Raleigh 8000 8/27: Race Report in Pictures

Generally speaking, I don't carry a camera with me during a race, but considering that this race was being run in a Hurricane, and I was returning from illness and injury, with my only goal in mind to finish the race, I decided to take a few pictures as I ran.  Most of the pictures didn't come out, but a few did, and snapping pictures along the way took my mind off the lingering doubts that I had about running after my bout with the flu, sinus infection, and reaction to Levaquin.  I signed up for the race after my initial bout with the flu before relapsing with the sinus infection and allergic reaction.  Otherwise, I would not have thought about running a race just yet.  However, I am glad I did register because having a race so quickly after starting running forced me to push myself rather than feel sorry for myself.

I was dreading the race up until Thursday morning and for a while hoped that it would be canceled by the hurricane, but after some encouraging words from my wife and an okay run on Thursday, I began to look forward to the run.  Overall the race was awesome!!  Really well organized, a fun course that mixed Raleigh city streets with the Greeway system, and Shelley Lake.  Just a wonderful course!  Also, what can you say about volunteers willing to stand out in a Hurricane and put on a race?  Totally awesome job by them and the Raleigh PD!  Many, many props!  Even the race shirt was top notch -- a nice tech shirt with a good color and logo that makes it ultra wearable and not something destined for goodwill.

What is more remarkable about the organization of the Raleigh 8000 is it was it's inaugural race!  Just a stellar job!  

Moving toward the starting line

Runners are happy despite the hurricane

People driving by must think we're crazy!

The rain was pretty mild to start with and I felt good as we made our way to the greenway

I'm still pretty dry, but that is about to change

Running through this tunnel -- awesome!

Just past the first water station, I was doing well but began to feel some constriction in my chest.

Geese out for a stroll

feeling a bit better

By this point the constriction seemed to pass and I felt better

All flights are grounded, sorry geese!

Crosswind here nearly ripped of my race bib!

The Rain is coming down and the greenway is getting messy

and a little flooded.

wind blowing through the tress and bushes

Just a little wet but runnin' well

The camera fogged up around mile three, but I took a few pics after I finished to make sure that it still worked, so here are some random people crossing the finish line

My times 8k in  48:43.67 for 9:53 pace

Mile 1 9:01

Mile 2 9:25

Mile 3 9:43

Mile 4 10:22

Mile 5 10:58

About four minutes off my PR, but I'll take it, just really happy to get back to racing!  I've missed it, and this race was a big confidence builder for me.

Running of the Bulls 8k: Race Report 6/18

I registered for this race on a whim after running the Komen 5k on the 11th.  Before the Komen, I hadn't run a race in nearly two months and afterward I realized how much I missed running in races.  I had seen the Running of the Bulls 8k listed and had given it some thought, but decided against it because Hiroko wouldn't be able to go because of work and because the fact that it was in Durham -- about a 40 minute drive from where I live.  Honestly, 40 minutes isn't that far, but I have never gone more than 15 minutes for any of my races (except the 8k in Hawaii, but even that one was only 10 minutes from our hotel), and basically Durham is one of those place that always seem farther away in my mind than what it is in reality. But, after a hectic start to my week and continuing to jones for a race,  on Wednesday I decided to register. 

The race was being held in the historic and revitalized areas of downtown Durham, including the American Tobacco Historic district, the new Durham Bulls Athletic Park  and finish with a lap of the warning track inside the old Durham Athletic Park where the film Bull Durham was filmed.  This area of Durham also happens to be the only part of Durham that I know anything about.  So, I knew that the course would have some hills, but I didn't think that the hills would be as difficult as the Komen's hills. So, Friday night Hiro and I trekked to the The Bull City Running Companyfor the packet pick up before we headed out to Chapel Hill for dinner.  

Race Day:

I got up at around 5am to give myself plenty of time to make the 7:15 start.  I left the house with plenty of time and didn't figure to hit any traffic.  However, I was dead wrong.  Just outside of Durham there was some kind of road work going on that had traffic at a stand still.  Since, I didn't know the area at all, I waited it out rather than try to take and alternate route and risk getting lost.  I should have gotten to the race with about thirty minutes to spare, but I ended up parking my car at 7am and still needing to find the starting line.  I was only about a half mile away, which I used as a warm up.  Once I got to the start, I couldn't find any port-a-johns set up, which I though was odd.  However, I quickly realized that we were allowed to use the restrooms a the Durham Farmer's Market, which was near the starting line.  After returning from the bathroom, I noticed that everyone was moving towards the starting line for the beginning of the race and I would be stuck near the rear of the field of over 700 runners.  But, I figured that I could use this as a way of keeping myself from going out too fast and decided to just deal with it.

