5/17/09 Capital City Marathon

Three special things about today's race. First is that it is the hometown race, and I have many friends running the full or the half. Really too many people to try to mention them all. We had 31 people at our house on Friday night for pasta and strategizing. When I combine my local running buddies with my Maniac friends I see friendly familiar faces everywhere I look. The second reason that today is special is that one of those local runners, going for her first marathon, is Jody. Jody has been doing long runs with Nicky and Nicky is running her first marathon too. Nicky is one of the two angels who offered me aid at my dizzy episode over a year ago. So great that we are now friends. The third special thing is just my own goals for today. I have decided to run the whole race with Jody and Nicky and encourage them and celebrate with them. This will mean running closer to 5 hours than 4 hours. About a week ago I decided to not taper at all, to turn this race into a long training run for my next marathon (NODM) where I can try to be faster than usual. Instead of resting, I piled on the miles last week. I ran double workouts on Wednesday and Thursday and had a chance to beat my all time miles in a week, but had a total meltdown on Friday afternoon. I am still lingering with a head cold, and on Friday I thought I might be getting really sick again. I definitely hit a breakdown point on Friday and was not sure that I would even start today. But two days rest has me feeling better. If I finish today I will have 58 miles for the week and that is a lot for me, especially considering I ran the Tacoma marathon just the week before.

We picked up our numbers and timing chip last night. Number 33 for my 33rd marathon or ultra. Jody wants some fan support so we have the kids and her Mom meeting us at the start. They will drive around and cheer for her at various locations. Also Saki, Billy and Tammy....and I really should not try to list people today, I know I am going to leave someone out. We get to the start in plenty of time. But then Jody decides to go back to the car to get some water and I do not see her for a while. Everyone is moving to the start area and I go with the crowd. I have lost both Nicky and Jody before the race even started but I am sure they will turn up soon enough. Help a stranger with her Garmin, then Paul and I see that it is 6:58 and we are going to start very soon. Aha there is Jody and right away we are off. I am in my singlet and worried about the heat. Sunny and going to warm up for sure.

Mile 0.5 - Bob Dolphin sighting

Mile 1 - 9:55. Only thing I am going to insist on today is that they go no faster than 10 minutes per mile. So we slow down a bit and settle right in at 10:00

Mile 3 - Meet Maniac Marie. She is trying some run 3 minutes then walk one minute routine. It has us repeatedly leapfrogging. Since the crowd has thinned out this is not a problem and it is nice to put a face to a name and continue to meet new club members at every marathon I do. Lots of yellow shirts here today.

Mile 6 - I can see Maniac Betsy and Maniac Mike up ahead. Would be nice for them to meet Jody but they both get going a little faster and get out of reach. Right achilles tendon is bugging me. That is a new one.

Mile 9 - Meet a new Maniac father/daughter combo. Nice distraction on that long uphill. I can feel a little tiredness in my legs. The achilles is about the same.

Mile 11 - Happy horses

Mile 12 - We have been slowing ever so slightly. Now Nicky seems tired and wants to walk. Potty stop ahead and both ladies take a quick break. Nicky seems better and we continue on. Warming up but not excessively hot. We like the shade and the gentle breeze now and then.

Mile 14 - Woodard Bay - sea level; then the steepest uphill with some walking.

Mile 14-19 - Long straight fairly level section. Mostly open sunshine. Cows, a donkey, "farm dogs" and an emu. I am really pleased that Jody and Nicky are still running. We are even starting to pass a couple of runners who are struggling, walking, limping.

Mile 20 - Jody is tiring now, Nicky seems to have perked up. Short walk breaks. I try to not set the pace. My achilles is worse, but runnable. At every CCM I have run they have handed out wet sponges. Welcome on a day like today.

Mile 21 - Nice crowd of spectators sitting on lawn chairs in the shade at a turn on the course. I see an empty chair, run ahead and plop down to rest. This gets some good laughs and a smile from Jody. But they are getting away too fast and I need to hop up and sprint a little to catch them.

Mile 22 - Jody struggling down Legion hill, how will the next 1.5 mile uphill treat her? Jared joins us and he and I find it strange to be among people who are suffering so much, barely able to jog up the hill. Jody says that she loves the encouragement of her family and friends who came to cheer for her today, and that I am a good Sherpa. Lots of short walk breaks gets us up the longest hill and it looks like we will beat 5 hours. Hot.

Mile 23.5 - The two cutest little girls ever are offering "free water" from a table in their driveway. I have to stop, take a cup and thank them. And the water is much colder and better than the warmish stuff at the aid stations.

