2011
The GPS data from the run
Click to Enlarge
As half marathons go, this
one is quite flat, only 80
feet of elevation change.
But there were still lots of
hills to slow us down...
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The Fiesta Bowl
Half Marathon
Scottsdale, Arizona
Sunday December 4th, 2011
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Half
Finishers Medal
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The T Shirt
Click to Enlarge
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Introduction
Once
again we participated in this long running event spanning 24
years held in Scottsdale, near where we work. There were a record
number of runners in all events this year, the Half Marathon
alone had over a thousand, and the 5k was an astounding 1100
or so . I was so sick the weekend before and during the week
that I was pretty sure I was going to miss this one. I made the
decision to do it the day before on Saturday, and in the end
I came in only a minute behind my fastest ever, and still held
my Boston qualifying pace right up to the very end!
The
Event
We arrived again at 5:30am, and got a great parking spot in the
darkness before the race. It had rained all week, and was still
wet in places. Lucky again with the weather? Yes! It was totally
clear, and 41 degrees. The next day it snowed in Payson. Runners
just kept on piling in, and we knew then that this had become
a really major event. After enjoying the pre race social experience,
I started to get ready for the 7:30 half marathon race start.
I still felt a bit queasy, and told Dawn and David who came too
- that I was going to start very easy, and probably end up walking
half of it. But at least Id get to the finish line and be part
of this excellent event.
I warmed up on a side road, and felt pretty good just before
the race. I decided to start at around a 9 minute moderate pace
for the first mile, and see how it went. We all lined up at 7:30,
I stayed to the middle of the pack. When the air horn went off,
the roar of excitement and pounding of running shoes hit a crescendo,
and the first mile lay ahead! I took it easy, slow and steady.
By mile 1, I caught up to David moving along at a fast clip,
and staying the course - steady as a pedigreed race horse. I
felt great! No problems with the stomach at all. So what the
heck - I accelerated. That was the last time I saw David until
the finish. I held for the most part a fast 7:45 pace, and when
my average hit 8 min/mile, I backed off around mile 5 as we headed
slightly up hill along Gainy Ranch subdivision. When we turned
back onto Hayden road, the final 5 miles of flat, curves, and
park hopping began. I still felt good and didn't want to push
it too hard and crash. So I cruised at a comfortable fast pace
into the final miles and came in to the finishing chute with
an 8:16 pace, a few seconds slower than the pace Id have to run
to qualify for the Boston Marathon in a 26 miler. Dawn was obviously
shocked - somehow I didn't seem so sick with the flu now! And
I did feel pretty good coming in at 1:48, one minute slower than
my all time fastest at last year at this race.
David
came in shortly after that, and we took some shots of him coming
in too. I think he really liked this race too, his first time
on this one. (David lives in the Phoenix). We walked around the
finishing area, but never saw David again, he was somewhere in
the growing finish coral crowd. We watched other runners coming
in that we had seen in other races, and thats how my 57th race
to date went!
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Note:
SMALL SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Before the Race
Hundreds of runners gather in the
early morning twilight
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The starting line (Which is facing the
wrong way)
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Race Start - Half Starting line
(Lumix)
Race Start! Im way in the back
because I dont know how the flu
has affected me - yet...
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Im in Yellow with a orange hat in center
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Im just to the right of center
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Dressed for the holidays!
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Kiosk area during the race
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And now Im coming in - the last
straight away
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Heading in to the finish full speed!
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David coming in!
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Finish Line Photos/After the Race
(Lumix)
Victory against all odds!
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THE red tree we see near the start every
year is turning fall colors.
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During the Race - Stealth cam images
Heading out along Scottsdale road
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Now through Gainey Ranch
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Heading into the sunrise through the
sun lit palm trees
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Almost to Hayden road
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In the park next to Hayden road
see the runners up ahead of me?
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Running through the park fast and flat!
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Heading under the bridge
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Last shot heading into the last mile
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GPS Data
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The Denver Rock and
Roll Marathon Event
Denver, Colorado
Sunday October 8th, 2011
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Half and Full
Finishers Medals
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The T Shirt
Click to Enlarge
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Introduction
This
was our first time we had participated in the Denver Rock and
Roll events, and not only did the race go well for us, we also
had a great time visiting the Natural History and Dinosaur museums
in the area. Dawn completed her fastest Half Marathon so far,
and I tied my fastest Marathon ever set in San Diego this year.
The route was hilly and had many steep sections, but was scenic
and toured the best parts of the city.
We arrived Thursday evening after work in Denver, and would be
fresh the next day for the Expo and the first Museum trip.
Friday we drove the route first, since we had not done this one
before. The route was mostly flat in the city and surrounding
area, but the second half became more rolling and had some very
steep hills. At the end of the marathon at mile 25, a huge long
hill which was very steep would be a problem! The Denver Natural
history Museum was next, having a huge T-Rex exhibit. There we
saw a fabulous array of fossils, minerals and huge robotic dinosaurs.
On the roof was a telescope set up to view the sun, so we took
a fast look at the solar action as well. There were also lots
of space and astronomy exhibits and a really big gift shop. With
that done, we headed over to the Expo after lunch and picked
up our packets. Crowds were thin on Friday - perfect. We spent
several hours at the Expo, and bought a few cool items. We then
went out for dinner and back to the hotel for the night.
The next day - Saturday we were deluged with tons of rain. This
was not good with the Marathon the next morning! We drove to
Woodland Park, at an elevation of 8600 feet to the big dinosaur
paleontogy museum up there. It was snowing when we got there,
and continued all the time we were inside. The museum was fabulous,
and while smaller than the one in Denver, had superb specimens
including the huge "Sue" tyranosaur. Another great
gift shop! When it was time to leave, 12 inches of snow were
on the ground! Fortunately the vehicle we rented was a 4WD and
we had no problems heading back to rainy Denver, much lower in
elevation at 5200 feet. What would tomorrow bring?
Race Morning
We got up at 4 am, and looked outside - not a drop of rain was
falling, and the sky had totally cleared. It was cold and humid
however. Radar showed no rain anywhere. We were dressed and out
the door by 4:50 and walked about half a mile to the starting
line. Not too many runners had shown up yet, but soon thousands
would arrive in bus loads. We probably can get to the race start
a bit later, not much was going on at that point. The starting
time was 6:55, and about 15 minutes before the race, me and Dawn
went separate ways to our corrals. I had corral 7, for an estimated
completion time of 4:15 and Dawn had corral 13 for her race walk
on the half. They all started in waves, and I only had to wait
about 10 minutes before our coral hit the starting line. It was
a very cold 32 out, and this was the first race I had run in
two layers.
The marathon route took us through the city over and over through
central streets, side streets and finally rural subdivisions
before heading out through a big park with tons of huge trees
and lakes. By mile 12, the Half marathoners split off and went
to their finish line. There was a lot less of us Full marathoners,
and when the split occurred, one minute I was with thousands,
and the next I was with dozens! It was awesome. Now we could
concentrate on our speed, form and push our limits without worrying
about tripping on the runners in front of you. My pace accelerated
to around 9 minutes per mile by mile 20 to make up for the slow
crowds at the start. Then the steep hills start. By mile 25 it
was really hard and my pace had dropped a bit. But I ran the
entire distance no problem. That last mile after the horrible
hill at mile 25 was rough. I came in at 4:16, tying my fastest
marathon effort in San Diego four months before. Dawn came in
on the Half in 3:32 beating her effort in San Antonio by several
minutes.
After the race, and we cleaned up we went out for dinner. The
next morning, we met up for breakfast with David Garcia, who
works where Dawn works, and we talked runners talk and all bout
our races. David did the Half and feels he is really ready now
to take on another marathon. Go David!
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Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Before the Race / Expo
(Lumix/Kodak)
Going into the Expo!
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Packet pick up inside the Expo
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Cashiers all lined up ready to
take your cash
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So many things to see and buy for
the Runners!
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Sign at Expo entrance
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Heading upstairs to Expo
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View from our hotel room window
Where are the Rockies??
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Laying out my running gear for
the next days challenge
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At the Paleontology Museum
12 inches of snow while we were inside!
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Race Start - Half/Full Starting line
(Lumix)
Me at the starting area
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Dawn ready to tackle her second
Half Marathon
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Race Half Marathon
(Lumix)
Note: Because the Half had the same route as the Marathon for the first half, these photos
show both races. This is good since my camera had problems.
At the Starting Line
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Looking back at the race walkers
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Sunrise - and the start of the race!
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Moving up to the start line
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Moving into the City
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Passing the Train Station
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Down town is coming fast
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Heading toward the City
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Coors Field Ballpark
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Rural Area
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Into a rural area
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Really big house
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Looking ahead to the hordes of racers
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Through the park
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Along the lake
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The Brooks Man
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2
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Nearing the end on a back street
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Finish coral before I came in
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Waiting at the finishing corals
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During Marathon
(Stealth Cam) - Non Clickable (bad focus)
Running into the sunrise!
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Into the Light
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Mile 8
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Through the park
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Nearing mile 20
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Racing past mile 22
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Finish Line Photos/After the Race
(Lumix)
Chris after the Marathon
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Main concert at finish. "Smashmouth"
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Concert 2
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Chris in the finish area
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Dawn in the finish area
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Dawn proudly displays her hard earned
medal !
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Getting ready to leave finish park
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Walking away from finish area
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One last look
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Rockies on the flight home
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GPS plot
for run
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The Groom Creek Classic
Groom Creek, Arizona
September 24th, 2011
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Bronze Medal I won
for age division
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The T Shirts
Click to Enlarge
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Introduction
This
was the first time we had participated in this event, after doing
the Flagstaff Half for several years, I wanted to try this smaller,
and perhaps more scenic run out. This event has a half marathon,
10k and 5k. It is held on back forest roads just outside of Prescott,
in the small town of Groom Creek at the fire department there.
