I know I have been remiss in posting to my blog the past couple of weeks. I do have a legitimate excuse. I have been rehearsing for the Nashoba Players production of “Godspell” which opens on October 30th. I have rehearsals 3 nights a week and the last couple of weeks we have been adding weekends as well. So, I have had trouble enough getting my runs in let alone composing some rambling rant to post here for your enjoyment. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy writing my posts. It has just been difficult.
Last Sunday I participated in a unique race that any of you could have run with me. In fact, you could have run with me without even being here in Westborough, MA. No I am not talking about some sort of strange science fiction mind meld. I am talking about the World Wide Festival of Races who’s slogan is “Think Global, Run Local”. This year was the 4th year that this race has been put on. Let me explain by using their website’s description of the race:
“This race is a free, non-commercial event for runners of all abilities, where everyone is invited to register, train and run with us in the spirit of friendship. The only requirement is that you sign-up to run an official road race or a route of your choosing on the weekend of 10-11 October 2009, and report the results on this website (http://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com/cgi-bin/home). Participation in the race will also include a 'virtual' race bib, goody bag and completion certificate as well as a community forum and final results listing.”
There were three different distances you could have run – The Kick the Couch 5K or The Zen Run 10K or The Worldwide Half Marathon. I chose to run the half marathon. Why not? I had been doing some serious training for my Reach the Beach Relay. I knew I could knock out a half marathon with no problems. My plan then was to get up early on Sunday morning the 11th and run a 13.1 mile route I had mapped out. It was going to be a challenging course as it had several long hills along the route. I wanted to see whether or not I could PR on a difficult course.
I got a good nights rest on Saturday night. I woke up to one of the first real cold snaps of the fall. It was only 39 degrees when I headed out. For the first time this fall, it actually felt a little like winter to me. I dressed in shorts, a tech t-shirt and threw on a light weight fleece. I had my running gloves and running skull cap. I was hoping it would be enough to keep me warm once I got going. The first couple of miles I doubted my preparedness for the cold. It was a bit breezy and I was somewhat chilled. But, I ran on hoping the blood pumping through my veins would warm me up.
The first big hill was a struggle for me. It is approximately 1 mile long and is about a 4% grade very similar to Heartbreak Hill. I have run this hill numerous times in my past training runs. I knew I could conquer the hill. I just wasn’t sure how it would ultimately affect my ability to PR. I simply shortened my stride and keep trudging upward. Before I knew it, I had crested the longest of the hills I would have to tackle. I was also greeted with a long stretch of very slight rolling hills and a nice easy downhill run. By the time I had hit the halfway point, I was really in a good rhythm.
As I said, I wanted to set a PR on this run. I knew what my past ½ marathon times were all hovering around 1:55:00 to 2:10:00. I really wanted to run under 1:47:00 if possible. This would mean I would have to clock between an 8:00 and 8:10 per mile pace. I had been doing my tempo runs at this pace and knew what it felt like. I didn’t look at my watch at all during the first 10 miles. When I finally did check it as I passed what I knew would be the 10 mile point, I was just over 1 hour and 22 minutes. This meant I would have to run the last 5K in 25 minutes to hit my goal. I wanted to dig deep and pick up the pace. While I did pick it up slightly, it didn’t feel like it was going to be enough. The first hill on my course had taken its toll.
I decided not to look at my watch until I reached the “finish line”, this way I could concentrate on my pace and breathing. I was feeling good overall. I just had very little left in the tank at this point. But, knew I would finish. I just didn’t know if I would hit my goal for this race. I pushed on looking for the last marker where I knew I had only 1/10 of a mile to go. Before I knew it, I passed by the marker and did my best to push hard to the finish line. When I crossed it, I started to walk and looked at my watch. I had finished the 4th Annual World Wide Half Marathon in an impressive 1:48:52 (8:21 per mile pace).
While I didn’t hit my goal, I was still extremely satisfied with my time. When I reviewed my race times for the 8 half marathons I have run, I found my best time up to this run was 2:02:08 which was a 9:18 pace. I had trimmed almost a full minute off of my best time. How could I complain or feel bad about that. Besides I had run with over 1,100 friends from all over the planet. It the one time each year when I am on a training run that a truly feel a part of the greater running community. The Phedippidations podcast has greetings from fellow runners all over the world you can listen to while you run this race making it truly seem as if you are running with people all over the world.
This was my 3rd running of the World Wide Half Marathon. I intend to run it again next year. Why don’t you join me?
P.S. My name Vaca Coon comes from a little creature that live in the Florida Keys. It is a raccoon
that we met when we went to the BSA's Florida Sea Base. He is a tough little animal and an excellent name for a tough runner.
Last Sunday I participated in a unique race that any of you could have run with me. In fact, you could have run with me without even being here in Westborough, MA. No I am not talking about some sort of strange science fiction mind meld. I am talking about the World Wide Festival of Races who’s slogan is “Think Global, Run Local”. This year was the 4th year that this race has been put on. Let me explain by using their website’s description of the race:
“This race is a free, non-commercial event for runners of all abilities, where everyone is invited to register, train and run with us in the spirit of friendship. The only requirement is that you sign-up to run an official road race or a route of your choosing on the weekend of 10-11 October 2009, and report the results on this website (http://www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com/cgi-bin/home). Participation in the race will also include a 'virtual' race bib, goody bag and completion certificate as well as a community forum and final results listing.”
