Hogswart
Tuesday night I ran from my house to Haverford College for the Tuesday night track work with Bryn Mawr. On my way, the kids from the neighborhood were walking to the local school (St. Dennis) for the eighth grade graduation. The graduates were all wearing their robes. One young fellow must a been a little late because he was running along robe flowing around him. I couldn't help thinking it looked like a scene out of Harry Potter.
Beautiful evening, fairly strong NW winds as a high pressure system moved in. But the wind settled just as we began. Nice, hard workout. 4x400, 300, 200 with 100 yard jog between intervals and 400 jog between sets. Goal was to go a little faster then 5K pace, picking up the pace each interval. Pace leader was like a metrodome and made sure we kept hard to the intervals, so we got a great aerobic workout.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Friday Morning Run
My little postage stamp of a woods is nothing like a real wilderness, but for me it is a refuge that I look forward to for ninety minutes each Friday. This morning it was there were lowering clouds and rumbles of thunder and I expected to get drenched any minute but the rain held off to just after I finished.
The light from the constantly changing sky animated the woods and brought it to life in way that a clear blue sky wouldn’t have. The woods are that bright, alive green of late spring and the large, older trees really do seem like pillars in a temple.
Along the trail I stop to tie my shoe and as I look up there is a deer just in front of me. She was coming down the trail in the opposite direction – as soon as she saw me she turned and disappeared noiselessly in that magically way of deer.
This is a comforting wood; it is cool and damp and very quiet – there is bird chatter but not the cacophony of early spring.
The only new disturbance is a man made clearing near the arboretum deer fence. There are new plantings encased in plastic tubes – protection I suppose from the deer. They will be quite beautiful someday, but now it is a little jarring, a strange alien intrusion in “my” wood.
I round the field where I saw the fox kits two weeks ago, but they are gone and the den appears, at least for now, abandoned.
One last stretch of wood and then the field that leads back to the highway.
As always I am reluctant to leave this sanctuary but it has given a very lovely morning.
My little postage stamp of a woods is nothing like a real wilderness, but for me it is a refuge that I look forward to for ninety minutes each Friday. This morning it was there were lowering clouds and rumbles of thunder and I expected to get drenched any minute but the rain held off to just after I finished.
The light from the constantly changing sky animated the woods and brought it to life in way that a clear blue sky wouldn’t have. The woods are that bright, alive green of late spring and the large, older trees really do seem like pillars in a temple.
Along the trail I stop to tie my shoe and as I look up there is a deer just in front of me. She was coming down the trail in the opposite direction – as soon as she saw me she turned and disappeared noiselessly in that magically way of deer.
This is a comforting wood; it is cool and damp and very quiet – there is bird chatter but not the cacophony of early spring.
The only new disturbance is a man made clearing near the arboretum deer fence. There are new plantings encased in plastic tubes – protection I suppose from the deer. They will be quite beautiful someday, but now it is a little jarring, a strange alien intrusion in “my” wood.
I round the field where I saw the fox kits two weeks ago, but they are gone and the den appears, at least for now, abandoned.
One last stretch of wood and then the field that leads back to the highway.
As always I am reluctant to leave this sanctuary but it has given a very lovely morning.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Broad Street
Well defying conventional wisdom and, yes, common sense I ran the Broad Street Ten Mile Run last Sunday. I just couldn’t resist continuing the streak since this is the one race I have run every year since I began running.
The expo this year was at the Eagles football stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, and I thought it was a pretty successful venue, easy to get to and easy to park.
This was another record setting crowd but the organization seems to be able to handle it and there were no significant delays in getting my number or goodie bag.
Early Sunday I drove to Roosevelt Park and parked under I95 not far from the finish but a good hike to Broad and Pattison for the subway ride to Broad and Olney. When I got into the station I decided I would improve my chances for a seat by moving up a few cars, I walked into the door and there was Diane and Neil. Turned out we were on an express so the trip uptown was quick and easy.
Then the usual pre-run Broad Street routine – circle the Central High Track and few times, sit in the bleachers, catch up with as many friends as possible (but in the crush missed many more). The entry in and out of the field is a choke point and may be past the point of being able to handle the crunch of runners. Race down to the baggage bus, then back to the 8 minute start area (actually stood between the 7 and 8 points because I knew people overseed themselves).
It was a perfect weather day: cool temps, low humidity, bright sunshine. Race began on schedule and the crush at the mats was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The first mile was a little slow because of the overseeding and the large number of runners but it was a good pace for me. Also the water stops seemed to be working fairly well. I skipped the first one having taken Endurance just before the start. I would take water three times and then nothing after mile seven. It seemed about right given the weather.
