Monday, December 23, 2024

Li'l Rhody 8-Miler 2024


Charlestown, RI
Sunday, November 17, 2024

The 34rd annual  Li'l Rhody Runaround Trail Races.  My 20th time running in the race, although unfortunately not consecutively, as last year I had to sit out due to a broken rib.  So the only two consecutive streaks I still have going are Blessing of the Fleet 10-Mile race and Stavros Memorial On the Beach run, both at 22 consecutive years.

As Race Director I had already gotten in my pre-race remarks, for whoever listened to them, when I headed to the start.  At the start line, I was asked by the timing company to give any additional remarks now that I had a captive audience lined up, but I declined, as I really wanted to have the race start on time (we had a late start at Grills).
Start of the 2024 Li'l Rhody

Race start and first half:  On the first 3/4 mile heading down the dirt road (Sanctuary Road), as expected, my younger WTAC teammates Jared and Matt were both pretty much even with me.  Jared pulled ahead of me at the course split as we entered the single-track, but I wasn't far behind him as we went through the campground.  The rest of the first half was pretty uneventful with no changes in position, but I could sense at least one runner and probably more directly behind me the whole way.  At the water stop, I was surprised to see retired WTAC runner John Hammett handing out water, which was much appreciated on this very warm November day approaching 60°F.  

(Sidenote:  we were in a drought where for the first time in my 20+ years of participation no outdoor fires were allowed in the state, and if there were a silver lining, it was that the warm temperatures didn't warrant the fires that have become a trademark part of this event.)
Fire from 2022 Li'l Rhody
(hopefully the fires and at least slightly colder temps will
return next year)


Back half:  After going through the water stop and onto the short section of Buckeye Brook Road, Matt Sweeney went past me.  He and I go back and forth in many races, so maybe I would see him again and maybe not.  Re-entering the woods a short time later, I became aware of soreness in my legs.  I shouldn't have soreness during this race, and certainly not four miles in!  But this must all be due to having run Indianapolis Marathon the previous weekend and not being fully recovered.

Just after the short rock scramble, Mitchell went past me.  He is a young guy I had just met a few weeks earlier at a Kelley's Pace run, and incidentally is from Indianapolis.  After a few turns, Mitchell was completely out of sight and I was running "as an island", not a position I want to be in, as I just naturally tend to slow down when not being pushed or having anyone in sight.

As we got towards the end of the trail portion of the race (about a mile to go), I was surprised to once again see a runner of me.  It was Matt, so Mitchell must've gone past him as well.  I exited the trail onto my least favorite section of the race, the final 3/4 mile all on pavement where I just try to hang on and hope that I don't get passed by too many runners.

As I made the right turn off Kings Factory Road onto Prosser Trail, I glanced back and saw Tommy 5K behind me.  While he's not in my age group, it did give me incentive to pickup or at least not slow down at all for the final 1/2 mile of road.  Averaged 5:54 pace on this final section, but it wasn't enough to salvage my slower than normal Li'l Rhody.
Within sight of the finish line

Final result:  53:03, 8th out of 177 overall, 1st in age group.  Full results here

Not the result I was looking for, and I think a lesson learned on racing hard a week post-marathon.  Not only was my time off, but my legs were sore during the race and even more sore that evening.  Live and learn?  A great race from a participant perspective, as it was our biggest overall field (4M and 8M) in ten years.
Some of the WTAC crew today

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Indianapolis Marathon

Indianapolis, IN
Saturday, November 9, 2024

Signed up for the Indianapolis Marathon just a few strokes after Midnight on New Year's Eve and secured the special pricing of just $85!  Booked our hotel (Hilton Garden Inn Downtown) back in January through the marathon site as well, as hotels book very quickly.

Fast forward ten months and we started our trip on Thursday, getting most of the drive out of the way that day.  With a 14-hour drive each way from Rhode Island, why didn't we just take the logical way of flying?  1) Brady (our black lab) was along for the fun, 2) I wanted to visit relatives in Ohio on our way back, and 3) I'm retired; what's the rush?!

