Ran a 10k - Official Thread (18 Viewers)

[2Young2BBald]

Great official start to my sons XC season as his team DESTROYED the field at an 18 team D1 meet. They scored 60 to win the meet, with the 2nd place team scoring 85. My son went 17:58,( which was only good enough for varsity 6th on his team) 29th OA out of almost 130 runners. Kind of a big deal the way I figure it as all but 2 teams from their region were there; including the two teams that were ahead of them at regionals last year.

21:23 for my son today. 72nd out of 120+. Pretty happy with the result as he's been battling IT issues and couldn't run much the last two weeks. It locked up after the event and he hobbled to the car but he's feeling better now. We're getting close to getting it behind us. Next meet is Monday. He's working towards an 18:30 by the by of the season.

I almost forgot how much I love XC events, there is just no other sport like it to spectate. Take it all in as much as you can. Today was my 6th and last year at this event. It all hit me during awards that I would never be back as this is my sons senior year.

 

[FUBAR]

Great official start to my sons XC season as his team DESTROYED the field at an 18 team D1 meet. They scored 60 to win the meet, with the 2nd place team scoring 85. My son went 17:58,( which was only good enough for varsity 6th on his team) 29th OA out of almost 130 runners. Kind of a big deal the way I figure it as all but 2 teams from their region were there; including the two teams that were ahead of them at regionals last year.

21:23 for my son today. 72nd out of 120+. Pretty happy with the result as he's been battling IT issues and couldn't run much the last two weeks. It locked up after the event and he hobbled to the car but he's feeling better now. We're getting close to getting it behind us. Next meet is Monday. He's working towards an 18:30 by the by of the season.

I almost forgot how much I love XC events, there is just no other sport like it to spectate. Take it all in as much as you can. Today was my 6th and last year at this event. It all hit me during awards that I would never be back as this is my sons senior year.

Is it creepy top spectate?

 

[Nigel]

My daughter rolled an ankle last Tuesday during a practice run. Ran today after three days off, should be good for the first meet Tuesday. Can't wait.

 

[jomar]

Nice cool day today with not much time so I decided to see how fast I could run a 5k around the neighborhood.

Mile 1- 7:59 155 HR

Mile 2- 8:23 171

Mile 3- 8:14 178

.1- 7:24 pace 186

Total- 25:22

That's a full :53 off my PR set a couple months ago. Pretty excited about going sub 25:00 at some point.

 

[Nigel]

Official results are posted, official time 1:53:40, 2/18 in the 40-49 AG, 13/50 men overall. Pretty pumped as I got the sense there were a l lot of experienced runners who were part of the TARC group that put on the race though there was also a 50K that I assume most the hardcore guys ran. Great day overall, will definitely do some more of them.

 

[beer 30]

Official results are posted, official time 1:53:40, 2/18 in the 40-49 AG, 13/50 men overall. Pretty pumped as I got the sense there were a l lot of experienced runners who were part of the TARC group that put on the race though there was also a 50K that I assume most the hardcore guys ran. Great day overall, will definitely do some more of them.

There's nothing like trail running, congrats on the great time!

 

[sho nuff]

Have not paid much attention lately.

My running has been sparse. Though, today was too nice in the morning not to run.

Barely squeaking out 5 milers these days (and the legs were sore from Squats thursday).

But...body is finally healthy, no real knee soreness, ankle has done well. Just need to get back to hitting the pavement and watching my diet a bit better.

Saw that Woot had the Tom Tom on there today...

http://electronics.woot.com/?ref=gh_el_3

Been busy with school with the kids, my son's soccer...and trips to Wisconsin (went in April to help with my dad, family trip in July, and just got back this week after driving up to see my dad again). Sadly, will likely be making another trip to Wisconsin soon. My last trip was to sort of say goodbye to my dad. From April, its just gone downhill slowly...but a bit quicker recently. No longer has the strength to get up on his own. Requires a lift. Still eating ok...but his mind is going slowly. Does not talk much, and still recognizes everyone (though, that takes a few seconds some times). Been preparing for it all...but not sure it has all sunk in yet. And the hardest parts in a way have been preparing my kids slowly for this and when it happens the hardest thing will telling them. Wife and friends have been awesome letting me take that trip last week to go see him. Hard seeing my step mom cracking a bit now...never in front of him though. She has been amazing in how she has handled everything for the last 2 years (especially while also losing her sister last year).

