Boston Strong

Twilight Trot

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Location:

Naples,FL,

Member Since:

Mar 29, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

400m - ATC:  1:08   May '11

800m - ATC:  2:32   May '11

1600m - self-timed:  5:?? 

5k- Vinings Downhill 5k:  18:34  Sept, '11

10.k - Mardis Gras 10k:  39:15   Feb '12

Half - The Scream:  1:23:59  Jul '11

Marathon - Ridge to Bridge:  3:06:23   Oct '11

Completed 13 Marathons & 2 50k & 1 Century ride

Short-Term Running Goals:

Run injury free

Upcoming Races:

Sept. 14: - Erie Marathon

Long-Term Running Goals:

Sprint down Boylston Street once per year

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
ST-6 Racer Lifetime Miles: 223.50
Boston Adizero Red Lifetime Miles: 607.00
Boston Adizero White Lifetime Miles: 430.00
Nike Free Lifetime Miles: 362.00
Nike Trail Lifetime Miles: 327.20
Boston Classic Lifetime Miles: 362.50
Adidas Marathon TR Lifetime Miles: 155.90
Vertical Feet Climbed - 2011 Lifetime Miles: 75701.00
Kinvara 2 Lifetime Miles: 31.80
Adios Lifetime Miles: 277.90
Ghost GTX Lifetime Miles: 328.00
Karhu Flow Formula One Lifetime Miles: 166.30
Brooks PureFlow 2 Lifetime Miles: 153.70
Adios II Lifetime Miles: 147.40
Adios 2 Lifetime Miles: 150.20
Race: Twilight Trot (6.2 Miles) 00:42:50, Place overall: 10, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.006.206.20

Race Flyer desribed course as 'Hot & Hilly", and after an 18 miler on Friday, at the one mile mark, I was not happy with my decision to run this race, as history tells me I need rested legs to run fast.  After a 6:50 mile, which included 170' of climb, I can honestly say I have never been breathing so heavy at the 1 mile mark in a race ... not too mention my legs were screaming at me.  Yep, went out way too fast first 1/4 mile as usual, and then the climb started.  My goal was to win the Masters, which came with a sweet trophy & a $75 prize. 

Towards the end of the first mile I got passed by a guy who definitely looked over 40, and he was like on cruise control while I was gasping for air.  Also got passed by another guy who looked 40ish, who was not laboring either.  The uphill continued & the first guy was out of sight before long & the second guy was gapping me pretty quickly!  I had to slow to get my breathing under control, but was more concerned about my screaming legs, and was seriously considering an easy 5 mile run the rest of the way ... but I didn't pay $20 for that, so hung on & figured I would settle for a solid 6 mile fast tempo run, my secondary goal.

Next thing I knew I was getting passed by another guy who was def 40+ & it sounded like another half dozen set of footsteps directly behind me!  I never looked backed & picked up the pace to run side by side with the guy attempting to pass me, with footsteps right behind us.  Finally, almost half way into Mile 3, the big downhill began, and yes, I live for downhill running!  I blocked out the pain & pulled back ahead, but knew I had to throw the hammer down, or I would be getting passed again on the next uphill.  I had been struggling to try to hold a 7 min pace, but threw in a half mile at a 6 min pace ... closing the gap on the guy in front of me from about 200 yards to 100.  As we rounded a turn at the bottom I glanced back, and sure enough I had put a good distance between myself and the pack I had been with ... unfortunately now I felt like I was in no mans land!  Fortunately, my legs had livened up a little, and my breathing was a little more under control. 

The decline became more gradual mixed with flats, but there was enough for me to keep slowly closing the distance on my next target.  By the time we hit Mile 5, where the uphill started again, I had closed to about 30 yards, what I considered to be striking distance if I could just hang on.  Fortunately he was no longer motoring uphill like he had been in Mile 2, and I inched my way closer ... which was exactly the positive mojo I was needing to keep pushing at this point.  At the 5 mile split I was only about 10 back & wanted to get a better feel for my competition, so I pulled even for a little while to assess things.  At this point, we had both closed the gap on the next target to only about 30 yards, so i told the guy 'let's reel him in.  Started pushing harder, and he only stayed with me for about a 100 yards.  I was gaining but really concerned, because I was pushing my limit & there was a big uphill ahead ... I don't like these , especially when I am whooped!  Apparently he was whooped to as I kept gaining on the incline.  As I passed him he gave me words of encouragement, and said great job attacking the hill ... not sure I ever heard that one before!  lol  Anyway, his words of encouragement helped, so I pushed a little more. 

Never thought I would catch the next runner, who was the 2nd place female finisher, as she was about 50 ahead, but kept getting closer.  I felt confident if I could close half the gap, I could catch her in the last quarter mile.  I passed her with about 100 yards to go, & she tried to go with me ... I went to sprint mode & with some enthusiastic spectators at the finish threw the hammer down & pulled substantially ahead!

