2 weekends, 2 Grand Prix Races, 2 long runs = 47.11 miles
September 12th was wet and the training schedule called for a pre-race 60 minute run, then Ollie with a lot of effort, and then a 25-30 minute run following the race. For Brewski, Spanky and OCG -Running the race alone and a 13 mile long run Sunday turned into the better option J It was pretty entertaining to be running laps around about 30 rows of seats in a concert venue that Brewski and I have frequented for a warm up – a first to say the least!
We met Goatie, Enforcer, Hillchecka, Showtime, Mrs. Triage, and Codfather at the start of Ollie. I ran my little G off in that race and crossed the finish looked down – sub 7 min/mile – WOW! I was psyched! The results posted 7:01 min/mile – we all know how that math equation worked out J This was the 4.91 mile, 5 mile race! ; ) 13 miles followed for the long run the next day.
The following weekend brought a 23-miler on Saturday – stellar weather and OCG, Brewski and Spanky were lookin and feeling strong. The 23 was followed by a few good meals and an ice bath - up the next morning to head to Gloucester.
It was a GOOD GOON decision to run Lone Gull – just a great race all around. Gorgeous course, a HUGE Goon showing with PRs a plenty (congrats to all!), Mrs. Triage on stellar photography duty (my favorite: catching a glimpse of some of us trying to edge out a very fast ‘wiser’ man’), and not to mention the great shirts and post race breakfast. Oh don’t let me forget seeing the best water volunteer @ Mile 2 – the Professor himself – what a treat! So much for taking it easy- Spanky had a strong showing and Brewski/OCG had PRs!
At the final Grand Prix race Brewski and OCG will be in attendance to offer crowd support as we’ll be fresh off of Chicago Marathon – best of luck to all of the GOONs running Clarence DeMar, Chicago and BayState (or other fall marathons not mentioned)!
**Photo credit to Mrs. Triage - Thank you!
1ST LONE GULL 10K AND IT WON'T BE MY LAST
This was my first Lone Gull 10K and it won‘t be my last. What a beautiful course with rolling hills and ocean views. It was a perfect day for a race.
I left headquarters at 7:00 am in the Mini Silver Bullet with Goatie and Sonic Boom and we arrived in Gloucester in an hour. What was amazing about the trip is Goatie did not even ask to stop to go to the bathroom. That was a first!
With the Mini Silver Bullet parked and the Official Goon Flag displayed, off to registration we went. Once registered it was time for a warm up. Many Goons were arriving yelling and cheering. We all gathered for a two mile warm up.
The start of the race was on a slight hill overlooking the Atlantic. There was not a cloud in the sky. Everywhere there were friends from other clubs and many new faces. USATF Races bring out the best and it is such an honor to be able to run with the best.
I decided to run this race without a watch. I have been doing many runs without my watch and listening to my body. Lately I have only been wearing a watch at track to time my intervals.
The course was absolutely beautiful with rolling hills and ocean views. I really enjoyed the scenery and sometimes ran into other runners while looking at the ocean and homes. (sorry guys)
At the 5K point the timekeeper yelled out my time. I was running about a 7:15 pace. I felt good and had lots left in the tank for the second half. At the six mile mark I looked up and who was in front of me but Sonic Boom and in front of her was the Goat! Once again these two simply amaze me. Both of them ran another PR!
I finished the race running a 7:01 pace which I was very pleased with. There is nothing better than finishing a race strong. I did a two mile cool down with Goons and then Goatie and I went into the ocean for an ice bath. As we were coming out of the water we noticed that our sneakers were floating away! Typical Goons.
The post race food was great. Eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit, orange juice and coffee. The only thing missing was the beer!
Catching up to the Goons I learned about all of the Goon PRs. No question in my mind that it is because of the excellent coaching of Fernando Braz (The Professor) at Going The Distance, hours of hard work that all the Goons do with their training and the magical powers when a runner puts on the Big Bold "G"!
