Dallas Half Marathon 2022/12/11--missed opportunity

_goal “A”: 1:31:59: sub 7 pace. “B”: 1:32:13: 7:02 pace. PR _mistake With family visit and holiday preparation, I stopped monitoring body weight. I ignored the mild fainting spells, forgetting it could be the symptom for low body fat. Calf cramped 1 morning. I finally stepped on scale --3 lb lighter than race weight. _race weekend logistics: 3:30pm: check into downtown hotel; hotel parking full; pissed 4:45pm: packet pick up before rain 8pm: Systemware Xmas party at Ritz Carlton 5:15am: breakfast; hotel lobby coffee ran out 8:30am: gun time; air temperature = 52F

[hotel room with a view] _race plan More climbs first 7 miles. I’d hold constant wattage just over 7:00 pace. Hold the same wattage for final 10k. Averaging 7:00 pace overall.

_race Weather was good but not great. Stryd splits were close to the mile markers. I lost a little ground at first 7 mile checks. I wasn’t concerned—I just needed to increase wattage for the final 10k. I stayed in comfort zone for too long and ended up 1:32:48—49 seconds behind “A” goal. I felt I wasted the training by poor execution. For several hrs, it was hard to swallow. I felt I could've raced faster if I invested more: skipped company Xmas party; asked a friend to pace me; weighed myself daily; practiced racing shoes more. I had no problem walking post-race—I just didn’t run hard enough. by 3pm, I was back to daily grind: puppy Yama and family activities. Monday I woke up with sore legs and felt blessed to have first-world problems. I wanted to celebrate the first sub-95-minute half since February 2015. Previous day no longer felt like a screw up: just a "B-" result when other parts of life took priorities. GPS: Garmin 245 with Stryd Time: 1:32:50 Pace: 7:02 Official chip time: 1:32:46

DRC Half 2022/11/05--dress rehearsal

For once everything worked as planned—extra 1 hr from Daylight Saving time helped. _Plan run by feel for 9 miles then go hard without digging too deep. Anticipating 95~98 min. The 95-minute pacers were in sight through out the run; I couldn't resist chasing them down for the final mile. Brand new Nike AlphaFly felt faster than 300-mile AlphaFly from last wk 10k. Stryd foot pod distance was spot on. With a little more training and a lot more rest, hopefully I could shave 15 sec/mile in 5 weeks at Dallas Marathon half. Chip Time: 1:34:54.9 pace: 7:15/mi

A2A 38 + 49 mile stroll 2022/10/02--full circle

My default A2A plan: 

Part 1: skate w/ Jessica for 38 miles.  

Part 2: be an utility vehicle for 49-milers ‘til check point 4 or when Luke shows up.  

Part 3: skate with Luke to Atlanta.  Meet old and new friends.

_Preparation:

My foot race season ended in April.  I intended to start long skates in July to prepare for February 24-hour solo in Miami, I would do just enough hills to get through A2A.

A chance encounter led to my acquiring puppy Yama.  10-week-old puppy was incompatible with high-volume training.  

[He was 5.97 months old when I left home for A2A]

Between puppy, work, running, and aging, my training plan turned out unrealistic.

I skated little hill based on wheel completion count.

[2021 finished wheel]

[2022 finished wheel; motorcycle was sold during A2A]

Body weight control was the only aspect of prep that went well; Sonic still made me feel fat.

_the day before A2A

[renewed license arrived just in time; photos taken 12.3 years apart]

Flying Delta was more pleasant than American Airline, but I had to pay for upgrade to avoid checking in skates.

[my left neighbor had more leg room than my cheap middle seat]

[Herbinator, first Canadian sighting since COVID]

Dined at 3pm.  Mellow Mushroom didn’t disappoint.

The opening ceremony was often an Olympian’s event highlight.  That’s how I felt about A2A packet pickup: friends, organizers, and my skate heroes.  I soaked in newcomers’ enthusiasm.  

Without A2A, my sports life would’ve taken a different path.

