The Long Run

Went to the Y this morning.  Did 3.28 miles on the treadmill at about an 8:20 pace.  Then, headed outside for 4.04 miles at 7:48 pace.  The weather was very nice this morning.

Ran this Dixie this morning, met up about 6:00 at the 7-11.  The 7-11 was closed up and is about to be torn down to make way for a drug store.  Probably pick a new meeting place  pretty soon.  We ran a slightly different route, but still hit the lake park in Lansbrook and did a short loop through John Chestnut park.  Very nice weather again for running this morning.

First 3.3 miles were slower at 9:12 average pace.  Picked things up after that to end up with an 8:32 average for the entire run.

In other news I've signed up for two half marathons.  The first one is the Clearwater half marathon on January 18th.  This is the closest thing to a "hilly" marathon, it's out and back with two big bridges each way.

Also, I have signed up for the Canyonlands half marathon in March.  I work with a guy that mainly works from his home in Colorado but is here at this office about once a month.  I was talking to him at the company Christmas party and he talked me into signing up for it.  Looks like it should be a lot of fun.  I'll be in the midst of my Boston training so it will be a good chance to see where I am at, enjoy some great scnery and hopefully meet some FRBers in person.

Mini tempo run with Dixie this morning at the Y.  Met up at 6:00, warmed up a little bit then started out at an easy pace for about 1.8 miles.  Did the 3 mile loop around Kinsmere including some side streets.  Pace felt pretty good especially after the first two miles.

Splits were: 6:58, 6:55, 6:54

Backed it down and then ran back to the parking lot at an easy pace.  Another very nice morning for running, about 62 degrees and just a hint of fog.

Back in the  parking lot, I looked down and saw a dime, picked it up and saw that it was from 1966, the year I was born.  Coincidental since tomorrow is my birthday!

Nice run by myself this morning on an out and back course from my house to Starkey Blvd. bike trail.  Ok, beginning of the run was not so nice, shins tightened up and easy pace didn't feel so easy, but was better after 3 miles.  It was warmer this morning but foggier so it still felt cool.

The turnaround point was the nicest part of the run to see a little bit of sun coming through the breaking fog and tall pine trees.

Picked up last mile to just under 7:10 pace.

Average pace: 7:51

Today was a great race.  I had been looking forward to this race since Jenny signed us up for us.  It was going to be flat, not too crowded and a straight out and back on the bike trail in Starkey park where I run all the time.  Well, it turned out it wasn't completely on the bike trail, there was a loop around the park with a smaller out and back on the bike trail.  But it was still very flat.

We arrived at the park a little bit after 7:15, found some parking and picked up our race numbers.  There was a dense fog this morning that made driving there take just a little bit longer (maybe a minute or two).  The air was nice and cool but it was very humid from the fog.  In the parking lot I heard someone say to someone else "oh, you just ran a 2:59 marathon? congratulations".  Well, looked like I would have some competition.   I wasn't looking to win or even come in the top 3, just a good PR and maybe an age group award.

I did a short warm up of 1.77 miles run on a part of the 5k course.  Then went to line up.  The outside front of my lower left leg got really tight.   There was now only a few minutes to loosen up.  Fortunately there was a 5 minute delay because one of the gates was still locked so it gave me some time to loosen up some more. 

I lined up at the beginning.  A couple little kids got in front of me, starting out too fast, the quickly fell back after about a tenth of a mile.  Another guy came up behind me and was in front for about a half mile.  Then the 2:59 guy got in front of me.  The first guy in front of me fell back about but the 2:59 guy was in front and slowly increasing the gap, but not too much at first.

First mile came in at 6:14 - breathing felt hard, maybe due to the humid foggy air.   Then a little bit later we got onto the out and back section on the bike trail.  2:59 guy continued to gap me.   He was running pretty steady but I was slowing down.  I got my pace back up slightly.  Part of the problem was with the fog, it didn't take long before I couldn't see the leader.  I couldn't quite see the turnaround cone when I saw the leader heading back the other way.  As he passed me the other way he said "you're doing a great job!" I answered back thanks but my voice sounded more feeble than his.  Second mile was about 6:29.

The bike trail back was pretty neat because I saw a lot of my friends and my family cheering me on as they were coming the other way towards the turnaround.  Couldn't see the leader any more and was struggling to hold my pace but was determined to get a sub-20:00.  I saw the three mile sign and kicked the speed back up.  I saw 19:32 on the time clock as I went through the finish chute (but still waiting on official results, finish picture that my wife's friend's husband took shows 19:35).  No one passed me after the leader did, so I took second place overall.

Another few seconds off my PR!  I didn't completely feel like I was performing at 100% but still pulled off a good race.

I grabbed some water and jogged back out on the course.  I saw Andy heading in by himself.  He looked happy and strong.  I ran with him until we were close to the finish chute.  He had a good kick and finished with a 29:34.  A PR for running by himself, a minute faster than his last 5K.

Next I went back out and saw Jenny running with Noah.  I yelled to Noah "home stretch!" and he kicked it in and finished about 30:30 a PR for him!  They took first and second for their age groups and Jenny ended up with 3rd place.

So, it wasn't the exact course I thought it would be but it was a great time with the family, some new PR's and for a good cause - Arthritis Foundation.