Looking forward to a fast time and no disasterous dizzy spells. Bright sunshine and cold. Billy ran the 15K. Got to talk with Ashley a little bit. Since I beat her in the 5 mile and was ahead of her in the 10 mile, but she beats me in marathons, I was hoping for a close race with me in front. Also expecting to beat 2 hours and PR.
Start - first mile with Billy, comfortable 7:45 pace
Mile 3 - been running with Ashley. I feel a little tired in the legs on a minor uphill, but keep up the pace
Mile 4 - Ashley pulls ahead but I stay relatively close
Mile 6 - Fatigue sets in. This is not good. My legs are just plain tired. I did run a marathon two weeks ago and I realize that I am not fully recovered.
Mile 7.5 - Joke with the volunteer at the turnaround about whether this is the finish line.
Mile 8 - Mike tells me to catch Ashley - not going to happen today
Mile 10 - Start slowing, now averaging 8/mile. Ashley pulling away and I start suffering.
Mile 11-14 - This has got to be great training for running on tired legs. Keep running while suffering, this will make me stronger for future races. Still, no fun being passed by quite a few runners.
Mile 15 - Around the track and to the finish. Not a disaster but not what I was hoping for. I think I did the best I could given the level of fatigue. Billy ran great and I congratulated Ashley. Waited a long time for Nikkie and Holly to finish.
2:01:34
81st of 115 (tough competition in Steilacoom!!)
**
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
2/10/08 Valentine Marathon
Sleep in, in my own bed, nice breakfast, then a short drive to catch the 9:30AM early start at Millersylvania State Park. Bob Green is in the hospital, but the race will go on. Same course and many of the same runners as the Christmas race. Cool and windy with a good chance for rain.
Mile 2 - I have been running with Ashley but I tell her to go on ahead. My plan is to keep the pace around 8:40
Mile 4 - I have been running with Jessica Norton who I just met. She won the Whidbey marathon last year and is running the half today as a training run. Pleasant conversation - I don't think I have ever met anyone who has been on a box of cereal before. Sorry to see her turn around at mile 6.5
Mile 10 - Breezy but not as bad as Christmas. Running comfortably
Mile 13.1 - Turn around at 8:40 pace, aid station has just been set up but I've got my fuel belt stocked with gatorade. Approaching the turnaround I tried to yell hello to everyone that I knew. SR Lopez, Hope, Ashley, Ron, Jim, Jim.
Mile 17 - Starting to slow down. Wind is blowing in every direction. Ashley is a tiny red speck in the distance.
Mile 20 - Billy is waiting for me, to help me run in to the finish. What occurs next is the most difficult hour of running in my life.
Mile 21 - Stomache ache. Throw up a little bit in my mouth. Run past the water stop as there is no need.
Mile 22-25 Very short walking breaks as needed when quadriceps fail. Counting to 200 was effective in keeping me going as was looking at landmarks up ahead. Considerable suffering as I just wanted to stop running but forced myself to keep moving. Cry a little bit and get emotional as I see Tammy and Haley there to cheer for me. Not having fun at all.
Mile 26.2 - Quads feel like noodles, not working like they should. Shuffle across the finish in just under 3:57. Timer calls my time at 3:50 something and I try to correct her, she later adds five minutes to my time but not anyone elses
Very pleased to be back under 4 hours, but this one took a lot out of me. It is good to suffer and push it sometimes but I would not want all of my races to end like that.
3:56:59
20th of 59 runners
**
Mile 2 - I have been running with Ashley but I tell her to go on ahead. My plan is to keep the pace around 8:40
Mile 4 - I have been running with Jessica Norton who I just met. She won the Whidbey marathon last year and is running the half today as a training run. Pleasant conversation - I don't think I have ever met anyone who has been on a box of cereal before. Sorry to see her turn around at mile 6.5
Mile 10 - Breezy but not as bad as Christmas. Running comfortably
Mile 13.1 - Turn around at 8:40 pace, aid station has just been set up but I've got my fuel belt stocked with gatorade. Approaching the turnaround I tried to yell hello to everyone that I knew. SR Lopez, Hope, Ashley, Ron, Jim, Jim.