Pre-race day:  After spending Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio, I went for an easy morning shakeout run with Brady on the paved and deserted Alum Creek Trail there, and then after a relaxed breakfast, we were off to Indianapolis!  Arrived with plenty of time in the afternoon to leisurely go to the expo being held about 1/2 mile away in the Indiana Convention Center.  Valet service was the only parking option when we checked in, which worked very well and we didn't need the car again (well, except to get home of course!) as the compact downtown is very easy to walk around.
This was just outside the front door of our hotel!
Monument Circle with its fountains and war memorials,
was certainly not what I would have expected in
Indianapolis!  And we will run past here in Mile 2.
---
Pic of Brady and me by Jana,
as well as all other photos in this post.

Race day:  With the race start at 8am, I set my alarm for 6am, with my customary time to eat breakfast two hours before a marathon.  Unfortunately the hotel breakfast opens at 6am weekdays, but not until 7am weekends.  Couldn't they make an exception with the marathon?!  Two small containers of Quaker instant oatmeal microwaved and half a bagel from the coffee shop across the street the night before, but had turned hard now.  Not an enviable breakfast, but it will work.

Laid back in bed until 7am, but never fell back asleep.  Went for a half-mile warm-up with Brady as he had to go out anyway.  Returned Brady to the hotel room, ate one Untapped maple waffle, stuffed five GUs in my zippered back pocket, and off for another half-mile warm-up to the start.   It was 45°F so I felt fine with my decision to skip the added hassle of the gear check (it went great at Detroit, but was a disaster at Philly, and unlike those two races, Jana would be at the finish with my clothes).

After a few strides on a street that was already closed, I went into Corral A (there were five corrals, A through E, corresponding to separate waves).  As with Boston, you had to show your bib to be allowed entrance into the corral.  With about 5,000 runners in the full and 6,000 in the half, I guess that equated to about 2,000 runners per wave.  There was also an elite section just ahead of us.  I went into the corral with about twenty minutes to go, and there was plenty of room for me to easily walk up to the front of the corral just behind the elite section.  I asked one of the attendants if we would be starting at the same time as the elites, and he said no, several minutes after.  At fifteen minutes before the race start, you can still maneuver around but it was getting full.  At ten minutes before, it was packed solid.  I have been in races before where you literally had to push and weave your way to move forward, and thankfully I had avoided that.

With five minutes to go, there were a few speakers, including gold medalist Cole Hocker.  It was also announced that there were runners here today from all 50 states and also 30 countries.  The national anthem played, and just before race start, the rope separating elites from Wave A was taken down.  Despite the advice given me on separate starts for elites and Wave A, this was clearly false news and I readied myself to start, which was just several seconds later.

Goal:  The primary goal I was chasing was to take down the M60+ course record.  This seemed doable at 2:57:07, yet earlier this year I ran 2:57:50 at St Lawrence Marathon as I fell apart in the 2nd half, so certainly not a shoo-in.


I had modeled three pace tracks to get me to the finish:
  • 6:15 pace for 20 miles, then 6:30 pace fading to 7-minute pace for final two miles => 2:49
  • 6:20 pace for 20 miles, then 6:30 pace fading to 7-minute pace for final three miles => 2:52
  • 6:30 pace for 20 miles, then 6:45 pace fading to 7-minute pace for final two miles => 2:55
Why project that I will fade before I even start?  Because after 27 marathons, I know myself.  For those that can negative split a marathon, very impressive, but that's not me.  Not even close.

I held 6:15s for 17 miles at Philadelphia three years ago, and for 21 miles at Detroit two years ago, so it seems fair to attempt it here at Indianapolis.

1st half:  The first mile was a little crowded, and I had to be careful as I weaved in and out a bit, as I saw one guy fall in front of me, another awkwardly careen into me, and I got elbowed several times causing me to defensively put out my own elbows to the side.

