Tuesday, December 04, 2007
When a marathon's not enough
Next year on April 5, I'm taking it up a notch. Let's try 50 kilometers, which is about 31.07 miles. Any thoughts from the readers? :)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Gobbler Grind Marathon Recap
On Saturday evening, Mom & Dad drove me to the Milwaukee airport, where I boarded a Midwest Airlines flight to Kansas City. Despite carefully watching my intake over the past few days, I ate one of the two baked on-board chocolate chip cookies I was given, saving the second for after the race. :)
For my pre-race meal, I went to a Fazoli's between the airport and the hotel. They offer "endless" pasta and breadsticks for under $6. I had two large bowls of penne marinara and five breadsticks, and I was quite satisfied. I checked in to the hotel just before 9 p.m.
The temperatures were in the low 40s on race day morning. I drove my rental car to the race site (half a mile from the hotel) at about 7:15 (45 minutes before start time). Quite a few folks took advantage of the race day packet pickup. I waited in a long but fast-moving line and got my race number, thanking the volunteers who quickly gave me everything I needed.
I walked back to the car so I could stay warm and make my final preparations. I had used the bathroom at the hotel at 7. While I would have preferred another trip right before start time, the lines were a bit too long, so I decided not to worry about it.
I arrived at the start a few minutes before race time. I was carrying two Clif bars, four packets of GU (energy gel), a cell phone, three paper towels, a digital camera, the key to the rental car, and a small 10-ounce plastic bottle of water. In addition to my "standard" race uniform (shoes, socks, RaceReady LD shorts, singlet), I wore my NB windbreaker, a dri-fit winter hat, and a pair of knit gloves from the Twin Cities Marathon. Yeah, I was definitely geared up!
Despite 11 previous marathons, this is the first 26.2-mile race in which I was running without having seen a course map. I quickly learned that everybody (5K, half and full) ran the first three miles together on paved roads. The 5K folks turned toward the finish as the longer-distance runners continued on a bike trail.
It was smooth sailing for the first ten miles. I followed what has become a standard habit for me -- munching on a Clif bar at miles 4-6 and washing each bite down with a little water. I was running at about 9:05/mile. This is slower than my personal record pace (8:54), but I wasn't overly concerned with a PR. We left the trail somewhere in the 6-8 mile range and headed up a gradual but consistent incline on a paved road -- no problem at all. I made a quick pit stop at a vacant portable restroom at mile 9.
I downed a packet of lemon GU at mile 10, still feeling comfortable. Soon after returning to the trail, we reached the point where the half-marathoners turn back toward the finish. Things got a bit lonely and quiet, but I was used to this type of atmosphere. I do most of my training runs solo. At mile 12, I called Jenelle to let her know I was doing okay. She gave me lots of encouragement and support, which kept me going strong. I reached the halfway point at about 1:59:30. Shortly after that, I called Andrew to let him know about my progress. He was out doing some errands with Holly, Ella, and Lily at the time, but he sounded happy to hear from me. :)
Looking for some extra energy in the second half, I did something that I hadn't done during any of my training runs -- I tried eating a second Clif bar. I only had a couple of bites before realizing that this was a far-from-optimal course of action. By the time I reached a turn-around point at mile 15.5, I was battling to keep stomach cramps from forcing me to walk. Drinking water little by little and slowing my pace, I was able to keep it together, averaging 9:45/mile for miles 16-20.
Starting at mile 20, the marathoners had to deal with several loops and turnarounds. There were volunteers posted in all the right places, and they always gave me clear and accurate directions when I needed them. I'm very thankful for their presence. The only error I noticed was that the mile 20 marker was placed at 20.25 miles. I worried for a moment that I'd have an extra quarter mile to run, but then the mile 21 marker arrived at exactly the right spot. My mile splits below are adjusted to correct the error.
I forget exactly when I took gels in the latter portions of the race, but I think I took at least two of them after my stomach cramps had subsided. During the last six miles, I walked the first minute or so of each mile in an effort to keep from feeling totally spent. I was at or above ten minutes a mile at this point, but I wasn't overly concerned about my time.
My last remaining goal was a strong finish. Thankfully, my walking strategy worked. After my last walking break ended (with about 1.1 miles to go), my stength was renewed, and I was able to zoom to the finish. I don't think I was going any faster than 9:00 / mile, but I felt like I was flying.
I passed two other runners shortly before reaching the finish area. I shouted to the assembled crowd, "Let's hear it!", as it seemed too quiet for a marathon finish. My encouragement didn't have much of an effect until I heard the DJ/announcer say my name. "Benjamin Isaacson, welcome home!" was his exclamation, and I smiled and crossed the line with a chip time of 4:08:25.
After calling several family members with news of my finish, I returned to the hotel for a shower. I checked out around 1:30 p.m. My post-race meal was a trip to CiCi's all-you-can-eat pizza buffet in Shawnee. I got my fill of pizza, cheese garlic bread, and cinnamon rolls before driving to the Kansas City airport for my return flight.
I landed just before 6 p.m. in Milwaukee, and I was back home around 7:30. It was a quick trip, but it was lots of fun.
Details:
For my pre-race meal, I went to a Fazoli's between the airport and the hotel. They offer "endless" pasta and breadsticks for under $6. I had two large bowls of penne marinara and five breadsticks, and I was quite satisfied. I checked in to the hotel just before 9 p.m.
The temperatures were in the low 40s on race day morning. I drove my rental car to the race site (half a mile from the hotel) at about 7:15 (45 minutes before start time). Quite a few folks took advantage of the race day packet pickup. I waited in a long but fast-moving line and got my race number, thanking the volunteers who quickly gave me everything I needed.
I walked back to the car so I could stay warm and make my final preparations. I had used the bathroom at the hotel at 7. While I would have preferred another trip right before start time, the lines were a bit too long, so I decided not to worry about it.
I arrived at the start a few minutes before race time. I was carrying two Clif bars, four packets of GU (energy gel), a cell phone, three paper towels, a digital camera, the key to the rental car, and a small 10-ounce plastic bottle of water. In addition to my "standard" race uniform (shoes, socks, RaceReady LD shorts, singlet), I wore my NB windbreaker, a dri-fit winter hat, and a pair of knit gloves from the Twin Cities Marathon. Yeah, I was definitely geared up!
Despite 11 previous marathons, this is the first 26.2-mile race in which I was running without having seen a course map. I quickly learned that everybody (5K, half and full) ran the first three miles together on paved roads. The 5K folks turned toward the finish as the longer-distance runners continued on a bike trail.
It was smooth sailing for the first ten miles. I followed what has become a standard habit for me -- munching on a Clif bar at miles 4-6 and washing each bite down with a little water. I was running at about 9:05/mile. This is slower than my personal record pace (8:54), but I wasn't overly concerned with a PR. We left the trail somewhere in the 6-8 mile range and headed up a gradual but consistent incline on a paved road -- no problem at all. I made a quick pit stop at a vacant portable restroom at mile 9.
