Great news! Chasing Down the Cure 5k Run & Walk is on for the 2nd year. The race will take place on Saturday, July 11th at 8:30 am. The location will be the same as last year, Northview Christian Life Church. There will be a slight change to the course this year. Details on the course change will be available soon.
Last year we had nearly 100 participants with many of the participants being supporters of Anneliese's Road Racers! We would love to see everyone return this year and to add even more runners and walkers. We also have a need for raceday volunteers. Feel free to contact me for more information about volunteer opportunities.
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2009 Minimarathon photos are now available from brightroom.com. Click on the following link to see my raceday pictures. This year there are plenty of clear photos of me: http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=47187&BIB=22944&S=230&PWD=
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
2009 Indianapolis 500 Festival Minimarathon
Yesterday was the "mini." A great day for racing. When I left the house at 6:00 am the temperature was around 48 degrees. A little warm but not bad. I picked up my training partner, Matt, and we headed downtown. Traffic wasn't too bad and we were able to snag some free parking within 5 blocks of the starting area. We jogged through the crowds to get our legs a bit loose. About a block from the start Matt went on towards his corral* while I headed towards the Westin hotel to meet up with NF team members.
I arrived at the Westin and walked in just as Steve Kendra, NF Endurance Team Director, and other team members were heading out to the starting area. I was just in time for a quick photo op and then we were on our way.
From the Westin I had about a 1/2 mile walk to my corral: E. I weaved my way through the crowds assembling outside the baracades for each corral. I must have passed 20,000 runners and walkers all anxious to get the race started. Overhead the PA system was pumping out classic rock with an occasional announcement about walkway closings and special guests on hand. In the crowd I could see smiles, laughter, and many people with the look of determination in their eyes. The anticipation was building as I walked past the volunteer into my corral.
I worked my way into the middle third of the corral. Looking around I attempt to assess the abilities of the runners nearby. I've learned over the years that looks can and usually are very deceiving. I reminded myself not to worry about anyone else and to focus on my own race. The crowd started to push forward as we inched toward the start line. The official countdown started with the help of US soldiers stationed in Kuwait. Ten-Nine-Eight-Seven-Six-Five-Four-Three-Two-One and the race was underway. The people surrounding me began walking forward. We marched in time until we were within about 50 meters of the start then the run began. I hit the start button on my watch as I crossed the start line.
I felt strong and the cool air felt nice. I couldn't help but smile. The first mile was easy. I saw Steve within the first mile or two. He was on the sidelines waiting for NF team members to come by. He ran with me for a bit and snapped off a few pictures. We talked briefly and I told him I would be looking forward to seeing him later in the race. He then headed back to meet other team members. I continued on.
First mile 9:11. A bit slow. I was focusing on even splits each mile. Since training was not as thorough as for last years face I was not worried about a PR. I would be happy with 9 min/miles and an overall time of 1:57. Mile two was reached in 17:50; mile three in 26: 45; mile four in 35: 30; and mile five in 44:15. I was happy with the consistency. I slowed down to a walk at that point to take a gel pack and then hit my stride again.
Before hitting the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway I passed some old friends from Wiley who are entertainers on the course on mini race day. I gave them a shout "Play some Skynyrd" as I passed. They gave me a nice little shout out over the mic. That is the perfect pick me up before hitting the rigors of the two mile, banked oval of the speedway.
The Speedway is best handled before the sun breaks through the clouds. If the sun is out it becomes a sauna on the asphalt. I was able to make my way around the loop in high spirits and get back on the streets just as the sun broke through. I worked my way through mile ten in 1:30:15. I was still on pace. At this point I had 27 minutes to go 3.1 miles or 5km. Unfortuantely miles 10 and eleven are among the worst on the course where scenery is concerned. The mental battle began.
I struggled my way though mile eleven and was relieved that I only had 2.1 miles to go. Then the physical battle began. My calves started seizing up and cramping. I did my best to walk the cramps off and then run again. A pattern was to develop. I would run for about 3 or 4 minutes then walk for 1 or 2 to try to work the my legs loose.
Around my twelve I was walking when I spotted Steve. I started running again as he apprached and we ran together for a bid. He offered words of encouragement which is what I needed. After taking a couple of pictures Steve pulled off to the sideline once more. I ran until I got to the 3/4 mile marker where both calves locked up again. I walked a bit more, ran a bit, walked a bit and found myself at the 1/2 mile mark. As I was deciding how much I had left to give a runner who was also struggling came up from behind me and said "Enough of this, let's just get it over with, come on yellow shirt!" I was yellow shirt (NF Singlet). We pushed on. My calves stayed cramped the rest of the way but I didn't stop. I crossed the finish line in 2:03:15.
