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Archives For November 30, 1999

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Go

October 23, 2012 — Leave a comment

As usual, when I got up this morning for my run (0400!), I looked out the window. It’s part of the process…

What did I see: wet pavement, partly cloudy skies, and a light rain.

I weighed my options:

  1. Get back into the warm bed
  2. “Treadmill” the run
  3. Kit up and got for it

Of course, I went with option three – throwing on my trusty running rain jacket and my older pair of Kinvara 3s.

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Go…

The best part was that by mile 2 of my planned 5, the skies cleared!

Booyah!

Training Journal – 10/23/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 5 mile easy run @ 9:09 pace
  • Comments: I did 5.51 at 8:15
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My First 20 Miler

October 21, 2012 — Leave a comment

This morning, I ran my longest distance yet: 20.08 miles. This was the first of two planned 20 mile runs on my Honolulu Marathon training program (which is based on the Higdon Intermediate 1 Plan.)

I forced myself to keep it slower than normal, targeting between an 8:45 and 9:00 pace. I was pretty successful, ending up with an 8:51 pace (which included a stop at a 7/11 for a water/GU mix refill.) Average pace for the final 5 miles was 8:34, with mile 20 at 8:25.

Total running time was 2:57:47, equating to about 2300 calories burned.

The legs were tired after I got home, though I wasn’t exhausted. I could have definitely gone another 6.2, but that’s being saved for December 9!

Training Journal – 10/21/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 20 mile easy run @ 9:30
  • Comments: I did 20.08 at 8:51

Weekly mileage: 10/15-21/12:

  • Running: 49.88
  • Bicycling: 0.0
  • Total: 49.88
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2012 U Can Finish Race Report

October 18, 2012 — 1 Comment

This past Sunday, I ran the 2012 edition of the U Can Finish 5 mile & 2 mile race in Orlando, FL. Yes, Orlando. I had to travel there for business and, since I needed to travel on Saturday for a Sunday PM meeting, I checked the web for Sunday morning races in the area and found this one! I thought, “why not!” So, after checking with the organizer to make sure it was open to “out of towners”, I registered.

The race, held at the University of Central Florida and organized by a running store called Track Shack, was actually three races in one event: a 5 mile, a 2 mile, and a combined time of the two called the “Distance Dare.” They timed the 5 & 2 distances so people could run both – the 5, then the 2 mile. Finishers of the “Distance Dare” got a special medal. They also had a few races for kids as well. The overall event drew a good crowd: 1,385 for the 5 mile, 831 for the 2 mile, and 417 runners took the “Distance Dare.”

The weather was nice and clear. The announcer kept saying that the weather was cooler for this race; but, that is relative. Being from California, “cooler” to a Floridian is a lot different than someone from the San Francisco Bay Area! Still, it was good running weather.

I think I cried off at least a pound!

The course was flat and made its way through the central part of the UCF campus. There was a slight breeze on most of the course, though running through several of the quads was pretty stifling because of the close buildings or covered walkways. They had a great amount of volunteers staffing the course making sure people didn’t take wrong turns and, at the same time, cheering everyone on. Because of the course’s layout, I saw many families at multiple points on the course cheering on their runners…which was pretty cool!

The finish line had a great supply of water, bananas, sports drink, and such; as well as a few vendors. They also had a VIP option (for a few extra dollars) that had better food options as well. I hung out for a bit, but left to go back to the hotel…and escape the heat!

The U Can Finish was a great race. It is actually part of a whole series of races put on by the Track Shack and supporting sponsors. From the looks of their website and the draw at the race, they know how to put on a great event.

My Race

Results:

I’m happy with my times! Just over an 8 minute pace for the 5 mile and just under 8 for the 2 – I’m not gonna complain! My splits for both distances were negative, so I’m happy with that – since it means I was pacing slower at the start as I need to do better at all around (based on my last two races.)

Not one to take too many photos during races, here are a few from the race:

Start crowd for the 5 mile race

Start line for the 2 mile (“let’s git dis ting started!”)
I didn’t intentionally cover up the “t”… 😉

Finished! (get me to an air-conditioned environ!)