There were three different distances you could have run – The Kick the Couch 5K or The Zen Run 10K or The Worldwide Half Marathon. I chose to run the half marathon. Why not? I had been doing some serious training for my Reach the Beach Relay. I knew I could knock out a half marathon with no problems. My plan then was to get up early on Sunday morning the 11th and run a 13.1 mile route I had mapped out. It was going to be a challenging course as it had several long hills along the route. I wanted to see whether or not I could PR on a difficult course.
I got a good nights rest on Saturday night. I woke up to one of the first real cold snaps of the fall. It was only 39 degrees when I headed out. For the first time this fall, it actually felt a little like winter to me. I dressed in shorts, a tech t-shirt and threw on a light weight fleece. I had my running gloves and running skull cap. I was hoping it would be enough to keep me warm once I got going. The first couple of miles I doubted my preparedness for the cold. It was a bit breezy and I was somewhat chilled. But, I ran on hoping the blood pumping through my veins would warm me up.
The first big hill was a struggle for me. It is approximately 1 mile long and is about a 4% grade very similar to Heartbreak Hill. I have run this hill numerous times in my past training runs. I knew I could conquer the hill. I just wasn’t sure how it would ultimately affect my ability to PR. I simply shortened my stride and keep trudging upward. Before I knew it, I had crested the longest of the hills I would have to tackle. I was also greeted with a long stretch of very slight rolling hills and a nice easy downhill run. By the time I had hit the halfway point, I was really in a good rhythm.
As I said, I wanted to set a PR on this run. I knew what my past ½ marathon times were all hovering around 1:55:00 to 2:10:00. I really wanted to run under 1:47:00 if possible. This would mean I would have to clock between an 8:00 and 8:10 per mile pace. I had been doing my tempo runs at this pace and knew what it felt like. I didn’t look at my watch at all during the first 10 miles. When I finally did check it as I passed what I knew would be the 10 mile point, I was just over 1 hour and 22 minutes. This meant I would have to run the last 5K in 25 minutes to hit my goal. I wanted to dig deep and pick up the pace. While I did pick it up slightly, it didn’t feel like it was going to be enough. The first hill on my course had taken its toll.
I decided not to look at my watch until I reached the “finish line”, this way I could concentrate on my pace and breathing. I was feeling good overall. I just had very little left in the tank at this point. But, knew I would finish. I just didn’t know if I would hit my goal for this race. I pushed on looking for the last marker where I knew I had only 1/10 of a mile to go. Before I knew it, I passed by the marker and did my best to push hard to the finish line. When I crossed it, I started to walk and looked at my watch. I had finished the 4th Annual World Wide Half Marathon in an impressive 1:48:52 (8:21 per mile pace).
While I didn’t hit my goal, I was still extremely satisfied with my time. When I reviewed my race times for the 8 half marathons I have run, I found my best time up to this run was 2:02:08 which was a 9:18 pace. I had trimmed almost a full minute off of my best time. How could I complain or feel bad about that. Besides I had run with over 1,100 friends from all over the planet. It the one time each year when I am on a training run that a truly feel a part of the greater running community. The Phedippidations podcast has greetings from fellow runners all over the world you can listen to while you run this race making it truly seem as if you are running with people all over the world.
This was my 3rd running of the World Wide Half Marathon. I intend to run it again next year. Why don’t you join me?
P.S. My name Vaca Coon comes from a little creature that live in the Florida Keys. It is a raccoon
that we met when we went to the BSA's Florida Sea Base. He is a tough little animal and an excellent name for a tough runner.Here are my training totals:
Oct. 5 – 3.10 miles (28:26, 9:10 pace)
Oct. 6 – 6.20 miles (52:49, 8:31 pace)
Oct. 8 – 6.20 miles (52:07, 8:24 pace)
Oct. 9 – 6.00 miles (50:37, 8:26 pace)
Oct. 10 – 3.25 miles (26:58, 8:18 pace)
Oct. 11 – 13.10 miles (1:48:52, 8:18 pace)
Oct. 12 – 6.00 miles (53:31, 8:55 pace)
Oct. 13 – 3.50 miles (29.49, 8:31 pace) – ½ mile warm-up, 2 mile repeats at 7:19 pace
Oct. 15 – 6.00 miles (50:08, 8:21 pace)
Oct. 16 – 6.20 miles (50:06, 8:05 pace) – Tempo run
Oct. 17 – 7.64 miles (1:04:32, 8:26 pace)
Total Miles: 67.19 miles
Oct. 11 – 13.10 miles (1:48:52, 8:18 pace)
Oct. 12 – 6.00 miles (53:31, 8:55 pace)
Oct. 13 – 3.50 miles (29.49, 8:31 pace) – ½ mile warm-up, 2 mile repeats at 7:19 pace
Oct. 15 – 6.00 miles (50:08, 8:21 pace)
Oct. 16 – 6.20 miles (50:06, 8:05 pace) – Tempo run
Oct. 17 – 7.64 miles (1:04:32, 8:26 pace)
Total Miles: 67.19 miles
2009 YTD Miles: 1,618.95 miles
1 comment:
Great run, you are continually creating PR's that will push you in future runs. The idea of people all over the world running is amazing. Keep up the good work.
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