Mile 24 - Cups of cold beer. I will take anything cold at this point and the beer tastes really good. At this pace I have had no upset stomach and I ate a granola bar a while back there. My achilles hurts and I am worried about it, but everything else is fine. Unique perspective being in the race, running along for almost 5 hours and certainly getting a great workout, but not nearly struggling like everyone around me. I have to remind myself of what they are going through, what mile 24 was like the first twenty or so times I ran it. Jody and Nicky are both doing great, keeping up a great attitude and have been a pleasure to run with.

Mile 25 - Capitol Blvd. All down hill. Billy in a skirt to run a half mile or so with us. Then Tammy, Sabrina and Jennifer join us for the final leg. They keep saying what a great job Jody and Nicky are doing and right when I am about to say "hey what about me?", Tammy says "and Andy too".

Mile 26.2 - We did it. A little emotional for Jody. Walk off to get our water bottle. Jody gets the last one, I guess that we really do not need two. No medal this year. Just a piece of paper into which you can slip your souvenir disposable timing chip, that is "suitable for framing". Running jacket is pretty nice, matches the pants from last year. We eat. Fun to see Jody experience how delicious oranges are at the finish. I opt for a slice of pizza (only for full marathoners). After some socializing and recovering we hobble off to the car. The question that many are asking remains unanswered, will she do this again?

4:54:32

2:17/2:37 split (ouch)

33rd marathon or ultra

6th Capital City Marathon, 9th Cap City race of any distance

****

5/3/09 Tacoma City Marathon

Sometimes I have a great experience doing something for the first time. I go back to the event or activity a second time, expecting it to be awesome again, but often the second time is a bit of a let down. I know that I suffered a lot at Tacoma last year, but I also thought the course was spectacular, the race well organized and a whole lot of fun. Getting ready to race today I can not help but compare to last year. I am suffering with a fairly bad head cold or sinus infection and hope it does not significantly zap me. That I can not control and I am OK with the probability that I will be slow. My most important goal then is to keep smiling and enjoy the day. Sun is rising and although I am shivering at the start line, It is going to warm up and be a nice day for running. Wonderful to see the sun after heavy rain last night and more rain coming later today.

Start - Pacers arrive by limo, a reverend lifts up prayers for us who choose to join his circle, and a nice rendition of the National Anthem (with screaming seagull joining in near the end) are the preliminary events. RW and I line up with the 3:45 pacer, Steve. Same as last year. I plan to run with them only until Ruston, then ease back to the 3:50 group a much more realistic yet ambitious goal. Not the smartest strategy, but this way I get to run some with a friend. Today is more of a social event than a quest for some specific time goal.

Mile 1 - 8:18 - seems fast but we are going gently downhill. This is a tough course to be a pacer on with all the hills. Steve plans to bank a little time and that works for me.

Mile 2 - Course is different than last year. Not a major change, but I was expecting a turn that did not happen. Our little pack is close together and I would prefer some space ahead of me. These old Tacoma roads have potholes and cracks and other tripping hazards. I would hate to take a tumble or see anyone fall. Small adjustment gives me some space. I remember feeling sort of blue here last year, just not motivated and not getting into the groove. Today I feel fine and am enjoying the start of this day.

Mile 6 - Down to Ruston Way. Now we will have a three mile flat section, except the big curvy bridge we go up and down. I am thankful for my sunglasses. The over shirt comes off as I am warming up.

Mile 9 - Say goodbye to RW and purposely ease off the pace. I assume that the 3:50 pacer is not far behind me and I will soon join them while I am still able to keep up. Its somewhat humid out and my sunglasses are fogging up. I wipe them dry but do not put them on as I am entering the Ruston Tunnel. So short compared to the last tunnel I ran through.

Mile 10 - This has got to be the hardest hill on the course. It is short but very steep. Nice spectator encouragement, then we turn into Point Defiance Park.

Mile 11 - Fellow runner comments on how fortunate we are to live and run here. Towering old growth trees provide shade on a sunny spring day.

Mile 12 - This is the hardest hill on the course. It is about a mile long gradual twisting turning up up up through the forest.

Mile 13 - Maniac Matt catches me and we talk a bit. He is running well for someone with a possible broken rib. I should not complain about having the sniffles.

Mile 15 - Out of the park, down and up the big dip. Marci Martin sighting. New course variation takes us over to Vassault street so this will mimic the Sound to Narrows race almost entirely. Look for the traffic light at the top of the hill. Focus on the light, that is what we all do at StN. This is the toughest hill on the course by far.

Mile 16 - Top of the hill. How to celebrate? I know, I will use a precious tissue and blow my nose. Thick dark green snot spattered with red blood. Bloody nose would be cool if I kept running and it dripped all over. Nose is OK though and my head feels clearer. 3:50 pacer finally caught me. I have been running conservatively and not looking at the watch, expecting them to pick me up some time ago.

