Ran the Asheville Citizen-Times half marathon this morning. I'd run the course before, but never the race. Had a fantastic experience. The volunteers and the crowds lining the course were wonderful.
Got parked around 6:15 am. Checked my bag at Jubilee then took a 30 min jog. Potty stop. Dropped off my long-sleeve and hat at the bag check, loosened up then found a place in line about 5 mins before the gun.
Missed the first mile marker. Hit the second at 14:48 and thought, I'd blown it by going out too fast. Nothing to slow you down like Cherokee Street. Up that steep monster and I felt really settled. Ran nice and steady and passed through mile 6 in 47:28. Was worried about running under 8mpm, but was feeling good. Took half a Honey Stinger, and really felt it kick in around mile 8.
Got a small stitch on the long downhill on Weaverville Rd, but it passed. Held very steady going up the "longest uphill in the world" Lookout Rd. Ran landmark to landmark (this mailbox, to that fire hydrant, to that driveway, etc..)chopping the long hill into small chunks.
Started to hammer it with 3 miles to go, coming through UNCA. Held a solid pace going up Broadway (the crowds were great). Made the turn up near vertical wall that is Walnut Street and tucked into a short stair-step stride, determined not to cramp that close to the finish. Opened up and gave it all I had around to the finish. Chip time: 1:46:02.
Before I left work on Friday, I'd written 1:56 on my white board. Was worried as my work schedule had radically changed this week and I was up all night two nights in a row. I hadn't run since Tuesday but I felt great other than a little GI distress (no Italian sausage during race week!)
A cool rain pattered down just as I finished. Collected my finisher's medal, grabbed a snack, changed into dry clothes, then headed to the top of Walnut Street to cheer the runners coming up that hellacious hill.
The event was very well organized. Plenty of volunteers. Lots of water stops. All in all, a great day!
Link: http://www.citizen-times.com/section/race
Submitted by Rush 9/17/2011 17:48:17
1 Jonathan Dameron Valdese NC 31 M 17:21.9 5:35
2 Allen Alfaro 45 M 18:21.8 5:54
3 Eric Gilbert Hildebran NC 15 M 18:43.5 6:01
4 Dalton Hall Connelly Springs NC 14 M 19:12.2 6:10
5 Bryan Allen 46 M 19:44.3 6:21
6 Willliam Hatcher 16 M 19:46.3 6:21
7 Steve Horton Morganton NC 51 M 19:52.8 6:23
8 Josh Chester Morganton NC 26 M 19:59.4 6:26
9 John Sullivan Hickory NC 32 M 20:20.9 6:32
10 Jared Dembski Nebo NC 16 M 20:34.9 6:37
Full results at the link
Link: http://www.thesunriserun.com/results/2011_sunrise_run_5k_overall.htm
Submitted by Rush 9/15/2011 05:40:30
1 Dwight Winters Morganton NC 35 M 38:41.5 6:14
2 Robert Longstreet Hickory NC 49 M 38:47.7 6:15
3 Kevin Holder Morganton NC 30 M 39:42.8 6:24
4 Allie Hustead Black Mountain NC 27 F 42:24.4 6:50
5 Paul Wardzinski Morganton NC 56 M 42:50.9 6:54
6 Charles Thomas Morganton NC 51 M 43:22.1 6:59
7 Scott Mostellar 45 M 45:15.6 7:17
8 Michele Hoheiser Lincolnton NC 39 F 46:03.7 7:25
9 Tim Styles Morganton NC 35 M 46:07.2 7:26
10 Derek Webb 32 M 46:32.7 7:30
Full results at the link.
