Marathon Maniac #660 Run-Race-Record

2/5/12 Geoduck Gallop Half Marathon

2012-02-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

Lets see how the legs hold up after running a 5K race yesterday. Cold and sunny at The Evergreen State College. Should warm up as we get running. Small crowd, new race director. Course has been changed a bit or so I am told. Last year it was short, hopefully that has been fixed. There is a map but I can not make much sense of it, I get all turned around and confused on these back roads around the school. Although open to traffic, the roads are very quiet and there will be no problem with traffic. Volunteers at all the turns and chalk arrows on the ground, so I should not take a wrong turn.

Start - We start about ten minutes late. I have done a half mile half hearted warm up. Relaxed and ready for whatever may happen. 10K and Half Marathon start at the same time and we go out smoothly. I find myself running with Terry Fritz (no relation) and Bob Martin, who I beat yesterday. I know that I am going a little faster than I should, but Bob soon goes out even faster and ever so gradually the distance between us grows. Terry is just getting warmed up and soon leave me too.

Mile 1 - Catch up to Christie and we run together off and on for a couple of miles.

Mile 4 - Christie is pulling ahead now and I will see her ahead of me for most of the race but will not be able to catch back up. Meanwhile my legs are already feeling tired. Sort of beat up. Now we go down that too steep hill and up the too steep hill out of the gulch. The hill really takes it out of me and I will not recover my normal running at any point after this.

Mile 8 - We have been doing a big loop for the second time. Now I am back at that hill, down and up. If the first time up the hill took the wind out of my sails, the second time makes it all even worse. I manage to run the whole way up, but one guy catches up to me on the uphill. We are both struggling pretty good at this point. This is the only person who has or will pass me since about mile 3. We run together off and on for about 2 miles but then he pulls away for good.

Mile 11 - Now at the turn around of the out and back section, although the back part is on a paved trail parallel to the road we came down. No runners around to motivate me but I keep running as best I can. It is a very different kind of tired in this race. I have plenty of energy, but my legs just feel tired and beat up. Too much fast pounding on the pavement between yesterday and today.

Finish - A long straightaway back to TESC, then a few quick turns and I can see the finish line. Before the race I thought that I would be happy with anything under 1:46. As I sprint to the finish it looks like I will be 1:43 and maybe under that. But the course is a little short again this year, 12.8 miles on the GPS. I get in just under 1:43 and am very satisfied with that time. But it was a lot more tough work to get there than I expected. Not racing next weekend and I am looking forward to a little rest and recovery.

1:42:52
Results Pending
3rd place in age group ribbon
Race#262
*****

2/4/12 Frienship Run 5K

2012-02-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

9th annual event and my 5th year doing this race. Last year I ran it in 22:37 and had two issues with this race that I otherwise enjoy very much. First problem was getting all boxed in with the crowded start that narrows down and slower runners starting in front. The other issue was being stopped by a policeman at a road crossing with just a quarter mile to go, so he could let a few cars through. Both problems were fixed this year. There were numerous announcements at the start about letting faster runners be in front and I was able to position myself just behind the front row. At the one road crossing, the cop was replaced with a volunteer and there was no traffic when I passed by, so I did not have to stop.

I ran a 50K last weekend, but recovery went very well. Way better than usual. By Wednesday I felt totally fine and I pushed a hard workout on Thursday. For the first time in many months I feel like I have zero injuries or problem areas. I have not done any real speed work lately but I am confident of beating last year's finish time.

1.6 mile warm up in the cold but sunny weather. Just a couple of icy spots on the paved trail. About 30 degrees at race start. No wind.

Start - Much better for me than last year. I positioned myself well and there is little crowding from the get go. That does make me go out faster that I should however. Pass Bob Martin at about the half mile mark. He has beaten me in every race now for many years. But he is only a couple of weeks out of wearing a boot due to a stress fracture and is just getting his speed back. This may be my only chance to beat him ever and I will wonder and worry that he will pass me for the rest of the race today. Everything is going very nicely until the steep uphill to the overpass. Just like that it becomes a struggle.

Mile 1 - 7:11 Now more paved trail. Keep up with a guy who is just ahead of me but I just can not catch him. I'll be 5-20 feet behind him until the last quarter mile and it makes me move faster trying to keep up with him. No dead zones today for me, where the motivation sags due to lack of competition.

Mile 2 - 14:20 (7:10 overall pace) Heading back on the road now with a long slight gradual uphill. Then back on to the trail and overpass. Sidewalk back to the finish. I get passed by two runners including one guy pushing a baby jogger. I don't not feel too bad about it though as my pace is still good, they just really saved something for the end. Dave blows by me on the final uphill but I run well to the finish line.

Mile 3.1 - Finish (3.08 on the GPS). Lots of baked goods and coffee inside at the school. I win a raffle (5 passes to a rock climbing gym) and a ribbon for second in my age group. We all got stainless steel water bottles instead of T-shirts this year. Really fun time today. Now its rest up for tomorrow's race.

22:23
19th place out of 223
2nd in age group
race#261
5K#68
Friendship 5K#5
*****

1/28/12 Lake Youngs Nuts Run 50K

2012-01-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

Life has been great so far this year, but not my running life. I ran the Yukon Do It Marathon on 12/31 and intended to shuffle through a 5K race the next day. I have a six year streak of New Years Day races at Steilacoom and wanted that to continue. I just could not do it. Maybe if I had been preregistered I would have had more incentive to get out of bed. Well I soon learned that my battered legs needed some rest anyway.
January 4 - easy run, feeling OK, then I pull a hamstring and have to walk it in. Not too serious, but I know that I will need a few days off.
January 7 - White Elephant 5 Miler - Good thing I did not preregister. I went as a spectator and rested my leg.
January 8-13 - very slow and easy running. Low mileage. Leg is improving. One day I am plugging along and get a sudden pain in the ball of my left foot. Feels like a bruise or a cramp. It is so bad that I have to stop and take off my shoe and massage it a bit. It gets better right away.
January 14 - Run for Faith 5K - Did not run. Had not planned on it anyway since we were on an awesome family ski trip that weekend anyway.
January 16 - Month is half over and I need to put in some miles otherwise I will lose my 100 miles per month streak. Ice and snow on the ground but I slog out 10 miles anyway, probably with little training benefit.
January 17 - snow
January 18-20 Major snow, branches down everywhere, power out for 36 hours. Managed a couple of short runs and a nice one up in our Seattle refuge.
January 21 - Steilacoom 10 miler is cancelled due to the storm
January 22 - Tumwater Cross Country 5K is cancelled due to the storm.

I need to race at Lake Youngs in order to get over 100 miles for the month and to continue my streak of running at least one race per calendar month every month since December 2007. My 50K PR (5:09) is here but I have no expectation of doing that well. I hope be able to get in under 5:30

This is my third year here. Previously it was directed by Pigtails. This year some of her friends are taking over, the Nuts Runners. Everything seems the same as it has been and they do a fine job of putting on this event.

Pulling in to the parking lot I get a great view of a large coyote.

Loop 1 (1:33:29)
Smooth start down the big hill. At the bottom of the hill though there is some frozen mud and ice. Some slipping but no one goes down. Wide trail now for easy sorting out. Run and leapfrog with Ken, Kurt and Kristin. Walking up the hills and keeping the pace around 10 minutes per mile. I like this course with its rolling hills but nothing too steep. Wide trail of various surfaces. King County did a terrific job of getting all the downed trees and branches cleared out. Many sections of fence are new (the trail follows the fence line and it is impossible to get lost). There are some small branches and a few loose rocks to watch for, but no real obstacles. Not as muddy as last year.

Loop 2 (1:32:53)
Strike out on my own and I am feeling very good. I do step on a rock on the ball of my left foot and it seizes up, like that day two weeks ago. I am worried that it will become very painful but I am able to squish my toes as I run and stretch things out and in about a half mile I have forgotten about that problem. I can see Pigtails a ways ahead of me and I am gradually gaining on her, but I will be smart and not try to pass her. I like the long straight gentle down and up at mile 5.9. After this will be a steep uphill where I will reward myself with a walk break. I make the turn but the hill is not there. By mile 7.5 I realize that the big hill must be earlier on the course and I just can not remember covering that ground on this loop. I feel very very good and am thinking that maybe I will have a good finish time. If I can keep up this pace, I'll have a PR.

Loop 3 (1:48:50)
As soon as I leave the aid station however I start to tire. I am running OK, but my pace has slowed. I have been eating two fig newtons on each loop but now I decide to use a Powebar Gel. The cookies just get so dry after a while. The race drink is Nuun, which I am not really used to. I should have kept one bottle as plain water. The instant I try downing the gel, myt stomach rebels. I had not been feeling all that nauseous, but now I instantly feel like I am going to vomit. I am picturing myself on my knees on the side of the trail. I am able to keep things down though, but I have to move so slowly to recover. It takes about 2 miles before I feel better able to run. Now I have obviously given up on any PR, that is fine. There are four of my friends/rivals just behind me. I can not see them when I look back, but knowing that they are not far behind gives me some incentive to keep pushing along. Walk, run, shuffle, mostly jog along in low gear. So happy to see this loop come to an end

Loop 4 - 2.2 mile out and back (26:42)
Back on the trail for the out and back. Try to run most of it. On the way back I can tell that my finish place is secure. Only two people passed me after the second loop, despite my slowing. I also realize that I will beat 5:30, so I don't kill myself to finish. Ease up the steep hill and on to the finish line. I am very satisfied to have completed this race. Other than hitting the wall and the short term nausea, things went well. I also have a streak of running at least one marathon or ultra every calendar month for 18 months now and I am happy to continue to run this one every January.

5:21:50
29th place of 56 finishers
7th out of 7 in age group 45-49 (tough age group today!!)
Race#260
Marathon or Ultra#78
Lake Youngs Ultra#3
****

12-31-11 Yukon Do It Marathon

2011-12-31T16:01:00.000-08:00

No I am not in Alaska. Yukon Harbor is a part of Puget Sound, near Port Orchard where today's race is. Second year for this race, but it is my first time here. Assuming that I finish I will have 39 races for the year (40 is my record set last year), including 20 marathons or ultras (16 last year) 1,734.9 miles for the year, 21 new T-shirts, and I will pick up a new county for my Washington State Marathon County list (#13). My streak of 100 mile months is going strong into its 8th year.

The temperature is sub freezing. Slipping on the ice in the parking lot. Hat, gloves, 2 shirts and a jacket. But I wear shorts as I expect it to warm up a little and it is not super cold. I have little knowledge of the course other than it will be a double out and back this year and that it will start with a long downhill but the rest of the course should be flat. The finish is at the bottom of the hill, so I will need to walk a ways uphill to get back to my car afterwards.

Start - We start just about on time and I am glad to get moving in this cold. Flat, then gentle downhill with a little black ice to watch for. Woman next to me slips but does not fall. Flat again and now I can see a very steep downhill. What is strange is that all the runners in front of me are veering off to either side of the road. The road is completely iced up and very steep. We cling to the edge and skitter down on lawns next to the road. On to the road that parallels the water. Mile 1 takes ten minutes.

Mile 1-5 - This section is along the water. I am disappointed to find that there is no scenic walkway, in fact there is no sidewalk. So we run on the road, open to traffic, with little orange cones to keep us safe. It is not entirely flat either, some nice little hills that are easy to manage, but were not expected. More runners in the half but soon it is not very crowded. Most of the time I will run alone and there really is not safe room for two abreast in many places.

Mile 6-8 - Short out and back, up and down a hill where cattle are lowing. Then a turn off the main road and up a larger hill. Around a corner, down a hill and there are two horses and two camels. First camel sighting in a race for me. Now on to Manchester State Park. Down and up with two little lollipops that do not allow me to see who is directly behind me. I am afraid that these hills are going do me in when I come back for the second time. Back past the camels and start heading back to the finish/turn around. On the way back we are directed to skip the short out and back.

Mile 9-13.1 - I want to run the first half in 2:00 and hope for a negative split. So I have been keeping my pace around 9:10/mile even taking walk breaks when I find the average pace getting too fast. But now I compare my GPS watch to the mile 10 mile marker and see that they are two tenths of a mile off and I will need to pick up the pace in order to match the markers. No more walk breaks and I head out faster than I should. Passing lots of halfers, now a few full marathoners coming back to me, but not very many. I expect some people finishing the half to put on a big sprint but no one does and we all just cruise in to the finish area. I am sent to a separate lane and head out for a repeat with 1:59 and something on the watch.

Mile 13.1 - 16 - Dodging halfers who are coming in to the finish. Bob Martin (in boot) sighting. Now volunteer Kimpossible sighting, she is skipping rope to keep warm and helping with traffic control.

Mile 17-21 - I start to tire. Way to early. I sort of knew that it was coming. Big muscles in the legs have been tightening up and I almost fear cramps, which I never get. I wonder if the cold temperatures have had an effect. My right foot feels fine and will cause me no problems today. It will go on to be a very pain free race, but all up and down both legs are just not right. And I am a little nauseous, probably from the cytomax that I am not used to. I can not take walk breaks now if I want to hold a 9:10 pace. I should try to eat something. I had my two fig newtons and one Gu earlier. I declined a Gu at the first aid station because I was still carrying my own, but now I see that no other aid stations have them. Soon I find an unopened Gu packet on the road and I take it. The hills do me in as I expected. Lots of walking and a negative split is out the window. At least with a small race like this I will not be passed by streaming hordes. I do run for a bit with a Maniac from Ohio. Nice diversion and it is so much easier to keep going when I am with someone. But he stops at the aid station and I am alone again. Catch a runner skipping the little out and back where there is no volunteer now. When I point out his mistake he turns and goes up the hill on the proper course.

Mile 22-25 - A bit of a second wind. I am able to run OK at times, though slowly. Then some short walk breaks. Maniac Jenny Apple passes me. I do not care about finish time any more. I mostly want to run hard just to get this race over with.

Mile 25-26.2 - Older guy named Rich, I think, catches me but then I come back even to him and we run together. He is running his 298th marathon and is great company for the last mile. We settle in to a slow but steady pace and enjoy a nice conversation. With about a third of a mile to go I realize that we are going more slowly than I need to, so I say goodbye and put on a last good effort to the finish.

Finish - 26.6 on the GPS. Only a few people hanging around. Fortunately one is Maniac Ginger and I am offered a ride back to my car. That big hill would not have been a fun walk. Not sure that I need to do this one again, but I have a year to decide.

4:16:29
24th place of 86 finishers
Race#259, Marathon or Ultra#77
***

12/17/11 Pigtails Marathon

2011-12-18T18:11:00.000-08:00

My 4th year in a row here. The previous years I have run the 50K but today I will "just" run the marathon. Carpool with Ron and Marilou and we arrive in plenty of time. The swag is a pair of arm warmers, my first pair. Weather is right about freezing but no wind or rain. Should warm up as we run but I wear my jacket, hat and gloves at the start.

Start - Great to see so many friendly Maniacs. This race always occurs on the first day of my two week vacation, so it is a fun way to start the holidays. Same course as the past three years. A little crowded on the dirt road for the short out and back but we get sorted out soon enough. Pedro runs most of the first mile with me but I urge him to go on ahead so that I do not go out too fast. My plan is to run a 1:59 first half and see if I can run the second half faster.

Mile 6 - First aid station and the end of the dirt trail. Now it will be pavement and along a road for quite a ways. I have been running with Maniac Kristoffer for a while and we will stay together for a few more miles. We have had some very close finishes in marathons but today he is running the 50K.

Mile 10.2 - The sun is finally up on this almost shortest day of the year. It is behind us, casting long shadows. The sky is bright blue. Pieces of ice are falling off trees onto the paved trail and bouncing around like shiny diamonds. Just as I am noticing that, a bald eagle flies low overhead.

Mile 13.1 - Halfway. 1:59 just as planned and feeling OK. Still somewhat cold.

Mile 13.7 - The turn around. Now it is a straight shot back to the finish. Slightly uphill and with just a little head wind at times. Nice to be so familiar with the course now.

Mile 15 - This marks 1,666.5 miles for the year and ties my record mileage from a few years ago.

Mile 19 - For the first half I averaged 9:07/mile. For the second half I am averaging 8:54 and plan to hold it steady at this pace as long as possible. Getting a little tougher now. A long, long straight stretch in to the sun. Take a Powerbar gel and my stomach does not agree.

Mile 21 - Yay, back to the dirt and the aid station.

Mile 23 - Hitting the wall pretty hard. Well it was good to make it this far without too much struggle, but these last three miles will be tough. My right foot aches a little, but each marathon it seems to get just a little better.

Mile 24 - Have this low gear that seems to be working but all of a sudden I come to a full stop. For some reason I look sharply to the left and see a bald eagle on a rock in the middle of the river, picking on a salmon carcass. I have no idea what made me stop and look that way, but it was a very cool sight. Back to my slow running and by the watch I know that I will not make 4 hours. It was hard to motivate myself to keep up the pace, all by myself, another marathon planned in two weeks where I could try again. I have worked very hard today and ran smart but just do not have the internal motivation to push it so much.

Mile 25 - Maniac Eric who I am just meeting for the first time catches up to me. I wish him well as he passes by, but he decides to encourage me in to the finish. At times I appreciate it and at other moments I wish that he would just go on ahead and leave me in my misery, and let me slow down. He stays with me to the end and I probably finished at least a minute faster than I would have without him. I appreciate that and as we turn the last curve and can see the finish, we both pick up the pace, but I do not even try to outrun him in a last minute sprint. He deserves to finish ahead of me in the standings and I make sure that he does, not that I believe that I could have out run him anyway.

Mile 26.2 - GPS reads 26.31. I generally feel good and enjoy chatting with fellow runners for a while. Thanks to Pigtails for another well done event. Next race planned is the Yukon Do It Marathon on 12/31.

4:05:28
31st of 89
Race#258, Marathon or ultra #76, Marathon#19 of 2011
*****

12/10/11 Tis the Season for a Cross Country 5K, race #3

2011-12-10T11:57:00.001-08:00

Back to Pioneer Park for the third race in the series. Martinho and I are the only male runners to have completed the first two races. Winner of the series wins a free pair of shoes from South Sound Running. Martinho beat me by a few steps in the second race, he has an amazing finishing kick. In the first race he took a bit of a wrong turn and that has given me a 39 second lead on him coming in to today's race. There are more runners here today including some real fast guys so I know that I will not win the race. My strategy is to not go out too fast and keep Martinho close. As long as I do not fall or lose a shoe in the mud I should win the series.

It is cold and dry today. Not as foggy as when we ran here in October, but much colder. There has been some river flooding and the two wet areas are now much wetter than last time. The puddle/pond that was waist deep in 2010 is only knee deep this year. But it is so cold that it has frozen over top. The mud obstacle is not too bad because it is partially frozen. The field is lumpy with half frozen bumps. Not a PR course or day today.

Start - I had a good warm up and feel ready to run. As we head out I get in just behind Martinho, Heather and Terra. It is fun and good to know other runners who are right at your level of ability. Across the field on the well marked course with flagging to go around and painted arrows to follow.

Mile 0.3 - On the far side of the field I pass my three buddies but do not go off so fast. I know that they are right behind me. The first mud obstacle is not too sloppy and I only get one foot a little wet.

Mile 1 - 7:44 which seems fine to me. Some back and forth with a couple of the High School kids. One kid ahead of me has on a red shirt like I do and is running smoothly. We get to the big water trap and he goes splashing right through the middle of it. I take a less aggressive approach along the edge, but still the water is deep enough to soak and then freeze my feet. The kid and two other runners will finish the race with bleeding cuts from the sharp ice in this pond.

Mile 1.5 - Feeling coming back to my feet. I can run faster on this one section so I turn it on and pass 4 who are all bunched up. I hope that will put some space between me and Martinho. But now I am back on some bumpy grass and I keep turning my ankles a little bit and I am slowing some. Gradually each of the kids get past me again. Water hazard is not so bad the second time as I know what it will be like.

Mile 2 - Faster trail again. Martinho is right behind me, but there is no way that he can run the last mile 40 seconds faster than me, so it looks like I will win the series. Still I would like to beat him. Through the mud trap without much difficulty and now on to the soccer fields.

Mile 2.5 - Across one field and now he catches me, making his move. I fall back a little, then pick it up and run even with him. He passes me again and gets a few feet ahead. I notice that one of his shoes is untied. I tell him that he should stop and tie his shoe. Of course he will not stop. I feel like I have a little burst left so I turn it on and pass him again. I wonder if those at the finish line can see how closely we are battling this out.

Mile 3 - I am ahead of him at the final turn and run as best as I can. But he puts on an amazing finishing kick. He encourages me to run harder but there is no way I can beat him now. Run hard and then ease in to the finish line. He beats me by 5 seconds and won two of the three races in the series, but I will take home the shoes. I am happy with my finish time today, but place wise I am farther down than usual. Lots of fast runners, who thankfully did not show up to all three races in the series.

24:12

15th of 27 runners

Race#257, 5K#67

*****

11/27/11 Seattle Marathon

2011-11-28T10:58:00.001-08:00

My fourth time at the Seattle Marathon. Looks like it will be the worst one yet as far as weather. Rain and wind are predicted. I am pleased to see that it is not raining as I begin the walk to the start line. We stayed at BKs condo and it is about a mile and a half to the start line at the Seattle Center. I take my time walking and pause to watch the early starters go by. Hard to get a GPS signal with all the tall buildings. Still trying to get a signal, I meander through a parking lot and along the street edge I find a $20 bill. My lucky day, or was that it for luck for this day? It starts to drizzle as I watch the half marathoners go by and then get ready for my race.

Start - Line up with Evil Triplet Ron and Maniac Jessica. Some of my other usual running mates are running their 4th marathon in 4 days and will start farther back. A couple of them will go on to pass me later in the race. It is raining now and I have a trash bag over my jacket. Not too cold but it will be wet all day today. Start right on time and I negotiate the crowds well.

Mile 4 - Into the I-90 express lanes bus tunnel. Trash bag comes off and into my pocket.

Mile 6 - Out of the tunnel, then on the long bridge over Lake Washington. The wind is at our back and it is easy to keep pace. I stop to tie my shoes and then head back across the lake, into the wind. I catch up to two guys and draft them a little. Soon I realize that one of them is Maniac Ken who I have run with at many races. I feel like I should not draft on him so I ease up next to him. We commiserate about the weather. Although it is not hard to keep a steady pace, I know that this wind and rain are taking a toll and that I will probably be forced to slow down later. Takao Suzuki is there to take a picture. Thanks Takao. Together Ken and I make it over the bridge and then I go ahead, expecting Ken to pass me later.

Mile 8.5 - Still running into the wind a little but not as bad. Steady rain and some puddles to dodge. A crow walks onto the course, picks up and empty gel pack and walks off to the side of the road. Bob Dolphin sighting.

Mile 13.1 - I hit the halfway mark at 1:58 about a minute faster than I had planned. I take a little walk break just before the timing mat and then reset my watch. Now I will try to go just a little faster to put a little time in the bank before the hills. I feel pretty good and hope that the feeling stays for a while.

Mile 15 - Catch up to Maniac Jeff. Run with him for a mile or so and then decide to go just a little faster.

Mile 19 - I forgot about that hill. Tiring a little. Right foot is aching some. Doing OK though. Less windy here, but still a steady rain.

Mile 20.5 - The left turn and instant steep hill. Just like last year my calves start to tighten up. Also my left quadricep which has never given me any trouble starts to present itself. I am running but going at the same pace as two people who are walking. At least it is a short hill, but next is a longer one that is less steep.

Mile 22 - A little bit of foot pain, a little bit of overall leg tightening, a little bit of lightheadedness and a little bit of nausea. I find this low slow gear and I can trudge along. I am able to pick up the pace any time I want, but then one of my symptoms tells me to slow down. I am passing quite a few people who are hobbling with cramps of some kind and I wonder if this cold weather has something to do with it. So I continue to pass walkers and limpers but many of the runners are passing me because I am going so slow. I just do not have the willpower to tough it out today. The 4 hour pace team passes me and when I realize that I will not make that time goal I really lose motivation. But I am still having fun. Joke with spectators and commiserate with fellow sufferers. I will finish and it won't be a horrible finish time, but definitely an off day. I wonder how much I can blame on the weather? Maybe a 5 minute penalty and then my lack of determination will cost me another 5 minutes.

Mile 24.5 - So Happy to see the Space Needle in the distance, not so much farther to go. But now crossing I-5 the wind has picked up again. My hands start to get cold. I put on my soggy gloves that I had taken off miles ago and that helps the chill. Then the steep downhill and on to the finish.

Mile 26.2 - Finish and get my medal from Maniac Betsy. Glad to have brought dry clothes to change into. In the warm recovery area the chill soon goes away. This was a tough one for me, but I managed to keep a happy attitude and enjoyed the time out there.

4:07:25

812th place of 2047

Marathon or Ultra #75

Seattle Marathon#4

Race#256

*****

11/12/11 Club Oly Tis the Season for a 5K at Millersylvania State Park

2011-11-12T11:44:00.001-08:00

My 4th time for this 5K on this wonderful trail through old growth forest. Nice to have Jody join me for this run through the woods. 23 runners is about double who came last year and also double the number at the first event in the series. The guy who won the first race in the series is not here, putting me in the top spot to win the series and get a free pair of shoes. Martinho came in just behind me at Pioneer park and he is here today, so I can not let up. Feeling good after the marathon of six days ago. Nice two mile warm up. It is cold but not windy or wet. Some mud on the trail but not bad at all.

Start - After the usual long course description by Rich we finally get going. I purposely start towards the back. There is a group from Shelton here and two cross country runners from Adna. Across the bumpy field and onto the trail. I get moving well, but not quite as fast as I often do at these short races. Pass a couple of people including Martinho. Short out and back and I get to see the fast runners. Then I turn around and get to see Jody.

Mile 1 - Turn onto a muddier trail with lots of curves, and bumps to watch for. Stalk and then pass Heather. I pass her and another person where the trail is still wide, but now we are approaching the narrow section where it would be very difficult to pass. I can ease up just a little bit here and then make the turn back onto the field completing the first loop.

Mile 2 - Back down the road, then the trail. I can hear breathing behind me. I am afraid that it is either Bill or Martinho, the only two runners in this race that I would prefer to beat. Don't look back. Try some surges on the muddy trail, feel like I should be breaking away but I just can not leave them behind. Quick peek back at a turn but I can not tell who it is. Now at the narrow part. I must trust my kick and hope that when the path opens up, and then the field, I will be able to out sprint him, whoever it is. I make the turn down the road and let it fly as best I can. Still ahead of him.

Mile 3 - Now turn for the short bit on the field and immediately Martinho and Wade leave me in the dust. Disappointing but also amazed at both of their finishing kicks.

Mile 3.1 - 3.08 on the GPS. Finish as best I can. Happy with my time, eleven seconds faster than last year. I learn that the series is based on cumulative time. I beat Martinho by 43 seconds in the first race (because he took a wrong turn) and he beat me by about 7 seconds today (have to verify that when results are published. That gives me about a 36 second lead for race number 3. December 10th, back at Pioneer Park. In the meantime I plan to run the Seattle Marathon on November 27.

22:12
10th of 23
Race #255, 5K #66
*****

11/6/11 Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon

2011-11-08T20:57:00.000-08:00

Jody suggested that I visit Caleb at College (Evangel University) and I suggested that I do so when there was a marathon in town too. So here I am in Springfield Missouri. Its going to be the 7th state in which I have run a marathon. Bass Pro Shops is the world's largest sporting goods store. My hotel is just across the street, but packet pick up is on the other side of the building and it is a long walk to get there. Very nice long sleeve technical fabric shirt. Just before bedtime I realize that I forgot my S!Caps electrolytes that I have taken in each of my last 50 or so marathons or ultras. I'll try to drink more Poweraid and less plain water and hope for the best. Would be great to beat 4 hours, but I am not going to stress about it.

Very windy and cool, but it is dry. I will wear my jacket over a short sleeve shirt. Tomorrow at this time it will be raining steady and I will be grateful for today's weather. But this wind is strong and will probably slow me down. Chat with a guy from Connecticut who I had sat next to on a bus some time ago at a previous race. Other than that I do not know anybody here. I line up with a Maniac, Tim from Wisconsin, and its nice to talk before the start.

Start - Frank Shorter says something. Moment of prayer. National Anthem by some country singers. Start is delayed by five minutes. The start is to be aired on the local news station at 7AM sharp but we get bumped to second story because of an earthquake in Oklahoma. Soon enough we are off. 1,200 in the Half Marathon and 274 in the full.

Mile 1 - The Halfers split off and now there is plenty of room to run. Nice to have the big festive start, but I prefer a smaller race. This works out well. Course is on roads, then a short bit on a paved trail, then all roads. Not the roads I had driven on yesterday though. I was not impressed with what I had seen of Springfield so far. Just big busy roads with a tremendous number of fast food joints, and little city character. But this course will show me much more of the town. Mostly residential, but a pretty course. Lots and lots of turns. Well staffed with volunteers at almost every turn and road crossing. Green arrows on the ground at each turn.

Miles 3 to 8 - Much hillier than I expected. I feel good but not great. Jacket comes off at mile 4. I pass an older guy, later found out that he is 68. We will go back and forth all race long. He will draft off of me a few times when we are heading straight into the wind, but ask if I mind and I do not. In the last mile he will pass me for good and beat me by less than a minute.

Mile 10 to 13 - More residential roads but flatter. Some roads are open to traffic, maybe just in one direction. The cars are not a problem, but I am not sure if it is OK for me to be running the tangents. I will do so, but carefully. Running is easier now, I am feeling very good, chatting a bit with two others. Giant green mile markers can not be missed. Well stocked aid stations with plenty of volunteers directly after each even mile marker. A kid at the mile 12 aid station offers me a pack of peanut butter crackers. Remembering my lack of salt intake, I take the pack and munch on two crackers over the next two miles.

Mile 13.1 - Eight seconds faster than my planned 1:58. In Victoria I ran a 1:59 first half and managed a negative split, so I decided to run a 1:58 first half today and see if I can still run a faster second half. Now I set off just a little bit faster and leave the two other runners behind.

Mile 14 to 18 - Feeling great. Still holding back and I have only increased my pace slightly, just hoping that it will last. It is still early in this race. Gradually passing people, but no one is passing me. Looking forward to the mile markers, especially the even ones where I can walk through the aid station, get a drink, and also pour a little water on my head to help cool off.

Mile 18 - Marker is there, but where is the aid? I start to fret and feel thirsty. A couple more turns and there it is at about mile 18.5.

Mile 21 - Now I am starting to slow. No nausea and my head feels OK, but I am tiring. Slow the pace for a bit as I regroup. Now make an effort to speed up a little and I am able to do so. Get a bit of a second wind, then turn into the wind.

Mile 22 - Wind is as strong here as it has been all day. Not nearly as bad as at Bellingham in September, but strong enough that I have a good excuse if my finish time is not what I had hoped for.