One mile in to the race, none of the above was an issue any more and I just focused on running my own race, as I was both passing people and getting passed.  I was pleasantly surprised that I was hitting my target splits (1st pace track of 6:15) pretty evenly early on.  Just last year at the Providence Marathon I got sucked in and went out stupidly fast in 5:50 first mile, but none of that nonsense here with first 5 miles of 6:13, 6:11, 6:15, 6:16, 6:14.  
In blue singlet, Mile 2, at the fountain.



Starting at about Mile 6, my pace slowed slightly into the 6:20s and stayed there.  That's OK.  A PR is probably not happening today (or perhaps ever again after Detroit), but still well on track for AG CR.  

In Miles 7-9, we were running along a river, not a particularly attractive one, but it broke up the scenery.  We were running northeast at this point, with a breeze out of the east at about 8mph, so nothing terrible, but could definitely feel it.  

The half-marathoners split off from us at about Mile 8, and it was so clearly marked and well in advance that I can't imagine anyone would have gone the wrong way.  Having half marathoners start and run with the marathoners at the same time can be a mixed blessing, and it was no issue at all here.  I've run in plenty of marathons where the half marathoners far outnumbered the marathoners, and once you passed the split, you were running in "no man's land".  Not the case here at all with over 5,000 marathoners and I could see runners around me the entire way.

At Mile 11, three fast looking much younger guys caught right up to me, and we ran together for the better part of a mile.  Two of them were hosts of a local podcast "Life in Stride" and very friendly and chatty.  I asked them if they were looking for low 2:50s (my most realistic goal at this point) and they said more like 2:45, so I wished them well and they were off.

Continued on my own in this mostly due-north section for the rest of the first half, before the course turned and headed south back to the finish.  We no longer had the full roads closed in this section, but always had at least a full lane coned off, so no issue.

Half marathon split:  1:23:44 (average 6:24 pace)

---

2nd Half:  I'm very happy with the half split, even knowing that there is no way this will hold.  "Putting miles in the bank" is not a great strategy, but that's exactly what I've done, and I'm hoping this will work for me to get the CR.  

I'm able to hold on to two more miles of 6:20s, and after Mile 15 I continued my slide of getting progressively slower.  By Mile 16, I just felt really off, and thought to myself this is not good to be having problems so early in the marathon.  I started thinking negative thoughts as I feared a repeat of St. Lawrence Marathon, where every mile after Mile 20 was slower than 7 minutes and I slowed to about a 7:30 pace.

In Mile 19, we had a small downhill to the White River, which we would run along for the next couple of miles.  This is where the pain began, which certainly didn't help my pessimism as my pace slowed further to 6:48.  At Mile 20, we were running on an uneven paved road with many potholes.  That was tough to run on, especially this late in the game.  Mile 21 and 22 were both just slightly north of 7-pace at 7:01 and 7:02, respectively.  The pain intensified, but I saw the following sign which resonated with me:

"Pain is temporary, but your Strava post is forever."

Cliché, but true!  I have four miles left, and I'm going to push through them.  I drove all the way out here to Indianapolis to attempt to take down the CR, and I'm not going down without a fight.  I pushed through the pain, stopped the "bleeding" of slowing paces as I dipped back south of 7-minute pace for the remainder of the race, and started passing some runners again.

The final four miles were kind of a blur.  In Mile 24, we rejoined the half-marathoners for the trek to the finish.  Of course, since they started together with us, this was really the back-of-the-pack half marathoners.  However, it was no issue, as unlike at Providence Marathon where the full and half join together and you have to weave around them, at Indianapolis Marathon for the final two miles where half and full share the same course, they have dedicated separated coned-off lanes!  Indianapolis does it right!

