This is the second year I have run this race, and I really like it. The race is extremely family oriented. They have all sorts of stands for business, a couple of bounce houses, and shows after the race. I really like the kid karate show. Those kids are good. The race itself is good to. 100% flat course with a casual setting. There are not very many speedsters that show up, everybody is just there to have fun. There is also plenty of room to run. Nobody is bumping people over or yelling. The first aid station wasn't set up, so the first water stop was 3 miles in. I don't believe I heard a single person complain.
Today was the first time I can say I ran a half marathon where the hardest part of the race was the first 5K. I went out to go warm up before the race. I made it about 1/8 a mile before I realized there was no hope there, as I wouldn't be able to do much of anything anyway. That was it for my warm up. The first mile of the race was horrible. I was tight and breathing heavy at a slow pace. Nothing hurt, it was just not working right. Jodi was also running the race and she also ran the all night run Friday night/ Saturday morning. I am pretty sure I would have turned around after the first mile had I not know she was in front of me. She said she would be running over a 2:00 marathon. I figured if I could just keep 9:00 I would see her. That carrot worked for me through the second mile. Except, I didn't quite get the 9:00, but close enough 9:04. Mile 3 was a little better but it was still a bit hard to actually run and not walk. By the end of mile 3 I was feeling great. I had a 5 hour energy in my pack waiting for me at mile 5. I figured I could hold off until mile 7. I chilled with a couple of guys that where hoping for under 2:00. When I hit mile 5 I was starting to kinda feel it again. I decided to go ahead with the 5 hour energy as planned at the 5. It took about a mile to hit. Mile 7 I was back in the game and feeling great. I was keeping 8:30ish after this and it was feeling easy. The race was easy again. I wasn't going all out because I didn't want to hurt anything and because of the first 3 miles I was nowhere near doing anything cool. I decided to become a motivator. Every person I saw slowing down or walking, I'd get them back going and then take off until I found the next victim. This was a lot of fun. My favorite was the girl I saw in the last mile. She was doing well, but I could see that she could run faster. I told her to come on and she sped up. She stayed on me for the next 1/2. One part of me was ready to take off, but that wasn't what I was out there for. With a half mile to go I decided to part a bit. I created a bigger gap and she followed closely but not completely. The final sprint was my full attempt at running in the race. I did it in a 7:07 pace.
I feel that I am finally getting faster again. I averaged 8:36/mile on the race and it was an easy race (out take the first two miles). I think a lot of this is due to the push-ups, core and pull-ups I have added to my every day routine. It sure isn't my lack of running. I think I would have been able to run a lot faster had I had muscles ready for work. Now to a good week of training.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
FUR - Full Moon Maniacs All Night Endurance Run on the Beach
I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't resist. I don't regret getting out there and having fun with other ultra runners. I am not sure why, but some people have this delusion that I am fast. I like to enjoy running. I also had no reason to hold back I have been training for a full marathon to run a race with Kenny. Except it is looking like his shin isn't holding up and he might not be racing it. I needed something to occupy my head. The lack of running has been too nice, lol.
The Garmin stats are pretty cool. I can point out each of the sections.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133759200
Miles 1-6 or 7ish I ran with Jeff. He was just getting back from the same injury that Kenny is struggling with. I originally thought that I would be keeping a 9:30 pace. I even felt like I was keeping that pace, but nope I was pretty close to 9 with some sub 9. Remember that my latest and longest run was 18 miles and I averaged 9:20 and I remembered it being tough. Why not go faster and longer?
Honestly, it hasn't even been a day but I don't remember who I ran with next. I remember it was guy and he was running the pace that I wanted to be running. Jeff dropped back and called it a day to keep his injury astray. I felt comfortable for the next section. It was a lot shorter.
When I came back for the South loop I ran with Chloe. I really just wanted to chill so we had some conversations and a great time. This section we did a walk run. Her goal was to get in 40 miles today because last time she got 35.