Mile 23 - Turn so the wind is crosswise and now the longest straight stretch of the course. I like being able to look far ahead and see a traffic light that I can focus on. Feel like walking, but I know that I won't beat 4 hours if I do. Soon I am confident that I will beat 4 and I might even get another 3:56 if I can hold on.

Mile 25 - Bald Eagle. It is the conservation marathon and there have been a few stuffed deer along the way. The eagle is live and tethered to its keeper, so not quite as cool as the wild one that flew over my head at NODM two years ago. The race has been getting more and more difficult, but gradually so. No sudden wall, but eventually I realize that I am in tatters. This close to the end I should be able to rally and run strong to the finish, but I really lose it at about mile 25.5. Get passed by three or four people who I had just passed.

Mile 26 - Giant sign is sure welcoming. I see 3:56 slip away but I am pleased with my performance today. I will be 6th out of 20 in my age group and 71st overall which is a better position than usual. I slog it in for a "sprint" to the finish, my named called by the announcer. 26.26 on the GPS. Huge medal with an elk on it and a space blanket which is helpful in the cool wind and I am wet from dousing myself with water. Tons of post race food. I take as much as I can carry on the long walk back to the hotel. Soon I meet up with Caleb and we go off to explore the Fantastic Caverns.

3:57:44
71st of 274
Marathon or Ultra#74
*****

10/29/11 Club Oly Tis the Season for a 5K Cross Country Race at Pioneer Park

2011-10-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

My third time on this course. Last year in December we had waist deep water and lots of mud, the year before I really took it easy to protect my injured heel. Feeling good today, so I should have no trouble setting a personal course record. Small turn out. A couple of guys that I do not know and a few more women than men. Cool and very foggy.

Start - Across the soccer field, a nice wide start and we are sorted out before the first turn. Already one guy is way ahead of me and there is no way I will catch him. The field is wet but in decent shape, not much mud getting kicked up. Soon I am in third place. Across the field I make a surge and pass Amy. Based on recent marathon times and other races I should be fairly evenly matched with four runners here today. Amy, Terra and Heather ran marathons this month in times that were a minute or two faster than mine. Martino is here as well and he is always right up there with me. Turn onto a trail and through the mud spot. No standing water, just a little slippery. Cherry guides us the way to go and I continue on the trail. Flat but loose gravel, very hard to run as fast as I would like. Try the grassy side of the trail but that is just too uneven. Back onto the gravel. I remember that I did the same thing last year.

Mile 1 - 7:11, Way too fast for this course. I feel it in my legs and my breath. Amy catches up to me and we run together for a bit. I can not hold the pace though and she gradually gets out of reach. Bill points the way at another intersection. Apparently I was just far enough ahead of the pack behind me that they did not see me make a turn. Terra, Martino and Heather miss seeing Bill somehow and go off on the wrong trail for a bit. They figure that it cost them 45 seconds to a minute before getting back on track. That assures me third place and I will not have anyone getting close behind me to challenge me or give me inspiration to run faster. The place with waist deep water is dry this year, runnable grass.

Mile 2- Second time on the loop through the woods. My pace is fading, Amy getting farther ahead. I feel good though, ankle feels fine. Keep chugging along in good spirits.

Mile 2.75 - Back onto the field. I can barely see Amy ahead, but lose her in the fog. No one behind me. Eventually I look back and see the pack coming out of the woods.

Mile 3 - Mile marker on the pathway that cuts to the right between the fields. It looks like we are supposed to turn here as that would be about a tenth of a mile to the finish. Plus now there are more soccer players on the field that we will have to run through. Should I turn here? Did Amy turn here? I can not see her ahead with all the fog. I continue straight and start to worry that I am going the wrong way. If I am off and the pack takes the turn, I will end up in 6th or worse place. O well, does it really matter? I hit the turn at the end of the field and now head straight to the finish. Oh good I am taking the right course and so are the others. (Although two runners will come the other way in a few minutes). Cruise on in to the finish, beating last year's time by about 30 seconds. As second overall male I get to pick one of the awards, a bag of candy and runner's fuel. Great low key event.

23:19
3rd of 13
5K #65
Race #253
*****

10/15/11 Defiance 50K

2011-10-17T12:56:00.000-07:00

Second annual event and my second time here. Same course as last year except it has been lengthened a little. And the new part that was added includes a big climb dubbed "Achilles Hill". Three loops and not super hard or technical trail but this the hardest 50K course that I have done. Since I ran the Victoria Marathon six days ago and put in a solid effort with both mind and heart, I have different goals today. Just finish and enjoy the race. I will try to do well but not feel bad if I have a hard time.

Loop 1 - 1:46:09 - cool and cloudy but dry. Trails are in great shape. More places with crushed gravel but it is well packed and soft. I try to keep the pace slower than 10 minutes per mile. Great to see lots of Maniac friends. First mile is flat, then stairs, then a few ups. Miles 2-5 are mostly flat but twisty and narrow in places. Aid station just past mile 5. Miles 5-7 are the tough part with narrow twisty trails and a couple of steep hills. I walk some and the pace slows but I feel fine, just saving energy. Around mile 7 the trail gets much wider and very flat. I remember how last year I was so tired on the third loop, but actually felt better when I got here and was able to run all the way to the end. Today I pick up the pace a little and enjoy the scenery. Eventually we go out onto the "5 mile drive" road. The course goes about a third of a mile on this road. There is a sign that says to turn right at hydrant #25. I see hydrant 23, then 24. As I approach hydrant 25 there is a large pack (ten or more) fast runners coming toward me on the road and turning at the hydrant. Am I supposed to keep going down the road for a little out and back? Did they add a section to the race here? There is a volunteer on a bike here and I ask her and she says to turn, but apparently she told many runners that if they were in the 50K they were supposed to go straight. I don't know how far they went until they realized they had been misdirected. Good thing that pack beat me to the turn because they are all much faster than me and I need to take it slowly and carefully in this section. Very narrow trail with logs and some steep step downs. Then the real fun part, about a twenty foot steep drop with a rope to hold onto. Down to the level wide trail where one can sprint and pass people if they want for the final 100 meters or so. I take my time but try to be quick through the aid station.

Loop 2 - 1:56:47 - M761 was one of the misdirected runners so I have caught up with her and we can run together for just a little bit. She has gotten way faster than me lately, so it would be foolish to try to stay with her. I run alone for a while and then catch up to Pedro. I am tiring and taking some walk breaks. With Pedro though we run together and I keep going at places were I might have walked if I were alone. Pigtails passes me about halfway through this loop. Then the hills and it gets very difficult. Then the flat and I am running again, low on energy though and the ankle is bugging me a little. In the middle of the road near the end of the loop there is a raccoon who shuffles away as I approach. Down "Nellies Narly Descent" and loop 2 is done.

Loop 3 - 2:14:51 - Uh oh, I am walking and I am on the flat and have not even reached the stairs yet. I envy those who ran the 15K or 30K race and are done. Walk up the stairs and shuffle along the trail. Can not hold a 13/mile pace. Walking and shuffling and out of energy. Ankle a little worse. I don't care when runners I do not know pass me and I should not care when runners I know pass me, but it does bug me a little. Ron, Reed and then Kimpossible pass me. I knew that Kim was back there and might get me. She also ran a marathon six days ago and her time was two minutes faster than me, so we should be evenly matched today. She will go on to beat me by three minutes today and I am fine with that. Now at the aid station. They have some coke and it looks appealing. I drink two cups (about 8 ounces) and it goes down well. My stomach has done great today and now I wish that I had eaten more during the race. At 5:45AM I had a bagel with peanut butter and orange juice. It is now about 1PM and since that time I have had a GU gel, a honeystinger gel (cleaning out the cookie/gel jar at home) three oreos, a couple of pretzels and a mini milkyway. Plus gatorade and water and S!Caps. At the end of the race my watch will calculate that I burned over 3,400 calories. Should have eaten more, but it is nice to not have nausea. I also take an ibuprofen for the ankle and it does seem to help. The pain never got as bad as at Victoria or Bellingham and after the race I was able to walk around fine. Rest week coming up and I am less concerned about the ankle than I had been.

But now I am on the tough hilly part. Chanterrelle mushroom sighting. There is a place here where the uphill course almost touches the downhill course. It would be easy to cross trails here and cut off "Achilles Hill". The thought of cheating enters my mind, but it is not a temptation. I would drop out of a race before I would cut it short, but in my zonked out state, barely holding a 15 minute mile it does come into my mind as an option. I quickly dismiss the notion and make the best of "Achilles Hill". When things are this hard it is best to have fun with it. There are three of us working our way up the hill. I almost stop to rest halfway, but keep walking and I cheer as I get to the top. Down the narrow trail and I look forward to the flat last couple miles.

Around mile seven I hear "Is that you Andy?" behind me and it is my pal Maniac Betsy. Another friend who will pass me, or maybe not. We are on the flats and wider trail now and I think that the sugar from the coke is kicking in. A conscious effort to pick up the pace and I am able to do so. We will see how long it lasts but for now I am going much faster and feeling good. I start passing folks who passed me earlier this loop. About mile 27, nice wide trail, running strong and easy and then I hit a root or a rock and start to stumble. Try to stay upright but I think that I may hurt myself worse if I try to keep my balance. Instead I tuck my shoulder in and execute a perfect roll. As if I have been practicing falling. I am proud of how gracefully I went down and how I rolled over twice. Plus the trail everywhere has some roots, rocks or at least fir cones, but I managed to fall on the one spot that was completely clear of debris and flat. Soft packed earth, not muddy, like a firm mattress. Back on my feet real quick and feeling fine, I start running fast again. Pass two runners and really looking forward to the road and end of this race. I think that I can beat 6 hours and I will know for sure when I reach the paved road, if it would ever get here.

At last I reach the road and I am able to run well all the way to hydrant 25. Turn and look back and one guy is flying toward me and Betsy is not far behind him. I thought that I had left her in the dust with my solid running the last couple of miles, but she also picked it up really well. Now I need to be careful at this tricky part of the trail. Let the guy pass me and as I work my way down the rope, Betsy is right behind me. Race Director Tony is there to take a picture. Now on the flat and I sprint to the end. I don't want Betsy to beat me and she does not, but the joke is one me. The race is chip timed and she started farther back and her chip time is quicker than mine. O well, it is really fun to have friends who are evenly matched and we can encourage each other and commiserate with each other. Glad that I was able to finish strong and have an enjoyable day.

5:57:47
61st of 112

Race #252

50K #8, Defiance 50K#2

Marathon or Ultra#73

*****

10/9/11 Victoria Marathon

2011-10-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to do this one for some years now. Nice get away weekend with Jody. Up early on Saturday to catch the Victoria Clipper from Seattle. Arrive in Victoria by 11AM. Relaxing way to travel and customs was a snap. Only staying one night so we did not have much to carry. Short walk anyway to the host hotel, the Fairmont Empress. Expo was very crowded, but I won a raffle, a cool natural fiber bag from the Rain Coast Conservation Foundation. Tried to hook up with Club Oly folks for dinner but most places were full, so we split up and Jody and I went to the Noodle Box which was more than sufficient.

Really good weather on race morning. Cool and a little cloudy but the sun will come out later. Very little wind. 8K started at 7:15 and goes in a different direction from the other races. Half Marathon start at 7:30. I watch the race go by at about the half mile mark. Then I have plenty of time to get ready and be at the start line for the 8:45 Marathon start. Strange that the full starts so late compared to the other races. They have a 5 hour 30 minute cut off time and this is my only gripe about this race. Those who will be slower than 5:30 must take the early start at 6:30 AM and if they finish faster than 5:30 their time will not count officially. Jody should be in the 4:45 range but she has a head cold and will have a bad run today. She will make it in at 5:12 and will be one of the very last runners of over 11,000 who compete today and will run alone for most of the race. Checking results later I see that there were quite a number of early starters who did finish in the 5:10 to 5:20 range and I wish that Jody had had more company. At least they had plenty of post race food and support along the course for all runners, and I suppose that the staggered starts keeps the finish area from getting too congested at any time.

Start - At 8:40 I am lined up with Maniac Guy and we are ready to roll. Canadian National Anthem and then we are off right on time. Course is marked in Kilometers but I have my GPS watch set to miles as usual. I have decided to run the first half in 1:59, one minute slower that in Bellingham two weeks ago. I fell apart there in the second half. I do not know how much of that was due to the strong winds, but that poor second half hurt my confidence. I also have this wonky ankle issue, not sure what will happen after some miles. If all goes well I will run the second half faster than the first and get in under 4 hours. I am not confident of the negative split, and I will be thrilled if it happens. Absolutely not going for anything close to a PR until I have my confidence back and can run a few races without hitting the wall.

Kilometer 0.8 - Pass Jody, somehow she started ahead of me. It is very crowded but moving along and will open up soon I hope. Feel like I have to pee though, even though I went just before the start and I did not hyperhydrate.

Kilometer 3 - Having to pee is such a distraction. I have been looking for alleys or bushes to use. Finally I see the aid station and a row of SaniCans. No line, I am in and out very quickly and can now think about other things.

Kilometer 4 - Female runner up ahead falls to the ground, I-Pod skitters on the road ahead. She is up and running quickly and says that she is fine.

Kilometer 8 - Catch up to Deb and Heike from Olympia. We run together through a park. Loop and loop, I am confused about the course but just follow the crowd. Sometimes have fast runners passing the other way, then the slower ones. I feel like we did a circle within a circle and I have no idea how we got out of the loop but eventually we are back on the road. My friends are planning to run a little slower so I go ahead but not too fast.

Kilometer 16 - Along the water and then through residential neighborhoods. Constant up or down but nothing at all steep or long. Bagpipe player in kilt adds a nice touch. Back to the water. Feeling good. Good support at the aid stations and lots of friendly spectators, fellow runners and volunteers. None of the runners seems too serious, it is a nice morning. This is a long out and back section. Some half marathoners (Michelle Barnes sighting), and early start marathoners coming toward me on the other side of the road. Roads mostly closed to traffic, or with traffic patrol, I feel safe and free to concentrate on running. Up and down but all of it gradual. Lots of turns earlier, now a long but windy road along the water. I am careful to run the tangents and that gives me something to concentrate on. I can't believe how some runners take the long side of the curves and I wonder how much distance they are adding to their race. Now the full marathon lead runner comes by. He will go on the finish in 2:14.

Kilometer 21 - The halfway mark is up ahead. I can see the timing chip mat. I have been good at my pacing and my watch reads 1:58. I get closer and it still reads 1:58. I start walking and just before hitting the mat I see my watch roll to 1:59. Perfect. Now I tell myself to not get carried away and go faster yet. At Bellingham and at other races I have picked up the speed right after the halfway point. Common folklore divides the race into two halves, mile 1-20 and 20-26.2. I will keep going at this pace, maybe just a second or two per mile faster and keep holding back until at least mile 20. Committed to running with discipline and restraint today. Ulrike sighting.

Kilometer 24 - Reach the turnaround, nice to be heading straight back to the finish with the race more than halfway done. Pass Bob Dolphin (early starter). Get to see Jody and others still heading out.

Kilometer 30 - Ankle bugs a little but not so bad. Otherwise very comfortable. I am in the mileage zone now where I could hit the wall. Every step forward where I do not feel more tired is a blessing and gets me excited for a possible strong finish. Starting to pass others who are slowing or who were early starters.

Kilometer 32 - Close to mile 20. They do have mile markers every five miles. I look ahead to that sign. Soon I see it and I hit the lap button on the watch. Now it is hold a nine minute mile and I will beat 4 hours. Immediately turn a corner and there is an uphill. I have to work to keep the pace under 9, but I am able to do so. Now level and then downhill. Ease into an average just under 8:50. I decide to keep the speed slower than 8:45 as there is still a long way to go, but really try to stay under 9 if I can.

Kilometer 36 - Back along the water. Now a very long gradual uphill. This is not part of the course that we ran out on, new territory for me. Passing lots of people and in great spirits. But I do wish that this hill will end soon. It levels, twists out of sight, then goes up some more. I remember from the elevation chart that a nice downhill begins around mile 24 and I just wish it would get here. Start pouring water on my head at the aid stations, and drinking "GU Brew". Between that drink and the Powerbar gels, of which I have had two, my stomach has done great with these new to me fuels. Finally, the downhill.

Kilometer 40 - 2KM to go. Try to rally some runners who are taking walk breaks. I can sense the finish and although I can not go much faster, I am not slowing and I know that I will finish without any walk breaks. Tell those around me that we will beat 4 hours easy, if we do not walk.

Kilometer 41 - Level now and just a few turns to the finish.

Kilometer 41.2 - Marker says 1KM to go. Not looking at the watch anymore, figure I will be done in 5 minutes or so. Really enjoying the moment, but also would like to be done.

Kilometer 41.4 - Sign says 800M to go. 800 meters is twice around the track, that's easy. One woman goes flying past me and I compliment her, but she says that she just hopped in and is pacing a friend. The friend comes past, a bit slower. Other than that, I have not been passed hardly at all in the last hour.

Kilometer 41.7 - Sign reads 500M to go. Come on!! That was way too long. Well it is really almost over now. More and more spectators, a turn or two and then the finish line up ahead. Billy, Tammy and Rich cheering for me and cruise on in to the finish. Very satisfied, thrilled and a little emotional. Accomplished everything that I set out to do and had fun while doing it.

Final GPS reading = 26.34 miles

Awesome event that I hope to run again.

3:56:25

646th place of 1678 finishers

Race#251, Marathon or Ultra#72

9th time running a marathon in 3:56

*****

9-25-11 Bellingham Bay Marathon

2011-09-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

This continues to be my favorite marathon. Not that I always run well here, but I can not blame the RD for that. Everything about this race is well done. Some complained about the new $5 charge for day of race packet pick up, but with almost 3,000 participants they need to encourage folks to get their number the day before. At least day of race pick up is still an option. We are staying with Jody' parents and she is running the half marathon. My only complaint this year occurred at the Expo the day before the race. A large projection on the wall was showing a video tour of the race. I overheard two people who were watching comment on how we will be on the trail and have to run up the super steep California Street hill. "Oh no", I had to correct them, "They are showing the video from last year. This is the Bellingham Bay Marathon where the course is radically changed every year" I will miss the long dirt trail part and maybe even the big hill, but the fifth edition of the course, for the fifth running of this event, is really great. Flatter and faster, though that does not concern me so much, but still very scenic. About seven miles along the bay, ten miles of rural roads and farmland with a short out and back, then a merge with the large group of half marathoners who will be at their mile four, through residential streets and some park trails, down to the waterfront and back to the downtown finish.

Start - Loud wind gusts kept me up last night. At 5:45AM as I boarded the shuttle bus it was raining pretty hard. So although it is warm in the 60s, I will bring my Maniac jacket and a large trash bag to wear as a rain coat if needed. The rain stops by 7AM but the wind persists. So nice to have the indoor area at the Lummi Reservation. Warm welcome with drumming from the Lummi's is so cool, just like last year. Great to see many Marathon Maniac friends. Eventually we head out to the start line and the race starts right on time.

Mile 0.25 - Downhill but into the fierce wind. A hat comes right off a woman in front of me and the wind is so strong that the hat just smashes into my chest and stays there. I am able to hand it back to the runner.

Mile 0.5 - Left turn and now running along the bay. Gulls in the air are facing us and making no progress as they hover in the wind. Gusty wind is mostly slanted toward us but generally at our backs. Feels great. I settle in and make myself not go out too fast. I really want to run a negative split and I will not try to PR. Hope to run the first half in 1:58 and then go faster after that.

Mile 8 - Rain is holding off, jacket is tied around my waist. Away from the water now. Feeling good. In fact I need to rank my feelings on a scale of 1-10 and I give it an 8. The sticker on my bib identifies me as a subject in a psychology research project. A professor at WWU is collecting data on marathon runners and I thought it would be fun to participate. I will learn the actual focus of the project later for now I am just to answer some questions. I filled out an online survey a week before the race and I will fill out another survey later today. At three points in the race someone will run along side me and ask me three questions that I will answer on a score of 1-10. How good do I feel? How bad do I feel? How likely am I to run another marathon? The last question may skew the results and there are a couple of other Maniacs doing the survey too. I am already registered for six future marathons, so I will answer that with a 10 each time. At mile 8 I feel good at an 8, and feel bad at a 2. I think that I may have answered 7 for feeling good but I had just passed through an aid station. Each aid station is staffed with these amazing kids who are so supportive and fun. They give me a boost every time and are one of the things that I love about this race. It truly stands out from other races.

Mile 10 - new section of course and I like it. Very Skagity if you know what I mean. Flat farmland. But now we are turning into the wind.

Mile 11 - Strong wind in my face and a long straightaway.

Mile 12 - Short out and back section. Grandma Lee sighting, she is going really fast.

Mile 13.1 - Hit the mark just under 1:58, right where I want to be. Now I will pick up the pace just a little. Go about ten seconds per mile faster than I had been, nothing to dramatic. But it is another long straight shot right into the wind.

Mile 15 - Near the edge of the road with a steep ditch. Blast of wind knocks me closer to the edge and I have to twist my leg a little to keep from falling down the embankment. A minute later the wind actually almost blows a contact lens out of my eye. I get it back in place OK though. Now my right ankle which has been giving me some trouble for a few weeks starts to flare up. Discomfort bordering on mild pain off and on. At this slightly faster pace I am passing some runners. Very gradually picking them off and wondering if they will catch back up if/when I slow later on.

Mile 16 - Feel good=5, feel bad = 5, will race again = 10.

Mile 17 - Merge with the halfers. Wonder if I will see Jody. But they are going just a little faster than me. Now I am swallowed up in a much larger race with almost 1,800 participants, compared to 443 in the full who are all spread out at this point. As I am passed, if I care, I can look to the bib color and see what race the person is in, mostly it will be halfers though.

Mile 20 - Some stomach issues/nausea off and on. Ankle a little worse and now I am just getting tired. Pace is slowing.

Mile 22 - Really slowing now and it is just too difficult to keep going at any pace. Disappointing. I find a slower groove and stay with that along with some walk breaks, especially when the ankle hurts. Major shift in focus now, from pacing and trying to have the fastest result, to just keeping up a happy spirit. More jokes with the spectators and volunteers.

Mile 23 - Along the water and really into the wind again. On the boardwalk over the water and the wind is so strong it almost stops us a couple of times. Now up the hill and I am running but so slowly that I get passed by a walker. Funny.

Mile 24 - Good =1, bad = 9, will I race again = 10. I must love suffering.

Mile 25 - Tracy Marshall passes me with a smile. I catch up to Maniac Christopher who I was with at the very start of the race. He had passed me a while back but now we are struggling along at the same pace. I decide to just stick with him and we run the final half mile together.

Mile 26.2 - Done. Horrible second half but I take some solace when I check results and split times and see that many runners who finished around my time also had very bad second halfs. Still a great race that I will come back to next year.

4:09:44
161 of 443
Race#250, Marathon or Ultra#71, Bellingham Bay Marathon#5
*****

9/17/11 Tumwater High School Commemorative 5K Race

2011-09-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

Part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Tumwater High School. Race put on by coach Rich Brown and Club Oly. $15 preregistered with my Club Oly discount. Cotton T-Shirt. Flat course on the streets, finishing on the track. Unfortunately we have a fairly heavy rain coming down. It is a little breezy and feels cold. It is a short race so I am in my shorts and singlet.Get in almost two miles of warm up and my legs feel ready, but my right hand is slightly numb.
Small event. The entire cross country team and the girl's volleyball team is running so it seems like mostly kids. Hey now there is a surprise; my new arch nemesis is here! In my previous two races Mark and I finished with no runners between us. He beat me by a few seconds at the Run Like a Dog 5K and I beat him by a few steps at the Narrows 10 miler. Nice that we get to talk a bit before the race.
Start - Just a few minutes late. I would like to get going with this cold rain. We are off soon enough. Big group of High School runners charges forth. I get boxed in a little but am not concerned, there will be plenty of time to sort out.
Mile 1 - 6:46. Feeling great and am even with Mark. But now it gets tougher and I slow some. He gradually pulls away and soon I doubt that I will catch back up to him. Turned into the wind, dodging some puddles and just not feeling my best. I did run 57 miles last week which is a lot for me. I have PRd at the half and 10 miles recently but it looks like that is not going to translate into a faster 5K time. Losing steam but grinding along.
Mile 2 - 7:04 average pace. Catch a HS runner who is barely breathing hard at all. I mention that he does not seem to be working as hard as me and he says that Coach told them to take this as a tempo run, but most of his team seems to be racing it. Now Mark is directly in front of me and it looks like he is not gaining any more distance. It is early but I decide to really push it now and see if I can catch him. I gain some ground but not enough.
Mile 3.1 - For the third race in a row we will come in directly after one another. Turn on to the track finish and sprint as best I can. I managed to run the third mile faster than the second but my finish time is a little disappointing. GPS reads 3.1. Watch some finishers then jog a little with Tammy. Raffles (but I do not win) and medals to the top in each age group. I am second in my age group, behind Mark. We do not know when we will face off again but I look forward to that day when it comes. Thanks Rich, Erin, Billy, Shannon, Sabrina, Terra and others for putting this event on. If only it had not been raining and if I could have run just a little faster, I would have enjoyed it even more.

21:54
13th of ??
Race #249, 5K#64
***

9/3/11 Over The Narrows 10 Miler

2011-09-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

Second annual event and my second time here. Last year I missed a PR by two seconds on this tough hilly course. My PR from 1997 stands at 1:16:20 and this will be my eighth time racing this distance. Feeling good and confident that if i have a good day I can beat that PR time. I know for sure that I could beat it on a flat course, but this is anything but flat. Very well organized and inexpensive event. This year they have us parking in a lot on the other side of the street and we have to walk about a quarter mile to packet pick up. Bright sunny day, I have plenty of time and it is not warm yet so the walking is no problem.

Start - Lots of people here. I find my running pals and line up near the front. Chip timed but no mat at the start, only at the finish. We start right on time and go screaming out of the parking lot. Now the one mile downhill. Going about 7:15/mile, hoping to bank some time for the return trip up. The road is open to traffic so we are given a narrow lane marked by cones on the edge of the road. Have to watch for bumps in the pavement. In the shade the sunglasses come off to see better, but there will be a lot of open sun where I will be glad that I have them.

Mile 2 - Turn and a steep uphill. I forgot about this part from last year. Now level and then downhill and on to the Narrows Bridge with its long downhill on this side

Mile 3.5 - One of those wonderful moments that I capture in my mind. Running strong with the Rogue Wave, amazing scenery. Way above the Puget Sound with a large boat going under the bridge. On shore there is a train winding down the tracks. Blue below and above, green trees on the hillside ahead. It is just so awesome to be here now and to be running strong and fast.

Mile 4 - And just like that every thing falls apart with the change in incline. Now it is real work to get up the far side of this bridge. The Rogue Wave glides up these hills so easy but I can not keep up. Working very hard now, I see Ginger heading back downhill very intent on her own race. Finally to the top and the turn around. We are not quite at 5 miles yet and this year we are turning around before crossing the road, I hope that the course has been adjusted to be an accurate ten miles.

Mile 5.5 - Sure was easier coming back down. Marthino and Kimpossible sightings. Now on the flat part of the bridge and well below PR pace. Get my rhythm back. I sense someone catching up to me. Now I feel someone grab the back of my singlet and tug on it a little. Ah, Maniac Pedro. I had expected to see him here. Running a smart race, he says hi and then goes on ahead. Now I am mostly alone. I can see runners ahead of me but we are mostly all spread out. Last week at the 5K race I ran side by side with a guy for the last two miles and it helped me keep up the pace. Looks like today it will be a solo effort on the uphills and I really do not know if I will get that PR.

Mile 6 - Now begins the crazy uphills. Steep up off the water. We should turn here, where we came on to the bridge, but no the volunteer has us going on straight. This is the course change to keep it an accurate distance. But it makes us go up and even steeper hill. I can see a guy in a green shirt up ahead and he is taking a walk break this hill is so steep. Maybe I will catch him, but no he starts running again. Brutal hill, finally a turn onto some flat.

Mile 7 - Bob Martin passes me. Now the steep downhill and my right foot is not happy. I have had a nagging issue in there for some time now. I think that the slapping downhills are not helpful for it. Well, soon enough I will be going back up.

Mile 8 - Turn and now it is flat and gradual uphill. I can not do the math very well to know if I will PR. Stop looking at the watch and just work hard.

Mile 9 - OK, reset the watch and realize that if I can get up this hill, this last mile in 8:11 I will match my best ever time. I am very unsure if I can do it, but know I will try my best. It is tough but not as brutal as I expected. My form is holding well and I attribute that to recent core strengthening work I have been doing. I am not going blazing fast, but I am not falling apart either.

Mile 9.5 - Guy with the green shirt is walking a little again and I am able to catch him. Just as I am even with him I realize that it is the same guy that I ran with, who beat me by one second, last week!! I really am focused on that PR so I blaze on and now I have the fear that he will catch me to keep me moving as fast as I can.

Mile 9.75 - Hear the finish line announcer say that Bob Martin has come in. I must be close as I crest the hill and enter the parking lot. Give it my all. Then ease up knowing I will get that PR. But now I can see the clock still in the 1:15:50s and I sprint hard to get in before it gets to 1:16:00. Awesome feeling to run so well. GPS read 10.04 miles. Run Like a Dog guy is only seconds behind me and he congratulates me. I want to talk with him, but Tony wants to take my picture (thanks for the photos today), and I can not find him after that. Its always fun to race with someone who is right about my level and recently I have a couple of people who are right with me.

I have time today to stay around for food and awards. I can definitely see myself coming back for this race every year.

1:15:56 PR

41st of 356 5th of 24 in age group

Race#248, Ten Miler#8

*****

8/27/11 Run Like a Dog 5K

2011-08-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

Nice day for a local 5K that is run about five miles from my house. I contemplate running to the race and running home, but decide that I do not need so many miles. I am ahead of my mileage goal for August already and still a litle worn out from the 12 hour race that was two weeks ago. $25 day of race entry fee gets me a cool looking cotton T-shirt and a bag full of items for the dog. I could have also gotten a T-shirt for my dog, but opted out of that. I left the old dog at home today, since I would like to run faster than he can handle these days. It is partly cloudy and after a mile and half warm up I am sweating, but it is not very hot.

Start - My third time here and each time I have the same worry about the crowded start line and the large number of dogs. We run in the parking lot, make a very quick turn and then it narrows onto the paved Chehalis Western trail. It could be a tangle of leashes and mayhem if we are not all careful. I start near the front. It is very crowded but we negotiate the first couple of hundred feet and make it to the trail OK.

Mile 0.5 - Places are sorting out. I am passing people and being passed. Now only one dog in front of me. One guy blocks me in as I try to pass on the inside curve of the trail. Frustrating, I have to go around him the other way. Two people on bikes are trying to come the other way on the trail. Not a good time for that, but I get past them OK.

Mile 1 - 6:40. Much faster than I wanted to go. Now all I can do is see if I can hold it together. Turn onto the road and one guy tries to pass me. I stay with him and we run side by side.