Bib, shirt, & bling!
Did you catch the “UCF” race name & location tie-in?

Pre-race & race-day fuel: Since I was on travel and these were not long distances, I didn’t do any carb load or specific pre-race nutrition. I did eat a pack of GU Chomps and drank 20oz of GU Brew during both races.

Wrap-Up

Bottom line: It was a blast to run, though I prefer California weather conditions. Having said that, I bet the weather for the Honolulu marathon will be similar…

Post-race meal: After the race, I ended up eating a Panda Bowl and heading back to the hotel…only to then head out for my planned, Monday, long run of 18 miles. I was pretty drained after that (running 25.38 miles total in upwards of 85-degree weather) and ended up having my “fun” post-race meal that evening – the special at Cracker Barrel:

Giddy-Up!

Training Journal – 10/18/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 8 mile easy run @ 9:09
  • Comments: I did 8.12 at 8:33
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10/16/2012 Training Journal

October 16, 2012 — Leave a comment

Training Journal – 10/16/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 8 mile easy run @ 9:09
  • Comments: I did 8.32 at 8:30
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My Near-Marathon Day

October 14, 2012 — 2 Comments

I’m out in Orlando on a biz trip and scoped out a run to do this morning since my meetings didn’t start until late afternoon. This never works out when I travel, so it was pretty cool to participate in a run away from home.

I’ll do a race report soon, but I ran in the U Can Finish 5 mile and 2 mile race. When you did both of them, it was called the Distance Dare. The race was held at the University of Central Florida.

That was the morning…after I got back to the hotel, I discovered that the conference had added an afternoon session tomorrow that I want to attend. So, I decided to pull my rescheduled long run in from tomorrow to today. I had enough time after eating lunch to just make the planned 17 mile trip, get back, shower, and go to the afternoon session. That is, until Mr. Murphy showed up…

At about mile 8, I kept going straight instead of turning left. In planning the route, I didn’t notice that the street name changed out toward Kissimmee…thus, the extra 1.38 miles.

It was warm (~85), so I planned to stick to a slow pace – which is they way long runs are supposed to be run. I ended up with a 10:55 pace, walking quite a bit and hitting two 7-11s and three Walgreens along the way for water and A/C. I think I ended up drinking about 72oz of water and about 36oz of GU Brew. I didn’t stop the watch during my pit stops just to be fair on my pacing…

I totally fought the urge to call a cab to take me back to the hotel late in the run and ended up finding a shortcut through a housing development back to the hotel. I was late to my meeting though…

To sum the day up, I did:

  • 5 miles at 0730
  • 2 miles at 0845
  • 18.38 miles at 1330
  • For a total of: 25.38 for the day…just over 4 hours of running.

Anyway, me tired… Looking forward to the now-planned rest day tomorrow. I’ll be sitting in a room, so that should make it easier.

Training Journal – 10/14/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: U Can Finish 5 & 2 Mile Distance Dare
  • Comments: As you can see, I added 18.38 to the plan…
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10/12/2012 Training Journal

October 12, 2012 — Leave a comment

Training Journal – 10/12/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 5 mile easy run @ 9:09
  • Comments: I did 5.27 at 8:05
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2012 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon Race Report

October 11, 2012 — 2 Comments

This past Sunday, I ran the 2012 edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon. I was on and off about this race, but ended up deciding to run it in prep for the 26,000+ crowd anticipated for the Honolulu Marathon in December. This was my first RnR event, which drew a total of 11,879 participants – half: 9,813 and the mini-marathon (5 mile): 2,066.

The weather was great: clear skies, mild temp, and no wind to speak of – the way it’s supposed to be when ya run!

The flat and fast course made its way through downtown, portions of the Rose Garden area, and then back downtown to finish at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Course marking was excellent and there were volunteers everywhere to make sure people stayed on course – especially at the split where the mini-marathon and the half separated.

