I'm a 64 year old runner. I ran 1183, 1318, 1361, 1366, 1516, 1662, 1423, 1016, 778 and 483 miles in the last 10 years. I like to run but I walk when I have been injured during the last 2 year. I bike during the spring, summer and fall to mix things up.
I blog about my running, life and experiences. Sorry about any spelling and syntax errors! The opinions expressed in my blog are my own.
Inspirational Quote: “Obsessed is just a word that the lazy use to describe the dedicated."
Sunday and Monday were rest days. Tuesday was a just a bit gimpy day. Wednesday and Thursday were should have but life got in the way" days. Friday was a "Christine had other plans" day.
I needed to return to running after a whole week off. I knew I needed a long run ... so I set out on my half marathon course at a nice and easy pace. I picked up some boulders ... err, pebbles in my left shoe as I ran down the narrow shoulder of Edgemere Drive. I could feel them move around but I didn't want to run on them the rest of the way. So I stopped just before mile 6 to release the pebbles and take a sip of water. I took another sip of water at mile 9. My splits were: 8:25, 8:25, 8:11, 8:21, 8:30, 9:45, 8:28, 8:15, 9:06, 8:16, 8:22, 8:25, 8:34 and 8:15 over the last 0.21 mile.
A mug of coffee ensued. Then Christine made a nice brunch of eggs, bacon and a bagel ... mmm! We did make it so that she could make her first weigh-in for Tons of Fun at Fleet Feet Ridgeway. Then we headed over to New Nails so that they could repair two of my darling's nails.
1/9/2016 - A two race day for the second year in a row - Freezeroo #3 and Winter Warrior Half Marathon
My darling wife, Christine, was still in OH. I woke up around 7 AM. No worries though since Freezeroo #3 wasn't until 10 AM. I had my usual pre-race breakfast of Cheerios and a banana. I started to get ready around 8 AM and was out the door by 8:40 AM. I had Googled the directions to Pineways Pond Park and was there around 9:10 AM with prime parking. I wore my CW-X tights, a short sleeve tech, a long sleeve tech, my Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I already had my bib, pinned it on and got out for a really nice and easy warmup run of 1.4 miles, pace xx, link here.
I met up with Prem Kumar, Mark Herberger and Andy Ciaio before the race. I saw Alex Tong of the Ascend Collective and the Freezeroo mascot.
The new GRTC mascot
Just after the start ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews
And ... we were off! This was my third time in a row (2014 in .. and 2015 in ) and fifth time on this course so I knew it well. I settled into a fast race pace behind Prem, Mark and Andy. Andy pulled away quickly and then so did Mark. Prem was in sight and I passed him at mile 2. I was feeling good so I just kept going at a good clip. Hey ... what second race at 4 PM?
Sprinting down to the finish ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews
Soon enough, I was making the last left turn in the finish chute. And ... done in 36:18, 7:16 pace! I ambled up to the lodge for some post race grub of a banana and some soup. I talked with Prem a while. He told me that his left knee was still bothering him since before the Winter Trail Festival in December. I went home ... another race at 4 PM.
I did OK. I looked up my results. I was 43rd out of 163 overall, link here. I was 3rd out of 11 in my M55-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 7:04, 7:18, 7:18, 7:29 and 7:03. I probably should have eased off the pace but that's not how I roll.
Christine still wasn't home so I just lazed around, drank a mug of coffee and caught up on Facebook and email. I had a sandwich at 2 PM and got ready to race again.
The race venue for the 2nd Winter Warrior Half had changed from MCC last year (lots of traffic problems) to the Rochester Tech Park. I got down there just after 3 PM. I changed to my Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover on top for this race. I pinned my bib on and ready to go. I didn't carry water and had 3 HammerGels tucked in an Amphipod pouch against my belly so that they would stay warm. I hit the portapotty quickly I knew the line would only get longer as the time before the race got shorter. Lots of people were signed for this race. I got out for a 1 mile warmup run at 8:58 pace, link here.
I eased into the starting chute and took my usual spot about 10 yards behind the lead runners.
The start ... courtesy of Kim Smith
I'm in here somewhere ... courtesy of Barb Boutillier
And ... we were off! I quickly got up to speed after dodging a few slower runners. The course was 4 loops on a 3.3 mile course. I was full of adrenaline on Loop 1 and ran too fast at 25.00 minutes. I heard cheers from Jim McLaughlin and Courtney Abeln at 1/4 mile, Carl at 1/2 mile and Amy Lord about 1/2 mile before the start/finish line. I would see and hear them again on the next 3 loops.
Photo at 4:24 just before loop 2 ... courtesy of Kim Smith
I think this is during Loop 1 ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier
I had made mental notes of where the pot holes were on the turns since I knew that the light would fade until it was dark on loop 4. I got passed by the lead runner, Omar, just before I finished loop 2. I slowed to 26:32 on loop 2.
Loop 2 at 4:46 PM ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith
I slowed to a walk (which I shouldn't have done) and had a HammerGel just after I passed the start/finish line. I had a couple cups of water to wash it down. I slowed to a 28:08 on loop 3 which a nice and easy pace. I had another HammerGel just after the start/finish line again with another 2 cups of water of water. I had turned on my headlight and just concentrated on getting the last loop done. I was in my "get it done" pace which is probably a 8:20 pace. I passed slower runners and was sometimes passed by faster runners. My mind was just on finishing ... picking it the pace a little ... last time into the start/finish ... getting to the right for the finish (should have been a lighted sign) ... hearing Ellen Brenner call my name ... timer was under 1:48 ... done ... finisher medal around my neck ... nice! My last loop was 28:18.
I come in on the right side and raise my left arm at 1:47:48 ... video courtesy of Yellow Jacket Racing
There was no water at the finish line so I ambled my way towards the heated tent for some water, 2 hot dogs and an apple. I picked up my 4 Season Challenge medal. I felt my body stiffen up so I decided that sitting down was not a good idea. But ... I had to get home so I walked to the Equinox and took a selfie (which I can't find). Anyway, here is another pic.
The Winter Warrior Half swag (I did buy the sticker on the left)
I got home about 10 minutes before my darling wife, Christine, made it home. She had wanted me to meet her at the door to help her carry stuff in but I couldn't. My fingertips had just decided to start to turn white and I really needed to take a shower ASAP. It was quite interesting to try that with tingling fingertips but I managed. I was just dressed when she got to the door. A few hugs and kisses ensued.
I did OK. I was 107th out of 958, link here. I was 4th (out of 3rd by 5 seconds) out of 30 in my M55-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 7:33, 7:29, 7:34, 7:55, 7:47, 8:10, 9:11, 8:7, 8:16, 8:39, 8:39, 8:21, 8:31 and 7:30 over the last 0.21 mile. I went out too hard during the first 5 miles and paid for it during the last 5 miles. It's easy to type and reflect on this later but very hard for me to ease off the "gas" during the first miles of any race. That's how I roll.
One word though ... I really wish a few more runners would have worn more reflective clothing or a headlamp. Some runners were lit up like a Christmas tree and some were dressed in black with no headlamp. Luckily I had no trouble getting around them.
