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Archives For November 30, 1999

A Conflicted Registrant

March 23, 2012 — 1 Comment

I’m registered to run the San Jose Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in October – have been since the beginning of November 2011.

Yesterday, I saw a comment about how the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series handles runners who don’t maintain the required pace in their races.

One option participants have is to:

“Board a “sag wagon” shuttle to move forward on the course, where they may continue to participate in the event, maintaining the minimum pace required.”

The person who posted the comment went on to state:

  • that “the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon series is degrading the sport of running, by actively supporting and encouraging cheating.”
  • that “sag wagon” riders still “collect a medal which they did not earn.”
  • and called for RnR to “suspend this policy immediately” and urged runners to “look for other races.”

I guess I would have to agree with the poster. How is busing people forward so they can finish with (or ahead of!) someone who invested time and sweat in training (or even no training at all) right? Does that effectively mean that, short of a medical emergency (which is option 3) or picking up the pace (which is option 1), there are no DNFs (did not finish) at Rock ‘n’ Roll events? In looking at the 2011 results for San Jose, there are 104 people who finished over the 4 hour time limit and 92 in 2010 (assuming that the current limit of 4 hours was in effect back then.)  Further, post-4-hour finishers can print a finisher certificate with their time and no indication of the post-time limit finish. I also didn’t note any asterisks indicating “use of ‘sag wagon'” near people’s names.

Anyway, no one from the San Jose RnR page responded to the March 18 comment and, prior to writing this post left a comment that reads:

“RNRSJ – Any response/comment to Bart’s post below? Is his interpretation of the “Board a “sag wagon” shuttle to move forward on the course, where they may continue to participate in the event, maintaining the minimum pace required.” option accurate? Does this option only get the runner a shirt or do they get to cross the finish, get a medal, and certificate?”

If “sag wagon” users get to run across the finish, get a finish line photo, get a medal, and a certificate, well, that’s just wrong. Even my non-running, Dennisyou’rekindafreakyaboutthisrunningthing-thinking wife agrees!

We’ll see if any RnR rep responds to Bart’s or my post – I will update this post if anyone does. I saw a few posts about this practice when I did a Google: here and here.  The first post says that Disney gives medals to all runners and not just finishers – ouch…guess I won’t be running with mickey.

Now, to the “Conflicted Runner” part of this post…

Maybe I’m just overreacting and being nitpicky, but I’m seriously considering not running the San Jose Rock ‘n’ Roll.

I just started running (from couch-to-5K) in September 2011, so it’s not like I’m some ultra-skilled, widely-experienced runner. I’m just an average person who is now hooked and committing time and effort to training…and having a ball along the way.  Running races is where the rubber meets the road: “The difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry blank.” (Dr. George Sheehan.)

The principle issue here is with an organizer even offering this option.

Certainly people don’t plan on sag wagonning their way to the finish – at least I hope not. I expect that when people (like me) register for a race like a half or full marathon (or any distance for that matter), they expect to finish and take the steps to prepare (some better than others, some not at all.) Personally, if I had to take a sag wagon, I wouldn’t feel right about getting the race benefits – even the complimentary shirt, certainly not a medal.

I guess for those reasons, I may just count the $70 registration as a loss and select another race in that general time period.  I already found three good candidates – better read their rules and regulations.

What are your thoughts on this?  What would you do?  Am I just overreacting?

Training Journal – 3/23/12:

  • Current plan: 10-Miler Training
  • Today’s session: 5 mile easy run @ 10:05
  • Comments: Good run – back to running pants as it was a bit cool this morning! 5.31 @ 9:41
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2012 Emerald Across The Bay Race Report

March 20, 2012 — 4 Comments

This past Sunday, I ran the 29th Emerald Across The Bay up in San Francisco.  The race was is 12K, point-to-point from Fort Baker, up to and across the Golden Gate Bridge, down around to Fort Point, and then on to the finish near the east side of Fort Mason.

I did notice one interesting thing that my Garmin had issues with.  It got a bit confused on reflecting elevation when I ran across the portion of the bridge without earth under it – going from ~190′ to 0′ and back again:

As it was for last week’s 408K in San Jose, the day was PERFECT for a run.  The temp was fine for shorts and long sleeves; and the sky had just a few clouds blowing through.  The tailwind was also a plus as all 2,179 of us crossed the bridge!  I mean come on – with a sunrise and sky like those below, who wouldn’t want to run – especially across the Golden Gate!

Anyway, The race was extremely organized and well run – from arrival, parking ($10 for 4 hours at Ghirardelli Square for racers!), transportation to the start, sweats check, starting line control, on-course management and directions, etc. – EVERYTHING was on point and made the race enjoyable.

