9/28/08 Bellingham Bay Marathon

Last year this was "the race that made me a maniac". I enjoyed that race in the fierce winds and unexpectedly tough course, but did not feel a strong desire to do it again. I had not planned to run this until last month when Jody said that she wanted to see her folks and run the half marathon. Well we can't drive 3 hours to Bellingham and have Jody running a race and me not sign up too. Also with Portland planned for next week, this would be a way to get 12 marathons done within the past 12 months thus securing me gold status in the Marathon Maniacs and a third imaginary star.
I am not so concerned with my finish time today and this seems like an opportunity to try a little experiment. Many, most, almost all of my marathons I have really struggled in the final miles, reduced to a run/walk/shuffle at about 10:30/mile pace. What if I put that slower pace in the first miles by running with Jody, then speeding up to normal pace? Would I be able to finish strong? Jody wants my company but says that the experiment will not work due to "time on feet" issues. She thinks I will tire and slow after 3 and a half hours regardless of my pace.
We stayed with Bill and Connie again this year and were treated to a dramatic WWU football game followed by a late pasta dinner. Connie drove us to the start and will pick us up, making this logistically a snap.
Start - No worries about the weather this year. Perfect 46 degrees at the start with brilliant sunshine and no wind. New course this year looks better with no loop past the finish. About 7 miles of this course will be new to me. Jody and I line up pretty far back, but there are many behind us. Got to be at least 1,000 runners, but only 275 in the full marathon. It takes us at least a minute to cross the start line. Good thing it is chip timed.
Mile 2 - Probably should have worn sunglasses, but there will be lots of miles in the shade eventually. We are running all around a neighborhood, so many turns I would be lost for sure except that I am crowded in with so many people. Jody seems well and we are getting the pace close to 10/mile after a slow crowded start. Walkers really should start way in the back!! Especially when they are walking 3-4 abreast.
Mile 4 - After a long gradual uphill we are now on a long gradual downhill. This one with few turns. Jody thinks that she will need a bathroom break and if she stops I should go on without her.
Mile 4.85 - Jody ducks off course and I am free to go. I accelerate, but this is not the time to "run like an antelope out of control". I try to not go too fast, but after hitting the lap button and running for a minute or two, I see that my new pace is 7:42/mile. I had planned to run 8:45/mile, so this is no good at all. I slow some and eventually settle in around 8:35 my usual marathon starting pace that I know is too fast.
Mile 6 - I am passing people..... a lot of people. I thought of counting them, but that would be too hard. Oh I could count or at least say hi to fellow maniacs. Nice fairly flat stretch till mile 10.
Mile 6.5 - Hi Maniac Mel
Mile 7 - Hi Maniac Monte. He asks me what I am doing back here. Hey Monte you are not THAT slow. Nice pleasant run for a quarter of a mile or so. Gets me into a better pace. I should get moving though and I don't want to mess up his pacing, so I go on.
Mile 7.5 Hi Maniac Jim
Mile 8 - These volunteers are the best. Mostly kids just screaming encouragement and having lots of fun. Every cross road is marked and staffed and all the volunteers are supporting us so positively. I am sure the weather is helping. It is warmer, just delightful.
Mile 10 - Half marathoners turn right and we turn left. Always a little lonely when the masses split off. We go directly onto the dirt trail. I meet and introduce myself to Maniac Spencer running on his home course.
Mile 11 - Maniac Rodger and his posse. We chat a little. Nice pack of manly men. Then I move on.
Mile 12 - California street hill. I was so surprised and horrified by this last year. Much better when you know what to expect. Actually now I like it and I hope they always keep it in the course. Gives the race character. I am still passing people and feeling good but there is no fast way up this baby. Catch up with Maniac Jill. Nice meeting someone who's name I have seen quite a bit but had never met. This is really fun slowly catching up on Maniacs and finding out who they are. Back onto the dirt trail.
