Kensington Challenge 2010 – A 15K race.

Posted on September 19, 2010May 7, 2022 by GeorgeK

Saturday, September 18, 2010 was the 27th Annual John Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge at Kensington Metropark about 30 minutes North of Ann Arbor.

The day started pretty well, up early, but not so early since the race did not start until 9:15 as opposed to the typical 6 am start for a lot of other races. Guess that is one good thing about going into the fall season, cooler weather allows later starts. Plus they probably do not want everyone trying to run in the dark since it is now pitch black at 6 am.

Stopped for a little caffeine on the way, then followed the GPS to the parking lot at Kensington.

This is the second time I have run this race so was somewhat familiar with the layout, made my way down to the pavilion and picked up my bib and swag bag.

Back to car to put bib number on shirt and generally prepare. Saw in the bag they gave sweatshirts instead of technical shirts. Guess that is okay, but I do not wear sweatshirts all that much, and if I knew it, I would have ordered a larger size since sweats have a tendency to shrink quite a bit.

“Geared Up”, Garmin, HRM, Halo head band in pocket, a gel “in case”. Talked for quite a while to the young lady parked next to me. Either always very chatty, or nervous about race but she kept the conversation moving! At 9:05 off with the warm ups, start the Garmin etc. and walk to the start line. They did the introduction thing, played the National Anthem, and then off we went. It was a gun start, no timing mat, but since the crowd was not all that huge it probably only made a few seconds difference in overall time… and since there was not a “start line” I did not know for sure where to start the watch anyway!

A short uphill, then a long downhill run to start. This course doesn’t have any monster hills, but it is probably one of the hilliest that I run on.

The weather had been “threatening” since early morning, and about mile 3 it finally let go! Fortunately it was about 58 degrees, and the rain was not to cold. It poured pretty good for about a mile, then let up…. for about 10 minutes when it started up again. Since everyone was thoroughly soaked from the first downpour this one did not make any difference. It actually had a benefit in keeping me cool, which I liked. I was glad at this point that I made the decision not to have taken the camera along. Might not have been a disaster since I also normally pack a zip lock bag to put the camera in to protect against sweat or the possibility of rain, rivers, floods and typhoons happening while on the course. But without it I did not have to fiddle around with trying to get out the bad, get the camera in it and get it stowed in the SPI belt that I normally use. After the few few miles I often find myself running with people that have settled into the same pace, give or take. In this race there was one person that would just fly by everyone for a couple hundred yards or more while huffing and puffing like a wheezing locomotive, then he would stop and walk, then pass the same people, then stop and walk. Maybe this is the “Run-Walk-Run” method, but it didn’t seem to effective to me, and in the end he was far behind all of us. Maybe a little more even pace would work… I don’t know though I’m not a coach and can barely run myself. A couple other people I was with during about mile 4,5, 6 ,7 and 8 pretty well all kept pace together. Sometimes they would gain a few feet, sometimes I would catch back up. This works really well for me as I determine not to let them get to far ahead. About mile 5 the person in the lead seemed to pick it up a bit, and I hung in there. Finally about mile 8 I moved by all of them and took the lead. I had no idea by how much until there was a point where we had a short “out and back”, when I went around the cones and started seeing the people behind me I was still only 10 yards ahead of them. After a few more minor ups and downs we made the final run to the finish. About two hundred yards out the one person edged by me, I told him to “Go for it” and he started pumping, with me following.

Final result, two minutes off my 2008 time! While not a huge amount of difference it was significant for me since I have felt that I have been getting slower, not faster as I run more. The other significance was that I never stopped to walk, which is the first time for awhile. So overall a very good race for me.

The results are now posted and I see how I did, pretty well in age group with a 7 out of 18, and overall…. I was actually hoping to do a little better in my AG based on moving up an age group, and that groups prior years results, but it seems all the people that kept beating me in the 55-59 group are still running, but now in the 60-64 group. I guess all I can do is outlast them… the 70-74 AG looks pretty open right now.

No pictures of this race due to rain, etc. They took some on course and at finish so if one of those turns out okay may get it.

Some results.

