Brighton Chamber of Commerce 5k

Weather Report: Cloudy & Drizzly, 60°F, 72% Humidity, Winds: From SSW @ 3 mph; feels like 60°F.

Cycling: 4 miles (2 x 2 miles)
Run: 3.1 miles in :19:12 min. @ 8:00 a.m.
Pace: 6:12 min./per mile avg.

Pre-Race Observations: Although I haven't mentioned it here, over the past 2-3 months, I have not been sleeping very well. While I'll go to bed feeling fine, I often wake up early in the morning with an aching in my shoulders, legs or pelvic area. Usually, once I have dragged myself from bed and moved around a little bit, I begin to feel fine(r), that is, until then next morning when the cycle starts again.

I woke up this morning, achy, with the idea germinating since registering for the run, that I would be riding my bicycle to this morning's race, since it is only about a mile and a half away and the movement would provide a good opportunity to stretch out my freshly risen body. As I sit here this morning, it is very grey out, and the forecast for rain seems to be coming to fruition, but I'm still planning on biking (roughly 2 miles each way)... it's not like I'll melt!

Post-Run Reflections: Unfortunately the rain did not hold off, but, as I suspected, I also did not melt as the drizzle continued for most of the half-an-hour wait prior to the start, the race itself, and the hour long awards afterwards. In truth, it was refreshing, especially given the lack of precipitation we've been experiencing here in River City.

The run was a success on many levels. I had set a goal of running PR (the course was the same on which I PR'd in December at the same distance) and held out a glimmer of hope that I might break :19:00 min. Official results have not yet been posted, but I believe I shaved a few seconds off my PR! The level of competition was remarkably high, even though there were four(!) other races taking place within driving distance at nearly the same start time.

In the end, I placed thirtieth overall out of a total of 373 finishers, twenty-seventh of 220 men, and second in my age/gender group(M35-39), earning a neat little trophy which took the ride home with me, tied to the carrying rack by bungie chords with my wet clothes and running shoes.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

28th MedVed Lilac 10k

Run: 6.2 miles in :42:24 @ 9:00 a.m.
Pace: :06:50 min. per mile

Weather Report: Light Drizzle, 55°F, 83% Humidity, Winds: From WSW @ 8 mph; feels like 55°F.

Pre-Race Observations: I began yesterday trying to determine the best way to get to this morning's race. The Lilac 10k begins and ends at Highland Park which is only slightly over one mile from our home. The Lilac 10k also happens to be one one of the most highly attended races in the area, by virtue of the fact that it is tied into an internationally recognized flower festival, the Monroe County Lilac Festival. In addition to the fact that the race is a Rochester Runner of the Year Race, meaning that it will typically attract some of the best runners in the Northeast. While these are both fun facts, they don't necessarily apply to me... I'm just here to have fun!

This run will represent my first at this distance (10k/6.2 miles) in a few months after quite a few 5ks. My current PR at the distance is around :42:16 (from December!), so matching (or exceeding) this feels like an appropriate personal goal for today.

Post-Race Reflections: After riding my bicycle to the Highland Park Conservatory, I made my way past the numerous varieties of lilacs to the race start where I had the chance to re-connect with some of my fellow footracers. It was great to see so many folks finishing the 5k Family Fun Run which had started at 8:00 a.m., and so many people preparing to run the 10k in advance of it's 9 0'clock start.

In the end, I nearly matched my previous PR of :42:16, and had I pushed myself a little more, I probably could have shaved at least a few seconds off! A beautiful day for a run and a satisfying time... HUZZAH!

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Freezeroo 1: Ogden 10k

Run: 5k (3.1 miles) in :19:25 min. @ 9:00 a.m.

Weather Report: Cloudy, 29°F, 61% Humidity, Winds: from WSW @ 13 mph; 18°F.

Pre-Race Reflections: Today's run is sponsored by the Greater Rochester Track Club (GRTC), a local runner's organization that promotes running through a series of training opportunities, competitions, clinics, and activities which (to this relative newbie) build a supportive community of runners.

This is my second year attempting to race all six runs in the series and, while I fell short last year, I am planning on participating in the whole series this year. The Ogden 10k was one of the races I actually did complete in December 2005 and thanks to the magic of digital pictures, I recall, "fondly" might not be the word, the cold day last December when I came through the chute.

As I look back through last year's results, I am also reminded of how impressive the collection of local runners participating was: many of the names of those who placed above and below me on the list, I greatly admire, not only because they are fast, but mostly because from what I can tell their attitudes are so supportive. In December 2005, I ran the 10k in :43:04, which is still right around my current PR at the distance... OUCH! Today, as I drink my traditional two cups o' joe and eat my oatmeal, the goal I am setting is to either run a sub-43:00 minute run, or run without regard for my time and be a supportive part of the collective group.

Post-Race Report: I'm not sure if it was the cold or the emotional weight of the past few days, but I managed to channel my energy's into a great run. Not just besting my time from last December, I actually ran a Personal Record (PR) time at the 10k distance, finsihing in an (as yet, "unofficial") time of :42:16, surpassing my previous best 10k of :42:35, which was run this past summer at what I thought was a relatively easy, flat Seneca Falls Womens Rights 10k.

I am kind of embarrassed to have performed so well, given the downplaying of my own motivation to run today. But a PR is a PR and I'll take what I can get.

Embrassez votre été invincible!