Tag: running tips

This Is How I Roll

Every runner has habits and preferences. We find our what works for us and keep it or continue to experiment. Here are a few of mine.

This Is How I Roll is an idea from Meditations in Motion who borrowed it from Donna at RunningToTravel and Tracy at The Writing Runner.  They got the idea from the back page of Runners’ World magazines.  Every month, Runners’ World interviews a runner and asks them to sum up their running preferences.

This is how I Roll

  1. Wave                Nod
  2. Heart Rate    Feel  
  3. Lead                 Follow 
  4. PR                     Finish  – Most PRs are behind me
  5. Stride               Glide
  6. Athleisure       Sweats – not into either, but given the choice
  7. Gel                    Chews
  8. Hat              Gloves – Easy ways to adjust if you get hot.
  9. Morning          Night – Not a morning person. It’s coffee time!!
  10. Swift            Strong – I enjoy hills more than most people
  11. Struggle           Slay – You have to embrace the struggle
  12. Hot                   Cold – I have run some of my best races in the heat
  13. Low Socks       Tall Socks
  14. Shoe Store       Online
  15. Uphill                Downhill – my competitive advantage
  16. 5k                       Half Marathon
  17. GPS                   Naked – I wear my Garmin 610 24×7
  18. Stop                  Go – not sure what this means. I just keep running
  19. Start                 Finish – The finish always feels better
  20. Heel                  Toe
  21. Calves             Quads – people actually comment on my calves. Embarrassing!
  22. Headphones    Inner Voices  – I like to hear what’s going on around me
  23. Bagel                  Banana – a plain bagel before a marathon seems to work
  24. Treadmill         Frostbite – Will run outside as low as -20
  25. Medal               T-shirt – I really have enough of both
  26. Warm Up         Cool Down
  27. Distance          Time – Need to get my miles in
  28. 400s                  Hills – Not that I love them but…1. I wave to most people I see while running. With this lock down it’s the most socializing I get in all day!

2. My watch has a chest strap to monitor heart rate but it broke and I never replaced it. Now I run based on feel.

Some days I feel great and full of energy and can really push it. Other days it’s all I can do to get in 5K.

3. When I’m following someone I feel more in control. On a training run the person in front of me can only run so fast before they are running by them selves.

Andy Nagelin and Bobby Taylor Main Street in WakefieldDuring a race when everyone is running as fast as they can, running behind someone allows me to control the pace.

If I push up a hill, they have to run faster or I’ll pass them. If I want to back off, I’m still behind them.  During a race I often set my sights on someone, catch up and follow them and then pass when I can.

4 and 5 – I think my PR days are behind me. And while some people say I have an efficient stride, I feel like a bag of bricks.

8. My ears ache in the cold and my hands freeze in the winter when I start a run. If it stays cold I leave them on. If I warm up, hats and gloves are easy to take off.

9. Like just about everyone, I’ve done plenty of running in the morning. The Honolulu Marathon begins at 5:00 AM!

But, outside of a race, I prefer to run in the afternoon or evening. I’m just not that motivated in the morning!

10. I’m not a particularly strong runner, but I don’t give up and I always go 110% in for a race.

11. Running is about embracing the struggle. If you’re not willing to be uncomfortable or in pain you’ll never reach your potential.

12. I hate to bundle up and run in the cold, but I will do it. I’ve run some of my best race times when it’s 80° F out. As long as I have plenty to drink, I’m okay. I also know to run in the shade and pay attention to my body.

Heat stroke can be very serious.

14. You may pay a bit more at a shoe store but you know the shoes will fit. People who work at shoe stores are also fonts of knowledge and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They are runners after all!

15. I’m a bit of a hill runner. I’m not great but I’m probably above average.

When I run a race with out any hills, I feel like I’m at a disadvantage.

16. I think most runners prefer the half marathon. 5Ks are fun but they’re  over before you get started. 10Ks are great and you feel like you’ve run a race by the time you cross the finish line.

The half marathon is a challenge but it’s not the major under-taking that is a marathon. I can run several halfs per month, but I can only run two to three marathons a year.

17. GPS Watch – if you didn’t track the run, did it really happen? Does it count? I use my watch to track my pace. During a race keeping track of my pace is essential to my race strategy.

21. I’ve received more comments on my calves than even my formerly red Scott Procopio Gold Star Honor Run 10K 2018, Andy Nagelinhair. Sometimes people will see my legs at a race and say something. And sometimes it’s a little embarrassing.

