Time to Re-Boot

Race is over. and here's my finish @ 1:08:18 (chip time 58:18) RED shirt crossing finish line on the left side (facing up Main St.).
http://news12.com/news/article.jsp?articleId=262164&rand=3554641

Final planned hurrah is the Great South Bay Half-Marathon. Here's hoping.

My Turn

Forty eight hours after the race I guess the heat and humidity did play a major part of my 10K time at 58:18. At least that's what the experts are saying. All the inspirational words such as 'If you want a quality time you must put in quality practice' could not muster me up Waterside Dr. more quickly. I fell victim to the training runs warning that the Cow Harbor race is won or lost on mile 5. So I experienced something that I already knew. Not feeing disappointed anymore, or "spit the bit" (George Steinbrenner - 1978 about NY Yankee pitcher Ken Clay) I look back on this years race with the following:

GOOD

1. Great practice runs (times that varied with the weather).

2. Good pace splits in the race until mile 5.

3. Very good hill runs. No pace drop off from Widow Hill & decent run up Pumpernickel Hill.

BAD

4. Dead, heavy legs on Waterside Dr.

5. Lack of focus onto a faster runner (rabbit) to coax me along.

Along the way I had fun. Fun at the race, fun with friends and fun at the celebrations after the race.

Next Year....Hunting For Rabbits

This years Cow Harbor Race is over with mixed feelings. A 10K time of 58:18 is a disappointment as I hoped to have a personal best of 53:00 or under. With 4,700 runners (5,553 registered) was it the crowds, the humidity or my lack of focus to find myself a faster runner and stay with them.

My other 3 running friends were similarly disappointed in this years slower times due to a variety of reasons. However, we did agree on the following:

1. Lack of motivating noise from the crowds (ie. fewer cow bells).

2. Heat and humidity. It was present but not not too obtrusive.

3. Running crowd. I did need to bob and weave through the crowded running group, however, this may be confusing this with our practice runs. Running the 10K course in groups of 6 is easier than running in a group of 100.

In retrospect, I guess that's why you set a personal best. Next year.

My Blog & Facebook

Getting excited for this weekends race. More so this year than in the past. The Cow Harbor 10K was my first organized race. Not knowing what the heck I was getting my self into I started entering races here. Unfortunately, that weekend had Hurricane Ivan battering the Long Island area. It should be fun.

http://www.cowharborrace.com/index.htm

Also, I've realized that I should retain some links onto my blog. I've realized over time, some Facebook posts get deleted (or no longer interesting). So this blog, rambling diary like a good place. Besides, I am no longer interested in FB other than as a way to share videos & photos.

I have two mantras (1) At least I won't be last and (2) I may not be good at it, but I like to do it.

It's Getting Better All The Time

I'd like to believe that's true. From the Wave Designation chart posted by the Cow Harbor Committee, I hope I get a color other than pink or blue. I've got several of those colors among my running stuff. Why I don't toss them into to the garbage is beyond me. A running friend told me he keeps his bibs & writes his race time onto the back. Good idea and a nice trophy if you improve on your PR. If not.........

Running Partner, Bailey

Running the high school perimeter with Bailey one day, a fellow driving by stopped me. "Is that a guide dog?", "I saw you running with her yesterday", "She knows the course!".

"No", "Thanks" , "Yes, Thank You".

Bailey is a black Lab mix and wears her solid red harness when we run. So from a distance she may look like s a guide dog, but I don't think so. She has this keen sense of smell and knows where all the rabbits are hidden. Besides, at 3 yrs. old she is still a work in progress.

If I'm running, she's running. Suddenly she's averse to wearing the harness and will walk away from me when I get it. However, I believe she does enjoy the run time, is definitely "buff" and does get a good nights sleep. Funny.

My Senior Moment

I realized 10 minutes before the final Cow Harbor Practice Run that I've worn last years running sneakers. I try to buy a new pair of $50-$60 running sneakers annually. While I don't run a tremendous number of miles, I figure the cushioning must break down. So safety first. I do keep my "old" sneakers and continue to wear them around town or when doing dirty yard work.

So slightly annoyed that I had the wrong shoes and another senior moment slipped in I adjusted my laces and decided to just move on.