But its a very tough one! You plunge a thousand feet in elevation,
turn around at the half way point and then run back up the steep
hill back to the start to finish the half marathon. We both did
very well on this one, and I can see us doing this one again
next year.
Saturday
Morning
We left Payson at around 4:15 and it took just over 2h to get
to Groom Creek. By then the first light of dawn had begun and
as the sun came up we parked down the dirt road and walked to
the Fire Station where the event was being held. We picked up
our packets then, and got our race bibs and a bag of mostly paperwork,
but a few items such as a water bottle and pain gels might be
handy. All three races had different color bibs, so you could
tell just by looking who was running what.
As the half marathon start time of 7:30 approached, I warmed
up on a side road, still recovering from the last bit of a pulled
leg muscle from one of my adventurous 20 milers in Flagstaff.
Fortunately, it wasn't a problem, and I was able to race moderately
fast without any issues. Dawns race started an hour later, and
while neither of us had set any time goals, we had a rough idea
how long it was going to take, and we would be coming in around
the same time for our two separate races to the same finish line.
How's that for planning?
The race instructions were given and basically told us not to
get lost on the turn near the end. But no one ever did this time.
The half started with a horn from the PA system, and we were
off! There was some up hill in the beginning, but then the long
down hill blast started. Some of the long runs in the back woods
dirt roads I was hitting sub 7 on my pace quite often. I knew
that the trip back up would be very slow indeed. We passed through
many ponderosa pines and pinions and junipers too. the scenery
was gorgeous! And while the we did not achieve the extreme altitude
changes you get on the Whiskey Row full, the views of distant
ridges and mountains was breathtaking for sure. There was around
85 of us in the half, and I was near the front of the mid pack.
For the first ever run on this one, that is where I planned to
fall in. Next time I can p ush a bit harder and shave a few minutes
off and maybe get the silver medal.
The turn
around was in the middle of a straight slightly up hill portion
of the dirt road. Round a cone we went, and then back toward
the Fire House, 6.5 miles away. And it was quite an uphill slog!
Some places I was going so slow, like a 12 minute pace. But I
never had to walk, and passed a lot of Valley runners not used
to the altitude or hills. We had to run back up to 6500 feet
elevation, and it was rough. The final mile was level or down
hill, and made for a fast finish. I came in at 2:01, and that
was good enough for a third place bronze medal in my age division
in addition to the "dog tag" style finishers medal.
Dawn had a great time doing the 10k, and set her PR for this
event to 1h 35m.
After the races, we had some decent food, and won a few raffle
prizes (two $30 off coupons at a local sun glass store). We left
there very satisfied we had a lot of fun that day and went to
lunch, then to the sunglasses store to claim our prize!
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Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Before the Race
(Lumix/Stealth Cam)
Runners getting ready for the race
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Pre race festive atmosphere!
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Race director at sign up table
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Runner picking up T shirt
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Hats and shirts for the fire dept
for sale
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The food table for after the race
is coming together.
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The fire station at Groom Creek
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Race Banner
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Runners gather near the start
of the Half
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Im in orange, can you find me?
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Waiting for race start
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Minutes before race start
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The guy up front here won the race
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Race Start - Half
(Lumix)
Off to an adventure ahead!
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Heading into the woods up ahead
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Race 10k
(Lumix)
After I left, the scene at the fire house
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Lining up for the 10k
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The 10k group heads down the road!
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Here Dawn comes!
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Racing into a fast finish!
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During the Half Marathon
(Stealth Cam) - Shooting while running all out is quite a challenge!
Heading out at sunrise, up hill at first
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Nearing the top of the first hill
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Distant views of surrounding hills
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After the turn around, heading back
through the woods
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Uphill trek all the way to the finish!
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Finish Line Photos/After the Race
(Lumix/Race photographer)
Just after I came in the
area around the fire station
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Water, coffee and some sort of
strangely colored substance
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Running icon Debbie Goodwin
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Run coordinator
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Checking official results
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Handing out the medals for
the fastest runners. (me included!)
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Announcing the winners
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Finish Line shot
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Wearing the bronze!
Third place in 50 - 59 div.
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Finish Line shot
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Above: GPS Data
from the Half
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The Big Brother
Big Sister
Trail Half Marathon & 5K
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 13, 2011
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Just before the Half
Started
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The
Tech Shirts
Click to Enlarge
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Introduction
We rate
this event as one of the very best trail runs in the State of
Arizona, Neal Weintraub and his team have put together once again
an exciting and scenic race. The weather was perfect, no rain
in sight. We arrived early Saturday morning and as the sun came
up, watched hundreds of dedicated trail runners roll in, all
of us looking forward to the dry cool conditions and festive
atmosphere. After seeing our friends David and Christie Bluestein,
Neil and others, I lined up with great anticipation near the
front of the starting line. The race started at 7:30, and after
a short jaunt along the paved road, we hit the trail and the
long up hill first two miles began. From last year, I knew to
moderate my pace for this first part, and then pour it on later
for the rest of the race. My pace at the 2 mile point was around
10:30, then after that 7:30 to 9 minutes per mile depending on
the rugged hilly terrain. This year I finished the fastest I
have done in five years running this event, in 2:05 giving me
hope I can break 2h in the coming years! But time is not as important
on this scenic trail race, as is having a great time and taking
in the outstanding views. Also, we have made more friends on
this event than nearly any other. Dawn did very well in the 5k,
coming in on 43 minutes.
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Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Before
the Race
(Lumix/Stealth
Cam)
Last minute sign up tables
and packet pickup
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Wheeler Park - where the race starts
and ends
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Runners coming in to register
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The starting line before the race
start
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Gathering before the race
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Neil gives pre-race instructions
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Shot of me at the start line
by David Bluestein
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David and Christie talk to a friend
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Starting chute
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Neil giving race instructions
from the front side
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The last few minutes before the start
of the Half
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Standing in line at the starting
line of the Half
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Race Start
(Lumix)
The Start of the Half!
I am in center in red
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Passing by at the race start
Im in RED.
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View at race start from the rock
wall. Im still in red.
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Race Start 5k
(Lumix)
Lining up for the 5k
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Minutes before race start
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Dawn race walking in to
the Finish line at BBBS 5k
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During the Half Marathon
(Stealth Cam) - Shooting while running all out is quite a challenge!
Just after the race start,
heading out toward the unpaved roads
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Down the trail we go, uphill very steep
for the first 2.5 miles
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So steep, nearly all racers are walking this
short section because it was so steep
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The first aid station is coming up
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Then back into the deep woods!
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On top of Lowell Mesa the
highest point of the run
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Just to the right of the tree is a white
telescope dome. Why do the trees lean when
you are running? Because the camera is a
"progressive scan" CCD.
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Then the most scenic part of the race,
heading directly toward the 12,600 foot
San Francisco peaks
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Heading toward the peaks
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Flat straight away to pick up speed
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Back to steep up hills along the trail
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"S" shaped path through the dense
woods near mile 10
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Last mile before the finish runs very
steep downhill to the pavement
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Finish Line Photos
(Lumix/Race photographer)
Dawn heads to the finish line
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Here I come really excited I have set
a new PR!
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Final quarter mile
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Heading toward the finish
Neil is cheering me on!
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Final thrust. I beat my PR by nearly
10 minutes set years ago!
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Food table at the finish line
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Neal announces race winners
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The male overall winner
Micheal Smith
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Female overall winner
Sarah Wagner
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After the Race - Photos on the way back home
(Lumix)
Bald Eagle on dead tree at Lake Mary
is looking straight up
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Dry Lower Lake Mary
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Mormon Lake flowers by Dawn 1
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Mormon Lake flowers by Dawn 2
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Mormon Lake flowers by Dawn 3
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Mormon Lake flowers by Dawn 4
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Mormon Lake flowers by Dawn 5
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Mormon Lake flowers by Dawn 6
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Full Medal
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Prog. Medal
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The San Francisco Marathon
Full and Progressive Events
San Francisco, Ca
July 30, 2011
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Coming back across the Golden Gate
Bridge from the north side
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The
Tech Shirts
Click to Enlarge
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Marathon Racing Shirt
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Progressive Shirt
You can see the bridge
engraving better here
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Shirt Logo
on back bottom
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Back of Marathon medal
showing coaster rubber
feet
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Introduction
July
in Arizona is a great time to get away from the intense heat
and rains and go to a cool climate and do a marathon! This was
the first time we did the San Francisco event, I signed up for
the Full Marathon and Dawn did the Progressive Marathon, which
ends with a 5k at the event to complete the full 26.2 miles from
training. The weather was typical, 53 at race start and climbed
to a cloudy mid sixties by mid afternoon. A far cry from 112
and a huge dust storm back in Phoenix.
Friday,
the Expo Event Day
We arrived Thursday evening after a 2 hour flight after work
to the city, and our hotel was chosen to be around 1 mile from
the race starting/finish lines. That part of town is not the
greatest, the area is filthy, old, and full of drunks and bums.
I think they could have chosen a better area to start this race.
Friday morning we went over to the Expo, and found a big line
at the entrance. It looked like we were going into some old warehouse,
but inside was set up fairly well for the packet pickups and
expo. We bought a few shirts and jackets with the marathon emblems
on them and headed out of the hot building to drive around a
bit and see some of the route. It was a cloudy, foggy day and
we got some shots of the bridge, the ocean and bay. The Starting
area was right on the coast,and just about right under the Oakland
Bay Bridge, the other big bridge across the harbor. The best
dining was on the north side of the bridge where it was not crowded
with the city scape.
