Race # 23 - Virginia Creeper Trail Marathon

Virginia Creeper Trail Marathon
3/25/12
8:00 AM
Abingdon, VA
Time: 3:36:00
Place: 10th overall; 1st age group
Run Streak day 86

Yesterday I ran my first Virginia Creeper Trail Marathon in Abingdon, VA. I signed up for this race months ago, before the date was announce. They only allow 100 runners in this race and most register before the date is decided on. It's a $10 entry fee so knowing that, and knowing I would have a one month old in the house at this point, I knew if I had to back out, I could and wouldn't be that upset about losing an entry fee. I also knew that sleep would be a luxury so I would use this as a chance to add to my ultra training of 'running on tired legs'. More on this in a little bit.

I never really decided to "race" this event. I figured I would treat it as a long training run and go enjoy some lovely SW Virginia scenery. Easier said than done. I did, however, continue to train, albeit mostly easy runs, leading up to the race, instead of tapering. By the time race day arrived, I had already logged 35 miles in the week.

I also decided to use LTH's carb loading theory and test it for myself. This theory includes consuming 7 grams of carbs for each kilogram of body weight, the day before your race. For me, that's around 413g of carbs. So on Saturday, I piled it on. I could have eaten more, but I ended up with around 440g of carbs that day.

The night before, my assumption of running on tired legs was coming true. Gemma decided to stay up until 11, and with a 4am alarm, I was limited to five hours of sleep. I was lucky though, Summer only got four hours as Gemma decided she wanted to wake up at 1am and watch Twilight: Eclipse. When the alarm went off at 4, Summer was still awake having just put Gemma down a little before that. I felt so bad and offered to stay home but being the loving wife she is, and knowing how much I love to run, Summer told me to go ahead.

I left at 5am and made the 2 hour drive to Abingdon. With temperatures in the 40's, possibly climbing to the 50's, and rain in the forecast, it was shaping up to be a first for me. I haven't ever raced in the rain, but was looking forward to it if it happened.

7am: arrive at Watauga Elementary school and pick up my race bib, packet, and participant gift. We then jumped on the shuttle for the 1.5 mile ride to the race start. Yeah I know what you're thinking...slacker...why didn't you just run to the start line? Oh well. Once I arrived there, I put my drop bag under the tent and stood around and shivered until the race start. I met a guy from Ohio who was using this as his last long run before the Boston Marathon in three weeks. He was a nice guy. He was planning for a 3:35-3:40 time in this race and I silently said to myself that'd be nice if I could do something like that too! It'd be easier for him than me though I'm sure as he obviously has already met the qualifying time for Boston and has ran it four years in a row. Granted he was in his 50's, but still, pretty impressive.

We started a few minutes late after waiting for the last shuttle of runners to arrive. The first two miles were an out and back on the paved road that brought us to the S/F line. Then we hit the Creeper Trail and what I'll call 'section 1'. An old rail bed, the trail is made of mostly crushed hard packed rock dust, and some gravel road sections. There were also a few wooden trestles we had to cross that ended up being slicker than snot on a door knob. Ok maybe not that slick. But it was still slick. I decided to wear my waterproof Hoka Mafate's given the unknown amount of rain we'd get.

After the two mile out and back, the first trail section is a 3.5 mile out and 3.5 mile back. I finally warmed up about mile four and settled in to a 8:30ish pace. I ended up running with a guy who said he was running his first marathon. Silently, I was thinking he was nuts for running with me at this pace as I knew he'd probably pay for it in the end. Heck. I knew I'd probably pay for it in the end. But we ran together for a while and enjoyed the scenery. Once we arrived back at the S/F area, we were 9 miles in. I grabbed my handheld of Accelerade and started on the other end of the Creeper trail, which I'll call section 2.

Section 2 was a 4.5 mile out and 4.5 mile back, with the halfway point of the entire race being at the turnaround of this section. The first timer and I were still running together and I was steadily clocking off 8:00-8:15 pace miles at this point, feeling good, but still fearing that the aforementioned details (weekly mileage, lack of sleep) were going to catch up with me at some point. 13 miles in, nature called and I answered.

I hit the halfway mark in just over 1:50. I began thinking, if I can run a negative split, I could beat 3:40, which I'd be pleased with. I then made the turn and headed back to the S/F line to start the last out and back. The guy who was running his first went ahead when I took a nature break, but I soon caught him, and passed him. I was then running alone, just as I'm used to. The next five miles were done between 8:10 and 8:30, conserving what I could for the last section.

