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Post by Steve Yutzy on Mar 14, 2009 18:28:49 GMT -5
First race since last year's Akron marathon, and I have to say it went pretty well. Gotta get that first race out of the way somehow, and I'm starting this season faster than I started last, which is nice. I have to say though, about 3 miles in I started to think Durno had the right idea racing the 2 miler instead of the 5...
Great to see all the CTCers out there racing and volunteering, we had a great presence at the race!
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Post by MarkD on Mar 15, 2009 10:39:08 GMT -5
Sorry Nathan... this one may be one of those long reports that you loathe !!
Back track about 8 years ago. A friend of mine was doing road racing and I committed to join him for a race. At the time, my only extra-ciricular activities were flag football and golf. I hadn't run a road race since I was 19 (12 years earlier). So, I signed up for St. Malachi with no training - just to see if I could still run 5 miles without dying. The night before, we were out with some friends and my belly started acting up. Ended up with the runs (and not the kind you do with your legs). I hoped it would pass in time to race the next morning. I woke up... felt pretty good.... Frank picked me up and we headed to the race. After picking up my bib I felt that familiar sensation coming on again. So, indeed I did race that morning - to the bathroom at St. Malachi - over and over again. Never did run (with my legs). Why do I tell that story. Two reasons: 1. the pre-race experience (the commradarie - not the bathroom visits) got me thinking about pursuing a different sporting past-time which I would act on a few years later, and, 2. I hadn't visited the St. Malachi grounds since then.
Fast forward to yesterday. It's kinda cool to come back to a venue where you hadn't been for so long, especially when you can point a finger to one event that got your lifestyle moving in a different direction. My goal yesterday was to volunteer and not race. But, I brought my stuff because it looked like our volunteer numbers were really picking up and, I figured I could do the 2-miler then help at the food table afterwards. Sure enough - we had a bunch of volunteers, so, I paid my cash and ran the short race. After the 2-miler, my legs were cramping pretty bad, so, I thought, what the h*ll, I'll cool down by jogging the 5-miler. After finishing the 5er - it was time to help out, so, I jumped behind the food table and assisted our crew with keeping the tables stocked and managed. The races were interesting:
2-miler:
Just before the race, Scott B. and I were talking and he was giving me sh*t for not running the 5 with him after (he, like Angie and others were doing both). So it got me thinking - why not - its a great day and the only way to keep warm is to run. As I lined up close to the front I saw a familiar scene (especially in short races) - a bunch of little kids got right in front. You knew that they would run their hearts out for about 100 yards then start jogging and walking. With the downhill grade at the start and the huge numbers of peeps behind them, I was afraid that some of them would get trampled after the gun sounded. Sure enough, I saw two kids go down right after the start of the race - hope they were OK. The first several hundred yards are straight down hill - this is good, 'cause you can start running fast without working quite as hard. What I learned yesterday is that, after the field begins to spread out and the kids drop off, a good strategy (if you are racing competitively) is to keep going after the person in front of you. Once you pass them - go after the next one. Each time, pick up the pace a little bit more. I was amazed how fast the first mile went by. Knowing that you are half way home - you aren't afraid to pick it up (especially since the entire second mile is uphill). I put my sights on 2 young bucks ahead of me and kept closing the gap. Unfortunately, would have needed about another quarter-mile to reel them in, but, they were clearly losing it at the end. Regardless, my lungs were burning like I haven't felt in many years, and, due to a long week of travel (and misbehaving !), I wasn't as hydrated as I should have been - hence the cramping.
