Tiro-Auburn Firefighter's Festival 5k

GF and I headed to the tiny hamlet of Tiro for an evening 5k.  I ran this one last year and it was one of my fastest.  Last year's weather conditions were much worse than this year's experience.  It was in the high-80s and sunny last year.  This year it was in the low-70s and overcast with some light rain during the last half of the race.  This year's race was also much smaller than last year's race and I'm really hoping they continue to hold it in the future.  The folks who were there all looked like serious runners.  I was a bit nervous at the start.

We made our way to the meager start line in the center of town and took off.  The first half mile was a gradual downhill and I started out very fast.  I tucked in with the lead pack and tried to hold it from there.  There were five of us in this pack until the eventual winner took off like a gazelle.  The course was nothing special as we wound down country roads.  I hit the first mile in an amazing 6:09.  That's certainly PR territory for me but I knew I could not sustain that pace.  I passed one runner during the second mile as we continued on.  I was just under ten minutes at the turnaround point but was feeling the effort.  We started back to Tiro and I hit the second mile in 12:48.  Finally, the typical side cramp I get in these evening races reared its ugly head and I simply tried to keep moving.  I was holding steady in fourth place.  Two runners were gaining on me as I made my way back to the first straightaway.  I gave it whatever I had left and hit the finish in 20:09.  This is my second fastest 5k ever!  I barely held on for fourth overall and first in my age group.  The age group award was awesome this year as I received a $15 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card!  GF and I promptly made our way to the festival's food tent and made short work out of a lot of food.

Considering the lack of training for shorter races, I'm very happy with my time.  I'm seriously considering going after a PR at my next 5k.  The next one on the docket is a GF PR attempt at the Ontario Fourth of July 5k this coming weekend.  Unfortunately, GF has been battling a case of plantar fasciitis and we're waiting to see if she can compete.

Next race: Ontario Fourth of July 5k- Ontario, OH

Kingwood 5K

GF and I ran the Kingwood 5k at the nearby Kingwood Center in Mansfield.  This is one of GF's favorite places as the site includes a myriad of flowers and other plants.  We used this as a PR attempt for GF, despite her recent training being up and down.  The temperatures held at a reasonable level for mid-June but the humidity was high.

We started out with a long straightaway and a turnaround near the high school.  GF was able to start off at a terrific pace as there was more room to operate than at her last 5k.  She actually started off much faster than I had anticipated by sprinkling in some fast bursts.  This worked well for her at the Flying Pig and it worked even better at this race.  We were trying to hang with the second larger group of runners and GF did a great job of doing so.  Her first mile came in at 14:20.  That's a full minute faster than I wanted her to go out! 

The bike path was the next section on the course and we were on there for a while.  GF was still sprinkling in some fast bursts, but she was certainly feeling the effects of the first mile.  She passed some people and kept them behind her during this second mile, keeping her just behind the second larger group.  We made our way to North Lake Park for a nice loop before heading back toward the path.  Her second mile came in at 14:24 so she hadn't slowed by much. 

We continued down the bike path toward the Kingwood Center and GF was feeling her efforts.  She slowed some here, but I told her to just keep moving and save some for the finish.  This part of the course was mentally tough as we knew we had almost a mile to go before turning.  We also had a nice hill to contend with as we made our way back to Kingwood.  The third mile came in at 15:30 as GF sprinted downhill into the Kingwood Center and crossed the line at 45:23.  This makes a new PR for GF by 4 seconds!  This was a bit shocking as, again, her training leading up to this one was so-so.  Her next attempt is coming on the Fourth of July, but first I have a 5k in nearby Tiro.

Next race: Tiro-Auburn Firefighter's Festival 5k

Medina Half Marathon

My final half marathon for the first half of 2015 was a fun one in nearby Medina, OH.  This race is only in its third year, but the terrific organization makes you think this one has been around for a long time.  My only complaint is there was no race day packet pickup.  For a smaller race, this was a bit irritating.  I had to drive there on Friday afternoon and turn around and get up at 4:30 the next morning for the race.  Other than that, I was pleased with this one.

GF and I made the trek a bit after 5:00 for the early 6:45 start.  I was thankful for the early start as the sun came out and it warmed up quickly not too long after I finished the race.  The half marathon started and ended in Medina's downtown square.  The added bonus was the fantastic farmer's market that was up and running by the time I finished.  GF and I had a blast at this event.

I had no real goals for this race other than finishing under 1:45.  My body is very beat up after the ridiculous amount of racing I've done this year.  I really should back off but it's just too much fun!  I met up with a few other Half Fanatics prior to the race which was also fun.  Finally, I lined up near the 1:50 pace team and we were off.

Miles 1-5: This race was billed as tough and hilly.  The hills were mostly rollers and the first half of the course didn't present any problems.  The first two miles were actually downhill and I took off at a good pace.  I had a slight issue with my watch as I had forgotten to delete some previous data, so my splits start around .1 to .15 into the race as I had to clear data.  I felt very good during the first five as we made our way around the north end of town and made our way in a semi-circle to the east side.  We ran through plenty of nice residential areas and the roads were blocked off.  I started off well and immediately began thinking of a sub-1:40 race.  Here are the first five:  1 (7:27), 2 (7:02), 3 (7:15), 4 (7:13), 5 (7:30).  The splits are fairly consistent but I knew the second half of the course would be tougher.

Miles 6-10: We continued along the east part of town and I remembered what I had seen on the course map.  This course had more turns than any other half marathon I've completed.  It was constant turning and it was very difficult to hit all the tangents.  I felt like I did an excellent job, but I do hope they tweak this course next year.  The longest portion was on a small bike path for roughly 3/4 mile or so.  I was still enjoying the course, though.  I was right where I needed to be as I wasn't being passed nor was I passing many runners.  The residential areas were pretty and the few people who were out were very supportive.  However, I was starting to feel the rolling hills and the humidity late in the course, as you can see from my splits.  Here are the second five: 6 (7:23), 7 (7:32), 8 (7:22), 9 (7:20), 10 (8:28).  Mile 10 was a rough one, but I was still able to get to 10 in about 1:15.

Miles 11-Finish: I was really slowing down and sprinkling in some walking breaks at times.  A few runners were near me so I focused on beating them.  I knew I had a good time in the bag, but I really wanted to hit my sixth sub-1:40 for the year.  Here are the last few miles: 11 (8:10), 12 (7:52), 13 (6:58).  I was able to pass two runners and actually had a great thirteenth mile.  I cruised to the finish in a terrific 1:38:46 which was good enough for 31/886 overall.  I saw GF as I approached the finish and sprinted over to give her a high five.  The pictures from the race are great as you can see the exact moment I spotted her and grinned.

Surprisingly, I placed in my age group at 3/48.  This is only the third time I've placed in my age group for a half and the second time this year.

Thankfully, I am taking a two month break from half marathons and will focus on some summer 5ks.  GF is training for her next 5k, but she's been feeling under the weather recently.  She still churned out a good three miler this morning and I think she'll surprise herself next Saturday.  We're going to focus on a July 4th 5k for her next PR attempt.

Next race: Kingwood 5k- Mansfield, OH