Mile 2 - Still running with the guy. Every once in a while one of us gets a few steps ahead, but then the other of us catches up. Plenty of open room to run now. Its great to have someone right with me, I am sure that I would not be going as fast without the competition.

Mile 2.5 - Back onto the trail on this lollipop course. Some dog walkers still heading out and I have to watch for the dogs that are on long leashes. I am still well under 7/mile pace and still with the guy. I do not care if he beats me, I am happy enough with my own time. I will not beat my time here from 2 years ago, but it might be close. Up a little hill and he gets a few steps ahead of me for good. But no one else passes me at any point after the first mile.

Mile 3.1 - I turn it on for a good sprint to the finish. I feel like the race went very well, but I could have done better. Not at my best today, but fairly close. GPS reads 3.04 as does Marhtino's. Fun to run with him and see other friends there. I stay for the awards and raffles but do not win anything. I really like how so many non racers and casual runners come out for this with their dogs for a fun morning. The proceeds benefit the Humane Society which is a plus too.

21:03
21st place of 348 runners and walkers
Race# 247, 5K #62, Run Like a Dog #3
****

8/14/11 Transcendence 12 hour

2011-08-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

Second annual event and my second time here. Since I ran my first 50 miler in March, my goal today is to go at least 51 miles and also beat my time from then (9:44). If that goes well I hope to continue at an easy pace and go for at least 11 hours, making the most of the event. Last year I quit at 33.5 miles (6:22) mostly because of the intense heat. Today it will be much cooler and very nice for running.

Start to 26.2 miles - You would think that with such a long race there would be much to write about. But this course is so dull, 1.52 miles per loop around Capitol Lake, every loop blends into each other. I go a little faster than I should but also am not wasting time at the aid stations. I try to stop for water after every two laps, then have food and some other liquids on every 4th lap, being careful not to linger. Planned walk breaks after each loop give my legs a rest and a chance to digest some. I reach the marathon mark in about 4:20. Faster than planned and I am feeling good.

Mile 26.2 to 31.1 (50K) - I need to have goals within the larger goal in order to stay motivated and on task. I soon realize that if I can keep up this pace I could set a PR for the 50K distance. My PR is 5:09. I start watching the clock more closely. Then it becomes something of a challenge. I pick it up and start telling people what I am trying to do. At about 30.5 I catch up to a woman who wants to help me and she starts pacing me to go quicker. Soon I realize that she is not in the ultra race, she is just running a few laps around the lake as it is open to the public. Now we are going at about 8:30/mile pace, way faster than I should go, but I hit my mark in 5:07. Not an official PR and my GPS is off from the official race distance, so I won't count it for my records but it was a fun challenge. Now I can slow down and start thinking about 50 miles.

Mile 31.1 to 50 - This is way too long of a distance to have as a leg of this race. I have a couple of rewards planned for reaching milestones. I told myself that after 6 hours I would grab my music player and use that diversion. I also have my camera and plan to run one loop with it. But I do neither. I don't feel like taking the time to do those things. Still trying to go fast through the aid stations. I do have some fun with food. For one lap I grab 4 grapes and eat one at each quarter of the loop. I also break into my Starbucks cold frappachino drink and experiment with that. Stomach handles it well and it sure hits the spot. In the end though it was the fellow runners who made this section more than tolerable. Running mostly alone, but I keep catching up to someone taking a walk break and I can walk with them for a stretch. Or someone catches me and we run together for a bit. Rose, Esther, Guy, Monte, Marie and pack, Marilou, Robert, Cyndie, Mike and others. Jody has stopped by twice and it was great to look forward to seeing her on the back side of the course. My energy level is good, but unfortunately I am getting some pains up and down my right leg. If I walk it goes away. I am able to run farther on the gravel path than the concrete but with both surfaces I eventually get some pain and go to a walk for a while. I have plenty of time to reach my goals so I am in no rush, I for sure do not want to injure myself. I adjusted my GPS to match the official distance and now I close in on 50 miles. The Rogue Wave catches up to me and it is fitting that she is there when I hit 50 miles and cross into new mileage territory. I hit the 50 mile mark in 9:32.

Mile 50 to 57.9 - Now I have 2.5 hours to just keep moving and add to my distance record. The pain comes more often and I am walking a lot. At the 10 hour mark the leader board is updated and I am pleased to see that I am in 10th place overall. 4th Masters runner but I will not be able to catch my buddy Ron who is two laps ahead of me. The posting does not say who has stopped running, so I need to keep going. There is quite a battle for the woman's first place. I know all three women who are close to being in the lead and as I see them I encourage each of them. Jesse and Matt continue to lap me and Jesse will end up with over 80 miles! I am doing loops in about 25 minutes now, being passed by a lot of people. I decide to not start any lap after 11:30 and when I reach the check in at 11:20 I know that I will do one more lap. 3/4 of the way through, Jill Hudson blazes past me and I wonder if I just lost 10th place. It turns out that she was still one lap behind me. Also three guys who I do not know had passed me since the 10 hour mark so really I am in 13th place. Now Kimpossible passes me and again I wonder if she is on the same lap. I do not want her to beat me, so I start running faster. I work very hard and am surprised at how fast and long I can keep running. Reach the finish in 11:42. Kimpossible was one lap behind me and now she sets off to do one more. If she can not get in under 12:00 that lap will not count. It is close but she makes it. Exciting finish. Finally I sit down, for the first time since 6AM. I am able to get out of my chair when I need to but I do not feel so good. Its going to be a rough recovery but I think I will be fine in a few days. I totalled 72.9 miles in the last 7 days and that is a new record for me.

Although the course is boring and the lake is disgusting (they really need to make a decision and either dredge it or revert it to an estuary) I prefer this kind of ultra. I can't get lost, probably wont fall and don't have to carry anything as I reach the aid station and my stash of goods every 1.5 miles. The loops let me see lots of friends. Plenty of volunteers and accurate results posted in a timely fashion. Hope to come back again next year.

57.9 miles (38 laps)
11 hours 42 minutes 23 seconds
13th place of 74
Race #246 Marathon or Ultra #70 Transcendence 12 hour #2
*****

8/6/11 Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon

2011-08-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

My best half marathon time was here, three years ago (1:40:23). I missed the race in 2009 but ran a 1:41:44 here last year. A good half for me is anything under 1:43. I think that I am in decent shape for this year. My 1:42 at the tough Chelan course and my PR at the Sound to Narrows in June has given me enough confidence to at least try to go for a sub 1:40 and PR today. Its funny how a 1:39 sounds so much better than 1:40. Its like buying something for $3.99 thinking that is so much cheaper than $4.00. It has been 15 years since I started running halfs in the 1:40s and anything under that is always what the fast people do. To have just one finish under 1:40 in my running career would mean a lot, at least to me. I feel great, the weather is perfect, I know the course, there will even be two runners pacing 1:40. I will stick to the pacers and see if it is to be my day.

Start - Getting to the start is a snap. I have plenty of time to greet friends, be in a group photo with the Marathon Maniacs and do a very short warm up. Now lined up with Bullseye Bob one of the 1:40 pacers and ready to follow him all the way from Gig Harbor to Tacoma. Just before the start I see Maniac Ginger. We give each other the evil eye. Then we are off so fast. I do not see Ginger ahead of me, nor do I see her at the out and back at the half mile mark. So I assume that she is behind me, and throughout the race I think about that and expect her to breeze past me. But no, she is ahead and running a great race. If she is having a good day at all, I have no chance of catching her and today will be one of those days.

Mile 2 - The pace seems so fast. We need to average 7:39/mile but here we are going at 7:25. It is somewhat downhill with uphills to come. I will trust my pacers.

Mile 3 - On the Narrows Bridge going downhill. Amazing views. I am running comfortably hard and I have Bullseye Bob on my left, the Rogue Wave on my right and another friend, Paul H with me too. I love this moment. Paul spits out over the bridge and I feel like that is something I should do too, so I do. I can not be too chatty at this pace, but I am able to talk a little and stay relaxed. So far so good.

Mile 4 - Now the part of the course that I fear. The long uphill side of the bridge and more up after that. RW says that it is not as bad as it looks from here, and I know that I have done this before, its just where things get tough. Pacer Bullseye Bob starts to drop back and the other pacer MM1694 (Brad) who I have not met before is holding the same pace up this hill. Should I stay with Bob? He had said that we would ease up on the hill and make the time up later. He also is just getting better from having the flu and I think that he asked for a second pacer just in case he did not have the energy to run so fast today. I end up sort of splitting the difference. I just can not keep up with Brad or the Rogue Wave on this uphill, but I also leave Bob behind somewhere. I will not look back to see where he is. Paul is also behind now, but will finish right after me.

Mile 5.5 - Through the neighborhood with its turns and ups and downs. Seems like every little uphill I lose ground on pacer Brad and RW but reel them back in on the flats or downhills. This is a little frustrating because one thing I have been working on in training is hill repeats. Guess that I need to work them even harder. I claw my way back to them. Now with most of the uphills done the running gets easier and we are at 7:33 average pace, ahead of schedule. We are back on the paved trail along Highway 16, same route as the Tacoma Marathon. Feeling good.

Mile 6.5 - Our 1:40 pace group has fallen apart. RW is ahead. A couple others are hanging in off and on. I have been side by side with Brad for a while. I could go faster, but it is way too early to do that. Brad has to use the port-a-potty. I offer to hold the 1:40 sign and keep running as he goes and promises to catch up to me. How exciting! I am now the pacer. I feel a little surge of energy but vow to hold the pace at the 7:33 we have been running. I do catch up to the Rogue Wave and tap her with the sign just to freak her out and show her that I am now in charge. We remember that she had a similar experience at the Tacoma Marathon one year.

Mile 7 - I am glad to pass the sign back to Brad and let him keep track of pacing. RW must be feeling good, she is forging ahead and will leave us in the dust going on to her own PR. I think about trying to keep with her but decide that the PR and the sub 1:40 are my primary goals and that staying with Brad is the smart thing to do.

Mile 8 - Off the paved trail. Around and then into Cheney Stadium. Run around the warning track of this Minor League baseball stadium. See ourselves on the Jumbotron. I love this course. Exit, through the parking lot and back to the paved trail.

Mile 10 - Very steady 7:33 pace the whole way so far. A few small uphill sections and I feel like I am starting to struggle. Now the watch says 7:34 average. Focus on the Target Store logo in the distance. Encouraging words from Brad about how it is only a 5K to go. How fast can I run a 5K? 21:30 on a good day. "Well you only need to run a 24 something to reach your goal time" he says. He also says that I should pick myself up and get moving like Scott Jurek at Badwater.

Mile 10.5 - I hate this little hill out of the trail and onto the road. Steep little bugger. Brad is a little ahead, I just can not keep up. I am next to a woman who has been with me off and on for a long while. I say that we need to pump our arms to get up this thing. I often forget to do that. It really makes a difference. We both pump our way to the top. the whole hill is like 50 feet, but it is always so epic. Because now it is flat and then a huge downhill.

Mile 11 - Make the turn to the downhill and fly down the steep. I have also been off and on with a guy with a green shirt. We joke about how bad this must be for our bodies to go pounding down like this. Soon it is over and now it is flat and gentle downhill the rest of the way.

Mile 12 - Pacer Brad says that we did the last mile in 7:25. I still am not convinced that I will PR. I feel like I could fall apart at any moment and I am afraid to push harder.

Mile 12.5 - Now I know that I will make it. What a terrific feeling.

Mile 12.8 - Brad says that it is time to sprint but I don't. I am afraid that I won't be able to.

Mile 13- Now I go for it and I am surprised at how much speed I still have in me. I should have gone faster earlier and I fly into the finish area. So thrilled to see 1:38 on my watch and know that I could have been even a little faster if I had picked it up earlier.

Mile 13.1 - Fist pumping and just so happy. This is the same finish line as the Tacoma Marathon where I missed a PR by one second back in May. Those last miles had been torture, I cursed at the finish line and then barfed a minute later. Today it is all smiles and feeling great. I get a hat for being one of the top 100 finishers. Recover, check results at the computer station, have a slice of pizza and watch finishers come in. Whatever happens in my running career I will always have this sub 1:40 half. Now if only I could get ino the 1:20s where the fast runners are.....

Next race is the Transcendence 12 hour ultra on 8/14. I will be running a whole lot slower on that day, but hopefully getting a mileage record.

1:38:37 PR

76th place of 826

Race #245 Half Marathon#23

*****

7-24-11 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon

2011-07-24T17:39:00.000-07:00

I have fond memories of doing this race three years ago, running strong and setting a PR of 3:48. Hoping to do even better today. A little worried about the weather forecast, with hot temperatures predicted, but not much I can do about that. I carpool up with Ron and Jennifer and enjoy their company. Get to the bus in plenty of time for the ride to the top of Snoqualamie Pass. It seems cool here, but in the 45 minutes before the start I can feel it warming up. Race is sold out, but bib pick up and restrooms are no problem. They have a 7AM start and an 8AM start and I think that many runners did take the early start, to beat the heat. Getting up at 4:10AM seemed early enough so we are starting at 8AM.

Start - No one seems to want to line up at the front, so I end up close to the start line. We set off right on time. Very short out and back in the bright sunshine.

Mile 0.3 - Sunglasses come off and the Knuckle lights come on. Fun Father's Day present, this is my first time using them. They cast a wide swath of light and serve me well.

Mile 1 - Mile marker is a chalk line in the dark tunnel. Thanks to Matt and Betsy and RD Brian for putting this race on and for providing mile markers on a trail race. The tunnel is a very unique place to run. I enjoy the chance to do this, but I am also watching the light at the end of the tunnel slowly grow, and I look forward to getting out. It is humid in here and at some places there is water dripping from the ceiling. One large drop of water splashes down and gets me right in the eye.

Mile 2.7 - Out of the tunnel and it feels much cooler to be out. Knuck Lights off and into the drop bag that will be sent to the finish line. Soon it warms up, but very runnable, for now. GPS is off from the mile markers by about three tenths of a mile. I settle in for a nice downhill run at a comfortably fast pace.

Mile 6 - Getting warmer. I have been cruising along at a steady pace that will get me a PR. Bob Dolphin sighting, he started at 7AM. Someone is close behind me but not passing. When I run the tangents on this rocky dirt road, she is crossing over and staying right on my tail. The sound is more annoying than anything else. Crunch crunch on the gravelly trail. The course is rockier than I remember, sharp little rocks that I will not trip on, but will wear out my feet long before this race is over.

Mile 9 - Warmer. At an aid station I pass a runner who had been ahead of me but is now dousing himself in a small waterfall. Since I am carrying my fuel belt with water and gatorade I do not need to stop at every aid station and I am able to get away from the woman who was tailing me for three miles. Somewhere around here I apparently ran past a bear sitting in a tree along the trail. Lots of people saw it, but not me.

Mile 16 - Alternating sunshine with shady spots. Really hot in the sun and I have done very little warm weather running this year. Here I realize that my right knee which had been hurting a little after last weeks race is doing great. No aches or pains, just getting sluggish from the heat.

Mile 19 - My pace is slowing and I know now that I will not PR. To mark the moment I walk long enough to grab a ripe salmonberry off the trail edge. Back to running and at least beat 4 hours.

Mile 22 - Getting very hot and difficult now. It is a different sort of tired. Not the typical wall, just a gradual slow down that I believe is due to the heat. The problem is that I keep getting slower and slower. At this point I start to doubt that I will beat 4 hours. Cold water on my head at an aid station instantly turns warm as it trickles off my hair and down my neck.

Mile 23 - Still passing some 7AM starters, but also getting passed by 8AM runners. Not as many as I expected though, perhaps I am not the only one wilting. Catch up to Monte. He encourages me to keep going. At this point though, even though I have eased way back on the effort, it really is a struggle to even shuffle/run. Now this has become a training run, to just keep moving, but it is very very difficult. One of the hardest races I have done in a long time. A couple of times today I have had some light headedness and nausea and I made the easy decision to back off the pace and not end up needing medical aid. Sure I would like to be faster and there is a time to push my limits, but not today.

Mile 26.2 - I can see the finish now and am so glad for this to be over. Someone has run out to encourage another runner who is just behind me. I decide that I have been passed enough for one race and do not let him catch me. Not much of a sprint, but I do get in before him. I forget to stop my watch at the finish and will not know my official time for a while.

Update 7-26: Official time is posted and I added photos by Jennifer Seward. Thanks Jennifer!!

4:06:05

119th place of 287

Race#244, Marathon or Ultra#69

****

7/16/11 Chelanman Half Marathon

2011-07-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

Third year here in a row. Jody doing the Olympic distance triathlon. I am not a fan of the open road course with bikes and cars. Also slanty and rough in places pavement. The worst part is the heat but that will not be an issue this time. It is cloudy and much cooler than usual. Even a little mist and light rain at times.

People come here for the triathlon races. The running events (10K and half marathon) are a bit of an afterthought. Last year the run races started a little late as they were waiting for all the bikers to get on course. I expect the same today and do not go near the start line until about ten minutes before the scheduled start. The 300 or so runners are all being told to stay in a little patch on the side of the road as the bikers are still coming through. The RD says that we will start on time however. I go up to the main road to get in a little warm up. When I get back, the RD is having all the runners cross the street at once and line up in front of the narrow chip mat. I end up about midway in the crowd and it will take me almost 20 seconds to get to the mat when the race starts.

Start - Super crowded and slow in the hotel parking lot. Stay relaxed and try to not do anything drastic as we turn left and then right and up the hill out of the lot. Right turn onto the road, all in the first two tenths of a mile. Now on the road I can pass a whole bunch of people and get even with those who are running about the pace I want to be at.

Mile 1 - 7:44 and now accelerating some.

Mile 2- Average pace at 7:40. On the down hills I get it down to 7:36 and let it go back up on the uphills. I think that my PR pace is 7:40, it will be interesting to see if I can hold it. At times it seems easy, at other times it is more laborious.

Mile 6 - Pleasant running with the other racers. I have passed a few and also been passed, but now that the 10K runners have turned around I am mostly running alone. The kids at the aid stations are great. Yelling out if they have water or gatorade.

Mile 6.5 - Steepish uphill to the turn around. I pass a bicyclist just before the turnaround cone. Now I get to run downhill, with the wind at by back, though it is gentle. Tammy Herzog sighting. She tells me that I am in either 19th or 20th place. She is having a good race and will go on for a sub 2 hour time. I just try to hold the pace.

Mile 8 - Gradually catch one kid who is having tons of fun, hooting and hollering at everything. We encourage the stragglers still heading out.

Mile 9 - One woman has passed me, but now I see that two guys are getting closer. At the aid station they both start walking. I am able to pass them both.

Mile 10 - Merge with the hordes triathlete runners and now I will not know if someone passing me is in my race or a triathlete, unless I think to look for a number on their leg. Mostly though I am focused on my own thing. It is getting harder, but I am still at 7:40 pace. The math in my head does not quite add up though and at the mile marker I see that my GPS is reading long. My actual pace is a little slower than what the watch is reading, if that mile marker is in the right spot. If the GPS is right and if I am able to have a strong finish, I could actually PR. But if the mile marker is right, I will not PR, though it will still be a very decent finish time.

Mile 10.5 - Jody on the bike part of her course, yells to me as she whizzes by.

Mile 11 - Uphill and things start to fall apart. Trying hard but I am slowing.

Mile 12 - Pass by Jody who is at mile 1 of the running part of her race. The watch says that I am at 7:42 overall pace, but after seeing the last mile markers I know that the GPS is in fact off, or that the course is a little long. I will maintain this pace, up that last hill and down to the finish, but my official overall pace will be recorded at 7:47/mile. I try very hard to get a time under 1:42, but come up a few seconds shy. Still more than five minutes faster than last year and one of my top half marathon times.

I placed third in my age group. The past two years we all got finishers medals and I got a nice glass mug for being and age group winner. This year there were no age group awards for the runners as "we gave you medals" we were told. Somewhat beat up after this race but I should be ready to go again next weekend.

1:42:02

17th of 139

***

7/3/11 Tumwater Pioneer Days Summer Run 5K

2011-07-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

This used to be the "Dollars for Scholars" race but now it has a new name and course. Still put on by the Tumwater Chamber of Commerce. Now a very flat course on roads near the airport. Although I did receive a flier with course map in the mail, this race was not advertised very well. That plus the variety of local options this weekend leads to a very small turn out today. Looking around at the start I do not see anyone that I know can beat me. Well, Craig is here, but he is not racing. Guerrilla Running is doing the timing and as usual they will have accurate and quickly posted results. The course is certified, so my two requirements (accurate distance and timing) for a good race are met. It is sunny with some clouds, not too warm. I drove in from Hood Canal this morning and managed to remember everything that I need, except sunglasses. I will manage without them. No real time goal since I have not done a 5K since February and I am coming off 3 marathons in the last 4 weeks, plus the Sound to Narrows race. Today is about getting back to some fast running and starting to train for half marathons that I will run later in the Summer.

Start - Still no not see anyone that I know is super fast. Erik is here and we are usually very close, he still beats me more often than not. I did a good 1.5 mile warm up, then some strides. Right foot feels fine. Everything feels good. Ready to run and off we go.

Mile 0.5 - Three runners are ahead of me on this long flat straight road. Erik is right at my side. I am going way too fast, but it feels OK. I probably should slow down a little because I will never hold this pace. But I see that the three in front of me are not getting any farther away. The lead two are about 40-50 feet ahead and now we are running at the same pace. If I could go a little faster, I could catch them and then go back to the slower pace and maintain with them for a while. I should not do this, but how often do I have a chance to win a race? I step it up a little, break from Erik and try to gain ground.

Mile 1 - 6:45 - Way too fast, I am supremely confident that I can not maintain this pace. But I have caught up to and passed the third place guy and I am much closer to the lead two. I had meant to focus on form but instead I am grinding this out as fast as I can and I am not thinking about form at all.

Mile 1.5 - It is such a short time from the one mile mark to 1.5, where the race is almost halfway over. Still flat with long straight aways. Blow through the aid station and douse my head, try to get a small drink but spill it all on my face. Overall pace now at 6:52 and Erik passes me.

Mile 2 - Guy with toe shoes passes me. He remembers me from the Capitol City Marathon where I helped pace him. He thanks me for that and I tell him that he should let me beat him today, but no, he eases on ahead.

Mile 2.5 - Pace is slowing. I can still see the lead runner, who is now extending his lead. I am not within range of catching anyone. At a turn I look back and see that no one is close behind me. After some great competition I will run the last bit of this race in "no man's land". The pace slows a little more.

Mile 2.8 - I am closing the gap on one of those ahead of me but there is not time to catch him. This is a fast course for sure, however at the very end we turn left, then take another left and immediate right into a parking lot where the finish line is. Not able to sprint at the very end, but still a good course.

Mile 3.1 - Finish OK and I am pleased with my time. I should not have gone out so fast, but I knew the gamble I was taking, and I did not fall apart so badly. Legs felt very good and I am pleased with the effort. Chamber of Commerce races have really good raffles and with the small turn out I am sure that I will go home with something. Unfortunately my number is not called. I do get a blue ribbon for earning first place in my age group. Nice little event that I would do again.

22:08

5th place of 35

5K#61

Race #242

****

6/25/11 Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon

2011-06-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

Third annual event and my third time here. See previous posts for course description. The trip to the expo on Thursday, the 3:30AM wake up today, and the associated costs have me thinking that I will take next year off. There are so many other races that I could do in June. It is fun to be part of this massive event though, despite the hassles. Today is special in that when I finish I will have completed 19 marathons or ultras within 365 days earning me Iridium (4 star) status in the Marathon Maniacs. I mapped this out quite some time ago and almost had it in April but had to skip a race then. I think that the 16 long races I did in 2010 was more manageable and I plan to stick to something closer to that for the near future. This will be my third marathon in four weeks plus the Sound to Narrows race. I had a very good run in Vancouver six days ago and I have not ever raced marathons six days apart. So I expect to be a little slower than usual, hopefully not crashing too bad. Must hold back in the early miles!! If I could break 4 hours that would be awesome but is not mandatory for me to consider the day a success.

Get to the start line in plenty of time for the 7AM start. I wander around the "Athletes Village" for a while. 20,000 runners, most doing the half, but I do not see anyone that I know. Find a few MMs. There is supposed to be a group photo of the 143 MMs who are here, at 6:20AM. At a normal race that would give plenty of time. I was going to join the photo but it is getting so crowded I can hardly walk anywhere, I still need to use the bathroom, and my corral is really far away. So I work my way up to corral 7 and get there in good time. Chat with Marie for a bit and then line up with Betsy and Ashley. Betsy beat me by a few minutes here last year, passing me late in the race, and she hopes to run a similar time, so we will run together some I am sure. Cloudy and not too warm, a little humid.

Start - Wave starts make it relatively easy to get up to pace. First mile is a little slow. No need to dodge around everybody, its good in that it makes me hold back.

Mile 3 - Ashley goes on ahead. She is more comfortable at 8:45 pace and I refuse to go faster than 8:50 in the first half.

Mile 4 - Betsy gets ahead at an aid station where I walk through. I'll keep her in my sights for a long while.

Mile 10 - Runner ahead of me has his bib on his back. That is not so unusual, but what is memorable is that his number is the same one that I had at this race last year. (5050 in honor of my 50th) I can not quite catch up to him.

Mile 11 - On the I-90 bridge on Lake Washington. I see an osprey. Then I watch it set up for a dive. It plummets straight down, but then pulls up short of the water and starts hovering again.

Mile 12 - In the long tunnel. Warmer. I start to tire. Also my right foot aches a little.

Mile 13.1 - 1:57, good job of holding back. Tiring. Aching foot is a little worse. Awesome view of Safeco Field.

Mile 15 - On to the Alaska Way viaduct. Foot is better, manageable discomfort.

Mile 17 - Finally reel Betsy in as she is tiring. I feel better than I did a few miles back. Good enough energy, beat up legs.

Mile 18.5 - Kid with a sign that reads "Release the Kraken". Too funny. Finally hit the turn around and can head back towards the finish.

Mile 21 - Whoa, tiring fast now. Pretty sure that I will not beat 4. I am able to keep running though. Legs are sore and shot. I am over 50 miles for the week. I can run on shot legs, but it just is not all that fun. Still keeping a good attitude. Through another tunnel with very slanty camber and back up onto the viaduct. Figured out that I can make the spectators on the bridge tops above us cheer if I just put my arms in the air.

Mile 25 - Last out and back, now up the final hill. At 3:50 and the 4 hour mark is just out of reach. Level ground. Make the turn to the off ramp at 3:56. If I can run down the ramp in two minutes and then hit the last two turns in another two minutes.....it doesn't look that far from up here.

Mile 26 - Well it was farther than I thought it would be. I did push hard the last bit, but I will not beat 4. I gave the whole race a good effort and I am happy with the results.

4:02:13

68th Marathon or Ultra

Race#241

1,000th place of 3,520

*****

6/19/11 Vancouver USA Marathon

2011-06-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Inaugural event. 7AM start with the larger half marathon starting at 8:30. I wait for a while, sitting in a plush chair in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel, reading the complimentary Sunday newspaper. Eventually make my way outside to find the gear check, start line and see if any friends are around. Just before the start I am chatting with Steve Walters and Larry Macon. I realize that my recent accomplishments ( this being my tenth marathon or ultra of 2011) are nothing compared to these guys. Steve ran 52 marathons in the past 52 weeks. Larry Macon is in the Guinness Book of World Records for his 107 marathons last year. Yesterday Larry ran Grandma's Marathon in Minnesota.

I have had some discomfort in my right foot since running two shorter/faster paced races last weekend. I took and extra day off this week and it feels OK now but I am a little apprehensive about it. My last marathon was two weeks ago where I went out too fast and paid for it in the second half. I will not try to PR (3:48) today. Instead I will really focus on holding back and hope to have a faster second half than first (negative split). If I can beat 4 hours and be fresh enough to run the Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon in six days I will call it a success.

It is cloudy with a little mist that lets up just before the start. Big event for this small city. I have not previewed the course but it has been billed as flat and scenic, along the Columbia River. Announcer asks how many are from out of state and I almost put my hand up. I think that this will be my tenth Washington State county to have run a marathon in.

Start - Smooth start on the wide street. Quick left turn, then a right and just as we are getting some running room there is another left turn and we are herded onto the sidewalk. I am not quite up to speed and will have to pass some people, but I am in no hurry. At least everyone is running and there is room to pass on the sidewalk. Up and over a bridge.

Mile 2 - Running for a bit with Maniac Georgina from Olympia. Some people on the sidewalk, some on the side of the road. Eventually we are all on the road, that is open to traffic, but there are not many cars. A long straight flat road. Himalayan Blackberry, Teasel and Poison Hemlock along the road's edge at the Port of Vancouver. Not quite the scenery I was hoping for. My foot aches just a little bit but will not get worse. It is a pleasant enough run but not all that special.

Mile 6 - I Can see the lead runners coming back on the other side of the road. Then we turn into a park for a lollipop section so I do not get to see all of the runners. This park is called Frenchman's Bar, and we do get to run along the mighty Columbia River for a little bit. The paved path in the park is all curvy and at one point I can see lines of runners going in five different directions. Soon I am snaking through the park and then heading back to town.

Mile 10 - Running comfortably at a pace almost 30 seconds per mile slower that I did two weeks ago in Port Angeles. Definitely feel like I am holding back. Listening to people talk but not actively socializing. A little wind in the face on this long straight section but not too bad. Still cloudy and I am not warm or cold.

Mile 13.1 - Just under 1:57. One thing I know is that I feel way better than I did at this point two weeks ago. Hopefully I can just keep going at this pace for many more miles.

Mile 14 - Small hill and bridge back into town. I chug up the hill and ease back on the downhill. Passing a few runners and feeling good.

Mile 15 - More spectators here in town. One man is walking down the road in front of me. As I pass him I see a group of three also walking and more up ahead. Oh, this is the tail end of the half marathon participants. They are at mile 2 of their race. Our races have merged and I will have to pass many walkers and slow runners of the half marathon.

Mile 17 - More sidewalks and then open roads with orange cones. At times the walkers are four abreast and I really have to go out of my way to get around them. Generally it is not so bad though. I am holding pace and feeling good and I am sure that is helping my mood.

Mile 19 - The elevation chart of the course showed the biggest uphill occurring here just before mile 20. So I know that it is coming and that it is only about 150 feet up. After that it will be downhill and flat until a small hill very close to the finish. Here is the hill. I remember to pump my arms and it really helps. I am passing tons of people both halfers and full runners. "Use your arms, use your arms" I say. One woman responds with "And use your glutes, use your glutes". The hill has two sections to it and for me on this day it was no challenge. Steep section of downhill where I have to use my brakes...too bad, I hate wasting energy like that.