I downed a packet of lemon GU at mile 10, still feeling comfortable. Soon after returning to the trail, we reached the point where the half-marathoners turn back toward the finish. Things got a bit lonely and quiet, but I was used to this type of atmosphere. I do most of my training runs solo. At mile 12, I called Jenelle to let her know I was doing okay. She gave me lots of encouragement and support, which kept me going strong. I reached the halfway point at about 1:59:30. Shortly after that, I called Andrew to let him know about my progress. He was out doing some errands with Holly, Ella, and Lily at the time, but he sounded happy to hear from me. :)
Looking for some extra energy in the second half, I did something that I hadn't done during any of my training runs -- I tried eating a second Clif bar. I only had a couple of bites before realizing that this was a far-from-optimal course of action. By the time I reached a turn-around point at mile 15.5, I was battling to keep stomach cramps from forcing me to walk. Drinking water little by little and slowing my pace, I was able to keep it together, averaging 9:45/mile for miles 16-20.
Starting at mile 20, the marathoners had to deal with several loops and turnarounds. There were volunteers posted in all the right places, and they always gave me clear and accurate directions when I needed them. I'm very thankful for their presence. The only error I noticed was that the mile 20 marker was placed at 20.25 miles. I worried for a moment that I'd have an extra quarter mile to run, but then the mile 21 marker arrived at exactly the right spot. My mile splits below are adjusted to correct the error.
I forget exactly when I took gels in the latter portions of the race, but I think I took at least two of them after my stomach cramps had subsided. During the last six miles, I walked the first minute or so of each mile in an effort to keep from feeling totally spent. I was at or above ten minutes a mile at this point, but I wasn't overly concerned about my time.
My last remaining goal was a strong finish. Thankfully, my walking strategy worked. After my last walking break ended (with about 1.1 miles to go), my stength was renewed, and I was able to zoom to the finish. I don't think I was going any faster than 9:00 / mile, but I felt like I was flying.
I passed two other runners shortly before reaching the finish area. I shouted to the assembled crowd, "Let's hear it!", as it seemed too quiet for a marathon finish. My encouragement didn't have much of an effect until I heard the DJ/announcer say my name. "Benjamin Isaacson, welcome home!" was his exclamation, and I smiled and crossed the line with a chip time of 4:08:25.
After calling several family members with news of my finish, I returned to the hotel for a shower. I checked out around 1:30 p.m. My post-race meal was a trip to CiCi's all-you-can-eat pizza buffet in Shawnee. I got my fill of pizza, cheese garlic bread, and cinnamon rolls before driving to the Kansas City airport for my return flight.
I landed just before 6 p.m. in Milwaukee, and I was back home around 7:30. It was a quick trip, but it was lots of fun.
Details:
| Miles 1-5 | 9:14 | 9:14 | 8:50 | 9:01 | 8:42 |
| Miles 6-10 | 8:56 | 9:12 | 9:12 | 9:11 | 9:28 |
| Miles 11-15 | 9:18 | 9:04 | 9:11 | 9:23 | 9:03 |
| Miles 16-20 | 9:55 | 9:48 | 9:13 | 10:18 | 9:29 |
| Miles 21-25 | 9:59 | 9:53 | 10:13 | 10:19 | 10:32 |
| Miles 26-End | 9:55 | 1:52 |
- Average Pace: 9:28/mile
- First half: 1:59:35 Second half: 2:08:50
- Fastest Mile: #5 (8:42) Slowest Mile: #25 (10:32)
- Despite some trouble in the second half, I was able to finish strong without feeling completely exhausted. Onward to Arizona and Austin!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Gobbler Grind Marathon Complete
Ben here, logged in from the Kansas City airport.
It was a pretty good day today. I measured my chip time at 4:08:30. It might be a bit faster than that, but not by much. Here's a few quick bits of info:
1) I have never carried more stuff with me for a marathon than I did today. I was holding the following:
That's all for now. More details, pictures and video coverage as soon as I have some free time.
It was a pretty good day today. I measured my chip time at 4:08:30. It might be a bit faster than that, but not by much. Here's a few quick bits of info:
1) I have never carried more stuff with me for a marathon than I did today. I was holding the following:
- Two Clif bars
- Four packets of GU (energy gel)
- A cell phone (for calling family)
- A small digital camera (for taking video while running -- yeah, it's a bit shaky :)
- Three paper towels (for mid-race nose blowing)
- The key to the rental car (no other place to put it)
That's all for now. More details, pictures and video coverage as soon as I have some free time.
Ben Finishes 12th Marathon
Ben finished his 12th Marathon in 4:08:30. Congratulations to the Running Man!
-Andrew
-Andrew
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Carry on my running son
I didn't run at all this weekend, as I needed a little extra recovery time from Grand Rapids AND I was spending quality time with family. However, I ran three miles yesterday and six miles this morning, and I'm feeling pretty good.
My next race will be -- you guessed it -- ANOTHER marathon. After the big Twin Cities race (7229 finishers) and the sorta-big Grand Rapids race (1517 finishers), it's time for a smaller, scenic event. I'll be heading to Overland Park, Kansas for the Gobbler Grind Marathon on November 18. Yes, it is a little crazy to do a marathon three weeks after a marathon that I did three weeks before a marathon. I'm not planning to break any speed records -- those who know me well can see the alternating slow/fast pattern I have with marathons. Wish me luck!
My next race will be -- you guessed it -- ANOTHER marathon. After the big Twin Cities race (7229 finishers) and the sorta-big Grand Rapids race (1517 finishers), it's time for a smaller, scenic event. I'll be heading to Overland Park, Kansas for the Gobbler Grind Marathon on November 18. Yes, it is a little crazy to do a marathon three weeks after a marathon that I did three weeks before a marathon. I'm not planning to break any speed records -- those who know me well can see the alternating slow/fast pattern I have with marathons. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
PR in Grand Rapids!
On Saturday, October 27, Jenelle and I checked in to the Residence Inn Marriott in Grandville, which is about 15 minutes away from Grand Rapids. On our way to the YMCA to pick up my packet, Jenelle and I noticed a black Prius parked next to our silver one. You can't tell from the picture, but the sticker on the fuel tank cover says "Marathon Freak". It appears that there is a Prius driver with more enthusiasm for marathons than me. :)
I had no problems getting my race packet and a maroon long-sleeve running shirt. The pasta dinner was also very nice. It was still somewhat early in the evening, so we checked out River Town Crossings mall, which was just across from the hotel. I don't remember exactly when we went to bed, but I got more than enough sleep to prepare for the race.
It was a frosty Sunday morning. In addition to the "standard" race uniform, I added several items to keep warm, including two jackets, two layers of gloves, and a moisture-wicking winter hat. We arrived at the race site just before 7. I watched the early start, and then we went in to the YMCA to warm up for just a bit.Just before entering the starting corral, I handed off one of my jackets and one pair of gloves to Jenelle. I had my race number snapped in my black & white singlet. With the temperature still in the mid 30s, I affixed a "fake" race number to my jacket, knowing that I might keep it on for a large part of the race. In my pockets, I carried four packets of GU and a Clif Bar. I also carried a half-liter bottle of water with me.