I’ve had conversations with colleagues about my legs. And I’m no body builder. It’s kind of odd.

I guess it’s nice to have some redeeming physical attribute!

24. When I’m training for a marathon I’ll do what I have to to get in my miles. I’ve run a half marathon training run on a treadmill before, but I didn’t enjoy it.

I prefer to take my chances with the elements. I’ve run in – 20° weather before and will run in shorts down to about 32°.

There’s nothing like the great outdoors.

25. Medals and t-shirts. I wish more races would eliminate both. I have running medals, marathon medalsenough of both items and often medals are more like trinkets just to say you got something.  I say save the money for fundraising .

26. I’m not really good at warming up or cooling down. I do minimal stretching before a race and will do a warm up jog before a 5K sometimes.

I hardly ever stretch much after a race and I need to fix that!

I could write a paragraph or even a blog on most of these items. But this was supposed to be a brief post, just for fun.

How about it? How do you roll?

Run well my Friends!

Andy

What’s The Best Racing Strategy?

What’s The Best Racing Strategy?

Whether you want to beat your own records or win a race, you will have to establish a racing strategy in order to perform well. There are three main racing strategies in long-distance running, and each one can work.

 

  • Negative Split – The first half of your race is slower than the second half
  • Even Split – You run a consistent pace for the entire race
  • Positive Split – The first half of your race is faster then the second half

Regardless of the distance of the race, I see people go out too fast all the time. Weather it’s a 5K or a marathon.

At a 5K, people will bolt across the start line and then slow down or walk before they hit the first mile. I always say that anyone can run a fast mile. It’s mile two and three that count in a 5K.

At a marathon it’s easy for anyone to get carried away by their nerves and the crowd. Even if you are not fit to run a full marathon, you can feel great for the first few miles.

I’m a big fan of negative or even splits. If you go out too fast or push too hard during the first half of a half or full marathon you may be forced to run (or walk!) the second half of the race.

I’ve run positive split races but never intentionally. I’ve started races feeling in shape and prepared and gone out too fast. What may seem like a good pace can turn into a disaster for several reasons.

You may not have hydrated or fueled properly before a race. This can happen if you do not have a pre-race routine to manage this, or you did not have time to go through your routine.

If you did not look at the course map, there may be hills early in the race you do not know about.

Sometimes the conditions turn against you. If you didn’t dress properly or something unexpected happens during the race, you may have to run positive splits.

This Nation of Running article suggests that positive splits may be good for new runners. For positive splits you run faster than your goal pace, “bank” the time you get from running faster than your goal pace and then use it up in the second half of your race.

You just have to hope you have planned and trained well enough to have enough juice left for the second half of the race.

I’ve done this for several marathons but over the years have changed my mind. There is nothing worse than having to walk during the last five miles of a marathon. Between 15 and 20 miles is when the wheels come off the bus for most runners who flame out. It sucks.

With age and experience I’ve come to the conclusion that even or negative splits are the best running strategy.

Long distance running requires you to manage your energy. Maintaining control of my pace and fueling during the race have proven to work best for me.

Some of my best races have been half marathons where I ran negative splits. They may not have been my fastest races but I finished running hard and feeling great.

Talk about a runner’s high!

2019 Boston Marathon, Comm Ave onto Hereford Street

These running strategies apply mainly to marathons and half marathons. 10Ks require some energy management but 5Ks are best run flat out. If you don’t feel like you are about to die for most of a 5K, you’re not running hard enough.

I am certainly not a professional runner and I’ve only won one 5K in my life. A total shocker!

You can train and run races casually and have a good time. There’s nothing wrong with that.

But if you want to run your best you need to train and you need a running strategy for each distance that you run.

One of the true joys in my life is running a well run race.

What’s your running strategy?

What to do One Week to Boston

We are now down to one week to Boston.

If this isn’t your first rodeo, you know what to do. If you are giving it a go for the first time, here are a few last minutes tips.

One Week to Boston

This is the last week of your taper. If you ran more than you should have last week, cut it out! You should have run your last long run over the weekend. You just need to run a few short easy runs this week.

This week is about resting your legs. Do a few easy runs at or below your marathon goal pace. At this point in the game you can’t improve your fitness, but you can certainly hurt your self.

The two weeks of taper give your body time to recover from what you have put it through over the past few months.

With all of this time on your hands you will feel lazy. Expect to feel lazy.

Watch some of those movies or shows on your DVR or binge watch something on Netflix. You’ve earned some lazy time.

You’re about to kick your own ass, so you absolutely deserve some ass in chair time!