When I arrived at the S/F area, there were people there cheering me on which gave me a bit of a spark as I started this last out and back. It also started raining at this point as it had held off so far up to this point. Since I had already ran this section, I knew what to expect and knew how I could run it. I also started thinking about how I felt, and whether I could put forth a good push and actually 'race' this last section. It is in fact, a race. Training run or not, you always want to do as well as you can and be competitive. So I decided I was going to go for it. I started doing mental math, to see if I can beat 3:40. And when I saw the leader, I started counting how many people were in front of me. I was waiting for my body to start saying no. And I started playing the mental game. At this point in a race, you may start to fade, but you can always convince yourself to keep pushing. So I did.

As I reached the turnaround, I was in 13th place, with a guy in 12th right in front of me. I found out later, he was running his first marathon so he was doing great. I made the pass and kept on trucking. In these last eight miles, I would run five of them under 8 minute pace. I saw a woman up ahead who I could tell I was gaining on and eventually, made the pass on her. I was in 11th. I knew who was ahead of me, and this guy was lengthening his lead on me. I had already settled for 11th place.

The rain became heavier as I got closer to the S/F area. Soon enough, I could see it ahead. I also saw a runner who was slowing down, and stopped at the aid station for a drink of water. At this point, we were 25 miles into the race. The last bit was a 0.6 mile out and 0.6 mile back on section 2. When I passed the timing tent, I threw my handheld down and asked if they would hold this. And I took off. The guy who stopped to get a drink heard me coming, held out his hand for a high five and congratulated me on running strong. I made the pass, and was in 10th place.

My shirt was stuck to me, and visor dripping, both from the rain. I was really pushing hard. I knew I couldn't catch the guy in front of me, but I wanted to finish strong. Mile 26 I ran in 7:27. My fastest mile of the entire race. I could see the clock at the finish and I did it. I beat 3:40, ran a negative split, and came in with a time of 3:36:04. I was 10th overall and 1st place in the 29 and under age group. Satisfied...

So what did I learn from this race? I feel like the tempo run and hill repeats I have consistently done weekly since the beginning of the year have helped my performance. I really feel like the carb loading did help as well. I did have about five Clif gels during the race, and about 18 oz. of Accelerade. Call me scared of hitting the wall, but I'd rather "have it and not need it than need it and not have it". I really feel like I ran a smart race and I think my splits for the last five miles showed it as I ran four out of the five at sub-8 minute pace. Deep down I think I could have beaten my PR of 3:28:38 from November had I really treated this like a goal race. But with the 35 miles I did up to this point, and the somewhat lack of sleep the night before, I can't complain with my result.

This is a GREAT race. For the entry fee, you can't beat it. Volunteers are great and the food at the aid stations and S/F is mostly homemade goods. The course is great. I thought it was mostly flat the entire race. I could tell there were gentle ups and downs and only one major descent/ascent where a trestle was taken out last year during a tornado. Either it wasn't flat or my Garmin was crazy because it said it was over 2,100 ft. of elevation gain. Either way, I had a great time and will definitely consider going back again.

Pic of the participant paper weight everyone was given, along with my age group award and bib number. Thanks for reading!

Race # 22 - Feed Stokes 5k

Feed Stokes 5k
3/10/12
9:00 AM
King, NC
Time: 20:34
Place: 5th overall; 1st age group

A little late on this report. For the second consecutive year, I ran the Feed Stokes 5k here in my hometown. I like this event A) because it's $20 to enter and B) they ask that each entrant bring canned foods to support the local outreach ministry. So a win win for everyone here.

This was my first race since Gemma was born so of course she did not make it out in the cold weather to watch. She will one day though. Last year I ran this race and had a respectable time of 21:04. Goal #1 was to beat that time. Goal #2 was to go sub-20 minutes and goal #3 was to beat my PR of 19:52 set in December. I'd be happy with any of those.

I'm not sure why, but I just didn't have a PR in me on this day. So #3 was out the window. I got out to a good start and was in the top 10 with a few others who I knew would fade eventually. I just kept my pace and ran how I felt like running. First mile was done in 6:28. I knew right then I wouldn't PR, but sub-20 was still attainable.

