Hobby Jogging: 3/25/12 - Raleigh, NC - Second Empire 5k Classic

51 weeks. That's how long it had been since my last road 5k. I gutted through that one to cap off a podium finish in the 2011 Second Empire Grand Prix, but despite having a very low mileage year, I'm still suffering from the same things that I was a year ago. Hamstrings, shins, piriformis, plantar fasciitis, etc. It's all been a drag and still continues to hinder my runs, yet I soldier on.

Looking decent early

The main reason for hopping into this race while not really being fit, is just to get a race in. After having to bow out of Boston last year due to injury, I've made the goal to get to the starting line this year. While my longest run has been 16 miles (and that was a few months ago, before my shins really started hurting again), and I'm ten pounds heavier than I was a year ago, I plan on running Boston. It may be slow, but I'm doing it.

So back to the race... I first ran the Second Empire 5k Classic back in 2006, when I was out of shape and would get in runs when I could. It was pretty embarrassing and humbling as I "ran" 22:25. This year was pretty embarrassing as well, yet not to that degree. Earlier this spring, before I had some severe shin issues and had to take 10 days off, I was knocking out some decent workouts. 8 miler steady states at 6:35 pace, 4 mile tempos at 6:07 pace, long progression runs ending with multiple miles under 6:20. Good stuff. But the fastest tempo I had done was 4k in 14:59. That in mind, I was hoping to stretch that pace out for 5k.

Struggling home late

The Second Empire course isn't really difficult, but it's not easy either. The first mile is essentially the same course as the Mag Mile, starting at Second Empire and running around the Capitol and back. This is where it gets a little tough. It's a long slow hike up Hillsborough Street to the second round of roundabouts that are across from the bell tower. The wind was whipping pretty good on this particular day (as my second mile was a slow one). I got out decent enough at the start before being flat out cut off about a half mile in by a masters runner who decided to surge in front of 3 people on a 90 degree turn and then throw the brakes on. Oh well, the five and a half hours of single track running I did last week had me used to stop and go. I tried to keep it very much like a tempo run, under control and quick. I think I did so for the most part. I didn't get going too quick on the first mile and hit 5:50 or so. The second mile, as mentioned above, was far tougher, and although I didn't lose much ground, I still ran a 6:20 or so for the uphill mile into the wind to hit 12:10 with 1.1 to go. I kind of joked that I hoped to break 19 at the starting line, but that really was the case. I tried to push it a little bit back towards the finish and knew I'd have a true gauge when I saw the 1/2 mile left sign. I hit that at 15:57 and didn't feel great. I needed a 3:02 to break 19 and I answered the call with a 2:55 to finish in 18:52. This time last year, I was about a minute faster, but this was a decent rust buster. Makes me want to do one more this weekend before Boston in three weeks, just to get "that feeling."

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Hobby Jogging: 9/18/11 - Raleigh, NC - The Magnificent Mile

With the last three weeks of my training being 24.5 miles, 17.5 miles and 16.5 miles, I wasn't expecting much today at The Magnificent Mile. The past eight months in general have been a drag due to severe shin splints. When will it end? Hopefully soon. Anyways, enough with the sob stories. The Mag Mile is a great race and as much as I knew today would not be a PR day, or anything close to it for that matter, I still wanted to hop in. How often do you get a chance to run a mile road race?

The Mag Mile also serves as the USATF State Road Mile Championship and is the first race of the Second Empire Grand-Prix Fall series. Maybe my shins will heal miraculously and I'll be ready to run strong the rest of the series. Hey, stranger things have happened!

Warming up the "kick"

Got in a good two mile jog of the course (forwards and in reverse) with John Simons beforehand and did some hard strides. I was as ready as I was gonna be. After announcing what seemed like half the field, we were off. The legs were moving, just not that fast. I got out good, but spent the entire race reeling people in. When I circled the capital and hit the halfway mark in 2:35-6, I thought the A-goal of 5:10 was within reason, but when I hit the 3/4 of the way marker in 3:58, I figured that was likely out of the picture. My legs just weren't ready to run that pace. I kicked home the last 400 as best as I could and saved one more sprint in the last 50 yards, to pass a local high schooler, to finish in 5:16, 4 seconds faster than my B-goal of 5:20.