The race started right on time, and I was off! My somewhat aggressive goal pace was 8:45 / mile, which would get me to the line in about 3:50. With my muscles still warming up, I took it easy the first mile (9:08) and gradually sped up to race pace. After five miles, I was averaging 8:51/mile.
I ate my Clif Bar little by little as I cruised through Millenium Park. I don't pay much attention to the scenery at most races, but there were some great views, especially along the Grand River. I crossed the bike bridge at mile 8.5 feeling pretty good, though I may have overhyrdrated just a tiny bit. No problem -- I made a quick pit stop just around mile 9 -- no waiting at the portable restrooms. After ten miles, I was averaging 8:48/mile.Let the gel-ing begin! At mile 11, I took my first GU shot with the last bit of water in my bottle. For the remainder of the race, I alternated water / water + GU at the aid stations, which means I took more GU at miles 13, 16, 19, and 22. One Clif Bar and five gels seems to be a good strategy for me. By the way, they were handing out GU at several places, so I still had a few packets left after the race. GU is my favorite gel -- I think it goes down easier than hammer gel or clif shots, but it's all personal preference.
Okay, back to the race. After 16 miles, I was averaging 8:46/mile, right on track! We went by the Wyoming Clean Water Plant, which did not have the most pleasant aroma. It reminded me of the "Recycle Transfer Station" behind Animal Kingdom during the Disney Marathon. Anyway, I kept up the pace for the next few miles, but I could tell that I was getting tired.
I saw Jenelle several times during the race. She always cheered and took photos and/or video when I went by. It can be very tiring to drive around trying to encourage runners on as much as possible, so I'm very thankful for her support. As I waved to her at mile 19, she said, "See you at the finish!" I gave the thumbs up and continued on my way. After 20 miles, my pace had slipped just a bit to an average of 8:48/mile, but I thought I could keep it together for another 10K.At mile 23, I took my hat off, put it in my jacket pocket, and then took off my jacket as well. I didn't have anywhere to drop it, but I was fine carrying it with me. A half mile later, I turned a corner and felt a pretty cold headwind, so I put the jacket back on! I ended up wearing the jacket all the way to the finish, so my "official" race number was only visible for a short time. Oh, well.
My mile splits for miles 21-26 were all nine minutes or more. I was not going to average 8:45 for the race, but I could probably still set a PR. During the final mile, I kept saying to myself, "Don't you dare stop now. Don't you DARE stop now." I slowed down a bit. "DON'T YOU DARE STOP NOW!" I tried to speed up and finish the last half mile. I saw Jenelle with about 500 feet to go, and she gave me the energy I needed to finish. I didn't have much of a finishing kick, but I ran steady and crossed the line with my arms up in victory!
I finished with a chip time of 3:53:20, about a minute faster than my previous personal best of 3:54:26 (set in May in Madison, WI). Overall, it was a great race. The course was very nice (mostly flat), and it never felt too crowded. I also liked the finisher's medal. I'd recommend this one -- while there's not a whole lot of spectators at some points on the course, there's plenty of aid stations and great runner support overall.Post Race Meals / Recovery: Jenelle and I went to Red Robin for lunch after the race, where I had the Chicken Parmigiano Pasta. I also had about 75% of a 16" pan pizza for dinner on Monday the 29th. I was able to run three miles at about 10-minute pace on Tuesday morning, so I'm already thinking about my next race!
Details:
| Miles 1-5 | 9:08 | 8:45 | 9:08 | 8:24 | 8:48 |
| Miles 6-10 | 8:34 | 8:41 | 8:55 | 8:55 | 8:41 |
| Miles 11-15 | 8:50 | 8:46 | 8:28 | 8:52 | 8:51 |
| Miles 16-20 | 8:37 | 8:47 | 8:46 | 9:01 | 8:59 |
| Miles 21-25 | 9:05 | 9:11 | 9:01 | 9:27 | 9:27 |
| Miles 26-End | 9:25 | 1:48 |
- Average Pace: 8:54/mile
- First half: 1:55:12 Second half: 1:58:08
- Fastest Mile: #4 (8:24) Slowest Mile: #23/#24 (9:27)
- Some minor slow-down issues in the last six miles, but it was still a wonderful race!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Grand Rapids Results
I finished with a chip time of 3:53:20 -- a personal record by about a minute. More details will be posted as I have time. :)
Grand Rapids Update
Just saw Ben at miles 12 and 14. He looks great.
At mile 17 now - next to the wastewater treatment plant. This place stinks! Should see Ben any minute,
Monday, October 22, 2007
Super-Terrific Training Run
I ran 15 miles yesterday, considering it a practice run for next week's marathon in Grand Rapids. Everything went perfectly -- I was neither under-hydrated nor over-hydrated. I ate a Clif Bar starting at mile 4, and I had two energy gels at miles 9.5 and 13. The last mile of my training run was also the fastest of the run, and I think I could have kept going.
Now, my pace yesterday was about a minute per mile slower than what it will be in Grand Rapids, but I still think things are looking great. I've got a four-miler tomorrow, a three-miler on Wednesday, rest on Thursday, rest on Friday, a two-miler on Saturday, and then it's RACE TIME!
Medal pictures: If you check out the Marathon History link on the right, you can now see images of all the marathon medals I've won. Pretty neat, eh?
Now, my pace yesterday was about a minute per mile slower than what it will be in Grand Rapids, but I still think things are looking great. I've got a four-miler tomorrow, a three-miler on Wednesday, rest on Thursday, rest on Friday, a two-miler on Saturday, and then it's RACE TIME!
Medal pictures: If you check out the Marathon History link on the right, you can now see images of all the marathon medals I've won. Pretty neat, eh?
Monday, October 15, 2007
4500
I ran ten miles at better than 10:00 pace yesterday, and I am pretty much fully recovered from Twin Cities.
Here's some exciting news: Since I formally began tracking miles in October 2004, my personal odometer has now passed 4500 miles! That's approximately the distance (as the crow flies) from Chicago, Illinois to Zurich, Switzerland. I may someday go "around the world" like two of my work colleagues, but that's still a long way off. For now, I'm happy just to be able to keep on running!
Here's some exciting news: Since I formally began tracking miles in October 2004, my personal odometer has now passed 4500 miles! That's approximately the distance (as the crow flies) from Chicago, Illinois to Zurich, Switzerland. I may someday go "around the world" like two of my work colleagues, but that's still a long way off. For now, I'm happy just to be able to keep on running!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Three weeks apart
Today's recovery run featured two miles to the north (against the wind) and two miles to the south (with the wind). The splits were 11:12, 10:59, 10:30, and 10:31. I'll rest tomorrow and run at least six miles on both Saturday and Sunday.
Some of you may have noticed the next race on my calendar -- the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 28. Yes, running marathons three weeks apart is a bit crazy, but given my history, it's not that much of a stretch. I ran marathons four weeks apart in March (Little Rock and Waukesha). I also ran a half marathon in the South Milwaukee area just ONE week after the Waukesha race.
Wish me luck!