Anyway...just wanted to check in and say hi and thanks for the thoughts over the past 2 years.

 

[AAABatteries]

Sorry sho - happy for you that you are getting some time with him.

T&Ps to anyone going through this or that went through it - I'm not there just yet but I see it on the horizon and dread it.

 

[ChiefD]

Sorry to hear sho nuff about your dad. Prayers coming your way.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Great job, Nigel. That sounded like a pretty wild experience. Good overall time too.

Good luck to today's racers. Looking forward to some race reports when I get back from the game.

 

[ChiefD]

Official results are posted, official time 1:53:40, 2/18 in the 40-49 AG, 13/50 men overall. Pretty pumped as I got the sense there were a l lot of experienced runners who were part of the TARC group that put on the race though there was also a 50K that I assume most the hardcore guys ran. Great day overall, will definitely do some more of them.

Nice job Nigel. Sounds like fun. Other than the falling down part. And the wasps.

 

[Nigel]

What time does Ned go off?

 

[pbm107]

What time does Ned go off?

I think it just started at 7:10. He is running in the Via marathon.

 

[Hang 10]

Had a nice long run today today. SI was only 138ish, which is actually a relief compared to earlier this week. Had 20 on the schedule. Tried to run it like Pfitzinger's plan calls for...ran the first 10 at around 8:10-8:00 & the last 10 at 7:40-7:06. Finished the run all together with a 7:51 avg @ 160BPM. This might be the best long training run I've ever done. Still feels like I got better in me as the weather improves. 65 miles for the week.

Now I'm going to pull up a chair and wait for all the speedy results to come in today.

 

[SteveC702]

13.5 mile split of 1:36:40 for Ned. -> 3:07:44 pace.

 

[Hang 10]

13.5 mile split of 1:36:40 for Ned. -> 3:07:44 pace.

I know he was shooting for 3:05. Wonder if he has a negative split in him.

 

[ChiefD]

Had a nice long run today today. SI was only 138ish, which is actually a relief compared to earlier this week. Had 20 on the schedule. Tried to run it like Pfitzinger's plan calls for...ran the first 10 at around 8:10-8:00 & the last 10 at 7:40-7:06. Finished the run all together with a 7:51 avg @ 160BPM. This might be the best long training run I've ever done. Still feels like I got better in me as the weather improves. 65 miles for the week.

Now I'm going to pull up a chair and wait for all the speedy results to come in today.

Wow. Nice.

 

[Hang 10]

13.5 mile split of 1:36:40 for Ned. -> 3:07:44 pace.

Mile 22.6 split is 2:48:17 (7:26 pace). Something ain't right.

 

[FUBAR]

Had a nice long run today today. SI was only 138ish, which is actually a relief compared to earlier this week. Had 20 on the schedule. Tried to run it like Pfitzinger's plan calls for...ran the first 10 at around 8:10-8:00 & the last 10 at 7:40-7:06. Finished the run all together with a 7:51 avg @ 160BPM. This might be the best long training run I've ever done. Still feels like I got better in me as the weather improves. 65 miles for the week.

Now I'm going to pull up a chair and wait for all the speedy results to come in today.

Nice!

Only 11 miles for me today but that might be the longest run since May 31st, the raleigh HIM. MAF @ 8:35 average

 

[Ned]

13.5 mile split of 1:36:40 for Ned. -> 3:07:44 pace.

Mile 22.6 split is 2:48:17 (7:26 pace). Something ain't right.

3:23:42 Incredibly disappointed. Legs completely locked up at 21. Couldn't move quads and hips. Humiliating finish. Heat destroyed me. Was drenched at 8. Took my shirt off at 19 (which I've never done before)

I knew I was in trouble at 12 when I was working to keep a 7:10. It wasn't incredibly hot but apparently I can't handle the 60s.

 

[Hang 10]

13.5 mile split of 1:36:40 for Ned. -> 3:07:44 pace.

Mile 22.6 split is 2:48:17 (7:26 pace). Something ain't right.

3:23:42 Incredibly disappointed. Legs completely locked up at 21. Couldn't move quads and hips. Humiliating finish. Heat destroyed me. Was drenched at 8. Took my shirt off at 19 (which I've never done before)I knew I was in trouble at 12 when I was working to keep a 7:10. It wasn't incredibly hot but apparently I can't handle the 60s.

