Runway 5k

Time: 57:57
Distance: 8.13 miles
Race: 15:43, 3rd

W/u: 26:23 for 3.16 miles
C/d: 15:51 for 1.87 miles

Tanya, Sean, Benny and I drove out to the airport this morning for the Runway 5k. The race takes place on the tarmac of the airport while there was planes taking off and landing. You are not in or near harms way, but there could be some worries for security. It was pretty cool being up close and personal with jets parked in side gates of US Airways.

The race itself was a little disorganized due to the overwhelming numbers. I think the race director predicted 1,000 participants and when the total approached 1,600, as you can expect, lines for parking, the bathroom and registration were really long. The race was scheduled to start at 8:00 am, but then it was pushed back to 8:15. The race didn't officially start until 8:28 am.

I felt terrible and all hope for winning the $500 flight vouchers went out the window in the first 300 meters. Since the course is completely flat there really is no reason to not go out hard. Sean took the pace and had about a 4 second lead at the half mile when he was joined by a runner wearing a Pacers uniform. Turns out this guy trains with Matt Centrowitz up in the Arlington/DC area and was here with his wife for the weekend. I didn't get the whole story about who lived where, but regardless the guy wanted those tickets.

Through the mile I was about 6 secs. behind Sean and Bert Rodriguez and thought there might be a chance to make a move in the next mile. I hung tough but the gap wasn't getting any smaller and by 2 miles I was packing it in. Sean ran alongside Bert for a good ways but was eventually broken. It was a bit humbling to show up knowing either Sean or I were going to take home the tickets, only to be outrun by someone else. That's how road whoring goes sometimes.

Tanya ran well to just miss breaking 17 mins. However, she was beaten by a dude running with a baby jogger.

McAlpine Loops

Time: 63:20
Distance: 8.94 miles
Pace: 7:05
Map

I headed out to McAlpine this afternoon with the Queens team for an easy run. I'm planning on running a small 5k tomorrow so I didn't need anything serious today. The predator run that the team had planned on doing was being pushed back a day which provided me with lots of people to run with. Most of the guys ran in a big pack for the first 4 miles and it slowly broke up but the mood was lighthearted with Halloween coming up. Fun run today.

Lovely Fall Afternoon

Time: 52:20
Distance: ~8 miles
Map

I was able to leave my internship about an hour early today and drive home to change. My running costume was on when I drove by Run for Your Life to pick up Meagan, only I wasn't going to drive home. The afternoon weather was perfect with a soft breeze, warm sunshine, crisp and clean air. I started out very casually from the parking lot and just kind of wandered through a quiet neighborhood near the store. Mr. Garmin wasn't on point for the first 6 mins, but it wasn't too big of a deal as I just wanted to get an idea of how far I was going. Pace was of no concern on this day.

I jogged near Latta Park on the streets shaded by oak trees and acorns. The acorns made their presence known as a couple nearly pelted my head and I could hear their direct hits on parked cars. To get some extra distance I ran part of the Booty Loop near Queens before heading back to the apartment. It felt like I had been out the door longer than 52 minutes but it was a relaxed run in great conditions today.

For Freedom

Time: 36:54
Distance: 5.30 miles

Easy morning run today through Freedom Park.

Meagan Thinks She Can Run

Time: 39:35
Distance: 5.30 miles

I started out the run with Meagan this morning and we ran through Freedom Park. We parted ways once we hit Princeton when she continued up to Queens and I ran home. The body continues to recover nicely with such a light workload. I still cough occasionally but the cold is on its way out. Good riddance.

Permission for More Time Off

Time: none
Distance: none

I spoke with Jailhouse Jeff last night while he was driving to class and we discussed training. I have no immediate plans to race again this fall which can be bad for motivation. I told Jeff that I thought my poor performance in Japan was due to having incredibly tired legs. Even the rest and extra sleep on the days traveling to Japan weren't enough to get my body recovered. I admit that my last two months of training have been solid but nothing extraordinary. Workouts were good, but not great. I believe that I was more impressive during the summer months back in Oklahoma. It has been good to take some time off and the time off has been in large part to traveling back from Japan and catching a nasty cold. The difference in my leg freshness can only be described by looking at the splits of yesterday's run: 7:14, 6:45, 6:28, 6:14, 6:11.