 I nearly puked/collapsed after finishing but was really happy with my effort, figured I probably won my age group, but never even saw the guy again that had passed me in the first mile ... until about 20 minutes after the race, where I congratulated him on a great race, & told him he probably won Masters!  He looked at me funny, don't even think he knew what a Master was, so I asked his age ... 36!  I swear he looked 43 minimum!!  Hmmm ... maybe  I did win, thank goodness I did not throw in the towel at the 2 mile mark like I was considering!

 Sure enough, I got the big trophy & $75 to boot!  What a pleasant surprise!!  42:50 is not a great time, but considering heat & hills, it was everything I had to do it, and I was pleased with my time ... early in the race I decided I would be thrilled if I could hold a sub 7 pace considering conditions & my long run Friday.  This was the identical time I ran Peachtree in July 4 ... but I think this course was tougher ... and that one had a lot more adrenalin/race atmosphere on its side.

Sorry for the long report ... first time I ever won cash and bigger than a 6" trophy!  :-)   I ate hot wings & drank beer to celebrate!

* I ended up winning Masters by 40 seconds, but I did not pass the guy that finished second until just after the 5 mile mark.

Split El Gain El Loss Avg Pace
1 170 55 6:50
2 144 102 7:15
3 0 172 6:29
4 17 107 6:42
5 132 63 7:04
6 88 52 6:59
0.27 0 0 5:37
6.27 552 552

6:50

ST-6 Racer Miles: 6.20Vertical Feet Climbed - 2011 Miles: 550.00
Comments
From timp on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 08:09:42 from 99.110.188.230

awesome job on the race JG!! congrats on the win and all awards!!

From I Just Run on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 10:25:00 from 67.79.11.242

WoooHooo...Congradulations on your win! Hope you didn't spend all of the $75 on wings and beer :-) Your race report read like a good suspense novel ... fun reading! Now on to the next goal?

From Mattrow on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 11:03:44 from 8.22.13.222

Good job. You are in a select group, people that have won money for running. Nice job.

From I Just Run on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 11:33:01 from 67.79.11.242

Mattrow,

Why did you have to point that out? I was getting free advice from JG and now he'll probably start charging me since he's now a "professional" :-(

From JG on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 12:04:13 from 71.57.246.108

Thanks Tim, the awards definitely make it sweeter! IJR - Next goal is a big stretch, sub 18 on a downhill 5k in 4 weeks. Matt, the cash was definite incentive, in Atlanta you are usually lucky to get a $20 gift certificate if you win! IJR, how much are you willing to pay? :)

On a side note, the guy that came in second overall declined his $75 prize, said he could not accept money, guess he was a collegiate runner. The winner, who has won the last 5 years finished in 31 something, which is sick on a hilly course!

From timp on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 12:07:48 from 144.188.24.33

31:xx for 6.2 - eh - not bad

:)

From JG on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 12:15:51 from 71.57.246.108

Yep ... we are talking nearly 2 min/mile faster than I was running ... hard to fathom ... but I did have a half stride lead on him 10 yards into the race! :)

From timp on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 12:29:27 from 144.188.24.33

nice job, man!

that is crazy pace for sure -

From Steam8 on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 18:08:59 from 174.253.165.67

Yeehooooo! Loved reading the report! So glad you didn't throw in the towel at 2! congrats on a much earned win!!!

From Dave S on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 19:26:42 from 4.254.229.13

Nice job! especially under those conditions. Congrats on the masters win. Always nice to bring home a trophy and cash. Enjoyed the report.

From SlowJoe on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 20:26:34 from 75.109.104.60

Wow, a well-earned victory! Sounds like you raced your guts out. I've only run one 10K but I think I did the same thing, starting out too hard. Nice finish!

From Dan on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 22:11:14 from 24.209.83.20

CONGRATS!! Well done! Most people would have threw in the towel, but you pushed through it- loved reading that. Way to run it out.

From JG on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 22:35:41 from 71.57.246.108

Thanks Steam, not sure I deserved to win with that time, but I did feel like I earned it. Joe, I have learned not to start too fast on the half & full, not sure I will ever learn on the 5 & 10ks, it would help if I lowered my time goals! Tanks Dan, I took a good long hard look at the trophy before the race, and even though I thought I came in second, you can never be sure of someone's age ... especially when they blow by you early in the race! Today was a nice day of rest!

From rAtTLeTrAp on Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 23:11:58 from 24.22.239.183

Great report! Congrats on your win!! I've never won a trophy or cash. That's gotta feel great.

From flatlander on Tue, Aug 16, 2011 at 10:57:14 from 76.31.26.153

Terrific job, but kind of sad you are no longer an amateur. You are just starting to hit your stride, can't wait to see some of your times this fall.

From seeaprilrun on Tue, Aug 16, 2011 at 18:01:58 from 174.70.177.86

Wow! Great race! I can't believe you dropped a 6:50 mile on a 170 foot climb to start! You competed hard and totally earned your prize!

From JG on Tue, Aug 16, 2011 at 22:33:32 from 24.199.137.98

Thanks Trap ... it did! Flat, hope to have some good races this fall, am afraid I am getting close to my top end though! Thx April, I nearly dropped a lung in the process! :)

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