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So I've decided to start upping my weekly mileage. This is in response to a few things. One, I feel like I am ready as my shins have felt better with the every-other-day routine I was doing. Two, we will be running a 10K race on September 21st. But most of all I am upping my weekly mileage in preparation for a marathon on January 19th in Phoenix, AZ.
My cousins (Derek and Trevor) and I have given this marathon serious consideration. There are many pros to doing this marathon. It's a new state for Trevor which helps him get closer to his goal of a marathon or ultra-marathon in every state. Derek always said the next marathon he would do is a rock n roll marathon which this one just happens to be. It's great for me because it gives me two experienced marathon runners to run with on my first marathon.
The decision is not etched in stone yet, but I'm really excited about the idea of doing this marathon.
This past Saturday five family members, including myself, took part in a 5K race in Gorham, ME. The family members were my cousins Derek and Trevor, my sister, and my wife. This is a smaller race that only drew 56 runners total. Because of that I felt Trevor had a good shot at possibly winning the race. Besides Trevor having a great shot, the rest of us had a chance to do well in our age categories.
The conditions were good. No wind, a bit on the warmer side, and mildly humid. It could've been worse, it could've been better, but no complaints here. I did a better job of controlling myself on the start. The first 5K I ran I went out way too fast and battled through lactic acid pain the rest of the race. This race I was better prepared and paced myself at the start. Trevor got out in front early and I lost sight of him before the first mile marker. My goal was to hit the first mile in about 6:50. I was ahead of that pace by 14 seconds and I felt surprisingly good. My fear at that point was if I was going to be able to maintain that pace for the remainder of the race. I just kept telling myself to stay loose and just go by feel. I was somewhat winded, but I was not in any pain. My lower legs felt a little tired, but nothing I couldn't continue to run through.
Shortly after the mile marker I passed two people that shot out at the start. At the water station I just grabbed a cup and threw it all over myself to cool off. That felt great. I then settled in behind an older guy that seemed to be keeping a good pace. Right before the two mile marker there was a short hill and he faded badly on that hill and that was where I was able to pass him. I passed the two mile marker at 13:40 something which put me at about a 7:00 minute mile for the second mile. Way up ahead was a younger kid, part of the Massabesic X-Country team. I didn't think I'd be able to catch him, but on the next to last turn, I found myself gaining ground. I didn't want to kick too early so I held back as long as I could. At the last turn before the finish I was right behind him. Shortly after the turn I made my kick and pulled ahead by about 10 - 15 yards and was able to hold him off through the finish. I was definitely winded when I finished but as I look back I feel maybe I could've pushed myself a little more. My cousin was ready to punt after the race. Maybe that's pushing a little too much but I feel maybe I should've been hurtin a little more than I was. I will keep that in mind for my next race.
To sum it up we all ran well. Derek PR'd by almost a full minute. I PR'd by 11 seconds, my sister PR'd and my wife hit her goal of finishing the race without stopping. Trevor PR'd and finished third overall with a time of 18:44. Trevor also won 1st for his age group while his brother Derek took home 2nd in the same age group. I won my age group and my sister finished 2nd in her age group. All in all it was a successful run on many fronts. The lack of participation played a role in all of these accolades, but nonetheless it was fun and a great feeling to be recognized.
Ladies and gentlemen, you're 3rd place finisher:
A look at the final results:
It's been a while since I've updated my blog and things have changed for me as far as running goes. Due to my lingering shin splint problem I have decided to cut back my running. I have adopted a schedule of running every other day until my shin splints are completely gone. They definitely feel better with this schedule and I'm hoping over a short period they will eventually go away.
My runs as of late have been shorter. I did a 2 miler last Friday and then I took off Sunday morning with the intent of only doing 3 miles, but I felt great and decided to just wander. I ended up doing 4 miles and although my shin started to hurt a little toward the end I feel like they are improving. I woke up this morning to torrential downpours and lightning so I had to postpone this morning's run until tonight. I'm hoping to do 5 miles tonight but it will be based on how my shins feel. Git er done.
After a week of vacation it's back to reality. There's nothing like vacation though and to top it all off I was able to get some running in with my cousin Trevor. This is great for me because he is so much better than I am, it pushes me to another level and makes me a better runner. I made my longest run while on vacation and also ran my most miles in a week up at the Poose. The roads were extremely crowned up there and although my shins didn't bother me too much, there is still some lingering pain. Enough pain at times for me to debate whether I should take a few days or even a week off from running, but I just can't get myself to do it. Espcially when I'm less than two weeks away from my second 5K race. Maybe after the race, a break can be taken, but until then, I'ma keep running and git er done.
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