| Author |
Topic: Flushing, MI half marathon |
tselbs
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-07-2007 05:03 PM
   
I've been debating whether to do this race since my racing buddies Terry and Angie told me last month they were planning on doing it. I just haven't seemed to have much "steam" lately and Flushing is farther away than many of my races. As today got closer, the weather forecast didn't look good, cold, windy, and possible snow. A couple days ago, I decided I'd go and consider it my weekly long run without being too serious about it. Even though I survived one marathon, I've never done a half so that would be a new experience. I've done three 20K races so it's only another .7 mile. My best 20K pace (9:09) would just barely get me under 2 hours but I haven't done a long run that fast in quite a while. I figured I should break 2:10 and would be happy with 2:05 (just about a 9:30 pace which is in line with my recent long runs).Upon arriving, the temp was in the high 20s with a fair amount of wind. The course was to be a 5K loop with the 5K racers followed by twice around a 5 mile loop. I met up with Terry, Angie, Angie's son Josh, and Leonard. They were about the only ones I knew. This was to be Angie's longest race to date. Terry, Angie, and I took off together with Leonard well ahead of us. At the first mile, a glance at my watch showed a time that would indicate a pace of 9 min. or a bit better. I thought that was way too fast and that I should slow down. Terry pulled ahead and Angie and I continued together. At the second mile, it looked like we were holding the same pace and at the subsequent miles the same. I figured to hold on as long as I could and maybe the "banked" minutes would salvage the overall time after I fell apart. At the end of the 5K loop, we saw Josh who told us he had run a 20:44 5K. About 6 miles, Angie dropped back. Shortly thereafter, I saw Terry ahead catch up with Leonard. About 7 miles, I caught up with them and then pulled ahead. I expected they would come back strong and pass me, especially Leonard. During the times that felt especially tough, I thought about younger brother Dave (selb3) who was doing a 50 miler today while I was doing a wimpy half. About 10 miles, I was still holding pace and wondered if there was a snowball's chance of breaking 2 hours. At 11 miles, it looked possible. At 12, it looked real good unless I just flat out died, which felt possible. As I crossed the finish line, the clock was just under 1:58. My GPS had a time of 1:57:46, a distance of 13.13, and a pace of 8:57. I was ecstatic. At just over 2 hours, Angie and Terry finished. I didn't see Leonard finish. When the official results came out, they had me at 1:57:51, with a pace of 9:00, 3/10 in AG (60-64) which really pleased me, and 68/139 OA which also pleased me since I have only been in the top half once or twice before. Angie and Terry were 3rd and 4th, respectively, in their age group (they're in the same AG). I saw Leonard and he said he'd had a hard week at work and just ran out of energy. I was concerned as he acted like he was limping a bit. Josh finished 3/5 in his AG in the 5K. After getting home, I checked the splits on my GPS and the mile paces were 8:52, 8:52, 9:01, 8:58, 8:53, 8:56, 9:11, 9:01, 8:57, 8:56, 8:59, and 8:56 (for the last 2.1 miles as my mind wasn't working well at that time and I didn't hit the lap button). I was happy with the fairly consistent splits. I think that Terry got my cruise control set in the first mile and I was on autopilot for the rest of the race. Now that it's over and the results were much better than I though possible, I'm sure glad I decided to go today. TomS ------------------
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Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 05:12 PM
Wow, are you steady, steady pace-wise, Tom. What a brilliant result! Congratulations on the 3rd place. Bask in the glow!Tough conditions too. Brrrr.
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glidegal
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 05:16 PM
Tom, what a fantastic race for you---you went it with low/realistic expectations and look what happened! what great splits--where did that 9:11 come from?? I have noticed with many other reports when those who go in just looking to make it a good LR day, come out with a long run and some fast miles. 1:58---spectacular! a gliding run throughout---congrats, glidegal
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runwun
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 05:42 PM
Great race tselbs,way to finish strong.
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busiman
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 05:59 PM
I'm sure you're glad you did it afterall! Congrats on a great race Tom!------------------
busiman (formerly busyman)
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 06:36 PM
Temp in the 20's with lots of wind? I think you are awesome to just get out there in those conditions. And on top of that you ran a great race and took 3rd in AG. Great job!------------------
Holly
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flkjr52
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 07:15 PM
It just goes to show ya that you just never know! Sometimes you just gotta get out there and whatever happens, happens...and sometimes it's good!  Greta race and report. Why don't you set the Garmin to auto-lap at 1 mile intervals and then you never have to think about it. Just click when you start and click at the finish. Fran
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millbot
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 07:30 PM
Hey tselbs, what a great result in tough conditions. Isn't it great when you surprise yourself like that? Congratulations on the AG placing!
