First time here at this 15th annual event. Great option for a low key race put on by Steve Barrick. Like his bigger race that I have done, the Green River Marathon, this race will be on the paved trail along the river. But by being out and back (first upstream and back, then downstream and back) there is no logistical issue of transportation. Start and finish is just off I-5 and less than an hour from home, with good parking and restrooms. $20 dollar donation to the food bank. Aid station near each turn around and at the half, so with six miles between aid, a water bottle is needed.
In an amazing coincidence I am assigned bib#402 and this happens to by my lifetime race number #402.
I had three long races close together in September and October, but now it has been 4 weeks with no long run. Not sure if I have even gone more than seven miles at once. I needed the rest but now I have no idea where my endurance is. With the rain and potentially lonely course, I have no real time goal, just get it done and get in a good workout. Small race, but I know quite a few people so hopefully I will run with a friend or two.
Start - Light rain with lots more expected. Half and full line up together, with some early starters gone out an hour ago. Then we are off. I feel good and find a nice pace that feels a little fast.
Mile 1 - Still a little dark and it is hard to see my watch, but it looks like I am at 12 minute/mile pace. That is impossible. Dan W says that we are at 9:45 pace which sounds about right. My GPS erred in the fist mile and will be off the whole race. About then a strong wind and tremendous burst of rain soak us all. I stop to put on my trash bag, lose Dan but pick up Crockpot.
Mile 2-6 - Run with the Crockpot and it is nice company. She is just doing the half today with big adventures last weekend and next weekend. Heavy rain lets up but the light stuff will continue all day. Have to watch for puddles on the paved trail. My feet feel wet, but not soaked through or heavy. We see Monte and Leslie, and then Deb and Steve coming back, after taking the early start. An idea forms that I could continue running at a decent pace and catch them around mile 20 or so. Ideally at mile 22 when I know I will be tired and slowing, then I can just slow and take walk breaks and run at their pace, but have company for the last miles and still get a marathon finish and good workout without pushing it so much.
Mile 10 - Running steady, alone and passing a couple of guys. Got the average pace to sub 10 minutes per mile, forgetting that it really is faster than that with the GPS screw up. Short walk breaks to drink or have a gel and then back at it. Small temptation to quit when I get to the halfway point. It would be easy to do and I think that with the weather, some runners will do this or did not even show up. But I need the long run and I feel OK, so I know I will go on.
Mile 13.1 - Back to the start/finish. Steve B is calling out times and I think he said 2:06 something which seems fast. I did not look at my watch but I guess that is possible/likely. Get water at the aid table and there are Deb and Steve F. I caught them way sooner than expected and neither was having the best day. In fact they are discussing whether to drop out here. I want some company and I encourage/cajole them to keep going. They decide to have a go at it and we set out together.
Mile 15 - Really nice chatting with Deb and Steve. Easy slow pace, but lots of long walk breaks. I don't mind the walk breaks but they are quite a bit longer than I would do. Still when we start running again, every time it gets a little harder. Get passed by most of the runners who I had gotten ahead of earlier, but I don't care. No drive or interest in any particular finish time now. Just have a nice run with friends.
Mile 20 - Steve is tiring and needing to walk more and more. Deb does not want to get ahead of him, since he waited for her earlier. I don't feel like I should leave either of them since I encouraged them to keep going after the half. They would not mind so much but really I don't see the purpose of ditching them at this point.
Mile 24 - Feeling a little cold with the slower pace, but overall it has been OK even with all the rain. The rain has just about stopped now and I am ready to be done. Let Deb set the pace and times of the walk breaks. Steve tells us to go on, he is just going to walk it in from here. So we do go on. Long bend in the river when we think the end is near, takes a while to get around but finally there is the bridge and we are done.
Mile 26.2 - Just a couple of people left at the finish line and only a few more runners out on the course. I wait for Steve, who thanks me for encouraging him to continue and Deb says she is glad to have gotten the long run in. So we are all happy and soon to by dry. I will have an easy recovery and will be back on most of this course for a marathon on the day after Thanksgiving. I plan to run faster then, unless it is raining, or unless I decide to stay with friends.
5:14:14 (2:06/3:08 split!!)
30th of 40
Race#402, Marathon or Ultra#146
*****
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Saturday, October 29, 2016
10/29/16 Tenino Pumpkin Dash 5K
The Ghost of the Ghostmuster. My second time here since the PTA took over from Thurston County. Attendance is way down this year, with two other race options in Olympia today. But I take the drive to my old classic course. Jody here. And Nicole J, doing her first 5K. Good thing she brought a bunch of friends with her, otherwise it would have been that much smaller an event.
Damp but no rain or wind and a nice temperature for running. Take my time with a nice long warm up. A couple of regulars here, with Tom and I both wearing our long sleeve 2003 Ghostmuster shirt over our 2002 Ghostmuster shirt. What are the odds of that? I will go with the short sleeves for the race.
Start - new start location, back a little from the old start, but still in the parking lot. Course was re-certified in 2014and will be accurate with my GPS. Acknowledgement to the kid who designed the T-shirt. Preregistration was $25 with shirt. 5K and 10K start at the same time. Not crowded we make it over the speed bumps in the parking lot and on to the roads.