Saturday,
Sight Seeing the Area
Better weather on Saturday. We drove the beaches, did the redwoods
in the Muir forest and got much better shots of the bay. Again,
a decent meal was had on the same plaza we found on the north
side of the golden gate bridge. We had never seen the redwoods
before and the forest trails were totally gorgeous. The trees
are really huge and the bark a stunning reddish color that is
unique. The gift shop of course had lots of stuff made out of
red wood for sale in it. I got some great books on the areas
geology and Dawn got some collectables for friends and family.
Sunday
- the Races
We got up at 3am Sunday morning, and were out the door by 4.
Dawn dropped me off at the race start about one street over from
my coral, and I walked over to the coral area, which was still
in the dark morning light. Dawn took the car back and got ready
for her event, which was several hours later. This worked out
really well. It was pretty disorganized compared with other races
Ive been to. There was no food or water available, so you had
to bring with you everything. You basically showed up, and at
the right time, get into your coral for the race wave your assigned
to to start. Mine was about 45 minutes after the Elites went
off at 5:30, and so it was starting to get light out. The sky
was very cloudy and it was dark even after the sun came up! But
55 degrees would be a good starting temp for the marathon. I
signed up for wave 7, about in the middle since this was the
first time at this new race. The time came, and the start was
somewhat unsensational with an announcer on a bull horn basically
saying 1,2,3, go! But the crowd was good and we were all having
a great time at the start. We headed in the dim twilight along
the beach front westward and toward the golden gate bridge entrance.
The run was basically flat until then, but the ramp up to the
bridge was a wicked side road that really slowed me down. I figured
Id make it up on the fairly flat bridge. They closed half the
bridge off for us, and one lane was for the north bound runners,
and the other for the returning ones. When we passed the toll
booths on the south end, I hit a massive crowd of runners - the
thousands of us would not fit in one lane and so it was moving
along so slow, like an 11 minute pace. So much for a fast run!
The returning runners were going much faster, and I think I should
have signed up for the 4 hour group instead. OH well. We crossed
the mile long bridge in fierce wind and wet cold. Then at the
far north side, turned around at the look out and came back.
It was still so dark out that my camera was not taking clear
pictures yet. On the south side, I was so glad to get out of
the wind. After going back past the toll booths, we swooped southwards
toward Golden Gate Park. This densely forested park was beautiful!
Eucalyptus and sycamore trees, and lush greenery for several
miles. Hard to imagine it was put in back in the 1800s on the
top of a huge sand dune field. That was by far the best part
of the run for me.
The last 6 miles - the toughest part, was filled with difficult
hills and unexciting dense city scenery. At this point I knew
there was no way to make up for the lost speed on the bridge
so I just came in at a good pace, not killing myself to make
up time. Still, a nice 4:35 finish for this first run was even
better because I ran the entire distance, never hit "The
Wall", and came in feeling great at the finish line. It
had "warmed up" to low sixties by then and was getting
comfortable. A huge dinner plate sized medal was waiting for
me too, with three rubber bumps on the back to let you use it
as a drink coaster as well. Never got one like that before!
Finally there was plenty of food and drinks at the finish. It
was really packed with thousands of full, and second half marathoners.
Unfortunately, they ran out of half medals at some point and
some were not too happy. Dawn didnt get one either, and will
have to have it mailed to her at some point. (They LOST the medals!)
We met up at the finish line at a giant sculpture of a rocket
ship, and Both of us did very well in our events. Overall, the
race itself was decent and had its highlights as far as scenery
goes. The weather was a bit too windy for my likes, but thats
better than a blistering hot windless run where your dying at
the end. The event could certainly use some improvement in how
its run, but we have seen far worse. (Read: First year San Antonio)
Our accommodations were not optimal, but its very difficult to
choose a hotel without having been there before. We will know
better if we do this one again.
Monday,
the Return trip
Monday was the return to Arizona, and it was still the same,
hot, dust blown and raining! Home sweet home...
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Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
The Expo on Friday
Before the Race
(Dawns Lumix)
Waiting in line at the Expo
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The sign at the Expo
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Shirt pickup
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The bib and packet pickup
area
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Dawn marks her cloth goodie bag
with her race number for use at the
drop off before the race start
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Crowded "Official" San Francisco
race store
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Finally, the Expo main area where the
regular vendors are
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Friday/Saturday - Touring the Area
(Dawn - Lumix)
Me standing at the giant bow and
arrow near the starting line
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Dawn in front of the
Oakland Bay bridge
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Looking down the boardwalk along
the bay where we will be starting
the race on Sunday
|
Bronze cast on display of a saber
toothed cat fossil - found in this area!
|
The board displaying the paleo
fauna in the area millions of years ago
|
Fire boat parked at the bridge
|
Huge tower next to the Bay with
stacked houses
|
Heading toward Pier 39
|
Pier 39 Bay side Shops
|
What a thing for a hungry to come
upon - a Fruit stand!
|
Sea Lions on the bay at the shops
|
Ferry Station
|
We then drove to the north side of the
Golden Gate bridge and got this view
from the view point area
|
The city of San Francisco across on the
south side from us
|
Driving on the Golden Gate Bridge
|
The bay from an elevated lookout point
on Hawk Hill on the north side
|
Sailboats on the bay
| |
We will be running by this point on the
south side when heading towards the bridge
|
The lookout again on a cloudy Friday
|
Me standing in front of the "Radiolarian
Cherts" on the north side - Jurassic
marine sediments
|
On the beach we saw this hole in the
island near its base
|
Waves crashing on the beach
(Rodeo Beach)
|
Next to the lighthouse overlook -
it was closed. :(
|
But on the walkway to the gate, the bay view
was awesome
|
Poppy on the path
|
Entering the Redwoods
|
Giant redwood tree about 20 feet
in diameter
|
Cluster of Redwoods
|
Standing next to the smaller one
on the trail
|
Interpretive sign for the
redwoods forest
|
Then off to the beach overlook
|
Ocean view
|
Coastline from the same overlook
|
Then down to the beach and sand!
Stenson Beach
|
Uncrowded beach -
or trick photography?
|
Friday/Saturday Touring the Area
(Chris - Canon 10D)
At the lookout on the north side of the
Bridge.
|
Looking back from the lookout,
zooming in. The lanes we ran in were
on the left half side here.
|
On the south end, as seen from the north
lookout, you can see the toll booths we ran
through!
|
Dawn points out the location we are
at when we visited the Muir woods.
|
Giant redwood tree from the base
|
Redwood leaves are small and
feathered.
|
Dawn in the Redwoods gift store.
So many cool things!
|
My best view of the bridge from the
lookout on the north side up on top
of a hill.
| |
Sunday - Race Day Before the Race
and Marathon Start
(Dawns Lumix)
Me waiting for the race to start
It was quite chilly!
|
Dawn at the starting line
|
Illuminated bridge at night at the
starting line
|
Minutes before the race start Im ready!
|
Seconds before the starting gun...
|
My wave 7 start (4:30 group)
|
There I go in the middle with the
orange hat! See the rocket in the
background?
| | |
Sunday - Race Day The Marathon
(Stealth Cam)
Note: SMALL SIZED IMAGE ARE NON CLICKABLE BECAUSE
OF BLURING FROM EXTREMELY LOW LIGHT FROM CLOUDS/FOG DURING THE RACE!
At the starting line in the dark
glowing light spheres are over the
top of us!
|
Moving finally towards our wave 7
start. Its REALLY dark out from the
clouds.
|
Running along the beach at the begining.
|
The last horrible hill just before
the bridge is up ahead.
|
Coming up to the toll both
|
Going northbound on the bridge.
Wall to wall runners - going
soooo slowly...
|
Going north. I just cant pass anyone
my time is blown...
|
Nearing the end of the north trek up ahead
|
Turning around at the lookout on the
North end.
|
And back to crossing the bridge, now
going south. The right side is still
open to traffic
|
Clearest shot I got going across.
|
Coming up to the toll booth again
|
Going along the shore again
|
Along the highway - up, up, up...
|
And up to an arcing turn. See
all the runner ahead?
|
Cutting through the city
|
Now entering the Golden Gate
Recreation area
|
Sycamores and Eucalyptus
|
Waterfall!
|
After we leave the woods, they
TORTURE us by running us past the
finish line for the fist half marathon. Were
only half way - 13 miles to go!
|
Police support as we near the big city
|
Last park run
|
The final few miles through the City
|
Half a mile from the finish. Half the
marathoners are walking now.
(Not Meeeeee)
|
Sunday - Race Day The Marathon
(Race Photographer - ONLY 320 Sized, non clickable)
Finish line shot 1
|
Finish line shot 2
|
Mid race 1
|
Mid race 2
|
Mid race 3
|
Mid race 4
|
When I came off the bridge
| | |
Sunday - Race Day The Progressive Marathon
(Dawns Lumix)
Waiting for the 5k to start
|
Getting closer to the start line
|
Race walkers
|
From the pack of race walkers
|
AT& T park
|
Park 2
|
While the race was on, the fire boats
shot water on the bay for us!
|
The finish line before I came in
| |
Race Afternoon - Finish Line Photos
(Stealth/Dawns Lumix)
Inside the finish area, lots of runners
are wearing the space blankets they
provide for the wind protection
|
The finish coral.
|
The end of the Progressive
Marathon
|
Finish line shot. In the background
you can see the blue balloons that were
lit up when we started.
|
Standing at the starting line in
the daylight
| |
|
Summary
This year, the Gaspin in
the Aspens trail 15k and 5k events were held on Saturday June
18th at the usual Nordic Center in Flagstaff. With no clouds
in sight and temperatures in the 50's the prospects were good
for a big turn out (sold out at 350) and fast and exciting times.