Mile 17 - Holding with Kurt, the 3:50 pacer.

Mile 18 - Short section turning through a neighborhood. 3:50 is getting away. I am tired. Not the usual tired. Legs are fine for this stage in the race. I am not light headed, like I was last year before I learned about S!Caps. I just feel like I have a cold, which I do, and it is dragging me down.

Mile 20 - Bridge over Highway 16. I remember getting almost dizzy here last year and it is nice to be able to run across this with no symptoms. Now the "trail" that parallels the highway. This was a horrible spot last year. Tough today, but not in a negative way. Maniac B sighting. Bright sunshine. I can see a good half mile ahead, all uphill, 3:50 still in site not too far off. Top of hill. One lone volunteer yelling most enthusiastically. Her car doors are open and she is blaring music. Bob Dylan - Tangled up in Blue. Very nice. Some more music and more spectators would be good here.

Mile 21 - Walking breaks have started. Leapfrogging a red shirted Maniac. Once I start walking without making the decision to do so. It just happened. Keeping the breaks short and moving along as best I can. Not too disappointed and not beating myself up over it.

Mile 24 - Finally that grand downhill. Before I make the turn I look back and see the 4:00 pacer disturbingly close. If I keep up what I have been doing I will be passed by him very soon. Hope this hill helps. Steep downhill. If my legs ever give way here this will be considered the worst hill of the course. It is a little too steep to fly and I maintain control.

Mile 24.5 - Another downhill, this one nice and gradual and long. Running with a young yellow shirted maniac. Both of us would like to beat 4:00. It seems doable and I think I have a chance of besting last years 3:58:10. But we need to keep moving and THIS IS HARD!! Difficult but enjoyable. Tough but fun. This is what keeps bringing me back to the marathon. See what I am capable of, challenge myself and somehow keep smiling. If I thought I was going to collapse or something I would walk or stop for a while, its not that important. But suffering and struggling are not necessarily bad things.

Mile 25 - Thank you Tacoma police for help at all the street crossings. Guy who looks like a street bum asks how far we are running. I tell him. He swears. I agree with him.

Mile 26.2 - Slightly different finish from last year. I like it. We duck in just under 4 and are satisfied. 30 seconds slower than last year, but I have a good excuse. Not as emotionally up and down as last year (S!Caps help the mind too and keep me from saying some stupid things) but I think that I had more fun today and enjoyed the beautiful course more than last year. I plan to come back for sure!!

Big shout out to the Rogue Wave for having such a good run today. I am happy for you and glad that I did not try to keep up.

3:58:49

104 of 271
Marathon 31, marathon or ultra 32, Tacoma Marathon #2
****

5/2/09 YMCA/Public Agency Challenge 2 Miles

My sixth consecutive year doing one of these races. With a marathon planned for tomorrow I select the two mile race over the 8K. Jared has been running some and I encourage him to join me. Maybe I will hold back and run with him. Tacoma is my priority this weekend, but I do like this race. Lots of state agency folks get out of their cubicles for this one. I am not usually motivated by ribbons and trophies but they do have very nice awards here and with all the fast runners doing the 8K or resting for other races, I usually place pretty well. Jared and I arrive in plenty of time to register. It is drizzling so we go back and sit in the car till closer to start time. I am suffering with a head cold, but it feels a little better today. In the past I have run with "stuffiness" with little problem, but I wonder how it will affect my race today and tomorrow.
Start - Eventually we make our way down Capitol Blvd for the start line. We watch the 8K start and then line up for our race. Uphill a half a mile, then flat to the turn around. Downhill finish, turning left onto the road that takes us to the winged victory statue at the Capitol building. Here at the start there are a few kids eager to get going, toes to the start line. Also I see Brad Hooper who should win. Jared and I are right behind the front row, but there really is not anyone in front of me. I might as well toe the line and know that my watch time will be the same as my official time. Jared does not seem to care if I run with him or not, so I guess I will just do my own thing.
Mile 0.25 - Breathing a little hard. Uphill climb. I did not warm up much at all, saving precious miles for tomorrow. How fast should I be going? Gonna play this one by feel.
Mile 0.5 - Hill is leveling off. Passing the kids and a few others.
Mile 1.1 - Heading back now, looking for Jared. There he is, doing fine. We hand slap and I refocus on the task.
Mile 1.6 - Not going to catch the kid in front of me unless he fades big time. I do not need to be running as hard as I am. Slow down a little to protect my foot/stride on the downhill. Not going to go all out today but I am going much faster than planned.
Mile 1.8 - The sound of footsteps behind me. Someone trying to catch me. Since I had slowed some I feel the ability to speed up and decide to not let anyone pass. We have made the turn to the statue and I can see the finish line ahead. Pick up the pace and get the job done.
Mile 2 - Strong finish but no gasping for air or feeling like I am going to vomit. I head directly back to watch Jared make his final kicks. He comes in strong. We get some snacks and watch the slower two milers and faster 8K runners finish up. Cheer for some friends. Now it is raining a little harder so we go to the car to dry off before the award ceremony. We each take first in our age groups and get identical trophies.