I was continually passing people (and would continue to do so until the end) so I was somewhat surprised that my time was only 82 minutes (almost exactly the same as last year). I had thought my average mile was under 8:30 but I think I must have slowed down somewhat in the middle miles when I missed a couple of mile markers and didn’t have my splits. I was quite pleased with my last mile which was one of my fastest and where I past a couple of my Bryn Mawr running mates. Laura said she heard someone call hear name but knew it was me when she heard “Just one more repeat” as we entered the Navy Yard. She was one of a few who asked somewhat puzzled “didn’t you just run a Marathon?”
Again the finish area was handled well given the number of runners crunching in. The kid on the baggage bus had my bag ready even before I asked for it.
I walked over to the park savoring the crowd and the runners still streaming into the Navy Yard. Bryn Mawr and Northeast tailgates were set up next to each other so I got to see everyone and then I spied a runner wearing a Dead Runners Shirt. I knew right away it had to be Ron Steve. I was able to introduce him to Diane and eventually give him a ride back to his hotel.
There doesn’t seem to be any ill effects. I took off Monday and Tuesday but had no DOMS and ran an easy five this morning. Looking back I’m glad I decided to go for it.
Here’s an interesting article about Broad Street that appeared in today’s Inquirer:
Well defying conventional wisdom and, yes, common sense I ran the Broad Street Ten Mile Run last Sunday. I just couldn’t resist continuing the streak since this is the one race I have run every year since I began running.
The expo this year was at the Eagles football stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, and I thought it was a pretty successful venue, easy to get to and easy to park.
This was another record setting crowd but the organization seems to be able to handle it and there were no significant delays in getting my number or goodie bag.
Early Sunday I drove to Roosevelt Park and parked under I95 not far from the finish but a good hike to Broad and Pattison for the subway ride to Broad and Olney. When I got into the station I decided I would improve my chances for a seat by moving up a few cars, I walked into the door and there was Diane and Neil. Turned out we were on an express so the trip uptown was quick and easy.
Then the usual pre-run Broad Street routine – circle the Central High Track and few times, sit in the bleachers, catch up with as many friends as possible (but in the crush missed many more). The entry in and out of the field is a choke point and may be past the point of being able to handle the crunch of runners. Race down to the baggage bus, then back to the 8 minute start area (actually stood between the 7 and 8 points because I knew people overseed themselves).
It was a perfect weather day: cool temps, low humidity, bright sunshine. Race began on schedule and the crush at the mats was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The first mile was a little slow because of the overseeding and the large number of runners but it was a good pace for me. Also the water stops seemed to be working fairly well. I skipped the first one having taken Endurance just before the start. I would take water three times and then nothing after mile seven. It seemed about right given the weather.
I was continually passing people (and would continue to do so until the end) so I was somewhat surprised that my time was only 82 minutes (almost exactly the same as last year). I had thought my average mile was under 8:30 but I think I must have slowed down somewhat in the middle miles when I missed a couple of mile markers and didn’t have my splits. I was quite pleased with my last mile which was one of my fastest and where I past a couple of my Bryn Mawr running mates. Laura said she heard someone call hear name but knew it was me when she heard “Just one more repeat” as we entered the Navy Yard. She was one of a few who asked somewhat puzzled “didn’t you just run a Marathon?”
Again the finish area was handled well given the number of runners crunching in. The kid on the baggage bus had my bag ready even before I asked for it.
I walked over to the park savoring the crowd and the runners still streaming into the Navy Yard. Bryn Mawr and Northeast tailgates were set up next to each other so I got to see everyone and then I spied a runner wearing a Dead Runners Shirt. I knew right away it had to be Ron Steve. I was able to introduce him to Diane and eventually give him a ride back to his hotel.
There doesn’t seem to be any ill effects. I took off Monday and Tuesday but had no DOMS and ran an easy five this morning. Looking back I’m glad I decided to go for it.
Here’s an interesting article about Broad Street that appeared in today’s Inquirer:
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
Depart, oh night!
Set, you stars!
Set, you stars!
At dawn I shall win!
I shall win! I shall win!
Country Music Marathon - Nashville Tennessee
Let me get this out right away as a kind of catharsis - I am kind of sad because on Sunday I lost my digital camera. Worst part is that I think I lost it right in the hotel lobby - it saddens me to think someone in the hotel would walk away with the camera and not turn it in to the desk. I don't mind the lost of the camera so much as the photos it contained. Fortunately it was only the last day since I have been downloading them each day.
