I just got back from the Angels of Hope run at Duke University. This isn't an official run but since I had to run anyway today decided it would be more fun to run with a bunch of other people than by myself. I had a solid 10 mile pace with my time somewhere between 31:05 (my watch) and 31:42 (clock time). Based on last years results this might get me in the top ten of my division, but it will be close. Unfortunately, I didn't feel good during the run and I'm not sure why. There was a good variety of hills and flats, I did all three runs I was scheduled to do this week, I had a bowl of cereal about 2 hours before the race but for some reason I felt like I dragged the entire way. I've got to get a slow hour long run in tomorrow right after church and before I head to Florida for an overnight. I'll be curious to see how that feels.
I booked my first triple crown, trifecta, hat trick - whatever you want to call it - last night. Three races in three weeks. North Dakota May 21st, Ohio May 31st and Wisconsin June 5th. What makes this tolerable is that I should have family and/or friends at each of the races. I may do this again in June/July in ensure that I don't get jammed up next summer trying to get all my races in before the September 25th deadline. My drive to finish this quest kicked into overdrive this past week so I've been plotting out races like a crazy woman!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Race #19
Everyone wins! Team Blommer/Merrell had a fantastic showing at the Salt Lake City road races this past Saturday. There were three marathoners, one half marathoner and five 5Ker’s. To top it off, the race day weather couldn’t have been better for both running and spectating. Hopefully pictures will soon be posted.
Tough to know where to begin – but why don’t we start with me? After all, this is my blog! As I mentioned in a previous blog, I really wanted to break 30 at this race. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but I did maintain a ten minute mile pace – 31:05 official time – so I’m happy with the consistent time. There are 31 more races so I know I’ll get below 30 eventually.
Once again I started out at a faster pace than I knew I could maintain, but I really think I need to keep up this race strategy. I die at the end of mile one but do get a second wind during mile three. The course was a bit deceiving as it consisted of long, gradual up and down hills. It was an out and back course so psychologically there is a boost in knowing that the hill we went up on the way out will be a downhill on the way back. The flip side is that the hill we went down on the way out will be an uphill on the way back! And that last uphill was a killer! I came very close to walking the last couple yards of that hill, and some might argue that my running pace was no better than a walk, but I’m calling it a slow run. However, I did end up finishing 9th out of 69 runners in my division, everyone wins, so all in all, it was a good days run!
My sister-in-law Kathy B., niece Amy “The Rabbit” B., Steve M. and Karen M. were also running in the 5K. Poor Steve was just recovering from a flu bug but still gutted it out for a time of 33:01 and Karen put on her big finish and had a 37:22. Even better for me, both Steve and Karen are game to meet me in some of my remaining western states as I continue my quest. Kathy B. will fool you. She may come across as the gentle soccer mom but she’s got a killer competitive instinct – she’s known as “The Wringer” in her tennis league! She decisively broke the 30 minute barrier with a time of 28:50 and was one place shy of the top 5 in her division. Everyone wins!
Amy was the top 5K finisher of her division, but it wasn’t without controversy. She burned up the course with a time of 26:19 but that seemed to be only good enough for a second place finish. When I rechecked the times by division I looked at the name of the winner in the female age 15 to 18 division, “her” name was Tim Vigil. Tim? What is that short for? Timethia? Timosina? I immediately emailed my family in Salt Lake, and though my niece Becky B. reminded me that this is Utah, I was convinced we needed to log a complaint. Alas, Tim must have gotten some gender identity counseling and figured out on his own that he belonged in a different division! Not only is everyone a winner – but Amy is a real winner!
I can’t do justice to the story of my nephew’s wife, marathoner Katy B. so recommend that you check out her blog at www.mikeandkaty.blogspot.com. However, I do want to tip my hat to a tremendous first marathon. The training, the injury, just the time involved to get ready is hard for me to get my arms around. I know I don’t have that much dedication in me. She says she’s not going to do it again, but give some time for her legs to rest and to get back on the running trails and she’ll rethink that statement!