Mile 17 - Starting to slow down. Wind is blowing in every direction. Ashley is a tiny red speck in the distance.
Mile 20 - Billy is waiting for me, to help me run in to the finish. What occurs next is the most difficult hour of running in my life.
Mile 21 - Stomache ache. Throw up a little bit in my mouth. Run past the water stop as there is no need.
Mile 22-25 Very short walking breaks as needed when quadriceps fail. Counting to 200 was effective in keeping me going as was looking at landmarks up ahead. Considerable suffering as I just wanted to stop running but forced myself to keep moving. Cry a little bit and get emotional as I see Tammy and Haley there to cheer for me. Not having fun at all.
Mile 26.2 - Quads feel like noodles, not working like they should. Shuffle across the finish in just under 3:57. Timer calls my time at 3:50 something and I try to correct her, she later adds five minutes to my time but not anyone elses
Very pleased to be back under 4 hours, but this one took a lot out of me. It is good to suffer and push it sometimes but I would not want all of my races to end like that.
3:56:59
20th of 59 runners
**
Saturday, January 26, 2008
1/26/08 Steilacoom 10 miler
Worst race of my life so far (132 as of March 2008).
Well rested and pumped for a PR. The ten mile PR has stuck out as something that should be beatable since I ran it in 1997. There just are not many ten mile races out there. On this day I had confidence of lowering that record. Cold and dry.
Mile 1 - Nice fast start. I had a good mile warm up and everything feels good.
Mile 3 - Running great. Controlled fury.
Mile 5 - This is getting exciting. I am well ahead of pace, but running controlled and feeling strong. Some of the best running in my life. At the turn around I realize that if I hold this pace I will PR by two minutes. I will purposely slow down just a bit so as to save something for the end. This is so terrific, I just love running.
Mile 5.1 - There is Ashley, cool, I'll PR and beat her too!!
Mile 5.4 - The world is spinning like I just got off the merry-go-round. Within three steps I go from denial, to staggering, to being helped to the ground by two runners and hoping that I will not pass out. Not so faint, just extreme vertigo. I can not focus my eyes and I feel horrible. Runners are passing in both directions. I urge the two women helpers to go on, I will be fine, but they insist that they will not leave until I am on my feet. They offer me water, gu, and try to diagnose, did I eat breakfast (duh, this is race number 132 I think that I know how to prepare), and they ask if they should call 911 (no!!!!). The next three minutes seemed like forever, but my eyes adjusted, I did not pass out, the race staff van promised to keep a watch on me, and I did get up and keep going rather than take the ride back. The two women were slow runners and had been heading out, I urged them to continue and said that I would walk in.
Mile 6 - Mixed emotions, glad to be concious, embarrassed about the event, very mad about the race. I am feeling better every minute just a little wiped out and fuzzy headed.
Mile 6.5 to mile 9 - Walk and jog, actually do a little running now and then. Hook up with a few slower runners. It is interesting to be back here. I feel like I have to explain my situation to everyone. One woman is really struggling to get in at a 8:30/min pace. I encourage her and let her go on as soon as I feel a little tired. No sense in taking more risks. With the slow pace and cold temp I am getting chilled and feeling yucky.
Mile 10 - I walked in lots of the last mile. I want to see the two women that helped me, but I never got a good look at their faces. I finished the race and turned around to find them and thank them. I waited and waited. Bob Dolphin shuffled in. I got in my car and drove the course in reverse but could not find them. Perhaps I had just met my guardian angels. They really gave me the care that I needed at that time. I hope I can find them someday and properly thank them.
Epilog - Jody and fellow Maniacs make me go to the doctor. The heart is fine, EKG and echocardiogram prove it. I do have a tricuspid valve that is supposed to be bicuspid and have a small heart murmur, but we already knew that. Official diagnosis is "junk in the inner ear"
Epilog II - Billy calls me after his Wednesday group run. Two women at his group, Nickie and Holly, had a tale to tell about helping a dizzy runner at the ten miler last week. I am able to go to the group run the next week and express my thanks. It was great to meet my angels.
1:27:??