Some of you may have noticed the next race on my calendar -- the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 28. Yes, running marathons three weeks apart is a bit crazy, but given my history, it's not that much of a stretch. I ran marathons four weeks apart in March (Little Rock and Waukesha). I also ran a half marathon in the South Milwaukee area just ONE week after the Waukesha race.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Twin Cities Details
| Miles 1-5 | 9:00 | 8:34 | 8:55 | 8:57 | 8:53 |
| Miles 6-10 | 9:09 | 9:12 | 9:26 | 9:00 | 8:57 |
| Miles 11-15 | 9:48 | 9:49 | 9:21 | 10:02 | 9:18 |
| Miles 16-20 | 10:44 | 10:18 | 12:12 | 11:09 | 15:30 |
| Miles 21-25 | 10:50 | 12:53 | 11:48 | 14:52 | 13:17 |
| Miles 26-End | 12:48 | 2:21 |
- Average Pace: 10:34/mile
- First half: 2:00:07 Second half: 2:36:56
- Fastest Mile: #2 (8:34) Slowest Mile: #20 (15:30)
- As you can see, I held things together fairly well in the first half, but the heat made it difficult to keep up the pace in the second half. Until next race!
"New Stuff" 5K
It was a lovely 46 degrees outside this morning. Though my quads were still a bit sore, I managed to turn in a slow but steady 3-mile effort in my first run since the Twin Cities marathon. I wore a record number of items for the first time, including the jacket and winter hat I bought at the expo, the free TCM knit gloves, and a new pair of shoes.
My mile splits were 11:48, 11:35, and 11:08. I'll probably be under 10 minutes a mile in a few days.
My mile splits were 11:48, 11:35, and 11:08. I'll probably be under 10 minutes a mile in a few days.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Finishing Time: 4:37:02
It was a HOT day in Minnesota. With temperatures nearing 80, I could not
put together a very fast race. Once I knew that I couldn't set a personal
record, I took it easy, finishing with a time of 4:37:02. Oh, well --
there will be always be opportunities to race again!
Update: While one results page has my chip time at 4:37:02, another source says 4:37:03. I'll go ahead and consider the slower time the official one. :)
put together a very fast race. Once I knew that I couldn't set a personal
record, I took it easy, finishing with a time of 4:37:02. Oh, well --
there will be always be opportunities to race again!
Update: While one results page has my chip time at 4:37:02, another source says 4:37:03. I'll go ahead and consider the slower time the official one. :)
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Weather Update
Temperatures are going to be in the 70s for the Twin Cities marathon.
While that's great weather for watching a marathon, it's a bit too hot for
RUNNING a marathon. I may have to reduce my pace from the targeted
8:45/mile to 9:10/mile -- it will be a game time decision. In any case,
it's going to be fun, as my brother, his wife, and several other family
members will be cheering me on. Wish me luck! :)
FINAL UPDATE (5:30 a.m. on Sunday): It's going to be a warm one! Runner tracking is supposed to be available here -- I'm bib number 3564. See ya!
While that's great weather for watching a marathon, it's a bit too hot for
RUNNING a marathon. I may have to reduce my pace from the targeted
8:45/mile to 9:10/mile -- it will be a game time decision. In any case,
it's going to be fun, as my brother, his wife, and several other family
members will be cheering me on. Wish me luck! :)
FINAL UPDATE (5:30 a.m. on Sunday): It's going to be a warm one! Runner tracking is supposed to be available here -- I'm bib number 3564. See ya!
Friday, October 05, 2007
About 41 hours...
I didn't run at all yesterday, and I'm taking today off as well. After a gentle two miles tomorrow morning, I'll be heading to Minnesota. The weather looks a bit on the warm side, but it might also be rainy, which could actually help. We'll see how it goes!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Early Riser
Yesterday morning, I was originally planning to get up around 7:30, which is sleeping in by my standards, since I'm usually up at 6 (or earlier) on weekday mornings. For whatever reason, I woke up at 5:40 and couldn't fall back asleep, so I got four easy miles in, stretched a bit, did some crunches on our fitness ball, took a shower, and got back to bed ALL BEFORE 7:30 a.m.
I was up early again this morning to run eight miles with Mark (a friend who lives about a mile away). We kept the pace nice and easy.
Things are looking great for Twin Cities, now less than 167 hours away! I'm already checking the weather. It might be rainy, but the temps should be comfortable.
I was up early again this morning to run eight miles with Mark (a friend who lives about a mile away). We kept the pace nice and easy.
Things are looking great for Twin Cities, now less than 167 hours away! I'm already checking the weather. It might be rainy, but the temps should be comfortable.
Friday, September 28, 2007
New Look, Same Fast Pace
I'm about eight days away from the Twin Cities Marathon, and I'm definitely in the "taper madness" stage. For those who don't know what this means -- basically, I am reducing my weekly mileage to build up strength for the marathon, and it can make a little bit excited. So, I used some of that energy to update the template of the blog. I hope you like it.
Also, check out this map that I made with all of my marathon results to date. Pretty neat, eh? :)
Also, check out this map that I made with all of my marathon results to date. Pretty neat, eh? :)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Kenosha Firecracker 10K
Almost two months after the race took place, it's time to tell everyone about the run in Kenosha on July 1, 2007. Here's a map of the (planned) course:
You might want to click on the picture so it opens in a new window while you read the recap.
There was a higher-than-expected race day turnout, so the 10K started 5-10 minutes late. Once we were off and running, though, things seemed fine. I reached the first mile marker in 7:23. At point "A" on the map, the 10K runners go slightly further south than the 5K runners before turning back to the north. None of the 5K runners, who started after us, had reached this point yet, so there was no trouble at all figuring the right way to go.
As I headed back to the north, some of the lightning-fast 5K runners passed me by. I clocked mile 2 and 3 at 7:38 and 7:48, respectively, and I was still feeling pretty good.
Then, things got interesting. At point "B", 5K runners were supposed to turn left toward the finish, and 10K runners were supposed to turn right. What actually happened is that EVERYBODY turned right -- good for 10K runners like me, but bad for the 5K folks.
Things got even stranger at point "C". Course volunteers were turning participants around at this point, apparently to make up for sending 5K folks the wrong way at point "B". However, they were turning EVERYBODY around. So, 5K runners were now back on track (sort of), but 10K runners would get to the finish way too soon.
Somewhere between points "C" and "B", another race official was shouting that 10K runners needed to head further north. Now feeling very flustered, I turned around again, passing a few runners as I reached point "C" again, and this time I went further east and was back on course. I reached the 4-mile mark 9:54 after the 3-mile mark, which means I lost a couple of minutes in the confusion. Oh, well, at least I was on the correct course.
As I continued north, I put a bit of distance between myself and other 10K runners. I soon realized that there was no one in front of me. All of the faster runners had gone toward the finish prematurely, and I was leading the pack of runners on the right path. As I reached the rest stop at point "D", I asked, "Has anyone been by here yet?" A volunteer handed me a cup of water and said, "Nope, you're the first!" This gave me a bit of a rush, and I kept up the pace, clocking miles 5 and 6 at 7:31 and 7:36.
