The Long Run

New Port Richey Jingle Bell Run 5K

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Location:

FL,

Member Since:

Mar 20, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

PR's:

  • 1 mile : 5:43 (3/2017)
  • 5K : 18:34 (12/2011)
  • 5 mile : 32:03 (5/2010)
  • 10K : 39:29 (11/2013)
  • 11K: 46:47 (July 2008)
  • Half Marathon : 1:26:47 (11/2012)
  • Marathon : 3:06:34 (02/2010)
  • 50K Trail: 4:34 (01/2012)
  • 50 Mile: 8:34:48 (4/2012)
  • 100K: 11:06 (2/2012)
  • 100 Mile: 24:19:44 (1/2022)

Marathons:

  • Treasure Coast Marathon (FL) - 3:39:51, Mar 2021
  • Towpath Marathon (OH) - 3:35:26, Oct 2019
  • Jacksonville Marathon - 3:31:10, Dec 2018
  • NYC Marathon - 3:49:12, Nov 2017
  • Marine Corps Marathon - 3:27:00, Oct 2016
  • Utah Valley - Jun 2016
  • Marine Corps Marathon - 3:28:12, Oct 2015
  • Pocatello Marathon (ID) - 3:32:25, Sept 2015
  • Chasing The Unicorn (PA) - 3:31:20, Aug 2015
  • Run for The Red (Poconos) - 3:30:40, May 2015
  • Boston - 3:24:42, Apr 2015
  • Clearwater - 3:27:04, Jan 2015
  • Clearwater - 3:16:17, Jan 2014
  • Boston  - 3:27:00, Apr 2011
  • DesNews - 3:10:57, Jul 2010
  • Gasparilla  - 3:06:34, Feb 2010
  • Space Coast - 3:11:29, Nov 2009
  • Estes Park  (7500' and up) - 3:52:19, Jun 2009
  • Boston - 3:17:22, Apr 2009
  • Niagara Falls - 3:19:21, Oct 2008
  • San Diego RnR  - 3:24:18, Jun 2008
  • Jacksonville Marathon -3:21:24, Dec 2007
  • Chicago Marathon - 3:35:08, Oct 2007
  • Disney Marathon - 3:52:34, Jan 2007

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

 

  • Sub 40:00 10K
  • 2:59 Marathon
  • 1:25 Half Marathon
  • 18:30 5K

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Maintain my health and continuously seek to improve my fitness. Maybe someday get under 3:00 for marathon. More importantly, I'd like to figure out what my maximum ability is and reach that.

I'd also like to find the right balance in life and use running to enhance and improve myself.

 

Personal:

Dad of  three (welcome Charlotte Dani on 8/10/20) awesome kids and stepdad to three almost as awesome as my own kids.

I have a brown dog named Stella, and three cats - Catty, Tortie, and Esperanza.

  (old lines that were a little out of date but couldn't quite bring myself to removing them completely:) Also, have one wonderful brown dog named Sammy and just added a grey tiger cat (Catty) whose life started out rough but now has a better home.

I've recently started another blog so I can easily add lots of pictures and so other non-FRB users can leave comments:

Forward Progress!

 Also, for 2012 I started a blog to write down each day one thing that I am grateful for

Grateful Blog

 

Love living in Florida but love to travel and see the country and rest of the world.

 

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 20.88 Month: 54.08 Year: 342.30
Brooks T7 Lifetime Miles: 202.78
Brooks ST5 Lifetime Miles: 403.91
GoMeb Speed3 Lifetime Miles: 483.77
Brooks Pure Flow Lifetime Miles: 160.60
Brooks Launch(lobster) Lifetime Miles: 782.98
GoMeb Razor Lifetime Miles: 468.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
28.884.000.003.100.000.000.0035.98
Glycerin 6 (new) Miles: 13.94Asics Gel Equation Miles: 22.04
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

SPECTATOR REPORT

GULF BEACHES HOLIDAY HALFATHON  2008

 

(See Jenny's report for runner's perspective. )

Well, I didn't run today  but my wife did.  I volunteered to drag around the kids and cheer her on (actually the kids were very good so I didn't have to do any dragging.  I have run this race the past two years and was tempted to run it again this year.  My parents were willing to watch the kids but I thought this might be fun, and I actually had a really great time.

We left our house nice and early about 5:45, and arrived a little after 6:30 in Madeira Beach by the town hall.  Jenny and her friend Jodi already had their race numbers but still had to grab their timing chips.  Things looked like they were going pretty smoothly.  After they got their chips, I went inside and bought Jenny a pair of Brooks Glycerin 6's for $69 from the guy who is there each year.   Jenny had bought me a pair from him the day before when she picked up her number, so now we are both set.

