| Author |
Topic: Totally Ridiculous HM PR (Seafair) |
Iapetus999
Cool Runner |
 posted Jul-08-2007 03:32 PM
   
Well I've been more or less in training for this HM since January. I had a couple of setbacks along the way, including a 2-week flu in February (after getting canned at AMZN in Jan), a strained calf in May, and then some other weird infection along the way that kept me out for a week. However, I guess I've hit on a decent training plan because since the start of the year I've set 2 5K PR's, 1 10K PR, and a 7-minute PR on an ~11K course. Also my long runs had gotten down to a 12mm pace, whereas back in Jan they had been around 13 (based on HR)
Quick FR: blue nike shorts, black sleeveless russell tech shirt, nike visor, brand new polarized no-name shades, NB 857's size 14, garmin forerunner 305.
So today started out ok. My alarm went off at 5:00 so I had plenty of time to get to the 7:15 start. Unfortunately about 3 mi from my house my stomach starts acting up. Remind me not to eat whatever it was I ate yesterday. I pass by a park and spot a public RR. After using the RR I get back in my car, drive about 10 feet and say, "uh-oh." I run back out etc etc fortunately everything's good.
I make it to Bellevue Square ok and start guzzling water. This was probably a mistake. At I was waiting in the chute I kept having to pee, literally every 2 minutes I ran over to a little restroom that fortunately had no line. As soon as the gun sounded, I thought, "I gotta pee again." Too late 
The weather was great today. The first hour or so saw a nice overcast of about 60 degrees, and once the sun broke through it heated to about 65, but a little cool wind kicked up as well, so I never felt hot on the course.
I ran into a former co-worker at the start of the race. It was his first HM and I actually saw him on the course a couple times.
The first couple miles went well. My goal as always was to run a sub-12mm race and finish in 2:30 or under. The first four miles are rolling hills with little overall elevation change (+70ft)
1 11:10
2 11:25
3 11:00
4 10:58
So after those splits I'm thinking to myself, "either I'm having a great day or I am going to crash and burn."
Then comes a decent hill for 3 miles, overall +130ft. I start losing my good pace:
5 11:36
6 11:10
7 11:41 ***
I bet you're wondering what the *** is for.  Well my drinking issue caught up to me and I *had* to go. I came across some dudes spraying water on people, and I called out, "hey can I use your bathroom?" They were totally kewl and let me in! I think I lost about 20-30 secs overall...not bad! Better than the bushes or waiting in the 6-deep lines. BTW my stomach fell fine the whole race.
Now came the fun part...downhill! The next four miles dropped about -270 feet. Sweet!
8 10:54
9 10:15
10 10:58
11 10:56
You can imagine by now that I'm totally getting psyched, average right around 11mm...way faster that I had hoped for. And I realized that with only two miles to go that I couldn't let up or relax. By now my HR had climbed up to "5K" levels, but I still felt strong. I had starting drinking the yucky Gleukos drink around mile 9 which I think helped me, also a pack of sport beans.
The last 2 miles climb back up +55 feet, but I was determined:
12 11:11
13 11:11
.1 10:30Previous Course PR: 2:40:59
Previous HM PR: 2:39:01 (seattle rainathon)
drumroll please.....
Today: 2:26:15 
A PR by 12:45!
Overall pace: 11:09...58 secs/mile faster than before
Ridiculous!
Anyways I'm really sore and can barely move...but I still can't believe I did it. My avg HR is also down 2bpm from my previous HM. I didn't feel tired the whole race...just sore here and there. I think another factor that helped was the weather...it was perfect for once.
Well I think I'm going to rest the rest of the day and have some nice, cold beers. Next up for me: Ragnar Relay NW Passage (still have spots on our team if anyone's interested)
------------------
-Andy
Competing in 5Ks
Google me!
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glidegal
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 03:46 PM
Are you sure you want me to remind you not to eat what you ate last night? The Twelve Forty Five Solution!
This victory makes up for a lot of carp you've lived through this year. And how! I admire you for picking a pace and sticking with it (*** stop or not). PNW had perfecto weather for you this morning--yeehaw! Fashion = faster too! great race lapetus!!! glidegal
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 04:33 PM
When's the Ragnar Relay? hmmmnnnnnice job, Andy! Wow, that's a PR to put in the bank & draw interest!
