October 2018 Monthly Running Challenge
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@ContraryMaryMary: Smashed it!? You killed it! Congratulations - what a fantastic race!1
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ContraryMaryMary wrote: »I had a fabulous run today at the Auckland Half. Started badly when my alarm didn't go off (set for 4:15pm instead of am *rolls eyes* total rookie error). I was due to be picked up at about 4:50 and scrambled out of bed at 4:47 with three minutes to get ready. And now I truly know the benefit of having everything laid out and ready to go - I even had my breakfast prepped so ate that in the car!
The girl who was driving us (Kirsty) had told me pick up times, and while I did think it was rather early and vaguely remember being picked up at 5:30am last year, I didn't question it and certainly didn't want a repeat of last year's debacle where I missed the start of the race lost minutes weaving my way through the walkers. Anyhow, because we were so early we got a park really close to the finish line and there was no queue for the ferry at all. Kirsty was a bit stressed and made us walk really fast to the ferry terminal and was apologising profusely that we may only just make the 6am start. And I was, "but the half doesn't start till 6:50!"
So, we got to the start with about 45 minutes to spare. This meant time to check the shoes (I have this thing where sometimes my socks are pulled too tight around my toes and while its ok for an hour, my feet eventually go numb), have loads of caffeine, a loo stop (no queues here either) and generally mill about and absorb the atmosphere.
We had had some torrential rain overnight and I was prepared for more, however, aside from a light misty drizzle for about half an hour, by the time we were in the starting chute, we had blue skies overhead. It was cool - about 15˚C - and the wind had dropped, and although clear overhead, the bank of cloud to the east meant the sun didn't hit us until about 8:30, when we were nearly done. Perfect running conditions.
Thanks to our early arrival, we were well placed near the front of the chute - this is a big event, with about 6000 participants who are largely hopeless at seeding themselves. This is probably the first time I've run it without feeling like I spent the first 5k passing people. So, a great start.
My goal was to run a sub-1:50:00. I got close in 2014 with a 1:50:34 but this is a hilly and crowded course and it's easy to lose a half a minute here and there. My target was a 5:10 pace - a daunting prospect. The first five kilometres of the course are pretty hilly and my first kilometre came in at 5:30 which was a good warm-up pace. I expected to slowly drop lower and was surprised my second kilometre was 5:06. I was feeling great so just carried on. The sixth kilometre (the first more downhill than up) saw my first sub-5 minute kilometre and I was thrilled that I was running so well and feeling so great, however, I was very aware that I was only a quarter of the way in.
The second five kilometre block breezed by at a smidge over 5 minute pace along with the next few k's. Then we got to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. They call it a bridge, but if you're a runner, it's a long slow hill. K14 was 5:15, and K15 was 5:45 - it's hard, but the views are fab. And once you hit the apex you know there's only one other short climb before a final flat 5k.
I was still feeling great so used the steep downhill of the bridge to get back up to speed and up that final rise, getting a 4:54 for that stretch, which was pleasing. Then it was a case of keeping on. I still felt amazing and continued at 5:03 pace for a couple of kilometres, then it was just three kilometres to go so I focussed on my form, reengaged my glutes and started pushing with what I had left. K19 came in at 4:52, K20 at 4:51, and K21 at 4:53. It was only in the last couple of hundred metres that I started to feel it, but kept pushing - the end was in sight and the crowds huge (no place to peter out!).
Finished in 1:48:44. My official pace was 5:10, but according to my Garmin I actually ran 21.4km, so my average pace was 5:04 (hard to run a perfect line). Either way, however, I achieved my goal and was so happy with how the day had gone. Still buzzing eight hours later!!
TL:DR - Smashed it. Totally stoked.
Whoop whoop Well done! And next year I'll join you when you run sub 1:45:00
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Ha @avidkeo, would that be nice. It is my ultimate goal to run a 1:45 but that will require and average pace of 5 minutes - and with what I learned about today’s line and the fact I had to run an extra 300 metres - a 1:45:00 will require a 4:54 average pace, and I’m getting older not younger!!
Something to aim for I guess. Also a good question for the group - what age is peak running? How long can you continue to improve before age becomes a factor?
I’m my fastest ever and 44.5 -
On my way out to a nice little 5k race that was advertised as a flat course but when I drove up there yesterday to pick up the bibs was surrounded by hills I had to drive up in 1st gear :-/
I may or may not return lol7 -
@ContraryMaryMary W00T! You a super star! Well done!2
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ContraryMaryMary wrote: »Ha @avidkeo, would that be nice. It is my ultimate goal to run a 1:45 but that will require and average pace of 5 minutes - and with what I learned about today’s line and the fact I had to run an extra 300 metres - a 1:45:00 will require a 4:54 average pace, and I’m getting older not younger!!
Something to aim for I guess. Also a good question for the group - what age is peak running? How long can you continue to improve before age becomes a factor?
I’m my fastest ever and 44.
Age is already a factor. If I recall right physical peak for most people is like 21-25 years old. But I think @Mobycarp or someone said that from the time you start running you will increase for like 10-15 years almost no matter your age. I could be remembering that completely wrong though.
