5/16/10 Capital City Marathon

My hometown race is still one of my favorites. Organizers do a terrific job and I get to run with Maniac friends, local Olympia running friends, and I always know many of the spectators and volunteers. No shirt or medal, but we get a nice hooded jacket, luggage tag and a commemorative coaster. Living so close I can almost sleep in and make it to the 7AM start. I know where to park and it is a stress free time getting in place to run. It has been warm, but is cloudy now and won't get as hot as previous years, though a little warm for optimal running. I do not have to decide what to wear as I am sure I will be fine with just a tank top and there is no chance of rain.

It has been two weeks since the Tacoma Marathon and I am not quite fully recovered. One week ago we went to California and I spent three long days at amusement parks. I wore the GPS on two days and know that I walked over 12 miles each of those days. Add the time on feet waiting on lines and I do know that my feet ached each evening. After 4 days of no running, but lots of walking, and too much fast food, I went for a 4 mile run on Thursday. It was horrible. I felt so tired and off, it was a real struggle. Ran three miles on Friday and it was a little better but still an effort. Also feeling some cold symptoms, a little sore throat and general weakness at times. So I took Saturday off and here I am Sunday contemplating a PR attempt. Recently I have seen people run some very fast races somewhat unexpectedly. I am thinking that I will not know if it is my day unless I try. Probably best to wait till the next race and play this one safer, but I feel OK this morning. I'll start off with M761 which will be at my PR pace, and if I feel lousy after a couple of miles I'll drop back to a slower pace.

Start - I find lots of friends and eventually M761 just before the start. With the half marathon starting a little later and having a sold out event, there is a large crowd of spectators to see us off. We are positioned well and it is a smooth send off.

Mile 7 - I don't feel horrible but I don't feel great either. Just running along at a steady pace. Plenty of space on the scenic country roads. We run a bit with Arthur from the UK who ran the Windemere/Spokane Marathon yesterday.

Mile 14 - Not much to write about. Beautiful day. Flowers in bloom. Can't decide if this course is hillier than Tacoma, they both sure have some ups and downs. Letting M761 set the pace, I'm not really focused on the watch, but I do realize that we on my PR pace. As much as I do not need/want an entourage of support staff to run/bike with me and cheer for me, its good to be with one or two other people side by side and not all alone.

Mile 17 - Mild stomach issues. I think it is the Ultima drink and perhaps I am downing more fluids than I can handle. Its warm and I start pouring a little water on my head at each aid station. The stations are two miles apart and I begin to look forward to each one more and more.

Mile 2o - More stomach issues and now plain old tiredness. The pace has slowed, what with walking through the aid stations and I will not get that PR. Still moving OK and it could be a good run after all.

Mile 22 - Liked the big downhill, but now I face the dreaded Eastside Hill. It starts with just a little bump, but that is hard enough. M761 continues at an even pace while I really start to falter. Now come the walk breaks.

Mile 23 - Still moving uphill. I am passing lots of half marathon walkers so it is not as evident that I am being passed by marathoners. Everyone is slow going up this hill.

Mile 23.5 - Same little girl at the same place as last year with her tiny cups of cold water. I tell her thank you and that I remember her from last year. Hook up with two runners that I had passed some miles ago. We get a little conversation going and it helps me stay with them.

Mile 24 - Sudden severe muscle cramp in my right groin area catches me in mid stride. It goes away as I walk but it will happen two more times while running and each time give me a great excuse to walk a bit. Run/walk/shuffle on.

Mile 25 - I had been very confident of beating 4 hours and am still sure that I will make it, however the closer I get to the finish, the more I realize that I need to keep moving to even make that goal.

Mile 25.5 - Love the view down Capital Blvd as I see the finish and a good crowd cheering. Get in just under 4 hours and am satisfied that I "went for it" but just did not have the right stuff today. I slowed so much after mile 22 that M761 beat me by seven minutes.

Finish - Find Jody, who did well in the half, and then stay for a long while cheering in the rest of the finishers. Thanks to David Gardner for taking the photos. And happy that Deb Gardner did not catch up and tap me on the shoulder like I deserved, it sure was close though. Next race should be the North Olympic Discovery Marathon on June 6.

