Wednesday, February 19, 2014
2013
After the December 7th race, I only ran one more time - 3 miles on December 30. I once again failed to run 1,000 miles during a year. In fact, of the four full years of running, this was the lowest yearly total - 750.2. Heartbreaking...
Friday, February 14, 2014
December 7, 2013 - Jingle Bell Jog
Time 23:38. Pace 7:37.
Cloudy. Cold! 22 degrees according to bank thermometer down the street. 2nd of 4 in 40-44 male age group. 12 of 65 overall.
Cloudy. Cold! 22 degrees according to bank thermometer down the street. 2nd of 4 in 40-44 male age group. 12 of 65 overall.
November 9, 2013 - Sango UMC 10k, 5k, and 1 Mile
It
was a chilly 39 degrees. I finished the 10k in 46:38, a pace of 7:31. 1 of 6 in
40-49 age group. 8 of 55 overall. Last weekend's Breeze Leaves 10k at
Montgomery Bell was my fastest until today. I was hoping to beat it. B&L
had rolling hills, with the first mile just about all uphill. Today's was flat
for the most part. I beat it by 1:12! Then I ran the 5k.
I ran the 5k in 24:07, a 7:47 pace. 2 of 9 in 40-49 age group. 7 of 103 overall. At mile 3, the 10k beforehand began to take affect. I did manage to keep each mile under 8:00 pace.
Then I did the mile in 20:35. Yes, 20:35. I took Lainey on her 2nd one mile fun run. She didn't do as well as she did in the Go Commando. This one started up a long hill, so she didn't want to run as much. There also wasn't as many people/kids running to motivate her, because she ran just about the whole Go Commando and probably just over half of this one. She got her 2nd participation medal, though.
I ran the 5k in 24:07, a 7:47 pace. 2 of 9 in 40-49 age group. 7 of 103 overall. At mile 3, the 10k beforehand began to take affect. I did manage to keep each mile under 8:00 pace.
Then I did the mile in 20:35. Yes, 20:35. I took Lainey on her 2nd one mile fun run. She didn't do as well as she did in the Go Commando. This one started up a long hill, so she didn't want to run as much. There also wasn't as many people/kids running to motivate her, because she ran just about the whole Go Commando and probably just over half of this one. She got her 2nd participation medal, though.
November 2, 2013 - Montgomery Bell Breeze and Leaves 10k
Time: 47:50. Pace: 7:43.
WON the 10k OVERALL. Got $150. Personal record. Probably only 20 people in it, though.
I am NOT in the 50-59 Age Group.
WON the 10k OVERALL. Got $150. Personal record. Probably only 20 people in it, though.
I am NOT in the 50-59 Age Group.
October 26, 2013 - Austin Peay Homecoming 5k
| Time: | 0 hr 24 min 19 secs |
| Pace: | 7:51 min/miles |
| Weather: | Cloudy. cold! |
| Temperature: | 29 |
Emerald hill. My first time to do it since they changed course. Still has hills. Probably more. Always seems to be cold for this run. 735. 748. 746. 113. Overall 25 of 106. 3 of 4 40-44 males.
October 19, 2013 - Go Commando Half Marathon
| Time: | 1 hr 54 min 44 secs |
| Pace: | 8:45 min/miles |
| Weather: | cloudy. cool. some rain |
| Temperature: | 45 |
Cloudy. Some rain. Felt really cold when I finished. Failed at goal to be under 1:45:00, but I finally got a 2013 half under 2 hours. Overall 161 of 702. 9 of 35 in 40-44 males. 124 of 342 males. Went home and changed clothes and went back to run a mile with Lainey.
