Project Breaking 5: The Race

July 21, 2018 - Race Day

The day of the race was a wet day. It rained. A lot. All day. And it got worse later into the day. I had planned to run to Shawn's house and then we would run to Dunbar High School. But, it was pouring so he picked me up and then we ran from his house. We were soaked within two minutes. If it weren't the night of our big race we trained hard for the last month, I would have enjoyed the 60 degree temperature day in July and listening to the steady to heavy rain. Instead, I cursed my luck.

It was less than three miles to the track. The meet was still on, but there were very few participants. Almost everyone was crowded under an awning attached to the school. Those that had to use the bathroom had to brave the elements. Only racers left the dry confines - the rest watched the action. No one was in the bleachers. The race director consolidated many of the heats. The master's mile still went on at the scheduled time. Shawn and I ran a few striders and reported to the line when called.

Foolishly, I thought the rain and wind wouldn't be a factor. I went out and hit 200 meters in 36 seconds, right on track to break 5. By 400 meters, my legs were really heavy and I had slowed. The eventual winner kept his pace and the lead throughout the race. I was in second through 200, but was in fourth by 400, behind Shawn who was battling for second. I would remain in fourth for the next three laps, not really able to get my legs under me or pick up the pace. The wet track and heavy rain were factors that slowed me down considerably. I could not keep my projected pace as I sloshed along the drenched track that was otherwise in great condition.

The results

Mixed Masters Mile (only top four listed since the results have not been corrected):

Place Bib Time First Last Gender Age City State
1 59 04:50.8 Scott Anderson M 44 Washington DC
2 44 04:50.9 Andrew Oxendine M 44 Harpers Ferry WV
3 51 05:29.7 Shawn Zeller M 43 Washington DC
4 50 05:52.4 Kenny Ames M 41 Washington DC

The other two times I attempted the mile, I ran 5:24 and 5:13. I felt I was capable of at least a 5:10 if I fell off sub 5 pace. In my mind, 4:57 was the time. But I tried to race as if it were perfect conditions and paid the price. At least I broke 6.

Twenty minutes later, I raced the 3K on a whim. I held the same pace for the 3K as I had for mile. Shawn took the lead with Andrew in second. I eventually caught and passed Andrew. With 600 to go, I thought if Shawn were to fade, I had a chance at winning. With 400 to go, I was giving it all I had. With 200 to go, I was getting close - and then he began his kick. I couldn't match. With no chance of catching him and no one near me, I let up and cruised in. I didn't even realize a small push could have broken 11 - my mind was already at the finish line.

Mixed 3K
Place	Bib	Time	First	Last	Gender	Age	City	State
1	51	10:53.9	Shawn	Zeller	M	43	Washington	DC
2	50	11:01.3	Kenny	Ames	M	41	Washington	DC
3	44	11:41.8	Andrew	Oxendine	M	44	Harpers Ferry	WV
4	36	13:01.0	John	Way	M	53	Rockville	MD
5	54	13:54.7	Ted	Poulos	M	56	McLean	VA
6	49	14:21.3	Doug	Kelly	M	52	Washington	DC
7	57	14:21.4	Cindy	Cohen	F	50	WASHINGTON	DC
8	43	22:03.3	Jeanette A	Novak	F	74	Damascus	MD

Instead of a cool down run home, we took a ride from Alex. After two wet races, I was sopping wet and ready for a warm shower. It was disappointing that the weather didn't cooperate, but that was out of my control.

Post Script:

On August 1, I decided to try a time trial to see if I could break 5. I went to the McKinley Tech track, warmed-up, and then set my sights on a fast mile. There were two runners who agreed to time me. There was no taper, no other runners to push me, and a mud patch in lane 1 right around 300 meters, I ran 5:17. I don't know my splits as it seemed I was on pace to break 5 but the laps that the timers announced were inaccurate apparently. I'm okay with this effort even though it is slower than my PR for the distance. It was hot and humid - no excuses - but it was a solid result given the disappointment of the one mile race. I would like to try again, either on a flat one mile stretch or another track, but I won't have the chance and it is time to begin focusing on marathon training for New York City. Maybe next year Shawn and I will achieve our goal.

Stroller no death knell to fast times for D.C. dad

Posted on RunWashington by Charlie Ban  August 1, 2018 at 11:03 am0 Comments

Kenny Ames with son, Miles. Photo: Courtesy of Ames

The College Park 5k didn’t feel like any race I had run before. Sure there were cones, a course, other runners and a starting line, but right behind that starting line, my son Miles was sitting in our running stroller.