What to do One Week to Boston

Boston Marathon 2016, one week to BostonYou should have all of your clothes picked out by now. If something is too tight or loose, fix it. Some of us have actually lost weight during our training. Not me, but maybe you. So if those shorts are falling off of your now skinny ass, you need to choose a different pair.

If you buy any new clothes, god forbid!, wash and wear them two or three times. You don’t want to get to Framingham and realize there is a seam or tag ripping a hole in your skin. Framingham starts at Mile Five. So that would be 21.2 more miles of skin ripping agony if you make a mistake here.

Clip your toe nails. Super important. You don’t want to run with long nails which may tear your socks or rub against your shoe toe box. If you happen to cut a nail too closely, you have a few days for that mistake to heal up. Get those clippers out!

Pack your drop bag and go bag. The BAA will give you a drop bag and a go bag at the Expo. The drop bag is an 18″ x 19″ clear plastic bag for all of the clothes and stuff you will want after the race.

You won’t get these bags until the Expo, but start getting your gear together. Don’t leave anything for the last minute.

Don’t put anything valuable in your drop bag. Nothing ever happens, but it can. I’d keep my car key or hotel key card in my running belt or a pocket. You don’t need your wallet, but you should tuck your ID and some cash in your running belt or pocket.

I always include some food in my drop bag and a long sleeved shirt. You will get cold after the race and you only get so much food at the end of the race.

Your “go bag” is a one-gallon clear plastic bag that the BAA will let you bring on the bus out to Hopkinton. The last time I ran they didn’t provide this bag, so I’m really happy that they provide these now.

The BAA web site says this bag is only for food and drinks, so don’t stuff it full of other items. If you want to bring sun screen or anything else, try to get it into your running belt or a pocket.

Anything that you bring to Hopkinton will either be carried back to Boston by you, tossed in the trash or donated to charity. The BAA no longer returns bags to Boston.

If you don’t like bagels and coffee, your go bag should have whatever you like to eat before you run 26.2 miles.

Yes, you will need sun screen. Even if the skies are overcast our tender winter skin is going to get fried over four plus hours of running.

I also like chap stick with an SPF built in. It always wears off after a few miles, but I hate dry lips just a mile or two into the race. That’s just me, but you might want to consider it. I bet you can pick up half-a-dozen chap sticks at the Expo.

Don’t walk in the dark

With one week to Boston you don’t have time to recover from stupid mistakes.

Don’t walk around your house in the dark. If you step on a Lego or ram your foot into a chair leg or doorway you could be screwed.

You should be wearing slippers or a pair of clean shoes that your spouse will let you wear around the house.

The other night I came home from my Tuesday night club run and made this mistake. I dutifully took off my running shoes and shut off the front hall light. I was in total darkness! I’m pretty good with walking around my house in the dark.

But I knew I was taking a stupid risk. One that I should know better than. Except for that one time, I always wear slippers or shoes in the house. You should too.

Boston Marathon 2018

One Week to Boston Check List

  • Get all of your clothes together
  • Get all of your race food and beverage together
  • Confirm travel plans, parking etc.
  • Confirm where you will meet family and friends after the race
  • Make sure your ID is in your wallet or the BAA wont give you your bib
  • Make sure you have your Bib Number Pick-up card, or the BAA wont give you your bib
  • Check the BAA web site for all and any additional details. 

 

If you are looking for a frame for your Boston Marathon finisher’s medal, I can help you with that. click HERE

You’ve done the hard work, now it’s time to relax a bit and make the final preperations for the race.

Run well my Friends and see you in Boston!

Andy

ChafeX Product Review

I discovered ChafeX a few months ago and used it while training for the Boston Marathon.

ChafeX, chafing

Running involves repetitive motion and every runner deals with chafing eventually. Some runners chafe in certain areas, others chafe when they are wet.

I discovered chafing in 2003 during my third race, the Providence marathon. It was sprinkling that day and my loose singlet eventually wore away the skin on my nipples.

Somewhere after the half-way mark the person I was running with mentioned that I was bleeding. I hadn’t noticed until he said something and then each step caused unbelievable stinging.

Somehow I managed to get through the rest of the race and crossed the finish line with my jacket zipped up. My wife was horrified. I managed to bleed through my soaked jacket!

Women chafe at the sport bra line, guys chafe under the belt. I’ve even heard of butt cheek chafing. Thighs and under the arms are two other common chafe areas.If you run enough races eventually you will chafe in areas you could never imagine.