October 12, 2013 - Rotary Trail 5k
| Time: | 33:49. Pace 10:55 |
| Race was closer to 3.2 than 3.1 miles. The guy even said it could be a little long. But since it was to be 5k, I went with 3.1 for pace. Watch had 3.17 miles at 10:39 pace. 30 of 86 overall. 2 of 7 in 40-44 male, actually 3rd of 8, because one master winner was in age group. |
September 21, 2013 - Houston County Fair 5k
| Time: | 0 hr 23 min 13 secs |
| Pace: | 7:29 min/miles |
Official time 23:13. Missed PR by 7 seconds. I had 23:44 - forgot to stop watch. I had pace of 7:35, was actually 7:29. Had best pace of 3:54!-has to be error or when started off too fast. Mile 1 was 6:46. M2 - 7:34. M3 - 8:07. I wanted all under 8:00. Those 7 seconds cost me PR. Last 0.1 miles - 53 seconds - didn't help either. I was 3rd overall of 25. Three of 9 males. Got first in age group but was really second, because overall winner John Beard was excluded. There was only one other male in age group .
June 22, 2013 - Muddy Buddy
| Distance: | 4.2 miles |
| Time: | 1 hr 00 min 03 secs |
| Pace: | 14:18 min/miles |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Temperature: | 84 |
We finished 7th of 13 in Wave 2. Good enough to finish 3rd in Wave 1, and 2nd in Wave 3. 10th of 30 overall. It was hot! Last year it was at the old zoo, so we did get some shade. This year it was "urban" - downtown Nashville - on pavement and concrete. I slept for 15.5 hours afterwards.
June 8, 2013 - Bust a Move 5k in Erin
Time:
|
0 hr 26 min 30 secs
|
| Pace: | 8:33 min/miles |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Temperature: | 82 |
Pushed Lainey in stroller. Mouth so dry couldn't swallow water. Think finished 8th overall.no time or places kept.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Friday, October 4, 2013
Osama bin Barack
I've always thought Osama bin Barack's objective was to destroy America from the inside.
He is now trying to "terrorize" American's with his scare tactics, just because OsamaDontCare won't pass.
Osama is blaming the Republicans for the shut down, when he is the one to blame. Republicans have compromised, but want to delay it for a year. Osama says it's his way or no way. So, who should take the blame?
Again, not enough time for the book...
He is now trying to "terrorize" American's with his scare tactics, just because OsamaDontCare won't pass.
Osama is blaming the Republicans for the shut down, when he is the one to blame. Republicans have compromised, but want to delay it for a year. Osama says it's his way or no way. So, who should take the blame?
Again, not enough time for the book...
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Exchanges
I could write a book. I don't have time right now. So...
There is only one thing in Congress that I want to pass - Osama.
Yes, I spelled it with an "s"; No, I didn't leave "care" off the end.
There is only one thing in Congress that I want to pass - Osama.
Yes, I spelled it with an "s"; No, I didn't leave "care" off the end.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
May 11, 2013 - Clarksville Rotary 5 Mile Trail Race
The trail was muddy, because of previous rain. I ran the 5 mile trail race in 54:50, a 10:58 pace. I finished 3rd of 5 males in 40-44 age group, and 32 of 97 overall. It felt like I ran 10 miles.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
April 27, 2013 - Country Music Marathon and HALF Marathon
Before I write about the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon, I want to do some catching up.
On Monday, April 15, the day of the bombing at the Boston Marathon, I ran 5 miles at an 8:55 pace that evening. On Wednesday, I ran 6 miles at a 9:13 pace. Finally, the weather is getting to where I don't mind trying to run regularly. I don't remember why, but I missed Thursday's run.
On Saturday, April 20, I ran 10 miles. Well, I actually walked a few hills. It was only 36 degrees when I started and just at 48 when I finished. However, the sunshine once again made the air and my desire to run warmer. My pace was 10:07. The rest of the day I had ITB problems in my left knee. The opposite leg of a couple of years ago, when I had to miss a few months. It hurt to walk, especially to step upwards. It was better the next day, as long as I was going up steps. Monday, I thought it was all better. I planned on running 5 easy miles, then 4 on Tuesday, and 3 on Wednesday, before taking Thursday and Friday off for Saturday's marathon/half marathon. About half-mile into the run, I thought my knee was going to give out. I regained my balance and did some walking. I tried running again, but felt some pain. I walked some more. The I tried to run again, but once again stopped. I didn't stop because the pain was unbearable, but because I didn't want to go months without being able to run. Plus, the marathon/half marathon was in a few days. I got in 2.2 miles at a 14:37 pace. No more running until race day.