As this was my first RnR, I wasn’t sure how the bands and cheer squads worked, but they were great! It was nice to have some music along the way – there were even a few “unofficial” bands, including one guy playing blues on his guitar in his driveway somewhere in the Rose Garden area. The various cheerleader squads from area schools did a fantastic job as well! I will say that, reflecting on the race, the most memorable sound I heard was somewhere on mile two along 11th Street: nothing but footfalls…hundreds of them…and no other sound. Even now, I can distinctly recall the sound. It was actually very peaceful – almost serene and even mesmerizing.

At the finish line (which was very organized and flowed extremely well), there was a great selection of food and drink for runners. There were tents from various organizations as well as RnR merch for people to buy. You can tell RnR/Competitor Group has this down to a science. One cool thing they had was an organization called Soles to Souls

All in all, my first RnR experience was pretty good. As much as I slammed it in my “conflicted” post, it is what it is: a race that appeals to both the casual runner and those who are a bit more serious – including a draw of elites. Since it’s local, I will probably run it again…

My Race

Results:

  • Garmin time: 1:48:10 at an 8:15/mile pace
  • Official time: 1:47:46 at an 8:14/mile pace

To Quote my NorCal Race Report,

“I read this quote a while back:

Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality,
and the last part with your heart. – Mike Fanelli

I need to re-read that before each race, maybe write it on my water bottle, tattoo it on…”

Yep, I started toooo fast again. I had a plan, brushed against it on the first mile, then forgot about it – maybe I got mesmerized/distracted by the footfalls! Either way, I paid for the fast start later in the race and, even though I had a great time (just :25 seconds off a PR), I know I could have PR’d the race. Oh well, that’s the past…onward!

I will say that I made a smart decision and changing my corral assignment at the expo – I didn’t change corrals for the SF Half and regretted it. I guess I have learned something! When I registered for the race back in November 2011, I put a 3 hour finish time (!) and ended up being assigned to corral 16 (of 19 total.) I was able to move up to corral 4, which was a 1:50 to 1:55 finish time…much better…and happier me!

Looking back from corral 4…glad I moved up!

Once again, I wore my “Run It Fast” club shirt and got tons of “RUN IT FAST!!!” shouts from people along the way. Thankfully, no one shouted anything contrary the few times I stopped and walked for a few yards. Perhaps my desire to “live the shirt” caused my “too fast” start?

“RUN. IT. FAST. RUN. IT. FAST!”

Pre-race & race-day fuel: Same as usual – 48-hour carb loading period (at +550 calories/day and at a carb level greater than 80% each day) and 6 GUs and 20oz of GU Brew on race day.

I decided to be “green” and took the light rail to the race instead of driving and trying to find a parking space. My wife and mother-in-law said they felt sorry for my fellow passengers on the return trip – I made sure I sat in the back of the car…

My early-morning chariot arrives!
(there were actually two other runners that got on at my stop and
more as we got closer to downtown.)

Wrap-Up

Bottom line: Great race and I inched closer to a new half marathon PR. Still working on the pacing thing…

Post-race meal: Dickey’s Barbeque: Two-meat plate (chicken & turkey), double waffle fries, a roll, and some soft-serve – BOOM!

Giddy-Up!

Training Journal – 10/11/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 8 mile easy run @ 9:09
  • Comments: I did 8.09 at 8:25
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Half Marathon #6: RnR San Jose

October 7, 2012 — Leave a comment

Well, half marathon #6 in the books. I ended up with a 1:49:16 1:47:46 time*. Not a personal record, but I’ll take it! A new PR will come sometime…

I’ll post a full race report later this week.

*Updated 10082012 @ 0752, based on revised results!

Training Journal – 10/7/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon
  • Comments: time: 1:49:16 1:47:46 @ 8:21 8:14pace*
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Getting Ready…

October 6, 2012 — Leave a comment

…for tomorrow

Training Journal – 10/6/12:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 2 mile, shake out run & carb load day 2
  • Comments: Shake out run: 2.4 miles @ 7:50 – planned carb intake:85%
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10/3/2012 Training Journal

October 3, 2012 — Leave a comment

Training Journal – 10/3/2012:

  • Current plan: Honolulu Marathon Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 5 mile pacing test run @8:07
  • Comments: I did 5.25 @ 7:58
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