_part 1: race

I stood at start having no confidence holding Jessica pace.  

I moved to the left, so others wouldn’t have to get around me.  I latched onto Jessica and Lenny at first turn.  

I told Lenny I didn’t have the legs for that wattage.  He kept the pace civil, despite the lead pack seemed only spitting distance away (world record = 25.81 meters).  

I led the chase pack through a red light on a long descent when a cop decided to pull us over as gravity sped us up.  I wondered whether 4 of us would fit in the cop’s backseat; I supposed there were worse things than sitting on Herb’s laps.  I turned into a parking lot and was surprised no one was behind.  I waited—this would be the first time I reached Dacula missing 49-mile start.

“Let’s go, Johnny.  We’ll wait.”  Lenny rolled passed the lot entrance. 

I jumped the curb, ran on grass, and chased Lenny down at 28 mph while he took zero stroke.  

We were 7 strong: Lenny, Jessica, Herb, Mario, Aaron, and an energetic Jen 秋雁.  Mario looked closest to Super Mario among my Mario friends.

Herb was the first to drop, consequence of inactivity from knee surgery.  I heard Jen flirting with her red line; she fell off the train.  I didn’t notice when Mario disappeared.  Aaron’s pulls felt too long; I silently accepted his gift.

Prior to the race, Jessica voiced concerns about frame positioning and edge control; I looked for but observed no symptom.  Suddenly, she tripped; her rear wheel flew toward my nose.  She regained balance before I could react.  I developed appreciation for having a backup nostril.

I was among friends doing something I loved.  Sky was big and beautiful; wind reasonable.  During Hurricane Ian, I was unsure if I’d see Florida skaters.  I looked forward to skate w/ Luke like the old days.  

I was disappointed missing the 49-mile start.

I urged myself to stay in the present.

4 of us made mile-38 Dacula without further drama.  

After annual hug from Valerie, I added weight to my pockets: phone, Allen wrench, Gu blocks, and bottled water.  I ate bananas and chatted with 2nd place Brian Geisel. 

18-yo Graeme Holland arrived 26 minutes ago when I was in a different zip code.  I expected to see Luke & Naomi; instead, Jen rolled through, looking less lively than an hour ago.  

_part 2: water boy

I caught up to Jen and offered to carry her nutrition before check point 4, intending to pace her to find her second wind.

Earl & Thomas skated by as Jen stopped to water plants.  4 of us rolled together and caught a spent Aaron who stayed too long with Lenny and Jessica; we spat him out as Jen found her rhythm.  

_part 3: mission

I decided to pace Jen through her first full A2A.  For my first 87-mile in 2003, Branda Harris made it so all I had to do was to follow the pack.  This was my opportunity to pay back.

[yellow arrows were extra clear this year—Thank you, Henry]  Getting lost with Herb and Bob in 2008 was a fond memory I preferred not to repeat.

Staying in slipstream became challenging as Jen’s muscles fatigued.  I didn’t force her.  I adjusted my pace while listening to her cadence and breath, a little surprised her cussing was English only.  I urged her to resist digging too deeply into reserve.

“Is this Silver Hill?”  Jen asked hopefully.

“Not even close.”  I crushed her hope as each climb felt more endless.

Jen reached into her bag of tricks: conscious breathing, mantras, self-talk.  Earl and Thomas turned marginally less stoic.  

_”all for one, all for one”

Earl and I discussed Jen’s fighting chance. I didn’t explain Jen’s accomplishments; Earl could form his own opinion about her grit.  Earl offered to stay with us if I didn’t take stupid chances at intersections.  

I lost focus and left Jen behind.  I felt I fell asleep on the job as I waited at T-intersection.  

“This ain’t about you.  Keep your eyes on the goal.”

Legs turned Jell-O by Silver Hill.  We went down separately.  I missed Luke.

[slowest Silver Hill in memory].

I was ecstatic to see Jen stayed persistent on the long climb to check point 5.  I urged her to get out of CP5 as she wanted to extend her stretching session.  

