It's all relative

Two races ran today, the BDR Safety Harbor 10k followed an hour later by the 5k.  The plan was to shoot for a time goal on the first one, and then race the leader in the second one, and hopefully conserve some energy for the half marathon tomorrow.

Race 1: The 10k.  The weather was very rainy, 60 degrees, and fortunately no wind.  Didn't really matter, I'm always game for weather hiccup and it's not like I'd be the only one feeling it- definitely had to wear the hat though, so thank goodness I had a backup one in the car.  I was straight up PUMPED when I saw RJ toeing the line after my warmup.  I knew he'd be in excellent shape, so it was highly motivating. 

The gun went off and I slipped into the lead within 50 meters and the footfalls were gone by the first half of a mile.  I just relaxed into my form and stayed there.  There are times when you wax and wane in and out of 'flow', but this was just one of those races where I was in that mindset until mile 5.  It really felt beautiful.  The finish was a hard effort, but still didn't unleash a sprint.  I don't know what's my deal with that- I've been practicing it, yet can't seem to find the motivation to drop it down when it comes time.  Anyway, very happy with the result, the insane PR from 34:31 down to this, and lastly the coveted course record on definitely a non-course record day!

Splits- 1st 5k- 15:59, 2nd 5k- 15:45

Me-31:44, RJ- 32:52, 3rd- 33:47, 4th- 34:14, 5th- 34:42

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Race 2- the 5k  Finished in 15:29 in 1st overall.  This was supposed to be the easy leg of the three races.  Wow was I wrong.  I was not expecting anyone to show up!  Only once in the past 8 years of this race has anyone gone under 16:20, and that was the course record- so I figured after the 10k, I had this in the bag given I just ran two sub 16s in a row and negative split the second one.  I almost got the karma I deserved.  I'm a bit ashamed by both my complacency and disrespect, but we all have to grow sometime- even us old guys.

Anyway, to the race.  The gun goes off and one kid shoots off like a bullet- I don't know what it is about 5ks, but I seriously think people must believe they are actually 400m sprints or something.  I'll never understand it.  Running in jeans?  Sprinting in a sweatshirt?  Wearing a poop emoji outfit careening through the rain?  Doesn't matter- there they go, galavanting away full throttle.  The 5k really brings such an odd crowd of runners out.

I pass the young gentlman shortly there after as he gasps for breath, and I roll through the first half mile at 5:00/mile pace.  But there are footsteps behind me.  Okay.  I run the next half mile at 4:52/mile pace- and there are still footsteps.  Not good.  Particularly because I am out in front, so I am the one being read.  Options... stay at this pace?  That's all I have in my tank if I do that and my cards are laying out on the table for everyone to see.  Slow it down gradually and see if I can slow him as well?  Check.  I roll through the halfway mark at a 4:59/mile pace- and I still heard them.  Same distance, same pattern and turnover.  We've got a race it seems.  By the mile 2 marker I had slowed the pace to 5:04/mile.  This turned out to be a good idea, since he was letting me slow and not evening it out, nor trying to pass me.  Fortunately, I recovered a bit by this point, so I kept it there for the turnaround and maybe another quarter mile and then hammered the last half mile to the mile 3 marker.  I felt him close, so I had to look over the shoulder a couple of times coasting to the finish, but I just held a 10 second cushion to the finish!  What a fun race.  Can't wait to do it again tomorrow- half marathon time.  I won't go into it tomorrow expecting anything.  Whoever shows up, shows up.  If I get beat, they will be better than me.  Period.  

Splits- 4:57, 5:04, 4:59, 0:29

Me- 15:29, 2nd- 15:39, 3rd- 16:26, 4th- 16:45

BDR Safety Harbor Half Marathon

Wow.  The best weather I've ever had for a race.  Low 50s, crisp air, minimal humidity, light breeze, and cloud cover.  Unbelievable.  If it wasn't for yesterday, I'd have been over the moon as to what I could achieve.  You don't understand- the chances of weather like this in Florida are quite literally 1 in 100 and only occur in January/February.  

Goal- to stay with the leaders and then race them hard the last 2 miles.  However, with the weather I had changed my mindset to shooting for a sub 1:12 (really anything under my previous PR of 1:12:33 I would have been happy.)  Even on tired legs, I thought this would be pretty doable.

The course- brand new and recertified, so I guess I retire the previous course with the course record.  This one was much more challenging however.  Multiple hillier sections and two passes over a highway bridge as well as an odd boardwalk section made it an uneven effort.  I found myself having to pay attention a lot more than yesterday, where both courses are pancakes.  Still, the hills are nothing compared to other races in my honest opinion, so I'm just being a whiny Floridian.

