Masters Weekend Races and Runs

Paid for my massive 12-day streak over the past two weeks and my 40-mile week last week with an achy R knee, so only got 4 runs for 21 miles this week (plus a couple of bike rides). Three more weeks of high school XC for us in AZ and then perhaps I can do something this winter; the father of one of my girls wants to run the mile this spring, so he and I will train together. Meanwhile, I did buy a wool cap in anticipation of the Grand Canyon trip with skinnbones.

Pretty much shrugged off The blue funk from Chicago. Got in a few 3 mile runs and a 30 mile bike ride during this recovery week. Got my eye on a couple five miler race's a week or two away. The stride needs work. Too much marathon shuffle has left me choppy and abrupt.

Congrats to all you guys and gals doing so well.

Recovering from Steamtown blowup :( however, I did run a 5k with my 11 y.o. He wanted to break 30 min, so I paced him. We ran perfect splits: 10, 9:30 , 9 and sprinted in at 29:15. It was a blast - and I hope we both learned something about pacing. What was really fun was pacing people at the end (this is a large 5k), I would accelerate and look over my shoulder and there was my son hanging right behind. Awesome!

Good week for you guys. SoCal Pete, get well man!

Just got back from a long drive up to Humboldt where some athletes I coach and I ran the Humboldt Half Marathon.

Me--meh. I was pegged on 6:20 pace through 11.5 miles and then cramped up, dragging in the last bit for 1:24.50. Just not doing that much volume to sustain the load. A few carbs short...I'd actually expected about a 1:22.xx. Not thrilled or particularly bummed either--it was OK but 4 minutes slower than a half I did two years ago, my last serious race. Our club won the master's PA race so I won some fairly minor $ as our 4th scoring finisher.

The top guys were really crushing it in my age group though (45-49), lots of 1:17s and 1:18s type times.

The people I am coaching are rolling though so I'll take that any day at this point.

A. Fuller (who deserves a shout out) won Mr. Ed's 15K in GA. He had a really nice breakthrough time (47:49), and that could potentially open some doors for the track season.

Also five of six runners had significant, bordering on 'ridiculous' (as opposed to 'rediculous') PRs today. One is battling back from a case of anemia and she was seven minutes faster than her time she did at another half a month ago. Still nearly two minutes off her old PR but we're all ecstatic she is tipping the see-saw back in the right direction.

Time for ZZZzzz while dreaming about the primordial, jaw-dropping trees (oldest/largest on the planet). Humboldt County's half-marathon in Weott is a thoroughly majestic venue. I highly recommend making a three-day trip out of it. If anyone has ever contemplated this race it is well worth the price of admission.

Thanks for sharing that race report.

Whatever Man, great weather up in Humboldt today, eh? Nice race by you and your club. The winner of the 45-49 AG actually crushed it a bit harder with a 1:13:51. Wow!

My apologies for not mentioning Iain Mickle (sp?). Yes--his performance was phenomenal. 'Twas perfect weather too.

Good week here, with 73 miles, a structured fartlek with 100s and 200s at ~ 1500 pace Tuesday, and a local 10k road race Saturday. I managed to snag a 25s PB, which brings the 10k closer in line with the rest of my times.

For some reason, I haven't managed to run a really solid 10k in the last 4-5 years... either I'm not quite in shape, or I'm in shape and the course is hilly or the weather's crap. Saturday everything seemed to finally line up properly, including good competition to key off. I traded surges with a guy over the last 3 km, and then we traded kicks in the final 500. He got ahead of me finally as I slowed to react to a puking sensation with 200 to go, and he nipped me by a half second, but the head to head battle helped drag me to a good time (for me).

This week will be fairly light, recovering from the race, with a 2 mile fun run/race (for my wife's work and bragging rights) Friday morning. Next serious goal race will be the 8k in Philly on 23 November.

Have a great week, everyone!

not a bad week here. Celebrated my divorce being final on Tuesday and then a friend's birthday #1 on Thursday and her birthday #2 on Friday, so I was running on fumes. Ran the Barber to Boise 5K on Saturday, running 17:14 to win the master's age group. Felt good about the first two miles of the race, but I think that the sleep deprivation caught up with me late in the race.