Damn, tough break. I guess it just goes to show that a marathon is just a beast to tame. You are in ridiculous shape but you just never know what kind of race you got in you until you are well into it.

Still a great time and you got nothing to be ashamed of though.

Your legs were cramping? Hope you got out of this thing healthy.

 

[Ned]

It went way past cramping. Total lock up. Had to do the death shuffle on/off as they locked up. Humiliating.

 

[pbm107]

13.5 mile split of 1:36:40 for Ned. -> 3:07:44 pace.

Mile 22.6 split is 2:48:17 (7:26 pace). Something ain't right.

3:23:42 Incredibly disappointed. Legs completely locked up at 21. Couldn't move quads and hips. Humiliating finish. Heat destroyed me. Was drenched at 8. Took my shirt off at 19 (which I've never done before)

I knew I was in trouble at 12 when I was working to keep a 7:10. It wasn't incredibly hot but apparently I can't handle the 60s.

Sorry to hear this bud, looks like Team Strava is 0/2 to start the day. I should have paid attention to my HR, it was elevated right from the start. I finished with a 1:32:49. Hopefully we'll soon hear that Juxt killed it.

 

[FUBAR]

13.5 mile split of 1:36:40 for Ned. -> 3:07:44 pace.

Mile 22.6 split is 2:48:17 (7:26 pace). Something ain't right.

3:23:42 Incredibly disappointed. Legs completely locked up at 21. Couldn't move quads and hips. Humiliating finish. Heat destroyed me. Was drenched at 8. Took my shirt off at 19 (which I've never done before)

I knew I was in trouble at 12 when I was working to keep a 7:10. It wasn't incredibly hot but apparently I can't handle the 60s.

sorry to hear the race was rough, but we all know you'll bounce back and knock it out next time.

your humiliating marathon is still 5 minutes faster than my best.

 

[Juxtatarot]

1:22:36. 6th overall, 1st in new AG. Full write up later.

Too bad Ned and pbm. Very disappointing.

 

[ChiefD]

Nice juxt!

And sorry to hear Ned. As someone who has had to walk during a couple of my half's, I understand the disappointment. But in my eyes, still a good time, though I know it wasn't up to your expectations.

And nice run pbm. I can't remember how far off that was from your goal, but still a good time.

 

[Hang 10]

1:22:36. 6th overall, 1st in new AG. Full write up later.

Too bad Ned and pbm. Very disappointing.

BEAST

 

[FUBAR]

1:22:36. 6th overall, 1st in new AG. Full write up later.

Too bad Ned and pbm. Very disappointing.

 

[Hang 10]

Juxt, so it looks like after that half marathon, McMillan says you run a 2:53:50 full...

 

[Ned]

1:22:36. 6th overall, 1st in new AG. Full write up later.

Too bad Ned and pbm. Very disappointing.

Hell of a time, GB! I wasn't too far off!!pbm- bummer, man. I was thinking about you when I realized it was past 9:00 and wondering how you were managing the temps. We missed out on some stellar weather. Tomorrow looks to be incredible.

FUBAR - not humiliated about the time, just how I had to finish it. Shuffling along at barely a running gait flat out ####### sucked.

Unless I get lucky next week, I'm never running Boston. The FM has eaten me alive too man times now.

 

[Hang 10]

Unless I get lucky next week, I'm never running Boston.

C'mon, man. You are already a BQ'er and based on the training I've seen, you are only getting stronger. I'm sure you don't really want to think about running another marathon at the moment but you'll get there if you decide to go after it.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Juxt, so it looks like after that half marathon, McMillan says you run a 2:53:50 full...

I've promised myself to stick with the 3:00 pace group through at least 20. There's no way I'll try for that. This was my best run from a McMillan calculator standpoint. It's a nice confidence booster, of course. Although I've thought for a while now that the HM is naturally my best distance for whatever reason.

 

[ChiefD]

Unless I get lucky next week, I'm never running Boston.

C'mon, man. You are already a BQ'er and based on the training I've seen, you are only getting stronger. I'm sure you don't really want to think about running another marathon at the moment but you'll get there if you decide to go after it.

Yep.

 

[Northern Voice]

16.5 KM this AM, longest run of my life and I felt fine. Feel like I'll be good for doing my first 1/2 marathon in 5 weeks. Likely going to do 10+1, follow a pacer and just concentrate on finishing in one piece.