There is more to tell about my Utah trip including the great time I had hanging out with my family and conversations with plane companions, both going out and coming back, but I want to get this posted. I’ll continue this once I get some pictures.
Tough to know where to begin – but why don’t we start with me? After all, this is my blog! As I mentioned in a previous blog, I really wanted to break 30 at this race. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but I did maintain a ten minute mile pace – 31:05 official time – so I’m happy with the consistent time. There are 31 more races so I know I’ll get below 30 eventually.
Once again I started out at a faster pace than I knew I could maintain, but I really think I need to keep up this race strategy. I die at the end of mile one but do get a second wind during mile three. The course was a bit deceiving as it consisted of long, gradual up and down hills. It was an out and back course so psychologically there is a boost in knowing that the hill we went up on the way out will be a downhill on the way back. The flip side is that the hill we went down on the way out will be an uphill on the way back! And that last uphill was a killer! I came very close to walking the last couple yards of that hill, and some might argue that my running pace was no better than a walk, but I’m calling it a slow run. However, I did end up finishing 9th out of 69 runners in my division, everyone wins, so all in all, it was a good days run!
My sister-in-law Kathy B., niece Amy “The Rabbit” B., Steve M. and Karen M. were also running in the 5K. Poor Steve was just recovering from a flu bug but still gutted it out for a time of 33:01 and Karen put on her big finish and had a 37:22. Even better for me, both Steve and Karen are game to meet me in some of my remaining western states as I continue my quest. Kathy B. will fool you. She may come across as the gentle soccer mom but she’s got a killer competitive instinct – she’s known as “The Wringer” in her tennis league! She decisively broke the 30 minute barrier with a time of 28:50 and was one place shy of the top 5 in her division. Everyone wins!
Amy was the top 5K finisher of her division, but it wasn’t without controversy. She burned up the course with a time of 26:19 but that seemed to be only good enough for a second place finish. When I rechecked the times by division I looked at the name of the winner in the female age 15 to 18 division, “her” name was Tim Vigil. Tim? What is that short for? Timethia? Timosina? I immediately emailed my family in Salt Lake, and though my niece Becky B. reminded me that this is Utah, I was convinced we needed to log a complaint. Alas, Tim must have gotten some gender identity counseling and figured out on his own that he belonged in a different division! Not only is everyone a winner – but Amy is a real winner!
I can’t do justice to the story of my nephew’s wife, marathoner Katy B. so recommend that you check out her blog at www.mikeandkaty.blogspot.com. However, I do want to tip my hat to a tremendous first marathon. The training, the injury, just the time involved to get ready is hard for me to get my arms around. I know I don’t have that much dedication in me. She says she’s not going to do it again, but give some time for her legs to rest and to get back on the running trails and she’ll rethink that statement!
There is more to tell about my Utah trip including the great time I had hanging out with my family and conversations with plane companions, both going out and coming back, but I want to get this posted. I’ll continue this once I get some pictures.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Race #18
My apologies for the posting delay on this blog entry. I had a trip to Florida and a tax man deadline, thrown in with my usual MO of procrastination. A deadly confluence.
I went expecting a muddy trail run and instead got a pretty dry cinder track around the Back Cove in Portland, Maine. The race was sponsored by the local running club so was very low key and small, 70 runners in total.
I think this is the closest I’ve come so far to coming in dead freakin’ last. I just checked the official results and I was 57 of 70 with a time of 31:13 and seven out of eight in my 40 to 49 age bracket. I’m not complaining with the time as it’s still real close to a 10 minute mile pace.
I probably drive other runners crazy but I always try to encourage at least one other runner to pick up the pace. In this race there was another gal about my age who was ahead of me and was alternating between running and walking. Whenever I’d catch up to her I’d egg her on to stay in front of me. She must have been a bit of a Save-it-up-Sally though as she had a pretty good sprint at the end of the race while I once again gasped my way across the finish line!
On my flight from Durham to New York I sat next to a psychiatric nurse. I was encouraged that she did not call the flight attendant for a seat change after hearing about my quest. Maybe I’m not as crazy as I think I am! She did have a suggested title for my book - “Small World Stories.” This came about as I was getting her life story and she mentioned that she was headed to upstate New York for a bridal shower for her son’s fiancé. I heard upstate and immediately thought of my relatives the Welch’s from Utica.
