Teams RunnersConnect smashes through October with 12 PRs and several first time races from the 10K to the 50K.

Chris Carrier ran the Chicago Marathon in Chicago, IL finishing this race  in the time of 3:49:42 which is a PR of over 19 minutes.

ChrisCarrerCThis was my second marathon. Last year in the same race, I ran a 4:08+ and this year my finishing time was 3:49:42, a PR by 19 minutes, so I’m very happy!!! When I joined Runners Connect, my goal was more modest, to break four hours. An extra ten minutes?! Wow! My only problem is I’ve probably already achieved what would have been my goal for the next marathon! 🙂 Thanks to my training program, I did not hit “the wall.” Yes, things hurt a little more between miles 21 – 26.2, but I actually didn’t slow down all that much. Last year, my pace dropped minutes at that point, this year a few seconds. I did pull over to stretch once around mile 19 due to a very tight right calf muscle, but I kept the pace and did not cramp. Last year, I cramped up twice and had to stretch out. I used a pace bracelet and was VERY happy I did. It cut the race into 27 mini races and kept me on my program. I didn’t have to do a bunch of math in my head and since I turned off auto-lap on my watch, I didn’t have to worry about gps-creep. Moreover, it was easy to stay with the gradual warm-up recommended by RC, which I can now say worked. I kept on plan and did not deviate. In the end, I was able to actually accelerate a bit beyond my planned paces and get a bit of extra time. My splits were very even.

Tracy Lance ran the Chicago Marathon in Chicago, IL finishing this race  in the time of 4 hours and 46 minutes which was a PR by 11 minutes. 

TracyLI ran the Chicago marathon yesterday and had some unexpected problems that never showed up during training–my goal time for the race was 4:10 to 4:15, but at mile 16 my legs started cramping so badly, I ended up walk/running much of the last 10.2 miles stopping at 3 aid stations for massages and BioFreeze and finished at 4:46.  Leading up to the race, I trained as prescribed–five days a week, each week included speed work, tempo runs, marathon pace runs, etc. The week leading up to the race I was sure to stay well hydrated and I followed to recommended nutrition plan. During the marathon I was well-hydrated, and the race temperature was perfect—as Jamie can attest or any others who ran Chicago yesterday.  I started with the 4:15 pace group and felt great until mile 16. Cramps hit my quadriceps and hamstrings at mile 16. With stretching, walking, and running, pickle juice, and salt tablets I was able to finish the race. This was my 8th marathon and this has never happened! Despite the challenge, I PR’d by 11:00 and no matter what, I am still proud of my accomplishment!

Julia Labovsky ran the Chicago Marathon in Chicago, IL finishing this race  in the time of 3:57:06 which was a PR by 6 minutes.

JulialaAfter bonking in my first two marathons, I was determined to train differently, and RunnersConnect showed me how to do just that. By doing long runs on tired legs, surges, fast finishes and learning what marathon pace effort feels like, I had the experience, the fitness and the confidence to push through the really tough miles at the end. I am thrilled that I was able to run an even pace for 26.2 miles and a sub-4 PR finish is icing on the cake! Bigs thanks to all of the RC coaches who guided me along the way, and to the RC community for the encouragement and support. I am so happy and grateful.

Eric Eidsmoe ran the Chicago Marathon in Chicago, IL finishing this race  in the time of 3:56:33 which was a PR of 41 seconds.

Eric EThe crowd energy makes Chicago a pretty amazing experience. Between all of the runners and all of the spectators, you’re never alone and everyone is VERY supportive. I had high hopes for a pretty big PR, but didn’t pace myself well and went out too fast over the first 15 miles. That made the last 6-7 miles pretty tough, but I was able to hang on and salvage a small PR. Lesson learned about paying attention to (and following) my race plan!!!

Nicola Lawrence ran the Wairarapa Country Half Marathon in Masterton, New Zealand finishing this race in the time of 2:03:40 which is a PR of 21 minutes and 26 seconds.

NicolaLThis was my second ever HM, although the first one occurred in a totally different running incarnation (in 2008). Since that first HM I quit running, only taking it up again a year or so ago. I didn’t get the sub-2 hour half marathon finish I was hoping for… however overall, this race went pretty well. I was feeling strong up to around the 17km mark, at which point the conditions (it was HOT, and I have been training through winter) and the course caught up with me. I dropped off my goal pace, but still managed an acceptable time.

Karl-Olav Gravdal ran the Royal Parks Ultra 50K in London, England finishing in the distance in the time of 4:02:34.

