It could be that this was almost an official first anniversary that kept me awake. Or it could be that I still just have not learned how to sleep the night before a race. Before the Indy Half Marathon, I woke up in cold sweats numerous times in a friends spare bedroom and felt as though I owed them new sheets afterward. Before the Philly Distance Run, in the bed I slept in growing up, I barely slept three hours. And before the 31st Annual Pequot Runners 5 mile Turkey Trot, 3 hours was the max I slept as well.
This was the first "repeat" race that I have done in the 14 months that I've actually been running races. And I knew I would beat last years time. Last year, the 5 miles took me 39:43 to finish, as I succumbed to a nasty side stitch in the final quarter mile and walked 100 meters. This year, as if to prove to myself that wouldn't happen again I ran a 4 mile tempo run the afternoon before with a recurring side stitch in under 28. Fantastic. There was no doubt, barring a travesty that I would beat last years time. Still, I was aiming higher as I wanted sub 35.
I got to the race a good 75 minutes before hand. I knew from last year that this was a race that was very congested in the first mile to mile and a half. 3000 Runners down a narrow Southport CT street would do that to ya. As I got to the start line a 1/2 hour before hand I looked around and noticed at the start there would still be at least 200 runners to weave through and around the first mile. This was before the bagpipes came through the crowd. A Pequot Turkey trot tradition. The pipers part the crowd like the red sea, and the opening allows more people to elbow there way forward closer to the start. No matter, this was all expected.
As the gun went off the crowd moved even slower than expected though. It took me close to 20 seconds to get the 10-15 yards to the start line. And after that we were at a walking pace. Suddenly I found myself irritated. I found myself elbowing my way into and through conversating runners, clipping on heels, and running up onto sidewalks and through perfectly manicured yards just to get around a few people. My lateral movement in and around crowds may have added a tenth of a mile. I looked like Frogger, maybe a drunk frogger.
Coming up on one mile I knew I was slower than I wanted to be, but I wasn't sure how slow. I had a watch on, but I couldn't remember if I hit start before the start, or at the start, so I didn't even bother looking. When the lady shouted out 7:4x as I passed I thought, "Shit, that leaves some work to do."
I also thought I could still go sub 35, it would just really hurt the whole way. I thought about my 4 mile tempo run on Wed, and attempted to convince myself I had it in me. At one mile was the largest hill of the course, and I wasn't affected at all. I found this encouraging. What I wasn't encouraged. by was another side stitch. Screw it, I was prepared for this to hurt anyway.
Between miles 1-3 I found myself tracking behind, and periodically ahead of some ridiculously fit early college cross country running girl. There would be times I would surge around a group and then glance to my side and she wasn't there. 10 seconds later, I'd see her back in front of me. I was guessing we were both running sub 7 splits and was sure that I didn't want to let her beat me. Any time I saw a slight surge from her to pass me, I would attempt to surge back not wanting to let her get ahead. This cat and mouse game had me pass a water stop without seeking a cup, but I figured I would choke on it anyway or it would bring a side stich so no big loss.
Somewhere between miles 3-4 I lost my cross country sweetheart and was now back along long island sound just before heading into the final mile of the race. In the back of my mind briefly was last year when I stopped to walk off a side stitch. But only briefly. As we passed by mile marker 4 I heard the person shout out 28:2x. Not knowing exactly how long it took me to get to the start, I still thought sub 35 was in my reach. I definitely was tiring as I had run three straight sub 7's to get to that position, but was telling myself, "just 2 more intervals and you are done..." trying to break down this last mile.
Again I found myself side by side with some one about 10 years younger than me with some XC singlet on. Again I found myself trading surges on and off with this person. As we passed by the start line, about 1/4 mile from the finish, he laid down a surge I couldn't match. Within seconds he was 15-20 meters clear. Fuckin a.
Still I found myself thinking just get through the next 200 meters, then a slight left turn into a downhill finish the final 150-200 meters. And as I was approaching that turn, the girl I was trading surges with in miles 1-3 passed me. No way was I gonna let that happen. Between the anger about that and the want to be sub 35, I was letting anything I had left out in that final 200. As I moved towards the finish, I didn't even glance at the clock, not wanting to break momentum. Once over the timing pad and into the chute, I stopped my watch and looked down. 35:18. I knew my time was quicker, I just didn't know how much.