It wasn’t that long ago that Saturday mornings meant an early wake up for long runs with my club, followed by brunch, a nap, then hitting the bars at night. Now, I ‘m up just as early but it is to turn on Elmo and Sesame Street for Miles, while my wife and I get a little more sleep. Then we hit the road for a run, me pushing him.

For years, running was the center of my world, the activity by which all others were planned. But now there is a new balance in my life as a father to a toddler. I still need my daily run, my “me time.” At 41, I still have some PRs left in me, but the trick is carving out time for training that doesn’t include me using half a day each weekend. These last two years have challenged my creativity, deal-making, and compromising skills. Stroller racing is one of these compromises.

In a running career that has spanned 43 marathons in 27 different states and scores of races of shorter distances, it had come to this: my first stroller race, a low-key 5K that I only decided to run a few days earlier. If it went well, I would sign up for the Capitol Hill Classic 10K. What made the College Park 5K appealing was its separate stroller division and a 30-second head start on the untethered runners.

On race morning, Miles woke up at his normal time, right around 6 a.m. I had packed his bag with a spare outfit, made sure there were plenty of diapers, a sippy cup, some crackers, sunscreen and a hat to protect the fair skin of my redheaded child and a few toys. At the start line, my entire running career flashed through my mind as I remembered:

• My first marathon, the 2004 Marine Corps, and how I was fortunate to even finish on such little training.
• Countless long runs starting at Iwo Jima on Saturday mornings.
• My trip to Pocatello, Idaho, where I finally qualified for Boston after seven years and 16 marathons
• My first Boston Marathon –  nearly 90 degrees
• My first sub-3 marathon in Houston 
• The long run I took all by myself along the Capital Crescent Trail, wondering all the while about my wife’s pregnancy test
• The birth of my son and what that would mean for my training and racing going forward

I couldn’t throw up my hands and not find the time to run. I believe that you make time for the things that are important, no exceptions. To me, family, work and running are my constants. It would just take planning.

I’ve had to give up parts of my training regimen I enjoyed: Saturday long runs with the D.C. Road Runners, early morning weekday workouts, but I’ve found that I am still able to log 80-90 miles a week pushing Miles to his daycare in the stroller and then running to work in Bethesda from home in Brookland. On the weekends, I can get out for 90-120 minutes during his nap.

It hasn’t affected my speed. In March at the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC. .Marathon, I led a group of three friends, all parents. I broke 3:00 for the second time, surprising even my wife. It was extremely gratifying to run such a steady race at even pace.

In College Park, two guys with strollers ran out ahead and I settled into third. Soon, I caught up to one of the strollers and passed him. The rest of the race, I ran steady, but mostly alone. I placed second in the stroller division and 7th out of 101 overall. And, Miles had a great time, even yelling “yay” as we finished.

I felt torn – I enjoyed the race with Miles but also wanted to see how much speed I still have left, now that I am in my 40s. How much longer will it last before my eventual decline?

I decided to run the Capitol Hill Classic where the stroller racers start behind all of the runners. I couldn’t recall ever being so far back at a race other than Boston or New York Marathon. The first mile was slow. I was very cautious not to run over anyone. The second mile, we were dodging quite a few runners. We would surge when we saw an opening then slow if our path was blocked or go to the side of the road to find a lane. I heard quite a few comments of encouragement or amazement that we were passing so many runners. The spectators were great and pointing out that I was a dad running with a stroller.

Before the race, we practiced saying “beep beep.” I thought it was cute for Miles to say as we passed people to politely let them know. One guy said as I was passing him that I was a hero to Miles. I am guessing that between the crowded start, the dodging, and the added weight of a diaper bag, it slowed me at least a minute a mile. We finished in 45:15, 93rd place out of 1,897 runners. I think I was the first stroller to finish. I’ll claim first (unofficially).

While I ran 7 minutes slower than my PR for the 10K, it was still quite rewarding. I didn’t feel any pressure to set a personal best or push myself. I only wanted to finish ahead of all the other strollers – that competitive spirit is still alive and well.

Going forward, I look forward to more chances to race without my son, to test my limits again as a runner. But there will be more stroller races too. Given the time constraints of parenthood, I will only be able to get the time to run them if I bring Miles. And that’s ok. I expect that years from now a personal or age group record won’t mean as much to me as the miles I raced with Miles.