Coming down the straight as an arrow stretch of North Meridien Street, you can see the famed monument for over 2 miles, and the closer you get to it, the closer you are to the marathon finish.  I pushed through this stretch, as we finally turned off just before the monument, we have about a half-mile to go at most.  
Monument that you see for miles
and miles


Somehow for that final half-mile I manage to drop my pace down to a 6:33 pace as the euphoria of the crowd lining both sides of the streets brings me home.
Great pic by Jana of
my finishing strides


Final result:  2:53:26, 343rd overall (of 5,647), 1st in age group (of 104), 6:37 average pace, new M60+ course record!  Full results here

The clock may show 2:53:31, but my official
chip time is 2:53:26



I did it!  I broke the record!  I have a feeling now of exhilaration of hitting my goal (breaking the record by almost four minutes, actually!) as well as unfortunately just extreme pain.  So extreme that I have seemingly uncontrolled screams and physical tears over the next fifteen minutes or so, especially as I try to move and/or sit down.  
M60-64 age group winner, and new course record holder


I have no appetite for food at all, but instead drink so many fluids, including the amazing chocolate milk they provide, which tastes heavenly!
We were each handed an Indianapolis
Marathon branded winter hat at finisher line



Finishers' medal was just OK.
But really, they just go in a box anyway.

What went well:
  • "Resolution" pricing for first 1,000 runners on New Year's Day.  $85 for a major marathon is practically unheard of.
  • Multiple follow-up communication e-mails, including the important ones just prior to the race.
  • Great organization at expo, check-in, starting line, and finish.
  • Separate coned off 2+ mile finishing lanes for marathoners versus half-marathons was brilliant!
  • Marathon-specific shirt! (Half and 5K received separate shirt in separate color)
  • Chocolate milk!
I love this shirt!
Besides being my favorite color,
it's not often that I get a short-sleeve
marathon shirt.



What could have gone better:
  • Uneven pot-holed road at about Mile 20.  Certainly not the fault of the race, BUT maybe with 11,000 runners between the half and the full and all the money brought into the city, the race committee could have some sway to influence the city to repair this dilapidated section of the race.
  • They ran out of coffee drinks at the finish.  (You had your choice of a beer or some coffee drinks from a local coffee purveyor.)  Again, not the fault of the race committee, but it could have gone better.  (I know the majority would prefer and take the beer, but that's just not how I roll, especially after a marathon.)
  • I really can't think of any flaws attributable to the race itself.
  • For my own race, while I am happy with my time and position, and certainly happy with breaking the course record, I feel like I deal with a lot of self-induced negativity during major goal races.  Something I need to work on.


And that's a wrap on Marathon #28!

Monday, November 25, 2024

October 2024: Ocean Road & Block Island Half

Running stats:

Miles run:  307.3
Elevation gain:  16,344'
Weekly miles (for weeks ended in month):  71, 56, 80, 49
Slightly above average distance.  Average elevation.
Tapering down to fall marathon in early November.


Primary running surfaces:  Roads (156), trails (108 miles)  More roads for final month of marathon training.  I suspect this will change for November and December.
Primary running locations:  Westerly (73miles), Charlestown (63)

Other disciplines:
  • Walk / hike:  19 miles
Quick synopsis:
  • One long run.
  • Three races.  (Four technically, if you include Run for the Pumpkins, but I intentionally ran the shorter 5K version and ran it easy as racing Ocean Road 10K the next day.)

-------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting runs:
  • Workout Wednesday, Westerly, October 2.  13 miles, with 7 of them at MP, or even slightly faster at 6:1x.  Coastal run including Avondale and Weekapaug, and ocean dip at town beach.
  • Retirement Bliss, Hopkinton, October 3.  11 miles with Brady.  Easy trail miles on a really fun trail loop.  Yawgoog / Green Falls / Nehantic.
  • Tour de Newport, Newport, October 20.  22 miles, with 12 at MP.  Final 20+ miler before Indianapolis Marathon.  Fun coastal tour of Newport and Middletown on mostly quiet roads.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Races:

Ocean Road 10K (October 6):
Narragansett, RI

Fourth and final race of the inaugural RI Grand Prix.  My first time running this race.  The race is point-to-point and very flat, mostly along Ocean Road, from Point Judith Lighthouse to Narragansett Town Beach.  After a warm-up with teammates Nick and Meriden and then a bit with teammate Josh Ambeau, I stripped down to race gear, with my outer gear being tossed on a stone wall at finish for donation (I knew this ahead of time and planned accordingly).

