United States Air Force (Half) Marathon

Posted on September 22, 2009May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

The United States Air Force in Dayton Ohio held the 13th annual Marathon weekend September 19, 2009.

This was the first time I ever ran the race. I debated for awhile whether to run in this race or the Fort For Fitness the following weekend. Dayton appeared to be a fairly flat course and I was unsure about the Fort4Fitness course. The other reason was they had pace teams for the half marathon that you could join. Since my goal was to try and get under two hours I elected to try Dayton and go with a pace team. Main reason I wanted under a two hour time was to try and get a better starting position in an upcoming race.

At the start I was pretty fresh, and ready to roll and hung with the 9:10 pace for about 4.5 miles, then I gave out. It was just a little to ambitious I guess.

It didn’t take to long to discover that I wasn’t ready to maintain this pace for the distance. Dropped down the pace a bit, but it was to late, the legs had already gone south. I kept hobbling on to the end, but not all that happy with the time. Out of the three half’s I have run this was the slowest.

Still, it was fun. A night at the top of the line Super 8 hotel only about two miles from the race. My photographer learned how to use the “continuous” mode on the camera so got a good series of the finish line, including the good shot with the finishing time showing.

They gave out a really nice finishers medal, some day going to have to do something with them other than toss them into the shoe box.

Some stats for the race:

a) 13.1 Miles
b) finished 2132 out of 3839 overall
c) finished 61 out of 114 in my age group.
d) finished 1347 out of 1930 men.
e) had a 10:26 pace, 2:16:29 total. (Definitely not a PR.)
f) You can see the full details on the running stats web page.
h) had a great time – which is always the goal right?… Right!

You can view all the photos if you are tired of watching the grass grow.

Until the Sky’s of blue are no more,

George

A fun night out – Kodo Drummers

Posted on February 17, 2009May 7, 2022 by GeorgeK

While much of my time has been occupied with running lately, I realize there are other things in life too, this is about one of them.
Something I have been wanting to see for several years was in town! AND I was also in town, and my DW got us tickets to go and see the Kodo Drummers!

2/17/2009… days later. Went to the show. It was great. Got a few “before the show” photos but none during the performance. They are not worth posting, so if you want to see it, guess you will have to go.

You can look for tour schedule and other information here –> https://www.kodo.or.jp/news/index_en.html

Until the final drum is quiet,
George

Update on Houston EP5K

Posted on January 26, 2009May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

They just sent an email with updated stats. I had not been able to calculate the actual places within division and age group. They must have discovered that so sent the info out to everyone.

The percentages look really good, and I am really pleased with the performance.
Stats:
Chip Time 27:22
Pace : 8:49
Division: Male 55-59
Division: 13 out of 57 (Top 22%)
Gender : 379 out of 1230 (Top 30%)
Overall : 503 out of 2840 (Top 17%)

Time: 27:22 & Pace: 8:48

So overall a very positive start to the 2009 season. Next up is the Super 5K in Novi Michigan on February 1, 2009… back to the cold and snow. Have been running this week in 10-15 degree temperatures. With a good head cover, insulated compression shirt, light running jacket and tights I still work up a sweat and keep warm. Only issue I had… I have gone to really heavy weight gloves to keep my fingers from going numb. Maybe some windproof mittens are on the shopping list!

All the pictures are now posted on the photo album page!

Until frosty fingers are abolished,
George

The first race of 2009 Special Notes = Warm + PR

Posted on January 24, 2009May 3, 2022 by GeorgeK

This weekend was a bit of a change up for racing. If you read the last post on the New Year’s Eve run you know the temperature was around 20 degrees in Detroit when I ran it. This Sunday I ran in the elpaso 5K, in Houston, Texas. The weather at the 7:30 am start was in the mid 50’s! Very nice change. Actually it was warm enough the full marathon went “Condition Yellow” because of the wind and temperature.

The other positive aspect of the race, I set a new PR for a 5K @ 27:22, or a pace of 8:48. (I am going to assume a lot of the runners were in either the half or full marathon, which made it easier to move up in the positions in the 5K.)

Stats:

Overall in 5K race: 502/2818

Age Group: 13/57

Time: 27:22 & Pace: 8:48

So overall a very positive start to the 2009 season. Next up is the Super 5K in Novi Michigan on February 1, 2009… back to the cold and snow.

If I get them out of the camera, and onto the web site you will eventually be able to see the pictures!

Now I still have a couple of days to get outdoors and run in 70 degree temps before I have to return to the frozen city of Ann Arbor! There are at least two really popular places to run here in Houston, Memorial Park and Hermann Park adjoining Rice University. Hopefully will get a chance to do both of them in the evenings before I leave.

Until Global Warming hits Ann Arbor,
George

Martian Marathon Invaded by Kazology Running Team!

Posted on March 23, 2008May 8, 2022 by GeorgeK

The count down has begun to the Martian Marathon, well in my case the Martian 10K, which is pretty much a marathon for me!

The race is less than two weeks away on Saturday April 5, 2008. ???? like ????? I think I can go the distance, probably not non-stop, but a short enough “breather” to still keep the time pretty reasonable. ???? ????? ???? 777 ???? ?????

Should be a fun race! I am hoping the weather does not decide to dump more snow the night before – or during the race! ????? ?? ?????? After the latest round on Friday the 21st, Ann Arbor broke all annual snowfall records that went back to 1880 when the first records were kept, so it would not surprise me since we sometimes get snow that late! Better get out and buy those YakTraxs to have on ~~hand~~ ~~foot~~ feet!

Until the last alien abduction is solved,