Congratulations to all the Goons and everyone that finished. Also a huge thank you to Mrs. Triage for the great race photos.
Hoping that this race bids for next years USATF Racing Series. Great course, great post meal food and nice long sleeve technical shirts. They have my vote!
Next race this Sunday with Goatie and Pusher. Clarence DeMar Marathon here we come!
Doc D:-/
WEST COAST GOON SPOTTED IN THE EMPIRE STATE
I got a very warm welcome by an awesome band of fellow runners the weekend of September 13th, as I, Whacko, arrived in Rochester, New York for that city’s marathon. If all went well, I would complete my 10th marathon in as many months, and be only two short of my goal of 12 for the year. All went very well.
Attempted to drive the course two days before the event, but, because more than 15 miles of it is a pathway alongside the Erie Canal, there were no roads for the car. Was able only to see about the first 9 miles by car. The rest would have to remain a mystery until race day.
Sunday morning’s weather was perfect, and the forecast indicated it would remain clear and mild. Our little group met up in Frontier Stadium’s parking lot, where our “support crew” had set up a beautiful RV, sporting all the comforts of home. Fresh breakfast sandwiches were on offer, but I declined, choosing instead to stick with bagel and banana.
Other than to finish, my goal for the Rochester Marathon was to break 5 hours again. I’ve only done that once before. What I saw of the course was nice and flat, when it wasn’t a slight decline.
Set my watch for 4:1 run/walk Galloway intervals and took off right on time. Did a bang-up job of sticking with my 11:00 mpm pace for the first 10-11 miles. By that time I’d turned south off of East Avenue and headed out onto the canal path. I had really looked forward to running along the historic waterway. I had not, though, realized that we’d be spending so much time looking at the same thing. Just needed a little something more to look at, folks. (Not whining, here…just saying, mix it a bit, if you please!)
Hit the halfway point at 2:28, two minutes faster than I usually run a half. Decided here that it was time to conserve some energy. Even though the skies were overcast, the temps were on the rise, and, the monotonous scenery was beginning to get to me. Decided to cut back to 3:1 intervals. That’s where I said goodbye to 11 minute miles.
At mile 17 I pulled out my customary English Mars Bar, and savoured every bite. I had brought extras for everyone in my little party, and one of them left her wrapper out on a picnic table at 17 for me to see. She thought it would inspire me. It would have…had I seen it!
The energy boost from the Mars always gets me to 20, where I usually consider how much more I need to eat and drink. By this time I am usually sick of Gator/Power-ade, and even, water. If I’ve managed everything well up to there I usually don’t eat anymore either. However, this time, I ate another Strawberry Clifshot.
By now my overall pace had slowed to over 11:30 per mile and, try as I did, I couldn’t make it any better. I was feeling strong, but with nothing to spare for increased speed.
It was time to settle in and just slog it out til the finish. At mile 22 I heard people calling out my name, but I couldn’t tell who these folks were, as I don’t wear my prescription glasses when running. As I got right up next to them I happily realized it was my new-found friends on the support crew. They provided the much-needed boost that carried me over the next four miles.
Finishing time was 5:10.
If memory serves it’s my third fastest time out of all the marathons I’ve run and my third fastest of this year.
Even though I didn’t meet my time goal (which was a soft goal, anyway) I did feel great at the end. Hardly like I’d just run a marathon at all. That’s what Galloway is all about.
Up next, it’s the Dean Karnases Silicon Valley Marathon in San Jose, California, on October 27th. Then I’ll wrap up the 12 in 12 challenge December 6th in Santa Barbara.
Thanks to the Big G for pulling me through…and all the good wishes from the Goons.
Specifics on my race at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/13302919
More on my 12 in 12 challenge at http://12months12races.blogspot.com/
Lone Gull, USATF New England 10K Championship, by Goatie
Sixth Race: of the USATF New England Grand Prix Series
