Houstonian Lite 30K
Sugarland, TX
12/7/2003
Again I surpassed my expectations for this race. I was planning on running about a 6:40 pace and ended up with a 6:34 pace overall, which resulted in a PR time for the 30K of 2:02:09. I missed placing in my age group by 1 position. I got 4th place in my age group (40_44).I started off the race at what seemed to be a very fast pace. I didn't see a 1 mile marker so I wasn't able to tell what pace I was running. The two mile marker point seemed to come too soon since, as I had averaged a 6:10 pace for the first two miles. Later at the 3 mile point, the timer called out the times more accurately - a 6 30 pace. I couldn't have slowed down that much! I later found out after the race that several people were complaining about incorrect mile marker locations and the paces being called out. I managed to stay with one of my Tornado buddies for the first 6-7 miles until I gradually pulled away. I ran with Ed S. of Finish Line Sports for the remainder of the course except for the last few miles. We ran about 6:30 mile pace. I felt really great with about 3 miles left to go in the race and managed to pick up the pace to run a 6:17 pace for the last 5K. I was really happy with my time.Here's my own analysis of my performance thus far for the warm up series. I feel the 55 miles per week average that I have been maintaining with consistency has really helped me improve and stay injury free. After seeing Kevin R. of the Tornados improve drastically after increasing his miles to 70 miles per week, I strongly believe that high mileage is the key to better performance - duh! (The elites can tell you this.) But for the average weekend warrior, 55 miles per week is a good round number to maintain and still keep a full time job and family. I also believe that quality is also important. My speedwork or interval sessions have been performed at a good strenuous level. I do my speedwork on my own and I push myself really hard to get the times I am shooting for the particular interval. Most of the times I better the goal time for the interval. The whole time I am out there on the track, the major thought that is going through my head is, "When is this torture going to be over" or "maybe I can cheat and run 1 or 2 less intervals". But I stay the course and finish what I went out to accomplish. My tempo runs are lacking a little. I have not been able to maintain my desired pace for tempo runs or if I maintain the pace I am unable to go the distance. This is probably where I fast running partner can really help. Endurance at race pace is built with tempo runs and this is probably the area where I need most improvement especially in the shorter races like 10K's.Used my Nike Skylons for the 30K. I feel these have greatly improved since I last wore this particular model about 4 years ago. These shoes feel great with plenty of cushioning and very roomy in the toe box. It's classified as a light weight trainer and I feel it is an excellent marathon shoe. I will be wearing these for the Houston marathon. I haven't had a problem with blisters since I started using these for the Houston Warm-up series.Have to think positive so I definitely think I am on pace for breaking 3 hours for Houston. The only question is by how much.
Stay Loco in your running.