Mile 21 - Just before mile 21, we have gone downhill and into a parking lot. As we reach the end of the parking lot/road there are two signs, one for the half and one for the full. A volunteer is directing halfers to follow the sign on the sidewalk and to curve back around. He tells me to take the full route which stays on the road but also curves around a tighter corner than the halfers are taking. That will be nice to split off from the halfers for a while. But after two seconds I see that my route would loop back to the hill that everyone is coming down and I know that is not the way back. Most everybody is on the sidewalk and I have no idea where to go. I stop and ask the halfers where I am supposed to go. No one knows. It does not seem right but I go up on to the walkway and down a small incline with all the halfers. Whew, what a relief to see the mile 21 marker for the full marathon. I know that I am on course. We do not split races here and I have no idea why the signs and the volunteer was directing us to do so. Now along the river but due to flooding on the paved trail the course has been altered and it is more sidewalk and roads.

Mile 23 - Still feeling good. Very pleased. I have been able to down my fig newtons and a gel. I don't want to, but I take another gel here. It is rough on the stomach but I get most of it down. I have passed enough halfers now that I have caught up with those who are running the event. Can't tell who is in the full and struggling and who is in the half as I pass. Very few runners are passing me and this is a much more enjoyable way to finish a race.

Mile 24 - Angie Vlatch cheering for me. That was a nice surprise. Still on pace for a negative split. I know that I will beat 4 hours.

Mile 25.2 - Last uphill and it happens. I hit the wall in dramatic fashion. It's funny and I even comment to a runner who passes me. "Wow, I just hit the wall" My legs have felt a little beat up for a long way now, but I had plenty of energy to keep moving at pace. Now I am suddenly drained. If that is going to happen, I am glad that it is mile 25 and not 18. With the uphill and my lack of energy I see the negative split slip away. I keep running, just slower and long for the end of this hill and the finish line.

Mile 26 - Almost there. Try to pick up the pace. Mile 13 of the half. Tenth of a mile to go. Two more turns before the finish and that last tenth seems so long. Finally done and pleased with how it went.

I perform some calculations from the results page. I estimate that I passed 618 half marathon participants during the last 11 miles of my race. That is about one person every ten seconds. I also passed quite a few full marathoners so the numbers are higher than that. I was not out to break any records today so the passing and dodging did not bother me, but I think that it should be considered as they plan for next year. I hope to run this one again.

3:54:48

207th place of 798
Race #240, Marathon or Ultra#67

*****

6/12/11 Evergreen Classic 5K

2011-06-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

A little stiff from yesterday's hard race but could not resist a small local event. Some discomfort in my right foot that I hope will go away as I loosen up. Smaller turn out than last year. Sunny but not too warm.

Start - Line up just behind Craig. Tell him that I will let him take the lead for now :). Smooth start on time. Foot feels fine and soon I am going too fast.

Mile 0.5 - Through and around two parking lots. Catch Ruhamma who started even faster than me. Sharp turns then a straight section where I can see ahead and all of the runners in front of me. I am in 11th place. Not so far behind one runner, but she is not getting any closer.

Mile 1.5 - Slowing down some and now a steepish uphill that really slows me. Shaded back country road. Do I hear footsteps behind me? Quick look back at a turn tells me that no one is close.

Mile 2.5 - Back to campus and I am able to pick up the pace a little.

Mile 3.1 - Hard to run so fast, but the race is over so quickly. I end with the same overall pace that I had for yesterday's 7.5 mile race. Ran all alone for the last 2.5 miles. Good effort this weekend, and I feel a little beat up. Will take extra rest this week as I think about the Vancouver USA Marathon to be held in seven days.

Win a one hour massage at the race raffles, which I am happy to give to Jody. Quick look at the results board before I leave. It has me in 11th place which I believe is correct, but my time is not right. The person in 10th place is listed with the time that I know I finished in, and my time is listed as almost a minute later than what I know I ran, probably what the 12th place person finished in. I hope they fix that, but it does not really matter.

22:42 (watch time and I am sure this is correct)
11th of 50
Race #239, 5K#61, Evergreen Classic#2
***

6/11/11 Sound to Narrows 12K

2011-06-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

Two days after the Capital City Marathon in May, I discovered a non painful lump on the top of my foot. I figured that it was swelling from the race and would subside, but it did not. Then the recent issue of Runner's World magazine was all about cancer and had pictures of runners in prosthetics and what not. Yesterday I decided to get it checked out. I called to make an appointment with my doctor and I was lucky to be able to get an appointment that afternoon. Good thing I did not have to wait over the weekend, because after making the call my nerves shot up and I was severely stressed out. I had been sure that it was nothing to worry about, but now that I was going to the doctor, I was frightened. Well, worry no more. Its just a "ganglion cyst" and no treatment is needed. What a relief. So I arrive at Vassault park with an extra dose of gratitude to be able to run. My streak of running at least 100 miles each calendar month is now in its 79th month. I count that as such a blessing.

Marathon 6 days ago and a couple of hard runs this week will put me at 47.5 miles for the week at the end of this race. I did not race here last year, but two years ago I ran a PR for this distance. This is my sixth year here off and on since 2002. Every year I have been a little faster, but I expect that to end this year. I feel good but the tired legs will surely slow me down and I am fine with that.

Such a large event, I wonder why all these people do not come out for more races. See lots of friends and I am very calm before the start of my wave. Tammy took the green wave again this year, so I will start five minutes later and try to pass her. Fun to have a goal like that to keep me going. Its cloudy and mid fifties. Nice for running.

Start - Move up close to the front of this large wave. A little weaving around people but not too bad as we get up to pace. Now it opens up some and I find a comfortable pace. Pick it up some and go blazing down the long hill. Run with Paul H some but he moves on ahead.

Mile 1.5 - Into the park and Kachunga! Oh the whole race is not downhill? Oh I won't be able to maintain a 6:52 mile? Now up and down on the Five Mile Drive through Point Defiance Park. Same as the Tacoma Marathon but at the faster pace it is a whole different beast. I swear some of the hills are steeper than they were a month ago.

Mile 2 - 14:20, ten seconds slower than two years ago.

Mile 2.5 - Catching up to a guy with amazing bulging calf muscles. I think about asking if I can borrow his legs but he has ear buds in. As I pass him I can hear his breathing is very labored. I figure that he has been to the gym for weight lifting a lot, but does not have the lungs for this kind of pace and distance. My legs and lungs are suffering equally, so I guess that my training is on target.

Mile 3.5 - Have had Paul in my sights since he went ahead and now I am gaining on him. He is close but there is a pack of about ten runners between us. Probably a bad idea but I surge and move around them and catch Paul. We run together for just a few steps before I move ahead. He will finish right behind me.

Mile 4.5 - I am not running a steady pace at all. Fly down the hills, slow on the uphill. Surge past runners (hey Sabrina!) and then settle in with someone for a while.

Mile 5 - There is Tammy, so another surge to reel her in and tap her on the arm. She is running great, but I caught her...one goal done. Now what about that PR? With 2.5 miles to go I have about 20 minutes to make my best time. Highly unlikely with all the uphill to come.

Mile 6 - Out of the park, down the too steep hill then up the way too steep hill. Average pace is at 7:32. I remember that in my log book I recorded a pace of 7:30 two years ago. There is no way I will make that, especially with the long uphill to go. But I will easily beat one hour and I am running happy. Leap frogging with a woman, encouraging those who are able to run strong up the hill, thank the volunteers. Judy Fisher sighting. I can see the traffic light far away at the top of the hill.

Mile 7 - Hill flattens and then gets steeper. But wait!! Actually don't wait, keep running!! I am at 52:59 and it can't be more than three minutes to the top of the hill. After that we turn and go downhill, then onto the grass and the finish. That last bit can not be more than a minute, so I just might get that PR (and extra point in the Brooks race series). Crest the hill and realize that I will get that PR no problem. Cruise on in and then sprint to the finish on the grass. Nice kick left too. Wow that was unexpected. Back home I check my log book and recalculate my 2009 pace. I had written 7:30 but in fact it was a 7:34 pace. Today I ran a 7:33 per mile.

56:34 (official time is showing 56:18 but I don't believe it)
212th place of 2472
Race# 238 Sound to Narrows#6
*****

6-5-11 North Olympic Discovery Marathon

2011-06-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

3rd year in a row at this terrific event. Been feeling good and rested and I have no excuse to not try to run fast, so I will go for it today. The problem with "going for it" is that if things do not go as planned for some reason I will pay for it greatly later in the race. Won't know unless I try. One factor that has come up in just the last day is the weather. After a long cold and wet Spring, we finally had a warm day yesterday and today will also be warm. It is not super hot, but I am not heat acclimated and I am sure that it will cause some slowing.

On the first shuttle bus and get to the start in plenty of time. Get to talk with old Maniac friends and meet some new ones. Russ from Guerrilla Running is here to run his first ever marathon. He beats me in the shorter distances but I wonder if my marathon experience will give me an edge today. As usual I am not really competing against anyone, just myself, and I hope that all of us have a good day.

Start - Race is sold out, but only has 339 runners so the crowd is very manageable. The much larger half starts at the same time, but 13.1 miles down the paved trail, so we will not see them at all. A couple of Maniac friends took the 2 hour early start and it will be fun to see if/when I catch up to them. It is very sunny and comfortable in my singlet. It will warm up as soon as I start running. Place myself closer to the front than I should and we are off.

Mile 2 - That first mile is uphill and into the sun and I am plenty warm now. First aid station I drink and pour some water on my head to cool off. That is a bad sign that I am so warm already. I will pour water on my head at every aid station today.

Mile 5 - Big loop in Sequim is done. I am comfortable at 8:25/mile pace and not letting myself go any faster. This is much faster than my PR pace and probably a bad idea. I have been doing my long training runs at about this pace, planning to race a little slower than that. 14 miles at 8:25 last weekend was no problem. I will walk through the aid stations today and that will slow my average pace to a more reasonable level soon enough. I do feel good and like I am holding back some.

Mile 9- Too much sun. Downtown Sequim, then on the paved trail and finally into the shade. Magnificent view of Hurricane Ridge and the Olympic Mountains. Wooden Bridge over the Dungeness river.

Mile 12 - Back into the sun and uh oh, starting to tire. I'm at 8:30 pace but so hot and it has become much more work to hold the pace. Now it is 8:31.

Mile 13.1 - This is going to be an ugly second half. I can not hold 8:30 and I know that the hard part of the course is the hilly miles 16-20. Time to rethink my strategy. I hit the lap button on my watch and monitor my new pace. Settle into a comfortable 9:00/mile before I really crash and I am able to hold this. I will not PR, that is a given. So why am I here anyway? Oh, yeah, I like to run and do races. It is fun. Whatever pace I can run, I can choose to enjoy the time that I am here. For the second half of the race I will thank the volunteers and spectators, I will think of funny comments such as "which way to Port Angeles?, is this the finish line?, are you my relay exchange partner?...", I will hand slap as many little kids as I can and instead of running just behind someone I will catch them and just run next to them for as long as the pace feels right. No long conversations with other runners, but a few hellos, yes it is hot, and pace off each other. I'll see my time at mile 21 and go for a sub 4 hour finish if that is possible, but if not, I will still finish in one piece. A couple of times the heat really gets me and I feel like I should slow, for medical reasons.

Mile 18.5 - Oh that awful hill after a sharp turn. This is where I fell apart last year. I have to walk up it.

Mile 19 - Catch up to Russ. He is struggling but will finish. Its a tough day for everyone. But lots of great aid stations and support. One aid station is themed after the Survivor TV show. One of their buzzwords is "Outlast" and as I see that on a poster and can't help but say to a volunteer that at my current pace I just may be out last. Gets a chuckle and I move on.

Mile 20 - Insanely steep down and up out of the last creek bed. Now I know that all the uphills are done and a nice long downhill is here. Only place on the trail where we are close to Highway 101. As I run down the hill I raise my arms and get a couple of honk responses from vehicles just like I had intended. Finally look at my watch and switch the screen back to overall pace. 8:55 per mile which means that a sub 4 hours is still very possible, but I will have to work for it.

Mile 22 - Tiring and want to walk. Its a shaded area and I had just passed an aid station where two cups of water went on my head. Here is a woman who has brought a garden sprinkler across her yard to the trail. She asks if I want to get wet and although I don't really need it right now, I figure it can't hurt. I say "Ok, a little and angle away from her" and wow she blasts me all up and down and gets my back too. My shorts are thoroughly soaked and heavy.

Mile 23 - Back into the sun for the final bit along the water. Been back and forth with red shirt guy. I have watched his black hat get increasingly encrusted with white salt. He has minimalist shoes on and now he is taking them off due to cramping. He will put his shoes on and pass me, then take them off and I will pass him a couple of more times. The gravel half mile slows him down quite a bit as well. He is nice company and we run together some. When he stops to put his shoes on one more time I pass him for good.

Mile 25 - Really going slow and I have taken short walk breaks off and on. I have been doing 10 minute miles for the last five miles and will have to keep that up to beat four hours. It will be close. It has been more of a gradual slow down due to heat that a hard hitting of the wall. I am out of energy for sure but I can not say exactly when it happened. Pretty optimistic of beating 4 and I predict a 3:58.

Mile 26 - Final "sprint" to the end. Looking for Jody, finally see her. Jennifer Seward sighting. Pathetic kick to the end, I just do not have anything left. Happy to barely beat 4 hours. More happy that I had a fun time and kept a good attitude despite not being near my best today.

I really like this event, but there are other options for this weekend and I think that I will try something else next year. Don't need to decide that right now. I do need to see how I recover as I hope to run the Sound to Narrows 12K on Saturday. I am not registered for it yet. And I have full marathons on June 19 and 25. I will not set out so fast on either of those races.

3:59:19

89th place of 339 finishers

3rd NODM, 66th Marathon or Ultra, 237th race

*****

5-21-11 YMCA Spring Run/Public Agency Challenge 8K

2011-05-21T21:09:00.000-07:00

8th year in a row here. I've done the 2 mile race a couple of times, they used to have a 10K, but today I am back to the 8K distance. The course has been fixed since the last time I ran it three years ago and should be much closer to the correct distance although not certified. The race was moved to the week after Capital City races and it seems like a much smaller event than in previous years. The races have a little fewer than usual, but the walk and the Public Agency competition seems much smaller. I only recognize two other runners; ten year old Dylan Miller and Martinho, a Club Oly runner who is about 19 years older than me, but beat me in the full marathon by 4 minutes just six days ago. I have felt great all week but have not run fast in a long time and expect the effects of the previous marathon to show up during the race. So no pressure today and I tell Dylan not to worry about me, I am sure that he will beat me. Its cloudy with a little drizzle that stops just before the race begins. Great running conditions. Day of race registration is easy and costs $21 with the no T-shirt option. I have enough T-shirts!!

Start - Only a few fast guys want to line up at the front and with a nice wide road and small contingent of runners I am able to place myself just behind the start line in this non chip timed event. We start right on time. I had a short but good warm up and am able to run fast from the start. Heading downhill helps too. Flying down to the lake at 6:30/mile pace. Now on level ground and slowing but still going faster than planned. I hope for a 36:30 finish time, which will calculate to be my fastest "age graded V-Dot" result of the year and boost me up in the standings of the Brooks ID program Race Series. Just by running this race I get one point.

Mile 1 - Catch one guy and we actually talk a little bit. At this pace it is hard to have much of a conversation and I need to focus on what I am doing. But we both are relaxed and settling in for the rest of the race. Eventually he speeds up and I can not keep up.

Mile 3 - Have been gradually gaining on Dylan. I am going much faster than I expected and he is not having the best day. I am able to pass him. Martinho is behind me somewhere. Would be unexpected and cool to beat them both. We shall see, but here comes the uphill.

Mile 3.5 - Tough grind up the hill and my pace is slowing for sure. But so is everyone else.

Mile 4 - Back to flat and soon the long downhill on Capitol Blvd. Passing lots of 8K walkers who started earlier. Have to dodge around some of them who are walking four abreast. Reel in one more runner and put on a big surge to pass him and break away from him. I think it was a little risky to pick up the pace like that, to an all out sprint that I know I can not maintain, but I did it anyway. Now I do slow some, but still feel good and the downhill is here.

Finish - Hold pace and finish strong. No one to work with in the last bit. Just kept passing walkers. Very pleased with my time.

35:24
12th place of 101
Race # 236
****

5-15-11 Capital City Marathon

2011-05-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

Seventh consecutive CCM full marathon. It took about ten days for me to feel recovered from the Tacoma Marathon of two weeks ago. I suspect that there are still lingering issues that will show up in later in today's race. No chance of a PR. At the start line I know that today will be remembered for two things. One is the heavy rain that is falling and will continue to come down the entire race. The other is that this is my debut as a race pacer.

I agreed to help with Club Oly's effort to provide pacers. I picked the 3:55 time and I only have to run the first half at this pace (1:57:30). Rich Brown will meet me halfway and take over pacing duties. Most of the club members are pacing one half of the marathon and are not registered runners. Matt and I will pace the first half (he at 3:45 time) and then finish as best we can. Neither of us were confident in running the whole way at that pace. My best time ever on this course is 3:54 and last year I ran 3:58 so it will be interesting to see if I can hold on with Rich. Before the start I get a Pacer bib and a Mylar balloon to tie around my sleeve. I did not think that 3:55 was a popular time to go for but as we line up, a couple of runners introduce themselves and say that they will try to run with me. It is raining so hard that for the first time ever I am sporting the trash bag jacket. Brooks shirt under Club Oly shirt under Marathon Maniac Jacket under trash bag. I am sure that the trash bag will come off but it never happens. It rained the whole race and I never felt too warm. I thought about taking it off but it seemed like a hassle so I just never did.

Start - Line up with the 3:55 group. O wait, they are lining up with me. I am supposed to pace based on gun time. I usually start my watch when I cross the start line so I forget to start it with the gun. A few seconds in I remember to start the watch and just a few seconds more I cross the mat. Should not make much of a difference. Now it is just run fairly even 8:58 pace until my relief shows up. Not a whole lot of work but just a little added stress. And I hate stress on race morning. I like to get there early and keep things very simple. Yesterday I learned that my reliever was injured and could not run. I was asked to pace the whole thing but I just could not agree to that. Fortunately Rich Brown was secured for the second half and I know that he will be there and do great. I have had mixed feeling about being a pacer because I really like to do my own thing on race day. But I also did want to try this and they are giving me a free entry for next year. Well I am here now and off we go.

Mile 1 - 8:58 Ha!!

Mile 3 - It was a very good smooth start. No crowding. Looking ahead there are plenty of runners but they are all spread out as we near Priest Point Park. I can sense people behind me though and I do a quick look back. Whoa!! I am leading a pack of about 20 runners. A spectator even comments on our nice pack. It makes me feel significant. Throughout the first half I would chat with runners and be thanked for the job I was doing. Running with a pacer sure does make it easier to stay on task. I am doing the work of looking at the watch and continually adjusting the pace, hopefully not making any sudden changes.

Mile 10 - We made it down the big hill putting a little time in the bank. On the long uphill I stayed the course and some of my group passed on ahead as I got the average time back where it should be. This is the second race in a row where I wished that I could see the seconds tick by on my watch. After the one hour mark they do not show and that usually is not a problem. The GPS reading is a little off from the mile markers too so I have to do some math and estimating now. Looks like I am about 30 seconds ahead of schedule.

Mile 12 - There is Rich and my job is done. Its funny when someone asks him how fast he can run and he gives a vague answer. So he asks what his marathon PR is and gets the answer 2:21. I told you guys that you were in good hands. Kimpossible drops back but about 5 guys are right with us.

Mile 14 - Start to not feel so great. Slight stiffening in the legs. Becoming more work like. With the task of pacing done I have lost a great amount of motivation. Just keep moving along. I actually pull ahead of the pace group for a couple of miles, but they are not far behind.

Mile 18 - 3:55 catches me. I stay right behind them for a while and ever so gradually fall farther back. Not as many spectators this year due to the rain, but great volunteers as always. Thanks Heidi, Linda, JKam and others.

Mile 22.5 - Very slowly losing my pace. Not a typical hitting of the wall. I am passing people who are struggling more. Sort of fun to see someone ahead that I recognize and very gradually catch up to them. First Angie, then Rikki, Melinda and Jeff. Melinda and Jeff will go on to find great strength at the end and finish ahead of me. In the mean time I am slogging up the great Eastside Hill. New goal is to not take any walk breaks. If I start walking I run the strong possibility of not beating 4 hours, but if I can keep running I am confident of making that time goal. So slow up Eastside, then the turn and further climbing up Fir Street.

Mile 24 - On flat ground now but the running did not get any easier. Tired and tight but otherwise OK and I am pretty sure that I can finish up with no walking. Then I hear surprise encouragement from behind. It is two of my friends who are pacing the 4 hour time. Look at the watch and calculate. No, I do not need to hurry up and stay with them as they pass me. They have gotten a couple minutes ahead of schedule. It would be nice to run with them to the finish, but I do not think that I could keep up at that pace for very long. I wish they would slow down as I am sure that they are going too fast. I stick to my own grind that I know will get me there.

Mile 25 to 26.2 - Finally heading downhill. Its been a tough one, but no real pains. Fun to see friends and family waiting for me to cross the line. I finish about 15 seconds faster than last year and I will take that. The rain and the residual soreness from Tacoma made this not the funnest time that a marathon can be. I started shivering with cold as soon as I stopped running and had to put on dry clothes right away. I still was cold and did not stick around like I usually do after this race. Pacing was somewhat rewarding but I am not sure how I feel about it. Perhaps if I was asked to do it again I would choose the 4:15 time and pace the whole way. Next year I could run Tacoma for speed, pace this race as a good training run, and then be ready for speed again in June. For now though I am somewhat apprehensive about this coming June. I am registered for three quality marathons and I am afraid that I will be very worn down and not able to run them all with good times. I'll figure out some kind of plan. In the mean time I really need to rest, recover and dry out. I may do the Public Agency Challenge 8K in 6 days, but I will wait till the last minute to decide on that.

3:58:35
129th place of 355
marathon or ultra #65
Capital City Marathon #8
****

5-1-11 Tacoma Marathon

2011-05-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

Previous times here are 3:57, 3:58 and 3:58. I ran 3:56 at Yakima four weeks ago and then had to not race at Mt Si due to being sick. Looking forward to a good run today. And we sure have awesome weather. Bright sun. Cool at the start but it will warm up. No wind. The plan is to run with Kurt, the 3:50 pacer as long as I can. Hopefully I will not crash too bad, and just maybe I'll feel good and be able to go ahead of him at some point. My PR is 3:48:01, so I would have to leave him with enough time to knock off two minutes.....but I am just speculating and hoping. Most likely I'll sneak in under 4 hours and I'll be fine with that. But I have been doing some specific training and maybe it will pay off today.

Start - Meet my Maniac friends and line up near Kurt. Start and finish are now at the same location, the course has been altered slightly but retains all the great hills. Feeling good and relaxed.

Mile 1- Kurt likes to go out a little ahead of pace to bank some time before the hills. Plus there is a hill right here at the start. So it feels like work from the beginning.

Mile 2 - Flatter. Warming up. Getting in the groove. A little crowded behind the pacer so I move just in front. M761 follows and we run together for a little bit. Unicorn sighting.

Mile 3 - Getting ahead of the pace group. I let M761 go on ahead and I settle back. She will go on to run a 3:38 so I am glad that I did not try to keep up and I am happy for her. Soon I am running with her brother, who will also pull ahead to run his own terrific race. I really need to stay with 3:50, because we are going faster than that (still banking time) and I know that 3:50 is a stretch for me. I have only ever run sub 3:50 two previous times.

Mile 8 - Beautiful day down on Ruston Way. Nice pack of Maniacs and two first time marathoners. Running comfortably. With Lesa Overfield who is running her 100th marathon today. Last weekend I ran 16 miles at 8:30/mile pace without trouble, so this 8:35 pace is fine.

Mile 9 - Traditional loon call in the Ruston tunnel. Now the steepest uphill of the course. I have gone just ahead of 3:50 pacer. The hill is fine. Into Point Defiance Park and as I pass Judy Fisher I tell her that it looks like I am going ahead of my pace group, but they will probably catch me.

Mile 13.1 - That is such a long uphill in the park. Nice and cool in the shade these five miles. Hit the half at 1:53 which would give me a 3:46 if I can maintain. Doubt it but I feel good at the half and have been drinking well and downing some fuel.

Mile 17 - Out of the park. Down then up then a long gradual uphill that goes forever. Getting tired of these up hills. Pace slowed a little but I'm doing OK. Always interesting to see if/when I will run out of energy and really slow down. All I can do is keep taking nutrients and run within myself. I think that the course is a little different here, winding through some neighborhoods. Two guys have been running near me for a while and they are yapping away. Constant talk that I will not get sucked in to. It nice to have a little diversion. Plus this course is so interesting, the miles are sliding by.

Mile 19 - A little more tired. Need some downhills and there they are. Bad patch gets better. I think that I can keep going at this pace, but for how much longer?

Mile 20 - On to the paved trail that parallels Highway 16. Pass Guy Yogi. This is a little sad for me. For years he has been faster than me and always a few minutes out of reach. Today he is slower than usual and I am faster than usual, at least at this point. It just does not seem right to be passing him. But I do. Little do I know that he will stay right on me and finish just behind me. Being careful to not get carried away just yet. Really though it is only about 4 miles until the long downhill to the end. If I can hold on for four more miles....

Mile 23 - Chugging along at the same pace. Cheney Stadium, Target (I focus on the bulls eye for a half mile) and the golf course. I am now confident of beating 3:50. There is a chance that I could get under 3:48. I am still afraid to pick it up for fear of crashing. Coming off the trail there is a bit of a hill and my legs stiffen up considerably. First real discomfort. Woman is walking the hill and I moan that I want to walk but I will not as I shuffle past her. Make the turn onto the road and she starts running. We run together off and on to the finish.

Mile 24 - Oh the downhill is not for a little longer. I can see an aid station in the distance but I am really thirsty so I veer to the other side of the road and get a cup from a homeowner who has set up her own table. Perfect. I like this neighborhood. Boom box playing and people dancing and cheering. Now on to the real aid station where I get more water for my head and Gatorade to drink. Very helpful volunteer, as have all the volunteers been.

Mile 24.5 - Finally the turn downhill. Terry Fritz (the fast Fritz) is cheering. This hill is just a little too steep. Down to the bottom OK though and now turn onto the nice gradual downhill. A PR still looks possible. It is going to be very close. Running with that woman still. We love this finish. I am running faster for sure. When to sprint/give it my all? Still a half mile to go. I do not go all out quite yet.

Mile 26 - Merge with half marathon walkers but there is plenty of room to run. Watch at 3:46 something...I can not see the seconds. Go all out. Did not know that I had that much speed/energy left. The quest for the PR took a lot of the enjoyment away from the last miles. If I was under 3:50 but not near 3:48:01 I would have run happy and easier and been very pleased. Instead I worked so hard, crossed the finish line and let out a swear as I saw 3:48 on the watch. Watch time 3:48:05. I'll find out my official chip time in a few minutes and it will be 3:48:02, one second off my PR. Honestly some frustration, but really I should be pleased and I am. Terrific day all around. Just after getting my chip off, M761 and bro call me over where they are sitting. I share my frustration, then start to cough. Fortunately I turn away and walk over to a secluded area as my cough turns into a puke. Three or four retchings and then I feel surprising well. Not sick although I pass on the post race pizza. Feeling fine and so happy with the day. Now I have to plan when and where to try to PR. Couple of options coming up soon.

