Get me to Boston or at least get me to the start

Week starting Jul 08, 2012

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201120122013
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Location:

Richmond,VA,

Member Since:

Feb 18, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

From 10/2009 to 12/2010, I ran a marathon each month - completing 15 marathons, 1 50k, and 1 33 mile "endurance run" -- I had a great time, learned a lot, met a bunch of fantastic people and developed some mental toughness.

My PRs at various distances:

  • 5k: 22:57 (7/11/11 - Cul-de-Sac)
  • 10k: 45:25 (5/15/11 - Carytown)
  • 15k: 1:19:03 (1/27/08 - Frostbite)
  • 10mi: 1:25:31 (8/29/10 - Annapolis)
  • 20k: 1:36:49 (8/14/11 - Leesburg)
  • Half: 1:44:18 (2/27/11 - Colonial)
  • Marathon: 3:53:53 (12/5/10 - Las Vegas)
  • 50k: 5:14:59 (11/13/10 - Rosaryville, MD)

15 states (plus DC) done: DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, MD, MI, NC, NV, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WA, WV 

Short-Term Running Goals:

2013:

  • 8/24: Cove Island Marathon - Stamford, CT 
  • 10/13: Atlantic City Marathon - Atlantic City, NJ
  • 11/16: Richmond Marathon - Richmond, VA
  • 12/14: Rocket City Marathon - Huntsville, AL

2014:

  • 11/2: New York marathon (deferred)

Long-Term Running Goals:

  • 50 States (15 + DC done)
  • Pikes Peak
  • Comrades

I'm not sure if this belongs in a Running Goals section, but I'd like to do a triathlon. I'm not much of a swimmer, so this will be a quite a stretch for me.

Personal:

I am married with two boys ages 13 and 14. They are very supportive of my running, allowing me plenty of time for training and out of town races. We like to travel and camp. I'm the only runner in the family, the boys are still looking for the sport that interests them the most.

I grew up in Maryland but now live just outside of Richmond, Virginia. I ran a few 10k races in the early 1990s (when I was in my 20s). In 2006, a friend talked me into training for a half marathon. I finished that half then continued training to run my first marathon the same year I turned 40.

My favorite marathon was the Grand Island Trail marathon off the coast of Michigan's upper penninsula. It's a beautiful course that demands a lot from runners. We travelled to the race, then spent the next two weeks on vacation in Michigan - what's not to love?

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
NEW White - Pegasus 28 Lifetime Miles: 242.15
Red Trail Shoe Lifetime Miles: 4.47
Black - Pegasus 29 Lifetime Miles: 4.20
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
29.460.0029.46
Black - Pegasus 28 Miles: 19.90White - Pegasus 28 Miles: 9.56
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
13.900.0013.90

Good plan in theory, but things didn't quite turn out the way I was hoping.
First, it's hot - lower 80s by 7 AM. I'm running a marathon relay with three other people next Saturday. We met up at 7 to run the course - a 6.6 mile mostly trail run with each lap starting and ending on Brown's Island. The course goes along the flood wall and the fire road along the south bank of the James river, then a loop on Belle Isle and back to Brown's Island. I was planning to get down there at 6 to run before the group, then add a little on the end. Instead, I lost one of our dogs while out for a short walk ... so I tried to find him before leaving and arrived right at 7 AM. The first loop with the team was good. It's not an easy course, but the race sounds small. The second part sucked. I was drenched from sweat. I think in part because I stopped with the other guys to refill bottles ... and in part because the trails just demand walk breaks, especially in this heat. I finished up right around 10 AM. I walked a good part of the time. I think the run in Washington will be good - but I'm not feeling super strong.
13.9 mi @ 11:44 AP (with 1400' elevation gain/loss) - ugh!

Black - Pegasus 28 Miles: 13.90
Add Comment
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
5.080.005.08

New Shoes - white this time. The black ones smell terrible after the sweaty morning on the trails ... so good timing.

Good run. Humid, but not so darn hot (mid 80s).

The run felt fine, no issues. My attitude pre-run was pretty crappy. Perhaps it's the empty house, but I just wanted to sit on my butt. Once I got to mile 2, I was happy to be out there ... but I'm a little worried about my commitment.

I will probably do the same run on Wednesday afternoon.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/197987900

White - Pegasus 28 Miles: 5.08
Comments(1)
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
4.480.004.48

NEW Shoes - YEAH.

Ran with Ron ... I don't remember details, but I think everything went pretty well.

4.48 @ 9:32 AP

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/201477431

White - Pegasus 28 Miles: 4.48
Add Comment
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
6.000.006.00

Brown's Island start across the Mayo bridge to the canal wall, Mayan ruins, south bank Buttermilk trail, up the fire road around the nature center and back to Belle Isle and across the foot bridge to Brown's Island. Our team came in 3rd place among the four all male teams. My leg was second fastest. I was pretty spent at the end and needed multiple walk breaks - this course was tough and I don't feel very well prepared for running a hard pace. I'll need to stay slow in Washington.
5.61 @ 9:01 AP - probably a bit longer, but definitely not 6.6 needed to be a true marathon ... that turn around needs to be a bit further past the nature center.

Black - Pegasus 28 Miles: 6.00
Add Comment
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
29.460.0029.46
Black - Pegasus 28 Miles: 19.90White - Pegasus 28 Miles: 9.56
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