A few of my running friends and I have read the articles circulating about the inaccuracies of GPS watches. It is not uncommon to run a marathon and log 26.4 miles or a ten miler in 10.3 or a 5K at 3.2 miles. Runners World wrote about this issue and here is a second article. The basic idea article to the Hampton Rockfest piece is:
"A GPS measurement is often not nearly as accurate as a wheel measured course. The normal wrist-held or recreational devices are accurate to anywhere from 3 meters to 10 meters 95% of the time causing them to often report longer distances on an accurate measured course. There are many other issues that prevent a GPS measurement to be as accurate."
For my running, that means that often my GPS is close, but not 100% accurate. When I started running, GPS watches were just starting to catch on with runners. I remember early long runs training with a particular group because my friend Dave had GPS technology. I'd ask how fast each mile was. Eventually, I invested and bought my first GPS watch, which did help my times since I was able to measure time, distance, and pace. Remarkably, I only have had two GPS watches: the Garmin Forerunner 205 and Garmin Forerunner 405. The 405 is likely on its last legs, but until I need a new one, I'm fine with it.
I did start to rely too much on the technology. In the Columbus Marathon, I ran through an urban canyon (tall buildings) and lost signal so it displayed a slower pace. I picked up the pace and since it was early in the race, that likely cost me later as I would have been better off trusting myself. Now, I only use my Garmin for long runs, speed work, races, or runs where I don't know the route. When I have measured several routes through online mapping tools so I know the distance and can simply run without worrying about pace. At the Chicago Marathon, the same thing happened, but I knew better this time from my experience.
Knowing how the watches really work, for my next marathon scheduled for Sunday at Houston, I won't get discouraged when I see the mile record on my watch meters before the marker on the course. Previously, I assumed I wasn't running the tangents well and was adding too much by going to get water or deviating. Now that I know, I can relax and trust my pace and my training. Remember, with regard to the GPS: it's more of a guideline than a rule.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Running Recap of 2015
2015 was arguably my best year so far. In addition to running the most miles in a calendar year - over 3076 miles in over 420 hours according to Strava - I added yoga to my routine and revamped my strength training exercises. I started training with a new coach, Ryan Vail, who added more speed during my long runs (tempo-long-tempo, fast finish, and Hansons Brothers workout. We also got away from the track (mostly) and replaced it with longer tempo workouts. Below are a few numbers to quantify 2015:
Miles run = 3076 (previous high = 2500)
New 5K PR = 18:22 (previously 18:34)
Fourth overall in Langley 8K
First place DCRRC Snowball Series age group 35-39
Second overall Prospect Park Spring Run (Bachelor Party weekend in Brooklyn)
Set then PR New Jersey Marathon = 3:04:01
First place age group and ninth overall Mad Marathon in Vermont on my 38th birthday
Course PR Leesburg 20K = 1:23:53
Set PR = 3:00:58 at Bismarck, ND Marathon and finished first age group and seventh overall
Course PR = 3:12:47 at NYC Marathon
Second place age group Morris Township Turkey Trot 5K = 18:31
Broke 40 on the tough Bread Run 10K
I added three more states towards my 50 state goal.
Completed = CA, VA, MD, PA, OH, NY, RI, ID, GA, MA, MN, UT, WV, DE, MI, AL, WA, IL, OK, NJ, VT, ND. So far for 2016, I am registered for Houston and Boston. I haven't picked my other marathons just yet.
2015 was indeed a great year for running, and I am hopeful for 2016 to be a solid year as well. Next up is the Houston Marathon on January 17, 2016.
Miles run = 3076 (previous high = 2500)
New 5K PR = 18:22 (previously 18:34)
Fourth overall in Langley 8K
First place DCRRC Snowball Series age group 35-39
Second overall Prospect Park Spring Run (Bachelor Party weekend in Brooklyn)
Set then PR New Jersey Marathon = 3:04:01
First place age group and ninth overall Mad Marathon in Vermont on my 38th birthday
Course PR Leesburg 20K = 1:23:53
Set PR = 3:00:58 at Bismarck, ND Marathon and finished first age group and seventh overall
Course PR = 3:12:47 at NYC Marathon
Second place age group Morris Township Turkey Trot 5K = 18:31
Broke 40 on the tough Bread Run 10K
I added three more states towards my 50 state goal.
Completed = CA, VA, MD, PA, OH, NY, RI, ID, GA, MA, MN, UT, WV, DE, MI, AL, WA, IL, OK, NJ, VT, ND. So far for 2016, I am registered for Houston and Boston. I haven't picked my other marathons just yet.