Feeling the burn

Over time, I discovered that I could run up to 10K and not chafe in most conditions. If it was wet I would chafe sooner. If I wore a tight shirt or Under Armor I could run further, even in the rain. I can actually run a marathon wearing Under Armor and not chafe.

Before I discovered tight shirts and Under Armor I used band-aids. These were literally a pain when it came time to take them off. I tend to wear Under Armor later into the spring than most people to avoid chafing on long runs.

Eventually I discovered a silicon roll on that worked really well. Slick silicon protects your skin from abrasive fabric. If I run with a loose shirt in the rain I might have some chaffing, but no bleeding.

Often runners feel the burn when they hop into the shower. You may have forgotten your glide, it may chafing,chafex,running injuryhave been wet or a tag on a new shirt or shorts rubbed you the wrong way.

You think you are okay and then the hot water hits that irritated skin. Yeeoow! You swear you’ll never forget protection again.

Chafex

When I read about ChafeX I was intrigued but skeptical. With silicon you roll it on like deodorant, and go. ChafeX needs to be applied like sunscreen. It needs to be rubbed in to bond with your skin and may need another minute to dry.

I was concerned it would take too long to apply and dry. Like most people I never have enough time and I’m often in a hurry. I was also worried about following directions correctly.

running comfortSimply Better Laboratories sent me a 50g tube to try. This is my only “compensation” for this review.

It turns out that ChafeX is easy to use and even I could follow the directions!

A toe on each foot tends to take a lot of abuse when I run. I had been using 3M First Aid tape to wrap my toes and protect them from the friction. It turns that ChafeX worked as well as tape, and I didn’t have to worry about it coming un-done.

Sometimes on a long run I will get a hot spot on the soul of my fore foot. I started applying ChafeX to these areas also, and that problem was solved.

I rotate my running shoes and sometimes different shoes will rub different areas of my foot. During my Boston Marathon training I rubbed ChafeX on the area that day’s shoes rubbed the wrong way, and problem solved.

ChafeX worked well on my original problem area, the nipples. You rub it on like sun screen, let it dry and can add a second layer for extra protection.

Man or woman, no one wants to apply a roll on below the belt and then use it next time above the belt. Or use it ever again! The ability to apply protection in this area without a roll on really sold me on ChafeX.

ChafeX and the Marathon Test

The true test of any product is the marathon. Talk about repetitive motion. It took me 4:09 to run the Boston Marathon this year. ChafeX worked like a charm.

I didn’t wear tape on my toes. I applied several layers of ChafeX to my toes and under the belt. I ran for FamilyAid Boston this year and we had custom singlets. I couldn’t risk bleeding through my shirt, so I used my silicon roll on which also worked perfectly.

I had never worn this shirt for more than a 5 mile run. I didn’t want to try two new things on my chest on race day.

I have worn the 3M tape on my toes since 2005 or so. I had enough confidence in ChafeX to go without the tape, and it really worked. I have all of my toe nails! I also didn’t have any hot spots on my feet.

Check out this instructional video on how to apply ChafeX. Here is the link to their site.

I would recommend ChafeX to anyone. It really works and you can use it anywhere on your body.

Run Well my Friends!

Andy

© 2016 andrew nagelin

Active Advantage 5K Training program Update

Active Advantage Training Update

Today I am on day 35 of the 54 day Active Advantage Intermediate 5K program and it has not been going well. Between the holidays and being sick for the past two weeks, I have missed a lot of training days.

I managed to run the Jingle Bell Run 5K on December 16th but then I didn’t run again until this week. This week I managed to run a 10K on the treadmill at my gym on Christmas Eve and another treadmill 10K yesterday. If I run again on Friday or Saturday I will hit my New Year Commitment to run three days a week. I like getting new habits established!

I am so far off track on this training program it is hilarious. It’s a good thing that I’m not really training for a 5K. If I was training for my first 5K it would not be a pretty site at the finish line. I think part of the reason I have been so lackadaisical is that I signed up for the program just to see what it was like.

I’ve never used a plan before and I’ve never had a coach. I just run as much, as fast as I can, when I train. Since I usually peek at 30 miles per week when I train for a marathon I never over train. It’s kinda impossible with so few miles per week.

I do need to add intervals and speed work to my routine. I also need to spend more time on hill work as the payoff for hill work on race day can be significant. I do need to develop a training plan for 2013. I need to be more disciplined and add new aspects to my training.

