Lighthouse Run 2017

I was hoping to challenge the 70-minute mark at the Lighthouse Run this year, but a fall in training on Monday, June 5th limited my ability to put in extensive speedwork leading up to race day.

The first half was pretty good, but I could tell that it was a bit quick for my fitness level. Perhaps conditions were a bit more difficult than I thought -- it didn't feel overly hot or humid to me, but several other runners thought it was tough.

Anyway, I kept it together and finished well in 74:18, good enough to lead the SCJ team to third place. Here's the full 10 mile corporate division results.

Mile splits:
6:57, 7:24, 7:03, 7:10, 7:23, 7:41, 7:51, 7:49, 7:45, 7:15

Until next year!

Lighthouse Run 2016

I was about five minutes off my PR, but I clocked a decent performance (77:02) at the 2016 Lighthouse Run. Last year (2015), I started out too fast and felt pretty lousy most of the latter half of the race. I felt much better this year, even though I was only 40 seconds faster.

Mile splits:
7:34, 7:56, 7:49, 7:45, 7:51, 8:07, 7:51, 7:30, 7:31, 7:08

Maybe I'll throw in more speedwork the next time I train for a 10-miler, and I can log a mile or two under seven minutes.

Lighthouse Run 2015

Considering that I had limited time to train, I'm thrilled with a finish under 78 minutes at this year's Lighthouse Run:

7:07
7:15
7:34
7:45
7:57  (can you tell I started too fast?)
8:13
8:16
8:05
8:07
7:25 (I saved something for the last mile)

I still hope that someday, I can prepare well enough to challenge my PR (about 72 minutes) at the 10-mile distance.

2013 Lighthouse Run Recap

As I have in many years past, I joined the SCJ OFF! and Running team at the Lighthouse Run on June 15, 2013. It was a rainy morning, which can sometimes lead to fast times. I was fully in team spirit mode because one of my teammates (Jorge) and I were planning to run together. Our e-mail conversation went like this:

Me: See you at the Lighthouse Run on Saturday!

Jorge: We are running together right? 7:15 pace?

Me: Sure! 7:15 pace sounds perfect. See you then.

If I could manage 7:15 pace, I would finish in 1:12:30, which would be a personal best by about a minute. So how'd it go?

I wore my orange shirt and black shorts, which I wore when I slashed my marathon PR in Kenosha in May. Instead of my orange shoes, I wore my Saucony Grid Fastwitch 3s, also known as my fast shoes. I wore a light jacket to stay dry until the race began.

Mile 1 (6:57): Right from the start, Jorge surprised me by going faster than 7:15 pace. He was 20-30 feet ahead of me before I knew it. Rather than spend extra effort to catch up to him, I decided simply to keep him in my sights in the hopes that he'd settle in to a slower pace. I waved to my family, including Grandma Iz, as I zoomed by on Lake Avenue and headed north.

Miles 2-4 (7:10, 7:11, 7:11): The course changed this year. Instead of going north on Main all the way to Four Mile Road, we turned right onto Three Mile Road, bending north onto Lighthouse Drive, then heading west on Four Mile Road. Basically, we did the same loop as in past years, but in the opposite direction. Fine by me. Jorge slowed down a bit, but he was still going faster than 7:15 pace. I kept him in my sights, though, still planning to catch him later on.

Mile 5 (7:05): I grabbed a bottle of water from Aunt Sue. I didn't need much of it because the steady rain was keeping me cool. I was hoping that the rain would taper off to a drizzle, but I was still pretty happy with the conditions. I'll take this over 80+ degree heat anytime.

Miles 6-7 (7:13, 7:15): Jorge was not slowing down. From my perspective, I couldn't tell if he was speeding up or not, but he was getting further away from me. I noticed him look back a few times, and I waved to let him know I was okay.

Miles 8-9 (7:25, 7:31): Continuing south on Main Street toward the finish, I had to ease up. I had not expected to go this fast. Jorge was out of range, but I was glad that he was doing so well.

Mile 10 (6:59): I saved a bit for the finish. The reality is that I was ahead of personal record pace, and a solid final mile could get me a sub-72 minute result. I zoomed past the fun run / walk folks and cruised to a finish in a satisfying 1:11:57.

Let's check out the team results. I finished fourth on the team, good enough to get me a medal, as the team finished in second place. The InSinkErator guys had too much speed for us to win the corporate division. Maybe we'll get 'em next year.