2015 was indeed a great year for running, and I am hopeful for 2016 to be a solid year as well. Next up is the Houston Marathon on January 17, 2016.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
An Amazing Long Run on the Capital Crescent Trail
Many times, I write about accomplishments in races, but this post is an accomplishment of the beauty of nature. In order to experience the breathtaking sight in store for me, I had to be at a specific spot, and I was since my wife and I had to be somewhere at 10AM. That meant I had to be home by 9:15 AM and showered and ready to go by 9:35/40. In order to get in my long run, I had to wake up at 5 AM and be out the door by 5:45AM. Normally, I like to start my solo long runs by the Department of Labor since I take a Capital Bikeshare from the Brookland Metro down the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Louisiana Avenue and park at the station at the base of the Mall, just a few steps from the Capitol.
I was able to start my long run around 6:15 by running down the Mall in the dark towards Georgetown. There were a few other runners on the road, and I greeted them with a wave or a smile and nod or a "Good morning!" Once passed the Washington Monument, I actually had to stop for a few cars before crossing 17th Street, running by the WWII and Lincoln Memorials, and then passed the Kennedy Center. In Georgetown, I ran by the boat house and the water front, under the Whitehurst Freeway, and finally onto the Capital Crescent Trail.
I figure I was on my fourth mile of a twenty miler with the turnaround ten miles out somewhere in Bethesda as the sun began to rise giving me a real treat: the sun reflected off the cold water of the Potomac that must have been right near freezing temperature. It created a cool fog and the bit of sunlight that shone hit off the cool fog to create an effect as someone had filled the path with dry ice. The sunlight hit off it in interesting angles and it was a sight I hope to remember for a long time. About ninety minutes later when I was on my way back, the sun had risen and the whole area was still engulfed in the fog giving it a different feel and look. It was similar to before, but this time it was fully lit.
When I was younger, my mother used to tell me that the sunbeams through the clouds were divine signs telling us everything was going to be okay. I remembered this and hoped that the message was true: that it was as if G-d himself was telling me that everything was going to be all right, that my wish had been granted, and that there was nothing to worry about. I hope so.
Most runs I post about involve races, how fast I ran, where I placed, interesting tidbits - but this time I wanted to share about a regular long run and the gift nature gave me this morning.
I was able to start my long run around 6:15 by running down the Mall in the dark towards Georgetown. There were a few other runners on the road, and I greeted them with a wave or a smile and nod or a "Good morning!" Once passed the Washington Monument, I actually had to stop for a few cars before crossing 17th Street, running by the WWII and Lincoln Memorials, and then passed the Kennedy Center. In Georgetown, I ran by the boat house and the water front, under the Whitehurst Freeway, and finally onto the Capital Crescent Trail.
I figure I was on my fourth mile of a twenty miler with the turnaround ten miles out somewhere in Bethesda as the sun began to rise giving me a real treat: the sun reflected off the cold water of the Potomac that must have been right near freezing temperature. It created a cool fog and the bit of sunlight that shone hit off the cool fog to create an effect as someone had filled the path with dry ice. The sunlight hit off it in interesting angles and it was a sight I hope to remember for a long time. About ninety minutes later when I was on my way back, the sun had risen and the whole area was still engulfed in the fog giving it a different feel and look. It was similar to before, but this time it was fully lit.
When I was younger, my mother used to tell me that the sunbeams through the clouds were divine signs telling us everything was going to be okay. I remembered this and hoped that the message was true: that it was as if G-d himself was telling me that everything was going to be all right, that my wish had been granted, and that there was nothing to worry about. I hope so.
Most runs I post about involve races, how fast I ran, where I placed, interesting tidbits - but this time I wanted to share about a regular long run and the gift nature gave me this morning.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
The Final Marathon of 2015 - NYC
I ran the 2015 NYC Marathon because I had earned a spot by fundraising for the canceled 2012 marathon in the wake of (Super?) Hurricane Sandy. Since the options were to run the 2013 NYC Half or the 2013, 2014, or 2015 Marathon, I chose 2015 since in 2013 I was committed to Detroit, 2014 I thought I might run Marine Corps (ran Chicago), thus leaving 2015. It is hard to believe it has been three years already!
On the heels of three very successful marathons this year (3:04 in April in New Jersey; 3:17 in July at the hot and hilly Mad Marathon in Vermont; 3:00 in Bismarck), I had high hopes for NYC. When one of my running buddies broke 3:00 at Marine Corps the Sunday prior to my race, my competitive juices were stirred and I had visions of going sub 3:00 in NYC. But, it didn't happen. I ran a respectable 3:12, 14 minutes faster than the 3:26 I raced the course in 2010.
My race preparations went fine. I felt mostly recovered from Bismarck. At the Army Ten Miler, I ran a solid 64, but that was only once I determined I couldn't get under 63 and backed off. Maybe that should have served as an indicator. Yet, my speed workouts during training went fine, especially my 3, 2, 1 at 6:30 eleven days before the race. My taper was fine - I was good to go.