Craig didn't arrive until after 10:00 or something. I picked up him as a running partner for the next loop. However, he was playing catch up. He wanted to get in 50 miles and be 2 hours late at the start. He had some Nutcracker thing. He was going faster then I wanted. Add talking and running sub 9:00 wasn't working out for me. Plus I knew he wanted to try and catch up to where I was at. He didn't believe that I would let him. I told him I had no intention of trying to get the most miles in.
I had a 10 mile lead on Craig when we met up. At this point in the race I only had a 30 mile run in my mind. I have a half marathon tomorrow that I wanted to race. I also don't want to mess up any speed workout next week. Having to do any recovery after this was out, plus stating again... my longest run was 18 miles and that was last weekend.
I ran the next section all alone. It was just me and my music. I kinda like this part as well. I just got in my zone and sat comfortable, plus I love music. My stomach got to some point that it did't like me. The other end didn't like me either. Eric, helped my find an emergency bathroom. I had to stop and walk a few times here to make sure I had my butt squeeze on. Not the Lap 10 and 11. Yeah they kinda sucked. I decided right after this it was also time to take out the caffeine.
Out came the caffeine... and nothing. That was really odd. It wasn't nothing, it just kept my pace to what I was doing earlier in the day. Generally I can but off a massive amount of time. Eric decided to give me several espresso chocolate beans. I caved after a few pushed. This stuff is dangerous. I took off and didn't stop for 10 miles later. I don't think anybody could stop me if they wanted to. I was flying.
Then the rain came. The rain wasn't bad, but I didn't like being out there in the lighting by myself. I tried to drag several FURbies out in the rain and everybody declined. Eric got nominated because he was the host. He did a South loop with my while I hid under his armpits every time I saw lighting. He didn't like me much for this. He was nice and cozy before I brought him out in pain in the rain. I hope later looking back on it he partially enjoyed himself.
Instead of going out for another loop. I figured it would be a great time to take a nap until the lighting went away. The rain was gone, but the sky was still lighting up. Except, I was freezing cold. It was windy, I was wet, and yes 72 is freezing cold. After my horrible attempt to a nap I decided I wasn't going to run any more because I still wanted to race a half marathon Sunday morning. I was going to walk for two reasons: keep warm and make those out on the course not feel like they are the only ones out on the course.
I dragged Tim O'Maile and wow I totally forgot his name, but he did lots of drinking and running. I think dude two had the record number of drinks in the evening. He was great, it was awesome. We did 10 miles of walking together. I tried one lap of walking and it was just wayyyy to boring. When you are walking and it pain it isn't so bad, but walking just to stay warm. Not cool. The shortest distance take forever to cover.
The last 10 miles Jodi Samuels joined Tim, dude, and me. We separated the last 8 because we just started walking faster. I was getting bored of the 16 and the pace was dropping to 18. I wasn't into that, and Jodi followed me. Sorry guys, my bad. At least we didn't start running. I was feeling really bad. Jodi was totally fit to run. She was as fresh as a cucumber. I was lacking in the fresh department here. Running just a 9:30 seems to make my heart rate just hate me. You know that feeling that it is working hard, but isn't really? It was one of those and that makes me nervous. It isn't a high heart rate or a low. The effort just doesn't match the heart rate.
I like Jodi. She is doing the Croom 100k and she is going to do great. Her focus on training is great even without a coach. I kinda have to have a coach to keep me focused. My focused just goes back and forth with too much running and no running. I need help at both spectrums.
11 minutes to 7:30 and I was 2 miles short of 50. Dangit, that isn't going to happen at walking speed. Eric said since we both showed up really late that if we ran the last 2 he'd let us count it. Jodi booked it, and probably kept a pace of sub 9. I really had to push to do a run walk with the small run sections at 9:30.
The day ends with some yummy drink that makes everybody smile and go home.
Now 8:00pm Saturday night, and I haven't slept since Friday night. I am heading off to bed to see what can happen at a half marathon tomorrow morning.
