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I found this link on mapmyrun.com. It maps the run nicely.
| Elevation Map |
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There are still 3 days before the race so I can only hopeful. It's not like I can do anything about it anyway.
So, the course is 10 loops of a 5K. From what I read there are 2 little hills (burps) and the place could get (very) windy. I have not done too many back to back runs. I woke up late and started them but not like with Goofy. But I have done a 20+ run and I feel good. Last week was a 7 and a 10 back to back. Things will be ok. I did the Xmas Marathon, without trail work and it turned out fine. Not being a speed demon, simplifies things. I just want to enjoy myself as much as someone can running that distance. Also just observing the drama of the leaders as they pass, pass, pass me will be pretty cool.
Some interesting stats from last year....There were 9 people who finished under 3:30! There were 21 in total who finished under 4:00! Men's overall leader finished in 2:55:50, which was a minute off his course record time from 2 years ago! I mean there were "real" runners there on both the men and women side. Hell, Scott Jurek was there running/supporting his GF. He had already ran that morning. This year, they'll also have me.
And just for fun...The OA men winner, had a pace of 5:40. His fastest 5K was 16:32 (lap 2) and his slowest lap was 20:27 (lap 10). He beat number 2 by 8:33. Of course he was in my age group, 35 last year. Of course...
History lesson: Caumsett State Historic Park is situated on a scenic peninsula extending into Long Island Sound and offers miles of walking, jogging, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and nature trails over acres of woodland, meadows, rock shoreline and salt marsh. In 1921 Marshall Field III purchased 1750 acres of Lloyd Neck to create one large estate. He named the land after its Matinecock Indian name, Caumsett, which means "place by a sharp rock." Field created a self-sufficient English-style estate as a combination country club, hunting preserve, and home, complete with its own water and electrical supply. When the estate was finished, it had facilities for every sport except golf.
So, the first thing to do I guess is to talk about the course a little more. Just explain things. The course used to be 11 laps of 2.97 miles. Last year, they changed it to 10 loops of 5K each. The way they did it is they kept the same course but added a little out and back to get it to 3.1 miles. The RD warned us, that that part of the course has potholes and we should be careful. He didn't mention that it's probably the worst part of the course in terms of wind. More on that later.
So, I was resolved to the fact that I will get wet. Very wet. Nothing I can do about it so who cares, right? Kinda glad I did, because it took the worrying out of it. Listened to the weather on Saturday morning and got some good news and some bad news. Bad news: 98 % chance of rain and it will be heavy downpours. Good news: It will hold off to later in the day. Was happy about it and didn't think too much about it. Again, what's the point? Might get lucky?
The runners: Pepe (25K), Jim (25K) and me. Gail finally bowed out on Friday. They were in the process of moving, Gabe (her son) had some sort of Basketball championship Sunday and personally, I think she hadn't logged the miles. No disrespect Gail if you ever read this - I could be wrong. Also, asked Anu and Ed but they weren't coming. Super Greg was gonna be there again flying through the course.
The plan: The 50K was supposed to start at 8:30 and the 25K at 9:30. Check in for the 50K was scheduled for 7:00 to 8:15. I was gonna get a ride there with Jim and come back with Pepe. Jim just got back from Europe and they are still having construction things to deal with. He couldn't hang out. I told Pepe that if he had to leave it would be cool too. Just give Lee a call and she would pick me up. Pepe intended to leave at 7. I wanted to leave at 6:15 and Jim wanted to leave at 6:45 so we compromised to 6:30.
Asked Jim if he actually remembered how to get to my house, it's been that long. He asked me if I was drinking. Haha.
That meant an extra 30 minutes of sleep. Sweet.
Went to sleep without worry. No thinking. Straight out. Slept great.
Woke up and started doing my thing. Took the dog for a walk and was happy. It was 53 degrees and windy. That's doable. Looks like the rain might actually holdoff.
J1 woke up at 6:28. Literally minutes before I had to leave. Jim was already outside. He was very annoyed at Lee for not waking him up because apparently he told her to wake him so he can say bye to me. Nice.
Off we go. Drive was uneventful.
As we drive by, I see the Lloyd Neck Police Department with a patrol car in front. Something clicked in my head. I have a recollection that Vinnie is a Detective over there. I shoot Vinnie a quick text. Yup, that's where he works, yup he's there now, yup it's a 2 minute drive and he will come and visit. Jim and I get there and check in. The 25K people wear 1 bib - the 50K people wear 2 bibs during the race. One in the front and one in the back. Also, our bibs are a different color. Also, the 25Kers have a nice looking short sleeve tech shirt. The 50Kers have a nice looking long sleeve tech shirt.