That was a morning run. I slowed down in effort after seeing the 6:14 split only to follow it up with a 6:11. Let's go back and look at an afternoon double run a few days prior to leaving for Japan: 7:45, 7:03, 6:50, 6:43, 6:30. I felt terrible that run, granted it was after 25 x 400. However, it was a much harder effort that what I did yesterday morning.

Jeff pointed out that I never really took that much time off after the OKC Memorial Marathon or the Boomtown Days Half Marathon. I have had more days off since returning from Japan than I had all summer. That's not a bad thing or a good thing, just making it known. My aerobic fitness is still high despite not training vigorously for a couple of weeks. I look forward to putting something on the calendar and resuming soon.

Spit in the Face

Time: 34:59
Distance: 5.34 miles
Pace: 6:33
Map

I ran this morning but that's not what I'm going to write about in this post. I'm sitting back at my apartment having returned from dropping Meagan off at Run for Your Life where I picked up a race brochure for the Savannah River Bridge Run. The brochure is right here in front of me and it looks very professionally done with clean graphics, bright colors, and all the pertinent race date information. The slogan appears to be "The south's toughest bridge run," implying that it's a hardcore event dedicated to trained runners/walkers. The brochure cover also states, "Run, walk or crawl," which further supports the difficulty of the race. Simply put, the race is not for wimps.

Let's take a look inside. Inside left has a schedule of events starting on December 4th when packets can be picked up. Race times are listed for all events including the Kids Run, 5k and 10k. Opposite page: more race information explaining accommodations, transportation, chip timing and expo location.

Inside middle left: Lifestats 5k, 10k course, Double Pump challenge (run both the 5k and 10k), team challenge information.

Inside middle right: age groups & awards, costume contest, costume contest prize money breakdown ($400, $200, $100).

WHAT!!!

They are offering $400 to the first place winner of the costume contest?! Surely the race must be awarding diamonds or gold bullion to the winners of the race but I can't seem to find that such a claim is made.

This isn't the first time I've come across a race brochure where costume winners get to take home money and the runners get nothing. I'll be the first to admit to being biased and in favor of handing out prize money to the runners as I am someone who could potentially win some of that money. However, it's upsetting when community groups, running stores, race directors, and timing companies take advantage of the sport.

Athletics is a sport that I care much about and I would like to see its popularity increase in the U.S. It's great that running and road races have become weekend activities for people in America. No doubt, organizers design races because they are diverse community level events with the potential to attract thousands. However, it doesn't help the sport when race directors choose to diminish the runners' effort by rewarding those who arrive in costume. A costume party is fit for: the circus, the fair, a carnival. A costume party should not be a featured attraction of a race, the race should be. The athletes should be.

I realize road races are fundraisers for various charities and that usually a race director cares very little about running. The goal is to ultimately raise dollars but then is it necessary for a race to be the chosen path to that end? Is running being taken advantage of when race directors charge $25 for a poorly organized race with only 120 participants?

Here is an article on About.com about running in costume. I have no qualms about running in costume. I would invite you to run in costume, but the rewards should be nothing more than the cheers and laughs from the crowd.

Don Garrett of DG Road Productions fame hosted a race last year that gave out prize money to costume winners. Why? It makes no sense to me. Am I missing the point?

Here is my closing argument about running, money and costumes: you probably thought I was talking about a Halloween themed race, maybe a Monster Dash, or a Mummy Race, even a Dracula Run. Nope! The Savannah Bridge Run and Downtown in December both take place on December 5th. What's to celebrate?! Why the costume?!

This felt like a Scotty D rant.

