Race Reports/Encouragment/Kudos - 4 July 2012
- Thread starter Big Vic
- Start date
FireDancer
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2008
- Messages
- 13,255
I love holiday races. I'm doing a 5 miler down in North Canton that morning.
Really, really fun run today for my first 10K race.
This was at the Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield, PA... a small loop at the beginning around the main park area and then the bulk of the run was an out and back on River Road... right by the Delaware river.
Pre-race things were a bit disjointed... the race registration tent was not near the parking or the race finish line area... the port-a-potties were scattered a bit near all three areas... and the walk from parking to the registration tent was about a half mile. Since there was no bag check, that meant walking at least 1.5 miles (parking to registration to pick up packet - back to cars to drop off packet and then back to starting line). The registration itself was very well organized and efficient, but it was just strangely laid out... it's not like this is a new race... this is the 32nd annual race, but I think the construction on the buildings in the park has thrown them for a loop.
It also was a bit strange in the timing. Usually, when 5K and 10K races are at the same time and on the same basic course, the 10K goes off first, and then the 5K a few minutes later... in this case, the 5K was first (scheduled for 8:15) and the 10K was later (scheduled for 8:30)... the starting line for the two races was staggered along River Road, 5K in front, 10K in back. As we were all waiting at the 10K start, the 5K was a bit late... the canon went off at 8:18 to start the 5K... then the 10K actually started about 2 minutes early... 8:28... I've never seen race start early, and not all the racers were ready at the starting line - some were still back at the bathrooms. It didn't matter to me, being a back-of-the-pack runner, butI'm sure it made a difference to some people more interested in their times. Very strange.
One other thing that really had me concerned is that River Road is apparently about to be resurfaced, and the road surface right near the start line had been milled recently, so it was not smooth at all. Most runners probably wouldn't mind, but in Vibram SeeYa shoes, I have almost NO cushioning. I was preparing myself to have to drop out of the race if that continued for too long.... it was just murder on my feet. Fortunately, the milling was only about a half mile of the whole course, and most of the area where it was milled, it was only one side of the road, so being a back-of-the-pack runner was to my advantage since no one was left coming the other way for most of my run, and I was free to use whichever side of the road was smooth.
As for the run itself, it went off - if not quite according to plan - better than I could have hoped. Despite the temperature being almost 80 degrees at the start and humid (it had rained about 2 hours before the race), I felt comfortable and easy with my running. Taking yesterday off really helped my energy. As I posted, my target pace was:
13:00/12:30/12:00/11:30/11:00/10:30 and 10:00 to get me to 72:30 for the 10K... well, I went out faster than I had planned... at first I attributed it to the rush of the start of the race, and I'm sure that was part of it, but also, I was just running stronger today than I have recently.
The first mile was about 90 seconds ahead of pace, and the second, third and fourth miles each were about 30 seconds ahead of their respective paces... giving me a bank of 3 minutes ahead of pace past the half way point of the race. I needed a bit of a break so I slowed to a walk at the beginning of mile 5 to eat some sport beans and finally take a drink of my gatorade... I then ran most of the rest of that mile, but again took about a tenth of a mile walk break toward the end... the running portions were still strong, though, and I completed mile 5 in 12:10... 70 seconds slower than my target pace, but still with a good 1:50 in the bank to get to my overall goal. By this time, the clouds had disappeared and the sun was out... and temperatures and humidity were both rising. I ran from 4.94 miles to 5.71 maintaining an average of about 10:40 during the running portion. I decided that my sub-75 minute fall-back goal was well in hand, so I took a final walk break from 5.71 to 5.92 miles... drinking some more gatorade and getting ready to "sprint" to the finish. My running playlist is shaping up, and the shuffle gods were smiling again, just as I started running the last segment, U2's Yahweh started playing and I got a really good energy boost... the last .3 miles were an average of about 9:45 and I crossed the line in a gun time of 72:47.
I was number 567 of 598 overall, 346 of 362 men, and 105 of 105 (dead last) of men 40-49... but I don't care about placing at all... I had a great run, and it felt good to go out and be able to execute and even better my goals. The gun time is a bit misleading for this race because it definitely took me a while to get to the start line after the canon fired. My Garmin showed a time much closer to (even a bit better than) my goals... the splits were 11:26/11:53/11:35/11:00/12:10/11:49 and 9:45 for the last .23 miles. Total time was 72:08... I pushed start as I crossed the starting line and pushed the last lap as I exited the chute. I'm going to claim the 72:08 as my official PR for 10K... though it was probably just about 72 flat.
I could not be happier with this, given the temperatures and some tentativeness on my part. (I don't think I really NEEDED the second and third walk breaks, but I wanted to be sure I wasn't going to crash.) I think my next 10K I have a shot at taking a minute or more off of that time, though I don't know when the next race at that distance will be.
Legs feel really good now, but I'm all cooled down and still sweaty, so its time to go shower.
