2012 Dade City Kumquat Festival 5K Race Report

In a nutshell, I won!! 17:39 Mile splits: 5:57, 6:20 (uphill most of the mile), 5:47. The course was short. They didn't go as far down the road behind the school as they should have and did last year. So, unfortunately, this does not count as a PR but it sure was nice to see sub-18:00 on the clock for the first time.

Beautiful morning for a race, temperature was right at 50 degrees. Doesn't get much better.

The kid who usually wins this race is off to college, so that left me to take on a couple of high school kids. One stayed with me until the turnaround by the school just after mile 1 marker. From there, I was on my own chasing the police escort.

This was my 2nd ever win. It is so much fun actually coming in first and having the crowd clap and cheer as you come in.

The day didn't start off too smoothly as far as the race organizers went. When I got there just after 7 o'clock, there was a line of people waiting to register. They didn't have any forms or t-shirts. Instead of standing and waiting, I went ahead with my usual warmup before registering. I found out that they had only 15 people pre-registered and I am not sure if they ordered any extra shirts. I told them they should try online registration. They said they did on Active.com. I've never seen it on there. I checked when i got home and it wasn't on there. The only thing for Kumquat was for the 5K/10K walk that is a completely separate event. Funny, for both races I have won, I didn't get a shirt for either of them! The organizers should know and be prepared for at least the same number of people as in past years (it's not like this is a 1st year event).

They have a really good 5K course that isn't flat and not so hilly that all can enjoy. They just need to measure it correctly!! They also need to quit with the double dip prizes. I ended up also getting a medal for 1st in my age group.

This could really be a great race that attracts a lot more people if they would market and run it right. Along with the Kumquat Festival, it makes for one of the most enjoyable race days.

And they're off!! 

Rounding the turn for home.

Nice trophy for the collection!

Six Months Until Boston!

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.

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!

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.

Boston, here we come!!

Wahoo!! Got my acceptance notice into the Boston Marathon yesterday. 6 months of training begins October 17th. The ultimate goal is to run a sub-3:00 on one of the greatest courses in the world!!

Newton MV2 Review

Update 9/26/11: Final update. Ran my first race in the MV2 at the Miracle Miles 15K in Orlando. The short version is I posted a new PR of 1:00:29, the MV2 felt really good and performed well.

I finally got the hotspot issue taken care of. Instead of the Yankz laces, I put the original laces back on. I loosened up the toe box area and that took care of the problem. Out of curiosity, I ran without socks during training and felt really good. I tested it to the max by running the 15K race sockless which I have never done. Overall, I had no problems. I did have a couple spots where the upper poked my foot and left a bit of a mark. The only time I felt anything on the bottom of my foot was right at the end (maybe my stride changed or something). Considering all the sweat, my feet were pretty much unscathed after. For kicks and grins, I just ordered a pair of Injinji lightweight socks and will see how those do.

It was a hot morning so I was soaked at the end. I was surprised how much water/sweat the shoes held. When I took them off, I couldn't believe how much heavier they felt. I weighed them when I got home and they were almost 2oz. heavier per shoe. That is quite a lot.

So, in conclusion...

Likes: 6oz. feels light, comfortable, responsive, FAST!!
Things I would change: Find a material that doesn't soak up water/sweat (my Mizuno Wave Universe 2 flats used recycled plastic for the upper I believe). Couple of ways I think the shoe could be made lighter...Remove all or some of the rubber on the heel. With a proper midfoot strike, the only wear is on the outside edge which is a small area. Get rid of the rubbery Newton logo on the sides and either use a different material or somehow "paint" the logo on. If there is no structural reason for it, remove the soft/leathery material at the toe of the shoe. I don't see a need for it and it soaks up water.

I will definitely use the MV2 for all races up to half-marathon. I will need to do some of my 2 hour runs in them and decide if I want to use in full marathon. I don't really see any reason at this time why I won't be able to use in marathon.

Update 9/15/11: After about 50 miles and another 90 minute run, the MV2 is doing well. I have been going back and forth with my Distance Racers trying to compare the feel and performance.

The hotspots are getting better. My stride definitely feels better in the MV2. Sad to say, but the Distance feels almost a bit clunky in comparison. Lug wear has been minimal. As I expected, the ridges are completely gone on the front of the lugs but hardly any wear beyond that. I really don't expect much more wear because the front of the lugs are flush to the toe area not allowing them to wear beyond the foam they lay up against. The MV2 is pretty comfortable to run in, I would say that the Distance is a bit easier on the feet. I have been wearing the Distance about 3 years now and think my feet just need to get used to the MV2.

Trying to gauge performance differences has been difficult as there are so many variables that can have an effect. I did have one of my best ever 90 minute runs earlier in the week with the MV2.