3:48:02
77th place of 342
9 minutes faster than last year
Marathon or Ultra #64, Tacoma Marathon #4 Race# 234
*****

4-2-11 Yakima River Canyon Marathon

2011-04-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

Third time here. I really like this race. With all the rain we have had I am looking forward to driving to the east side of the mountains and getting some sunshine. With a point to point course this race offers a variety of logistical choices. The first two years Jody came with me and met me at the finish. That worked out well. This year, she is in Italy so I am solo. I decide to have the convenient part on the front end of the race. I stay in Ellensburg, a shorter drive from home. I can sleep in, then get my race packet and go back to my room till just before the start. It is cold and windy but sunny. I See lots of Maniac friends as I eventually walk over to the start area. Start - Hat, gloves, jacket and sunglasses. I feel good, my lingering cough/cold is pretty much gone. This being my third marathon or ultra in three weeks I wonder what will happen but I am not nervous. When I signed up for Dizzy Daze, the race I ran last week, I resigned myself to the fact that it would hurt my Yakima time. I'll just have fun and do my best. Smooth start, this is my favorite sized race. Mile 1-13.1 - Before the start I had been looking for Half Fanatic Jennifer Seward who is running her first marathon, though she did walk a couple some years ago. I could not find her but at about the half mile mark she finds me and we run together. We run a steady 8:55 pace being careful to not go any faster than that. Around the big block, see a very excited horse, then into the canyon proper. Up and down "Baby Bear" hill. This course is so scenic, I really need to come back here every year. Feeling good, diligent with the pacing, drinking fluids, and alternating fig newtons and S!Caps at the aid stations. At mile 9 there is a blast of wind in our face. The next half mile is into the wind and if this keeps up it will really zap my energy. It does die down and even becomes a nice tailwind. We hit the halfway mark in 1:57:09 Mile 13.1 to Mile 17 - At 13.1 I strike out just a little faster and leave Jennifer behind. About a mile of flat and then the "Mama Bear" hill. It is long but not steep. At about mile 16 I begin to feel soreness in my quads. I have had this before when I run marathons on back to back weekend or just log a lot of miles. Not only did I run long the last two weekends, the month of March was my highest mileage month ever, topping out just over 200 miles. My legs are feeling it now. But I have energy enough and I also have some experience with this so I know that I can keep going without having to slow too much. Big downhill is tougher on the quads. Strong tailwind or side wind at times. Mile 17-21.5 - With 9 miles to go I am feeling good other than the quads. I have a couple of miles of flat, then a big hill, then down hill three miles to the finish. I mentally divide the rest of the race into these three sections and it all seems very doable. Passing some people, briefly run with a couple of Maniacs. Bob Dolphin sighting. Strong blast of head wind at mile 21. So strong I can barely move forward. I see that the road curves along a cliff and shortly the wind is no longer in my face. Mile 21.5-23 - "Papa Bear" hill. Not nearly as steep or difficult as in previous years. The uphill gives my quads a break. I run the whole thing, passing walkers. Near the top I remember to pump my arms and that helps me get up the last bit. My pace has slowed with the hill but I am very confident of beating 4 hours. Mile 23-26.2 - Downhill. Tougher on the quads. Really achy now. I maintain pace. Still a long way to go, but energy level is good. Goal now is to run the whole race with no walk breaks. I wish that I could pick up the pace but I just can not do it. The flat last mile is actually easier. Final two tenths seems super long, but I plug away and have a little sprint left. Very pleased with how I felt and how consistently I ran for the whole race. This is one of my favorites and I vow to return with fresher legs. Now the downside to staying near the start line: After walking through the finish area I see two buses ready to take runners back to the start. The driver of the front bus says that they will leave in 15-20 minutes. Great, I walk back to watch runners come in to the finish, then ten minutes later try to board the bus. But it is full and leaving now. I am first on the next bus but we wait here a long time, then go to the shower facility, the race HQ, then back to the finish line, back to the showers and back to the race HQ/Civic Center to wait for stragglers. I am on that bus for three hours before I get back to my car. It all worked out in the end and I had a great day. 3:56:33 Results Pending Race#233, Marathon or Ultra#63 *****

3/26/11 Dizzy Daze Marathon

2011-03-26T16:17:00.001-07:00

"Easy" week in my quest for a 4th Maniac Star. Pac Rim, Dizzy Daze, Yakima and Mt. Si will give me 4 marathons or ultras in 4 weeks. Also it will be 19 marathons or ultras within 365 days another way to earn 4 stars. I ran 50 miles at Pac Rim last week. My cough/cold gradually got better but is still bugging me. Some chest congestion, but not enough to stop me from running. Dizzy Daze is a real low key event. Small enough that the RDs allow folks to start pretty much whenever they want. Most marathoners will start at 7AM. There is a half marathon, full marathon, 50K and 100K. The Rogue Wave is attempting her first 100K. I beat her to the 50 mile mark by running Pac Rim, but it looks like that bragging will be short lived. She will start at 6AM. I will sleep in a bit, make the easy drive to Green Lake in Seattle and start running when she gets to the start/finish of the lake loop. Its a 3.2 mile loop that I will run 8 times, plus two little loops around a parking lot to get the exact 26.2 miles. Rogue Wave has to do 19 loops plus a two mile out and back. Showers are forecast but it is dry when I arrive a little after 7AM. I had expected to start after 8AM, but I got up here so fast. Only a few minutes after pinning my number on, RW comes through finishing her second loop. Many ultra runners use pacers to help them get through the second half of a race, to offer support and encouragement and a brain that is at least halfway working. Because RW was only six miles into her race, she did not need my support at all. But we like running together and ran seven loops together. My first time at Green Lake. Small race with mostly Maniacs. With the long loops there was little passing of others, but I will hang around after and enjoy the food and company. Not much to say about the run. The course has more to see than Capitol Lake or Lake Sacajawea, every loop I would notice something new. A mini golf course, a famous running store, two ducks trying to cross the road and almost getting hit by a car before flying away, Jennifer Seward, at least a dozen guys with metal detectors. Bill Herzog joined us for one loop. Our pace slowed from 9:40/mile to 10:25/mile as RW would take walk breaks and stop for adjustments at the aid station. I would walk on ahead after the aid station and let her catch up before trotting along. Ending the 7th loop (22.4 miles) I saw that my time was almost 4 hours. I decided to strike out alone and to see how fast I could run the last loop. Starting to drizzle. My marathon PR pace is 8:40/mile. I wanted to run the last loop in 8:30 and get in under 4 hours 30 minutes. Can I run that fast after already covering so many miles? Yes! The first two miles were fast and relatively easy. I held 8:22 pace, then it slipped to 8:28 in the last mile but I felt like I had really good energy the whole way. The loop seemed to go by so fast. Next thing I new I was circling the parking lot two times and running back to the finish. Well that took it out of me. Terrific bout of coughing, but it only lasted a few minutes. Raining harder now. Change clothes, eat pizza. Great support from Matt and Betsy. Nice event. Nice key chain medal. I hope that I did not blow my chance at a fast Yakima time, I'll try to really rest up this week and finally get over that cold. I stay long enough to see RW hit mile 40. She is in the capable hands of her brother and will go on to run the 100K (62 miles) in 11:25. After Pac Rim (9 hours 44 minutes) and the Mountain Marathon (6 hours 19 minutes) this race went by so quickly. Perhaps the easiest marathon that I have done. 4:28:50 15th place of 39 Race#232 Race#12 of 2011 Marathon or Ultra#62 *****

3-19-11 Pacific Rim 24 hour

2011-03-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

No I do not plan to run for 24 hours. Some people are though. My goal is to get to 50 miles in a decent time and then stop. The race is in Longview WA at Lake Sacajawea Park. It is a one mile loop around part of the lake. Flat with a couple of bumps getting up to the two bridges. Crushed gravel and some concrete sidewalk. At mile 25 I will have to take off my shoe to get a rock out, so I recommend gaiters for this one. Although 50 times around this loop sounds boring, it sure is convenient. I don't have to carry anything. Restroom every half mile. Just make sure that as I enter the start/finish area, the lap counter gets my number on the sheet. Jody and I will keep our own tally marks at our little station, sharing a table with M30 and MLaura. And as the day progresses, the course never gets too boring. Lots of people walking dogs, little kids learning to bike ride, families walking along the trail. Not so crowded, but I have to keep both eyes open.

Start - Long intro from the RD gets us starting about 7 minutes late, but it is a nice atmosphere and smaller event than I expected. It is cool and I have my jacket on. Once I get running it warms up to very nice weather. A little warm on the sunny side of the lake and a little cool with headwind on the shaded side. No rain, just big clouds with sun breaks.

Mile 1-10 - I have had a cough/cold for a couple of days. The last two nights were miserable with coughing and I was still coughing up until I started running. Now I am barely coughing at all. Problem is that I just do not feel very strong. By mile 10 I am running out of steam despite going at a very conservative pace.

Mile 10-19 - Getting worse. Not sure at all that I can reach my goals. Maybe I will really slow down and just finish 50K so the race can count for Maniac stats. Going alone. Everyone takes so many walk breaks and stops for who knows how long at the aid station, I am never with anyone for more than a few minutes. Still great to see my Maniac pals and meet some new ones.

Mile 19-25 - I know that I will be in bad shape soon. I invite Jody to run a few laps with me before I get into jogging/shuffling/walking. Maybe we can get into some kind of steady pace. In fact we do and it is great to have her with me till mile 25. I know that I will make the 50K mark now. Despite not feeling well, my spirits are fine and I am enjoying the day.

Mile 26-33 - Hit the marathon mark at about 4:30. Plenty of time in the bank if I want to keep going at a slower pace. Round and round. 50K in 5:29. That earns me the right to put the race on my Maniac page, and gets me Cowlitz County for my county collection. Also I have earned the race swag, a pair of Pac Rim pants. I don't think of stopping just yet though. But by the end of mile 33 I have hit a second wall. Wow, I am really out of it, low on energy. For a while now I have had trouble holding my head up. This happens sometimes late in the marathon, I realize that I am staring at the road/trail in front of my feet. I try to correct, but soon am back looking down. I hope that no pedestrians are coming toward me and not paying attention. Neck and shoulders hurt eventually and I know that this is bad form so I keep fighting to keep my head straight. Nearing the aid station I share my misery with a more experienced ultra runner. She says that I really need to eat something. I am sure that she is right, I have had a few fig newtons and pretzels but little else. Oh there were some really tasty salty baked potato pieces a few miles back. Hopefully there will be more of them out now, otherwise I don't know what to eat. I check in at the mile 33 mark and see that they have just set out hot pizza slices! I grab a slice and walk toward our chairs. Pass Maniac Heidi at her spot and she encourages me to at least get to my all time distance record of 34 miles before I sit down and perhaps drop out. I consider that as I walk the 50 feet to our little camp, but then I am just overwhelmed with exhaustion. I did not want to sit for fear of tightening up and not being able to move again, but I really need to rest and get some food in me. So I sit and Heidi gives me an incredulous look as she passes by. I force down half a slice of pizza and sit for less that five minutes. I can at least walk two more laps and get my distance record. I get on my feet, start walking and ease into a jog without too much trouble.

Mile 33-37 - Within a half mile I am feeling much better. Running long stretches and feeling like I have energy. That short break with food was just the thing I needed. Blow through mile 35, my all time distance for a day. Next up will be mile 40, tying my all time weekly mileage of 65 miles in 7 days.

Mile 38-45 - Cross that bridge and think, hey I only have to do this twelve more times. Is it too early to start counting down? Getting tired again. See three young women ahead, one a Brooks runner, who are having way too much fun. I join their little group for the distraction. They are going a little slower than I want to, but I am fine with passing the next couple of miles with them. At some point we do get separated and I go on mostly alone again. Now seriously thinking about making it to 50 miles and beating 10 hours. Looks like I can do 15 minute miles and reach that goal. I am able to do each mile a little faster than that putting a little time in the bank each loop.

Mile 44-48 - Jody joins me for a lap, sits out a lap, then joins me for one more. She has been so helpful and supportive, so glad that she came along. Last two laps I will do alone. Getting colder and the sun will be setting soon. I can't believe that some people will go on to run another 50 miles or more.

Mile 48-50 - I know that I will finish 50 and that I will beat 10 hours meeting all of my goals so the last two loops are a celebration. After 49 I go to our spot and sit in the chair telling Jody that I can not go on. She knows that I am joking, so I get up and get moving. Now feeling emotional. I tell Maniac Scott that this is my last lap and of course he encourages me to do one more. That would put me ahead in the standings of others who quit at 50. But I like the round number. I might like to do another 50 some time and then I could go for the PR. Not going to think about that just yet. Thankful that I have had little in the way of aches or pains. Right foot was tender for a while but not too bad. Lower back hurt some a while back, then I could feel it in my abs. Then there is the neck/head issue. But these will all be fine in a few days. Find energy to run fast the last bit and then I am done. Thank the lap checker woman who was tracking me just about the whole day and did such a great job. Get my pants from Wild Man Willet and head on home as many folks keep going round and round.

50 Miles - New distance record by 16 miles

9:44:46 - longest time running by over three hours

75 miles in 7 days - Highest weekly mileage by ten miles

Other results pending

Marathon or ultra #61

Race#231

*****

3/5/11 Mountain Marathon

2011-03-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

First time event put on by the Guerrilla Running Club. Designed to be a very tough trail marathon in the Capitol Forest just south of Olympia. Elevation ranges from 500 to 2,000 feet up there and many times when we are having rain in town, it is snowing up in the hills. Last week we had snow in the lowlands and then days of cold rain, meaning tons of snow on the higher elevations. In fact when Craig went to mark the course the day before the race he found that the upper trail was impassable. He devised an alternate route that will be a double out and back and promises to be tough. This lowers the chance of getting lost, but also takes some of the adventure out of the race. Plus we will have some crowding on the trail with the larger half marathon starting 30 minutes behind us.

Start - Rock Candy Mountain trail head. It is sunny but cold with black ice on the parking lot. Great swag including a truckers hat and shirt. Dog tag medal if I finish. Line up with some Marathon Maniac friends and after a brief speech by the director of the state Department of Natural Resources the race starts on time. We run about 100 yards and there is the first aid station. That was funny, but makes sense based on the new course. We will hit this spot five times during the race, the new course having 4 out and backs leaving from this fork in the road.

Mile 1.5 - At the fork we turn and start up a steep hill. I'll call this section the "lower snow road". It is a logging road with 5-7 inches of snow. Some tire tracks. When it gets real steep we all slow down. Aid station at mile 1. That is as far as any vehicles could get. The footing is worse now. Some of the snow is hard and turns the ankles a little, some is soft and squishy, never quite sure when and how my feet will hit the ground.

Mile 1.5 to Mile 2.5 - Single track trail, switchbacking uphill steeply. Less snow in the forest, but now we have puddles. The puddles are often covered under the snow and very hard to judge. Lots of ankle turning here. Nothing painful, just slipping and stretching foot and ankle muscles that usually do not get stretched. Pass two volunteers who are hiking up with water and cups to make a small aid station.

Mile 2.5 to Mile 4 - "Upper snow road" more snow here. About 8 inches I would guess. Following in tracks is difficult on the feet. Making my own route on the untouched snow (post holing) is easier. Well it gives more consistent footing, but I know that I will not be able to run like that for very long. Eventually our road is more of a trail. It is generally flat and filled with packed snow. I can almost get in a groove, but then every so often there are big puddles lurking below. M761 is the first to go down with a splash.

Mile 4 to Mile 5.5 - Mile 4 is an abrupt turn around on the narrow trail. It took about an hour to get here, doing 16 minute miles. For a while I had three runners right behind me. I let them pass here and plan to stay with them on the way back down. But each of them is better able to handle these conditions. This is getting frustrating. The big muscles in my legs are fine, my breathing is fine, I should be able to run faster. But with most steps I slide sideways and lose my forward motion. I fear the large rocks or deep holes that could lie beneath the snow. I also know that I am working hard and I have such a long way to go. I really should not waste my energy slogging through this mess and risk falling. Sadly I see my friends pull away and more runners passing me. Every so often I slip to the side and pull on some ankle muscles a little bit. If this gets worse I will have to drop out so as to not really injure myself. For now I will monitor it as I run.

Mile 5.5 to Mile 6.5 - Downhill on the single track trail. Now with 150 half marathoners coming up. Trail us muddier now. Jenny Seward sighting. She asks if I am having fun and I say "no". That is so unlike me. Gets me thinking about why and how to turn my attitude around. Get passed but stay with a female runner. She is also a little discouraged at not being able to move quickly, wondering if we are in close to last place. Then she slips into a puddle and I reach out with one hand to steady her on her elbow. Now we are both about to fall over so with the other hand I grab the nearest branch. We manage to stay upright but the branch that I took hold of was a devils club (Oplopanax horridus). Tomorrow I will be picking nine tiny thorns out of my thumb.

Mile 6.5 to Mile 8 - Lower snow road. Downhill. Slushy and impossible to get into a groove. At mile 8 I see the aid station. Flying uphill toward me is the front runner, Jesse Stevick. He is already five miles ahead of me. A little silly looking with his truckers hat on, he comments to me that they are serving cupcakes at the aid station. Amazing athlete. People cheer for me as I enter the aid area and everyone is so encouraging. My mood is improving and only gets better after that.

Mile 8 to Mile 10.5 - Dirt road out and back - Originally I figured that I would run fast on the roads and just be more careful on the trails. At the start we were told that one road had snow, the other one just some mud. Now is my chance to get into a rhythm and maybe even catch up to some people. But no, this road is uphill, then a long steep uphill, then more uphill. Have to take some walk breaks. My feet have dried out though. I do catch a Maniac friend. We run together for a while, neither of us is having the funnest time. He will go on to drop out at about mile 15.

Mile 10.5 to Mile 13 - Back down the dirt road. Lots of halfers coming up and it is easier to cross paths and say hi on the wide road. I try to tell Jenny that I am doing better. Dave, Betsy and Ruhama sightings. Still taking some walk breaks now and then, realizing that I have to do this whole thing again.

Mile 13 to mile 14.5 - Repeating the course now. Lower snow road is slushier. Thank the awesome volunteers. Oh my, I have not been eating or taking any electrolyte other than in my drink. Pop an S!Cap and eat a fig newton. My supply of Gatorade is gone so I switch to the Nuun that is offered to me.

Mile 14.5 to Mile 15.5 - Single track trail. Much muddier now. Just go through some of the puddles. Feet get so cold but it actually feels nice. The water drains away soon enough and I don't think that I am getting any blisters.

Mile 15.5 to Mile 17 - Upper snow road - a super short stride seems to work OK here. It is safer and I move at a steady pace. Lots of baby steps. Getting darker, almost like the day is ending. Just clouds and now a sprinkle of rain. Feet are wet and a little cold, but not too bad.

Mile 17 to Mile 18.5 - At the turn around I was surprised to see a couple of runners close to me. Two are right behind me and two are ahead of me. They are walking and I am able to pass them. Now there is no one else coming up the the trail. I am very close to being in last place!! I intend to keep entering races as long as they will let me and I know that someday I will come in last. Might as well be today and get that over with. One of the guys who was walking catches up to me and we consider whether we might finish last. Then we see one lone guy coming up the trail. He must be a half hour behind us, so we are relieved.

Mile 18.5 to Mile 19.5 - Downhill on the sloppy muddy snowy trail. Pick my way over the fallen tree. Slip and slide down the trail but do not fall.

Mile 19.5 to Mile 21 - On the lower snow road. Linger a bit at the aid station, filling my empty bottles. Trek down wears on me and I am glad to see the bottom of this hill.

Mile 21 to Mile 23.5- On the dirt road and I have hit the wall. Oh well, I have run out of energy plenty of times at mile 21 of marathons. Footing will be OK, I know that I will finish. Just have to shuffle/tough out the last miles. Except that at mile 21 of a marathon I have never had to climb a 500ft hill. Lots of walk breaks and encouraging those coming back get me through. At the turn around aid station I joke that I think they have moved it a half mile back since the last time I was there.

Mile 23.5 to Mile 26.2 - Screaming downhill, expect that now my right ankle is really bugging me. I could run hard and probably cut five to ten minutes off of my finish, but I really do not want to risk further injury. So every time I feel it nag, I take a nice long walk break. This also restores my energy levels. When I do get to the bottom I am able to run strong the last bit to the finish. Thanks to those who waited around for me. This was a crazy crazy event. Not sure that I will do it again, but maybe I should not decide that right now. It was great to try the tough trails and I am glad that I did it, but technical trail running is not my strong suit and I still fear that falling and breaking a bone. Maybe I will volunteer next year. It sure was fun to be a part of.

6:19:11 (slowest marathon by 85 minutes, and that one was pacing Jody)

36th of 42 finishers

Race #230

Marathon or ultra#60

*****

2-26-11 Steilacoom ResolutionRun 15 miles

2011-02-26T16:21:00.000-08:00

I had not planned on being here today. I ran a marathon six days ago and I have many races coming up soon. One of my minor goals is to run 151 miles this month. I ran 150.9 last month, so just beating that, with three less days seems like a building of the mileage base that should be doable. With three days left in the month I could run 15 miles today, 6 tomorrow and then have a day off. And there just happens to be the 15 miler in Steilacoom....so here I am. It will be more fun than running alone, get me another half for the Half Fanatics club and provide gatorade and support along the way. I did not expect to see many friends here, but lots of them do show up and it will be a fun and encouraging time. My times here have been in the 1:59 to 2:02 range but I have no intention of being anywhere near that today.

We had some snow this week and then it turned super cold. It was 16F when I left the house and 23 or so at start time. I have all the layers on, especially since this is a long one and I plan to run on the slow side. The roads are mostly clear and footing should not be an issue. There is some blue sky and some clouds, dry but frigid.

Start - See a bunch of friends and talk with them instead of warming up. I'll just ease into it the first minutes. I am way in the back when we start and that is fine. Smooth start and no hurry for me around the track and up the hill.

Mile 0.5 - Catch up to HF#199. She usually a little slower than me and this is more of a training run for her too, so I decide to run with her for the company. It will be a comfortable pace somewhere between 9 and 9:30 per mile. Maybe I'll leave her if she really slows, or maybe she will ditch me if I hit the wall, who knows what will happen, but I think that we will stay together for most of this.

Mile 7.5 - Turn around at 1:08:43. It has been a pleasant time. MM1480 has run with us most of the time and it was nice to meet him. Same old course I have done so many times. Our pace on the faster side of what we had talked about, can we hold it for the way back?

Mile 10.2 - I get to tell my story of my most miserable run with the dizzy spell and meeting my guardian angel right at the spot where it happened.

Mile 11.5 - Last real uphill. M199 has to walk just a bit. Other than that we have held a very steady pace. I wonder if she is tiring, she did mention "running out of steam" a few minutes ago. I will try to encourage her and I guess at this point just stick with her to the end, but I hope that she can tap some energy reserves and finish strong. In the meantime, I feel great. No aches or pains, just a little heavy legged as I hit 50 miles for the week. I also feel a profound sense of gratitude to be able to be here, to be able to run 15 miles comfortably. We may be far back in the pack and I never win ribbons in Steilacoom, but at least I am out here doing this and having fun.

Mile 13.1 - HF199 has come back strong and I am impressed. She asks the time and I see that we are at 1:58. She does not often run halfs under 2:00 and it dawns on me that she is running well and probably pushing herself hard. We have passed two runners in the second half of this race and no one has passed us. I love negative splits, partially because they are so uncommon. I hope that we can have one here.

Mile 15 -Finish - We held a steady pace and I could sense the finish line and was ready to put on some speed, but HF199 was not quite there yet. Finally down to the track and she does her best sprint actually running quite fast. Very even pacing and great run. We ran the second half under 1:08 getting that negative split. In to the school to warm up and have a baked potato.

2:16:21
Results pending
race #229
15 mile race #6 - all at Steilacoom
****

2-20-11 Birch Bay Marathon

2011-02-20T19:38:00.000-08:00

43rd running of this event, but my first time here. Jody and Niki are running the half and we enjoyed our stay with Jody's Dad last night. We got our numbers yesterday, so I am comfortable arriving a little later than I usually like to for a race. I like the personalized bib. We arrive at about 7:30 for the 8:00 AM start and I am glad that we did not get there sooner. It is so cold that I just wait in the car until closer to race time. Wind has died down from yesterday but it is cold (about 30 degrees) and sunny. I am cold in my shorts, but have multi layers on top that I hope will keep me warm enough.

Start - With Jody and Niki, Team Kuhl, and a couple other Maniacs, but as soon as we start moving I find myself running alone. Well not alone, just not with anyone I know. Great to be moving and hopefully warm up some.

Mile 1 - About 9 minutes. Crowd is thinning out and I feel good. I am getting warmer, but the hat and gloves will stay on for now. Bit of a head wind.

Mile 3 - Aid station and then up a little hill. Course is on open to traffic roads, some with little shoulder. Great views of the Bay and the mountains. Here the course does a ten mile loop that we will do twice before heading back to the start/finish at Birch Bay State Park.

Mile 5-6 Down a gradual hill to an aid station. The half course splits off shortly and now the crowd has really thinned out. Running by myself. Huge eagle. All black though, so it must be a juvenile. Long big uphill now. Good thing that I scoped this out yesterday, before then I had no idea that there would be such a hill. Two ahead of me are walking. I pass them near the top.

Mile 7 - Now a nice gentle downhill. The pavement has changed to that chip seal stuff that is somewhat uneven on my feet. I can feel the little stones that are glued into the cement. We will have to run on this for about three miles, two times.

Mile 9 - Pass three runners. I am holding a nice pace, not letting myself go too fast. Every time that I pass someone I wonder if it is a bad idea, they will probably catch me later. I am running alone and it is sort of boring. Just waiting to see how it will play out when it gets difficult. There are spray painted mile markers on the road, sometimes with orange cones to see in the distance. The loop is not exactly ten miles, therefore I see the mile 18 marker, then the mile 8 marker about a quarter of a mile down the road. Run for a while, then I can expect to see the mile 19 sign followed by the mile 9 posting. One gripe, but at least I knew about it before hand, is that on this back half of the loop the aid stations are about 3.5 miles apart. I am used to drinking a little every 2 or 2.5 miles. I decided to carry a small bottle and only fill it half way, just to get me through the longer sections. I have it in my jacket pocket and it is bouncing around some, but better than not having the fluids. I also have new shorts that are longish and have a pocket that is down on my thigh. Four fig newtons and one gu gel are swinging around in there at times. Well I'll just eat a newton and try to reposition the stuff as needed.

Mile 13 - Meet back up with the half course. Pass a couple of the slower runners. Mile 10 of the half and I think that Jody must be up ahead a little, but I do not see her. I do pass Mel Preedy who took an hour early start on the marathon.

Mile 14 - Second time on the big loop. Strange "campfire" still burning in somebody's yard. Two big logs and a large electric fan blowing the smoke away from the road. Nobody tending it.

Mile 16 - I've been looking forward to my second time up this long hill. After this there really are no more ups. Can I run the whole hill? I see someone walking ahead of me. I have been worried that a big hill like this at mile 16 could zap my energy for good. I let the pace slow a bit, but keep at it and it really is not hard at all. Soon at the top and passing a couple of people.

Mile 18 - Things are going very well. Hat comes off, then back on. Its cold but I am running well and relaxed. Tick the miles off and hold a steady pace. I feel like I am still holding back and that is a great feeling.

Mile 19 - Still holding back

Mile 21 - This is going to be a good one. Two more miles on the loop,then three to the finish. Little bit downhill, then flat. Stomach feels good so I eat that gu I was saving.

Mile 23 - Final aid station. One runner passes me there, but other than that I was not passed at all after mile 8. Jody is there to cheer me and take pictures. Now my legs start to tighten up a bit. No pain, no cramping, just tightness. I am not holding back anymore, but it is not so difficult either. I do the math and realize that I will beat 4 hours easy. I also have no chance at a PR. Remember to stop looking at the watch now and just run strong.

Mile 24.5 - Debate whether to give Jody my jacket and hat, but decide that the jacket will be a minor struggle to get off with my big GPS watch and I do not feel like stopping to have someone yank on my arm. I drink the last from my bottle and sense a woman runner just behind me. Incentive to get moving faster and she is not able to catch me. The last mile seems really long, but eventually I am in the park and nearing the finish.

Mile 25.9 - Pass a runner who is walking it in. I encourage him to get moving but he just walks. See the clock and am happy with my time, although I expected to be a little lower since I felt so good. Cross the line and walk a bit to recover.

Mile 26.2 - No immediate stiffness as I walk around and encourage those just coming in. It took about 18 miles of feeling like I was just out for a long run, but after that I was so happy to run the whole race and feel strong all the way to the finish. Now I need to figure out how that happened and how to make it happen again. Unfortunately the training regime that I have been diligently following for about two months is going to be difficult to continue with, now that marathon and ultra season is in full swing.

Next is the Mountain Marathon on March 5th. Goal is to finish this tough course with no injury that makes me unable to participate in any of the other races that I am registered for.

3:55:45
36th place of 96
Marathon #50
Marathon or Ultra #59
Race#228
*****

2-5-11 Friendship Run 5K

2011-02-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

Fourth time at the Westside Cooperative Preschool event in Olympia. Feeling somewhat tired legged. This is a tougher course than the last couple of 5Ks I have done and I'll be happy to beat 22 minutes. I do like the course though mostly along paved nature trails. Cool and cloudy, great running weather.

Start - With over 200 runners I should not be right in front at the start line. We are crowded in a narrow drive way and although I am fairly close to the front there are obviously slower people in front of me. I need to be careful and not panic if I can not run my pace right away. We start right on time and yes, it is crowded and slow. I feel so boxed in as we go through the parking lot. I do a couple of zigs and zags, something I would never do in a marathon, just to get some running room. The crowding keeps me from going out too fast and I am able to pick up the pace when we hit the paved trail. At least I feel like I am working harder, problem is that there is an uphill here. Dan Meuse catches me and we run together for a while.

Mile 1 - Dan moves on ahead. I'm doing OK but not great. A few surges but I am just not able to keep the legs pushing as fast as I would like. Concentrate on form. The trail is squiggly and as I try to get past one guy who is slowing he moves toward the side where I hoped to pass, effectively cutting me off. I go around the other way and see Erik Lindberg not too far ahead.

Mile 2 - Finally catch Erik and move ahead. Holding a steady pace but it is slower than I would like.

Mile 2.7 - Top of the overpass. Feeling a side stitch. Working very hard but all I have to do is hang on for a couple of more minutes. Passed by a young guy. Turn and down the hill. Runner who passed me is stopped! At the on ramp crossing, the cop has stopped us so that cars can go by! Fine if there is a break in the runners, but he really just arbitrarily halted us. I get mad and think about blowing across the road, because it is clear; the vehicle that he is directing forward is not moving yet. I realize that if I do cross I would deserve to be disqualified and really what difference does it make? I am not going to PR, I was not going to beat my course record here. I might as well not let it bug me and just obey the cop. He lets three cars go through and it seems like forever but was probably less than 15 seconds. Three of us now at the crosswalk and in the final bit of running both of them beat me.

Mile 3.1 - On to the finish. My new shoes, Brooks Adrenaline 11, felt fine. Being stopped by the cop gives me a great excuse, maybe it was more like 30 seconds that I had to wait:) Go run another 3 miles easy, take some pictures and then stay for the kids races, results and raffles. This race always has the best raffles, but I do not win anything today. Results are tabulated quickly and accurately. I get a third place in my age group ribbon.

22:27
27th of 218

3rd in age group of 12

Race #227 5K#60

****

1-30-11 Geoduck Gallop Half Marathon

2011-01-30T17:42:00.000-08:00

Last year I ran 40 races, three in the month of January. I have no intention of trying to better that mark, yet somehow I find myself lining up for my sixth race this month. Every weekend there has been a good local option and I have had no trouble finding the time to run. Yesterday was the Run For Tina 5K. I ran well and my legs feel fine. I did not plan to do this race today, but my training plan calls for me to run 11-14 miles at a decent pace. I am trying to build up the mileage on these runs that I do at my hoped for marathon PR pace (3:45). More miles at 8:35/mile and longer and longer runs at that pace too. I usually go off well under 8:00/mile in the half, can I get comfortable and hold the 8:35 in a race situation? I'm confident that I can despite racing yesterday, so I will relax and enjoy the event.

Last year this race was in February and had some issues. I ran the accompanying 10K with Jody. There were more day of race registrants than they could handle and the start was delayed a long time. The course may not have been marked perfectly, as some runners took a wrong turn in the half last year. Word is that part of the course overlapped with the Friendship Run course from the day before and some of the chalk marks for that race lead runners in the wrong direction. We have a new course this year and have been promised that it is well marked. Sign in is in the heated gym with heated restrooms a huge improvement over last year. The race was not advertised as much in advance and numbers are down. But this eases the process and we start off right on schedule. Cloudy and cool but its dry and no wind. Great running conditions. I have shorts, long sleeves and a hat that I can toss if I warm up.

Start - Tammy is here and hoping to run an 8:30 pace to PR. She has some friends with her and this is great. I'll tuck in with and behind this little pack and make sure that I don't go off too fast. I plan to stay with them until mile ten or eleven and then run hard for the last part. Its a smooth start and away we go.

Mile 1 - GPS is off some and will continue to read short for the whole race. Either way we are going a little too fast but soon back down to the goal pace.

Mile 2 - Aid station water is warm. Unexpected and not a problem, just a little weird.

Mile 4 - Enjoying the quiet rural roads. Rolling hills the whole way but nice blacktop. My last couple of races have been on trail or rough pavement so its good to not have to think about where each footstep goes. Comfortable pleasant running. Steep downhill and then a steep uphill. That was the worst of what will be on the course. Jenny walks part of the hill and drops off pace some. She will go on the set a PR however.

Mile 6 - Out to Mud Bay road and turn onto the paved nature trail.

Mile 7 - One of our pack starts to tire and slows a little, another (Martinho) had been holding back and now picks up the pace. Our little pack is shrinking. Kristi and I focus on Tammy and keep the steady pace.

Mile 9.5 - I really like this course. We are now at a two mile out and two mile back that will get us to the finish. I can see all the fast runners coming toward us. Tammy is struggling however. I have gotten ahead of her and I stop at an aid station to drink and let her catch up. She does not look to be in good shape. Kristi will stay with her and she gives me the signal to press on without them. I was going to start running hard at mile ten, I might as well go out now. I have been watching Ruhama gradually extend her lead from us for the last three miles. She has been getting faster and I want to catch her, but she is almost a half mile ahead by now. I drop the hammer and take off at 7:30 pace.