We met up with some of Jenny's other friends who were also running, then they went off to do a warm up while I hung out in the car with the kids while they read.  As the time got closer, the kids and I lined up just past the starting line.  I snapped a few pictures of the start but didn't see Jenny in the crowd.  The course loops around and passes nearby so I had another chance to run over and catch the runner's about a half mile into the start, and here they are:

 

I tried to take a lot of pictures hoping at least some would come out good, and fortunately a few of them did.  I was able to get Jenny and all of her friends in this picture.

Next stop was McDonald's for breakfast.  We drove back over the bridge onto the mainland and stopped at the nearby McDonald's for hotcakes, orange juice, and a coffee for me.  It was turning out to be a really nice day, still a little bit cool but not at all cold, slightly cloudy but with some breaks in the clouds.  We saw a beautiful sunbeam streaming through the clouds.

After we ate we headed to a spot which was a little bit after 6.9 miles (how far past I did not know).  This was a little bit tricky to know where to go and when to get there, not too early or else we might be waiting a long time, but certainly not too late.  I also realized, that this was my first time ever driving  from Madeira beach as I have always driven to there and run from there.

We arrived at 82nd street and the Pinellas trail and as I parked I saw "Santa Claus" run past and I knew I was on time, as this guy usually runs a pretty fast pace (and often gets age group awards) , here he is (not my pic but from a previous race):

 

So, then we settled in, my two boys and I and several other people waiting for their spouses and/or moms and dads.  We had cowbells for noise and the runners seemed to really appreciate this.  It's a beautiful course but there are some stretches where there aren't a ton of spectators.  In a little bit I saw my friend Bob.  Next came Jenny's friend Cherise, and then Kathryn.   Then came Jenny with her friend Jodi just a little bit after her, so here is Jenny getting ready to toss her long sleeve shirt at me:

She was looking strong and very happy.  Her goal was not for a PR but a good solid marathon pace run to get ready for the Disney marathon (her first one) in January.  We waited a little bit longer and I was about to leave when Andy said that we still had to wait for Jenny's friend Carin!  which was very nice of him to remember, so we waited just a little bit longer and saw Carin go by and we cheered her on.

Next it was off to the finish line.  We arrived there in plenty of time.  There is a playground right at the end of the course so the kids had time to play for a bit.  I saw Kathryn's husband and their kids who had been there for a while.  As the time approached we took up positions, anxiously awaiting.    Then, there she was "Go MOM!" "Go Jenny" as she rounded the final corner:

 

Great job, Jenny! (she made her goal, 1:57:21, 8:58 pace which she hopes to try and maintain for full marathon coming up).

We saw all of Jenny's friends cross the finish lines (first half marathon for some of them).  There was lots of good food, great live music and free beer for those so inclined (of which I was tempted but did not partake).

Here is Jenny's report.

Comments(3)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
7.320.000.000.000.000.000.007.32

Went to the Y this morning.  Did 3.28 miles on the treadmill at about an 8:20 pace.  Then, headed outside for 4.04 miles at 7:48 pace.  The weather was very nice this morning.

Glycerin 6 (new) Miles: 7.32
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
8.300.000.000.000.000.000.008.30

Ran this Dixie this morning, met up about 6:00 at the 7-11.  The 7-11 was closed up and is about to be torn down to make way for a drug store.  Probably pick a new meeting place  pretty soon.  We ran a slightly different route, but still hit the lake park in Lansbrook and did a short loop through John Chestnut park.  Very nice weather again for running this morning.

First 3.3 miles were slower at 9:12 average pace.  Picked things up after that to end up with an 8:32 average for the entire run.

In other news I've signed up for two half marathons.  The first one is the Clearwater half marathon on January 18th.  This is the closest thing to a "hilly" marathon, it's out and back with two big bridges each way.

Also, I have signed up for the Canyonlands half marathon in March.  I work with a guy that mainly works from his home in Colorado but is here at this office about once a month.  I was talking to him at the company Christmas party and he talked me into signing up for it.  Looks like it should be a lot of fun.  I'll be in the midst of my Boston training so it will be a good chance to see where I am at, enjoy some great scnery and hopefully meet some FRBers in person.

Asics Gel Equation Miles: 8.30
Comments(1)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
3.623.000.000.000.000.000.006.62

Mini tempo run with Dixie this morning at the Y.  Met up at 6:00, warmed up a little bit then started out at an easy pace for about 1.8 miles.  Did the 3 mile loop around Kinsmere including some side streets.  Pace felt pretty good especially after the first two miles.

