Little Miami Half Marathon

This was a memorable half marathon for me because it was my tenth!  Only two short years ago I was training for my very first.  How things change in such a short amount of time! 

The race itself is very, very small.  It begins in Morrow, OH, and takes place on the bike path (there were some rude cyclists included) along the Little Miami River.  Despite this being a small, inexpensive race, I really like the medal and tech tee.  Well done!  It's also nice to be able to park very close to the start line and just hang out before the race.  The course itself was a bit dull, but I do a lot of my runs on a similar bike path, so I knew what to expect.  I toyed around with trying for a new PR, but it was way too humid to attempt that.  On to my breakdown:

Miles 1-5- We started with a quarter mile through the Morrow before hitting the bike path.  Within the first couple of miles I noted that my legs felt heavy.  I just could not get into a real groove during this whole race.  The first mile clocked in at 9:01 and the second clocked in at 18:15 (9:14).  I resigned myself to the fact that 9 minute miles would probably be the best I could do.  A couple of cyclists came through the first water stop and didn't slow down one bit for runners trying to get water.  One shouted out something along the lines of don't get in the way or you will get run over.  Umm.  Nobody was in the way.  I have no problem with cyclists and always run to the far side to allow them to pass, but come on.  The race was advertised for quite some time and signs were posted weeks in advance.  Have some class.  I wish I could say something about the course itself.  Not much to say.  A bike path, trees on both sides and some views of the river.  That's it for 13.1 miles.  Anyway, I just kept up with the same pace.  The five mile mark came in around 46:15.

Miles 6-10- The six mile mark came in around 55:23.  This really isn't far off from what I normally run.  I try to hit the half-way point in one hour, so I'm not doing bad considering my legs are still feeling heavy.  There is something I'd like to ask about the aid stations.  Heed?  Really?  Does nobody realize that that stuff tastes horrible?  I realize we need electrolytes, but how about Powerade or Gatorade?  They even had Gatorade at the finish!  Heed is just terrible beyond words.  I stuck with water instead.  The turn-around point was just past the halfway mark and I began to lose track of mile splits after that.  I do know that I hit the 10 mile marker in 1:31 and change.  I had to kick it in just a bit to ensure I finished in under two hours.

Miles 11-13.1- I sprinkled in some harder running here, but it didn't seem to make a huge difference.  The legs still felt off.  Not horrible, just off.  I hit the 12 mile marker in 1:50 and change, so I knew I had to kick a bit more.  The last mile felt decent and I was able to finish in 1:59.39. 

Not a whole lot to comment on.  The food at the end was sub par.  Some bagels, bananas and oranges that all looked bad.  The Gatorade and water was all I really wanted anyway.  I really did this one just to finish my tenth half marathon.  Considering some of the rude cyclists and the boring course, I don't plan on doing this one again.  Ah well.  Again, at least the tech tee and medal are nice!

Next race: DeGraff Fire Dept. 5k- DeGraff, OH

GermanFest 5k

This one was a pleasant surprise. The 5k started at Carillon Park in Dayton during GermanFest.  I wasn't a big fan of the 6:30 start, but at least it was easy to get there right after work.  A free beer after the race didn't hurt either.  The course itself was nothing special.  We simply ran along the Great Miami Trail on an easy out-and-back.  No shade and plenty of sunlight didn't give me much hope of accomplishing much. 

I was planning on running a conservative pace for the first mile but this course was way too fast for that.  There were also a few little downhills over the first mile.  I started just behind the lead pack and came in around 6:45 for the first mile.  A little too fast considering the heat and humidity.  From there we were on a nice, flat straightaway until the turn around point.  The second mile went better than it usually does for me and I just stayed right behind a few runners who I recognized.  I've lost to both of them in recent races so I was happy to stay right behind both for a while.  The second mile clocked in at 13:45 and I was feeling pretty good.  Passed both of my competitors on the second uphill halfway through mile 3.  I've always been a proponent of passing people on hills if you have the strength to do so.  If you can create some space as you come up over the hill, that can be pretty demoralizing to the person you just passed.  I'm all about race strategy since I'm not particularly fast.  The final mile went very fast and I hit the finish line at 21:26.

This is the fastest I've ran a 5k this year!  My previous fastest for the year was way back in March with a 21:38 at the No Buts About It race.  I finished 2nd in my age group and 11/186 overall.  I'm clearly thrilled with the result, especially as it gives me a nice confidence boost going into next week's half marathon.

Next race: Little Miami Half Marathon- Morrow, OH

Ralph Wade 10k

As I mentioned in my last post, the 10k distance worries me.  I last did a 10k in 2001. It's been a while.  The reason for that is that I simply am not sure of how to pace myself for one of these.  I've done enough 5ks to know what I'm doing there and I always start out at a conservative pace at half marathons so no worries there.  My goal for this race was to simply break 50:00.  It seemed like a realistic goal to have.

