It was great running the Hidden Gem Half Marathon
today. I had a good race in May at the
LincolnWay Half Marathon, but missed the signup for the Hidden Gem. Luckily,
Carol Milkins sold/transferred her bib to me. I had been running in the 8-12
mile range for a few weeks, but since I got the bib on August 9, I only had 3
more weekends for long runs. So I compressed the time a bit in between long
runs and squeezed 5 long runs into 4 weeks:
- · Sat Aug 9 – 12 miles
- · Thurs Aug 14 – 14 Miles
- · Wed Aug 20 - 12 Miles
- · Mon Aug 25 – 10 miles
- · Sat Aug 30 – 8 miles
- · Sat Sep 6 – Race Day
I would not recommend this, but I have occasionally done one
or two long runs on 5-6 days rest, instead
of 7. Usually because of weather, work or other schedule conflicts. I have been
getting more running in than usual, running 4 days instead of 3, or running 5-6
miles during the week instead of 3-4.
But it has been hard to focus on training because I was laid off from my
job in March. I am still in limbo of a
bit too early to fully retire, and a bit too much gray in my hair for some
jobs, apparently.
The whole organization and community involvement of the Flossmoor
area is awesome! It reminds me of the spirit of the Park
Forest 10 Miler, which was my first race over 5K. I probably ran with the FNRC group more often
than recent years, and that camaraderie gave me a good boost. Laura and I
joined the group for a picture before the race.
Bill and Pat were talking about what pace to run. I ran the 2022 Hidden gem race in 1:55, and
the LincolnWay Half Marathon in May 2025 at 1:50, so I wanted to break 1:50
today, which is about an 8:15 pace.
This race draws a lot of running groups, from FNRC, Yankee Runners, CARA, Prairie State Road Runners, etc. And a lot of serious “racing teams” from Chicago and other suburbs, with paid coaches. It is a mix of inspiring, and a little intimidating for someone who can’t “run with the big dogs” anymore. (LOL!)
It was 46 degrees at the start, and I was in shorts and
short sleeve T, but I had cotton gloves and a buff to put over my ears. But by the start I was handing them off to
Laura. The start line was full, but the
street is pretty wide, and the pack opened up.
I could see the first couple of miles were closer than 8 min
miles than 8:15, but I felt that I was staying within my pace. Then a few miles
after that showed up under 8 minutes. I ran an 8 minute pace in my first half marathon
in Valparaiso over 20 years ago, and ran that pace numerous times, with a PR of
1:38 in the LincolnWay/Frankfort Half Marathon. I did not see running 1:45
today, but I was going to enjoy it and take what they day gave me.
In addition to great weather, the day gave a flat (but
winding) course, and phenomenal support in the numerous pretty neighborhoods we
ran through. I would love to run with a Go-Pro camera with sound on to capture
all the signs, people and music. It seems that every neighborhood had a local DJ,
cranking up the jams. The neighborhoods
had themes, like “You Are a Star in the Movies”, which was one of my favorite.
Lots of references to Broadway musicals/movies. One set of signs where they
were playing the Sound of Music soundtrack said “Fa…” “A Long, Long Way to Run”. This was a favorite of mine since our daughter
recently had her bridal shower with a Sound of Music Theme. See if you
recognize the surprise guest in the attached picture.
The Homewood-Flossmoor HS campus was full of cheerleaders and
crowds. The marching band was facing
each other across the course, alternating the music of jazzy swing number. Then
the drum line took over and the crowd went wild! Another highlight for me was getting a cup of
water from a 2 foot high SpiderMan. He look pretty pleased that I reached down
for his cup. I felt some that Spidey Energy course through me after that!
As uplifting as the crowds and music were, the highlight of
any race for me is seeing Laura on the course, multiple times. Actually, with her lusty cheer and Mighty
Cowbell, I hear her a half-mile before I see her and for a half-mile
after. She cheers for ALL the runners,
but I had her hand off mini water squirt water bottles with water or Gatorade.
That allows me to skip a couple water stops, and I can drink a lot more out of
a squirt top than I can out of a paper cup. Plus, at one of the seven places I
saw her, I swooped over for a kiss. Must not have slowed me down, because that
was one of my faster miles.
The fast miles did catch up with me. During the hot summer, I did stop several times
during long runs to get water. I had run
3-5 miles at a time close to an 8 minute pace during a 10-12 mile, but not
sustained over 8-12. Regardless, I was
having a lot of fun, commenting to the crowd and thanking them, seeing other FNRC
runners like Dan Doyle, and our friend Kristen Salk who lives in Homewood.
At mile 8, my pace went back above 8 minute pace, and was
close to 8:30. I had an 8:12 in Mile 12,
but Mile 13 was 8:42. This is typical
for me to go out a bit fast, and slow down in later miles. That Mile 12 was a
bit out of character that I got the pace back, and did not totally drop. I was
determined to not have a mile above 9 minute pace, and I did not come
close.
Laura was in the final stretch before the long straight
finish, and was urging me to “Go! Go!” I smiled because I was giving it all to finish
strong. When I ran the Green Bay Marathon,
a guy jumped in to run alongside his buddy for a while and give encouragement.
One of things he said was “Don’t leave anything on the table but the corncobs!”
I took that to heart that day. When I crossed the finish line, my legs would
not hold me up, and I ended up in the medical tent (low electrolytes/cramps). I
qualified for Boston, but that was the one time in 20 years of running and
triathlons I ended up in the med tent.
I could see on the clock and my watch that my time would be
under 1:48, so I met my goal of going sub 1:50. I got my medal from a cheery Girl
Scout. When I went to get fluids, I had to lean on the fence for a bit. I did
not collapse this time, but I didn’t leave anything on the table but the corncobs! By the time Laura got to the finish line
area, I was in line for a stretch by PTs from Athletico. I leaned on her a bit
and she went off to meet some friends. The bottom of my quad has been tight near
the knee where I had meniscus surgery 12 years ago. The PT did a good of gently stretching it, so
I did not have to stand on one leg and pull it up behind me.
I changed out of sweaty clothes so I would not get chilled
in the cool September air. I had a delicious
egg sandwich and a free(!) beer. The race
and after-party seem as popular with the locals as it does with the runners.
That, by the way, is one of the joys of
Marathon Monday in Boston. It is a public holiday in Massachusetts, and all the
towns along the 26.2 miles come out in force. This was a Festival Saturday for
Flossmoor, and they loved having 1200 sweaty guests in their home(town).
I had tons of fun at this race, and am very happy with my time. My races, especially long ones are fewer these days, but this is a 13.1 PR for this age group, which I am at the top end of. As far as the next age group, whether I am retired permanently, I won’t be retiring from running anytime soon.
