Year of Races

Shirt

Alysia and I hit a big milestone this past week — 10 years of marriage.  We got out of town without the kids and spent a nice long weekend on St. Simon’s Island.  As the wonderful, supportive wife that she is, Alysia agreed to run the Tidelands Turtle Trot 5k on Jekyll Island the Sunday of our little getaway.  It was a small, small, small scale event, but still part of the Run & See Georgia Grand Prix Series.  In fact, the two guys who put on the race basically do it just to collect some easy points in the series.  Last year, there were 19 participants (yes, 19).  This year though, the race exploded onto the scene with 43 runners!

The race is held at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center.  It’s mostly asphalt sidewalk, but there is about a half mile of beach/boardwalk running at the end.  As we stood around in the parking lot chatting, I kind of took in the other runners.  There were a lot of Masters age group participants.  For a couple weeks I had been thinking that maybe I could actually win this race outright.  Crazy talk, I know, but, at the same time, I had improved a great deal and the competition didn’t look too tough (especially with so few runners).  Maybe this was my morning…

At the starting line, we went over the course.  It was an out and back on the sidewalk.  Pass the dead snake, turn around at the cone, pass the 2-mile mark and turn into the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex, go down the boardwalk, run down the beach, come up the boardwalk at the 4-H center and finish line.  Very flat obviously.  First come, first serve on the sea shell awards table.

The first mile into the race we broke off into a lead group of 4 runners:  Bo (the race director & Grand Prix Series points fiend), 30-something white guy, 50-something black guy, and myself.  We had a nice steady pace going.  I stayed in 4th, and was perfectly happy following the other guys.  I figured it would come down to the end and I would see if I could make my move (or something like that) and maybe win.  We passed the dead snake and it was gross.

At the turnaround we were all still in a line.  I felt strong even though the air was thick from high humidity.  It was a hot morning and the sweat was just collecting on my body.  Everybody was breathing hard trying to get that precious oxygen.

At the 2 mile mark is when things started to shake out.  Bo had placed a bucket of bottled water there and the 30-something guy, who had been leading our pack the whole race, slowed to grab one and started drinking.  Bo also started fading back at about the same time, so, all of a sudden, it’s me and the black guy.  I had some momentum going so I decided “what the heck” let’s take the lead and see what happens.  I moved ahead and kept the pace going down through the soccer complex and onto the beach.  It was really a two person race at this point and I could hear him breathing behind me.

The beach was tough!  The packed sand wasn’t too bad, but you could still feel it shift under your foot with each strike.  I think it slowed me down a tiny bit.  My rival pulled up beside me just as we came to the sign drawn in the sand for our turn to the 4-H boardwalk.  Here is where the race finally changed.  We had a stretch of deep, loose sand to run through.  It was so difficult to maintain any kind of pace, but I plowed through it fast and furious.  My heart rate peaked into the 190s as I put just enough distance behind me and 2nd place.  Once we got through the deep sand there was a long stretch of boardwalk.  I tried to push as hard as my heart would allow.  I could hear him breathing still, but he was much farther back.  I knew I had it if I could just keep moving!  I rounded the corner and turned into the volleyball pit and crossed the line at 22:39.  1st place overall!  The crowd (one dude maintaining the clock and handing out finishing cards) went wild (“nice run. Don’t forget your card”).  Most likely the only time in my life I’ll outright win an event.

I walked over to the awards table and grabbed a seashell trophy.  I left a nice glass case full of seashells and sand for the 2nd place guy.  I just didn’t want anything that big.  I love my little trophy and it may be my prize possession now, kind of like the sexy leg lamp from A Christmas Story.

My trophy

It was a small but fun event.  Even though the race only had 43 runners, it was tougher than usual with the heat, humidity and sand.  I’m proud of my 22:39 and absolutely loved the experience of running with the lead pack.  It was great following along in 4th waiting to pounce, but it was really stressful leading and not knowing what those guys behind you were plotting.  Either strategy though gave me valuable experience for future races when I’m battling a pack of elite runners for 137th place.

Alysia also ran the race and did fantastic!  She came within 5 seconds of a new 5k PR.  Without the sand she would have had it for sure.  I’m seeing a sub-30 5k in her near future…

Maybe I’ll have to make the trip down to Jekyll Island again next year to defend my title (man, it’s cool saying that).  I guess we’ll see how it’s going next year, but, for now, I’m thrilled to sit here as the 2010 Tidelands Turtle Trot 5k Champion.  hahahahaha.  I’ve come a long way from an anonymous finish in 27:35 on New Years Day.