Kenny and Miles Ames at the College Park 5k

Project Breaking 5: Part 4 - the final speed work

Shawn and I hit the track one last time this morning prior to our attempt to break the 5 minute barrier for the mile Saturday night. We ran ladders in the sun and humidity, probably 80s felt 90s or worse. Shawn commented it was the worst weather he has experienced during our training. Of course, he was in New England during the week of July Fourth so he missed the last time it was sticky and soul-sapping like this morning. We hit some pretty impressive times regardless.

On the warm up to the track, I felt quite sluggish. Shawn was fresh since he ran only 4 miles Saturday night with his kids at the Bastille Day Four Miler and took off Sunday. My soreness was likely from the 10 on Saturday at midday in the heat in New Jersey and 8 on Sunday in New Jersey, but early in the morning and cooler. Oh, and the 17 yesterday which included 5 to daycare and 7 home in the morning and another 5 in the evening running Miles home. On the run home, there was a slight drizzle that cooled us off. And, a woman on a bicycle encouraged me as she passed on the MBT. I was singing the ABCs with Miles and she said, "Parenting, it's a marathon!" I responded, "It's not a sprint!" I got the thumbs up as she rode away.

At the track, we ran our initial lap of striders. Then we hit the ladder: 100/200/300/400/400/300/200/100 with jog rest. The jog rest varied so that it was long enough to recover but lined up so that we started and finished either at the start line, 100, or 200 (the 300 mark was unclear so I tried to have us avoid using it as a start/finish marker).

Our results: 16.6, 33.7, 53.9, 70.0, 69.9, 51.7, 33.9, 16.6. Shawn can take a second off for the middle times since he stayed out ahead of me. I figured we didn't need to hit anything faster than my pace. In fact, 73-74 seconds per lap will accomplish our goal Saturday night. Tomorrow is an easy one hour run, Thursday will be a double getting Miles to and from daycare, and Friday will be an hour run. Then, rest Saturday morning (actually going to brunch for a friend's birthday) and maybe the pool in the afternoon after Miles' nap.

Then it will be showtime! I suspect I will run to and from the track as my warm up and cool down since it is at Dunbar. A friend in my club agreed to time us and shout out 200 meter splits. I figure we need 36-37 for every 200 to make this work. Even if we come in a few seconds over 5, we will be happy. But, I'm not going to start thinking of excuses now - not when all of our workouts show us capable of getting in under 5.

If you want to come watch, the meet is hosted by our club, DC Road Runners Club, and will be a lot of fun. Our heat is scheduled for 6:15, the Masters Mile Men (must run under 10:00).

Project Breaking 5: Part 3 - Birthday Edition

How does a normal person celebrate their birthday? Probably with a big lunch and dinner, hopefully with some cake and ice cream, and drinks. While that all sounds good, I celebrate my birthday by running. Specifically, running tough workouts. Last year I ran 12 total miles and for the workout did 40 reps of 40 seconds on and 40 seconds off. The year before, I ran 11 miles (not sure why I didn't run 12 for the 12th) and did the 5,4,3,4,3,2,3,2,1 fartlek. In 2015, I raced a marathon on my birthday.

Today I ran 12 total miles. For the workout, I ran 12 reps of 200 meters with 600 meters slow jog. Shawn joined me and we really kept up a solid pace. It was helpful that the weather wasn't as humid - a cool breeze kept us feeling fresh. It probably also helped that we were pacing each other. At times, we weren't sure which one of us was pushing the pace. But, we very pleased with our effort.

Workout: Warm up, 1 lap of striders, 12x200 meters with 600 easy jog, cool down.

Pace = 34.8/36.3/35.3/35.6/35.6/35.2/35.3/34.8/34.5/34.9/34.8/31.5

We really sprinted that last repeat. Shawn said he was trying to keep up with me. I thought he was pushing the pace. Either way, we were winded - close to a 4:20 mile if we could hold that (we can't).

This was on the heels of Monday's fartlek. I ran Miles to daycare then ran home, extending it from the usual 5 miles to 7 to get in the work. It was 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 minutes on with equal rest of jogging. The paces were closer to half marathon and 10K pace than the mile, which was fine since I was mostly running up hill as I came home the MBT trail. There were two reps where I had to stop due to traffic, giving me extra rest.

