| Author |
Topic: VCM RR |
UncleSteve57
Cool Runner |
 posted May-29-2007 05:22 PM
   
I'll keep this somewhat brief as I'm not feeling 100% (not marathon-related) and several others have so wonderfully described both the course and the weather.My favorite part of the weekend was getting to meet some other Boomers at the no-longer-rusty swingset...RoseColoredGlasses, RocketScientist, predawnrunner, WillRunForBeer, SkipAZ, kbunker1. It's the first time I've met any Boomers in person and it was a genuine pleasure! I'm also pretty happy that I PR'd: 4:40:55...beats last year's VCM of 5:17 by some 36 min. Oh yeah! But I was shooting for 4:30 this year. And my half split of 2:12:12 was right on track. And I'm not really sure what the problem was. Battery hill certainly took a toll, but I gave myself an easy recovery mile after the climb and seemed to be ok. Then it seemed that I just gradually ran out of gas. I didn't hit the wall...there was nothing sudden...I was able to keep going forward...no leg pains (though I did get a side stitch several times - belly breathing help with that). I was carrying my own gel and refueling every 45 minutes or so, and taking enough water (I think). Though I did feel a slight nausea in the last 4 miles, which increased after I finished. My guess is that (1) I simply didn't have enough endurance miles under my belt. Losing several training weeks in March for surgery/recovery couldn't have helped. (2) I ran two hard races the previous two weekends - a PR 10K then a PR 5K. I 'assumed' I'd be fully recovered for VCM, but perhaps wiser, more experienced Boomers will tell me different. I would appreciate the input. Worst of all, I had to shield my eyes from the Ben & Jerry's in the finish area. I noticed some other folks looking a little green-in-the-gills and I didn't want to start a chain reaction. Instead I treated myself to strawberry-topped french toast early Monday morning. Yum! And then got back home in time to enjoy our tiny, local Memorial Day parade followed by hot dogs at the fire hall with friends and neighbors. And now I'll start planning for Hartford in October. I'm told they'll be unveiling the new course tomorrow evening, and I'm eager to see it. If it's flatter than VCM, I may be able to break 4:30 (or better) after a summer of building a better base. Thanks for reading. Steve
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 05:32 PM
Uncle Steve, I'd say you did mighty well, cutting 36 minutes off last year's time. Congratulations.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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WillRunForBeer
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 05:36 PM
Steve - it was great to meet you at the swings. A 36 minute course record improvement is hugh! If Hartford is reasonably flat we might find ourselves there as well.Lou
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 05:41 PM
YES!I was SO hoping you would report in, Uncle Steve! It was fun to meet you at the no-longer-rusty-swingset, too! I am glad that you met your goal of beating last year's time and sorry you missed your 4:30 goal. Hey, you had a lot to overcome, getting to the starting line was a triumph! The weather didn't permit a happy post-race reunion but what a nice little "pre-union" by the swingset. (I want to hear how kbunker1 did! I saw him a few times... I was sort of like a bad penny there for a while...)
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spacecadet
Member |
posted May-29-2007 06:41 PM
Good Race!
It was nice to meet you. It is amazing how nice all these folks from the virtual world can be.Hope to see you at another race.
Ralph (the other half of Rose Colored Glasses)
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 07:51 PM
A significant PR for you uncle steve, and you should be proud. Good going. As for your questions about fatigue later in the race, I have a few ideas:"My guess is that (1) I simply didn't have enough endurance miles under my belt. Losing several training weeks in March for surgery/recovery couldn't have helped. (2) I ran two hard races the previous two weekends - a PR 10K then a PR 5K." Sometimes just talking it out gives you all the answers you need. Several training weeks in March for surgery and recovery, is not an indicator for a strong marathon, but if you put this in perspective, you ran a PR despite this! Now rest some, and go get the next one. You are a tough runner. Spareribs
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 08:07 PM
Nice improvement on your VCM time and I am sure Hartford will bring you the race you are looking for. Maybe spread those gels out to an hour between. I am so sorry about your green tummy feeling.
Congratulations on the fine PR finish time and getting to meet the nicest boomers. 
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Caddisfli
Cool Runner |
posted May-29-2007 09:57 PM
Wow great PR Steve!
I am sorry to have missed meeting you but I hope you'll join the festivities in Hartford. We threw a hell of a party last year!
Congrats on a great run.
cfli
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted May-30-2007 11:47 AM
Uncle Steve – a 36 minute PR! Wow! Great job! I do hope you’ve treated yourself to some Ben and Jerry’s since the race – you deserve it!------------------
Holly
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted May-30-2007 12:32 PM
that's odd - I remember reading this right after you posted it and was sure I responded - but now it's not there. gremlins I tell ya!Nice job on the marathon and a huge PR!! Very very nicely done!!
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted May-30-2007 12:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by UncleSteve57:
Losing several training weeks in March for surgery/recovery couldn't have helped.
Bingo. Nevertheless, you ran a huge 36-minute course PR--that's well over a minute per mile faster than last year. Clearly you are getting faster, and you will likely beat your 4:30 goal in a fall marathon if the weather is good. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted May-30-2007 12:47 PM
This is a real nice improvement for you, congratulations. Without surgery, I hope training for Hartford can be more consistent and lead to even more improvement. Good luck!