The Start of the Running of the Bulls 8K

Mile 1:

On my way to the race, there were just tons of crap songs on the radio, and I was just ecstatic that not one of them had managed to lodge itself into my head.  It took me 36 seconds to get through the start, there were just tons of people in front of me, and the course start on a hill, but I was just happy to have made it to the race on time and decided to just focus on the race ahead.  After the initial hill, which lasted about a quarter mile, the rest of the first mile was fairly flat and I spent it trying to make my way through the pack without getting boxed in or expending too much energy weaving around people.  The first mile felt really slow, and it was when compared to the first mile of nearly all of my other 8 or 5k's, but I think that it was more in line with where I should have been on those other races.  I did the first mile in 9:24.

Mile 2: 



One of the many awesome people that
helped with the Running of the Bulls 8K

 The volunteers at this race were really awesome!  They had
the course marked of extremely well, had people at nearly every major intersection and turn, and all of these volunteers had cowbells, which they rang with great zeal.  Honestly, this was one of the most organized races that I have run.   During the second mile the folks with the cowbells helped me out a great deal and gave me something to focus upon other than the hill at the end of the second mile.  As I passed on person, I couldn't resist the temptation to do my best Christopher Walken and demand "more cow bell!" Overall, I was feeling fairly good after this mile, and I tried to think of the rest of the race in terms of a 5k.  I did Mile two in 8:54.

Miles 3 & 4:

I'm not sure where things started to go a little sideways for me in this race, but it was in these two miles, so I'll deal with them together.  Mile 2 had ended with a water station, which I never handle well.  I fumble with cups, never stop to drink, and always fill like crap for about 30 seconds after drinking.  I came out of this one the same as always.  I went right into a hill, but again was able to focus on bell ringers rather than the hill.  Still I could feel myself beginning to struggle as we made or way along a flat stretch towards another hill.  My confidence began to waver partially because I didn't know the course and how many more hills we were in for or where they were, but there was something else going on too.  I wasn't willing to hurt.  I was running alright, but I was holding back and not willing to dig.  I ended up running a fairly complacent third mile, and only ran it as fast as I did because of a large downhill portion.  I ran it in 9:19.  I kind of began to realize that I had more in the tank and needed to work harder towards the end of the mile.  The fourth mile began with slow deceptive incline that caused a lot of people around me to begin grousing about.  This portion is where I really seemed to needlessly lose time.  I should have pushed harder to cover this portion of the course faster.  I had even picked up my pace at the end of the third mile, but backed off allowed the complaining of the people around me to give myself an excuse to not push.  After getting through this slow portion of the course, I forced myself to pick up my pace.  I was irritated with myself for not running hard and decided that I would attack the last mile of the course.  I was able to salvage the second half of mile four and do it in 9:31, which would be my slowest mile of the day.

 Mile 5:

Running.  For the first time in this race I begin to run.  I don't know what is ahead of me but I am beginning to pick up my pace.  I got really confused and thought that we were covering a different part of the course and that we had one more hill or I would have pushed even harder than I did.  Regardless, for me, I am steamrolling through this mile.  The fastest mile I had done in a race since I got Old Bob is 8:03 at the NHL All Star 5k's first mile.  That consisted of a major downhill that I exploited and still destroyed me for the rest of the race.  This mile did have a downhill to it, but it was nothing to right home about and I was already attacking and pick people off well before the downhill.  By the time I entered the stadium, I was committed to legging it out to the end.   As soon as stepped 

I am the orange speck in the back of this picture, but the guy wearing 669 finished four people behind me.

out onto the field I went into an all out head long sprint and tried to pass as many of the people in front of me as I could.  I sprinted all the way across the warning track of the out field, made the turn and at the left field foul line and headed for the finish, which was set up somewhere between third base and home plate.   

Looking for the finish line.

