Serious race photo

See how serious we took this race, this is the picture we STOPPED to have taken like truly serious runners.


http://teampr.info/darkpark.htm




Finishing video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMCMOLwTgSk

To race or not?

Im trying to decide whether or not to run the Frozen Firefighter 5k the coming Saturday. Normally its a no brainer. I have run it 4 years a row, every year since I started running. Matter of fact I only missed the first running of it, because I wasnt running then. But since Im laid off and not sure when Im gong back to work. So I probably shouldnt spend the money. The fact I havent done any speedwork the last month is only a small factor. I dont feel like Im running has been has good has it was, due to twisted ankle and catching a cold. So should I run it or not? I wont bandit a race, dont agree with it. If you dont pay you shouldnt take advantage of what racers are paying for. Plus I wouldnt consider it a race if im not officially registered.

Dark Park Pursiut 15K Adventure Run

Yesterday afternoon while waiting for the race I watched it snow and snow and snow. It hadn't been snowing in morning then around 1 it started snowing. In bunches. But I guess if you are going to run a race at night in december you shouldnt be surprised by these things. I got ready and Rick showed up, I was riding with him to race. It was a slow ride there cause of road conditions had me wondering what the running conditions will be, especially the trail sections.

We got there and did a "warm up" bye sitting in Bob's car trying to stay out of the cold and wind. No its not my normal warm up but this was to be a fun run. And I was guaranteed a PR. I had got my shirt and number. Nice long sleeve shirt.

Finally it was time to start the race. With headlamps on we headed to starting line. The course did a lot of loops around Mosquito Lake park, on and off road. http://teampr.info/darkparkmap.htm With a couple of inches of snow and it snowing the whole race made for some tough footing. The 3 of us had decided to run it together which we stuck to. It was tough running, wind, snow and in the dark. The trail parts of the course were real tricky. But it turned into one of the funnest races I have ever done. We even stopped and got our picture taken. I know who took it and will be checking his blog for picture.

Our group was joined bye this girl who basically used us to pace herself. Probably a good thing that she wore head phones and didnt hear any of our mindless chattering. We finally got back to finish. We pick it up for the last 50 yards or so, just glad to be done with it. My time: Very slow. Splits: I didnt bother, I was lucky that I even saw some of the mile markers in the dark. Overall, a fun race, regardless of weather, course was marked good enough, with plenty of volunteers. I feel the weather just made it more of a challenge.

Not much after race but being there was no where to go inside, we didnt stick around long. Rick, Bob and me went and got a few beers and wings. Good way to finish off the night.

Friday

I got in a chilly run today. I am still coughing a little but feeling better. Not much of a pace but this month is all about getting the miles in. For me thats the only good thing about being laid off, I got time to run and recover. This will be one of the few times I have run 7 days a week. I had set a goal of 1600 miles for the year and while I hit some bumps in the road during november, december is off to a good start. I got 25.1 miles in so far this week and a big weekend planned. Im signed up for a 15K race tomorrow evening. http://teampr.info/darkpark.htm A few of us have talked and are doing it has a fun run. It will be run in the dark, with snow

Then Sunday is the Road Runners christmas party. I told someone I would be there a little early so we could get 8 miles in. I feel a big december, at least running wise.

Running Times

When I ran Akron Marathon one of the premiums listed was a years subscription to Running Times. It had been so long I had forgotten about it. Figured it was messed up or they changed their minds. Maybe I read it wrong. Then yesterday, they arrived. 2 issues came on the same day. Why not spread them thru out the year a little. A little time between issues isnt a bad idea. The one issue is probably a month old, had article about Constantina Tomescu-Dita winning the gold medal. If she runs for Romania why she live in Colorado?

Any ways, I wil say this is another plus for running the Akron marathon.