The Age Group Standings.

The course itself runs around the lake.

Until it never rains on a race again,

George

Uploading Custom POI files to a Garmin GPS Unit.

Posted on January 21, 2010May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

In the first part of this two part series I wrote about creating a new POI file using ITN Converter and saving it so you may upload it into your GPS unit.

So, are you ready to proceed?

If you did not install the Garmin POI loader software when you got your unit, go and download it, then install it on your PC.
https://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/

Use the link to download. This page also mentions “Proximity Alerts” which you will need to set later when you are uploading your files to the GPS unit.

Now that you have the “POI Loader” installed you are ready to go. Get your GPS unit, plug it into your computer using a USB cable. When it is attached turn the GPS on. After a short time the the Garmin screen should show something like the following picture.

Now open the Garmin POI Loader software using your new desktop icon.

The software should open up, read what it has to say and then click “Next”.

The next screen asks where you want to save your POI file to. Until you learn more about this, leave the default “Garmin Device” radio button selected. If is does not happen to be selected, do so, then click “Next”.

If you have the Garmin plugged in properly, and it is turned on, the program should automatically find your device. You can click on the button (15) but should not have to do so. Either way, make sure it shows in the window before you proceed. Once it does, click “Next” (17).

In the next window you can clear the old POI’s from the unit (perhaps you have some you no longer want. If you are just adding new POI files, or overwriting your existing ones, then just leave “Linstall new customer POI’s onto your device” radio button selected. Then click on “Next”.

The next window requires some minor decisions to be made by you. Where is/are the POI files located at on your system. You do remember where you saved them from the first post when we created them… browse to that folder. (18)

TIP: If you begin making multiple POI files create separate folders for the “Current” and “Old” files.

TIP: If you begin making multiple POI files, or editing them and like to save the old versions as I do, then create separate folders for the “Current” and “Old” files. When you start to upload you will find it makes things much easier to select the files you want to use.
Pick your units of measure that you use. (19) and finally select whether you want the software to automatically upload everything, or if you want to do it manually. Select “Manual”! (20) I am pretty sure you won’t like the defaults on the automatic setting. Finally, click on “Next”. (21)

Once you click “Next” it will start preparing the files to upload. For every file it finds in the directory you selected it will ask what you wish to do with that file. (22) (This is why only having the current files in the directory is handy, you don’t have to skip all the files you do not want loaded.)
You can “Ignore the file” and go to the next one in the directory you selected. You can decide if you want “proximity alerts” for the file or not. (23) Basically these notify you when you are in range of any of the specific points contained in the file you are opening at the time. The “Alert when speed is greater than the Alert Speed” setting could be used to warn you to slow down when you are nearing your intended destination so you do not go past it, or maybe if you have “speed traps” programmed in it will just pop up a warning when you are in the vicinity of the programed locations. In that case a red box pops up on the GPS warning you that you are exceeding the speed you have selected. I like the “Alert whenever you get close to a point, and go with the default quarter mile (1320 feet). You might also like a half mile or some other distance. If so just enter it here and make sure you select the associated radio button. Once you have made your choices, click on “Next”. (24)

Once you have selected and configured the final file in the directory the software automatically goes to work. It converts the files to the correct format and loads them all into the GPS unit. This only takes a few seconds normally. Unless maybe you have some extremely large files. I have a total of almost 15,000 points I load and it goes quite rapidly. Once the “Congratulations” screen pops up you are done! Click “Finish (25) and then detach your GPS from the USB cable and go for a drive!

Now that you have added all your favorite POI’s you need to know how to find them on the unit! Since I had been using a Magellan unit for some time prior to getting the Garmin it took a few tries to get to them the first time. Once you do it though it is easy enough in the future.
When the unit starts up, you get the main screen. Click on “Where To?”.

On the next screen go to “Extras”

On the next screen go to “Custom POI’s” (Go figure…)

Finally if you have multiple Custom POI’s you will be given a choice of them. Here is why adding the number to the beginning of the file name helps to put the frequently used files at the top of the list.

Now that you have the file loaded you can pick the location you want to navigate to from the list.