There were a few more injuries this year but on the bright side,
the amount of food available at the start and finish was absolutely
awesome. We both did a PR this day and came away with some great
running tales to tell. (Note: This was my 54th official race
- The number of races I have run now exceeds my age!)
Race
Morning
We arrived at around 6:45 after a 2h 15 minute drive from Payson.
Already scores of runners had arrived and we proceeded to pick
up our bib and technical shirts at the tables behind the Nordic
Center. The shirt this year is a big departure from the previous
black cotton T's, a stunning white poly technical fabric that
was not loaded up with ads. This will be great for the upcoming
summer running season. As we neared the 8am start, I warmed up
by running in the woods trails around the center. This year,
I was wearing for the first time the latest model of Brooks Cascadias
which I had not yet trail tested. This year they also had timing
chips in the bibs and moved the starting gate, 180 degrees from
previous years start at the chalk line or duct tape line. With
a hundred extra runners this year for the first time, the event
is acquiring cult status for the locals, and we were all looking
to a fun but challenging run that day.
The Race
The race started at 8am and the 15k runners went to the right
onto the trail, and the 5k went straight. The first 2.5 miles
is grueling. The hills are very steep, and you go uphill from
8000 feet at the start in a fast clip, which soon turns to increasingly
steep up hills. I never do great at this part, but after the
peak, it is either level or down hill. I hit an 8 minute pace
in the flats and made up for the slower start. The finish is
fast and furious with that last half mile a real killer after
beating your legs up on the hills! I came in 7 seconds faster
than last year at 1:30:11 despite some serious problems I had
with the new shoes. (they have been exchanged). I think Neils
finish line cheering really brought me in for this new PR. (He's
the race director of the Flagstaff Running Series).
Dawn race walked the 5k to a new PR as well, blowing 2 minutes
off her last several years times and coming in at 1:47. The 5k
had many obstacles and hills, and considerable "cow pie
hazards". Thats the trail - You can come across anything!
After the race, we watched the other runners coming in, and the
raffle prizes being handed out. We both left this year with a
sense of accomplishment and respect for what they are trying
to accomplish with the proceeds from this event.
Notes
for Next Year:
- More Hill workouts for two months before race
- Dont try new trail shoes that have only been road tested ; )
|
Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Race Day
Before the Race
(Dawns Lumix)
When we arrived the temperature
read 6C = 43F
|
The new start/finish line gate
with chip timing
|
Pre race nourishments (Yum)
|
Awards and medals for race winners
and age group aces. (I wasnt one of them)
|
Gibbous moon setting
at Nordic Center
|
Runners lining up to pick up bibs
and racing shirts
|
From the distance we see the Nordic
Center, activities tent and
Starting line
|
Warming up down the trail
|
And coming back
|
Just before race start of both 15k
and 5k. 100 more runners than any
past year!
|
Neil holding it together...
|
The finish line about half an hour before
I came in
|
Race Day - 15k
During the Run on the Trail
(Cell Phone Camera)
Hundreds of runners
heading into the woods
|
Now THIS is trail
running!
|
This is about as good as
trail running ever gets!
|
Race Day - 15k
The Races
(Dawns Lumix)
Trail Racing at its finest!
Gaspin in the Aspens
(Bret Sarnquist web site)
|
Final blast to the finish!
| |
Race Afternoon - Finish Line Photos
(Dawns Lumix)
Raffle prize give away
|
Finish line shot
my seventh PR this year in a row!
|
Dawn after her fastest Gaspin
5k ever!
|
One of the runners with ice packs
on here ankles after the race. A
common sight...
|
Tim announces the winners
after the runners come in
|
Family, friends and runners wait for
the trail runners to come in
|
Ok, I wont be getting an age group
award - THIS YEAR.
| | |
|
Summary
A year of many changes, with the race getting better each year
since I have been running it for four years. I cant imagine more
perfect weather for this one, it was around 60 at race start,
clear skies and just enough breeze to keep the later parts of
the run tolerable. Near race finish was around 70, making good
conditions for my 6th PR in a row this year. It was also the
fastest marathon I have run yet, and based on the experience
with this race, I have made changes in my training again this
year, to incrementally move toward the ultimate goal of a sub
4h marathon in the near future.
Friday - Pre
Race and Expo and sightseeing
We arrived at the
expo when it opened at 10am, to beat the crowds that would pouring
in by the tens of thousands later. Not only does every single
runner in all the races have to pick up their race packets here,
they bring all their friends and the general public. We both
picked up some great running/walking gear and saw some very informative
exhibits. We then headed over to Coronado Beach to see the ocean,
have lunch and do some photography.
Saturday -
Lay back and visiting Dawns Sister Sheri
A day to take a
rest from all the walking around Friday, and get fully fueled
with carbs for the run the following day. In the morning we headed
over to a huge Road Runners Sports Store where I actually stood
in the concrete prints of one of most famous runners of the past
who had a significant influence on my current training - Alberto
Salizar. We headed over to Mark and Sheri's new place for an
amazing pasta/spinach meal that I will never forget!
Sunday - Race
Day
Once again, Dawn
dropped me off at the staging area at the huge park next to the
immense starting line at 4:30am. It was chilly, with a slight
breeze and at this point, only a few hundred runners had arrived
yet. I walked around familiarizing myself with the changed layout,
and found the UPS bag drop off trucks for my stuff later. I sure
it was to preserve the peace with the locals, but there was no
music playing yet. The half and full marathons start together,
at the same starting lines. I was in coral 15 this year, a bit
closer to the front of the line and about a quarter mile from
the starting line. Behind me were the corals for the slower runners,
and at the rear the hordes of race walkers!
I ate constantly
small meals right up to race time. As the sun came up, bus loads
of tens of thousands of runners came in and the park was filled
with the sounds and sights of a monstrous event, the laughing,
training discussions, and loads of runners just sitting still
in the grass conserving every last ounce of energy for the race
to come. Food in the form of bananas and bagels were everywhere,
but still the absence of coffee or warm drinks was a low point.
How hard can it be to heat up ten thousand gallons of water anyway?
;) By an hour before race start at 6:15, the loud music began
to play in the gigantic spread out PA system. Low key music at
first, and then it became more up beat as the race neared. As
6:00 approached, we all head over to our corals and it was once
again a huge mad house of a seething mob of atheletes all trying
to get to their assigned places all at the same time! Ten minutes
before the race start, the rock and roll began to really pick
up and you could feel the rush of adrenalin all around. Every
ones heart was pounding and the excitement of what was about
to begin was overpowering.
When the elites
took off at 6:15 the air thundered with music from Queen and
our energy exploded. Ten minutes later I was over the line and
on my journey of 26.2 miles in the San Diego morning breezes
and heading toward down town. The run loops through many parts
of the city, along the beaches and through some more rural housing
subdivisions. The "big hill" at mile 10 is easy this
early in the race, but will take its toll later. We parted from
the Half Marathoners earlier this year at mile 4, and the group
thinned down to nearly 1/10 its original size. The Half is a
tremendously more popular event for sure. But now with the crowds
thinned, we could concentrate on our race paces and goals as
we zipped by the ships, sail boats and city scapes. I tried several
different paces this year, starting slow, leveling out at a moderately
fast pace and maintaining this as long as I could. I made it
through Fiesta Island in good shape this time, and the last few
miles I slowed very very gradually to a slower speed finish but
in record time for me. I spent a lot of time during this race
testing my paces for the upcoming Denver and PF chang races to
see what felt like my "run forever pace" at various
distances along the course. This will be a great aid to planning
my training for the next half a year.
The finish line
was typical, but without the mountains of bananas I saw last
year lined up on half a dozen tables. Instead, they had other
fruit offerings and many new food bars to try out. I met with
Dawn, Mark and Sheri at the "S" meeting area, and we
headed off to a one mile walk (slowly!) back to our motel. After
cleaning up, we headed out to lunch where I ate anything other
than - pasta! Then we went to the Light house.
Monday - The
flight home
Its always fun
to see the runners at the airport heading back home after the
race. Probably half the plane heading back to Phoenix was runners,
and while most looked great, many were either moving very slowly
or limping still. We got back in phoenix around lunch time and
headed back home later in the afternoon before the sun set.
Notes for Next
Year:
- Finishing with a 9:30 pace would be an ideal goal
- Eat Gels first, then ultra fuel second.
- Conserve energy more for after Fiesta Island
|
Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
At the Packet Pickup Friday Morning
Going into the Expo
|
Picking up Race Bibs and Shwagg bag
| |
Exhibits at the Expo
|
Running Exhibits
|
Down Town San Diego
Where we will be running on Sunday!
|
Sightseeing San Diego Friday afternoon
At Coronado Beach tidal pools area
|
Small Crab on the rocks
|
Sea Anenome
|
Everywhere down town
you can see these signs
| | |
Race Day - Marathon
During the Race
(Stealth Cam)
Note - I dont slow down when taking most of these shots, they are taken while running marathon race pace...
