Updated 12/11/10
2010
Please
click on thumbnails for larger view!
2010
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Introduction
Every competitive
runner knows what his or her Boston Qualifying Pace is. For my
age group range, I would have to run 26.2 miles in 3h 35 minutes
- or less at a certified major event to qualify, just to stand
at the starting line at Boston - The most elite marathon in the
world. For most slow runners like myself, this is an insurmountable
task. Or is it? This weekend, I took a huge step in the right
direction at the Fiesta Bowl Half marathon. My goal, which I
had never done before in the past 25 half marathons - was to
run the entire 13.1 mile course at a pace just a bit faster than
the 8:11 pace I would have to do for a Boston qualifier full.
To do this, I would have to shave 2 minutes off of my fastest
half I've ever run, and come in at 1:47:30 - or faster. Conditions
were perfect. Cool temperatures, no wind, and a somewhat flat
course, but with some very sharp turns. Well, I did it. I came
in at 1:47:11 and beat my Boston Pace by 19
seconds! The tempo runs I've been doing since August are really
starting to pay off now.
Race Day - Sunday
December 5th.
We left Payson
at 4:30am and headed down to Scottsdale under an over cast sky,
but no rain was in sight. The temperature in Scottsdale when
we arrived was in the mid 40s, and the race would start at 7:30,
right after sun up. The meeting area was Scottsdale Civic Plaza,
with a fountain and large grassy areas. The race starting line
and finish were on both ends of this park and made it convenient
to park nearby to access both ends. There wasn't much of an "Expo",
a few tents and tables of mainly food items for sale or to sample.
After picking up my bib at the one set of tables, we went over
and got the neat black technical T at another, and the Walgreens
bag filled with race materials. Then we had about an hour to
kill, so walked around and watched over a thousand runners pile
in. It was awesome in such a small park! 15 minutes before race
start, I warmed up on a side road near the start line, doing
surges and fast accelerations
to prepare for running what was for me an insanely fast pace.
The longest I had ever run this fast in a race before was an
8k - about 5 miles. Could I hold on near the end?
The race started
with an air horn, and hundreds of half marathoners burst over
a rather narrow starting line. We were chip timed, so it should
have been very accurate. Because I was holding a pace faster
than most of the pack, I found the pack opening up much sooner
than I expected, and concentrated on holding an exact 8.0 minute
per mile pace. Because of the turns, the GPS read a bit high
on the miles and I was really moving a bit slower. But still
fine. My 5k time was 24 minutes, and 10k I passed it in 48 minutes.
Right on. As we turned on to Gainy Ranch road, it was a long
up hill to Hayden road, but I gave it every thing I had and kept
it under 8.0. It was when we turned off the road into a wash
over spill park that the sharp turns and single file route made
me loose a few second per mile. By the time I had gotten back
to Hayden and was turning on the McDonald to the final 2 miles
of the race, my pace had dropped to 8:03 but as
far as I could tell, all I had to do was beat 8:11. When I came
in over the finish line, the race clock read 1:47 or so, and
I noticed my GPS read 13.3 miles - .2 miles too long. That made
my pace off, but I was still ok, but just barely and cleared
the 8:11 TRUE pace. But that was enough and I had finally done
it - A half marathon at my Boston pace! After the race, we had
lunch at the Mexican chicken place to celebrate the accomplishment.
Notes for next
year
1. Run at least
8 seconds per mile faster than your target pace
2. Did not use gels, gatoraide with corn syrup worked fine.
3. Plan 7:45 tempo runs in month before
4. Arrive early to take advantage of very limited parking
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Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Race Morning - During the Run
Lumix
Sunrise was spectacular that morning
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Palms silhouetted against the blazing sky
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Getting close to race start
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With the sound of an air horn - Were Off!
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I'm in blue behind the runner in pink
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Starting the race - I'm in blue
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Fall colors are even in the desert
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The finish line awaits us
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85 year old doing the 5k
Your never too old to race!
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The long final stretch to the finish line
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Here I come still pushing an 8 min pace!
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The fastest finish I have ever done in 26 half's
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Heading in to the finish line
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After the race -
I FINALLY broke my Boston Pace in a Half!
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Introduction
This years San
Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon event will be our last one for
probably a long time, so we did our best to make it a good one
to remember. Recall last year, we endured terrible heat and humidity
and I ran my longest time ever in a marathon. After that we decided
to do the much cooler Denver event instead, held in October and
say good bye to San Antonio. Also, Dawns sister moved to California,
and combining this run with a family visit evaporated as well.
Undaunted, me, Dawn and David once again participated in this
event to perhaps partially redeem ourselves after last years
miserable results. We were not disappointed! I ran my second
fastest Marathon ever, chopping over an hour off last years time,
Dawn did her first half marathon race walk in great time, and
David felt great crossing the finish line this year without the
oppressive heat crushing us. We have succeeded in our conquering
of this event.
Before the
Race Day
We left Thursday early from work and flew out to San Antonio,
about a 2 hour flight from Phoenix. Friday morning, we went first
over to the Expo at the Alamodome near the race finish line,
and spent hours collecting our bibs, shopping for running wear,
and accessories, and seeing all the exhibits in the huge auditorium.
Again, Brooks is the main sponsor here and the gear had their
logo on the official clothing. Since both me and Dawn still use
Brooks products, it was a worthwhile shopping spree. Its great
to see an American company sponsoring this huge event. Afterwards,
the three of us headed over to do the River Walk stores and then
had an early dinner and headed back to the Holiday Inn to recuperate.
Saturday we went sight seeing, and tried not to spend as much
time on our feet. We first headed out to the Natural Bridge Cave
and took a tour for a few hours. Then after lunch headed over
to the IMAX theater and watched the "Hubble 3D" movie.
That was really cool, we wore polarized 3D glasses and it felt
like we were right there with the great space telescope working
on it. Then an early retirement that evening to the hotel, so
we could get ready for the next days big event!
Race Day
We left the hotel at 5:30am that morning, and walked a mile to
the starting line. This works out really great not having to
fight getting on busses and a big parking ordeal. It was totally
dark still, and the sky was cloudy, but not raining and it was
a perfect temperature, in the lower 50s. Would this hold for
the race, or would it suddenly clear up and bake us or soak us
with a downpour? Soon we would know the answer to this. After
walking round a bit to get our bearings, we sat on a curb waiting
for the time to drop off our warm up clothes at the UPS trucks.
Since this event has both half and full marathoners, the staging
area was getting very full fast. Over 28,000 runners were waiting
for the big 7:15 start. By 7am, the sky began to lighten and
it was overcast and cool. We parted for our respective corals
and waited for the race to begin. When the guns went off to start
the race, wave after wave about a minute apart went over the
starting line. Where I was at - which was about mid point in
the line up about 15 minutes to reach the starting line. Then
as you pass over the timing bars on the pavement, your official
clock starts. Thousands of watts of rock and roll music played
as we started and headed out toward the city.The field was really
crowded for about the first 5 miles or so. I started right on
pace, but one thing after another caused me to loose my pace.
But by mile 10, I was back in sync. and making up for the time
lost. I held a faster than 10 min/ mile pace for the rest of
the race. Mile after mile, I NEVER hit the "wall" or
slowed down a bit. It was the most awesome experience I have
ever had during a marathon! No doubt that the long hard tempo
runs I have been doing since San Diego came into play here. I
couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that mile 25 marker whiz
by, and I was still running solid, strong and passing runners
one after another. The weather stayed cool, and only got to the
upper 50s by race end. I had actually run the second half of
the race faster t han the first half. Never did that before.
Even though I had lost about 10 minutes in the beginning of the
race, I crossed only 2 minutes slower than my fastest San Diego
time, in 4:33. Dawn wanted to beat 4 hours on the half, and blew
that away by coming in in 3:30 - a great showing for her first
half marathon. And she was one of the lucky ones to get a finishers
medal before they ran out too. Everything worked out for us this
day!
We met up with David after making our way through the finishing
area, then walked about half a mile back to the hotel. Much to
our relief, we never got rained on that day, and the hot temperatures
we had on Friday that would have made this race another disaster
- was avoided. Farewell San Antonio, it was a wild ride!
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Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Before the Race - The Full and Half Marathon
Chris - Dawn - David
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/Kodak M1033/Stealth Cam
Dawn and David heading toward
the Expo at the Alamodome
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Dawn in line to pick up her racing bib
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Each line is for a bib number that
reflects your projected time you think
you will be coming in by.
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The Bib pickup area
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Next you pick up your event technical shirt
You can put it on after you cross the finish
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Here is the "goodie bag" pickup -
mostly ads, but some good stuff too
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Inside the Expo - So many things to see!
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Runners Expo - Dawn in center
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Inside the Mall at one end of the
"River Walk". David and Dawn
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Dawns close up with the Lumix
of the Wreath
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Overlooking the mall from
the bridge
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The mall
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Both of us in front of the River
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Looking along the river next
to the shops
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Things others miss - fossil Cretaceus
clams all over the paving stones along
the river walk.
