Team RunnersConnect steam rolls into December with 7 Monster PRS as well as race debuts in the 10k, 10 miler, and half marathon

Rob Sklenar ran the California International Marathon in Sacramento CA finishing in the time of 3:18:22 which is a PR of nearly 14 minutes.

RobSkPerfect day running the CA International Marathon. Ran very close to even splits, just under 1:40 at the half and just about 1:38 the second half. Felt fantastic the whole way! What can I say…14 minute personal best and a nearly 7 minute Boston Qualifier…my first! Fabulous day

 

Rich Green ran the California International Marathon in Sacramento CA finishing this race in the time of 3:41:21 which is a PR of 33 minutes.

RGreenToday’s race, my 26th marathon, was, to put it quite plainly, the best marathon I’ve ever run. I started training with RC the last week in July, the same month as my previous marathon. I was very frustrated with my lack of progress through the years, as I could never truly improve my technique. I had broken 4 hours in three consecutive races, but due to an injury, I lost my mojo and took a year off. I half heartedly jumped back into training- resulting in July’s 4:14 time. Today was a completely different experience! I followed the RC plan to the letter, and boy did it work. I went out slow my first three miles, and fueled as I went. At mile 4, I began to creep up to marathon pace, and never looked back. I ran fast (for me), I ran steady, and for the first time ever, I ran a negative split. I never needed a walk break, and I never boinked. I was the runner who would start to tire out around mile 18. By mile 23 or so, I would start to take walk breaks. By mile 25 and 26, I would have to dig deep to find the strength to run it in. This wasn’t every race, but still pretty common. But today, I flew. It was an amazing feeling. As much as I hoped to qualify for Boston (I missed it by 1.22), I was absolutely giddy with my performance. I ran the exact race I had trained for- and nailed it. Clearly Boston is within my grasp. I had two injuries during my training- serious Achilles issues in my left foot which cost me to sit out five or so training days, and runner’s knee pain in the same leg. I don’t believe either injury cost me my BQ, but clearly I have some work to do as to avoid future issues and I juries. I owe today’s experience to the RC coaches – especially to Coach Jamie, who I felt was with me today every mile- and all my fellow RC friends, whose words of encouragement this past summer, along with their own amazing stories shared daily, provided me with encouragement and community.

Scott Porter ran  the California International Marathon in Sacramento CA finishing this race in the time of 3:39 which is a by of 25 minutes.

This was my second marathon. I crashed and burned in my first marathon at mile 22 and had to walk over the finish line. For this race, I followed your race strategy to the letter – starting slowly, and picking up my pace through the race. I ran a negative split with the second half of the race 10 seconds/mile faster. It was so much more fun to be accelerating at the end of the race vs. walking! Thanks for the awesome training program!

Mark Quebedeaux ran the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis,  Tennessee finishing in the time of 4:13:14 which is PR of 44 minutes. 

Several Things. (not all in order of importance) 1. This was my first Marathon on what I would consider a hilly course (compared to what we have in Louisiana). I have had some Achilles issues with my left leg and felt like this may cause me some issues. However to my surprise my Achilles and lower legs were not the problem, it turned out to be my right hamstring at about mile 18. Totally unexpected since I have not had that issue before. The other issue that I did not think would be a factor was the downhill running. Boy was I wrong! The down hills really reek havoc on your quads.  2. The most Important: We raised a considerable amount of money for St. Jude Research Hospital to help treat and prevent childhood Cancer.  3. My family all got to participate. My girls ran the 5k event, My wife did her first half-marathon successfully, and I PR’d my race. Great overall weekend.

Russell Friedberg ran the St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon in Memphis,  Tennessee in finishing in the time of 1:32:53.

RussellFThis was to be my big race for a new PR. The weather was good, but very windy. The course was hillier than expected. Yet I had a shot through 6 miles – but then “disaster” and I heard/felt a pop in my left ankle and some sharp stabbing pain. From that point forward it became about just finishing. I pushed through and finished with a 1:32:53 (12th in division). My ankle looked a bit like a softball by the end and the Dr. appointment is on Tuesday (12/9), but it was worth the pain to finish that race.