Sunday I ran a solid 18 miler. The Garmin actually read 18.54, but I'll call it 18.0 in 2:00:59, which would equal 6:43 pace. Ran the first 13 with a friend at about 6:45 pace and then dropped it down to 6:15-6:30 pace for the last 5+.Am a bit sore today, but that's to be expected.

Will run the first 20 miles of the Tri Cities Marathon next Sunday to see where I'm at.

Good job to all of you who raced over the weekend. Nice to see that we old guys can still keep up !

whatever man,

Good job and glad to hear we won the Masters team race. I didn't realize we are teammates. I would have felt really bad if we didn't have a full team and I wasn't there. Nice run by Iain.

I ran 16+ fairly hard on Sat, then 10 yesterday with 5 of it pacing a friend in a local 10k. At 52, he's trying to get back in shape after taking several years off. Having some blister problems now on my toes from the mileage. I've been averaging mid 50s for several weeks, which for me is high.

JM

OK, this needs further explanation:

nikeman wrote:Celebrated ... a friend's birthday #1 on Thursday and her birthday #2 on Friday...

She was born twice? ;-)

My wife and I have two wedding anniversaries, since we got married by a judge first and then a priest (for the family), but I didn't think you could arrange similar logistics for your birth. :-)

I was a member way back when, but I have not raced (+ moved around a LOT) in many years, a little like your friend. Clearly I have some work to do. I didn't mind helping "the cause" though, and had informed Thom (he had a helluva race) I would make it up with the runners I coach, so he was counting me in.

You are a middle-distance hammer. Nice work over the recent years.

Hey, this thread is missing something. Where's Sarah? :o)

Howdy Masters.

Late to the party this week. Like SoCal Pete, I feel like I'm in a little re-build/re-charge mode now. Had family in town last week and it threw me off my game. Lots of food and beer, little sleep, not many miles.

Managed a 3(400-800-400) on grass Wednesday but then it was all downhill from there. Skipped a planned race Saturday, and Sunday's backup race. In fact, I took three days off in a row, which I probably haven't done in over a year.

It might have been the break I really needed back in August after track season.

After overcoming the lethargy this morning I felt bouncy and crisp as the fall air.

Have a great week everybody.

nope, one birthday, two parties. of course her actual birthday was on a 'school night', so we had a slightly mellower function, and then pulled out all of the stops on Friday night.

New to the forum, but a competitive master.

Just building up and getting back into shape.

Running alot on the treadmill, but ran twice this weekend outdoors with my twin brother and felt I need to get outdoors more and of the hamster wheel. Former 4:10 miler and looking to run some masters track meets next season.

Humboldt results. Other than overall winner, top age grade performaances by Dennis Kurtis (54M, 1:17:08) and Christine Kennedy (53F, 1:23:42).

http://www.pausatf.org/data/2008/RRHalfHum2008.html

runsaul, welcome aboard.

I find this thread helps keep me inspired by the stories, performances and support.

Right here W man and thanks for noticing. Had another great training week at 45 miles down from 50 the week before but the key thing is I am out of pain for the most part. The injury was a doozy and long lasting, would not wish it on anyone... Basically scar tissue formed in the hip flexor and inguinal area which in turn compressed the femoral nerve creating a severe burning pain 10 mins into every run and essentially shutting down my rectus femoris ( main quad muscle)... I likely incurred it indoors racing the mile and pulling up for a guy in front of me who dramatically slowed for no apparent reason.... it was a gradual slippery slope and the leg/hip got worse and worse with time.

Not to be labor the point but VERY happy to be running and training again with some joy and freedom. Had a lovely if not abit blustery 10+ miler along the Erie canal path and felt good the whole way so still working on my endurance and then speed can come..

Good to know your athletes are all prospering under your guidance and don't be too hard on yourself about your own running.

Lots of good race and training reports out there Master Blasters, have a super week one and all :o)

Thanks RUNINTHESUN

Any possible motivation I can use I'll take.

Tough when you got a family and not enough time to train as I once use to. Anyway, good luck with everyones runs this weekend.