Saturday - 2 miles @ 8:30 pace. nice day weather wise. Lots of standing around & chatting with people in teh park at our water/snack table. I was a bit surprised at how many people wear headphones listening to music while running. Tons of folks went by and couldn't hear us saying "free water stop" Soft pretzels & bagels too.
Generally this seemed to me that it ended up more of a social for us, but we were doing a community service too. One small step for raising public awareness of our running club. Maybe we might get a few new members... we'll have to wait & see.
My legs feel dead - I'm pretty sure that's normal at this point after a marathon. Feet ache, but that could be equal amounts of standing around for a few hours. I'm taking today off (Sunday) and hope to start back into running this week.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
next Wednesday - Standing Group Run
Did 2 miles easy yestday on tread. Legs really not that feeling so bad, but took it very easy just in case. Nice stretch (which felt good) and then i hit the upper body weight machines for the first time in 3 mos! Took it very easy since this might be a shock to the muscles.
Here's a link about NATIONAL RUNNING Day which is next Wed: http://www.nyrrmail.org/eventcal/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=127
Our club will be out running - but we have a standing group run on Wed. evenings (get it, standing group run?). {Duh, bad, i know.}
Tomorrow we have a community service day at the same park (DelCastle). Pike Creek will be giving out water and talking to 'whoever' about running and our club. I'm scheduled to be there in the a.m...stop by if you can!
Trying to begin diet. For real this time.
Fall marathons, which one to choose?
Here's a link about NATIONAL RUNNING Day which is next Wed: http://www.nyrrmail.org/eventcal/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=127
Our club will be out running - but we have a standing group run on Wed. evenings (get it, standing group run?). {Duh, bad, i know.}
Tomorrow we have a community service day at the same park (DelCastle). Pike Creek will be giving out water and talking to 'whoever' about running and our club. I'm scheduled to be there in the a.m...stop by if you can!
Trying to begin diet. For real this time.
Fall marathons, which one to choose?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
ReCap
oh wow, what a crappy performance by me. And a really bad feeling knowing that I wasted the chance to do something better.
I know I can do much better than friggin 4:21 marathon. Now I have to regroup and recover and then plan for a fall marathon. Round Two will be different (better).
I finished. I got the medal. DNF was definitely a possibility as wiped out as I was feeling. All the muscles of my legs were in cramps/spasms.
I have some email & FB messages that I will copy & paste into the blog. For now here's a few photos:
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Quips from post-race
These are some FaceBook & email messages from the hours right after the race:
Sunday night: I finished...that's about all I can say. Just about everything that could go wrong did. But I got the finisher medal.
It was one of my worst running experiences ever...humity, too much early speed, & lots of hills.
marathon: total meltdown. Changed mantra mid-race to "When will this end; I will not DNF." Leg cramps=bad. Walked the final 2.5 miles.
Monday morning: This morning's paper has some info on Wardian's race... he's happy that it's a new PR for him 2:21 - but it's the 5th year in a row that he's come up here and the 5th time he's finished 2nd. Seems to be different guys each year show up to take the win...
I don't know how there was so many guys under 2:30. This course has alot of HILLS! Women's winner also set her PR at 2:35 - she's a 3 time winner here. The sun came out when I was around mile 19 or so. It started to get hot & steam was coming up from the streets and roofs of houses. I guess the speedy runners were already done (or close to done) at that point.
There was a 9 y.o. boy that ran the full marathon. He passed me while I was walking in the final miles. That's the kind of day it was for me.
Sunday night: I finished...that's about all I can say. Just about everything that could go wrong did. But I got the finisher medal.
It was one of my worst running experiences ever...humity, too much early speed, & lots of hills.
marathon: total meltdown. Changed mantra mid-race to "When will this end; I will not DNF." Leg cramps=bad. Walked the final 2.5 miles.
Monday morning: This morning's paper has some info on Wardian's race... he's happy that it's a new PR for him 2:21 - but it's the 5th year in a row that he's come up here and the 5th time he's finished 2nd. Seems to be different guys each year show up to take the win...
I don't know how there was so many guys under 2:30. This course has alot of HILLS! Women's winner also set her PR at 2:35 - she's a 3 time winner here. The sun came out when I was around mile 19 or so. It started to get hot & steam was coming up from the streets and roofs of houses. I guess the speedy runners were already done (or close to done) at that point.
There was a 9 y.o. boy that ran the full marathon. He passed me while I was walking in the final miles. That's the kind of day it was for me.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Happiness Always
Oh, did I mention that Saturday night my buddy is getting married in Boston? I tend to stay away from personal stuff like that. This blog is to focus on things running. But that's a major wrench in the schedule and I won't be getting to the hotel in Burlington, VT until about 12 midnight after the reception in Natick, Mass.
Anyway, i found the bestest wedding card ever. Very simple, not too sickly sweet. That's the way I like it. I should take a picture of it, but my camera isn't handy. The cover says
Family
Friends
Hugs
Laughter
Celebration
and then the inside says
LOVE
Happiness Always.
It's just right. And I sincerely wish Robby & AM the best of luck!!
Anyway, i found the bestest wedding card ever. Very simple, not too sickly sweet. That's the way I like it. I should take a picture of it, but my camera isn't handy. The cover says
Family
Friends
Hugs
Laughter
Celebration
and then the inside says
LOVE
Happiness Always.
It's just right. And I sincerely wish Robby & AM the best of luck!!
T- 48 hours & counting...
I put a few things out this morning to be packed up tonite. We leave early Saturday a.m.
This is a link to some funny short videos from Brooks shoe ads.
http://www.runningsuperfans.com/#/videos/ice-cream
I'm psyched that I found my Glycerin 7's when I did. These shoes have helped me get this far, now they'll go the 26.2 with me on Sunday. I thought about wearing something lighter but I don't want to wreck my feet/legs totally for this first marathon. I'll just go with the same that's gotten me this far - full weight trainers. Brooks makes great shoes, why did I wait so long to try them?
Plan this week was to get a few naps, but they never happened. Duh, why do I even think up this stuff? Tonite's sleep is important! Gotta start packing in some carbs !!
This is a link to some funny short videos from Brooks shoe ads.
http://www.runningsuperfans.com/#/videos/ice-cream
I'm psyched that I found my Glycerin 7's when I did. These shoes have helped me get this far, now they'll go the 26.2 with me on Sunday. I thought about wearing something lighter but I don't want to wreck my feet/legs totally for this first marathon. I'll just go with the same that's gotten me this far - full weight trainers. Brooks makes great shoes, why did I wait so long to try them?