What can I take from the race? Reassurance that it takes consistent training to perform and a good rust busting performance. Nothing exciting, but a good way to go through the motions of a pre-race warmup and all the things that come with that. Hopefully that'll help in the near future!

Charlie's Angels 2, Full Throttle

My friends and teammates faired great and it was fun to watch. John was a bit up on me in 5:03 (1 second off my 5:02 from 2009), Joe had a big breakthrough in 5:38 (20 seconds faster than he ran in '09) and Erin came in an impressive sixth overall in the Women's race in 5:23. All star blogger, Shelby Van Pelt, ran a strong 6:00 as well (although I know she wanted that 5:59). Performance of the day went to my friend from Winston, Molly Nunn, who ran 5:19 for fourth, one day after winning the Run for Green Half Marathon in Davidson, NC, as she prepares for the Wineglass Marathon (and an attempt at the Olympic Trials Qualifying Standard of 2:46:00).

After the races, we all got together and did a nice three mile cool down through Raleigh. The shins felt better here. Hopefully a sign of what's to come! Until then, it's run when I can, soccer on Tuesday and hopefully get to Winston early enough tomorrow to register for the Boston Marathon!

Also, congrats go out to The Athlete's Foot Racing's Joe Moore, who won in 4:20 and to TAF-ers on the road, Bobby Mack (14:03) and Sandy Roberts (14:13), who finished sixth and eleventh respectively at the USATF Road 5k National Championships in Providence, RI.

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Hobby Jogging: Second Empire Grand-Prix Awards & Recap

John & I posing on Hillsborough Street

The Second Empire Grand-Prix Series was something that I always thought was a cool idea and something that I had always hoped to place in. I initially thought this after turning in a scintillating 22:22 5k at the Second Empire Classic in 2006. Fortunately, a lot has changed since then! Despite being injury ridden for quite some time, I am pretty pleased that I was able to put together six races that netted me a fourth place overall finish in the series. I was also happy to have my friend and training partner, John Simons, take third!

Mo money, Mo problems

This weekend marked the awards luncheon that Kim and Rod were nice enough to host at their excellent restaurant (and series sponsor), Second Empire. We were treated to an excellent lunch, a nice video recapping the series and the presentation of the awards. I had no idea what to expect, but I didn't realize that 32 1/2 years into my life, I can proudly say that I am giving up my amateur status and am going professional! This is thanks in part to accepting the $100 check I received for finishing fourth overall in the series. All joking aside, it was a very nice gesture and we were also given a nice embroidered Brooks backpack that I'll certainly carry running gear in (John has other uses lined up for it).

Here are my individual recaps for Second Empire Grand-Prix 2011 Spring Series:

• January 8 - Run For Young 5k - 18:10
• February 13 - Run for the Roses 5k - 17:55
• February 26 - Law Enforcement Torch Run 5k - 17:59
• March 5 - WakeMed Cary Distance Festival 10k - 37:46
• March 12 - Run for the Oaks 5k - 17:56
• April 2 - St. Timothy’s Spring Sprint 5k - 18:30

No diapers in this one!

Now while I don't know if I'll participate in the entire fall series, the races are posted and I know I am excited to run the Mag Mile again, a race I placed very well in during the 2009 season.

Here's the Fall Grand Prix Schedule:

-The Magnificent Mile – Sun, Sep 18
-Triangle Run/Walk for Autism – Sat, Oct 8
-5k Run for Healthier Babies – Sat, Oct 15
-Monster Dash 5k Run – Sun, Oct 30
-Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5k – Sat, Nov 5
-Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot – Thu, Nov 24
-Jingle Bell 5k Run for Arthritis – Sat, Dec 3
-St. Michael Jolly Elf Trail Run – Sat, Dec 10

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Hobby Jogging: 4/2/11 - Raleigh, NC - St. Timothy's Spring Sprint 5k

So this was it. Race number six in the Second Empire Grand-Prix. One last chance to lay one down to solidify my claim to the top 5 in the overall standings. That's about all I did today. Didn't feel great, didn't feel terrible, but did what I needed to do to hold serve to secure an overall podium spot at the Second Empire Awards Luncheon in June. The St. Timothy's Spring Sprint is no doubt, the hardest 5k course in Raleigh. I rode what I thought was the course Friday afternoon (per the USATF Course Map), but once the gun went off and we made the second turn, I realized it was totally different.