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A boat of tourists in the River
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Inside the gift shop at the Natural
Bridge Cave before we went on the
cave tour
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A view from the gift shop window shows
the cave entrance
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Banner inside the lobby
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Lining up to go inside the cave tour
David in purple on the right
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Sign at cave entrance
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Descending down the stairs to the
cave hatch
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Dawn going down
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Dawn and David inside the cave
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Dawn marvels at the formations!
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Cave pool with stalactites
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On the ceiling
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Huge Pillar
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Stalactites
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Column
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Most stunning pillar
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Dawns shot inside the cave
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David next to giant pillar
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Cave formations
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Afterwards, a walk around the grounds
led us to this neat mineral and fossil display
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Dawns close up of the cave area plants
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The visitors center at the cave
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Lumix close up
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Dawns camera does much better at
plant close ups than my Kodak
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No idea what they are, but the color
was very intense. (Kodak cam)
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David shooting the purple berries
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The poster at the Hubble IMAX
Entrance.
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The market across from our Holiday in.
Perhaps not the place for fresh meat???
(read the sign on top)
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The bridge near the hotel is lit up
at night with multicolor changing
LED lights. very cool!
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Down to business, laying out the clothing
the night before the marathon
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Race Morning - During the Run Marathon (Chris & David)
Aiptek Stealth Cam/Lumix
Near the starting line, signs
point the way
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Me and David on the curb waiting for the
race start
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Here Im standing in my coral 12 waiting
for the air horns to start the race!
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Lighting was very low from dark clouds
but this is looking towards the starting
balloon arch.
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A bit lighter now, we are off! and into the
city of San Antonio
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Running under the Brooks Man
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Looping back into the city
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Heading toward down town. Camera distorts
a bit in low lighting...
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Aid station - cups everywhere
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Coming up rapidly to the Half/Full
split point at 10 miles
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Marathoners on right, half on left. The
Paths split now, and they lead to
different finish lines.
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Only marathoners now! Its about 1/5
of the runners.
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Coming up on the 20K mark, about 13 miles
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Passing the obligatory 13.1 mile mark
so you can tell how your half might have
been.
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We are running on one road, and way off
in the distance, you can see a line of
marathoners heading down another road
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Running past 15 mile marker
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Now at the 18 mile aid station
Still running very strong!
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Mile 19 - many runners are starting
to drop back
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Mile 22, now is where the huge mental and
physical effort starts.
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Passing mile 24 - Still running past
most of the runners
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During the Marathon (Chris & David)
ASI Photography sample images
During the Half Marathon (Dawn) - Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Waiting for the race start. The official
race end vehicle is in the background.
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Daylight approaches and the excitement
of the race start is all around
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Heading off on the first leg of the
Half Marathon!
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Passing the Alamo, a famous land mark.
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Heading toward the Brooks Man
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Look at the half marathoners
heading up hill
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Dawn gets to the finish line an hour before
I do. Here is what she sees in the finish coral
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During the Half Marathon (Dawn)
ASI Photography sample images
Dawn triumphantly completes here FIRST Half Marathon!
Race Day - At the Finish Line and Post Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/Stealth Cam
Dawn meets me in the finishing area
time to refuel...
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Some runners get their portraits taken
Its not for free.
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Chris - Finish Line shot
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Dawn - Finish Line shot
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Accomplished Racers!
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David - Finish Line shot
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Introduction
We would rate this first
class event as one of the best planned and supported trail runs
in all of Arizona. This run held at the Flagstaff Nordic Center
is also one of the most challenging if not THE most difficult
trail events in the state with steep hills, high altitudes and
trail obstacles such as logs, pine cones, roots and giant rocks.
How can you not love such a run? This year, while I was doing
the Half Marathon, Dawn race walked the 10K event with Ayla,
our 13 year old friend in from Australia. What better way to
show her Arizona's finest outdoors than by taking part along
with hundreds of exciting and physically active athletes? We
left the house in Payson at 4:30 am Saturday morning and arrived
at the Nordic Center around 6:45. Plenty of time to get in a
few warm up runs in and take in the race starting line sights.
Dawn had picked up the race packets the day before while up in
Flagstaff, and we were all set. It was great to see Neil, Tim
and all our racing friends up there again. We met David Garcia
up there, a friend from the Valley up to try his hand for the
first time at some extreme trail racing. David is primarily a
road racer but has done some training for the upcoming Denver
Marathon which is at 5000 feet, and this would top off his experience
on a high altitude run. We also really wanted both David and
Ayla to meet some of our trail running friends and see how very
different this type of racing can be.
The Race
The Half and Full marathons began at 8 am, and while the half
ran the roughly figure 8 course once, the Full marathoners would
loop it twice. The 10k route was the same as the first loop on
the half marathon. This year, we didn't see any aggressive elk
or other animals like in previous years, but there were plenty
of birds and squirrels to see. Running in the woods is a fairly
quiet affair, you don't have the deafening pounding of the pavement
sound you get in a road race to muffle the sounds of nature.
Just you, your 250 trail running friends and trees, animal sounds
and the deep blue skies. The temperatures were superb this year
around 50 degrees, and not a cloud in sight. It can get quite
hot once the sun comes up but the strong breeze kept that in
check this year too. It doesn't get any better than this!
This was my second fastest year ever, I came in at 2:10 - without
any pulled hamstrings either! You have to be careful running
down hill on this one. Loose gravel and pine needles can make
it quite treacherous. I saw a few runners trip on rocks and fall
and roll, but no one got seriously injured. I saw one runner
in the med tent with ice bags taped to his ankles but thats pretty
common with tough trail runs like this.
Dawn and Ayla came in with good spirits and had a great time
on the 10K as well coming in at 1:54. The day was so perfect
we wanted to stay longer at the race finish more than ever. David
came in with a smile on his face, and were all proud of his accomplishment
on this event that challenges both spirits and physical fitness.
I think he is so much more ready for Denver now.
After we finished, Dawns sister was there at the finish line
with her son and daughter from Black Canyon City to see us at
the finish line. We left with them and headed off to Flagstaff
for an early lunch.
Notes for next
time:
More hill trail running training to go faster on the first two
difficult miles.
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Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Before the Race - 10k and Half Marathon
Chris - Dawn - Ayla - David
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/Kodak M1033/Stealth Cam
Dawn picked up the race packets the
day before in Flagstaff
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Race morning. Runners start to
gather in the chilly temperatures
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Near the Starting Line, one of the
aid stations on the end of the 10k loop 1
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Me and Ayla, our good friend from
Queensland Australia
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Near the end of the first loop near the
starting line, the directions.
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Getting ready for the start of the
half and full. David is in green. Can you
find him?
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Here I am at the starting line of the
Half.
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It is sun rise and nearing the start of this
challenging race.
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Tim gives instructions and rules and
warnings. I think some runners didn't know
what a trail race was...
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David with his friend Yolanda
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Dawn and Ayla ready for the 10K
Race - Walk
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At the starting line for the 10k
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Race Start - During the Run Half Marathon (Chris)
Aiptek Stealth Cam
The race starts by running right into the
sunrise up a gentle slope.
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Very steep up hill now, and for the next
two miles.
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Leveling off and heading for the
aspens.
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Running toward a stand of aspens - they
had not started to change yellow yet
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I try every year to get a better shot of us
in the aspens. Its tough when your running
at a 9 min pace!
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Coming up on an aid station and a sharp turn
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Here I am (in yellow) coming into the finish
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Final burst of speed to the finish line!
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David coming in to the finish!
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During the 10K (Dawn and Ayla) - Dawns Panasonic Lumix
At the starting line for the 10k
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A scene during the 10k
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Race Day - At the Finish Line and Post Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
The race results are posted on this board
as runners come in. They are the bottom
of the race bibs stuck to backwards
duct tape.
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Me at the finish line with medal
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Me and Ayla after her
FIRST trail race
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Dawn with Ayla
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David and me telling fanciful race tales
after the race
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The GPS data from the run
Click to Enlarge
Above: The
first two miles are very steep up hill, however if you survive
that, you are treated with rolling hills and long flat stretches
until the long down hill run at the end!
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The Big Brother Big
Sister Half Marathon
Trail Run in Flagstaff
August 14th, 2010
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The Event T Shirt
Click to Enlarge
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Overview
The 33rd annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Half marathon was our
fourth running of this event, and was well attended in record
numbers by hundreds of runners, walkers and support crews for
both the Half and 5k. The weather was going to be clear, and
while it was warm near the end, temperatures in the upper 50s
at race start were perfect. As in past years, while I was doing
the half, Dawn race walked the 5k in 42 minutes beating her times
from previous years by a full minute. My goals were far less
aggressive, since I had just gotten over a pulled hamstring from
running Gaspin' two months before. My goal was to run fast, but
backing off a bit on the speed if there was any problems. I had
to at least beat the slowest time I ran the first year in 2:29!
I had no problems and ran carefully but well and came in at a
respectable 2:13 time.
Race Morning
We arrived at Wheeler Park in Flagstaff around 6am, and it was
cool enough to have on light jackets or sweatshirts. We picked
up our race packets with the new pine green race t shirt. We
think its one of the best graphics they have ever done, its simply
gorgeous. Ill be wearing that one a lot coming fall and winter.