Conclusions:

Crossing the finish

I did the last mile in 8:00 minutes flat, which makes it the fastest mile I have done in a race since I got my Garmin and tells me that I needed to push harder in this race.  I have been reluctant to test my limits in my last few races and have stayed in my comfort zone.  If I am going to run scared, I need to just save myself the registration fee.  I run races to test myself and to gauge my improvement as a runner, and you can't measure your improvement if you are only looking how you run at 80% of your ability.  I finished the race with a chip time of 45:08, but took no risks.  I had a great time at the race and am starting to realize my mistakes, so I count it as a huge success.  But, this race will be an even greater success if I can force myself to run harder at my next race rather than sit back and run complacently like I did in this race until the last mile.  

***I want to give a huge shout out to Anthony at Running Down for letting me gaffle his photos for this post.  I really appreciate it!***

St. Patty's Run Green 8K: Race Report -- 4 Teeny-tiny Little Seconds 3/7/11

Warming up: notice the lack of an i-pod.

The St. Patty's Run Green 8k is a really cool earth-friendly St. Patty's celebration here in Raleigh. It was the first sustainable "Race Without a Trace" in Raleigh, and offers some nice perks for participants including, a Free BEER for participants over 21, a free plastic beer mug (glass was prohibited by the city), lots of live music after the run, pipers and Celtic signers along the course, and an after party that goes on until 2am!   Of course, this race is a big hit with the costume crowd as all St. Patty's races are, but I think that it organized well and had a challenging enough course that I think serious runners could still enjoy the race as well. 

The Run Green 8k is organized jointly by  Fleet Feet of Raleigh, the Tir Na nOg Pub, and  Tir Na nOg Run Club all of which are a big part of Raleigh's running community.  The race was held in Downtown Raleigh and featured a challenging course with a lot of rolling hills that snaked through Raleigh's historic Oakwood neighborhood, which is a nice place to run. 

Personally, I had high hopes for this race.  I enjoy the 8k distance, and have felt good the two other times that I have run the distance.  Recently, my overall fitness has improved, and my recent training runs have been strong.  I thought that I could at least challenge my PR, which stood at 44:44, but I was a little worried about the course.  I knew that there were a lot rolling hills around the course, but I wasn't sure if they would play a major factor.  Hiroko wasn't running the race, but would be there to take pictures a cheer me on, which would allow me to be a bit more of a selfish bastard runner and think only of myself while I ran.  Also, this would be my first race where I wasn't fettered to amateurish shame by my I-pod.  I used to think that I needed music to run.  However, I have recently been running without it and found that I don't miss it.  Also, I know that several races actually ban the use of headphones, so I just knew that it was time to break free. 

One of the more creative costumes at the race.

I did have a minor plantar fasciitis flare up the night before the race but I KT Taped it and was feeling fine by race time.  I was able to line up in a good spot and luckily there weren't many people lined up at the front that had no earthly reason for being there like at most of your charity 5k's.  I hate getting stuck behind the people who want to be up front at the start, but slow jog about 50 feet before the start walking or worse the kid that jumps out at a 6 min mile, quickly slowed to a 9, and then around the mile mark is winded and abruptly stops running right in front of you.   I think that the combination of the 8k distance and this race being organized by a run club cut down on that element.  There were a lot of costumes, but most of the people with costumes that would hinder people stayed to the rear.

I knew the first mile portion of the course pretty well and had run most of it before as part of another race.  I thought that the first two miles along with last half mile would be the fastest part of the course.  But, I also thought that this would be dangerous for me because I would be tempted to go out too fast.  Over the first mile, I kept trying to slow down to a 9 min mile.  I wanted to conserve energy, but I just couldn't bring myself down to that pace.  Over the first half mile, I wasn't far off, but at the first right turn we hit a small decline and my pace went all to hell on me.  I decided to just try to find a comfortable pace.  I ended up doing the first mile in 8:22.89.

Just past the starting line.

Mile 2 was better, but it wasn't because of my ability to run the pace I wanted to hit.  It was just that the first hill was on the second mile, which caused me to slow my pace down.  The good thing was that I wasn't feeling overly taxed at this point and knew that by the end of the second mile that I would have some time to give back if needed.  But, the course was about to gt nice and hilly for almost the remainder of the race.  The weather was awesome, low 60's no real wind issues, but the 3pm start time had been hard to figure and I started to feel a bit uneasy in the stomach during the second mile, but it quickly passed.  I did the second mile in 8:44.09.