Mile 13.1 - 2:o2. I need to run a 1:58 to finish in 4 hours. That is exactly a 9 minute mile. Could be possible if the experiment works. Hit the lap button on the watch. Plan to run 8:45-8:50 and work really hard to keep the pace under 9.
Mile 14 - Fast runners coming at me. Turn around on the trail is about mile 15. I like that because it is past the halfway point of the race. Fast guys, Maniac Bob, Pigtails (well in front of me where she belongs today and that guy in the pink shirt I see at all the marathons. I try to say a bad joke to him, but learn that is a stupid idea when you are running in opposite directions.
Meet stealth Maniac Sarah and could be Maniac Julie. I just can not imagine how anyone could not think that the Maniac colors are the ultimate in fashion.
Mile 15 - Turn around on this beautiful forested trail.
Mile 20 - Trip back is nice, but I slow on the California downhill. I joke about turing around and running up and down it again, spectator just stares at me. Maybe I will do that next year just to freak people out. Another mile of trail then it is back to the roads. There is a steep little uphill before the road but I manage it OK. As soon as I hit the pavement though I can feel it in my legs. My legs suddenly feel tired and even a little wobbly.
Mile 21 - Legs almost give out on me. Scary moment but I stay upright and am able to keep running. Bright sunshine. Getting warm and starting to dump water on my head.
Mile 22 - Longish steepish uphill in a neighborhood. Tough going. I look at my watch and see that the second half pace has jumped to 9:30. Wow that happened quickly. I did not even get a chance to battle the watch. I am still running though walking through the water stops a bit longer than I need to. And I am still passing the occasisional runner, without yet being passed myself.
Mile 23 - Still in the neighborhood, but now entering the Twilight Zone. No one in front of me, no one behind me. No people at all. No course markings except some blobs of chalk or flour. I'm sure that a few hours ago they were nice arrows pointing the way, but after so many footsteps, they just look funny. I think about walking, but decide to run from one blob to the next. I actually have a good energy level and feel fine in the stomach and head (thank you S!Caps) but my legs are weary. Oh, here comes a kid on a bike. She shouts encouragement just like so many other kids today. I ask her if I am winning. Only one seconds pause then she starts screaming "Yes you are winning!!, you are in the lead, you are so fast!!" I keep running
Mile 24 - Downhill and onto the waterfront. First person in 19 miles gets past me, then two more, but that would be it. Look at my watch and it is blank, the battery has died. Its OK, I had already known I would not beat 4 hours and I do not need the watch for pacing anymore.
Mile 25 - I realize that I have not taken any walking breaks. By walking breaks I do not include walking through water stations or hills that are so steep you don't gain much time by "running". What I mean is the grinding to a halt for no apparent reason that usually occures in the twilight zone. After I let it happen for the first time it is so easy to take more and more walk breaks and the finish time suffers. I have a new goal for this race. No walk breaks. I wish I were running with someone right now, but the only people I pass are walking or moving too slow.
Mile 25.4 - I really feel like a walk break. There is a young woman walking on this urban trail, not a race participant. As I catch up to her I ask her to tell me not to walk. Boy did I pick the right person. She starts jumping up and down and gets all in my face. "No walking!!, you can do it, keep running, I ran cross country in High School" She is absolutely flipping out and I love it. No way I can stop now. I thank her and keep running.
Mile 26 - I see the marker and make a turn to find the finish line straight ahead. Put on speed as best I can and enjoy the end. Jody, Connie, Caleb, and Andy Choi there to cheer me on.
Mile 26.2 - I see the clock flip to 4:08 but since my watch is down I will have to wait a day or so for my chip time. I should pick up more than a minute. Connie brought the ice cooler so I could ice my foot. I do so for a few minutes but it is in way better shape than Skagit. Instead of the post race festivities we head right back to the house for showers and a nice lunch. Then it is 3 hours in the car to get home.