Call me crazy, but I just can’t bring myself to stop mid-race and take pictures – even running up toward the Golden Gate from Fort Baker.  Believe me, I looked at it, took it in, thought it would make a great photo, but just couldn’t take out my iPhone.  So, here are some shots I did take (BTW, there were more people at the post-race expo, that shot was after most had left):

My Race

Like the weather, my race day – on a personal level – was all I asked for.  I left home early to avoid any traffic and parking rush and got to Aquatic Park at about 0615.  I parked at Ghirardelli Square, located a clean, flushing toilet(!), and took care of pre-race business.  I headed to the bus pick-up zone and got my bearings – still with enough time to sit in Starbucks for a coffee.  Just before 0700, I boarded the shuttle bus to Fort Baker with the growing mass of people.  It was a nice ride and offered some good views of the bay and Bridge.

The bus dropped people off and the groups walked to the start queue area for pre-race sweats check, potty breaks, warm-ups, etc.  It was great to see the wide variety of people running…and standing in the sun to keep warm.

I was part of the third wave start – which I signed up for back in November 2011.  Given my current training level, I probably should have opted for the first or second wave, but at the time all this was an unknown.  My goal time for the race was 68 to 69 minutes, based on a conservative, negative split pace plan ranging from 9:30 to 8:30 – not knowing how I’d do on the climb to the bridge deck or the final climb at Fort Mason.

Pffft – sixty-eight, shmixty-eight!

With a GOOD tailwind, locating and pacing some good, fellow runners, and, quite honestly, and my training (including my tempo and hill repeat sessions), I blew the 68 minute goal out of the water by five minutes with better-than-planned pacing (see below.)  I ran all the hills (two: up [8.4 and 8.7% grade*] and down [5.1 and 7.8% grade*]), with a climb-to-the-deck pace of 9:20 and a climb in Fort Mason pace of 8:13.

This being my ninth organized race since starting to run last September: ME HAPPY!

Results:

Garmin time: 1:03:15 at an 8:24/mile pace.
Official time: 1:03:17 at an 8:32/mile pace.

Wrap-Up

As I wrote above – it was a great day.  I hung around at the expo for a bit, watched the top finisher awards presentation, grabbed another Starbucks, and headed home.  My post-race meal was a great one at El Burro, where I gorged on CHIPS…chased with a couple of tacos and a little bit of beans & rice.

I can really see and connect the benefits of training – especially with this race since it incorporated hills (up & down), wind, some trail, a lot of pavement, and other factors.  I can’t imagine doing without the structure of a training plan.

I’m hooked and having a blast…

Next up:

  • The Presidio 10, back in San Francisco on April 15.  [I’m going for it and doing the 10 mile course]

Giddy-Up!

Training Journal – 3/20/12:

  • Current plan: 10-Miler Training
  • Today’s session: 5 mile easy run @ 10:10
  • Comments: 5.23 @ 9:55

(*by my rise/distance calculation at least)

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Bay Crossing

March 18, 2012 — Leave a comment

This morning’s run: Emerald Across the Bay – full report tomorrow…

Training Journal – 3/18/12:

  • Current plan: 12K Training
  • Today’s session: Race Day!
  • Comments: Details tomorrow, but I did better than the goal I’d set for myself.
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408K RACE TO THE ROW Race Report

March 12, 2012 — 4 Comments

Yesterday, I ran the inaugural 408k RACE TO THE ROW in downtown San Jose.   The race was a point-to-point, flat course from the HP Pavilion to the Santana Row shopping center that weaved its way through several neighborhoods.  The morning was PERFECT for a run – no substantial cloud cover and temps in the low 50s.  It was also great to see a wide range of running levels represented – which is something I like to survey.  I think that makes the sport more approachable…I know it did for me when I started running.  The race benefited the Pat Tillman Foundation and, according to the organizer, raising about $10,000.

Being the inaugural event, I’m sure many were expecting glitches.  If there were any – which I’m sure there were – I wasn’t aware of any that were significant.  There was a ton of volunteers and the course signage and management was excellent.  UPS provided the sweat check service (also point-to-point), which was awesome!  The Mariachi band at about mile 4.2 was a nice touch!

The post-race expo was well organized and set up and had a good range of food (ranging from bananas to chili), SWAG-infested booths, upcoming race sign-ups, and live music.  People just hung out, which was what, I’m sure, the organizers had hoped for.  Not to many of the Santana Row stores were open when I was walking around – maybe next year they will open up a little early and benefit from the captive foot traffic…

I hung out at the expo for a while before heading over to the complimentary bus service back to the HP Pavilion – given the point-to-point course set-up.  The only glitch I encountered all day was that the signage to the buses was off slightly and I (and a bunch of other people) passed the turn to the queue and headed for Stevens Creek Blvd.  That said, the bus service was excellent and provided a good venue for post-race chats before heading back home.

My Race

My mind was pretty occupied throughout the morning because my Father-in-Law had been in the hospital since Friday night.  I phased in and out of race/him/race/him throughout the morning until hitting my “tunnel zone” (see below.)

Anyway, I got to the venue early and stayed warm in my car for a bit.  At about 45-minutes to race time, I walked around and got the lay of the land for the start area, etc. and then headed back to the car for my gear.   I usually wear pants, but with the temp higher than my normal 0430 runs, I wore shorts.  I dropped my stuff at the UPS sweat check, went through my pre-race potty/dynamic stretch/jog/potty routine, and then joined the growing throng in the start gate – standing in the middle depth of the start gate area.  Club One Fitness Center representatives lead the pre-race, mass warm-up stretch routine – I just watched and downed my GU.