After battling some injuries, I have finally gotten in a few weeks of decent training. Now I am not out of the woods just yet with some serious shin splints being the injury du jour, but some of the hamstring pain has subsided and lots of rolling around on a tennis ball has dulled the literal pain in my a$$ that is Piriformis syndrome. I am hoping this bodes well for my upcoming return date with the Boston Marathon. It could be a nightmare, but if you know me, you know I will be going in with a positive outlook!

Got to the race about 45 minutes early and did an easy 2 mile jog with John Simons. Knocked out a few strides and got to the line with hopes that my shins would make it. I felt great doing some Yasso 800's Tuesday, but during my recovery lap jogs, my shins would kill. They felt ok on the flats, but hurt on the hills. And there were a ton of hills. About a half mile in, we started climbing for the first time. Over 200 feet in that next half mile before a short, steep downhill at the mile. Got through the first mile in 5:35 or so and didn't feel great, but kept slogging along, picking off some of the high schoolers. At the turnaround, I was slowing and two people passed me.

Getting passed mid-race doesn't happen a whole lot these days as I keep a pretty steady pace, but today was one of those days. Did my best to latch onto the back of the train for the second half of the race before I had to dig deep and make a hard move that would make me feel warm inside and keep my man card intact. The second mile was hard and hilly and the third mile was worse. Per the garmin dump, my second and third miles were 6:02 and 6:03. Ouch!

Now I have been beaten by plenty of women (and some girls) in my lifetime and it happens. No shame in it. Not this season though. As I trailed the lead woman over the last mile and a half, I was having a serious conversation with myself. "How bad do you want it?" was what I kept thinking as I slogged up the last 2 hills. When we got to about 1/4 mile to go, I started to pick it up. We then made the turn onto Rowan and I could see her just ahead, starting to struggle up the last hill. This is where I went for it. Sprinted the last 200 meters hard to pass the first female and finish 9th overall in 18:30 (although I had 18:26 on my watch). Tough day, but all the times were about 30 seconds slow, so I'll take it. Most importantly, I will hold onto 2nd place in the Grand-Prix standings and should finish no worse than 5th when the last 2 races are done and my competitors have gotten in their 6 scoring races.

All in all, I am happy with my efforts during the Grand-Prix series. My goal was to finish on the podium (top 5 overall) and it looks like that dream will become a reality. Now on to Boston. There is no finish line!

For more info, check out: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20110402StTimothys5k.htm

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Hobby Jogging: 3/12/11 - Raleigh, NC - Run for the Oaks 5k

Race number 5 (of 6 to score) for the Second Empire Grand-Prix is in the books! Today was a nice bounce back after a lackluster effort last Saturday. The weather was cool and the course was deceivingly tough, but I was still able to throw down a decent time to hold serve in the Grand-Prix standings.

I got up to the race at Moore Square in Downtown Raleigh about 45 minutes before the gun and picked up my number and chip before heading out on an easy 1.5 mile jog with John Simons. Felt decent. Was a little worried as my runs this week consisted of an easy Sunday 9 miler with Mary Aiken Barrow, a moderate 6.5 miler Monday in Winston (with 2x800 pickups in the middle at just under 6:00 pace) and an easy 6 miler at Umstead on Thursday (with 2x800 and 8x100 strides at the end of the run). I threw in Ab Ripper X on Wednesday because my leg hurt too much from the pounding to run, but wanted to do something physical. 30 miles per week ain't gonna play if I want to run with the big boys, so I will focus this next week on healing before ramping it up again for my last Grand-Prix race and of course my return to the Boston Marathon.

