7.63 mi in 00:57:21 - 7:31 ppm
I made it back to the Dowd again. This time it was Paul, Caitlin, Caleb Boyd, Kevin Ballantine, Matt Jaskot, Compton, and several more. David Brinkley even showed up; he's usually there every day to lift and decided to run with us this time.
We ran part of the Booty Loop and passed Anne Marie as she was doing another pick up run - which she nailed. I should add here that things really do go better for her when she doesn't run with me. I might be faster but she's a much smarter runner.
Caitlin, always the leader, took us down the greenway and then back to the Y before going off to do more. Compton discussed the possibilities of a fall marathon and then randomly disappeared. Paul, David, and I mostly ran together and discussed various training plans as well as a bit of race strategy for the upcoming RFYL 4-miler.
Look what they make you give...
Showing posts with label Caitlin Chrisman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Caitlin Chrisman. Show all posts
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Longest Run of the Season
Distance: 14.14 mi
Time: 01:43:25 - 7:18 ppm
Running Buddy
Two weeks ago I hit 14, for a season-long, and last week I went back down to just over 10, so I wanted to hit 14 or more today. I would have been okay with doing at least 12, but I told myself I'd keep going if I felt all right. The CRC group options for the day were either 6:30 a.m. at Providence Day or 7:00 a.m. at Old Bell (with the same group). I almost made the 6:30 option. I wanted to be able to run the first few miles with them so as not to have to join in when they were already doing sub-7:20 pace. Alas, 7:00 it was.
The group was huge today. Caitlin, Paul, Alex, Jason Martin, Beigay, and a couple more joined us at Old Bell after starting at PDS. Waiting with me at Old Bell were Aaron, Kahn, Boriana, Caleb, Compton, Alana Hadley, both Fillnows - I can't remember everyone. The Hovises met us later down the greenway. I love it when Kahn shows up because he's freakin' hilarious, and this was the first time I got to run with El Presidente, Senor Linz.
After we made it to the park, Paul and Alex took off for a tempo run. We came back through "lower Boyce," as they call it, where I badly turned my left ankle on the trail. Sprained ankles never heal, so it's a recurring issue for me - the left one, especially - not a big deal but it means I'm in for a not-so-fun week. We went back to Old Bell to pick up Meagan Nedlo - who wasn't there - and Boriana called it a day.
I'm still a little weird about running in large groups, so I normally end up setting the pace. It was Caitlin, Jason, and I up front for most of it and we kept it under 7:10 for a good portion. The funny thing about group long runs is how people just drop off and go home one-by-one. You'll be talking to someone, and then all of a sudden they're gone - out of your life again. Very strange. I ran with Caitlin and Jason almost all the way back to Sardis before turning around and heading back to my car all by my lonesome. I got in just over 14 for the day, making this my longest run of the season so far by a hair. I ran a faster pace and felt much better than I did a couple weeks ago, when we ran through Matthews for 14. The slightly cooler weather definitely helped.
Time: 01:43:25 - 7:18 ppm
Running Buddy
Two weeks ago I hit 14, for a season-long, and last week I went back down to just over 10, so I wanted to hit 14 or more today. I would have been okay with doing at least 12, but I told myself I'd keep going if I felt all right. The CRC group options for the day were either 6:30 a.m. at Providence Day or 7:00 a.m. at Old Bell (with the same group). I almost made the 6:30 option. I wanted to be able to run the first few miles with them so as not to have to join in when they were already doing sub-7:20 pace. Alas, 7:00 it was.
The group was huge today. Caitlin, Paul, Alex, Jason Martin, Beigay, and a couple more joined us at Old Bell after starting at PDS. Waiting with me at Old Bell were Aaron, Kahn, Boriana, Caleb, Compton, Alana Hadley, both Fillnows - I can't remember everyone. The Hovises met us later down the greenway. I love it when Kahn shows up because he's freakin' hilarious, and this was the first time I got to run with El Presidente, Senor Linz.
After we made it to the park, Paul and Alex took off for a tempo run. We came back through "lower Boyce," as they call it, where I badly turned my left ankle on the trail. Sprained ankles never heal, so it's a recurring issue for me - the left one, especially - not a big deal but it means I'm in for a not-so-fun week. We went back to Old Bell to pick up Meagan Nedlo - who wasn't there - and Boriana called it a day.
I'm still a little weird about running in large groups, so I normally end up setting the pace. It was Caitlin, Jason, and I up front for most of it and we kept it under 7:10 for a good portion. The funny thing about group long runs is how people just drop off and go home one-by-one. You'll be talking to someone, and then all of a sudden they're gone - out of your life again. Very strange. I ran with Caitlin and Jason almost all the way back to Sardis before turning around and heading back to my car all by my lonesome. I got in just over 14 for the day, making this my longest run of the season so far by a hair. I ran a faster pace and felt much better than I did a couple weeks ago, when we ran through Matthews for 14. The slightly cooler weather definitely helped.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Group Run at McAlpine
Distance: 10.23 mi
Time: 01:14:31 - 7:16 ppm
Running Buddy
In keeping with the plan to do long runs with a (fast) group, I peeped the CRC Facebook page to see the main long run option involved McAlpine for this week. I think I can go ahead and state for all future references that McAlpine is simply the best place to run in the Charlotte area. There is nowhere else that offers the combination of easy access, a soft surface, potential miles of trails, and a legendary race course. There is nowhere else in Charlotte that could be considered a legendary race course; nevermind the other factors.
