Running into June - May 30-June 5

[colby]

I guess we skipped last week, so I'll bite for this week.

Today I did a local half marathon, good timing and I have done it since 2006. The local trails people are involved and as a patron of the trail for many reasons, I like to vote with my dollars.

So, I rode for about 4:15 yesterday, and will ride again today, and swim today and/or tomorrow. It's not exactly like I just trained for a half marathon, and with that I know that it may not be my best performance. I go into it with those expectations - it just falls in my calendar where 13 miles of good effort works, and it's not a hard race. I was hoping to get close to 2 hours. I missed hitting my watch at the finish (they were trying to hand me medals, I was trying to stop my watch, hit the wrong button entirely - next time just hit the lap button and figure it out later), but when I did finally hit it, it came up 1:56. Serious! I'm waiting for the "official" times.

I did have some heed toward the first couple of miles, and a gel around mile 8 or 9, then a couple of cups of water, but that was it. I ate beforehand like normal (luna bar and a banana). Somehow I ALWAYS arrive late to this race. No matter how well I try to plan ahead, I'm always late. It's my curse. Hooray for timing chips.

Mile 1: 8:46 min/mile
Mile 2: 8:46
Mile 3: 8:58
Mile 4: 9:05
Mile 5: 8:52
Mile 6: 8:53
Mile 7: 8:49
Mile 8: 8:49
Mile 9: 8:37
Mile 10: 9:02
Mile 11: 8:35
Mile 12: 8:48
Mile 13.1: 10:30 total (9:30 min/mile... based on my HRM which I admittedly didn't hit in time, so this could be another 20+ seconds off)

Historical results... though they've changed this course several times, 2009 and 2010 were almost identical, 2008 was similar, but 2007 and 2006 were quite different:

2009: 2:16:08 (10:23)
2008: 2:10:38 (9:58)
2007: 2:21:09 (10:58)
2006: 2:26:39 (11:11)

Best of all, the marathon winner didn't beat me to the finish line for once.

Happy running!

[skhill]

Colby, that's awesome! (and I too almost always either forget to hit the button on my watch or hit the wrong one)...

Nothing interesting for me today, just 3 miles of shaking the stiffness out this morning. There were 3 of my very overweight neighbors out powerwalking around the park, and I joined them for a bit to encourage them do our upcoming city-sponsored 10k. There's always a large contingent of walkers, after all. They sounded interested, and like the idea of having a goal to work towards over the next month.

[Bike Chick]

Wow, Colby! That's awesome. Please let us know what the "official" time ends up being.

I just did 3 miles this morning but it was the first 3 mile run since my half-marathon May 1. I can't believe it has taken me 3 weeks to heal from my effort. The achilles tendon is finally fine but the right quad is still a little sore. I keep telling myself that I am building a base and just be patient.

[WindingRoad]

Ran a short 3.5 miler yesterday and about died of heat stroke! OMG I really don't do well in the heat. I was sluggish and just couldn't push any kind of real pace. Thank God for the bike in summer

[colby]

I was hoping to get close to 2 hours. I missed hitting my watch at the finish (they were trying to hand me medals, I was trying to stop my watch, hit the wrong button entirely - next time just hit the lap button and figure it out later), but when I did finally hit it, it came up 1:56. Serious! I'm waiting for the "official" times.

Somehow I ALWAYS arrive late to this race. No matter how well I try to plan ahead, I'm always late. It's my curse. Hooray for timing chips.

Well, "official times" and "arriving late" apparently don't go together, as they did NOT adjust my chip time for the race and have me down crossing at a 0:00 delay from the official start - not 7 minutes or whatever it actually was. Last time this happened to me they told me I should have asked an official timer, not the guy with the microphone, whether I should start or not. I'm somewhat afraid they're going to give me the same lecture if I ask if it's possible to adjust.

ETA: I would have been 30/136 in my age group (22%). 137/821 females (17%). 320/1228 overall (26%). Apparently a competitive age group.

[OakLeaf]

Most excellent time Colby! Bummer about the chip time.

For your own records... that's one reason I luuuuurve SportTracks. I forgot to hit the stop button on my watch at the finish of the marathon, too, but with SportTracks I was able to go in and look at my track, pinpoint the second my pace dropped off at the finish, and insert a lap break (or cut off the track) there. It matched my chip time within one second, without even trying to make it match exactly.

[colby]

Most excellent time Colby! Bummer about the chip time.

For your own records... that's one reason I luuuuurve SportTracks. I forgot to hit the stop button on my watch at the finish of the marathon, too, but with SportTracks I was able to go in and look at my track, pinpoint the second my pace dropped off at the finish, and insert a lap break (or cut off the track) there. It matched my chip time within one second, without even trying to make it match exactly.

I looked at my GPS as I was walking out the door, and thought, I don't need that, I'll just run with the watch today. I know I can visually see all that data with the Polar software, but I don't think I can insert laps or mess with the track. I'll have to feed some of my data to SportTracks and see how it comes out.

[skhill]

This morning was a slow 6 miles-- it was 70 F and very humid at dawn (yuck). Maybe it's weird, but I really enjoy running in some nearby light industrial areas, but only on weekends and holidays when there's not much traffic. And I got to explore another one today...

The coolest thing on the run, tho, was meeting a guy who was already hard at work roasting a whole pig for a party he's having later in the day. It wasn't even 7am yet, and he was out there, beer in hand, tending his pig. Now that's dedication!

[Jolt]

Just got back from my trip last night, now recovering from all the traveling! I made sure to get out for a run today since I hadn't run in over ten days. It felt good, although I was kind of slow (between the 82-degree temperatures, not having run in over a week, and still being tired from traveling, that was understandable). I was out for about an hour on the trails.

Congratulations on your race, Colby!

[Veronica]

I did a whole 1.2 miles this morning. The muscles above my right knee are all really tight from last week's race. It feels like a giant Charly Horse when I run or ride hills. Stretching, rolling and icing... It will get better again.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

Well, I am officially on the DO NOT RUN list.

I'm having some minor heel pain. I do NOT want to be injured for my HIM in 4 weeks, so I am completely laying off the running for a bit. I have an Olympic Tri this weekend, which I plan to DNF in T2.

Keeping my eye on the prize, keeping my eye on the prize.....but I've never DNF'd before and it really sucks to think about it.....

[Veronica]

Awww... that's a major bummer Susan! Here's hoping whatever it is resolves itself quickly!

Veronica

[Bike Chick]

Well, I am officially on the DO NOT RUN list.

I'm having some minor heel pain. I do NOT want to be injured for my HIM in 4 weeks, so I am completely laying off the running for a bit. I have an Olympic Tri this weekend, which I plan to DNF in T2.

Keeping my eye on the prize, keeping my eye on the prize.....but I've never DNF'd before and it really sucks to think about it.....

Hate to hear about your heel pain, Susan. Don't think of it as a DNF this weekend, think of it as swim/bike training instead. Good luck and heal that heel

3 miles for me this morning.

[Susan Otcenas]

Well, V, it's probably my own d@mn fault. You, smart girl that you are, ran 1.2 miles today.

Me? I ran 15 miles 3 days after my 600K. It was on my coach's training plan, yes, but it really was too much. I was cooked at 12 miles, and should have called for a ride. Instead, I sucked it up, and ran it. Now I'm paying the price.

[OakLeaf]

Aw, bummer Susan. Roll those feet out (or walk on pebbles), do your toe skrunches, you'll be just fine in time for your HIM.