Week in Review

Time: 363:41
Distance: 52.04 miles

This was another down week to allow me to recover from this cold. I have it almost gone. I can tell that my legs are a lot fresher after having taken some days off and not running very much on the days I have stepped outside. It feels good to have no aches and pains. I need to put something on my schedule so I can get motivated to run some more.

Red Shirt, High Socks

Time: 99:19
Distance: ~15 miles

In order to be a member of this running crew you had to be wearing a red shirt and high socks. Simon, Nelson and I formed a little group partway through our long run and noticed that the three of us were wearing the same costume. I wasn't sure how far I wanted to go this morning but opted to run with Simon for the length of the run. My right quad is a little tight due to the lead biking duties on Friday. I don't have any cool stories to report about the run. Sorry.

Candlelight 8k

Time: 70:33
Distance: ~9.5 miles
Race: 25:47 for 8k, 3rd

W/u: 30:32 for 3.82 miles
C/d: 14:14 for 1.62 miles

It was a busy volunteering weekend here in Charlotte as the Queens athletes were roped into helping out at the Candlelight 8k. Scott Simmons was co-race director along with Saul Bizuneh, Fasil Bizuneh's brother. The first year race was out in Gastonia, NC and was offering a cash payout of $500, $200, $100.

I didn't decide to race until about 7:10 pm when I figured I could get a comp entry. I really had nothing to lose if I were to race and there was the possibility of winning some coin. I sent out a few text messages inquiring the whereabouts of some Zap athletes who might show up. They were up in Boston for Mayor's Cup and would not be in attendance. That was great news for me, but I still had to make a decision. I'll tell you what wasn't a good decision...eating the Jason's Deli turkey sammich, potato chips, cookie and three pickles around 5:00 pm.

I started warming up with Jenna and received a call from Simmons saying he could get me in. I was now leaning towards running the race, or at the very least starting it. I had only seen a couple of guys who looked like they could challenge for the lead and the stomach didn't feel too upset. Furthermore, my cold is nearly better but I still cough at the start of runs.

About 20 minutes from the 8:15 pm gun time I spotted the first Kenyan warming up near the start/finish line. I kept my eye out for his buddies as they usually travel in packs. The only other runner that I knew of in attendance was Ryan Woods of Boone, NC. He shows up in a lot of road races that offer a bit of prize money.

The race course was a hilly three loop circuit near the hospital. Simmons suggested a conservative start because we would be running the first hill of approximately 400m in length all three laps. I already had settled on a really conservative "race" plan that involved running for money and dropping out when it looked like there would be no pay day. And, I'm not talking candy bars.

The Kenyan (Julius Kogo) and Woods were out quickly up the starting hill, exiting onto the main road and up the hill on the loop. I was running in third, leading the chase pack of three. I felt settled and content to let the race come down to a kick for $100. I didn't see myself running that aggressively at any point so I was most concerned with running relaxed with Dan Matena (Charlotte Running Club) and Cody Angell (TrySports). The Royals had been assigned course marshaling duties which provided me great crowd support about every 500m.

On the second loop I was able to gap Angell and Matena by the smallest of margins and I felt that Woods was coming back. I maintained a rhythm and kept at it. At the top of each hill, Woods seemed to be gapping me. I thought I might be able to make a run for second place, but when the advantage closed by only 10m on the last climb I knew the difference was insurmountable. I finished strong for third. Splits were:

5:17, 5:04, 5:05, 5:19, 4:55, :08 for 25:47 and 5.03 miles. (Simmons said the course was a little long).

It was fun meeting some new guys out at the race. I haven't been able to run with the Charlotte Running Club yet, but that is something that will eventually happen.

Oh yeah...Kogo. The Kenyan. He ran pretty damn fast. He broke the tape in 23:21 (4:41 average) which for a night race and solo is legit. Kogo trains out of Chapel Hill, NC according to his coach who was present and served as interpreter. One of the guys asked Kogo what he ran and he simply help up his watch to see. Some of his training partners were up in Charlottesville, VA for a race earlier in the day. They also performed well. I heard that they will be running the City of Oaks Half Marathon next weekend.