When I finally saw the official results, 35:06 I was honestly a bit disappointed. Disappointed, because I know I had sub 35 in me. Possible sub 34:30 on that day. But as the disappointment faded I have become a little happier with the race. I didn't allow myself to be discouraged or frustrated by the first mile. I found myself more attacking the course rather than I was reacting to the pace of those around me. And the small sort of comical thought of being over 4 minutes quicker than last year.
More though I found myself oddly encouraged by my disappointment. That though I set a PR for myself in 5 mile race, I know I can do better and wasn't only satisfied with that PR. Regardless, I am looking forward to racing it again next thanksgiving, perhaps even taking another 4 minutes off my time!
Showing posts with label race reports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label race reports. Show all posts
Friday, November 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Race Report :: Philadelphia Distance Run 9.21.08 13.1 miles
Sunday was my second half marathon of the year, the Philadelphia Distance Run.
Let's start with the 430 am wakeup on Sunday. I don't know why, but I just hate being rushed on race day. I'd rather get to the race an hour beforehand, get stretched out, and get in several warm up runs and paces back and forth before the start of the race. I found a parking garage about a 1/2 mile away and made my way towards the start line, which was at Eakins Oval right outside of the Philly Museum of Art around 6am. I was early. The volunteers were even groggy eyed and the corals and starts hadn't even been set up yet. No matter. Plenty of time for my gear check, stretches, warmup runs and pacing.
About 40 minutes before the race I decided to make my way to the porta john. The lines were unbelievable. If there was one thing this race didn't prepare itself for it was the crowd at the portajohns. Rudely, I pretended not to know where the line ended and cut about 100 people in line. Still I waited 25 minutes or so in line and got to my corral only 20 minutes before the race.
Coral 3. Not bad at all. A clear view of the start line. And I thought I wouldn't face too much traffic going out. Now, in my head I knew that I hadn't put in the mileage neccessary for this race. I didn't have one training run of race distance, and only 2 runs of 10 miles or more during the final month of training. So, the plan was for a conservative first 10k. See how I felt at mile 9, and then hopefully push the final 5k. That was the plan.
As the race started it took perhaps a minute for me to get to the start, and immediately I was already impatient with the traffic. I found myself going to the outside and passing people left and right. I didn't anticipate I was going too fast, I just didn't want to stick myself in the middle of a slower pack.
The first two miles took us through old city. Pass City hall, the liberty bell, all the historic places. And with what seemed like 15-20 turns. That's an exageration, but there were sevaral turns. And as we hit the turns the elbows were hitting other runners sides. Not maliciously. It was still just very crowded for those first several turns.
Passing the first two miles I felt good. I told myself i wouldn't look at my watch till 5k, I didn't want to get too caught up in pace and just run my race comfortably. At 5k, 21:30 and change. Okay. So that would be a PR 5k for me. It didn't seem as though i was following my plan. But at the same time. At this rate, it seemed silly (in my head) to slow down. By milemarker 5 the clock read under 35 minutes which meant I would be under 34. I'm convinced that mile marker was off.
Regardless at 10k, I was at 45:17. Again, what would be a PR for me for the 10k distance. It was at this point I started to get a bit concerned that I went out too fast. But I had convinced myself to say fuck it, and just hold the pace as long as I could. Thankfully at this point we were on MLK drive along the Schukyl river, and the road was flat. I noticed around mile 8 I still was doing more passing than getting passed, and as we crossed mile 8, I looked at my watch and ralized I was just under an hour.
At mile nine we crossed over the Falls River Bridge and were on our way back to the Art Museum and Eakins Oval. I knew if I was gonna hit a wall it would be soon, But I also knew if I was to run 8 minute miles from here on out I'd be in at 140 and change.
Sadly the wall chose to win out more than the 8 minute miles. I grabbed a Power Bar Gel from a drink stand and hoped to get a boost of energy. As I ingested it I realized my word that tastes like shit and also re-cut off several runners as I made my way to the water station 50 yards down the way. Sad to say the bar didn't give me the energy I desired, and by mile 10, for the first time, I noticed I was being passed much more often than passing. Still, though I knew that my strategy was long ago fallen by the wayside, and a 1:40 seemed to lose time with every step, I knew that I had a chance to definitely beat my Indy time of 1:44:52. So that was the new motivation for the final 5k.