KarlI’m now an ultra runner!  I finished in 04:02:34, being number 17th out of 332 finishers, something I’m very happy with. I had a goal to finish in four hours, but knew that there were lots of things that could stop that from happening. I didn’t have a clear strategy for the race, but since I felt well prepared it didn’t make me feel nervous at all. I wanted to start out slowly, slightly below goal pace, then increase to goal pace after a while. To a certain extent I did, but didn’t manage to find the extra boost towards the end, so I kept going more or less at the same pace. That also seemed to work out well though, as the last 30 km or so I don’t think I was passed by a single runner.

Dean Morley ran the Royal Parks Ultra 50K in London, England finishing in the distance in the time of 4:10:49.

dean-morleyAround 500 runners (including Karl-Olav; fellow RC runner!) starting from Hyde Park in central London (including and running through/ by five of the eight Royal Parks, finishing in Bushy Park, Kingston upon Thames (5 mins from home :)Ran this as an easy run as raced a half the weekend before, and will be racing a 10m this coming weekend. Having said that, pleased with the even pacing/ time and finished 23rd, and 3rd in my age group.

Christopher Littell ran the Army Ten Miler in Washington, DC coming across the finish line in the time of 1:12:01.

Nutrition/hydration in day prior, during, and after race; calibrated foot pod on TM at easy pace, so watch was progressively more off as race went on – tried to adjust during miles 4, 5, and 6 – ultimately, limited experience running outdoors at key paces and the watch error had my settle pace a little fast, and I had less in the tank in miles 8-10. From arriving at first corral early, pitching sweats at start in 50 degree weather, taking Gatorade in first 5 miles, and relaxing in navigating traffic in first three miles everything else was executed well.

John Bair ran the Poulsbo Half Marathon in Poulsbo, WA coming across the finish line with a time of 1:44:36 which was a PR of 5 minutes and 24 seconds.

J blarThis local race was my second half marathon and was a challenging down and back course with 300 ft down over miles 2-3, some rolling hills and a bit of trail at mid point and an uphill 300 ft over miles 12-13 with a finish onto the track of the local high school. The race started late because the starting timer equipment failed, so only gun time was available. I was disappointed when my pace slowed starting at about mile 5 and I had to work hard to maintain, but I’m comforted that I passed and put away several runners in the second half on the extended uphill and nobody passed me in the second half of the course. I finished 2nd in M50-59 and 13th overall out of about 240 so I’m happy with my performance and feel that all the training really paid off.

Marlena Dlutek ran the Valley Harvest Marathon in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada finishing the race in the time of 3:16:28 which is a PR of 9 minutes with a 1st female  place and 5th overall place.

My second marathon, first with RC training, I was little bit injured and had some knee, piriformis/sciatica and lower back pain :))) recent problems from overtraining a little bit plus have not done all my taper tempo and other runs recently. Surprised I did that well plus first female, 5th overall place.  Great weather and breathtaking views of the Annapolis Valley and Bay of Fundy red muddy shores. Kept the pace easy and pleasant so no suffer fest there :))), no pains during the race, no problems at all. Overall a nice race, marathons are my favorite distance, I tend to suffer when racing shorter distance as I go too fast at the beginning.

Emily Pilotte ran the Tufts 10k in Boston, MA finishing this distance in the time of 45:06 which was a PR.

EmilyI’m a little disappointment in my time, as I should have been under 45 minutes, and was hoping for closer to 44 minutes. The first mile was crowded so it was slow and I couldn’t make it up. This is a great race that starts and finishes in Boston, with a run over the Mass Ave bridge into Cambridge and along the Charles. It also has a great turn out for elites and it’s super fun to see them out on the course. I gave it all I had, so it is what it is. On to the next one!

Greg Myers ran his first marathon at the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA in the time of 4:33:53.

GMyersThis was my first full marathon ever. I’ve run several half-marathons and was ready to up my game. It was a tough run, but I finished strong and left everything on the course. I was nervous at the start, but felt well prepared to tackle the challenge. I’m proud to be a member of the marathoner club now.

 

Ryan Shakely ran Levi’s Run 5K in  Lebanon PA coming across the finish line in the time of 21:11 which gave him a 2nd Age Group award.

Ran this race as part of my fast finish long run. I had to run 16 miles total and started the race at 11.4 miles in. It was rainy all morning, but the course was on a nice flat rail trail with beautiful rural scenery. The race was pretty small (no official times), so I was able to come in 2nd in my age group (Men, 20-29) where I was beat by a current D-III college 800 runner.