The weather forecasters had been predicting rain for the marathon all week. For once, they were correct. I thought about backing out for about 10 seconds. I never really gave it much thought after that. I was running. I was just hoping my leg would cooperate. I didn't want to have to walk for 10 miles in the rain.
I had a garbage bag jacket and a Foodlion bag cap cover to wear before the race started. The rain poured down off and on as I drove about 60 miles to Nashville. Before I got into the parking lot at LP Field, the rain had stopped. I had the feeling that it wouldn't start back up until the race started (and hoped it wouldn't rain again until after I had finished). The trash bag jacket was mainly for waiting in line to board the bus to carry me across town to the start line, to wait in the port-a-toilet line once I got there, and for the start of the race. I was to take it off right before the race began. Since it was raining when I got parked, I didn't wear it. While standing in line to pee, the rain began again. It felt cold. Once inside a port-a-potty, I could hear the rain pounding the top of it. I hated to go back out into it, but I did. I headed to the starting area and made my way into a corral. I'm not sure what number, because they had been moving up for about 15 minutes, and the markers were no longer useful. Finally, I got to start running. Somewhere between miles 5 and 6, my watch went blank. I had noticed that it was flashing (something it usually does not do) "hold to shut off". I didn't want to shut it off, and I couldn't get any of the buttons to work. About a year ago, I replaced the battery and lost a screw. Since I didn't think I would ever need the 50 meter water resistance depth, I didn't worry about it. I have ran in the rain before without any problems, but today, I guess it was too much rain for it to take. I was running naked the rest of the race.
Running in the rain was not all that bad. It was a lot better than just standing in it. My left knee began hurting before I hit the first half-mile. I was thinking, "Oh, no, not already." It lasted about another half-mile, and seldom bothered me again. The leg issue, the rain, and how I felt overall were to be the barometer to decide if I ran the full or half marathon. The whole week I considered the full or half debate as a "game time decision". To upgrade from the half to full marathon, a runner had to register and pay an upgrade fee. To change from the full to half, all a person had to do was run the half - it didn't matter what the bib had printed on it, what corral, or anything. When I got to the point of where the half and full split, I was to make the decision. Around Mile 11, I passed the 4:15 pace group. I was feeling good - no ITB problems, didn't feel depleted. Mostly, because of having to run slower that what I would have tried to do, because of all the runners/walkers in the way. When I got to the split, I went the way of the half. I didn't want to run 13 more miles than I had to. I wasn't trained for it, and it was raining! It had rained so much that the garbage bags people took off on the course, along with empty cups from water stations, and other miscellany were flowing down the side of the streets at a faster pace than I could run. There were two points that I had to slosh through water that was over ankle deep. And I don't mean because I was trying to go around someone or through a puddle - I mean it was across the whole street!
I hated that I didn't run the full marathon, but was relieved when I had finished the half. Once I had finished, I realized how wet I was. Then I got cold. I worked through the maze of people and tents to head straight to my vehicle. I opened the back of the Xterra to use as a roof and changed clothes. Even though I dried off the best I could, it still took a long time to warm up.
My time was 2:02:44, for a 9:22 pace. I was 347 of 923 in the Male Age Group of 40-44, 2,569 out of 6,506 males (over 11,000 more females ran it than males! I guess the males ran the full), and 4,536 out of 17,829 overall. After the first 5k, I was at 30:28 (9:50 pace). At the 10k mark, I was 1:00:06 (9:42 pace). At 9.9 miles, I was at 1:34:57 (a 9:35 pace). I ran the last 3.2 miles at an 8:40 pace. I was getting faster at each marker, which I'm happy about. I usually falter in the middle.
UPDATE: May 14, 2013: I noticed Athlinks.com had my time as 2:03:19 instead of 2:02:44. I checked the Country Music Marathon website to see that my time had indeed been adjusted to 2:03:19. The 5k, 10k, and 9.9 times were exactly the same, but 35 seconds had been added to the last 3.2 miles. There were other changes, too. I was 353 of 932 in the Male Age Group of 40-44; 2,614 of 6,567 males; and 4,612 of 18,019 overall. My revised pace 9:25.
