Autumn Paine ran the The Loco Go Big or Go Home Challenge 10k and finished this distance in the time of 1:14:19.
Registered last minute for the local trail run. It’s a small race near Chico. The views were crazy beautiful. The out 3.1 was all up – elevation went from 4334 to 4813, and the back was back down. It wasn’t single track but was still pretty rocky and rutted, with rocks and downed trees, and creek beds running through the trail. I came close to eating it a couple of times but managed to say on my feet. 🙂 The uphill was a lot of work but I’m in much better shape than, say, this time last year, and overall I’m very happy with this race.
Antonio Silva ran the Rock & Roll Marathon and finished with a time of 3:20:53. This was a personal record by 6 minutes!
Sooo I wanted to do 3:15 and fell short at 3:20. I PR’d by 6mins, which was the major objective, so I’m happy overall. I’m also happy with the fact I never really hit a wall in any major way. I felt good going through mile 16-20 (a new thing!) and had plenty of energy in the tank. Physically, my left calf was on a “I’m about to cram at any moment” towards the end of the race, but now (next day) besides some stiffness, it’s like I did a practice run yesterday!
In insight, this might mean I went at it too conservative in the beginning… but I was afraid of the rolling hills. The San Diego course is HILLY. The crowds are very sparse once you leave the city center. So you end up running a low for a long period. Then, the worse. Miles 20-25 are on a stretch of highway… alone, no crowds, going through cement with cars on the other side. And the worse of it all, at mile 22 you are facing with a strong uphill a mile long… it’s basically a PR killer at that point.
To sum up: I’m happy with my performance. Ran it conservatively and could have pushed for close to 3:15 had I had a bit more confidence around mile 16-20, and didn’t have that master hill at mile 22.
Werner Venter ran the Comrades Ultra Marathon and finished in a time of 10:15. This was a PR by 12 minutes!
The Comrades is 87km with total elevation gain of close to 1700 meters. 17 000 started the race this year. I started to train in December 2016. Ran 3 marathons and two short ultras (50 and 56km) in preparation for the event.
Plan was to do 1500km from January to the race but manage only 1300 km during the training. Calf injury and flu kept me from training during this period. Ran strong at the end to enable new PB for this distance. It was great.
Tom Schneider ran the North Olympic Discovery Marathon with a finishing time of 3:36:26.
My BQ goal was 3:40 (8:20 pace), and I ran a 3:36:26, finishing 3rd in my age group, and 34th out of 267 marathoners that completed the course!
It was more rolling than I expected, and the most difficult part was the wind – it was gusty, with direct headwinds from 9-12 miles per hour, throughout the entire race. The last 3 miles were right on the seawall, with no shelter from the wind. It was….very hard. I earned this one.
So I reached my first goal: finishing strongly, and my secondary goal: qualifying for Boston. A bonus was finishing 3rd for my age group. So now I have my “decade PR,” and if I compare it to my 35 year old self’s PR of 3:14, this would have been a 3:06. So I’m proud and pleased.
Todd Walter ran the Running of the Bulls 8K, finishing this distance in the time of 33:48.
I have run this race 4 of the last 5 years and this year was able to set a race PR by 34 seconds which was only 14 seconds off my PR for the distance. This is the state championship race for the 8k distance so it was pretty competitive. I have never been close to an age group podium before in this race but this year I got 3rd!
Kristine Craig ran the Covered Bridges Half Marathon and finished this race in the time of 2:02:24.
I do this race every year with my sister. Its a very scenic race that NEVER gets old. Its a net downhill race, which could provide a PR for many people. However, I did not accomplish that this year.