Mile 1 - (7:45) - Feel slower than I am running. Should be able to go faster but can not get it going. 10K splits off and I am dismayed to only see two people ahead of me make the turn. About 7 others are still in it, in the 5K, ahead of me.
Mile 2 - Going just a little faster, but it is a struggle. San not concentrate. My mind keeps wandering and I have to bring it back to the race, but then off I go daydreaming again. Passed by the first woman. Loren is ahead of me and not gaining. Usually he is much faster, maybe I can catch him. I try to surge and it just is not happening.
Mile 3 - No pain. Breathing and legs are equal in holding me back. Realize that I will get in under 24 minutes and I am happy with that.
Mile 3.1 - Happy to be done. Finish time is better than I felt like I was doing. Jog back to cheer in Jody. See a guy carrying his shoes and running in wet socks. Jody almost catches a guy dressed as a taco. Now she is done and we both go out to cheer on Nicole.
Good to race with Jody and Nicole, but I think I might have had a better experience at the race in Capitol Forest today. Well it was good for speed work I guess. And always interesting to test myself on a familiar course.
Nice to see Craig and Rachel and thanks to them for timing the race.
23:43
8th place of 45
Race#401
5K#106
Damp but no rain or wind and a nice temperature for running. Take my time with a nice long warm up. A couple of regulars here, with Tom and I both wearing our long sleeve 2003 Ghostmuster shirt over our 2002 Ghostmuster shirt. What are the odds of that? I will go with the short sleeves for the race.
Start - new start location, back a little from the old start, but still in the parking lot. Course was re-certified in 2014and will be accurate with my GPS. Acknowledgement to the kid who designed the T-shirt. Preregistration was $25 with shirt. 5K and 10K start at the same time. Not crowded we make it over the speed bumps in the parking lot and on to the roads.
Mile 1 - (7:45) - Feel slower than I am running. Should be able to go faster but can not get it going. 10K splits off and I am dismayed to only see two people ahead of me make the turn. About 7 others are still in it, in the 5K, ahead of me.
Mile 2 - Going just a little faster, but it is a struggle. San not concentrate. My mind keeps wandering and I have to bring it back to the race, but then off I go daydreaming again. Passed by the first woman. Loren is ahead of me and not gaining. Usually he is much faster, maybe I can catch him. I try to surge and it just is not happening.
Mile 3 - No pain. Breathing and legs are equal in holding me back. Realize that I will get in under 24 minutes and I am happy with that.
Mile 3.1 - Happy to be done. Finish time is better than I felt like I was doing. Jog back to cheer in Jody. See a guy carrying his shoes and running in wet socks. Jody almost catches a guy dressed as a taco. Now she is done and we both go out to cheer on Nicole.
Good to race with Jody and Nicole, but I think I might have had a better experience at the race in Capitol Forest today. Well it was good for speed work I guess. And always interesting to test myself on a familiar course.
Nice to see Craig and Rachel and thanks to them for timing the race.
23:43
8th place of 45
Race#401
5K#106
Sunday, October 9, 2016
10/8/16 Defiance 50K
Race#400! My 6th time at this one. I like a lot of things about this race, one being the many friends that I will see. But for the 50K this year, attendance is way down. Three other marathons or trail ultras this weekend. Some Oly people doing the shorter events and lots of runners in the 15K and 30K. Light rain turning windy later.
loop 1 - 2:00 The past two years I ran 2:02 first loops and I wanted to be there or a little slower. It takes me a while to get the legs warmed up and then I feel like I am in a groove. After the crowded start I settle in behind someone running a nice pace for me. I stay back 20-30 feet so as to not bug her. Let people pass anytime someone gets behind me. Try to take it easy. But it is so hard to run an even pace. The last 3.5 easy miles go by fairly quickly. Now the horrendous, rope assisted decent down the cliff. Near the finish at 1:58. I walk it in worried that I have gone out too fast. Take my time at the aid station then head off for loop 2.
loop 2 - 2:12 The flat promontory is fine, but as soon as I start up the steps I can feel it and slow. Move along but slower. Pass Dan Sherman, who will re-pass me later. By myself the rest of the long day. On the last miles, I pass a junction that I think is Yannicks but he is not there. I hope I am close to the end, but the trail goes on and on. Then a turn and there is Yannick. That was so discouraging.
loop 3 - 2:35 Well this is just awful. No real injury, just tired. After the steps I just can not get running again. Rain and wind pick up. A couple of miles of walking and shuffling, then I can jog for longer stretches. Look back once in a while but no one is there and that does not give me incentive to move along. Stop at the aid station to thank the volunteers. I tell then that this is a big deal for me and so great that I get to do this and I could not do this without them. One asks if it is my first race. LOL. Down the hill to the road crossing where a volunteer woman dressed as a banana had been stationed during my first two laps. She has been replaced by two non costumed volunteers, so I ask "where is the banana?" And I get the answer I was hoping for, "she split". On to Achilles Hill where I not only walk, I have to stop briefly to gather my strength. Now the "easy 4 miles" but I know it will be a super long slog and I will not misjudge the distance. Start running better. 6:07 on the watch and I try to run for ten minutes. I do it, then keep going. Very short walk breaks. Then a slight hamstring cramp and I slow for an S!Cap. Realize that I will be running a course worst today, no need to stress about it now. The flat trail goes on forever, right ankle and foot bugging me, but hamstring seems OK. Finally Yannick, then the road. No one behind me I take my time on the cliff. Still almost slip, legs are so tired. This is a scary thing to attempt after so many hours of running. Make it down OK and "sprint" to the finish.
