Half Marathon Trainers

Race Reports (Read 1729 times)

tiny m


    Vino, that's an awesome accomplishment. Congrats to your girls!

    vegefrog


      Date: Mar 31st

      Race: The Cooper River Bridge Run

      Event URL: http://bridgerun.com/

      Distance: 6.2 Miles

      Location: Charleston, SC USA

      Goal Time: 55:00

       

       

       

      Actual time: 51:40

      The race director actually had to send out an apology letter to all runners this year. The race was delayed by MORE THEN AN HOUR! This is a one way race, across a bridge. Well, they bus runners from the finish line to the start line across the bridge, then at a certain time the bridge closes to get ready for the race and the buses take an alternate, longer route. This year for some reason they let the buses keep going across the bridge and couldn't start on time. There are 43,000 people and about 10 corrals. I was in corral E. We couldn't hear the announcers, we had no idea what was going on. All I knew was that I warmed up @ 7:20 for an 8:00 race and then stood in a crowded corral until we finally started around 9:15. YUCK. People were sitting on the ground and stretching and bitching and moaning. It was awful.

       

      BUT...when the race actually did start, I felt fine and left that all behind me. I think all the 5K's I've been doing helped me a lot. I was able to gauge my pace and hold back a little, but not too much. I did my first 2 miles @ 8:15's then we got to the bridge which is a mile @ 4% incline and I took off. I had been running it once a week and I knew I could fly up it. I did that 3rd mile @ about 8. Then I slowed down the next 2 miles because my goal was 55 minutes and I knew I pretty much had that in the bag. This race is so crowded  and it's elbows and leap frogging the whole time, so I didn't really have to much to think about besides not tripping someone or getting knocked down. The last mile is downtown Charleston on King Street.  There are people everywhere cheering and music playing so I took off and finished the race strong. I am so happy with my time. Last year I ran the same race in 1:07...which is 16 minutes slower!!!

       

      Amazing what a little training can do!!!

        Congratulations! What a huge improvement!

        PBs since age 60:  5k- 24:36, 10k - 47:17. Half Marathon- 1:42:41.

                                            10 miles (unofficial) 1:16:44.

         

        vegefrog


          Date:  April 14 2012

          Race: Palmetto Half Marathon

          Event url: http://palmettohalfmarathon.com/

          Distance: 13.1

          Location: Columbia, SC

          Goal Time: 1:59:59

           

          Race Time: 1:52:01

           

          PR by 10 minutes!!!!!!

           

          

           

          Every race is a learning experience and today was no exception. It was my second half marathon and I had a great time overall. I ran with a friend of mine who is sort of around my same level and we run about the same training schedule. I learned that when a race course is described as "rolling downhills"....that means it also includes rolling UPHILLS!!!!! My friend had run this race last year, so I asked her if it was very hilly, and if there were any extremely hard hills. She replied "not that I can remember". Well she officially has the worst memory ever Wink This course was in Columbia, SC which is pretty hilly. I live and run in Charleston, SC which is below sea level...to run a hill  you have to find a bridge somewhere, LOL. I was unprepared for how hilly this course was. There wasn't one point on the course where you weren't coming off a hill or starting to go up one. Ouch!

           

          I was naive and for the first 5 miles I pretty much tackled those hills with all I had, thinking to myself it couldn't continue like that, I mean, who would subject themselves to a course like that? Well they didn't let up and though they weren't too steep, they were just so relentless it was wearing me out. About mile 8 I had had enough and I was cussing my friend out in my head. There were a lot of people out cheering in the neighborhoods we ran through and the course really was beautiful. We passed a huge lake and some really nice houses. I chatted with some other runners along the way and also thanked lots of volunteers. The weather was perfect, 46 at the start and around 60 by the time we finished. It was sunny, there were ample aid stations and the mile markers were all easy to see and perfectly placed. I have absolutely no complaints about the course (other then whining about the hills). It was so well organized and well run that I will probably do it again next year.  Plus the medals are super cool Smile

           

          My friend and I played cat and mouse for the whole race, which was fun and kept our focus off the hills somewhat. I had pulled away and was giving it my all, but at mile 12 we had to go UP an exit ramp to the highway and it was long, steep...and I just didn't have anything left to give. She sprinted past me and tried to get me to go with her, but I couldn't quite do it. She finished about 45 seconds ahead of me, but we both got PR's and are extremely happy with our times. The post race fanfare didn't consist of much, but they did have Krispy Kreme donuts!!!