Laura and I traveled up after work on Friday the 30th and stayed with her folks in New Jersey. In the morning, I went for a shakeout run, ate breakfast, showered, and then was dropped off at the bus which took me into the Port Authority. From there, I visited the expo. I did run into someone I had met in DC at a meeting - quite the small world! For the afternoon, I met up with my friend John and his girlfriend for lunch at a famous (?) Italian restaurant across from their building. He has quite the view of the city - we could see into Central Park and spot the finish line. I then took the subway to Brooklyn where I was spending the night at my friend's place. Since it was Halloween, they were giving out candy before taking their son out. Laura and her folks met me and my friend Adam at a local Italian restaurant that was really good. Adam and I hung out for a bit and chatted before I went to bed early.
In the morning, I wake up naturally at the right time since I had gained an extra hour as the clocks fell back to regular time (can we get rid of DST please?). A short Uber ride took me to JackRabbit Sports - I had paid $20 for a bus, bag check, and place to gather after the race at PS 87. The bus eventually arrived just after 6AM (we were told to get there between 5 and 6AM), and then the bus driver started going the wrong way. Her directions were to go the Holland Tunnel into New Jersey and then onto Staten Island. The bus nearly revolted and she eventually agreed to get on the BQE and drive over the Verrazano Narrows, which is what we wanted in the first place.
At the runner's village, I found a spot and took a nap for about an hour. I was rested and felt pretty good. At 8:00AM, I began applying lube and getting ready to line up in my corral. In line for my final pit stop, I chatted with a nice guy from Tel Aviv. He gave me his cap with Hebrew lettering, but I had to toss that in the second mile since it was so warm. In the corral, I ran into a guy who had run track at Stonehill College in Easton. I also ran into a runner from my running club who is older and injured - I had no idea how he snuck up to the front. On the base of the bridge, we waited as they sung the anthem and held the opening ceremonies. I have no idea how I got so close to the start line - I didn't push or try - I simply followed the crowd from my wave. There were some folks with high number bibs indicating they weren't in the proper wave, but I wasn't there to call them out for that. In fact, some guys from Italy were taking their pictures and I got them to take one of me and email it.
Once the race started, I thought I was being very smart. The first mile up the bridge was 7:15 and I was in control. The second mile was 6:20, but that was just because it was a downhill. It was in the third mile where I tried to settle in and ran into Adam from my running club. We chatted a bit, but he fell back as he was recovering from an injury and this was his first marathon in quite sometime. Around the four mile mark, I began to worry that something was wrong - I was sweating more than I thought I would this early and my legs didn't feel completely fresh. For the next few miles, I tried positive imagery and telling myself everything was fine. I took my first Gu at the fifth mile and when I hit the 10K and 15K I was telling myself that I was fine.
My run through Brooklyn was more of a struggle than I admitted at the time. I passed near where Chris and Gwen live around mile 8-9, but I didn't see them. When the 3:00 pacer passed me at the 11th mile, I tried to hold for a bit, but I couldn't. I hit the halfway point in 1:31 and thought that if I lost only five minutes on the second half, I would be in really good shape. Queens went fine, but then I hit the Queensboro Bridge where I lost nearly two minutes. It is a long, tough bridge, but I ran it correctly judging by effort and not pace. I told myself that when I hit Manhattan, the rush of the crowd would inspire me to run a good final ten miles. That was almost the case.
I ran down First Avenue and heard my friend David and Mary calling my name and ran to them. I needed their cheering which helped me refocus out of a bad mental place. That got me to about the 18th mile where the 3:05 pacer passed me. I was fine with that as I readjusted my goals for a BQ and sub 3:10. I actually handled the Bronx pretty well as I got a boost of energy. And, at mile 22, I thought I was going to come in under 3:10 since I just needed to hold a 7:30 for the final four miles. I felt that was entirely possible until I hit the slow, long hill that is the 23rd mile that leads to Central Park. That's where I lost all hope as my legs couldn't turnover anymore and my pace slowed a couple of minutes. The 3:10 pacers passed and that was the end of my race. In the park, I was able to toss in a few surges and a final push to get in under 3:13, but my race was over. I felt ill and needed a medical person to walk with me for five minutes before I felt well enough to continue on my own.
It took me quite a long time to get my poncho, get out of the park, find the meeting spot, and then hail an Uber to take me to the pub to meet Laura and friends. In addition to walking slow, I had two Ubers cancel on me. Normally, I would have walked the 1.3 miles, but I was tired and just wanted to get to the restaurant quickly to see my friends. It was nice to see our New York friends.
Race stats.
On the heels of three very successful marathons this year (3:04 in April in New Jersey; 3:17 in July at the hot and hilly Mad Marathon in Vermont; 3:00 in Bismarck), I had high hopes for NYC. When one of my running buddies broke 3:00 at Marine Corps the Sunday prior to my race, my competitive juices were stirred and I had visions of going sub 3:00 in NYC. But, it didn't happen. I ran a respectable 3:12, 14 minutes faster than the 3:26 I raced the course in 2010.