Weather is crappy and most people are gone. I grab some drink and pizza and call it a day. Not the funnest or most exciting or best running day, but I don't think I would have rather been anywhere else.
6:45:31
31st place of 39
Race#400, Marathon or ultra#145, Defiance 50K #6
****
loop 1 - 2:00 The past two years I ran 2:02 first loops and I wanted to be there or a little slower. It takes me a while to get the legs warmed up and then I feel like I am in a groove. After the crowded start I settle in behind someone running a nice pace for me. I stay back 20-30 feet so as to not bug her. Let people pass anytime someone gets behind me. Try to take it easy. But it is so hard to run an even pace. The last 3.5 easy miles go by fairly quickly. Now the horrendous, rope assisted decent down the cliff. Near the finish at 1:58. I walk it in worried that I have gone out too fast. Take my time at the aid station then head off for loop 2.
loop 2 - 2:12 The flat promontory is fine, but as soon as I start up the steps I can feel it and slow. Move along but slower. Pass Dan Sherman, who will re-pass me later. By myself the rest of the long day. On the last miles, I pass a junction that I think is Yannicks but he is not there. I hope I am close to the end, but the trail goes on and on. Then a turn and there is Yannick. That was so discouraging.
loop 3 - 2:35 Well this is just awful. No real injury, just tired. After the steps I just can not get running again. Rain and wind pick up. A couple of miles of walking and shuffling, then I can jog for longer stretches. Look back once in a while but no one is there and that does not give me incentive to move along. Stop at the aid station to thank the volunteers. I tell then that this is a big deal for me and so great that I get to do this and I could not do this without them. One asks if it is my first race. LOL. Down the hill to the road crossing where a volunteer woman dressed as a banana had been stationed during my first two laps. She has been replaced by two non costumed volunteers, so I ask "where is the banana?" And I get the answer I was hoping for, "she split". On to Achilles Hill where I not only walk, I have to stop briefly to gather my strength. Now the "easy 4 miles" but I know it will be a super long slog and I will not misjudge the distance. Start running better. 6:07 on the watch and I try to run for ten minutes. I do it, then keep going. Very short walk breaks. Then a slight hamstring cramp and I slow for an S!Cap. Realize that I will be running a course worst today, no need to stress about it now. The flat trail goes on forever, right ankle and foot bugging me, but hamstring seems OK. Finally Yannick, then the road. No one behind me I take my time on the cliff. Still almost slip, legs are so tired. This is a scary thing to attempt after so many hours of running. Make it down OK and "sprint" to the finish.
Weather is crappy and most people are gone. I grab some drink and pizza and call it a day. Not the funnest or most exciting or best running day, but I don't think I would have rather been anywhere else.
6:45:31
31st place of 39
Race#400, Marathon or ultra#145, Defiance 50K #6
****
Saturday, October 1, 2016
10/1/16 Apple Fest 5K, Onalaska WA
I have these 4 races in 4 weeks that I love each one for different reasons. GOAT is a wonderful trail, Bellingham is one of the best marathons out there, at Defiance next week I get to run all day and see lots of friends. Here, today is the quintessential small town fun run. Well organized little event as part of Apple Fest.
I won a free entry for this year at last years race raffle and am happy to be back. My third time here. Twice around the lake gravel and maybe a little long, plus my second year doing marathons the past two weekends, so I am not here to run fast. Just have fun.
Hour drive from home, but it is worth it. Easy to park and get my number. Love the feeling like everyone knows each other. I only see one runner that I know, but it is a nice atmosphere. Large mug that I will use that work.
Cloudy and cool, great for running. I get in a 1.5 mile warm up and the legs feel good. Marathon six days ago. Tuesday was a rough jog/walk. Thursday felt better but not great by any means. Took off Friday hoping to be rested up enough for today. In fact it all feels good and will for the length of the race.
Start - Don't want to get trapped behind folks on the long double track trail, so I line up near the front, just behind some very fast looking kids. We start right at the tower and narrow down to the trail. Looks good, no one rushing past me. It opens a little, then I do get behind two runners but am able to move around and pass. From here on we can pass or be passed with little trouble. Around the gravel pile, then the uphill and screaming downhill. Pace is sub 8 which seems fine on this gravel trail.
Mile 1 - Off the trail and glad to be on the pavement where I can try to get into some kind of rhythm. Really if I can hold this pace and feel like this, I will be very happy. Great volunteers at every turn. I make the second sharp left and there is a car right in front of me, but I get around with no problem. Then the parade route. Trying to keep things smooth and steady.
Mile 2 - Back to the lake and another lap. I had passed a couple of people in the past mile, now no one close ahead of me. Up the hill and that slows me, first time today I feel really tired. Scream down the hill and I know there is not far to go. Maintain a good pace, but one guy comes flying past me. No chance of keeping up, I just run it in as best I can.
Finish - 3.17 on the GPS (3.16 last year) I won't realize it until I get home, but I beat my time from last year by one second!
Rain starts and wind picks up. Thank you volunteers for continuing to work the timing boards. I change and wait in my car until the award ceremony. The rain stops just in time for awards. I get first in my age group ribbon out of 5. Great raffles again, but alas I do not win anything. Still a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning. Only race I know of where we do a group photo after.....