I was the first to drive up for this group run, and I finally met CRC co-founder Jay Holder for the first time as we waited to see who else would show up. It quickly became apparent that we would have a good-sized group, especially considering the 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning start. Jay and I were quickly joined by a middle-aged black guy named A.J., then Alex Wernikoff, Paul Mainwaring, Jason Martin, Caitlin Chrisman, Stephen Spada, and at least two other dudes whom I don't know.
We headed down the greenway at an easy 7:40-ish pace, with yours truly fully aware that it wouldn't stay that slow for long. Paul turned around after less than a mile; I'm assuming he had started an hour earlier. Jay asked me a few questions about my car and I turned into a Hyundai Motor salesman for about five minutes. Believe me, they are making the best cars for the mainstream buyer right now. I'm not saying that because I have one; I have one because I know this to be true.
John Compton joined us at the park and our group headed towards Harris Boulevard. Jay, Caitlin, and I had been setting the pace for awhile and I eventually eased towards the back to have a few words with Compton. I had noticed he missed the latest GPX race, King Tiger, and I asked him about it, assuming he wasn't really training for the series. I figured this was his year to win it but he told me that his coaching duties and several high-level out-of-town races would pull him away from the series for most of the year. I guess that means it's Paul's for the taking (Paul won King Tiger easily in a time of 16:08).
As discussed previously, I actually do enjoy running alone - it's just that I want to get faster and the solo stuff isn't going to help. Running in a large group on a narrow greenway is a new experience once again; at one point I threw back my left arm to stretch and nearly took off A.J.'s head in the process. But all in all, I think it will work wonders and I consider myself a regular amongst the Sunday group runs from here on out. The pace was quick for a long run, as we clipped along in the low 7s for most of it, but the conversation and the large group made it go by fast. When I wasn't joining Compton and Caitlin in making fun of Chris Elder I was talking NBA Finals with Jason and some guy I don't know.
We got back to the park and Compton, Martin, and myself split off from the group to visit the water fountain and the bathroom. We would fail to re-up but it was just as well for me as I was over 8 miles in with a 2-mile run back to my car. I ran back with Jason and we reeled off 7-flat pace for the last one-mile-plus. We discussed coaching some more and as I prepared to head home he took off back down the greenway - saying something about having another 45 minutes for today's run.
Getting the run out of the way early does wonders for me. Logistically speaking, it makes sense because it's 20 degrees cooler, but it also sets the tone for the rest of the day. I already feel like I've accomplished that one thing, that GREAT thing, and whatever other travails throw themselves my way for the rest of the day, I will be all right.
Life is good.
Time: 01:14:31 - 7:16 ppm
Running Buddy
In keeping with the plan to do long runs with a (fast) group, I peeped the CRC Facebook page to see the main long run option involved McAlpine for this week. I think I can go ahead and state for all future references that McAlpine is simply the best place to run in the Charlotte area. There is nowhere else that offers the combination of easy access, a soft surface, potential miles of trails, and a legendary race course. There is nowhere else in Charlotte that could be considered a legendary race course; nevermind the other factors.
I was the first to drive up for this group run, and I finally met CRC co-founder Jay Holder for the first time as we waited to see who else would show up. It quickly became apparent that we would have a good-sized group, especially considering the 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning start. Jay and I were quickly joined by a middle-aged black guy named A.J., then Alex Wernikoff, Paul Mainwaring, Jason Martin, Caitlin Chrisman, Stephen Spada, and at least two other dudes whom I don't know.
We headed down the greenway at an easy 7:40-ish pace, with yours truly fully aware that it wouldn't stay that slow for long. Paul turned around after less than a mile; I'm assuming he had started an hour earlier. Jay asked me a few questions about my car and I turned into a Hyundai Motor salesman for about five minutes. Believe me, they are making the best cars for the mainstream buyer right now. I'm not saying that because I have one; I have one because I know this to be true.
John Compton joined us at the park and our group headed towards Harris Boulevard. Jay, Caitlin, and I had been setting the pace for awhile and I eventually eased towards the back to have a few words with Compton. I had noticed he missed the latest GPX race, King Tiger, and I asked him about it, assuming he wasn't really training for the series. I figured this was his year to win it but he told me that his coaching duties and several high-level out-of-town races would pull him away from the series for most of the year. I guess that means it's Paul's for the taking (Paul won King Tiger easily in a time of 16:08).
As discussed previously, I actually do enjoy running alone - it's just that I want to get faster and the solo stuff isn't going to help. Running in a large group on a narrow greenway is a new experience once again; at one point I threw back my left arm to stretch and nearly took off A.J.'s head in the process. But all in all, I think it will work wonders and I consider myself a regular amongst the Sunday group runs from here on out. The pace was quick for a long run, as we clipped along in the low 7s for most of it, but the conversation and the large group made it go by fast. When I wasn't joining Compton and Caitlin in making fun of Chris Elder I was talking NBA Finals with Jason and some guy I don't know.
We got back to the park and Compton, Martin, and myself split off from the group to visit the water fountain and the bathroom. We would fail to re-up but it was just as well for me as I was over 8 miles in with a 2-mile run back to my car. I ran back with Jason and we reeled off 7-flat pace for the last one-mile-plus. We discussed coaching some more and as I prepared to head home he took off back down the greenway - saying something about having another 45 minutes for today's run.
Getting the run out of the way early does wonders for me. Logistically speaking, it makes sense because it's 20 degrees cooler, but it also sets the tone for the rest of the day. I already feel like I've accomplished that one thing, that GREAT thing, and whatever other travails throw themselves my way for the rest of the day, I will be all right.
Life is good.
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