Plan this week was to get a few naps, but they never happened. Duh, why do I even think up this stuff? Tonite's sleep is important! Gotta start packing in some carbs !!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Let's play quarters!
Quarters. Remember that old drinking game? This is something different.
I just read an article about not going out too fast during a race. I have very often been plagued with this problem. Even to the point of rationalizing that it's 'my style' and that 'it works for me' because I can 'bank seconds or minutes to be spent during latter miles' etc., etc. ( article here: http://www.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2009/05/time-trial-pacing.html )
Basically,
divide the race in 4 quarters and then work it like this:
1. Perceived effort should feel easy while not being too far beyond anticipated pace.
2. Run your own race at goal - but no faster.
3. Maintain pace although perceived effort pushes into the fatigue & pain zone.
4. Push yourself to max effort. If you've measured it out right then you can maintain pace thru the finish line.
The article is written for cycling with power meter & HR technology utilized. That doesn't work for me. But the principle is the same - and it's nothing new.
I'd like to start out at 8:45 like I did on my LSD easy runs, but that's too far from BQ goal pace and I'll never make up that much time. Something like 8:10 - 8:20 for the first 6 miles might work. Then goal pace - 8:00 - thru to mile 20. Then finish the 6 remaining @ 7:45. It looks good in print. And if I feel beat at 18 or 20 (or whenever) then I can still finish in a 3:35 or whatever.
This is not so much different than what I've been going over in my head for days now. I think I may be obsessing about this pacing thing a bit. Reality is that there's tons of variables and the final decision will have to be on the starting line.
Weather report stills looks beautiful for Sunday in Vermont - awesome. And my small cold is def breaking up and passing - TG.
Making a big list of stuff to bring including:
Fuel belt, hat, 'best' socks, shorts, singlet.
Create pace band, bring with scotch tape.
Bring my own pillow for hotel bed (as if I'm sleeping much the nite before).
Vasoline (toes), sun screen (nose), band aids (nips).
Headlamp & flashlite -
that last one is because I want to climb Mt. Mansfield (highest peak of VT) and depending on my recovery/fatigue level it may be late Sunday or early Monday. This might sound a bit harsh, but if I run the marathon & make the summit of Mansfield then I'll never have to return to VT. Everyone is telling me that it's my kind of state - lots of outdoors stuff - and that I'm going to luv it up there. But the reality is that there's so many places I've never been that I no longer am traveling with the plan of making multiple trips. One state, one trip, do what you got to do and cross it off the list. (i really got to get my head examined?). So far my only other high peaks are Del, NJ, and NY. But VT is a good compliment since I saw Lake Champlain from the top of Mt. Marcy two years ago. The only other stuff up there is sking (no), ice cream (supermarket), and fishing (lousy at catching fish).
So marathon first, then Mt. Mansfield. I am not leaving without reaching these goals.
I just read an article about not going out too fast during a race. I have very often been plagued with this problem. Even to the point of rationalizing that it's 'my style' and that 'it works for me' because I can 'bank seconds or minutes to be spent during latter miles' etc., etc. ( article here: http://www.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2009/05/time-trial-pacing.html )
Basically,
divide the race in 4 quarters and then work it like this:
1. Perceived effort should feel easy while not being too far beyond anticipated pace.
2. Run your own race at goal - but no faster.
3. Maintain pace although perceived effort pushes into the fatigue & pain zone.
4. Push yourself to max effort. If you've measured it out right then you can maintain pace thru the finish line.
The article is written for cycling with power meter & HR technology utilized. That doesn't work for me. But the principle is the same - and it's nothing new.
I'd like to start out at 8:45 like I did on my LSD easy runs, but that's too far from BQ goal pace and I'll never make up that much time. Something like 8:10 - 8:20 for the first 6 miles might work. Then goal pace - 8:00 - thru to mile 20. Then finish the 6 remaining @ 7:45. It looks good in print. And if I feel beat at 18 or 20 (or whenever) then I can still finish in a 3:35 or whatever.
This is not so much different than what I've been going over in my head for days now. I think I may be obsessing about this pacing thing a bit. Reality is that there's tons of variables and the final decision will have to be on the starting line.
Weather report stills looks beautiful for Sunday in Vermont - awesome. And my small cold is def breaking up and passing - TG.
Making a big list of stuff to bring including:
Fuel belt, hat, 'best' socks, shorts, singlet.
Create pace band, bring with scotch tape.
Bring my own pillow for hotel bed (as if I'm sleeping much the nite before).
Vasoline (toes), sun screen (nose), band aids (nips).
Headlamp & flashlite -
that last one is because I want to climb Mt. Mansfield (highest peak of VT) and depending on my recovery/fatigue level it may be late Sunday or early Monday. This might sound a bit harsh, but if I run the marathon & make the summit of Mansfield then I'll never have to return to VT. Everyone is telling me that it's my kind of state - lots of outdoors stuff - and that I'm going to luv it up there. But the reality is that there's so many places I've never been that I no longer am traveling with the plan of making multiple trips. One state, one trip, do what you got to do and cross it off the list. (i really got to get my head examined?). So far my only other high peaks are Del, NJ, and NY. But VT is a good compliment since I saw Lake Champlain from the top of Mt. Marcy two years ago. The only other stuff up there is sking (no), ice cream (supermarket), and fishing (lousy at catching fish).
So marathon first, then Mt. Mansfield. I am not leaving without reaching these goals.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
...in the event that I'm feeling good...
woah down thar boy - blog post 3 days in a row!
My schedule has slowed down totally. Thankful timing for MARATHON WEEKEND Coming up in just T-4 days!!!
Today was a super easy 2 miles followed by a good stretch. Trying to stay loose while not spending any energy. At the end i opened it up for a few mins at speed, but nothing too over-the-top. Tried to imagine an increasing pace during the marathon...maybe start at 8:15 pace for first 10, then 8 flat for next 10, then I'd only be 1 & 1/2 mins from BQ with 6 left to run. Then I'd have to run 7:45 pace for the last 6.2 miles. If everything comes together perfectly then that's doable. And at least with that early pacing I'd be putting myself in position to go for it in the event that I'm feeling good.
