World Record!

Got a text from Jason Blackwood while I was sleeping, saying he was pulling an all nighter and helping out at the track during the wee hours of Sunday morning. After he notified me the team was about 18 mins behind schedule, I hit the snooze button and got in a little more sleep.

Arrived at the track around 8am, and relished in the fact that the rain had subsided. While watching and mingling, I met Kristen and Caleb Boyd, John Filete, Paul Mainwaring, Alex Wernikoff, and a few others. I watched Stephen Spada's leg in fully shirtless glory despite the low 40's temps, and afterwards was able to use him as a warm up partner. He mentionedour conversation about a track meet I was in at Providence Day, while I was running for Charlotte Christian in Highschool, and though he obviously was being more than gracious when he was recalling the quick mentions of times during that special day for me - I must say that I did not run the 800m race that day (in fact I didn't break 2 mins until college), but completed the quadruple with the 4x400. And he surely rounded down by a couple seconds against the true times I ran in the 1600 and 3200, but I won't bash him for that!

Anyway, I enjoyed my leg of the race tremendously and the opportunity to participate in the historic event. Meeting new members was awesome. I don't get out that much for the group runs, so this definitely helped me connect. True to form, I went out too fast the first lap (79) and the first 800 (244), but was able to reel it in for a targeted 543 first mile. I was able to maintain focus pretty good on the second mile with a 548 split. The last mile, I knew I had some in the tank, but it was interesting I had to really force myself to think TURNOVER TURNOVER TURNOVER, as my legs are not used to going that fast, but aerobically I was feeling okay. Perhaps that is why, after the race I felt I had more left. With a lack of speed training, you find yourself without the ability to really tap into your speed - not that you don't have it. It just can't be conjured up. At least that's kind of how I look at it. So my last mile was a 546, with a 84, and 80 the last two laps. My last .1 was a 38 special, just to get me under 18 mins (1756) for the 5k.

I felt good about the race, but was tired, and so I went home to rest and come back in time to watch Jordan to see what he would do coming off injury, and to watch my old rival Compton fly around the track for the fastest split. That wasn't the question, just how much quicker than everyone else he would be was intriguing. 1512 for that guy. Way to go man!

Way to go CRC for the event, the members for all doing their part - despite the weather, and to a new world record by a more than comfortable cushion of 6 hours! Take that Florida Striders!

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/28/2177820/runners-chase-guinness-world-record.html

Checking out the first day of the 100x5k

After duties and obligations, I was able to sneak off to the PDS track late in the afternoon during the middle of the rain clouds overhead. Having only run 2 days prior in the week, and with my leg of the race coming up - I sided to stay easy and short, rather than make up for lost time to stack my weekly miles. I found Jordan and Meagan under a tent on the infield with a stack of Karhu running shoes, free to sample for a run. I opted to slip on the lime green Fast 2.



Went out towards Landsdown and jogged through that neighborhood and back for a total of about 3.5 miles.

With the Relay in the 10th and 11th hour, I was able to watch a couple notable performances. Alana Hadley (1709), Caitlin Chrisman (1725), and Jason Martin (18??).

Miles: 3.5+
Time: 27.30
Pace: 7.40

Final Mile

Jumping into these track meets this month has really been a good experience. Like I said before, it had been 6 years since I even put on a pair of spikes or raced a put on track event. Going 524 on my first race a couple weeks ago, and then 518 last week, I was hoping to keep the trend going and break 515 on this last race of the year. (Even though next week is the last meet, I will be out of town)

Being the hottest day of the year so far didn't help my chances, but I was optimistic non the less. This time I actually had a run under my belt since the last Tuesday meet, and I was thinking I had to be in a little better shape. With it being so hot, I really didn't feel like doing a lot in terms of warming up. Didn't think I really had to, and thought it would just zap my energy more.

So after 2-3 mins of jogging and some strectching I took the starting line, shirtless we were most of the men, and went off. Was hoping to come through in around 230 and hold on to get under 515. Hit the first lap in 120, and realized I hadn't gone out fast enough. Tried to slight increase the pace the next lap, but wanted to feel good enough going into the last half that I could finish strong. Under estimated my pace and came through in 240, splitting 119. I definitly felt the best going into lap 3 of all the miles this year, but I was just not in good enough shape to negative split. I held on and cross 1209 meeters (because of the mile it's longer than 1600 so you start behind the line) in 402, and then had a good effort finishing 520 flat. I was competitive the last lap and was able to pick off a couple people, but my overall speed was not there today - I think due to the weather I was slower than last week although I felt stronger than last week.

Anyway that's that. It was fun for the last few weeks, and now I have a little springboard to keep me running through the summer. I now have my sights set on doing, potentially, the Virginia Beach half marathon Sep. 5th.

A little bit faster now!

What happens when you race a mile off zero training in 3 months (see previous post) and then race 1 week later with no running since...

Well, after last weeks mile where I went out in 68 - I decided I would try and pace it a little more evenly and see what happens. I wasn't even sure I could improve on a 5:24 given the last 7 days off, but at least I would attempt it with a differnt strategy. Plus I had my long time teammate / running friend Mike Oelz racing with me, so that made it a little more competitive.

It was sure hot though - 90 plus with humidity. Not that it really comes into play on a 5 minute all out run. So, I ended up going almost entirely even splits - which is hard to do no matter what kind of shape you are in when you are giving a full effort. Useually you either go hard and hold on, or negative split and finish faster. I went through in 1:19, 2:39, 3:59, 5:18.

After an easy first lap, I did a little surge on the back stretch and passed Mike and settled back into the pace. I didn't have to out kick any girls the last 100m this time, although I knew they were close the whole race.

It was hard for me to finish well, I know I still have some more left - but it's hard to conjure it up when you aren't used to dealing with the pain.

Anycase, it was an improvement, and I plan on running this week and trying it again and see if I can go lower.