Ready to Rock 20 Mile - September 6, 2008

As a tune up for the Chicago Marathon next month I used this race as a gauge for what I can expect next month.  My long range goal is to run a Boston Marathon qualifying time in Chicago but I need to significantly improve upon my 4 hour time I set 4 months ago in Fargo.  My goal in this race was to see if I can maintain my Projected marathon pace of 8 minutes/mile for the full 20 miles of this race.

It was an absolutely beautiful morning for a long race.  Sunny but not warm with light winds.  The course headed south from White Bear Lake HS for a few miles and then turned north toward Bald Eagle Lake.  Two full loops around Bald Eagle and then back to the finish at White Bear Lake HS.

The first couple miles seemed very easy and I felt myself holding back.  When we got to the lake around mile 3 I felt good.  I had my own personal coach/trainer with me.  I brought Gail and her bike along.  Gail followed me along the course on her bike snapping pictures and providing me frozen banana slices every other mile or so.  This was my big experiment for the race.  I really struggle finding nourishment that doesn't upset my stomach during marathons.  The gels, bars and other products have not worked for me. 

One lap around the lake complete and only 8 more miles to go!  I help my pace at 8 minutes/mile - mile after mile.  The bananas were working as well!  No upset stomach and they did provide the nurishment I needed.  The only problem is I don't think they will let Gail follow me on bike in Chicago!

As the mile wound down my confidence that I could maintain this pace for a full marathon began to grow.  My final mile back to the high school was a 7:30 pace.  My overall time for the race was 2:39:02 (7:57/mile).  It worked!  I maintained my goal pace.  Yes, I will have 6.2 additional miles to maintain this pace in Chicago which won't be easy, but for the first time in my training I really feel like I have a good shot at it!

I finished 28th of 157 finishers and 5th of 13 in my age group.

http://www.finalstretch.com/results/ready_to_rock/2008_20_mile_overall.htm

Urban Wildland Half Marathon - August 2, 2008

This was my second and last half marathon of the summer taking place in Richfield. This race had a little bit of everything (gravel trails, paved trails and residential streets. The course was very scenic as it traveled through 4 different wild land areas - surprising to find in the middle of Richfield by the way. Apparently Runner's World magazine rated this race the 4th best half marathon in the country.

I was a little concerned about the weather which has been very hot and humid this past week. The forecast high today was 90, but the race started bright and early at 7am to beat the worst of the heat. Actually it wasn't too bad until the last 3-4 miles. Much of the course was shaded with residential trees and tree cover in the wild land areas.

Anyway, things went well. I ran a 1:48 half marathon in St Cloud in April and wanted to run under 1:40 today. I ran the first mile in 7:25 and simply held this pace through the entire race finishing in 1:37:20. I tried to pick up the pace over the last 3 miles but with the heat, my body didn't respond but I didn't fall off the pace either. Gail and Emily tracked me on the course providing encouragement along the way.

I finished 105th out of 1,104 runners and 8th of 73 in my age group.

Just two more races this season! A 20 mile tune up September 6th in White Bear Lake and the Chicago Marathon on October 12th. Will a Boston Marathon qualifying time be a possibility? Probably still a long shot this year, but with two more months of injury-free training, good health, determination/will power, nice weather in Chicago, along with a large number of spectators providing race day encouragement - who knows!

http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=8486&relist_record_type=result&lower_bound=0&upper_bound=1105&use_previous_sql=1&group_by=default#racetop

Monticello Riverfest 5k - July 12, 2008

I ran my very first 5k this morning and just like my first 10k last month I was petrified about the pace.  This will likely be my shortest road racing distance and therefore my fastest race pace.  I have been dealing with a left achilles injury.  Nothing serious but it is very tight until I loosen up.  Made sure I warmed up thoroughly for this one.  I went into this race with a goal to run under 20 minutes.

It was a beautiful day.  The course was an out and back course which I later found out is not my favorite kind of race.  The sharp 180 degree turn at the far end slows you down momentarily and then you immediately need to push hard to get back into rhythm and pace.  Anyway, my heart was racing (over 110bpm) before the gun went off.

I ran a 6:23 first mile and was breathing heavily (gasping may be a better word).  On the way back I tried to maintain my form and just keep pushing.  as I hit the final straightaway I glanced at my Garmin several times and realized I was either going to just make my goal or just miss it.  I crossed the finish line in a time of 19:57 beating my goal by just 3 seconds!  My overall race pace was 6:25 so I successfully maintained my pace throughout the race.  I finished 21st overall among 299 runners and 2nd in my age group of 8 men.  This will be my only 5k for the year, but it was exciting!

http://www.myvira.com/