The third mile ran past Oakwood Cemetery and St. Aug's College.  I was really not thrilled to be running past a cemetery at this time because we were getting in to the hilly portion of the course, and I did't want to be thinking about death.  Most of the hills weren't that big, but they follow one another pretty quickly and didn't offer much time to recover.  The people I had picked to try and keep up with over the first two miles were starting to fade by the end of this mile, so I started trying to find someone to lock onto and pace myself against, but no one really seemed to present themselves as a good candidate because most people seem determine to do their Best Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill imitation only to fade once they got to the top.  I kept finding myself getting passed on the inclines by the same people I would pass on the declines.  The third mile ended right as we past St. Augustine's College one of Raleigh's two HBC's.  Some of the students shouted out encouragement from their dorm rooms as we passed by.  The third mile went by in 9:14.14



Fleet Feet Racing Team Kilt

The fourth mile was difficult and consisted of more hills.  Now they were a bit farther apart, but larger.  At this point, doubts were starting to creep into my mind.  Regret over my starting pace combined with my inability breath anywhere near properly was messing with my mind and causing me to think that I might have to drop down to a walk.  I wasn't feeling at all good as we passed Oakwood Park, but I was able to tough it out.  And luckily for me right as we approached the 4 mile mark there were a porch full of obnoxious drunks on yelling at the runners, which pissed me  off and caused me to run angry motivated me to keep going.  Mainly they were yelling at the kilted runner trying to get them to lift their kilts, which am sure more than few people did or drunken bastards probably would have given up by the time I got there.  St. Patty's day races always bring out the kilts, but in addition  the Fleet Feet Racing Team members buy racing Kilts from Sport Kilt, who was a co-sponsor of the race, so these drunks had plenty of people at whom to yell.  I did the fourth mile in 9.26.19 and knowing I had  given back all of the time I had gained on the first two miles.  I was more than a little worried that I was going to meet my goal. 

In mid kick

I knew the last mile the best of the whole course because it was most of the first mile we had just run only in the opposite direction. I thought that it would take better than a 9 min mile for a PR.  I would love to be able to say that I was too tired to figure out just how much time there was to play with, but who am I kidding, those counting horses at the state fair have better math skills than mine.  The last mile was a right turn, a small decline, and left turn at the next block and a small uphill to another immediate left turn followed by a long straight stretch with two good rolling hills, a right turn up the first hill of the race, and a straight flat run back to the start finish line.  Doubts were abound as I climbed the incline and turn left onto the straight stretch.  I band was playing at the corner, which lifted my spirits just a bit.  The two hills were less than fun, but the first one went by without much problem.  The second one was worse because of the awareness that it didn't end, but went into another hill at the corner.  If, was going to stop this was the moment, but as I made the turn up the last hill I wasn't stopping.  I was still going well off pace, but I was moving.  And, somewhere in my mind there was a fleeting notion that I had a kick left in me.  After climbing the last hill, I turned right and could see the finish line three blocks away.  I decided to kick it right there and started picking up my pace.  The idea of legging out that distance didn't scare me because I had covered about the same distance at the Old Reliable Run, when I felt much worse, and my classes at the Y have had us running a lot of sprints over the last few weeks.  As, I was going in I tried to just focus on the finish line ahead of me.  I was passing a lot of people and expected at someone to put up a fight, but they all seemed content to let me make a jackass of myself all alone.  I picked up more speed the closer that I got to the finish and by the time I passed Hiro about a block from the finish I was in an all out sprint.  I could see the clock at 45:00 minutes as I approached the finish, but knew that my chip time might be enough for my PR. 

Crossing the finish line, I felt crunched.  The pipers were playing and there was a nice size crowd gathered, but I couldn't focus.  I wasn't at all sure about a PR, but I knew it would be close and was really happy with my effort.  I had run the last portion of the race in 8:52.76 and when Hiro and I checked the results on the computer my time read 44:40, which beat my PR by 4 Teeny-tiny Little Seconds!  But a new PR is always worth celebrating especially with a free beer!

