The Long Run

Clearwater Half Marathon

Previous MonthRecent EntriesHomeJoin Fast Running Blog Community!PredictorHealthy RecipesMark's RacesFind BlogsMileage BoardTop Ten Excuses for Missing a RunTop Ten Training MistakesDiscussion ForumRace Reports Send A Private MessageWeek ViewYear View
Graph View
Next Month
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

FL,

Member Since:

Mar 20, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

PR's:

  • 1 mile : 5:43 (3/2017)
  • 5K : 18:34 (12/2011)
  • 5 mile : 32:03 (5/2010)
  • 10K : 39:29 (11/2013)
  • 11K: 46:47 (July 2008)
  • Half Marathon : 1:26:47 (11/2012)
  • Marathon : 3:06:34 (02/2010)
  • 50K Trail: 4:34 (01/2012)
  • 50 Mile: 8:34:48 (4/2012)
  • 100K: 11:06 (2/2012)
  • 100 Mile: 24:19:44 (1/2022)

Marathons:

  • Treasure Coast Marathon (FL) - 3:39:51, Mar 2021
  • Towpath Marathon (OH) - 3:35:26, Oct 2019
  • Jacksonville Marathon - 3:31:10, Dec 2018
  • NYC Marathon - 3:49:12, Nov 2017
  • Marine Corps Marathon - 3:27:00, Oct 2016
  • Utah Valley - Jun 2016
  • Marine Corps Marathon - 3:28:12, Oct 2015
  • Pocatello Marathon (ID) - 3:32:25, Sept 2015
  • Chasing The Unicorn (PA) - 3:31:20, Aug 2015
  • Run for The Red (Poconos) - 3:30:40, May 2015
  • Boston - 3:24:42, Apr 2015
  • Clearwater - 3:27:04, Jan 2015
  • Clearwater - 3:16:17, Jan 2014
  • Boston  - 3:27:00, Apr 2011
  • DesNews - 3:10:57, Jul 2010
  • Gasparilla  - 3:06:34, Feb 2010
  • Space Coast - 3:11:29, Nov 2009
  • Estes Park  (7500' and up) - 3:52:19, Jun 2009
  • Boston - 3:17:22, Apr 2009
  • Niagara Falls - 3:19:21, Oct 2008
  • San Diego RnR  - 3:24:18, Jun 2008
  • Jacksonville Marathon -3:21:24, Dec 2007
  • Chicago Marathon - 3:35:08, Oct 2007
  • Disney Marathon - 3:52:34, Jan 2007

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

 

  • Sub 40:00 10K
  • 2:59 Marathon
  • 1:25 Half Marathon
  • 18:30 5K

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Maintain my health and continuously seek to improve my fitness. Maybe someday get under 3:00 for marathon. More importantly, I'd like to figure out what my maximum ability is and reach that.

I'd also like to find the right balance in life and use running to enhance and improve myself.

 

Personal:

Dad of  three (welcome Charlotte Dani on 8/10/20) awesome kids and stepdad to three almost as awesome as my own kids.

I have a brown dog named Stella, and three cats - Catty, Tortie, and Esperanza.

  (old lines that were a little out of date but couldn't quite bring myself to removing them completely:) Also, have one wonderful brown dog named Sammy and just added a grey tiger cat (Catty) whose life started out rough but now has a better home.

I've recently started another blog so I can easily add lots of pictures and so other non-FRB users can leave comments:

Forward Progress!

 Also, for 2012 I started a blog to write down each day one thing that I am grateful for

Grateful Blog

 

Love living in Florida but love to travel and see the country and rest of the world.

 

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 288.22
Brooks T7 Lifetime Miles: 202.78
Brooks ST5 Lifetime Miles: 403.91
GoMeb Speed3 Lifetime Miles: 483.77
Brooks Pure Flow Lifetime Miles: 160.60
Brooks Launch(lobster) Lifetime Miles: 782.98
GoMeb Razor Lifetime Miles: 468.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
206.523.0034.766.000.000.000.00250.28
Launch (black) Miles: 100.36Nimbus (green) Miles: 91.45Green Silence Miles: 42.80Brooks ST5 Miles: 15.67
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
7.210.000.000.000.000.000.007.21

7.21 mi, 01:03, 08:43 pace

There were a few people meeting at the Y at 7:30, so I figured that would be a good way to make sure I was up. Ran with Michelle, Charly, and two others, then about a mile into the run ran into Eudair who had started earlier and was hoping she would run into someone.