My race preparations went fine. I felt mostly recovered from Bismarck. At the Army Ten Miler, I ran a solid 64, but that was only once I determined I couldn't get under 63 and backed off. Maybe that should have served as an indicator. Yet, my speed workouts during training went fine, especially my 3, 2, 1 at 6:30 eleven days before the race. My taper was fine - I was good to go.
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| Welcome to the NYC Marathon Expo! |
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| In the expo |
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| Famous Patsy's? Pre Marathon lunch. |
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| Central Park from John's building |
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| Can you spot the finish line? |
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| Johns Hopkins graduates in NYC |
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| Looking forward to a great race! |
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| Outside of JackRabbit sports prior to boarding the bus |
At the runner's village, I found a spot and took a nap for about an hour. I was rested and felt pretty good. At 8:00AM, I began applying lube and getting ready to line up in my corral. In line for my final pit stop, I chatted with a nice guy from Tel Aviv. He gave me his cap with Hebrew lettering, but I had to toss that in the second mile since it was so warm. In the corral, I ran into a guy who had run track at Stonehill College in Easton. I also ran into a runner from my running club who is older and injured - I had no idea how he snuck up to the front. On the base of the bridge, we waited as they sung the anthem and held the opening ceremonies. I have no idea how I got so close to the start line - I didn't push or try - I simply followed the crowd from my wave. There were some folks with high number bibs indicating they weren't in the proper wave, but I wasn't there to call them out for that. In fact, some guys from Italy were taking their pictures and I got them to take one of me and email it.
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| This is how close I was to the start line. The gun went off five minutes later. |
Once the race started, I thought I was being very smart. The first mile up the bridge was 7:15 and I was in control. The second mile was 6:20, but that was just because it was a downhill. It was in the third mile where I tried to settle in and ran into Adam from my running club. We chatted a bit, but he fell back as he was recovering from an injury and this was his first marathon in quite sometime. Around the four mile mark, I began to worry that something was wrong - I was sweating more than I thought I would this early and my legs didn't feel completely fresh. For the next few miles, I tried positive imagery and telling myself everything was fine. I took my first Gu at the fifth mile and when I hit the 10K and 15K I was telling myself that I was fine.
My run through Brooklyn was more of a struggle than I admitted at the time. I passed near where Chris and Gwen live around mile 8-9, but I didn't see them. When the 3:00 pacer passed me at the 11th mile, I tried to hold for a bit, but I couldn't. I hit the halfway point in 1:31 and thought that if I lost only five minutes on the second half, I would be in really good shape. Queens went fine, but then I hit the Queensboro Bridge where I lost nearly two minutes. It is a long, tough bridge, but I ran it correctly judging by effort and not pace. I told myself that when I hit Manhattan, the rush of the crowd would inspire me to run a good final ten miles. That was almost the case.
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| Photo credit David and Mary - they were a huge boost to my psyche |
I ran down First Avenue and heard my friend David and Mary calling my name and ran to them. I needed their cheering which helped me refocus out of a bad mental place. That got me to about the 18th mile where the 3:05 pacer passed me. I was fine with that as I readjusted my goals for a BQ and sub 3:10. I actually handled the Bronx pretty well as I got a boost of energy. And, at mile 22, I thought I was going to come in under 3:10 since I just needed to hold a 7:30 for the final four miles. I felt that was entirely possible until I hit the slow, long hill that is the 23rd mile that leads to Central Park. That's where I lost all hope as my legs couldn't turnover anymore and my pace slowed a couple of minutes. The 3:10 pacers passed and that was the end of my race. In the park, I was able to toss in a few surges and a final push to get in under 3:13, but my race was over. I felt ill and needed a medical person to walk with me for five minutes before I felt well enough to continue on my own.
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| And the award for worst race picture... |
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| Group shot |
Weather = high 50 degrees to start, 60s at the end, warmer and more humid than expected, started sweating early, overcast with some sun.
Final time = 3:12:47
Splits: 5K = 21:19; 10K = 42:42; 15K = 1:04:20; 20K = 1:26:13; 1/2 = 1:31:10; 25K = 1:49:10; 30K = 2:12:20; 35K = 2:36:33; 40K = 3:02:13
Final time = 3:12:47
Splits: 5K = 21:19; 10K = 42:42; 15K = 1:04:20; 20K = 1:26:13; 1/2 = 1:31:10; 25K = 1:49:10; 30K = 2:12:20; 35K = 2:36:33; 40K = 3:02:13
Results: Overall Place = 1708; Gender Place = 1557; Age Place = 301
Next up: TBD
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Army Ten Miler - Midway Between Bismarck and NYC
The way the fall racing calendar shaped up, it was fortuitous that the Army Ten Miler fell three weeks after the Bismarck Marathon and three weeks prior to the New York City Marathon. Having PR-ed in Bismarck and coming close to breaking three hours, New York City is on my mind. The Army Ten Miler was a good opportunity to gage my recovery and preparations for NYC.