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted May-31-2007 07:24 AM
Uncle Steve.....Uncle Steve.....Uncle Steve.To knock off 36 minutes from your previous PR is rather incredible. If you were able to do that EVERY time.???? Anyway, by not making the 4:30 goal gives you ANOTHER day to be happy for a great PR. Looking forward to seeing what you do in Hartford. Thanks for sharing..and Congratulations (Did you hear that?....he knocked off 36 minutes !!!!!...sheeesh)
------------------
vista129
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kbunker1
Cool Runner |
posted May-31-2007 11:57 AM
Hi everyone,I am finally checking in. Congratulations Uncle Steve on the PR. I did a PR also for VCM, in 2005 I ran a 5:07, this year, thanks in part to the nice rain I ran in 4:51. Not a spectacular time, but I was pleased. I really started to feel bad at about mile 23 and my hip tightened up, so I had to walk alittle, otherwise I could have done better. You were just ahead of me at the half, I was there at about 2:15. Rosecoloredglasses- You were definitely not a bad penny turning up. I looked forward to hearing from you each mile. After I saw that last time at about mile 7, I decided to get my pace to about 10:20 to 10:30. I was able to do that until Battery Hill and then it was just put one foot front of the other. It was great to meet everyone at the swingset. This was probably my last VCM as a marathoner. Training for a May race has become harder for me with weather and other commitments. My sons want to do the relay next year, something that I am seriously going to consider. Now all I have to do is get them off the couch and running. My next marathon is in October, so that means after today's rest day, I start my training schedule again tomorrow in week 2. Here we go again. Take care everyone, and I will check in here more often. Again, it was great meeting you all and I hope we can meet again, Chris
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 05:24 AM
Beating your previous PR by 36 min. is no small task. Well done and thanks Uncle Steve------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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predawnrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 06:45 AM
Three weekends of PRs! Wow - you're on quite a roll! Congratulations.Uh oh. We're already in week 2 of the fall training schedule?? ------------------
Predawnrunner, aka mrs W.R.F. Beer
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SkipAZ
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 07:02 AM
Hey Steve! Congrats on the new PR! That 4:30 will be yours at Hartford. It was an easier course than VCM BEFORE they flattened it out! I'm glad I got to meet you. Be sure to post a RR on Iron Horse - it has always sounded like a fun race to me. Congrats again.Skip
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SkipAZ
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 07:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by kbunker1:
Hi everyone,... I did a PR also for VCM, in 2005 I ran a 5:07, this year, thanks in part to the nice rain I ran in 4:51. Not a spectacular time, but I was pleased.
Penalty Flag! Fines! No fair piggybacking Chris! You deserve your own thread, especially with a PR. Congrats to you on that! It was nice to meet you. Glad you enjoyed the race. Skip
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kbunker1
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 07:37 AM
Sorry! Please accept my most humble apologies. I was completely unaware, obviously, that I should not have piggybacked on Uncle Steve's thread with my PR. I guess I need some education on thread etiquette. I shall not put myself in time out for the rest of the day and as further punishment, I will add an extra mile to my workout today.Stay healthy everyone, Chris
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dg9
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 08:42 AM
Steve,Congratulations! Just about everything I wanted to say was already said. A big 'ole PR, even without all the extenuating factors, is something to cheer about. Like Holly said, I hope you got your Ben & Jerry's. I was glad to see your thread, had noticed you'd been quiet since the marathon & was hoping you were ok. I hope you're back to 100%. I didn't know you had surgery in March. Are you completely recovered? Would love to hear about your training plans for October. ------------------
debbie
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dg9
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 08:47 AM
quote:
Originally posted by kbunker1:
Sorry! Please accept my most humble apologies. I was completely unaware, obviously, that I should not have piggybacked on Uncle Steve's thread with my PR. I guess I need some education on thread etiquette. I shall not put myself in time out for the rest of the day and as further punishment, I will add an extra mile to my workout today.Stay healthy everyone, Chris
Chris, an extra mile would be good..  . But don't miss Skip's point... you deserve your own thread. Congratulations on your PR. Will be nice to have you checking in!
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UncleSteve57
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 10:14 AM
Thanks for all the pats-on-the-back folks. Boomers are such great people. I am back to full health again and Yes, I was treated to a pint of Ben & Jerry's Karamel Sutra (Great, but not as good as the now-deceased Peppermint Schtick.) Iilene, thanks for the suggestion on spreading out the gels a bit more. I'll try that. Chris, congrats on the PR! I remember seeing you on the Intervale around mile 5 and you were looking very strong. Although I don't mind you piggybacking on my RR Chris, I agree with Skip that you should (even now) post your own RR. Many folks who are waiting to read how you fared won't know to look here. Thanks again all. Steve
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perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-01-2007 11:06 AM
Steve.. Congratulations on that HUGH PR. 36 minutes!! Awesome! Next one you'll knock 11 more off. It's amazing how one training cycle builds upon the previous one! Hartford should be perfect!perch
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