Race Reports, Kudos, and Encouragement for Oct. 13th and 14th

[Big Vic]

WWDave and tiberius - Congrats!

 

[TnTsParty]

My 5k was decent this morning. It was a wierd feeling going to this race this morning since it is in the town that I have lived my whole life and was somewhat on roads that I run on for training. As a matter of fact I just was on the northern section of the race course on Wednesday when I went for my run outside. The course started on A1A at the south end of the beach and went to the north end and back. (The one bad thing is they are doing road construction on the road so its kind of tore up - so I of course had my eyes on the road alot.) All my other races (3 other 5k's) were on unknown territory - this one I knew exactly how much further I had to go to get to the turn around spot (1.5 mile) Another cool thing was my cousin works at a resturant that was on the race route and she was at work and standing out front. She totally did not expect to see me run by!! I brought my sunglasses with me because the last time I did an AM race I forget them and then regretted it. Well this time I didn't need them - but thankfully they were on top my head and didn't bother me. There was a pretty strong cross wind coming off the ocean and even though it wasn't a head wind it was tough.

http://eteamz.active.com/accuchiptiming/files/AVDA5KRUN-WALK-AGEGROUPRESULTS.HTM#20

The official time results - I ended up coming in officially at 34.26 for a pace of 11.06/M - which is 20 seconds faster than my time at the last race the end of July and for my age group I came in 9th out of 20 and overall I was 155 out of 285 - so I am proud of myself for coming in better than half. I tried not to push myself to hard because I did not want to get hurt this close to TOT. I told my DH that I didn't want to screw up and not be able to do the TOT since that is the race I am most looking forward to. I came in right in front of a 6 year old boy (his mom let him beat her) I told him he was doing a great job - he was beating me most of the race and then I booked it into high gear once I turned the corner for the last .1 - the only bad thing about putting into high gear was that the last .1 turned into the park and it went down hill before leveling out to the finish line - I was careful and slowed it down a little so I didn't fall down the hill and then kicked it back up and all the way through the chute. Another thing I was happy about was I didn't feel like I had to throw up after the finish line (happened to me with the other 3 races I did - bad the 1st, not as bad the 2nd, less the 3rd) hopefully after the TOT I won't feel like that either.

One awesome thing that happened during the race is that when the leaders of the race came by us on there way back to the finish line the people around me were telling them they did a great job and where actually cheering them on - I thought that was so cool instead of people complaining because the leaders were that far ahead of us. Also something worth mentioning is that in the last 3 races I did I have seen the same old man - he is 74 years old - in great shape for his age - runs the 5k in 21-23 minutes. Hopefully I will be that fast one day (it may take me till I am 74 and hopefully I will still be able to run when I am that age.) I am amazed at what he can do.

Here is a picture of the beach prior to the start of the race

Here is a picture of me at the beginning of the race (I am the one in the red shirt and black shorts)

Here is me right before the finish line

 

[windwalker]

Tricia, super race!!!



Dave

 

[Optimator]

Tiberius - Great job!! It looks like you just ran "the perfect race"! Congrats again.

WWDave - Excellent race! It sounds like you really enjoyed yourself. Flyin' man, simply flyin'. I love that the announcer acknowledged you as you finished.

Tricia - WTG! It's so cool to for you to be able to see (and feel) the improvement. Great pace! Thanks for the pictures. I needed visual proof that you actually had to run downhill in FL.

 

[princessrunner]

I completed my 5K in 29:24 which is really slow for me, but I have to explain that there is a HUGE hill about 1 mile into it. Not fair if you ask me but the route planners don't seem to care. I slowed up a lot going up. I also have to explain that I do this race out of love and to honor my DHs grandmother for whom the race is named. As my SIL says "I pay to exercise" basically and we certainly do not push ourselves. She won the race last year at a 24:15 for the race which is incredible to me. They let our kids hold the finish tape. My 13YO DD ran it too with her grandmother (the namesakes daughter and granddaughter, how cool is that ) and they finished in 36:22 but they had to walk some due to grammie's bad knees and plantar fasciitis. It was beautiful and about 53 degrees, lots warmer than last year and I managed to take 3:06 off my time from last year (it was my very first 5K ever) so overall I was happy with everything.