And the final 5k was difficult, no two ways about it. It was a struggle. As I looked at my final 5k split on the website, I realized I ran my final 5k in 26 minutes. 5 slower than my first 5k. After what seemed like forever we came up on the final mile. Sadly this was going STRAIGHT into the sun. I had shed my singlet 2 miles previous as it was damp as hell with sweat, but now running the final mile, for the first time I really felt the heat.
Still, going into that final 1/4 mile I knew barring a total collapse I would beat my Indy time. As we rounded Eakins Oval, I had in my head that it would seem MUCH longer than my warmup runs earlier that morning. Perhaps that was some sort of reverse psychology that worked. The final quarter though painful wasn't too bad. I pushed towards the finish and came in at what I though was 1:43:05 according to my watch. (My Chip time was quicker!) And I leaned over desperate to catch breath. I was swearing to myself I'd put in proper mileage before my next half.
I wandered around the recovery area somewhere between pleased with my new PR, and disappointed in my final 5k. I eventually made my way over to the finish to cheer others in, and suddenly my mood changed a bit. Seeing people come in at 2:20-2:30 and pushing as hard as they could to get there, but with a smile on their face at their accomplishment put stuff in perspective a bit. Yeah, I faded down the stretch, but I still PR'd and I wasn't sure anymore I had the right to be pissed off about my PR anymore.
Final Results :: 13.1 miles 1:42:57 new PR
Let's start with the 430 am wakeup on Sunday. I don't know why, but I just hate being rushed on race day. I'd rather get to the race an hour beforehand, get stretched out, and get in several warm up runs and paces back and forth before the start of the race. I found a parking garage about a 1/2 mile away and made my way towards the start line, which was at Eakins Oval right outside of the Philly Museum of Art around 6am. I was early. The volunteers were even groggy eyed and the corals and starts hadn't even been set up yet. No matter. Plenty of time for my gear check, stretches, warmup runs and pacing.
About 40 minutes before the race I decided to make my way to the porta john. The lines were unbelievable. If there was one thing this race didn't prepare itself for it was the crowd at the portajohns. Rudely, I pretended not to know where the line ended and cut about 100 people in line. Still I waited 25 minutes or so in line and got to my corral only 20 minutes before the race.
Coral 3. Not bad at all. A clear view of the start line. And I thought I wouldn't face too much traffic going out. Now, in my head I knew that I hadn't put in the mileage neccessary for this race. I didn't have one training run of race distance, and only 2 runs of 10 miles or more during the final month of training. So, the plan was for a conservative first 10k. See how I felt at mile 9, and then hopefully push the final 5k. That was the plan.
As the race started it took perhaps a minute for me to get to the start, and immediately I was already impatient with the traffic. I found myself going to the outside and passing people left and right. I didn't anticipate I was going too fast, I just didn't want to stick myself in the middle of a slower pack.
The first two miles took us through old city. Pass City hall, the liberty bell, all the historic places. And with what seemed like 15-20 turns. That's an exageration, but there were sevaral turns. And as we hit the turns the elbows were hitting other runners sides. Not maliciously. It was still just very crowded for those first several turns.
Passing the first two miles I felt good. I told myself i wouldn't look at my watch till 5k, I didn't want to get too caught up in pace and just run my race comfortably. At 5k, 21:30 and change. Okay. So that would be a PR 5k for me. It didn't seem as though i was following my plan. But at the same time. At this rate, it seemed silly (in my head) to slow down. By milemarker 5 the clock read under 35 minutes which meant I would be under 34. I'm convinced that mile marker was off.
Regardless at 10k, I was at 45:17. Again, what would be a PR for me for the 10k distance. It was at this point I started to get a bit concerned that I went out too fast. But I had convinced myself to say fuck it, and just hold the pace as long as I could. Thankfully at this point we were on MLK drive along the Schukyl river, and the road was flat. I noticed around mile 8 I still was doing more passing than getting passed, and as we crossed mile 8, I looked at my watch and ralized I was just under an hour.
