| Author |
Topic: Run By The Bay 10K - Bay City, MI |
tselbs
Cool Runner |
 posted May-19-2007 04:59 PM
   
This was my third year for this race and one I was looking forward to. The majority of the course winds through woods and marshland on a nice hard packed dirt trail with a few wooden bridges and some pavement. The trail part is a lot like running on a dirt road. There are no sharp turns and it's fairly level. It's a pretty course. Also, I expected to see a lot of people I knew. I set my 10K PR at this race last year. Shortly after arriving, I saw Brian, Terry, Angie, and Leonard that I've mentioned in a number of other reports. I was pleased to see Sue who I haven't seen for a long time and was the one who convinced me to run my first Crim 4 years ago. I saw Kristen, a local cross country coach and speedy runner who I occasionally see at races. I saw a number of others that I know which got the morning off to a good start. Before the start, they announced that they had to alter the course a bit as part of it was too wet. That always makes me nervous about distances, both the total and the placement of the mile markers. I'd figured that it would take about 8:20 minute miles for a PR. I started out with Terry and Angie who quickly pulled ahead, slowly but consistently opening the distance between us. Leonard was somewhere in front of me but I didn't know where. At the first mile mark, my watch showed 8:12 which looked good but it felt like I was working too hard. At the second mile mark, it read 16:53 so I'd apparently slowed quite a bit. At the third mile mark, it was 25:34 and thoughts of a PR were slipping away. At the 4 mile mark, it was 34:32 and I figured a PR was out of reach. Shortly after the 4 mile mark, it was apparent that something was wrong, the leaders were coming back towards us and it wasn't an out and back course. There was confusion as a turn had been missed and they were coming back to get on course. I had to back track a little, but not as much as the leaders, and more than those who followed me. I didn't get excited about time as I'd given up on a PR. The mess up caused me to end up right behing Leonard and have Terry and Angie behind me. I figured to try to stay close to Leonard and did so until the finish. Terry passed me quickly and Angie a little closer to the finish. It's only right since, if the race had stayed on the same route, Terry, Angie, and Leonard would have easily finished ahead of me. I hit the splits button at the 5 and 6 mile marks but didn't bother to look at the time. Upon finishing, I checked my GPS for distance (6.626), time (54:32) and pace (8:13). The pace shocked me as that was well below PR pace and not consistent with anything I saw on the course other than the time for the first mile. I figured that I could look at the split information when I got home and see what happened. I visited some more with a bunch of people before the awards. I was 29/55 overall and 2/3 in my age group (60-64). The award was a nice plaque with a picture of one of the wooden bridges and trees along the course. At home, upon analyzing my GPS information, I concluded that they were somewhat erratic in the placement of their mile markers and I was real erratic with my effort and pace. I know the GPS can be off a little, but my experience has been to have it's discrepancies rather minor. Just because I found it interesting, I'll post some stats. mile GPS GPS GPS GPS GPS
mark dist tot dist time tot time interval pace
1 1.103 1.103 8:12 8:12 7:26
2 1.017 2.120 8:40 16:53 8:31
3 1.074 3.194 8:52 25:46 8:15
4 1.178 4.327 8:46 34:32 7:26
5 1.066 5.438 9:42 44:15 9:06
6 .961 6.399 8:26 52:42 8:46
finish .224 6.623 1:49 54:32 8:08 I'm not complaining about the course as I'd hate to have to make last minute changes and can understand that there might be some glitches. I've seen my pace vary like this in training runs when my mind wandered but don't think I've had this much variation in pace in a race other that the steady deterioration during the last 6-8 miles of my marathon. Perhaps, I lost some concentration in miles 5 and 6 after the "getting lost" episode, but there was a lot of variation before that. Perhaps, the first mile, at a pace that I shouldn't be attempting, took a lot out of me. But then, where did my mile 4 pace come from? I'm not going to lose any sleep over this as I had a great day and don't have any delusions about running with the Kenyans. It was just something to get curious about. TomS ------------------
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 05:35 PM
Tom, I don't know how to account for the discrepancies, especially if it was related to your GPS. Seems like if your pace really was varied, the distractions during mile 4 would have impacted your pace, unless the adrenelin was pumping because of it. Anyway sounds like this is your race -- you PR'd here last year and were poised for another this time. Wasn't it you who said on the daily last week that it's funny how often when you feel your're running your worst, it ends up being your best? Congratulations on the award. cj
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runwun
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 05:50 PM
Great run tom.
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roy c
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 06:10 PM
Hi Tom
Nice times, I'd take the gps more as gospel than I would the mile markers. You are a very understanding person. Great you got some hardware as well.
