| Author |
Topic: Mistletoe Half Marathon -PR RR |
perchcreek
Cool Runner |
 posted Dec-01-2007 07:06 PM
   
Mistletoe Half Marathon
Winston-Salem, NCShort version:
PR (27 secs)
Fastest Race ever
1:39:38 (broke 1:40)
7:36 pace
6/35 AG (M50-54)
96/602 OA (top 15%)
New Age Graded Ranking 69.6% (2006 WAVA)
2008 NYC Marathon qualifier (guaranteed entry) Novel:
This is my favorite race. The distance, the course, the location, the organization, the mile markers… etc.. The Twin City Track Club along with The YMCA hold this race along with a 5K. It starts and finishes at the Y so you can stay warm until start and take a shower (free for runners) right after the race! The course started with a downhill then a rolling up hill before a steady climb for a couple miles. Then it is rolling going through neighborhoods, then Wake Forest Campus followed by a park with some steep hills, another neighborhood, more WF and back through the park and out to neighborhoods and down to the Y. The rolling terrain makes for a very nice run. The day before the race I had to go on a one night business trip and took my running clothes including my shoes with orthotics and the Garmin in a carry-on luggage. The plane was so small I had to wing check it. You know, when you give it to them at plane side and they give it back when you get off the plane. Well, they managed to lose it (US Air in Philly!). So I thought a lot about the prospect of running in my old shoes with 450 miles and no orthotics. At 11:30 the night before the race, it was delivered to our house! Whew!
Got up at 5 am and headed for the 1.5 hr drive about 5:30. Got there early enoughj to park right by the finish line.. sweet!
After a couple mile warm-up, I stripped to a tee and shorts in the balmy 35F and ran up to the start only to find few people there.. the start was 8:15 not 8:00. More running to keep warm for 15 min (brr). Next time I got to the start line it was packed (body warmth!) with 600 runners. After a soulful powerful voice, but slo-mo rendition of theNational Anthem, we were off with the gun.. pow! I had some goals for this one:
1. sub 1:40 (last year I was happy with 1:40:04, but not this year!)
2. ideal 1:39:00 (7:30 pace) to give me 70% Age Grade
3. Finish in the top 100 (this is my 4thyear in a row running this race and I got closer each time) I ran this race by feel. I turned the HR display off on the Garmin so I could record but not see it. I started too fast, but I managed to maintain a constant level of discomfort (misery)and the pace just followed. (check out the HR!) Splits:
Mile 1 - 7:36 [AHR 166] (first part downhill and then a good climb)
Mile 2 – 7:22 [173] (lots of climbing but some good rollers in second half)—too fast!
Mile 3 – 7:23 [173] (rolling)—too fast but maybe I CAN maintain this
Mile 4 - 7:22 [172] (more downhills)
Mile 5 - 7:36 [171] (first half uphill second half downhill)
Mile 6 - 7:22 [169] (mostly a nice downhill winding through the woods in a park )
(looks like a 10K PR.. oops, can we quit now?)
Mile 7 - 7:52 [171] (very long wearing uphill through a neighborhood- tiring.. I was caught by a white haired guy who I passed at mile 2.. I couldn’t keep up
Mile 8 - 7:38 [172](some down then up and up to Wake Forest University at the top of the hill)
(mile 8 was 1:00:14 .. a PBJ Special!! Kewl)
Mile 9 - 7:28 [170] (down into the park again)
Mile 10 – 8:02 [173] (up out of the park and slowed to a crawl (almost literally) on a really steep hill but nobody passed still on target for the sun 1:40!)
Mile 11 - 7:47 [172] (last major hill--- I really wanted to pull over to the side and go to sleep!- this HURTS!)
Mile 12 - 7:26 [173] (down hill finally!)
Mile 13.1 – 7:50 [171] (the last 1.1 were tough, little power due to the fast first half) There is a clock 0.2 miles before the finish and it indicated I was still on track for a sub 1:40 so I kept pushing. There was a young woman just ahead of me and as we came to the finish, I held right behind her rather than sprint to the finish and pass by her at the last second because I could see sub 1:40 was in the bag! (oh, and that would not be polite)
I crossed at 1:39:38 and was very happy to have a new PR and sub 1:40. I was really happy for it to be finished. I could relate to Forrest Gump.. “I’m tired, I think I’ll go home now”. I’ thrilled with 6th AG out of 35 in this competitive field. Oh, I ran into that white haired guy at the finish. He said, I sure took a long time to catch up to you… I guess that’s a complement. He finished 1:37:XX. A great feast after with smoothies, pizza, bananas, Krispy Creme Donuts (I only had 2). All in all a great day, but tiring. I left nothing on that course! Thanks for reading!
Steve FR: orange and white Richmond Marathon techical tee, black race ready shorts, white gloves, blue/silver and white Asics 2120, Garmin 305.
------------------
My Profile
Water Running [This message has been edited by perchcreek (edited Dec-03-2007).]
IP: Logged |
vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 07:15 PM
Good race Steve!!I know that area a bit and know there are a lot of hills and dips that would be a challenge for running a race. You did a great job of maintaining your plan to the end and then finishing to secure the PR......Congratulations. Thanks for sharing. Stay solid through to Boston. Joey
IP: Logged |
CNYrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 07:26 PM
Great report and great race! Thanks for sharing all the details and Congratulations. You rocked it and will go even lower/faster for sure. Nice feast details as well...I am oddly hungry now.Way to go! CNYrunner
IP: Logged |
Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 07:29 PM
The whole recovery process followed by getting ready for something else is always complex, but you have a wonderful base and great performance behind you. I knew you had a great race in you if you just balanced it all carefully, and that is just what you did.Your mid-week 800's, at a strong pace, with something left after you were done was a strong signal you were ready to run. This is a good lesson for anyone having watched your last two years, particularly the strong way you dealt with injury. A strong base over a period of time is a hugh investment for continued improving race performance. I sense you are over the hump now and if you stay healthy there is more to come. I am so happy for you Steve. Spareribs
IP: Logged |
JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 07:30 PM
Oh man that was great---Fantastic, Steve!!!