 

[Hang 10]

16.5 KM this AM, longest run of my life and I felt fine. Feel like I'll be good for doing my first 1/2 marathon in 5 weeks. Likely going to do 10+1, follow a pacer and just concentrate on finishing in one piece.

10+1?

 

[tri-man 47]

sho nuff - sorry to hear of your father's continued decline. It's good you spend the time with him, painful as it can be.

pbm - too bad your time was disappointing ..though still a fast race!

Ned - man, really sorry to hear of the outcome. I know you had such high hopes for this one (as did your FBG fan club). I wonder what caused the problem.

Juxt - wow, I wish I could have been there to root you on!!! (Had to/wanted to be at church on this rally Sunday.) Welcome to the new bracket!

 

[NREC34]

Temps in the 60s here. I'm really looking forward to running this evening. Been a long summer of high suck indexes.

I also shattered my 30 min record on a treadmill the other night. 4.05 miles. About 23:05 as I was hitting 5k, over a minute faster than my old PB.

 

[Northern Voice]

16.5 KM this AM, longest run of my life and I felt fine. Feel like I'll be good for doing my first 1/2 marathon in 5 weeks. Likely going to do 10+1, follow a pacer and just concentrate on finishing in one piece.

10+1?

Run 10, walk 1

 

[Sand]

It went way past cramping. Total lock up. Had to do the death shuffle on/off as they locked up. Humiliating.

Decided to go running after a 6 month layoff. Legs cramped 15 minutes in. I think you did better here.

 

[Brony]

1:22:36. 6th overall, 1st in new AG. Full write up later.

Too bad Ned and pbm. Very disappointing.

congrats! Awesome time Juxt!

 

[SFBayDuck]

13.5 mile split of 1:36:40 for Ned. -> 3:07:44 pace.

Mile 22.6 split is 2:48:17 (7:26 pace). Something ain't right.

3:23:42 Incredibly disappointed. Legs completely locked up at 21. Couldn't move quads and hips. Humiliating finish. Heat destroyed me. Was drenched at 8. Took my shirt off at 19 (which I've never done before)

I knew I was in trouble at 12 when I was working to keep a 7:10. It wasn't incredibly hot but apparently I can't handle the 60s.

sorry to hear the race was rough, but we all know you'll bounce back and knock it out next time.

your humiliating marathon is still 5 minutes faster than my best.

An hour quicker than my only road marathon

Sorry it didn't go your way today, Ned. Was the heat that much worse than what you train in regularly, or did it just hit you extra hard today at MP for that long?

 

[AAABatteries]

I’ll apologize in advance because I’m going to get long-winded and/or repeat myself from before. I’ll try not to but I have a lot of thoughts. I may break this up in to multiple posts. This will definitely be TL;DR – but please indulge me.

Preamble – I’ve mentioned before that about 10 years ago (after turning 30) I had decided I had to lose some weight – I had literally doubled by high school weight after twelve years – up to 240 from a scrawny 120 my senior year. I had played tennis in my mid and later 20’s but outside of that I had little to no physical activity and sat behind a desk all the time. At that point I had 2 little kids and was already at a point that I couldn’t keep up. Frustrated but I got lucky that a couple of co-workers were in much better shape and we started working out together. One ran cross country at Duke, was a great runner and I never was (and if I’m honest I never will be).

I knew how to swim, and obviously knew how to bike/run but none of the well. We started working out, training and we all decided to do a triathlon. We signed up for a series of sprint tris and started training in earnest. At this point I had lost a good amount of weight (don’t remember how much) and I was working out pretty consistently. However, the idea of the race seemed daunting. I was determined though and kept trail running with these guys hoping to be ready. We were weeks out and I tore the ligaments in my right ankle (watch out Nigel!) – it really pissed me off. The series lasted through the summer so I was determined to rehab and be ready for at least the last race of that season. I was ready and did the last sprint of that season. Finished in 1hr 42min and had a great time even if I was slow. And like many do I caught the bug. Started training like crazy and signed up for a half IM. I won’t go in to those details except to say I did that race and burned myself out.

Preamble to the race - As I’ve talked about in this thread and others, I let myself go again and had to do something again. I’ve been posting about my attempts to start back with the tri training and despite being older and slower it’s been coming around and I challenged myself to sign up for another sprint tri – the last one of the same series I did before. And I’ll be honest here – I wasn’t completely sure I could do it. I had some doubts but I wasn’t going to post them here and let it weigh on my mind. I needed to HTFU so that’s what I tried to do. But the bike portion of the race scared me – for several reason: my bike is old, I’m 10 years older, I’ve ridden 4 times in the last 8 years! I knew the bike was going to kick my ### but I knew I could get through it if my bike held up.