Rich Rein ran the Big Woods Run 5K in Nerstrand, MN finishing this race in the time of 20:49.

RichReinA year ago, I started this crazy journey to see how far I could push myself by running in one little 5K trail race with my youngest sister. I finished that race in just under 30 minutes, and felt a huge sense of accomplishment. Fast forward through a year worth of racing (twenty three 5Ks, one 7K, one 5 mile race, one 10K, two half marathons, participating in one 200+ mile relay, my first marathon, and one trail series – two 4.5 mile trail races and one 3.5 trail race so far, the fourth and final 3.5 mile race is this Wednesday). Adding in training between all of that, and I have some managed to run over 500 miles and bike over 200 miles in 2014. It felt really good to come back to where this crazy twelve months of running started – cutting nine and a half minutes off of my time on this same course last year, winning my age group, and finishing fourth overall. What strange and crazy journey it has been, and I can’t wait to see where my le gs take me next!

David Balassiano ran the Staten Island Half Marathon in Staten Island, New York finishing this event in the time of 2:17. 

DavidBaComing back from injury. Felt strong entire race. If not for the hilly course I believe I would have PR’ed.

 

 

Anette Wilstrom ran her first 10K race finishing in the time of 60 minutes and 58 minutes. 

AnnetteMy first 10K race! And the second time I ran 10 km in my life. I had no time goal, just to run all the time, but at least not slower than 65 min. My last 10 km in July was in 70 minutes. This race is very flat and the weather was perfect. Cloudy and 12 deg cel. I ran with my friend and we kept company The whole race. Nice to have someone to run with! We started very slow. Too much people and we couldn’t get through. 6:40 the first km. And then we started to pass. Obviously we started in wrong group, but The group before us was full. I really enjoined the first 8 km and then I started to feel tired. My problem then is my breathing. It gets hard to breath. My race time was 60:58 and I am really satisfied with that. 9 minutes better than my last 10 km run. But the best of all – I enjoyed it AND I had no pain at all. And that is really thanks to coach Jamie and Runnersconnect!!!! Thank you so much!

Jeff McLinden ran the Newport Marathon in Newport finishing in the time of 3:55:33 which was a PR of over 23 minutes and a course PR of 68 minutes.

J McLindenI’ve run 27 marathons trying to break the 4 hour mark and finally did it. My training went really well until about 4 weeks before the race when I started getting Achilles’ tendon problems and started seeing a phyical therapist. He work on my achilles and taped it up before the race.  Last year I ran this same marathon at 5:03:38 which was one of my worst performances. I think my original official marathon PR was at Boston in 2011, 4:18:00. So it was a great feeling to finish this race under 4 hours.

Manish Dhruv ran the Pune Running Beyond Myself 10K in Pune finishing this event in the time of 57:31 which is a PR of 3 minutes.

ManishDFelt super running this race. Ran a negative split 30 mins for first half and 27:30 for the second half. I could consistently maintain an increasing effort and ran the last km in 4:46mins. I felt awesome…
All credit goes to Coach Jamie. This would never have been possible without her guidance.

 

Aaron Sobel ran the Monster Mash 10K in Houston, Texas coming across the finish line with a time of 57:41.

Unfortunately, race didn’t go well. I was planning on testing my pacing strategy for my Half-Marathon in Jan. However, my watch failed at the start so I had to run the race on feel. Because I couldn’t track pace, I couldn’t tell how I was doing. If there was any good news, my overall pace was 9:18/mi. which suggests a 2:01 Half. So, at least my training seems to be trending in the right direction for my goal in Jan. of breaking 2:00

Dan Rose ran the Melbourne Marathon Festival 10km in Melbourne, Australia finishing this race with the time of 53 minutes which was a PR by 2 minutes.

DanRose.Beautiful weather. Ran with a friend, chatted most of the way. Didn’t think I was close to this time given my current training firm, so I was pretty happy.

 

Hannah Jennings raced the Chicago marathon and finished with a 7 minute PR, improving to 3:08:29

So yesterday was great, it was a major success in so many ways for me. First, obviously, a seven minute PR in marathon world is huge. VERY happy with that! Also, the last 3-4 miles of any marathon are hard, no matter how fast or slow you go. If I haven’t run into the cramping problem I still am never able to push strong to the end. However, yesterday I did! I feel like I won some huge mental battles! I talked to myself, people looked at me weird, but who cares – it worked!

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