I met up with friend, Michael Rohlf; we share a mutual coach in Ryan Vail. In fact, Michael recommended him to me. Our plan was to race together. I found him in the starting chute. We stayed together for the first two miles, going out in 6:15. We were to go out 6:20-15, and in the third mile, I had to back off as there was an incline and I felt that I wasn't 100% fresh. I decided to back off from PR pace and just run what I was able on this day. It turned out to be the smart choice. I held it together over the rolling hills of the 14th Street Bridge. With about a mile to go, another runner encouraged me by saying I would start the finishing kick to pace him and then he'd pace me to the end. He said we'd have to run under a six minute mile. In my head, I said okay and did kick a sub six minute final mile to get me across the finish line in 64:04. While not a personal best (63:11 at Cherry Blossom 2014), it was a course PR (65:32 in 2011).
Race Mile Splits = 6:15/15/31/10/26/34/32/28/28/5:57 (31 seconds for the final .10 in 5:20 pace). I ran four miles of warm up and six miles of cool down to get twenty miles on the day.
With NYC two weeks away (from when I write this), I'm feeling pretty good. I wish my confidence were higher, but when you constantly feel sore, it is hard to feel confident. Plus, I battled a cold this week and think it is on its way out. My coach said I will be fine come race day - at some point, I just have to trust myself and my training. Yesterday, I ran sixteen miles with three miles at marathon pace. Today was an off day. Next Sunday I get to go volunteer at the Marine Corps Marathon and hand out water with my club at the tenth water stop - just as the runners come back into Virginia near Pentagon City. I always love the energy and can't wait to run another marathon. I'm sure I'll be ready to run a great race in NYC!
I met up with friend, Michael Rohlf; we share a mutual coach in Ryan Vail. In fact, Michael recommended him to me. Our plan was to race together. I found him in the starting chute. We stayed together for the first two miles, going out in 6:15. We were to go out 6:20-15, and in the third mile, I had to back off as there was an incline and I felt that I wasn't 100% fresh. I decided to back off from PR pace and just run what I was able on this day. It turned out to be the smart choice. I held it together over the rolling hills of the 14th Street Bridge. With about a mile to go, another runner encouraged me by saying I would start the finishing kick to pace him and then he'd pace me to the end. He said we'd have to run under a six minute mile. In my head, I said okay and did kick a sub six minute final mile to get me across the finish line in 64:04. While not a personal best (63:11 at Cherry Blossom 2014), it was a course PR (65:32 in 2011).
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| Michael and I celebrating our race. He wore DCRRC singlet and I wore my company's running shirt, Fireside21. |
Race Mile Splits = 6:15/15/31/10/26/34/32/28/28/5:57 (31 seconds for the final .10 in 5:20 pace). I ran four miles of warm up and six miles of cool down to get twenty miles on the day.
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| My result |
Sunday, September 27, 2015
I Ran a 3 Hour (and 58 seconds) Marathon!!!
Why is it that in retrospect I feel like I left a sub 3:00 marathon on the course of the 2015 Bismarck Marathon? Is it because I believe I can always run faster and that is my constant motivation? Is it that I forget how sore and I tight I was during the last 10K? Or, am not as mentally tough as I need to be to grind out 6:50 miles toward the end?
After talking with my coach, Ryan Vail, the answer appears to be that I ran the best race I could on that day. I have trouble giving myself credit for running a 6:59 26th mile and a 1:10 .2 (5:31 pace) that I needed to sneak in under 3:01, especially since mile 25 was a 7:35. I think back to the New Jersey Marathon where I was coming in around 3:01 until a wall of wind pushed me back along the shore yet held on for a 3:04:01 then-PR. If I am going to break 3:00 in a future marathon, I'm going to need to embrace the pain in the final 10K, own it, and use every bit of heart to accomplish my "Big Hairy Audacious Goal."
Bismarck, North Dakota, was a small but neat town to visit. The flight to Chicago from DCA was smooth. I had plenty of time at Chicago to get a Swedish massage and visit the yoga room to stretch out. I packet a lunch of pasta and garlic bread I downed before boarding. The plane to Bismarck was tiny with only three seats total in a row - one on one side and two on the other. I had a whole row to myself and read my book, League of Denial. I read Against Football by Steve Almond on our trip to Montreal and am now on a kick learning about the dangers of football.