Start of 2024 Ocean Road 10K,
with Point Judith Lighthouse in background
(You can see me in front row in green singlet and orange shoes)

I continually slowed and didn't really get the race I wanted, with a finish of 38:28.  There was a 10mph headwind, which could be partly to blame, but doesn't fully explain why I ran more than a minute slower than my Ottawa 10K earlier this year (37:11) and Middletown 10K also this year (36:45).
Finishing up

Still easily clinched my age group, with 2nd place in my age group finishing 6 1/2 minutes behind me.  20th overall out of 1,098.


A small, but effective, Team WTAC today

Full results here



Block Island Half (October 13):
New Shoreham, RI

As with Ocean Road 10K, this was my first time running this race.  Small, low-key race on a beautiful island in the off-season.  This worked well as a tune-up for my fall marathon, and I came in 3rd overall.

---
(From Block Island Times)





Grills Trail Race (October 26):
Westerly, RI

Our 4th annual Grills Trail Race saw almost 100 finishers.  My own performance in the 10-mile event was just OK at 1:13:45, as I've run it faster twice.  But the overall event was a lot of fun, and this year we heard many positive compliments especially on all the food we provided!

Finishing line setup.  Purchasing a digital clock
proved a great asset to WTAC.


Finishing the 2024 edition
Subs!

And wood-fired pizza!





-------------------------------------------------------------

Miscellaneous:

Oct 5:  Brady at Black Point, Narragansett, 
during a family walk

Oct 9:  Creative tacos at New London Food Stroll
with Jana


Oct 15:  Red-tailed hawk,
seen during a trail run at Grills.
Was amazed how close I was able
to get to it

Oct 19:  Fall foliage 
(North Camp Beach, Burlingame)


Oct 20:  Fantastic recovery food and drink,
post 22-mile workout,
at Provencal Bakery and Cafe, Middletown, RI

Oct 21:  Salamander!



Halloween 2024:
I miss the years when we got over 100 trick-o-treaters
(we had 8 this year)


Still fun to carve a jack-o'-lantern


-------------------------------------------------------------

Looking ahead to November:

Three goal races on the docket:
  • Indianapolis Marathon, Indianapolis, IN, November 9.  Goal race that I signed up for back on New Year's Day.
  • Li'l Rhody Runaround 8-Mile Trail Race, Charlestown, RI, November 17.  33rd annual.  Final WTAC race of the year.
  • Pie Run 5-Mile Race, Middletown, RI, November 28.  Run Thanksgiving morning race.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Monthly highlight: 
Grills Trail Race.  Highlight is from a fun standpoint.

Monthly lowlight: 
Slow time at Ocean Road 10K, almost two minutes slower than Middletown 10K and more than a minutes slower than Ottawa 10K, both earlier this year.

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Grills Trail Race 2024

 

Westerly, RI
Saturday, October 26, 2024

4th annual Grills Trail Race!  The race started small in 2021 with 53 finishers, and has held steady with higher numbers these past three years with 89, 77, and 88 finishers.

Between a long line at the bathroom and a Race Director that got started a bit too late on race announcements (note to self for next year), the race got started four minutes late.  Liam Hillery and Robin Hewson have been winning recent WTAC trail races, and both took off well ahead of the rest of the pack.  Adrian Massie was also right there in the mix, but unbeknownst to me, he was running the 10K today (he had another race the following day).  I followed them and Nick Alge, and was running alongside Matt Sweeney.  Sometime before the course split Ben Q flew by me, and I went just ahead of Nick before entering the Polly Coon bridge for the 4-mile Hopkinton section.  Running up the hills on the Tomaquag Trail, someone was right on my shoulder and I couldn't shake them.  I thought it might be Matt.  Fortunately, on the downhill technical section, I was able to shake whoever it was.  After crossing the Tomaquag Brook bridge and entering the woods again, I was able to glance back at a hard left turn.  Bright orange shirt, but it was neither Matt nor Nick.  (It turned out to be a young guy from MA named Lucas who unfortunately had a medical issue just before the finish line.)
And we're off