4:06:38
94th place of 269
24th marathon, 2nd Bellingham Bay Marathon

*****

9/7/08 Skagit Flats Marathon

They say that flat = fast, but I say that flat = boring. And with no variation to the leg muscles flat may not be the fastest. Lots of folks PR here though and this is my last chance for a decent marathon time this year. I'll give it a good shot and see what happens, still pleased with my PR from three weeks ago so this is not do or die. After my Spring marathons I felt like one marathon every three weeks would be ideal. I'm ready for a good long run by then, might as well make it a race. Body check - toenail turned black after the Tunnel Marathon but it stayed on and is not a concern. Big concern is the plantar faciitis flare up. I have been icing every day and the inflammation comes down, but any run sets me back a few days. Since it affected my "training" (I have not figured out how to train with marathons three weeks apart) and has been very discouraging. I am sure that a trip to the foot doctor is in order soon. Oh but lets just go ahead and race today......it feels pretty good with two days rest. It is cool and sunny at the start but will warm up soon, no clouds at all.

Start - Find my friends and meet a few new ones. Nice rendition of the National Anthem.

Mile 0.6 - Under Interstate 5. I joke that on the way back this is where we should start sprinting. Boy how that joke would come back to haunt me.

Mile 1 - Mile marker says one, but my watch says 1.1. Is my watch off or is the sign in the wrong place? Hard to know how to pace oneself. Still we are carefully and leasurely passing slower runners.

Mile 3 - Warming up now. Going a little faster than PR pace, but not excessively so.

Mile 5 - Little dog is running with us, running ahead of us, running circles around us. This goes on for at least a quarter of a mile and then I hope he headed home.

Mile 6.5 - Half marathoners turn around and the crowd thins out, but there are still plenty of runners near me.

Mile 7 - Marker is way off.

Mile 8 - Here comes the head wind. Maybe not as bad as last year, but it is blowing. It is taking energy away from me with every gust. Pace is still on the fast side but I have doubts as to how long I will hold it.

Mile 11 - Farmland is nice but the scenery is just not doing it for me. At least there are interesting and varied odors to keep me occupied.

Mile 12 - Out and back course is good for seeing friends. I won't try to list them all, but I must have said hi to twenty or more, some much faster, some a little slower than me.

Mile 13.1 - Turn around and the wind is at my back. Still getting warmer, but the wind boost has me going a little faster.

Mile 15 - What is that saying about the frog and the boiling water? With every mile my foot discomfort has increased ever so slightly. It is bugging me now for sure. If I started a run with that level of discomfort (I won't call it pain yet) I probably would not continue. But here it has just been creeping up on me and I mostly wonder how it will be tomorrow.

Mile 17 - Oh, I have not mentioned that since the start I have been running step by step with RW. Such pleasant company. Enough talk to while away the miles, but also long sections of comfortable silence, just pacing along. Today would have been significantly less enjoyable without her. But I am slowing and she is still strong so we part company.

Mile 18 - Let the leapfrogging begin. I seem to have about a dozen new friends who are passing me, then get passed by me. Water stops and short walking breaks mix up the order.

Mile 19 - Maybe a marathon every three weeks is not ideal. Its hot but I think that my legs and energy level should be somewhat better. Head is clear though and stomach is OK, I am very grateful for that.

Mile 20 - Lost my gear. Downshift to a lower one, closer to a ten minute mile. PR went out the window some time ago. Hot, thirsty, foots almost hurts.

Mile 21 - "Run...to...the...hills" (song by Metallica) Only words I can remember from that song. Cascade mountains loom in the distance, good thing we do not have to run all that way.

Mile 22 - I remember these lone trees from last year. So little shade. I could run this race much faster if there were more trees.

Mile 23 - Run to the hills. Lots of leapfrogging and getting passed by a good number of smart runners. I should have gone out slower.

Mile 24 - I can see cars zooming on I-5 in the distance. I know that we have to go back under there. Run to the highway.

Mile 25 - If that marker is right I should be able to break four hours. It is good to have that four hour mark as a back up goal. Otherwise I might just walk it in. It is so hard to know how much energy to parcel out throughout the race. I'm sure I could have run faster at any point today, but I would risk a major crash and possible heat stroke. If I had some important goal like a BQ I would have run the last miles more agressively, what difference does a few minutes make today? But still I am here racing, this will go on my "permanent record", do I need to give it my best every time? I need to work through that one.

Mile 25.5 - Under the bridge. I was supposed to sprint here. I still think I can beat four and I will turn on the steam closer to the end. One more walk break just to set me up for the finish.

Mile 25.6 - Pigtails!! That is so funny I let out a laugh. I forgot about her back there (she did a 50K yesterday) As she passes me she offers words of encouragement and I decide to give chase. It is amazing how much the mental state plays into the end of a race. I went from a dehydrated shuffle to feeling like I was finishing a 10K. I pass her, she passes me. I don't think I have ever finished a marathon so close to someone I know. I really do not care if she beats me, but hey it is a race. I imagine the results page and I guess I would rather see my name above hers. I kick it in and pass her just a few steps from the finish. If she had passed me at mile 25 I would have let her go, but the timing was so perfect I got to kick it in at the right time. Thanks for being there Pigtails. It was the highlight of my day.

