Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Race Report - Purcellville Turkey Trot

Well it has been 11 months since my very first 5k. It was the Reindeer Run sponsored by Lifetime Fitness. It was a blast. I had a great time.
In comparison, the time on my first 5k was: 37:26 this time was: 27:04
There were a total of 519 runners participating in the Reindeer Run, 213 males and 306 females and I placed 170 out of the 213 males. 46 out of 51 in my age group making me 375th overall.
I was pleased with that. Again this was my first organized 5k and I was going out there with the hope that I would be able to finish on my own.
So in looking at the Turkey Trot I can see how much I have improved.
I finished 26th out of 48 in my age group (40 - 49), 113th overall (out of 321). I went from a time of 37:26 (12:02 a mile) to 27:04 (8:43 a mile). Not too shabby if I say so myself. I am very pleased with where I have come from and how far I have gone so far.

For the past 11 months I have pushed myself and I have improved. I can not wait to see where I can take myself in the next 11-12 months.
Speaking of...........what is next you say? Great question.
As you may remember my goal was to run a half marathon. I obtained that goal by running in the Baltimore running festival. I felt great afterwards and was talking myself into running in a full marathon. I proved to my body and self that I was able to survive a half, should I try the full. If so, which one? There are so many.
Well my brother in law has been running in the Marine Corp Marathon for about 6 years now. We usually go to Crystal City to cheer him on. After this past MCM, I told myself.........you need to do this.
So I have put a reminder on the calendar for when registration opens for the Marine Corp Marathon. However, before that comes up some of the people that I run with on the weekend are running in the Shamrock Marathon in March down in Virginia Beach. They talked me into taking the trip down there. So, in 2010 I will be running not just one but two Marathons.
I know that I have a lot of work to do, the biggest of which is getting a handle on my nutrition. The running/training I can do so I am not fearful of that. I need to eat better is the bottom line. I am not going down to Va Beach with the intent of getting a Boston Qualifying time, all that I want to do is beat the sweep bus and not run into the wall, but that is were the learning of nutrition will come in.
I am so looking forward to this test. I know that I have 100% support from my immediate family as well as my friends so I have a wealth of contacts that I can inquire to about things.
I will also be looking to up date this blog a lot more frequent as it will be my guide as to how well I do based on my training. So if I don't run well in March I should be able to look back and see what I might have done wrong, if anything, so that the same thing does not happen in Oct.
I have thought about doing a Podcast, but seeing that I am having difficulty updating a blog on a weekly basis I am holding off on that. Maybe I will start one up after the Shamrock.
Kind of fitting that I am part Irish and my first Marathon is the Shamrock.

Thanks for reading. I invite any comments you might have.

Jim

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