Approaching sun rise
|
Along the UPS truck path
|
My coral is 16 for a projected
4:15 finish time.
|
You can see the starting line dead ahead
moments before the gun goes off.
|
Heading toward the big city
|
Science center loop
|
Through the park heading to SD
|
The city is now dead ahead!
|
Aid station in the city
thousands of water cups everywhere
|
IMAGE0006.JPG.JPG
On to the freeway
|
Underpass
|
The big arches at the Balboa park
|
Freeway running downhill full speed!
|
Keeping a good pace along the freeway
|
Runners on overpass as we cross paths
|
Heading out of the city
|
Along the bay
|
Around mile 17
|
Rural area
|
Toward Mission Bay
|
Mile 22
|
Heading toward Fiesta Island
This is where the hardest part of the
run begins.
|
Desolate Fiesta Island. Long. Hot. Uphill.
|
Feel my pain
|
After the finish line - in the secure
finish area.
|
All 4:16 and faster marathoners and
2:08 half marathoners are here
|
So ends another great year in
San Diego!
|
Race Day - Marathon
During the Race
(Dawns Lumix)
At mile 7, First comet the Wheel
Chair racers
|
Next the Elites at the front
of the pack.
|
And here I come about 15 minutes later
I have the orange hat in center!
|
Heading toward down town
|
On Fiesta island - you can see me
|
Closer I have orange hat at mile 23
|
Here I come into the finish!
|
Determined to PR...
| |
Race Afternoon - Finish Line Photos
At the "S" meeting pole, after my
fastest marathon so far!
| | |
To Lighthouse Point with Mark and Sheri on Sunday
Looking into the harbor from the
light house hill
|
Big Sailing ship
|
Visitor Center sign
|
The old lighthouse is now a museum
|
The spiral staircase in the lighthouse
From bottom to top: Alyssa, Mark, Sheri, Me
|
Pelicans on the shore below the
lighthouse
|
Sheri and Mark
| | |
|
Summary
A truly awesome year for this amazing event, this was the 33rd
time for the long running Whiskey Row, with well over 1500 participants
in the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 2 mile fun run.
The weather was a bit warm, but with the early 5am start - it
was about as good as you can get with starting temps around 50F
and totally clear blue mountain skies. We both did very well
time wise this year, I slashed 10 minutes off my marathon time,
and Dawn did a very respectable 10k race walk.
Pre Race and
"Expo"
Friday we took off work and drove out to Prescott in the morning
to pick up our race packets and do some nature photography in
the area the day before the race. We drove out to Watkins Lake
to shoot the granite dells and islands in the lake, along with
the wildlife in the bird sanctuary area at one end of the lake.
Water levels were up and we had plenty of great shots under crystal
blue skies. The bird area was a plus, we photographed Hawks,
Red winged black birds and even a Bald Eagle soared over head
briefly for few quick shots. After lunch when it was too hot
to be baking in the 80 degree sun, we headed over to the YMCA
and picked up our race packets. The "Expo" was quite
meager - and consisted of a few booths and tables. We did however
get to visit one table for the upcoming Groom Creek Half event
which Ive signed up for in September. This is another trail run
like this one, with more extreme altitude changes in the deep
woods.
An early dinner, and we went back to the motel in Prescott to
get our stuff ready for the next morning. A quick check on the
weather report showed it was going to be a fabulous day indeed!
Race Day
Once again I went for the 5am early start to both run with a
thinner crowd and beat the heat which would hit around the end
of the race, at the worst time. We got up at 3:30 and left the
room at 4:30 to drive over to the race starting line in town.
Not much time to really warm up, the 5am early start group gathered
at the starting line, and there were lots of them! about a third
of all marathoners take the early start for many reasons and
we had over 40 marathoners ready to go at 5am. Dawn would be
stating her 10k at 7:30am, two hours later but would finish shortly
before I come in - perfect timing.
The cool morning felt chilly in only shorts and a short sleeve
running shirt, but I knew once I got going and the sun came up
it would all change. The race started with a loud air horn and
down the street in the morning twilight we went! It was still
too dark for taking quick photos - in fact the first few are
really blurry. But plenty of light to run by, about a half hour
before sun up. After a few up hill slopes in town, we hit Copper
Basin road in a few miles and the really hard up hill run began.
I would be climbing two thousand feet or so to the 10 mile point,
then down a thousand feet to the turn around at 13.1 miles. Then
back up again to the peak - and down in a mad dash to the bottom
in Prescott to the finish line near where we started at the Prescott
Courthouse.
The long dirt road keeps getting steeper and more rugged as you
climb. By the time your near the peak at mile 10 or so the huge
tall Ponderosa pines are all around you and the road is full
of potholes and washboard. Then it grades to a four wheel drive
path on a very harrowing cliff face run that gives you views
unlike anything else. You feel like your flying, looking down
thousands of feet on your left to the low valleys below. You
would be in the clouds on a rainy day. My goal this year was
to make it to the turn around with better than last years 11
minute per mile pace. I hit the turn around in about 2:10 and
at a 10:20 pace. That would leave me more time to get to the
bottom faster!
The hill back up to the peak is very difficult and was slow going!
but once we arrived, the aid station at the top had food and
drinks at the ready. I flew past and started the wild 2000 foot
- 10 mile run down hill as fast as my legs could carry me. Once
you get to the 6.5 mile half marathoners turn around, you hit
the hordes of halfers. The next hour you spend passing as many
as you can in your flight down the hill to the paved parts in
town. Then hordes more! The half marathoners are joined by the
10k bunch and it gets crazy in the last miles. The final mile
into town is really tough, its a long up hill final thrust to
the finish line with way too many cars driving about giving the
police a tough job. Finally the finish line appears and with
every ounce of energy I had left I came in with a new PR, my
5th one now this year in a row at 4:36.
Dawn was there waiting taking shots of me coming in, and we both
met up at the finish line (she looked way too fresh and energetic
compared to me).
Dawn had done well too, coming in at 1: 34 and already had her
stunning copper colored star around her neck. This years finishers
medals for the marathon were insanely huge, a giant star with
some rather cryptic letters engraved on them. I got 4th place
in my age division, one away from a 3rd place winning medal!
Maybe next year...
Notes for Next
Year:
- Vomeros worked great, no need for trail shoes
- No need for camel pack, belt worked fine
- More hill workouts 3 months before race
- Early start to beat heat. If cold - normal start.
|
Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
At the Packet Pickup Friday afternoon
Picking up my race bag
(Me in blue)
|
Dawn in line to pick up
her bib for the 10k
|
See all the shirts hanging up? Each one is
for all the years the race has been run
and each one is a different design for
that year.
|
Out taking Nature Photos Friday afternoon in Prescott (Dawn - Lumix)
Indian Paint Brush
|
Granite Mountain, the largest mountain
in Prescott
|
At Watkins Lake photographing
the scene
|
Kayakers on the lake
|
Lake view 1
|
Bay View 1
|
Lake in the granite boulders
|
Sign at the lake
We took this trail to shoot the birds
|
Bee on New Mexico Thistle
|
Sego lily family
|
Along the trail
|
Red Winged Black bird
|
American Coot
|
Red winged black bird
|
Along the trail
|
Cliff Rose
| | |
Out taking Nature Photos Friday afternoon in Prescott (Chris - Canon 10D)
Watkins lake with the water up
in the Granite Dells
18mm
|
Tree/Rock Island
300mm
|
Cormorants on rock in lake
300mm
|
Bald Eagle Flying over!
300mm
|
Red Winged Black Bird - Male
300mm
|
Red Winged Black Bird - Female
300mm
|
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the Full
The Courthouse at night
|
Down town Prescott at night
|
Getting ready for the race
minutes before
|
At the starting line, near 5am I am in the
middle in yellow
|
First light in town
| |
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the 10k/Half
The start of the Half Marathon was next
(we did not do this one)
|
Waiting for the start of the 10k
|
Prescott !
|
The start of the 10k is close
|
10k start
|
Waiting for the first Half and
Full marathoners to come in after the
finish of the 10k
|
Race Day - Marathon
During the Race
(Stealth Cam)
Heading out of town toward Copper
Basin road - still very dark out!
|
Last paved part in
housing development
|
Along Copper Basin road in the
Ponderosa Pines at the 6.5 mile turn
around for the Half Marathoners
Sun is just barely up!
|
Self portrait in a sun beam along
Copper Basin road - steep up hill
all the way
|
Aspens starting near 7000 feet
|
Another self portrait as the sun comes
up slowly. Running up, Up, UP!
|
I can just see the 7000 foot peak aid
station up ahead...
|
Yes - it is really the highest point
in the run!
|
Looking down into the valley from
7000 feet elevation at the highest
point in the Whiskey Row Marathon
|
Now heading down in the shadows of the
mountain to the drop 1000 feet
to the turn around
|
Rough road ahead
|
Back in to he sun light - very steep now
|
Pine forests all around
Thumb Butte in the distance
|
Final turns before the end
|
LAST aid station just at the turn
around
|
And FINALLY the 13.1 mile turn around
is in sight!
|
Now heading back up wards to the 7000
foot peak
|
Terrible up hill to the peak
|
But the view is unbelievable!
|
Coming to the 7000 foot aid station
again
|
Looking back behind me at the other
runners - now mostly halfathoners
|
Back in toward town, what a sight to see
at mile 23...
|
Screaming down hill to town as fast as your
dead tired legs will carry you! about
mile 24...
|
Mile 25 - more steep down hill
|
Mile 26 - almost near the end. The finish
Line is just up ahead...
| | |
Race Day - Marathon
During the Race
(zazoosh photography samples)
OH No, not that photographer again...
|
Smile and look happy
|
Even though I cant feel my
legs anymore!
|
Coming in to the finish
|
Finish line shot - A new PR!
| |
Race Day - 10k
During the Race
(zazoosh photography samples)
A determined road racer
concentrating
|
Heading in to the finish!
|
Oh no - dont look down at your
watch - the photographer will
get you!
|
Finish line triumph!
| | |
Race Afternoon - Finish Line Photos
Me coming in for the last tenth mile
of the Marathon
|
A new PR! 4:36 - ten minutes off
last year.
|
Dawn after her fast 10k
|
The huge party after the runners start
to come in
|
Relaxing after the marathon
|
Last look at the festivities
at the finish line
|
The weather was nearly perfect
this year for the Cottonwood race. This time of year, it is always
possible it could be hot at 3500 feet elevation, however we had
starting temperatures in the upper 30's and by the end of the
race it was in the low 70's. Hundreds of runners showed up this
year for all events, 85 for the half and 184 for the 10k events.