My goals were pretty simple – don’t die, finish, have fun, break two hours and if I can, don’t stop – if I somehow exceeded my expectations maybe I can come close or beat my last sprint tri time. I’ve already ruined part of the reveal – I was, in fact, able to not die, finish and have fun but the bike did kick my ###.

 

[AAABatteries]

Tri the Parks Triathlon – John Tanner Park Sprint Tri

Distances

Swim: 600 meters

Bike: 13.8 miles

Run: 3.1 miles

Pre-race – Nutrition-wise I didn’t really do anything special. Those are relatively short distances and I’m not an experienced racer so I just knew I needed to eat clean and hydrate really well leading up to race day. I did this and had no issues with cramps or feeling like I needed food during the race at all so I think I did ok but to be honest (and this is a running theme with me) but I don’t really know what I’m doing. I’m generally a horrible sleeper but I was able to get a somewhat decent night’s sleep. I did learn to pack, and then check, double check and triple check to make sure I had all my gear. And I still managed to leave my knee sleeve at home! My one big pre-race concern was to get my morning constitutional out of the way. So, I got up at 5am with the intention of drinking some black coffee to get things moving. Luckily, I didn’t need the coffee and took care of business.

I get my gear on and in the car and ready to head out when I realize I almost made a huge mistake. Since I relatively speaking knew where the park was I depended on that to know when to leave. Unfortunately, we moved within the last year and mentally I timed it from my old house. Instead of being 60 miles away it was a little over 80. Thinking I had a ton of time I now had to start moving to make sure I didn’t push things getting checked in. Man am I stupid! I still should be fine and I get almost half way there and know I’m going to be there in plenty of time. But then it hits me – all the hydrating and nerves hit me at once and I have to CONSTITUTE NOW. I knew I didn’t want to use the port-a-potties at the race so I pull off the road and find a Chick-fil-a (cleanest fast food restaurants around) and take care of business a 2nd time. Now I’m really worried – check-in is over at 7:30, iPhone map app has be getting to the park at 7:19! I chance the ticket and start speeding to the park. I’m really worried now, what if the map app is off/wrong, what if it takes longer than expected to get parked, what if the check-in is like a mile walk. At the end of it I end up getting there at 7:10 and the transition area and check-in are only a 2 minute walk away. I get checked-in and go back to get my gear.

Transition Area Setup – I have to start this with a - I had to have looked like I stepped out of a time machine from a 1990’s triathlon. My bike is really old, I’ve got a cheap $20 helmet, no aero bars and while I have clip shoes they are like mountain bike looking clips. If there’s tri snobs (and I’m sure there are) they had to have been looking down their nose at me. I was like Cousin Eddie showing up to do a triathlon. “####ter’s full!” I also don’t have a good gym bag anymore to put my gear in. I have everything in one bag but there wasn’t enough room for my towels and helmet. I’m dragging this stuff and my bike through the transition area and since I’m pushing the time the area is mostly full but not overly. However, as luck would have it my section is almost completely full, I basically have to ask a guy to move over some so I can get my bike hung up and start laying out my stuff. And then I did what I’m sure is a big no-no, I bumped the rack a little too hard and caused a bike to come off the rack! Thankfully there was someone standing there and caught it – I was sick and waiting for the owner to come punch me (probably deservedly).

I’m able to get the rest of my setup done without incident but I know folks are thinking “what is this clown doing?” And it can be a little intimidating in the transition area if you are still a newbie. But I’ve still got time to warm-up and my gear is now all laid out so I’m somewhat relaxed now. I decide to get a very small amount of banana and some fluid – we are about 30 minutes out now.

Warm-up – I actually did more warm-up than the other two times I’ve raced but realized it still probably wasn’t enough. I probably swam about 200 yards to warm up and while I was used to the water at that point I don’t think it was enough to warm up but I was worried about doing too much. Another example of not really knowing what I’m doing. The nice part here is getting to check out the female competitors on the beach. Talked to few people to help calm the nerves – I know I’m ready for the swim, I’m not ready for the bike and I’m worried what the bike will do to my run.

 

[AAABatteries]

Race time!