Well anyway - the flight to Nashville thru Raleigh was uneventful. Lots of clouds so there wasn't a lot to see but both legs of the flight were short.
Downtown Nashville turned out to be somewhat of a surprise. There isn't much there, there. Along Broadway there are the tourist honky tonks, but the area doesn't have much life. To my surprise there are no stores of any kind. No food stores, no small corner stores, no boutique stores. These may be coming. On Sunday there was a program where people got to pay a small fee and then tour a large number of current and projected condominiums. I think once these are occupied there will be more human activity, but for now it is extremely bereft of residential life.
We did the touristy things of visiting the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. My favorite visit was to the Parthenon - an exact replica of the Greek Parthenon, complete with a glided statue of Athena. A staff member who told us about the Parthenon was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and understood when I compared the Parthenon to the Philadelphia Art Museum. One of those small ironies of this small world.
My first view of the Parthenon was about 6 AM on Saturday (29 April). It had threatened rain, and there were showers not far to the west, but after a brief sprinkle the day was dry and remained so. In fact mid race the sun briefly shown and it got quite warm. The Parthenon is in Centennial Park the site of world fair type event in 1897 Nashville. Like Memorial Hall in Philadelphia it is the sole survivor of that event. I stopped by the information booth to say hello to Karen Bingham, then enjoyed the grounds.
The Country Music Marathon combines with a Half Marathon and the vast majority of runners are halfties. The course begins just outside the park and you first head back downtown. I loosely hooked up with the four hour pace group - that is I identified the leader and resolved to keep them in sight. Rather then the crush and shuffle you usually experience in a large race we were easily running at pace immediately.
A few miles into the race you turn onto music row - an area of Nashville I believe called Belmont, a pleasant neighborhood. The race is a small collection of out and backs. This first is probably the nicest with lots of spectators and things to see. We saw the leaders coming back on their loop. One runner way out in front and I wondered at this until I realized he was a half marathoner and hence pushing the pace harder than the marathoners. I was rather amazed, when we ran back toward town at the large number of runners still coming. I have a picture in my mind of a huge wave of runners in front of me and an equally huge wave coming at me. I don't remember ever seeing this before.
(22,000 started - about 5000 marathoners - my time was a relatively slow 4:08 but I was 1006 runner finishing.)
I had run most of this leg with the four hour group, although I briefly lost contact at a water stop. At one point the leader needed a potty break and handed the four hour flag to a woman. This must have energerized her because the next mile was about 25 seconds faster then we had been running. Actually, I felt comfortable with the pace and continued on, just a little slower. It is somewhere in this area that I saw the blue man - I said out loud that can't be healthy and a woman running near said I was thinking the same thing - but it was startling (saw him later at the finish line).
Next loop out is down a large divided highway (8th ave). We leave the halfs about mile eleven separated by Elvis. Then proceed on 8th to the Metrocenter business park that loops along the Cumberland River where you can see the layers of sandstone laid down when this area was under a shallow sea. My favorite band was just after we left this portion of the loop. The bands were great even though you only get to hear for a few moments. The early part of the race when you are running with the halfs have the most then they thin out. -
At mile 9 they gave out jelly bellies. Don't think these will make it as a race food. For the next block there were jelly bellies everywhere - I assume they were just too hard to handle.
I am still comfortably with the four hour group - there are now just four of us. The run back toward downtown is a long uphill and here I lose contact with the leader. I catch up on the downhill and almost catch up when we run thru a park just before coming into downtown. However, with about 6 miles left I am slowing down. Don't feel bad - just no turnover. Because of the heat I have been carefully monitoring for cramps but they seem clear.
I am somewhat surprised by how many people are already walking. It seems somewhat unusual, although warm it is not excessively so.
I prefer to slog on slowly. The final loop is out to Shelby Park - it appears to be a somewhat down on it heels park but you do loop a small lake and when you come out you know you have mostly downhill for the final three miles. Again I marvel at the thousands still coming many of them walking and as slow as I am going I am passing many other runners.
The final mile is past a really ugly junkyard before turning into Stadium area. The final short leg is on Victory Avenue quite fitting given my mantra - Vincero!
Final chip time is 4:08:28. Off goal but acceptable. Finish area is well arranged especially considering that the marathoners and halfs merge here (and there were still many halfs coming in.) I lingered only briefly, stopping to chat with Karen Bingham of the Penguin list before making the trek back to the hotel of the pedestrian bridge that links downtown with the stadium. (This seemed a unique feature for Nashville-the idea I believe to allow and encourage people to use the downtown restaurants and bars before and after stadium events.)