“Stretching is less efficient than lowering wattage.  Plenty of climbs left.”  I was the bad news bearer. 

I made Greg running back and forth to fetch us Gatorade from the cooler while denying Jen unnecessary comfort.

The short stop did wonders to Jen’s fast-twitch muscles—but only for few minutes.  

“A2A is 70 miles of hope before 17 miles of reality.”  

The remain climbs were short but numerous, fuel tanks low.  The street crossing became frequent, zapping average speed.  I was encouraged seeing Jen finding her 3rd wind.

Earl and I had incompatible street-crossing style; I backed off.  Earl’s strides reminded me of Win Hughes: milking every drop out of slow twitch muscles.  He adjusted the pace to keep everyone in; I was grateful for safety in number.

Jen grabbed a bottle of water at CP6.  Soup-Nazi-like, I took it from her and made her drink CP5 Gatorade instead.  There wasn’t enough time for both bottles to enter bloodstream.  A2A was about weight and energy management while delaying gratification.

My legs were frustrated by unfamiliar final miles; my feet ached.  

“How much discomfort does one need to endure before stumbling on happiness?”

Jen carried her fatigue well--consistent with her 24-hour race results.  I denied her additional nutrition—keep it simple; hold the momentum; get it done.  I desperately wanted her to succeed.  

We passed long-hair Peter and was buoyant by his positivity.

Earl led us through final turns and intersections—I was happy not having to navigate.  My quads lost responsiveness with each turn.  Finish line eventually came.  

_#’s

Athens to Dacula: 2:32:16 

Avg/max speed: 15.1/37.5 mph

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/9716861315

Dacula to Atlanta: 3:55:21

Avg/max speed: 12.7/37.8 mph

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/9716878442

Karen from Switzerland stayed w/ Sonic and was the top lady.

[Karen, Jessica, Jen]

[Francisco, Eddy, 21-yo Edgar Meneses]

I won a peach.  It was delicious.

10 and 13-year-olds tied for the 49-mile gold.

Blake chose to go the whole distance as a last-minute decision.  I admired him.

_after

I met Earl’s lovely family; we talked about skating techniques.  I hope Yama would grow up happy and calm and Lulu.

I didn’t skate with Naomi but got to catch up with her and Tinneys at Park Tavern.  Jen bought me dinner.  

Burgers earned are tastier than burgers bought

-------

photos were mostly lifted off Facebook.  Apologies for not tracking photo credit.

Hachie 50-mile 2022/04/23; Waxahachie, Texas—first 50-mile since 2008

_goal 

8 hours 6 minutes.

Alex’s 2021 9:40 pace seemed within reach.  Alex wouldn’t be back to defend his podium due to conflict with Boston Marathon.

Reference paces and finish times

   9:15 pace => 7:42

   9:30 pace => 7:55

   9:43 pace => 8:06 (Alex Barrientos 2021-05-01)

   9:54: pace => 8:15 (Tuan Nguyen 2021-05-01)

   Amy Clark   7:14:38 (2017-05-06) women course record

in 2008 I changed my distance from 50k to 50-mile 14 hours before race because they were the same price but different finishing jacket.  The impulse decision led to DNF and shin split.  I never raced 50-mile since.

_conflicting advice

Javier Vilchis (reigning Cowtown 50k champion): go by feel.  Take your time sit down and eat between laps.

Amy Clark (female course record holder): Start at 9:30 pace.  “Definitely a negative-split course.”

Logan Sherman (2015 Dallas Marathon winner): Start at 9:00 pace then see what happens.  [Logan tended to forget not everyone could run 2.5-hour marathons]

Shaheen Satter (8th place at Western State): Go by feel.  Just do it.

Alex Barrientos (4th place 2021): even split at 2 minute/mile slower than marathon PR pace => 9:40/mile pace for me.

Paul Box (race director and 7:05:38 finisher 2016): “hold the ‘forever speed’ for as long as you can….  Going slower would use different muscles.”

Me: “how long could u hold that pace?”