With just over a week until the race, it feels like our sub 5 goal remains on pace. Next week we may do either 20 repeats of 100 meters or a ladder consisting of 100, 200, 300, 400, 400, 300, 200, 100 meters. I'm not sure of the rest on either yet.

For the rest of today, I hope there is cake somewhere. My wonderful and supportive wife gave me a Snickers this morning - my favorite candy bar that I never eat!

Project Breaking 5: Part 2

This week, I decided to run two speed workouts. Initially, I thought I should try to race a 5K on July 4 since there are so many races. But, it didn't fit into my scheduled plans for the rest of the day. Then, I thought I would run 12.5 laps around the track and call it a time trial 5K - see if I could get under 18 minutes. I would then run a second workout on Friday. However, I received advice from friends and a coach that shorter and faster workouts were better for my mile training. I decided to do two workouts - one on Tuesday and another on Friday.

On Tuesday, July 3, it was another hot day = 80s but it felt 90s with sun which made for a hazy, hot, and humid day! I warmed up with a run to the track then did one lap of striders. I took a moment after the striders to get my heart rate close to resting before diving into the meat of the workout:

12 x 200 meters with slow 200 meter jog. I needed the full 400 meters after the 8th rep. For the 9th rep and on, I ran clockwise. Time in seconds: 34.56 (4:48); 35.66 (4:57); 34.51 (4:48); 34.66 (4:49); 35.42 (4:55); 34.75 (4:50); 35:07 (4:30); 36:26 (5:02); 36:73 (4:43); 36:72 (4:22); 35.43 (4:33); 35:01 (4:29). The time in parenthesis are what my Garmin had for pace, but it was off so unreliable. The times are what matter and I felt I hit my times. I was planning to run 16 reps, but I shortened the reps to reflect the effort on the hot, tough day. It was the right call. I ran home as my cool down.

On Friday, I returned to the track. This time, I decided not to repeat Tuesday's workout, but instead I lengthened it to 400 meters with 6 reps (counterclockwise) and 3 laps easy jog (clockwise for the rest interval). The weather was much cooler as it started out with a brief drizzle and stayed overcast throughout the workout. The temperature was still in the 80s. Again, my warm up was run to the track then a lap of striders followed by resting to get my heart rate down. For the workout, I nailed my laps: 72.6, 71.6, 71.2, 73.9, 72.8, and 71.7. The 71.2 is my PR for one lap around the track! I ran my cool down home.

Shawn raced a 4.5 miler down the Cape on the Fourth. I noticed on Saturday he ran half mile repeats near mile pace. Maybe he saw that I did two workouts this week and didn't want to fall behind!

On Monday, I ran Miles to and from daycare in my Bob's Ironman stroller (love that stroller!), and Wednesday I also ran with him in the stroller on the Sligo Loop as I call it. Thursday I ran 12 on the Northeast Branch - I probably went further than desired. And this weekend, I took Miles out twice in the Bob's - once on the Sligo Loop again and this morning on the Klingle Zoo Loop. We hadn't visited the animals in the zoo for awhile. But, I am interested to see if all the running with Miles in the Bob's stroller has made me stronger and faster. So far, the results seem to show that it is helping.

Project Breaking 5; Part 1

Can I run a sub 5 minute mile? As a distance runner, I have never trained for a race less than 10K. That's not to say I don't race shorter distances, but when I do target races like a 5K or 5 miler, I never have done intervals to get my body ready for those distances. Instead, it is always incorporated as speed workout with the goal race usually a marathon a few weeks or longer after the race. But, I posed the challenge to myself - can I get my body in shape to break 5 minutes in a track race? As a long distance runner, I don't often run under 6 minutes a mile. For any race under 10K, I'm close to that 6 minute pace. I focus more on the marathon distance where my average pace is close to 7 minutes. If I'm having a great marathon, it's near 6:50.

I have two previous mile races as an adult: July 30, 3008, at the DC Road Runners Club track meet, I ran a respectable 5:24; and July 24, 2014, I shaved 11 seconds for a 5:13. I probably cost myself a few seconds by looking at my watch. To tackle this goal, I recruited my fellow running partner, Shawn. We both have run strong races this fall. And, the timing works out well as we both train for the New York City Marathon. Shawn is coming off a string of 5K races where he is setting personal records. I have raced three marathons so far this year and two stroller races and have been pleased with my results. A few weeks ago, we decided to try to break 5 minutes for the mile at the next DC Road Runners Club track meet, July 21 at Dunbar High School in D.C.

