Mornin' everyone!
It sure seems there was some impressive running and racing around here over the weekend! Congrats to Tet, Twocat, A Trackrat, Wildchild, and Steve (with Noah and Tag) for their weekend races. How did Aamos do? Congrats to the rest for some impressive runs in all kinds of weather, and the Mariposai for a well-auctioned cake and adult women slumber party! What a weekend!
As Stumpy and Milktruck said, we were very lucky with the weather for yesterday's Seacoast Half: low-mid 40s, cloudy, and with only a light wind. Having to bus up to 1,200 racers to the remote start made us pretty nervous because we had never done anything like that before. We hired 20 buses: 5 to make one trip and then sit n the parking lot at the start to serve as shelter from the weather, and the other 15 to make as many loops as necessary. It turns out that a lot of racers got rides to the start, and 6 of the buses didn't make a single run. But we all agreed that it was best to have too many buses than not enough.
The modified course looped back by the start area at the 4-mile mark. The walkers and slower runners were scheduled to start 30 min. before the rest of the runners. However, we had one extraordinarily fast racewalker in the race, and were concerned that he would complete that first loop just as the runners were starting. So we held up the early start by 5 minutes to try to make sure the runners got going before that walker came along. Sure enough, he showed up no more than 3-4 minutes after the last runner cleared the start line.
The biggest problem that I saw or heard about was when a woman runner passed out in the post-race food area. But we had the EMTs at her side in about 2-3 minutes. They kept her down and stayed with her for quite a while, but it looked like she was going to be OK. I never learned what the issue was.
We had over 150 volunteers working the race, and they all did their jobs amazingly well. Yes, there are things that I wish were handled a little better, but in the scheme of things, they were minor issues. Besides, we have to have something to work on for next year's race!
Evanflein, we had pacers (at 30-second intervals, from 7:00 to 10:00 per-mile), and each of them was chosen based on their ability and willingness to maintain that pace throughout, and not go out and run the race they wanted to run. Otherwise, there is no point in having pacers.
The male winner finished in 1:12:53, the first woman finished in 1:26:03., and that racewalker finished in 1:32:31. We raised about $90,000 for our two beneficiaries and, as is the case every year, the race committee is penniless and happy about it.
We had company stay with us over the weekend (a couple that was racing the Seacoast Half for the first time), and we were sitting with a glass of wine and talking up a storm last night until, at 10:00 I had to break it up and get some sleep. For the first time in too many days, I slept through the night, and even slept in a bit this morning, and it sure felt good.
Have a greta Monday!
Jay
Without ice cream there would be darkness and chaos.
Well done Jay! I imagine you are tired and also exhilarated this morning. SO much works goes into a race and then the event is over and the hyper-focus has to shift. I've been the RD for much smaller races and I always feel more exhausted than when I am racing! Good Stuff and congrats.
Great racing and running by so many this weekend. Ditto to what Jay said. I love the photos of Noah and Tag and his peeps. What a joy for you and your DW, SteveP
How did your DS like UD, Holly? If only they were still a client and I'd see you more!
Mellow weekend here and just as I hoped. I got home from Colorado late on Friday (really Saturday morning) and spent more time in my PJs this weekend than I have all fall. Mr. CNYrunner and I went to spectate and cheer at the Western Mass HS xc champs. The kiddo's school won the girls and boys titles and also the individual crowns. Fun and impressive. I ran six easy miles before we headed over. On Sunday, I hit the roads with Iron J (the woman you proposed to during the VT50 Mike). We chattered and gabbed through 8.5 miles. Lots of running goals ahead for both of us and I am looking and running ahead.
Happy Monday to all!
Marathon Maniac #957
Good Morning Jay and Karin and all to follow!
Jay - well done! That is a momentous task and I am in awe of you and others who take on the RD position at races of any size, but especially the big ones.
Wildchild - Congratulations on another well-run Moab!
Re: UD.....DS and I were walking across the campus when he said, "I just realized how alike we are dressed and I am suddenly very uncomfortable." I looked down and realized that we were both wearing jeans, black Converse sneakers, and black wool coats. Oops! Teenage boys are not into being "twins" with their moms.....
Rest day for me today. Since I plan to do a weight-training class tomorrow after work, I took this morning's before-work time as a chance to run to the grocery.
Happy Monday!
Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."
Sayhey! MM#130
Good morning!
Jay, congrats! Glad milktruck posted so we got the real deal; you're awfully modest. I should send you the news from here, where the RD is being skewered for the course. It was long, especially for the half marathoners, many of whom swear, with their Garmins as back-up, that they ran cose to or fully 14 miles. I know I had to ask directions at several points. (and often got two people giving me 2 diffrent directions!)
