Jens Grosch ran the Frankfurt Marathon and finished this race in the time of 3:12:27.
My training and form leading into the race were excellent—and taper metrics (TSB, HRV) indicated readiness for a sub-3 attempt. The weather, however, was challenging with strong WSW winds (20km/h), gusts up to 50km/h) and cold conditions that raised the energy cost early on. I executed the pacing plan well through 25 km, keeping heart rate and effort steady, but the headwind sections required higher power output than expected. My fueling plan with PowerGel and salt caps worked smoothly—no GI issues, energy stayed stable throughout. Up to 35 km I was still on PB, although not sub-3; however, I began feeling significant calf tightness and had to consciously manage stride and cadence to avoid cramping. Cardiovascularly I felt capable of maintaining pace, but the local muscular fatigue in the calves became the limiting factor. Overall, this was a strong, controlled race under difficult conditions that confirmed my aerobic fitness but highlighted the need to improve late-race neuromuscular endurance. I’m confident that with focused calf and elastic-strength work, I can translate current fitness into a sub-3 performance at Zurich.
As GPS didn’t work in the Frankfurt high-rises, here the times from chip: 00:43:22 (10km), 1:32:21 (half), (3:12:27 finish)
Christine Lee ran the Turkey Trail Denver 5k, finishing this distance in the time of 21:06. This was a PR by 1 minute and 6 seconds!
I earned 1st Place Overall Female and earned a PR. The weather was cold. Did not wear watch while racing. Race Results Link: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/153202/IndividualResult/hXXM#U39877765
Pros: Able to keep pacing and speed strong in cold weather. Felt calm and breathing was relaxed.
Improvements: Warm up hands with gloves right before racing, so energy is retained.
Christina Kach ran the Wine & Dine 10K and finished with a time of 1:01:30.
My first runDisney race with Scott, since meeting him at runDisney back in April. True to runDisney, we ran way over the 6.2 mileage because of photo stops. We stopped for 11 photos. – 5 more than I stopped at last year (and my time last year was 1:01:39) We had a good time before, during and after the race with each other and our friends.
Christina Kach ran the Wine & Dine Half Marathon and completed this race event in the time of 2:36:45.
This was my 21st half marathon, and my slowest one ever (by 12 minutes). But know why it isn’t a “failure” because I achieved a runDisney goal I truly never thought I would – we stopped at EVERY PHOTO STOP on course. All 25. And it took time, there were lines early in the race. We ended up with 2:06 of running time and 30 minutes of idle/walking time. My Garmin chart looks like the most chaotic interval workout you ever saw. Oh but we had fun. Truly enjoyed the vacation and the races. What I did take away from this was – all the effort I put in to get enough sleep, watch what I eat, foam roll, etc etc…all that DOES make a difference.
Joe Allen ran the Autumn Squatch 10k with a finishing time of 1:16:57.
This trail race is part of the Ohio “roots and rocks” race series. Not that many rocks but plenty of roots, two of which got me but if you don’t take a spill in a trail race, you’re probably not trying hard enough. A perfect day for the run. Nice thing about trail running is that you’d better keep your eyes on your feet and not your watch. Was the only person in the old folks age group but finished 73rd out of 160 runners.
Beth Montgomery ran the New York City Marathon and completed this race event in the time of 5:32:50.
I ran with two friends the entire distance. I run with them on Saturdays usually, so we knew each other’s pace and race goals. It was so nice to run with others, I’ve never done that before. When it got tough on a late hill, they pushed me along. As usual, I enjoyed the course, the crowds, and the race overall.
Stacey Brooks ran the Battlegreen Run 10k and finished this distance in the time of 46:58.
This was my first race following lower back injury at the end of the summer. My goal was just to get myself healthy and feeling good, no ambitious finish time goal, but I surprised myself with a strong run. Without even looking at my watch during the race, I finished one second off my time at this same event last year! I also beat out another runner who had passed me at mile 5. I kept it tight and surged past her the last 25yds to cross the line first…very satisfying!
John Kuchinski ran the New York City Marathon and finished with a time of 4:36:28.
Overall, was very happy with the race, especially since I had to withdraw from Boston in 2023 the morning of the race due to a bad virus, and the subsequent effects. I felt good throughout, other than the hamstring cramping after mile 23 which cost me a minute or two. But managed to persevere through it and finish ok. Never really hit the wall, only had to walk a few more times in the last 3 miles than I hoped, but kept the walk breaks to 30-45 seconds.
My original time goal was 4:30, plus or minus a few minutes. I was only 6:38 over it. I underestimated the impact the crowded field (59,000 runners) and the heavy crowds in Brooklyn would have on my time. It’s not a race to PR. It was difficult to find a steady pace through much of Brooklyn, as I spent time weaving in and out, as runners were all different paces. My Garmin had me at 26.64 miles total, with a 10:23 pace, vs the official 26.2 miles and 10:33 pace. That included my 2 stops, so I basically ran at the pace I expected (10:15 – 10:30).
I was happy I was running as I planned, basically pretty steady effort throughout, slowly picking up the pace as the miles piled up. Took it easy on the up-hills in several places, which helped with my stamina toward the end. Was hoping to finish the last 5-10k relatively strong and average a 10 minute pace, but the hamstring prevented this (maybe also my age). But overall, very happy I ran NY. It was a great experience.
