Chris Carrier ran the Naperville Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:44:07. This was a personal record by 15 Minutes.
The race was set up totally different. It started and ended downtown. The pacer did not actually start slower so I was disappointed in that. A few times in the first 6-7 miles, I let the pacer get about 10-15 seconds ahead of me. In the final mile, I kicked it in, albeit a little late, and got well under 1:45. Felt great. Not wiped out at all.
That’s the irony I found with running. When you meet your goal, you feel great and then you can’t help wonder… could I have accelerated earlier? Maybe I wasn’t ambitious enough? I feel too good to have tried my best. Yet, if you go for too much and fail, you can crash spectacularly and fall short of even a time you could have well achieved. So while I wonder if I should go for 1:42, the reality is that will give me something to shoot for next time.
Chris Carey ran the Vulcan Run 10k and finished in a time of 45:21, which was a 9 seconds PR!
I went into the race aiming for a sub 43-minute finish. I finished with a 45:21 time. Even though I finished with a new PR for the 10K by beating last year’s time by 9 seconds and snagged one of the coveted Top 200 shirts, I still felt like I should have done better.
After wallowing in self pity for a little while, I began to think about the race I had run. First, the weather was horrible — unseasonably warm and raining with 100 percent humidity. Not ideal race conditions. I also remembered that I had just come off my biggest week of marathon training — I had just run a 20-miler the previous Saturday and had completed a very tough 8-mile speed workout the following Monday. Then I thought about my actual performance. Had I given it my all? Had a run a hard race? The answers were yes, I had. I had given it all I had. I had run a good race.
Perspective had set in. Okay, maybe I didn’t get the time I’d wanted, but I had put in a PR effort. And even though I’d only broken my previous PR by 9 seconds, I’d still broken it. In very adverse conditions. During the very peak of marathon training. That’s when a smile crossed my face, and I realized that I should be proud of what I had accomplished. I was reminded that sometimes the results aren’t always what you want them to be, but that’s fine if you’ve given it everything you’ve got. And that’s an important thing for me to remember as I begin to taper down and set my sights on the St. Jude Marathon…
Karen Scobie ran the Athens Authentic Marathon with a finishing time of 4:45:35, which was a PR!
Athens Marathon. The Authentic. Wow oh wow! What a choice for a first timer, what a celebration of my 40th birthday!
The first 10km went well, I was feeling good, trotting along a little faster than I should have but very comfortable. As promised, the climb started at 11k. The hills were hard, but never too long, flattening out or even going downhill in a couple of spots. Km 15 and 18-19 were particularly hard. I never had to walk until km 20, and only on part of the uphills. The final 2km were going down, and all that was going through my mind was ‘just don’t stop’.
Finally, the last corner and there was the STADIUM! I didn’t have the tears I was expecting as I was running down the track to the end – I just wanted to get off of my feet 🙂 A walk around the track to get the medal and a banana and drinks. Finally, as I was walking over the ramp to exit I felt the tears well up. The crowds were wonderful, the volunteers were amazing. Such a good vibe from this city, so proud of their Marathon.
Teresa Perez ran the New York City Marathon and finished the distance in the time of 4:10:40.
Incredible experience! I absolutely loved the course. Running this marathon was all that I imagined and more!! The spectators in all 5 Burroughs were fabulous. This is the first time that I ran an entire marathon without listening to music.
Samantha McMenamy ran the Backcountry Half Marathon and finished with a time of 2:33:35.
It was my first trail race and it was extremely hilly and a tough course. I didn’t realize in a trail race, you don’t have the luxury of making up speed on the downhill. It was a really fun race and I feel if I had more than 4 weeks to train post injury, I would have been a bit faster. I had a great time and finished strong.
Morgan Daulton ran the Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon in 1:55:03, which was a PR by 0:01:50.
This was the first “group trip” I’ve taken with my local running club. My time for the half marathon was 1:55:03. I PR’d my half marathon time by 1 min 50 seconds. This was actually a PR from a tune up race I did in the middle of my training plan for this race (1:56:53). My PR before I started training was 1:58:44 in May, so I’m making significant improvements in just 6 months. I’m very pleased with my time!
Cynthia Miller ran the Snow Canyon Half Marathon and finished in a time of 2:45:00.
A point to point half-marathon, the first four miles are on the St. George Marathon course, then you drop down into Snow Canyon, which is even more beautiful with the sheer cliffs and red hills. The last couple miles wind through an upscale desert-home neighborhood to finish at a high school. I loved this race and highly recommend it.
David Rosenbaum ran the Santa Clarita Marathon and finished with a time of 4:41:53. This was a personal record by 8:00.
PR by eight minutes. Making up for DNF due to injury at Philadelphia last year. Disappointed in my performance because I probably paced it wrong. Also, my little grandchildren came to watch at eight miles and the finish.