Mile 26.2 - Feel good except my foot. Gets way worse when I take my shoe off. Hobble to the shower (cold water only). Then sit in the bleachers for a while and watch the runners come in, while soaking my foot in an ice bath. So pleased with my idea to bring a small cooler with ice and two cans of pop. Drink my pop, ice my foot and enjoy the moment. Watch a runner finish his 50th state!!

3:58:10

85th place of 189
Race #145
Marathon#23, Skagit Flats Marathon#2
*** (would have been ** if not for RW)

Thursday update - I limped out of the finish area moving very slowly with considerable foot pain, but lots of icing really helped. On Monday morning my foot felt freakishly better, borderline miraculous. I ran/walked 3 easy miles as my normal day after workout. Tuesday I still had that small nagging discomfort, about the same level as just before the race. I have been fighting this flare up for two months now and worried about missing races. I called Dr Hess and got an appointment for Wednesday morning. He used an ultrasound instrument to measure the thickness of my plantar fascia. Normal is 0.3 (mm?), my left foot as reference was 0.4 and my right foot was 0.8. I got an injection of something that was not cortisone, but would have the same effect. Just like six years ago I had instant relief. Good thing I did not try to self treat for two years like I did back then. The appointment took about ten minutes. I will go back next week to get remeasured and perhaps have another shot as it often takes two doses to get rid of all the inflammation. I am also getting a new pair of orthodics just for kicks, I still have my plaster molds from last time. Doc said that he is seeing lots of runners with PF in the right foot, due to slanty roads, and encouraged me to do more trail running. Hmm....beautiful September in the Pacific Northwest, two more weeks till I have teaching duties for Fall Quarter, doctor wants me to run more trails. I think I can handle that. Same day, 3PM I ran 3 easy miles on the backyard trail. Today I drove to Mount Rainier and ran 7 miles. Brutally sensational effort up the Kautz Creek trail. Tough tough going, and really slow, but not foot problems. Next race is Bellingham Marathon 9/28.