Since both of my half marathons from last year were under 1:57 you might say that I am looking for some redemption after my finish time yesterday. I have several 5K's coming up that I am going to be extra focused on.
Check back soon for details about Chasing Down the Cure 5K 2009.
*-The mini uses an alphabetical corral system. Fastest runners are seeded in corrals A-D while seeded runners who have not met the published qualifying times start in E and go back.
I arrived at the Westin and walked in just as Steve Kendra, NF Endurance Team Director, and other team members were heading out to the starting area. I was just in time for a quick photo op and then we were on our way.
From the Westin I had about a 1/2 mile walk to my corral: E. I weaved my way through the crowds assembling outside the baracades for each corral. I must have passed 20,000 runners and walkers all anxious to get the race started. Overhead the PA system was pumping out classic rock with an occasional announcement about walkway closings and special guests on hand. In the crowd I could see smiles, laughter, and many people with the look of determination in their eyes. The anticipation was building as I walked past the volunteer into my corral.
I worked my way into the middle third of the corral. Looking around I attempt to assess the abilities of the runners nearby. I've learned over the years that looks can and usually are very deceiving. I reminded myself not to worry about anyone else and to focus on my own race. The crowd started to push forward as we inched toward the start line. The official countdown started with the help of US soldiers stationed in Kuwait. Ten-Nine-Eight-Seven-Six-Five-Four-Three-Two-One and the race was underway. The people surrounding me began walking forward. We marched in time until we were within about 50 meters of the start then the run began. I hit the start button on my watch as I crossed the start line.
I felt strong and the cool air felt nice. I couldn't help but smile. The first mile was easy. I saw Steve within the first mile or two. He was on the sidelines waiting for NF team members to come by. He ran with me for a bit and snapped off a few pictures. We talked briefly and I told him I would be looking forward to seeing him later in the race. He then headed back to meet other team members. I continued on.
First mile 9:11. A bit slow. I was focusing on even splits each mile. Since training was not as thorough as for last years face I was not worried about a PR. I would be happy with 9 min/miles and an overall time of 1:57. Mile two was reached in 17:50; mile three in 26: 45; mile four in 35: 30; and mile five in 44:15. I was happy with the consistency. I slowed down to a walk at that point to take a gel pack and then hit my stride again.
Before hitting the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway I passed some old friends from Wiley who are entertainers on the course on mini race day. I gave them a shout "Play some Skynyrd" as I passed. They gave me a nice little shout out over the mic. That is the perfect pick me up before hitting the rigors of the two mile, banked oval of the speedway.
The Speedway is best handled before the sun breaks through the clouds. If the sun is out it becomes a sauna on the asphalt. I was able to make my way around the loop in high spirits and get back on the streets just as the sun broke through. I worked my way through mile ten in 1:30:15. I was still on pace. At this point I had 27 minutes to go 3.1 miles or 5km. Unfortuantely miles 10 and eleven are among the worst on the course where scenery is concerned. The mental battle began.
I struggled my way though mile eleven and was relieved that I only had 2.1 miles to go. Then the physical battle began. My calves started seizing up and cramping. I did my best to walk the cramps off and then run again. A pattern was to develop. I would run for about 3 or 4 minutes then walk for 1 or 2 to try to work the my legs loose.
Around my twelve I was walking when I spotted Steve. I started running again as he apprached and we ran together for a bid. He offered words of encouragement which is what I needed. After taking a couple of pictures Steve pulled off to the sideline once more. I ran until I got to the 3/4 mile marker where both calves locked up again. I walked a bit more, ran a bit, walked a bit and found myself at the 1/2 mile mark. As I was deciding how much I had left to give a runner who was also struggling came up from behind me and said "Enough of this, let's just get it over with, come on yellow shirt!" I was yellow shirt (NF Singlet). We pushed on. My calves stayed cramped the rest of the way but I didn't stop. I crossed the finish line in 2:03:15.
Since both of my half marathons from last year were under 1:57 you might say that I am looking for some redemption after my finish time yesterday. I have several 5K's coming up that I am going to be extra focused on.
Check back soon for details about Chasing Down the Cure 5K 2009.
*-The mini uses an alphabetical corral system. Fastest runners are seeded in corrals A-D while seeded runners who have not met the published qualifying times start in E and go back.
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