Splits were: 6:58, 6:55, 6:54

Backed it down and then ran back to the parking lot at an easy pace.  Another very nice morning for running, about 62 degrees and just a hint of fog.

Back in the  parking lot, I looked down and saw a dime, picked it up and saw that it was from 1966, the year I was born.  Coincidental since tomorrow is my birthday!

Glycerin 6 (new) Miles: 6.62
Comments(3)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
7.871.000.000.000.000.000.008.87

Nice run by myself this morning on an out and back course from my house to Starkey Blvd. bike trail.  Ok, beginning of the run was not so nice, shins tightened up and easy pace didn't feel so easy, but was better after 3 miles.  It was warmer this morning but foggier so it still felt cool.

The turnaround point was the nicest part of the run to see a little bit of sun coming through the breaking fog and tall pine trees.

Picked up last mile to just under 7:10 pace.

Average pace: 7:51

Asics Gel Equation Miles: 8.87
Comments(2)
Race: New Port Richey Jingle Bell Run 5K (3.1 Miles) 00:19:35, Place overall: 2, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
1.770.000.003.100.000.000.004.87

Today was a great race.  I had been looking forward to this race since Jenny signed us up for us.  It was going to be flat, not too crowded and a straight out and back on the bike trail in Starkey park where I run all the time.  Well, it turned out it wasn't completely on the bike trail, there was a loop around the park with a smaller out and back on the bike trail.  But it was still very flat.

We arrived at the park a little bit after 7:15, found some parking and picked up our race numbers.  There was a dense fog this morning that made driving there take just a little bit longer (maybe a minute or two).  The air was nice and cool but it was very humid from the fog.  In the parking lot I heard someone say to someone else "oh, you just ran a 2:59 marathon? congratulations".  Well, looked like I would have some competition.   I wasn't looking to win or even come in the top 3, just a good PR and maybe an age group award.

I did a short warm up of 1.77 miles run on a part of the 5k course.  Then went to line up.  The outside front of my lower left leg got really tight.   There was now only a few minutes to loosen up.  Fortunately there was a 5 minute delay because one of the gates was still locked so it gave me some time to loosen up some more. 

I lined up at the beginning.  A couple little kids got in front of me, starting out too fast, the quickly fell back after about a tenth of a mile.  Another guy came up behind me and was in front for about a half mile.  Then the 2:59 guy got in front of me.  The first guy in front of me fell back about but the 2:59 guy was in front and slowly increasing the gap, but not too much at first.

First mile came in at 6:14 - breathing felt hard, maybe due to the humid foggy air.   Then a little bit later we got onto the out and back section on the bike trail.  2:59 guy continued to gap me.   He was running pretty steady but I was slowing down.  I got my pace back up slightly.  Part of the problem was with the fog, it didn't take long before I couldn't see the leader.  I couldn't quite see the turnaround cone when I saw the leader heading back the other way.  As he passed me the other way he said "you're doing a great job!" I answered back thanks but my voice sounded more feeble than his.  Second mile was about 6:29.

The bike trail back was pretty neat because I saw a lot of my friends and my family cheering me on as they were coming the other way towards the turnaround.  Couldn't see the leader any more and was struggling to hold my pace but was determined to get a sub-20:00.  I saw the three mile sign and kicked the speed back up.  I saw 19:32 on the time clock as I went through the finish chute (but still waiting on official results, finish picture that my wife's friend's husband took shows 19:35).  No one passed me after the leader did, so I took second place overall.

Another few seconds off my PR!  I didn't completely feel like I was performing at 100% but still pulled off a good race.

I grabbed some water and jogged back out on the course.  I saw Andy heading in by himself.  He looked happy and strong.  I ran with him until we were close to the finish chute.  He had a good kick and finished with a 29:34.  A PR for running by himself, a minute faster than his last 5K.

Next I went back out and saw Jenny running with Noah.  I yelled to Noah "home stretch!" and he kicked it in and finished about 30:30 a PR for him!  They took first and second for their age groups and Jenny ended up with 3rd place.

So, it wasn't the exact course I thought it would be but it was a great time with the family, some new PR's and for a good cause - Arthritis Foundation.


Asics Gel Equation Miles: 4.87
Comments(3)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
28.884.000.003.100.000.000.0035.98
Glycerin 6 (new) Miles: 13.94Asics Gel Equation Miles: 22.04
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