The Half started at 7:30 and the 5k about 15 minutes later. Both
routes are stunningly scenic. For the half, we almost immediately
go up hill, and the first two miles are absolutely killer. One
spot was so steep, nearly no one could run it. Once on top of
the thousand foot Lowell Mesa, it flattened out and the combination
of long distances, stands of awesome Ponderosa pines and the
company of hundreds of dedicated trail runners made for a truly
magical experience. I could easily see the white observatory
domes of Lowell in the distance, and that completed the connection
from ground to stars. You simply could not ask for more on a
trail run! The last few miles include some very steep down hills
at time when your legs feel like rubber. Finally back to the
pavement at Wheeler park and to the finish line, which this year
was a metal pole arch with out a finish banner, right back to
where we started several hours before. It was in the mid 70's
at race finish which is quite warm in the high altitude sun.
After finishing,
we ate, drank and watched the other trail racers coming in. We
then headed off to a well earned lunch then back to a much warmer
Payson.
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Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Before the Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/Kodak M1033/Stealth Cam
Small foot bridge over a
canal at one edge of the
Wheeler Park
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Early morning light,
runners start to
gather.
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Last minute sign up for
runners for both races
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Packet pickup table
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BBBS truck
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Start/Finish line early
in the morning
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Timing recording tent
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Neil in control
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Neil talks with David B.
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Me warming up before
race.
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Race Start - During the Run Half Marathon (Chris)
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/Aiptek Stealth Cam
Pre race rules and
announcements.
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Before the race
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David and wife
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Race announcements
from within the starting
gate
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The gun fires and
the race has begun!
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Here we come...
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Im on the right hand edge with
a yellow hat on this one
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During the Run Half Marathon - Aiptek Stealth Cam (Chris)
Note: Some photos are blurry because I am running while taking the photo :)
The short road portion
of the race
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Onto the trails
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First aid station
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Water hazards!
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Steep rocky inclines
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Long stretch of back
road
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San Francisco Peaks
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Lowell observatory
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Heading right toward
the Peaks
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Rolling hills
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the final steep down hill
thrust is WILD
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Last bit of trail before
retuning to the road
to the Finish line!
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Race Start - On the Trail 5K (Dawn)
Kodak pocket cam
At starting line
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And Were OFF!
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Back road beauty
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Uphill to finish
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Race Day - At the Finish Line and Post Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/stealth cam
Flagstaff train goes by
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Coming to the finish line
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Last quarter mile
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Whats my time?
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Finish line run!
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In line for food after
the race
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The food table
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Chris - Finish Line shot
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Dawn - Finish Line
shot
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Orographic clouds over
the peaks
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Overview
This was our third year to participate in this challenging event.
For me, doing this grueling run in 90 minutes or less remains
tantalizingly elusive (missed it by 16 seconds), however both
me and Dawn who race walked the 5k event both grabbed PR's this
year, finishing both races in our fastest times ever. I came
in at 1h 31 minutes, and Dawns time was 48 minutes.
The Event
We arrived at our usual time of 6:30am at the Flagstaff Nordic
Center to pick up our race packets. This year, 250 runners for
all three events made it a sold out event. Runners just showing
up at the last minute could not get in, however they could man
the aid stations and help run the highly successful event. The
weather this year was perfect as far as temperatures and no rain.
The sky was totally clear, however the wind was blowing fiercely
at times! Both races started at the same time, both of us lined
up in our respective packs and headed off in two different directions.
The 5k route is much different than the 15k, keeping the two
groups on separate trails.
For the 15k, I was much slower at the beginning this year, but
by mile 4 my pace had picked up and I was flying over those hills.
The first 2.7 miles are particularly grueling, a very steep climb
at elevations over 8000 feet. Once you top out, its rolling hills
and much down hill to the finish. I was much faster this year
on the long down hill parts, and made up for my slow start and
then some finishing 1 minute faster than last years fast time.
Dawn came in on the 5K before I did and was waiting in the finishing
area when I came in. We ate and cooled down back at the Nordic
Center finishing area, watched the other runners coming in, and
the wind nearly blow down the finishing banners. Afterwards,
we went off to the book store in Flagstaff and off to a well
deserved lunch!
Notes for next
year:
- go slower on first 2.7 miles to go faster at the top
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Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Before the Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/Kodak M1033/Stealth Cam
Last minute sign ups
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Gathering before the run
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5K start line
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15K start line
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Waiting for race start
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At the Nordic Center
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Tim Allen race
coordinator
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Me practice running
before race
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Trail markings just
before finish line
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Here comes the sun!
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Dawn readies for her
race walk
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In the starting area
both races
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Announcing the rules
and path for the run
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In the 5K starting line
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5K start area
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Race Start - During the Run 15K
Aiptek Stealth Cam
Note: The "Lean" you see in some images is because it is a progressive scan CCD camera
and Im moving while shooting causing a translation blur...
The trail looks pretty
easy - at first!
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Wicked up hills
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The start of the aspens
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More uphill into the
woods
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Open fields
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Heading into the aspens
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Coming into the aid station
shes handing us water
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The dense aspens
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Running through a trail of
aspens
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How cool is this?
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Race trail was hard
to see sometimes!
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The last quarter mile to the
finish line
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The final leg blast
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Over the finish line
1:31:16
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Race Start - On the Trail 5K
Kodak
Heading out to the
woods
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Deep woods views!
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Race Day -Finish Line Post Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/stealth cam
On the deck at the Nordic
center looking at the
finish line
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Finish line shot
Chris
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Finish Line shot
Dawn
|
Heading home
looking back at the
San Fransisco Peaks
in Flagstaff
| |
The Finishers Medal
Click to Enlarge
|
Marathoners in action! (I'm in yellow)
|
The Event Technical Shirt
Click to Enlarge
|
Intro:
This years San Diego Marathon was held on June 6th, and was new
in many ways. First, they changed the second half of the route
to include a run around Fiesta Island, and second, ended the
race this year in the Sea World parking lot. And third with the
southwest US being blasted with a heat wave, it was very warm
and humid as well. Finally, the number of runners nearly doubled
as they jammed a half marathon on the same starting line! I held
a strong pace up to the last two miles, and then had to slow
down from the heat and soaking humidity. Despite this, This was
my fastest San Diego run yet (4:31), and also my fastest full
marathon so far. Hopefully next year temperatures will be more
moderate.
Day of the
Expo:
We arrived Friday morning in San Diego, and after picking up
the car, went right over to the Expo at the AT&T center.
Never in my life had I seen so many runners packing the expo!
The addition of the half marathon meant so many more jammed the
isles. You could hardly walk around it was so full. . Brooks
was the sponsor this year, and we picked up a few Brooks running
wear items. I'm still looking for a red running specific hat,
but settled with a white one with red trim instead this year
You can certainly spend a lot of money on this gear. After picking
up my race packet I confirmed I was in coral 9 out of 40 which
is nearer to the staring line, and my blue bib read "9009".
Half marathoners bibs were yellow. We then headed over to the
seafood restraunt for a late lunch, and then met up with Dawns
sister who lives there. Saturday we drove the new Fiesta Island
route, and walked on the beaches looking for shells and marine
creatures in the tidal pools. Dinner with Dawns sister Sheri
and her husband Mark finished off a great restful day.
Race Day:
This year we tried something different - Dawn dropped me off
right at the starting line at Balboa park. It worked great, and
I was there with a few dozen runners at 4am. It was still dark
out, but as the cloudy sky lightened from the morning twilight,
they came in by the tens of thousands. It was unreal how many
runners were at the staging area, somewhere around 38,000 they
told us at that time. I kept my carbohydrate loading intake up
right to the last half hour. I finally met up with David Garcia
who I ran San Antonio and the Lost Dutchman with recently, in
the last half hour, and as the time approached, we went to our
respective coral areas to get in line. It was a mad house! Runners
were jamming into the coral gates so tightly that finally, no
one could get in. I felt like a sardine. We would have to go
first and then they would have to fill the coral as we left to
start. Thats the first time I've seen that before.
The start was earlier this year, 6:15 am to accommodate the extraordinary
number of expected runners. That worked out very well and delayed
the onset of the heat later on in the race. It was 63 degrees
at race start - barely 2 degrees cooler than the ill fated San
Antonio run last November. Later on that day the sun would come
out and bake us in 75 degree heat and high humidity - only 5
degrees cooler than San Antonio. How far would I get on this
one? Fortunately the ocean breezes made most of the run bearable.
When the gun went off, we made our way over the starting line,
and onward toward the center of San Diego. The first 10 miles
or so was spent looping through the city. between the buildings
and amongst cheering crowds of hundreds of thousands. Then onward
to Mission bay and along the sea coast. We ran past ancient sailing
ships and modern battle ships parked along the bay. My pace was
solid 9:45 and I felt great. Then over the bridge and onto Fiesta
Island, a sand island with ocean bay all around. It was a bit
desert like, with no rocks in sight. the breeze was great along
the north side, but when we got to around mile 23 on the far
side heading back to the bridge, the cliffs of sand totally blocked
the wind just as the full sun came out. Myself and the runners
around me were soaking wet in sweat and I had to finally back
off in the last few miles to avoid overheating and dehydration.