Running Tip

If you are new to running I would encourage you to try a training plan like the Active Advantage Couch to 5K or the Active Advantage Beginner 5K program. At the very least it will show you what you need to do, how to do it and give you a schedule to follow. As someone who is new to running you need that guidance. Otherwise it’s a crap shoot. You will be just like me when I started.

You can find free training programs on-line or in books at your local library. As someone beginning to run, a little guidance will go a long way.

Don’t worry if you miss a day or two while training. I’ve missed a lot more than that, but I’m still going to do my best to finish this plan. The important thing is not to get discouraged and give up. Everyone misses a day but they don’t quit because of that.

So that’s my plan-to-date update as pathetic as it is. If you are thinking about beginning running now is a good time to start. Any day is a good day to start. Just start running!

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading my ramblings!

© 2012 andrew nagelin

BAA Half Marathon 2012 Race Recap

BAA Half Marathon Recap 2012

My string of new PRs has been broken, but hopefully I am not. My official time was 1:50:57 with an 8:26 pace.

The day after the race, race my legs are getting tight and the hamstring is letting me know it is there. I’ve done some stretching and will be doing a lot more over the next six days to prepare for my next adventure, the ING Hartford Marathon.

BAA Half Marathon

I parked my car in the T parking lot about a mile from my house at 6AM and rode The Orange Line all the way to the end, Forrest Hills.

From there the BAA had shuttle buses to The Franklin Park Zoo where the race started and ended. Since I was so early I got on the first bus which was the only coach. All the rest were school buses.

Being able to park my car near my house and take one train all the way to the bus pickup area was awesome. It’s rare to have such convenience when going to a race.

 

Pre Race and preperation

It was only in the 50s this October morning so it was a bit nippy. To prepare for the race, I slipped my running pants over my running shorts and wore my running vest over my 2012 Boston Marathon shirt. It’s long sleeved and seemed appropriate to wear to a BAA event.

It had been freakin cold standing on the platform waiting for the train earlier. Waiting for the race to start in even less clothing was just as brisk.

When I go to a race I like to pack as little as possible but still be prepared for anything. If it rained today, nothing would have helped. Any running jacket eventually leaks. If you have one that will not leak you will over heat and sweat your ass off. If a jacket won’t let rain in it certainly won’t let body heat out either. Either way, you’re drenched.

I brought extra socks and shirts and even brought and wore running gloves. I ended up running in the shirt they gave us and changed into my running socks before the race. My clothing choices ended up being spot on. I never felt over heated or chilled during the race.

Running Tip

If you feel cool, or even cold before a race, you are probably dressed appropriately. It takes about a mile for your body to warm up during a race or training run. Wearing a hat or gloves before a race will help you keep warm. These are items that are easy to take off once you do warm up and can be tossed or stuffed into a pocket or running belt.

If you are warm at the start you are going to be miserable after the first mile.

Over heating during the race is one of the worse things that can happen to you. Overheating will cause your body to sweat out fluids that it needs for your run.

I have found that managing my body heat makes a big difference in my performance.

Kudus to the BAA

BAA half marathonAs usual the BAA was very well-organized. I can’t say enough about how well they manage a race. Today the buses were waiting for us; people knew where to direct us and could answer questions. There were plenty of signs directing us to the start and along the course. The road closures were taken care of. I never had to share the road with a Buick or a Porsche as I ran through Boston. I felt safe, and that is more than I can say about some other races I’ve been in.

The Start

I waited too long to line up for the race and ended up about 100 feet behind the last official corral. The road through the park was very crowded and I kept having to put on the brakes and weave around people. My first mile pace was 8:48

At mile 1 the race goes over the Monsignor William Casey Overpass which is a narrow road for 5,459 runners. The overpass was also our first hill and many people slowed down. On the first hill.

It was so tight that I had a hard time getting around people. Some runners ran outside of the cones and pushed a little more than I did. After this “hill” things thinned out a little bit and I started to make some progress.

At the Mile 2 marker my pace was 9:04. Yikes. I had set my goal pace at 8:10 on my watch. I knew this was a stretch, but that was the pace I needed to achieve a PR. So with two slow miles under my belt I stepped it up. For the rest of the race I never ran less than an 8:44 mile and did two 8:12 miles. There were some down hills that I took advantage of and I generally felt pretty good.

The race is very scenic and runs along the “Emerald Necklace”. At about 4.5 miles the race loops back on The Riverway. While I thought I had started the race in the back, I could now see that thousands of people were behind me. I knew I passed some, but many more must have started even further back than I did.