After the run, was talked into trying out Body Combat class at the Y which Jammie was teaching. Of course I felt awkward not knowing anything but it was still a lot of fun.

Launch (black) Miles: 7.21
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
9.000.000.000.000.000.000.009.00

9 mi, 01:17, 08:33 pace

Ran with Eudair starting from Longleaf at 6:30, usual route through Longleaf and out and back on Starkey.

Saw Beka getting ready for her run, other than that the streets were pretty empty. Pleasant running weather this morning.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 9.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
4.620.003.000.000.000.000.007.62

7.62 mi, 00:59, 07:44 pace

Whoops, slept in a little this morning (5:30 instead of 4:50).

Went over to Longleaf anyway, easy warmup and (just to be different), did two approx. 1.5 mile repeats, the first one at 6:38 average, the second one about 6:21.

Very foggy/misty/humid but cool enough at least

Green Silence Miles: 7.62
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
8.210.000.000.000.000.000.008.21

8.21 mi, 01:09, 08:27 pace

Felt good. Ran through the neighborhood and about 1.5 miles on the grassy shoulder of Trinity Blvd.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 8.21
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
12.160.003.000.000.000.000.0015.16

15.16 mi, 02:09, 08:28 pace

Ran from Longleaf at 5:30 with Cynthia, Bob, Eudair, and Jorge, stopping at Diane's house and then all running into Starkey. After a quick restroom stop we were heading back out (along with a lot of other people), when just about everyone stopped. One of our friends had been hit by a deer crossing the trail quickly in the dark. Fortunately, no one was hurt too bad. Cynthia ran with me back to Starkey Blvd.

  I then  ran the four miles back by myself. I wanted to pick it up the last 3 miles but "wasn't feeling it", but went for it all the same - 6:44, 6:51, and 6:25.

Back early and then had a good day with the kids.

Launch (black) Miles: 15.16
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
7.440.000.000.000.000.000.007.44

7.44 mi, 01:04, 08:37 pace

Cool and windy but not cold. Hard to get going, but kept at it and felt pretty good at the end.  Did a little bit on the grass along Trinity Blvd.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 7.44
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
5.090.002.500.000.000.000.007.59

7.59 mi, 00:58 07:40 pace

Nice and cool run at the Y with the Striders. Easy warm up just under 2 miles, then 4x1km (approx) repeats at paces: 6:10,6:08,6:12,6:17. Good effort, but just not at sub 6:00 this morning.


Brooks ST5 Miles: 7.59
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
6.440.000.000.000.000.000.006.44

6.44 mi, 00:57, 08:47 pace

Regular run around the neighborhood. Cut it short a little bit, stopped back at home to get the kids moving, then did a little bit more. Felt pretty good this morning.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 6.44
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
4.400.005.000.000.000.000.009.40

9.4 mi, 01:09, 07:22 pace

Easy paced warm up for about 3 miles, then 5 mile tempo run that turned into tempo/progression run: 6:53, 6:48, 6:38 ,6:29, 6:27.

Foggy out for first half of the run.

Green Silence Miles: 9.40
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
5.400.000.000.000.000.000.005.40

5.4 mi, 00:49, 09:08 pace

Perfect running morning weather wise electronics, not so much. Garmin was too low on batteries so I took a watch (just so I'd not be late getting back), mp3 player was lost yesterday so I took the old one with songs from 2006.

(I thought the mp3 was lost for good but it turned up in my truck later on)

Nimbus (green) Miles: 5.40
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
14.580.003.000.000.000.000.0017.58

17.58 mi, 02:26, 08:18 pace

Left from Longleaf at 5:30 with Cynthia and a few others. Quick stop at Diane's, then into the park before turning back.

Quick pit stop after the 14, then decided to do another 3 fast miles - 6:29,6:18,6:21 - better than I thought I could do. Ran into a bunch of Striders at the end which was a great boost on the final push.

Launch (black) Miles: 17.58
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
8.300.000.000.000.000.000.008.30

8.3 mi, 01:11, 08:31 pace

Nice weather, relaxing Monday morning run. Slow start, with a steady pick up. Ran along grassy shoulder on Trinity Blvd for a while.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 8.30
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
5.080.000.002.500.000.000.007.58

7.58 mi, 00:58, 07:38 pace

Perfect morning weather wise.