As we headed through the King Central Park, I settled in about 10 yards behind a guy and was planning to wait and make my move later. Although there are no 'hills' in this race, there are a few inclines. Mixed in with a little wind which knocked me back every now and again, my second mile was 6:58. I figured out at that point I wouldn't go sub-20. So I just wanted to finish strong at this point.

We get out on Dalton road and head back to the park to the finish. It's a slight downhill on this road so I picked up my pace and made my move around the guy in front of me. He didn't counter. No one was in sight in front of me. My goal at this point was no surprise attacks from behind. As I entered the park, I tried to push myself. Eventually the finish line came in sight, with a slight incline at the finish, I pushed as hard as I could. Mile 3 was clocked at 6:28 (same as mile 1), and I crossed the line in 20:34.

I beat last year's time by 31 seconds. I feel like I could have done better, but I can't complain. The winner finished in 18:03 so if I can knock about a minute off my time, that'd be great. Maybe next year!

Race # 21 - Pilot Mountain Payback

Pilot Mountain Payback Trail Marathon
2/18/12
9:00 AM
Pinnacle, NC
Time: 4:01:48
Place: 16th out of 72 overall



Today I ran my second Pilot Mountain Payback. This was my first marathon a year ago so after a year of training, and three ultramarathons, my main goal was to improve my time from last year. This was also a toss up as to whether or not I'd get to run as Summer is due with our first child on Tuesday the 21st. She could literally go into labor at any point so I was hoping all week that she would hold off on making her debut until the race was over. She did! And as I write this, we're still waiting. Now, to the race.

Same course as last year, we start at the Yadkin Island Park area, run through a creek 30 feet from the start, then run up and down trails to Pilot Mountain, then up the mountain, around the knob, down the mountain, and then back to the start/finish. It's over 4,000 feet of elevation gain so definitely isn't flat!

We headed to the start an hour before the race, picked up my bib and free copy of Ultrarunning magazine, which apparently planted the seed last year of the whole 'ultrarunning' concept. I had never heard of ultrarunning before this race. Now I know who my wife can blame.

The race director announced a few things to everyone and happened to mention my name and gave Summer and I a big congratulations for coming out to run under the conditions we were in. He had emailed me the day before the race and said that he had informed all the volunteers that bib #341 had a pregnant wife and if need be, would take a DNF at an aid station. So now everyone knew our story and I was known as 'the guy with the kid on the way' for the rest of the race.

The race started and we crossed the first creek. I was wearing my new Hoka Mafate waterproof trail shoes and Drymax socks so I was interested to see how all the creek crossings affected my feet. I didn't know how to pace myself for this race so I just ran by feel for the beginning. After the first two miles, I thought that I went out too fast, but said the heck with it and I was going for it. There is a baby on the way, so I used that as motivation to finish as fast as possible! I used the downhills to pass a few people (probably stupid to pass so early), but I really wanted to run my own pace and not be behind anyone. As I progressed through the road crossings, Summer, her mom and my parents were all there to greet me and take pictures. They were my crew for the day.


My gear for the day. Love the Hokas.


Creek crossing at the beginning.


Summer, my awesome crew, at one of the aid stations.


A little 'Boost' before heading up the mountain.

The first part of the race was uneventful. Up and down hills, running the downhills hard, and the uphills slow, seeing if my hill repeat workouts would pay off. Once I got to the half marathon turn around point, I changed out of my long sleeve shirt into my singlet. Temps started in the mid 40's but would be getting up well into the 50's and maybe 60. The next section would be the hardest. The first part goes up about 500 ft. in a mile, then a little downhill. The next section goes up about 800 ft. in 1.4 miles, ending at the summit. Obviously, this is the toughest part of the race. In training, I try to run these parts as much as I can but today, I was forced to walk a lot of it. I figured I'd conserve some energy this way as well. I used it as a way to meet a new runner who I talked with for a little while.


My temporary running partner, Robert and I walking up to the summit.


Sometimes it feels good to just squat.


For the second consecutive year, we were graced with some excellent weather for this race. The view from the summit is worth the trip.

Once I reached the summit, Summer informed me I was in 19th place or so. I enjoyed the view for a minute, sucked down a Boost meal replacement drink, and headed on. I love those types of drinks because of their nutritional value and liquid calories are my friend. But for some reason, it almost gave me a queasy feeling after I drank them. It seemed though after a few minutes my body 'absorbed' it, and everything was fine. Who knows. I didn't have this problem when I used Ensure in my 40 miler last October. Maybe I should just stick with what works.

