Finish Line Sports 30K

The final race of the three race marathon warm-up series was this past Sunday. The Finish Line Sports 30K is hosted every year out in Sugar Land. The 18.6 mile course starts in Sugar Land Town Center, and it is what I would call a modified triple loop course. I call it modified because you run a little over 3 miles before you get to the 4.2 mile loop, and you run approximately 2.5 miles back to Sugar Land Town Center.

Race morning was a started out kind of cool, but it was a great temperature for a longer race. The only problem with the weather was that it was a tad on the windy side. It made for a rough last 4 miles of the race since they were all pretty much into the wind. It really made it tough to make up any time coming down the home stretch.

I can't say that I was dissatisfied with my performance, but I was hoping I would have done a little better. I finished with a time of 2:28:48, and I had an average pace of 7:59 per mile. The good news is my second 15K (7:56/mile) was faster than my first 15K (8:03/mile). I had planned to run right at an 8:00 pace for the first third to half of the race. I planned to pick up the pace for the second half and test myself to see what kind of shape I was in. I wanted my average pace to be closer to 7:50 than to 8:00. If my average pace was a little lower, I would feel more confident in my ability to run a 3:30:00 marathon come January 30. Overall, I think it was a pretty good Sunday morning run.

Sugar Land Turkey Trot 5 Miler

I decided that I needed to run a turkey trot this year on Thanksgiving. There are probably four or five different ones in the Houston area. I chose the Sugar Land Turkey Trot because it started at a decent time, and it fit the mileage I needed for my training plan that day. The race started at 8:30 which is later than most races, but I wouldn't have to get up too early on my day off so I was happy.

The race started off at a fast pace. I ran my first mile at a 7:00 pace. I had planned to start off about 7:15. I could tell about 1/2 mile into the race I was going to struggle a little bit. I had done a pretty tough speed workout on Tuesday so my legs felt kind of dead. My pace continued to slide through out the race. My splits were 7:00, 7:05, 7:07, 7:12, and 7:13 according to my Garmin. There was also an extra .06 miles that took 22 seconds on my Garmin. My official time was 36:00 even. It figured out to a 7:12 pace over the five mile course.

I was fairly satisfied with my time, especially, after I felt how tired my legs were 1/2 mile in. I think it ended up being a great idea to run. I didn't feel bad about eating some extra calories this year at Thanksgiving. I also know that I probably would not have run on my own that day. I would have slept in, and I would have watched the Aggie game in the evening. I might have to make this part of every Thanksgiving.

New Stuff

So I got some new stuff about week and a half ago. It's not very exciting stuff, but I still like getting new things. It's actually just some safety stuff for when I run. I got a Road ID for my shoes and a Supernova Firefly light to wear when I run in the dark.


The Road ID has all my emergency information so that if something were to happen to me, and I would be found laying in a ditch, whoever found me would know who to call. Road ID will engrave whatever you want on the plate. I got my name, birth year, Sarah's cell and work numbers, NKA (no known allergies), No Medical History, and my insurance policy number engraved on mine.


The FireFly Supernova light is small, but it is bright. It clips on your waistband and flashes so cars can see you in the dark. I think that if I get hit, the driver did it on purpose because I can see it reflecting off of houses in the neighborhood when I run. You would have to be blind not to see it.

Hopefully, I won't get hit by a car now, but if I do, they will know who to call when they see the Road ID on my shoe!!!

HMSA Classical 25K

Yesterday (11/14/2010), I ran the Houston Masters Sports Association Classical 25K. 25K is almost dead on 15.5 miles for those of you not familiar with the metric system. It is the second race in the warm-up series for the Chevron Houston Marathon. I'm using the warm-up races to get ready for the marathon. I'm trying out my pace on some longer runs, getting used to running in crowds, figuring out when to take fuel, and learning how to use the water stops. This was the fourth race I have done this fall, and I feel more accustomed to all of this each time. It's way different than running by yourself and just reaching down to your Fuel-Belt for a drink or a shot of gel.

The race was a triple loop course so it's kind of a three chapter report. My plan was to average 8:00 per mile for the race. I chose this to see if my marathon goal of 3:30:00 is realistic. To meet this goal, I would have to average 8:00 over the full 26.2 mile course. I decided to try to run negative splits. Planning my pace to be 8:15 for the first loop, 8:00 for the second, and 7:45 for the final loop for an 8:00 average.