Swim – I’m in the 2nd wave – first wave is all males under 40. 2nd wave is males, 40-49. There’s about 30 of us in this wave. I probably should have done the novice group again but I was wanting to make it to my son’s soccer game and I knew the novices went almost last and I wanted to get done and to the game if I could. As every says, the start is the worst part, arms and legs everywhere. I just try to avoid it and hang to the back but with the swim being my best of the 3 I don’t want to not get going. So, I take a foot to the shoulder, a whack from an arm to my other shoulder and several more to my feet. The worst part of it is you want to get in to rhythm as soon as possible and it’s so tough while trying to both avoid getting knocked but also not knocking others. It took me probably a good 75 yards to separate (read: fall behind the crowd). The problem is relaxing and not tensing up during that initial burst. I feel like I did ok but it took my about 200 yards in to find any kind of rhythm – until that I was having those “what in the world have I gotten myself into” thoughts.

The open water is not scary to me at all – I’ve done lake swimming and ocean swimming for 30 years so I’m not worried about that but I am worried about my ability to stay on course. And man, I felt like I was kind of all over the place during the first half of the race. Quick note on the course. It’s a pretty simple out and back, more of a triangle to get the distance in (this is not a big lake at all – doubt it was .25 mile across) so we are swimming most of the lake. I mention this because I was able to start doing better with my line by watching the tree line. I get to the turnaround and decide to quicken my pace some as I’m feeling pretty good – I’m really feeling good when I pass a couple of folks, even a couple of them from the first wave. But I know my swim stroke pretty well and I know I’m not going that fast so I’m right where I want to be.

Then it happens, I get some dude that either is using me to keep his line or he just doesn’t want to move away from my but he keeps hitting my feet. Annoying as hell, I try speeding up a little but he’s still there, I try changing my line a little and finally I get away from him. And I’m doing great on my line. Almost hugging it on the way back, but I’m ok with that because I’m having no trouble now. I get almost all the way in and I did what I imagine is another rookie mistake. On my every 3rd or 4th quick peak I notice someone close to me and I thought they had made it to chest deep water and they were walking it in. I take a few more strokes and go to put my feet down and realize I’m still out too far. Doh! Didn’t cost me that much time but I was kicking myself, especially since the water was clear enough to somewhat see the bottom. I get out, look at my Garmin and I’m around 15 minutes. I was hoping for under 15 and I know I could have taken at least a minute or so off just by pushing myself and probably another minute with my horrible line in the first third of the swim. But I’m out and jogging to the transition area.

T1 – Uneventful really – I was one of the few who was pulling on socks and then my lace-up shoes. J I’m thinking it’s 2-3 minutes but not positive. Grab my helmet, then my bike and take off. I do some walking out of the transition – I’m not really worried about my time but again I was scared of what was about to happen to me on the bike and I wanted to get my heart rate down.

Bike - The first mile is an uphill out of the park and on to the road, the next 2-3 miles is mostly gradually downhill with a few inclines mixed in. I get through all of the first mile going slow but steady but slow. To give you an idea of how slow, I’m already getting passed by folks in the wave behind me – maybe good swimmers, my swim time wasn’t great, but I have a feeling it’s more that my legs are girly man legs apparently. I just don’t have the strength in them. And it also doesn’t help that I don’t know my bike well. But that’s kind of an excuse, my limiting factor in the bike is my legs, plain and simple.

The next few miles are more of the rolling hills and a couple of the hills are already kicking my butt. I’m getting passed more than a 90-year old woman on the freeway. Everybody is passing me or so it seems. By mile 6-7 all the top women are long gone and now a couple of Clydesdales pass me – sonofa#####! Oh well, I knew this was going to happen. Then the old guys start passing me and the old women. I #### you not, I must have been passed by 100 racers and I think I only passed 2 people . The funny thing is my breathing is fine, my heart rate is good – my legs are just not churning on the hills, at all. I know the last like mile or so is mostly downhill so once I hit the 12 mile marker I got a big smile on my face – I knew at that point that minus a wreck I was going to finish the race. I pull in to the transition area, manage to not fall to the ground during dismount and actually jog my bike in a little. Look at the watch – somewhere around 54 minutes – that’s an ugly time I know but I was worried I wouldn’t break an hour so I’ll take it.

T2 – Also uneventful. I had food/water if I needed it but I actual felt good – I usually do AFTER I get off the bike J I don’t take anything and get my running shoes on and take off. I’m think a minute or so.