I'm feeling rested & energized. My small cold is still hanging on but I don't detect that it's blossoming into a full fledged thing,,, just a nagging hanging on thing. I've got to begin getting extra sleep. Then this headcold will be kicked to the curb just in time.
My schedule has slowed down totally. Thankful timing for MARATHON WEEKEND Coming up in just T-4 days!!!
Today was a super easy 2 miles followed by a good stretch. Trying to stay loose while not spending any energy. At the end i opened it up for a few mins at speed, but nothing too over-the-top. Tried to imagine an increasing pace during the marathon...maybe start at 8:15 pace for first 10, then 8 flat for next 10, then I'd only be 1 & 1/2 mins from BQ with 6 left to run. Then I'd have to run 7:45 pace for the last 6.2 miles. If everything comes together perfectly then that's doable. And at least with that early pacing I'd be putting myself in position to go for it in the event that I'm feeling good.
I'm feeling rested & energized. My small cold is still hanging on but I don't detect that it's blossoming into a full fledged thing,,, just a nagging hanging on thing. I've got to begin getting extra sleep. Then this headcold will be kicked to the curb just in time.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Weather forecast . . .
for the weekend in Vermont is near perfection. 50 or 55 at the start and 65 or 70 at the finish. Clear sunny skies, winds to be lite. Ideal conditions.
Unfortunately I have a minor cold that has been bugging me for the last few days. I shouldn't have ignored it when I first felt a sore throat on Saturday. Now it's more of a sinus infection feeling with the headache & stuffy nose. I ought to be able to kick this just in time as long as it doesn't get any worse.
Taking today off. Tomorrow maybe 3 or 4 easy miles depending on sickness level. Making a list of everything I need to bring with me - I'm not used to traveling so far for a race and having to pack it all up for a hotel stay. Got to remember the Red Bull, Gu, Gatorade, Fuel Belt . . . all my personal stuff for race day. I'm bringing all my own water, diet coke, cereal bars, pretzels for the car drive so I have what I want/need. It's a 10 drive on a tight schedule so there's no foolin' around.
4 & 1/2 days and counting . . .
Unfortunately I have a minor cold that has been bugging me for the last few days. I shouldn't have ignored it when I first felt a sore throat on Saturday. Now it's more of a sinus infection feeling with the headache & stuffy nose. I ought to be able to kick this just in time as long as it doesn't get any worse.
Taking today off. Tomorrow maybe 3 or 4 easy miles depending on sickness level. Making a list of everything I need to bring with me - I'm not used to traveling so far for a race and having to pack it all up for a hotel stay. Got to remember the Red Bull, Gu, Gatorade, Fuel Belt . . . all my personal stuff for race day. I'm bringing all my own water, diet coke, cereal bars, pretzels for the car drive so I have what I want/need. It's a 10 drive on a tight schedule so there's no foolin' around.
4 & 1/2 days and counting . . .
Monday, May 18, 2009
BTW & p.s.
If I wasn't a runner I'm sure I'd be fat!
Yesterday in soda alone I must've consumed 600 calories.
Had a good weekend, Friday was the "Author's Tea" at kid's school, Saturday hangin out at the little league field, and Sunday my son's First Communion. I basically pigged out all weekend long. But that's one of the perks of being a runner!
Well, if you add up my mileage recently you will be able to tell that my taper has esentually turned into a total absence of running. After that last 20 miler I've been so unfocused that I've had no urge for running. A friend told me that can happen after alot of miles (hey-it's all relative here) and not to be worried. I hope to get a few easy runs in this week and today was the first. And it was a good one.
3 miles on the wheel at the Y doesn't sound like the makings of a good one. But it was. Here's how it went down. After the first mile at 8:20 pace I felt a strong surge of energy coming on. I increased the speed to 8 min pace, but was determined not to go any faster. I succeeded in mentally relaxing by thinking about my running form/posture. I do this sometimes as a way to distract myself from something else. I also closed my eyes almost all the way and just tried to 'sleep-run' comfortably. I only had one eye very slightly open - it was nice. Tom Petty's Free Falling was on the radio overhead. My pace was right on beat at 8:00 and I noticed the light relected on the tread's screen was bouncing up & down to my footsteps & in time with the music. Really lulled me into relaxed zone. Felt great. Bout 10 mins of this and the energy surge was gone. Don't remember ever running to free falling before, but it really was an instant hit to relaxation. I have to remember this trick for the big race. Been reminding myself in a tape loop in my head "do not go out too fast". I'm convinced that i should do 8:30 pace and forget BQ so that I can enjoy the experience. Been thinking about this alot.
Had a good weekend, Friday was the "Author's Tea" at kid's school, Saturday hangin out at the little league field, and Sunday my son's First Communion. I basically pigged out all weekend long. But that's one of the perks of being a runner!
Well, if you add up my mileage recently you will be able to tell that my taper has esentually turned into a total absence of running. After that last 20 miler I've been so unfocused that I've had no urge for running. A friend told me that can happen after alot of miles (hey-it's all relative here) and not to be worried. I hope to get a few easy runs in this week and today was the first. And it was a good one.
3 miles on the wheel at the Y doesn't sound like the makings of a good one. But it was. Here's how it went down. After the first mile at 8:20 pace I felt a strong surge of energy coming on. I increased the speed to 8 min pace, but was determined not to go any faster. I succeeded in mentally relaxing by thinking about my running form/posture. I do this sometimes as a way to distract myself from something else. I also closed my eyes almost all the way and just tried to 'sleep-run' comfortably. I only had one eye very slightly open - it was nice. Tom Petty's Free Falling was on the radio overhead. My pace was right on beat at 8:00 and I noticed the light relected on the tread's screen was bouncing up & down to my footsteps & in time with the music. Really lulled me into relaxed zone. Felt great. Bout 10 mins of this and the energy surge was gone. Don't remember ever running to free falling before, but it really was an instant hit to relaxation. I have to remember this trick for the big race. Been reminding myself in a tape loop in my head "do not go out too fast". I'm convinced that i should do 8:30 pace and forget BQ so that I can enjoy the experience. Been thinking about this alot.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
T - 10 days & counting,,,
Today is the first day that I've truely felt excited about the marathon. There's no turning back now! I can't imagine how much energy I'm going to have on race morning . . . psyched; totally. I'll really have to control myself to not go out way too fast!
I did skip my run again today (getting to be a habit), but I'm very unfocused now. Since there's nothing more I can do to improve for the marathon I feel like I have no purpose running!?!? I've got to get out there tomorrow for a few easy miles.