The rest of loop was pretty uneventful.  I never saw anyone behind me nor ahead of me for the rest of the loop.  Re-crossing the Polly Coon bridge back into Westerly, Dave Goodrich, who was serving as course marshal, gave me encouragement.  I passed through the water stop (Mile 5) and saw a woman on the ground grabbing her ankle.  I asked if she was OK, and she indicated she was (rolled ankle) and I sauntered on.

Ran the fun yellow trail along the river, and coming back for the first climb up Big Hill, I started passing a few back-of-the-packers from the 10K event.  Descending back down, I was looking forward to the race-track section because that is where you see the competition immediately ahead of behind you.  I was frankly shocked as I saw no one when I entered the race track trail.  Making my way around the race track itself, I saw Nick on the opposite side.  Uh oh.  Running back on the race track itself now, I saw Matt and Sandy Spitler, but both were a way behind me.  It was Nick I was worried about.

Powered my way up the final (and harder) ascent of Big Hill, running afraid that Nick would catch me.  Passed quite a few more 10K'ers in the final two miles, making my way as quickly as possible around them (many were so polite they pulled off the trail for me) and onward.


Final result:  1:13:45, 4th overall, 1st in age group.  Full results here.

Ended up finishing just over a minute ahead of Nick.  He said I sped up in the last few miles, but it could be that he slowed.  Or maybe a little of both?  Ben Q was a full seven minutes ahead of me, and Robin and Liam (who finished in that order separated by just two seconds!) finished almost ten minutes ahead of me.  Yeah, that might be way I didn't see them on the race track lollipop!
Plenty of food this year, including Jersey Mike's subs


and several different varieties of pizza from
A Mano pizza truck of Newport

Anyway, another really fun low-key Grills race in the books.  So many compliments received, including these few gems that I pulled from Strava:
  • Beautiful course!
  • Big hill was indeed a big hill. Apple cider after a run tastes fantastic.
  • Perfect New England day to run in the woods! Great race, great people! 
  • Perfect morning for this race. Ran better than last year. 3rd in AG. Thanks to Jeff, Jana, CJ, Kim, Fran, Heather and all the other WTAC volunteers for putting this race on. Great day! 
  • Beautiful day and a really nice course to boot. Complimentary pizza and subs was amazing.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Block Island Half Marathon

New Shoreham, RI
Sunday, October 13, 2024

I was looking for a fall tune-up half marathon about a month out from Indianapolis Marathon on November 9.  It came down to Hartford Half and Block Island Half.  Clearly Hartford is flatter, faster, more established, certified, all the bells and whistles, etc.  But it comes with a higher price tag (even after factoring in the ferry price to BI) and I was feeling spurned by the HMF RD not getting back to me after promising to respond to me on whether I could run in and compete for the M60+ course record for "New England Finest".  I was very clear with him that I was not looking for a free ride of any sort, but rather just the opportunity to compete for the M60 course record.  He said he would think about it and get back to me, but never did.  Frustrating.

So I went with the charm of the Block Island Half.  It is a low-key half with very scenic backdrops, not to mention a friendly and responsive RD, Dave Sniffen of New Shoreham Recreation.  It is hilly, but this wasn't a goal race for me, so let's do it!