Back to the car. No proection from the wind there at all. It's cold. I didn't bring my hand warmers and I started regretting it. Didn't bring a wind breaker and started regretting that too.
We see a car that is either a cab or a cop car. Goes right through where you aren't allowed to: COP! We go looking and there is Vinnie. Turns out he has been working since 4pm and his plan is to work until 9am (17 hours straight), change cloths and then come right back here so he can run the 25K. Day'umn...
Haven't seen Pepe yet and the lot is getting filled. Finally find him and it's about 10 minutes before race start. I run to the tent to leave my stuff and head back to the start. Last year's winner is there and is just a very unassuming looking guy. One would never know...
The running plan: I was hoping to get about 2 loops in before the 25Kers start. Jim and Pepe would start. I would be, physically, a little ahead of them. People always tend to go out to fast so that will work in our benefit. Let them go out to fast, reach me and then we calm things down. They could approach this as a 25K race or they can approach this as a long training run for the Marathon. They chose the latter.
The race started and Greg joins me from behind. We talk a little and then he takes his leave. Started talking to this guy who has a Brooks sponsorship. He's gotta wear their cloths to races and he gets a discount on their stuff plus free stuff.
So, did the plan work? Yup. As I was finishing my 2nd lap, I spotted them at the start. I was a few minutes ahead of them. Jim finally catches me at the end of his first lap. So we have 4 laps potentially together.
I told Jim constantly, that he should go as soon as he feels good. I think he was wiped from Europe but nonetheless the smart decision was to stick with me. During the Marathon he went all out and died. Here he stayed with me and we ran.
He was also considering doing an extra lap with me but I kept telling him that whatever he chooses will work with me. As is, we ran together and he stayed with me until the last 1/2 mile or so on the last lap. That's when he took off to finish strong. Good for him.
I was worried during the race about Pepe. Haven't seen him at all the whole time...
Other things that happened...
I was wondering when Michael, the defending champ, would lap me and how often. Well, at mile 5.36, Michael F-L-E-W by. Number 2 and 3 were a few minutes later. Wasn't the first time nor the last that I would see them.
Regarding the rain...15 minutes into the race it started. It was on and off and on and off and on and off although the wind was pretty much on the whole time. During the out and back it was the worst. Heading into it was going straight into the wind and into the driving rain. The pot holes there were slowly turning into little ponds or lakes. Had to start running on the muddy grass. Awesome since it was full of goose crap. During the entire 10 laps, only 2 of those laps were rain free for that out and back. Vicious.
Saw and met many people there. There was a black dude who kept singing. Nice guy. On and off passed him.
Ultra-Marathoners are a community and is noticable. Even Jim later commented on how friendly and supportive everyone was. I saw Emmy, Frank and they looked good. Frank rocked. Emmy was just behind me for 7 laps. During the end of the 8th she passed me. After that...She just zoomed. Emmy is a 54(?) year old ultramarathoner and she rocks. She later told me that she was hurting and suffering and she should have stopped after about 2 or 3 laps and that's why she is now injured. She was using this as a training run for the Vermont race I think. She might have been suffereing but she looked damn good. Also saw triathlete, Barbara Cronin-Staglinari (sp?) otherwise known as Kona-Mom. Yes, I believe she has gone to Kona. She was running well. Slower I think than usual but consistenly.
After my 8th, as I was about to start the 9th, I saw Pepe for a second. He had just peaked out of the food tent. What a relief. Never saw Vinnie tho I was looking for him.
When Jim and I were about to finish my 6th, we saw Michael and at 2:20, he was headinf out for his last lap. At his pace, he was sure to beat last year's record. Anyway, we ran and ran and were about to enter the out and back when we saw numbers 2 and 3 start another loop. Then we saw Michael go in and things didn't make sense. He was behind them? Anyway, Jim at this point ran away to finish strong and I continued on. That's when Michael came out of the out and back and straight to the finish. I think he finished in 2:55ish. No course record this year but still...Amazing. And numbers 2 and 3 were just starting their last 5k!!!
Anyway, after Jim left, I knew things would get more difficult. The 2 small elevations turned into 3 or 4 hills. My left knee was starting to hurt but I continued on. When I started my last 2, I ran across a woman who still had 5 laps to go. Sucks.
Barbara finished 1 lap before me and at the finish line, I swerved to high-five her and almost missed the timing mats. Stupid. Turned around to cross them and another turn to continue and only later I realized I could have completly screwed up my knee that way.