           

          I learned that I really, really like half marathons. I feel that this is the race distance I have the most room for improvement in and that with more miles and more specific quality runs I can get my time even lower.

           

          Thanks for all the support and tips you guys gave me!!!

           

           

          


             

            Race Time: 1:52:01

             

            PR by 10 minutes!!!!!!

             

            

             

             

            

             

            Awesome. Great job.

            Come all you no-hopers, you jokers and rogues
            We're on the road to nowhere, let's find out where it goes
              Awesome indeed! Isn't the half fun?


              Former runner

                Congrats! That's a great PR.

                Ross

                vegefrog


                  Date: April 28

                  Race: : Providence Heart and Sole 5 miler

                  Event URL: http://www.providencehospitals.com/Heart_Sole_Women_s_Five_Miler

                  Distance: 5.0 Miles

                  Location: Columbia, SC, USA

                  Goal: 40:00

                   

                  I finished 3rd in my AG, with a 39:48. My average pace was a 7:58 Smile It was a REALLY fun race. There was a giant hill between miles 2-3, but the finish was downhill and there was quite a crowd. It was an all women's race and that was pretty cool. I liked the distance more then I thought I would. I was more comfortable running this race then I have been running my 5Ks. Probably because I started out smart and didn't go too fast and was able to keep a fairly steady pace for the entire race. My splits were pretty even: 7:50, 7:55, 8:15, 8:15 and 7:33.

                   

                  Overall it was a great race. I beat my goal, I had a lot of fun, I won an award and kept a great attitude throughout the race even when up the hills Smile

                    Date: May 27th

                    Event: Easter Seals 5k

                    Location: Newmarket, Fairy Lake Park

                    Time: 24:36

                    Place: 24/210 overall, 2nd. M60 plus.

                     

                    Nice event with about the best organisation ever, really went smoothly.

                     

                    This is a fund-raiser so does not attract a very strong field, the winner finished in 18Tight lippedx, which would not get you in the top 10 in some of our small local 5ks.

                    I positioned myself about 1/3 of the way back at the start as I was aware I had done no training, (see my log!), and started out at an easy jogging pace. The race is run out and back on a narrow path, about 8 feet wide, which after 800m is split up the middle by cones so after the turn around runners are passing from opposite directions. This meant I was blocked by slower traffic quite a bit, though the main problem was just that I was too conservative.

                    At nearly 3k a guy overtook me, the first runner to do so, I said "Good job", he replied "You too" and I decided to try to stay with him. It felt good to run a little faster and I soon overtook him then gradually accelerated the rest of the way ending in one of those crazy idiot 200m sprints which prove you were not trying hard enough the rest of the way!

                     

                    Not a bad day overall, it was nice my wife came with me to cheer me along and seemed to think I did ok.

                    I will try for top 5 overall next year.

                    PBs since age 60:  5k- 24:36, 10k - 47:17. Half Marathon- 1:42:41.

                                                        10 miles (unofficial) 1:16:44.

                     

                    CanadianMeg


                    #RunEveryDay

                      Date: 06/10/12

                      Race: I Love Regina Run

                      Distance: 10K

                      Goal: 65:00

                      Finishing time: 1:06:33

                       

                      Fourth year running this (fifth year run has been held)

                      Weather: 15*C, sunny, 33kph wind gusting to 40kph.

                       

                      I went camping (tenting) with my son's grade 2 class on Thursday-Friday. I was exhausted from that and slept really poorly last night. I sort of expected it wouldn't be a personal best; my best 10K was 1:05:17.  HappyFeat, my RA running coach Wink,  suggested one strategy to me: try 11mm for the first mile and drop to 10:30-10:40 mm (which is more in line with what I'd like for my half pace this fall).  I was really nervous going into this until I got to the starting line. Well as you can see by my splits, I wasn't patient enough to go slower in that first mile.