Drinking My Free Beer and celebrating a new PR for the 8k

Harold Chapson 8K: Honolulu, HI 1/23/2011

getting ready to start the Harold Chapson 8k

I got the idea of running in a race while I was in Hawaii as soon as Hiroko brought up the subject of going to her friends wedding.  Since the wedding would be on Saturday, I didn't think that I would be able to make it work.  I am crazy about running, but I wouldn't dream of running in a race the day of the wedding.  Luckily enough, I was able to find on race on Oahu during our stay, and it just so happened to be on Sunday the 23rd, which would be the day after the wedding.  I signed up for the race right after we finalized our travel plans.  At first, Hiroko was not very keen on the idea, but as time went on ,she warmed to the idea and even decided that she would run the race with me, which was shocking because she has never run in any races longer than a 5k.  But, she said that it would be boring just to stand around and wait for me, so she may as well run too.  I was excited when she told me that she wanted to run too and signed her up that day before she could change her mind.

Not what we wear to races in Jan. in NC

The Harold Chapson 8k is the middle race in the Aloha Readiness Series.  It was proceeded by Bob & Ron's 5k that was held on January 7th and is followed by the Johnny Faerber 10k on February 6th.  The Series is put on by the Mid-Pacific Road Runner Club to help runners prepare for the Great Aloha Run on February 21st, which is a 8.5 miler.  Which kind of explains why there wasn't a great deal of information about the THC 8K on the web and the website itself was rather sparse.  I don't think that the organizers gave much thought to people for outside of Oahu taking part in the race, and I can't say that I fault them.  Also, everything about where the race was help and the packet pickup was really easy to find.  I do wish that there had been a course map on the website rather than just a description, but part of me is a little glad that I didn't realize that I would be running up Diamond Head until the day before the race.  The pre-race packet pickup was held at The Running Room: a nice little running store just a few blocks away from Waikiki Beach.  If you are in Hawaii and in need of running supplies or need information about running in the area I would start with them. 

Hiroko and I as the race starts

The morning of the race Hiroko and I got a little bit of a late start, and I had a bit of a minor freak out because I didn't think that we were going to make it in time for the race, but we did and everything was fine.  There were a few things about the Harold Chapson 8k that were new to me.  One was that most of the roads were going to be open while we were running.  There would be some cones, police stopping traffic at crossroads, and some guides, but the streets were very much still in use by cars.  In fact as we ran up Diamond Head we were told to stay on the sidewalk as much as possible and not run in the street.  These directions weren't strictly followed for most of the runners on the return leg of the race because you could run facing traffic, but on the outward leg of the race most everyone stayed on the side walk.  Also, Diamond Head is a very popular place for people to run in the morning because the view is just stunning, so there were a lot of people running with the racers, who were not actually in the race, which made things interesting as well.  At first, I was a little taken aback by these thing because I have recently taken part in a race that was poorly organized and went of course in mid-race, but I could see that these things didn't seem to bother anyone and thought why should I get my panties in bunch . . . it is Hawaii and I am doing what I want to do, so I should just enjoy myself. 

Sharing the road

The race was an out and back course beginning in Kapiolani Park and going up Diamond Head Rd. to Triangle Park, around the park, and back down Diamond Head Rd to the Honolulu Marathon finish line at Kapiolani Park.  They did have a timing chip for the finish, but the start was a gun start with no timing mat at the beginning of the course, which wasn't important because there were only around 240 participants.  The race began at 7am just before sunrise, which was around 7:11am and meant that if you ran a good first mile you would be ascending Diamond Head right at sunrise and getting one of the greatest views that any race has to offer. 

The first mile view of Diamond Head

The first mile was fairly flat and took us from the park on to Kalakaua Ave. and ended just before we turned onto Diamond Head Rd.  Hiro and I took turns passing our camera back and forth and taking pictures as we ran.  Our plan was for Hiroko to carry the camera, but she fell behind me at about 3/4 of a mile while I was holding the camera, so I kept it hoping that I could pass it back to her as we passed each other at the beginning of my back portion and the end of her outward, but this wouldn't happen.   I was running pretty well during the first mile and most of the fear that I felt about not being able to run the entire race was quickly fading.  I didn't know how difficult the assent of Diamond Head was going to be but I was feeling solid and enjoying my run along the beach.  Also, once we turned off of Monsarrat Ave. we weren't having to run with cars in the road, which made me relax for most of the mile.  I did the first mile in 8:59.17 which was right on my goal pace of 9:00 mins.