Race Directing is hard work, you should take several bows and treat yourself to something grand, if you haven't already doen so.
Mari, just WOW! Fabulous to the 84th power. Seems like whatever you do, you do so well. (Referring to the cake here, also running, running for office, caring for folks....)
Oh, tet-in-a-thong, congrats to you as well! There was a thong-and-nothing-else runner in our marathon (and the temps peaked at low 60s in a drizzly, cool rain) who annoyed many. I passed him, it does give me satisfaction to say.
Carolyn, I love love Moab. What a lovely run, and I also love your attitude. It's all in who shows up at any race, isn't it? SAfe travels. Weather getting cold cold there, no? (My friend from SD who recently discovered the brain tumor is in Boston, seeing specialists--she, her mom and isster road tripped it, stopping at a number of Harley dealerships along the way....they have a greta spirit!)
Tag, I will have treats for you in Charlevoix, I promise! Give that runnerboy Noah a big lick for his race next time you run together. Will Dad be wearing his swishy shorts for the race in June?
You so deserve some good weather, Erika, altho that chill interlude made me remember the frozen face feeling. Always interesting when I'd duck into a c-store in winter to fuel up and found myself babbling to the cashier due to that syndrome. You're just running so fast these days!
Mike and Sub Dood, what a nice run; I always think of SubDood when I listen to theJason Mraz song "I'll Do anything" (it's on my play list).
"are you in the mood for some dude? are you in the mood to be subdued?"
O Holly, what roch said about your energy! Looking forward to the UD trip from DS's view. --Edited to add: beyond the fashion faux pas! Did he like it or?
Glad to hear that you are relaxing a bit, Karin, and about the Xcountry victories.
Trackrat, I'd go beyond Ribs calling your 10K "nice." Having just gotten to the CO altitude, you ran a very fleet race, and congrats!
Kevin, you are ready! And Richmond is a very friendly town, as I remember it, so the folks and atmosphere are bound to buoy your spirits should they drag at all during the race.
O boy deez, now I'm excited, having gotten the race yesterday behind me! Let's go Philly!!
twocat, we were looking for you , except with the rain, it was probably good your plane to Ft. Myers was cancelled. That IS what happened, right? Congrats again on your BQ in Savannah--greta photo on FB, how was that done, anyway??
Funny, but I actually had some late-onset jitters yesterday am. Once we got to the race, I realized how many folks I know were either in it or support people, and I thought, oh-oh....they were magnificent, although took my picture way, way way too much. Ended up 3rd woman and 11th overall with a 3:29:18. DH came in just under 2:50 in the half; he's very much enjoying speedwalking more than he ever did running. He went off to see "Interstellar" at the IMAX and recommends it if you are a space geek type as is he. I enjoyed the drizzly cool SUnday by cooking a casserole for later in the week, a big pot of dal, and a stir-fry for the evening's meal. Then we watched "Tim's Vermeer," a very quirky but hugely entertaining little movie (Vermeer and Hopper are my 2 favorite artists). Anyone else see it? tramps??
grins,
A
So, as Ribs advocates, an easy recovery run this am, 10K in an hour.
https://agratefullifedotnet.wordpress.com/ (for a piece or two of my mind)
Congratulations Jay. Putting on a successful race of that size is quite an accomplishment.
I ran an easy 7 this morning.
Glad to hear how well things went at your race, Jay! I know some races around here that could use your expertise. Also a lot of other good running & racing over the weekend; I'm especially looking forward to wildchild's RR. And why would Aamos take Ribs' advice on anything?
Yesterday, with my DW out of town, I drove up north solo to visit my DS and we had a very nice time together -- something like we used to do many years ago. He's been working 60-hour weeks for a couple of months (5 days, 12 hours per) and is getting pretty worn out. I suspect that might end in a week or so given where he lives and the fact that Nov 15th is the start of firearm deer hunting season; I'll bet half his company will be out the door for a while. Anyway, here we are having lunch at the Ruby Tuesday (my DW wanted a picture):
This morning, I had my best run in a while: 7.3 miles at a 10-flat pace. For once, I didn't have shin cramps, probably because I was running alone and could start out at a slower pace. I'll have to keep this in mind if I run the 10K on Sunday, making sure to do a half-mile or so warmup before the start. I say "if" because the bottom is dropping out later this week and it is predicted to be mid-20s and windy that morning. It's not exactly local either, so I'd have to leave about 5:30AM to get there. OTOH, when the going gets tough...