3:58:51

Race #195
Marathon or Ultra #48

Capital City Marathon#7 (sixth consecutive)

Capital City race (full, half or five miler) # 10

*****

5/2/10 Tacoma City Marathon

My third consecutive year here. Previous two finish times were both 3:58. I have not run a sub 4 hour marathon since last October due to the three 50Ks, 6 hour run, trail marathon and being sick at the Lost Dutchman Marathon. So today I will be happy to get anything under 4 hours. It would be extra nice to run under 3:58 for a new best time on this course. I'll try to go faster at future marathons but for today my time goal is 3:57.


I arrive plenty early and find my same parking spot. Enjoy seeing lots of Maniac friends. Marathon Maniac Club reunion race and there are a whole lot of yellow shirts all around. Its cool and cloudy and windy. I had planned to leave my long sleeve shirt behind at the start but it is so chilly that I decide to keep it on for the run. I often do this and just tie it around my waist when I warm up.


Start - M761 and I line up with M61 the 3:50 pacer. I know I wrote that I was hoping for 3:57 but I would like to run a few miles with my friend and then drop back early, before I get tired. I feel good and relaxed and the start goes off with no issues.


Mile 1 - The long straight on Market Street. Head wind is really strong. Eventually we make the sharp turn and run with the wind. We comment on the fact that we really can not feel it at our backs however. It often seems that way, strong in the face, then calm when you turn around. It must be helping though, or else I am just warming up as the running gets a little easier.


Mile 3 to 6 - Through the park, past the High School and down towards Ruston Way. Time to say goodbye to M761. This is nicer than the times that we run together till mile 17 and then she trots on while I suffer and flounder. I ease back gradually planning to run now with the 4 hour pace team (M1681 and M171). M985 catches up to me and we run together for a bit.


Mile 8 - Quick Port-a-Potty stop. I am really fast in there but as I exit I see that the 4 hour group has passed by and I have to hurry up to get even with them. Soon enough I am in the pack and on cruise control.


Mile 10.5 - That hill after the tunnel is super steep.


Mile 11 - Pace groups are great, but I don't like being packed in so tightly. I ease ahead some, just to have a good clear space in front of me. Tacoma could do well to pave some of these roads, but I have not tripped or seen anyone fall yet. Better to have a good line of sight though.


Mile 12 - That long long hill in Point Defiance Park. Something of a grind, but I am holding a steady pace. I'm not checking behind me but I think that I have increased the distance on the 4 hour group. I had planned to stay with them till mile 20 or so, but it looks like I have struck out on my own now. Running with a couple of first timers and we don't talk much but it is nice to be in step with them, yet have plenty of running room.


Mile 13.1 - Clock reads 1:57 and something. I'll have to run the second half in 2:00 to get my 3:57 finish.


Mile 15.5 - Out of the park and into the wind. Down the big hill, up the big hill, turn left then turn right onto Vassault Street. Major hill for the next mile and a half. The hill itself is bad enough but the wind is really blowing right at us. I still feel good but I know that this is zapping my energy. My legs have felt a little fatigued since early in the race (perhaps due to yesterday's race) but they have been able to hold the pace well. It is the energy level that I am worried about. My overall pace has dropped some on this long incline with wind, but as long as I don't really tire soon, I am in good condition.


Mile 18 - Highest elevation of the course. Oh I remember being here last year, ahead of my current pace, but really tiring quickly. Today I feel OK. I have also been able to choke down some gels, I have had three already, and my stomach is tolerating that and all the fluids.


Mile 19 - Finally the turn onto the paved trail that parallels Route 16. My least favorite part of the course, but now I have that strong wind at my back. It is so strong that I can feel it pushing me along.


Mile 20 - Under a bridge, then a turn and now the wind seems to be in my face again. I was not expecting that. Maybe it is more blowing sideways, but I was hoping for a push all the way to mile 24.


