This Just In...Frank CAN Run Negative Splits

I've run the Blossom Time 5.25 miler the past three years, but yesterday morning, I was planning to sit it out. I thought I'd ride my new bike to Chagrin Falls, hang out and cheer for my fellow SERC runners, and eat some greasy fries.

Once I arrived in Chagrin Falls, I met Eileen from the club, and she asked if I was running. I said I wasn't sure. She laughed and said, 'You're running.' She was right. I registered, got my number, and did a little (very little) warm-up and a little (very little) stretching. I ran into and talked with lots of SERC runners including: E-speed, Solar, Daisy, Mark, Steve Hawthorne*,
Wyatt, Jeff, Joe, and others. I made it to the start within a few minutes of the start and managed to weasel a place at the front of the pack by sidling up to Wyatt and Steve. After a stirring rendition of the national anthem, the gun sounded.

I had decided to try to run a smart race, just like a decide before every race. I wanted to keep a 6:30/mi. pace to see if I could actually have something in the tank for the finish. The first mile was slightly up hill, and remarkably I hit the mile marker at exactly 6:30. Then I hit the second mile at 13:09, a 6:39 pace. I missed the target by 9 seconds, but that was a very hilly mile, and I miscalculated a bit, rather than indicating that I was fading. I was running hard, but not crazy hard. I think they call it 'under control'. Thanks to that, I was able to take advantage of the downhill in the next mile, which I completed in 6:14. Mile four was undulating, and I completed it in 6:22, and I still felt like there was gas in the tank. I ran the last 1.25 miles in 7.45, a 6:12 pace. I really did it! I ran a negative split in a race. I'd heard it was possible, but I never believe it. Even more incredible, I took first in my division, and come home with a very nice plaque. It was another good day for SERC runners, with many placing or winning in their divisions.

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* Steve Hawthorne: Steve asked me why I always refer to him as Steve H. in my blog. I told him that, as a rule, bloggers refer to people by their blogger names, or first names, or initials. He said he was disappointed because he wanted the recognition and publicity. I told him that, from now on I would not only use his full name, but would include a flattering image of his smiling face

Another Good but Challenging Weekend

On Saturday morning, I wavered on doing the Lock 29 run, with Cleveland Mara only a week away. It had been raining, and I knew it would be a mucky, tough run. I decided to suck it up and go anyway. Turned out to be a mucky, tough run. I wore my Nike Humaras, which are the best mud shoes I have every owned, and that helped, especially in the really wet, swampy, shoe-sucking mud. The footing on the hill climbs was undependable, so of course there was much slipping and sliding. 13.2 miles of that over a couple of hours really works you legs. Click here for a satellite image of our route.

On Sunday, I ran the Mom's Day 5k in Independence. Eileen from our club runs the race which she established in memory of her parents. There were about ten of us from SERC there, and we all did well, winning or placing in our age groups. I got there in time to do a few warm-up miles, then some strides before the race.

In keeping with a very consistent adherence to the three F's approach to racing ("First Fast, then Fade"), I went out too fast, doing both of the first two miles at 6:00 minute pace. I finished at a shade over 19:00 (official times are not posted yet). It was good enough for first in my age group, so I didn't blow the race entirely.


E-speed and me at the start. We both went out too fast, and we both were disappointed that we didn't finish stronger. Look how focused I am. I am thinking, "Stay under control, finish strong." My legs (not shown in the picture) are thinking, "Let's run like we're being chased by hungry cheetah for the first couple of miles. It'll be fun."