Tobacco Road Half Marathon

This weekend was my much anticipated Tobacco Road Half Marathon. A big group of swimmers joined me for this race including Billy, Karen, Sean, Jeb, Ashleigh, Robert, Amie, an my freindly archnemesis Mark Mendendorp.

I have run a half marathon once before in 2006, back before my chlorine doused running hiatus. My time then was a 1:33. I'm not running as many miles as I was back then, but I'm running faster, higher quality miles with a little speed work mixed in. So I was hoping to beat my previous time and was really REALLY hoping to break 1:30.

Of course Mendendorp didn't need to know this. I told him that my main goal in running was "not to fall down." Mendendorp was feeling chivalrous. He generously offered to spot me fifteen minutes in the race; I graciously accepted.

a camera trick turned me into the pink blur

In swimming, I have always had a hard time hitting tapers just right. In retrospect, I think that I never tapered quite enough. So the week before the race, I really took it easy, even taking a little break from jiu jitsu. By race morning I felt great!

I kept pretty even pacing throughout (my 2nd half was about 1 min slower than my 1st). I felt loose and relaxed, except for a brief lull about mile 9. The miles went by really quickly and before I knew it I was sprinting toward the finish line. I ended up finishing in 1:29.06 (6:49 pace). I was thrilled!


Karen also had an awesome run. She finished in a 1:39, which was also a PR for her. She celebrated by dressing like a baked potato.


Karen and I also celebrated by getting pedicures. At this point my feet were calloused, blistered, and probably a little stinky. I felt bad for the technician, but she fixed them right up!




I placed 8th out of the women, bringing home some very practical, conveniently-sized drinkware.

Kevin made the following comment about my venture into the world of running - "It's like the evolution of species. Started out in the primordial soup (aka Campus Hills Pool), then started writhing around on the ground (grappling), and now you're a fully evolved biped!"

I am happy to be evolving, but do miss my primordial soup encased swimming buddies. It was great to see you this weekend! Even Mendendorp, who proved to be chivalrous even in defeat.

St Paddy's Day 8K (5 mile)

This was a REALLY fun race! It was big (about 1800 people) , with lots of people dressing in green costumes. There was a fun expo with live music that continued into the evening. Of course, these things alone would not be enough to attract my swimming friends to a running event. But when they promised free beer at the end of the race, that convinced a big group of us to sign up.

I was using this as a tune-up race before the Tobacco Road half marathon in 2 weeks. My main goal was to maintain even pacing, since I have a terrible habit of getting excited at the start and going out way too fast. I was pleased to stay very relaxed for the 1^st mile (I didn’t get my split because I was rocking out to my headphones, but I felt like it was even with my other splits, right around 6:35. The laws of mathematics agree). The course was pretty hilly, so I focused on maintaining even effort throughout.

I ended up placing 3^rd out of the women, with a time of 32:57. I pushed it very hard in the last 100 yds because another woman appeared and it ended up being a sprint to the finish. When I crossed the finish line I felt like I was going to puke, but the free beer did wonders to settle my stomach!

My swimming/running/jiu jitsu friend Chris Castorena placed 3rd out of the men with a time of 29:13. We didn't know he placed so well until the results were posted the next day. As a hyper-competitive jackass, I always try to start races in the most favorable position possible. As a hyper-lascivious dumbass, Chris, however, had other priorities. He started in the back of the pack, where he could talk to the most girls possible. With so many people in the race, it was a full 40 sec after the gun when off before he reached the starting line. He was sixth when he crossed the finish line, but after subtracting the 40 sec he wasted at the start, his racing chip put him in 3rd. Way to go!

Lookin' good in green!