What was different in your race plan was I ran more miles per week than ever before, but I ran less miles at race pace (or close to). As a result, I felt like my race pace felt harder than I would have liked. Maybe I just am not mentally strong enough to handle the discomfort, something I would really like to improve. I also thought I blew any chance for A PR around mile 8-9, when my splits were over my target pace, so then I “gave up” on my PR, only to realize that at mile 11-12, if I hadn’t walked when I gave up, I could have gotten VERY close to a PR, if not achieved it. Needless to say, this is frustrating to me, (this has happened before), my mind gets foggy, I can’t do the math, then I sit with regrets. Overall, I did enjoy the training, but the lure of breaking the 2 hr time still haunts me. I will try again next year. Thank you!!
Bridget Hunt ran the London 10 Mile and finished with a time of 1:26:25. This was a massive PR by 11 minutes!
I haven’t run a 10 mile race for 20 years!! The race was special because it was the day after the London terrorist attack and people were defiant, determined and ran ‘as one’.
I have worked really hard on my strength and core and trying to really stick to the RC coaching. It is paying off – I still feel better over marathon/ultra distance but loved really opening up the legs and pushing my pace. Feeling it now!! So happy 🙂
Richard Alberts ran the Comrades Up Run and finished this race event in the time of 11:40:59, which was a PR!
Well….first time running the UP. Incredibly hard run. Started off pacing for 11 hours but after the first half, decided that that was unrealistic. Changed pacing to 11:45 and managed a good second half. Definitely a big deal. This run has more than 1600 meters elevation gain and mist of that comes in the first 37kms. Got my medal and a few black toe nails to prove it. Just shy of 88kms.
Aaron Sobel ran the Run Houston! Clear Lake 5k and completed this distance in the time of 25:17, which was a PR by 20 seconds!
Biggest part of my race plan was to try to negative split the last mile, wanted to finish fast the whole mile vs. just doing a final sprint right before the finish. Well, not only did I negative split the last mile, but I negative split all 3 miles! So basically ran a cutdown – which psychologically I prepared myself for.
I also got a PR which was great (despite rain and humidity), and I was running faster throughout the race – so felt the 5k specific workouts I did this cycle helped me. Need more of those.
Sascha Fennel ran the Run for the Whales Half Marathon and finished in a time of 1:51:25.
First half marathon since October 2016. As in my last 10k race I decide to start last. This is the first race I remember in which nobody ever passes me. Not a single one. Instead I start chasing down the runners coming into view in front of me. And once I pass one the chase begins for the next one who comes into view. Doing it this way my concentration is always on this next one and never on myself putting my form into question. It is a fantastic feeling.
At half time I am at 56:29. My mind is set to get my negative split. And there is never a real doubt I will succeed this. My strategy works out perfectly. I run the second half in 54:56 with the last km being the fastest. At the very end I do my trademark final sprint and finish this race all happy.
Geoff Hablow ran the Covered Bridges Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:46:06.
Covered Bridge Half Marathon in Vermont. Always ranked in top 10 halfs. After less than stellar month of running, happy with the results. Ran 1:46 just 1 min off my PR from last month. But the process to get there certainly was challenging. Relatively flat course and net downhill. The last 2 miles were really hard. But pushed through and finished, barely.
Tony Pallotta ran a 5k distance in Baltimore and finished in a time of 24:02.
Felt good to run hard. I started a 22 week marathon schedule after missing 7 weeks of training this spring. This was week 3 and I ran a time trial on the track to see where I am at in fitness. I am training off a 5k time of 7:40 currently. My PR is 21:42 last September, my time today was 24:02, so I have ways to go getting back there. Today’s pace was 7:45 and it was hot out there. Temperature adjustment was 10 sec/mile. So, I am satisfied with the run and think I am training right where I should be. I did run a negative split. Negative splits are much more fun.
Joel Turkel ran the Covered Bridges Half Marathon and finished this race in the time of 1:35:22. This was a PR by 1:24.
This was a great race in a beautiful location in Vermont. It took a lot of restraint but I finally managed not to go out too fast in the first mile! I got a side stitch in the 9th mile that was nearly my undoing. I eased off and did my best not to panic. Fortunately I was able to regain my composure and finish strong for a PR. Old Joel would have fixated on the time he lost starting at mile 9. New Joel is happy to have overcome the adversity 🙂
Russ Lilley ran the Loudoun Street Mile and finished this race event in the time of 7:28:28, which was a PR by 20 Seconds!