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ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 04:48 PM
Congratulaltions on a very difficult race. Your report was very entertaining. If you're sore I would suggest you jog very lightly or walk a little today to help in recovery. I always have "Pee" no matter if I really have to or not. It's just my body's way of getting ready. Again congrats on that pr. It's an impressive improvement.ksrunr
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rtravers
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 04:55 PM
Bravo on smashing your PR so resoundingly! I've started to get a handle on the over-hydration issue. Stopping mid race to find a potty is never fun, is it!? Looks like you didn't lose much time in the process, though!--Robin
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 05:06 PM
Nice Job, Andy.
Sounds like your training is yeilding some fruit.
Congrats on the PR
jjj
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glidegal
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 05:07 PM
econo--great minds.... glidegalwww.http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_6/inaugural-ragnar-relay-no.shtml.com
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Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 05:23 PM
WTG SMASHING your old PR, Andy. Racing seems to bring out the best in you--do it more often. For now, take it easy and pay attention to recovering properly. Best of luck on the next race. We'll be waiting for another great race report.------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
Profile
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 05:31 PM
lapetus, that's a humongous PR!! To cut off a minute per mile is some progress. Congratulations.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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millbot
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-08-2007 05:54 PM
Wow, Andy, what an improvement! Your pacing was quite steady. Congratulations on a fine performance.
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Iapetus999
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 09:33 AM
Thanks, guys. Of course now I've set a high bar for myself... Anyways that's the right Ragnar race but the link was a little mangled:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_6/inaugural-ragnar-relay-no.shtml Anyways we have a couple spots open on our corporate team so it wouldn't cost you anything (company pays your fee) ------------------
-Andy
Competing in 5Ks
Google me!
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enkephalin
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 12:03 PM
Hey, way to go!! Looks like all your running is paying off. You will surely just get faster and faster, unless next year it is 95 degrees. Nice improvement though!!I did the half also, but sadly cannot claim a PR. I did not stick to a comfortable pace and fell apart on Richards Road, where the sun started bearing down on me (I hate the sun/heat, can never really get used to it) Anyway, I might post my own race report, not quite as joyous as yours, but hopefully entertaining. I ran through that one fella's sprinkler too, and was very grateful. You found an unused bathroom near the start, what a score! I had to bypass the last minute pee and have faith that the urge would pass as soon as the race began. Your relay sounds interesting. If it were only one leg I'd have to run, I would be interested, but 3 over 24 hours sounds like sleep deprivation and I like to sleep too much.
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Labduck
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 02:05 PM
Nice race Andy. Half marathons are interesting races, and you did great by smashing your PR by almost 13 minutes. You're really starting to get into great shape.I had a hard enough time trying to ignore the chance to run the Ragnar Relay earlier. Now with Econo and glidegal thinking about it, jeez! ...must concentrate on marathon training...must concentrate on marathon training...must concentrate on marathon training...
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glidegal
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 02:27 PM
hey lab, welcome home--what marathon program are you doing? econo, sorry for the bad link--- i'm tech challenged..glide
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 03:33 PM
Excellent job! I am especially familiar with the feeling as the gun goes off, "I've gotta pee!!"
Congratulations on your hugh new PR!
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-09-2007 03:51 PM
Andy, wow, that's a great PR!! You've come so far since I first was reading your posts about climbing Mt. Ranier a couple years ago. Good job! And hey, you need to change your signature line!------------------
evanflein
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srlopez
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-10-2007 01:24 AM
You make the race sound not very hilly While you halfers got to miss part of the roller coaster fun, you got some good ones too... especially that friendly uphill finish.You did great.
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Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-10-2007 01:58 AM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Iapetus999:
The last 2 miles climb back up +55 feet, but I was determinedSomehow it seems like the last two blocks climb up 55 feet, about the same as the one hill (by the UW Bothell campus) in the Labor Day Jock'nJill HM otherwise mostly along the really flat Burke Gilman bike paths. However, with your Seattle and Seafair Halfs, you may just be one of those rare hill runners. Do you kind of like 'em? huh? do you?
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-10-2007 07:52 AM
Great race, Andy, and new PR! Keep up the good training and you'll see that PR drop even further. Continued good running!
PJ
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euphoric
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-10-2007 08:35 AM
Glad you had so much success after that frustrating start to the year. If that's the result of being sick, would you please come breathe on me next time? Congratulation on the PR and I really enjoyed reading your report.
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