24:43
10th of 85?
Race#399, 5K#105, Apple Fest 5K#3
*****
I won a free entry for this year at last years race raffle and am happy to be back. My third time here. Twice around the lake gravel and maybe a little long, plus my second year doing marathons the past two weekends, so I am not here to run fast. Just have fun.
Hour drive from home, but it is worth it. Easy to park and get my number. Love the feeling like everyone knows each other. I only see one runner that I know, but it is a nice atmosphere. Large mug that I will use that work.
Cloudy and cool, great for running. I get in a 1.5 mile warm up and the legs feel good. Marathon six days ago. Tuesday was a rough jog/walk. Thursday felt better but not great by any means. Took off Friday hoping to be rested up enough for today. In fact it all feels good and will for the length of the race.
Start - Don't want to get trapped behind folks on the long double track trail, so I line up near the front, just behind some very fast looking kids. We start right at the tower and narrow down to the trail. Looks good, no one rushing past me. It opens a little, then I do get behind two runners but am able to move around and pass. From here on we can pass or be passed with little trouble. Around the gravel pile, then the uphill and screaming downhill. Pace is sub 8 which seems fine on this gravel trail.
Mile 1 - Off the trail and glad to be on the pavement where I can try to get into some kind of rhythm. Really if I can hold this pace and feel like this, I will be very happy. Great volunteers at every turn. I make the second sharp left and there is a car right in front of me, but I get around with no problem. Then the parade route. Trying to keep things smooth and steady.
Mile 2 - Back to the lake and another lap. I had passed a couple of people in the past mile, now no one close ahead of me. Up the hill and that slows me, first time today I feel really tired. Scream down the hill and I know there is not far to go. Maintain a good pace, but one guy comes flying past me. No chance of keeping up, I just run it in as best I can.
Finish - 3.17 on the GPS (3.16 last year) I won't realize it until I get home, but I beat my time from last year by one second!
Rain starts and wind picks up. Thank you volunteers for continuing to work the timing boards. I change and wait in my car until the award ceremony. The rain stops just in time for awards. I get first in my age group ribbon out of 5. Great raffles again, but alas I do not win anything. Still a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning. Only race I know of where we do a group photo after.....
24:43
10th of 85?
Race#399, 5K#105, Apple Fest 5K#3
*****
Sunday, September 25, 2016
9/25/16 Bellingham Bay Marathon
Tenth annual event and my tenth time here! As a legacy runner I was invited to the pasta dinner and was awarded a very nice jacket. There are 18 of us who have done one of the races each year, only three of us have done the full marathon every year. I keep coming back because this is such a terrific event.
Even the waking early part is not bad this year as I wake at 4:44, one minute before the alarm was set. On the road by 5AM and parked in my usual spot downtown by 5:15. I get on the first bus to the start line so there is plenty of time to relax and get ready. Again the warm, spacious waiting area at the Lummi reservation is so nice. Chat with Rikkie and other friends, then watch the tribal welcome ceremony. They go all out this year with dancers in costumes and their songs really are touching.
Now off to the start line. Perfect temperature. It will stay cloudy most of the way and never get too warm. Dry and no wind this year! I ran the GOAT trail marathon last weekend and that was my first full since June, so I expect to lag today. I know that I will be slow and that it is some combination of not being in the best shape and also still being worn out from last week. Checking my previous results here I see that a 4:28 is my slowest time. So I set a goal of beating that if I can.
Start - Line up behind the 4:15 pacer and decide to stay behind/with her. Would be foolish to go faster than that. Even when I see Tracy Marshall up ahead, I decide to run smart and not try to stay with her. I never will see her again as she has a great race.
Mile 0.5 - Bald eagle in a tree close by!
Mile 4 - It has been a nice run along the water. Staying with the 4:15 group. There are just a couple of us (names I won't remember), and it has a great vibe. The pacer is keeping conversation going and I try to not talk too much, stay focused on the running. Another runner has a ton of energy and great stories and is really fun to just run with. The miles go by easy and pleasantly.
Mile 9 - Aid station kids are awesome as always. Feeling pretty good, but a little discomfort up and down my left leg. No problem staying with the pacer, but I am losing confidence that I will stay the whole way. Strong manure smell from the farms. Pass three maniac friends who started early. On to the short out and back.
Mile 13.1 - We got a new pacer and the four of us continue with her. 2:07 something at the 13 mile mark, so we are just a little slow and she picks up the pace a bit. Miss energy is still with us, singing and dancing, but she will be the first to drop off the pace. Now the long uphill and it is getting tougher.
Mile 17 - Merge with the half but they must have started earlier than usual, because there are very few of them. Not hard to pick around the walkers. I will be passing halfers all the way from here to the end. But now I start to slow. Stiffening, beat up legs. Left mostly but also the right. No sharp pain, but harder to push on. And not super motivated. I see 4:15 get away, but I know that I am in OK shape for that 4:28.....if I keep running. One of the women I have been with since the start is also fading and we run together for a while. Eventually she is able to move on faster than I. From here to the end I will be mostly alone, doing more passing than being passed, but not running very well.
Mile 19 - Cookie stop. Same girl as previous years with fresh, warm chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. So great!