Now, here are the details of what happened. I did a good job of holding back and not going out too fast. I finished the first lap at an average pace of 8:19. It was a little slower than plan, but not too far off. On the second loop, I went a little faster than the plan. I saw a guy I work with about a 1/4 mile ahead of me when I made the half-way turn so I ran to catch up with him. The second loop finished out at 7:51. It was faster than planned, but I made up the time I was behind after the first loop, and I gave myself a small cushion in case I started to run out of gas on the final loop. On the final lap, the wind was blowing so I just tried to focus on staying smooth and keeping my pace up. The final hill was a little bit of a struggle, but when I got to the top, I could see the finish line. It was literally all down-hill from there. I finished the third, and final loop, at a pace of 7:44. I ran my planned time for the final lap, and even added another second per mile for cushion. My official time was 2:02:48.1, and I had an average pace of 7:54 per mile for the race.

I was able to run my goal pace of 8:00 per mile, but I think it might not be realistic for the marathon. I may have to tone it down a bit for the "Big" race. I was pretty dead at the end of the race. I will give it another shot at the Finish Line Sports 30K on December 12 in Sugar Land. The 30K is the final race in the warm-up series. I will just have a couple more long runs after that. Then, I will start my taper for the marathon on January 30.

New Marathon Goal

I haven't really set a time goal for the marathon this year. I really just thought I wanted to finish, but training is going better than expected. I also have learned about my abilities running the warm-up series. After not running for five years, I had no clue what times I was capable of running. I have set an aggressive goal of finishing the marathon in 3:30:00. I will get a gauge on the reality of this in the final two warm-up races on November 14 and December 12. I may have to scale my goal back to 3:40:00. I will still be happy with time. It would be 27 minutes faster than my last marathon in October 2005.

Because I just figured out how to post pictures, these are some pictures from the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon I wanted to post a few months ago, but I just couldn't get it to work.

Cold Weather Running

This weekend was the first time it was cold since I started my training. Well, cold for the Houston area anyway. When it has started to cool off in the past, I have just decided to pack it in until Spring and go sit on the couch. However, I have a marathon at the end of January so I have to continue training this year. It was 39 degrees at 5:45AM when we started our run this morning. Luckily, the wind wasn't blowing.

Being from the southern half of Texas, I don't really own any cold weather running gear. I dressed in running shorts, a technical t-shirt (short sleeved), and a pair of running gloves. After I got started, it warmed up quite a bit. Well, I warmed up. The temperature actually got a little cooler as the sun rose. I bought the gloves a few weeks ago in preparation of the upcoming winter. Best $20 I have spent in a while. Another guy in our group was dressed like I was, sans the gloves. His hands were miserably cold when we finished. I can highly recommend the ASICS Thermopolis glove shown below. Not too hot, and not so thin the wind goes through them.


I have also ordered some other cold weather gear so I am prepared in case we actually do get a cold spell hear in the Houston area. I have a pair of running pants and a hat on the way. I've gotten a couple of long sleeved technical shirts at races lately. Even if I'm not that fast, I'll at least look good.

Under the Night Sky

Tonight was a great night for running. The weather was cool, the sky was clear, the stars were out, and the neighborhood was quiet. I found myself thanking God several times in my run. Thanking him for the weather, for being able to run, for living where I do. I saw this video on YouTube a couple of weeks ago when I heard Ryan Hall was going to be a Luke's Locker in Houston. I was looking for his finish from the Aramco Half-Marathon in 2007. I remember watching it on TV when he set the American record, and I see his autographed picture crossing the finish line every time I go in On The Run here in Pearland. Ever since I've seen this video, I've had a different attitude about running. I used to constantly be trying to figure out how much farther I had to go. Now, I just enjoy it. My training has taken another step, and I'm beginning to think I might need to set a new goal for the marathon. Watch the video. Who knows, it might inspire you to start running. Even if it is just for some time alone.

PARC Monster Dash

On October 30, I ran the Pearland Area Runners Club annual Monster Dash. They do a 5K/10K in Pearland every year the weekend before Halloween. I did the 10K. It was a smaller race, and I finished 7th overall, 2nd in my age group.

I am still learning how to race so I don't know how to pace myself. I averaged about 7:40 for the first 5 miles, and then I averaged 6:40 for the last 1.2. I had way too much left in the tank. Oh well, after the marathon I'll be able to do some of these shorter races. I enjoy being able to compete, and they don't take as much of your day.

Houston Striders Half Marathon and Relay

On October 24, I ran the Houston Striders Half Marathon. It is part of the warm-up series for the Chevron Houston Marathon in January. The warm-up series is a series of three races leading up to the marathon. It consists of the Houston Striders Half Marathon, the Houston Masters Sports Association 25K, and the Finish Line Sports 30K.