We devised a training plan: with about a month to train, we figured we needed to build up our speed by working on a track. McKinley Tech is just off the MBT and has a nice track. If we could train in high speed with long rest intervals, that could put us in shape to accomplish our goal. We started training on June 21; we ran to the track as our warm up; ran one lap broken up into four striders with equal rest. Then we ran 8 repeats of .2 according to Shawn's Garmin with half a mile slow jog. Our cool down was our run home. Our results were encouraging: 

4:52, 4:51, 4:47, 4:48, 4:53, 4:49, 4:45, and 4:27.

We were really pleased that each interval was under our target. That gave us the confidence that maybe we actually could pull off this feat. On Monday, we ran tempo since Shawn is trying to run 7.5 miles a week at speed (about 10% of his total mileage). On a day where I ran 12 total miles and he then ran to work after, we ran our infamous 3, 2, 1 = warm up, 3 miles marathon pace; 3 minutes standing rest; 2 miles marathon pace; 2 minutes standing rest; 1 mile marathon pace; 1 mile standing rest; cool down. Our results:

3 miles (6:48/45/40), 2 miles (6:49/35), 1 mile (6:40)

Yesterday, we did our second mile specific training session. We ran our warm up from our meeting spot by the Brookland Metro to McKinley Tech, then ran our 1 lap of four striders. This time, we ran longer with longer rest: 2 minutes at mile race pace and 1 mile of easy jog. Again, we were pleased with our effort:

4:53 (.42 miles), 4:53 (.42 miles), 4:53 (.42 miles), 5:00 (.40 miles)

Shawn's Garmin had us at 4:48, 4:49, 4:57, 4:43; .42/.42/.40/.42

The discrepancy could be for a number of reasons. Garmin isn't 100% accurate. He tended to run a step to my right possibly giving him a longer distance to travel. Yet, in the final lap, I passed and held him off, which was a good thing because he stated that he might have slowed had I not pushed the pace. I had decided with a lap to go I would make my move and try to hold on to mimic the final lap of the mile attempt. I felt it was the fastest mile which is why I was confused to see 5:00 on my watch but 4:43 on Shawn's. Either way, we're still on target.

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Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon - First Master, Second Overall

I continued my quest to run a marathon in every state by checking off South Dakota. Who would have thought I would finish both Dakotas before even starting the Carolinas?

I shared the lead for most of the race with Aaron Epps.

My friend Ken Swab convinced me to run this race a few months ago. I think it was in late fall that he dangled the idea to me and some of his other running friends. While they all were unable to make the trek, Ken had told me he was planning to go with his wife. So I talked to my wife and she had always wanted to visit Mount Rushmore. I was able to book our flight using my AmEx points, saving us roughly $1100 on airfare. And since Miles is still under 2, he can travel free as a lap child. We booked our hotel at the Lodge at Deadwood, the host hotel and where the expo is held. And soon after we booked, Ken had to back out.

Racing the Mickelson Trail

But my wife and I were looking forward to our first real vacation since our son was born: five days and four nights in South Dakota. When we landed, we went into Rapid City for a quick lunch. Then, we drove through the Badlands. We hit up Wall Drug and stopped for ice cream and the kitschiness. Then, we drove to Deadwood and checked into our hotel. Friday morning we found a small diner in town for breakfast. We toured Mount Rushmore, viewed Crazy Horse from the road, and drove Custer State Park, seeing bison along the road. We drove back to Deadwood through the Needles Highway. I picked up my packet Friday at the expo. I brought Miles and he loved running around the expo hall. Laura met us there then we went into town for dinner. I returned to the expo to look around before it closed, and met Jerry Dunn, "America's Marathon Man." He founded the race and has run more marathons in one year than I probably will run in my lifetime (200 in 2000)! He sold the race and no longer is race director, but he greets each runner as they finish in Deadwood.

Saturday we drove to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. When we returned, we took Miles to the indoor water park. For dinner, they didn’t really have great pasta options. The pasta dinner was expensive and the only sauce they had was meat sauce. The restaurant had a pasta special, but it had pork in it. They made me penne but their first try put cream sauce on it. They eventually got it right with the marinara sauce I wanted.

