Cool Running :: Foot Traffic Flat HM Race Report - A Long Way to Run for Strawberry Shortcake!

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Foot Traffic Flat HM Race Report - A Long Way to Run for Strawberry Shortcake!

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Author	Topic: Foot Traffic Flat HM Race Report - A Long Way to Run for Strawberry Shortcake!
Labduck Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 08:56 PM The Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon, in its fifth year, has quickly become a Portland running tradition. Always on the 4th of July, the race is run on Sauvie Island, a bucolic isle of working farms and cows located in the Columbia River 10 miles from downtown Portland. Sauvie Island The island is mostly flat, except of course where the race starts and finishes. It is billed as the fastest half marathon on the West Coast, and it probably is. This reputation has spread nationwide, and thus this race has also become one of the most competitive in Portland, drawing participants from throughout the country. By the way, Happy 231st Birthday USA! What does this all mean for me? It’s my best chance to accomplish one of my primary running goals this year, which is to run a sub-1:30:00 half marathon. It also means my streak of age group placing (last six races) will most likely come to a halt. That is perfectly fine with me if I can beat 1:30:00. Fashion report: My Nike Air Zoom Milers with red, white, and blue trim; dark blue Nike shorts; and a red adidas singlet with three blue stripes. Like there was any question I was going to wear red, white, and blue! I had two major concerns coming into this race. I’ve been fighting a mild case of plantar fasciitis on my left heel for two months and I didn’t know whether I could go 13.1 miles without it flaring up too severely. And the other concern was the weather: with a predicted high in the 90°’s for today, the race was going to be run in temperatures in the low to mid 70°’s, with blazing sunshine. And there is very little shade on the island. My strategy was simple. Break down the race into three sections: the first five miles, the second five miles, and the last five kilometers. Given my concerns, I set my goal to run the first five in 34:30, the second five around 34:00, and the last 5K in under 21:30. If I hit the first five on target without too much heel pain, I was going to speed up and see what the heat did to me for the next five. Then if I was still on pace after 10, it was “go” time for the last 5K. Every once in a while in life, things seem to fall into place in the best way possible. Today was that day for me. Everything seemed to conspire for me. Maybe it was the pre-race pep talk I got from winejunky, or hanging out at the start with my new good luck charm glidegal. Whatever the serendipitous reason, today was my day. I hit mile 5 at 34:05 with very little heel pain, and feeling very comfortable. The split to mile 10 was 33:50, and I’m still feeling pretty good. I cover the last 5K in 21:24, the last mile being the hardest of the entire race since it was uphill on thick, loose gravel. I finished in 1:29:14 (6:48/mi), and a new PR by 2:31 minutes! This was over a minute faster than what McMillan predicted I could run. I guess this must really be the fastest half marathon in the West. Then I ate some fresh, local from the island strawberry shortcake that was out-of-this-world good. It was long way to run for some strawberry shortcake, but today it was worth it! Results: 1:29:14 (6:48/mi) Overall 54/1508 Age Group 6/56 ------------------ Labduck IP: Logged
mum2girls Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 09:10 PM I hope you went back for seconds on the SS... you certainly earned it! The stars were perfectly aligned and all your hard training paid off. Loved reading your RR! IP: Logged
Sans Souci Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 09:23 PM Okay, I am really doubled over reading mum2girls post, if you read it in the way I am. (Okay, so maybe that's a bit raunchy. My bad.) You did earn your strawberry shortcake ... oh, did you ever! You are unstoppable right now, Labdoodledandy! A PR by 2:31? Holy moly! I'd definitely take that GL gg wherever you go! I can't imagine there are many who give as good a pep talk as winejunky either. Congratulations! IP: Logged
huskydon Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 09:46 PM I don't know which sounded better, that sub 1:30 half marathon or the strawberry shortcake. Very nice running. Congratulations! Huskydon IP: Logged
Dark Horse Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 10:02 PM quote: Originally posted by huskydon: I don't know which sounded better, that sub 1:30 half marathon or the strawberry shortcake. Going back for seconds on SS sounded pretty good, too. The whole experience sounds just Ducky. Dark Horse ------------------ I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course IP: Logged
spankee Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 10:02 PM Can you ever have enough SS. And of course we all love strawberry shortcake, too. Great race and a great report. Great description of segmenting the course into manageable bits with specific targets for each part, A final mile uphill on gravel sounds counter to the rep of the fastest half marathon. Congrats on the PB and cracking 1:30 for the half.....one of the few who have beaten the McMillan calculator ....now what does Mr. Mcmillan say about the marathon? ------------------ The longest journey starts with a single step IP: Logged
lyndenrunner Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 10:12 PM Great Time Labduck!! You were movin' Congrats on your PR!! ------------------ Gordon My Profile IP: Logged
cajohnson5 Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 10:45 PM I'm not going to ever believe you again when you say you don't love running... Congratulations. cj IP: Logged