Saturday night there was the post race concert that featured Phil Vasser. Didn't know what to expect but it turned out he gave a great show then came back for an encore and played for another hour.
We originally planned on staying thru Tuesday but we pretty much expended the things to do downtown and didn't really want to do any bus tours and shuttles. So we changed our flight and I finished this account sitting on the tarmac in Nashville delayed by thunderstorms in Chicago.
(Post script - we are sitting delayed in Chicago!!!!)
Well this has not been a terrible vacation but it has not been one of my favorites.
Whether I will travel to another marathon remains to be seen. I rather doubt if my wife will be eager to go again.
Set, you stars!
Set, you stars!
At dawn I shall win!
I shall win! I shall win!
Country Music Marathon - Nashville Tennessee
Let me get this out right away as a kind of catharsis - I am kind of sad because on Sunday I lost my digital camera. Worst part is that I think I lost it right in the hotel lobby - it saddens me to think someone in the hotel would walk away with the camera and not turn it in to the desk. I don't mind the lost of the camera so much as the photos it contained. Fortunately it was only the last day since I have been downloading them each day.
Well anyway - the flight to Nashville thru Raleigh was uneventful. Lots of clouds so there wasn't a lot to see but both legs of the flight were short.
Downtown Nashville turned out to be somewhat of a surprise. There isn't much there, there. Along Broadway there are the tourist honky tonks, but the area doesn't have much life. To my surprise there are no stores of any kind. No food stores, no small corner stores, no boutique stores. These may be coming. On Sunday there was a program where people got to pay a small fee and then tour a large number of current and projected condominiums. I think once these are occupied there will be more human activity, but for now it is extremely bereft of residential life.
We did the touristy things of visiting the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. My favorite visit was to the Parthenon - an exact replica of the Greek Parthenon, complete with a glided statue of Athena. A staff member who told us about the Parthenon was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and understood when I compared the Parthenon to the Philadelphia Art Museum. One of those small ironies of this small world.
My first view of the Parthenon was about 6 AM on Saturday (29 April). It had threatened rain, and there were showers not far to the west, but after a brief sprinkle the day was dry and remained so. In fact mid race the sun briefly shown and it got quite warm. The Parthenon is in Centennial Park the site of world fair type event in 1897 Nashville. Like Memorial Hall in Philadelphia it is the sole survivor of that event. I stopped by the information booth to say hello to Karen Bingham, then enjoyed the grounds.
The Country Music Marathon combines with a Half Marathon and the vast majority of runners are halfties. The course begins just outside the park and you first head back downtown. I loosely hooked up with the four hour pace group - that is I identified the leader and resolved to keep them in sight. Rather then the crush and shuffle you usually experience in a large race we were easily running at pace immediately.
A few miles into the race you turn onto music row - an area of Nashville I believe called Belmont, a pleasant neighborhood. The race is a small collection of out and backs. This first is probably the nicest with lots of spectators and things to see. We saw the leaders coming back on their loop. One runner way out in front and I wondered at this until I realized he was a half marathoner and hence pushing the pace harder than the marathoners. I was rather amazed, when we ran back toward town at the large number of runners still coming. I have a picture in my mind of a huge wave of runners in front of me and an equally huge wave coming at me. I don't remember ever seeing this before.
(22,000 started - about 5000 marathoners - my time was a relatively slow 4:08 but I was 1006 runner finishing.)
I had run most of this leg with the four hour group, although I briefly lost contact at a water stop. At one point the leader needed a potty break and handed the four hour flag to a woman. This must have energerized her because the next mile was about 25 seconds faster then we had been running. Actually, I felt comfortable with the pace and continued on, just a little slower. It is somewhere in this area that I saw the blue man - I said out loud that can't be healthy and a woman running near said I was thinking the same thing - but it was startling (saw him later at the finish line).
Next loop out is down a large divided highway (8th ave). We leave the halfs about mile eleven separated by Elvis. Then proceed on 8th to the Metrocenter business park that loops along the Cumberland River where you can see the layers of sandstone laid down when this area was under a shallow sea. My favorite band was just after we left this portion of the loop. The bands were great even though you only get to hear for a few moments. The early part of the race when you are running with the halfs have the most then they thin out. -
At mile 9 they gave out jelly bellies. Don't think these will make it as a race food. For the next block there were jelly bellies everywhere - I assume they were just too hard to handle.