Hydration Management

I started the BAA Half Marathon with a 500ml bottle of water. I’ve incorporated this into my racing routine. I don’t drink anything the last hour before a race and then I start sipping water a few minutes before the gun goes off. This allows my system time to process all of the fluid I drank earlier, and anything I drink just before or during the race will come out through sweat.

Having my own water also allows me to skip the first few water stops. At any race, the first water stops are usually a mob scene. Instead of stopping, I move to the middle of the road and slow down or walk so it is easier to navigate the crowd who have stopped for a drink.

In a race there are things you can control and things you cannot. Hydration is something that you can control. You can’t control the weather, but bringing your own beverage gives you a lot of control. If it is hot, you have extra to drink as you need it. If it is cool your drink will allow you to get through water stops at your pace.

Walking a water stop can be part of a running strategy. With a water bottle you can avoid the first few water stops at your race. The first stops are usually crowded and can be disruptive to your pace. Moving to the middle of the road and slowing or walking allows you to control your pace, hydrate and run your plan.

Managing fluid intake is very important. You don’t want to get dehydrated and you don’t want to have to stop. You can actually do both if you do not plan properly. Just because there’s water in your bladder does not mean there’s enough in your body. Whatever you drink before the race, much of it ends up in your bladder.

Likewise, just because you peed right before the start doesn’t mean that your body is done processing the half-gallon of water your nervously drank before the race.  All of that excess water is in your system and a few miles into the race all of the fluid you drank will catch up with you.

Running Tip

Hydration is crucial to your race. Here is my routine:

  • Drink plenty of fluids the day before the race and before the race
  • Stop drinking all fluids one hour before the race
  • Use the porta-potties at least twice, the last time as close to start time as possible
  • At a large race staying in the porta-potty line may be required
  • Practice running with a water bottle and use one during the race
  • Test sports drinks during training so you know what your system tolerates best

Our first stop

Our first water stop and porta pottie deployment was at mile two. I moved to the middle of the road to stay out-of-the-way and looked over to the johns. Eight people were lined up! After two miles! They exemplified poor hydration management and validated what I have been doing for the past few years.

These people may have been new to running and hadn’t figured out how hydration works yet. Even veteran runners make mistakes and sometimes the bowels are the problem, not the bladder. Think before you drink!

The Hills

This course was far from flat but was no Great Bay Half Marathon either. At about mile 7 and 11 the most challenging hills met us. The rise at mile 7 is about 50 feet over half-a-mile. It’s not steep but it is the first significant uphill and it is past the halfway mark in the race, a point when legs are getting tired. Mile 6 was 8:16 and mile 7 was 8:29 for me, so not too much slower.

BAA Half_Marathon_ElevationMap

 

At mile 11 we started our climb from 75 feet above sea level to about 150 feet above sea level over about a mile distance. The biggest elevation gain is between mile 11 and 11.5, probably 60 feet. This is very late in the race and many tired legs struggled.

The hills in a race are the great sorters. People who have done hill work and are otherwise prepared can charge up a hill and pass a lot of people. Anyone who has not put in the miles and done the hill work will fall back on the hills. Late in the race the hills are ruthless sorters.

I don’t focus on hill work as much as I should, but my club runs are full of hills. On race day that hill work pays off. I have come to love the hills.

BAA Half Marathon Official Results

The BAA results and commentary are here. The BAA also has a link to race photos on this same page.Full race results are also posted on coolrunning.com.

My time was 1:50:57 and my pace was 8:26. Out of 5,424 runners I came in 1,629th and out of 227 men aged 45-49 I came in 93rd. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that I finished within the top 30% overall, and in the top 40% of men my age.

A few notable finishes

The male winner was Allan Kiprono 22 years old from Kenya with a time of 1:01:44. The top female was Kim Smith 30 years old from New Zealand with a time of 1:10:57. Really amazing results.

The top guy in my age group was Wayne Levy 47 years old from Waban, MA with a finish time of 1:16:20. Bravo!

The oldest guy to finish the race was Anthony Cellucci 80 years old from Needham, MA with a finish time of 3:24:54. This man is my hero. I often say I want to still be doing this when I’m 80. Well, Mr. Cellucci is getting it done!

One of the announcers said 60% of the runners in this race were women. They were especially proud of that as we celebrate 40 years since Title 9 was passed in the US giving females the same access to athletics and sports as males have in school.

The oldest woman to finish was Rosemary Lasche 67 years old from Brookline, MA with a finish time of 2:12:47. This put her in 3961st place overall and 2nd out of six women in her age group.

Run well my friends!

Andy

© 2012 Andrew nagelin