The race: Immediately I was out in front with no one contending.  I felt sore from the two races yesterday, but the pace felt so easy that I just decided to find a state of flow and lock in.  Even splits didn't matter to me,  anything under 5:29/mile was cool in my book.  

I absolutely was loving it.  By the mile 3 turnaround I was able to see I had a full minute lead, so I was just cruising and enjoying it.  Lots of smiling and thanking volunteers/spectators.  It was cool to feel that in control.

At the halfway point, I knew 1:12 was a done deal, so I changed my thought process into sub 1:11.  I knew a negative split would need to be in order, but I hadn't pushed at all yet, and maintaining/speeding up was still manageable.

The new hill/bridge/boardwalk section was tough, but I had plenty in the tank.  I maintained the pace through this section which was a bit surprising and with about 1.5 miles left I thought it was time to start pushing.  I knew I was on pace for about a 1:11:00 flat, so I really wanted to drop it under that mark.  How cool- a 1:10 half marathon?!  I never would have dreamed it nine years ago.  I certainly wouldn't have a day after hard racing. 

I was gliding and felt smooth.  I even watched a couple of videos from spectators and friends, and it's funny- it looks almost as if I am running slow.  Obviously that's not slow, but it looked like (in the video) I should be trying a lot harder!  I guess that's not conducive to good racing- relaxing is- but it was just surprising to see second hand.

I crossed the finish line/tape and couldn't help but smile!  Not only was I fortunate enough to take 1st overall, but I did it in all 3 races, racked up 2 Personal records, 2 course records, and just an overall sense of accomplishment I cannot truly describe.  I don't think it hit me yet.  These aren't huge races or anything- 2,000 people max- but it's still pretty cool.  Sometimes, you just know something will be a memory forever, and this is definitely going to be.  No one can take this weekend away from me- the one nice thing about the internet I suppose.  And most importantly, I was in the moment so often this weekend that it was truly exhilerating.  

Splits- 5:25, 5:26, 5:23, 5:19, 5:27, 5:24, 5:28, 5:25, 5:27, 5:26, 5:22, 5:21, 5:17, 0:24

PM: 5 miles

AM: 9.4 miles

PM: 7.6 miles.  Wanted 10 miles, however I am just so incredibly sore.  Pace was 9:02/mile.

No running

PM: 10.1 miles and the gym.  Also did 0.5 worth of striders to get things moving again.  

PM: 10.2 miles

AM: 8 miles then 5.1 more at the gym, then a workout.

AM: 20.5 miles, most with Elia pacing him on the St. Pete marathon.  I can't really call them fast, but about 10 were in the 6:40-6:50 range.  Really liked trying to help him, even though I failed overall.

Hit my 5 year anniversary on this blog, which is kind of cool.  Amazing to think I wasn't even running anything over 5 miles really back then, and now a 5-mile day feels like a recovery.  I still remember bringing a gel on my first "long run" with Drew thinking it was needed.  Heh.  I must say I'm happy to have developed this habit of posting on here, although I'm not sure it will continue much longer.  I definitely appreciate how I went from a hobby walk-out-the-door-and-run-whatever-distance to.... Well, actually, I'm pretty much still that way.  At least now I've found some consistency in my workouts, mileage, and effort.  I just never vibed with the "running plan" thing.  The moment it's written down what I have to do, I just have lost all interest within the next moment.  Weird.  Cheers to winging it!

PM: 10.1 miles

AM: 9.6 miles.  Felt awful.  Not sure about the PM run.  I'm in a weird spot eleven days out of my next set of races (Gasparilla).  I feel like a full mileage week is ideal, but I know the literature kind of says it is meaningless.  The double at Gasparilla is the real deal, and I need to be ready to race.  No times, just race.  I wonder if the triple-race- weekend a week ago will help my fitness at all.  I hope it does.  Three weeks is pretty close to being far enough out to show progression.  I entered this morning expecting to run a workout, but I felt sore in a lot of places.  Maybe I'll try again this afternoon, but my guess is I'll bail after the warmup with John.

I really want Gasparilla to be something special.

PM: 6.1 miles

No running.  Still feeling a bit broken from BDR.

No running.  

PM: 7.1 miles. 

AM: 5k parkrun at Weedon island.  Ran a 15:54, felt pretty good.  I still feel some tension in my upper legs, so I will just have to manage the discomfort.

AM: 13.2 miles with Steve on the bridges.