So I ask, “Where in upstate?”
“Oh a small town few people have heard of.”
“Really, where?”
“Utica.”
I started laughing and told her about Ione and Frank and their five sons. She knew some Welch’s but not the same ones. I then told her my Connecticut and Oklahoma stories – hence the book title suggestion.
When the desk clerks at the Hilton Garden Inn inquired about the nature of my trip to their great city, I of course took the opportunity to fill them in on my quest. They were dutifully impressed; to the point of calling me twice to inquire if I had everything I needed to prepare for my race and then sending me a gift bag. The bag included water, an encouraging note and a gift – a snow globe with a Maine scene. What a surprise but I had to laugh, I don’t believe the realized just what a non-event this race was in the grand scheme of Portland happenings that weekend.
After the race I packed up the snow globe for the trip back home and put it in my suitcase. I headed through security and got pulled aside – no go on the snow globe. The TSA agent suggested I take it back downstairs and check the bag. Since I had time, and by this time there was growing sentimental attachment to the globe, I headed back to the ticket counter and planned to check the bag. As I approached the agent on duty, Lisa L., I realized that checking the bag was going to cost $25. I showed the globe to Lisa and explained my plight hoping she might get caught up in the story and check my bag for free. She liked my story and thought the globe was rather pretty but when she went to ask the screeners, they said the globe couldn’t go. So Lisa the desk agent for US Airways is now the proud owner of a Maine snow globe, (and the story that goes with it) thanks to good people at the Downtown Hilton Garden Inn of Portland, Maine.
I went expecting a muddy trail run and instead got a pretty dry cinder track around the Back Cove in Portland, Maine. The race was sponsored by the local running club so was very low key and small, 70 runners in total.
I think this is the closest I’ve come so far to coming in dead freakin’ last. I just checked the official results and I was 57 of 70 with a time of 31:13 and seven out of eight in my 40 to 49 age bracket. I’m not complaining with the time as it’s still real close to a 10 minute mile pace.
I probably drive other runners crazy but I always try to encourage at least one other runner to pick up the pace. In this race there was another gal about my age who was ahead of me and was alternating between running and walking. Whenever I’d catch up to her I’d egg her on to stay in front of me. She must have been a bit of a Save-it-up-Sally though as she had a pretty good sprint at the end of the race while I once again gasped my way across the finish line!
On my flight from Durham to New York I sat next to a psychiatric nurse. I was encouraged that she did not call the flight attendant for a seat change after hearing about my quest. Maybe I’m not as crazy as I think I am! She did have a suggested title for my book - “Small World Stories.” This came about as I was getting her life story and she mentioned that she was headed to upstate New York for a bridal shower for her son’s fiancé. I heard upstate and immediately thought of my relatives the Welch’s from Utica.
So I ask, “Where in upstate?”
“Oh a small town few people have heard of.”
“Really, where?”
“Utica.”
I started laughing and told her about Ione and Frank and their five sons. She knew some Welch’s but not the same ones. I then told her my Connecticut and Oklahoma stories – hence the book title suggestion.
When the desk clerks at the Hilton Garden Inn inquired about the nature of my trip to their great city, I of course took the opportunity to fill them in on my quest. They were dutifully impressed; to the point of calling me twice to inquire if I had everything I needed to prepare for my race and then sending me a gift bag. The bag included water, an encouraging note and a gift – a snow globe with a Maine scene. What a surprise but I had to laugh, I don’t believe the realized just what a non-event this race was in the grand scheme of Portland happenings that weekend.