Paul: “about 35 miles” [shrug]

_lowlights

Furniture accident 1 week prior.  Left knee and a stool collided in the dark.  I was at fault.

Feet felt banged up after pacing a half marathon at the uncomfortable 9:55 pace in Irving.

Giving up final week diet due to family dinners.

Tight left glute Monday.  Released after massage Wednesday.

_gear

Nike Alphafly to start.  Hoka Clifton 5 as backup.

Singlet first lap.  Shirtless 4 laps.

Oakley Flak Beta.  It somehow bothered me during lap 2 & 3 under cloudy sky.

Garmin 630 right wrist: average pace, electronic pacer at 9:45 pace.

Garmin 245 left wrist: Stryd power, lap pace, total time, total distance. 

_nutrition

Perfect Amino + Endurolyte + Red Bull () before lap 4, 5

8.4 fl oz Red Bull was difficult to consume without stopping.  I was unable to follow Javier’s advice to take my time.

2~3 Hammer gels/hour from water stops.

[each 50-miler gets his own spot for his gear along the course]

_racers

Erika Silva and I chatted for our opening miles at 9:45 pace.  She projected finish time of 11~12 hours and stressed the importance of patience.  

“Then why are you running this fast?”  

“….”  She let me run ahead.

[easy early laps]

Before marathon started, Javier looked most relaxed and fastest, jogging at sub-8 pace.  He encouraged me every time we crossed path; I felt starstruck.  He led 50k race start to finish.

Jung also raced 50k and encouraged me each time.  Her posture & pace dropped during 2nd half but held together for 2nd female.

Meghan showed her usual determination soloing 50k.  I admire her.

Harsha was a burst of energy.

Voon was the last IRC runner I saw on the course.  I tried but failed to catch her—I was unable to average sub-10 during final lap.

_decline

Legs stiffed expectedly by mile 27.  

“Keep up.  It’s only 23 miles to go—not even a marathon.”

I was able to convince them to hold 9:45 pace through lap 4.

Mile-32 cooler stop, I again forgot to drop sunglasses off.  My focus shifted to the sugary drink the moment I saw the cooler.  I was happy to see Timo getting ready at relay zone; I handed Oakleys to him, holding Red Bull in the other hand.

Before his relay start, Timo ran a bit with me starting lap 4.  

I learned Red Bull can’s tiny hole made it difficult to consume while in motion.  I almost ran into a light tole.  I reeled Maria in shortly after Red Bull.  Lap 4 took effort to hold steady power.  I became afraid of running the final 10 miles.  Carl Jung warned me not to go down that rabbit hole.

[dehydrated]

_final lap

I had difficulty controlling the fancy tall Nikes at mile 42; too late to change to backup shoes.  I lost 50 seconds/mile but was happy just to stay upright.  

24-year-old shirtless leader way ahead but ran like someone just handed him a piano—I knew how that felt.  Maria dropped to another zip code behind me.  I tried to hold Alex’s 9:40 pace but was mentally exhausted.  

“Just don’t walk.  Don’t stop.  Don’t trip yourself.”

Timo welcome me for the final stretch.  I was happy and sad to find I had plenty fuel in the tank.  I crossed the line at su- 8 pace.

[Cloudy humid morning favored skinny topless Asian]

[I was happy my splits were less positive than my competition]

_#

Garmin 245

Distance: 49.97 miles (from Stryd)

Time: 8:11:22

Pace: 9:50 min/mile

Stryd foot pod

Moving time: 8:10:18

Elevation gain: 4135 feet

Pace: 9:49 min/mile

Cadence: 178 spm

Power: 181w (Stryd)

Official

Distance: 50.00 miles

Time: 8:11:21.6

Pace:  9:50 min/mile

Place: 2th overall

24-year-old Tyler Thorne beat me by 40 minutes 16.6 seconds (9:01 pace).  I wished I was twice his age.

_races other side of the world

ChihYang ran half at KinMen Marathon wearing a continuous glucose monitor.