Mile 11 - Passed Judy Fisher and am gaining on Ruhama. Get to the turn around, staffed by Bill Herzog. For such a small race it has been fun to know so many people. Even the President of the Half Fanatics Club is here. Finally catch up to Ruhamma. She is running so fast but is also struggling mightily to hold her pace. She wants to PR and asks me to help her. A PR would be 1:52 I think, for her and that will be easy. Now she says, between gasps and groans, that she would love to beat 1:50. I am doing the math in my head but with my watch not reading spot on, I can not say for sure how much farther we have to to. Down a hill and we are really flying, last big uphill and then I know that the last mile will be flat. Encourage her to relax and not let this hill wipe her out completely. I am sure that she will beat 1:50 now. Back on level ground I still have some energy left. I tell Ruhama to enjoy the moment and I set off to catch Martinho.

Mile 12.5 - This last mile seems long as we do not turn where I thought we would. I am not gaining on Martinho, but I feel good and run hard to the finish. Really pleased that I have felt comfortable the whole morning, no aches or pains. Wait for Ruhama, Tammy and Jenny who all get their PRs. Kristi must have worked some magic on Tammy, because I did not think she would make it. Way to tough it out. I don't stay for results. A quick towel off and change of clothes and I make it to church on time.

1:46:33
Results pending
Race#226
6th race of January - new monthly record
*****

1-29-11 Run for Tina 5K

2011-01-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

Tina Griswold was a Lakewood Police Officer who was murdered along with three other officers as they sat in a coffee shop a year ago. Both Jody and I work in Lakewood and Jody knew Tina from her work on the DARE program at the middle school. A year ago I stood outside in the freezing cold for hours as the funeral procession passed by. I still can not see a Lakewood Police cruiser on the road and not think about the tragedy and my profound respect for those who serve. Today's race is a "fun run and walk" that will raise money for scholarship funds to help women seeking to enter law enforcement careers. More of a community event with lots of walkers, than a typical race. But with over 600 signed up I'm sure that there will be enough fast people to keep me in my place.

I have raced in Steilacoom many times but never at the Fort Steilacoom Park. Mostly paved trail but some long sections of gravel and dirt. I actually do not know the course at all. I'll just follow the leaders and hope to not take a wrong turn. This is a first time event and not a high stakes competition, so I will be patient with the organizers if anything goes wrong. I do arrive plenty early and have no trouble getting my bib and T-shirt. Someone announces that we should not rip off the lower part of the tag "in case you collapse halfway out there and we need to identify you" Yikes!! Unfortunately it is raining. Not windy and not too cold but it is wet and I am pleased that so many have come out in the rain. Two local news stations are here. I do my usual warm up and feel pretty good despite last weeks 50K race.

Start - They have us start on a super wide section of grass that will narrow down and pass between two barns. This may be the course that is used for cross country meets here, the start anyway is typical of that. Walkers and slower runners do a great job of lining up behind the runners. I only see a couple of people that I recognize. I thought for sure that the start would be delayed due to getting people registered and I am amazed when the horn blows right on schedule. We fly across the field, kicking up mud and water onto the backs of our legs and the people behind us. Between the barns, right onto the roughly paved park road, then onto a path.

Mile 0.5 - Going too fast as usual, I'll never hold this pace. But we are spread out nicely for such a large group. Plenty of room on the paved flat trail along the main road. Up ahead I can see runners making a turn, then again like a big horse shoe. I am able to count those in front of me. At the turn I realize that I am in 19th place. OK, enough counting. Focus on maintaining pace.

Mile 1 - Now onto a dirt trail and up a hill. Its not too steep but it does make me slow. Two guys pass me. I hope that I am able to regain some speed at the top. Right turn with volunteers to point the way, but I see two of the lead runners had gone straight and are way off course, at the bottom of the hill. I look to the right and see those in front of me along with a course marker so I know that is the way I am supposed to go. More uphill and finally a turn and a chance to go downhill. I just pass a guy wearing Vibrams. It is a wide enough dirt road with ruts, but with all the rain it is a little slippery. His shoes have zero traction and he slides and falls. It was not a bad fall and he is up very quickly with no harm done. In fact he goes on to pass me. Must have been a nice adrenaline surge.

Mile 2 - Back to pavement and around Lake Waughop. Flat pavement for a while, just have to watch for bumps. Eric Barnes sighting. All the way around the lake and back toward the barns. I'm holding pace OK and not getting passed, but I am not gaining on anyone in front of me. Last stretch to the barns and the finish. There is a lone, young Girl Scout directing runners but she is yelling to some others off to the left that no one is listening to her, "they keep going straight". I realize that we are supposed to turn left here but no one is doing that. I make the turn and hope that those behind me will follow. I pass other Girl Scouts, one of whom says "finally someone is going the right way" Between the barns and I reconnect with the runners in front of me. They are about twenty feet farther ahead than before the turn so it did not make much difference. Hey maybe they should all be disqualified and I should be the winner for running the proper course:) Back on to the grass and I can see the clock at the finish still reading in the 20:xxs. What did I run that 5K in two weeks ago? 21:13 I think. Can I beat that time? I sprint hard and just make it.

Finish - No one is taking tags or recording our finish times so there will not be any official results. Overall winners get a free pair of shoes. GPS reads 2.91 and with that finish time I am sure that the course was a little short. Still a good run and a nice event. Well organized for a first time event and a great cause, I would run it again for sure. I jog around and take some photos of the course. I'm glad that the rain was not worse and that the event was a success.

21:12

about 20th of about 600 including many walkers

race#225

5K# 59

5th race of the month with one more tomorrow

****

1-22-11 Pigtails Lake Youngs 50K

2011-01-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

My second time at this race. I had a good run last year and hope to do so again. My time was 5:17 last year and my 50K PR is 5:14. Been running well and feel good, but I have not done a long run in 5 weeks. Chances are probable that I will run out of energy early and have to shuffle in too many miles at the end. I'll try to eat more in the early miles in order to stave off the wall, but if it comes I won't beat myself up about it. Its been very rainy and there will be mud, but today is dry and not so cold. Its cool and cloudy but will warm up to 40 or so and we should get a little blue sky later on. I'll be comfortable in shorts two shirts and a light jacket and a light hat but no gloves needed. I described the trail with photos last year.

Loop 1 - Last year I ran the first loop in 1:37:06, timing myself as I left the one and only aid station. Its 9.8 miles around the lake, so I have my fuel belt with 20oz of Gatorade to get me through. I remember the steep downhill that hits us just after the start and I am determined to carefully negotiate my way down. Starting farther back than usual and not trying to pass anyone, the hill is not a problem. Two guys do go blazing past me near the bottom, but I give them plenty of room. The trail widens some and gets more sure of foot. Runners get all sorted out, I find my pal the Rogue Wave and we find our comfortable pace. The strategy of walking up at least some of the rolling hills worked well for me last year and we do that again, but I am going faster than last year and way faster than PR pace. It is interesting to revisit a place that I was at only once before and that was a year ago. Around every turn I suddenly remember the scenery and have some expectation of what is to come. Knowing a course should give me some advantage. It would be interesting to compare my times for all of my races in which I have done the course twice and see if I have improved most times. We enjoy the easy pace. The mud is there, but never so bad. I probably should be going slower as I head out for lap 2 at 1:32:11, five minutes faster than last year.

Loop 2 - Race Director Pigtails had said that if we wanted to and were not in the position of maybe winning the race, we could run the second lap in the reverse direction. I remembered that Robert Lopez did that last year and it was fun to see him as we went past in opposite directions. Otherwise, although there are over a hundred runners here, you don't get to see anyone because there are no out and backs and we are all spread out after a couple of miles. Most of my friends think that I am a little crazy to run so many marathons and ultras. They may be right, but there are other crazies out there and I get to see them and feel at home with them on race day. Even if I do not know them well, there is a certain bond when I see the same face at race after race. So the Rogue Wave and I do this loop in reverse and I enjoy seeing my friends. A couple of hand slaps, Betsy tells me that I am disqualified from winning (ha ha) and lots of "good jobs". With more distractions, the time goes by quickly. At mile 3 there is a Terry Sentinella sighting. At mile 4 a deer jumps out of the woods and startles us. At mile 6.5 there is another Terry Sentinella sighting!! He is flying around the lake. Now on his third loop, its is my first time actually seeing him running, he is always so fast. I am doing well at my own pace. The Fig Newtons that I carry are digesting well. I try a gel and get a little upset stomach right away. I'll stick with the Newtons for the rest of the race. I finish the loop in 1:34:12, two minutes faster than last year.

Loop 3 - The Rogue Wave has mentioned trying to run all of the uphills for the third loop. Getting that PR is more important to me than trying to stay with or beat her today, so I am happy to let her go on a little faster. If I can just keep going like I have been, if my energy reserves can hold out, I could have a really good day of running. Soon I catch up to Maniac Guy Yogi. He is always 10 to 15 minutes faster than me in marathons and we run a lot of the same races. He is moving along alright and I think that it would be nice to just run with him and talk for a while. We run together for about a mile but I feel like I could be going just a little faster so I pull on ahead. At mile 26 I start to tire. My pace slows some and I start doing the math in my head. The GPS is off some with distance and I just can not quite figure out how fast I need to keep moving. Mile 27 - Left hamstring cramps up and then releases. I am used to slowly building discomfort at various body parts, but these sudden cramps or pains do not happen very often to me, it is always a surprise. It released immediately, but will reoccur every half mile or so. Not real painful, but disconcerting nonetheless. Still struggling with the math as I near the last mile of the loop. I know that the final out and back section is 2.2 miles, so if I can start that leg with 25 minutes to spare it should be doable. If I have less than 20 minutes I will never make it and I'll just relax and ease on in at whatever time. I make a plan for a quick turn around at the aid station. I will ditch my jacket and throw off this fuel belt that bothers me after so many hours. I have a half bottle of Gatorade that I can carry in my hand. I'm sure I could go without the fluid but I am thirsty and know that I could use the drink even in the last half hour. I pull into the aid station with 28 minutes till my PR time is up. I can run 13 minute miles for the last bit and get that PR. I am optimistic and happy!! Loop 3 complete in 1:37:45 compared to 1:39:10 last year.

2.2 mile out and back - Oh crap, somehow I managed to drink from the bottle, toss it on the ground, and leave my fuel belt on with practically no fluids. O well, its just two miles, I'll manage. Last year I did this bit in 24:27. This year I can do it in 28 something and not only beat last year's time but also my best ever time of 5:14 from the Mt. Si 50K. Now comes a dilemma. This will be my fastest 50K yet and who knows about the future? Maybe this will be my last PR at this distance. I should go as fast as possible and get that final finish time as low as I can because I may have to live with it forever. However I find myself thinking about my sponsorship from Brooks Running. I get to participate in an annual race series with all of the other Brooks athletes. Points are awarded for fast times based on an "age graded V-dot system" but also for races entered and for PRs. I'll get one point for racing today and another point for my PR. Last year I was the regional winner for the "most races entered" category and won a nice gear bag. My speed is not very competitive but because I race a lot, I was 52nd of 1,018 athletes in the 2010 race series. I am registered for Mt. Si again this April and I could perhaps get another PR there. That would be easier if I do not smash my PR today and make it so much lower. This is what I am thinking about as I finally get to that turn around. In the end it is my left hamstring that makes the descision for me. The cramping is becoming more frequent. Still not really painful, but I would never try to run fast or work it hard with the condition it is in right now. I split the difference between doing my absolute best and preserving my body to run again soon. Have to walk up that steep hill but when I see that I am at 5:08 at the top and near the end I am thrilled. Super fun to run in to the finish and enjoy the accomplishment.

5:09:07 PR

28th place of 84

50K #7

Race #224
*****

1-15/11 Run For Faith 5K

2011-01-15T13:27:00.000-08:00

Back to Elma for the second running of this event. Faith Lutheran Church. Proceeds to benefit a missions trip to Africa. This race is small enough that there is a chance that I could win. Last year I came in second place out of eleven, a little behind Erik Lindberg. I was nursing an Achilles tendon then and I know that on a good day I can beat him. Well hopefully he won't even be here. Jody and I pull into the parking lot and there is Bob Martin. Oh I am never going to win now.....but wait, he is running the 10K race. Looks like a larger crowd than last year and some runners look quick so who knows? Now I see Dylan Miller, the ten year old that I raced against last week. It took me 3.5 miles to catch him last week; he may be my toughest competition here.
It was a poor week for running last week. My head cold got real bad and I just had to take a few extra days off, with no quality work outs since the race last week. I did start feeling better by Thursday and with the lower mileage this week I realized that today I will hit 15,000 life time miles. I ran a little yesterday just so that after today's warm up I will be just under 15,000. This race will be a nice way to celebrate that milestone. Jody ran and won the 10K last year. She is back to repeat that distance. We were all wary of the predicted rain, but it is dry although the roads are wet and it is very cloudy. Temperature about 50 degrees with no wind, so very nice for running. I do my usual warm up and am ready to go.
Start - For some reason we are starting right near the main road this year. If the turn around is at the same spot this will make the course about 40 yards shorter than last year. I can not actually remember the exact placement of the turn around, except that we have to go over the highway overpass, so there will be a little uphill to start out the way back. RD Barb gives us directions and then we see a car pulling in with Erik Lindberg. We give him time to pin his number on, but no time to warm up and then we are off.
Mile 0.5 - Dylan takes off like a shot, really fast. I have to go faster than I want, but a 5K is pretty much go all out for me anyway. Bob Martin and Dylan are together and I am about ten feet back. I see that I am holding pace with them. I might as well surge and catch them and run with them. I am able to do so and it is a fun way to celebrate my 15,000th mile. I see Bob all the time but we never get to run together. Since he is doing the 10K, our paces are about the same here and we run together.
Mile 1 - Negotiate the back of the school area and through the gate. At one intersection a car approaches and stops at their stop sign. We run through. Next I hear the car proceed and this tells me that there is no other runner too close behind us. It just may be me and Dylan going for the win. Yikes I am at a 6:48 pace!! Last year I ran the race at 7:15 pace.
Mile 1.4 - Volunteer tells us to cross Third street and turn right. Last year we made the turn before crossing and ran over the highway on the right side of the road. Now the three of us are on the left side. Up and over and down. I can see the aid station that must be the turn around on the other side of the road. But wait, here is a big 5K with chalk turn around arrow on the ground on our side of the road. Dylan overshoots it, hesitates and turns around just as I get to it, as I had been a few feet behind him. Bob goes on for the 10K and I make the turn just even with Dylan.
Mile 1.6 - On the uphill I can hear his labored breathing. If I was breathing like that I would not be able to last much longer. I get a sense of confidence that I will be able to pull ahead for the win. I make a short surge but he matches it and we are side by side. Other runners coming toward us, on both sides of the road, but none are close enough to worry about.
Mile 2 - We are slowing just a little. Right when I get feeling comfortable I decide to break him and put on a super surge. I can only hold it for a few steps and he has no problem charging past me and settling in a few steps ahead. This happens three times and then I know that I will probably not win.
Mile 2.6 - Up the little dirt road and hill to the main street. Dylan starts increasing his lead. I do my best and feel good, realize that I will crush last year's time, but I just can not beat the kid.
Mile 3.1? My GPS says 2.99 with a pace of 7:06 and a time of 21:13. Even that was a fast super pace for me. If the course was really 3.1miles that would put me at a 6:50 pace per mile and that just does not seem realistic. I think that it was a little shorter than last year, but still I ran very well. I congratulate Dylan and hope to run with him again. Always fun to have some close competition that makes me run better. It will be fun to watch this kid in the coming years. Cool down jog and go out to find Jody. She is doing well and feels good, but is in second place of the women as a faster one came this year. Turns out that she would have won the 5K had she entered that race. We run the last mile together. Then we wait for results. With 24 runners in the 5K and 7 in the 10K it should not take long to tabulate the results. They do some raffles and Jody wins a pie. But there is some confusion with the results and Barb is trying to figure it out. After and hour of waiting we really need to leave, and do so before the ribbons are awarded. Other than that wait, and the experience of coming so close to winning, but not quite getting it, it was a nice event. Rain started falling just as we were leaving. Pigtails LakeYoungs 50K is next week. I have not done a long run in five weeks, so it will be a good slow endurance training run and possible mudbath.

21:13
2nd of 24
5K#58
Run for Faith#2
race #223
*****

1-8-11 White Elephant 5 miler

2011-01-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

Race around Capitol Lake. $10 entry day of race, plus bring a wrapped gift for the exchange. I bring two running books. I think it is obvious from the weight and size that it is books and that someone will take it and be pleased. Been suffering from a mild cold. Went skiing all day yesterday with the family and it really wiped me out. I'm not a good skier and my quads take a hammering, but at least I did not fall at all during any of the 12 runs we did. With the cold I probably should not race, but sometimes it does not affect me much. And I am not concerned with my finish time. I am in the middle of a four week training plan with short races every Saturday and some tougher than usual mid week runs. No hint of injury so I have been pushing it more than usual and hope it will pay off with some faster marathon times in the Spring. For now, these short races are my speed work and the 50K I have planned for 1/22 will be my long training run.
Fifteen minute drive to the start at South Sound Running. Icy though. The roads are very icy in some places. I skate/jog for two miles and then register for the race. Back in the car for a bit I feel very tired/sick. Maybe I should not run. I think of Portland where I decided to not race about a minute before the start and The Lost Dutchman where I was very close to not running because of a cold/flu but did go and survived a tough one. Well I do not feel that bad, it was just a wave of weakness. I sort of expect that I will get halfway through the race and have to walk or slow dramatically. Won't know unless I try. I go jog a little more and actually feel fine. Do some strides before the start and know that my legs feel fine and I should go for it. I just will not be disappointed if I have a horrible race. Shorts, long sleeve shirt, headband and gloves. Cold but sunny and not nearly as cold as last week.
Start - We gather at Boston street and right on time the race starts. Problem here is that it is a fairly significant downhill first mile. Like the Sound to Narrows race I ponder the wisdom of holding back or taking advantage of the downhill while I have it. Mile 3-4 will be all uphill. There is little hope of a negative split. I am all warmed up and it is easy to get sucked into running fast. I do not go all out however and I feel good about the start. I see a young boy go out with the fast guys, at least those faster than me. He looks like a young version of Caleb, my son. From behind he looks really young and he must be going way too fast. I am sure that I will catch him real soon. With Tammy for the first half mile, and Ron Frederick for the whole first mile. Bit of ice on one corner. Some pedestrians walking the inner part of the sidewalk as I run around a corner under Interstate 5. I tell them that there are many more people coming this way, they do not seem to care.
Mile 1- Hit it at 7:12 which seems just about right. Not too fast, not too slow. I pass one guy and one runner passes me. Then we are fairly well sorted out. The kid has a nice lead on me but is not that far ahead. I'm surprised that he is running so well. Hey and I feel good. I Forget that I have a cold. On to the main road around the lake. I mostly run on the gravel to avoid any ice. Pass one runner. Dodge some walkers with dogs.
Mile 2 - Warming up. The gloves come off as I near a covered bus stop. I could try to stuff them in my shorts pocket, but instead I throw them into the bus stop, hoping that someone will find them who can use them. The dollar store is a good place to shop for cheap cotton running gloves.
Mile 3 - Sharp right turn at Water street. I can see ahead and Bob Martin is not that far away. I try to not look back during a race but when I make the turn it is so easy to just look to my right as I am curious as to where Ron is. Oh good he is back a bit, maybe 10-15 seconds. Nobody right on my tail for the big hill. Here it is; a really steep long hill to the Capitol where it will flatten out some, then rise more gradually. The hill is tough and I am slowing but not so bad. I need some inspiration. Oh this will be such a short time of suffering compared to some of the things I have put myself through. Its a light and momentary trouble. Light and momentary trouble, that is biblical....what is that verse? "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" 2 Corinthians 4:17. Well I do not expect eternal glory from today's race, but the thoughts have taken me to the top of the hill. I slowed but I still have energy to run strong as I crest the end of the steep part. Turn right and see that the runner ahead of me is now walking. As I pass him I see another runner off to the side, stopped with head down and apparently vomiting. There is a race volunteer nearby so I keep moving and see that I have gained ground on the kid.
Mile 3.5 - Pass the kid (later I find out that he is ten years old) and try to encourage him. He will finish about a minute and a half behind me and really is an excellent runner. On through the neighborhood and feeling good.
Mile 4 - Course has been well marked. Good thing because I have no one just in front of me anymore to follow. At one point I think that I am supposed to go straight but it is clearly marked to turn to the left, over a patch of icy grass and onto Capitol Blvd. I was not exactly where I thought I was, but I have stayed on course. Now it is a straight and flat route back to the South Sound Running Store and the finish line. Just have to watch for ice and bumps on the sidewalk.
Mile 4.3 - Hey I am having a really good run. Pick up the pace and the legs cooperate. Glancing at my watch now and then as I really speed up, I can see the overall pace drop from 7:39 to 7:38 to 7:37 to 7:36. It won't be a negative split but definitely a strong finish. No one will come close to passing me and I cruise on in trying to beat the clock to get under 38 minutes. Just make it. Very good run. Now to the presents table. I go for a small box and am pleased with a gift of three pairs of socks. Happy with that exchange. Cool down jog with Tammy and watch more runners come in. A little slower than last week's 5 miler, but given the icy pavement and my cold, I'll take it. The skiing had no noticeable effect on my legs. Next up: Run for Faith 5K in Elma next Saturday.

37:56
17th place of 85
Race#222
****

1-1-11 5 Mile Resolution Run

2011-01-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

Sixth consecutive 5 mile race in Steilacoom on New Year's day. Rang in the new year while in the parking lot of SeaTac airport, just back from two weeks in warm and wonderful Maui. Home by 1AM and the 6:30 wake up was especially tough with two hours of jet lag. Easy day of race registration. Super cold out. 21 degrees and bright sun. I bundle up, even wearing my Pigtails beanie.
Start - Good two mile warm up with some striders a few minutes before the start. Awful cold on my face, the rest of me is covered. I hear an announcement that says we will start in five minutes so I amble over to the start area. Chat with Brett and Dawn, then I see Julie and Mike and go over to say hi to them. We are just greeting each other when all of a sudden, with no announcement, the race has started. I am not facing in the right direction and I am a little farther back than I should be, but I get moving and relax knowing that we will sort out soon enough.
Mile 0.8 - A slight change in the course. We will run behind the library instead of in front of it, not cutting the hypotenuse. This will add a small amount to the distance and I do not know why we are doing this but I better stay with everyone and not cut the corner. Soon we are back on the traditional course.
Mile 2 - I ran a 7:15 first mile, but now I am slowing. Tough to breathe this cold air, legs not entirely cooperating, but nothing hurts and I am enjoying the race.
Mile 2.25 - Gary Cooper sighting
Mile 2.5 - At the turn around. 18:56 The return trip will be more of a downhill, hopefully I can hold it together and maintain this pace. Anything under 37:52 will be a negative split.
Mile 3 - Back and forth with a woman. We keep switching leads or running together. Great competition.
Mile 3.5 - Mel Preedy sighting.
Mile 4.5 - Still battling with this woman. No one has passed us and we have not passed anyone. I think there is a smaller crowd here than most years. I have my negative split and feel very good about just maintaining this pace as the woman pulls ahead for good.
Mile 5 - On to the track and around to the finish. Decent way to start the year. So happy that I feel well with no nagging injuries despite an increased intensity of mid week training lately. I have family commitments and can not stay long after the race. A short cool down jog and then I leave, hoping to race again next week.

37:22 watch time
55th place of 125
race #221
****

12-18-10 Pigtails 50K

2010-12-18T17:00:00.000-08:00

My third consecutive run here, second on this version of the course. Severe windstorm predicted for the night before almost had the race cancelled. 70% chance of rain and temps in the mid to upper 30s. Four of us carpool to the start and have to stop a couple of times to clear branches from the road. It is very gusty and cold as we get ready for the start. I had struggled over whether to wear shorts or long pants but just a few minutes outside confirmed that I should go with the tights. I can always take them off and wrap them around my waist if I get super hot, but at the slower pace of the ultra I don't see that happening. I will wear my rain coat over my Maniac jacket (manufactured by Brooks) and should be fine...with hat and gloves too.

Its much easier to come back to a race for the second or more time, knowing the course and what to expect. Of the 137 who registered for the race 103 make it to the start line. I probably know half of them and it is always fun to see and later to commiserate with fellow Marathon Maniacs. We all get commemorative beanie hats that are super nice. I'll have to wait till the finish to see what style finisher's medal RD Van (Pigtails) Phan has made. They are always so unique and fun.

Start - Find M761 and we start off in the early morning light along the short out and back of the pipeline trail. Then over the Cedar River on the road and onto the long trail.

Mile 5.7 - First aid station. Stock up on fluids. Move along.

Mile 8 - I am on a PR pace. Feel fine but I know that I will slow at some point. No real time goal, would be nice to beat last year's time I guess. Big tree down on the trail, have to climb around it.

Mile 14 - Have felt the wind at my back off and on for a long time. Now I turn around and have to run into the wind for the next 8 miles. Its not so bad, but at times I can feel it zapping my energy.

Mile 16 - Bob Dolphin sighting.

Mile 21.7 - Back to the staffed aid station. Marathoners continue on straight to the finish. 50K runners go up a hill on a side trail for a 5 mile out and back. A person could decide right then to only do the 26.2, even if they had registered for the 50K. I am getting tired and a little nauseous, but I'll continue on as planned. Kimpossible who has been with or mostly a little behind me all morning had registered for the marathon but here at mile 21.7 makes the crazy decision to add five miles to her race. Awesome!!

Mile 22 - Struggling now. Simply out of energy and having a little stomach cramping. M761 moves ahead and will go on to run a PR. I remember two years ago, it was our first 50K. Neither of us knew the full course and with the small group and absolutely frigid temperatures we decided to take it easy and also stay together the whole way. Last year we ran together. M761 tired near the end and I guess that I could have beat her, but I stayed with her and pushed us only hard enough to beat the time from the previous year. This year it is good for her to work for a fast time. We know the course and are safe among a much larger group of runners. I start leapfrogging a guy named Everett and I could just stay with him if I feel like company. At the turn around I see the Kimpossible and the Lone Wolf are not far behind at all.

Mile 26.7 - Back to the aid station. I make myself eat something. Despite an upset stomach I drink some Gatorade and eat a "fun sized" snickers, some potato chips, a fig newton and then drink some warm cider. I actually feel better after that. Time to set a finishing goal. If I can hold a 12 minute mile I should get in under 5:30 and that will beat last year's time by a few minutes. I jog for a while and take walk breaks quite often. Easy to be under 12/mile, I hold it closer to 11s.

Mile 28 - One familiar Maniac passes me and then Kimpossible. I have no motivation to try to keep up, I just stick to my own plan. Snow starts, then rain, then snow then more rain. Wet and cold but trudging along fine.

Mile 30.5 - I remember last year that there was a small road crossing just about a half mile before the finish. I decide to hold back and just keep slogging along with walk breaks until I get to that road then I will push hard to the end. But the crossing never appears and next thing I know I am at mile 31.1 and can see the finish just ahead as I round a bend in the trail. Too bad, I could have cut a few seconds off my time, but I am happy to have set a goal five miles back that I have easily achieved.

Mile 31.1 - Finish. Wet but happy. Nice medal made from a pink poker chip. I am left wondering how much farther I could have kept going at that pace. I do not want to register for a 50 miler just yet, but I would like to do a timed 12 hour or 24 hour race just to see how long I can run after hitting the wall. Perhaps I will get my chance to find out next year.

2010 - 40 races, 16 marathons or ultras

5:25:25

29th of 39

*****

Tis the Season for a 5K Club Oly Cross Country Race #3

2010-12-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

At Pioneer Park in Tumwater for the Club Oly cross country race. Significant course change from last year. Somehow this is both a two loop course and an out and back race. I know that does not make sense, but that is the best way to describe it. Well marked with cones and arrows. Lots of different surfaces including mushy soccer fields, nice packed gravel, some muddy trails and even a little pavement. On my warm up run I toured most of the course and found the huge "puddle" that we have to go through. No way around this and it looks deep. It is cold (about 41 degrees) and raining lightly. It has been very wet recently and there are puddles everywhere. At least it is not windy. I warm up well and keep running right until the start time so as to not get chilled. Fortunately we start right on time.

Start - Run across the mushy soccer field. Within 20 seconds I can see lots of mud on the backs of the legs of the runners in front of me. This is going to be a muddy one. Within 60 seconds I assess my position. With only 11 starters (9 of whom I know fairly well) I have a good idea of where I am going to finish. Rich, Ben, Nick and Matt are in front of me where they should be. Ron Burfurd is right behind me. He always beats me and I am going a little faster than I should, taking advantage of the more runnable grass, so he will pass me soon I am sure. Turn and onto a ball field. Onto what I think is wet pavement but is really the dirt infield. It gets muddy and slippery in one spot but I make it through. More grass and a bit of trail. I hear screams up ahead.....

Puddle 1 - Down into some thick mud and then a wide and deep puddle. This is one small section of the course that I did not preview and I had no idea this was coming. Volunteer Tammy is here and I think she was the one screaming as runners came through. The puddle is about knee deep and really muddy with bits of gravel. No way around, you have to go right through the middle of it. When I come up out of it I can feel the gravel going into my shoes and rubbing against my heel. Most of the big pieces work their way down to the bottom of the shoe and do not cause any pain, so I can keep up the pace. On to nicer trail and I push as hard as I can. Still ahead of Ron but I can hear his slapping feet right behind me. Along the river then onto pavement where I push hard. Then a turn onto grass and.......

Puddle 2 - This one is about 35 feet long and deeper than the first. Miguel is taking pictures. Ron and I are laughing. The deepest spot is almost to my waist. Then it gets more shallow and I remember that I am supposed to be racing. I slog my legs through the water as best I can and finally come up onto land. That is when I feel the cold. My entire lower half from my waist to my toes goes numb. We enter a forested single track trail that twists and has a couple of 2-3 foot bumps. I am seriously worried about pulling or straining some muscle, or falling, so I back off a bit. It is short piece through that segment and soon we are back on runnable trail and I can feel my feet again. Fairly smooth running for a while, Ron still right on my tail. At one point he make a move and we run side by side. I speed up just before the trail narrows and retake my position ahead of him.

Puddle 3 - We are now about 2 miles into the race. I have never kept up with Ron for so long. Puddle 3 is that same one as puddle 2. I am more confident now that I have been through it already, I slog on as best I can. Same numbness and sever cold on the way out. It gradually fades and I am running OK, but Ron makes his move and passes me.

