| Author |
Topic: Humboldt Half RR |
John2635
Cool Runner |
 posted Oct-24-2007 11:18 AM
  
Reports a little late as I've been a little busy lately.Short: 1:48:24 (8:16) 54:34/53:50
195/551 Overall
9/26 M55-59 AG
13 minute PR !! The Humboldt Redwoods 1/2 marathon is an out and back along the Avenue of the Giants near the small town of Weott, CA, about 40 miles south of Eureka. I try to run either this race in the fall or The Avenue of the Giants in the spring or sometimes both every year. There had been a lot of rain in the area the week or so prior to the race, but Sunday dawned clear and cool, IRC, around 45° at race time (9AM local) and no wind. Not that you'd feel any wind on the floor of a Redwood forest. I met up with Tammy and her family a little before the race, and then left to do a 2 mile fast walk, slow jog warm up. My goal for the race was to finally go under 2 hours, having missed it by a minute at my last half earlier this year, and also to help Tammy go under 2 hours as well. I thought maybe 1:56 may be doable if everything went right. The race isn't chip timed, so Tammy and I lined up near the front. I expected it to take a while to get around some of the slower runners, but there wasn't much congestion at the start. I'm not much good at pacing and I thought I was going a little faster than I wanted to during the first mile maybe around 9:20 or so, but was really shocked when we hit the first mile split at 8:43. I tried to slow down a little, but hit the next mile in 8:07. This was a little faster than Tammy and I had talked about, so I hoped she wasn't going too fast trying to keep up. I'd turn around and run backwards every so often, looking for her and hoping she wasn't too far back. At the turnaround I was relieved to see Tammy looking strong and only 2 minutes behind, and since I was several minutes ahead of our predicted pace, I just decided to go for it. The last 6 miles were at 7:55 to 8:16 pace. This was one of those races where it seemed I was running downhill both directions. I passed several people in the last few miles, some walking after having gone out too fast (been there, done that) and found a young 20 something lady running her first half marathon to........er, pace me the last 3 or 4 miles. (Thanks, Moira.... and I hope I didn't come across as too skeevy with that impromptu sweaty finish line hug, but hey, I'm old, I can get away with it.  ) One thing I noticed about running with this 8:15 mm group, it's a lot more serious than when you're running with the 10mm group. There's a minimum of chitchat between runners as opposed to the non stop talking you hear farther back in the pack, not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's pretty cool to hang for 13 miles with the faster runners. FR: Lime green singlet, grey shorts, Brooks Adreneline GT7S, white "Rogue Valley Runners" cap. No camera, no pix Thanks for reading John
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 11:44 AM
well, you already know how proud I am of the fantastic racing you did and the PR and the age placement . . . you did so so well! a 13 min PR is great - and it's almost as great as my PR improvement! LOL
when I grow up I wanna be a speedy runner like you John!------------------
Tamalina
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Opie
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 12:22 PM
John, it was great to talk to you after the race and hear your excitement, for you and the Tamster. You're too humble, though-all you wanted to talk about was my ultra! Btw, I meant to say it's a mountain bike trail, not dirt bike. Anyway, what a great 2-fer in this race! It's hard to coach someone and yet perform yourself but you pulled it off wonderfully. Just a tip, though, to be a really good coach you should run just behind her skirt, I mean, so you, er, would be close enough that it would be easy to give her encouragement.I liked your comment about the chit-chat. At Bellingham, Soundie basically told me to shut up to conserve energy.  And something tells me you and I won't have a chance to chit-chat during the Carlsbad Marathon because you could easily be ahead of me. Surely we'll be all talked out the night before, though. ------------------
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 12:31 PM
Wow, both you and Tammy got huge PRs at this race! It must be that MC Escher effect of downhills in both directions!Congratulations!! That is awesome!
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 12:41 PM
John got to chat with Opie???? awwww, I miss out on all the fun!
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Soundrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 12:49 PM
Super, John, just super! I am so happy for you! How sweet that you and Tammy both did so well, too. That must've been quite the finish meet-up.
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 01:47 PM
Great job, John. It sounds like everything came together and you really smoked the course. Congrats on a fast half and big PR.TomS ------------------
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Elaine3112
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 02:02 PM
John
All I can say is WOW! What a race for you and tammy and huge PR's to go with it. You both made it sound so easy too. Congrats on a great HM!
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 03:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by John2635:
This was one of those races where it seemed I was running downhill both directions.
