Yesterday marked exactly six months until the Boston Marathon. Time to get down to business!!
The next two week will be getting back into the swing of things adding in a couple longer runs before a full 24 week buildup.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Rattlesnake Run Race Review
This past Saturday was the 32nd (I think) annual Rattlesnake Run 5 miler over the hills and through the woods of San Antonio.
Bested last years' time by 1:24 posting a 31:29 good for 2nd in age group and 12th overall.
I took a bit different approach to the race this year. I went out very conservative as the 1st two miles is where you can ruin your day if not careful. First two mile splits were 6:24 and 6:29. The race starts on a small but steep hill for about 50 meters. As you get down the road, you peel off into an orange grove and run behing St. Leo University. You really have to pay attention to your footing and also jump a ditch along the way. This leads you to the make or break hill. It is a 3 tiered hill that isn't real long but is steep. Take this one too fast and you will be gasping for air.
You get some time to recover with only one small hill leading up to the 2 mile mark.
Mile 3 has the next big hill that gets you coming and going. After taking a turn, you have a nice down that goes straight into the up. Run further to the turnaround and do it again. If you can get through here in good shape, you can cruise the final mile where it is mostly flat to downhill with one incline before a downhill finish. I did the last mile in 5:56, so was better than I expected but pretty much as planned.
Nice burnt orange shirts this year. Medals were the same design but different color than the last two years. They are one of the nicer medals you will get.
For only $20, one of the better races around. Wasn't as many runners this year though. Didn't seem like there was as many people at the festival either.
Next up is the Tower 10 miler in Clermont in 3 weeks. Looking forward to a fast time on that one!
Bested last years' time by 1:24 posting a 31:29 good for 2nd in age group and 12th overall.
I took a bit different approach to the race this year. I went out very conservative as the 1st two miles is where you can ruin your day if not careful. First two mile splits were 6:24 and 6:29. The race starts on a small but steep hill for about 50 meters. As you get down the road, you peel off into an orange grove and run behing St. Leo University. You really have to pay attention to your footing and also jump a ditch along the way. This leads you to the make or break hill. It is a 3 tiered hill that isn't real long but is steep. Take this one too fast and you will be gasping for air.
You get some time to recover with only one small hill leading up to the 2 mile mark.
Mile 3 has the next big hill that gets you coming and going. After taking a turn, you have a nice down that goes straight into the up. Run further to the turnaround and do it again. If you can get through here in good shape, you can cruise the final mile where it is mostly flat to downhill with one incline before a downhill finish. I did the last mile in 5:56, so was better than I expected but pretty much as planned.
Nice burnt orange shirts this year. Medals were the same design but different color than the last two years. They are one of the nicer medals you will get.
For only $20, one of the better races around. Wasn't as many runners this year though. Didn't seem like there was as many people at the festival either.
Next up is the Tower 10 miler in Clermont in 3 weeks. Looking forward to a fast time on that one!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
2011 Miracle Miles 15K Race Review
Posted a new PR of 01:00:29 for a 6:29/mile pace at last Saturday's Miracle Miles 15K in Orlando.This was 2:27 better than last year and 1:06 better than Gate River earlier this year. I placed 2nd in my age group and 23rd overall out of 1700 runners.
This was the first race in my new Newton MV2s and they performed really well. This was also the first time I ran a race without socks. I had tested the day before with no issues, so I figured it would save some weight from the socks getting wet and sweaty during the race. Worked out pretty well, didn't have any problems with my feet.
They changed the course quite a bit this year. I like this year's course much better. It seemed to go through some more neighborhoods. The previous course was kind of boring. Seemed there was more small rolling hills in the beginning versus the end last year. I didn't have my Garmin with me so wasn't able to map it as run, but I did map it on Map My Run and it came out to a whopping 9.5 miles as compared to 9.36 last year. Kinda ticked as I would have been sub-60 minutes if the course would at least have been the same length as last year.
The weather was hot again. With the 2nd half of the course being mostly in the full sun, that doesn't help. The last stretch through buildings was a nice refresher before the finish.
Was really disappointed with the age group prizes. We got spoiled last year with a pair of Sea World tickets. Sea World was there again, but only supplied maybe 10 pairs to top winners and top charity teams. The age group winners pretty much got shafted with getting a thin made in China metal bottle as a prize.
At least the race raised over $30,000 that goes towards the neonatal hospital, so that is good.
All in all, a good day. Will see if I make it back next year. This race isn't worth the effort to reward to be a must run, but if it fits into my schedule then maybe will do it again. It is a good race with nice shirts and other amenities that will please most people.
This was the first race in my new Newton MV2s and they performed really well. This was also the first time I ran a race without socks. I had tested the day before with no issues, so I figured it would save some weight from the socks getting wet and sweaty during the race. Worked out pretty well, didn't have any problems with my feet.
They changed the course quite a bit this year. I like this year's course much better. It seemed to go through some more neighborhoods. The previous course was kind of boring. Seemed there was more small rolling hills in the beginning versus the end last year. I didn't have my Garmin with me so wasn't able to map it as run, but I did map it on Map My Run and it came out to a whopping 9.5 miles as compared to 9.36 last year. Kinda ticked as I would have been sub-60 minutes if the course would at least have been the same length as last year.
The weather was hot again. With the 2nd half of the course being mostly in the full sun, that doesn't help. The last stretch through buildings was a nice refresher before the finish.
Was really disappointed with the age group prizes. We got spoiled last year with a pair of Sea World tickets. Sea World was there again, but only supplied maybe 10 pairs to top winners and top charity teams. The age group winners pretty much got shafted with getting a thin made in China metal bottle as a prize.
At least the race raised over $30,000 that goes towards the neonatal hospital, so that is good.
All in all, a good day. Will see if I make it back next year. This race isn't worth the effort to reward to be a must run, but if it fits into my schedule then maybe will do it again. It is a good race with nice shirts and other amenities that will please most people.
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