I must be one of very few runners that actually gains weight during the marathon prep cycle of training. Disappointing that I couldn't lose the 5 or 10 pounds that i had set as my goal. At this point it's too late to diet; i don't want to be weak or un-nurished going into this thing so my only diet goal now is please, please, just don't let me gain any more pounds in the next ten days. Doh!
I did skip my run again today (getting to be a habit), but I'm very unfocused now. Since there's nothing more I can do to improve for the marathon I feel like I have no purpose running!?!? I've got to get out there tomorrow for a few easy miles.
I must be one of very few runners that actually gains weight during the marathon prep cycle of training. Disappointing that I couldn't lose the 5 or 10 pounds that i had set as my goal. At this point it's too late to diet; i don't want to be weak or un-nurished going into this thing so my only diet goal now is please, please, just don't let me gain any more pounds in the next ten days. Doh!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sluggish
Sluggish - is that a real word?
Sluggish - related to a slug. movement at a slug-like pace.
Four miles today felt very slow & never ending. 8:15 pace. warm, about 70 degrees, bright sunshine. managed to get my stretching done afterward but I've really become unfocused about my running.
I'm wondering if my funk could be the taper period. It feels a bit anti-climatic compared to the race ahead & the final long runs behind. I've got to begin getting everything laid out for the big day & the whole weekend.
The peak of the final 20 miler, and the recovery since then, has left me stagnant. I'm just waiting for the big day now . . . 11 days & counting.
Sluggish - related to a slug. movement at a slug-like pace.
Four miles today felt very slow & never ending. 8:15 pace. warm, about 70 degrees, bright sunshine. managed to get my stretching done afterward but I've really become unfocused about my running.
I'm wondering if my funk could be the taper period. It feels a bit anti-climatic compared to the race ahead & the final long runs behind. I've got to begin getting everything laid out for the big day & the whole weekend.
The peak of the final 20 miler, and the recovery since then, has left me stagnant. I'm just waiting for the big day now . . . 11 days & counting.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
From my feet down to my hair,
Bodies flying thru the air,
crawling up the f***ing walls,
Get off yer ass & show some balls!
Remember that song? Yes, my musical tastes have not moved forward much since the early 80's. Most of it's classic, but with a bit of punk in there too.
I am still hurting from last Sunday, and so decided to cancel today's workout. I may be just getting lazy at this point. My feet & toes are still aching, my knees feel something(tight?) and my back has been more & more painful the last 48 hrs.
Doesn't help that I've been home the last 2 days with a sick kid. Plus it's now been raining for 9 days straight. It actually stopped now, but scheduled to start up again tonight. Maybe I'll still make it for a lil run later - really what I need is a few slow miles to warm up and then a good stretch.
crawling up the f***ing walls,
Get off yer ass & show some balls!
Remember that song? Yes, my musical tastes have not moved forward much since the early 80's. Most of it's classic, but with a bit of punk in there too.
I am still hurting from last Sunday, and so decided to cancel today's workout. I may be just getting lazy at this point. My feet & toes are still aching, my knees feel something(tight?) and my back has been more & more painful the last 48 hrs.
Doesn't help that I've been home the last 2 days with a sick kid. Plus it's now been raining for 9 days straight. It actually stopped now, but scheduled to start up again tonight. Maybe I'll still make it for a lil run later - really what I need is a few slow miles to warm up and then a good stretch.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Thanks For Asking,,,
Yesterday I did the final 20 miler of my marathon training plan whilst at the Broad Street 10 mile race. It was actually about 19.5 or so - I parked down at the stadiums, and instead of taking the subway up to North Philly (like everyone else) I ran up there. Then raced back down tothe Navy Yard. Of course my race time was alot slower than last year, but that wasn't the main goal.
Marathon is in 20 days.
Now I just rest (and recover from yesterday. My legs r sore & my toes have been taking some severe beatings lately). My marathon question in the past was always "could I finish the distance?" Now I'm confident that I can. The race pace is the only remaining item to be determined. If I go at 8:30 miles then I'm sure I'll finish reasonably strong; if I go at 8:00 then I'll qualify for Boston but I might hit the wall, bonk, blow-up and/or melt-down in the final miles. If I go at 8:15 pace then I definitely don't BQ and I might not finish feeling strong & Happy anyway. So what to do, what to do?
Marathon is in 20 days.
Now I just rest (and recover from yesterday. My legs r sore & my toes have been taking some severe beatings lately). My marathon question in the past was always "could I finish the distance?" Now I'm confident that I can. The race pace is the only remaining item to be determined. If I go at 8:30 miles then I'm sure I'll finish reasonably strong; if I go at 8:00 then I'll qualify for Boston but I might hit the wall, bonk, blow-up and/or melt-down in the final miles. If I go at 8:15 pace then I definitely don't BQ and I might not finish feeling strong & Happy anyway. So what to do, what to do?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Broad Street 10m raceReport: The 10 Mile Warm Up Club
This is long overdue, still trying to catch up on blogging...
Overall the weather report: cool, rainy, no wind. This is the first run in my new shoes (glycerin7) where they got soaked, dirty. So they looked new for a long time, but ya knew it wasn't gonna last forever.
Cue dramatic NFL music: the day broke cold & grey & wet on the streets of Philadelphia. The runners -, 25,000 strong - huddled in masses, trampling front yards, peeing in parks, moving as if one to the intersection of Broad & Olney in North Philly. OK, enuf with that. But really the entire setting is epic, inspirational, and awesome.
The course description has been written about so many times, suffice it to say it's a net downhill point to point straight line 10 miles long with a slight curve around City Hall and a few slight rises in the first half. In a word: Fast.
I got up extra early, couldn't get back to sleep once awake, and did all the prep ritual correctly because I was out the door right on time @ 6a.m. There was already a huge traffic situation at the stadium off ramp. I don't ever go to the front and cut in, but this morning I did go about half way up and then got in...only because I knew that I was running 10 miles before the start and all the rest of these people were going to be on the subway up to the starting line. My goal was to start running before 7 a.m. to give a bit of a cushion in time. Race starts at 8:30.