By your HR are it looks like you pushed from the gitgo.
Congratulations.
you can rest now.
jjj
IP: Logged |
SkipAZ
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 07:31 PM
Look at those splits! (What precision!) And the control! (Only two KKs!) And the awesome PR! (27 secs!) Woohoo Perch! WTG! Congrats on a great performance.
IP: Logged |
hermosaboy
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 07:35 PM
quote:
Originally posted by perchcreek:
New Age Graded Ranking 69
A PR and a nice number... 
IP: Logged |
TheProFromDover
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 07:45 PM
perch,Was waiting for this. Great run (you chivalrous guy you, you coulda had 1:39:37!!). Very well executed. You think not seeing the HR helped? I watch mine like a HRM in an ICU. -CAIgr
IP: Logged |
perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 07:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by TheProFromDover:
You think not seeing the HR helped? I watch mine like a HRM in an ICU. -CAIgr
For marathons yes I monitor like a hawk, for 13.1 mi and shorter, it would scare me into slowing down. I would have been thinking.. 170's I can't maintain this for 13 miles! 
IP: Logged |
evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 08:38 PM
Nice job, Steve! Congrats on breaking 1:40... Good trick with the heart rate monitor. Sometimes its best not to know... This sounds like a very nice course, I see why you like it.------------------
evanflein
IP: Logged |
Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 08:46 PM
Good job, Perch!Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
IP: Logged |
fjordrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-01-2007 11:12 PM
quote:
Originally posted by perchcreek:
[b]I crossed at 1:39:38 and was very happy to have a new PR and sub 1:40. I was really happy for it to be finished. I could relate to Forrest Gump.. “I’m tired, I think I’ll go home now”. I’ thrilled with 6th AG out of 35 in this competitive field. O
Steve[/B]
Yeah!!! you should be proud of your performance today Perchcreek. Great implementation on your plan Steve. Now enjoy your recovery time. ------------------
susan a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step
IP: Logged |
smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-02-2007 06:13 AM
That sounds like a really sweet race!!!!!!! Gotta love the PRs.------------------
SteveP My User Profile
IP: Logged |
evryday
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-02-2007 09:43 AM
Nice race...congrats on the PR------------------
Remember rule #6 My User Profile
My running log
IP: Logged |
Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-02-2007 09:48 AM
Great race and congratulations on the PR, Steve! Sounds like you were in the groove for this one.
IP: Logged |
Peter NC
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-02-2007 10:28 AM
Steve, I just saw this. Congrats on your PR but I have to ask you something...how do you remember all the details of every mile?
Do you bring a mimi voice recorder & take notes?
I get inspired when I read your RR's.------------------
Me - Saucony Hurricane 8/Asics Gel Kayano 12 - FR305
My Log
IP: Logged |
hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-03-2007 09:31 AM
Hot dog, Perch, you were flying! Congratulations on your PR and on achieving all of your goals - excellent racing!------------------
Holly
IP: Logged |
rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-03-2007 09:55 AM
Way to go, perch! That sounds like a bit of a challenging course, but apparently the hills weren't too bad since you really nailed the PR. Sometimes slight rolliness can help since it varies the load on your system a bit if you're maintaining a pace like that.------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
IP: Logged |
tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-03-2007 01:55 PM
Nice race, perch. You sure had nice splits. Congrats on your PR.TomS ------------------
My Profile
IP: Logged |
jkbostic
Member |
posted Dec-04-2007 08:10 AM
Awesome race. Great PR. I can't wait to see how that speed carries over in Boston. 
IP: Logged |
Elaine3112
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-04-2007 08:17 AM
PC
What a great race for you and a great result too. You put in the hard work and it paid well for you today. Well done.
IP: Logged |
evryday
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-04-2007 07:24 PM
great race...yes, those splits are right on.------------------
Remember rule #6 My User Profile
My running log
IP: Logged |
Jim24315
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-04-2007 08:18 PM
Nice race Steve......and you can add me to the list of those who are impressed with those splits. It's tough enough to do on the flat for a long race, but it takes an extra degree of concentration and effort to do on the hills. Of course it helps to be in shape too, which you obviously are. Isn't it something how when you drop to 8-min pace after doing 7's for so long that it seems like you've "slowed to a crawl"? On a training run, 8 mpm often feels like a solid pace--at least for me it does. Congratulations on a new PR, NYC qualifier, and all the rest!
IP: Logged |
Fortunate One
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-05-2007 02:41 PM
WTG, Steve. You achieved most of your goals and obviously ran pretty flat out. Guaranteed entry is a nice way to go (not that I know from personal experience).------------------
Fortunate--a volleyballer with a running problem
Profile
IP: Logged |
Soundrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Dec-06-2007 12:25 AM
What a race! Congrats on such a fantastic run and gunning for that PR. I also love the fact that you ran by feel. (I have some company!) You did it perfectly, too! What a terrific finish, though, as a woman runner I would have understood you passing me, even down the home stretch. It's a race! Very happy for you, perch.
IP: Logged |