PM: 10.1 miles

AM: 10.1 miles

PM: 5.3 miles

PM: 4.3 miles

PM: 2 miles

PM: 2.1 miles

Gasparilla 15k Race Report 

Pretty great weather for Florida.  50 degrees, very windy, but no humidity.  My goals were a sub 48, first place local, and top five overall.  I really was not feeling great since the BDR three race weekend, missed a ton of running, and had a terrible diet since then, but I still wanted to go for it.  Those three races really did a number on my body, but there's just a lot at stake in this race with the locals only prize money, so I had to give a great effort.  RJ was the guy I was worried about- even though I was over a minute ahead of him in the 10k three weeks ago, I have definitely taken only steps back since then.  I was worried to say the least.

the race!  Gun fires, and per usual, I'm 20th after the first quarter mile.  Going 5:08/mile pace.  Unreal.  It's always so unnerving, since this race is relatively competitive.  By the half mile mark I was top 10, and by mile one I was seventh- RJ still behind me.  I was second place local at this point, and the other guy in front of me was also at BDR three weeks ago... so unless he's been taking PEDs, he was going to start reeling eventually.  I clicked off the miles, nailing the first 5k in 15:57.  
 

The next 5k was very smooth.  I went through the halfway mat 24 seconds up on RJ, and had moved comfortably into fourth place.  I felt confident, strong, and really thought I had it.  RJ looked strong, but I knew if I could keep this pace, he'd have to run an incredible split to catch me in the last 5k.  I came through the second 5k in 15:57, with RJ about 30 seconds back.

Then the wind came.  I honestly thought it was at our side/perpendicular to us.  Wow was I wrong!  I upped the effort, and yikes- the splits are just awful.  RJ was definitely closing.  The volunteers and other runners went from cheering me on to catch the third place guy who was 30 seconds ahead, to yelling at RJ that he should push harder to catch me!  I couldn't really figure out what changed- I was still feeling pretty good, I just couldn't will my legs back to that 5:08 pace per mile.  The struggle was on.  This was a race.  My mindset switched to focusing on keeping a buffer between RJ and I with 1.5 miles to go.  At this point we reached his racing team's tent and they went WILD.  To be honest, their cheering and bullhorn reinvigorated my efforts.  I didn't want him to gain ANYTHING through this section on me.  I knew it was a tactical spot.  $2,000.00 was on the line here.  The lead was 10 seconds.

 The lead was the same with about a mile to go, and I was focused.  My goal time was out the window, but I wanted this.  It wasn't the money, it was just the title.  I wanted the top local spot.  I likely will never have a chance to win it again.  Okay, and maybe a little of it is the money...  With a half mile to go I was managing a 7 second lead or so I thought, but then Celia saw me and said "30 yards behind you!" How!?  I was definitely back down to an adult pace at this point- just over 5 minutes per mile for this final mile on average but he was still gaining?!  
 

A quarter mile to go, I stayed strong.  My stride was feeling quick, but smooth and I decided to push a bit early.  Not sprint, just a push.  After 30 seconds of that, I took a look back and I felt the distance was about 10 seconds now.  I took a couple of looks back during the final stretch, making sure to keep the distance the same.  I was waiting for a final sprint, and saving, but I didn't have to use it, thankfully.  I pulled through the finish in 49:03, with RJ rolling through a mere nine seconds later.  Final 5k a 17:09.

1st- 45:34, 2nd- 47:25, 3rd- 48:31, Me- 49:03, RJ-49:12, 6th 50:48, 7th- 50:55, 8th-50:57, 9th- 51:00, 10th-51:16

First half split- 23:51, second half split- 25:12

Final thoughts.  Although I'm writing this after knowing what happened tomorrow in Sunday's half marathon, I made a pact here to spend some time getting healthier, working on my diet, and lowering my weight.  I need some time off running, and my body really felt at the brink of injury after today.  That being said, both my potential injuries and time off will have to wait!  There is the potential of more prize money tomorrow!  I never learn, do I...

Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathon Race Report

Weather/Goals

Conditions were almost perfect, so I was pumped.  Still very windy, but I'd take this any day over heat and humidity.  About 10 degrees warmer than yesterday, so it was easy to get to that start line.  Despite racing yesterday hard and long, my goals today were still pretty serious- a 1:09:50, a top 2 in prize money, and a top 5 overall.  This is NOT the race I am ever going to be fast enough to be in the top 5 for real, but with the Olympic trials literally a week away, they forego offering the real professional prize money so it was a possibility.  Also, they only offer local money- since all the pros are racing the OTQ marathon this Saturday, so I only had to worry about local talent.  Works for me!  

