Posts Tagged ‘Academy Mile’

Just stop thinking about it. That’s what I had to tell myself this morning before the Academy Mile in downtown Lynchburg. I had to stop thinking about my 6:26 from three years ago and just run as hard as I possibly could for a mile. In a mile race, it’s 100 percent physical; there’s no time to think. Plus I’m a completely different runner than three years ago.

So when the horn kicked off today’s race, I stopped thinking and rolled with it. I didn’t even look at my watch the first quarter of a mile. When I got to the cone marking the spot, I couldn’t believe it — I just ran 1:30. Could I possibly beat 6 minutes? I knew that with the first part of this race being slightly downhill that I’d have a good time for the first half, but all I was really shooting for was to get to the first half in 3:30. With very little speed work, I didn’t know what would happen. Somehow, I hit the next quarter of a mile in 1:21. WHAT?

The thoughts of under 6 minutes, though, were short lived as I realized how much uphill was remaining — even if it was a slight uphill. The third quarter mile was around 1:50, I think, even though I felt like I was pushing harder. When I looked at my watch and knew what was ahead, I realized that even though under 6 wasn’t going to happen, a PR was easily within reach.

I hit the finish line in 6:15, making this my third PR this year. Easily my fastest mile of anything this year and definitely the most rewarding. If I actually did some speed work besides just running on hills that I can’t avoid, I could probably push my time closer to 5:45.

For a brief moment, I thought maybe this would be good enough for a place in my age group, but apparently people in their 30s just keep getting faster, at least around Lynchburg. I was 8th in my age group. Overall I was 34th out of 151 runners. Similar to the last time I did this race, the weather was gorgeous today; it was like an early fall morning with cool temperatures and low humidity.

Technically I’ll call this a PR since it’s a road race, but 16 years ago I ran a 5:45 mile in high school track. It’s the only time I remember from those days of running, and perhaps I did something faster, but I don’t remember. So, for what it’s worth, it’s not really the best mile ever … that will have to wait until 2011 I guess.

About a year ago, I went to the doctor after dealing with various foot issues on and off since late 2007. It’s odd to read the post about the visit and see what didn’t happen. I didn’t do physical therapy; I didn’t run on the weightless treadmill; and I didn’t get any shots in my foot. I simply wore some insoles for a little while (that temporarily hurt the other foot) and the infamous plantar faciitis “slipper” on and off for a few months and that was it. That was all I needed to get through the summer.

Fast forward a year later and I’m in a completely different state of mind. At the time of the doctor’s visit, I privately considered giving up on long distances. I wouldn’t have had a problem doing that — I never ran any longer than 4 miles for the first two and a half years of running anyway. Now, I’m planning a schedule of races to do this year. I haven’t done this in three years. I’ve focused on the big picture races and rest — Shamrock, rest, Rock ‘n’ Roll Half, rest, repeat. Big picture is important — I’m completely focused on the Richmond Marathon in November — but it’s the smaller picture races that will make the big picture even more rewarding.

I’m almost scared to put this out there, but it’s part of my shell-breaking that I’m doing. Sure, some of these races might not happen for various reasons, but this is the plan through November in addition to what I’ve already done.

* May 8: Bella 5K Stroller Race in Roanoke
This will be a first for me — racing with my son. I’ve never done more than 2.6 miles with a stroller, so it’ll be the longest distance with him. My main goal will be to finish without tripping over a baby or two … I guess as far as time is concerned, I’m really just shooting for under 9-minute miles. While I can run any time with my son, I’m looking forward to the racing experience. That makes the entry fee worth it.

* June 5: Trail Nut Half Marathon in Bedford
Another first — an all-out trail race. I’m hoping to do more trail running this month beyond a mile or two to prepare for this. It will mark the third half marathon this year, all with increasing difficulty. From what I’ve heard about this race and what I know about these mostly single-track trails, I think two hours or so will be likely. I’m looking forward to doing something radically different so my focus isn’t on a PR, but rather just having a good time.

* July 3: Academy Mile in Lynchburg
There needs to be more mile races. It’s been three years since I did a 6:26 in this race. I’ll set my mind on this much later, but it would be awesome to be even faster. Maybe that weird goal of mine of running so hard I throw up will come true.

* July 17: Percival’s Island 5-Miler in Lynchburg
This is one of my most favorite races around this area. It’s flat; it’s fast. One of my best races ever came here in 2007, so I hope that I continue what’s happened so far in 2010 and nail it again this year. This race will be a good test of where I am with my speed and endurance and can help set the tone for the three months of marathon training that will follow.

* Aug. 14: Lynchburg Half Marathon in Lynchburg
Want to run a half marathon for $20? That’s all this race is. It’s also a very flat race, a rarity for this area. It’s hard to believe that when this race gets here that this might be the fourth half marathon of the year. There’s also a 5K that same day — I might change my mind and do that as a speed workout instead. We’ll see. No reason to rush on that decision.

* Sept. 25: Virginia 10 Miler in Lynchburg
This is a wish-list race that is dependent on marathon training. This very tough race is only $30 through the end of August, so I’ll decide by then whether or not this will happen. If you’re looking for a challenge and can’t afford some bigger-named fall half marathons, this is one to consider doing.

* Nov. 13: Richmond Marathon in Richmond
Marathon No. 2 — the big prize — is 192 days away. The countdown is officially under way.

I think it’s odd that there aren’t 4 mile races on the Fourth of July. Four on the Fourth — it’s a pretty simple concept. Instead, like here in Richmond, there are two 5ks to chose from today. In Lynchburg, where I used to live, today is the third annual Academy Mile. A mile race is cool, and having a race on a holiday does make perfect sense, but I think Four on the Fourth sounds neat. Maybe one day I can organize such a race. Or maybe I’m just wishing this year that races didn’t cost $20 or more to enter.

Anyway, this week’s weather has been spectacular. The humidity has been low and earlier this week it was cool enough to turn the AC off for almost two days. It’s a nice change of pace considering how hot it was in early June. Things look like they’ll be changing soon, but I’m glad I’ve been able to take advantage of it.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Workouts since last post
July 2: Walk - 1; Run - 5.1; 70 set ups
July 3: Walk - 1.7; Bike - 5.1; Weights; Plank - 1:00; 50 sets up on Bosu ball; 50 crunches with weights
July 4: Walk - 1.3; Run - 4.1

And I believe my title even more after this morning. My wife, who had never ran more than three quarters of a mile without stopping, didn’t finish last as she had feared, and ran the Academy Mile in 10:36. In the brief training for this race, she had been doing between a quarter and half mile in about a 12-minute pace. A fellow co-worker of mine who smokes and showed up his roommate by actually getting up and going to this race, finished with his girlfriend in 10:32. (His roommate, also a co-worker, didn’t show up because, as he said yesterday, it was a rare chance to sleep in.) And another co-worker of mine, who runs quite often but often says she’s so slow, finished in 8:18.

Like my title says, anyone can run a mile … unless you choose not to.

I finished in a time of 6:26, 45 seconds faster than last year. If my abs weren’t sore from yesterday’s workout, I probably could’ve been a little faster. The weather was absolutely perfect. Temps in the low to mid-70s, cloudy skies and a light breeze — I questioned whether today was actually July 4.

Happy Fourth everybody!