After the summit, Robert, my new running friend, and I headed around the famous Pilot Mountain knob. The views are great on this part of the trail. After this section, we head down the back side of the mountain. A lot of rock climbers were out enjoying the south side of the mountain on a gorgeous February day. This section is mostly a lot of man made rock steps. Pretty hard on the knees and you really have to watch your footing or you could easily bust it big.

The trip down the mountain via the Grindstone trail can be pretty speedy. I said goodbye to Robert and picked up the speed and used gravity to take me down the trail. I was feeling good at this point and knew that it was only 2-3 miles before I hit the home stretch 7 mile run back to the finish.

The Pilot Mountain visitor's center aid station is across the street from the trail. I ignored it last year and did the same this year and just kept on trucking. On the 1.75 mile grassy ridge trail, I ended up catching up with another runner and we hit a big hill at the same time. We walked and talked a little and he said 'you're the one with the kid right?'. Nice guy. But once we reached the top of the hill, I took off again and was heading at a faster pace than he so I left him. One other runner was up ahead and his body language said he was either hurt or tired as I have found my body in that same position before. I went around him and just said to keep running strong. These were the last two runners I'd see the rest of the race.


Coming off the Grassy Ridge Trail about to hit the 7 mile home stretch.

Once I reached the Pinnacle Hotel Road aid station, which is the half marathon turn around, this meant I was headed home. I run this section all the time when I go out for training runs. I know it pretty well. And I was feeling great. I knew how many miles I had left, and I started doing some mental calculating to see what my finishing time could be. If I really ran hard, I could go sub 4 hours, which would blow last year's time out of the water and exceed my expectations immensely. So I turned on the jets (relatively speaking). In hindsight, I turned on the jets just a little bit too soon.


Feeling good about 19 miles in.

I ran two solid miles and then it happened. I started feeling bad. I was feeling tired, and leading up to this race, I knew it was on this section last year that I was doing what I'd later learn is called the 'death march'. Similar to last year, I didn't continue my nutrition in the last hour. I guess I was so focused on the finish that I didn't eat enough and ran out of steam. Lesson learned.


Coming to a road crossing, I had lost that wonderful feeling and was starting to feel tired.

I had a three mile stretch where I ran 11:09, 10:09, and 11:02, compared to the sub 10 minute miles I ran the rest of the race (except those going up the mountain where I had to walk). My last full mile I gathered it together mentally and ran a 9:43. As I headed for the finish, one more big creek crossing and it actually felt pretty good to get a little wet. With the finish line in sight, I looked at the clock and it said 4:01:xx. At that point, I was not in a hurry. No one behind me about to pass me. I saw my crew waiting for me, I grabbed Summer's hand and we crossed the finish line together.


My 9 3/4 month pregnant wife running the finish line with me


Saying thank you to our little baby for staying in there and letting me run and giving her a little kiss.

With a Garmin time of 4:01:48 and a gun time of 4:01:53, this was a 42 minute improvement on last year's time on the same course and a new trail marathon PR. I finished 16th overall out of 72 finishers. I am very pleased with my result and now I have a goal for next year to go sub 4 hours. And just so you know the winner finished in 3 hours flat. He beat me by an hour. I can't fathom that. Pretty amazing!


My parents and I after the race.


My mother-in-law who ran around all day and took pictures.


Summer and I comparing our bellies :)


Talking with Jason Bryant (yellow singlet). He won the first two PMPB's but got second this year. Jason has been a great person always taking the time to talk to a me being a new runner. His next big race is the Nueces 50 miler in two weeks.


Elevation profile for the race. I never get tired of looking at this.

Time to rest up and get ready for the Virginia Creeper Trail marathon in March!

Race # 20 - Frosty 50k

Frosty 50k
1/7/12
8:00 AM
Winston-Salem, NC
Time: 5:10:xx
Place: 55th out of 114

Today I ran the Frosty 50k in Winston-Salem, NC. This race is essentially the closest ultra I have to where I live. So when I started getting in to ultras last year, I knew I'd have to do this one this year. Unfortunately, my training leading up to this race was, well, not very much. After the NC marathon in November, I was foolish and did not take enough time to rest and let my body recover. So I started having problems with my Achilles. This made for a long December with not much training, and a lot of hoping that the rest I was taking would help me get through this race pain free.