I am still comfortably with the four hour group - there are now just four of us. The run back toward downtown is a long uphill and here I lose contact with the leader. I catch up on the downhill and almost catch up when we run thru a park just before coming into downtown. However, with about 6 miles left I am slowing down. Don't feel bad - just no turnover. Because of the heat I have been carefully monitoring for cramps but they seem clear.
I am somewhat surprised by how many people are already walking. It seems somewhat unusual, although warm it is not excessively so.
I prefer to slog on slowly. The final loop is out to Shelby Park - it appears to be a somewhat down on it heels park but you do loop a small lake and when you come out you know you have mostly downhill for the final three miles. Again I marvel at the thousands still coming many of them walking and as slow as I am going I am passing many other runners.
The final mile is past a really ugly junkyard before turning into Stadium area. The final short leg is on Victory Avenue quite fitting given my mantra - Vincero!
Final chip time is 4:08:28. Off goal but acceptable. Finish area is well arranged especially considering that the marathoners and halfs merge here (and there were still many halfs coming in.) I lingered only briefly, stopping to chat with Karen Bingham of the Penguin list before making the trek back to the hotel of the pedestrian bridge that links downtown with the stadium. (This seemed a unique feature for Nashville-the idea I believe to allow and encourage people to use the downtown restaurants and bars before and after stadium events.)
Saturday night there was the post race concert that featured Phil Vasser. Didn't know what to expect but it turned out he gave a great show then came back for an encore and played for another hour.
We originally planned on staying thru Tuesday but we pretty much expended the things to do downtown and didn't really want to do any bus tours and shuttles. So we changed our flight and I finished this account sitting on the tarmac in Nashville delayed by thunderstorms in Chicago.
(Post script - we are sitting delayed in Chicago!!!!)
Well this has not been a terrible vacation but it has not been one of my favorites.
Whether I will travel to another marathon remains to be seen. I rather doubt if my wife will be eager to go again.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
As I write it is a beautiful, bright spring afternoon. With the exception of yesterday’s heavy rain it has been a beautiful spring week here. I really enjoyed Friday’s trail run thru a wood well into its spring greening. I took yesterday off but did go to a runners’ clinic offered by Springfield Hospital. Tried to get some magic advice that would conquer my late race cramps but unfortunately the docs and techs only had the common sense advice I already knew.
Ran this am when it was still overcast and cool, the drives loop was perfect since eight miles at marathon pace was exactly what I wanted. Crowded day since a crew regatta was taking place on the river. It was fun passing all the kids getting ready to row. Some of the booths smell awfully good.
It was crowded and noisy until I got well onto Martin Luther King Drive. There I encountered a goose family with four tiny goslings. The parents didn’t seem to care how close I was but I didn’t push their tolerance.
Got back to Kelly Drive right on schedule where I momentarily had myself convinced my car had been stolen until I realized I was in the wrong block.
Couple more days of light running then it’s off to Nashville. I’m a little nervous not having flown in so long (not in flying per se but all the getting to the airport, and getting around in an unknown city). I believe this is the earliest start (7AM) I have ever had for any race. I decided my mantra will be:
Depart, oh night!
Set, you stars!
Set, you stars!
At dawn I shall win!
I shall win! I shall win!
Chad Brooks
Monday, April 03, 2006
Run In Run Out
A two race week end – one as runner, one as volunteer.
Saturday I did the Tyler Arboretum 10K.
No shirt in this race – they gave out a pair of bright orange socks
Run IN - Run Out
which match my Ochoco's – so I changed into them immediately. I
noticed a few other runners did the same. Geek fashion - gotta love it.
The last two years this race has been done in wet weather – last year
very wet. After one of the driest March on record it looked like race
day was going to be another wet one. Just before the nine o'clock
start the rain is falling pretty steadily but it is just an April's
Fools joke and the rain quickly ends.
I only have one goal – like last year, I want to run the course
without walking. Now there is no particular virtue in this. Some who
walk the steepest hills will finish much faster than me. But I enjoy
the challenge of changing pace and step to get up those inclines.
The course loops through the Arboretum grounds along trails I know
well from my Friday runs. It is all in woodland without much flat
running, but knowing the course well gives me a slight advantage since
I know what to expect and how long the upticks last. It is pure
pleasure to me and the time races by. No, I am not going very fast
but only a couple of people past me and I past more than a few. I am
having fun with the volunteers and the other runners and of course my
beautiful wood just on the verge of spring time green.
I had expected to break 60 minutes but I come in just under 61 – just
a little too relaxed.
