Hi everyone!  Just a quick little RR from me.

This was a large race for me (aside from marathons), with about 4,000 plus participants.  The course covered a lot of the Cleveland Marathon course, which I've done twice.  The weather didn't cooperative and gave us a combination of freezing rain and snow, making for some very slushy, wet conditions and 30 degree temps.  I still ended up racing in my split shorts, a singlet, some arm warmers, a hat and throw-away gloves and was comfortable enough.  It was also my first run in my new LunaRacer +3s, and I loved them.

I basically trained through this race as I'm busy getting ready for the Toledo Marathon, but by trying to get ahead of a little foot pain I was having last week, I actually came into the race feeling fairly fresh.  I intended to go out a little conservatively and build into the race, but it really didn't pan out that way.  My Garmin also went a little funky so I had to try to pace mostly by feel.

Right as the race began I found myself stepping in puddles, so I pretty much gave up and realized that I was going to get pretty wet, especially with the water kicking up on my legs.  The race started on a small uphill and then a bridge, which was pretty slippery.  Still, I felt comfortable and just tried to settle in and clump with some other runners.  At mile one the timer called out a 5:50.  I was a little concerned as I was going to start more slowly, but I felt good so I held my pace.

The next mile made a turn to a familiar area, heading down to the Browns stadium.  The runners really started to thin, and I was basically running with 3 or 4 guys.  Next thing we know, we come up on a dude wearing cargo pants, a wool hat with ears, big wool socks, and CROCS!  I decided my "B" goal for this race was not to be beaten by him.  The course made a little turn by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and hit a small uphill, at which point my other partners started to slow.  I was feeling good and just held my pace.  Mile two called out at 11:40.

The rest of the miles got a little blurry, and I was pretty much running by myself.  I was still trailing Croc guy too.  I ran through a puddle that was actually a pothole in this mile and am very happy that my ankle didn't turn more than it did.  My pace was still feeling good and I kept pressing on.  Mile 3 called out at 17:40.

About this point, the course doubled back on itself which I always find helpful in shorter races.  My stride continued to feel free this far in, but the race started to get tougher as we made a couple climbs.  The total course climb was only 275ft, which I actually think makes for a good course, but a hill is a hill.  I ditched my throw-away gloves and just reminded myself that I run hills all the time.  At this point I finally got by CROC-Man, and could tell that he was slowing considerably.  Mile 4 called out at 23:45, so I did a little head math and realized I just needed to keep moving along and I'd go sub 30.  Before the race I was thinking that 30:30 would be realistic, so this gave me a little boost.

I had about a half mile climb that was a struggle up a bridge, but after that the course finished on a small downhill.  I didn't have anybody to catch or worry about catching me, so I gave it as much as I had without really going into a sprint.  Finish time:  29:23, overall pace 5:53, just missing an AG award and putting me in the top 35 (winner ran 24:42, 4:56 pace).

I'm really thrilled with this result as all my training has been focused on the marathon.  The best part is, it predicts to a significant sub-3 marathon, which is my major goal.  I guess all my high mileage weeks are paying off!  I'm also still healthy, which for me is probably the biggest victory of the day.

me mulling around pre-race, in St. Patty day kit

  me at finish, arms too tight as always

  165lb mastiff I met before the race!

Excellent!!

Outstanding performance! And how cold was it in a singlet?

I seem to remember a guy on the forums who ran in Crocs, maybe it was back on RWOL. I think he actually ran marathons in them. Kee-razy.

You run with the likes of those who I will never know!  Damn that's fast!

Side note; I always wanted a Bull Mastiff, but never got one.

Awesome race.  More importantly, you seemed happy with it.  Grats.

You ran an awesome race and I loved the in-race "B goal" twist. Man, those miles are paying big dividends in your training and that's such a confidence booster for Toledo. BTW, 35/4000+ is kicking it over the top!

What is up with races starting uphill towards a bridge today?  Glad you were able to keep your footing in the conditions.  And good job passing croc-guy!  Good luck on that sub-3!

Actually, he's probably pretty legit and was doing it for a joke.

I thought the same thing.