Here's a link to a movie from the Wisconsin Marathon in Kenosha on May 2:
Wisconsin Marathon Movie
Also, if you're interested in a DVD of my marathon races, let me know. I actually have two DVDs with ten marathons each.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Saturday Sizzle
After the rain passed over, I got out for six miles in 50 minutes today (about 8:20 pace). The weather reminded me of the 2007 Twin Cities Marathon -- muggy, a tiny bit windy, and you wish the sky would open up and give you a cool shower -- and then it doesn't. It was actually more comfortable running into the wind because the breeze cooled me off a little.
This run was followed by one of the most refreshing showers ever.
This run was followed by one of the most refreshing showers ever.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Pleasant Prairie Family Days 5K
It was a bit chilly for August 1 in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. But it was definitely comfortable for running. Jenelle and I arrived at the race site a little after 7:30, giving me almost an hour to warm up and get ready. We met up with several friends who were also running the race. Janet, who ran her first 5K in St. Germain on June 28, was looking to improve her personal best. Janet's neighbor and babysitter, Kelci, ran alongside her. Mary and Maryke, members of our weekly young couples gathering, also came out to run. To add to the fun, Jenelle signed up! Quite a party.
The course was basically a lap around Lake Andrea, with a bit extra to get the total distance up to 5K. We started at 8:30, heading west on a paved road for about a quarter mile before making a U-turn onto the trail right alongside the lake. As I made my way back east, I waved to Mary, Maryke, Janet, Kelci, Jenelle, and Mary's husband Steve (who was waiting at the finish). With a significant wind predominantly out of the west, I felt great, finishing the first mile in 6:44. Mile 2 took me north and eventually to the west, continuing along the lake path. The winds were now against me. I told myself to stay strong. The sooner I made it around the lake, the sooner the winds would be at my back. I reached the halfway point in about 10:36 -- just a little behind my goal pace (finishing in 21:00). My split for mile 2 was 6:58.
The first half of mile 3 was still against the wind. I tried to keep up the pace while at the same time saving some for the last quarter mile. There were two runners in front of me that I hoped to catch along the final straightaway, and nobody was close behind me. As soon as I made the last turn and had the wind at my back, I turned it on as best I could. I finished mile 3 in 6:45.
I was flying to the finish. I successfully passed one of the runners. I glanced at the clock as I reached the finish. No sub-21 time, but another personal record peformance -- 21:05. I covered the last .11 miles in 37 seconds, corresponding to a pace of about 5:22/mile. I wish I could run that fast the entire race!
After taking a short break and downing three cups of water, I walked/jogged back to Jenelle, cheering all my friends on as I passed each of them. I smiled and laughed as other runners informed me that I was running the wrong way. I sooned reached Jenelle, and I accompanied her for a mile or so, stepping to the side as she sprinted for the finish. It was her first 5K, and thus a personal best. Way to go, Jenelle!
I managed 13th overall and 3rd in my age group. Maryke and Kelci also won age group awards. Janet ran a new personal record, and Mary may have done so as well (I'll check on that). So, a wonderful day. Congrats to everyone!
Kelci (33:21), Janet (33:23), Mary (31:36), Jenelle (41:31), Ben (21:05), Maryke (31:41)
The course was basically a lap around Lake Andrea, with a bit extra to get the total distance up to 5K. We started at 8:30, heading west on a paved road for about a quarter mile before making a U-turn onto the trail right alongside the lake. As I made my way back east, I waved to Mary, Maryke, Janet, Kelci, Jenelle, and Mary's husband Steve (who was waiting at the finish). With a significant wind predominantly out of the west, I felt great, finishing the first mile in 6:44. Mile 2 took me north and eventually to the west, continuing along the lake path. The winds were now against me. I told myself to stay strong. The sooner I made it around the lake, the sooner the winds would be at my back. I reached the halfway point in about 10:36 -- just a little behind my goal pace (finishing in 21:00). My split for mile 2 was 6:58.
The first half of mile 3 was still against the wind. I tried to keep up the pace while at the same time saving some for the last quarter mile. There were two runners in front of me that I hoped to catch along the final straightaway, and nobody was close behind me. As soon as I made the last turn and had the wind at my back, I turned it on as best I could. I finished mile 3 in 6:45.
I was flying to the finish. I successfully passed one of the runners. I glanced at the clock as I reached the finish. No sub-21 time, but another personal record peformance -- 21:05. I covered the last .11 miles in 37 seconds, corresponding to a pace of about 5:22/mile. I wish I could run that fast the entire race!
After taking a short break and downing three cups of water, I walked/jogged back to Jenelle, cheering all my friends on as I passed each of them. I smiled and laughed as other runners informed me that I was running the wrong way. I sooned reached Jenelle, and I accompanied her for a mile or so, stepping to the side as she sprinted for the finish. It was her first 5K, and thus a personal best. Way to go, Jenelle!
I managed 13th overall and 3rd in my age group. Maryke and Kelci also won age group awards. Janet ran a new personal record, and Mary may have done so as well (I'll check on that). So, a wonderful day. Congrats to everyone!