The Garmin stats are pretty cool. I can point out each of the sections.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133759200
Miles 1-6 or 7ish I ran with Jeff. He was just getting back from the same injury that Kenny is struggling with. I originally thought that I would be keeping a 9:30 pace. I even felt like I was keeping that pace, but nope I was pretty close to 9 with some sub 9. Remember that my latest and longest run was 18 miles and I averaged 9:20 and I remembered it being tough. Why not go faster and longer?
Honestly, it hasn't even been a day but I don't remember who I ran with next. I remember it was guy and he was running the pace that I wanted to be running. Jeff dropped back and called it a day to keep his injury astray. I felt comfortable for the next section. It was a lot shorter.
When I came back for the South loop I ran with Chloe. I really just wanted to chill so we had some conversations and a great time. This section we did a walk run. Her goal was to get in 40 miles today because last time she got 35.
Craig didn't arrive until after 10:00 or something. I picked up him as a running partner for the next loop. However, he was playing catch up. He wanted to get in 50 miles and be 2 hours late at the start. He had some Nutcracker thing. He was going faster then I wanted. Add talking and running sub 9:00 wasn't working out for me. Plus I knew he wanted to try and catch up to where I was at. He didn't believe that I would let him. I told him I had no intention of trying to get the most miles in.
I had a 10 mile lead on Craig when we met up. At this point in the race I only had a 30 mile run in my mind. I have a half marathon tomorrow that I wanted to race. I also don't want to mess up any speed workout next week. Having to do any recovery after this was out, plus stating again... my longest run was 18 miles and that was last weekend.
I ran the next section all alone. It was just me and my music. I kinda like this part as well. I just got in my zone and sat comfortable, plus I love music. My stomach got to some point that it did't like me. The other end didn't like me either. Eric, helped my find an emergency bathroom. I had to stop and walk a few times here to make sure I had my butt squeeze on. Not the Lap 10 and 11. Yeah they kinda sucked. I decided right after this it was also time to take out the caffeine.
Out came the caffeine... and nothing. That was really odd. It wasn't nothing, it just kept my pace to what I was doing earlier in the day. Generally I can but off a massive amount of time. Eric decided to give me several espresso chocolate beans. I caved after a few pushed. This stuff is dangerous. I took off and didn't stop for 10 miles later. I don't think anybody could stop me if they wanted to. I was flying.
Then the rain came. The rain wasn't bad, but I didn't like being out there in the lighting by myself. I tried to drag several FURbies out in the rain and everybody declined. Eric got nominated because he was the host. He did a South loop with my while I hid under his armpits every time I saw lighting. He didn't like me much for this. He was nice and cozy before I brought him out in pain in the rain. I hope later looking back on it he partially enjoyed himself.
Instead of going out for another loop. I figured it would be a great time to take a nap until the lighting went away. The rain was gone, but the sky was still lighting up. Except, I was freezing cold. It was windy, I was wet, and yes 72 is freezing cold. After my horrible attempt to a nap I decided I wasn't going to run any more because I still wanted to race a half marathon Sunday morning. I was going to walk for two reasons: keep warm and make those out on the course not feel like they are the only ones out on the course.
I dragged Tim O'Maile and wow I totally forgot his name, but he did lots of drinking and running. I think dude two had the record number of drinks in the evening. He was great, it was awesome. We did 10 miles of walking together. I tried one lap of walking and it was just wayyyy to boring. When you are walking and it pain it isn't so bad, but walking just to stay warm. Not cool. The shortest distance take forever to cover.
The last 10 miles Jodi Samuels joined Tim, dude, and me. We separated the last 8 because we just started walking faster. I was getting bored of the 16 and the pace was dropping to 18. I wasn't into that, and Jodi followed me. Sorry guys, my bad. At least we didn't start running. I was feeling really bad. Jodi was totally fit to run. She was as fresh as a cucumber. I was lacking in the fresh department here. Running just a 9:30 seems to make my heart rate just hate me. You know that feeling that it is working hard, but isn't really? It was one of those and that makes me nervous. It isn't a high heart rate or a low. The effort just doesn't match the heart rate.