The last mile was pretty hard, but I ran every inch of the 26.2
mile route.. Coming over the line I had lost some time in the
last few miles but still pulled off a new PR and an fastest ever
Full marathon time!
After the Race:
After picking up my hard earned finishers medal, I met Dawn and
then we were picked up by Sheri and went off to eat lunch - something
other than pure carbs!
Notes for Next
Year:
Pacing for next year 9:45 for cool, 10:20 for warm
Continue Carb pre loading
Drop off again at race start
Don't forget Gels... |
Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Packet Pickup/Expo Friday/Post Expo Fun Friday and Saturday
before the Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/Kodak M1033
Race banners on the light
poles down town
|
Entering the Expo
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The cheerleaders at the
enterance
|
Runners have to walk
through cheering on
both sides when they enter!
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Heading toward the
packet pick up
|
Race bib pickup
|
Both races are sold out!
|
Packet pick up by race
number
|
Next you pick up your
bag of goodies, mostly
ads and food samples
|
Piles of Race Techinical
shirts
|
Next you have to pull out
your wallet...
|
Banner
|
Brooks products
|
Expo stars - Deena and
Meb - Fastest marathoners
in the US.
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The Hugemoungous
crowds!
|
You can hardly move around
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Next Lunch at the
Harbor House
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The menus prices
posted outside
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Eating lunch with a
great view of the
ocean front
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Kelp on the shore
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Surfers with the big
waves today
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Sand Dollar on the beach
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We find a small crab
that just washed in
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Dawns close up
|
I had to hold him...
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The Pacific Ocean
|
In the tidal pools
barnacles on a rock
|
This close up Dawn took
shows the barnacles with
limpets on them
|
I tried this shore shot
of all the cool small
shells
|
Shore birds, cormorants
and Pelicans
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At the beach and tidal flat
at La Jolla
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Boaters watch the seals
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The seals on the beach
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The seals are nervous
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Along the tidal pools
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Onward toward the Pier
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Me looking at the tidal
flats
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The beach heading toward
the pier
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Dawns shot under the
Pier
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My shot under the Pier
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Me along the beach
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The ocean front walk way
great for running!
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Then lunch at the
Goldfish Point Cafe
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Thinking about the
race tommorow...
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Race Day - Race Start
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/Aiptek Stealth Cam
First light at the staging
area at Balboa park
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UPS trucks for gear
drop off. they will carry
it back to the finish.
|
In my coral 9 wating for
the gun to go off
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Looking behind me at the
tens of thousands of
runners!
|
Police escort
|
Race Day - Marathon
Stealth Cam II/Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Note: The first few shots are blurry because it was still so dark out!
Race Start - heading to
the city. Dim lighting...
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Past the science center
featuring "Aliens"
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Then through the city
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Running past cheer leaders
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Heading into the city
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Dawns shot of the lead
racers at mile 7
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The female leaders
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Then here I come!
|
Running past Dawn at
mile 7
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Dawns trip on the
trolley
|
Aircraft carrier
Midway
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Past the old sailing ship
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Circling the ship and
heading back
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Passing the old sailing
ship on the other side of
the road now
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Back on to the ocean
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Waiting for runners
to drop
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And now onto the freeway
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Running on the freeway
with no cars!
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Coming up to the arches
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David Bluestein - another
Arizona marathoner
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Huge banner over roadway
supporting marathoners!
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Mile 11
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The aid station on the
freeway
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The half marathoners
split off now
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Off the freeway and into
thousands of cheering
crowds
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Primitive running
|
Passing Dawn again while
taking a photo
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The ocean bay side
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Running along the bay
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Bay view
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Mile 14, after the steep
uphill part has ended
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Giant inflated "Brooks
Man" to run through
|
I will NOT let the marath-
oners in Tu-Tu's beat me!
|
A fallen runner
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Residential area
with zillions of oranges
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And now onto Mission Bay
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Running on Mission Bay
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Mile 18 aid station.
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The route to Fiesta
Island
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Along the bay
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Dawns shot of me passing
by at mile 21
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At mile 21
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Then onto Fiesta
Island
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Round Fiesta Island
its getting very HOT.
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The back of Fiesta
Island and last 2 miles
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Race Day - Marathon Finish Line Post Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/stealth cam
Finish line shot. My
fastest marathon ever.
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Lunch with Sheri
| | | |
The Finishers Medal - Full
Click to Enlarge
|
Left: Full marathon
finishers medal
Right: 10k finishers
medal
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The Finishers Medal - 10K
Click to Enlarge
|
Intro
On May 1st, the 32nd annual Whiskey Row running events took place
in Prescott Arizona. This year I would run the 26.2 mile Marathon
for the first time, and Dawn race walked the 10k event again.
Both of us did extremely well, Dawn bested last years time by
7 minutes - 1:34, and I finished the very challenging marathon
in 4:47.
About this
Marathon Event
The Whiskey Row full marathon is one of three or four of the
most challenging and scenic marathons in the continental United
States. You will face very long up hills, 2000 feet of elevation
change into cold and potentially extremely windy conditions,
thin air and rugged back roads routes. The race starts in Prescott
at just over 5000 feet elevation, and runs non stop uphill to
7000 feet. Then you plunge a thousand feet to the turn around
at 13.1 miles at 6000 feet. Then turn around and back up a thousand
feet to the 7000 foot summit. Then a mad dash downhill mile after
mile with some steep rolling hills to the finish line where you
started. Needless to say just completing this one is a major
accomplishment, a true test of your hill and rough trail running
skills. 200 of us took this challenge in the marathon event,
and here is the story of our adventures that day.
Friday the
day before the Race
We headed over to Prescott, some 2 hours drive from Payson the
day before the race and got a motel on the outskirts of town
so to spend the night. The plan was to get a good night sleep,
then head over to the starting line for the 5am early start.
Since this was to be the very first time I was going to do the
full marathon, I had no idea how long it was going to take. I
had this vision in my head of crawling over the finish line 7
hours after starting, no one around because they all went home.
But I also thought of that huge brassy medal, twice the size
of the half marathon one. What a mental battle! Ok, I was going
to do this, no matter how long it took. The normal marathon start
was at 6am, and the 10k started at 7am. When I did the early
start at 5am it was 32 degrees out and the sky was totally clear.
Saturday -
Race Morning
When we got over to the starting line, there were around 25 others
that also doing the early start. I would not be alone in my quest.
At 5am, with just enough early morning light to not need a flashlight,
the starting air horn sounded and we were off! I held back and
ran at a constant and very slow 11 minutes pace along the paved
city back roads, between buildings, houses and parks. It was
getting lighter by the second. I was trying to conserve every
ounce of energy for the hill climbing up ahead. After a few miles,
we hit the dirt, and the relentless up hill battle began. both
sides of the road were lined in dense tall Ponderosa pines and
deep forest. The early morning scent of the pine forest gave
me more energy to run even harder up the steep slopes. My goal
was to reach the 13 mile turn around point with an 11 min per
mile pace then give it my best after that. When we finally made
it to the 6.5 mile turn around for the half marathoners, the
river was flowing across the road, and they had us running through
a stream with large rocks in it to cross the road. Then it really
went up hill. Steeper and steeper, the runners started to really
spread out a lot. Those from Phoenix were not used to the altitude
and many dropped back. Most of the time I could only see one
or two other runners around me up the road. At mile 10, the peak
was reached at 7000 feet. There was a huge aid station up there,
serving drinks, fruit and other goodies! But there was no time
for the amenities. I flew past and it dropped over a thousand
feet in several miles along a steep massive rocky ridge to the
turn around at mile 13.1, nearly to the Thumb Butte road crossing.
A lone aid station at the turn around seemed surprised at us
showing up, I guess no one told them about the early start group.
Then a long extreme climb back to the 7000 foot level. It was
very difficult to say the least. There was plenty of big rocks,
and ruts on the primitive road. But upon peaking at the lookout,
a blast down hill to the finish was next. It was a roller coaster
of hills and valleys, but I was able to make up the 30 seconds
per mile I lost on going slowly up the back side of the 7000
foot hill. As I neared the paved road section again, I knew I
would be able to easily run all the way to the finish non stop.
My training at Tonto Basin, and the carbo-loading I had done
that week was working perfectly. I held a strong pace to the
finish line, and ran into a cheering crowd as I passed the FINISH
banner in a final burst of speed that got the crowd roaring.
(I'm so theatrical at times) What a fabulous experience! Dawn
had finished her 10k race walk in record time, and was very surprised
to see me come in to the finish is way less than 5 hours. What
a feeling it is to have just run 26.2 miles without hitting the
infamous wall!
After the Races
I really liked the early start, I came in at a great time, and
could enjoy the activities afterwards without the huge crowds
which were still out doing the half and full. There was lots
of food, and pizza for ONLY THE MARATHONERS. How cool. This race
makes you feel like a winner even if you come in last. One really
neat feature was the near live display of the runners coming
in to the finish line on a big computer monitor. We left before
noon and headed over to the mall for some lunch. What a great
way to finish such an awesome event!