14:28
7th of 49 1st in age group
6th YMCA/Public Agency Challenge race
****

4/11/09 Easter Marathon

My fourth year in a row running this race. This year it is being held in Elma out of Vance Creek Park. I have run shorter distances here and know the course to be flat and out on country roads. Today will be a double out and back. I don't mind that. With so few runners in the marathon it will gives us a chance to see each other a few more times. I am also concerned about the weather. Supposed to shower and it is awful cloudy. I don't want to wear my rain jacket. This way I can towel off and grab it at the 13.1 mile mark if needed. Since I ran Yakima just last week I am not concerned about time goals. Actually I don't seem to be too concerned about anything. Getting ready, gathering my stuff this morning and driving to the race was about like going to work on any given day. I guess I have the routine down and since I have no great expectations for this race I am totally calm. Parking and registration are a snap and soon I am lining up with eight others who will take the early start. I decide to go off at a 9min/mile pace and see what happens. I will not dig deep today and I will just enjoy the run.





Start - Good to see Evil Triplet Jim, Maniac Jim and Maniac Lesa. Good to meet Maniac Sue and new Maniac Keith down from BC. Only two people here that I do not recognize. Bob Green marks our numbers as early starts and off we go.

Mile 1 - Running with Jim, Jim and Lesa. I could stay with these guys all race and it would be fun. Here I am in elite company. For those who think that what I do is a bit much: one Jim is running his 293rd marathon, the other Jim is running his 177th and Lesa is running her 72nd and is in the middle of completing 13 in 12 weeks. Nice chatting, but just a little slower than I planned so I move on ahead.

Mile 2 - Keith and one other guy are way ahead. I knew he was fast and did not expect to be near him. Maniac Sue and another woman are ahead of me and extending their lead. Sue's times are usually a little slower than mine so I think that I will catch up to her later.

Mile 3 - Road kill rough-skinned newt. I feel sorry for the little guy. It is drizzling. My rain hat and Maniac jacket keep me dry enough.

Mile 4 - Hmmm. Chalk mark for mile 4 on the road but my watch says 4.1. If the road mark is correct than I have not gone as far as my watch indicates and my pace is off. I need to go a little faster to match my pace to the official mile markers. Light rain. Farm country. Cows being fed come jogging to the farmer and start up a big mooing.

Mile 5 - Rut Ro. Watch says 5.3 miles. I am starting to question the road markers. Time is 46 minutes. Too fast if I am at mile 5.3 and too slow if I am at mile 5. Gosh those two women are little black specs in the distance. I may never catch up to them.

Mile 6.55?? - This is the turn around so I am calling it 6.55, but that was a short mile and a half. In fact my watch now says only 6.4 miles. By both accounts I am now running faster than planned. Aid stations are now set up so I do not need to rely on my own water bottle. Rain has let up.

Mile 7 - Small stone works its way down the back of my shoe and nestles under my foot. Would hate to have to stop for a stone. But now I really can not feel it so maybe I will not have to deal with it.

Mile 10 - An hour after we started there was the start of the half marathon, ten miler, 10K, 5K , one mile and the regular start for the marathon (although most runners seem to take the early start). These runners doing all these races are now running toward me at all different speeds. Hard to tell who is doing what race. Very little traffic on the road so I have been crossing now and then to get the inner curve. Runners are on both sides of the road. One cow is munching hay by the fence and there is some hay spilled on my side. I am tempted to stop and see if he will eat out of my hand. But I keep moving.

Mile 13.1?? - A little loop through the parking area and right past my car. No need to stop. Tap the watch to set a new lap and note that the distance reads 12.8. Also I am at 1:53 about the same time as I was at last week. I think we have a short course here and it will be interesting to see what the GPS reads for the second loop.

Mile 15 - Starting to tire. Not sure what pace I should be running. The two women in black were about a quarter mile ahead of me, but now appear to be closer. Looking ahead at a long straight stretch. I decide to pick up the pace and chase them down, without going too fast.

Mile 16.5 - Caught them. Nice to have some company. Shelly from Oregon has a much faster PR than either Sue or I. They have run together the whole way and seem to be out for a fun run. I remind them that one of them could be the overall female winner, but neither one seems very competitive.