95 of 115
*
Well rested and pumped for a PR. The ten mile PR has stuck out as something that should be beatable since I ran it in 1997. There just are not many ten mile races out there. On this day I had confidence of lowering that record. Cold and dry.
Mile 1 - Nice fast start. I had a good mile warm up and everything feels good.
Mile 3 - Running great. Controlled fury.
Mile 5 - This is getting exciting. I am well ahead of pace, but running controlled and feeling strong. Some of the best running in my life. At the turn around I realize that if I hold this pace I will PR by two minutes. I will purposely slow down just a bit so as to save something for the end. This is so terrific, I just love running.
Mile 5.1 - There is Ashley, cool, I'll PR and beat her too!!
Mile 5.4 - The world is spinning like I just got off the merry-go-round. Within three steps I go from denial, to staggering, to being helped to the ground by two runners and hoping that I will not pass out. Not so faint, just extreme vertigo. I can not focus my eyes and I feel horrible. Runners are passing in both directions. I urge the two women helpers to go on, I will be fine, but they insist that they will not leave until I am on my feet. They offer me water, gu, and try to diagnose, did I eat breakfast (duh, this is race number 132 I think that I know how to prepare), and they ask if they should call 911 (no!!!!). The next three minutes seemed like forever, but my eyes adjusted, I did not pass out, the race staff van promised to keep a watch on me, and I did get up and keep going rather than take the ride back. The two women were slow runners and had been heading out, I urged them to continue and said that I would walk in.
Mile 6 - Mixed emotions, glad to be concious, embarrassed about the event, very mad about the race. I am feeling better every minute just a little wiped out and fuzzy headed.
Mile 6.5 to mile 9 - Walk and jog, actually do a little running now and then. Hook up with a few slower runners. It is interesting to be back here. I feel like I have to explain my situation to everyone. One woman is really struggling to get in at a 8:30/min pace. I encourage her and let her go on as soon as I feel a little tired. No sense in taking more risks. With the slow pace and cold temp I am getting chilled and feeling yucky.
Mile 10 - I walked in lots of the last mile. I want to see the two women that helped me, but I never got a good look at their faces. I finished the race and turned around to find them and thank them. I waited and waited. Bob Dolphin shuffled in. I got in my car and drove the course in reverse but could not find them. Perhaps I had just met my guardian angels. They really gave me the care that I needed at that time. I hope I can find them someday and properly thank them.
Epilog - Jody and fellow Maniacs make me go to the doctor. The heart is fine, EKG and echocardiogram prove it. I do have a tricuspid valve that is supposed to be bicuspid and have a small heart murmur, but we already knew that. Official diagnosis is "junk in the inner ear"
Epilog II - Billy calls me after his Wednesday group run. Two women at his group, Nickie and Holly, had a tale to tell about helping a dizzy runner at the ten miler last week. I am able to go to the group run the next week and express my thanks. It was great to meet my angels.
1:27:??
95 of 115
*
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
1/1/08 Steilacoom 5 miler
Back from two week vacation in Maui. Landed at Seatac at 11:30PM 12/31. Rang in the new year driving through Tacoma, in bed by 1AM. Up at 6AM, which is really 4AM with the jet lag.
Start - Great to see the NCHS team here. Sure is cold, but at least it is dry.
Mile 4 - Hey this is going great. I am not slowing down but I am running good and hard. Passing some folks and in very good spirits
Mile 5 - Surprisingly strong race. My favorite way to celebrate the new year. Now go home and rest.
35:33
60th of 143
Course Record
****
Start - Great to see the NCHS team here. Sure is cold, but at least it is dry.
Mile 4 - Hey this is going great. I am not slowing down but I am running good and hard. Passing some folks and in very good spirits
Mile 5 - Surprisingly strong race. My favorite way to celebrate the new year. Now go home and rest.
35:33
60th of 143
Course Record
****
Sunday, December 16, 2007
12/16/07 Christmas Marathon
I was due for a long run and decided to jump into this Bob Green race just for fun. My mistake was not having any real time goal other than to hope to break 4 hours. Talked Billy into running the full marathon. We could run together for a little while, should be a good time. Cold weather with threat of rain. I decided to wear tights, maybe my first ever race doing this. We also had Tammy positioned to give us water and aid as needed, especially since were were taking the early start.