Notes For Next
Year
- Wear distance tested trail shoes or stiffer soles.
- Beat 10:58 pace at turn around
- Wont need water pack again
- Do 5 am start again! |
Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Packet Pickup/on Race Morning
before the Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Early morning scene before
the sun came up
|
In the hotel, packet pickup
|
The race headquarters
at 4:30am
|
Race headquarters
in St. Micheals hotel
|
Almost 5am, and its
32 degrees out.
|
Race Day - Race Start Marathon
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Runners line up at the
Early 5am starting line
| | | | |
Race Day - 10K
Zazoosh Photography
Dawn nears the finish
line of her very fast 10k
| | | | |
Race Day - Marathon
Stealth Cam II/Zazoosh Photography
Note: The first few shots are blurry because it was still so dark out!
Heading out of town
toward the dirt road
|
At the 6.5 mile half mara-
thon turn around. We went
past this point another 6.5
miles for the Marathon
turn around.
|
The relentless up hill battle
mile after mile very steep
|
A turning point in the
trail. The sun finally comes
up!
|
Constant up hill. I was
able to hold a 11 min pace
|
Up ahead is the top of the
peak.
|
Less incline for a bit near
the top
|
The final very steep climb
to the lookout
|
Finally! the 7000
foot lookout!
|
The aid station at the
lookout.
|
One final short hill to
climb after the lookout.
|
Then fantastic views
at the top!
|
Now heading down hill
very fast to the 6000
foot turn around
|
Running along a very steep
cliff face
|
Amazing views!
|
Along the down slope
|
A final up hill
|
Very near the turn around
Where is it???
|
FINALLY. the 13.1
mile turn around station!
|
Now turning around and
all very steep up hill
|
This is nothing compared
to whats about to come..
|
The worst hill yet, back up
a thousand feet to the
lookout
|
Half way up the terrible
hill...
|
Now past the lookout, and
its almost all down hill
to the finish.
|
8 miles to go. When will
I hit the wall??
|
The last dirt road part
getting more level
|
Pavement - What a relief!
Now I can
concentrate on running and
not tripping on rocks
|
Long slope down hill
|
Crossing a bridge with
fantastic views
|
Now Im catching up to all the
half marathoners that
started at 7 am.
|
The last few miles before
we head into down town
|
The center of Prescott
dead ahead! And on to the
Finish Line!
|
A few shots from the
race photographer along
the course
| | |
Race Day - Marathon Finish Line Post Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/stealth cam
Dawn watches the photos
of the runners coming in
|
Finish line for all races
just before I came in
|
Here I am heading for
the fast finish!
|
Can you tell Im a mid
foot striker?
|
I am thrilled to have run
this entire course
WITHOUT hitting the
infamous "Wall".
|
Dawn after her very
fast 10k performance
|
St. Michaels hotel
|
The streets of Prescott
blocked off just for the
race
|
Empty streets
|
Hotel
|
The Finish line area
| | | | |
Click to
Enlarge
|
Left:
My third Place age group medal |
|
The weather this year for
the Brian Mickelson Memorial races was nearly perfect. Few clouds,
no wind and perfect race day temperatures. Over 300 runners showed
up for this event. I was 7 minutes faster than last year on the
half, at 1:53 and took third place for my age division. Dawn
set a new 10k personal record at 1:31 - her fastest 10k yet.
We arrived around 6:30 in the morning at the River Front Park
where the race is staged. We picked up our race packets there,
and were ready to go. The plan was while I was doing the road/trail
half marathon, Dawn would race walk the 10k event. There was
also a 2 mile run mainly for kids, but I saw a few adults along
for the run as well.
What is very nice about this starting area is that even with
several hundred runners packing in, the large grassy open field
for other sporting events is right there near the starting line
for warming up. 85 runners did the half marathon this year, and
we started off with the blast of an air horn at 7:30am. Dawn
started her 10k some 15 minutes later, allowing her to get a
few shots of the race start.
The Races
The course is very scenic, and is a even mix of road racing and
off road sometimes rugged trail. For this reason I think I will
try wearing my trail shoes next year, to save the bottoms of
my feet from the rocks on the trail. My plan was to hold an 8:30
pace but the up hills on the nasty trail parts made that too
much to ask for. The route was changed this year so that we did
not run right through a trailer park, but on the road next to
it. Also we came just short of running up the Tuzigoot Indian
monument and turned round just before it. They lengthened one
of the side road excursions to make up for it.
Although the elevation profile makes it seem all downhill, the
steep rolling trails and long up hill road runs made for a roller
coaster ride to the finish line! Crowd support on this run is
basically non existent, although there were a few cheering us
on at the aid stations and from those who were directing us around
turns especially on the trail parts. My time at the finish line
was much faster this year, mainly because I could run faster,
on both trail and road. This I attribute to the speed work I
have been doing regularly at the track.
After the Run
After both of us had come over the line, the finishing area was
crowded with other runners and their friends and families. There
was food, drinks and a live band. We didn't stay for the winners
ceremony, but I didn't realize at that time I was going to get
a 3rd place age division medal. Maybe next year Ill go for 2nd
place....
Notes for next year.
- Try trail shoes
- keep up the speed work
- don't eat the food afterwards
- Stay for award ceremony
|
Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Packet Pickup/Expo on Race Morning
before the Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Packet pickup for
all the races
|
Next you get your bib
number...
|
The "Expo"
|
More runners start to
show up for packets
|
I'm warming up
on the trails
|
The Police escort for the
race start is getting
ready!
|
Now I'm in green here,
at the race start line
just before the
air horns went off.
|
Memorial to
Brian
|
The Memorial Tree
| |
Race Day - Race Start Half Marathon
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
The 85 runners
at race start
|
Runners passing
the Start Line
| | | |
Race Day - 10k Race Walk
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
At the Start Line
|
And were off!
|
Heading away from
the Park
|
Race walkers
and Run Walkers
|
The first quarter mile
Curve from the rear
|
The Park sign
|
Bike team ready to
help any one in trouble
|
Approaching the
lake
|
Dawn is catching up to
the Boston qualifier
up ahead
|
Mingus Mountains
|
Old building
|
On the final leg to the
finish Dawn catches the
Boston runner. (Ok, he
qualified 25 years ago)
| | | |
Race Day - Half Marathon
Stealth Cam II
Standing at the Race
Starting line!
|
Heading up the first
steep hill going out of
town.
|
the blast through
Cottonwood
|
Really getting steep now
in the first 2 miles
|
Leveling off, time to
make up the time
|
The geology was gorgeous
Up ahead is the cliffs of
the Verde Formation
|
Heading toward Tuzigoot,
the runner ahead of me
has the same exact shirt on
that I have...
|
Turning onto the first leg
of the trail part
|
Running the trail through
the dense woods.
|
VERY steep and rocky
trail road, really sucks
down your time!
|
After a very short stint
back on the roads, we
once again hit the trails
|
Running around the lake
- very flat...
|
View running around the
Lake
|
Lake. The gal up ahead
(Tracy) is trying to keep
ahead of me.
|
Heading back into
Cottonwood. She is
I am still trying to
catch her!
|
The last two miles. Entering
the park. I'm barely starting
to catch her.
|
The finish line just after
I came in.
|
I finally caught Tracy, and
beat her by only seconds
across the line. Oh what
FUN! We thanked each other
at the finish line for making the
race so challenging.
| | |
Race Day - Half Marathon Finish Line Post Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix/stealth cam
The Police escort
leaving the event
|
Finish line Social
|
Finishers refueling,
talking with other runners
and carrying on
|
Here I come into
the fast finish
| |
Last burst of speed!
|
Me at the finish line
|
Dawn at the finish
line
|
The food for the
participants - Pasta
|
Dawn relaxes after the
finish.
|
The live band at the
finish line
|
Parting view of the Banner
| | | |
The GPS data from the run
Click to Enlarge
Above: Over 700 feet of
elevation change in this steep
uphill run. You can see that
just after mile 3, the steepness
increases dramatically.
|
Run for Ryans House
Half Marathon & 5k
March 6th, 2010
|
The Finishers Medal - Front
Click to Enlarge
|
The T Shirt
Click to Enlarge
|
Sunrise at the DC Ranch (Dawn)
Click to Enlarge
|
|
Introduction
This challenging half has now officially replaced the defunct
Valley of the Sun Half, which several years ago was also held
in early March. Formerly a 10k, this new event hosts a Half,
5k, and 1 mile fun run. This year, 985 runners participated in
both main events, and while I ran the Half marathon, Dawn Race/Walked
the 5k to a new all time 5k PR. The weather was partly cloudy,
and a perfect 50 degrees at race start. The challenge on this
Half Marathon is that it climbs relentlessly 1000 feet in elevation,
then you turn around after 6.5 miles and run down hill at an
insane pace to the finish line! We lucked out again on the weather
- the very next day it rained, and we got over 3 inches of snow
in Payson.
