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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

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Location:

Kingsbury,TX,USA

Member Since:

Jan 10, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Local Elite

Running Accomplishments:

 

Some day I will not be able to do this...today is not that day!

Started Running (6/1/10) @ 50 Yrs Old

  • 5K:
    • 22:26 (7:14 pace) McAllister Park 8/14/10
    • 22:24 San Marcos (7:13 pace) 10/19/10
    • 21:09 San Marcos (6:49 pace) 11/20/10
    • 20:19 San Marcos-Faith Run (6:33 pace) 5/26/12
    • 20:06 Fentress (6:26 pace) 10/20/12
    • *19:21 Gruene (6:20 pace) 11/22/12 (*Short Course)
    • 19:42 San Marcos-Faith Run (6:21 pace) 5/25/13
    • 19:42 San Marcos-Faith Run (6:21 pace) 5/24/14 (Not a Typo, exactly same time as last year)
    • 21:38 New Braunfels Orange Leaf (6:58 pace) 7/19/14
    • 19:33 Gruene Turkey Trot (6:18 pace) 11/27/14
    • 19:43 Kyle-For the Love of Go (6:27 pace) 2/14/15
  • 5 Miles:

    • 34:03 (6:48 pace) Hillsboro, Ill 7/4/11
  • 10Ks:
    • 43:24 (7:00 pace) Gatesville, Tx 6/4/11
  • Half Marathons:
    • 1:42:16 (7:48 pace) Austin Livestrong  2/20/11
    • 1:36:23 (7:21 pace) Moe's Better Half  3/6/11
    • 1:35:55 (7:19 pace) Chosen Half Marathon for Adoption 10/29/11
    • 1:30:10 (6:53 pace) Austin 3M 1/2/12
    • 1:43:13 (7:54 pace) Orange Leaf  7/14/12
    • 1:33:44 (7:08 pace) Chosen Half Marathon for Adoption 10/27/12
    • 1:32:23 (7:03 pace) Austin 3M 1/13/13
    • 1:35:16 (7:16 pace) Marathon for Adoption 10/26/13 (Ran off-course .3 miles)
    • 1:36:48 (7:23 pace) SA Rock-N-Roll 11/17/13
    • 1:37:06 (7:25 pace) Chosen Half Marathon for Adoption 10/25/14
    • 2:00:28 (9:11 pace) Long Beach Half Marathon (Paced Callie) 10/11/15
    • 1:39:29 (7:35 pace) Marathon for Adoption 11/21/15
    • 1:34:06 (7:11 pace) Marathon for Adoption 11/19/16
    • 1:37:43 (7:37 pace) Marathon for Adoption 11/18/17
    • 1:36:30 (7:22 pace) Marathon for Adoption 11/17/18
    • 1:45:10 (8:01 Paced Callie) Surf City Half Marathon 2/2/20
  • Marathons:
    • 3:38:09 (8:19 pace) Oklahoma City Marathon 5/1/11
    • 3:30:16 (8:01 pace) Ft. Worth Cowtown 2/26/12
    • 3:30:53 (8:03 pace) Oklahoma City Marathon 4/29/12 
    • 0:00:00 (DNF) Ft Worth Cowtown Marathon 2/24/13 (Ran off-course)
    • 3:22:56 (7:44 pace) Temple Army Marathon BQ 4/21/13
    • 3:27:24 (7:55 pace) Boston Marathon BQ  4/21/14 
    • 3:18:40 (7:35 pace) CIM Marathon BQ 12/7/14
    • 3:33:07 (8:08 pace) San Antonio R&R Marathon BQ 12/7/16
    • 3:25:32 (7:51pace) The Woodlands Marathon BQ 3/3/18
    • 3:26:17 (7:52 pace) The Woodlands Marathon BQ 3/2/19
  • Triathlons:
  • (1:12:23) Martindale (Sprint) Tri For Old Glory 7/1/12
  • Ragnar Relay:
  • (28:24:24) SoCal Ragnar 4/6-7/18 

Short-Term Running Goals:

  • Running Boston Marathon with Callie 2020 ...!!!
  • Break 19:00 in the 5K
  • Break 1:28 in Half Marathon
  • Hit 3:16:00 in the Marathon

Upcoming Races: 

  • Boston with Callie...!!! (my daughter)

Long-Term Running Goals:

  • Win 1st in the World Series Team Roping Finals Dec. 2020
  • Run Boston with Callie, My Daughter
  • Run Sub-18:00 5K (Ouch)
  • Run Sub- 3:10 Marathon  Run 3:16 Marathon
  • Compete in a Full Iron Man (Not sure since my two major bike accidents)

Personal:

Married, two kids  Kirby (Baylor University, Married not a a Runner), Callie  (TCU University, Married and Runner).

My main sport is Team Roping, I've been doing that all my life. 

I started running in the spring of 2010.