Mile 21 - I can see the Target store more than half a mile ahead. I try to relax and focus on the bulls eye and flow along at least till I get there. I can not zone out completely, but I am still running and I am pleased that I have made it this far without "hitting the wall"


Mile 22 - Run for a bit with M1106. This is a great place to have a little company and keep moving. I hit the lap button on my watch to set a new overall pace. I can run 10/mile from here to the end and still beat 4 hours and I am thinking that I should be able to do it, especially with the wonderful downhills to come.


Mile 23.3 - Almost off the trail and I take my first little walk break. I also take my long sleeves off for the first time.


Mile 24.2 - One more really short walk break as my pace the last two miles was about 9:45 (after the break). I expect to turn down the hill and not walk anymore.


Mile 24.5- The hard part is over. Long downhill, a little steep for tired legs, then flat and gradual downhill till the race is almost over and the excitement of the finish can carry anyone through. I feel very confident that I will beat 4 hours. Can I get in under 3:58? It is too close to call at this point.


Mile 25 - 3:48 on my watch. Better keep moving. Really pleased with today's run. I think those ultras this Winter paid off with better endurance. Can't say why I did not have my usual nausea but I'll take it for sure.


Mile 26 - Hey I will beat 3:58. Terrific. No need to sprint to the finish, I just cruise along like I have been and at the finish I feel like I could keep going for a few more miles. Very rare that I have finished a marathon feeling so good.

3:57:34

139th place of 391

Marathon or ultra #47, 3rd consecutive Tacoma City Marathon

Race # 194
*****

5/1/10 Public Agency Challenge 2 Miles

Quick in and out run today. Need to leave right after the race so I'll miss any raffles. Feeling really good. Ready to run Tacoma Marathon tomorrow. I'll do a short warm up to keep the mileage low. Its cloudy with some wind. Cool and decent running weather. New start closer to the Capitol. We will go slightly downhill for a tenth of a mile, then make a sharp right turn and head uphill to the turn around. Lots of children running and many casual runners. Most of the faster runners do the 8K race. I'm glad that Bill chose the 8K because I am pretty sure that he would beat me if we raced together.



Start - Line up near the front. Still there are some small kids directly in front of me. Off we go and everyone goes flying out too fast. At the turn, looking uphill I can see that there are many people ahead of me, despite the fact that I am on 6:38/mile pace according to the GPS.



Mile 0.5 - One by one I am picking off the kids in their high top basketball shoes.



Mile 1 - Nice to get to the turn around and know that it is all downhill.



Mile 1.7 - No one has passed me and I continue to pass some people. I catch up to a guy who looks about my age. Every time I have run this race I have gotten an age group award, but seeing the runners ahead of me, coming toward me before the turn around, most of them looked like they could be in my age group. I ask the guy how old he is and yes he is in my age group. I make a move and pull ahead of him, but very quickly he matches it and blows past me on the final shot to the finish. When I realize that I will not be able to catch him, I ease back also remembering that I have a marathon tomorrow. My last 50 yards is lame, but I am really happy to get in under 14 minutes and do way better than last year. Legs feel good and strong.



Mile 2.0 - I congratulate the guy who beat me, then take a look at the board where they are taping finishers bib tags so I can see how I placed. 14th overall is really good, but I will have to settle for 4th in my age group. That has me a little discouraged but I get over it quickly and enjoy watching others finish, before I have to leave.


13:52
14th of 83
****

4/11/10 Mt. Si Ultra 50K

My first time here, though I ran part of this course at the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon almost two years ago. The name is misleading in that we do not climb up Mt Si, but rather go part way around it. There will be a very long gradual ascent, but after the turn around there will be about ten miles of gentle downhill. Rails to trails course, a few rocky places here and there but overall very good for running. 50 mile race started at 6AM. I'll do the 50K that starts at 8:30AM. Also a 57 mile relay race and the event is sold out. Good parking, restrooms and warm area to wait at the Snoqualamie Elementary School. Nice fleece vest instead of a T-Shirt. Its cool and cloudy but we expect sun and warmer temperatures later in the day. I see a few Maniac friends but there are many people I do not recognize. The relay crowd looks young and fast. I feel good and relaxed as we get ready to go.