Verify this is the location you want to navigate to and hit “GO”!

And as soon as it calculates everything you are on your way!

Until the final way point is added,
George

2010 Disney Marathon January 10, 2010 Orlando Florida – wait – I was in Florida?

Posted on January 16, 2010May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

Almost a year ago I signed up for the 2010 Disney Marathon. Since it normally sells out early I wanted to make sure I got in this year. It sure is hard to predict what is going to happen that far in the future! Who would have thought that on this weekend in Orlando Florida it would in the upper 20 degree Fahrenheit with icy cold winds and even some sleet thrown in! What a race weekend. I had packed for cool temperatures. I had old “throw-a-way” sweats so I could keep warm and then discard. I had gloves, even made some disposable arm warmers our of old – I mean old – athletic socks, the almost to the knee type, quite bulky they were again with the idea they would be tossed along the course when it warmed up.
Mickey is one cool dude, ready to roll in the marathon.

What I didn’t pack was running tights, but I did not expect it to be “that” cold. Lesson learned… for the space they would have taken up it would have made it much more comfortable. The race start is at 5:40 am, so it is an early morning! Up at 3 to start dressing, taping sensitive areas, anti-chaffing lube, etc. I had brought oat meal (instant) to have since I figured there would not be any place to get something at that hour, but what I did not count on was there was no microwave, or even coffee pot in the room. I travel often for work and have found it easy to make oatmeal using the instant coffee makers so that was my plan. Without one though I did the best I could…. ran the tap water until it was as hot as it was going to get, then mixed it up using that…. it was edible and served to get me something in the stomach is the best I can say for that.

We headed off about 4 am to catch the shuttle bus from the hotel (Disney Pop Century resort) to the venue. As we were sitting and relaxing we could see people driving in sitting in miles of traffic backed up. This was one of the reasons I elected to stay on Disney property. The hotel was not that great, but the shuttle service to different activities is great, plus it saves a minimum of $14 parking every trip. Plus you get dropped off a lot closer to the gate/activity than if you parked since that normally requires an additional tram ride from the parking to the gate.

Still had to walk a couple of blocks to the main area… then got “lost” could not find the start area, and even asking several people could not find it… they said they were looking also…. Finally found a person that said you have to go through the gear drop off tents, come out the other side, then walk another half mile (at least) to the start area. Whew… was starting to wonder what was going on. People there were doing everything they could to keep warm. I saw hotel towels wrapped around heads, blankets turned into serapes, garbage bags, quilts, space blankets (people who ran Saturday) and many other methods to keep warm. NO one actually looked warm though.

Finally could hear the announcer, then fire works went off followed by a roar from the crowd and we were off. I only was about 2 minutes from the start line while I understand others may have been an hour or more (?) before they got to the start line. The race itself went pretty good…up to a point. I was right on my plan, ticking off about 10:30 miles consistently. Heart rate never went up, breathing stayed pretty good, not labored or struggling at all. Stopped a couple of times for some photos to be taken with characters along the route, and a few shots of the park, hot air balloon and other things. (Check the photo album for all these.) Saw Paul several times along the course. He was following the suggested viewing points map and hustling from one place to another. We did see each other at the start, then missed at the four mile mark…. odd since it was the exact same place since it was a loop! Then again at 9 and 12 miles which was the final until the finish. Ran through the castle and got in line to have my picture taken in front of it… unfortunately I still had the old sweatshirt on. While I was in line I was struggling to get it off so my bib number would show so I could find the picture later. I was hopelessly trapped in the damn thing! Finally I got it over my head and off one arm, but it got hung up on the Garmin and it was my turn to go for a picture. I am sure when they are ready I will find myself with a big smile and a bigger sweatshirt ball around my left hand! Oh well.