An added bonus -- I finished fourth in my age group, so I actually got two medals. Woohoo!

Lighthouse Run 2012 Recap

At last year's Lighthouse Run, I broke the 75-minute barrier, cutting almost five minutes off my 10-mile personal best. With temperatures forecast to climb into the 80s for the 2012 edition, could I go even faster?

After consulting with some running buddies, I decided to start out a bit slower than PR pace, somewhere in the 7:45 to 8:00 per mile range. However, when I arrived at the start area, I felt a cool breeze off the lake. It was still warmer than optimum running conditions, but it was pretty good for a mid-June race. I decided to go out at PR pace (about 7:25/mile) and see how things went.

Mile 1 (7:19) -- As much as I try to tell myself not to start too fast, I was out in a flash. The first half mile was probably about 7:00 pace. I waved to Jenelle, Eliana, my parents, and Grandma Iz, who were a few blocks past the start. Eliana was very excited to see me, pointing at me and running towards me -- thankfully not getting too close. Having a 1.5-year old cheer you on is wonderful, and her cheers will probably get even more wonderful as she grows up. Anyway, I eased up a bit heading over the Main St. bridge and clocked the first mile just a bit quicker than I was targeting.

Mile 2 (7:20) -- I kept it going steadily through the zoo. I continued my tradition of saying to the runners around me, "Uh oh, I just heard there's a tiger loose." You don't have to outrun the tiger, just the other people in the race.

Mile 3 (7:25) -- I was once again wearing my Saucony Grid Fastwitch 3 shoes, also known as my 'fast shoes', for this race. They are 40% lighter than the shoes in which I train and run marathons, but they are not nearly as comfortable. My feet are a bit sore as I type this, but I made it through.

Mile 4 (7:25) -- I saw Aunt Lisa and Cousin Rachel at Lake Meadow Drive. It's always great to see relatives on the course. Thanks for the cheers! I'd also like to give a big thanks to everyone along the course who had sprinklers / mist sprayers set up for all the runners. It was a big help in my efforts to stay cool.

Mile 5 (7:27) -- Aunt Sue once again handed me a bottle of water as I headed east on 4 mile road. The heat was starting to affect my pace, but I tried to keep things under 7:30.

Mile 6 (7:36) -- As we turned back to the south, it seemed more difficult to maintain the pace I had held for the first five miles. The wind may have been against us, but I think it was more the heat and fatigue that gradually takes effect. I was also trying to save some energy for the last few miles.

Mile 7 (7:38) -- A lot of races have both water and some kind of sports drink at the aid stations. The Lighthouse Run has just water, which is why I carried an Accel Gel with me, gulping it down just past the six-mile marker. I followed it with plenty of water (from the bottle Aunt Sue gave me) so that I didn't cramp up. This required a bit longer of a walk break, but I was worth it to get the bunch of carbs and the hint of protein that accel gel provides.

Mile 8 (7:29) -- Back on Main Street, I felt pretty good, so I starting picking things up with about 2.5 miles to go. I didn't feel quite as good as I did last year, when my final two miles were 6:59 and 6:36, but I knew that I had something left in the tank. I might as well use it.

Mile 9 (7:14) -- Here we go! I zoomed by those in the four-mile race and those in the two-mile fun run/walk, as well as a few tired 10-milers. I caught and passed a member of the SCJ Off! and Running team, Juan, who I expected to finish way in front of me. Only the top four runners from each team contribute to the team's time. Not knowing how many other SCJ folks were in front of me, I had extra motivation to run fast, as every second counts in the corporate team competition.

Mile 10 (6:50) -- I picked off more runners as I tried to use every last ounce of strength in the final mile. The cheers of my family, about a quarter mile from the finish, were once again wonderful. Down the final stretch, I didn't have anyone to chase, but a few folks close behind me gave me the motivation to sprint for the line. I held them off and finished with a clock time of 1:13:46. My chip time was 1:13:43, which means I took 56 seconds off my previous personal record. YES!

As for the SCJ Off! and Running team, we won the corporate division! What made this especially exciting is that I was the fourth place finisher on the team. For the first time ever at the Lighthouse Run, I am going home with a medal. Sweet. The margin of victory was pretty big -- Juan's time would have been fast enough -- but it still felt great to be announced at the award ceremony and presented with a medal. I'll have a picture soon.