Packet Pickup
and Expo
Friday, the day before the race is packet pickup at DC Ranch
Market Street Plaza. This was close to my work, so at lunch time
I headed over to a very ritzy neighborhood and shops to the central
plaza where they had our race packets. I was surprised that they
would be giving out finishers medals to the runners when we crossed
the line. I then made a quick drive over the route, which is
basically up Pima road 3 miles, then you turn right on to Happy
Valley road up again 3 miles. The route is all up hill, very
steep and gets steeper as you go. It was going to be grueling!
While driving the Happy Valley road portion, a huge road runner
shot across the road in front of me. I then knew this was going
to be a successful run for sure!
Race Day
We left the house at 4:30am Saturday morning, and made it to
the parking areas around the Market Plaza by 6am. It was cloudy,
and still pretty dark out, but we were able to see all the lights
of the plaza directly ahead. While everything except the Dunkin
Doughnuts was closed, we could see that these shops were really
high dollar stores. Runners poured in, and soon the entire plaza
was swarming with nearly a thousand runners, and race walkers.
The starting line was under a huge wooden bridge, all lit up
with hundreds of twinkle lights. Very cool! I had never started
a race before under a bridge.
15 minutes before the 7am Half start, we gathered behind the
starting line banner. Dawns event would start half an hour later,
allowing her to try to get some start line shots in the very
dim lighting. My Aiptek stealth cam was pretty worthless at that
point, since it works only well in bright sunlight.
The Race
At 7am sharp, the air horn went off, and the Half Marathon had
begun! There were 457 of us, and we shot under the bridge and
wrapped around the Market Plaza on our way to Pima road. The
up hill at this point was stout, and constant. I was able to
maintain an 8:30 pace all the way to the 3 mile point with some
difficulty. Then we turned on a side street, Pinnacle Peak road
for about half a mile up and downhill, which wasn't on the map
of the race route. I think they added this to get the full distance
in check. Then the grueling uphill part, going east on Happy
Valley road. We ran past gorgeous desert scenery, headed up,
and up to a series of very expensive homes in subdivisions. The
view was spectacular as we climbed to the top, some 3 miles later.
I pushed hard and met my goal of getting to the turn around point
with a 9.0 min/mile pace. Then - the wild mad dash down hill
to the bottom!
I don't think I have ever run so fast so far in my life. The
3 miles down to Pima was a screaming (for me anyway) 7 - 7:30
pace all the way. Then we turned on to Pima, and from there,
back up Pinnacle peak side road, back onto Pima and it started
to flatten out a bit. I was able to hold a 7:30 - 8:30 pace all
the way back to the finish line. I flew in, under the bridge,
and blasted over the finish line in 1:50:41 (Chip time), beating
my second fastest Half Marathon time ever done which was last
year at the Fiesta Bowl Half by 5 SECONDS, and only 1 min 37
seconds from equaling my fastest ever Half PR, set at PF Changs
Half. What an incredible run!
Dawn did fantastic on the 5k Race/Walk. This was her fastest
5k ever, and she PR'd at 45 minutes 55 seconds, an amazing time
to power hike the 3.1 miles. Both of us were in great spirits
at the finish line, which had a carnival like atmosphere. Even
giant airships circled overhead. Wow. After we recovered with
the food and liquid refreshments, we watched the other runners
coming in. Then headed off to celebrate our successes at lunch. |
Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Packet Pickup/Expo
Blackberry Phone Cam
The Race Shirt Table
|
Maps of the routes
|
Sale items
|
Registration
|
Pre-Race massage...?
|
Expo overview
| | | | |
Race Day - Race Start Half Marathon
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
The day started off with
a gorgeous sunrise
|
Runners gather
at the bridge
|
The finish line
at first light
|
Almost Race Start,
we will cross under
this cool bridge!
|
Me in blue in center
waiting for start
|
The race starts with
the blast of an air horn
|
Me in blue starting
|
Off I go toward
the massive up hills...
| | |
Race Day - 5k Race Walk
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Gathering for the 5k
|
Dawn at the start line
|
Heading down the road
the Race has started!
|
This seems a bit unfair,
don't you think?
|
Rounding the corner
|
Mile after mile
|
Uphill route
|
Dawn after her
fastest 5k EVER.
| | |
Race Day - Half Marathon
Stealth Cam II
A new camera failed on this run
Runners gather at the
starting line
|
Nearly 600 of us!
|
Heading up Pima road
|
Uphill mile after mile
|
Some areas we were
close to the cars
|
Most of the time we
had the road to
ourselves
|
On Happy Valley
Road, very steep now
|
Miles of very steep
uphill
|
Heading back down
|
Running faster than
I ever have on a long
run!
|
Looking back at the finish
line after the run
| | | | |
Race Day - Half Marathon Finish Line Post Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Racing into the finish
Line - Yep, thats me!
|
Runners coming in back
under the bridge to
the finish
|
Handing out the Medals
to the finishers
|
Post race recovery!
|
Dawn after the
5k
|
In and around the
Finishing area
Giant balloon woman...
|
Runners crowd around the
computer to see their times
|
Chip times displayed
as the runners come in
|
Blimp flying over the race
what a carnival!
| |
The GPS data from the run
Click to Enlarge
Above: the run looks deceptively
easy, a long downhill at the beginning.
but long steep rises in the remaining
miles make this tough going!
|
The Lost Dutchman
Full Marathon
February 14th, 2010
|
The Finishers Medal - Front
Click to Enlarge
|
Intro
The weather this year was as close to perfect as you could hope
for. At the start of the marathon, it was a perfect 48 degrees,
totally cloudless and dry. Dawn once again did the 8k trail event,
and raced a new personal record (PR) besting last years results
by 3 minutes. We were also privileged to have David Garcia, an
accomplished running friend of ours from Phoenix run the marathon
with us. I tied my PR from last year, and tried out a new running
technique that would hopefully prevent me from blowing my quads
near the end of the race, and putting me in pain for weeks afterwards
like last year. It worked!
Packet Pickup
This year, we ran over to the Road Runner Sports store a few
miles south of where Dawn works in the Tempe Market place to
pick up our race packets. This worked out far better for us than
having to spend half the day Saturday going to Apache Junction
to the meager expo and getting it there and blowing half the
day. The race is always on Sunday. At this point, we did not
know exactly how many runners had signed up for the events, but
we did know that the Half Marathon event was sold out.
Race Morning
We got up at 2:15 and left the house at 3:00am on Sunday. After
an hour and a half drive, we made it to the Apache Junction Events
Center where in the dark began to realize how huge this event
was going to be with thousands of runners everywhere. Rows of
dozens of busses were lined up ready for transport of the runners
to the starting lines for the Half and full events. I think I
got on the second bus at around 5:00, and it was a long 45 minute
ride to the Peralta Trail head where the marathon was being staged.
Dawn waited in the car until the festivities started at sunrise
in the finish line area.
When I got off the bus, it was quite breezy and the two dozen
campfires were putting out lots of smoke and flaming bits. I
hit the tents with the food and coffee and headed over to the
campfires to look for David, who was supposed to be on the first
bus. The first campfire I walked up to - was David and an older
highly experienced runner who was sharing her extensive experiences
in marathons. Once again, I think David was a bit taken by the
fact I found him so fast in nearly total darkness with hundreds
of runners all moving about under a dark starry sky. We sat around
the campfires, which were really duraflame logs telling tales
until about 30 minutes before the race was to start at 7:00.
It was around 50 degrees, so I stripped my warm up suit off,
and got my gear race ready. At this point, there was an announcer
reading off rules, warnings and the usual running edicate. 15
minutes before start, they called out once again on the bull
horn that it was time to line up at the starting line. We wandered
over about 200 feet to the gate, which was a banner over the
road tied off on cactuses with ropes. The first glows of sunrise
came now, and I could now see the hundreds of marathoners trying
to keep warm and chomping at the bit.
The Marathon
A loud gunshot started the race. We headed down Peralta road,
the first six miles were graded dirt, with extreme rolling hills,
and a huge number of steep down hills. Since I blew my quads
out last year on these hills, I went a bit slower, and most importantly
- bent my knees on all the down hills. This made all the difference
later, and I did not suffer the fate of two weeks of recovery
on my screaming quads like last year! After Peralta road ended,
we ran several high end subdivisions, twice along the freeway
for a mile each, and back to back streets to the finish line.
I kept my pace 20 seconds per mile slower than last year, and
slowed down less at the end than last time as well. My final
time was exactly the same as last year, my current PR for this
race and second fastest marathon ever. Despite the altitude profile
on their web site, this runs second half has some very difficult
hills and tons of up hills making it slow going near the end.
Dawn was there at the finish line, and we met up with David for
a while, and after congratulating each other on our runs, we
headed home.
Final Notes
After the race, the totals came in for the following races:
8k - 601 runners
10k - 604 runners
Half Marathon - 1100 runners
Full Marathon - 471 runners
Strategies for next year to consider...