I took my lunch break the day before and went to do some recon work and check out the race location since I had never raced here before. The 'trail' was really just a hard packed dirt/gravel road. This year they also added a 25k and a 50k relay. The email we received days prior to the race stated they were almost at the 300 person capacity.

Summer and I headed out early Saturday morning. She was going to 'crew' for me even though the race was just a double out and back that went around Salem Lake. So the race was essentially cut into four quarters. The 'out' which went from the start/finish, around the lake to the other side, and then back. 25k runners did this once and 50k runners did it twice.

Now for the race. I wore my Hoka Mafate's as I knew I would need all the help I could get for my foot to hang in there for 5-6 hours. My goal was to run this under 5h30m. When we started, I was in the back. I didn't care about going out fast. And rule #1 in ultras is simple: Go. Out. Slow. So I did just that. I was concentrating on running between 10-11 minute per mile pace. That was still probably too fast but it felt good so I went with it.

I played leap frog with one girl a couple of times as first I stopped for a nature break and second I saw a family of deer walking through the woods and slowed to watch them. So I ended up talking to her. Come to find out, she was another Marathon Maniac that was racing. I noticed one other person on the MM website that was running this race in addition to me, so we talked and ran for a few miles. It was nice meeting Andrea, who said she was down here from Columbus, OH. I then came up on the first turn around and talked with Summer for a few minutes and had some gummy bears at the aid station. I hit the first turn around in 1h20m, which would be a pace that would equal out to 5h20m if I could hold that for the remainder of the race. I would be happy with that, but then I started thinking about maybe going sub-5 hour. After the turn around, I headed back to the S/F.

The second leg (of four) of the race was uneventful. Trying to stay at a slow pace, paying careful attention to my right foot and hoping that it never would start hurting. I made my way back around the lake giving the normal 'good job', 'looking good' comments to other runners. The leaders were definitely out there to prove themselves.

As I came in to the S/F halfway mark, I was feeling good still. Halfway I was at 2h37m. I took a 3 minute break to eat and drink some and headed back out for the third leg. This was where I made a stupid mistake. NOTE: just because you feel good after half of a 50k, doesn't mean you should pick up the pace that soon. I messed up and tried to pick up my pace. I got to thinking about this sub-5 goal and calculating what I'd need to run in my head. Stupid. I was running 9-9:30 pace on this leg. I ate something at each aid station, ate gels along the route, trying to keep myself fueled.

As I neared the final turnaround, I saw Summer and asked for some shot bloks and didn't really take time to rest. I started the last leg headed back to the S/F and I could feel my legs fatiguing. It was then that I could tell I didn't train much in the last month. Around mile 24-25, I was really feeling tired. I wanted to walk. The mental demons started showing up. This is where you find out what you're made of.

Even though I wasn't out there to compete with others, it's still a race, and we're all human. If I see someone walking, that is fuel for my fire to keep running and pass them. It's just human instinct I think. So I kept passing folks, and that also encouraged me to keep running so they did not catch up and pass me. I kept telling myself to just keep running. These last seven miles were a true test, mentally and physically.

With four miles left, I wanted to walk. I was tired. My legs were hurting (but not my achilles). I just kept repeating to myself, sometimes out loud, "just keep running, just keep running. No matter how slow you go, just keep running. You're going faster than those who are walking. Pain is temporary. It'll all go away when you finish. Pain is weakness leaving the body. It's all mental." I kept saying all of this to myself to keep me going. Then I thought about what a guy said in an article regarding Badwater (I think). He said something to the point of "I'm going to keep moving until my body will not let me take another step". So I said to myself, "keep running until your body will not let you run another step, then you can walk". As I battled the pain, I never stopped running. I passed many people, simply because I took it easy in the first half (yeah I almost blew it on leg three), but they had gone out too fast at the beginning, and simply ran out of gas. I wasn't breaking any speed records on this last leg, and actually was running a slower pace than what I was running in the first half of the race. But I was moving forward, and still running.

I made my final pass on a young lady and was nervous about it. I knew if I passed her, and since there was less than a mile left, I knew I didn't want to get chicked and have her pass me back. So that helped me hang on at the end. There was one final guy up ahead I thought about trying to catch. And I would have. But then I noticed his wife and three little girls came out about 20 yards onto the race course and he carried the little one while the other two held his hand as he crossed the finish line. I didn't want to steal his moment of glory just to pick up another finishing place. And I have a little girl that will be here in a month or so, and I thought about that day when she'll be coming to watch her daddy race. So I let him finish and I came in after him.