8/17/08 The Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon

It is all gentle downhill on the old railroad grade, now a dirt and gravel road/State Park from Hyak (Snoqualamie Pass) to North Bend, parallel but far enough away from Interstate 90 that there is no road noise. For added fun there is a 2.3 mile unlit tunnel and 4 or 5 high trestle bridges. This is the second year that race director Maniac Brian has put on this low key event. The first race met with such rave reviews that many more signed up this year and the race had to be capped at 135 in order make it manageable. I hope to have a good run here, but have never run very far on gravel and of course you never really know what will happen in a marathon. No predictions for finish time. The plan is to set myself up so that I could PR if all goes well, but if it gets bad I will just relax and turn it into a training run for Skagit in three weeks.
Start - Park the car at trails end in North Bend and catch bus number two of three for the ride to the start. Nice talking with some runners, seems like they are all Maniacs. I feel very relaxed, probably the calmest I have ever been for any race. I am so glad to have finally gotten over pre race jitters. Another advantage to racing more often. I jog a little to make sure that my gear is in place. Hat and sunglasses tucked in fuel belt, headlamp secure on head. Headlamp and sunglasses, that is first. I also have a long sleeve shirt on and hat in my pocket as I have been warned that it can be quite cool in the tunnel. Out here it is somewhat warm and very humid, with the expectation of hotter weather as the morning progresses.
Mile 0.2 - Very short out and back in the parking lot to get us started. This tells me that the race is in fact accurate distance (it is certified). Somehow I have found myself way in the back and packed in tight, but it is fine. Plenty of time to sort out.
Mile 0.6 - Into the tunnel. RW and I are side by side with the plan to stay together through the tunnel, then go our separate ways as we feel like it.
Mile 0.8 - Really dark and wet too. Some puddles, some water dripping from above. At least the footing is good and I manage to keep my feet dry. Room for three runners across. We are passing runners as we can but it is not easy to pass two others who are together. Most important is to be safe. I check to make sure my car key pocket is zipped tight.
Mile 1.0 - I see a mile marker in chalk on the ground and look at my watch. "No GPS signal" warning is showing and hiding my timer. I feel like we are going too fast, but I figure I can fix the pace after the tunnel and it won't be a problem. It is humid and foggy in here. I can see my breath, but it is not very cold.
Mile 2 - The small light at the end of the tunnel is starting to get a little larger. Still about a mile to go in here. We are directly behind Pigtails. If RW decides to pass her, she is on her own, because I have a new strategy. If Pigtails has not raced the day before, I have no business starting out faster than she. In the last year I have watched those pigtails pass me at miles 18, 20 and 25 that I can recall. If she has not raced in the last 5 days, her times all always well ahead of me, so I would be wise to stay back and pace myself better.
Mile 3 - Out of the tunnel and here is an aid station. The headlamp and long sleeve shirt go in a drop bag that will be taken to the finish. GPS snaps to position perfectly. I am at 8:40 pace and that is ideal.
Mile 4 - Running faster now and probably too fast. I send RW on her way and ease off the pace. Gentle downhill and a typical dirt road. As long as I stay in one of the two tracks there is not much gravel or larger rocks. Will have to watch my footing the whole way, but the path is better than I expected.
Mile 5-12 - Beautiful course. I would like to stop at the high trestles and look down. Some have talus/avalanche chutes and I would like to stop and scan the area for wildlife. Instead I keep moving along at a steady pace. Leapfrogging with RW and passing some runners. Nice short greetings with other runners. At mile 12 I see that my pace is still faster than it should be (I am at 8:35 and my PR pace is 8:50). There is Maniac Marci an early starter. I decide to walk a bit with her, just to get my average pace a little slower before the half split. Lately I have run about ten minutes slower in the second half and I very much want to even that out. I am hopeful that the electrolyte pills will enable me to do just that.
Mile 13.1 - 1:54. If I can run evenly I will finish in 3:48, a best time by over three minutes. That would be wonderful.
Mile 15 - Rock climbers
Mile 16 - Feeling better than I was an hour ago, not that I ever felt that bad. Leave RW behind.
Mile 17 - I wonder if Billy knows that I think of him whenever I see trail scat.
Mile 18 - Small rough patch. I've had worse
Mile 19 - Blow past the aid station and a couple of runners who are stopped there. I have enough fluids in my belt to get me to the end. Most of the race I have been by myself, gradually passing others and not getting passed myself. I have a new game of looking ahead at the curve in the road and switching tracks to take the inner lane.
Mile 20 - Here is a funny site. I can see about a quarter of a mile ahead (I love this course) and there are three runners strung out in front of me. All are men with yellow Maniac singlets and black shorts, which is exactly what I am wearing.
Mile 21 - Pass two people walking and I do some math. I calculate that I can slow down to almost 10 minutes per mile and still PR. Still a long way to go though.
Mile 22 - Off of one trail and on to another. Course is very well marked, looks like I will not get lost. The downhills are done but the rest of the way is flat as can be.
Mile 23 - Maniac Rob and Maniac Eric are sitting in chairs enjoying the day. Rob gets up and shakes my hand. Good thing there is not another chair there, I might have stayed a while. But I am getting excited about a personal best time and don't stop. As long as I don't walk much I should do well. I would like to dissociate (not think about running or my pace) and just keep jogging for a while to pass the time. I try to think about family and friends. I recall last years crazy Narrows bridge 5K and I try to remember the whole event. Maybe I could think of a song in my head. I can't remember words to anything, best I come up with is Happy Birthday and lasted about 20 seconds. Guess I will think about running, enjoy the moment and watch the landmarks pass by.
Mile 23.5 - Ding Dong.....Ding Dong...I forgot I had my cell phone in my fuel belt. Anyone who could be calling me knows I am running this morning. I consider digging the phone out, it would be funny to talk and run, but it is a pain to get out of there and I would have to slow down. I let it ring. Whatever it is can wait 30 minutes. In addition to the phone I will not need, I have not used my suglasses or hat which has been flapping at my side all day.
Mile 24 - Some leapfrogging with a runner in a white hat. He is running steady but slower than me. I have been running faster, but taking short walk breaks when I see that the pace for the last stetch has been getting faster. I want to run conservatively. There is still two miles to go and I could yet hit the wall or blow up in some other way. Nice easy running will get me in at record time and I try to stick to that plan. I get behind white hat runner and focus on the hat.
Mile 25 - Oh Raymond, do you remember how for years we would talk about how just one time we wanted to run a fast marathon and feel good at the end? I wish you could know how it feels right now. Sure I am tired, but I am not slowing, or shuffling, or staggering. I could pick up the pace if I had too, but I am fine with what I am doing right now. I have probably passed 20 runners in the second half (not including early starters) and was only just now passed by one.
Mile 26 - I can see the finish line. Time to sprint as best I can. Oh, I have calf muscles and they are not happy. Mild cramping up, but not that bad. I watch the clock turn over to 3:48 before I cross the line. 1:54/1:54 even split and 3 minute PR
Mile 26.2 - Get some juice, walk a bit and cheer on some finishers. RW comes in looking great as always. I have some trouble recovering and actually feel worse than I did during the race. Head is a little wobbly and muscles are stiffening. I just keep moving and drinking fluids. I stay for longer than usual, enjoying the moment and talking with friends. Then I get an overwhelming urge for a giant icy coke and hit the road in search of a fast food place.
3 hours 48 minutes 10 seconds PR
Marathon number 22
*****