At the Marathon point, I was about 7+ minutes behind my PR and chose to take a walking break up one of the hills. I wanted to get a pretzel from my carry on feed bag and decided to use the hill as a 2-fer. Walk and get food at same time. I was slowing down and I realized it and I was OK with it. I could have come closer to or maybe bear my PR but what's the point when you still have 5 miles to go?!? I was damn close and that was good enough. Gottta run smart at this distance.
About 2 miles from the finish (mile 28ish), I waited for this guy and we ran together and walked here and there a little too. Guy came in from Wisconsin just for this race and he was leaving the next night to Rome because in 2 weeks he is running the Rome Marathon. And apparently he knows Jamie Edge (http://runningdivamom.blogspot.com/) whom I was lucky to meet at the Princess half-marathon.
So, the course was beautiful. The rain and wind sucked. Actually had to run at times with my head looking up so I can see underneath the sunglasses. They were protecting my eyes but I couldn't see through them at all at times. Pretty well organized tho they could have had more porta-potties tho later I discovered they had real plumbing on the grounds. Still, glad I got there early. Wouldn't have wanted to be one of those on that long line for 3 porta-potties, 10 minutes before race start.
They had 2 stations. The first was at the halfway mark, at the top of the hill and there was only fluids there. The second was at the finish which we had to go through 10 times. Food and liquids. Once I finished, I went to look for food and they haad CRAP! I don't know if this is a glirc.org don't feed situation but ... ARGH! When I finished Greenbelt 50K, my choices were 10 foot heroes with tons of different meat and cheese on it. I'm not vegetarian but I don't eat that garbage either so how about choices? Here they had balognia(sp?) sandwiches. C'mon guys...Apparently the cheese was long gone. Went back out and took 1/2 a power bar and a hot chocolate which was awesome. Luckily had my food with me in the cooler.
I came in 7th out of 11 for my age group for masters. OK, fine... And like Greenbelt no finishers medal. That sucks too. They can't spend the 45 cents to give something out? Well, turns out that if I would have joined USATF, I probably would have gotten a medal for age group. As my wife said to me later, "did you run for the medal? No? So forget about it". Smart yet sucks too.
Post race: Someone at the tent asked us if he can bum a ride to any train station, pretty please. Pepe didn't mind so that was cool. Now, I gave some thought to the afterrace and therefore brought a nice warm and thick pair of socks and my crocs. I figured I'd wear their shirt for warmth. Well, since I was so cold at race start, I wore their shirt too. Yes, I wore 3 shirts in total (and 2 pants) and eveerything was completly soaked through. In other words, no change of shirt.
Got home and started shivering badly. Ran straight upstairs only to find that Lee Tilexed the whole bathroom and that a) the window was open (COLD!) and b) that I had to rinse the shower/tub before I could get in. Not easy to do when you are shaking badly but before I knew it, I was in the tub in HOT water. Lee brought me hot oatmeal and Jessie brought me hot chocolate with marshmellows. I don't like marshmellows but I swallowed the oatmeal and injested the hot chocolate in 2 seconds. Between the outer hot water and the inside hot food/liquid levage, I was warmed up fast. Every piece of clothing I wore at the race including the fresh pair off socks were drenched. Makes sense I was cold.
So, I'm not in pain. My father always said, "you only feel a muscle if you injure it". I don't "feel" my quads but I am aware of them. Still, up and down the stairs is fine. Had a massage yesterday and Arlene told me that I am tight in the neck and shoulders. I think it was partially due to the running with the head up business. I also hurt my left shoulder a little on Friday before the race so that didn't help.
Not sure how but I managed to get chaffed too. Little on the man parts, some on the left quad and on my lower back. I usually carry a ziplock bag of wipes there for emergencies and I think due to the rain, the cloths sank a little and somehow rubbed against me. Not sure exactly what happened but that first shower kinda sucked right there where I would normally want the hot water.
Still all in all a good experience.
One of the only NYRR race that I would still like to do is the knickerbocker 60K. That's 9 loops of a 4 mile course in Central Park. Hilly and 9 loops?!? Hopefully, the family will show up but that's in the future anyway. Probably not this year. But 9 loops...
And just for fun stats....This year, Michael Wardian, 3 time champ, beat number 2 by 9:01, running an average of 5:40 per mile. His best lap was both 1st and 2nd at 17:14 and his worst was the 10th lap at 18:42. This year 11 runners beat 3:30. And of course there was me.