2016 Martinsville Half Marathon

2016

Martinsville Half Marathon

What an amazing race. Never expected a half marathon PR, but was just in my zone from the start. Prior to race start I did a few short sprints across the parking lot and I felt really good. I should have known it was going to be epic, but I just kept everything contained and looked for a solid run.

I hardly looked at Garmin at all, maybe at the mile markers or maybe a bit more often than just that, but still my focus was on the burn. The first place chick spoke to me some as I was finishing up mile 3, then she pulled ahead. I caught back up to her at mile 5 and barreled on past her as I blazed through 3 downhill miles.

It was a fantastic race. I got passed by a guy during mile 11. I was weak. I needed the new blood to pull me forward. I didn't want the spot, I just wanted to somebody to follow.

It cost me the #1 Age Group spot. I didn't care. I had a PR at the 13.1 mile distance on a certified course. Today was a win in every way that conceivably counts. 

At this point the Blue Ridge Half Marathon is what matters. My focus, my training, my daily motivation is for Apr. 16.  

2016 Explore Your Limits 5k

2016

Explore Your Limits 5k

History

Brown = Hiked, Red = PR 

2010-time 24:27.87, pace: 8:09/M (est), Place 12/97 overall, 1/5 in my age group, 9/45 among men

2011-time 22:27.18, pace: 7:15/M, Place 3/169 overall, 1/9 in my age group, 3/77 among men

2012-time 22:06.82, pace: 7:08/M (est), Place 3/205 overall, 1/13 in my age group, 3/96 among men

2013-time: 1:14:41, pace 24:05/M, Place 199/199 overall, 9/9 in my age group, 76/76 among men

2014-time: 50:56, pace 16:25/M, Place 142/149 overall, 8/8 in my age group, 69/70 among men

 2015-time: 28:45, pace 9:13/M, Place 15/107 overall, 1/6 in my age group, 14/53 among men

As the first significant race stat to aggregate as a sign for how my training for the Blue Ridge Half Marathon is progressing, I have to say the finish time of 23:39 is alarming. This was my 7th consecutive year participating in the EYL5k, however having hiked it with my daughter in 2013 and 2014, then having the course become a 3.1 mile frigid snow obstacle in 2015, this was my first year being able to truely run the course since 2012.

2012 was my pinnacle year as a runner in the Blue Ridge Half as well as in the EYL5k and the RNUTs in general. I was well short of my 2012 PR this morning which is somewhat surprising given that my recent training has yielded several PR's and near PR's (Personal Records). My training has mostly been on treadmills and road courses though, so I guess my legs just weren't ready for the slightly different demands of trail running.

The second mile was, which is mostly trail, was the mile that was statistically weakest in comparison to years past, so that tells the story in so far as where my weakness lies.

Final Result:

 2016-time 23:39, pace: 7:38/M, Place 11/116 overall, 2/6 in my age group, 10/65 among men

Garmin Data: HERE 

2016 Y Resolve 5k

2016

Y Resolve 5k

Small race. Woke up early and drove to Rocky Mount just to stretch the legs out in a competitive environment. Finished 2nd in the 10yr age group for 40-49 yr olds.

Garmin Data