Have a great day everyone.
God Bless America on this Independence Day!
Ted
This was at the Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield, PA... a small loop at the beginning around the main park area and then the bulk of the run was an out and back on River Road... right by the Delaware river.
Pre-race things were a bit disjointed... the race registration tent was not near the parking or the race finish line area... the port-a-potties were scattered a bit near all three areas... and the walk from parking to the registration tent was about a half mile. Since there was no bag check, that meant walking at least 1.5 miles (parking to registration to pick up packet - back to cars to drop off packet and then back to starting line). The registration itself was very well organized and efficient, but it was just strangely laid out... it's not like this is a new race... this is the 32nd annual race, but I think the construction on the buildings in the park has thrown them for a loop.
It also was a bit strange in the timing. Usually, when 5K and 10K races are at the same time and on the same basic course, the 10K goes off first, and then the 5K a few minutes later... in this case, the 5K was first (scheduled for 8:15) and the 10K was later (scheduled for 8:30)... the starting line for the two races was staggered along River Road, 5K in front, 10K in back. As we were all waiting at the 10K start, the 5K was a bit late... the canon went off at 8:18 to start the 5K... then the 10K actually started about 2 minutes early... 8:28... I've never seen race start early, and not all the racers were ready at the starting line - some were still back at the bathrooms. It didn't matter to me, being a back-of-the-pack runner, butI'm sure it made a difference to some people more interested in their times. Very strange.
One other thing that really had me concerned is that River Road is apparently about to be resurfaced, and the road surface right near the start line had been milled recently, so it was not smooth at all. Most runners probably wouldn't mind, but in Vibram SeeYa shoes, I have almost NO cushioning. I was preparing myself to have to drop out of the race if that continued for too long.... it was just murder on my feet. Fortunately, the milling was only about a half mile of the whole course, and most of the area where it was milled, it was only one side of the road, so being a back-of-the-pack runner was to my advantage since no one was left coming the other way for most of my run, and I was free to use whichever side of the road was smooth.
As for the run itself, it went off - if not quite according to plan - better than I could have hoped. Despite the temperature being almost 80 degrees at the start and humid (it had rained about 2 hours before the race), I felt comfortable and easy with my running. Taking yesterday off really helped my energy. As I posted, my target pace was:
13:00/12:30/12:00/11:30/11:00/10:30 and 10:00 to get me to 72:30 for the 10K... well, I went out faster than I had planned... at first I attributed it to the rush of the start of the race, and I'm sure that was part of it, but also, I was just running stronger today than I have recently.
The first mile was about 90 seconds ahead of pace, and the second, third and fourth miles each were about 30 seconds ahead of their respective paces... giving me a bank of 3 minutes ahead of pace past the half way point of the race. I needed a bit of a break so I slowed to a walk at the beginning of mile 5 to eat some sport beans and finally take a drink of my gatorade... I then ran most of the rest of that mile, but again took about a tenth of a mile walk break toward the end... the running portions were still strong, though, and I completed mile 5 in 12:10... 70 seconds slower than my target pace, but still with a good 1:50 in the bank to get to my overall goal. By this time, the clouds had disappeared and the sun was out... and temperatures and humidity were both rising. I ran from 4.94 miles to 5.71 maintaining an average of about 10:40 during the running portion. I decided that my sub-75 minute fall-back goal was well in hand, so I took a final walk break from 5.71 to 5.92 miles... drinking some more gatorade and getting ready to "sprint" to the finish. My running playlist is shaping up, and the shuffle gods were smiling again, just as I started running the last segment, U2's Yahweh started playing and I got a really good energy boost... the last .3 miles were an average of about 9:45 and I crossed the line in a gun time of 72:47.
I was number 567 of 598 overall, 346 of 362 men, and 105 of 105 (dead last) of men 40-49... but I don't care about placing at all... I had a great run, and it felt good to go out and be able to execute and even better my goals. The gun time is a bit misleading for this race because it definitely took me a while to get to the start line after the canon fired. My Garmin showed a time much closer to (even a bit better than) my goals... the splits were 11:26/11:53/11:35/11:00/12:10/11:49 and 9:45 for the last .23 miles. Total time was 72:08... I pushed start as I crossed the starting line and pushed the last lap as I exited the chute. I'm going to claim the 72:08 as my official PR for 10K... though it was probably just about 72 flat.
I could not be happier with this, given the temperatures and some tentativeness on my part. (I don't think I really NEEDED the second and third walk breaks, but I wanted to be sure I wasn't going to crash.) I think my next 10K I have a shot at taking a minute or more off of that time, though I don't know when the next race at that distance will be.
Legs feel really good now, but I'm all cooled down and still sweaty, so its time to go shower.
Have a great day everyone.
God Bless America on this Independence Day!