Well done
Roy
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rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 06:37 PM
Tom -
A good effort even if obviously confusing. I've also had a potential PR blown away by a mismarked course, so I know how you feel. By the way, even the newer Forerunners can get confused by a 180-degree turnaround, so if that's what you did at that one point, it could have contributed to the bogus pace. Anyway, now you have next year to look forward to for your 10K PR. ------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
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SkipAZ
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 07:03 PM
Congrats on the PR for the 6.623 mile distance! I hope to someday gain the positive outlook on things that you have Tom. I would have been fuming about the inadequate course marking and mile markers being off. But you in your grace and wisdom, just brush that all aside and focus on all the positives like enjoying the time with friends. Thanks for reminding us what's important Tom. Skip
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ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 07:12 PM
Good perspective on a difficult race situation. Enjoyed your report as it was obvious you enjoyed yourself.ksrunr
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TMWIP
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 08:25 PM
I always fear in the smaller races of not knowing where to go and missing a turn if no one is nearby. But to have a whole group go the wrong way . . . Great race despite the confusion and sounds like you had fun meeting up with friends!
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 09:24 PM
Holy Smokes Tom, you have pretty good times there and take a course change in stride. Good show. The best part about racing is the fellowship. As always, thanks for the Race Report.------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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runningindc
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 07:24 AM
Sounds like a beautiful peacful course to run and you did a smahing job of it. And it is so great when we get to do something we enjoy and see old friends at the same time.------------------
Running in wellness Liz Lizs Profile
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Caddisfli
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 08:11 AM
Nice Race Tom and a pleasant though somewhat adventurous day with old friends. Your approach to all the changes, twists and turns in the day is a great example to us all. We should all just roll with those things as you did.
Thanks for sharing.
cfli
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pfriese
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 11:32 AM
Tom, your times looked great and considering all the confusion, friends, changes along the way; you ran an excellent race. I like your attitude about not stressing over the last-minute couse changes. Thnaks for the report.Paul
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Elaine3112
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 02:19 PM
Tom.
Last minute course changes can throw a spanner in the works and it obviously confused the leaders. You coped with it well and made a good race out of it too, complete with hardware. Well done.
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 04:39 PM
It still looks like a new PR is coming at your next 10K race to me.  And congratulations on the 2nd in AG award.
It sounds like a very nice course when they don't have to alter it.
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mrpat
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 12:09 AM
Tom, you ran a great race and it sure looks like you are poised to set a new PR at this distance, when you next run on a certified course. It is always uplifting to read your reports especially the time you take to describe your friends and how they are doing.
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SherieRanier
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 12:23 AM
Tom, congrat's on your hardware, even with a slightly longer course and misplaced mile markers, you still did great.Sherie
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Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 07:54 AM
Tom, I'm a pretty laid-back guy, but I don't think I could be as calm about this as you are. Seems to me the one thing race organizers need to get right is distance and mile markers (okay, maybe two things). I would be grumpy about this. But you took it all in stride (and pretty darn quick strides at that!). Your overall pace suggests you're poised for a PR next time.
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selb3
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 08:31 AM
Way to go big brother! Another fine run and race report. And after all, it is a pr at that distance, whatever the distance actually turned out to be. And remember fellow Boomers, Tom's patience, and outward easy-going manner, is partially explained by his 30 or years of teaching America's youth. (as I can attest, being a former student). Congrats Tom! dave
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 10:24 AM
I liked the company, the surface, the scenery, and the attitude. And the time! Very nice running, Tom.I understand how difficult it is to get the distance exact when an r.d. has to change the course last minute, but it should be marked or marshaled VERY well... Congratulations on a nice second place finish!
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hermosaboy
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 10:30 AM
Sounds like a pretty good time for a quarter marathon, I mean a 10k.  Nice race Tom!!!
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 08:11 PM
First let me say congrats on the 2nd place. You ran well. Tom, if there was one guy who would be easy-going about running on a messed up course on PR day, it would be you. But you are running so well now, that you may get the PR next time. Very good effort and report. Spareribs
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hally
Moderator of Boomers and Beyond |
posted May-21-2007 08:22 PM
Always a pleasure to read your RR's Tom. You make lemonade out of lemons.......and teach all of us a lesson in the process. ^5 on the AG award.Barb
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 08:13 AM
Great run Tom! I'm particularly impressed by those two 7:26 miles! Your 10K PR is not far away.
PJ
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 02:39 PM
Tom – well, you know that I had a bad experience this year with a mismarked course, so you have my sympathies in that regard. I only wish I took it as well as you did. Sounds like you still had a good day, ran with good friends, and ran at some pretty good paces in my book. Great race and report!------------------
Holly
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FlyingFinn
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 05:31 PM
Congratulations on your award, Tom. I always enjoy your reports. Your outlook is so pleasant and you have a nice group of running friends to meet up with at the races. This course sounds very pretty, too Good job on your 6.626 PR!
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