________________
A brand new 5K was run in Havertown,Sunday.
The race brochure describes the race thus: "On Sunday, April 2, 2006, the family and
friends of Kevin Cain will hold the first annual Kevin Cain "Make My
Day 5K" Walk/Run through the streets of Havertown. Kevin would have endorsed everything about the Race, except one detail– placing his name on the Race. Kevin loved raising funds for worthy causes, working with children in countless youth programs, and making a difference in his community. He just hated taking credit for it. On June 22, 2005, Kevin lost his courageous battle with cancer. Despite
being ill for several years, Kevin continued to coach and mentor children. He lived for the day - in the hospital one day and coaching the next day. Kevin was an inspiration to all who knew him. In addition to coaching, Kevin co-founded the Billy Lake Memorial Basketball League in 1992, in memory of his brother-in-law Billy who
died of ALS. Kevin was also the founding director of the Billy Lake ALS Marathon, an annual event to raise funds for ALS research."
For a first time event it had an amazing turn out – there were almost 200 runners and as many walkers. There were lots of kids – a tribute to Kevin the Coach.
I didn't have much to do before the race but once the runners began coming in I posted the tags to the board and once the board was filled I began listing the winners. Now for all these years I have grumbled about how long it takes to get award results but now I saw how difficult it is. I didn't want to miss anyone so I checked and double checked. In addition I had to put up with the runners pressing in to check their results. Yikes – paybacks. My list was actually meant to
be a backup for the electronic results but as it turned out it was my
list that they used. Boy I hope it was right!
Well kudos to the organizers – they did a great job for first time out
of the gate.
A two race week end – one as runner, one as volunteer.
Saturday I did the Tyler Arboretum 10K.
No shirt in this race – they gave out a pair of bright orange socks
Run IN - Run Out
which match my Ochoco's – so I changed into them immediately. I
noticed a few other runners did the same. Geek fashion - gotta love it.
The last two years this race has been done in wet weather – last year
very wet. After one of the driest March on record it looked like race
day was going to be another wet one. Just before the nine o'clock
start the rain is falling pretty steadily but it is just an April's
Fools joke and the rain quickly ends.
I only have one goal – like last year, I want to run the course
without walking. Now there is no particular virtue in this. Some who
walk the steepest hills will finish much faster than me. But I enjoy
the challenge of changing pace and step to get up those inclines.
The course loops through the Arboretum grounds along trails I know
well from my Friday runs. It is all in woodland without much flat
running, but knowing the course well gives me a slight advantage since
I know what to expect and how long the upticks last. It is pure
pleasure to me and the time races by. No, I am not going very fast
but only a couple of people past me and I past more than a few. I am
having fun with the volunteers and the other runners and of course my
beautiful wood just on the verge of spring time green.
I had expected to break 60 minutes but I come in just under 61 – just
a little too relaxed.
________________
A brand new 5K was run in Havertown,Sunday.
The race brochure describes the race thus: "On Sunday, April 2, 2006, the family and
friends of Kevin Cain will hold the first annual Kevin Cain "Make My
Day 5K" Walk/Run through the streets of Havertown. Kevin would have endorsed everything about the Race, except one detail– placing his name on the Race. Kevin loved raising funds for worthy causes, working with children in countless youth programs, and making a difference in his community. He just hated taking credit for it. On June 22, 2005, Kevin lost his courageous battle with cancer. Despite
being ill for several years, Kevin continued to coach and mentor children. He lived for the day - in the hospital one day and coaching the next day. Kevin was an inspiration to all who knew him. In addition to coaching, Kevin co-founded the Billy Lake Memorial Basketball League in 1992, in memory of his brother-in-law Billy who
died of ALS. Kevin was also the founding director of the Billy Lake ALS Marathon, an annual event to raise funds for ALS research."
For a first time event it had an amazing turn out – there were almost 200 runners and as many walkers. There were lots of kids – a tribute to Kevin the Coach.
I didn't have much to do before the race but once the runners began coming in I posted the tags to the board and once the board was filled I began listing the winners. Now for all these years I have grumbled about how long it takes to get award results but now I saw how difficult it is. I didn't want to miss anyone so I checked and double checked. In addition I had to put up with the runners pressing in to check their results. Yikes – paybacks. My list was actually meant to
be a backup for the electronic results but as it turned out it was my
list that they used. Boy I hope it was right!
Well kudos to the organizers – they did a great job for first time out
of the gate.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Hat Run 50K
Hat Run 50K
Or
Adam Helmer I’m not
I ran this race last year as my first Ultra and returned this year hoping to better my time. That was not to be – yet I had a very good time and I think a successful race (well ok run).