8/2/08 Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon

With the reschedule of the Inna Gadda Davida Challenge I was not able to do 8 races in 8 weeks at 8 different distances. Today's race was supposed to finish off that phase, but instead it feels like the beginning of something new. Last Saturday I ran 20 miles with Club Oly and now I look forward to longer races including a couple of marathons in the coming weeks. My heel responded quickly and positively to the slower but longer runs. I registered for today's race back in May and have been looking forward to it for some time. It has been three years since my last 13.1 mile race.
Start - It is going to be a while before I am actually running. 5:15AM I park in the same spot as I did for the Tacoma Marathon. I catch the first shuttle bus. There is Bob, Marci, Judy and my new friend Ron who I ran with last week. This is getting to be like a second family. Bus takes a wrong turn but we still make it in plenty of time. I sit for a while and even though I have a jacket on, I am cold and start shivering. I walk around the parking lot for a while, try to keep moving to warm up, and that works. With each bus drop off the crowd swells. Looks like an excellent turn out. I introduce myself to two Manaics and spend time chatting with others. 7:20AM I go for a short run to loosen up. Just a half mile and no strides. The plan is to ease into a comfortably hard pace, Get to the bridge at 7:40 average, top of Jackson at 7:50 pace, slowly hammer back to 7:45 overall, then gun it down the hill at mile 11 and hold on for a PR. My previous best is 1:41:39. My favorite racing partner is here but not feeling well, so I will do my own thing for sure and just focus on the pace. It is very crowded, with all kinds of runners, but I think I have positioned myself well. The race starts about 10 minutes late, and I am happy to be running. Cloudy and cool.
Mile 1 - We are getting sorted out and it has been smooth going considering the crowd. Nice little out and back stretch lets me see the leaders.
Mile marker 3 - GPS says 3.00, that is terrific, I can trust the watch. It tells me that I am right at 7:40 pace. Enjoy the views. Nice madronas hanging on the cliffs.
Mile 4 - Up the hill on the other side of the bridge. It is not too steep or long, but I am slowing. At least I am in control. This was the part I was most worried about.
Mile Marker 5 - GPS says 5.00. Thank you TP! and Garmin. Pace is 7:51 but the hills are done and I speed up slightly.
Mile 7 - Cheney Stadium. Running around the warning track with the Rocky theme playing nice and loud. What a treat!! Pace at 7:44
Mile Marker 9 - GPS says 9.00!!!
Mile 10 - Pace at 7:42 but I am starting to flounder. Tough little hill to the end of the "trail" and I lose my form. Nice flat stretch but I think I am slowing. Should I slow and focus on form, or just keep working hard? I split the difference and flounder more carefully. I really want to see the big downhill.
Mile 11 - There it is, the beautiful long downhill, leading to another gradual decline. Same last few miles as the marathon so I am familiar with the course. PR propects look good.
Mile 12 - Average pace is 7:39, just need to hold on, although thoughts of sub 1:40 are crossing my mind. How about I stop negotiating with the watch and just run hard?
Mile 13.1 - PR!! Negative split!!! Very pleased with results, I seldom run exactly as planned, but today I did so. Finisher's glass is cool and will get lots of use. Shirt is one of the best I have seen. Race was well organized for a first time event and I will plan to run it again. I stay for a while to cheer on the others. After it is all done, my right knee starts causing pain. Not sure what that is about, but I think I will be fine.
1:40:23 PR 88th place of 580 finishers
Race number 143
*****