Mile 18?? - Its the mile 5 or 5.3 aid station. I sped up a little prior to the stop and then had a quick drink and moved on. Now I am ahead of the women and going at my own pace, whatever that is.

Mile 20ish - The dreaded wall. All of a sudden this is much harder. Muscles tighten, energy feels low. This did not happen last week. I am in good spirits though and I am doing the math to see about getting in under four hours. Looks like I could do 11 minute miles from here and get there. That would be really great. As long as I do not take walk breaks.

Mile 22 - Pace is now at about 9:40/mile. Still running.

Mile 23 - Several vultures circling overhead and swooping lower. Do they know how tired I am? Still running.

Mile 24 - I need to cross the road. I can not hear any vehicles behind me. I should look back but it is hard to turn the neck and keep running. Actually if I got hit and killed here I would be all done running. OK, maybe I don't want to be killed, but if I got clipped a little, maybe knocked to the ground, then no one would expect me to keep running. I could just walk it in. Oh I better look back. No cars, but Sue and Shelly are not far behind. If I melt down any more they are going to pass me.

Mile 25 - Still running and feeling a little stronger. Not going to be passed. Going to beat four hours easy.

Mile 25.5 (road marker for the one mile race) - Turn into the wind (not that strong) and long straight shot to the park. Keep moving, nothing dramatic, and cruise in to the finish.

Mile 26.2 - Mile 25.54 by my watch, mile 25.7 by Jim's watch. At least I did not PR or I would feel a little guilty. Pigtails would run another half a mile, but I am not doing that. If I had gone another half mile I think I still would have beat four so I am pleased. I'll call my time what my watch said rather than the two minutes faster the officials recorded. Sue and Shelly cross the line together. Try to eat. Socialize for a while. Watch the start of the triathlon. Wait for the regular start marathoners to come in so that I can know my place.



3:53:09

5th of 15 runners

31st marathon or ultra, 4th Easter marathon

****

4/4/09 Yakima River Canyon Marathon

For many of my recent and upcoming marathons I have sacrificed a "fast" time for a "good" (fun) time. Sometimes I will run with a friend who is a little slower, sometimes I will run for a while with a friend who is a little faster (causing me to crash later in the race), sometimes the weather or the course is a factor and sometimes I am running on tired legs having raced the weekend before. I would not trade any of that, I love running with my friends and I especially like a challenging course. Here at Yakima none of this applies today. Today is all about the numbers and trying to run my best. For the first time in ages I have written out projected split times and will carry that paper with me just in case my GPS watch is not accurate to the mile markers. Two weeks ago I raced 20 miles at an 8:29 pace. My goal today is to run the first 20 miles at an 8:40 pace (I know I can do this) and then see what I have left for the end. If I can hold that pace I will PR (3:48 is my PR, an 8:40 pace gets me in at 3:47). One little issue though is how miserably I faltered here last year. There is that mile long up hill at mile 22. Last year I was at about an 8:35 pace at mile 20, yet finished in 3:57, running the last 6.2 miles at 10:32. Therefore my goals are to PR (don't really expect to do this) or run a sub 3:50, or run a sub 3:57 (beat last year's time) or beat 4 hours. But I also want to enjoy the day and scenery. This is one quality race and I am thankful to be here. And big thanks to Jody for coming out again and picking me up at the finish.



Start - Cold but no wind and brilliant sunshine. Also about 100 maniacs here for a reunion race so lots of yellow and red shirts. Having run this last year lets me relax a little, knowing where to pick up my number and exactly where the start line is to be found. I find my place smack in the middle and soon we are off.

Mile 1 - Glad that I am wearing sunglasses. It is really bright out. The road is narrow and I am crowded in a big bunch. Hit mile one at 8:55 which is fine. I'll pick up the pace ever so slightly.

Mile 2 - 8:41 pace. I am still packed in a crowd. Six runners elbow to elbow in front of me. I am on their heels and don't like it, but I am at my goal pace. It would take effort to get around them, and then all I would be is running faster than I had planned. I ease up a bit to give myself some room and stay behind them for now.

Mile 4 - First aid station broke up the pack and I am free to run as I please, but still a lot of runners all around me. Lenore Dolphin sighting.

Mile 5 - Into the canyon. 8:40 average pace.

Mile 7 - Hunger pang. I could not each much breakfast, I hope I don't get too hungry this morning. I am confident that I have enough stored energy to get me to the end.

Mile 10 - 1:26 - right on schedule

Mile 13.1 - 1:53:34, four seconds slower than planned. Really pleased that I could do that without walking or speeding up to adjust the pace. So far so good.