Got in a few strides and got over to the start on Person Street. The whistle blew and we were off. I drove the course last night and realized there were a bunch of long, little hills. I wanted to make sure I had the juice to finish strong, so I went out fairly conservatively. About a half mile in, I was already a good ways behind John, Brent Hale and Rodney Scott and was a little worried I may not have it again. Started to dig in on the slight downhill and began to separate from the B-pack that was right on my tail. Hit the mile in 5:38-ish and made the turnaround at 2k into Mordecai to head back uphill. Mile 1.25 to 2.25 was the hardest section of the course, but I stuck to my plan and soldiered on past the 2 mile at 11:27 or so before the slow rolling last mile. I wasn't gaining much ground, but I wasn't losing any either. At 2.6 miles, I was at 15 flat. I really wanted to break 18 and knew I'd have to run a 3:00 last half mile and change for whatever tangents I didn't run (Garmin measured 3.12). This is when I shed my gloves and dug in. Started to gain ground on Rodney and made the last turn to hit the 3 mile in 17:25 and roll the last .12 at 4:52 pace (per the Garmin dump) to finish strong in 17:56 for 6th overall and 1st in the 30-34 age group.

I can stand strongly behind this race as my effort was strong mentally and physically and it was my 3rd consecutive 5k under 18 minutes (4th if you count my 17:51 solo tempo on the track). I will be able to hold onto 2nd in the Grand-Prix standings when they are released and have all but clinched top 5 barring a collapse at race #6 in 3 weeks (St. Timothy's Spring Sprint). Good day in Raleigh, NC!

For more info, check out: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20110312RunfortheOaks.htm

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Hobby Jogging: 3/5/11 - Cary, NC - Cary Distance Festival 10k

Saturday was one of those races that just never really felt right. I was excited about the race and drove the course Friday night to get a feel for it, but a few miles in, I realized I just didn't have it! Everything started off ok though. Got over to the race, picked up my number and John and I knocked out an easy 2 mile warm up on the course. Did my usual strides and an easy jog up to the line with a shake out stride and walk back to the start and was ready to roll. The whistle was blown to kick the race off and I got off the line well. John and I ran together for a very good first mile in 5:38-9 and were slowly picking those off that went out too fast. We hit the longest hill on the course on mile 2 up Maynard and that is where things started to go off track.

We made the turn at 2 miles in around 11:38 and this is where I started to fade. At first I wasn't worried as I thought I would catch a 2nd wind after the 2nd mile, but that never happened. 2 weeks of traveling and shotty training due to a dinged up shin and calf were starting to catch up with me. All the strength I had felt negative splitting my last few races and workouts was not there. During mile 3 about 4 guys passed me. I locked on to the back of the train and held on the best I could as we hit the 3 mile in 17:40 and 5k in 18:22 or so.

The second half of the course was back in some neighborhood behind downtown Cary. Lots of twists and turns including a 180 degree turn at around 4.5 miles had my right leg hurting pretty bad. I was getting slower, but couldn't do anything about it. Hit 4 miles in 23:58 and 5 miles in 30:15. This is not what I had planned! Chugged through the last mile and was able to get one scalp in there from a fading triathlete looking runner. Dug in the last 400 or so to finish 9th overall in 37:46 (and 2nd in my age group). Not my best day, but not a total loss.

The bright side of the race was that it was the 4th race of the Second Empire Grand-Prix and I was able to hold serve at 2nd overall (when they compile the results). I am liking my chances to finish top 5 overall (the ultimate goal) and will be happy to have a short break after next weeks Run for the Oaks 5k. Also, this course wasn't easy. It kicked my butt a lot more than I thought it would. Lots of hills, very windy and too many turns on the 2nd half, so a great strength workout at minimum. Finally, I don't love the time, but not too long ago it would have been a great one, so I'll accept that as a small victory to acknowledge how far I have come in just 2 years of competing!

