| Author |
Topic: Learning for Life 15K Race Report |
huskydon
Cool Runner |
 posted Nov-11-2007 10:24 PM
   
I didn’t run as fast as I would have liked, finishing in 1:20:56. It seemed a bit short, maybe 9.2 instead of 9.32 miles. (this is my first 15K, so this is a PR). This would be a 8:48/ mile pace. I had been thinking about 1:16 or even 1:15, but it just didn’t seem to be my day. I tried to push it, but it didn’t seem like the energy was there. There were some fairly steep hills (that I didn't expect) in the third mile, and after those, I couldn’t seem to recover from them. Perhaps I started out too fast. Maybe I wasn't properly fueled, etc etc etc. I came in 5th in my AG. Here are my splits:
7:54
8:17
8:50
9:13
9:02
8:59
9:20
9:11
10:11 It was pretty cool, but the sun was pretty hot on us in the latter stages. The scenery was also quite notable. Part of the route, overlooks the ocean and is common to the Palos Verdes Marathon, This Learning for Life race was one of the races for the Students Run LA program, a program where secondary students run for months to eventually complete the LA Marathon. So, there were over 2000 of them, in their white or yellow (for the teachers/ coaches) t-shirts. It is a fun environment, with a lot of energy and excitement. I think I would like to volunteer at this race next time. Not much in the way of goodies, but the T shirt design was attractive. Some days you don’t have it, and today I didn’t seem to have it. It’s a bit puzzling because I ran 10.2 miles in training at 9:10 pace a week ago, and it seemed like I could go significantly faster. Oh well, time to move on and get ready for the half marathon in four weeks. Thanks for reading....
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 05:40 AM
That was still a good race and experience despite you feeling like you had better miles in you.That is always a puzzle in such situations. When you KNOW what went wrong you can adjust to correct it. However, when you don't really know for sure, it seems the best idea is to simply move on realizing we all have those times. Thanks for the report. I got tired thinking of all those students being out on the same course. ------------------
vista129
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 06:55 AM
Some days we have the heart and our legs are lead. You had the courage to start and you finished uninjured. That's kewl------------------
SteveP My User Profile
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SLOjim
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 09:18 AM
Congratulations Don ..... you're moving up in your AG 
I ran this race last year and although the hills aren't quite as bad as PV Marathon, they are there ... and they are challenging and definitely affect your pace. Too bad the course length isn't more accurate... but it sounds like they've gotten it closer to a 15K... last year it was way short..... by almost a mile!
I love running with "the kids" ..... last year I remember some of them running over to take a look at the ocean for the first time in their lives even though they only live 15 miles away....... Students Run LA is such a good program for the inner city kids. Hope to see you at a race soon, Jim
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SherieRanier
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 09:35 AM
Hey Huskydon - sounds like you liked the course, but not the outcome. I wouldn't worry about it too much, 15K distances aren't too common but at least you have a PR in case you decide to run it next year. I recall that group of kids last year at the OC 1/2 marathon and the So Cal 1/2 marathon. Can't miss all those yellow shirts!! I hope to see you at the Rosebowl race, I already signed up because I heard it was going to be capped at 2000 people and was filling up quickly. Not looking to increase my speed anymore, just enjoy a new course for a change. See you in Pasadena next month. Sherie
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 10:32 AM
Thanks for posting your RR, husdydon! Congrats on a good race too, even though you felt you should have done better. I think you might have hit on some key learning ..."perhaps I started out too fast". Those first two miles did seem a little fast relative to the balance of your race. Something to think about as your prepare for your half? Good luck
PJ[This message has been edited by Canfit (edited Nov-12-2007).]
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 10:38 AM
You may have wanted to do better, huskydon, but what you did was still very good. We all know that some days just don't work out as well as others and that there are days when we do better than expected without knowing why. You did well. Congratulations.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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Jim24315
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 11:15 AM
Not one of your best races, huskydon, but considering that it was your first at this distance you did ok. Generally, I think it's better if we don't make up our minds to run harder right from the start. It usually works better for me, at least, to focus on staying relaxed in the beginning and working into a quicker pace if it's there. I think that first mile and the hills had a lot to do with your late race slowdown.I'm sure the effort did you some good and will help you in your next one. Congrats on your AG placing too.
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 11:52 AM
Oh huskydon, SLOJim, dromedary and I did this race last year and it was very hilly! And all of those kids! Yikes!  Being so tall you must have really stood out in that sea of children running. And the way they sprint and then stop suddenly! 
I am glad you didn't trip on any of them.
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dromedary
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 03:32 PM
hey huskydon, congrats on being 5th in your AG. You did very well! You certainly have guts for running among all those exuberent kids and getting those kinds of splits.
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tallrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 03:51 PM
Huskydon,You did great even though you are a bit dissapointed. Others are right someday's you just cannot run the race you want. My coach keeps telling me I overthink - just go out and have fun. He's right, sometime's we runners over analyze. If we put in the training we will get the results. I can see a better race in the cards for you the next time
Tall
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millbot
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-12-2007 04:17 PM
Don, anyone who does much racing has their share of disappointing races. To me, the hardest are the ones where the cause is not obvious... when your workouts point to you being capable of something, and on race day it just isn't there.I think your response is right on: don't agonize over it too much, and start looking forward to the next one. Good luck.
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