The line of cars was moving soooo slowly. I needed to prep in the car. Ever strip from the waist up while in traffic to apply Superman band aids to nips and then get into your singlet? Done it. Went thru some motivational tunes: Chili Peppers, Offspring, Green Day. Got the sweat pants off whilst driving, loaded pockets with Gu and filled Fuel Belt bottles. Finally got parked in front of Spectrum and needed to go pee very badly from drinking water, Gatorade & diet Coke for the past hour. Time check, 6:59. That sux. In a flurry of activity I got my hat on (rain still lightly coming down) then belt on, tightened & tied laces, watch, pinned number (duh, almost forgot) and put chip on shoe, popped can of Red Bull and finally headed to the port-o-johns in south corner of parking lot - the opposite direction that I need to be running.
Business done, start running. Time check, 7:04. Crap, I've got to run quickly up to the start to make sure I make it there before the gun. I'm drinking a can of Red Bull as I pass small groups of runners moving toward the subway station. Mostly they give me looks like "why is he wearing on singlet with bib on it already?" and "why is he running...there's still over an hour to the start plus the subway ride?" At the far side of Pattison there's only a few runners standing around trying to stay dry by hugging the subway station building. They all look like they're waitign for a friend. They look at me with those same curious questioning eyes. I want to stop and explain to them, but I'm already late. I want to tell them that the main subway entry is one full block south, that it's mobbed with 100's (maybe 1,000 now?) of runners, and that their friends/co-workers/etc are all probably standing down there wondering where the hell are they? but I run on.
Dodging cars on Broad is my next fun activity. There's like inner lanes & outer lanes & merging going on here. I need to get to the other side to follow street northbound. Once over there I use sidewalk & street all the way up. For now I'm up & down trying to decide which is better/safer. I prefer blacktop over cement but there's too much traffic. I'm already soaked. And the streets are filled with alot of dirty trash. Bummer. Mile 1 fairly slow, I dropped the can into a community trash pile and begin the search for any definitive mile markers. This quest will not be satisfied for quite a long time. I pick up the pace with 9 miles left to go before the start.
The next few miles go by at a comfortable 8:15 pace (est). I say Hi to everyone I see. Yo South Philly. Some look at me like "WTF" but most don't seem to realize today is even race day. @ or 3 people call out "You doing the race today?" to which I answer "yeah, with a 10 mile warm up!" They seem to appreciate that by shaking their heads in a disbelief fashion. Ha, luv that. At the first few water stations there's no activity but the tables & boxes & water are all there waiting. That's kind of cool to see the progression of readiness as you run backwards up to the start. I'm thinking this could be an annual 20 miler for a group of runners. The 10 Mile Warm Up Club. With about 15 or 20 runners sporting matching t-shirts that would be cool.
I can find absolutely no pavement markings for the mile splits. I don't know where I am/how the time's doing. At the next several water stations I ask for the mile marker but no one has any clue what I'm talking about. Some of the vol's are nice and friendly (and cute), but others are grumpy & appear to be working off c.s. hrs by court order because they obviously don't want to be there. How am i doing on time? Don't know, pick up the pace.
As I approach downtown - which I know City Hall is the unofficial half way point - I realize I need to pee (again). Of course now there's many more people milling around on every block. At every subway stop there's small groups or individuals hurrying down the steps. Or waiting outside. Where's my training partner/friend/lover/co-worker? they are sipping coffee, some are talking on cell phones. I want to ask where's the nearest toilets but none seems to want to engage me in conversation. They see my bib, realize I'm running...not taking the subway, then they turn away! Interesting psychology experiment at work here. The rain is still litely falling. I'm soaked but notice that the cooling effect is wonderful. I really got to pee and the rain doesn't help that sensation. No body knows the mile markers. I begin to see cops during this section. One about every-other corner. Some say hi back to me, others give me a hard tough-guy look. Some are smoking cigs and texting on their cel's. There's supposed to be port-a-potties at certain mile markers...this I should've put to memory for the duel purpose.
Finally at City Hall. This is at least 5 miles done. I decide to short cut (bladder near bursting. gonna have to find a side street and do the public urination thing very soon) up sidewalk, across courtyard to the other side (saves about 100-150 yards). As I round the corner I see them . . . their bright blue glistening majestic line up is like a holy grail - a row of port-o-johns! Things are looking up! I'm in, pee like a race horse, then out in a flash. Hardly even broke stride. A few blocks later, more good news: mile marker 4. So I've gone 6. Time check, 46:00, which is sub-8 min pace. Yikes, too fast. Yet good news in that I'm definitely going to make the starting gun. The next water stop is nearly fully set up. Now i'm getting closer. Still seeing runners at every subway entrance rushing to get onto trains. I invite a pair of guys "C'mon with me, only 3 miles to the start" Response: "the subway stops right here, come back...you can take the train."
The road begins to have some uphill blocks. Mile split 8:25. That feels better, and only 3 more to go. There seems to be less traffic now, but roads still look open. Cop on every corner now. I pass a guy drinking coffee in front of Starbucks (Temple campus?). About 5 mins later he catches up to me but instead of falling into stride together he moves steadily past me. Huh. No love for The 10 Mile Warm Up Club? I pick it up to stick with him, but on each uphill he puts more distance between us. We get to an intersection with the El tracks (?) above and police and directing traffic. No cars allowed to go north from here. Mile split 8:18. One more.
Now there are other runners walking & jogging toward start area. It's weird to see the transition from cars and very few peds to lots of walk/run and total absence of cars. No one notices me now. I'm blending into the scean. I pass other runners jogging...they don't know I've already done 9 miles. Some of the up hill blocks are now noticeably steep. Funny, never noticed that when running the opposite way! Irealize that I'm beginning to feel fatigue. I slow it way down, I'm going to make the start so I'll conserve energy. I can still see coffee guy up ahead, but he's almost a full block ahead. Then I lose him altogether. I move to the middle of the street. I actually feel pretty damn good.
i can see the starting line. The wheelchairs haven't begun yet. This final ascent seems steep. Yes, I am tired and burned a lot getting up here. Last mile split, 8:51. The elites are coming off the front to heat up their legs. Kenyans, real ones. I recognize the local speedsters. I see DavidJ - wave & hello. My friend TJ - "do we need to go around timing mats" i ask, but he says no. Asks if I ran the 10 warm up. "Yep" is about all i can manage. As I go past the start line into the throng I see that my bib doesn't match. I'm in the second corral. I move straight thru the middle and get to my own bib-color mates. I am out of water and can't fight thru entire 25,000 to find more. Start is less than 5 mins now. I move to the side where brick park is to be and see assorted water bottles on the ground in various stages of near empty/near full. I really really don't want to pick up a bottle off the ground and re-fill my Fuel Belt bottles, but they probably are safe, right? i see a dude with a almost full bottle stretching on the sidewalk. Dude - can I refill? No problem. I use about half what he has to fill both tanks half full (will carry 6 oz total on race,,,had 12 oz on the way up to start). He makes a good grab as a throw the the bottle back. Thnks, have a great race!
