I finally decided to run a 5k for time last night. Since Wednesday is typically my day for a longer midweek run, and I take miles to warm up, I decided to run 4 miles then run the 5k race as fast as I could. It looks like that approach paid off, as I ran the 5k in 22:06, getting close to a 7 minute mile pace. After the race I added a slow mile for good measure to get to 8 miles for the day. Ethan and Ellen ran the race as well, Ethan beating me by 2 seconds and Ellen finishing in 25:xx.
Afterwards, beer at Osborn tavern.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Revised Running Plans
The rest of the year looks like this:
Ongoing - Danvers 5k, Danvers MA. Weekly run on Wednesday evening, followed by beer at Osborn Tavern
June 21 - New England Running Company 10 Mile Classic, Beverly, MA
July 4 - North Andover 10k, North Andover, MA with Aaron and Ellen (at least)
Aug 2 - Triple Threat Half Marathon, Rockport, MA
Sept 27 - Clarence DeMar Marathon, Keene, NH
November ?? - Air Force Association 10k, Bedford, MA
Jan 9,10 2016 - Goofy Challenge, WDW Orlando FL. I'll be running the half marathon on Saturday with Aaron and Ellen followed by the full marathon on Sunday.
Ongoing - Danvers 5k, Danvers MA. Weekly run on Wednesday evening, followed by beer at Osborn Tavern
June 21 - New England Running Company 10 Mile Classic, Beverly, MA
July 4 - North Andover 10k, North Andover, MA with Aaron and Ellen (at least)
Aug 2 - Triple Threat Half Marathon, Rockport, MA
Sept 27 - Clarence DeMar Marathon, Keene, NH
November ?? - Air Force Association 10k, Bedford, MA
Jan 9,10 2016 - Goofy Challenge, WDW Orlando FL. I'll be running the half marathon on Saturday with Aaron and Ellen followed by the full marathon on Sunday.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Binghamton Bridge Run
Well that was fun.
And not just because I blew away my half marathon personal record by almost five minutes (which I did!) This run is very well organized, traces an interesting route through downtown and the west side of Binghamton, and is well-supported by spectators. Peculiar to the race are six bridge crossings over four different bridges spanning the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers. The weather was wonderful, about 50 degrees at the start and warming as the race wore on.
It was also special for me because Tricia, my father-in-law Walt, and my brother Ed all turned out to support me at the race. Because the race winds back and forth through this area of Binghamton, it's possible for a spectator to see you multiple times. I saw Tricia, Walt and Ed at least three times each, never together and I was never sure who would pop up next.
The race starts and ends at the NYSEG stadium, home of Binghamton's Double A baseball affiliate:
Here is a picture Tricia took of me running up Court Street, just after one of the bridge crossings:
And not just because I blew away my half marathon personal record by almost five minutes (which I did!) This run is very well organized, traces an interesting route through downtown and the west side of Binghamton, and is well-supported by spectators. Peculiar to the race are six bridge crossings over four different bridges spanning the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers. The weather was wonderful, about 50 degrees at the start and warming as the race wore on.
It was also special for me because Tricia, my father-in-law Walt, and my brother Ed all turned out to support me at the race. Because the race winds back and forth through this area of Binghamton, it's possible for a spectator to see you multiple times. I saw Tricia, Walt and Ed at least three times each, never together and I was never sure who would pop up next.
The race starts and ends at the NYSEG stadium, home of Binghamton's Double A baseball affiliate:
Here is a picture Tricia took of me running up Court Street, just after one of the bridge crossings:
and here is a video Ed took of me hoofing it up Grand Boulevard, somewhere around mile 9:
I did my usual slow start and strong finish. My splits from the Garmin GPS watch:
1. 8:29
2. 8:10
3. 7:58
4. 7:51
5. 7:48
6. 7:58
7. 7:56
8. 8:04
9. 8:13
10. 7:57
11. 7:50
12. 7:35
13. 7:23
The course is relatively flat, with some long gradual hills at miles 6,7 and 8, and a steep but short hill at mile 9. The final two miles are a small but steady downgrade along Main St. to the finish. As I settled in to the racing groove at miles 3 and 4, I was pleased to see I was pulling sub 8 minute miles without straining. I figured to hold that pace, then reevaluate at the 10 mile mark and see if I perhaps could take it up a notch for the final 5k. As it turned out, with 4 miles to go I was feeling strong and, not wanting to leave anything in the tank, I decided to turn it up then instead of later at the 5k-to-go mark. The downgrade to the finish is a real boost, and I ran the last mile just about flat out (pulling the same mile time I did for the final mile at the Tapleyville 7 Miler). Unlike the 7 miler, I didn't have much left in me at the finish so I think I paced it about right.
Near the finish you turn left off Court Street toward the stadium and the street is lined with cheering spectators, the buildings on either side (and later the stadium itself) providing the stadium effect I so enjoy. Another nice touch is the announcer broadcasting your name and hometown as you cross the finish line. That's me in the middle running more or less along at the finish:
The post-race goodies include water, Gatorade, fruit and, a nice local touch, Nirchi's Pizza. Another goodie: I ran a 1:44:15, PRing by four and half minutes. The finisher medal is also nice and heavy and will look good on my medal rack. Finally, there was a good little race expo the day before at packet pickup. All in all, a great race and I hope to do it again next year.
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