I managed to hold off all of the other runners in my "group", and I crossed the line with a chip time of 49:22 -- a new PR despite the lost time between points "B" and "C".
Let's take a look at the unofficial results -- as you can see, the first 47 runners went all the way to the finish after turning around at point "C", and their mile paces are (of course) unrealistic -- 3:41 for a mile would be world record.
So, what about the official results? Some might argue that I won the race, having been the first to complete the entire 10K course. As it turns out, the only thing I got was this letter from the Kenosha YMCA, basically stating that there were no official results, and that everybody gets a medal. I wasn't overly satisfied with this. I was hoping they'd give out two sets of awards -- one for the "short" 10K and one for the "long" 10K.
Anyway, I'll probably run it again next year because it's one of the few Kenosha races available throughout the year. Hopefully, things will go much more smoothly in 2008.
You might want to click on the picture so it opens in a new window while you read the recap.
There was a higher-than-expected race day turnout, so the 10K started 5-10 minutes late. Once we were off and running, though, things seemed fine. I reached the first mile marker in 7:23. At point "A" on the map, the 10K runners go slightly further south than the 5K runners before turning back to the north. None of the 5K runners, who started after us, had reached this point yet, so there was no trouble at all figuring the right way to go.
As I headed back to the north, some of the lightning-fast 5K runners passed me by. I clocked mile 2 and 3 at 7:38 and 7:48, respectively, and I was still feeling pretty good.
Then, things got interesting. At point "B", 5K runners were supposed to turn left toward the finish, and 10K runners were supposed to turn right. What actually happened is that EVERYBODY turned right -- good for 10K runners like me, but bad for the 5K folks.
Things got even stranger at point "C". Course volunteers were turning participants around at this point, apparently to make up for sending 5K folks the wrong way at point "B". However, they were turning EVERYBODY around. So, 5K runners were now back on track (sort of), but 10K runners would get to the finish way too soon.
Somewhere between points "C" and "B", another race official was shouting that 10K runners needed to head further north. Now feeling very flustered, I turned around again, passing a few runners as I reached point "C" again, and this time I went further east and was back on course. I reached the 4-mile mark 9:54 after the 3-mile mark, which means I lost a couple of minutes in the confusion. Oh, well, at least I was on the correct course.
As I continued north, I put a bit of distance between myself and other 10K runners. I soon realized that there was no one in front of me. All of the faster runners had gone toward the finish prematurely, and I was leading the pack of runners on the right path. As I reached the rest stop at point "D", I asked, "Has anyone been by here yet?" A volunteer handed me a cup of water and said, "Nope, you're the first!" This gave me a bit of a rush, and I kept up the pace, clocking miles 5 and 6 at 7:31 and 7:36.
I managed to hold off all of the other runners in my "group", and I crossed the line with a chip time of 49:22 -- a new PR despite the lost time between points "B" and "C".
Let's take a look at the unofficial results -- as you can see, the first 47 runners went all the way to the finish after turning around at point "C", and their mile paces are (of course) unrealistic -- 3:41 for a mile would be world record.
So, what about the official results? Some might argue that I won the race, having been the first to complete the entire 10K course. As it turns out, the only thing I got was this letter from the Kenosha YMCA, basically stating that there were no official results, and that everybody gets a medal. I wasn't overly satisfied with this. I was hoping they'd give out two sets of awards -- one for the "short" 10K and one for the "long" 10K.
Anyway, I'll probably run it again next year because it's one of the few Kenosha races available throughout the year. Hopefully, things will go much more smoothly in 2008.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Run, Race, Run
I did something a little bit different today. I ran in the second annual Alex DeVinny Memorial 4K Run. The race was about three miles from my house, so I ran to the race site, ran the 4K at a steady 7:49/mile (finishing in 19:23), and then ran home. My training plan had me going seven miles today, and my total for the day was eight, with several rest breaks. Works for me. :)
In other news, I'm still waiting for the results of the Kenosha Firecracker 10K (on July 1) to be declared "official", so I'll save my recap until then.
In other news, I'm still waiting for the results of the Kenosha Firecracker 10K (on July 1) to be declared "official", so I'll save my recap until then.
Monday, July 02, 2007
PR at 10-mile Lighthouse Run!
It was a bit hot on June 16, 2007 for the Lighthouse Run. I ran most of the race with my friend Mark. We helped pace each other most of the way. With about three miles to go, I could tell that he had a bit more left in the tank than I did, and when he asked if he could go on ahead, I gladly gave him permission. :)
Overall, it was a great race. Mark finished in 1:22:19.7, averaging 8:14 per mile. I finished in 1:22:59.2, averaging 8:18 per mile. Here's the splits:
8:03, 8:11, 8:10, 8:09, 8:11, 8:14, 8:21, 8:31, 8:43, 8:26
Coming soon: Details on yesterday's Kenosha Firecracker 10K Run (which was also a PR).
Overall, it was a great race. Mark finished in 1:22:19.7, averaging 8:14 per mile. I finished in 1:22:59.2, averaging 8:18 per mile. Here's the splits:
8:03, 8:11, 8:10, 8:09, 8:11, 8:14, 8:21, 8:31, 8:43, 8:26
Coming soon: Details on yesterday's Kenosha Firecracker 10K Run (which was also a PR).
Monday, May 28, 2007
PR in Mad City
We didn't have much going on this weekend. On Wednesday, I considered the possibility of running the Madison Marathon. To make a long story short, we made the two-hour drive on Saturday, signed up, stayed with family nearby, and I ran the race on Sunday morning. I finished with a new personal record (3:54:26), improving my previous best by about four minutes. Yay!
More Pictures
More Pictures
Madison Split Times
| Miles 1-5 | 8:55 | 8:37 | 9:08 | 8:45 | 8:28 |
| Miles 6-10 | 9:08 | 8:56 | 8:45 | 8:54 | 8:54 |
| Miles 11-15 | 8:42 | 8:59 | 9:02 | 8:53 | 8:48 |
| Miles 16-20 | 8:52 | 8:54 | 8:50 | 9:09 | 8:54 |
| Miles 21-25 | 8:47 | 9:21 | 9:21 | 9:14 | 9:15 |
| Miles 26-End | 9:08 | 1:47 |
- Average Pace: 8:57/mile
- First half: 1:56:04 Second half: 1:58:22
- Fastest Mile: #5 (8:28) Slowest Mile: #22/#23 (9:21)
- Updated Marathon Graph - I still slowed down a bit at the end, but it wasn't as dramatic as Houston, Portland, or Little Rock.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Third Place Again!
The Lake Geneva 10K was a more challenging course than I anticipated. It had its share of hills, though I didn't think there was as much "rolling" as there was in Minnesota last weekend.
Right before the race, I realized that everyone (but me) was wearing chips around their ankles to track their time. I had incorrectly assumed that only marathoners and half-marathoners needed chips. I ran back (fairly quickly) to a nearby hotel to get my chip, only to be told that they had *just* been driven over to the start/finish area that I had just left. Oh well. I eventually found my chip, put it on, took a deep breath, and set out on the course.