I Just Run               

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Brooks Racer ST 5 (Race Shoes) Lifetime Miles: 146.57
Saucony Kinvara 2 (Race Shoes) Lifetime Miles: 430.23
Swim Time Lifetime Miles: 26.00
Trek (Road Bike) Lifetime Miles: 989.00
Altra-Instinct-Blue Lifetime Miles: 551.67
Altra Instinct Black Lifetime Miles: 520.10
Altra Paradigm Black Second Pair Lifetime Miles: 7.00
Saucony Kinvara 2 Green (Race Shoes) Lifetime Miles: 145.70
Race: Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:30:53, Place overall: 106, Place in age division: 9
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

As I sit to write this Race Report I'm having a little trouble, not because I'm disappointed but because I feel the whole race was so predictable. Since the Cowtown Marathon about eight weeks ago I just haven’t seemed to be able to get in the groove…where I felt comfortable. For about four of those weeks I had a slight strain in my hip that kept me from really working on a consistent training schedule so during that time I just ran what I could and it wasn’t very fast or very long. I really thought, even with the inconsistent training, I would be able to bust the 3:30 mark. Oh well…It’s all for fun and this just gives me another reason runs some more and on top of that it’s really not that important in the scheme of “Important Things”!

This memorial race reminded me of some of those  important things. As I walked by the Empty Chair Memorial (http://host.newspin360.net/okcnationalmemorial2/) I noticed hanging on a chain link fence pictures, trinkets, photos and notes left in memory of those who died. It was a little eerie looking across the Memorial early in the morning, while it was still dark. Most people were laughing, having a good time and preparing for the race. I know this race means a whole lot more to those who lost loved ones than those selfish ones, like me, just there to run and worry about a BQ.

Throughout the race I was reminded of the real intent of the race. I saw several people holding up signs in memory of those lost and encouraging those who were running for them. Some runners had signs on their backs that said “I’m running in memory of ….”. I passed one old guy who was in great labor and pain with one of these signs on his back and the reality really set in. I ran by many, many fire fighters, wearing their full gear, who were walking the marathon in remembrance. I ran past a military guy carrying 168 pounds and in full military gear in remembrance of the 168 people killed in the bombing. He was walking the entire 26.2 mile marathon. What’s important..?

Oh…back to the race report… My plan was to start out at about an 8:00 pace for the first five miles and then drop 5 additional seconds at 10,15,20,25.

Oklahoma City Marathon
4/29/2012
Mile Time HR HR %  
1 7:46:00 143 74%  
2 7:53:00 156 83%  
3 7:59:00 154 82%  
4 7:54:00 153 81%  
5 8:01:00 153 81% 7:54:36
6 8:01:00 152 80%  
7 8:00:00 156 83%  
8 7:45:00 156 83%  
9 7:54:00 158 85%  
10 7:50:00 160 86% 7:54:00
11 7:49:00 162 87%  
12 7:47:00 161 87%  
13 7:52:00 161 87%  
14 7:54:00 161 87%  
15 7:50:00 162 87% 7:50:24
16 7:54:00 162 87%  
17 7:46:00 164 89%  
18 7:44:00 166 90%  
19 7:56:00 166 90%  
20 8:01:00 162 87% 7:52:12
21 8:09:00 165 89%  
22 8:36:00 165 89%  
23 8:23:00 167 91%  
24 8:18:00 171 93%  
25 8:22:00 170 93% 8:21:36
26 8:34:00 174 95%  
26.2 2:55:00 175 96%  
Total 210:53:00 161 86%  
Pace 8:02:56      

I felt really slow running at the 8:00 pace at the start. Everyone was blowing past me like I was standing still (I did pass most of them after about 10 miles though). I was already sweating before I even started to run and by the 2nd mile I had sweat just pouring off of me. Looking at it now I guess I’m not really surprised my HR jumped up so quickly. I should have been able to run the first 10 with every mile being less than 150 HR at this pace.

I tried to avoid the official “pacers” in this race so I started out just slightly ahead of the 3:30 Pacer and his group. I was feeling pretty good where I was until about mile 5 where the 3:30’s caught up and passed me. I said “how much ahead of pace are you guys”, they said “were right on pace”. My Garmin said I was 25 seconds ahead so I just kept on running an let them move out ahead of me. They seemed to slow down a mile or so ahead and I caught back up and ran with them until mile 10. At this point I just couldn’t take all of the jabbering and I felt I needed to drop down about 5 seconds so I slowly started to move out. I remember thinking…”I just need to stay in front of these guys and I’ll break the 3:30 goal”. I ran on from 11 to 15 feeling fair (not great) but was still convinced I could achieve my goal. Mile 16-20 I began thinking that I wouldn’t drop any more and just keep at the same pace, since, I was in front of the 3:30 pace group and, I wasn’t feeling that strong. At mile 21 I felt myself fading and by mile 22 I though “what happened to my legs, they feel really heavy”. I slowed for a while hoping they would come back but they just got worse. At mile 24, here came the 3:30 pacers again! I then thought, “if I can just stick with them and give a big kick at the end, I’ll have my BQ”. Well, I stuck with them for about ¾ of a mile and then I just couldn’t hold the pace any more and had to slow down again. I kinda wanted to just stop right about then. Mile 26 was painful but I went ahead and kicked as hard as I could after the 26 lap time beeped on my watch. My watch registered 26.4 miles so I actually kicked the last .4 miles (according to my watch) for the time of 2:55.

