Happy hour should last forever…
If you are looking to purchase some new gear, Road Runner is offering a 15% off with free shipping which ends tomorrow — Wednesday, Sept. 24 2008. In order to get the savings, you need to enter cj18071e as the promotion/order code when you are checking out. Enjoy!
Once again, I participated in the Get In Gear 10K on April 26, 2008. Weather this year was.. well, not quite so nice as last year. Unfortunately, my fitness is not where I would like it to be either; but that’s another story. On to the “Official” gory details.
| 2008 | 2007 |
| Overall: 286 Division: 36 Time: 44:55 Pace: 7:14 |
Overall: 289 Division: 36 Time: 43:19 Pace: 6:59 |
The time is roughly ninty seconds slower then last year though it’s something of a pleasant surprise. I was expecting more in the 46 or 47 minute range. I find it interesting that my place in the field and in the division was basically the same. I suppose the winter treated — or mistreated — everyone roughly the same. The unfortunate part of this particular race was that my minute per mile times were slipping toward the end. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was somewhat disappointing.
One of the interesting differences for this year was that I was actually warmed up — at least to some degree — when I entered the chute. Warming up was really an effort to keep physically warm rather then for race preparation, but it was beneficial to get a bit of jittery nerves taken care of before the start. You might think that after having run any number of these things that I would be used to it by now, but — truth be told — I have never quite gotten over the feeling (and/or fear) of potential failure while waiting for the event to start. Actually, some of my best efforts were directly related to taping into that fear so I don’t really want it to disappear. Every event is an adventure.
While in the chute, I was standing near a worried mother and a young man of perhaps 10. It was interesting to listen to her advice to him and the things that he was thinking about. I was highly tempted to give him a suggestion or two regarding my own strategy, but the benefit would have been highly subjective. A road race for your typical weekend warrior is always going to be a very personal thing.
Overall — especially considering the weather — I’m pleased with the effort. Get in Gear is always a well run event, and I would recomend it to anyone interested in taking up running in a given year.
Those of you interested in some new running gear might want to consider RoadRunnerSports.com’s 10% off until 12/31 offer.
Taken from an email I received this morning:
There’s still time to register! Come join us for the Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon, a Saint Paul Winter Carnival, scheduled for January 26, 2008.
Online registration will close January 23, 2008 for this event. So move fast and register today at: Active.com
You might as well go register. You know you’re going to anyway, so why wait. 
I consider the racing results of the past year to have been successful. A new marathon PR at Marine Corps, a successful run in the tough conditions of Twin Cities, a sprint triathlon finish to use as a benchmark, and a 10K PR at Get in Gear.
For the upcoming year, I have entered my first Olympic distance triathlon. Swimming a respectable 1500m will be a daunting task. Known events for the coming year include:
The goal will be to work on getting faster at some cost to the longer runs. I’m going to try to actually train for triathlons this year, and — perhaps — I’ll get a new bike.
Great news, everyone! On Monday, I will have City of Lakes 25K entry forms for those who want them. The event itself is on the weekend on Sept 8/9th. Some of us ran this event last year, it’s a very familiar course. Additionally, rather then getting another T-Shirt, the race gift is a mug. A race that gives out mugs begs the question of an additional “Drink out of your mug” party at the super-secret Franke Run Club hideout.
I found this in the Twin Cities Marathon August Mile Marker email. The Calhoun Executive Center is the building on the north west corner of Lake Calhoun — across the street from Whole Foods. If you’re running in the area, stop by and get yourself a cliff shot you don’t have to carry with you.
Join Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. at Our Second Summer Water Stop, Saturday, August 25
Getting in those final long runs? Stop by the Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. water station in the parking lot of Calhoun Executive Center (3033 Excelsior Blvd.) for some PowerAde and Clif Shots Saturday, August 25 from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and don’t forget to let us know how training is going.
Keep on running.
I have added the Road Runner Sports link to the “sidebar” of the main page. The image and associated discount or promotion may change over time, so if you have questions about that stuff let me know. The link takes you to the RRS site where you can get shoes and apparel for your training and racing. If you are planning to purchase a new pair of shoes, please use the link and check out Road Runner Sports.
… will be run
out of my place since Franke will be AWOL. Additionally, there is an event at Brit’s Pub to benefit the Channel Challenge which I would like to attend. I wrote a bit about it on Recreational Reading.
That’s right… Green Bay, WI! I’ll be participating in the Green Bay Half Marathon, but I don’t really expect to run all that fast. My current PR at the distance is basically untouchable for the moment. The weather isn’t going to be great, but not horrible. I’m just going to play it by ear.
I won’t be the only FRC’er there either…
I’ll post results sometime next week, until then.. Adieu!