At mile nine we crossed over the Falls River Bridge and were on our way back to the Art Museum and Eakins Oval. I knew if I was gonna hit a wall it would be soon, But I also knew if I was to run 8 minute miles from here on out I'd be in at 140 and change.
Sadly the wall chose to win out more than the 8 minute miles. I grabbed a Power Bar Gel from a drink stand and hoped to get a boost of energy. As I ingested it I realized my word that tastes like shit and also re-cut off several runners as I made my way to the water station 50 yards down the way. Sad to say the bar didn't give me the energy I desired, and by mile 10, for the first time, I noticed I was being passed much more often than passing. Still, though I knew that my strategy was long ago fallen by the wayside, and a 1:40 seemed to lose time with every step, I knew that I had a chance to definitely beat my Indy time of 1:44:52. So that was the new motivation for the final 5k.
And the final 5k was difficult, no two ways about it. It was a struggle. As I looked at my final 5k split on the website, I realized I ran my final 5k in 26 minutes. 5 slower than my first 5k. After what seemed like forever we came up on the final mile. Sadly this was going STRAIGHT into the sun. I had shed my singlet 2 miles previous as it was damp as hell with sweat, but now running the final mile, for the first time I really felt the heat.
Still, going into that final 1/4 mile I knew barring a total collapse I would beat my Indy time. As we rounded Eakins Oval, I had in my head that it would seem MUCH longer than my warmup runs earlier that morning. Perhaps that was some sort of reverse psychology that worked. The final quarter though painful wasn't too bad. I pushed towards the finish and came in at what I though was 1:43:05 according to my watch. (My Chip time was quicker!) And I leaned over desperate to catch breath. I was swearing to myself I'd put in proper mileage before my next half.
I wandered around the recovery area somewhere between pleased with my new PR, and disappointed in my final 5k. I eventually made my way over to the finish to cheer others in, and suddenly my mood changed a bit. Seeing people come in at 2:20-2:30 and pushing as hard as they could to get there, but with a smile on their face at their accomplishment put stuff in perspective a bit. Yeah, I faded down the stretch, but I still PR'd and I wasn't sure anymore I had the right to be pissed off about my PR anymore.
Final Results :: 13.1 miles 1:42:57 new PR
Monday, August 11, 2008
Race Report 8/9/08:: Southwest Cafe Sunset 5k Ridgefield CT
So, here we go. My first 5k race since last December. That's hard to believe when I think about it. In between then and now It's been all longer distances. The awkward distances 4 mile and 5 mile (go metric!!!) a few 10k's and the Indianapolis Half Marathon. But in the training, specifically in the week before this race I felt like I had a chance to PR. Several good training runs in the heat boosted confidence, and as I spoke to El Capitan in Indianapolis, I shared my confidence and enthusiasm. It was his birthday, and I was told I owed him a PR as a gift. As he was scheduled to run the Chicago Distance Classic on the 10th, it was set to be a big weekend for The Kip Winger Running Team.
I'll say this. 7pm race start times are a bit unnerving. I'd much rather race first thing in the morning. Errands filled the morning, but by 3pm, those were done, and I still had 4 hours before the race. Seriously? I don't want to eat too much, but I want to eat. I scarf down a falafel. I receive a call from El Capitan, in Chicago. And at 4pm I take a walk down to Dunkin Donuts for a prerace mocha. In the past week my training runs have been best, after a mid afternoon consumption of a mocha. Why not.
Ridgefield is about a 15 minute drive from my place. Ample time for 3-4 repeats of Iron Maiden's run to the hills as I drive to the race. I get there about an hour before the race, get my bib and commence stretching. It's a coolish night. Maybe 75 degrees. Still I pin the bib on my shorts in anticipation of shedding my white saucony singlet at some point during the race.
Warmup isn't going well. My legs feel heavy, no matter how often I stretch. No matter how many 1/4 mile jaunts I take or 100 yard sprints. I look around I see what seems to be some fast runners. I spot what looks to be some high school xc studs and a few other quick looking Caribbean cats. I decide I'm gonna line up behind them and have at it. I'll keep them within striking distance as long as I can and take it from there. My previous 5k PR is 21:54. 7:04 splits or so. I set a goal of 7 minute splits and a new PR.