This was number 11 for half marathons for me. Time-wise, it ranks number 9. The third time I've been over 2 hours, and the third time in-a-row!
On Monday, April 15, the day of the bombing at the Boston Marathon, I ran 5 miles at an 8:55 pace that evening. On Wednesday, I ran 6 miles at a 9:13 pace. Finally, the weather is getting to where I don't mind trying to run regularly. I don't remember why, but I missed Thursday's run.
On Saturday, April 20, I ran 10 miles. Well, I actually walked a few hills. It was only 36 degrees when I started and just at 48 when I finished. However, the sunshine once again made the air and my desire to run warmer. My pace was 10:07. The rest of the day I had ITB problems in my left knee. The opposite leg of a couple of years ago, when I had to miss a few months. It hurt to walk, especially to step upwards. It was better the next day, as long as I was going up steps. Monday, I thought it was all better. I planned on running 5 easy miles, then 4 on Tuesday, and 3 on Wednesday, before taking Thursday and Friday off for Saturday's marathon/half marathon. About half-mile into the run, I thought my knee was going to give out. I regained my balance and did some walking. I tried running again, but felt some pain. I walked some more. The I tried to run again, but once again stopped. I didn't stop because the pain was unbearable, but because I didn't want to go months without being able to run. Plus, the marathon/half marathon was in a few days. I got in 2.2 miles at a 14:37 pace. No more running until race day.
The weather forecasters had been predicting rain for the marathon all week. For once, they were correct. I thought about backing out for about 10 seconds. I never really gave it much thought after that. I was running. I was just hoping my leg would cooperate. I didn't want to have to walk for 10 miles in the rain.
I had a garbage bag jacket and a Foodlion bag cap cover to wear before the race started. The rain poured down off and on as I drove about 60 miles to Nashville. Before I got into the parking lot at LP Field, the rain had stopped. I had the feeling that it wouldn't start back up until the race started (and hoped it wouldn't rain again until after I had finished). The trash bag jacket was mainly for waiting in line to board the bus to carry me across town to the start line, to wait in the port-a-toilet line once I got there, and for the start of the race. I was to take it off right before the race began. Since it was raining when I got parked, I didn't wear it. While standing in line to pee, the rain began again. It felt cold. Once inside a port-a-potty, I could hear the rain pounding the top of it. I hated to go back out into it, but I did. I headed to the starting area and made my way into a corral. I'm not sure what number, because they had been moving up for about 15 minutes, and the markers were no longer useful. Finally, I got to start running. Somewhere between miles 5 and 6, my watch went blank. I had noticed that it was flashing (something it usually does not do) "hold to shut off". I didn't want to shut it off, and I couldn't get any of the buttons to work. About a year ago, I replaced the battery and lost a screw. Since I didn't think I would ever need the 50 meter water resistance depth, I didn't worry about it. I have ran in the rain before without any problems, but today, I guess it was too much rain for it to take. I was running naked the rest of the race.
Running in the rain was not all that bad. It was a lot better than just standing in it. My left knee began hurting before I hit the first half-mile. I was thinking, "Oh, no, not already." It lasted about another half-mile, and seldom bothered me again. The leg issue, the rain, and how I felt overall were to be the barometer to decide if I ran the full or half marathon. The whole week I considered the full or half debate as a "game time decision". To upgrade from the half to full marathon, a runner had to register and pay an upgrade fee. To change from the full to half, all a person had to do was run the half - it didn't matter what the bib had printed on it, what corral, or anything. When I got to the point of where the half and full split, I was to make the decision. Around Mile 11, I passed the 4:15 pace group. I was feeling good - no ITB problems, didn't feel depleted. Mostly, because of having to run slower that what I would have tried to do, because of all the runners/walkers in the way. When I got to the split, I went the way of the half. I didn't want to run 13 more miles than I had to. I wasn't trained for it, and it was raining! It had rained so much that the garbage bags people took off on the course, along with empty cups from water stations, and other miscellany were flowing down the side of the streets at a faster pace than I could run. There were two points that I had to slosh through water that was over ankle deep. And I don't mean because I was trying to go around someone or through a puddle - I mean it was across the whole street!