I like Jodi. She is doing the Croom 100k and she is going to do great. Her focus on training is great even without a coach. I kinda have to have a coach to keep me focused. My focused just goes back and forth with too much running and no running. I need help at both spectrums.
11 minutes to 7:30 and I was 2 miles short of 50. Dangit, that isn't going to happen at walking speed. Eric said since we both showed up really late that if we ran the last 2 he'd let us count it. Jodi booked it, and probably kept a pace of sub 9. I really had to push to do a run walk with the small run sections at 9:30.
The day ends with some yummy drink that makes everybody smile and go home.
Now 8:00pm Saturday night, and I haven't slept since Friday night. I am heading off to bed to see what can happen at a half marathon tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Another dilema
I should be on a Ultra Marathon break. I am training for the Miami Marathon January 29. My running is actually going really well. My speed is coming back and I can still keep my distance. Except, these fun things keep coming up.
The all night Sun of a Beach run is this Friday. However, the Sunday after, I have a half marathon that will determine the pace I should be running the full. If I run the all-nighter, I can't race a half marathon two days later to my full potential. With it being a race, which I want only to determine how fast to run a marathon, it makes the race useless. However, since I am running the half marathon at whatever Kenny is running I could just spectate the half and bring my girls and I still have the pace I will be running the full marathon.
So the thought: to all night or to not all night.
Friday, December 2, 2011
The Lottery of Ultra Running for 2012
This year I have made a few plans, and back up plans, all of which include getting accepted into an unrealistic lottery. The question to be answered by the end of September is the lottery the unrealistic part or are my 2012 goals the one with the issue.
My lottery races include Western States, Squaw Peak 50 Miler, HardRock, and Wasatch Front. My paid for races include Palm 100 - 100K Individual, Vermont 100, and Leadville 100.
Regardless of the lottery I will be starting my season with the Palm 100K March 24. * Means even with that plan I may or may not get in via the lottery. Wasatch Front gives you a partial entrance if you are registered for the Grand Slam, but I am not sure if they do the same thing for the Rocky Mountain Slam.
Common Set Races:
Choice One (< 10% chance): Western States Entry (Grand Slam)
My lottery races include Western States, Squaw Peak 50 Miler, HardRock, and Wasatch Front. My paid for races include Palm 100 - 100K Individual, Vermont 100, and Leadville 100.
Regardless of the lottery I will be starting my season with the Palm 100K March 24. * Means even with that plan I may or may not get in via the lottery. Wasatch Front gives you a partial entrance if you are registered for the Grand Slam, but I am not sure if they do the same thing for the Rocky Mountain Slam.
Common Set Races:
- Palm 100K: March 24
- Squaw Peak 50 Miler*: June 2
- Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay with my family: June 15-16
Choice One (< 10% chance): Western States Entry (Grand Slam)
- Western States : June 23-24
- Badwater Pacer: July 16-18 Pacing my buddy and coach Scott (dependent on his entrance as well)
- Vermont 100: July 21-22
- Leadville 100: August 18-19
- Wasatch Front: September 7-8
Choice Two (7%-15% chance): Hard Rock entry (Rocky Mountain Slam)
- HardRock 100: July 13-15
- Leadville 100: August 18-19
- Wasatch Front*: September 7-8
- Bear 100: September 21/28?
Choice Three (Reality Check): My lottery luck was bad and didn't get slam race but I still intend on having a fun year. This is what I should do anyways.
- Badwater Pacer: July 16-18 Pacing my buddy and coach Scott (dependent on his entrance as well)
- Leadville 100: August 18-19
- Wasatch Front*: September 7-8
- Bear 100: September 21/28?
The story here is costly and I better get my running legs back into gear and be careful with every race. I think this means an end to doing free things for people and to start charging.
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