Blake Chiado ran the Naperville Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:28:35.
I believe the race was going as planned until I reached 10 where the missing water/aid station just about killed me. I took a “Block” just before I reached that marker and was searching for some water or something to help wash it down but, for some reason the station was not set up. I started coughing a bit and couldn’t completely digest it. I ended up stopping once to dry heave and and another time and at the next water station to replenish before picking the pace back up after 12.
I’m not completely disappointed as I leaned to fight though and finish strong…It was the first race for me this year and I didn’t have a ton of training. This was also a good measuring stick to see where I’m currently at and what I need to work on before my goal race in BOSTON.
Diane Souza ran the Chesapeake Bay Bridge 10k, finishing this distance in the time of 1:01:28. This was a PR by 8 minutes!
I love running different kind of races and this was GREAT! I could’ve got a better time but had to take pics from bridge!!! Over 25,000 runners and weather was perfect well organized race. I will be back next year!
Tom Tran ran the Naperville Marathon and finished with a time of 3:27:59, which was a massive PR by 25:36.
This is my 4th year and 4th try at the marathon distance, and my first time as a Runners Connect member. My goal for this year was simple: Get through the training cycle and reach the starting line healthy, which was something I couldn’t do on my own in previous years. I figured if I could do that then my time should improve and I may be able to close what I call the “Potential Gap” – the difference between what I think I could potentially run and what I’m actually running. 🙂
I’m so thrilled that the guidance from the RC coaches and training plan developed for me helped me reach that goal. There were bumps along the way due to minor injuries and training conflicts with real life, but I got to the starting line this weekend in the best shape I’ve been.
One thing I did right this time was running with the 3:30 pace group. I’m terrible at pacing and with no GPS I would have been all over the place and gotten in trouble early. Following the RC race strategy, I was going to stay with them until the last few miles and then go hard, but mile 21-24 were challenging with up slopes and I didn’t want to chance taking off so early, especially with most others in the group falling off. That last 1.2 mile felt like a blur as I passed the 4 men and 2 women in front – one of them cheered me on.
I came in at 3:27:59. My previous PR was 2 years ago at this same marathon – the Inaugural Naperville Marathon. My time then was 3:53:37. I just had a 25:36 PR, and got within possible reach of a Boston BQ (3:25)! It feels a bit unreal. I hope to make that a reality next year with the RC’s help.
As obvious, I’m completely elated (runner’s high?) and feeling quite well and mobile the day after, compared to previous years when I struggled to get around the house. Thanks again to the RC community and especially coach Jeff, Danny and Jamie for getting me to this high point of my running endeavor.
Tim Scitti ran the Big Valley 10K and finished this race event in the time of 48:20.
Not where I want to be, but where I’m at. Stepping stone to returning to faster times.
Michael Iban ran the Clarksburg Country Run Half Marathon and finished in a time of 1:41:08. This was a PR by 3 minutes 27 seconds!
This is the 50th Annual event, the Pacific Association USATF Half Marathon Championship, and the last tune up race for many whom are prepping for the CIM; so the field was stacked. The weather was ideal: cold and drizzly. I executed the race plan just as the coaches prescribed and was able to get a solid PR; so I feel really confident going into the CIM. Three words: Trust the training.
Donna Ferguson ran the Indianapolis Monumental Half-Marathon and finished with a time of 2:05:40.
I ran the Indianapolis Monumental Half Saturday 11/7th with Jeff’s blessing following my longest layoff in my short running history, 5 1/2 months this time before returning to a routine running schedule after ZAP. I’m happy to report it went well. I’d say it went better than expected but I had no idea what to expect since I haven’t run a half since last January & I’m still experiencing low back inflammation which sometimes flares up, pressing on a nerve bringing discomfort along right side chain; more so with distance & speed. With my Orthopedic’s assurance I’m structurally sound and instruction to just “run to tolerance”, that became my plan. I’ve done no speed training, just easy paced base building & was to have reached 10 miles per training plan on race morning but since I’ve done several halfs in the past & wouldn’t be running full out, Jeff felt I could handle it. My plan was to start out at an easy pace & pick it up to a level I felt I could maintain & tolerate.
First race I’ve had enough energy to push the pace the final 5K; energy waned a little during that part but not too bad all things considered. I hoped to get within 10 mins of my PR (which I set in 2012, but it’s a clock time). I landed within 5 mins of it which is a major encouragement because now I know I can beat it in spite of the reality my bio clock continued to tick while recovering from multiple injuries. I’ve still “got it” and have hope of finally getting an “official” sub 2!! No worse for the wear this morning 🙂 recovering well and on to upping the ante on strengthening this bod!! So grateful to Jeff for his guidance and for the support and encouragement from our whole RC Team!