I hated that I didn't run the full marathon, but was relieved when I had finished the half. Once I had finished, I realized how wet I was. Then I got cold. I worked through the maze of people and tents to head straight to my vehicle. I opened the back of the Xterra to use as a roof and changed clothes. Even though I dried off the best I could, it still took a long time to warm up.
My time was 2:02:44, for a 9:22 pace. I was 347 of 923 in the Male Age Group of 40-44, 2,569 out of 6,506 males (over 11,000 more females ran it than males! I guess the males ran the full), and 4,536 out of 17,829 overall. After the first 5k, I was at 30:28 (9:50 pace). At the 10k mark, I was 1:00:06 (9:42 pace). At 9.9 miles, I was at 1:34:57 (a 9:35 pace). I ran the last 3.2 miles at an 8:40 pace. I was getting faster at each marker, which I'm happy about. I usually falter in the middle.
UPDATE: May 14, 2013: I noticed Athlinks.com had my time as 2:03:19 instead of 2:02:44. I checked the Country Music Marathon website to see that my time had indeed been adjusted to 2:03:19. The 5k, 10k, and 9.9 times were exactly the same, but 35 seconds had been added to the last 3.2 miles. There were other changes, too. I was 353 of 932 in the Male Age Group of 40-44; 2,614 of 6,567 males; and 4,612 of 18,019 overall. My revised pace 9:25.
This was number 11 for half marathons for me. Time-wise, it ranks number 9. The third time I've been over 2 hours, and the third time in-a-row!
My Rain Gear
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
April 15, 2013 - Twin Explosions at the Boston Marathon
There is so much to write that I'm not even going to try.......
April 13, 2013 - Moosic City Dairy Dash 5k and 10k
I ran the 5k better than I thought I would. I was 21 of 65 in the male 40-44 Age Group and 274 of 1,687 overall. My heart rate monitor still didn't work, even though I put in a new battery before leaving home. My time was 25:32, an 8:14 pace. With the way runs have been going lately (mostly over 10:00 paces), I was expecting a little under 9:00, and maybe, due to the excitement of the race, at best around 8:30.
The 5k actually began over a minute before I reached the pads to start my timing chip. That, plus the 25:32 it took me to run it, left little time before the 10k began. The race officials wasted no time. The 5k began at 8:00, and the 10k at 8:30. So, I had about 3 minutes between races. Actually, I could have waited until they were about to close the starting line before I headed out. I heard the runner that was starting behind me say something to the race official. The official said they were leaving it open for 10 to 15 minutes, so that other people that were running both, but still weren't done with the 5k, had a chance to get timed. Anyway...
I finished 23 of 42 in the male 40-44 age group. 324 of 911 overall. My time was 55:36, an 8:58 pace. It sure felt like I ran it faster.
Out of the 19 (and I walked most of one pushing a baby stroller) 5k races I have ran, this race was #16. It was #6 of 8 for the 10k. I am getting worse!
The 5k actually began over a minute before I reached the pads to start my timing chip. That, plus the 25:32 it took me to run it, left little time before the 10k began. The race officials wasted no time. The 5k began at 8:00, and the 10k at 8:30. So, I had about 3 minutes between races. Actually, I could have waited until they were about to close the starting line before I headed out. I heard the runner that was starting behind me say something to the race official. The official said they were leaving it open for 10 to 15 minutes, so that other people that were running both, but still weren't done with the 5k, had a chance to get timed. Anyway...
I finished 23 of 42 in the male 40-44 age group. 324 of 911 overall. My time was 55:36, an 8:58 pace. It sure felt like I ran it faster.
Out of the 19 (and I walked most of one pushing a baby stroller) 5k races I have ran, this race was #16. It was #6 of 8 for the 10k. I am getting worse!