Start - I want to keep it around a ten minute per mile pace. Its hard to run that slowly in a efficient manner so I will go a little faster than that but take nice long walk breaks every 2.5 miles or so. This seems to work well for me on the ultras. This will be my 4th ultra in the last five months, with two marathons in there as well. We start out on a road, take a bridge over the river and go down a little hill, still on the road. In less than a mile we turn onto the trail and have to climb up steps to a foot bridge over the river.


Mile 1 - Now it is a very flat and straight wide trail for the next 4 miles. Some headwind. We are spreading out and I run alone. I do leapfrog one guy a couple of times as he passes me on my walk breaks, then I pass him while I'm running.



Mile 5 - Across a road, with police to guide us, pass by the self serve aid station, then under Interstate 90. Now the trail starts to go uphill. It will be gradual uphill for the next ten miles. I recognize this as the end of the Tunnel Marathon. That race was point to point downhill and as I work my way up, I realize that it was no wonder that I had a fast time there. Beautiful scenery along the river.



Mile 10 - Staffed aid station and relay exchange point. Lots of people here. I show my number to the check in person and fill my bottles with something red. Move out of the area quickly but soon the trail parallels another road. There is a crosswalk with maybe a trail on the other side, but the trail I am on looks like it continues along the road, though maybe it looks like it peters out. I think I should cross, but there is no volunteer here and I am just unsure and do not want to go the wrong way. So I wait for the next runner to come up, maybe 20 seconds and he is sure that we stay on the trail. I go ahead of him and soon see that it is the correct route.



Mile 13 - Fast runners are coming back toward me, so the turnaround is getting closer. It has been a long uphill trip but I have held the pace OK. A little bit of snow on the sides of the trail. I still have my long sleeve shirt on and am comfortable.



Mile 15 - Looking forward to that turn around and aid station. It will be all downhill and its always nice to be heading back. Not around this bend......not around the next one. What is this? The trail forks with the main trail continuing up, but a sign directs us to a steep downhill. Sharp angular rocks and the steepest hill of the course; down, down, down for a quarter of a mile.



Mile 15.55 - Finally at the bottom and I am not looking forward to going back up. Fill with more red fluid. Try a potato slice dipped in salt; really tasty. Walk up most of the hill, then jog to the top. Now finally I can take advantage of the gentle down slope. Fun to see fellow Maniacs. Very easy to run at 9:30/mile pace. Some of the 50 mile racers are heading up the hill, not that far behind me. Try to keep holding back while letting gravity help me move along.

Mile 21 - Aid station. Lots of people milling about including relay runners. I try some Pepsi that is on the table and it is horrible, I can not finish the small cup. Strange because after a long race I like to guzzle a large cola. I stick with the red liquid, and continue eating from my stash of fig newtons and Gu gels as I can. The next few miles go well as relay runners are coming toward me but few are passing me. Most of them offer encouragement. It has warmed up a lot and my long sleeves come off.

Mile 26 - Self serve aid station. I fill a cup of water and douse my head. Energy level is good but I am warming and my stomach seems to be cramping. Not the more common nausea, this is new, a mild clamping or something down there that feels pretty lousy. Now I am on the flat and straight section and not a whole lot farther to go.

Mile 27 - OK, now I am low on energy and having stomach issues. More frequent walk breaks. Earlier I told myself that I would give it a good two miles push through the wall, then ease up and not allow myself to suffer much after that. So I put my head down and try to pick up the pace and it is a lousy time, no fun at all. I think of something different to try. Instead of focusing and pushing hard, I will try to zone out, yoga style. I "look to my third eye" and "center my drishti" on a white post that is at least a half mile away. "Hands in mudra" I try to think only on my breathing. The legs have been on autopilot for four and half hours I don't need to think about them, or anything. Pace does not matter, as long as I can keep running I'll be doing great. The meditative running actually works. Its a little tough to ignore the relay runners coming toward me every now and then, and as I realize that I am doing well I lose focus, but this is worth trying again. After the post, I sight on another object as far away as I can see and do it again.

Mile 29 - Yoga is over, now it is math time, thinking that I have a shot at a PR. If it were not for the mild stomach cramps, this would be a terrific race day. More frequent walk breaks.