Stunning Yard along the second mile

The second mile began the climb up Diamond Head Rd. and had us running along the sidewalk, which was a bit cramped at time, especially for taller runners like myself when low hanging tree branches from the houses along the road force you to duck or move over to one side.  But, the sidewalk just wasn't that big of an issue when you consider the stunning views that made this the least difficult hill that I have ever climbed even though in reality it was the steepest.  The houses were amazing and Diamond Head itself was incredible.  By the time we moved past the houses and ran along Diamond Head Beach Park, we were facing one of the most jaw dropping-ly stunning sunrise on this big blue world that we all call home.  I couldn't stop taking pictures or looking at the sunrise.  I truly had no problems with this hill at all.  I ran the 9:52.11, which was much faster than I had expected.

Sunrise at Diamond Head Beach Park

The third mile took us over the crest of Diamond Head Road down the other side a little bit, into and around Triangle (or Fort Ruger) Park, and back up to the crest that we had just crossed.  I had hoped to meet up with Hiroko after coming through the park and starting back up the hillside, but she wasn't too far behind me and I could see her entering the park as I was running along the backside of the triangle, which meant that or paths wouldn't cross, and I wouldn't see her again until the finish.  Climbing back up Diamond Head was more difficult than it had been the first time even though we hardly had to climb anything compared to the way up.  But I found it difficult because I wasn't focused on the view as much as I had been the first time.  The water station had been in the park, but I hadn't drank.  Instead, I just swished it around in my mouth to avoid drying out.  Most of the runners were now running in the street along with the oncoming traffic.  And, I have to say that the drivers seemed very polite.  I have been cussed and yelled at several races in Raleigh by drivers as we ran by even when the roads were coned off and traffic was being directed by police.  There were some police at this event but they were mainly working the intersections, and along the ascent and descent of Diamond Hear the runner were on their own, but no one seemed put out in the least, and I was impressed that everyone just took this a part of the routine.  I did my third mile in 9:07.72

Front runners heading back

Mile four was a dream!  We finished of the climb for the return part of the race and headed into the downhill just in time for me.  I was starting to feel the climbs and really need the downhill to take make up some time.  I was still taking pictures and trying to enjoy the sights, but for the first time I began to think about this as a race and focused more on my running.  I ran mostly in the street, but did duck onto the sidewalk a couple of times.  My ankle sprain became a little noticeable on the downhill but wasn't a problem as a whole. I did the fourth mile in 9:10.12

One last view from Diamond Head before the downhill

Mile five was just a thrill!  I was hurting, but was determined to finish strong, and once we turned off of Diamond Head Rd and on to the straight stretch along Kalakua Ave. I picked up my pace and tried to turn in the best time that I could.  I legged out the last .2ths of a mile and managed to pass several runners who had passed my earlier on the straight stretch.  I finished the race in a full sprint and did my last mile in 8:34 flat, which made it my fastest mile of the race.  I felt really good about the race and walked back to find Hiroko and run with her to the finish line.  She wasn't to far behind and finished really strong for her first 8k.  She had gotten a stitch in her side at the turn around but had managed it well.  I finished the race in 45:41 and Hiro Finish not long after in 48:25

Hiro at the finish

After the race we hung around, took some pictures, and went over to the beach to look at the ocean.  Afterward we broused throught the Flea Market that was being held in the park.  Eventually we decided to grab some quick showers, a bite to eat and return to the Flea Market to do a little shopping.  We were both thrilled to have done the race, and really happy that we signed up for it.  If you like running and go to Hawaii adding a race into you plans is a great addition to your agenda and a whole different way to experience the islands!

Post-race walk on the beach

Ridgewood Turkey Trot 8k: 11/25

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  This was my first attempt at an 8k (or 5 miler) race.  I did a 10k about 10 days ago, so I knew that I was ready for the distance but wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to run the course.  Luckily for me, my Thursday running group from Fleet Feet runs on most of this course, so I knew what to expect.  The difference was that I had run only portions of it at a time and not the whole course.  But, I really wasn't worried at all.  Since this was my first time at this distance, I just set out to enjoy myself and was hoping to finish in under 45 minutes.  The Ridgewood Turkey Trot is a big race with over 3,000 participants and is put on by Fleet Feet.  Another aspect of the race that I really like is that I starts a mile from my apartment.  Hiroko and I were able to ride our bicycles to the race! 


Trying to stay warm before the race.