A consistent 10
min/mi pace
from the very start (past mile 16)
Bend Knees on down hills again
Test the running camera before
the race |
Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Race Day - Marathon
Stealth Cam II
( Non CLICKABLE)
A new camera failed on this run
Night shot - Campfires at the race
start staging area
|
The coffee and food tents
|
The starting line in the very
first morning light!
| | |
Behind the starting line - very dark out
|
Heading down Peralta trail road
|
Going down Peralat road
the sun has risen!
| | |
Running in cactuses
|
Hitting the paved part from now on
|
First turn
| | |
Back roads running
|
Spreading out now
|
Back in subdivisions mile 19
| | |
Mile 22 the new Wall location up ahead
| | | | |
Race Day - Marathon
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Waiting for the
marathoners
|
Expo/food
|
David coming in
|
Me coming in
in red
|
Running to the finish
|
Post race shot
|
Post race awards
| | | |
Race Day - 8k
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Approaching sunrise
|
Race starting area
|
The start line
|
Fun attractions
|
The sun and
Arizona flag
|
Gathering for 8k
|
All dressed up to run!
|
Just before start
|
Dawn at the starting
line
|
The race/walk has begun!
|
Runners and race walkers
| | | | |
The GPS data from the run
Click to Enlarge
Above:
|
The Sedona Half Marathon
February 6th, 2010
|
The Finishers Medal
Click to Enlarge
|
Our good omen Bald Eagle we saw
on the way to the packet pickup.
Click to Enlarge
|
The fabulous red rocks of Sedona near
where we will be running !
Click to Enlarge
|
The T Shirt
Click to Enlarge
|
This
years Sedona Marathon Events which included a Full Marathon,
Half Marathon, and 5K was attended by a record number of participants
- over 1700. The largest of the three events by far was the ever
popular 5K, which Dawn did again this year, and chopped 4 minutes
off her time last year - power walking it in 48 minutes. For
me, this event has morphed into a final training tune up event
for the following weekend Lost Dutchman Full marathon. My goal
in Sedona was to run at exactly the pace I expect to do in that
full event, this year I planned to run the half at exactly a
10 minutes per mile pace. This is a bit slower than racing a
half marathon, but I wanted to be in good shape for next weekend!
The final results were a total success, Dawn has a new PR to
brag about and I completed my run exactly 1 second faster per
mile than goal pace at 9:59. I now have a good feel for what
this pace feels like for the next weekend.
Weather forecasts
It rained on and off all week long in Payson, thanks to the El
Ninio weather pattern now in full effect. The predictions would
put rain in the afternoon after the morning race, and into the
next day. Sure enough, while it was cloudy and cold at race start
(38F), the rain held off till after lunch. Then the wind picked
up, and it rained on and off all day. The next morning we had
snow in Payson and it snowed all day long about an inch. Once
again, we lucked out on this run!
Friday - Packet
Pickup / "Expo"
Our plan was to take off Friday and head over to Sedona to the
usual race packet pickup at Tlaquepaque plaza in Sedona around
10am. A surprise for us was that Dawns sister Deneen and her
mom and dad decided to join us, and we would meet them there
and do the tourist thing. When driving to Sedona, coming over
the Rim, we spotted a bald eagle on the side of the road munching
on a carcass along with some huge ravens. We quickly stopped
and turned around and Dawn was able to get some shots with here
Lumix as we tried to sneak up on it silently in electric mode.
The eagle spooked and took off down the road, where it landed
in a huge dead tree. I pulled up as close as I could to the tree
which was several hundred feet off the road and shot it with
my big 400mm lens. He was HUGE. This bird dwarfed the giant ravens
that live on the Rim, and was simply the largest bald eagle I
had ever seen, nearly three feet tall and at least a six foot
wingspan. Would this be a good omen to our race performance the
next day?
After our packet pickup and a stroll through a very anemic Expo,
we spent the rest of the afternoon with Dawns mother and her
sister Deneen.
Race Day
We pulled into Sedona at the stadium parking lot at 6:30am. We
had a spot right at the finish line! It great to get there early.
As the 8 am start approached, I warmed up a bit on a side road
and got in the group at the starting line. The marathoners went
first at 8:00 , then 15 minutes later we went, and after that
the 5k took off. The route was the same going out for all of
them, with the 5k turning around at 2.5k, the half at 6.5 miles
and the full onward to the longest 13.1 miles before turning
around. Event though it was mostly cloudy, the red rocks scenery
was fantastic and we always take this chance one a year to run
with a huge group like this among the Permian cliffs and buttes.
This year a change was made at the 6.5 mile turn around. Instead
of turning a the top of a very steep hill, they cut it short
and we turned around at the bottom. I'm sure somewhere else they
lengthened the route, since I came out the right distance at
the end. For me, running this slow on a half was very hard. It
was difficult to hold back especially in the first half but I
wanted to achieve my goal pace as accurately as possible.
After crossing the finish line we were handed a folded up medal
in a plastic package, rather than having them put it on us. A
bit impersonal, but the medal is new and stunning this year.
Blues and oranges on a brass base, with the words "Cinco
De Marathon" on the front - Spanish for 5th marathon. This
was the fifth Sedona Marathon Event, and we have done four of
them now. I met up with Dawn on the other side of the finish
line, and we exchanged stories of our race adventures, watched
hundreds of runners going over the finish line.
We made a fast get away, and had lunch in Sedona at a sandwich
shop. Then it was time to leave and head back up the hill to
Payson. It rained the rest of the day. The eagle must have been
a good omen. |
Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
The Day Before Race Day - Friday
Canon 10d, Panasonic Lumix
On top of the Rim along
the Highway this Bald Eagle
|
Dawns shot after it took
off from the rabbit
carcass
|
The Red Rocks of Sedona
|
Tlaquepaque shopping
center
|
This is the way to pick
up our packets!
|
Packet Pickup
|
Picking up more
race stuff
|
The expo was anemic, here
me and Dawns Dad
|
The "Expo"
| |
Race Day - Half Marathon
Stealth Cam II
As we near 8am, its still
pretty dark from
the clouds
|
Hundreds of runner line up
for the half
|
And were off! Round the
park past an old
ampitheatre
|
We then headed down
the back roads toward
town
|
Now on main street
through Sedona
|
Right after turning onto
Dry Creek Road
|
Steep down hill
|
The next turn left is
ahead, down...
|
Turning onto the back
road
|
The hills are very steep!
Ambulances waiting for
victims.
|
After turning around
at mile 6.5 heading
back toward ambulance
|
Back onto Dry Creek
Road
|
Another Steep hill
ahead!
|
This shot shows the
traffic radar recording
me at 6 mph = 10m/mi
|
The final turn toward the
finish area
|
And just ahead - the
FINISH LINE!
| | | | |
Race Day - Half Marathon
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Early morning light
on the Starting line
|
The runners gather
in the dim darkness
|
The distant
peaks with snow caps
|
In line for the race
start - Me in yellow cap
|
Posed shot of me at
starting line on right
|
The Start of the Half
Marathon!
|
You can see me in the
yellow hat left/center
|
More runners
|
Coming by the start
after the ampitheatre
|
Last pass before heading
off
|
Race Day - 5k
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Gathering for the start
of the 5k
|
Dawn in the staring
corral
|
There off!
|
Heading toward town
|
Heading back to finish!
|
During the Races - Zazoosh Photography
(not clickable.)
Race Day - Saturday After the Race
Dawns Panasonic Lumix
Back at the start line,
we are parked left most
vehicle
|
The satisfied runner -
goal accomplished!
|
What can I say?
|
Dawn at the finish line
|
The massage tables are
packed after the race
|
The GPS data from the run
Click to Enlarge
Above: The run ascends from
about 1100 feet to over 1250
feet constantly, with a few
zingers near the end to really
kill your fast pace. I was able
to hold on to a sub 8:10 pace
for most of the run, but in
the steeper hills my pace
slowed to bring the average
down to 8:18.
|
The PF Chang Rock and Roll
Half Marathon
My location at the race start behind the banner
inside the red circle...
|
The Huge Finishers Medal
It's really THICK.
Click to Enlarge
|
Dawn and Friends at the Aid Station
along the Marathon route !
Click to Enlarge
|
The Race Announcement with MY NAME
in the Payson Paper
See a description below in write up
Click to Enlarge
|
The Technical Shirt
Click to Enlarge
|
|
Intro:
This was the first
year we participated in the PF Chang Rock and Roll marathon and
half marathon event in Phoenix. This year, I did the Half Marathon
along with over 25,000 other runners as a great tune up race
for my upcoming Marathon in February. Dawn signed up to work
at the aid station for the full marathon next to the General
Dynamics plant where she works with 55 of her co-workers. This
was also my last chance of the year to do a somewhat flat low
altitude run to try to better my fast performance at the Fiesta
Bowl Half in December. Ill tell you up front that I PR'ed on
this run, 1 minute faster than my Fiesta performance - at 1:49:05
making it my fastest half marathon ever despite the all uphill
route.
