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2013 Big Sur Marathon Race Report

May 1, 2013 — 5 Comments

This past Sunday, I ran the 28th presentation of the Big Sur International Marathon – – – and my second 26.2! While the name features the “main event” – the marathon – this event had several other component races to it: 5K, 9 mile, 10.6 mile, 21 mile, and a marathon relay (two to five people.) It was a massive undertaking by the race organizers, the timing company, law enforcement and military, and volunteers – one that was extremely well done!

The weather was perfect: about 46 degrees at the start and overcast. There wasn’t too much wind to speak of at the start area; but, as expected, it was breezy on the course…though not as much as I’ve heard it was last year. Over the course of the marathon, the weather went from cloudy, to sunny, to light fog/clouds, to VERY nice at the finish.

One word for the course: beautiful. Flat out BEAUTIFUL! Beautiful enough that I broke form and took pictures, knowing I was sacrificing my goal time for the race. The course is a point-to-point, that starts at Pfeiffer State Park in Big Sur and makes its way North along Highway 1 and finishes in Carmel. Course support was excellent as was the on-course entertainment: a couple of bands, the Taiko Drums, and the pianist at Hurricane Point, to name a few.

The post-race expo was great (food, drink, etc.) I got my SWAG, looked around, and went to the finish line to watch people come across – looking for two friends who were also running. I only got to see one finish, as there was a massive amount of people – a bummer!

All in all, a great race and one that I will be back to do again…and again!

In Race Reports, Running postaday, Race Reports, Running

A Trend and A Lie

April 30, 2013 — Leave a comment

The Trend:

At lunch, I checked to see if any pictures had been uploaded from Sunday’s Big Sur Marathon. The header of my page caught my eye…it really put the past 19 months into perspective!

MFoto_header3

9/2011: Off da Couch
11/2011: My first 5K (Big Sur PG Lighthouse 5K)
11/2012: Half Marathon #8 (Big Sur Half on MB)
4/2013: Marathon #2 (BSIM)

That said…

The Lie:

In my post yesterday, I wrote, “I’m happy with my time: 3:59:45 @ 9:09 pace.”

Full disclosure: I lied.

I should have said that I was OK with my time…but that’s just me…racing against myself…knowing what I coulda done.

Still, I am hugely satisfied (SUB-FOUR, BABY!), and will certainly reflect that in my race report (probably posted tomorrow.) It’s just the post-race, “if I had only” or “If I hadn’t of” thoughts that have been running through my mind. I know they’re common though, so I’m sure I am in good company…

ONWARD & GIDDY-UP!

Training Journal – 4/30/13:

Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Recovery Week / Horseshoe Lake 50K Training Plan
Today’s session: 4 mile easy run
Comments: I did 4.25 @ 8:36. Not “easy”, but it did feel good. We’ll see how things go tomorrow!

In Running Life, postaday, Running

Dennis, You Just Completed The Big Sur Marathon…

April 29, 2013 — Leave a comment

…what are you going to do now?

My first ULTRA!

I’m running the Horseshoe Lake 50K (that’s 31 miles for us non-metric people) on May 19th. I’m leveraging my 18 weeks of training, doing an modified recovery week, adding a training week, and then a shortened taper.

So, yesterday was a culmination and a long run day as well!

BOOYAH!
(uttered with some nervousness, but still…BOOYAH!)

Training Journal – 4/29/13:

Current plan: Big Sur Marathon / Horseshoe Lake 50K Training Plan
Today’s session: Rest
Comments: Much needed and deserved rest day!

In Running postaday, Running

Marathon Number Two In Da Bag!

April 28, 2013 — 1 Comment

Marathon número dos is in the books: Big Sur International Marathon.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day along the coast! I’m happy with my time: 3:59:45 @ 9:09 pace. I was trying for a slightly faster time, but stopped to take some pics (it was hard to pass up!), hit the portajohn at the midpoint (glad I made this choice!), and walked ahead of some cramps I felt coming on a few times (I’m learning!)

Still, it’s a new PR and a sub-four hour finish too…15 precious seconds!

Full report later this week.

Training Journal – 4/28/13:

Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – RACE DAY!
Today’s session: 26.2 baby!
Comments: See above…more deets later this week
Weekly mileage: Running: 43.16 / Bicycling: 0

In Running postaday, Running

Tomorrow

April 27, 2013 — Leave a comment

Tomorrow’s the day: Big Sur Marathon.

My second 26.2 and the culmination of 18 weeks of training. I’m prepared, but still nervous…anxious. It’s natural, though.

I’ve had two quotes in front of me; one for 18 weeks (it’s on each page of my training plan,) the other I heard just this week:

The 18-week’er:

“Do the work. Do the analysis. But feel your run. Feel your race. Feel the joy that is running.”
~Kara Goucher, American long-distance runner

The new one:

“You are better than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can.”
~Ken Chlouber, Leadville 100 founder.

Both good, both keepers.

Training Journal – 4/27/13:

Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W18/D6
Today’s session: Shake-out run, day two of carb loading, and head to Monterey
Comments: 3.71 miles @ 7:43

In Running postaday, Running

4/25/2013 Training Journal

April 25, 2013 — Leave a comment

Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W18D4 (Taper week 3)
Today’s session: Day 1 of 2 pre-race rest days
Comments: Rest, review strategy & stuff for Big Sur, and head home!!

In Running postaday, Running

4/24/2013 Training Journal

April 24, 2013 — Leave a comment

Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W18D3 (Taper week 3)
Today’s session: 3 mile easy run
Comments: I did 3.49 @ 8:19

In Running postaday, Running

Arm Warmers, Part 2

April 23, 2013 — 1 Comment

A week ago, I posted about my experiment with arm warmers…at that time, an old pair of tube socks. I think I have settled on a combo for Big Sur this weekend:

It’s a pair of Road Runner Sports R-Gear Smart Sleeves and a pair of the cheapo, cotton gloves they sell at the expo. Both are easily removeable mid-run, with the arm warmers able to be stashed in my waistband and the gloves tossed in an aid station trash.

I tried the combo at home, but it’s been warm, so I wasn’t sure how it would work in cold conditions. I’m in VA this week and it’s been cold on my morning runs (high 40s.) The combo tested out great, so it’s a keeper!

Training Journal – 4/23/13:

Current plan: Big Sur Marathon Training Plan – W18D2 (Taper week 3)
Today’s session: 4 mile easy run
Comments: I did 4.41 @ 8:26

In Running postaday, Running

4/22/2013 TJ / Washington Nationals Game

April 22, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’m in Virginia for a biz trip and a few of us went to a Nationals game tonight after work. It was a nice break, though a bit cool for this Californian. It was one dollar hot dog night, so I downed two…and two soft pretzels too – yum!

Pano shot from our seats