April Palmer ran the Wellsfest 5K and finished this distance in the time of 25:32.
Love competing with my friends at this small race. My plan was to draft off of one friend/competitor each mile to try to win my age group. I was successful the first mile but was ultimately passed the second mile. Not a PR for this race but it was really hot.
Mike Sheridan ran the Berlin Marathon and finished with a time of 3:06:22.
A huge reminder that you just cannot take your fitness for granted if you don’t complete ALL of the processes required to run a successful marathon, up to and including the last couple of days and even hours ……I had trained like a demon thanks to Coach Sarah, and felt confident going over to the event, who knows – maybe too confident?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I can now see that two 5:00 am starts (travel day Friday, & race day Sunday) in 3 days, mixed in with socialising/sighseeing just doesn’t set you up correctly. It just silently saps your energy and leaves you with no snap in the legs.
I sensed that it wasn’t going to be my day before halfway and went through that mark in 1:28:xx which included almost 1 min for a pit stop…….from around mile 14-15 I was out of it in a competitive sense and into survival mode. The second half was just horrible and suffice it to say it took me 10 minutes longer than the 1st half, so I finished in 3:06:22…..
Small consolation – I finished 2nd in Age Grade on the day, but I know it was an opportunity missed. Sincere apologies to my Coach…..Fellow RC’ers – please learn from this, your training goes right to the start line, it doesn’t end when you arrive in the City for the event!
Helen รlafsdรณttir ran the Berlin Marathon with a finishing time of 2:48:26.
On the eve of the race, I decided to change the objectives and focus. I had landed badly on the wall in the last two marathon and I found that the experience sat trapped in me to dare to go out at a pace that I had been practicing for. The main aim of the day was to jump over the wall, smile all the time and step over the finish line fresh and happy. I had noticed that during workouts that I sweat a lot, more than usual. I took advantage of the nutritional advice from you (Blueprint) and set up very systematically drinks and gels plan. It was going on, was strong and refresh at the finish line and so was all this extra ๐ :-)๏ New Icelandic record in the age group (W45) at time 2:58:26 which gave me the fourth woman in the age group of the Race. 66th woman in therace (think they have been around 10,000 women running) and negative split. This is the fastest time for icelandi women this year in all age group. Ecstasy and everything went up today. Now I’m ready to put my big goals in Boston next year.
Brian St.George ran the Ely Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:21:42.
This was a challenging course with lots of hills, so along with my lack of recent training I didn’t know what I should expect for a pace. I thought I’d try to start our extra conservative with a 6:30 pace and see how I felt from there. The hills didn’t allow for a steady pace, so I did my best to take advantage of the downhills and survive the uphills. It was a small race with only 400 runners; I ran solo in 2nd place from start to finish. I had a great time at the start and finish with about 20 members of our running club. They all gave me high fives as we passed during a turnaround point at mile 5 where it looked like I still might be able to catch the race leader. He was 30 seconds ahead at that point, but ended the race over 3 minutes ahead as I faded in the last few miles. There were several moments over the first 5 miles where I considered putting on a surge to catch and contend with the lead runner. I wisely kept those thoughts in check and stayed put. In the end, I had a great time, my body feels really good on Sunday, and it leaves me with a lot of confidence moving forward!
Peter Tornquist ran the BMW Berlin Marathon 2016 and finished in a time of 4:34:49.
The Berlin Marathon has been on my map ever since I joined Runners Connect. It’s a great race in a great city, with amazing organization and unbeatable atmosphere. I didn’t set any personal record, but the race still proved a hugely positive experience. Thanks to RC training I was better prepared, had fresh legs for most of the race and enjoyed being out there much more than any time before. Speed came down as temperature got higher, but crossing the Brandenburger Tor a few hundred meters from the finishing line was totally emotional. I happily admit to smiling, shouting and shedding some tears as all the hard training came together and finally paid off!
Nicola Tortora ran the Berlin marathon with a finishing time of 3:33:35, which was a PR by 2 minutes!