I was feeling VERY beat up from yesterday's 15k race.  My warmup was atrocious, and my body was hurting.  I couldn't even manage proper striders without feeling pains.  I just said, 'forget it' and walked to the starting line.  I hoped my body would survive without any large damage, but I was already a bit gimpy so I had some definite uncertainty.  I hoped the pain hopefully go away after a mile or two once my brain release some endorphins.

The race

The pre race was fun!  I knew a ton of people, so I was chatting away until the gun went off.  As soon as it did, I jumped right out there in the beginning and was in third place right behind the top two guys with another pair of runners at my side.  Usually I can just ease into running these long distances, but now that I am running these faster paces, I can't just throw away 30 seconds just to feel more comfortable so I was checking my watch pretty obsessively.  Miles 2 and 3... I don't know what I was thinking.  Those couple of seconds matter and 5:16s aren’t exactly slow, particularly the day after a 15k where I gave a hard effort.  Oh well, I felt great.  First 5k was a 16:28 or so.

Miles 4 and 5 I finally got my head under me, but it was too late.  By the midpoint, I still felt in control, but I knew I wasn't going to get it, not with a headwind on the return journey.  I was barely at pace with the wind at my back!  Halfway split was 34:57, and I was firmly in third place, 27 seconds back of 2nd and 49 seconds off the leader.  I did not pay any attention to if there was anyone behind me, but I never heard footsteps the entire race.

The second half of the race started off promising- I was under pace entering mile 10 and felt fully in control, but man, that wind must have been really aiding me.  I literally just finished the turn-around and it was like a proverbial wall.  My effort increased dramatically, yet the pace was a 30 second swing in a mere mile!  Unbelievable.  I still felt strong, I still felt fast, it just wasn't there.  Just like yesterday, I hit the ‘split’ after mile 9 and was looking down at the pace and didn’t believe what it was telling me- I thought it was wrong.  Nope.  Slogged through that mile in 5:45.  I was really upset seeing that 5:45 on my watch, and quickly refused to accept those paces.  I dipped back down to 5:30 and sped back up from there, which was nice to see.  

The finish line crept up quickly.  I was stalking the second place guy, but never really closed the gap I developed from mile 3 to mile 5.  I had rescinded my effort until about 30 seconds from the line and saw I had a shot at getting under 1:11 again- second time in two weeks!  I sped up my effort and lengthened my stride, but literally missed it by a second. 

Results-  1^st- 1:09:20, 2^nd- 1:10:24, Me- 1:11:00

Splits- 5:23, 5:16, 5:16, 5:29, 5:29, 5:19, 5:25, 5:24, 5:15, 5:45, 5:30, 5:28, 5:26, 0:26

Some extremely selfish afterthoughts 

I finished 3^rd overall at gasparilla!  I am still in awe of my luck.  Also I was 1^st local, the proud owner of another $2,000 in prize money, Meb Keflezighi signed my plaque at the awards, and over the course of 2 days of running, I was fortunate enough to take in $4,000 in prize money.  Some important points: A) the local running scene is very weak if a runner like me is winning, I realize this.  B) Top 3 is amazing, but this never would happen in a normal year- ever- the announcer multiple times even commented on how slow our times and splits were compared to last year- I mean, we tried our best- lol!  C) I did miss my goal handily of getting under 1:10.  But you know what- D) For 120 minutes of running, I averaged $33.33 per minute or $0.55 per second.  That’s crazy.  I did something I loved and someone effectively paid me to do it!  These race directors for Gasparilla are not only generous, but they may be the only ones offering such a gracious prize to local runners anywhere here in the southeast.  I don’t deserve that money, but when they mail the check, you better believe I will accept it! 

So that’s it!  That’s my race season.  I do have Boston in April, but I am just destroyed and need to take this recovery seriously.  I will reassess in a couple weeks, but I am just going to shoot to re-qualify as of now with a 2:55.

No running.  Feel broken.  My body is a mess right now.

AM: 5.1 miles "running" or whatever that was I just did.  Yikes.

PM: 6.35 miles with Steve and his daughter.  

No running.

No running.  Not sure if I am healed, but I would like to get back into it, so we'll try tomorrow.

PM: 8.1 miles.  Sucked.

AM: 10.1 total miles, 5k fast at Weedon Island parkrun.  15:57 for the 5k.  Felt awful.  I should not have done it, but I wanted to try and keep my fitness high.  Oh well.