Team RunnersConnects brings July in with a bang with 9PRS across the world.

Carol Grisso ran the National Senior Games 5K in St. Paul, Minn finishing in the time of 26:37 which was a 5K PR.

Did this after the swim and cycle leg of triathlon. Brought home the Gold for the State of Washington in the triathlon (age group 70-74) at the National Senior Games. . . THANK YOU for all your help to NAIL the run!!!!!!

Sean Regan ran the Firecracker 5K in Excelsior, MN coming across the finish line in the time of 18:57 which is a PR of 55 seconds.

SeanReagen5K race went better than expected. Started out faster than planned just to get in front of the masses at the start line. But then calmed down and worked my race plan of staying at or below my previous 5K PR pace of 6:20 for first 2nd mile. And then the best thing that can happen in a race did. There was another runner who was just a bit faster than me to compete with. He showed up and passed me at about 1.5 miles. I used him as a pace setter and stayed within striking distance until about the 2.5 mile point when I passed him. But then he stuck with me. We pushed each other to the end. And I’m happy to say that I held him off in his attempt to push past me in the last 100 meters…made for an awesome finish with the crowd in the finishing chute cheering us on. I PR’d with my best case scenario goal of cracking the 19 minute mark, and got a huge boost in confidence after the disappointment of missing BQ by 1 min 47 sec in my last marat hon on May 31st. Placed 12th overall out of a field of 1147 runners, and placed first in my age group. Looking forward to receiving a pair of free socks.

Karen Plimmer ran the Gold Coast Half marathon in Gold Coast Australia finishing this race distance in the time of 1:48:34 which is a PR of 8 minutes and 55 seconds.

Woohoo for a 8min and 55sec PR for my HM today (run on the same course). Mid winter coincides with perfect (sunny, still) conditions for running here on the Gold Coast. This course is fast and flat and draws some strong international competition. I followed the RC race plan and pace prediction. Thanks to my sister for running with me, helping out with the pacing and keeping me focused (3 watches each with different lap paces can get a bit challenging though). The result was negative splits as well as a race that was enjoyable until near the end. I waited until 15k to push the pace and finished strong even with fatigued legs over the last 2k. I was very happy to finish in the top 13% of female runners and look forward to testing myself when I move up into the 50-54 age group next year. I’ve felt I’ve been in a bit of a plateau with my progress over the last 2 months while I’ve fought off back to back colds. But the second half of this race bet both my 10k and 15k race times from earlier this year.

Christophe Cadiou ran the PeachTree Road race 10K in Atlanta, GA finishing this race in the time of 40:47.

ChrisCNot a PR, but not far (18secs). I followed the race strategy Coach Sarah had established for me for this hilly course and I believe that true to my mantra (no excuses, no regrets), I did the best I could – first mile (flat) in a conservative 6.34, miles 2-3 (steep downhill) in 6.13 and 6.11; I was right where I wanted before Cardiac Hill. Unfortunately I lost a bit too much time on the hilly miles 4-5 (6.48 and 6.40), and I had nothing left in the tank for mile 6 (mostly downhill – 6.35). Good enough for a Top 1000 finish though (561th) and a free commemorative mug!

Stacy Thomas ran The Great Bacon 5K in  Sun Prairie, WI coming across the finish line in the time 23:22 which is a PR of 16 seconds placing 3rd place female overall.

I was the 3rd place female finisher and I passed the 3 place male during the 3rd mile. It was a small race, but it’s still fun to say I finished 5th overall. Oh, and since it was ‘The Great Bacon 5K’ they served bacon at the finish line….YUM!

Claude Lafond ran the Semi-marathon Jalles which is a half marathon in Bordeaux, France coming across the finish line with a time of 1:51:25 which is a 10 minute PR.

This was a great race and my time was much better than expected: I hoped to be under 2hrs… It was a very hot day (28° C at 11am) but not too humid. Some portions were on sand and there were two long unexpected uphills!
I felt that I was really and specifically well trained for all the different stages of the race (start, middle portion, uphills, legs getting tired at 15km, finish). So many thanks to RunnersConnect !!! I hope every one else experiences this sensation of feeling well prepared and this satisfaction of running to your potential!

Sergio Calvo ran the  Correcaminos Half Marathon in San José, Costa Rica finishing this race event in the time of 2 hours and 22 minutes.

Despite the lack of consistent training during the past couple of months, I decided to stay up for this challenge. And I am glad I did! After going solid for some 17 km, I ran out of fuel near the end. After some focus and persistence to walk a few trams I was able to make it to the finish lane. I had a lot of fun and I certainly want to put again more serious training under my belt to chase my personal bests. As usual the kind encouragement and sound advice from the coaches was paramount on this one.

Nancy Maynard ran the Run San Ramon 5K in San Ramon, CA finishing this race in the time of 25:30 which is a PR by 44 seconds.

This is a small race in the town where I live, and it’s very family-oriented. The main draw is seeing runners from 4 to 87, and eating ice cream afterwards. I decided to run it as a cutdown run, and that plan worked. My goal for the first mile was to feel like I was running strong, but at a sustainable pace. I picked it up during the second mile, and tried to focus more on my breathing than my watch. For the last mile I stopped looking at my watch, and reminded myself that a cutdown run is SUPPOSED to get harder (and it did!). My attention was on reeling in other runners, and not relaxing my pace. This probably sounds pretty elementary to more experienced racers, but it was the first time I’ve actually had a real plan for a 5k. Our fast local runners didn’t show up, so my finish time was good enough for 2nd in my age group, which was nice, but my real reward was seeing my negative splits.