• Official Results
• Garmin Stats

Harris Jacobs Dream Run

I had my first 4-mile race this weekend at the Harris Jacobs Dream Run.  First time running the distance, so automatic PR right?  Gotta like that.  The race was headquartered at Zaban Park in Dunwoody, GA.  I was very impressed with the facility.  Nice, clean community center.  They had baseball fields, a gym, a pool and more.  Really nice place.

I got down there a bit early and got checked in.  I ran around a bit to loosen up and get prepared for the event.  I felt pretty good and had gotten some quality sleep the night before.  I really felt like it was going to be a great run.  I’m starting to see some of the same runners at these events each week.  It reminds me of when I used to play racquetball.  I’d see the same guys at each tournament and we were our own little group of racquetball junkies.  I guess every hobby has it’s own set of groupies.  I suppose I’m one now.

At 8:00 we took off.  This race had a lot of fast runners participating.  It’s part of the Run & See Georgia series, so you had your usual suspects that run all those races, but there were also quite a few Atlanta Track Club folks.  Pretty cool seeing all the ATC unis.  The first portion of the race was downhill.  I ran a solid sub-7 first mile and felt good.  Lots of folks huffing and puffing around me, but I was doing ok.

The second mile we got into some rolling hills and they started taking their toll on me.  It was one small hill after another for the remainder of the race.  My mile splits just kept going up and up.  I had set a goal of breaking 30 minutes before the race and I barely squeaked in at 29:33.  Two runners that I’ve beaten lately both finished ahead of me in this one, so I guess I just didn’t have my A game that morning.  I had one kid try to out sprint me at the end, but I showed him my olympic-caliber speed burst and edged him at the line.  That was pretty fun actually.  Gotta keep those high schoolers in their place.

I hovered around the timing table at the end to see if I placed in my age group, but no such luck.  I wasn’t too disappointed though.  I saw the awards before the race and I think they were mouse pads.  uggh.  Who uses a mouse pad anymore?  I probably finished about 5th in my age group.  Not too bad, but I can definitely do better.  Luckily next week is another 4-mile race (Magnolia Run), so I’ll have my chance to improve on my time.

Great shirt

• OFFICIAL RESULTS – I finished 5th in my age group and 37th overall.  29:32 
• The shirt is really nice.  A blue technical shirt — probably in my top 5 favorites so far.
• In the first .5 mile This guy veered off to the side wheezing and huffing.  He might have been having a stroke.  I hope he was ok.  I didn’t hear any emergency vehicles, so I’m assuming he made it.
• I kept gaining on the runners around me on the uphills and then losing significant ground on the downhills.  What’s up with that?  I guess I’m not letting it all out on the downhills.  Maybe I’m leaning back too much and using too much brake…
• Overall, I really thought this event was extremely well run and organized.  They had a nice indoor facility to hang out in the A/C if you wanted.  I also met Harris Jacobs’s widow when I first arrived.  Very sweet little lady and it made me feel even better about contributing my $$ to her cause.
• Garmin stats.
• The race advertised that they had the best goodie bag around.  I was anxious to see what they considered the “best”. Toothpaste, toothbrush, mints, 2 koozies, chip clip, cup, dandruff shampoo (sweet!), emory board, and a Wheaties Fuel sample box of cereal.  Not bad.  How about an iPad next time?  :)

Nice goodie bag indeed

Chattahoochee Challenge 10k

For the race this weekend, I picked the Chattahoochee Challenge 10k in Roswell, GA.  It’s advertised as a fast, flat course.  I sure hope it is.  That would be nice.  My first 10k went well and I’m hoping to improve on my 53:14 mark this weekend.  The race is a Peachtree qualifier, but, then again, so was last week’s and so is the Resolution Rush 10k on 2/21.  I guess I’ll have plenty of chances to score a good qualifying time for the nation’s best 10k.

This weekend’s event raises money for the Chattahoochee Nature Center.  I have a lot of fond memories of time spent here as a kid.  My cousins and I used to go play on the playground by the river all the time.  I attended birthday parties and soccer-end-of-season parties here as well.  Great little place to bring the family and enjoy the outdoors.  I haven’t been over that way in a few years, so I’m looking forward to the race.

Weather should be in the high 30’s or low 40’s.  Doesn’t look like rain, but it is supposed to rain Friday so it may push into Saturday morning.  Let’s hope not.

