Race Report: San Jose 408K Race to the Row

Today's plan calls for an (8)K run from the HP Pavilion to Santana Row!

The 408K: Dist. (4.92)mi. Pace-avg: (14:10). Speed-avg: (4.2)mph. Speed-Max: (6.3)mph. Burned: (501) Calories. 2XU L/S shirt and Tights.

Plan: Run (8)K, or (4.97)mi.
Actual: Run , bracketed by a (1.0)mi. warm-up walk, and a (1.x)mi. cool-down walk.
Fuel: Pre-run: 1x cup coffee, 1x Honey Stinger Waffle (Honey); Mid-run: (water); Post-run: late lunch.

Splits:

Mile (1): (13:30);

Mile (2): (14:08);

Mile (3): (14:35):

Mile (4): (14:42);

Mile (0.92): (13:59).

I woke-up on time, more or less, but did not feel too well-rested. Mainly because I wasn't. Note to self: Avoid Spring Forward race days in the future, or at least don't forget the sleeping pill. I brushed my teeth, took my antacid, got dressed and had some of the complimentary Motel 6 coffee with a Honey Stinger waffle for breakfast. after that I walked down to the starting line, which was only (0.5)mi. away.

Walking to the Start.

There's the starting line up ahead.

 And away we go!

Traversing the first dip in the course on W. Santa Clara where it becomes The Alameda, just past the HP Pavilion.

Watch your breathing.

Moving on down the road at good pace, and getting ready to enter The Rose Garden District.

Coming up on the Towne 3 Theater.

Passing the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.

There goes The Rose Garden.

I actually dropped my camera in the street here, and it skittered across the road. It survived the experience, and kept on snapping pics for me. Next time I will wear a lanyard so I don't drop my camera while I'm trying to pull it out of my vest chest pocket.

Passing the 5K point at (46:55)min.

Approaching the 2nd dip in the course on West Hedding Street.

Coming off a switch-back in the course we headed west on West Hedding Street where we encountered the second dip in the course: an underpass that runs below Hwy. 880 and then leads us to Valley Faire Mall.

Mile 4 is in sight!

I managed to get at least one photo of the people behind me while running backwards, and I didn't even trip.

She's gaining on me.

The Mariachi Mile. No, seriously.

The Finish Line!!

So after all that I finally crossed the finish line in (1:09:40) hrs., which leaves my time of (1:08:29.0)hrs. in the Almond Blossom 8K as my 8K PR.

-Lancer!!

Tuesday Rainy Day Run

Today's plan calls for an Easy Run.

DC Bike Path: 1/2 Marathon Training, Easy Run. Dist: (3.11)mi. run; (1.21)mi. cool-down walk. Pace-avg: (15:11). Speed-avg: (4.0)mph. Speed-max: (5.5)mph. Burned: (451) Calories. 

Plan: Run (3.0)mi. @ a (17:57) pace for a total time of (53:53)min.
Actual: Run (3.11)mi @ an avg. (14:12) pace for a total time of (44:06.05)min., followed by a (1.21)mi. cool-down walk.
Fuel: Pre-run: (2x) slices wheat toast with peanut butter, (1x) cup of coffee; Mid-run: (water); Post-run: GU Roctane (Pineapple), expired 10/2011.

Good daytime run today. It was raining a little bit this afternoon, and there were other runners in the park today. I'm pretty sure it was a local high school cross-country team out on a training run. I neglected so set up my training run in advance with my Garmin, so I used the Training > Workout > Quick option, and selected a distance of (5)K for a run time of (45)min., which would have been a running pace of about (14:29)min/mi. This allowed to save some time by skipping my usual warm-up mile walk, and actually felt alright; I may do this a little more often.

Splits: Mile (1): (13:21); Mile (2): (14:17); Mile (3): (14:54); Mile (0.11): (14:49).


-Lancer!!

Saturday Easy Run

Today's plan calls for a Rest/XT Day, but I feel like going for an overdue Easy Run, instead.

DC Bike Path: 1/2 Marathon Training, Easy Run. Dist: (5.69)mi. Pace-avg: (16:06). Speed-avg: (3.7)mph. Speed-max: (4.7)mph. Burned: (592) Calories. Running lights.


Plan: Run (2.0)mi. @ a (17:57) pace, for a total of (35:54)min. Actual: Run (2.0)mi. @ a (14:17) avg. pace for a total of (28:33)min., bracketed by a (1.0)mi. warm-up walk, and a (2.69)mi. cool-down walk.
Fuel: Pre-run: peanut butter on wheat toast, coffee w/ sugar; Mid-run: water; Post-run: dinner.

Tonight's run was very nice. I was able to maintain a good pace and jogged two (2) continuous miles this evening, which was much better than my efforts earlier in the week. I'm not sure if the pre-run caffeine infusion, or maybe the warm-up squats, did the most to help me on tonight's run. Again, I wish I had taken my camera: Watching the mist form at ground level during the return leg of my run was rather beautiful.

Split paces: Mile (1): (14:04); Mile (2): 14:38).

Now I'm  a little torn between jumping in the shower to warm up, or change into gym clothes and go workout for a bit, now that my muscles are all warmed up already...


-Lancer!!