It was a bit exciting to pass hundreds of 5k and 10k runners at the beginning of the race. There weren't any mile markers, but my GPS had me pacing at about 8:00/mile. As soon as we got into a more wooded area, it lost track, and it had me reaching the 5k turnaround point at 1.8 miles.
Even though I didn't have an exact measurement, the course seemed longer than 10k to me. I was hoping to crack 50 minutes, as I had run 10k in less time than that on a treadmill. I reached the halfway point in about 26 minutes. Even though I had run a bit extra prior to the race, I still felt pretty good.
On the way back to the finish, I spied another runner about 200 feet in front of me. Slowly and steadily, I closed the gap. On the final stretch by the lake, I had a sprint left in me, so I took off and finished well ahead of the other runner.
My chip time was 52:15, just fast enough to get third place for the M25-29 age group. It's my third age group award in three weekends! My prize was a running hat, which I really like because I've never had one before. I might wear it at the Lighthouse Run on June 16 if it's sunny out. :)
Right before the race, I realized that everyone (but me) was wearing chips around their ankles to track their time. I had incorrectly assumed that only marathoners and half-marathoners needed chips. I ran back (fairly quickly) to a nearby hotel to get my chip, only to be told that they had *just* been driven over to the start/finish area that I had just left. Oh well. I eventually found my chip, put it on, took a deep breath, and set out on the course.
It was a bit exciting to pass hundreds of 5k and 10k runners at the beginning of the race. There weren't any mile markers, but my GPS had me pacing at about 8:00/mile. As soon as we got into a more wooded area, it lost track, and it had me reaching the 5k turnaround point at 1.8 miles.
Even though I didn't have an exact measurement, the course seemed longer than 10k to me. I was hoping to crack 50 minutes, as I had run 10k in less time than that on a treadmill. I reached the halfway point in about 26 minutes. Even though I had run a bit extra prior to the race, I still felt pretty good.
On the way back to the finish, I spied another runner about 200 feet in front of me. Slowly and steadily, I closed the gap. On the final stretch by the lake, I had a sprint left in me, so I took off and finished well ahead of the other runner.
My chip time was 52:15, just fast enough to get third place for the M25-29 age group. It's my third age group award in three weekends! My prize was a running hat, which I really like because I've never had one before. I might wear it at the Lighthouse Run on June 16 if it's sunny out. :)
Sunday, May 06, 2007
5k Bud Break Recap
The weather was a bit rainy, but conditions were great for the 5k Bud Break in Chanhassen, Minnesota, at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. I was in the North Star State visiting my brother, Andrew, his wife, Holly, and their two daughters, Ella & Lily. They patiently browsed the gift shop and checked out the blooming flowers as I warmed up.
I started off the race a bit quick, but it wasn't long before I settled into a 7:00/mile pace. The course had tons of hills -- rarely was there a flat stretch. Up and down, up and down, I kept forcing myself to just get over the next hill. My GPS paced the first two miles at 7:00 each, and I wasn't getting too tired yet. The third mile was more of the same, and it also clocked at about 7:00. However, it must not have been perfectly accurate, becuase it measured another .22 miles to the finish.
I finished 22:16, enough to get third place for my age group (M20-29). The award was a bit of a surprise, considering that the winner finished in about 18 minutes.
Many thanks to Andrew, Holly, Ella, and Lily for all of their support, and for waiting around even longer so that I could get my medal!
I started off the race a bit quick, but it wasn't long before I settled into a 7:00/mile pace. The course had tons of hills -- rarely was there a flat stretch. Up and down, up and down, I kept forcing myself to just get over the next hill. My GPS paced the first two miles at 7:00 each, and I wasn't getting too tired yet. The third mile was more of the same, and it also clocked at about 7:00. However, it must not have been perfectly accurate, becuase it measured another .22 miles to the finish.
I finished 22:16, enough to get third place for my age group (M20-29). The award was a bit of a surprise, considering that the winner finished in about 18 minutes.
Many thanks to Andrew, Holly, Ella, and Lily for all of their support, and for waiting around even longer so that I could get my medal!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Racine Running Fest 30K Recap
The weather was just about perfect for the 30 kilometers (about 18.64 miles) of the Racine (Wisconsin) Running Fest on April 28, 2007. I was targeting to finish in about 2:43:00, or about 8:45 per mile, or better. I had never run a 30k before, so I knew I would set a personal best!
I live in Kenosha, and I work in Racine, so I felt like I had "home field advantage" for this race. In addition, my grandparents live a block away from the start/finish, so I was able to use their place to drop off my gear and get ready before the start of the race. Many thanks to Grandma & Grandpa!
Shortly before the race started, I met up with Gerald Cameron, a colleague from work who also signed up for the 30k. Jerry ran the Boston Marathon earlier this month, and he decided to run this race after I told him about it. He mentioned that his quads hadn't completely recovered, but I could tell he was excited about the race. He's much faster than me, and I knew he'd be at the front of the pack.
Anyway, on to the race -- there were three separate starts.
30k (27 participants) - 8 a.m.
Half Marathon (136 participants) - 8:10 a.m.
5k (162 participants) - 8:20 a.m.
Shortly before the start, we were informed of a slight course change from the original map. In addition, the 30k start was delayed because the race director was waiting for the final "OK" from the police officials. I didn't get cold waiting, but I did get very nervous, as I wondered if I'd get lost on the course. Oh well, just take it one step at a time.
Just before 8:10, we finally began our journey. The largest group of spectators was the half-marathoners and 5k runners, and they enthusiastically cheered us on. Shortly after that, I saw Grandma and Grandpa, who also gave their support. I handed off my warm-up jacket to Grandma, and kept moving steadily along the course. With only 27 people in the 30k, there was plenty of breathing room. (Splits for miles 1-3: 8:31, 8:41, 8:40)
At mile 4, I got some more energetic cheers from my Aunt Lisa and my five year-old cousin, Rachel. I waved, smiled, and thanked them for coming out to support me as Rachel responded, "I hope you win!" :) Another relative, Aunt Sue, was waiting for me at mile 5 with a much-appreciated bottle of water. I carried it with me through about the 10k mark, where I used it to wash down the first of two hammer gels I was carrying with me (vanilla-flavored, yum). Many thanks to Aunt Lisa, Rachel, and Aunt Sue! (Splits for miles 4-7: 8:37, 8:43, 8:30, 8:56)
The course wasn't too lonely as the race continued, mainly because a lot of the faster half-marathoners were flying by. We were now heading south along the shoreline of Lake Michigan on a bike trail. Parts of it had "rolling hills", but they were insignificant compared to the hills I've experienced in the Seattle and Portland marathons. I felt great, and I kept up the pace. (Splits for miles 8-11: 8:35, 8:34, 8:24, 8:34)
The course eventually turned west along the Root River. I passed the turnaround point for half-marathoners. Things were pretty lonely for a while, and then I saw a policeman on a bicycle clearing the way for the 30k leaders, who were already heading east toward the finish. Jerry was leading the race, but another runner was drafting him. He looked very focused, but he acknowledged me as I shouted, "C'mon, Jerry, keep it up!" As I wondered how he would fare against his opponent, I pressed on toward the turnaround point, taking my second hammer gel (tropical-flavored) during mile 14. (Splits for miles 12-15: 8:29, 8:32, 8:53, 8:28)
I reached the turnaround and continued my steady pace. This is probably one of the best races ever as far as even splits are concerned. I waved to other 30k runners as I passed by. Later on, I encountered some tired-looking half-marathoners who hadn't quite made it to their turnaround yet. I cheered them on as best I could. There was one more incline before a mostly-downhill straightaway to the finish arch. Grandma made the walk to the finish to support me, and I waved and thanked her as I ran by. I think I had a very solid finishing kick in me, but with no runners in sight in front of me and no one bearing down behind me, I sped up only a little bit as I raised my arms in victory and crossed the line. (Splits for miles 16-end: 8:31, 8:45, 8:43, 5:03)
My finish time was 2:40:09. I averaged about 8:36 per mile, well ahead of my goal pace. As an added bonus, I received my first ever age group award. Among males 25-29, I finished second! Granted, there were only four people in my age group, but it was quite a thrill to receive a plaque (in addition to a medal) to remember my accomplishment.