Warmed up with Jean (Jean often rides with a friend named Claude along with some women, when they do that they are Jean Claude and the van Dames) and did some of the intervals with him.

4x1km repeats at paces: 6:00,5:53,5:53,5:57 followed by cool down.  Felt good and was a nice confidence boost to run those paces.

Smaller but high quality crowd for quick social hour after the run.

Green Silence Miles: 7.58
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
8.700.000.000.000.000.000.008.70

8.7 mi, 01:12, 08:19 pace

Ran through the neighborhood along with an out and back on Trinity Blvd. Good steady run.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 8.70
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
5.610.004.000.000.000.000.009.61

9.61 mi, 01:15, 07:49 pace

Easy paced warm up (was a little late starting due to garmin) including about a mile with Eudair after the water stop. Then attempted 2x2mile repeats at half marathon goal.

Wasn't quite there but will take credit for the effort: 1) 6:38,6:27 2) 6:36,6:38

Coffee was all gone when I finished, but there were a few people still around to chat with.

Launch (black) Miles: 9.61
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
8.050.000.000.000.000.000.008.05

8.05 mi, 01:07, 08:16 pace

Two shirt (and hat) run this morning (low 40's). Great once I was warmed up.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 8.05
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
7.450.000.000.000.000.000.007.45

7.45 mi, 01:02, 08:22 pace

Short (for a Saturday) run today. Met Eudair and Cynthia in the park after they had already done 7. Ran out with them for a bit and then ran into Dixie for the last half mile or so of his run. Perfect running weather, beautiful morning.

Clearwater Half Marathon tomorrow!

Launch (black) Miles: 7.45
Comments(1)
Race: Clearwater Half Marathon (13.109 Miles) 01:27:27, Place overall: 11, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
4.940.0013.260.000.000.000.0018.20

Stats: 1:27:27, 11th overall, 10th male, 1st age group.

Running wise, I felt strong and was able to get a personal course record, conquered the mile 2-4 stretch where I usually struggle (trick was to not look at my pace at all but focus on someone ahead of me, in this case Terri R. - I eventually caught up to her and passed her today, but I have a feeling I can't count on that happening again), and had a few other bests and firsts for me.

Splits: 6:35, 6:24, 6:27, 6:46, 6:23, 6:39, 6:26, 6:38, 6:42, 6:58, 6:38, 6:35, 6:42, 0.26@6:00

A few days before the race, I tried to do some tempo paced miles but struggled to get down to my goal half marathon pace.  I felt like I was way off from where I was in November, and even where I was before the last race.

My goal this race was to try and get the first half of the race at 6:30 pace or faster no matter what, and then if I faded in the second half, then I faded.

The first mile is uphill to get to the top of the Clearwater Memorial Bridge, but it is the easiest of the uphills for the race.  This was my fastest time doing this first mile and I was feeling energetic and excited.  The second mile is downhill for about a 1/3 of a mile.

In the past I have struggled to hold a good pace for the third mile, but today I was able to hold what I needed by picking out and following someone and not looking at my pace.

The fourth mile goes up and over the Sand Key Bridge which has the same elevation, but has a steeper grade.  I knew I slowed down but I managed to pass a couple of people and decided I would make up what I could on the downside.

Just past mile 4 was my running group, the Suncoast Striders, manning the aid station.  They gave me such a huge boost, with about 25 people there screaming out my name, so the 5th mile was my fastest mile.

Next, I was in and out of Sand Key Park, slowed down a little and realized that my near 6:30 average was slipping away (combined with how I knew my garmin wasn't quite giving me a completely accurate pace).  So, early in the 7th mile I decided I would just push it and get to the pace I had promised myself, if nothing else to about the half way point.  There was a woman who had caught up to me (someone I knew that was often faster than me (she has already done a sub-3:00 marathon a few years back)), with my surge, it was enough to finally shake her - although it would have been nice if she had stayed in front and made me go faster!

Mile 8 started out good, just past the turnaround heading north again and there was a little bit of wind and I let my push slip away.  Then a few more seconds slipped away for mile 9.

Mile 10 was back up and over the Sand Key Bridge again, it was my slowest mile, but I did fight to at least get back down below 7:00. 

With only one more bridge ascent left, I was able to get back into the 6:30's for a couple of miles, then did a better job going back up the Clearwater Bridge.

