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Striders Half Marathon

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Location:

Fort Collins,CO,

Member Since:

May 15, 2003

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

Unaided PR's:
5K: 14:48 (Track - 2001)
10K: 30:45 (Track - 2001)
10K: 31:32 (Bolder Boulder - 2013)
Half Marathon: 1:06:09 (Duluth - 2013)
Marathon: 2:17:54 (Grandma's) - 2014)
Marathon: 2:19:47 (Indianapolis Monumental - 2013)
Marathon: 2:19:49 (Indianapolis Monumental - 2010)

Aided PR's:
10K: 29:38 (Des News - 2011)
Half Marathon: 1:05:30 (TOU Half - 2011)
Marathon: 2:18:09 (St George - 2007)
Marathon: 2:17:35 (Boston - 2011)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in June of 2008. Started taking Enbrel in March, 2009.

Run as much as I can, and race as well as I can. Make the most of however much time I have left as an able-bodied runner.

Training for the 2018 Colorado Marathon

Long-Term Running Goals:

  Run until I'm old, and then run some more. Stand tall.

Personal:

1 wife, 2 kids. 1 cat. Work as a GIS Specialist/Map Geek

Endure and persist; this pain will turn to your good. - Ovid

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - Romans 5:1-5

 

 

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony Trail Shoe Lifetime Miles: 247.50
Hoka Clifton Lifetime Miles: 491.50
Saucony Type A6 Lifetime Miles: 186.50
Saucony Zealot Lifetime Miles: 478.75
Saucony Kinvara 6 Lifetime Miles: 433.50
Saucony Kinvara 6-2 Lifetime Miles: 358.75
Brooks Pure Connect Blue Lifetime Miles: 337.25
New Balance Trainers Lifetime Miles: 314.50
New Balance 1400 Racers Lifetime Miles: 65.00
Brook Pureflow Lifetime Miles: 99.50
Race: Striders Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:13:10, Place overall: 2
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesCrosstraining milesTotal Miles
3.900.0013.100.000.0017.00

Today was the Winter Racing Series Half Marathon, better known as the Striders Half Marathon. I was a bit nervous about this race, not necessarily about the actual running, but rather about what to wear. WHAT DO I WEAR?? That's what I was thinking all week, once it become clear that it would be snowy, windy, and about 30 degrees at the start. The thought and indecision was consuming me. Tights? No, too lame. Arm warmers? Maybe, but do they warm the arms enough? Heavy gloves or two pairs of light gloves? Garmin or sports watch? Underwear or no underwear? I DON'T KNOW! It's the little things that matter, and since I don't really train anymore, I try to focus on the trivial.

For the record it was cold, windy, and with flurries of snow at the busing area. Once we bused up to the start line, it was merely cold with no flurries, no wind anymore. I ended up wearing compression socks, racing shorts, underwear, a tech t-shirt with a singlet over it, arm warmers, a full stocking hat, a long-sleeve tech shirt over the singlet, a stylish Nike sports watch, and two pairs of thin gloves. And socks and shoes. It was a lovely array, and if I could do it all over again, I'd do it the same way.

The race started, and I quickly evaluated how I felt: toasty and warm. Yesss...the long-sleeve tech shirt was paying off. At Mile 3, I got too toasty, and shed the long-sleeve shirt, which was the plan from the beginning. Now I was sleeker, better ventilated, and looking like one bad dude with my arm sleeves and compressions socks (a nod to Steve Hooper for accessorizing me so well).

For the next several miles, there was still no wind, and I was very comfortable. Life was good. Then at Mile 6.5 or so, we turn out of the canyon and starting going around the reservoir. We picked up a little cross wind and headwind here, but it was not bad. My temperature was good, and I experienced a healthy mix of sweat and ventilation.

This continued until Mile 10, and it all crashed around me. The best laid plans of mice and men...

We got a nasty headwind, and it made me cold. Cold, I HATE cold. And I was hating running and hating life, mournfully recanting my decision to shed the shirt earlier. Why was this happening to me?? What bad deed did I do to deserve this?

And it only got worse. Soon my hands were numb, making splits from my stylish sports watch nearly impossible to get. I was miserable.

Finally, I got to the last turn, with 0.1 miles to go, and the headwind turned into a tailwind. That was sweet, heck ya. And I finished the race with a time of one-something.

After finishing the race, I grabbed some food, and then Cody, Jon, and I sat in my car with the engine idling and heat full-blast for about 30 minutes (I kid you not). We were all bummed about having to wait around after the race instead of going straight home, but I apparently my time won some sort of door prize or money or something, and I decided it was worth staying for, since I can more running clothes with that money.

After the awards, we helped push some cars out of the mud, and some old rich guy's Jag sprayed mud all over my pants and jacket. That was lame, but then I remembered that I had more clothes at home.

All in all, I would describe this race as "Ploptastic".

*********

Running-related race report:

Alexander Tomas dusted everyone from the start, and he was plain gone. Ran with Steve Ashbaker and James Moore through 2 miles. Separated myself from everyone after that, and ran the rest of the race by my lonesome. At the turn at Mile 6.5, Alexander had 70 seconds on me, and I couldn't feel anyone close behind me. So the rest of the race was just making sure I didn't fall apart, and to secure my 2nd place.