Group run

I went to Mill Creek park and ran with the Road runners club. I ran 6.8 miles total, wasnt nothing spectacular. ran most of the way with Suzy. I coughed less then I did day before. I didnt get has many miles this week has I wanted but actually ran more then I probably should. So my thoughts of 1600 miles this year is getting more and more difficult. But not impossible.

November wasnt a kind month to me. I twisted my ankle, got laid off work and caught a cold. The twisted ankle and cold caused me to not run has many miles has I had planned. Now I can still reach 1600 miles, I need 162.1 miles in december to make it. It would be a big month for me. This month I ran for 121.3 miles. My best month of year was march with 162.3 miles. So do I have a huge month in me? Well the ankle is doing fine that wont be holding me back. Now the cold is a different story. Its still lingering. I need it gone, like yesterday.

Turkey coughing

I got up this morning, at first I felt a little better then I had the last few days. So I decided not to DNS the Turkey Trot. I got out there with plenty of time, got my shirt and number. Nice shirt this year. I was too early to warm up so I sat around inside talking ot a few people I knew. I found Rick and we decided to do a warm up run. I should of realized then it was a good idea to not run hard.

I had already dropped my goal in this race. After the Peace race I orginally wanted to try to run 40-41 minutes in this race. After twisting my ankle a few weeks back I lowered my goal to 41-42, since 41:55 was my 5 mile PR it was still a good goal to go for. Then I catch a cold. Some times I just think your not meant to run good in a race. After my warm up I had decided to just finish the race. Do my best but I knew it wasn't my best day.

The race started, it was real crowded start. They announced they had 1860 runners in both races combined. The 2 mile race had lot more runners then the 5 miler. I got out alright. My pace slower then I wanted but was what I had today. I got in a pace I could run without too much coughing. I stayed under control, I realized I probably shouldnt be there today. Yep, around mile 3 I got a sudden sense or realization. Then during the mile 4 I felt I had nothing left. I hadnt run that hard but didnt feel like I had much in the tank. I almost running it at long run pace.

I got the the 4 mile marker and decided to suck it up for the last mile. It wasnt easy, since I coughed when I picked it up. Go figure. But, I dont know how to explain it, this is a fast last mile. I didnt realized it but Ron a guy I run on Sundays with often had been trailing me. He made a sprint to beat me at the finish. I couldnt just let him beat me. Some lady was caught up in our sprint to the finish and to be honest I have no idea yet him won. Havent seen offical results yet. Then I paid price for sprinting, has I had coughing fit. I went off in a corner till I got it under control. Then got some water. After that it was hard to find anyone. Pumped into Ron and guy that ran with him who said it was too close to call. I then proceded on with the rest of the day of overeating and football.

Blah....

Blah! I got in 4 coughing miles in. It was snowing, windy 32* out and the snow actually started to sting when it hit my face. But my cold must of got worse. I took yesterday off, but when I ran Sunday it didnt affect my running. Didnt cough till I stopped. Today I had to stop and walk several times cause I was coughing. UGG. Now Im not sure if I should run next couple days. If I cannt run without coughing, I may drop out of Turkey Trot thursday. But I got 2 days to get better and still run it. I think im better then yesterday, at least I had energy to get off couch today.

On good note, The DVD I ordered, Spirit of the Marathon came in mail today. Which is a great coincidence, I had commented on John's Blog I hadnt got it yet this morning and it BOOM! it came. I may have to comment more good things to happen there.

Oh what fun it is

Ohh what fun it is to ...... run in a snow storm! Hey! I had planned to meet a couple running buddys to test out our head lamps we all got for an upcoming race. Dont a night race in december sound fun? It says your required to wear a head lamp or carry flashlight. So we wanted to do a run with them before the race. So of course the temp dipped, got to 23* when we went to run. Then the wind picked up a little and it snowed the whole time we ran. Actually made for a fun run, assuming you like that type of thing. After we got going I was warm enough. I guess I dressed right. Footing was a little tough but we managed, since we only planned an easy pace any ways. Fun guys to run with, unless your thin skinned.