Sunday, 11/27/2016 to Saturday, 12/3/2016 - Freezeroo #1

I ran 3 times this week for 20.65 miles.

Sunday, 11/27/2016: 6.25 miles, 50:20, 8:03 pace, 36F, 100% RH, calm, overcast


I decided to give my old Brooks Adrenaline GTS15 running shoes with 650 miles on them a ride. I could definitely feel the difference. I tried to take it nice and easy but I think I ran faster just to get them off my feet. My splits were: 8:15, 8:01, 8:07, 8:09, 7:55, 7:59 and 7:27 over the last 0.25 miles.

Monday, 11/28/2016: Rest day ... moving on ...

Tuesday, 11/29/2016: 7.05 miles, 56:15, 7:58 pace, 55F, 72% RH, 14 mph S wind, overcast.


It was forecast to get up to 60F during late November so I got out for a before lunch run. I could have used my light running gloves but made due. I got up to speed quickly and pushed it once I did. My splits were: 8:18, 8:02, 7:54, 7:57, 7:59, 7:58 and 7:46. Boom!

Wednesday, 11/30/2016: Rest day.

Running stats for November and so far in 2016:
I ran 20 times (3 were warm ups) in 30 days during November for 139.5 miles, 7 miles/run
I ran 5 races during November (Mendon Ponds Trail Run 50K, Dirt Cheap Stage Race #1, #2, #3 and Race with Grace 10K)
I have run 188 times so far in 2016 for 1407.6 miles, 7.5 miles/run
I have run 35 races so far in 2016.

Thursday, 12/1/2016: 7,05 miles, 57:19, 8:08 pace, 39F, 81% RH, 13 mph WSW wind, wind chill 31F, partly cloudy


I brought all my running gear to work this morning ... except my running shoes! Oops! What to do? Well ... go run when I got home, of course! So I got ready, grabbed my headlamp and go out there. My splits were: 8:09, 8:04, 7:58, 8:15, 7:56, 7:52 and 8:13.

Friday, 12/2/2016: Rest day ... like usual with a race the next morning.

Saturday, 12/3/2016: Freezeroo #1

Today's race with Freezeroo #1, the first race of the 2016-2017 Greater Rochester Track Club Freezeroo 6 race series. Today's venue was Northstar Christian Academy. The course was a familiar one that I have run numerous times between running 2 Freezeroo #1s and 2 NCA 5Ks. It's a twisty out and back.

I got up around 6AM, puttered around a while, had my usual pre-race bowl of cereal and banana, gave Christine a chance to come along (which she declined), kissed her goodbye and headed out. I had on my usual running gear for running with temperatures around freezing: my old CW-X tights, Darn Tough crew socks, yellow Brooks 1/4 zip pullover, yellow Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I brought along my yellow Brooks jacket for pre-race warm up warmth.

I got to the race venue around 8:45 AM ... a bit earlier than usual. I got my bib and the GRTC series gift of a GRTC neck fleece. I met up with Andy Ciaio and Prem Kumar. We talked about running ... like usual. I got out for a longer than usual pre-race run of 2 miles at 8:47 pace, link here. It was a bit windy so I put my GRTC series gift to good use. The weather was: 37F, 87% RH, 8 mph NW wind, wind chill 31F, overcast.


I lined up for the race in my usual spot: a bit close to the start line and off to the right. And ... we were off!

The start of Freezeroo #1 ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shutterfly.com

I got up to speed quickly. I stayed with Andy and Prem for about 1/4 mile. I was behind Wilt Alston for a bit before I felt boxed in and broke ahead of him around mile 1/2. Pete called out 7:08 at mile 1. I made the turn around and headed back. Some runners who knew me called out encouragement ... which is the nice thing about out and backs.

Heading back with about 1/2 mile to go  ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shutterfly.com

Heading back with less than 1/2 mile to ... photo from http://grtconline.org/club-events/freezeroo-series

I passed a few runners on the way back. I ran around the last building and tried to put it into a sprint ... time just above 22 ... a bit disappointed ... done with 3.12 miles in 22:09, 7:05 pace, according to my Garmin. Andy had caught Prem in the last 0.05 mile and finished in 20:57 with Prem two seconds behind. Nice!

I went inside for some post race grub ... a donut, a half raisin sandwich with peanut butter (yum!) and chocolate milk. GRTC was selling old merchandise at 3 for $10 so I picked up a laundry bag, GRTC socks and GRTC gloves ... nice!

The weather for previous Don Curran Memorial 5Ks

I found a poster board that showed the weather for previous Don Curran Memorial 5Ks. It has been held since 2005. It was held as Freezeroo #3 at Camp Eastman from 2005 until 2012 and then moved to Freezeroo #1 at Northstar Christian Academy. I ran the Camp Eastman course in 2007 and 2011 so I remember those two races. The course was a bit greasy in 2011.

My official results were 22:06, 30th out of 146, link here. I was 5th out of 20 in my M 55-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 6:58, 7:12, 7:13 and 6:12 over the last 0.12 mile.

Soon ... I was home in my recliner with my feet up drinking a couple mugs of coffee, eating a bagel and catching up on Facebook. Ahhh!

Regular readers of this blog will note that this post is a bit brief. I had recreate it from scratch after I accidentally deleted it about 99.9% complete. Blogger has a extremely short Auto Save cycle which you CAN"T TURN OFF!! Well ... there is a way around it. You can publish the post which turns off the Auto Save. Then you can add to it.