Next up -- the Freedom 5K on July 1. Can I set another personal best? I sure hope so.

Lighthouse Run - Quick Update

New PR 1:13:46, SCJ team wins corporate division

2011 Lighthouse Run

Weather is always a question mark at the Lighthouse Run. When I first ran it in 2005, the conditions were pretty good, and I set a then-personal best of 1:24:49. The following year's run, in 2006, featured 80+ degree temps at the start and significant humidity. Though I was in much better shape, I was a tiny bit slower, finishing in 1:25:05. In 2007, it was still warm, but not as bad as in 2006, and I set another personal best (1:22:59) with the help of my friend Mark. Mark was alongside me again in 2008 when overcast skies and temps in the 60s brought me to the line in 1:19:20 -- my best 10-mile run ever.

Until today.

I skipped the Lighthouse Run in 2009 and 2010, but I was back in action for the 2011 edition. Rain was in the forecast, but it turned out to be a sunny but cool day, with temps in the low-to-mid 60s at the start.

My tentative plan was to run each mile in 7:54 or less to ensure a finish under 79 minutes. The wind was in my face at the start, but that was a good sign, as it would be at my back for the finish.

Mile 1 (7:21) -- Too fast! I guess the excitement of a beautiful day got my adrenaline going. I waved to Jenelle, Eliana, Grandma Iz, and my parents as I ran by.

Mile 2 (7:37) -- My pace was still a little bit quick, but I felt great as I made my way through the zoo.

Mile 3 (7:42) -- My heart rate settled into the 160s as I zoomed north on main street. It was a bit strange, but I felt perfectly comfortable running at less than 8:00/mile into the wind.

Mile 4 (7:45) -- At this point, I adjusted my goal a little bit. I felt so relaxed that I was pretty sure I could average 7:42 for the duration of the race, which would be a finish under 77 minutes. Given that I was a bit quicker than that for the first two miles, I attempted to run each mile at 7:45 or better.

Mile 5 (7:42) -- Thanks, Aunt Sue, for the bottle of water! It's become a Lighthouse Run tradition for my aunt, who lives on Valley Trail, to greet me at the 4.5-mile mark with a bottle of water. I actually enjoy carrying a half-liter bottle (with the cap), because I can more easily ration my water intake. I was now heading east on 4 Mile Road.

Mile 6 (7:39) -- The road turned south and became Lighthouse Drive. How appropriate. I tried to keep things as relaxed as possible for a potential charge in the last mile or so.

Mile 7 (7:39) -- With the wind at the back of the runners, several folks passed me, but I kept things steady in the hopes of passing the same people later on. I gulped down a raspberry Accel Gel as the course meandered west on 3 Mile Road.

Mile 8 (7:39) -- The course turned south, and we were back on Main Street, which would take us all the way to finish. In my last four races, I've had some energy left at the finish, which means that I paced myself too conservatively. As I neared the eight-mile mark, I decided to leave as much out on the course as I could. I finished my water bottle and dropped the hammer.

Mile 9 (6:59) -- Let's fly! My heart rate jumped back into the 170s as I passed runners one by one. On the left side of the street, the people participating in the fun run/walk seemed like they were standing still. A few of them recognized me and shouted my name, so I smiled, looked back, and waved at them. I was a tiny bit thirsty, so I grabbed one more cup of water at the last aid station.

Mile 10 (6:36) -- I kept it going, and then some, despite some slight inclines in the final mile. About a quarter mile from the finish, I passed a large group of runners that was clumped together. I had a feeling that one or more of them would have a strong finishing kick and challenge my position, but I was in the clear down the final stretch.

Finish -- I saw my parents, Jenelle, and Eliana, who were all smiles, knowing that I had achieved my goal. I was thrilled to see the clock below 75 minutes as I crossed the line. My clock time was 1:14:51, and my chip time was 1:14:39, good enough for 138th place out of 831 runners.