Mile 14 - Significant uphill, and the pace slows but I will make it up on the way down. Beautiful day in the canyon. Cool in the shade, warm in the sun. Outer shirt comes off and ties around my waist. Camber of the road is horrible in places and not good for the ankles. I am reminded of some training runs recently in a neighborhood with slanty driveways. I would alternate running on the sidewalk and the road running either up or down each driveway, putting pressure on my ankles, telling myself that I was training them for Yakima. I have been looking forward to this race for a long time and it sure is great to be here.

Mile 15 - Big downhill, no problem getting the pace back to 8:40

Mile 18 - Shoe insert lying in the middle of the road. Then as I throw my empty cup in the box at the aid station I see another insert. Did some fast runner actually take off their shoes, remove the inserts and keep running?

Mile 19 - Still on pace, but it is not as easy as I had hoped for. I could speed up I guess, but just maintaining is more work now.

Mile 20 - 2:53:35 - twenty seconds slower than planned, but not bad at all. I am also one minute slower that last year. If I have the same finish as last year I will struggle to beat 4 and it will be a miserable next hour. As I hit the lap button on my watch I feel like the past three hours, the past two days, the past two weeks and even the whole past year have been preface to this moment. Lets see what I can do.

Mile 21.75 - The past 1.75 miles was flat and I maintained about an 8:50 pace. But now is the hill. The hill that takes the runner all the way up to a higher elevation than the start line. The hill that is over a mile long. This is really really hard. I have had a great attitude all along, telling my usual dumb jokes, but now it time for quiet digging in. I keep at it, letting the pace slow, but there is no way I am going to walk. I pass walkers and I very slowly pass a couple of runners. No one is passing me here. Volunteers cheering for me are very much appreciated as is the music from a boom box and the inspirational signs. Average pace for the almost three miles since twenty is creeping over 9:30, but the top of the hill is in sight.

Mile 23 - All down hill from here!! And a little flat stretch too. With the same effort I am now moving much faster. Average pace is dropping rapidly and I feel like I am flying down to the finish.....

Mile 24.5 - ......except that three miles is still a long way, especially at this stage, even if it is mostly downhill. My legs are so beat up and tired I just can not maintain this pace.

Mile 25 - Last year I was taking walk breaks even here, but not today. I know that I will run the whole race, but I see the PR slipping away. Legs just can not turn over fast enough. Feeling nausea and just plain ready to be done. Maybe 3:50? Don't know, don't really care, it will still be a good and fast time as long as I keep pushing a little longer. Guy in red shirt passes me and a tell him to break 3:50 for me. He says that is the plan.

Mile 26.1 - There is Jody with camera. There is the finish clock. This will be my second fastest marathon to date. Someone trying to pass me, I race ahead and beat her to the line with what little kick I have left.

Mile 26.2 - I ran the last 6.2 miles a full 8 minutes faster than I did last year, beating that time by over 7 minutes. Really happy with how it went, my even pacing, the beautiful day, incredible course, quality race and fellow runners.


3:50:32 Marathon#29, Marathon or ultra #30, Yakima Marathon #2
113th of 437
*****

3/21/09 Steilacoom Res Run 20 miles

The minute I saw M678 and M761 they made me feel good about my decision to not run the six hour ultra last Sunday. It sounded like a miserable time in cold sloppy MUD. I am sure that I will get my chance for such adventure some time, but last week was not the time for it. Today we are in Steilacoom where I will complete the series (5,10,15,20 miles) for the first time since 2000. This will be my third time racing this twenty miler. It is a great way to train for a marathon and previously I treated it exclusively as a training run. Looking over my previous results yesterday, it occurred to me that I should be able to PR here if I have a decent day. I ran fairly hard this week and did not rest up for this race because I want it to be a tough training run, but if all goes well I have a shot at a speedy time. That is speedy for me. I see that the crowd is smaller today and it seems like only the really fast runners participate in the longer runs at Steilacoom. Cold and fog again. Jacket over two shirts, hat and gloves, but am wearing shorts.

Start - Line up closer to the back with RW. We talk about starting slow, running a negative split and finishing strong. Soon enough we are off and going a little faster that I should.

Mile 1- 8:42 - Faster than I should be going. I was thinking that 8:50-8:55 pace would be better, but oh it feels so nice and easy. RW and I start policing ourselves better and slow up a bit.

Mile 3 - We meet M1002. He is the brother of M2. He goes off ahead some.

Mile 4 - RW and I have been slowly catching up to M678. I suggest that we run with him instead of behind him. This is nice on the residential road but when we hit the long, straight, busy, little shoulder stretch we have to get more single file. Still it is nice to have pacing company and be in our little pack.

Mile 9 - Not much to report. Steady pacing, holding a 8:43 average. Good conversation. M678 dropping back some. Bob Dolphin sighting. Out and back course lets me say hi to many familiar runners and friends.