It was an easy city to get from place to place. I had no trouble navigating from the airport to the packet pick-up on the state capitol grounds in the North Dakota Heritage Center. It was a really cool museum that I visited after the race. At the packet pick-up, the former wife of ex-Rep. Earl Pomeroy handed me my bib and we chatted about Capitol Hill. The expo was as small as I have seen - basically just get your bib, shirt, and swag. The capitol was interesting and unlike any seat of government had seen as there was a "skyscraper" where the legislators had offices. I took a self guided "tour" of each of the chambers and even saw a portrait of a famous North Dakotan, Herman Stern, who is the great grandfather of a fellow toastmaster. After, I checked into my hotel, rested and assembled my gear, then went to the restaurant The Walrus for my pre-race meal. I sat alone at the bar, watched the college football game that was on, gorged on a plate of pasta and bread rolls as the bartender kept my water glass full. The place had an impressive selection of beer - very tempting, but I was there for running and the drinking would have to wait for post race.
Back at the hotel room, I was in bed early, as usual. In the morning, I was up 3:30 prior to race time. I ate my bagel and peanut butter, did my stretches in the room, and left for the race 90 minutes before the gun. I found the start of the race easy and was able to park my rental car within a short walk of the start. I had throw away pants that I was able to save so I can toss for the New York City Marathon on November 1. I toed the start line, heard the national anthem, and chatted with other runners. My bib number was the lowest I've ever worn (2), and the race announcer called out my name and that I am from D.C. and complimented my socks that profess my love of beer.
Most of the race I cannot recall. I held to my strategy of going out pretty even and holding a 6:45-55 pace. Miles 1-5 were routine as I settled into a zone and there were no other runners near me. I took my first Gu at 5. I know I ran over the Missouri River twice as the course took us into Mandan. I recall running through a few neighborhoods, past a golf course, by a few relay exchange staging posts, and along sidewalks. There were a few turnaround cones which I am not particularly fond of since the take you off your stride. I Gu-ed again at 10 and was holding a solid pace. Once I get to 10, I know I'm running well if I feel good going into the second 10 miles of the race. At the half, I hit the mark at 1:29:10 and still felt strong. I think around 15 I took my third Gu as I went back over the bridge and that took us on a path along the river for a few miles. I saw the first place winner coming back, so I knew there was another turnaround cone. I hit mile 20 feeling okay, but it was starting to become a struggle to hold pace.
The last 10K I may have lost focus. I was all alone running through a park and at times I wondered if I was lost since there were no cones and no one else near me in the race or to cheer me. I found the 23rd mile marker and knew I was okay. I tried to do math and figured I was coming in around 3:01 or 3:02. In retrospect, had I just tried to get back to a 6:50 mile for the last three, I would have broken 3:00. But, that deep into a race, the mind plays tricks on you. After 32 marathons, I should have known better - my future challenge to myself is to trust myself and just try to stay near pace and not get down or allow myself a reprieve.
When I hit the 25th mile marker, I recognized where we were and had some half runners to pass and volunteers to point the way. I could see the endgame and decided not to leave anything on the course. That's how I put down a 6:59 26th mile. I hit the .2 and could see the finish and sprinted. I don't know where that spring came from, but it saved me a 3:00 marathon and a big personal record (3:03 better than NJ). It was good for seventh overall and first in my age group 35-39 - that won me a sleek jacket. The award ceremony was at 1PM, and I finished just after 10:30 AM, so I went back to my hotel room, rested, showered, and got dressed to come back to collect my accolades.
After the race, I got lunch at Fireflour Pizza - it had great brick oven pizza and beer. I then wandered around their fall Street Fair which brought vendors from the whole region. I bought a few items including treats for Sammy. I also bought a postcard to send to my niece and nephew. I returned to the Heritage Center to buy a fridge magnet for my wife who collects them. It was then I enjoyed the offerings of the museum - fossils of dinosaurs, artifacts from Native Americans, and the history of the people of North Dakota.
At night, I took in the town by hitting up JL Beers which had great beers and burgers. While I chowed down on my black bean burger, I chatted with a young husband and wife - he was from Colorado and she was from Detroit - but her job in energy took them to Bismarck. They were good company.
I then went to Laughing Sun which had live music. My server, Michael, from Fireflour, said he was going to be there with his friends celebrating and I was welcome to join them. He was leaving to return to Tel Aviv to study for his graduate degree. There was live music and good conversation. For the nightcap, we wandered and found the speakeasy, but I was tired and ready for bed.
In the morning, I walked around the state capital again, went to the Blarney Stone for brunch and to watch the first half of the Patriots game in which they beat the Bills in Buffalo, then returned to the airport to fly back. I am quite pleased with my result and had a good time in Bismarck. I recommend that anyone looking for a small race that is well run should consider it.
Here is my Strava link to my splits and the leaderboard of the race results: 6:49/48/48/46/46/47/48/44/47/48/49/50/49/49/47/56/52/55/54/52/ 7:08/13/09/20/35/ 6:59/ 1:10 for final .2 (5:31 pace). I had to sprint from the mile 26 marker to make it in under 3:01. Overall, I am pleased with my race. It is nice to know that at 38 I am in the best shape of my life and hopefully getting fast.
