Masters Weekend Races and Runs

Good morning. Did a 5 mile charity run yesterday 35:20. Got first in my age group. My blisters are pretty ugly and I'm not recovered from last Saturday's disastrous half. I was going to run today but it is probably foolish to do so maybe I'll just do household chores and watch the Packers. Take care.

Good evening! Sunday night here already in Taipei; in fact, I'm going to bed soon. Got in 2 good 60 minute runs yesterday and today. I spent the week in China and the air is so bad that I could not run hardly at all. Only 2 runs of 30 min each this entire week. Now that I'm in Tiawan though, things are much better.

I'm also anxious to hear racing reports. It's that time of the year again.

TC - sounds painful ... though it probably serves you right for racing the week after that half! ;-)

I spent most of the week getting over a cold. That meant no running and lots of "Halloween candy" for the first half of the week, then baby runs for the second half.

It's funny how quickly we can adjust to new circumstances. Last week (pre-cold) I was feeling in the best shape I've been in since last spring, and was ready to peel off a series of great races. Then, blam, the cold knocked me on my butt. But instead of lamenting the change in fortune, my mind immediately shifted into rebuilding mode, that process wherein we start with small runs, then gradually add to them - and to the intensity - with the goal of reaching "race shape" in a month or two. And though I can laugh at how easily we masters runners can make this mental adjustment, I also think it's telling, because it reinforces the underlying truth of masters competition: we run because we love to run, not because we love to place well in races. It's the process, not the outcome.

Okay, hope everyone has a great week!

well, feeling pretty good finally post marathon. ran about 35 this week with a 3 mi race in the coaches race at the santa barbara xc invite. ran 17:15 (course runs on beach sand) which is about 25 seconds faster than last year.

so pretty happy with where i am after the marathon. this week i will get back to training full speed ahead. looking forward to me next xc race!!

I had 4 hard workouts in a row --Tues through Friday, and my legs are toast. I took this weekend off to rest. My right calf is very tight but is finally starting to loosen. Tuesday was hard 100 intervals plus plyos. Wednesday was elliptical and circuit training. Thursday workout was repeat 300/200 intervals with minimal rest and my legs were jelly when we were done. Friday was a weight session with floor exercises mixed in (crunches, pullups, side planks, pushups, bridges). Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow; I'm still tired! Have a great week, and good luck with upcoming races!

ok week in nice Fall weather. 70 miles, highlighted by 22 weds. morning with a 10-mile marathon pace segment in 60:15 (intended 62:00 but was checking watch only at long intervals and just felt great and ran too fast).

I doubt it was related, but I had to postpone weekend track workout [now aiming to get it in monday afternoon] due to a dental crisis that is turning out to be minor thankfully.

Best running-related fun was seeing my son PR in county championships XC race yesterday -- he ran 1 second faster than I had run the same course in a club race back in June, so I had to explain that my race was tactical and not a time trial.

Have a great week.

I don't know how some of you guys/gals do it. I traveled for vacation last week and the 16hr travel days left me toast for 2 days. I didn't know island running could be so hilly. And I don't live in a flat area(+ altitude). While on vacation I was there for 1 earthquake, 1 tropical storm and a hurricane. I was self medicated thru most of those events. They musta known I was in town cause they put in a curfew! The luck of the Irish!

Good morning all,

Getting on the thread early before I head off to the trails for my routine long Sunday run. I have been really enjoying this Fall season, watching my kids race every week in their HS races, getting in a couple of quality workouts each week myself, and doing all of that Fall stuff we do up here ~ rake & winterize the yard and outside of house, helped at a wine-press party, made applesause with the wife with Washington Apples of course.

68 mile week with a nice xc race yesterday that had stretches of sand (beach along the lake), ankle breaking twisty uneven grass (mostly), and of course, plenty of mud. I just got out quick with the Collegiates and younger Club runners and hung on. Very fun.

Mon ~ 10 x hill

Weds ~ 6 x 800/one min rest

Sat ~ 8k XC 25:20 for 10th place

Sun ~ Long run and watch football

Happy Fall,

tOnY

Haven't been on the thread in a while--life and coaching took over!

We've finally hit our breakthrough after a couple of less-than-satisfying races. In Sept went up to VA and got hammered--just weren't ready for that level of race. The kids responded just beautifully by getting back to work and fixing their attitudes. That's why I enjoy coaching!

Running better these days, as the back issue seems to be abating. I still like to stim every once in a while, and I've only done a few workouts with my girls--none with the boys.

Good reports rolling in, so I'll add mine. My workouts were a little screwed up with a three days of off-site training, but I managed to get in a 5 mile tempo run early in the week, another 5 miles with 6x400m after one of the training days, then a 6 a.m. run the next morning. I definitely prefer running at lunch! Raced another mid 17 5k yesterday - felt a little flat, and I could feel my back tightening up as the race progressed. It still felt like a better effort than the Masters 5k race though, especially considering that the course had some hills. As far as my back, my new pillow seemed to help last night, and I'll be going in for some deep tissue massages.

