Category Archives: My Running

Race Review: Lapel CdLS 5K

6 Replies

This race is probably the definition of low-key events. With a 7:30am start, you are able to beat most of the heat typical of mid-July weekends. This year it was almost chilly at the start due to weird weather patterns. I feel this event is so low-key that I actually rode my bike the 10 miles from Anderson, raced, then rode my bike back.

All proceeds from this event benefit the CdLS Foundation, which provides support to families who have a child with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. The foundation is located in Connecticut, but this is a personal issue for the race organizers as they have a child with CdLS. They have done everything possible to maximize “profits” than can be sent back to the foundation.

The course is exceptionally flat, and would be a good PR course if it weren’t for the 180 degree turns. This year there were only 2, but that was because the leaders missed a turn (no one told them where to go, although a map was available at the registration area), the field followed and we all set some amazing times, I passed the mile mark at 3:41. Typically there are 3 180 degree turns, one water stop and a loop around a little park to make the 5K distance, this year’s distance was approximately 2.7 (various GPS watches gave slightly different distances).

Ample water, grapes, and bananas were available at the finish. An important note is that this race is not scored in the traditional sense. They give out overall and age group awards but it is based solely on your bib # and finish order. A clock is viewable to get your finish time, but they do not track finish times. This year’s age group awards where blue, red, and yellow (I think) key lanyards. One older runner asked, “Where’s my whistle?!?”

To add to the fun flavor of the event, random awards were given to the 8th place (8th year of the event), 17th place (Conrad’s, the young man with CdLS, age), and 21st place (21st year of the Lapel Village Fair) of each division (men, women, walkers).

This event is a part of the Anderson Road Runner’s Road Race Series, which is where many of the participants come from.

My time was 17:09 overall with 3:41 (.6miles) 6:25, 7:02 (1.1 miles), which is a 6:22 pace, which got me 4th place overall.

CHESTERFIELD RACE RESULTS POSTED

5K 10K

Did you race somewhere this weekend? Tell us all about your experience in the comments section.

Technorati tags: , , ,
Zemanta Pixie

Obsessive Running Logs

5 Replies

Runners are obsessive about… well running. We are also obsessive about keeping track of our running, our PR’s, shoes, clothing, and technical equipment we use.

Over the years I’ve heard lots of stories about runners and their running logs. Some lock them away each year in a safe deposit box and treat them as prized memories, leafing through them with a mist of sentimentalism similar to looking through old family photo albums.

Another runner would do anything to keep from putting a “goose egg” or 0 into the log book.
I didn’t really start keeping a log book of my running until the past few years. If I recall correctly my first log book was a free one from Runner’s World that came with my subscription.

I then progressed to using an excel spreadsheet log that someone had created on the Internet. This worked great for a year, then I couldn’t remember where I got it, so when I wanted a new one for the new year I went looking again! I found another great excel version but again didn’t keep track of where I got it!

A year or so ago I also tried using a web-based training log. That didn’t last too long because it was more of a hassle than anything else. But I recently came across a site called Running Ahead and have been able to stay consistent with keeping it updated and really enjoy the variety of features. Running Ahead is actually so good that Runner’s World bought the software to use for their logs!

A quick search on Google produced a plethora of running logs and excel based logs. If you are reading this you are probably a little tech-savvy and I would highly recommend using Running Ahead for logging your mileage. Check out their demo page.

A quick review of 10 important elements of a running log by Jeff Galloway and I find that Running Ahead lets you incorporate pretty much everyone of them, if you so desire. I’m not quite so obsessive about some elements (i.e. I don’t heart rate train, so I don’t keep track of my heart rate).

What do you use to keep track of your mileage? Do you even care? Leave comments and let’s discuss what’s out there for logging in your miles.

Technorati tags: , , , , , , ,


Zemanta Pixie

Race Review: Chesterfield 10K – July 4th

4 Replies

On a relatively cool morning, at least for the Fourth, about 125 runners and walkers from around East Central gathered to take part in this 16th annual 5K and 10K tradition starting near the Millcreek Civic Center in downtown Chesterfield, IN.

