The annual Jason’s Memorial Run always fills me with both wonderful and sad memories.
Today I decided to compete with modest expectations. The result was very satisfying. I completed the 5K course in 17:10. I have renewed enthusiasm for a positive fall campaign.
Stats are good.
8 /8- Off
8/ 9- 1 hour in motion in exercise room
8/10- Off
8/11- 3 miles with SS
8/12- 4.5 miles with SS
8/13- Off
8/14- 5 miles at Manasquan Reservoir in 53:00
8/15- Walking only
8/16- 40 minutes at FSML easy
8/17- Off
8/18- 4 miles at Turkey Swamp Park with SS 54 minutes
8/19- 30 minute swim
Stats are positive, no leg or foot issues. 🙂 🙂
On Saturday I went over to The Peddie School to run an 800m in the Shore AC event that they call the New Jersey International Track and Field Meet. From the promotional information regarding this meet one would get the impression that at one time it had quite a prestigious profile. The names of the events and the record holders are some of America’s best runners and international Olympians. (You can look it up.) Somehow this meet has been organized and run for the last 34 years completely under my radar as a New Jersey track enthusiast . It turned out to be a relaxing, lightly attended, Saturday morning event in a picturesque setting.
Because of the small entry list, all of the categories and classifications were combined for the 800m race. Once again I was was the oldest guy in the race. There were runners who could hit two flat in the field, and they did! So, I was out of contact with the field from the start not really knowing what sort of pace I was running for lap one. It did feel quick and comfortable and smooth, and lonely and not overly motivated. As I approached the clock at the 400m mark it was reading under 90 seconds! That is the fastest 400m I have run in an 800m race since 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama at the National Senior Games when I finished in 2:57.4. The possibility of bettering my race goal of 3:10 became a reality. I pushed the second lap pretty hard and came across in a respectable 3:07.4. I had set what I thought was a pretty lofty goal, but I had little confidence that I could run close to that number. I only chose that number because it’s what I ran two years ago in New Mexico at the National Senior Games to win that race.
I am thrilled at the thought that my training is somewhat validated, and I have increased motivation to maintain and improve.
Another bonus on this lovely Saturday morning was that my nephew, Matthew, showed up and recorded the entire run. And to top it off Matty and I stopped at a local brewery to have a few IPAs before I headed home. Perfect!! 🙂 🙂
I have a copy of the recording and am going to try to put it on Facebook.
This 11 day segment saw a variety of training, resting days and one 5K race. I jogged, swam and rested for 3 days before I went to Hoboken to compete in a 5K race with Robert on Tuesday, 6/27. The race was poorly organized and mostly forgettable in a time of 28:48. Given the minimal effort I expended the time was a pleasant surprise. It was a beautiful setting on the Hudson River waterfront, and spending the night with Rob in Hoboken was a lot of fun. The next 3 days were light work in recovery. Saturday, July 31 was a solid and needed 5 miles at Turkey Swamp Park. I began August with a day of stretching and leg drills. On Monday the second I returned to the cinders for a day of quick running, speedy 100s, 200s and 300s. I don’t know times because I forgot my watch, but it seemed pretty fast. My legs were a bit heavy on Tuesday ran I comfortable 3.5 miles on the roads at FSML in 41:00. With an open 800 meter race scheduled at the New Jersey International Track Meet on Saturday, I don’t think I will be doing much hard work for the rest of the week. I don’t know much about this meet or the level of competition, but I have set a goal to run an 800m in 3:10.
Stats remain positive.