Monday, November 28, 2011

RRR Turkey Trot 2011

Results by Time
Prediction Race
November 24, 2011
24:42 5k+-ish

Rockford Road Runners Turkey Trot with Dad

87/684th in the overall race (6th woman) and 82nd in the prediction race (off by 46.0 seconds). Consistent.

This race is a bit of a family tradition. Crazy race director (I like those) with a Turkey hat and a difference course every year anywhere from 2.5-4mi. There has been mud, lake like mud, snow, rain, frigid temps, etc. This year was pretty mild- temps in the low 40s, overcast, and only one small mud patch.

The course designer did a phenomenal job this year. First a lap around the grass to the back of the dam and along the camber near the road to spread out the record field and then onto the trail. Around the loop (further north stretching than usual) and then out on the dam and back around to the finish. Based on the times, I'd guess the course was a minute or two longer than a 5k but I'm not all that familiar with the Rockford racers anymore. A tough hilly course for the area but pretty flat compared to my usual fare.

Its time to see a PT about my IT Band(s) since rest and my own stretching do not seem to be resolving it and I've been losing quite a bit of fitness since this all started ~8 weeks ago.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Fall Series #4 2011

Results November 13, 2011
7.5mi-ish @Palmer Park (very hilly/rocky)
Series Results

Definitely not the race I was hoping for, but confirms what I already know. No more running races in 2011 except the Turkey Trot (which isn't really a race). Possible some xc ski or snowshoe races, but I need a break from the running. My training runs have been faster than my races lately. And I need to do some serious strength work and stretching focusing on my left IT Band. I'm not sure if it was a calorie shortage (I did have a few bites of oatmeal and some coffee 3 hours before) or what but I felt weak the whole way and dizzy and lightheaded for the second half and I really wasn't running very fast. I hiked up most of the hills and people I usually finish ahead of beat me by 10min in some cases.

Credit: Jon Cornick


I think this is my favorite Fall Series race. Up and down and up and down; rocks, sand, stairs, roots. You have it all. The uphills are of varying length and steepness so that they aren't totally evil like the BFNH at Bear Creek or High Drive. The downhills are technical enough that not many people can fly down. 

Photo: Jon Cornick (Nicely let him beat me by enough so he could get my picture ^_^)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

November Nielson

Results November 5, 2011
2 miles on flat trail (Classifying as a road race since I could drive the course)
14:29 28/115

I headed over to Monument Valley Park to take advantage of PPRR's free 2 mile race (1st Saturday of every month). Its been a while since I've made it out there. No real goals or expectations since I just took four days off to give my knee issue some rest and no fast training. Nice even pacing, but the speed gear was not with me. It felt like I was running at some ridiculous cadence at the end since my stride would not open up at all. I always enjoy this little low key race. As expected, pretty far off my handicap time and even further from my PR on the course (13:13 from July 2010), but I'm happy with the way I paced it and how my lungs felt. I'm looking forward to some strength building this winter on the snow- I've been feeling a little fragile/ragged for the past month or so.

Photo: Bob Kane