| Author |
Topic: Beat Beethoven 5k |
evanflein
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-15-2007 04:13 PM
  
Ok, I wasn't going to post this, just seemed unnecessary somehow, but at Econo's urging and Tetsujin's prodding, AND seeing the results in the paper today, I'm going to post this. Beat Beethoven is the unofficial "kickoff" to the running season here in Interior Alaska. The concept is fun and a little silly... you have to finish before Beethoven's 5th Symphony finishes, and those who do get a coupon for free admission to a concert next season. It's the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Fairbanks Symphony Association.
Weather report: perfect. Sunny skies, dry roads (ok, some puddles but no ice), temps around 40F. Couldn't ask for better conditions.
Course: it's a hilly course, with the first half mile being a rather steep uphilll climb. Tetsujin knows this hill: it's the one the Equinox marathoners run down at the end of mile 26. I've been training on this hill all winter cuz it used to kick my butt, leaving nothing in the tank for the rest of the race.
This year I warmed up with a 1.25 mile jog first, then stretched a bit waiting to start. Took off with a drop of the conductor's baton as Beethoven's 5th emanated from the loudspeakers at the start (same start as the Equinox). Volunteers throughout the course had boomboxes and car stereos blasting the music, from the campus radio station, as we went along so you always had the symphony to run with. I was able to keep good pace up the hill, not too fast but steady and had plenty of "go" at the top. The course winds around campus with some level, some downhill, some more uphill, then mostly downhill the last half mile or so to the finish. I was disappointed that I didn't have much "kick" left at the end, and my chest was hurting (holdover from last month's crud), but I managed to pass a couple at the end to finish in a PR of 22:33. I was 7th overall for the women, but don't know AG standings.
Last time I did this race was 2005 and time was 24:14, so I'm happy with that.
Next 5k is May 5 and is a flat course. I'll try to fit in some more speed work between now and then.... the time to beat on that course is 23:56 (shouldn't be too hard!). So starts a busy summer racing season!
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evanflein
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 04:26 PM
What an imaginative and fun idea! And it sounds like you managed to beat the old guy handily. Wish there were more races like this one. Thanks for the RR and nice improved time. Spareribs
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equinox marathon 43
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 04:32 PM
Nice report.I did that race back in '95 and '96 (the Inaugural and 2nd Beat Beethoven). You're right about that first hill...it is a bear. Congrats on a good race and the PR.
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dg9
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 05:20 PM
That sounds like fun, what a nice report. Hurray for your PR! Erkia, did you get a coupon?
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 05:24 PM
What a kewl RR!!!! Once in a while off beat races are a good time! It sounds like you had fun. Thanks for sharing it.------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 06:00 PM
Erika, As much as I love rock and roll, I also love Ludwig van. You live in a beautiful area of the world, albeit cold. Sounds like the temps were perfect for this race. Looks like you were almost 2 minutes faster than 2005? That's a nice improvement! Congratulations! Cindy
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tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 06:07 PM
.......excellent running//...........and what a Fun Idea for a Race......
.............nicely done..........
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choover
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 06:11 PM
Hi Speedy Erica!What a fun event! Congrats on doing so well especially with that hill. Sounds like your training sure paid off. So how long does the 5th Symphony last? I'm wondering if I could make it in time to get the free tickets.... Congrats on the PR~ ------------------
choover
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Labduck
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 06:18 PM
What an awesome time you ran in what sounds like a truly fun event. Congrats on you 7th OA finish. That's impressive.
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 06:45 PM
Attagirl!!! Thank you for the RR (and see? I thought the Beethoven information was just charming -- we would have been deprived of this had you not written this report!)
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 06:55 PM
Evan, I'm glad you did post this report. This sounds like a neat race and concept of beating Beetoven. You did well, besting your last time and being 7th woman to finish. Congratulations and thanks for posting.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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FlyingFinn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 07:16 PM
Way to go, Erica! I like the idea for this race. Your PR and 7th OA finish are very impressive. You will no doubt have a very successful summer racing season. Good going! FF
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Cashmason
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 07:38 PM
Way to go Erika!Good job on the prodding Econo and Tet!
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SkipAZ
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 10:00 PM
Congrats on the big PR! Looks like a great racing season ahead for you. Revise your goal for May 5th - 21:59 is there for the taking!Skip
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 10:14 PM
Thanks everyone! By the way, the 5th lasts about 29 minutes, so the free ticket was a sure thing. Something I didn't add (and Kevin, you'll like this) is now we have a "pacer" in the form of a long time runner around here (Steve Bainbridge) who is the perennial race director of the Equinox Marathon. He dresses up in full costume like Beethoven himself and paces himself to cross the line right at the end. So you have a "real" Beethoven to beat which is fun. He usually goes too fast and has to walk or stop and cheer runners on before he crosses the finish line. Last year he was tapering for Boston when he did that role. It is fun, and a greta way to start the summer! (Skip, thanks... I am hoping to cross that 22 barrier!) ------------------
evanflein
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Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-15-2007 10:56 PM
Evan - even without the Beethoven fun and an impressive PR to start the year on some of the spectacular parts of a difficult course I will never forget, any running in the northland is special reminding me of early runs mostly in the Big A but, happily with an Equinox in the mix too. You make me smell and feel again the freshness of the crisp, clean, finally-getting-warm air out amongst the white birches. Now I won't feel so silly either around the end of the year when I sometimes can't stop get the 9th out of my brain even after 26.2 miles is over. Thank you. Have fun and another PR on 5/5.
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-16-2007 08:49 AM
This concept would be a wonderful way to get runners to not listen to ipods while racing too!
Congratulations, evanflein, you are wicked fast!!
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huskydon
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-16-2007 07:14 PM
What a novel idea for a race! Congrats on beating your previous best by such a margin, too. Huskydon
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pfriese
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-16-2007 07:18 PM
I gotta agree with everyone else. What a cool idea for a race. You did great and I'm glad Econo & Tet coerced you into reporting. Thanks for sharing,Paul
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-16-2007 07:22 PM
what a fun fun race!! I'm so glad you did this report. Congratulations on such a great time!------------------
Tamarainalina
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-17-2007 11:23 AM
Evanflein – what fun! And a great cause, too. Thanks for the report and congrats on a great race and PR!------------------
Holly
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-17-2007 02:43 PM
Very nice job, Erika/Erica/Evan/Evanflein!! You are quite fast!! ...and uphill to boot!!By the way, did you "warm up" last year prior to the race similar to what you did this year? Is there any learning there?
PJ
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roy c
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-17-2007 02:49 PM
This race deserved to be posted, a PR and all. Don't hesitate, just post your reports.
Well done.
Roy
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euphoric
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-17-2007 03:06 PM
Thanks for such a great report and congrats on you time. We need all the smiles we can get today!
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-17-2007 03:19 PM
Canfit, no I didn't warm up much in 2005, and yes I will always do that from now on! Also, I started running again in Feb 2005 after taking most of the winter off... this year I've been racking up 35-40+ mile weeks since December. Trying to avoid the injuries I got last year from ramping up too far too fast. Thanks!------------------
evanflein
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