BEAUFORT ROAD RACE 10K

Date: 7/18/09

Distance: 10K

Time: 42:02

Place: 11th

Pace: 6:46

I was either going to enter this race or a 10M race in Wilmington called Summer of Love and since Ashleigh's friends were going to stay the weekend at Atlantic Beach I decided on the 10K in Beaufort.

The morning started out very early waking at 4:30am and grabbing something quick to eat consisting of granola,sliced banana, orange juice and a cup of coffee.At 5:00am me Ashleigh and Calla left to be at the race site around ~7:00am.



When we arrived at the race site I went to grab my packet and prepared for the race. It was actually cooler this morning than the previous few days but still hot and humid so I knew I had better drink water and some Gatorade before the run.



At the start both 5K and 10K races were together so I picked a place up front on the far left. This position was ok but I knew I had to move toward the center because there were cars parked on the left. So when the race started I had to go out hard and move toward the center.So I can say that I had the lead for at least 15 secs.



At the first mile I was at a 6:08 pace and knew I needed to slow down some. By the second mile I was passed by couple guys one who was pushing a BOB....very impressive. There were couple of people in the neighborhood out with water hoses to cool down the runners as we passed by which was surely needed. I stopped at two aid stations for water to ingest and to pour on my head to keep cool.



Mile 3 I started to pick up my pace some and finally caught the guy pushing the BOB I looked down and waved at the kid who was smiling and just having a great time. The last mile was on the water front and I tried to push harder as I could hear people cheering on the people finishing ahead of me. In the end,I finished in 11th place and placed 1st in my age group.

My next running adventure will take place in Spruce Pine,NC Springmaid Splash 10K.This is going to be a fun race.

Landfall July 4th 5K

Date: 7/4/09

Distance: 5K

Time: 19:20

Pace: 6:13

Place: 7th overall, 1st age group

Last June I had entered four 5K runs and when I heard about this run in Wilmington,NC I just had to enter since I would be there to see my relatives and celebrate the 4th downtown and watch the fireworks.

This was a really nice fast course well desigined that with only one turnaround. I arrived at the entrance of Landfall at 6:30am and meet Chris. We picked up our packets and I warmed up by jogging 10min then streching afterwards. The race start was at 7:30am and by that time the temp was 82 degree F so I drank water and gatorade in order to make sure I was hydrated.

At the start I again noticed a kid that was running at an unbearable pace and at about the first mile slowed and was passed by me and lead group. At mile 2 I had a couple people to pass me but I just keep a comfortable pace and tried to relax and enjoy.

At the last 0.5 mile of the race I then was able to increase my pace and burst to the finish. I finished 7th overall and 1st in my age group, yet I'm still not satisfied with my position. I hope to eventually be able to run under a 6min/mile pace. so untill then I have to train intensly and wisely both for cardio endurance and muscle endurance.

My next run will be the 30th Annual Historic Beaufort Road Race on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.This will first time running this and I know that it may possiblly be hot and humid for this event.

NC Blueberry Festival 5K

Date: 6/20/09
Distance:5K
Time: 19:45
Pace: 6:22
Place: 13th


I was in disbelief when I saw that my hometown of Burgaw was having a 5K run and that its the 4th annual run.

I arrived at 6:30am at the race site and registered then looked at the race course. I remember reading on the website that the race course had been improved this year due to suggestions of runners who had ran in this race previous year(s). When I saw the course and identified not one, two...but four turnarounds! three were in cul-de-sacs . I found it amusing and also a disadvantage since I knew it would slow all the runners down. This is an improvement?
We'll I guess that the race directors had to have so many loops in order to keep the race in the town city limits :)

The race started on time at 7:30am and it was really great to see such a diverse group of runners here at this event, total for the run/walk was over 300 entrants. It was quite hot and humid even at 7:30am at least >80 degree F and I took it quite easy for the first mile. One kid shoot out fast and was at least 200 yards ahead of the lead pack. If this kid keeps this up wow! suddenly I saw him start to slow and I and the lead pack passed him.
At about 1.5M there was a fire truck that was spraying water for the runners. I avoided the spray since I wasn't quite hot yet, However on the way back I did pass under the spray. The four tight turn arounds were awful because once you'd get going you lost momentum. Last mile of the race I just simply couldn't increase my speed and just keep a comfortable pace going in to finish.

Overall I finished 13th. and placed first in my age group. It was nice to see and meet Anthony Ivey who I saw in the N.Myrtle Beach Sun Fun 5K run. He finished an impressive 3rd place in the Boogie Marathon this year.

I certainly will train more intensely for future 5K runs.