Jim24315 Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 11:14 PM Well done, Mr. Labduck Fast course or not, the heat had to make this one quite an accomplishment. This is the one you were supposed to get at Avenue of the Giants--I'm sure it was worth waiting for. Congratulations! IP: Logged
Ileneforward Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 11:23 PM Wowee, that was excellent!! And I can't believe any race that has "..uphill on thick, loose gravel." in it can be the fastest on the west coast. You are just one heck of a runner. Congratulations! You are going to be a very fast marathoner too. IP: Logged
MustangSally Cool Runner	posted Jul-04-2007 11:58 PM Wow, Labduck! I'm delighted for you! Congratulations on the PR and the Shortcake. ------------------ Mustang Sally Boomers and Beyond wiki IP: Logged
Tetsujin30 Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 01:48 AM For those of us who are lucky to estimate our halfs within 15-20 minutes, you earned every one of those seconds, . . . and also each and every one of the 151 seconds faster on your new half PR not only by dedicated training and a meticulous race day strategy but also, especially for so many of us who have benefitted from your sacrificing as the only guy at the various goddess aid stations in, e.g. last fall's Portland Marathon, the April Eugene, etc., you deserved it even way more than you just deserved it anyway. Maybe they'll clean that gravel up and you'll do a 2:32 PR next year. IP: Logged
arf 1 Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 03:44 AM quote: Originally posted by Sans Souci: A PR by 2:31? Holy moly! I'd definitely take that GL gg wherever you go! ![/B] I second that emotion! Congrats on a fantastic race Lab, and a perfect day. arf IP: Logged
Spareribs Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 07:35 AM That is one awesome effort Lab, and especially with a tough finishing mile and in the heat. You are in great shape right now. I hope the heel didn't give you any trouble and you will use this as a base for a spectacular marathon. I know Glidegal has run this race in the past and really enjoys it. You need to bring her to every race! Well done. Spareribs IP: Logged
Coastwalker Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 07:52 AM A good race strategy and excellent execution, Labduck! You nailed every one of your marks, and earned that PR. I'm so glad that you've crossed that hurdle (so to speak), and best of all, did it without any heal problems. Congratulations on a great race! Jay IP: Logged
glidegal Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 11:15 AM I am SO happy for labduck!!! Before we started he had checked out the new course ending and had trepidations about the gravel/uphill finish--which he nailed! So congrats on a super run and another goal you'd set for the year! Yes he had seconds on the shortcake--I gave him mine! Superduck that he is we tailgated at his ducked out green truck with cold beer. Now that is worth running for. glidegal IP: Logged
Dark Horse Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 11:26 AM quote: Originally posted by Tetsujin30: your sacrificing as the only guy at the various goddess aid stations Dark Horse ------------------ I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course IP: Logged
TheProFromDover Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 11:34 AM Lab, Excellent race, strategy, and execution! May I steal your plan and try it out? Craig [hijack] Sans Souci, I am doubled over reading "your" reply! Ha, you are so lucky you were not there. Or here! Now get some respect training girl. http://www.atsmedia.com/scripts/cat_Detail.asp?item_ID=907 At my training we watched a little video of a guy dissing someone. The facilitator then asked how we felt about this guy. I replied "what an a**hole!" That kind of set the tone for my participation. [/hijack] IP: Logged
ksrunr Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 11:39 AM I want to get in line to add my congrats as well. A very well executed race on your part and very fast indeed. SS ksrunr IP: Logged
Twocat Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 11:58 AM Great job on the race. You have no idea how jealous I am! I am never going to run a HM in under 1:30. So, alas, I have to live vicariously through others via reports like yours. Congratulations. IP: Logged
Fortunate One Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 12:05 PM Congratulations on a great race, Lab. Beating McMillan's prediction bodes very well for Portland, as well as achieving PR's at shorter distances. How'd that heel feel this morning? ------------------ Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem Profile IP: Logged
hollys4874 Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 12:39 PM Labduck – You lucky guy – I’m betting there’s a long line of guys wishing they could have had seconds on SS, …what with those being such fresh strawberries and all…GG was so kind to give you hers... Congratulations on your HUGH PR! Well done! ------------------ Holly IP: Logged
vista129 Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 12:42 PM That is incredible to me, to be able to hit your goals at SO close. It speaks will for your strategy and also for knowing your limits and what you can do. Enjoy your PR and hope you have more Strawberry Shortcake before the season is over. Congratulations ! ------------------ vista129 IP: Logged
Econo Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 01:32 PM Really sorry to hear that you didn't place in your AG. (I use that HM strategy, too...but add half hours here and there. Seriously, Most Excellent job on a hot day! Shave a few minutes off considering the temperatures...) IP: Logged
John2635 Cool Runner	posted Jul-05-2007 06:45 PM Great job labduck on the sub 1:30 and your new PR, that must of been pretty warm out in the sun also, as it's wicked hot down here. Sorry your string of AG placements has come to a close, but 54 out of 1500 is pretty sweet. See you tomorrow, John IP: Logged

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