Mile 21 - Through the park, then the not great slog along the sidewalk near the water and downtown. Mostly running, but very slowly. Short walk breaks.
Mile 22 - 3:40 on the clock as I get up that hill and have the short bit where I can see the fast runners coming at me as they are very close to the finish. I am feeling beat up but in good spirits. Looking forward to the trail and then the turn around. Trail is nice and I plod along. Mostly passing people, but we are all tired and slow. Cross the tracks and down to the water. Thirsty, there is a water fountain and I stop for a long drink. Been taking the offered gels and drinking at each aid station. Stomach is doing pretty good today. Its just the tired legs. Now the boardwalk over the water and the steep little uphill. I manage to "run" the entire uphill. Spectators note that and cheer for me.
Mile 24 - After that hill I sort of perk up. The legs are not getting any worse. I am able to run without walk breaks so I just grind it out. One look back and I can see the 4:30 pacer. That motivates me to keep on running. Going to be very close to 4:28 and that is the only goal that pushes me on. Don't walk! Don't walk! Encourage the walkers I am passing to keep moving. Tell the marathoners that we can beat 4:30 if we do not walk. I probably pass 40 people in the last two miles, most half marathoners. I only remember legacy athlete Eric passing me, running oh so strong.
Mile 26 - I can not go fast but I can keep running and I need to to beat 4:28. That steep downhill and now the last bit to the end. Lots of spectators lining the finish way. I hear my name announced and it is over.
Solid effort at the end, just a long bad patch from mile 17-24. I am pleased with how the back to back marathon weekends went but will take the two weeks until the next one.
4:27:48
184th of 358
Race#398, Marathon or ultra#144, Bellingham Bay Marathon#10
*****
Even the waking early part is not bad this year as I wake at 4:44, one minute before the alarm was set. On the road by 5AM and parked in my usual spot downtown by 5:15. I get on the first bus to the start line so there is plenty of time to relax and get ready. Again the warm, spacious waiting area at the Lummi reservation is so nice. Chat with Rikkie and other friends, then watch the tribal welcome ceremony. They go all out this year with dancers in costumes and their songs really are touching.
Now off to the start line. Perfect temperature. It will stay cloudy most of the way and never get too warm. Dry and no wind this year! I ran the GOAT trail marathon last weekend and that was my first full since June, so I expect to lag today. I know that I will be slow and that it is some combination of not being in the best shape and also still being worn out from last week. Checking my previous results here I see that a 4:28 is my slowest time. So I set a goal of beating that if I can.
Start - Line up behind the 4:15 pacer and decide to stay behind/with her. Would be foolish to go faster than that. Even when I see Tracy Marshall up ahead, I decide to run smart and not try to stay with her. I never will see her again as she has a great race.
Mile 0.5 - Bald eagle in a tree close by!
Mile 4 - It has been a nice run along the water. Staying with the 4:15 group. There are just a couple of us (names I won't remember), and it has a great vibe. The pacer is keeping conversation going and I try to not talk too much, stay focused on the running. Another runner has a ton of energy and great stories and is really fun to just run with. The miles go by easy and pleasantly.
Mile 9 - Aid station kids are awesome as always. Feeling pretty good, but a little discomfort up and down my left leg. No problem staying with the pacer, but I am losing confidence that I will stay the whole way. Strong manure smell from the farms. Pass three maniac friends who started early. On to the short out and back.
Mile 13.1 - We got a new pacer and the four of us continue with her. 2:07 something at the 13 mile mark, so we are just a little slow and she picks up the pace a bit. Miss energy is still with us, singing and dancing, but she will be the first to drop off the pace. Now the long uphill and it is getting tougher.
Mile 17 - Merge with the half but they must have started earlier than usual, because there are very few of them. Not hard to pick around the walkers. I will be passing halfers all the way from here to the end. But now I start to slow. Stiffening, beat up legs. Left mostly but also the right. No sharp pain, but harder to push on. And not super motivated. I see 4:15 get away, but I know that I am in OK shape for that 4:28.....if I keep running. One of the women I have been with since the start is also fading and we run together for a while. Eventually she is able to move on faster than I. From here to the end I will be mostly alone, doing more passing than being passed, but not running very well.
Mile 19 - Cookie stop. Same girl as previous years with fresh, warm chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. So great!
Mile 21 - Through the park, then the not great slog along the sidewalk near the water and downtown. Mostly running, but very slowly. Short walk breaks.
Mile 22 - 3:40 on the clock as I get up that hill and have the short bit where I can see the fast runners coming at me as they are very close to the finish. I am feeling beat up but in good spirits. Looking forward to the trail and then the turn around. Trail is nice and I plod along. Mostly passing people, but we are all tired and slow. Cross the tracks and down to the water. Thirsty, there is a water fountain and I stop for a long drink. Been taking the offered gels and drinking at each aid station. Stomach is doing pretty good today. Its just the tired legs. Now the boardwalk over the water and the steep little uphill. I manage to "run" the entire uphill. Spectators note that and cheer for me.