*** The first mile of the 5k put me at 3,000 miles, since I began in August 2009. ***
Catching Up: March 28 thru April 12
April 5 - First run in 8 days; Second since Half Marathon on March 16. 6 miles in 1:00:24 (10:04 pace). My maximum heart rate should be around 177. My recovery started with it at 196, and it reached 198!
April 6 - Running on back-to-back days for the first time since December 3rd and 4th. It was 50 degrees at the start. Amazing how 50 degrees doesn't seem so cold when sun is shining the temperature is rising instead of dropping. This is the day I should be running my longest training run of 20 miles for the Country Music Marathon on April 27. I couldn't even do the 10 miles without walking. It took me 1:46:00, a 10:36 pace.
April 8 - I hate that HR monitor didnt work today, since the previous 5 runs reached in 190's. Ran 5 miles in 52:45. 10:33 pace.
April 10 - Nothing eventful. 6 miles in 57:56. 9:39 pace. Still no heart rate monitor.
I get a "warm" feeling as I look at the dates above. Finally, a little consistency. Hope I can keep it up. Since the weather is finally "warming" up, I feel more like running.
For my future reference:
In 2011, from January 1 thru April 12, I had ran 195.0 miles, with my longest run being 14 miles on February 12. Jan. 81.0, Feb. 36.0, Mar. 58.0, Apr. 1-12 20.0. My marathon time was 5:59:29, a 13:43 pace.
In 2012, from January 1 thru April 12, I had ran 271.2 miles, with a longest run of 16 miles on April 7. Jan. 93.0, Feb. 44.1, Mar. 95.1, Apr. 1-12 39.0. My marathon time was 5:20:51, a 12:15.
This year seems less likely to show an improvement as mileage has dropped drastically. From January 1 thru April 12, the total mileage was 133.4. 61.6 less than 2011, and 137.8 less than last year. Jan. 49.1, Feb. 36.1, Mar. 21.2, Apr 1-12 27.0.
April 6 - Running on back-to-back days for the first time since December 3rd and 4th. It was 50 degrees at the start. Amazing how 50 degrees doesn't seem so cold when sun is shining the temperature is rising instead of dropping. This is the day I should be running my longest training run of 20 miles for the Country Music Marathon on April 27. I couldn't even do the 10 miles without walking. It took me 1:46:00, a 10:36 pace.
April 8 - I hate that HR monitor didnt work today, since the previous 5 runs reached in 190's. Ran 5 miles in 52:45. 10:33 pace.
April 10 - Nothing eventful. 6 miles in 57:56. 9:39 pace. Still no heart rate monitor.
I get a "warm" feeling as I look at the dates above. Finally, a little consistency. Hope I can keep it up. Since the weather is finally "warming" up, I feel more like running.
For my future reference:
In 2011, from January 1 thru April 12, I had ran 195.0 miles, with my longest run being 14 miles on February 12. Jan. 81.0, Feb. 36.0, Mar. 58.0, Apr. 1-12 20.0. My marathon time was 5:59:29, a 13:43 pace.
This year seems less likely to show an improvement as mileage has dropped drastically. From January 1 thru April 12, the total mileage was 133.4. 61.6 less than 2011, and 137.8 less than last year. Jan. 49.1, Feb. 36.1, Mar. 21.2, Apr 1-12 27.0.
Friday, March 29, 2013
March 28, 2013 - A Training Run
I had decided I would only post about races, since the training run posts are pretty much boring (i.e. I ran 5 miles in 45 minutes). If you are not chased by a dog or something strange doesn't happen, after awhile, the posts become mundane. Well, mine do - not everybody's. However, this training run does hold a special place in my heart. Not that anything extraordinary happened or it was a great run, it is just that I did ran. This was my first training run since February 13! I have ran two half marathons and a 5k in between, though. In an earlier post, I commented that I was trying to be a Weekend Warrior. It was more like an Every Other Weekend Warrior - 10 days from February training run of 4 miles to the first half marathon, a week from then to the 5k, 2 weeks from the 5k to the second half marathon, and then 12 days until I ran today. With 3 days left in March (and I hope to get a run in on Saturday to add a few more miles), I have a total of 21.2 miles for the month (and 34.3 for the last 43 days). I should be running somewhere around 30 miles per week! The main reason for me not running: the weather. I have just not been happy with it. There have been a few nice days, but by the time I got home from work, the weather had changed. After a mostly sunny day, the sun was behind the clouds or maybe even raining. We've even had some snow this week. It did stick to the ground, but just days after the first day of spring, it was snowing and cold! If there were any nice days, I was unable to run due to some other thing I had to do. All I know is that, "The Country Music Marathon (less than a month away) is really going to kill me."