Link: http://www.thesunriserun.com/results/2011_sunrise_run_10k_overall.htm
Submitted by Rush 9/15/2011 05:38:35
1. DOUG CLARK 42 M MORRISTOWN NJ 42 16:56 5:27
2. BRANDON KING 15 M BURNSVILLE NC 210 17:12 5:32
3. MICHAEL SCHOLTZ 45 M HENDERSONVILLE NC 162 18:00 5:48
4. JASON CARTER 24 M ASHEVILLE NC 220 18:30 5:58
5. MICHAEL ANDERSON 52 M SWANNANOA NC 6 19:04 6:09
6. ETHIEN ARBOLEDA 13 M ASHEVILLE NC 8 19:28 6:16
7. JOE WATSON 45 M ASHEVILLE NC 187 19:51 6:24
8. JAMES BALEY 29 M FAIRVIEW NC 23 19:59 6:26
9. JOSH CREE 37 M ARDEN NC 50 20:05 6:28
10. JOE BARRETT 50 M ASHEVILLE NC 26 20:10 6:30
Full Results at the link
Link: http://jblmemorial5k.org/JBL2011Overall.txt
Submitted by Rush 9/13/2011 01:04:36
1. Justin Tebockhorst 26 M Asheville NC 26:45.8 5:23
2. Frankie Adkins 37 M 27:54.1 5:37
3. Gary Curran 43 M Asheville NC 29:10.5 5:52
4. David Workman 40 M Hendersonville NC 29:37.0 5:58
5. Tanis Baldwin 15 M Hendersonville NC 30:14.6 6:05
6. Jay Curwen 44 M Asheville NC 30:26.2 6:07
7. Curtis Rowe 30 M 30:47.6 6:12
8. Christopher Campbell 47 M Marion NC 30:55.0 6:13
9. John Funk 34 M 31:32.9 6:21
10. Grant Smith 16 M 32:45.4 6:35
Full results at the link.
Link: http://www.leetiming.com/AF8K2011_OA.HTM
Submitted by Rush 9/4/2011 23:36:42
Daegu, South Korea
Vivian Cheruiyot, Sally Kipyego, Linet Masai and Priscah Jepleting, made the women 10000m final a domestic affair by filling the top four positions in that order.
1. Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot KEN 30:48.98 (PB)
2. Sally Kipyego KEN 30:50.04
3. Linet Chepkwemoi Masai KEN 30:53.59 (SB)
4. Priscah Jepleting Cherono KEN 30:56.43 (PB)
5. Meselech Melkamu ETH 30:56.55 (SB)
6. Shitaye Eshete BRN 31:21.57 (NR)
7. Shalane Flanagan USA 31:25.57
8. Ana Dulce Félix POR 31:37.03
9. Jennifer Rhines USA 31:47.59
10. Jessica Augusto POR 32:06.68
Submitted by Rush 8/27/2011 17:22:06
I've written a new site WhosQuick which compiles the fastest times for various WNC road races. Take a look!
Submitted by Rush 8/25/2011 21:54:30
10K Top Ten
1. RYAN WOODS 32 M BOONE NC 304 40:27 6:31
2. THOMAS CASON 39 M BANNER ELK NC 42 42:57 6:55
3. WILL HARLAN 36 M BARNARDSVILLE NC 306 44:08 7:07
4. JERAD CRAVE 36 M ASHEVILLE NC 144 44:18 7:08
5. DAVID WORKMAN 40 M HENDERSONVILLE NC 326 44:34 7:11
6. GARY CURRAN 43 M ASHEVILLE NC 61 47:52 7:43
7. ZACH BOONE 14 M BAKERSVILLE NC 22 48:58 7:53
8. DENNIS GILFILLAN 25 M BANNER ELK NC 94 49:01 7:54
9. WILL HAYNES 21 M BRISTOL TN 301 49:06 7:54
10. KEELIN SCHNEIDER 33 F BLACK MOUNTAIN NC 218 49:07 7:55
5K Top Ten
1. CHASE SHERMER 17 M KNIGHTDALE NC 754 21:48 7:01
2. BRANDON KING 15 M BURNSVILLE NC 690 22:37 7:17
3. KEVIN GLENN 26 M SPRUCE PINE NC 575 22:56 7:23
4. CHASE STEVENS 16 M GREEN MOUNTAIN NC 764 24:22 7:51
5. ROBERT MCMAHAN 33 M BAKERSVILLE NC 720 24:36 7:55
6. QUARTEZ FERRARO 15 M VALDESE NC 634 24:37 7:56
7. TAYLOR FORBES 17 M SPRUCE PINE NC 639 24:43 7:58
8. TODD JENKINS 50 M LEXINGTON NC 683 25:03 8:04
9. ALEX CRUZ 16 M BAKERSVILLE NC 623 25:20 8:09
10. CHRIS HILL 32 M FOUNTAIN INN SC 666 25:55 8:21
Full Results at the link.