So, a little bit faster than the last half marathon even though I went into this one feeling slower.  The weather was better.  And also I tried drinking beet juice the day before.  I think I'll give it another try (the beet juice) sometime.

After the race was happy to cheer Marcia on her home stretch PR marathon finish. I spent too much time chatting that I forgot to listen for awards, but fortunately Mike S. had my back and picked it up for me. It would have been nice to get a PR and to get sub 1:25:00, but not at the expense of the good stuff about today.

A few things that the stats don't say: today was an awesome race, the decibel level at the Striders manned aid station rivaled the Boston marathon stretch near Wellesly College, I remembered to look left and look right at the top of Sand Key Bridge, when I thought I was fading I found a sub 6:30 mile at mile 7, I passed a few people in the second half, and I had a stronger last 3 miles than I did at my PR half marathon in November. 

Green Silence Miles: 18.20
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
6.610.000.000.000.000.000.006.61

6.61 mi, 00:58, 08:45 pace

Just sort of took it easy this morning. Quads still a bit sore from Sunday. Chilly out.

Launch (black) Miles: 6.61
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
6.630.000.000.000.000.000.006.63

6.63 mi, 00:57, 08:38 pace

Easy run, classic t-shape route, then back home and a few strides at the end. Two shirt run this morning (low 40's I think). Powerbar apple gel.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 6.63
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
8.560.001.000.000.000.000.009.56

9.56 mi, 01:15 07:53 pace

Ran at Longleaf with the Striders, first 4 miles with Eudair.

A little bit chillier today. Plan was to just take it easy, which I did except toward the end when I did a few faster miles on the way back, including one at 6:16

Launch (black) Miles: 9.56
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
6.320.000.000.000.000.000.006.32

6.32 mi, 00:56, 08:50 pace

Standard run around the neighborhood and golf course on a high 40's foggy morning.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 6.32
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
18.170.000.000.000.000.000.0018.17

18.17 mi, 02:34, 08:29 pace

Started off from Longleaf with Cynthia and Eudair, quick stop at Diane's house then into the park, turned back and slowly picked up the pace and also  picked up Jorge for the return trip, steady pick up at the end with last mile 7:30ish

Launch (black) Miles: 18.17
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
7.570.000.000.000.000.000.007.57

7.57 mi, 01:04, 08:28 pace

Beautiful morning, usual slow paced first mile with steady pick up. I a saw a buck this morning but it was dead :( (at least it did not smell yet).  I see a pretty good amount of deer around here from time to time and was just thinking recently that I never see any bucks, maybe I will see a live one next time.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 7.57
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
5.580.000.002.500.000.000.008.08

8.08 mi, 01:01, 07:31 pace

Tuesday morning run at the Y with the Striders. Did some of my warm up with Scott before he took off, I caught up to him a few times while doing my intervals, 4x1K at paces: 5:58,5:57,5:54,5:58

Then did enough cool down so I would get in 8 miles.

Brooks ST5 Miles: 8.08
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
9.390.000.000.000.000.000.009.39

9.39 ,01:18, 08:17 pace

Started out with usual route around the neighborhood and then went a little bit extra on the grassy shoulder next to Trinity Blvd. Nice 66 degree weather this morning.

Nimbus (green) Miles: 9.39
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
5.013.000.001.000.000.000.009.01

9.01 mi, 01:07, 07:24 pace

Ran at Longleaf, 5:30 with the group.

I thought I would try something different today and run with the group that usually starts out too fast for me. It was a good challenge. Ran with Beka, Melanie, Jean, and Jason. One mile warm up at 8:15, then alternated between low 7's and 7:30's until the last fast mile at 6:04, then one cool down mile. Beka was joking around and said how about 6:20 for the last mile, I said ok, she said she was just kidding but would try and keep up. Towards the end I was slowing down a little but Jason snuck up behind me and we pushed it in and Beka ended up right around 6:20, her fastest mile since hurting hurt foot a few months ago (mechanical bull accident)

Launch (black) Miles: 9.01
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
206.523.0034.766.000.000.000.00250.28
Launch (black) Miles: 100.36Nimbus (green) Miles: 91.45Green Silence Miles: 42.80Brooks ST5 Miles: 15.67
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements
Lone Faithfuls
(need a comment):
Recent Comments: