THIS. It was a first run back after a long break. I've been hitting the gym recently, but not run since the day of my accident. Having missed a few group runs, I was eager to be back among my people, er, Turtles. We did a weird loopy thing in a neighborhood (a neighborhood full of loud dogs, as we learned): we looped up and around, then zig-zagged through the side streets ("snake in a basket"). We trotted at a leisurely pace (11:15-ish), and soon I was leading the pack with a few other ladies and feeling fine. Turns out my fitness hasn't deteriorated that rapidly!
Now here's the issue: I took two months off from actively training to recover from the car accident. I'm really unlikely to PR in either the Hermes 10-Miler or the Cleveland half-marathon (late April and mid-May, respectively). I'm loathe to spend the money on races in which I won't do well (I have no doubt I can train to finish them, but we're not breaking two hours in the half this soon, no siree). After today's good run, I think I will register for the 10-Miler for fun, and look to break two hours in the half at Columbus or Towpath half-marathons in the fall. Reasonable? But since I was hoping to get a full in this year, I wonder if I should try for that instead. Thoughts?
Showing posts with label races. Show all posts
Showing posts with label races. Show all posts
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Monday, October 4, 2010
Thoughts?
I'm less than a week from my first half-marathon in over a year, having just gotten back to running in June after a year hiatus. I've also been knocked flat the past three weeks with a lingering sinus/headache thing, and just when I was feeling better, a fever and sore throat. My questions are thus:
1. Did I take on too much too soon, setting myself up for this? Let's say I started at 10-12 miles a week, and hovered around 20 most of the summer (though I hit thirty once). I was also lifting and swimming, but not super-reliably, and not since the school year started.
2. Should I still run the half on the 10th? I'm pretty sure I'll feel better by then, but will have lost a month of training and will be recovering from various illnesses. But, if I can knock it down to the 10K, at least I won't have to DNF, right?
So send positive vibes my way...the clinic didn't think it was strep, but we won't know until tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm taking lots of fever reducers and cuddling with the kitten. No running for me, thanks!
P.S. Finally got my Garmin! Have not yet used it except as a costume detail for Spirit Week at school...
1. Did I take on too much too soon, setting myself up for this? Let's say I started at 10-12 miles a week, and hovered around 20 most of the summer (though I hit thirty once). I was also lifting and swimming, but not super-reliably, and not since the school year started.
2. Should I still run the half on the 10th? I'm pretty sure I'll feel better by then, but will have lost a month of training and will be recovering from various illnesses. But, if I can knock it down to the 10K, at least I won't have to DNF, right?
So send positive vibes my way...the clinic didn't think it was strep, but we won't know until tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm taking lots of fever reducers and cuddling with the kitten. No running for me, thanks!
P.S. Finally got my Garmin! Have not yet used it except as a costume detail for Spirit Week at school...
Sunday, September 19, 2010
race report: lone gull 10k
Date/Time: Sept 19, 2010, 9:00 a.m.
Place: Gloucester, MA
Weather: 60ish-70ish (perfect)
Distance: 6.2 miles
Net Time: 54:28
Pace: 8:46/mile
Gun Time: 54:49
Age Group: 73/246
Weather: 60ish-70ish (perfect)
Distance: 6.2 miles
Net Time: 54:28
Pace: 8:46/mile
Gun Time: 54:49
Age Group: 73/246
Gender: 113/380
Overall: 309/675
Mile Splits (Garmin was a little off from the actual mile markers)
What I Thought of the Race:
Overall: 309/675
Link to Garmin Connect Summary here.
Race Website here.
Mile Splits (Garmin was a little off from the actual mile markers)
1 8:50
2 8:40
3 8:34
4 8:47
5 8:47
6 8:32
0.3 2:14
I'm going to aim for consistently getting 8:35 splits for my next 10K. My previous 53:00 goal was a bit of a jump given the hectic nature of the school year. I might just aim for 8:50 splits for my next two half marathons.
Course Observations:
I am definitely doing this one again! It's mostly flat with a few rolling hills (not any beastly ones in sight) and does a little lollipop, so you can see your friends if you're within lollipop range of them. I think it repeats some of the Cape Ann 25K. I loved the ocean views and the lack of car traffic on the course.
What I Thought of the Race:
1) Very clear directions on the website, and a few signs directing runners to the parking lot start.
2) Plentiful parking reasonably close to the start. I wish they'd labeled directions to the start but I found it based on the throngs of people heading over.
3) They use D-Tag timing.
4) Volunteers are quite pleasant.
5) The crowd support was somewhat minimal (except for my CRC pals!)
6) They have several water stops (no Gatorade, which is fine with me for a 10K).
7) A volunteer yells out time at each mile marker.
8) Post-race food is great! This year, they offered water, bagels, bananas, Stonyfield Farm yogurt smoothies, Oikos yogurt, apples, scrambled eggs, bacon, caramelized french toast, coffee and oj.
Things to Note for Next Year:
1) Leaving Brighton at 7:00 a.m. affords plenty of time to get to the race.
2) REGISTER EARLY. They only gave out shirts to the first 400 runners...and I had bib #409. I could have gotten a shirt if I'd stayed after, but had to head to the Red Sox game.
5) The crowd support was somewhat minimal (except for my CRC pals!)
6) They have several water stops (no Gatorade, which is fine with me for a 10K).
7) A volunteer yells out time at each mile marker.
8) Post-race food is great! This year, they offered water, bagels, bananas, Stonyfield Farm yogurt smoothies, Oikos yogurt, apples, scrambled eggs, bacon, caramelized french toast, coffee and oj.
Things to Note for Next Year:
1) Leaving Brighton at 7:00 a.m. affords plenty of time to get to the race.
2) REGISTER EARLY. They only gave out shirts to the first 400 runners...and I had bib #409. I could have gotten a shirt if I'd stayed after, but had to head to the Red Sox game.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Updates (now that I have company!).
Did my old favorite five-miler in my mom's neighborhood yesterday on my way home from work. I felt every single footfall...just so much effort to get through it and took 65 minutes when it used to take 45-50. The legs felt fine, the weather was lovely, but my heart (quite possibly literally) wasn't in it. I think I bonked due to nutrition issues. I think WHAT I eat, and how much, seems right. I'm working on the WHEN.
I am registered for the Towpath Half on 10.10.10, and am "training" to that end (my plan is to do it under 2:30, and upon completion, will reward myself with a Brooks Nightlife Jacket!). I've logged a few longer runs (7-9 miles) with the Turtles, and am sticking to an adapted training schedule from Runner's World and including lifting (ideally 3x weekly) and swimming (2-3x weekly). A swimmer dude at my gym let me try his SwiMP3 player and I just ordered one for myself! I love being in the pool as a means of increasing fitness without adding miles. But I think I need to get serious about form and effort to reap those benefits.
Reading Brendan Brazier's Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life, and revisiting Matt Fitzgerald's Brain Training for Runners. Also trying to get through Terry Laughlin's Total Immersion video and books (about the swimming form and all that).
My weight finally dipped a few pounds, so I'm down about 4-5 lb. total. Most of my clothes fit better by now (scale be damned!), and I'm still hoping to legitimately fit into my skinniest jeans by Christmas. Then maybe the Cleveland full in 2011? Any joiners?
I am registered for the Towpath Half on 10.10.10, and am "training" to that end (my plan is to do it under 2:30, and upon completion, will reward myself with a Brooks Nightlife Jacket!). I've logged a few longer runs (7-9 miles) with the Turtles, and am sticking to an adapted training schedule from Runner's World and including lifting (ideally 3x weekly) and swimming (2-3x weekly). A swimmer dude at my gym let me try his SwiMP3 player and I just ordered one for myself! I love being in the pool as a means of increasing fitness without adding miles. But I think I need to get serious about form and effort to reap those benefits.
Reading Brendan Brazier's Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life, and revisiting Matt Fitzgerald's Brain Training for Runners. Also trying to get through Terry Laughlin's Total Immersion video and books (about the swimming form and all that).
My weight finally dipped a few pounds, so I'm down about 4-5 lb. total. Most of my clothes fit better by now (scale be damned!), and I'm still hoping to legitimately fit into my skinniest jeans by Christmas. Then maybe the Cleveland full in 2011? Any joiners?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Outdoor!
Sorry about the kitten. She's just so cute, and I think image-heavier posts tend to hold everyone's interest. Moving on.
So I have done TWO outdoor runs since I last posted! They both kind of stunk (literally, as they are in the valley, which smells of sewage). I went out with the Towpath Turtles on Sunday to Sand Run, and it was hot. I ran with two others and we did okay (we strayed from the path, but we think about 3 mi. total). I find I feel kind of sloshy in the heat; today I felt it in my lungs. I DO, however, think I'm doing a much better job of hydrating throughout the day.
Tonight I stuck to the path and did about 3.5 miles, some walking (usually about half a minute to a minute). I felt sluggish in the heat, but mostly okay. I wish I felt better about it, but not every run has to be a victory. I think the Sand Run jogging trail is 6 miles total, so it may become my near daily run (since the path is just a couple miles from home). My plan is to run with some SARC people twice a week (poky run on Sundays, track workout Tuesdays?), run on the (beloved) T-mill twice a week (easy mileage or speedwork, depending), and then do 4-7 miles outdoors at either my mother's or the Sand Run path (the former when school starts again).
We are also joining a GYM! My mother is gifting us a membership! It has two pools, and access to lap lanes is open most of the time, so I can get back to swimming! Also, one of the SARC ladies is a member and will meet up with me to lift weights. Better break out the weight-training books.
Maybe, MAYBE will run the towpath half marathon on 10.10.10. I think if I build mileage these next couple of weeks, then finagle a training plan that includes a couple of ten-milers and lots of cross-training (SWIM!), I might be able to fit to run it by October. Probably won't PR, but it might feel pretty good to feel closer to my former fitness (a la me and Liz at the 2008 Hermes 10-Miler!):
Sunday, June 6, 2010
race report: covered bridges half marathon
Date/Time: June 6, 2010, 10:15 a.m.
Weather: 60ish and raining hard
Distance: 13.1 miles
Net Time: 2:05:55
Pace: 9:37/mile
Gun Time: 2:07:45 <- Got stuck behind hordes of people and a *car* at the start
Age Group: 118/186
Overall: 1121/1771
Just realized that my watch didn't save my mile splits. All I remember are:
Mile 1: 10:23
Mile 8: 10:15 (because of the big hill)
Mile 13.1: 9:20
My fastest mile split was 9:01. There were a few close to 9:30 and a few close to 9:45 as well.
What a gorgeous race course! In spite of the pouring rain, I enjoyed scooting around the Vermont countryside, through covered bridges and past little children in galoshes. I highly recommend making a weekend of it, and would love to see more of Vermont next time I run the race. I also ended up a walking cartoon, as I was freezing after the finish, shirt procurement, food procurement, beer procurement, and walk to the car (all in the rain). I put on the footie pajamas that were in the back of my car along with my rainboots. The Cabot Creamery store customers must have thought they were hallucinating.
Krista, who graciously came up to cheer for me, explored Woodstock, Quechee, and Hanover with me yesterday. We unintentionally drove most of the race course, which made me laugh when I ran it today. We also bought lots of local goods (wooden spoons, lavender mint shea butter, cheese, jam, and ice cream), then finished the day with pasta at Salubre Trattoria and a walk around Dartmouth's campus.
What I Thought of the Race:
1) Needs more organization and support with respect to parking / leaving. Not enough volunteers understood what was going on, and it took forever to leave because no one was directing traffic in the parking lot.
2) The crowd support was decent (great where it was, but definitely dispersed).
3) The electrolytes at the water stops tasted funny.
4) Having a clock at every single mile marker was great.
5) The musical accompaniment would be better if they were more "pump you up" songs (think "Eye of the Tiger" or "Panama" instead of "You Are My Sunshine).
6) Post-race Harpoon IPA is delicious.
7) Post-race traffic is the opposite of delicious.
Things to Note for Next Year:
1) Getting a hotel in White River Junction is ok--it's an easy drive to Quechee Gorge Village.
2) Get dropped off at the start, especially if it's raining. Taking the bus at 8:30 a.m. only to wait from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. sucked.
3) Realize that the parking lot is a half mile uphill from the finish instead of getting lost and wailing in a hypothermic way.
4) Always pack an extra hat, plastic grocery bags (for shoes) trash bag in your running bag.
5) Make sure your running bag is waterproof.
6) The drive up from Boston takes 2.5 hours (in the sun on a Saturday). The drive back takes about 4 hours (in the rain on a Sunday).
Weather: 60ish and raining hard
Distance: 13.1 miles
Net Time: 2:05:55
Pace: 9:37/mile
Gun Time: 2:07:45 <- Got stuck behind hordes of people and a *car* at the start
Age Group: 118/186
Overall: 1121/1771
Just realized that my watch didn't save my mile splits. All I remember are:
Mile 1: 10:23
Mile 8: 10:15 (because of the big hill)
Mile 13.1: 9:20
My fastest mile split was 9:01. There were a few close to 9:30 and a few close to 9:45 as well.
What a gorgeous race course! In spite of the pouring rain, I enjoyed scooting around the Vermont countryside, through covered bridges and past little children in galoshes. I highly recommend making a weekend of it, and would love to see more of Vermont next time I run the race. I also ended up a walking cartoon, as I was freezing after the finish, shirt procurement, food procurement, beer procurement, and walk to the car (all in the rain). I put on the footie pajamas that were in the back of my car along with my rainboots. The Cabot Creamery store customers must have thought they were hallucinating.
Krista, who graciously came up to cheer for me, explored Woodstock, Quechee, and Hanover with me yesterday. We unintentionally drove most of the race course, which made me laugh when I ran it today. We also bought lots of local goods (wooden spoons, lavender mint shea butter, cheese, jam, and ice cream), then finished the day with pasta at Salubre Trattoria and a walk around Dartmouth's campus.
What I Thought of the Race:
1) Needs more organization and support with respect to parking / leaving. Not enough volunteers understood what was going on, and it took forever to leave because no one was directing traffic in the parking lot.
2) The crowd support was decent (great where it was, but definitely dispersed).
3) The electrolytes at the water stops tasted funny.
4) Having a clock at every single mile marker was great.
5) The musical accompaniment would be better if they were more "pump you up" songs (think "Eye of the Tiger" or "Panama" instead of "You Are My Sunshine).
6) Post-race Harpoon IPA is delicious.
7) Post-race traffic is the opposite of delicious.
Things to Note for Next Year:
1) Getting a hotel in White River Junction is ok--it's an easy drive to Quechee Gorge Village.
2) Get dropped off at the start, especially if it's raining. Taking the bus at 8:30 a.m. only to wait from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. sucked.
3) Realize that the parking lot is a half mile uphill from the finish instead of getting lost and wailing in a hypothermic way.
4) Always pack an extra hat, plastic grocery bags (for shoes) trash bag in your running bag.
5) Make sure your running bag is waterproof.
6) The drive up from Boston takes 2.5 hours (in the sun on a Saturday). The drive back takes about 4 hours (in the rain on a Sunday).
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
race report: BAA 5K
Date/Time: April 18, 2010, 8:00 a.m.
Distance: 3.1 miles
Net Time: 25:03
Pace: 8:04/mile
Gun Time: 25:46
Age Group: 68/424
Gender: 343/2483
Overall: 1048/4239
Mile 1: 9:11 (8:28)
Mile 2: 17:18 (8:07)
Mile 3: 24:51 (7:33)
Last 0.1: 0:55
5K PR...yay! My previous PR was 25:16 at a UVA charity 5K in 2002 or 2003, at the end of which I wanted to vomit or jump in a pool. This race was a lot different, and I felt much better at the end.
The weather was pretty chilly and rainy that morning, so I ran from my apartment to the start in Copley Square to warm up. Finding the other CRC people, checking my bag (small backpack that I held in my hand on the run over) and jacket, and standing in the port-a-potty line took a while, so I didn't run again or stretch enough before the race actually started. I haven't tried to race a 5K in a while (Turkey Trots in 2008 and 2009 were more "family fun time"), so it felt odd to do so. The first mile felt awkward, but the second and third mile felt better. I'd like to work on my pacing so it's more evenly distributed (e.g., 7:45/7:45/7:45) and break 24:00 by Thanksgiving!
Distance: 3.1 miles
Net Time: 25:03
Pace: 8:04/mile
Gun Time: 25:46
Age Group: 68/424
Gender: 343/2483
Overall: 1048/4239
Mile 1: 9:11 (8:28)
Mile 2: 17:18 (8:07)
Mile 3: 24:51 (7:33)
Last 0.1: 0:55
5K PR...yay! My previous PR was 25:16 at a UVA charity 5K in 2002 or 2003, at the end of which I wanted to vomit or jump in a pool. This race was a lot different, and I felt much better at the end.
The weather was pretty chilly and rainy that morning, so I ran from my apartment to the start in Copley Square to warm up. Finding the other CRC people, checking my bag (small backpack that I held in my hand on the run over) and jacket, and standing in the port-a-potty line took a while, so I didn't run again or stretch enough before the race actually started. I haven't tried to race a 5K in a while (Turkey Trots in 2008 and 2009 were more "family fun time"), so it felt odd to do so. The first mile felt awkward, but the second and third mile felt better. I'd like to work on my pacing so it's more evenly distributed (e.g., 7:45/7:45/7:45) and break 24:00 by Thanksgiving!
Monday, April 12, 2010
race report: Cohasset 10K
Distance: 6.2 miles
Time: 53:15
Pace: 8:35/mile
Overall: 449/1447
Age Group: 51/242
Temperature: ~60-70 degrees
Mile Splits
1 7:48 (short)
2 8:50 (long)
3 9:04 (demoralized)
4 9:17 (demoralized and in pain)
5 8:28 (starting to pick back up)
6 8:17 (craving food and scooting toward it)
6.2 1:33 (hauling ass)
I fell short of my 52:00 goal, but ended up having a good time in this race anyway. I had stomach cramps again, perhaps because I ate too early and didn't take enough water in the race. Next year, I want to run below 50:00!
Monday, February 8, 2010
race report: super sunday 10K
Date: February 7, 2010
Temperature: ~20 degrees
Distance: 10K
Time: 50:38
Pace: 8:09/mile
Overall: 324/791
F19-29: 81/230
I PR'ed by almost two minutes (previous record was 52:35 at the 2009 Newton 10K, which was super hilly and had incredibly warm weather). My previous time in this race was 52:50.
Temperature: ~20 degrees
Distance: 10K
Time: 50:38
Pace: 8:09/mile
Overall: 324/791
F19-29: 81/230
I PR'ed by almost two minutes (previous record was 52:35 at the 2009 Newton 10K, which was super hilly and had incredibly warm weather). My previous time in this race was 52:50.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
race report: newton 10k
Distance: 6.2 miles
Time: 52:35 (note: not chip-timed)
Pace: 8:28/mile
Overall: 116/320
Gender: 32/169
Age Group: 15/64
Temperature: 70-75 degrees
Today I PR'ed by 15 seconds (would have been a few more if it had been chip-timed. I didn't think I could beat my previous PR of 52:50 (which came in February on a flat course)--training with the Heartbreak Hotties must be paying off! I am now tempted to do all my hill training in Newton as well. The hills out there are pretty vicious, and it'd make me improve a lot faster than my typical Cambridge runs.
Time: 52:35 (note: not chip-timed)
Pace: 8:28/mile
Overall: 116/320
Gender: 32/169
Age Group: 15/64
Temperature: 70-75 degrees
Today I PR'ed by 15 seconds (would have been a few more if it had been chip-timed. I didn't think I could beat my previous PR of 52:50 (which came in February on a flat course)--training with the Heartbreak Hotties must be paying off! I am now tempted to do all my hill training in Newton as well. The hills out there are pretty vicious, and it'd make me improve a lot faster than my typical Cambridge runs.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
race report: heartbreak hill half marathon
Distance: 13.1 miles
Time: 1:55:42 (edited from 1:55:44--they shifted the preliminary results).
Pace: 8:50/mile
Temperature: 76 degrees by the end
This is going to be a really short race report: I PRed by about six minutes today on a brutal course in hot weather, and am so happy to have seen fellow CRCers cheering on the sidelines.
This was the first running of the Heartbreak Hill half, so there were a few annoying things:
1) no timing chips
2) course open to cars
3) runners had to wait to cross streets
Now to take ten more minutes off my time by October...
Time: 1:55:42 (edited from 1:55:44--they shifted the preliminary results).
Pace: 8:50/mile
Temperature: 76 degrees by the end
This is going to be a really short race report: I PRed by about six minutes today on a brutal course in hot weather, and am so happy to have seen fellow CRCers cheering on the sidelines.
This was the first running of the Heartbreak Hill half, so there were a few annoying things:
1) no timing chips
2) course open to cars
3) runners had to wait to cross streets
Now to take ten more minutes off my time by October...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Race Report- Cleveland RiteAid [Half] Marathon
Um, I thought long and hard about this, and don't have much to say. Basically, I didn't do as poorly as I feared (i.e., DNF, or a slower time than last year), nor as well as I had hoped (beating two hours). The more I think about it, though, the happier I am with 2:09 after months of antibiotics and health drama. It was a faster pace by more than :20 per mile over last year (PR!), I felt solid and strong the whole time (sloshy belly near mile 11 notwithstanding), and my recovery has been quick and easy (while last year I was achy and exhausted for days). It felt more like a long run with a good friend, which is exactly what I think I needed (for body confidence and/or sanity).
Hi from mile 6-ish!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Registration for half-marathon achieved, and running well this week. I did, in fact, nail the twelve-miler on Sunday! I'm working on incorporating ChiRunning posture principles, and I think it helped me keep up my stamina and recover (also, free massages from a willing Writer help). Every other run (seven miles last Friday, five yesterday, four intense miles on the Tmill tonight) has felt arduous. I've gotten through them, at pace, but it's been an effort. Do I need more sleep? More water? I'm working on it...
Birthday gifts were all fitness-inspired! Future in-laws bought me some delicious Sugoi R+R Knee High compression socks (which I have worn after every run since, and my calves feel better, though it could also be improved posture and stride efficiency, a la ChiRunning). If I continue to be happy with them, I will consider a second pair (probably either these or these). A birthday check from my father will soon go (in part) to a membership at the local pool, so I can swim laps in the early morning. Also, the Writer gave me a water-proof case for my iPod and water-proof headphones so I can rock out while I swim (more importantly, so the last song I hear before I jump in the pool isn't stuck in my head for the duration of my swim).
More reviews when I have a better sense of how I like the CW-X tights (so far, I do)!
Birthday gifts were all fitness-inspired! Future in-laws bought me some delicious Sugoi R+R Knee High compression socks (which I have worn after every run since, and my calves feel better, though it could also be improved posture and stride efficiency, a la ChiRunning). If I continue to be happy with them, I will consider a second pair (probably either these or these). A birthday check from my father will soon go (in part) to a membership at the local pool, so I can swim laps in the early morning. Also, the Writer gave me a water-proof case for my iPod and water-proof headphones so I can rock out while I swim (more importantly, so the last song I hear before I jump in the pool isn't stuck in my head for the duration of my swim).
More reviews when I have a better sense of how I like the CW-X tights (so far, I do)!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
race report: new bedford half marathon
Race Site
Distance: 13.1 miles
Time: 2:01:00 (watch), 2:01:29 (gun time)
Pace: 9:14/mile or 9:16/mile
Overall: 1446/1951
Age: 112/147
Weather: ~50 degrees
Mile Splits
1. 9:18:82
2. 10:02.86
3. 9:52.41
4. 9:45.59
5. 9:29.99
6. 9:21.51
7. 9:06.13
8. 9:00.19
9. 9:24.68
10. 8:58.46
11. 8:29.43
12. 8:42.15
13. 8:42.34
.1 0:0:46.32
Today I PRed, beating my previous best of 2:17:16 by 16 minutes. Not too shabby, considering that I went to a Pi Day party last night and slept about five hours. One of these days I'll find out how I'll do when actually sleeping 8 hours and hydrating properly!
During the first two miles, I started cramping up because of having eaten a banana too soon before racing and sulking because of the warm (and it's sad that I consider 50 degrees warm after a winter of outdoor running) weather. After tying my pink longsleeved shirt around my waist, I invented a new game for myself: focusing on the next pink article of clothing ahead of me and aiming to pass that person. I ran negative splits for the next six miles, slowed down a bit at a big hill, then ran more negative splits until hitting the last hill of the race. That hill kicked my butt--I started cramping up in the middle of that too. Near the end I started chasing this crazy old dude who started running near me at mile 8, but he surged ahead after the hill.
I'm psyched about improving so much this year...next up: the Cohasset 10K on April 5. I'm hoping to bring down my half-marathon time another 16 minutes by the time the BAA half marathon rolls around on Columbus Day weekend.
Distance: 13.1 miles
Time: 2:01:00 (watch), 2:01:29 (gun time)
Pace: 9:14/mile or 9:16/mile
Overall: 1446/1951
Age: 112/147
Weather: ~50 degrees
Mile Splits
1. 9:18:82
2. 10:02.86
3. 9:52.41
4. 9:45.59
5. 9:29.99
6. 9:21.51
7. 9:06.13
8. 9:00.19
9. 9:24.68
10. 8:58.46
11. 8:29.43
12. 8:42.15
13. 8:42.34
.1 0:0:46.32
Today I PRed, beating my previous best of 2:17:16 by 16 minutes. Not too shabby, considering that I went to a Pi Day party last night and slept about five hours. One of these days I'll find out how I'll do when actually sleeping 8 hours and hydrating properly!
During the first two miles, I started cramping up because of having eaten a banana too soon before racing and sulking because of the warm (and it's sad that I consider 50 degrees warm after a winter of outdoor running) weather. After tying my pink longsleeved shirt around my waist, I invented a new game for myself: focusing on the next pink article of clothing ahead of me and aiming to pass that person. I ran negative splits for the next six miles, slowed down a bit at a big hill, then ran more negative splits until hitting the last hill of the race. That hill kicked my butt--I started cramping up in the middle of that too. Near the end I started chasing this crazy old dude who started running near me at mile 8, but he surged ahead after the hill.
I'm psyched about improving so much this year...next up: the Cohasset 10K on April 5. I'm hoping to bring down my half-marathon time another 16 minutes by the time the BAA half marathon rolls around on Columbus Day weekend.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
race report: jones group realtors 10 mile road race
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 1:32:03
Pace: 9:13/mile
Overall: 503/596
F 20-39: 65/86
I went to Amherst, MA with three other CRCers to run this race today. The course was brutal! Major hills came at mile 3 and mile 9 with a bunch scattered in between, but oddly enough I was able to run faster splits around the mile 9 hills than I was on the "flatter" middle parts of the course. That middle part included iced-over dirt roads whose slipperyness effectively negated their lack of elevation.
By the time I got to mile 6, freezing rain started to pour down from the skies. I cursed my lack of foresight in forgoing a light windbreaker and sped up just so I could get back inside faster.
I had promised myself that if I PRed in this race, I would buy a Lululemon outfit. After my 10:00 and 10:03 miles, I pretty much gave up hope of a PR and resigned myself to trying again at the New Bedford half marathon in March. Once I hit mile 7, I did calculations in my head and realized that the PR was still possible if I finished the last three miles at 9:00/mile pace, but also wondered if the upcoming evil hills would cause more 10:00 miles. The urge to pass other people became stronger, especially given that I was at the back of the pack anyway. When the next two miles went by under 9:00/mile pace, I picked up the pace even more, visions of the Lululemon store dancing in my rain-drenched head. Thank goodness the race ended on a downhill with cheering volunteers shaking cowbells--I booked it in so hard I could barely breathe, beating my previous PR of 1:33:39 by over a minute.
Split times:
1. 8:53
2. 8:35
3. 10:00
4. 10:03
5. 9:30
6. 9:40
7. 8:45
8. 9:06
9. 8:49
10. 8:39
When I looked up the results online and saw how badly I'd placed, my elation at achieving a PR quickly fell flat when considered against that of 502 much faster runners. At the beginning of the race I'd felt out of place in my pink "I run like a girl" hoodie among the hordes of folks wearing jackets and singlets from GBTC, CMS, Merrimack Valley Striders, Goon Squad Runners, and Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club. I worried that I'd get so far behind that I'd end up lost in the Amherst woods. That did not end up happening, but 503/596 sure felt far behind.
Looking at the race results, I noticed that only 36 out of the 596 people had run slower than 10:00/mile. That's usually not the case for more popular Boston or D.C. road races. The pervasiveness of track club jackets *did* accurately reflect the speediness of the crowd today, which now makes sense given the month (February), the distance (10 miles), the weather (freezing rain followed by snow) and the travel time from Boston (two hours). This was not quite the Tufts Women's 10K or Run to Remember in terms of proportion of recreational runners!
I'm happy with this year in terms of running--10K and 10 miler PRs, and the possibility of a half marathon one in March (time to beat: 2:17:16). I feel a helluva lot stronger than I did in 2005 and 2006, both physically and mentally. In addition to getting faster, I'm no longer dependent on an ipod for long runs and I'm now psyched to go on runs with other people instead of sticking only to my favorite treadmill at the gym. I'm looking forward to the rest of this year.
Time: 1:32:03
Pace: 9:13/mile
Overall: 503/596
F 20-39: 65/86
I went to Amherst, MA with three other CRCers to run this race today. The course was brutal! Major hills came at mile 3 and mile 9 with a bunch scattered in between, but oddly enough I was able to run faster splits around the mile 9 hills than I was on the "flatter" middle parts of the course. That middle part included iced-over dirt roads whose slipperyness effectively negated their lack of elevation.
By the time I got to mile 6, freezing rain started to pour down from the skies. I cursed my lack of foresight in forgoing a light windbreaker and sped up just so I could get back inside faster.
I had promised myself that if I PRed in this race, I would buy a Lululemon outfit. After my 10:00 and 10:03 miles, I pretty much gave up hope of a PR and resigned myself to trying again at the New Bedford half marathon in March. Once I hit mile 7, I did calculations in my head and realized that the PR was still possible if I finished the last three miles at 9:00/mile pace, but also wondered if the upcoming evil hills would cause more 10:00 miles. The urge to pass other people became stronger, especially given that I was at the back of the pack anyway. When the next two miles went by under 9:00/mile pace, I picked up the pace even more, visions of the Lululemon store dancing in my rain-drenched head. Thank goodness the race ended on a downhill with cheering volunteers shaking cowbells--I booked it in so hard I could barely breathe, beating my previous PR of 1:33:39 by over a minute.
Split times:
1. 8:53
2. 8:35
3. 10:00
4. 10:03
5. 9:30
6. 9:40
7. 8:45
8. 9:06
9. 8:49
10. 8:39
When I looked up the results online and saw how badly I'd placed, my elation at achieving a PR quickly fell flat when considered against that of 502 much faster runners. At the beginning of the race I'd felt out of place in my pink "I run like a girl" hoodie among the hordes of folks wearing jackets and singlets from GBTC, CMS, Merrimack Valley Striders, Goon Squad Runners, and Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club. I worried that I'd get so far behind that I'd end up lost in the Amherst woods. That did not end up happening, but 503/596 sure felt far behind.
Looking at the race results, I noticed that only 36 out of the 596 people had run slower than 10:00/mile. That's usually not the case for more popular Boston or D.C. road races. The pervasiveness of track club jackets *did* accurately reflect the speediness of the crowd today, which now makes sense given the month (February), the distance (10 miles), the weather (freezing rain followed by snow) and the travel time from Boston (two hours). This was not quite the Tufts Women's 10K or Run to Remember in terms of proportion of recreational runners!
I'm happy with this year in terms of running--10K and 10 miler PRs, and the possibility of a half marathon one in March (time to beat: 2:17:16). I feel a helluva lot stronger than I did in 2005 and 2006, both physically and mentally. In addition to getting faster, I'm no longer dependent on an ipod for long runs and I'm now psyched to go on runs with other people instead of sticking only to my favorite treadmill at the gym. I'm looking forward to the rest of this year.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
race report: arlington turkey trot
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 26:32
Pace: 8:34 miles
Place: 245/1130
Happy belated Thanksgiving! James, Sam, my sister Susan, her friend Diane, and I all ran a Turkey Trot starting in Lyon Park. After seeing my friend Farrokh dressed as a Hare Krishna with two other men at the start, we were off! Well, most of us were...Sam got there ten minutes late and still managed to beat a ton of people. The course was pretty hilly and full of walkers, dogs, and small children, but it was still quite fun to go scooting around Arlington neighborhoods. Afterward, we all went to Silver Diner for coffee, biscuits, and blogidarity.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
race report: ollie road race five miler
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 42:21
Pace: 8:29/mile
Overall: 521/1049
Age Group: 64/184
Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Temperature: Hades + humid
When I woke up this morning, I peeked out my window at what appeared to be cool, rainy weather. I packed up a little bag with a jacket and thanked my lucky stars that the late start time wouldn't be accompanied by the hot Mexican sun.
When I stepped outside, I realized that my assumptions were quite wrong. Humidity hung in the air like a wet sock and I began to dread the impending scoot around South Boston. A few stops down the Red line and a bus ride down the Silver line later, the dread intensified as I picked up my race packet and goody bag (which did include a cool metal water bottle, pistachio green shirt, and City Sports backpack). I saw some CRC dudes at the start, which reminded me that I need to get a singlet or something CRC-branded to run races in.
The race itself felt like running while breathing through a wet sock. Even the breeze down by Castle Island didn't help much, and there was very little crowd support compared to the Cape Ann 25K. I'm glad it was a flat out-and-back, because major hills on a day like today would have rendered me useless. Many runners did stop to walk around mile 4 because of the humidity--I was sorely tempted but knew that starting up again would feel even worse than just continuing. I was also surprised at how many women wore pants to the race. They must have been miserable. At the end I wanted to barf and pass out, but the immediate provision of ice cold water, bananas, PowerBars, hot dogs, Naked juice, Nantucket Nectars, Turkey Hill duetto, free books, free City Sports gear, and Harpoon IPA distracted me. I will definitely do this race again if only for all the schwag.
I think I started my timing wrong because my watch read 42:11 at the end. Here are the splits I recorded on my watch:
Mile 1: 8:45
Mile 2: 8:38
Mile 3: 8:15
Mile 4: 8:16
Mile 5: 8:15
Monday, September 1, 2008
race report: cape ann 25K
Today I ran the Around the Cape 25K in Gloucester, MA.
Distance: 15.56 miles
Time (as determined by my watch): 2:34:45
Pace: 9:57/mile
Age Group: 42/56
Overall: 390/508
Time of Day: 9:00 a.m.
Temperature: varied from 65 to 80 degrees
The registration form describes the race as: "Challenging USATF-certified 25K (15.56 miles) course along scenic coastal Gloucester and Rockport. Ocean views and old New England villages with waterfront sections spread throughout the course. (Oh, and did we mention the sixteen major hills?) Mile markers and times, refreshment stations, post-race festivities, unique awards, cash prizes, raffle, and much more!"
The ocean views and quaint villages added a unique adorability factor (see also: toddlers spraying down overheated runners with hoses and families playing Eye of the Tiger out of their car stereos to motivate us). Adorability aside, challenging and hilly is right! We were warned of the hills beforehand, so I definitely started with the mindset of taking it easy, especially since my last long run was so bad. I also came in a little paranoid that I would be running alone for most of the race in a repeat performance of the 2006 Leesburg 20K, so I brought my ipod to accompany me. However, there was a good range of runners because of the Gloucester spirit (not just crazy running spirit).
The initial shade and frequent water stops made it much better than my long runs, but after mile 8 and many of the major hills, I started feeling quite bedraggled and discouraged. Adding to this was the biggest and most unexpected challenge--the course is not closed to cars. Some of the beach roads got pretty packed, and on at least one occasion, a cop pulled over a car for almost hitting a runner. One of the CRC guys mentioned that a runner next to him punched a car after almost being hit. I hated being smushed into the side of the road and the fear of being sideswiped--my slowest miles were definitely on the most crowded roads. One of the CRC guys ran with me for the last 1.5 miles. That totally helped my sagging morale--it's amazing how much of a difference a running buddy can make.
Splits:
9:59.20
9:44.60
9:55.35
9:55.62
9:42.01
10:11.63
9:42.36
9:47.96
10:08.10
9:54.62
9:40.72
10:15.60
10:49.95
10:10.61
9:44.44
5:41.17 (last .56 miles)
Two CRC members won awards (one was second overall and the other won her age group). After the ceremonies, we headed over to the CRC president's parents' house for a yummy brunch of lobster omelets, lobster rolls, veggies, fruit, and cupcakes. What a fun Labor Day race!
Distance: 15.56 miles
Time (as determined by my watch): 2:34:45
Pace: 9:57/mile
Age Group: 42/56
Overall: 390/508
Time of Day: 9:00 a.m.
Temperature: varied from 65 to 80 degrees
The registration form describes the race as: "Challenging USATF-certified 25K (15.56 miles) course along scenic coastal Gloucester and Rockport. Ocean views and old New England villages with waterfront sections spread throughout the course. (Oh, and did we mention the sixteen major hills?) Mile markers and times, refreshment stations, post-race festivities, unique awards, cash prizes, raffle, and much more!"
The ocean views and quaint villages added a unique adorability factor (see also: toddlers spraying down overheated runners with hoses and families playing Eye of the Tiger out of their car stereos to motivate us). Adorability aside, challenging and hilly is right! We were warned of the hills beforehand, so I definitely started with the mindset of taking it easy, especially since my last long run was so bad. I also came in a little paranoid that I would be running alone for most of the race in a repeat performance of the 2006 Leesburg 20K, so I brought my ipod to accompany me. However, there was a good range of runners because of the Gloucester spirit (not just crazy running spirit).
The initial shade and frequent water stops made it much better than my long runs, but after mile 8 and many of the major hills, I started feeling quite bedraggled and discouraged. Adding to this was the biggest and most unexpected challenge--the course is not closed to cars. Some of the beach roads got pretty packed, and on at least one occasion, a cop pulled over a car for almost hitting a runner. One of the CRC guys mentioned that a runner next to him punched a car after almost being hit. I hated being smushed into the side of the road and the fear of being sideswiped--my slowest miles were definitely on the most crowded roads. One of the CRC guys ran with me for the last 1.5 miles. That totally helped my sagging morale--it's amazing how much of a difference a running buddy can make.
Splits:
9:59.20
9:44.60
9:55.35
9:55.62
9:42.01
10:11.63
9:42.36
9:47.96
10:08.10
9:54.62
9:40.72
10:15.60
10:49.95
10:10.61
9:44.44
5:41.17 (last .56 miles)
Two CRC members won awards (one was second overall and the other won her age group). After the ceremonies, we headed over to the CRC president's parents' house for a yummy brunch of lobster omelets, lobster rolls, veggies, fruit, and cupcakes. What a fun Labor Day race!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
race report: boston run to remember
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 44:48
Pace: 8:58/mile
Age Group: 100/418
Overall: 558/1702
Mile splits:
1: 9:20
2-3: 19:08
4: 8:32
5: 7:48
Yesterday my long run partner told me to take it easy, so I did for the first few miles. I couldn't resist picking up the pace for the last few miles and setting mini-goals (e.g., passing the Quincy Police men, passing other girls in running skirts, and finally passing a girl in a Varitek shirt near the end). I almost passed another guy (#9038) after passing Varitek but think he must have been so pissed at the idea of being beat by a girl that he picked up the pace too.
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