Back to the half marathon. First, the weather was too warm for comfort when running a half marathon. I knew I was going to be in trouble when I was covered in sweat after the first mile and a half. The first 9 miles or so went off as planned, maybe even a little better. I decided to try and push the pace with 5 miles left. I ran the last five miles all right around 8:00, and mile 12 was even 7:48. I was hoping to average about 7:30-7:40 for the last five miles, but the heat had drained me. I had nothing left in the tank. I finished with an official time of 1:49:11.

When I finished, I was a little disappointed with my time, but after talking with people over the last week, I feel pretty good about it. Everybody struggled it seems like. Even a couple of the elite runners I've spoken with had a rough time. Hopefully, the weather is cooler for the HMSA 25K on November 14.

United Space Alliance 10 Miler and Update

Last week, I ran the United Space Alliance 10 Miler. It was the first time I had run a race since my last marathon in October 2005. I did not know what pace I could hold because I hadn't even really pushed myself in training. I decided I would run the first half of the race at 9:00/mile pace and pick it up from there if I felt good. Let's just say I felt pretty good at the half-way point so I picked it up a little bit. I averaged 8:59/mile over the first five miles, and I averaged 7:49/mile over the last five miles. I finished with a total time of 1:23:58 for a per mile average of 8:24.

Training is still going pretty well. My second half of the race made me decide that I can push myself a little more. I am going to do a 15 mile this evening. I have a half-marathon next weekend. I'm going to try a little bit quicker pace. I am going to use the races in the warm-up series to help establish my pace for race day at the end of January. These will be a good gauge of my fitness and ability before I run my marathon.

Hammer Down?

So I learned about Hammer Nutrition endurance supplements this weekend. I've been doing some research on them this weekend. Pretty interesting stuff. I've found 2 or 3 people I know that use them, and they have given them good reviews. I think I'm going to give them a try. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks how they are working.

Two Weeks In, Feeling Great

Yesterday, was exactly two weeks since I started the official training program on July 17. I've only missed one workout. Hopefully, nothing will come up where I have to miss many more.

We have seminars about different topics every week after we run. I also have been reading up on different topics, nutrition, cross training, equipment, etc... I am realizing there is a lot more to this than just running. I already knew that, but this is just reinforcing what I have heard in the past. I'm going to need to start doing some strength training on Mondays and Wednesdays. I am also thinking about getting started on Hammer Nutrition products. These are things I know I will need to do to improve and stay injury free as I continue my training.

I've Made a Commitment

Well, I made a financial commitment this morning by joining the Pearland Fit training group. I have to stick with it now and finish the marathon, or my wife will kill me. The only way I won't do the marathon now is if I don't get selected in the lottery system for the registration. The first meeting for the training group is this Saturday, July 17. Wish me luck.

Sticking with it...So Far

Well, it's been a week and a half since I started running again. I haven't missed a day yet, running on MWFS. I've felt good and haven't been sore or fatigued. I'm just concentrating on getting a little bit of a base established before I get into the higher mileage. I've been running anywhere from 2.5 to 3.25 miles each time out. I've been concentrating on not starting out too fast and running negative splits. So far, so good. We'll see if I can keep it up until the marathon at the end of January.

I'm debating if I should join Pearland Fit. Pearland Fit is a training program with a local group that provides coaching and workouts here locally. It costs another $120 in addition to the marathon entry fee. I know last time I ran a marathon, I seriously lacked motivation to do the longer runs on my own. We'll see what I decide.

First Run

I started my training today. I know race day is still a long way off, but it has been five years since I have run. I did better than I expected, but I also realized I had a long way to go. I had no idea how far I was going to run when I left the house. I was just going to run a loop around the neighborhood. I'll have to plan out some routes so I can get my distances down for my training runs when I get into the training program.

Distance: 2.40 Miles
Time: 21:25
Avg Pace: 8:56 per Mile

How it Started

I have once again gotten the itch to start running again. It started a few weeks ago when I saw an ad for a marathon training group here in Pearland. Then, I got a message from a high school friend on Facebook saying a group of our high school classmates should run the Chevron Houston Marathon in January. I thought about it for a few days, but not seriously.

This week on the "Biggest Loser" they ran a marathon like they do every season. One of the contestants did pretty well. He ran a 4:02 marathon. That did it for me. I decided to run another marathon. I was a little embarassed that a guy that weighed in at 375 pounds six months ago beat my marathon time by 5 minutes. I know I can run better than the 4:07 I did five years ago if I train properly.

My goal for the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 30, 2011 is to run a sub-4 hour marathon. I would really like to get below 3:45. We'll have to see how training goes. My ultimate goal if I can stick with it for another couple of years is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

I'm going to use this blog as my training log. I'll log the details of my runs from here.