Waiting for the race to start

Moments before gun time

It was cold at the start, so some runners climbed the small hill next to the staging area to find the sun to stay warm. I dressed and lathered up for the race, did my warm-ups, and found the starting line. As a small race, I had time to research the competition. I was able to look up each male runner under the age of 45. Only one had a PR better than mine, Aaron Epps, and I quickly found him. I got it in my head that I should finish in the top five and even had a chance to win. Knowing the course was a gradual uphill for the first half and then a steep decline to the finish, I was prepared for a challenge. I thought a 7 minute pace would be fine, but I would realize that going up, 7:30s were more appropriate.

The first mile

Aaron and I chatted for much of the first half. A couple of other runners took off ahead of us. I fought the urge to catch them, knowing that they would likely come back to us. Since there was also a relay, I was careful not to be drawn into their pace. While the incline was never more than 3% (according to other runners and race officials), it was definitely something I noticed, so I ran on feel. If I could stay within myself and get close to the red line without going over, I would be in a good position. Aaron seemed to be quite relaxed. He said due to his job as a teacher on a reservation, he was only able to log 30 miles a week. I thought he might hit the wall, but when I learned his 2:58 was in 80 degree weather, I was decided his fade was highly unlikely. As we ran, one butterfly flew just ahead of us. We made a joke about being paced by a butterfly and not a rabbit.

Leading the race with Aaron

Around mile 10, Aaron announced he was going to stop at some point to relieve himself. I offered to wait, citing Des Linden, but he told me to go and that he hoped he would see me again. Around mile 12, he stopped and I kept going. For the next few miles, I felt great and concerned. I was feeling great because I had never led a marathon all by myself before, but I was concerned because I kept thinking I heard footsteps. I wasn’t sure if it was him or someone in the relay race. Just after the half, the uphills flattened and the downhill portion of the race began. Around mile 15, he caught me, taking advantage of gravity. We ran together for another couple of miles, but then my inner right groin started to ache. I got really worried and after a few minutes of discomfort, I announced I had to back off the pace and let him go. Worried that I might not be able to keep second place and first master’s, I slowed to a comfortable pace. I was starting to worry that I might not finish at all or would walk it in. Thankfully, as quickly as the pain hit, it was gone after a few minutes never to return. I think the switch from up to down hill aggravated it and am thankful that I was able to correct and it went away. However, I couldn’t find that early pace anymore - that gear was gone. With temperatures rising and less than eight miles to go, I was starting to stiffen.

Racing through the beautiful Black Hills

While I came through the first half in 1:38:15, I still hoped I could negative split. However, even with the downhill, it was going to be close. I would need a 1:36:44 in order to BQ again and keep my streak alive. Through the final miles, I passed several runners and walkers competing in the half. They were all very nice and encouraging. I tried not to show my discomfort as I shuffled on by and tried to finish strong. I’ve finished so many marathons. I really hoped I had a chance to catch Aaron. But, the only way that would happen was if he really hit a wall and would have to walk. I felt bad hoping for that since he is a nice guy and a good runner. But, I kept on at the pace I could handle just in case there was a chance.

Relying on an aid station

As I went through the aid station near mile 14, the volunteers handing out the water were adolescents. I appreciate all volunteers, but they were confused as I approached because they didn't hold the cups out so I could grab and go. I started to panic and just grabbed a cup on the table - but it wasn't water or Gatorade, it was full of M&Ms! Normally, that would be an awesome surprise, but since I wasn't going to stop and go back, it meant I went without liquid for four miles since the aid stations were about two miles apart.

Finished!

Even if I didn’t have to slow down and let him go with about nine miles remaining, I am not sure how much longer I could have stayed with him. Maybe I would have come in under 3:15, but I am pretty certain he would have out kicked me. He’s 28, a solid 12 years younger. It would have been fun to get to the final few miles with him and challenge each other. It also would have been fun to lead the race the last few miles and hear the roar of the crowd had I been in position to win the race outright.

As I cross the finish 

As I approached the finish line, the crowd was great in cheering me on as I was announced as second place overall. I shook Jerry’s hand and bent on my knees to catch my breath. I hadn’t been this tired after a marathon in quite a while.

Thanks, Jerry, let me catch my breath!

I’m thrilled to have placed second overall. For my efforts, I received my finisher’s medal, a fleece blanket, and a subscription to Trail Runner. As I was looking to leave, I was called back to the awards tent. I had also won the Road Runners Club of America State Championship Master Division for South Dakota! That was a pleasant surprise and I received another medal - two for one race. That has me looking at the calendar for future opportunities to collect state championships. I think I will aim for some smaller races in states I haven’t run. While I do like a good big race, I also love the feeling of finishing at the top and in a position to claim a prize, or perhaps finally win a marathon!