Mile 10 - 1:26. An even split will get me that PR (2:53:33). I still plan to turn on the power (if I have any left) at about mile 16.

Mile 10.5 - Wow, we are pretty far back in this race. I thought I would see more folks after we turned around, but there are few of us back there. Nice group a ways in front that I hope to catch in a while.

Mile 11.5 - Tree frogs and crows making noise in the foggy woods

Mile 13 - RW still wants to hold back, but I am feeling ready to speed up some. I am hoping that today will be the day where we really battle it out and finish close. It is surprising to me that we can be so fairly evenly matched yet never finish all that close together. Lately one of us has a bad day or is not racing so much for time. But it is always nice to start together and see how it plays out.

Mile 14 - I keep running at the water station and do not look back as I sense RW is not directly behind me.

Mile 15 - Overall pace is 8:39. I remember "dropping the hammer" here in the 15 mile race. I could pick it up quite a bit, but decide to increase the pace just slightly and save something for later. Five more miles is a long way.

Mile 16 - Overall pace at 8:38. Strung out pack of five in front of me. I catch M1002. Following that blue shirt also reminded me of the fifteen mile. This time I did reel in my prey. Pass two more runners.

Mile 17 - The only significant hill. There is a Maniac that I should have met some time ago. I have seen her at each of these Res Runs and we run about the same pace, but I have not had a good chance to introduce myself. I am just behind her and another runner. I take the opportunity and ask for help up the hill. M1074 reaches her hand back and as I grab it she pulls me up the hill for a second or two. Very funny and nice. We talk for just a bit, but the timing was perfect as I forget all about the hill. Now I am at the top and feeling strong so I move along.

Mile 17.5 - Overall pace is 8:33. Nice longish downhill lets me go faster. I have passed all the runners that I could see in front of me. Now it sort of feels like I am in the lead. As I hit the last water station I say that I feel like I am in front. Someone says "hey whatever works for you".

Mile 18 - I usually do not look back but I do take a quick look over my shoulder at a turn. Nobody going to catch me unless I have a drastic slow down. It is so wonderful to be in such a positive state of mind this late in any race. I am thoroughly enjoying the day and the fact that my body is cooperating with what I am asking of it.

Mile 19 - Hello old friend, the wall. Muscles tighten, energy feels low, and quite suddenly it is not so easy to maintain pace. With only a mile to go I can handle it. Probably great training again. I have my PR in the bag, but if I can keep up I have a good shot at finishing under 2:50. That would be really great and is a goal worth fighting for. O wall, I know you too well by now and you can not beat me with your usual tricks. I can do mind over body for a mile. Really only 0.75 miles, because there is the finish on the track. Shorten stride, don't fret over the watch and just plow on ahead.

Mile 19.75 - Down the gravel hill to the track. Watch says 2:48. Wish I knew the seconds. Then it snaps to 2:49 with about half a lap to go. Working really hard now. Make the turn and can see the clock ahead. YES!! I can.

Mile 20 - Finish. Too bad only the race volunteers are here to see me. Everyone else is up in the school eating chili or something. As I wander around recovering I wait for those behind me. My new friend M1074 looking strong. Then here comes RW. Off day for her but she will be ready for whatever she peaks for. Finally M678 who was hoping to beat 3 hours. I can see the clock and it may be close, but he still has to make the turn. I yell a few times and he steams in just under his goal time. I am very bored with the Steilacoom course and can easily wait till next January to run these races again. But I will be back, because of the many great people. Also the price, location and organization makes it a great option for someone who prefers racing over training.

Next: 6 marathons in 3 months? Starting with Yakima April 4

2:49:44 PR (8:29/mile pace)
race #159, 20 miler #3
42 of 59 really fast runners
*****

3/7/09 Run For Luck 10K

This will be my fifth consecutive Run For Luck 10K. I like this race because:

1) Thurston County Parks and Recreation puts on a great low key event

2) Accurate distance

3) Scenic flat course on the Chehalis Western Trail

4) Another green t-shirt

5) Timing by Rich and Bill this year

6) Each year I can compare myself to the previous years

7) Post race Irish potato stew, indoors

8) Close to home



I am not however expecting a fast time this year, but I have great excuses.

1) Got back late last night from Catalina Island, where I was with 17 seventh and eighth graders on an "eco-adventure". The boys cabin bunks were uncomfortable and for some reason the boys did not just go to sleep right at lights out time. But we did have fun.

2) We were totally isolated at Fox Landing, with no roads and a very rocky beach. I had little time and no place to run, so I did not even try. First time in a long while that I went five days with no running at all. Photo is the view from our cabin.......not the Run For Luck :)

3) Five days of all you can eat camp food buffets.

