Honor Run Half Race Report

The Honor Run Half was on November 12, 2017 in Florence, Kentucky. I was on track for another PR until I strained my back a week before the race.

Prep

As usual, I followed a modified Hal Higdon Intermediate-2 Plan. I hit all of my training paces through the cycle. I was a week ahead of the schedule, so my last long run was 13.02 miles (I didn’t stop at 13.0 because of perceived unlucky… boy, was I wrong!)

The day after the last long run, I was doing yard work (I like mowing the lawn on the day after my long run because it’s a bunch of non-strenuous walking). My back started bothering me and was in full-on strain mode the following day.

My taper week consisted of zero miles. In fact, I was tempted to take a DNS. However, by Saturday my back felt okay, so I decided to run, but keeping it easy.

The morning of consisted of two slices of toast with peanut butter and honey and a cup of coffee for the drive to Florence.

Goals

Originally, I had these goals:

A: 1:43

B: 1:45

C: 1:50

However, after the back strain, I abandoned all hope of any of them and just wanted to finish a good run.

Race

The race temperature was about 35°F. I wore shorts, last year’s Honor Run Half shirt, gloves, and a running hat. Roughly 15 minutes before the race, I took a Gu and ran into a fellow Twitter Runner.

Part 1: Miles 1 to 4

I kept it easy by feel. This part isn’t too bad with hills, but it is not flat (there is nothing flat in Northern Kentucky). I took water at mile 4.

8:18, 8:17, 8:20, 8:24

Part 2: Miles 5 to 8

This part felt tougher. There is a portion through Turfway Park that was rough and I was feeling it in my back. There is a tight hairpin turn at mile 6, and a pretty significant uphill from 6 to 8. I took Gu in mile 7, and water at mile 8.

8:31, 8:28, 8:48, 8:41

Part 3: Miles 9 to 13.1

There is a hairpin turn at mile 9, mile 10 is almost entirely uphill, and the hills in miles 11 and 12 are the steepest in the race. I had to squash some negative thoughts through this part.

8:49, 8:33,8:46,8:41,8:36, 0:53

Total: 1:52:01

After

First off, this is the biggest medal I’ve ever received!

Biggest Medal in my collection (I’m in the middle between an aunt and an uncle)

I didn’t eat much, but I drank 3 cups of coffee (to warm up!), and half a bottle of water that I finished on the way home, I also drank a Gatorade on my way home. I had my heat on high on my way home, and even sat in front of the fireplace while waiting for the bathroom to be free.

Post-Run Thoughts

I should have probably taken Gu around mile 5 and 10 instead of once at mile 7. I think it was a little too late and my pace suffered as a result.

Running up the big-ass hill really helped with the hills. I felt strong on every one of them.

This is the end of the 2017 season for me. At this point, it will be more maintenance to keep up fitness and prepare for marathon training.

Cheers!

July 5, 2017

Little Kings Mile 2017 Race Report

The Little Kings Mile is the shortest event I run each year. It’s the Friday night kickoff to the Flying Pig Weekend.

I don’t prepare for this race since I’m usually preparing for another – much longer – race (and there’s another race report on that).

The major change this year was the ability to pickup our race packets at the Flying Pig Expo. Since I had to go there anyway for the half marathon, it was more convenient.

Prior to the race, I left the office as late as I could (around 7:15 PM) to jog to the start line, about 1.75 miles. I got to the start line around 7:30 – 7:40. Start line temperature was cold. I was lined up in corral B.

After microphone problems resulted in a chorus of runners “helping” to sing the national anthem, we were off.

I tried to keep my pace nearly consistent and not go-out-and-fade-away (as some runners did). I don’t practice short runs, so pacing was a little bit of a challenge, but overall it wasn’t too bad.

Garmin Track

Official Time: 6:54.62. PR!

July 5, 2017

Flying Pig Half Marathon 2017 Race Report

The Flying Pig Half Marathon was on May 7, 2017 in Cincinnati. The course is one I’ve written about before.

Training

I followed the Hal Higdon Intermediate-2 plan, which I liked over my re-worked 5k Advanced plan that I used for the prior training period. I was able to meet most of my goal paces for the repeats, tempo, and HM pace runs. I missed two runs overall, an interval and an easy run. I also tried to integrate hills into my runs more than I have previously.

Race Morning

For the first time, I used bag check, where I put a few extra clothes. I made my way from my parking location (my office on the race course) to the bag check and then to Pigpen B. I waited for start while laughing a little at seeing the port-o-let line while the DJ was playing “Taking Care of Business”, and looked around at others, which seemed to have some difficulty with the start line weather conditions – some were in winter-ish clothes, some (like me) had shorts and a throwaway sweat shirt over it, and some had shorts and a tank top!

Around 6:15, I consumed a pack of Gu. Right at 6:30 we were off.

First Portion: Miles 0 – 6

I felt like I was going a little fast. I’ll probably pay for this. My boss, who started in corral A passed me near the end of this section. Apparently, he ducked into a port-o-let in Newport (probably around mm 2.5).

Splits: 8:02, 8:03, 7:57, 8:07, 8:20 (water + Gu), 8:01

Second Portion: Miles 7 – 10

The hill was rough. By the end of this section, I was ready to start walking. I didn’t, but I was ready to.

Splits: 8:47, 8:55, 8:26 (water + Gu), 8:37

Eleventy-trillion-dollar photo of me somewhere in Eden Park, attempting to hang loose.

Final Stretch: Miles 11-13

I didn’t have the energy to push the hill. I usually grab a Twizzler at the downhill (mm 10.5) station. Unfortunately, they were cold and nearly un-chewable. Passed and yelled at a fellow amateur radio op at 11.4; he normally tells me to go faster, this time he said “wow, you’re going fast!”. THAT was nice to hear!

Splits: 7:35, 7:57, 8:01

Finish!

My official time was 1:48:53 – a PR (and a hard fought one at that!). The radio communications director (also a runner) was stationed near the finish line and came running down to congratulate me – that was a nice end to a tough run!

After that, I enjoyed my post-race festivities (pizza, beer, pretzels, and fruit) and went to watch a friend finish the half. Then I went home and took a nap 🙂

Garmin Data

Cheers!