Before the Race
Since the shuttles
to the starting lines began at 4:30 am Sunday morning, we got
up quite early and left the house at 3:30 am that morning. We
parked in the lot between the two starting lines at the ASU football
stadium and I got on the bus at 4:45. Dawn walked the 3 miles
from there up to the aid station next to General Dynamics and
helped them get set up for the race. She got a totally cool "Race
Support Crew" shirt for the effort. I was going to run the
Half which is a totally different route from the full marathon
through phoenix, so would not see her again until after the race.
It took over half an hour for the bus to get to the starting
area, and everything was spread out all over the place. On all
the other Rock and Roll marathons I've done, there is usually
one central park which the runners congregate, with the food
tents, UPS gear trucks and festivities all around the outside
edges. Here, the half started on Jefferson street, the full one
street over, the tents and amenities were on two separate streets
and the medical and support teams were on another! It was needless
to say a bit confusing to me as I was wandering around in the
dark at this early hour. Since the marathon started at 7:30,
everyone was heading to that location first. I decided to take
a look at the starting line for it, and headed over. And walked
right up to our Marathoner friend David, (He went to San Antonio
with us) who was sitting on a concrete bench near the starting
line. He was shocked to see me standing right in front of him
when he looked up! How did I find him in the dark and with over
26,000 runners moping about? Ill never tell.
For about half an hour me and David and another runner next to
him talked and then it was time for them to head over to the
marathon starting corals. I bid them well and watched in the
early morning light the marathon start. There were nearly 6000
marathoners roaring off the starting line. David would do well
that morning, the temperatures were perfect in the low 50s and
it was cloudy.
I headed over to the UPS trucks next, and sat on a big tree root
for the next half an hour, waiting for the 8:30 start of the
half marathon. I quickly found that the half marathoners were
a much more upbeat crowd. They knew that they didn't have to
run a exhausting full marathon. While 13.1 miles is still a very
long respectable distance, you can run it MUCH faster than a
marathon. That would make any runner happy! And that's why there
were over 25,000 of us ready to line up on the staring corals.
At 8:00 I dropped my cold weather warm up suit off at the UPS
truck one of dozens each labeled by a range of last name letters.
and headed over to the half mile long starting corals to do some
fast warm up runs. The UPS is right next to the very end coral,
# 25. The faster you plan to run, the closer to the front you
are and lower the coral number. My coral based on my expected
pace was #2, right up front. I have never been so close to the
front before. But this year, my track work outs are starting
to really pay off and my speed has increased markedly.
After warming up, I worked my way thorough the crowds to the
front. As I passed through each coral, decreasing in number I
kept thinking how awesome it was to be right up front. No longer
a mid packer, I was now a Front Packer! When I finally made it
to coral #2, I was only a hundred feet from the starting line,
and a dozen or so Elites which were at the very front. I was
besides my self standing amongst several hundred of the fastest
super fit runners. As the race start neared, the master of ceremonies
Arizona Senator John McCain gave us a short speech and they did
a quick interview with some of the Elites. Then the Pledge of
Allegiance came, and the starting gunfire for the Elite pack.
About a minute later, corals 1 and 2 were given the go, and as
we passed over the electronic timing strip, our shoe sensors
started our own personal timing for the official record. There
would be more strips to run over at periodic intervals so we
could analyze them later.
Running the Half
The pack I
was with didn't mess around. We all held a fast 8 - 8:15 pace
for the most of the race. It was almost ALL UPHILL for most of
the race. A few places we all really slowed to around 8:30, but
I was on the flats and the occasional down hill keeping around
8:05 for a pace. Lets face it, the inner city was not too scenic
but it was pretty cool running down wide major streets with no
cars on them lined with tons of palm trees. Near mile 10 the
hills got pretty intense and most of us slowed down, bringing
our times down. As I passed mile 10, and could see the red rock
buttes where the stadium and finish lines were in the distance
for the first time and I pushed with everything I had left to
sub 8 occasionally. I knew at that point I could possibly PR,
yet with the nasty long up hills it was going to be very hard.
At the last mile marker, it was 1:41 and I had to run the last
mile as hard as I could to go sub 1:50. I came in to the finish
line one minute faster than my last Fiesta Half run at 1:49:05,
and managed to beat my fastest half race pace by 2 seconds per
mile, at a finishing pace of 8:18.
After jumping up and down for joy as I passed the finish line,
I picked up my finishers medal, a huge square Arizona style medallion.
The finish lines for the Half and Full were on opposite ends
of the stadium and converged at the huge football stadium. Tons
of food and drinks, energy bars, and some really weird stuff
I didn't even want to put in my mouth. Dawn showed up right after
that, we then watched the 3:15 Full marathoners come over the
line. and we walked around the finishing pavilions picking up
a few souvenirs and buying some last minute things. Finally,
We left, and had an early lunch at the Panda Express and headed
home, both of us tired and having had a great time that day!
Hot off the Press
The Payson newspaper
that week covered the event on the Sports page, and it is then
I found out that out of 16 Payson area runners that participated
in this event, I was the fastest in the Half Marathon of all
the Payson runners! Here is a clipping from the online version
of the paper, you can see the article in full at the top of this
write up in a clickable thumbnail.
16
from Rim Country in P.F. Chang runs By Max Foster January 20,
2010
Tom Cooka was the only Rim Country runner to compete in P.F.
Chang’s Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona Marathon, but the
half-marathon drew 15 from Payson.
In all, the two
events attracted about 32,000 entrants.
The lengthy runs were held Jan. 17 on Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale
streets packed with bands belching out their finest tunes and
fans yelling encouragement as runners huffed and puffed their
way along the winding course.
The 79-year-old
Cooka finished the 26.2-mile marathon in 5:48.49 and was fourth
in his age group.
Cooka, a retired Santa Fe railroad employee from Winslow, competes
in about every local running event as well as ones around the
state and the nation.
At age 50, he was
a member of the Northland Pioneer College track and field team.
He is a frequent competitor in the Senior National Olympics and
once was a member of the Tonto Apache Track and Field team with
fellow athletes 60-years younger than he.
Among those from
Payson who entered the half-marathon, 51-year-old Chris Schur
was the fastest and the only one to turn in a sub two-hour time.
He finished in 1:49.04 and was 121st among the 1,479 in his age
division.
Carrie Colvin,
a 29-year-old PHS alum and former Lady Longhorn track and field
team member, was clocked in 2:03.42 and was 447th among the 2,355
in her division.
Amity Justice,
36, finished in 2:04.11.
Others who broke the three-hour barrier were Mike Foil (2:13.04),
Rachelle Christian (2:13.43), Karen Howard (2:48.14) and Christie
Varner (2:22.36).
In the half-marathon
for men, Simon Bairu set a course record of 1:04.08 while defeating
U.S. half-marathon record holder Ryan Hall who was clocked in
1:04.08.
Deena Kastor, the
U.S. marathon and half-marathon record holder, shattered the
race record by more than five minutes with a time of 1:09.43.
|
Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
The Day Before Race Day - Saturday
Blackberry Phone Camera
Heading over to the Expo
at the Phoenix Convention
Center
|
The huge convention
center in Phoenix
|
The enterance of the Expo
| | |
Race Day - Sunday
Stealth Cam II
7am, still dark out
thousands of runners
wander about
|
This was the scene just before
race start in my coral 2.
|
Looking back behind me,
the tens of thousands of
runners gather
|
This is it - my coral is
now full and you can see
how exclusive this fast
super fit group is! John
McCain is on the right on
the overhead walkway
|
And were off!
|
Still pretty dark heading
down a residential area
|
Cheerleaders
|
Police escorts leading us
onto the major streets
|
At the 10k (6 miles) point
settling in to a very fast
8:05 pace
|
Heading into massive crowds
totally cheering us onward !
|
Past the halfway point
|
Mile 10 - Uphill !
|
We can see the buttes up
ahead where the end is
One more mile...
|
Going over the Mill Avenue
bridge - just up ahead
is the last stretch!
|
Dawn in the center
at the full Marathon
aid station along
Hayden Road
|
Race Finish - ASI photography images
(not clickable.)
Arrow points at me in this still from a movie camera
at the finish line.
|
Crossing the finish!
|
Almost to the finish line,
crossing the bridge
|
Crossing the finish line!
| |
Race Day - Sunday After the Race
Stealth Cam II + Sony P10
Finally after the finish
line, in the secure finish
area
|
Mountains of food for
the exhausted runners
|
All the runners you see here
are the fastest over the line
over 20,000 haven't even
come in yet from the Half.
|
Wow! I could just jump into
this pile of bananas !
|
I finally figured out which
way to go to the gear check
where I picked up my warm
up clothing.
|
Next I headed over to the
Family reunion area to
meet Dawn.
|
Giant inflatable PF Chang
Bistro Mascot. (PF Chang
is a resteraunt that sponsors
this event)
|
Gear Check at a huge
line up of UPS trucks!
|
Around the ASU stadium
Tempe Butte
|
The Stadium we
finished next to
|
Final Shot for this race
a tired but exuberant runner!
| | | | |
HOME
|
Full and Half Events
November 14th, 2010
Gaspin in The Aspens
Trail Run
June 19th, 2010
The San Diego Marathon
June 6th, 2010
Marathon, Half, 10k, 2mi
May 1st, 2010