I wonder how sweaty tired I look? I see Theresa. She's about 10 rows behind hubby & I'm inbetween. She asks if I did the warm-up & I feel better calling back "Yep, just got here, made about 8:30 pace for the 10 mile warm up". It's go time. When I click the next split it says that my standing around was only 6:12 - man I barely made it on time.
Here's the splits for 11 thru 20 (the BSR 10 mile race):
1. 7:26
2. 7:17
3. 7:27
4. 7:40
5. 7:37
6. 8:24
7. 7:44
8. 7:56
9. 7:36
10.7:35
They had my chip time as 1:16:16 and I had my total running time as 2:42:50.
This post is long enough without a total report, I'll give you highlites: I wanted to go 8 pace. The first mile I was pulled along faster adn then figured why not hold pace as long as possible. Between mile 3 & 4 must be where the downhill becomes flat because that was the first slowdown.
Mile 6 includes a 45 second pee break becuse I had to go yet again. I must've hydrated exceptionally well this day! My buddy G passed me here - he was with his BOMF participants. Mile 7 & 8 were the slowest again this year. Somehow I always lose focus and feel so tired here. I remember looking up at windows of hotels/ apartments/ houses and each person I saw I would wave to. They all responded but several took a while to see me in the crowd. there wasn't enuf cowbells ringing! There was a guy giving high fives somewhere near mile 7 so I moved over to his side of street. I miscalc'd and slapped his hand really hard! I heard his friend/wife laughing as he was saying "that one hurt." Near the end I was really very tired. I heard my name being called out but I couldn't find the voice in the crowd. At the last second I saw Dr. Dan with a megaphone but I was already gone past and was sooo darn tired I couldn't respond or acknowledge at all.
The last mile: some people began passing me- they had gone out too slow. One was a beautiful redhead wearing red shorts & top. I think maybe the back said Hawks. I tried to stay with her but she was really moving. Several teen/20-something dudes with a lot left in the tank sprinting it in. I felt i could give it something more, and I tried. There was a girl just in front of me wearing green socks, 2-tone green layers top and she had a shamrock tat on shoulder blade. I'd been following her for a few mins. As I surged I paused at her side and said "c'mon Irish, let's kick in in together" but when i looked at her face I knew she was already max'd out. She didn't smile or say anything,,, and I never saw her again. Looking at the split it doesn't show it, but i was working hard that last mile.
Exhausted, soaked. I more or less went straight to my car and drove home. I was so completely exhausted that I almost felt like crying. Very strange. It happened a few times on the drive home. I drank gatorade thinking maybe something was very out of balance. Was I hallucinating? I almost cried but i don't know why. It felt like something about being tired(of course) and being alone in a crowd of 25,000 runners. Hopefully that doesn't happen at end of marathon. weird!?! It was a very lonely feeling...but not sure if it was real or maybe was induced by some type of physical chemical inbalance.
My son had a soccer game at noon which I was challenged to make it there on time. I did. But they lost the match. I know i was a bit grumpy standing in the rain watching us get beat. I tried to make the best of it and then went home for a nap.
My toes took a brutal beating on this 20 miler. But it was a good longRun. Basically 8:30 pace uphill 10 followed by 7:40 downhill again.
Overall the weather report: cool, rainy, no wind. This is the first run in my new shoes (glycerin7) where they got soaked, dirty. So they looked new for a long time, but ya knew it wasn't gonna last forever.
Cue dramatic NFL music: the day broke cold & grey & wet on the streets of Philadelphia. The runners -, 25,000 strong - huddled in masses, trampling front yards, peeing in parks, moving as if one to the intersection of Broad & Olney in North Philly. OK, enuf with that. But really the entire setting is epic, inspirational, and awesome.
The course description has been written about so many times, suffice it to say it's a net downhill point to point straight line 10 miles long with a slight curve around City Hall and a few slight rises in the first half. In a word: Fast.
I got up extra early, couldn't get back to sleep once awake, and did all the prep ritual correctly because I was out the door right on time @ 6a.m. There was already a huge traffic situation at the stadium off ramp. I don't ever go to the front and cut in, but this morning I did go about half way up and then got in...only because I knew that I was running 10 miles before the start and all the rest of these people were going to be on the subway up to the starting line. My goal was to start running before 7 a.m. to give a bit of a cushion in time. Race starts at 8:30.
The line of cars was moving soooo slowly. I needed to prep in the car. Ever strip from the waist up while in traffic to apply Superman band aids to nips and then get into your singlet? Done it. Went thru some motivational tunes: Chili Peppers, Offspring, Green Day. Got the sweat pants off whilst driving, loaded pockets with Gu and filled Fuel Belt bottles. Finally got parked in front of Spectrum and needed to go pee very badly from drinking water, Gatorade & diet Coke for the past hour. Time check, 6:59. That sux. In a flurry of activity I got my hat on (rain still lightly coming down) then belt on, tightened & tied laces, watch, pinned number (duh, almost forgot) and put chip on shoe, popped can of Red Bull and finally headed to the port-o-johns in south corner of parking lot - the opposite direction that I need to be running.
Business done, start running. Time check, 7:04. Crap, I've got to run quickly up to the start to make sure I make it there before the gun. I'm drinking a can of Red Bull as I pass small groups of runners moving toward the subway station. Mostly they give me looks like "why is he wearing on singlet with bib on it already?" and "why is he running...there's still over an hour to the start plus the subway ride?" At the far side of Pattison there's only a few runners standing around trying to stay dry by hugging the subway station building. They all look like they're waitign for a friend. They look at me with those same curious questioning eyes. I want to stop and explain to them, but I'm already late. I want to tell them that the main subway entry is one full block south, that it's mobbed with 100's (maybe 1,000 now?) of runners, and that their friends/co-workers/etc are all probably standing down there wondering where the hell are they? but I run on.
