Post London through July

Post London Events

I know I haven’t been posting much these past months but I’ve been busy training and working on the website (www.ClydesdaleRunningCompany.com). I’ve done quite a few events in the past 8 months so here’s the races from Early May through July:

Poca River 15k (west of Charleston, WV): This race is supposedly the oldest road race in West Virginia and was my first after London. This is a very small race with around 150 or so involved and is run on county roads. It was very rolling throughout and a little warmer than I expected. I knew early it would be a struggle! I was expecting a 15k PR but at the halfway point I knew it wasn’t meant to be. I limped in the last two miles and knew that hill work was important if you want to race on them! One day I’ll learn! All in all a good race and one to do if you have nothing else going on that weekend!

Cleveland Half Marathon: I’ve done this race 3 times and each time with a different course. This time, I think they got it right! Very cool temps and after a somewhat rolling (not a ton) first 3 miles, it was pretty much pancake flat from 4-11 and my mile splits showed it! While I didn’t think I was really in shape enough to PR, by mile 11 I thought if I could hang on, I would do just that! Unfortunately going over the bridge around 12 took it out of me and I missed my mark by 26 seconds. Wonderful, crisp day and I may just go for 4 straight next year!

UA 5 Miler: This is the annual Memorial Day run just down the street from my house and it’s typically ridiculously HOT! This year it was in the high 50’s/low 60’s! This race is somewhat tough because the first 2 miles are downhill and the next 2 are largely up! On the first of 3 uphills, I passed this guy and while it wasn’t’ much of an event with me, apparently he thought it was. I remained consistent but he passed me on the flat and we did this again on each of the final hills. I was convinced he was trying to beat me (rather than just do his best) but I knew I was closing fast over the last half mile. We made the final turn and I blew by him (well, as much as I can blow by someone anyway!!) and I crossed the line in a new PR for me at that distance! I’m sure as long as I’m able and in town, this will remain an annual event for me!

Columbus 10k (6/7/09): This is the oldest road race in Columbus but had a new course for 2009. The annual 9am start always stinks because it’s typically HOT and this year was no different. I went out way too hard and thought I’d pay for it but fortunately the water stops hit just right and I was able to hang on throughout for another PR! Great course changes with the start and finish by COSI! Post race breakfast at Rise and Dine was a plus, too!!!

Race for Ellie 5k (6/14/09): I had no intention on running this hard as I had done a hard workout the day before. I started with Julie and ran the first half mile with her far harder than I wanted (she said she was taking easy but she wasn’t!!). From the 1 mile mark forward, I was just hanging on and I’m sure my heart rate was close to a million! I finished in another PR but not surprising because I don’t do many of these! This race is for a great cause and a two lap course. Fun run!

Garry Bjorkland Half Marathon (Duluth, MN 6/20/09): This race was supposed to be a run in cooler temperatures but unfortunately it wasn’t the case! They almost had to cancel due to record heat (in the low 90’s by the afternoon!). I would imagine this race to be a great one in normal conditions! Fantastic fan support and a pretty run along the lake! The heat got to me around mile 11 but I still finished with a respectable time. It was fun hanging out with George, Robin and Jim Miller (who all ran Grandma’s Marathon).

Firecracker 10 miler (Hilliard, OH 7/4/09): Yet another boring race on the rails to trails but I needed to get a training run in that morning so it seemed to fit. It wasn’t a PR but it was a good effort! I didn’t stick around for the post race pizza but it was great to see so many of my friends there!

Joker’s Wild Half Marathon (St. Louis, 7/12/09): I drove over 2 days before the race and was happy to see my friend Kelly that weekend! After hanging on Friday night and Saturday night with her, I did the race on Sunday AM. The course is a double loop with 1 killer hill at mile 3 and 9 (as I recall). The heat was worse than the Duluth race above and there was no wind. It was BRUTAL! By mile 8, I was pretty much done but eased it in for the finish! Post race IHOP was awesome!! A fun time but I’m not so sure I’d do that race again.

Nationwide Better Health 10 Miler (Columbus 7/18/09): A freakishly cool July day led to fast times at this double out and back at Antrum Park. I beat my goal time by about 2 minutes on this flat and scenic course!

Riley’s Rumble Half Marathon (Boyd’s, Maryland 7/26/09): A very hilly race run out in the country. I was definitely unprepared for the hills! We started running in a downpour and by mile 3 I felt a little twinge in my hamstring. I decided the last 10 miles would be at a VERY easy clip so as not to further aggravate it! The water stop at mile 8served Flavor-ice only and while it was a nice thought, water would have been better! Had I had a better day, I’m’ sure I would have enjoyed this race. It was rural and scenic running through about 10 miles of trees on country roads. With the rain and subsequent heat and stifling humidity, I’m just glad I finished! Not a race you’d do to PR but at $10 for the entry fee, if you live out that way, you should give it a try!

That gets us through July! September through November coming soon!

Happy Running and Run Big!!