Dawn came in at 1:31:58 on her 10k race walk, and I shaved off
4 minutes off my Half time from last year at 1:49, making this
my fourth PR in a row for this year!
This might be the perfect combination of road racing, trail racing,
and some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Arizona. The
half started at 7:30 again this year, and we zipped through toward
town and up a long up hill to the top of the hill going into
Cottonwood. A charming western style town, the very fast downhill
streak through town was heightened by scores of fans and spectators
on this early Saturday morning.
About 40% of this run is off road, and we found ourselves several
times leaving the pavement and onto some hard core trail racing.
Steep hills, loose gravel and big rocks along with deep dips
into creek crossings and along flood washes. Then back to the
roads for more fast paced action. Then off road again for more
trail punishment! This continues to the last fast paced road
parts where we run thorough Dead Horse State Park - and directly
into the 10k group in the same lane - make some out and back
loops and off to the finish line back where we started. A fast
paced very challenging road/trail run the will satisfy any runners
desire to do something REALLY different!
This is the first year I ran with my Cascadia 4 trail shoes to
deal with the rough off road portion. This worked out well, I
was still able to maintain a fast pace with these very light
shoes and came in averaging an 8:20 pace overall, not bad considering
how wicked the trail part was in sections. So I beat last years
3rd place for my age division - came in 2nd out of 10 runners
in the 50 - 54 age group. Dawn did very well in her race, with
50 racers coming in behind her!
Overall, a fantastic run, especially since I did not get the
flu again this year the day after the race. I think Im past that
"tradition" now.
After the race, we headed over to the Sizzler steak house and
had a celebration meal for our accomplishments for that morning.
Then off back to Payson over the Rim to enjoy the rest of the
weekend! |
Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
At the Packet Pickup
Packet pick up tables before the races
|
First you get your bib, then t shirt
|
Early morning, the runners are gathering!
|
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the Half
(Panasonic Lumix)
Singing of the Star Spangled Banner
before the start of the race
|
Dane Mickelson says a few moving
words before the run about his father
which the race is named for
|
Half marathoners waiting for the start
|
Me in center with yellow hat. I think
Im in a trance at this point...
|
Lead bicycles ready
|
Police escort ready
|
And WERE OFF!
| | |
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the 10k
(Panasonic Lumix)
The huge turn out for the very
popular 10k race
|
Everyone is getting ready for the
big event!
|
Dawn does a self portrait as she carries
up the rear with the race walkers
|
Race Day - Half Marathon
During the Race
(Stealth Cam)
The sun coming up at the starting line
|
Looking back at all the Half runners
|
The race is on! We start by heading
toward town up a steep hill
|
Running thorough Cottonwood
|
Then out onto the main road with
tons of steep hills
|
Next we turn right on to the road
to the Monument - it then gets steep
down hill - a "quad buster" for sure
|
Crossing the bridge over the river
|
Heading out toward the distant
cliffs in the Verde Formation
|
Through the low hills, and doubling
back, faster runners on right
|
Now Im turned around an can see the
slower runners on my right
|
On the road at Mile 5
|
Heading just short of Tuzigoot Indian
ruin, then we turned around
|
Now heading back toward the first trail
head
|
Long down hill to speed up the times
a bit !
|
And now the rugged trail portion
|
What did I tell you? I did my best to
put in an 8 minute pace here
|
Steep down hills into the woods
|
Racing through the woods as
FAST AS YOU CAN RUN !
|
Then the really bad hill, with big
slippery rocks. Oh man, there goes my
8 minute pace!
|
A short road jaunt to this trail head
|
Ripping through the meadows full bore
|
Onto a dirt road and a turn
around at a farm
|
Then around the lake - a totally
awesome view !
|
While I was running here an Osprey
slammed into the water and grabbed
a huge fish!
|
The stunning scenery is not to be
easily forgotten
|
Oops - were not alone on this trail...
|
Back on to the road and into
Dead Horse State Park
|
The final quarter mile to the finish line
too bad they had the sign backwards and
it said "start" when you crossed it...
|
And a new PR this year
1:49
| |
Race Day - The 10K
(Lumix/Action Sports Images)
The runners of the 10k rounding the
first curve
|
Out on the main stretch toward town
|
Fire truck passes
|
Race walking on the right, runners on the
return trip on the left
|
Blue Huron at the lake
|
Cotton wood trees along the road
|
The stunning white cliffs of the
Verde Formation
|
Horse corals
|
Old Ranch House?
|
Race Afternoon - Finish Line Photos
Me at the Finish line
(the sign is still backwards)
|
Dawn after her fast finish
|
The posted results so far were
still incomplete
|
The live band at the finish line
|
Taking it easy after the race
| |
The GPS data from the run
Click to Enlarge
Above: This roller coaster
ride for a run spans over 200
feet peak to peak, yet the
constant up and down is certainly
not conducive to a flat out fast
run!
|
 |
The Run for Ryans House
Half Marathon/10k
March 5th, 2011
|
|
Marathon
finisher Medal
Click to Enlarge
|
The Event T Shirt
Click to Enlarge
|
|
This
is my 50th Race, and the weather was nearly perfect. We left
the house at 4:20AM and arrived an hour before the start of the
Half Marathon event at 7:00. It was cloudy, but no rain was in
sight and a cool but perfect 48 degrees. You can easily park
very near the starting line on this one, which takes place at
DC Ranch in Scottsdale - a ritzy neighborhood with premier small
stores and shops. This year the Half was going to be a brand
new route, with less altitude change all at once and making all
sorts of crazy turns everywhere on back streets, in parks and
through the Market Place. Dawn did the 10k this year and race
walked it in 1:30 - her fastest 10k ever! I gave the Half a good
hard effort and came in at 1:50.
Before the
Races
When we arrived it was still dark, and we first took a walk down
the street between shops and found the Half start had been moved
down to the other end of the street, and the new 10k event was
to start at the same location. But I would be coming in under
this bridge at the end, which was visible for about half a mile
away so you could gauge your efforts in the final minutes. After
I got the rest of my race gear on, I did some fast repeats in
the side street to prepare to run fast. The Half started at 7,
and the 10k at 7:25. There was nearly 1800 runners/walkers in
all the events!
The Half Marathon
460 Half Marathoners lined up just as the cloud dimmed sun came
up in the east. The race started with an air horn, and we were
off on a run which I had never seen before and had no idea on
how hard or easy it was going to be! I held my self back in the
initial rush off the starting line, and settled into an 8 min/mile
pace. The down hills in the beginning fool you into wanting to
run much faster. The route made a big double loop, We headed
due south on Pima road which was flat or mostly gradual down
hill. Cutting across Legacy Blvd eastward to Thomson Peak Parkway,
headed south to Bell road where the second big loop on McDowell
Mountain ranch road then north. Thats where things started getting
really crazy with wild turns, tons of up hills and runs along
concrete sidewalks in parks and along ravines - often with pedestrians
coming right at you! Oh well, where would the challenge be otherwise?
You certainly lose five or ten minutes off your time from this
Im sure. While there were some steep down hills to deal with,
most of the run it seemed was very long miles of up hills. Some
were so steep that my pace slowed by a minute per mile just to
plod to the top. With this many up hills I knew by the half way
point it wasn't going to be a record PR setting half, but a challenge.
Knowing now what the route does, I might have gone faster on
the down hills to compensate. A thought for next time!
The run consisted of gorgeous desert scenery running through
huge fields of cactuses, and desert plants, expensive homes and
well kept stores. This was a nice mix of nature and city and
there was never a dull moment. Combine this with the all to plentiful
side walk runs in small parks and along side roads made for a
wild ride. Coming in to the finish this year was a mess as usual,
and add to that the hordes of 10k and 1k fun runners at the same
time and well, you get the idea of the pandemonium! I finished
fast until I got to this mass, but probably didnt lose more than
a minute at the end.
The 10k Event
This event shared the north loop of the Half Marathon route and
ended under the bridge as well. Since it started an hour later,
I passed Dawn in the last mile, cheered here on and then left
to go on to finish my run. I was able to wait at the finish line
and get some shots of her coming in at the end.
After the Races
The Half Marathon medal is house shaped, and quite unique. We
both got a nice event shirt with purple and teal designs on them.
The race finishing area was like a huge party, every one crammed
into a small market square. They had large computer monitors
scrolling the race results in the middle updated as runners were
coming in. I did better than half of the runners my age group
and next year - if I can do it a few minutes faster, would be
in the top 5 or so. I think this is possible, since I have let
up on my speed work since PF Chang and have been concentrating
on my marathon training. We both came away from this one with
some great numbers and look forward to the races next year!
Notes for Next
Year:
- Throw in a few more track workouts in the weeks before the
race at 8 min/mi
- Some fast up hill work outs would help too. |
Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
At the Packet Pickup
The small expo in a parking lot near the
race starting line on Friday
|
Some running clothing, drinks and
information on the Ryans House Project
|
Here is the actual packet bib pick up
booth.
|
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the 10k
(Panasonic Lumix)
The sun is not yet lighting the scene, but
perfect cool temps will make for a great
race day!
|
Waiting in line for the 10k
race to start
| |
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the Half Marathon
(Dawns Panasonic Lumix)
The scene as it just barely gets
light out along DC Ranch strip
|
Last minute registration for the 10k
and 1k
|
Runners moving around in the
cool morning temps
|
Here Dawn got a shot of me warming up.