Dodging cars on Broad is my next fun activity. There's like inner lanes & outer lanes & merging going on here. I need to get to the other side to follow street northbound. Once over there I use sidewalk & street all the way up. For now I'm up & down trying to decide which is better/safer. I prefer blacktop over cement but there's too much traffic. I'm already soaked. And the streets are filled with alot of dirty trash. Bummer. Mile 1 fairly slow, I dropped the can into a community trash pile and begin the search for any definitive mile markers. This quest will not be satisfied for quite a long time. I pick up the pace with 9 miles left to go before the start.
The next few miles go by at a comfortable 8:15 pace (est). I say Hi to everyone I see. Yo South Philly. Some look at me like "WTF" but most don't seem to realize today is even race day. @ or 3 people call out "You doing the race today?" to which I answer "yeah, with a 10 mile warm up!" They seem to appreciate that by shaking their heads in a disbelief fashion. Ha, luv that. At the first few water stations there's no activity but the tables & boxes & water are all there waiting. That's kind of cool to see the progression of readiness as you run backwards up to the start. I'm thinking this could be an annual 20 miler for a group of runners. The 10 Mile Warm Up Club. With about 15 or 20 runners sporting matching t-shirts that would be cool.
I can find absolutely no pavement markings for the mile splits. I don't know where I am/how the time's doing. At the next several water stations I ask for the mile marker but no one has any clue what I'm talking about. Some of the vol's are nice and friendly (and cute), but others are grumpy & appear to be working off c.s. hrs by court order because they obviously don't want to be there. How am i doing on time? Don't know, pick up the pace.
As I approach downtown - which I know City Hall is the unofficial half way point - I realize I need to pee (again). Of course now there's many more people milling around on every block. At every subway stop there's small groups or individuals hurrying down the steps. Or waiting outside. Where's my training partner/friend/lover/co-worker? they are sipping coffee, some are talking on cell phones. I want to ask where's the nearest toilets but none seems to want to engage me in conversation. They see my bib, realize I'm running...not taking the subway, then they turn away! Interesting psychology experiment at work here. The rain is still litely falling. I'm soaked but notice that the cooling effect is wonderful. I really got to pee and the rain doesn't help that sensation. No body knows the mile markers. I begin to see cops during this section. One about every-other corner. Some say hi back to me, others give me a hard tough-guy look. Some are smoking cigs and texting on their cel's. There's supposed to be port-a-potties at certain mile markers...this I should've put to memory for the duel purpose.
Finally at City Hall. This is at least 5 miles done. I decide to short cut (bladder near bursting. gonna have to find a side street and do the public urination thing very soon) up sidewalk, across courtyard to the other side (saves about 100-150 yards). As I round the corner I see them . . . their bright blue glistening majestic line up is like a holy grail - a row of port-o-johns! Things are looking up! I'm in, pee like a race horse, then out in a flash. Hardly even broke stride. A few blocks later, more good news: mile marker 4. So I've gone 6. Time check, 46:00, which is sub-8 min pace. Yikes, too fast. Yet good news in that I'm definitely going to make the starting gun. The next water stop is nearly fully set up. Now i'm getting closer. Still seeing runners at every subway entrance rushing to get onto trains. I invite a pair of guys "C'mon with me, only 3 miles to the start" Response: "the subway stops right here, come back...you can take the train."
The road begins to have some uphill blocks. Mile split 8:25. That feels better, and only 3 more to go. There seems to be less traffic now, but roads still look open. Cop on every corner now. I pass a guy drinking coffee in front of Starbucks (Temple campus?). About 5 mins later he catches up to me but instead of falling into stride together he moves steadily past me. Huh. No love for The 10 Mile Warm Up Club? I pick it up to stick with him, but on each uphill he puts more distance between us. We get to an intersection with the El tracks (?) above and police and directing traffic. No cars allowed to go north from here. Mile split 8:18. One more.
Now there are other runners walking & jogging toward start area. It's weird to see the transition from cars and very few peds to lots of walk/run and total absence of cars. No one notices me now. I'm blending into the scean. I pass other runners jogging...they don't know I've already done 9 miles. Some of the up hill blocks are now noticeably steep. Funny, never noticed that when running the opposite way! Irealize that I'm beginning to feel fatigue. I slow it way down, I'm going to make the start so I'll conserve energy. I can still see coffee guy up ahead, but he's almost a full block ahead. Then I lose him altogether. I move to the middle of the street. I actually feel pretty damn good.
i can see the starting line. The wheelchairs haven't begun yet. This final ascent seems steep. Yes, I am tired and burned a lot getting up here. Last mile split, 8:51. The elites are coming off the front to heat up their legs. Kenyans, real ones. I recognize the local speedsters. I see DavidJ - wave & hello. My friend TJ - "do we need to go around timing mats" i ask, but he says no. Asks if I ran the 10 warm up. "Yep" is about all i can manage. As I go past the start line into the throng I see that my bib doesn't match. I'm in the second corral. I move straight thru the middle and get to my own bib-color mates. I am out of water and can't fight thru entire 25,000 to find more. Start is less than 5 mins now. I move to the side where brick park is to be and see assorted water bottles on the ground in various stages of near empty/near full. I really really don't want to pick up a bottle off the ground and re-fill my Fuel Belt bottles, but they probably are safe, right? i see a dude with a almost full bottle stretching on the sidewalk. Dude - can I refill? No problem. I use about half what he has to fill both tanks half full (will carry 6 oz total on race,,,had 12 oz on the way up to start). He makes a good grab as a throw the the bottle back. Thnks, have a great race!
I wonder how sweaty tired I look? I see Theresa. She's about 10 rows behind hubby & I'm inbetween. She asks if I did the warm-up & I feel better calling back "Yep, just got here, made about 8:30 pace for the 10 mile warm up". It's go time. When I click the next split it says that my standing around was only 6:12 - man I barely made it on time.
Here's the splits for 11 thru 20 (the BSR 10 mile race):
1. 7:26
2. 7:17
3. 7:27
4. 7:40
5. 7:37
6. 8:24
7. 7:44
8. 7:56
9. 7:36
10.7:35
They had my chip time as 1:16:16 and I had my total running time as 2:42:50.
This post is long enough without a total report, I'll give you highlites: I wanted to go 8 pace. The first mile I was pulled along faster adn then figured why not hold pace as long as possible. Between mile 3 & 4 must be where the downhill becomes flat because that was the first slowdown.