7/19/08 Lakefair 8K

This week got off to a horrible start. I was hobbling a bit after the Bear Run. Seems like most times I put together a couple of sub 7 miles I get some plantar faciitis discomfort. I lost two good years of running to that problem but with my custom orthodics I have been running injury free for five years now. When it does flare up a bit I just need to ease up on the fast stuff and it goes away in a day or two. I decided to take off Sunday and Monday and not do my Tuesday speed session. Enjoyed a nice birthday on Monday but everyone seems to think I am too skinny. I ate cake, but not just cake, there was cheese cake, cupcakes and ice cream cake. Then the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies came, I ate way too much. Things got real bad Tuesday morning. Beautiful sunny 6:30AM wake up and run. About a tenth of a mile into it, just starting to loosen up, I must have lassoed my right foot with the loop of my left shoelace. I was on the ground, skidding on the asphalt in no time at all. On my feet quickly and look around to make sure nobody saw me. Examine my injuries. Some blood from six different scrapes, three nasty ones on my right knee and a nice road rash on my right shoulder were the worst ones. I knew for sure that I would stiffen up and not be good for much running unless I kept moving now. A few tentative steps to make sure there was no serious harm, then on with my 6 miler. Bright red blood dripping from my knee. During the next two days I wondered if I would need to see a doctor about my shoulder which really hurt, but is improving now. So thankful that there was no injury to my knee. Ran easy on Wednesday and Thursday and took of Friday. Lowest mileage week in a long time. On to Lakefair:
Jared and I made the trip into town, he would run the 3K race. Although we were preregistered and they knew that I should be bib#198, they could not find my bib. Nice race helpers got me a new number and I was set to go after a mile warm up and a few strides. Perfect weather. Shoes are triple laced.
Start - I position myself a little farther back than usual. Really want a slower first mile, so I can finish strong. Lots of runners and a crowded jostling start
Mile 1 - Steve and Judy are just in front of me. I did manage to slow myself out of the gate and am running smoothly. I make my move to pass them but stay in control. Three choices of running surface here: paved road, dirt walkway and concrete sidewalk. The road has cut outs for parking and takes the wide edge of the curve around the lake. I alternate surface based on shortest route and position of other runners.
Mile 3 - GPS is off from markers same as last year. Now I remember last year thinking the markers were off and really I was going faster than I thought. Hoping for the same thing this year as I am at about 7/mile. At least every time I look at my watch my pace is holding steady. Every once in a while I put on a small surge to pass someone, but at some points I feel leg tired and think that I will not be able to hold the pace.
Mile 4 - Erik Lindburg has been so slowly coming back to me. Now he is in striking distance and I dig in hard to put him behind me. I hope I have something left for the finish.
Mile 4.8 to finish - Time looks great. Turn the corner. Tammy is screaming. Into the chute. 31 seconds faster than last year and a new PR!! Now I know that the key to success is to run less and eat more cake and cookies. Home to finish them off.
34:08 Personal Record
59th of 366 runners race #142 9th 8K 8th Lakefair race (8K or 10K)
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7/12/08 Mcleary Bear Run 10K