This is another Run & See Georgia Grand Prix Series event, but I may have trouble cracking the top 20 in my age group.  I believe this race is a fairly popular one on the circuit.  I thought I did great last week and barely squeaked into the top 20 at 15th.

Anyone else planning on being there?  See you Saturday.  Should be fun.

Tartan Trot 10k Shirt

Throw out the excuses.  I guess I didn’t need them after all.  My first 10k went well this morning and exceeded all of my expectations.  It was a nice event even though the weather was kind of yucky.

I got to St. Luke’s a little later than I usually arrive.  Parking was full and I had to park a block away on the street.  I hustled in to check in and got my race bib, timing chip and shirt.  I got the timing chip attached to my shoe, but was stressed when I realized I didn’t have any safety pins in my packet.  They were all out!  Luckily a guy saw me looking through my stuff and, after asking me if I needed anything, he graciously gave me his two bottom safety pins.  This was really cool and I thanked him heartily.

I headed out to the starting line and prepared for the start of the race.  It was about 35° and drizzly.  Thankfully the rain held off.  It was really just a constant mist.  I did some stretching and bouncing around trying to stay warm.  A couple minutes later we were off!

I started out fairly slow.  Probably around a 9:15/mile pace.  I wasn’t sure though because I had forgotten my iPod Nano, so I didn’t have my Nike+ rocking.  I ended up running at a fairly consistent pace for the first couple of miles.  The 5k folks veered off and it was just us 10k racers left.  I think it was about this point that this woman shuffled past me quite easily.  She had obviously been here before, but it was a little disheartening.  I trudged on.

At about mile 3, I realized that I was feeling pretty good.  I had gotten into a decent rhythm.  At about this same time, we approached the killer section of the course.  A steep incline that went on for a half mile.  I never stopped to walk, but passed quite a few runners who did.  I powered right up the hill and still felt good.  This was going much better than I had expected, and I knew at this point I could finish this sucker with no problem.

I guess because it was a 10k and didn’t have too many participants, the pack really thinned out.  I found myself running alone or with only 1 or 2 guys around me.  This was nice and, even though it was cold and rainy, I really appreciated the morning run through the Dunwoody neighborhood.  The cops and volunteers did a fantastic job keeping the traffic at bay.  It was one of the first times where I realized I actually enjoyed being outside running.  It wasn’t just exercise; it was something more.

So, around mile 4 I started picking up my pace.  I felt so good, I really wanted to get under 55 minutes and knew I had a good shot at it.  About a mile from the finish, I noticed a pack of runners about 60 yards ahead of me.  There were 4 of them, and lo and behold, they were led by the shuffling woman who had passed me early on.  I decided to make it my goal to push hard and pass every one of those guys.  I started really moving and ended up picking them off one by one.  It was down to me and the woman.  I turned the corner and it was a sprint to the finish.  I ended up blowing by her right at the end and beating her by a couple of seconds.  I sensed she was kind of miffed about this.  I read somewhere (I wish I could find it – UPDATE:  found one) that some folks don’t care for runners who sprint to the finish.  I personally don’t see the issue.  If I want to finish hard, then why not?  It’s not like I’m running anyone over.  Anyway, I finished with a time of 53:14 according to my watch.  I don’t have the official time yet, but I’ll update the post as soon as I get it.  (UPDATE: official times are here.  Finished 15th in my age group.)

Overall, I’m really pleased with my finish.  I was stronger at the end and passed quite a few folks struggling on the hills.  I took time to appreciate the fact that I’m healthy enough to run a 10k in 35° weather on a dreary Saturday morning.  Not everyone has the opportunity and I’m grateful for it.

Tidbits from the Tartan Trot 10k:

• The shirt may be my favorite one yet.  Another nice technical long sleeve shirt.  I’ve worn it all day.   I’m such a dork.
• There weren’t any mile markers or volunteers yelling out times.  Without a GPS device, I was kind of clueless to where I was on the course.  It was just me and my Timex.
• Quite a few runners in kilts.  They were giving an award for fastest time in a kilt.
• I don’t see how so many people can run in pants/tights.  I ran in shorts again.  I really think I’d roast in long pants.
• Again, just like last week, I didn’t see a starting mat to trigger the chip system.  Maybe I missed it, but I kind of just guessed when I thought I was crossing the starting line.
• This was another Run & See Georgia Grand Prix Series event.  Hopefully I finished in the top 20 in my age group so I can earn some points.
• I didn’t stick around for the awards ceremony this time, so I don’t know what the podium runners’ times were in my age group.  I’ll find out as soon as I get my eyes on the official results.
• Here are some reviews of the race.