I am in your age bracket (and my HM time is about the same as yours) and still getting faster, so who knows? Maybe we will both break a 1:30 HM when we are 50!
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So homecoming update
On the way to pick up his date, we got flowers. When I explained to him that it was proper for him to bring flowers, and was like "That is really not going to help things" So I asked, "what do you mean."
Turns out some of the kids at school are giving him grief over "having a girlfriend" - which of course he is insisting he does not. I tried to explain to him that was normal but he is all like "you don't understand" - right cause I was never in high school nor dealt with the cruelty of teenagers. Ever. Heck, when I was his age teenagers and school didn't exist right?
But they had a great time it seems. So that is good. And yes, he gave her flowers.
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PastorVincent wrote: »he is all like "you don't understand" - right cause I was never in high school nor dealt with the cruelty of teenagers. Ever. Heck, when I was his age teenagers and school didn't exist right?
All parent of teenagers were born in the era of dinosaurs. We cannot continue to deny this. They have our number.
Back from my race. Thought my nose was going to freeze and fall off, it was so cold waiting to start. I regretted not tacking a jacket but would have ended up with it round my waist annoying me before long as the wind died down and the sun came out right after we started. My (once a month-runner) husband came with me on this one and I felt mean racing away and abandoning him from the start, so we did the first half together REALLY slow then once he decided to walk the rest I picked up the pace a bit.
Passed a LOAD of people, proving to myself that the go out slow and finish strong thing is a very valid strategy :-) The final hill was a nasty piece of architectural engineering, it took absolutely all my will power (or bloody-mindedness) to force myself to run up it.
Still a lot slower than a heck of a lot of people (think I came in seconds before the guy who won the 10k) but I don't care, I'm happy with the way it went for both of us. Even though my husband will probably be waddling and moaning like heck tomorrow.
All in all a decent morning out :-) And for any football (soccer) fans, we got Real Madrid T-shirts, bags, keyrings and pins out of it too (yeah, that was husband's main motivation LOL).
2/10: 6km
3/10: 3km
4/10: 6km
7/10: 8.5km
9/10: 6.5km
10/10: 3km
11/10: 6km
14/10: 9km
16/10: 6.5km
17/10: 3km
19/10: 6.5km
21/10: 10km
23/10: 7km
24/10: 3km
26/10: 6.5km
28/10: 5km race
October goal: 90km, stretch goal: 105km. Completed so far: 95.5km.13 -
@ContraryMaryMary Congratulations on a fantastic race! You managed your pace very well, and a sub 1:50 is so awesome!
I also agree peak running age is all relative. As you age your body naturally can't move as well as it did in your 20's, but as long as you take care of yourself and continue training, you can keep getting PRs. Look at @MobyCarp
@eleanorhawkins way to go on your 5K!
@garygse Happy birthday YOUNG man!!7 -
@Elise4270 I think you have hit the nail on the head. I hadn't been on the scale in a while, and I have gained 12 pounds!
Dontch just hate that. 10 pound change warrants a new bra.
I'm jealous of all the race swag and reports! I requested to dropped the trail half to 5 miles yesterday.1 -
ContraryMaryMary wrote: »Ha @avidkeo, would that be nice. It is my ultimate goal to run a 1:45 but that will require and average pace of 5 minutes - and with what I learned about today’s line and the fact I had to run an extra 300 metres - a 1:45:00 will require a 4:54 average pace, and I’m getting older not younger!!
Something to aim for I guess. Also a good question for the group - what age is peak running? How long can you continue to improve before age becomes a factor?
I’m my fastest ever and 44.
I seem to recall @MobyCarp saying something like that as well, @PastorVincent, and it aligns with the reading I’ve done. Your 50s I want to say most people start to become more injury prone, so strength training becomes far more important- it’s never not important but I believe that especially women and people who diet will begin to notice real muscle loss by their 50s if they haven’t been doing or start doing something to counter it. And any injuries you accumulate tend to become harder to bounce back from, too. But having started running in my mid 30s I fully expect a good decade of PRs if I stay healthy. 40s is a great running decade for a lot of people.8 -
I wonder if @Stoshew71 is going to create our November thread.
I dont mind doing it of course. But wondered if anyone else wanted to try their hand at it? @shanaber , @katharmonic , umm who else? @7lenny7 @sarahthes @garygse (happy birthday btw- cheesecake is a most excellent choice). @_nikkiwolf_ @MobyCarp ... I am forgetting other leaders... Sorry y'all. @girlinahat @RunsOnEspresso
Someone call dibs! You ever watch RU Paul's Drag Race? You know his byline "Dont kitten it up".. yaaa that. 6 -
MegaMooseEsq wrote: »ContraryMaryMary wrote: »Ha @avidkeo, would that be nice. It is my ultimate goal to run a 1:45 but that will require and average pace of 5 minutes - and with what I learned about today’s line and the fact I had to run an extra 300 metres - a 1:45:00 will require a 4:54 average pace, and I’m getting older not younger!!