Run – So, I’m surprised at how good my legs feel despite my lack of leg strength on the bike. I immediately get in to a good pace and grab a cup on water on the run through the aid station. I decide to try and keep my heart rate around 165 if I can while still running. I don’t feel like I’m running fast but I know if I’m pushing 165 that I’m giving a decent effort. Plan is to stay there or maybe a little lower and then see where I’m at the last mile. I get to the first big hill and this was my chance to walk if I wanted as my heart rate was going up over 170 and I was worried if I started getting too much higher I’d have to walk. I slowed it back some and managed to get over and keep moving.

I feel now like I’m going really slow but I manage to keep it at 165 and moving. I try to focus on good form and keeping that pace and 165. A couple more hills, nothing huge and now I know I can get through them. I get to the turnaround which is almost at the 2 mile mark and I’m feeling ok, I start pushing a little and get up to 170. I know the rest of the route and there’s one somewhat big hill left and that’s it. I keep that pace and then do my best to get through that hill. After that it’s some downhill and flat to an uphill finish but just slight. I start “kicking” – I almost laugh typing that but hey, even the slowest of the slow has a kick at the end usually. I push to then end, I see that I’m going to be 1:47 something so I push to get under 1:48. I did it!

Final Time – 1:47:54

Swim - 0:16:14.7

T1 - 0:02:34.1

Bike - 0:54:55.5

T2 - 0:01:40.1

Run - 0:32:30.5

 

[AAABatteries]

Post-Race – I pushed to the end but to be honest I left time out there, I knew I would but I didn’t want to get hurt and this was more about finishing than time. Did some stretching, got some food and water. Walk as much as I can to get my legs going – trying to soak in the experience again and really think about the last 6-8 months. Think about how stupid I was for letting myself get out of shape again. So happy that I did the race, happy that I broke 2 hours and that I felt good and somewhat eager to give it a go again next year.

More thoughts:

• If I want to keep doing this I’ve got to get some proper gear, which means invest. Basically this means a new bike – honestly, I don’t really enjoy riding but the bike and my lack of experience has some part in that. I hate riding on the road with cars but I have some locations where I can get paved paths. I just need to decide if it’s what I want to do. I’m sole on swimming/running but I need to get committed to biking if I want to improve any
• And my legs, man – my late Fall and Winter has to be spent on building a base and getting these legs strengthened somehow.
• I really do love to swim, I would have liked to have seen how much faster I can go if I just go all out on the swim. Also, the swim time has like a 100 yard jog mixed in so my time was much closer to 15 minutes than 16.
• I was actually happiest with my run. Honestly, there was no way in my mind that I was going to keep it under 12 minute miles after that bike but I somehow kept it under 11 minute miles. Did not think I could do that
• Lots of fun, will definitely do again unless something unforeseen happens.
• Last one – you may say, what are you going to do now. Well, I’m going to Disney World! Actually, I really am – family vacation, leave this Friday. I plan to relax tomorrow and lift, get a run in Tuesday. May ride Wednesday and another run Thursday. Then start doing some semi-serious training when I get back from vacation. I’ll have lots of dumb questions for you guys.

Sorry again for the length of the posts.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Oregon> I was talking to a guy in the speakeasy (reopened!!!!) and he commented that he had a 100 mile race coming up in Oregon this weekend, you running that? If not look for me at the speakeasy all weekend watching soccer, college football and the NFL. 6 TV's and good beer ='s my post run hangout from here till eternity.

Ahh, so you met Jim! Funny, I met him there 2 weeks ago, overheard him talking with the blonde bartender about trail running and we started talking. Turns out besides this race in common we know a bunch of the same people. I think this is his first 100, but he's a pretty fast dude - assuming he doesn't blow up and DNF he'll finish 7-8 hours quicker than I did. But anything can happen in a 100 miler - and it usually does. He's running the 100M I ran last year, Pine to Palm. Glad to hear he's going to do it, as 2 weeks ago he still hadn't committed.

I've actually been going to the Speakeasy the past few weeks on Tuesdays at about 5:30 - my daughter has volleyball practice at Hamilton from 5:30-6:30 so I just go there for a drink instead of driving home and turning around again 20 minutes later. I'd go for a run, but it's been too damned hot!