Mile 30 - Finally to that bridge, then I have to climb down those stairs, but I know I am close. I remember the downhill on the way out, on this road, but as I approach it and start going up, it does not seem so bad. Real short walk break to say hi as I pass a fellow Maniac, then turn onto the other bridge. Legs are moving good now. Onto the last bit of road. Its actually funny how easy I am running now that I can see the school and know that the finish is so close. I just flow down the road so much easier than I had been shuffling a half hour ago. I will get that PR and that sure helps my mood.

Mile 31.1 - Finish with a 3 minute best time. Stand in the shade with a friend while I drink two cups of ice cold water that is so refreshing. Nice glass finisher's medal. Soon I am chugging that cola. Next is a cup of grapes that taste delicious. As I am finishing the grapes I think about how I usually have an orange after a race and I did not see any at the table. I reach for a grape and find half a small orange at the bottom of the cup. Perfect.

Another really well put on event and race that I hope to do again.



5:14:05
34th of 64
race #192, marathon or ultra#46, 50K#4
*****

3-28-10 Redmond Watershed Preserve Marathon

Northwest Trail Runs organization puts on a couple of races around Seattle each year. I did the marathon in Redmond last August. Apparently the venue for their usual March event was not available so they hosted today's event back at the Watershed Preserve in Redmond. It was nice and no stress to come back to this low key event I had run before. Race does not start till 9:30AM unfortunately I had to drop some family at the airport at 5AM. Woke at 3:40AM, made the drive to the airport, then continued on, arriving at the park at 5:30. Managed to sleep a little in the car. It had been raining, but by 9AM it was just cloudy. This course is fairly confusing, last year I let the pack take me on a wrong turn that added a half mile to the race. This time as I listen to the prerace briefing I am confident that I will remember the course and make all of the correct turns. I also will not have to worry about bees, this early in the season, after getting stung here last Summer. In fact as I stand around with fellow Marathon Maniacs I feel very relaxed. I'd like to beat last year's time, but my main goal is just to get in a good long fun workout on the trails. There is also a 5 and 10 mile race and they will start a few minutes after us. Large turn out, in fact the race was sold out, good thing I preregistered some time ago.

Last year I ran the three loops in 1:26, 1:24 and 1:45 having an epic meltdown on the last go around. I ran out of fluids on that hot day. Today I have sent a bottle to the "drop area" where it will be available to me twice on each loop. There is a minor change to the course with the first loop being about a half mile longer than usual. This will allow a later part of the course to not go quite so far and cross a road. The section that was removed was totally flat, the added part has a hill, but there are so many little hills its not going to make much of a difference. I like that the later loops will be just a little shorter.

Loop 1 1:31

Start - Wearing my rain jacket. I fully expect it to start pouring at any moment. The start is a narrow trail and it is tough to pass or be passed, however I have apparently positioned myself well. Things will sort out eventually anyway. After a mile or so I find myself near the back of a large pack. M27 is leading the way, although I know that there are faster runners ahead. I meet M1095 who I had known of and we have pleasant conversation for most of the loop. No rain and I am warm so I ditch my jacket at the bag drop area. Around mile 4 I feel like I should be going a little faster. I'd like to get ahead of this pack but am really boxed in. The 5 and 10 mile runners keep coming at us too, I decide to just stay put for now. The whole herd of about ten of us charge on to the finish area.

Loop 2 1:27

I take a very fast break here, make sure the race director sees my number, I fill up my fluids and head back out. Others are lingering so our big pack has disintegrated. After the short out and back section, there is a very nice mostly downhill trail for over a mile. I am comfortably running quicker than I had been. No one else around except M27 just a little ahead of me. Plus random runners approaching from the opposite direction occasionally. Much quieter now in the forest. M1095 catches and passes me. She ran the Yakima Marathon yesterday!! M27 stops for a break and I have to pass her. I know full well that she will catch me sooner or later. Before the second loop is over she is back in front of me for good. She ran 102 miles just seven days ago!!

Horse and rider on the trail. We are going in the same direction but the horse is going very slowly. They have the right of way and I do not want to pass by them without the rider's permission. Great excuse for a walk break. Kinda cool that I am running faster than a horse too. She does encourage me to pass and I do so. Starting to tire and taking some walk breaks on the uphills. Sun is out, then a brief sprinkle, but my feet are dry and the mud is not bad.

