Mike Sheridan ran the Chippenham Half Marathon in Chippenham, Wilts, UK coming across the finish line in the time of 1:25:11 which is a PR of 33 seconds as well 1st in Age Group.
1st race back after an injury-compromised marathon at the World Masters Championship in Lyon, France. Not all certain how it would go, but decided to run a progessive race and see what would happen. Result: a lifetime PR of 1:25:11 for the HM and within that, a 64:19 minute run to the 10 mile marker (unofficial PR). This gave me 43rd overall, and an age grade win. The “special” part was doing this event with all of my regular running group and then going for a meal afterwards. Perfect conditions and a run in the stunning countryside.
MJ Llamas ran the Rock-n-Roll Virginia Beach Half marathon in Virginia Beach, VA finishing in the of 2:10 which is a 15 minute course PR.
Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon is a huge local tradition in Va Beach. The event simply draws thousands of runners everywhere. This is only my 3rd time running it and have been training with RC for the last 2 times I have raced it. This year I am super happy to report a 15 minute PR from last year! It’s unimaginable to me, I’m still high from the excitement. A few things to note… For nutrition, I relied mainly on course-offered fluids (only carried a couple of gels) which meant really knowing where the water/energy drinks stops will be. Such a relief not having a hydration belt strapped on me for 13.1 miles. Second, other than the last mile, I mainly raced by feel. I set the view on my Garmin so it only showed my heart rate. I also used the posted time on the course to figure out how I am doing pace-wise (which was only at the 6th mile mark). Third, I tried to relax as best as I could. And this really showed when I got to Mile 7. I remember this is the point when I felt my running was effortless. Sure, it was still hard to breathe due to heat/humidity, but the more I relaxed my body/breathing and feel my internal pace, there was hardly any effort with leg turnover. It was the strangest feeling ever! It went on like that until we turned on the oceanfront boardwalk (which was the final mile). I seriously got confused where the fi nish line is. I spotted an orange canopy ahead and I just ran as fast as I could. It turns out it was a huge water sprayer! The actual finish line was still another half a mile or so. UGH! I suppose this is the drawback of not checking your watch and knowing your current time/distance 🙁 Well, I had no choice but to keep going. It was a difficult half mile, but nonetheless, this has been the best Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon I have raced!
Thank you Runners Connect for teaching me everything I know about running and helping me enjoy and love the sport so much!
Jason Sonnek ran the Victory 10K in Minnesota coming across the finish line with a time of 37:19 which is a PR of 1 minute and 38 seconds.
WOW! When I crossed the finish line, I thought my watch and the clock must both be wrong. I figured a 30 second improvement was possible, but I had no idea I could run this fast. THANK YOU RunnersConnect!
Michelle Ostien ran the Marquette Marathon in Marquette, MI completing this distance in the time of 3:44:57.
This weekend I raced my second marathon this summer. My first was Grandmas Marathon in June, in which I had missed my BQ time by a little under 5 minutes. I chose Marquette because it was another opportunity for me to try to better my time and get into Boston for 2016. Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out how I wanted. I am still really thankful for finding RunnersConnect and trying to go for my goal again, but the day just wasn’t the right one for me- or the right race. I have to say though that this marathon was put on extremely well with an amazing race committee as well as volunteers. The views were beautiful as well as the end of the race was along the waterfront on Lake Superior. It just is not a race I would personally choose for my PR course. This race became just about the experience and knowing it is okay to not reach a goal sometimes. It was just one race. Normally this time of year in Marquette it is cool- last year the temps were in the 40s-50s for the duration of the marathon and it was misting. This year was another story. Humidity at 100% with a high dew point and temps reaching into the mid 70s by the end of the race for me. It seemed like no matter how much water I drank I just couldn’t stay on top of being hydrated. The course was tough and I felt unprepared for it. I was under the impression the course was on a *paved bike path, but it actually ended up being granite… however it looked like a dirt road with a lot of rocks everywhere poking out. Essentially, I felt like I was running a trail marathon the first half with a lot of small rolling hills-but still hills. I don’t have access to trails like that where I live and so I do all of my training on the road. There are not too many hills around here either unfortunately. So needless to say, with the humidity and unexpected terrain, I felt thrown off. I was on track for the time I needed for 16 miles and really just fell apart and had to do a lot of walking in order to mentally get myself to that finish line. My husband jumped in and even ran a few miles with me even though he is not a runner. I really needed the support. Being a small race (311 marathoners total), there were hardly any runners around me for most of the race after the first half. We were really spread out. A good thing: At mile 10 the race declines until about mile 16, so that is awesome! My body honestly was so “done” though that the elevation drop didn’t seem to benefit me at all. I finished in 3:44:57, 5th in my age group, and 22nd of 146 or so women. I hope this post doesn’t sound negative because honestly I am thankful for finishing and so happy I was able to be coached by AMAZING coaches. A race is just that- a race– and there will always be more. That is why running is the best- if we don’t reach our goals we don’t need to give up. It just makes us want to work that much harder. For now I will be taking a break and running with my cross country team that I coach, but I hope to train for a spring marathon later this year and maybe set my goals for Boston 2017 or 2018. Thanks everyone for all your support and a special shout out to Coach Jamie- you are amazing!