After talking with my coach, Ryan Vail, the answer appears to be that I ran the best race I could on that day. I have trouble giving myself credit for running a 6:59 26th mile and a 1:10 .2 (5:31 pace) that I needed to sneak in under 3:01, especially since mile 25 was a 7:35. I think back to the New Jersey Marathon where I was coming in around 3:01 until a wall of wind pushed me back along the shore yet held on for a 3:04:01 then-PR. If I am going to break 3:00 in a future marathon, I'm going to need to embrace the pain in the final 10K, own it, and use every bit of heart to accomplish my "Big Hairy Audacious Goal."
Bismarck, North Dakota, was a small but neat town to visit. The flight to Chicago from DCA was smooth. I had plenty of time at Chicago to get a Swedish massage and visit the yoga room to stretch out. I packet a lunch of pasta and garlic bread I downed before boarding. The plane to Bismarck was tiny with only three seats total in a row - one on one side and two on the other. I had a whole row to myself and read my book, League of Denial. I read Against Football by Steve Almond on our trip to Montreal and am now on a kick learning about the dangers of football.
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| My lowest bib number ever! |
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| At the North Dakota State Capitol |
Back at the hotel room, I was in bed early, as usual. In the morning, I was up 3:30 prior to race time. I ate my bagel and peanut butter, did my stretches in the room, and left for the race 90 minutes before the gun. I found the start of the race easy and was able to park my rental car within a short walk of the start. I had throw away pants that I was able to save so I can toss for the New York City Marathon on November 1. I toed the start line, heard the national anthem, and chatted with other runners. My bib number was the lowest I've ever worn (2), and the race announcer called out my name and that I am from D.C. and complimented my socks that profess my love of beer.
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| Pre race - ready to do my job! |
Most of the race I cannot recall. I held to my strategy of going out pretty even and holding a 6:45-55 pace. Miles 1-5 were routine as I settled into a zone and there were no other runners near me. I took my first Gu at 5. I know I ran over the Missouri River twice as the course took us into Mandan. I recall running through a few neighborhoods, past a golf course, by a few relay exchange staging posts, and along sidewalks. There were a few turnaround cones which I am not particularly fond of since the take you off your stride. I Gu-ed again at 10 and was holding a solid pace. Once I get to 10, I know I'm running well if I feel good going into the second 10 miles of the race. At the half, I hit the mark at 1:29:10 and still felt strong. I think around 15 I took my third Gu as I went back over the bridge and that took us on a path along the river for a few miles. I saw the first place winner coming back, so I knew there was another turnaround cone. I hit mile 20 feeling okay, but it was starting to become a struggle to hold pace.
The last 10K I may have lost focus. I was all alone running through a park and at times I wondered if I was lost since there were no cones and no one else near me in the race or to cheer me. I found the 23rd mile marker and knew I was okay. I tried to do math and figured I was coming in around 3:01 or 3:02. In retrospect, had I just tried to get back to a 6:50 mile for the last three, I would have broken 3:00. But, that deep into a race, the mind plays tricks on you. After 32 marathons, I should have known better - my future challenge to myself is to trust myself and just try to stay near pace and not get down or allow myself a reprieve.
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| New PR 3:00:58!!! |
When I hit the 25th mile marker, I recognized where we were and had some half runners to pass and volunteers to point the way. I could see the endgame and decided not to leave anything on the course. That's how I put down a 6:59 26th mile. I hit the .2 and could see the finish and sprinted. I don't know where that spring came from, but it saved me a 3:00 marathon and a big personal record (3:03 better than NJ). It was good for seventh overall and first in my age group 35-39 - that won me a sleek jacket. The award ceremony was at 1PM, and I finished just after 10:30 AM, so I went back to my hotel room, rested, showered, and got dressed to come back to collect my accolades.
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| Won this jacket for winning my age group 35-39 and 7th Overall |
After the race, I got lunch at Fireflour Pizza - it had great brick oven pizza and beer. I then wandered around their fall Street Fair which brought vendors from the whole region. I bought a few items including treats for Sammy. I also bought a postcard to send to my niece and nephew. I returned to the Heritage Center to buy a fridge magnet for my wife who collects them. It was then I enjoyed the offerings of the museum - fossils of dinosaurs, artifacts from Native Americans, and the history of the people of North Dakota.
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| Dinosaurs! |
At night, I took in the town by hitting up JL Beers which had great beers and burgers. While I chowed down on my black bean burger, I chatted with a young husband and wife - he was from Colorado and she was from Detroit - but her job in energy took them to Bismarck. They were good company.