I finished in 5:10:xx. I was pleased. Not only did I beat my goal of 5:30, I have a new 50k PR, and I did the entire race without my Achilles flaring up and hurting like it did back in November. This time though, I will definitely take adequate recovery time!

Thanks to Summer (and baby to be) for spending half the day following me around and supporting me on another crazy running adventure.

A few pics from the race below.


Before the race start. I was freezing and I forgot my gloves!!


And we're off!


Coming into the first turn around with fellow Marathon Maniac, Andrea.


The guy who I decided not to sprint and try to pass so he had his moment of glory with his kids.


Coming in to the finish!


Homemade finishers medal

Race # 19 - Pilot Mountain Challenge 5k

Pilot Mountain Challenge 5k
12/17/11
9:00 AM
Pinnacle, NC
Time: 30:36
Placed 16th Overall

I never got around to writing a report for this race so here goes nothing. I registered for the PM Challenge 5k excited as this was the inaugural year for the race and it runs almost from the bottom of Pilot Mountain, to the summit, via the Grindstone trail. I've ran these trails numerous times so I knew them very well.

I didn't know what to expect on race day but there were a lot of people who showed up for this race, including Jason and Allison Bryant, both LaSportiva runners. Jason has won all three Pilot Mountain Payback trail marathons that have been raced on these trails. He's a super nice guy and would have been a favorite to win. However, he informed me after the race that he broke his arm back in the fall and was told not to run for 6 weeks. Luckily, that time frame ended right before this race. So he was game.

We all lined up on a chilly Saturday morning, me donning the Hoka Mafate's as I was still having some achilles issues from the November marathon. Actually more like the week I didn't take off after the marathon (stupid mistake). So I was nervous about how my foot would react to a mostly uphill race.

I started near the front and made my way through the crowd to get out in front of the mass. I wasn't going to win, but I didn't want to have to weave through the crowd by starting in the back. I settled in to a pace that was quick, but it's only a 3 mile race so I knew I just had to give it all I had for those 3 miles. Since I knew the trails, I made it through some semi-technical sections easily. It was mostly up and down until one big hill, and then it was all uphill from there.

This is one of those races that you just put your head down and go, without looking up to see how far ahead you have to go. So I did just that. I ran with a couple other guys and we made our way up. Once you get to the split where the Ledge Springs trail forks to the right, that's when the real fun starts. Man-made steps always give me trouble on this trail. I tried running around them so not having to 'step' each one. There was one water stop on the steps but I passed and kept going. I started power hiking while the guy in front of me was running. He did not gain any ground. So I decided to conserve energy and continue to power hike. Once the stairs were over, I picked it up again and we entered the summit parking lot.

The last section we headed around the Pilot Mountain knob. We passed the leader, and Jason was in second about 10 seconds behind. That's where he'd finish. Not bad for taking 6 weeks off. As we headed around the knob, I was the middle man in a pack of three. We stayed this way and I had planned to make a pass about 200 meters from the finish. This was thrown out the window as this section was crowded with people starting their run around the knob while we were ending our run around the knob. So I didn't have a chance to pass. We ran up some steep steps in the same order, and once we got to the top, the guy in front of me started sprinting. My legs were like jello. I started sprinting too late when I saw the finish and knew I couldn't catch him, I just hoped I could hold off the guy behind me. I did, and finished in 16th place with a time of 30:36. Most importantly, no achilles pain!

I enjoyed some homemade chili and then headed home. It was a good race and I look forward to doing it again next year!

Race # 18 - Frosty 5k

Frosty 5k
12/4/11
2:00 PM
Kernersville, NC
Time: 19:52
Placed 8th Overall; 1st place Age Group

Today I ran the inaugural Frosty 5k in Kernersville, NC. My sister, who works for the sponsor, Kernersville Medical Center, got me a free entry to the race so I was all about racing it! I haven't ran a 5k since March of this year so I was interested in seeing what 8 months of training for two ultras and a marathon would do for a 5k time.

The race included students from a local elementary school who all decided they had to line up at the front of the start line. Kind of aggravating but I think they were soon told maybe they needed to back up a little so they did. Glad I didn't have to weave and dodge them all. Somebody would have probably went down.