Christophe Cadiou ran the Celebrate Freedom 5K in Marietta GA finishing in the time of 20:12 winning 1st in his Age Group.
I had big goals going into this 5K race, but shortly after the start, I felt flat – no energy, no spring in the legs. It took me all the energy I had to finish the first mile in 6.35, very far from the pace I had hoped to be able to run at. Right after mid-race, I got caught by another runner, and manage to hang on to his pace (sub-6′) for more than half a mile but let go unfortunately half a mile before the end of the race. Finished 8th overall and won my age group, which are both positives. I am hoping to build from this for the rest of the Fall season and go get my 18:30 goal before the end of the year!
Lorna SteMarie ran her first race ever at the In the Cut 5K in Detroit, MI finishing this race in the time of 35:21.
First race ever! Ran too fast going out because my Garmin was malfunctioning and I couldn’t feel my pace. When my Garmin kicked in and I saw I was running a 10:30 pace I panicked! I’m an 11:30runner. Slowed down so I wouldn’t have to stop near the end. Finished 71 out of 465 and 3rd in my age group!
Phil Wright ran the Marple 10K Trail Race in Marple, Cheshire, UK finishing in the time of 1:10:09 which is a PR of 6 minutes and 51 seconds.
This is a local race – running straight past my house at one point – that I have missed out on over the past couple of years due to injury. This is the first race I have been able to run since May 2014. Had set my sights on it this year as part of my build up to a larger event at the end of the month. Then got injured again. Working back from that had seen me relegate this – in my head – to part of my training, rather than a race in its own right, so pleased to have been able to make strides here even so.
Juraj Matuska ran the Birel Grand Prix 10K in Prague, Czech Republic finishing this race event in the time of 56:41.
IAAF Gold Label Road Race in the nicest town in Central Europe. No PR, but good feeling after summer injury.
Jon Whitehouse ran the Harlow 10 mile in Harlow, Essex, UK finishing in the time of 1:05:20 which is a PR of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.
Good well organised local race with lots of friendly marshals. 28th out of 208 finishers. Much better conditions than last year’s very hot race. Had hoped to dip under 65 minutes but 65:20 a satisfactory result in the circumstances.
Joe Harris ran the Midnight Flight in Anderson, SC coming across the finish line in the time of 40:14.
My first race in almost a year, due to some injuries, and a slow build up back to marathon shape. This was my tune-up for Chicago in 5 weeks. Disappointing time due to wind, hills, and a long day of travel (w/ young kids), and a banquet, seeing old friends, etc. First time back in my home town in many years. But I shouldn’t be too upset at the time, (6)6:28 miles is a great speed workout for the marathon. The 11pm start was definitely weird for my body, since all my runs typically start around6am. But that hour is great for a summer race in the deep South, as the temperature was perfect. And night racing is kind of exotic. Had a nice lightening show in the far distance, that was cool. Lots of good masters and women runners in this race, and even saw an old college teammate who’s back in great shape. My dad and niece came to cheer me on at the late hour, and this was also really cool. The great lesson from this tune up was the re-reminder that I need to start slower. I used to be a mid-distance runner, so my tendency is still to “Go!” at the starting gun. For the Chicago Marathon in particular, I really want to run negative splits, and start slow!
All in all, great to get back to racing, and many lessons learned at the Midnight Flight.
