And there I was in the middle of my 10k, wearing number 1234, swimming in lactic acid and barely able to do much more with my brain except count my exhales and hope that the finish would come sooner than later. 1-2-3-4....
It was a good day for running. 43:39, 10th overall, 1st in my age group and a Shiny Metallic Object to go with it but it was not easy by any means.
The start, you can make me out on the right not too far from the front.
The finish and very happy to be done. Did I mention it was cold here today? 2C(35F) with 35-45k (20-30mph) northwest wind to give it some bite and thus the gloves and pants. So how did it go? Well we arrived just 1/2 hr before the race start because of the 3hr drive to the race and I just had time to pin on my bib number and do a very quick 1/2 mile jog for a warmup. Getting ready for the start we were almost impaled by a falling tent which was blown over by the gusting wind but luckily we grabbed it and helped take it down in time. I had just time to remove my jacket and hand it to Jo before the gun went off and we were blown down the road by the tailwind (for the 1st 5k only). 1st kilometer in 3:56 (holey crap Batman, slow down!)
2nd k in 4:10 was better (target of 4:15) but was passed by 2 runners including one chick and could not respond
3rd k in 4:20 and now starting to just hang on
4-5k for 4:20 avg for 21:08 at the 5k turn and now begin to count in earnest
2nd 5k in 22:31 back into the strong nw wind. At the 5k turn we joined up with returning 1/2 marathoners who had started 1 hour before us so I had plenty of targets to keep me going but I kept hearing footsteps. It turned out to be my imagination because I never was overtaken after the 3k and probably just heard the people I was passing along the way. Even on the final turn with only about 400m to the finish I was positive there was someone on my heels! It kept me honest and working right to the finish at least.
I must admit to be pleasantly surprised and happy with my result today. Not quite the 42:50 I was 'hoping' for but for somebody just off a marathon with virtually no speed training for this shorter distance, you have to be satisfied.
Meanwhile I've also been scheming so more on my training plan and almost have something ready for the light of blogland. But 1st as part of the program there is a sub-plan to work on my non-existent upper body and core strength beginning with the 100 pushup Challenge! I've already challenged my 3 children to try to keep up with their Dad and will now challenge any of my readers who cares to try as well. My test resulted in 25 pushups so I'm starting with week 3 of the Challenge with 5 sets for a total of 72 pushups in the morning. It's not about beating or winning but about doing, so please check it out and let me know how you make out!
That's about all for now. Have a great week!
14 comments:
Sweet hardware! Well done, Mike! And just two weeks out of a marathon... that's very impressive! Rest well. Look forward to hearing about your training plan.
Congratulations Mike! Great race. We missed you at Boyden.
Go Mike! Well done. Loved the bib number - yes, quite fitting for the man who loves to count when the going gets tough. Thanks for the video - brings back memories.
How do you guys keep getting those bib numbers?
I did 4 weeks of that pushup challenge in summer and made it all the way to 45 (I think) pushups in a row before getting too bored with the program and giving up.
That's one thing I'll let you beat me.
Great job - that is quite a wind you were running into. They say that you lose more running into the wind than you gain from running with it behind you - I ran in some heavy wind for a 5K in the spring and someone actually did the math and said I could take off at least a minute - so I'd say you could probably take 2 (without doing the math - not even dedicated enough to do it for my own race) so you hit your goal!
I have GOT to get my upper body back in shape - I'm in.
great run mike especially with a marathon in your regs!!! I thought the conditions were bad over here but 2deg C - now that's cold!!!
Excellent job! Nice run and congratulations on adding some hardware to the mantle.
Geez Mike, I'd just about forgotten how catchy that Feist song was!
Nice SMO and time too. 43:39 on a 2C day with 5k into a howling gale is very impressive.
Congratulations on the race Mike, well done!
Pushup Challenge: I am in. 25 last nigt. Let's GO!
Congrats on your race.
Great race Mike and imprssive trophy.
25 pushups ain't bad at all. I might just take up the challenge - but not now as it's after midnight and I need all my energy to climb the stairs to bed.
Nice 10k Mike and good luck with the upper body work--I'll stick with the chin-ups and bench presses for now--72 push-ups is really good. I can see that your challenge has already had an impact on motivating others.
I so don't recognize you without the shorts. Nice race!
This Pushup Challenge has been on my radar for sometime, but I haven't bitten until now. I managed 30, but I was definitely ready to drop at 25. It's amazing how much you can feel the build up of tension in your arms. Congrats on the 10k!
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