Kelci (33:21), Janet (33:23), Mary (31:36), Jenelle (41:31), Ben (21:05), Maryke (31:41)
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
PR again!
I finished the Prairie Days 5K in 21:05, good enough for third place in my age group and another personal best. Details and pictures soon!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Another 5K on the horizon
I had a nice, relaxing 8-mile run today, even though it was a bit warm. I went north on the bike trail (into the wind) for four miles and came straight back. There were a lot of people out there enjoying the weather.
I signed up for a 5K in Pleasant Prairie (not far from here) a week from today (August 1). I've never done that course before, but if conditions are favorable, I'll try and break 21 minutes.
I signed up for a 5K in Pleasant Prairie (not far from here) a week from today (August 1). I've never done that course before, but if conditions are favorable, I'll try and break 21 minutes.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Freedom 5K Recap
About 150 runners toed the line for the Freedom 5K in St. Germain. Three friends of mine -- Mark, Jamie, and Janet, also ran the race. Cheering us on were Jenelle, Heather (Mark's wife), and our friends Rich and Maryke.
As usual, I was a bit too excited at the start, and clocked a very fast first quarter mile before easing into a steady pace. Mark was ahead of me, but I kept him in my sights. I ran the first mile in about 6:45.
The trail narrowed shortly after the first mile marker, and there was a logjam of sorts as runners in front of me eased up with not much room to pass. It eventually cleared up as the trail widened again. My second mile was done in about 7:00.
At mile three, I tried to speed up a little, and I caught up to Mark. He noticed me approaching and said, "If you've got it, go for it". I charged ahead, clocking about 6:51 for my third mile, on pace for a personal record.
I had enough left in the tank to sprint past one runner before the finish. I leaned across the line (as if I were in the 100-meter dash) to earn a time of 21:12, which is a new best by 27 seconds! Yeah! Perhaps I should have sprinted a bit sooner. A common theme of my races is me feeling like I could have gone faster right after I cross the line.
Anyway, Mark managed a solid finish at 21:33. Jamie and Janet crossed the line side by side in 34:01 -- it was the first 5K for both of them. Welcome to the running world!
Pictures and possibly a movie will be posted when I get a chance.
As usual, I was a bit too excited at the start, and clocked a very fast first quarter mile before easing into a steady pace. Mark was ahead of me, but I kept him in my sights. I ran the first mile in about 6:45.
The trail narrowed shortly after the first mile marker, and there was a logjam of sorts as runners in front of me eased up with not much room to pass. It eventually cleared up as the trail widened again. My second mile was done in about 7:00.
At mile three, I tried to speed up a little, and I caught up to Mark. He noticed me approaching and said, "If you've got it, go for it". I charged ahead, clocking about 6:51 for my third mile, on pace for a personal record.
I had enough left in the tank to sprint past one runner before the finish. I leaned across the line (as if I were in the 100-meter dash) to earn a time of 21:12, which is a new best by 27 seconds! Yeah! Perhaps I should have sprinted a bit sooner. A common theme of my races is me feeling like I could have gone faster right after I cross the line.
Anyway, Mark managed a solid finish at 21:33. Jamie and Janet crossed the line side by side in 34:01 -- it was the first 5K for both of them. Welcome to the running world!
Pictures and possibly a movie will be posted when I get a chance.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Freedom 5K Results
I'm still waiting for the official results, but it appears that I set a new personal best at the Freedom 5K in St. Germain, WI yesterday, with a time of 21:12 (about 6:49/mile). Details soon.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
5K Planning
My next race is the Freedom 5K in St. Germain, Wisconsin on June 28. I'm doing more speedwork to get ready for it. I'm hoping to set a new personal best (my current PR is 21:39). I ran a "test" 5K race a week ago, and finished in 22:02. That was wearing my regular running shoes. When I actually run the race, I'll have my "racing" shoes on. That and the training between now and race day will hopefully be enough.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Shoes A-Plenty
I'm pretty much fully recovered from the Wisconsin Marathon. I've been running between 3-5 miles every other day, including a 4-miler today in a new pair of shoes, which leads me to the main topic for this post:
I now have FOUR pairs of running shoes in "active" status:
Saucony ProGrid Omni 6 Ultimate -- I've had these for a while, but since I alternated them with other shoes, they are still pretty comfortable. I ran the Wisconsin Marathon in these shoes.
Saucony ProGrid Omni 7 Ultimate -- I got these for Christmas. I haven't run any races in them yet, but they've been great for training.
Saucony Grid Labyrinth -- I got these trail shoes on clearance earlier this year for about $25. I've only worn them a couple of times. If I do more rugged trail running in the future, these shoes will be a big part of the fun.
Saucony Grid Fastwitch 3 -- I just got these yesterday. They are "racing shoes", because they are about 40% lighter than my other pairs. They're not as supportive, so I'm not sure I could do 26 miles in them, but I could definitely do a 5K or 10K without any issues. This is the pair I wore this morning, and I did feel a little bit faster. Perhaps I should find a 5K to run in the near future to see if I can challenge my PR.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