For more info, check out: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20110305CaryDistanceFest.htm

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Hobby Jogging: 2/26/11 - Raleigh, NC - Torch Run 5k

Today marked the third race of the Second Empire Grand-Prix. It was the Torch Run 5k and was the same course as the Free to Breathe race at NC State's Centennial Campus, just in reverse. This made for a very long uphill second mile. This was also my first race running in The Athlete's Foot Racing Team singlet (and shorts). It's a great new partnership that myself and my fellow Bromar Track Club teammates are entering into!

After a week of travel for work, I was a little tired going into the end of the week and ended up taking off Thursday (per travel) and Friday (per an ailing shin and hip). This was smart as I needed to heal up! I was a little worried going into the race, but those nerves calmed when the gun went off and I felt great. I wasn't able to cruise the first bit with my training partner, John Simons, as he was sitting today out due to the recent birth of his new daughter Liza. I was able to pace off a consistent competitor, Brent Hale, and was rolling for the first half mile before we hit "the hill."

As we crawled up the long hill on Centennial Parkway, I realized the on course mile splits were off. My Garmin had me at 5:38, which seems about right. Brent and I were sitting 4th and 5th with a small pack of 5 behind us going up the hill. By the time we got to the top, we had caught the guy in 3rd (Rodney Scott) and ditched the pack. As we went down the hill at the roundabout and hit the 2 mile (11:37 per Garmin), Brent and Rodney started to pull away from me, but I kept pushing hard. The last mile was solid (5:39) with a lot of rolling hills, and I was able to muscle through and throw down a decent last .14 at 5 minute pace to finish 5th overall; just under 18 in 17:59. It also should bump me up to 2nd in the Grand-Prix standings when they are released as a few guys sat out today.

All in all, I was very happy with today's race. I went in a little dinged up and wore the Oxysox again to support my sore shin. I competed hard the full race and can tell the consistent long runs, tempos and long intervals are paying off. I am very excited for the 10k next weekend, as there are so few offered these days and hope to throw down a good time as I believe the longer distance will play to my (current) strengths. I am also excited about the Run for the Oaks 5k in 2 weeks, which is a good deal flatter than the first 3 Grand Prix 5k's. I was also pleased with my splits today, considering there was a 124' elevation gain from 0.5 to 1.5 miles per the Garmin dump. For my efforts, I was able to win a nice hand knitted scarf, a medal and $10 worth of Moe's bucks!

For more info, check out: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20110226TorchRun.htm

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Hobby Jogging: 2/13/11 - Raleigh, NC - Run for the Roses 5k

January was an exciting month. I had an excellent training block that was filled with 252 miles (my most ever) and ended with a fast 5k tempo on the track. After a true down week (20 miles) to recover and heal up from some nagging injuries (hamstring), I was back at it this week (48 miles) with a solid mile repeat session on Wednesday and was excited to race. John and I jogged the Run for the Roses course yesterday to get a feel for it and I drove it twice this morning to prepare for the rolling hills and wide tangents that would be presented to us at 2pm today.

Run for the Roses is the longest standing race in the triangle (31 years) and it was also the second race in the Second Empire Grand-Prix. It was also my first race as a once again Raleigh resident (thanks to a new job). The weather couldn't have been better as it was mid 50's at the start with the sun shining down. No gloves, no undershirt; just my Bromar singlet, shorts, flats, garmin, shades and oxysox (as I have been battling some shin splints). Got in an easy 2 mile warmup, some strides, and then got to the line and was ready to roll.

The gun went off and I got out well. Slight uphill to Delway where we headed up towards Blount Street. Looped up to Person and headed into Mordecai. The first half mile was slightly uphill and then we had a nice mile or so of slight downhill. I believe the mile markers were off a little bit as I crossed the official mile mark in 5:23 (my garmin had .96 miles and 5:33 for the full, which was more like it). Towards the end of the second mile, we hit the first big hill. It was a long one that I was able to pick a few people off on before heading down and around the roundabout at the 2 mile mark. Hit the course 2 mile at 11:07, but my Garmin had me around 11:18. This is where it got tough.