Mile 24 - After that hill I sort of perk up. The legs are not getting any worse. I am able to run without walk breaks so I just grind it out. One look back and I can see the 4:30 pacer. That motivates me to keep on running. Going to be very close to 4:28 and that is the only goal that pushes me on. Don't walk! Don't walk! Encourage the walkers I am passing to keep moving. Tell the marathoners that we can beat 4:30 if we do not walk. I probably pass 40 people in the last two miles, most half marathoners. I only remember legacy athlete Eric passing me, running oh so strong.
Mile 26 - I can not go fast but I can keep running and I need to to beat 4:28. That steep downhill and now the last bit to the end. Lots of spectators lining the finish way. I hear my name announced and it is over.
Solid effort at the end, just a long bad patch from mile 17-24. I am pleased with how the back to back marathon weekends went but will take the two weeks until the next one.
4:27:48
184th of 358
Race#398, Marathon or ultra#144, Bellingham Bay Marathon#10
*****
Saturday, September 17, 2016
9/17/16 GOAT Trail Marathon
Third annual event and my third time here. After today there will only be five legacy runners for the full marathon. The full continues to be very small with a much larger half. I remember loving this race and this year is no exception. Great to go point to point (no looping) on beautiful runnable trails.
Rain this year though. After it has been so dry, it just started raining last night. But not cold or very stormy. There will be lots of small puddles during the first half, then the rain will stop and the trail is in great shape later on. Even with the puddles, the trail is looking good.
I have not run a marathon since June, but I did get in a couple of three plus hour training runs and everything is feeling good these days. Bellingham Bay Marathon next weekend so I do not want to over do it today. If anything hurts I will slow way down. I guess that my goal is to have a nice day, beat 5 hours if feeling good and plod along the last miles on the dirt road at a consistent pace to get some wall/low energy training in for next week.
Drove up yesterday and hiked a little at Hurricane Ridge. Cheap motel was fine and I get to the shuttle in plenty of time. Couple of vans take us to the start line. Nice to see Monte, Sara and Will.
Start - Light rain, but once we get into the woods it is not noticeable. Got my GR truckers hat and a jacket on. Jacket will come off about halfway through.
Mile 1 - Only now I realize that I have a bunch of loose change in my shorts pocket. Move it into my zippered pocket in the water bottle and it will jingle every time I take a drink.
Mile 2 - Running a pace that seems a little fast but good. Now I am behind a string of about ten runners. No desire to try to pass them. I like being in the back with no one right on my tail, and I try to leave a lot of space with the person in front of me. I know that we will all be alone soon enough, but I picture us staying together till the road, or about mile 25 and then racing it in.
Mile 4 - Small gravel road crossing and four runners pull over to make adjustments and what not. Two others then stop to let me by and soon my pack is down to about 4 of us. We will now run our own paces but leapfrog each other quite often the whole rest of the way. Each of us seems to like being a little behind someone, and just letting them set the pace. But if we get too close, the person in front will slow more, step to the side and the behind runner has to reluctantly pass. Most likely to be passed again later. Everybody is so friendly, it is a great vibe all the way to the end. Really nice group here in the middle of the pack.
Mile 7 - Feel a little bunching up of my right sock and decide to take my show off and fix it at the aid station. Don't want a blister, and thankfully I will not get one.
Mostly run the gentle uphills, with some short walk breaks on the switchbacks. Love the long gentle downhills.
Mile 13.1 - 2:21 on the watch, and I think I remember last year I ran a 2:20 first half. But now I slow more than last year. No wall, and the running is not so hard, but I know that last year I was trying to keep up with Mike Mahany and he is not here today to keep me motivated. I do pass two runners who are not part of my leapfrogging group. Enjoy the limited views in the clouds. I can just see Canada. Then work my way alone through the darker cedar forest, ready to break out onto the road.
Again, GPS is way off from the trail mile markers. It is a short course, but I really can not say by how much. Down the rocky sketchy logging "road" to the main dirt road. 4:20 on the watch. Lets see how long I can sustain an easy running pace. I make it to 4:40 and am really happy with that. Just a quick slow and stop at the aid station, the run again for another ten minutes before a walk break. Pass one of my pack and start to gain on "Run Happy" socks, but she pulls away once we reach the paved road.
Now it is a short (less than a mile?) on the paved road with cones. No where near the 4:47 from last year. My goal is still beat 5:00, but there is 4:53 on my watch and it will be close. I think I ran 5:03 the first year and really anything around that is fine, but I feel like I do not want a course worst today. Not much I can do, except don't walk up this steep but short uphill. I tell myself that if I walk here and do not beat 5 hours I will regret it. If I keep running and do not beat 5 then I will have no regrets.
4:57 at the top of the hill. I think it is a really short bit to the turn into the resort, then maybe a minute to the finish line. Yes there is it. 4:58 and into the park. Down the hill. Now 4:59 and where the heck is the finish line!! It has been moved from the past two years. The lake is right here so it can't be much farther, just the back of the lodge building, where it used to be on the side. Make the final turn to the back of the building and yes there it is. Happy to beat 5 hours.
Really a great day. Things dried out more than I expected and the temperatures stayed pleasant. No aches or pains worth noting. Glad to have a marathon done without exhaustion even after some time off. Great race organization, great volunteers. I will plan to come back and run this one again.
4:59:19
22nd place of 39
Race#397, marathon or ultra#143
*****
Rain this year though. After it has been so dry, it just started raining last night. But not cold or very stormy. There will be lots of small puddles during the first half, then the rain will stop and the trail is in great shape later on. Even with the puddles, the trail is looking good.
