2009 Garden Spot 5K Race Review

Well yesterday was the Garden Spot 5k in Franklin, KY. This was the race that I PR'ed in last year. I have been running this summer, but not like I was last summer. At this point last year, I believe I was running 4-6 miles every other day. I need to work on that now since I have like 5 1/2 marathons planned starting in October. Anyway, Rich agreed to run this race with me this year. I picked him up at 6:30am and we headed out. Got to the start at about 10 minutes til 7am and got signed up. I should have known when I didn't get a race shirt because they were out of them that today was not going to be my day. I guess my 1st mistake was not eatting my usual 2 Special K cereal bars for breakfast. So I guess the T-shirt thing was #2. Any yes, for me anyway, bad things happen in 3s. Rich and I stretched out and ran a bit to get warmed up. I was feeling good and felt like I could get close to my secret goal of 24 minutes. I was wanting to go under 26 minutes for sure, but was hoping to put up a good time again this year. Rich and I talked about paces and he was planning an 8:45/mile pace. I told him to grab me and drag me to the finish if I crashed and burned in my attempt for a good time. Everyone got lined up at the starting line and I slide in behind the "shirtless" fast guys. I still don't understand why a person would want to run a race shirtless!!! Anyway, the siren sounds and we take off. About 1/2 mile in I glance down at my Garmin and I am running under a 6:30 pace. I felt ok with it and was hoping to atleast finish out the 1st mile quick and then settle into an 8:00/mile pace for the last 2.1 miles. I cross the 1 mile mark in 7:01. I was starting to feel that quick mile too. Last year I did a 7:04 1st mile and was probably 15th at that point. This year, I was probably 30th. This was a waaaaaaay faster group this year. About 1/2 mile into mile #2 I was starting to feel the effects of going out way to fast. I slowed my pace and tried to control my breathing. I got to mile #2 and crossed it at an 8:23/mile pace. That is when the wall was crashed into mentally by me (bad thing #3). I got a side stitch and all of a sudden I felt like I was running in an oven. I ended up stopping and walking for 20 seconds or so to try and catch my breath. I was trying to pump myself up mentally to finish strong and push for the sub-24 minute finish, but I had NOTHING left in the tank. On the 2nd short walk break I took I heard someone call out "Come on boy, don't stop now!!" I looked up and Rich was coming up beside me. I was excited to see him and knew he was going to pull me into the finish. But after about 0.2 miles, I told him to go on without me. HE WAS FLYING!!! I felt like I was having to almost sprint to keep up with him. So with about 1/2 mile to go, I watched Rich run off and leave me. I was thinking I would try to pick it up and sprint to the end to catch him, but I knew that I had nothing left to accomplish it. Come to find out, he passed like 4 people on the last straight and finished in 24:30ish. He ran an 8:04, 8:04, and then a 7:30-7:45 min/mile for the last mile. That is why there was no way I was going to be able to keep up with him. He had a GREAT race and I should have just ran with him instead of trying to do something crazy. I ended up coasting down the last straight and then having to sprint the last 20 yards to keep from getting passed by 2 people. The last mile was at a 9:11/mile pace. Kinda sad after running the 1st one in 7:01!!!! I ended up finishing 49th out of 166 runners. I was 9th out of 18 in my age group (30-34). I had a time of 25:18. I did accomplish my goal of under 26 minutes, but I should have paced myself way better and I might have accomplished it. I was not happy with my run and I will try and learn from it for the future.

On a brighter note, I did come home and hop on my road bike for a ride. I did 10 miles in 45 mins. It felt good to get out and ride my bike, but I think I have a low back tire. The bike felt funny when I took turns or curves at speed, so I had to slow way down to make sure I didn't crash.

I plan on running 4 miles in the morning and sometime this week getting in a 6-miler. I would really like to do 4 on Monday, 6 on Tues, 4 on Thursday, and then 6 0r 7 on Saturday. My next planned race in the Franklin Classic 10K on Labor Day. I hope to have a good race then.

Happy running to all and I hope everyone's races or runs went better than my did this weekend.

Great run this morning...

Got up at 5:15am to get in a quick run before getting the kids off to school. I met Rich at 5:45am for a 3 mile run. It was a perfect morning to run even though it was slightly humid. It didn't seem like no time and we were finished with the 3 miler. We discussed running the Garden Spot 5k in Franklin, Ky this weekend. I ran it last year and it is currently my 5k PR race. I did it in 23:33 last year!! I am fairly sure I can do it again. The only hill in the course is during the 1st mile when you are still good and fresh. The rest is through quite neighborhoods. I am currently planning on running it either way, but it will be cool if Rich runs it with me. Or course I have not found if my son has baseball practice on Saturday morning. That might throw a monkey wrench in there. Anyway, we are planning on 4 miles in the morning, so I am getting ready to hit the hay and get some sleep before getting up at 5am.

Happy Running tomorrrow!!!

Here we go...