Sasha Sellers ran his first half marathon at the  San Antonio Rock and Roll half marathon in San Antonio, Texas completing this race in the time of 2:31:02.

SashaSellersThis was my first half! I trained so hard for it and am so happy I finished! In my journey to this race I have lost 20lbs and feel great!

 

 

Jason Bryant ran Run for the House 10k in Houston, TX coming across the finish line with a time of 48:27 which is a PR by 3 minutes and 25 seconds.

JasonThis was my first sub-50:00 10k, and this race result puts me right on schedule for my January marathon goal.  As usual, mother nature did her best to slow me down. It was 70 degrees and sunny with drenching humidity on race day morning, so I’m more than pleased with this result given the conditions.  Sub-45:00 is the next 10k milestone to chase, as soon as I kick this marathon’s butt next month.

 

James Hunt ran the OUC Half Marathon in Orlando, Florida  coming across the finish line with a time of 1:30:38 which is a PR by 1  minute and 20 seconds.

1 minute and 20 second PR!!! The race plan was designed as a workout as my goal marathon race is in just 3 weeks. This plan would still represent a significant PR for me, which really speaks to the awesome training program RC has provided over the last 4 months. Of course, I felt so good early on that I locked into a pace a little fast for the designed plan which meant that the end of the race was a bit more of a grind than I had anticipated, particularly as it was a bit hotter and more humid than I would have preferred. However, not only was I physically able to grind through, the training plan had me mentally ready as well. Strategically, I made mistakes in the execution, but I believe this was a great last hard workout in my marathon prep!

Jerry Kurinsky ran the Texas 10 Conroe which is a 10 Miler in Conroe, Texas finishing this race distance in the time of 1:08:34.41.

JerryKI achieved the pace all the calculators said was required to make a BQ when my marathon comes around! Right on the edge but there.

 

 

Steve Troxel ran the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis,  Tennessee finishing this distance in the time of 3:55:56.

SteveTThis was a tune up race for Boston. Went in with a race plan and was able to stick right with the plan. Worked on hydration and enjoying the run. Had a great time and gained confidence with the distance. Had lots of gas in left in the tank for the final miles. Consider this race to be a wonderful victory.

 

Eran Geyari ran the Half Marathon Israel Championship in Israel coming across the finish line in the time of 1:47:30 which is a PR by 7 minutes.

EranPR by 7 min!!  Great race !.Despite the Hot weather (very hot..) I managed to keep my race plan starting first 10K pretty steady averaging first 10K at 5:06K,Than push a little each K to have last 10K at 5:02/k, finishing at 5:03/k average total race.  I planned to do stronger finish but the weather was too hot for that ,nevertheless ,I am very happy with the results ,That’s a huge improvement for me .Last 2 Halfs I bonked at ~16K mark and I did overall 1:54 but today ,especially due to my balanced and very hard training I get from my coach Danny fisher,I managed to run the best race in my running life that was started 1.5 year ago.

Kim Rankin ran the Scrooge 10K in Bradenton, Fl finishing this race distance in the time of 1:15:26.

This race was a new one for me. It was special because my daughter and future son in law did it with me. They have only run a handful of races, but are naturally athletic. The 3 of us did well. I chose this race to try for a couple of reasons. First, it was nearby (less than 40 minutes from home), and in a relatively new community I had heard was nice. Second, I knew from prior training I had done for a half marathon I participated in last month, that I was getting close to my PR for a 10K. So thought I’d see how close. I didn’t PR. But it turned out to be the closest I’ve done in years. I was less than a minute from a PR. The race was only in its second year. Met all my expectations. Will definitely do it again.

Jit Khoon Tan ran the Standard Chartered 10K in Singapore coming across the finish line in the time of 49:15.

JitKThis is the first official 10k run for me My last 10k was 3 years ago at around 48min. Happy with the execution of my race plan. Was too conservative. Could have pushed a little harder from 7 km onwards to achieve slightly better time. Nonetheless, I am happy to run below 50 min and look forward to run faster for my next race in May 15. Thank you to the strong support from RunnersConnect!

 

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