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.