Dallas Marathon 50k; 2023-12-10

Given the dismal showing 5 weeks prior, I made this event a long training run. Goal: stay around 9:00 pace. chip time: 4:34:52 GPS: 31.24 mi@8:48; 210w; 4:34:57

DRC Half 2023-11-5

Prep race for Dallas in 5 weeks. Still unrecovered from Paris 100k hamstrings felt like lead. took focus to catch and stay with James Allen's 100-min pace group. 5 min slower than previous year. Disappointed. chip: 13.1 mi@7:37; 1:39:49 GPS: 13.14 mi@7:36; 138w; 1:39:50

Paris Pair 100k 2023-09-23 ; drama

100k in 10:54:30

chip pace = 10:32

Stryd: 58.08 mi@11:16; 164w

=> actual dist 94k

above was the fact when I received 3rd place award.

Few days later, the director informed me the 2nd place Popcorn and I made the same wrong turn that lead to skipping 6k. We were graciously invited back for 2024.

Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon; BQ 2023-07-30

3:23:39 chip: 26.2 mi@7:46. BQ by 11.4 min GPS: 25.97 mi@7:51; 226w The race didn't go as hoped. PR was realistic on this fast course even with incomplete preparation. I missed PR by 16 sec. I started 1 hr after the gun <= the event bus driver missed the exit to race start. Had to pass many runners. A nice surprise to see Harsha and Simon pacing Seattle trip was good. Biff is fighting battle multiple fronts: housing, work, endocrino, family, fitness. I hope he stays above water. the weather was a nice break from Texas heat.

Hachie 50 30-mile 2023/04/22

Data from taper week was clear: 3 weeks weren't sufficient to recover from half marathon PR attempt for this body. The adjusted goal beating my 50k pace: 8:37.

Despite weaker fitness, I thought I had a realistic shot of winning the undercard event before Javier switched his event from 50M. I told IRC friends I didn't want to win: that'd mean Javier had a terrible day. You don't win Cowtown 50k if you're only capable of Johnny speed.

Race director Paul Box made my mission clear: be positive & happy for others, especially all the non-racers that put this event together. I was inspired more by Paul's getting to the start line than by his 3rd place finish at the World Marathon Challenge (7 marathon, 7 continents, 7 days)

First of the 3 laps went as expected--averaged at low-8 pace. Javier & a woman went a lot faster. She held the pace; Javier slowed by lap 3. I also weakened but moved faster than Javier. He stopped at the farthest water station as I approached the turnaround near half way point--I had a good chance if I just held the pace.

I failed to hold the pace--it was maddening. I felt the good will & energy of everyone on the course. I knew I was unlikely to get another chance to beat Javier. I couldn't will my legs to go sub-8.

I saw Javier 2 more time at the next 2 out-and-back points. Javier squeezed just enough to stay ahead.

I ran out of road and finished 1 minute behind Javier.

Irving Marathon Half 2023-04-01

This was to be an "A" event before realizing I already qualify to apply for 2024 NYC using Austin Half. Despite running Grasslands 2 weeks prior, I aimed to PR (1:32:14)

Legs weren't 100% despite a week of prep and nice weather. I finished in 1:33:06.

I manned mile-17 water station w/ Jung Lee, Sam Cotton, Stef Taniguchi. Helping marathon runners brought me out of sulking state.

I have 3 weeks to prep for Hachie 30-mile.

Grasslands Marathon 2023/03/18--long training run at Oprah pace

it's easier to take first lap easy this year: I didn't have Mark Seeley, Mike, and Shaheen's pace to match. I started with Amy Clark who disappeared for a bush break as I trip over something after 5k. I was left alone.

It was cool watching how most front guys made the point to say hi to Amy first couple miles. They all expected Amy to win today <= no real competition.

I felt pretty unmotivated/non-strong after lap 1. Oprah pace felt natural.

#'s
official: 4:25:26
GPS: 25.6 mi@10:23; 181w