huskydon
Cool Runner |
 posted Oct-06-2007 02:39 PM
   
Short version: Very nice race, met up with SLOjim, and ran about what I expected (23:19) which is a PR by nearly a minute. This is also my best age graded performance ever (62.9%)Long version: Chapman University is a small private school in Orange County. (www.chapman.edu) The president of the school must be an avid runner (he finished second in his AG). Having a race at a university has plusses, I noted. The post race food, (hot stone cut oatmeal with raisins, dried cranberries, orange juice, etc) was above average and served by well dressed help. About 500 people participated. On the web site, there were about 350 who pre-registered as of a week ago. I noted that twelve of these in my AG, and using the virturace web site, I figured I had an outside chance of scoring one of the trophies for top 3 finishers in each AG. But alas, t was not to be as I finished 8th in my age group, being done in by a bunch of fast late registering folks. The race is well organized (and on time), there was an email telling you where to park, etc, parking is free, close, and plentiful and the registration fee is $20. Typical t-shirt, no goodie bag. Un Fashion Report: Royal blue Brooks trunks, Orange Walmart tech top, Adidas socks, Asics Gel Cumulus VII’s. Conditions were great, 60 degrees with some sun. The course is flat, out and back. Towards the end of the run, you run onto the school track, and you can see yourself on the jumbotron. I wonder why I always look like I am loafing when I see myself running…. The other nicety was a finisher’s medal. I have been settling into a comfortable groove, running four times a week, averaging a very steady 20-22 MPW for three or four months now. I decided to try to improve my speed in the shorter distances, hoping it would translate into faster times for the longer distances and have been doing some 800 intervals (at around 7:30 pace). So, I had been expecting about that pace for this race. I did harbor a goal of breaking 23 and would have been overjoyed to do so. But still, I feel like I would have a shot next time. My splits were 7:20/ 7:37/ 8:22 (7:33.5 pace) which wasn’t bad, but boy that last mile seemed awfully awfully long. This is a very nice race and I wouldn’t hesitate to run it again. It was also very good to see and talk with SLOjim again. I hope you all have a great weekend and good races as well. I know there are a lot of races going on, thanks so much for reading.
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