It was a fantastic race and day which was coronated with my new personal record of 3:33:35. Sunny all day long. The first few km’s went very smooth and although there were many people I was able to run my pace no problem. Some problems related to the number of people started more after km 10 where there were more curves and streets were narrower. I could not follow freely the shortest route so at the end my GPS showed I had run 1,1 km more, so I could have gone potentially even sub 3:30 and i’am therefore even more happy with what I have accomplished.
Of course, besides the competition, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the crowd, the music and everything around us running that made the perfect day. I liked the last km going through the Brandeburg door packed with people and the distribution of the alcohol free beer as recovery pack ๐ I finished the day by treating myself and my wife a nice dinner still proudly wearing the medal around the neck.
Bonnie Galvin ran the Adirondack Distance Festival Half Marathon and finished in 1:45:49.
A tough course, but the views, volunteers and spectators made it a very enjoyable race. Not a PR but my fastest of this race season. My “easy go to HM race pace” before I joined RC was about 8:10 – 8:15. Now it is 8:00 – 8:05. I credit the coaches and all the awesome RC team members! Thanks!
Rebecca Dorr ran the Lone Gull 10k and finished this distance in the time of 00:50:00. This was a personal record by 1:41.
This was an important race for me mentally. I have just come back from a bout of extensor tendinitis that had me out for almost 2 weeks. Coming back my training was a bit shaky and I had some problems hitting prescribed paces in the workouts. I felt I had something to prove with this race. To myself and to my coaches. I feel like I ran a really smart race. I did a 3 mile warm-up with stretches and lunge sequence. The weather was perfect and I did something new…I did not constantly look at my pace! I only set watch to time/distance and just glanced occasionally when I hit mile splits. This method worked and I ran by effort. I felt good through mile 5 then I started to tire, but I knew the end was near so I pushed aside the voice telling me to slow down and finished strong. I was thrilled with my result and the fact that I was feeling really good through most of this race.
Judy Wong Page ran the Rock ‘n Roll Montreal Marathon and finished with a time of 3:51:13.
This was my 9th marathon. I was hoping for a PB of a sub 3:45 or at least a sub 3:50. The porta potties lineups were so long so it ended up being a rush to the start. I was supposed to be in corral 4, but didn’t quite make it – ended up starting in corral 6. Beautiful first half on the island, through La Ronde amusement park, and Old Montreal. Second half was a disappointment, other than some nice neighbourhoods. There were so many turns that I believe this caused me not making my goal. I’m very happy with my splits. I just kept getting faster. At 24 km, I felt I was struggling. This made me worry, as there was a lot more race to go. I pushed through and I think those workouts that simulated running on tired legs really worked. I was running past so many people those last 2 km. My garmin had me running 42.62 km and my average pace was 5:25. At that pace, I should have run a sub 3:50. I ended up with a 3:51:13, which I am still happy with – a Boston Qualifier for 2018.
Chin Peng Koh ran the Berlin Marathon and finished in a time of 4:45:31. This was a massive PR by 32 minutes!
I was disappointed. I had wanted to do better timings, sub4 or at least close to it. But this is reality that I didn’t achieve it this time. The race conditions were perfect. Very well organised and wonderful crowd. I started my run well with full of confidence. Did well according to plan for the first 20k. Then I started to feel a little sensation in one if the muscle of the left quad. It flared up at around 26km and I couldn’t run as normal from then on. Obviously I had to limp to finish. The finish medal was no consolation. There will be another time, I thought.
Chris Willis ran the Bristol half marathon and finished this race event in the time of 1:33:57.
I was aiming to achieve a 1:32 but unfortunately miles 11 – 13 were not quick enough. So to be honest I feel disappointed. The positives are that I ran this 3 minutes faster than I previously had which is a great improvement.
Nils Ackerholm ran the Berlin Marathon with a finishing time of 3:46:22, which was a PR!
I ran as fast as I could have done, so I’m really satisfied even though the time I’ve been training for was one minute away. I’ve been running for quite some time, not as frequently and not so many miles per week. I decided to run a marathon as soon as this year in April (I was training for a half marathon at the time).
Monique McGuckin ran the Akron Marathon Race Series and finished with a time of 4:52:42, which was a PR by 1:17.