I have not run a marathon since June, but I did get in a couple of three plus hour training runs and everything is feeling good these days. Bellingham Bay Marathon next weekend so I do not want to over do it today. If anything hurts I will slow way down. I guess that my goal is to have a nice day, beat 5 hours if feeling good and plod along the last miles on the dirt road at a consistent pace to get some wall/low energy training in for next week.
Drove up yesterday and hiked a little at Hurricane Ridge. Cheap motel was fine and I get to the shuttle in plenty of time. Couple of vans take us to the start line. Nice to see Monte, Sara and Will.
Start - Light rain, but once we get into the woods it is not noticeable. Got my GR truckers hat and a jacket on. Jacket will come off about halfway through.
Mile 1 - Only now I realize that I have a bunch of loose change in my shorts pocket. Move it into my zippered pocket in the water bottle and it will jingle every time I take a drink.
Mile 2 - Running a pace that seems a little fast but good. Now I am behind a string of about ten runners. No desire to try to pass them. I like being in the back with no one right on my tail, and I try to leave a lot of space with the person in front of me. I know that we will all be alone soon enough, but I picture us staying together till the road, or about mile 25 and then racing it in.
Mile 4 - Small gravel road crossing and four runners pull over to make adjustments and what not. Two others then stop to let me by and soon my pack is down to about 4 of us. We will now run our own paces but leapfrog each other quite often the whole rest of the way. Each of us seems to like being a little behind someone, and just letting them set the pace. But if we get too close, the person in front will slow more, step to the side and the behind runner has to reluctantly pass. Most likely to be passed again later. Everybody is so friendly, it is a great vibe all the way to the end. Really nice group here in the middle of the pack.
Mile 7 - Feel a little bunching up of my right sock and decide to take my show off and fix it at the aid station. Don't want a blister, and thankfully I will not get one.
Mostly run the gentle uphills, with some short walk breaks on the switchbacks. Love the long gentle downhills.
Mile 13.1 - 2:21 on the watch, and I think I remember last year I ran a 2:20 first half. But now I slow more than last year. No wall, and the running is not so hard, but I know that last year I was trying to keep up with Mike Mahany and he is not here today to keep me motivated. I do pass two runners who are not part of my leapfrogging group. Enjoy the limited views in the clouds. I can just see Canada. Then work my way alone through the darker cedar forest, ready to break out onto the road.
Again, GPS is way off from the trail mile markers. It is a short course, but I really can not say by how much. Down the rocky sketchy logging "road" to the main dirt road. 4:20 on the watch. Lets see how long I can sustain an easy running pace. I make it to 4:40 and am really happy with that. Just a quick slow and stop at the aid station, the run again for another ten minutes before a walk break. Pass one of my pack and start to gain on "Run Happy" socks, but she pulls away once we reach the paved road.
Now it is a short (less than a mile?) on the paved road with cones. No where near the 4:47 from last year. My goal is still beat 5:00, but there is 4:53 on my watch and it will be close. I think I ran 5:03 the first year and really anything around that is fine, but I feel like I do not want a course worst today. Not much I can do, except don't walk up this steep but short uphill. I tell myself that if I walk here and do not beat 5 hours I will regret it. If I keep running and do not beat 5 then I will have no regrets.
4:57 at the top of the hill. I think it is a really short bit to the turn into the resort, then maybe a minute to the finish line. Yes there is it. 4:58 and into the park. Down the hill. Now 4:59 and where the heck is the finish line!! It has been moved from the past two years. The lake is right here so it can't be much farther, just the back of the lodge building, where it used to be on the side. Make the final turn to the back of the building and yes there it is. Happy to beat 5 hours.
Really a great day. Things dried out more than I expected and the temperatures stayed pleasant. No aches or pains worth noting. Glad to have a marathon done without exhaustion even after some time off. Great race organization, great volunteers. I will plan to come back and run this one again.
4:59:19
22nd place of 39
Race#397, marathon or ultra#143
*****
Saturday, August 13, 2016
8/13/16 Galloping Gertie Half Marathon
The Over the Narrows ten mile race is now the Galloping Gertie Half Marathon. Still a well organized event by the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Pricier, but with a nice long sleeve shirt (good quality but ugly race logo) medal, chip timed and good course support. Jody was going to run the 10K but is nursing a bothersome Achilles so stayed home. Nice turn out, though I barely know just a couple of people.
For those who do not know who/what Galloping Gertie is you should watch this: Galloping Gertie
I am wearing my Tacoma Narrows Bridge Run shirt from 2007 with my Narrows Half Marathon cap from 2011. The shirt is cotton and will get heavy late in the race, but it is a fun one to wear today.
Weather is going to be very warm. Seems humid too. Add super hilly course and I fear not being able to beat 2 hours. I have yet to go over 2 hours in a half marathon, so I will have that incentive to keep working if it gets tough.
Ran 48 miles last week and intentionally kept it in the low 30s for this week, ending with today's race. Really happy with my mileage. Even got in a slow 15 miler a week ago. Working hard now so that my Fall marathons will not be so bad.
Easy parking and good staging area in the Uptown Mall parking lot. Restrooms in the movie theater. First race for the Super S Pacing Team. Lots of Half Fanatics in their fancy shirts.