Kim Rankin ran the Red Ribbon Run Half Marathon, finishing in the time of 3:22:02.
As I reflect , leading up to the race I had circumstances that I’m certain contributed to my performance. For the last month I have been caring for a loved one battling cancer . I have not been able to do the cross training and strength training and my sleep ,especially in the days leading up to the race has been quite bad. But.., my body felt good ( no toe or foot problems), my nutrition and hydration before and during race were good ( no gi issue). My pre-race routiine went almost perfectly. The course was the most challenging I have ever done and combined with the hot humid weather it was expected to be a slow day for me. I learned if I ever run in these type conditions again I must approach it differently, even if that means regular walk breaks in the early miles ( at least at this stage of my running fitness). Anyway, I am happy because even though my finish may be personal worst, in the worst conditions and hills I have run a half marathon in I have so many correctable takeaways I can do for future races.
Katie Walding ran the Parkrun 5k and finished with a time of 27:12, which was a PR by 9 seconds!
I was not feeling especially ‘match fit’ for this race and the weather conditions were pretty grim (high wind and rain) but I have been following my schedule and working hard on my workouts since my first marathon a month ago. I felt pretty good on the day, but tried to keep a little in check as I am unfamiliar with the course (it is a brand new Parkrun and this was the first event on this course) and then coasted round feeling pretty good 🙂
I am going to go run this Parkrun regularly and I hope to get to a race time of 26:xx something in the coming weeks 🙂
Thanasis Kypraios ran the Athens Authentic Marathon 2015 and finished with a time of 3:42:23. This was a personal record by 12 minutes.
From the arrival to Marathon and the start of the race until the 32nd km, I can say that time flew! Honestly, I did not understand how fast and pleasantly time went by. I was feeling fresh, strong, like a real athlete. I often checked my pace and forced myself to slow down.
At the 31st km I met some friends, I was still fresh and into the target. Then I started to realize that I could not accelerate. My original plan was: 10K @ 53 mins, 20K @ 102 mins, 30K @ 152 mins and finish @ 210 mins = 3:30, which required me to accelerate at the last quarter of the race. Not only I couldn’t accelerate, but at the 35th km I felt very strong cramps in both sides of my stomach (probably because of hyponatraemia) and I could hardly carry on running. I walked a couple of times, only for 5 seconds, but the situation was not getting any better. I struggled and finished @ 3:42:23.
Now, having calmed down from yesterday’s high adrenaline and small disappointment, I can realize what went wrong during the race. Two main things: 1. I started the race a little faster and kept it during the uphills, which probably exhausted me and 2. I did not take enough electrolytes which caused my stomach to get tied up. When I realized that, it was too late, everything that I swallowed was making it worse, not better.
Having completed this marathon training cycle with RunnersConnect, I want to thank Coach Jeff, Coach Jamie, Coach Sarah and Coach Danny for the tremendous work and the fantastic workouts that made me much stronger and my weeks much happier. Also, a huge THANKS to all the members of the community, you are all my friends!
Barbara Powell ran the Chocoholic Frolic 10k and finished in a time of 41:11. This was a personal record by 2 minutes!
I went out with ZERO expectations and ended up feeling absolutely wonderful. It was a cooler morning and I ended up at the starting line without hitting the porta potty- whoops! So, with a full bladder, I set out ahead of the 7min/mile pacers and promised myself that I would stay ahead of them the entire race and make my way as fast as possible to the finish line bathroom. And I did. My negative split race (6:45, 6:50, 6:55, 6:37, 6:31, 6:27) brought me to 5th place overall, 3rd place for women and 2nd in my age group. 6:39 pace felt as though I was out for a 7:30min/mi paced run. Felt so so natural. My last 10k was earlier this February in MA in just under 44 minutes and that had felt so brutal and strenuous. So this time around was a success!
Heather Scullen ran the Soldier Marathon and finished with a time of 4:37:14.
This was a tough one….I felt fairly prepared for this marathon and was hoping for an under 4 hour marathon which would make a PR. That wasn’t exactly how it went down … The weather did not exactly cooperate. Weather when I finished was 79 degrees and a high of 95% humidity. Started off the race good. Was going to start conservatively 9:20 pace. Looking at my paces I was running closer to 9:10 so maybe a tad fast. Felt good. Was taking gels every 5 miles with sips of water and the occasional Gatorade sips in between. Felt really good through mile 16. Was starting to feel hot and at this point starting to be a little uncomfortable. At mile 18 I had a complete GI meltdown. Took a few sips of water and Gatorade. Immediately began throwing up. Several times. I was so dehydrated and depleted when I got to the finish line. I probably wasn’t making the smartest decision to finish. It was just too hot!! Now, 24 hours post race I feel pretty good. Now I am just mad and frustrated. I want to race again soon…need to pow wow with Coach Jaime first. Last year at this race it was in the low 40s…go figure. Weather is just one factor that we can’t control. On to the next!…
Michael Fronsoe ran Rock and Roll Savannah Half Marathon with a finishing time of 1:37:56.