I am in the center with an orange hat
I do sprint intervals to get ready for
a fast paced start.
|
Half marathon starting line
near race start
|
Minutes before race start, you can see me
(circled in red) all dressed in yellow -
amonst my "fastest" colors...
|
The police escort at the start line
|
Seconds before race start. You can see me in
yellow exactly under the red tent in the
middle
| |
Race Day - The 10K
(Lumix/Action Sports Images)
The race map posted at the event
|
Dawn race walking to a new
all time PR!
|
Nature trail through park on the 10k
route during the race
|
Coming in to the finish line - a
new ALL TIME PR of 1:30 - Wow!
| | |
Race Day - Half Marathon
During the Race
(Action Sports - NON CLICKABLE)
Starting the Run
|
Along the race route. Hills, hills, hills!
|
See the saguaro cactus just behind me?
|
Pushing the pace
|
Desert scenery mid run,
now Im in mid foot striking mode.
|
At the finish line - a new PR on a new
route! 1:50 time.
|
Race Afternoon - Full Marathon
Finish Line Photos
Me relaxing after this hard fast
paced run
|
Dawn is all smiles after her
fast accomplishment
|
Finishers and family gather after they
come in to the center square of the
market place
|
Runners trying to see thier official times
on the computer screens set up at the finish
|
One last look at the finish line
|
More runners coming in under the bridge
|
The parting shot
| | |
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/10k
February 20th, 2011
|
|
10k
finisher Medal
Click to Enlarge
Marathon
finisher Medal
Click to Enlarge
|
The Event T Shirt
Click to Enlarge
|
|
|
Before the Race
Extreme weather
would nicely sum up this years event. In the week before, weather
forecasters were predicting a huge winter storm would be hitting
Arizona for both Saturday and Sunday - just in time for the race.
Would all our carefully planned arrangements and all the months
of training be totally blown by this set back, or would we be
lucky again this year and dodge another weather bullet?
I picked up our race packets this year again at the Road Runner
Sports store in Tempe after work Friday. This works out great,
since we don't have to blow half a day Saturday going down to
the expo. This year I was again doing the marathon, and Dawn
would be race walking the 10k event. The great thing about this
year is for all events including the 10k and 8k trail run everyone
would be getting a finishers medal at the finish line.
Saturday, it rained on and off all day long, with periods of
hail in Payson. That afternoon, we headed down to Gilbert to
the Hotel to be much closer to the race start in the early morning.
It poured all night long. But by 3am, the rain stopped and it
started to dry out some. When we left the hotel at 4:10am to
go to the drop off for the marathon busses, it was still not
raining but very humid. After dropping me off, Dawn headed over
to the parking area near the race start for her 10k event. There,
we found out that the 8K trail run was too muddy and they would
combine it with the 10k on the road. This made for tons of runners
at the starting line!
Race Day
When I arrived at the starting line, the camp fires were all
going and it was damp from the nights rain, but the sky was starting
to clear! As hundreds of marathoners came in by the bus load,
our spirits were lifted as the early morning light revealed no
rain in sight. I sat by my campfire on a blanket with other runners
and we talked about everything from training to food. It was
fantastic. A 68 year old next to me was doing his 300th marathon.
Wow. About ten minutes before race start, the whole bunch of
us headed toward the staring area, along a dirt road at the Peralta
trail head. It was 48 degrees and slightly windy. Good so far!
The race started with a gunshot in the darkness, and we headed
into the cloudy sunrise down the road surrounded by stunning
desert plants and cacti. The air was filled with the scent of
wet succulents and desert grasses.
After 7 miles we hit the main paved road and headed off to the
main part of the run. We passed through housing subdivisions,
down main streets in town and twice along the freeway with passing
cars cheering us on. I held a very steady pace of 9:30 per mile
all the way at this point, even with the long challenging hills
and dips. The last 5 miles of this run is grueling. It is all
long up hills with few level spots or downs. This is where your
time for the run is really determined, how much you have to slow
down to slog up the tough slopes. I was able to hold on to better
than 10 mins/mile, but the last mile was extremely tough going
with the steepest hills. I came in to the finish line with a
9:48 pace, faster than any other previous marathon. My 11th marathon
time was 4:18 - My fastest one yet despite the challenging route.
I never hit "the wall" or walked even once. A fantastic
race for sure. Dawn came in at one of her fastest 10k's ever,
in 1:33.
At the Finish Line
After I came in, Dawn met up with me, having just photographing
me coming over the finish line. we started to head over to the
food area, and a huge storm was racing in directly at us. within
five minutes, the storm hit with gigantic winds, and a 20 degree
temperature drop. The rain started pounding. We ran for the car
and made it in before the main storm hit! Oh those poor marathoners
still out on the course! That would have been me last year since
I came in 30 minutes this year. We drove off in the rain and
wind, and headed over to Chilies in Mesa for lunch. We sat in
the restaurant watching out the window at the wind and rain,
feeling very lucky that day!
Racing Notes:
- did 12 mile tempo
runs 9 - 10min pace for 10 miles
- Max long run
20 miles
- 3 gels for first
half, Ultra Fuel for 2nd half
- Bagel, 1 banana
for breakfast
|
Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
At the Packet Pickup
Packet pick up at the Roadrunner sports
store in Tempe
| | |
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the 8K/10k
(Panasonic Lumix)
The starting line and the few
7min/mi runners line up
|
8min/mi group - this is where I
would have started if I ran this
10k...
|
9 min/mi group - the slower runners
always seem to be happier and have
more fun...
|
11 min/mi group
|
Dawn started in the rear of the
pack with the race walkers - obviously
the most fun group of all ;)
|
Superstition mountains at race
start
|
Would it rain on us?
| | |
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the Marathon
(Aiptek and Blackberry Phone & Action Sports)
One of the most memorable scenes of this
event is sitting in front of the campfires
before the race.
|
Attempted shot of the numerous campfires
at the starting line.
|
Shot by Action Sports of
campfires and Superstition mountains
in background.
|
The Starting line in near total darkness!
| | |
Race Day - The 10K
(Lumix/Action Sports Images)
And the Race is on! Heading up
steep hill
|
Heading toward the mountain
cloaked in rain clouds
|
Dawn holding her pace
|
Pushing the envelope!
|
Race walking with Lora
|
Passing though the "Wall" about
mile 3.
|
And a fast finish at 1:33 one of
Dawns fastest 10k's ever.
| | |
Race Day - Full Marathon
(Aiptek, Action Sports)
Giant puddle to run around on Peralta
trail road (very low light still)
|
Heading down Peralta road through
the desert
|
Marathoners in one huge line
running toward the Superstitions
(Action Sports)
|
Passing the photographer at
mile 5
|
Holding a good pace is
EXCITING!
|
Seven miles of desert and now we near
the paved road
|
Heading onto the highway
|
Just exited the highway
|
Plugging along at a 9:30 pace - the
fastest I have ever held in a Marathon.
|
The second turn onto the highway again
|
Heading up the first of many up hills -
Aid station ahead!
|
Into a housing subdivision
|
The "Wall" at mile 22. It is chasing
me but NEVER caught me!
|
The very long up hill trek in the
last 6 miles - Mile 21 marker
ahead...
|
Last terrible long hill before the final
turn to the rodeo grounds and finish line
around mile 25
|
Coming in to that finish (in blue)
|
Final finish line burst of speed
|
The clock reads 9 seconds higher than
my actual chip time since I was not at
the very front at race gunshot.
|
The final chip time was 4:18:54 - my
fastest marathon I have ever run in
11 marathons!
|
Finish line shot - as the wind and rain
was approaching rapidly...
|
We made it with not a drop of rain on us,
once again we were very lucky and had a
totally awesome race experience.
Sign me up for next year!
|
Race Afternoon - Full Marathon
Finish Line Photos
The "actual" Lost Dutchman?
|
Feeding frenzy at the finish area - as the
huge storm was rolling in
|
When we got home, we had over 5 inches of
snow only hours after the race.
|
|
5 inches of snow in Payson same day!
| |
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 8:00 pace
for most of the run.
|
|
The PF Chang
Arizona Rock and Roll
Half Marathon
January 16th, 2011
|
|
The Half Marathon
finisher Medal
Click to Enlarge
|
The Event T Shirt
Click to Enlarge
|
|
|
The weather this
year for this longtime event was superb. At race start temperatures
in the high 40s and a hazy cloud filled sky. Over 28,000 runners
participated in both the half and full marathons, and about 90%
of them did the half. This year again I did the the Half, while
Dawn worked the Full Marathon water/aid station along Hayden
road next to the General Dynamics plant where she works along
with a dozen co-workers and friends. Our good running friend
David Garcia did the full again this year and did very well also.
For me, this was the fastest race I have ever run ever - at any
distance. I held an 8.0 minute mile for whole run and came in
at 1h 45m - a few minutes faster than my "Boston pace".
We all had a fabulous time and the temperatures warmed to over
74 degrees after the race, some 5 degrees above normal for this
time of year.
Friday - the
Expo
We left at lunchtime early from work this day and headed over
to the convention center in down town Phoenix to attend the running
expo and packet pickup. Again, Brooks was the primary sponsor,
and we got some Brooks apparel. I got a stunning white running
shirt with blazing orange highlights and an matching totally
orange hat. I feel so much faster in bright colors, Im not sure
why. :)
My race bib was in the 22 thousands since I was qualified for
the second coral again for my projected race finish time. Only
one other coral proceeds me before the Elites line up. But I
planned to really earn that placement this year.