Well, I have not been doing very well with my training the past few weeks. I have had very small numbers the past few weeks. It has been crazy busy at work and I have just not wanted to get up and run. I plan on changing it, but I have to get mentally ready too. I did get a good run in this morning. I only did 4 miles, but it was AWESOME. I think this is my 1st run where I had a negative split too. My 1st mile was 8:50. the next was 8:43 (or something like that). I then decided that I could probably step it up a bit (Plus it was looking like rain at any minute). I then sped up and got mile 3 in 8:30. The last mile I sped up again and concentrated on running strong. I finished the last mile and looked down at my Garmin. The last mile was in 8:08!!! I was stoked. The whole run had an average of 8:36!!! I know this was not totally correct though. I plan on running the Garden Spot 5k in Franklin, KY this next weekend, so I hope to keep an 8 minute mile up for 3.1!!! I want to come in under 24 minutes again if I can push myself. Well, I am off to finish this TV show I am watching and hit the bed. I hope to get in 4 more miles tomorrow.

SHOUT OUT TOO CRAIG & AMY !!! They finished the Grizzly Marathon yesterday, and then surprised everyone with a 2nd, that's right I said 2nd, marathon today!!!! You guys rock!!!

Happy running to all....

Week 1 Training Review

Well, I have decided to follow Bart Yasso's 12 week 1/2 marathon training course. I was using it this past Janurary through March for the Country Music Marathon before my IT band decided to go haywire on me. I counted back 12 weeks from Oct. 3rd and the 1st week was last week. I had no idea that last week was the start of the training cycle. So I checked the charts to see what was required for the 1st week of training. Below is what was required followed by what I actually did.

Week 1 Training (actual miles)
Mon - 4 miles
Tues - 4 miles
Wed - Rest (3 miles 9:18 pace)
Thurs - 4 miles
Fri - Rest (4 miles 8:34 pace)
Sat - 5 miles (6 miles 8:57 pace)
Sun - Rest

Total - 17 miles (13 miles)

So I was 4 miles short last week and had no idea. I did 16 miles the week before, so atleast I had some mileage on the log. I was ready for this week to start though. The week is planned like this:

Week 2 Training
Mon - 4 miles (4 miles 9:34 pace)
Tues - 3 miles (3 miles 8:47 pace)
Wed - Rest
Thurs - 5 miles
Fri - Rest
Sat - 6 miles
Sun - Rest

Total - 18 miles

My shins were hurting last night for the 1st 2 to 2 1/2 miles. I guess they were mad for the 6 mile run on Saturday. When they stopped hurting, I was able to run and enjoy it. This afternoon, I wanted to get my 3 miles in before the rain started. I felt good running today and didn't really have any pains. My legs did feel alittle tired though. I ended the run with 3 constant miles (8:46, 8:45, 8:47). I am getting more and more accustomed to running around an 8:30-8:45 mile. I need to hit 9:00-9:10 miles to get my desired time for my 1/2 and full marathons. Best case for both races is under 1:50:00 for a 1/2 and under 4 hrs for a marathon. I know that is lofty for my 1st marathon and 2nd 1/2, but I know I can do it. I was 4 mins shy this past March at the Tom King 1/2. I can make under 2 hrs this next one. That is my time goal (Under 1:50:00 is my dream). For the full marathon, I want to finish under 4 1/2 hrs to be happy. If I make it through this fall healthy, then a sub-4 hr marathon for my 1st one is doable.

Anyway, I am off to eat supper and get some sleep. Tomorrow is a rest day, but I plan on riding 10 miles or so on the bike if it is not raining in the morning.

Happy Running....

BTW....I FEEL GREAT TO HAVE A RUNNING GOAL AND TRAINING PROGRAM STARTING!!! Makes running solo easier for me!!!

Well hello again...

Sorry, I have not been blogging. Our laptop cord had trashed accidently by my daughter, so I had to get another one. I have been trying to work on my running and be more on top of it. I got in 16 miles last week (2 6 mile days too). I was too lazy to get up this morning and run solo after Rich was not able to run. My plan was to get 16-20 miles this week for 2 consistent weeks. I can still do that, but I have to get my arse in gear. I was going to run tonight when I got home from work, but another late medical examiner case kept me at work late. My wife is at the gym now, but I will probably forego my Monday run for sleep. Rich and I have 3 miles planned for in the morning. I would really like to get 4 or 6 on Thursday. Then hit 6 miles again on Saturday. Then maybe 2 or 3 on Sunday morning. I did pick up some new cycling shoes. The ones that came with the bike were about a size and a half to small. I also got a helmet, so I feel better about leaving the neighborhood now. I am going to try and get in 20-30 miles on the bike this week too. Would love to get up to 35-40 miles a week running and 75-100 miles a week cycling.

I am checking out a duathalon in Tellahoma (or however you spell it) in August. It is a 2.6 mile run followed by a 10.2 mile ride. Then you run 2.6 miles for the final stage. Does not sound to bad. I think it would be a blast to try out. I did 3 miles the other day running and then hopped on the bike and rode 7 miles. I am thinking about trying the distances one Saturday to see how it feels before I sign up.

I have decided to run 2 1/2 marathons in October and maybe the Las Vegas 1/2 marathon in December. I figure if I can stay healthy all fall and early winter running, then I can shoot for a Spring marathon in 2010. I don't know about the Country Music Marathon though. It is local, but the weather is a BIG factor.

Well, I am off of here to watch some of the Tour de France stage from today before going to bed.

Happy Running to everyone on Wednesday....