It was kind of cold this morning compared to the way the weather has been over the last few days.  The low for the day was suppose to be around 55 degrees, but it felt colder than that this morning.  Maybe because I was riding my bicycle.  I just know that I felt really cold before the race.  There were suppose to be a competitive and non-competitive divisions with start times 5 mins. apart, but it seemed to me that the competitive group had a lot of non-competitive people mixed in with it, but it didn't present as much of a problem for me in this race as it has in others because the road we were running on was really wide, and since this was an 8k instead of a 5k, I wasn't worried about getting off to as quick a start.  Hiro didn't run this race, but I was able to meet up with several different people that I knew from my various running groups.  However, I lost everyone in the crowd and ended up running the race alone, which I didn't mind because with that many people I was doing good not to bump into people that weren't trying to run next to me. 

 

The first mile of the course was a long straight stretch with a mild decline.  I run this portion of the course as part of the Thursday running group and know it like the back of my hand, which helped me to keep my pace right where I wanted it.  Another thing that help was that my legs were so cold that they felt like concrete slabs.  The Free to Breathe 5k was a much colder morning, but I didn't feel it.  However, I felt the cold today.   I would really like to see what the temperature was on site this morning because if the was 55 degrees, I need to wear some big boy pants and toughen up.  The road through this portion of the race is a wide two lane road with a bicycle lane, so I didn't feel the need to do much weaving through the crowd, which was just awesome.


Just past the starting line, caught in mid wave.


The second mile continues the slow decline for the first 3/4 of the mile, then turns and the last 1/4 of the mile is a pretty steep decline.  I ran this portion alright considering my legs were still frozen solid.  I was actually feeling the a small shock wave up my leg with every step for this entire mile.  Each of these waves seemed to crash right into the bottom of my quads just above the knee.  It hurt but I didn't feel like my quads were burning, so I wasn't worried about cramping.  I just thought that my legs need to warm up and everything would be sorted out.

Around the third mile, we hit the hilly section of the course, which was also the portion of the course which I hadn't run before.  I had done some practice runs on the old course, but it had been changed this year, so this portion was totally new for me.  I handled the hills well, and my legs were starting to feel better.  It was around this time that my ego took a kick to the gut because I noticed two kids running ahead of me.  The boy was around 8 and the girl was maybe 10.  I am not sure if they had run the whole course or not, but it sure looked like it, and they were both putting some ground between me and them for most of the third mile. 

Mile 4 started at the end of the hilly section and went back up the road that we had run down, but we got back on the road a point farther down from where we had turned off, and I new that this section had a deceptively long slow incline that can become a killer because it is easy to not notice that you are running up hill.  I ran this the right way, but I was still trailing that 8 year old boy wearing a Capitol Area Soccer League shirt.  I was really missing legging it out with miss 1025 from the Old Reliable because even though, she beat me to the finish line, it wasn't like I was taking one step for every three of her's. At least I had manager to pass the 10 year old girl somewhere in the hilly portion of the course!  By now my legs were really starting to feel good.  The vibrations had stopped and could tell that the blood was circulating properly at last.  Mile 4 was by far the best yet. By the end of mile 4, I knew that I was gaining on the kid, but it was giving me mixed emotions because how can you feel proud of yourself for out running an 8 year old?

looking pretty rough after the finish. 

As mile 5 began, I finally passed the kid and tried to focus on running a strong finish.  I hoped to find someone to try to keep up with and use as motivation to push myself like miss 1025, but no one really presented themselves, so I just had to dig deep an motivate myself.  I was able to open my gate over the last half of the mile 5 and actually hit what I consider a sprint over the last .15th of a mile, which help both my ego and my time.  I was beat by the time I crossed the finish line and knew that my chip time would be under 45 minutes, which made me really happy.  My final time was 44:44, so I am pretty pleased with this race as a whole. Hiro couldn't get a picture of me crossing the finish line because her hand's were too cold to turn the camera on in time, but no matter.  After the race, I saw my co-worker Lisa and her daughter Annie-Lloyd.  Annie-Lloyd does Iron Man and ran today's race as part of her trip to Raleigh for Thanksgiving.  As we were talking, I asked her about Garmins, and she said that her's changed her life.  That is when her Husband said "yeah, you show it off more than your engagement ring."  She jokingly agreed and said she actually wears is more.  I thought you know that your an athlete when your Garmin ranks up there with your wedding rings!

Anyway, it was a great way to start the holiday!

8k official chip time 44:44