So, are you curious how Jerry finished? He was done about 25 minutes before me, but he was still hanging around in the area by the post-race goodies. I was thrilled to learn that he had won the race! He shared the details of his performance with me. When I saw him on the course, he had about three miles to go. The runner behind him had been shadowing him for most of the race, and Jerry had not been able to shake him. Jerry informed me that my cheers gave him an extra boost of energy, and that the other runner could not keep up with him much longer. Jerry pulled away, and finished five minutes ahead of the second place finisher. Congratulations, Jerry!
I live in Kenosha, and I work in Racine, so I felt like I had "home field advantage" for this race. In addition, my grandparents live a block away from the start/finish, so I was able to use their place to drop off my gear and get ready before the start of the race. Many thanks to Grandma & Grandpa!
Shortly before the race started, I met up with Gerald Cameron, a colleague from work who also signed up for the 30k. Jerry ran the Boston Marathon earlier this month, and he decided to run this race after I told him about it. He mentioned that his quads hadn't completely recovered, but I could tell he was excited about the race. He's much faster than me, and I knew he'd be at the front of the pack.
Anyway, on to the race -- there were three separate starts.
30k (27 participants) - 8 a.m.
Half Marathon (136 participants) - 8:10 a.m.
5k (162 participants) - 8:20 a.m.
Shortly before the start, we were informed of a slight course change from the original map. In addition, the 30k start was delayed because the race director was waiting for the final "OK" from the police officials. I didn't get cold waiting, but I did get very nervous, as I wondered if I'd get lost on the course. Oh well, just take it one step at a time.
Just before 8:10, we finally began our journey. The largest group of spectators was the half-marathoners and 5k runners, and they enthusiastically cheered us on. Shortly after that, I saw Grandma and Grandpa, who also gave their support. I handed off my warm-up jacket to Grandma, and kept moving steadily along the course. With only 27 people in the 30k, there was plenty of breathing room. (Splits for miles 1-3: 8:31, 8:41, 8:40)
At mile 4, I got some more energetic cheers from my Aunt Lisa and my five year-old cousin, Rachel. I waved, smiled, and thanked them for coming out to support me as Rachel responded, "I hope you win!" :) Another relative, Aunt Sue, was waiting for me at mile 5 with a much-appreciated bottle of water. I carried it with me through about the 10k mark, where I used it to wash down the first of two hammer gels I was carrying with me (vanilla-flavored, yum). Many thanks to Aunt Lisa, Rachel, and Aunt Sue! (Splits for miles 4-7: 8:37, 8:43, 8:30, 8:56)
The course wasn't too lonely as the race continued, mainly because a lot of the faster half-marathoners were flying by. We were now heading south along the shoreline of Lake Michigan on a bike trail. Parts of it had "rolling hills", but they were insignificant compared to the hills I've experienced in the Seattle and Portland marathons. I felt great, and I kept up the pace. (Splits for miles 8-11: 8:35, 8:34, 8:24, 8:34)
The course eventually turned west along the Root River. I passed the turnaround point for half-marathoners. Things were pretty lonely for a while, and then I saw a policeman on a bicycle clearing the way for the 30k leaders, who were already heading east toward the finish. Jerry was leading the race, but another runner was drafting him. He looked very focused, but he acknowledged me as I shouted, "C'mon, Jerry, keep it up!" As I wondered how he would fare against his opponent, I pressed on toward the turnaround point, taking my second hammer gel (tropical-flavored) during mile 14. (Splits for miles 12-15: 8:29, 8:32, 8:53, 8:28)
I reached the turnaround and continued my steady pace. This is probably one of the best races ever as far as even splits are concerned. I waved to other 30k runners as I passed by. Later on, I encountered some tired-looking half-marathoners who hadn't quite made it to their turnaround yet. I cheered them on as best I could. There was one more incline before a mostly-downhill straightaway to the finish arch. Grandma made the walk to the finish to support me, and I waved and thanked her as I ran by. I think I had a very solid finishing kick in me, but with no runners in sight in front of me and no one bearing down behind me, I sped up only a little bit as I raised my arms in victory and crossed the line. (Splits for miles 16-end: 8:31, 8:45, 8:43, 5:03)
My finish time was 2:40:09. I averaged about 8:36 per mile, well ahead of my goal pace. As an added bonus, I received my first ever age group award. Among males 25-29, I finished second! Granted, there were only four people in my age group, but it was quite a thrill to receive a plaque (in addition to a medal) to remember my accomplishment.
So, are you curious how Jerry finished? He was done about 25 minutes before me, but he was still hanging around in the area by the post-race goodies. I was thrilled to learn that he had won the race! He shared the details of his performance with me. When I saw him on the course, he had about three miles to go. The runner behind him had been shadowing him for most of the race, and Jerry had not been able to shake him. Jerry informed me that my cheers gave him an extra boost of energy, and that the other runner could not keep up with him much longer. Jerry pulled away, and finished five minutes ahead of the second place finisher. Congratulations, Jerry!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
South Shore Half Marathon Recap
Whoa, I'm falling behind in my race recaps!
On April 7, I ran in the South Shore Half Marathon, only my second organized half marathon race. My first was the Disney Half, during which I was saving my energy for the full marathon the next day. So, this was my opportunity to set a solid PR. I had run the Waukesha Trailbreaker Marathon the week before, but my quads were in great shape.
It was unseasonably cold. I bundled up properly (wool hat, mittens, tights, etc.) and didn't feel chilly during most of the race. The course was a simple out-and-back course, heading south first. I paced fairly well, making the turn with a chance at a 1:50:00 finish. However, the fierce winds out of the north and a bit of snow slowed me a bit in the second half. Still, I pushed through and managed a solid 1:51:22 in far-from-ideal conditions.
I don't know when I'll run my next half marathon, but if the conditions are better, I think there's a good chance I can improve my PR.
Coming soon: The story of my first ever age group award.