The race starts and soon enough I am out at what feels somewhat close to a sprint. The high school xc kids are out in front and the Caribbeans. I stay with them pretty well out of the gate. At the 1k chalk mark on the road there isn't more than 10 people in front of me. I know that in reality, I have gone out far too fast and I will not be able to keep that pace. What I don't know is my actual pace, thankfully.
Before the race, I made a conscious decision not to wear my watch. As I talked to Information Director Mandi after the race about my time, we both were talking about the mental aspect of racing. For me, in the past, I've seen a time in my first kilometer, my first mile and been discouraged. If it was too slow, fuck. If it was too fast I feared an imminent blow up. So, to avoid this over thinking, no watch and just run. I knew after 1k I had less that 15-16 minutes of running to do to hit my goal, so let's do it. Thankfully there were no clocks or no people calling out times on the roads either.
There were only a few hills, and none were of the daunting variety. None at more of an incline than my normal 4-6 mile training loop. Yet at 3k, I was being passed by quite a few people. Do I hook under one of these cats, or do I run my own race? I went with running mu own race, and soon I was at the 2 mile mark and really felt good, feeling that a PR was within reach.
I was running on my own for a few minutes it seemed like. I had a group of 2 about 20 meters ahead, when I passed 4k. And I could faintly hear the mic at the finish line calling people in.
After 4k I was passed by a woman who looked to be in her 50's. Shit!!! What's more, she's breathing better than me and has a better stride. She says as she passes, "Wow that was a long 4k!" I'm thinking, two things. First, the obligatory, "What the fuck?" Second, "Not as long as this last kilometer!" But still I'm recognizing the roads and know that my turn into teh final stretch is coming.
At as I turn onto the road the 50 year old woman has opened up a 15 - 20 second gap on me. But i can start to see the flags for the finish. I start my kick. about 250 meters out. Eventually I hear them announce, "our 3rd place woman finisher!" And I don't feel as terrible about being passed. I don't have time to, cause as I see the numbers on the clock, I know if I finish strong I will PR. I finish off my kick and come through the line at 21:49. A new PR in the 5k by 5 seconds!! Not bad at all considering how I felt before the race.
I walk back to the car to get my phone El Capitan and tell him I succeeded in his birthday gift. I tell him I finished just behind the third place woman, and he mentions the possibility of an age group placing. I gotta admit, I was thinking the same, but didn't want to get my hopes up. Most those who finished ahead seemed 10 years older or ten younger. It didn't seem like a strong 30's race. At the same time, I was terrified of turning 40 since those guys were dusting me, not to mention the 50's female group!!!
The race was put on by Southwest Cafe, so there is a siesta, post race. And lo and behold I get a free beer. Fantastico! As they post results, I realize, holy shit! I need to stick around as I finished 3rd in the 30-39 male age group! And a coveted trophy/paperweight will be mine! I kid you not, it's a chile paper shaped plaque/paperweight. Pics of that to come!!!
Still, a PR and for the first time an age group placing! And that was just the beginning of the weekend for TKWRT as El Capitan finished with a half marathon PR in Chicago! A great weekend for the team, and now the only question that remains is whats next. Getting under 7 splits for a 5k (I already hate 7:01!) and training for the Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept 21 looks most likely. But we'll try to find a few races before then of course.
Final Results:: 21:49 (New PR); 7:01 splits; 28/128 overall; 3rd age group
Current Listening: Heavy Creatures - Loaded Sky
I'll say this. 7pm race start times are a bit unnerving. I'd much rather race first thing in the morning. Errands filled the morning, but by 3pm, those were done, and I still had 4 hours before the race. Seriously? I don't want to eat too much, but I want to eat. I scarf down a falafel. I receive a call from El Capitan, in Chicago. And at 4pm I take a walk down to Dunkin Donuts for a prerace mocha. In the past week my training runs have been best, after a mid afternoon consumption of a mocha. Why not.