Mile 6 includes a 45 second pee break becuse I had to go yet again. I must've hydrated exceptionally well this day! My buddy G passed me here - he was with his BOMF participants. Mile 7 & 8 were the slowest again this year. Somehow I always lose focus and feel so tired here. I remember looking up at windows of hotels/ apartments/ houses and each person I saw I would wave to. They all responded but several took a while to see me in the crowd. there wasn't enuf cowbells ringing! There was a guy giving high fives somewhere near mile 7 so I moved over to his side of street. I miscalc'd and slapped his hand really hard! I heard his friend/wife laughing as he was saying "that one hurt." Near the end I was really very tired. I heard my name being called out but I couldn't find the voice in the crowd. At the last second I saw Dr. Dan with a megaphone but I was already gone past and was sooo darn tired I couldn't respond or acknowledge at all.
The last mile: some people began passing me- they had gone out too slow. One was a beautiful redhead wearing red shorts & top. I think maybe the back said Hawks. I tried to stay with her but she was really moving. Several teen/20-something dudes with a lot left in the tank sprinting it in. I felt i could give it something more, and I tried. There was a girl just in front of me wearing green socks, 2-tone green layers top and she had a shamrock tat on shoulder blade. I'd been following her for a few mins. As I surged I paused at her side and said "c'mon Irish, let's kick in in together" but when i looked at her face I knew she was already max'd out. She didn't smile or say anything,,, and I never saw her again. Looking at the split it doesn't show it, but i was working hard that last mile.
Exhausted, soaked. I more or less went straight to my car and drove home. I was so completely exhausted that I almost felt like crying. Very strange. It happened a few times on the drive home. I drank gatorade thinking maybe something was very out of balance. Was I hallucinating? I almost cried but i don't know why. It felt like something about being tired(of course) and being alone in a crowd of 25,000 runners. Hopefully that doesn't happen at end of marathon. weird!?! It was a very lonely feeling...but not sure if it was real or maybe was induced by some type of physical chemical inbalance.
My son had a soccer game at noon which I was challenged to make it there on time. I did. But they lost the match. I know i was a bit grumpy standing in the rain watching us get beat. I tried to make the best of it and then went home for a nap.
My toes took a brutal beating on this 20 miler. But it was a good longRun. Basically 8:30 pace uphill 10 followed by 7:40 downhill again.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
5:30a.m. for 10+10 (1st @ 8:45; 2nd @ 8)
Ever notice how much number's work is involved with running & racing? And we have computers to do most of the math for us. Think about those oldsters ... they must've been using slide rules & such.
Anyway, I'm figuring the timeline for tomorrow... damn it's got to be an early one. Feeling some minor issues, but have to follow thru with this last 20 miler. Trying to find a car pool so that I have someone to bring a few supplies up to the start (via subway) so that I can re-supply at my half way point. The bag check at this race is very well organized - 20,000 runners and I've never had any issues.
Weather is forecast to be 50-55 degrees and off & on rain / mist / high humidity. Should be sloshy wet blistering fun . . .
Anyway, I'm figuring the timeline for tomorrow... damn it's got to be an early one. Feeling some minor issues, but have to follow thru with this last 20 miler. Trying to find a car pool so that I have someone to bring a few supplies up to the start (via subway) so that I can re-supply at my half way point. The bag check at this race is very well organized - 20,000 runners and I've never had any issues.
Weather is forecast to be 50-55 degrees and off & on rain / mist / high humidity. Should be sloshy wet blistering fun . . .
Friday, May 1, 2009
Broad Street Run - packet pick-up todaY!
I love that feeling of getting lost in a big crowd. Nothing gets the thirst for race day going like the huge Expo & packet pick-up. I'm excited for Sunday, but the 20 mile training run, not the 10 mile race, is my goal.
I'm hoping to do 8:45 from finish to start. Time things such that I only stand around like 30 mins, and then race back down to the stadiums/ship yard at 8:00 pace. If I can do it, I will consider a BQ attempt at the marathon(need 8:03 pacing); otherwise, I'll settle on the 8:30 or 8:20 pace for the marathon and so be 8 -12 mins. outside the Boston qualifying standard. I really hate to be that close and not make it...but i keep reminding myself that it's just my first marathon attempt.
Last year I finished about 600 out of 19,000 finishers (1:07:30 at 6:45 pace; one of my best all time race performances. 55 women were in front of me...63 men in my own age bracket were in front of me! ouch, tough age group). Not that I'm actually fast, but when they announced that this year will be the first time using start corral system then i went ahead and requested 'up front' so that I wouldn't have to fight thru the crowds so much. Plus being a USATF competitor we are judged (WAVA) based on gun time, not chip.
So they have assigned me bib #1239 - and we'll just have to see if that is somewhere near the front or what. Now as it turns out, I'll just be running really slow compared to last year due to the 20 miles rather than 10. So further proof I don't need early corral position.... oh well.
Also hopeful that I can find a deal on new shoes at the Expo. Really diggin these Brooks Glycerin 7's that I've been wearing. Cushy, comfy, and not too heavy except in the price tag. Hip is still hurting from tennis last weekend, but it's getting better. Interesting to see how it holds up Sunday.
I'm hoping to do 8:45 from finish to start. Time things such that I only stand around like 30 mins, and then race back down to the stadiums/ship yard at 8:00 pace. If I can do it, I will consider a BQ attempt at the marathon(need 8:03 pacing); otherwise, I'll settle on the 8:30 or 8:20 pace for the marathon and so be 8 -12 mins. outside the Boston qualifying standard. I really hate to be that close and not make it...but i keep reminding myself that it's just my first marathon attempt.
Last year I finished about 600 out of 19,000 finishers (1:07:30 at 6:45 pace; one of my best all time race performances. 55 women were in front of me...63 men in my own age bracket were in front of me! ouch, tough age group). Not that I'm actually fast, but when they announced that this year will be the first time using start corral system then i went ahead and requested 'up front' so that I wouldn't have to fight thru the crowds so much. Plus being a USATF competitor we are judged (WAVA) based on gun time, not chip.
So they have assigned me bib #1239 - and we'll just have to see if that is somewhere near the front or what. Now as it turns out, I'll just be running really slow compared to last year due to the 20 miles rather than 10. So further proof I don't need early corral position.... oh well.
Also hopeful that I can find a deal on new shoes at the Expo. Really diggin these Brooks Glycerin 7's that I've been wearing. Cushy, comfy, and not too heavy except in the price tag. Hip is still hurting from tennis last weekend, but it's getting better. Interesting to see how it holds up Sunday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)