A proper finishing photo with Jerry Dunn, "America's Marathon Man" and Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon founder

Receiving my award for winning the master's division - with race director, Emily Schulz-Wheeler

Spilts: 6:43/7:15/7:19/7:23/7:36/7:29/7:31/7:32/7:41/7:35/7:51/7:49/7:46/ 7:09/6:51/7:09/7:20/7:17/7:54/8:06/7:37/7:45/7:44/7:51/8:16/7:46/ 6:36 (1:35 final .24)
Positive split of about 90 seconds - I hoped with such a downhill second half that I could have run a negative split.

Race results

It was also fun to make it into the local newspapers. From the Rapid City Journal:

On the men's side, Aaron Epps from St. Francis won the marathon in 3:11:28. Kenny Ames finished second in 3:17:47, Chris Riley was third (3:20:27), Michael Immer was fourth (3:20:33) and James Mullen (3:20:54 took fifth in what was a competitive race for third.

Race results

Deadwood/Mickelson - Marathon Female RRCA Awards List ============================================================================= FEMALE RRCA OPEN ============================================================================= Place No. Name Town Sta Age Sex Cou Time ===== ====== ======================== ============== === === === === ======= 1 43 Elise Durgin Saint Paul MN 26 F US 3:33:10 ============================================================================= FEMALE RRCA MASTER (AGE 40 - 99) ============================================================================= Place No. Name Town Sta Age Sex Cou Net Tim ===== ====== ======================== ============== === === === === ======= 1 146 Tracy Meyerson Wilmington NC 54 F US 4:10:29 ============================================================================= FEMALE RRCA GRAND MASTER (AGE 50 - 99) ============================================================================= Place No. Name Town Sta Age Sex Cou Net Tim ===== ====== ======================== ============== === === === === ======= 1 203 Robin Schrempp Box Elder SD 53 F US 4:22:14 ============================================================================= FEMALE RRCA SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60 - 99) ============================================================================= Place No. Name Town Sta Age Sex Cou Net Tim ===== ====== ======================== ============== === === === === ======= 1 222 Susan Talon Berwick ME 60 F US 5:06:58 Deadwood/Mickelson - Marathon Male RRCA Awards List ============================================================================= MALE RRCA OPEN ============================================================================= Place No. Name Town Sta Age Sex Cou Time ===== ====== ======================== ============== === === === === ======= 1 49 Aaron Epps Saint Francis SD 28 M US 3:11:29 ============================================================================= MALE RRCA MASTER (AGE 40 - 99) ============================================================================= Place No. Name Town Sta Age Sex Cou Net Tim ===== ====== ======================== ============== === === === === ======= 1 8 Kenny Ames Washington DC 40 M US 3:17:47 ============================================================================= MALE RRCA GRAND MASTER (AGE 50 - 99) ============================================================================= Place No. Name Town Sta Age Sex Cou Net Tim ===== ====== ======================== ============== === === === === ======= 1 168 Bill Owens Springfield IL 56 M US 3:31:09 ============================================================================= MALE RRCA SENIOR GRAND MASTER (AGE 60 - 99) ============================================================================= Place No. Name Town Sta Age Sex Cou Net Tim ===== ====== ======================== ============== === === === === ======= 1 154 Douglas Muellner Long Beach CA 60 M US 3:55:29



Deadwood Mickeleson Trail Marathon

Congratulations on finishing the 2018 Deadwood Marathon

Below are your individual results.

NAME:                            Kenny Ames 
OVERALL PLACE:                     2 
AGE GROUP:                       M4044 
AGE GROUP PLACE:                 1 /   20 
FINISH TIME:                     3:17:47 
HALF MARATHON SPLIT:             1:38:25 
PER MILE PACE:                    7:33 
For complete event results, please visit:
http://onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=20721

A celebratory beer!

27 down and 23 to go!

I don't know what my next state will be. For 2018, I have already raced three marathons and only the New York City Marathon is on my calendar right now. I am planning to shift gears (no, really) and train for short distance races, a one miler and 5K, for the summer. In August, I plan to start NYC Marathon training. I look forward to checking off my next state - whatever it may be!