Congratulations and awesome job to all others who raced. You are all amazing!

 

[nucpharm29]

Tiberius--WTG! I'm still searching for that elusive "perfect race". Sounds like you found yours!

Dave--You continue to amaze me at how fast you walk. Congrats on being the fastest racewalker

Tricia--WTG on the 5K! And thanks for the pics

Princessrunner--wow that was a slow pace for you! Can't imagine what a fast pace would be! Congrats on your race as well!

 

[westcliffemom]

Great reports everyone!

 

[Steffwalks]

Thanks for sharing! You guys did wonderfully!

 

[KelNottAt]

We were averaging 12:30 for the first couple of miles which was his pace, we agreed to pick it up a bit. So we did a few at just under 12:00 mpm.....My pace average was 11:54 per mile and 1:13:51 clock time.

Holy Cow! I didn't know walkers could go that fast. Now you've given me something to aspire to!

As I was approaching the finish I heard the announcer call out, "Here comes Dave Kirgan, our first place speed walker". Even though there were no awards for the walkers it was nice knowing I was first.

Awesome! Simply awesome!

 

[KelNottAt]

I injured my knee (IT band) on 9/22. So I didn't expect to finish the Baltimore Marathon yesterday (my first ever). And, even when I was healthy, I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd beat 6 hours. (I'm a walker.)

But, I did. 5:49:46

It was beautiful day. 45 degrees at the start, 65 at the finish. Crisp and sunny. Pretty hilly course, (http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/Assets/Marathon+Elevation.pdf) but not too bad.

My knee was pretty good. Varied between 75% - 90% of optimal strength. Some pain, but manageable.

My Official times:
Clock Time 05:52:24
Chip Time 05:49:46
Overall Place 2362 out of 2538
Gender Place 728 out of 832
Division Place 106 out of 127 (F40 - 44)
Age Grade 41.9%
Pace 13:20.6
Mile6 1:22:32
Mile10 2:14:34
Mile12 2:51:19
Half 2:55:03
Mile19 4:15:04
Mile21 4:44:13

I'm still in shock. Can't believe I did it.

 

[windwalker]

Kelley you did wonderfully Imagine what you could have done without your knee acting up.

You Rock!!!!


Dave

 

[MouseDogMom]

Kelley - GREAT JOB!!! I've been thinking about you and wondering how your knee held up - that's wonderful!

Lisa - Great job on your 5K!

Tricia - Congrats on improving your time! Love the pictures.

Dave - It still amazes me that you walk faster than I run... terrific job on your 10K.

Tiberius - Congratulations on the "perfect" race!

Jackie

 

[escape]

tiberius - sounds like the perfect conditions! Congrats on a great pace! WTG!

Dave - I couldn't even keep up with you while running. You are awesome! Congrats on being the # 1 walker!

Tricia - great pictures! I love looking at race pictures. Congrats on a great time! I can only dream of being that fast right now.

princessrunner - wow! What can I say. You are speedy gonzales. Great run!

Kelley - Whoa! There was no stopping you yesterday! Whatever it is you take for pain or get up and go, I need some of that. I'm glad your knee wasn't too much of an issue. GOOD JOB!!!!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Great job team!!

 

[Cindylou]

Tiberius: Great job on your "perfect" race.

Dave: Once again, awesome job.

Tricia: Nice job on your race. I'm glad your pace is improving.

Lisa: Congrats on your race. That's awesome that your DD and her grammy got to race together.

Kelley: Yea!! I'm so happy for you. I'm glad you did so well.