Doug, runnin' cycling in Rochester, MI
"Think blue, count two, and look for a red shoe"
King of PhotoShop
Nice going Jay. You always give so much.
Spent the whole weekend on my project for my client, and got up early this morning to wrap it up, so I didn't hit the park till after 8:30. Just 2 miles recovery from yesterday's 10+ at the Lake. And now I'm done for the day.
Time to write my Dallas Morning News column, then mess around. Spareribs
MM#209 / JapanJoyful#803
congratulations jay.not that it ever rains around here in the PNW
but I’d like to recommend the bus shelter idea at the start of all our races. .Congratulations amy on another super AG win.ps - I was wearing my Merrell Bahria Trail Thongs with Vibram soles for the early start in the Light-at-the-end-of-the-Tunnel Marathon a couple of years ago when a gal catching up from the regular start said, “Hey, I like your thongs, . . I'm wearin' 'em too,” . . . but she wasn’t.
At least he was barefoot, wasn't he?
,
pps doug - I really like the picture and how it is so obvious how much you and your son must love each other and being together in spite of everything we parents have done over the years to mortify them when the parental view thinks it will have the opposite effect or even when we're not even trying. <<<(holly)>>>
Makes me think the world is in pretty goods hands, after all.
"Enjoy yourself. Your younger days never come again." 100yo T. Igarashi to me in geta at top of Mt. Fuji (8/2/87)
Trackrat, good job in your 10K 1 AG and 2nd masters. Jay, congrats on putting on a great race. wild, nice trail marathon. Steve, I like the pictures from your race. tet, you're amazing with your races. Aamos, 3rd woman is pretty impressive. Also, good job by your husband. roch, neat picture of you and your son.
Nice long runs for deez, ribs, Saint, stumpy, C-R, mari, and evan.
This morning, it was in the mid 30s and there was a little wind. I got in 8 miles at an 11:36 pace.
A good day and good runs for all.
TomS
Congrats jay on sleeping thru the night! and nice time on your race too
4.25 miles in sunny, glorious 65* weather!
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” -- Albert Camus
goodness is its own reward; for more tangible outcomes, you need to try badness.
Well done Jay!
Excellent racing and running everyone.
I enjoy coming in here for my daily dose of inspiration.
6.8 recovery miles for me today. A bit stiff from yesterday's effort but I'm happy for the boost in fitness.
Cheers,
"He conquers who endures" - Persius "Every workout should have a purpose. Every purpose should link back to achieving a training objective." - Spaniel
http://ncstake.blogspot.com/
I should send you the news from here, where the RD is being skewered for the course. It was long, especially for the half marathoners, many of whom swear, with their Garmins as back-up, that they ran cose to or fully 14 miles. I know I had to ask directions at several points. (and often got two people giving me 2 diffrent directions!) Race Directing is hard work, you should take several bows and treat yourself to something grand, if you haven't already doen so.
yes, jay, for sure.
Local ultra-runners love a particularly brutal 50K trail run out here in the PNW every Spring that includes ascending the "Chin-scratcher" and facing the steep descent on the "butt-bruiser," etc. It is run as a marathon distance every November because the purists abhor the five miles of fairly level, flat running in the original 50K. Unfortunately, according to a friend who runs both, this time, to the confusion of everyone who knew they were wrong, the trail markings this time were for the 50K distance instead and added an extra hour or more to everyone's times. Oddly enough, nobody seemed to care much, if any.
Jay is one terrific RD!
The youngest finisher award! Way to go Noah. Cool pictures yesterday. I really like the where Noah is carrying his turkey.
Erika, I am glad you posted something about pacers. I don't have any experience with them. You are right; Opie did come seconds from the target goal. BTW, where is Opie?
The Easy Pacer finally made it back home last night and was very pleased to find his 12 red roses waiting for him. He also enjoyed the special dinner I made for him. Today was eaten up by work, but I decided to run after work tonight for a few miles before my gym diva session. Tomorrow supposed to be very, very cold and windy, think low 20 plus wind. I may or may not run. The wind will tell.
A great big thanks to all the veterans here. My eternal gratitude to you for serving our country.
Mariposai.
"Champions are everywhere; all you need is to train them properly..." ~Arthur Lydiard
Wonderful, Jay!!!
Greta news about AG & DH enjoying racewalking, Aamos.
Nice picture Roch.
DW and I hit a snow covered trail with the dog just after sunset. Lost of serenity.
SteveP
Roch - nice picture of a couple of handsome fellas!