Dennis Moore ran the Brownville Freedom Run 13.1 in Brownville, Nebraska finishing this race distance in the time of 1:55;15.

Dennis MooreAlthough not a PR, this was a fun little HM. Several firsts for me…
– First small town race, straight out of Mayberry. Great people.
– First time spending the night on a riverboat.
– First race on a dirt road.
– First time I’ve seen a runner chewing and spitting tobacco during the race. Even more gross than a farmer’s blow!

Sarah Ryan ran the Firecracker 5K in Melbourne, FL coming across the finish line in the time of 25:35 which was a PR.

I usually do a Fourth of July 4 mile race in my hometown but since I was on vacation I decided to look for a race in Florida. I found this one and it was great! Really well organized. I haven’t raced this distance since I started running and I wasn’t sure how I’d do with the heat and humidity but I was pleased with my time. I decided not to look at my pace as I ran but to run by feel and I managed negative splits and finished strong. I placed 7/62 in my division and really enjoyed the firecracker Popsicle I got when I finished

Beth Werling ran the Muddy Paws trail race which was a 5 mile race in Peninsula, OH finishing this race event in the time of 50:16 which is a 3 minutes PR and 2nd Age group award.

Super hilly, rocky, rooty (now that’s a word) and muddy. I knocked 3 minutes off of last year’s time and was 2nd in my age group (same as last year) but unfortunately this race series only gives awards for first in age group. I’m still happy that I was able to improve from last year.

Richard Thomas ran the Arlington Stampede 10K in Arlington Heights, Illinois finishing this race in the time of 59:31.

RichardThomasThis was not my best or worst 10K time wise, but it certainly felt like the hardest. In my early races, as is the case with most runners, I had a tendency to start out too fast. I seem to have overcompensated for that tendency because now I believe I am starting out too slow, but I’m unable to make up the time during the race. I’ve done this race 3 times now, and have always enjoyed it. The 5K and 10K start out together, so it’s a bit crowded at the start, but within a block or so, there is enough room to really start moving. The people in the neighborhood really come out with enthusiasm, and many people put out sprinklers, which is very welcome when racing in July.
I was 2nd of 5 in my age group, so I’m 3 for 3 for medaling this event, but still looking for that 1st place win. This is the 2nd chip timed event now that doesn’t appear to have a timing mat at the start, only at the finish. I’m not sure how this is working unless everyone’s start time is by the horn. If I go by my Garmin, this would seem to be the case, based on the time on the clock when I actually cross the start line. Not a big deal if I start at the front, but a real bummer if I’m well back in the crowd. Today the clock already had 19 seconds on it when I crossed the start. If I take that into account, my Garmin was spot on. All in all, a good race. Not my A goal, but my B goal was sub one hour and I did that.

Scott Schoenborn ran the Foot Traffic Flat marathon on Sauvie Island in Portland, OR coming across the finish line in the time of 3:53:08.

ScottSThis was my 5th marathon. It was the 2nd fastest only to my PR when I was 25. It is a PR since I have been running in the past year +. It was the first marathon I didn’t bonk. It was a warm day at the finish it was right at 80 degrees so I survived by pouring 2 cups of water on my head at every aid station, eating a goo / gel and drinking a cup of water and electrolyte. The first 9.3 miles I ran with a friend who wasn’t feeling well and we averaged 9:12 pace.. when she was hurting she encouraged me to go ahead and run without her to the finish. So I picked up the pace. The 3:55pace group was probably 3-4 minutes ahead at that point and my goal was to slowly catch them. I did at mile 24. In the last 10 miles I passed everyone and only had 1 person pass me in the last .5 mile. negative splits by almost 4 minutes. So I was real happy at the result knowing I hadn’t tapered, barely carb loaded on the last day and initially wasn’t worried about time. Success was probably the slower paced start that allowed me a strong finish… Lot’s of lessons learned on this marathon for future.

Ralph Caddell ran the BASF Freedom Mile in Baton Rouge, Louisiana coming across the finish line in the time of 6:27 which placed him 1st in age group.

RaplhCThis was the first time I have raced a 1 mile run. This was a traditional race on July 4th in Baton Rouge. I had thought about running it in the past couple of years but never made it. It was a PR since it was the first 1 mile race I have run. I also got first in my age group (60-64). It was hot and humid but since it was a short race it did not slow me much. I will probably make this a race I do each year from now on.

Sheila Roberts ran the Crown City 4th of July 5K in Coronado, CA finishing this race event in the time of 27:49 which is a 3 minute PR.

I was running with my daughter and her friend for the first time, and it was the 4th of July, so it was very special! I’m not used to running and keeping pace with people and the course was super narrow, so I had to make some adjustments during that first mile. I actually would have run it a bit slower, but my daughter started out fast, so I wanted to keep up. I used the timing guidelines you gave, so based my other two legs on that first one. I was able to run faster each mile and ended up finishing before both the other girls! I was 4th for my age group. This was a flat, fast course, so I didn’t feel tired or winded at all at the end. I know I could have gone faster, but I didn’t want to leave my daughter too far behind since it was her first race. My achilles tendonitis didn’t bother me at all during the race. I had not run at all the two days prior and made sure I wore my running shoes and inserts the days before as wel l. This was a much more fun experience than my first 5k in March; the course was much easier and I wasn’t nervous.

Anthony Boyadjis ran the Maplewood 4th of July 5k in Maplewood, NJ finshing this race in the time of 23:39.

AnthonyBDespite a heavy week of running and high humidity, my last mile was the fastest. 5th in age group.

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