Something to aim for I guess. Also a good question for the group - what age is peak running? How long can you continue to improve before age becomes a factor?
I’m my fastest ever and 44.
I seem to recall @ MobyCarp saying something like that as well, @ PastorVincent, and it aligns with the reading I’ve done. Your 50s I want to say most people start to become more injury prone, so strength training becomes far more important- it’s never not important but I believe that especially women and people who diet will begin to notice real muscle loss by their 50s if they haven’t been doing or start doing something to counter it. And any injuries you accumulate tend to become harder to bounce back from, too. But having started running in my mid 30s I fully expect a good decade of PRs if I stay healthy. 40s is a great running decade for a lot of people.
"Also a good question for the group - what age is peak running? How long can you continue to improve before age becomes a factor?"
I keep hitting an injury wall. I don't think I'm made ro run. I think i must lack critical strength to run for fun. But maybe its age. Maybe i missed my ideal window. The 10+ years I've tried to run havent gotten me very far! Haha!
I picked it up about 33. I'm 48. I'm definitely going backwards! I think 50 is going to put me over the hump and I'll be able to finally get off the porch and run with the big dogs. Optimism.6 -
@ContraryMaryMary Great run!!!
Since I started back running at age 65, I'm looking forward to my 10 years of improvement!!!!! Been fortunate to have never had any type of serious running injury.
Just a slow long run (for me) of 10.5k today. Now up to 149k for the month.6 -
@7lenny7 - so glad the surgery went well! I love the picture of Cody right there with your foot. When I had my hand surgery Hobbes stayed right next to me where my arm would be resting on him too. I was sure the cast would be to heavy but he didn't seem to mind.
@noblsheep - Love your race report, pictures and the sword medal! I had to read your legend to my DH as a good friend who has been to China many times brought him a gift of Two Swords. We are now going to have to ask if they are related to the legend as there is nothing in the box.
@amymoreorless - great job on your HM. You learned from this one and that is an important take away. Even better you had fun!
@workaholic_nurse - Those hills sound like killers! Sounds like you had a great time and got some great bling!
@ContraryMaryMary - Congratulations on your HM. What a brilliantly run race!
@eleanorhawkins - Great job on your 5K!! Did your husband make it to the finish?
@PastorVincent - love the Homecoming report! Those kids teasing your son about having a girlfriend are all just wishing they did as well!
On the question for the group from @ContraryMaryMary... I am in that improvement window of 5-10 years after starting to run and I am now in my 60's. I haven't had a PR in a while but it is more health related than age I think. I still believe that if I can get the nutrition/cortisol issue resolved I still have PRs left to hit! Like @Elise4270 says - 'Optimism'!
@Elise4270 - We are heading out on vacation tomorrow morning so not sure I will be in a place to get the November thread created. I don't mind doing it at all but it may not get done until sometime Wednesday unless you want it today
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@shanaber thanks, yes he did! Had to walk the last half but managed to jog over the finish line. He was a lovely red colour but back to normal now :-D I keep trying to make him understand that if he actually tried some sort of training, C25k or whatever, he would build up and be able to run the whole thing with me. For now, though, he continues to be more of a once a month runner. Maybe one day. My obvious enjoyment of running is making him jealous :-D
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workaholic_nurse wrote: »Race report for the Haunted Half in Jonesborough, TN:
411 people ran the full half with another 300+ running the Boo to Brews 2 and 4 person relay.
Overall a very fun race and one I will likely run again.
Congratulations Jeremiah!2 -
@ContraryMaryMary You are a rockstar!
I ran a 5k race this morning. The nor easter had just about blown itself out, but it was a little bit miserable at the start (45 deg F and raining).
I finished 8th out of 45 in my age-group which I think is my best finish in this particular race, so I'm happy with that.
There was nearly a disaster when one of the police patrolmen came off his bike right in front of the finish line. Luckily he was OK, and most of the runners had already finished. He was able to right his bike without getting in the way of any of the later finishers.
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I need advice! What's the best approach to bib placement when planning to remove layers? Also, has anyone tried race dots, bib boards, or similar, and what did you think?
I don't want to put holes in my waterproof jacket, and it looks likely that the predicted temp during my race will climb from the high 30s to the mid 50s. I don't run fast enough to stay warm at 37, but I'll probably be toasty at 55 after a half. I love my new jacket which has vents and was planning to wear it closed, then open over a shirt, but a bib will keep me from zipping/unzipping the front vents or wearing the jacket open.1 -
rheddmobile wrote: »I need advice! What's the best approach to bib placement when planning to remove layers? Also, has anyone tried race dots, bib boards, or similar, and what did you think?
I don't want to put holes in my waterproof jacket, and it looks likely that the predicted temp during my race will climb from the high 30s to the mid 50s. I don't run fast enough to stay warm at 37, but I'll probably be toasty at 55 after a half. I love my new jacket which has vents and was planning to wear it closed, then open over a shirt, but a bib will keep me from zipping/unzipping the front vents or wearing the jacket open.
I ran my half last weekend with my bib on my front/outer thigh. Only a little bit was visible when my coat was on but no one tried to throw me out.2
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