Cindy

 

[Cindylou]

Today I ran the Baystate Half in Lowell, MA. I was hoping to finish under 2 hours. The weather was crisp, about 45 degrees at the start of the race. It warmed up a bit during the race and we had a nice breeze. A perfect racing day. My plan was to run the first several miles at 9 min/mi and see how I felt. Apparently I started too far back in the pack so it took a while to get up any speed. I saw at a quarter mile my pace was 10:30 so I panicked a bit and when I found some open space I pushed the pace. I was at 9 min pace by ½ mile so I relaxed a bit. I went thru the first mile at 8:55. Mile 2 was 8:39 so I tried to slow down a bit. Mile 3 was 8:31. I was worried that I was going too fast and I’d pay for it later. I felt good, but still tried to slow it down a bit. Mile 4 was 8:41 so I decided that I’d just keep it up as long as I could and pay the price later in the race.
Mile 5 8:48
Mile 6 8:25
Mile 7 8:39 – included slowing down to high 5 my kids.
Mile 8 8:48
Mile 9 8:56 – maybe the wheels are starting to come off, but
Mile 10 8:29 ???
Mile 11 8:41
I decided to try to push the last 2.1 miles and as Craig had done last week, leave everything out on the course. As we approached the stadium for the finish I felt like I had no kick at all, and was a bit disappointed, because I can usually find one more gear for a sprint to the finish. I was disappointed only until I reviewed my splits and realized why I had no oomph left.
Mile 12 8:23
Mile 13 8:19
Final 0.1 7:45. All told my final time was 1:54:45 according to my watch. An 8:45 pace. I am absolutely astounded that my body was capable of sustaining that pace for this distance. At the risk of sounding conceited, I am so proud of myself. I am so revved up for the marathon now. Bring it on!!!
Thanks for reading everyone.
Cindy

 

[Steffwalks]

You don't sound concieted! You have every right to be proud of yourself! Awesome job, girlfriend!

 

[hockeygirl]

CoCo--WTG on your 10 miler! Glad to hear the weather was perfect, and it sounds like the race was well run....I could go for that food/drink they had at the end of any race.

Dave--Awesome job on your race!! Great pace too! That's pretty cool that you had someone else to walk with for the first part of the race!!

Tricia---Great job on your 5K!! WTG for improving your time by that much! Love the pictures too!

Lisa-WTG on your 5K...that is so cool that it is in honor of your DH's Grandmother. And you had a great time as well!!!!

Kelley--Awesome job on your marathon, especially with the injured knee! WTG on breaking the 6 hour mark!!!

Cindy--WOW!! Awesome job on your half marathon! That is a great pace! and you should be proud of yourself, so don't worry about saying that here!

 

[princessrunner]

Cindy: WTG on your half marathon and finishing under your goal time! You did awesome. Toot your own horn.....I think it sounds better that way!!!!!!!!!

 

[hoosmi]

Hey everyone!

I entered a 5k at the last minute as part of the "Brunswick Stewbilee." I went around 8 a.m. to sign up since the race started at 9 a.m. I really, really wish I had pictures of most of my fellow runners for our WISHers from cold places-- so many people were in long sleeve shirts, jackets, and long pants. In South Georgia, apparently 68-70 in the morning is freezing! Most people shed their layers pre-race, but it still made me laugh.

I actually was one of those dorks who runs around the block a few times before the race. I was bored, and I wanted to see if I couldn't get past the first mile blahs. I think it did help, although I felt a bit silly jogging around with the super speedy guys!

The race was nice and flat and mostly in a shady neighborhood. I decided to use the "PR or the ER" plan. Usually I am very conservative the first half so that I don't have to stop running later, but I just decided to run as fast as I could reasonably go from the very beginning. I kept telling myself that while yes, I was running faster than usual, I was running shorter than I would on an average Saturday, so I just needed to keep moving!

I finished in 26:45 (or close to it- no official results yet). My last 5k in July was 29:56. My super-secret goal was to break 28 minutes, so I was very happy. I may never run another 5k again so I can retire on a high note!

After the race, I went home and picked up the restless family (DH was calling wanting to know where I was at 9:37- hello, eating my banana and clapping for other runners, thank you very much!) We went back to the Stewbilee, where we decided to take our role as "official tasters" of Brunswick stew very seriously... I don't want to see stew again until next year!

Jen in GA