                       

                      Splits: Splits: 10:46 - 10:44 - 10:46 - 10:42 - 10:50 - 10:47 - (9:45 for last partial mile) = 10:44 pace 

                      Finish: 1:06:33 (PR for this race 1:06:21 last year)

                       

                      I am a little disappointed that I didn't PR for the course when I saw how close I was; I always want to improve. (Who doesn't!) I was also slower than the 10K last month that was a disaster (1:06:19), but this one felt better. I was stronger mentally and didn't get discouraged. I didn't walk at all except for about 20 second in mile 5 when I needed to drink. I wanted to try to run pretty even splits. Overall, it was a success. 

                       

                      For the first time, I had a walker gripe at me at the start. They were walking 3 or 4 shoulder to shoulder near the front of the start and they were hard to get around. I got the gripe because I bumped them while trying to go around them and others were bumping me. Really, don't start in the very middle near the front as a group like that to walk, even if it is a fun run.

                       

                      This race puts me in a good spot going into half training. Monday is a yoga day and Tuesday is my first scheduled workout for the half training. (Feel free to comment on my training plan if you are so inclined.)  Smile

                      Half Fanatic #9292. 

                      Game Admin for RA Running Game 2023.

                      HappyFeat


                        Well done Meg!

                        Very even splits, a solid race,

                         

                        "as you can see by my splits, I wasn't patient enough to go slower in that first mile."

                         

                        It's a hard one to learn. The best way I've discovered to get around that is to do a warmup jog before the race. Otherwise, in anything longer than a 5K, running the first  first mile slower to warmup is really necessary to be able to achieve those faster miles to come.

                         

                        I get so fed up with the walkers and people pushing strollers who line up ahead of where they should be.  Since I am mostly running small events that aren't enforced or corralled, I line up nearer the front now and save myself the aggravation. I promise I'm cognizant of the speedsters and don't get in their way...I wouldn't want to cause them the same problem I'm trying to avoid.

                        Don't make excuses for why you can't get it done. 

                        Focus on all the reasons why you must make it happen.


                        Climbing Mt Ruapehu

                          Auckland Half Marathon

                           

                          I came, I jogged, i did 1:48 something

                           

                          Slow for me (10 mins slower than my last HM) and I found the lack of road running and total disregard for a specialist build up found me hurting a lot for the last 6km!

                           

                          Ran a bit quick for first 6 or 7, ran well for next 5km then faded a bit with just the legs hammered by the hard surface

                           

                          So now back to trails :-)  I have said I am totally retiring now from road running over 10km but I am sure at some stage I will do another HM or FM

                          Personal Race Records:

                          M 3:52:48 (Auckland 2011), HM 1:38:16 (Taupo 2010), 10km 45:05 (Sir Barry 2010), 5km 20:21 (How Pak 5km 2010)

                           

                          2012 Goals:
                          Run the 75km Hillary Trail in a day (done 10/3/2012)

                            Hey Vino

                             

                            I missed this one for a couple of days. Congratz on the jog & finish!

                            I'm still dreaming of the day when I can jog round in 1:48!! Smile

                             

                            Is this race truly your swansong or is this a case of "I'll never drink another beer again" the morning after? Wink

                            Either way - great job and I hope you keep hanging around here to post every now and then!

                            2017 Goals
                            1) Run more than 231 miles
                            2) Be ready for  HM in the spring


                            Climbing Mt Ruapehu

                              No I will run another road marathon and another road half but next time specific training for it! Probably Auckland next year or Taupo. I have been asked to do kerikeri but to close now to do it justice. I'd want to target 1:40 next time. But summer now and I will be doing trail mainly now for a few months

                              Personal Race Records:

                              M 3:52:48 (Auckland 2011), HM 1:38:16 (Taupo 2010), 10km 45:05 (Sir Barry 2010), 5km 20:21 (How Pak 5km 2010)

                               

                              2012 Goals:
                              Run the 75km Hillary Trail in a day (done 10/3/2012)

                              vegefrog


                                Kiawah Island Marathon

                                December 8, 2012

                                Goal: <4:00:00

                                Finish: 3:51:37

                                 

                                So..as you all know my goal was to get under 4 hours. Actually, up until about 2 months ago it was to get a 4:30...but my training was going well and my times were improving and I thought I should readjust it. I'm glad I did because that goal was much more realistic.

