Ted's Running Journal/Logbook: CONGRATULATIONS TO BXMers!/Update/Upcoming Trip

Monday, April 20, 2009

CONGRATULATIONS TO BXMers!/Update/Upcoming Trip

1:58 PM |

Posted by Ted |

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Before I go any further, I wanted to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all runners who have completed the 113rd Boston Marathon today! My hat off to all of you!

I am starting to get the kick out of making bullet-styled point update....

Ran last Saturday in Asbury Park Half Marathon.

Out of the blue, it was unseasonably warm. Race start temperature: 55 degrees. Finish race temperature: 73 degrees. Later that day, it hit close to 80 degrees for the first time this year.
I didn't taper at all last week prior to half marathon race. Only took one day off.
My sinus flared up! Spring time !
Race result: Came in 26th place out of 60 in age group @ 1:48:20 (Pace - 8:16)

Can't you believe two chicks outpaced me, dang it !

Update.....

33 more days till Vermont Marathon
No specific goal. Just finish it.
I took the liberty to study the elevation of Burlington, Vermont. This is unofficial research of mine on elevation.

Simply put: Not a flat-pancake course.

My unofficial mapping of Vermont Marathon.

I have decided to do something different out of this world. Don't get me wrong, New Jersey has plenty of bunny hills. Got me thinking..thinking..thinking... I have a terrific idea. I grew up in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is notorious for killer hills! I haven't been to Pittsburgh in 25 years (except for making a layover and drove through to Ohio). I have three valid reasons for wanting to run in Pittsburgh this weekend.

I am planning to do 18 miles run in Pittsburgh this Saturday. Check the elevation...

Killer hills, huh? Hee heh!

(click to enlarge)
My projected run in Pittsburgh.

Three reasons to run in Pittsburgh.

A run in the past is a blast ! Retracing my steps of growing up in Pittsburgh. I will have a chance to see my two homes I used to live. Schools. Parks. Neighborhoods.
This will give me a good closure since my brother used to run a lot in Pittsburgh.
I haven't been there in 25 years and this will be a terrific killer-hills workout for me to prepare for the Vermont Marathon.

HAVE A TERRIFIC REST OF THE WEEK.

24 comments:

FLYERS26 said...: Pittsburgh is a bad word around the FLYERS household right now!

Great time in the 1/2. Now I have a goal time for my 1/2 on May 3rd.; April 20, 2009 4:15 PM
Theresa said...: Yikes, you're going to run across McKnight road!?! (Former Pittsburgher here.) And careful on those curvy not-very-wide roads - folks tend to whip around them pretty fast!

I always tried to avoid the hills when I ran in Pittsburgh. :); April 20, 2009 4:41 PM
Melanie said...: Congrats on your HM! Awesome time!!!! High five! Enjoy Pittsburgh, those look like some killer hills, maybe I should take a drive there too for San Fran training! LOL Have a wonderful time.; April 20, 2009 7:37 PM
X-Country2 said...: I kind of like traveling to different places for runs/races. Good luck!; April 20, 2009 7:50 PM
Chad in the AZ Desert said...: That's a really good time in the half without any taper. Your marathon training is really paying off. Great job!; April 20, 2009 8:50 PM
Michelle said...: Ted that is so awesome. I had forgot that you were planning to go to Pittsburgh this coming weekend. I think the weather will be perfect for an 18 miler. Please, be careful and have a great fun exciting run. I want you healthy for the half in brooklyn. I feel like I need you there with me. I feel more confident that I will finish it with you besides me. :O)

And you rocked the half your time was amazing considering no taper. Next time taper. I know you love running but you need to be healthy.....

BOO-YAH!!! Good egg!!!; April 20, 2009 8:54 PM
Christie said...: Congrats on a great half!

Okay, so now I feel like a wuss. The hills I ran are bumps compared to those.; April 20, 2009 9:16 PM
Xenia said...: Great job in the half marathon, Ted! Those are some serious hills. Yikes! That's why I choose flat courses. :) Good luck with the training run.; April 21, 2009 4:05 AM
sneakersister said...: Great job on the Asbury HM! Yes, I have heard that the Vermont M is very hilly and I agree that Pittsburgh would make some great training grounds! You grew up there? Pgh is one of my favorite places ever! I can't believe you haven't been back in 25 yrs!!!; April 21, 2009 7:07 AM
Jess said...: Great job at Ashbury!; April 21, 2009 4:01 PM
David said...: Pittsburgh is where to be. I am excited to hear your excitement. Knock those hills down to size. They were bigger when you were a kid.; April 21, 2009 8:54 PM
kara said...: OO speedy fast! My pr is 1:55 and that's on a flat course.
But I'm older than you... so that's OK.
; )
Congrats Ted!; April 21, 2009 9:51 PM
Marci said...: Great job on that HM!! I have been eyeing Vermont recently .. looks like a fun event, but definately not flat.; April 21, 2009 11:10 PM
Marci said...: I was just comparing your planned Pittsburg route to Vermont... wow, talk about preparation...; April 21, 2009 11:13 PM
Fawn said...: Good luck with those hills!!; April 21, 2009 11:25 PM
SuperDave said...: Wow you are driving to Pittsburgh for a training run. What a concept! I usually run my training around the house. Not a bad idea..
Still a smoking time for the half!
You were spanked by those 2 elderly woman, cmon Ted!
jk ;); April 22, 2009 12:56 AM
robison52 said...: Smart to train on hills for a marathon with hills...not too many hills here in the Las Vegas desert. Take it easy on the downhills, those can be killers on your joints.

I've been "chicked" so many times I don't even recognize the difference anymore...isn't equality grand?!?; April 22, 2009 4:20 AM
Marlene said...: Congratulations on a strong half marathon! Great time!

Have fun in Pittsburgh. A "run" down memory lane will be nice and looks like you need some hill training for your marathon coming up. Good luck!; April 22, 2009 10:54 AM
Marcy said...: LMAO Ted! Why didn't you kick them as they ran by? (KIDDING!)

Fabulous finishing time my friend! ;D CONGRATS!; April 22, 2009 7:54 PM
Viper said...: Ick, doesn't it tell you something that you haven't been back to Pittspuke in 25 years?

Great job in the HM! Cheers.; April 23, 2009 1:12 PM
joyRuN said...: Congrats on a great time at the HM!

I started this running of mine among the hills of Pittsburgh, ironically. You'd think I'd be a stronger runner because of it ;)

Thanks also for your DM, Ted.; April 23, 2009 5:37 PM
bill carter said...: Hi Ted

First off, thanks for being so kind and supportive on my blog. You always make me feel good even when I am still pretty darn sick and a little bummed about Boston. You are the man, Ted.

I hope vermont goes well for you, but with your positive attitude and just the way you approach things, of course it will. It is an interesting thing, but I almost think you can do better on courses that aren't pancake flat as you use different muscles.

Best of luck to you and hope Pitt is fun.; April 23, 2009 9:05 PM
Nitmos said...: Well, nice job on the Half!

That elevation map looks ugly. I have one big hill next weekend then, if I time my fall at the top, I should be able to roll all the way to the finish.; April 24, 2009 11:19 AM
sRod said...: I've heard very good things about the Vermont Marathon. It should be a great time. Although I have heard about the hills and agree that your part of Jersey is essentially hill free.; April 26, 2009 7:53 AM