The race started on time (actually, about 30 seconds early!) and, out of the gate it was pretty crowded.  I managed to weave through the crowd and settle into a comfortable pace and entered “tunnel zone” – which I can only describe as a state where I really am focused on the run and my “systems” (pace, breathing, hydration, posture, etc.) and not the course, people, etc.  It’s weird because as I try and recall the race event later, I don’t remember much about where I ran, the sights, or what specifically happened.

At any rate, my goal this for this race was a sub-40 minute time with negative-split pacing.  I pretty much stuck to plan, pushing myself a bit more this race rather than hanging comfortably back and playing it too safe as I did in my last run (read: “Leave it on the course, dude!” OR “Why train if you’re not going to push yourself a bit.”)

I was a very happy camper, er runner this morning.

Results:

Garmin time: 38:38 at an 7:52/mile pace.
Official time: 38:36 at an 7:46/mile pace.

Wrap-Up

Bottom line: The 408k was a GREAT event that has potential to build with the coming years.  They limited the entrants to 3,000, with 2,761 actually finishing – I could see this growing.

This was my 8th organized race, having started running from “the couch” in September 2011.  For me personally, it was a race where I think I safely pushed myself a bit and was happy with the outcome – maybe I’m gaining confidence and grasping/appreciating the analytical and strategic side of running.  [at least that sounds good anyway…]

No fantastical post-race meal this time…just showered and headed to the hospital.  We are thanking God that my Father-in-Law was doing much better on Sunday and seems to be on the mend.

Next up:

  • Emerald Across The Bay 12K on March 18 – my first of three runs across the Golden Gate this year and my furthest organized run to date.  I’m still trying to strategize about this one…

Giddy-Up!

Training Journal – 3/12/12:

  • Current plan: 12K Training
  • Today’s session: 5 mile easy run @10:28
  • Comments: Normally, Monday is a rest day; but, with the Emerald Across the Bay next Sunday, I changed things up this week.  I did 6.3 miles @ 9:11 (I know, more than a minute off the “easy” pace…it just felt right.)
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Recently Read Keeper Quotes [3/10/12]

March 10, 2012 — Leave a comment

A couple of good running quotes I saw recently on the Runner’s World Quote of the Day emails:

“If you are a runner, it doesn’t matter how far or how fast. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.”

– John Bingham

“Running has given me the courage to start, the determination to keep trying, and the childlike spirit to have fun along the way. Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running.”

– Julie Isphording

In Life, Running , ,
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Another Fuel Option

March 9, 2012 — 1 Comment

I’ve seen these at Starbucks for a while and am always tempted to try…

I grabbed one this morning and it wasn’t bad.  It has just as many carbs as GU, so I guess this is a GOO fuel option…bwahahaha!

Training Journal – 3/9/12:

  • Current plan: 12K Training
  • Today’s session: 4 Mile Easy Run @ a 10:28 pace.
  • Comments: I ended up running 5.2 miles @ 8:22…just wanted to do a “let’s see” for the 8k I’m running on Sunday. [hehe!]
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Hood To Coast [film]

March 8, 2012 — Leave a comment

I rented this documentary on my trip this week.  It’s a pretty good film about the race itself and some of the teams who run it each year.  It’s also nice to know that I’m not alone in my craziness.

Check out the trailer here.

  • Current plan: 12K Training
  • Today’s session: Rest
  • Comments: I thought about running this morning, since this was originally a run day that I swapped with Monday, but I smartly listened to my wise wife!
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A DC Run Tour – Leg Three

March 7, 2012 — Leave a comment

Final run on my trip out to VA/WDC. This morning, I did an out & back to the Pentagon Memorial – another memorial I’d not been to before.

At that hour, I was the only one there. I just walked around,

Continue Reading…

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A DC Run Tour – Leg Two

March 6, 2012 — 1 Comment

Went for a nice run this afternoon around a few other areas in DC. A bit cool (45-degrees, with a “feels like” rating of 42), but the sun was a shining!
I wore shorts, so I’d look like a “local”…

I stopped and snapped a few photos at the MLK Memorial, since I’d not been there before…

Continue Reading…

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A DC Run Tour

March 4, 2012 — 2 Comments

I traded my normal, east foothills, long run route for this one today. Great weather, hardly anyone out, and the sights were pretty sweet.  I’ll post some images tomorrow.

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Training Journal – 3/4/12:

  • Current plan: 12K Training
  • Today’s session: 9 Mile Long Run @ a 10:28 pace.
  • Comments: Was a wonderful, circle run tour around the Washington DC downtown sights. I started and finished at the Marine Corps War Memorial. 11.75 miles @ 9:26 (yeah, I know, off plan, but I didn’t want to dilly dally as I have a meeting today…)
In General, Running, Travel , , ,
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