[mom made ChihYang go to the barber before the race]

On the same day at Centurion Running Track in Bedford, United Kingdom, Lithuania’s Aleksandr Sorokin set a new 100K World Record in 6:05:41! (Pace: 5:53/mile / 3:39/km). 

_after

I felt special hanging out w/ IRC after the race.  COVID took much of socialization away since 2020.

[Jung is my knee body]

[Stefanie ran the last leg of the 5-lady relay]

I recovered unexpectedly well.  I raced Plano Pacer 3k a week later at my 5k PB pace.  

[photo by Steve P]

Irving Marathon Half 2022/04/02—Oprah pace. 3 weeks before Hachie 50

Meghan invited IRC’ers to pace.  I signed up.  

I wanted 1:50 or 2:00 but accepted the remaining 2:10 slot.  13-mile is a little short for 3-week-out long run.  

[I ran extra after celebratory breakfast buffet in VIP lounge]

_unexpected

Fenix 5+ on left wrist showed very different distance fist 9 miles.  I accidentally paused FR 245 on right wrist.  Fortunately, I also had mile split band.

 

_#’s

Official: 2:09:17.9

Distance: 13.109 miles

Split	Time	Pace	Place
4M	40:12	10:03	423
8.3	1:23:06.9	10:01	394
11.3	1:54:22.9	10:07	317
13.1	2:09:17.9	9:52	326

 

Fenix 5+: 2:09:19

Distance: 13.43 miles

[Javier won half master]

[IRC won most participation]

Grasslands Trail Marathon 2022/3/19—long run before Hachie 50

_short version

This marathon was my final long run to prepare for Hachie 50-mile in 5 weeks.

Mark Seeley and his friend Mike Czarnik joined.  We ran with Shaheen for open miles.

Shaheen hit the wall; Mark passed her and finished in 4:00:08.  I came in 23 min later.

Left foot plantar fascia lingered after 3 years.  

_TLDR version

It’s the long run 5 weeks before “B” race Hachie 50-mile.  Gorgeous cool sunny day.

A dozen guys took off at seemingly unnecessarily hard pace.  I led the chase pack, amused at how quickly they disappeared.  I offered to step aside; Shaheen said she was happy behind me.  Mike was talkative.

I dropping a gel pack.  The new race belt’s center loop appeared defective.  Shaheen took over before expectedly leaving us.  Mark dictated the pace hovering 200w.  I wondered how reliable Stryd was on such surface.  My 2 Garmins showed wildly different paces.

Mark took a potty break 200 meters before 8-mile aid station Windmill 2.  Jung came out of the tent to hug—I felt like a rock star.  Mark blew by us without washing hands.  I chose not to chase.  We had different missions.

I took my time after white loop (mile 12.8): took off T-shirt and arm sleeves; refilled bottle; ate a packaged chocolate.  I was in no rush on this beautiful day.  Mike chose to skip the stop.

Amy Clark caught me at Outback Gate aid station (mile 16.9).  Her greeting was efficient when I walked a tiny climb:

“Are u OK?” 

“Yeah” 

then she left me, clearly having no memory of my visiting ice cream shop on the photo day.

My power steadily dropped as miles added up.  I wasn’t concerned—just letting legs do their thing.  

_#’s

Official

Distance: 26.3 miles

Chip time: 4:23:32

Garmin Fenix 5+

Distance: 25.49 miles

4:23:27

Stryd: 175 watts

Garmin forerunner 630

25.42 miles

4:20:13 (with auto pause)

[shoe-less 31yo Chris Bonner ran half in 2:04:03]

_after

Amy was Hachie 50-mile’s record holder.  She gave me practical advice:

1. Start slow: "like 9:30 or slower pace"

2. Stay slow first half

3. Shoot for 9:15 pace

4. Negative split

5. Eat water melon

Shaheen advised me to ignore my age, pointing to her husband.

"He won the half, and he's 59."

Mike had man-crush on Shaheen’s husband Steve Henderson, who graciously posed with Mike for the fan photo.