Next week is the 9th Annual Chattahoochee Challenge 10k.  Really looking forward to it, but, of course, you can expect more from me on that one later this week.

Polar Bear Shirt 5k

Wow!  What a fun run!  I had a blast running the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church Polar Bear 5k.  Let’s jump right into the details…

First of all, the weather was cold and windy.  Temperatures were in the 40s and, with the wind, it felt even colder.  This would normally be a big downer, but luckily all the check-in tables were set up in the gym, so we got to hang out in the warmth of the gym until we were ready to start.  I got my number quickly and was happy to see that it had the timing strip on the back.  This typically makes the post-race awards ceremony get started much quicker.

They had the starting line set up out on Johnson Ferry Rd.  Now, those of you that aren’t familiar with the area, Johnson Ferry is a busy 4 lane road.  We were set up in the 2 lanes heading south.  Obviously they can’t hold traffic for the entire race, so immediately after crossing the starting line we were herded into just the right lane.  This was pretty tight and I know from a lot of the Active.com comments that the racers in the middle to back of the pack were severely hindered by this.

I’m not sure why, but I decided to try a little bit different strategy for this race.  I normally line up near the back of the pack, but today I went up close to the front.  I decided I would go out fast and see how long I could last.  This strategy really ended up paying off because I wasn’t as affected by the crowds getting pushed into 1 lane.  The real problem I had with the start though other than the tight grouping was that they didn’t have a starting mat to trigger my bib timing system.  So, even though the race advertised the timing system, we were still measured by the finish time only.  Luckily, I chose to start closer to the front and only was behind by a few seconds.

I took off faster than usual but felt pretty good and found some similar runners to pace myself by.  My splits were: 7:25, 14:49, 22:58.  I never stopped to walk and kept up a pretty fast pace for me.  I’m definitely improving as a runner and I’m thrilled with my time!  The course was fast and flat with just a couple rolling hills.  After last week’s Etowah Soccer 5k, I felt like I was running at the beach it was so flat.  I finished up and had my bib scanned with the wand to record my time.  So, with the seconds it took me to cross the start and the time it took me to slow down enough for them to scan my bib with the wand, my official time was 23:06.  I bettered my previous P.R. by >2 minutes!  Even though I ran a 22:58 by my watch, I’ll use the 23:06 as my new P.R.  Besides, I plan on beating that again soon…

They had lots of food available at the end.  All the volunteers were really nice and helpful.  I stuck around for the awards presentation (also in the gym) to see what kind of times the winners in my age group ran.  This race was pretty popular and had around 1500 entrants, so I knew I hadn’t placed, but I was curious.  The third place guy in my group ran an 18:11.  Dang.  I’ve got lots more work to do.

A couple of interesting things:

• My pace was 7:27/mi and I got passed by a woman pushing a stroller somewhere after the 2 mile mark.  Awesome.
• For the second week in a row, saw someone puking after the race – this time a woman.
• Finished 15th in my age group out of 87 guys.  Pretty proud of that and I hope I got a few points in the Run & See Georgia Grand Prix Series.
• The shirt is really nice.  Technical long sleeve shirt with the polar bear logo.
• The race director said the course was 260 ft short of a full 5k.  This clearly helped my time, but I still would have P.R.’d.
• UPDATE:  Here are 2 pics of me from the race.  Pic 1, Pic 2

Next weekend is the Tartan Trot 10k.  This will be my first ever 10k.  Kind of nervous about it.  I’ll have more about that race later.

Click to enlarge

I’m running the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church Polar Bear 5k on Saturday morning.  This is supposedly the 22nd annual running of this event.  That’s great!  I’m really looking forward to getting out there in a big event again after the last two weeks of smaller crowds.  The weather’s looking great so far:  partly cloudy with a low of 48°.  I’m always hesitant about setting goals, but I wouldn’t mind cracking 25 minutes.  So far, 25:12 is my PR, but I’ve been running more the past couple of weeks, so we’ll see if it pays off.  I just hope the course is less hilly than last week.

Also, this will be my first Run & See Georgia Grand Prix Series event.  This is a cool series of races around Georgia throughout the entire year.  Finishing in the top 20 in your age group earns you points.  The series is put on by GeorgiaRunner.com and has been around for 20 years!

Anyone else out there running this event?  Let me know in the comments.

If it sounds like something you’d like to do, you better hurry!  Registration closes 1/20 @ 9:00pm.  Register at active.com.