After the race I packed up the snow globe for the trip back home and put it in my suitcase. I headed through security and got pulled aside – no go on the snow globe. The TSA agent suggested I take it back downstairs and check the bag. Since I had time, and by this time there was growing sentimental attachment to the globe, I headed back to the ticket counter and planned to check the bag. As I approached the agent on duty, Lisa L., I realized that checking the bag was going to cost $25. I showed the globe to Lisa and explained my plight hoping she might get caught up in the story and check my bag for free. She liked my story and thought the globe was rather pretty but when she went to ask the screeners, they said the globe couldn’t go. So Lisa the desk agent for US Airways is now the proud owner of a Maine snow globe, (and the story that goes with it) thanks to good people at the Downtown Hilton Garden Inn of Portland, Maine.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Kentucky update
They finally posted the times for the Kentucky race. Once again I'm shocked by the time, 29:42.3 or a 9:34.9 per mile pace. I love Kentucky!!!
The heat is back. I ran today just after noon and boy was that a mistake. The temperatures are now up in the 80's and I tried a new route that had almost no shade. Add in the high pollen count and I was pretty miserable by the time I got home. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and start running first thing in the morning.
I checked out the extended weather forecast for Portland, Maine and I think I'm going to be running in mud! They are calling for rain Tuesday through Friday which certainly doesn't leave time for things to dry out before my trail run on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to this run as I've not done a trail run before so it should be fun - slower but fun!!
The heat is back. I ran today just after noon and boy was that a mistake. The temperatures are now up in the 80's and I tried a new route that had almost no shade. Add in the high pollen count and I was pretty miserable by the time I got home. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and start running first thing in the morning.
I checked out the extended weather forecast for Portland, Maine and I think I'm going to be running in mud! They are calling for rain Tuesday through Friday which certainly doesn't leave time for things to dry out before my trail run on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to this run as I've not done a trail run before so it should be fun - slower but fun!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Race #17
Friday I flew into Nashville and then drove an hour north to Bowling Green, Kentucky for race number 17. Once out of Nashville, the northern Tennessee/southern Kentucky landscape sure is pretty, even in early-spring brown. The only thing to mar the trip was the highway sign indicating highway 65 was closed at mile marker 58 and then finding out that it was the result of a tractor trailer/van accident that killed 11 members of a Mennonite family and the truck driver. How quickly our lives can change, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my own accident with a tractor trailer. (Picture from my wreck in 2007 - still gives me the whillies)
The race was not my preferred flat and fast. Set in and around a Bassil Griffin park it was primarily rolling hills, nothing too steep but more a continual up and down. The course started out with a gentle downhill so I decided to start the race pretending I was on my Beauty Shop run. Consequently I went out pretty fast and my mile one split was 9:29 – I had time to give if I was going to make my goal of 31:00. At mile number two I was again under my necessary pace and given that I usually drag a bit during mile two, I started to feel confident that I could make it. Then I hit the final hill and it truly took everything I had not to take a breather and walk up the last half of the hill. But knowing there was a great downhill on the other side, I kept huffing my way up. I took advantage of the final downhill, turned the last corner and saw the time clock at 29:42. I used up all that was left in the tank and crossed the finish line at 30:04 according to their clock and 29:54 according to my watch. Either way – I made my 10 minute mile goal!
This wasn’t a chip timed race so times are always just approximates in my opinion. But I think it is safe to say that I’ve achieved my 31:00 minute goal. So now it’s time to set a new one. I know that taking just a minute off my time may not sound like a lot, but that’s what I’m going for – a sub 30 run. If I’m ever going to win my division, I know that I’ve got to get down around 27 or 28, but I’m not ready to try for 9 minute miles.
I had a great treat after the race – four White Castle burgers and a Big Red pop. When we lived in Cincinnati there was a White Castle burger joint around the corner that we always wanted to go to but rarely did. My father insisted the burgers were made with saw dust and inedible. His claim was supported when a fire broke out at the White Castle one day – “see, it’s all that saw dust fueling the fire!” Big Red pop is a strawberry soda that I don’t know I’ve seen anywhere other than Cincinnati. There was a little grocery story behind the St. Agnes school playground, near the ball fields. After the boys would play little league we’d often stop in there for a treat, and Big Red was on the top of my list! Great memories.
Had time to kill after the race so went to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. Now I’m not a car person but it was fun to see Corvettes going back to the original 300 produced in 1953 all the way to the 1.5 millionth produced in 2009.