I love that feeling! Congratulations on your hugh PR, John! Now you and I are only seconds apart in pace. When are you going to come out here and run a race with me? ------------------
Holly
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huskydon
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 03:26 PM
Nice job, John. You are getting faster and faster. Sounds like a great race with great company, too. Congratulations!
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SLOjim
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 06:05 PM
What were you and Tammy smoking up there in Humboldt????..... that stuff always makes me slower What a huge PR.... congratulations!!! I wish I could have been there... i I sure love running through the redwoods.... are you going back in May? See you in Carlsbad,
Jim
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 06:32 PM
John,Great race in a beautiful location, and what a huge PR--one minute per mile. All that training with Tammy is paying off for both of you. Too bad there were no pix. I'd like to run a half some day. Whatever time I get will be a PR because I've never done it. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 09:15 PM
WTG, John! It's definitely coming together for you! This may qualify as one of those "breakthrough" races. You deserve all the hugs you can get.------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
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Jim24315
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-24-2007 09:34 PM
Yes, a breakthrough. This defintely qualifies as one of those, with plenty of room to spare.Good for you, John. Congratulations!
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Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 11:06 AM
. . . this 8:15 mm group, it's a lot more serious than when you're running with the 10mm group. John - I seem to remember meeting an 11mm guy at the finish of the 2006 Portland Marathon who was mumbling about finding a gorgeous goddess, . . . I mean speed work and shucking some pounds. I think it worked. Now go do it again next year in Carlsbad.
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glidegal
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 12:49 PM
VERY nice PR johnny!!! You blew the doors off your time. do you look as good in lime green as you do in hot pink? I'm thinking yes. glidegal
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John2635
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 01:45 PM
Thanks for the positive comments, .... er,... at least the ones I could understand Holly- you're on my short list!! (super sekrit message for Holly only, no one else can read this . I reguarly read your BQ thread for motivation and inspiration. You did real good!! I need the same 3:45:59 to qualify which I used to think was completely out of the question, now I'm not so sure, it actually may be possible with a bunch of work.) SLOjim - I'm planning on being at the avenue again next May, no idea which race though, when do you guys reserve your campsite, or is it too late?
See ya in Carlsbad. thanks everyone. I keep meaning to buy a digital camera and a Garmin also, I just never seem to get that much ahead 
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 02:52 PM
&&&secretmessagetoJohn&&&of course it's possible!&&&Just keep up the excellent work! (knowing smile...)
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mcsolar99
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 03:51 PM
wow, congrats john. great job with an awesome breakthrough... running a minute per mile faster is quite a feat. all things are possible with hard work, dedication, and a smile or two...[This message has been edited by mcsolar99 (edited Oct-25-2007).]
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SLOjim
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 06:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by John2635:
SLOjim - I'm planning on being at the avenue again next May, no idea which race though, when do you guys reserve your campsite, or is it too late?
See ya in Carlsbad.
We usually make our reservations in January...... but I don't think the campground sells out until March or maybe even April. I am looking forward returning for a 4th year in row this May, hopefully it will turn into another Boomer gathering like last year.
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 06:18 PM
I'm disappointed that The Avenue and Eugene will be the same weekend next year because I'd love to go down there again, especially if a boomer crowd would be there. But for my possible first marathon debut, I want it to be Eugene.
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Opie
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 06:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by TammyM:
I'm disappointed that The Avenue and Eugene will be the same weekend next year because I'd love to go down there again, especially if a boomer crowd would be there. But for my possible first marathon debut, I want it to be Eugene.
I want it to be Vancouver. So there. 3 chances for a boomer get-together up and down the coast, same day (again).
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SherieRanier
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-25-2007 10:48 PM
Great job John, what a smashing PR on a beautiful course. Cool that you're wanting to challenge the course again in May, I know I had a blast running with you and the gang when we all met up earlier this year. I probably can't make the reunion at the Avenue, but it looks like I won't have to wait long to see you again since I plan on being at Carlsbad (only running the 1/2 however). Sherie
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Twocat
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-26-2007 09:31 AM
Another PR report! Great to see. Congratulations on your new time to beat! I suspect there is less chit-chat towards the front because nobody has the breadth to talk with. I know that after a mile or so in a HM talking would be a really difficult feat for me to pull off!
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MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-26-2007 10:11 AM
John, that is a seriously nice PR and a seriously nice time. There must have been something special in the air out there, both you and the Tamster smashing your HM PRs, and feeling great doing it. Great job.
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