Monday, March 18, 2013
March 16, 2013 - Clarksville 5th Annual Half Marathon
I am unofficially trying to obtain the title of "Weekend Warrior". During the last 4 weeks, I have ran 3 races on Saturdays - a 5k and two half marathons. No other running. In fact, those are my only runs in the last 31 days.
Well, this half marathon has gone down a lot. This year had 105 finishers. A long way from the 884 in 2009. I bet it loses its USRA Half Marathon Series status before long. It dropped to 493 in 2010. I think to 183 in 2011. Then they moved it from October to March. Etc.
This was my 10th half marathon. I was well rested for it :) But not well trained for it :(
It started off okay. Two weeks ago I ran a 5k with the temperature around freezing and some snow flurries. Today, the temperature was around a great 65 degrees. However, there was some of that dreaded WIND! And I mean WIND! At one point we ran directly into the wind for almost two miles. (I meant to check the wind speeds for the day when I got home, but never did it). I want to say 100 mph winds, but I guess it was more like 30. And I don't mean wind gusts. I mean solid, nonstop wind for 2 miles! Then there were more "opportunities" to run head-on into the wind! I was thinking that I would have to label this post with an "Explicit Language" caution, but I have calmed down since the race and refrained from such language. According to most of the finishing times, it seems the wind affected a lot of the runners.
The wind most certainly affected me, but lack of training also hurt my time. Three weeks ago I ran my slowest - 2:04:21 (9:30 pace) - half marathon. I thought that since this one would be flatter that I would be at about the same time. I blame the wind on me setting a new personal low at 2:10:15 (9:57 pace). However, I did receive my highest age group ranking. I was # 2 of 8 in the 40-44, and 49 of 105 overall. A 2:10 time finishing #2 is another reason I think the wind affected people. The winner, however, did run it in 1:23. There have been quite a few people to run it in under 1:20, though.
Two half marathons this year with each setting a new personal slow.
Well, this half marathon has gone down a lot. This year had 105 finishers. A long way from the 884 in 2009. I bet it loses its USRA Half Marathon Series status before long. It dropped to 493 in 2010. I think to 183 in 2011. Then they moved it from October to March. Etc.
This was my 10th half marathon. I was well rested for it :) But not well trained for it :(
It started off okay. Two weeks ago I ran a 5k with the temperature around freezing and some snow flurries. Today, the temperature was around a great 65 degrees. However, there was some of that dreaded WIND! And I mean WIND! At one point we ran directly into the wind for almost two miles. (I meant to check the wind speeds for the day when I got home, but never did it). I want to say 100 mph winds, but I guess it was more like 30. And I don't mean wind gusts. I mean solid, nonstop wind for 2 miles! Then there were more "opportunities" to run head-on into the wind! I was thinking that I would have to label this post with an "Explicit Language" caution, but I have calmed down since the race and refrained from such language. According to most of the finishing times, it seems the wind affected a lot of the runners.
The wind most certainly affected me, but lack of training also hurt my time. Three weeks ago I ran my slowest - 2:04:21 (9:30 pace) - half marathon. I thought that since this one would be flatter that I would be at about the same time. I blame the wind on me setting a new personal low at 2:10:15 (9:57 pace). However, I did receive my highest age group ranking. I was # 2 of 8 in the 40-44, and 49 of 105 overall. A 2:10 time finishing #2 is another reason I think the wind affected people. The winner, however, did run it in 1:23. There have been quite a few people to run it in under 1:20, though.
Two half marathons this year with each setting a new personal slow.
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