The plane ride back was made interesting by my two seat companions, a sports psychologist and an inspirational speaker. Even more interesting was that we were each going through one of life’s major milestone, 40th 50th and 60th birthdays. We had a great time exchanging stores, emails and blog addresses. The inspirational speaker, Liz Small (http://www.itizwhatitizwithliz.blogspot.com/), had a fascinating story about her son’s birth and religious conversion. We may end up running together in NY, just depends on timing of my Egypt trip.
The sports psychologist asked me what was different about this race that enabled me to have such a good time. The only thing I could think of was Craig’s voice in my ear reminding me that this was only a thirty minute run, no walking, just get it over with as quickly as possible!
The race was not my preferred flat and fast. Set in and around a Bassil Griffin park it was primarily rolling hills, nothing too steep but more a continual up and down. The course started out with a gentle downhill so I decided to start the race pretending I was on my Beauty Shop run. Consequently I went out pretty fast and my mile one split was 9:29 – I had time to give if I was going to make my goal of 31:00. At mile number two I was again under my necessary pace and given that I usually drag a bit during mile two, I started to feel confident that I could make it. Then I hit the final hill and it truly took everything I had not to take a breather and walk up the last half of the hill. But knowing there was a great downhill on the other side, I kept huffing my way up. I took advantage of the final downhill, turned the last corner and saw the time clock at 29:42. I used up all that was left in the tank and crossed the finish line at 30:04 according to their clock and 29:54 according to my watch. Either way – I made my 10 minute mile goal!
This wasn’t a chip timed race so times are always just approximates in my opinion. But I think it is safe to say that I’ve achieved my 31:00 minute goal. So now it’s time to set a new one. I know that taking just a minute off my time may not sound like a lot, but that’s what I’m going for – a sub 30 run. If I’m ever going to win my division, I know that I’ve got to get down around 27 or 28, but I’m not ready to try for 9 minute miles.
I had a great treat after the race – four White Castle burgers and a Big Red pop. When we lived in Cincinnati there was a White Castle burger joint around the corner that we always wanted to go to but rarely did. My father insisted the burgers were made with saw dust and inedible. His claim was supported when a fire broke out at the White Castle one day – “see, it’s all that saw dust fueling the fire!” Big Red pop is a strawberry soda that I don’t know I’ve seen anywhere other than Cincinnati. There was a little grocery story behind the St. Agnes school playground, near the ball fields. After the boys would play little league we’d often stop in there for a treat, and Big Red was on the top of my list! Great memories.
Had time to kill after the race so went to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. Now I’m not a car person but it was fun to see Corvettes going back to the original 300 produced in 1953 all the way to the 1.5 millionth produced in 2009.
The plane ride back was made interesting by my two seat companions, a sports psychologist and an inspirational speaker. Even more interesting was that we were each going through one of life’s major milestone, 40th 50th and 60th birthdays. We had a great time exchanging stores, emails and blog addresses. The inspirational speaker, Liz Small (http://www.itizwhatitizwithliz.blogspot.com/), had a fascinating story about her son’s birth and religious conversion. We may end up running together in NY, just depends on timing of my Egypt trip.
The sports psychologist asked me what was different about this race that enabled me to have such a good time. The only thing I could think of was Craig’s voice in my ear reminding me that this was only a thirty minute run, no walking, just get it over with as quickly as possible!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Race #16
Arkansas - done! I finished the race and must say it turned out better than I thought it would. The week before was my first week of consistent running so wasn't sure how the time would turn out.
Check out the stats for me on this race, they are unbelievable:
Check out the stats for me on this race, they are unbelievable:
- Officially my time was 31:42. Not a PR but, I was second of 46 in my division!!! This is beyond blief, I should have gone to the award ceremony but I knew I couldn't have come close to placing as the field was large.
- There were 708 finishers and I was 205 overall.
- I was the first 48 year old female to cross the finish line.
- I was 82 of 437 female runners.
The running addiction is growing. I am officially admiting I am competative and want to keep setting time goals for myself. Still working on the 10 minute mile goal and after that will work to break 30 minutes. Baby steps.
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