                                 

                                I was nervous about whether I had tapered correctly and whether my diet was ok. I definitely ate more carbs last week then I had in a good while. I'm @ 113 on the scale today, 2 weeks ago I was @ 105...but whatever. I guess all those extra carbs did me good because I didn't hit any sort of wall. All week my legs felt sluggish and I was tired and and sort of lethargic. Then Friday I started to feel like myself again, and Saturday morning my legs were full of energy and aching to get to the starting line and my head was clear. So I guess I did all right on the taper thing Smile

                                 

                                Got to the expo Friday and met with the pace groups. There was a 4 hour and a 3:55 pacer. I signed up for the 3:55 group initially, but the dude told me I should start with the 4 and then if I felt good I could always make up the time later. This made since to me because I still wasn't quite sure that sub4 was within my reach (pretty sure, just not 100%). We met with the 4 hour pacer and she was cool. She said she banks time by keeping a few second ahead of pace, but she walks through every water station. I wasn't sure I liked this at all. I had heard advice from a lot of people telling me to walk through the water stations whether you needed water or not. That the little bit of recovery you give your legs there will save you from exhaustion down the stretch...but I wasn't sure I was buying it. I went back and forth over running my own race completely or staying with her...finally right before bed Friday night I decided I would stay with her until at least 13 and then check in with myself to see how things were going.

                                 

                                That decided I got a good nights sleep and had brown sugar pop tarts, coffee and water for breakfast. We got to the race start around 7, an hour early. It was about a 10 minute walk from our rental house, so that was a nice little warm up AND it got my bowels going, so I had no problem with pre-race toilet issues (believe it or not THIS is one of my biggest fears). My friend wasn't as lucky and she was still waiting in line at the porta-potty 10 minutes before the race. Luckily it was a small race, 1200 marathoners, so she found me easily. I was lined up with the 4 hour pace group and we were ready to go.

                                 

                                The half marathon started with the full, and this caused a TON of congestion for about the first 5-6 miles. It was annoying, trying to stay with the pacer as she was bobbing and weaving in order to keep her pace. There were probably 20 of us trying to stay with her. I know I ran up on the sidewalk and all around trying to keep up with her, which is probably why my GPS read 26.7 at the end of the race instead of 26.2!! LOL!

                                It finally cleared out and everything was going well. I was sticking with her for the ease of not having to keep up with my own pace, but I was zoned out with my headphones in and not really participating in the conversations she was having with the others. I was feeling a few aches and my right calf was sort of tight until about mile 8 when everything loosened up and started to get groovy. Smile

                                 

                                I stayed with her until mile 18 just like MT told me to...I took the first 18 easy. I was leery of taking off even then, but I felt so darn good and I had plenty of sports beans left, and I knew that water wasn't an issue so I sped it up a bit and left the pace group.  When I got to mile 20 I knew it was just a 10K left, I knew I had a lot left in me and so I just started to go...I felt good. I saw the 3:55 pace group on a turn and shouted to them that I was coming for them. I caught up with them and stayed for a minute, but that pace felt too slow so I left them too. I was smiling. I was singing. I passed 137 people and no one passed me in the last 10K (race statistics provided by the race). My last 2 miles were 7:45's!!!!! In the last mile my quads started to feel tight, nothing too intense, but just enough to let me know I was pushing it.

                                 

                                I think I ran a smart race. My goal was to finish and still feel like grabbing a beer and being able to go out with friends that night. I am glad that I was conservative in the beginning and that I was comfortable enough to push it at the end. I know I had a faster race in me, but for this race on this weekend I am very proud of myself. It was nothing but a positive experience.