Avon Breast Cancer Walk

Time: 35:22
Distance: 5.30 miles

Ran solo this morning through Freedom Park on my standard loop. There was an Avon Breast Cancer Walk going on the greenway section of the park. If you have never seen one of these walks, then let me sum up the participants in the form of a classified ad. W/F, 35-55 y/o, seeking pink shoes, pink socks, pink jackets, pink hats, pink ribbons, pink shoe laces, pink fanny packs, pink water bottles. Likes fitness walks, the outdoors, community activities, womanhood, good causes. Dislikes blisters, breast cancer, wet shoes, and port-o-potties.

Conference Carolinas Meet

Time: 71:27
Distance: 10.74 miles

W/u: 18:27 for 2.66 miles
W/u: 22:20 for 3.20 miles
W/o: 16:35 for 3.01 miles
C/d: 14:00 for 1.87 miles
600m Community Challenge: 1:41, 1st place

Predator Run:
Today was our last day without a car as Meagan and I would pick up a loaner from the Mini dealership after the meet, but first I had to get to Queens. I was meeting up with Benny Perez for a short workout out at McAlpine prior to the league championship meet. I used my feet as a car when I ran from the apartment to campus and then we drove out to the main entrance.

Out at McAlpine, Benny and I started by running the Footlocker course as a warm up. Scott Simmons and Jenna Wrieden, asst. coach, were out there finalizing course markings for the 5k and 8k later in the day. After a few strides Benny was ready to kick things off with a short predator run of the Footlocker course (first 3 miles). I decided to tag along because I wanted to test out the lungs with a light workout. I spent most of both warm ups coughing, but would be fine during the up tempo section.

We hit splits of:
5:29, 5:32, 5:31 for 16:32 total.

I was relaxed and in control the entire time. Benny struggled a bit after the hill on the course but responded to words of encouragement.

Community 600m:
There was a community 600 to run prior to the cross country meet. Most of the participants were Queens student-athletes and friends of the xc team who had come out to support. Meagan is taking a negotiation course this semester and her tactics are still a little green because it wasn't until 2 seconds after the race started that she convinced me to run. I weaved my way through the back of the field and targeted the leaders. Mind you, I was wearing basketball shorts, chewing gum and my left shoe was nearly falling off. I rounded the pond and by 350m I was sitting off the leader's shoulder. He was quick to throw in a surge which made the tempo pretty serious coming down the windy homestretch. It was a two man battle for nearly 200m. The crowd was in my favor and I had memories of my first beer mile when I got into a kicker's duel with Rob Sorrell. This race was meaningless, yet the competitive drive for a t-shirt and gift certificate was higher than ever. With about 15 meters left I finally got a step advantage and crossed the line first. The assistant coach for Anderson put up a great fight.

Conference Carolinas:
I was in charge of leading the women's and men's races during the Conference Carolinas Championships. Don't worry, I was on a bike. And I didn't mess things up. My instructions from Scott were: 1) Lead the race 2) Don't fall.

I did just that by keeping about a 20 meter lead in the races. I decided not to go up the only hill on the course, not because I couldn't make it, but rather I didn't want to descend. I was on Mike Crouch's Schwinn purchased from Wal-Mart and there is a swamp on the other side of the hill. I had visions of flying down the course, sliding into the turn, off the trail and into the muck. I opted to sit the hill out and pick up the racers on the other side.

Oscar and Futsum had a nice battle up front that wasn't decided until the final half mile. Simon (of "It's not a tumor" fame) ran great to finish third. The Queens men swept the top 6 spots. Results.

The women won their first ever conference title by beating Lees-Mcrae who had won the last nine championships.

Congrats to the Royals.

A Day Off

Time: none
Distance: none

I took today off from athletic activities today. However, I did walk to and from a bus stop in Uptown.

Slacking

I need to update this blog in a serious way. The daunting task of recapping a great time in Japan and Washington DC is enough to slow the process of writing any posts. Keep posted and hopefully this afternoon I will start with some stories about the race and post-party.