#### what's your name? I'm in there almost 3-6 times a week just ask one of the bartenders if cg joe is in there and I'll buy you a drink! Yeah, way too hot to run but finally cooling.

 

[tri-man 47]

AAA - great stuff! I loved the detailed report. Congratulations, triathlete!!!

 

[Sand]

• I really do love to swim, I would have liked to have seen how much faster I can go if I just go all out on the swim. Also, the swim time has like a 100 yard jog mixed in so my time was much closer to 15 minutes than 16.

Rule #1 of triathlon is for these local ones don't look at your swim time as an actual time. There is about an equal chance for a swim labeled at 600 yards that it was actually 400, 600, or 800 yards. Accuracy = hilarity.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I took a nap at about 4:00 and woke up not too long ago. Agh! My sleep schedule is going to be messed up this week. Anyway, time for the report!

Naperville Trails Half Marathon Race Report

Map, splits, HR data and all that other good stuff here.

Finished in 1:22:36.9. 6th out of 616 total finishers. 1st out of 55 in age group.

Although this race has "trails" in its name, it's not a trail race like you guys know them. They are nice, broad, crushed limestone trails that one can run on as easily as road. Pretty course through a forest preserve. There are some wooded sections but most is prairie. Unfortunately there aren't 13.1 miles worth of trails so there is an out-and-back for the first few miles and then we run some loops later on. Although there aren't really any big, steep hills, there aren't a lot of flat parts either.

My goal for this race was to PR (1:24:53). I set that PR last year at this event. The average pace for that run was 6:30 so the plan was to try to run miles in the 6:20s.

Weather was as advertised. Beautiful cool morning. Sunny, low humidity. Looks like it was 53 to start the race and climbed to 60 by the end.

Everything was fine pre-race. I mentioned yesterday about having caught a cold. I didn't feel 100% when I woke up (sore throat, a little congested) but I felt OK during my two mile warm up and I didn't even think about it during the race. Although I don't eat breakfast daily and don't have an appetite in the morning, I usually try to eat something before a race (at least a banana, Cliff Bar or some bread). I just didn't feel like it this time so I ran fasted. I had two cups of black coffee and about 2/3 of a 16.9 oz. bottle of water before hand. During the race I skipped most of water/Gatorade stations. I got Gatorade once but spilled most of it -- maybe drank 2 oz. I probably had about 5 oz. of water total later. I was a little thirsty by the end but at that point it didn't matter since I was almost done.

I ran the first mile in 6:13. Too fast but typical. Second mile was even faster, 6:03. Even though there is the most dramatic elevation loss this second mile, that's way too fast. At this point I'm running in a pack of 4 runners that are behind 2 leaders.

Mile 3 is tough. As I mentioned, the first part of the course is an out and back and we're gaining back that elevation loss from the previous mile. 2 of the pack of 4 are pretty far ahead now. I notice my heart rate is a little over 170. That's way too high and unsustainable for me. That would also be the highest heart rate I'd have the entire race. I finished mile 3 still too fast at 6:13.

The last guy I was running with pulled away from me in mile 4 so I'm running by myself now in 6th place. That's the place I stayed in the rest of the race. Finished mile 4 in 6:13.

Mile 5 - mile 8: 6:21, 6:24, 6:20, 6:28

My "I'm feeling so bad I should probably quit" moment came in mile 5 but it didn't last very long. My heart rate had settled in at about 165-166 and I glanced at it frequently. I've run at that heart rate before for a half marathon before so I thought I would be OK as long as it stayed about there. That's difficult and uncomfortable but manageable.

Miles 9 through 13: 6:18, 6:28, 6:20, 6:19, 6:27

Mile 9 starts the 2nd loops through parts so I'm now running through slower runners that are on mile 6. I'm not by myself again until mile 12. Passing all those runners is a little awkward and it's annoying that I can't hit the tangents as well as I was earlier but at least it gives me something to look at and focus my mind on. Heart rate stayed pretty consistent.

I was really fatigued the last mile but I was just trying to power through and count down the tenths until I could see the finish line. Because of tangent running, you can complete the course in less than 13.1. I think it was 13.07 or something at the finish so I kept on going through the finish until my watch said 13.10. I got some weird looks but I wanted to run the proper distance. Of course, Strava did it's magic and still only gave me credit for 13.0.

Overall, I'm pleased with the whole race. I ran a little faster than I had planned and this gives me a lot of confidence for my marathon next month.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Congrats AAA -- great report!