The best test I have been able to do is doing the same track time trials a week a part, first one in the MV2 and the other in the Distance. The TT consistes of 1 mile warmup, 200m TT, 1 mile Jog, 1000m TT, 1 mile cooldown. The MV2 proved to be faster with what felt like the same effort in both distances. In the 200m, The MV2 was only faster by .16 seconds. Not much, but enough to lose a race by. I will call the 200m a statistical tie. The 1000m was a different story. Last week in the MV2, I ran 1000m in 3:06. In the Distance, ran 3:12. That is a huge difference! With so many possible variables, take this info for what it is. Was wierd during the 1000m TT wearing the Distance, but part way through, I could feel the weight of the shoes on my feet. Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me.
So far, I am pretty happy with the MV2. Definitely the best racing flat I have used.

9/6/11: Much to my delight, I received my pair of MV2s Friday evening. Took them out for a short track workout that included an 800m time trial. Also had them out for an hour workout and 90 minute run. With about 25 miles on them, these are my initial observations

Besides being 3oz. lighter than my Distance Racers (my size 9.5 weigh 6.0oz.), the first thing you notice is the creamsickle orange. Not exactly my first choice of color. Seems like de ja vu to the old Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniforms. Thankfully, I don't generally look down at my feet while running and have always bought Newtons for their performance. A different color would maybe make for a better choice. Red is my personal favorite.

Taking the advice from Newton, I went up a 1/2 size to keep the fit what I am used to. The MV2 easily slides on your foot and fits great. I have a perfect thumbs width of room at the toes. For me, the toe box is plenty roomy. Newton could put the upper of the MV2 on the rest of their shoes and I would be happy. With being used to being almost zero drop with my racers, I did not insert the 3mm heel thingies included. I also use the Yankz shoe laces which allow me to never have to tie and provide the same fit and feel every time I put them on.

Standing up and getting the first feel of the new lug system was a little different. The lugs feel a bit more pronounced and stiffer. They do not have the small space behind the lugs that allow them to compress like all other Newtons. You can compress the lugs a tiny bit into the foam if you press hard. Another big difference is the toes feel like they barely touch the ground at toe off. The lugs seem to provide more of a lever effect than rebounding. It is a bit different and trying to figure out which I like better. The new lug system includes 3 thin lugs in the middle with more of a pad-like lug on either side. The new system does feel more stable. The lugs are also ribbed for better traction which really won't matter once worn down.

The first thing I noticed when running was how quiet footstrikes are. With my other Newtons, I get a loud tap, tap, tap as I run. The MV2s are pretty much dead quiet. Now, when I come up behind somebody in a race, it will be like the "Silent Assassin" and they won't know what is happening until I am gone!

The feel of the lugs definitely don't have that springy feel I am used to. I don't know if it is the reduced weight or the way the new lugs lever, but the MV2 feels like it has the same pop as my racers. Running is easy at any speed. My stride does feel smoother. Again, that may be due to the reduced weight. After only 12 miles, the lugs show slight wear on the ridges of the middle three which is pretty normal. I will probably start with my Shoe Goo applications in a few miles to maintain them.

So far, the MV2 feels great. The only minor issue has been that I get a bit of a hot spot on the ball of both feet after a while. Not a big deal and will probably go away after a few more miles.

Overall, compared to other racing flats I have used (Mizuno Wave Universe 2, ASICS Hyperspeed 2 and Nike Waffle Racer), the MV2 by far has the best fit and feel. Performance wise, I can't tell yet if they are more efficent or faster than my racers. As long as they are as comfortable/durable and with the lower price tag then they will be worth it.

So far, the only thing I would change about the MV2 is the color and maybe see if there are some ways to shave even more weight off. A couple suggestions are to remove the soft leather off the front of the shoe and make the whole thing mesh. Also, get rid of the plastic/rubber newton logo on the sides and somehow "paint" them on instead. These ideas might knock off another ounce.

I plan to use my MV2s this week for most of my training runs and will add more comments later. Look forward to getting in a 90 minute run and see how they feel. So far, I don't see any reason why I couldn't use these everyday and for any distance. Hopefully, that doesn't change as I go longer.

Watermelon Series in Review

Each Summer, the Lakeland Runners Club hosts the Watermelon Series. The series consists of four 5K races run around Lake Hollingsworth.

This year was our 3rd year competing. I ran pretty consistent times: 18:30, 18:22, 18:38 and 18:29. The 18:30 tied my PR from the last race of last year's Watermelon and the 18:22 was for a new PR. I am happy that I pulled off two races in the 18:20s. I was hoping for lower times this year, but with all the hill and speedwork I have been doing, I don't think the legs had it in them. The weather also seemed a little worse this year with some mornings where the air was pretty thick.

Overall, I placed 2nd in my age group ending my string of 1st place finishes. My friend Robbie ran all the races this year and just blows my times away.

Once again, Jenny and the kids ran all the races as well as Jenny's Mom. Everybody did well and improved race to race.

It was nice this year with the chip timing even though that did double the cost of the races. The series is still dirt cheap costing only $30 for the whole series if you sign up for all races.

We look forward to running again next year. There really aren't many races around in the Summer and this series give Summer training a sense of purpose.