5-miler:
I took Scott's advise and lined up for the 5-miler once my legs began to settle down. I lined up a little ways back with Jen P. She was hoping to go just below 7 minute miles, so, I figured I could hang with her for a little while then back it off when I lost my legs for good. The gun sounded and I felt like one of those little kids that were getting run over - people were flying by me like I was standing still - I bet over 400 people blew by me. I couldn't hang, but, I didn't want to try to for fear of huge cramping coming back. So, I just run at a comfortable slow pace. After about a half mile, the legs began feeling good again. The pace picked up, but, I stayed in a comfort zone and didn't run extremely hard - kinda like a good mid-tempo pace. Sure enough, I began catching the 400+ people who blew by earlier. I caught up to Jen about mile 1 - she was workin' hard and nailed the first mile at sub 6:30 - just flying (she would PR and get a medal in her AG). Then I caught up to Tim R. - he was in cussing at himself for running so dam* fast to start the race (6:15 pace), but he still had enough wind in his lungs to bullsh*t with me for a while. I think what I liked about this race, more than anything, was simply enjoying a run and paying attention to my surroundings. It was cool to watch what others were doing - who looked comfy - who was struggling - seeing the leaders, then the peak of the bell curve, then the walkers - not caring who passed and who I was passing - stopping at the aid station and jabbering with the volunteers for a few seconds - realizing that I could jump up on the side walk when going over those steel grated bridges. About mile 4 I caught up to Elizabeth - as I was saying something to her I almost twisted my ankle in a pot-hole (lesson: keep your eyes on the road !!). The final big hill wasn't as bad this time around at this slower pace.
When it was all said and done, it was a great day. Sunshine on cold days makes such a difference. The bar scene at the post race party was fun. CTC had an impressive presence - both racing and volunteering. I hope we can turn out in force at other big events in the area. Those who brought home hardware in the 5-miler: Jen, Elizabeth, Angie R., Steve Y., Lou D., Brian S. (did I miss anyone ??). Good day, eh.
In case you were wondering - yes, I remember exactly what the bathrooms look like at St. M's !!
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Post by jen on Mar 15, 2009 13:41:10 GMT -5
Great race report Mark! I had a really great time at the race yesterday. A year or two ago and these road races I never really new any other people and now that I've gotten involved with CTC it's even more fun to go to events and know lots of people-and lots of really great runners! I think people like Janet and Elizabeth have definitely helped motivate me to work even harder at running. I was really happy yesterday to PR. My previous PR was 35:34 and I had heard this was a tough race/being the first of the year I wasn't sure what to expect. The downhill start certainly helped and yes, hitting the 1 mile mark at about 6:20 was either going to be really good or really bad and I knew I always start out too fast (usually sub 7 on first mile) and that it'd probably even out with an uphill finish. I think I held roughly 7 min/mile pace the next four miles to hit 34:47 as my final time which that in itself I was very happy with and earning 3 place AG was just icing on the cake. Yesterday definitely was a reward in that the training I'm doing is paying off and definitely motivation to keep at it for upcoming races. I can't wait! And thanks to all the CTC people out there-so fun!!!  |
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Post by Brian Luther on Mar 16, 2009 11:22:27 GMT -5
Great race too all who ran! Also, thanks to all who volunteered at the table...... Did I not see some Guinness back their with you all?
Last note, checking the, Hermes results/page I saw no pics of the event and nothing in the Plain Dealer either.......... Yet, I noticed a few different photographers on the course, might anyone know if there are any pics being posted on the net?
Brian
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Post by Kim Zepp on Mar 16, 2009 12:14:37 GMT -5
Great race too all who ran! Also, thanks to all who volunteered at the table...... Did I not see some Guinness back their with you all? Last note, checking the, Hermes results/page I saw no pics of the event and nothing in the Plain Dealer either.......... Yet, I noticed a few different photographers on the course, might anyone know if there are any pics being posted on the net? Brian Brian, Try fotojack.com The Hermes web site said they would be posting photos. Kim |
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Post by Kim Zepp on Mar 16, 2009 15:08:32 GMT -5
Great race too all who ran! Also, thanks to all who volunteered at the table...... Did I not see some Guinness back their with you all? Last note, checking the, Hermes results/page I saw no pics of the event and nothing in the Plain Dealer either.......... Yet, I noticed a few different photographers on the course, might anyone know if there are any pics being posted on the net? Brian Brian, Try fotojack.com The Hermes web site said they would be posting photos. Kim Hermes web site says the photos should be available March 19. Plus, my BROTHER won one of the TVs after the race! (I think he should share it with me since I'm one of the people who put down his name. ) |
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Post by birddog1 on Mar 19, 2009 12:10:47 GMT -5
I been training since thanksgiving and this was my first race ever. i finished strong and had a blast. Definetly will do this next year.
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