Because of major work on the regular marathon course, the Akron Marathon route was revised last year making it much more hilly with several substantial hills between miles 8 to 14. Last year, with this new course and the constant uphills followed by downhills, being new to the marathon distance, my calves started cramping from mile 16 to the end. This year, I wanted to try doing the same race with hopefully no cramping or at least to a lesser degree and further into the race. I, again, trained on hilly trails and used electrolytes beforehand and during the race.
I was looking forward to putting into practice your race plan after following both your training and race plans. I followed your race plan to a T, and it did work well for me. I took it very easy for the first 4 miles, “cruise-controlled” for the next 18 or so, and gave it all I had left for the rest. I felt good and picked up my pace to a 9:15 mpm. However, my legs started cramping then and even locked several times. I had to stop, stretch several times… I didn’t quite meet my goal, but I feel that RC gave me a new way to look at training and racing. I am looking forward to training a full year with RC and do that race again and shoot again for 4:40 or 4:30 if I can. Thanks for all your help! ๐
John McGiff ran the Fit One Half Marathon and finished this race in the time of 1:48:26.
First race as a member of RC. In July I struggled to get to a 1:51 overall time, as I ran my first HM in over 2 years. During this race I struggled to keep my times slower so that I wouldn’t expend too much energy ahead of my goal race in two weeks. I basically ran a cutdown run with a fast finish. It was a good compromise…not a PR, but faster than my July race, reflecting the improvement in my fitness.
David Hammar ran the Cornerstone 5K and finished this distance in the time of 23:30, which was a PR by 35 seconds.
First race of my Fall season series here in FL. Was beginning to wonder if I could still run and confidence was questionable since last race was nearly three months ago. Results reinforced my Summer runs at 6:00 a.m. were not wasted as I didn’t tire until the last half mile uphill and I was still able to improve my best time by over half a minute.
Siobhan Donegan ran the Montreal Rock & Roll Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:41:59.
This was my very first race outside of the US, even though Montreal is only 90 miles from my front door step. It inspired me to explore other destination races that appeal to me, especially as my kids get older.
The weather was perfect for running today and the course was mostly flat — the lure of a PR was on everyone’s mind today, myself included. However, I found the early miles congested with several hairpin turns which made it hard for me to ramp up the pace too early. I stayed with my pack until I felt there was more of a window to speed up gradually. I felt comfortable out there and I had no aches, twinges or other annoyances to speak of. A good day!
Besides some manageable hills right around miles 11 and 12, this course was nice and flat. I came in 6th in my age group and ended the race feeling at least semi-confident that I was on the right track with my training for the Cape Cod Marathon in 5 weeks. So happy my clan and I made the trip up to Montreal this weekend, and looking forward to getting back to my training!
Rosie Kyes ran the Lone Gull 10k, finishing this distance in the time of 51:12. This was a new personal record by 22 seconds.
I have been doing this race for a few years now. My time last year was 54:29. I’m so so happy with my time today (51:12). I also did a 10K race last month and I did 22 second faster today. Thank you RC coaches!! You guys Rock!!!
Karen Hulbert ran the Chicago Half Marathon and finished in a time of 2:08:37.
I knew I wasn’t going to PR since I have been dealing with PF and heel spur but felt good to get out there and run without much heel discomfort. Started out slow so see how it felt and progressively got faster. Pushed it at the end when I saw the finish line in site. Went with our local running club and had a great time.
Luis Cifuentes ran the HM Valladolid and finished this race in the time of 1:23:49. This was a PR by 45 seconds.
Finishing time 1:23:49 which is a 45 second PR but not as satisfied as I should be. Because I let a race pace calculator tool determine when a race is a success or a failure. I’ll try to make myself clear enough. According to last June’s 5k result (17:50) I was supposed to be ready for a ~1:22:30 HM time and that has been in my mind for the last few weeks. Then today everything went OK (~3:55/km) until km 14 though I felt I was working harder than I should. Last 7km were a struggle (~4:01/km). I tried to keep level of effort and push hard but as each remaining mile went by I realized my pace was slowing down.
Marty Baker ran the Brunswick Forest Oktoberfest 15K, finishing this distance in the time of 2:05:16.
It was a nice day to run and the course was breathtaking…running on roads, paved trails through the woods, and over wooden bridges.