At the end of the loop there is a small crowd at the finish area. I raise my arms and yell out "done" so they will think I have completed the race. Some start cheering, but I quickly finish my sentence "....with the second lap". People laugh and I grab some food and drink and set out for one more loop.

Loop 3 1:40

Really tired now. Lots of walk breaks. Doing about 12 minutes/mile. M1078 catches me. I knew that he was not far back and had been expecting him to get to me soon. We run together for about a half mile and it is really nice. He ran the Yakima Marathon yesterday!! I think that my fatigue is at least partially mental, I am running fine with M1078. Whenever there is another runner around I seem to be able to move along, but all by myself I lose any drive and just shuffle and walk some. No pains just fatigue. Doing the "second loop of the third loop" I see two runners who are about 3 miles behind me, M1077 and M 748 who both ran Yakima yesterday!! I pick up my jacket and down the last of my fluids. I have given up on beating my time from last August but I should still be close. Get really close to two black-tailed deer as I jog in the last bit. Cross the finish and call it a day. Great soup and other foods at the finish area. I stay for a little while. When I do finally get in my car it immediately starts raining.

4:38:13

23rd of 41

Race#191, Marathon or ultra #45, Redmond Watershed Preserve Marathon #2

*****

3/14/10 Rock Candy Mountain 8 miles

Inaugural event. I have done races including marathons on nice packed gravel trails but this will be my first race with serious elevation gain and what they call "technical" trails. 1,700 foot elevation gain in four miles, then back down the way we came. I am somewhat worried because yesterday I had lingering soreness in the quads from the six hour endurance run of the week prior and I ran the 10K yesterday at top effort. With the loss of an hour due to daylight savings, my legs did not want to get out of bed this morning. But I did manage to get up and take the short drive to the Capitol Forest. Capitol Forest is state property that is managed for multiple uses including logging and hunting. Many of the trails are rocky, steep and tough. There are lots of logging roads and trails that intersect, a great place to get lost and I generally avoid it for the safer, easier trails of Mount Rainier, or the Olympic Mountains. I did climb Rock Candy Mountain with Jody and the boys about ten years ago and I look forward to being able to race here. The cost was $15 including a great looking T-shirt. I was debating whether or not to carry some fluids when I learned that volunteers would be driving one of the roads to the top of the mountain and setting up an aid station. So happy about that. I see a couple of friends including two I have not seen in years. Nice friendly group as I expected. The sun is out but threatening to cloud over. Its chilly and then I notice the snow near the summit. I grab my sweatshirt and will start off wearing it.

Start - Elevation 570 feet. Finish time is meaningless since this is my first run here. Rather than track miles or time, I'll only look at my GPS watch to see what the altitude is. The summit is somewhere around 2,300 feet. I do a half mile halfhearted warm up. Legs are tired, especially the quads, but nothing hurts. Soon we meet for instructions and go.

700ft - Muddy but smooth dirt road at a decent grade up hill. Nothing too bad. I should be going faster here since I know that it will be tougher going soon enough. The event website posted some photos, that I am using here, and that was helpful to have an idea of what to expect.

800ft - Turn onto a decommissioned road. When logging roads are taken out of service the culverts that allow water to pass underneath are removed. As a salmon habitat biologist I think that is a great idea. As a trail racer I am changing my mind. Every two hundred feet or so we have to do a real steeplechase thing, climbing up a mound, then down into the mud and back up again. Its just too big and wide to try to jump over, so its a real time killer. Also I am trying to keep my feet as dry as possible. This is very entertaining, I have never raced on a surface like this before.

1,100ft - Now we enter a real hiking trail. Single track, rocky and steep. Have to walk in places. Pass a couple of guys but none too quickly. I take off my sweatshirt and tie it around my waist. Switchbacks and up up up.

1,900ft - Back onto a logging road. Volunteer there to direct us the right way. Road has baseball sized rocks all over, no way I would drive my little car up here. Opening up to some views but I don't dare look away from my feet. Patches of snow on the side and on the middle of the road. Less steep than the switchbacks, but a couple of tough climbs. Here come the front runners blazing by.