Mile 1 - Nice easy 9ish pace with Bill. About 30 runners in the early group.
Mile 2 - Bill and I go our seperate ways as I pick up the pace ever so slightly. Meet Monty.
Mile 3 - Catch up to Ron and Jim. Its pretty windy and I try to draft a little but they are too small. The road is too unsafe for two across let alone three and I should be going just a little faster so I move on ahead
Mile 5-6 Running with a nice pack, off the main road. Meet a young couple and also a father and daughter (Mike and Ashley). How cool is that, running a marathon with your kid? Mike just joined the Maniacs and Ashley will soon. They seem to be very intent on the pacing and are going just a little slow for my pace, so I edge on ahead.
Mile 13.1 - Wind has been blowing hard. I hit the turnaround at 1:55. Someone asked what my goal time was and I honestly could not answer, but I knew that was bad. What would keep me motivated when it gets hard?
Mile 17 - Wind at my back but I am spent. Tammy is there to encourage me, but it is not looking good. I start taking walking breaks.
Mile 20-25 - Way too many long walking breaks. Billy's friend Chris stops by to encourage me. I pass some 1/2 marathon walkers and joke with them, I am barely running as fast as they are walking. I am making so many deals with my watch. I give up on 4 hours and that enables me to relax and slow even more. Ashley passes me, elf ears and all, looking very comfortable. She has my respect as a runner from that moment on.
Mile 26.2 - Crossed the finish line without much emotion. Good to be done, satisfied with the run but a little dissapointed in the time. Basically gave up and walked it in when it got rough. At least the rain held off.
4:05:47
41 of 85 runners
41 of 85 runners
***
Saturday, October 27, 2007
10/27/07 Ghostmuster 5K
My 7th Ghostmuster 5K. Always on the same day as the kids school Halloween party so we always have to rush out ASAP. Quality race put on by Thurston County Parks and Recreation. Small crowd with many slower folks and a good chance for a ribbon. Cold but dry.
Mile 1 - Off like a shot and running at 6:50 pace. Good number of runners all around me. Some turn off to do the 10K route, many are still with me here.
Mile 1.5 - Familiar course. I know eactly where this is going and I am pumping along nicely. Shaping up to be a good run. Both Lindbergs are just behind me, another guy is right on my tail but will not pass me.
Mile 2 - Guy tries to make his move past me but I surge ahead. Such a short race, no need to hold anything back. I will try as hard as I can to not let anyone pass me. I break away from the sticky guy.
Mile 3 - Here is the finish, keep going strong, nobody behind me is going to catch me.
Mile 3.1 - Strong finish and good running for the entire race. Almost vomit. Lindberg brother approaches me and says that I ran great and smart, that really means a lot to me, it is a rare day that I can best him. Tammy is waiting at the finish, she seems concerned about me. Now we wait, but not long for Billy. He has run a good race too. Now things get even more memorable:
Jody should be along soon. Really any time now. Billy and I decide to jog back and see her near the end, we jog a half mile or so. Runners are getting slower. No sign of jody. Fast 10K guys are zooming past, still no sign of my woman. I start to worry a little. She must have gotten hurt and is walking. We jog back to the finish and wait more. Finally we hop in Bill's truck to drive the course in reverse, after checking with the race officials to see if they know anything. About 1.5 miles from the finish there she is chugging along. Took the 10K turn and ran all the way to the 3.1 mile turn around before realizing! She must have really been in the zone. She ran on in and rather enjoyed herself.
21:21
8th place of 88 runners
2nd in age group ribbon
****
Mile 1 - Off like a shot and running at 6:50 pace. Good number of runners all around me. Some turn off to do the 10K route, many are still with me here.
Mile 1.5 - Familiar course. I know eactly where this is going and I am pumping along nicely. Shaping up to be a good run. Both Lindbergs are just behind me, another guy is right on my tail but will not pass me.