The last mile on the Run for the Roses course is brutal. If you take a look at my Garmin dump, you can see we rose (no pun intended) 100 feet in elevation with many ups and downs. What you can't see is the excruciating wind. My last mile (according to my Garmin) was 6:06. Not too sexy considering my other splits, but I continued to gain ground and passed a former Division I runner with about 600 meters to go. Hit the 3 mile in 17:25 then ripped the last .11 at 4:35 pace to finish 12th overall in 17:55 (and 3rd in the strong 30-34 age group). Thanks to Inside-Out Sports for being a sponsor and awarding the gift cards!

The competition was much stronger today than the Run for Young, but John and I held serve against the guys that competed in that race and should hold onto 4th and 5th overall in the overall Grand-Prix standings (when they are tabulated). It felt great to compete again and I felt my effort was 100% the whole way. It has been nice having two excellent training partners in John Simons (Raleigh) and Tyler Pake (Greenville). Strong tempos, long intervals and strong long runs at Umstead are paying off. Looking forward to the rest of the Grand-Prix season and of course, my return to Boston.

PS. On a side note, one thing I noticed today was that the race was a "no headphones" race. When I first started running again in the mid 2000's, albeit slowly and very sporadically, I joined the North Carolina Roadrunners Club (before leaving to help form Bromar). One of the last things I remember was a big fight on the email list about them DQing one of their own for wearing headphones in this race. It was kind of childish, but I thought it was a good stand to take and wish more races would outlaw headphones. Cheers to NCRC for sticking to their guns in iPod friendly times and for putting on an excellent race with great volunteer support.

PSS. To the woman that kept yelling at her approximately 7 year old son to sprint out front at the start so she could get a picture, you are setting a bad precedent. Luckily he didn't listen to her as he would have gotten trucked (as the start area was very small). Let the kid enjoy the race. Get a good photo of him finishing!

For more info, check out: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20110213RunForTheRoses.htm

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Hobby Jogging: 1/8/11 - Raleigh, NC - Run for Young

Today marked the first race of the 2011 Second Empire Grand-Prix Series. It was the Run for Young 5k, which is in remembrance of Sadiki Young. The Grand-Prix is something I have been hoping to complete for a while and I think I can get in 6 of the required scoring races (out of 8) before Boston this year if I do them all. After being in Chicago for a few days this week and enduring 8 degree weather Thursday night, 37 degrees at 10am this morning felt pretty warm! Luckily, my training partner, John Simons, decided to show up and compete as well. This proved extremely helpful! We got in a nice 2 mile warmup and some strides, changed into singlets and flats and were ready to roll.

The gun went off and the first quarter mile was flat down Edenton Street before hitting a small downhill and then going up the ramp to merge onto Hillsborough St. We got out pretty relaxed, but 4 guys had gotten away early and there were some high school kids that soon would slow after their typical sugar buzz start. We rolled up the 2nd hill by St. Mary's and hit the mile very relaxed in 5:53 or so. Then came the big, long hill in front of the YMCA to Oberlin that continued upward around the new roundabouts. This was quite a long hill and we worked it well. We had passed #4 right before the mile and John began to pull away from me at the roundabouts (Greenville hurts for hill training). After that, we got some relief coming down the hill and hit the second mile in 5:54-ish (there were no mile markers or people calling splits anywhere. For a Grand-Prix race, this has to happen).

At this point, we had the a few more hills to go and with a half a mile left, the pace really picked up. I ran very strong up the last quarter mile hill before it leveled out. This is where I really dug in. I could hear footsteps behind me and was holding strong in 5th and didn't want to give it up. I was gaining on John and my turnover was rolling. I kept one gear in my back pocket just in case the sixth man caught up. Finished strong in 18:10 (official results) with a 5:44 last mile that had 2 good uphills. Felt totally fresh at the finish and John and I knocked out a good 4+ mile cooldown to each hit 50+ miles for our down week.

The awards ceremony was right on time, just the way I like it. Coming in 5th overall got me first in 30-34. John was 4th and first in 25-29, which netted us both $25 gift certificates to The Athletes Foot (Age Group Awards went only 1 deep, so they were good). The shirts were pretty cool as well and I got a student discount for entry, which is always nice. A good effort on a challenging course and some good points are on the board for the rest of the season! Satisfied...