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 07:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by flkjr52:
Why don't you set the Garmin to auto-lap at 1 mile intervals and then you never have to think about it. Just click when you start and click at the finish.Fran
I'd like to, flkjr, but my GPS is an old Timex Speed + Distance unit and doesn't have the auto lap feature. I can set it to beep at one mile intervals but my old ears don't hear the beep. When it gets old enough to die, I'll get one with auto lap. I appreciate the thought, though. TomS ------------------
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 07:50 PM
TomS -- I'm so glad you decided to race today too! What an achievement! Your awesome brother's amazing race certainly does not diminish the distance you completed today. cj
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DaveinAA
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 08:25 PM
Great race and a delightful surprise! That's excellent, consistent pacing and shows that you're in better shape than you think.I am thinking of doing one of the Tax Trot races in Flushing in 2 weeks. I think they use the same 5k loop you did. Now that you know you can run fast there, I hope you'll consider going!
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ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 08:43 PM
Greta race Tom! How much faster in better conditons, eh? We often run better when we don't put pressure on ourselves. Enjoyed the rr.ksrunr
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rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 09:03 PM
Tom, I think the real reason that you didn't post this race in advance in the "intrepid racers" thread is that you were afraid that I'd show up and you might be 4th in AG and miss out on a ribbon (did you get an award for your finish?).  Seriously, though, you did a great job, and there's no way I would have competed in a race today -- we had enough snow to turn the ground white in places, and in April that's just plain ridiculous! You also found out that you're always faster in races than practice since your adrenaline is up and you're surrounded by friends and other runners. Plus we all know that you're a better runner than you might suspect. By the way, my last HM time in Detroit was just 14 seconds behind yours, so I'm tossing down the gauntlet for a matchup on August 25 at the Crim! ------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
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DaveinAA
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 09:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by rochrunner:
By the way, my last HM time in Detroit was just 14 seconds behind yours, so I'm tossing down the gauntlet for a matchup on August 25 at the Crim!
Why not settle this at the Dexter-Ann Arbor half-marathon on June 3? Loser buys me a beer.
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kameele
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 09:34 PM
Great race , TomS!! you're risking fines, though--I didn't detect a fashion report 
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perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 09:46 PM
Congratulations Tom! You did it, broke 2 with room to spare! You really did find your cruise control.... very even splits.. awesome!
You all did well and it sounded like a good time for everyone.. sweeeet!
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 09:54 PM
Tom, you never seem to think you are as great as you are, and not just as a runner. I am so happy for this pleasant surprise to you but it's no surprise to me. You run very well. Nice job. Spareribs
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 10:00 PM
That was a smooth one Tom -especially for a bad day.
Great Job
JJJ
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 10:23 PM
Nice Half there Tom!!! I enjoyed reading your report and considering the weather conditions and you not even sure if you really wanted to race this, you sure pulled out a great time! Way to go!------------------
Tamster
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dshclio
Member |
posted Apr-07-2007 11:34 PM
Great job Tom it was a tough day, I myself chickened out I saw the forcast of 20 mph winds 18 degrees at 7:00 I said no way
I'll save myself for the tax trot 15 k. The coarse their is not the same one they ran the 5k on today, they run by the cemetary that is south a 1/2 mile from the and through a sub division you do this 3 times in 15k finishing the same place you finished today. I think we should have a boomer meet april 21 in Flushing MI what you say. I need a hard run before my trail marathon the following weekMarathon Derrick ------------------
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Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2007 11:57 PM
Originally posted by tselbs:
the weather forecast didn't look good, cold, windy, and possible snow.
I've never done a half so that would be a new experience.
I figured I should break 2:10 and would be happy with 2:05
I was doing a wimpy half.
the clock was just under 1:58.[/QUOTE]I remember when I used to think half marathons were wimpy too but the conditions you faced proved they are not and make your inaugural run even that much more spectacular, especially as a last-minute entry. It's a PR that may not last long but your pride of accomplishment should last forever.
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mrpat
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-08-2007 12:07 AM
tom you ran a great race in brutal conditions. it is always a treat to read your race reports where you we can clearly see how much you care for those around you.thanks for sharing. patrick
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mcsolar99
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-08-2007 12:14 AM
tom, congrats on the age group award, and great job on your race. those are very even splits and show that you did a great job on that loop given the temps and wind conditions.
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-08-2007 01:06 AM
Great run by my favorite Boomer. Good job in awful conditions, I probably would've bailed. Way to go.------------------
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-08-2007 05:37 AM
TomS, Thanks for the RR. As your posting style indicates, you are pretty rock solid. First 1/2, questionable conditions and placing. Sweet.------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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