I made it to Springboro at about 8:15 on Saturday morning.  The race didn't start until 9:00 (a little late for my liking in mid-summer) so I had plenty of time to pick up my race packet and stretch out.  I was already starting to sweat just walking to the start line.  Thankfully the sun wasn't out for most of this race.  The course was of the two loop variety, which was actually nice.

We headed out and I started out at a good pace.  Not too fast, but fast enough to make my way to front pack of runners.  The race had some nice rolling hills.  I actually prefer this as it works out different muscles and breaks up the monotony.  I clocked in at 7:23 for the first mile.  This was a little faster than I wanted so I slowed down some and hit the second mile at 15:05.  I felt good through this race and really paced myself well.  During the second and third miles I didn't get passed nor did I pass anyone.  I was right where I needed to be.  The third mile clocked in at 23:12 and I was still feeling pretty good.  We made our way back to the start and began our second loop.  Midway through the fourth mile I decided to start making a move.  I passed a few high school runners and saw the 5k walkers in front of me.  Passing some of the 5kers along with a few 10k runners during the hilly section of the fifth mile gave me some extra energy.   I missed the fourth split, but the fifth split was roughly 38:25.  The last mile was somewhat hilly but I felt like I flew through it.  I passed a few people who looked like they could possibly be in my age group (I know one was).  The final 200 meters went fast as I outsprinted another 10k runner and several 5k runners.  My final time was 47:54.

I'm pretty happy with this time and the results.  My place was 15/72 and I finished first in my age group.  It did show me that I can probably pick up the pace some during half marathons, but definitely during 5ks.  My 5k time has been weak this year and I only have a couple more opportunities to improve upon it.  Overall, this was a great race and quite the confidence boost.

Next race: Germanfest 5k- Dayton, OH

Carriage Hill 5k

This race took place at Carriage Hill Metropark in Huber Heights on Wednesday.  I'm a little behind because I was out of town for a few days.  This was my fifth race sponsored by the Ohio River Road Runners Club.  Surprisingly, despite doing around 76 races over the years, this was my first ever trail race.  Seventy-five percent of my training is on some tough trails so it's surprising that this was my first trail race.

We were supposed to start at 7:00, but there were so many people still needing to register that the start was delayed until 7:15.  The race director then told us at the start line that the course was actually 3.4 miles instead of 3.1.  I actually think it was around 3.5.  That actually took some pressure off so I wouldn't worry about breaking 22 minutes.  There was no way I could do so on a longer course in hot, humid weather.

I'll tell you how my first trail race went.  Within a half mile it was like falling in love with running all over again.  Seriously.  The trail wasn't too technical, but there were enough up-downs, tree roots to avoid, branches to duck under, and ruts to dodge to make it fun.  There's something different about trail running.  It's not glamorous and you can get pretty dirty, but it's a blast. 

I don't have splits for this race since there were no mile markers.  All I can go on is that I felt great!  I ran a conservative pace for the first mile or so.  Then I started picking them off one at a time.  In a half mile stretch somewhere in the middle portion I passed twelve people.  This is what I've been missing with my recent 5ks and I hope it continues.  I played back and forth with another runner for quite some time before I was finally able to pass him for good.  Battles like that keep you focused on the race and not on the pain.  The final mile was fast as I tried to catch up to some runners 75 meters ahead of me.  I wasn't able to catch them but it made for a strong finish.  My time was 26:07.  I was surprised to receive a nice little trophy for finishing 4th in my age group.  Not bad at all for my first trail race.  I will definitely be running more of these.

The next adventure will be my first 10k since 2002.  I'll be honest, this distance scares me.  I'm really not sure how to pace myself in a 10k.  It will be a challenge.

Next race: Ralph Wade 10k- Springboro, OH

Run for Recovery 5k/Fall Schedule Finalized

I headed up to Troy to finish out this three 5ks in two weeks gauntlet.  I always run a race on the 4th, but wanted to relax on the 4th this year.  It rained a few hours before the race so it was hot and humid.  This race was held at Duke Park and if you ever get the chance, check it out.  It is a gorgeous park.  Here is my brief race report.

Mile 1- We started by running the inner loop of the bike path for the first mile.  It was pretty flat and fast despite the constant turns.  I felt great at the beginning and my stride felt pretty good.  My goal was to hit the first mile in seven minutes (rather than the ridiculous 6:23 I hit at last week's 5k).  I came close as the first mile went by in 6:53.