Ted
hollieplus2
<font color=blue>Tags always make people happy<br>
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2006
- Messages
- 1,371
Horrible, horrible, horrible 
First off it was in the high 80's and terribly humid. The sun really got to me. I also forgot my compression sleeve and my watch. Course was almost entirely uphill as well. It was doomed for the start.
I've been having major problems with shinsplints. I got fitted for shoes and they got worse. I took a couple weeks off bought new shoes and was doing better. A little ache and some twinges but nothing more. Only ran outside for 2 weeks before temps went over 100 and had to move in to the dreadmill. Been doing great at the gym 1% incline still hadn't gotten past 4 miles and that was only once so I knew it was going to be tough.
Anyway, about 1 min in my shins were killing me!!!! About .5 miles and I got the burning sesnsation and could barely walk. I wanted to quit and just be done with it but couldn't find a stupid cart to take me back. Anyway I walked almost the whole thing unfourtanely and finished with a time of 59.23
I'm now very very nervous about the ToT and making it. It's not looking good. My shins are killing me, my arches hurts and if I rest another couple weeks I KNOW I won't make it. Undecided if I should just back out of the 10 miler and just do the 5k. Just overall disappointed.
First off it was in the high 80's and terribly humid. The sun really got to me. I also forgot my compression sleeve and my watch. Course was almost entirely uphill as well. It was doomed for the start.
I've been having major problems with shinsplints. I got fitted for shoes and they got worse. I took a couple weeks off bought new shoes and was doing better. A little ache and some twinges but nothing more. Only ran outside for 2 weeks before temps went over 100 and had to move in to the dreadmill. Been doing great at the gym 1% incline still hadn't gotten past 4 miles and that was only once so I knew it was going to be tough.
Anyway, about 1 min in my shins were killing me!!!! About .5 miles and I got the burning sesnsation and could barely walk. I wanted to quit and just be done with it but couldn't find a stupid cart to take me back. Anyway I walked almost the whole thing unfourtanely and finished with a time of 59.23
I'm now very very nervous about the ToT and making it. It's not looking good. My shins are killing me, my arches hurts and if I rest another couple weeks I KNOW I won't make it. Undecided if I should just back out of the 10 miler and just do the 5k. Just overall disappointed.
jmasgat
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2006
- Messages
- 5,233
Ted Congrats on your first 10k! Sounds like you did well and learned a lot. Glad it was a positive first experience.
hollieplus2 I'm sorry you're having shin problems. I understand how frustrating it can be to think you have an injury that is finally improving, but then just seems to come back full on. I wouldn't presume to give you advice on how to handle your shin issue (and don't know your overall level of training), but just hope that you can rest and resolve in time for ToT.
Maura
hollieplus2 I'm sorry you're having shin problems. I understand how frustrating it can be to think you have an injury that is finally improving, but then just seems to come back full on. I wouldn't presume to give you advice on how to handle your shin issue (and don't know your overall level of training), but just hope that you can rest and resolve in time for ToT.
Maura
Congrats Ted! Sounds like a great race!
Hollieplus2, sorry to hear yours did not go so well. I know how you feel, I haven't had shin splints but I've had hip bursitis and achilles tendinitis and both were very annoying. The hip issue completely sidelined me for a few weeks, but in a way it was good because I found a great ortho and he sent me to a great physical therapist who taught me what I needed to do to get better and keep it from recurring. I visited them both again when the achilles started acting up and caught it before it got too bad. I highly recommend that you find a good sports doc who can help you evaluate what is going on with your body and fix it so you can reach your running goals.
The Peachtree was a lot of fun, it is hard to call it a race since there are so many people participating and spectating. I love that my Garmin now shows me my "moving time" in addition to my total time. Apparently I spent 7+ minutes stopping to speak to friends this year. I don't think I'll ever try and run it without stopping, but it does help me feel better about my time!
Hope everyone had a great 4th!
Hollieplus2, sorry to hear yours did not go so well. I know how you feel, I haven't had shin splints but I've had hip bursitis and achilles tendinitis and both were very annoying. The hip issue completely sidelined me for a few weeks, but in a way it was good because I found a great ortho and he sent me to a great physical therapist who taught me what I needed to do to get better and keep it from recurring. I visited them both again when the achilles started acting up and caught it before it got too bad. I highly recommend that you find a good sports doc who can help you evaluate what is going on with your body and fix it so you can reach your running goals.
The Peachtree was a lot of fun, it is hard to call it a race since there are so many people participating and spectating. I love that my Garmin now shows me my "moving time" in addition to my total time. Apparently I spent 7+ minutes stopping to speak to friends this year. I don't think I'll ever try and run it without stopping, but it does help me feel better about my time!
Hope everyone had a great 4th!
/
EddieMccoy2
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2010
- Messages
- 167
Had a fun Peachtree race. First time u got to do it. I was able to finish 771 out of 57,000 finishers, so it was a very good day. The fans at the race are awesome. They are everywhere and cheering loudly. I suggest anyone do this that gets the chance.
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