All I can do now is chalk this race up to experience and  go back to the drawing board regarding race training and goals. It’s a good thing I do this just for fun as it could get me very aggravated if I took it too seriously J

Saucony Kinvara 2 (Race Shoes) Miles: 26.20
Comments
From Rye on Tue, May 01, 2012 at 07:52:52 from 75.174.55.82

Hey Preston,

All things considered you ran a good race. Conditions and all were not the best so ....... I think a trip to the Rockies is in order and run one of the marathons here. Downhill (I don't think you Texans know what that is) course and nice cool temps.... Look at the calendar and let me know. I would love to try to qualify with you this fall. I will return the favor during the cool winter months here. I trip to the south in Jan or Feb would be fun:)

From JG on Tue, May 01, 2012 at 07:56:26 from 71.57.246.108

You always have a great perspective Preston, one of the things I like about you most! :)

Speaking of perspective ... you finished 9th out of 160 in your age group, top 6%! You also finished 106 out of 1,535 males, top 7%!

I would say that is a pretty darn successful race! Great job!!

From Dave S on Tue, May 01, 2012 at 08:11:31 from 63.248.248.57

Oh so close! Good weather conditions would have easily given you back 2 to 5 minutes. Glad to see that you have a good perspective and attitude about it. Looking at that stats JG pulled out, that's pretty impressive. I'm confident you'll get that BQ.

From TexasLindsey on Tue, May 01, 2012 at 08:45:12 from 70.253.128.48

Great race report! I think that's a good reminder about what's really important. I try to remind myself that too. What was the weather like? That could have accounted for the HR at the beginning. You did really well in this race even if you barely missed BQ-ing. I'm sure you'll get it on the next race!

From rAtTLeTrAp on Tue, May 01, 2012 at 12:26:02 from 174.234.80.133

You never really know what's going to happen on raceday. I think your head and your heart were in the right place for sure. You ran a very good race and that BQ is right around the corner.

From SlowJoe on Tue, May 01, 2012 at 18:28:20 from 69.131.141.92

Good report and great perspective. I was just thinking about how when Danielle and I first did this race, we visited the Memorial and museum and thought about the reason for the run a lot more. This time, not so much...

Anyway, I think everyone suffers at the end of that course starting with mile 22. I hit them about 30 sec slow as well, and still passed a couple guys on that stretch. Even though it's a gradual climb, it's painful since it's at the very end.

Any thoughts yet about training or your next race?

From TexasLindsey on Tue, May 01, 2012 at 19:57:47 from 70.253.128.48

http://www.panhandlemarathon.com/

I just got this race ad in my email: only $60 for a marathon in Sept in Lubbock... 58F average lows, 83 average highs for that time of year. Humidity is slightly less than FW. Might be a good race to concentrate summer training on... Just saying... Also, maybe all us Texas runners could all meet there?!!

From I Just Run on Wed, May 02, 2012 at 10:22:47 from 67.79.11.242

Rye,

I would love to run the Rockies. JG suggested the TOU marathon. I'm going to consider it if I can make the time and $$ work out. How do you think the altitude would effect me? Would I have to run with an oxygen tank strapped to my back?

Thanks JG,

I always wonder about placing and the number of entries since so many don't really run competativly.

Dave,

Yeah close...I really feel I should be able bust the BQ with several minutes to spare ...but it may be just my ego talking.

TL,

That might be worth considering. I'll look into it. Thanks for the encourgment!

RT,

I've only had one race that was upredictible on the positive side. That probably says my expectations are a little too high...but what the heck, I don't like living down to my expectations.

Joe,

I've decided I'm going to take a little time and honor the reason may of these races are run a little more...and then go out and have a great time!

Even though I didn't do great (and actually slowed down the last several miles) I still passed lots of people. Only a few people passed me. That tells part of the story.

I think on my next training cycle I'm going to use the RLRF program again but add some running miles after my long biking rides. I need to recreate the "dead-leg" syndrom without being out pounding the ground for 3+ hours running in the heat. I need to figure out a way to teach my legs (especially quads) to obey my commands :-) I want to find a couple of 5K's and 10K's to run this summer. I think I can blow my old PR's away!

From DLTheo on Wed, May 02, 2012 at 10:48:28 from 155.130.107.42

IJR, I think you ran well given the fact that it was only 2 months after your last one, and the temps were a little high. 65 degrees may not be hot, but it will add minutes to your time.

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