Race day:  With an 11:30am race start, I took the 9am ferry out of Narragansett, arriving on Block Island at 10am.  There were quite a few half marathoners on the ferry, and the two separate women sitting next to me engaged me in running conversation, which helped the time fly by.  Upon arriving on the island, my first time in two years, my first stop was WTAC Li'l Rhody long-time sponsor Block Island Sports Shop.  I had a good time catching up with owner Jim Ortel and his wife Marion, before heading out to the race start.
Picked up a sweet running hat
from Block Island Sports Shop
while I was there


First half:  After the short run to the Town Beach, check-in, change into race gear, and a few strides, I was ready to go, with plenty of spare time.  I actually had a childhood friend from SK (I lived in Indian Lake Shores, South Kingstown until I was age 12) recognize me and come up to chat and ask how my Mom was doing, which was pretty cool!
Debut of my New Balance New York City Marathon Elite V3.
Loved them!




The first six miles were an OAB on Corn Neck Road, north to the North Lighthouse.  At the start, a 24-year old blasted out and was gone.  I went out in 2nd place, but was passed by a 28-year old less than a half-mile in.  The weather was a warm 58°F at start, but there was a 15mph wind.  It was more of a cross-wind on the 6-mile north/south OAB, but would certainly be a factor later in the race.

Start of the 2024 Block Island Half Marathon
(Block Island Times)

Roads were open to traffic, but these are really quiet country roads, especially in the off-season.  I followed the guy in 2nd place (Sam) out to the turnaround, and he was in my sight the whole way out, although increasing the gap.

In the third mile coming into the turnaround, there was a 100' drop, not terribly steep, but greater than a 5% grade.  This would be my fastest mile in the whole race at 5:59.  I am not a fan of cone turnarounds, but at least this was at only three miles in, and now I could see my competition coming back at me.  Not to be complacent, but the 4th place runner was quite a way behind me already.

It was kind of fun to watch the runners coming at me, and the miles passed quickly until I was back at the start / finish / halfway point.  Just within sight of that point, an older spectator on my left evidently noticed I'm not a young chicken myself and as I passed by him as I was in 3rd place overall, he called out "Old Guys Rock!".  I loved it!

Splits were all over the place in the first half, ranging from 5:59 (downhill) to 6:38 (uphill).

Second half:  We turned off Corn Neck Road at sea level, and began a winding circuitous loop inland through the southern half of the island.  For a small island island race (126 finishers) in the off-season, there were more spectators than I had expected, but they certainly trailed off in the more remote second half of the race.

I brought and took one gel early in the second half.  The second half loop is the same as the Block Island Triathlon bike loop, except we run counter-clockwise, the opposite direction of the bike course.  I had done the triathlon enough times that the scenery looked familiar in places and I knew roughly what was coming next in terms of turns and hills.  I was in no-man's land for the entire second half, as I never saw another runner.

I had been running the last few miles at about 6:20 pace, but about Mile 10 it was time to face the music as we made a 90° turn to head uphill into the wind.  The 100' climb was pretty brutal into the strong headwind.  As I passed a couple (not in the race) walking their bikes up the hill, there was a slight temptation to just walk like them.  Mile 11 was my slowest mile of the day at 6:58.

As we rounded the corner heading towards the Block Island Airport, the wind had a lesser impact as we changed direction and I knew that pretty much the final two miles of the course would be downhill.  Just after the airport, still headed downhill, I saw my childhood friend (Susan) again, who was out on a bike now cheering on her daughter running.  She called out my name, and said something to the effect that I was flying, which certainly made me feel good.  The final mile just flew by (Mile 12 6:09, Mile 13 6:11), and I turned the final left back onto Corn Neck Road for a short sprint to the finish.

Final result:  1:23:40 (6:23 pace).  3rd overall of 126.  Full results here.


The Block Island Times photographer asked us top 3 finishers to gather
for a quick photo, and we did quickly catch up on the race

I went over to thank the RD for putting on the race, 
and explained I needed to leave early
(He asked me to stay for just a moment while
he got me my medal)

And a pretty nice award shirt in a blend material

Just a short visit to "the Block" today
as I took the 30-minute high speed ferry back,
but had a very enjoyable time and I'll be back to race for certain.
Hopefully in 2025.
(Reminds me to get going on my 2025 race schedule)


Wednesday, November 6, 2024

September 2024

Running stats:

Miles run:  333.9
Elevation gain:  19,883'
Weekly miles (for weeks ended in month):  70, 59, 71, 81, 80
Elevation reverted back to normal.
Mileage, on the other hand, ramped up to highest month in
past 12 months, as part of fall marathon training block.