After the picture I did get it off and dumped in by a trash can. I had been sweating up a storm in it so was happy to have it off…. for about two minutes, then the sweat started to cool off and I got pretty cold again. It didn’t help that at the same time we headed out of the park and onto the road, and in shade. Kept plodding along until about mile 23, then as they say “The wheels fell off”… big time. My HR still good, calves, thighs and hamstrings seemed to be fine, no breathing issues but my hips went completely to hell and back… well not back I guess. The next three miles were pretty miserable, and the pace dropped off to the 15 minute range. I was on pace for under five hours up to mile 23, then with those times there was no way that was gonna happen. I was pretty happy when the finish line came into sight! Managed to get the legs moving for the last several hundred yards and made it across the line. Got my reflective blanket which felt really good, my medal which looked really nice, and some food. Found Paul and we got pictures with Chip and Dale and then I was ready to head to the hotel and a warm shower, which is what we did.

So ends my first marathon. At 5:13 time I was hoping for sub 5 hour, but this only means the next one will be easy to PR in…. just when that will be is still undecided, so stay tuned.

The official bib has your name on it. This allows the spectators along the course to heckle cheer you on!

A blanket at the end feels pretty good! As you start cooling down the sweat makes things a little nippy. Temps are still in the low 30’s at this time.

Picture that opens when you click above: At this point I think I am actually going to make it, although if you could see a video of me right now you might swear I am really going backwards….

The final stats for the race, certainly not what I thought going in, but still not that big a disaster for my first marathon.

The course winds through the parks for 26.2 miles.

…. and Mickey heads off to somewhere, to do something….

They give out one of the better medals… oohhh…. shiny…..

At the end we got some pictures taken with the Disney characters. They are in hurry to get everyone through, so didn’t get the perfect picture, but it was still fun.

You can see the full details on the running stats web page.(Index)

or this specific race.

Until Mickeys ears freeze and fall to the ground by the iguanas,
George

2009 Belle Isle New Year’s Eve 4 Mile Race

Posted on January 8, 2010December 4, 2022 by GeorgeK

Who: Me
What: 4 Mile Race
When: New Year’s Eve 2009,
Where: Bell Isle, Detroit Michigan
Why: Darn good question

The Belle Isle 4 mile race celebrated it’s 40th anniversary this year which must put it up there for one of the older races in the Detroit area. The activities such as packet pick up, restroom and then after race result posting along with food and drink are all held in the Belle Isle Casino… which apparently hasn’t been updated since the first year of the race. It is no longer really a casino, just a building with two floors and various rooms. It if truly was an active casino at one time, it was certainly small compared to modern day casinos such as Motor City or the MGM. According to the article below it was at one time an operational casino.

Wikipedia entry on Belle Isle.

An article published by the Friends of Belle Isle which lists the attractions of the island.

It is actually a nice place to visit during the summer, although as most venues in Detroit, it may not the the safest place to be on a hot summer night. The various attractions on the island unfortunately show their age, and also reflect the current financial situation of the city of Detroit.

One comment on the casino, the referenced article mentions the casino was built to take advantage of the cooling breezes before air conditioning was invented… well that certainly is true! This year, as last year, the weather was chilly, wet and with a brisk river breeze!

“The 2009 Belle Isle New Years Eve 4 Mile race Photo Album is complete!”

The official bib number.

The days activities include a one mile run, a four mile run/walk and a four mile race. I am always impressed by some of the one milers, mainly kids under 12 (I think) some run some pretty good times. There are pictures available for purchase, which you don’t have to do, but there are a lot of good shots taken of the race you might like to see, including the kids run. These include some of a friend that ran the race, but not me… but I have my own photographer(s).

This also has to be one of the flattest races you could imagine. The island can’t vary more than a few feet in altitude at any point. The “adjusted” track from the Garmin FR 305. The track is adjusted in SportsTrack software by updating the gps points against an official topographical map with the altitude.

As was mentioned race day was wet and blustery! Earlier in the afternoon it was still fairly nice, not sunny but at least warmer and drier. Just before race time a light drizzle started and that seemed to cool everything down rapidly. Nothing like last year’s conditions though!