Michael Beavers ran the Chicago half marathon and finished with a time of 2:14:43, which was a PR!
Ran this race in honor of my father. My son ran this one with me. I missed most of the last couple of month of training but was determined to run this even if I had to walk. The plan was to run at around 10/min pace. We seemed to just keep getting faster as we went but I was feeling pretty good. . . That was until a slight up hill started at mile 11. My pace dropped by about 1 min per mile. The 2:10 pace group caught me and I stayed with them up until about 3/4 of a mile from the finish. I finished the race woo hoo. My Dad would have been proud I think, and it’s another story my son and I can share. Chicago did a great job on this race. Lots of fun. I learned a lot since this was my first 1/2.
Patrick Callahan ran the Prince William Novant Half Marathon and finished in a time of 2:29:11, which was a PR!
Ran a HM for my scheduled 10 mile LR. I have never run more than 10 miles so broke new ground today. Up at 4:45 to get to the race. Stuck with small 2:30 pace group until my calf muscles cramped up. 57 degrees at the start of the race through the civil war battlefields. Great pre-race, on-race, and post-race support.
Jennifer Sheely ran the Charm City Run 20 miler and finished the race in the time of 2:44:45.
After almost a year of dealing with health issues and injuries, this morning I felt like I was the old runner that I used to be. I felt like I smiled the entire race…felt great to be out there again! Looking forward to getting back to Boston in 2018.
Tang Trang ran the Oakville Half Marathon with a finishing time of 1:38:15, which was a PR by 1 second.
After a time trial last week, I did not feel I was in good shape for this race. Today, I started off slightly too fast then settled around 4:45 for the first 10km. After 2k at speed 4:40, there was no way I was thinking I could maintain the entire race like this and indeed I was slowing down after 5k. Usually, I would start feeling tired legs after 15k. To my surprise, legs were light and felt really energized. So I took the opportunity to keep it as long as I could, probably back in the 4:30-35 pace. I ended up passing consistently many people. The last 3k were the fastest at around 4:20-25, I could even do a little sprint under 3:50 in the last maybe 30 meter. Incredible sensation. I thought I was going to have a poor race, but I finished 1:38:15, a second better than my PB! LOL. Fantastic, and legs are still in a very good shape. Although I don’t understand what happened, it was a great experience!
Danielle Schroder ran the Texel Halve Marathon and finished in a time of 1:53:18.
Texel is one of the islands of the Netherlands. For this race there is a special ferry boat from the mainland to the island with only the runners. When they open the gate of the car deck, the horn sounds and the race starts the moment you set foot on Texel. Today it was very warm and we had to run 2 km in the beach. It was just turning flood so it was very hard to run. This is reflected in my finishing time. Special race and had a great day.
Daniel Powell ran the Plano Baloon Festival Half Marathon and completed this distance in the time of 1:59:58.
79 deg 98% humidity. Got really dehydrated and had to run walk last 10k. Goal was 1:34. I am a heavy sweater skipped first water station and probably only got 4 oz at next 3. Got to get more for my full. Hoping weather is better.
Sam Downey ran the Berlin Marathon and finished with a time of 3:34:03. This was a personal record by 3 minutes.
I achieved my race plan!!! I ran negative splits. I felt better in the second half of the race than I did the first. Ran so well, felt calm, in control the entire way. Took in all the sights and sounds, hi 5’d lots of kids, and heard my name being cheered by the locals in their awesome accents the entire way! So proud of myself and have recovered so well. I can’t thank you enough Runner’s connect Coach’s for getting me to the start line so physically and mentally well prepared. The best I have ever felt in a race! All of this, after traveling over 1 day to get to this race, and overcoming jetlag in two days.
Morgan Daulton ran the Mill Race Half Marathon, finishing this distance in the time of 1:53:24. This was a personal record by 1:38.
This was a really nice run! The conditions were not ideal – upper 60’s at the start and 99% humidity. The race officials even sent a warning letter the day before. Because of that, I kept it very conservative for the first half of the race. The second half I got it in gear and finished strong. I am excited to see that I’m getting faster – I’ve PR’d every distance this year! ๐
Melinda Salmon ran the Rock n Roll Half Marathon and finished with a time of 2:15.
