat, snotty eyes, tired. One a 1-10 scale the symptoms have been a 2-3. Decided to do a 2.75 mi 1100 ft hill climb. Felt like dog crap and was forced to power walk a majority of the climbing. Good news is that I set a PR with a 14'45" pace even with the walking. Bad news that I rolled my ankle twice on the descent and now have a nice grapefruit sized know on the outside. Probably screw for 2 weeks right at peak training time. Trails haven't been kind to me.

Ughhh. Tough few weeks for you, gb. I like that hill climb workout, though!

20 mile run Sunday morning. First 15 MAF, next 4 pushed it a bit, ~8 min/mile, last mile cool down.

Wow, great long run!