Mile 2 - Guy tries to make his move past me but I surge ahead. Such a short race, no need to hold anything back. I will try as hard as I can to not let anyone pass me. I break away from the sticky guy.
Mile 3 - Here is the finish, keep going strong, nobody behind me is going to catch me.
Mile 3.1 - Strong finish and good running for the entire race. Almost vomit. Lindberg brother approaches me and says that I ran great and smart, that really means a lot to me, it is a rare day that I can best him. Tammy is waiting at the finish, she seems concerned about me. Now we wait, but not long for Billy. He has run a good race too. Now things get even more memorable:
Jody should be along soon. Really any time now. Billy and I decide to jog back and see her near the end, we jog a half mile or so. Runners are getting slower. No sign of jody. Fast 10K guys are zooming past, still no sign of my woman. I start to worry a little. She must have gotten hurt and is walking. We jog back to the finish and wait more. Finally we hop in Bill's truck to drive the course in reverse, after checking with the race officials to see if they know anything. About 1.5 miles from the finish there she is chugging along. Took the 10K turn and ran all the way to the 3.1 mile turn around before realizing! She must have really been in the zone. She ran on in and rather enjoyed herself.
21:21
8th place of 88 runners
2nd in age group ribbon
****
Saturday, October 20, 2007
10/20/07 Halloween 10 miler
Back to Millersylvania State Park for the traditional "holiday" race by Bob Green. One of the few 10 milers around, most other runners doing a full marathon or half or 10K or 5K. Best chance for me to actually win a race is to pick a low turn out holiday distance and hope nobody fast shows up. That 10Mile PR has been sitting out there for ten years now and should be breakable, but I am still recovering from recent marathons. Heavy rain and wind.
Start - Saw the early marathoners leave and I feel a little guilty. I am a Marathon Maniac now, shouldn't I be runnning the full distance? I feel like I am missing out on something. Anyway we try to sort out who is running what race. Just a few of us on ten miles. One young guy says that he has never run that far but he looks rather fit.
Mile 1 - out of the park and on to the dangerous roads. The fit guy is well in front of me but he misses the first turn and has to come back, pulling him closer.
Mile 3 - After the 5K turnaround and the 10K turnaround I know that I am in 2nd place overall, not too far behind. I had been running with a youg kid who was doing great on the 10K, I encouraged him and he seemed to be pacing well.
Mile 4 - Rainy and wet. Shoes are soggy and heavy and slowing me down. Legs are not fresh and I am just not quite able to keep PR pace.
Mile 6-10 - Working hard and in good spirits but not an exceptional running day. Very glad that I am not running the full marathon in this weather. Just can not catch the top runner, not even close enough to make it interesting though he was in my sights the whole way. Good to get out and run, happy to have raced. I drive slowly home along the course and encourage the lonely marathoners. Rain has stopped but they look rather soggy. Van Phan is pushing along her 40 something marathon or ultra of the year.
1:17:28
2nd overall of 5 runners
***
Start - Saw the early marathoners leave and I feel a little guilty. I am a Marathon Maniac now, shouldn't I be runnning the full distance? I feel like I am missing out on something. Anyway we try to sort out who is running what race. Just a few of us on ten miles. One young guy says that he has never run that far but he looks rather fit.
Mile 1 - out of the park and on to the dangerous roads. The fit guy is well in front of me but he misses the first turn and has to come back, pulling him closer.
Mile 3 - After the 5K turnaround and the 10K turnaround I know that I am in 2nd place overall, not too far behind. I had been running with a youg kid who was doing great on the 10K, I encouraged him and he seemed to be pacing well.
Mile 4 - Rainy and wet. Shoes are soggy and heavy and slowing me down. Legs are not fresh and I am just not quite able to keep PR pace.
Mile 6-10 - Working hard and in good spirits but not an exceptional running day. Very glad that I am not running the full marathon in this weather. Just can not catch the top runner, not even close enough to make it interesting though he was in my sights the whole way. Good to get out and run, happy to have raced. I drive slowly home along the course and encourage the lonely marathoners. Rain has stopped but they look rather soggy. Van Phan is pushing along her 40 something marathon or ultra of the year.
1:17:28
2nd overall of 5 runners
***
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