4) Lots of cold shivering (in and out of the water) all week, plus the motion of the ocean stays with me for hours after being on the water

5) Here at the Run For Luck it is very cold and breezy. Strongest winds I have run in for a while.



As I do a two mile warm up I think back on my week. Snorkeling, kayaking over kelp beds, night snorkeling!!, astronomy lesson and star finding, rock climbing, ropes course, hiking and all day trip where we kayaked to a remote beach and went eeling, tide pooling and relaxing on the beach. In between these activities we had entertaining lessons about phytoplankton, osteichthyes, porifera, cnideria, mollusca, pinnipeda, fissipeda......all my favorites. Believe it or not, I did not even miss running.



But now I am all warmed up and ready to race. We line up and will run into the strong wind for a tenth of a mile or so before turning onto the trail. Here is the countdown: "five, four, three, two, go" I am sure there was no "one" but that is OK. I tap my watch and cross the line.

Mile 0.5 - I started with Paul and Greg. Paul is hoping to do this in 45 minutes and is somewhat faster than me. I let him slip ahead and stick with Greg, who I do not know. It is a small race and we seem to be all sorted out now that the 5K runners turned onto their course. But I do sense someone catching up. I think it is a bike, but it won't pass me. Then it does and I realize that I am being "strollered". At least it is early in the race. Maybe Stroller Girl is fast and strong. I let her go ahead.

Mile 1.0 - Been wondering about the foot. I can feel the plantar but not bad at all. Continue to monitor and adjust the pace if needed. First mile in 7:40

Mile 1.5 - Stroller Girl is just ahead and not gaining her lead. Greg has dropped back. I surge and run next to her. Breeze is strong and some small branches are coming down.

Mile 2.0 - Pair of mallards lands in small pond next to the trail. With the sun so bright, the iridescent green of the male's head is stunning. Baby in stroller makes a noise. Stroller girl lifts the front wheel up and gets a happy giggle. Makes me smile and chuckle which makes Stroller Girl laugh a little.

Mile 2.8 - Out and back course lets us see the leaders. Some guy that I do not know is way in front. I wonder about Stroller Girl's position, because there are not many in front of us. I did see Karen Steen at the start but if she ran the 5K, there is a chance that I could be running with the female leader. Nope, there is Karen.

Mile 3.1 - Hit the turn around and get a very quick drink of water. Paul has about 30 seconds on me. Stroller Girl is in second of the women. I am with her running comfortably hard. I did not plan on running this fast, but the foot feels pretty good. Sweat and wind on my sunburned/windburned face is not so pleasant, but everything else feels like a nice hard run.

Mile 3.5 - Western gray squirrel scampers across the paved trail in front of us. Stroller Girl and I are not really talking, the pace is too fast, but we are feeding off each other pace wise. Sometimes I am a step in front, then she takes over doing the work of keeping us moving.

Mile 4.0 - There have been some pedestrians on the trail, now we are about to pass two women who are walking a dog and there are some 10K walkers still coming at us. I decide to make a surge, get ahead of Stroller Girl, and shoot through the hole. That will give her room too and then it will be up to her to come get me if she can. I put on the power and am happy with my acceleration. Past the congestion and a good twenty feet ahead of Stroller Girl.

Mile 4.1 - She is tougher than I figured and is right back at my side.

Mile 5.0 - Now it is her turn to put on a surge. Right at the five mile marker she makes her move. Impressively strong. I think about giving up and jogging it in. That last mile was tough. But I keep at it and slowly reel her in.

Mile 5.5 - I am about three feet behind her. Paul and a black t-shirt guy had been together but now Paul is ahead. Both of them are coming back to us, but are far enough in front, I do not think we will catch them. I tell Stroller Girl "Do, not let me beat you....and I am not going to let you win either". This is exactly the friendly competition that I love and that makes me run a much faster time.

Mile 5.9 - Stroller Girl has kick and I do not. Then the turn to the finish. Finally the wind at our backs. She will beat me by a few seconds but I am fine with that.

Mile 6.2 - Done! Second half 49 seconds faster than the first half. Average pace under 7:30/mile. I shake Stroller Girl's hand and look at the sleeping baby. Fun to give my tag to Bill for timekeeping I am a minute slower than last year, but faster than I expected. Foot feels a little off but not bad at all. A few weeks ago I thought that I would skip this one, but I am so glad that I got to do it. Last year I came in fourth in my age group. This year, although a minute slower, I earned a first place in my age group ribbon. Definitely plan to come back for this one every year.

Next up: March 15 - Six hour endurance race, March 21 - Steilacoom 20 miler (tentative depending on family plans), April 4 - Yakima River Canyon Marathon

46:35
9th of 42, first in age group ribbon
****