Last year it was my birthday and I tied my best ever 10K time (44:17). I had hopes of doing even better this year. Jody also running the 10K. Warm with some wind and brilliant sunshine. Just a little cooler than last year,
Start - Small turn out. More than half of the folks are doing the two mile walk or run. Ron and Steve are here of course, and the Olafsons, and 4 guys from the Fleet Feet team, and that super fast kid from Elma. Such a small race Jody and I start together, but that does not last long.
Mile 0.5 - Turn onto Main Street. Ron has just passed me and that is good, I know where I belong. I want to focus on my form and stride and think about running for this whole race, rather than go off day dreaming. For the first mile I just work on pace.
Mile 1 - 6:50 overall. A tad too fast. Proprioceptive cue is "pulling the road". Runner breathing down my neck but as I slow a bit, intentionally, he does too. Ron is pulling away.
Mile 2 - 6:59 pace overall. Warm and windy. cue = "lean forward". Don't like it.
Mile 3 - 7:07 pace overall. Every time I look at my watch I am a second slower. I am not going to PR today. Cue = "navel to spine". I am focussing well, just slowing down. Legs are tired and my lungs are having trouble getting air. A little depressing, but I'll get over it. No one has passed me and that guy behind me is dropping back a ways.
Mile 4 - This course is flat but it sure is exposed to the sun. Dump water on my head at the aid station. Now I have been following Ron, he is a good quarter mile ahead of me, just a spec in the distance. Looks like he will beat me by at least two minutes, which seems about right. But hold on a second, isn't this where the course turns right? Major road here, but I see no markings. Ron disappears way ahead, straight. I stop, unsure what to do. There is a car wating to turn at the intersection and I signal them but they have no idea what I am yelling about and pull away. Then a neighbor in their driveway shouts out that I am indeed supposed to make the turn. I thank him and proceed on with a quick look back at the runner behind me who has nearly caught up to me.
Mile 4.1 - Yes, this is right. I see the new houses going in that I remember from last year and a sign on the road for the race. Poor Ron, he is a great runner though and will figure it out soon enough. What if he was following other runners? Those Fleet Feet guys probably do not know this course. The Elma kid ran here last year, but so did Ron and that turn was not marked well. I can see about a half mile in front of me and there is no one. Just maybe I am in first place. Wouldn't that be a riot? Better not let that guy behind me pass me just in case.
Mile 5 - Run like I am being chased by a pack of very fast and angry runners. I picture them trying to catch me. It is the bear run and I think about out running a bear, or being chased by a dog. Hitting shade and running a little faster. Overall pace is 7:18.
Mile 5.6 - Water stop. I pour a cup of water on my mesh hat. I love the way it drips down my head. I throw my cup onto the side of the road and I do not see any other cups there. There is a trash bag that looks like it may contain something. Just keep pretending that I am in first place and that they are chasing me, this can not be a bad strategy.
Mile 6.2 - There is the finish line. My overall pace has dropped to 7:16 and I have a good kick left. Three guys with Fleet Feet shirts are watching me come in, so I know that only Ron missed the turn. Finish strong, The last mile went way better than the previous four, mostly thanks to shade. Grab a water bottle and jog back to encourage others and am so glad to see Jody not too far back and in good spirits. Nice little race, my 4th fastest 10K, but not as good as I had hoped for.
44:55 6th place of 26 runners
race#141 10K#21 Mcleary Bear Run #2
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7/4/08 Steilacoom 4 miler

Why would anyone drive three hours round trip to run a 4 mile race just 5 days after a grueling marathon, knowing full well that his performance will not be as good as it could? 1) Tradition - this is what I do on the 4th of July, this will be my 8th running of this race 2) Races are fun - someday soon my times will start declining, should I just quit racing then? Some people do, but I enjoy the competition both against others and with myself too much to let it go. Some people in the back of the pack are working just as hard as the front runners and there are many rewards to be found back there. 3) Who says that I can not run fast 5 days post marathon? Won't know unless I try.
Staying at the Hood Canal house adds 2 hours round trip to my drive, but getting up at 5:30 still seems like sleeping in compared to last week. Weather is cloudy and a little warmish, but will not be a factor today.
Start - I see at least 20 people that I know by name. All of the regulars plus Coach Kehoe has brought the NCHS team again. Try to relax and not go out too fast.
Mile 1 - 6:49 which may be a little slow for the long downhill. I know that I have done this much faster in year's past, but I am holding back and holding position.
Mile 2 - Seth volunteering at the water station. Turn around and realize that I am much closer to the front than the back. Runners of all different speeds at this race. Micah passes me looking very comfortable, I comment on his excellent pacing. Hoping to see the Rogue Wave, but she is not here. I am at 6:55 overall pace.
Mile 3 - Slowing but not by much. I expect to get suddenly leg tired, but I am hanging on just fine. Pass Steve with a grunt. Pass Clinton who seems to be struggling, I better not say a word. A younger runner looks back and I scold him for doing so. I catch up and we talk a little bit, but this is not a time to talk.
Mile 3.5 - I am in the middle of a nice little pack and headed up the hill. After Bellevue, CCM and Tacoma this hill seems like nothing. I can see the top and although in years past I cursed this hill, today I would call this a flat course. I am right on 7:00 pace and now in front of the pack. Crest the hill and no one very close in front of me. Instead I know that there are at least 5 people right on my tail and I expect a couple of them to go sprinting past. I do not have much kick left but I manage to stay in front and enter the chute without getting passed. It almost felt like winning the race.
Mile 4 - Cross the finish and veer off to the side in case I am going to vomit. Feeling passes and I walk back to watch a few folks come in. Want to get back to my family and Hood Canal as soon as possible so I head off quickly to my car. The tradition continues and I learned that I can put up a respectable time in a short race less than a week post marathon.
28:06 63rd of 256 runners
race #140 July 4th at Steilacoom race #8
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