My watch ran out of memory, but off of my own faulty memory, my mile splits were 5:21, 5:20, 5:20, 5:13, 5:20, 5:20, 5:31, 5:40, 5:45, 5:32, 6:00, 6:02, 6:00, 0:37 (0.1). As you can see, losing the downhill put on about 10 seconds/mile, the slight headwind from Miles 7-10 put on an additional 5-10 seconds/mile, and the severe headwind from Miles 10-13 put on about 20 seconds/mile beyond all that.

I was feeling great through Mile 7, and thought I had a really good chance for 1:11 or even a high 1:10. But the headwind quickly revealed my vulnerabilities and brought me to my knees (metaphorically, but almost physically too). I've noticed over the years that adverse conditions, such as hills, heat, or wind, will hurt a less-fit runner more than an extremely fit runner. Today, the wind really whipped me into submission, whereas Alexander broke the course record in spite of wind. I just kept telling myself that the people behind me were slowing down as much as me, and just to hold strong and finish the race.

Fortunately, I have 4 weeks to toughen up and get some good training in before Indianapolis. 5:20 pace felt quite comfortable while the wind was favorable, so I do have hopes for going under 1:10 in better weather, on a flat, sea-level course with good competition.

Today, I was happy with 2nd, as it was quite a bit higher than I thought I would finish. It was a bit humbling to get beat my 4 minutes and to have my own course record broken by 10 seconds, but life is requires constant humbling so I look at it as a blessing.

Saucony Tangent Miles: 14.00Brooks Adrenaline 8, #1 Miles: 3.00
Comments
From redrooster on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 15:43:19 from 71.219.120.101

I am in awe of you guys. great job, I cant wait to see what happens in Indy!!

From Adam RW on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 16:25:06 from 98.202.223.65

"Ploptastic" Glad you got some money for your efforts. Sorry to read what you had to go through for it but thanks for the entertainment...

From adamr on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 16:53:49 from 76.23.39.102

all and all, it was the best summer ever.

THE END.

From superfly on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 17:46:59 from 216.169.65.184

A good read... sounds like a crazy race. Great job man you always amaze me.

From Jon on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 18:38:43 from 75.169.149.246

Paul- love your race report. Very Paul-like. You sound like a fashion-crazed girl. But you forgot to mention how you ran an amazing race, kicked everyone's butt, and took 2nd place. By a long shot. Nice job. And thanks for driving.

From James on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 18:47:48 from 71.199.40.246

I enjoyed your entry, and the fashion part too. Good race for out of shape, not much training Paul! Who won?

From redrooster on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 19:04:07 from 71.219.120.101

James- Alexander Tomas, 1:09... who is thus guy??

From paul on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 22:03:42 from 75.162.105.45

All - thanks. I decided that too many of my race reports are about running, so I decided to write about something else for once.

I don't know much about Alexander Tomas other than that he's a super-stud. That was an amazing time in those conditions. He's been around at races for a few years, but today is the first time I met him. Can't say I've ran against him yet, though, since apparently we were in different races.

From Twinkies on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 22:05:51 from 207.155.176.10

Fast race. You are super speedy. I too finished at a time of one-something. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you today. The weather wasn't that great for socializing. Perhaps at I warmer race we will meet. Great job though.

From Adam RW on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 22:08:52 from 98.202.223.65

Paul, We come to your blog to hear both. The entertaiment factor is well worth it. Plus the awe of reading about a super stud!

FYI for those of you that didn't see the Running of the Leopards 5K results Alexander Tomas ran a there last Saturday finishing 5th in a 14:39.

From james on Sun, Apr 05, 2009 at 00:08:09 from 67.172.226.141

Alex ran 1:11 at this race last year. I know there was a headwind then too, but still the guy must be taking it to another level. He dominated the SLCTC winter series last year too. Anyway, nice job Paul.

From MichelleL on Sun, Apr 05, 2009 at 12:01:44 from 71.35.248.79

So funny! Sounded like you had your whole wardrobe on.

From cody on Sun, Apr 05, 2009 at 21:21:38 from 67.161.250.22

Sweet race, but the race report was even better. The best part was that it is all true. You were debating the wardrobe for the entire hour and half drive.

From Burt on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 at 00:13:52 from 98.167.151.26

Cody - was he also singing the lyrics to the Shania Twain song "I Feel Like a Woman?"

From Burt on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 at 00:14:15 from 98.167.151.26

Oh, great job Paul.

From seth on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 at 11:11:42 from 155.97.15.168

Great Job Paul.

Tough race in rough conditions. I hope that you buys some more quality running gear with the money.

PS Alexander Tomas ran at the U of U. His wife ran in the last olympic marathon. They are super nice, good people.

From Dave S on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:55:06 from 4.254.231.203

Loved that race report. Great job on the race.

From Ruthie on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:55:39 from 129.123.242.108

Nice one! You're hilarious and freaking fast... good combo.

From David on Thu, Apr 09, 2009 at 01:00:48 from 24.18.113.248

If you're going into that much detail on the wardrobe, I'd like to see photos. And being a Calvinist at heart, you know what deeds you've done to deserve such a day -- and why summer and warm, sunny evenings are coming.

Good race, take care of yourself and get the germs out of your house.

From paul on Thu, Apr 09, 2009 at 08:29:15 from 75.162.108.193

Sorry, no photos that I know of. And a true Calvinist would say that the day was predetermined regardless of the deeds. The deeds merely prove the election of the day. Luther, on the other hand, would have completed the whole half marathon on his knees, praying every step.

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