Improved time by one minute from last year despite very hot conditions. Felt great to get there healthy and co e out of it healthy. First race in years that I’ve done where I can say I had nothing left.
Sarah Keith ran the Revel Canyon City Marathon and finished with a time of 3:34:07. This was a huge personal record by 37 min!
This is my 4th Marathon that I completed in 3:34:07 with a PR and a BQ. My last 3 marathons were all LA and my best time was 4:10:59 in March of 2015. I didn’t think a time like this would be obtainable because my last time/pr was slow but I felt strong and fast. A friend in my running group suggested RC so 4 months ago I decided to join. Since July I have followed the schedule to a tee, have eaten properly and stayed light. In prior years I didn’t train midweek and I was heavier in weight. So by following the plan (most of my runs were completed on a treadmill) and doing everything else I was supposed to I was able to achieve more than I thought I was going to as I only needed 3:45 to qualify for Boston. Very happy with the results and will continue to train for LA Marathon on Valentines Day 2016.
Barry Leff ran the Outer Banks Marathon and finished in 4:29:41, which was a new personal record by 16 minutes.
This was my second marathon. The first was in March in Jerusalem, on a very hilly course. This course was relatively flat. I was hoping for 4:15, but it didn’t happen. Faded in the second half.
Kari Ingebritsen ran the Chocoholic Frolic 5k and finished with a time of 31:22.
Considering I am running on an injured hamstring, and I haven’t run in about six weeks, this felt great! It is certainly not a PR, but it’s only about 1 minute 22 seconds off. This may be my new favorite race. It felt really great to finally be running, and I hope I could finish up my physical therapy to soon so I can keep going. Thanks to all the coaches helping me through my injury so far.
George Willard ran the Kelley’s Island Half Marathon and finished this race event in the time of 1:57:26, which was a 19 seconds PR!
I entered this race with no intention of even attempting to PR. A friend was running his first half marathon and I was running along for moral support and give what motivation and encouragement I could. As it turned out, he did very well and I ended up with a new PR by 19 seconds!
Gary York ran the Vulcan 10K in a time of 45:10, which was a personal record by 1:30.
I won my AG last year, so this year I wanted to put in a good effort. Light rain, high humidity, and warm temps made the race more challenging. I ran a 45:10 which was a PR by 1:30. I came in 2nd in my AG (1st beat me by only 3 sec). It was a demanding race for me, and I felt like this was my best effort on this day. I am deeply satisfied that I am able to run and learn more my limits as a runner. Thanks to Danny Fisher and RC for helping me improve my fitness and set PRs at every distance this Fall: marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K (a segment of the 10K race was a 5K PR).
Karen Wilson ran the Soldiers Marathon (Half Marathon) and finished in a time of 1:59:25.
This was my 40th half marathon!! Ran with the current reigning Ms. Georgia who has such an enthusiasm for running that I hated to split off at mile 10 while she continued on with the full marathon course! I took this training run easy, fought the extra high humid conditions and came in winning second place in my age group!
Edward Sum ran the Angus Glen 10k and finished with a time of 44:28.
This was my ‘comeback’ race from my injury earlier in the summer. The plan was to start at a comfortably hard pace and run a cutdown, getting faster every 2k. I managed very well and was able to execute a complete cutdown for every kilometer. It went better than my expected time of 45 to 48 minutes, so I was happy! I also felt an improvement in my running form during the race, thanks to Coach Jeff’s advice on strides and drills during ZAP camp this summer!
Dean Morley ran the NYC Marathon and finished the distance in the time of 3:09:45.
Not a PR, but having not raced a marathon for over 18 months due to ankle injury/ surgery, very happy to bank a ‘Good for Age’ time that maintains BQ as well as most other marathons.
Great race and atmosphere, made more enjoyable by being able to stay with friends. For the race itself, although this was my 21st marathon, I felt a bit unsure of how things might go in view of the long lay-off due to ankle injury – and how to best judge my pace because of this. On a positive note though, the ankle was fine during the race. However, i think I might have made a pacing/ course misjudgment as I ran out of steam coming up 5th Avenue (which I knew would be uphill) – a combination of maybe going out 10-15 secs per mile too fast early on (but did feel was still running reasonably easy) & also the lack of being able to do 20m+ training runs. However, looking forward to London in April next year, I can now take a couple of weeks recovery and use NYC as a good base to aim to get back into sub-3 territory.