Primary running surfaces:  Roads (155), trails (147 miles)  Fairly evenly split.
Primary running locations:  Westerly (68 miles), Charlestown (58), then Exeter (31) 

Other disciplines:
  • Walk / hike:  18 miles
Quick synopsis:
  • Three long runs.
  • Four races.
  • Four states:  RI, CT, CA, OR!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting runs:
  • Workout Wednesday, South Kingstown, September 4.  18 miles, with 10 of them at MP.  Didn't really hit the paces I wanted (6:20s) as was about ten seconds off each.  
  • On Top of my Game, Westerly, September 12.  20 miles, averaging 6:55 pace.  Felt great on this marathon training run.
  • Tour de Burlingame, Charlestown, September 18.  Fun 16-miler with Brady, with the usual pond dip.
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, September 22.  16 miles of trails with Matthew in very different landscape.  Write-up here.
    One of many burned sections in the park.

  • Struggle, Stonington, CT, September 28.  The title says it all.  I broke this up to do the back half with the KP Saturday morning run, and I thought that would make it easier, but just had a tough time.   Glad to get this done at least.


-------------------------------------------------------------

Races:

New Haven 20K (September 2):
New Haven, CT

After two consecutive years of wilting in the heat on this USATF-CT championship held annually on Labor Day, the weather swung in my favor and paid dividends for me!  Ran with Jared for the first nine miles before heading off on my own en route to a PR and an age group win!
Halfway through race, with Jared on my left
(Photo by Jana)




Stavros Memorial Beach Run (September 9):
Westerly, RI

I know I say this repeatedly, but truly one of my favorite races every year!  This year was extra special as I lagging the leader (this year's top Westerly High School runner) for two miles, but I went ahead and won the race outright!  At age 60!







IGT Downtown 5K (September 15):
Providence, RI

Ran this as part of the nascent RI Grand Prix.  In what would be my second and final road 5K of the year, I ran well in Mile 1 and Mile 2 and was hoping for something in the 17:40s (I ran 17:45 at ShamRock & Roll 5K in March), but couldn't hold the pace and was disappointed with an 18:02 finish.  Still won my age group, and still hoping I'll get a sub-18 road 5K in my 60s.  Time will tell.



Race report here


Three Sisters Skyline Half (September 21):
Sisters, OR

Ran this as part of my September California/Oregon trip.  Fun but not very challenging net downhill course in Deschutes National Forest.  Banged up my knee pretty badly on a collision with a giant Douglas fir tree, but got up, got going, and still finished 9th overall as first master.
Race provided photo


Race report here



-------------------------------------------------------------

Miscellaneous:
Surprised and thrilled with this award and honor!



It was a good summer for cucumbers in the garden.
Unfortunately, terrible for tomatoes for some reason.

Love seeing white-tailed deer in the neighborhood.
Never gets old.  (Except when they eat my plants.)

New super shoes.  Ready to rock at Indianapolis.

Brady at Tippecansett



-------------------------------------------------------------

Looking ahead to October:

Three goal races on the docket:
  • Ocean Road 10K Road Race, Narragansett, October 6.  My first time; final race in RI Grand Prix series.
  • Block Island Half Marathon, New Shoreham, RI, October 13.  Tune up for Indy.
  • Grills 10-Mile Trail Race, Westerly, RI, October 26.  Love this low-key trail race!
-------------------------------------------------------------

Monthly highlight: 
Being named the New England Runner / Marathon Sports Athlete of the Month.

Monthly lowlight: 
Disappointment of not breaking 18 at the IGT Downtown 5K.