I think I'll follow SoCal's plan and regroup rather than trying to sustain what's left of my August peak. We did a nice 16 miler today with an 860 ft climb over the first 4 miles that should be a step in the right direction.

sounds like a good week for the most part.

On Wednesday I ran 8 x 400 with my HS kids, it was gradual uphill and I averaged 74's. My kids are scary good right now with a little rest before districts (this week) and state next week they are going to be tough.

I ran our annual college alumni/homecoming race yesterday. It was 5k CC over some rough uneven grass. I ran a solid 17:04 and the alumni won the meet.

It felt good to race and may motivate me to train full time once again.

I ran a nice hilly 10 miler this morning, the fall colors are amazing and gets me thinking about training for my spring marathon.

Have a good week, Tim

I ran the KC marathon yesterday. Beautiful cool weather, great hilly course, overall, an enjoyable, challenging run. I went through the half in 1:23:xx, which was a pr for that distance, given that I have only run one half in my life. I finished in 2:48:35, winning the Masters division. I hadn't "raced" a marathon since 1995, and had only jumped in one other for the experience, so I was just trying to see if I could break 3 hours. Now, at least, I know what to shoot for in training and racing the next time! Hope everyone else had a good weekend too.

terps, nice job in the marathon

I know, I know. But you guys race at a higher level and it takes more time to recover. Most of my hurts are minor things likes aches whereas yours can be a tear. I race at about 85% and you're at close to 100%. If I did that I would be in rehab either physical or mental.

Congrats to all on your races and training. I got a cold/crud two weeks ago, or one week before XC 5k Nationals and have not been able to shake it. Took two days off completely and only hit about 30 miles both weeks with no workouts. Ran 17:18 for the XC race and had nothing. Ran a 15k yesterday that is part of the state USATF GP and struggled to run a 54:23, good for 8th OA and 2nd Master. It may be time to start my training over and build some miles again. At least the weather is good! Have a good week everyone.

Had a 72 mile week here...Spent M/T/W getting my legs back from the HM last Sunday. Ran a set of 4xMile on Thursday, getting down to 5:17 on the last one. This morning I ran the leadoff leg of The Freepress Marathon Relay in Detroit. Split 38:57 for the 7 miles and had our team in 2nd (out of 550 teams) at the exchange. Our FLRT Masters team placed 4th overall and won the masters for the 8th straight year.

I'll taper back a bit this week and try to really get after a 10K next Sunday.

Nice to meet you, Humbled...

See you on the roads,

Dave

A perfect day to run in Detroit today, sunny and cool and crisp. I did the last leg of a 5-person marathon relay; this was the "just for fun" team, so no pressure, just what amounted to a 6-mile tempo run. (I call it a tempo, but in reality, I doubt I could have sustained anything faster. Or longer. Or maybe I've just lost my willingness to put up with pain!)

As a non-native-but-still-proud Detroiter, I loved it when we turned off the main drag onto a tree-lined residential street and I heard the person next to me say, in astonishment, "Wow! This is really nice!"

Great job in KC terps ! Looks like breaking the 3 hour mark was not much of a problem. Nice handle. Big win over Wake yesterday.

It's a beautiful fall day in the NW and running is just a pleasure. I had a great 16 miler today - cool and damp in the beginning, but it's turned into a lovely day.

I ran a college xc meet yesterday and got to race one of my former athletes. She led me for over a mile and then I caught up and passed her, leading her by a bit until the final 200m when she finally kicked. She has outstanding leg speed - in the year I coached her, she won the state 800m and took 2nd in the 1500m both with blistering final kicks. So, I was no match when she finally went by - she beat me by 6 seconds (and got a new PR!) and finished 3 places ahead (one girl got by me in the final 50m).

I'm okay with my race, but I was very disappointed in my splits. Typically, I am one of the slowest in the first 200m and this time was no exception. After I got myself going, I passed loads of girls (I'd estimate maybe 40) during the first mile. But, when I got there (still trailing my girl), I was too fast for what I could hold for 6k. Even though I still was passing people throughout the race, my next two miles were both about 20 seconds slower than my first.

I think that I should have resisted trying to "make up" for the slower start and not run as hard the latter part of the first mile, so that it would have been easier for me to maintain pace. After all, 2 miles at 6:30 would be better and easier than 6:20/6:40. Since I passed a ton of girls anyway, I'm sure I would have still passed them had I taken it a bit slower that first mile.

A friend disagreed, saying that it's "natural" to go out a bit too fast and settle in whereas I think it's a bit idiotic. I realize that most runners in any typical xc race will employ that tactic, but I still don't think it's smart and I'm disappointed that I kind of fell prey to it. Anyone else manage to run even effort throughout? It's harder to do in a spread-out field, but it's got to be easier.

I will have to be in Arizona on 11/22 for my daughters' dancing and just found out, to my delight, that there is a NXN regional race just two miles down the road and it has an open 5k - so if the schedule works out, I may just get to sneak in a little race! I'm happy!

Have a great week. Keep your fingers crossed for my team on Wed. for our regionals. Last year, we missed states by a point - this year (despite not losing anyone to graduation), we are desperately trying not to be last. Ah well, hopefully it's just a rebuilding year as the 8th graders look great.