The race grew quite a bit since last year with about 400 more runners registered this . Maybe because the race is seeing a little more advertising and publicity. Last year I only heard about it by noticing a flyer at the Detroit Turkey Trot race. No web site was found on it, maybe a few of the running web sites listed it, but in general it was a secret race. This year it was on several of the news channels the day before, and can be found via Google or other search engines. Also, and I think a BIG plus is this year had online registration! Prior years required a paper entry from be completed and mailed in, then either verified via email or trusting they got it and you just showed up and hoped your packet was ready. There is no early packet pick up, everything is done the day off the race. Notice to late comers… you can register right then fairly painlessly if you suddenly decided to come out and freeze your tuskus with the rest of the crazies.

Last year they gave each participant a wooden plaque, this year was a medal.

The online stats listing was published pretty quickly after the race.

You can see the full details on the running stats web page.(Index) or this specific race.

h) had a great time – which is always the goal right?… Right!

Until the final resolution is kept,

George

Detroit Turkey Trot 10K 2009

Posted on November 27, 2009May 7, 2022 by GeorgeK

The Detroit Turkey Trot for 2009 has come and gone. Although as of right now the results have gone into some digital never-never land. They were there, I got screen shots, went back to check on some other runners and now nothing is available. (Update about 8:30 pm they came back.)

I have to hand it to those people that are willing (and able to) run the entire race in these outfits

This is always a fun race to be part of. Many people come in costume, and there are awards for the best ones. In the photo album you will see some of them, but the photographer felt some of the best were not captured. I have to hand it to those people that are willing (and able to) run the entire race in these outfits, even if it is “only” the 5K. Some look very hot, others just physically difficult to actually run in.

“The Detroit Turkey Trot 10K 2009 Photo Album will be posted when it is complete!” It’s ready now!

This year we managed to avoid the hour long wait in line to get into a parking garage by bypassing all the cars waiting to get into Cobo Hall parking structure. Instead we went directly under Cobo coming out of the tunnel a couple blocks away and went straight to a garage by the Renaissance Center. While that was great, we were now quite early! We hiked over a couple blocks to Cobo Hall and hung out getting some coffee and using the bathroom and keeping warm. Oh, did I mention it was 36 degrees with about a 30 mile per hour wind. Brrr… I had checked the temperature before leaving home and thought I would be okay with a regular shirt and shorts along with arm warmers, gloves and a head band. If I had known about the wind I would have added tights to that list. Since I didn’t have them I ended up leaving the warm up pants on for the race. Ended up okay, legs did get a little warm, but maybe better than to cold and stiff.

The official bib number.

As last year the place was packed! With 14,000 people registered they ended up with 12420 finishers! A lot of people crowding into the same space, both indoors and on the course.

So… after the race was over, without a PR unfortunately, we found each other in the hoards of people in Cobo Hall basement… remembering this year to take cell I phones! (I even wore the SPI Belt to carry my cell phone for after the race!) We took our walk back to the parking garage, where being early had gotten a close parking place, and got into the car, started it up and pulled out into the aisle… where we sat for over fourty five minutes before we moved even one car length. Seems they opened the exit above us, and every car in the parking garage from the higher decks got through the one exit booth before our floor did. Finally after one hour and twenty minutes we were able to pay our money (which included an hour time @ $4.00 waiting to get out) and hit the road for home again. While I felt I ended up higher in the overall and age group standings the time was a couple of minutes off my best effort to date. Maybe the warm up pants slowed me down, or maybe I just have been doing to many “easy runs” and absolutely no speed work in months. The final stats from Active.com web site are below.

You can see the full details on the running stats web page.

h) had a great time – which is always the goal right?… Right!

Until the final gobbler is gobbled,

George

Big House Big Heart 2009

Posted on October 9, 2009May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

The Big House Big Heart 5K – 2009 running “The Big House Big Heart photo album…. will be here some day” with a finish on the 50 yard line of the University of Michigan football stadium.
T

he Big House Big Heart Flyer.

The official bib number, and a picture of the course captured by the Garmin FR 305 during the race.

The age group results for the race…

… and the total stats.

You can see the full details on the running stats web page.

The course started just North of the University of Michigan stadium, winds through nearby neighborhoods, then returns to the campus and enters the tunnel to the football field. Once through the tunnel a half lap of the field is made coming back up to the 50 yard line to finish.

Until college football is extinct,
George