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500 Festiva Mini Marathon

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Location:

Fort Collins,CO,

Member Since:

May 15, 2003

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

Unaided PR's:
5K: 14:48 (Track - 2001)
10K: 30:45 (Track - 2001)
10K: 31:32 (Bolder Boulder - 2013)
Half Marathon: 1:06:09 (Duluth - 2013)
Marathon: 2:17:54 (Grandma's) - 2014)
Marathon: 2:19:47 (Indianapolis Monumental - 2013)
Marathon: 2:19:49 (Indianapolis Monumental - 2010)

Aided PR's:
10K: 29:38 (Des News - 2011)
Half Marathon: 1:05:30 (TOU Half - 2011)
Marathon: 2:18:09 (St George - 2007)
Marathon: 2:17:35 (Boston - 2011)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in June of 2008. Started taking Enbrel in March, 2009.

Run as much as I can, and race as well as I can. Make the most of however much time I have left as an able-bodied runner.

Training for the 2018 Colorado Marathon

Long-Term Running Goals:

  Run until I'm old, and then run some more. Stand tall.

Personal:

1 wife, 2 kids. 1 cat. Work as a GIS Specialist/Map Geek

Endure and persist; this pain will turn to your good. - Ovid

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - Romans 5:1-5

 

 

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony Trail Shoe Lifetime Miles: 247.50
Hoka Clifton Lifetime Miles: 491.50
Saucony Type A6 Lifetime Miles: 186.50
Saucony Zealot Lifetime Miles: 478.75
Saucony Kinvara 6 Lifetime Miles: 433.50
Saucony Kinvara 6-2 Lifetime Miles: 358.75
Brooks Pure Connect Blue Lifetime Miles: 337.25
New Balance Trainers Lifetime Miles: 314.50
New Balance 1400 Racers Lifetime Miles: 65.00
Brook Pureflow Lifetime Miles: 99.50
Race: 500 Festiva Mini Marathon (13.109 Miles) 01:07:25, Place overall: 18, Place in age division: 6
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
5.900.0013.100.000.0019.00

500 Festival Mini Marathon (aka "Indy Marathon", aka "Half Marathon"). This was my 3rd time running this race, and I was hoping this would be the year to break the Top 10. Not be, as 10 Kenyans broke 1:05. Unusual depth this year, and I had my lowest finish (18th), despite running my fastest time (1:07:25).

So I did get a course best, which is a positive, but over a minute off my PR, which is a negative. We had a decent day to run, with temps right around 50 degrees, but about a 10-15 mph breeze at some points. Fortunately, the last couple miles had a net tailwind, otherwise I think my finish would have been worse.

Never really felt sharp at any point durng this race. Startws out right behind Jake, but then I let him go after 2 miles, as I was happy with opening in 10:04 2-mile and did not want any faster. Was 15:45 at 5K, then slowed a bit...next 5K was 15:58, and the following 5K in 16:02 (15K spit was 47:45). Just hung on the last 4 four miles, but coudn't make up much ground, other than passing blown-up Kenyans jogging it in, and a couple local runners. Another positive was -that no one passed me during the race.

I got within 3 seconds of Jake at Mile 7, but then he pulled away as we left the Speedway, and ended up about 25 seconds ahead at the finish. But I did beat one of the guys that beat me at Horsetooth 3 weeks ago, so I'll take that as improvement at least.

I was surprised to only be 18th with the time I had; while not stellar, sub-1:08 is usually good for top 10...but not even close this year. Apparently the Kenyans all got the memo about the $3500 cash prize, and the winner was 1:01:50-ish, with 6 total under 1:03. Usually the race is won with a low 1:03. I think I was the 4th American.

My right quad starting hurting at 1 mile in, which is crazy, since I haven't had any quad issues and did not feel it any other day. It hurt more as the race went on, but just kind of dealt with it...but was hobbling during the cooldown until it loosened up. My left leg feels like it did a moderate workout and my right leg feels like it ran St George. Weird.

So not a great race, did not feel sharp or good at any point in time, but not a disaster either. It's a course best, so I'll have to take that. Got 7 weeks until Grandmas, and I do think I'm on the right trajectory, it's just a matter of getting the mileage and quality workouts during that time, and I think it can be a pretty good marathon.

Splits: 5:02, 5:02, 5:10, 5:00, 5:17, 5:06, 5:03, 5:14, 5:06, 5:22, 5:04, 5:13, 5:13, 0:29

The wind affected the variability of splits! Every other mile was slow...

Saucony A5 Flat Miles: 19.00
Comments
From James on Sat, May 03, 2014 at 12:21:18 from 71.213.30.161

Wow, nice job! You are still quick, even with tight quads and not feeling good.

From Matt Poulsen on Sat, May 03, 2014 at 14:04:08 from 50.168.224.197

Nice race, Paul! Congrats on the course PR. Looking good for Grandma's.

From SpencerSimpson on Sat, May 03, 2014 at 15:41:07 from 166.137.209.38

Great report Paul. Look forward to seeing you have a great marathon at Grandma's. MIH

From RileyCook on Sat, May 03, 2014 at 22:01:01 from 73.52.134.194

Nice race Paul! Looking strong in the buildup to Grandma's.

From jtshad on Sun, May 04, 2014 at 05:45:40 from 69.20.183.178

Congrats on the course PR and a good race. Can't do much more than that! A strong race and looking good for Grandmas!

From Jon on Sun, May 04, 2014 at 19:22:08 from 107.203.52.135

Wow, good job, Paul.

From Jake K on Mon, May 05, 2014 at 09:31:40 from 159.212.71.25

Hope that quad is getting better. You were hobbling like an old man on the cooldown!

Really strong race after getting a later start to this year. Coming into pretty good form now.

Now YOU need to make sure you beat Michael Jordan next time.

From Paul on Mon, May 05, 2014 at 09:55:19 from 207.224.39.118

Yeah, the quad is still pretty sore today (Monday). Other quad is fine. I'm still baffled by that.

Although I have never beaten Michael Jordan, I've defeated Michael Vick once or twice.

From Superfly on Mon, May 05, 2014 at 16:08:20 from 74.211.21.81

Sucks you felt junky. Hope there's some good ones down the road this year.

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