This was the RRCA Virginia 1 mile state Championships race in Winchester. I PR’d this race over last year by 20 seconds and aerobically felt great. It had only been 7 days since my disappointing 1/2 marathon but I must have recovered just enough. 3rd in my Age Group was just icing on the cake.
Jared Spencer ran the Race 13.1 10k and finished in a time of 37:48.
First race since Boston Marathon. Final time was just outside my PR (37:23) for this distance. Finished 1st out of 344 runners. Super satisfied with effort given how little 10k specific training I was able to get done to my marathon recovery plan. Looking forward to more training and hopefully some new PRs.
Ryan Kreider ran the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon and finished in 1:46:10. This was a huge PR by 15 minutes!
First time I’ve run completely injury free in quite awhile and loved running the race and being able to really push myself without fear of exacerbating the injury. It was a great course and had a blast!
Dean Morley ran the Dorking 10 mile, finishing this distance in the time of 1:04:34.
Dorking 10 tune-up race; pleased with this as, whilst about 20 secs off my PB (on this course 3 years ago), as I’m on the downward age slope (at 52) it’s a better age-graded time – and the similar time I ran 3 years ago was 2 months after I PB’d in the London Marathon (at 2.55); so hopefully this indicates I’m still in that sort of shape.
Route is undulating/ hilly throughout, so also a good workout on the legs and lungs – so I’m sure I will appreciate the couple of days recovery assigned to me 🙂
Jennifer Phillips ran the Baltimore 10 Miler and finished with a time of 01:43:00.
First race where I really felt good and like my training has paid off. This course is hilly too.
Bobbi Lynn Bolton ran the Echo Half Marathon with a finishing time of 2:21:14.
First half since this same race last year that I have been able to run more than walk. Last half in April I walked 11.5 miles and ran 1.5, this time I ran 11.5 miles and walked 1.5. Kind of a redemption race!
Mathias Landby ran the Stockholm Marathon and finished with a time of 3:29:26. This was a massive personal record by 16:27.
This was my fourth Marathon since I started running this distance in July last year. My previous PR was set in December 2016 at 3:45 and I set myself a new target of 3:30. The last 6 months have been spent running with RC and I can tell the gradual improvements and felt pretty good going into yesterdays run.
The day was very nice, around 15C, overcast with a bit of wind. Lots of kids along the route wanting high-fives made for enjoyable running. The first half went very well with fresh legs all the way. Parts of the route were very narrow with a lot of people jostling for position, so pace was a bit up and down. My younger brother and two nieces were waiting at 34k and served as a focus for the next 13k. I reached them starting to tire. The last stretch was a slog, but I managed to stick to the paces and finished without having bonked. I managed a very small negative split and feeling surprisingly good the day after.
All in all, I am very very happy! Thank you coaches for a very solid program, and RC community for providing plenty of inspiring stories and support!
Diego Ballesteros ran the Run the River for Hope 10k and completed this distance in the time of 47.53, which was a PR by 40 seconds!
Unexpected PR!
April Palmer ran the Heatwave Triathlon 10k, finishing this distance in the time of 3:19:18.
I had really little time to train for the swim or bike and had no open water swim practice this year. My goal therefore was to finish and try to do as well as I could on the run. The swim was horrible as the water was rough and I kept getting lost. The bike was easy but I had to make a pit stop at the end adding about 3-5 extra minutes. The run went better. I was able to run fairly consistent pace around 9:30 until mile 4 when I started to tire. I was then able to pick it up the last mile which started with a gentle hill and ended with a short hill. The run was 1:00:47 with official pace of 9:49. There were seven women in my age group and I was last on the swim and bike but second on the run.
John Bakalar ran the Herrin Fest 10K and finished in a time of 42:34.