Last year I stayed overnight but realizing Susquehanna Park is only 68 miles from home I decided to drive down the morning of the race.
I got to the park in plenty of time and enjoyed finishing my coffee and watching the other runners arrive.
I set up my gear in the picnic pavilion that serves as the finish and midway point. The morning was cloudy, and chilly (about 38F when I arrived). Although a lot of runners were in tights, I decided to go with shorts.
I had prepared a water bottle that I had added Accelerade to; it was a good idea but too small.
Part of the tradition of the race is to give out the number of hats equal to the number of years – 18 this year. Hats go to oldest male and female, shortest, longest distance, shortest and other fun categories.
The race began promptly at 9AM. The first mile is a loop of the entrance road to string the runners out before entering the trail. I wanted to start cautiously so I seeded myself pretty far back. In hindsight this may have been a mistake – there was a little too much stop and go, and walking in the first couple of miles. I would have preferred a steadier pace. This may seem contradictory since my finish time was slow, but I think the slow start kept me out longer then I wanted and made the likelihood of cramps more certain.
The first and most difficult stream crossing comes early in the race. The water was pretty high this year. Runners were selecting several different routes. I started across when the runner in front of me decided against this route and started back. He knocked my bottle out my hand and almost dunked me I steadied myself but on my next jump I slipped on the mossy rock and went down on my right knee. I didn’t realize until much latter that I had skinned it pretty good. Amazingly I didn’t get my feet wet.
About mile three we came out onto a field where I could finally run at my own pace. I hit the first station in an hour. And here I made a mistake I had the volunteer fill my water bottle but I didn’t take any additional water. The small bottle I was carrying just wasn’t enough fluid. Although it was chilly, it was breezy and I realize now I was losing more water than I realized. (When I changed my shirt at the midpoint my shirt was soaking wet.) The next five miles are a combination of single track woodland and a wide cinder trail along a running stream. You then come back to the first aid station from the opposite direction. This time I lingered for some Pringles and potatoes. I took some water but in hindsight not enough. The next five miles are the prettiest and also the toughest - all ups and downs. The first couple of miles are along a rolling single track with great views of the Susquehanna River. Finally after a long up climb you come out for a short run thru a field that leads to the original loop road. There the course turns you back into the woods for a rocky run that is a trail only in someone’s imagination.
You eventually come to real trail that climbs steeply. This will lead to a field crossing that ends in the entrance road and back to the picnic pavilion.
I got there in three hours. Slower than I wanted and I knew it was unlikely I would be able to do the second loop in three. I took 11 minutes to change my shirt (should have pinned my number to my shorts not my shirts.) I also changed my socks and shoes (mile or so into the second loop and fellow runner asked. “Hey did you change you shoes”.)
I had change into my new Ochoco’s from Keen Shoes. I must say I thought they looked pretty cool and they felt great. The next five miles went well; the second stream crossing went much better and I was running at my own pace. About 4 and half hours into my run I began the old familiar feeling of cramping. I had been taking Succeed tablets (and I had given one away to a fellow runner). I had a few Cliff Shots with me. I took a couple and the cramping eased up. I am impressed with this product, I just didn’t have enough – but I will definitely make sure I have these with me on any long run. They are much easier to take than gels and you can let it gradually melt in you mouth.
I made the 25 mile aid station in fives hours but I knew I was in trouble; my quads were screaming and my calf had already seized up a couple of times. I took some more Pringles and potatoes and an extra cup of water. But the next five miles are the toughest part of the course and I had to do a lot of walking. Towards the end of the last wooded section on a short downhill I went down hard. Fortunately no damage done but it knocked the wind out of me and I resorted to walking until I got to the field. (In a homage to Adam my legs were scratched and bleeding from stickers I had run thru.)
With the finish in sight I found myself able to run fairly well and actually ran up the last hill (something I couldn’t do last year). Finish was in 6hours 33 minutes. And I felt good. My legs were sore but I didn’t feel wiped out. Hot dog, chili and chicken soup soon revived me further.
I felt frustrated that I hadn’t been faster, but quite certain I was well prepared for Nashville (I was very strong thru 4 hours). I am always amazed how quickly the six hours fly by and how enjoyable these trail runs are.
My wife is dead set against me doing a fifty miler but reading the Ultrarunning magazine they gave out as a promo I am intrigued.
I must say my admiration for real ultra runners continues to grow.