Ridgefield is about a 15 minute drive from my place. Ample time for 3-4 repeats of Iron Maiden's run to the hills as I drive to the race. I get there about an hour before the race, get my bib and commence stretching. It's a coolish night. Maybe 75 degrees. Still I pin the bib on my shorts in anticipation of shedding my white saucony singlet at some point during the race.
Warmup isn't going well. My legs feel heavy, no matter how often I stretch. No matter how many 1/4 mile jaunts I take or 100 yard sprints. I look around I see what seems to be some fast runners. I spot what looks to be some high school xc studs and a few other quick looking Caribbean cats. I decide I'm gonna line up behind them and have at it. I'll keep them within striking distance as long as I can and take it from there. My previous 5k PR is 21:54. 7:04 splits or so. I set a goal of 7 minute splits and a new PR.
The race starts and soon enough I am out at what feels somewhat close to a sprint. The high school xc kids are out in front and the Caribbeans. I stay with them pretty well out of the gate. At the 1k chalk mark on the road there isn't more than 10 people in front of me. I know that in reality, I have gone out far too fast and I will not be able to keep that pace. What I don't know is my actual pace, thankfully.
Before the race, I made a conscious decision not to wear my watch. As I talked to Information Director Mandi after the race about my time, we both were talking about the mental aspect of racing. For me, in the past, I've seen a time in my first kilometer, my first mile and been discouraged. If it was too slow, fuck. If it was too fast I feared an imminent blow up. So, to avoid this over thinking, no watch and just run. I knew after 1k I had less that 15-16 minutes of running to do to hit my goal, so let's do it. Thankfully there were no clocks or no people calling out times on the roads either.
There were only a few hills, and none were of the daunting variety. None at more of an incline than my normal 4-6 mile training loop. Yet at 3k, I was being passed by quite a few people. Do I hook under one of these cats, or do I run my own race? I went with running mu own race, and soon I was at the 2 mile mark and really felt good, feeling that a PR was within reach.
I was running on my own for a few minutes it seemed like. I had a group of 2 about 20 meters ahead, when I passed 4k. And I could faintly hear the mic at the finish line calling people in.
After 4k I was passed by a woman who looked to be in her 50's. Shit!!! What's more, she's breathing better than me and has a better stride. She says as she passes, "Wow that was a long 4k!" I'm thinking, two things. First, the obligatory, "What the fuck?" Second, "Not as long as this last kilometer!" But still I'm recognizing the roads and know that my turn into teh final stretch is coming.
At as I turn onto the road the 50 year old woman has opened up a 15 - 20 second gap on me. But i can start to see the flags for the finish. I start my kick. about 250 meters out. Eventually I hear them announce, "our 3rd place woman finisher!" And I don't feel as terrible about being passed. I don't have time to, cause as I see the numbers on the clock, I know if I finish strong I will PR. I finish off my kick and come through the line at 21:49. A new PR in the 5k by 5 seconds!! Not bad at all considering how I felt before the race.
I walk back to the car to get my phone El Capitan and tell him I succeeded in his birthday gift. I tell him I finished just behind the third place woman, and he mentions the possibility of an age group placing. I gotta admit, I was thinking the same, but didn't want to get my hopes up. Most those who finished ahead seemed 10 years older or ten younger. It didn't seem like a strong 30's race. At the same time, I was terrified of turning 40 since those guys were dusting me, not to mention the 50's female group!!!
The race was put on by Southwest Cafe, so there is a siesta, post race. And lo and behold I get a free beer. Fantastico! As they post results, I realize, holy shit! I need to stick around as I finished 3rd in the 30-39 male age group! And a coveted trophy/paperweight will be mine! I kid you not, it's a chile paper shaped plaque/paperweight. Pics of that to come!!!
Still, a PR and for the first time an age group placing! And that was just the beginning of the weekend for TKWRT as El Capitan finished with a half marathon PR in Chicago! A great weekend for the team, and now the only question that remains is whats next. Getting under 7 splits for a 5k (I already hate 7:01!) and training for the Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept 21 looks most likely. But we'll try to find a few races before then of course.
Final Results:: 21:49 (New PR); 7:01 splits; 28/128 overall; 3rd age group
Current Listening: Heavy Creatures - Loaded Sky
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