Friday, May 30, 2008

Elizabeth River Run 10K 24 May 08

Ran the Elizabeth River Run 10K last Saturday, another one that I ran last year. The race course is a looping out and back, first making a couple of loops in Olde Towne Portsmouth then along the waterfront called Portside, looping through the Naval Hospital waterfront and finishing near the Ntelos pavilion. Weather-wise it was raining a bit during packet pickup but cleared up well before the start of the race. The temps were in the low 60's with just a bit of wind. A very nice day for a race. I ran about two miles along the waterfront as a warm-up and then went looking for a port-a-potty...couldn't find one so had to go back to the area around the pavilion and got in long line.

The race starts at 8:15 with a kids 1 mile run starting at 8:00. We cheered on the kids as they came racing past us to the finish...our future runners in action. We get to the starting line and we are off to make our first loop though the Olde Towne section with a group that included Steve and some others including a couple in my age group. The first mile was about 6:00 and I was feeling the effort and backed off. We continued on through our second longer loop and mile two was 13:00...for a 7:00 min mile...and the wheels started coming off. We started our run along the walkway following the waterfront and even with the slight breeze, I was still feeling sluggish and the legs were heavy and mile three is in 20:07 for a 7:06 pace. We go through the Naval Hospital gates for our loop around hospital point and mile four is 27:27 for a pace of 7:20...looking real ugly now and runners are passing me that I normally beat pretty handily...not today. We make our way out of the hospital and mile five is 35:10 for a 7:43 pace. The final 1.2 miles and I try to kick it in but the effort is too much and I coast to about the last mile marker and kick it in for the finish and cross the line in 43:37. I waited around the finish for my two gym mates and cheer them on to the finish...a PR for both of them! Way to go ladies!

Race results:
There were 59 finishers in the Male 50-54 age group and 758 total finishers
Overall finish place was 67 of 758
Age group finish place was 7 of 59
Time: 43:37 for an overall pace of 7:00 per mile

Weekly Training:
Mon: 35 min Elliptical, 33 min Cycle, 20 min Stairstepper
Tue: 63 min Elliptical, 45 min Cycle, 21 min Stairstepper
Wed: 7 miles run, 20 min Elliptical, 18 min Stairstepper
Thu: 36 min Elliptical, 40 min Cycle, 15 min Stairstepper
Fri: 4.5 miles run, 25 min Elliptical, 20 min Stairstepper
Sat: 8.2 miles run with 10K race with 2 mile warm-up
Sun: 35 min Elliptical, 37 min Cycle, 20 min Stairstepper

No races this weekend, but I feel I need the rest.

Everyone have a great weekend!

5 comments:

StephB said...

I'm sorry you didn't have the race you wanted last week, Charlie. I hope that you are feeling better this week.

Everybody has off days. Your 43minute "wheels came off" race still beats my 10K PR. ; )

robison52 said...

You've been racing alot lately and maybe your body is rebelling a little especially after just racing recently a hilly half-mary. Nevertheless, you had fun and notched another fine performance!

I'm simply in awe of how fast you can run with so little road running, but plenty of cross-training...the FIRST program really works for you!! Your blog is very inspirational and get me out that door.

Charlie said...

Thank you Ms Stephanie and Bruce!

I think I was just a bit burned out from the last two months and in need of a break.

Bruce, I think the FIRST works so well for me because of all the non-impact cross training keeps my cardio and endurance up and it's easier on my legs.

Happy training all and have a great week!
Charlie

stevespeirs said...

Hi Charlie,

Just checking in. Hope your training has gone well since Elizabeth River. I'm sure you're glad to get that one out of way!

What's next for you? Will you be at the Women's Distance Festival on Saturday? I'll be there...

By the way, Running Etc. is having a 20% off everything Anniversary Sale (Thursday through Sunday), so if you need anything to do with running, now would be a good time to get it. Even the Garmins are 20% off!!

Hope all is well and look forward to seeing you at the races...

--Steve

Charlie said...

Hi Steve...Welcome back!

Training? What training? I'm still taking it easy on training. I ran one time last week for just over 3 miles but I did run two times this week. I'm puzzled with some foot and leg aches and pains and trying to nurse them along.

I'm registered for the 5K on Saturday and should be there.

Thanks for the heads up on the discount at Running Etc.

Hope all is going well with you.

See you Saturday,
Charlie