Start - I line up behind the 1:50 pacers. One guy mentions my shirt, says that he just threw his away, it got too old. Slight delay as the police work to close the roads and then we are off. I have no trouble staying with 1:50 out into the road and down the long hill.
Mile 2 - The left turn and the giant steep uphill. 1:50 slips away from me. This would be a very tough course to pace, with all the slope changes. So steep and warming up in the sun.
Mile 3 - To the bridge. Sun is so bright that I have to check to make sure I am wearing sunglasses. Such a beautiful day to cross the Narrows. Look for whales. Now the long uphill. Yannick is there to cheer for us. More uphill into Veteran's Park. So glad to make it to the top and hit the water station. Take an S!Cap that I carried with me and get a gel from the aid station, to be taken at the next water.
Mile 6 - Twist and turn and up and down some quiet Tacoma neighborhoods. Leapfrogging one woman since the bridge. Now I catch her but stay even for a half mile. No words spoken, just run together. Super steep little hill that I was not expecting. Then water and as I pour on my head, my cotton T-shirt gets heavy.
Mile 8 - Back over the bridge. Went ahead of that woman. Feeling OK, just warm. I can not see 1:50 ahead of me. But I am still running sub 9/mile, so I know my pace is OK. 9:09 is the pace for 2 hours. I know that I will slow on that long last uphill.
Mile 11 - Here is the final long hill. Not as steep as coming off the bridge and the shade is such a relief. Slowing but no wall. I get passed by one guy and work on catching another but he gets away. Good effort but when I know I will make my goal I ease up a little.
Mile 12.5 - Catching a woman I have been gaining on for a long time. I tell her to not let me get to her. But she is slowing and I get even right near the end. I feel a little bad about passing her for some reason and slow to cross the finish line with her. Chip timed she will beat me by a few seconds.
Mile 13.1 - Finished. Very happy to be under 2 hours with the heat and the hills. I get handed a cold Red Bull and I never drink those, but it is most welcome. Watch the finishers come in and I am surprised at how far apart everyone is. 2 hour pacer comes in all alone. Nice to have the lap tops there to check results before heading out.
1:56:55
48th place of 252, 37 of 112 men, 9 of 20 in the 50-59 age group
Race #396
*****
For those who do not know who/what Galloping Gertie is you should watch this: Galloping Gertie
I am wearing my Tacoma Narrows Bridge Run shirt from 2007 with my Narrows Half Marathon cap from 2011. The shirt is cotton and will get heavy late in the race, but it is a fun one to wear today.
Weather is going to be very warm. Seems humid too. Add super hilly course and I fear not being able to beat 2 hours. I have yet to go over 2 hours in a half marathon, so I will have that incentive to keep working if it gets tough.
Ran 48 miles last week and intentionally kept it in the low 30s for this week, ending with today's race. Really happy with my mileage. Even got in a slow 15 miler a week ago. Working hard now so that my Fall marathons will not be so bad.
Easy parking and good staging area in the Uptown Mall parking lot. Restrooms in the movie theater. First race for the Super S Pacing Team. Lots of Half Fanatics in their fancy shirts.
Start - I line up behind the 1:50 pacers. One guy mentions my shirt, says that he just threw his away, it got too old. Slight delay as the police work to close the roads and then we are off. I have no trouble staying with 1:50 out into the road and down the long hill.
Mile 2 - The left turn and the giant steep uphill. 1:50 slips away from me. This would be a very tough course to pace, with all the slope changes. So steep and warming up in the sun.
Mile 3 - To the bridge. Sun is so bright that I have to check to make sure I am wearing sunglasses. Such a beautiful day to cross the Narrows. Look for whales. Now the long uphill. Yannick is there to cheer for us. More uphill into Veteran's Park. So glad to make it to the top and hit the water station. Take an S!Cap that I carried with me and get a gel from the aid station, to be taken at the next water.
Mile 6 - Twist and turn and up and down some quiet Tacoma neighborhoods. Leapfrogging one woman since the bridge. Now I catch her but stay even for a half mile. No words spoken, just run together. Super steep little hill that I was not expecting. Then water and as I pour on my head, my cotton T-shirt gets heavy.
Mile 8 - Back over the bridge. Went ahead of that woman. Feeling OK, just warm. I can not see 1:50 ahead of me. But I am still running sub 9/mile, so I know my pace is OK. 9:09 is the pace for 2 hours. I know that I will slow on that long last uphill.
Mile 11 - Here is the final long hill. Not as steep as coming off the bridge and the shade is such a relief. Slowing but no wall. I get passed by one guy and work on catching another but he gets away. Good effort but when I know I will make my goal I ease up a little.
Mile 12.5 - Catching a woman I have been gaining on for a long time. I tell her to not let me get to her. But she is slowing and I get even right near the end. I feel a little bad about passing her for some reason and slow to cross the finish line with her. Chip timed she will beat me by a few seconds.
Mile 13.1 - Finished. Very happy to be under 2 hours with the heat and the hills. I get handed a cold Red Bull and I never drink those, but it is most welcome. Watch the finishers come in and I am surprised at how far apart everyone is. 2 hour pacer comes in all alone. Nice to have the lap tops there to check results before heading out.
1:56:55
48th place of 252, 37 of 112 men, 9 of 20 in the 50-59 age group
Race #396
*****
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