Funny thing though. Out of all the prior 5 week practice runs, this one, with my old shoes was the fastest. I guess it was just one of those things. Ha!

What? Me? I ran How Fast? Must Be Someone Else!

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT - WEEK 6 for COW HARBOR PRACTICE RUN

OK. Now this was a surprise. My week 5 time was also a pleasant surprise. I was tired & lethargic prior to the run, however, my time was a definite improvement. Same thing today at week 6. Tired, thought about not attending and besides, I did run this course on Sunday. However, I did run.

I couldn't find my "blue sneaker" rabbit to set the pace for me. However, I did recognize "shorty-whitey" and used them to set the pace for me. I was impressed at the steady speed. We jockeyed for the lead back and forth, however, they took the final lead at the 5K mark and never looked back. I did keep up and knew I had a good run. The time at the 5K mark had me thinking that maybe I was going too fast OR my watch was in error. Regardless I kept thinking of that poster "When Your Ready To Quit Screwing Around"... I got stopped at the final traffic light and did loose 3-4 seconds before weaving thru oncoming traffic to continue my run. I didn't want to loose too much time. This weeks goal was sub 56 .

During the week I've re-read the Cow Harbor strategy notes and lots of water. So while I had hope for the best, I was willing to accept mediocrity. It was a cool, windy evening for this last run. I then realized I had last years worn running sneakers with me and I should have made one last bathroom stop before I ran but.......

Anyway, crossing the finish line, I heard a fellow call out to the woman just in front of me "How'd you do?" and she answered 54:37 I immediately thought she was in the F group that started after my E group. She ran fast and caught up to me. I got close to a light and checked my time to realize I had a 54 minute time also. Now 'How About That!"

Fun Stuff

This running stuff is an individual thing. However, after this mornings run and a previous "fun run: I can see how on occasion a group run with folks chatting, telling stories and discussing "stuff" can alleviate the boredom and repetitiveness of long distance running. Additionally, it certainly does make the time go fast.

The Cow Harbor 10K Practice runs each Wednesday evening on consecutive nights gave me a great deal of information and strategy on "how to run" this race. Competition is good, however, for me I am competing against myself and always striving for a personal best (PB) on this end of season race. I think I've run this consecutively for the past 6 years and have all the T-shirts to prove it. I may be a veteran with this event, however I'm better at theory.

It was my task as the veteran to lead our group of 3. Being in the lead while running was a funny, unusual experience for me. However we survived & never once strayed from the course. Maybe it was just a "Guy Thing" or just my first time running and talking with a group but it was fun and helped dispel any running pains I may have experienced.

Running up and down the hills, struggling at times to catch my breath was fun.

C'est La Vie

C'est La Vie say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell...Chuck Berry

I was lethargic and tired all day today and cosidered not going to the 5th Cow Harbor practice run. But I went. It was 84 degrees and getting darker, earlier. I got into my "E" Group, found my 'blue shoe' rabbit and kept pace. My rabbit ran past me after the hill, however, I found another group and focused on a quick pace. I kept thinking of that vitamin water poster I saw at the gym years ago "When your ready to quit screwing around..." So I kept my focus and trudged onward. After Pumpernickel Hill, when the course is all downhill, I maintained a good pace and took long sidewalk measured, strides. I knew I had a good run. I was pleasantly surprised, however I have yet to break a 56 minute practice run. We'll see if history can repeat itself again, next week in the final practice run.

Now & Then - Week #4

OK. I tried to improve on last week good run, however a Jimmy Buffet concert and evening out with friends takes priority. I only had 3 Coors Lite. Not bad at all, but we got home late due to parking lot traffic.

It was 94 degrees @ 6:15 PM during the training run. I decided to stay with my 8:00 pace group and did pretty good for 3 miles. I kept my fast pace with my "designated rabbit". Unfortunately, after 3 practice runs I continue to have trouble making it up THE HILL.

On a more positive note, I saw "my Coach". I believe he was with the 8:30 pace group. IF I can remain focused on a faster pace AND make it up THE HILL non stop (I Will !!!) then I shoule improve on last years Cow Harbor PB.

Fun stuff.