For more info, check out: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20110108RunForYoung.htm

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Hobby Jogging: 11/6/10 - Raleigh, NC - Free to Breathe "5k"

The schedule I have been following post-marathon has been great. My legs are coming back to life and thanks to Heather at Back to Basics, my hamstring is too. I had a tempo on the schedule today, but opted to run the Free to Breathe 5k in Raleigh as I knew there would be some competition, being that it was part of the Second Empire Grand-Prix Series. Goal was to run a little faster than my last 5k and hopefully be in the 17:45-18:00 range. This felt like a safe goal considering I haven't done any real speedwork aside from a few mile repeats. I nearly missed the race...

I misjudged my warmup a little and found myself with 4 minutes to spare and about a half mile to the starting line. After finishing my strides and changing into my race gear and flats, I hustled over to the line, probably too fast, but made it about 30 seconds before the gun went off. I got off the line well (as my heart was beating fast for fear of missing the start) and then settled in about 200-300 meters in before the first hill. The first mile has 3-4 good climbs and I was hoping to go through around 5:45-5:50. Thought I heard 5:48,49 at the mile mark, but it was 5:28, 29. Ouch, too fast, but I was competing. This is where it got weird.

I rode the course 3 times last night to get a feel for the hills. I generally do well on hilly courses, but less than 4 weeks out from the marathon, I wanted to prepare myself mentally for where it would hurt. Right after the mile, I was probably in the top 15 or so and was ready to run the down and up part of Oval Dr. After running the tangents to the T on mile one, I angled to hit right and cut the corner perfectly. One problem, the police car went left and everyone followed him, cutting approximately 600 meters off the course. At this point, it was time to just compete and run well on the downhill section.

Went through the 2 mile in 9:29, a 4 flat second mile! I'm the man! Haha, I knew what was going on. Now my goal was to break 16. Was it really breaking 16? No, but sometimes you can get in the top corrals of other good races with times like these. Was it my fault they screwed up the race? No. Might as well take it for what it is. I paid $30 to run ~2.7 miles (UPDATE: Race Director remeasure was 4.34k)! With that in mind I rolled the next half mile and then hit the half mile to go sign with one final hill. This one hurt and I was competing with one other guy at this point. I was laboring and he passed me with 400 to go. I rallied and got it together for the last 100 meters to pass him back and finish 12th in 15:29. "PR"!

All the guys were kind of laughing it off in the shoot and no one seemed too mad. Seeing the joy on the masses faces when they came across the line was a lot of fun as I imagine most people aren't as geeky as I am and don't wear a Garmin to know something was up. "I PR'd by 2 minutes!" was heard often. 2 things I do know: I legitimately ran the first mile in sub 5:30 and the last 1.1 in 6 flat. The middle, who knows! Probably a 17:45-50-ish effort (UPDATE: A 17:50 effort according to race director remeasure).

After the race, cooled down with Aaron Hale and grabbed some bananas and bagels before throwing my compression pants and pullover on. It was pretty chilly this morning, but felt great to race in. Took 2nd in my age group on my last day as a 31 year old. Tomorrow will be my double sweet sixteen and I got an awesome cake of me sitting in a hot tub, one of my favorite pastimes!

More info is available at: http://patprice.com/running/races/reports/20101106FreetoBreathe.htm

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Hobby Jogging: 9/27/09 - RTP, NC - Anna's Angels Ten Miler

This was my first 10 mile race and I was hoping to use it as a good indicator of fitness for the NYC marathon in 5 weeks. Before the race, it was pouring out in RTP and this went on through the first few miles. This was quite the rolling course. No huge hills, but a lot of them. My garmin crapped out before I warmed up so I just went without. Got out good and stayed close to the front pack from the start. Tried to maintain same effort up and down hills and it worked great as I felt strong throughout. Went through the 10k about 39 flat and kept that pace up throughout. Was hoping for 63:20 (6:20 pace), but was just having a great day and hammered the last mile in about 5:35-45 (to finish in 62:47). Awesome race. Very pleased and starting to think a Boston qualifier is not out of the question.

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