Other interesting notes:

• I donned my Saucony Fastwitch 3 shoes, which are 40% lighter than my other running shoes, for an extra edge. I usually don't wear my "racing" shoes for races above 10K, as they are tougher on my feet. However, I felt okay after a 10-mile training run in them, so I gave them a try today.
• My average heart rate was 168 bpm. During the final mile, my heart rate averaged 182 bpm with a maximum of 192 bpm. Exhilarating.
• I estimated that I completed the first 10K of the course in 47:27, which is about the same as my 10K personal best (47:28) from last Thanksgiving.
• I covered the final mile in 6:36. If I ran a 5K at this pace, I would finish in 20:32, which would be a new personal best.
• Congrats to my friend Paul, who finished his first 10-mile race ever in 1:47:50. He has pressed on in his efforts to become a stronger runner in the past several months. I'm impressed by his commitment and dedication. He will be running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon this fall, and I wish him all the best.
• I always run this race as a member of the SC Johnson "SCJ Off! and Running" team. Only the first four finishers of the team are counted in the final score. Usually, my score is nowhere near the top four, but this time, I was fifth.
• After the race, I took a shower at my grandparents' condo, as they live a short distance from the start/finish. After the shower, I realized that I forgot to put my boxers in my running bag along with my change of clothing. I can't remember the last time I went commando. To borrow a quote from Seinfeld's Kramer, I was "out there and loving every minute of it" while completing some errands after the race. :)

Lighthouse Run 2008 -- PR again!

For the second straight year, I set a new 10-mile personal best at the Lighthouse Run. Once again, I ran most of the race with my friend, Mark. Once again, Mark had a little bit more energy left at the finish, so he came in 20-30 seconds ahead of me. In any case, it was a great race for both of us.

The weather was overcast and in the mid-60s at the start -- the most comfortable conditions for the Lighthouse Run since I first ran it in 2005. Even though I haven't gone more than five miles at a time since April 26, I felt pretty confident that I could run a good race. I planned to break 80 minutes.

I ran a solid first half. I kept my pace just under eight minutes a mile. There were lots of friends and family on the course to keep me energized. I saw Jenelle, Heather (Mark's wife), and Caleb (Mark's son) shortly after the start. A few blocks further down the road, I saw my parents and grandparents. At mile 4, I saw Aunt Lisa and cousin Rachel. At mile 5, I saw Aunt Sue, who once again gave me a bottle of water. It would last me the entire race.

After mile 7, Mark and I took a walk break to gather up our strength for the final three miles. I started to tire, but only a little bit. Mark eased ahead, and I encouraged him to push for the finish. I managed to keep the splits just over eight minutes.

As I neared the finish, I knew that I would easily break 80 minutes. I picked up speed a little bit in the final 100 meters, but it definitely wasn't an all-out sprint. I crossed the line in about 1:19:20.1. Mark finished in an impressive 1:18:34.2. Nice work, buddy.

The mile splits, according to my Garmin, are as follows:
7:51, 7:55, 7:57, 7:56, 7:49, 7:57, 7:58, 8:01, 8:03, 7:53

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).

Lighthouse Run 2006

After finishing in under 85 minutes last year, I trained for this year's Lighthouse Run hoping to finish in about 80 minutes (which translates to 8-minute miles, of course). However, the weather did not cooperate on race day. The temperature was already above 80 degrees at the start of the race, so staying hydrated was a constant challenge.

I ran the first part of the race with Ken, a friend and fellow SCJ employee. We were pacing at 7:30 a mile (possibly even faster) -- I soon realized that I would not be able to keep up with him. I slowed down by the water stop at four-mile mark for a quick break, and that would be the last time I was running alongside him.

I took several more walking breaks at various points in the second half of the race (more than I wanted to), but I still managed to finish strong. I didn't have anyone to chase in the final 200 meters, but I had a few people trying to catch me. I used up the last of my energy holding off the chasers, and I finished in 1:25:05. This is about 16 seconds SLOWER than last year. However, I finished in 327th place last year, and I finished in 182nd place this year. That's a decent improvement.

Overall, it was a good race, and it was a great learning experience. I'm not sure if I'll do any more races this summer, but I'll probably be in the Portland Marathon on October 1.

SCJ Off! And Running

This morning, I participated in my first ever Lighthouse Run. I ran ten miles in 1:24:49.1 (a new personal best). The official results are right here. Yeah, you'll have to scroll down a bit to see my name, but it's there. 327th place. Oh yeah! Special thanks to Mom & Dad for taking pictures and video, Grandma Iz and Grandpa Nick for their enthusiastic cheers, and Aunt Sue for a much-appreciated bottle of water at the halfway point.

Five Lighthouse Run Photos