It was a great day to run. Normally it’s a very humid day when this race is held. I felt great, breathing was relaxed until the last mile.
Dennis Moore ran the Hospital Hill HM and finished this race in the time of 2:10:42.
This has to be one of the toughest HMs around because of the relentless hills and time of year. I’m not sure “I conquered the hill.” With humidity in the high 90s and temps in the low 80s, I gear-checked my expectations and decided to just have as much fun as I could with this one. It was fun, but it was also brutal, even at an easy pace. But, man, I’m ready for a few days rest and recovery, a few weeks of running for the fun of it, then focusing like a laser on the fall marathon.
Lance Martin ran the Downhill at Dawn Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:31:34.
1:31:34 officially — very close to my PR. Much of the course is through the woods where reception is sketchy. It’s a fast course with some free downhill miles, but it can take back what it gives if you’re not willing to fight through the pain of quad-shredded legs for the last 4 miles. Having been in the car for 4 1/2 hours the day before, I was extremely pleased with how I performed — attacking the first two flat-to-downhill miles, downshift for the next two uphill miles, opening up in a controlled way for the steady downhill, then gritting out the last miles. Good enough for second in my AG and a top 20 finish.
Anders Ohman ran the Asics Stockholm Marathon and finished in a time of 4:42:15, which was a PR!
Beautiful course, great spectators and perfect running weather. For me it was special as my first marathon, and the race went very well. Also wonderful to run the last 300 m on Stockholm Stadion, the Olympic Stadium from 1912 and the place where 83 world records in athletics have been set.
Monica Chwojdak ran the Virginia Wine Country 13.1 Half Marathon and finished this distance in the time of 2:49:28.
I supposed the lesson learned was that not all races are going to be good, I’m not always going to PR and sometimes I will be humbled by a terrible race. I ran about 10-12 minutes slower than my average 13.1 time. This might be a blessing in disguise though, since I will be starting 26.2 training on June 12. Maybe it’s time for me to get rid of all my preconceived notions, ideas, and beliefs of my running and start fresh.. I’m ready.
Nini McCormack ran the Mountains2Beach Marathon with a finishing time of 4:16:35. This was a massive personal record by 22 minutes!
Huge PR from 2016 CIM 5 months ago, I qualified for Boston (8 minutes faster than my age qualifying time), and my first negative split (2:08:44 1st half; 2nd half 2:07:51).
I lined up with the 4:22 pacer. She was going to start 10:05 to 10:10 and that would be just right for me. Realizing in the first half mile that she was running faster than 10-minute per mile, I stopped following her and ran on planned pace for the first 3 miles. At mile 4, I started creeping into a pace faster than my GMP of 9:55 but comfortable. I befriended a runner with the same pace. Chatting and occasional laughs and without paying attention to the distance made the run seem shorter than 26.2.
Gel every 3 miles and drinking at every aid station helped fuel my run (practice drinking from a cup without stopping paid off). Beginning mile 23, however, I started to feel very tired. I could feel cramping coming. I started taking breaks to prevent it from happening. Lost a couple of minutes but made it to the Finish standing strong at 9:47 pace!
Marley Steele-Inama ran the Bolder Boulder 10k and finished with a time of 49:49. This was a new personal record by 35 seconds!
My goal this year has been to break 50 minutes in the 10k, a race distance that I actually haven’t run all too much. I also knew the Bolder Boulder would be a tough race to PR in and get sub-50 because it is not an easy course (hills, crowds, LOTS of turns). I’ve lived in Colorado for over 40 years, and have never run this race, so being my inaugural time at the event, I was especially excited, as I knew every climb, every turn, every “sideline” experience (aka belly dancers, dancing cows, slip and slides) would all be new to me! It truly is an experience everyone should try to have! I was very thrilled that my pace was incredibly consistent (all right around 7:55), and that I finished strong in 49:49! I look forward to doing this race again with my daughter…this time, doing the slip and slide! 🙂