Sunday - Race
Day
We tried something a bit different this year, we parked at the
ASU stadium next to the finish line at 4:30 am, and I got on
the bus to the starting line park, and Dawn walked about 3 miles
north to the aid station. After the race I would go back to the
vehicle and drive up to the aid station and pick her up. This
worked great. When I arrived at the park between Jefferson and
Washington streets, I first headed over to the marathon starting
line on Washington and checked it out. That was where the action
was this early, the Full started an hour earlier at 7:40, so
runners were already gathering around and the music was blaring.
Next I headed over to Jefferson and found the Half Marathon starting
corals. It was lonely - no one was there yet and I could look
all the way up the street from the last coral to the starting
line way up half a mile ahead. The long walk to the coral I was
to start in - #2 took me right up to the starting line,and I
looked back along that long road where soon tens of thousands
would be packed in.
I then worked my way back to the food tents and loaded up on
on more carbs, and then over to the giant anchor (USS Arizona)
planter next to the marathon starting corals. There I found David,
same spot as last year. He again was going to do the full marathon
while I was doing the half. We talked up to about 15 minutes
before the full started, and I left him to his challenge ahead.
Then waited for the sun to come up, and soon it was time for
me too to head over to the UPS trucks, dump my jacket and head
over to coral 2. This was well over a quarter mile from the UPS
trucks. A disadvantage of being fast I guess! I arrived at the
starting line around 8:15 and did fast sprinting repeats in the
adjacent parking lot. then it was time. There were 20,000 runners
this year doing the half, and I was up front with the fastest
runners. The air horn went off at 8:30 and the elites were off.
The a minute later It was coral 1, then another minute and we
were off!
My goal this year was very aggressive. I wanted to
hold the fastest pace I had ever tried in any race before from
start to finish, 8.0 minutes per mile. We started off and was
with a REALLY FAST group of mostly 25 - 35 year olds. We blasted
off the start and for the first mile at about a 7:45 pace we
settled into our 8 min per mile pace and held that hard pace
for the next 12 miles of long stretches, curving turns and finally
near the end lots of long up hill stretches that made that pace
nearly impossible for me. But after mile 10 the route was either
level or down hill and I made up easily for the slower 8:30 pace
I held on a few of the worst hills. When I finally came over
the finish line my GPS read an 8:01 pace and 1:45. My final official
chip time was 1:45:28 - the fastest paced race at any distance
I had ever done. When that huge gorgeous finishers medal was
put around my neck, I was ecstatic - I had beaten last years
time by 4 minutes and every one of the 15 runners
from Payson that had come down to run the half by the same amount.
I placed within the top 10 percent in my age group, better than
last years 25%. The tempo runs are paying off finally!
As soon as I stopped running, my legs started to seize up and
I had to keep moving. I made my way back over to the parking
lot across the street and actually found the truck fairly quickly.
A long loop on the freeway to avoid the closed roads and soon
I parked next to the aid station Dawn was working at. She was
handing out drinks at that point along the full marathon route.
We watched the 4:30 sign go by and waited for David. Before long,
he came by too and we waved him onward. He was doing very well
this year too. The perfect weather was really making a big difference.
After that, we left and headed off to Lunch. What a fantastic
race! Next year I will have to decided if I will be running the
full or half again. Such a tough choice!
Next Year:
Based on my performance
in the half, I feel compelled to try a speed run on the Full
Marathon next year. Could be my fastest Full ever???
|
Note: SMALL
SIZED THUMBNAILS ARE CLICKABLE TO LARGER 1024 SIZE
Race Morning - Before the Race
&
Marathon Aid Station
(Lumix)
Drop off time. Here is a shot of me
as I headed off to the bus to the
starting line.
|
First light at the Aid station along the
Full Marathon route. Gathering for
final instructions.
|
The Sunrise was a typical spectacular
Arizona style.
|
Instruction before the race
|
More Instructions
|
The final Instructions
|
The long view down Hayden road -
waiting for the first super fast
Elite marathoners!
|
The General Dynamics Aid Station
| |
Race Morning - At The Starting Line
of the Half Marathon
(Blackberry Camera Phone)
The view at first light from my coral
2 looking toward the staring line.
|
Back behind me - half a mile of more
corals for slower runners!
|
Coral 2. Everyone here who is running
are amongst the fastest runners in the race.
|
Coral 2. We all expect to do an 8 min/mi
pace - or faster.
| | |
Race Day - Back at the Aid Station
Along the Marathon route at
Race Start
(Lumix)
Getting the cups ready with water.
|
And here comes the First Marathoner -
Josh Cox
|
Josh Cox - who won the marathon
this is near mile 22.
|
The next Kenyan runner
| | |
(No photos DURING this fast run, it was all or nothing for speed!)
Race Afternoon - Half Marathon
Finishing Line
(Blackberry Camera Phone)
Finish Line photo - After my fastest
race ever.
|
In the finishing area - everyone here is an
8, or sub 8 Half Marathoner.
|
The barrels of drinks
|
My favorite color shot - Zillions of
bananas!
|
Leaving the finishing area
|
The UPS trucks where we pick up our
pre race clothing.
|
The finishing area - All half marathoners
so far.
| | |
Race Afternoon - Full Marathon
Aid Station During the Race
(Blackberry Camera Phone)
I then drove to the aid station where Dawn
was working and here is the rows of
tables of drinks
|
Dawn hands out drinks for the
thirsty marathoners!
| |
2010 Runs Page HERE
Includes the following:
The Fiesta Bowl
Half Marathon
December 5th, 2010
The San Antonio Marathon
Full and Half Events
November 14th, 2010
The Flagstaff Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
September 25, 2010
The BBBS Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 14th, 2010
Gaspin in the Aspens
6/19/10
The San Diego Marathon
June 6th, 2010
The Whiskey Row Full Marathon
Marathon, Half, 10k, 2mi
May 1st, 2010
Brian Mickelsen Half Marathon
Half Marathon & 10k
April 17th, 2010
Run for Ryans House Half Marathon & 5k
March 6th, 2010
The Lost Dutchman
Full Marathon - February 14th, 2010
The Sedona Half Marathon - February 6th, 2010
PF Chang Rock and Roll Half Marathon - Jan 17, 2010
2009
Runs Page HERE
Includes
the following:
The Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon
Scottsdale, Arizona - December 6th, 2009
San Antonio Marathon
San Antonio, Texas
November 15, 2009
Rim to Rim Run
Across the Grand Canyon, Arizona
October 2, 2009
The Flagstaff Half Marathon
Flagstaff Nordic Center
September 26th, 2009
The BBBS Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 8th, 2009
The Gold Coast Marathon
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
July 5th, 2009
Gaspin in the Aspens
Flagstaff Nordic Center, Arizona
June 20, 2009
Circle the Peak
Payson, Arizona
June 6, 2009
Trail Run/Walk by Dawn
The San Diego
Marathon
San Diego, California
May 31st, 2009
Rim to Rim Run
Across the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
May 15nd, 2009
The Whiskey Row
Half Marathon
Prescott, Arizona
May 2nd, 2009
The Brian Mickelson
Half Marathon
Riverfront Park in Cottonwood, Az
April 18th, 2009
The St. Patties Day
8k and 1 mile fun Run
At Kiwanis Park, Tempe
March 15th, 2009
The Lost Dutchman Marathon
Apache Junction, Az
February 15th, 2009
The Sedona
Half Marathon
February 7th, 2009
2008
Runs Page HERE
Includes
the following:
The San Antonio Marathon
San Antonio, Texas
November 16th, 2008
The Bisbee 1000
Bisbee, Arizona
October 18th, 2008
The Rim Challenge Half Marathon
Payson, Arizona
October 4th, 2008
Flagstaff Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
September 27th, 2008
Big Brothers Big Sisters Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 9th, 2008
Huffin & Puffin 8 mile Race
Payson, Arizona
July 12, 2008
Gaspin in The Aspens
June 21, 2008
Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Run
May 18, 2008
The San Diego Marathon
San Diego, CA
June 1, 2008
The Whiskey Row Half Marathon
Prescott, Az
May 3rd, 2008
The Lost Dutchman Half Marathon
February 17th, 2008
The Sedona Half Marathon
February 9th, 2008
2007 Runs Page
Includes the following:
Rails to Trails Run, Prescott Az.
November 17, 2007
Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb, Bisbee Arizona
October 20, 2007
Rim Challenge Half Marathon
October 13th, 2007 Payson Arizona
Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Run
October 4 - 6, 2007
The Flagstaff Half Marathon, Flagstaff - Nordic Center
September 22nd, 2007
White Mountains Half Marathon, Eager
September 15th, 2007
Big Brothers and Big Sisters Half Marathon in Flagstaff
August 11th, 2007
Gaspin in the Aspens Trail Run 15K
June 16, 2007
Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon
May 18, 2007
Miami Copper Crawl
April 22, 2007
Sedona Half Marathon
February 10, 2007
2006
Payson Rim Challenge Half Marathon November 3rd
Grand Canyon - South Rim Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch and up Bright Angel trail
HOME
|
The GPS data from the run
The San Diego Dodge
Rock and Roll Marathon
San Diego, California
June 5th, 2011
The Prescott Whiskey Row
Marathon, Half & 10k
Prescott, Arizona
May 14th, 2011
The Brian Mickelson
Half Marathon & 10k
Riverfront Park in Cottonwood, Az
April 16th, 2011
