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Carlsbad Half-Marathon

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Location:

Tucson,AZ,USA

Member Since:

Aug 30, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Age Division Winner

Running Accomplishments:

PR's

5K: 21:26 (2005)

4 mile: 28:10 (2005)

10K: 43:33 (2010)

10 mile: 1:13:35 (2009) (1:12:15 split in 1/2 marathon, 2011)

1/2 marathon: 1:34:31 (2011)

marathon: 3:19:15 (2013)

Short-Term Running Goals:

~~3:20 marathon - Eugene Marathon, April 28, 2013 (can I say I really want a sub 3:20? but I will be happy with 3:20-3:23)~~ -- whoohoo!

~~Some good intermediate races 15K - 1/2 marathon, to gauge my fitness level~~ (done this, hit a 1:34:35 1/2 marathon in March 2013, on a hilly course)

Going after my 10 mile PR in Fall 2013

Maybe some good 10K races after the infernal Arizona summer is over!

Long-Term Running Goals:

I want to be one of those runners who is still running in their 80s (or 90s?). You know the ones, who look all grisley and fit? That is what I would like! Until then, I just want to work hard and be as fast as I can, for as long as I can.

Personal:

50 year old, trying to defy gravity and time

Used to be faculty at the University of Arizona (biostatistics). Currently manager of the statistics and data management group for companion diagnostics (biomarkers) at Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Roche diagnostics). We evaluate protein biomarkers that can be used to direct drug therapy that would be most effective based on individual characteristics (personalized medicine).

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00

Sun, Jan 25, 2009

Race: Carlsbad Half-Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:36:38, Place in age division: 7

Easy Miles	Threshold Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Track speed mileage	Hill mileage	Total
3.00	13.10	0.00	0.00	0.00	16.10

YIPPEE. It was a very hilly course (I actually kind of knew this going into it, but man it was hilly) -- When I called Dean to tell him how did he said he was a little worried because some of the hills were much steeper than he had thought. It was a perfectly executed race though, and the hills (or the cross-wind along the ocean) did not affect my performace because I ran pretty much by feel and did not really pay attention to my splits except at the very beginning to make sure I was not running too fast. I am so happy.

This my watch time - the "clock time" is a little different but I figured this is the way my splits worked out so it is how I am breaking down my race (for future training):

mile 1 - 7:58 (this is wrong)

mile 2 - 6:41 (downhill, but this is wrong too -- the average of 1 and 2 is 7:19 and much more believable - I was not feeling "peppy" just trying to ease into it)

mile 3 - 7:36 (big hill, as we crested it we were running along the ocean I think it was pretty - but I did not really pay attention)

mile 4 - 7:17 (still along the ocean, finding pace was hard because of the rolling hills)

mile 5 - 7:27 (more of the same - you could see the marathon leaders here coming down the hill as we were heading up - man, they looked good for 21 miles!)

mile 6 - 7:16 (harder portion as we headed away from the ocean)

mile 7/8 - 7:27 (missed the mile 7 marker because there was a water stop there and I was taking a gu. This was a hard part of the race - steady uphill over about a mile)

mile 9 - 7:23 (I am starting to focus on passing people now, I don't feel good, but I know from my fast finish runs I can finish!)

mile 10 - 7:27 (water, shorter hill)

mile 11 - 7:23 (yea baby)

mile 12 - 7:21 (passing lots of people now - LAST HILL)

mile 13 - 7:08 (downhill - can hear the finish!!!)

mile 13.1 - :40 (holy cow - I could not believe the clock as I was running into the finish!!)

I really expected to PR today, and I pretty much knew a 1:38 was in reach, but I seriously did not expect to break 1:37 - especially after I realized how hilly it was. I am very happy.

Comments

From Cheryl on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 13:55:07

Great job, great time on what sounds like a not easy course. Way to go!

From LaurenO on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 14:29:11

Daaaang, nice job!! You should be very proud!! :) So is a marathon in the cards for you now?

From snoqualmie on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 14:44:12

Excellent!! I'm so happy for you. Your training has been great and it showed! I enjoyed reading your race report and sharing your experience vicariously. Such great splits, especially considering the hills. Bravo!! Enjoy your recovery!

From rockness18 on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 15:16:19

No surprise to see your time with the training you've logged. However, impressed by such a solid effort in hills. Great job!

From MichelleL on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 16:39:51

Your training is paying off! What a strong PR and a great time. Some day you'll need to come to Utah for a race so I can take you out after :) It must have been a big race for you to be 7th in your age division.

From jtshad on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 18:09:52

Congrats on a strong PR on a tougher course. As others said, solid training led to the great effort!

From Bonnie on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 19:21:53

Thanks you guys - it is so nice to have you to share success with! Especially since I have shared my 'unsuccesses' with you too!

Michelle - yes, it was extremely competitive - especially on the women's side, TONS of women running in the 1:20's. Interesting since it was nearly big as PF Changs. Unfortunately my chip did not register - all they have is my gun time ... I started pretty far in the back of the first wave - I don't know how much time it cost but I started my watch just before I hit the mat so my watch is closer to chip time). Regardless is was not enough to have put me higher than 6th in the age division anyway. It doesn't matter really -- a PR no matter how you slice it.

From Bonnie on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 19:57:17

I am brain dead -- Michelle that was "interesting, since it was NOT as big as PF Chang's"!

You need to see if you can get comp'ed here next year -- or Big Sur in November, you would take home cash I am sure!

From Carolyn in Colorado on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 at 23:04:57

Congratulations on the PR! And 7th in your age division! That's awesome. You are one speedy runner.

From ChrisM on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 06:58:13

Good job on breaking 1:37! Just think how much quicker you will go on a flat course!

From Mark on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 14:21:11

Great job on the PR on a hilly course. I love Carlsbad and would like to try the half or full there sometime since my brother lives there. You've certainly put in the hard work to get this time, very well deserved!

From barry on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 17:43:50

Great job! How are you feeling today?

From Brent on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 20:54:36

Bonnie, the hard work really paid off, very nice race, 500 commando points for the PR and smart race.

Stay Kool, B of BST Rools out

From josse on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 21:33:18

That is so great, I am so glad that your training has paid off. Congrats on the pr:)

From Bonnie on Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 13:52:16

Thank you so much for the kudo's Carolyn, Mark, Barry and Josse. I love commando points Brent!

Lauren -- I am doing a marathon (I only promise to do one, but one I will do)! probably Eugene or Newport (both in Oregon) in late spring.

Barry, I feel fine today - a little sore, but not bad. I will be taking it slow the next couple of weeks though, the only time I have been injured enough to miss a lot of running/training was after my old 1/2 marathon PR - I felt fine so I jumped right into training and within a week could barely walk. This is a good time for me to work many many hours and get caught up with things!

From Lucia on Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 23:53:05

Congratulations Bonnie! You are amazing! You are going to rock whatever marathon you do this spring!

From Bonnie on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 18:04:59

Lucia, have you decided on a marathon yet?

I will be in DC the 10th - 13th. I haven't gotten my flight worked out yet, but I could leave out of National, if I did maybe we could meet for lunch or after you get off work? I will be coming from the Twinbrook Station.

I will be out again the 27th if it doesn't work out this trip.

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