Only 5 Striders turned out at the Hop tonight. I know the holidays are busy and there are a lot of folks out of town. Still, I was expecting to see Steve B out there. Sure missed you, buddy! Still, fun was had.
I took off about 10 minutes early for my warmup and ran into Yong Collins heading back towards the picnic table. She turned right around and ran the remainder of the 2 miles with me. Think she had already done 8 and is tapering off in preparation for the Kingwood marathon on Monday. I guess Yong didn't mind running 13 minute miles with me. :o) I felt like I picked up the pace pretty good for me while we were running together. Yong is super cool. Turns out she knows my new bestest running buddy, Dusty well. Anyway, Yong told me about her training and about running marathons and gave me a few pointers. Interestingly, Yong, a big-time, fast, veteran of Lord knows how many marathons, does not do speed work at all during marathon season. She said she does speedwork in the summer but none at all during marathon season.
I felt really good tonight. The Hop routine, although still very challenging, is coming a bit easier to me than the first time I did it. I completed all the exercises, including the Greyhounds, in good fashion. Of course, the 2 mile warmup was fun and I was feeling good. I just ran about 15 mintues for the cooldown as it was getting late and I'd like to run 4 or 5 in the morning.
A friend of mine today was talking about pace groups for the marathon. I guess I never really considered it but I looked on the web site today and they have a 6:00 hour pace group. I wonder if that would be a good idea to join them. Alternatively, Dusty said he would pace me to a 6:00 hour finish if I wanted him to. His goal is to finish and continue his streak so that's another option. Wonder what others think about this. Any advice?
God Bless!!!
8 comments:
I had full intentions to make it out there, but poor health had me stranded in bed. :( Glad you had a good time.
On the pace groups, I would go with Dusty as he can make adjustments to your performance where the Marathon pace group will simply pound out the pace. As Steeeve says, "run your own race."
Steve speaks the truth. Running with Dusty would be fantastic, running with the 6 hour pace group would be turning your race over to a stranger, not a good thing.
Plenty of outstanding marathon pacers out there, don't get me wrong, but see March 04 Stridelines for the dark side.
Sorry to miss The Hop tonight, but the offset was Rutgers 37-KSU 10, there's a happy Rutgers grad at my house tonight :-)
Steeeve
Oooh, I can't advise really but Dusty sounds like a great option. ;>) Great job getting out there today!
i plan on staying with the 5:30 group as best i can with their strategy. i figure if i can at least keep close to them i will be doing good.
i guess i should add that i might change my mind after i find out what the pace leaders strategy is....then i will adjust. :o)
Hi, just stopping by to say hello. I have seen some of your posts at RunnersWorld.Com.... Thanks for being an inspiration.
See Red Run
I agree with the others...stick with Dusty!
Vic,
Dr. Bob has been the 6 hour pacer the past couple of years. Send him an email and ask his opinion & how he paces.
He's certainly not a stranger to you.
doug
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