Or
Adam Helmer I’m not
I ran this race last year as my first Ultra and returned this year hoping to better my time. That was not to be – yet I had a very good time and I think a successful race (well ok run).
Last year I stayed overnight but realizing Susquehanna Park is only 68 miles from home I decided to drive down the morning of the race.
I got to the park in plenty of time and enjoyed finishing my coffee and watching the other runners arrive.
I set up my gear in the picnic pavilion that serves as the finish and midway point. The morning was cloudy, and chilly (about 38F when I arrived). Although a lot of runners were in tights, I decided to go with shorts.
I had prepared a water bottle that I had added Accelerade to; it was a good idea but too small.
Part of the tradition of the race is to give out the number of hats equal to the number of years – 18 this year. Hats go to oldest male and female, shortest, longest distance, shortest and other fun categories.
The race began promptly at 9AM. The first mile is a loop of the entrance road to string the runners out before entering the trail. I wanted to start cautiously so I seeded myself pretty far back. In hindsight this may have been a mistake – there was a little too much stop and go, and walking in the first couple of miles. I would have preferred a steadier pace. This may seem contradictory since my finish time was slow, but I think the slow start kept me out longer then I wanted and made the likelihood of cramps more certain.
The first and most difficult stream crossing comes early in the race. The water was pretty high this year. Runners were selecting several different routes. I started across when the runner in front of me decided against this route and started back. He knocked my bottle out my hand and almost dunked me I steadied myself but on my next jump I slipped on the mossy rock and went down on my right knee. I didn’t realize until much latter that I had skinned it pretty good. Amazingly I didn’t get my feet wet.
About mile three we came out onto a field where I could finally run at my own pace. I hit the first station in an hour. And here I made a mistake I had the volunteer fill my water bottle but I didn’t take any additional water. The small bottle I was carrying just wasn’t enough fluid. Although it was chilly, it was breezy and I realize now I was losing more water than I realized. (When I changed my shirt at the midpoint my shirt was soaking wet.) The next five miles are a combination of single track woodland and a wide cinder trail along a running stream. You then come back to the first aid station from the opposite direction. This time I lingered for some Pringles and potatoes. I took some water but in hindsight not enough. The next five miles are the prettiest and also the toughest - all ups and downs. The first couple of miles are along a rolling single track with great views of the Susquehanna River. Finally after a long up climb you come out for a short run thru a field that leads to the original loop road. There the course turns you back into the woods for a rocky run that is a trail only in someone’s imagination.
You eventually come to real trail that climbs steeply. This will lead to a field crossing that ends in the entrance road and back to the picnic pavilion.
I got there in three hours. Slower than I wanted and I knew it was unlikely I would be able to do the second loop in three. I took 11 minutes to change my shirt (should have pinned my number to my shorts not my shirts.) I also changed my socks and shoes (mile or so into the second loop and fellow runner asked. “Hey did you change you shoes”.)
I had change into my new Ochoco’s from Keen Shoes. I must say I thought they looked pretty cool and they felt great. The next five miles went well; the second stream crossing went much better and I was running at my own pace. About 4 and half hours into my run I began the old familiar feeling of cramping. I had been taking Succeed tablets (and I had given one away to a fellow runner). I had a few Cliff Shots with me. I took a couple and the cramping eased up. I am impressed with this product, I just didn’t have enough – but I will definitely make sure I have these with me on any long run. They are much easier to take than gels and you can let it gradually melt in you mouth.
I made the 25 mile aid station in fives hours but I knew I was in trouble; my quads were screaming and my calf had already seized up a couple of times. I took some more Pringles and potatoes and an extra cup of water. But the next five miles are the toughest part of the course and I had to do a lot of walking. Towards the end of the last wooded section on a short downhill I went down hard. Fortunately no damage done but it knocked the wind out of me and I resorted to walking until I got to the field. (In a homage to Adam my legs were scratched and bleeding from stickers I had run thru.)
With the finish in sight I found myself able to run fairly well and actually ran up the last hill (something I couldn’t do last year). Finish was in 6hours 33 minutes. And I felt good. My legs were sore but I didn’t feel wiped out. Hot dog, chili and chicken soup soon revived me further.
I felt frustrated that I hadn’t been faster, but quite certain I was well prepared for Nashville (I was very strong thru 4 hours). I am always amazed how quickly the six hours fly by and how enjoyable these trail runs are.
My wife is dead set against me doing a fifty miler but reading the Ultrarunning magazine they gave out as a promo I am intrigued.
I must say my admiration for real ultra runners continues to grow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