Mile 2- Slowed down a bit as always, but still felt pretty good.  We finished the interior loop and started on the outer loop.  There were fewer turns here, which really helped.  I started pacing another runner and it soon became a game of cat and mouse.  I passed him, he passed me.  The second mile clicked off in 7:16 (14:09).

Mile 3-  I passed my opponent for the final time and tried to kick it in for the last mile, but the humidity was having none of it.  I couldn't really start my kick until the last half mile or so.  The third mile went by in just over seven minutes and I hit the finish line in 22:06.  Even though I just missed my goal of breaking 22 minutes, I was pretty happy with this time.  It seems that getting the kind of times I was getting last year in 5ks just isn't in the cards this year.

This was a pretty good race and very well organized.  I really like races that stick with bike paths and off the roads.  They had plenty of food afterwards, including brats and burgers.  Not too bad at all.

I've finalized my Fall racing schedule and here's what I've signed up for: Little Miami Half Marathon in August, Air Force Half Marathon in September, Columbus Marathon in October, and the Louisville Sports Commission Half Marathon in November.  I may fit in a few 5ks in the Fall, but not as many as last year.

Next race: Carriage Hill 5k- Huber Heights, OH

Duck 'n' Run 5k

Remember how I started too fast on Sunday?  This was worse.  Let me reiterate.  THIS WAS WORSE.  It was a nice, cool evening on my favorite course.  Tawawa Park in Sidney is an awesome place to run.  And it was a very fast group of people.  I must have just got caught up in it all and went out way too fast.  I'm also thinking that I should stay away from evening races because I almost always get a massive stomach cramp.  I didn't eat anything horrible through the day, so I'm not really sure what the problem was yesterday.  The recap will be short and (not so) sweet.

The first mile is a long straightaway through the upper part of the park.  It's lined with trees, ponds and the stream that runs through the park.  Gorgeous.  I didn't take in the sights and took off like a bat out of a very warm place.  The worst thing is that I realized how fast I started.  After 70 some road races, I know what I am capable of and what to stay away from.  The first mile went by in 6:23.  6:23.  Adorable.  I really do need to go out around 7:00 in the first mile.  The second mile started out well, but about halfway through I started feeling like crap.  A stomach cramp set in and it was all downhill from there.  I'm not sure what my second mile was, but it had to be around 8:00.  I was able to tough it out and run a respectable final mile and even come in strong at the finish.  My final time was 22:24 which still isn't bad (7:12 pace). Only 7 seconds slower than last Sunday's race.

This was a very frustrating race for me because I veered off from the game plan so early and just couldn't recover.  I did a nice four miler today and a ten miler planned for Sunday with a good five miler and some speedwork planned for next week.  The next race should be a lot better and I'm looking forward to breaking 22 minutes. 

Next race: Run for Recovery- Troy, OH

Dorothy Lane Market Dash 5k

I decided to do a local 5k only 8 days after the Carmel Half Marathon since I really need to catch up with some speedwork.  This race was sponsored by one of the local running stores and the Dorothy Lane Market located right across the street from my workplace.  It was hard to turn it down since it was so close to home.  Plus, I got a chance to chat with some coworkers who were also running the race. 

Today turned out nice as it was humid at the start, but thankfully the sun was partially hidden for most of the race.  The course itself had a few more hills than I thought it would.  Overall, this was a great local race.  On to the breakdown:

Mile 1- I wanted to come out strong for this race to find out where exactly I am at the beginning of this 5k gauntlet.  Well, I did indeed come out strong...way too strong.  The first mile clicked by at 6:50.  There was a lengthy downhill late in the first mile so that probably didn't help.  But I was feeling pretty good regardless.   We turned into the first of two smaller neighborhoods we'd be visiting.

Mile 2- The second mile has always killed my time in 5ks.  I believe it's actually worse now since I spend far less time training for negative splits in 5ks in favor of training for even splits in half marathons.  This one wasn't too bad.  We did a loop around the neighborhood and hit the two mile mark on the way back out.  I clocked in at 14:11 here for a 7:21 for the second mile.  Still not bad at all.

Mile 3-finish- Mile 3 started with a wicked little uphill and we turned into the second neighborhood for a short loop.  I felt pretty good but was having problems with pacing here.  There was nobody in front of me but I could hear someone gaining on me.  I knew there was a downhill finish so I picked it up with a little over a quarter mile left to hold him off.  Mile 3 clocked in at 21 and change.  Final time- 22:17.

This was an excellent event only a few miles away from my apartment.  It's hard to argue with that.  I'm also very happy with my place in the race- 20/230.  It's exciting to run a solid race considering I will be on my favorite 5k course this Thursday.

Next race: Duck 'n' Run 5k- Sidney, OH