I ran a decent race, considering my pre-race preparations (eating ribs and staying out until 1:30am watching the midnight parade!).  My time was 43:05, with my splits being 6:25, 6:26, 7:27, 6:36, 7:26, 7:00, 1:45.  Don’t get too excited about my uneven looking splits.  I was told that the overall race was exactly 6.2 by GPS, but the individual miles weren’t marked correctly.  So those middle couple miles where my times varied by a minute were long, short, and long respectively!

The course overall is pretty flat.  10K runners start with the 5K group, running through Chesterfield and down the hill to the river level.  The 5K group then runs into the Greenhill (?) addition up a hill and turns around.  The 10K proceeds through “Deadman’s curve” before heading up a hill.  The 10K had 3 water stops and a 4th “rouge” stop!  The only other hill of significance is right before the 6 mile mark, although there are some smaller hills leading into that.

The race started approximately on time and was supported well by the Chesterfield Police force. Each mile mark was marked and had someone reading off overall race time, which was appreciated. At the finish there was water and making the short walk back to the Civic Center they had water, bananas, cookies, apples, and WATERMELON to rehydrate and replenish your body!!

Unfortunately, we waited a long time after the completion of the race it was around 10:30 (8:30 start), before the awards started.  This was actually better than last year, so that is encouraging! All winners received plaques.

I haven’t done this for other races, but click here to see a map of the actual course. I’ll post overall results when I get them.


Favorite Runs

1 Reply


Enjoy changing scenery? Like the soft surface of trail running? How about seeing wildlife on every run?

Those are all experience you can have at one of Central Indiana’s best running spots. Mounds State Park, in Anderson has a little bit to offer every runner. Mounds may be one of the smallest state parks at only 280 acres, but there are still enough trails to please most runners.

The biggest problem with Mounds is that there isn’t much flat trail to run on. So whenever you get hurt you have to cut Mounds out for a little while. I personally run a 3 or 5 mile loop (or some combination) whenever I run there. I know of runners who have completed 20-milers out there! Yuck! There are probably 6-7 decent size hills with names like K-Hill, Cinder Block, and Step Hill. Many people do interval workouts including one of my favorites the Spaghetti Bowl. It is hard to describe each hill or workout, or even the courses, but here is a good map of the trails. The trails are described in this brochure (pdf) available at the gatehouse.

Mounds is home to the Anderson Road Runner’s 26th annual 5 Mile Run the Mounds. This year it also hosted the DINO Series 5K and 15K races. It is also home to Highland High School and Anderson University’s Cross Country courses. Needless to say, in the fall it is a busy place with high school and college runners everywhere!

I would encourage every runner to spend some time at Mounds. I’ve seen at least one deer each of the times I’ve run out there the past few weeks, including a doe and 2 fawns! My recommendation is to take it easy the first couple of times out there and like any training slowly build up mileage and intensity. It can be a brutal run, but it is so fun.

There is a small entry fee: $4 per carload M-Thurs and $5 Fri – Sun and Holidays. Or get a State Park pass for $36.


Zemanta Pixie

Race Day: Buzzards Roost 10K

3 Replies

On a rare, cool and rainy day (one of the first in awhile), the Buzzards Roost was far from its normal hot misery! The weather conditions made this an excellent day for PRs and great races.  That is precisely what happened for me.  While I didn’t set a 10K PR, I did set one for the Buzzards Roost course in the countryside surrounding Arcadia.  I ran a 42:22 (6:50) with splits of 6:19, 6:25, 6:54, 7:08, 7:03, 7:07, 1:23. This got me 13th place overall and 1st in my age group (netting a $25 gift card).

The course is exceptionally flat, until about 3.5 miles then it has 3 or 4 moderate size hills, but at that point in a 10K they can be cruel.  The race finishes with a flat last mile.

A rare evening race, starting at 6:30pm, it is usually boiling hot, but the nicer weather made for a great event.  99 participants ran and walked helping raise money for Hamilton Heights Cross Country Team.  Race results are posted here.

Runner’s Forum is a sponsor of the event and gave away gift certificates as door/raffle prizes and for all age group winners.

Expertly organized by Evan Achenbach, I’ve not been disappointed with this race (this is my 3rd year).  Three water stops support the runners, and spectators can watch the runners at the start, 1 mile, and the finish area without moving! Turns were brightly marked with orange paint and finally, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department helps manage traffic at some of the busy intersections.

How did your race go this weekend? Leave a review in the comments section.

Technorati tags: , , , ,

Zemanta Pixie