The air horn sounded and we were off. The first part was a slight downhill so I took off a lot faster than I should have. Oh well. The entire course was flat. Not like the beach flat or anything. Some slight ups and downs, but nothing major, so it was basically flat. I tried to settle in as quickly as possible and just pace myself knowing that I wanted to run at least 6:30 or less per mile, and hopefully beat 20 minutes, which was my ultimate goal. I would be satisfied to beat my March PR of 21:05 as well.

A young kid, maybe 10 years old, hung with me for a while. I was hoping that I would not get beat by a 10 year old. But you never know. I passed the one mile mark with the youngster in 6:16, a bit faster than I had planned but too late to change anything at that point.

As we rolled through the downtown area, a lot of people were lining the streets for the Christmas parade that would follow after the race. They were cheering us on and I kept hearing people say things like, "oh my gosh look at that guy", "oh wow that's hardcore", "dang that guy's running an pushing a stroller!". Yes, I was closely followed by a guy pushing a baby jogger. Not just any baby jogger, but a double baby jogger, with two kids in it! And these weren't small kids. Probably three and four years old maybe. I kept telling myself 'you'd better not get beat by a guy pushing a double baby jogger'.

As I neared the turn around, I saw the leaders. I had been in the top 10 for the first half of the race and was hoping I could hold that position and maybe pick a few people off in the last mile which was supposedly downhill according to the website. I kept on trucking and my senses sensed something I've never experienced in a race. With the parade waiting to start, and many civilians waiting on the sidewalks, there were food stands here and there. Cotton candy, funnel cakes, hot dogs, all kinds of food along the route. The smell. Oh the smell. Usually I love it. But not what you want to smell when you're going balls to the wall running as fast as you can for 20 minutes, lungs burning and your brain saying 'let's stop and eat'.

I powered through the main section and clocked my second mile at 6:27, which was perfectly in line with going sub 20 minutes. I just wanted to give it my all for this last mile, no matter how bad it hurt. And man did it hurt. I could see one guy in front of me and really wanted to catch him. As we neared the last half mile, I could tell I was gaining on him. I hit a slight downhill and turned on the jets. I passed this guy with ease as I came up on the last turn to head to the finish.

I was in a state that I rarely get in. I could tell I was giving it everything I had. I rounded a slight corner and saw the clock and the finish line. Clock said 19:40 and I knew I had done it. I crossed the line in 19:52. I was relieved that I was done, but more so that I had broken the 20 minute wall. I've always considered a sub 20 minute 5k to be 'pretty darn good', and I can't believe I actually did it myself. Overall, obviously very pleased with my time.

I finished in 8th place overall and took first in my age group.

Coming into the finish area


Post race with my age group award

I saved a life today - A Thanksgiving Miracle

Today, Thanksgiving, 2011, I saved a life.

I went out for a run. Wanted to get in about 10 miles. I ran the roads I always do, nearby my house. Ran up through the local high school and saw the football team going through what I assume is a walk thru gearing up for tomorrow night's semifinal game for a chance to get to the state championship.

I was running down my last road before I made the turn for home and I noticed an old tobacco barn with it's tin metal siding bent in and the rear end of a white Chevy Impala. I said to myself 'well that's not normal'. Looked on the other side and the front end was smashed and had cracked through the other side. I thought someone probably was drunk driving and wrecked and fled the scene, or this literally just happened and I'm the first person on the scene.

I ran around to the back and said "Hello?". A woman responded. "Are you ok?" I said. She said she was paralyzed. However, she could move her hands and head. I asked if she had a phone and she said no. I didn't carry mine either. I heard a car coming. It was one of the high school football players. I flagged him down and luckily he had a cell. I called 911, gave them the situation and they sent emergency response. Luckily, the EMS station is right up the road, and across from my neighborhood. They were there in a few minutes.

She is a 58 year old female and she said she had been there since Tuesday (it's Thanksgiving day so that's 2 days!!) I later got to thinking about the last two days/nights. Tuesday night it was raining like crazy and wind blowing very hard. I guess luckily she was inside this barn. Wednesday night, it got down to 36* so it was very cold. Again, she was inside the barn which I would assume is better than outside, exposed to the cold. I'm so thankful I found her when I did.

Once local police showed up, I overheard them say she had been reported missing on Tuesday. I gave them my info and my wife pulled up about that time to pick me up (even though I'm less than a mile from the house). We left the scene and all I could say was I was thankful that I went out on that run this morning, and I bet that woman is thankful for me. Everything happens for a reason.

UPDATED: Here's a link to the interview from the local news.