Personal Bragging: My 50th Half-Marathon

[Rain Man]

Last Saturday's race (in 42 degree temps in the rain, I might add) was my 50th half-marathon since I started my hobby in June of 2009.

My vital statistics are:

Completed races in 12 states so far (AK, HI, CA, NV, UT, WY, CO, TX, LA, FL, OH, and WI)

Median pace = 10:15 per mile
Median pace in flat, sea level races =9:37 per mile
Fastest pace = 9:04 per mile (Beaumont, TX - flat and sea level)
Slowest pace = 29:36 per mile (Pike's Peak Ascent - 7,800 foot climb from 6,300 ft to 14,100 ft and I was not good at it.)

14 have been at elevations between sea level and 3,000 feet (Median pace = 9:52)
21 have been at elevations of 3,000 to 6,000 feet (Median pace = 10:06)
9 have been at elevations of 6,000 to 9,000 feet (Median pace = 11:08)
9 have been at elevations of 9,000 feet or higher (Median pace = 15:29)

26 have been more or less flat with total hills < 300 ft (Median pace = 9:50). Three were net downhill.
12 have had moderate hills with total hills of 301-1,000 ft (Median pace = 10:43)
6 have had strong hills with total hills of 1,001-2,500 ft (Median pace = 12:10)
9 have had major hills with total hills of 2,500 ft or more (Median pace = 15:29)

The 9 with major hills are the same 9 that were over 9,000 feet in elevation.

3 races were run in the rain and 1 in snow.

I've only fallen once, and it wasn't in the rain or snow. (Tripped on a trail rock.)

24 were primarily on pavement or asphalt
6 were primarily on dirt roads
20 were primarily on trails

I've gone the wrong way on trails 4 times but only twice did it for more than 30 seconds. The worst mistake added 3/4 of a mile.

I've also had 2 10-mile races and a 10K in there, so that's 53 races in 54 months.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

That an impressive number. I doubt I ever get there.

Shit, I won't ever run ONE, let alone 54.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

What are you running from, Rain Man? What are you running from?

Wolves on crack.

[Iconic]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I used to think the same thing. Unless you are into it and have been to an event an experienced race day you just wont get it.

Don't get me wrong most runners htink the same thing you do at times, but its just something you have to go through to understand I think.

Some people dont like it, and I understand why. I happen to have several good friends who are into like I am so its competitive and fun for the most part.

Yeah, it's probably an acquired taste. Like excrement, goat's blood or any other terrible thing people eventually get used to.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Wolves on crack.

If I ever encounter them, I'll be ready.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

What are you running from, Rain Man? What are you running from?

If I only knew, then perhaps I could stop running.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

If I only knew, then perhaps I could stop running.

Old age is a punishment, not a gift...

[kepp]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

You get a t-shirt and you get to see slender women in running tights.

This is who I followed for about 3 of the last 5 miles before passing her by. I've blacked out her face and bib number to preserve her anonymity, but you can see me over her right shoulder. It took my mind off the pain for a while.

[Rain Man]

I'm worried about a runner in my race today. It was pretty disturbing. He was down and the paramedics were giving him CPR as I came upon him, but he was unconscious and his eyes were open. It really looked like he was dead.

I'm not a medical guy. I'm presuming that CPR in the middle of the street is a really bad sign. What are the odds of a person surviving this? If their eyes are open and they're unconscious, can they still be alive and have that happen?

[BigBeauford]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'm worried about a runner in my race today. It was pretty disturbing. He was down and the paramedics were giving him CPR as I came upon him, but he was unconscious and his eyes were open. It really looked like he was dead.

I'm not a medical guy. I'm presuming that CPR in the middle of the street is a really bad sign. What are the odds of a person surviving this? If their eyes are open and they're unconscious, can they still be alive and have that happen?

Usually CPR is administered due to lack of pulse/breathing. Terribly bad sign.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

Usually CPR is administered due to lack of pulse/breathing. Terribly bad sign.

Wow. It sounds like they saved the guy. Another runner posted that they were doing the defibrillator on him and it revived him. That's pretty amazing. I would've bet that they guy was dead when I went by. He looked for all the world like he was dead.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Awesome Rain Main. Awesome.

The current gf runs - a lot. She's already done (I think) a full and 2 half's this year. She has more fulls scheduled for June, July, Sept, and Oct along with a Tri in 2 weeks. Her goal is to participate in a race in each of the 50 states.

DaKCMan AP will be participating in his first 5K in 3 weeks.

So I did the c25k but in a 4-week span. The 5K is this Saturday. My goal is to run it in under 26.

[seclark]

the wife ran her boston marathon a couple weeks ago. finished but not very happy w/her time. about 35minutes over her best time. doc wanted to put a walking boot on her foot about 5weeks before the race(tendonitis), but she's already registered, booked tickets, etc.

she's going back next year(qualified at Chicago last year). doing pt, got a couple toenails cut out and skipped a week of doing any running at all. plans on doing either Chicago or st. Louis again this fall.

sec

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by seclark

the wife ran her boston marathon a couple weeks ago. finished but not very happy w/her time. about 35minutes over her best time. doc wanted to put a walking boot on her foot about 5weeks before the race(tendonitis), but she's already registered, booked tickets, etc.

she's going back next year(qualified at Chicago last year). doing pt, got a couple toenails cut out and skipped a week of doing any running at all. plans on doing either Chicago or st. Louis again this fall.

sec

You make running sound like a joyful experience.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

So I did the c25k but in a 4-week span. The 5K is this Saturday. My goal is to run it in under 26.

Report back on your time.

Other than one isolated race 20 years ago, I've never run a 5K. My watch records the fastest 5K of my runs, and my best time in the past couple of years is 26:37. I think it happened in about Mile 8 of a half-marathon that has an absolutely perfect and long downhill stretch where a person can fly. My fastest flat one has been in the 27's.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by seclark

the wife ran her boston marathon a couple weeks ago. finished but not very happy w/her time. about 35minutes over her best time. doc wanted to put a walking boot on her foot about 5weeks before the race(tendonitis), but she's already registered, booked tickets, etc.

she's going back next year(qualified at Chicago last year). doing pt, got a couple toenails cut out and skipped a week of doing any running at all. plans on doing either Chicago or st. Louis again this fall.

sec

35 minutes over is probably a disaster run for her, I bet. I had a disaster run of my own this weekend where I was about 11 minutes over my best time in a half-marathon. I've been running really well this year, but it got hot around Mile 10 and just melted me. I completely coasted in the last couple of miles and it was one of my worst times ever for a healthy run. Bleah.

Of course, seeing the guy with the heart attack at Mile 11 also sapped my desire to push myself in hot weather. It was disturbing.