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| Black bean burger and flight of beers to sample |
I then went to Laughing Sun which had live music. My server, Michael, from Fireflour, said he was going to be there with his friends celebrating and I was welcome to join them. He was leaving to return to Tel Aviv to study for his graduate degree. There was live music and good conversation. For the nightcap, we wandered and found the speakeasy, but I was tired and ready for bed.
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| Michael is on my right and Whitney is waving. |
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| Liiiisssssa, pleeeease don't eeeeeat meeeee! |
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| Is there something behind me? |
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| T-Rex! |
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| Triceritops |
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| Top ten and made the leaderboard! |
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| My splits |
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Leesburg 20K - Tune Up for Fall Racing Season
Today's Leesburg 20K is a course that I just despise. It's a pretty center of town, but it is run mostly on the W&OD Trail on usually a warm day in August. It has a long incline that messes with your head. One of my earliest races in my running career was the Leesburg 20K in 2005; I went out too fast and paid dearly, stumbling in at 1:45. It took me many years to return, and when I finally did in 2012, I put up a solid 1:24:06. This year, off no taper except to take Saturday off and a starting temperature almost at 70 degrees, I am pleased that I had a solid race and came in just shy of 1:24 at 1:23:53, a course PR by 13 seconds.
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| The start of the race |
For those that are familiar with the course, the first two miles are around a shopping plaza, a neighborhood, and a school - not too much to see. It starts on a downhill making it tough to set proper pacing if you are not focused. I ran pretty smart the first two miles, holding a 6:44. My coach wanted me to hold a conservative pace in the 6:40s. My job was to judge the effort on the hills, try to run 6:30s on any flat segments, and stick to 6:20s on the downhills at the end. At around the two mile mark, it hops onto the W&OD Trail and goes up for about four miles. I began to get frustrated looking at my Garmin and noticing that my steady pace was dropping off as I struggled to keep it under 7. I dialed back to recall the Mad Marathon five weeks earlier and the strategy I employed: don't kill yourself on the uphill but survive and save it for he downhill. Survive then thrive.
In the sixth mile, it begins with a final push up and onto an overpass as we cross a highway then it loses elevation quickly. At the turnaround, the decline ends and another uphill begins, but that is the last uphill. I hit the 8th mile marker, finished that final ascent, took a moment to get my legs back, and began about a four mile dash to the finish, aided by the downhill. I passed a few guys along the way, including one that tried to keep pace and surged to meet me pace, but he faded. With a minute to go, I turned on the finishing kick, caught one more guy, and slipped in under 1:24. I was beat. My cool down effort was hampered by a cramp in my left midsection - a small price to pay for a solid effort on a hot day on a hilly course that I don't even like. Of course, sneaking away with a good race brings a smile to my face. And, on my way to my car, we passed a small brewery: the smell of beer brewing is a wonderful smell.
My splits and results:
6:43/44/54/7:01/7:17/6:42/42/7:11/6:42/22/21/05/ 3:09/5:53 (.54) 43:00/40:53 Split - Course personal record by 13 seconds. 25th male, 29th overall, 8th age group 35-39.
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| Around the first mile |
In the sixth mile, it begins with a final push up and onto an overpass as we cross a highway then it loses elevation quickly. At the turnaround, the decline ends and another uphill begins, but that is the last uphill. I hit the 8th mile marker, finished that final ascent, took a moment to get my legs back, and began about a four mile dash to the finish, aided by the downhill. I passed a few guys along the way, including one that tried to keep pace and surged to meet me pace, but he faded. With a minute to go, I turned on the finishing kick, caught one more guy, and slipped in under 1:24. I was beat. My cool down effort was hampered by a cramp in my left midsection - a small price to pay for a solid effort on a hot day on a hilly course that I don't even like. Of course, sneaking away with a good race brings a smile to my face. And, on my way to my car, we passed a small brewery: the smell of beer brewing is a wonderful smell.
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| Final kick in the last mile |
My splits and results:
6:43/44/54/7:01/7:17/6:42/42/7:11/6:42/22/21/05/ 3:09/5:53 (.54) 43:00/40:53 Split - Course personal record by 13 seconds. 25th male, 29th overall, 8th age group 35-39.
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| Finished! |
Also, solid efforts by Alex Albertini and Matt Anderson, both running the course for the first time.
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| A pin and a medal for my efforts (photo credit AA) |
I'm now five weeks from the Mad Marathon in Vermont and five weeks until the Bismarck, North Dakota Marathon (September 19). Also this fall's race calendar includes Army Ten Miler Columbus Day Weekend (October 11), New York City Marathon (November 1), and a Turkey Trot (TBD) on Thanksgiving. My work is participating in a 5K on October 3 to benefit the Children's Hospital (any interest in donating, please contact me), and I may run my gym's 5K in November. Plus, my club's Snowball Series commences with the Bread Run 10K and Gar Williams Half Marathon in December. It's a full fall calendar, so I hope I am able to run each of them well.
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