Link: http://mitchellraces.com/springmaidsplash/index.html
Submitted by Rush 8/21/2011 23:51:50
Ran a new 5K in Burnsville sponsored by the Mountain Heritage HOSA (Health Occupations Student Association) to benefit the Relay for Life. My son brought home two registrations and asked if I'd run with him. How could I pass that up?
I'm deep into training for my first full marathon in November, so I didn't taper at all for this race. My son plays varsity soccer, but he's not a runner so I figured I'd let him set the pace and I'd do my best to support and encourage him. I asked him several times during the week what kind of pace he was thinking of. He mentioned he'd run his 2 mile run for soccer in 15:15 so he thought maybe he'd try for 7:45 - 8:00. I just smiled and nodded.
The race follows the same course at the Burnsville Fit Families 5K, which if you're going to run in Burnsville, is probably the easier route. We arrived early to check in, pick up our numbers and take a nice slow jog. I was hoping for overcast, but the day broke sunny and hot. We finished our 20 minute warm up jog about 5 minutes before start time. About 20 participants lined up to run and walk.
The first mile is mostly a long downhill flat coming off the town square. We hit the first mile in 8 minutes. Luke was doing ok, but the real race was about to start. The climb back up W. Main can challenge the best of runners. We sat back, shortened our stride and tried to take the hill as it came. Luke struggled some but didn't quit. Very vocal crowd at the square shouted encouragement. Another downhill and we arrived at Green Mountain Drive, another steep but shorter climb. We'd gone through mile 2 in about 8:40. Luke was really laboring and saying his stomach was cramping some. I encouraged him to ease back on the relative flat around the new library circle and save something for the last climb up N. Main to the finish. Coming off of Green Mountain he said, "The finish is at the top of the hill, right?" "Yep.", I replied. He said, "Let's go.", and took off up the long hill.
I've run repeats up this hill many times. It's not killer, but it's not easy either. I was afraid Luke had bitten off more than he could chew starting his finishing sprint so early, but he dug down, found something, and really cranked the three tenths of a mile. I covered his move and he found another gear and crossed about a second before I did. We handed in our ID strips and I gave him a high five. Lisa was at the finish and got a great picture of Luke crossing. I told him I was proud of him for running such a brave finish knowing he was hurting.
Submitted by Rush 8/21/2011 22:33:37
Ran this race for the first time. Went out Weds after work and jogged the course. Some short, steep hills in the beginning. Long downhill down Asheland, long uphill grade up S. French Broad and up Patton Ave. Once you reach Pack Square it's all downhill back to the finish at McCormick field.
My goal was to run sub 24:00. I hit twenty four even in my last 5K back in May and I thought with the long downhill finish I had a shot if I didn't go out too fast.
Got everything ready on Friday night. Up at 5:20 am, on the road to AVL by 5:35am. Ate my pre-race PB & Honey on the way. Got parking close to the start. Wore my regular trainers and went out for a 30 minute jog around the course. Changed into my tank top and T6 racers (I love those shoes) and headed to the start. Quick trip to the bathroom inside the ballpark then some loosening drills and ran a few acceleration strides. Got to my place at the starting line about 3 mins before the start, which for me is perfect. I don't like to stand around for 20 minutes.
Lined up in the first 100 or so runners. Felt great at the start. Almost ran over a small boy who came to an abrupt halt just before the first steep hill at Beaumont. Juked around several runners and found a nice spot to settle into. Passed the first mile in 7:23. Stretched out my stride on the long
Asheland downill while keeping a good 88 bmp cadence. Saw some poor girl loose her breakfast as she got to the top of Phifer. Kept a good pace up the long S. French Broad grade. Passed the 2nd mile in 14:53. Knew if I got to Patton Ave in good shape I had a shot to break 24:00. Running up Patton into the rising sun was awesome as was running through the misting station just before Pritchard park. Hit Pack Square and felt great and really kicked for the long downhill to home. Arms up for balance down Beaumont. A fella pulled up beside me on Charlotte St, then pulled a few strides ahead. I went to the arms, reeled him back in and dropped him. Crossed the finish in 23:23. A great day.
Link: http://belechere5k.com
Submitted by Rush 7/30/2011 17:17:34
follow along