Puddle 4 - Ron is just a few feet ahead of me as we turn and go through the last big puddle. This is the same as the first one except we are now going in the opposite direction. In the middle of it, I see Ron slip and come crashing down with a big splash. Tammy and I make sure he is OK and he is very quickly on his feet, but I am able to get in front of him again. All we have left is a bit of trail and then the ball fields, probably a half mile to go. If I was by myself I am sure that I would ease up and have a relaxed finish. But ugh. Ron is here, now even with me and I realize that he is going to make me work for it. I have little faith that I can beat him, but who knows, unless I try. Another speed burst, this is my last, I just can't keep this up. I am now a few feet in front of Ron and I hear him go down again. Should I stop and help him up, check on him? I can see the finish line across the field. He fell on the wet grass can't be hurt too bad if at all. I decide to finish the race and then run back to help him if needed. On I go and when I make the last turn on the edge of the field I see that he is running and is only about 20 feet behind me. And he is carrying one shoe!! I sprint on the squishy field and finish a few seconds ahead of him. We cheer on the others who are not far behind at all. I learn that Ron was not the only one to fall. Rich has a nice bloody knee and two others who finished ahead of me also had nasty falls. Everyone is in good spirits but with the rain continuing to fall we decide to go get warm before hypothermia sets in. One of the crazier races I have done.

23:58
5th place of 11
race #219
race #39 of 2010
5K #57
*****

11-28-10 Seattle Marathon

2010-11-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

My third time here. Five years ago I ran this seven weeks after Portland and was concerned about how it would go, running marathons so close together. This year I ran a marathon five weeks ago and I am concerned that it is too far apart. I got in an OK long run on the trails two weeks ago, then the weather turned icy and nasty and all training fell apart. In a way it is good as some minor aches have gone away. I mostly want to have fun today and to beat four hours is always a goal.

I have a trash bag with me to convert into a rain poncho if needed, but it looks like we will luck out and be dry. It is cold so I have my jacket, hat and gloves. Eight fig newtons in my pockets and some S!Caps, but no Gu or energy gel. This is a continuation of my nutritional experiment from the last marathon that went very well.

1.3 mile walk from the condo to the start line. I time it well and get to see the huge race that is the half marathon go by. Jennifer Seward sighting. Then cluster around with other Maniacs. This race draws so many club members and with its two out and back sections it is really fun to see everybody. At least eight people that I know are completing a "Quadzilla" today which is four marathons in four days. Three of those will go on to run much faster than me today. Another friend will finally get that elusive BQ after much effort and deliberate training. One of my students is here running his first marathon. He will catch up to me at mile 2.5 and run with me until mile 4. Then he will blaze on much too fast. I expect him to come back at some point, but will he?

Start - Well organized race and it is a smooth start. M761 finds me just before we are released. Run with her and M111 for a bit

Mile 1 - I managed to not run into a monorail support, goal number one accomplished today. M111 goes off faster. He is finishing the quad today. Twice this year he passed me late in a race, even though he was on the second day of a double. I thought that maybe after a triple we might be about the same speed, but he is way ahead now and I will not see him till after the finish.

Mile 2.5 - Half Marathon walkers are not a problem this year as they are on a different highway ramp. I do not like all this concrete, but I feel good.

Mile 4 - In the Express lane tunnel. Lose GPS signal. My student gets ahead at a water stop and I do not try to keep up. Suddenly I am surrounded by three members of the Kuhlmann family. Fun to see that M761's siblings are getting faster.

Mile 6 - On the I-90 bridge. Very little wind which is a good thing. Holding a steady pace, a little faster than I should be, but not too bad.

Mile 8 - Bob Dolphin sighting.

Mile 13.1 - Nice steady running. Hit the half at 1:56 and change. Two minutes faster than I had planned, but well within range.

Mile 14.5 - Pass two guys who are walking and I overhear one say "Maybe if we had trained this would have gone better".

Mile 18.5 - Starting to tire. Legs a little stiff. I encourage M761 to go on ahead. I keep running though, holding pace. Soon I catch Maniac Lesa and we run together. Like M761 she is great company for me. Don't have to talk all the time and I know that her finish times are similar to mine. Big hill here I had forgotten about. I had been waiting for the super steep Galen street hill, but there is a big one now that takes a little out of me.

Mile 20.5 - Galen street hill. So steep it is crazy. At least it is short. As soon as I start climbing I can feel both my calves tighten up. Not quite a cramp, but something seriously different. Able to keep running, we level off then climb the longer but less steep Madison street. Now both legs are tightening up all up and down. A little painful but mostly just uncomfortable.

Mile 22 - Downhill, now back up through the arboretum. Climbing, twisting road. Seems to level off, then goes up again. Tough to keep moving but I do not stop to walk and I am passing lots of walkers. My running pace has slowed and runners are passing me but I'd like to not walk and I think that I will have to do so if I am to beat four hours. Plus I may get "pigtailed" or "kimpossibled" if I slow any more. Large photos and memorial signs from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on both sides of the road. I think of their suffering and how minor mine is and I move a little faster.

Mile 24 - More downhills now. Good spirits and decent energy, just my legs are not cooperating. Too much concrete. My last two marathons and long training run where on trails and I think that is the problem. Stomach is OK and I think that the Fig Newtons are working way better than gels, so that is a big plus.

Mile 25 - Steep downhill. Too steep, I have to be careful to not fall apart and fall down here.

Mile 25.9 - Dip down and then up the last tough little hill. I almost grind to a walk, but I am so close now I keep jogging/shuffling on.

Mile 26 - My biggest fan Jody is here to take my hat and cheer me to the end. Into the stadium. I hit the grass just as my watch turns to 3:59. I will make it under four but barely. I did well to not negotiate with the watch. Maybe I would have, but every time I checked my time I realized that I had to keep pushing to beat four. I never did catch my student, he finished about 90 seconds ahead of me.

Mile 26.2 - Glad to be done. Way harder on the legs than any recent races. I will have to hobble around for a while. Lots of happy Maniacs in the recovery area. Most are pleased with the day and I rate this up there as one of my favorites.

3:59:45

861st of 2284

56th marathon or ultra

31st sub four hour marathon

3rd Seattle Marathon

*****

11/13/10 Club Oly Tis the Season for a 5K, race #2 at Millersylvania State Park

2010-11-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

My third time here at this great little race. 2008 was a three mile race, but for the last two years the course has been lengthened to be much closer to a 5K. Huge variety of trails but they are all flat.

I am thinking about the Seattle Marathon that is two weeks away and that I have not run long for three weeks now. I really should get in a long run. I could do it tomorrow, but here I am up early and dressed to run. I decide to do a very long warm up, run the race as best I can, then finish with a super long cool down.

A little muddy in spots but I have seen it much worse. Its cool and foggy and may drizzle. I run 5.7 miles alone on the trails before the start. At a bridge that crosses a little creek I see two large coho salmon.

Start - Twelve of us line up. One more than last year. A couple of young guys and Rich is going to run as well. We start off and four of them explode away, a tight pack when I see them on the short out and back section. Meanwhile I am running way too fast and I know I will slow. I hold with Ron who always beats me and Nick is in there two.

Mile 1 - Ron has pulled away. Nick is pushing me from behind. Whenever there is a good section of trail I put on a surge, then ease up a bit where the trail gets rough or I just run out of steam. Nick passes me and looks like he is out for a stroll.

Mile 1.75 - At the end of the first loop, all the volunteers and spectators are cheering. The sound dies down and I can not help but listen for the next round of cheering so I can know how far back the next runner is. Sounds good, looks like I am locked into this position.

Mile 3.1 - Smooth running to the finish. I did slow some but my time is 24 seconds faster than last year. I gave it a good effort and am happy with the result. Everyone got a pumpkin pie and I won a "raffle" and got a nice pair of socks. I am starting to cool off and really need to get running again so it is back on the trail, but as slowly as I feel like going, which is very slow at this point. Five miles into it I turn an ankle and almost fall. That ankle is OK but within another mile my other ankle starts to bug me. The next couple of miles are a debate on how much farther to push myself not wanting to get injured. Finally I get good and tired and go for another half mile before quitting. 18.2 miles for the morning. Got in the long run, the race, and the ankles are fine.

22:23 (course record)

7th of 12

race #217

5K#56

ClubOly Tis the Season race at Millersylvania #3

****

11/7/10 Turn Back the Clock 10K

2010-11-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

First time running 10Ks on consecutive days. I'll give it my best and be happy with whatever happens. This is a quality event, very well organized at a great price with a no T-shirt option. Some overlap of this course with the Puddle Jump on the Chehalis Western Trail. Same course as the Race Against Crime, where I ran a 35:58 a few months ago. Too bad I ran hard yesterday.
Start - Rain shower when I arrived, but now the sun is out. It is bright and reflecting off the wet roads, so I grab my sunglasses and go for my warm up run. Legs feel OK, not 100%. Just a little less spring in my step than yesterday. But I warm up well and should be able to race alright. Five minutes prior to the start there is a huge beautiful double rainbow ahead where we will run. Sun is behind us, very dark cloud and rainbow ahead of us. Larger race than yesterday and some real fast runners here. I do not want to go out too fast, so I lined up with a couple of rows of people in front of me, but only a second or two from the start line. Right on time we are released to run.
Mile 0.2 - Heavy rain shower starts. Maybe a little hail mixed in. No strong wind, but a real downpour. Guess I won't need the sunglasses, I push them up on my head. Shoes get a little soggy and rivers of storm water run down the curb.
Mile 0.4 - Feeling boxed in and wanting to go faster. I have to go off to the side to get around a couple of people. Now I have room to run my own race.
Mile 0.75 - Club Oly volunteers at a couple of road crossings. Thanks guys!!
Mile 1 - On to the trail where I was racing yesterday. Rain has let up and maybe even stopped, but it is dripping off the leaves that remain overhanging the trail. More wet leaves on the ground than yesterday. Pass a couple of people and pleased to see that I am running the same pace as yesterday.
Mile 2.8 - Course is out and back, but has a small lollipop where we go around Horizons Elementary School. I coin a new term as I see the lead runners come toward me; I got "lollipopped". Pass a guy that I was behind for a while and settle in right behind another runner.
Mile 3.3 - Around the school and back on the trail. Pull even with the guy ahead of me and we run together for a while, picking up the pace just a bit. Eventually I pull ahead and then pass another runner. I expect to slow at any time now, but so far no one has caught me.
Mile 4.5 - Merge with the 5K runners, who started about 15 minutes later than us. They are running slower than us, but not by a whole lot. We are directed onto the sidewalk and I have to work my way around those who are running two abreast.
Mile 5 - Now I feel tired. Got to push hard for just another mile.
Mile 5.2 - Tammy Herzog sighting
Mile 5.7 - Little out and back on a side road. Sun is out and shining brightly off the road. I lower my sunglasses but they are all wet and fogged up so I do not keep them on. Try to just look at the road at my feet while taking the tangent of the curve as best I can. At the turn around I see a guy pushing a stroller not far behind me. This will be my motivation; I do not want to get "strollered".
Mile 6.1 - Have been trying to kick it in for the finish for a while now, but I have nothing left. I will finish with the same pace as yesterday and that is awesome. And no one passed me the entire race. Then out of nowhere the stroller guy comes flying past me and beats me by a second or two. I tried to match him but just could not do it. Still so pleased with how the run went.

45:37 (personal course record)
19th of over 80 4th of at least 9 in age group
Race #216 10K#29 Turn Back the Clock#2 3rd time on this course
*****

11/6/10 Puddle Jump 10K

2010-11-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

Attempting my first 10K double this weekend. Logistically easy with Saturday and Sunday races in Lacey, close to home. I was even able to pick up my packet for both races on Friday. The Puddle Jump is a first time event sponsored by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and Work Well, the "healthy workplace program". The 5K and 10K races start and finish at the Horizons Elementary school and follow the same course as the Run for Luck. Flat and fast on the Chehalis Western (paved) Trail.
Since I already have my race number there is no need to get there early. I do arrive in plenty of time. Nice temperature and the rain is holding off, humid and a little misty but great running weather. Before going for my warm up run I decide to walk through the school cafeteria where runners are waiting and picking up their numbers. Good thing I took that detour because I hear an announcer say that after getting a number you have to go outside and get your timing chip. There was no chip or mention of a chip at packet pick up. They do have one waiting for me though so it is not a big deal. Outside though I find out that the start will be at the trailhead about a quarter mile away from the school and where the Run For Luck start takes place. I wonder if this course will be short by 0.4 miles. I jog down to the trail and turn left onto the trail. 0.2 miles later there is a sign that states it is mile 0.6 of the race. That confirms for me that the course will be short. I also wonder why they would make a nice sign for mile 0.6. That is about one kilometer, so maybe there will be a sign every Km. Whoever put it there should know that it is not nearly in the right place, a mere 0.2 miles from the start.
Have a good warm up, learn that the race will start ten minutes late. No problem I expected that as I saw the lines still registering when I was back at the school. I also hear that we will turn around at the Chambers Lake Trailhead. Now that seems too far. To be accurate we should turn around somewhere past the Run For Luck turn around, but well before Chambers Lake. O well, I'll just run until instructed to turn around.
Start - 10K will start first, 5K a few minutes later. We line up but no one wants to toe the line up front. A couple of people look fast, but you can never tell. I do not see anyone that I recognize and I start to think about the slim chance of actually winning. Then we are off. 30 feet down to the turn at the wide trail. One person, a woman, ahead of me, then a guy zooms out and quickly is out of reach.
Mile 1 - Feeling good. Sure that I am going too fast. I can see the guy way ahead and the woman is pulling away too. Loud footsteps right behind me. They continue for some time and eventually I am passed by a guy. He does not get far ahead of me though. I am concerned that I am going too fast and will slow but I am in a good groove. About a 7:15 per mile pace. My PR pace is 7:09.mile and I expect to be around 7:30/mile, hopefully a little faster than that.
Mile 2 - I pull even with guy who was just in front of me and decide to just run even with him for a while. If it is not too hard I can pass him later, and it sure would be great to finish as 3rd overall. He pulls ahead again but just by a few feet.
Mile 3 - The first place runner has not come back to me yet, confirming that the course will be long. Finally at mile 3.35 I see a medical tent and another tent/aid station. A volunteer is about 30 feet before them and he says that this is the turn around. I had seen the first woman go all the way to the tents before turning around and I think that is what I need to do, plus I would like a little water. I take a drink and look back and see people turning around where the volunteer is, two people get ahead of me that way. I ditch my cup in the garbage and zoom off to regain my position. The guy who was in third does not zoom out and I would not see him again. I am able to catch the two fast turners and am now in third place. But there is a large group right on my tail and I doubt that I will hold this pace much longer.
Mile 4.1 - I know that it is mile 4.1 because there is one of the random race markers here. Since it is the Puddle Jump race I jump over the one small puddle as I had on the way out too. They should have called it the leaf jump. Lots of patches of Acer macrophyllum leaves. I have to be a little careful running through those in case of any hidden trip hazards and use caution on the two short slick wooden bridges, but most of the course is clear and I try to pick up the pace on the non leafy sections. I am passed by a younger guy and then another guy.
Mile 6 - Overall pace now at 7:20. I can not hear anyone behind me. I start to think about tomorrow and whether I should save some energy for that race. But I would love to finish 5th here and I keep up pace as best I can. 10Ks can be very tough mentally and physically, trying to hold such a pace for so long, but I have done well today. Legs feel good and I am happy to be out here running. Passing some 5K walkers and joggers and I cruise on in the the finish.
Finish - Cheer on more finishers and get in over a mile cool down jog. Results are posted at the finish area and I see that two 5K females were listed as running the 10K in very fast times. That bumps me down to 7th overall, but they will fix that right? Men's results look right. Everyone gets a finishers medal and at the awards ceremony they have trophies for 1st-3rd in all the age groups. Overall male is usually bumped from the division awards so I will be getting a large first in age group trophy. After I get my award, the guy who won the race comes over and asks if I am going to give him my trophy. "Why would I do that?" I ask. He replies that he is in my age group and he was not announced for anything. I had seen his name on the results page and also recognized him as the overall winner, so I suggest that we go sort it out after the ceremony which is just about over anyway. There is also confusion because the overall female winner was given a second place in age group award (one of the 5K female results was not removed from the 10K list). At the award table we see that there are trophies for overall winners 1-3, but not for both male and female. I suggest that the woman's winner, who was second overall, take the second overall trophy as it is rightfully hers. I also point to the 10K overall trophy and suggest that the winner take that. The race director likes that idea, but also somewhere it is mentioned that the overall winners were not bumped from age group divisions like they are at most races. The overall winner wants my 1st in age group trophy, so I give it to him and he walks off with two trophies. I guess that I was second in my age group, "so can I have a second place in age group trophy?" There are many trophies on and under the table and each was listed for what age group it is for. The RD looks around a bit, but it is not there. That award had already been given out and the runner had left. So I get nothing, and I really do not need a cheesy trophy. It is more of an interesting story than something that bothers me. The RD insisted on taking my name and number so they can award me properly. I really do not need that. In my opinion chip timing is not needed for races of under 200 runners. Also inaugural events should stick to one distance as it is easier to manage.
I have often said that the only two things I really require from a race are accurate distance and timing. This race had neither, but I still had a fun time. Great to be feeling good and running near my best times. I give it four stars and hope I have as much fun tomorrow.

49:04
5th overall of 126
2nd in age group (40-49) of 7
Race #215 10K# 28
****

10-30-10 Club Oly Tis the Season for a 5K at The Evergreen State College after the High School District Meet

2010-10-30T17:27:00.001-07:00

Got here just in time to watch the Navigator Girls and Boys win their meets. Course is looking wet and muddy. Someone tells me that I should put on my extra long spikes. Too bad I have never tried spikes. I'll be fine in my Brooks Adrenaline GTS, the shoe that I do almost all of my training and racing in. My fairly new pair is going to get awful muddy though. There have been six different races on this course today, with hundreds of runners, finally I get to run in the open race. Thanks to Club Oly for sponsoring and organizing this event and for keeping the cost so low. Very light rain, cool but nice for running.

Start - Twenty four of us line up at the edge of a big field. More than half are High Schoolers who could not compete in the meet today for one reason or another. Most of the rest are Club Oly types, some of them I know to be much faster than me. Bill gives us the countdown and we are off. I am at full on sprint after a good warm up, but most of the runners are quickly pulling ahead of me. A large pack is already out of reach and we are just at the end of the field. Now we have to narrow down some and watch for turns and mud.

Mile 1- I have passed one kid and I am gaining on Rachel. I was amazed at how fast she went out and I slowly reel her in. Steep muddy uphill, little out and back section. Pass Rachel and there is no one directly ahead. Out to a loop that is new to the course this year. I had assumed that it just goes around a little area, but it is longer than I expected and has a steep and muddy uphill.

Mile 2- Completed one loop, now we repeat most of the course again, minus that big hill thankfully. No one close in front or directly behind me. Running as hard as I can, while still being careful to not slip in the mud or hit a bad bump.

Mile 3 - I feel pretty good and could keep going on for a while like this, but the end is near. Crank it up for the sprint to the finish. Cross the line. My tag is pulled and I am offered a bunch of Halloween candy. Nice little race. Got my speed work in for the week and I look forward to the next race in the series.

23:45

18th of 24

***

10-23-10 Sammamish Trail Marathon

2010-10-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

Inaugural race and I have never run here before. I arrive at Marymoor Park in plenty of time. It is still dark and although the sign for the race seems to be pointing towards another parking lot, I can see runners parking and getting ready off to the right. I pull in to a spot and can see a small registration area. People seem to be in a hurry and ready to run, yet I know I have ninety minutes to the start. Then I realize that the check in table says "Team in Training" and that this is a training run for that group. So back in the car and drive to the far parking lot where the race is happening for real.

This week I happened to look at a package of Fig Newtons and see that the serving size of two cookies is remarkably similar to a gel in terms of calories/carbohydrates, and salts. I have packed eight Newtons to carry along instead of four gels as an experiment. Although S!Caps have helped the nausea issue (and been wonderful for the fuzzy head feeling), I still get an upset stomach late in a race and I think that the gels are not helping any.

Since I ran the Defiance 50K just seven days ago and my last marathon was a PR attempt but became a death march at mile 16, I have decided to run conservatively today. M761 is here and feels the same way, so we will make ourselves run a slower pace for the first half, then pick it up later if we feel good. I'm shooting for 1:58-2:00 for the first half and if all goes well I will be very happy to beat four hours.

Race is a little pricey with a nice cotton shirt and no medal. Aid stations every five miles so I will carry my fuel belt. Great volunteers though and safe crossing at the few intersections. Forecast calls for rain. It was supposed to be raining already, but I can see the sun rising, however dark clouds loom not far away. No wind and will hit fifty degrees, so I wear shorts and a long sleeve "Brooks Running" shirt, leaving the jacket in the car. I hope the rain will hold off.

Race is sold out, but the marathon group seems small. Larger half marathon group was bussed out 13.1 miles and will run back here. We will run out and back, with the halfers charging towards us at some point.

Start - I start way in the back with four Kuhlmanns. One is qualifying for the Maniacs club today. Good instructions from the RD that I am half listening to. We start right on time. A quick right turn and a mile out and back on pavement before we get to the East Sammamish Trail.

Mile 2 - On the trail proper now. This is a flat course. No hills at all. Maybe a slight incline or decline here and there, but so gradual. The trail is essentially a well crushed gravel road, very smooth with no stones on the two tracks and easy running in the middle if needed.

Mile 8 - Smooth running. Halfers streaming towards us now. There was some light rain but it has stopped now and I am not very wet.

Mile 11 - Trail did not change much the whole way out. Long straight sections where you can see up ahead. Feeling great. Three Fig Newtons consumed and holding a nice steady pace. Now we go off the trail and onto sidewalk and civilization. Follow the orange ribbons and chalk makings into another park. More twists and turns here, on pavement. I get off course a little as I see orange cones ahead, but that is not the way to go and I am directed back to the right way.

Mile 13.1 - Aid station. As I leave I hit the lap button and see that my halfway split time is 1:59:15. That is right where I want to be, but does not leave much room for slowing down.

Mile 14 - Significant pace upgrade. We are going faster, but it feels fine. Not that fast.

Mile16.5 - Holding that faster pace and I feel great. Mile 16.5 is where I hit the wall in Bellingham and also had big problems last week. I feel way better than at either of those races.

Mile 19 - Relaxed and feeling good. Passing people now.

Mile 21 - Eat my fifth Fig Newton and it goes down well. This is going to be a great running day.

Mile 23 - Still holding that faster pace, but very suddenly I am out of energy. Just like that M761 builds a lead that I will never narrow. But I am in a great mood. I can handle the last three miles at low energy. I'll settle into a slower pace and try to not take any walk breaks and I should have no problem beating four hours. Ah, I remember my 3:57, 3:58, 3:58 and 3:59 marathons from last Spring, where I would have four hours in the bag and then run/walk as slowly as possible but still beat four. I know that if I do not look at my watch and just give it a good effort I should have a better finish time than that.

Mile 25 - Near the finish, but have that out and back to do. I can drop my fuel belt here and it sure feels great to do so. Grind out the last mile and am so pleased to cross in under 3:55 by my watch.

Shout out to "Kimpossible" on the PR and first sub 4 hour marathon.

3:54:45 (1:59/1:55 negative split)

27th place of 77 finishers

Race #213, Marathon or Ultra #55

*****

10-16-10 Defiance 50K

2010-10-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

Point Defiance Park at the northern tip of Tacoma is a gem of a park. Miles of waterfront, and many acres of forest, with some trees that are hundreds of years old. There is a one way paved road that loops around the park. This "Five Mile Drive" is also most of the Sound to Narrows 12K course and part of the Tacoma Marathon. In addition there are miles of trails that criss cross the whole park and I have not run on them much. Today I will.

The course for this inaugural race is three loops of about 10.37 miles. Starting at Owens Beach, at sea level, we will run 3/4 of a mile on flat crushed gravel or pavement along the water on what I call the "promenade". Then we will climb a trail with wooden steps, more of a staircase than trail, up steeply to near the Five Mile Drive. More trail climbing, then lots of single track and some double track trail all around the park. There will be pink ribbons to mark the way as well as chalk arrows on the ground. So many turns and intersections, I hope it will be well marked. At mile 4 we will run along the edge of the cliff with water views. Mile 5 takes us past the replica of Fort Nisqually. Aid station here, then lots more trail of all kinds. Through the "Ewok" forest, a number of small log jumps, and up a steeper hill. Finally some nice smooth flat and gentle downhill for a long way. Then onto the paved road for a quarter mile or so and then a sharp turn and a scramble down the cliff side to the beach. This last bit of trail is so steep that they have placed a rope to hold on to as you negotiate the trail. Back to the promenade for a short sprint to the finish...or lap two......or lap three. Elevation gain and loss of about 1,300 feet per loop.

For our troubles we get a nice running vest and a big finishers mug. Its cold out and the sun is just rising, so I have my jacket, hat and gloves on. Parking is right at the finish area, so I can grab or drop stuff as needed after each loop. There is also a 15K and 30K and many participants. The shorter race runners should be able to run more quickly so I line up way in the back with M761.

Start - Off we go on the wide promenade. Nice and easy. First bottleneck is on the stairs. Have to walk up. Those doing the 50K wonder how tough these stairs will be on the third lap. Now it really skinnys down to a trail and we are often stuck behind slow runners. Already I have a pebble working its way down my heel and into my shoe and I have to pull over to deal with it. Somehow it slips in under my foot. It feels OK there so I just leave it, hoping that I will not have to take my shoes off later. Tempting to try to pass people and find some room to run, but I need to be patient and use their pace to keep me from going out too fast. When the trail widens, there is

a sorting of position and we can get past the really slow ones. Beautiful day for a trail run, dry, little mud. But this is more like a stampede, just too crowded. I don't let it bother me though, there will be plenty of alone time after the shorter races are done and runners get real spread out.

Mile 4 - On the edge of a steep drop off. At least ten people directly in front of me. I hear one person shout, and another really yell. I think some one must have fallen, but we soon realize that we are in a swarm of bees.

Runner in front of me is stung and slows down. I tell him to keep moving fast, we need to get out of there!! Many runners are stung, somehow I get lucky. By my third loop, volunteer Tony S. will have taken care of the nest that was in an old stump and marked the spot with ribbon, getting stung multiple times in the process. Thanks Tony!!

Mile 5-10 - I barely slow down at the aid station. The rest of lap one is uneventful. Still lots of runners. The roped trail down the cliff is an adventure. Grab a couple of pretzels at the start/finish area and make a quick bathroom break. I think that M761 has gone ahead of me, so I run faster to catch up, but she was actually behind me and she catches me. We continue on together, with much more room to run.

Loop 2- The uphills are getting harder. I'm OK till about mile 16. Then it really hits me. I have some stomach cramping, not too bad, but enough to slow me down. The steep uphill in the Ewok forest finishes me off. M 761 continues on ahead. I need to walk any uphills and I start taking walk breaks on some flat trail too. This is about where I hit the wall in my last marathon and it is disappointing. I knew that I would tire at some point today and I told myself that I would continue to work hard at that point for 30 minutes or so, then just relax and enjoy the day. So I keep pushing but it is tough! I am getting passed by runners, my legs are tired on any hills and I am barely half way done. Lots of walk breaks and I am finally at the cliff near the end of the loop. Help a runner who has taken a wrong turn, then I lead him a few steps down the wrong way before we realize the mistake. Back track and get on course. Then down the rope and to the finish area. I see Ron Frederick who had finished the 30K race. I sort of shake my head at him and say something about this third lap is going to be really bad.

Loop 3 - Flat section is fine, then up those awful steps. I almost have to take a rest break. It is tough going. I meet Maniac Thomas Tan. We have been leapfrogging some and will continue to do so for the whole rest of the race. The uphill trail is real tough. At about mile 23 I turn my ankle and almost fall, but recover OK and there is no pain. Finally on more level trail and something amazing happens. I find this low gear of running. Its not a shuffle, I am moving along, just slowly. Well much faster than walking, a nice steady slow pace that feels really good. I note that I have been racing for 3 hours and 53 minutes. I tell myself that if I can continue with this pace until I hit 4:00 hours, then I will be happy and I'll reward myself with a walk break. The next time I look at my watch it is at 4:07 and I still do not need to slow down. For the rest of loop three I am able to run with a renewed level of energy. Sure I walk up the steep bits and when I am running it is not fast,but I feel good and now I am passing people. Thomas is able to run faster than me, but he keeps taking walk breaks so it all evens out. I am really surprised at how good I feel. I do not know if I have ever gotten into a groove like this after being so exhausted earlier on. I have two ideas on what is happening, the reader can pick which they like or suggest something else. One thought is that although my stores of carbohydrate energy are low/gone, I am now effectively tapping my fat reserves. I have been training my body to do this for some time and it is great to see it paying off. The other idea is something about moonbeams infusing the forest floor with energy that can be transferred to fungi and to those on the trails who can access the hidden power. It sure seems that the longer I run and especially now that I am mostly alone, the stronger I feel. All I need to do is be careful to not fall or take a wrong turn and this will end up being a pretty good race. Ginger Gruber passes me at the aid station. She has been holding back and will run another marathon tomorrow.

Mile 29 to 31 - Sharp turn and I see a little uphill. I have been running with no breaks for so long, this would be a good place to walk a bit and gather some energy. I also know now that I will have no trouble beating my hoped for time of 6 hours. But I do not slow. I don't feel like it. I love to run and I would just rather be running than walking right now. I think that I have hit a point of transcendence. It is somewhat emotional, after so many tough races lately. This is pure pleasure and I feel like I could just keep on going forever. Soon enough I get to the road and I fly down to the turn, knowing that I will have to go slow to pick my way down the cliff. Thomas is behind me and I offer him to pass just before the rope as I have no intention of going fast and falling here and I don't want to slow him down. I know that I could run fast at the bottom and maybe sprint past him at the finish. He will not take the lead however, also wanting to go carefully at this point. So down the rope I go and onto the wide trail to the finish. Very happy and strong, with no aches or pains. M761 is there, she beat me by 20 minutes, and we both feel like we could go and do another loop. After that rough patch in the middle for me, I am so pleased with how this turned out. My finish time is not near a PR, but this was the toughest trail course I have done and my finish place suggests that I did run well today. Quick dip of the legs in the cold waters of Puget sound and I think that I shall recover well from the race.

5:43:51

33rd place of 97

race # 212, marathon or ultra #54, 50K #5

*****

10-2-10 Shuck and Run 5K

2010-10-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

Shelton WA. Oysterfest weekend. 5K race start and finish at the High School. Race will be on open roads with good wide shoulders and little traffic. One long block we will go around. $15 day of race entrance fee. After a tough marathon six days ago and a not very good recovery week, I have serious doubts about how today will go. No pains or injuries, just have felt tired while running this week. Almost opted out for today but now that I am here I am glad that I did show up. Mile and a half warm up and I actually feel really good. A few more strides while waiting for the start. Nice cloudy weather.
Start - Line up in a good position and do not get swept away with the fast crowd. Pick off a few as we start on a gentle downhill.
Mile 1 - 7:10 mile, I am sure that I will slow down at some point, but this feels good.
Mile 2 - Passed a couple more runners. Now a series of very short but steepish hills, up and down. Just enough to throw off any rhythm I have going. Friendly High School aged runner catches me, says that he likes my pacing. I am gasping for air and my heart must be pounding but I am loving this moment. No pains, no negative thoughts, smooth form, running about as fast as I can. Thankful to be here, doing this. I am having a terrific run considering what I expected. I mention to my side kick that there are three runners packed in tight, about twenty yards ahead of us. They have been slowly coming back to me and one is the lead female. I do not think that I can catch them, but my new friend seems to not be working as hard. I say that if he can pass one, then he could pass all three and improve a lot in the final results. Eventually he makes a move.
Mile 3.1- Turn it on for the finish. I can't keep up with the pack in front, but no one passes me near the end either. Grab a cup of water, congratulate Ken from Olympia on his second place finish, then go back a ways to cheer for all the runners. After a while I see people walking in, so that must be about it. I do a little cool down run on the track and wait for results. Then wait some more. Chat with Ken and also Barbara from Elma. Took a long time, but finally results are ready and seem correct. I get a medal for first in my age group (out of four) but do not win any raffles. Later, looking at my race results for the year I am amazed to see that all four of my 5K races have been within eight seconds of each other. Today's was right in the middle.

