Ridge Run 5K Race Report

Yesterday was the second annual Ridge Run 5K, benefiting Pine Ridge School in Magalia, CA. 

I got there at 8:30AM to register for the 9:00AM race.  I hadn't preregistered because I wasn't sure if my schedule would allow me to run the race.  There was also a hike to a local waterfall that some folks from church were planning. 

After registering, I said hi to to some acquaintances and then decided to go for a warm-up jog.  At this point, I realize that I have no clue what the race course is going to look like.  It was not published with the race info.  I had assumed that it would just follow the local roads for some sort of out and back.  As I began my warm-up I pass one of the school's P.E. teachers who offered to show me some of the course.  It turns out that there is a whole network of trails behind the school--touring through some really pretty pine forest.  I did about a mile of warm up and decided I had better get to the starting line. 

The other thing I found out from the P.E. guy was that there was no water provided on the course.  No biggie, it's just a 5K.  I'm a water kind of guy on runs, so I decided to bring water along, even though I would only take a few drinks.

At 9:00AM, they walk us down to the start line, briefly explained the course (I sort of quit listening here, because I wasn't familiar with the street names anyway and I figured only the first place runner really needed to know).  They did a quick head count and there were 64 runners toed up.  Away we went. 

I usually check out the runners near me and look for someone that I might aim to pick off during the run.  There was an gentleman about 20 years my senior who looked really ready to go.  He was wearing a bright red shirt and I thought he'd be easy to keep track of.  The course started with a loop around the parking lot and then a left turn on the road.  Red shirt guy took off like a rocket up the steep incline--I guess I'll pace off of someone else. 

The course followed the road for roughly the first mile and then turned onto the forest trail.  While the turn was marked with chalk and a cone, a runner two guys ahead missed it and went about 50 feet out of his way.  I hollered after him as I made the turn.  He caught up and passed me pretty quick.  The trail portion of the run was a pretty, but technical.  Lots of hills and some pretty sharp turns.  I almost rolled my ankle, but saved it just in time. 

The trail portion lasted for a little more than the next mile.  I think my poor GPS was getting poor signal in the dense forest, because the distance seemed to be off.  The course turned back out on the road and somehow meandered back to the same parking lot we started in.  It went through the parking lot and into a back school field and then briefly onto some more trails.  Since my GPS distance wasn't correct, I had no idea we were as close to the end as we were.  A final sprint to the finish!

My official time:  22:42, a new PR by 17 seconds.  I managed to come in 6th out of 64 and grabbed 2nd in my age group.  The guy in fifth place had been at the CareNet race two weeks ago and had been determined to beat me.  He ran a great race. 

After the 5K, they put on a 1/4 mile kids' race.  My son Ben lined up with about 20 kids under 10 years old.  He was about midway through the pack at the start.  When he came into view at the finish, he was in second.  So we ended the day with matching 2nd place medals.  Nice!

Training for the Half Marathon, Week 10/10

Well, I am officially tapering.  One week ago I did my last long run (16 miles) in preparation for my first half marathon.  Instead of my usual weekend long run, I did a 6 mile tempo run on Saturday.  Today, just an easy four miles with the dogs (two miles for Molly, two miles for Snicker).  They are both napping to show their appreciation. 

Tomorrow, I'll do about 4 miles with intervals.  Half mile easy warm-up, 4x800's with 400meter rests in between, and then a half mile cooldown. I'm going to try to push the intensity.

Looking at my running log over the this ten week training plan, I have put in 204.2 miles.  Probably the most I have ever ran in a two-month period.   Saturday's forecast for Chico, CA:   cloudy with a chance of rain, racetime temp:  mid-40's.

The 15 Miler

I shook the magic eight ball and asked it what my long run was supposed to be for this weekend.  The little dice thingy floated to the window and said, "Run 15 miles." 

I've been saving a run out to Paradise Lake for just his distance.  I checked it on MapMyRun and it's just right.  The run is mostly an out and back, but I managed to put a loop in the middle 5 miles for variety's sake.  Two miles of the route are on the dirt trail around a portion of the lake.  Added bonus:  port-a-john's at the lake. 

Down side:  Bears, but then that might just improve my time for the run.

California Dreamin'

It was cold this morning. 36 degrees to be exact, with a hefty windchill.

Now this isn't cold to most of you. But we have had an unseasonably warm winter here in northern California. Most of my runs for the last month have been in the upper 30's to lower 40's. The problem with this kind of winter warm spell is that it turns you into a real wimp when it gets slightly colder.

Don't get me wrong, I kind of like it when the temps are more extreme (just for bragging rights). New Year's Day it was 26 and drizzly (is that a word?). A week ago Sunday, I ran most of my long run in the rain. Again, all these things build character.

My biggest concern: that I'll have two months of beautiful training weather and then on my race day (three and a half weeks away) it'll rain, snow, sleet, blow hurricane-force winds, etc.

129.4 miles down, 93.1 to go!