2300 ft - Great to see the aid station and turnaround. Gulp a little Gatorade and head back without enjoying the view. I will need to come back here soon, when I am not racing.

1,900 ft - So great to be heading downhill. Flying down the road, trying to be careful but I feel like I am going so fast after that long uphill slog. I know that I will have to be more careful when I enter the single track switchbacks.

1,600 ft - Now I am picking my way down. I stop to make sure that Ron, who has taken a spill is OK. He is on his feet and moving and seems OK, so I keep working my way down the trail. I am worried that my tired legs might cause me to slip where I otherwise would be sure footed, so I am extra careful, but I feel like I am moving fast. Mike Strong passes me, absolutely flying down the trail, bouncing recklessly from rock to rock. I am amazed at how fast he is going and he is quickly out of sight.

900 ft - Back on the decommissioned road. Don't care about the mud or getting my feet wet anymore. Pick my way over the obstacles, then on to the better road.

700 ft - See two people jogging and I gradually catch them only to find that they have already completed the race and are just cooling down. Nearly there now, I keep up a good effort and finish strong. I wonder how much faster I could have been had I not raced hard yesterday and were not coming off a high mileage week. I guess that I should have been able to make it to the top a minute or two faster than I did, but I doubt that I could have been any faster on the downhill without risking a fall.

Very fun, well organized, low key event that I will plan to run again.

1:29:58

21 of 38

race #190

*****

3-13-10 Run For Luck 10K

My 6th year in a row doing this race. With the six hour ultra last week and the new Rock Candy Mountain 8 mile trail race tomorrow, running today was iffy. But I feel good, enjoy this race and Bill is hoping that I can pace him to a PR. I know the course well and have a plan for today. Its cool and a little breezy. I can't decide between a rain jacket and sunglasses and finally take neither with me. Dry for now with fat dark clouds around.
Start - Line up near the front and off we go. Really try to not go out too fast. Bill and I plan to run 7:32/mile as long as we can. At the half mile mark we are right on pace. Most of the runners are doing the 5K, and that route turns south on the paved trail, where we turn to the north. I can't hear anyone behind us and there is one kid up ahead. Other front runners are way ahead already, so it is just me and Bill.
Mile 2 - Right on pace. It is getting a little more difficult however. Breathing is fine but the big muscles are still sore from last Saturday's 32.9 mile run. Definitely running on tired legs, but not too bad.
Mile 4 - 10Ks are really hard. Still with Bill, and now we have caught up to the kid. The three of us trying to hold on. Headwind now that we are on the way back. Not super strong but it is a factor. At times Bill pulls ahead by a little and I wonder if this will finally be the race that he beats me. I start to dread my planned surge at mile 5. The course is mostly flat with one good bump on the bridge over the Yelm Highway. I want to run mostly with Bill and help him get his PR, but I also want to beat him and I do not trust my finishing kick. I decided about a week ago that I would drop the hammer at about mile 5 on that uphill and run as fast as I can for the last mile, hopefully pulling away enough to break him. But now that the time is approaching I am not looking forward to it. I am already digging deep just to hold the pace, how can I dig any deeper?
Mile 5 - Bill has pulled ahead on the downhill prior to the bridge. I have to speed up just to get even with him. The kid is still with us. Now it is time and I make my move with a yell. Run as hard as I can up over the bridge. This is intensely difficult. I told myself that this would be the toughest mile of the week if not the toughest thing I have to do all week. Soon the breathing is ragged and I feel like vomiting. Don't let up the intensity but I know that I am slowing down to some degree. Finally the turn to the final quarter mile and a quick peek back shows Bill far enough away that I am confident of finishing before him. I listen for footsteps just in case and continue to run as fast as possible. Then the last turn to the finish and enter the chute.
Finish - Turn around and watch Bill come in ten seconds later. He got his PR with even pacing. I ended up two seconds faster than last year and a nice negative split. We go inside for potato soup, raffles and ribbons.

46:33

6th place of 69, first in age group
Race#189, 10K #26, Run For Luck #6

*****