22:17
12th place of 101
race #211, 31st race of 2010
****

9-26-10 Bellingham Bay Marathon

2010-09-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite Marathon. All I expect from a race is accurate distance and timing. This has that for sure. When you add the scenic but very runnable course, the excellent organization and the enthusiastic volunteers, it just does not get any better than this. The size of the event is my favorite too. Large enough to feel like a real event, but small enough to not be lost in the crowd. Since running the inaugural race in 2007 (my Marathon Maniac qualifying event) I have come back each year. Some people grumble about the course changes every year, but the courses do seem to get better each time. This year has a major change, it is now point to point. We will not have to run the super steep California Street hill or the other hill on the trail. Less trail, but still 4 miles or so of nicely packed trail. No major hills.

Rain and wind at night. Drizzle and calm as I park my car in the dark, a block from the finish line. First bus is supposed to leave at 5:45AM. It is 5:30 so I wait in the car. Then the buses pull up and park about 50 feet from where I have my car. On the way out we get some course narration from the assistant race director. Too bad it is too dark to see anything. The start is at the Lummi Nation. We have the large warm/dry community center to wait in. Huge cedar beams and amazing totem poles. Members of the tribe come to welcome us. They sing and drum two songs for us. Then it is outside to the start line.
Start - I know some of the runners but no one who is about my pace. I will just run my own race today. I reduced my mileage in the past two weeks and think that I should have a decent run. My plan is to run a 9:02 first mile, then have the average pace drop to 9:01 at the end mile 2, 9:00 at 3 and so on. If I can do this for the whole race I will have a PR by three minutes. Not likely, but I'll pull back if it gets too hard and be happy with anything under 4 hours (9:10 pace).

Mile 3 - 8:59 pace, three seconds ahead of schedule. Feel great, holding back.

Mile 5 - No rain, nice views. Still on the Reservation. Big dog that looks like a wolf trots by. Real Bald Eagle soars overhead. Meet and run some with Maniac Tracy. Stick to my strategy and gradually pull ahead.

Mile 8 - New course has a 1.5 mile out and back here. Pedro sighting. Feeling fine. Have taken an extra gel, just to get the carbs in while I can. Surprised at the turn around to feel how strong the headwind is. Hunker down behind a larger runner,then we make a little pack with three others. I feel somewhat protected from the wind, but it probably is taking some toll. Hand slap Maniac Jill, running her 99th marathon.

Mile 13 - 8:50 pace. To lower the average pace to 8:49, I have to run a 8:36 mile here. It is starting to get harder to maintain the effort. If I had this race to do over again, I would back off right now and try to salvage 4 hours. Little did I know how bad it was soon to get.

Mile 14 - Somewhat surreal sight. Our race is fairly spread out, sometimes two of three runners together. But coming towards us is a mass of runners. Hundreds of them packed in tight and filling the road. We meet at an intersection where we turn left and they turn right. We have just merged with the much larger half marathon and they are only at mile 4. They started much later than us. The timing was nearly perfect though as they are going at just about the pace that I am going at. I am still trying to go a little faster each mile, and I do have to gradually pick my way through the crowd but it is manageable.

Mile 16- Rut Rho - I am getting very tired. Out of energy. Like I should be at mile 22. No way that I will PR. I'll ease up a bit and not worry about the time.

Mile 18 - Much worse. At an aid station (fantastic volunteers by the way) I try to down a gel and my stomach clenches tight three times. I avoid vomiting but it was very close. Otherwise my stomach had been OK, just tired legs and no energy.

Mile 19.5 - First walk break. There is so far to go and I know how tired I am, I will not even try to beat 4 hours. This is really really bad, one of my worst marathons ever. I wish I had some excuse. In retrospect I have a few ideas of what went wrong, too much to write about here. I keep a good attitude as the waves and waves of runners pass me by. Everyone I passed from mile14-18 is now passing me as I shuffle and walk a bit. I keep a fine attitude though. It is what it is, I am not injured and I will finish, not even in last place.

Mile 23 - Running on the board walk over the bay was nice. Everything since mile 16 has been part of the old course. Now I am on the trail and run/walk some with Maniac Diana. Another out and back section. Then we merge again with the half course with whom we had split from back around mile 20. So now I am being passed by marathoners and leap frogging with the tired ones, but I am also holding pace with these slower half marathoners. Making the best of my sucky running, we slog it out toward the finish.

Mile 26- Starts raining harder. I make the final turn and run fast enough so Diana can not catch me. Satisfied that I finished, but nothing that I will brag about. Oh except that after reviewing the results and comparing to previous years I have determined that myself, Maniac Jill and three others are the only five people to have completed all 4 of the Bellingham Bay Marathons. Run enough and there is always something significant to report.

4:13:27

173rd of 401

8th of 30 in my age group (Men 40-44) that is odd.

Race#210

Race#30 of 2010
4th Bellingham Bay Marathon

53rd Marathon or Ultra

****

9-12-10 Skagit Flats Half Marathon

2010-09-12T18:24:00.000-07:00

I feel just a little guilty running the half here, since I have run the full 26.2 each of the last three years and there will be many Marathon Maniacs who will assume that I am running the longer race. But a half today fits in better with my training plans, hoping to taper a bit and have a strong race in Bellingham in two weeks. Also the previous three years at Skagit have had hot and miserable melt downs in the final miles. No shade, high temps and a grind of a course. So I will run the half today and be all done before the blazing sun gets too high. Ha!! Here I am and it is raining. Off and on showers. Everyone is talking about what to wear. I opt for a light jacket and hat, both of which will come off after a few miles I am sure.

Start - After a half mile warm up I am ready to go and feel good. I cram into the start area but can not work my way up to where I would like to be. The race starts and it is slow going for a bit. At least the race is chip timed this year not that it really matters for me. I do like the custom "Skagit Runners" chip that is designed to tie into the laces and not run on the ankle.

Mile 1 - Sorted out and have room to run. Catch and run with Maniac Bob Hearn. This is fun; there a couple of marathoners I know who I can never run with because they are too fast. But they are doing the full and their 7:35-7:40 pace is just where I want to be. 7:40 would get me a PR of 1:40 and I think it may be possible on this flat course, but I will not be disappointed if I do not quite get there. Last night I told Jody that I would probably run a 1:42.
Mile 3 - Not raining, but the road is wet with some puddles. Run with Pedro, then Steve Walters. This is their holding back pace, but I am working hard. I am holding pace under 7:40 and while working hard it feels doable. I can't be much of a conversationalist at this tempo however.
Mile 7 - Made it to the turn around in good shape. Enjoy seeing all the other runners. Now it is showering and I get a little colder, but will leave the jacket tied around my waist. Huh. All of a sudden my legs feel heavy. Some right psoas discomfort, nothing I have not had before. But the sudden heavy legs was unexpected. Harder to pick my feet up and move the legs forward. I'm still going under an 8 minute mile, its just a lot harder now, and my overall pace is slowing.
Mile 10 - I could have run that 10 mile PR today as I am right there, but I don't think it should count if I had done it, if it is part of a longer event. I am still on PR pace for the half but I am slowing and I have serious doubts now. In addition the wind is blowing in my face. Its not super fierce but there is definitely a noticeable headwind. A woman passes me and her jacket is all filled with air in the back like a parachute. That must be adding to her toil. I work to catch up to a larger guy and do a little drafting. It really makes a difference. I try to not be annoying and get too close, but even from a few feet behind him the going is easier now. Well it is still very very difficult, just a little less so. After a quarter mile however he veers off to the side to get his picture taken from some friends or family and I go on ahead.
Mile 12 - I'm being passed by more people than I am catching. Legs feel awful. My form is bad and I will be more sore after this race than usual. PR is gone, but my finish time will be OK. Best thing I can do is keep working hard and hope that this is good training for the next race. Rain has stopped. I am very familiar with this course and am able to sense the finish and parcel out the energy accordingly. Thanks to volunteer Maniac Matt for hitting the timer right when I cross the line. And thanks to Race Director Maniac Terry for another quality event.

Finish - Quick change of clothes, then I drive out to mile 23 to watch the runners go by. Fun times being a spectator and seeing some of the same people I was just with.

1:42:33

67th place of 421 runners and walkers

race# 209

****

9/4/10 Over The Narrows 10 Miler

2010-09-04T07:22:00.000-07:00

Since my first 10 mile race in 1997, this distance has been something of a bad luck curse for me. On a good day, with a reasonable level of fitness I should be able to beat my time of 1:16:20. In my seven attempts to best that time I have had no success. Icy conditions, tired legs, recovering from injury and my severe dizzy dizzy spell have occurred during the ensuing ten milers. Hard to predict a finish time for today's race. This is an inaugural event although I have run across the bridge for the Narrows Half, I have never run it as an out and back. The start and finish in Gig Harbor is a new location for me. I know that there will be some hills. I also know that I have somewhat tired legs from last week's marathon.
Start and finish is at the uptown Gig Harbor shopping center, specifically we have the Galaxy Theater for packet pick up and rest rooms. Makes for plenty of parking and a warm place to wait if needed. I consider buying a giant popcorn but decide that it probably is not wise. Big event, nice T-shirt and I will get a medal if I finish, all for $30. It was drizzling when I left our cabin at Hood Canal, now it is just very dark with clouds. Half mile warm up and off we go.
Start - Line up near the front. I'll try to hold a 7:30 pace but I am sure I will lose it on the long uphill on the other side of the bridge. Start in the parking lot with a quick left turn to a long gradual downhill.
Mile 1 - Wow, we have been going downhill for sometime. This is not going to be an easy finish. Running hard but not all out. Run a little with Maniac Ron. More downhill, then some up, through a tunnel I never knew existed, then a screaming downhill to the bridge.
Mile 3 - Maniac Pedro catches up to me and tells me how fast I am. He is too kind. I can hardly believe that I am at mile three and still even with Pedro. Strong side winds blowing across the bridge. This is my third time running across the Narrows and by far the windiest conditions. Pedro on my right and slightly ahead, I try to draft him, but it is not doing much good.
Mile 4 - As soon as we get to the hill on the far side he eases ahead. I try to stay with him but just can not do it. Now the long uphill. Slowing for sure I try to focus on form. Nearing the top, here comes Maniac Ginger heading back. She is so encouraging, telling me that I am close to the top. Yes she is right, there is the crest of the hill and I make it across the street and around the flagpole in Memorial Park. Now I get to go downhill.
Mile 5 - Flying down the hill. Getting the pace back to about 7:30. Kimpossible, Maniac Marie and Marci sightings.
Mile 7 - Now the uphill slog. I get passed by a couple of runners, but also pass a few. No talking, just trying to hold on. Thankful for the relatively flat part through the tunnel.
Mile 8 - I have a shot at that PR. Try to keep running hard. Its just tough on the uphills. Sometimes after a race I think back and wonder why I did not run faster/harder at some point. I decide to keep on working hard so that I will have no regrets.
Mile 9 - Look at the watch. I have a chance. Have to run about an 8 minute mile, not sure exactly. Too bad it is all uphill. Well almost. The last 0.15 miles is downhill through the parking lot. I'm not holding back, but I know that when I make that final turn and head downhill I will be sprinting as hard as I can. If the watch still says 1:15 (it does not show the seconds after an hour) then I have a chance.Otherwise I will back off slightly and not go all out at the end. I make the turn and the watch still reads 1:15
Mile 9.85 - A few steps into the parking lot, a quick look at the watch and it reads 1:16. Now I am running as fast as I can and loving the downhill. There is the finish line and the big clock ticking away. So disappointing to see 1:16:19, 1:16:20, 1:16:21 and 1:16:22 as I cross and feel like vomiting. Pull off to the side thinking I may throw up, but recover soon enough. Ginger and Pedro telling me that I did great. Argh that was tough. I should feel fine about my effort and finish time considering the course, and I do. I really do not think that there is anything I could have done (except to not run a marathon the week before) to have gotten a better finish time today. But it would have been so much more satisfying to have been about three seconds faster.
Nice event that I hope to run again.

1:16:22
54th place of 393
****

8/28/10 Redmond Watershed Preserve Trail Marathon

2010-08-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

Three goals for today. 1) Do not fall 2) Beat my previous times here hopefully finishing under 4:30 3) Keep running as best I can, push hard, after "hitting the wall" so as to get in a good long run training run. I am hoping that the added mileage of this month and the two long runs will serve as good training for the Bellingham Bay Marathon in September. After this race I plan to taper down the mileage some and hopefully have a faster time at the end of September.
I arrive at 8:10AM plenty early for the 9:30 start time. However when I pick up my race number I learn that there will be an 8:30 early start and I sign up for that. Now I have to scramble around quickly to get ready and I decide to not have that banana I was going to eat, the bagel I had an hour earlier will have to do. Its cool and really nice for running. I leave a T-shirt on over my tank top, I can always take it off later. Trails will be dry and dusty, with lots of horse manure to dodge.
Start - About 20 of us are able to take the early start. I know half of them as fellow Marathon Maniacs. Race director Eric gives us the complicated course description and promises that it is well marked. This is my third time here and I am fairly confident of the route which I have described in my earlier posts. One change is that the pipeline trail, where we take an early quarter mile out and back has been "obliterated" to quote the RD. It is now a "road" composed of large, angular, loose, rocks. The kind that they use at construction sites to knock any mud out of the big rigs. It is going to make for slow going in that section for sure. Well I wanted to start slowly anyway.
Loop 1 - 1:27:40
I start in the back and do not try to pass anyone. The Pipeline "road" is treacherous for sure. Some up and down too and I really have to pick my way over the baseball sized rocks. We have to do this out and back twice on the first loop. I wonder what it will be like when I run this at mile 18 in a couple of hours. Eventually we make it back to a regular trail and I can actually start running. At about mile 3 I do not feel so good. Trying to hold a 10:00 minute/mile pace and I can, but I feel like I am working too hard. I have run a lot of miles this month and am not well rested for today. Hopefully I will perk up soon, otherwise it will be a long disappointing day. Mile 4 I gradually catch up to Maniac Kimpossible. We run together for a couple for a couple of miles and it is nice. Maniac Robert is with us too. One turn is mismarked and we are able to direct Kim the right way. I hope that others are able to follow the course correctly. MM#1 is a couple minutes ahead and we see him at each of the out and backs.
Loop 2 - 1:23:51
I go off solo on this loop, hoping to go a little faster than I had been. I am feeling better and its a good run. The five mile, ten mile and regular start marathon races are on now. There are also a couple of High School and College cross country teams practicing. Lots of runners coming in all directions at all different speeds. I really enjoy running this course. You never know who you will pass or be passed by or pass by in the opposite direction. Random sightings of Maniacs Steve, Paul, Lesa and Greg at various times. In my early start race the sequence of MM#1, Robert, myself, Kim and Jessica is holding steady and that is the order in which we will finish.
Loop 3 - 1:33:37
My first time here I "ran" this loop in 1:45, so today goes much better. The rocky road section is slow going. Three deer very close to the road but I can not look at them much as I don't want to not look at my feet. Back onto the better trail and I am getting tired, well I am 20 miles into it. OK, this is where I need to persevere, to train running on low energy. At some pint I come to a walk without wanting too, classic sign of hitting the wall. I tell myself that I must be low on energy and the only way to get any more is to take an energy gel. I take a raspberry "Car-Boom" gel that I must have picked up at a race somewhere and I pretty much gag on it. I drink what Gatorade I can, but I have been feeling the liquids sloshing around in my stomach some and I do not want to drink too much. I have been taking my electrolytes too and the nausea is not so bad, but it is there. I pick up a slow run again. Catch up to Maniac Rick who I do not know too well but wish I did. He is nice and encouraging and we run together a bit. At some point I do seem to get my energy back. Maybe that energy gel actually did something. I am able to go long sections without walking, just walking on the uphills. I know that I am running slowly, but if I can keep this up for another 40 minutes I'll have a good finish time. I think of the landmarks; I should be able to make it to the drop bag area by 4:20 and if I can do that then I will be able to get a course record of under 4:35 and maybe break 4:30. Lots of up and downs to go though, I hate this section with its sharp turns and drops down to creek beds, followed by what seems like steep uphills now. This is part of the loop within the loop and I am doing this bit for the 6th time today. Finally "out of the woods" and I make it to the drop bag area at 4:13. Excellent!! Now I can just relax, but finish strong with a good time and I'll make my goals with no problem. Have a drink, dry my face with a towel that I left there, pick up my hat that I left a lap ago. Looking back down the straightaway I can see Maniac Kim approaching. Well I do not want her to pass me so I better get moving. The last mile or so goes well. Its nice to not have any aches or pains. A little sore ankle from the rocky trail, but I finish in good shape. Super happy to cross the finish line and see my time. 13 minutes faster than March, almost 11 minutes faster than last August.

4:25:28

16th of 47
Marathon or Ultra #52, Redmond Watershed Preserve #3
*****

8/21/10 Habitat for Humanity 8K - Chehalis WA

2010-08-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

After entering my race data from the ultra last week onto the Brooks Running website, I saw that I had moved up ten places in the 2010 race series. I now stand at 79th place of 850. I had planned to try to grind out weekly mileage record (65 miles) for marathon training purposes, but now I'd like to race a short one just to see if I can move up some more in the standings. Points are awarded for speed and just for attending, so my 25 races so far this year has me even with some super fast runners who do not compete so often.

Small mention in the Northwest Runner race calendar about this event, no website to check. I do call the phone number for more info and find that it will only cost $15 day of race entry, with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. Nothing else planned for this Saturday morning so it is a go. First race for me in Lewis County, about 45 minutes from home. 8AM start but it will be a small event so no need to get there too early. I find great parking and a nice building for registration. Powerful smell of farm animals as we are just outside that part of the fairgrounds. Volunteer asks if she can pin my number on for me, how sweet, but I think I can manage.

Warm up - This will put me at over 50 miles for the week, I did run 33.5 miles just six days ago. Legs feel OK as i do 1.5 miles warm up. Nice weather, no wind, course looks very flat. Bob and Marci are here as are two other Marathon Maniacs, but it will be a very small event. 1.1 mile race will start at the same time. A couple of young cross country looking kids who are probably very fast, otherwise Bob might have a chance for the win. Not crazy about doing a small event on roads that are open to traffic, I'll just have to watch for cars.
Start - About 25 of us. Wait for a break in traffic, then take over the road. Smooth start and soon we are all on the shoulder. Very long very flat start. As I gradually crank up the pace I can see Bob with two others sharing the lead. After about a half mile I pass the two lead women. One more young guy in front of me, then the group of 3. That puts me in 5th place.
Mile 1 - I have never run here before. There was a printed map of the course that I actually stuck in my pocket in case I take a wrong turn. With such a small group I expect to be mostly alone. The race seems well organized but there will not be volunteers at every turn. Follow the orange arrows painted on the road.
Mile 2 - My legs have had enough. I should be able to run faster, I just can not get into a better gear. If I can just maintain this pace I will be satisfied. I have energy and my breathing is OK, I just feel like I have already run 50 miles on these legs this week, which I have. Guy in front of me is at least a tenth of a mile ahead but seems to not be gaining any more on me.
Mile 2.5 - Concentrating on form and holding pace. I'm not slowing. In fact the number 4 guy is ever so gradually coming back to me. I try not looking at him for a while, then when I look yes he is a little closer. If this trend continues I may be able to catch him near the end of the race. I am working very hard to do so and I know that I would not be running as fast if he were not there as a target.
Mile 3 - Volunteer points the way to a turn. Now a couple of quick turns through a neighborhood. Number 4 is about 50 feet in front of me. We get to a turn and I am 95% focused on catching my prey. The other 5% of me notices the second orange arrow that is pointing us to make a very sharp, almost u-turn, where number 4 had followed the first arrow and taken a 90 degree turn. I am proud that I am able to say I did the right thing without even thinking about the consequences for my finishing place. I yell "HEY, THIS WAY!!" and see number 4 do a quick turn around. But now I am number 4 and he is somewhere just behind me.
Mile 4 - The predator is now the prey. It was more fun when I had someone to chase, now I just wonder if/when he will catch me. It's a long straight flat road to the finish. No chance of catching any of the first three. Just try to keep moving and in fact I am running a little faster here in the second half. Looks like a slight negative split.
Finish - Not looking back, but also not hearing any footsteps, I have a lock on 4th place. Sharp left turn and whoa, there is the finish. Course appears to be short. Two of us have 4.77 miles on our GPS (an 8K is 4.98 miles). Close enough, I'll call it an 8K. At least I did not PR and have to struggle with that. Last runners are in soon enough and results are tabulated quickly. Nice little event. I enter my race on the Brooks site and move up to 61st place!! It will drop down as others enter their weekend racing. That's fine. I just enjoy racing so much. This month I have had the mid sized 10K Race Against Crime, the big event half marathon, the 12 hour endurance run and the little 8K road race. Each one with very different vibes, but fun in their own way. Next up - I plan to finish the month of diverse racing with a return to the Redmond Watershed Preserve for the trail marathon.

35:03
4th of 17
1st in age group ribbon
Race #206
***

Transcendence Ultra 12 Hour Endurance Run - Olympia

2010-08-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

I've done a handful of 50K races (31.1 miles) but the next common ultra marathon distance is 50 miles and that seems like a big leap. This race is a 12 hour event so I should have time to cover 50 miles if I really want to, but I at least should be able to run something farther than a 50K. My longest distance run so far was at the 6 hour race in March where I ran 32.9 miles. This inaugural event, put on by Guerrilla Running sold out before race day with 50 athletes competing. Lots of Maniac family are here.

Pros - 15 minute drive from home, I know the course, its 1.5 mile loops around Capitol Lake so I will never be far from aid stations, I can quit whenever I am ready.

Cons - Its 1.5 mile loops around Capitol Lake and I can just quit whenever I am ready. I will have to do 21 loops to cover the 50K distance.

Same flat Course as this year's Run for Rett and Road-odend-run relay. I can run on packed crushed rock or pavement.

The heat wave makes for a change in plans. Its supposed to hit 95 degrees later today. I will start off faster than I should, to get more miles in the cool of the morning, then I know I will slow a lot later on. New goal is to keep going for at least six hours, then see how I feel. 50 miles seems like a bad idea in this heat.

Start - 6AM, sun just rising and temps are in the mid 60s. Running with M761 is always a nice way to run an ultra. Good pacing and nice conversation will make the time go by pleasantly. We start off at close to 9 minutes per mile pace.

Loop 1 - Watch the sun rise
Loop 2 - Slap some mosquitoes
Loop 3 - Swallow some gnats, quite a cloud of them in places
Loop 4 - OK, I'll never remember something special from each lap. Basically we would stop at the aid station each time alternating between a quick water stop and a longer water, food (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - good, fig newtons hard to swallow after a while) sunscreen, electrolyte pill, cold sponge or cloth, ice cubes under the hat.....

Mile 20 - The first 20 miles go by quickly. Some right hip discomfort and some right foot pain, but really not to bad. Bald Eagle sighting. It is getting much warmer, especially on the "back" half of the lake. More shade and a little breeze on the front half, brutal sunshine and calm the second half. After each aid station visit we have been walking a little and each loop the walk gets longer, though we have run the whole rest of the way.

Mile 25 - Starting a loop and I see Tammy out for her Sunday run. She joins us for a lap and a half and it is nice.

Mile 26 - Still with Tammy and M761 when Jody and the boys drive by. They will meet me at the aid station and it is a real nice diversion. I feel very good for being at mile 26.

Mile 27 - Halfway through the loop and Tammy veers off to go home. This is the hot part and I say that I want to walk. But I keep running. OK this is going to be hard. I will tough out this lap and if I can run the rest of the way I will allow myself to relax for the final laps. A lot of effort to keep running, but I am able to do it.

Mile 29.5 - Around and around but I can sense that the end is near. I need to walk again. M761 keeps on running, good for her. I have no need to push it in the heat. I walk, then run a bit, then walk some more with Tony C. He is a very accomplished ultra runner. He is one lap ahead of me and taking it easy, he will go on to run 59 miles today, training for a 100 mile race in two weeks. Nice company. We are leapfrogging Marie and Tory and that is fun too.

Mile 31.5 - All I need is one more lap and I will have a personal record. I'm by myself, but then there is Bill driving by to check on me. He is wearing crocs but decides to run/walk with me for my final lap. I'm in no hurry and we take our time going around. Its an oven on the back half and although my legs and energy level are OK (not great by any means) I think it is wise to call it a day. I got my distance record and time on feet record.

Mile 33.5 - Done. 22 loops. 6 hours 23 minutes. I stick around for a while hoping to cool off. Then I realize that it is 90 degrees out and I am not going to get any cooler. Go home, shower and nap. Back to the race at 4:30PM as a spectator. Amazing to see so many still going. The Prez gets his 50 miles and I realize that there is no way I would have made it that far. After the race there is a really great spread of food from the Cascadia Grill with the award ceremony and raffles. No prizes for me but the finisher's medal (dog tag) is very nice. I would like to do this race again, especially if it is 20 degrees cooler. I did not get bored with the course, probably due to the running company I had for the whole race. Great organization and volunteers. Only point of issue is that anyone with a Garmin GPS had final mileage almost a mile farther than what was recorded. The loop is certified, so maybe I should have taken the most inner track that I could each time to get a better reading. I'll go with the official distance on this one as I always do for races.

33.5 miles

6 hours 23 minutes

36th of 46 participants
Race #205
25th race of 2010
First 12 hour event

*****

Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon 8/7/10

2010-08-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

Missed this one last year and I am happy and excited to be back for this terrific event on a great course. I would very much like to beat my times from the two halfs I ran in July, keep an even pace, and have fun with the many people I know who are running today. Up at 4:15AM to meet a 5AM carpool. Thanks for driving, Paul. Great to have so many Oly runners here. Heavy fog that is borderline drizzle and some wind that will be mostly at our backs. Good for running, not so good for waiting for the start, but we are able to stay somewhat warm inside a hangar at the Gig Harbor Airport. Lots of Maniacs and Half Fanatics and I am wearing my new Half Fanatic hat.

Start - Bob Martin pacing 1:40, Prez Steve Yee pacing 1:50, Matt Hagen pacing 2:00. Who to run with? Ashley of course. We start just in front of Steve hoping to hold back some and finish strong. My PR is 1:40:23 but I do not believe that I can do that today. If all goes really well I'll try to catch up to Bob, but I am not going to push it early and risk falling apart before the finish. I will run my own race today, it just so happens that Ashley and I continue to be amazingly close in abilities and will probably run together for much of the race. She is stronger than me on the uphills and has better energy management after running low on fuels in the marathon (does not hit the wall as bad as I do), but I'd like to think that I have a faster kick and can hold my own with her on anything shorter than a marathon. If I can run a 1:43 I will be pleased, regardless of where anyone else finishes.

Mile 1-3 - Smooth start. I did a short half mile warm up and was ready to go off at race pace. Now we are on the Narrows Bridge. It reminds me of the time I ran the San Francisco Marathon over the Golden Gate Bridge. Fog, lots of fog. Temperature is good though and the wind is not strong.

Mile 3-4 - Up the big hill off the bridge and through the park. I remember to use my arms and shorten my stride. Pass Ron, who is still getting back to shape after injury but was very close behind me in a 5K not long ago. I could end up running close with him today. Boy that hill takes it out of me. Breathing is harder. We are passing some people.

Mile 4-6 - The loop through a neighborhood. Short uphill bits that get my breathing all out of whack. We lost time on the big uphill and it is rough going now, but we are holding steady. Sometimes Ashley is a half a step ahead of me. The GPS watch is great for providing info about pace, but having a person to stick with is so helpful. Without speaking we are able to communicate when we should make a move around someone. Working together without talking. Jennifer Seward sighting.

Mile 7-9 - Running well, but not sure that I am having a whole lot of fun. I have been working very hard since mile 3. I hope that I do not fade in the final miles. At the aid stations I tend to get a step or two ahead of Ashley but she catches right up. We run into Cheney Stadium and around the warning track. No Rhubarb to high five or hug. Working too hard to enjoy it much. But I am focusing on form better than last week, my mind is with the running for the most part.

Mile 9-10 - Still with Ashley, we have our little talk each inviting the other to go ahead if they wish. I have no intention of going faster yet. We have maintained pace since the top of the hill at mile 4, I am on pace to have a very good finish time, no need to blow it here. But as we get back onto the paved trail I find myself feeling better that I had since mile 3 and I do pick up the pace. I strike out on my own.

Mile 10.5 - Steepish uphill off the trail and onto the road. I wonder where Ashley is but I won't look back, that is a sign of weakness. I make the sharp turn on to the road and there is an aid station there, so as I grab a cup of water, I am not really looking back, more to the side. Yikes, she is right there about ten feet behind me.

Mile 11 - 12.1 - Flat road then down the steep hill. I will easily beat 1:43 and I feel really good about today's effort. Suddenly there is Ashley by my side. Great that she caught up. We run together again. I vow to not look at my watch, just give it a good effort.

Mile 12.1 - 13.1 - OK, one mile to go. I've had some minor right foot discomfort since about mile 5, but not too bad. My energy level is good and I can smell the finish line. I decide to make a move, strike out here and run the last mile pretty much all out. I grunt and really try to pick up the pace. Running faster and harder than at any time today. Have to slow just a bit for a wet steel plate on the road and then again at a downhill that is just too steep to run as fast as I would like. Now I am going all out. Not looking back, no one is going to pass me now. I finish strong and am very pleased with the finish time and my effort. Negative split time. My second fastest Half Marathon. Now I turn around and there is Ashley, a mere eight seconds behind me. I'll go around bragging that I beat her, because usually she is ahead of me, but really we are both happy to have run so well and its great to have someone to work with. My Oly friends ranged in time from 1:32 to 2:25. Most had smiles as they finished up and enjoyed the event.

Next up - I am registered for a 12 hour run on 8/15. Going to get a Summer's worth of long runs in one day. I plan to go very slowly with lots of walking and I do not need to be out there for the full 12 hours. Still I am somewhat anxious about it.

1:41:44

126th of 840, 13th of 40 in my age group

Race #204, Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon #2

*****