On April 7, I ran in the South Shore Half Marathon, only my second organized half marathon race. My first was the Disney Half, during which I was saving my energy for the full marathon the next day. So, this was my opportunity to set a solid PR. I had run the Waukesha Trailbreaker Marathon the week before, but my quads were in great shape.
It was unseasonably cold. I bundled up properly (wool hat, mittens, tights, etc.) and didn't feel chilly during most of the race. The course was a simple out-and-back course, heading south first. I paced fairly well, making the turn with a chance at a 1:50:00 finish. However, the fierce winds out of the north and a bit of snow slowed me a bit in the second half. Still, I pushed through and managed a solid 1:51:22 in far-from-ideal conditions.
I don't know when I'll run my next half marathon, but if the conditions are better, I think there's a good chance I can improve my PR.
Coming soon: The story of my first ever age group award.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Waukesha Recap
About two weeks ago, I ran my eighth marathon. It was the second in two months, only four weeks after Little Rock. This race featured a 40-foot tower in the middle and about four miles of very rugged terrain. I'm thrilled to report that I survived, and the crushed-stone bike trail kept my quads from getting sore. I was out running the next day! Fun facts are below. You can see the impact of the rough trails in the middle, but I still managed to run my fourth fastest marathon ever.
| Miles 1-5 | 9:14 | 9:14 | 8:41 | 9:14 | 9:38 |
| Miles 6-10 | 9:20 | 10:12 | 9:34 | 9:59 | 9:38 |
| Miles 11-15 | 9:35 | 9:44 | 11:34 | 14:07 | 9:46 |
| Miles 16-20 | 10:00 | 9:13 | 8:24 | 8:41 | 10:05 |
| Miles 21-25 | 8:55 | 9:13 | 9:14 | 10:09 | 9:47 |
| Miles 26-End | 9:13 | 2:21 |
- Average Pace: 9:44/mile
- First half: 2:07:07 Second half: 2:07:37
- Fastest Mile: #18 (8:24) Slowest Mile: #14 (14:07)
- Updated Marathon Graph - You can see the impact of the tower on the royal blue line of the Waukesha race.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A Three-House Tour
Every Tuesday night, my wife and I meet with three other young couples for a variety of activities. We sing and study the Bible, but a majority of our time is spent basically "hanging out" and encouraging each other in the things we do.
We all live in the same city, though our houses are somewhat far apart. Since the weather was so nice on Sunday, I completed a run which went east to Mark & Heather's house, south to Jamie & Janet's house, west to Steve & Mary's house, and the north back to my house. The "Small Group Trifecta", or perhaps just "The Trifecta", is approximately nine miles long. The scenery wasn't always beautiful, but it was fun to drop a tiny note in each mailbox as I passed by. "Ben was here :)"
We all live in the same city, though our houses are somewhat far apart. Since the weather was so nice on Sunday, I completed a run which went east to Mark & Heather's house, south to Jamie & Janet's house, west to Steve & Mary's house, and the north back to my house. The "Small Group Trifecta", or perhaps just "The Trifecta", is approximately nine miles long. The scenery wasn't always beautiful, but it was fun to drop a tiny note in each mailbox as I passed by. "Ben was here :)"
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
New Marathon PR!
Little Rock was a great race. I finished in 3:59:56 on the clock, and my chip time was 3:58:23. It was a bit cold at the start, but things warmed up nicely by the time I was done. It's time for the fun facts:
| Miles 1-5 | 8:51 | 9:02 | 8:30 | 8:46 | 8:50 |
| Miles 6-10 | 8:47 | 9:00 | 8:24 | 8:35 | 8:36 |
| Miles 11-15 | 8:46 | 8:52 | 9:06 | 8:59 | 9:44 |
| Miles 16-20 | 9:04 | 8:53 | 8:45 | 9:11 | 9:04 |
| Miles 21-25 | 9:28 | 9:18 | 10:16 | 10:25 | 10:07 |
| Miles 26-End | 9:20 | 1:44 |
- Average Pace: 9:09/mile
- First half: 1:55:01 Second half: 2:03:22
- Fastest Mile: #8 (8:24) Slowest Mile: #24 (10:25)
- Race Results (Bib # 500)
- Professional Photos
- Here's a new graph with all seven marathons:
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Green Light
All systems are go for the Little Rock Marathon! The weather will be a bit cool, but it should be fairly comfortable for long-distance running.
I won't be posting pace updates real-time, but you might want to check out the live finish line video between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Central Standard Time. My race number is #500 (how cool is that?), and I'll be wearing a bright green (tennis ball color) shirt and black shorts. Wish me luck! :)
I won't be posting pace updates real-time, but you might want to check out the live finish line video between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Central Standard Time. My race number is #500 (how cool is that?), and I'll be wearing a bright green (tennis ball color) shirt and black shorts. Wish me luck! :)
Friday, February 16, 2007
And then there were six!
Just over two weeks until Little Rock. Here's an updated graph of all of my marathon experiences. Disney was the second slowest (it's the brown line on the bottom), but it may have been the most fun. :)
Friday, February 02, 2007
Cold Weather Training
It's official -- my next race will be the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 4. I'm also tentatively planning to run 30K at the Racine Running Fest on April 28, as well as the 10-mile Lighthouse Run on June 16. We'll see what happens between now and then.
Last Sunday (January 28), I originally planned to run 20 miles, but I decided to go inside after 5 miles because I was worried about my hands getting frozen. I have a decent pair of gloves, but they weren't cutting it when I was running against the wind. I ended up spending 85 minutes on an elliptical trainer and ran five miles that evening when it was a *tiny* bit warmer.
To get me ready for my next cold weather run, I've purchased some super-warm mittens. However, I am not planning on running outside this weekend. Last Sunday, the wind chill was below zero. For the next two days, the temperature will be below zero. Running on a treadmill is not as fun, but for the time being, it's the most sensible option.
Last Sunday (January 28), I originally planned to run 20 miles, but I decided to go inside after 5 miles because I was worried about my hands getting frozen. I have a decent pair of gloves, but they weren't cutting it when I was running against the wind. I ended up spending 85 minutes on an elliptical trainer and ran five miles that evening when it was a *tiny* bit warmer.
To get me ready for my next cold weather run, I've purchased some super-warm mittens. However, I am not planning on running outside this weekend. Last Sunday, the wind chill was below zero. For the next two days, the temperature will be below zero. Running on a treadmill is not as fun, but for the time being, it's the most sensible option.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Disney Recap!
Without further ado, here is a link to a recap from my Disney races:
http://www.benandjenelle.com/disneymarathon
Enjoy the pictures! There's almost 200 of them.
http://www.benandjenelle.com/disneymarathon
Enjoy the pictures! There's almost 200 of them.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Ready for Disney
Whoa, time flies! In about 31 hours, I'll begin my quest to run a half marathon and a full marathon in the same weekend. More details are at the "Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge" link at http://www.disneyworldmarathon.com. I am not planning on setting any personal records. I am just going to have a great time in the warm Florida sunshine. I might not even wear my GPS watch. :)
In any case, watch this space next week for details about the races. Until then!
In any case, watch this space next week for details about the races. Until then!
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